New Phuket links confirmed
But island presses for return of full-service carriers
By Mark Bode (TTG)
Phuket’s beleaguered travel trade industry has received a shot in the arm
with the announcement of new direct flights to the island from key markets
Hong Kong and Australia.
But while the decision of three low-cost carriers (LCCs) - Hong Kong Express
Airways, Orient Thai Airlines and Australia’s Jetstar Airways - to fly to
Phuket is welcomed, the trade is still bemoaning Thai Airways International
(THAI) and other major carriers’ reluctance to resume direct services to the
island.
Wichit:
THAI should do more.
Tourism Council of Thailand president and Phuket-based Pearl Hotel Group
managing director, Wichit Na Ranong, said he was 90 per cent happy with the
level of air access to Phuket at present.
He said: “It’s improving, but I’d like to see our national carrier (THAI)
offering more services to the island from destinations other than Bangkok -
from Hong Kong, Singapore and other destinations in the region.”
Orient Thai was slated to start a daily service between Hong Kong and Phuket
on July 1, while Hong Kong Express will offer charter flights to the island
from August for about HK$3,000 (US$386, Bt.14,700) a ticket.
Jetstar, a fully-owned Qantas subsidiary, will introduce a thrice-weekly
Sydney-Phuket service in November as part of a major expansion. The airline
will use Airbus 330-320s with a two-class configuration on the route.
Access from the crucial Singapore market was increased July 1 when Tiger
Airways added another two flights per week between Singapore and Phuket
(increasing the frequency from seven to nine flights). The extra flights
will be effective until October 28.
Earlier last month, in what at the time seemed like more good news for
Phuket, Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office assistant director,
Anoma Wongyai, said THAI would resume its direct service between Seoul and
Phuket in July, and direct flights between Phuket and Pusan in October.
But THAI executive vice-president commercial, Vasing Kittikul, said there
were no plans at this stage to recommence direct scheduled services between
South Korea and Phuket. He said all the airline’s direct services to Phuket
- which had been halted in the wake of the tsunami - were still being
assessed.
“We want to temporarily suspend the services until the situation is clear,
especially operating costs,” he said, adding THAI also needed to consider
the numerous LCCs operating in the region when it was assessing whether to
relaunch services.
Bangkok-based Delivering Asia director, Mark Simmons, said he would love to
see Dragonair resume its Hong Kong-Phuket service. He said: “Even though
Orient Thai and Hong Kong Express will start flights in the next two months
from Hong Kong, Dragonair is still not committing to a return to Phuket due
apparently to a lack of aircraft. Hong Kong is a key market for Phuket,
given consumer spending power and frequency of travel throughout the year,
and it is starting to show recovery signs following the tsunami. Hong Kong
is the major hub point for the mainland Chinese market.”
Laguna Phuket destination marketing director, Debbie Dionysius, said the
five Laguna properties had an average occupancy rate of about 45 per cent in
June - which she said was expected given the staging of the World Cup in
Germany. She said Laguna had been lobbying THAI to start direct services to
the island from Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore, Hong Kong and Japan.
Ms Dionysius added: “There are no direct flights from the UK to Phuket at
present, despite this being Phuket’s largest market.”
‘Green season’ plan relaunched in Thailand
Thailand’s Association of Domestic Travel has
launched a Green Season campaign featuring seven tour packages in three
regions - the North, North-east and South of the country.
The 6,660 baht Green Season packages, include a return airfare on Thai
Airways International, two nights accommodation, transfers, meals and
insurance and are valid until September 30.
Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched five
stimulus campaigns to encourage travel during this year’s low season,
while the TAT Southern Office Region Five has also launched a
promotional campaign for travel in the 14 southern provinces.
TAT deputy governor for domestic marketing, Ms Juthaporn Rerngronasa,
said she expected the two campaigns to result in about five million
domestic trips and generate around 30 billion baht (US$769.23 million).
(TTG)
US plans September travel fair in Thai capital
Buy & Visit USA, the biggest American consumer fair in Thailand, will be
held at the Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Center from September
1 to 3.
The fair, expected to attract some 50,000 visitors, will showcase famous
destinations in the US. It is being organised by the American Chamber of
Commerce (AMCHAM) and the US Embassy in Thailand.
Nok picks Bangalore for international debut
Thai low-cost carrier (LCC) Nok Air will launch a daily
direct flight from Bangkok to Bangalore in India - its first international
destination - from October. A Boeing 737-400 will be utilized for the
three-hour flight.
Nok Air CEO, Mr Patee Sarasin, said the airline would be the first LCC from
Thailand to operate on the route. He said there was high potential based on
a growing number of outbound Indian travellers visiting the kingdom.
Meanwhile, Mr Patee said the airline was postponing plans to mount a daily
flight from Bangkok to Macau, poised to be its first international
destination this winter, until next year.
On the domestic front, the airline will launch a daily service from Bangkok
to four cities Chiang Rai, Ubon Ratchathani, Surat Thani and Krabi - from
October or November. All new domestic destinations will also utilize the
B737-400.
The airline also plans to take delivery of two additional B737-400s in
October. Its fleet comprises four B737-400s and one ATR.
To mark its second anniversary this month, Nok Air has launched a Nok Gives
Life social programme to raise funds for The Cardiac Children’s Foundation
of Thailand. The airline has produced 60,000 key rings and is selling them
at 40 baht (US$1) each. The entire revenue, minus the 200,000 baht
production cost, will be donated to the foundation. (TTG)
Young Public Relations and Tourism Ambassadors
for Pattaya begin intensive training course
The top six will be chosen from a class of fifty-three
Ariyawat Nuamsawat
Fifty-three Pattaya students attended a two-day training course on July
8-9 as part of the search for the city’s Youth Tourism Ambassadors, with
business leaders and government officials providing training and information
during the intensive sessions.
Apichart
Puechphan (left), deputy municipal clerk and Wuttisak Rermkijakarn, Pattaya
deputy mayor provided an insight into governmental procedures.
The project is part of the city’s youth training scheme in the search for a
Youth Tourism Ambassadors to represent Pattaya. The pilot project is the
brainchild of Rungratree Thongsai, Public Relations specialist at Pattaya
city hall. Rungratree outlined the purpose of the project saying, “this
program is designed to train young people to study, love, and understand
Pattaya’s history, so they can present it to visitors from not only in
Thailand, but from all over the world.”
Rungratree went on to say, “students will be trained in enhancing Pattaya’s
international image, study the history and workings of the city’s
administration, the hotel industry and entertainment facilities and other
popular tourist attractions.
They will also be taught the art of public speaking and more especially
basic English language requirements so they can communicate with foreign
visitors.”
The inaugural Class of 2006 consists of 53 children, from which 6 will be
chosen as Pattaya’s PR Ambassadors.
Deputy Mayor Wuttisak Rermkijakarn and Apichart Puechphan, deputy municipal
clerk presided over the opening of the event and presented an insight into
the workings of the Pattaya administration.
Prior to the training Lewis ‘Woody’ Underwood president of the Jesters Care
for Kids along with Peter and Tony of Pattaya Mail presented specially made
jackets to all the participants attending the two-day seminar.
The selection process began on July 8 and will continue until July 23 with
the intention of instilling strong values and confidence in those taking
part in the process.
The weekend seminar saw students attend lectures from senior public figures.
Tawit Chaisawangwong, city council chairman spoke on Pattaya’s history,
while Pisai Panomwan na Ayutthaya, city councilor and head of the Pattaya
Sports and Tourism Committee and Pinnart Charoenpol, Tourism Authority of
Thailand Central Region 3 director presented views on tourism development
strategy.
Business and tourism leaders were next with Thanes Supornsaharungsri,
President of Pattaya Business and Tourism Association presenting information
on hotels and tourism news, and Naowarat Khakhay, president of the Pattaya
Restaurant Association and Eastern Region Retailer Association presented her
views.
They were joined by Sopin Thappajug, Diana Group Managing Director and
Associate Judge for the Chonburi Juvenile and Family Court, Alvi
Sinthuvanik, MA Language School Managing Director and Pratheep Malhotra,
Pattaya Mail, Managing director who spoke on their fields of expertise.
“There are numerous problems and obstacles affecting Pattaya that differ
from other main tourist cities,” said Sopin. “We must work together to solve
these issues and as a Youth Tourism Ambassador you will be part of that
process.”
On the subject of public relations, Pratheep Malhotra urged everyone to
learn as much as they could about the history of Pattaya and the surrounding
region. “As Youth Tourism Ambassadors, you must also be well versed in PR
and provide correct information for tourists and know how to present news in
an honest and accurate manner,” he said. He went to say that one must
develop close relations with the media, so that they can assist you in
promulgating news of events and information to the masses.
Thanes said that the training was for all participants, regardless of
whether or not they were finally selected. “You can benefit Pattaya and help
in many areas but you must begin with developing yourselves before stepping
into a bigger role.”
On Sunday, students were presented with practical training on public
speaking and the importance of being confident in the public eye. Wannapa
Wannasri Educational Supervisor at Pattaya City Hall, lectured on the art of
public speaking. The students were given tasks to complete as part of their
training process in order to boost their confidence and skills.
They were given English language training by Suwanthep ‘Tony’ Malhotra,
Pattaya Mail Sales and Marketing Director and Pureenute Promsen, Purchasing
Specialist of General Motors (Thailand), on answering questions from foreign
visitors and how to promote these skills to others in their peer groups.
The selection process continues with everyone visiting various tourist
destinations in Pattaya on Saturday, July 15 and further elimination
processes from the judges.
Judges will select the finalists for the Youth Tourism Ambassador search on
July 22 with the winners announced at Pattaya School No 8 on July 23 from
4.30 p.m.
Thanes Supornsaharungsri,
Sopin Thappajug, Alvi Sinthuvanik, Naowarat Khakhay, and Pratheep Malhotra,
spoke on subjects pertaining to the service, hospitality and media industry.
Jesters Care for Kids joined
the Pattaya Mail in donating ‘Class of 2006’ jackets to the young
participants.
Suwanthep Malhotra of Pattaya
Mail (left) and Pureenute Promsen of GM (Thailand) train the kids on the use
of Basic English.
Rungratree Thongsai reviews
and advises the children on the finer points of public speaking.
Participants in a group
picture with trainers and lecturers.
53 Thai children of different
faiths from 25 schools vie for the top 6 honours.
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