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Volume 2, Issue 19, May 7, 2009 |
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As destinations in Asia stepped up precautions last week against the Influenza A/H1N1 flu virus, also known as Swine Flu, a WHO spokesperson said that Asia is better prepared than other regions due to experience gained during the SARS epidemic and its awareness of the threat of avian flu. However, flu experts point out that Asia’s densely populated urban areas pose particular challenges to public health when it comes to preventing the spread of infectious diseases.
Thermal scanners are back in use at many major Asian airports, including the key air hubs at Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok, and most Asian countries are requiring passengers to provide details of countries visited recently. Andrew Herdman, director general of the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines, said, “Asia Pacific carriers are well prepared to handle health crises including those involving communicable diseases.”
As of May 5, there are nine confirmed cases of Influenza A/H1N1 infection in the Asia-Pacific region. New Zealand has six cases; South Korea has two confirmed cases. In Hong Kong, a man who flew from Mexico City via Shanghai developed H1NI flu symptoms within hours of checking into his Hong Kong hotel on May 1. The Hong Kong government responded to this first diagnosis by isolating the patient, locating contacts and placing almost 300 guests and hotel workers under quarantine at the hotel.
According to the official China news agency Xinhua, China has now suspended direct flights to Mexico; AeroMexico previously had just two direct flights a week between Shanghai and Mexico City. China has also banned its travel agencies from taking tour groups to Mexico and advised its citizens to cancel travel plans to Mexico. 
Indian low-fare airline IndiGo has expanded its network by adding six daily flights to its network in the sub-continent. The new routes will include Mumbai (BOM), Goa (GOI), Hyderabad (HYD) and Kolkata (CCU). Founded in 2006, IndiGo operates a fleet of new Airbus A320-200s that seat 180 passengers. With the addition of these services on April 29, IndiGo now flies to 17 Indian cities and has 131 daily flights. Access schedules online.
The two Thistle hotels opening in Malaysia this summer will be the first Thistle-branded hotels in Asia for Guomen Hotel Management, which is London’s largest hotel group in terms of hotel rooms. The 251-room Thistle Port Dickson Resort will open in June and is a 45-minute drive from Kuala Lumpur. Located in 90 acres of grounds, the 5-star resort has a 9-hole golf course, tennis courts, three outdoor swimming pools and its own private beach. The Thistle Johor Bahru will be targeting business travelers and boasts 381 guestrooms, event space and 19 long stay apartments.
Korean Air will be investing USD 200 million to upgrade its fleet of 32 aircraft deployed on mid- and long-haul routes from this September to March 2011 by installing “next generation” premium seats — Kosmo Suites (first class), Prestige Sleeper and New Economy. As well as wider seats in first and Prestige, passengers will be able to access a wider range of entertainment in all classes via Korean Air’s new Audio Video On Demand system. The airline will also refurbish its 38 new Boeing 777-300ER, A380s and Boeing 787 aircraft that are currently on order.
Japan Airlines plans to increase flights from Tokyo (HMD) to Okinawa (OKA) between July 1 and Oct. 31, taking the number of flights on this route from 11 to 12 daily. This increase in flights to the popular tourist destination of Okinawa during the summer holiday season follows JAL’s increase in flights to Hiroshima and Fukuoka that were announced last month.
Air Macau has increased its frequency of flights between Macau (MFM) and Beijing (PEK) from two to three flights daily, giving passengers flying from Macau new connections with Air China between Beijing and the United States, Canada, Europe and other cities in the Chinese mainland. Air Macau is promoting the new service with a series of special online packages and fares. For details, visit the website.
Malaysia Airlines has launched its own stimulus package with nine special deals, such as discounted business-class fares, free flights for children and special economy fares on international and domestic routes. Most deals under the stimulus package are valid for travel up to Dec. 31. Deals include Economy Plus, which allows customers to pay economy-class fares and enjoy business-class lounges and accrue Enrich miles. The Business Companion offers a 50 per cent discount on a second business-class fare when passengers travel together.
To celebrate its opening of the largest hotel call centre in China, Starwood is offering hot rates from RMB288 on its hotels and resorts in the Chinese mainland. Customers can call the centre (tel 86 4008 688 688) for Chinese or English customer service. This week, anyone who calls the new hotline on May 11 and 12 and books a weekend stay at a Starwood hotel or a weekday stay at a Starwood resort in China will only pay the best available rate for the first night and will enjoy the second consecutive night for only RMB1.
The Hilton Beijing Wangfujing is enticing guests to experience the luxurious side of Beijing with its Lifestyle Suite Promotion. Guests staying for a minimum of three nights will enjoy access to the Hilton executive lounge, a complimentary one-hour spa treatment at The Spa and either a free airport pick-up or drop-off. Located close to the Forbidden City, Hilton’s latest property in Beijing soft-launched in August 2008 and was named the World’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel 2008 at the World Travel Awards in London last December. The Lifestyle Suite Package is RMB1,750 plus 15 per cent per night and is available until June 30.
The world’s largest hotel group, InterContinental Hotel Group is offering up to 5 million free nights at over 4,000 hotels around the world. For every two nights that guests stay at any InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Staybridge Suites or Candlewood Suites properties between May 4 and July 3, guests will earn an extra free night to use between July 3 and Dec. 26. Stay four nights and earn two free nights! Guests must register with IHG’s special website before booking rooms.
First- and business-class passengers flying with Emirates to or via Dubai between May 15 and Sep. 15 can enjoy a complimentary stay at The Address Downtown Burj Dubai. Emirates is offering first-class passengers two nights’ accommodation in a Premier Room, while business-class passengers can enjoy one night in a Premier Room. Accommodation includes breakfast. Guests will also receive shopping discount vouchers for stores in the Dubai Mall plus complimentary entrance passes to the Dubai Aquarium and Dubai Ice Rink, located in the Dubai Mall.
