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Volume 1, Issue 10, November 13, 2008 |
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Asia is confronting a possible recession head-on, and its tourism industry is launching tactical offensives to woo an increasingly nervous market. Many hotels across the region are offering barter rooms or bonus nights.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand plans to launch a three-month tactical Amazing Thailand - Amazing Value campaign starting in November to draw tourists from regional markets. It will be a joint effort with Thai hotels, airlines and tour operators to stimulate bookings from regional markets such as India, China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore.
Similarly, Singapore’s Tourism Board is expected to gear up for a big push to stimulate traffic and spending over the last two months of the year. The push centres on Christmas in the Tropics and the Uniquely Singapore weekends.
Ms Melissa Tilling, Funway Holidays International product development director for the Far East, noted a clear willingness across the regional industry to invest in tactical campaigns to drive demand. She said: “We have tactical rates from Malaysia Airlines, Thai Airways International, EVA and Cathay. We are also getting good support from Hong Kong, Singapore and Thailand NTOs, although sadly Indonesia still lacks a platform, while Malaysia is awaiting its budget.”
Tactical investments have allowed operators such as Funway to drop prices by 30 per cent. Funway has a lead-in price of GBP 539 for a four-night Bangkok tour on Qatar Airways, including three-star accommodation, a GBP 100 reduction on the previous rate. 
Cathay Pacific is to launch a new self-print boarding pass option for departures from Hong Kong International Airport (HKG) starting today. This new service will allow passengers to print their boarding passes at home or in the office. At present, the self-print-boarding-pass initiative is only available to passengers departing Hong Kong who are travelling point to point on Cathay Pacific flights. Those with onward connections will not be able to choose the self-print option and will need to proceed to the check-in counters at the airport to collect the boarding passes for their departure and connecting flights.
Fans of EVA Air's Hello Kitty Jets can experience flights aboard the themed aircraft though March 2009 when the carrier retires the livery. The airline will start the process of refreshing and repainting its character-covered Airbus 330-200s when it takes the first of its two Hello Kitty Jets out of service in early December. Hello Kitty Jet fans must act quickly to select from EVA’s limited supply of commemorative items. Travellers can also buy Hello Kitty items on EVA’s website at mail.evaair.com where those living in Taiwan have the added benefit of home delivery. Between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, purchasers of the 1:500 scale-model EVA Hello Kitty Jet also receive an EVA service-team figure-set bonus gift.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. has announced the re-opening of Sheraton Fiji Resort, following the successful completion of an extensive USD 22 million renovation. Located on Denauru Island, Sheraton Fiji Resort features fully renovated guest rooms, an interactive lobby space, multiple dining concepts and a lagoon-style pool. The centrepiece of the resort is the nearly 13,000-square-foot, lagoon-style swimming pool developed by Scape Design Associates. New dining concepts include Feast, Flying Fish seafood restaurant, a vibrant new buffet restaurant, and Pantry, a grab-and-go style deli.
Virgin Atlantic has launched a second service between London (LHR) and Hong Kong (HKG). The new flights, offered daily starting Dec. 4, will complement the airline’s existing daily programme to Hong Kong, which connects to Virgin Atlantic’s flights to Sydney (SYD). The new second daily service will double the airline’s capacity between London and Hong Kong, offering passengers more choice and flexibility when travelling to the Far East and Australia. Flight VS238 will depart London at 16:00, arriving in Hong Kong at 12:30 the next day. Flight VS239 will depart Hong Kong at 14:15, arriving at London Heathrow at 19:20 the same day.
Japan Airlines (JAL) will offer first-class service on its daily flights between Tokyo (HND) and New Delhi (DEL) starting Jan. 11. Tickets for the new class of service on this route are now on sale. Passengers will be able to relax in the privacy and comfort of a JAL Skysleeper Seat, which reclines to a full 180 degrees. Each seat will be equipped with JAL's personal in-flight entertainment system. JAL offers first-class passengers a choice of Western and Asian gourmet food which is accompanied by prestige wines and sake.
Eil Malk, Rock Islands, Palau
World-famous for its millions of stingless Jellyfish, Palau’s Ongeim’l Tketau Jellyfish Lake offers the most intimate experience with one of nature’s wonders. Jellyfish Lake is one of the many stops along the Rock Island Tour hosted by Fish ’n Fins and should not be overlooked when touring Palau. Visitors must first obtain a USD 35 permit to visit the lake as regulated by the Koror State Government. Permits can be purchased at the Fish 'n Fins dive shop before the tour. As the lake is in the middle of a limestone island, visitors must first hike up some limestone rocks to reach the green lake. But don't worry about slipping, a rope railing is provided and it's all worth the effort.
My experience at the Jellyfish Lake was truly magical. I slowly floated across the lake, breathing through my snorkel and staring down through my goggles into what seemed to be a bottomless, empty green lake. I kept to the surface and made my way to the centre of the lake where the sun was beating down on the water. Suddenly, like stars suddenly appearing in a night sky, I spotted one, two, three jellyfish emerging from the depths. I touched and tapped each jellyfish that floated by. Like a small pulsating orange heart, one jellyfish remained cupped in my hands. Before long, I found myself swarmed by millions of stingless jellyfish. For a moment, I forgot to breathe.
Score: ••••• Courtney Centeno
Guests at the Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo can gain unique insight into the traditional aspects of Japanese culture and Tokyo’s intriguing past by taking advantage of an array of cultural excursions. These include performances by geishas at prestigious restaurants, an evening river cruise, a hot springs visit, or a hands-on sushi-making lesson at Tsukiji, the world’s largest marketplace for seafood. Priced at JPY 150,000, guests enjoy sophisticated Kaiseki cuisine as kimono-clad geishas sing and perform traditional dances in a private room. The package is limited to one party per day; available weekdays except public holidays.
JIA Shanghai has launched the Artscape package for enthusiasts and collectors of contemporary Chinese art. The package includes a unique city art tour designed by art specialist and gallery owner Andrew James. Priced at RMB 1,495 and valid through Feb. 28., the art tour includes visits to the Shanghai Art Museum and MoCA Shanghai, which hosts monthly exhibitions of contemporary art, the Shanghai Gallery of Art, Studio Rouge run by George Michell, and galleries in the colonial former French Concession like Art Labor, O.V Gallery, Mei’s, New York Gallery, and the James Cohen Gallery. The tour ends at Andrew James Art, a short stroll from JIA Shanghai.
Singapore Airlines customers who make an economy-class booking now have the choice of selecting a preferred seat. Preferred Seat Selection gives customers the option of purchasing a preferred seat for a fee of USD 50. Alternatively, passengers can purchase their seats anytime before check-in (which begins 48 hours before flight departure) by retrieving their bookings on the Singapore Airlines website. Designated preferred seats offer customers more legroom and is available on most Singapore Airlines’ flights, except short-haul routes within Southeast Asia. The new option offers a guarantee of assignment on a first come, first serve basis.
The Regal Airport Hotel in Hong Kong has launched a series of Meetings Promotions with rates starting from USD 167 per room per night. Priced at USD 51 per person, the Half Day Meeting Package includes use of a meeting room from 09:00 to 13:00 or from 13:00 to 17:00, complimentary assorted pastries and savouries, the option of dining in a separate function room or at any restaurant in the hotel. The Full Day Meeting Package, priced at USD 61 per person, includes use of a meeting room from 09:00 to 17:00, complimentary assorted pastries and savouries, and complimentary hand, head or neck massages during coffee break. The rates are valid until December and subject to 10 per cent service charge.
Award-winning restaurant Aqua, Hong Kong is offering a decadent Ultimate Christmas seven-course menu with wines and vintage champagnes, for the price of HKD 10,000 per person. The aqua Ultimate Christmas menu will be served throughout the month of December, including Christmas and Boxing Day. Guests will be treated to a full limousine service, then ushered into their own private dining room and waited on from start to finish. All dishes are designed by Head Chefs Eugenio Riva and Tatsuya Iwahashi. Seven days advanced booking is required.
