news to use ASIA
Tourism Update HONG KONG AIRLINES
Wendy Wu adds Burma
GERARD CLARKE General Manager, UK Hong Kong Airlines We are on track
for a successful launch this month and have finalised arrangements to greet our inaugural flight from Hong Kong to London on March 8. My team and I have settled nicely
into our fantastic new office at Tower 42 in the city – we’ve got superb views and are perfectly positioned right in the heart of the central business district. You may have also heard that we
have been working with Michelin- star chef Jason Atherton to create our in-flight menu. Jason is the perfect partner for
Hong Kong Airlines and has earned some serious critical acclaim since opening his Pollen Street Social restaurant in London last year. We are extremely confident with
the dining concept he has created on board and we are sure you will agree that it fits with our Club Class operation superbly. Receiving delivery of our first all
Club Class configured Airbus A330-200 last month was another landmark achievement. The aircraft, the first of three
ordered just for this route, and its crew were greeted in Hong Kong by our President, Mr Yang Jian Hong. We look forward to showcasing
the product to you as we know you will be impressed with the levels of space and the atmosphere on board. As our new service launches,
we would be delighted to hear some feedback. For those of you choosing to
travel with us over the coming months please do get in touch. You can contact our dedicated
team on 0844 371 8393, or myself at
gerard.clarke@
hkairlines.com
10 March 2012 •
www.sellinglonghaul.com
Tourism Update PATA UK
Have you read our Far East Travel Trade Guide 2012?
And did you get snapped at our Thai Smile Quiz Night? Check out all our latest guides and coverage of this vibrant region by regularly revisiting
www.sellingLongHaul.com
CHRIS LEE Chairman PATA UK Chapter There is often a
‘bookings hangover’ in February and after such a strong January things are, not surprisingly, quieter. For the rest of the year, the big unknown is the 'Olympics Effect'. I see my friends at Thai Airways
Wendy Wu Tours has launched its
first fully-inclusive tour to Burma (Myanmar). The 13-day ‘Burma Explorer’ tour includes a full day’s sightseeing in the historical capital city of Rangoon (now named Yangon), the 11th and 12th century pagodas and temples in Bagan, Taung Kalat Buddhist monastery near Mount Popa, and two days in the country’s second city, Mandalay, where highlights include the Mahamuni Pagoda,
Golden Palace Monastery and the Kuthodaw Pagoda. Also included is the Mahaghandayon
Temple Amarapura, which is the home to several thousand young monks, and a visit to the U Bein Bridge (pictured), a 1.2km wooden footbridge which is the longest teak bridge in the world. Prices start from £2,390pp including
flights to Yangon with Malaysian Airlines.
www.wendywutours.co.uk
Bamboo has thirst for Laos Bamboo Travel has a 12-day Escape
to Laos itinerary, leaving the UK on April 3, which takes in Boun Pimai Lao (Lao New Year Festival), from April 13-16. The itinerary is based on three-star
hotels and highlights include three nights in Luang Prabang, an exploration of the northern provinces by boat, a two-night stay at Nong Khiaw, kayaking on the Nam Song River at Vang Vieng
ASIA IN BRIEF
Bhutan numbers on the rise UK visitors to Bhutan last year
reached a record level. Over 37,481 international visitors visited in 2011, a 38% increase from 2010. Of those 2,795 were British. Key draw cards include adventure and culture such as trekking, mountain biking, archery, yoga and spa facilities.
www.tourism.gov.bt
Taiwan has new Ambassaador Ambassador Hotel Ltd has
launched its first budget hotel in Taiwan’s capital, Taipei. Located in Ximending, a trendy shopping neighbourhood in downtown Taipei adjacent to many cultural highlights, the Amba Taipei Ximending has an average room rate of around £68 per night.
www.ambassadorhotel.com.tw
PNG gets a UK foothold Lee Travel Consulting has been
appointed to establish a regional office in London for The Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority. The company will build trade awareness of assets like bird watching, diving, fishing in unspoilt rivers, trekking and bushwalking.
www.papuanewguinea.travel
issued an amazing ‘Olympic getaway’ airfare a couple of weeks ago, just one of a number of initiatives that PATA members are taking to boost those tougher shoulder travel months of May and June. Our PATA Exchange, scheduled
for March 12, has attracted a record number of buyers to meet our superb line-up of sellers. This year is PATA UK's 50th
anniversary and we will shortly be releasing a new calendar of events featuring some industry favourites – such as Taste of PATA, in London, which this year we will duplicate in at least one other major city. We are also introducing a PATA
and a stay in the capital, Vientiane. Prices start from £1895 pp (two sharing) which includes international flights, nine nights’ B&B (plus one lunch), road transfers, private tours and private English-speaking guide/drivers. A highlight of the celebrations will be
the ‘washing away of bad luck from last year’, symbolised by the squirting of water over bystanders. 020 7720 9285;
www.bambootravel.co.uk
party, in both the summer and at Christmas, where we invite you to come and have a drink with us – that’s social networking at its best! Full details of all our activities for
the coming year can be found on our website from April 1. And don't forget, UK travel agents
can join PATA UK for FREE and receive our bi-monthly e-newsletter.
www.pata.co.uk; 020 8877 4527.
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