Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - (Page 36) DESTINATIONS PACIFIC/ASIA CARAVELLE Hotel THE ICONIC CARAVELLE HOTEL (www.caravellehotel.com) in Vietnam, made famous during the days when Ho Chi Minh City was still called Saigon, has hosted a number of notable guests, including former President Bill Clinton and movie stars Michael Caine and Brendan Fraser (during filming of The Quiet American). During the Vietnam War, the Caravelle Hotel housed reporters and crew from international broadcasting companies. This year, the Vietnam Tourism Association named the Caravelle Hotel the “Best in Vietnam.” The association lauded it for accomplishments across a range of categories that include a 75 percent average occupancy rate, its average room rate, total revenue, total profit—even employee wages. The Caravelle was also cited for its training programs and charitable activities. This is a step up for the hotel, since last year it only managed to claim fourth place. The award comes in a tourism year that is something of a mixed bag for Vietnam. Figures released by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism show that tourist arrivals increased in the first quarter of 2008, to 1.29 million, a 15.7 percent increase over last year. Visitors in March 2008 totaled 424,954. U.S. visitors represented 133,019 of that figure, a 7.9 percent increase over 2007. There was some fear that fuel surcharges and an economic slowdown would cause this percentage to drop in the last quarter of 2008. Although the country was aiming for arrival figures somewhere between 4.8 million and 5 million for 2008, tourism officials are now predicting that figure will most likely come in This Ho Chi Minh City hotel has been singled out as Vietnam’s best BY MARK ROGERS at 4.6 million. Vietnam is still laboring under a shortage of hotel rooms: Demand rose by an estimated 40 percent in 2007. For Business or Pleasure Earlier this year, the Caravelle set out on a number of initiatives, including a major interior refurbishment and a plan to reduce the hotel’s carbon footprint by cutting waste and recycling. The 335-room hotel is the city’s leading international five-star accommodation, with a great location in the center of the business, shopping, market and entertainment district. It’s about five miles from Tan Son Nhat International Airport. The Caravelle has a variety of room categories, from Deluxe Rooms up to a single Presidential Suite. Amenities include IDD telephone, high-speed Internet and satellite television channel. Rooms are either city or river view. Signature Floor rooms are the most highly prized for their special amenities, and the Signature Lounge. The hotel has 27 connecting rooms. The best rooms to book for families are the Two-Bedroom Suites or connecting rooms. The spa has 11 treatment rooms, two of which are VIP rooms. The hotel has five dining venues, including Reflections Restaurant, which serves eclectic fusion cuisine. The hotel’s Saigon Saigon Bar has been voted “Best Bar” in the city. The Caravelle Hotel is a popular wedding venue. Interested parties can contact Hong Hanh, BQT sales coordinator, at 011-84-8-8234999, ext. 27516. The general manager is John Gardner (gm@ caravellehotel.vnn.vn, 011-84-8-823-4999). Agents with special requests can contact Sheena Shee, director of sales and marketing (dosm@ caravellehotel.vnn.vn). I A room at the Caravelle Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City’s leading five-star accommodation CONNECTING YOU If you have clients interested in Southeast Asia, visit www.travelagentcentral.com/southeast-asia 36 | TravelAgent October 13, 2008 http://www.caravellehotel.com http://www.travelagentcentral.com/southeast-asia
Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 Online Now Contents From the Editor Central & South America Bermuda Europe Pacific/Asia Las Vegas Florida Middle East Cruises Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate Oasis on the Horizon Troubled Skies Agent Profile Agenda Princess Summit Unveils New Tools for Selling Cruises Tanzania Aims to Draw More U.S. Travelers Jamaica May Legalize Gambling, and New Resorts are in the Works ASTA Seeks Expanded Support from the Agent Community In the Spotlight Agent Access Classified Marketplace Editorial Index Advertising Index Trendwatch Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 (Page Cover1) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 (Page Cover2) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 (Page 1) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Online Now (Page 2) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Online Now (Page 3) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Contents (Page 4) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Contents (Page 5) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Contents (Page 6) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Contents (Page 7) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 8) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 9) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 10) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 11) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 12) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - From the Editor (Page 13) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 14) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 15) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 16) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 17) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 18) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Central & South America (Page 19) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 20) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 21) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 22) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 23) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 24) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 25) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 26) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 27) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 28) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Bermuda (Page 29) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 30) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 31) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 32) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 33) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 34) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Europe (Page 35) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 36) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Pacific/Asia (Page 37) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 38) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Las Vegas (Page 39) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Florida (Page 40) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Florida (Page 41) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Middle East (Page 42) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Middle East (Page 43) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Cruises (Page 44) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Cruises (Page 45) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Cruises (Page 46) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Cruises (Page 47) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate (Page 48) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate (Page 49) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate (Page 50) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Celebrity Continues to Grow and Adapt to the Changing Travel Climate (Page 51) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 52) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 53) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 54) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 55) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 56) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Oasis on the Horizon (Page 57) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Troubled Skies (Page 58) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Troubled Skies (Page 59) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 60) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 61) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 62) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 63) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 64) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 65) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 66) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 67) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Profile (Page 68) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agenda (Page 69) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Princess Summit Unveils New Tools for Selling Cruises (Page 70) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Princess Summit Unveils New Tools for Selling Cruises (Page 71) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Tanzania Aims to Draw More U.S. Travelers (Page 72) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Tanzania Aims to Draw More U.S. Travelers (Page 73) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Jamaica May Legalize Gambling, and New Resorts are in the Works (Page 74) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Jamaica May Legalize Gambling, and New Resorts are in the Works (Page 75) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - ASTA Seeks Expanded Support from the Agent Community (Page 76) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - ASTA Seeks Expanded Support from the Agent Community (Page 77) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 78) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - In the Spotlight (Page 79) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 80) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 81) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 82) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 83) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Agent Access (Page 84) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Classified Marketplace (Page 85) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Editorial Index (Page 86) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Advertising Index (Page 87) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page 88) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover3) Travel Agent - October 13, 2008 - Trendwatch (Page Cover4)
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