As the Lunar New Year approaches, countless travellers around Asia-Pacific are preparing to travel for the holiday period. And while the season – as with many holidays – has a reputation for being an expensive time to travel, a swathe of promotions offering everything from savings to grand experiences are on offer.
With that in mind, Business Traveller Asia-Pacific has rounded up eight Lunar New Year promotions for those looking to make the most of the festive season.
The Peninsula Hong Kong
Along with peach blossom decorations, room and spa promotions and a traditional lion dance in the lobby on the first day of the Lunar New Year, Hong Kong’s Grande Dame is offering guests tours of the city to mark the festive period.
For starters, suite guests will be able to tour around Hong Kong in The Peninsula’s customised Mini Clubman car for up to three hours – a unique take on the Lunar New Year tradition of journeying around the city in order to bring luck and prosperity.
For those that want to take this concept even further, however, a helicopter ride around Victoria Harbour is also available. Following the aerial voyage, guests can have afternoon tea in the lobby as part of the package, which comes in at HK$2,167 (US$279) per person or HK$4,256 (US$549) for two people.
Qatar Duty Free
China Unionpay International credit cardholders at Hamad International Airport can take part in Qatar Duty Free’s (QDF) Lunar New Year lucky draw when they spend at least US$410 on QDF products.
Launched last week, the raffle involves eligible cardholders receiving a traditional red packet, which contains a shopping voucher valued at either QR100 (US$27.5), QR150 (US$41) or QR200 (US$55).
The promotion is set to run until February 7, with the vouchers valid for use until February 9.
Swissôtel
Combining accommodation and dining discounts, Swissôtel is offering guests who book before February 11 reduced rates of up to 35 per cent on guestrooms and 15 per cent on F&B.
Applicable for stays between January 25 and February 12, the promotion notably is aimed at both domestic travellers within China and those heading further abroad for their travels. Participating hotels include Swissôtel Beijing, Swissôtel Grand Shanghai, Swissôtel Kunshan and Swissôtel Foshan, along with properties in Bangkok, Basel and Dresden.
A similar 35 per cent promotion on premium rooms is also being offered by Fairmont Hotels and Resorts for its properties in China, Switzerland, Monaco and Ukraine.
Afini
A relative newcomer to the luxury travel scene, Asia travel destination club Afini launched in November last year. The club is a combination property-leasing platform and subscription membership concept, enabling members to book one-of-a-kind accommodations at lower rates than industry norms while also experiencing customised service.
In addition to travel options over the festive period, Afini is offering prospective members limited celebratory lifetime memberships for US$8,888 – eight is, after all, a lucky number in Chinese tradition. Those who join by January 20 will also receive 2,000 travel credits towards their first journey.
Jumeirah
Travellers can expect a number of different promotional Lunar New Year offers from Dubai-based luxury hotel chain Jumeirah, depending on the property in which they are staying. Guests heading to the Burj Al Arab Jumeirah in Dubai will receive 20 per cent off the best available room rates, for instance, along with a complimentary dinner for two guests at the hotel’s Al Iwan. Meanwhile, those staying at other properties in the company’s portfolio – including the Jumeirah Beach Hotel, Jumeirah Emirates Towers, Jumeirah Creekside Hotel, or any of the hotels as part of the Madinat Jumeirah resort – can get a 20 per cent discount off the Jumeirah Flavours rate, along with complimentary breakfast, lunch or dinner.
In addition to its Dubai properties, though, Jumeirah is also providing a three-night package at its Pera Palace Hotel Jumeirah, Istanbul in Turkey. The €150 (US$159.9) package also offers a 20 per cent discount on spa treatments at Per Spa by Spa Soul and 25 per cent off on Harvey Nichols and Brandroom stores.
Jetstar Asia
Likely the most counterintuitive Lunar New Year promotion on this list, Singapore-based low-cost carrier Jetstar Asia is promoting something few airlines at this time of year would hope to encourage – not travelling during the holidays.
Up until January 28, the airline is waiving all change fees and fare difference when moving flight departures on the eve and first day of the Lunar New Year – January 27 and 28 – to a different day. The campaign is intended to encourage travellers, particularly younger generations, to spend the holiday period with their families rather than heading overseas.
In fact as part of the campaign, Jetstar conducted a social experiment. The airline showed young travellers who had free tickets for flights over the holiday period clips of their family members discussing the importance of the festive season to them. The aim was to see whether these travellers would be willing to give up their tickets in order to stay home for the Lunar New Year. Check out their reactions above.
Onyx Hospitality
Thailand-based hotel and serviced residence company Onyx Hospitality has introduced a promotion for the Lunar New Year offering discounts of up to 20 per cent on bookings made at 31 of its properties across Asia and the Middle East. These include hotels and serviced residences across the group’s Amari, Ozo, Shama and Mosaic Collection brands.
Travellers can make use of the promotion – which runs until January 31 – using the promo code CNY2017. The promotion covers stays taking place between February 1 and 28.
Royal Caribbean Cruises
For those looking to find their sea legs in 2017, Royal Caribbean Cruises is offering discounts on some 22 cruises aboard two of its vessels: Ovation of the Seas and Voyager of the Seas. The cruise company has recently extended the duration of the two vessels’ homeport seasons in Hong Kong – which will take place between July and November this year.
While the travelling itself isn’t for the Lunar New Year, prospective cruisers can nonetheless get a discount of up to 25 per cent on their selected voyage when booking four- to five-night sailings from today (January 18) until January 31 as part of the company’s Lunar New Year promotion. Destinations include Sanya, Okinawa, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Keelung, Hualien, Kaohsiung and Taichung.
