PENINSULA
HOTELS will launch a global customer-service center on
April 1. The center will be available through toll-free numbers and
will be staffed with people trained to assist customers with
reservations, customer-service inquiries and hotel information in
English, Japanese, Cantonese and Mandarin. The global telephone
number is (852) 2926 2888; the center can be reached by e-mail at
[email protected].
OUTRIGGER
HOTELS & RESORTS signed a management deal for its
first hotel in southeast Asia, a 98-suite resort on Legian Beach in
Bali, between Kuta Beach and Seminyak. The $35 million property is
slated for a 2006 opening. The hotel will feature two swimming
pools, a beachfront restaurant, a cafe and bars, a business center
and massage and fitness facilities. For more information, visit www.outrigger.com.
E.E.I.
TRAVEL rolled out a series of packages to Thailand,
leading with a five-night air-inclusive Bangkok package starting at
$679 per person. The package includes roundtrip air, roundtrip
airport transfers, daily breakfast, hotel taxes and service charges
and a City & Temples tour. The price holds from April 1 through
May 20, then jumps to $809 until June 6. From June 7 to Sept. 4,
the price is $989. Then on Sept. 5, it drops down again to $679
through Oct. 25. Purchase deadlines vary. Other packages for
Thailand from E.E.I. include an eight-night Bangkok and Hua Hin
package from $1,039; a six-night Bangkok-Tokyo package from $1,059;
and a six-night Hong Kong-Bangkok package from $1,089. Prices are
per person, double, and listed for Los Angeles departures. Other
gateways are available. Book at www.eeitravel.com or call (800)
927-3876.
VIRGIN
VACATIONS unveiled the Taste of the South Pacific package,
which includes visits to Nadi, Fiji; Auckland, New Zealand; and
Sydney, Australia for a starting price of $1,949 per person,
double. Included are roundtrip air from Los Angeles; roundtrip
airport-hotel transfers in Nadi; air connections between Fiji,
Auckland and Sydney; a four-night stay in Nadi; four nights in
Auckland and four nights in Sydney; all hotel and service charges.
Other departure gateways across the U.S. are available. New York,
Washington and West Palm Beach are in the highest price bracket at
$2,389. The price is valid for bookings completed by April 8 for
travel between April 26 and August 26. See www.virgin-vacations.com or call (888) OK VIRGIN or
(888) 937-8474.
AMERICAN
AIRLINES will sponsor the U.S. Pavilion at World Expo 2005
in Aichi Prefecture, Japan March 25-Sept. 25. With 120 countries
participating, the event is expected to draw 15 million visitors to
Japan. For American Airlines it will be a good chance to showcase
its new nonstop route from Chicago to the new Central Japan
International Airport, which serves Nagoya in Aichi. AAs new
Chicago-Nagoya service will begin April 3. For more information on
World Expo 2005, see www-1.expo2005.or.jp/en/index.