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Thai tourism chiefs meets with SA travel agent representatives
(left to right) Mr. David Cumming, Resident Manager of the Amari
Watergate Hotel, Apantree Pratutsenee, Director Europe, Africa and Middle
East Market Division, (TAT), Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Ms. Michelle Malherbe,
Media & Public Relations Co-ordinator, Thonpson Tours and Mr. Leon Els,
Marketing Representative, South Africa (TAT)
Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor for International Marketing of
Tourism Authority of Thailand recently attended a workshop on “Thompson
Tours/University of Thailand Program to Bangkok” at the Watergate Ballroom
of the Amari Watergate Hotel. The workshop focused on the exchange of
information between travel agencies from South Africa and the
representatives of leading hotels & resorts in Thailand.
Bangkok Airways rescinds fare increase
Bangkok Airways has decided to axe its recent fare increase on the
Bangkok-Samui route following a meeting with the island’s tourism operators.
The airline’s spokesman, Ms Nandhika Varavarn, said the increment, which was
introduced on November 1, would be annulled as from November 13 until
further notice. “We have decided to maintain our original air fares for the
benefit of everybody (Koh Samui tourism operators) and also for Koh Samui as
a tourism destination.”
Ms Nandhika said for any future movements especially regarding the air
fares, the airline would advise all concerned in advance. She added however,
the airline’s air fare policy was always directed by Thailand’s Department
of Civil Aviation (DCA), and the airline was not authorised to enforce any
new prices unless it received DCA’s consent.
The Unique Collection of Hotels and Resorts CEO, Mr. Peter Kaelli, said he
did not think the increase would have hurt Koh Samui’s tourism industry
since the airline’s passengers were in the upper end of the tourist segment
and the hike was only in the full fare category. But he added: “It’s still a
good thing the airline has decided not to do it.” (TTG)
Langkawi hoteliers down in the dumps
Hotel and resort operators on the island of Langkawi are up in arms against
the indiscriminate dumping of rubbish on the main roads and along the
stretches of beach for fear this could turn away visitors and affect tourism
on the island.
Malaysian Association of Hotels Kedah Chapter committee environmental
taskforce contact representative, Mr. Andrew Drummond, said tourists have
said they would not return to Langkawi if nothing was done to clean up the
area.
“Illegal dumping of rubbish is an issue here. It is especially bad when
animals rip the plastic bags open. When there is a stretch of public
holidays, the problem is made worse as there is no garbage collection,” he
said.
Mr Drummond added: “We had hoped to get a seat in Local Agenda 21 to
influence decisions. But since the launch early this year, things have
fizzled. No meetings have been held.”
The Kedah chapter is now seeking to hold talks with the local municipality
to see how member hotels and resorts can work with the authorities to keep
the island clean. Another concern is seepage of toxic waste from the dumping
site at Kilim which is seeping into the mangrove and killing plants. (TTG)
Six airlines to integrate iPod into onboard entertainment systems
Apple is teaming up with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and
United to deliver the first seamless integration between iPod and in-flight
entertainment systems.
These six airlines will begin offering their passengers iPod seat
connections which power and charge their iPods during flight and allow the
video content on their iPods to be viewed on the their seat back displays.
“There is no better traveling companion than an iPod, and now travelers can
power their iPods during flight and even watch their iPod movies and TV
shows on their seat back displays,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice
president of Worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “We’re excited to work with
Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to offer iPod users
an even better in-flight experience.”
In-flight iPod connectivity will be available to passengers traveling with
the above listed airlines beginning mid 2007. Additionally, Apple is working
with Panasonic Avionics Corporation to bring even more leading airlines
in-flight iPod connectivity in the future. (eTN)
A new shopping paradise
The latest tourist attraction in Bangkok is the 150,000sqm King Power
Complex, located in the heart of the capital.
It provides the city with its newest one-stop service for tourists.
Facilities available at the complex include a duty free mall, a 548-seat
Thai restaurant and a 2,890sqm atrium.
The 382-room Novotel King Power Hotel is slated to open in June 2007, while
a state-of-the-art theatre with a traditional Thai design is also being
constructed.
The two-storey King Power Down Town Duty Free Mall offers a wide array of
premier brand names and high-quality Thai products. Covering 12,552sqm, it
can handle more than 20,000 visitors per day.
A shopper can spend the best part of a day browsing fine leather goods, the
latest electronics, leading fashion lines and top-quality timepieces.
Within the complex is the Crown Atrium, a multi-purpose space ideal for
customer registration and exhibitions. It is easily accessed via the
skytrain and is a short walk from the Victory Monument BTS station.
Alternatively you can use the exclusive shuttle bus service from outside the
shopping centre linked to the station. The main entrance of the complex is
located on a vibrant inner-city street teeming with excellent restaurants.
If you want to remain in the comfortable air-conditioned surrounds of the
King Power Complex, head up to the third floor for a bite at Ramayana.
This buffet restaurant can easily cater to large groups, and is decorated by
huge paintings of the Ramayana, an Asian literary classic, producing a
visually stimulating experience to go with the dining experience.
The traditional Thai atmosphere of the restaurant will carry over to the
578-seat King Power Theatre.
The theatre, due to open next year (no confirmed opening date has been set
yet), is being built specifically for the Joe Louis Puppet Show which is now
being staged at the Suan Lum night market.
The daily show, which will be backed by a live orchestra, will feature
premier sound and lighting as well as stage pits that will use an advanced
curtain-changing system.
The 430-room, 21-storey Novotel King Power Hotel in the complex will feature
a glass-sided pool and spa. (TTG)
Emirates Holidays joins PATA
Emirates Holidays’ PATA membership will provide
an influential platform for development of its business in Asia.
Emirates Holidays has gained an influential platform to support expansion of
its business in the dynamic Asia Pacific market, with membership of the
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), the region’s recognised authority on
travel and tourism.
PATA membership also allows Emirates Holidays - the only Gulf region tour
operator in the organisation - to provide PATA’s vast range of Asia Pacific
members access to its in-depth Middle East market analysis, to help boost
tourism from the region to their countries.
Thailand-based PATA, a non-profit membership association, works to sustain
the growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within Asia
Pacific. It provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of
public and private sector members across nearly 100 government, state and
city tourism bodies; more than 55 international airlines and cruise lines;
and hundreds of travel industry companies.
Nicki Page, Director-Gulf Region, PATA, said: “We welcome Emirates Holidays
to our growing list of key travel industry members from the region. The Gulf
region is a large and growing source of travellers to Asia Pacific, with
Saudi Arabia and the U.A.E. the two biggest outbound markets in the Middle
East both in volume and per capita terms.”
She added: “As a leading destination operator from the U.A.E, Emirates
Holidays will be an able partner for PATA as we work together to enhance the
value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the Asia Pacific
- the world’s most dynamic region.”
Emirates Holidays currently offers holiday products in 13 countries of Asia
and Australasia. The region has demonstrated strong growth for the company,
with consistent year-on-year business expansion.
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