TRAVEL & TOURISM
HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

New Phuket links confirmed

‘Green season’ plan relaunched in Thailand

US plans September travel fair in Thai capital

Nok picks Bangalore for international debut

Young Public Relations and Tourism Ambassadors for Pattaya begin intensive training course


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.