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Volume 3, Issue 26, [ACTUALDATE] |
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Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT) looks set to be the first airport in Asia to introduce controversial full-body scanner security systems. The scanners have raised concerns over privacy issues. Although they clearly reveal objects hidden under clothing, the scanners also produce what some may consider an all-too-clear anatomical image of passengers' bodies.
Japan’s transport ministry says the security system, which uses electromagnetic waves, will be tested at Narita airport from July 5 through Sept. 10. Some 30 airports in the United States have installed full-body scanners. In Europe, Amsterdam (AMS), Paris (CDG), Rome (FCO), London Heathrow (LHR) and Manchester Airport (MAN) are among the airports using or testing these systems.
Seoul’s award-winning Incheon International Airport (INC) and three other airports in South Korea are expected to introduce full-body scanners this year, ahead of the November G20 summit in Seoul. Four full-body scanners will be introduced at Incheon and one each at Gimpo (GMP), Pusan (PUS) and Jeju (CJU) airports. South Korea’s Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs said only passengers who have been flagged on a primary security check or those whose names are on terrorist watch lists will be subject to the full-body scans.
Ministry officials in both South Korea and Japan said they will protect passengers' privacy by blurring faces in the images and will prevent security staff from carrying cameras or mobile phones while analyzing images.
In May, the Airport Authority Hong Kong said it is considering introducing full-body scanners, but no plans have been announced to trial the scanners.
On Sunday, Dubai opened the first phase of its second airport, Dubai World Central–Al Maktoum International (DWC), for cargo operations. When completed Dubai World Central–Al Maktoum International will be the largest airport in the world with five runways, four terminal buildings and capacity for 160 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo. “Phase 1 is the first step in a long infrastructure development project that over time will see our new airport transformed into the world’s largest global gateway and a multi-modal logistics hub that plays an increasingly integral role in the ongoing economic and social development of Dubai.” said Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, president of Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and chairman of Dubai Airports. Phase 1 of the airport features one A380-capable runway, 64 remote stands, one cargo terminal and a passenger terminal building designed to accommodate 5 million passengers per year.
According to analysts STR Global, the good luck for Shanghai hotel owners and managers started in April when hotel RevPAR hit RMB 888 and has continued to rise stratospherically, with average room rates back at an October 2008 level of some RMB 1,000. At least 12 luxury hotels are opening their doors to coincide with the World Expo and perhaps another 20 will have opened by the end of 2011. While the openings mean more choice for business travellers, it may be less kind to budgets — the 5-star market achieved an average room rate of RMB 2,091 for May.
Following the addition of Vietnam Airlines to its ranks, SkyTeam is eyeing more partnerships in Asia to boost growth plans. A decade after its foundation, the aviation alliance anchored by Aeromexico, Air France, Delta Air Lines and Korean Air has expanded to 13 members and is seeking some seven more by the end of 2011. Asian partners are likely to come from China and India, with China Eastern about to join and Jet Airways or IndiGo regarded as suitable partners in India. Kingfisher Airlines is joining oneworld, while Air India has delayed joining Star Alliance until 2011.
Taiwan’s largest hotel company, Formosa International Hotel Co, has completed the purchase of the Regent luxury hotel business from Carlson Worldwide and the Rezidor Hotel Group. The Regent brand emerged in the 1970s with the creation of The Regent Hong Kong by hotel industry legends Adrian Zecha, Robert Burns and Georg Rafael. FIHC is the original owner of the Grand Formosa Regent Taipei, which opened 20 years ago. Regent hotels claim to create a unique ambience and distinct sense of place as well as offering the height of luxury.
Marriott International is urging tourists to return to Thailand. The international hotel chain operates 17 properties in Thailand and will open four more by the end of 2012. Marriott’s Thailand Recovery Plan will see senior executives visit important source markets, travel companies and the media to discuss the current situation and ways to bring back travellers in the aftermath of Bangkok street demonstrations that left some 80 people dead. All five of the company’s brands are represented in Thailand — JW Marriott, Marriott, Renaissance, Courtyard and Marriott Executive Apartments. The United States-based hotel giant most recently opened a Renaissance resort in Phuket.
Dragonair is celebrating its 25th anniversary on July 26 with a lucky draw and series of giveaways for passengers. Customers who book a ticket online between 00:00 on 26 July 2010 and 01:00 on July 27 for travel up to Dec. 31 are entered into a lucky draw that will see every 25th purchase rewarded with a voucher to the value of the purchase. This can be swapped for further Dragonair flights. The redemption period is July 27–Jan. 31, 2011 and the travel period is July 27 to June 30, 2011. Among other festivities, passengers making in-flight duty-free purchases until the end of September will be rewarded with free CK One eau de toilette and entry into a monthly draw with a HKD 35,000 prize.
Skiers from Queensland, Australia’s Sunshine State can now fly straight to Queenstown (ZQN) for snow and skiing with Pacific Blue. The Virgin carrier launched its first flight from Brisbane (BNE) to New Zealand’s southern ski capital on June 25. The Brisbane–Queenstown flights have been introduced on a seasonal basis, with services on Fridays and Sundays. They are in addition to the airline’s twice weekly Sydney (SYD)–Queenstown flights, which operate year-round. Blue Holidays, the holiday programme of Virgin Blue Group of Airlines, is offering a special package deal for stays at Mercure Queenstown Resort from AUD 1,286 per person twin share including return airfares from Brisbane to Queenstown and seven nights’ accommodation. Packages are on sale until July 31 for travel between now and Oct. 31.
Anantara Resorts & Spas has launched a Sawasdee! We’ve Missed You… promotion for residents of Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, China, India, Taiwan and Australia. Six of Anantara’s resorts in Thailand have reduced their best-available room rates by up to 40 percent with promotional rates from THB 3,060, just under USD 100. Anantara Resorts are located in Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, Koh Samui, Phuket and Krabi. The Sawasdee! We’ve Missed You… rate is per room per night and includes a daily breakfast buffet, late check out to 16:00 and 20 percent off all food and beverages at the resort and is available through Sept. 30. Guests must produce a passport with proof of residence at check in.
Lufthansa has launched promotional fares from Singapore (SIN) to over 25 popular European destinations. Fares to France, Italy, Spain, Germany, Denmark, United Kingdom, Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic and Switzerland start from SGD 1,410. Lufthansa is offering these prices for travel completed before Dec. 31. The German carrier is also offering travellers departing from Hong Kong (HKG) good deals on fares to 140 destinations in Europe this summer. Flights start from HKD 5,290 in economy class and from HKD 20,800 in business class. In China, Lufthansa is offering return economy-class fares to Europe from RMB 3,690 departing Beijing (PEK) and from RMB 2,980 departing Nanjing (NKG). Visit Lufhansa.com.
Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo is offering guests a special package to commemorate the hotel’s fifth anniversary. Opened in December 2005, the sumptuous hotel has earned rave reviews for service, style and elegance, and has three Michelin-starred restaurants. The Mandarin Oriental Five Benefits package starts from JPY 39,000 and includes five additional bonuses: complimentary room upgrade to the next category; choice of early check-in from 11:00 or a late check-out at 16:00; complimentary Internet access; a celebratory welcome amenity; and a Mandarin Oriental, Tokyo original fan crafted by Ibasen the centuries-old Japanese fan manufacturer. The package is available for stays from Nov. 1 to Jan 31, 2011.
