VICTORIA
CRUISES plans to realign its fleet in preparation for the
addition of its seventh ship in April 2006, the Victoria Anna. The
Anna will have the largest passenger capacity (308) and most suites
of Victorias Yangtze River cruisers, according to the company. Anna
will have 154 cabins, including 16 junior suites, four deluxe
suites and two Shangri-La suites. Anna will replace the Victoria
Star on the Three Gorges Highlights program, which travels from
Chongqing to Yichang and back. The Star will be moved to the
Chongqing-Shanghai route. The smaller Victoria Rose, which has been
on the Chongqing-Shanghai route, will be moved to the
Chongqing-Yichang route.
ALSO, Victoria Cruises renewed its
exclusive arrangement to provide Yangtze cruises for Uniworld.
Uniworld was sold last year to the Travel Corp., which also owns
Trafalgar Tours, Contiki Holidays, Insight Vacations and Red
Carnation Hotels. A major operator of European river cruises,
Uniworld has operated its Yangtze river program through Victoria
for nearly a decade, according to Uniworlds vice president of sales
and marketing, Scott Franey.
THE
AUSTRALIAN STATE OF VICTORIA (home of Melbourne) composed
a steering committee to begin creating a 10-year program for the
development of tourism in the state. The steering committee is
comprised of people with tourism knowledge from around the country,
said Victorias minister for tourism and major events John
Pandazopoulos. Were going to pick their brains about where we need
to be in the next 10 years and well be working with government to
achieve that. The plan will include specifics on building the
infrastructure, protecting the environment, attracting and
encouraging investment and making tourism a larger part of the
economy. The ministry is also increasing its efforts to market
Victoria in the U.S.
ACCORDING TO
A STUDY completed by Visa Asia Pacific for the World
Tourism Organization (WTO) Emergency Task Force, there has been a
significant drop in international travel to the areas affected by
Decembers tsunami in Asia. According to
the report, 30% of travelers who were planning to visit Asia said
they were deterred by the disaster. The majority said they lacked
sufficient information about health and sanitation
issues.
OBEROI
HOTELS & RESORTS is trying to boost business in its
Indonesia properties with an Unforgettable Experiences package for
the Oberoi, Bali and the Oberoi, Lombok that includes a 20%
discount on the room rate, plus airport transfers, daily
continental breakfast and fresh fruit delivered to the room daily.
The discounted prices range from $199 per night for a gardenview
room to $655 per night for the Royal Villa with private pool. Rates
are subject to an 11% government tax and 10% service charge. The
package is valid through July 20. For information or to book, call
(800) 6-OBEROI; e-mail [email protected]beroius.com or visit the Web site at www.oberoihotels.com.