Tourism News

Chengdu authorities are rapidly expanding their international partnership network to raise the destination's profile in the global travel market. City organisations yesterday signed two agreements, which will see them work alongside major travel companies to increase destination awareness and drive tourist arrivals to Sichuan province in Southwest China.

Chengdu Tourism has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with long-haul budget airline, AirAsia X. This strategic partnership will include numerous joint marketing efforts and advertising campaigns, as well as the establishment of a Chengdu Tourism Center in Malaysia where AirAsia X will be the only airline promoted. The initiative will be funded by a CNY2 million (US$315,000) marketing budget. AirAsia X will kick-off the partnership with a social media campaign called "The AirAsia X Pandemonium", offering two winners an expenses paid trip for two to Chengdu.

In another development, the Chengdu Culture and Tourism Development Group has reached an agreement with Singapore-based Chan Brothers Travel. The partners will strategically collaborate in promoting exchange and strengthening cooperation in the development of provincial tourism through destination marketing. Under the terms of the two-year MoU, the alliance will include joint product development, funding of cooperative marketing to the Singapore market through integrated media platforms, annual and bi-annual promotional campaigns and the amalgamation of their respective websites.

Boeing delivered more commercial aircraft than Airbus in Q3 2011. The US planemaker delivered 127 jets to its customers in the July-September period, including 100 B737s, five B767s, 21 B777s and its first ever 787 Dreamliner.

By contrast Airbus delivered 116 commercial aircraft, comprising 94 A320 Family jets, 16 A330s and six A380s. Five out of the six A380s went to Asian customers - three to Korean Air and two to Singapore Airlines.

Sydney is set to see a major expansion of its MICE facilities. The New South Wales government had initially planned to redevelop the site of the existing Sydney Entertainment Centre to cater for the MICE market, but it has now broadened the scope of the redevelopment to encompass a 12-hectare space, including the site of the existing Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre (SCEC) at Darling Harbour.

The expanded site has been named the Sydney International Convention, Exhibition and Entertainment Precinct and is intended to provide Australia's largest event facilities.

Construction is expected be completed by 2016, resulting in at least 40,000m² of exhibition space and flexible plenary spaces with a combined capacity of at least 10,000 delegates. Other facilities will also cater to sporting, musical and theatrical events for at least 12,000 people.

SCEC Chief Executive, Ton van Amerongen said the expanded scope of redevelopment presented exciting a prospect for Sydney's events sector.

"We now have the opportunity to not only extend but also redevelop our existing venues to give Sydney new world-class facilities and a more vibrant events precinct," van Amerongen said.

Private developers have been given six weeks to submit proposals for the site.

Mövenpick has marked its entry into the Indian hotel market with the opening of the Mövenpick Hotel & Spa Bangalore. The five-star hotel, which is located near the main business districts of the city and a 30-minute drive from the airport, features a water feature at its entrance and an illuminated glass staircase.

The hotel's 182 rooms contain flat screen LCD TV with integrated media systems, while guests receive complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi in all rooms and public areas - a first in the city.

Jean Gabriel Pérès, President & CEO of Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts, said of the new hotel; "It is a contemporary property which is in keeping with 21st century India and its rising stature on the global stage. This opening marks a new milestone for our company entering the Indian Subcontinent with the Mövenpick Hotel Bangalore. We are convinced that the hotel's facilities, in combination with our personalised service delivery and the Swiss approach to quality, will appeal to domestic and international travellers alike."

F&B offerings include the 24-hour My Place restaurant, the Obsidian bar featuring a striking 1920s art deco interior design, the Italian restaurant Mezzaluna, and the soon-to-open Perfect Sky, the hotel's rooftop restaurant and lounge.

A dedicated floor for banqueting facilities includes a grand ballroom with separate entrance, as well as seven meeting venues. Leisure facilities include an infinity-edged swimming pool, a spa with eight treatment rooms, and a 12th floor fitness centre with dedicated rooms for yoga and meditation.

Kodandaram Ramaiah, Managing Director of MSR Hotel (Bangalore) Pvt Ltd, and owner of the property, said; "The company has built up a large profile in Europe, Africa and the Middle East and are very positive to drawing in global travellers who know the brand, as well as introducing it to executives within the sub-continent."

Mövenpick has strong expansion plans in India and has recently announced a second property in the country, the 110-room Mövenpick Dharamshala Resort & Spa, which is due to open in the Northern Indian Kangra Valley in 2013.