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Volume 2, Issue 5, January 29, 2009 |
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Since the economic downturn intensified last year, travel markets in Asia spanning Hong Kong, Thailand and India have suffered sharp contractions, at times worsened by political turmoil, with many projecting negative growth in 2009.
Across Asia, hotels, airlines and tourism operators are bracing for another tough year as the crisis keeps long-haul visitors at home and prompts regional travellers to take shorter trips.
Despite the fragile situation, the Pacific Asia Travel Association expects Asia, which lured around 280 million international arrivals in 2008, to bounce back and enjoy 4 to 5 per cent average growth over the next three years.
"We are extremely cautious in our optimism, but we still believe it'll be above the line over the next couple of years," said John Koldowski, director of the Strategic Intelligence Center for PATA. 
Malaysia Airlines has announced it will remove its domestic fuel surcharge after taking into account a decline in fuel prices. MAS Managing Director & CEO, Idris Jala, said fuel remained the airline’s biggest cost. “The fuel bill for financial year 2008 will be higher than 2007’s as the fuel surcharge only covered about 30 per cent of the fuel cost,” he said.
Qantas has extended its Airbus A380 network by launching flights between Sydney (SYD) and London (LHR) via Singapore (SIN). The airline will operate three A380 services each week on the Kangaroo Route. QF31 will operate from Sydney to London via Singapore on Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, with the return QF32 flight operating on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, also via Singapore. Qantas will take delivery of four more A380s this year, with the next aircraft due in May.
Visa Platinum, Visa Signature and Visa Infinite cardholders no longer have to queue at airline check-in and immigration counters following the launch of a new Airport Meet-and-Assist Service at more than 20 airports in Asia Pacific. The service is available at airports including Changi Airport (SIN), Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK), Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK), Pu Dong Airport (PVG), Ninoy Aquino International Airport (MNL), and Incheon Airport (ICN). Upon arriving at the airport, travellers will be escorted through fast-track customs and security check. Designated personnel will manage the check-in process.
JAL has confirmed that it will temporarily reduce flight frequencies on three international routes in response to a decline in demand. Through March 28, flight frequency on JAL's Tokyo (SBG)–Bangkok (BKK) route will be reduced from 21 to 14 flights per week. Flight frequencies on two China routes will be reduced between Feb. 10 and March 28, with the Tokyo–Beijing (PEK) route decreasing from 19 to 14 flights per week, and the Tokyo–Shanghai (PVG) route decreasing from 28 to 21 flights per week.
Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, a luxury tourist train has initiated service in western India, with the government promising to launch similar services in more Indian cities. The train will provide an alternative to India's first luxury train, the Palace on Wheels. Carrying 82 people, the train has 13 deluxe saloons, one super-deluxe saloon, four service cars and two restaurant bars. Spa and WiFi facilities are also available on board. The train leaves Delhi and starts its week-long journey through Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Sawai Madhopur, before returning to Delhi.
2 Song Shou Road
Taipei 110, Taiwan
taipei.grand.hyatt.com
Grand Hyatt Taipei is an excellent choice for business travellers travelling to Taipei. Service and room quality are of exceptional standard — what one would expect of a top international chain.
The hotel is next door to Taipei 101, the WTC and Convention Centre, which is ideal for business travellers. However, this also means that the hotel is not very well situated for those looking to explore the nooks and crannies of Taiwan’s capital. The MRT is quite a long walk away and shopping and dining options are limited to Taipei 101. At night, the area around the hotel is pretty much a ghost town.
Let me first address rumours that the hotel is haunted. Ask any Taipei local and chances are they will be able to relay a haunted experience of some kind at the hotel, which was built on top of an old cemetery. Supposedly, this is why all rooms have two paintings, each featuring a black-white vase, to ward off evil spirits. There are also many ornaments along the corridors and lobby intended for the same effect.
But if there were any ghosts, none paid us a visit.
First impressions of the hotel were nice. The lobby area is impressive with huge ceilings and an ornate fountain. The staff was warm and friendly, but check-in was extremely slow. Rooms were generous in size with chaise, desk, fax machine and broadband Internet access. Decor in the bedroom is minimal with pale woods and white linens. The beds were fantastic — extremely spacious and comfortable. Featherbeds were used beneath the sheets to create the ultimate sleeping experience.
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo, the first Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts property in Japan, has launched a Discover Shangri-La promotion in celebration of its opening scheduled on March 2. Through April, guests can stay in a deluxe room at JPY 110,000 per night, with complimentary breakfast and a commemorative gift. Shangri-La Hotel, Tokyo is located adjacent to Tokyo Station, the capital’s only station with railway connections to all points in Japan.
Through Feb. 15, Pan Pacific guests will receive 15 per cent savings off the best available rate when booking any Pan Pacific hotel or resort in Asia. Valid for stays through May 31, the SuperSaver promotion offers a late checkout time to all guests. Guests can also earn miles for qualifying stays with the frequent flyer programmes of Pan Pacific’s 16 airline partners, including Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Air France/KLM, Air Canada, Northwest, Lufthansa Airlines and Malaysian Airlines.
Marriott Rewards members can now redeem points at 2,900 hotels without any blackout periods. Marriott Rewards points can be redeemed for hotel stays, frequent flyer miles with airline partners, cruises, car rentals, brand-name merchandise, luggage-delivery service and more. Other changes to the Marriott Rewards programme include: For every four-night stay redeemed, members receive a fifth redemption night free.
Air Tahiti Nui and Tahiti Travel Connection have launched a seven-day Rejuvenate in Paradise promotion, starting at AUD 2804 per person. The promotion includes return economy-class airfares with Air Tahiti Nui, all land and sea transfers, five nights at the InterContinental Resort Moorea in a Lanai room, complimentary daily breakfast, two nights at the InterContinental Resort Tahiti and a 25-minute Paufifi massage. The promotion is available for travel through Feb. 28.
The Island Shangri-La, Hong Kong has launched a weekend Valentine’s Day promotion. Priced at HKD 28,888 per couple, the luxurious Perfect Escape package includes an exclusive six-course dinner in a private marquee at the Pool Deck, a bottle of Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame Rosé Champagne 1995 upon arrival, in-room Champagne breakfast, a 45-minute couple’s massage at the health club, an overnight stay in a Harbour View room and round-trip transfers in a Rolls-Royce Phantom.
