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HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Lufthansa wins awards for outstanding in-flight service

Air freight carriers launch Internet portal

Pattaya to host PATA in 2006

Work on second runway at Bangkok’s new international airport finally begins

Singapore Airlines to launch services to Bangalore

Mae Sa camp toasts ninth baby elephant

Yala Province holds Zebra Dove Cooing contest

Qantas Cityflyer expands to Canberra

Air Transport World (ATW) Honors Airline’s Cargo Operation

Baan Klong Kon villagers revive mangrove hibiscus for eco-tourism

Dragnet fishermen in Trat Province urged to enter tourist industry

Six leading hotels team up to promote tourism in Hua Hin

Lufthansa wins awards for outstanding in-flight service

Lufthansa has received top awards from America’s prestigious Onboard Service Magazine for its outstanding in-flight service. The airline won three first prizes - Diamond Awards - and two second prizes - Emerald Awards - in the categories Tableware, Duty Free and Uniforms as well as for Food Service and Equipment.

The jury was particularly impressed by the wine glasses, the ้tag่re service and the fish plate and fish knife in Lufthansa’s First Class, and granted one Diamond and two Emerald awards for excellent standards.

First prize in the Duty Free category was awarded for the range of products. In the Uniforms category, Lufthansa’s corporate identity and new-look design convinced the jury, which also gave the airline top marks in this section.

Lufthansa views the awards as confirmation of its in-flight service concept. “In addition to our exclusive menus created by top international chefs, we provide a tasteful framework in which the tableware and service harmonize with the food and drinks,” says Thomas Sattelberger, executive vice president Product and Service, Lufthansa German Airlines.

In order to cater to the sophisticated tastes of its customers, Lufthansa introduced an innovative in-flight service concept in January 2000. “Connoisseurs on Board” consists of three tiers: “Star Chefs”, “Taste Europe” and “Vinothek Discoveries”.

>From until the end of February, First and Business Class passengers on long-haul Lufthansa flights will be treated to menus by the Austrian “Chef of the Decade”, Helmut ึsterreicher.

During March and April, passengers will be served gourmet dishes created by California-based Thomas Keller, the “World Master of Culinary Arts”. Wine lovers are also well catered for. Markus Del Monego, a winner of the title “World’s Best Sommelier”, selects all the wines and constantly expands the range of wines offered on board.


Air freight carriers launch Internet portal

Four key Asia-Pacific air freight carriers have announced they will expand their e-business capabilities by partnering with a new Internet-based cargo portal.

Cathay Pacific Cargo, Japan Airlines Cargo, Qantas Freight and Singapore Airlines Cargo recently signed a memorandum of understanding to be partners of the new portal, which currently has the working title Air Cargo Exchange. The portal will start operating by the middle of 2003.

At the heart of Air Cargo Exchange will be a joint operation provided by two of the industry’s most innovative cargo community systems - Cargo Community Network Singapore (CCN) and Global Logistics System Hong Kong (GLSHK), also known as Traxon Hong Kong - which are working closely with the airlines.

Initially, customers will be able to make allotment and free-sale bookings, conduct tracking and tracing, and review flight schedules on the four carriers before additional capability is added within 12 months.

Customers will reap additional value through the ability to select information and book space with multiple carriers on a single site, making bookings quicker and easier.

Cathay Pacific Cargo’s general manager Cargo Kenny Tang said, “We have undertaken considerable and careful analysis of all available options and strongly believe e-enablement is the direction to take.”

The president of Japan Airlines Cargo, Juntaro Shimizu, said, “We are working closely with the other carriers and the developers on an initiative that we are confident will provide efficiency and value to our customers.”

President of SIA Cargo, Hwang Teng Aun, said, “In an increasingly price sensitive and competitive industry, this internet-based initiative will provide fast and easy access for customers at a sustainable cost for both the forwarder and the airline.”

Qantas Airways Group general manager Freight Peter Frampton said, “We have all invested in e-business functionality on our own web sites to add value for customers and our business. This venture is a natural extension of these developments and will provide customers with greater choice and access.”

Air Cargo Exchange will initially be launched in Australia, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore and is expected to expand globally with other carriers invited to join. The formal title will be announced prior to the portal’s start of operations.


Pattaya to host PATA in 2006

Pattaya has been chosen as the site of the Pacific Asia Travel Association’s (PATA) annual conference in 2006. Thailand beat Taiwan in bidding for the event after a recent PATA board of directors meeting in Bahrain

The conference is expected to attract about 1,500 senior executives from Asia-Pacific national tourism-related organizations and generate nearly 55 million baht in visitor expenditure.

The main conference is accompanied by committee and industry meetings to discuss specific industry subjects such as sustainable tourism, marketing, research and personnel development.

Juthamas Siriwan, governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, said the meeting will bolster Thailand’s position as a quality, value-for-money convention destination, in line with government policy to attract more convention delegates.

Thailand has played host to three previous PATA conferences, in 1969, 1982 and 1996. All were held in Bangkok.

Peter de Jong, PATA president and chief executive, said Thailand was chosen because it was one of the region’s most popular quality travel destinations. “Thailand has embarked on a program of sustainable growth, especially for destinations like Pattaya, which has worked hard to reposition itself on the global tourism scene,’’ he said.

PATA also has its operational headquarters in Thailand, having moved to Bangkok from San Francisco in 1998.


Work on second runway at Bangkok’s new international airport finally begins

Three months behind schedule work has finally begun on constructing the second runway for Bangkok’s new international airport. Aviation industry executives say this is a signal that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra and his Transportation Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit are pushing to make things happen.

Warren Gerig, manager of United Airlines operations in Thailand and spokesperson for the board of airline representatives that includes all 68 international airlines flying to Thailand, said, “There is renewed spirit to get things done. You have to admire Thaksin. He has shown that he understands that the project is important to the country. The Prime Minister is the key. He and Suriya are the first two officials to realize that things need to speed up.”

Some airline executives have criticized the new airport authority for missing the opportunity right from the start to publicize that the work being done is creating a brand new facility that will increase Bangkok’s place on the international air map. But they admit they are working hard. The ground has been leveled and they are firming the soil.

The new airport, also called Suvarnabhumi, is being built on swamps and former fish ponds. Construction is not just a matter of pouring concrete on the ground. Preparations must be made for runways which will have to bear the heavy weight of laden wide-bodied aircraft. The ground needs time to settle.

Most foreign airline and aviation executives still doubt whether the full airport can be finished and ready to fly to meet the promised deadline. Construction is supposed to be finished by the end of next year, in time for full tests so that the first aircraft will be flying from Suvarnabhumi by late September 2005. (TNA)


Singapore Airlines to launch services to Bangalore

Singapore Airlines (SIA) customers bound for Bangalore, who at present travel via Chennai, will soon enjoy direct flights to this rapidly growing city in the south of India.

>From 1 May 2003, SIA will operate thrice-weekly services using B777 aircraft.

Flight SQ430 will depart Singapore every Monday, Thursday and Saturday at 2050 hrs and arrive in Bangalore at 2220 hrs the same evening.

In the opposite direction, flight SQ429 will depart Bangalore at 2330 hrs every Monday, Thursday and Saturday and arrive in Singapore at 0610 hrs the following day.

SIA’s executive vice-president for Marketing and the Regions, Huang Cheng Eng, said, “We have a very strong commitment to expand direct links between India and Singapore, and Bangalore is one of India’s fastest growing centers. I am sure Bangalore will prove to be a very popular new destination in our network and hope these services can help boost business and tourism in both countries.”

Bangalore, which is India’s fifth largest city, is the capital of Karnataka State and is known as the “Garden City” because of its large number of parks and trees. It is also a center of India’s rapidly growing high-technology industries, with a focus on computer software, aerospace research and biotechnology. It will become the fifth Indian city to be served by SIA, joining New Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. SIA’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SilkAir, operates to three Indian cities: Hyderabad, Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram.

The new services to Bangalore mean that SIA will operate 27 non-stop flights per week to destinations in India, with SilkAir operating 10 services a week.


Mae Sa camp toasts ninth baby elephant

Staff at Mae Sa Elephant Camp in Chiang Mai joyously celebrated the birth of a male baby to 12 year-old elephant Nung Ning.

Both mother and child were said to be in good health and the camp staff said the baby was already toddling after its mother.

The baby, who has not yet been named, is the ninth elephant to be born under the camp’s Thai Elephant Conservation Program, overseen by veterinarian Ronchit Rungsri. Nung Ning’s mate was the 29 year-old Jumbo B. (TNA)


Yala Province holds Zebra Dove Cooing contest

Thais in the southern provinces believe that doves bring good luck and honor to those who care for them. The rearing of zebra doves is a popular hobby and has evolved into a dove-cooing contest.

This year’s 18th Zebra Dove Cooing contest will be held from February 25th through March 2nd in Yala Province. Divided into different categories; small, medium, large and combined voices, hundreds of participants will compete not only from Thailand, but from neighboring countries.

For more details, please contact TAT Southern Region Office 3 at (073) 516144, or fax (073) 522412.


Qantas Cityflyer expands to Canberra

Qantas recently announced that its popular Cityflyer service will head to Canberra from February 3rd offering 24 flights each week day between Sydney and the nation’s capital.

Qantas executive general manager Sales and Marketing John Borghetti said Cityflyer, which already operated on Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth routes, had established itself as the best business travel service in Australia.

“It is ideally suited to our business customers, streamlining the airport process with dedicated check-in, service desks, departure gates and baggage carousels, and offering extra benefits such as complimentary newspapers on weekdays, and complimentary beer and wine on services after 4:00 p.m.,” he said.

Borghetti said the Canberra service will operate at least every half-hour in peak business travel periods. “We are also on track to introduce QuickCheck, our self-service check-in kiosks, to Canberra. We are working closely with Canberra International Airport to significantly upgrade existing facilities including the Qantas Club and check-in area, improve baggage reclaim facilities, and provide new carpet and refurbished seating,” he added.


Air Transport World (ATW) Honors Airline’s Cargo Operation

Korean Air will be named Air Transport World (ATW) Cargo Airline of the Year for 2003 at an awards ceremony in Washington, DC in February of this year.

According to ATW officials, “Korean Air Cargo has been a top-ranked carrier on a commercial basis for many years. Now it has put together all the pieces needed to be considered a world-class operation.”

Korean Air has been a significant force in air cargo for more than 30 years. The airline started its air cargo division in 1969 shortly after privatization. Its timing allowed it to take advantage of its location between North America and burgeoning Asian economies to build a freight operation that now provides 32 percent of Korean Air’s operating revenues.

For the last decade the airline has been one of the top three combination freight carriers in the world, with the largest freighter fleet of any transpacific airline, providing 31 cities around the world with regular freighter service.

China’s booming growth has given Korean Air Cargo a real boost, and the airline expects to produce a 20 percent annual increase in its airfreight traffic to that country. This potential inspired the creation of KAL-SkyBridge, tying Korean Air Cargo’s Chinese freight flow into the shipping and trucking operation of its parent company, Hanjin, for seamless intermodal worldwide delivery in as little as five days.

Korean Air is a key member of SkyTeam Cargo in partnership with AeroMexico, Air France, Alitalia, Czech Airlines and Delta Air Lines, and is the group’s largest freight carrier. It also is the Asian partner of a new US-focused air cargo marketing joint venture with Delta and Air France.

The airline gained greatly from the opening of new cargo facilities at Incheon International.


Baan Klong Kon villagers revive mangrove hibiscus for eco-tourism

Local people have been planting hibiscus, so that now the whole headland is infused with their scent as they open in the dry season sun. While the natural creation of the land by the steady build-up of sediment has been going on for hundreds of years, the hibiscus planting program began just ten years ago, but already the 2,500 rai area around Baan Klong Kon is the largest hibiscus plantation in Thailand.

Former village head Phaiboon Rattanaphong who started the project said, “Ten years ago, only 950 rai of mangrove forest remained in the area, after being destroyed by human hands. Our forest disappeared, which meant that livelihoods went too. We needed to have mangrove forests in order to bring back the old ways of life, so that prawns, shellfish, crabs and fish could return.”

The former village head called on local people to plant a variety of mangrove trees, including hibiscus. At first, the survival rate for the seedlings was a mere 20 percent, but as the local people learned from their mistakes, the project took off.

By 1990, the mangrove forest was beginning to look thick with trees covering 1,500 rai. In that year the provincial administration invited HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to preside over a planting ceremony.

Afterwards, local villagers started to take part in increasing numbers. Private and public sector agencies began to offer financial support, including 50 rai supported by the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand.

Today, the mangrove forest covers 1,500 rai. The forest supports local aquaculture, acts as a windbreak and gives sustainable ways of life and income to the local people. It is hoped that eventually 10,000 rai will be covered with hibiscus trees.

The local administrative organization is now looking at making the area into an eco-tourism destination, hoping that the wealth of flora and fauna, including crabs, fish, birds and monkeys, will pull in nature lovers from across the globe. (TNA)


Dragnet fishermen in Trat Province urged to enter tourist industry

“Just the facts, mam...”

Fishermen still using dragnets are being urged by the Trat provincial authority to turn to tourism as an alternative profession, in the hope that this will mitigate the impact of the government’s decision to ban dragnet fishery.

Chumphol Sa-nguansilpa, chief of the Trat fishery department, expressed confidence that the provincial authority will be able to successfully find alternative employment for fishermen currently using dragnets.

The National Fisheries Policy Committee has already passed a motion banning the use of dragnets, but has yet to determine exactly how the ban is to be implemented.

Chumphol said that Trat’s fame as a tourist destination meant that finding alternative employment for the fishermen would not be a major problem, as work in the tourism industry was easy for people who already had boats and had a good knowledge of the sea.

When the ban comes into effect, the authorities suggest fishermen become tour leaders or rent their boats for tourists who want to fish. This would give the fishermen at least as much income as they are presently earning, if not more.

Currently fishermen are allowed to use dragnets as long as they keep at least 3,000 meters from the shore. Fishermen violating these regulations are fined between 5,000 to 10,000 baht and have their equipment confiscated. (TNA)


Six leading hotels team up to promote tourism in Hua Hin

The foreign affiliated hotels in Thailand will jointly organize an array of annual activities in a bid to lure tourists to the famous resort town of Hua Hin during the low season.

The six hotels include Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Grand Hyatt Hotel, Marriott and Spa, Anantara Resort and Spa, Sofitel Central and Evason.

Dirk De Cuyper, general manager of Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa said the program was entitled “Hua Hin Hotelier Club 2003”.

Tourists can enjoy yearly activities such as a jazz festival in June, golf festival in August, and the elephant polo tournament in September. The spa treatment, which is famous among foreign tourists from Europe, America, Canada, Australia, and Japan, will be part of the program. “Europe is always the major market but this year there are more tourists from Hong Kong, Singapore, and Australia,” De Cuyper said.

During the low season, local tourists account for 35%. Almost all of the tourists during high season are foreigners; 85% are European.

Ninety eight percent of tourists come to Hua Hin for leisure. Twenty percent of them go to experience pampering spas, and 20 percent to golf courses. (TNA)