Wanda Group To Set Up A Joint Travel Venture With Korea’s E-Land

China’s Wanda Group recently announced its partnership with Korea’s E-Land Group, agreeing to set up a joint travel venture. Wanda Group is the largest Chinese property company. E-Land Group is a Korean conglomerate taking part in fashion and retail businesses.

Roh Jong-ho, left, CEO appointee for the E-Land and Wanda Group tourism joint venture, poses with Wanda Group Vice President Mo Yueming after signing the joint venture agreement at Wanda’s Beijing headquarters, Feb. 5. (Courtesy of E-Land)

Wang Jianlin, Chairman of Wanda Group, agreed with E-Land Group Vice Chairman Park Sung-kyung last year to invest in four areas in Korea and set up joint projects with E-Land. According to E-Land, out of the four areas, tourism has come first.

E-Land is to launch the 50-50 joint venture with Wanda Tourism of China, according to the agreement. E-Land said the venture will focus on quality tourism program in Korea as the cheap, low-quality tour packages have damaged Korea’s image among Chinese visitors.

As E-Land’s first leisure business with Wanda, the joint project will not only provide tourism programs but also focus on Korea’s cultural attractions. The quality tourism program aims to attract more Chinese VIP customers. Wanda plans to send 1 million Chinese tourists to Korea each year.

New York Welcomes Air China’s New-Generation B747-8 Intercontinental

Expected to arrive at JFK International at 1:30PM EST local time, Air China’s B747-8 Intercontinental debuts internationally on the Beijing-New York route on January 7,2015. An in-cabin reception will be hosted by Air China’s New York Offices.

Air China’s Flights 981 and 982 will be operated daily by the new-generation B747-8i while Flights 989 and 990 continue to be operated by B777-300ER.

Air China is the first in China to operate the B747-8i and the only airline with nonstop services between New York and Beijing.

Air China 747-8 First Class Interiors.

“We are pleased that our Beijing headquarters has chosen New York for the international launch of the B747-8i. It is only fitting that the largest city in the United States is the first Air China gateway in North America to operate the fuel-efficient, environment-friendly B747-8i,” said Mr. Yuanlong Zhou, General Manager of Air China’s New York offices.

“the B747-8i is the first aircraft in Air China’s fleet with a four-cabin configuration. This is significant as this provides travelers from New York and other neighboring cities to China and beyond with more options.” Mr. Zhou said.

Features 12 luxury suites in the Forbidden Pavilion first class cabin, 54 fully-flat sleepers Capital Pavilion business class, 66 premium economy seats and 233 in the economy cabin for a total of 365 seats, Air China’s B747-8i is also the first to present the company’s new cabin interior which depicts three traditional Chinese cultural elements that represent the harmonious unity of heaven, earth and sky.

Below is the seasonally-adjusted schedule of the of round-trip New York-Beijing services.

CA 981 Beijing-New York  B747-8i
CA 982 New York-Beijing  B747-8i
CA 989 Beijing-New York  B777-300ER
CA 990 New York-Beijing  B777-300ER

Starwood Plans Four New Luxury Resorts on Hainan Island in China

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc. is expanding its luxury presence in China with the opening of four new properties on Hainan Island by 2020.

Slated to open in 2019 and 2020, two of the new properties, W Retreat & Spa Sanya – Haitang Bay and The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort will be located at the North Wing of Haitang Bay, one of the area’s most exclusive and sought-after addresses.

As the first W Retreat in China, W Retreat & Spa Sanya – Haitang Bay joins W Retreat & Spa Goa in the Asia Pacific pipeline.

The St. Regis Sanya Haitang Bay Resort will feature 400 guestrooms and 15 villas, as well as a luxury spa, three restaurants, a lobby lounge, wine bar and meeting space.

“The rapid growth of Starwood’s luxury brands in China reflects the robust demand for high-end hospitality from an increasingly affluent market, where domestic travel continues to thrive,” said Qian Jin, Greater China’s president of Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific. “We are thrilled to introduce the W brand’s first retreat in China while growing the St. Regis footprint locally,” added Robert Zhang, vice president, Acquisition & Development, Greater China, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Asia Pacific.