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Anantara targets
18 properties by 2013
Royal Garden Resorts is planning to develop its Anantara
brand into a region-wide chain with up to 18 properties running 10 years
from now.
RGR’s chairman and CEO, Bill Heinecke, told TTG Asia
there might be six units each in Thailand, Vietnam and Indonesia. “We are
looking to develop Anantara in quality destinations in these three
countries, but the exact number in each will depend on many factors,”
Heinecke said.
The Anantara name is on one of Royal Garden’s two
properties in Hua Hin, and will next appear on the Baan Boran property
reopening October near Chiang Rai in Northern Thailand. The third property
will be in Koh Samui and an announcement for one more in Phuket is expected
soon. Additional properties are expected to open at the rate of one or two
per year. (TTG Asia)
Travel Thailand in luxury
“No
more buses when customers want to travel Thailand!” says Sriwanna (Yo)
Jitprasert, who recently joined JR Noy, Ltd. (the parent of Siam Private
Coach - see advert this page) in Jomtien as company representative
responsible for hotels, resorts, and special events in the Chonburi area.
“I will get the message out that we are the way for Pattaya hotels,
resorts, and travel agents to keep their revenue here in Pattaya when their
customers leave to travel to the rest of the Kingdom”. Contact 038-233478
or www.siamprivatecoach.com for more information.
Finnair e-ticket makes traveling easier
Finnair’s e-ticket is an electronic flight ticket which
makes the purchasing of flight tickets easier and offers smoother passing
through at the airport. No traditional paper ticket is necessary. The
e-ticket may be purchased through the internet, Finnair’s telephone sales
or a ticket counter or at a travel agency.
E-tickets can also be bought by telephone or the internet
and no tickets need to be collected or waited for to arrive in the mail or
by courier. E-tickets are easier to use at the airport since check-in is
quicker. E-tickets can not be stolen nor can you misplace it or leave it at
home. With an e-ticket: you will pay no charges for ticket collection as you
do not need to pick up your ticket at an airport or other ticket office.
Nature lovers discover Phujong Nayoy National Park
The Tourist Authority of Thailand is promoting delightful
tourist destinations off the beaten track under the theme of “Unseen
Thailand”. One of those treasures is Ubon Ratchathani’s Phujong Nayoy
National Park located approximately 100 kilometers from the provincial
capital.
Trekking paths through this national park take visitors
through magnificent scenery. Park rangers have set out a three-kilometer
trail from their headquarters to the Houng Long Waterfall. The hike usually
takes about 90 minutes and nature lovers are enthralled as they travel
through the lush tropical forest. Rare plants, tall banyan trees and
sometimes wild animals can be seen in the vegetation.
Further along the Lum Dom River one will find ornate
Hindu-style carvings which once decorated a tall chedi at the site, but as
one park officer explained, the river changed course through time and eroded
the base of the chedi, which eventually collapsed. Now only the mystical
carvings are visible.
Of course, the best lies ahead. Houng Loung Waterfall is
tall and impressive. Its gushing white torrents spill into a large basin and
its waters lap against a sandy beach. The atmosphere is lush and peaceful
after the lengthy trek. It’s the perfect place to relax and enjoy the best
nature has to offer in this magical wonderland of serenity.
Bangkok receives top award for city tourism
Readers of one of the world’s best known travel
magazines have voted Bangkok as the Best Tourism City in Asia and the third
Best Tourism City in the world.
News of the vote by Travel Leisure Magazine has been
warmly welcomed at the Tourism Authority of Thailand.
TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan said, “This is a
reflection of the hard work that has been done by the Bangkok Metropolitan
Administration as well as the private and public sectors to improve the
quality of the visitors’ experience in city. It will certainly go a long
way towards moving ahead with our objective to make all of Thailand the
Tourism Capital of Asia by 2006.”
The “best tourism cities” were rated in terms of
attractions, arts and culture, cuisine, friendliness of people, shopping and
value for money.
Not enough Skywards miles yet? No problem
Skywards’ members will now find it
easier to cash in on their desired rewards, by letting them acquire
additional Skywards Miles.
Members of Skywards, the frequent flyer program of
Emirates and SriLankan Airlines, who haven’t earned enough Miles for the
reward they want, can top up their Miles total by purchasing additional
Miles. These can then be used towards any reward of their choice. Skywards
Miles can be bought for just USD 2.5 cents per Mile, the minimum purchase
being 2,000 Miles.
In addition, members who want to upgrade their class of
travel also can purchase the extra Miles. Skywards Miles can be purchased by
contacting any Skywards service center in the UAE, the UK, Sri Lanka and
Australia.
TAT to lead delegation of Thai dive operators to DEMA Show 2003 in Miami
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
will be leading a delegation of Thai dive operators to the DEMA Show 2003
October 8-11. This is the world’s premier trade exhibition for scuba
diving, snorkeling, ocean sports and adventure/dive travel industries
organized by the Dive Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA).
Participation in the show is strictly limited to trade
professionals with credentials required for registration. Members of the
Thai delegation who are joining TAT in the Thailand Country Pavilion will be
among 14,280 dive and travel industry professionals representing 721
professional organizations from around the world participating in the trade
show at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida.
Participation at the show raises Thailand’s profile as
one of the world’s leading dive destinations and increases international
awareness of the quality and diversity of dive products and services and
marine ecotourism opportunities that the country offers.
Thailand first participated in DEMA in 1998 and has
attended the show every year since. TAT encourages participation from Thai
dive operators and invites applications. The Thailand Pavilion is 20 sq m by
20 sq m. A subsidized rate has been extended and space within the country
pavilion is allocated on a first come first served basis.
In addition to offering buyers with an opportunity to
shop for new products or travel destinations to expand the range of products
and services they offer, the show provides exhibitors and trade visitors
with an opportunity to connect with others involved in the diving, ocean
sport or adventure travel industries and interface with dive destinations
and resorts from around the world.
The DEMA show is noted for the extensive educational
program it offers to dive industry operators. The Official Dive Travel
Conference - a one day pre-show conference provides an opportunity for
travel agents, retailers, group leaders or wholesale booking agents wishing
to improve their ability to sell dive travel effectively to acquire new
knowledge and skills.
Speakers will address the latest marketing techniques as
well as offer strategies designed to deliver sales results. Other highlights
of the 2003 DEMA show are the Lifeguard Systems Public Safety Diving
Workshop, the Dive Fashion Show featuring the latest apparel and scuba suit
options and the DEMA Awards Black Tie Gala.
Trade visitors will be able to obtain more information
about Thailand as a dive destination at the Thailand Pavilion at DEMA 2003.
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