posted by Savanah on Feb 25
This year comes on with all the force, and all the drama of a tiger. It is a perfect fit, too, because this Year of the Tiger will demonstrate very large changes. The New Year began on Valentine’s Day, and all of these things will come into play. We don’t know how it will turn out, but we can guess. She wants me to keep in mind that everything is negotiable, and everything that we decide can be reconsidered, if it becomes clear that the one true path is not as true as it looked from afar. This is the time when things are not what they seem, and can’t be decided until we can see them when they are sleeping.
We might, however, find ourselves learning the next part of our romantic cycle from the inside of a Chinese restaurant. Singapore is lovely most any time of year, and the city-state is built for travelers, it seems, or at least it is particularly welcoming for those who come when they are in love. I want to ask the Tiger if we will be in love for the entire year, and if there is a year beyond this one. All this is to say, I want to know where this is going. But the tiger is a year, and the way a year speaks is by unfolding, week by week, and you can’t ask it to skip ahead.
Time understands itself, however, and maddeningly is always assuming that everyone else has the language and thought to understand it too. I am not stuck in any particular moment, but am becoming very fond of the present one. A day can sometimes determine a future faster than a year, even if that year is a Tiger. The year might be asking me to move too quickly, to plan a wedding before the first kiss, but the day will always open up to tell us both that everything we ever wanted is possible in this moment, and no other moment.
posted by Savanah on Jun 8
Singapore prime ministers throughout the last few decades have realized the importance of setting up alliances with other cities and countries. Not only for matters of business and commerce, but for the support during times of social need, as in the case with natural disasters, as this is a small island, with limited resources, and the willingness to come to the aid of other countries, the leaders are hoping that this will lead to the willingness of the other countries assisting Singapore should the time arise when that is necessary. Singapore is a travel destination for many throughout the world, those traveling for business and for pleasure, and each and every business is dependent on this tourism continuing, from the shopping mall, to the Singapore restaurant, to the hotel, and the various theme parks.
As of late, the companies of Singapore have been cultivating a relationship with Ningbo, China. Lee Hsien Loong has been following in his father’s footsteps as well as those previously, in developing these international relationships, and is certain the the one between the economic worlds of the two cities with continue to strength into a symbiotic relationship that proves beneficial to both cities, and all the citizens of those cities. Ningbo sits in the middle of the coast of China, along the Yangtze River. The port here is tax free, and docks international ships. The port is large, second in size of the Chinese ports, only to that of the Port of Shanghai. This makes it the fourth largest international port.
Singapore is wanting to increase the zone of free trade, and has been creating a plan with architects that will result in the construction of the Beilun District Southern Zone. They are hoping to complete the expansion within the next 3 years. This is not the only plans for expansion, for as this project is completed the city is looking towards increasing the already high quality of life in Singapore by expanding other industrial and technological arenas as well as developing more venues for education and cultural development. The government sees this as a possibility with alliances of the cities of the world, such as Ningbo, especially during this time of global economic crisis. For even during these times, this city is one of the fastest growing and developing cities of China. Singapore has noticed this growth and the leaders know that Singapore has the same potential for their future.
posted by Savanah on Apr 11
Foreign investments have dropped during the last year. Some of the cities in Thailand that are seriously affected by this are Hua Hin, Pattaya, Phuket, and Krabi. Projects involving the development and construction of luxury properties such as new resorts, restaurants and five star hotels, Phuket and the other cities have put them on hold. Most of all this affects the tourism and high end residential development industries. Phuket alone, had experienced enormous growth in the financial sectors during the last few years, but the global recession has ended that streak. Most of the investors, new property owners and buyers and tourists and businesses are foreigners. This has been affecting not only the luxury developments, but local apartment complexes and market places as well. And many projects that were still in the pre-production phase have been put on hold. Most financial experts believe that the global market will need to improve before the projects can be re-initiated and completed.
Phuket itself, is fortunate, compared to other cities and regions in the area, as most of the income is not derived from mortgage financing, but through the tourism industry, which has declined the least in Phuket. The government’s hope is that while many are suffering during the global crisis, those who have continued to retain their assets will also continue to invest them wisely in Thailand. Many of those with power in the past, such as those in Hong Kong, the United States and Europe, have lost that financial power, resulting in an up to fifty percent drop in these country’s investments and future holdings. Those looking to develop are being advised to wait until the later half of 2010. What does have those most concerned in Phuket, is not the global recession but their own politically uncertain times. They believe that until the unrest in the city is resolved, foreign investors will continue to postpone their actions.
posted by Savanah on Apr 4
A dress worth almost five times the top bonus paid to AIG executives is creating buzz at the STYLO Fashion Festival in Kuala Lumpur. The festival, which began on March 28th and wraps up tomorrow (April 5th) is being held at four sites across the capital city of Malaysia.
Faisol Abdullah, designer of the dress, believes the gown demonstrates that no matter what happens in the economy, “diamonds are forever.” The dress features 751 diamonds which are worth $30 million (US). The evening gown includes a 80 carat pearl-shaped diamond at the bodice. The gown also has a train that sparkles with diamonds.
Many are questioning the extravagance of such a gown during the worst economic slowdown in the world in decades.
The dress, which is known as the “Nightengale of Kuala Lumpur,” was made possible by the ample supply of Bengium-cut diamonds available in Kuala Lumpur. The sourcing of over 700 diamonds would usually take months.
The STYLO Fashion Festival is one of Asia’s premiere fashion events. Designers, models, buyers, and media as well as celebrities fill the luxury hotels Kuala Lumpur during the event. Abdullah hopes to find a buyer for the dress at this event.
The dress will then be presented to royal courts, starting in the middle east, until a buyer can be found. If a buyer can be found, 5 percent of the sale funds will go to the Gaza Humanitarian Fund.
posted by Savanah on Mar 28
February 2009 saw double-digit drops for hotels in the Asia/Pacific region. Occupancy rates dropped 12.1 percent to an average of 59 percent. While tourism has been hurt by the current bank and credit crisis, the numbers indicate the true impact of the decline that started in December.
There are three key performance metrics used to gauge the health of the hotel industry. In addition to occupancy rates, the region saw a 21 percent decline in the average daily rate which dropped to US$114.82. The revenue per available room also fell 30.5 percent in February to US$67.70 according to statistics compiled by STR Global.
Phuket, Thailand saw the greatest decrease, falling 20.3 percent from last February when they were at nearly 100% occupancy. The island paradise has been a haven for tourists from across Asia and other parts of the world. The hospitality industry is in crisis mode. The immediate future seems bleak, especially for a five star hotel Phuket.
Jakarta, Indonesia only fell 3 percent while several key markets registered increases in the year-over-year numbers. Seoul, South Korea saw an increase of 22.1 percent while Bali (Indonesia) grew 2.6 percent. In Japan, both Tokyo and Osaka saw modest increases as well, 5.4 percent and 1.5 percent respectively.
Occupancy rates by country ranged from a 35.3 percent drop in India to a 9.9 percent drop in Australia. China and Singapore both experienced decreases of over 20 percent.