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https://sg.news.yahoo.com/hong-kong-tells-residents-smile-103335063.html Something as in why I never have a good HK friend till I meet the guy who teach me golf (he is one and only, but he almost considered as Thai) Hong Kong, the Chinese enclave that’s still struggling to revive its tourism economy post-pandemic and in the wake of a Beijing-influenced crackdown on civil liberties, has taken a new approach to wooing visitors: curbing its residents’ reputation for rudeness. Earlier this week, the city government launched a new campaign to promote politeness. A “handful of black sheep,” culture, sports, and tourism secretary Kevin Yeung said, have made headlines for behavior that “tarnishes our image.” Unfriendly service staff at restaurants, once viewed as a charming hallmark of visiting Hong Kong, has increasingly been described as a turn-off for tourists, while rudeness topped the list of complaints about the city’s taxi industry in a survey last year. Yeung announced on Monday a multi-department effort to reverse this reputation: the Education Bureau will promote programs to teach courtesy to students, while the Home Affairs Department will organize community activities to encourage friendliness, with potential reward schemes for “good performance.” Yeung also announced that authorities will share a series of video clips urging residents to “go the extra mile” to promote the city’s hospitality and to volunteer at visitor centers. Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee backed the campaign during his regular press conference on Tuesday: “I ask you all to take part, to enhance visitors’ experience,” he said through an interpreter. “We should be more courteous, we should be more helpful, we should smile more, we should take the extra mile to promote Hong Kong’s hospitality so that Hong Kong will become a well-known place where visitors are welcome.” It’s not the first time Hong Kong has tried to solve its perceived attitude problem—similar politeness campaigns were launched in the ’90s and early 2000s. But the city has struggled to see its pre-pandemic level of visitors return, even after the strict measures against inbound travel that were taken in effort to prevent the spread of COVID-19 were lifted and despite a slew of efforts—including hosting more than 200 “mega events,” from conferences to concerts to sports games—aimed at reestablishing itself as an international destination. Data since 2002 from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department and Tourism Board show that the city saw a peak of over 6.7 million visitor arrivals in January 2019. In April 2024, it saw less than half as many. But it’s not just COVID that has kept people away. The decline in visitor numbers has coincided with Hong Kong’s shifting political landscape, with arrivals beginning to dip after major pro-democracy protests in 2019 and the subsequent quelling of dissent and of any anti-China sentiment in the city. (Some say simmering political tensions, along with other social and economic factors, is partly to blame for the brusqueness of Hong Kongers today.) The profile of Hong Kong’s recent post-pandemic tourism has also largely changed from what it used to look like. In 2010, according to government statistics, 10% of visitors were from Europe and the Americas, while 63% were from mainland China. In 2023, 5% hailed from Europe and the Americas, while 79% came from mainland China. It doesn’t help that countries like the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. have issued travel warnings cautioning their citizens about “arbitrary” and “broad” enforcement of local laws. (Those from China now are also more cost-conscious than the predominantly rich Chinese tourists of the past.) Yeung, the city’s tourism secretary, for his part, seems to be aware of the immense task before him: “The hospitality movement cannot solve all of society’s problems,” he said, “but the spirit is what counts.”

Such a big news created here locally. Apparently, this office was invited by his superior to go to a dinner with the influential guy. He was then shot dead in the dinner and his superior could not forgive himself and committed suicide. 25 other officers were in the dinner but the mastermind still got around destroying evidences. Poor policeman, he was said to be an upright and honest guy. But just got killed because he refuses a promotion for the nephew of the mastermind. Just for thots, we are really lucky to be around on SG with no such nonsenses going around. https://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2023/09/08/thai-policeman-and-gunman-shot-dead-local-influence-is-apparent/

I tried to search for the word "Fishing" but did not get any. As I had sold my fishing boat in SG many years back and been living in China where I lost all the Khakis. I did leave about 18 fishing rods and reels in Singapore. Recent transfer to Thailand leaves me with tonnes of work but I realized I am able to travel around by driving and there is lots of fishing areas over here. So time to re-live my love for fishing and find out who in here are anglers and also share Singapore fishing scene or even overseas

Hi All, Was at the mall yesterday and I saw something close to an Iphone. I took a closer look at it and actually realize there is this brand "Nothing Phone" I looks very much the same and it has more designs put into it and it actually so much cheaper. Come today, I check it out. Actually it is founded by co-founder of One Plus and it really looks good. If there is already a thread on this. Mod, please help to merge. But if not, I just want to know more about this new thingy and will it replace the Apple Iphones or even take up a big market shares from here?

While landing on Changi Airport, I just did not have enough time to pull out my phone to take a photo. I note there is a aircraft carrier outside the bay of our Navy Base in Changi. It must be the US? I just wonder what carrier is it and how if there is even an opportunity to get closer and take a look. Probably this 1,2 days go there cycling and see. Wonder what deal we have with them too, will CCP KPKB.

Beijing Hotels - pls tell me which one is near to MRT and amenities like shopping centres, eateries. Raffles Beijing - 33 East Chang An Avenue, Beijing Fairmont Beijing - 8 Yong An Dong Li, Jian Guo Men Wai Avenue, Chaoyang District Swissotel Beijing- 2 Chao Yang Men Bei Da Jie Also, which month is the best season to go to Beijing - least likelihood of sandstorm and rain, and nice cool weather. thanks

STB partners Trip.com Group to market Singapore as a travel destination SINGAPORE: The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) is collaborating with travel services provider Trip.com Group to market Singapore as a travel destination. Announcing the three-year Memorandum of Understanding on Tuesday (Nov 17), both parties said they will also customise and promote travel products, itineraries and experiences to cater to different types of travellers. These include free and independent travellers, leisure groups and MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) visitors. It comes as Trip.com Group recently set up its international headquarters in Singapore, focusing on marketing, sales and research and development. The partnership will “leverage Trip.com Group's fast-growing global network as a leading international online travel services provider, as well as its ability to draw insights on travel behaviour and needs from its large user base”, they said in a joint news release. “As Singapore gradually and safely reopens our borders, this partnership will help drive the recovery of Singapore’s tourism sector as consumers look to travel in this new COVID-19 environment,” STB CEO Keith Tan said. “We look forward to safely welcoming visitors back to Singapore, to enjoy our great food, unique culture, beautiful parks and fun experiences.” This is the latest collaboration announced by STB, as Singapore gradually reopens its borders following restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Last week, STB announced a partnership with the Hong Kong Tourism Board to promote travel between the two destinations, before the first flights begin under the Singapore-Hong Kong travel bubble. MARKETING COLLABORATIONS, SHARING INSIGHTS The partnership between STB and Trip.com will cover areas such as marketing, data analytics and product and industry development, both parties said. This includes joint marketing campaigns to attract visitors to Singapore, which will focus on markets such as China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Thailand. “STB and Trip.com will curate and deliver inspirational and engaging content via various media channels to showcase the Singapore destination story and to position Singapore as a safe and compelling destination of choice for travellers,” they said. The campaigns will be rolled out in phases based on their readiness to travel and prevailing travel policies. “STB and Trip.com Group will also exchange insights on key traveller segments and regional travel trends, with industry stakeholders in Singapore and key markets,” they added. “This is to equip them with useful insights that can help them reach out to consumers more effectively and to enhance the visitor experience in Singapore.” Trip.com Group’s chairman and co-founder James Liang said Singapore has “always been one of the most sought-after destination by global travellers”. He noted that searches for flights and hotels related to Singapore jumped 379 per cent within hours of the announcement on the easing of travel restrictions on visitors from mainland China. “As international travel resumes, we believe Singapore will be the first port-of-call for many international visitors and we are delighted to have the opportunity to work closely with STB to develop and grow Singapore’s standing as one of the top tourist destinations over the next few years,” Mr Liang said. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/stb-partners-trip-com-group-tourism-travel-13577678 time to look beyond 2020 and covid19.

Hi guys, Anyone went on Leisure World before? The 'gambling' cruise? Got a question I would like to ask... is it easy for old folks to board Leisure World from the small ferry? Need to cross bridge or walk up the gangway by the side of the cruise? Scary or not ah?

Back in school days, i almost sign up power boat course to get a license to sail. but last time me poor student, $500+ for a course is a lot of $$ to me. that's why i save up the $$ to get a class 3 driving license in the end. Now, there is this lobang to learn power boat at only $150. http://tinyurl.com/6jkdkul Even after adding Examination fee ($70) and medical check-up ($30) fees...total add up only $250. Anyone with power boat license here can share how useful is it? Heard that next time punggol going to have some water sports facilitates, which is very near where i stay

What kind of weekender are you? 1. Go out on Saturdays and stay at home on Sundays. These people will continue to have fun after a 5 day work week and continue their surging energies into the Saturday. They will go out the whole day on Saturdays until late night since Sunday no work (or work half day and go out till night) and then rest the whole day on Sundays at home to prepare for Monday, e.g. sleep, spend time at home with family and hobby. 2. Stay at home on Saturdays and go out at Sundays. These people will rest, sleep, stay at home with family on Saturdays (or go home straight after half day work) and recharge after a hectic work week. They will go out on Sundays for some fun and return home early to get ready for Monday. 3. Work on Saturdays and Sundays or either one. These people have to work full days on weekends. Either whole weekend burnt for work or only have one day of weekend for rest or fun. 4. Go out on both Saturdays and Sundays. These people either have that energies or have only these 2 days for family and friends, so they make full use of it, like driving around exploring places, meet up with their wide circles of friends, movie marathons, etc. Each day is precious to them and they don't waste time at home sleeping. 5. Stay at home on both Saturdays and Sundays. These people are too tired to go anywhere after a hectic work week or want to save money after spending a lot during working days. They rather stay at home to recharge for the new working week, than going out because it is too tiring to go out, too expensive to spend on weekends, too crowded and boring to go anywhere during weekends. They prefer to stay at home, sleep, surf net, play with kids, cook and eat, watch TV, etc

Wifey found a duck farm with resort facilities to visit for our annual road trip to MY. She likes duck but never came close to a real duck before. So we decided to visit this duck farm and Port Dickson. After contacting the farm, they requested for payment first before any reservation can be made. As they had MY Maybank account only, I sought the help of a fellow bro(@Mcf777) here. With his help, we managed to make a reservation at the farm. The day has arrived and we drove 600km up north to a town Terung, slightly above Ipoh. Entrance to the duck farm : Here, you can fully interact with the ducks. Feeding them from your hand or let them eat from the tray and pet them. These lucky ducks are for tourist entertainment. The unlucky ones are at the farm.

Hi to everyone We had a drive-up in the previous year [4/7/2010] to Sim Koa Yen Durian Farm "SKY". * reference : http://www.mycarforum.com/index.php?showto...2382&st=200 [from post #210 onwards] Now we are planning a drive-up for Jun

Hi Guys, Been awhile since we last did a mega meet up..... Anyone keen to do it again?

Thought of trying something different this round - it's always been beaches and hills, and recently KL and Malacca. I've passed by Leisure Farm twice in recent years on the way to Senai. Just wondering if anyone has tried before and what's the recommendation?

anyone been to leisure farm. is it a nice place for a quick getaway? or if bros can suggest good places to go in jb other than the usual carreforre jusco and city square shopping stuff would be great too.