More air fare reductions
AIR fares are already falling following some liberalisation in airline operations at the start of the year.
Lufthansa was the first two months ago. Now British Airways has cut prices of some business-class fares. For example, round trip London-Paris is GBP240 (about HK$2,840) from GBP318. And Amsterdam is GBP218 against GBP274. However, these fares run only until the end of June.
Air France also matches these fares, but has put a maximum three-day restriction on the fare. However, there is no expiry date.
Contact British Airways, phone 868-0303 and Air France, phone 524-8145. THE Manila Midtown hotel in the Philippines has announced it will discount its tariffs 10-20 per cent for guests who walk into the hotel and ask for a discount. Airline passengers will get 30 per cent discount by showing their tickets.
Single tariffs start at US$110 (HK$858) single.
Contact the hotel direct on phone (63-2) 521-7001, or fax (63-2) 522-2629. IN the United States Sheraton has compared its rates for businessmen with selected competitor hotels in certain cities in the US, Europe and Asia. Here is a sample: In Bangkok, its 4,140 baht (HK$1,275) rate is 260 baht below the Grand Hyatt Erawan. In New York, US$179, US$16 cheaper than the Grand Hyatt and US$20 cheaper than the New York Hilton. In San Francisco, US$195, US$20 below the Park Hyatt. And in Paris, 1,520 francs (HK$2,166), 302 francs below the George V.
Contact Sheraton reservations, phone 739-3535. THIS winter the Windstar sail-equipped cruise ship will be in Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.
The 133-metre vessel, which has 74 cabins, has four sailings but only one programme for this year - a seven-day cruise from Singapore along the west coast of Peninsula Malaysia to Langkawi and return. Cost is US$3,895, including meals and entertainment.
There is no local agency for the US company, which is part of the Holland America Line. Contact your travel agency or Pacific World, phone (65) 352-1122, fax (65) 252-9884 in Singapore.
SWISSAIR has added a weekly flight to Zurich. However, the flight, which leaves every Saturday night makes a stop in Bombay.
The new return flight to Hongkong leaves Zurich on Fridays.
Contact Swissair reservations, phone 529-3670. THE Asiaworld Plaza hotel in Taipei has introduced packages priced at NT$3,500 single (or NT$1,900 per person sharing), which run until the end of the year, but there are lower prices in June, July, August and December.
Phone the hotel direct on (886-2) 715-0077 or fax (886-2) 713-4148, or phone 877-3270, fax 877-0742 in Hongkong. Information compiled by Travel Database, GPO Box 12761, Hongkong. Fax 507-4620.
