AirAsia has confirmed that it is to launch flights to Ho Chi Minh (Vietnam) in April, and then Hong Kong and Haikou in China in May 2008, growing its route network to a total of 93. The 3 new routes are part of AirAsia’s aggressive Airbus A320 rollout programme to further strengthen its network in the region.

Beginning 15 April 2008, Ho Chi Minh will receive AirAsia’s brand new Airbus A320 at the Tan Son Nhat International Airport. This is further strengthened by AirAsia’s sister company, Thai AirAsia who will be starting its inaugural flight into the city on 4 April 2008. Fares will start from RM49.99/US$10.

By 15 May 2008, AirAsia will start Kuala Lumpur-Hong Kong services with fares starting from RM49.99/HK$99. Hong Kong has long been on the radar for many business travelers and a shopping haven for many tourists. The bustling city is one of the largest financial centres in China, a major international air hub for some of the biggest airlines in the world and a popular tourist destination.

Situated at the north of Hainan Island, Haikou is China’s biggest island with over 8 million in population. AirAsia will launch a direct flight into Haikou from 22 May 2008 with introductory fares starting from RM29.99/CNY68, AirAsia will be tapping into a market of 400,000 Hainanese who are based in Malaysia. Continue Reading

The Venetian Macau, MGM Grand Macau, Macau Studio City, The Wynn Macau, Grand Lisboa, and Hong Kong Disneyland recently participated in a four-day immersion course with the Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) students from the Cornell-Nanyang Institute of Hospitality Management (CNI).

This Master Class gave students a first-hand appreciation of the casino and entertainment industries in Macau and Hong Kong, and was led by Dr. Sheryl Kimes, holder of the Singapore Tourism Board’s first professorship in Asian Hospitality Management.

“As part of the course, students had the opportunity to understand Macau as a destination, study the profile of the Macau consumer, and grapple with issues such as managing human capital and hotel development and financing,” said Professor Kimes. “By travelling to Hong Kong and Macau, the students were privileged to see in practice, case studies about Macao Studio City, Wynn Macau and Hong Kong Disneyland.”

Daniel Shim, SVP of Human Resources for The Venetian Macau added “It is great that an international educational program brings its students to Macau to help the world understand the area. Also, bringing in prospective talent helps show them the opportunities that exist in Macau.”

The program gave students insights into issues such as typical consumers, hotel development and financing, managing human capital through a series of lectures led by notable industry leaders such as Dr Leonardo Dioko, Professor and Director of Research at the Institute for Tourism Studies Macao (IFT) and Dr Robert Kirby, President of Kirby Leadership. Dr. Dioko was impressed with the caliber of the students, commenting that “the CNI students posed insightful questions,” and were “excellent students, quite mature.” Continue Reading

Hong Kong has been voted Favourite Overseas City for the second year in a row in the UK’s Guardian, Observer and Guardian Unlimited Travel Awards. More than 13,500 readers participated in the poll by two of the country’s leading upmarket national newspapers and their joint website, which claim readerships of affluent young professionals with a high propensity to travel.

Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), The Hon James Tien, thanked the UK readers for choosing Hong Kong. “The award confirms not only Hong Kong’s enduring appeal, but also our strategy this year to market Hong Kong as a hip and trendy destination to British travellers,” he said. “We’re especially grateful to the UK and local travel-trade partners for doing so much to fly the flag for Hong Kong all year round. We’ll continue to work closely with them in growing this important source market, leveraging the opportunities brought by the 2008 Olympic Games.”

Capitalising on the 2008 Beijing Olympics and the strong interest in Mainland China, the HKTB is collaborating with tour operators to launch combo-itineraries comprising Hong Kong, Beijing and other Mainland cities, so that Hong Kong is a must-stop on every UK visitor’s Olympic itinerary. The HKTB also rolled out a series of equestrian-themed promotions earlier this month, given the country’s strong tradition in equestrianism.

The UK remains a key long-haul market for Hong Kong, and the biggest single source of visitors in Europe. Last year, arrivals from the UK reached a new high of 516,495, with a further increase of 20.3% recorded in the first nine months of 2007. Out of the total UK overnight arrivals in 2006, 87% travelled on multi-destination itineraries, with 40% visiting Mainland China.