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Alibaba’s Amap Hits Record 360 Million Users on First Day of China’s Extended Holiday

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Alibaba Group’s mapping app Amap reached an all-time record of over 360 million daily active users on the first day of China’s eight-day National Day holiday, the company announced on Wednesday.

The surge highlights Amap’s growing dominance in the travel and lifestyle app ecosystem and marks a significant milestone in its ongoing rivalry with Meituan, another major player in China’s digital services market.

AMAP’S STRATEGIC SHIFT AND AI FEATURES

Traditionally known for navigation, Amap has been expanding into lifestyle and local services, directly challenging Meituan’s Dazhong Dianping platform. It now offers AI-powered rankings of restaurants, hotels and tourist destinations through its new feature called “Street Stars”, which leverages artificial intelligence algorithms to generate destination lists for users.

As part of the launch campaign, Amap rolled out 1 billion yuan ($140.43 million) worth of subsidies, including ride-hailing discounts and in-store coupons, to boost engagement during the peak holiday period.

MARKET REACTION AND HOLIDAY BOOST

The announcement sent Alibaba’s shares up 4% in Hong Kong trading on Thursday after JPMorgan raised its price target on the stock to HK$240 ($30.85) from HK$165, citing stronger-than-expected user activity and positive outlooks in the company’s digital services ecosystem.

The record usage coincided with China’s National Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, which this year were combined into an eight-day “super holiday”, one of the country’s busiest travel periods.

According to state broadcaster CCTV, China’s national railway handled 23.13 million passenger trips on the first day alone — an 8% increase year-on-year and a new single-day record, underscoring the nationwide travel boom.

ALIBABA VS. MEITUAN: A DIGITAL LIFESTYLE BATTLE

Amap’s evolution reflects Alibaba’s broader effort to capture local-lifestyle market share from Meituan by transforming a simple mapping tool into a comprehensive travel and experience platform.
Chinese consumers, who traditionally turned to Meituan’s Dazhong Dianping for restaurant reviews and bookings, are increasingly finding similar services integrated directly within Amap’s app — backed by AI personalization and user subsidies.

As China’s consumer and tourism sectors rebound post-pandemic, the battle for digital lifestyle dominance between Alibaba and Meituan is set to intensify — with Amap’s record user engagement during the National Day holiday offering Alibaba a strong start.

Uber Launches Boat Hailing Service on Kashmir’s Dal Lake

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Uber has introduced a new water transport service on Kashmir’s picturesque Dal Lake, offering rides on traditional Shikara boats, a popular attraction for both locals and tourists. This marks Uber’s first water transport service in India, although it has previously launched similar services in cities like London.

Customers can book Shikara rides through the Uber app, with bookings required 12 hours to 15 days in advance. However, Uber will not charge any fees on the rides; instead, all payments will go directly to the Shikara operators. This initiative aims to combine technology with tradition to provide a seamless booking experience.

Mixed Reactions from Shikara Operators

While some Shikara operators are optimistic about the service, believing it will help attract more business, others remain skeptical. Those in favor see it as an opportunity to offer fixed rates and avoid bargaining, while others believe it won’t significantly change their established customer base.

La Dolce Vita Orient Express: Indulge in Italy’s Culinary Journey in Luxury

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This week’s travel roundup highlights the exciting La Dolce Vita Orient Express train, new hotel openings in Italy, and some fascinating global travel news.

The La Dolce Vita Orient Express train promises an extravagant dining experience, with Michelin-starred chef Heinz Beck crafting a menu that reflects the diverse culinary traditions of the 14 Italian regions featured on the train’s eight routes. Highlights include a truffle-themed journey between Rome and Nizza Monferrato, and a tour through the Tuscan vineyards of Montalcino. The train is set to launch in spring 2025, with prices starting at 3,500 euros ($3,794) per person. This luxurious train aims to capture the chic allure of 1960s and 1970s Italy, differing from the original Orient Express’s 1920s aesthetic.

In addition to the train, the Orient Express brand is introducing its first hotels, starting with the Orient Express La Minerva in Rome, followed by the Orient Express Palazzo Donà Giovannelli in Venice. More details about these hotel openings will be announced later this year.

For train enthusiasts, Vietnam’s Revolution Express is also on the horizon. Two refurbished steam trains from the 1960s are expected to begin service in 2025, connecting the coastal city of Da Nang with the historic capital of Hue.

Food, Drink, and Legal Intrigues

In the realm of culinary crime, a gang has made headlines for stealing over 24 tons of artisanal cheese from a renowned UK dairy. This theft follows a significant bust in France and Italy, where counterfeit French wine was discovered being sold for an astonishing $16,000 per bottle. As a precaution, travelers should be wary of dubious wine-and-cheese offers.

Meanwhile, traditional alcoholic beverages are seeing a resurgence in popularity. In Japan, doburoku, once illegal, is gaining favor again. Similarly, Ireland’s poitín, notorious in the past, is now a legally protected spirit. In Germany, a butcher is creatively addressing the raccoon population by crafting sausages, humorously referred to as “raccoon balls.”

Lands of Fire and Ice

In southwestern Turkey, near Antalya, the Yanartaş mountain is famous for its eternally burning flames, which have captivated visitors since ancient times. While scientific explanations have emerged for this phenomenon, the legendary tales surrounding it add to its allure.

Conversely, Antarctica offers stunning contrasts with its colossal icebergs, some formed millions of years ago from ancient glaciers. This stark, frozen landscape has transformed into a sought-after vacation destination. For those planning chilly adventures, CNN Underscored recommends some of the best hand warmers for 2024.

Impact of Hurricane Helene

Western North Carolina, renowned for its stunning fall foliage, faces a staggering $2.1 billion loss in tourism due to the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene. Local business owners are eager for support from visitors as they recover from the devastating impact of the storm.