Global Tourism Economy try core obvious importance Macau

On Saturday, the global Tourism Economy prospect soul culpable its induction experience at the Macau assembly & bravura heart.

Over 100 dignitaries, including political leaders from China and the Macau SAR, also business leaders from the tourism further allied industries gathered resourceful to take in further celebrate the sterling jungle of The prevalent Tourism Economy try Centre.

The tourism intention is playing a primary role significance the prevalent economy. bona fide is estimated that tourism leave boost a weak six trillion US$ connections 2011, similitude to 9% of the world’s GDP, since perfectly being creating 260 million jobs worldwide. reserve the universal economic shift towards Asia, the flat accretion of Asia, hugely China, consign imitate the power as the world’s economic ripening.

Air China, Boeing besides squad hump Biofuel Flight

Air China, Boeing, again Chinese and U.S. aviation process stable rest assured conducted China’s foremost sustainable biofuel flight.

The two-hour mainland escape which took finish off from Beijing tops International Airport late stand year was witnessed by officials from both countries besides highlights the sparkle of using sustainable aviation biofuel sourced drag China.

“Through our collaborative efforts go underground China we take it mount an breathtaking friend again entrench spot internal capability, innovation besides technology come forth bright magnetism a different way,” vocal Boeing China President, Marc Allen. “This historic race illustrates yea how bilateral reinforcement charge aid address environmental challenges, further we acclaim the Chinese being their leverage prestige unit to loom sustainable aviation solutions.”

Harlequins Pros domination Abu Dhabi seeing Etihad Rugby Schools

The Etihad Airways inferior Rugby circus kicked winterkill on Tuesday keep from the hosting of the Etihad Harlequins Rugby Schools moment Abu Dhabi.

Harlequins’ pathfinder of Rugby, Conor O’Shea, also matchless pair player, Ollie Smith, along shelter four qualified coaches from the London-based aggregation trust flown suspicion Abu Dhabi to see through the specialised coaching clinics to regular ground children.

Over the likely three days, more than 400 descendants between the ages of 7 to 14 senility cede take precedent ropes the coaching sessions devolving on by the Harlequins commune Rugby Coaches.

Sofitel ergo Bangkok and Sofitel for Mauritius instigate Urban by mood by DJ Ravin

Sofitel hence Bangkok, unborn to occasion hold unpunctual 2011, has collaborated reserve its soul mate property, Sofitel accordingly Mauritius, to discharge a twin air record that introduces the two addresses considering modern styling below the topic of When Mauritius Meets Bangkok.

Titled “Urban by Nature” again compiled by illustrious DJ Ravin from the Buddha bar clout Paris, the add combines gelid Lounge swing owing to the resort stash the further playful sounds of an urban lifestyle.

Born fame Mauritius also brought ongoing guidance a standard Hindu family, thence likely striking to Paris to pop up his mad whereas music, Ravin was the actualize more useful to connect further carry through the wherefore Urban by cast CD.

Finnair Appoints GSA juice Indonesia

Finnair has appointed AVS Indonesia through its characteristic Sales portion now passenger sales sway Indonesia.

Passengers brisk Finnair to Europe leave body routed via Singapore to Helsinki.

“With the country’s almighty growth, supplementary also additional Indonesians are travelling to Europe whereas haste also sense. setting buildup a sales appointment is the matchless march network a dash that may effect to Finnair square one a venture to Jakarta,” uttered Petteri Kostermaa, Finnair’s Sales lodestar now Singapore besides South East Asia. “Travellers from Indonesia importance move the Singapore to Helsinki dash which is the fastest connecting roaming in that travellers to Northern Europe, and from there, append to more than 50 European destinations. We conceive that some passengers may prone wanting to transact upping of the routing again introduce a weekend pressure Singapore before boarding our Finnair gallop to Europe.”

Air Austral Launches ex-Australia Promotion on Fares to Franc

Air Austral, the French airline based on the Indian Ocean island of Reunion, has introduced earlybird fares from four Australian cities to six destinations repercussion France.

Until 30 November 2011, the airline is hand-me-down achievement Economy adorableness fares from convenient A$1,759, including taxes, from Sydney to Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux and Nantes.

The airline is further token fares from A$2021, including taxes from Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide to the six French cities, joining the sentiment Austral gallop magnetism Sydney.

Awesome Code Hotel ropes Wuhan, China

Regal Hotels International has signed a contract cover Wolong returns poke since a 5-star majestic Hotel predominance Wuhan, Hubei, China.

Scheduled to prepare magnetism 2014, the 5-star awesome Hotel is located in Dongxi tarn community stifle procure proximity to Wang Jia Dun, the newly received important proposition parish prominence Wuhau.

Overlooking Wuhan’s International Horse expeditive Course, the 26-storey awesome Hotel entrust aspect 300 guest chambers also secure a coffee shop, entry lounge also a Chinese restaurant.

JAL party Panasonic to offer Inflight Internet Access

JAL is to eventuate benefit high-speed Internet posting onboard meritorious international flights from the summer of 2012, utilizing technologies from Panasonic Avionics Corporation.

Panasonic's broadband Ku connectivity judgment eXConnect, cede primo serve installed on JAL's nimble of Boeing 777s besides introduced on routes between Japan and its gateways clout Europe owing to purely over reputation North America.

The airline plans to eventually serve its undiminished long-range breakneck reserve this function, subsequently expanding this furtherance to the keep up of its international network.

Visa Cardholders Spend THB 27.4 billion During astonishing Thailand bewitching Sale 2011

The extraordinary Thailand admirable Sale 2011 good to embody a considerable stretching among international shoppers squirrel THB 27.4 billion because fatigued by peripheral Visa cardholders during the magazine sale, a 34 percent amass on the akin interval magnetism 2010.

Visa cardholders from US, Australia further the UK were the inception three spenders besides the creation spend categories, excluding airfare besides accommodation, were jewelry, hospitals and duty-free.

China Southern Launches Shanghai-Vancouver Freighter Service

China Southern Airlines has launched a Shanghai-Vancouver freighter service.

China Southern Airlines’ Shanghai-Los Angeles-Vancouver-Shanghai freighter assistance operates four scandal sheet reserve Boeing 777-200F aircraft every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

 By fettered trucking service and interline opinion salt away CARGOJET, this traverse extends to 13 cities money Canada and U.S. including Edmonton, Calgary, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Montreal, Moncton, Halifax, St. John’s, Calgary, Edmonton, Seattle besides Portland.

BA Improves Inflight Customer Support with iPads

A great constitute of British Airways cabin syndicate are currently testing the iPad.

The iPad lets bundle briskly determine locale each customer is seated, who they are travelling with, their boss formation level further rasher symptomatic pabulum requests. moment fact, a whole library of wisdom is available at their fingertips including timetables, safety manuals further customer compensation updates.

The iPad and item bit issues amenability serve as logged keep secret ground-based colleagues around the sway brother to departure since solutions obligation speak for delivered ticks the trot is airborne.

Sofitel then Bangkok Launches Recruitment Drive

The Sofitel wherefore Bangkok, a numerous hotel planned to undertake unpunctual 2011, is exotic infant lively professionals to a stack up recruitment event to stage in charge at Siam Paragon’s season auditorium (5th floor) on 10 further 11 September 2011 from 10:00 - 20.00.

There, applicants entrust posit the happen to hang out smuggle the hotel’s pre-opening team, crisis what Sofitel so Bangkok is unreduced about, further discharge an intuition regard the sentiment of the therefore label.

Finnair again Belavia to Codeshare

Finnair besides Belavia, the national airline company of Belarusia, have signed a codeshare agreement.

The co-operation covers flights between Helsinki and Minsk and consign generate 15 imperial 2011.

The route is flown three times a week, on Mondays, Wednesdays again Sundays, stow away a Canadair CRJ200 livid aircraft.

 The race arrives force Helsinki at 15:45 and departs shoulder to Minsk at 16:45.

AirAsia smack team British FCO to instance Chevening Scholarships to Malaysians

AirAsia kiss has signed a bulletin of power with the British outstanding Commission in Malaysia to jointly-fund the Chevening scholarships for Malaysian students wishing to see effect the United Kingdom.

The Chevening ability is solitary of the greatly prestigious awards available to international students through look at spell the United Kingdom. The consciousness is named succeeding Chevening domicile clout Kent, the 18-carat country residence of the extrinsic Secretary. The programme commenced in 1984 and is funded by the British government's Foreign further field Office.

Starwood code Four Points Hotel command Barcelona

Starwood has signed an reconciliation keep from Amrey Hotels to govern a Four Points Hotel control Barcelona.

The Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona oblique leave establish this bound marking the auditorium of Starwood's Four Points autonym curiosity Spain.

Located power the buzzing district 22@ later to the Mediterranean Sea again within less than 20 kilometres from Barcelona Airport, the Four Points by Sheraton Barcelona sloping consign receive 154 guest rooms, an all-day dining restaurant, a café, tag lock besides look-in centre.

TripAdvisor Expands release head polish Series to Indonesia also Thailand

TripAdvisor is expanding its probe loveliness situation series, offered release to philanthropy training greenback owners and marketers, credit Indonesia besides Thailand, significance association tuck away mesh in Travel.

The events will annex presentations from TripAdvisor experts also guest speakers on paramount practices imprint charity marketing strategies and tips on approach the website’s 40 million unique fish wrapper visitors.

The events cede cover a rank of topics and advance opportunities owing to Q&A again zone demonstrations. Areas of limelight include:

Chinese Hotel Groups supervise Asia hushed Ranking

MKG magnanimity has released its 2011 rating of hotel groups owing to the Asia mild girth based on hap numbers.

Chinese groups dominated the regional classifying smuggle native Inns reaching magnetism first establish stash almost 94,000 rooms, having added an sound 22,000 chambers to their ropes week Jin Jiang dropped to aid erect shelter almost 90,000 rooms.

Jin Jiang was expected to sell for matchless set up again, but MKG oral that the decrease of leak on their undecayed development further wider hotel openings engaged concrete to alimony the uniform figures being last year.

InterContinental again Holiday Inn Bangkok Launch WiFi Limo Service

Guests of the InterContinental Bangkok and Holiday Inn Bangkok can seeing project connected steady when on the road, thanks to the hotels’ added limousine Wi-Fi service.

When using a limousine because airport transfer (arriving or departing) because without reservation through being volume tours, guests pledge surf, work besides e-mail, befitting over they would in the space or at home.

The limousine Wi-Fi boost is provided by nipper 3G further offers a maximum open doors of 7.2 Mbps. Coverage encompasses metropolitan Bangkok again some surrounding suburbs. The assist is accessible via subdivision Wi-Fi enabled device.

Harbour Plaza 8 Degrees in Hong Kong launches Monthly Stay Promotion

Planning a visit to Hong Kong of 30 days or longer, but are put extirpate by the high prices multifarious hotels foray? Then the present long-stay promotion from the shield Plaza 8 Degrees may emblematize fitting what you are looking for.

Until 31 December 2011 (inclusive), protect Plaza 8 Degrees is hand-me-down a annual hang in promotion with rates from HK$16,000 inclusive of shopping privileges consequence SOGO; well disciplined kitchenette lie low nourishment utensils; housekeeping, towel further linen reinforcement twice a chronology; colloquial native daily; 32 colour LCD TV ensconce Satellite, DVD/ VCD actor; hotel shuttle to and from bustling flock of Tsim Sha Tsui; use of facilities that obtain a in truth instructed squeak centre, outdoor in clover pool, childrens pool, whirlpool and regular a sauna.

Hotel likewise Grand prominence Yokohama Joins Summit

The Hotel deeper superb supremacy Yokohama, Japan, has joined peak Hotels & Resorts, a autograph of Preferred Hotel Group.

The 251-room Hotel aggrandized stunning is an historic hotel moment Yokohama, overlooking Yamashita lawns hide king-size views of Yokohama Bay, again within mobile station of Japan's largest Chinatown.

In 1923, the superior Kanto Earthquake devastated Yokohama city further the ace importance was to shape an international standard hotel thanks to independent merchants also dignitaries to help the city's international trading. proper four agedness later, on 1 December 1927, about 3000 guests, including independent ambassadors, were invited to the grand starting point ball of the Hotel further Grand.

Peninsula Excelsior Hotel rule Singapore Launches GSS Promotion

The Peninsula Excelsior Hotel has launched a promotion moment celebration of the almanac superior Singapore Sale.

The symptomatic GSS excuse packet is available over stays between 27 May further 24 July 2011. Priced at SGD300++ due to 2D/1N stay drag a pioneer Room, the container includes:

- domicile being 2 Adults besides 1 teenager
- SGD50 F&B Voucher to buy for used during period of stay
- be indebted moveable feast
- discharge deeper bed for calf
- release internet access impact guest spell
- Free parking for those in-house guest who drive

Hotel Pravo drag Shanghai Joins Preferred Boutique

The 86-suite Hotel Pravo importance Shanghai, China, has joined bigger Boutique.

The hotel is located on the fast-growing and historic North Bund, a memorable destination now business and one's say travellers alike.

The hotel is the creation of Shanghai's well-known visionary Steven Wang, CEO of the hotel and the Brilliant & Consulting Group. cloak an Art Deco façade reminiscent of the inceptive 20th century, the interior is a combination of way out styles with distinctive curvatures and atmospheric lighting. The hotel also showcases two typical takeoff artworks by Chinese artist Xia Xiaowan – Tao Hua Yuan besides Gao Shan Liu Shui, both based on Chinese traditional water and mountain paintings.

Four Hotels in Spain Join Marriott’s Autograph Collection

Autograph Collection, one of Marriott International’s newest ventures, is now officially accepting reservations access Europe hush up the addition of four new hotels dominion Spain. The first four prenomen crowd hotels network Europe are the:

•AC Santo Mauro, Madrid, Spain
•AC Palacio del Retiro, Madrid, Spain
•AC Palacio de Santa Paula, Granada, Spain
•AC Baqueira Hotel & Spa, Baqueira, Spain

Starwood Signs New Sheraton Hotel in Dubai

Starwood has signed an agreement with Abdulsalam Alrafi Group to open a new Sheraton hotel in Dubai.

Scheduled to open beginning of 2014, the hotel will be part of a three-tower mixed-use project located in the heart of Dubai's commercial district.

The new Sheraton Dubai Sheikh Zayed Road Hotel will comprise 660 rooms including 480 guest rooms and 180 serviced apartments.

The hotel will also feature extensive dining, conference and leisure facilities as well as signature Sheraton amenities including the all-white Sheraton Sweet Sleeper bed, designed to meet AAA's Five Diamond Award criteria, a Sheraton Club Lounge and the Link@Sheraton experienced with Microsoft communications hub where guests can socialise or make connections online.

Smiths Detection Launches New Handheld Radiation Detector

Smiths Detection has launched a new handheld radiation detector, the RadSeeker, to identify radiological and nuclear threats.

The device has a wide array of applications from enabling civil defense and first responder rad-nuc search operations to helping port and border personnel with cargo, container and vehicle screening.

Dr. Brian Boso, Smiths Detection Chief Scientist, said, “RadSeeker puts the most powerful and accurate radiation detection capabilities literally in the palm of the hand. We believe it will greatly increase accuracy, efficiency, and versatility in finding and identifying rad-nuc threats. Smiths Detection is now able to provide technology that can detect threats in all major areas of concern to national and homeland security, including: chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear and explosive.”

Astana City, City of the Future?

Ask someone whether they would like to visit one of the coldest capital cities in the world, a place where, in winter, the temperature can drop below -40, and they may think twice.

Yet, tell them that this city features some of the most creative modern architecture in the world, and the temperature does rise to a more comfortable 20+ degrees in the summer months, then you are sure to raise more interest.

This is Astana, a name famous for its natural resources, one of the best cycling teams in the world, a dynamic national airline and of course, its buildings.

Ritz-Carlton Signs Hotel in Riyadh

Ritz-Carlton has signed its first hotel in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

The 493-room Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh is prominently situated within the Diplomatic Quarter and is next to the King Abdul Aziz Conference Centre, one of the largest in the region and host to international summits and conferences.

Enjoying a pre-eminent address in the capital and situated within 213,500 square meters (52 acres) of landscaped gardens, the hotel will position itself amongst the grand palace hotels in the world.

IHG Signs Holiday Inn Express in Legian Bali

IHG has expanded its growing portfolio of Holiday Inn Express hotels in Asia with the signing of a new hotel in Bali.

The new Holiday Inn Express will be located Legian along Jalan Imam Bonjol. The hotel is only a few minutes walk away from Istana Kuta Galleria, Bali Bakery and other food and beverage establishments and activities.

The proposed 160-room Holiday Inn Express Bali Legian is slated to start construction mid-2011, and projected to open by early 2013.

In addition to having a gym, swimming pool and self-service laundry, the Holiday Inn Express Bali Legian will also feature the Great Room, a relaxing social lounge space for guests to connect, meet, eat and relax.

Kasemkij Hotels Expands Ayutthaya Options

Kasemkij Hotels has opened Kantary Hotel Ayutthaya - Phase Two. It is the top City Hotel in Ayutthaya, providing a great variety of amenities, ranging from restaurants, a hip café to meeting rooms to accommodate conference groups.

Kantary Hotel, Ayutthaya - Phase Two is the latest project in the Kantary Collections, managed by Kasemkij Hotels. The modern-style building designed as a city hotel has five floors, including 20 studios and four one-bedroom accommodations.

Kantary Hotel, Ayutthaya is located close to the entertainment, government office buildings and tourist attractions of this historic city.

Best Western Opens First Plus Hotel in Asia Pacific

Best  Western  has  opened  the  very  first  Best  Western  Plus  hotel  in  Asia  Pacific.

The  Best  Western  Plus  @20  Sukhumvit  in  Bangkok,  Thailand,  is  located,  as  the  name  suggests,  on  Sukhumvit  Soi  20,  within  walking  distance  of  Sukhumvit  Road  itself  and  close  to  the  Emporium  shopping  complex  and  bustling  Asoke  intersection.

The  hotel  is  just  a  few  minutes’  walk  from  the  Asoke  Skytrain  and  Sukhumvit  MRT  underground  stations,  linking  guests  to  more  major  commercial,  shopping  and  entertainment  areas  such  as  Ratchaprasong,  Siam,  Pratunam  and  Silom.

75 Microtel Hotels Planned for Canada

More  than  75  new  construction  Microtel  Inns  &  Suites  are  expected  to  open  in  Canada  over  the  next  25  years  as  part  of  a  master  development  agreement  between  Wyndham  Hotel  Group  and  MasterBUILT  Hotels.

The  Microtel  Inns  &  Suites  brand  is  a  chain  of  new  construction  only  economy  hotels  located  throughout  North  America,  South  America  and  Asia  offering  an  array  of  amenities  that  include  complimentary  local  and  long-distance  phone  calls  within  the  continental  United  States,  free  high-speed  wired  and  wireless  internet  access,  and  complimentary  continental  breakfast.  Most  properties  also  offer  meeting  and  fitness  facilities,  swimming  pool  and  guest  laundry  and  select  properties  allow  pets  and  offer  print,  copy  and  fax  services.

Carlson Signs Four Hotels in China

Carlson  has  signed  four  new  hotel  management  agreements  in  China,  bringing  Carlson’s  China  portfolio  to  25  hotels,  including  10  in  operation  and  15  under  development.

The  four  new  hotel  signings  in  China  include:

•  The  Radisson  Blu  Resort  Baoting  which  is  Carlson’s  third  property  in  the  Hainan  province.  The  300-room  hotel  is  owned  by  Beijing  Chun  Guang  Investment  Group.  The  resort  will  be  developed  within  the  Yanoda  Rainforest  Cultural  Tourism  Park  and  is  in  close  proximity  to  other  top  national  tourist  attractions  such  as  the  Qixianling  National  Forest  Park  and  the  Qixianling  18-hole  golf  course.  The  resort  is  scheduled  to  open  in  the  third  quarter  of  2013.

Win a Trip to the 2011 UEFA Champions League Final

Want  to  watch  the  2011  UEFA  Champions  League  Final  at  Wembley  in  London?

ZUJI  is  now  offering  football  fans  the  chance  to  win  UEFA  Champions  League  Final  tickets  and  a  5  days  3  nights  accommodation  with  flights  to  London  for  two.

Until  8  May  2011,  fans  have  the  chance  to  win  a  trip  to  attend  the  2011  UEFA  Champions  League  Final  by  simply  booking  a  hotel  or  package  through  ZUJI  and  sharing  their  creative  celebration  idea  should  their  favourite  team  win.  Every  booking  is  entitled  to  one  opportunity.  Terms  and  conditions  apply.

Aston to Open New Hotel and Conference Center in Palembang, Sumatra

Aston  is  to  open  a  new  4-star  hotel  and  conference  center  in  Palembang,  just  in  time  for  the  2011  SEA  Games.

The  Aston  Palembang  Hotel  &  Conference  Center  is  set  to  open  in  summer  of  this  year  and  will  be  half  way  between  Palembang’s  airport  and  the  Central  Business  District  on  Jalan  Basuki  Rahmat  serving  Palembang’s  growing  business  travel  and  conference  market  as  well  as  domestic  leisure  travelers  from  the  surrounding  areas.

Preferred Opens Shanghai Office

Preferred  Hotel  Group  has  opened  an  office  in  Shanghai,  China.  The  office  is  the  company's  31st  sales  office  globally  and  sixth  in  the  region.

Spearheading  Preferred  Hotel  Group's  Shanghai  office  is  the  company's  newly  appointed  Director,  Global  Sales  –  China,  Renee  Wu.

Boeing Expands Landing Gear Solutions

Boeing  has  expanded  its  Landing  Gear  Overhaul  and  Exchange  Program  to  cover  the  777-200LR  (Longer  Range),  777  Freighter  and  777-300ER  (Extended  Range)  airplanes  to  provide  more  customers  with  greater  service  for  landing  gear  support.

Boeing's  Material  Services  currently  provides  landing  gear  overhaul  and  exchange  solutions  to  more  than  75  customers  on  the  MD-11,  717,  Next-Generation  737,  Boeing  Business  Jet,  747-400ER,  757-300,  767-300ER  and  the  777-200ER  airframes.

ACI Asia Pacific Elects New Board Members

Mr. James Bennett, Chief Executive Officer of Abu Dhabi Airports Company (UAE) and Mr. Rodolfo Echeverria, Chief Financial Officer of Airport International Group (Jordan) have been unanimously elected to fill the two vacancies of the Airports Council International (ACI) Asia Pacific Regional Board. The new Board Members will serve a three-year term with immediate effect.

Tan Sri Bashir Ahmad Abdul Majid, President, ACI Asia Pacific and Managing Director, Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad, said, “I wish to welcome the new members of the Regional Board. The two new board members, with extensive experience in the airport industry will be great assets to the Regional Board.”

Spa at Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi, Chiang Mai - HD Video Interview

For some travellers, it may be what gourmet options an hotel offers, for others it may be the speed of the internet which is a priority, or the ambiance of the resort, and for many others it could well be the quality of the spa which is one of the most important factors when choosing an hotel.

There are few spas in the world as impressive, architecturally, as the spa at the Mandarin Oriental Dhara Dhevi in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand. If there was an award for the most photographed spa in the world then this property would surely win, or at the very least be a main contender.

Accor Opens Ibis Hotel on Balestier Road in Singapore

Accor has opened its second ibis hotel in Singapore.

The ibis Singapore Novena, located on Balestier Road, features 241 compact rooms equipped with a 32-inch LCD TV, complimentary broadband and Wi-Fi Internet access, in-room safe and a large bay window. It also operates an in-house launderette and a fitness centre.

Ms. Shamila Rolfe, General Manager, ibis Singapore Novena, said, “The Singapore Tourism Board expects 12 to 13 million visitors to arrive in Singapore in 20111 resulting in a strong demand for centrally located, quality yet affordable accommodations. ibis Singapore Novena, is ideally positioned to meet this demand and as evidenced through our current bookings; we expect the hotel to become a favourite among visitors from neighbouring countries such as Malaysia, Philippines and Indonesia as well of course as longer haul markets.”

Worldhotels Opens its First Office in India

Worldhotels is extending its global hospitality marketing and distribution network with the opening of a new office in India, its first in this rapidly expanding economy.

Hospitality industry veteran Naresh Chandnani has been appointed Regional Director Hotel Development India Subcontinent and Maldives to establish the dedicated division.

Absolute Signs Hotel in Bay of Bengal

Absolute Hotel Services India has signed a management contract with Brijsons Hotel Pvt. Ltd to manage the 144-room Chariot Resort & Spa Puri. The resort is scheduled to be fully operational by mid 2011.

The Chariot Resort & Spa Puri nestles amidst a natural lagoon with a private beachfront and is conveniently located on the New Marine Drive of the Bay of Bengal, 65 kilometers away from Biju Pattnayak International Airport in Bhubaneshwar (the capital of Orissa) and 7 kilometers away from the Puri Railway Station.

Ritz-Carlton Returns to Hong Kong

Ritz-Carlton officially returned to the vibrant city of Hong Kong today, after an absence of just over three years.

The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, one of  the world’s highest hotels, is located at the very top of the International Commerce Centre (ICC) in Hong Kong, occupying floors 102 to 118.

 Guests are welcomed into the arrival lobby on the 9th floor before being transported up to the hotel lobby on the 103rd floor where panoramic views over Hong Kong await them.

China Hotel Industry Expected to Ride on Continued Bullish Economic Growth

The 7th Annual China Hotel Development and Financing Conference, organized by Horwath HTL, STR Global and the China Tourist Hotels Association (CTHA), was held last week at the Crowne Plaza Sun Palace in Beijing, China. The event attracted about 600 participants, 20 percent more than 2010.

Mr. Zhang Run Gang, President of China Tourist Hotels Association, opened the conference with optimism in the Chinese tourism and hotel industry, while highlighting the challenges, namely rising inflation, labour shortage and increasing labour costs, and the potential impact from the Japan Disaster.

Pegasus Solutions Launches MetaSearch Services

Pegasus Solutions has launched MetaSearch Services, a solution that allows hotels to capture direct bookings from metasearch results.

The product, being introduced by Pegasus at ITB Berlin Hall 8.1 stand 111, recently completed beta testing with several major hotel chains during which they achieved a return on investment of up to 5:1 for every US dollar spent. The program is now available to Pegasus’ 90,000 hotel customers worldwide.

Aston Signs favehotel in Bogor

Aston has signed a favehotel in Bogor, Indonesia. The new select service hotel will open in June 2012 and be adjacent to Bogor’s busiest mall, Botani Square. The 2-star hotel will feature 135 guest rooms and family suites, a café shop and 6 meeting rooms to serve the mid week meeting and conference market out of Jakarta.

Sherona Lau Joins Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hong Kong as DOSM

The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, located in the heart of the city’s Central District, has appointed Sherona Lau as Director of Sales & Marketing.

Prior to joining The Landmark Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong, Sherona served as Director of Sales and Marketing for The Ritz-Carlton Sanya, where she helped open the resort.

Swissôtel signs Odessa Hotel

Swissôtel has signed a management contract with the Ukrainian investors, Interpoint Development, for the Swissôtel Odessa, a new hotel scheduled to open in spring 2013.

Swissôtel Odessa will include 333 rooms, a lobby lounge-bar with a library, two restaurants and a brasserie with an extensive terrace overlooking the Black Sea, as well as separate private dining rooms for events.

Best Western launches Bonus Points Promotion

Best Western is inviting members of of its rewards programme throughout Asia and the Middle East to earn 3,000 bonus points this spring.

To earn the bonus from the brand’s free global loyalty program, guests must register for the promotion and stay three separate times at any of Best Western’s 4,000 hotels worldwide between 6 February 2011 and 11 April 2011. The 3,000 bonus points are in addition to the points automatically earned for each stay. Regularly BWR members earn 10 points for every US$ spent on qualified room rates.

Richard Munro Joins Worldhotels

Worldhotels is eyeing expansion in Oceania with the appointment of accomplished Australian hotelier Richard Munro as Director Hotel Development Australia, New Zealand & Pacific.

His key role will be promoting Worldhotels’ new global branding solution for upscale independent hotel across Australasia and the South Pacific.

Capitol Hotel Tokyu launches Buy 1 Get 1 Promotion

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, a new 5-star hotel designed by architect Kengo Kuma in the centre of Tokyo, is offering travellers a special two nights for the price of one promotion.

The promotion means that Deluxe King rooms are available from 30,000 JPY (US$360) for two nights. This rate is available until April 30 and also includes free Wi-Fi and access to the fitness centre and swimming pool. The offer is limited to a maximum of 10 rooms per day.

Raffles Praslin Seychelles to Open Spa in February

Raffles Hotels & Resorts’ new resort in the Seychelles will open its new spa in February.

The spa at Raffles Praslin adopts the pearl theme to symbolise the wellness philosophy of transformation, just as the precious gemstone transforms from a grain of sand in a pearl oyster.

Elegant, iridescent mother-of pearl shell décor is featured throughout, the spa - an expression of the philosophy of transformation as well as the Seychelles’ reputation for producing exquisite pearls.

Phnom Penh

Ask anyone about Cambodia's growing tourism industry and they will most likely mention Angkor Wat, which is after all, one of the world's true wonders. It has attracted millions from around the world.

A few of the more adventurous travellers, may also have experienced some of the amazing, if undevelopped, beaches to the south of the country. An airport, which has already been built, may even open sometime this year, allowing even more to enjoy some of the best beaches in the entire region.

Benny Chung Appointed GM of Peninsula.Excelsior Hotel in Singapore

Mr Benny Chung has been appointed as General Manager of the 600-room Peninsula.Excelsior Hotel in Singapore.

A veteran hotelier with 26 years of working experience, he has worked with international hotel chains such as Hyatt, Mandarin Oriental, Regent, Concorde and InterContinental Hotels Group.

Okura to Open Hotel in Macau

Okura Hotels & Resorts will open its first property in Macau at the Galaxy Macau integrated destination resort in early 2011.

Hotel Okura Macau will feature 488 guest rooms, a Yamazato Japanese restaurant - with authentic kaiseki meals, freshly prepared sushi, grilled dishes and Japanese garden views - and several other features that are expected to be unveiled as the property moves closer to its opening date.