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Volume 1, Issue 2, September 18, 2008 |
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The Best in Travel Poll 2008, organised by SmartTravelAsia.com, gave accolades to the best of the best in the travel industry, acknowledging their excellent services and products to the tourism and airline industry. Poll participants included frequent flyers (on average travelling more than 15 times a year) and readers of SmartTravelAsia.com, from May to July 2008.
In the Best Airlines category, Asian heavyweights slugged it out. It came down to two airlines. Ranked first in the Best Airlines Worldwide 2008 category was Singapore Airlines, which received an astounding 36.3 per cent of the vote. Hong Kong rival Cathay Pacific Airways, which placed first in 2006, dropped to second place with 16 per cent of the vote.
Singapore Airlines maintains a formidable brand image, which combined favourably with its attentive service and generally perceived English competence in flight. The poll incorporated overall brand perceptions of staff, service, in-flight comfort, seat comfort, legroom, in-flight entertainment and business features. Above all, it was a measure of system-wide airline consistency and dependability.
In the new category of Best Business Class Worldwide, Singapore Airlines swooped up the top spot again, also by a huge margin, with 41.3 per cent of the total vote. One Singaporean reader said, “The [SIA] seat is about twice as wide as Cathay’s and the service is always great. I am not saying this because I am Singaporean but because I truly believe our national airline sets worldwide standards.”
In the Best Airport category, at the top of the list is Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN), which held a solid 33 per cent of the vote. The shopping facilities, greenery and colour — and the addition of gleaming Terminal 3 — have made Changi an impressive competitor. 
Hong Kong Express Airways is expanding its network in Asia with four new destinations, starting this month. The airline is adding flights to Osaka (KIX), Phuket (HKT), Denpasar (DPS) and Manila (MNL) just in time for holiday-makers to take advantage of the new routes for the Christmas season. Starting Sept. 6, Hong Kong Express Airways will fly daily to and from Osaka, leaving Hong Kong (HKG) at 1045 hrs to arrive in Osaka at 1525 hrs and leaving Osaka at 1625 hrs to arrive in Hong Kong at 1930 hrs.
Alila Hotels and Resorts will launch its first sustainable tourism resort in the Maldives, Alila Villas Hadahaa, scheduled to open in 2009. Throughout its design, the resort commits to the standards of Green Globe, an international certification programme based on the principles for sustainable development endorsed by the United Nations. The USD 40 million resort was built to be as energy efficient as possible. Innovations incorporated into the building include rainwater harvesting, waste treatment plants, high-roofed areas, open ceilings, cross-ventilation in all indoor spaces, deep roof overhangs and window shading.
Astana Airlines is increasing frequencies on the Almaty (ALA) to Bangkok (BKK) route in response to rising passenger traffic from Kazakhstan to Asia. The winter schedule beginning on Oct. 27 will introduce a fourth frequency on Monday operated by Boeing 767-300ER, increasing overall weekly seat availability on the route by more than 35 per cent. Other service frequencies to be introduced in the winter schedule include the Almaty to Bishek (FRU) route, which may run up to four frequencies per week.
Fuelled by a booming visitors’ market, car rental company Budget Rent A Car has entered Vietnam. Budget vehicles can now be hired from hotels in Ho Chi Minh City as well as Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN). Budget is providing each customer in Vietnam with a well-trained native driver who will function as a travelling concierge. The drivers have strong English skills and knowledge of the immediate region. Cars are priced from USD 69 to USD 249 per day and come equipped with amenities such as mobile phone, international newspapers, magazines, chilled water, towels and 24-hour customer service support.
AirAsia will launch flights between Kota Kinabalu (ZWR) and Labuan (LBU) with fares from as low as MYR 9. The new route is part of the airline’s strategy to complement Sabah as the gateway for trade, investment and tourism in the region, specifically under the Sabah Development Corridor. The new daily flight, which will commence on Sept. 26, provides visitors with an added entry point from Labuan into Kota Kinabalu, the main gateway to Sabah.
Intersection of Joo Chiat Road and Changi Road, Singapore
The only way to experience any city is to immerse yourself in its local culture. For me, that means sampling authentic local delicacies. Some Singaporean friends told me that if I were ever to go to Singapore, Geylang Serai is a must-see. It guarantees a truly enriching experience of the Lion City’s unique ethnic diversity and local customs.
Geylang Serai is definitely not a place for the prim and proper. It is unglamorous and crowded, with homely chairs and tables, stuffy ventilation and dirty-looking floors. Despite its appearance, it is a paradise of authentic Malay food that hasn't been toned down or experimented with for tourists' palates. So for those in search of authentic cultural artefacts, this is pretty good stuff.
Dozens of small unassuming stalls litter the place. Most menus are in Malay but chances are the owners can speak English, too. I picked a small store which looked promising and ordered some hot food. The Indian kway teow goreng was crisp and hot with minced meat and vegetable strips. The Indian rojak was quite delicious as well, with fishcakes, meats and vegetables and a chili dip.
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
MasterCard and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific have launched a joint promotion. Valid from Oct. 1 to Dec. 31, the promotion gives MasterCard credit and debit cardholders in Asia Pacific and Starwood Preferred guests a chance to receive a complimentary weekend stay at any Starwood Hotel in Asia Pacific, provided they have stayed at a Starwood property in Asia Pacific for at least three occasions during the promotional period. Travellers must register and make their room reservations at www.Sspg.com/mastercardfreeweekend or via the Starwood call center and mention the promotion code MFW.
China Airlines and Hainan Airlines have launched a joint mileage programme that allows members to accumulate and redeem miles interchangeably. From Sept. 1 onwards, members of China Airlines Dynasty Frequent Flyer programme can accumulate air miles while taking regular flights on Hainan Airlines, including cross-strait flights. At the same time, members of the Hainan Airlines programme can enjoy the same privileges when travelling on China Airlines. The accumulated mileage can be exchanged for tickets on both China Airlines and Hainan Airlines.
U Chiang Mai luxury spa hotel has announced the launch of a special spa promotion which starts from THB 5,400 per night inclusive of breakfast for two persons and a one-hour body massage for two, choosing from Classical Swedish Massage or Royal Siam Massage. Guests can also enjoy the hotels’ range of services, a daily schedule of heritage talks and guided walks, free bikes for all guests’ use, and free WiFi Internet access throughout the stay.
Through Sept. 30, United Airlines is offering special economy-class fares for travellers flying from Hong Kong (HKG) to Singapore (SIN) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN). Roundtrip fares start at HKD 1,560 for one passenger or HKD 1,360 each for two or more passengers travelling together. The special promotion only applies to passengers travelling out of Hong Kong between now and Nov. 30. UA operates daily nonstop services between Hong Kong and Singapore as well as between Hong Kong and Ho Chi Minh City on Boeing B747-400 aircraft.
The Hard Rock Hotel Pattaya has launched a promotion with rates starting from THB 2,672. The special deal includes one night’s accommodation, breakfast for two adults and late check-out until 1600 hrs. This Rock 'n' Roll sanctuary features 320 themed guestrooms and luxury suites that are designed and decorated in a trendy and hip style, with each room featuring an oversized bed head portraying a famous rock 'n' roll personality.
