Xabala Tour

by Ozgur Tore

On May 16, Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co., Ltd was awarded “2008 Most Investment-Worthy Local Management Company of China” at the Forum for Development Opportunities and Challenges for China Hospitality Industry & the fifth Golden-Pillow Award of China Hotels.

Sponsored by China’s leading financial media “21^st Century Business Herald” in association with China’s top business travel magazine “Business Travel” in 2004, the Golden-Pillow Award of China Hotels is the most prestigious award for the hospitality industry in China and even in Asia, in an aim to provide more business consulting for global business travelers as well as provide authoritative and advisory opinions for the development of China’s hospitality industry.

Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co., Ltd is the largest hotel management company in China. It dedicates itself to quality hotel management, boasting professional management teams with rich experience. And the Jin Jiang brand is highly reputed in China. The company has the corporate website in four languages, i.e., Chinese, English, Japanese and French, and a new brand identification system as well as a sophisticated central reservation system. The company is poised to launch its Loyalty Program in 2008 amongst its over 100 star-rated member hotels across China.

Mr. Chen Hao, CEO of Jin Jiang International Hotels Development Co., Ltd, the parent company of Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co., Ltd said, “The staff of ‘Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co., Ltd feel great honored to receive such a prestigious award. We appreciate the recognition and encouragement from the hospitality industry and customers for our work. Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co., Ltd will continue moving toward its “going global” strategic goal.”

Accor has been chosen as “The Best Hotel Management Company of 2008 Selected by Investors” at the “5th Golden Pillow Award of China Hotels” award ceremony, held recently in Shanghai. Simultaneously, Robert Murray, Accor’s Senior Vice President - Greater China, was also recognized as “The Leader of the Hotel Industry of 2008”.

The “Golden Pillow Award of China Hotels”, recognized as one of the most prestigious hotel evaluations in China and the Asia region, has been hosted yearly by 21st Century Business Herald since 2004. The professional award utilizes first-hand knowledge of a panel of senior industry experts and business people along with field investigations by editors and reporters of the newspaper, to gain a comprehensive look at China’s hotel industry, supply travel news to the extensive Chinese business community and offer suggestions and directions for the industry’s development.

“China is welcoming a new era of rapid development in the business travel industry. High-end business customers have demanded more rigorous requirements for both high-end business and luxury hotels. Factors such as the environment, facilities, services and brand expertise are crucial in their consideration when selecting a hotel. The Golden Pillow Award endeavors to providing professional advice while identifying the best choices for business travelers,” said Mr. Murray. “We appreciate the professionalism of the award and it is an honor for Accor to be named as “The Best Hotel Management Company of 2008” in China.”

As one of the pioneer international hotel management companies to enter the China market, Accor China currently operates 61 hotels (over 17,000 rooms) in 29 cities with approximately 80 projects under development.

All Accor hotels in China are situated in major metropolitan areas, gateway cities, popular resort destinations, and are developing fast into tier two and tier three cities under 6 different brands: Sofitel, Pullman, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure and Ibis, covering a full spectrum of markets from luxury to economy.

“The accolade endorses Accor’s reputation in hotel development and management in China, and will certainly raise the confidence of our associates and attract more investors to partner with Accor,” Mr. Murray added.

Accor’s Senior Vice President for Greater China named “Leader of the Hotel Industry of 2008”

Meanwhile, at the same award ceremony, Mr Murray was honored with “The Leader of the Hotel Industry of 2008” award. Mr. Murray’s stint in China commenced in 2005. He has over 25 years management experience in the hotel and tourism industry. His primary focus is on improving the performance of the existing Accor hotels network within China, while ensuring that the company infrastructure is capable and ready to feed the development pipeline.

Michael Issenberg, Accor Asia Pacific Chairman and COO, said, “Accor is delighted with this accolade for our senior manager, Robert Murray. These two awards are an acknowledgement not only of Robert’s leadership but is also an endorsement of Accor’s innovativeness, entrepreneurial flair and dynamism as a company.”

Read more on AsiaTravelTips

What are the attributes of luxury vacations? They are different for different people. For some people luxury vacations is living in the luxury top-class hotels, having very expensive and gourmet meals, spending vacation time playing games for rich and enjoying the feeling that they can afford themselves to spend huge sum of money just for vacation! Other people do think that luxury vacation is a special vacation differing from the vacation they used to have. Like renting a lone villa or becoming for a week an owner of a small island somewhere far away in ocean.

Todays vacation industry might offer a great number of proposals on luxury vacations, as luxury villa vacation, luxury homes vacation, the world cruise vacations, romantic luxury villas, golfing villa vacations, and exotic and luxury villa vacations. The most popular is luxury vacations when you pay for your own villa and stay there completely alone (or with your partner).

In travel agency you select and book the most suitable villa. They make all the necessary arrangements prior to clients’ arrival which may include: having guests met at the airport and transported to their villas; stocking villas with groceries (and special dietary requirements); having villa staff prepare meals for guests’ arrival; arranging hired cars to be delivered either to the airport or guests’ villa; all special requests prior to guests arrival; concierge service; luxurious yachts, Captain and crew; Big Game sport fishing yachts.

All villa rentals include staff (the number varies depending on the size of villa) from one staff member for one bedroom villas or condominiums, up to 10 staff members for an eight bedroom villa. Villas are fully equipped with all the conveniences of home. Additional amenities such as TVs, Cable TV, VCR, CD players, baby equipment etc. are not standard but many villas do include them. These items may also be hired once advance notice is given.

Many of the visitors are repeat guests and it is aim to make their holiday as stress-free and relaxing as possible. Luxury Villa companies are known around the world by discriminating traveler’s for custom designed vacations of extraordinary value, and our personalized, dedicated service.  Professional services suit the world’s most demanding travelers and guarantees value. They can get you the best accommodations, privileged access and extra amenities.

With help of professionals you enjoy the benefits of our exclusive agreements with the world’s most exclusive luxury villas, vacation homes, large and small, plus  luxury hotels and tour companies. You will get unsurpassed value in the world of upscale travel, including outstanding amenities such as complimentary upgrades, privileged access opportunities and private events at many top international and domestic destinations.

Isn’t it splendid to see sunrise and sunset seating at the ocean shore and sharing your feelings only with your partner? Some people thing that luxury vacation is when you pay for being really alone (means just two of you) somewhere in the most exotic place in the world. May be they are also right?

Traveling should be fun and not worry and trouble. So, before setting off for a journey be sure about the following.

-Your passport is up to date. (What shall you do if it expires the day you are flying off?)

-You have called the airport to verify you exist in their computer system.

-You bag is packed and nothing is left for the last moment (better buy a new toothbrush in order not to loose the old one in all that pre-traveling haste).

-If you’re carrying stuff with batteries pack it with the batteries out. This is especially safe of alarm clocks. Don’t give some poor security guard a heart attack.

-If you have a kid, take some book or game that will entertain him during the flight. Kids are mysterious creatures, better busy them with something in order they do not imagine themselves flying a fighter jet

-Get to the airport on time. (Not the least thing, by the way).

If you are afraid that you may feel bad on board, better visit your doctor. He will probably give you some special pills and definitely some pieces of advice (you can only hope both will help). Then, there is one more thing that may help you feel comfortable in the air - avoid caffeine and carbonated drinks, which can make you feel bloated.

Motion sickness is caused in part by a discrepancy between what you see and feel. (A car driver gets sick much less frequently. He is continuously watching the road, getting a good idea of what is coming next.) It may help to close your eyes the moment you start thinking about getting sick.

Also do not be worried about your oxygen. Keep in mind that airlines provide oxygen only while you are sitting in your seat, not in the airport. Thus, a non-stop flight is your best option. If that’s unavailable, look for a direct flight where the plane makes scheduled stops but you may remain on board. All airlines require advance arrangements when you’re traveling with your own oxygen equipment. Call the airport at least a month ahead, so you’ll have time for your doctor to complete any necessary paperwork. If the ticket agent can’t answer all of your questions, ask for the airline’s medical or special services departments.

One obvious problem that you face when traveling by air is lack of space. Though, this does vary from airplane model to airplane model. If you travel a lot, try different airlines and airplanes to determine your preferences.

If you are very tall, you may prefer an aisle seat. This will give you a chance to stretch your from time to time. Even better is to get a “bulkhead seat”: there is usually more legroom in those positions. Those seats go quickly; so it pays to book ahead.

When you travel without a companion you are bound to get into conversation with a near seated stranger. Unless you travel with a mouthful of water. If you a nervous person you better have someone to accompany you, because the better you are acquainted with someone, the harder it is to have your “personal space” violated.

At last you have got on board and the plane took off. Enjoy yourself and leave all your problems beneath. You may have a cup of coffee or tea, or some juice while reading. Dozing or resting your eye on the clouds under the wing is also relaxing. It is all good of course but what about a meal (especially if you had no time to though a sandwich into your mouth)? The food on airlines may not suit you (this is not a restaurant, guys) but is at least eatable. Though, if you have some dietary preferences, you should have mentioned them in advance to your travel agent. In this case the airlines will usually accommodate you.

If you have food allergies, you better bring your own food with you. (If you are a fussy eater, do the same, otherwise you will tire out the stewardess with your pretensions). Take care: many countries have import restrictions on foods; be sure you either finish the food you brought on the plane or make sure it will pass through the customs.

Many people have a fear of heights. Furthermore, for many people, not having any control of the plane makes the fear worse. This is not necessarily a rational fear, if looked at in the context of all possible hazards. Even if airplanes flew like bricks, the plane would cover quite a few horizontal miles before falling. But planes are not bricks. Furthermore, commercial jets always have at least two (and usually three) engines. The chances of two failing simultaneously are very slim. So relax. If you are still afraid of that iron flying monster, join the ranks of thousands and do what they do: get drunk before you get on the plane. Either travel by train bus or car (why do you think it is safer?). Or rather, if you are such a coward, stay at home and round yourself with cotton wool and sit in a safe.

1. What to buy

Popular things to buy here are carpets, daggers, jewelry, aprons and hats, all of which can be found in the famous Barkhor Street. The vendors on the street outside the Holiday Inn have basically the same range, but in smaller quantities and at higher prices. Besides this, plenty of department stores line the Yuthok Lu, selling more routine articles. Those interested with Chinese herbal medicines also have the chance here to pick up some potions rarely seen in other Chinese cities.

- Dagger

Tibetan daggers are seen as indispensable part of the ordinary Tibetan’s basic paraphernalia. Not just used as a tool for cutting meat and protecting themselves, the dagger is also a critical fashion accessory. This is especially true of daggers that may be carried by Tibetan women. These tend to be more decorative and delicate. Based on the materials used and the level of craftsmanship in the making of the dagger, prices can range from a few RMB to several thousand. Actually, daggers from Shigatse are particularly famous and are characterized by hard to imitate intricately designed silver sheaths.

- Jewelry

There are numerous varieties of jewelry and ornaments in Tibet, including pearl, agate, jade containers and golden-silver products, etc. Generally, it is more graceful in ancient style. You could get them in some used-goods market of Barkhor Square or some special shops for tourists. They have all the decorations you could wish for, which can be pulled on the neck, adorned the wrist, hung on the ears, or some daggers embellished the waist, and all of them are exquisite and decorative; while for those ornaments bigger than others, you could hang them in your rooms or some public locations, thus it would bring you a kind of special environment.

2.Where to Buy

- Shopping in Lhasa

Barkhor is the best shopping market in Lhasa. Tourist can find lots of odd and fascinating stuff, for religious and secular uses. Small shops and stalls on the street sell a variety of items like prayers flags, Buddha figures, conch-shell trumpets, rosaries, amulets, fur hats, horse bells, bridles, copper teapots, wooden bowl, inlaid knives and jewelry inlaid with turquoise and other gems. However, attention shall be paid to the quality of the jewelry since many items are coarse. Exotic Tibetan opera masks and costumes are interesting items to buy. Bright and beautiful homespun Tibetan rugs and Tibetan khaddar are also popular souvenirs. Tourists can easily find things which are of individuality and appeal to them. The most interesting thing to shop in Barkhor is that you can bargain with local people and may buy nice things in a lower price. Just cut the price by 50 percent!

Shopping along the street accompanied by hundreds of pilgrims prostrating will be a thrilling experience. Tibet carpet and tent can be bought at Lhasa Carpet Factory and Lhasa Tent and Banner Factory respectively.

Department stores, mostly on Yuthok Lu and for everyday requirement, are becoming usual in Lhasa. Lhasa Department Store (General Department Store), on the west end of Yuthok Lu, is the largest and famous one in Lhasa. It sells handicrafts as well as practical items, such as cotton clothing, mugs, canned food, towels and toothpaste and other stuff tourist may need to buy before they move to other remote towns. Supermarkets can also be found in Lhasa.

There are three Xinhua book stores in Lhasa, one on Yuthok Lu, another on east Barkhor and the other on Beijing Zhong Lu, west of Tibet Hotel. They sell maps of Lhasa, Tibetan primers, Tibetan-Chinese dictionaries, and Chinese and Tibetan books. A bookshop carrying Tibetan literature is on north Barkhor.

- Shopping in Shigatse
The best place to go shopping in Shigatse is the market opposite the Tenzin Hotel. There is the usual array of jewelry, antiques and religious objects on display here. However, the market is much smaller than the one in the Barkhor in Lhasa. What is the same here are the shrewd vendors hanging around, hunting for potential buyers. So be prepared to bargain!!

An alternative is to go to the Tibet Gang-Gyen Carpet Factory on Qomolangma Lu, several minutes’ walk from the entrance of Tashilunpo (open weekdays). Here, you will be given the chance to see how carpets are made. Of course, the real reason tourists are allowed in here, is to be encouraged to buy something! Prices range from between RMB200 to RMB3000. The factory even arranges shipping!

(via TibetTour)

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(70 winners)

一、 Main Awards ：( 52 winners)

(一)Hotel Brands (4 winners)

2008 China’s Most Favorite International Hotel Brand

Hyatt Hotels & Resorts

2008 China’s Most Favorite Domestic Hotel Brand

New Century Hotels & Resorts

2008 China’s Most Favorite Serviced Residence Brand

Ascott

2008 China’s Most Favorite Economy Hotel Chain Brand

Home Inn

(二)Hotel Management Companies (4 winners)

2008 China’s Most Investment-worthy International Hotel Management Company

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide， Inc.

Accor China

2008 China’s Most Investment-worthy Domestic Hotel Management Company

Jinling Hotels & Resorts Corporation

Jin Jiang International Hotel Management Co. Ltd

(三)Individual Hotels (30 winners)

2008 China’s Top 10 Most Favorite Business Hotels

1.Pudong Shangri-La， Shanghai

2. The Ritz-Carlton Beijing， Financial Street

3. Jinling Hotel Nanjing

4. Grand Hyatt Shanghai

5. Grand Hyatt Beijing

6. InterContinental Shenzhen

7. InterContinental Hong Kong

8. New Century Grand Hotel Hang Zhou

9. Le Royal Meridien Shanghai

10. Marco Polo Shenzhen

2008 China’s Top 10 Most Favorite Resort Hotels

1. Sheraton Sanya Resort

2. Yalong Bay Mangrove Tree Resort

3. Banyan Tree Lijiang

4. Hilton Sanya Resort & Spa

5. Sheraton Suzhou Hotel & Towers

6. Sanya Marriott Resort & Spa

7. Sheraton Haikou Resort

8. Le Meridien She Shan Shanghai

9. Wuyi Mountain Yeohwa Resort

10. Hotel of Modern Art Libre，Guilin

2008 China’s Best New Opening Hotels

1. JW Marriott Hotel Beijing

2. The Ritz-Carlton， Beijng

3. Hyatt on the Bund

4. The Westin Guangzhou

5. The Interlaken OCT Hotel Shenzhen

6. Shangri-la Hotel， Guangzhou

7. Xiamen Seaview Resort

8. The Purple Palace

9. Shangri-La Hotel， Chengdu

10. Sheraton Shenzhen Futian Hotel

(四)Figures in China’ Hotel Industry(14 winners)

2008 Best Hotel Managers (4 winners)

Mr.John Rice General Manager of Pudong Shangri-La， Shanghai

Mr. Claudio Nardini　 General Manager of Sheraton Sanya Resort

Mr.Jin Meicheng　 Board Director and Operation Manager of Jinling Hotels & Resorts Corporation

Mr. Janus Lee General Manager of Le Meridien She Shan Shanghai

Figures with Distingushed Contributions to China’s Hotel Industry In 2008 (3 winners)

Mr.Chen Hao Board Member and CEO of Jin Jiang International Hotel Development Co. Ltd

Mr. Chen Miaolin　 Chairman， Zhejiang New Century Tourism Group

Mr.Sun Jian　 CEO of Home Inn

2008 The Leader of China’s Hotel industry (6 winners)

Mr. Qian Jin Senior Vice President， Operations， China & Taiwan Starwood Hotels & Resorts

Mr. Robert Murray　 Senior Vice President ，China， Accor

Mr. Edmond Ip Chief Operating Officer， Greater China， IHG

Mr. Edward Tai　 President of Hyatt China

Mr. Angelini Giovanni CEO and Managing Director of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

Mr. Colin Lin Vice President， Hotel Development， China，Marriott International， Inc

2008 Lifetime Achievement Award in China’s Hotel Industry (1 winner)

Mr. Yuan Zongtang Former Director of Hotel Administration Department， National，Tourism Administration of China， Vice President and General Secretary of China Tourism Hotels Association， Chairman of International Hotel Leaders Organization

二、 Special Awards (18 winners)

(一) Special Awards for Hotel Brands (6 winners)

2008 the Most Influential International Hotel Brand in China

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts

2008 China’s Most Favorite Luxurious Hotel Brand

BanYan Tree Group

2008 China’s Domestic Hotel Brand with Most Development potential

Gloria Hotels & Resorts

2008 China’s Most Competitive Domestic Hotel Brand

HNA Hotels&Resorts

2008 China’s Most Competitive Serviced Residence Brand

Frasers Hopitality

2008 China’s Most Favorite Business Chain Hotel Brand

Green Tree Inns Hotel Management Group，Inc.

(二)Special Awards for Individual Hotels (12 winners)

A、Business Hotels (6 winners)

2008 the Most Favorite Business Hotel in Northeast China

Sheraton Shenyang Lido Hotel

2008 the Most Favorite Business Hotel in Southwest China

Green Lake Hotel Kunming

2008 the Business Hotel with Most Development Potential in China

Hua Ting Hotel & Towers Shanghai

2008 China’s Best Exhibition and Business Hotel

Songjiang New Century Grand Hotel Shanghai

2008 China’s Best Theme and Business Hotel

Crowne Plaza Shenzhen

2008 China’s Best Olympic Business Hotel

Crowne Plaza Park View Wuzhou Beijing

B、Resort Hotels (1 winner)

2008 China’s Most Favorite Recreation Resort

New Century Resort Qiandao Lake Hangzhou

C、New Opening Hotels (5 winners)

2008 China’s Best New Opening Luxurious Hotel

Sky Fortune Boutique Hotel， Shanghai

2008 Best New Opening Hotel in Western China

Shangri-La Hotel， Xi’an

2008 China’s Best New Opening Luxurious Hotel

Sofitel Wanda Beijing

2008 China’s Best New Opening Convention and Exhibition Hotel

InterContinental Century City， Chengdu

2008 China’s Best New Opening Boutique Hotel

PuDi Boutique Hotel， Shanghai

(by 21 Century Business Herald)

The Seychelles have long been praised as the most perfect, unspoiled islands in all the oceans and Maia is a shining gem in this archipelago of jewels. Situated in the green mountain chain along the bay of Anse Louis in the southwest of Mahé, this beautiful resort is named after the Maia star in The Seven Sisters star constellation.

Expansive villas include a long veranda, a glass-walled garden shower, and a private infinity pool that’s 12 strokes long, as well as a personal butler who wil even ring and artfully arrange shells that you may have picked up while beachcombing.

Designer Bill Bensley’s understated interiors with their cream colors and notched wood floors, leave the drama to nature: At night, sitting in the outdoor bathtub, you can watch the moon illuminating the ink-black sea.

The Maia Spa by La Prairie has been designed as a haven for pure relaxation. Three treatment pavilions with double beds are isolated in the garden and surrounded by tropical nature. The Spa offers a variety of luxurious treatments, such as the well-known Jari Menari (dancing fingers) massage. In the Meditation Pavilion internationally trained yoga professionals teach Qi Gong and Self Shiatsu.

Additionally, the resort also offers active watersports, such as kayaking, snorkelling, canoeing and pedalos. Customised excursions to other islands by boat or helicopter can be organized by the Maia team. Walks along the 500 metre white sandy beach or through the tropical mountain forest gives an insight into the nature of the island.

If you’re looking to renew your body, mind and soul, it’ll be hard to beat the world-class Maia Resort and Spa. Just be prepared to shell out the $3000/night price for this dream travel destination.

Already drawing the crowds in the South American resort of San Alfonso del Mar in Chile, this artificial lagoon and swimming pool is eight hectares in size and contains an incredible 250,000 cubic meters of water. Acknowledged by Guinness World Records as being the world’s largest swimming pool, the lagoon trounces all other record holders in the category, including the Orthlieb pool in Casablanca, Morocco, itself a huge 150 meters by 100 meters – the San Alfonso pool is 1km in length.

The revolutionary clear water artificial lagoons, transparent to a depth of 35 meters and unprecedented in design and construction methods, are the brainchild of Crystal Lagoons founder, biochemist and Chilean businessman Fernando Fischmann. Equivalent in size to an incredible 6,000 standard domestic pools, details of its technology are to be unveiled for the first time at Cityscape Dubai later this month.

I believe this gives new meaning to living large!

This strikingly contemporary InterContinental in the French Polynesia consists of 80 identical over water villas, which extend in to the warm lagoon like two claws, with the only differences being the views–of the lagoon, the beach, or Mount Otemanu. Floor-to-ceiling windows, Lucite ceiling fans, bug tubs overlooking the water, and bathrooms with black slate floors relect the clean modern aesthetic throughout.

The atmosphere is more South Beach than South Pacific, down to the stylish clad reception staff and shirtless cabana boys by the infinity-edge pool. In a savvy environmental move, the sort pimps in cold seawater to feed the air-conditioning system and for use at the spa.

A stay here might run you run you $1500/night with a minimum four-night stay, but you’ll be hard pressed to find a more exclusive and exotic retreat.