COSTA Cruises’ first Around-the-World cruise customised for Greater China tourists opened for booking yesterday.

Departing from Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Cruise Terminal on March 4, 2015, Costa Atlantica (with a capacity for 2,680 passengers) will sail across three oceans and five continents, visiting 28 destinations in 18 countries and regions. Cruise fares of this 83-day voyage start at US$17,742 per person.

Guests who book External Classic Cabins (fromUS$22,580 per person) before June 30, 2014 can enjoy a special complimentary upgrade to Balcony Premium Cabins (from US$32,258 per person).

Bookings can be made through Costa’s preferred sales agents Miramar Travel, Westminster Travel and Wing On Travel Service.

Costa Cruises had last month announced in a press statement the launch of this special cruise, which would depart from Shanghai or Hong Kong for an 86-day and 83-day journey respectively, and will also provide Chinese-speaking crew members on board as well as Asian cuisines.

Buhdy Bok, senior vice president Pacific Asia & China, Costa Crociere, said in the statement: “Our aim is to further develop the Asia-Pacific cruise market…our experience in serving the Hong Kong market has shown that Hong Kong people have a great love for the joie de vivre of travelling and exploring exotic locations. We are confident the 86-day Around-the-World tour on Costa Atlantica will satisfy their infinite passion for travelling.”

THE New World Millennium Hong Kong Hotel will debut in July following the rebranding of the Hotel Nikko Hongkong, announced the management of the hotel’s joint venture owning company, Fergurson Hotel Holdings.

A collaboration between New World Hotels and Millennium & Copthorne Hotels, the hotel’s rebranding will include a phased HK$120 million (US$15.5 million) renovation of the 464-room harbourfront hotel. It will remain in operation while undergoing the enhancements.

Located on Mody Road in Tsim Sha Tsui East, the hotel features 464 guestrooms and suites, with seven dining options including all-day dining, specialty restaurants and lobby lounge.

Meeting spaces include a grand ballroom and 10 meeting rooms, while recreational facilities include a health club and a rooftop pool.

ROSEWOOD Hotels & Resorts has announced the opening of Rosewood Guangzhou in 2017, joining upcoming sister properties in Beijing (summer 2014), Phnom Penh, Phuket, Bali, Bangkok, Jakarta and Sanya.

Located in the heart of Tianhe District’s central business area, the luxury property will occupy the top 16 floors and podium of the Guangzhou CTF Finance Centre, which is currently under development. Nearby are luxury shopping malls and cultural attractions.
It will feature 251 guestrooms from 55m² and 355 Rosewood Residences, 23 of which will be duplex apartments.

F&B outlets include a bistro, bar, lobby lounge and gourmet corner. Of the nine private dining rooms in the Chinese restaurant, three will be free-standing outdoor garden villas which can be combined into one space for celebratory events.

On the 107^th floor are a contemporary, cosmopolitan restaurant as well as a sky bar with a cigar humidor area and fully equipped wine corner and cellar.

Recreational options include a two-level Sense spa with eight spa treatment suites, a health club and an indoor pool.

Occupying a total space of 2,250m², meeting facilities include The Pavilion, a residential-style function space; a 970m² grand ballroom for 700 pax; three function rooms; two VIP rooms; one bridal suite; and a Sky Mansion on the 108^th floor featuring a show kitchen terrace.

ABOUT 59 per cent of the respondents in Asia said they searched for travel accommodation online via mobile devices – 13 per cent above global average – with Thailand topping at 65 per cent, according to a AsiaRooms.com/Lenovo survey.

Of the over 12,000 respondents representing the Internet-active adult population in more than 25 major markets including the Americas, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Oceania, about 33 per cent of respondents in this region said they book travel accommodation via mobile devices (eight per cent above global average).

The study also revealed that 63 per cent of respondents in Asia are likely to use mobile devices in the future for travel accommodation booking (10 per cent above global average).

Not surprisingly, a higher percentage of respondents from Asia (75 per cent) indicated having made reservations online – mobile or otherwise – for leisure and business trips, which is 10 per cent higher than the global average.

Singapore tops for online accommodation booking, at 84 per cent.

The top reasons for respondents not wanting to use the mobile device more often is that content is hard to see on the mobile device (40 per cent) and that Internet connection on mobile devices is slow or unstable (35 per cent).

Mobile connectivity increasingly important in Asia, with 83 per cent of the respondents in this region owning a mobile phone with Internet access. This echoes Nielsen’s latest report, which states that smartphone penetration in Asia Pacific is booming, with a number of markets here already surpassing those of the US and Europe.

Said Clarence Lin, head of marketing, APAC, AsiaRooms.com, which recently launched a mobile app for on-the-go bookings: “Consumers are increasingly connected as well as demanding greater convenience at their fingertips, and this trend is here to stay…We see travel and mobility as big passion points for consumers in Asia and will continue to extend our reach relevantly in the marketplace.”

MANDARIN Oriental Manila will shut down in September after 38 years of operation, as its existing facilities and infrastructure are “no longer in keeping with the group’s well-recognised, luxury hospitality offering”, according to Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group (MOHG) in a press statement.

However, a new luxury 275-room Mandarin Oriental Manila is scheduled for opening in 2020. MOHG has signed a long-term contract to brand and manage this hotel, the exact location of which is yet to be announced.

The property will form part of a mixed-use development owned and developed by Ayala Hotels & Resorts, which is expanding its collection of international brands including Raffles, Fairmont, Intercontinental and Holiday Inn, all in Makati.

Torsten van Dullemen, general manager of the existing Mandarin Oriental Manila, said in the statement the hotel “has been recognised as one of the city’s most iconic hotels since its opening in 1976″.

“All hotel colleagues have been informed of the forthcoming closure and will receive full and fair severance payment and appropriate professional guidance,” he added.