Media OutReach

Blue Cross Survey: 74% of Young People Travel for Unique and Exciting Experiences One-third Lack Protection Awareness

Published

11 months ago

13/02/2025

Preference for Spontaneous Travel, Grabbing Cheap Flights and Travelling on a Whim

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 13 February 2025 – Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited (“Blue Cross”) today announced the results of a survey¹ of young people’s travel habits and preferences, as well as their level of protection awareness. The survey found that young people love to travel, with nearly 70% planning to travel² twice or more a year. 74% of the respondents hope to explore and try unique, novel and exciting experiences during their travels. However, one-third would not purchase travel insurance, implying a lack of awareness of risk management and protection.

Ms. Bonnie Tse, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross (2nd from left), Ms. Sylvia Chow, Director of Marketing of Blue Cross (2nd from right), Mr. Aiden Hung, young Hong Kong singer (left), and Ms. Akina Fong (right) at Blue Cross’s Press Conference

The survey was conducted by Blue Cross earlier through online questionnaires. The key findings are as follows:

New Generation Loves to Travel, Prefers Novel and Exciting Experiences

69% of the respondents plan to travel twice or more in the next 12 months; 22% plan to travel three times or more. In other words, one in five young people plans to travel three times or more in the coming year.

74% of the respondents aspire to explore and try unique, novel and exciting experiences during their travels, and about one-third (32%) prefer to explore lesser-known destinations.

Preference for Spontaneous Travel, Travelling on a Whim after Grabbing Cheap Flights, Following Travel KOLs Suggestions for Itinerary, “Checking in” and “Happy Sharing” on Social Media

Nearly 60% (58%) of the respondents prefer improvised travel to planning an itinerary in advance. Two-thirds (66%) of the respondents’ travel plans depend on the availability of cheap flights. As for planning their itinerary, 70% of the respondents said they would refer to the suggestions and recommendations of travel KOLs

62% of young people travel to “check in” and are keen on “happy sharing” on social media, highlighting the close connection between their offline and online activities.

Most Worried about Flight Delays, Cancellations or Lost Luggage, Yet Lacks Protection Awareness

When asked about travel-related concerns, 71% of the respondents cite flight delays or cancellations as their top worry; half (50%) of the respondents are concerned about lost or damaged luggage. These are common risks that travellers occasionally face.

Two-thirds (66%) of the respondents said they would purchase travel insurance to protect themselves and their families, of which 80% considered premium and promotional offers as the key factor when choosing travel insurance. One-third (34%) would not acquire insurance, of which 42% considered it unnecessary, showing that the new generation has inadequate awareness of their protection needs.

Blue Cross to Actively Tap the Youth Market in Line with its Young and Dynamic Brand Image

Ms. Bonnie Tse, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Cross, said, “Today’s young people love to travel, seeking out fresh and exciting experiences. They are fearless, innovative and willing to take on challenges. However, their lack of protection awareness is concerning. In addition to common travel disruptions such as flight delays and lost luggage, comprehensive travel insurance provides crucial protection and mitigates the risks against accidents, injuries, and illness during the journey.

“We hope to inspire the new generation to balance living fully with protecting themselves and their families. As young people grow and progress through different stages of life, their priorities, concerns, and aspirations evolve, and a thoughtful awareness and understanding of risk management becomes increasingly important.”

Blue Cross values the youth market. Its business data reflect a growing base of younger customers, with a 108% increase in policyholders aged 18 to 29 and a 164% increase in the number of policies. Moreover, the number of policyholders and policies for the age group 18 to 22 jumped 150% and 191% respectively.

Ms. Tse said, “This market research is focused on local university students. This new generation has huge market potential and matches Blue Cross’s young and dynamic brand positioning. The survey results help us further understand young people’s preferences, consumption patterns, habits and protection awareness, and enable us to enhance our product design and marketing strategy. For example, we will introduce more flash sales and collaborate with travel platforms and KOLs that meet the preferences and lifestyles of young people. We will tailor our offerings to the needs and pain points of the new generation, providing better value for money, and creating ‘Just Right’ protection for them.”

In addition, today’s young people are growing up in a digital environment. Blue Cross has been keeping up with the pace of digital life. For example, it has optimised its company website to create a one-stop, seamless digital insurance service experience. It has also established affinity partnerships with different digital platforms to connect with young customers at various touch points across their daily activities, from online shopping and travel bookings to payment systems and financial management services. This year, Blue Cross plans to launch a series of marketing activities catering to young people, further engaging the young customer segment online and offline.

Blue Cross Business Performance in First Three Quarters of 2024 Surpassed Market Average

Blue Cross also announced its business performance for the first three quarters of 2024. Its overall performance showed a 22% rise compared with the same period in 2023, which is significantly higher than the market’s 2% increase³. Its non-medical insurance business soared by 33%, while the market fell⁴ by 6% during the same period; of which, travel and personal accident insurance business surged by 44%, more than twice the market’s 21% increase⁵. Blue Cross’s medical insurance also outperformed the market, with a 19% increase over the same period, higher than the market’s 16% increase⁶.

Note:

Blue Cross conducted a survey from 9 December 2024 to 19 January 2025 through online questionnaires. A total of 823 Hong Kong residents aged 18 or above who are currently receiving post-secondary education were interviewed to understand the travel preferences, habits and protection awareness of young people.
Excludes travelling to mainland China and Macau.
Source: Insurance Authority Quarterly Release of Provisional Statistics for General Business (direct business) from January to September 2024, excluding Mortgage Guarantee.
Source: Insurance Authority Quarterly Release of Provisional Statistics for General Business (direct business) from January to September 2024, excluding Medical and Mortgage Guarantee.
Source: Insurance Authority Quarterly Release of Provisional Statistics for General Business (direct business) from January to September 2024, non-medical part under Class of Business “Accident & Health”.
Source: Insurance Authority Quarterly Release of Provisional Statistics for General Business (direct business) from January to September 2024, medical part under Class of Business “Accident & Health”.

Disclaimers:

This press release is for distribution in Hong Kong only. The distribution of this press release is not and shall not be construed as an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy or a provision of any insurance product outside Hong Kong.
Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited is a subsidiary of AIA Group Limited. It is not affiliated with or related in any way to Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association or any of its affiliates or licensees.

Hashtag: #BlueCross

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited

Blue Cross (Asia-Pacific) Insurance Limited (“Blue Cross”) is a subsidiary of AIA Group Limited. With over 50 years of operational experience in the insurance industry, Blue Cross provides a comprehensive range of products and services including medical, travel and general insurance, which cater to the needs of both individual and corporate customers. Blue Cross distributes its products through various channels, including AIA agency force, online platform, direct sales, BEA network, insurance agents and brokers, as well as travel agencies.

In 2024, Blue Cross is assigned financial strength rating of A+ (stable outlook) and issuer credit rating of A+ (stable outlook) by S&P Global Ratings.

Media OutReach

AEON Bank Helps Ease Festive Season’s Budget Constraints with No-Hassle Personal Financing-i

Published

1 day ago

24/12/2025

Media Outreach

KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 December 2025 – As Malaysians gear up for multiple financial commitments in the upcoming weeks and months, especially during the year-end holidays, back-to-school and double festive season, AEON Bank (M) Berhad, Malaysia’s first digital Islamic bank, strengthens its commitment to financial inclusion by offering accessible support through its Personal Financing-i (PF-i).

From December 2025 till March 2026, the bustling seasons present convergence of multiple spending needs for many households. Acknowledging that this might raise the need for flexible liquidity, AEON Bank provides a solution to address such budgetary constraints in the form of the PF-i; an inclusive, hassle-free financing facility, easily accessible via its digital banking app.

Optimising a Risk-Based Pricing (RBP) framework to determine a competitive and personalised profit rate, AEON Bank ensures that customers can seamlessly apply for PF-i online, as long as they are Malaysian citizens aged 18 to 55, with a minimum monthly gross income of RM2,500 – be it salaried employees or self-employed individuals, freelancers, as well as gig economy workers.

Aligned with Shariah banking principles, PF-i offers financing facility from RM1,000 up to RM100,000 with flexible tenure options ranging from 3 to 84 months, allowing for repayments tailored to individual budget needs. The Flat Profit Rate starting from 3.88% p.a. and a nominal Wakalah Fee of RM1 is applicable upon acceptance.

The entire process, from the application to fund disbursement are all managed online via the AEON Bank app. This simplifies the process and eliminates the need for physical paperwork or branch visits. To apply for PF-i, customers simply need to follow these steps :

Step 1 : Activated Savings Account-i pre-requisite

Download the AEON Bank app and activate the Savings Account-i, prior to applying for PF-i.

Step 2 : Eligibility check and employment details

Applicants must be Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, earning a minimum monthly gross income of RM2,500 – either as salaried employees, self-employed or gig workers.

Step 3 : Financing selection

Select the preferred financing amount ranging from RM1,000 up to RM100,000 and flexible repayment tenure, with options between 3 to 84 months.

Step 4 : Supporting document submission

Upload the latest EPF (KWSP) statement, reflecting the latest consecutive 6-months contributions (for salaried workers) or latest consecutive 6-month bank statement (for self-employed/gig workers).

Step 5 : Approval and fund disbursement

Applications will be processed immediately and upon approval, funds will be disbursed directly into the applicant’s AEON Bank Savings Account-i. Repayments will be automatically deducted via monthly auto-debit.

PF-i enables Malaysians to access a Shariah compliant financing facility to ease their needs; be it an emergency financial support, family budget constraint, small renovation, vehicle repair or a much needed financial aid to bridge the temporary cashflow gaps.

For comprehensive details on the Personal Financing-i (PF-i), including full terms and conditions, click here to browse the website and scan the QR Code to download the AEON Bank app: https://www.aeonbank.com.my/api/qr-handler

Hashtag: #AEONBank #DigitalBanking #IslamicDigitalBank #ShariahCompliant #FinancialInclusion #IslamicFintech #PersonalFinancing

https://www.aeonbank.com.my/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aeonbankmy/?viewAsMember=true
https://x.com/aeonbankmy
https://www.facebook.com/aeonbankmalaysia
https://www.instagram.com/aeonbankmy

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

AEON Bank (M) Berhad

AEON Bank (M) Berhad is the first digital Islamic bank in Malaysia, licensed and regulated by Bank Negara Malaysia and the Ministry of Finance. Officially launched on 26 May 2024, we currently offer a suite of Shariah-compliant products and services under the Personal Banking and Business Banking (AEON Bank Biz).

Our Personal Banking offerings are 100% accessible via the AEON Bank app, namely the deposit Savings Account-i, AEON Bank x Visa Debit Card-i, Personal Financing-i, Term Deposit-i, Savings Pots, DuitNow QR, utility bill payments, personal financial management and budgeting tools with Neko Sensei, and a range of digital payment services with strategic partners and merchants, as well as Neko Missions, Malaysia’s first gamified digital banking interactive rewards programme.

On 8 August 2025, AEON Bank (M) Berhad officially launched AEON Bank Biz, anchored by the Current Business Account-i and integrated cash management capabilities, with the initial onboarding of vendors from AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad and suppliers within the broader AEON ecosystem. The targeted approach is designed to create an integrated value chain linking AEON’s retail and financial services networks, supporting strategic growth and greater inclusivity. AEON Bank Biz offers streamlined processes for account onboarding, credit assessments and financial services, utilising AI-driven fintech solutions to enable simplified procedures, faster approvals, and an enhanced digital banking experience for business owners and entrepreneurs. AEON Bank Biz’s products and services will soon be extended to more local businesses and entrepreneurs across Malaysia.

Being part of the AEON Group conglomerate, AEON Bank (M) Berhad is equally held by AEON Financial Service Co. Ltd. (AFS Japan) and AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad (ACSM). AFS Japan is responsible for the AEON Group’s financial services businesses, with strong roots in the retail sector which operates in Japan and 10 countries across Asia and it is. AEON Group is Japan’s largest retail group and it is a pure holding company that comprises eight core businesses.

AEON Group Malaysia consists of several entities, namely, AEON Co. (M) Bhd, AEON Credit Service (M) Berhad, AEON Bank (M) Berhad, AEON BiG (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Fantasy (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Delight (M) Sdn Bhd, AEON Global Supply Chain Sdn Bhd and Malaysian AEON Foundation (MAF). AEON Group has been a recognizable household brand with more than 200 years of history and evolution in Japan since the Edo era, along with 4 decades of growth in Malaysia, providing consumers with daily financial solutions and diversified retail convenience.

Our cloud native agility and AI optimisation, combined with the strength of our Shariah DNA, Malaysian roots and Japanese heritage are our distinguishing factors, while the integration with the AEON ecosystem gives us a competitive advantage of being the only bank in Malaysia with its own nationwide retail network. On top of that, AEON Points loyalty programme offers customers value-added benefits and meaningful rewards, as the AEON Points can be redeemed into cash value, deposited directly into customers’ AEON Bank Savings Account-i.

AEON Bank (M) Berhad is committed to provide accessible financial solutions for Malaysians and we aim to empower the community in pursuing their financial aspirations and achieve economic independence, hence fostering a more inclusive financial future for all. We will continue to contribute towards the Islamic banking development in the region and the nation’s digital economy.

Media OutReach

AEON Bank Helps Ease Festive Season’s Budget Constraints with No-Hassle Personal Financing-i

Published

1 day ago

24/12/2025

Media Outreach

Step 1 : Activated Savings Account-i pre-requisite

Download the AEON Bank app and activate the Savings Account-i, prior to applying for PF-i.

Step 2 : Eligibility check and employment details

Applicants must be Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above, earning a minimum monthly gross income of RM2,500 – either as salaried employees, self-employed or gig workers.

Step 3 : Financing selection

Select the preferred financing amount ranging from RM1,000 up to RM100,000 and flexible repayment tenure, with options between 3 to 84 months.

Step 4 : Supporting document submission

Upload the latest EPF (KWSP) statement, reflecting the latest consecutive 6-months contributions (for salaried workers) or latest consecutive 6-month bank statement (for self-employed/gig workers).

Step 5 : Approval and fund disbursement

Hashtag: #AEONBank #DigitalBanking #IslamicDigitalBank #ShariahCompliant #FinancialInclusion #IslamicFintech #PersonalFinancing

https://www.aeonbank.com.my/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/aeonbankmy/?viewAsMember=true
https://x.com/aeonbankmy
https://www.facebook.com/aeonbankmalaysia
https://www.instagram.com/aeonbankmy

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

AEON Bank (M) Berhad

Media OutReach

Empowering Website Operations Across ASEAN with AI and Teamwork

Published

1 day ago

24/12/2025

Media Outreach

Japan’s MONJI+—A WebOps Enablement Platform Inspired by Voices from 77 Countries—Launches Its English Edition

OSAKA, JAPAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 24 December 2025 – ALAKI Inc., celebrating its 15th anniversary, has officially launched the English edition of MONJI+, an evolution of its 2018-born feedback tool MONJI β, now reimagined as a comprehensive WebOps Enablement Platform.

Alongside its free plan, available indefinitely, MONJI+ begins its full-scale expansion into the ASEAN market, helping teams elevate their website operations. In addition, a free Academic Edition is now offered to educational institutions to foster the next generation of web and IT talent.

▶️ Learn more about MONJI+

A Platform Born from 77 Countries of Real-World Insight

Since its launch in Japan in 2018, MONJI β has been adopted by web agencies, corporations, and advertising firms worldwide—across 77 countries and regions—streamlining feedback workflows for website management and development.

In everyday website operations, teams often face:

Feedback scattered across tools and channels
Miscommunication between internal teams and agencies
Unclear priorities that fail to drive results
Knowledge loss when members change
Valuable learnings buried and forgotten

MONJI+ connects creation, publishing, maintenance, and optimization into a single workflow—eliminating silos and enabling all members to move forward toward shared goals.

▶️ See how MONJI+ transforms your workflow

Since its official launch in Japan in January 2025, MONJI+ has rapidly spread among enterprises and educational institutions. It is increasingly adopted as a practical standard among agencies and in-house teams, improving productivity and measurable outcomes.

Responding to Global Voices – Official Launch of the English Edition

During forums and seminars held alongside the Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, ALAKI engaged with government representatives and industry leaders from around the world.

The feedback was clear: inefficiencies in website operations, lack of improvement cycles, and a shortage of web marketing expertise are universal challenges. But one issue stood out above all—the shortage of skilled web and IT professionals.

Some governments even requested that MONJI+ contribute to national web/IT talent development, not just productivity gains. Following the Expo, inquiries from multiple countries confirmed the demand, prompting the official release of the English edition of MONJI+.

Confidence from SWITCH 2025, and a Vision for What’s Next

As part of its ASEAN expansion, ALAKI visited SWITCH 2025 (Singapore Week of Innovation & Technology), held from October 29–31. Through dialogues with government agencies, corporations, startups, and academic institutions, the importance of website operations productivity and digital talent development was reaffirmed.

Insights from leading ASEAN web and IT innovators will continue to shape the evolution of MONJI+.

Key Benefits of MONJI+

Eliminate inefficiencies and dependency on individuals—enhancing both productivity and performance in website operations.

Workflow Efficiency: Centralize feedback and progress tracking to prevent oversights
Error Reduction: Detect typos automatically with AI proofreading
Results-Oriented: Integration with analytics tools helps identify improvement areas instantly
Team Collaboration: Share real-time updates across internal and external members
Knowledge Building: Use the Wiki feature to retain expertise and reduce training costs

▶️ Explore MONJI+ features

The Future of “Agentic WebOps” — Powered by Data and AI

MONJI+ evolves beyond a simple management tool—it becomes an AI-driven partner that learns from operational data to support human decision-making and creativity.

Our vision: a human-in-the-loop “Agentic WebOps” environment that helps teams achieve outcomes with AI-assisted decision support.

Available AI Features:

AI typo and error detection for feedback
AI chatbot assistance

Upcoming AI Features (Examples):

Content suggestion and creation
Feedback trend analysis and improvement recommendations
Design assistance
Webpage performance analysis and enhancement

Customer Success Stories

Global Marketing Agency (Singapore): “Sharing the same interface greatly improved collaboration across our international offices.”
Web Production Agency (Japan): “Centralized feedback management accelerated delivery times by roughly 30%.”
E-commerce Company (Japan): “By linking with an analytics tool, we identified key improvement areas instantly—our conversion rate increased by over 20%.”
Recruitment Platform (Japan): “With AI detecting typos automatically, our job listing checks became faster and more reliable.”

Vision Video – ‘Pride and Hope for the Web Industry’

Discover how MONJI+ envisions the future of website operations.

▶️ Watch the Vision Video

CEO’s Comment

“Website operations shouldn’t be about chasing scattered messages—it should be about generating results that matter. With MONJI+, we unify feedback, workflow, and analytics, while AI suggests the next strategic move. Our mission is to help ASEAN teams reach outcomes faster and more reliably.”

— Yuji Yamauchi, Founder & CEO, ALAKI Inc.

Getting Started

Getting started is easy, with no credit card required. MONJI+ aims to be the shared foundation for website operations, accessible to everyone.

Forever-Free Plan: Access essential functions without time limits
30-Day Free Trial: Experience all features in a live environment

▶️ Start your free 30-day trial now

Free “Academic Edition” for Educational Institutions

To empower the next generation of web and IT professionals, MONJI+ offers an Academic Edition free of charge to universities, vocational schools, and online programs. Students and educators can experience real-world website operations, gain practical skills, and collaborate through shared projects.

▶️ Learn more about the Academic Edition

Hashtag: #MONJI+

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.