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Volume 3, Issue 25, June 24, 2010 |
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In Thailand a national campaign is underway to rebuild domestic and international consumer confidence. Companies across the country are teaming up to offer special deals and packages to attract visitors.
For golfers Bangkok Airways, the Tourism Authority of Thailand, East Coast Golf Courses Management Association and Bangkok Travel Club have launched Amazing Thailand Golf Paradise 2010 packages promoting golf tourism in Pattaya and Phuket.
In Bangkok, among the many 5-star hotels offering special summer rates, the Grand Hyatt Erawan is offering a 50 percent discount on the second night off any stay before July 31. At the ultra-stylish Metropolitan Bangkok the Bangkok Bouncing Back promotion has rates starting at USD 80 a night through July 31. Bookings made via the hotel’s own website will also earn up to 30 percent discount on other extras including breakfast, car transfers and spa treatments.
Throughout Thailand guests at participating Accor properties will receive “cash back” incentives during their stay at Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, all seasons or ibis hotels through Sept. 30.
“Accor is coordinating this campaign to help give tourism a helping hand,” says Oswald Pichler, Accor’s vice-president of operations for Thailand, Laos and Cambodia. “As the country regains stability, tourists will be looking to take advantage of deals for travel to locations such as Bangkok, Phuket, Samui, Chiang Mai and beyond.”
More global carriers are considering introducing seatbelt-mounted airbags in their economy- class cabins as authorities in Europe and the United States tighten safety regulations. According to the National Transportation and Safety Board, more than 80 percent of commercial airline accidents are survivable. Most accidents occur on the ground or at take-off or landing when aircraft are closer to the ground and flying at relatively low speed. In a survivable crash, fatalities frequently occur from smoke inhalation and fire when passengers cannot escape the aircraft quickly.
The so-called 16-g rule aims to ensure passengers stay conscious during a crash giving them a chance to get out during the critical 90 seconds that follow impact. Many seat designs already comply with the 16-g rule. According to a Bloomberg report, Cathay Pacific is the first carrier to fit out whole planes — its Airbus A340s and Boeing 777s — with airbags. Air France-KLM has also fitted airbags in the premium-economy cabins of its Boeing 777s.
India’s Jet Airways and United Airlines have signed a codeshare agreement, giving passengers with both airlines access to extended networks in the United States and India. The agreement is effective for travel from June 30. “With this partnership, Jet Airways will offer its guests unmatched connectivity and seamless travel from India through to Chicago (ORD), Denver (DEN), San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX) and Washington (IAD) in the United States, and onwards to almost 40 cities in North America,” said Nikos Kardasis, CEO, Jet Airways. United Airlines customers will be able to connect through Jet Airways’ Mumbai (BOM) hub to the Indian cities Ahmedabad (AMD), Bangalore (BLR), Goa (GOI), Hyderabad (HYD) and Kolkata (CCU).
Shanghai now has two Ritz-Carlton properties, one on each side of the Huangpu River. The Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong opened on June 21 and is Marriott’s seventh Ritz-Carlton in China. Designed by architect Cesar Pelli, the hotel is located in Shanghai International Finance Centre, a sister property to Hong Kong’s iconic IFC and International Commerce Centre developments. The 285-room Ritz-Carlton Shanghai, Pudong occupies the top 18 floors of the Shanghai IFC South Tower. There are three floors of club accommodation at the hotel, and each club room enjoys access to the hotel’s stunning club lounge on the 49th level of the building. Flair Rooftop Restaurant and Bar, by Japan’s renowned designers Super Potato, will be Shanghai’s highest al fresco venue.
On June 24, Qatar Airways adds South America to its network with the launch of daily flights to Argentina’s capital Buenos Aires (EZE) and Sao Paulo (GRU) in Brazil from Doha (DOH). Founded 13 years ago Qatar operates a fleet of 83 aircraft to destinations across Europe, Middle East, Africa, Asia Pacific, North and South America. Earlier this month it passed another milestone when it launched daily flights between Doha and Barcelona (BCN) — its 90th destination. Qatar also flies to Madrid (MAD) and is the only the only Gulf carrier flying to Spain.
The 204-room, Eaton Luxe, Nanqiao, Shanghai has opened in the newly developed business district of Fengxian in south Shanghai. Several multinational companies have established high-tech manufacturing plants in Nanqiao in recent years. Managed by Eaton Hotels International, an affiliate company of Langham Hotels International, Eaton Luxe, Nanqiao, Shanghai is the first in the company’s planned portfolio in China. “We’re delighted to be partnering with the Greenland Group to launch the new Eaton brand. It is appropriate that we will showcase our new brand in a year that will see Shanghai on the global stage at the World Expo 2010. This sophisticated yet simple lifestyle brand will speak to both business and leisure travellers,” said Brett Butcher, CEO, Langham Hotels and Eaton Hotels International.
To celebrate the launch of its new route to Prague (PRG) on July 1, Emirates is offering economy-class fares from Hong Kong (HKG) to Prague via Dubai (DXB) from HKD 5,357 including tax from July 1–31, if passengers book online. First- and business-class passengers visiting Prague and Emirates’ two other new European destinations Amsterdam (AMS) and Madrid (MAD) can enjoy a two- or one-night complimentary stay in the Jumeirah Emirates Tower 5-star hotel for stopovers in Dubai. In addition, all travellers to Europe on Emirates can now enjoy a more flexible itinerary by opting for an open jaw flight, which allows them to return from a city other than the arrival city without paying extra fee.
Air New Zealand passengers who fly Business Premier from Hong Kong (HKG) to Auckland (AKL) or London (LHR) before Dec. 30 can earn a free holiday in Macau or, for an additional 500 Airpoints dollars, a trip within Asia. The Macau trip includes round-trip ferry tickets from Hong Kong to Macau and one night’s accommodation at Grand Hyatt Macau with breakfast. Alternatively, with an extra 500 Airpoints — on top of the ones earned for the flight to Auckland or London — travellers can take a short-haul trip within Asia with one of Air New Zealand’s Star Alliance partners. Choose from Bangkok (BKK), Beijing (PEK), Ho Chi Minh (SGN) or Shanghai (PVG). Existing Airpoints members and new members must register here for this promotion.
Morton’s of Chicago at The Venetian Macau is hosting a wine dinner showcasing award-winning Washington State winery Château St. Michelle and Riedel glassware on July 6. Priced at HKD 895, the event includes a three-course dinner accompanied by Erath Oregon Pinot Noir (2006), Château Ste. Michelle Chardonnay (2007), Château Ste. Michelle Cabernet Sauvignon (2004) and Château Ste. Michelle Eroica Riesling (2006). The price also includes a take-home mixed set of four lead crystal Riedel wine glasses from the Riedel Crystal Vinum series, normally priced at HKD 1,010. Contact andrea_mansfield@mortons.combefore July 1 for reservations.
Raffles Hotels and Resorts has opened a luxurious new “penthouse hotel” in the northeast Chinese city of Tianjin. The 116-room Raffles Tianjin is located in the uppermost floors of the new 50-storey Tianjin Centre, close to two metro stations, and 20 minutes from Tianjin Railway Station, connecting to the 30-minute high-speed railway to Beijing. Five exciting dining venues opened on June 24 — the Qing Palace, Opera Café, The Lobby Lounge, CitySpace and the SoU rooftop bar and Japanese restaurant. As an introductory offer, Raffles Tianjin has room rates from RMB 1,288 per night plus taxes including breakfast with for stays from July 1 to Aug. 31. Guests staying at the hotel before June 30 will also receive an RMB 300 dining credit.
Asia Miles members residing in India can earn double Asia Miles on round-trip flights with Dragonair and Cathay Pacific between India and Hong Kong (HKG) this summer. Once in Hong Kong there are more opportunities to earn more Asia Miles at numerous restaurants and hotels. For example, guests from any country staying at The Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong or and The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong can earn up to triple Asia Miles for stays before Aug. 31. Register for this promotion before Aug. 29 for travels between July 1 and Aug. 31.
