People
Dane Cheng moves to Hong Kong Tourism Board
November 1st 2019
Former Cathay Pacific Airways director sales and marketing, Dane Cheng, is the new executive director of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), with effect from today. Read More » He succeeds Anthony Lau, who left the board in July. HKTB chairman, Pang Yiu-kai, acknowledged challenges to Hong Kong tourism due to protests in the territory when he announced Cheng’s appointment. “I am certain Mr Cheng will lead the team in overcoming the current difficulties,” he said.
Hong Kong tourism saw a 34% reduction of visitors in September compared with a 39% decline in August. There was a smaller drop in mainland China visitors, but a larger decrease in visitors from elsewhere. Visitors from China declined 35% in September compared with 42% in August. Regional Asia visitors declined 41% in September against a 32% decrease in August. Long-haul visitors declined 24% compared with 21% in August.
The only growth was from Macau. August saw 7% more visitors to Hong Kong from the neighbouring Special Administrative Region and September recorded a 6% increase. Overall visitor numbers will not increase without a rebound from China.
Lucio Tan Jr appointed PAL Holdings president
Lucio Tan Jr. has become Philippine Airlines Holdings (PAH) president. His father, Lucio Tan, is chairman. Santa Maria remains Philippine Airlines (PAL) president and COO. Santa Maria replaced Jaime Bautista, who retired in June. On October 28, Santa Maria presented the group’s board with a turnaround strategy that will be implemented in 2020.
Indonesia's first female airline CEO
Indonesia AirAsia has named Veranita Yosephine as CEO. She has been deputy CEO since July. Before she joined the LCC, she was sales director at Kraft Heinz. She succeeds Dendy Kurniawan, who is now the president commissioner on parent owner AirAsia Indonesia’s board of commissioners. She is the first female CEO of a major Indonesian airline.
