World Hotel Travel Blog

Amadeus, a global leader in technology and distribution solutions for the travel and tourism industry, and Rail Europe 4A, the leading distributor of European Rail worldwide, have partnered to increase the reach of Rail Europe’s European railway products and offer Amadeus travel agencies unparalleled pan-European rail content.

Amadeus will connect Rail Europe’s content through the Amadeus Selling Platform – the company’s travel agency point of sale. Travel agents will be able to book European rail segments productively and as a complement to the travellers’ journey using a merge of the booking information with the customer’s PNR (Passenger Name Record), making this just as easy to integrate as any of the airline, car or hotel products available.

The addition of Rail Europe’s extensive rail content – high speed trains, scenic trains, night trains, rail passes (including Eurail), to quote but a few – enlarges the travel agent’s opportunity for additional revenue. Offering rail segments as part of their customers’ trip improves the quality of the travel agent’s service by providing specialized travel – such as rail passes which are very popular among leisure travellers visiting Europe – or providing convenient point to point travel combinations by adding high speed rail segments for short haul trips within Europe. Read the rest of this entry »

The DestinAsian-Asia’s Travel Magazine, The parent company of several subsidiaries operating in the media and publishing sectors, based in Jakarta – Indonesia. They checked and selected 39 hotels to join their annual roundup of Asia-Pacific’s most notable debuts. Read the rest of this entry »

Demand for long-term stay apartments for business travelers has grown tremendously within the past few years in Asia and the weakened global economy has increased its popularity among families and leisure guests. Sukhumvit Park, Bangkok – Marriott Executive Apartments that opened this week is an example of how the long-term stay category has evolved and developed to accommodate the needs of this market segment by expanding food and beverage services, increasing recreational facilities and improving design and amenities within the units.

“Our units offer more space than deluxe rooms at five star hotels, while providing the same convenience and services,” said Richard Wallace, general manager of the property. “Our pre-arrival consultation assists guests with temporary relocation logistics such as transportation and private phone numbers, while our restaurants and other facilities keep everyone happy and entertained throughout their stay, both short-term and long-term.”

The property is under a long-term management agreement between Marriott International and KS & Sons Company Limited. The director of sales is Chompoonut Suntornpong. A special introductory rate per night for longer term stays for a studio room starts at 2,100 THB++, a one bedroom suite at 2,400 THB ++, a one bedroom apartment at 2,600 THB ++ and a two bedroom apartment at 3,400 THB ++. The rates are valid until March 31, 2010.

In the vicinity of major Bangkok landmarks such as Queen Sirikit Convention Center, Grand Palace, Chatuchak weekend market, Jim Thomson House and the Erawan shrine, Sukhumvit Park, Bangkok – Marriott Executive Apartment is located in the prime hotspot of town that allows for convenience in work commute and sightseeing.

The 300-unit property consists of studio rooms, one-bedroom suites and one, two, three bedroom apartments. High speed internet service along with spacious work areas and a fully equipped business center support enhanced efficiency and productivity. In addition to a gourmet kitchen, upgraded bathroom and luxurious bedding, the units are laid out to accommodate all types of guests. Read the rest of this entry »

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited will introduce the new route, Phuket – Hong Kong effective 25 October 2009 onwards.

Mr. Pruet Boobphakam, THAI Executive Vice President, Commercial Department, said THAI will start to operate a direct flight, Phuket – Hong Kong from 25 October 2009 onwards to support passenger’s demand on this route, where there is high demand for travel in early 2010.

The new route Phuket – Hong Kong is expected to earn revenue for THAI in the new upcoming winter traffic program (October 2009 – March 2010), with 3 flights per week operating on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, utilizing Airbus 330-300 aircraft with seat capacity of 305 seats (42 on Royal Silk Class and 263 on Economy Class). The return flight routed Hong Kong – Phuket will also operate on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, as follows:

Phuket – Hong Kong: Flight No. TG 638, Departure Time(Local Time) 13.15 hrs, Arrival Time(Local Time) 17.45 hrs, Days of Operation: Wednesdays Fridays Sundays
Hong Kong – Phuket: Flight No. TG 609, Departure Time(Local Time) 08.00 hrs, Arrival Time(Local Time) 10.20 hrs, Days of Operation: Wednesdays Fridays Sundays Read the rest of this entry »

On Sunday 25 October, Finnair moved to its winter schedule. The route selection has been expanded through winter flights to Istanbul, and changes have also
been made on other individual routes.

The Istanbul route will now be flown in the winter season for the first time – with a schedule of up to four flights per week. The morning flight to Rome, on
the other hand, is withdrawn from the schedule for the winter.

Finncomm Airlines’ flights to Stuttgart, which operated with a Finnair flight number, have come to an end with the start of the winter season. Finncomm will
begin flights with a Finnair flight number to Vilnius as of 16 November.

The long-haul Tokyo route will be supplemented with the addition of a fifth weekly flight due to increased demand.

The Phuket, Thailand leisure route will be flown for the first time with Finnair’s own Airbus aircraft three times per week. The popular Bangkok route
will also receive a second daily flight. Read the rest of this entry »

Thailand’s third JW Marriott-branded property will open on November 1, 2009 in Phang Nga province under a long-term management agreement between Marriott International and Cherfah Company Ltd.

The 298-room JW Marriott Khao Lak Resort & Spa is located on a lushly-landscaped site along a one kilometer stretch of pristine Khuk Khak Beach. It is one of only two internationally-branded luxury resorts in the market. Its guest rooms are arranged in four main primary wings, perpendicular to the beach and provide spectacular views of the resort’s two sprawling lagoon-like swimming pool areas and grounds. Phuket International Airport, which serves 17 international destinations with nonstop service daily, is an hour’s drive away. Read the rest of this entry »

IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group) today announced that it has signed an agreement with Leisure Holidays Private Limited (LHPL), a Hotel Properties Limited (HPL) Group company, to takeover on 1 November 2009 and re-brand Kandooma Maldives to Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma.

Holiday Inn Resort Kandooma is the first Holiday Inn Resort in the Republic of Maldives, and will be the second Holiday Inn property in the Republic to carry the look-and-feel and service standards of the refreshed Holiday Inn brand.

LHPL, the owning company of Kandooma Maldives, is a subsidiary of HPL. HPL is listed on Singapore Exchange Limited (SGX), and its principal businesses include hotel ownership and management, property development and investments. Read the rest of this entry »

Best Western International has launched an accelerated drive to open new hotels and resorts in major cities and tourist destinations throughout Vietnam.

Eyeing Vietnam’s fast-growing tourist arrivals, with 5 million visitors expected in 2010, The World’s Largest Hotel Chain plans to take its Vietnam portfolio from 729 rooms currently to 2,050 rooms within 2012.

“Our aim is to have a hotel in all the key areas across the country to serve sharply growing demand from both business and leisure travelers,” said International Development Manager – Asia, Mr. Rashane Sala-Ngarm. Read the rest of this entry »

The first new-built Holiday Inn hotel opens today in Pattaya, Thailand. The 367-room property, which features the new look-and-feel, service and quality facilities of the new Holiday Inn brand, is located along the popular Beach Road in North Pattaya. All guest rooms and suites offer sweeping views of the Pattaya Bay, featuring spacious ocean-facing balconies and full wireless internet access.

In addition, the hotel is only a 90-minute drive from the Suvarnabhumi Airport and a 120-minute drive from central Bangkok, making it an ideal location for both business and leisure travellers. Read the rest of this entry »

The inaugural Singapore Airlines A380 service bound for Melbourne, the capital city of the Australian state of Victoria, took off from Singapore Changi Airport last evening and touched down at Melbourne Airport early this morning.

With 453 customers on board the 471-seat double-decker aircraft, SQ227 departed Singapore at 2100hrs and arrived in Melbourne at around 0545hrs this morning, 25 minutes ahead of schedule. The A380 will embark on its return journey with over 450 customers on board, departing Melbourne at 1550hrs and touching down in Singapore at 2140hrs.

Melbourne is the second Australian city and sixth city in Singapore Airlines’ network to receive the A380. Singapore Airlines currently operates 21 weekly flights between Singapore and Melbourne, including the daily A380 service. Read the rest of this entry »