Marriott enters Taiwan: Marriott International will launch its first hotel in Taiwan early next year, when the 260-room Hualien Marriot Resort opens its doors. The resort will be part of a multi-phase 260-hectare leisure development called Promised Land, located about 225km southeast of Taipei. Featuring a restaurant and poolside bar, concierge service, a business centre, laundry and valet service and health and fitness centre when it opens, the resort will continue to expand its facilities to 2007. By 2004, it will open three additional food and beverage outlets, conference and banquet facilities and a health club.
Stars awards: Star Alliance has launched an awards programme across all airlines in the alliance. The Star Alliance Awards enable customers to use just one frequent flyer award ticket for travelling to more than 700 destinations on any combination of alliance airlines. Star Alliance has also improved its award ticket booking process called Redemption Availability and Sell (RAS) that allows real-time booking across the alliance.
Discount Hong Kong: Business and leisure travellers flying Cathay Pacific can enjoy a 50 per cent discount on Airport Hotelink shuttle bus services between Hong Kong International Airport and the hotel of their choice. The shuttle leaves every 30 minutes and visits nearly all hotels in Hong Kong. And those seeking comfort and flexibility can also take advantage of the discount rates, with up to 33 per cent of the Hotelink limousine service. All you need to do to enjoy these discounts is present your boarding pass at the Airport Hotelink counter upon arrival.