- HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]:
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A romantic getaway
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Gulf Air holds seminar for Pattaya travel agents
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Thailand launches silver long-stay programme
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Thailand’s Hotels - mid year Blues?
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AoT studies LCC terminal option at Suvarnabhumi
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67th Skål World Congress in Pattaya will foster the ideals of Peace through Tourism
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A romantic getaway
Spend a relaxing “Honeymoon”
break at the Chaophya Hotel in Bangkok
The Chaophya Hotel in Bangkok is currently offering a
special “Honeymoon Package” until August 31st for couples longing to spend a
dreamily relaxing break in the comfort of an Executive Suite. The 3 days 2
nights package for Bt.11,998 includes 2 hours of Honeymoon Spa at the
hotel’s Bali Spa, free unlimited access to the 247yd golf driving range
together with snacks and refreshments, a romantic candlelit dinner
accompanied with a fine bottle of wine at the Park Café, full use of the
fitness and sauna facilities plus 20% off laundry bills and a late check-out
till 18:00hrs.
For more information call 0-2290-0125 ext. 7054, 7056 or visit
www.chaophyapark.com.
Gulf Air holds seminar for Pattaya travel agents
Travel agents in Pattaya
and the east of Thailand gather for a photograph with represenatives of
Gulf Air at the end of a most informative seminar.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
Gulf Air’s director of sales for Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam and Burma,
Somporn Kanjana-Utaisiri, presented a seminar for the airline’s agents
at the Amari Orchid Resort on July 5 to brief them on the latest
services.
Somporn said that amongst recent developments were improvements to First
Class services, with bigger seats installed on all Gulf Air aircraft
that can be laid back a full 180 degrees. First Class passengers also
enjoy enhanced airport lounge amenities including internet rooms and
private washroom facilities.
Two free return tickets were offered to attendees who correctly answered
a fun quiz during the seminar. The two winners were Chaiwat Patimaarak,
general manager of Orchid Travel, and Chakrit Pattanasin, passenger
sales executive, Journey and Net Agency Ltd.
Thailand launches silver long-stay programme
Thailand is set to launch a privilege card for tourists aged over 50 in a
bid to promote long-stay tourism.
The Thai Longstay Management Corp (TLM), a government joint venture to
promote long-stay tourism, said 60,000 foreigners and 40,000 Thais were
expected to sign up this year.
TLM was set up in 2002 to promote long-stay tourism and lure business
leaders and wealthy travellers to Thailand.
Company membership grants discounts from local hotels, golf courses and
entertainment venues. It also fast-tracks immigration checks and provides
assistance for foreigners who want to arrange long-term property leases in
Thailand. Multiple entry visas will also be offered as part of the
cardholder privileges.
One-year card memberships cost US$100 for a silver version, US$500 for gold,
US$700 for platinum, US$1,100 for diamond and US$1,800 for blue diamond.
(TTG)
Thailand’s Hotels -
mid year Blues?
 Andrew J Wood
General Manager
Chaophya Park Hotels & Resorts, Thailand,
International Councillor
Skål Thailand
With Thai tourism’s “piece de resistance” of the 2006 Grand Celebration
promotion behind them, the royal visitors returned home and the royal barges
back in dry dock, hotel executive’s report they are facing a mixed future
half way through the year.
Once again it would appear that the four star market is fairing better at
filling rooms in the nations capital than the top end five star products,
but they are experiencing lower food and beverage revenues than last year.
The five star hotel’s lower occupancies are however balanced by higher
yields; known in the industry as RevPar (revenues per available room). This
might suggest price resistance in the luxury end, or over supply?
Industry observers had long predicted that 2006 would be a better vintage
than 2005, but few realized the extent of the quadruple combination of the
World Cup; rising oil prices; a strong baht and the continuing political
stalemate. Most believe that the southern unrest is not considered an
international problem, receiving only a cursory glance by tourism
influencers. The far south has received little in the way of long haul
international tourists historically and is therefore seen to have minimum
affect on tourist arrivals.
The five star market is describing July as “sluggish”, with occupancies
under-performing in comparison to last year by 15-20%, although many of the
5-star hotels have increased rates over last year.
Observers also commented that top hotels, like the Peninsula and The
Oriental, are once again offering summer packages so bargains are to be
found if you know where to look. Peninsula have also offered special
incentives such as 3 for 2 offers quietly in the market place, whilst a room
in the Oriental can be had for just over $239 excluding tax and service but
including breakfast, during this year’s “green” (low) season.
Hotels in the Sukhumvit corridor and CBD (central business district) have
been aggressively pricing their wholesale rates for next season, with 30-40%
increases and removing inclusive breakfast. The Grand Hyatt and the Sheraton
Grande were identified as early initiators of this new pricing structure,
with many others on the central Sukhumvit Skytrain route and side streets,
following suit. The results so far have been that buyers have accepted these
rate increases for next season; the real test will be to see if they use
them.
Couple this with restricting access to local (cheaper) rates, being offered
by Bangkok based agents, to the international market via the internet. These
are often marked up in price and offered to third parties. Many hotels have
in the past tried to police this practice with restrictive contracts, but
most have been ignored and thus proven to be unworkable. The result is that
the more confident hotels (usually preferred, first choice, branded hotels)
have stopped working with local agent’s altogether, or offered only regular
corporate rates, a practice normally aimed at small to medium volume
producers.
The dilemma faced by the industry, is that whilst these centrally located
hotels continue to push up the yield, the divide between 4 and 5 star hotels
is widening. Good news for buyers if they are prepared to locate 10 minutes
further away from the CBD, and by dropping one star only in quality, they
can usually secure a nightly rate three to four times lower than the CBD
hotel’s.
Results for the first quarter suggests that the supply is still surplus to
demand, particular in Thailand’s north and central regions. The Thai Hotel
Association (THA), in its recent report also said occupancies in Chiang Mai
were down by 50% during the Songkran holidays and from 76% last year to 68%
this year in the central region. Strong recovery in the south however has
seen occupancies double from the 25% lows of last year.
But is all well for the future in an industry well used to the ups and downs
of demand? Commenting Mr. Ross Cunningham, Director of Sales and Marketing
of the Conrad Hotel said, “As long as there is no future civil unrest, we
should have a good second half in 2006”.
Many agree that 2006 is Thailand’s “Grand” Year and we should achieve our
target of 14.4 million foreign tourist arrivals. But there are others that
believe it will be difficult. THA President Chanin Donavanik is less
optimistic about the industry this year, he said, “Thailand’s tourism
industry might be losing international tourists to other destinations. When
compared to other countries in the region, we lack new tourism magnets.”
Hong Kong’s impressive Disney World and Singapore’s launch into Resort
Casinos are cited as Thailand’s missed opportunity by industry commentators.
So is Thailand’s hotel industry set for a major correction between the four
and five star hotels on rates? I still believe not. Location is the key,
along with competition in the immediate vicinity and within the competitor
set. The River hotels and five star hotels, with their control of the luxury
leisure, corporate and MICE market will do what they do and the four star
properties will be mainly driven by what their neighbors are doing.
AoT studies LCC terminal option at Suvarnabhumi
Airports of Thailand (AoT) has commissioned a study to
look into the possibility of building a terminal for budget airlines at
Bangkok’s new international airport, the Suvarnabhumi Airport.
“Yes, we are looking at the LCC (low-cost carrier) terminal possibility,”
the Bangkok Post newspaper quoted AoT president, Mr Chotisak Asapaviriya, as
saying.
Mr Chotisak said the study would take two or three months to complete, with
the final decision on whether to proceed with the project resting with the
AoT board. AoT estimates the facility would cost between 500 million baht
and 600 million baht (US$13.2 million and US$15.9 million) and could be
opened for service in 2008. Two possible sites near Suvarnabhumi Airport’s
main terminal have been identified.
“The structure will be very simple and easy to build,” Mr Chotisak said,
adding its concept would be similar to Malaysia and Singapore’s LCC
terminals. (TTG)
67th Skål World Congress in Pattaya will foster the ideals of Peace through Tourism
Many exciting events are scheduled at the 67th Skål
International World Congress that will take place in Pattaya, Thailand on
15-20 October 2006. Skål, founded as an international association in 1934,
is the largest organisation of travel and tourism professionals in the
world, embracing all sectors of the travel and tourism industry; hoteliers,
travel agents, airline executives, those working for the tourism media and
training for the many other branches of the industry. In the 89 countries
and 480 locations where Skål exists, members are encouraged to network with
each other, in line with the recent motto of “Doing Business among Friends”
Skål Congresses are considered as the ideal meeting platform for the members
from around the world, not only to have a fun week together but also to
enjoy the privileges of being members of this prestigious organisation.
Business to Business Workshop
For the first time this year the Tourism Forum during the 67th Skål World
Congress will take the form of a Business-to-Business workshop and will be
held on Wednesday 18 October 2006. To facilitate prior appointments for this
workshop a list of participants attending the Congress is now available on
the Skål International website www.skal.org go to Congress” and then to
“Pattaya” A table and four chairs will be available, free of charge, to
every country represented by a Skålleague attending the Congress. Additional
tables and chairs are available at a cost of €50.00. A number of keynote
speakers will also address those attending the workshop on topics of
interest to the travel and tourism industry. The Forum is open to all
participants to the Congress.
5th Ecotourism Awards Ceremony
One of the important highlights of the Congress will be the Ecotourism
Awards Ceremony that will take place during the Opening Ceremony on Monday,
October 17th in the presence of all the participants, local dignitaries and
representatives of the media.
Skål International, following the United Nations declaration of 2002 as the
Year of Ecotourism and the Mountains, launched the Skål International
Ecotourism Awards to highlight and recognise global best practices. Skål
values sustainable development in tourism as the key to the industry’s
future success and considers Ecotourism as one of the main areas of
sustainable development.
For this year’s competition 50 entries have been received from 26 Countries
in six different categories; accommodation rural & urban, tour operators,
General Countryside, Cities-Villages and Educational Programs. The
evaluation is done by three independent judges from important
Institutions/Organisations dealing with Eco and Sustainable tourism. The
names of previous years’ judges as well as winners of earlier years can be
found on the Skål website.
Programme Highlights
Both the local authorities and Skål Members in Pattaya and Thailand are
working very hard to put together a memorable congress. The programme as
well as the information on pre and post congress tours and an online
registration form can be found on the following hyperlink
http://www.skal.org/congresos/pattaya2006/pattaya06.asp?idioma=I
Wherever Skål Congresses are hosted – the event becomes a major highlight in
the city and the members witness a “red carpet” treatment and enjoy
remarkable hospitality at exquisite venues giving them the opportunity of
exploring in depth the Country where the event is hosted.
The National Carrier THAI Airways is offering 75 % discount in economy and
50 % in Business Class for members and 50 % in both classes for spouses. The
Headquarters Hotel, Royal Cliff Beach Resort is a luxurious modern resort
with all amenities, right next to the recently built state-of-the-art PEACH
Convention Centre.
In addition the IT&CMA and CTW (Incentive Travel & Convention, Meetings Asia
and Corporate Travel World) Exhibition, organised by TTG Asia will be held
in Pattaya, Thailand from 10–12 October 2006. IT&CMA, CTW and Skål
International have agreed a joint marketing project for both Congresses.
TTG will provide complimentary Trade Visitor badges for all registered 67th
SKÅL World Congress participants which will permit entry to the IT&CMA & CTW
trade exhibition on 12 October 2006 (Thursday) as well as complimentary
accommodation in any hotel in Pattaya for the first 100 outbound tour
operators who register for the 67th Skål World Congress for those who arrive
on 11-12 October or 12-13 October
More information on Skål International and the Congress can be found at
www.skal.org or Please contact Andrew J Wood, Skål International Councillor-
Thailand, Email : [email protected], Tel : +66-2 290 0125.
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