Swine Flu Influenza

In light of the global Swine Flu pandemic, HRG is advising its clients to travel in accordance with advice from their local governments, the World Health Organisation (WHO) http://www.who.int/en/ and the International Air Transport Association (IATA) http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/.

HRG will continue to monitor advice from official government bodies and will advise clients if there is any specific action to be taken.

Risk Management
As part of good corporate governance, Hogg Robinson Group plc is continually updating our Risk Management plans and have contingency arrangements in place in the event that any employees are affected by the virus.

We believe we are prepared and well positioned to deal with any challenges, however large or small, connected with the current outbreak of Swine Flu and will, of course, continue to monitor the situation to ensure minimum levels of service are maintained.

Joe Birrell
General Manager
HRG Hong Kong

Consulting

If you are looking for an innovative and professional consulting service, with specific skills in corporate travel management and procurement technique, look no further.
For more information on Consulting please visit www.hrgworldwide.com.

Airline News

• Cathay Pacific Airways and Dragonair purchase 20,000 tonnes of carbon emissions offsets
• Hong Kong Airlines agrees with OnAir to install in-flight mobile and Internet services
• Japan Airlines is expanding its codeshare network with Air France
  
• Lufthansa increases fuel surcharges in Europe
  
• Qantas introduces international online check-in and advance seat selection
• United Airlines special Economy Class fares for Hong Kong students, parents and academic exchange programs participants travelling to the United States
• V Australia seeking flights to Hong Kong

Hotel News

• Starwood has launched a “Free Meetings + Free Nights” promotion
  
• Marriott has launched a Free Night promotion which is available for stays between 25 June and 7 September
  
• Shanghai Marriott Hotel Hongqiao is offering a gift set of Taste Bud Vouchers
• The Radisson Suites Gurgaon has opened near Delhi
• Radisson Hotel Bangkok Sathorn introduces new executive chef

• Seoul's Incheon Airport to build new passenger terminal and expand roads
• New international airport in India, Ahmedabad Airport, domestic airport in Jaipur
• Phuket International Airport to be expanded
• Thailand’s first VIP airport terminal confirmed
• Four new domestic routes will open in Vietnam from 02 July

• Railways stations in major cities near Shanghai will soon become check-in points for air travellers
• Major new sea bridge opens in Mumbai
• Oman pens deal for Muscat-UAE Superhighway

Travel Tips

• ACTE survey - Business Travel Here to Stay
• Budget Airlines to spread wings abroad
• What to do, not to do in Tokyo

Consulate Holidays

For visa planning puposes, please note that consulates may be closed on these particular dates:

HONG KONG
1 Jul Hong Kong SAR Establishment Day
1 Oct National Day
3 Oct The day following Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival
26 Oct Chung Yeung Festival
25-26 Dec Christmas

AUSTRALIA
3 November Melbourne Cup
25 -28 December Christmas Day

CANADA
1 Jul Canada Day
7 Sep Labour Day
12 Oct Thanksgiving Day
11 Nov Remembrance Day
25-26 Dec Christmas

CHINA
1-3 Oct National Day
3 Oct Mid-Autumn Festival

ENGLAND AND WALES
31 Aug Summer Bank Holiday
25 - 28 DecChristmas Day

INDIA
14 Aug Janmashtami
15 Aug** Independence Day
20-21 Sep Id ul Fitr (End of Ramadan)
28 Sep Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami)
2 Oct** Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday
17 Oct Deepavali or Diwali (Festival of Lights)
2 Nov Guru Nanak's Birthday
27-28 Nov Idu'l Zuha/Bakrid (Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 Dec Muharram (Islamic New Year)
25 Dec Christmas Day
26 Dec Boxing Day

INDONESIA
17 Aug Indonesian Independence Day
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
18 Dec Islamic New Year
25/26 Dec Christmas Day/Boxing Day

JAPAN
20 July Marine Day
21 Sept Respect for the Aged Day
23 Sept Autumnal Equinox
12 Oct Sports Day
3 Nov Culture Day
23 Nov Labor Thanksgiving Day
23 Dec Birthday of the Emperor

MALAYSIA
31 August 2009 National Day (Merdeka Day)
20-21 September Hari Raya Puasa
17 October 2009 Deepavali
27 November Hari Raya Haji
18 December Awal Muharam / Maal Hijrah (Islamic calendar New Year's Day)
25 December Christmas Day

SINGAPORE
9 August 2009 National Day
20 September 2009 Hari Raya Puasa
17 October 2009 Deepavali
27 November 2009 Hari Raya Haji
25 December 2009 Christmas Day

THAILAND
1 July Mid-year Closing (Bank Holiday but not a public holiday)
7 July Asahna Bucha Day
12 August H.M. Queen’s Birthday
23 October Chulalongkorn Day (Rama V Day)
7 December Substitution day for H.M. King’s Birthday (which is on Saturday, December 5)
10 December Constitution Day
31 December New Year’s Eve

UAE
20 July Leilat al-Meiraj (Ascension of the Prophet)
21 Sep Eid al-Fitr (End of Ramadan)
28 Nov Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)
2 Dec National Day
18 Dec Al-Hijra (Islamic New Year)
27 Dec Ashoura

VIETNAM
2 Sep National Day