Pope Benedict XVI looks at a wooden cross during the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross) torchlight procession on Good Friday in front of the Colosseum in Rome, Friday, April 14, 2006. The pontiff reflected on the suffering of Jesus Christ and that of humanity throughout the ages as he led thousands of pilgrims and tourists in a torch-lit, Way of the Cross procession at the Colosseum in Rome to mark Good Friday. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)



Growing Promotion War of Five Star Hotels in Haeundae

Hotels in Busan are trying to foster their competitiveness before the hustle and bustle of the tourist season.

One of the five star hotels in Haeundae, Paradise Hotel, remodeled its first floor interior facilities and rooms for four months, aimed at attracting Japanese tourists. A source says that before Japanese golden week starts in late April, most domestic hotels have already started attracting them. Some other hotels are currently renewing themselves with aggressive promotions.

By June this year, there will be an officetel building equipped with five star facilities, which will trigger more fierce and sparkling competition in the Busan hotel sector. Paradise Busan Hotel already remodeled its suite rooms and plumber facilities and is scheduled to reopen on April 26. A source says, ¡°We invested as much as $26 billion in remodeling. Twenty rooms were added, and another 259 rooms were remodeled,¡± explaining, ¡°we invested about 100,000,000 won per room and 270,000,000 won to furnish 3 presidential rooms."

Other local hotels are also busy fostering their competitiveness. Busan Westin Chosun Hotel is now improving its facilities in the basement. In particular, the hotel targets high value-oriented marketing to attract presidential-level customers.

Busan Marriott Hotel focuses on wedding promotions after furnishing a 100 pyong banquet hall to be remodeled by April. To compete with other local hotels, Haeundae Grand Hotel also tries to foster its competitiveness by employing a Japanese general manager and by furnishing a banquet hall on the 22nd floor.
/ ÀԷ½ð£: 2006. 04.15. 08:28