News roundup: Hong Kong’s prudent approach to land sales, and other headlines

For PropertyGuru’s real estate news roundup, Hong Kong needs to be prudent when selling land. In other headlines, Chinese and Thai tourists surge thanks to visa-free policy, and find out what Asian cities rank high on the wishlist of Indian tourists.

Hong Kong development chief says ‘prudent’ approach needed for land sales, citing market sentiment

Hong Kong will have to be prudent when selling land in the coming fiscal year, development minister Bernadette Linn has said, as the government announced eight residential sites, six of which were rolled over from last year’s programme.

As reported in HKFP, Linn announced the land sale programme at a press conference, saying the eight residential sites would provide about 5,690 flats.

Two commercial sites in Kai Tak and Sha Tin would provide about 120,000 square metres of gross floor area, and a site designated for industrial use would provide a floor area of 544,000 square metres.

Chinese, Thai tourist numbers surge

The number of Chinese tourists visiting Thailand has increased by 30 percent year-on-year, major Chinese travel agency Trip.com Group reported on 1st March. The date marks a year since the permanent visa-free policy between the two countries took effect.

In the first two months of this year, more than 1 million tourists visited Thailand, once again making China the largest source of inbound tourism for Thailand.

At the same time, Thai tourist bookings to China have tripled compared to last year, and have increased by over 160 percent since 2019, according to the travel agency in a report in China Daily.

Asian cities that rank high on Indian travellers’ wishlist

From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the tranquil waters of Bali, Asia offers a kaleidoscope of experiences that capture the imagination of Indian travellers. As Indian travellers continue to seek new adventures and experiences, these vibrant Asian cities remain at the top of their wishlist, promising unforgettable journeys filled with culture, cuisine, and discovery. Whether it’s the allure of ancient history, the excitement of modernity, or the tranquillity of nature, each city holds a unique charm waiting to be discovered.

Find out which other Asian cities made it to The Times of India list.

The Property Report editors wrote this article. For more information, email: [email protected].