ARTOTEL Group Announces the opening of ARTOTEL TS Suites - Surabaya
PARK HYATT BUSAN LAUNCHES ‘GREEN SUMMER’ PACKAGE
PDOT successfully held a PH-themed event at The Hyundai Seoul
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ARTOTEL Sanur - Bali presents Asia's First ever "Gamer Asylum" Concept Rooms
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Customer Experience Revenue in the Travel & Hospitality Industry Declined by 33% Between 2019 and 2021, According to Dash Research
While all industry sectors have needed to pivot and flex to address the global pandemic, few other industries have had to reinvent their processes and solutions the way the travel & hospitality market has needed to. Constantly changing restrictions and regulations have made any sort of market recovery in this sector lumpy, at best. The travel & hospitality sector has always needed to walk the line between internal operational and cost efficiencies and personal attention to the guest or traveler. According to a recent report from Dash Research, the global COVID-19 pandemic caused many travel & hospitality companies to reassess their priorities and current technology status, focusing on those that will result in even greater efficiencies as they navigate the upcoming recovery, and provide a smooth, friction-free, and positive customer experience for those traveling. Dash Research estimates that the global market for customer experience (CX)/customer engagement (CE) software and services totaled $3.5 billion in 2021, a 32.7% decline from 2019 when revenue for the sector was $5.2 billion. The market intelligence firm does not anticipate revenue returning to 2019 levels within the duration of its forecast period (2019 to 2026). Worldwide CX/CE revenue is forecast to rise moderately over the next several years, reaching $4.3 billion in 2026. “The customer journey of a traveler can be complicated and leverages many disparate technologies,” says senior analyst Sherril Hanson. “The process of researching a trip via the wide variety of channels and third-party providers, booking, paying, moving through a transportation hub, and arriving at a destination of choice has a lot of opportunities to rise to the occasion to provide outstanding CX or fall short of expectations.” Hanson adds that each touchpoint in that journey is an opportunity to build brand loyalty, trust, and positive emotions. Dash Research concludes that this is both a challenge and an opportunity for implementing CX technologies and services. While the industry will take some time to fully rebound, an exploration of CX in this sector demonstrates that it is a market primed to reap the benefits of implementing CX technologies. Dash Research analysis indicates that the key market drivers spurring the purchase of CX software platforms, applications, and ancillary services in the travel & hospitality market include the following: 1) Demand for omnichannel interactions and self-service along the various touchpoints 2) Changes in the nature of the travel experience and a desire for personalization 3) Acceleration of contactless and convenience technologies 4) Increased communication needs However, a multi-year global pandemic represents an unprecedented challenge for the travel & hospitality industry, and several key related market barriers that are tempering the growth of CX software and services include the following: 1) Market uncertainty and budget constraints 2) Fragmented and sometimes outdated technology stacks 3) Labor shortages and employee burnout 4) Consumer concern over health and safety issues Opportunities abound for the growth of CX solutions in travel & hospitality, but amidst all the current challenges, these solutions must be implemented with a keen eye toward evolving consumer behavior and attitudes, greater efficiency and convenience for travelers, timely and personalized communications, and a strong and sustained focus on employee experience (EX) in an environment of scarce labor resources. Dash Research’s report, “CX in the Travel & Hospitality Industry”, focuses on the software platforms, applications, and services that are offered to travel & hospitality companies to help them achieve excellent CX that leaves travelers feeling safe, satisfied, and eager for a return trip via all the companies that eased their journey. The report examines the current and future market issues, market drivers and barriers, and case studies within the travel & hospitality CX/CE industry. Market sizing and forecasts include segmentations by geography, functional area, product offering, and visibility to the customer. Discussion on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and how the industry is responding, is also included. An Executive Summary of the report is available for free download on the firm’s website.
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Christmas Terminal @Harbour City
The annual outdoor Christmas lighting display of Harbour City shopping mall located next to Victoria Harbour is Hong Kong’s must-visit festive attraction, creating lots of lovely memories and pleasant surprises to local and overseas visitors. From 19 November 2021 to 2 January 2022, the entire Harbour City shopping mall transforms into a “Christmas Terminal” to greet everyone to embark on a Christmas journey. A group of cookies-shaped animals gather at the “Christmas Cookies Departure Hall” at Ocean Terminal Forecourt and prepare to set off with excitement. Professional photo taking service is offered for all travelers to check-in at the giant suitcase. Everyone can also buy the cookies-shaped souvenir at “Christmas Gift Shop” after passing through “Baggage Conveyor Belt” Lighting Tunnel and celebrate the festive season. In addition, Harbour City has launched “Christmas Cookies” Game at the “Harbour Cityzen” mobile App. Everyone can get an instant prize after hunting and collecting the designated “Cookies Ornaments”. Upon spending and redeeming REWARDING EVERY DAY coupons during the promotion period, customers can also receive “Christmas Boarding Pass” lucky draw ticket and enjoy shopping privileges in 50 designated “Duty-Free Shops”. This year, Harbour City has reinstalled large-scale Christmas outdoor decorations at Ocean Terminal Forecourt with stunning Victoria Harbour view. We have also resumed a livestreamed Lighting Ceremony on 18 November 2021 and invite public to attend the ceremony by donation for the first time. The ceremony is kicked off by A cappella Christmas singing performance. Special pyrotechnic effects and Confetti have been arranged at the scene to hope everyone can celebrate the festive season under the new normal and spread joy around the world. 1. Begin your Journey at “Christmas Cookies Departure Hall” & Take Photo at Giant Suitcase Upon entering the “Christmas Cookies Departure Hall” at Ocean Terminal Forecourt from Star Ferry Pier, two cookies bear staffs are ready to serve all travelers. While various cookie-shaped animals are ready for departure at “Candy Cane” gates, cookie penguin sister is pushing a luggage trolley to meet up with her brother. Unfortunately, her brother’s “Giant Suitcase” has accidentally opened, dropping sweet cookies everywhere including clothes, camera and Christmas gifts, etc. He needs a helping hand from other visitors! After packing the suitcase, cookies bears lead us to “Baggage Conveyor Belt” Lighting Tunnel at the Ocean Terminal staircase, delivering all baggage and excitement to the world for Christmas celebration. Moreover, a lot of “cookies mold” Christmas trees with colorful lightings and cutie cookies ornaments are also placed at Departure Hall and Lighting Tunnel, everyone should check-in before set off! Harbour City collaborates with online booking platform Klook, where each person can step on the Giant Suitcase “Charity Photo Zone” to take photos upon donation of HK$10 to Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation. Fotomax also provides different charity photo packages to capture the unforgettable moments. Proceeds of charity photo packages after cost deduction will be donated to Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation. 2. “Christmas Gift Shop” - Souvenir Charity Sales and Gift-Wrapping Service Buying souvenirs is a must for every trip! Harbour City opens the first “Christmas Gift Shop” at the Ocean Terminal Lobby offering numerous of creative and practical limited edition “cookies” souvenirs such as cushions, multipurpose ornaments, passport holders, luggage tags and other travel gadgets. Besides, travelers can enjoy Charity Gift-Wrapping Service with special designed packaging, including penguin gift bags adding with various beanie stickers and Christmas cookie pattern wrapping papers along with different colours of ribbons and stickers carrying various blessings. Proceeds of gift shop and gift-wrapping after cost deduction will be donated to Hong Kong Blood Cancer Foundation. Online booking platform Klook introduces various “Holiday Itinerary” for this Christmas and launch “Christmas Boarding Gate” challenge with everyone! Participants can experience different travel journeys, including Japan, Korea or Taiwan. Winners will have a chance to win special prizes from Japan National Tourism Organization, Korea Tourism Organization (Hong Kong), Taiwan Visitors Association (Hong Kong Office). They can also enjoy Klook Christmas card with exclusive discount if can’t succeed in the challenge. 3. “Christmas Cookies” Game and “Boarding Pass” Instant Lucky Draw x Shopping Privileges The Christmas Cookies of cookie penguin brother are scattered around the Christmas Terminal! Let’s download the mobile app “Harbour Cityzen” to hunt and scan the over 50 cookies QR codes around the Terminal now, and get an instant prize valued at HK$200 or above upon collection of designated Christmas Cookies. On the other hand, from 26 November 2021 to 2 January 2022, upon spending and redeeming REWARDING EVERY DAY coupons during Christmas Season, customers can also receive one “Boarding Pass” lucky draw ticket at the redemption counter to join Christmas Grand Lucky Draw and get a chance to win 25 grand prizes (each valued at HK$5,000 or above)! Upon presentation of the “Boarding Pass”, customers can also enjoy 10% off at Christmas Gift Shop, and various shopping privileges in 50 designated “Duty Free Shops” of the “Christmas Terminal”. Details will be announced in website of Harbour City soon.
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MARITIM Resort Marina Bay Open Now
MARITIM family keeps expanding. Maritim Resort Marina Bay has opened its door in May welcoming travelers to this unparalleled property located in Vlora, Albania. The hotel has nearly 100 guestrooms and suites. Equipped with 4 swimming pools and a spa center, 7 food and beverage outlets as well as extensive sports facilities, Maritim Resort Marina Bay provides full services for guests to relax and enjoy their stay with us. Southern Albania enjoys 300 days if sunshine on average per year. The historical and ethnographic museums and the Petro Marko Theatre form the cultural center of Vlora which has been one of the favorite cities for European travelers. It takes 2-hour drive from the hotel to the airport in Tirana. Or you take ferry to the city of Brindisi in Italy keep exploring the Caribbean interests. MARITIM family offers you another option, Maritim Hotel Plaza Tirana. Located in the capital of Albania, the hotel has 190 comfortable guestrooms and suites offering a home away from home environment for travelers.
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Ttobagi Farm Family Has Come to INJE County! Where Clean Water, Air, and Mother Nature Breathe
Inje County (Inje-gun, hereinafter Inje), Gangwon Province, is a place to arrive in about 2-3 hours by car from Seoul, the capital of South Korea. The DMZ (Korean Demilitarized Zone) is located to the north and Seoraksan National Park to the east. Thus, nature is well preserved compared to Seoul and the metropolitan area. Moreover, since Inje has the lowest population density of South Korean counties, it is famous for its clear air and water. The natural environment is the best preserved, so it is known among Koreans as the place to see the best autumn and winter scenery. The food also well expresses the traditional culture and taste of Korea, making it an attractive place for Koreans to visit during the holiday season. To this Inje, Ttobagi Farm Family, a group of foreigners in Korea interested in domestic rural tourism and travel and active in SNS activities, visited. Those who gathered to promote Korean rural tourism abroad experienced the most typical farm villages on an overnight trip itinerary. The name ‘Ttobagi Farm Family’ is a combination of the pure Korean word “Ttobagi(또바기),” meaning “Always,” the word “Farm” and the Chinese character “Family(族).” It contains the meaning of “a family always with the farm village.” As the name implies, people who gathered to study the Korean language and culture from various countries experienced the traditional Korean farm villages’ traditional culture that cannot be encountered in cities. ■ Storehouses of cultural knowledge: Inje Mountain Village Folk Museum & Park In-hwan Memorial House The Inje Mountain Village Folk Museum opened on October 8, 2003, to examine the history and tradition of Inje at a glance. The museum systematically preserves and exhibits the disappearing folk culture of Inje. It has two themes: “Life & Faith” and “Joys and Sorrows & Relaxation”. It is available from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm and closed on public holidays and every Monday. Admission is free. Park In-hwan Memorial House is located right next to the Inje Mountain Village Folk Museum. This space is for admiring the spirit of Park In-hwan, a poet who was born in Inje. You can feel the nostalgia of the past through the exhibition room that recreates the space of the days when the poet Park In-hwan was writing poems. The main works of Park In-hwan, the representative poet of modernist poetry, include “If Times Flow” and “A Rocking Horse and a Lady.” Address: 50, Inje-ro 156beon-gil, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do Phone: +82-33-462-2086 Website: http://mvfm.kr ■ Seeing the beautiful scenery of autumn in Korea at one stage: Hachu Natural Recreation Forest Hachu Natural Recreation Forest, managed by Inje Forestry Cooperative, consists of 11 condo-type buildings, including the Forest House and Forest Culture Rest Hall, conference rooms, restaurants, camping facilities, etc. Also, there are a 6km hiking trail and a 4km wellbeing tracking course. The tracking course leads to a field of wildflowers filled with about 30,000 flowers of 50 different species, such as daylily, spike speedwell, yellow iris, and fuji blue. Besides hiking trails where you can enjoy forest bathing, you can experience adventure leisure sports such as rafting, river bugging, and kayaking at Naerincheon, depending on the season and weather. Meanwhile, only a limited number of people can enter and use it through the online reservation, so it is essential to make the reservation in advance. Address: 686, Hachu-ro, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do Phone: +82-33-461-0056 Website: https://bit.ly/3jBJJOr If you walk along the tracking course of Hachu Natural Recreation Forest, you can see the most Korean country road. Inje, in particular, is famous for producing vegetables in Korea, and since autumn is the season when the harvest is in full swing, you could see the farmers working. In Korea, Inje is famous for the small number of COVID-19 confirmed cases. Although there was a confirmed case entering the country through Incheon International Airport, a mass infection in Inje was previously blocked by quarantine measures. To this day, there has been no mass infection in Inje, and it is still on a good defense. ■ Meet the life of farmers and local food at Hachuri Mountain Village Located in Inje, Hachuri Mountain Village is a green village between Seoraksan and Naerincheon. It is at a high altitude of 250 to 600m above sea level and a mountain village centered in agriculture that mainly produces various highland vegetables, wild herbs, medicinal plants, and mushrooms like pine, oyster, and shiitake. Hachu Nature Experience School can be said to be the core building of the village. Through the remodeling into a living space, restaurant, and the space for experience programs, Hachu Nature Experience School has been able to offer not only experience programs but also accommodation. Experience programs include rafting, making natural soap and pain relief patches using wild grass, and making pottery. In case of accommodation facilities, in the past, they temporarily opened only in the summer. However, they are now available through reservation regardless of the season due to the reconstruction took place this fall. The complementary facilities, such as cafes and specialty stores, are also available at all times. Address: 187, Hachu-ro, Inje-eup, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do Phone: 070-4404-4481 Website: https://bit.ly/3kF1rlG ■ The center of motor sports hidden in the mountains: Inje Speedium In Inje, there is not only nature and tradition. Inje Speedium, Korea's first automobile theme park, is located deep in a mountain valley. Inje Speedium is the fourth official circuit following Yongin AMG Everland Speedway (1994), Taebaek Speedway (2003), and Yeongam Korea International Circuit (2010). Inje Speedium is the FIA Grade 2 circuit with a total area of 1.399,000㎡. As it is operated by BlueOne, a subsidiary of Taeyoung E&C, besides the circuit, hotels, condominiums, and various amenities are fully organized. The hotel has 134 rooms (seven floors and a basement), and the condo has 118 rooms (eight floors and a basement). You can see the circuit from almost all rooms, so it is possible to watch the races at your room. What’s more, there are various experiential viewing facilities such as a classic car museum, an ATV electric cart, a special exhibition hall for North Korea's cheer squad, a time gallery, an indoor playground, and a leisure cart. So Inje Speedium is loved by mainly family tourists. When there is no race, experience programs such as circuit cart, circuit safari, and circuit taxi are available. Address: 130, Sanghadap-ro, Girin-myeon, Inje-gun, Gangwon-do Phone: +82-1644-3366 Website: https://www.speedium.co.kr
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Uljin Seongryu Cave in Gyeongsangbuk-do, The First Korean Peninsula Cave to Be Found and Recorded in History
‘Uljin Seongryu Cave’, famous for the first Korean peninsula cave to be found and recorded in history, was opened on May 7, 1963, when it was designated as Korea's Natural Monument No. 155. The first history book that appeared here is ‘Samguk Yusa(The Heritage of the Three States)’, written by the Buddhist monk Il-yeon at Ingak Temple in the seventh year of King Chungnyeol (1281). In Samguk Yusa, Seongryu Cave, which appeared as Jangcheon Cave, was revealed in history as a place where the Silla Bocheon Prince was able to settle the public sentiment. At the end of Goryeo(918-1392), it was recorded as a nearby attraction, referring to the Buddhist temple of Seongryu Temple in ‘Gwandongyugi’, which was written by the great scholar Lee Gok. It is also a place with a sad legend. There is a record that, at the time of Japanese Invasion of Korea, the soldiers blocked the entrance and massacred about 500 refugees. Seongryu Cave is a limestone cave in a straight form. The total length is about 870 meters, of which 270 meters are open to visitors. Large stalactites, stalagmites, and flowstones can be seen, and the viewing points by the lakes in the caves are impressive. There are photo zones named in a similar fashion everywhere, attracting visitors. Since 1976, Gyeongsangbuk-do Uljin-gun has been managing Seongryu Cave. Tickets can be purchased by individuals or groups, and it is necessary to wear a safety helmet. And while having a look around, visitors are recommended to read the main signs and instructions, such as safety notices, which are placed inside the caves. ▲ Panoramic view of passageway leading to Seongryu Cave ▲ The entrance of Seongryu Cave. Visitors must wear a safety helmet. ▲ Passing through the narrow entrance, you will encounter a huge space. ▲ There are several places where lighting is ideal for taking commemorative photos. ▲ Information signs are placed at the notable sites to watch. ▲ There are facilities such as staircases and safety facilities, but visitors should always be careful of the safety while touring.
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Skywalk, Suspension Bridge, and Even Gatbawi Rock! All-In-One Tourist Attraction ‘Mount Deunggi Skywalk’
As you travel all over Korea, you can see the sights that reveal Korea’s “hurry, hurry” culture. In Korea, the “All-In-One” style, which means that everything is done in one place, is popular. If you visit Gyeongsangbuk-do, we recommend the ‘Mount Deunggi Skywalk’ located near Hupo Port, Uljin-gun. Skywalk, built in the park of the mount Deunggi, is nationally famous with its 135-meter walking path on the East Sea. In particular, the 57-meter section is built with glass, so you can actually feel like you're walking on water. The most important part is the operation time, as its closing time varies depending on the season from 9 am. It closes at 5:30 pm in March-May and September-October, at 6:30 pm in June-August, and at 5:00 pm in November-February. There is ‘Hupo Gatbawi Rock’ right under the Skywalk. It's so popular that there is a stairway going down from the Skywalk, and there is a folktale that Gatbawi Rock grants one wish in a life among local residents. Therefore, it is a place where laughter blooms with various wish origins from getting a child to winning the lottery. On the way from the Skywalk to the park of the Mount Deunggi, there is a Suspension Bridge. It’s so short that people might think it won’t shake much, but if you go up, its shaking is considerable. For this reason, the screams of people who are afraid to shake are sometimes heard. Still, the railing is high, so if there is no excessive joke, there is no problem. ▲ Mount Deunggi Skywalk is good for taking a walk after using the Hupo Port passenger terminal or nearby restaurants. ▲ Because it is built on the glass floor based on the height of which people could be afraid, the excitement is considerable even in the short section. ▲ You can enjoy it for free during the operation time, so it is full of visitors on a sunny day. ▲ If you look at the bottom of the glass, you can see the bottom of the blue sea of the East Sea. ▲ At the end of the Skywalk, you will find sculptures that are mermaids, which is a photo zone. ▲ Hupo Gatbawi Rock is a famous spot for people who come to make a wish. It leads directly to the stairs from Skywalk. ▲ Suspension Bridge is located on the way from Skywalk to the park of the Mount Deunggi. Even if it looks short, the shaking is considerable. ▲ There are sculptures where visitors can take commemorative photos throughout the park of the Mount Deunggi.
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Suggesting Model of Korean Winter Festival, ‘Santa Village at Buncheon Station’, Opens Until February 16
Gyeongsangbuk-do (Governor Lee Cheol-woo) held the opening ceremony of Santa Village at Buncheon Station in Socheon-myeon, Bonghwa-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do on December 21, 2019, and announced the opening of Santa Village by February 16. The Santa Village, which is operated by Gyeongsangbuk-do and Bonghwa-gun, KORAIL's Gyeongbuk headquarters and local residents, is a festival to showcase the Korean winter festival. Every year, content and events are held in order to establish itself as a representative tourist destination in the winter season, and visitors are growing year after year. The Santa Village, which is now in its sixth time, is one of the best examples of the future revitalization strategy for the tourism industry in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and has become the ideal type of revitalization of the local economy that attracts more than 100,000 tourists each time through public-private partnership. The success know-how here has a positive effect on the tourism policy of Gyeongsangbuk-do, and a variety of visitors-oriented services and events are being realized. The opening ceremony was held in conjunction with the ‘Buncheon Santa Village Trekking Tournament', which was selected as the 2019 Walking Tour Festival by the Korea Tourism Organization. Consisting of the first course (22km) and the second course (12km), the competition attracted a lot of attention as participants could enjoy Santa Post Office, Santa train, Santa Rail bike as well as Samgut-grilling (cooking cones, potatoes, etc. in the pit with heat) in Santa Village. On the day of the opening ceremony, a wide variety of programs such as nail art, face painting, Santa roulette, orchestra march, and 15 second video experience were held. ▲ Santa Village, which makes Buncheon Station a festival venue, also came this year. ▲ Buncheon Station, where the Santa Village was held, is known as a base for mountain inland travel in Korea. ▲ In line with the opening of Santa Village, tourists from all over the country gathered. ▲ Prize events were very popular with crowds. ▲ With one of the oldest anthropological recipes, ‘Samgut-grilling’, eggs, potatoes, and sweet potatoes were provided free of charge according to the schedule. ▲ The opening ceremony of the Santa Village began with the Marching Parade, which was attended by a nearby school band. ▲ Buncheon Station, which is inland, couldn’t keep snow for a long time due to global warming, so it was possible to see the snow scene only around major sculptures. Buncheon Station, where the Santa Village was opened, is a gathering place for inland train travelers, including the V-train. On the use of these characteristics, major experience programs such as Santa sledding, feeding alpaca, making Santa strawberry finger food, Samgut-grilling, traditional folk games, and Santa Post Office are carried out throughout the operation period of Santa Village. The Bonghwa-gun is planning a Santa character sculpture, Christmas street maintenance, photo zone, user-generated content (UCC) and photo essay contest for consistent branding. In addition, it is striving for the success of the Santa Village by arranging snow plows in response to global warming and creating a white snowy field when conditions, such as temperature, permit. Through such investment and sincerity, Buncheon Station has become the home of Santa Village, Korea's representative winter festival, in the rural simple station. And has become the representative tourist attraction of Bonghwa-gun, where an average of 1700 visitors visits each day during the period. On the other hand, Son Sam-ho, head of the domestic marketing team of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, was awarded the Appreciation Plaque for his successful settlement in Santa Village and his contributions in major tourism promotion policies. At the award ceremony, he revealed that he plans to grow Santa Village as a new tourist resource in Gyeongsangbuk-do, and announced that he will make efforts to promote tourism in Gyeongsangbuk-do with his know-how. ▲ Major officials from local governments such as Lee Cheol-woo, Governor of Gyeongsangbuk-do, and Eom Tae-hang, Governor of Bonghwa-gun, visited the Santa Village and prayed for the success of the festival. ▲ Son Sam-ho, head of the domestic marketing team of Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, received the Appreciation Plaque for the successful settlement of Santa Village. ▲ Santa Village is showing the epitome of the local festival held by the Korean local government and beckoning to not only Koreans but also foreign tourists.
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Korea Branch of Guam Visitors Bureau Held '2019 Year-End Appreciation Reception'
At Conrad Seoul Hotel on the 22nd, Korea Branch of Guam Visitors Bureau(GVB) held a Year-End Appreciation Reception for people who have worked together in 2019. About 200 people attended the event, including Governor of Guam, US Ambassador to Korea, employees of airlines and travel agencies, travel industry practitioners and media officials. Harry B. Harris Jr., US Ambassador to Korea, mentioned that Guam has passed through World War II and post-war revival since the beginning of the 20th century, and is a significant area in the United States. Also, he expected the activation of US-Korea private exchange. Lou Leon Guerreo, Governor of Guam, stated, “Of the 1.63 million tourists who visited Guam this year, more than 730,000 were Korean. We ask for your continued exchange and cooperation for the development of the Guam tourism industry.” ▲ Harry B. Harris Jr., US Ambassador to Korea ▲ Lou Leon Guerreo, Governor of Guam ▲ Jay Park, Director at Korea Branch of GVB Jay Park, Director at Korea Branch of GVB, reviewed 2019 by saying “Guam, a four-hour flight from Incheon International Airport, set a new record in the spotlight as an alternative to Japan and Hong Kong.” Guam, which has proved popular through nonstop flights from Incheon and Busan, and via transit routes from Cheongju and Daegu, will open a direct charter flight to Gwangju Airport in the winter of 2019-2020 to meet the demand of Korean tourists. In Guam, Korean tourists account for 45% of the total visitors, outpacing Japan with 41%. Since the reversal in 2017, the gap has been widening, and now it is aiming for more than half of all tourists. This is known to be a big contribution from the #instaGuam promotion, which started in 2018. This promotion was evaluated as the first place as it made the Guam trip, which was about a honeymoon trip, the paradise of colorful travel and shopping. ▲ Pilar Laguana, GVB President & CEO, offered a toast. ▲ The honored guests and attendees prayed for the development of Guam tourism through the toast. Pilar Laguana, GVB President & CEO, promised, “Korea is a very important overseas market in Guam. At the end of the year, more than 750,000 Koreans are expected to visit. In order to maintain this growth, we will strive to develop the infrastructure.” Then, she offered a toast. Meanwhile, in Guam, '2019 Shop Guam e-Festival' is holding from November 20th, 2019 to February 1st, 2020. By adding mobile marketing to the existing offline service, it has been sublimated into a festival that includes duty-free and convenience. In addition, the #instaGuam campaign, launched in 2018, will be upgraded to version 2.0. More events and shooting spots will take place throughout Guam. ▲ Traditional performance teams that played an active part in the domestic Travel Fair appeared to present the traditional culture of Guam.
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ARTOTEL Group Opens the First BOBOTEL in Medan
ARTOTEL Group is proud to open Bobotel, its very first economic hotel brand in Medan. Bobotel is an economic hotel brand that focuses on comfortable sleeping with reasonable price for the millenials market. Bobotel officially open its first flagship in Medan with the name of Bobotel Gatot Subroto – Medan, located in Jalan Waringin Nomor 2, Medan, South Sumatra. Comes with 63 compact and well designed room, Bobotel Gatot Subroto – Medan has supporting facilites such as communal working space and direct access to swimming pool and gym near the neighboorhood. Every room of Bobotel Gatot Subroto – Medan is equipped with hi-speed internet access, television with international channel, and bathroom. With its strategic location in the central city, Bobotel Gatot Subroto – Medan close to these to tourist site attractions such as Masjid Agung Medan, Rumah Tjong A Fie, Kampung India, and culinary melting pot in Medan, Merdeka Walk and Jalan Sumatra. Bobotel Gatot Subroto – Medan is suitable for international or local tourists whom wants to find out more about the local cultures. Eduard Rudolf Pangkerego, COO ARTOTEL Group adds, ‘’Bobotel is ARTOTEL Group’s newest hotel brand that caters the mass market with its reasonable price and efficiency of design. But nowadays, to win such market competition, we created brand Bobotel with its modern, stylish, and current design for Millenieals. Medan as one of the big cities in Indonesia is considered rich with culture, culinary experience, and the business venture, which makes Medan is suitable to open Bobotel.’’
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The Residence Bintan, a Paradise Under the Sun of the Equator
When talking about the number of countries that can go without visa, a Korean passport has always been named on top. The passport index is the sum of the visited visa-free countries and countries that need arrival visa in the passport. According to the global financial adviser, Arton Capital’s 2018 announcement, the Republic of Korea, along with Singapore, set a record of 162 points and a joint first place. Like this international reputation, the Korean passport is a very good item to feel the different mood over the border. After flying for 6 hours from Incheon International Airport, you will arrive at Singapore Changi Airport. Because it is a visa-free country and the processing work is fast, it takes only about 30 minutes to get to the Arrivals Hall. When you go through the baggage area and go out to the Terminal lobby, the hot and humid air of the tropics will make you realize that you are in a foreign country. After a short breath with Singapore air, grab a Grab taxi and go 10 minutes south to Tanah Merah ferry terminal. For reference, the first ship to Bintan, Indonesia, is around 8 am. After completing a simple immigration check and baggage inspection, it takes about one hour by high-speed ferry to Bintan Island in Indonesia. In this way, it takes about 8 hours to go through Singapore and then to the land of Indonesia, and the countries you experienced are Korea, Singapore and Indonesia. Bintan Island, which has arrived here, is well known as a land developed early as a Special Tourist Zone for recuperation in Indonesia. As Singapore emerged as an economically wealthy country, many people visited Bintan, which is right adjacent, as a vacation spot. If you arrive at the Bintan Ferry Terminal, there are a lot of vehicles that carry guests to the resort. The only public transport on Bintan Island is a taxi. When you book a resort, it is a wise choice to choose traffic facilities to and from the airport. And ‘The Residence Bintan’ also has a limousine service, which will help you get there. It is approximately one and a half hours between the terminal and the resort. Given the time of a short trip from the airport or terminal, within 12 hours, it is possible to arrive at the resort from my house in Seoul. This reminds me that the earth we live is small. The main building entrance of 'The Residence Bintan', which entered in the limousine, seems to have been functionally decorated like a golf course guest house. But it’s only for the beginning. Entering the lobby through the entrance, you could see the refreshing appearance that the architecture of traditional Indonesian style facing the open sea. It was fresh enough with the natural wind, rather than the air conditioner. Only the entrance area has many walls. Besides, the surroundings were all open, so it was impressive that both nature and convenience facilities met my eye. There are two types of rooms that can be reserved one with an ocean view and one with a garden. Every ocean view room has a swimming pool, but the location of the pool is different. Some have pools right outside the back door and the others have stairs to go down before the pools. If you want to go out and fall into the pool, you should choose a ‘Beachfront’ type room, and if you want to have more party space or enjoy natural wind and light, it will be great to choose a ‘Sea View’ type room. The terrace type rooms with ‘Garden’ or ‘Vista’ modifiers have no private swimming pools. Instead of being located more inside toward the land, more space is provided. Besides, there are only two suite type villas, which will be appropriate to the group of about 4 guests. They have not only private pools but also convenience and accessibility as they are next to the main swimming pool and bar. Among many types of rooms, I have chosen the ‘Beachfront Pool Villa’. It has a structure that leads directly from the bedroom to the swimming pool and is suitable for couples or those who travel alone. Two air conditioners are in full operation, so you might feel cold when you come in. The depth of the pool was 1.2 meters, so it was safe to play with children. The main pool also has similar features. With the isolated spatial composition, the shallow depth seemed to be in a good condition to be relieved. Even if Pool Villa is a good place to fall into a private time, the resort cost includes fee for basic facilities, so it will be great to go out of the room and enjoy them. If you have children, it is good to find a kids club, and if you are alone, it is a good idea to take a look at the fitness center. The kids club, where children from many countries communicate in English and play together, might be a great place to experience global exchange early in life. The play facilities are well-furnished and well-maintained, and professional nursery teachers keep their positions during the day so parents can feel relief when leaving their children and going out for leisure or activities. If you don’t have to worry about children, you should spend some time in the fitness center. There are some places in the resort where you have to pay for - the luxurious Spa, bar, restaurant, gift shop and so on. Although the main facilities are located around the main building, these amenities and activities are far from each other. There are three ways to move. The first way is to walk. I walked from end to end, and it took about half an hour. Walking in the broad daylight makes you lose weight. The next way is to ride a bicycle. Bicycles are placed in front of individual accommodation, according to the number of guests. It is common to go around the resort with this bicycle. If you want to go more conveniently, you can prepare a dollar for a tip and get a buggy from the concierge. The easiest way is to call an electric golf cart that is operated within the resort. But it takes time when there are many users or at night, so I, who is Korean with a quick temper, just walked or rode a bicycle more. It is optional to ride a buggy inside the resort, but there are some cases that surely need it. As off-road ATVs, archery, survival games and other exciting activities are located outside the resort, you must call buggy. The water sports provided at the beach are located just below the main swimming pool, so if you get out of your room and walk along the beach, you will soon arrive. The ATV ride is the center of external activities, but the first thing to do is to take safety training and lessons here. After that, you can enjoy various activities according to the staff’s guide. It is necessary to reserve on the Internet or at the main building counter, so it is better to make it in advance. Like this, you don’t have to look for other places to enjoy activities. Since the resort provides all the excitement experiences both of the sea and land, you should enjoy them. The resort also provides static and healing activities rather than active ones. If you want to feel at ease, among the programs offered by the resort, let's take a cooking class and a spa. In the restaurant, the chef who gives a variety of menus to customers will come and show cooking the traditional Indonesian food. And you can taste the finished dish. In addition, there is nothing like a Spa to relax. The By Ila Spa has a traditional Balinese massage. Before getting a massage, they check your health condition with a questionnaire and provide intensive care for specific areas you feel bad. Ginger tea or Lemon Grass Iced Tea served before or after massage is also a pride of By Ila. If you take a refreshing drink and take a Balinese massage, you will not be able to keep up. After taking a short nap, I can meet your fully relaxed body. Comfortable accommodation and various convenient facilities. And a variety of programs to choose from when booking a resort. I scheduled focusing on the holiday, and I spent time full of memories to go back at the The Residence Bintan. Among many memories at the resort, the best one is the delicious Indonesian food. Beef Rendang, Nasi Goreng, and many other dishes highly praised from various TV programs such as EBS are well-known dishes of the resort’s restaurant. Even though the tour programs show a lot of night markets and local people's tastes, the cuisine served in the resort itself is of high quality. Without going far, Rica Rica restaurant is my most memorable place to enjoy Indonesian delicacies. Until this moment…
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BART as One of the Best Rooftop Bar in Southeast Asia
ARTOTEL Group is proud to announce that BART (Bar at the Rooftop) has been awarded as the 9th out of 50 Best Rooftop Bar in Southeast Asia” from Big 7 Travel. Big 7 Travel is a city guide website for millenial travellers with over 1,5 million visitors. They always conduct independent surveys about various travel places, foods, and hotels from seven continents to create the best recommendation for adventurous travelers who looking for authentic experience, from where to eat and drink to exotic travel places. Officialy opened in October 2014, BART, located on 7th floor ARTOTEL Thamrin – Jakarta, became one of the bars in Jakarta with an open air atmosphere thats offers city view and modern lifestyle for Jakarta’s young people. It is not only known for its cozy atmosphere with best music, but also offering various choice of high quality foods and drinks. Moreover, BART is selected on numerous occasions to host private or commercial events. During five years of operation, BART has always received the best awards from its guests, including the Best Rooftop Bar from Zomato in 2018. Today, BART gained another prestigious award as the 9th Best Rooftop Bar choice in Southeast Asia after being chosen by more than 1,5 million Big 7 Travel readers. Internet reviews also contributed to this ranking as BART was judeged through existing publications and assesment from the Big 7 Travel editorial team. Dicky Pandjaitan, General Manager ARTOTEL Thamrin – Jakarta said “We are proud that BART attained recognition from Big 7 Travel. We were surprised and delighted to see the recognition of BART in the Southeast Asia region. This award will motivate us to always give the best services, foods and drinks, and music to our guests. In this occasion, we thank all loyal guests as well as BART’s partners, especially media and influencers who always give outstanding news report and publication materials for BART. Not to mention, our employees’ constant best performance in serving guests everyday, so that many loyal guest choose BART as a gathering place with family and friends, good to unwind after coming home from work or to celebrate together by weekends.”
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The Most Exclusive Offer from Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong
Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong, the new luxury boutique hotel situated in the midst of Patong Beach in Phuket province is now offering the most special privileges: a package of 1-night accommodation with daily breakfast for 2 persons, starting from THB 3,650++ per room/per night. This special offer includes THB 1,000 credit for food and beverage at the hotel. Customers will also enjoy our 2 complimentary cocktails at The Cloud Rooftop Bar. Experience the most comfortable stay at the hotel where guest checkout is available until 3.00pm. This exceptional offer is only valid for customers booking before August 31, 2019 and make their stays before October 31, 2019. For more information, please call +66 76 609 999.
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Hong Kong Disneyland Resort unveils Toy Story & Pixar Pals Summer Splash
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) presents Toy Story & Pixar Pals Summer Splash that will bring on a cool summer of fun from June 26 to September 1, 2019. Guests are invited to dive into the fun with their Disney•Pixar friends, who are ready to splash and play. With Toy Story 4 hitting the big screen, old and new Toy Story friends cannot wait to meet and take photos with guests. This summer, there will be more new experiences unveiled in the resort. Young guests can make their dreams come true and be transformed into a real-life princess at the brand new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in the castle area. An all-new children’s playroom, called Nemo’s Recreation Reef playroom, is opening at Disney Explorers Lodge. Additionally, limited-time seasonal gifts and meals will debut in the resort, while new summer recreation activities await guests in the hotels, offering a complete “Play. Shop. Dine. Stay.” summer experience for guests from around the world. HKDL also announced its new admission ticket prices with a mild adjustment and special offers for the travel trade, with effect from April 24, 2019.
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Hong Kong Disneyland Resort ( HKDL ) strengthens trade partnership with annual Celebration of Sales Excellence
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) hosted the annual Celebration of Sales Excellence (CSE) 2018 on April 12, 2019, to honor top-performing travel trade partners for bringing an ever-growing number of guests from around the world to enjoy the resort’s magical experiences. Rewarded with a staycation to experience first-hand the resort’s latest Marvel attraction just launched on March 31, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, the resort’s travel trade partners were optimistic that the resort’s appeal as an ultimate Marvel hub in Asia and the year-round “Play. Shop. Dine. Stay” offers would attract more guests from around the Asia Pacific region to the resort. Hong Kong Disneyland Resort managing director Stephanie Young took the first opportunity to greet travel trade partners at the CSE 2018 Award Ceremony and Gala Dinner, after assuming office in February. She thanked the travel trade partners for their ongoing contribution to the resort’s remarkable results: “It’s always important to recognize and celebrate excellence. Your success is very much our success. On behalf of the entire Disney team, I’d like to sincerely thank you for your ongoing support and contribution.”
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Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Achieves Record Revenue and EBITDA
Today, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) reported record high revenue and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (“EBITDA”) for fiscal year 2018. Revenue rose 18% to HK$6.0 billion for the year ending September 29, 2018. EBITDA jumped 48% to HK$1.4 billion. The robust growth in revenue and EBITDA was attributed to increases in occupied room nights at the resort hotels, park attendance and guest spending. Annual attendance reached 6.7 million, up 8% from prior year. Across-the-board growth was seen in local, mainland China and international markets, which accounted for 40%, 34% and 26% of total attendance, respectively. International attendance hit a record high for the second year in a row, mainly fuelled by strong visitation from Japan, South Korea and the Philippines. The continued growth in international guests underscores HKDL’s contribution to bolstering Hong Kong as a top tourist destination in the region, both in the family and young adult segments. Since park opening in 2005, total cumulative attendance has reached more than 77 million. During the year, per capita spending increased 6%, representing nine years of continuous growth. Hotel occupancy was up six percentage points to 75%. Disney Explorers Lodge, which opened in April 2017, contributed to 44% growth in occupied room nights. Record revenue and EBITDA reduced net loss by HK$291 million to HK$54 million, an 84% improvement from fiscal year 2017. - HKDL is the ideal destination for events and staycations “This past year HKDL continued to strengthen its appeal as the ideal vacation destination. Our strong entertainment lineup throughout the year, coupled with the launch of ‘Moana: A Homecoming Celebration’ and the global debut of Cookie as a new character in the highly popular Duffy the Bear family, have enticed guests from all markets,” said Stephanie Young, managing director of Hong Kong Disneyland Resort. “Additionally, innovative initiatives to capture new opportunities were launched, including the first-ever, large-scale outdoor concerts, and the signature 10K Weekend running events, which have broadened our guest base for the park and hotels.” The series of six outdoor concerts by popular Taiwan band Mayday was a groundbreaking initiative using the resort’s coach park to host 120,000 attendees from Hong Kong, as well as mainland China and the rest of Asia. Tailored packages of the resort’s hotel room and park experience contributed to both hotel occupancy and park visitation. To capitalize on the business potential from increased connectivity brought by two mega transportation projects, namely Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section), HKDL increased promotion of the resort as the preferred choice for a staycation and launched tailored products in the connected markets in the Greater Bay area as well as central and western regions of mainland China. - Momentum continues with new attractions and increased connectivity 2019 will be another amazing year with incredible new experiences and offerings for Disney fans. “The launch of a new Marvel-themed attraction as part of a multiyear expansion and the addition of year-round entertainment offerings and products, along with the opening of the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge and the High Speed Rail (Hong Kong Section), will allow us to continue our positive momentum,” said Young. In addition to the unique year-round seasonal events for Christmas, Chinese New Year, spring, summer and Halloween, HKDL has launched the “World’s Biggest Mouse Party!”, which runs through February 24, 2019, to celebrate the 90th anniversary of Mickey Mouse. On March 31, 2019, HKDL will open “Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!” to the enjoyment of Marvel fans from around the world. This all-new interactive experience is the second instalment in the expansion project that will continue to build HKDL’s Marvel-themed area into an ultimate hub in Asia of thrilling Marvel experiences. This new ride will extend the success of “Iron Man Experience” as guests fight alongside Ant-Man and The Wasp (played by Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, respectively, from the popular blockbuster film). Guests enter the world of Marvel in Tomorrowland at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Pavilion in the Stark Expo. After boarding a state-of-the-art vehicle at S.H.I.E.L.D.’s research and design facility, guests will join Ant-Man and The Wasp in an epic battle against Arnim Zola and his army of evil Hydra Swarm-bots. Also part of the expansion project, the new Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique in HKDL’s castle area will be unveiled in summer of 2019. Young guests can make their dreams come true as they transform into princesses. The boutique offers an array of gorgeous dresses and accessories, which include Disney Princess favourites such as Cinderella, Snow White, Aurora, Belle, Elsa, Tiana and Jasmine. This new location gives guests an even more royal experience, thanks to the interactive Magic Mirror, which tells the stories of everyone’s favourite princesses in a highly-immersive royal setting. To complement existing offerings at the resort hotels, Disney Explorers Lodge will add a new children’s playroom named “Nemo’s Recreation Reef”, inspired by the popular Disney•Pixar film “Finding Nemo”. Opening in the summer of 2019, young guests can have fun in the world of Nemo and unleash their creativity during arts and crafts sessions. - Continuous positive contribution to the Hong Kong community HKDL is committed to contributing to and serving the Hong Kong community. In fiscal year 2018, the resort brought approximately HK$8.9 billion of value added to Hong Kong, equivalent to around 0.34% of the city’s overall GDP. Additionally, 19,000 jobs (in terms of man-years) were created during the fiscal year, benefiting Hong Kong’s overall economy. On average, HKDL employed more than 5,200 full-time and 2,300 part-time cast members during the year, remaining one of the city’s largest employers in the tourism and family entertainment industry. The resort provided cast with nearly 400,000 hours of professional and technical training during the year. Among its various community efforts, HKDL is particularly dedicated to bringing happiness to children with illnesses and special needs and fulfilling their dreams. A key initiative this year was the “Dress Well” project launched with Hong Kong Children’s Hospital to fund, design and produce tailor-made clothing for in-patient children. This first-of-its-kind collaboration with a public hospital takes children’s emotional and treatment needs into account in the design of the clothing, with an aim to reducing the stress of sick children, their families and the caretakers. The project is funded through a HK$4.1 million donation from The Walt Disney Company. The resort continued to fund Playright’s “Hospital Play” programme in the Princess Margaret Hospital Nephrology Ward and supported Make-A-Wish Foundation to grant over 20 special wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses. It also activated the #ShareYourEars social campaign to help promote Make-A-Wish Foundation in Hong Kong. In fiscal year 2018, HKDL donated more than 100,000 complimentary park admission tickets to over 400 charitable organisations who organise park visits for people in need.
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Celebrating the Year of the Pig at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) will be celebrating the Year of the Pig from now to February 24, 2019. Step into the park filled with Chinese New Year decorations along Main Street, U.S.A. and enjoy a truly impressive array of new seasonal meals and gifts to shop from. To ring in the Year of the Pig, the Three Little Pigs, together with Mickey Mouse and Friends in their brand new Chinese New Year outfits, will appear around the park to spread warm new year wishes to guests. Do not forget to participate in the “God of Fortune Goofy Celebration Moment” to receive some extra good luck. Also, guests visiting from February 5 to 9 will enjoy extra blessings upon entering the theme park when they are presented with a newly designed Lai See packet. Travel trade partners around the region are presenting attractive tour packages from now till March 31, 2019, offering superior value for money for a vibrant multi-day vacation at HKDL. 1. Celebrate the happiest Chinese New Year ever with Year of the Pig fun It would not be a perfect Year of the Pig without an appearance from Disney’s cute pig characters, the Three Little Pigs. Everyone loves the classic story of the pigs who built houses out of straw, sticks and bricks to keep the Big Bad Wolf away. To celebrate the Year of the Pig, the Three Little Pigs will be meeting guests at Fantasy Gardens in Fantasyland. Be sure to snap photos with them to capture these special memories with your loved ones and don’t miss the Three Little Pigs-themed decoration in Town Square. For a fulfilling start of Chinese New Year, guests should gather their fortune at the entrance of HKDL with a newly designed Lai See. These special red packets will be distributed to guests during the first five days of Chinese New Year, from February 5 to 9, while stock lasts. Each red packet includes a delicious chocolate gold coin as well as a merchandise, food and beverage coupon, and guests can share the good fortune with holiday gifts. Guests may also immerse themselves in the spirit of Chinese New Year as seasonal décor touches of gorgeous flowers and shimmering lanterns around the park bring prosperity and good fortune for the year ahead. During the upcoming holiday season, guests are invited to join the brand-new “God of Fortune Goofy Celebration Moment” at the Castle Hub Stage. This upbeat dance moment occurs twice a day with a series of traditional Chinese New Year songs. To wish guests an auspicious New Year filled with good fortune and happiness, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Daisy, Goofy, Chip ’n' Dale, Duffy, ShellieMay, StellaLou and Gelatoni are waiting to meet guests at Main Street, U.S.A. in their brand new Chinese New Year outfits. Their newest friend Cookie is also joining for the first time, wearing her glimmering Chinese New Year attire. And that is not all — performers dressed in traditional Chinese outfits will appear around the park, bringing surprises and delivering happy New Year wishes to all! 2. Festive Chinese New Year food — a recipe for happiness The fun of the Year of the Pig continues with festive Chinese New Year food in the park and resort hotels. HKDL is proud to present a total of 60 Chinese New Year-themed food and beverage delights for the season, from full-blown set menus to delicious snacks. Grab good fortune at the Main Street Bakery with sweet and savory nibbles such as the “Gold Ingot,” “Ingot Pudding,” “Wishing Fish” and “Lucky Mousse Cup,” or head to Main Street Corner Cafe hosted by Coca-Cola® to feast on a “Chinese New Year Set” in Chinese, Japanese or Thai style. HKDL offers delicious dining choices for family gatherings. At Studio Lounge, guests can try out an assortment of delicacies in the “Chinese New Year Platter” or its special “Lo Hei”, which stands for good luck and prosperity. Hollywood & Dine is also offering the new “Mini Treasure Pot” for you to be blessed during the year. In Crystal Lotus, indulge in the “Everything Goes Well Dinner Set” which comes in nine dishes for some long-lasting good fortune or gather some good luck for guests with the “Golden House” set menu at World of Color Restaurant. 3. Share the blessings with collectible keepsakes HKDL is offering more than 50 new and exclusive merchandise items this year, including plush toys, accessories, apparel, stationery, pins, home decor and much more. The new items feature Duffy and Friends, Mickey and Minnie, Disney●Pixar, the Disney Princesses and the Three Little Pigs. Shop for all-new Duffy and Friends plush toys, key chains, bags and Tsum Tsum in traditional Chinese outfits featuring silky red and green with colorful floral patterns that symbolize the festive spirit! Guests can also find Cookie-themed merchandise items in traditional Chinese outfits for the first time ever. Among all the Disney style Chinese New Year gifts, guests especially love the new windmill, candy and cookie box, lai see packet or a “fai chun” banner with a lucky message. As a special offer for the Year of the Pig, guests can take home an exclusive Hamm plush toy in Chinese New Year-theme — based on the beloved film “Toy Story” — for only HK$68 when spending at least HK$200 at HKDL’s merchandise stores. 4. Extend the fun with a resort hotel stay Guests are invited to extend the magic of Chinese New Year with a stay at one of the themed resort hotels. Enjoy a complimentary in-room festive overlay in all three hotels and take part in inspirational Chinese traditions through family-friendly hotel activities, including the Feb 5-only Disney Lion Dance tour and Chinese New Year Choir across the three hotels during the first three days of the lunar new year, as well as the Disney Traditional New Year Market, which will be organized throughout the holiday season. Little guests can also join the festive themed arts and crafts sessions across three hotels. This year, guests will also have a chance to make their holiday wishes through hanging their written Wishing Card on our Chinese New Year Wishing Wall at the Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney Explorers Lodge. A stay at a resort hotel is the best way to create magical family memories! 5. Spice up the season with romantic Valentine’s Day dinners The festive magic extends to Valentine’s Day. Couples can visit the park during the CNY event period to also experience a romantic holiday together. The resort is offering close to 40 Valentine’s Day-themed merchandise items including Mickey and Minnie, Winnie the Pooh and Piglet, as well as Duffy and friends series. After enjoying their time in the park, lovebirds can pamper their significant other with a romantic Valentine’s Day dinner at Studio Lounge, Walt’s Cafe or World of Color Restaurant. It’s the perfect way to celebrate a romantic Valentine’s Day together at HKDL. 6. Special HKDL packages on offer by trade partners to share the celebratory fun Travel industry partners in Asia are offering attractive packages for visitors to experience multi-day HKDL Chinese New Year experiences. A PLAY & SHOP 2-Day Special Package is available for booking through regional travel trade partners. It includes one 2-Day admission ticket and 2 merchandise discount vouchers of HK$15 each. Cathay Pacific Airways (CX) is presenting a CX Magic-in-The-Air package inclusive of return flights on CX, one-night stay at a HKDL themed hotel and one 2-Day admission ticket. The offer is available from now to March 31, 2019, for visitors from Australia, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Meanwhile, travel trade partners from around the region have come up with an array of HKDL themed packages in their markets, including:
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Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! set to open on March 31, 2019 in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL)
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) revealed that its newest Marvel attraction, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, will open on March 31, 2019. It will be the world’s first attraction featuring Ant-Man and The Wasp, as well as the first Marvel-themed attraction featuring a female Super Hero as a lead character. The long-anticipated launch marks HKDL’s second Marvel-themed attraction and the continued development of an ultimate hub for Marvel Super Hero action in the region, as part of the multi-year expansion. Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! expands the epic adventure of Iron Man Experience, which has been consistently rated as HKDL’s most popular attraction since opening in 2017. The new attraction will send guests on a critical mission with Ant-Man and The Wasp, who have answered Iron Man’s call for support in defending Hong Kong against Hydra’s attack. Together with the hugely popular Iron Man Experience, the new Marvel attraction will further affirm HKDL as Asia’s epicenter of Marvel action. - Shrink to ant size and fight alongside Ant-Man and The Wasp This high-tech, high-energy interactive adventure begins with a visit to the S.H.I.E.L.D. Science and Technology Pavilion, a newly opened facility at Stark Expo in Tomorrowland, set up to showcase S.H.I.E.L.D.’s latest technological developments. The seemingly ordinary visit is soon interrupted by Hydra, who has initiated a two-pronged attack in Hong Kong. Hydra not only is attempting to steal the Arc Reactor atop Stark Tower in Kowloon, Hong Kong, but its artificial intelligence Arnim Zola has sent an army of Swarmbots to infiltrate the S.H.I.E.L.D. Pavilion in order to steal a Data Core that contains highly confidential information. As he battles Swarmbots in Kowloon, Iron Man calls in Ant-Man and The Wasp to defend the pavilion, because only they can shrink down to get between the bots’ armor to destroy them from the inside. Aboard one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s newest combat vehicles, guests will be shrunk to ant size in a heroic battle alongside Ant-Man and The Wasp to defeat Zola and his Swarmbots. But with thousands of bots and only two of them, Ant-Man and The Wasp will need help. Guests at the pavilion are called into action. Aboard one of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s newest combat vehicles, D/AGR, the Defense/Assault Ground Rover (aka “the Dagger”), guests are issued an EMP Blaster and engage in a heroic battle alongside Ant-Man and The Wasp to defeat Zola and his Swarmbots. Newest combat vehicles – the Dagger EMP Blaster Dale Sheehan, creative producer of the attraction from Walt Disney Imagineering, said “We are excited that this attraction continues the thrilling adventure from Iron Man Experience and elevates the Marvel experience at HKDL for fans in Hong Kong and from across the globe. Ant-Man and The Wasp are quickly emerging as a quirky, funny Super Hero duo and they are hugely popular in this part of the world. We can’t wait to take fans deeper into the action and humor of the duo in this dimensional, interactive experience.” - Close partnership with Marvel to bring the Marvel Universe to life Marvel has a universal appeal with guests and fans of all ages and genders. In 2018, four of the top 10 blockbuster movies with the highest all-time global box office earnings were from Marvel. “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” the sequel to “Ant-Man,” also opened as the top grossing movie in multiple territories across Asia Pacific. Bryan Thombs, creative director of the attraction from Walt Disney Imagineering, said, “We partnered closely with Marvel Studios to transform the powerful cinematic appeal into an immersive battle experience. The movie director, leading actors, as well as the score composer of ‘Ant-Man and The Wasp’ were all involved to make this possible.” (Left) Bryan Thombs, senior creative director of the attraction from Walt Disney Imagineering; (Right) Dale Sheehan, creative producer of the attraction from Walt Disney Imagineering. Created with classic Disney storytelling and close collaboration with Marvel, Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! is a highly authentic and engaging Marvel experience. Director of “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” Peyton Reed, and the movie production team were on board to film the media for the attraction. Paul Rudd and Evangeline Lilly, the stars of “Ant-Man and The Wasp,” joined the action by reprising their roles; and Christophe Beck, composer for the Ant-Man movies, also created the score for the attraction. A total of 14 types of artefacts and research items from more than a dozen Marvel movies, TV show episodes and comics will also be on display, some of which will be exclusively exhibited at HKDL. The immersive, media-rich storytelling is enhanced by cutting-edge scenic illusion technology and a state-of-the-art gaming system was used to create an exhilarating, interactive experience. The all-new EMP Blasters deliver superb laser efficacy, accuracy and alignment, while targets of various size, difficulty and video effects create a complex, sophisticated game design that is both story-driven and challenging. - HKDL develops as Asia’s Marvel hub under multi-year expansion With Iron Man Experience and the opening of Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle!, HKDL will offer a complete Marvel-themed experience with two first-of-a-kind attractions, themed merchandise, food and beverage and the Iron Man heroic encounter experience. Pavilion Gifts, the brand-new merchandise shop, opened in December 2018, provides more than 300 Marvel merchandise items and will introduce about 40 exclusive items themed to Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! when the attraction opens in March. Guests will be able to take home special mementos that commemorate their heroic battle defending the S.H.I.E.L.D. pavilion alongside marvel Super Heroes. On the opening date of the new Marvel attraction, the admission tickets of the park will change with new design of Ant-Man and The Wasp. They will become must-have collectables for avid Marvel fans. HKDL’s multi-year expansion project will bring many exciting additions to the resort, underscoring Disney’s commitment to the continuous growth of HKDL and Hong Kong’s tourism industry. In particular, a third Marvel-themed attraction is in the works as HKDL continues to expand as Asia’s ultimate Marvel hub. The live atmosphere stage show “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration,” the first entertainment offering under the expansion, opened in May 2018. HKDL will bring to life more Disney characters and stories, from Marvel to Frozen and Disney Princesses, through one-of-a-kind experiences in the coming years.
