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HONG KONG, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MKS PAMP, a leading global precious metals company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann KUNG YEUNG Yun Chi as Chair of MKS PAMP (Hong Kong) Limited & Asia-Pacific. In this role, she will work closely with James Emmett, CEO of MKS PAMP SA, to provide strategic guidance and oversight for the company's Hong Kong and regional operations, helping drive its continued growth and development across Asia-Pacific.
Mrs. Kung's appointment reflects MKS PAMP's continued commitment to strengthening its leadership and governance in Hong Kong SAR which is the company's regional headquarters in Asia-Pacific, and one of its three global trading hubs alongside Geneva and New York.
Mrs. Kung brings more than 30 years of experience in banking and financial services. She is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director of Link and CLP Holdings Limited, and an Advisor to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, where she previously served as Deputy Chief Executive until her retirement in 2022. Prior to joining BOCHK in 2007, she held various senior positions at Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited.
In addition to her executive and board experience, Mrs. Kung has held a number of prominent roles across Hong Kong's financial and public institutions. Her background includes service in industry, regulatory and public sector bodies, reflecting her extensive knowledge of Hong Kong's financial services landscape and broader institutional environment.
"We are delighted to welcome Ann as Chair of MKS PAMP (Hong Kong) Limited & Asia-Pacific," said James Emmett. "Her deep experience in financial services, strong governance background and longstanding knowledge of the Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific market will be a tremendous asset. Ann's appointment is an important step in further strengthening our leadership in the region and will support the next phase of our growth across Asia-Pacific."
Mrs. Kung said: "I am pleased to join MKS PAMP at an important stage in its expansion in Hong Kong SAR and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The company has built a strong reputation and trust in the precious metals market, supported by deep expertise, international reach and a clear long-term commitment to the region. I look forward to supporting its continued growth and strategic ambitions."
About MKS PAMP
MKS PAMP is a global leader in precious metals, specializing in trading, refining, and minting gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and other platinum group metal products. Part of the MKS PAMP GROUP, it brings over 60 years of expertise and operates one of the industry's most advanced refineries and mints. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company upholds the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and responsible sourcing. MKS PAMP is one of only three approved Good Delivery Referees of both the LBMA and LPPM worldwide. Its flagship brand, PAMP, is the world's leading bullion brand, known for the iconic Lady Fortuna™ design. Trusted by financial institutions, investors, and industries, MKS PAMP champions transparency and ESG principles.
HONG KONG, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MKS PAMP, a leading global precious metals company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Ann KUNG YEUNG Yun Chi as Chair of MKS PAMP (Hong Kong) Limited & Asia-Pacific. In this role, she will work closely with James Emmett, CEO of MKS PAMP SA, to provide strategic guidance and oversight for the company's Hong Kong and regional operations, helping drive its continued growth and development across Asia-Pacific.
Mrs. Kung's appointment reflects MKS PAMP's continued commitment to strengthening its leadership and governance in Hong Kong SAR which is the company's regional headquarters in Asia-Pacific, and one of its three global trading hubs alongside Geneva and New York.
Mrs. Kung brings more than 30 years of experience in banking and financial services. She is currently an Independent Non-Executive Director of Link and CLP Holdings Limited, and an Advisor to Bank of China (Hong Kong) Limited, where she previously served as Deputy Chief Executive until her retirement in 2022. Prior to joining BOCHK in 2007, she held various senior positions at Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong) Limited.
In addition to her executive and board experience, Mrs. Kung has held a number of prominent roles across Hong Kong's financial and public institutions. Her background includes service in industry, regulatory and public sector bodies, reflecting her extensive knowledge of Hong Kong's financial services landscape and broader institutional environment.
"We are delighted to welcome Ann as Chair of MKS PAMP (Hong Kong) Limited & Asia-Pacific," said James Emmett. "Her deep experience in financial services, strong governance background and longstanding knowledge of the Hong Kong and Asia-Pacific market will be a tremendous asset. Ann's appointment is an important step in further strengthening our leadership in the region and will support the next phase of our growth across Asia-Pacific."
Mrs. Kung said: "I am pleased to join MKS PAMP at an important stage in its expansion in Hong Kong SAR and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The company has built a strong reputation and trust in the precious metals market, supported by deep expertise, international reach and a clear long-term commitment to the region. I look forward to supporting its continued growth and strategic ambitions."
About MKS PAMP
MKS PAMP is a global leader in precious metals, specializing in trading, refining, and minting gold, silver, platinum, palladium, and other platinum group metal products. Part of the MKS PAMP GROUP, it brings over 60 years of expertise and operates one of the industry's most advanced refineries and mints. Headquartered in Switzerland, the company upholds the highest standards of quality, sustainability, and responsible sourcing. MKS PAMP is one of only three approved Good Delivery Referees of both the LBMA and LPPM worldwide. Its flagship brand, PAMP, is the world's leading bullion brand, known for the iconic Lady Fortuna™ design. Trusted by financial institutions, investors, and industries, MKS PAMP champions transparency and ESG principles.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
MKS PAMP appoints Ann KUNG YEUNG Yun Chi as Chair of Asia-Pacific
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―Searches for weekend trips more than double compared to early April baseline, with strong concentration around Golden Week weekends ―
TOKYO, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Agoda Company Pte. Ltd. (Headquarters: Singapore; CEO: Omri Morgenshtern), operator of the digital travel platform Agoda, revealed anincrease in domestic weekend travel interest among Japanese travelers ahead of Golden Week, based on an analysis of accommodation search data for weekend stays in April and May. The data compares search activity for each weekend against a baseline from April 3–4, showing an uplift in travel interest - particularly during weekends leading up to and during the Golden Week holiday period.
- Weekend Travel Interest on the Rise Leading Into Golden Week
The weekends with the highest increase in searches (vs. April 3–4 baseline) were:
- April 17–18: +101%
- May 1–2: +65%
- April 24–25: +27%
Notably, searches for April 17–18 more than doubled compared to the first weekend in April, signaling an early and strong start to Golden Week travel planning. Searches are also heavily concentrated across both the lead-up and peak holiday weekends, reflecting heightened anticipation for the extended holiday period.
- Urban Destinations Lead Travel Preferences
The top 10 most searched domestic destinations are:
Tokyo
Osaka
Fukuoka
Sapporo
Yokohama
Okinawa Main Island
Nagoya
Kyoto
Sendai
Kobe
These destinations continue to attract travelers due to their accessibility and ability to offer diverse experiences - such as dining, sightseeing, and shopping - within a short timeframe, making them ideal for weekend and holiday getaways.
The data also reflects the growing trend toward "short trips", where travelers opt for shorter, more frequent journeys. During extended holidays like Golden Week, this behavior is becoming more pronounced, with travelers planning multiple shorter trips rather than a single long vacation.
Tadashi Ikai, Senior Country Director, Agoda International Japan, shared, "Domestic travel interest in Japan is steadily increasing as Golden Week approaches. This year, we are seeing strong search activity not only during the holiday period itself, but also across the surrounding weekends, suggesting that travelers are spreading their trips across multiple occasions. As the 'short trip' trend continues to grow, travel is becoming more flexible and part of everyday life. With April marking the start of a new season for many, we are also seeing increased interest in short getaways to refresh and reset. At Agoda, we remain committed to supporting travelers with a wide range of accommodation options and great value deals to meet evolving travel needs."
With over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda enables travelers to plan and combine every part of their journey in one place. Running from 7 May to 21 May, Agoda's 21st Birthday Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with a special flash sale of up to 70% on 19 May and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 3 May to 6 May. Discover more on Agoda's mobile app or at Agoda.com.
-ENDS-
About the Data
The findings are based on Agoda's analysis of accommodation searches made by Japanese travelers for weekend stays in April and May 2026, compared against search activity from April 3–4, 2026.
About Agoda
Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of over 6 million hotels and holiday properties, plus flights, activities, and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support.
Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG), employs over 7,500 people globally, and is dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel easy and affordable.
―Searches for weekend trips more than double compared to early April baseline, with strong concentration around Golden Week weekends ―
TOKYO, May 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Agoda Company Pte. Ltd. (Headquarters: Singapore; CEO: Omri Morgenshtern), operator of the digital travel platform Agoda, revealed anincrease in domestic weekend travel interest among Japanese travelers ahead of Golden Week, based on an analysis of accommodation search data for weekend stays in April and May. The data compares search activity for each weekend against a baseline from April 3–4, showing an uplift in travel interest - particularly during weekends leading up to and during the Golden Week holiday period.
- Weekend Travel Interest on the Rise Leading Into Golden Week
The weekends with the highest increase in searches (vs. April 3–4 baseline) were:
- April 17–18: +101%
- May 1–2: +65%
- April 24–25: +27%
Notably, searches for April 17–18 more than doubled compared to the first weekend in April, signaling an early and strong start to Golden Week travel planning. Searches are also heavily concentrated across both the lead-up and peak holiday weekends, reflecting heightened anticipation for the extended holiday period.
- Urban Destinations Lead Travel Preferences
The top 10 most searched domestic destinations are:
Tokyo
Osaka
Fukuoka
Sapporo
Yokohama
Okinawa Main Island
Nagoya
Kyoto
Sendai
Kobe
These destinations continue to attract travelers due to their accessibility and ability to offer diverse experiences - such as dining, sightseeing, and shopping - within a short timeframe, making them ideal for weekend and holiday getaways.
The data also reflects the growing trend toward "short trips", where travelers opt for shorter, more frequent journeys. During extended holidays like Golden Week, this behavior is becoming more pronounced, with travelers planning multiple shorter trips rather than a single long vacation.
Tadashi Ikai, Senior Country Director, Agoda International Japan, shared, "Domestic travel interest in Japan is steadily increasing as Golden Week approaches. This year, we are seeing strong search activity not only during the holiday period itself, but also across the surrounding weekends, suggesting that travelers are spreading their trips across multiple occasions. As the 'short trip' trend continues to grow, travel is becoming more flexible and part of everyday life. With April marking the start of a new season for many, we are also seeing increased interest in short getaways to refresh and reset. At Agoda, we remain committed to supporting travelers with a wide range of accommodation options and great value deals to meet evolving travel needs."
With over 6 million holiday properties, more than 130,000 flight routes, and over 300,000 activities, Agoda enables travelers to plan and combine every part of their journey in one place. Running from 7 May to 21 May, Agoda's 21st Birthday Sale will offer up to 60% off on hotel bookings, with a special flash sale of up to 70% on 19 May and exclusive deals on flights and activities. Agoda VIP members will receive early access to deals from 3 May to 6 May. Discover more on Agoda's mobile app or at Agoda.com.
-ENDS-
About the Data
The findings are based on Agoda's analysis of accommodation searches made by Japanese travelers for weekend stays in April and May 2026, compared against search activity from April 3–4, 2026.
About Agoda
Agoda, a digital travel platform, helps anyone see the world for less with its great value deals on a global network of over 6 million hotels and holiday properties, plus flights, activities, and more. Agoda.com and the Agoda mobile app are available in 39 languages and supported by 24/7 customer support.
Headquartered in Singapore, Agoda is part of Booking Holdings (Nasdaq: BKNG), employs over 7,500 people globally, and is dedicated to leveraging best-in-class technology to make travel easy and affordable.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Agoda Reports Rise in Domestic Weekend Travel Demand Ahead of Golden Week
