Aerial performances, stilt walkers and pyrotechnics greeted VIP guests attending the recent grand opening of the new Peak Tower, Hong Kong’s most popular and iconic attraction. The Peak Tower is one of Hong Kong’s most recognisable tourist destinations, and has just completed an extensive revitalisation program, now offering visitors spectacular 360 degree views of Hong Kong from its new rooftop Viewing Terrace and Sky Gallery. The new Peak Tower also offers four exciting signature restaurants with stunning views as well as a number of innovative casual dining outlets. A unique festival market-style shopping arcade and spectacular special effects lighting both inside and out also serve to make the new Peak Tower one of Hong Kong’s most compelling leisure destinations for Hong Kong residents and tourists. “The Peak experience is enduringly popular, providing an eagle’s eye view of Hong Kong both by day and night,” says The Hon. Sir Michael Kadoorie, Chairman of Hong Kong and Shanghai Hotels Limited. “We believe the substantial improvements we have made to The Peak Tower will turn this venue and the surrounding area into an even livelier destination. This in turn will contribute further to the positive promotion of our city to increasing numbers of visitors and residents, all of whom will be able to enjoy unique entertainment against an amazing backdrop.”
The Cairns Port Authority and Tourism Tropical North Queensland welcomed Cathay Pacific’s recent announcement to increase services to Hong Kong. Cathay Pacific currently operate four flights a week between Cairns and Hong Kong and have added two more from January 2, 2007. The Tropical North Queensland region will now enjoy three direct services to Hong Kong each week and three services via Brisbane. All flights will be operated by Airbus A330 aircraft. Cairns Port Authority, chief executive, Brad Geatches, said “the expanded Cathay services from Hong Kong provide much needed capacity for our existing Asian and European markets and our emerging Chinese market. Cathay’s decision to expand its services to Cairns by 50 per cent is a demonstration that international air services to Tropical North Queensland are successful.”
The Tourism Authority of Thailand recently presented the Dusit Resort Pattaya the Kinnari Award as the outstanding MICE Hotel in the Eastern Region at the 6th Thailand Tourism Awards 2006. The 462-room resort hotel was cited for its contribution in the tourism industry by providing high-quality meeting and convention facilities and services to its guests. TAT gives the Kinnari Award to tourism-related organisations in the private and public sectors that have made significant contributions in Thailand’s tourism industry.
UK exhibition company Montgomery is targeting the Zhengzhou International Convention & Exhibition Centre (ZZICEC) for future business in China. Montgomery is active in China, India, Russia, Poland, Hungary and South Africa where it is also the majority shareholder in Expo Centre, the largest exhibition complex on the African continent. The ZZICEC is a new exhibition and convention centre in a newly developed business district of Zhengzou between the CBD and Zhengzou’s airport. Chairman of the ZZICEC is Cliff Wallace, a man probably known to many Australians during his time at the Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre.
If you are looking for a memorable theme party with a difference for your next gathering in Bangkok with friends, for a company incentive group outing, or special event consider the Manohra Star - a luxury converted rice barge. The company has created many themed events and offers professional and friendly service. Clients can use the vessel for daytime meetings, a cocktail reception for an hour out on the river, or a special themed dinner with tantalising menus paired with fine wine. The Manohra Star measures 27 metres in length, and can accommodate up to 70 people for a variety of sunset and dinner cruises. For all enquiries and bookings call + 66 2 477 0770, email manohra@minornet.com or visit:
www.manohracruises.com.
More than 4000 booths packed with gifts and home products were on show at the sixth China Sourcing Fair in late 2006 - the largest event to date for both the organiser, Global Sources, and the venue, AsiaWorld-Expo which opened in late 2005. A record 34,505 of international and regional buyers took advantage of its convenient location, adjacent to Hong Kong International Airport, to travel in and out for a four-day blitz of the latest products and trends in the gift and homeware sector. Despite the large number of booths, the column-free halls allowed for maximum visibility for exhibitors and easy navigation for buyers between different product areas and country pavilions. Adding to the experience, AsiaWorld-Expo offered a range of services tailored to the needs of today’s business travellers. These included an in-venue business centre, a range of retail outlets and the latest “Expo Concierge” service, with money changing, travel booking, baggage handling services and much more.
Hilton Hotels Corporation recently announced the latest milestone in its expansion effort for the upscale, full-service Doubletree® hotel collection in the burgeoning China market. The company has signed a multi-year agreement with Tianjin Automobile Industrial Group Company, one of China’s largest automobile manufacturers, to manage an upscale, 360-room hotel in Tianjin, China’s fourth largest city. The Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Tianjin is anticipated to open in this world-class city in late 2007. Amenities and services at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel Tianjin will include 2500 square metres (26,900 square feet) of meeting and ballroom function space and state-of-the-art business centre facilities. The hotel will feature a variety of food and beverage outlets, including all-day dining facilities, to cater for in-house guests and local banqueting events. Room and suite sizes will range from 30 to 90 square metres (320 to 950 square feet) and the hotel will feature a fitness centre.
SKAL Hong Kong awarded scholarships to the value of HK$222,000 to 21 lucky travel and tourism students at the Rudy Choy Fund Awards lunch, held at the InterContinental Grand Stanford recently. More than 120 SKAL members and guests witnessed the colourful awards ceremony, including principals, professors and other educational chiefs from Hong Kong’s educational sector, as well as senior executives from the hotel, airline, travel agency and associated industries, most of whom are SKAL members. The Rudy Choy Fund is SKAL Hong Kong’s major “cause” and was set up in 1992 in memory of Rudy Choy, a well known and much respected pioneer of Hong Kong’s modern visitor industry. A successful young businessman, Mr Choy became directly involved in the travel industry in the 1950s, first with a hotel and later with an airline. He was active in the founding of the Hong Kong Tourist Association and the Hong Kong Hotels Association, and remained involved with them over three eventful decades until his death in 1992. Through his membership of numerous other local and regional trade associations, he was tireless in promoting Hong Kong and helping to build its tourism industry. Rudy was a Life member of Skal International-Hong Kong and twice served as its President. The Rudy Choy Fund continues to provide scholarships for students in tourism courses at all levels and since 1993, has given around HK$4 million in 150 individual scholarships. The current program provides for 20 scholarships and 34 awards each year, covering all levels, from grass-roots trainees to university graduates in eight different teaching institutions. It has also aided a tourism education program in secondary schools.
Thailand based Anantara Resorts has appointed Delivering Asia as its sales representation partner in Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and Korea. Delivering Asia, based in Hong Kong, is well positioned to provide Anantara Resorts with the high level of expertise and professional sales representation for which it is reputed throughout the region. Founded in 2001 by managing director Joe Cauchi, Delivering Asia’s portfolio includes a select collection of international five-star luxury hotels, resorts and spas. “We are truly delighted to welcome Delivering Asia to our international sales team,” said group general manager, Jonathan Wigley. “Hong Kong in particular is a key market for Anantara Resorts.”
Group general manager of Minor International Jonathan Wigley, together with the Bangkok Marriott Resort & Spa management team recently presented a 200,000 Baht cheque to Operation Smile’s executive director, James G. Yarbrough, as part of the resort’s ongoing project to support the Operation Smile Thailand’s program to help Thai children and adults suffering from facial deformities. The resort has participated in Operation Smile Thailand’s mission since 2004 by running an advertising campaign through in-house guests to donate US$1 per stay towards the program. To date the resort has raised Baht 1,275,000 contributing to Operation Smile Thailand. Operation Smile Thailand is a UN-affiliated, non-profit charity organisation that provides free treatment for indigent medical Thai children and adults who suffer from facial deformities.
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