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Volume 1, Issue 16, December 25, 2008 |
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Latest statistics released by PATA Travel Monitor for the third quarter of 2008 reflect the impact of the economic downturn on travel in the Asia Pacific region and gives cause for optimism.
"Earlier this year we were predicting year-on-year growth for the region at between 7 and 8 per cent. Our report shows that, despite the gloomy global economic outlook, some individual source markets were growing to a number of specific destinations," says PATA Strategic Intelligence Director John Koldowski. These include travellers from Iran to Malaysia (up 162 per cent), Thailand to Macau (up 132 per cent) and Russia to the Maldives (up 55 per cent).
The Monitor also confirms that more travellers are opting for short- and medium haul trips. International arrivals to Malaysia from Indonesia rose year-on-year by over 45 per cent and there are also significant 'near-neighbour’ increases such as China to Macau (up nearly 16 per cent) and China to Hong Kong (up over nine 9 per cent). Arrivals in Hawaii were boosted by a significant 34.7 per cent of travellers from Canada.
Some destinations, such as Thailand, have faced additional domestic challenges which further impacted arrivals numbers. The latest Travel Monitor does not cover the period when Bangkok's main international airport had been closed. International arrivals at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) in Q3 2008 fell by 16 per cent year-on-year but figures for January – September show modest growth of almost 4 per cent. 
Korean Air is offering travellers a more convenient start to their journey with its new Web check-in service. From seat assignment to getting a boarding pass, the entire check-in process can be completed online. Passengers can check in four to 24 hours before their flight departure. All members of Korean Air holding valid international flight tickets are eligible to use the service. Passengers travelling on codeshare flights operated by other airlines, holding a group ticket, or who have requested services requiring additional confirmation at the airport (e.g. unaccompanied minors, those travelling with pets, etc.) are not eligible to use Web check-in.
Marriott International has started replacing its 24 million plastic key cards with those made of 50 per cent recycled material, thereby saving 66 tonnes of plastic from being dumped into landfills. The new key card is part of an effort to help reduce global environmental footprint. Marriot will also begin replacing 100,000 synthetic pillows that it purchases annually with those filled with polyester micro-fibre made from 100 per cent recycled PET bottles. Most of the paper products in Marriott International hotels — from notepads on the desk to the folio that holds the key card or bill — are made of recycled paper.
Air China is now offering flights to Taipei from four cities in mainland China: Tianjin (TSN), Hangzhou (HGH), Chengdu (CTU) and Chongqing (CKG). Following a historic agreement between officials from mainland China and Taiwan, Air China has launched two direct flights from Beijing (PEK) and four direct flights from Shanghai (PVG) on week days, every week to Taipei (TPE). These flights will fly directly to Taipei and will not detour over Hong Kong airspace. This will allow Chinese travellers from both sides of the straits to travel more conveniently and quickly between the mainland and Taiwan.
Virgin Blue will open a corporate lounge facility, The Lounge, at Perth Airport (PER) in April. The Lounge will provide members and eligible passengers with food, beverage, complimentary WiFi access, workstations, private meeting rooms and an entertainment area. Access will be via annual membership. Velocity Gold Members and passengers travelling on premium-economy or corporate-plus fares will have complimentary access. Passengers can also access the lounge through the online purchase of a single visit pass for AUD 30 per person.
Singapore Airlines will begin a four-times-weekly service to Kuwait (KWI) starting March 15. Flying via Abu Dhabi (AUH), the service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays using Boeing 777-200 aircraft. Singapore Airlines will also increase flights between Singapore (SIN) and Cairo (CAI) starting March 12 from three times a week to four. The addition of these flights brings Singapore Airlines’ frequency between Dubai and Singapore to 21 times weekly. The addition of Kuwait to the Singapore Airlines network comes after the signing of an Open Skies Agreement between Singapore and Kuwait last month.
Gum Loi Building Edificio Kam Loi
Macau, China
tel 853 2871 0032
www.flyasiana.com
Portuguese egg tarts are considered required eating in Macau, so when I was in town last week, I went to Margaret's Cafe e Nata to try, what I had been told, were some of the best around.
The café was a little hard to find as it was tucked into a small alley. I recommend a stop at the nearby Hotel Sintra to ask for directions. But as a rough guide: Turn left after exiting the hotel and cross Avenida Infante D. Henrique. Look for the first alley on your left — there should be a sign pointing in the direction of the cafe.
The delicious egg tarts far exceeded my expectations. The buttery crust was flaky, while the wobbly caramelized custard centre was smooth, silky and mouth-wateringly sweet. In Hong Kong, bakeries tend to use a stiffer shortbread crust. These Portuguese-style ones however, have a much richer taste with puff pastry layers.
The little café also has a wonderful selection of freshly baked breads, cakes, and pastries, but most patrons flock here for their tantalizing egg tarts. Be warned though — it can get packed at peak hours, so it’s best to come early (before noon).
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
Through to March 31, Saigon's downtown landmark the Caravelle Hotel is offering a Caravelle Relaxation Spa Package priced at USD 498 for double occupancy. Upgrades to the hotel’s signature deluxe rooms are USD 59 for singles and USD 89 for doubles per night. The special rates include a buffet breakfast and a spa treatment, a 60-minute body massage and a 30-minute manicure/pedicure, facial or Qi Shaving. The Caravelle first opened its doors in 1959 and has undergone extensive renovation in 1998.
The Hilton Odawara Resort & Spa has launched a dog-friendly promotion offering travellers and their furry friends a relaxing hotel experience. Through Jan. 4 and priced at JPY 42,000, the promotion includes breakfast and access to 11 types of spa therapies, including Japanese hot springs and pools. A well-equipped facility ‘Dog-run’ gives your puppies a chance to work out in a supervised environment. The package is available for small to mid-sized dogs. Travellers need to pay an extra JPY 4,000 for every dog.
In celebration of its grand opening, Hong Kong SkyCity Marriott is offering an introductory rate of HKD 1688 in a deluxe room overlooking a nine-hole golf course. The promotion includes welcoming drinks for two at The Lounge, full buffet breakfast for two at SkyCity Bistro, access to the Health Club, a 27-metre indoor pool, a Jacuzzi, a steam room and a sauna, as well as complimentary shuttle service and airport transfer. For an additional HKD 600, guests can upgrade to an Executive Deluxe Room. The rates are valid through to March 31 (excluding Chinese New Year).
Dreamland Luxury Villas & Spa, Bali is offering three nights of accommodation for the price of two. Prices start at USD 730 in a one-bedroom villa. Valid from Feb. 1–March 31, the promotion includes complimentary daily breakfast, two 30-minute head and shoulder massages, as well as complimentary use of the resort’s extensive DVD library. One-bedroom villa suites feature personal Jacuzzis, while two-bedroom garden villa suites feature waterfall spas. Dreamland Luxury Villas & Spa’s facilities include the aromatherapy massage centres and a business centre with free Internet access.
Valentine’s Day celebrations at Vietnam ’s most luxurious beach front resort, The Nam Hai, are set to seduce guests with gourmet cuisine, indulgent spa treatments and opulent accommodation. Couples can enjoy dinner over a poolside candlelight setting with sweeping views of the China Beach at USD 250 per couple. Guests can also indulge at the hotel’s award-winning spa, surrounded by lush tropical greens. Each spa villa has a changing room, steam shower, separate private baths and a relaxation room which houses an oversized day bed perched at the edge of the lagoon. Accommodation ranges from one-bedroom villas to a five-bedroom beachfront pool villa with prices starting at USD 750 per villa per night.
