ARTOTEL Group Opens the First BOBOTEL in Medan
The Residence Bintan, a Paradise Under the Sun of the Equator
BART as One of the Best Rooftop Bar in Southeast Asia
The Most Exclusive Offer from Hotel Indigo Phuket Patong
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort unveils Toy Story & Pixar Pals Summer Splash
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort ( HKDL ) strengthens trade partnership with annual Celebration of Sales Excellence
Hong Kong Disneyland Resort Achieves Record Revenue and EBITDA
Celebrating the Year of the Pig at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort
Ant-Man and The Wasp: Nano Battle! set to open on March 31, 2019 in Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL)
Park Hyatt Busan Presents Festive Promotions
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Scotch Whisky Tourism Enjoys Best Year Ever
Scotch Whisky tourism saw record numbers of visitors in 2017, with 1.9million visits to Scotch Whisky distilleries from tourists from all over the world as well as from across the UK. The 2017 annual survey compiled by the Scotch Whisky Association (SWA) also revealed spending at visitor centres was up by 15.6% to £60.9m. Visitor centres reported that the highest number of visitors came from Germany and the USA, followed by those from India, China and Japan. Karen Betts, Scotch Whisky Association chief executive, said: “These record figures are great news for the industry and great news for Scotland. “These are exciting times. Scotch Whisky distilleries have invested – and continue to invest – hugely in providing world-class visitor facilities at their sites all over Scotland, and they are collaborating in establishing new whisky trails and finding new ways of telling the story of Scotch to British and foreign visitors alike. And it’s a wonderful story: part traditional, part modern and set among Scotland’s communities and in its breathtaking landscapes. “We will continue to work closely and collaboratively with tourist organisations, local councils and the Scottish Government to ensure that Scotland’s tourists have a memorable time visiting our country and experiencing all it has to offer. “Whisky tourism is on the up, but tourists are often surprised that Scotch is more expensive here in the UK than it is in their home countries. They are surprised to know that £3 in every £4 spent on a bottle of Scotch in the UK goes to the government in tax. If tax rises further in the Autumn Budget, this will put at risk further industry investment in future growth.” Over the past 12 months distilleries have continued to recognise the value of Scotch Whisky tourism, making significant investments to improve the visitor experience - from introducing interactive experiences to extending opening hours, upgrading infrastructure to meet demand and improving the knowledge of tour guides. New and existing visitor centres are also planned to further tell the story of how Scotch is made, and to welcome visitors to the world of Scotch Whisky. Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs Fiona Hyslop MSP welcomed the survey results. She said: “These record figures show the value of the industry and how well-regarded Scotch whisky is to tourists from the UK and abroad. “As we are seeing innovative expansions to the visitor experience at distilleries around Scotland, I am confident we will see a further increase in visitors, which is great for our tourism sector and the wider economy.” The increase in visits to 1.9million is an 11.4% rise year on year and represents 45% growth in popularity since 2010. The SWA survey also details that on average over £32 was spent during each trip to a visitor centre, up almost 4% year on year and by £11 per visit in 2010. The success story of Scotch Whisky tourism has also positioned the industry as one of leading UK attractions. The National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle are the top attractions outside London, both attracting over 2 million visits in 2017, just 100,000 more than those drawn to distilleries. Malcolm Roughead, Chief Executive of VisitScotland, said: “We’re delighted that the popularity of Scotch Whisky distilleries is continuing to grow with our visitors, which reflects the hard work and investment by the industry in delivering a world-class experience. “Scotch whisky is a culinary and cultural icon and one of Scotland’s most valuable commodities, with visitors from across the globe coming to our shores to experience an authentic Scottish dram. It is a vital part of local tourism as not only do distilleries benefit from the draw of ‘the water of life’ but so too do the surrounding towns and villages. VisitScotland continues to work with the Scotch Whisky industry to promote events, trails and films associated with Scotland’s national drink.”
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L’Escape of Shinsegae Chosun Hotel’s Boutique Hotel Press Call Event
L’Escape Hotel, the first brand of Shinsegae Chosun Hotel and Korea’s first urban French-style boutique hotel, held its pre-press call on June 26th. Being scheduled to open on July 19, L’Escape Hotel hosted a pre-press call to introduce some of the major rooms and ready-made F&B facilities and presented background and intention of planning and operational strategies. The keynote was conducted by General Manager Kim Bum-soo, who was elected as the first general manager of L’Escape Hotel. ▲ Kim Bum-soo, the first general manager of L’Escape Hotel, took on the keynote and Q&A. Kim Bum-soo explained the background of the opening and the intention of planning the hotel concept of L’Escape Hotel through press call. In particular, he emphasized the collaborative system with top experts in various fields as a differentiated operating method of L’Escape. “The most important consideration while preparing L’Escape Hotel was to make the concept of the hotel another curation platform. In order to expand the hotel concept as a platform where there is always an exciting episode, we concluded that collaboration with top creators in each field is essential. He also said, “By planning events and promotions that match trends in terms of contents, as well as maintaining L’Escape Hotel’s unchanging elegance and sensibility, we try to create a classic yet trendy boutique hotel. We expect to be a lifestyle content platform for not only foreign customers who want to experience Seoul’s special boutique hotel but also local customers who want to enjoy the delight of gourmet and sweet escape” Manager Kim Bum-soo was responsible for planning major restaurants and bars, space and lifestyle contents of Shinsegae Group including shopping theme park ‘Starfield’, american-style gastropub ‘Devils Door’, and Famille Station. Based on various branding experiences in Shinsegae Group, he became the general manager of L’Escape Hotel, which is Shinsegae Group’s first brand of boutique hotel. L’Escape Hotel’s F&B brand is also made up of well-known gourmet brands both at home and abroad, as if reflecting the insight of Kim Bum-soo, a gourmet blogger known as ‘Pat2bach’, as a planner of restaurants and bars. ▲ "Atelier Suite" is presented as a typical accommodation product. ▲ "Atelier Suite" combined modern French style with each internal component such as bathtub. ▲ The library is a space that serves as a lounge. ▲ Some of Le Salon were opened. L'Escape Hotel opened some of the rooms on the 10th floor and the lobby on the 7th floor as well as the library and Le Salon. First of all, Atelier Suite was first introduced among a total of ten types of rooms featuring intense colors and an antique medieval European atmosphere. Atelier Suite is a romantic room with a beautiful French-patterned partition that separates the bedroom from the bathroom and offers a private space with a price of 520,000 won (excluding tax). On the 7th floor, which was opened after the guest rooms, the lobby space, the library and Le Salon were presented in turn. The library, which meets through the lobby space that is furnished with a modern feel, is inspired by an old-fashioned Paris salon and study, and it is exclusive for the guests of the suite. The guests can enjoy tea and refreshments, as well as business services. In addition, a tea salon 'Le Salon by maison M'O' featuring Maison M.O's luxury French dessert is also available. Meanwhile, L'Escape Hotel, which will be opened in a month, is a boutique hotel that realized Paris, France as a motif. Designed by Jacques Garcia, the master of the boutique hotel interior, L'Escape hotel offers impressive interior design with intense colors as well as elegantly designed guestrooms. As a hotel name meaning "escape" in French, it is going to show different concept and romantic Parisian atmosphere that has not been experienced in Korea so far for customers who dream of 'sweet escape from everyday life'. The hotel is a 25-floor building with a total of 204 rooms including additional facilities such as modern Chinese restaurant, contemporary restaurant, tea salon, coffee station, bar on the top floor, fitness, spa and event room.
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Disney∙Pixar pals are getting ready to make big splashes of fun this summer during ‘Carnivale of Stars - Make a Splash’
Get ready to join beloved Disney characters and Disney∙Pixar pals for the coolest summer party ever during “Carnivale of Stars – Make a Splash” at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) from June 21 to September 2! A magical summer awaits with cool new ways to splash into the fun, including the first-ever “Pixar Water Play Street Party!”; special appearances by heroes from the blockbuster Disney∙Pixar movie, The Incredibles; the all-new atmosphere stage show, “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration”; delicious summer snacks and feasts; and special summer-themed merchandise items. Plan an overnight stay at one of the three Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hotels to maximize your summer staycation experience and take part in unforgettable recreation activities. - Cool down at the “Pixar Water Play Street Party!” Big splashes of fun continue this summer with “Pixar Water Play Street Party!” This special street party will journey down Main Street, U.S.A. every afternoon, spraying refreshing water and mist over the crowds to cool everyone off and keep the fun flowing! Your favorite Disney∙Pixar pals will be rocking out the party, including Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone from The Incredibles, as well as some of the beloved characters from Toy Story, such as Woody, Buzz Lightyear, Jessie, Lotso and a platoon of Green Army Men. Together with Joy and Sadness from Inside Out and Russell and Dug from Up, they will join 30 performers as guests soak up the fun during a cool, water-filled celebration along the parade route. It’s a dazzling party you won’t want to miss! - “The Incredibles Arrive!” Characters from The Incredibles will be meeting guests during a series of special, high-energy encounters in Tomorrowland. Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone will be riding aboard their moving hovercrafts – all geared up and ready to have fun with guests at HKDL! The eccentric fashion designer, Edna Mode, renowned for designing impressive superhero costumes, will also be meeting you and sharing her latest brilliant ideas in July. In addition to the arrival of The Incredibles, guests can also meet beloved Disney characters, including Moana in Adventureland; Woody, Buzz Lightyear and Jessie from Toy Story at Toy Story Land; Baloo and King Louie from The Jungle Book, Rafiki and Timon from The Lion King, Princess Jasmine and Genie from Aladdin, Judy and Nick from Zootopia, and Lilo and Stitch at Karibuni Marketplace; and Duffy and friends at the Annex. Remy and Emile from Ratatouille will also appear at HKDL for the first time at Fantasy Garden in Fantasyland. Beginning July 3, fans of Duffy and friends will be the first in the world to welcome a new friend of Duffy at HKDL. Stay tuned for more exciting news about this new friend! - All-new atmosphere stage show, “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration” Moana: A Homecoming Celebration” has officially opened and the interactive and lively performance is already a hit with park guests. The brave heroine Moana has sailed to the park to appear in this enchanting, 20-minute live atmosphere stage show. The show is set in Jungle Junction, an entirely new outdoor venue in Adventureland. Jam-packed with inspirational visual storytelling, dancing, puppetry and music, this new show recounts Moana’s quest to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Guests are invited to be part of the show as they live the adventure of Moana! - Enjoy our summer celebration from day to night Every evening, guests can enjoy the vibrant and colorful “We Love Mickey!” Projection Show along Main Street, U.S.A.! Minnie Mouse and her pals are throwing a surprise party for Mickey Mouse. This celebration pays tribute to Mickey’s major milestones and features his memorable classics, his full-color heyday, and a crazy kaleidoscope of Mickey in modern styles. - Refreshing summer snacks and merchandise Savor a range of more than 30 food and drinks this summer all across the resort! All-new summer delectable choices will be available for guests to chill out with at HKDL, including fresh fruits snacks at The Explorer’s Club Restaurant and the summer frozen snacks at the Outdoor Vending Cart. A range of special Polynesian and Moana-inspired snacks and specialty drinks will be served at the park and hotels. Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel will start the party with Frozone and Showtime specialty drinks, as summer vacation cools off at HKDL hotels with unforgettable new refreshments. Gear up for the biggest summer party at HKDL with more than 100 summer gift options! Grab fans, towels, mist sprayers and other cool items as you join in the fun. A wide variety of Disney and Disney∙Pixar-themed collectibles are available for guests, including the all-new huge plush collections based on The Incredibles and Moana, as well as Duffy and friends in their latest colorful costumes. It’s the best way to bring the adventure home after a fun summer day at HKDL! - Water-filled activities at the three resort hotels Guests staying in any of the three HKDL hotels can maximize their summer experience with a series of summer-themed recreation activities. The Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel presents little guests with Moana Adventures in Oceania, an immersive poolside adventure, themed to Moana, where they will go on a mission to return the heart of Te Fiti. At Disney’s Hollywood Hotel, guests can jump for joy in a Moana-themed giant bouncy water slide at the poolside. Disney Explorers Lodge has a Summer Party and Poolside Adventure for little explorers, featuring fun poolside toys and mini-games. Arts and crafts recreational activities will also be held across the hotels this summer. Young guests can make their very own Moana-themed decorations, such as flower rings or handmade Pixar-themed accessories. Hotel guests will receive complimentary Mickey Mouse and friends-themed gift packs, including an amenities box, Disney slippers and a door sticker. Guests can also enjoy a special in-room hotel overlay with The Incredibles theme for additional HK$600. - Special offers for international guests to join the summer fun Leveraging offers available at selected travel agents, guests should start planning their summer journey for magical memories that last a lifetime. The “Play & Shop” 2-day Special Package is available from now till December 31, 2018. The Special Package with a 2-Day ticket to the park comes with two HK$15 merchandise gift coupons. The resort also worked with Cathay Pacific Airways to offer Southeast Asian guests special ticket offer from now until September 30, 2018, which includes air ticket and 2-day admission ticket. Guest can also purchase “Magic in the Air” package with 1-night stay at a Disney themed hotel, 2-Day admission tickets, and travel to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific Airways. The special offer will be available at selected travel agencies for sale from now till March 31, 2019. Guests in Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand should also look out for Travel Fairs from now to September for special “Stay & Play” 2-Day-1- Night Package with 1-night stay at a resort hotel and two 2-day admission tickets. From July 15 to September 30, 2018, Australian guests booking for two consecutive nights or more at one of the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort hotels can enjoy special privileges to get two bonus 2-day admission tickets, enabling twice as much fun. Terms and conditions apply.
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Hong Kong Disneyland Resort launches first of its kind “Carnivale of Stars” this summer
“Carnivale of Stars” at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort (HKDL) is bringing brand-new fun this summer! Guests can experience a rich line-up of excitement day and night, like the all-new atmosphere stage show “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration,” the “We Love Mickey!” Projection Show, and a new African-style Karibuni Marketplace. From June 21 to September 2, the seasonal program heats up with favorite Disney∙Pixar characters leading HKDL’s first-ever “Pixar Water Play Street Party!” – and be sure not to miss the opportunities to meet Mr. and Mrs. Incredible at the “The Incredibles Arrive!”. Together with special accommodation experiences at the resort’s three uniquely themed hotels as well as shopping and dining offers, guests can enjoy “play, shop, dine, and stay” for a total Disney holiday experience. - Karibuni Marketplace and live Moana atmosphere stage show to debut at Adventureland The first attraction of the resort’s current multi-year expansion, the new lively atmosphere stage show, “Moana: A Homecoming Celebration,” will be launched on May 25 in an entirely new exotic outdoor venue, Jungle Junction, in Adventureland. The heroine of the popular animated film, Moana, will invite guests to join her adventure in a 20-minute live show rich with inspirational music, dance, puppetry and immersive storytelling. Guests will be invited to participate and interact as Moana recounts her tale. Guests can also meet Moana in person, hear stories of her oceanic voyages, and share hugs and snapshots with her. Brand-new experiences are set to launch in Adventureland, bringing even more magical moments to guests during the daytime. Karibuni Marketplace, which is next to Theater in the Wild in Adventureland, has already been launched to immerse guests in the lively colors, sights and sounds of Africa. Guests can win an exclusive souvenir through interactive games such as the Wheel of Fortune, Blongo Balls and Plinko, and savor various special snacks that are available only at this unique marketplace. Characters from beloved Disney adventure stories, including Carl and Russell from Up, Judy and Nick from Zootopia, King Louie and Baloo from The Jungle Book, Rafiki and Timon from The Lion King, Princess Jasmine and Genie from Aladdin and Lilo and Stitch will greet guests at the Karibuni Marketplace. - Soak up summer fun at first-ever “Pixar Water Play Street Party!” and meet The Incredibles! For the first time, beloved characters from popular Disney∙Pixar films will make a big splash at the park in the “Pixar Water Play Street Party!.” From June 21 onwards, join Mr. and Mrs. Incredible from The Incredibles, Woody, Buzz Lightyear and their pals from Toy Story, along with other Disney∙Pixar stars in this water-based celebration. Together with more than 30 performers, they will ensure guests soak up a cool, water-filled summer celebration along Main Street, U.S.A.. With Incredibles 2 coming soon, to cinemas, guests can catch up with their favorite super hero family in a series of unique, high-energy encounters as part of “The Incredibles Arrive!” in Tomorrowland! Mr. Incredible, Mrs. Incredible and Frozone will be riding their hovercrafts - all geared up and ready to have fun with guests! - All-new “We Love Mickey!” Projection Show with dazzling visual effects and lighting Lots of surprises will continue during the nighttime! Minnie Mouse and her pals are inviting guests to a surprise party for Mickey Mouse as part of Disney’s all-new “We Love Mickey!” Projection Show each evening. This new celebration transforms the buildings of Main Street, U.S.A. into a canvas for vibrant, colorful visuals that pay tribute to Mickey’s major milestones. The artistic experience features Mickey’s memorable classics, his full-color heyday and a crazy kaleidoscope of Mickey in modern styles. During the finale of the dazzling projection show, Mickey will appear in his finest attire to thank everyone for the fantastic surprise. It is a spectacle of color, music and visual effects that guests will want to experience again and again. - Indulge with an exotic range of souvenirs and delightful snacks The range of over 100 exclusive, summer-themed memorabilia at the park will be extended this summer to include new collections of Duffy and friends series with exotic fruit themes. Along with the debut of The Incredibles experience at the park, new souvenirs themed after the super hero family will be available for the first time. From plush toys to collectable Tsum Tsum, school bags, utensils and more, guests will find incredible keepsakes from the collection, and even acquire the super hero family look with a full range of apparel for the entire family. Specially designed Moana outfits and necklaces which look just like Moana’s in the film will also be available for guests to dress up like their favorite heroine. More than 40 summer dining choices will be available across the resort and the hotels too. To mark the arrival of the new lively atmosphere stage show, River View Cafe will present an exciting new “Moana’s Special Menu” that curates a range of authentic snacks, while young guests can busy themselves making creative handicrafts. At Explorer’s Club Restaurant, “Summer Mickey Ice with Fruits” will be added as the flavor of the season and keep guests cool along with other icy desserts such as frozen watermelon. Creative summer drinks - “Magical Ocean” themed after Moana will be served up at Disney Explorers Lodge, while “Frozone” and “Showtime” themed after The Incredibles will be available at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel and Disney’s Hollywood Hotel. - Summer fun spread across three resort hotels Guests staying at the resort’s three hotels will be able to join a host of fun themed activities. The “Adventures of Oceania” poolside party at Hong Kong Disneyland Hotel will immerse young guests in challenging games. A Disney friend is ready to have fun with guests at an afternoon poolside party at the Rain Drop Pool at Disney Explorers Lodge. Hotel guests can enjoy a multitude of immersive summer recreational pursuits, including Moana and Disney∙Pixar themed leisure activities. Young guests may also unleash their creativity by making exclusive Disney handcrafts like wind bell ornaments, plant decor and towel art. Taking summer magic up a notch, guests can have their hotel rooms decorated with the theme of The Incredibles for HK$600 from June 21 onwards. The room decoration package includes themed bed runners, slippers, door stickers, amenities kits, sweet delights plus two water bottles and a set of kid’s utensils – all themed after The Incredibles to deliver a magical and heroic stay for hotel guests. As well as heartfelt services and family-friendly facilities and amenities, the resort hotels offer exclusive privileges for hotel guests, making their magical Disney experience with their loved ones even more special. Guests staying at the resort’s hotels will receive at least one Priority Admission Pass for selected attractions, as well as the season’s exclusive souvenirs, including an amenities box, Disney slippers and door stickers. Guests staying at one of the resort’s three hotels can join fun activities throughout the day at all three hotels. - New hotel services offer greater hospitality and maximize vacation fun Committed to creating memorable stays for guests, HKDL is introducing an all-new Express Online Check-in service in late-April, allowing guests to complete online check-in within 7 days prior to their arrival day to simplify the check-in process on arrival. Guests who want to spend a day at the theme park before checking into the hotel can also make use of the Luggage Valet Service to have their bags transferred to their hotel for a specified fee and make the most of their time at the park. - International guests to enjoy exclusive travel trade offerings Leveraging offers available at selected travel agents, guests should start planning their summer journey for magical memories that last a lifetime. The “Play, Shop, Dine” packages are available from now till July 15, 2018. The 1-Day Special Package with a 1-Day ticket to the park comes with one Mickey Waffle or a HK$50 merchandise gift voucher, and the “Play & Shop” 2-day Special Package with 2-day admission to the park offers two HK$15 merchandise gift coupons. The resort also worked with Cathay Pacific Airways to offer Southeast Asian guests special ticket offer from now until September 30, 2018, which includes air ticket and 2-day admission ticket. Guest can also purchase “Magic in the Air” package with 1-night stay at a Disney themed hotel, 2-Day admission tickets, and travel to Hong Kong via Cathay Pacific Airways. The special offer will be available at selected travel agencies for sale from now till March 31, 2019. Limited time “Stay & Play” 2-Day-1- Night Package with 1-night stay at a resort hotel and two 2-day admission tickets also available in Indonesia, the Philippines and Thailand in May to June, for guests traveling in summer before November 30, 2018. Terms and conditions apply. Guests in Korean should also look out for Summer Fair from April 23 to May 22, 2018 for special HKDL offers. Discounted 2-day tickets and special hotel package along with 2-day tickets will be available for traveling from June to September 2018. HKDL also partnered with Standard Chartered Bank Korea to offer Korean guest special 4-day-3-night or 3-day-2-night travel package from now to September 30, 2018. The packages offer guests round trip air tickets, 2-night stay at a Disney themed hotel, 2-Day admission tickets and a range of privileges including merchandise and F&B discounted coupon, airport transfer and MTR 1-Day pass. Available at selected travel agencies, Korean guests can also enjoy “Play & Shop” 2-Day Special Package with complimentary Marvel-themed souvenir, which include 2-Day ticket, two HK$15 merchandise gift coupons. Booking & travel window from May 15 – September 30, 2018. Terms and conditions apply.
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Hong Kong Ocean Park Korea Business Strategy Meeting
Hong Kong Ocean Park, which is representing Hong Kong, held a meeting on the afternoon of November 1 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The meeting was organized to announce the upcoming winter season events and future plans of Hong Kong Ocean Park and business strategies for targeting the Korean market. CEO Matthias Li, Vivian Lee, a manager of business development and education, and Amy Lee, a representative of Korea business department, from Hong Kong Ocean Park attended the meeting. Matthias Li, CEO of Hong Kong Ocean Park said, “Korea has always been an important market for Hong Kong Ocean Park, so we will be offering a variety of exclusive discounts and promotions next year. Hong Kong Ocean Park will also provide more special experience for Korean visitors, especially young visitors, through communication improvement with social media and customized events only for the Korean market.” He also said, “Hong Kong Ocean Park is developing two hotels and a water park that can be enjoyed throughout the year to become a premier international complex resort that offers a variety of accommodation and facilities for visitors to the world. I would like to ask for your continued interest and support to Hong Kong Ocean Park.” ▲ CEO Matthias Li said, “Hong Kong Ocean Park will provide special experience for Korean visitors, especially young visitors.” From December 11, 2017 to January 1, 2018, Hong Kong Ocean Park will hold the largest ‘Christmas Sensation’ event. The event will feature a Christmas market, a street parade, and a Christmas chorus, singing chorale in front of a large Christmas tree. Visitors will be able to take pictures with the beautiful backdrop of the garden and spend an unforgettable winter. They can also feel the atmosphere with wonderful Christmas festival food and VR experience at the prepared thrilling rides. If you visit Ocean Park during the winter season, you can participate in photo events organized by Ocean Park. You can enjoy the event, which runs from December 18, 2017 through January 1, 2018, by visiting Ocean Park and uploading photos of recommended places and enjoyable memories to Facebook and Instagram. Winners will be presented with a mobile photo printer and an admission ticket for Ocean Park. Moreover, Hong Kong Ocean Park is currently developing two new hotels. 'Hong Kong Ocean Park Marriott Hotel' will open in 2018 and 'Fullerton Ocean Park Hotel Hong Kong' will open in 2021. In addition to the hotels, "Water World" Water Park, which will be available throughout the year, is scheduled to open in 2019. The water world is more than 693,000 square feet and consists of an outdoor pool and playground that fits perfectly with the surrounding natural environment. ▲ It was emphasized that the Ocean Park is conveniently accessible via the MTR 'Ocean Park Station'. ▲ Various events are held in winter. On the other hand, excluding the Chinese on FY2016/17, 10% of overseas visitors to Hong Kong Ocean Park were announced as Koreans. Hong Kong Ocean Park has also partnered with airlines and theme parks in Korea to offer discount promotions for Korean visitors this winter season. It offers a variety of benefits to customers purchasing admission tickets from travel agencies affiliated with Hong Kong Ocean Park. In this promotion, when purchasing two tickets, one of them is offered at a 50% discount, and when purchasing three tickets, one additional ticket is offered free of charge. Discount packages are also available on Cathay Pacific. On top of that, visitors who have tickets for Everland Resort, Caribbean Bay, Lotte World Adventure, or annual membership and employee ID cards can get a 15% or 20% off for Hong Kong Ocean Park general admission ticket. In addition, the Hong Kong Ocean Park will showcase Korean marketing with the theme of 'Unexpected Journey'. It is aimed at targeting young Korean travelers by mainly positioning Hong Kong Ocean Park in the Korean market as an 'all-in-one' theme park where visitors can enjoy a “fun-tastic” experience. The campaign will feature various aspects of Hong Kong Ocean Park, including panoramic views of southern Hong Kong, unique and thrilling rides, animal exhibitions and local food. To do this, Hong Kong Ocean Park has unveiled four Hong Kong Ocean Park intro videos with Kim Jae Woo, who is a comedian famous for his witty SNS posting and a sense of humor. The three campaign videos have exceeded 660,000 views in just three weeks, and they can be viewed on the Ocean Park Facebook page. ▲ Hong Kong Ocean Park released four intro videos with comedian Kim Jae Woo.
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Believe it or not, it’s Hong Kong! HKTB launches Hong Kong’s Great Outdoors Campaign
Hong Kong may be known as a modern and cosmopolitan city, famous for its myriad skyscrapers, shopping destinations and dining hotspots more than anything else, but visitors will get to experience a completely different and organic side of the city through the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s (HKTB) upcoming Great Outdoors campaign. Believe it or not, it’s Hong Kong! Visitors will get a glimpse of Hong Kong that is so far removed from its buzzing urban centre image that it might be hard for some to believe that yes, indeed, everything they see is really located in Hong Kong. Think of star-filled skies on a remote island; a sea of clouds on a tranquil mountaintop; a stunning sunrise on a majestic peak; endless swathes of greenery and country parks — the list goes on. To achieve this mission, the HKTB has engaged talented local photographers who have captured some of the captivating landscapes in the city to display their awe-inspiring works across all HKTB channels and platforms. Among the participants are landscape photographer and winner of Hong Kong National Geographic’s Photo Contest 2013, Will Cho; veteran outdoor sports photographer Elvis Mo; Nature Conservancy 2017 photo contest winner Jessica Li; and renowned photographer Romain Jacquet Lagreze, who is best-known for his “Vertical Horizon” photo series, showcasing the geometric lines of Hong Kong. Moreover, visitors will now get to see Hong Kong as a spectacular, nature-filled geological wonderland by following Your Guide to Hiking & Cycling in Hong Kong, recently published by the HKTB. The guide takes readers into a diverse range of nature trails, which show another side of Hong Kong – a beautiful hiker’s paradise. The trails are all just an hour or two from the city centre, making them easily accessible to novices and professionals alike. Just a taxi or MTR ride away, the green, rolling hills, gorgeous beaches and scenic villages quickly replace the bustling urban area that visitors are most familiar with. The guide is divided into three different themes: Hiking in Heritage; Picture-Perfect Vistas; and Geological Wonders. Under each section are suggested trails that suit the theme, along with the time needed for completion and difficulty level. The guide also features a few cycling trails for those who are keen to explore the city from another perspective. Your Guide to Hiking & Cycling in Hong Kong will be available from November 2017 at HKTB visitor centres around the city. An e-version will also be available for download at http://www.discoverhongkong.com/common/ebook/HKTB_Great_Outdoors_2017_en.pdf More about the guide Your Guide to Hiking & Cycling in Hong Kong is divided into three different themes. The Hiking in Heritage section includes the Land of Legend trail, which takes hikers through Plover Cove Country Park, from a hauntingly beautiful stream and waterfall network known as Bride’s Pool to traditional Hakka villages, like Sam A and Wu Kau Tang. The trails educate visitors on the rich history and culture of rural Hong Kong, while they admire the surrounding landscape. In the Picture-Perfect Vistas section, photography lovers will be wowed by routes like the Magnificent Landscapes trail, which takes them up the 869-metre Sunset Peak (so-named for its glorious views of the setting sun) and the remote and romantic Silvermine Bay Beach, through plenty of breath-taking scenery along the way. The Geological Wonders section includes protected UNESCO heritage sites. For example, the Geological Treasure Hunt takes hikers around Hong Kong’s easternmost island, Tung Ping Chau, with views of its otherworldly multi-layered rock formations and abundant wildlife.
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PDOT to hold 2017 Philippines Sales Mission
Director Maria Apo, announced that PDOT(www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.co.kr) will be holding its ‘2017 Philippines Sales Mission’ at the Crystal Ballroom of the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on 14th November. The Philippine Sales Mission is a one-on-one meeting with representatives of local tourism agencies, airlines, hotels and resorts in different parts of the Philippines to create practical business opportunities through consultation with hotel and travel agents in Korea. In addition, 50 sellers from the Philippines representing the tourism industry are participating in this event and will introduce various tourism products of each region in the Philippines. Especially, the new tourist attractions, hotels and activities, are expected to greatly expand its partnership with Korean tourism companies. Beginning at 1:30 pm, this Philippine briefing program begins with a '1: 1 business meeting' between the Philippines and Korean tour operators. A large number of Philippine travel agents will arrange counseling tables so that Korean tour operators can visit the area and search for tourist products they are interested in and make a 1: 1 consultation. In terms of travel agencies in Korea, it will be a very good business opportunity to meet with travel agents in all parts of the Philippines to get enough information, to make concrete business negotiations and to sign contracts on the spot. From 6pm, it will be a time of exchange for tour operators and journalists in Korea and the Philippine. The time of the exchange will be an opportunity for Korean and Philippine partners to enjoy the dinner and the performance at a table and have a conversation. The dinner and performances are designed to be a special experience with the concept of Christmas, the biggest holiday in the Philippines. The show will be the stage performs by six popular Filipino young fusion musicians. Lastly, the prize draw will be sponsored by Cebu Pacific, a reasonably priced Philippine Airlines company, and will provide a rich gift to the participants. “This event is meaningful in that we will bring Korea’s tourism representatives to meet local Philippine companies and showcase the appeal of Philippine tourism which recently have been recognized to have world’s best islands. In particular, we prepared a win-win partnership with representatives of the Korean tourism industry and a briefing session to create the maximum business opportunities based on it.” Said the director of PDOT Korea, Maria Apo
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Finnish Tourist Board Media Conference 2017
On September 11, Finnish Tourist Board hosted a press conference at the Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul with the theme of Finland's four seasons and the stop-over programs that have been accumulated over the past year. The theme of this conference highlighted Finland's new attractions with the latest news and achievements related to tourism in Finland. Finland's representative character Moomin, which has been widely loved around the world including Korea recently, came to the event. ▲ 'Moomin', representing Finland, visited Korea with the officials of Finnish Tourist Board and Trade Representative. Koreans looking for Finland are increasing every year. The number of Koreans who visited Finland in 2016 grew by 59% from the previous year and the number of Koreans who spent more than one day in Finland increased by 18.3%. Visitors have grown an average of 18.3% for every year over the past seven years, especially in the summer. Finland has been focusing on selling winter related products for aurora tourism, but at this conference, the charm of Finland's Summer was appealed in accordance with the increasing travel patterns of Koreans in the summer. The summer in Finland has a white-night phenomenon, where the daytime is maintained for 19 hours and you can walk right into the sea after a sauna at Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki, the capital city. In addition, it introduced a new tourist attraction that can be enjoyed in spring, autumn and winter, and the newly opened Moomin Museum this year as an attractive destination. Finland, which has the shortest flight time among European countries, has recently become a fascinating stopover destination as it is possible to arrive in Helsinki in 9 hours and 30 minutes from Incheon. Finnish Tourist Board also explained the outcome of the Stopover Finland program launched last year. The Finnish stopover program that can experience all over Finland from 5 hours to 5 days is free for Finnair passengers for a year. As well as mentioning plans to open new routes such as Lisbon and Stuttgart, and to expand routes such as Tokyo and San Francisco, Kim Dong-hwan, president of Finnair Korea, said, "With the addition of routes and the stopover program, we expect to be able to provide more reasonable opportunities for Korean tourists to travel Finland." ▲ Heli Mende, General of Global Sales, read the welcome letter. ▲ Kim Dong-hwan, president of Finnair Korea, announced business results and plans for new routes.
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German Travel Week 2017 by Korean Branch of German National Tourist Board
Korean Branch of German National Tourist Board (CEO Nancy Choi) held 'German Travel Week 2017' at Lotte Hotel in Sogong-dong, Seoul in the presence of Korea-Japan general director, Rijkert Kettelhake, who recently announced his retirement, and new general director, Nishiyama Akira. German Travel Week 2017, organized in the order of the press meeting, seminar and dinner, introduced various promotions that are prepared for standing on the center of Europe travel industry to continue Germany tourism industry's record 2016 year. At the event, the officials from travel industry and media visited, and the opportunity for networking and acquiring basic information for the development of local products in Germany was provided. ▲ Nishiyama Akira, Korea-Japan representative, Charlotte Lee and Nancy Choi, assistant manager and CEO of Korea branch, and Rijkert Kettelhake, Korea-Japan director, gathered in one place. ▲ The year 2016 was a record year for the German travel industry to achieve remarkable growth. ▲ Korea has received a positive evaluation by German Tourism as a notable growth market with India. The number of travelers to Germany in 2016 has been updated the record for the seventh consecutive year. The number of foreigners staying in Germany from January to December reached about 80.8 million. According to the Federal Statistical Office, the number of days spent by foreigners in accommodations with more than 10 bedrooms grew by 1% over the previous year. Iris Gleicke, Federal Government Commissioner for Tourism and Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, explained, "Germany has become a popular destination for foreign tourists. The number of travelers to Germany has been on record for seven years. This shows how much the German travel industry has grown. In particular, the continuous attention and the attitude of embracing other cultures were prerequisites for success." Petra Hedorfer, CEO of German National Tourist Board, stated, "The year 2016 was a special year in which economic factors such as Brexit and recession, and the safety consciousness from the fear of terrorists and was strengthened. Nonetheless, Germany's tourist attractions, excellent infrastructure and services, and reasonable prices have created Germany as a travel-friendly country with world-class brand value." Also, he said, "Germany has made its brand value as one of the most travelable destinations in Europe. Despite the difficult circumstances, Germany has preserved the first place to be loved by rich cultural elements and different characteristics of each province and city. The communication to group targets and segmented markets based on market analysis and direction of ongoing visitor retention had a significant impact on the growth rate of tourists visiting Germany through customized change and digital strategies." ▲ Four major marketing themes will be focused on in 2017. ▲ A three-year marketing theme from 2018 to 2020 was announced. ▲ Rijkert Kettelhake, who recently announced his retirement, expressed affection and trust to the officials in Korean branch at the event. Germany has established itself as an attractive destination in the European market. According to the latest statistics from IPK, the international tourism data association, 53.7 million Europeans visited Germany in 2016 to travel. This is a 3% increase over the previous year. Germany was ranked as the most beloved city in Europe. According to the International Tourism Association, the global travel industry grew 4% overall in 2016, despite the changing global trend of travel. Meanwhile, the number of visitors from Asia to Europe has declined. 55% of European tourists spent their vacation in Germany. In 2016, 29.6 million people visited Germany for vacation, which is 3% increased from the previous year. 17.5 million tourists stayed at least 4 nights and had a long holiday in Germany, which is 5% increased from the previous year. Also, 12.1 million tourists, which is 25% increased from the previous year, visited Germany to travel the city. Business trips to Germany were 5% declined. However, similar to the previous year, 12.8 million among 60.5 million business tourists visited Germany. In particular, the rate of visits to Germany for the fairs fell by 12% and the rate of visits to Germany for the conferences grew by 7%. In addition, Europeans spent € 314 billion on transportation, accommodation, food and shopping during their stay in Germany. This shows a 4% growth in economic value. Meanwhile, the marketing themes of 2017 include the Luther 500th Anniversary, Documenta 14, IGA, and beautiful scenery. Luther 500th anniversary is expected to be a historic theme in which the promotion over the last decade has peaked. The International Garden Exhibition (IGA), which will be held in major cities such as Berlin and the Documenta 14 with modern art theme, and it is expected to attract tourists interested in art and leisure. Moreover, the marketing themes after 2018 are announced. In 2018, keeping up with the opening of World Athletics Championships, 'Sports Destination', which has a theme of sports representing Germany such as soccer, and 'German Cuisine' are the two themes. The year 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of Bauhaus and the 200th anniversary of Karl Marx's birth. The year 2020 has a single theme, the 250th anniversary of Beethoven. ▲ In the afternoon, German Travel Week 2017 seminar was held for the officials in the travel industry. ▲ The last official event that is hosted by Rijkert Kettelhake, Korea-Japan director, was held. Meanwhile, German National Tourist Board (DNTB) has appointed Nishiyama Akira (47) as the representative of Japan branch of DNTB on May 8. With the retirement of Rijkert Kettelhake, who worked with DNTB for 36 years, Nishiyama Akia continues his position as Japan's representative from May 1. Nishiyama was born in Japan and majored in German Language and Literature and International Politics at Graceland University in Iowa, USA and studied at the University of Ludwig-Maximilian in Munich. In 1994, he started his career as a sales manager at Tokyo branch of DNTB. Since 2008, he had been a marketing director for the Japanese market of DNTB. Rijkert Kettelhake studied business administration and started work at the London branch of DNTB. Since 1982, he had served as the representative of the Roman branch of DNTB. Since 1992, he had been working in Brussels, and in 1996 he was the representative of the Brussels branch. Since then, he had successfully led the Amsterdam branch for a long time. (Since 1999, he has also been with the Brussels branch.) From 2008, after serving as the representative of Milan branch, he was the representative of Japan.
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