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Union Bancaire Privée’s client assets increase by 19.5% to CHF 184.5 billion in 2025

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Advertorial Desk
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  • As of the end of December 2025, UBP’s client assets reached CHF 184.5 billion, representing an increase of CHF 30.1 billion (+19.5%) compared with end of December 2024.
  • The Bank’s total income was CHF 1.51 billion, up 12.5% from the previous year’s CHF 1.34 billion.
  • Group profit rose to CHF 268.6 million in 2025, up 4.4% from CHF 257.4 million in 2024.

GENEVA, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — UBP reported total client assets of CHF 184.5 billion as of the end of December 2025, marking a 19.5% or CHF 30.1 billion increase compared with CHF 154.4 billion at the close of 2024. In USD terms, assets grew by 36.7% to USD 232.9 billion, up from USD 170.4 billion at the end of 2024.

This rise was largely driven by the acquisition of Societe Generale’s private banking activities in Switzerland and the United Kingdom, both of which were finalised in 2025. Robust performances of mandates and funds over the year (CHF +14.1 billion) – supported by the positive trend in financial markets – were offset by negative currency effects (CHF -14.1 billion) primarily due to the sharp decline in the US dollar against the Swiss franc.

The increase in client assets is also the result of firm organic growth, with net new money (excluding acquisitions), reaching CHF 2.7 billion. This positive momentum highlights the Bank’s solid activity in its expansion markets, such as Asia, the Middle East, and Monaco, as well as the success of its main active asset management strategies with institutional clients.

Total income was CHF 1.51 billion (+12.5% or CHF 168.2 million) in 2025, up from the previous year’s CHF 1.34 billion, despite the negative currency effects linked to the decline in the US dollar. The net result from interest operations (CHF 546.1 million, +13.1%) remained strong, supported by the increase in client assets following the two recent acquisitions.

The positive revenue trend was also driven by firm momentum in transactional activities from both private and institutional clients, particularly in developing markets and Asia, which saw a significant upturn in trading activity towards the end of the year. This dynamism is reflected in net fees and commissions income rising by 13.1% to CHF 843.6 million, and highlights clients’ interest in UBP’s range of managed solutions.

Total operating expenses rose by 15.7% in 2025 following the successful integration of Societe Generale’s teams and operations in Switzerland and in the UK. This increase includes exceptional non-recurring restructuring costs related to the acquisition as well as ongoing investments in Compliance teams, IT developments, and AI integration.

Group profit grew by 4.4% to CHF 268.6 million, compared with CHF 257.4 million at the end of 2024, resulting in an operating cost/income ratio of 69.6% which demonstrates UBP’s ability to maintain a controlled cost structure while also pursuing its growth strategy.

After the completion of the two major acquisitions in 2025, the liquidity coverage ratio (LCR) and Tier 1 capital ratio stood at 276.4% and 23.1% respectively, more than twice the levels required by Swiss regulations, making UBP one of the most strongly capitalised banks in its sector.

“In 2025, our Bank once again delivered strong results, driven by the outstanding dedication of our teams – who completed two major integrations in record time – and the robust performance of our investment solutions. Despite unfavourable exchange rates, declining interest rates, and exceptional one-off costs related to the acquisitions, we achieved a healthy profit margin, reflecting a good balance of external and organic growth. Our international expansion enables us to provide our clients around the world with an enhanced range of solutions and services,” said Guy de Picciotto, UBP’s CEO.

About Union Bancaire Privée (UBP)

Headquartered in Geneva and with more than 30 offices worldwide, UBP is one of the world’s largest family-owned private banks, focused exclusively on wealth and asset management for private and institutional clients. UBP manages CHF 184.5 billion in client assets and is one of the best-capitalised banks in its sector, with strong financial foundations and a robust balance sheet (all figures as at 31 December 2025).

www.ubp.com

GKGD Unveils New LED Display Portfolio for Diverse Applications at ISE 2026

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Advertorial Desk
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BARCELONA, Spain and CHANGZHI, China, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — GKGD, a leading Chinese LED display manufacturer, will participate in ISE 2026, Europe’s largest professional exhibition for audiovisual and systems integration. At the event, GKGD will showcase a broad range of LED display solutions for diverse application scenarios. GKGD invites global customers, partners, and media representatives to visit Booth 4H100 to explore its latest products and technologies.

At ISE 2026, GKGD will showcase product lines covering indoor, outdoor, and creative display applications. The rental LED display series features fast installation, flexible configurations, and stable visual performance, making it well suited for stage performances, exhibitions, live events, and touring projects. The fixed installation LED display series, designed with a slim structure, versatile installation options, and front and rear maintenance design, delivers reliable performance for long-term applications such as commercial spaces, control rooms, corporate showrooms, retail signage, and outdoor advertising.

Meanwhile, GKGD’s creative LED display solutions combine customized structural design with advanced display technologies to help museums, exhibition venues, commercial interiors, and landmark architectural projects achieve enhanced visual impact and spatial integration, meeting the dual demands of design flexibility and high display quality for premium applications.

For high-end professional environments, GKGD will also highlight its COB display M Series, specifically developed for premium indoor applications. The series offers enhanced protection, image uniformity, and long-term operational stability, making it ideal for control centers, command halls, conference spaces, and corporate exhibition areas where display quality is critical. In addition, GKGD will present its 135-inch COB all-in-one display, providing a clear and efficient integrated display solution for modern meeting and collaboration environments.

A GKGD representative said, “ISE is an important platform for us to connect with global partners and showcase our latest display technologies. Through this exhibition, we aim to demonstrate GKGD’s overall strength in LED innovation and deliver more flexible and reliable display solutions to customers worldwide.”

About GKGD

Established in 2013 with investment from Changzhi Nanye Industrial Group, one of China’s Top 500 private enterprises, GKGD has rapidly grown into a key player in the LED industry. Its advanced facilities, spanning 350,000 square meters with over 32,000 pieces of production equipment, produce 400 billion LED encapsulated lamps and 2 million square meters of display screens annually, with the production scale ranking among the top two manufacturers in the industry.

For more information, contact:
sales@gkgd.com
www.gkgd.com

 

One Heung Kong Earns Three Prestigious International Certifications, Pioneering Global Green and Healthy Living

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Advertorial Desk
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GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Recently, One Heung Kong—a premier luxury residence in the Greater Bay Area—has achieved a major milestone in sustainable architecture. It has officially secured certification from the World Green Design Organization (WGDO), LEED Platinum status, and WELL for residential certification, making it the world’s only artistic landmark to hold all three of these authoritative credentials. The project has also garnered multiple international green and healthy living awards. This accomplishment positions One Heung Kong at the forefront of global green and healthy living and offers a replicable model for sustainable development in high-density urban environments.

WGDO is the first international non-profit organization dedicated to promoting green design and a special consultative body to the United Nations. It recognized One Heung Kong for its commitment to sustainability and green principles integrated into the project from the earliest design stages. The development adopts the 8 Constant + Forest Environment System and the All-Intelligent Chain Eco-Technology System, enabling a full transformation from static green design to dynamic, intelligent operation and maintenance. This infuses “green intelligence” into every phase of the building’s lifecycle, supporting healthier living for residents.

The LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building rating system, a globally acknowledged framework for evaluating green buildings, has bestowed its highest-tier Platinum certification upon One Heung Kong, in acknowledgment of its exceptional performance in energy efficiency, water resource management, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site planning.

At the same time, One Heung Kong has earned WELL certification, an internationally respected, authoritative healthy building standard that focuses on how indoor environments impact human health and well-being. Not only is it one of just two projects in South China to hold both WELL and LEED certifications, but it’s also the region’s only one to simultaneously receive interim WELL for residential and WELL community certifications, establishing a holistic ecosystem designed to enhance human health.

By weaving together biomimicry, native plant communities, and smart technologies, One Heung Kong has built a multidimensional wellness system that visibly boosts negative oxygen ion concentrations throughout the residential area, effectively reduces the urban heat island effect, and achieves carbon sequestration. Moreover, the project has successfully developed a novel negative oxygen ion nanomaterial, now widely applied in the building, which enables continuous 24-hour release of negative oxygen ions, a notable breakthrough. In water management, One Heung Kong has implemented a three-tier healthy water purification system to guarantee residents access to safe, clean drinking water.

Looking ahead, One Heung Kong will continue to embrace the principles of green design, striving to create a global model for green and sustainable living and contributing to the building of a global community of health for all.

 

Laos Partners with European Union for New Forest Conservation Project

By
Phoudasack Vongsay
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A signing ceremony between The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Laos, and the European Union. (Picture by WSC)

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Laos, and the European Union have launched a EUR 1.6 million (nearly USD 1.9 million) forest protection project, titled Guardians of Lao Nature: Protecting Nature, Empowering Communities. 

The three-year initiative aims to enhance conservation efforts while strengthening the role of local communities in managing natural resources.

The project focuses on improving the management of protected areas by encouraging collaboration between government agencies, civil society organizations, and communities living near these conservation zones. 

It builds on the success of the Ecosystem Conservation through Integrated Landscape Management in Laos (ECILL) program and centers around the Forest Development Village model. This model enables villagers to work directly with protected area and wetland authorities to protect forests, wildlife, and wetlands.

Laos faces persistent forest degradation, with data from the 2018 National Forest Survey showing a decline in forest cover at an average rate of 0.36 percent per year. The main causes of this decline are agricultural expansion, infrastructure development, unsustainable logging, and shifting cultivation practices.

The initiative will focus on Nam Et–Phou Louey National Park, Borikhamsay, and Savannakhet provinces from 2025 to 2028. WCS and the Department of Forestry will collaborate with local stakeholders to improve forest management planning at the village level, strengthen civil society networks, and ensure long-term, sustainable conservation.

By connecting conservation efforts with local livelihoods and governance, the project seeks to reduce pressure on Laos’ forests and raise awareness of their economic and environmental importance for future generations.

Ericsson reports fourth quarter results and full-year results 2025

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Advertorial Desk
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STOCKHOLM, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ —

Strategic highlights – solid commercial momentum and operational execution            

  • Organic sales growth in all three segments in Q4, with 12%* growth in segment Cloud Software and Services.      
  • Operational improvements in recent years driving strong margins and solid free cash flow.

Fourth quarter highlights – good organic growth with all segments contributing            

  • Sales increased by 6%* YoY. Market areas Europe, Middle East and Africa and South East Asia, Oceania and India grew, Americas was broadly stable while North East Asia declined. Reported sales were SEK 69.3 (72.9) b.           
  • Adjusted1 gross income was SEK 33.2 (33.7) b. with currency headwinds offsetting strong operational execution. Reported gross income was SEK 32.7 (32.7) b.           
  • Adjusted1 gross margin was 48.0% (46.3%) driven mainly by improvements in Cloud Software and Services.  Reported gross margin was 47.2% (44.9%).           
  • Adjusted1 EBITA was SEK 12.7 (10.2) b. with an 18.3% (14.1%) margin, benefiting from improved segment margins in Mobile Networks. Reported EBITA was SEK 11.6 (8.6) b. with a 16.7% (11.8%) margin.           
  • Net income was SEK 8.6 (4.9) b. EPS diluted was SEK 2.57 (1.44).           
  • Free cash flow before M&A was SEK 14.9 (15.8) b.

Full-year highlights – margins stabilized at good levels and solid free cash flow            

  • Sales increased by 2%*, with growth in Networks and Cloud Software and Services. Reported sales were SEK 236.7 (247.9) b.     
  • Adjusted1 gross income increased to SEK 113.9 (111.4) b. driven by improvements in Mobile Networks, and despite a SEK -7.2 b. currency headwind. Adjusted gross margin increased to 48.1% (44.9%).           
  • Adjusted1 EBITA was SEK 42.9 (27.2) b. with an adjusted1 EBITA margin of 18.1% (11.0%), including the gain from the divestment of iconectiv.          
  • Net income was SEK 28.7 (0.4) b. EPS diluted was SEK 8.51 (0.01).           
  • Free cash flow before M&A was SEK 26.8 (40.0) b., delivering a cash flow to net sales of 11.3%.           
  • Net cash at year-end 2025 was SEK 61.2 (37.8) b.           
  • Return on capital employed was 24.1% (2.6%), including the benefit of the iconectiv divestment.           
  • A dividend of SEK 3.00 (2.85) per share for 2025 and a share buyback program of SEK 15.0 b. will be proposed to the AGM by the Board of Directors.

Börje Ekholm, President and CEO, said: “Our Q4 results demonstrate solid execution of our strategy priorities. It is encouraging that we delivered organic growth in a flattish RAN market environment through our efforts in mission critical networks, 5G core and Enterprise. The operational actions we have taken in recent years have resulted in improved margins and cash flow, with a ninth consecutive quarter of year-over-year adjusted EBITA margin expansion.

R&D investments to extend technology leadership continued, with a focus on AI-native, secure, and autonomous mobile networks. We generated strong free cash flow and have a strong cash position today. The Board will propose an increased dividend of SEK 3.00 per share, and will also seek a mandate for a share buyback of SEK 15 b.

For 2026, we expect the RAN market to be flat. Mission critical and enterprise markets, where we are well positioned, are expected to grow. In this environment, we plan to increase investments in defense during 2026 while continuing to optimize our cost base to support margins and cash flow generation.”

* Sales adjusted for the impact of acquisitions and divestments and effects of foreign currency fluctuations.
1 Adjusted metrics exclude restructuring charges. 

SEK b.

Q4 2025 

Q4 2024 

YoY change 

Q3 2025 

QoQ change 

Jan-Dec 2025 

Jan-Dec 2024 

YoY change 

Net sales

69.285

72.913

-5 %

56.239

23 %

236.681

247.880

-5 %

 Organic sales growth 1 2 

–

–

6 %

–

–

–

–

2 %

Gross income 

32.705

32.707

0 %

26.777

22 %

112.668

109.365

3 %

Gross margin 2

47.2 %

44.9 %

–

47.6 %

–

47.6 %

44.1 %

–

EBIT 

11.161

7.958

40 %

15.151

-26 %

38.634

4.3

–

EBIT margin 2

16.1 %

10.9 %

–

26.9 %

–

16.3 %

1.7 %

–

EBITA 2

11.601

8.623

35 %

15.516

-25 %

40.532

22.145

83 %

EBITA margin 2

16.7 %

11.8 %

–

27.6 %

–

17.1 %

8.9 %

–

Net income 

8.571

4.879

76 %

11.300

-24 %

28.714

0.374

–

EPS diluted, SEK 

2.57

1.44

78 %

3.33

-23 %

8.51

0.01

–

Free cash flow before M&A 2

14.853

15.824

-6 %

6.631

124 %

26.769

40.034

-33 %

Net cash, end of period 2

61.236

37.830

62 %

51.858

18 %

61.236

37.830

62 %

Adjusted financial measures 2 3

Adjusted gross income 

33.243

33.741

-1 %

27.048

23 %

113.945

111.411

2 %

Adjusted gross margin 

48.0 %

46.3 %

–

48.1 %

–

48.1 %

44.9 %

–

Adjusted EBIT 

12.258

9.584

28 %

15.454

-21 %

40.971

9.325

–

Adjusted EBIT margin 

17.7 %

13.1 %

–

27.5 %

–

17.3 %

3.8 %

–

Adjusted EBITA 

12.698

10.249

24 %

15.819

-20 %

42.869

27.157

58 %

Adjusted EBITA margin 

18.3 %

14.1 %

–

28.1 %

–

18.1 %

11.0 %

–

1 Sales adjusted for the impact of acquisitions and divestments and effects of foreign currency fluctuations.
2 Non-IFRS financial measures are reconciled at the end of this report to the most directly reconcilable line items in the financial statement. 
3 Adjusted metrics exclude restructuring charges

NOTES TO EDITORS

You find the complete report with tables in the attached PDF or on www.ericsson.com/investors

Video webcast for analysts, investors and journalists

President and CEO Börje Ekholm and CFO Lars Sandström will comment on the report and take questions at a live video webcast at 9:00 AM CET (8:00 AM GMT London, 3:00 AM EST New York).

Join the webcast or please go to www.ericsson.com/investors

To ask a question: Access dial-in information here

The webcast will be available on-demand after the event and can be viewed at www.ericsson.com/investors.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT

Contact person
Daniel Morris, Head of Investor Relations
Phone: +44 7386657217
E-mail: investor.relations@ericsson.com

Investors
Lena Häggblom, Director, Investor Relations
Phone: +46 72 593 27 78
E-mail: lena.haggblom@ericsson.com

Alan Ganson, Director, Investor Relations
Phone: +46 70 267 27 30
E-mail: alan.ganson@ericsson.com

Media
Ralf Bagner, Head of Media Relations
Phone: +46 76 128 47 89
E-mail: ralf.bagner@ericsson.com

Media relations
Phone: +46 10 719 69 92
E-mail: media.relations@ericsson.com

This is information that Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out above, at 07:00 CET on January 23, 2026.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com.

https://news.cision.com/ericsson/r/ericsson-reports-fourth-quarter-results-and-full-year-results-2025,c4296598

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/15448/4296598/3893323.pdf

Ericsson reports fourth quarter results and full-year results 2025

https://mb.cision.com/Public/15448/4296598/b6c360d6c37a6178.xlsx

Q4-25 tables

 

China’s Small Data AI Gains Edge in Manufacturing, as Industry Experts Debate U.S.-China AI Competition

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Advertorial Desk
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GUANGZHOU, China, Jan. 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Insights emerging from a recent industrial AI forum, where Dayin Technology participated alongside leading experts, have brought renewed focus to the deepening divergence in U.S.-China artificial intelligence development. As the global race for AI dominance intensifies, China is carving out a distinct lead in one critical arena: the integration of AI with industrial manufacturing. This is propelled by a clear national strategy. While the U.S. pours vast resources into AIGC (AI-Generated Content) and foundational model research, China is executing a determined, policy-driven push for “AI+Industrial Manufacturing.” The result is a pivotal divergence: as the U.S. explores AI’s creative frontiers, China is systematically deploying it to solidify its position as the world’s workshop.

Bridging the Data Gap: Small-Data AI Revolutionizes Industrial Manufacturing
This strategic focus has given rise to a pragmatic technological response: Small-Data AI. Industrial manufacturing, unlike the internet, generates limited, proprietary data, making the training of large, generic models often impractical. Instead of waiting for massive datasets, Chinese engineers and companies are pioneering AI solutions that deliver high accuracy with minimal initial samples. This approach allows for rapid, cost-effective deployment directly onto the factory floor, turning a traditional constraint into a competitive advantage.

On the Factory Floor: The Rise of Acoustic AI in Precision Machining
During Dayin Technology’s collaboration on recent visits to advanced production facilities in the Greater Bay Area, the tangible impact of this strategy was evident. Vast workshops filled with CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machines, responsible for crafting high-precision components, now operate with a new layer of intelligence. While smart factories globally have widely adopted visual AI for quality inspection, China’s manufacturing sector is pioneering a breakthrough in a new sensory dimension: acoustic AI. These CNC machines are equipped with high-precision acoustic sensors and Small-Data AI models that continuously “listen” to the machining process, detecting production flaws that vision-based systems often miss.

Solving Intractable Problems: The acoustic sensor is specifically designed to capture the intrinsic, high-frequency stress waves generated by the physical interaction between the cutting tool and the workpiece material. Crucially, it possesses a key characteristic: high immunity to environmental interference. The AI system analyzes the acoustic feature in real-time to detect anomalies imperceptible to humans or traditional sensors. It reliably identifies events such as micro-fractures in smartphone glass casings,  imminent cutting tool breakage, and deviations in drilling precision.

Efficiency and Yield Gains: The operational impact of this technology was evident. In environments where hundreds of CNC machines operate simultaneously, acoustic AI systems are delivering measurable improvements:

  • Predictive Capability: Real-time analysis of acoustic feature provides immediate warnings of tool failure or process drift, shifting from reactive stoppages to predictive maintenance.
  • Production Metrics: Early adopters report efficiency improvements exceeding 25% due to reduced unplanned downtime, alongside yield increases of 10-15% from the early interception of defect-causing conditions.
  • Small-Data Advantage: Unlike data-intensive U.S. AI approaches, these systems are trained with fewer than dozens initial samples using few-shot learning algorithm, sometimes even one-shot is enough , enabling rapid deployment in production lines.

A Cross-Industrial Paradigm
The application framework established in precision machining is proving highly transferable. Industry technologists note that the same core principle—using inherent mechanical acoustic feature for fault detection—is being adapted for crack detection in composite wind turbine blades and for pre-failure quality inspection of drive motors in industrial robots. This underscores a key strength: Small-Data AI solutions developed for one industrial niche can be adapted to create scalable, cross-industry platforms for predictive maintenance and quality control.

Divergent Paths and Future Implications
While American innovation excels in data-rich environments (AIGC, large language models) and benefits from unparalleled venture capital, China’s policy-guided, application-first model is building a deep moat in industrial intelligence. The ability to solve concrete production problems, which are critical for complex, next-generation hardware manufacturing, with lean and fast-deploying AI is reshaping global supply chain dynamics.

As Dr. Ye, CTO of Dayin Technology, articulated at an industrial AI forum in 2025: “The competition is defining two distinct AI futures: one digital and generative, the other physical and optimization-driven. The next phase of industrial leadership will hinge on the maturity of ‘physics-aware’ AI.” Within this framework, the capacity to decipher machinery’s real-time physical signatures is translating into a decisive competitive advantage in smart manufacturing.

 

The new tourism resources originating from Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan: A Journey Woven by Forests, Fermentation, and a Heritage Railway Near Kyoto and Osaka

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Advertorial Desk
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HYOGO, Japan, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Located in the central-western part of Hyogo Prefecture and approximately 90 minutes by car from Kyoto and Osaka, Shiso City (Hyogo Prefecture, Japan) is gaining attention as a new destination for nature-based tourism. Built around its extensive forests, deep-rooted fermentation culture, and a heritage forest railway revived by local residents, the city is emerging as a compelling place for sustainable travel. Tourism Media Service spoke with Shiso City Tourism Association about the new tourism resources originating from Shiso City.

Due in part to the difficulty of reading its name, Shiso City remains relatively little known even within Japan. However, this very sense of being “undiscovered” is increasingly attractive to domestic and international travelers seeking meaningful and sustainable tourism experiences. This release introduces the new tourism resources originating from Shiso City.

A “Forest Kingdom” Where Forests Cover 90% of the Town

Approximately 90 percent of Shiso City’s total land area is covered by forests. For generations, forestry has supported the local economy and daily life. From the Taisho era through the late Showa period (up to the 1960s), forest railways once ran through mountain valleys, playing a vital role in transporting timber.

Today, these forest resources are no longer viewed merely as scenic landscapes but have been reimagined as experiential tourism assets.

A Forest Railway Experience Revived by the Community

In the summer of 2023, a community-based organization restored a tourist forest railway at Forest Station Haga, using a diesel locomotive that had previously been employed in erosion control and forestry-related projects. The railway features approximately 678 meters of track and a station building, and it operates regularly on weekends.

This experience allows visitors to physically engage with the history of Shiso City’s forestry industry—to truly “ride through” the city’s past. The facility also includes hot spring baths and accommodation, while a nearby roadside station offers opportunities to purchase local specialty products.

Forest Therapy in the “Western Oirase Gorge”

Shiso City is also one of the first areas in Hyogo Prefecture to be certified as a Forest Therapy Base. Among its highlights is Akasai Gorge, which is often referred to as the “Western Oirase Gorge” due to its resemblance to the famous Oirase Stream in Aomori Prefecture.

Paths that once served as forest railway routes along the gorge have now been developed into therapy trails. Surrounded by waterfalls, clear streams, and towering trees, the area offers a tranquil and restorative environment. Visitors can also enjoy seasonal scenery throughout the city, including Fukuchi Gorge, praised by renowned Japanese author Seiko Tanabe, and the Onzui area, where remnants of former forest railways remain.

Fermentation Culture as the Birthplace of Japanese Sake

Shiso City also positions itself as a birthplace of Japanese sake. The Harima Fudoki, the oldest surviving regional chronicle in Japan, records that sake was brewed at Niwata Shrine, indicating that fermentation culture has been rooted in the area since ancient times.

In the Yamazaki district, a historic sake brewery street remains active today, with two breweries continuing production. Visitors can experience Japanese sake culture through brewery tours and tastings. One long-established brewery, founded in 1768, also operates a dining venue focused on fermented foods, presenting local cuisine and culture as an integrated experience.

A New Regional Tourism Model Created Through Forests, Fermentation, and Experience

Shiso City has developed model itineraries that combine forest therapy, gorge walks, heritage forest railway rides, and Japanese sake and fermentation-based cuisine. These itineraries offer flexible options ranging from day trips to overnight stays.

In 2025, Shiso City marks the 20th anniversary of its municipal establishment. As it does so, the city is strengthening its outreach to domestic and international travelers as a sustainable tourism destination centered on nature and culture.

Rather than mass tourism, Shiso City offers travel focused on meaning and experience. Quietly yet convincingly, it presents the essential appeal of Japan’s regional landscapes and traditions.

About Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan

Shiso City is located in the central-western part of Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. Approximately 90 percent of its land area is covered by forests. Historically, the city has developed in close connection with forestry and fermentation culture, and today it promotes sustainable tourism centered on forest therapy, heritage forest railway experiences, and local food culture.

Message from the Mayor

Shozo Fukumoto, Mayor of Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture

“Shiso City is a ‘Forest Kingdom,’ with forests covering nearly 90 percent of our land area.
We are sharing a form of tourism that connects this rich natural environment with the history of daily life shaped by forestry and fermentation culture, passing these values on to future generations.

Forest therapy, our heritage forest railway, and Japanese sake and fermented cuisine all originate from the unique climate and traditions of Shiso City.”

Model Itineraries

■ 2-Day / 1-Night Model Course

An Immersive Journey Through Forests, Fermentation, and Railway Heritage

Day 1

  • Departure from various locations → Yamazaki Interchange
  • Walk through Yamazaki Sake Brewery Street
    • Brewery tours and tastings
  • Lunch featuring fermented cuisine at a long-established sake brewery
  • Visit Niwata Shrine, associated with the origins of Japanese sake
  • Nature walk to Harafudo Waterfall and Harakanko Apple Orchard
  • Transfer to Forest Station Haga
    • Hot spring bathing
    • Overnight stay

Day 2

  • Ride the heritage forest railway at Forest Station Haga
  • Forest therapy experience in Akasai Gorge
  • Lunch and shopping at Minami-Haga Roadside Station
  • Return via Yamazaki Interchange

■ Day Trip Model Course

  • Arrival → Yamazaki Interchange
  • Walk through the sake brewery street and fermented cuisine lunch
  • Forest Station Haga
    • Heritage forest railway experience
  • Shopping at Minami-Haga Roadside Station
  • Return via Yamazaki Interchange

■ Contact
Shiso City Tourism Association
(Shiso Forest Kingdom Tourism Association)
Address: 374 Kamihiji, Yamasaki-cho, Shiso City, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan
TEL: +81-790-64-0923
FAX: +81-790-64-5011
Website: https://shiso.or.jp

CSTS Enterprises Partners with PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management on Business Consultancy Project

By
Advertorial Desk
-

Bridging academic excellence with real-world sports tourism and corporate travel challenges

HONG KONG, Jan. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — CSTS Enterprises, together with its subsidiary Connexus Travel, today announced a strategic collaboration with School of Hotel and Tourism Management at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (“PolyU”) on a business consulting project for Master of Science (“MSc”) students, aiming to equip future hospitality leaders with hands-on industry experience.

Running from 23 January to 30 April, 2026, the 13-week consultancy project will bring together selected MSc students from PolyU’s globally renowned hospitality programmes – including MSc in International Hospitality Management and MSc in International Tourism and Event Management – to form consulting teams to address high-impact real-world business challenges for CSTS and Connexus Travel.

Working under faculty supervision and in close collaboration with CSTS project leaders, student teams will deliver comprehensive presentations and strategic reports containing actionable recommendations.

“We are honoured to collaborate with PolyU’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management, combining academic excellence with our sports tourism expertise,” said Sharon Li, Group Director, Corporate Strategy & Sustainability at CSTS. “CSTS looks forward to sharing our industry knowledge to jointly nurture the next generation of hospitality leaders.”

“The project bridges cutting-edge academic training with real industry challenges in hotel operations, events, and sports tourism,” said Dr. Tony Tse, Professor of Practice at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University’s School of Hotel and Tourism Management. “Partnering with CSTS offers our MSc students invaluable hands-on experience while delivering meaningful strategic value to a leader in global sports hospitality.”

Beyond this consulting project, CSTS and PolyU are exploring expanded partnership opportunities including priority internship tracks for participating students, as well as scholarship programmes recognising excellence in sports and travel innovation.

About CSTS Enterprises Inc.

Headquartered in Hong Kong, CSTS Enterprises engages in dynamic media, entertainment, sports, and trave technology. CSTS is dedicated to becoming a global expert in developing and managing innovative, end-to-end integrated marketing solutions and services that connect major sports and entertainment events with regional and local brands. This empowers businesses to amplify their reach through experience-led, culturally resonant marketing.  

At its core, CSTS Enterprises is a provider of innovative solutions across corporate travel, integrated marketing, and advanced technology services. Through deep knowledge of the industry and advanced technologies, CSTS delivers tech-enabled efficiency and cost-effective travel programs, transforming corporate travel into a seamless, value-driven experience.  

About Connexus Travel Limited

Connexus Travel (formerly known as Swire Travel), License No: (350001), one of the earliest Hong Kong-registered and award-winning travel agencies, has been a trusted household name for over 78 years. As an innovative travel management company in the region, it delivers seamless, tech-enabled experiences, combining personalized 24/7 support with innovative digital platforms. Connexus Travel offers a full spectrum of travel services—including corporate, leisure, MICE, and sports/lifestyle travel—and plays a key role in promoting global events like the FIFA World Cup and Formula 1. 

Connexus Travel is a subsidiary of CSTS Enterprises. 

About PolyU School of Hotel and Tourism Management

For more than four decades, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) of The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has refined a distinctive vision of hospitality and tourism education and become a world-leading hotel and tourism school. Ranked No. 1 in the world in the “Hospitality and Tourism Management” category in Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking of Academic Subjects 2025 for the ninth consecutive year; placed No. 1 globally in the “Commerce, Management, Tourism and Services” category in the University Ranking by Academic Performance in 2024/2025 for eighth years in a row; and ranked No. 1 in Asia in the “Hospitality and Leisure Management” subject area in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025, the SHTM is a symbol of excellence in the field, exemplifying its motto of Leading Hospitality and Tourism.

The School is driven by the need to serve its industry and academic communities through the advancement of education and dissemination of knowledge. With a strong international team of over 90 faculty members from 21 countries and regions around the world, the SHTM offers programmes at levels ranging from undergraduate to doctoral degrees. Through Hotel ICON, the School’s groundbreaking teaching and research hotel and a vital aspect of its paradigm-shifting approach to hospitality and tourism education, the SHTM is advancing teaching, learning and research, and inspiring a new generation of passionate, pioneering professionals to take their positions as leaders in the hospitality and tourism industry.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “forecast,” “plan,” “project,” “potential,” “continue,” “ongoing,” “expect,” “aim,” “believe,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “will,” “is/are likely to,” “could” and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about CSTS’s beliefs, plans, and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and CSTS does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Media Contacts 

Danny Leung
Corporate Communications, CSTS Enterprises Inc.
Phone: +852 9709 4924
Email: danny.leung@csts-enterprises.com
Website: https://csts-enterprises.com/en 

Tiffany Chan
Marketing Manager, School of Hotel and Tourism Management
Tel: +852 3400 2293
E-mail: tiffany-sm.chan@polyu.edu.hk
Website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/shtm/

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