Suntec Singapore Unveils Modernization Program

ARA Trust Management (Suntec) Limited, managers of the Suntec Real Estate Investment Trust (Suntec REIT) and majority shareholder of Suntec Singapore International Convention and Exhibition Centre (Suntec Singapore) has unveiled a Sin$180 million modernization program for the venue.

Suntec Singapore which has hosted more than 18,000 events over the last 16 years that included some of the world?s biggest exhibitions and conventions such as the World Trade Organisation Ministerial Conference (1996), the 2006 Annual Meetings of the Board of Governors of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank Group as well as the 2009 APEC Singapore Leaders? Week will receive its makeover commencing mid 2012.

The redesign of the venue will pay particular attention to flexibility, functionality and convertibility while integrating a high degree of advanced technology which will include an impressive 2-storey interactive digital wall and a modernized facade.

Suntec Singapore will operate from levels 2 to 7 with the grand entrance on level 3, served by express escalators.

Pieter Idenburg, Chief Executive Officer says that the venue that was designed and built more than 15 years ago, was extraordinarily planned and robustly built. ?The building has served us extremely well. Suntec Singapore has played a major role in advancing the MICE industry in Singapore and being established as a premier MICE destination. With the implementation of these planned enhancements, we will be well placed to meet the changing needs of our customers and to ensure that our business partners at all points of the supply chain have a fantastic experience and will enjoy the finest of our offerings - well into the next decade,? Mr. Idenburg said.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Suntec, Singapore

View the original article here

Vladivostok Air Launches Flights to Singapore

Russia?s Vladivostok Air has launched twice-weekly services between Singapore and Vladivostok via Hong Kong.

Vladivostok Air will operate the A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the route, departing Vladivostok International Airport on Tuesday and Friday mornings to arrive in Changi Airport at 18:20 on the same day.

 The return flight will depart Changi at 20:10 hours to arrive in Vladivostok the following morning.

Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, is the ninth new city link for Changi this year. Since the launch of the Russia-Singapore Business Forum in 2006, bilateral trade between the two countries has more than doubled to reach Sin$5.2 billion in 2010.

With several Singapore-based companies already establishing inroads to the Russian Far East, Changi?s new connection to Vladivostok will stimulate further business links between Singapore and Vladivostok as well as the greater Primorsky Krai region ? the largest economy in the Russian Far East.

Passenger traffic between Singapore and Russia reached an all-time-high of 65,000 in 2010, representing a 31% growth year-on-year. Singapore also welcomed 55,000 Russian visitors in 2010, an increase of 9% compared to 2009. During the first eight months of this year, air traffic movements and visitor arrivals from Russia increased by a further 34% and 5% respectively compared to the same period last year.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Singapore, Changi, Russia, Vladivostok

View the original article here

Accor Signs Sofitel So Hotel in Singapore

Accor is expanding its network of Sofitel So hotels with the signing of the Sofitel So Singapore, the world?s third Sofitel So label hotel.

The new hotel is located at 35 Robinson Road, an heritage building within walking distance from the Marina Bay area and close to premier shopping belt, Orchard Road.

Sofitel So Singapore will have 134 guestrooms including 23 suites and is owned by Royal Group Holdings, a Singapore-based organisation that focuses on the development of hospitality projects at unique locations with historical relevance.

 The development at 35 Robinson Road will commence next month, while Sofitel So Singapore is schedule to open in the first quarter of 2013.

?We are proud and excited to have our first Sofitel Luxury Hotels footprint in Singapore with Royal Group? stated Markland Blaiklock, Senior Vice President of Sofitel Asia Pacific. ?The 35 Robinson Road building with its iconic fa?ade is an ideal place to showcase Sofitel So, the label that brings together the essence of design and city soul.?

With the addition of Sofitel So Singapore, the group currently has a network of four hotels under its Sofitel So label. The first was the Sofitel So Mauritius, which opened in December 2010. Sofitel So Bangkok, the first urban Sofitel So, is expected to open in the first quarter of 2012 and the fourth Sofitel So hotel in the pipeline, Sofitel So Mumbai, is set to open in 2015.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Accor, Sofitel, Sofitel So, Singapore

View the original article here

Vladivostok Air Launches Flights to Singapore

Russia?s Vladivostok Air has launched twice-weekly services between Singapore and Vladivostok via Hong Kong.

Vladivostok Air will operate the A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the route, departing Vladivostok International Airport on Tuesday and Friday mornings to arrive in Changi Airport at 18:20 on the same day.

 The return flight will depart Changi at 20:10 hours to arrive in Vladivostok the following morning.

Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, is the ninth new city link for Changi this year. Since the launch of the Russia-Singapore Business Forum in 2006, bilateral trade between the two countries has more than doubled to reach Sin$5.2 billion in 2010.

With several Singapore-based companies already establishing inroads to the Russian Far East, Changi?s new connection to Vladivostok will stimulate further business links between Singapore and Vladivostok as well as the greater Primorsky Krai region ? the largest economy in the Russian Far East.

Passenger traffic between Singapore and Russia reached an all-time-high of 65,000 in 2010, representing a 31% growth year-on-year. Singapore also welcomed 55,000 Russian visitors in 2010, an increase of 9% compared to 2009. During the first eight months of this year, air traffic movements and visitor arrivals from Russia increased by a further 34% and 5% respectively compared to the same period last year.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Singapore, Changi, Russia, Vladivostok

View the original article here

Vladivostok Air Launches Flights to Singapore

Russia?s Vladivostok Air has launched twice-weekly services between Singapore and Vladivostok via Hong Kong.

Vladivostok Air will operate the A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration on the route, departing Vladivostok International Airport on Tuesday and Friday mornings to arrive in Changi Airport at 18:20 on the same day.

 The return flight will depart Changi at 20:10 hours to arrive in Vladivostok the following morning.

Vladivostok, in the Russian Far East, is the ninth new city link for Changi this year. Since the launch of the Russia-Singapore Business Forum in 2006, bilateral trade between the two countries has more than doubled to reach Sin$5.2 billion in 2010.

With several Singapore-based companies already establishing inroads to the Russian Far East, Changi?s new connection to Vladivostok will stimulate further business links between Singapore and Vladivostok as well as the greater Primorsky Krai region ? the largest economy in the Russian Far East.

Passenger traffic between Singapore and Russia reached an all-time-high of 65,000 in 2010, representing a 31% growth year-on-year. Singapore also welcomed 55,000 Russian visitors in 2010, an increase of 9% compared to 2009. During the first eight months of this year, air traffic movements and visitor arrivals from Russia increased by a further 34% and 5% respectively compared to the same period last year.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Singapore, Changi, Russia, Vladivostok

View the original article here

Singapore Airlines Cargo to Add Frankfurt to Network

Singapore Airlines Cargo is to launch twice-weekly Boeing 747-400 freighter services to Frankfurt in Germany from 2 November 2011.

The freighter services will complement the cargo capacity available on Singapore Airlines? twice-daily passenger flights between Singapore and Frankfurt.

Frankfurt is a major manufacturing and air transportation hub. Its major exports include machinery and automobile parts.

Mr Tan Tiow Kor, Senior Vice President Sales and Marketing, said, ?These services are in line with our policy of matching capacity with demand. The freighter services to Frankfurt will give our customers more choice of flights to choose from and will play an important role in expanding two-way trade links with key markets in Asia and Europe.?

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, SIA, Singapore Airlines, Cargo, Freight, Frankfurt, Singapore

View the original article here

Christoph Szymanski Appointed Manager of Mandarin Orchard Singapore

Christoph Szymanski has been appointed Manager of the Mandarin Orchard Singapore.

Christoph joins Meritus from his previous capacity as General Manager for Crowne Plaza Hong Kong Causeway Bay where his leadership successfully steered profitability and brand presence for the then newly opened hotel, garnering 3 hospitality awards within just over a year of its 2010 opening.

Before taking the helm at Crowne Plaza, Christophe was Resident Manager at The Holiday Inn Golden Mile, Hong Kong, one of InterContinental Hotels Group?s most profitable hotels in Greater China. In this capacity, he oversaw an extensive renovation of the hotel and repositioned the Food and Beverage department through viable revenue strategies and action plans.

Christoph holds a strong food and beverage background, having gained valuable experience in Michelin-rated restaurants and proving his food and wine knowledge through his successful participation in several European trade competitions.

He had been based in Hong Kong since 1992, working with some of Hong Kong?s most prestigious hotels including The Peninsula Group?s Kowloon Hotel, The Langham Hong Kong, and The Regent, Hong Kong (now the InterContinental Hong Kong). He was also previously with The Harbour Plaza Hotels and Resorts as Group Food and Beverage Director.

A German national, Christoph holds a Diploma in Hotel and Restaurant Management, majoring in Tax and Finance, from Heidelberg Management School in Germany.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Meritus, Christoph Szymanski, Singapore, Orchard Road, GM, General Manager

View the original article here

Singapore Zoo Launches Chinese Mobile Interactive Trail

Singapore Zoo, one of four wildlife parks managed by Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) including the first river-themed attraction River Safari, has launched a Chinese mobile interactive trail for students.

The new visitor experience uses location-based and Image Recognition Technology to create new learning activities for children at the zoo.

The trail employs the neumind approach, which focuses on visual recognition, and promotes words recognition, powerful memory ability and Chinese literary appreciation.

 Instead of park guides and worksheets, trail participants will be equipped with specially configured smart phones. Pre-loaded content will be triggered by the phones? Global Positioning System (GPS) as they move around the park.

Upon arriving at a designated site, such as the Wild Africa exhibit for example, the mobile phones will come alive with specific instructions prompting participants to conduct a mini treasure-hunt to look for a specific object within an animal enclosure. Taking a picture of the correct object will enable the children to access imbedded interactive content related to the specific animal at the exhibit. This includes fascinating video clips showing zebras escaping attacks, cheetahs running at top speed and rhinos marking their territories.

?We are very excited about introducing this first of its kind student experience which places great emphasis on real-life usage and interaction skills through the learning of the Chinese language. We are confident this digital generation of young people will appreciate the interactivity and rich content provided by this mobile trail. At the same time, we hope they will take away valuable lessons about wildlife and conservation while becoming proficient and comfortable users of the language,? said Ms May Lok, Director for Education, WRS.

 Currently, the programme is only available to school groups.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Singapore Zoo, Zoo, Singapore

View the original article here

Singapore and Ethiopian Airlines to Codeshare

From 1 November 2011, Singapore Airlines? customers will have the option of flying to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia?s capital city, through a codeshare agreement with future Star Alliance partner Ethiopian Airlines.

Under the agreement, SIA will add its ?SQ? code to Ethiopian-operated flights operating daily between Dubai and Addis Ababa. On a reciprocal basis, Ethiopian Airlines will add its ?ET? code to seven SIA-operated flights per week between Singapore and Dubai. SIA serves Dubai with 11 flights per week.

Ethiopian Airlines is currently working towards membership in the Star Alliance, which will enable Singapore Airlines? KrisFlyer members to accrue frequent flyer miles when travelling on Ethiopian?s flights. Ethiopian?s Sheba Miles members will also be able to accrue miles when travelling on SIA?s flights.

Tickets for the codeshare flights are now open for sale for travel from 1 November 2011.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, SIA, Singapore Airlines, Ethiopian Airlines, Singapore

View the original article here

TravelRave 2011 Opens in Singapore

TravelRave 2011, a mega travel and tourism festival, opens in Singapore today with a compelling programme of anchor events, content from new partners, and delegate representation from the entire spectrum of the travel and tourism industry.

?Last year was a significant year for Asia and the travel and tourism industry. This year, set against a challenging environment and a slowdown in international tourism, Asia has once again proved its mettle, growing at a healthy rate of five per cent for the first half of the year. It is becoming increasingly imperative for the different sectors of the travel and tourism industry to come together and discuss how to not only leverage this growth, but to sustain it in the future as well,? said Ms Aw Kah Peng, Chief Executive of the Singapore Tourism Board (STB). ?This year?s TravelRave will see the return of key events such as the Asia Travel Leaders Summit and ITB Asia, while delivering an exciting line-up of business events with new partners on-board.?

To be held from 17 to 23 October 2011, TravelRave 2011 will comprise six existing anchor events: the Asia Travel Leaders Summit, Web In Travel, Singapore Experience Awards, Cond? Nast Traveler World Savers Congress, ITB Asia, and Aviation Outlook Asia.

In testament to the strategic role that TravelRave plays in the Asian tourism industry, this year?s TravelRave also brings with it four new events: the UNWTO High Level Meeting in Asia, the Asia Pacific Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference 2011, the Cornell Hotel Society Asia Pacific Regional Meeting, and Asia for Asia ? a high level meeting of Asia?s MICE industry leaders.

Mr. Zubin Karkaria, Chief Executive Officer and Managing director of VFS Global Group, as well as Chairman of Kuoni for India and South Asia, said, ?When I heard of TravelRave and the Asia Travel Leaders Summit, I felt it was a great opportunity to make contact with like-minded individuals who had the same agenda to not only leverage but also sustain Asia?s growth. The bringing together of thought-leaders from across the sectors to collaborate and discuss the challenges and opportunities presented in the region will enable us to fully realize the potential of Asia?s travel and tourism industry.?

International partners and event organizers are also launching new and original content, furthering catalysing opportunities for investment in new tourism products, services and capabilities in Asia.

Questex Media Group will bring together hotel owners and investors to showcase distinctive opportunities for Asia. They will launch the Asia Pacific Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference 2011, a strategic half-day meeting that will lead up to the full-fledged International Hotel and Tourism Investment Forum (Asia Pacific) in 2012. The inaugural event will showcase distinctive opportunities for the Asia hotel travel and tourism investment sector.

ITB Asia, a main anchor event at TravelRave, will launch new dedicated forums including an Associations Conference and a one-day travel agent conference.

In addition, Travel + Leisure?s Luxury Travel Insights Paper and latest findings from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) on the Economic Impact of Business Travel will be shared for the first time at TravelRave 2011.

WTTC?s President and Chief Executive Officer David Scowsill, one of the distinguished speakers who has chosen to attend several TravelRave events as a delegate, said, ?TravelRave creates synergies across diverse travel and tourism sectors by locating related business events and gathering industry leaders who share best practices, expand business networks and set the stage for collaboration to leverage and sustain Asian?s tourism growth. I am delighted to take part and attend some very important events in the same city in only one week.?

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, TravelRave, Singapore

View the original article here

Singapore Airlines to Increase Beijing Flights

Singapore Airlines is to launch a fourth daily flight between Singapore and Beijing from 16 December 2011.

With the additional service, the airline will operate a total of 28 weekly services to and from the Chinese capital.

The new service, SQ806, operated with Airbus A330 aircraft, will depart Singapore Changi Airport at 19:10 and arrive at Beijing Capital International Airport the following day at 01:05.

The return flight, SQ807, will depart Beijing at 02:15 and arrive in Singapore at 08:55.

Executive Vice President Commercial, Mr Mak Swee Wah, said, ?We thank our customers for their continued support for our services on this popular route. This has encouraged us to add a fourth daily service to Beijing, providing travellers more options with flight timings to better suit their travel needs.? 

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, SIA, Singapore Airlines, Beijing, Singapore

View the original article here

Pan Pacific Appoints Hans Heijligers as AVP Operations - Singapore

Pan Pacific Hotels Group has appointed Hans Heijligers as Area Vice President, Operations ? Singapore.

Mr Heijligers will also helm ParkRoyal on Pickering, the flagship ParkRoyal hotel in Singapore when it opens in 2012.

 In his area role, Hans will be responsible for the financial performance and talent management for the five Pan Pacific and ParkRoyal hotels in Singapore, namely Pan Pacific Singapore, Pan Pacific Orchard, ParkRoyal on Beach Road, ParkRoyal on Kitchener Road and ParkRoyal on Pickering.

As General Manager of ParkRoyal on Pickering, he will oversee the opening and operations of the 363-room hotel, located at the key gateway of the Central Business District and bustling Chinatown.

With close to 30 years of hospitality experience that spans 10 countries and three continents, Hans, a Dutch national, has undertaken a breadth of management roles at leading hotel chains including Marriott, Hyatt and InterContinental in Amsterdam, Paris, Germany, Morocco, Indonesia, Kazhakstan and Johannesburg. His international experience also includes China where he was General Manager of the iconic Commune by the Great Wall ? a collection of prominent and modern architecture encompassing luxurious villas and upscale restaurants.

Prior to joining Pan Pacific, Hans spent three years with the Jumeirah Group, holding several key appointments including Area General Manager where he oversaw operations of new business hotels in Dubai. He was also concurrently the General Manager of Jumeirah Emirates Towers.

In his last appointment, Hans was Area General Manager for Opening Hotels in Middle East, where he successfully led the opening of six properties in the region.

ParkRoyal on Pickering

Slated to open in third quarter of 2012, ParkRoyal on Pickering will be the first property to feature all aspects of the refreshed ParkRoyal positioning, focusing on providing a modern, comfortable and supportive environment as well as creating local connections through ParkRoyal?s associates.

The 363-room hotel is poised to be one of Singapore?s greenest hotels. It features a hotel-in-a-garden concept with over 15,000 square metres of lofty skygardens, lush greenery and sustainable facilities. Other facilities include a dedicated wellness floor with a day spa, a 300m nature trail and waterfall walk, an expansive pool terrace, a state-of-the-art gymnasium, a business centre with full secretarial services as well as a rooftop bar offering spectacular 360-degree views of the city skyline.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, FFP, Inflight, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Free Deals, Interviews, Videos, Pan Pacific, Singapore, Vice President

View the original article here