TOUR
OPERATORS who had planned to take groups to the Arirang,
or Grand Mass Gymnastic and Artistic Performance, in North Korea
watched the fruits of their labors dissolve instantly as the
government of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea canceled the
event. The cancellation was attributed to the effects of severe
flooding that has reportedly left several hundred dead or missing,
thousands homeless and massive damage to infrastructure and the
harvest. A planned mobilization to deal with the crisis took
precedence over the countrys showcase event. The Arirang,
originally scheduled for select dates from August through October,
is a spectacular event featuring 100,000 gymnasts, synchronized
dancers in brilliant costumes bathed in colored lights and people
who hold up colored placards in the stands, becoming pixels in
gigantic images. With the cancellation of the event, North Korea
revoked its temporary exception to its rule against issuing visas
to Americans. Tour operators are now busy putting together their
plans B, in hopes of persuading their clients to still take the
trips as scheduled, though theyll no longer include North Korea.
KEMPINSKI
HOTELS signed an agreement with Okan Holdings, one of the
largest real estate development companies in Kazakhstan, to manage
two properties there. The first property will be a 230-room hotel
in Almaty, Kazakhstans largest city. Scheduled to open in 2008, the
hotel will be part of a mixed-use complex that will feature
apartments, a 19-story office tower and a 486,000-square-foot
shopping mall. A second hotel, also scheduled to open in 2008 in
the capital, Astana, will be part of a mixed-use development that
will include a shopping center and towers housing office and
residential space. One tower will include an all-suite hotel on the
top floors targeting extended-stay business travelers.
RAFFLES
HOTELS & RESORTS reopened the Raffles Beijing Hotel
after a nine-month, multimillion-dollar renovation. Established in
the 1900s, the hotel is noted for its French-Orient colonnade
facade, brass-bedecked doors and lofty interiors. The renovation
included the hotels 171 guest rooms and suites; four restaurants
and bars; and meetings space. The Raffles Beijing Hotel is located
at the crossroads of Chang An Avenue and the Wangfujing shopping
district. For information or reservations, visit www.raffles.com.
ORIENT-EXPRESS HOTELS agreed to acquire the
Pansea Hotels Group for $25 million, marking a major expansion into
Southeast Asia. The deal adds to Orient-Express roster six
properties in Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Indonesia. The
move accelerates a buyout that was contemplated in 2004 when
Orient-Express Hotels made a convertible loan to Panseas parent
Hosia, with a buyout option to be exercised in 2009.
THREE
SHANGRI-LA PROPERTIES in Beijing -- China World Hotel,
Shangri-La Hotel Beijing and Shangri-La Kerry Center Hotel -- are
offering tours that enable visitors to explore the citys
architectural, cultural and shopping scenes. For example, the
Shangri-La Hotel Beijing offers the Ultimate Chinese Experience
tour that includes a calligraphy class, a tai chi lesson, a tour of
the pagodas in West Beijing led by a Buddhist monk and a visit to
the Houhai district that includes a meal with a local family. The
program includes two nights in a deluxe room, daily breakfast and
roundtrip airport transfers. The cost is $605 per person, double,
through July 31, 2007. For information or reservations, visit www.shangri-la.com.
Asia-Pacific Editor:
Jorge
Sidron
Phone: (973) 898-0011
[email protected]
For promotional
opportunities in the E-letters, contact [email protected].