Shanghai to get a Disney theme park: Does it need one?

by Jamie Rhein on

In five to six years, Shanghai will have joined Tokyo, Hong Kong and Paris as a city out of the U.S. with a Disney theme park. China may or may not need a Disney theme park, but Disney’s aim is that the Shanghai location will help create a mighty want for Disney products among the country’s population.

With 1.5 billion people in China, Disney is hoping that the big bucks it will cost to dazzle the multitudes will pay off in other avenues. As anyone who has ever been to a Disney property knows, the theme park is not just a way to be wowed for a day or two; it’s a gateway into other Disney habits. The hope is that the wow moments are enough to make you crave more.

For example, not only is the Pirates of the Caribbean ride now one more place to get a Johnny Depp fix as Captain Jack Sparrow, it’s a marketing tool for all things having to do with the movie. As Depp, aka, Captain Jack Sparrow makes appearances throughout the ride, and then talks so provocatively right before the end, the connection to the movie is not subliminal advertising–the type where an image triggers off our subconscious.

Nope, by the time we climb out of the ride at the gift shop, it’s no surprise to see shelves laced with every sort of Pirates of the Caribbean merchandise that has ever been cranked out. (Ironically, most of it is probably cranked out in China.) There’s no other way to end this particular ride but to push on through the gift shop, not the easiest thing to do without a purchase when one has a child in tow who now has Captain Jack Sparrow on the brain.

Disney is hoping that the Chinese families who fork out the money to enter its theme park will leave wanting more Disney. DVDs, video games, touring musicals and more are the perfect Disney fix for creating some of Disney’s magic back at home.

For the Chinese government, the hope is that Disney in Shanghai will provide tens of thousands of jobs for people who are in need of viable employment.

Because it is possible to teach an old dog new tricks sometimes, this Disney park will incorporate Chinese history and stories into some of its attractions. Many classic Disney rides will be included. I bet Captain Jack Sparrow will be speaking Chinese. Ni hao, Johnny!

Historic St. Petersburg skyline threatened by giant skyscraper

by Sean McLachlan on

Residents of St. Petersburg are protesting plans to build a giant skyscraper that they say will ruin the city’s historic skyline.

Russia’s powerful gas company Gazprom plans to build a 400 meter (1,312 ft.) office building in the shape of a twisting glass needle. It would dwarf the historic buildings and churches that have made Russia’s former imperial capital famous.

While Gazprom usually gets its way, some powerful forces are aligning against the building. St. Petersburg is one of the biggest tourist attractions in Russia and a lot of money could be lost if the city’s skyline is blighted. The Cultural Ministry is calling for a legal investigation to see if the building is legal. UNESCO has warned that the building could make St. Petersburg lose its status as a World Heritage Site.

It’s unclear who will win this battle, so if you’re planning a trip to St. Petersburg, it might be a good idea to do it sooner rather than later.

Beijing’s treasures endangered from modern development

by Jamie Rhein on

During China’s Cultural Revolution, one of Mao’s bright ideas, people burned, broke, buried and threw out loads of items connected to the arts and intellectual pursuits. Lately, due to economic development, the treasures found in Beijing’s old neighborhoods are being removed in the name of development. Old houses along alleyways that date back to the imperial city are being torn down and modern buildings thrown up at a dizzying rate. Eighty-eight percent of the original, ancient neighborhoods are gone, according to this New York Times article.

The article is mostly about one man who has taken up the cause to save the buildings’ architectural treasures like ornate doorways, screens and statues. Li Sontang has been collecting these items for years by going to sites where buildings are torn down. He’s able to get the goods for nothing and has paid workers to take away the heavy stuff. With the bounty Sontang has gathered, he started a museum.

The Songtangzhai Museum is housed in a two-story building from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) . With its $4.50 admission fee, the museum offers people a glimpse into what Beijing looked like before Mao and bulldozers showed up. I’m hoping that Beijing officials get a clue that they have a tourist hot spot if they stop tearing down what is left. Restore it to its earlier beauty and entice people to head there by the opening of interesting shops and eateries. All they need to do is turn to Singapore’s Boat Quay to see what can occur.

There was a neighborhood I visited in the mid-1990s that that was in back of Mao’s tomb. Of all we did in Beijing, wandering down the alleys was the highlight of our trip. One family who didn’t know English invited us into their humble house for tea. In one shop, I bought two carved wooden panels that were probably off of someone’s door. One panel is of children doing a dragon dance. The other shows another ceremony. I’m wondering if the neighborhood is still there anymore. I doubt it. How terrific it is that there are people like Li Sontang who recognize treasures and save them.

Airlines Complain about Vegas Airport’s Plan

by Josh Lew on

Despite seeing a decrease in the number of arrivals, construction of a new terminal will go ahead as planned at McCarran Airport Las Vegas. Though the 2 billion dollar project will not be completed until 2012, some airlines are questioning the timing of the project. It’s not secret that airlines are struggling. Arrivals are down almost 5% at McCarran since last year. A drop of as high as 15% is forecast for next year.

Southwest Airlines has been the biggest critic of the expansion. Over 30% of Las Vegas arrivals fly Southwest. But the airline has been trimming back its service to Sin City. The airport expansion will mostly be funded by an increase in the fees that airlines pay to use the airport and its gates. No one wants to hear talk of higher prices right now, especially at a bread-and-butter location like Las Vegas. After the rapid growth that the city has been experiencing, no one seems to want to look at the facts. But things are slowing down. I guess McCarran is gambling that things won’t be so slow in a couple of years.

In India, the Focus is on Mid-Market Hotels

by Josh Lew on

A combination of growing demand from business travelers and a souring economy have led hotel developer Accor to focus on mid-range hotels in the world’s largest countries. So far in India, the formula seems to be a good one. As the country grows economically, more people will be traveling there for business purposes. Smaller businesses or independent entrepreneurs who don’t want to spring for a 5-star room have few options. Accor’s budget brand, Ibis, has already opened one location in Gurgaon. The company also has two Novotels in Hyderabad. These hotels are focused on providing solid service with a few extras, but nothing in terms of the over-the-top luxury seen at a 4 or 5-star. The strategy is to be attractive both to domestic and international business travelers.

Currently, over half of Accor’s India bookings come directly from corporate buyers seeking bulk rates. However, the mid-range prices and services could be attractive to independent travelers seeking an economical alternative to India’s current hotel options.