SKAL International Beijing, the first Skal Club to be established in mainland China, has been officially approved by the Chinese authorities.

With both Chinese and non-Chinese nationals among its ranks, Skal International Beijing is the first non-government tourism entity with individual members to be officially sanctioned by the government of the People’s Republic of China.

Enrique Quesada, president of Skal International, said he was looking forward to the formal inauguration of Skal International Beijing.

“China is the world’s largest burgeoning tourism destination and the establishment of a Skal Club in mainland China will provide enormous opportunities for the travel industry to do business in China, both inbound and outbound. I have no doubt that there will be significant membership growth of Skal International in China”, he said.

The inaugural meeting of Skal International Beijing will be held at the Beijing Asia Hotel on August 15, 2012.

MESSE Berlin (Singapore), organiser of ITB Asia, has announced the addition of three new conference partners to this year’s programme lineup.

To be held at The Sands Expo & Convention Center, Marina Bay Sands, Singapore from October 17-19, ITB Asia 2012 will see representatives from MCI, NATAS and Panacea Publishing Asia come together to discuss innovative solutions and best practices for the travel industry and related sectors.

Buyers and delegates can look forward to the first-ever Corporate MICE Buyer Program, delivered by MCI. The programme, with forums on ‘Performance Improvement’ and ‘Procurement Insight’, will include interactive round table discussions moderated by Rob Morrow, global director – Performance Improvement, MCI, and Robin Lokerman, president Asia Pacific, MCI.

Scheduled to take place on October 17, the inaugural NATAS Travel Conference is an event organised for travel industry leaders and experts to share knowledge and build networks. The conference also seeks to address the impact of the rapidly changing needs of today’s savvy travellers, and guide travel experts on how to build their brands.

Panacea Publishing Asia, also joining ITB Asia for the first time, will address the effectiveness of travel incentives in increasing employee productivity with its panel discussion titled The Power of Incentives – New Initiatives, Same Objectives. The conference, led by incentive travel organisers from prestigious corporations, will be held on October 19.

UNITED Airlines is planning to start daily services between its hub at San Francisco International Airport and Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on April 9, 2013.

The flights will operate using Boeing 777 aircraft with 269 seats – eight in United Global First, 40 in United BusinessFirst, 104 in United Economy Plus, and 117 in United Economy.

The new San Francisco-Taipei flights will be available for booking once United receives government approval.

In the past 18 months, United has added new routes from its US hubs to international destinations such as Shanghai, along with new intra-Asia routes between its Tokyo hub and Hong Kong, and between its Guam hub and Okinawa.

MALAYSIA’s Creative Advances Technology (CAT) has developed a homegrown Hotel Allotment System (HAS), which it hopes to market overseas next year.

Acting as a a single platform for hoteliers to manage all their sales distribution channels more efficiently, HAS allows instantaneous access to room inventory, rates, sales channels and online bookings, as well as connections to travel agencies and consumers.

In addition, the system allows users to streamline multiple sales channels by centralising room allotments in a shared inventory pool. Users also receive real-time data on business performance.

So far, CAT has managed to convince 84 local hotels to use its system. The hotels fork out a flat rate of US$2 for each enquiry made.

Speaking at the launch of HAS in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, CAT managing director, Rohizam Md Yusoff, said his company would promote HAS to hoteliers at overseas travel trade shows such as ITB Berlin and World Travel Market next year.

Rohizam said the expansion focus would be on South-east Asia as well as Australia, India and Europe. CAT will also work together with ASEAN Hotel And Restaurant Association to promote the system to their members, he added.

Malaysian Association of Hotels vice-president, Christina Toh, said the flat rate of US$2 per enquiry was “value for money” compared to online travel agents’ commissions – which typically range from 10 to 30 per cent.

LUXURY Travel Vietnam has released its latest annual brochure for travel professionals, featuring a wide range of tailor-made tours and luxury travel products across Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar.

The 132-page full-color brochure is filled with pictures contributed by the Luxury Travel team, as well as professional and freelance photographers specialising in South-east Asia.

Providing insider information and a wide selection of recommended hotels and resorts, the brochure also keeps travel professionals updated with the ‘What’s New?’ section discussing the latest tourism develoments in each country,

“I am excited to unveil our latest and updated Luxury Travel Brochure for travel professionals in conjunction with our 8th anniversary celebration. We have just launched numerous new travel experiences for discerning travelers for the next season,” said Pham Ha, founder & CEO of Luxury Travel Vietnam.

“We hope that our newest Luxury Travel brochure 2012-13 helps our travel professionals to generate sales,” he added.

“Interested travel colleagues can make an appointment with us and have a further discussion about the profitable market share in emerging destinations such as Vietnam, Cambodia and Myanmar.”

CATHAY Pacific Airways has made a firm order for 10 Airbus A350-1000 planes worth HK$25.6 billion (US$3.17 billion).

In addition, the Hong Kong flag carrier will convert 16 of its existing orders for the A350-900 to the larger A350-1000.

The acquisition of the A350-1000s, subject to the approval of the Cathay Pacific board, will bring the total number of A350 Xtra Wide-Body (XWB) aircraft ordered by the airline to 48.

The largest version of the A350 XWB family, the A350-1000 typically seats 350 passengers in a three-class layout, and is capable of flying about 13,500 km non-stop. Cathay Pacific will operate the aircraft on higher density routes, including its longest direct flights to Europe and North America.

“This is an important and strategic development for Cathay Pacific,” said John Slosar, chief executive, Cathay Pacific Airways. “The A350-1000 aircraft’s improved payload and range will allow us to connect more and more important cities worldwide directly with Hong Kong.”

Meanwhile, Airbus chief executive, Fabrice Bregier, revealed that there may be delays to the delivery of its A350 aircraft – scheduled to enter service from mid-2014.

CHAN Brothers Travel will be holding an opening sale at its new flagship store and cruise centre anchored at Fook Hai Building in Singapore from July 21-22, 2012.

Spread over 370m2 of retail space, the new flagship store and cruise centre has boosted the company’s retail capacity by 15 per cent.

“Business growth does not come to a standstill just because we are plagued by economic uncertainties, said Anthony Chan, group managing director of Chan Brothers Travel.

“On the contrary, we are grabbing the bull by the horns, and amplifying our brand presence to expand the business online and on the ground.”

Offers at the upcoming sale will include 1-for-1 deals for selected package tours to China, 50 per cent off for second travellers plus 20 per cent off for children on selected package tours to Asia, up to S$600 (US$472) off for second travellers on selected package tours to Europe and the US, free flights for the first child for selected package tours to Australia and New Zealand, and up to S$500 off per cabin for worldwide cruises.

REAL estate developer CapitaLand has announced its intention to purchase the Somerset Grand Cairnhill serviced residence in Singapore from its associate, Ascott Residence Trust (REIT), for S$359 million (US$283 million).

Situated near Orchard Road, Somerset Grand Cairnhill, which currently offers 146 serviced residence units in studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom formats, will be redeveloped into CapitaLand’s first-ever integrated serviced residence and condominium project.

The revamped property will feature a 20-storey serviced residence tower with 371 units; the rest of the development will comprise high-end residential units.

The serviced residence tower is expected to be sold back to Ascott REIT for S$405 million in 2017, and will operate under a hotel licence – allowing it to accommodate both short- and long-term guests.

Meanwhile, Ascott announced that it would be splashing part of the S$283.6 million earned from divesting The Ascott Raffles Place and Ascott Guangzhou to Ascott REIT, on investment opportunities in Europe.

ANNIE, a Broadway and West End classic featuring everyone’s favourite little redhead orphan, premiered yesterday at the Sands Theater, Marina Bay Sands in Singapore.

Inspired by the Little Orphan Annie comic strip that first ran in the New York News in 1924, this uplifting rendition of Annie’s rags-to-riches journey from a New York orphanage to the home of billionaire businessman Oliver Warbucks features a 52-strong cast and company.

Scheduled to run till August 5, the musical showcases British comedy star Su Pollard as the scheming Miss Hannigan, and UK stage veteran David McAlister as Daddy Warbucks, whose heart is softened by the young orphan Annie, played alternately by three young actresses from the UK.

The show also boasts one of Broadway’s most memorable scores, with favourites such as Tomorrow, It’s The Hard Knock Life, You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile, and Easy Street.

“Annie is one of the major productions that Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, in partnership with BASE Entertainment Asia, is bringing to Singapore (TTG Asia e-Daily, March 27, 2012),” said James Cundall, chief executive of Lunchbox Theatrical Productions.

“I am absolutely delighted to be able to bring not only such a legendary Broadway musical to this city, but a cast of such calibre as well. I’m sure local audiences will give them a very warm welcome.”

Ticket prices for the show range from S$68 (US$51) to S$178, including a S$3 booking fee per ticket.

Visit www.BASEentertainmentasia.com/annie or www.MarinaBaySands.com/Ticketing, call (65) 6688-8826, or head down to the Marina Bay Sands box office to secure a ticket.