• 34% increase in travellers looking to take short vacations
• Long weekends are no longer about resting at home, but squeezing in meaningful getaways

SINGAPORE, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Long weekends in 2026 are set to be a time for meaningful getaways, as more travellers look to maximise their public holidays by squeezing in short escapes, whether domestic or abroad. Globally, Trip.com Group is seeing over 34% year-on-year increase in bookings for short trips of four days or less, with growth especially prominent in Europe^[1]. Working adults, primarily those aged 25 to 49 years old, are the main drivers of this trend, accounting for more than half of the bookings for short trips of four days or less.

Whether it’s over the Good Friday holiday or the Hari Raya break, long weekends are a popular time for quick getaways as holiday-goers can easily make a short trip while only using one to two days of annual leave. In Asia, top-ranked destinations for short trips include major cities like Bangkok, Hong Kong, Seoul and Taipei, while in Europe, travellers are gravitating towards Barcelona, Lisbon, London and Paris for their quick escapes. Domestic travel is preferred especially among travellers from China, Thailand and the Philippines, where cities like Chengdu, Bangkok and Caticlan are the top-booked domestic destinations respectively.

Entertainment tourism continues to thrive, with global audiences flying in and out just to watch their favourite artists live. Kpop concerts such as the Blackpink World Tour ‘Deadline’ in Hong Kong and SEVENTEEN World Tour in Singapore are among the top attractions booked for short trips by Chinese and Filipino travellers respectively, while the Mayday #5525 Live Tour in Kuala Lumpur is also a top-booked attraction among Singaporean travellers.

Long Weekend Ideas with Trip.Planner

For those looking to book their next long weekend trip with minimal preparation, Trip.Planner, Trip.com Group’s one-stop travel planning hub, is able to create a personalised itinerary including flights, hotels and attraction recommendations in less than a minute – down to individual preferences such as solo travel, something adventurous, or a relaxed holiday.

Using Trip.Planner, Trip.com Group has curated three destinations and itineraries – for the fun-loving, the family-friendly, and the quiet – that you can take inspiration for your next long weekend break.

1.    For the Fun-Loving: Bangkok, Thailand

It’s the trip that finally made it out of the group chat, and the vote goes to Bangkok as your holiday destination this upcoming Hari Raya long weekend in Singapore – for its vibrant nightlife, local cuisine and fun group activities.

Out of ideas? You can get inspiration from Trip.Best, which has top ranking lists for night attractions in Bangkok – down to the best bars and clubs – as well as best things to do in the city.

You can easily add must-visit restaurants or trending events such as concerts that weekend or new openings to your itinerary. Trip Moments also provides first-hand experiences and inspiration from budding creators and the travel community so you don’t miss out on travel tips or hidden gems.

2.    For the Family-Friendly: Chengdu, China

It’s Children’s Day in South Korea, and you’re thinking of taking your family on a four-day trip to Chengdu to check out the well-loved pandas, while also exploring the sights and sounds of the city.

Planning a family trip may be tricky but Trip.Best makes it easier with data-backed recommendations for top family-friendly attractions to keep your kids entertained, as well as top family-oriented hotels to stay in Chengdu.

You can even get some family travel tips and an estimated budget per person so you can gauge your trip expenses before committing.

Saw something interesting on social media for your upcoming trip? You can easily copy and paste the link into Trip.Planner to add those places into your itinerary!

3.    For the Quiet: Nice, France

You’re known for spontaneity and booked an impromptu trip to Nice during the Good Friday long weekend in UK to catch a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday demands. It’s a solo trip and you’re really looking to slow down, recalibrate and appreciate the beauty of nature away from the crowds.

For the serious planners, you can choose to export your itinerary as an excel sheet with full details, or download it as an image to share it with your friends, or simply to save it on your phone for easy reference while on the road.

Where to Travel to the Next Long Weekend?

About Trip.com Group

Trip.com Group is a global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centres. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group is on the mission “to pursue the perfect trip for a better world”. Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com.

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HONG KONG, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The new Chinese Bible Museum, alongside Hong Kong’s first “Ark of Life” Safety Education Base, was grandly inaugurated today at 83 King Lam Street, Lai Chi Kok.

At the opening ceremony, Ms. Judy Kiu, descendant of the Kiu Family Compound, expressed her vision for the museum to transcend its traditional role as a repository of artifacts. She hopes it will evolve into an “International Cultural Salon” dedicated to the convergence of Eastern and Western thought and mutual learning among civilizations.

Dubbed the “Bible Palace” and the “Ark of Life,” this space demonstrates how over a thousand rare historical artifacts—curated from The Media Evangelism’s 36-year global collection of over ten thousand items—connect with pressing contemporary societal issues. It pioneers a new milestone in life education, guiding the public from practical “safety” to profound “peace.”

“Bible Palace”: A Cultural Hub Linking History and Modernity

In her address, Ms. Judy Kiu highlighted Hong Kong’s unique position as an international metropolis where Eastern and Western cultures blend, making it the ideal location for such a venue. She emphasized that the museum should be more than a hall preserving historical artifacts; it must undertake a profound mission to construct a public space for global intellectual dialogue.

“My Kiu ancestors practiced the concept of ‘connecting all directions’ through the Ten-Thousand-Mile Tea Road. This spirit resonates deeply with the essence of cultural exchange,” stated Judy Kiu. She noted that the value of the museum’s collections lies not only in display but in their power to inspire and initiate dialogue, attracting visitors worldwide to engage in deep discussions on faith, classics, and civilization, allowing wisdom across time and space to illuminate the present and future.

She firmly believes this space will add unique depth and enduring warmth to Hong Kong’s rich cultural ecosystem, becoming a vital nexus linking history with modernity, and China with the world.

Following the ceremony, Ms. Judy Kiu, who also serves as the Executive President of the Association of Chinese Culture of Hong Kong and Kiu’s Culture Research Association, presented a long-held precious artwork to the museum as a gift. This gesture aims to substantially enrich the “International Cultural Salon,” enabling visitors to experience spiritual exploration that transcends geography and era through comparison and contemplation.

A Gathering of Distinguished Guests: Cross-Disciplinary Dialogue for Peace

As the world’s first museum dedicated to Chinese biblical heritage, the Chinese Bible Museum not only safeguards the footprints of millennial faith but also innovatively integrates historical culture with modern safety education to address contemporary societal needs.

At the press conference, several distinguished guests shared their insights, including:

• Mr. Yuen Man Fai, Founder of The Media Evangelism Ltd.;
• Evangelist Fiona Leung Ngai Ling, Curator of the Chinese Bible Museum;
• The Most Reverend Andrew Chan, Archbishop and Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui;
• Honorary Fellow Ms. Agnes Chiang Lai Ping, Founder and Chairman of the Love Foundation;
• Mdm. Xiao Jinzi, Honorary Director of The Media Evangelism Ltd.; and
• Ms. Charlene Tse Ning, Former Miss Hong Kong and culinary expert.

During the event, Mdm. Xiao Jinzi donated the “Old and New Testament Bible” and “Sacred Light Daily Guide” used by the Chiao Hung family in their early years, which were received by Curator Leung Ngai Ling, Fiona. Speaking on stage, Ms. Tse Ning suggested the catering industry organize visits to the “Ark of Life” Safety Education Base to better understand the knowledge and importance of fire prevention and evacuation.

Contemporary Response: From the Tai Po Fire Tragedy to the Peaceful Revelation of the “Ark of Life”

Evangelist Fiona Leung Ngai Ling, Curator of the museum, revealed that during the museum’s planning phase, the tragic Tai Po fire occurred in November of last year. While colleagues grieved, she felt inspired by a seemingly inconspicuous book written by Reverend Robert Morrison, documenting the devastating 1822 fire in Guangzhou’s Thirteen Hongs district. It has inspired the team to establish the “Bible Palace” while simultaneously launching the “Ark of Life” Safety Education Base—directly connecting historical lessons to recent social tragedies and proposing a path from practical “safety” to faith-based “peace.”

The 1822 Guangzhou Thirteen Hongs fire, fueled by the nearby wooden construction of foreign factories and Chinese dwellings, had resulted in massive losses and led to Sino-foreign negotiations to create firebreaks during reconstruction—a significant public safety event in modern Chinese commercial history. The museum ingeniously links this historical tragedy to contemporary disaster, featuring a dedicated immersive zone with film projections recreating the “1822 Guangzhou Great Fire.”

The museum’s narrative not only looks back but also addresses Hong Kong’s immediate needs through the “Ark of Life” Safety Education Base. This initiative stems from profound reflection on the heartbreaking 2025 Tai Po fire. “The Tai Po fire kept us awake all night. We decided the opening theme would be: ‘Ark of Life: From Safety to Peace’,” said The Media Evangelism founder, Yuen Man Fai, describing the turning point.

Thought-provokingly, Reverend Robert Morrison, translator of the “Divine Heavenly Holy Book,” was among the few pioneers of his time to advocate for the introduction of systematic Western firefighting methods, such as water engines. The exhibition juxtaposes his letters, water engine diagrams, and the original “Divine Heavenly Holy Book,” highlighting how faith pioneers saw opportunities for civilization and faith to intervene in disaster.

“Two centuries ago, Rev. Morrison witnessed the Guangzhou fire. In the disaster, he saw not only destruction but a call to action. Two hundred years later, the flames in Tai Po burn our hearts, forcing us to ask: “Today in Hong Kong, what and how shall we do to cultivate and bring out the spirit of self-sacrifice of our forebears?” Yuen elaborated on this core theme permeating the museum.

Transcending Time and Space: Rare Testimonies of Millennial Faith Taking Root in China

The inaugural exhibition of the Chinese Bible Museum gathers over a thousand precious exhibits spanning time and space, each a silent epic of faith taking root in China, carrying immeasurable sacrifice and devotion.

The extensive collection includes over ten thousand rare artifacts collected by The Media Evangelism globally over 36 years, and is to be exhibited in batches. The first batch features over 1,000 items, using innovative immersive technology to create realistic, engaging experiences that blend the physical and virtual worlds, guiding visitors through the grand journey of the Gospel’s eastward transmission.

Collection highlights include:

• The 1823 “Divine Heavenly Holy Book,” the first Chinese Bible in world history;
• The world’s first Chinese-English dictionary, “A Dictionary of the Chinese Language”;
• The 1894 New Testament “Imperial Edition” produced for Empress Dowager Cixi’s 60th birthday, alongside her jewelry, treasures, and utensils;
• A 1900 antique doll from the “Door of Hope Mission”, China’s earliest proportionally dressed doll;
• The world’s longest 5,000-meter Chinese cursive silk Bible, a China World Record holder; and
• The “Kunyu Quantu” (1860 Surviving Korean printed version, by Ferdinand Verbiest), the first complete map of the world using a double-hemisphere projection.

In his opening blessing, The Most Reverend Andrew Chan, Archbishop and Primate of Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui profoundly stated: “We hope this key not only opens the museum’s door but also opens more people’s hearts, letting Christ enter their inner being.” The museum’s establishment aims to awaken people to “know grace, be thankful, and repay grace,” and to always remember this deeply rooted spiritual heritage.

Safeguarding the Contemporary Era: The Dual-Track Ark of Life

“From tragedies like the Tai Po fire, we see society needs not just disaster response skills, but systematic protection for body and mind,” shared Ms. Lin Jing, General Manager of Beijing-Hong Kong Bei Chuang Group, who led the safety exhibition design. She recounted her personal anxiety as a mother during the Tai Po fire: “That night, like countless Hong Kong parents, my child was at school near the disaster site. I lay awake in fear all night.”

She brought not only corporate safety technology systems but a mother’s heart urgently seeking answers: “Can we co-create a space? One that not only teaches survival in crisis but also points to the source that upholds life and grants ultimate peace amidst all storms?”

The “Ark of Life” project was born out of “the motherhood love.” The “Ark of Life Safety Education Base” creates a dual-track ark, safeguarding people’s both physical and mental well-being:

1. Physical Safety: Instinct-Deepened Survival Experience 
   Utilizes cutting-edge technology to simulate extremely realistic disasters: immersive fire escape, six-degree-of-freedom earthquake platform experiences, and holographic flood scenarios. It moves beyond theory, allowing visitors to deeply embed survival skills into bodily memory in highly realistic environments.
2. Mental Peace: A Warm Anchorage for Post-Disaster Recovery
   Integrating over twenty years of professional counseling experience from Creation TV’s “Life Hotline,” the museum provides a tranquil mental support space. Through professional listening and companionship, it assists trauma survivors to rebuild inner stability, finding “peace” that transcends circumstances amid life’s storms.

“The concept of the Ark of Life is that ‘proactive preparedness outweighs emergency response,'” emphasized the museum. “Through the parallel tracks of ‘technological training’ and ‘spiritual caring,’ we hope to guide the public beyond panic, building a solid life fortress for individuals, families, and the community.”

For more press photos and information, please visit: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1kSApUrupZzJ2s0C9JfJYr7f-UJX2CDz4?usp=drive_link

#ChineseBibleMuseum #ArkOfLife #SafetyEducation#LifeEducation#BiblePalace#GrandOpening#MuseumOpening#PressRelease

Press Photos 

SYDNEY, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — VT Markets today announced the release of its 2026 Global Market Outlook, titled “Steady Growth, Balanced Inflation: Navigating a Regime of Structural Opportunity.” The report delivers a forward-looking, multi-asset assessment of the trends and opportunities expected to shape global markets in 2026, drawing on in-depth analysis across equities, foreign exchange, crypto assets, and commodities.

As global growth steadies and inflation pressures continue to normalize, markets are entering a new phase marked by structural adjustment and more balanced risk conditions. Developed by VT Markets’ analyst team, the report examines how these shifts may influence asset allocation, sector leadership, and trading strategy, enabling market participants to move beyond short-term volatility and focus on longer-term positioning.

Key Highlights from the 2026 Global Market Outlook

2026 Equities Outlook
Authored by Ross Maxwell, Global Strategy Operations Lead, the equities outlook assesses global and U.S. equity markets, covering U.S. economic performance, key drivers, sector opportunities and risks, as well as index technicals and scenario-based outlooks. The analysis highlights the importance of selectivity as market leadership broadens.

2026 Forex Outlook
Written by Justin Khoo, Senior Market Analyst, the FX outlook examines the global macro and policy backdrop shaping currency markets, outlining key drivers, potential scenarios, and practical trader takeaways, with central bank divergence and capital flows as core themes.

2026 Emerging and alternative assets 
Analyzed by Eduardo Ramos, Senior Market Analyst, this section evaluates developments across emerging and alternative asset classes through the lens of institutional engagement, capital allocation trends, and market structure evolution.

2026 Commodities Outlook
Written by Nayel Al-Jawabra, Senior Market Analyst, the commodities outlook explores a “new commodity regime,” focusing on structural demand drivers, strategic supply dynamics, and portfolio implications.

The report also includes a special China-focused edition, authored by Ray Yang, Market Analyst, providing targeted insight into China’s economic performance, policy direction, structural challenges, and investment opportunities.

Rather than short-term forecasts, the VT Markets 2026 Global Market Outlook emphasizes scenario analysis, risk awareness, and strategic preparedness across asset classes and regions.

The 2026 Global Market Outlook: Steady Growth, Balanced Inflation: Navigating a Regime of Structural Opportunity is now available for download via link here.

PROVIDENCIALES, Turks and Caicos Islands, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — KuCoin, a leading global cryptocurrency platform built on trust, today announced its role as co-host for the 2026 World Laureates Summit (WLS), taking place from February 1 to February 3, 2026, in Dubai, UAE.

The summit brings together the world’s most brilliant minds, including 39 Nobel Laureates, including Roger Kornberg (Nobel Prize in Chemistry), Steven Chu (Nobel Prize in Physics), and Martin Hellman (Turing Award). They will be joined by 71 Leading Scientists, 10 University Leaders, 16 Hospital Leaders, and 22 Emerging Young Scientists. 

Initiated and hosted by the World Laureates Association (WLA), the 2026 World Laureates Summit is centered on the theme “Basic Science, the Scientific Consensus for Addressing Challenges to Humanity.” The “WLS Blockchain × Science Forum” will examine how artificial intelligence and blockchain can serve as foundational technologies for scientific development through decentralized, transparent, and trust-based global collaboration. As frontier technologies increasingly influence economies and institutions, the Summit emphasizes the growing importance of long-term scientific research and evidence-based reasoning, positioning basic science as critical infrastructure for innovation, resilience, and informed decision-making, while serving as a science-led platform for international dialogue that promotes long-horizon thinking, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and cooperation that transcends short-term political cycles.

KuCoin reaffirms its dedication to building transparent, compliant, and user-centric digital infrastructure by co-hosting the 2026 World Laureates Summit. The company believes that the convergence of AI and blockchain extends beyond financial innovation, serving as a critical enabler for the future of scientific research, governance, and global collaboration.

About KuCoin

Founded in 2017, KuCoin is a leading global crypto platform trusted by over 40 million users across 200+ countries and regions. The platform delivers innovative and compliant digital-asset services, offering access to 1,000+ listed tokens, spot and futures trading, institutional wealth management, and a Web3 wallet.

Recognized by Forbes and Hurun, KuCoin holds SOC 2 Type II and ISO 27001:2022 certifications, underscoring its commitment to top-tier security. With AUSTRAC registration in Australia and a MiCA license in Austria, KuCoin continues expanding its regulated footprint under CEO BC Wong, building a reliable and trusted digital-asset ecosystem.

Learn more: www.kucoin.com

About the World Laureates Association (WLA)

The World Laureates Association (WLA) is a non-profit, nongovernmental international organization founded in 2017 in Hong Kong.

WLA brings together 187 leading scientists, including 78 Nobel Laureates, alongside recipients of the Turing Award, Wolf Prize, Lasker Award, Fields Medal, Breakthrough Prize, and other major international scientific honors. Its members span disciplines such as chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, economics, and computer science, and are drawn from leading research institutions across 25 countries.

Guided by the vision of “Science and Technology for the Common Destiny of Mankind,” WLA is committed to advancing basic science, fostering international scientific cooperation, and supporting the development of the next generation of scientists. Through research collaboration and academic exchange, WLA seeks to promote science as a shared global endeavor for the benefit of humanity.