Authorities in Myanmar’s western Rakhine state have imposed a two-child limit for Muslim Rohingya families, a policy that does not apply to Buddhists in the area and comes amid accusations of ethnic cleansing in the aftermath of sectarian violence.

Local officials said on Saturday that the new measure would be applied to two Rakhine townships that border Bangladesh and have the highest Muslim populations in the state. The townships, Buthidaung and Maundaw, are about 95 per cent Muslim.

The unusual order makes Myanmar perhaps the only country in the world to impose such a restriction on a religious group, and is likely to fuel further criticism that Muslims are being discriminated against in the Buddhist-majority country.

China has a one-child policy, but it is not based on religion and exceptions apply to minority ethnic groups. India briefly practiced forced sterilisation of men in a bid to control the population in the mid-1970s when civil liberties were suspended during a period of emergency rule, but a nationwide outcry quickly shut down the programme.

Original source here.

'US strikes China nuclear match in Asia-Pacific powderkeg'

The right to a preemptive nuclear strike against China is now part of US law – thanks to the National Defense Authorization Act. The Pentagon's also ordered …

LOS ANGELES, California – Green Globe announces re-certification of the Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong and Cosmo Hotel Mongkok, located in Hong Kong, SAR. True to their motto “Love Travel, Love our Globe,” both properties have integrated innovative environmental practices into the core of the business, and established a socially responsible policy second to none.

“We are delighted to be certified by Green Globe for our efforts in advocating sustainability,” said Ms. Anita Chan, General Manager of Cosmo Hotels. Ms. Chan was recently crowned “Best General Manager of China,” recognizing her outstanding accomplishments in the industry. “The award belongs to my entire team indeed,” adds Ms. Chan. “People often ask me to explain the secret of my success and my answer is that I have a true passion for what I do. I am passionate about creating delightful experiences for our guests, in a caring and responsible environment. The certification will encourage us to continually improve our sustainability performance.”

A series of green policies have been adopted at Cosmo’s Hong Kong properties to put their vision into practice. Both hotels hold a proven track record of energy and water savings, and reduction goals are strictly monitored. Renewable energy sources are being used whenever possible – fresh water resources are well managed. The special Green Committee, formed of a group of employees from different departments, monitors the progress of eco-friendly measures, shaping and realizing Cosmo’s environmental goals. Both properties support 100% indoor smoke-free policy, and in particular, Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong is the first 100% smoke-free 4-star hotel in Hong Kong. Its Breeze serves as an open patio providing an oasis in the city for hotel guests to take a green break.

With their significant contributions in caring for the community, employees, and the environment, Cosmo Hotels recently earned the “Caring Company Logo,” presented by the Hong Kong Council of Social Services. “By promoting strategic social service partnership and inspiring corporate social responsibility, we will ultimately create a ‘win, win, win’ situation – meaning we will give back to the community, care for our employees, and protect the environment – while making a reputation for the hotel,” explained Ms. Anita Chan.

Cosmo Hotels have been partnering with Hong Kong Sea School since 2006 on an internship program that is held twice a year with each period spreading over 4 to 5 weeks. During the program interns will be assigned to Front Office, Housekeeping and other departments for comprehensive training. The main aim of the collaboration is to equip interns with valuable real-life work experience and prepare them for better work opportunities in the future. It also offers young people, who do not have an academic background in hospitality and tourism, but are passionate about the hotel industry an opportunity to experience working in this field.

ABOUT COSMO HOTEL HONG KONG

Four-star boutique Cosmo Hotel Hong Kong is situated amid Wan Chai and Causeway Bay, just opposite to Hong Kong Stadium and across the Happy Valley race course. With a total of 142 room keys, this boutique hotel has a 100%
in-door smoke-free policy. Rooms are sectioned into different room categories with a size ranging from 15 to 83 square meters – all color coded in orange, yellow and green for free selection. Highlighting a voguish touch of design, the hotel also emphasizes on technology offering 100 MB ultra-high-speed Internet access and rental service of iPad with 3G connection. Free Wi-Fi is available in all hotel public area. A mere 8-min walk from the hotel is subway Causeway Bay station and Time Square mega shopping mall, the hotel provides complimentary shuttle service to destinations in Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Admiralty, Central and Quarry Bay as well. Nooch Bar in hotel lobby presents award-wining cocktails and Breeze on 5/F has a corner for free self-serviced coffee.

ABOUT COSMO HOTEL MONGKOK

Located at the heartbeat of the effervescent Kowloon Peninsula, the contemporary and youthful Cosmo Hotel Mongkok is boutique hotel that has become the chosen destination for the discerned traveler. Situated on the cusp of exciting Mongkok and Tai KokTsui, this 27-storey Mongkok hotel opened in mid-2010, offering a relaxing retreat from the busy streets. Surrounding the property, you find a number of local interests, such as the renowned Ladies’ Market and Temple Street. Langham Place Mall, offering a world-class shopping experience is also nearby. Cosmo Hotel Mongkok features 285 refreshing, brightly-lit rooms, including 20 suites – all presented in modern décor and functional design.

Contact: Jowie Wong, Communications Manager, Cosmo Hotels Hong Kong/Cosmopolitan Hotels Hong Kong, Phone +852 3552 1810, Fax +852 3552 1199, Email jowiewong@cosmopolitanhotel.com/hk , www.cosmohotel.com.hk

ABOUT GREEN GLOBE CERTIFICATION

Green Globe Certification is the worldwide sustainability system based on internationally-accepted criteria for sustainable operation and management of travel and tourism businesses. Operating under a worldwide license, Green Globe Certification is based in California, USA, and is represented in over 83 countries. Green Globe Certification is a member of the Global Sustainable Tourism Council, supported by the United Nations Foundation. For information, visit www.greenglobe.com

Original source here.

China Daily Asia Video: From macho to metro

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KDS On Demand Travel & Expense

SINGAPORE – Agoda.com, Asia’s leading hotel booking site and part of Nasdaq-listed Priceline Group (Nasdaq:PCLN), has announced a variety of hotel deals in the leadup to the Great Singapore Sale, one of the island nation’s biggest yearly events.

Celebrating its 20th year and taking place from May 31 to July 28, the sale – often abbreviated simply as GSS – is an annual event centered on the one thing that Singapore is known best for – shopping. Sales, specials, and super-saver deals by some of the country’s best-known retail names are spread out across the city offering shoppers a great way to stock up on their favorite brands while seeing some of the city’s most dynamic neighborhoods.

Of course, most people familiar with Singapore have heard of Orchard Road, the central shopping district of the city and one of the most iconic commercial destinations in Asia. With endless stores, huge shopping malls, and below- and above-ground connections linking them all together, the biggest crowds will undoubtedly be here seeking out deals. This includes the massive ION Orchard mall and the Mandarin Gallery.

Other areas heaving with shoppers will be favorite commercial neighborhoods such as Chinatown, Kampong Glam, Holland Village, or Little India, where shoppers can find unique objects, novelties, and handcrafted items that reflect the unique personality of the neighborhood they’re sold in. Many of these neighborhoods also offer eclectic restaurants, live music, and funky coffee shops to help shoppers recharge during their long day.

Shoppers can also check out the inaugural Singapore International Jewelry Expo 2013 at the Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Center from July 4-7, which will showcase displays from leading designers, brands, and gemstone suppliers from around the world across 8,000 square meters of floor space.

The best part of the festival is that in order to accommodate the crowds of deal seekers, many of the stores and malls will be staying open late to maximize the shopping opportunities. No more rushing to get everything done before the stores close!

To top it all off, the grand prize of the event is the MasterCard Biggest Spender Reward, in which the biggest spender of the festival can win S$20,000 [US$15,771]. Details are available on the GSS website, but if that’s not an incentive to stock up on new supplies, nothing is! Check out the festival’s official website here: http://www.greatsingaporesale.com.sg

Don’t miss this great opportunity to see some of Singapore’s best sights, and to take advantage of some of the lowest prices the retail hub of Asia can offer. Browse the fantastic hotel deals below and get a comfortable pair of shoes ready for action!

To connect with Agoda.com for special deals on hotels worldwide, please visit www.agoda.com. Like Agoda.com on Facebook at www.facebook.com/agoda or follow Agoda.com on Google+ at http://plus.google.com/+agoda

The Sentosa Resort and Spa 5*
Early bird special! Book 21 days in advance and enjoy 15% off. Expires December 31, 2013.

Hotel Re Pearl’s Hill 4*
Limited time rate – only US$104! Expires June 30, 2013

Resorts World Sentosa – Equarius Hotel 5*
Flash Deal – enjoy 60% off! Expires December 31, 2013.

Fairmont Singapore 5*
Early bird special – book 2 days in advance and enjoy 20% off! Expires December 31, 2013.

Orchard Hotel Singapore 5*
Limited time rate – 25% off! Expires July 31, 2013.

Royal Plaza on Scotts 5*
Stay a minimum of 3 nights and enjoy 20% off! Expires July 31, 2013.

Grand Park Orchard 5*
Early bird special! Book 14 days in advance and enjoy 20% off! Expires December 31, 2013.

Rendezvous Grand Hotel Singapore 4*
Limited time rate – 30% off! Expires December 31, 2013.

Original source here.

Round 2 Sentul – Asia Dream Cup Qualifying News – 2013 PETRONAS Asia Road Racing Championship

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HONG KONG – Tiger Airways brings in valued travel options to Indonesia with its launch of direct service between Hong Kong and Jakarta.

From 25 July 2013, Tiger Airways will fly to the capital of Indonesia four times weekly on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, with an increase to daily flights from September onwards.

“We are excited that Tiger Airways is the first low cost carrier flying direct from Hong Kong to Jakarta, one of Asia’s fastest growing economies. Our new service aims to offer best value in travel to both business travellers and Indonesian workers in Hong Kong. The competitive pricing, frequent schedule and value-added services on demand makes Tiger Airways’ flight offerings unique and certainly more cost effective,” says Kaneswaran Avili, Commercial Director, Tiger Airways Singapore.

Recognized as one of Singapore’s most punctual airlines, Tiger Airways has been rapidly expanding its network in Indonesia this year. Domestically within Indonesia, the airline flies between Jakarta and key cities including Bali (Denpasar), Medan, Surabaya, Padang, Pekanbaru and Yogyakarta.

“Popular destinations like Bali are now more accessible via Jakarta to Hong Kong holidaymakers,” added Mr Avili.

To celebrate the new service, the Airline is offering an introductory “Hong Kong – Jakarta Return for Free” promotion from 22 May to 29 May 2013. The promotion offers complimentary return (Jakarta to Hong Kong) airfare, excluding taxes, on round trips booked for travel between 25 July 2013 to 29 March 2014. The offer is available on www.tigerairways.com and subject to seat availability.

Flight Information between Hong Kong and Jakarta

Flight Start date Days of week Depart Dep Time Arrive Arr Time

RI840 24 Jul 13 Mon, Wed, Fri, Sun CGK 20:10 HKG 01:50
RI841 25 Jul 13 Mon, Tues, Thurs, Sat HKG 02:30 CGK 06:30
RI840 1 Sep 13 Daily CGK 20:10 HKG 01:50
RI841 2 Sep 13 Daily HKG 02:30 CGK 06:30

Original source here.

OB Cuyapo Wells Segment on 700 Club Asia / GMA NEWS TV – 11

MANILA, Philippines – In line with heightened efforts to boost the country’s tourism industry, the government is eyeing to double its tourism receipts to $8 billion in 2016, a tourism official said.

Tourism Promotion Board chief operating officer Domingo Ramon Enerio III, in an interview with The STAR at the Puregold Sari-Sari Store Convention, said for this year alone, tourism receipts – money spent by foreign visitors in traveling to the country – is seen to reach $4.95 billion.

For next year, it is expected that tourist spending would further increase to $6.07 billion.

Tourism receipts have been on the rise for the past years. In 2011, it stood at $2.99 billion and grew to $3.82 billion in 2012.

Enerio said the projected increase in tourism receipts is consistent with the government’s goal to bring up the number of tourist arrivals to 10 million in 2016. For 2013, the Department of Tourism is targeting foreign arrivals to hit 5.5 million.

He said they are confident of hitting the 5.5-million mark this year since there are already about 4.3 million tourist arrivals registered so far this year.

“We are very optimistic that we can hit that target. We are doing our best to promote our country as the most attractive tourist destination in Asia,” he added.

DOT data showed that tourist arrivals reached 4.2 million in 2012, up nine percent from 3.9 million in 2011.

For the first three months of 2013, tourist arrivals grew 11 percent to 1.27 million.

Enerio also solicited the people’s help and cooperation in achieving this goal.

“Tourism is a people’s business. There is no success in all these tourism promotion efforts without the help of the citizenry,” Enerio said in his speech at the Puregold convention.

The DOT official also urged small retailers to take part in the tourism promotion of the country by developing retail products that could be patronized by tourists.

“We want an inclusive growth. The DOT’s vision and mission is for all members of the society to take part in the country’s economic growth, including growth in the tourism industry. We also want to make sure what we will do at DOT will be for the benefit of the Filipino people,” he said.

Earlier, Tourism Secretary Ramon Jimenez said they are optimistic that the influx of foreign tourists would be sustained for the rest of the year.

“We are on track of our target of 5.5 million foreign tourists arrival for 2013,” Jimenez said. By the end of the Aquino administration in 2016, the number of tourists arrival is forecast to hit 10 million.

Original source here.

Truyền hình vệ tinh VOA Asia 21/5/2013

Ủy ban Đối ngoại Hạ viện Mỹ đòi đưa Việt Nam trở lại danh sách Quốc gia cần Đặc biệt Quan tâm. Thỉnh nguyện thư kêu gọi phóng thích 2 sinh viên chống Trung Q…

Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok has a special package for its Club accommodations, with rates starting at Baht 3,560 per night for a Club Deluxe Room if they stay for 2 nights or more, along with 15 percent discount on regular a la carte treatments at Spa Cenvaree and 25 percent discount on all spa packages.

The package is available from now until October 31, 2013, and rates are subject to service charge and government tax.

Guests also receive all Club benefits, including a 10 percent discount at all hotel outlets, a welcome drink at Blue Sky rooftop restaurant and bar; access to the exclusive Club Lounge which serves 5 complimentary collations per day including breakfast, tea, and coffee throughout the day, and cocktails with canapes in the evening; plus free 24-hour Internet use; laundry service for 2 items per stay; and 2 hours daily use of the Club meeting rooms.

Guests also receive all Club benefits, including access to the exclusive Club Lounge, with complimentary breakfast, beverages throughout the day, and cocktails with canapes in the evening.

The package is available for online booking only at http://www.centarahotelsresorts.com/centaragrand/cglb/promotion.asp

The newly-renovated, five-star Centara Grand at Central Plaza Ladprao Bangkok is located near the elevated highway system, the underground Mass Rapid Transit, and the BTS Skytrain, thereby ensuring that any district within the city is very easily accessible.

Shopping here is a pleasure, with a covered walkway providing a direct link to the adjacent Central Plaza shopping complex – one of the biggest of its kind in Bangkok with 300 shops, boutiques, restaurants, and multiplex cinema.

For more information and reservations, please contact tel. 02 541 1234 or e-mail to cglb@chr.co.th .

Facebook: www.facebook.com/centarahotelsresorts
Twitter: www.twitter.com/MyCentara

Original source here.

Philippines , The Rising Tiger in Asia, is in the news again.

HANOI, Vietnam – The Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism has been asked by its department in Ha Noi to establish a tourism police force dedicated to protecting visitors who are increasingly suffering from tourist scams in the capital.

Cases are reported daily of foreign tourists being overcharged by taxi drivers and cheated by hotel employees. This has negatively affected the image of both the city and the country in the eyes of international visitors, said the department’s deputy director Mai Tien Dung.

A crackdown on security management has been conducted in hotels, hostels and resorts, Dung said, adding that despite this, inspections could only go so far to solve the problems in the absence of specific regulations.

His department has proposed that as well as forming a special police force, other measures should be implemented. They suggested that crimes against tourists, such as overcharging, stealing and harassment from peddlers should be met with heavy fines.

Colonel Dao Duy Ngoc, deputy director of the city’s police department, agreed with the proposal for the creation of a tourism police force. “This is a good idea. We will set up the force as soon as it is approved by a higher authority”.

While the establishment of the force is considered an effective measure to tackle crime in the tourism sector, some people have argued that it has limitations.

Such issues arouse partly due to the lack of authorities’ sufficient management in tourism. Major-General Le Van Cuong, former director of the Institute of Strategy and Science under the Ministry of Public Service, said that the force alone would not solve all the problems.

“The tourism industry should firstly analyse its strength and weakness. Only then will it know if co-operation from other authorities is necessary,” he said.

“Another important measure is to raise people’s awareness so that tourist businesses are fully conscious of the risks that their customers face and potential scammers know that their behaviour is unacceptable,” he pointed out.

“However, if the police are needed whenever a problem occurs, then we will definitely set up a specific police force in the future,” he added.

Original source here.

LinkAsia: News from Asia, Unfiltered and Social

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International tourist arrivals to Thailand posted a growth of 19.04% during January to April this year, according to Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ data.
Released late last week, the ministry’s research registered 8,841,730 trips to the country during the first 4 months, up from 7,427,772 visits during the same period last year.

In April alone, there were 2,013,012 trips, up 19.38% compared to 1,686,268 visits during the same month in 2012. The Songkran Festival in mid-April was identified as the key driver that drew tourists in a month when temperatures soar to almost unbearable levels in the Thai capital.

China delivered a substantial growth of 91.05%, supplying 410,173 visits from 214,689.

Considering markets by regions, East Asia, Europe, and the Americas reported gains.

East Asia continues to be the top supplier, (ASEAN included), with a growth of 29.39% from 931,286 to 1,204,996 visits. All identified source markets in the region posted growth except for Cambodia (-23.86%), Laos (-14.58%), and the Philippines (-0.11%).

Trips from Myanmar grew 42.58%, Taiwan +37.73%, followed by Indonesia (+31.31%), Vietnam (+23.13%), Malaysia (+20.86%), Brunei (+20.83%), Japan (+9.65%), South Korea (+9.36%), Hong Kong (+5.44%), and Singapore (+4.13%).
Europe posted a growth of 19.44%, although some markets posted declines:
Ireland (-2.69%), Spain (-5.24%), Switzerland (-8.26%), and the United Kingdom (-5.42%).

The top 5 key markets that grew were: Finland (+72.87%), Sweden (+70.85%), Russia (+47.98%), East Europe (+33.16%), and Denmark (+24.55%).

The Americas recorded a slight growth of 0.19% to 91,268 from 91,097 visits. The main markets, USA and Brazil, posted an increase of 4.11% and 1.49%, respectively.

However, arrivals from Oceania, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East reported a decline of 19.61%, 5.98%, 5.88% and 5.45%, correspondingly.

TTR reported the tourism ministry recorded international tourists to Thailand at the country’s gateway: Suvarnabhumi Airport reached 1,354,673 visits in April increasing 21.81% from 1,112,081 visits during the same month last year.

Original source here.

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