Budget Tour Packages

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Interview with the CEO of Six Senses Resorts & Spas

This week the Conde Naste Traveler 2010 World Savers Congress took place for the first ever time outside of the United States of America.

Held on 20 October 2010 at Suntec Singapore, the event attracted some of the top travel and tourism related CEOs from around the world. In this HD video ASIA Travel Tips.com interviews Mr Sonu Shivdasani, the CEO and Chairman of Six Senses Resorts & Spas.

The one-day congress, discussed initiatives to limit the environmental impact of tourism, and to improve the health, education and economic well-being of communities worldwide.

ASIA Travel Tips.com will have a lot more from the World Savers Congress plus some of the Press Conferences from ITB Asia as well as interviews with Mr. Dennis Pinto the MD of Micato Safaris, as well as Mr. Lee Tabler - CEO of Tourism Development and Investment Company, Abu Dhabi.

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Sofitel Luxury Hotels Expanding Portfolio in Asia Pacific

Sofitel Luxury Hotels has unveiled plans to expand its network across Asia Pacific, with the addition of eight new hotels. The hotels which will open in 2010-2011, include:

? Sofitel Dongguan Humen Oriental (China - August 2010)
? Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra (Cambodia - December 2010)
? Sofitel Guangzhou Sunrich (China - Spring 2011)
? Sofitel Qingdao Garden (China - Spring 2011)
? Sofitel Mumbai BKC (India - Spring 2011)
? Sofitel Shanghai Jing?an (China - Spring 2011)
? Sofitel Bangkok Sukhumvit (Thailand - Fall 2011)
? Sofitel So Bangkok (Thailand - Fall 2011)

Commenting on the rapid expansion of Sofitel Luxury Hotels in South East Asia and India, Christophe Caron, Vice President of Sofitel Luxury Hotels South East Asia and India said, ?Sofitel Luxury Hotels has gained momentum and recognition in the region. With four new hotels between 2010-2011 in South East Asia and India, as well as two more under development in India in 2012 (namely Sofitel Mumbai Muland and Sofitel So Mumbai), Sofitel Luxury Hotels will further reinforce its strong positioning for both leisure and business travelers.?

Since the announcement three years ago of its move upscale, more than 80 hotels have left the Sofitel Luxury Hotels network from the original count of over 200 hotels. Together with the introduction of two sister brands, Sofitel Legend in 2009 and Sofitel So in 2010, Accor believes that Sofitel Luxury Hotels is now in a strong position to surpass expectations of those that are looking for the ultimate in luxury.

?The French origin is in our brand DNA,? explained Markland Blaiklock, Senior Vice President of Sofitel Luxury Hotels Asia Pacific. ?We enhance the experience with our know-how complimented by our French connections and the best of local culture. This is apparent in the importance we place on design, working with world renowned designers and integrating elements of the local culture.?

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Tiger Airways to Launch Double Daily Flights to Jakarta

Tiger Airways is to launch a second daily flight on its popular Jakarta-Singapore route, with flights beginning from 11 January 2011.

Tiger Airways announced in July that it had won additional rights to operate a second daily service to Jakarta in the distribution of limited traffic rights by Singapore?s Air Traffic Rights Committee (ATRC). This decision was appealed by a competitor airline but the original decision to award the rights to Tiger Airways has now been upheld.

Rosalynn Tay, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore, said, ?We are looking forward to serving twice the number of passengers on our popular Jakarta-Singapore route. With twice the number of flights, we will be even better placed to bring down fares for tourists and business travellers flying between these two important ASEAN capitals.?

The additional flights are now on sale from as low as Sin$20 plus taxes, for travel between 11 January and 30 September 2011. Terms and conditions apply.

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StayWell Appoints Jason Dowd as GM of Park Regis Singapore

Australia-based StayWell Hospitality Group (SWHG), one of Asia Pacific?s largest independently owned hotel management companies, has appointed Jason Dowd as General Manager of the Park Regis Singapore.

The 203-room hotel located in the heart of downtown Singapore is scheduled to open before year-end and will be the brand?s first property to open in South East Asia.

Jason, an Australian national with more than a decade of hospitality industry experience, joins Park Regis Singapore from SWHG?s head office in Sydney where he was Group Operations Manager overseeing properties in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania for five years. Prior to joining SWHG, Jason was with Australian owned Constellation Hotel Group where he held several senior executive positions in various regional resorts.

?Park Regis Singapore will be our first property in Southeast Asia and marks the start of our expansion strategy across the region. To introduce the brand into Singapore, we needed a strong leader with an excellent track-record. Jason?s extensive hospitality industry experience will play a major role in successfully positioning the hotel as a preferred choice of stay for both business and leisure travellers,? said Simon Wan, CEO, SWHG.

Park Regis Singapore will be within easy reach of Singapore?s vibrant entertainment and dining hubs such as Clarke Quay, Boat Quay and China Town. It will also be close to Raffles Place, Singapore?s commercial hub. Perched along the Singapore River, the hotel will also offer views of the city and is a five minutes? walk away from Clarke Quay MRT train station.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Interviews, Free Deals, Videos,, StayWell, Park Regis, Jason Dowd, GM, General Manager, Singapore

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New General Manager @ Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel

Mr. Christophe Geoffroy has been appointed as the new General Manager of the 612-room Novotel Suvarnabhumi Airport Hotel.

Christophe Geoffroy started his hotel career in 1989 as Chef de Rang at Hotel Tahiti Beachcomber in Polynesia. His career eventually brought him to Accor with the Ibis Hotels in France as Executive Assistant Manager in charge of Food & Beverages. In 1995, Christophe embarked for Asia as the Resident Manager opening Novotel Toraja as well as Novotel Benoa Bali in Indonesia.

At the age of 31, Christophe became General Manager of the Novotel Vientiane in Lao P.D.R. and then shifted to work in Accor?s Shanghai Head Office on re-branding projects. As a Resident Manager and General Manager, Sofitel Hyland Shanghai, Novotel Century Harbourview in Hong Kong, and Sofitel Dongguan Royal Lagoon, in China, were his last three hotels before moving to Thailand for the first time.

Mr. Christophe Geoffroy graduated with a Brevet de Technician Hotelier from the Hotel & Tourism School in Marseille, France, specializing in Hotel Management, in 1987.

?Passion and love are two things I have both for the hotel industry and my job, which is now entering its 21st year. I?m glad to be in Thailand and I trust that my expertise, leadership and commitment to excellent guest service will fit in well at the Novotel Suvarnabhumi. I aim to grow and improve customer services as well as set a complementary overall strategy for the owner and Accor,? said Mr. Geoffroy.

See other recent news regarding: Airlines, Airports, Awards, Flights, Codeshare, Lounges, First Class, Business Class, MICE, GDS, Rewards, Miles, Hotels, Apartments, Promotions, Spas, Yoga, Retreat, New Hotels, Traffic, Visitor Arrivals, Cruises, Interviews, Free Deals, Videos, Accor, Novotel, Suvarnabhumi, Christophe Geoffroy, GM, General Manager, Airport Hotel

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DIA to Participate in FAA Pilot Program

The Federal Aviation Administration has awarded Denver International Airport four grants ? totaling more than $5.6 million ? for airport improvement projects.

DIA will use these funds for taxiway rehabilitation, construction of a deicing containment facility, data collection for the FAA?s Airport Geographic Information System and to fund a study that will help establish sustainability management guidelines for U.S. airports.

DIA?s Planning and Development Division, Environmental Services Section, has received a $600,000 grant from the FAA to participate in a pilot program aimed at developing a stand-alone Sustainability Management Plan. The plan is intended to create a road map for incorporating sustainability principles in the airport planning process, making it a focal point of facility management.

This guide to strategic airport planning will help further define sustainability principles within the industry - emphasizing the consideration of social, environmental, and economic impacts of the programs implemented - and will help airports to ensure their initiatives are economically viable.

?Denver International Airport is a model of sustainability, and we?re delighted to be included in the environmental practices pilot program, as it will tackle a big question: how does an airport develop an environmental program that is economically sustainable?? said Kim Day, Manager of Aviation at DIA. ?This grant will further our commitment to safety and ecological responsibility within our community. We are very appreciative of our partners at the FAA who, by this grant, are recognizing our leadership in environmental stewardship and our firm and demonstrated commitment to reducing our environmental impacts.?

?It is our goal to incorporate environmental, economical and social sustainability components into all aspects of the airport?s business and operations functions through the development of an integrated Sustainability Management Plan,? added Janell Barrilleaux, Director of Environmental Programs at DIA.

DIA will receive three additional FAA grants for airport improvement projects, including:

? $1,415,250 to construct a deicing containment pond, which will increase the operational efficiency of the airport?s deicing fluid facility;

? $2,279,439 for the rehabilitation and reclassification of three taxiways, and a safety project that will widen shoulder areas and allow larger aircraft to land at the nation?s fifth-busiest airport;

? $1,325,000 for the collection and identification of airport data that will be used for the FAA?s Airport Geographic Information System (GIS) a program that advances mapping and traffic planning at U.S. airports.

Denver International Airport is the 10th-busiest airport in the world, and the fifth-busiest airport in the United States. With 50 million passengers traveling through the airport each year, DIA is one of the busiest airline hubs in the world?s largest aviation market. DIA is the primary economic engine of the state of Colorado, generating more than $22 billion for the region annually.

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Absolute Hotel Services signs U Hotel in Doha, Qatar

Thailand-based Absolute Hotel Services is expanding its U Hotels & Resorts brand with the signing of its first hotel in Doha, Qatar.

The 120-room U Le Mirage Doha, which is scheduled to open in August 2011, will feature 78 superior rooms, 36 deluxe rooms and 6 suites with room sizes ranging from 33 square meters for superior rooms to 66 square meters for suites.

Each room will offer guests luxury bedding with deluxe amenities including a LCD flat screen television, a comfortable lounge area, wired and Wi-Fi internet access along with a work desk fitted with an iPod and iDocking station.

U Le Mirage Doha will also feature a 24-hour multi ethnic restaurant, a caf? with a deli and an exquisite roof top lounge.

Guests have the option of keeping fit in a state of the art fitness centre with views of the Doha skyline or simply unwinding in the pool which has an outdoor Jacuzzi. Guests can also relax and rejuvenate at the traditional spa facility equipped with two single en-suite treatment rooms, a Turkish bath, sauna, an indoor plunge pool, Jacuzzi and a Vichy shower treatment room.

The hotel caters for meetings and social events with 280 square meters of floor area allocated specially for three meeting rooms and a boardroom. A fully equipped business centre with a library will be located adjacent to the meeting rooms providing guests the convenience of PC stations and internet access.

?We are delighted to announce the expansion of the U Hotels & Resorts brand into the Middle East. Doha is an alluring blend of culture and contemporary lifestyle which aligns perfectly with our brand essence. We are confident U Le Mirage Doha will be an iconic flagship marking the commencement of our aggressive expansion into the region. In the near future, we will be announcing four new hotels under the U Brand umbrella for the region? said Mr. Jonathan Wigley, CEO of Absolute Hotel Services Co. Ltd. ?U le Mirage Doha will be very popular with those who seek character, convenience, efficiency and uncomplicated services in a hotel; yet want to be inspired and cared for by genuine hospitality. Our unique brand attributes and services namely the 24 hours use of the room, breakfast whenever wherever, free Wi-Fi and more will be some of the many key demand and differentiating drivers for this beautifully designed hotel. Undoubtedly, U Le Mirage, Doha will prove itself to be the quintessential business and social destination for the city of Doha.?

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