US-LISTED Choice Hotels International has confirmed further expansion into China with the signing of a development agreement with Boli Hotel Management Company for Choice’s Quality Hotel and Clarion Hotel brands.

“With several Comfort Inn hotels already located in China and performing successfully, it is a natural step to introduce other brands within theChoice Hotels portfolio to the region,” said Mark Pearce, senior vice president of Choice Hotels’ international division.

“Our partnership with Boli Hotel Management Company is a significant milestone not only because it marks the launch of our development efforts for Clarion and Quality hotels in China, but because it represents the opportunity for local developers to partner with an international hotel company.”

The company has singled out Hangzhou as a launching pad for the two brands’ growth in the region.

Choice Hotels International franchises over 6,300 hotels and 500,000 rooms in the US and more than 35 destinations.

FORTY-FIVE incentive and meeting travel consultants from 12 Asian countries will ‘Discover Switzerland’ on a tour led by Kuoni Group Travel Experts and hosted by Switzerland Tourism from April 24 to 27 this week.

Consultants come from countries including China, India, Indonesia, Japan and Singapore.

Kuoni Group Travel Experts and Switzerland Tourism’s inaugural Asia Trophy tour will take guests to Appenzell, Bern, St Gallen and Zurich, as well as other areas in the eastern part of Switzerland.

The Kuoni Group said in its press release that it has established a strong reputation for MICE in South-east Asian markets and is using the Asia Trophy to build this business further.

Reto Kaufmann, Kuoni Group Travel Experts’ head of MICE sales for South Asia said: “China’s powerhouse economy continues to drive international travel for business and leisure, while Japanese businesses have always seen the value in incentive trips for their employees.

“Increasingly we are seeing countries like Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Thailand invest in incentive trips as their business and economic fortunes prosper and in meetings overseas as they rise to meet the demands of international markets,” he said.

The Asia Trophy is based on a concept developed by Switzerland Tourism: different teams rally across parts of the country, getting to know the history, traditions and culture of Eastern Switzerland that remains largely undiscovered by many Asian travellers, as well as its role as a meeting and incentive venue.

Teams uncover the answers to questions and complete tasks to earn points, which are totalled at the end of the day to reveal a winner.

The press release stated that organisers of incentive tours and large-scale meetings are increasingly looking for ‘sensory destination experiences’ and that team building, treasure hunts and events with corporate social responsibility elements are important.

Urs Eberhard, vice president of Switzerland Tourism, said: “Switzerland is already a popular destination for Asian incentive trips with Lucerne and Zurich particularly.

“On this trip, however, we want to give them an insider’s tour of Eastern Switzerland. For guests on the Asia Trophy tour, this will be a real eye-opener and an authentic Swiss experience,” he added.

THE Korea Tourism Organization has selected 10 scenic walking trails in the country for hiking enthusiasts.

The list includes two trails in Jeollabuk-do, two in Jeollanam-do, two in Seoul, and one each in Gyeonggi-do, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Gyeongsangnam-do and Gangwon-do.

There are three types of courses: easy, normal and metropolitan area.

The easy courses are available at Juwang Valley in Juwangsan National Park, Slow Path (Course 1) in Cheongsando Island and Gangneung Bau-gil Road (Course 5) in Gyeongsangnam-do.

Normal courses include Hadong Park Kyung-ni Road (Course 2) in Gyeongsangnam-do; Mudol-gil 11 of Mudeungsan Mountain (Hwasun) located in Hwasun-gun, Joellanam-do; Pilgrim’s Route 6 in Gimje-si, Jeollabuk-do; and Takryu-gil (starting from Gunsan Modern History of Museum) in Gunsan-si, Jeollabukdo.

Metropolitan area courses mostly cover the roads within the city and suburban areas such as Haesol-gil 1 in Daebudo Island, Dream Forest in Seoul’s Gangbuk-gu district, and Namsan Mountain Nadeul-gil in Seoul Forest.

More information can be obtained via 1330 Korea travel hotline at (82-2) 1330, available in Korean, English, Japanese and Chinese.

ROTORUA’S Te Puia, New Zealand’s living Maori culture centre, is developing a site masterplan to add new facilities and expand its offering beyond culture.

CEO Tim Cossar said the arts, craft, culture and geothermal activity attraction will introduce ecotourism where visitors can participate in interactive activities around 500 volcanic pools and 65 geysers, including the world famous Pohutu geyser which erupts regularly and reaches 30m skywards.

To attract mid- and high-end Asian incentive groups, the centre is building a permanent marquee with kitchen and toilet facilities near the geyser that can cater for up to 200 guests for a sit-down dinner.

Apart from having its first Chinese-speaking Maori guide, footbaths and mini-spas will also be introduced.

“We are about 18 months away from introducing the new facilities,” said Cossar, adding that Asian incentives are becoming an increasingly important part of Te Puia’s business.

“We want incentive groups to hold functions here and gain a deeper experience,” he said.

Visitors can now go on a nightly tour of Te Puia’s weaving and carving schools before experiencing te po, a traditional Maori welcome and cultural performance, followed by a hangi (earth oven) dinner. The dining room seats 120 while an adjacent space can accommodate another 80.

The evening ends with a viewing of the lighted Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley.

Rotorua is about two hours’ drive from Auckland.

MARRIOTT International has opened the 11^th Courtyard by Marriott hotel in India with the introduction of the Courtyard by Marriott, Bilaspur.

Bilaspur is a city within the central Indian state of Chhattisgarh, and joins other cities such as Mumbai, Chennai, Pune (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 26, 2013), Ahmedabad, Kochi and Bhopal that already boast of at least one Courtyard by Marriott property each.

Rajeev Menon, area vice president, South Asia, Marriott International, said: “In recognition of the growing popularity and potential of certain key markets in Central India, we decided to enter Bhopal with the Courtyard brand. Our entry now into Bilaspur is a continuation of that specific growth strategy. Central India has been growing and attracting business visitors in a big way and Bilaspur being the country’s largest power generating hub is a city that is rapidly growing and offering numerous business opportunities.

The new hotel offers 70 deluxe rooms, 30 superior rooms, two junior suites and four courtyard suites. F&B outlets in the hotel include the trademark MoMo Café, MoMo 2 Go for visitors on the move, MoMo 2 You for in-room dining and Bar Thirty Six for drinks.

On the meetings and events front, Courtyard by Marriott, Bilaspur has the only banquet space in the city with a pre-function area and largest indoor halls that can fit more than 1,000 pax.

Amit Midha, general manager, Courtyard by Marriott, Bilaspur, said: “Marriott’s entry into this dynamic and growing city is our attempt to offer visitors and guests a business hotel that offers smart and innovative hospitality, ensuring the right mix of services that would help guests maintain a good work balance and thrive during their stay.”

SHANGRI-LA Hotels and Resorts has launched the Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa, giving guests a traditional experience of Tibetan culture.

Guests are offered a traditional ceremonial white silk scarf, hada, in greeting before they are taken to their rooms, where they are served yak butter tea in Tibetan pots. After check-out, guests are sent off to a round of traditional Tibetan songs and string instruments.

Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa’s design and architecture will also allow guests a dose of Tibetan culture. This includes the property’s Tibetan gate, a traditional Linka garden, two hand-crafted pavilions with yak butter lamps and the design of its lobby that sports Tibetan motifs.

Featuring 262 guestrooms and 17 suites with a minimum size of 42m2, the hotel offers guests garden, mountain or Potala Palace views, complimentary minibar upon arrival and free Wi-Fi throughout its premises.

Its Horizon Club Rooms and Horizon Club Lounge will open in July and provide Club concierge service, breakfast and evening cocktails.

Notably, the hotel comes with the first oxygen lounge in a hotel, with oxygen levels same as that at sea level for guests to breathe comfortably while enjoying reflexology treatments.

Chi, The Spa, a fully equipped gym and 25m indoor swimming pool round up the hotel’s relaxation amenities.

F&B offerings at the hotel include the signature Shambala restaurant and bar on level three specialising in Tibetan and Yunnan cuisine that will open in July; Lodger’s Lounge for light snacks and beverages; the all-day dining Altitude restaurant for local and international cuisines; and the signature Chinese restaurant, Shang Palace, that comes with 10 private dining rooms.