A nit-noy boo-boo from Peninsula Hotels

The hospitality industry in Bangkok has always been characterized by colorful rivalries. A full page ad in the Bangkok Post today proclaims loudly that the Peninsula Bangkok was voted #1 for Best Hotel by readers of the 'prestigious' Travel and Leisure Magazine. However a quick visit to the website failed to back up the Peninsula's claim. Either the copy writers couldn't keep up with the fast paced changes in Internet voting sites, or someone's telling porkies...

Hong Kong tourism industry and Shanghai clash over Disneylands

Hong Kong's Disneyland venture has already attracted it's share of controversy over the past few years. Despite the chequered history of international Disney theme parks, the argument has always been that a Hong Kong Disneyland would attract mainland Chinese visitors. Hence the beleagured Hong Kong travel industry is highly concerned over the Shanghai version.

No frills hotels trend heralds the Age of Austerity?

Europe and the US have started to become used to no frills airlines, and the trend is on the up in Asia as well, with new no frills airlines in South East Asia and Australia. Now the trend is moving to the hospitality and hotel industry in the US, and we should expect it to hit Asia soon.

Singapore's Sentosa does a full moon cover

Singapore's Sentosa, a curious 'fantasy island' accessible by cable car and causeway from the main Singapore island has had a patchy history. Now, Singapore is yet again trying to recreate the exotic surprise essence by importing Thailand's famous 'full moon parties' to Sentoa.

Asian Hotels on the Ascendancy

Kurt Wachtveitl, the general manager behind the Bangkok Oriental for 35 years insists that Asian hotels are in the ascendency while European hotels are in decline. That may well be true for the Oriental, but Asian hotels need to focus on staff development and building an excellence in service culture before our hotels reach their true potential.

KLIA Ekspres tanks like Thomas

KLIA Ekspres, the new 'fast' way to complete your dreaded KLIA-Kuala Lumpur airport transfers failed badly on its first Rat test, in a Malaysia with a talent for making simple things complex...

Brilliant Customers of Travel Agents Everywhere

From an email landing on the Rat's desk... Excerpt: A business man called and had a question about the documents he needed in order to fly to China. After a lengthy discussion about passports, I reminded him he needed a visa. "Oh no I don't, I've been to China many times and never had to have one of those." I double checked and sure enough, his stay required a visa. When I told him this he said, "Look, I've been to China four times and every time they have accepted my American Express."

The Hazards of a Karaoke Kritic

The menace to mankind caused by the export of hot-panted lounge-bar Filipino bands singing US pop-pap from the 70's all over Asia is exceeded only by the ubiquitous existance of "My Way" on karaoke playlists.