SOUTH
KOREAS IMPERIAL PALACE HOTELS said it agreed to build a
hotel in the Philippines, becoming the first South Korean hotel
chain to build a property outside the country. The agreement with
Manilas BXT Corp. calls for the construction of a 668-room hotel on
Mactan Island in the central part of the Philippines by October
2007. The South Korean hotel company will manage the 15-story
hotel, which will be built by BXT Corp. Imperial Palace officials
said the agreement to expand outside South Korea is part of a
long-term plan to internationalize the brand.
PACIFIC
DELIGHT WORLD TOURS partnered with Victoria Cruises to
offer a 17-night Majestic China and Yangtze River Gold Experience
package priced from $6,593 per person, double. The package includes
an upstream cruise between Yichang and Chonqing and hotel
accommodations in Beijing (Grand Hyatt), Shanghai (St. Regis
Hotel), Xian (Sofitel Hotel), Guilin (Sheraton Guilin) and Hong
Kong (InterContinental Hong Kong). Included is roundtrip air from
Los Angeles, flights within China, a five-day Yangtze River cruise
with Victoria Cruises in a junior suite with a balcony and most
meals. For information or reservations, call (800) 221-7179 or
visit www.pacificdelighttours.com.
SHANGRI-LA
HOTELS AND RESORTS and jet charter operator Skyjet
International joined forces to offer packages for leisure and
business customers at the Island Shangri-La Hotel in Hong Kong. The
partnership is a first between a private jet operator and a hotel
in Asia, according to Skyjet and Shangri-La. Packages are the Two
Exclusive, a three-night getaway for leisure customers and Sky
Summit, a three-night program for business clients. Packages
include travel in a Bombardier jet, airport transfers in a Rolls
Royce, suite accommodations, a chauffeured tour of Hong Kong and
private dinner at the hotel, among other things. For prices or
information, call Island Shangri-Las Sky Ambassador at (852)
2820-8314 or e-mail [email protected].
QANTAS
AIRWAYS has discounted its popular Aussie AirPass, with
fares starting at $999 roundtrip from Los Angeles or San Francisco.
The sale is available for purchase through April 13 and is valid
for travel from April 1 to June 30. The AirPass includes roundtrip
service between the U.S. and Australia in coach, plus a choice of
four cities out of 20 participating destinations within Australia.
Add-on fares are available from many U.S. cities, including Boston;
Chicago; Denver; Dallas; Las Vegas; Miami; Newark; New York;
Phoenix; Portland, Ore.; San Diego; San Jose, Calif.; St. Louis;
Seattle; and Washington. For information or to book, call (800)
227-4691 or visit www.qantas.com/us.
AMERICAN
AIRLINES will begin daily nonstop service between Chicago
and Shanghai on April 2. The flights will depart Chicago at 11:05
a.m. and arrive at Shanghais Pu Dong Airport at 2:15 p.m. the
following day, local time. On the return, flights depart Shanghai
at 4:25 p.m., arriving in Chicago at 5 p.m. of the same day, local
time. American will use a Boeing 777-200 aircraft on the route.
Through June, frequent flyer members on American can register at
www.aa.com/aadvantage to earn an additional 15,000 miles for first-
or business-class seats on the new route or 7,500 miles on certain
economy fares.