The TravelWeekly Asia Industry Awards is fast approaching with July 17 as the big day. The phone has been ringing since voting ended as nominees try to get a sneak peak at the results. Well, we know who the winners are but we want to keep it under wraps for now so you’ll get a big surprise on that night. Some companies have won in several categories and truly earned their stripes. As for me, my lips are sealed so you won’t get a sqeak out of me who won. This is almost like the Academy Awards of travel. We have a truly glamourous venue and great entertainment, hint hint you will definitely get into the swing of all things Spanish. While the winners will get to bask in their glory, all the nominees are winners in their own right having made it so far. No this is not some idle sympathy talk, with the travel and tourism industry growing so robustly competition is already so keen. So all nominess are winners in their own right.
Even as the news tapers down its reports of disaster stricken Myanmar and Szechuan, recovery is still moving at a modest rate. Logistic difficulties has contributed to the pace of aid reaching the survivors. But we still need to remember the survivors while news of the catastrophes die down to make way for other news events. In Szechuan about five million people have been left homeless, while aid pours in to rebuild homes and businesses. They will have the scars of the earthquake deeply etched on their memories and it’s the psychological trauma that aid workers will also have to grapple with. Its noteworthy that financial and medical aid has been given to the survivors but we hope it’s enough and at the right time. So while we can let’s continue to support the two communities weather it’s to give more generously or to even visit the two places as tourists and pump much needed cash into the societies. We have heard of mass cancellations to these destinations, let’s then educate the public to reassess their travel plans. The survivors don’t deserve to be forgotten.
A very special day is approaching, one that is widely celebrated across cultures. We hold in esteem our Mothers without whom we would not be. Restaurants and retailers try to highlight this special day and imbue it with the need for gifts and treats, and Mothers are deserving of them.
But we aim to do away with the commercialization of these treats and endow Mom with gifts close to the heart. That would mean handmade cards and gifts, self penned poems and sonnets and breakfasts in bed. Our Mothers have been there to encourage and inspire us, to comfort and to build us up and they have also been there to scold and to nag. But this Mother’s Day let’s take the opportunity to tell Mom we really care and that we love her.
This time I will be writing about `Great event venues in Asia’. Maybe some of you have been to a fantastic event at a great venue. I invite you to share that experience. As more MICE events flood into Asia, we are more aware that competition is very keen. There is a whole range of venues where great events have been held, events that have awed and impressed the participants. Being a Singaporean I can see the virtue of an event venue like Suntec. It has a central location and meeting and ball-rooms for all events, while being linked to a very large mall. There are quite a few things that a delegate can do at Suntec. So I hope I can jolt your memory about a wonderful event held at an equally great venue when time passed too quickly. Do write in and share with us.
Have you read your fortune for the Year of the Rat?
Some lament that the predictions fall short of last year’s.
This year the Rat ushered in freezing winter in China and most couldn’t make their way home as well as economic slowdowns forecast by the various governments.
It looks like the Rat is gnawing his way through the fat of 2007.
But until now travel continues to look robust, people are not cutting back on travel now.
Some have even gone so far as to say that the US crisis will have little impact on travel in Asia.
Well…we all hope the Year of the Rat brings with it some form of good fortune because we have seen too many bleak years.
It’s natural that we do not want to see the spike in travel to be short lived, all that negative talk has to go!
It would come ultimately, the time of the US credit crunch, though it’s so far away we know that when America sneezes the rest of the world gets a cold. Though Asia’s travel market is looking up and travel remains robust, one wonders when the slowdown will step in. Then again it’s sacrilegious to even think of it. Unfortunately for us China’s economy also show signs of dampening with the recent blizzard that got many stuck in the cold. One can only hope the growth of economies in Asia can weather the storms and continue to put the region on a positive track.
Imagine a windmill in your face, a relaxing massage and pasta laksa in a jar.
It’s not everyday that you get invited to an office opening but last Friday I got an invitation to an office opening party with a difference.
The party offered an interactive experience for its guests and in doing so demonstrated the essence of their hotel brands.
The Four Points by Sheraton room was filled with windmills and trusty beer and apple pie to convey the creature comforts of the brand.
While at the Le Meridien counter everything was chic and sleek. There was a counter/room for each brand.
No points for guessing, its Starwood that puts a premium on conveying the essence of their brands and their creativity in doing so scores lots of brownie points.
Indeed hotels are more than bed and room now, it’s about the entire experience the minute you step into the hotel.
Natalie Chen | 
