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Volume 1, Issue 1, September 11, 2008 |
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Despite a worldwide economic slowdown, corporate travel demand in Asia is expected to continue to grow by more than 10 per cent through 2009, according to BCD Travel’s 2008 Travel Program Survey.
Roger Pfund, general manager and vice president, Asia Pacific Operation for BCD Travel said, “China and India are driving demand in Asia. Demand in Singapore continues to be strong, as this is where many regional functions sit. Other emerging markets like Vietnam, Korea and Taiwan are also adding to demand as companies look to these markets for business expansion opportunities. We expect this growth to continue as most travel is intra-regional and is only marginally affected by the U.S. slowdown.
Many airlines across the region have introduced new incentives to woo business travelers. It goes to show how important the corporate travel sector has become in Asia.
Singapore Airlines has revamped its business class and even has a daily dedicated business-class flight from Singapore (SIN) to Newark (EWR) and New York (JFK). The airline plans to offer the same service on the Singapore to Los Angeles (LAX) route in September this year.
China Eastern Airlines is also quick to cash in on the growing demand. The Shanghai-based airline recently announced that it would invest 50 million yuan to set up a wholly owned business jet unit to tap the rising number of corporate visitors to the city. The company did not provide details on its fleet plans, and registration of the unit is still awaiting government approval. The carrier said corporate jet travel was growing at 20 per cent a year on the mainland, where more than 400 of the world's largest companies have set up joint ventures. 
Etihad Airways is adding 24 flights between Abu Dhabi (AUH) and Jeddah (JED) during the holy month of Ramadan. The extra services will operate until Oct. 2 and build on the existing 28 flights Etihad operates every week to Riyadh (RUH), Jeddah and Dammam (DMM). James Hogan, Etihad Airways’ chief executive, said, “The additional flights from Abu Dhabi to Jeddah will cater for the great demand from Umra travellers during the holy month of Ramadan and will enhance significantly the long-haul travel options to the Muslim communities throughout our network.” Etihad’s extra flights to Jeddah and Medina (MND) will be operated by the Airbus A330-200 and Boeing 777-300 aircraft.
Sabre Airline Solutions has launched a new Mobile Check-In solution in conjunction with AirOne, enabling customers to check in for a flight and even select their seats using a Web-enabled mobile phone. Travelers using Sabre Mobile Check-In are sent their flight check-in information via their Web-enabled mobile phone 24 hours prior to a flight. Once they select their seat, a boarding pass is generated and transmitted to their mobile device. Passengers can chose to print their boarding pass at an airline kiosk or go through airport security using the boarding pass data on their mobile device.
SriLankan Cargo has introduced a new air-conditioned storage area at Colombo’s Bandaranayake International Airport (CMB). The new facility has a temperature ranging between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius, ideal for temperature-sensitive items that should not be placed in traditional cold rooms where the temperature is below freezing. Customers with perishable or temperature-sensitive items of cargo are advised to instruct their agent or supplier at the point of origin to indicate the required storage temperature range in the Airway Bill.
Priority Pass has expanded its worldwide network of airport lounges with the addition of 16 lounges to its portfolio. The new lounges can be found in 11 cities, from Shenzhen (SZX) and Tokyo (NRT), to Hyderabad (HYD). There are also lounges in London (LGW), Ponzan (POZ), and Guayaquil (GYE). Jonathan French from Priority Pass said, "Our members have come to rely on us to help them find time and space for themselves at the airport, and the list of terminals where they can find a quiet place to work or just to relax grows longer all the time."
Starting Sept. 1, Jet Airways will increase flight frequencies between Delhi (DEL) and Udaipur (UDR) in response to strong passenger demand. The new flight, which complements the carrier's existing twice-daily services on the sector, will operate six days a week, with the exception of Tuesdays. It will depart Delhi at 1635 hrs, arriving in Udaipur at 1810 hrs. On the return leg, the flight will depart Udaipur at 1840 hrs, arriving in Delhi at 2020 hrs. Sudheer Raghavan, chief commercial officer, Jet Airways, said, “With the festive season fast approaching, we expect passenger traffic on the Delhi–Udaipur sector, one of the most popular routes on India’s travel map, to increase.”
1085 Heping Road, Shenzhen, 518010, China
tel 86 755 25586333
http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern/productInfo.do?propertyCode=78604
For travelers who consider shopping and dining the ultimate amenity, Shenzhen should not be an unfamiliar place. Located in the southern part of the Guangdong province of the People’s Republic of China, this gateway city has evolved from a thriving commercial metropolis into a short break paradise, offering some of the best shopping and dining experiences in Asia.
I was in town to visit some friends and I stayed at the Best Western Shenzhen Felicity Hotel because of its convenient location. Overlooking the Shenzhen River and the Hong Kong Boarder (two km away), the hotel is a short five-minute stroll from the Luohu Shopping Mall and Railway Station. Upon arrival, I headed to the Lok Moon restaurant as I was famished after the long train ride, and because I’ve heard great things of its authentic Cantonese cuisine.
Friendly staff greeted me at the entrance and I was seated at a table next to a semi-open kitchen bustling with activity. To my pleasant surprise, the tables were not too close to one another (as one would expect in a traditional Chinese restaurant). Exquisitely carved wooden sculptures adorn the walls of the eatery, giving a romantic ambiance to the place.
Within a few minutes of ordering my dim sum, steaming baskets of har gou and siu mai were served. The succulent har gou dumplings were fresh and juicy and the siu mais were equally tasty. The jasmine tea was refreshingly fragrant but not pungent.
The service and quality of the food at Lok Moon couldn’t be better.
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
Through Oct. 31, The Grand Park Hotel Kunming in China is offering a golf promotion which features two nights of deluxe accommodation and a round of golf for two guests at the Sunshine Golf Club’s 18-hole, par 72 championship mountain golf course for RMB 4,900. The package also includes transfers between the airport and hotel, complimentary breakfast, round-trip golf course transfer, and two complimentary aromatherapy massages.
Regent Hotels & Resorts is offering insiders’ access and special rates on luxury shopping in Beijing. The Luxury Shopping Package at The Regent Beijing includes accommodations in an executive room or executive suite, up to 40 per cent discount on purchases at select in-house luxury boutiques, complimentary daily breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktails and complimentary airport transfers. Rates begin at RMB 1900 for an executive room based on double occupancy for a two-night minimum stay. This offer is available from Nov. 15, 2008 through Feb. 28, 2009
Through Dec. 31, the Zeavola Resort, a luxury villa resort on Phi Phi Island, is offering a special spa promotion starting from THB 11,000 per night in the Village Suite. The Zeavola Zpa package includes complimentary breakfast for two at the Baxil restaurant, a 60-minute spa treatment for two (choose from a menu of scrubs, masques, wraps, body massage or facial care). As a bonus, guests who book the package for seven nights or more will receive a complimentary joint round-trip land and speedboat transfer from Phuket International Airport (HKT) for two persons worth THB 12,000.
Through Oct. 31, the Stay, Shop and Play promotion at the Millennium Resort Patong Phuket gives travelers a chance to shop lavishly, sample the varieties of Thailand’s world-famous food, and enjoy the stunning beaches that Phuket has to offer. At THB 3,888 per person, the three-day-two-night package includes daily buffet breakfast for two, Thai set dinner for two, round-trip airport transfers, THB 500 spa voucher per person, and discounts at participating shops in the Jungceylon Shopping and Entertainment Mall.
To celebrate the opening of the year-round mountain resort, Hilton Niseko Village is giving away a Hilton hotel room with every activity purchased (based on a minimum of two people per room with each person purchasing an activity). Starting from JPY 15,000 per person for a minimum twin share, the Niseko Golf Package includes one round of golf, a lavish Hilton buffet breakfast and an ultra-late check out time of 1500 hrs.
