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
Wednesday 9 November 2011
Qatar Airways to Increase Flights to Iran; Launch Isfahan Service
Qatar Airways is to increase capacity across its network in the Islamic Republic of Iran, and will launch daily scheduled flights to a fourth city ? the central Iranian city of Isfahan.
An additional 31 flights each week will be operated by the Doha-based airline between the State of Qatar and Iran, representing an 150% increase in overall frequency.
The capacity rise to 52 services a week, up from the current 21, will be phased in over a four-month period, starting 1 December 2011.
The capital Tehran will be served with an additional daily flight; Iran?s second largest city of Mashhad is to get nine extra flights; Shiraz, the economic centre of southern Iran, will be given eight new flights; and, starting 11 January 2012, services will begin to Isfahan in central Iran.
Shiraz: 8 new flights ? currently twice-weekly, rising to daily, effective December 1, and a further three flights introduced each week from March 2012.
Isfahan: new route ? daily flights from 11 January 2012.
Mashhad: 9 new flights ? from the current five flights-a-week to 14 services (double daily), beginning March 2012.
Tehran: 7 new flights ?.from the current 14 flights each week (double daily) to 21 services (thrice-daily), beginning March 2012.
All flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in Economy.
Qatar Airways began flying to Iran in 2004 with the launch of services to Tehran. Flights to Mashhad started the following year, with Shiraz introduced to the network almost five months ago.
Isfahan, home to textile and steel mills and located on the country?s main north-south and east-west crossroads, is the heartbeat of central Iran?s economy. With fine historic Islamic architecture, palaces and tree-lined wide boulevards, the city is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Middle East.
?Almost five months ago, Qatar Airways introduced the Iranian city of Shiraz to our network. We have been working with the authorities in Iran for increased capacity across the country and delighted to have reached agreement to make this announcement,? said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. ?Additional flights will ultimately benefit passengers travelling to and from Iran and with our large international network of destinations, we facilitate travel with more ease, more flexibility and more choice, particularly for the large Iranian expatriate community around the world.?
So far this year, Qatar Airways has launched flights to 12 cities worldwide ? Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Stuttgart (Germany), Aleppo (Syria), Shiraz (Iran), Venice (Italy), Montreal (Canada), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Kolkata (India), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Oslo (Norway).
Three further routes are planned during November alone ? to the Libyan port city of Benghazi from 1 November 2011; Ugandan city of Entebbe effective 2 November 2011; and the central Chinese city of Chongqing on 28 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, Qatar Airways, Qatar, Doha, Isfahan, Iran
An additional 31 flights each week will be operated by the Doha-based airline between the State of Qatar and Iran, representing an 150% increase in overall frequency.
The capacity rise to 52 services a week, up from the current 21, will be phased in over a four-month period, starting 1 December 2011.
The capital Tehran will be served with an additional daily flight; Iran?s second largest city of Mashhad is to get nine extra flights; Shiraz, the economic centre of southern Iran, will be given eight new flights; and, starting 11 January 2012, services will begin to Isfahan in central Iran.
Shiraz: 8 new flights ? currently twice-weekly, rising to daily, effective December 1, and a further three flights introduced each week from March 2012.
Isfahan: new route ? daily flights from 11 January 2012.
Mashhad: 9 new flights ? from the current five flights-a-week to 14 services (double daily), beginning March 2012.
Tehran: 7 new flights ?.from the current 14 flights each week (double daily) to 21 services (thrice-daily), beginning March 2012.
All flights will be operated by Airbus A320 aircraft in a two-class configuration of 12 seats in Business Class and 132 in Economy.
Qatar Airways began flying to Iran in 2004 with the launch of services to Tehran. Flights to Mashhad started the following year, with Shiraz introduced to the network almost five months ago.
Isfahan, home to textile and steel mills and located on the country?s main north-south and east-west crossroads, is the heartbeat of central Iran?s economy. With fine historic Islamic architecture, palaces and tree-lined wide boulevards, the city is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the Middle East.
?Almost five months ago, Qatar Airways introduced the Iranian city of Shiraz to our network. We have been working with the authorities in Iran for increased capacity across the country and delighted to have reached agreement to make this announcement,? said Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer, Akbar Al Baker. ?Additional flights will ultimately benefit passengers travelling to and from Iran and with our large international network of destinations, we facilitate travel with more ease, more flexibility and more choice, particularly for the large Iranian expatriate community around the world.?
So far this year, Qatar Airways has launched flights to 12 cities worldwide ? Bucharest (Romania), Budapest (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Stuttgart (Germany), Aleppo (Syria), Shiraz (Iran), Venice (Italy), Montreal (Canada), Medina (Saudi Arabia), Kolkata (India), Sofia (Bulgaria) and Oslo (Norway).
Three further routes are planned during November alone ? to the Libyan port city of Benghazi from 1 November 2011; Ugandan city of Entebbe effective 2 November 2011; and the central Chinese city of Chongqing on 28 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, Qatar Airways, Qatar, Doha, Isfahan, Iran
Tuesday 8 November 2011
Korean Air Offers Aid to Flood Victims in Thailand
Korean Air is providing 60 tons of relief goods, including 54,000 liters (36,000 1.5-liter bottles) of mineral water and 60,000 cups of noodles, to flood victims in Thailand.
The first relief goods were delivered to Bangkok via the KE653 flight from Seoul/Incheon on 31 October 2011 and the rest will be transferred through Korean Air?s regular scheduled flights with timing dependent on the situation in Thailand and flight schedules.
Once the relief goods arrive in Bangkok, they will then be handed over to the Thai government for distribution via the Korean embassy in Bangkok.
Due to the devastating flood in Thailand, which started in July, more than 8 million civilians are estimated to have been affected so far and more than 600,000 workers have lost their jobs as industrial areas have been flooded.
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, Korean Air, Bangkok, Floods
The first relief goods were delivered to Bangkok via the KE653 flight from Seoul/Incheon on 31 October 2011 and the rest will be transferred through Korean Air?s regular scheduled flights with timing dependent on the situation in Thailand and flight schedules.
Once the relief goods arrive in Bangkok, they will then be handed over to the Thai government for distribution via the Korean embassy in Bangkok.
Due to the devastating flood in Thailand, which started in July, more than 8 million civilians are estimated to have been affected so far and more than 600,000 workers have lost their jobs as industrial areas have been flooded.
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, Korean Air, Bangkok, Floods
SkiJapan Launches Four Free Nights Promotion
Up to four nights free accommodation is being offered to skiers and snowboarders who visit Niseko, Japan, during the coming northern hemisphere ski season.
Inbound tour operator SkiJapan.com is making the free nights offer for accommodation between 17 December 2011 and 2 March 2012 as an incentive for skiers to travel to Niseko, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first ski lift opening in the area.
Now with 61 ski runs and 30 lifts in the four-resort area, including a new high-speed gondola that opens this year, Niseko attracts more than 20,000 foreign skiers and snowboarders each season, making it one of the leading ski destinations outside Europe and North America.
The SkiJapan.com 'Free Nights Frenzy' package applies to its self-contained apartments and provides four nights free accommodation for visitors who pay for ten nights. Those paying for seven nights receive three free nights, while five paid nights receives two free nights and four paid nights receives one night free.
"Niseko was completely unaffected by the earthquake in March and is more than 600 kilometres away from the affected area on Honshu," said SkiJapan.com general manager, Marcus William. "Being situated on the northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko, its businesses and people have not been directly affected."
Nevertheless, as an extra assurance, SkiJapan.com is offering customers staying in selected properties an 100% money-back guarantee if their clients' home government raises a 'Do Not Travel' warning and they are forced to cancel within thirty to seven days of their scheduled arrival date in Niseko.
Another option is for Niseko visitors who do not wish to travel through Tokyo to fly via Hong Kong, from where there are direct connections to Sapporo on Cathay Pacific.
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, Niseko, Ski, Japan
Inbound tour operator SkiJapan.com is making the free nights offer for accommodation between 17 December 2011 and 2 March 2012 as an incentive for skiers to travel to Niseko, which this year celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first ski lift opening in the area.
Now with 61 ski runs and 30 lifts in the four-resort area, including a new high-speed gondola that opens this year, Niseko attracts more than 20,000 foreign skiers and snowboarders each season, making it one of the leading ski destinations outside Europe and North America.
The SkiJapan.com 'Free Nights Frenzy' package applies to its self-contained apartments and provides four nights free accommodation for visitors who pay for ten nights. Those paying for seven nights receive three free nights, while five paid nights receives two free nights and four paid nights receives one night free.
"Niseko was completely unaffected by the earthquake in March and is more than 600 kilometres away from the affected area on Honshu," said SkiJapan.com general manager, Marcus William. "Being situated on the northern island of Hokkaido, Niseko, its businesses and people have not been directly affected."
Nevertheless, as an extra assurance, SkiJapan.com is offering customers staying in selected properties an 100% money-back guarantee if their clients' home government raises a 'Do Not Travel' warning and they are forced to cancel within thirty to seven days of their scheduled arrival date in Niseko.
Another option is for Niseko visitors who do not wish to travel through Tokyo to fly via Hong Kong, from where there are direct connections to Sapporo on Cathay Pacific.
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, Niseko, Ski, Japan
Marriott Signs New JW in Bahrain
Marriott has signed a management agreement with Khaleejcapita B.S.C. for a new JW Marriott hotel in Bahrain.
The JW Marriott Manama, Bahrain Hotel is scheduled to open in 2016. The hotel will have 274 rooms and suites and 102 residences in Bahrain Bay, adjacent to Bahrain Financial Harbour and opposite the diplomatic quarter.
The 50-story hotel tower is part of Bahrain Bay, a $2.5 billion development master planned by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The project is designed by renowned architect Yousif Daoud Al Sayegh and Associates who designed the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman (Winner of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council?s first Estidama Sustainability Award 2008).
?The JW Marriott Bahrain will be a spectacular addition to the Bahrain Bay development,? said Mr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Rabban chairman of Khaleejcapita B.S.C. ?Bahrain has an under supply of luxury 5-star hotels and we are confident that the project will be a great success?, he added. He also explained that this project represents the first entry for the group in the hospitality field and that there are many other hotel and resort projects in the pipeline for Bahrain and Qatar.
The development has a prime business location and will also cater to the thriving fine dining market in Bahrain, with five luxury restaurants.
The hotel will have an executive lounge with ocean view; one casual and five specialty restaurants; four lounges, including a lobby lounge and bar, a pool bar, quiet bar and rooftop lounge/bar; and 17,119 square feet of meeting space.
Recreational facilities will include a health and leisure club and spa, indoor and outdoor pool, tennis and squash courts.
?Our currently open hotels in Bahrain, the Marriott Executive Apartments and The Ritz-Carlton, have been tremendously successful, and we believe that this JW Marriott Manama is ideally located for a luxury hotel in Bahrain?s commercial and financial center,? said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of International Lodging for Marriott International. ?Our JW Marriott brand is reserved for select luxury hotels in key gateway cities around the world, and Bahrain is certainly one of these.?
The JW Marriott Manama Bahrain Hotel will be the first JW Marriott property in Bahrain and the fifth JW Marriott hotel in the Middle East/Africa region. Marriott International will also open a 78-unit Residence Inn by Marriott in 2012 and the 318-room Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Island Hotel in 2013.
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, Marriott, JW Marriott, Bahrain
The JW Marriott Manama, Bahrain Hotel is scheduled to open in 2016. The hotel will have 274 rooms and suites and 102 residences in Bahrain Bay, adjacent to Bahrain Financial Harbour and opposite the diplomatic quarter.
The 50-story hotel tower is part of Bahrain Bay, a $2.5 billion development master planned by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill. The project is designed by renowned architect Yousif Daoud Al Sayegh and Associates who designed the Six Senses Hideaway Zighy Bay, Oman (Winner of the Abu Dhabi Urban Planning Council?s first Estidama Sustainability Award 2008).
?The JW Marriott Bahrain will be a spectacular addition to the Bahrain Bay development,? said Mr. Abdul-Aziz Al-Rabban chairman of Khaleejcapita B.S.C. ?Bahrain has an under supply of luxury 5-star hotels and we are confident that the project will be a great success?, he added. He also explained that this project represents the first entry for the group in the hospitality field and that there are many other hotel and resort projects in the pipeline for Bahrain and Qatar.
The development has a prime business location and will also cater to the thriving fine dining market in Bahrain, with five luxury restaurants.
The hotel will have an executive lounge with ocean view; one casual and five specialty restaurants; four lounges, including a lobby lounge and bar, a pool bar, quiet bar and rooftop lounge/bar; and 17,119 square feet of meeting space.
Recreational facilities will include a health and leisure club and spa, indoor and outdoor pool, tennis and squash courts.
?Our currently open hotels in Bahrain, the Marriott Executive Apartments and The Ritz-Carlton, have been tremendously successful, and we believe that this JW Marriott Manama is ideally located for a luxury hotel in Bahrain?s commercial and financial center,? said Ed Fuller, president and managing director of International Lodging for Marriott International. ?Our JW Marriott brand is reserved for select luxury hotels in key gateway cities around the world, and Bahrain is certainly one of these.?
The JW Marriott Manama Bahrain Hotel will be the first JW Marriott property in Bahrain and the fifth JW Marriott hotel in the Middle East/Africa region. Marriott International will also open a 78-unit Residence Inn by Marriott in 2012 and the 318-room Renaissance Bahrain Amwaj Island Hotel in 2013.
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, Marriott, JW Marriott, Bahrain
SIA Names its New Low Cost Airline Scoot
Singapore Airlines has unveiled that the name of its new low cost airline will be Scoot Airlines.
SIA first announced that it would launch a new low cost airline in May of this year.
The new airline will compete directly with AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of the hugely popular Malaysian low budget airline AirAsia, as well as other low cost long haul airlines in the region.
Operations are expected to begin within the next six months, though no firm date has been fixed. The airline is wholly owned by Singapore Airlines, but will be operated independently and managed separately from SIA.
Scoot will use Boeing 777-200 aircraft, but more details of its branding, terminal to be used, products, services, and exact route network have not yet been revealed.
SIA first announced that it would launch a new low cost airline in May of this year.
The new airline will compete directly with AirAsia X, the long haul affiliate of the hugely popular Malaysian low budget airline AirAsia, as well as other low cost long haul airlines in the region.
Operations are expected to begin within the next six months, though no firm date has been fixed. The airline is wholly owned by Singapore Airlines, but will be operated independently and managed separately from SIA.
Scoot will use Boeing 777-200 aircraft, but more details of its branding, terminal to be used, products, services, and exact route network have not yet been revealed.
Starwood Launches Online Ratings and Reviews
Starwood is now inviting guests to contribute ratings and reviews directly on its hotel websites.
In a recent survey, nearly 85% of Starwood Preferred Guest members said they find value in consumer ratings and reviews on travel sites.
The open forum gives travelers a place to share and search for genuine hotel reviews ? both the positive and the negative says Starwood ? so they can plan their ideal hotel stay.
Taking authenticity a step further, Starwood is also making sure all comments are from guests who actually stayed at the hotel. Reviews are verified by a hotel reservation confirmation.
?Our goal is to provide everything a guest needs to select and book their best hotel experience and there?s no better place to offer this information than on our own websites,? said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President, Starwood Preferred Guest. ?Starwood?s new ratings and reviews platform provides a valuable new way for guests to learn from the experiences of fellow travelers.?
Guests can now post ratings and reviews based on a variety of criteria including: Overall Rating, Room Comfort, Staff Met My Needs, Room Cleanliness and SPG Recognition.
Helping to create a more personalized experience, guests can also filter review content to see the information that is most relevant to them including: Star Rating, Purpose of Travel, Frequency of Travel, SPG Level, Above/Met Expectations and Below Expectations.
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, Starwood
In a recent survey, nearly 85% of Starwood Preferred Guest members said they find value in consumer ratings and reviews on travel sites.
The open forum gives travelers a place to share and search for genuine hotel reviews ? both the positive and the negative says Starwood ? so they can plan their ideal hotel stay.
Taking authenticity a step further, Starwood is also making sure all comments are from guests who actually stayed at the hotel. Reviews are verified by a hotel reservation confirmation.
?Our goal is to provide everything a guest needs to select and book their best hotel experience and there?s no better place to offer this information than on our own websites,? said Chris Holdren, Senior Vice President, Starwood Preferred Guest. ?Starwood?s new ratings and reviews platform provides a valuable new way for guests to learn from the experiences of fellow travelers.?
Guests can now post ratings and reviews based on a variety of criteria including: Overall Rating, Room Comfort, Staff Met My Needs, Room Cleanliness and SPG Recognition.
Helping to create a more personalized experience, guests can also filter review content to see the information that is most relevant to them including: Star Rating, Purpose of Travel, Frequency of Travel, SPG Level, Above/Met Expectations and Below Expectations.
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, Starwood
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)