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Skål Bangkok elects executive committee
Outline introduced for 2006 Skål World Congress in Pattaya
Andrew J Wood
The first Skål meeting of the new year took place in Bangkok at the
Rembrandt Hotel. In a very busy program, the Bangkok Club had set an
ambitious agenda to fire up the membership and quick start their 50th
Anniversary Year.
Prior to the meeting the ‘amuse bouche’ was the executive committee meeting
for the outgoing committee, who were putting their final mark on the last of
their 2 year’s of voluntary work as active members of this important
committee.
 National
President
Malai Sakolviphak conducts the meeting.
Following the arrival of members at noon, a warm welcome and the traditional
Skål toast were given by outgoing vice president, Somsak Kiratipanich, who
also introduced guests and visitors.
Soon it was the turn for the appetizer, with the introduction of Pratheep
(Peter) Malhotra, director of public relations for the 2006 Skål World
Congress, which as many will recall is due to take place October 15-20,
2006, here in Pattaya.
With the aid of an audio-visual presentation, including the official
congress CD, Peter spoke at length about the history of the bid and how the
re-born Pattaya Club had been successful in being awarded the prestigious
2006 congress for this important association of travel professionals.
 Joan
Sarasin MD of Convention Organizers, the official PCO
appointed for the
67th Skål World Congress in Pattaya.
Peter then introduced an outline of the congress programme, ably assisted by
Joan Sarasin’s team of Convention Organizers, the official PCO appointed for
the event.
After a number of interesting questions from the floor, including a question
of fund raising support from the local administration, luncheon was served
with a distinctive Italian heritage.
It was not only a pleasure but a delightful honour to have joining the
luncheon, Her Excellency Nomvume Magaga, the South African ambassador to
Thailand, a guest of energetic Skålleague and former Pattaya president,
Robert (Bob) Lee.
Up next and ready to present the entrée was National President Malai
Sakolviphak to take control of the proceedings at the Annual General
Meeting.
A report on the Club’s 2005 activities was professionally presented to all
the members, including a full and complete set of club accounts. Both were
passed unanimously from the floor.
 Pratheep
(Peter) Malhotra, Director of Public Relations for the
Skål World Congress.
Following in quick succession to the entrée was the sweetest part of the
event - the election of club president and club executives, which took place
under the watchful eye of Malai and Andrew Wood.
To no-one’s surprise, Brian Sinclair-Thompson, the amiable and much liked
out going president, was unanimously re-elected for a further 2 years. Up
next came the election of VP and treasurer, Somsak and Bessie Samagarchan
both also being re-elected. Club secretary was up next and this position was
vacant so there was a little excitement as to who would fill this most
important administrative role.
And the winner is ... Robert Lee! Well done Bob.
During the post-election dessert pralines and coffee, Joan Sarasin made a
beautiful short presentation thanking the club for their most generous and
kind contribution to the Aids Baby Charity Fund, which had recently lost
government funding. Money raised at the joint PATA / Skål Christmas lunch
and subsequent auction was enough to keep the babies in supply of milk for a
whole year, reported a much relieved and thankful Joan.
As Skålleagues and guests made their way out of the meeting, they were
presented with Skål International-Pattaya and East Thailand congress
brochures, luggage labels and promotional CDs along with gifts and pens from
Skålleague Mark Simmons representing Jumeirah Beach Hotels.
Her Excellency Nomvume Magaga
is flanked by the newly elected committee of Skål International Bangkok
(l-r) Brimley Waddell, VP Somsak Kiratipanich, Bessie P. Samargachan,
Alastair Carthew, Ravi Sehgal, Robert James, Robert Lee and Blandine
Cressard.
Thailand re-adjusts tourism targets
Thailand’s Prime Minister, Thaksin Shinawatra, has told
the public tourism sector to adjust its five-year tourism plan between 2004
and 2008.
The target of 20 million international visitor arrivals and US$47.62 billion
in foreign tourist revenue should be extended to 2009, one year behind the
initial plan.
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT)
are to develop a new three-year strategy between this year and 2009.
Although the new plan is yet to be completed, the TAT’s target of 15.12
million international tourists for this year has reportedly been lowered to
13.8 million. The tourism revenue target has also been adjusted to US$11.82
billion from US$12.62 billion.
However, TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan said she was content that the country
met last year’s tourism target of US$10.71 billion, although the number of
foreign tourist arrivals would drop to 12.1 million from the target of 13.38
million. (TTG Asia)
Grand list to be out on January 24
Details of activities under Thailand’s Grand Invitation
campaign will officially be announced on January 24.
The one-year campaign to mark the 60th anniversary celebration of His
Majesty’s Accession to the throne began on January 1.
In a meeting with some 200 Thai travel trade members and provincial
administrators, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Juthamas
Siriwan had asked provincial members to propose their grand tourism products
by January 31. Proposed products must come under five grand themes including
destinations, events, festivals, services and opening.
Juthamas said a committee had been set up to select “genuine” grand
products. Proposals that met the criteria, submitted by January 16, would be
announced on January 24.
“Full details will be reviewed and introduced to the international travel
trade members at the ITB in March targeting around 150,000 participants from
180 countries.” Association of Thai Travel Agents President, Apichart
Sankary, said the grand tourism products, particularly events and festivals,
should be promoted annually to attract more international visitors. (TTG
Asia)
Davao ready for ASEAN Tourism Forum 2006
Davao city’s hosting of the 25th ASEAN Tourism Forum
(ATF) this month is expected to duplicate the tourism boom Cebu had
experienced after ATF was held there in 1997. The city is busy preparing for
a weeklong celebration to highlight the “colors and flavors” of Mindanao.
The Philippine Department of Tourism (DoT) will also be launching a new
Mindanao package, which constitutes a menu of tourism products and
development projects on the island.
Davao City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte has given his personal assurance about
safety and security in his destination, and according to Davao Host Council
Vice-Chairman Art Boncato, the mayor had allocated 10 to 15 million pesos
(US$189,393 - US$284,090; Bt.7,575,000 - 11,364,000) to secure the city
before and after ATF.
While there are no specific threats to ATF, the DoT has contingency plans
with evacuation scenarios and alternative sites in Manila and Cebu for all
eventualities except “the end of the world”. Philippine Tourism Secretary
Joseph “Ace” Durano said: “The important thing is that delegates will not
sense there is such a plan in place.” Stringent security measures will
extend to post-tour destinations.
The benefits of ATF are expected to spillover to the rest of Mindanao and
the archipelago as foreign buyers and media have signed up for post event
tours to Subic, Pagsanjan, Corregidor, Cebu, Bohol, Palawan, Banaue,
Boracay, Bicol and Cagayan de Oro/Camiguin.
All 458 ATF exhibition booths have been taken up with Thai sellers making up
the largest group. Other registered delegates include 163 media members
(half from international press and half from local press) and 370 buyers
from Asia-Pacific (52 percent), UK & Europe (33 percent), the Americas (10
percent), Middle-East (4 percent) and others (1 percent). (TTG Asia)
Jumbo project for Surin
Surin province has launched a ‘Bring the Elephant Back
Home’ project aiming at reinstating its reputation as Thailand’s largest and
oldest elephant village.
ATTA President, Apichart Sankary, said elephant villages were quite common
in the country’s major tourist hubs such as Phuket, Chiang Mai and Pattaya,
which attracted thousands of tourists seeking soft-adventure opportunities
through trekking on the elephant’s back. However, he and provincial
officials expressed confidence that Surin’s legendary elephant village could
have a bigger impact, thanks to the community’s enthusiasm.
Starting January 1, some 360 elephants and their mahouts have reportedly
returned to the village from working and wandering unemployed in the
country’s touristy areas. They are given employment by the provincial
administration to ensure they remain permanently as part of the village’s
key tourism magnet.
Apichart said ATTA was planning on two to four night tour packages, which
would highlight the elephant village in combination with Phrea Vihear Temple
in Cambodia - entering from Si Sa Ket province, Khmer ruins in Nakhon Phanom
province and Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.
“There is no specific target figure as the project is still at an early
stage. But I believe the package will appeal mainly to Japanese, South
Koreans and Thais. We will try to push for Scandinavians, Germans, French
and Dutch.” (TTG Asia)
Disneyland eases ticket restrictions
Hong Kong Disneyland, responding to feedback from guests
and travel industry partners, has eased ticket restrictions.
Tickets handled by agents will now be valid for six months, instead of for
use by a specific date. The fresh deal makes ticketing far more flexible for
both agents and their customers.
Disney’s Marketing Vice-President Roy Tan Hardy said: “The new system
provides flexibility and allows guests to purchase tickets and use them when
convenient, up to six months after the date of purchase.” The new
arrangements will also make it easier for Hong Kong residents to make
spur-of-the moment visits to the park. (TTG Asia)
Kaelli launches Unique Collection
Former Santiburi Group Chief Operating Officer Peter
Kaelli has left the company and launched a new luxury hotel management
company, The Unique Collection of Hotels and Resorts.
Kaelli, who has major shareholding, leads the company as CEO. Kaelli said:
“We have built a highly successful management team at Santiburi, that has
joined The Unique Collection of Hotels and Resorts, and we would like to
take this success to properties in the region.”
He is aiming for more than six properties under the distinctive umbrella by
the end of 2006. The company’s philosophy is to offer its guests a unique
experience by providing the finest in location, accommodation, dining,
recreation, leisure, culture and sports. (TTG Asia)
Thai Airways codeshares with Gulf Air
Thai Airways International has inked a codesharing
agreement with Gulf Air for flights between Thailand and Gulf states. As a
result of the agreement, Gulf Air will codeshare on THAI’s flights on the
Bangkok-Muscat, Bangkok-Phuket and Bangkok-Chiang Mai routes. THAI will
codeshare with Gulf Air’s Bangkok-Bahrain and Bangkok-Muscat sectors.
Gulf Air operates a daily service from Bangkok to Bahrain and flies four
times a week between Bangkok and Muscat. THAI flies twice a week from
Bangkok to Muscat. Gulf Air also has daily flights from Bangkok to Hong Kong
and four flights a week from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur.
Meanwhile, increased Thai tourist traffic to Gaya has resulted in Druk Air,
the national carrier of Bhutan, introducing a new direct service between
Bangkok and the ancient Indian town. Thai travel agent Oriole Travels and
Tours Co is selling the destination as a special package tour on behalf of
Druk Air. (TTG Asia)
Cendant tracks new direction for agents
Cendant Travel Distribution Services (TDS) is investing
on research to help agents find the optimum business model in a changing
travel climate. It has commissioned a series of six studies to examine
Asia’s new travel trends and their impact on businesses. With the findings,
Cendant TDS Vice-President, sales and markets-Asia, Simon Nowroz, said the
company wanted to “provide a navigational aid for all who are undergoing the
process of change”.
“With all the changes taking place in our industry, we are keen to spark new
conversations and understanding on how the market and its players could or
might evolve, and to do this in a meaningful and pragmatic way.
“However, the real distinguishing factor of the research is how we are able
to use it with our travel agency partners to help them make better informed
decisions and choices around the future of their businesses,” he said. (TTG
Asia)
Expanding Minor gets Sagild
Thailand’s Minor Group, which is expanding rapidly, is
bringing on board veteran hotelier Michael Sagild as chief operating
officer.
Sagild left Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts at the end of December. He headed
the chain in Asia for the last six years out of Hong Kong. Meridien was sold
to Starwood Hotels & Resorts recently and its management team in Asia has
all but crumbled. Sagild, who was approached by Minor, will be based in
Bangkok starting February. Sagild said: “As one of the largest hospitality
and leisure groups in Asia-Pacific with ownership and management of Four
Seasons, Marriott and Anantara hotels in Thailand, Asia and the Middle East,
as well as a strong management company to support further development, the
company is poised for tremendous growth in the near term and I am very much
looking forward to this challenge.”
Meanwhile, Ivan Casadevall has left Melia Benoa as general manager and will
be joining Minor’s first Anantara resort in Bali (the former Bali Cliff) as
general manager. (TTG Asia)
Qantas contemplates hub move to China
Qantas is looking to shift its Asian hub from Singapore
to China in a bid to cut costs. Qantas Chairman, Margaret Jackson, told the
state-owned China Daily that “China will become an important destination for
us in Asia and Australian travelers could make a stop in China on their way
to Europe”.
She also said Jetstar, the budget airline operated by Qantas, could start
flying between Australia and secondary cities in China in “the next few
years”.
Executive General Manager, John Borghetti, said maintenance and repair costs
were as much as 20 percent lower in centers such as China.
Qantas resumed direct flights between Beijing and Sydney on January 16, and
the airline also plans to operate daily flights from Shanghai and Beijing to
Sydney in two years. (TTG Asia)
History in the making in Macau
The Macau Government Tourist Office (MGTO) has pronounced
2006 Macau World Heritage Year.
At a press conference yesterday, it explained the move was intended to
capitalize on the World Heritage branding the historic enclave has been
given. A 2006 Macau World Heritage Task Force was set up last week to
encourage local residents to promote Macau’s heritage legacy to the
visitors.
MGTO Director João Manuel Costa Antunes said: “A series of promotional
programs will be launched to mark the Macau World Heritage Year.” The MGTO
has identified new markets to add to existing ones, such as the Middle East
and Eastern Europe.
The enclave welcomed 18.7 million arrivals in 2005, up 12 percent compared
to 2004. Secretary for Social Affairs & Culture Chui Sai On said quality of
tourism services would be emphasized to encourage a longer length of stay.
MGTO figures show same-day visitors increased from 50 to 52 percent of total
arrivals from January to November last year. China generated 10,460,000
visitors, accounting for 56 percent of total arrivals.
On the cards this year is the opening of the MICE Research and Information
Center in April. Macau will also host the United National World Tourism
Organization Ministerial Round Table Meeting, the 44th Meeting of the
Commission for East Asia and the Pacific, and the 48th Meeting of the
Commission for South Asia this year. (TTG Asia)
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