Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 - (Page 32)

DESTINATIONS CONTINUED FROM PAGE 31 cape@yahoo.com, 632-813-8888, ext. 7086). Agents with VIP requests can contact Senior Sales Manager Gem Morales (gem.morales@shangri-la.com). This month The Peninsula Manila (www.manila.peninsula.com) embarked on a renovation of its 11-story, 249-room Ayala Tower, scheduled to be complete in late 2008. The hotel also added eight Mercedes-Benz S-Class limousines to its fleet for sightseeing or round-trip transfers from the hotel to the airport. Rooms at The Club go fast. The Club has an Executive Lounge with complimentary dining, two boardrooms, computer workstations and a satellite business center. Services include express check-in/out, high-speed Internet access, secretarial services and a butler. Rooms with prime views on the 2nd floor to the 11th floor include the odd-numbered Makati Tower Superior Rooms (pool and garden views), the even-numbered rooms in the Makati Tower (views of the Makati Central Business District and Ugarte Park), the corner-positioned Makati Tower Premier Suites (odd-numbered suites have pool and garden views, while even-numbered suites overlook the Makati Central Business District and Ugarte Park) and even-numbered Ayala Tower Deluxe rooms provide pool A deluxe room at the Mandarin Oriental, Manila CONNECTING YOU Want to get a feel for the Phillipines before sending clients? Check out our Philippines podcast at www.travelagentcentral.com/video and garden views. The hotel has 12 Two-Bedroom Executive Suites that can accommodate two adults and two children. These suites have a living room, dining area and a separate powder room. The hotel’s Peninsula Suite has a master bedroom, a guest room that can accommodate two adults and two children, a dining room that can seat 12, living room, solarium, study, kitchen, two bathrooms, a powder room and private access to the hotel’s helipad. The travel agent liaison is Cristina Ong-Cruz, director of marketing (cristinacruz@peninsula.com, 632-887-2888, ext. 6600). The Peninsula Spa has four treatment rooms. Treatments reflect a fusion of Asian, Western and Filipino-inspired therapies. Advance bookings can be arranged by contacting Spa Director Marlon Santos (marlon santos@peninsula.com, 632-887-2888, ext. 6504). The hotel has several restaurants. The Peninsula Hopper option is a fun way to sample dishes from an array of venues at the hotel. During a single evening, you’ll have the opportunity to dine at Spices (Asian), Mi Piace (Italian), Old Manila (European) and The Lobby (light meals and desserts). I Can you see yourself at the Beijing Games? Dining Suggestion IF YOU HAVE A SMALL GROUP OR A FAMILY WITH KIDS, you can’t go wrong dining at Ihaw-Ihaw, Kalde-Kaldero, Kawa-Kawali at Aawitan Kayo Restaurant. That’s a mouthful, but if you ask about the restaurant on J.P. Rizal at the corner of Makati Avenue, the one with the singing staff, everyone in Manila will know what you’re talking about. When we arrived, we were shown to our seats and the singing and dancing by the staff didn’t stop until we were done eating more than an hour later. There was high-spirited singing of songs in Tagalog, with an occasional American standard mixed in. What could have been a corny experience was, instead, completely entertaining. The whole staff pitched in, from the cooks to the security guards to the waiters and waitresses. If the food weren’t good, the whole thing would fall flat, but instead, one delicious dish after another of authentic Filipino countryside cuisine appeared on the table, such as Tepanyaki Buat, a platter piled with prawns, shrimp, squid and fish; or the Manachit Special, a chicken and pork dish accompanied by seven kinds of sauces. It’s easy to put together a selection of platters, side dishes and drinks for less than $10 per person. As the meal progresses, diners are encouraged to get up and sing along with the staff. During my visit, one of the taglines I heard marketing Philippines tourism is, “We go the extra smile.” This was definitely borne out by the restaurant’s singing staff. The restaurant doesn’t have a website, but your concierge can call Ihaw-Ihaw, Kalde-Kaldero, Kawa-Kawali at Aawitan Kayo Restaurant at 632-899-7528. SO CAN WE – AND IT’S NOT TOO LATE! It is not too late to plan your visit to the 2008 Beijing Summer Games, to be held August 8 to August 24. The Beijing Summer Games will be by far China’s most prominent international celebration. Cartan Tours has more experience in Summer Games Travel Programs than anyone – and it shows, in a wider selection of Travel Programs and exceptional service. Your perfect Beijing Summer Games Program begins with Cartan. Let Cartan create it for you. Call 800-818-1998 or visit www.Cartan.com for further details. CST# 2045087-40 Interested? Request #009. 32 | TravelAgent May 12, 2008 http://www.manila.peninsula.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/video http://www.Cartan.com http://www.Cartan.com

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Travel Agent - May 12, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Europe: Bruges Might be One of Belgium’s Best-Kept Secrets Hawaii: Condo Resorts Provide a Plethora of Vacation Choices Pacific/Asia: Manila has Plenty to Offer Visitors of Every Taste Alaska: Icy Strait Point Offers Authentic Alaskan Adventure Pacific Northwest: Airplane Buffs and Wine Aficionados Enjoy Washington Las Vegas: Let Your Hair Down at Some of these Casual Bars Central & South America: History and Culture Beckon in Guatemala Caribbean & The Bahamas: Recent Renovations Have Made the Westin Aruba Resort a Jewel of the Island Cruises: A New Musical is Making Waves on Disney Wonder San Diego Becomes a Major Cruise Port Cover Story: Top Tips for Selling in a Down Economy Rail Travel: Sightseeing and a Gourmet Meal on the Royal Livingstone Express Hotels: There is Plenty to Do at Ski Resorts in the Summer Tours: Photos from the 33rd Annual Mountain Travel Symposium Agent: Eric Ardolino has Won the Technology War Customer Relations: Ensemble Agents use CRM tools Agenda: Fam Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar Luxury Travel Expo Jamaica Will License Casinos Enormous Cruise Ships are Planned ResortQuest Hawaii Continues to Grow 2008 TMU Conference Recap In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - May 12, 2008

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