|
|
Volume 1, Issue 4, October 2, 2008 |
   |
Travel Indochina has responded to the worsening condition of the environment by showing travellers how they can make a difference while on vacation without sacrificing any of the fun.
In June 2008, one of the tour operator’s hotels, the Anantara Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand, was recognized by Forbes Traveler in the “World’s Most Responsible Hotels” category. Set in a location overlooking the hills of Myanmar and Laos, the property was recognized for its efforts in protecting the environment and promoting conservation.
Travel Indochina’s business development manager, David Rothschild, explains why the hotel deserves the great honour: “The Anantara Golden Triangle exemplifies responsible travel for us. The sanctuary not only acts as a safe haven for the elephants, but in addition provides steady employment for its keepers and their families. This is just one example demonstrating the types of projects supported by Travel Indochina.
In addition to doing business with travel partners who practice responsible tourism behaviours, Travel Indochina seeks to support the people in local communities. For example, the company is collaborating with KOTO (Know One, Teach One), an organization that has trained nearly 250 Vietnamese street and disadvantaged kids to be chefs and service staff.
In Cambodia, Travel Indochina supports the Angkor Hospital for Children, which provides in-patient and out-patient care to children. It also trains Cambodian health care professionals, and promotes public health awareness in Siem Reap province and Cambodia. In Laos, Travel Indochina supports the work of Big Brother Mouse (BBM), a project aimed at publishing books for children to increase literacy levels in Lao PDR. 
With the initiation of new service today, Philippine Airlines will be flying twice daily to Bangkok (BKK). The carrier is adding three more frequencies to its existing four evening flights. New flights depart Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Flight PR 732 will now depart Manila (MNL) everyday at 19:30, arriving in Bangkok at 21:50. The return service, PR 733, departs Bangkok daily at 23:10 and lands back in Manila at 03:40 the following day. Modern Airbus A320 aircraft, which seats 12 in Mabuhay Class (business) and 144 in Fiesta Class (economy), will continue to fly the evening frequency.
Singapore and Japan have agreed to expand air services between both countries. The new agreement was reached after air services consultations between both countries in Singapore on Sept. 17 and 18. Under the agreement, Singapore carriers may operate four daily flights between Singapore (SIN) and Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) during the late night and early morning hours (22:00 to 07:00), after the completion of a new runway at Haneda Airport in 2010.
Marriott will open its first JW Marriott Hotel in Vietnam at Danang in 2011. The development will be located between Danang and Hoi An along Vietnam’s central coast, which is home to many natural, cultural and historic sites. The resort will include residential villas and a Greg Norman-designed golf course. Future phases will include additional residential units, a convention/exhibition centre, retail stores as well as two mid-tier hotels.
Tiger Airways is to increase flights between Singapore (SIN) and Bangkok (BKK) to three flights daily and Singapore and Phuket (HKT) to two flights daily starting Oct. 26. With the additional 28 flights per week, Tiger Airways will offer a total of 70 flights between the two countries. Ms. Rosalynn Tay, managing director of Tiger Airways Singapore said, “Tiger Airways continues to ramp up flight frequencies to popular travel destinations to provide more flexibility in passengers’ choice of flight schedules.”
Singapore Airlines will launch operations to Riyadh (RUH), the largest city and the capital of Saudi Arabia, on Dec. 14. Using the Boeing 777-200 aircraft, Singapore Airlines will operate four times weekly to Riyadh via Dubai (DXB) every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Mr. Huang Cheng Eng, Singapore Airlines’ executive vice president, marketing and the regions, said: “ Riyadh has, over the years, become the focal point of travel and trade for visitors to Saudi Arabia. The introduction of Singapore Airlines’ new service to Riyadh is a sign of our confidence in the tremendous potential of the Middle Eastern region.”
Palau Pacific Resort, Koror, Republic of Palau
tel 680 488 2600
www.palauppr.com
To me, the less enclosed the rooms, the better the island resort. With island-themed rooms and a beautiful white beach that offers great snorkelling and a picturesque sunset, the Palau Pacific Resort is an idyllic retreat you will never want to leave. Check-in begins with a complimentary tropical drink and an agent to lead you to your room. A guide is necessary not only for the assistance with luggage, but the resort is a labyrinth that takes a couple tries before you’re likely to find your room on your own. With two stories of guestrooms connected by an outdoor boardwalk, PPR remains nestled within the island’s natural beauty. It is intentional that the pointed gables do not peak above the coconut trees.
My room was complete with two twin beds, a balcony, beverage bar and snacks, electric water boiler, a small TV and all amenities necessary. Complimentary frosted brownies were provided on my first night, followed by fresh chocolates every day. Internet was not available in the room, but a slow wireless connection was available in the resort’s lobby.
The Toto toilets alone could be enough incentive to test the luxury of this resort. With an electronic menu for washing and drying, and a range of options that allow you to control pressure, oscillation and pulsation, and pulsation, one might have issues parting with PPR’s bathrooms. I know I did!
Score: ••••• Courtney Centeno
The one+one bar at the Royal Park Hotel in Hong Kong has launched a special German Beer Festival promotion with delicacies and premium German beer available through Oct. 31. A two-hour free flow of Erdinger draught beer costs just HKD 199 Sunday to Thursday and HKD 208 on Fridays, Saturdays and Public Holidays. Mouth-watering culinary treats will be available during the promotion, including pork knuckle, house-made luganeghetta and ox tongue.
Le Méridien Chiang Mai has launched a special opening promotion priced at THB 4,900 per room per night. The package includes overnight accommodation, breakfast at Latest Recipe, a chic gift set upon arrival, complimentary newspaper, fruit basket, in-room tea and coffee-making facilities and a voucher for a complimentary stay at Le Méridien Bangkok. The rate is valid from Nov. 1 2008 until Jan. 31 2009 inclusive, subject to availability and advanced booking.
Enjoy a relaxing getaway at the Anantara Phuket Resort & Spa which opens in early October. The villa resort's special opening offer allows travellers to stay for four nights and pay for only three at a special Anantara Breeze rate. Guests can enjoy absolute privacy in the spacious living area of a Pool Villa and the Anantara signature outdoor ‘made for two’ terrazzo tub that seamlessly blends with the private pool. Valid until Dec. 23, the promotion starts from THB 16,000 per villa per night.
As of Oct. 1, Air France/KLM Flying Blue Ivory, Silver, Gold and Platinum members earn 500 Flying Blue miles per stay across participating Pan Pacific hotels and resorts. Members can earn double miles on all eligible stays from Oct. 15 to Dec. 31. In addition, Platinum members will receive an upgrade to the next room category upon request. Guests can also enjoy a late check-out time, complimentary breakfast, complimentary Internet usage, airport transfers and laundry credits.
Passengers travelling to mainland China on SkyTeam partner airlines can now take advantage of discounted flight coupons to explore up to nine cities of their choice. The China Pass allows customers to purchase three to nine discounted flight coupons for travel within China on any SkyTeam partner. China Pass offers a discount of approximately 40 percent in high season and 45 percent in low season. There is no minimum requirement on length of stay and rerouting is allowed after first flight.
