KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 10 (Bernama) — There are currently 28,420 centi-millionaires in the world, more than double the number 20 years ago, according to the 2023 Centi-Millionaire Report released by wealth and investment migration advisors Henley & Partners.
The report featured exclusive data from global wealth intelligence firm New World Wealth indicating that the amount represents an increase of 12 per cent compared to this time last year.
According to Henley & Partners in a statement, this fast-growing global elite of highly influential super-wealthy movers and shakers boast investable assets of US$100 million or more. (US$1=RM4.72)
As outlined in the inaugural report last year, at a country level, most centi-millionaires (or ‘centis’) are concentrated in the United States (US) with 38 per cent, followed by the large emerging markets of China and India.
One third of the world’s centi-millionaire community live in 50 key cities across the globe, with New York City (NYC) wearing the crown with 775 resident centi-millionaires.
Hot on the heels of NYC in first place comes the Bay Area with 692 resident centi-millionaires, followed by Los Angeles with 504 centis. This super-rich cohort has grown by just over five per cent in the Big Apple over the past 12 months, compared to 11 per cent in the Bay Area.
Overall, the US has 12 cities in the Top 50, with a combined total of 3,311 centis, representing 11.7 per cent of the world’s centi-millionaire population as of June this year.
By contrast, the United Kingdom (UK) has only one city in the Top 50, in which London comes in fourth place with 388 centi-millionaires, representing 1.4 per cent of the world’s centi population.
The report further unveiled an impressive representation from Asia in the upper rankings, with four Asian cities and territories among the world’s Top 10 centi-millionaire hotspots, in which Mainland China has two Top 10 cities with Beijing ranked fifth and Shanghai took the sixth spot, while Singapore follows in seventh place, and Hong Kong (SAR China) in eighth place.
Of the Top 50 cities, the e-commerce hub of Hangzhou in China is expected to see the highest growth in its centi-millionaire population in the next decade with a projected 95 per cent increase, closely followed by the prominent tech hub, Shenzhen (88 per cent).
· 83% of Asian travelers have reported they feel proud about the rising popularity of their country of origin as a travel destination. · 77% of Asian travelers are seeking to better understand their own heritage through travel. · Asian travelers unequivocally rank exploring local and traditional food and beverage as the most important consideration when it comes to planning travel for 2024, highlighting the intrinsic connection between culture and cuisine. · This research comes as Hilton releases its global 2024 Trends Report, which uncovers four themes expected to be the catalysts of change and innovation for travel in 2024 and beyond.
SINGAPORE, Oct 10 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — As Hilton releases its 2024 Trends Report, the leading global hospitality company has discovered an emerging generation of Asian travelers who are pursuing travel that will enable them to better understand their identity. Dubbed as the ‘GenerAsian traveler’ are Asians who are inspired by self-discovery and have a desire for a deeper understanding of their own cultural and ancestral heritage through travel.
In a global survey conducted in collaboration with Ipsos, a resounding chorus of travelers across the Asia Pacific region have expressed a growing confidence for self-exploration. In fact, a staggering 83% of respondents reported they feel proud about the rising popularity of their country of origin as a coveted travel destination, with 84% feeling honored about the international popularity and appreciation of Asian food, design, and culture.
This shift in global taste can be attributed to globalization¹, where international audiences now have better accessibility and insight into Asia through pop culture and social media. Alongside this, the region has seen much greater representation in entertainment, food and beverage, and other industries – from top-grossing Hollywood films, to restaurants around the region receiving internationally renowned recognition.
“We’re constantly monitoring the travel preferences of different generations to create tailored experiences that cater to their unique needs and desires. Fueled by a sense of pride that Asian food, design, and culture are gaining popularity globally, we know this will hold even greater significance and interest for travelers in the upcoming year,” Ben George, senior vice president and commercial director, Asia Pacific, Hilton commented.
“In fact, our research found that 77% of APAC travelers are seeking to better understand their own heritage through travel, with 75% looking to learn more about other Asian cultures. We believe that the heart of a great trip is a great stay, and so we remain committed to delivering innovative solutions to ensure our guests can fully immerse themselves in both our hotels and their communities,” he added.
Access to Local, Gastronomic Experiences are a Priority for Asians
Priorities differ among travelers when it comes to selecting their accommodation. For some, convenience might be key, but for others, price point remains at top of mind. In line with their travel motivations, Asian consumers are more likely than travelers from other countries surveyed to book their accommodations based on access to unique local experiences. A substantially higher proportion of respondents from China (81%), India (77%) and Singapore (70%) indicated that they always or often do so, compared to the 65% average across all countries surveyed in Hilton’s global study².
When it comes to the types of experiences Asian travelers seek during their trips, 88% of respondents unequivocally ranked exploring local and traditional food and beverage as the most important to them. A strong majority (84%) also indicated a desire to deepen their understanding of the local history and heritage of the destination they travel to, and connect with the local community when they travel (78%) – suggesting a reassuring desire for more authentic travel experiences³.
Food and beverage also showed as a unifying passion point across Asian respondents in Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report survey, with respondents across China, India, Japan, and Singapore all ranking culinary experiences as the top budget priority for their travel plans next year. In contrast, exploring and adventure experiences as well as indulgence or pampering emerged as the top budget priority in the majority of the other markets surveyed⁴.
To ensure they are able to prioritize travel in the coming year, a higher percentage of consumers in Asian countries are reducing spending on other areas of their life compared to other markets surveyed (82% India, 74% China, and 74% Singapore versus 64% global). Considerably more travelers from China (85%), India (81%) and Singapore (73%) are also inclined to spend more on travel in 2024 than they did in 2023, compared to the global average of 65%⁵.
“At Hilton, we’ve noticed a rising interest in self-discovery and the desire for an even deeper understanding of one’s heritage, and this will be an even more important consideration for travelers in 2024. Interestingly, 71% of all Asia Pacific respondents reported they will prioritize traveling in the next 12 months, supporting this notion of the GenerAsian traveler and their passion to explore,” said Alexandra Jaritz, senior vice president, Brand Management, Asia Pacific, Hilton.
“From our ongoing brand innovation and dining experiences to our world-renowned hospitality, Hilton will enable guests to completely connect and immerse themselves in the destinations they chose to travel,” she added.
Understanding Generational Differences in Global Travelers’ Expectations
These insights were commissioned as part of research for Hilton’s 2024 Trends Report, which sought to uncover the profile of the 2024 traveler, while also zooming in to understand what the desires and preferences will be for the different generations. Following a global survey of more than 10,000 travelers from nine countries, and in-depth interviews with dozens of Hilton travel experts, the report uncovers four themes expected to be the catalysts of change and innovation for travel in 2024 and beyond:
1. Travelers Will Invest in Their Sleep: Gen Zs are the most intentional about winding down, with 21% regulating their workout routine, and 25% avoiding alcohol before bedtime. In Asia Pacific, respondents ranked listening to music or podcasts (33%) and choosing a trusted hotel brand with consistent mattress quality (27%) as their top sleep considerations. 2. Travelers Will Value Connectivity and Personalization: 80% of global travelers and 83% in Asia Pacific surveyed said it’s important to be able to book their trip entirely online, with 86% of Millennials and 83% of Gen Zs leading the charge. 3. Culture and Experiences Will Drive Leisure Travel Decisions: Across generations globally and in the Asia Pacific region, travelers’ top focus is on culinary (49%) as well as exploration and adventure experiences (47%). Gen Xs (48%) and Baby Boomers (45%) are the most passionate about their dining budget plans, while Gen Zs and Millennials (52% for both) are carving out more budget for exploration and adventure experiences than other generations. 4. Business Travel Trends Will Redefine Expectations: More than a third of Gen Z and Millennial business travelers say they plan to extend a business trip to enjoy leisure time before or after their work obligations, and 24% of global business travelers plan to take a friend or family member with them on a business trip next year.
Both qualitative and quantitative methods were used to determine the emerging trends detailed in this report. Hilton conducted stakeholder interviews across the organization to gain perspectives on what travel looks like today and determine what is top of mind going into 2024, with business divisions including: Business Travel/Events, Food & Beverage, Wellness, Sustainability, Design, Digital Innovation and Workplace Culture. Hilton commissioned two phases of research with Ipsos, one of the largest market research and polling companies globally. First, Ipsos conducted 60 qualitative online video diaries in the U.S. between April and May 2023. Then Ipsos fielded a quantitative online survey in July 2023 among a nationally representative sample in Germany, Great Britain, Japan and the U.S. of adults under age 75. The samples in China, India, Mexico, Singapore and U.A.E. are more urban, more educated and/or more affluent than the general population. The survey results for these markets should be viewed as reflecting the views of the more “connected” segment of their population. Each country included an oversample of n=200 Gen Z to increase analytic capability for this age group. The age breakdown used is Gen Z: 18-26, Millennial: 27-44, Gen X: 45-58 and Baby Boomers: 59-77.
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 22 world-class brands comprising nearly 7,300 properties and more than 1.1 million rooms, in 123 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed more than 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, earned a top spot on Fortune’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list and been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for six consecutive years. Hilton has introduced several industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 165 million members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can’t buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
The global place branding advisor today announced the world’s 100 top-performing cities in their ninth annual 2024 World’s’s Best Cities Report.
NEW YORK, Oct 4 (Bernama-GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —Resonance is a leading advisor in tourism, real estate and economic development, and its World’s Best Cities rankings quantify and benchmark the relative quality of place, reputation and competitive identity for the planet’s urban centers.
The Best Cities data is lauded as the world’s most thorough annual city ranking, based on original methodology that analyzes key statistics, user-generated reviews, social media and online activity.
The ninth annual World’s Best Cities ranking is an important, timely analysis of the urban centers that are leading the planet in post-pandemic economic recovery and a resilient future.
Access the 2024 World’s Best Cities Report and all 100 city profiles at WorldsBestCities.com.
Learn more about how Resonance Consultancy can help your city and community at ResonanceCo.com.
”The 2024 World’s Best Cities rankings benchmark the overall performance of more than 270 principal cities in metropolitan areas with populations of more than one million, based on a wide variety of measures, in order to identify the Top 100 places to live, visit and invest on the planet,” says Resonance President & CEO Chris Fair.
The overall Best Cities rankings are determined by analyzing the performance of each city for a wide range of factors that have historically shown positive correlations with attracting employment, investment and/or visitors to cities. Resonance groups these 24 metrics into a ranking of each city’s Livability, Lovability and Prosperity.
Based on each city’s performance across our methodology, these are the World’s Top 10 Best Cities for 2024:
1. London, United Kingdom 2. Paris, France 3. New York, United States 4. Tokyo, Japan 5. Singapore 6. Dubai, United Arab Emirates 7. San Francisco, United States 8. Barcelona, Spain 9. Amsterdam, Netherlands 10. Seoul, South Korea
The full ranking and extensive profiles of all 100 World’s Best Cities are available at WorldsBestCities.com.
About Resonance Consultancy
Resonance creates transformative strategies, brands and campaigns that empower destinations, cities and communities to realize their full potential. As leading advisors in real estate, tourism and economic development, Resonance combines expertise in research, strategy, branding and communications to make destinations, cities and developments more valuable and more vibrant. ResonanceCo.com
About World’s Best Cities
Best Cities is the home of Resonance’s exclusive ranking of the world’s top urban destinations. The data is used by leading news outlets, trusted by city leaders, and is widely considered to be the world’s most comprehensive annual city ranking. Bloomberg calls it, ”The most comprehensive study of its kind; it identifies cities that are most desirable for locals, visitors, and businesspeople alike, rather than simply looking at livability or tourism appeal.” WorldsBestCities.com | #BestCities
BEIJING, Oct 2 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — In order to promote international cooperation and the trade development of China’s machinery and intelligent manufacturing industry, the ‘ China Machinery & Intelligent Manufacturing Brand Show (Thailand) & Wire & Tube Southeast Asia 2023’ was successfully held from September 20 to 22, 2023, in Bangkok, Thailand. This event was hosted by the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, organized by the Bureau of Foreign Trade Development Affairs of the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China, and executed by CMEC International Exhibition Co., Ltd. The exhibition was held concurrently with Wire & Tube Southeast Asia, a reputable event that has been successfully hosted for 10 years and serves as an important platform for Chinese and Thai businesses to collaborate on projects.
This exhibition took place at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre and brought together distinguished companies from China and Southeast Asia. At this event, the number of Chinese exhibitors reached 70, occupying a net booth area of over 738 square meters. The exhibition afforded attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest development trends and technological innovations in the industry, while also fostering favorable opportunities for exchanges and cooperation between enterprises. In order to promote exchanges between Chinese and Thai enterprises and enhance the effectiveness of overseas exhibitions, an exchange event for Chinese and Thai entrepreneurs was held at the exhibition site on September 22. Ms. Zhang Xiaoxiao, Counselor of the Economic and Commercial Office of the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in the Kingdom of Thailand, delivered an opening speech. In this entrepreneur exchange event, more than 50 Chinese exhibitors met face-to-face with high-quality buyers from Thailand and Southeast Asia, explored cooperation opportunities, and established business partnerships.
The successful holding of the exhibition not only strengthened cooperation and exchanges between China and Thailand in the fields of machinery and intelligent manufacturing, providing strong support for Chinese companies to expand into the Southeast Asian market, but also further promoted the implementation of the “Belt and Road Initiative” and enhanced the cooperative relationship between China and Thailand in trade, technological innovation, and industrial cooperation.
KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 27 (Bernama) — Datacubed Health in collaboration with AppInChina, a renowned leader in Android App Store publication, has launched its eClinical platform app in China, representing a significant step forward for Datacubed Health’s commitment to expanding its presence in the Chinese market.
This partnership ensures seamless deployment of the eClinical platform app in official Android stores across China and the Apple App Store, as well as guarantees accessibility to a wide range of devices and ecosystems.
The company has also established a legal entity within China and acquired all necessary commercial and legal licences as well as certificates. These crucial steps are a testament to Datacubed Health’s commitment to providing secure and regulated services within the Chinese market.
Datacubed Health Chief Executive Officer, Brett Kleger said the company is thrilled to introduce its eClinical platform app to the Chinese market.
“Our partnership with AppInChina, legal entity establishment, and rigorous compliance efforts demonstrate our dedication to providing world-class services to our Chinese users. We look forward to empowering clinical research initiatives in China with our cutting-edge solutions,” he said in a statement.
The launch of the eClinical platform app represents a significant stride in bridging the gap between global research initiatives and the Chinese healthcare landscape.
This app has been meticulously customised to align with local requirements and has undergone rigorous testing by local quality assurance teams, ensuring the seamless functioning of the platform while adhering to Chinese network security requirements and restrictions.
Datacubed Health has also bolstered its presence in China by establishing a fully compliant and fault-tolerant Software as a Service (SaaS) infrastructure and their solution is now hosted in AWS Beijing, ensuring data security and reliability for users in the region.
With these key developments in operational, legal and software compliance, Datacubed Health is well-prepared to provide unmatched support to clinical research efforts in China.
A global provider of innovative solutions for patient engagement and data collection in clinical trials, Datacubed Health is a pioneering eClinical technology company built from the ground up by industry veterans who wanted to create a better clinical trial experience for all stakeholders.
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