Singapore Airlines has scheduled the world’s first flight of the Airbus A380, flight SQ380 to Sydney, Australia on Thursday, October 25th, with a return flight on Friday, October 26th. Seats on the flight will be sold at auction on eBay, with all proceeds going to charity. Regular service between Sydney and Singapore will begin soon after.

Airbus will deliver the first A380 aircraft to Singapore Airlines on October 15th in Toulouse, France. The plane will then be flown to Changi Airport in Singapore, the world’s first home airport for the A380. The time between the plane’s arrival in Singapore and the charity flight will be used for flight and ground crew familiarization. [Read more…]

Holland America Line is offering free parking on fall and winter cruises between San Diego and Mexico, Hawaii, or Tahiti. Any booking for an ocean-view stateroom will include free parking at a facility near the San Diego cruise terminal, saving passengers as much as $290.

For example, the ms Ryndam will sail January 6 on a 30-day trip to Tahiti and the Marquesa Islands. After visiting all the ports that are part of Holland America’s Hawaii cruises, the ship will proceed to French Polynesia, stopping at Raiatea, Bora Bora, Moorea, Tahiti (Papeete), and Nuku Hiva. The cruise fee includes free parking valued at $290. [Read more…]

The Oriental Hotel in Singapore will be known as the Mandarin Oriental, Singapore starting the 25th of September. The new name will brand the hotel as on of the Mandarin Oriental Group‘ luxury properties.

This auspicious day in the Chinese calendar will mark the completion of enhancements begun in 2005. The hotel’s 527 rooms and suites have been redesigned, and upgrades have been made to meeting spaces, dining facilities, and all of the public areas. [Read more…]

This year Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide will achieve its first presence in Tibet when Four Points by Sheraton opens in the country’s capital, Lhasa. As part of the brand’s continuing Asia Pacific expansion, two hotels in China will follow, one in Lianyungang in 2009 and one in Sanya Bay on China’s Hainan Island in 2010.

Miguel Ko, President, Starwood Hotels & Resorts, Asia Pacific said, “The strong demand for moderately priced lodging coupled with the increase in domestic travel in many Asian markets is helping to propel the brand’s growth.“ [Read more…]

The addition of the W Macau Studio City as the fourth hotel in the first phase Macau Studio City (MSC) integrated leisure resort property completes the four planned hotel partnerships for the Cotai district complex. When it opens in 2009 it will be the first W hotel in Macau. Other companies have joined Macau Studio City in strategic partnerships only six months after its groundbreaking ceremony are Taubman, Playboy Enterprises, and Mr. David Tang.

“Macao Studio City brings together the best hotel partners in the world and we are excited to partner with Starwood to bring the W to Macao,” said Peter Lam, co-chairman of Macao Studio City. [Read more…]

Accor’s global mid-market brand All Seasons will add three hotels in Thailand during October with the rebranding of All Seasons Gold Orchid Bangkok, All Seasons Sathorn Bangkok and All Seasons Naiharn Phuket. Accor plans to expand to over 50 hotels before the end of 2009. Although the first hotel under the brand, the All Seasons Pattaya, was only launched in December of last year, the company now operates 30 hotels in Thailand and has fourteen under development.

Accor Asia Pacific Managing Director Michael Issenberg said, “Thailand’s tourism sector recorded more than 20% growth in visitor arrivals last year, and with Bangkok becoming a major hub for low-cost air carriers, there is a clear need for additional affordable international-standard accommodation,” said Mr. Issenberg. He added that, “All Seasons is positioned above Accor’s Ibis brand, but still offers very affordable rates for an international hotel brand.” [Read more…]

Responses to Lonely Planet’s annual global Traveller’s Pulse survey show increased interest in both sustainable travel and volunteering, as well asactivity-oriented travel. The online survey had 24,500 participants from 144 countries around the world, and was conducted on the Lonely Planet website and in conjunction with 49 partner sites.

When asked about reasons for travel, the respondents showed an increased interest in participating in activities as opposed to sightseeing. As in other years, activity was chosen as the major purpose for travel. It was chosen by 32% of the respondents. The results reflect a growing interest in new experiences rather than just visiting destinations. [Read more…]