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Volume 3, Issue 21, [ACTUALDATE] |
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Last week, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced that Visa Waiver Program travellers with an approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization will no longer need to also submit the paper I-94W form upon arrival at a United States port of entry.
The United States Travel Association welcomed these steps by the Department of Homeland Security in streamlining the entry process for international visitors. U.S. Travel said the rule change will “help reduce confusion and increase the speed of processing for millions of our guests”. The association is a national, non-profit organization representing all components of the USD 704 billion travel industry. U.S. Travel's mission is to increase travel to and within the United States.
“With full implementation of the ESTA, the United States is proving that it can simultaneously strengthen security and improve our customers' experience. We will continue to work in support of Secretary Napolitano's efforts to make America's entry process both safe and welcoming," said Roger Dow, CEO, U.S. Travel.
The rule change followed a successful seven-month pilot study conducted with the support of the Government of New Zealand on Air New Zealand flights from Auckland (AKL) to Los Angeles (LAX).
Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs for the latest details on the United States Visa Waiver Program and ESTA rules.
Investigators have recovered the data recorder from the charred wreckage of the Air India plane that crashed in the southern Indian city of Mangalore over the weekend, but it could be weeks before they know what caused the Air India Express Flight 812 from Dubai (DXB) to Mangalore (IXE) to crash on Saturday. The crash was India's first major air disaster in almost 10 years. The Boeing 737-800 overshot the runway at Mangalore's Bajpe airport before plunging off the mountain top killing 158 people. The eight passengers who survived jumped from the plane moments before it burst into flames. Most passengers on the flight were Indian nationals on leave from employment in the United Arab Emirates.
Speculation about the cause of the crash in the international and Indian media has been focusing on three main areas: that India’s air travel industry is growing faster than it can safely oversee; communications between the Serbian pilot and his Indian co-pilot; and the challenges posed by the Bajpe airport’s “tabletop” mountain location and the length of its runway.
After two months of protests in Bangkok ended with 88 people dead following violent clashes between red shirt demonstrators and troops, the Thai travel and hospitality industries are hoping to repair the city’s tattered image. The Pacific Asia Travel Association re-opened its offices at Siam Tower Bangkok on Monday after the building was shut down on 13 May due to the unstable situation in the city during the protests. Having maintained operations by working remotely, PATA was keen to stress that things were slowly recovering in Bangkok and “popular tourist cities and destinations such as Phuket, Pattaya, Krabi and Koh Samui are not affected”. Similarly several foreign embassies remain closed but are operating from temporary locations. Visit Thailand Tourism for updates on curfews and travel news.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts will open W Taipei hotel in late 2010, marking the debut of the W Hotel brand in Taiwan. Located in the Central Business District, Xinyi, W Taipei promises to introduce the lifestyle hotel concept to fashion-conscious Taiwan. The W Taipei will have 405 guestrooms starting from 43 square metres and will include a 365-square-metre Extreme Wow Suite, two contemporary restaurants, one destination bar, the signature W lounge, rooftop WET outdoor pool deck and poolside bar, SWEAT state-of-the-art fitness centre, and in true W-style a calendar of exclusive W Happenings relating to design, fashion and music. Established in 1998, the W Hotels brand is on track to double its footprint to more than 50 hotels by 2011 including properties in Hong Kong, Singapore, Guangzhou, Koh Samui and Bali.
The first of three five-day strikes by British Airways cabin crew began Monday after trade union Unite’s appeal was upheld by the British Court of Appeal. BA said it was disappointed that Unite's appeal has been upheld, reintroducing the threat of strike action. The airline said it was focusing on keeping as many passengers as possible flying and told customers contingency plans will minimise disruption during the threatened strike periods. On Monday the airline said all flights into and out of London Gatwick (LGW) and London City (LCY) airports will operate normally. However passengers flying to and from London Heathrow (LHR) should check arrivals and departures at BA.com. For the latest comment from Willie Walsh, British Airways CEO, visit BA’s channel on YouTube–Fly British Airways.
Qantas airline expects China to become its single biggest market in the long term. Australia’s national carrier also expects China to overtake Japan as its most important Asian destination within 10 years. In an interview with The Australian newspaper while visiting Shanghai, Qantas CEO Alan Joyce said it expected the Sydney (SYD)–Shanghai (PVG) route to become profitable soon and that it hoped to fly to more cities in Europe via Shanghai in future. Qantas is expected to announce more services by Jetstar Asia — its low-cost carrier — into China through Singapore (SIN) in the next few weeks.
Cathay Pacific is offering special hotel and business-class fare packages departing from Hong Kong (HKG) to over a dozen destinations in Asia. For example, its Manila Business Class Special includes a return business-class ticket on Cathay Pacific, two nights’ accommodation at the Dusit Thani Manila and an upgrade to Junior Suite Room for Saturday to Monday stays. Valid for departures between May 1 and Aug. 31, packages must be booked and paid for before June 14. Visit CX Holidays for details of all the destinations and deals.
If you are looking to improve your team’s creativity, Sofitel Luxury Hotels has introduced a new meetings and events concept at all its Asia-Pacific properties. InspiredMeetings is designed to promote and embrace creative vision. “Throughout the Asia Pacific, Sofitel Luxury Hotels will provide clients and guests with this unique and inspiring service. The teams will offer a fully tailored experience for discerning guests and provide an unmatched service through each and every phase of event preparation,” said Markland Blaiklock, senior vice president of Sofitel Luxury Hotels Asia Pacific. For details visit Sofitel.com.
Korean Air and sister company Hanjin Travel are offering overseas visitors the chance to experience a traditional Korean temple stay. Already popular with Korean travellers, this is the first chance for foreign visitors to try the temple-stay experience. The programme offers a choice of a 24-hour overnight visit, or brief two- to three-hour visits, to five of the most renowned Korean temples across the country, allowing participants the opportunity to relax, reflect and revitalise in peaceful temple surroundings. Over the course of 24 hours, visitors have a chance to experience inner-temple life and learn about the day-to-day activities of a Korean Buddhist monk including ancient rituals, chanting and Zen meditation.
The Leading Hotels of the World offers summer savings of 30 percent or more on rooms, including breakfast and special amenities, at over 35 of its luxurious properties across the Asia-Pacific region. Available through Oct. 31, attractive discounts are available at exquisite hotels and resorts from Australia to China and almost everywhere in between over a long weekend, or extended stay. LHW says best rates are guaranteed. Participating hotels and resorts in Asia include the 5-star Hotel Okura Tokyo, The Club at The Saujana, Kuala Lumpur and the refurbished, The Sherwood Taipei. Click here for a complete list of participating hotels.
Wyndham Rewards is giving away 2 million points to loyalty programme members staying at Wyndham properties in Mainland China. From May 1 to Aug. 15 Wyndham Rewards is offering three ways to win points. All existing and new members who register for this promotion win 20,000 points. Every completed stay at a participating hotels in China — Wyndham Hotels & Resorts, Howard Johnson, Ramada and Days Inn brands — earns a ticket in the Grand Prize draw for a chance to win 160,000 bonus points, which could mean up to 26 free nights at Wyndham hotels worldwide. Each of the three members with the highest number of qualifying stays during the promotion period wins a free weekend for two at one of China’s new Wyndham Grand Plaza Royale Hotels in Shanghai, Hangzhou or Changsha. Register here for a chance to win.
