The other side of Kyoto

Designed by Lonely Planet writer, Chris Rowthorn, the enthralling walking route heads into Kyoto’s richest areas, including visits to temples, shrines, gardens and museums, approaching them via backstreets and little-known alleys, taking in many hidden gems most tourists miss out on. The walking tour limits the number of participants in each group to 10 ensuring all can hear the knowledgeable guides, trained by Rowthorn himself, as they explain the sights. Starting at the top of Gojo Street, famous for its pottery shops, the tour descends through picturesque avenues lined with perfectly preserved houses and visits Kiyomizu then Chion-in Temple. After a traditional Japanese lunch guests visit the famed Zen temple of Nanzen-ji. The tour also includes gentle strolls through Maruyama-koen and Yoshida-koen Parks. Visit www.TravelTrade.Exotissimo.com.

 

Best Western expands Malaysian portfolio

Best Western, the world’s largest hotel chain, recently announced plans to operate 15 hotels across Malaysia by 2015. Best Western already operates three hotels in Malaysia – Best Western Kinabalu Daya, Best Western Sandakan Hotel & Residence and Best Western Marina Island Resort Pangkor and is adding two more this year, with the opening of the landmark Best Western Premier Dua Sentral in Kuala Lumpur in May and the Best Western Wana Riverside in Melaka. A further six properties will join between 2013 and 2015, bringing the group’s total portfolio in Malaysia to 11 hotels, but developments in the pipeline mean that the group could realise its 15-property target by 2015.

 

Book a room, ride the bus free

Hotel guests in Stuttgart will be allowed to use the city's public transportation system free of charge until 2014 under an extension of a campaign launched in 2011. The offer, jointly arranged by Stuttgart Marketing, the Stuttgart public transport company and the German Hotel and Restaurants Association, provides a ticket valid for up to eight days, with the ticket sent directly to those booking a hotel room. Visit www.Stuttgart-Tourist.de.

 

Korean Air welcomes new freight carriers

Korean Air celebrated the delivery of the airline’s first B747-8 and B777 Freighters in Seoul Incheon on February 14, making it the first airline in the world to operate both Boeing freight carriers. The 747-8 Freighter offers a range of 8,130 km and a maximum structural payload capacity of 140 tonnes, while offering an additional 120 cubic metres and 16 per cent more revenue cargo volume than the 747-400 Freighter.

 

Gentle Organisers go to Guilin

Club Med has signed an agreement with Guilin Yuzi Paradise that calls for the pre-opening of a second Club Med Resort in Guilin, Guanxi Province, in August. The resort will open in pre-launch mode for this summer season and will be fully aligned with Club Med standards for next year. Club Med will operate and market the Resort through a 10-year management contract with site owner Guilin Yuzi Paradise. Guilin is one of the country’s prime tourist destinations drawing more than 20 million Chinese tourists and 1.4 million international visitors in 2010.

 

Avis goes mobile

Avis has launched a dedicated mobile site for the Singapore market, which allows customers to search for car hire quotes and book direct from their mobile phone. The mobile site is a replica of the existing Avis Singapore website but has been simplified to allow fast and easy booking and also gives customers the ability to check and alter existing bookings. Functions of the Avis Singapore mobile site include the ability to search for the nearest branch, a calendar view, pricing options, service details, quick checkout and reservation checking and modifying.