Northstar

News Accor's E-Planner to facilitate bookings for MICE SINGAPORE - Accor has announced the launch of a user-friendly and interactive meetings site, E-Planner, that allows Professional Conference Organisers (PCOs) to search and book the perfect hotel for their next event from the comfort of their desks. With a choice of 1,700 hotels across Australia, Asia, the Americas, Oceania, Europe, Africa and the Middle East, this hassle-free new e-planner is the ultimate tool for any discerning events planner. Regardless of whether a PCO is looking for a hotel to host a conference in Hong Kong, a sales promotion in Bali, a board meeting in Bangkok, a product launch in Auckland, an incentive at the Great Barrier Reef, or a gala ball in Paris, Accor's E-Planner tool will be able to help provide with the best fi t solution. Meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) organisers can use the site to select the perfect hotel based on three criteria: number of rooms, meeting venue size and location to request for multiple quotations and make a booking. Visitors to the site will be able to fi nd the various hotels available in the different regions / countries and shortlist hotels based on the size and specifi c requirements of their events. Besides highlighting hotels which have ongoing incentive offers, the E-Planner can identify hotels which can cater to more than 250 delegates, as well as include the fl oor plans of up to 150 hotels with the largest venue capacity. The MICE business represents a key growth area for Accor, which has hotels across 80 countries with MICE facilities. Accor's extensive network offers access to more than 10,000 meeting rooms across all segments ranging from luxury to economy (Sofi tel, Pullman, MGallery, Novotel, Mercure, ibis, all seasons/ibis Styles) and the group has experience in putting together events. Event organisers can also benefi t from Accor's A|Club Meeting Planners programme, which rewards them every time they book a conference or event at a selected Accor hotel. A|Club points can then be easily and quickly converted to vouchers, which can be used at more than 1,400 Accor hotels globally. These can be used by organisers to take a much-earned holiday after their event or even be given as a corporate gift or performance incentive. There is no expiry date for A|Club meeting points, so long as guests stay for at least one night with Accor per year on an eligible rate. Accor's E-Planner is available at: www. accormeetingshotels.com/e- brochure. Events Jetstar's Osaka to Singapore new route SINGAPORE - Jetstar is to begin a new Osaka to Singapore service via Manila from Mar 25. The new four times weekly Airbus A320 services add another 1,400 seats per week in-and-out of Japan. The new route follows a doubling of capacity on the popular Jetstar Asia Osaka-Taipei-Singapore route and the recent announcement of a new Jetstar Airways Tokyo-Manila- Darwin route. It is also indicative of the strengthening of international network ahead of Jetstar Japan(domestic) launch before the end of 2012, thus linking its international to its domestic fl ights. Jetstar had since the start of 2012 announced a total of more than 5,000 additional seats per week in-and-out of Japan – bringing thousands of visitors to Japan, and helping to strengthen the local economy. "Jetstar international services from Japan are popular because they offer a very affordable and reliable service on modern aircraft with helpful crew," Jetstar group CEO Bruce Buchanan said. Jetstar Japan recently fi led its Air Operators Certifi cate (AOC) application with authorities. The new airline has already received close to 9,000 interested candidates for 450 cabin crew positions and about 500 applications for 100 pilot roles. Events No more shark's fi n at Shangri-La HONG KONG - MICE organisers – take note, especially for Chinese banquets and events, where shark's fi n is one of the favourite on the menus. When stepping into a property of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, shark's fi n will no longer be on the menu, with immediate effect. Future banquet bookings made prior to this date will be honoured as per the signed contractual agreement. It will also phase out out bluefi n tuna and Chilean sea bass in all its operated restaurants within the year. Under its 'Sustainable Seafood Policy", the new move is a continuation of Shangri-La's journey towards environmental support. The company initiated the process with the removal of shark fi n products from its restaurant menus in Dec.2010. As a strategic commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, the company launched its fi rst CSR initiatives in 2005 which were streamlined and formalised in 2009 in the three main areas of Sustainability, Embrace and Sanctuary. "Shangri-La's Care for Nature"' project was introduced specifi cally to ensure consistency in biodiversity, conservation and habitat protection across all resorts. Projects include the development of marine sanctuaries to ensure reef protection and stability of the underwater and marine life. Two years later, in May 2011, the company published its fi rst Sustainability Report outlining the company's progress in the areas of environment, health and safety, employees, supply chain and stakeholder relations. Shangri-La's ethos and core values show a commitment to the environment that the company does business in. As part of the CSR efforts, Shangri-La has been working on a number of projects related to sustainability for several years. The sustainable seafood campaign has been on the forefront as the initiative will deliver immediate results. Shangri-La will continue to review and refi ne its overall programmes including environmental and sustainability issues. Events 3 January 2012

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