Asia
Jakarta: address book
Identity card Formalities: passport valid for more than six months and purchase of a visa on arrival, valid for 30 days (35 US$). Currency: the rupee (IDR). 1 euro = IDR 12,212 (Nov. 2014). Area code: + 62 (Indonesia); 21 (Jakarta). Time difference: - 5 h (summer), - 2 h (winter), -...
Wyndham Worldwide accelerates its growth in India
Hotel operator Wyndham Worldwide is accelerating its growth in India with the opening of a Ramada Encore and a Howard Johnson in Bangalore. Around thirty hotels under these two brands are expected to open in the country by 2020. In addition, the group will open the Planet Hollywoood Beach Resort in Goa at the end of the year. [gallery exclude="39037"]
Ever more connected: ANA doubles its Wi-Fi equipment
The "ANA Wi-Fi Service" plan detailed by the airline on 8 October involves equipping around thirty aircraft - mainly Boeing 787-8s, 787-9s and 777-300ERs - from April 2015. The international network of connected aircraft will thus increase to sixty aircraft, to meet the new expectations of passengers, particularly those...
Fifth Marriott hotel in Astana
For several years now, Kazakhstan has been one of the most popular business destinations for hotel chains. The Marriott group is not to be outdone, and now has five representatives in Kazakhstan. The latest arrival is the Marriott Astana Hotel, the first Marriott Hotels establishment in the capital. The five-star...
Star Alliance: boarding imminent for Air India
It has been a long and bumpy road, but Air India has finally reached its destination. In a few days' time, on 11 July to be exact, the Indian carrier will join the ranks of Star Alliance, adding 400 daily flights and 35 new destinations to the alliance's network. Star Alliance made the integration official on 24 June: "We have relaunched our...
Qatar Airways Dreamliner conquers Tokyo Haneda
Qatar Airways' Asian catalogue is becoming more consistent with business customers every month. This week, the airline launched a new flight between its Doha hub and Tokyo Haneda airport. The daily service is operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner configured in two classes. The aircraft has 22 seats in...
Taipei welcomes the Mandarin Oriental
In the heart of the Taiwanese capital's business district, the Mandarin Oriental Taipei offers 303 of the city's most spacious rooms and suites. The range is completed by six restaurants and bars and a vast seminar area with 12 meeting rooms and a large ballroom for 936 people. [gallery exclude="36727"]
Myanmar: five hotels on the Hilton programme
The partnership formalised on 11 June between Hilton Worldwide and Eden Group will begin to bear fruit in October 2014, with the American hotelier taking over two properties, which will then become Hilton Nay Pyi Taw and Hilton Ngapali Beach Resort. Three other hotels are already on the programme...
Hangzhou: address book
Getting there From Shanghai From Shanghai Hongqiao station, there are several regular hourly high-speed train services to Hangzhou. The journey takes around an hour. Internet: www.chinatrainguide.com Hotels Banyan tree hangzhou Opened in 2009, this establishment is a little removed from the hustle and bustle of the city and is located in the "wetland", a wild...
Hangzhou: a high-tech cocoon
Who could place Hangzhou on a map? And yet, like many of China's 'secondary' cities, the capital of Zhejiang province is far from being a sleepy burg. In fact, the city is home to almost nine million people. Located 180 km south-west of Shanghai, it can be reached by high-speed train in an hour...
Shanghai, the spirit of the place: Larys Frogier
I like to invite visiting foreigners to one of the city's most astonishing venues, the Park Hyatt in Pudong, whose bar and restaurant offer breathtaking views from the 87th and 92nd floors. Sometimes, I also choose the Puli, a magnificent hotel with a refined Asian design, very exotic, or...
Shanghai: the new sustainable course
Shanghai is continuing its seduction drive without the slightest concession. Particularly with the French, who are coming to live in the Chinese megalopolis in ever-increasing numbers. With almost 1,500 member companies of the Chamber of Commerce and 13,000 expatriates officially registered with the consulate, the city is home to the largest...
Courtyard by Marriott connected to Korea's new IT hub
Marriott's new business address in Pangyo Techno Valley brings the group's total number of hotels in Korea to seven. It is also, and above all, the first establishment of this standard to be opened in a fast-growing technology cluster, which is set to expand over the coming years. The hotel's 282 rooms, each...
When Tokyo Haneda opens up to the world
For a long time a domestic hub alongside the international hub at Narita, Tokyo Haneda benefits from greater proximity to the centre of the Japanese capital. ANA is transferring its flights from Bangkok, Singapore, Frankfurt and London to this new hub, at the same time as inaugurating new destinations and frequencies to Paris CDG, Hanoi, Jakarta, Manila and...
Endorsed by Europe, Air Astana turns to Paris
Are we going to see Air Astana go on the offensive in the direction of the European market? For a few days now, Kazakhstan's national airline has been enjoying unprecedented room for manoeuvre, after the European Commission lifted the restrictions which until now had limited its flight schedule to and from European destinations. For the last four years, Air...
Andaz on the road to Tokyo
The future Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills hotel will occupy eight of the 52 floors of a new building in the business and diplomatic district of Toranomon. Located 40 minutes from Haneda Airport and 90 minutes from Narita, the hotel is easily accessible from Toranomon underground station, less than ten minutes' walk away. Its 164 rooms are...
Air France to launch A380 to Hong Kong
After Los Angeles, New York-JFK, San Francisco, Washington-DC, Johannesburg and Shanghai, Hong Kong is about to join the select circle of destinations served by Air France by A380. The Airbus jumbo jet will be introduced on the Paris-Hong Kong route on 27 May, and will operate the daily night flight until 25 October. The service will be operated exclusively...
A successful makeover for Malaysia Airlines' business lounges
Malaysia Airlines recently inaugurated new areas dedicated to business travellers at Kuala Lumpur airport. The Golden Lounge lounges in the Malaysian capital have been sporting a new look since 25 January. The Platinium Lounge now has 105 seats, adding 41 to its original capacity. A new...
Inauguration of the Fairmont Nanjing
A fourth Fairmont hotel has just opened in China, in Nanking - also known as Nanjing - 265 km north-west of Shanghai. The hotel has 359 rooms and suites in the Jin Ao Tower, overlooking the Yangtze River. The Fairmont Nanjing also boasts seven restaurants and bars, a Spa,...
Atlantis thinks big in China
Lush gardens, swimming pools, giant slides, artificial lagoons and, above all, unprecedented volumes: the opening of an Atlantis resort is always an event for those who love unusual events. Business groups will therefore be paying close attention to the announcement made in October by Kerzner International. The group is planning to create...
