Furama Resort Danang Wins Top Tourism Awards – August 2000

The Furama Resort Danang has been awarded two top accolades by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT). At an awards ceremony held in Hanoi in July, Paul Stoll, General Manager of the Furama Resort, accepted trophies for the most “Outstanding Resort in Vietnam” as well as a special “Recognition Trophy” which recognizes the Furama’s outstanding contribution to the development of tourism in Vietnam.

Commenting on these awards, Mr. Stoll said, “We are very proud to receive these awards from the VNAT and the Vietnamese government as this truly reflects the climate and spirit of co-operation which exists between Vietnam’s government and the travel industry partners. The national tourism promotional campaign "Vietnam - A Destination for the New Millennium" which is set to run from 2000 to 2002 is so far achieving its objectives having recorded 860,000 international visitor arrivals in the first five months of this year. Over two million visitors are expected for 2000, 2.3 million for 2001, 2.7 million for 2002 and over 3 million for 2003. This growth trend will position Vietnam as one of the major new tourism destinations in the Asia Pacific region and encourage overseas.

Furama GM Wins Award for Services to Tourism

In the same tourism awards, Mr. Stoll became the first foreigner ever to be presented with a personal Certificate of Merit from the Vietnamese government, in recognition of his outstanding commitment and contribution to tourism in Vietnam over the past 6 years. He award was presented by Madame Vo Vi Thang, chairman of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism. Paul Stoll who joined the Furama Resort Danang in its pre-opening period and who has been a tireless promoter of tourism to Vietnam said, "I am extremely proud to have been given this personal honour by the Vietnamese government. “I can see the great potential Vietnam holds as a travel destination, I also admire and appreciate the involvement and initiative of the government, which is making responsible use of its resources and which has built a stable political, economic and social environment which will allow tourism to flourish in the future. I am personally committed to doing my utmost to support the development of responsible tourism in Vietnam."

Furama Resort Expansion on Schedule

Further development of the Furama Resort Danang announced in March this year by its joint venture owners, Hong Kong listed Lai Sun and the city government of Danang, is on schedule with the successful completion of phase one in July. This includes a new beachfront bar and restaurant, “The Wild Crab”, beach changing facilities and shopping arcade.

Furama International Hotels and Resorts to Manage Top Saigon Hotel

Hong Kong based Furama International Hotels which jointly owns and operates the award-winning Furama Resort Danang is also managing the 5–star Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Mi City (Saigon). The 335-room Caravelle hotel which reopened in 1998 after a complete renovation and further development has just been awarded official 5-star status by the VNAT thereby joining its sister hotel the Furama Resort Danang on Vietnam’s famous China Beach.

The Caravelle overlooks the historical Opera House, right in the heart of Ho Chi Minh City’s main business, shopping and nightlife district. Its spacious rooms and suites have state of the art facilities including in-room fax machines and data-ports and satellite TV. Facilities include an outdoor rooftop swimming pool, one of the city’s best fitness clubs, and the Saigon Saigon jazz bar with al fresco terrace.

Best Hotels Network Welcomes New Member – Caravelle Hotel, HCMC

The Caravelle hotel will also join the Best Hotels Alliance (BHA) of Vietnam – a strategic marketing coalition of Vietnam’s leading international hotels founded by the General Manager of The Furama Resort, Paul Stoll. Established in 1998 to support tourism in Vietnam during the pan-Asian economic recession, the BHA now comprises the luxury Hanoi Daewoo Hotel (member of the Leading Hotels of the World), Ha Long Plaza Hotel, Ha Long Bay, Furama Resort Danang, Ana Mandara Resort, Nha Trang, Saigon Prince Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City and the Royal Garden Harbour View, Haiphong and its latest member the Caravelle Hotel. The BHA aims to have some 16 members in Vietnam in 2000.

New Management Appointments for Furama Resort Danang

The Furama Resort Danang has appointed Ms. Julia Schuchardt to the position of Front Office Manager, Mr. Robert Conaway as Chef de Cuisine and Mr. Christopher Vanloon as Sports and Recreation Manager.

Danang - Gateway to Vietnam and Indochina

The VNAT and the tourism authority of Danang have joined forces in a campaign to promote Danang as the “gateway city” to Central Vietnam and Indochina. Coming on line are exciting travel programmes which can be promoted to overseas markets. This initiative is supported by travel agents and the major Asian airlines who are interested to launch direct air links to Danang from Hong Kong; Singapore; Cambodia (Siem Reap); Laos (Pakse) and South China. Since the end of October 1999, Thai Airways International operates three direct flights a week from Bangkok to Danang departing Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. This route was launched as part of Thai Airways’ strategy to position Bangkok as a gateway to the fast developing tourism markets of Indochina.

PATA Meets in Danang – July 2000

PATA delegates from around the Asia region met at the Furama Resort Danang for two days July 25 and 26 to discuss the impact of new information technology in the tourism industry. The PATA meeting was yet another high profile ASEAN meeting event held at the Furama Resort – this time last year 70 ministers and senior government officials from ASEAN met here. Thanks to its idyllic location, personalised service, luxurious rooms and well equipped facilities and now direct flights from Bangkok, the Furama Resort Danang is becoming a favourite choice of Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) organisers looking for something completely undiscovered for their clients.

UNESCO ‘World Heritage Sites’ a Major Attraction for Danang

Two of Central Vietnam’s leading tourist attractions, the sixteenth century silk route trading port of Hoi An and My Son Valley, the sacred remains of the ancient Cham civilisation, which in November 1999 were officially declared World Heritage Sites by UNESCO are proving a major attraction for visitors to Danang in Central Vietnam. The nearby imperial city of Hue is already a World Heritage Site. The November announcement means that there are now three UNESCO World Heritage sites within several hours driving distance of the Furama Resort Danang, Vietnam’s most luxurious resort.

Furama Resort’s Diana Diving Base

The Furama Resort’s renowned Diana Diving Base, the only licensed dive school in Vietnam with certified diving experts from Germany, is fully operational and welcomes divers of all levels. The waters in and around the Furama Resort Danang off China Beach are full of exotic marine life, making this an excellent dive spot for beginners and experts alike. Beginners and advanced courses in diving leading to PADI certification are also available.

China Beach Welcomes the Wild Crab

China Beach, scene of many a wild party in its time has a new beach bar and restaurant, aptly named the Wild Crab. Here you will find no walls, just a roof of coconut palm fronds, tiled floor and rustic bamboo furniture and fittings. The interior has a terrace which is just as big. This is the latest, coolest place on China Beach. Expect to find Vietnamese snacks, great cocktails and of course, chilled beers at very reasonable prices. Open daily 5.00 pm to 2.00 am.

On the Road Again

Furama Resort Danang will partner with VNAT in the upcoming Japan Roadshow in October and in World Travel Mart in London in November. This should further boost for the destination Vietnam. "Both promotion activities take place in major feeder markets for Vietnam and we are expecting increased visitors arrival as a result" says Mr. Paul Stoll, general manager of the Furama Resort.