S. KOREA STRIVING TO BECOME NORTHEAST ASIA'S COMMERCIAL AND TRAVEL HUB
SEOUL, S. Korea -- In an effort to become the commercial center and travel hub in Northeast Asia, S. Korea
has implemented several programs to make it more attractive and user-friendly to foreigners.
By December 2000, S. Korea's
new Inchon airport, situated 20 miles west of Seoul, will accommodate 27 million passengers and 170,000 flights/year. And when its
construction is fully complete, it is expected to replace Seoul's present Kimpo airport and accommodate 100 million passengers and
530,000 flights/year.
Also, look for a new high-speed train connection between Seoul with Pusan (360 miles away) in under 2 hours.
Visitors to S. Korea can now flag down taxi cabs with drivers that also speak English and/or Japanese. And these specially designated
taxis (priced the same as a regular taxi) will also be stocked with foreign language guidebooks, and a direct phone link-up to the KNTO
(Korea National Tourism Organization) tourist information center. Currently there are 200 of these taxis. (To reserve one,
call 3431-5100 in Seoul.)
The KNTO also launched the Korea Travel Phone service in July; this toll free service (080-757-2000)
is staffed with English- and Japanese-speaking operators. The Korean government is working hard to ensure that foreign business
travelers can maneuver successfully throughout the country, with confidence.
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UN VOTE IN FAVOR OF ENDING US EMBARGO AGAINST CUBA
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COCA COLA SEES OPPORTUNITIES IN BANGLADESH
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NEW YORK, USA -- Every year, since 1992, the UN General Assembly votes on ending the US-Cuba embargo. And
for the sixth year in a row, the vote was in favor of ending the 30+ year embargo against Cuba imposed by Washington, DC.
However, this year, the vote yielded the biggest majority in favor of ending it -- 143 to 3. 17 abstained. Those against
included the USA, Israel and Uzbekistan.
Reader's Comments
(Source: YOUR LINK HERE)
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DHAKA, Bangladesh -- Coca Cola announced plans to make an additional multimillion dollar investment in Bangladesh, because
it sees opportunities in its growing economy and rapidly changing soft-drink market. Since per capita consumption of Coca Cola's
carbonated beverages is lower in Bangladesh than in neighboring countries, this population of 112 million people presents
opportunity for expansion. Coca Cola presently maintains a 56% market share in the country.
(Source: YOUR LINK HERE)
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ITALY'S WINE VOLUME DOWN
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MARKS & SPENCER TO LAUNCH IN ASIA
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MILAN, Italy -- Wine experts say that this year's wine from Italy is likely to be the best in decades. It is
also likely to be priced higher than ever. Volume is down about 15% this year vs. 1996 (to about 1.3 billion gallons) due to
harsh frosts that attacked the vines earlier in the year. Because of Italy's hot summer, however, the wine that is produced
will be top quality.
(Source: YOUR LINK HERE)
[PANGAEA specializes in consumer
marketing insights and integrates the full spectrum of business
intelligence into thoughtful market launch strategies for its clients.]
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LONDON, U.K. -- Early this month, Marks & Spencer (M&S) announced an ambitious three-year global
expansion plan with an aggressive push into Asia, as part of its global program costing 2.1 billion British
pounds (3.53 billion US dollars). M&S has 10 shops in Hong Kong, with plans to open five more by the Year
2000 -- and plans to capture the mainland Chinese market of 1.2 billion. M&S is also exploring opportunities in
Japan and Taiwan, while expanding its presence among franchises in Southeast Asia -- the Philippines,
Singapore, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand. They employ 2100 the in Asia-Pacific region and expect
this to increase to 4000 by the Year 2000.
In Europe, M&S is focusing its expansion in Spain, France and Germany, where
they opened their first outlet.
In 1996, Marks and Spencer had profits of over a billion pounds for the first time.
(Source: YOUR LINK HERE)
NOTE: Reprints, downloads or copies of this issue are available for US$12.00 per copy,
payable on the honor system to PANGAEA.
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TOPICS:
LAST MINUTE TRAVEL BARGAINS -- Special Discounted Fares
American Airlines' Net SAAver International offers last minute travel bargains for travelers
departing from the USA. You can schedule a last minute meeting or a weekend getaway to selected
destinations throughout Europe, the Caribbean, Central America or South America each week and
benefit from these discounted rates.
Through this program, you can fly at discounted rates, as long as you
can plan to travel on short notice. These low round-trip fares are good for travel only on the
dates specified. They expire on Fridays. Check back each Monday for the week's destinations!
From Chicago O'Hare, IL (ORD) to:
US$299 -- Brussels, Belgium (BRU)
From Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (DFW) to:
US$335 -- Lima, Peru (LIM)
From Miami (MIA) to:
US$230 -- Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
US$147 -- San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
US$320 -- San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP)
US$489 -- Santiago, Chile (SCL)
US$175 [First Class] -- San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)
From New York Kennedy, NY (JFK) to:
US$432 -- Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE)
From San Antonio, TX (SAT) to:
US$160 -- Mexico City, Mexico (MEX)
From San Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU) to:
US$147 -- Miami, FL (MIA)
US$175 [First Class] -- Miami, FL (MIA)
Discover Puerto Rico:
From $63 per person double occupancy
Vacation Package includes - 2 nights accommodations; does not include airfare.
[Vacation prices valid through January 20, 1998.]
Paris New Year's Eve Special
New Year's Eve Gala for $150 per couple. Promotion requires a 6 night stay at
the Hotel Lutetia ($569 per person) or Concord St. Lazare ($556 per person). For
information, call 1-800-321-2121.
[Restrictions apply. Check with American Airlines for details.]
To take advantage of these fares, you must depart on Thursday or Friday,
December 4 - 5, 1997.
Thursday departures return anytime the following Monday and Friday departures return anytime the
following Monday/Tuesday. Call 1-800-344-6702 and ask for Net SAAver International Fares
to book your flight. Or
subscribe to their mailing list for more information.
You can also read the latest news about
Travel & Tourism.
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.....check back for more news this month! |
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