Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 - (Page 19)

A Horizon Club Harbour-View room at the Shangri-La Kowloon Agent Tips Getting There: The main entry point is Hong Kong International Airport. The airport was voted best in the world by Skytrax from 2001 to 2005, and again in 2007. Entry Requirements: A visa is not required of U.S citizens for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Electric Current: 220 volts. Language: Cantonese is Hong Kong' s main language. Given Hong Kong' s British heritage, English is widely spoken. Currency: Hong Kong dollar. The exchange rate at press time was $1 U.S. to $7.80 Hong Kong. Tour Operators: Tour Operators selling Hong Kong include China Travel Service (U.S.A.) (www.chinatravelservice.com, 800-899-8618); Gate 1 Travel (www.gate1travel.com, 800-6823333); GTS Globotours (www. globotours.net, 800-988-4833); Orient Flexi Pax Tours (www. orientflexipax.com, 800-5455540); Pleasant Holidays (www.pleasantagent.com, 800448-3333); Ritz Tours (www.ritz tours.com, 800-900-2446); SITA World Tours (www.sitatours.com, 800-421-56430); Tauck World Discovery (www.tauck.com, 800468-2825); and Viking River Cruises (www.vikingrivercruises. com, 888-505-7984). Contact: For more information, visit the Hong Kong Tourism Board website at www.discoverhongkong.com/usa. Hong Kong Space Museum. One of Kowloon' s biggest draws is its markets, where travelers can bargain for a wide range of goods. The Ladies' Market is the district' s largest, where shoppers can find knock-offs of designer goods and electronics. The Night Market, which sells a little bit of everything, opens around 6 p.m. and runs until midnight. Two colorful markets, the Flower Market and the Bird Garden, adjoin each other. Kowloon Hotels Most Kowloon hotels are in Tsim Sha Tsui and Tsim Sha Tsui East. Kowloon is busiest when it hosts international trade shows, which normally take place in the months of January, April and October. For these peak periods, book at least one month ahead. The Kowloon Shangri-La, Hong Kong (www.shangri-la.com) offers unobstructed views of Hong Kong' s famous Victoria Harbour and the city' s skyline. For the ultimate vistas, book Deluxe Harbour View, Horizon Harbour View rooms and the Harbour, Premier, Specialty and Presidential Suites. There are 86 connecting rooms at the hotel, and larger families can opt for a suite with adjoining rooms. The Horizon Club of the Kowloon ShangriLa, Hong Kong is high above the harbor on the top floors (19-21) and offers a hotel within a hotel for executive travelers. Horizon Club guests receive a complete range of special privileges, including exclusive access to two lounges and personal purser service. Although the hotel doesn' t have a spa, guests can arrange beauty treatments, aromatherapy, massage and reflexology services in the health club, which has three treatment rooms. Arrange treatments ahead of arrival by contacting Pat- rick Lau, the health club manager (852-27338729, patrick.lau@shangri-la.com). The hotel' s Shang Palace Chinese Restaurant serves Cantonese specialties in a gold and red decor reminiscent of the Sung dynasty. Executive Chinese Chef Ip' s signature dishes include Fillet of Lobster Sautéed with Dragon Fruit in Hawthorn Sauce, and Sautéed Assorted Rice with Crab Meat, Egg White, Wolfberries and Diced Mushrooms. Nadaman Japanese Restaurant' s Head Chef Takaya Ishizuka' s signature dishes include Homemade Bean Curd with Sea Urchin, and Charcoal Grilled Japanese Wagyu Beef. Angelini, located on the Mezzanine Level, offers traditional and healthy Italian cuisine with sweeping views of Victoria Harbour in a contemporary, relaxing setting. The emphasis is on healthy, authentic creations from the southern regions of Italy, along with a dash of Mediterranean. Angelini' s Chef' s Table is located directly outside the kitchen and allows guests to view their meal being prepared. Agents with VIP requests are welcome to contact the General Manager, Mark J. Heywood (852-2721-2111, mark.heywood@shangrila.com). The travel agent liaison is Emily Ma, director of sales (852-2733-8788, emily.ma@ shangri-la.com). The Peninsula Hong Kong (www. peninsula.com) is observing its 80th anniversary this year. It' s the oldest hotel in Hong Kong and after opening in 1928, it soon became the focus of Kowloon' s social life, earning the sobriquet ª The Pen.º One of the ways the hotel is honoring its past throughout the rest of 2008 is by bringing back the hotel' s traditional afternoon tea dances. The afternoon tea dances are held in the lobby every first Sunday of the month through December. The lobby, already sporting marble-topped tables and Tiffany chinaware, is transformed even further back in time, with a live band playing swing music and waiters and waitresses in period costume. The afternoon includes ballroom dancing, accompanied by a Deluxe Afternoon Tea Set, including a glass of champagne, for $64 per person. Guests should CONTINUED ON PAGE 20 June 9, 2008 TravelAgent | 19 http://www.chinatravelservice.com http://www.gate1travel.com http://globotours.net http://globotours.net http://orientflexipax.com http://orientflexipax.com http://www.pleasantagent.com http://www.ritztours.com http://www.ritztours.com http://www.sitatours.com http://www.tauck.com http://www.shangri-la.com http://www.vikingrivercruises.com http://www.discoverhongkong.com/usa http://www.discoverhongkong.com/usa http://www.peninsula.com http://www.peninsula.com

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Travel Agent - June 9, 2008 Online Now Contents Contributors From the Editor From the Publisher Pacific/Asia: Hong Kong’s Kowloon District Honors Chinese Traditions while Brandishing Cutting-Edge Style Hawaii: Nature Lovers with an Urge to Get Out and Move Flock to Kauai - Hawaii's Garden Isle Pacific Northwest: Washington State has Become the Hot New Destination for Wine Lovers New Zealand: Two New Hotels Make Queenstown Even More Enticing Las Vegas: The Coolest Places to Beat the Heat are the Exclusive Pools at Las Vegas Hotels Central & South America: A Restored Railway Line Offers a New Way to Enjoy Quito Caribbean & Bahamas: Nikki Beach Hotels' Aggressive Expansion Continues Europe: Reporting Back from the German Travel Mart in Munich Cruises: Princess Cruises Introduces a Group Amenity Feature Cover Story: Costa Cruises Delta/Northwest: The Airline Merger that Could Change the Industry Hotels: Historic Hotels are Going Green Spas: Indulging Guests, with an Environmental Focus Agent Profile: Montrose Travel Shares its Secrets Passport Online: The New Website Supports Agents, Supplies and Consortia Agenda: From Trips, Deals & Incentives, Calendar China Continues to Welcome Visitors Alternative Fuel for Cruise Ships News from the Caribbean ARC Launches Accreditation Program In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch

Travel Agent - June 9, 2008

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