Stormy months ahead for airlines

Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific and Qantas are now feeling the heat. Singapore’s flag carrier says that profits slid to S$336 million - an almost 70 per cent dip from the last financial year. It was fuel, which typically accounts for more than 40 per cent of an airline's total costs, that evaporated its profits. – Straits Times/ANN

 

Gazing out from Phukheng

Laos’ Xieng Khuang province has spent more than 17 billion kip (US$2.1 million) to make Phukheng Mountain accessible to visitors, aiming to add the attraction to tourists' itineraries during Visit Laos Year 2012. The tourism development began last year and is now 65 per cent complete. Paving of an access road and the installation of electricity still remains to be done, but is expected to be finished by the end of this year. Phukheng reaches a height of 1,300 metres, and more than 1,000 steps have been built so that visitors can climb to the top to gaze out over the surrounding landscape. Visitors can also explore a tunnel that was used during the Indochina War, and watch locals making handicrafts. – Vientiane Times/ANN

 

Myanmar is back on the map

Myanmar is about to reestablish its membership of World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) – the global tourism body, thus allowing the “tourism virgin” to find its way back to the tourist maps. After shutting the door to the global market, Myanmar is recognised one the most mystical, beautiful and enchanting countries in Asia Pacific. The country expects to gain tourist dollars from the tourism industry. Based Madrid, Spain, UNWTO plays a role in promoting the development of responsible tourism.

 

Hong Kong goes for green

Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) and 40 business partners last week pledged to make Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) the world’s greenest. With a strong will to make the airport more environmentally and socially friendly, the authority has managed to introduce more than 300 green initiatives so far including installing LEDs, improving chiller systems, introducing more energy-efficient vehicles and launching green educational programmes.

 

Taiwan’s Grand Hotel turns 60

Grand Hotel, Taipei’s landmark of historic and cultural meaning, celebrated its 60th anniversary last week with more than 500 guests from around the world. Established on May 10, 1952 at the instructions of Soong May-ling, former first lady of the Republic of China and wife of President Chiang Kai-shek, the Grand Hotel solely to receive foreign guests. After World War II, it was operated by the Taiwan Travel Agency as the Taiwan Hotel. In addition to the combination of classic Chinese and contemporary palatial architecture, the Grand Hotel has been a witness as well as a participant in the rich history of Taiwan over the past 60 years. Visit www.Grand-Hotel.org.

 

And a new hotel on a grand scale

The 1487-room Swissôtel Makkah will be one of the largest hotels in Saudi Arabia and the biggest entity of Swissôtel Hotels & Resort when it opens on the first day of Ramadan in July. Located a few steps from the Grand Mosque, the soon-to-open hotel will feature a wide variety of culinary pleasures. Al Rowad restaurant, a casual all day dinning will feature delicacies from North Africa, Indonesia, Middle East and India while, Café Swiss will present a combination of traditional and international specialities.