ONE of the last undeveloped parcels of land along Bangkok’s Chao Phraya River has been earmarked for development into a luxury hotel and residential project that will be managed by Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River and Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok at Chao Phraya River will come up along one of the longest waterfront promenades in the Thai capital to occupy 350m of riverfront space.

Valued at 32 billion baht (US$970.9 million), the project is Bangkok-based international real estate developer Country Group’s largest project to date.

The hotel will offer over 300 rooms and suites, restaurants and other hotel facilities, while the residence is to consist of more than 350 all-corner units in a 73-storey building.

“Through our collaboration with Four Seasons, our aim is for Chao Phraya Estate to redefine the waterfront experience in Bangkok and Asia,” said Ben Taechaubol, CEO of Country Group Development.

“Our contribution to the revival of the Chao Phraya River and skyline of Bangkok reflects our passion and respect for our city’s rich culture and history and our desire to see it be renowned as one of the greatest urban waterways in the world,” he said.

Michael Crawford, president, Asia-Pacific, Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts, said: “Bangkok continues to be a destination of choice for business and leisure travellers and this property will embody our commitment to innovation and exceeding the expectations of our discerning guests.”

Four Seasons Hotel Bangkok at Chao Phraya River and Four Seasons Private Residences Bangkok at Chao Phraya River are expected to be completed by end-2018.

The hotel operator’s existing property in the capital, Four Seasons Bangkok, will be rebranded by owner Minor Hotel Group to become Anantara’s new flagship hotel on March 1.

TWO European DMCs are reaching out to the markets of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Brunei to promote their maiden Muslim-friendly tours in Europe.

Spanish DMC, Premium Incoming, has introduced a guaranteed seat-in-coach 11D10N Treasures of Islamic Spain tour to Andalusian cities such as Seville, Cordoba, Granada – once ruled by Muslims leaders – as well as Madrid, Valencia and Barcelona.

Meanwhile, Kompas, an established company in the Balkan region, has launched the 11D10N itinerary Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia and Slovenia Muslim Friendly, taking tourists to historical and natural sites.

Barbara Sette, managing director of Sette Reps – the appointed sales office for Kompas and Premium Incoming in South-east Asia – said both itineraries cater to the needs of Muslim travellers: four- and five-star modern hotels in the city area; a slower itinerary with more free time for shopping; a prayer stop included every day; and restaurants that serve halal-certified meat.

“We have been working on FIT (private basis or seat-in-coach) and group departures with specialised Muslim agencies from Malaysia and Indonesia for a while, but this is the first time we launch SIC (tours) only targeting Muslim clients,” she said.

Asked why South-east Asia was picked over the Middle East as target markets for the tours, Sette replied: “First, Indonesia is the country with the largest number of Muslims in the world. Second, we are already present in South-east Asia and well known. Knowing the market and their needs, we know this product can be attractive for our agencies that already use us as their partner in Europe.”

The new itineraries were introduced to Indonesian outbound travel consultants in October, and to Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei last month. Sette is still planning targeted sales visits promoting the tours to travel consultants.

INDONESIAN aviation safety is in the spotlight as the investigations into Indonesia AirAsia flight QZ8501 unearthed information leading to the temporary suspension of the carrier’s Surabaya-Singapore service on January 2.

Djoko Murjatmodjo, acting director general of air transportation, Ministry of Transportation, said: “The airline’s permit is to fly is for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, but it turns out AirAsia was flying on Sundays.

“This is a violation of the flight permit, therefore we have temporarily frozen the Surabaya service for investigations.”

The official said the proceedings from here on are isolated and separate from investigations into flight QZ8501, and added that the Ministry would intensify controls on airlines to ensure compliance with aviation regulations, including the pilot briefing by flight dispatcher.

Sunu Widyatmoko, president director of Indonesia AirAsia declined to comment, but outbound passengers are meanwhile switching to different carriers.

Reza Novaldy, director of Tama Putera Wisata Bandung, said: “People will continue to travel but we have seen people shifting from LCCs to Garuda Indonesia on domestic routes, unless the destination is only served by LCCs.”

Likewise, Kencana Tour Jakarta’s president director, Yekti Suradji, said: “There was growing demand from our corporate clients to travel with AirAsia, especially from those with budget cuts. However, looking at the forward bookings, we see this demand in decline as clients start shifting back to Garuda.”

Pauline Suharno, deputy secretary general of The Association of Air Ticketing Companies in Indonesia expected this year to become a turning point for Indonesian aviation. “Aviation safety is in the spotlight, but the new minister of transportation (Ignasius Jonan) has moved quickly to improve and see that (different players) are complying with regulations.”

In a separate blow to Surabaya, the US Embassy in Jakarta issued a travel alert over the weekend against Indonesia’s second-largest city that warned of possible threats against American interests.

Posted on the embassy’s website, the statement read: “The US Embassy has been made aware of a potential threat against US-associated hotels and banks in Surabaya, Indonesia. The US Embassy recommends heightened vigilance and awareness of one’s surroundings when visiting such facilities.”

No further details were provided, but the concerns were likely heightened following attempts by a number of Indonesian citizens to travel to Syria and Iraq to join ISIS.

East Java regional police forces have denied any existence of a threat but are increasing patrols and security measures around US-associated facilities.

HILTON Worldwide opened Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa today as its second property in Myanmar, hot on the heels of its Naypyidaw hotel.

Situated on Myanmar’s west coast facing the Indian Ocean, Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa is 2km away from the Thandwe Airport, a 10-minute drive from Thandwe town centre. From Yangon, beach destination Ngapali is a 45-minute flight away.

“Our expanding presence in Myanmar – particularly with the opening of Hilton Ngapali Beach Resort & Spa – provides more choices for travellers and elevates hospitality standards and services in this increasingly important and growing region,” said Rob Palleschi, global head full service brands, Hilton Worldwide.

The property is owned by Eden Group Company and managed by Hilton Worldwide.

Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa features 51 rooms and villas with Wi-Fi, satellite TV channels, balconies or terraces, and separate bath and rain showers.

Rooms start at the entry-level Deluxe Rooms with a private whirlpool to the top-end Ocean View Villa Suites with a previate pool and outdoor deck offering views of the Indian Ocean, and access to the Executive Lounge.

Within the resort premises, F&B options include all-day dining Flow restaurant, The Lounge in the resort lobby, and Shore bar.

Other facilities include a spa, 24-hour fitness centre, outdoor infinity pool with three whirlpools, and a separate children’s area. Recreational activities such as non-motorised water sports and golf can be arranged.

As a participant in the Hilton HHonors programme, Hilton Ngapali Resort & Spa is marking its opening with 5,000 bonus HHonors points per night for weekday stays of at least three consecutive nights.

The promotion is valid from January 15 to April 30.

NEW World Hotels & Resorts has expanded its reach in the Philippines with the launch of New World Manila Bay on New Year’s Day, the group’s second property in the capital.

Formerly the Hyatt Regency Hotel & Casino, Manila, the hotel is slated to renovate its guestrooms and public areas. The hotel offers easy access to business and major convention centres, retail areas, and historical attractions. The airports and port terminal are a 30-minute and 10-minute drive away respectively.

New World Manila Bay Hotel features 376 guestrooms and suites with Residence Club executive floors and lounge. It has six dining options including the Market Cafe, the Cantonese restaurant Li Li, The Fireplace steakhouse, The Lounge, Pool Bar and The Pastry Boutique.

Meeting and event space includes a 630m² ballroom that accommodates up to 700 guests and four other venues.

Recreational facilities include a 25m swimming pool, a fitness centre and a spa. The hotel is part of a complex including a 13,935m² casino.

To celebrate its opening, the hotel is offering a Celebration Stay package until March 31, 2015 that allows guests to enjoy a special rate starting at 6,800 pesos (US$152) a room per night for a minimum stay of two nights in a City Bay View Room.

Guests will be entitled to access to the Residence Club Living Room for breakfast, all-day refreshments and evening cocktails, as well as one-way airport transfers, use of Wi-Fi and the Boardroom for one hour per day, and a turndown amenity. A 25 per cent discount at hotel restaurants and bars and a 15 per cent discount on massage services is also available.

The package is subject to availability, service charge and tax.

ETHIOPIAN Airlines is cosying up to Star Alliance partner Air India as it expands in India with additional frequencies on existing routes and ponders a new service to Chennai.

In India last month for a Star Alliance meeting, Tewolde Gebremariam, CEO of Ethiopian Airlines, said: “More than 600 Indian companies have invested in Ethiopia and a large Indian community lives there so it offers a lot of opportunity to us.

“We are considering direct flights between Chennai and Addis Ababa for the summer 2015 schedule, and expect to start double-daily frequencies for the New Delhi-Addis Ababa and Mumbai-Addis Ababa sectors in 1H2015.”

The airline will also extend its codeshare agreement with India’s national airline, Air India, to include other African destinations such as Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda and South Africa, and Indian cities like Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kolkata.

Ethiopian Airlines already codeshares on flights from New Delhi and Mumbai to Addis Ababa, and is 5ecording 75 per cent loads on Indian routes.

Commented Subhash Goyal, chairman, STIC Travel Group: “The traffic from India to Ethiopia has been predominantly business. However, there is a good potential to promote the destination among Indian leisure tourists looking to explore newer places.”