Many
people think that 2011 will be a lucky year. Online
gaming site GR88 has listed their top eight casinos
and resorts where travelers can spend the new year.
"The GR88 team looks forward to an outstanding
year, filled with great success for all of our loyal
players," said Charles Exeter, GR88 spokesperson.
"With our players in mind, we are pleased to
list the eight greatest casinos to ring in the New
Year."
1-
Crown Casino,
Melbourne Australia. Get a jump on the new year at
this casino's annual celebration that will include
three difference party arenas, mixing the tracks of
the best DJ's in the world such as Finlo White, Phil
Ross, Tate Strauss, Joe Sofo and Kitty Kat, Jono Earle
& Chris Mac. The casino's New Year celebration
will include stunning burlesque dancers, cocktail
specials and giveaways all night long.
2-
The Palms, Las Vegas,
Nevada. In addition to its over-the-top suites,
the Palms also offers a wide list of events in its
nightclubs. Their 30 Seconds to Mars NYE Package includes
two nights in a Palms Deluxe room, two concert tickets
and four free drinks at any casino bar starting from
$850.
3-
The Venetian
Macao resort on China's Cotai Strip is modeled
after its Las Vegas sister hotel and features largest
casino in the world with over 550,000 square feet
of gaming. This year's events include a party at Blue
Frog bar and grill and shows at the ZAIA Cirque du
Soleil theater.
4-
Sun
City, South Africa offers a variety of New Year's
Eve options in an exotic setting. The resort has four
hotels and a wave pool, and also offers safaris in
its own private park as well as golf and of course,
for this list, a lavish casino. There are 340 air-conditioned
rooms and suites and several different restaurants
and bars.
5-
Atlantis Resort,
Bahamas. The Atlantis resort often makes the list
of ideal places to spend your New Year's Eve. In addition
to white sand beaches, oodles of pools and lavish
accommodations, the resort is home to the largest
casino in the Caribbean with 980 slot machines and
78 gaming tables including baccarat, roulette, craps,
blackjack and Caribbean stud poker, and a high limit
table area called the Baccarat Lounge.
6-
Casino
de Monte Carlo, Monaco. The classic choice for
a lavish and legendary New Year's Eve celebration
is the Casino de Monte Carlo. It was designed by Charles
Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera, and its
lobby features a marble-paved atrium with 28 Ionic
columns as well as lavish bronze and gold ornaments.
The casino features 316 slot machines and 35 tables
for Roulette, craps, and blackjack.
7-
Casino Metropol,
Moscow, Russia. You probably wouldn't think of Russia
for casinos but the Casino Metropol, part of the Hotel
Metropol is located just a few minutes from the Red
Square and the Kremlin. The 24-hour casino also features
11 tables with blackjack, roulette and poker.
8-
St. James
Club, Mamora Bay, Antigua. The main attraction
here isn't the casino, it's the warm weather and beautiful
beaches. The St. James Club is a high-end resort is
nestled on a 100-acre private peninsula, with the
sea bordering three sides of the resort. The resort
has plenty of options for everyone: and at night there's
the disco and the small but glamorous casino, which
is the place to gamble on the island. (Credit:
Luxist)
News
James
Packer Crown Casino Whale Talks Tourism, by Greg Tingle
- 19th March 2011
Australia's
foremost gambling tycoon, James Packer, is growing
tied of the Australian government's lack of action
in improving the tourism sector, which in return effects
his casino tourism arm, with the high rollers, schools
of "whales", super dolphins and the like
tipping to be swimming more for oriental waters, rather
than down under Pacific Ocean way. Yep, that's the
general school of thought.
Singapore
is continuing a roaring trade in the casino and resort
tourism dollar, and insiders think this this may be
beginning to really snatch away some potential business
from Melbourne's Crown Casino and Burswood, which
now boasts two of the most valuable and profitable
integrated casino resorts in the world, Packer says
the time for talk is over.
"One
of the problems for state and federal governments
of both political persuasions in Australia is that
no one sets any key performance indicators for tourism,"
he told Rupert Murdoch publication, The Weekend Australian.
"That
lets people muddle about on things with good intentions
without ever actually making the rubber hit the road.
Whereas in Singapore, it is all about the rubber hitting
the road.
"They
are a country that used to get the same number of
tourists as Australia, around 5 million. They are
now at 11 million tourists. We are at 5 million. And
they have stated publicly that they have an aim and
ambition that they will receive 17 million tourists
in 2015."
Singapore
has bragging rights of 13 consecutive months of record
visitor numbers, achieving its highest visitor arrivals
for a single month in December with 1.1 million visitors,
16% up on last year.
Experts
tip the main attribute in seeing Singapore's big numbers
is last year's launch of the $4.4 billion Resorts
World Sentosa casino and the $5.94bn Marina Bay Sands,
the second most expensive casino in the world.
Both
casino resorts are understood to have accounted for
1.7% of Singapore's nominal gross domestic product
last year when GDP leap frogged 14.7%.
Packer
has a few more reasons than the average Joe to be
a bit worried about the rise of the Singapore dragons
(no offence to dragons, including dragons in training
or Singaporeans). Singapore is writing the "who
to" book and blueprint on casino tourism, just
when many experts thought Macau were the experts.
The
Singapore dragons wrath on the regional casino market
gave birth to an 8% dip in VIP turnover at Packer's
two dinkum Aussie casinos, Crown in Melbourne and
Burswood in Perth, in the 6 months to December 31.
Burswood really felt the pain, with VIP whale revenue
down 14.3% compared with Crown's 5.5 % dive.
Crown
states 15% of its casino revenues comes from high-rollers.
That's a considerable amount.
Packer
points to the way Australia sells itself to the world,
and specifically affluent Asians, as a tourist destination,
and he chooses his words carefully.
"We
are not saying it is the government's fault. We are
saying we would like to work with the government to
try and make Australia a more attractive and compelling
and successful tourism destination".
The
recent Japanese natural disasters, along with our
our own floods and cyclones in Queensland, are expected
to put increased pressure on Japanese tourism, the
fifth-largest provider of inbound tourists to Australia
behind New Zealand, Britain, the US and China.
"We
all thought the Oprah exercise (where Tourism Australia
last year paid $1.5m for 100 minutes of US exposure
on Oprah Winfrey's TV chat show) was fantastic, but
when I was in America just recently I saw an advertisement
with three Americans in a Land Rover driving around
a paddock watching kangaroos. And I thought to myself,
it is a lovely image but to be kind, it is very niche,"
Packer says.
Packer
says Crown wants more from what he terms his "silent
majority partners".
"The
total taxes we paid last year to the three levels
of government...federal, state and municipal...was
well over double our net profit after tax. We believe
we are investing in our businesses, providing the
government with an excellent economic return for our
licences and we also think we are working hard to
ensure that our other stakeholders benefit from our
business," he says.
"The
government is doing very well being the silent majority
partner of our company and we are competing against
some of the biggest and most successful companies
in the world and what we are trying to do is bring
more people to Australia to spend money and conduct
economic activity here."
Crown
and competitor Tabcorp Holdings, owner of 'Sin City'
Sydney's Star City and the Gold Coast's Jupiters casinos,
are spending billions of dollars on big capital expenditure
programs, including revamped VIP gaming facilities,
hotels, lear jets and more.
"My
impression is that we have spent more on capital expenditure
in the past five years than any non-mining industrial
company in Australia," Packer says. "I think
there is a perception out there that these businesses
are licences to print money. They are terrific businesses,
but they are not that. These businesses have a very
significant ongoing capex requirement, which places
limits on the real cash available to be returned to
shareholders."
A
not particularly well known fact is that last year,
Crown received the Employer of the Year award at the
Australian Government's Australian Training Awards.
Packer's
call for a more integrated tourism strategy for Australia
is fully supported by Tourism Australia chairman and
ex Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon, who is also
on the Crown board. "While I am obviously a director
of Crown, it doesn't change the fact that our integrated
resorts in Australia must be competitive with those
in Asia, especially Singapore," Dixon says.
"This
is not just about Crown, it is about...the other integrated
resort casinos within Australia."
What
Crown and Tabcorp are seeking is additional assistance
from government and the private sector on co-ordinating
visa access and improving facilities at airports for
VIP high roller tourists.
In
Singapore, high rolling whales are greeted by officials
at Changi airport, and promptly escorted through a
private lounge area for fast-tracked customs and immigration
procedures.
"We
have started some initial discussions with Melbourne
and Perth airports, and they are quite interested
in the concept," says Crown chief executive Rowen
Craigie. He advised there have been communications
with government and the state and federal tourism
authorities. "The doors seem to be open,"
he says confidently.
Federal
Tourism Minister Martin Ferguson agrees casinos have
an important role to play in the nation's tourism
strategies, as well he should, but he states there
needs to be more research before major decisions are
taken that affect the sector.
"Casinos
attract high-yield visitors that spend on average
double that of other international visitors,"
he shared.
"Through
both our marketing efforts such as the $150m global
'There's Nothing Like Australia' campaign and the
National Long Term Tourism Strategy, we will continue
to work closely with casinos, airlines, hotels, tour
operators and the many other hundreds of thousands
of small businesses in the tourism sector to ensure
Australia remains competitive as a tourism destination.
"That
requires encouraging investment in new stock, finding
the right staff and reducing barriers to their employment
in the sector, while providing comprehensive research
to allow informed decisions to be taken."
Chef
and restaurant owner Neil Perry, also a mate and business
associate of Packer, whose "lucky" seven
Australian restaurants include outlets at Crown and
Burswood, agrees.
"While
I am focused on local clientele, we need a good mix
of international tourists to keep this business vibrant,"
he says.
Chinese
tourists account for $2.8bn to the Australian tourism
industry and by 2017 analysts expect that market will
be worth about $5.5bn.
Korea,
Singapore and Malaysia are also developing markets
for Australia.
In
January, Chinese tourists jumped 63% for the month,
largely a spin off from Chinese New Year celebrations
falling in February. Hong Kong visits were up 26%
and Malaysia 25%.
At
times like these Packer must be glad his had a global
strategy in place, and is not totally at the mercy
of the Australian market.
Packer
and his time are also further developing online gaming
and revenue aspects of Crown Limited, as well as getting
his 50% Betfair better stocked with more online gaming
offerings, acutely aware of recession resistance online
based businesses like PartyGaming and also watching
his mate, Richard Branson, take his airline, tourism,
communication and gaming business to the next level.
Don't
bet against Packer, but the smart money from betting
agencies says that its safe to bet against the Australian
state and federal government - with Labor set to fall,
and a new and motivated Liberal - Nationals coalition
ready to impress the people and the business sector
A
Media Man spokesperson said 'There's no doubt that
the Oprah Winfrey effect has some positive spin off
for Australian tourism, certainly awareness leaped.
Just hoe much different was made to the bottom line
thanks to O is unclear. James Packer makes a good
point about Australian tourism. We have a lot more
to offer than just kangaroos. Bondi Beach is great,
but so are casinos like Crown and Burswood, and our
sports tourism and events are always, and how about
our Aboriginal heritage. We are world class. More
people need to help give the Australian government
the message. Casinos are an idea place to help keep
things going in the right direction, with all of the
tourists, smart money and entertainment to be found."
CEO
Magazine Rejects James Packer Interview Rumour...
Bean
Media Group, publishers of the influential and highly-regarded
business publication, The CEO Magazine, have today
refused to confirm reports that The CEO Magazine will
be conducting an exclusive interview with Australian
businessman, James Packer. The CEO Magazine is Australia's
leading business magazine focused directly at high-level
executives in Australian companies. The CEO Magazine
is a bi-monthly title that provides its readers with
a wealth of articles discussing business strategy,
expert opinion, analysis, corporate case studies,
emerging trends, leadership, growth opportunities
and challenges facing our country's leading business
leaders. The CEO Magazine explores how Australian
businesses can improve the way they manage their operations,
staff, technology and supply chains with a view to
creating a more profitable and successful business.
Whilst The CEO Magazine is extremely meticulous in
selection for interviews within the title, rumours
of a one-on-one interview with James Packer have surfaced
this week. "Due to the high profile nature of
The CEO Magazine, it is impossible for us to confirm
who will be included in upcoming magazines until publication
date. Content is kept strictly between the publisher
and any leading senior executive that have been chosen
for selection," said a spokesperson for publisher,
Bean Media Group. The next issue of The CEO Magazine
is due out next month. About The CEO Magazine, Australia's
leading business title specifically for high-level
and senior executives. The publisher of The CEO Magazine
is Bean Media Group, a multi-award-winning media company
based in Sydney, Australia
For some, swimming with the sharks and deadly stingrays
just doesn't offer enough risk. For these travelers,
their idea of risk is whether the house is holding
a winner. At one point not so long ago, Australia
was a vacation haven for those looking for an exciting
experience filled with scenic views and natural beauty.
But recently, Australia has become noticed for its
world-class hotels and casinos. With the natural allure
of Australia's wonders combined with five-star hotel
casino accommodations, Australia makes the ideal vacation
hotspot for vacationers looking for a wider variety
of memorable experiences.
The
only problem you'll have now, is deciding which of
the stunning casinos to call home while you're Down
Under. Thanks to the Internet, you can easily search
and compare the rates and amenities at the various
casinos, while booking a cheap flight to Australia
at the same time. Plenty of deals can be found if
you just look for them online. One tip for planning
your trip - try to book a flight departing in the
middle of the week. You can save a bundle on both
your airfare and your hotel rates simply by traveling
on mid-week days, and if you're planning an Australia
casino vacation, then that money will surely come
in handy later on.
The
Casino in Your Australia Casino Vacation
With
hotel casinos in nearly every region of Australia,
you'll want to know what the area has to offer along
with your luxurious accommodations. Some casinos may
be within walking distance of a famous golf course,
while others may be a stone's throw from one of the
world-renowned Australia beaches. Here are five Australia
casinos to consider for your next visit Down Under.
*
Country Club Casino - Located within the lush rolling
hills of Launceston in Northern Tasmania, the Country
Club Casino features expansive grounds that include
an 18-hole golf course. With 88 rooms and 16 suites,
the Club offers visitors an exclusive atmosphere that
larger hotels lack. Rates start at $165 USD per night.
*
Conrad Jupiters Hotel - In the heart of Queensland's
famous Gold Coast lays the Conrad Jupiters Hotel.
This five-star hotel casino provides every amenity
a visitor would need to ensure their stay is exceptional.
With a host of first-class restaurants, and a huge
selection of nearby activities including theme parks,
shopping, nightlife and golf, the visitor can get
a real understanding of why this region is called
the "Gold" Coast. The Conrad Jupiters has
594 rooms and 29 luxury suites. Rates start at $158
USD per night.
*
SkyCity - A beachside resort situated right next to
Mindil Beach in Darwin, SkyCity is set on 18 acres
of prime Australian real estate. Enjoy playing in
the huge casino and then stroll the grounds for a
glimpse of the indigenous plants and animals that
make SkyCity their home. With three award-winning
restaurants on the premises, you know you'll always
be enjoying the very best cuisine around. Rates start
at $144 USD per night.
*
Crown Promenade Hotel - One of Melbourne's highest
regarded hotels, the Crown Promenade Hotel is like
walking into a stream of fresh air. With a bright
and airy atmosphere, the glass walls offer a panoramic
view of the marvelous city or harbor. Melbourne is
one of the most action-packed cities in Australia,
and during your stay at the Crown Promenade, you'll
be right in the middle of it all. Rates start at $170
USD per night.
*
Star City Hotel Casino - Star City Hotel Casino overlooks
the colorful Sydney Harbor and it's the only casino
in the New South Wales region. An all-round entertainment
center in itself, the Star City Hotel Casino offers
nightly live music and performances designed to make
your stay at the luxury hotel a memorable and exciting
one. Rates start at $210 USD per night for this Sydney,
Australia getaway.
An
Australia Casino Vacation to Remember
Imagine
coming back to your hotel room after a day spent diving
the Great Barrier Reef, walking among world-famous
art galleries or driving your Australia rental car
to investigate the mysteries of the Aborigines. Enjoy
an incredible five-star dinner then spend the evening
trying your luck at the casino. Is there any better
sounding vacation? With so much to see and do Down
Under, choosing an Australia casino vacation is like
winning a high stakes game of poker - it's exhilarating!
Australian
Casino Hotels
Taking a vacation is often one of the most exciting
things you will do in any given year. A vacation to
beautiful Australia can make for wonderful memories
that will last your entire life. If you want to stay
where you play, then you’re in luck, because
just about all of Australia’s casinos offer
hotels for your Australia casino vacations!
Do
It All in Australia Casino Hotels
If
you can’t decide which Australian casino hotel
will be best for you, check out as many as you want
by taking a tour of Australian casino hotels. These
tours often offer special rates, especially for the
times of year when school is out and people are able
to travel. And of course, deals are even better when
you book far in advance.
Where
Are the Australia Casino Hotels?
Australia
is divided into provinces, with at least one casino
hotel found in the major cities of the province, like
Sydney, Australia.
The
largest Australian casino hotel can be found in Melbourne,
at the Crown Casino and Entertainment Complex. The
complex holds two hotels, in addition to the casino,
as well as several nightclubs and restaurants, making
it popular with a younger crowd. It is located off
the river, making it a beautiful location.
Australian
casino hotels can also be family friendly, like the
Lasseters Hotel Casino of Alice Springs in the Northern
Territory, which offers a pool as well as a children’s
menu in one of its three restaurants. It also has
a variety of rooms and suites, large enough to accommodate
a family.
Other
than the excitement of the game tables, Australian
casino hotels also offer other entertainment, like
Conrad Jupiters Hotel of the Gold Coast. Conrad Jupiters
is located in the middle of activities varying from
golf to theme parks to nightlife.
Australia
travel might take you to the capital city, Canberra,
where the casino is small and does not have its own
hotel, but you can arrange to stay in nearby hotels
as part of a package the casino offers for your Australia
travel.
Australia
Casino Hotels: Just So You Know
If
you have a favorite game or machine, it is a wise
idea to check with the Australian casino hotel beforehand
to make sure they have it. Most casinos offer all
the classic table games as well as machines and some
even offer new games.
Any
cheap flight to Australia will allow a traveler to
stay at a number of casino hotels. All of these offer
many of the same amenities as traditional hotels,
with the added bonus of the casino, for those who
love to gamble while on vacation!
Australian
Casino Vacations
Brilliant turquoise oceans, massive mountain ranges,
leaping kangaroos and cuddly koalas are usually the
first things that come to mind when one thinks about
Australia. But the land down under has been gaining
notoriety lately for being a great gambling hotspot,
thanks in part to its luxurious casino hotels.
With
casinos located in each of the continent's eight provinces,
planning an Australia casino vacation is easier than
ever. The only problem is determining which one of
the beautiful Australia casino hotels you want to
visit.
Planning
an Australia Casino Vacation - The Casinos
An
Australia casino vacation might see you visiting the
Sofitel Reef Casino in Cairns, which is regarded as
the finest boutique casino in Australia. Thanks to
its unique dome construction, each of the 128 rooms
offers guests breathtaking views of the city. The
high-class nature of the five-star hotel and casino
means that there is a (not overly strict) dress code
to be followed on the casino game floor. The hotel
has a Rainforest Dome, where many of Australia's indigenous
animals can roam freely within the environment. Guests
can even get up close and personal with them. Plus,
the hotel has a boutique of fine shops where guests
can shop till they drop and a terminal where you can
leave to take day trips to the Great Barrier Reef
and other attractions. Book a cheap flight to Australia,
and get ready to place your bets.
The
city of Darwin is home to the SkyCity hotel casino.
This five-star boutique hotel offers the guest a luxurious
and relaxing visit with all the amenities one expects
from an AHA Award-winning hotel. With 117 lushly appointed
rooms available in four different styles, SkyCity
has accommodations suitable for every guest. You can
also choose from an eclectic ensemble of dining choices,
from the fine dining of Evoo and Dragon Court to the
buffet-style fare at the Sunset Restaurant. The casino
at SkyCity is a cohesive mix of traditional favorites
and newer, progressive games where payouts are large
and frequent.
The
Wrest Point Hotel Casino in Hobart, Tasmania is Australia's
original casino hotel, opened in 1973. Located on
the gorgeous Derwent River, the Wrest Point Hotel
Casino has 269 luxuriously appointed rooms that offer
spectacular views of the river or the magnificent
Mount Wellington. The hotel offers five dining establishments,
including the romantic, visually stunning Point Revolving
Restaurant where you get a bird's eye view of the
surroundings while enjoying fine Australian cuisine.
The casino game floor is home to some of the latest
video gambling games and countless traditional table
games and slots.
Star
City Hotel and Casino, located on the Darling Harbor
in Sydney, Australia, is one of the largest hotel
casinos in the country. With 351 hotel rooms and 131
privately owned apartments, this is casino living
on a massive scale! The complex is so large, that
there are two gaming floors, seven restaurants and
eight bars. There are also two theaters on the premises,
the Lyric theatre and the Star Theatre. An ultimate
entertainment center, the Star City always has something
going on and for a moment, you may even forget that
you're on an Australia casino vacation!
How
to Get a Great Deal on an Australia Casino Vacation
Most
Australia casinos offer package deals which include
accommodations, restaurant vouchers and sometimes
even tickets to a show or one of the nearby attractions.
Before booking your Australia casino vacation, use
the Internet to ensure that you're getting the best
travel deal possible.
It
was a sure bet that gambling in the skies would be
the next seat-side diversion in airline cabins, and
now it is happening -- with computerized gambling
scheduled to begin aboard Swissair's 16 MD-11's and
5 Boeing 747's by November. Two small carriers are
also going for gambling: Debonair Airways, a London-based
start-up carrier that wants its BA-146's to be "the
Southwest Airlines of Europe," and Oasis International
Airlines, a Madrid charter company that flies Airbus
310's to the Caribbean, South America and the Far
East.
Naturally,
it took a company based in Las Vegas, Nev., Interactive
Flight Technologies Inc., to get in-flight gambling
up and running. It has simply adapted what's already
on the Strip, Fortunet's digitized games, to the confines
of airline cabins. Thanks to digital technology, which
eliminates tapes, the I.F.T. system also features
video-on-demand with up to 60 selections, depending
how many rental fees an airline wants to pay.
With
I.F.T.'s touch-screen video, passengers will be able
to play the slots, poker, blackjack, lotto, keno or
bingo after one swipe of a credit card. There is a
limit of $350, set by Visa and other card issuers,
that a passenger can bet or lose, but winnings have
no cap. What a gambler wins -- or loses -- shows up
as charge card credits or debits.
The
casino's earnings? In Swissair's case the earnings
from bingo, keno and lotto -- the games it will offer
passengers -- will go to the Swiss national lottery,
which supports charities and cultural organizations.
High-flying
gambling isn't as new as you might think. In the mid-1980's,
for instance, there were chartered gambling flights
between Melbourne, Australia, and Hobart, Tasmania's
capital. These days you can play bingo on some flights
operated by Colombia's Avianca. And Virgin Atlantic
offers Nintendo betting games, but, as a spokesman,
Richard d'Ambrosia emphasized, "for points, not
money."
Initially,
the new casinos aloft will be limited to foreign airlines.
The Department of Transportation prohibits gambling
on United States carriers, despite the boom in legalized
gambling in many states. The department carries the
fine print to the point where American carriers can't
even allow gambling on international routes. It can
also prevent a foreign carrier like Swissair from
landing at United States airports if there's gambling
on its trans-Atlantic flights.
"European
and Asian airlines are excited about getting into
gaming," said Steve Fieldman, I.F.T.'s vice president
for business development. "Once those fastidious
Swiss engineers have checked out our system, you don't
need anymore due diligence."
Why
is Oasis one of the pioneers? "After the Chinese,"
Mr. Fieldman said, "the Spanish are the biggest
gamblers in Las Vegas."
The
New Gnomes of Zurich
"The
Swiss franc is killing us," said J. Philippe
Jaussi, who was in New York last week to drum up business
for his Hotel zum Storchen in Zurich. At the current
exchange rate a room overlooking the Limmat River
costs at least $260 a night. "Corporate travelers
are so watchful about their expense accounts these
days," Mr. Jaussi said. "They cover Zurich
and Geneva in the same day just to save on hotel bills.
Or they stay in Lucerne, where it's cheaper."
Does
anybody visit Zurich just for pleasure? "They're
not just looking at the Chagalls and Miros in the
Kronenhalle Restaurant," he said, smiling. "They're
all looking over their bank accounts or seeing their
insurance companies. But it's a beautiful season now
-- with the first white asparagus from Cavaillon in
the Rhone Valley. It's on every Zurich menu."
Mr.
Jaussi's 600-year-old building, originally a guild
house, is rapidly adapting to the 1990's. "People
are living on efficient time," he said. "So
every room now has a plug for a modem. When a Westinghouse
team stayed for four weeks, we installed an on-line
computer system. They were always in touch with home
base."
"You
can call an AT&T number without a surcharge from
the Storchen," he added. "Some hotels block
wireless phones -- you can do that, you know. We don't.
We discourage people from using cellulars in our dining
room. But we don't mind if they're outside in the
square phoning to get their call through."
Commuting
Around China
"An
hour into a three-hour flight I was taking in China
in the early 1980's, the plane unexpectedly landed,"
recalled Milton Forman, president of Toltec Fabrics
Inc. "The cabin attendant said it was lunchtime."
It's
not that lax anymore. Although Air China's reservation
computers still don't get things right every time,
the Government carrier's 747's on the Shanghai-Beijing
run, packed with business travelers, generally leave
on time. And China's domestic air service is far safer
than it used to be.
"I've
taken four flights on China Northern this year, and
they've all been good," said James L. Le Pere,
a McDonnell Douglas executive, in Beijing's airport
on his way home. "The six new regional carriers
really compete with each other. One airline refused
to buy a jet at the price negotiated by the Government
-- it said it could do better."
But
even with these capitalist improvements, there's still
that sign in one of the Shanghai airport's waiting
rooms: "Exit for Canceled Flights."
