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Skål Bangkok holds March
luncheon at Novotel Siam Square
Novotel Siam Square Hotel General Manager Philippe le Bourhis (4th left)
along with, from left, Malai Sakolviphak, treasurer; Dale Lawrence,
secretary; Tim Waterhouse, director of membership; Bob Lee, president;
Brinley Waddell, director of programs; Somsak Kiratipanich,
vice-president; Tom Aikins, director of PR & Communications and Andrew
Wood, recent past president.
Skål Bangkok’s
March luncheon meeting was held at the Novotel Siam Square Hotel on the
9th and featured a special presentation on golf in Thailand by Mark
Siegel, managing director of GolfAsian.com. The event was well attended
with approximately 60 people enjoying a delicious meal and the
presentation.
Etihad, ANA unveil codeshare
Etihad Airways and All Nippon Airways (ANA) have
rolled out codeshare arrangements as the two carriers extend
their cooperative pact.
While Etihad’s ‘EY’ code is currently used on ANA’s
flights operated between Nagoya and both Sapporo and Fukuoka, the Japanese
carrier will begin using its ‘NH’ code between Abu Dhabi and Nagoya at the
end of this month and on the Middle East airline’s new Abu Dhabi-Tokyo
service, launching end of March.
The carriers’ cooperation has also extended to their
respective frequent flyer programs this month, allowing members of both ANA
Mileage Club and Etihad Guest scheme to earn and redeem miles on flights
across both networks. (TTG Asia)
Bangkok Airways reinstate capacity
Raini Hamdi,
TTG Asia Berlin
Having survived a tough 2009 which forced it to cut
staff and axe non-performing regional routes, Bangkok Airways is on a
strong footing again to increase frequencies to some of its Thai
destinations and reinstate one or two regional routes.
New president Puttipong Prasarttong, attending his
first ITB, said he had to take tough measures to cut costs and
restructure. The past two months showed some positive figures, enabling
him to put flights back on selectively, he said.
Bangkok-Chiang Mai will be increased to 28 flights
per week from 21 in the coming summer. And on February 1, Bangkok-Lampang
via Sukhothai was added to its domestic routes.
Thailand set for rebound this year, barring political upheavals
Sirima Eamtako,
TTG Asia
Thailand can bring tourist numbers up 10 to 20 percent
this year, according to a major Thai hotel player.
Chanin Donavanik, CEO of Dusit International, told
TTG Asia e-Daily that his optimism was based on the arrivals rebound
since October 2009 through to January, which registered a 24.35 percent
hike in arrivals over the same month last year.
Chanin said all Thai destinations, especially the
beach resort areas, have been enjoying brisk business. This extends to
lesser-known north-eastern destinations that are witnessing a surge in
domestic meetings and seminars.
Given these positive indicators, he urged that any
planned political gathering, a norm in democratic countries, not be
blown out of proportion lest the hype derails tourism’s recovery.
Industry speculation and excessive media coverage on
the February 26 court verdict on former premier Thaksin Shinawatra’s
asset case led 27 countries to issue or update their travel advisories
against Thailand. The day went by without incident but the country’s
image had already been tarnished, Chanin noted.
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