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Volume 3, Issue 20, May 20, 2010 |
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The situation in Bangkok is highly unstable as the Thai government attempts to move the anti-government Red Shirt protestors’ from their camp in central Bangkok. Following the expiry of its deadline of 15:00 on May 17 for people to leave the protest area, the government declared central Bangkok a "dangerous zone".
After weeks of peaceful protests in the Thai capital, the situation deteriorated. By Monday more than 30 people, mainly civilians, had been killed and over 200 injured over the previous five days. The Dusit Thani Hotel has now closed after three rocket-propelled grenades were fired at the property on May 16.
Thailand Tourism is advising visitors to be vigilant, follow news reports, exercise extra caution and avoid areas covered by the Declaration of a Severe Emergency situation in Bangkok and the provinces of Nonthaburi, Samut Prakan, Pathum Thani, Nakon Pathom, Ayutthaya, Chonburi, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Lampang, Nakhon Sawan, Nan, Khon Kaen, Udon Thani, Chaiyaphum, Nakhon Ratchasima and Si Sa Ket.
Countries including the United Kingdom, Australia and Hong Kong are advising visitors to avoid all but essential travel to Bangkok and to be aware that unrest could spread elsewhere in Thailand. The United States is advising against all travel to Bangkok and non-essential travel to other destinations in Thailand. New Zealand’s prime minister personally urged all New Zealand citizens to leave Thailand. Many embassies are also closed as they are situated in the middle of the clashes.
The International Air Transport Association says international scheduled air traffic showed continued strengthening of demand in March. Compared to March 2009, passenger demand was up 10.3 percent. However IATA points out that March 2009 was the low point for international air travel during the recession. “March results show that the pace of the upturn is strong. But the trauma of the recession is not over,” said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA’s director general and CEO. With a 78 percent load factor recorded in March, passenger load factors remain at record highs, while global capacity remains 3 to 4 percent below pre-crisis levels. Asia-Pacific carriers posted strong demand growth of 12.6 percent, against a capacity expansion of 1.3 percent.
Independent hotel group World Hotels launching Travel Select, a dedicated preferential rates programme for small- and medium-sized enterprises. WorldHotels acknowledges that while SMEs often have strong relationships with hotels in their local area and some receive preferential rates at hotels in destinations they travel to regularly, most SMEs do not have negotiated corporate rates in place on a global level, which can make managing international travel time-consuming. WorldHotels’ Travel Select, offers SMEs instant access to preferential rates at 450 unique upscale hotels in over 250 destinations worldwide via a designated booking engine. Travel Select serves as a comprehensive reporting tool and makes it easy for companies to keep track of their accommodation expenses. For details visit WorldHotels.
Jetstar, the low-cost carrier owned by Qantas, has announced plans to operate long-haul services from Singapore (SIN) to Australia, North Asia and/or Europe from late 2010. Jetstar plans to operate two Airbus A330-200 aircraft to its major Asian hub at Singapore Changi Airport and is negotiating with airports for new routes. Describing itself as the world's leading value-based long-haul airline, Jetstar's existing two-class A330-200 fleet flies long-haul services from Australia directly to Bali (DPS), Tokyo (NRT), Osaka (OSA), Honolulu (HNL), Bangkok (BKK) and Phuket (HKT). Jetstar currently operates up to 2,000 weekly flights to 57 destinations with a fleet of 61 aircraft across the Asia-Pacific region. Jetstar CEO Bruce Buchanan said the airline would add up to 200 new aviation jobs across Jetstar's growing Pan-Asian network including pilots, cabin crew, engineers and airport customer-service staff.
Korean Air will increase flight frequency between Seoul (INC) and Honolulu (HNL) from seven to 10 flights a week, starting June 12. Passenger demand from Korea to Hawaii has greatly increased since the United States Visa Waiver Program was introduced for Korean nationals. The number of passengers visiting Hawaii with Korean Air this year from January to April increased by over 20 percent compared to the same period last year. Flight KE053 will depart Incheon International Airport every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 10:00 and arrive in Honolulu International Airport at 23:45. The returning flight, KE054, will depart Honolulu every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 01:40 and arrive in Seoul at 06:20 the next day. Korean Air will use a 296-seat Airbus A330-300 for these flights.
Japan Airlines welcomed the recent announcement that Haneda Airport (HND), formally Tokyo International Airport, will allow more international flights from Oct. 31 and the airport's fourth runway and new international passenger terminal will be opened from Oct. 21. From Oct. 31, Japan Airlines will start flying from Haneda to San Francisco (SFO), Honolulu (HNL), Paris (CDG), Bangkok (BKK) and Taipei (TPE). “These routes were in operation up until 1978, and will be restored this October after 30 years. On the same day, current scheduled-charter flights to Seoul (INC), Beijing (PEK), Shanghai (PVG) and Hong Kong (HKG) will be officially converted to scheduled flights,” said Masaru Onishi, group president and COO. “Additionally, we plan to deepen our codeshare partnership with fellow oneworld alliance member, American Airlines, including on its allotted Haneda–New York (JFK) route, so as to strategically expand our network for the benefit of both our customers.”
The Shilla Seoul has refurbished its famous Yeong Bin Gwan — the former South Korean state guesthouse — to create one of most luxurious and interesting events venues in the capital. Reflecting the magnificence and sophistication of royal-style Korean architecture, the traditional two-story Korean mansion, surrounding an inner courtyard in the grounds of the hotel, is newly restyled by renowned designer Peter Remedios. To celebrate the new look Yeong Bin Gwan, The Shilla is offering a special business meeting/conference package. Priced at USD 190 per person for a minimum of 15 delegates, it includes overnight accommodation at The Shilla in a superior room with conference facilities and amenities for the day, coffee breaks and lunch.
Dragonair is offering a special deal on flexible economy-class tickets to Taiwan for departures from Hong Kong (HKG) between May 22 and June 30. The airline is offering open-jaw economy-class ticket from HKD 1,400 for stays from two to seven days. Passengers can choose to fly into either Taipei (TPE) or Kaoshiung (KHH) and depart from either city. Flights must be booked before May 31. For full details and bookings visit Dragonair.com.
Starwood’s W Hotels is preparing to open its first W Hotel in Southeast Asia on Thailand’s Koh Samui this summer. W Koh Samui, an all-villa beachfront resort located on Maenam Beach on the island’s pristine northern coastline, is now taking bookings and has a number of promotions to mark its opening. For stays between Aug. 1 and Oct. 31, the W’s Jungle Oasis starts from THB 16,000 per night and Tropical Oasis starts at THB 19,000 per night. To find out more, visit W Koh Samui.
Harbour Grand Hong Kong is celebrating its first anniversary on June 1 with a series of fun promotions and competitions. For example, the guest who correctly guesses the number of crystals in the three gigantic Swarovski Chandeliers at the hotel’s lobby will win a flight and hotel package for two to the Shanghai Expo. Anyone with a birthday in June is invited to celebrate with one free lunch or dinner and a complimentary birthday cake when dining with three or more guests. Take a photograph of the words “Happy Birthday” or “Happy Anniversary”, in any language, and have it ready to email when you reserve a room online; you could win a chance to upgrade to the Presidential Suite.
In advance of the August release of the movie Eat, Pray, Love starring Julia Roberts, one hotel group is launching a special range of themed packages. The movie is based on a book by American author, Elizabeth Gilbert and tells the story of how the author traveled the world for a year in search of happiness. While Gilbert traveled to Italy, India and Bali, Como Hotels and Resorts is offering guests an opportunity to taste some of the nirvana Gilbert describes in her book with three new packages in slightly different locations. The offers can be combined in a perfect itinerary — the most complete experience is a 10-day trip incorporating Bangkok (Eat), Bhutan (Pray) and Bali (Love) — or taken as individual trips for the time-conscious travellers. For more information, visit Como.bz.
