Eye on Asia Pacific (25/05/12)
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Just a few of the headlines from Travel Daily Asia this week
Japan authorities approve IAG/JAL deal
The Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT) has granted anti-trust immunity to IAG’s agreement with Japan Airlines (JAL) on flights between the EU and Japan. The deal will result in a new joint business between the groups, which will launch in March 2013 and co-operate on routes flown by British Airways and JAL. “Amid the evolving Japanese aviation industry, the ATI will enable us to build a strong value-creating relationship with British Airways that can benefit our customers as well as our businesses,” said Yoshiharu Ueki, president of JAL.
Luxury Travel to open Danang office
Vietnam tour operator Luxury Travel is to open a new office in Danang later this year. The move follows an increase in tourism in the region and will see Luxury Travel open its office on 1 July, still offering its trips in Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Thailand. Tourism arrivals to Danang have picked up after its beaches were voted some of the best by top magazines; while its three UNESCO sites nearby and golf courses have also drawn in tourists. Its new airport terminal also opened last year with large hotel chain names opening properties in the area. “Danang is going to boom. Our business in Danang has increased by 30%, and much of that has to do with the new airport and air links to the central coast of Vietnam. We have just won several new big accounts and we are so glad to open our new Danang office,” said Pham Ha, CEO of Luxury Travel. “Currently, there very few tour companies in Vietnam who have their own offices in Central Vietnam, only sub-contracts with local tour operators. We are proud of being the very first to open our own office to tap into the increased luxury demand and serve discerning travelers and holidaymakers to Central Vietnam”.
DoubleTree by Hilton debuts in Japan
Hilton has opened its first DoubleTree property in Japan. The new DoubleTree by Hilton Naha, on the Japanese resort island of Okinawa, becomes the 10th Hilton hotel in Japan. The 227-room hotel is situated directly opposite the Okinawa Monorail station in Asahibashi, 11 minutes from Naha airport by monorail and 500 metres from the local ferry terminal.
Facilities at the 12-storey hotel include a 40m² meeting room, a salon, a laundry and car parking facilities. There is also an international F&B outlet, The Riverside Restaurant & Café. The property will also feature all of DoubleTree’s brand standard amenities, including chocolate chip cookies on check-in.
Dreamliner arrives in Australia
Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner landed at Sydney airport last Thursday, kicking off the seventh and final leg of its global Dream Tour.
For the next four days, officials of Qantas and Jetstar, along with suppliers and the media, will have the opportunity to tour the aircraft. The Qantas Group has ordered a total of 50 Dreamliners – 15 B787-8s and 35 B787-9s – making it one of the aircraft’s largest customers.
The Dreamliner will fly on to Auckland this week.