RITZ
TOURS launched a new high-end tour series for 2006 called
the Premiere Series. The series upgrades Ritz' standard series,
called the Deluxe Series, by upgrading hotels and inclusions. While
the Deluxe series used five star hotels, the Premiere series will
use "the best hotels in every city," according to Evan Chan, Ritz'
director, such as the InterContinental Grand Stanford in Hong Kong,
the St. Regis in Shanghai, the Sheraton in Guilin and the Sofitel
in Xian. What were optional extras in the Deluxe Series are
standard inclusions in the Premiere, Chan said. The series will
premiere with four programs. Three are upgraded Deluxe programs:
upstream and downstream Yangtze River programs for $3,499 and
$3,599 per person, double, respectively, and a 13-night China
Panorama tour priced from $2,899 per person, double. The fourth,
meanwhile, is an all-new 16-night Tokyo & China Highlights tour
starting from $3,399 per person, double. Ritz reservations line is
(800) 900-2446. Its Web address is www.ritztours.com.
SWAIN
TOURS will debut two group tours of Southeast Asia for
2006. The 13-night Vibrant Asia includes Hong Kong; Singapore; Siem
Reap, Cambodia; and Chiang Mai and Bangkok, Thailand. The land
price starts at $2,400 per person, double, including 14 breakfasts,
five lunches and three dinners. Swains 11-night Insiders Vietnam
with Bangkok begins in Bangkok, followed by a trip through Vietnam,
including Halong Bay, Hoi An, Danang, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City. The
price starts at $1,830 per person, double, land only; included are
12 breakfasts, three lunches and one dinner. For more information,
call (800) 22-SWAIN or log onto www.swaintours.com.
THE WORLD
TOURISM ORGANIZATION (WTO) said it plans to meet with
officials of the World Health Organization (WHO) to work on ways to
prevent the threat of avian flu slowing tourism. WTO
Secretary-General Francesco Frangialli warned against "unnecessary
scaremongering that can slow tourism and hurt economies. He urged
governments and media to act responsibly to avoid creating a repeat
of the SARS scare. The objective of our meeting with the WHO is to
help the tourism industry to be better informed and prepared, said
Frangialli. Our message is not to overreact or panic, but at the
same time not to underestimate the problem."
PACKAGE
DEAL: In preparation for a closing at the end of the year
for renovations, the Mandarin Oriental, Hong Kong is offering a
promotional two-night package for couples including a champagne
welcome, accommodations in a Deluxe Harbour View Suite, a Mandarin
Oriental bathrobe, a Tiffany Box, roundtrip limousine transfers and
en-suite breakfast for two. The package is priced $2,530 and is
valid through Dec. 28. For more information and to make bookings,
log onto www.mandarinoriental.com.
COLLETTE
VACATIONS will launch a 14-night tour of Japan and China
beginning in April 2006. Its the companys first foray into Japan,
though it has offered some China trips before. The trip begins in
Osaka, Japan, and includes sightseeing in Kyoto and Tokyo. From
there passengers will fly to China and visit Hong Kong, Guilin,
Xian and Beijing, with sightseeing highlights such as the Great
Wall and Tiananmen Square. The price starts at $2,899 per person,
double occupancy, land only. For bookings, call (800) 832-4656; for
more information, see www.collettevacations.com.