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| Our New Address! |
From November 11, TTG Asia Media's new address is:
1 Science Park Road
#04-07 The Capricorn
Singapore Science Park II
Singapore 117528
Tel: (65) 6395-7575
Fax: (65) 6536-2972
Website: http://www.ttgasia.com
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October, 2008 |
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September, 2008 |
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August, 2008 |
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July, 2008 |
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June, 2008 |
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May, 2008 |
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April, 2008 |
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March, 2008 |
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February, 2008 |
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January, 2008 |
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Better air links necessary, say Brunei agents
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S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2008-11-18)
THE recent improvements in air links between Singapore and the two Malaysian states in Borneo - namely Sabah and Sarawak - via AirAsia’s direct return flights to Kota Kinabalu in Sabah and Kuching in Sarawak, are posing a threat to Brunei's inbound agents, according to MegaBorneo Tour Planner managing director, Mr Khirul Zainie.
He said the direct and cheaper connectivity would mean Singaporeans could now fly to Sabah and Sarawak without using Brunei as a gateway into Borneo.
“Brunei needs more low-cost carriers flying between Singapore and the Sultanate. Currently, seat capacity is also a challenge for inbound agents. Most flights on Royal Brunei Airlines from all its destinations, including Singapore, are full.”
Century Travel Centre general manager, Mr Foo Chong Peng, said due to lack of direct air access, agents felt they would continue to lose holidaymakers looking for new destinations to visit, and who do not want to go via another country, such as Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.
Anthony Tours & Travel Agency managing director, Mr Anthony Lim, said he wanted to target the meetings and incentives market from South Korea, which was less price sensitive. He expects the Korean leisure and honeymoon segments to decline in 2009 as the Korean won has depreciated substantially.
Intrepid Tours managing director, Mr Allan Riches, said the Brunei Association of Travel Agents, which chairs the BIMP-EAGA (Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines – East Asean Growth Area) Business Tourism Council, should look at initiatives to develop integrated programmes related to community-based sustainable ecotourism, and combining a variety of venues within BIMP-EAGA. Air links also had to be developed to allow integration to take place, he added.
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Taiwan grants visa-free entry to selected nationals
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Taipei (2008-11-18)
TAIWAN'S Cabinet has tentatively decided to grant visa-free entry to a limited number of citizens of Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.
To qualify for visa-free entry, the traveller must have held permanent residency in North America or Europe or have made several previous trips to Taiwan. Qualified travellers from the five countries will also be granted visa-free transit stays.
A Cabinet spokesman said a consensus on the question of visa exemption had been reached with officials of the National Security Bureau, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Immigration Agency, and the Tourism Bureau. Details of the policy are expected to be confirmed within a month.
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IHG introduces Asia's first Indigo property in Shanghai
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Hong Kong (2008-11-18)
INTERCONTINENTAL Hotel Group (IHG) has signed a deal with a partner in Shanghai to open Asia’s first Indigo property in the Chinese city.
The 180-room Hotel Indigo Shanghai on the Bund will open in 2010 in partnership with Shanghai Huangpu River Banks Asset Management company.
Targeted at upscale travellers, Hotel Indigo aims to provide a non-traditional hotel offering and enriching destination experiences in key regional cities, including Hong Kong, Singapore and Tokyo.
The brand’s philosophy is to allow developers to regenerate or develop properties with their own creative flair and capture the local character of each destination.
Accordingly, like the Hotel Indigo London Paddington, which reflects the great railway journeys of the past, the Shanghai property is located at the city’s historic Pier 16, the focal point of trade and shipping in the 1800s.
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IndiGo appoints representative agent in Thailand
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Watchiranont Thongtep, Bangkok (2008-11-18)
INDIA-BASED low-cost carrier IndiGo has appointed Nancy Tour and Travel Centre (Thailand) authorised agent in Thailand.
The Bangkok-based travel agency, which is also one of the kingdom’s top ticketing agencies, will be representing the airline’s 17 domestic routes in India.
The destinations are Kolkata, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Delhi, Pune, Nagpur, Jaipur, Vadodara, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Goa, Chenai, Bhubaneshwar, Ahmedabad, Agartala, Kochi and Imphal.
IndiGo operates on the routes using Airbus320 with around 180 seats.
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Friends of France to gather at Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon
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Singapore (2008-11-18)
MAISON de la France (The French Tourism Board) and Air France KLM, with the support of Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay and TTG Asia, are gathering members of the travel trade to take part in the full-marathon, half-marathon and 10km Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon 2008 on December 7.
Runners will stand to win prizes including a trip to France. Trade members who are not taking part in the marathon are also welcomed to join in the festivities and cheer on their industry friends on race day.
A pre-race carbo-loading Pasta Party will also be organised for all participants on December 6 at Novotel Singapore Clarke Quay.
For more information, visit http://sg.franceguide.com/
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Grassmann appointed Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa general manager
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Bangkok (2008-11-18)
MR Frank Grassmann has been appointed general manager of Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa in Thailand.
Mr Grassmann was most recently hotel manager at Dusit Thani Manila, Philippines. He has nearly 20 years of experience in the industry.
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Thai agents slash tour package prices
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Watchiranont Thongtep, Bangkok (2008-11-17)
THAI outbound travel agents are dumping tour package prices by 20 to 30 per cent due to declining demand amid Bangkok’s ongoing political turmoil and fears of a looming economic crisis.
The “surviving” packages are also to capitalise on the recent drop in airlines’ fuel surcharges.
CCT Express managing director, Mr Vichit Prakobkosol, said the company had started dropping prices of tour packages to China by 20 to 30 per cent from early-November after Thai Airways International and Bangkok Airways reduced their fuel surcharges.
Mr Vichit added the company resorted to cutbacks on groundhandling costs, and that such a move was necessary to sustain the business growth target for the remaining weeks of this year.
Kangwal Holiday managing director, Mr Charoen Wangananont, said his company slashed outbound package tour price by an average of 10 per cent to attract more bookings for China, Hong Kong and Japan. “I am still taking a wait-and-see approach until the end of the year before coming up with a strategic plan for next year.”
Another top outbound and ticketing agency, TV Air Booking, is also dropping tour package prices to regional destinations by 20 to 30 per cent.
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Tourism Ministry ropes in small, medium enterprises
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S Puvaneswary, Kuala Lumpur (2008-11-17)
THE Tourism Ministry has become more proactive and flexible in keeping the industry in line with the arrivals target of 22.96 million for next year, a 0.46 million increase over this year’s target of 22.5 million.
Last month, the ministry reduced red tape and made loans more accessible for tourism-related projects to help the local Bumiputra majority stakeholders of small and medium enterprises involve in tourism, as well as to boost the economy.
Applicants of the Special Tourism Fund now no longer need to apply through Tourism Ministry, which will give a supporting letter to the bank. They can apply direct with SME Bank, thus cutting red tape and speeding processing time, according to Tourism Ministry’s secretary general, Datuk Dr Ong Hong Peng.
The minimum loan amount is RM50,000 (US$13,894) for each project while the maximum is RM25 million.
Full report in TTG Asia
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Hana Tour eyes South Korean immigrants in the US
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Vivian Lee, Seoul (2008-11-17)
SOUTH Korea’s leading tour operator Hana Tour has announced plans to penetrate the US market.
According to the US Department of Commerce, there are 15 million Asian immigrants in America, of which 1.5 million are of South Korean descent, and it is this market sector Hana Tour targets.
Hana Tour is collaborating with local US travel agencies to put together a Hana Tour USA network. This follows on from the Hana Tour Japan and Hana Tour China networks. A total of US$5 million is invested into the building of the USA network.
Hana Tour aims to make a profit of US$6 billion over a period of five years, as well as to become one of the top 10 operators in the US market.
In 2007, the US registered two billion domestic arrivals, 56 million foreign arrivals and 64 million in outbound numbers.
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Las Vegas plans India representative
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Anand & Madhura Katti, Mumbai (2008-11-17)
LAS Vegas has plans to appoint an India representative office by early-2009.
Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority senior manager for international PR, Mr Jesse Davis, told TTG Daily News: “We have chosen Connect-Worldwide India (based in Delhi) to represent us in India to create greater awareness of our destination. We will make the formal announcement by February 2009.”
About 293,000 Indians visited the US during the first half of 2008, an 11 per cent increase over the same period last year. Indian tourists spent an average of four to six days in Las Vegas.
The city had a record year with 39.2 million visitors in 2007 (12 per cent international) with non-gaming revenue surpassing gaming revenue. The destination is expected to have a drop in numbers this year due to economic slowdown in the country.
According to Mr Davis, Las Vegas has 137,000 rooms and 40,000 new hotel rooms costing more than US$30 billion will be added by 2012. The city hosted 24,000 MICE events in 2007 (17 per cent of total revenue) and is the number one tradeshow destination in the US for as long as 14 years.
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More Garuda flights to Hong Kong next year
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Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2008-11-17)
GARUDA Indonesia is planning to open services to Hong Kong from Surabaya and Bali when the airline receives the new Boeing 737-800 NG next year.
Garuda executive vice-president for sales and marketing, Mr Agus Priyanto, said: “Hong Kong is an important hub for airlines from all over the world, and we have seen a potential demand for the destination here.”
The airline plans to introduce the new services in the summer schedule, but no detailed frequencies are available at press time.
Garuda currently operates six flights per week between Jakarta and Hong Kong.
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WTTC: supportive policy framework from governments critical
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London (2008-11-17)
THE World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has called on governments around the world to partner the private sector of the travel and tourism industry.
President and CEO, Mr Jean-Claude Baumgarten, told delegates attending the World Travel Market's Global Economic Forum last week although there were many uncertainties as to the impact of the current crisis, past experiences had shown that the industry always rebounded from cyclical downturns - sometimes even stronger than before.
"Moreover," Mr Baumgarten added, "although severe, this crisis cannot be compared with past crises due to events such as 9/11, SARS, or even the Gulf war. Today, people still want to travel and, once the recovery starts, there is likely to be huge pent-up demand."
Nevertheless, he emphasises partnership between the public and private sectors to address the challenges and try to find solutions, and recommends that governments provide a supportive policy framework to help stimulate demand and ensure the industry continues to generate employment and alleviate poverty in emerging markets.
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HKTB launches dedicated MICE arm
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Michael Hoare, Hong Kong (2008-11-14)
THE Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has launched its long-awaited events marketing arm - Meetings and Exhibitions Hong Kong - dedicated to building the city's MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) business.
While the structure and general manager of the agency have not been announced, the NTO told TTG Daily News today an announcement would be made soon and that the person responsible for building the city's MICE brand would have some flexibility determining the final set-up.
With an initial budget of HK$30 million (US$3.9 million) a year and 15 staff, the agency will form a distinct arm of the bureau but draw on its global resources and answer directly to its executive director Mr Anthony Lau. It will be split into three teams offering dedicated services to the sector.
Mr Lau said the agency would initially target big corporate groups between 7,000 and 8,000 people, offering one-stop bid support and package deals that arch across Hong Kong's tourism and hospitality sector.
He added specialists would be hired to build on its marketing efforts in the US, the UK, South Korea, Japan, mainland China and India.
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India and ASEAN agree on open skies
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Anand & Madhura Katti, Mumbai (2008-11-14)
INDIA and ASEAN have agreed to open their respective air spaces as part of an open skies agreement at the ASEAN transport ministers' meeting held in Manila on November 6.
The agreement's basic framework is expected to be laid out at the ASEAN Air Transport Working Group Meeting, to be held in the first half of 2009.
According to India government's Press Information Bureau, the agreement may include terms on multiple airline designation; open route schedule; full exercise of third, fourth and fifth freedom traffic rights; frequencies, capacities and aircraft types; change of gauge; and inter-modal transport arrangement.
Airlines from the 10 ASEAN countries now operate only on approved routes. Co-operation in other aviation fields such as aviation safety, security and air navigation is also envisaged in the agreement.
The implementation of ASEAN's liberalisation of air services within the region was also discussed at the meeting in Manila.
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Redang suppliers join forces
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S Puvaneswary, Terengganu, Malaysia (2008-11-14)
THE Redang Operators Association of Terengganu have agreed on joint promotions to drive business to Redang island and to remain open for a nine-month period from mid-February to mid-November, instead of the current seven- or eight-month period at the discretion of individual resort owners.
Terengganu's offshore island resort operators say they are forced to close prematurely in September or October due to poor business caused by the misinformation that the state experiences stormy weather and rough seas from September.
Air access from Subang Airport in Kuala Lumpur and Seletar Airport in Singapore to the island will also improve from next year as Berjaya Air plans to fly all year round.
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Panorama creates new outbound products for Indonesians
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Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2008-11-14)
PANORAMA Tours TMC, the outbound arm of Panorama Leisure Group, is creating new tour packages - the TUR EZ - using low-cost carriers such as AirAsia, Viva Macau, Hong Kong Express and Shenzhen Airlines as well as three-star accommodations in the destinations.
Leisure business development division head, Ms Meity Monica Lukito, said: "Price has become an important factor for Indonesian leisure travellers, especially for young executives and families. Travelling has also become a need for many Indonesians today.
"We hope the TUR EZ packages, with prices likely to be US$500 lower than those using full-service airlines and higher-end accommodations, will stimulate the traffic in difficult times."
Meanwhile, Europe is likely to be stagnant.
"Indonesians will never lose interest in Europe as a destination to visit. Packages to Europe are down by as much as 30 per cent, the highest dip in the last three years, due to depreciation of the euro against US dollar. For those who have US dollar savings, the destination becomes more affordable.
"However, the EU embassies are applying a more stringent visa requirement process to include fingerprints next year. This means Indonesian travellers who used to apply through the travel agents will need to come themselves to the embassy concerned. It will cost more money and is less convenient."
Ms Lukito projected Asia-Pacific destinations would be more popular next year. "Asian destinations such as Hong Kong, Thailand, Malaysia, China and Macau will shine next year, because of its proximity and value for money."
Panorama Tours will also introduce new destinations such as Turkey, Spain, Portugal, and Sapporo in Japan.
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Bangkok Airways trims fuel surcharge
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Bangkok (2008-11-14)
BANGKOK Airways has reduced its fuel surcharge by around 10 per cent for its domestic flights, and up to 30 per cent on international flights. It came into effect on November 8.
The surcharge for domestic flights between Bangkok and Sukhothai, Chiang Mai, Phuket and Koh Samui; Pattaya (Utapao) and Phuket and Koh Samui; and Chiang Mai and Koh Samui has been reduced to US$20 per sector (from US$25).
The surcharge for international flights between Thailand and Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam has been reduced to US$25 per sector (from US$40); for Bangkok and Guilin, to US$40 per sector (from US$50); for Bangkok and Xi'an, to US$60 per sector (from US$75); for Koh Samui and Singapore, to US$45 per sector (from US$60); for Bangkok and Maldives, to US$90 per sector (from US$100); and for Bangkok and Japan, to US$95 per sector (from US$110).
Also with effect from the same date, Siem Reap Airways International reduced its fuel surcharge to US$20 (from US$25) for its domestic flights and US$25 (from US$40) for international flights between Cambodia and Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.
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Wannapa joins Sukhothai Bangkok
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Bangkok (2008-11-14)
SUKHOTHAI Bangkok has welcomed Ms Wannapa Rakkeo as its new director of business development.
Ms Wannapa was most recently Conrad Bangkok's director of marketing communications.
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Reporting from World Travel Market in London
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Kuoni UK launches Late Trading and huge driveRaini Hamdi, London (2008-11-13)
KUONI UK has launched Late Trading in response to a trend towards a short holiday booking time by UK travellers and is launching its single biggest marketing campaign in recent years in January to stimulate holiday bookings.
Kuoni research shows 40 per cent of holiday bookings are now made within 16 weeks of travel - some as short as a week in advance - from the usual six to nine months.
Ms Tamara Diethelm, former Kuoni product manager Far East who heads Late Trading, said the trend was in keeping with the "last-minute lifestyle" of society today, and the current economic doldrums is only encouraging the behaviour.
"People are scared about their job security," Ms Diethelm said. "They wonder if they will get a bonus, which for many, is a huge part of the travel budget. They book only if they are confident nothing awful is happening to them and when they are ready to go, they look for deals."
Ms Diethelm said her remit for Late Trading was to ensure there was inventory availability to cater to passengers who want to book last minute. Late Trading has its own contracting team. It sells through retail and direct, both web-based and traditional thick, mini special offer brochures.
It will take out huge advertisements - online and print - to highlight Last Trading packages and, as part of The Kuoni Sale in January - a campaign designed to be as much anticipated by UK consumers as The Harrod Sale - some 3.5 million of the mini brochures will be printed for distribution in the major national dailies.
Far from gloom and doom, buyers and sellers at World Travel Market are resigned to yet another crisis on hand to handle and the bustle at the show reflects a mood of action rather than desperation.
Full report in TTG Asia
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Centara expands to cover mid-range and residential properties
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2008-11-13)
CENTARA Hotels and Resorts is in the process of creating two new brands - one for mid-range hotels and one for residential properties - as part of its rapid expansion, particularly in winning new management contracts both locally and internationally.
President Mr Gerd Steeb said the group's predominant focus remained unchanged at expanding its management expertise to cover more four- and five-star hotels in Thailand and overseas, but it would not reject the possibility to manage mid-range properties.
The Thai hotel chain last week landed a management contract for its first mid-range property, a 170-room hotel in Bangkok. More deals were being clinched for this category, and as such, "a new mid-range hotel branding is needed", according to Mr Steeb.
Meanwhile, the group has landed a number of management deals for residential and condominium projects in Koh Samui, Pranburi (near Hua Hin) and Jomtien Beach (near Pattaya).
The group now owns, operates and manages a total of 18 properties, carrying either the five-star Centara Grand and Centara Villa or four-star Centara brands. The list includes five four- and five-star properties under development, slated to open between next year and 2010 in Thailand - Hua Hin, Pattaya, Khon Kaen, Phuket - and the Maldives.
The group is also expanding its spa management expertise with a contract recently concluded to manage the Spa Cenvaree at the five-star Furama Resort Danang, Vietnam.
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KTO to forge links with eight major Japanese agents
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Vivian Lee, Seoul (2008-11-13)
THE Korean Tourism Organization (KTO) will be holding a press event from November 14 to 16 for eight major Japanese travel agencies, in a bid to maintain South Korea's current number one inbound market. Japan currently takes up 30 per cent of the destination's total inbound market.
The eight agencies are JTB, HIS, KNT, Hankyu Travel, Japan Travel, JALPAK, Top Tour and Yomiuri Travel Service, which are collectively responsible for 51 per cent of the Japanese travel market.
Out of the total 17.29 million Japanese outbound tourists in 2007, 8.83 million of those had reserved their trips through these agencies. Out of the 2.24 million who had visited South Korea, 1.14 million had done so through these agencies.
KTO is taking advantage of the current popularity of South Korea among Japanese visitors, due to the value of the won, and will be running a campaign from November to February 2009, targeting Japan and promoting this period as the best time to visit the destination.
Inbound visitors to South Korea totalled approximately 5.66 million, up until October, which is an increase of 6.2 per cent from 5.33 million over the same period in 2007.
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New pact to increase cross-strait flights
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John Westbrook, Taipei (2008-11-13)
TAIWAN and China have agreed to greatly increase the number of cross-strait charter flights while expanding the flights from weekend only to daily.
Since weekend cross-strait charter flights were launched in July, a total of 38 flights per week have been permitted. With the signing of the new pact, this number will be increased to 108 flights a week. In addition, The number of Chinese cities from which cross-strait charter flights are allowed to operate will be increased to 21 from the five at present.
More importantly, the cross-strait flights will now be permitted to operate directly without the requirement of traversing Hong Kong air space as Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense and military have dropped longstanding objections to such direct flights.
The new direct flight paths will shave more than an hour's flying time off several routes with Taipei-Shanghai flights taking as little as 80 minutes and flights between Taipei and Beijing as little as 2 hours and 50 minutes. The new direct routes are expected to save Taiwan's airlines as much as NT$3 billion (US$91.5 million) a year.
The new agreement, which requires ratification by Taiwan's legislature, will take effect in 40 days.
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Thai AirAsia plans more regional connections
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Watchiranont Thongtep, Bangkok (2008-11-13)
THAI-BASED low-cost carrier (LCC) Thai AirAsia plans to link Bangkok direct with more regional destinations, citing to the anticipated growing demands in regional travels.
As part the of plan, the LCC will introduce a new direct daily flight each on Bangkok-Bali and Bangkok-Guangzhou routes from mid-January next year, using the 180-seat Airbus320.
Reservation systems of the new flights both through the airline's online booking engine and travel agents' distribution channels will be activated from end-November.
CEO Mr Tassapol Bijleveld said bookings through travel agents accounted for about 15 per cent of the airline's total business.
The airline has joined its parent company, Malaysia-based AirAsia, in abolishing fuel surcharges for all domestic and international flights.
Mr Bijleveld said the move would help Thai AirAsia boost the average cabin factor of the last three months of this year to 86 per cent, and reach a total of 4.7 million passengers this year.
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PATA UK introduces PATA Exchange
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(2008-11-13)
PATA UK will be holding an all-day event, the PATA Exchange, in central London on March 16, 2009.
Product managers, contract managers and reservations managers from Asia, Australia and the Pacific can meet key contacts on a one-to-one appointment basis.
Sellers will include hotel groups, DMCs and NTOs, many of them stopping off in London after exhibiting at ITB Berlin.
Buyers who are PATA (or Chapter) members can attend the event free-of-charge and have up to five people attending per member company. Non-Member buyers will need to pay £25 (US$37) per person and restricted to two attendees per company.
Online registration is at www.pataexchange.com.
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Reporting from World Travel Market in London
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Huge discounts needed to stimulate UK travellers to AsiaRaini Hamdi, London (2008-11-12)
FAR East specialist operators in the UK say it will take a rate discount of at least 25 per cent for any promotion to make a difference at all, saying the sterling pound's devaluation has made matters worst for the market.
Saying they are "not joking" and this is by no means a ruse to lower prices, they point out that the sterling's devaluation against the USD, coupled with fuel surcharges that are still high, has increased the holiday cost, particularly in USD rate-based areas in Asia, by at least 25 to 30 per cent in what is already a more difficult market.
Silverbird UK's director, Mr Paul Graham, said: "A discount of at least 25 per cent is needed to have any effect at all."
Western & Oriental UK's group head of product, Mr David Kevan, said: "We are looking to achieve rate discounts of at least 25 per cent to stimulate the market, usually in the form of free nights. The offers have to be worthwhile and the value easily recognised. A free spa massage is not sufficient.
"Clients even at the top end are buying on price...We are seeing clients downsize from business class to enhanced economy, and from a deluxe room to superior - but they are still travelling. There are opportunities out there, but you have to be quick thinking and instantly responsive."
He said Asian NTOs, particularly those of Bali, Thailand and Malaysia, had to emphasise to travellers that their spending money would go much further given the attraction of local restaurants and shopping once they get to the destination.
Full report in TTG Asia
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KTO eyes European markets
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Vivian Lee, Seoul (2008-11-12)
THE Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) is targeting the UK and European markets through participation at the 2008 World Travel Market (WTM), with marketing activities to promote South Korea.
WTM is being held from November 10 to 13 in London. KTO is promoting the Korea, Sparkling brand, themes for the 2012 World Expo in Yeosu and the "Han Style".
About 439,606 visitors from Europe were recorded to have visited South Korea from the start of this year through to September, a 6.6 per cent year-on-year increase.
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AirAsia to launch India operations
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Anand & Madhura Katti, Mumbai (2008-11-12)
AIRASIA will launch its operations in India with a daily direct flight between Tiruchirapalli in Tamil Nadu and Kuala Lumpur from December 1.
The airline will deploy a brand new Airbus 320 on its new route. The flight will leave Trichy, as the temple town is popularly called, at 09.25 and arrive at KLIA at 15.40.
An introductory promotional fare of 699 rupee (US$14) was offered for bookings made from October 30 to November 9 for the travel period December 1 to July 31, 2009.
AirAsia's Chief Executive Officer Tony Fernandes said that the airline was looking to operate to other Indian destinations such as Chennai, Kolkata, Cochin and Bengaluru within the next one-and-a-half year.
The airline is also considering flying to New Delhi and Mumbai with its longhaul service, AirAsia X. It will invest US$1.4 million to US$2 million to set up the initial infrastructure in India, according to the company's sources.
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Air France, Delta announce new joint venture routes
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Paris (2008-11-12)
AIR France and Delta have announced the launch of two additional non-stop flights between France and the US in June 2009.
The first of the new flights is a non-stop flight between Paris-Charles de Gaulle (CDG) International Airport and Pittsburgh International Airport.
The second flight flies between Paris-CDG International Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport.
The new services are part of the joint venture agreement between both airlines.
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Taiwan Visitors Association extends voucher validity
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Singapore (2008-11-12)
DUE to overwhelming response, the Taiwan Visitors Association in Singapore has announced the decision of its HQ to extend the validity of the Taiwan Gift Voucher and the Hot Spring Voucher to end-December 2008 and end-March 2009 respectively.
Travel agents are invited to request this additional bonus from the tourism bureau for their FIT and GIT clients.
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New sales and marketing director for Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket
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Phuket (2008-11-12)
DUSIT Thani Laguna Phuket has announced the appointment of Mr Edwardo Iswandi as the new sales and marketing director.
Prior to joining Dusit, Mr Iswandi held several prominent positions in sales and marketing at many five-star properties, including the Hyatt Group in Indonesia and Thailand, and Melia Bali Villas & Spa Resort, Indonesia.
He was most recently sales and marketing director of Sofitel Krabi Phokeethra Golf & Spa Resort, Thailand.
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Thailand in fighting mode to increase UK arrivals
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Raini Hamdi, London (2008-11-11)
THAILAND is in a fighting mode to increase arrivals from the UK, announcing a Visit Thailand Year 2009 campaign to key UK tour operators on Monday, the first day of World Travel Market.
While a Visit Thailand Year might sound déjà vu, it signalled the Tourism Authority of Thailand's (TAT) determination to tackle its latest battle head on.
The devaluation of the sterling pound, higher fuel surcharge and political tension in the kingdom all combine to create a perfect storm, but TAT governor Ms Phornsiri Manoharn insists that Thailand aims for an increase in arrivals from the UK next year, from the current 740,000 to 750,000 arrivals.
The campaign was first launched to 1,049 agents and journalists from 54 countries Thailand hosted from October 8 to 12 and this was its first international launch. Ms Phornsiri acknowledged "we have to fight very hard for next year" to increase UK arrivals by boosting the image of the kingdom as the country to visit.
The campaign's tagline revolves around Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value. Schemes include a value card that give consumers discounts not only in 300 establishments throughout Thailand, but even in the UK, such as at 43 Thai restaurants in the country.
Neighbouring NTOs expect Thailand to be aggressive in launching a campaign and in supporting overseas tour operators with tacticals. Tour operators for whom Thailand remains their biggest seller are equally anxious to rally behind it.
The Lotus Group's product manager Africa & Asia, Mr James Jones, said the company was not about to cut advertising on Thailand even with the current UK downturn. Silverbird's director, Mr Paul Graham, said the Thai travel trade had been approaching it to run tacticals.
Full report in TTG Asia
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TCEB launches Thailand, Meetings More Memorable
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Sirima Eamtako, Thailand (2008-11-11)
THE Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has launched a specific financial support campaign dubbed Thailand, Meetings More Memorable for the meetings and incentives segment.
It consists of four key financial support offers. Thailand Welcoming Package offers an event with at least 200 delegates staying a total of 500 room nights a free cultural excursion for 40 people and 20 VIP tickets for a cultural theatre show.
Thailand Meeting Reward offers an event with more than 1,000 delegates staying a total of 2,000 room nights refund for local costs up to one million baht (US$28,517).
Thailand Double Incentive offers an event with at least 400 delegates plus 20 per cent spouse accompaniment staying a total of 1,000 room nights a choice of fun classes - Thai classical dancing or Thai herbal cooking or Thai massage - and tickets for all delegates and spouses to evening light and sound entertainment shows.
Power of Woman offers an event with at least 30 women including 20 international visitors staying a total of 55 room nights a choice of private shopping, luxurious spa or golf trip.
TCEB president, Mr Natwut Amornvivat, said besides the financial subsidy, TCEB had also launched a comprehensive checklist highlighting key support that planners and corporate could expect when bringing events to Thailand.
The checklist includes Event Fast Track or MICE Lane at Suvarnabhumi Airport, co-ordination with related government agencies, security-related concierge services and the likes.
In spite of a 20 per cent drop in MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) visitors to Thailand in the third quarter of this year, Mr Natwut said TCEB would still stick to the target of 947,600 MICE visitors and 78.47 billion baht revenue for this year as the country performed extremely well in the first six months.
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Chiang Mai hotels to throw out low season offers
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Watchiranont Thongtep, Bangkok (2008-11-11)
THE Thai Hotels Association Northern Upper Chapter plans to offer promotional rates at its member hotels for next year's low season from May to October.
The offers are being finalised and will be promoted through collaborations with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Thailand Incentive and Convention Association.
The Empress Hotel Chiang Mai general manager, Mr Kanog Suvannavisutr, said the efforts would help to increase the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) portion at member hotels from 20 to 30 per cent, and would also help reduce dependence on the leisure tourist from 80 down to 70 per cent.
Chiang Mai hotels have been suffering declining demand over the last couple of years, due in part to oversupply of rooms. The city recorded about 21,000 hotel rooms last year, about 10.61 per cent increase over 2006. In contrast, demand declined by five per cent to around 5.35 million Thai and foreign visitors.
From November to April 2009, Mr Kanog said average occupancy rate at Chiang Mai hotels would be at around 70 per cent, a drop by five per cent compared to the same period last year.
Despite declining demand, the city just witnessed a new hotel opening on November 1 - the five-star, 384-room Le Méridien Chiang Mai.
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Bali bomb threats driving Australians away
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Mimi Hudoyo, Jakarta (2008-11-11)
THE execution of the three Bali bombers on November 9, followed by a number of bomb threats at the US and Australian embassies, has resulted in some cancellations by Australian travellers, although no mass exodus was reported out of Indonesia.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in its advisory appeals to Australians "to reconsider your need to travel to Indonesia, including Bali, at this time due to the very high threat of terrorist attack.
The advisory says: "The executions (of the bombers) could prompt a strong reaction from their supporters, such as demonstrations, acts of violence and reprisal attacks."
Garuda Orient Holidays Australia product manager, Mr Nick Deacock, said the overall level of advice contained on the DFAT website had actually not changed since 2003.
"Nevertheless," he said, "the execution of the Bali bombers, and the resulting media coverage and government advisory (all together), has led to a spike in cancellations over the last couple of days. However, we have not seen any mass exodus occurring.
"November is traditionally the quietest month for Bali (in terms of arrivals from Australia), so we are taking a wait-and-see approach. Our policy is to offer clients the option to postpone their existing booking to a later date without penalty."
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Senior management changes at Diethelm
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(2008-11-11)
DIETHELM Travel Group (DTG) has announced a number of senior management changes.
Effective December 1, Mr Himmat Anand, who has more than 25 years of cross-functional management experience in the inbound tourism industry in India, will take over as Diethelm Travel India (DTI) managing director.
Having spent most of his career with SITA Travel, Mr Anand also worked for 10 years in Germany, the United Kingdom and France, promoting India as a tourist destination. He was most recently Kuoni Destination Management chief operating officer for India and South Asia.
DTI's current managing director, Ms Lilli Saxer, will move to the position of Diethelm Travel Vietnam (DTV) managing director effective April 1, 2009.
The third appointment involves the movement of Mr Gregoire Imberty from his current position of DTV managing director to DTG sales director, based in Bangkok.
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AirAsia abolishes fuel surcharges
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Kuala Lumpur (2008-11-11)
AIRASIA today announces it will be the first in the world to abolish fuel surcharges from all its international and domestic flights.
Effective today, guests flying with AirAsia and AirAsia X will only have to pay the air fares, airport taxes and administration fees.
To commemorate this special announcement, AirAsia is launching a regional campaign giving away 500,000 free seats.
Guests can book their free seats to all AirAsia destinations with no fuel surcharge from November 12 to 16 for travel between June 22 to October 24, 2009.
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Anantara opens Desert Islands Resort & Spa
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(2008-11-11)
ANANTARA'S Desert Islands Resort & Spa on Sir Bani Yas Island, just 250km west of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, opened in October.
The resort offers 64 rooms, spa, restaurants, bars, swimming pool, tennis courts and 24-hour health club.
It also offers guided tours along some of the region's most exciting trails and snorkelling into the pristine reefs, tailored to each guest's specific physical and recreational requirements.
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Top CEOs to gather in Bangkok for awards event
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Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2008-11-10)
BANGKOK remains a key destination for MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) with confirmation from some 100 top Asian CEOs to meet in the Thai capital at the seventh CNBC Asia Business Leaders Awards, to be held from November 27 to 28.
Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) president, Mr Natwut Amornvivat, said the event organiser had decided to keep the event in Bangkok despite mounting political tensions in the city since September.
Mr Natwut said as part of the deal, which was confirmed in January, TCEB would be providing a 10 million baht (US$285,500) financial sponsorship to the event.
"But the return of investment cannot be estimated. This includes the image of Thailand through more than 1,000 media spots on CNBC network from now until January, which could amount to around 20 million baht. Direct income from the CEOs and their spouses is estimated at around seven million baht."
He added the most important and valuable return from hosting the event would be the prospect of promoting Thailand as the destination for meetings and incentives for staff of the CEOs' companies.
However, another major event, the ASEAN Summits, to be held from December 15 to 18, has been moved from Bangkok to Chiang Mai, reportedly to avoid possible security problems from street demonstrations in Bangkok.
In Phuket, Amway India is hosting 3,000 incentive delegates this week and Amway Japan will host another 1,400 delegates in December.
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THAI adjusts winter flight schedule
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Bangkok (2008-11-10)
THAI Airways International has adjusted the winter domestic and international flight schedule, from now to March 28 next year.
The adjustment saw Thailand's flag carrier increased frequencies on six international routes and cut frequencies of four medium- and longhaul routes.
Flights on the Bangkok-Moscow route and Bangkok-Ho Chi Minh City route have been increased from three to four flights per week and from 18 to 19 flights per week respectively. Twice-weekly flights on the Bangkok-Bodhagaya-Varanasi-Bangkok route has been doubled to four flights per week.
Flights on the Bangkok-Kathmandu and Bangkok-Mumbai routes have been increased from daily to 10 flights per week.
The Bangkok-Manila route, from five flights per week, becomes a daily flight from October 26 to January 31, 2009 and will subsequently become nine flights per week from February 1, 2009.
Facing flight reduction are the Bangkok-Athens route, from four to three flights per week and Bangkok-Auckland route, from five to four flights per week. From February 1, 2009, the Bangkok-Manila-Osaka and Bangkok-Osaka routes also face reduction from daily flight to five flights per week and from a double-daily flight to 12 flights per week respectively.
On the domestic route, THAI has launched a new thrice-weekly Chiang Mai-Krabi flight and increased the Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son service from 14 to 21 flights per week.
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Lih Pao to add property in Danshuei
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Taipei (2008-11-10)
A HOTEL of international standard costing NT$2 billion (US$61 million) will be built by Lih Pao Construction in Taiwan's northern port city of Danshuei.
The 169-room Danshuei Fishermen's Wharf Hotel will feature a banquet hall, several restaurants, an array of boutique shops and a 100-metre high observation tower giving visitors a 360-degree panoramic view of the Danshuei Port and the surrounding sea and mountains.
Contingent upon obtaining the requisite building permits next year, the new hotel could be expected to open by end-2012.
Lih Pao currently operates five hotels in Taiwan through its affiliate, Fullon Hotels & Resorts. It plans to open a seven more properties over the next five years.
The first of these, the Danshuei Fishermen's Wharf Hotel, will be the company's most up-scale property to-date, with room rates from NT$7,000 per night.
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