The Park Hyatt Mendoza & Regency Casino in Mendoza, Argentina, has opened. Hyatt International opened the 185-room hotel in the heart of Mendoza in front of the Plaza Independencia, next to the Sarmiento walkway, about eight kilometres from the Mendoza International Airport. Opening rates are US$155 (weekends) or US$175 on weekdays. Phone (852) 2956 1234 for reservations.
www.mendoza.hyatt.com or
www.hyatt.com
Flag birthday
Flag, the household name in Australian accommodation, celebrates its 40th birthday this year. It was born in 1961 when a handful of country moteliers met and in Melbourne and formed what became the best accommodation group in Australia. It was the first in Australia to make referral bookings and to use television advertising. To celebrate its birthday the directory features more than 430 hotels, inns, resorts, apartments, heritage hotels and country houses, making it easy to book a bed almost anywhere in Australia, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea and Fiji. Available in early March, order a copy from your travel agent or on the Internet.
www.flagchoice.com.au
Ion link
China Eastern Airlines has appointed Ion Global (formerly Web Connection), Asia's leading e-business integrator and wholly owned subsidiary of Chinadotcom to help the company develop its e-business platform and online branding initiatives for multiple divisions including the frequent flyer programme, holidays, catering services and cargo. China Eastern operates passenger and cargo flights to 45 destinations. Ion Global also has secured other clients including Matsushita Electric Industrial China an Shanghai Cable Network.
Aircraft orders
Japan Airlines (JAL) has placed an order for three Boeing 777-200ERs. The value of the new aircraft at list prices is estimated at US$525 million. Deliveries are scheduled between 2003 and 2006. This order marks the initial replacements for the fleet of 15 DC-10s that JAL presently operates. Additional replacement orders, including commitments for 767-300ERs, are expected at a future date.