Goran Aleks has assumed the position of General Manager of Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, the 609-room iconic hotel billed as a resort-sanctuary in the city.

Having spent more than 15 years in the hospitality industry, German-born Aleks had held significant postings in Europe and Asia Pacific.  His association with the Accor group began in 1994 and throughout his career he has occupied various senior positions in Munich, Koblenz and Berlin in Germany.

He spent one year as the General Manager of Sofitel Project in Paris and subsequently was tasked to position the Sofitel brand in Australia.  Aleks managed for four years the Sofitel Gold Coast Broadbeach and most recently the Sofitel Brisbane Central before he moved to the Philippines.

As the new General Manager for Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Aleks’s main objective is to ensure that the hotel maintains its reputation as the city’s luxury hotel and to charter new heights in the hospitality industry by offering the highest standards of fine cuisine, luxurious accommodation and superb service with a French touch.

China first lottery and gaming hotel is expected to settle in the Mangrove Tree Resort of Sanya, Hainan. The breaking news came after the announcement by the Chinese government of a 10-year tourism development plan to convert the province into a “top international tourist destination”, which states that Hainan will, “explore ways to promote local lottery and gaming industries.” According to Zhang Baoquan, the hotel president, athletic sports venues with a total area of 30,000 square metr will be put in place, allowing visitors to bet on games.

With over 5,600 guestrooms, the Mangrove Tree Resort has the capacity of ten 5-star hotels. It is also equipped with immense facilities for conferences and exhibitions, a theatre with 3000 seats, one-stop shopping and gourmet services, and a water world. A pillarless space for events and conventions which can accommodate four to six thousand people is unrivaled in the country.

It is expected now that the property sale of the hotel will be launched on Feb.6, priced at an average of 26,000 RMB per sq m.

Sofitel Macau At Ponte 16’s Baccara function room was transformed into a mini-gallery with Michael Jackson(MJ)’s iconic collection on Sunday, December 13, 2009, when Macau Ponte 16 hosted a press conference to unveil the 10 recently bid MJ’s items in front of the media. Guests on the panel included Chairman of Macau Ponte 16 Dr. Ambrose So, Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sonny Yeung, Deputy Chief Executive Officer Mr Hoffman Ma, Julien’s Auction’s President & CEO Mr Darren Julien, Executive Director Mr Martin Nolan, and Vice President Sofitel Greater China Mr Michel Molliet.

In the press conference, Dr. Ambrose So expressed, “We are delighted that Ponte 16 has successfully bid for the famous jeweled glove that Michael Jackson wore when he premièred his trademark Moonwalk Dance, as well as a collection of nine other MJ’s iconic items from  “Zombie” shirt worn by MJ in the “Thriller” video, a suit from “Men in Black II”, “We Are The World” signed poster, a painting of Charlie Chaplin created and signed by Jackson when he was 9 years-old, Bill Whitten designed tube socks, signed photographs, and a signed RIAA platinum record awarded for “Bad”.  Dr. So also announced that Ponte 16 will be opening the Michael Jackson Gallery to the public on February 1, 2010, which coincides with the 2nd Anniversary of Ponte 16.  The addition of the Michael Jackson Gallery, the first of its kind in Asia, will add to the appeal of Macau and extend the historical cultural mission of the Inner Harbour district, while drawing more visitors to experience Macau.

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The Beijing National Stadium,also known as the National Stadium,the “Bird’s Nest” is a stadium finished form the Olympic Games in Beijing.The “Bird’s Nest”,the main venue for Beijing’s Olympic Games,is perhaps the most iconic structure of the 2008 Olympics.It is located east of the Beijing Natinal Aquatics Centre.

The stadium will host the main track and field competitions form the 2008 Summer Olympics,as well as the opening and closing ceremonies.The stadium can seat as many as 91,000 spectators during the Olympics.The capacity will then be reduced to 80,000 after the Games.It has replaced the original intended venue of the Guangdong Olympic Stadium.the stadium is 330 meters long by 220 meters wide,and is 69.2 meters tall.The stadium uses 258,000 square meters of space and has a usable area of 204,000 square meters.It was built with 36 km of unwrapped steel,with a combined weight of 45,000 tons.The stadium will cost up to 3.5 billion Yuan.

The National Stadium is dubbed the “Bird’s Nest” because ofits innovative grid formation.The twig-like structural elements and the bowl-shaped roof are the masterpiece of the project,yet they pose great challenges to technicians and workers who need to make the building stand on its own feet.The constructors have made decisive efforts to let the “Bird’s Nest” support its own weight without relying on any of the supporting structures.

The large steel skeleton of the project weights 42,000 tons,with the roof and the hanging parts around it accounting for 11,2000 tons.To bear such a heavy load,78 supporting structures were temporarily installed and distributed in different points under stress.Through accurate calculation and careful argumentation,experts came to understand that the unloading process of the supporting frameworks should be divided into seven steps and each step should abide by the sequence of outer circle,middle circle,inner circle,middle circle and innercircle.In other words,35 mini-steps are needed to complete the whole process.

To unload a supporting structure,or to load the insitu steel skeleton,a lifting jack is used.Jacking pads with a height of 100mm to 200mm are placed on the top of the supporting structures.When the lifting jack rises,it replaces the structure to bear the load of the steel skeleton,and a jacking pad is removed.Then the jack descends slowly to give the remaining load again to the column,thus repeating a total of 35 times until the steel skeleton is able to bear its own weight.

Accuracy is required during the process.The maximum descent of the outer circle is limited to  68-286mm,the middle circle 161-178mm and inner circle 208-286mm.If the descent of the steel structure,which relies on its own supporting capability,exceeds the extent,or cracks appear somewhere in the skeleton,then problems might exist in the design,manufacturing or construction stages in the past three years.In a word,the unloading process is a proof of “the Bird’s Nest” Quality.

2009 Asia Hotel Industry Summit announced the award list of 2009 for “Top 10 Luxurious Brand Hotel in Asia”, in which The Sofitel Wanda Beijing was named. Moreover, Mr. Ian Alexandre, General Manager of Sofitel Wanda Beijing and Area General Manager Sofitel Wanda Hotels North China was named as one of the “Top 10 Hotel Managers”.

These awards further bring recognition to the Softel Wanda Beijing as being one of the best hotels in the city.

Ideally situated in Beijing’s Central Business District, the 27-storey Sofitel Wanda Beijing has 417 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites, 4 restaurants, 10 conference rooms, a Grand Ballroom, Health Club, swimming pool, and the luxurious LeSpa. The hotel is ideal for meetings, conferences, and incentive groups as it enjoys easy access to the China International Exhibition Centre, the city subway, major tourist attractions such as the Forbidden City and Tiananmen Square, and shopping malls. It is only 30 minutes via airport expressway to Beijing Capital International Airport.

Fairmont Singapore, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts’ landmark property in Asia, has been appointed as the Official Hotel Partner for the much anticipated and historic first Youth Olympic Games from 14 to 26 August 2010.

“The Fairmont Singapore is extremely proud of this opportunity to be a partner of the inaugural Youth Olympic Games. As the brand’s pioneer property in Asia, the Fairmont Singapore looks forward to showcasing the best of Singapore, welcoming our guests from all over the world with warm and genuine hospitality, and an experience that truly reflects the distinctive atmosphere of this dynamic country. Given our history of hosting large-scale events, we are committed to making this a memorable experience for those key audiences that will be brought together for the first-ever Youth Olympic Games,” commented Ian Wilson, General Manager, Fairmont Singapore and Regional Vice-President, Asia, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

“With more than a century of hospitality experience, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts looks forward to playing a key role in what promises to be a landmark event for both Singapore and the entire region. As we expand our foothold in Asia with the opening of new properties in Beijing, Kunshan and Shanghai in China, as well as the Philippines and India, we feel that it is fitting for us to unite in the excitement and spirit of the Youth Olympics and celebrate this new tradition,” added Thomas W. Storey, President, Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

“We will be welcoming overseas guests from the Olympic family, International Federations, commercial partners, government officials and representatives from the media during Singapore 2010. Visitors staying at the Fairmont Singapore will have ease of accessibility travelling to the competition venues in various parts of Singapore. I am excited to have a valuable partner such as the Fairmont on this journey with us,” said Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer, Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee.

Fairmont Singapore has been involved in hosting a stellar list of high profile and global scale sporting events including the 117th International Olympic Committee (IOC) Session in July 2005, a week-long event which saw over 6,500 officials, delegates, dignitaries and sports celebrities witness London win the bid for the 2012 Olympic Games.

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Paying homage to its original Art Deco heritage, The Peace Hotel Shanghai, managed by Fairmont Hotels & Resorts will once again lay claim to its long-standing status as China’s most iconic hotel and premier social destination when it unveils the culmination of its restoration programme in 2010.

The newly revitalised Fairmont Peace Hotel Shanghai will offer approximately 269 deluxe guestrooms and suites with a selection of eight restaurants and lounges. Included among these is the much-loved Jazz Bar, a Shanghai institution since the 1930s. In addition, a lobby lounge on the ground floor, a mezzanine-level sushi, wine and cigar bar as well as a heritage Chinese restaurant on the 8th floor and the Peace Grill Restaurants on the 9th floor will offer a new level of elegance and comfort befitting of today’s discerning travellers. The 9th floor will also host the famed Peace Hall, where the property’s iconic sprung-wooden dance floor still evokes memories of old Shanghai cabarets and gala parties.

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Wangfujing, Beijing

Nanjinglu, Shanghai

Xinjiekou, Nanjing

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Located in the west of Henan Province in central China, Luoyang city occupies an very important geographic location. It’s in the middle reaches of the Yellow River and is encircled by mountains and plains. Thus, Luoyang was selected as the capital city by 13 dynasties starting from the Xia Dynasty (21st-16th century BC) . In the period following the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD), and particularly during the Sui (581 -618 AD) and Tang (618-907 AD) dynasties, the city experienced a period of growth and prosperity and ranked as one of the international metropolitans of the time.

Its long history endows Luoyang with a profound sense of culture. The city is the cradle of Chinese civilization where many Chinese legends happened, such as Nvwa Patching the Sky, Dayu Controlling Flood and the Chinese Ancestor Huangdi Establishing the Nation. The city is also famed as the ‘Poets Capital’ as poets and literates of ancient China often gathered there and left grand works, including Book of Wisdom (Dao De Jing), Han History (Han History) and Administrative Theory of Admonishing Official (Zi Zhi Tong Jian). Religious culture once thrived here. Taoism originated there and the first Buddhist temple set up by the government was located there. Luoyang is also the hometown of many of the scientific inventions of ancient China, such as the seismograph, armillary sphere, paper making, printing and the compass.

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower is located in Pudong Park in Lujiazui, Shanghai. The tower, surrounded by the Yangpu Bridge in the northeast and the Nanpu Bridge in the southwest, creates a picture of ‘twin dragons playing with pearls’. The entire scene is a photographic jewel that excites the imagination and attracts thousands of visitors year-round.

This 468 meters high (1,536 feet) tower is the world’s third tallest TV and radio tower surpassed in height only by towers in Toronto, Canada and Moscow, Russia. However, even more alluring than its height is the tower’s unique architectural design that makes the Oriental Pearl TV Tower one of the most attractive places anywhere.

The base of the tower is supported by three seven-meter wide slanting stanchions. Surrounding the eleven steel spheres that are ’strung’ vertically through the center of the tower are three nine-meter wide columns. There are three large spheres including the top sphere, known as the space module. Then there are five smaller spheres and three decorative spheres on the tower base. The entire structure rests on rich green grassland and gives the appearance of pearls shining on a jade plate.

Visitors travel up and down the tower in double-decker elevators that can hold up to fifty people at the rate of seven meters per second. The elevator attendants recite an introduction to the TV Tower in English and Chinese during the rapid 1/4-mile ascent. Once you reach your destination, you will be amazed at the variety of activities available as the various spheres and columns actually house places of interest, commerce, and recreation.

The inner tower is a recreational palace, while the Shanghai Municipal History Museum is located in the tower’s pedestal. The large lower sphere has a futuristic space city and a fabulous sightseeing hall. From here, on a clear day a visitor can see all the way to the Yangtze River. The base of the tower is home to a science fantasy city. The five smaller spheres are a hotel that contains twenty-five elegant rooms and lounges. The pearl at the very top of the tower contains shops, restaurants, (including a rotating restaurant) and a sightseeing floor. The view of Shanghai from this height fills you with wonder at the beauty that surrounds you. When viewed from the Bund at night, the tower’s three-dimensional lighting makes it a delight of brilliant color.

It is amazing that this ultra-modern tower combines ancient concepts such as the spherical pearls, with 21st Century technology, commerce, recreation, educational and conference facilities. All of this and it really is a TV and radio tower that services the Shanghai area with more than nine television channels and upwards of ten FM radio channels. Truly, ‘oriental pearl’ is the most suitable name for this tower.