Several companies in the hospitality and airline industries are marking a milestone this year. With this comes special promotional offers as well as community outreach campaigns that are worth signing up for.
AVIATION MARKS CENTENNIAL YEAR IN HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE
What’s the occasion?
Aviation in both Hong Kong and Singapore has hit 100 years. On March 16, 1911, Joseph Christiaens piloted a Boxkite biplane, which took off from the old racecourse in the Lion City. Two days later on March 18, 1911, Charles Van den Born touched down in Hong Kong on a Farman biplane. Since then both cities have become major airline hubs in Asia-Pacific.
How are they celebrating?
In Singapore, exciting events are happening across the city-state all year long. Major events include the “Singapore Takes Flight: A Hundred Years”, an exhibition featuring a private collection of 54 civil and military model aircrafts. Another event, held from May 28 to 29, is The Republic of Singapore Air Force Open House 2011, where visitors can view the latest aircraft on static display, aerial performances, aircraft rides, and carnival games.
In Hong Kong, on March 18 this year, one of the key celebratory activities included an aircraft pull event, which created two new Guinness World Records: the “heaviest amount of aircraft pulled simultaneously” and “the heaviest aircraft pulled over 100 metres by a team”. A total of 260 pullers comprising of airline officials, persons with disabilities, the general public and children born on March 18 pulled a Cathay Pacific Boeing 747, two Dragonair and Hong Kong Airlines Airbus 330s, and a Government Flying Service Zlin z242L aircraft. The four aircraft weighed 474.72 tonnes in total. Other events include a “Photo Exhibition of the 100th Anniversary of Aviation Development in Hong Kong” at the Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).
For more information, visit www.aviationcentennial.sg or www.100aviationdevelopment.hk
BRITISH AIRWAYS
What is the occasion? British Airways is celebrating its 75th anniversary of flying to Hong Kong. The carrier’s first flight into Hong Kong landed on March 14, 1936 and flew in via Rangoon.
How are they celebrating? The carrier is running a competition for Hong Kong residents. Participants are asked who they would sit next to in First Class and why. Winners will receive two free First Class round-trip tickets to London on April 27 to coincide with the much-anticipated Royal Wedding on April 29. The prize trip includes a three night’s stay at the Langham Hotel.
For more information visit www.winba75.com or www.ba.com
CONRAD HOTELS AND RESORTS:
What’s the occasion?
Conrad Hotels and Resorts is 25 years old this year. The first property, Conrad Jupiters Gold Coast Australia, was initally operated under the Hilton International arm, which was separate to Hilton Hotels at the time. In 2005, when the two Hilton arms merged, the Conrad was able to expand its brand globally and now has 19 upscale properties and another 15 in the pipelines worldwide.
How are they celebrating?
To celebrate its silver jubilee, Conrad Hotels & Resorts is inviting guests to spend an extra night for free at select properties when staying there for a minimum of one night. Guests on spring vacations or weekend getaways will receive one complimentary night at the brand’s 16 premier city hotels and resort destinations. Bookings must be made by June 12 for stays between now and June 30, 2011. The free night must be used on the last night of the stay and cannot be transferred or redeemed at another property during another stay.
For more information, visit www.conradhotels.com/25
FOUR SEASONS
What's the occasion? After opening its first property in Toronto in 1961, the Canadian luxury brand now enters its golden year with Four Seasons hotels in 34 countries around the world.
How are they celebrating? The brand is putting the spotlignt on its many corporate social responsibility iniatives to celebrate its 50th anniversary. It launched a dedicated website about its CSR efforts. Kathleen Taylor, Four Seasons chief executive, said: "To commemorate this important milestone, we decided to build a website to honour the values that have been the foundation of our success." The company focuses on three main areas: Supporting Sustainability, which looks at ways to protect the environment, Building Communities, which provides poverty relief, educational programs and aid, and finally Advancing Cancer Research through marathons and golf tournaments. After a 9.0-magnitude earthquake and tsunami rocked Japan and threw it into an intensifying nuclear meltdown crisis, the brand immediately launched a relief fund under its Building Communities arm.
For more information, visit www.livingvalues.fourseasons.com
PHILIPPINE AIRLINES
What’s the occasion? Philippine Airlines completes 70 years of operations this year. The carrier was a pioneer in Philippine aviation and has maintained a dominant position in the industry even after the government liberalisation in 1996.
How are they celebrating? The carrier will empower and support 70 local SMEs to expand globally and allow local brands to penetrate the international market. The carrier also announced the launch of a new six times a week service between Manila and Delhi, which will begin operations from March 27 onwards.
For more information, visit www.philippineairlines.com
SHANGRI-LA HOTELS AND RESORTS
What is the occasion? The Asian hospitality brand, Shangri-La, turns 40 this year. The group’s first property opened its doors in Singapore on April 23, 1971. Since then the group has expanded beyond Asia to include properties in Canada, France and the Middle East and several more in the pipelines around the world.
How are they celebrating? Jumping on the social media bandwagon, Shangri-La is inviting all its Facebook friends and fans to enjoy complimentary meals at any restaurants at any property around the world on their birthdays for this entire year. The hotel group launched its fan page in December last year and almost 2,500 loyal guests have signed up for this treat. Offer is subject to availability and bookings are required.
For more information, visit www.shangri-la.com
Alisha Haridasani and Rachael Ho
