Alibaba News Roundup: Agoda and Fliggy's Partnership Supports Chinese Travel Abroad; Africa's Business Heroes Announces Final 50; Cainiao Widens Delivery Offerings in Spain

Alibaba Group's travel services company Fliggy has expanded its partnership with global travel booking site Agoda, providing Chinese tourists abroad with access to a wider selection of accommodations. Meanwhile, the Africa's Business Heroes entrepreneurship competition has announced its top 50 finalists, who will compete for a share of $1.5 million in grant money. In other news, logistics company Cainiao Group has broadened its Spanish delivery network, including next-day delivery in nine major cities.

Key Takeaways:

• Fliggy's partnership with Agoda has made available around 3.6 million accommodation options for Chinese tourists abroad.
• The partnership aims to strengthen the presence of both companies in China and help accelerate the recovery of Chinese outbound travel.
• The Africa's Business Heroes entrepreneurship challenge has narrowed down the number of competitors from over 27,000 to a final 50, representing 20 countries and 13 industries.
• The top 50 finalists include 37% women and will face two more rounds of cuts to win a share of $1.5 million in grant money.
• Cainiao's delivery network in Spain now covers 60% of the population across 30 of the country's biggest cities.
• Cainiao has expanded its Spanish delivery network, including next-day delivery in nine major cities, and is growing sustainably with a focus on reducing carbon emissions.

Statistics:

• 3.6 million accommodation options are available to Chinese tourists abroad through Fliggy's partnership with Agoda (Source: Fliggy)
• 20 countries are represented by the top 50 finalists in the Africa's Business Heroes entrepreneurship challenge (Source: ABH)
• 60% of Spain's population is now covered by Cainiao's delivery network across 30 major cities (Source: Cainiao)
• The top 50 finalists in the Africa's Business Heroes challenge include 37% women (Source: ABH)
• Cainiao has around 500 parcel lockers in Madrid and Barcelona, Spain, to reduce carbon emissions associated with door delivery (Source: Cainiao)

Sources:

• Fliggy's partnership with Agoda: Source: Fliggy
• Africa's Business Heroes entrepreneurship challenge: Source: ABH
• Cainiao's delivery network in Spain: Source: Cainiao
• Cainiao's parcel lockers in Madrid and Barcelona: Source: Cainiao
• Alibaba Cloud's energy expert platform: Source: Alibaba Cloud
• Olympic Esports Week: Source: IOC
• Shop Premium Outlets' partnership with Alibaba: Source: SPO
• Messika's diamond designs in China: Source: Messika
• Alibaba Cloud's green initiative: Source: Alibaba Cloud
• Cainiao's 5-day delivery service: Source: Cainiao
• Cainiao's Express brand launch: Source: Cainiao