15% of Brits have planned their summer holidays around the Euros and Olympics

85% of Brits plan to spend as much or more on travel in the next 12 months as they did in the past 12 months, indicating a strong outlook for the travel and holiday sector

MANCHESTER, England, July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — The announcement of the snap UK general election in May prompted nearly a third of Brits to alter their holiday plans, according to new consumer research from Travel Counsellors, the UK’s largest and fast-growing technology platform for travel entrepreneurs that connects over 2,000 independent business owners.

Despite the influence of the General Election on some people’s holiday plans, the consumer research also indicated that the travel sector is set to remain in rude health over the next 12 months, with 85% of people saying that they will spend as much or more on travel in the next year as they did in the last year. Moreover, the data indicated that travel remains Brits’ top spending priority over the next year, ahead of other discretionary categories such as fashion, eating out, and home and garden renovations.

The survey of 2,000 nationally representative respondents found that:

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• 16% of Brits said they have altered their holiday plans to be in the UK at the time of the general election so that they could vote in person
• A further 14% of Brits said that they had altered their holiday plans to be around in the build-up and at the time of the general election as it’s an important moment for the UK
• Additionally, 15% of Brits said that they had planned their summer holidays around the Euros and Olympics, including choosing destinations where they can watch the matches and competitions in person. This is backed up by Travel Counsellors’ own booking data, with a more than doubling in customer bookings for departures to Germany in June.

Steve Byrne, CEO of Travel Counsellors, comments on the findings: “Demand for summer holidays and travel remains exceptionally strong, with our research indicating it remains the top spending priority for consumers, albeit this year a significant number of people are making plans around key events such as the Euros, the Olympics and the general election.

“At Travel Counsellors, we have seen very strong booking trends and consumer demand during the first half of the year, which underscores the enduring and growing importance of holidays in providing a much-needed escape and opportunity for relaxation.”

About Travel Counsellors

Travel Counsellors is the UK’s largest and fast-growing technology platform for travel entrepreneurs that connects over 2,000 independent business owners, ultimately enabling them to deliver exceptional levels of customer service. In the year to 31 October 2023, Total Transaction Value (“TTV”) on the platform was more than £900m, up more than 20% against the prior year. Travel Counsellors is multi-award-winning and has a five star, ‘Excellent’ rating on Trustpilot. It was founded in 1994. For further information about Travel Counsellors, please visit: https://www.travelcounsellors.co.uk/our-story/

Notes to Editors
The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 2,001 UK adults (Aged 16+). The data was collected between 20/06/24 and 21/06/24. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct which is based on the ESOMAR principles.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/nearly-one-in-three-brits-altered-their-holiday-plans-to-be-in-the-uk-for-thursdays-general-election-302186028.html

The Hong Kong government is now concentrating on decentralized finance (DeFi) and metaverse technologies to bolster its global fintech reputation.

Recent insights from the Hong Kong Institute for Monetary and Financial Research (HKIMR), the research arm of the Hong Kong Academy of Finance (AoF), back this strategic shift.

According to the HKIMR report, the DeFi sector has seen remarkable growth, with its market capitalization surging from $6 billion in 2021 to over $80 billion in 2023. Despite this rapid expansion, DeFi still accounts for only 4% of the overall crypto-asset market. The report indicates that over 70% of crypto businesses have yet to fully explore DeFi’s potential.

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The report also highlights the challenges DeFi faces, such as governance, compliance, and security issues. However, it remains hopeful about DeFi’s ability to offer innovative financial services. These services can increase automation and financial inclusion, making them a significant component of future financial systems.

Metaverse Engagement Among Financial Institutions

Another report from HKIMR delves into the metaverse, showing a moderate level of engagement from Hong Kong’s financial institutions. Despite the interest, more than half of the respondents (51%) expressed doubts about the metaverse’s future potential. Nonetheless, certain segments of Hong Kong’s fintech sector are actively exploring metaverse-related developments, signaling a growing recognition of its potential.

Enoch Fung, CEO of the AoF and executive director of the HKIMR, commented on the integration of emerging technologies with financial services.

“The emerging technologies of DeFi and the metaverse, which are closely connected to the broader virtual asset and Web3 developments, will likely present various opportunities for the financial services industry in Hong Kong.”

Promoting Hong Kong in the International Tech Scene

Hong Kong officials are actively promoting the city as a premier destination for fintech and Web3 startups. They participated in the Collision 2024 tech conference in Toronto, highlighting Hong Kong’s readiness to serve as an offshore technology hub for Canadian crypto and Web3 businesses. This event was co-hosted by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto (Toronto ETO), Invest Hong Kong (InvestHK), and StartmeupHK (SMUHK).

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Despite its efforts to position itself as a crypto-friendly hub, Hong Kong has seen a series of crypto exchange closures. In March 2024, HKVAEX, allegedly linked to Binance, withdrew its license application. This was followed by the exits of IBTCEX, QuanXLab, Huobi HK, Gate.HK, OKX HK, and Bybit (Spark Fintech Limited) in May. As a result, 17 virtual asset trading platforms remain on the application list, with 11 companies withdrawing or returning their license applications.

The withdrawal of license applications has sparked concerns about Hong Kong’s cryptocurrency licensing system. Hong Kong Legislative Council member Wu Shuo has publicly criticized the system, claiming it undermines market confidence. These recent closures and withdrawals underscore the challenges crypto businesses face in navigating Hong Kong’s regulatory environment.

Source: coinfomania.com

The post Hong Kong Boosts Fintech Scene with Focus on DeFi and Metaverse appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.

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India’s automobile sector has recently seen a surge of incentives aimed at attracting investment, increasing capital expenditure, and boosting domestic value addition in auto manufacturing. These policies, which include tariff reductions, duty waivers and concessions, production-linked incentives, and consumer subsidies, also bring statutory liabilities, increased regulation, and heightened oversight.

This comes amidst rising reports of manufacturing defects. Between 2012 and 2023, India documented over 5 million “moderate to serious” incidents, primarily involving fossil fuel-dependent vehicles. More recently, incidents involving electric vehicle (EV) motors catching fire have raised concerns about the safety, suitability, and adequacy of stress testing new technologies for India’s climatic and driving conditions.

Regulatory Interventions and Their Impact

Key regulatory measures include a new product liability regime with significant implications for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and other stakeholders in the value chain, such as component suppliers, dealers, distributors, and service providers. Significant developments include updated technical standards in manufacturing, enhanced safety norms for vehicles, and the empowerment of governmental authorities to initiate investigations, impose penalties, and order product recalls.

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The Motor Vehicles (Amendment) Act, 2019 (MVA), authorizes a designated authority to recall vehicles when a defect affects the product safety of a specific number or percentage of annual sales. The MVA permits designated officers to inspect manufacturers’ premises and review records and procedures. Non-compliance with manufacturing specifications, technical standards, and safety norms can lead to vehicle recalls and penalties. The MVA holds directors and officers vicariously liable for the company’s actions, including non-executive directors who approve contravening acts through board decisions.

Enhancing Safety and Consumer Protection

While the MVA enhances manufacturing safety, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 is consumer-focused legislation addressing product liability. It shifts the burden of proof from the consumer to the manufacturer and seller to disprove liability for specified defaults.

Implications for OEMs and Component Manufacturers

These regulatory changes require OEMs to certify that new vehicles meet improved technical standards and safety norms, involving additional testing, mandatory anti-hazard safeguards, smart management systems to prevent overcharging and short circuits, and comprehensive warranty support.

Japanese companies, among others, must note that OEMs and component manufacturers are subject to presumptive liability. The regulatory amendments necessitate OEMs to review and update product testing and commissioning processes, enhance compliance, conduct audits, and perform thorough vehicle risk assessments. Manufacturing processes must be thoroughly documented. OEMs must ensure adherence to safety norms, pre-certification, and warranty coverage, while drafting carefully worded liability management provisions in supply contracts to apportion statutory liability and costs to component manufacturers and other parties.

To mitigate product liability, OEMs should implement comprehensive and robust quality controls and testing measures throughout the manufacturing lifecycle. Third parties should conduct testing and validation, and OEMs must maintain detailed records to demonstrate due diligence and transparency. With statutory powers allowing for investigations, document reviews, and procedure recordings, OEMs must prepare for business disruption risks and potential breaches of confidentiality.

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Strategic Recommendations

OEMs should regularly audit suppliers and track parts to identify defective vehicles, facilitating the assignment of liability and costs. Board procedures must be rigorous, ensuring nominees fulfill their fiduciary duties. Insurance policies must cover product liability and recall.

OEMs should develop clear escalation procedures and crisis management plans, and establish robust contracts with suppliers and partners that include warranties, indemnities, and allocated responsibilities.

Cost Implications

In the near term, these measures may increase manufacturing costs in India. Given India’s highly competitive and price-sensitive market, OEMs might find it challenging to pass these costs onto consumers.

Source: law.asia

The post Auto industry product liability and recall appeared first on HIPTHER Alerts.

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