SEOUL - THE chairman of Canon Inc, the world's largest digital camera maker, said on Sunday the company's year-end holiday sales were 'disappointing' and expected a difficult 2009 as an economic downturn hits consumer demand.
KUALA LUMPUR - LONG-HAUL budget airline AirAsia X on Sunday said it hoped to launch flights to at least three destinations in Japan by year-end after Tokyo relaxed its tough visa requirements for Malaysians.
'With our new A330-300 being delivered, I hope to mount flights by end of the year to at least three destination in Japan,' chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani told AFP.
HONG KONG - CHINESE Vice President Xi Jinping urged Macau to diversify its economy as the gaming hub continues to suffer from falling tourist numbers amid the global financial crisis, reports said on Sunday.
'We should leave room for adequate diversification and properly handle the relationship between development and conservation,' Mr Xi said during a two-day official visit to the city, according to a report in Hong Kong's Sunday Morning Post.
SEOUL - SOUTH Korea's travel account deficit drastically narrowed last year as the weaker won attracted more foreign tourists while preventing many Koreans from travelling abroad, government data showed on Sunday.
The country's travel account shortfall fell to less than one third from US$10.1 billion (S$14.9 billion) in 2007 to US$3.1 billion in 2008, according to figures released by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism.
