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Hope rises for Chiang Mai convention centre
The government’s plan to build a convention centre in Chiang Mai is in
the spotlight again with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports’ (MoTS)
announcing its intention to start the construction by year-end.
Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej announced in Chiang Mai in mid-June
construction of the project would start by September.
MoTS permanent secretary, Dr Sasithara Phichaichannarong, said the
ministry was in the process of seeking a 2.3 billion baht budget to
build the facility.
The project has been on the table for 15 years. It was initiated in 1993
under the government’s plan to stimulate more arrivals from the MICE
(meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) market for Chiang
Mai.
It was first under the charge of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (14
years), followed by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (two
months). (TTG)
Bangkok Airways delays
route expansion
Bangkok Airways is holding its plan to expand direct links between Koh
Samui and new domestic and international destinations.
Vice-president, General Komkrich Sriyabhandha, said higher oil prices
had caused the airline to consider delaying the plan to indefinite
dates.
The airline’s initial plan was to introduce direct links between Koh
Samui and domestic destinations – Hua Hin and Trat – and international
cities – Shanghai, Macau, Kuala Lumpur and Bali – within the next two
years.
In related news, Malaysia Airlines’ low-cost carrier (LCC) Firefly has
announced it will be adding four-weekly flights to the Subang-Samui
route from October 26. The LCC now operates four weekly flights on
Penang-Samui.
According to Firefly managing director, Eddy Leong, the new service is
being added due to high demand and the arrival of the LCC’s new fleet of
ATR72-500s in August. (TTG)
Asian carriers in dire straits;
cutbacks keeping tourists away
Yusof Sulaiman
(eTN Asia/Pacific)
Last week’s announcement by Taiwanese-owned EVA Airways to cut back its
international flights by up 10 percent in a cost-managing exercise due to
soaring fuel costs has added to the jitters in Asia’s aviation industry.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has warned high fuel costs
may see further carriers cut, or completely stop service. In the first six
months of 2008 25 airlines went bust, or stopped operations.
After reporting a US$1.87 billion loss in 2007 and a further loss of $75.27
million in the first three months of 2008, EVA Airways has announced it will
further eliminate up to 80 flights. “Our long-haul flights, in particular to
Amsterdam, Los Angeles and San Francisco will be the most affected,” said a
spokeswoman for the carrier. “We expect the flight cuts will alleviate pressures
from high fuel costs.”
Asian carriers have been paring back fuel-guzzling international flights as a
stop-loss measure to keep afloat since surging oil price hit a high of $147 per
barrel.
Another Taiwanese carrier noted for its trans-Atlantic service, China Airlines,
cut its monthly flights by 10 percent starting last month.
As part of its “turnaround” plans, Malaysia Airlines axed 15 loss-making routes
mainly to China and India, including minimizing operations, under new CEO Idris
Jala.
While leaders from eight developing Islamic nations (D8) meeting in Kuala Lumpur
were calling for an “immediate and concerted effort” to tackle the global energy
and food crisis earlier this month, ASEAN neighbor Thailand was grappling with
“storm clouds” circling above its aviation skies.
Forced by skyrocketing jet fuel prices and slow passenger traffic, Thailand’s
four airlines have started cutting routes and flight frequencies, including
popular long haul flights.
With many flights to popular holiday destinations to the country affected by cut
backs of both short and short haul flights, there is now a real fear its tourism
industry is looking at an “quiet summer” ahead.
The country’s tourism industry is expected to see a reduction of inbound
tourists from 17 million targeted to 15 million tourists this year.
The Association of Thai Travel Agents has been informed “several” major
carriers, including the country’s national carrier Thai Airways and Lufthansa
plan to cut long haul flights due to an expected drop of about 12 percent
inbound tourists.
“Despite increasing fuel surcharge from US$60 to $281 per ticket, and flying
almost full capacity for the Bangkok - New York flight, the Airbus A340 with 275
seats which needs more than 210,000 liters of fuel for the flight is losing
money on the route.”
Thai Airways is now looking for buyers for its four Airbus A340 jets.
“The era of ultra long haul flights has come to an end,” Pandit Chanapai, Thai
Airways vice-president told Bangkok Post. Thai Airways stopped its Bangkok -New
York route on July 1, while the Bangkok – Los Angeles and Bangkok - Auckland
routes will have stop-overs.
Low-cost carrier Nok Air, 39 percent owned by Thai Airways, was saved from being
closed earlier this month after registering almost $3.5 million losses.
The carrier has now reduced flight frequencies to 32 from 52 flights a day, at
the same time canceling its international routes to Bangalore and Hanoi.
Thai AirAsia, the joint-venture carrier based in Thailand set up by
Malaysia-owned AirAsia, which currently flies to 10 local and 11 international
destinations, has announced cancellation of its weekly flight to Xiamen, China
due to lack of passengers. It has also reduced daily flights to Yangon to four a
week for similar reasons.
One-Two-Go, Thailand’s first low-cost carrier, has also cut its short-haul
flights to popular holiday destinations Chiang Mai, Phuket, Hatyai, Chiang Rai
and Nakhon Si Thammarat from 28 per week to 21.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to organize 14 roadshows in 2009
under its “Visit Thailand Year” promotion, including six in North Asia, four in
South Asia/ASEAN, three in Europe and one in the US.
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