Travel website Et-china.com is offering three- five- or eight-day business packages to Australia from China. With prices ranging from $US$784 to US$1,787 per person, the package includes round trip Boeing 777 service from Baiyun International Airport in Guangzhou to either Sydney or Melbourne and either single or double room overnight accommodations. Hotels in Sydney include The Manhattan Park Inn International, The Furama Hotel Central; or The Carlton Crest Hotel or Hotel Enterprises in Melbourne. Package flights depart from Guangzhou every Wednesday, Sunday and Saturday. Return airline tickets are valid for 35 days and additional overnight accommodation is available in Sydney and/or Melbourne. All prices quoted include Travel Accident Insurance, but exclude airport hotel transfer charges or taxes. Details: tel: (86-20) 8755-4676; fax: (86-20) 8755-6870; email: Jenny.luo@et-china.com; website: www.et-china.com.
Discounts to Die For
Travellers who stay at participating Marriott, Renaissance and Courtyard hotels in the Asia-Pacific can enjoy up to 70% off hotel rates inclusive of breakfast. And those paying with Visa will be entitled to an additional 10% discount. To get the special rates, travellers must book in advance and quote "VWRP" when they book. More than 40 hotels from Australia, India, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam and China, including Hong Kong, are participating in the promotion. In addition, Marriott Rewards members can earn three airline miles for every US$1 spent, which adds up to more than double miles for any two-night stays or more. For more information email: hkres@marriott.com.
Flower Power
Asia Miles is offering members the chance to earn miles when they buy flowers or gifts. The first partner in this new mileage category is The Wicker Express, one of Asia's largest independent florists. Asia Miles members can now earn five miles for every HK$8 (US$1) they spend with the florist. Hong Kong-based Wicker Express is a member of Interflora, meaning customers can place online orders for flowers and gifts anywhere in the world for delivery to 154 countries. To earn miles, members must quote their membership number when they make a purchase. Members should keep their invoices and receipts as proof of purchase. The miles will be automatically credited in four to six weeks. Asia Miles can be earned on any transaction between HK$300 and HK$10,000. Members can also earn miles if they use a credit card from an Asia Miles partner. For more details see: www.asiamiles.com.
New HK-Danang Route
A new twice-weekly direct service is to be launched linking Hong Kong with Vietnam's gateway city of Danang. It is the first regular scheduled service between the two destinations since before the Vietnam War and is expected to dramatically increase tourism to central Vietnam from Hong Kong. The new twice-weekly service, operated by Vietnam-based Pacific Airlines, departs Hong Kong for Danang on Friday and Monday at 8am, and returns from Danang to Hong Kong on Sunday and Thursday at 7.30pm. To coincide with the launch of these direct flights the Furama Resort Danang, located on famous China Beach, is offering a series of inclusive packages through to December 31, 2001. For reservations tel: (84-511) 847-888; email: furamadn@hn.vnn.vn.
New Route For Virgin
Virgin Atlantic will launch non-stop scheduled services between London and Toronto from summer 2001. Daily flights will operate between Gatwick and Toronto's Lester B Pearson International Airport using a Boeing 747 aircraft. This will be configured with 28 Upper Class seats, 36 Premium Economy and 358 in Economy.
HK Nets Passengers
Hong Kong Airport now has four Internet lounges with wireless Internet access, the first of eight to be installed on either wing of the food court, directly past Immigration in the Airside Departures level. In addition to free, high-speed broadband Internet access, users can enjoy unrestricted access to the world wide web, access to email services, and real time news and financial news. The new lounges feature nine flat-screen PCs. Passengers equipped with their own laptop computers can connect to the Net in the terminal building with wireless LAN access recently installed by Pacific Century CyberWorks (PCCW). Simply insert a PC-LAN card into the computer to connect to the Internet. Various charges apply and frequent users can join PCCW's monthly subscription plan.
ANA Joins Skywards
All Nippon Airways (ANA) has become an airline partner in Skywards, Emirates Airlines' frequent flyer program. Emirates connects at Singapore, Bangkok and Mumbai with ANA services to Tokyo and Osaka, and offers through check-in to ease the way for customers changing flights. As with other airline partners British Airways, South African, Continental and United, Skywards members earn one mile for every mile in Economy on ANA, with a 25% bonus if they fly ANA Business Class and 50% for First Class. Redemptions on ANA start at 20,000 miles for flights with Japan and are available right across its network.
Meeting Treat
The Renaissance Riverside Hotel Saigon in Ho Chi Minh City is offering special meeting packages to corporate accounts. The Grand Me Linh Room, located on the first floor, offers seating for up to 136 guests for a sit-down banquet and up to 200 for a cocktail reception. The room can be divided into three smaller, self-contained sections, each sound-proofed for greater privacy. State-of-the-art audio-visual communications technology and meeting accessories are available. Rates start at US$7 per head for a half-day meeting package (including one coffee break) or a coffee break and lunch for US$15. Full-day packages are US$12 (with two coffee breaks) or US$ 18 (with two coffee breaks and lunch). All rates are subject to a US$5 service charge and 10% value added tax.
Super Savers
Le Méridien Hotels & Resorts, is offering savings of up to 50% off published room rates at more than 125 city and resort hotels in 55 countries. The hotel chain's "Le Passport" winter promotion is on offer until March 31. Le Méridien is also offering passengers travelling with any of its 20 airline partners the opportunity to earn 2,000 miles per stay (with conditions) - based on a minimum two-night stay - during the promotion period. Reservations in Hong Kong: (852) 2366-9996; Tokyo: (81-3) 5276-2611; and Singapore: (65) 788-0055.