Banyan Tree Macau opens on May 15 2011 at Macau’s newest landmark, the US$1.9 billion integrated resort Galaxy Macau, where the focus is on luxurious world-class hospitality, offering the city’s widest and most diverse choice of Asian and international dining options.

Banyan Tree Macau is the Group’s first property in the former Portuguese enclave. It will be the first in Macau to feature private indoor relaxation pools in all its 246 opulent suites, overlooking the city and offering a Sanctuary for the Senses for guests.

Ten Pool Villas, ranging from 450m2 to 950m2, feature both private pools and air-conditioned cabanas with sliding glass doors opening directly onto their own gardens on the ‘Beach Resort Deck.’

Suites range from 100m2 Grand Cotai Suites and 150m2 Grand Macau Suites to 150m2 Spa Suites, with their own treatment rooms, and a 670m2 split-level Presidential Suite with two-bedrooms, a dining room, show kitchen and in-suite relaxation pool.

Among the Pool Villas are expansive 950m2 Sanctuary Pool Villas, ideal for family retreats or gathering of friends with two-bedrooms, a living area, show kitchen, spa treatment room, private pool, garden and Resort Host service.

Suites and villas pay tribute to Oriental design with high ceilings and ornate furnishings, complemented by auspicious vermillion red accents.

The resort will feature world class meeting facilities including a grand ballroom for up to 1,200 cocktail and two conference rooms for seminars, weddings and prestigious social events.

A major attraction is Macau’s first award-winning Banyan Tree Spa, featuring 21 treatment rooms offering the spa’s signature beauty, health and wellness therapies and products.

The 2,800m2 haven of indulgence offers “sensory pampering and experiences steeped in holistic Asian healing traditions” alongside two tropical pools.

Four restaurants include the signature Belon Oyster Bar & Grill – complemented by a Banyan Café, Cabana Pool Bar and Banyan Lounge, offering a wide range of gourmet experiences.

Resort guests are also spoilt for choice with more than 50 other restaurants and bars within the Galaxy Macau integrated complex.

Resort facilities also include a Banyan Tree Gallery showcasing indigenous art and crafts from community projects worldwide, plus a state-of-the-art gymnasium.

“Banyan Tree Macau is designed for travellers looking to immerse themselves in the excitement of Cotai’s entertainment district, but still desire their own private sanctuary to relax in,” said Mr. Rudy Oretti, General Manager of Banyan Tree Macau. “We’ve brought together the best of Banyan Tree’s touches to offer a Sanctuary of the Senses for our guests, in this exciting new destination”.

The 5-star Galaxy Macau shares the world’s largest “sky wave” pool – featuring an artificial 150-metre white sand beach complete with automatic crashing waves – a highlight of the mega integrated development.

The vast 550,000m2 integrated resort also incorporates the Galaxy Hotel and Hotel Okura Macau from Japan’s Okura Hotels & Resorts.

“We are very proud of our TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Award for the second consecutive year. Guest comments on TripAdvisor allowed us to continually review our standards, and when used constructively, ultimately improved our levels of service. No doubt Novotel Citygate’s contemporary design, proximity to the airport and local leisure attractions, whilst also being conveniently located near the Mass Transit Rail network, contributed to our success” said Rod Munro, General Manager.

Designed in contemporary minimalist, Novotel Citygate Hong Kong has 440 stylish rooms and suites, featuring four Premier floors, hotel-wide wireless broadband connection and 32” LCD television. Facilities include 3 restaurants and a bar, 7 function rooms, an outdoor swimming pool and 24-hour gymnasium.

“Fulfilling and wherever possible exceeding our guests expectations, is what we care most about. I would like to compliment all of my hardworking staff who really deliver a great Hong Kong service experience”

TripAdvisor is the world’s largest travel site, with more than 50 million unique monthly visitors, 20 million members, and over 40 million reviews and opinions. Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of real and unbiased reviews and opinions from travellers around the world, proving that Novotel Citygate Hong Kong consistently receives top marks and excellent reviews from its guests.

Pearl Business class guests can opt for either two nights’ complimentary accommodation at the Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort or one night at The Yas Hotel including limousine transfers.

To book, contact your Etihad Airways office or your travel agent. Once tickets have been purchased, guests or travel agents can contact the preferred hotel to book the complimentary stopover in Abu Dhabi. Terms and conditions apply.

Teerapol Chotichanapibal, Thai’s acting executive vice president for commercial department, said, “Thai will commence daily flight to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport on 31 October 2010, while maintaining current service to Narita International Airport. By serving Haneda, passengers flying Thai to Tokyo will experience more convenience with flight departures and arrivals that are closer in proximity to Tokyo’s city center.”

Passengers now have an option of flying to and from Tokyo via Haneda Airport (Tokyo International Airport), which is evolving from domestic flight handling to include more international networks. Flying into Haneda will offer passengers the choice to greater access closer to Tokyo’s city center, which makes travel increasingly convenient for business as well as leisure travelers. In addition, passengers connecting onto domestic flights within Japan will be able to take advance of greater ease in connectivity.

Thai’s Bangkok-Haneda operations will utilize A340-500 aircraft with a total 215 seat capacity: 60 seats in Royal Silk (Business Class) and 155 seats in Economy Class. Thai will operate a total of four flights per day to Tokyo: three flights per day on the route Bangkok-Narita and one flight per day on the route Bangkok-Haneda.

Route Flight number Departure time Arrival time
Bangkok – Haneda TG660 1450 hrs. 2230 hrs.
Haneda – Bangkok TG661 0020 hrs. 0520 hrs.

Renting a Koh Lanta villa lets you enjoy your own space and have complete privacy to do as you please in luxurious surroundings that feel like a home rather than a hotel. Every villa comes with its own self-catering facilities and widescreen television and lounge area. Many villas have their own private pool, sun decks and some are located directly on some of Koh Lanta’s most spectacular beaches. Renting a Koh Lanta villa is ideal for special occasions and for a group can also work out cheaper than staying in a four or five star hotel.

Koh Lanta villas are usually available to rent on a weekly basis, and the cost varies significantly between peak season (Christmas and New Year), high season (November to April) and low season (May to October). AmazingLanta.com lets you book Koh Lanta villas easily – browse the 2 bedroom Koh Lanta Villas and 3 bedroom Koh Lanta Villas pages to see each of the villas. To make a booking, simply send an enquiry through the booking form to check availability. Once availability is confirmed, payment can be made through PayPal, the internationally recognised safe system of making payments online. Fast speedboat transfers from Krabi airport direct to the villa can also be organised, as well as daytrip excursions around Koh Lanta and scuba diving daytrips and lessons if required.

Commenting on the progress to date and the prospects of Accor’s development and growth in Indonesia Michael Issenberg – Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and Chief Operating Officer said “Indonesia with its strong economy and strengthening domestic travel volumes offers significant opportunity for development. This development is leveraged off Accor’s already strong network, diverse brand presence and significant in country infrastructure supporting organic growth of our managed hotel portfolio throughout the archipelago.”

Accor currently operates 39 hotels throughout Indonesia, which will increase to 40 hotels by years end. Thereafter, 10 new hotels will be added in 2011 and 5 more in 2012 taking the network to 55 hotels and 9,500 rooms by 2012.

Issenberg added; “We are placing an emphasis on the mid and economy sectors for our development in Indonesia, ensuring sustained network expansion in line with the growth in domestic and intra Asian travel demand. As this demand grows, so will the average rates of hotels, where the prospects for the price sensitive segments will strengthen.”

Gerard Guillouet – Vice President Accor Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore says: “Accor has been consistently present in Indonesia since 1993 where it has developed a network across 17 cities throughout the country. Presently there are seven brands in operation with the Pullman brand to debut later this year with the opening of Pullman Legian Bali. Ibis was the first brand of Accor to open in Indonesia and its relevance continues today with four of the eight hotels being added to the ibis network.”

The newly announced hotels include:

Mercure Padang, Located in the new city area development with close proximity to government offices, banks and other business activities. Mercure Padang when it opens in 2011 will offer 143 guest rooms, one restaurant and bar, 650m2 ballroom, four meeting rooms, swimming pool, spa and fitness centre.

all seasons Gajah Mada, Located in the commercial area of central Jakarta, bordering Chinatown and the city’s original commercial precinct known as Kota. all seasons Gajah Mada will provide 130 rooms, one restaurant and bar and three meeting rooms and is scheduled to open in 2012.

all seasons Bangka, with 159 guest rooms, one restaurant and bar and located in the city centre of Pangkal Pinang. The hotel will open in 2011.

ibis Surabaya Basuki Rahmat, is located in the heart of the city of Surabaya, a short walk to the largest shopping mall and the city’s exhibition centre. When open in late 2012 ibis Surabaya Basuki will feature 180 guest rooms.

ibis Manado, located facing the Manado Gulf and with close proximity to the city centre, government offices and just across from the Manado Town Square”. ibis Manado will have 120 guest rooms. The hotel is scheduled to open in 2012.

ibis Balikpapan will open in early 2011 in this sea port city on Borneo’s east coast. The hotel is located close to the existing Novotel and within the city’s centre. Ibis Balipapan will have 156 guest rooms.

On the tropical island of Bali where Accor operates six hotels today and will open the Pullman Legian Nirwana later this year, will see three of the newly announced hotels added;

all seasons Bali Denpasar located in the commercial and administrative area of the island’s capital with 160 guest rooms. All Seasons Bali Denpasar will debut in 2011 and will be the second All Seasons for the island.

ibis Bali Kuta will be located in amongst the action of Kuta, capitalising on the strength of the international and domestic economy hotel demand to this area. Once open in 2011 the hotel will feature 180 guest rooms.

“The all seasons brand was first seen in Indonesia in 2005 in Legian Bali. With four hotels committed to development in the country and numerous more development leads, Indonesia is at the forefront of the brands expansion in Asia” added Guillouet.

Accor has previously announced the following development commitments: Pullman Bali Legian Nirwana, Novotel Bangka, Novotel Tangerang, Mercure Simatupang, Mercure Bali Kuta Haverstland, Mercure Solo, Mercure Banjarmasin, all seasons Yogyakarta,

The phased schedule allows the Resort and its 10,000 employees to run in operations and deliver the expected guest experience, said Resorts World Sentosa’s chief executive Tan Hee Teck.

He said: “We thank the team of agencies and government officials who have been working tirelessly to get us where we are today. We also have a top-class team of staffers, architects, consultants and contractors who pushed relentlessly to make this Resort open not only on time, but ahead of schedule. Partners who have visited are often surprised by the effort we have put into each of our attractions, each hotel, each performance. We concluded our first public event ChildAid in December with a bang. Today, we have taken it forward: We are getting ready to welcome our first visitors, and we look forward to their feedback to help us improve.”

Resorts World Sentosa is working closely with the authorities to obtain approvals for Universal Studios Singapore, which will open next. The opening date for the casino will be announced when it gets notice of its casino license.

EVA flight BR36 will depart Taoyuan International Airport at 18:45 (6:45 pm) on Monday, Thursday and Saturday and arrive at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport at 20:55 (8:55 pm) the same day. Return flight BR35 will leave Toronto later that night at 23:40 (11:40 pm) and land in Taoyuan at 05:45 (5:45 am) on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday. Asia-bound flights will make a brief fuel stop in Anchorage, AK. Approximate flight time from Taoyuan to Toronto is 14 hours and 10 minutes, Toronto to Anchorage, six hours and 30 minutes, and Anchorage to Taipei, 10 hours and 10 minutes. The airline is serving the route with one of its new, technically advanced Boeing 777-300ERs.

Canada has proven to be an inviting market for EVA. The airline launched flights to Vancouver in June 1999 and serves that route with its own flights and a code-sharing alliance with Air Canada. Addition of the Toronto gateway will give EVA passengers the convenience of six flights a week from two of Canada’s major metropolitan regions and the option of departing from one city and returning to the other. Toronto’s status as a global city and financial powerhouse make it a strong addition to EVA’s well-developed network, connecting through Taipei to leading business and leisure destinations throughout Asia and worldwide.

On EVA’s far-reaching system, passengers from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) will be able to fly to Taipei and make easy, same-day onward connections to Manila, Phnom Penh, Saigon, Bangkok and 16 destinations in China. Travelers headed to North America will find Taipei to be a welcoming hub for flights to Toronto where they can continue on to Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec and Halifax in minimal transit time.

In addition to competitive fares and service options that appeal to a broad range of business travelers, EVA is also working with travel agents to create tour packages that complement current products offered in Canada and America. The new packages will be designed so that passengers can enjoy Ontario’s beauty and majesty as well as the global sophistication of its international cities.

Not mentioned by the airline, but possibly another factor, is an ongoing boycott by Indian travel agents furious at having had their 5% commission on ticket sales cancelled. The boycott has been going on since the end of last year, and means that anyone in India wishing to travel by SIA can now book only at the SIA offices there, or online. Lufthansa and British Airways, too, are being boycotted for the same reason.

SIA recorded an operating loss of S$271 million for the second quarter, compared with a profit of S$265 million in the the same quarter of 2008. To offset the loss, the airline has instituted a freeze on hiring, stopped paying salary for those on leave, cut wages and postponed “non-essential” projects.

It estimates that the cuts in manpower costs will result in savings of S$60 million in the current financial year.

Part of the pressure on SIA comes from budget airlines, such as AirAsia, which – in contrast – has seen passenger numbers climb 24% to 3.5 million in the past year. Profits, too, have risen, to RM657 million, an increase of 8%, despite fares being cut by 19% overall.

AirAsia has also seen a hefty rise in ancillary income, to the point where inflight sales of drinks, meals and merchandise now represent 14.5% of passengers’ spending.

Even AirAsia is not without its troubles, however – it could face sanctions for an incident on August 9, when the airline rescheduled a flight from Polonia Airport in Medan, Indonesia, from 7:10pm to 11am the next day. Furious passengers rioted, vandalising airport facilities.

It was not the first time an AirAsia flight had been postponed. Polonia Airport manager Rajali
Abubakar was quoted in the Jakarta Post as saying that the airline regularly postponed flights, leaving
passengers stranded at the airport for hours.

The EC3 assessment team noted the hotel’s positive commitment to maintain and improve performance in all indicators, particularly energy consumption, potable water consumption and waste sent to landfill.

The benchmarking exercise was conducted from May 2008-April 2009.

Only four other hotels in Singapore have received Green Globe certification – InterContinental Singapore, Holiday Inn Park View and Holiday Inn Atrium, and the Novotel Clarke Quay.

“Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has evolved very much along environmental lines. The hotel design makes the most of natural sunlight, recycled materials were used in its construction and we make every effort to reduce our impact with the use of non-hazardous cleaning materials,” said the hotel’s General Manager, Mark Winterton.

“To receive the EC3 benchmark is something of an achievement for a new hotel and provides a great incentive for us to keep on improving, reducing our impact on the environment under EC3’s highly credible benchmarking procedures,” he added.

EC3 Global is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sustainable Tourism Cooperative Research Centre (STCRC), which is owned by 16 of Australia’s leading universities.

It was established under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Centres Programme in l987 to underpin the development of a dynamic, internationally competitive, and sustainable tourism industry and draws on research from over 250 tourism and environmental sustainability leaders.

Worldwide, only 400 hotels have received the EC3 seal of approval.

Crowne Plaza Changi Airport has also been recognized by BCA Green Mark.

Launched in 2005, the BCA Green Mark Scheme is a strategic program aimed at raising the awareness of sustainable and environmentally friendly buildings. It evaluates buildings for their environmental impact and performance. The benefits of Green Mark buildings include cost savings from efficient use of key resources such as energy and water, leading to lower operation and maintenance costs. Other less tangible benefits include enhanced occupant productivity and health due to good indoor environmental quality.