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Covid-19 may have altered your travel plans, but that doesn’t mean Christmas has to be cancelled! In Hong Kong, the festive season will be more innovative than ever, thanks to a magical mix of online and offline experiences.

HONG KONG, Dec 21 (Bernama-BUSINESS WIRE) — To ensure the festive season feels unique and immersive, Hong Kong retailers, businesses and artists have tapped into technology to bring you Christmas like you’ve never seen it before.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: 
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201220005032/en/

Take a 360-degree virtual tour of Hong Kong’s festive Central Business District (CBD)

Welcome to the joyous world of Christmas Town! Part of 2020 Hong Kong WinterFest, a citywide celebration spearheaded by the Hong Kong Tourism Board, this virtual wonderland will transport you to Statue Square, a historic public space in the heart of Central.

Just like real-life Hong Kong, Christmas Town is surrounded by iconic skyscrapers and all decked out for the holidays, showcasing a towering tree and festive Christmas lodges. Adding an extra Hong Kong touch, Uncle Siu – a popular English educator known for his charming voice – leads visitors through the innovative, 360-degree online experience, where lots of fun, interactive stops await.

In this snow-kissed virtual town, you can choose your own adventure: Learn how to make festive DIY crafts, such as aromatic wreaths, ornaments, pop-up holiday cards or candle holders, via video tutorials; download holiday-themed WhatsApp stickers designed by famous Hong Kong illustrators, like Din Dong, Dustykid and Messy Desk; and tune in to beautiful Christmas carols along the way. To experience the excitement of Hong Kong’s one and only Christmas Town, all you need is a computer or mobile device.

Take a 360-degree virtual tour of Christmas Town, part of the 2020 Hong Kong WinterFest until 3 January 2021.

The world’s first “AI Butterflies Illuminating Interactive Art”

In Wan Chai, a 7-metre-tall, stained-glass butterfly and over 350 little LED butterflies have turned Lee Tung Avenue into a playground of light. Dubbed “Butterflies of Hope,” the world’s first AI-powered butterfly art installation aims to inspire and uplift, reminding visitors of all the hope, love, beauty and positivity in the world.

Every afternoon, when the sun shines high in the sky, the glass installation refracts natural light onto the ground, effectively painting the boulevard with light and colour. Come evening, a music-and-light symphony takes flight as the butterflies ‘dance’ to the sound of music using artificial intelligence.

But that’s not all: The Lee Tung Avenue atrium is also home to a stunning, 12-metre-tall Christmas tree, with some powerful special effects. Combining touchless interactive technology and a special shadow projection technique, the tree projects butterflies onto the clothes of visitors – a feat of art and technology.

Enjoy the festivities at Lee Tung Avenue until 10 January 2021.

Get lost in the Asia debut of Globoscope, a light showcase from France

K11 MUSEA, a new cultural-retail destination and arts hub on the Tsim Sha Tsui promenade, has turned up the Christmas spirit this year with A Very MUSEA Christmas Village. The village spreads joy and wonderment with a roster of artistic cultural experiences, including the Asia debut of Globoscope.

Created by Collectif Coin, a renowned French art lab, the site-specific immersive light show stretches across the Bohemian Garden, a roof-top open space. A 20-minute private experience with Globoscope can be reserved to enjoy the surreal, sensory light exhibit with family or friends. It’s a sight to behold: Glowing spheres dance and swirl in choreographed light movements, while the dramatic Hong Kong skyline shines in the distance.

Adding to the festive vibes, K11 MUSEA has also dreamed up a gorgeous Christmas Forest with glistening golden trees in the mall’s atrium, not to mention a special Santa Muse Parade and a Christmas Market.

Experience A Very MUSEA Christmas Village through 3 January 2021.

“Christmas Every Day” goes high tech with virtual Santa Meet & Greets

For the past 50 years, Harbour City has marked the holiday seasons with larger-than-life Christmas installations and festive surprises. And this year is no different: Harbour City’s “Christmas Every Day” celebration once again promises unforgettable holiday memories, plus a roster of online experiences at your fingertips.

This holiday season, take a virtual tour of the incredible decorations throughout the mall and “check-in” on social media or share your Christmas wish list with Santa during a virtual Meet & Greet. For the little ones, Harbour City has created an interactive online colouring game, where children can dress up their “Monster Friends” – adorable 3D cartoon characters illustrated by Dutch artist Eva Cremers – and then watch their masterpiece come to life!

The holiday extravaganza continues in person. At the “Christmas Lighting Garden” on the Ocean Terminal Deck, you can wade through a sea of illuminated LED clovers and dandelions and enjoy the “Christmas Lighting & Music Show” every evening with the stunning Hong Kong skyline as a backdrop.

Enjoy Harbour City’s “Christmas Every Day” online and offline experiences until 3 January 2021.

Images and videos are available from:
https://hktb.filecamp.com/s/2020_Hong_Kong_Christmas/fo

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KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 — Anantara Vacation Club, Southeast Asia’s premier points-based vacation ownership programme, has announced the official release of its new mobile app for Club Points Owners worldwide.

The app is the culmination of over seven months of research and development, and was accelerated by Anantara Vacation Club’s continued partnership with Kognitiv, a technology company focused on collaborative commerce.

According to a statement, the new mobile app offers full web-functionality, seamlessly incorporated into an enhanced user-friendly interface.

Once downloaded, Club Points Owners can access and edit their profile, browse destinations, view real-time rates and availability, complete points conversions, and live chat with Club Services, among others.

“Having already revamped our website and implemented new technology into our internal systems, the next logical step was to continue to enhance our tech development with the launch of a mobile application that can better streamline our services to Club Points Owners on the go,” said Anantara Vacation Club Chief Operating Officer, Maurizio Bisicky.

“Right now, we are in the process of future-proofing the business. From better booking processes to flexible points usage and unique branded experiences, we’re focused on putting the needs of our Club Points Owners first.”

Officially launched on Dec 18, the Anantara Vacation Club mobile application is available for download on iOS and Android.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 21 — The hit documentary, CHINA (Season 1) in Mango TV and Hunan TV relates stories from the pre-Qin dynasty to Tang dynasty in chronological order.

This includes the early formation of thoughts by well-known philosophers in pre-Qin dynasty, the unification of six kingdoms and establishment of early state constitution in Qin dynasty, the relationship development of convergence among ethnic groups and Tang culture which features on seeking agreement while shelving differences and inclusive.

According to a statement, the documentary is produced by a top-level team, having endeavoured for five years.

The respective frames of city-walls and moats in the spring and autumn period; Qin dynasty palaces; the fresco in Dunhuang; and, folding screens in the prosperous Tang dynasty, stand out as an exotic photography work of art.

By adding the great music and immersive monologue, the Chinese civilisation spanning five thousand years is unveiled to the audience.

Chief director, Li Dongkun and chief copywriter, Deng Jianyong of the documentary are also the cast of the highly commendable documentary, Hexi (Gansu) Corridor, while its co-chief director, Zhou Yan is also executive director of The Rise of the Great Powers.

The documentary’s background music was scored by Japanese musician, Shigeru Umebayashi.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 18 — New World® Hotels & Resorts has been appointed by KDI Holdings to manage the 306-room New World Nha Trang Hotel, opening in 2023.

Embarking on a new chapter of its expansion in Asia, New World Nha Trang Hotel will join the brand’s portfolio as the fourth property in Vietnam, with gateways, and getaways in the country including landmark New World Saigon Hotel and resort properties opening in Hoi An and Phu Quoc, next year.

“The rapid growth of our footprint in Vietnam is an exciting development for our brand and, with the support of KDI Holdings, New World Nha Trang Hotel will be a spectacular addition to our portfolio,” said Rosewood Hotel Group chief executive officer, Sonia Cheng.

According to a statement, Nha Trang has long been acclaimed a jewel on the south-central Vietnam coast, situated on one of the world’s most beautiful bays, enhanced by lush mountainscapes and stretches of crystal blue beaches and nearby islands to explore.

New World Nha Trang Hotel is ideally located in the internationally-operated integrated resort complex Vega City Nha Trang, also known as the City of Arts and Entertainment of Vietnam.

The hotel is only 15 minutes by car from the Nha Trang city centre. It is backdropped by forested hillsides and is the first hotel that directly embraces the 1.5-kilometre-long Bai Tien Beach.

Offering upscale, contemporary tropical lifestyle, the three free-standing, beachfront villas will comprise two to four bedrooms furnished with a personal walk-in closet, living room, separate dining area, private pool and outdoor shower.

When New World Nha Trang Hotel opens its doors, watersports from diving to rafting, surfing and snorkeling in the beautiful Vega Nha Trang Bay coral reef are sure to be on guests’ agendas, but land-based sightseeing will also be a must.

— BERNAMA

KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 16 — Anantara Vacation Club, Southeast Asia’s premier points-based vacation ownership programme, will expand cooperation with Wanda Hotels & Resorts, to provide Club Points Owners with more domestic hotel choices in mainland China.

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world. Anantara Vacation Club, which has a large presence in Southeast Asia, worked quickly to adjust strategy by actively expanding with partners in China.

According to a statement, ‘The China Collection’ was established for China-based Points Owners, with the first batch of hotels including a portfolio of over 15 partner hotels in mainland China.

This new domestic collection enables Anantara Vacation Club Points Owners to enjoy a wealth of travel options throughout the country while international travel restrictions remain in place.

The joint-partnership with Wanda Hotels & Resorts will continue until 2021-end, with 22 new properties being introduced in popular tourist destinations such as Chongqing, Guilin, Nanjing, Wuhan, Zhengzhou and Taiyuan.

The newly-added properties are now open for bookings, and will be available for stays from Jan 1, 2021 until Dec 31.

As Anantara Vacation Club continues to meet the needs of Club Points Owners in China and worldwide, new Preview Operations are established to provide China-based guests with more comprehensive understanding of Anantara Vacation Club, and the benefits afforded by Club Points Ownership.

In partnership with Wanda Hotels & Resorts, a new Preview Centre has already opened to the general public in Kunming, with additional Preview Centres in Chongqing and Nanjing scheduled to open early next year.

More details at  www.anantaravacationclub.com. — BERNAMA