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Pacific Delight Tours released its “2009-2010 China & Asia Experience” brochure in tandem with the news of a new preferred partnership with Ritz-Carlton that affords Luxury Gold Experience and Luxury Gold Exclusive tour participants accommodations at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton Beijing and Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai. Additionally, all Gold Exclusive travelers are now upgraded to higher room categories in hotels and on Yangtze River cruises aboard Victoria Cruises Premier Series Fleet.

The new 84-page brochure details many of Pacific Delight’s Asia products, including both categories of the fully-escorted Gold tours, offering the very best in accommodations, sightseeing and cultural experiences: the Luxury Gold Exclusive program, limited to just 16 participants; and Luxury Gold Experience, designed for 26 travelers.

The brochure also details the company’s extensive Yangtze River cruising program, a tour component that is available on most programs: China & Asia SuperValue tours, offering some of Asia’s most popular destinations and sightseeing opportunities, at affordable prices; China & Asia Escapades packages, combining classic Asian cities with culturally-wealthy destinations such as Tibet and Japan; pre- and post options to Tokyo, Tibet, Vietnam and Bangkok among others; and City Highlights packages, allowing travelers to custom design vacations, choosing from among numerous leading Asian cities.

For the 2009-2010 season, Pacific Delight’s Luxury Gold Exclusive and Luxury Gold Experience packages call at China’s most intriguing cities, including Beijing, Xi’an, Shanghai, Guilin and Hong Kong, combined with luxury cruises on the Yangtze River. The 15-day Grand Yangtze River & Huangshan Mountain Gold Experience package actually traverses the river’s longest navigable length, providing guests the opportunity to embark on an excursion to Huangshan Mountain, celebrated for its spectacular rock formations, unusually shaped pines, hot springs and sea of clouds.

The programs also emphasize culinary experiences that blend Chinese and Western meals, including a Beijing Duck dinner party, a feast in Xi’an featuring the Empress Dowager’s favorite dumpling and a Tang Dynasty dinner banquet with traditional music and dance performances. Gold Exclusive guests enjoy junior suites with private balconies aboard Victoria Cruises’ Victoria Anna and Victoria Jenna, a la carte dining and small group shore excursions. Escorted throughout by knowledgeable, bi-lingual Pacific Delight tour guides, these top-shelf offerings range from 13 to 16 days, with prices for Gold Exclusive tours at $4,990 to $6,590 per person, double, and Gold Experience packages from $2,999 to $4,999.

China & Asia SuperValue programs boast deluxe hotels throughout; outside cabins on Victoria Cruises ships; daily breakfast and most lunches and dinners. In addition to eight, 11-, 12-, 16- and 18-day programs to China, some with the Yangtze River, there is the six-day Tokyo & Kyoto program; 11-day Japan In-Depth package; 17-day Thailand & the Golden Triangle; 14-day Visions of Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia trip; and 11-day Hong Kong, Singapore & Bangkok vacation — all with sightseeing, special cultural activities and performances. Land and land/cruise packages range from $1,299 to $4,499.

The China and Asia Escapade packages — the company’s mid-range product level — comprise a 14-day Japan & China package; a 15-day Tibet and Yangtze River itinerary; and a 17-day Asian Escapade program combining Hong Kong, Beijing, Xi’an, Guilin, Shanghai and Bangkok. Land and land/cruise packages are $3,199 to $3,899. City Highlight packages, where guests mix and match destinations, include upstream and downstream Yangtze River cruises; and cities such as Beijing, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Guilin, Hangzhou, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Suzhou, Yangshuo, Xi’an and Lhasa (Tibet). Other Asian possibilities are Tokyo and Vietnam; Cambodia’s Angkor Wat; and Thailand’s Bangkok, Chang Mai, Chang Rai and Phuket.

 Prices depend on the choices made for the personally designed vacations.

All programs feature pre-confirmed hotels; Asia domestic air/land transportation, most meals, sightseeing, local tour escort, fuel surcharges, hotel taxes, service charges and baggage handling. Pacific Delight offers special airfare to China and Asia from the U.S. on United Airlines, Delta/Northwest Airlines, Continental Airlines, Cathay Pacific Airways and Air China. Pacific Delight Tours is the market leader in escorted and independent tours to China, the Orient and Southeast Asia.

For information, call 800-221-7179 or visit www.PacificDelightTours.com

EVA Air initiated daily charter service to mainland China and added Hangzhou and Shenzen to an existing network that includes Beijing, Guangzhou and Shanghai. The new service began on Dec. 15. EVA serves its newest destinations by flying non-stop from Taoyuan International Airport to Hangzhou and from Taipei’s close-in Sung Shan International Airport to Shenzhen.

Launching Its First Asia Dedicated Brochure

NOVEMBER 2008: QANTAS HOLIDAYS (Tel 020 8222 9124 www.qantasholidays.co.uk) to date most closely identified for its comprehensive holiday options to Australia and New Zealand supported by an extensive range of stopovers, has produced its first Asia dedicated brochure featuring Thailand, Vietnam & Cambodia, Singapore, Bali & Lombok, Malaysia, Hong Kong & China, Japan and India.

The Asia brochure opens with several multi-centre holiday ideas, demonstrating the colourful options this continent has to offer. This section is ideal for the independent traveller seeking ideas and inspiration as each itinerary is totally flexible and has been designed as a template that can be changed depending on individual requirements.

The brochure, which is also available to download on-line from the website, offers something for everyone – beach getaways, cultural experiences, action & adventure and sheer pampering & indulgence – all within a wide range of budget options, from best value to luxury.

Commenting on the new brochure, Esther Ward, Qantas Holidays’ market development manager, says:” Historically we have promoted Asia only as a stopover destination for our Australia and New Zealand itineraries, but over the years our product range has increased to such an extent that an individual brochure was the natural next step allowing us to present our customers with an extensive range of exciting options, considerable availability, great prices and special offers.

“With over 30 years experience, and being one of the world’s largest tour operators, we are able to use our knowledge and buying power to great effect, passing on great savings to our customers, offering them not only an excellent service and great choice, but also value for money.”

MULTI-CENTRE HOLIDAY IDEAS INCLUDE:

SINGAPORE & MALAYSIA DISCOVERY – 11-night Singapore/Langkawi itinerary from £769.
Highlights include a one day “Footsteps of Raffles” tour tracing Singapore’s development as an international trading centre and Langkawi island hopping, whilst activities include snorkelling, scuba diving, wildlife spotting and shopping.

DISCOVER THE CHARMS OF THAILAND & VIETNAM – 14-night Bangkok/Hua Hin/Hanoi / Halong Bay itinerary from £965.
Highlights include a tour of the Bangkok Grand Palace home to one of the Wonders of the World - the Temple of the Emerald Buddha; a visit to Ho Chi Minh’s residence; a wide range of pampering spa and world class golfing options; a water puppet performance and an overnight cruise on a wooden junk.

For travellers wishing to create a totally bespoke itinerary, the brochure goes on to provide detailed information, country by country, providing touring and accommodation options for cities and regions alike.

THAILAND is comprehensively covered in this programme with 26 pages devoted to must see destinations as well as off the beaten track options located within the “Hidden Gems of Thailand” section. Accommodation highlights include:

KAMALAYA, KOH SAMUI: a deluxe, yet affordable luxury resort located on a secluded part of the island offering an impressive selection of wellness packages.
THE ALEENTA RESORT, PHANG NGA: this stylish hideaway is the ideal choice for travellers seeking a romantic escape option.
DE NAGA, CHIANG MAI: this new, contemporary hotel in northern Thailand provides excellent value for money.
CHANDRARA RESORT & SPA, PHUKET: an intimate, secluded boutique resort overlooking the waters of Por Bay on the north east coast.
MERLIN BEACH RESORT: ideal for families, facilities include a kids’ club and a small secluded beach close to Patong.

The 12-night SPIRIT OF THAILAND itinerary is priced from£579 and features Bangkok, Chang Mai and Koh Samui.

BALI & LOMBOK offers visitors an extensive range of hotel and resort options whilst activities include white water rafting, volcano tours, reef cruising and pure pampering. Accommodation highlights include:

CONRAD BALI RESORT & SPA: set in secluded gardens on a lagoon, this contemporary retreat boasts amazing spa facilities.
PITA MAHA RESORT & SPA: this hideaway haven located in the hills of Ubud is ideal for travellers wanting an authentic Balinese experience.

VIETNAM is showcased in the 21-day VIETNAM GRAND EXPERIENCE itinerary priced from £1,413 which starts in Ho Chi Minh City and ends three weeks later in Hanoi. Meanwhile for travellers wishing to go further covering VIETNAM & CAMBODIA one option is the small, personally escorted 14-day two-centre group tour highlighting the best of both countries. This trip starts in Phnom Penh and ends in Hanoi and is priced from £1,755.

MALAYSIA - all the country’s key destinations are featured including Kuala Lumpur, Penang, Langkawi and Borneo. A holiday suggestion of note is the three-night, four-star LAZE IN LANGKAWI package featuring the Berjaya Beach Resort & Spa from £159.

HONG KONG – great offers include “pay for three, stay for four nights” at the Hotel Jen; buy one get one free Hong Kong Island tour and from the renowned Peninsula hotel a HK$300 gift certificate for spa
treatment between May and September.

CHINA can best be explored on a 10-day BEST OF CHINA tour that travels from Beijing to Shanghai and covering all the key sights. Prices start from £1,368.

JAPAN can best be explored on a eight-day JAPANESE JOURNEY tour which includes Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Hakone and Kyoto and is priced from £1,250.

INDIA – touring highlights include the 16-day FORTS & PALACES OF RAJASTHAN tour which includes 10 different cities incorporating the Taj Mahal, Amber Fort and lakes of Udaipur and costs £1,575.

PRICES above include accommodation, meals as specified in each itinerary and transfers. They are exclusive of international flights.

To celebrate the opening of Shangri-La’s Far Eastern Plaza Hotel, Tainan in Southern Taiwan on Nov. 22, 2008, the hotel is offering a special introductory package, “A Rising Star in a Historical City.” Available to Jan. 23, 2009, rates start at NT $3,300 single occupancy and NT $3,800, double occupancy for a deluxe room, based on availability.

The hotel, at 38 stories tall, has 336 guestrooms with an average size of 538 square feet. The exclusive Horizon Club, featuring 51 guestrooms and suites, offers guests a host of special amenities and privileges such as express check-in and check-out, club lounge for daily breakfast and evening cocktails, and meeting facilities. Café at Far Eastern, the hotel’s all-day dining restaurant, features international cuisine at interactive cooking stations and an open kitchen within a 14-story atrium.

The Lobby Lounge and Mezzanine Bar serve refreshments and beverages. Foo Num Court will feature a 360-degree panoramic view of Tainan city and specialize in Huaiyang, Cantonese and Taiwanese cuisine when it opens in December 2008. The spa offers guests a wide range of massages and treatments in six treatment rooms. There is an extensive range of fitness equipment at the hotel’s health club, as well as a large aerobics room offering guests a choice of classes.

The hotel offers a variety of multifunctional meeting and banquet venues, including the pillar-free, 11,572-square-foot Far Eastern Grand Ballroom and the only circular, theater-style auditorium in Tainan.

A professional service team ensures that all events are successful.

For more information and reservations, call the hotel at (886 6) 702 8899, or e-mail reservations.sltn@shangri-la.com.

For more information on Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, visit www.shangri-la.com

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s Meet East package is available at all 11 of the group’s Asian properties from Jan. 1 to May 31, 2009. The package offers:

for 15 or more rooms, special group room rates for each hotel and an upgrade for one room plus VIP recognition and amenities; for 30 or more rooms, an upgrade for one room to a suite; for a meeting of 15 or more people, a special daily meeting package rate, inclusive of the meeting venue, one lunch and two coffee breaks per day with healthy menu options, meeting amenities and technical equipment, benefits including complimentary one-hour daily Internet usage in designated venue and special site inspection rates.

 www.mandarinoriental.com/at_your_service/meetings_and_conferences/meet_east.aspx

or contact the hotels’ meeting consultants directly.

For more information, visit www.mandarinoriental.com

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group’s Meet East package is available at all 11 of the group’s Asian properties from Jan. 1 to May 31, 2009.

The package offers great value, including complimentary upgrades for delegates. Creative solutions to meeting requirements include complete technological support, gourmet menus with healthy options, innovative meeting spaces and world-class spas for unwinding at the end of the day. Each hotel provides dedicated and knowledgeable event planners to offer support and organizational assistance.

For 15 or more rooms: Special group room rates for each hotel, an upgrade for one room plus VIP recognition and amenities. For 30 or more rooms: An upgrade for one room to a suite (subject to availability). For a meeting of 15 or more people: Special daily meeting package rate inclusive of meeting venue with one lunch and two coffee breaks per day with healthy menu options; meeting amenities and technical equipment; exclusive benefits including complimentary one-hour daily Internet usage in designated venue; and special site inspection rates.

 For more information, visit www.mandarinoriental.com/at_your_service/meetings_and_conferences/meet_east.aspx

 or contact individual hotel meeting consultants directly. For more information on Mandarin Oriental, visit www.mandarinoriental.com

EOA 2008 Australian press release - agent.doc A stylish and eye-catching new brochure from Travel Indochina – showcasing the delights of luxury resorts, Small Group Journeys and bespoke, independent itineraries for the discerning traveller.

“We are responding to the very strong demand from a growing number of travellers looking for a holiday that allows them to experience the culture, the history, the cuisine and the people, while staying in the finest and most atmospheric accommodation in Asia,” said Managing Director, Paul Hole.

The new Essence of Asia brochure is designed to inspire, with stunning photographs and magazine-style articles to pique the interest of your customers. Just a sample, a taste, of the best in accommodation, small group and private itineraries are presented – Travel Indochina’s expert staff can tailor-make your client’s dream holiday to Asia.

“The Essence of Asia, for us, means experiencing the history and grandeur of Indochina by spending the night onboard a Chinese-style junk in Halong Bay, or at one of our glamorous, French-colonial hotels. Whether your passenger is looking for the unrivalled luxury and seclusion of a resort in Thailand, Vietnam or the Maldives, a stay in a maharajah’s palace in India – our range of deluxe accommodation will inspire them,” says Katrina Cameron, Communications Manager.

With offices in Asia and over 15 years experience in the region, Travel Indochina’s local knowledge makes them uniquely positioned to discover and offer the latest in travel experiences.

Bangkok – Best Western International (BWI), the world’s largest hotel chain, celebrates its hotel grand openings in Asia with the “Great Grand Opening” promotion, offering travelers different options to enjoy the new Best Western hotels in Japan, Thailand and Vietnam.

First choice is a 40 % discount for every two nights stay at Best Western Hotel New City Hirosaki in Japan and Best Western Mayfair Suites Hotel in Bangkok. In Japan, the special offering includes 10% off on laundry service while in Bangkok, the package includes: 40% discount on rooms and 15% discount on dining, spa and massage service.
Another option in the “Great Grand Opening” promotion is that, for every paid one-night stay, one can have his second night for free, available at Best Western Hotel Sendai, Japan and Best Western Pearl River Hotel, Haiphong in Vietnam.

For those booking the promotion at Best Western Pearl River Hotel, the offer includes: 5% discount on hotel dining; 10% discount on business center access; and 15% discount on hotel spa, massage and laundry service.

The “Great Grand Opening” promotion is valid until March 31, 2009. Reservations can be made online at www.bestwestern.com and select “Rate Plan” – “Grand Opening.”

For more information, one may visit www.bwrewardsasia.com/grand08  or call + 66 2 656 1260.

 With innovation embedded deep in its business philosophy, Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts is introducing a unique, pioneering offer which will strengthen its brand presence and enhance its suite of direct reservation options.

Guests who book a minimum of three consecutive nights’ stay at any Banyan Tree worldwide, at Best Available Rates (BAR) with breakfast, will receive a complimentary 90-min Banyan Tree Spa massage session worth USD100. The initiative increases consumer options available to a global audience, and is a well-timed festive reward for all fans and newcomers to the brand. This also commemorates recent recognition by travel specialists as the Best Spa Operator in the annual Travel Trade Gazette (TTG) Asia Travel Awards for the fourth consecutive year, alongside listings in the Tatler UK Spa Awards and Condé Nast Traveller UK Readers’ Travel Awards in 2008.

As the award-winning pioneer of the tropical garden spa concept in Banyan Tree Phuket, Thailand, Banyan Tree is synonymous with the luxury spa experience. Since 1994, Banyan Tree Spa has embodied its own signature blend of romance, rejuvenation and exotic sensuality, designed to fit into its surroundings, using indigenous materials to showcase the culture and heritage of the destination. With the synergy of Banyan Tree resorts and spas working together to create deeply meaningful experiences worldwide as the Group expands to new shores, the newly launched reward of a complimentary Spa experience will serve to complement each stay, making it even more memorable and special.

 Setting The BAR

Banyan Tree’s BAR pricing strategy was introduced in mid-2008 to enthusiastic response. The Banyan Tree BAR allows visitors the flexibility and power to book a Banyan Tree holiday at the most competitive price, depending on seasonality and availability. The BAR pricing strategy results in fair and equal access to the best available rate which is used by members of the public and trade professionals alike at banyantree.com.

A Visit to 10 Banyan Tree Properties Worldwide

Make a trek to the rooftop of the world at Banyan Tree Ringha, in the Yunnan highlands, or bask in royal splendour at Banyan Tree Lijiang, both in China. Also in China, the newest addition is Banyan Tree Sanya where guests experience tropical minimalism in a modern Oriental setting. An oasis in the desert,

 Banyan Tree Al Areen in Bahrain offers Arabian nights and more, while Banyan Tree Seychelles delights with impeccable all-pool villas set amidst one of the world’s most stunning destinations. Over in Indonesia, just 55-minutes away from Singapore, Banyan Tree Bintan sets new standards for its ecological founding as well as exquisite facilities for dining, spa and adventures. Two jewels in the Maldives: Banyan Tree Vabbinfaru exudes thatched roof charm while Banyan Tree Madivaru boasts the first Tented Pool Villas in the island archipelago, a castaway experience to savour. A leading city hotel, Banyan Tree Bangkok prescribes an extensive menu of restaurants to beguile urbanites, while at flagship resort Banyan Tree Phuket, priceless experiences take place in private garden villas, in the sumptuous setting of Thailand’s legendary paradise island.

For reservations, visit the award-winning website banyantree.com. One-stop reservations can also be made via one of 18 global toll free lines (please log on to www.banyantree.com  for more information).

 About Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts

The leading international operator in the boutique resort, residences and spa industry, Banyan Tree offers a signature blend of romance and travel with a green conscience. The philosophy behind the hotels, resorts, residences, spas, retail galleries and destination club is based on rejuvenation of the body, mind and soul – a Sanctuary for the Senses. Angsana Hotels and Resorts is the ideal complement to Banyan Tree, comprising contemporary, chic and ecologically sensitive retreats. Based in areas of outstanding natural beauty and exciting city hubs, Angsana hotels, resorts, residences, spas and retail galleries reflect the spirit and communities of its environment.

To date, the Banyan Tree Group manages and/or has ownership interests in over 20 resorts and hotels, over 60 spas, in excess of 60 retail galleries; as well as two golf courses.

The second title in the new Rough Guide budget series for backpackers, gap year travellers and those who just want more for their money, is full of information on unmissable attractions in Laos, The Philippines, Singapore, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei and Hong Kong and

Macau.

Written by seasoned Rough Guide authors along with the fresh voice and enthusiastic tone of 12 new young graduates – The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget will help you explore the wonders of the region through the eyes of like-minded travellers. The guide includes ‘Treat Yourself’ boxes that highlight great places worth splashing out on, alongside the usual budget slant on nightlife, shopping, markets and outdoor sports activities.

Spend the day exploring thousand-year-old Hindu ruins and the night at a rave on the beach; attend a Buddhist alms-giving ceremony at dawn and go white-water rafting in the afternoon; chill out in a bamboo beach hut one week and hike through the jungle looking for orange-utans the next, The Rough Guide to Southeast Asia on a Budget covers all this and much more.

“Jam-packed with essential information for the budget-conscious traveller”
The Daily Express, on the Rough Guide to Europe on a Budget

Things not to miss…

Borobudur, Indonesia: Take a day-trip to see the biggest Buddhist stupa in the world, covered in delicately sculpted reliefs.

Ha Long Bay, Vietnam: A famously dramatic landscape of weird rock formation, hidden bays and gloomy caves.

Banaue Rice Terrace, The Philippines: The stairway to heaven; for the best view, trek through them to Batad.

Sea-kayaking in the Krabi Region, Thailand: Discover your own lovely bays and mysterious lagoons.

City Skyline, Hong Kong: One of the most eye-popping urban vistas on earth.

Climbing Mount Kinabalu, Malaysia: Southeast Asia’s highest peak, a challenging but straightforward two-day hike.

Partying on Ko Phangan, Thailand: Home of the classic backpacker full moon parties.