• Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa to open in the heart of the Himalayas

    January 15, 2014
    Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa to open in the heart of the Himalayas

    Lhasa : Few places in the world are as magical as Lhasa, the administrative capital of Tibet. Set on a plateau soaring 3,650 metres above sea level, the city is encircled by the fabled Himalayan mountains, glaciers and desert-like landscapes. This intriguing destination will become home to Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts’ newest property, the 289-room Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa, which will open on 17 April 2014.

    Welcoming travellers from afar, Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa will be a luxurious home base for those wishing to explore dramatic scenery and some of the world’s most culturally significant Buddhist sites, including World Heritage Sites such as the Potala Palace, Jokhang Temple, Sera Monastery and Norbulingka Palace. The hotel is conveniently located within walking distance to Potala Palace and Norbulingka Palace.

    Guests will approach the hotel through a grand entrance gate, which opens onto an expansive plaza and is inspired by traditional Tibetan architecture, as is the hotel’s exterior. The unique Tibetan culture was the reference for the property’s harmonious, contemporary interiors — the heart of which is Lodgers Lounge.

    The Shangri-La brand was inspired by the mythical paradise found in James Hilton’s novel, Lost Horizon. True in spirit to that imaginary Shangri-La, the hotel offers guests Shangri-La’s heartfelt hospitality and a full array of facilities and luxurious comforts, from a range of dining venues and recreational facilities, to spacious guestrooms and elegant meeting and event spaces.

    The hotel’s Horizon Club Lounge caters to the full range of travellers’ needs, providing destination information, arranging tours and transportation as well as offering business services.

    Visitors to Lhasa are advised to acclimate to the high altitude before exploring widely. To refresh and assist guests in doing so, the hotel has built the first oxygen lounge to be found in a hotel in Lhasa. Guests can relax and enjoy reflexology treatments there while overlooking the hotel’s landscaped garden. Two stunning pavilions built by Tibetan craftsmen using bronzeware, lacquer, murals and carvings anchor the landscape. In addition to the oxygen lounge, a spa, fully equipped gym, an indoor swimming pool, and a complete clinic with professional staff are located onsite.

    Among the hotel’s 289 contemporary guestrooms are 10 long stay apartments. Guestrooms, some of which offer views of the Potala Palace, start from 42 square metres and are equipped with complimentary Wi-Fi Internet access. The rooms’ modern decor is grounded in neutral colours and accentuated with the earthy reds, deep blues, and vibrant greens that are seen in traditional Tibetan dress. Traditional Himalayan accents such as turquoise stone, decorative metals, floral patterns and auspicious symbols complement the contemporary design.

    In-room services will include authentic sweet tea served in Tibetan pots and turndown gifts such as hand-woven pouches made of yak fur.

    The hotel’s signature outlet is Shambala, a tapas bar and lounge. It pays homage to the region by featuring authentic Tibetan cuisine. Signature dishes will include Roasted Lamb Ribs marinated in Tibetan yoghurt and Baked Bacon wrapped in Tibetan cheese. Guests will also find a variety of traditional Yunnan dishes on the menu. The cosy interior of the restaurant is low lit by lights reminiscent of oil lanterns carried by monks, and the walls are draped in Tibetan handcrafted carpets. Other Tibetan influences include decorative metal fixtures across the low ceiling beams and the repetitive use of the auspicious endless knot. Guests can opt to enjoy drinks and food in one of three areas: the lounge, dining room or outdoor tapas bar where they can take in views of Potala Palace.

    The all-day dining restaurant, Altitude, serves international fare and also has an outdoor dining area. Guests can enjoy a theatre of cooking due to the open kitchen layout. Shang Palace, a Shangri-La signature restaurant, will serve authentic Cantonese and Sichuan specialties in a contemporary setting and in the restaurant’s 10 private dining rooms.

    For destination meetings and events, organisers will find ballrooms and function spaces starting from 81 square metres. The 1,215-square-metre Grand Ballroom is the largest in the city. The eves of the ballroom are inspired by Jokhang Temple, while the ceiling is covered in wallpaper using a gold brush technique. The breakout area at Level 5 leads to the Outdoor Terrace, which overlooks Potala Palace and the surrounding mountain range, making it an ideal space for a pre-event cocktail.

    Shangri-La Hotel, Lhasa is a 40-minute drive from Lhasa Gongar Airport and a 10-minute drive from the world’s highest railway station.

    Hong Kong-based Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, one of the world’s premier hotel companies, currently owns and/or manages more than 80 hotels under the Shangri-La brand with a room inventory of over 34,000. Over four decades, the group has established its brand hallmark of ‘hospitality from the heart.’ The group has a substantial development pipeline with upcoming projects in mainland China, India, Mongolia, Myanmar, Philippines, Qatar, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom.

    For more information : www.shangri-la.com

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      This Lunar New Year (LNY) is shaping up to be a festive season of exploration and connection as celebrating families and friends worldwide embrace the holiday spirit.

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      The United Nations Tourism (UN Tourism) announced Tuesday that 2024 saw international tourism fully recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, with 1.4 billion international travelers recorded. The organization forecasts further growth of 3-5 percent for 2025.

      Spain, a leading global tourism destination, recently reported a record-breaking 94 million visitors in 2024, underscoring the sector’s resilience and strength.

      Brazil takes center stage as the invited nation at this year’s FITUR. The exhibition also features 10 specialist areas, including cruises, sports tourism, film tourism, and language-learning tourism, reflecting the growing diversity of travel trends.

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      As world tourism returned to pre-pandemic levels with 1.4 billion people taking a trip abroad, according to the UN, both France and Spain announced record visitor numbers.

      Spain said last week that a record 94 million foreign tourists flocked to the Iberian nation in 2024, a 10 percent increase from the previous year.

      France, which hosted the Olympic Games in July – September 2024, welcomed two more million visitors in 2024, an increase of two percent compared with 2023.

      But although France had more visitors, they spent less than those in Spain — 71 billion euros ($74-billion) compared with 126 billion euros in Spain.

      France’s takings from international tourists rose by a total of 12 percent year-on-year, driven largely by Belgian, English, German, Swiss and US citizens, the tourism ministry said in a statement.

      Despite the return of customers from Asia, the number of Chinese visitors to France remained 60 percent lower than before the pandemic.Thirty percent fewer Japanese visited the country than in 2019.

      Good snowfall in late 2024 meanwhile drove a rebound for the end-of-year holidays as snow sports lovers flocked to the French ski slopes.

      “The outlook for the first quarter of 2025 is very good, with visitor numbers on the rise,” the ministry statement added.- enca.com ,22 January 2025

      Nepal hikes Everest climbing fee

      KATHMANDU – Nepal has sharply increased Everest climbing permit fees and introduced a slew of measures aimed at controlling garbage pollution and preventing accidents on the planet’s tallest peak.

      Under the revised rules, every two climbers must hire a guide to climb any mountain over 8,000 metres, including Everest.Under the revised mountaineering regulations, the royalty fee for foreigners climbing Everest from the normal south route in the spring season (March-May) has been raised to $15,000 from the current $11,000 per person.

      The autumn season (September-November) climbing fee has increased from $5,500 to $7,500. At the same time, the permit cost per individual for the winter (December-February) and monsoon (June-August) seasons has risen from $2,750 to $3,750.The new rates will take effect on September 1, 2025.

      The last royalty fee revision was made on January 1, 2015, when the government switched from a group-based system to a uniform fee of $11,000 per climber for the spring season from the normal route.

      For Nepali climbers, the royalty fee for the normal route during the spring climbing season has doubled from Rs75,000 to Rs150,000.Climbing permits, previously valid for 75 days, will now be limited to 55 days. The reduced validity is aimed at streamlining climbing activities.

      As per the amended rules, from the upcoming spring season, Everest climbers will be required to bring their poop back to base camp for proper disposal. Climbers must carry biodegradable bags to collect waste in the upper reaches.

      Base camps typically have designated toilet tents with barrels to collect human waste during expeditions. However, in higher camps, only a few agencies provide similar facilities, while others rely on pits. Very few climbers use biodegradable bags to transport waste from the summit.

      The government has also hiked the insurance coverage for high-altitude workers.Insurance coverage for high-altitude guides has gone up to Rs2 million ($14,400) from Rs1.5 million ($10,800), and for base camp workers, it has been raised to Rs1.5 million ($10,800) from Rs800,000 ($5,760).

      According to the Himalayan Database, which records all expeditions and deaths in the Himalayas, more than 200 people died on the Nepal side of Everest between 1953, when Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled the peak, and 2022.

      Nearly 8,900 people have summited the world’s highest peak from Nepal’s side since 1953.- Kathmandu Post , January 22, 2025

      Bangkok named the world’s

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      The ranking, based on surveys of city dwellers worldwide, highlights culture, food, affordability and overall happiness as key factors in making a city truly great.

      Climbing from 24th place last year to an impressive second place, Bangkok is celebrated for its rich cultural heritage, dynamic food scene, and vibrant lifestyle.

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      One urban expert described Bangkok as “a city of contrasts”, where the scent of sizzling street food fills the air, Michelin-starred restaurants thrive, and the majestic Chao Phraya River flows past luxury hotels.

      The city’s temples such as Wat Arun and the Grand Palace stand as timeless cultural icons, while modern parks like Benjakitti Park provide much-needed green spaces.

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      The No 1 city this year is Cape Town, South Africa, known for its breathtaking landscapes and cultural vibrancy. Following Bangkok in third place is New York City, while Melbourne, London and New Orleans round out the top six. Mexico City, Porto, Shanghai and Copenhagen complete the top 10.

      Thailand’s rising global status is further reflected in Chiang Mai, which secured the 28th spot, adding to the country’s reputation as a must-visit destination.

      With its blend of tradition and modernity, Bangkok is more than just a tourist hotspot – it’s a city where people genuinely love to live. Whether you’re exploring hidden street-food gems, temple-hopping, or dancing the night away, Bangkok remains a city of endless possibilities. -The Nation ,January 20, 2025

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