Shangri-La in Tokyo Closes Temporarily until END April 2011

The aftermath of the earthquake has claimed its first luxury hotel casualty in Tokyo: The Shangri-La Hotel, which only opened its doors in Tokyo in March 2010, has said that it is closed until the end of April, at the earliest, as it continues to assess the situation.

Its general manager, Wolfgang Krueger, and about 11 other people from the hotel are now working out of Fukuoka, in southern Japan, according to Maria Kuhn, its spokeswoman in Hong Kong. The Shangri-La Tokyo as 300 full time staff who are currently on paid leave.

“This is not a decision we have made lightly,” Ms. Kuhn said. She added it was too early to assess what sort of financial impact the closure would have on the company’s overall financial performance. “As soon as we feel it is safe and we can run the hotel at our normal standards, we will open again,” she said.


An average room at the Shangri-La costs around 70,000 yen a night ($863.26), and the majority of its visitors are foreigners, primarily from Asia. The hotel is a stone’s throw from Tokyo Station, the main gateway of the capital. With 200 rooms, the hotel takes up the top 11 floors of Marunouchi Trust Tower Main and “provides a luxurious and spacious retreat at the end of a busy day”, according to its website.

Other luxury hotels have also shut down some of their operations. The Mandarin Oriental, long a favorite among foreign tourists, has virtually shut down all of its dining facilities. On its website, it says, “In keeping with the government’s directive to conserve energy, the following restaurants and bars will be closed until further notice: Signature, Sense, Tapas Molecular Bar, Ventaglio, Mandarin Bar and the Gourmet Shop. K’shiki, The Oriental Lounge and the hotel’s in-room dining facilities all remain open and available for guests.”

One thing is clear: potential visitors to Japan are already cancelling visits scheduled for April – the peak of the country’s renowned cherry blossom season – and the tourism industry will take months, if not years, to recover from this catastrophe. This is only the beginning of what’s going to be the biggest challenge ever faced by Japan’s tourism industry.



Source : WSJ
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Refunds for missed flights to Japan

Airline companies have agreed to refund passengers for the flights to Japan that they had missed following the strong earthquake and tsunami there last week, said Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.
Tour package operators have decided to charge an administrative fee of a maximum RM200 per passenger and return the balance, she added.


Both the airlines and travel operators, she said, arrived at the decision during a meeting with the ministry three days after the disaster struck Japan.


Among those who attended the meeting were representatives from AirAsia, Malaysia Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines and Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents (MATTA).


“Airline companies have agreed to give a full refund without any penalty or customers may convert the charges into credit for their next flight,” she told reporters after attending the FIA Conference Week 2011 at Mandarin Oriental on Monday.


Dr Ng added that the refund was applicable for flights from March 11, the day the massive earthquake and tsunami struck Japan, until next month but the time period varied according to different airline companies.


On March 16, The Star reported that the ministry would meet the respective operators after receiving several complaints from the public about losing their deposits after purchasing tour packages to Japan.


“We will meet again early next month to discuss the situation in Japan and see if there is a need to extend the time period,” she added.


Source : STAR
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All Aircraft Passengers From Japan Screened For Radiation Level At KLIA

All aircraft passengers coming directly from Japan will have to undergo checks to determine radioactive levels at the main entry points in the country, said Deputy Transport Minister Datuk Abdul Rahim Bakri.

He said the inspection on passengers travelling on MAS, AirAsia and Japan Airlines had started since March 16 at the KL International Airport and March 18 at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) which involved the low-cost carrier terminal (LCCT).

"Those found to have been exposed to radioactive elements would undergo a decontamination process by an accredited agency, that is the nuclear and atomic power licensing agency, the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment with assistance from the security division of Malaysia Airports Berhad," he said after launching the Caring Society Programme (Mayang) at the Community Hall in Pintas, near here today.


Source : Bernama
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AirAsia X to launch Japan route on Thursday

Malaysian long-haul budget airline AirAsia X is to launch regular flights between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo starting on Thursday, airport officials said.

Its inauguration flight is scheduled to depart from Tokyo's Haneda airport at 11:45 pm (1445 GMT). The carrier plans three flights a week connecting the Malaysian capital with the Tokyo airport, the officials said.


It will be the first foreign budget airline authorised to use Haneda, which began handling an expanded array of international flights in October when it opened a fourth runway and a new terminal. Haneda is considered more practical than its sister airport Narita as it is located only 30 minutes from Tokyo, roughly half the amount of time it takes to travel to Narita, which is 60 kilometres (40 miles) from the capital.


AirAsia X plans to sell a one-way ticket for 5,000 yen (60 dollars) for an economy seat from Japan as an opening discount, compared with economy fares of more than 200,000 yen offered by current route operators.
AirAsia's entry into the Japanese market is expected to further boost competition in a space that is set to become increasingly crowded as more budget carriers enter the fray.


In September Japan's All Nippon Airways said it will establish a low-cost carrier by the end of the year that will eventually operate international and domestic short-haul routes, anticipating booming Asian demand. Debt-hit Japan Airlines has also said it is also looking into the possibility of launching a low-cost carrier.


Japan's existing cheaper domestic carriers such as Skymark and Air Do have been unable to offer the kind of heavily discounted fares associated with budget airlines in the United States and Europe due to higher operating costs.
Qantas Airways' budget Jetstar airline already flies between Australia and Japan from Osaka and Narita. 


Source : MSNNews
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AirAsia X optimistic over Tokyo route in December

Long-haul budget carrier AirAsia X will fly to Japan in December, with three non-stop flights a week from KL International Airport to Haneda in Tokyo.

Chief executive officer Azran Osman Rani said considering its status as the world’s largest metro­politan city, Tokyo was an important feeder market for the airline to move into the growing international network.

“The three weekly flights will strengthen our historic business and tourism links with Japan’s commercial centre,” he said.

Azran said he estimated that more than 60% of the passengers between Kuala Lumpur and Tokyo would be first-time visitors, adding that new market segments could be created from the tourism growth.

To mark its new destination, Air Asia X is offering promotional fares for a one-way ticket from Kuala Lumpur to Tokyo from as low as RM99. The tickets will be available from Sept 23 to Sept 26 for travel period Dec 9 to Jul 31, 2011.

The seats are offered on a first-come, first-served basis and tickets are only available online via www.airasia.com and mobile.airasia.com.

Passengers will travel in a brand new A330 aircraft with standard business class “Premium Flat Bed” seats that feature universal power sockets, adjustable headrests and built-in personal utilities, such as tray table, drink holder, reading light and privacy screen.

AirASia X currently flies to destinations in Australia, India, Taiwan, China, Europe and Korea.

Source : STAR

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AirAsia X opens tickets to Tokyo from next week

Airline will be first foreign low-cost carrier serving Haneda airport from Dec 9

AirAsia X will begin flights to Haneda airport in Tokyo on Dec 9 and open ticket sales for the sector next week.

The airline plans to mount three weekly flights and it will be the first foreign low-cost carrier serving the airport that is expected to open for international flights in late October.

Asashi newspaper in Japan reported that AirAsia X was expected to price fares far lower than those charged for existing services between the capitals of Japan and Malaysia offered by Japan Airlines and Malaysia Airlines (MAS).

AirAsia X chief executive officer Azran Osman-Rani declined to reveal any pricing when contacted yesterday by StarBiz. But the market is abuzz with talk that the introductory price could range from RM99 to RM199.

Azran said that flying to Tokyo would be “super exciting as finally people will have choices and low fares to go to great places.’’

Three flights per week may be too few for AirAsia X but for now the airline does not have much of a choice.

It is learnt that the Japanese authorities had accorded seven rights and the Malaysian authorities awarded three each to AirAsia X and MAS, and one to Transmile.

“Japan is a high fixed cost city and with so few flights it would be difficult to make the sector sustainable so we will have to convince the authorities to grant us daily flights,” Azran said.

MAS will introduce three flights a week between Kota Kinabalu and Haneda from Nov 15.

Haneda airport is the main domestic hub for Tokyo but due to congestion in Narita, it will start receiving international flights next month. Haneda is just a 20-minute monorail or cab ride from downtown Tokyo whereas Narita is at least an hour’s train ride, and the trip can take over two hours by car on clogged roads.

To beat potential competition from six foreign low-cost carriers from China and South-East Asia, both Japanese carriers – Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways (ANA) – want to set up low-cost airlines.

ANA has inked a deal with Hong Kong’s First Eastern Investment Group to set up a new airline that will start operations in the second half of 2011. ANA will own 39% in the venture and Far Eastern 33%. The balance equity will be sold to other investors.

Source : Star

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YTL Corp To Venture Into Ski Resort Business Via Acquisition

YTL Corporation Bhd is entering into an agreement with several parties which will ultimately see the company participating in one of Japan's finest ski resort destination.

The conglomerate, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, YTL Hotels & Properties Sdn Bhd (YTLHP), will acquire 496,184 shares, representing 100 per cent of the equity interest in Niseko Village from PC One Y.K (PC One), a Japanese limited liability company.

It has also entered into an agreement to undertake full repayment of outstanding amounts owned by Niseko Village to Citigrop Financial Products Inc.

YTL also entered into an agreement to purchase certain properties, owned by Kinki Investments Corporation Y.K., a wholly-owned subsidiary of PC One.

"The proposed acquisition at 6,000,000,000 Japanese yen, will result in Niseko Village becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary of YTLHP and an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of YTL Corp," it said in a statement today.

Niseko Village owns Niseko Village Resort, located at the foothills of Mount Niseko An'nupuri and has the potential to be developed into a world class four season resort through luxury residential development and mountain retail development.

YTL Corp said the proposed acquisition was not expected to have an immediate material effect on the earnings, net assets and gearing of the group for the current financial year.

"However, the proposed acquisition is expected to improve the earnings of YTL Corp Group in the longer-term," it explained.


Source : Bernama
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Number of Japanese tourists expected to increase

Despite the global outbreak of Influenza A(H1N1), the country’s tourism industry is confident of seeing an increase in the number of Japanese tourists coming to Malaysia.

Tourism Malaysia chairman Datuk Dr Victor Wee said the ministry had set a target of 450,000 tourists from Japan this year - a 20,000 increase from the 430,000 Japanese tourists who came last year.

“Based on our record last year, we are optimistic that we would be able to achieve the targeted figure, especially when Penang and Malacca have both been listed as Unesco World Heritage Sites on July 7 last year,” he told reporters after opening the Quality Service Training Workshop: Focus on Japanese Tourists held at Hotel Equatorial recently.

Some 20 frontliners, comprising tour drivers, operators and representatives from the hotels and restaurants, participated in the three-day workshop.

Wee said the ministry would focus on three special groups from the Japanese market - the senior citizens, professionals and youngsters.

“They are interested in knowing more about Malaysia and experience the various culture and tourist spots we have to offer,” he said.

Wee added it was important to keep attracting tourists to visit Malaysia by improving on the quality of service.

On another matter, he said the Tourism Ministry was actively promoting domestic tourism through various programmes such the Mega Sale and Cuti-Cuti Malaysia campaigns.

Also present during the official ceremony were state Industry, Trader, Entrepreneur & Cooperative Development Committee chairman Datuk Md Yunos Husin and Asean Japan Centre acting director, Fuchigami Joukei.

Source : STAR
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AirAsia to head for Japan next year

Visiting AirAsia chief executive officer Datuk Tony Fernandes said on Thursday that the Kuala Lumpur-based discount airline intends to launch flight services to Japan next year, Jiji Press reported.

Fernandes told a press conference here that the Japanese market had enormous potential, adding that AirAsia hoped to help increase the number of Malaysian tourists to Japan.

The firm appears to be planning to set airfares for its Japan-bound flights at half the price of those offered by major airlines.

To celebrate the launch of Japan flights, AirAsia plans to offer US$25 (RM87.50) one-way tickets for flights between Japan and Malaysia.

AirAsia is considering launching flights to the Tokyo International Airport at Haneda and an airport now under construction in the Ibaraki prefecture, north-east of Tokyo.

The company also hoped to start services to major Japanese cities such as Sapporo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka later.

Source : STAR
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Ministry to target 'high quality' tourists

The Tourism Ministry will be targeting more "high quality" tourists this year in an effort to boost the country's tourism industry, said its deputy minister Donald Lim.

The Ministry hopes to target these tourists who spend RM4,000 to RM5,000 and who do not create problems to the country, he said.

To increase the number of tourists in this category, the ministry hopes to target more tourists from the Middle East, eastern China, Korea and Japan, he said.

Quality tourists also include the 5% of tourists who are here for meetings and it is hoped that the percentage will increase to 8% this year, said Lim after launching the Chinese Calligraphy and Painting Exhibition by famous artists from China here.

The Ministry hopes to increase tourists from other parts of Asia and the world from 15% in each category to 20% and reduce tourists from South-East Asia from 70% to 60%, he said.

"We are targeting 25.5 million tourists for this year and hope to bring in foreign revenue of RM50bil," he said.

It is also hoped that the average stay will increase to eight nights from last year's 6.7 nights, he said.

By 2010, the ministry hopes to achieve half of the tourists from SEA and the rest from other parts of the world, he said.

Source : STAR
[tags : malaysiahotelnews hotels malaysia resorts news travel tourism travel vmy2008]

The Japanese Anglers are coming to Malaysia

The number of Japanese anglers visiting Malaysia in 2006 has increased from the previous year. It is estimated that about 350 to 400 Japanese anglers will visit Malaysia this year to fish both inland and the seas.

This translates to RM2.5mil’s spending. Many also bring families who stay at resorts while they fish. We may have the facilities to accommodate them but improvements need to be done.

Take Kuala Rompin, one of the sailfish capitals of the world. Much has been said about improving the jetty, providing toilets etc, but so far, nothing has been done. Our competitors with fewer fish resources are doing better.

If anglers stop going to Kuala Rompin, the town will lose millions in revenue. We are talking about anglers from Europe, Australia, South Africa, India, Korea, Hong Kong and China.

Serious angling, mainly catch and release, can bring in a lot of revenue if only some minor improvements are made to facilities.

If we value our seas, rivers and tourism, we must improve to keep up with our neighbours.

Source : STAR
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