THE PACIFIC
ASIA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION (PATA) published its listing of
international visitor arrivals in Asia Pacific destinations for
third-quarter 2005. In terms of the growth of arrivals numbers over
the same period in 2004, the top five countries in the region were
Vanuatu (+50.9% growth), Cambodia (+41.7%), Lao Peoples Democratic Republic (+23.8%), Nepal (+23.8%) and Macau (+19.1%). Sixteen of the
37 destinations reported double-digit arrivals growth. The 37
destinations collectively gained 9.1% with 6.6 million additional
international arrivals. Only two destinations reported double-digit
losses: the Maldives (-25.6%) and Tonga (-21.5%). For more
information, see www.pata.org.
THE HOTEL
DE CRILLON in Paris will serve as the inspiration for a
new chain of luxury hotels slated to open in several major cities
around the world under the Crillon brand name. The luxury chain is
the brainchild of the Starwood Capital Group, an investment
management firm headed by Barry Sternlicht, the former CEO and
founder Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide. Plans for the
Crillon chain could include opening properties in such Asia-Pacific
destinations as Tokyo, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, New Delhi and
Mumbai. The chain is also expected to encompass resort destinations
in the Far East. The hotels will include serviced residences, and
amenities including dining options, fitness centers and
spas.
VICTORIA
CRUISES is kicking off the Year of the Dog with discounts
on its Yangtze River cruises, bringing the prices down 40% from
regular rates. The four-day Chongqing-Yichang downstream trip and
the five-day Yichang-Chongqing upstream trip are both priced from
$450 per person, double, in a standard cabin, including
accommodations, meals, entertainment and on-board lectures. The
eight-day roundtrip Chongqing-Yichang-Chongqing trip is priced from
$800 per person, double, in a standard cabin with the same
inclusions as above. The prices are valid for departures through
mid-March. Call (800) 348-8084; e-mail [email protected]; or go to www.victoriacruises.com.
THE
INTERCONTINENTAL HONG KONG completed construction on what
it calls the largest Presidential Suite in Hong Kong, ringing in at
7,000 square feet and costing $2.5 million to build. The suite
features five bedrooms; a duplex living room with two-story glass
windows that look onto Victoria Harbor; a private study; a
kitchenette; a 2,500-square-foot wrap-around terrace; a rooftop
infinity pool and Jacuzzi, also overlooking the harbor; and a
private gym. The room rate is about $11,183 per night, which
includes 24-hour butler service, roundtrip airport limo
transportation, access to Club InterContinental and wireless
broadband Internet access. Bookings can be made for stays Jan. 31
and beyond by e-mailing [email protected]. For more
information on the hotel, call (888) IC-HOTELS or visit www.hongkong-ic.intercontinental.com.