HEADLINES [click on headline to view story]: 

Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam publish responsible tourism guide

Qantas plans A380 services

ORBS to manage third Thai golf course

Bangkok Airways to add frequency to Phuket

ATTA caps non-member access at Suvarnabhumi Airport

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Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam publish responsible tourism guide

The fast-growing tourism destinations of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam have published a 148-page guide book showing where and how to enjoy responsible tourism activities in the three countries.
Over 25 activities in each country have been profiled in “The Guide to Responsible Tourism in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.” Each activity creates income for local people, minimizes potential negative tourism impacts, involves members of the local communities in running the business, conserves natural and cultural heritage, provides meaningful experiences for tourists, helps people with physical disabilities, and builds respect between visitors and hosts.
For example, the book makes it easier for tourists to trek responsibly with hilltribes, buy handicrafts that keep traditions alive, eat in restaurants that employ former street kids or people with disabilities, stay in accommodations that respect its local community, and discover nature in some of the most awe-inspiring areas of Southeast Asia.
“The various recommended activities in the book show the best side of tourism,” said Arjun Thapan, director general of the Asian Development Bank’s Southeast Asia Department. The Bank supported the publication through its Mekong Tourism Development Project. “All the activities recommended in the book help alleviate poverty,” he said, “but do so in a respectful and sustainable way that both the host and the visitor can be proud of.” Thapan said continued poverty alleviation measures through tourism are important because millions of people in the subregion still live on less than two US dollars a day.
Project coordinator, Peter Semone, senior advisor at the Mekong Tourism Office in Bangkok, said, “We designed the book to appeal to tourists who want to pick up a copy and go and for tour operators and travel agents who would like to add responsible travel experiences to their Mekong subregion itineraries.”
The color guide book describes 82 tourism experiences from the tourist’s perspective and how that activity helps local people while respecting local culture and the environment. The book contains full contact and booking information for all the recommended activities. The book also contains profiles of the three countries, practical information for travelers and a list of useful resources and organizations involved with heritage, conservation and responsible tourism. The guide was written by Mekong subregion experts Guy Marris, Nick Ray and Bernie Rosenbloom. It was edited by Ken Scott.
Statistics from the Pacific Asia Travel Association issued last month show that international tourism visitor arrivals year-to-date are growing at a rate of over 13% into Cambodia, 8% into Vietnam and 4% into Laos. Thapan said, “Our aim now is to channel that growth more equitably towards sustainable and responsible tourism operators that help us conserve culture and at the same time fight poverty.”
The 148-page Guide to Responsible Tourism in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam costs US$15 (plus postage). The book can be ordered through the Pacific Asia Travel Association at [email protected] or Tel: (+66) 2658 2000 ext 121.

Qantas plans A380 services

Qantas’ first Airbus 380 will arrive in Sydney on September 21 and is scheduled to enter commercial service on the Melbourne-Los Angeles route on October 20. A Sydney-Los Angeles flight will be inaugurated on October 24.
The aircraft’s four-class cabin - first, business, premium economy and economy classes - is designed by renowned designer Marc Newson and Qantas is expected to receive three A380s by end-2008.
Qantas’ executive general manager, John Borghetti, said: “We will be progressively introducing A380 services from Sydney to London via Singapore from early-2009.”
Qantas has ordered a total of 20 A380s and has located its business- and premium economy-class cabins on the upper deck. First-class suites and economy-class seats are located on the main deck.
The first-class cabin has 14 suites, and there are 32 premium economy seats and 332 economy seats.
Initially, the A380 will operate once-weekly on the Melbourne-Los Angeles and Sydney-Los Angeles routes. From November 12, it will operate twice-weekly from Melbourne and thrice-weekly from Sydney to Los Angeles. From January 16, 2009, it will be deployed three-times weekly on the Sydney-Singapore-London route. (TTG)
 

ORBS to manage third Thai golf course

Japan’s golf course management company, ORBS, is under negotiations to manage the third luxury golf course in Thailand. The deal for the property in Bangkok is expected to be confirmed by the last quarter of this year.
ORBS president and CEO, Takeyasu Aiyama, said Thailand, with its host of high-standard golf courses, was a very popular destination among Japanese golfers, one of the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s top niche markets. He said the company’s expansion to manage the third property would help increase more golf tourists from Japan.
ORBS entered Thailand in 1986 with a 30-year management contract to manage and operate the 18-hole Bangpra Golf Club and its 95-room hotel. The property was closed for a 100-million baht total makeover from November last year and was reopened earlier this month. (TTG)

Bangkok Airways to add frequency to Phuket

Bangkok Airways has increased frequency on its Bangkok-Phuket route with another daily service during weekends that started from Friday, August 15.
The addition of flights (PG 273 and PG 274), to be available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, will be operated by Airbus 320 with 162 seats.
PG 273 will leave Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) at 13:45 hours to arrive in Phuket at 15:00 hours and PG 274 will leave Phuket at 15:50 hours to arrive in Bangkok (Suvarnabhumi Airport) at 17:10 hours.
Currently, the airline operates twice daily on this route with departures from Bangkok at 11:45 and 17:30 hours and departures from Phuket at 13:50 and 19:40 hours. (eTN)

ATTA caps non-member access at Suvarnabhumi Airport

The Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) has kicked off a ‘transfer-man card’ system to cap the access of non-ATTA members and bogus guides into its controlled tourist pick-up area at Suvarnabhumi Airport’s arrival hall.
ATTA president, Apichart Sankary, said the new regulation was backed by the Airports of Thailand, which would limit entrance to the controlled area on the airport’s second floor only to holders of ATTA-issued transfer-man card.
The new rule will apply to all tour guides, and tour company’s representatives, officers and drivers. Applicants of the card must be Thai nationals. Registration of the card costs 300 baht and is valid for one year.
Apichart said: “This card system will help improve the quality of services and the level of security at the airport, as well as demonstrate Thailand’s sincerity in providing an impressive welcome to all visitors at the door to the country.” (TTG)

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