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Skål Bangkok talks MICE
The Skål International
Bangkok Executive Committee at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel in
Bangkok (L-R): Robert Lee, Samir Wildemann, Brian Sinclair Thompson,
Malai Sakolviphak, Deborah Bundityanond, Andrew Wood, Khun Natwut, Kusa
Panyarachun, Scott Smith, Somsak Kiratipanich, and Anton Knecht.
Skål International Bangkok held its monthly meeting
recently at the Imperial Queen’s Park Hotel, Bangkok. The record
attendance of over 80 Skålleagues and guests were also able to witness
the inauguration of the Bangkok Club’s new president, Mr. Andrew Wood,
GM of the Chaophya Park Hotel, who received the chain of office from
outgoing president, Mr. Brian Sinclair Thompson, VP Swiss International
Airlines.
The keynote speaker was Khun Natwut Amornvivat, President -Thailand
Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) who spoke on the “Role and
Objectives for TCEB in 2008 and beyond.”
Skål International Bangkok was formed in 1956 and is a member of Skål
International, the World’s largest association of travel and tourism
professionals. Skål Intl has over 22,000 members in 500 clubs in over 80
countries globally. Skål’s aims are to promote tourism through
friendship and peace along with a commitment to eco-tourism and the
pursuit of sustainable development. Skål Intl presents it’s Eco Tourism
Awards each year at the Skål World Congress, this year to be held from
October 12-17, 2008 in Taipei.
Dusit Thani Pattaya proudly embraces its new name
Dusit Thani Pattaya representatives, led by general
manager Chatchawal Supachayanont are joined by Pattaya City Hall officials in
celebrating the hotel’s new signage replacing the old name, Dusit Resort
Pattaya. Seen in this picture are (from right) Pattaya City Mayor
NiranWattanasasathorn; Chatchawal Supachayanont; and Chief Advisor to Pattaya
City Ittiphol Khun-pluem, together with the hotel’s management and staff and
other local government dignitaries.
Dusit Thani Pattaya recently toasted to its new name in line with Dusit’s
re-branding concept that has seen it successfully ensconced in the international
world of hospitality business. The 462-room hotel was formerly called Dusit
Resort Pattaya, and adopted its new name after Dusit International renamed it
with four other 5-star deluxe hotels under its wing: Dusit Thani Bangkok, Dusit
Thani Hua-Hin, Dusit Thani Manila, and Dusit Thani Dubai.
Speaking to reporters, Dusit Thani Pattaya’s general manager Chatchawal
Supachayanont commented: “This is a very special day for all of us here at Dusit
Thani Pattaya. We are very proud of our new name and we promise to strive more
to keep our status to global standards and continue to be recognized as one of
the most esteemed 5-star hotels in the world.
“On behalf of the management and staff, I would like to express our deepest
appreciation to the Pattaya City Mayor, Mr. Niran Wattansasathorn, and his team
for giving us their valuable time to be with us today on this auspicious
occasion of celebrating our new name - Dusit Thani Pattaya.”
With Dusit International’s well deserved place in the hotel sector, it is
becoming more and more clear that its vision to be one of the best hospitality
brands in the world and to reposition Dusit as one of the most prestigious hotel
brands in the world is all coming to fruition.
Singapore’s new trail
is anything but sober
The launch of a new walking tour in Singapore will allow tourists to experience
another side of Singapore’s history while guzzling beer.
The Tipple Exchange, led by Journeys Pte Ltd and supported by the National
Heritage Board, will take participants on a leisurely stroll along the banks of
the historical Boat Quay district, which was the commerce hub in the Republic’s
British colonial days.
Walkers will make pit stops at three pubs - Penny Black Victorian London Pub,
Archipelago Brewery and Molly Malone’s Irish Pub - and be fed with historical
trivia by the guides using archival pictures and skilful storytelling.
Travel agents who wish to include The Tipple Exchange in their tour packages may
book private tours that take a minimum of 20 people in each group and enjoy an
agent rate. The optimum number of participants for each group is between 20 to
25 people. Large groups will be split up on different routes to avoid clashing.
Journeys Pte Ltd manager for operations and marketing, Ms Charmaine Goh, told
TTG Asia: “We secured a few corporate bookings even before the launch of The
Tipple Exchange. This walk is also suitable for families, as long as children
are accompanied by adults, as it takes participants into the exciting history of
Singapore that is seldom told.” (TTG)
New Thai chief wants to see the money
New Thai tourism and sports minister, Weerasak Kowsurat, plans to boost revenue
from this year’s targeted 15.9 million foreign visitors to 800 billion baht
(US$24.90 billion) instead of the 600 billion baht announced by the Tourism
Authority of Thailand (TAT).
Reports also said Mr. Weerasak, 43, who has a master’s degree in law from
Harvard University, has vowed to set a higher revenue target from domestic
tourism from the current 385 billion baht from 83 million trips.
In addition, he is aiming for a double digit growth contribution from tourism
revenue to the GDP. This is more than 10 per cent compared to TAT’s targets of
5.6 per cent growth for this year.
His plans call for more quality tourists from emerging markets such as China,
India and Russia in line with the global tourism trends toward intra-regional
and short-haul travel, to encourage more flights, to collaborate more with
related state agencies and to amend relevant laws hindering the growth in
tourism.
The new minister held several advisory and deputy-ministerial positions in the
previous governments, including the first Thaksin administration. (TTG)
Boutique brand U debuts in Chiang Mai
Thai property developer, Tanayong, has appointed newly established InVistion
Hospitality to create a new hotel brand U Hotels and Resorts.
Tanayong is developing 10 hotels and resorts, slated to open within the next
five years in Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.
Under the U Hotels & Resorts brand, each property will have no more than 100
rooms and suites, and will be positioned as niche accommodation.
The first hotel under the brand, the 41-key U Chiang Mai, is slated to open in
the middle of this year. The hotel will be located on Rajchadamnoen Road, in
Chiang Mai’s city centre, about 20 minutes by car from Chiang Mai Airport.
(TTG)
THAI ready for Koh Samui route
Thai Airways International (THAI) started flying twice-daily flights between
Bangkok and Koh Samui on February 15, ending the criticism over Bangkok
Airways’ monopoly on the lucrative route.
The national carrier is operating the flights from Suvarnabhumi Airport to
facilitate connections for international passengers, using a Boeing 737-400
with 12 business class and 137 economy class seats.
THAI executive vice-president for commercial, Mr. Pandit Chanapai, said the
airline targeted a cabin factor of 75 per cent on the route in order to
break even and revenue of more than 300 million baht (US$9.43 million)
during the summer schedule ending September 30.
He said the airline already had a base of 14,000 international passengers
per month which it sent on Bangkok Airways’ Bangkok-Samui flights in the
past and would now be able to handle on its own flights.
In related news, Mr. Pandit said THAI planned to launch a new twice-weekly
service between Seoul and Phuket in July. (TTG)
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