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Volume 2, Issue 8, February 19, 2009 |
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Four of the world’s leading airlines, Air France/KLM, British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Virgin Atlantic and airport operator BAA have called for CO2 emissions from international aviation to be included in a new global climate deal. The agreement will be negotiated by world leaders at the United Nations climate summit in Copenhagen in December.
Emissions from international aviation, which currently contribute about 2 per cent of global CO2 emissions, were not included in the Kyoto Protocol commitments and are not currently managed under an international climate change treaty.
At its first Asia Pacific meeting in Hong Kong, the Aviation Global Deal Group published an official announcement calling for a pragmatic, fair and effective global policy solution for the sector, as a contribution to the United Nation’s International Civil Aviation Organization’s preparations for climate change negotiations in Copenhagen.
Chief Executive of Cathay Pacific Tony Tyler said: “Aviation has a key part to play in reducing global emissions and for too long has been seen as part of the climate problem rather than part of the solution. We hope the work of our group will offer a practical industry-led solution that creates a level-playing field and appeals to policy-makers, environmental groups and businesses alike.” 
The Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore is embarking on a solar photovoltaic test-bed project, to convert sunlight into electricity at Singapore’s Budget Terminal at Changi Airport (SIN). The project, which will take place from June to mid 2010, aims to provide an alternate source of clean and sustainable energy to supplement the terminal’s main power supply and reduce electricity costs. A solar PV system will be installed at the terminal’s rooftop, generating about 281,000 kilowatt hours of energy per year which translates into an estimated electrical cost savings of around SGD 60,000 per year.
Emirates is offering travellers an enhanced online travel planning tool, which builds itineraries by combining Emirates flights with low cost airline connections outside the Emirates network. Travellers can now search for connecting flights to more than 300 destinations throughout Europe, the Far East, India and Canada with five airlines — AirAsia, EasyJet, Clickair, IndiGo, JetLite and WestJet. Bookings can be completed within minutes on each separate airline Web site.
The ANA InterContinental Tokyo has completed a multi-million dollar renovation of its Club InterContinental Lounge. Offering breathtaking views of Mount Fuji, the new Club Lounge claims to be Japan’s largest and is more than three times the size of the previous lounge. This new refurbished lounge will serve as an exclusive facility for guests staying on the Club InterContinental floors. The lounge offers shower suites for early arriving and late departing guests.
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts has confirmed its participation in Earth Hour 2009, a global environmental awareness event organized by the World Wildlife Fund. On March 28 at 20:30, all 56 of Fairmont's hotels and resorts from Dallas to Dubai will go dark by turning off their lights for one hour to help draw attention to one of the world's single largest environmental issues — climate change. In 2009, Earth Hour aims to reach out to one billion people in 1,000 cities.
Starting Feb. 15, India’s Jet Airways will launch a new daily service on the Coimbatore (CJB) /Kochi (COK)-Chennai (MAA) sectors, enhancing the airline’s existing services to Tamil Nadu’s capital from the two southern cities. This follows the induction of the airline’s 13th ATR 72-500 aircraft into its fleet. The new services will be daily aboard Jet Airways’ new all-economy ATR 72-500 aircraft. Jet Airways flight 9W 3584 will depart Chennai at 07:00, arriving in Coimbatore at 08:10. Flight 9W 3585 will depart Coimbatore at 08:40, arriving in Chennai at 09:50.
1/F, 109 Repulse Bay, Hong Kong
Phone 852 2292 2822
A throwback to Hong Kong's colonial days, The Verandah has been a favourite spot for tourists and expats since the early 1920s. The restaurant is situated on the southern side of Hong Kong Island, among the leafier areas of well-to-do Repulse Bay.
The veranda-like hotspot boasts a stylish yet relaxed atmosphere, with tall ceilings and whirling antique fans, cool, granite floors, and windows that open toward manicured lawns and waving palm trees. It is said that colonial chroniclers Somerset Maugham and Noel Coward were patrons here, as were actors William Holden and Peter Sellers.
If you can, book a table more than a week in advance and arrive with an appetite at its famous Sunday brunch with a jazz band.
Alternatively, sample the traditional English afternoon tea which is a three-course affair, beginning with freshly baked scones served with strawberry jam and clotted cream. Next comes the cucumber sandwiches with generous pats of butter, mini sausage rolls and roast beef sandwiches. And finally, the delectable French pastries, jewelled fruit tarts, tiny cheesecakes and tiramisu.
Otherwise, try the Verandah's famous Caesar salad (topped with a choice of grilled chicken breast, grilled prawns or home-smoked salmon). My favourite is the ice cream soufflé – creamy and sumptuous but not too sugary.
Classic Continental cuisine, exquisite surroundings and top-notch service — the Verandah is a must-try for every tourist.
Score: ••••• Joyce Woo
Discover the hidden treasures of the capital city of Lanna kingdom — from The Golden Triangle to elephant trekking through Hill Tribe villages with Le Meridien Chiang Rai. Through to March 31 and priced at THB 7,999 per room per night, the exclusive promotion includes nightly accommodation in guests’ selected room category, daily buffet breakfast for two and a three-day tour of the wonders in Chiang Rai. A minimum stay of three nights is required.
Through Feb. 28, Hotel Jen Hong Kong is offering guests who book online a special discount on stays of more than one night. The Longer You stay, The Less You Pay promotion offers guests a 20 per cent discount on their second night and 30 per cent on their third-night stay. Any additional nights over three will also be discounted by 30 per cent. The offer also includes complimentary daily buffet breakfast.
Hilton has launched a promotion offering Hilton HHonors members the ability to earn twice the number of base points for stays at more than 2,400 Hilton Family hotels around the world. To earn double base points, HHonors members must register for the promotion at the HHonors website, and stay at participating Hilton Family hotels before April 6. Members can also ‘Double Dip’, meaning that they can earn both HHonors points and airline miles with any one of the participating 60 airlines, every time they stay at a Hilton Family hotel.
To celebrate opening of the new world-class club lounge and rooms, ANA InterContinental Tokyo is offering free upgrades to Club InterContinental. This limited opportunity will be offered to the first 50 new reservations made each day between Feb. 10 and March 31. Rates start from JPY 26,000 but vary depending on the day.
Amari has launched a Summer Escape 2009 promotion. The promotion enables Thai residents to stay at an Amari, Thailand before Nov. 30 from THB 2,999 for two per night. Guests staying at Amari, Doi Angkhang and Loei before Sept. 30 also receive one free night per one-night stay. The offer is valid until April 30. Amari Hotels and Resorts is one of Thailand’s largest hotel groups, operating 11 properties.
