Free Thai Tourist Visas between June 25, 2009 and March 2010

BANGKOK (thaivisa.com): -- Continuing its efforts to expedite the revival of the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Royal Thai government has agreed to exempt the fee for tourist visa applications, effective 25 June 2009 to March 2010.

All foreigners who apply for Tourist Visa at the Royal Thai Embassies and the Royal Thai Consulates-General worldwide will be exempted from tourist visa fee from 25 June 2009 to March B.E.2553 (2010).

Such arrangement is for Tourist Visa single entry only.

-- Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangkok 2009-06-24

source: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/Free-Tourist-Visas-June-25-2009-t275547.html

Brunei Will Host ATF 2010

Go into the Heart of Green at ATF 2010

The ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) is a cooperative regional effort to promote the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) region as one tourist destination. This annual event involves all the tourism industry sectors of the 10 member nations of ASEAN: Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Each year, the hosting of ATF is rotated among the member countries. ATF 2010 marks the 29th anniversary of this event since its inauguration in Malaysia in 1981.

Brunei will host ATF 2010 which will be held Brunei Darrusalam from 21 - 28 January 2010.

Brunei looks forward to welcoming all participants and inviting them to come and discover this 'Abode of Peace'. Come and discover this rainforest covered gem of a country nestled on the northern shores of the island of Borneo. Brunei offers a richly diverse natural and cultural heritage, centuries old majestic Royal heritage and an exciting contemporary host of magnificent accommodation, premium golf, first class diving and modern and efficient infrastructure.

Welcome to Brunei, the Green Heart of Borneo ! See you in January!

For the second time since 2001, Brunei – at the Heart of Borneo –will play host to delegates attending ASEAN Tourism Forum, the region’s major travel and tourism event.

Brunei, a rainforest covered gem of a country nestled on the northern shores of the ecologically rich island of Borneo, will welcome thousands of ATF delegates from all over the world in January 2010.

Go into the Heart of Green. Share in ASEAN’s collective vision of Green Tourism - striking a balance of economic growth for present generation and environment conservation for future generations.

BRUNEI Tourism has appointed TTG Asia Media event organiser for Travex, the mart component of the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2010 in Brunei. This will be the second time TTG organises Travex for Brunei; the first time was in 2001 when Brunei first hosted ATF. The event venue will be held at a brand new purpose-built exhibition centre located in Jerudong.

According to Brunei Tourism CEO, Sheikh Jamaluddin Sheikh Mohamed, Travex is expected to draw at least 450 buyers and media delegates.

In the lead up to ATF, the NTO has taken steps to prepare the destination, which include the ongoing training of tour guides. It is also increasing its publicity and public relations activities. There will also be city tours and post-show tours to showcase the country's new products.

For Further Details, Check http://www.atfbrunei.com

Brunei - Go into the Heart of Green

NEGARA BRUNEI DARUSSALAM

Brunei Darussalam, The Abode of Peace, is a land steeped in culture and traditions. Well-known for its multi-faceted beauty, the country is a rainforest-covered gem nestled on the northern shores of Borneo that offers a richly diverse natural and cultural heritage to visitors who appreciate a fusion of majestic opulence, traditional respect, rustic charm with unparalleled natural beauty.

Capital City: Bandar Seri Begawan
The commercial, economic and government centre of the Islamic nation, capital city Bandar Seri Begawan is also the heart of the country’s cultural landscape and home to the nation’s most revered landmarks. The breathtaking Sultan Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque dominates the cityscape, while Istana Nurul Iman, the lavish residence of the nation’s revered monarch, His Majesty The Sultan, forms a striking backdrop. In contrast, the truly Bruneian Kompang Ayer water village offers a glimpse of the nation’s quaint Asian charm that has prevailed for centuries.

Attractions Galore in Brunei
Brunei’s most distinctive advantage is that all its attractions are within easy reach of the contemporary luxuries of its capital city.

Eco-tourism Haven
Nature lovers will be thoroughly spoiled by Brunei’s dazzling array of eco-tourism options: pristine rainforests painstakingly preserved by the government, unspoiled coral reefs, mangrove covered islands, extensive beaches and accessible nature reserves, to name a few.

Visitors can explore this untouched natural paradise in a walk in Temburong National Park which houses one of the world’s richest and most diverse ecosystems, a stroll along beautiful lakeside walkways of Tasek Merimbun in Tutong, a longboat ride down a winding jungle river surrounded by lush rainforests or relaxing on the lapping shores of Muara beach, basking in its tranquility.

Furthermore, with Sabah, Sarawak and Kalimantan nearby, nature enthusiasts can spend weeks uncovering Borneo’s magnificent gifts from Mother Nature, using Brunei’s capital Bandar Seri Begawan as the gateway.

With such a variety of natural, cultural and leisure activities available within easy each in this small sized Kingdom of Unexpected Treasures, Brunei promises wholesome fun and excitement for families, honeymooners or nature buffs. Visit Brunei for ATF in 2010 and discover a new world of tourism possibilities.

Cambodia Ministry Announces Tourism Blueprint

The Cambodia Ministry of Tourism said Wednesday that it had developed a plan to raise tourist numbers to fight the economic downturn.

Speaking at a forum in Siem Reap, ministry spokesman Toug Koun said the government would make a renewed marketing effort, increase transport efficiency, target neglected markets, reduce package-tour prices and improve the Cambodia tourism "product".

He also identified domestic tourism as an emerging market, adding that Cambodia should add focus to national events to attract crowds from the provinces. Development of Sihanoukville Airport would also help, Toug Koun added.

He said that reducing package-tour prices would foster growth in international travel; but Pascal Deyrolle, vice president of the Cambodian Hotel Association and general manager of Siem Reap's La Residence d'Angkor hotel, said that this alone would not be sufficient.

"There has been a drop of 20 to 30 percent in occupancy in Siem Reap hotels in the first five months of this year," Deyrolle said. "Our concern is that ... people are not flying in."

Deyrolle said the Hotel Association had been approached by airlines, which believed that more flights from more carriers would help growth. "If we could add two more flights daily from Bangkok to Siem Reap, we could potentially bring in an extra 89,000 tourists per year and US$59 million," he said, citing an International Finance Corporation survey.

Coaxing a Khmer Temple From the Jungle’s Embrace

Cambodia Heritage : Banteay Chhmar

To reach the temple of Banteay Chhmar from the Cambodian town of Sisophon in the dry season involves a two-hour drive through parched forests coated with brown dust. The temple is breathtaking. Bas-reliefs depict naval battles between ancient Khmers and their Cham rivals in remarkable detail. Giant sandstone faces loom over thick vegetation strewn with collapsed lintels and broken naga heads.

Visitors to Angkor Wat will have seen something like this. But the glory of Banteay Chhmar is its raw, unadulterated state. Sitting 100 kilometers, or about 60 miles, northwest of Siem Reap, this is Cambodia’s “forgotten” temple. You will probably find yourself alone, able to rekindle the experience of colonial French explorers as they first stumbled upon Khmer antiquity.

But the same isolation was not lost on those who vandalized Banteay Chhmar in the late 1990s. The Cambodian military not only mined the complex but made off with large sections of bas-relief destined for private homes in Bangkok and beyond. Local guides like Seng Samnang remembers the oxcarts loaded with artifacts being wheeled out of the temple. “There was nothing we could do,” he said. “If we had challenged these men we would have been killed.”

About 115 pieces, a truckload, have been recovered and they are sitting in the National Museum in Phnom Penh. Of the rest — there is allegedly much more — reports of Buddha heads appearing in Thai generals’ gardens have done little to ease longstanding tensions over Thai claims to Cambodia’s patrimony, an issue that resurfaced last year, and remains unresolved, at the northern temple of Preah Vihear.

Banteay Chhmar is returning to the spotlight, but now the news is good. In 2008 the Culture Ministry handed control of the temple to Global Heritage Fund, an organization in California that tries to safeguard the world’s most endangered sites. Established in 2002, the fund has a budget of $6 million and 44 employees to rehabilitate the temple, the eventual aim being its inclusion on Unesco’s World Heritage List.

John Sanday is leading the project. He is a British architect who first set foot in Cambodia in 1992 to work on the 12th-century Preah Khan, a temple famous for its outer wall of garudas, the mythic birds of Hindu legend. To help attract financing, the savvy Mr. Sanday, a former employee of the World Monument Fund, managed to persuade a number of private individuals to “adopt” a garuda for $30,000.

Like Preah Khan, Banteay Chhmar was built as a monastic complex by Jayavarman VII, the king who converted Cambodia to Buddhism. But the paucity of surviving inscriptions make it unclear exactly when and why. Writing in 1949, the historian Lawrence Palmer Briggs claimed the temple “rivaled Angkor Wat in size and magnificence.” It has four enclosures surrounded by a moat, a vast artificial lake, or baray, and could sustain a population of at least 100,000.

Romantic it may be, but much of Banteay Chhmar today consists of piles of lichen-stained rubble. Of 400 meters (1,300 feet) of bas-relief wall, only 25 percent still stands. Faced with collapsed or collapsing structure, Mr. Sanday and his team must decide what should be rebuilt or merely stabilized. Whether to replace the missing stones with newly quarried or recycled stone is another question.

A simple paradox lies at the heart of the restoration process: The less you notice, the better the job. Mr. Sanday sees overzealous rebuilding as compromising of a monument’s natural history, and much of its beauty. On the other hand, donors to projects such as these usually want to see tangible results, if not the revelation of some architectural marvel.

Mr. Sanday’s solution is to opt for a “presentation” of key areas of the temple, which in the future can serve as a model. Visitors will enter — as did the ancients — past the eastern gopura, along a causeway largely destroyed by 600 hundreds years of monsoons. Once that is rebuilt, they will advance toward the southeastern gallery of bas-reliefs and access the temple’s central areas along suspended wooden boards.

Under Predrag Gavrilovich, a Macedonian architect and colleague of Mr. Sanday’s, the fund is working on the southeastern gallery. Mr. Gavrilovich was responsible for rebuilding Preah Khan’s beautiful Dharamsala and Hall of Dancers almost entirely from scratch. His achievement was to completely disguise that fact by presenting something that seems utterly natural in its decay.

Can he do the same with Banteay Chhmar? His team has already reassembled the gallery’s square pillars and corbel vaulting. But the foundations need reinforcing before those parts can be lifted to their original position. “The building was not well constructed,” Mr. Gavrilovich said. “Maybe it was built in a hurry.”

For the “face towers,” Mr. Gavrilovich will have the benefit of new software developed by Hans Georg Bock at Heidelberg University in Germany. By scanning all the rubble and carefully analyzing each stone, it is possible to create a 3-D database for a virtual reconstruction of the entire monument.

The temple is only one part of Mr. Sanday’s project. His greater challenge is to turn a heavily mined former war zone with “finite” water supplies and massive scars on the landscape into a fertile and “zoned” area for responsible development as well as tourism.

So water has to come from somewhere. The reservoir the ancient Khmers built just north of the temple is heavily silted. Damming by villagers of the temple’s ornamental moat has resulted in flooding and wastage at monsoon time. With no evidence of an underground water table or any deep interventions, Mr. Sanday has invited James Goodman, a hydrologist in Geneva to research and map the course of the old waterways. Mr. Goodman has been looking both at images taken by the colonial École Française d’Extrême-Orient in 1945 and aerial photos used by the United States during the Indochinese war. The idea would be to rationalize water supplies and to create a well-drilling program.

For the project to work requires the support of the 12,000 or so villagers who might wonder what’s in it for them. Community Based Tourism, a French-inspired organization, aims at rewarding local people with 100 percent of tourist revenue. In 2007 and 2008, 512 visitors showed up. For $7 a night they were offered a tour, a room in a house with hot water and several hours of electricity.

Mr. Sanday is determined to prevent the kind of commercial pressures on temple sites that has dogged Angkor over many years. He said he thinks the authorities are behind him. “The ministry has set out clear zoning rules which dictate the position and size of new building and plans to create a new road that bypasses the temple,” he said.

The Culture Ministry’s heritage police will soon take charge of security. Only then might the return of the original bas-reliefs be possible under an agreement between the culture minister, the Global Heritage Fund and Unesco. That agency’s Teruo Jinnai, for one, welcomed the idea, provided “the security situation meets international requirements.”

It should happen. The return of these priceless bas-reliefs would demonstrate a new spirit of cooperation among those concerned with safeguarding Cambodian heritage. It could also send a clear message to those of ill intent to keep their hands off Banteay Chhmar.

Source: Mr. Robert Turnbull, The New York Times

Cambodia Tourism Law To Regulate Industry

The Cambodia National Assembly on April 29, 2009 approved a new draft tourism law, tightening industry regulations as part of efforts to increase security and crack down on rogue operators, officials said.

"Our tourism industry is growing fast, and we need to have a law making the industry accountable," Sam Prumnear, a Secretary of State at the Ministry of Tourism, told lawmakers Wednesday. "The police will take control of [implementing the law] relating to the sex industry and human exploitation."

Tourism Minister Thong Khon said that around 30 percent of tourism-related businesses did not hold government licences, and that such operators would be given three months from the implementation of the law to register with the government.

Thong Khon added that the general situation of the industry at popular tourist spots was good, but that new rural destinations - especially a string of villages between Siem Reap and Kampong Thom offering home stays to foreign tourists - were still a concern. "There is a need for a public-awareness campaign, and the participation of citizens will help the tourism industry keep growing," he said.

However, opposition leader Sam Rainsy expressed concerns over widespread corruption in the tourism industry and appealed for lawmakers to give at least one year for poor tourism businesses to apply for licences. "Because of the lack of information about the law, smaller businesses will not have enough time to apply for licences within three months," he said.

Foreign tourist arrivals to Cambodia dropped 3.4 percent in the first quarter of 2009, falling to 622,288 from 644,205 in the same period in 2008, according to Ministry of Tourism statistics.

Cambodia Tourism - Arrivals down 3.4 percent in first quarter of 2009

Latest figures up to March confirm that the sector is in decline as Vietnamese surpass South Koreans as top visitors to the Kingdom.

The Ministry of Tourism on Thursday reported a 3.4percent drop in foreign arrivals in the first quarter of 2009.

Kong Sopheareak, director of the ministry’s Statistics and Information Department, said 622,288 foreigners arrived in Cambodia during the first three months of the year, compared with 644,205 during the same period last year.

The quarter-on-quarter comparison also revealed that Vietnam replaced South Korea as the biggest source of visitors to Cambodia.

The number of Vietnamese arrivals increased by 49 percent, from 53,386 during the first quarter of 2008 to 79,724 in 2009.The number of South Korean arrivals fell from 97,536 during the first quarter of 2008 to 62,633 in 2009.

The number of Japanese arrivals also fell markedly, from 54,149 to 41,745, while the number of American visitors changed only slightly, from 47,612 to 46,616.

The number of arrivals form Thailand fell from 40,611 in 2008 to 27,050 in 2009, making it the eighth-largest supplier of visitors to the Kingdom.

“We have seen that tourists from Vietnam during this quarter have increased, while Thailand has been the opposite,” Kong Sopheareak said.

Both Kong Sopheareak and Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, said the overall decline was insignificant and paled in comparison to decline seen in other countries, particularly elsewhere in Southeast Asia.

“I don’t really think it is a big problem for us,” Ang Kim Eang said.

“We are in a stable situation, even though there will be a slight increase in unemployment in the sector. If tourism dropped between 20 and 30 percent, that would be a big problem that we would care about.”

He said that the country’s political stability was a big factor in its ability to keep visitor number fairly level.

Minister of Tourism Thong Khon said he was encouraged that the sector did not rely solely on arrivals from Thailand.

“Now, Vietnam is the main tourism source for us,” he said.

Looking ahead, he said the ministry planned to target potential visitors in countries that had not been significantly affected by the financial crisis as well as to promote the Kingdom’s ecotourism destinations.

“We will also try to make it easier for tourists to make it through border checkpoints, especially from nearby countries,” he said.

Air traffic

Local media reported last week that the number of visitors passing through Phnom Penh International Airport dropped by 12.5 percent in the first quarter of 2009, while Siem Reap International Airport experienced a drop of 26 percent.

Mao Havannall, a secretary of state at the State Secretariat of Civil Aviation (SSCA), said he did not believe the decline was so dramatic but that he could not provide exact figures.

“My point of view is that the airline industry won’t really be affected much because everyone needs airlines,” he said.

Kao Sivorn, director of flight operations at the SSCA, also said he believed air traffic had declined somewhat but not to the extent reported in local media.

For example, he said, airlines that typically offered five flights a week might have dropped down to four.

He also said the recent state of emergency declared in Bangkok had not significantly affected the number of travellers arriving form there, adding that Bangkok Airways did not cancel a single flight.

Cambodias Underwater World - Taking the plunge in Cambodia

Discovering the Kingdom’s underwater world may be easier than you think

Perhaps Cambodia’s best-kept secret is the underwater world around Sihanoukville. Whether you are an experienced diver eager to clock in additional dives or a beginner interested in checking the sport out, the Kingdom has a number of dive shops to help you organize your date with diving.

Most of the dive operators in Cambodia have set up shop in Sihanoukville because of its proximity to dive sites, which are about two to five hours away by boat from the port of Sihanoukville depending on the weather and water conditions.

Koh Rong Samloem (two hours from Sihanoukville) offers visibility of up to 10 to 15 metres on a good day.

Scuba Nation, which opened its doors in 2002 with offices in both Phnom Penh and Sihanoukville, is the pioneer of Cambodia’s diving industry.

Partners Vicky Leah and Gerard Leenan have 32 years of diving experience between them and, after surveying what Cambodia has to offer, decided to open their own dive shop in Sihanoukville.

“We came to Cambodia on holiday and saw there was no organised diving. We spent six months checking out the reefs before deciding to open Scuba Nation,” said Leah.

New kid on the block The Dive Shop Cambodia opened in Sihanoukville in December 2007.

The Dive Shop is owned by two Germans, Rudy Schmittlein and Irfan Arndt, who have dived in numerous exotic locations around the world before stumbling upon Cambodia. Taken by the beauty of the country, they both decided to settle down in Sihanoukville and capitalize on the surrounding is lands’ virtually untouched dive sites.

Eco-Sea Dive and a smaller operator Frogman Dive Center also operate out of Sihanoukville.

Both Scuba Nation and The Dive Shop Cambodia have been accredited by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) and have been awarded National Geographic Dive Centre status.

Those interested in diving in Cambodia’s southwestern-most province close to the Thai-Cambodian border can venture out to Koh Kong.

Initially operating out of a small dive.

IN EVERYTHING WE DO, WE ALWAYS TRY TO LOOK FOR ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY OPTIONS.”

Centre in Koh Tao, Thailand, Alan Andrew and Robert Rhemrev opened Impian Divers in Koh Kong in December 2008. Both have certifications from PADI.

Challenges

As Cambodia’s diving industry is not even a decade old, many dive operators face numerous challenges.

Leah admits her frustration over the lack of skilled personnel but it hopeful that with training and encouragement this will change.

The crews of Scuba Nation’s two dive boats are local, and the operation’s owner Leenan is quite pleased with their performance.

The Dive Shop Cambodia is proud to have trained Cambodia’s first dive instructor.

Schmittlein and Arndt encouraged a local from Koh Rong Samloem to take advanced courses in diving to enable him to move from the dive master level to the dive instructor level. They now hope that this will inspire more locals to pursue the sport and realize what career opportunities diving can offer.

Proper conservation and responsible diving are two causes that bigger operators such as Scuba Nation and The Dive Shop Cambodia are trying to champion by being Go-Eco Operators and active members of Project Aware, an environmental project of PADI.

“In everything we do, we always look for the environmentally friendly option,” said Leah.

After research trips to Indonesia and Malaysia to study methods of reef restoration, Scuba Nation has recently anchored the first trial artificial reef close to the islands off the southwestern coast of Cambodia.

“Although the reefs in Cambodia are generally healthy, there is some cause for concern due to rising sea temperatures, pollution and the residual effects of dynamite fishing. Our trial artificial reefs are situated in different areas and depths and use supports of different heights to ascertain the optimum height, current and depth for growth of coral,” Leah said, estimating that in three months the trial should provide her with enough data to successfully create larger permanent artificial reefs.

One of the projects initiated by Schmittlein and Arndt from The Dive Shop include beach and marine cleanup days.

They are also raising funds for a school near Koh Rong Samloem, the area where they do most of their diving.

The Dive Shop Cambodia hopes to establish a long-term relationship with the school so the students develop and appreciation for the unique environment they are in and learn about sustainable livelihood.

“We hope to be able to demonstrate to local people and to the government the benefits that tourism can bring, and encourage them to fish in ways that will help retain as much of Cambodia’s wonderful marine life as possible,” said Schmittlein.

Cambodia’s Jungle Refuge a hit with Ecotourists

Koh Kong is becoming a magnet for travellers seeking something a little off the beaten track

Cambodia’s southwestern province of Koh Kong is fast becoming a magnet for intrepid ecotourists eager to explore the region’s vast array of flora and fauna in a remote part of the Kingdom once bypassed by the majority of travellers.

Koh Kong, a region often seen as merely a passageway to the Thai border, is home to lush virgin rainforests, waterfalls, mountains, crystal-clear rivers and kilometer upon kilometer of undeveloped coastline and islands.

The region has enjoyed relative sanctuary from poachers and loggers. This is no accident as the local communities have been working together with various NGOs and government agencies to preserve one of Cambodia’s most pristine regions.

Located 7 kilometers from Koh Kong city, Pream Krasop Wildlife Sanctuary is a 25,897-hectare protected zone established in 1993 to conserve one of the world’s last intact coastal mangrove forests.

The local community of Boeung Kayak, in partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the Cambodian government, has endeavoured to make the mangrove forest an environmentally friendly and sustainable tourist site.

For a nominal fee of 5,000 riels (US$1.22) for foreign nationals or 3,000 riels for Cambodians, visitors can meander through the mangroves on a shady 1-kilometre stretch of locally built, Robinson Crusoe-like walkways and suspension bridges.

At one point, a 15-metre viewing platform emerges, uncovering a stunning view of faraway mountains, while below the platform local fisherman harvest green mussels in the shallow waterways of an estuary.

The same fishermen offer boat rides, which provide an entirely new perspective of Pream Krasop’s mangrove system from a small canoe-like wooden vessel.

A chartered boat costs $25 and usually includes a trip to an old fishing village deep in the forest where fresh local seafood and vegetables can be purchased and prepared, or a trip along the coastline to search for various types of sea birds, fish and even dolphins.

“Everything you see here was built by local villagers and is maintained by local people. We sell the crabs to some of the restaurants in town, and catch fish and small squid to sell or to make kapei,” said a local fisherman known simply as Chea.

Kapei is Koh Kong’s unique version of prahok – a thick, pungent, plum-coloured fish paste, which can be eaten with rice, vegetables or sour fruit.

Tatai Waterfall

Tatai waterfall is another protected area 20 kilometres east of Koh Kong city. The turnoff to the fall passes a police checkpoint where officers act as both law enforcement officials and part-time park rangers.

Depending on the amount of recent rainfall, visitors can clamber over massive rock shelves, take picnics next to the falls or simply cool off under the thundering cascades of clear mountain water, streaming fresh from the Cardamon mountains.

Rainbow Lodge is Koh Kong’s only eco-lodge, one of only two in Cambodia, the second of which is located in Ratanakkiri.

Owned by the friendly and down-to-earth barrister-turned-green business owner, Janet Newman, the lodge is located on a quiet, verdant patch of jungle overlooking the Tatai river.

The lodge can only be reached by boat and was built in 2008 using local labour – and whenever possible, local materials. It is powered almost entirely by solar panels and staffed by locals from the Tatai region.

“When I was researching how to build and eco-lodge, I learned that the most environmentally damaging structure is one that is built in a straight line, which forces people to make multiple paths directly to the building,” Newman said.

“This is why the bungalows here are laid out in a rainbow formation, this way each bungalow has a great view of the forest and the river,” she added.

For $50 a night, guests receive three meals a day, including a three-course dinner in the evening with different options for starters, mains and dessert.

Local involvement

“I buy all the food here locally at the markets,” Newman said, adding that this way she can provide the freshest food for guests while still supporting the local community.

During the day, Rainbow Lodge guests can swim in the peaceful, slow-moving Tatai river, take boats and kayaks out on the river or take small nature walks around the property to enjoy the greenery and the ever-present and brightly coloured butterflies and birds.

The lodge also offers day trips to the Tatai waterfalls, guided treks and boat trips to a set of rapids one hour up stream from the bungalows.

There is also the option of spending the night deep in the forest, and while this may seem daunting to some, the opportunity to dine on local produce under the stars is one not to be missed.

The rapids offer a perfect example of the serenity and pristine nature of Koh Kong.

Virtually deserted, the rapids are made up of a jumble of huge boulders in the river that cause the water to pool and form a small lake before tumbling over the rocks and down the river.

Visitors can picnic on the small beach nearby, sunbathe on the large rocks or swim in the pure, natural pools with only the sounds of running water and chirping birds to be heard.

“I think I give visitors a lot of independence. People can do pretty much whatever they want during the day. However, the only thing I’m pretty adamant about is that people do not at tempt to go trekking in the forest without a guide,” Newman said, adding that people sometimes underestimate the fact that they’re in a jungle and it’s just way too easy to get lost or hurt.

The road to Koh Kong is now in good condition and can be accessed from Phnom Penh by bus with the Virak Bunthan bus company, or by share taxis, both of which take about five to six hours.

Alternatively, travellers can also reach Koh Kong from Sihanoukville by bus (five hours) or boat (four hours).

To contact Koh Kong’s Rainbow Lodge, call 099 744 321, or check out its website at www.rainbowlodgecambodia.com

Kep - The Emerging Cambodia's Beach Destination

In Cambodia, where a decade-long tourism boom has been driven almost entirely by safe and easy access to the ancient Angkor Wat temples, the rebirth of a seaside resort town is helping lure visitors to the country’s long-neglected coastline.

The sleepy town of Kep on the southeast coast has been earmarked as Cambodia’s first boutique tourism destination, but for now it bears few of the characteristics of the countless backpacker Meccas and resorts scattered throughout Southeast Asia.

Tourist numbers have surged in recent years, but this town of just a few thousand people has maintained its unhurried, pastoral character. Unlike Sihanoukville, a lively huddle of guesthouses, bars and nightclubs on the central coast, Kep seems to be taking a relaxed path towards developing its tourism sector.

But with its lush rainforests, crystalline waters and bountiful seafood, Kep is finding that the tourists don’t need much encouragement. A three-hour drive from the capital Phnom Penh, Kep has become a favorite weekend retreat for expatriates and Cambodia’s burgeoning middle class.

The town is only 20 minutes from a recently opened Vietnamese border crossing, making it a perfect place to say hello or goodbye to Cambodia.

"They told us to expect fewer tourists in Cambodia this year," a local taxi driver says. "But more and more come here every week, to see the mountains and the caves, and of course, to eat."

Kep’s famous crabs were among the many treasures that helped the town become a playground for Cambodia’s French rulers in the early 20th century. Along with former king and independence leader Norodom Sihanouk, the French elite built dozens of mansions in the hills along the coastline and sailed their yachts in the protected waters in the Gulf of Thailand.

But like many regions in Cambodia, Kep was ravaged by the United States’ secret bombing campaign during the Indochinese War, and was forcibly evacuated during the Khmer Rouge’s 1975-1979 rule. The ultra-communist group considered the town a symbol of bourgeois hedonism and colonial oppression, and destroyed most of its infrastructure.

Kep lay dormant for more than a decade, and the scars of its troubled past are still visible among the poor local population and neglected amenities. The seaside villas left standing have become overgrown with vines and tree trunks, and now only the smallest of fishing boats dock in the once-bustling port.

But Kep’s striking beauty has not paled despite years of conflict, neglect and civil war. Guesthouses and hotels catering to all budgets have been built along the coast, including the exclusive Knai Banh Chatt hotel, which boasts views of the imposing Bokor Mountain from its infinity pool.

While the town has no beach and is separated from the sea by a strip of coarse red stones, a cheap 30 minute boat ride to Koh Thonsay — known as Rabbit Island — reveals one of Cambodia’s pristine beaches. Budget accommodation is compulsory, as the island’s only available beds are housed in palm-wood bungalows, which can be rented for between $7 and $10 per night.

The bungalows’ power generators are switched off at 10 p.m., and as the fluorescent lights along the beach fade, a spectacular night sky is revealed.

But Kep’s greatest attraction may well be the variety of seafood on offer in the restaurants and stalls downtown. Crabs cooked with local pepper sell for between $3 and $10, and grilled fish on skewers cost less than $5. For the more adventurous, or less eco-conscious, grilled seahorse is also available.

Driving past the various building sites, road workers and bulldozers on the road out of town, one gets the impression that the place is on the verge of a tourism storm. So as travellers look for cheaper tropical escapes in South-East Asia, now might be the time to experience Kep and beat the rush.

Ratanakkiri - Northeastern Cambodia as an alternative destination for tourist

Extensive construction work to build and pave roads in Cambodia’s northeast includes plans to build a bridge across the Sre Pok River to connect Ratanakkiri and Mondolkiri provinces, according to provincial officials.

The feasibility and environmental impact are still being studied for a $3 million bridge to be built along National Road 76 across the Sre Pok River in Ratanakkiri’s Lumphat district that will connect with Mondolkiri’s Koh Nheak district, according to So Samnang, Director of the Provincial Public Works and Transportation department.

He said the bridge, which would be built by the Chinese company China Road Bridge Corporation, was part of plans to make the region’s roads more accessible for tourists and to improve the transportation of agricultural products.

“If the road construction is finished, it will attract many more tourists to Ratanakkiri from Vietnam,” he said. Vietnam, according to Tourism Ministry statistics, has been the foremost source of tourists to Cambodia so far this year.

Overall, So Samnang said, about 70 km of National Road 78 between the provincial capital of Banlung and the Vietnam border is being paved in work paid for by a $20 million loan from the Vietnamese government.

Another project – paving 118 km of the same road between Stung Treng province and Banlung – will be managed by the Chinese company Shanghai Construction, So Samnang added. He said the project will cost $70 million – paid for by a loan from China – and will begin later this year.

Tra Nuth Sean, Director of the Provincial Tourism department, said the roadwork was part of the government’s plan to promote northeastern Cambodia as an alternative destination for tourist after the temples of Angkor and the coast.

“I predict that, in the next 20 years, Ratanakkiri will receive as many tourists as other tourist-attracting provinces because the government is now promoting the province,” he said.

As the Ratanakkiri airport is not operational, the only way to travel to Ratanakkiri is by road, making smoother transportation key to promoting tourism, Tra Nuth Sean said.

About 19,000 foreigners visited the province in 2008, he said, ranking it the fourth-most popular tourist destination in Cambodia behind Siem Reap, Phnom Penh, and the coast.

Phu Quoc – Viet Nam’s Hidden Gem

Beaches to dream of ever after are not easy to find these days. Some 30 years ago, there were some romantic beaches on Phuket Island and Koh Samui, and the secluded beaches from Sihanoukville in Cambodia are just now getting to be developed. In Viet Nam, the long sandy beaches of Da Nang's China Beach and the palm-fringed beaches in Nah Trang are well known since the infamous Viet Nam War, but did you ever hear about Phu Quoc or have you even be there?

Phu Quoc is a new emerging island paradise at the outmost Southwest of Viet Nam near the Cambodian border. Actually, Phu Quoc consists of 26 islands and belongs to Kien Giang Province, which is part of the vast Mekong Delta. With its population of approximately 85,000, Phu Quoc is the name of the largest island with an area of 573 square kilometres (similar to Singapore). Besides a myriad of beautiful unspoilt beaches, the mountainous island is home to Phu Quoc National Park, which boasts a rare flora and fauna of original tropical rainforest. That is why Phu Quoc is also called “Emerald Island” - in contrast to the “Golden Island” Hainan, better known as the Hawaii of China, where the original forests are long gone already.

Situated in the Gulf of Thailand, Phu Quoc is some 45km west of Ha Tien on the Vietnamese mainland and only 15km south of the coast of Cambodia. In former times, Phu Quoc was a Cambodian island named Koh Tral. Nowadays, Phu Quoc is well known for its high-quality fish sauce and boasts arguably some of the best seafood in Viet Nam. Fishing is still the main industry on the island, but there are more and more plantations coming up to produce the highest quality pepper. Another distinctive feature of Phu Quoc is its native dog, which was originally a wild dog and only later domesticated. With a line of spirals running on the back, its unusually sharp teeth and razor-like claws are remarkable.

My plan to survey Phu Quoc was confirmed, when I had met GM Alban Mangione during ATF2009 in Ha Noi, who manages Chen La Resort & Spa on the island. As he had invited me to come down to inspect his property, I had the chance to take Vietnam Airlines Flight VN481 (52USD/per seat) from Ho Chi Minh City to Duong Dong in the early afternoon on January 20. After more than an hour flight, I landed at the small domestic airport (served by ATR 72) and headed straight north for 10km to Ong Lang Bay on a motor taxi to reach the resort in beautiful and tranquil setting.

The resort’s 24 villa rooms face the dramatically blue ocean and give the feeling to get away from it all. Incidentally, it was the night where the new American president was inaugurated! At a bar near the beach it was possible to play the Internet. Also, there were a cosy restaurant, small swimming pool, tennis court and 5 open rooms for spa and massages. A taxi speedboat (12USD p.p.) connects to Duong Dong. Constructions to enlarge the property with another 13 villas are on the way and it seems obvious that the resort has a rosy future (see at www.chenla-resort.com).

Duong Dong (“place of the poplar”) is the administrative capital of Phu Quoc Island and is nestled along a river with the same name. Fishing boats and sail junks a-bound and serve the central market with fresh seafood on a daily basis, while vegetables, fruit, and other consumer goods are carried from the mainland. To be near the people and inspect the cultural sites of the island, I changed residence to be near the fishing port, which is overshadowed by a Cao Dai (“Holy Eye”) sanctuary.

Astonishingly, Viet Nam has a diverse mix of religions, including Ancestor Worship, Taoism, Confucianism, Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam. The dominant religion seems to be Buddhism, but Christianity is also strong as a result of decades of French colonial rule. Interesting to note is that Cao Daism is a mixture of all the existing world religions – founded in 1926 by Ngo Minh Chieu and now flourishing with an estimated 2 million followers, mainly in the populous Mekong Delta.

First of all, I stayed one night in the Sasco Blue Lagoon Resort & Spa, which is getting modernised under Singaporean management (see at www.sasco-bluelagoon-resort.com). The 75-room resort seemed to be busy with affluent Russians and is just next to the luxury 4-star Sai Gon-Phu Quoc Resort & Spa, which is the centre of the island's booming tourism industry, with visiting Europeans and Vietnamese alike. There is an ATM machine, accepting all kind of credit cards. From this balcony, overlooking the Pacific, with its 90 bungalows and suites, the 20km white sandy Bai Long Beach stretches further south (see at www.sgphuquocresort.com.vn). When the annual “Tet” Festival arrived on January 25, Chief Marketing Officer James Doan Anh Phuc kindly invited me to the resort’s New Year Party, which featured local zither music, a sticky rice cake baking demonstration and a fierce beer-drinking contest.

Along the beach, it is easy to reach other properties by walking, such as the newly opened “la veranda” – Accor’s Grand Mercure Resort & Spa. Its 43 rooms and villas, including 6 suites in a colonial-style ambience, reflect the new pride of the island – just 3km away from the airport (see at www.laverandaresort.com).

Over seafood (mussel) dinner in a tropical garden setting, GM Nicolas Josi revealed that sightseeing options on the island are countless. Also, the island itself is calling for brave investors.

The rest of the quiet island days, I stayed in the centrally located Voi Vong Guesthouse, from where it was easy to walk downtown to explore Duong Dong’s important temples, such as Sung Hung Co Tu, a huge park-like area, where a spotless white statue of Kwan Am is venerated. Not to be missed are the ancestral shrines of Dinh Than Duong Dong in town and Dinh Cau, which is right near the busy port. Both temples tell intriguing stories about the earliest Vietnamese settlers of Phu Quoc Island.

Another tour takes tourists to the South to visit a famous pearl farm at Duong To Village, operated by New Zealander Grant Johnston. Some 32km south from Duong Dong Airport, you arrive in An Thoi, port and gateway to a bunch of islands, which are good for coral reef diving. An Thoi houses a big Christian church and offers a busy fish market. Also, there is the former Cay Dua colonial prison with a characteristic French architecture that was rebuilt in 1967 to jail Communist rebels. Today it is a tourist spot.

Coming to the eastern side of the island, tourists like to visit Bai Sao Beach, where Robinson comes alive. Already, there are 10 wooden bungalows to rent for 10USD each and a scenic seafood restaurant. The tour also touches down at Ham Ninh fishing village, where sea turtles and the protected “dugong” will be regularly sighted in a respectively clean environment. A crab eating experience is in order. Coming back to Duong Dong, there will be a visit to a fish sauce factory, Sim winery, and to the lively Night Market.

A tour to the North of Phu Quoc includes a visit to Ganh Dau, where people worship at the shrine of Nguyen Trung Truc, a national anti-French hero (1838-1868), and stroll along newly reclaimed land.

Cape Ganh Dao is just 5km from the Vietnamese-Cambodian sea border and near Sihanoukville in Cambodia. A recommended seafood (shrimp) restaurant is called “Gio Bien” at one of the most romantic beaches. On the way back, tourists can enjoy the tropical rainforest and visit one of the pepper plantations.

Highly advertised is “night fishing” by heading to the sea for catching fish and squids. Being a fisherman for a short while, you find yourself at night on board a fishing boat. In the distant, you see the light from the other boats stretching out like on a pearl chain. The bait is usually a worm to attract the fish accordingly. When successful in your catch, you will realise that Phu Quoc is still Viet Nam’s hidden gem.

I left Phu Quoc on January 27 to return to Ho Chi Minh overland via the huge Mekong Delta. With a Cantho-Vinashin Passenger Boat (190.000Dong=11USD p.p.), I first went to Ha Tien on the mainland from the new ferry departure point of Bai Vong Beach in the East. I stayed there for two nights at the Duc Tai Hotel to survey the city near the newly opened international border gate to Cambodia.

After that, I took a minibus from Ha Tien to Rach Gia and Long Xuyen, from where I made a side trip to Oc-Eo in An Giang Province. From there, after one night at the small An Long Hotel, it was not far to reach the river town of My Tho, where I stayed for another night at the Huong Duong Hotel to see the recently inaugurated 9km long Rach Mieu Bridge. Built by Vietnamese, the modern bridge now connects Tien Giang and Ben Tre Provinces. Reaching the Moevenpick Hotel Sai Gon in Ho Chi Minh City on the evening of January 31, I left Viet Nam the next day.

The new modern bridge is a clear sign that the Mekong Delta will be strategically developed to upgrade infrastructure, including Phu Quoc Island. Last year, constructions at the new Phu Quoc International Airport have already kick-started and will be completed in 2020. It is projected that some 7 million passengers will pass its doors in 2030. With its natural and cultural potentials, as well as proper investment projects, Phu Quoc will be then at the core centre of economy and tourism in the ASEAN region.

Travel Story by: Reinhard Hohler, GMS Media

Philippine tourism prepares to fly further as a world class destination as the country

Philippine tourism prepares to fly further as a world class destination as the country develops birdwatching sites for the 200 birds which are endemic to the Philippines.

Scenic locations have always been the country’s foremost tourist attraction. Over the years, these natural resources have also been the reason why the Philippines has attracted a new set of visitors; it is an asset that has the potential to enhance the country’s tourism numbers.

As one of the most naturally blessed countries in the world, Philippines is surrounded by pristine beaches, breathtaking peaks, and other gorgeous sites. It’s undeniable that philippines charm comes from having multiple destinations, as it can cater to every tourist’s individual interests.

CATCHING VISITORS

A province in Pampanga has been receiving growing numbers of tourists vying to get a glimpse of its unique avian visitors. Serving as a temporary home to numerous migratory birds, the 32,000 hectares of wetlands in Candaba Marsh has been catching the attention of the bird watching public.

The wetland is primarily composed of freshwater ponds and swamps and marshes with surrounding areas of grasslands and rice fields. Candaba Marsh regularly supports thousands of birds, especially during the months of October to April.

About 60 bird species abound in the area, including the Philippine Duck, garganeys, Northern Pintail, Noerthen Shoveler, and egrets. The number and variety of avian species have been delighting guests and giving rise to the popularity of bird watching in the country.

BIRDS’ “I” VIEW

Bird watching can be considered a relatively new hobby in the country but not in other parts of the world. The relaxing activity is very popular in the west, especially in European countries.

Called “birders,” bird watchers travel to different parts of the world for the chance to see specific species of birds. Aside from having binoculars and long lenses for their cameras, birders also bring with them a checklist of birds that they want to see as they enthusiastically go on adventures to different destinations for their passion.

Bird watching can be considered the aerial counterpart of scuba diving. The birders get a sense of fulfillment as they get to see, in the flesh, species of birds that they saw only in books and websites—just as scuba divers enjoy the marine biodiversity of our oceans.

“We have a total number of 600 species of birds in the country. What’s exciting about it is, 200 of those are endemic birds. They can only be found here in the Philippines,” said the Department of Tourism’s (DoT) Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque as he marveled at the avian species in Candaba.

“At first, I was already amazed by the number of birds in plain view in the area. But with the use of binoculars, I saw the peaceful creatures up close. Watching them closely and noticing the details of the colors on their feathers is truly an enthralling feeling,” added the undersecretary as he shared his thoughts on his first experience with bird watching.

THE MARKET

The number of endemic birds in the country in itself serves as a very big draw for tourism. The Philippines has more endemic birds per square meter compared to the Amazon and the estimated number of bird watchers in the world is 8 million.

Jarque emphasized that “the UK has the most numbers of bird watchers; there are so many birders in that one country alone. There’s still a lot more in places such as London and nearby European countries. The market is really that big, that’s why I believe that Candaba has a very big potential in terms of attracting international tourists.”

But Candaba is not only being promoted to the international market but to local tourists as well. “The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines, the first bird watching organization of the country, has reported a rapid growth in members and has been receiving a lot of inquiries. This shows how Filipinos are catching up on the hobby and are keen on appreciating the new attractions of the country,” remarked Jarque.

“With its proximity to Manila and [its] unique ambiance, I know that Candaba will be one of the provinces in the country that Filipinos will definitely enjoy,” he noted.

FROM ATTRACTION TO DESTINATION

Having recently celebrated its second Ibon Ebon festival, which is one of the most original celebrations in the country, Candaba is all set for further progress in the coming years.

The dance and festival reflect the culture of Candaba and has produced one of the most striking and original dances and parades the country has seen in years: the bird dance.

The province’s visionary mayor, Jerry Pelayo, announced the development in the province of a 500 million-peso ecopark at the heart of an 18,000 square meter swamp. For the province, it is not enough to just attract tourists; they also want tourists to have a full unique experience of Candaban culture.

“An attraction is not a destination; of course it’s a start and a good way to attract tourists. But the Department of Tourism is strongly encouraging projects such as that of Candaba wherein an attraction evolves into something deeper. The migratory birds will not just be a part of what people can see in the province but also the culture, the local food, the ambiance, and heritage sites will make the people stay and develop it from an attraction to a full-fledged destination,” concluded Jarque.

Thailand is ready to host TTM+ 2009

Thailand Travel Mart Plus the Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+):
The Biggest Travel Business to Business Opportunity

With cooperation between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai tourism industry, Thailand has the honour to annually host the largest B2B event ‘Thailand Travel Mart Plus the Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+).

The event, first organized in 2001, has the uttermost objective to promote the tourism and service business in Thailand and its Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) counterparts. Small and medium entrepreneurs (SMEs) have also been supported on the international stage with their products on offer. The major markets include Europe, South East Asia, Eastern Asia, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as emerging ones; such as, the CIS countries, Eastern Europe, Middle East, South America, and South Africa.

In 2008, the Thailand Travel Mart Plus welcomed 440 delegate buyers from 60 countries including Thailand, an increase of 26.5% over the previous year. Participants were encouraged to meet 388 travel organisations and related service operators from Thailand and the GMS countries, featuring 67% from hotels and resorts, 12% from travel agents and tour operators, 10% from companies from the GMS, IMTGT, and NTOs, and 11% from other travel services; such as, airlines, ecotourism and adventure operators, golf courses, wellness and spa centres, as well as entertainment venues, theme parks, and culture shows.

For the year 2009, the Thailand Travel Mart Plus is scheduled to be held on 3-7 June. A briefing for buyers and sellers, together with on-site appointments between operators and patrons, will be arranged on the opening day at Central World’s Bangkok Convention Centre.

The last four days of the event will take place at the Challenger Hall, Muang Thong Thani Impact Arena Exhibition and Convention Centre. 4-5 June will be trade days, focusing on trade and business talks among operators and participants. 6-7 June will be consumer days for the general public, as well as post-tour days for buyers and media.

From 5 January-31 March, 2009, TAT is pleased to invite applicants from all over the world to be one of 300 delegate buyers in the Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2009.

Applications for participation can be submitted at www.thailandtravelmartplus.com. Alternatively, TAT overseas offices are open for application by invitation.

In the same period, application forms for 400 booths are available for travel operators and service businesses across Thailand and the GMS countries. The 10 business categories arranged for the event are eco and adventure, wellness and spa, airlines, Greater Mekong Subregion, tour operators and travel agents, hotels and resorts, golf courses, entertainment venues/ theme parks/ culture shows, NTOs and associations, and other travel services. Application forms can be submitted online at www.thailandtravelmartplus.com.

Moreover, TAT welcomes local and international media to take part in this event to help promote tourism in Thailand and the GMS countries.

THAILAND WAIVES VISA FEE AS PART OF DRIVE TO REVIVE TOURISM

Continuing its efforts to expedite the revival of the Thai travel and tourism industry, the Royal Thai government has agreed to exempt the fee for tourist visa applications for a three month period, effective 5 March, 2009 to 4 June, 2009.

Thailand presently gives Visa on Arrival for citizens of 20 countries for a stay not exceeding 15 days. Citizens of another 42 countries are allowed a visa-free stay in Thailand not over 30 days. Those who wish to stay longer than those periods have to apply for visas at the Thai embassies or diplomatic missions abroad before their arrival in Thailand.

Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva is personally spearheading efforts to revive the tourism industry and boost the country’s competitive position to offset the impact of the global financial crisis.

Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn, TAT Governor said “The support we are getting from the highest levels of the Royal Thai government is a clear indication that Thai travel and tourism is back to business with excellent deals and marketing support for our friends in the travel trade.

“Thailand is and continues to be a wonderful diverse tourism destination with great beaches, food, spas, hotels, nature, sports and smiles. We are welcome all visitors around the world.”

On 3 February, 2009, Thai Cabinet approved a visa exemption scheme for transit passengers through Suvarnabhumi International Airport who must wait long hours to catch a connecting flight. The waiver will allow transit passengers to temporarily leave the airport premises on a short visit or to shop at places near the airport without a visa.

Each year Thailand welcomed a thousand of transit passengers daily, many of whom must stay at the airport for up to eight hours.

In 2009, TAT is conservatively expecting 14 million visitor arrivals, with tourism revenue projected at 505 billion baht (US$14.46 billion).

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

THAILAND-MYANMAR JOIN HANDS IN PROMOTING THE “BUDDHIST CIRCUIT”

With the ASEAN member countries having agreed to develop the Buddhist Circuit/Pilgrimage Tourism for ASEAN and India, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is positive that this will be another great effort which will encourage all members to work together in close cooperation in tourism promotion and marketing within ASEAN.

Therefore, to ensure that the set objectives are achieved, TAT has been actively working on this project. The Union of Myanmar is one of the pilot countries with whom TAT is keen to join hands in promoting the “Buddhist Circuit”. Apart from having participated in the seminar held during 24-28 August, 2008, in the Union of Myanmar, TAT recently organized an educational trip covering the Bangkok-Chiang Rai-Thachilek-Kengtung-Bagan-Yangon-Bangkok route during 17-21 February, 2009. A total of 22 participants including representatives from the Tourism Council of Thailand (TCT), the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA), the Chiang Rai Tourism Society, as well as travel writers, took part in the trip which was headed by Mr Suraphon Svetasreni, TAT Deputy Governor for Policy and Planning.

This educational trip was not only part of the “Buddhist Circuit” route survey, but was also an opportunity for the Thai private sector and travel writers to meet and exchange information with their counterparts.

Fruitful results of the Thailand-Myanmar Buddhist Circuit packages and other tourism promotion and marketing activities are another step forward that both Thailand and Myanmar expect following the trip.

In addition to the hosting of the Buddhism Pilgrimage documentary film production team from India scheduled next, both countries are optimistic and look forward to welcoming increased cooperation from other ASEAN members who might wish to join the ASEAN-India Buddhist Tourism Circuit and contribute to its future development.

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

An Interview with Dr. Thong Khon, Minister of Tourism, Cambodia

Figures suggest that the global economic crisis has already hit Cambodia’s tourism sector, but Tourism Minister Thong Khon says there is no need for the travel industry to start panicking

In an interview with the Post, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon reflects on the further development of Cambodia's tourism sector during what will be a difficult period, given that many potential travellers in the West are now suffering from the financial crisis. With the tourism sector already showing signs it has been hit, Cambodia is now trying to develop strategies to deal with the slump, the minister says.

What strategies and plans do you have for developing the tourism sector in Cambodia during the global financial crisis?
First we must find out the effect of the global financial crisis as clearly as possible. We know that the financial crisis is having a negative affect on the income of travellers in many countries.

The income of people in the United States and in Europe has also been affected, which shortens their trips. There was a decline in the number of tourists in Europe in 2008, and this problem has also spread to Asia.

Seeing the above problem, we have decided to choose strategies to attract tourists in the region during this year and the future. This does not mean that we will forget tourists from the US and Europe.

The first thing we have to do is boost the number of regional tourists by introducing a simple travelling process for them, including the facilitation of visa documents for getting in and out of Cambodia.... We have already highlighted the need for visas with countries like Vietnam, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Brunei.

It is only Thailand and Indonesia that we have not dealt with yet. We will solve this problem by 2010. Apart from that, we are also trying to facilitate transportation services by allowing automobiles to cross the border for one week by just showing a valid customs document. We want to let in 150 automobiles, both passenger carriers and goods vehicles, from countries that have land borders with us so that travellers can cross the border, in and out of our country, every day.

We also haven't forgotten to boost cheap flights that connect to the region.

To what extent can the above perspective help increase visitors to Cambodia?
According to our ... strategies as mentioned above, we hope that there will be more travellers. We expect to increase the number of tourists by five percent to seven percent on top of the 2.15 million visitors we received in 2008.

On what basis can you make such projections?
We will create a competition system for the most beautiful and clean cities and resorts to attract visitors. In the meantime, we will also expand advertising for two new products ... the dolphin site in Kratie province and the mangrove forest in Koh Kong province - to overseas travellers because we know that tourists at present like visiting environmental resorts and they like to help reduce poverty.

In two years, we will try our best to make Siem Reap a town free of flies, highlight commission payments and increase the quality of food to an acceptable level.

From which countries does Cambodia plan to attract visitors to ensure an increase during the financial crisis period?
Our new targets include the Middle East and Russia because these countries have not been affected by the global financial crisis very much.

We will have a memorandum of understanding agreement with Kuwait, and then we will soon expand our advertising into Kuwaiti markets. We expect to get at least 50,000 visitors from Kuwait every year. Similarly, we also wish to boost advertising to attract visitors from Russia by encouraging direct flights from such countries to Cambodia.
Moreover, we plan to also get tourists from Asean countries, China, Japan, Korea and India, too.

Has the ministry thought of building more hotels in such circumstances?
We believe that the global financial crisis will disturb our tourism sector for two years only, and that the sector will recover in 2011.

According to the tourism statistics we are getting now, we think that we need to build 1,000 extra hotels rooms every year.
And we will encourage the building of more hotels in certain areas such as Koh Kong and Kratie provinces where modern hotels do not exist yet.

Will the revenue and the number of people who work in this sector decrease or not?
In 2008, we received an income of about US$1.4 million from the tourism sector, and we expect $1.5 million in 2009. Also, the tourism sector has created jobs for about 300,000 people in Cambodia, and this figure may increase up to half a million people in the next five years. This is what we expect.

The first thing we have to do is boost the number of regional tourists.

Tourism Sector Stimulus

Following a meeting with the travel industry Friday to discuss strategies to help the industry weather the global financial storm, Tourism Minister Thong Khon will meet with Minister of Finance Keat Chhon today. The two ministries will decide whether the government coffers can withstand a host of proposals designed to stimulate the flagging tourism sector, among them the proposed scrapping of tourism visas, a measure that the industry has supported to boost traveller numbers. Nevertheless, US$20 travel visas are a lucrative source of state finances – more than two million tourists visited the Kingdom in 2008. Tourist-visa revenue was therefore more than $40 million last year, money that would be lost should travel visas be abolished. Other proposals include increasing flights and lowering Angkor Wat entry fees.

Cambodia: Government Mulls Tourism Stimulus

Governmnet and private travel companies proposed a host of incentive measures aimed at stimulating the tourism sector at a meeting in Phnom Penh on Friday, the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) said.

Ho Vandy, Co-chair of the Tourism Working Group, said that members of the private sector met with Tourism Minister Thong Khon to discuss the possibility of visa exemption for tourists along with a possible increase in flights from Bangkok to Siem Reap, among other initiatives.

Thong Khon will take these proposals to the Ministry of Economy and Finance on Wednesday, said Ho Vandy, to assess whether the measures are financially viable. bout two million tourists visit Cambodia per year with each required to buy a $20 visa.

Ho Vandy said incentive measures are urgent given the economic climate. "If the government doesn't take action ... we will face a serious problem in the tourism sector," he said.

Laos expects 1.8 million foreign visitors this year

Laos expects to welcome 1.8 million international arrivals by the end of 2009, earning about 270 million USD, the Lao National Tourism Administration (LNTA) said.

In order to reach the target, LNTA plans to coordinate with private tourist companies in carrying out tourism programmes and promotion activities, Vice Chairman of the administration Vang Rattanavong said recently.

In 2008, there were about 1.6 million international travelers to Laos, making a turnover of 235 million USD, the official added.

According to the Lao News Agency (KPL), over the past years, Laos has scaled up investments in infrastructure to make it more attractive in the eyes of foreigners, such as in upgrade of Louang Namtha airport, national road No. 3, construction of the second bridge over Mekong River linking Laos and Thailand, improvement of the nation’s telecommunications and tourism services as well as building new spots of tourist attractions.
Source: VNA

Mandarin Media Post-ATF2009 Tour held what it promised

The Sai Gon-Portland-Hue based company of Mandarin Media (MM) was successfully looking and recruiting some media delegates for a special press trip through Viet Nam after the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) held in Ha Noi last January. As the company represents a number of leading hospitality properties in Viet Nam, I was highly interested to join this trip and see more of Viet Nam than just its capital Ha Noi.

The dates of the trip were scheduled on January 13-20, 2009, and included one-night stops at the Moevenpick Ha Noi Hotel, Emeraude Classic Cruises in Ha Long Bay, and La Residence Hotel & Spa in Hue. The Life Heritage Resort and The Nam Hai in Hoi An followed, while the Caravelle and Moevenpick Hotels were visited in Ho Chi Minh City. As I wanted to spend more than one night in the Imperial City of Hue, I took the train from Ha Noi in the morning of January 13 (for just 10USD), only to join the press tour on January 15 in Hue.

The fascinating train trip from Ha Noi to Hue started on 10.05 to run first south through the heavily settled parts of the Red River Delta, then passing the provincial towns of Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Vinh, Dong Hoi and Quang Tri, and finally arrived in Hue at 2.15. From passengers, most of them Vietnamese, I learned that the 1727km long journey continued another day and night via Da Nang and Nha Trang to reach Sai Gon Railway Station in Ho Chi Minh City at 2.55.

As a long-stretched country along the South China Sea, Viet Nam has over 3,260km of coastline, but experiences several different tropical monsoon climate regions. Almost the size of Germany, Viet Nam has a population of over 85 million people, comprising 54 different ethnic groups, with the Kinh (or Viet) people in the absolute majority. All of the groups have their own culture, language, and customs. With a nearly 3,000 years old history, the Vietnamese are proud to overcome a 1,000 years lasting colonisation of China, but also having swallowed the ancient peoples and empires of the Cham and Khmer on their long march down from north to south.

Having explored the “water town” and citadel of Hue along the Perfume River for two days, I checked in at La Residence Hotel & Spa on January 15 to wait for the coming of the 8-headed press tour to arrive with the evening flight from Ha Noi. GM Carmen Marienberg from Waldshut/Germany gave me a hearty welcome and introduced me to the most luxurious boutique hotel in Hue, formerly the French governor’s residence, with its subtle and refined art deco design, as well as 122 rooms and suites.

When the press tour arrived in the evening, we all had an outstanding Imperial dinner at the hotel’s Le Parfum Restaurant, including the sophisticated Minh Mang Emperor liquor made from glutinous rice and rare medical plants. Early next morning, there was a sightseeing tour of the Imperial City guided by MM PR representative Scott Resch. I chose to explore the impressive Ho Chi Minh Museum nearby, before checking out from the hotel at noon (see at www.la-residence-hue.com).

Soon, we were on the way by bus to the scenic Hai Van Mountain Pass of Clouds, the climatic divide between North and South Viet Nam. Having stopped for a short break at the Thanh Tam Seaside Resort, which is prominently located at the more than 10km long sandy beach of Lang Co, we passed the 500m high mountainous divide via a recently built 16300m long tunnel. After two hours, we already arrived in Da Nang, the emerging gateway to the East West Economic Corridor, leading to Lao PDR, Thailand and Myanmar.

We passed the huge and already developed “Indochina” Riverside Highway crossing the busy Han River to reach the 30km long stretch of windy beaches, with new high-class tourist resorts, luxurious condos and villas, as well as shopping centres. Finally, we arrived at the Life Heritage Resort in Hoi An, where we were welcomed by Assistant Resort Manager Erik Billgren, who introduced the 96 plus 18 river view rooms property along the scenic Thu Bon River as environment-friendly and sensitive for the local culture. A sundown boat cruise in style along the old waterway of Hoi An was more than we expected (see at www.life-resorts.com).

Next morning, we walked through the ancient exceptionally good preserved trading port, which was situated halfway between China and India along the old maritime silk-road. Our tourist sights were to the covered Japanese Bridge from the 16th century, Phu Kien Assembly Hall, Museum of History & Culture, and Hoi An Central Market, which is busy from early morning to evening. “Cyclos” are the best mode of transport. After a refreshing lunch at the hotel’s Senses Restaurant, we left by taxi to the nearby “5-star” luxury The Nam Hai Resort, Hoi An (see at www.ghmhotels.com)

Welcomed by GM Herbert Laubichler-Pichler, our group was checked in at some of the 60 beautiful one-bedroom villas. Each occupies its own section of landscaped gardens and boasts views of the South China Sea at the world-famous China Beach and nearby Cham Island. Interesting to note is that the listed room rates start at 750USD per day and ending at 3,900USD at one of the 40 pool villas. There are three swimming pools in the main area, with one pool temperature controlled. Other recreational facilities include “The Spa” at The Nam Hai, Health Club, and the nearby Montgomerie Links Viet Nam Golf Course (see at www.montgomerielinks.com)

The fine seafood dinner at the spacey “The Restaurant” was arranged by Miss Barbie I. Takahashi, Director of Sales & Marketing, who entertained the group until late in the night. On January 18, we had to leave a small piece of paradise back to Da Nang, from where to fly to Ho Chi Minh City – some 977km further south, but not before to inspect the 18-hole Montgomerie Links Golf Course, which is managed by Indochina Land (see at www.indochinacapital.com)

Also, the nearby attraction of the Marble Mountains was visited, where mysterious caves were occupied during the American War. Today, the temples there are visited along a pilgrimage path. Dating back for centuries, they all serve as very important, mostly Buddhist sanctuaries.

The group flew from Da Nang to Ho Chi Minh City with Vietnam Airlines, while I opted to try the new local Indochina Airlines (for some 50USD/per seat). Actually, there are 12 domestic airline flights per day - namely four flights from HCMC-Ha Noi (vice versa) and two flights from HCMC-Da Nang (vice versa). Besides, there are already 290 sales agents nation wide (see at www.indochinaairlines.vn)

Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City after one hour and half at 16.15, I took a taxi to the centrally located Caravelle Hotel, with its legendary hospitality in the heart of Sai Gon. After checking in at an executive floor, there was a re-union with the press group and a welcome dinner organised by GM John Gardner. Through a vast extension of the original hotel of 50 years ago, the hotel offers - tourists and businessmen alike - some 335 modern and tastefully decorated rooms and suites. Always a hotel highlight is the visit of the well-known Saigon Saigon Bar on the old rooftop, with the most spectacular views of the inner city (see at www.caravellehotel.com)

Next morning, our group strolled down the famous Rue Catinat of Graham Green’s Saigon, which is nowadays called Dong Khoi – the trendiest street downtown lined with fancy restaurants, art galleries and souvenir shops. We visited the stunning Notre Dame Cathedral and the opposite Central Post Office. Le Duan Street around the corner is running past the Sofitel Plaza Saigon and ends near the Museum of Vietnamese History within the Zoological and Botanical Garden. Ho Chi Minh City today is the secret capital of modern Viet Nam and also the gateway to the colourful Mekong Delta.

After check out from the Caravelle Hotel at noontime, we were picked up by the staff from the Moevenpick Hotel Sai Gon and enjoyed a delicious Vietnamese lunch at the popular Quan An Ngon Restaurant opposite the Reunification Palace. Later on, we had a guided tour through the residence for the past presidents of the old regime, until on April 30, 1975, the palace was overrun by tanks of the Communist Liberation Army. At 15.00, we checked in at the Moevenpick.

Vietnamese hospitality with a Swiss touch was guaranteed with the welcome of the group. Swiss GM Hubert Klemenz, Vice-President Operations Viet Nam, explained that after extensive renovation work the Moevenpick Hotel Saigon is to be tailored precisely to the needs of its guests and will become one of the leading hotels in the region. All of the 251 rooms and suites offer convenience and comfort. Furthermore, the upscale hotel is equipped with function halls for up to 400 guests. The outdoor pool, fitness centre and spa facilities offer plenty of opportunities for sporting activities and relaxation (see at www.moevenpick-saigon.com)

At 17.00, we had a final session organised by Claudio F. Kellenberger, General Manager of Asian Trails, Ho Chi Minh City, to brief us about the future of tourism in Viet Nam. After that, we had the last site inspection of our press tour and enjoyed cocktails at the hotel’s Mulligans Irish Pub. Thereafter, we headed to a seafood buffet dinner at Cafe Saigon Restaurant hosted by Moevenpick, where Stephen O’Grady, General Director of VinaCapital Real Estate, and George Ehrlich-Adam, General Manager of Exotissimo in Viet Nam, attended as special guests.

To sum up the result of the press trip, it was more than obvious that it held what it promised. I have to thank MM Partners, Jim Sullivan and Hal Phillips, for their generous support.

For further information, please contact GMS Media Travel Consultant Reinhard Hohler by e-mail: sara@cmnet.co.th

TAT TAPPING CHINESE MARKET IN 2009

As part of its global tourism campaign, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) is proactively launching initiatives to target the market in China.

Now that Thailand has a new prime minister, the tourism industry is seeing a positive outlook, with TAT starting to put major efforts in encouraging more Chinese tourists to the country, as China remains one of the largest markets for Thailand.

According to Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, Governor of TAT, the main priority is to encourage more tourists from our major target markets, especially those within the Asian region, to come for their holidays, business trips and MICE activities in Thailand.

TAT plans to aggressively focus on tourism traffic from China using all kinds of strategies in the form of public relations and advertising, sales promotions, as well as alliances with related partners in the industry. In addition, as part of this plan to tap this potential market, TAT will soon set up a new office in Shanghai.

The Golden Star (International) Group Company Limited in Bangkok is cooperating with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Shanghai Office to invite 60 tour operators and 20 members of the mass media to Thailand. The guests are from Shanghai precinct in China, where there is a population of approximately 200 million people. They will come to visit Thailand in Bangkok, Pattaya, and Kanchanaburi provinces during 23-28 February 2009. The objective of this event is to stimulate the Chinese market by targeting the Shanghai region, as it is a major crucial market, and also to build confidence and a good image of Thailand.

The Golden Star (International) Group Company Limited will host a luncheon for the TAT Governor and tour operators from Shanghai on 27 February, 2009, 12.00 noon, Rachavipha Room, 2nd Floor, Tharntip Building, Chaophya Park Hotel.

The “Amazing Thailand Amazing Value Media Fam Trip” were organized as TAT targeted to invite 100 press members to visit Thailand during January and February 2009.

In Thailand, TAT supported the organization of the grand China Town Yaowarat Chinese New Year Festival nationwide in Nakhon Sawan, Songkhla, Chiang Mai, Nakhon Ratchasima, Chon Buri, Phuket, and Bangkok from 23 January – 4 February, 2009, inviting 179 performers from 7 provinces and regions including Shandong, Beijing and Yunnan to showcase cultural performances like the dragon and lion parade and Chinese opera. This also aimed to strengthen relations between the Thai-Chinese twin cities: Bangkok-Beijing and Phuket-Hai Nan and Ian Tai. During the festival, TAT welcomed China’s Deputy Minister of Culture and entourage on 26 January, 2009.

“We will and have to try our best to convince local Chinese to consider visiting Thailand again using diversity in tourist attractions including pristine beaches, Thai food, golf courses, and boutique spas and hip resorts to attract them,” noted Mrs. Phornsiri.

In 2007, Thailand welcomed for the first time over 1,000,000 tourist arrivals from China, and during the first seven months of 2008, there was a total of 614,725 arrivals from January to July, a 22.36% increase for the same period of 2007.

Contact information:
International Public Relation Division
Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel: +66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 4545-48
Fax: +66 (0) 2253 7419
E-mail: prdiv3@tat.or.th
Web site: www.tatnews.org

Oman inks Open Skies Agreement with Singapore

Middle East Continues To Deliver Air Service Increases

Singapore has concluded an Open Skies Agreement (OSA) with the Sultanate of Oman to allow for full flexibility for air services operated by carriers of both countries. The agreement was reached during the air services consultations which took place in Singapore on January 19 and 20, 2009.

The Memorandum of Understanding on Air Services was signed by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS)'s Deputy Director-General (Development), Mr Tan Lye Teck, and H.E. Mohamed Bin Sakhar Al-Amri, Undersecretary for Civil Aviation Affairs, Oman.

"I am glad that both Singapore and Oman have concluded an open skies agreement, allowing carriers of both countries to take advantage of the immense growth opportunities in air travel between Singapore and the Middle East," said Mr Lim Kim Choon, Director-General and Chief Executive Officer, CAAS. He added that, "In 2008, passenger traffic between Singapore and the Middle East grew significantly by 15% compared to the previous year. Indeed, the Middle East is a region where we continue to see increases in air services even during such economically challenging times."

The OSA between Singapore and Oman allows Singapore carriers to operate any number of passenger and cargo flights between Singapore and points in Oman, as well as beyond Oman to any other city in the world. Likewise, carriers of Oman may operate any number of flights to and beyond Singapore. With this, Singapore has concluded OSAs with five countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), namely Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

With the Singapore-Oman OSA, Singapore has concluded OSAs with more than 30 countries.

Source: etn

Visa and PATA Survey Boosts Morale of Asia Pacific Tourism Industry

The positive results of the Visa and PATA Asia Pacific Travel Intentions Survey has boosted the overall morale of the Asia Pacific tourism industry.

The survey, entitled, ‘Determining Travel Preferences in 2009 and Beyond’ found that of the 5,554 people surveyed, 36 percent said they did not expect to make any changes to their travel plans in the near future.

Australians, British, Singaporeans, Indians, French and Americans considered their holidays to be a right not a privilege and were less likely than the average respondent to let the economic crisis get in the way of their travel plans.

64 percent of respondents said that in light of the economic uncertainty they would review their travel plans.

Among those respondents reviewing their plans, 57 percent (mainly from Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, Chinese Taipei and China) said they would search for less expensive destinations or itineraries.

Domestic travel was an option being considered by 38 percent of respondents, with more travellers from Japan, India, Chinese Taipei, the United States and China opting to holiday ‘in their own backyards’.

While just 36 percent of travellers surveyed said they were planning to postpone travel in the near future.

Meranda Chan, Visa Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, and PATA Board Director, said: “While the global economic situation will impact tourism, it is unlikely to bring travel to a standstill. What our survey has shown is that travelers will be more creative in their selection of destinations.”

Greg Duffell, President and CEO - PATA said: “The travel and tourism industry is a major employer in nearly every destination in Asia Pacific. Indeed, the top two global markets for travel and tourism employment are China (74.5 million jobs) and India (30.5 million jobs) with Japan, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand also in the top 10.

“We must never understate the importance of working with the travel industry to shape promotions and offerings that suit travellers’ desires for new and economically sensitive travel options – and it’s vitally important that the industry delivers innovative and creative solutions to keep these people travelling.”

The Visa and PATA survey has named Asia Pacific as the number one region for those intending to travel overseas from now until 2010.

60 percent of respondents said they would travel to Asia Pacific while North America and Western Europe ranked second and third with 35 percent of the votes each.

The top three Asia Pacific destinations that respondents were considering between now and next year were Australia (43 percent), Japan (37 percent) and Hong Kong (35 percent).

Meranda Chan, Visa Country Manager for Singapore and Brunei, and PATA Board Director, said: “That Asia Pacific was named the leading global leisure travel region by respondents in Visa and PATA’s latest travel survey reinforces the vital role this industry fills in the regional economy.

“ PATA figures show that international arrivals to Asia Pacific destinations grew year on year by some 2.6 percent in 2008 - despite the economic slowdown which created a serious impact on inbound traffic in the second half of the year. The industry accounts for more than 5.5 percent of the total gross domestic product in the region, underscoring the importance of travel and tourism to the vibrant economies of Asia Pacific.”

Source: PATA

Thailand Again Best in Asia

Travelers’ Choice Awards 2009: Thailand has once again shown that it is the best place in Asia for family holidays. Not only is it best for families but also for the couples. At one side it is the best bargain and the other side it suits the tourists who want to have a luxury experience.

TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with more than 32 million monthly visitors, 9 million members, and 20 million reviews and opinions. An online survey was recently conducted and Travelers’ Choice Awards 2009 were announced, the only honors representing the unbiased opinions of millions of real travelers. Thailand has topped its many categories.

Layana Resort and Spa, Ko Lanta proved to be the best luxury in Asia while Peninsula Bangkok, Bangkok and Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui were successful to be on 3rd and 5th position in the same category. Layana Resort and Spa did not only top the Asia list but also got 2nd place in the “Top 100 Best Luxury in the world”.

In the “Top 10 Best for families in Asia” and “Top 10 Best Hidden Gems in Asia” categories, Thailand ruled with capturing 5 places as Merlin Beach Resort, Patong stands on 3rd and Le Meridien Phuket Beach Resort, Karon on 5th in the former category. Oriental Kwai Resort, Kanchanaburi; Rimping Village, Chiang Mai and LaLaanta Hideaway Resort, Ko Lanta were being awarded with the first three places respectively in the later category.

Thailand became number 1 and number 2 in Asia in “Top 10 Best Bargains” and “Top 10 Best for Romance” categories respectively. Oriental Kwai Resort, Kanchanaburi is the top bargain in the Asia while SALA Samui Resort and Spa, Koh Samui is the 2nd best romantic place in Asia.

Tongsai Bay Cottages & Hotel, Koh Samui got 3rd position in “Top 10 Best for Romance in Asia” and also 5th position in “Top 10 Best Luxury in Asia”. Layana Resort and Spa, Ko Lanta was number 1 in “Top 10 Best Luxury in Asia” and number 6 in “Top 10 Best for Romance in Asia”. In the same way Rimping Village, Chiang Mai is number 2 in “Top 10 Best Hidden Gems in Asia” and number 9 in “Top 10 Best for families in Asia”.
Source: traveldailynews

Outlook for tourism to Thailand

Recovery Plan: The closure of Thailand’s main gateway airport at Suvarnabhumi between 25 November to 3 December was a completely unforeseen and unpredictable event caused by a domestic political dispute. The entire Thai tourism industry was mobilised to help the tourists, which became a top priority.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with the entire private sector provided accommodation, transportation, and meals. Some emergency flights were operated from other airports, and city terminals were established for tourists to undergo early check-in procedures. Once the all-clear was declared, the entire aviation industry moved expeditiously and urgently to get the airport open again and help visitors return home to their loved ones.

After the reopening of the airports, the recovery in visitor arrivals was almost instantaneous. This is clear proof of the high levels of confidence that visitors have in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Thai people and the Thai tourism industry.

Now a new Thai government has been formed. Furthermore, the new Minister of Tourism and Sports, His Excellency Mr. Chumpol Silpa-archa, has pledged immediately to expedite the recovery of tourism. He will work with other ministers to ensure the necessary funding and infrastructure support.

Recovery Plan
The industry’s three-point recovery plan for 2009 includes:
1) Emergency measures to restore visitor confidence,
2) Policy measures to promote more domestic travel and international visitor arrivals, and
3) Tactical marketing measures which include special campaigns, especially via online marketing.

Campaigns will focus on major markets where we will work with industry partners to launch special packages, advertise in local media, promote the Amazing Value Card and Coupon, organize media trips to Thailand, encourage overseas Thai residents to visit Thailand, and bring back seminars and exhibitions.

Final figures for 2008 will show a total of 14.3 million arrivals, which will be about the same as 2007. Although arrivals are projected to improve in the first quarter of 2009, there will definitely be lower arrivals than in the first quarter of 2008. However, there is an improvement projection in the second quarter of 2009. The target is international visitor arrivals in 2009 at about 14 million, again depending on extra budget from the government, as well as, the local, regional, and global situation.

46 new hotels are set to open this year (2009). All these hotels include both international and local hotel chains; such as,
- Ritz Hotel, Best Western, Crowne Plaza in Bangkok
- Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort, 65 pool villas, five-star
- Shangri-La Phuket Resort and Spa, 315 rooms, five-star
- The Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, 106 rooms, five-star
- Conrad Koh Samui Resort, 79 villas, five-star
- DusitD2 Samui, 60 pool villas, boutique
- Banyan Tree Koh Samui , 100 villas, five-star
- Anantara of the Minor Group in Phangnga, five-star

They indicate an inflow of investment from all over the world, including the Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

According to the Airports of Thailand, the total of Low Cost Carrier (LCC) passenger traffic at all the international airports in Thailand has risen from 7.1 million in the fiscal year of 2005 to 12.8 million in the fiscal year of 2008, a far higher growth rate than passenger movements on the regular scheduled airlines.

Viet Nam rolled out the red carpet for ATF Delegates

Under the ambitious theme ASEAN Tourism – Striving to a new height Viet Nam has successfully organised the annual ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) in the capital Ha Noi on January 5 – 12, 2009 in order to promote the development of regional countries. ASEAN companies Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Viet Nam.

Viet Nam tried to do its best to roll out the red carpet to all ATF delegates during the show, especially during the Travel Exchange (TRAVEX), which was held at the Viet Nam Exhibition Fair Centre during January 10 – 12. Some 1,641 registered delegates, including tourism ministers and heads of national tourism organizations, enjoyed the altogether 591 seller booths of tourism related services to meet with 455 buyers of travel products from around the world. Also, there were 68 international media delegates to cover the event accordingly.

It was up to H.E. Mr. Hoang Tuan Anh, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam, to preside over the official opening ceremony of ATF2009 at the National Conference Centre on January 9 in the evening, including a spectacular cultural show. In the fore field of the opening ceremony, complimentary tours were offered to all ATF delegates.

The first stop was at the Ba Dinh Square to visit the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Also visited were the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s House on stilts, where Uncle Ho lived from 1958-1969, and the 11th century One Pillar Pagoda, dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy.

The next stop were the old Temple of Literature, which illustrates the Confucian way of thought, and the centrally located Jade Mountain Temple at the Lake of the Restored Sword, dedicated to Tran Hung Dao, the most important hero and deity of the Vietnamese.

The final stop was made at a fine restaurant at the huge West Lake to enjoy a dinner of Vietnamese cuisine.

On January 8, there was a full day tour by bus to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Ha Long Bay. The tour offered intimate views of life in the Red River Delta and a delicious sea food lunch on board the BHAYA luxury cruise ship. The highlight of the trip was the visit to Heavenly Palace Cave located on one of the 3,000 islands of Ha Long Bay. On the 160km long return way, we stopped at the stunning Hai Duong Art Centre to marvel at Vietnamese lacquer ware and marble furniture.

During the first three nights in Ha Noi, we had the privilege to stay at the newly opened Moevenpick Hotel Ha Noi. Conveniently located near the Ha Noi Railway Station, there are 154 well-equipped rooms and suites. Four multipurpose meeting rooms can accommodate up to 110 persons. The just opened Mangosteen all day dining restaurant is cosy and trendy, so that GM Knuth Kiefer is proud to offer his guests a warm and relaxed atmosphere. Located on the third floor, exercise equipment, massage and sauna facilities are available, while the lobby lounge features a wine cellar.

On January 9, we moved into the Thang Loi Hotel at the West Lake, one of the official hotels that the Viet Nam Host Committee has arranged for most of the media delegates.

At the packed Tourism Ministers Press Conference in the Daewoo Hotel on the same afternoon it was concluded, that ASEAN human resources development should be facilitated, youth and cruise tourism be promoted, and last not least, tourism integration be reached by 2011-2015.

At the ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC) on January 10 in the morning, there were three outstanding presentations by:

Mr. Gregory A. Duffell, President and CEO of PATA, on ASEAN tourism during crisis

Mr. Mason Florence, Director of Mekong Tourism Co-ordinating Office, on destination branding

Mr. Baron Ah Moo, CEO of Indochina Hotels & Resorts, on coastal tourism development

Also, there was a signing of a memorandum of understanding regarding an USAID-sponsored project to enhance economic integration in the ASEAN region by encouraging tourists to visit multiple Southeast Asian destinations and to raise the profile of “Southeast Asia.” The campaign will promote Southeast Asia as a brand, co-branded by ASEAN, and build upon the previous “Visit ASEAN” campaign.

The eagerly awaited media briefings of Viet Nam, Singapore and Myanmar happened next, while Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Cambodia and Thailand followed on January 11.

Also, there was a special media briefing by “Mekong” and Brunei in the morning of January 12.

It will be in Bandar Seri Begawan in Brunei Darussalam that the next ATF will be organised during January 21-28, 2010 under the theme “The Heart of Green” – 10 destinations, one conservation vision.

Finally, H.E. Mr. Tran Chien Thang, Vice-Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Viet Nam and Chairman of the Organising Committee, presided over the closing ceremony of ATF 2009 at the Daewoo Hotel in the evening.

Most of the delegates of ATF2009 left Ha Noi on January 13, exhausted by the many lunches, dinner parties and late-night functions, but some of the hosted buyers and media joined one of the offered post-forum tours. We opted to join the trip through Viet Nam offered by Mandarin Media to Hue, Hoi An and Ho Chi Minh City.

We left Vietnam, having enjoyed the Hidden Charm of Viet Nam to the fullest.
Text & Photos By: Reinhard Hohler & Mohan Gunti

International tourism challenged by deteriorating world economy

In 2008, international tourist arrivals reached 924 million, up 16 million over 2007, representing a growth of 2 percent. Tourism demand slowed significantly through the year under the influence of an extremely volatile world economy (financial crisis, commodity and oil price rises, sharp exchange rate fluctuations), undermining both consumer and business confidence and resulting in the current global economic recession. The second half of 2008 saw growth come to a standstill with the number of international arrivals declining slightly -­ a trend which is expected to continue in 2009.

Weakening overall demand
The overall 2 percent growth in international tourism for 2008 builds on the strong results of the first part of the year before the collapse of the financial markets. The second half of the year showed an abrupt shift in trend with international tourist arrivals flat or showing negative growth in each of the last six months of 2008. Overall, the 5 percent growth between January and June gave way to a 1 percent decline in the second half of the year. Though certainly not immune to the economic woes, tourism has initially resisted the economic downturn better than other economic sectors, such as construction, real estate, or car manufacturing.

As the current troubled economic scenario is expected to continue well into
2009 and probably beyond, UNWTO's initial forecast for this year is for an even more modest performance. According to the January 2009 issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer, international tourism is expected to stagnate or even decline slightly during the year. But, there is still a high degree of uncertainty and much will depend on the evolving economic conditions. If the economy starts to show signs of an earlier recovery, international tourism might grow slightly in 2009, but if the economy deteriorates further, then the current forecast might be revised downwards.

Given the global uncertainty and with economic forecasts experiencing continued downward revisions, UNWTO will closely monitor developments to provide the most accurate analysis possible.

Mixed results by region in 2008
For the year as a whole, all regions were positive except Europe, which suffered a stagnation in arrivals. The best performances were registered in the Middle East (+11 percent), Africa (+5 percent) and the Americas (+4 percent) ­- in the case of the Americas, due to the strength of traffic to the USA up to August and the favorable performance of most Central and Southern American destinations.

Growth was negative in the last six months of 2008 in both Europe (-3 percent) and Asia (-3 percent). The drop is even more significant in Asia given its double digit growth in 2007 and strong showing in the first part of 2008 (+6 percent). On the other hand, the Americas (+1 percent), Africa (+4 percent), and the Middle East (+5 percent) still posted positive results in the second half of the year, although with a significant slowdown compared with the period between January and June.

Despite the general deceleration, in 2008 several destinations around the world showed very positive results in all world regions - notably Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Uruguay, the Republic of Korea, Macao (China), Indonesia, India, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Morocco, and Turkey.

These results reflect international tourist arrivals only, for which comprehensive data is currently available. For domestic tourism, which is highly important for many destinations, UNWTO expects that it will show a more or less similar slowing trend. Results for international tourism receipts will be presented in a later stage. However, the experience of past years suggests that the growth of receipts tends to follow fairly closely that of arrivals.

2009 Outlook linked to global economic performance
The slowdown in advanced economies, which are facing a contraction in gross domestic product for the first time since World War II, is already spreading to major emerging markets such as China, India, and Brazil.

UNWTO expects 2009 international tourism to be in the range of 0 percent to a 2 percent decline. Along with the Americas, Europe will be the most affected region in terms of overall tourism results, as most of its source markets are already in, or entering into, recession. In Asia and the Pacific, results are expected to be positive, although growth will continue to be much slower compared with the region¹s performance in recent years; the same applies to Africa and the Middle East.

Notwithstanding this assessment, UNWTO highlights the fact that the softening of international tourism growth follows four historically strong
years:

- +7 percent a year on average between 2004 and 2007, or well above the 4 percent long-term trend;

- 2008, with an increase of 2 percent based on a strong first half performance.

UNWTO's response
History proves that crises can also provide opportunity, because they call for substantial efforts and industry solidarity. Moreover, if short-term crisis actions can be aligned with the continuing longer-term global poverty and climate needs, the overall industry structure may actually be strengthened.

Against this background, UNWTO is increasing its response efforts to provide the sector, and its members in particular, with the necessary support to help them endure these challenging times.

UNWTO will focus on three interrelated initiatives:

- Supporting the sector's immediate response through its recently-established Tourism Resilience Committee to strengthen market intelligence and best practice sharing.

- Advocating tourism's priority inclusion in general economic stimulation measures.

- Advancing tourism in the new green economy as a sector that can deliver on smart growth, intelligent infrastructure, and clean energy jobs.

Their message will continue to be that this is a highly-resilient sector that will return to strong growth when the overall economic crisis abates and one that can contribute more than others to poverty alleviation, climate response, and a green new deal.

Download the full version of the barometer at www.unwto.org/UNWTOBarometer09.pdf . Please enter the password: prensa.

An excerpt of the January issue of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer is available for download at unwto.org/facts/eng/barometer.htm .

Assistant Secretary General & Spokesperson: Geoffrey Lipman Media Officer: Marcelo Risi T: +34 91-567-8178 /8100 F: +34 91-567-8218 E: comm@UNWTO.org W: www.unwto.org/index.php
Source: UNWTO

UNWTO calls on tourism leaders to join the green economy

NEW YORK, USA / MADRID, Spain - Despite the evolving global recession, there is a real opportunity if world leaders succeed in aligning short-term response to the economic meltdown; medium-term response to the development agenda; and long-term response to the climate imperative. The need for global stimulus should be linked with the transformational potential of a green economy. Tourism can reliably boost the economy in the short to medium term without loosing sight of long-term commitments to the sustainable development agenda. This was the main message delivered by UNWTO assistant secretary-general Geoffrey Lipman, addressing the European Travel Commission's Transatlantic Conference.

A new climate deal is expected to be reached at the UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark at the end of this year. The fundamental intention is to drop green house gas emissions to levels where global warming is tolerable, with clean-energy, focused consumption and production patterns, and with responsibility and benefits shared equitably by all states.

Achieving this will require a whole range of credible policy decisions and concrete measures. These range from country and company carbon targets, cap and trade auctions to intelligent bio-fuel and renewables support, efficient building, smart grid and hybrid vehicle investment, as well as green technology funds, taxes, and fiscal incentives.

UNWTO assistant secretary-general Geoffrey Lipman stressed that, “Tourism has only scratched the surface of our clean, green potential - now it's time to mainstream it," and called on the tourism sector to:

- Get squarely behind the Green New Deal - in industry structures and operations.

- Build the quadruple bottom line into all policies and programs. Adding climate to economic, social, and environment fundamentals in the sustainability equation. This is to be underpinned with a massive ICT expansion and public/private sector collaboration to enhance efficiency.

- Account properly for our impacts ­linking tourism satellite accounting with mainstream green economic and carbon impact measurement.

- Promote our commitment with key audiences. With policymakers - shaping the transformation, putting together short-term, economic-stimulus packages and long-term, development-support funds for climate adaptation, trade strengthening, and technology transfer. And with consumers, suppliers, and destinations linked in the tourism chain.

- Replace talk and lofty statements with action. What we need is committed implementation starting NOW and evolving with the framework to be agreed in Copenhagen a year from now. While the decisions will be taken by states and the execution private sector focused, much of the international underpinning for change is being driven by the UN system, and we are working to ensure that tourism is properly positioned in that framework.

UNWTO's response efforts are being increased in order to provide members and the tourism sector with the necessary tools to be in the position to influence decision makers and to highlight tourism's undisputed potential to help to overcome the current situation.

Assistant Secretary General & Spokesperson: Geoffrey Lipman Media Officer: Marcelo Risi T: +34 91-567-8178 /8100 F: +34 91-567-8218 E: comm@UNWTO.org W: www.unwto.org/index.php

High wire thrills for India's heritage tourists

NEEMRANA, India — High above the tranquil lawns of a 15th-century hillside fort, a man flew through the air attached to a steel wire.

"There goes the British high commissioner," said one of the impressed spectators at the opening last week of India's first "zip wire" adventure venue.

Neemrana, 100 kilometres (60 miles) south of New Delhi, is one of several magnificent forts and palaces in Rajasthan that have been converted into luxury hotels over the past 15 years to offer tourists a taste of history and romance.

Now it has added a new twist to the country's popular "heritage trail" by giving visitors the chance to be strapped into a harness and slide down cables that are suspended far above its battlements.

The exhilarating activity of "zip wiring" is well established in New Zealand, Europe and North America, but India has been slow to embrace the booming adventure tourism market.

"Sitting on a camel was about as much as tourists in India could expect before this," said Jonathan Walter, one of two Delhi-based British entrepreneurs behind the scheme.

"Zip wiring is extremely exciting and certainly gets the adrenaline pumping. Teenagers and their parents both get an extraordinary kick out of it."

The Neemrana course consists of five separate wires which carry participants over wooded valleys, cliffs and rivers in the hills above the fort before delivering them back to base -- just in time for a cocktail by the pool.

"This is a unique way to observe Rajasthan's landscape and architecture, as long as you dare to open your eyes," said Walter, 40, a former Gurkha army officer who has led mountaineering expeditions around the world.

"Zip wiring is also very low-impact on the local environment, which is crucial at a protected cultural site like Neemrana.

"The wires don't ruin the view, it is quiet and we haven't had to interfere with the fort's structure at all."

The whole course takes over two hours to complete once clients have hiked up to the start of first wire, been given safety guidance and then completed the various "zips".

The longest wire, at 390 metres (1,300 feet), has been labelled "Where Eagles Dare" and gives an stunning view of the fort set against the Aravalli hills and the plains below.

Much of the equipment and cables has been installed by specialist Swiss engineers, and a full-time team of eight instructors have been employed on site to guide groups and issue instructions.

"When I first heard about this plan, I was not entirely sure it would ever happen," said Richard Stagg, the 53-year-old British high commissioner (ambassador), before he flew down the wires last week.

"But here it is and it is fabulous. The project will be a great boost to tourism, which needs all the help it can get at the moment."

India's tourism industry is struggling as the global economic downturn worsens and after the Mumbai terror attacks, with some hotels in destinations such as Jaipur city -- two hours south of Neemrana -- reporting only 15 cent occupancy.

An opulent new sleeper train, the Royal Rajasthan, launched last month for wealthy foreigners, has already been shunted into the sidings due to a lack of bookings.

But Walter is certain that zip wiring is going to generate huge interest, and "Flying Fox" -- the company he co-founded to bring the adventure sport to India -- is already scouting for its next location.

"We're expecting a lot of Indian clients, as well as overseas tourists," he said. "The domestic market is still strong and every year India becomes an easier place to visit as roads and hotels are improving all the time."

source: afp

Asia braces for tough tourism year

Across Asia, hotels, airlines and tourism operators are bracing for another tough year as the financial crisis sees long-haul visitors remain at home, and regional travelers tighten purse-strings with shorter, budget trips.

Hong Kong, now one of Asia’s top tourist hubs with 29.5 million visitors last year, is predicting visitor arrivals to dip 1.6 percent in 2009, though a steeper drop of 9.2 percent is forecast for non-Chinese visitors.

“There’ll definitely be a drop in business, fewer tourists is a reality,” said Laurence Lai, the owner of photo galleries located in two of Hong Kong’s busiest tourist hotspots including the Star Ferry pier.

“I expect a 30-percent fall at least. I’m having to shift my strategies to confront this financial tsunami, but you just have to stand firm and face the winds,” added Lai, who relies on tourists for half his sales.

Asia’s blend of diverse cultures, geography, bargains and exoticism, with travel gems ranging from snowy Himalayan kingdoms to neon-lit capitals, crumbling Khmer ruins and powdery beaches - have made it one of the world’s fastest growing tourism regions in recent years, along with the Middle East.

But since the downturn intensified last year, travel markets spanning Asia have suffered sharp contractions, at times worsened by political turmoil, with many projecting negative growth in 2009.

Hong Kong, now one of Asia’s top tourist hubs with 29.5 million visitors last year, is predicting visitor arrivals to dip 1.6 percent in 2009, though a steeper drop of 9.2 percent is forecast for non-Chinese visitors.

Singapore’s tourist arrivals, meanwhile, fell 2 percent last year with more gloom expected, while Thailand and Malaysia both expect 9-percent drops in visitors this year.

Tighter budgets bite

The UN’s World Tourism Organization has described the Asia-Pacific region’s performance in 2008 as having “deteriorated most rapidly,” compared with the Americas, the Middle East, Europe and Africa, with tourism demand expected to be impacted further in the short to medium term.

The International Air Transport Association has warned that global airlines face their worst business crisis in 50 years with carriers facing possible collapse, revenues tumbling and hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk.

IATA’S director-general said in December that some 300,000 jobs to 400,000 jobs were at risk among some 32 million or so people now employed around the world in air transport, travel and tourism sectors.

Despite the extremely fragile situation, the Pacific Asia Travel Association expects Asia, which lured around 280 million international arrivals in 2008, to bounce back and enjoy 4 percent to 5 percent average growth over the next three years.

“We are extremely cautious in our optimism, but we still believe it’ll be above the line over the next couple of years,” said John Koldowski, director of the Strategic Intelligence Centre for PATA.

But Koldowski said more budget-conscious travelers cutting back on lengths of stay and spending, could spell worse-than-expected pain for tourism-reliant businesses such as retailers, catering and hotels.

“While we’re saying the (arrivals) numbers may still show some growth, we’re very conscious of the fact that people are changing their habits and you can’t expect the same amount of revenue out there,” Koldowski added.

Hotel occupancy rates in the Asia Pacific region fell to 66.7 percent last November, versus 76.4 percent for the same period a year before, according to STR Global.

The UNWTO says it expects the decline in trip duration and spending to be “more pronounced” than the fall in arrivals.

James Standen, an American tourist is an example of this.

Snapping shots of Hong Kong’s cityscape with his wife on Victoria Peak, he said the tanking United States economy hadn’t put them off their 10-day trip to Asia, but they delayed coming till after the New Year to save on airfares.

“The economy hasn’t really bitten us … but it cost about half as much by coming later.”

Political risk

Political instability and shifting government policies have also exacerbated the strain on the tourism sector in countries such as Sri Lanka, India and Thailand.

The week-long siege of Bangkok’s airports tarnished Thailand’s reputation as a tourist haven, and caused around a million foreign visitors to cancel or go elsewhere. The country’s central bank recently forecast tourist arrivals could fall 9 percent this year to 12.8 million, the worst year since 2005 after the tsunami disaster.

In India, 179 people, including scores of tourists, were killed in November’s Mumbai attacks, when gunmen targeted luxury hotels and other popular tourist spots in India’s financial capital.

The gloom has since spread to places such as Goa, one of the country’s top tourist draws where visitor arrivals plunged 25 percent during the peak season, according to officials in the tourism industry.

Source: Xinhua

Thailand is considering waiving visa fees for tourists

BANGKOK, Thailand — Thailand is considering waiving visa fees for three months in a bid to revive its key tourism industry, which has been battered by political turmoil that culminated in the occupation of Bangkok's two airports late last year.

The measure, already approved by the government's economic ministers, will be proposed to the full Cabinet next week, Juthaporn Rerngronasa, deputy governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said Friday.

"We hope this will be one of many measures that will boost the tourism industry in Thailand amid the global slowdown and following the political crisis," Juthaporn said.

Residents of many neighboring and Western countries already enjoy visa-free entry privileges for short visits, but those planning longer stays must obtain visas in advance for a fee of at least $30 per entry.

source: ap

Earlier this week, Thailand's new government allocated 1 billion baht ($28.6 million) of its 115-billion-baht ($3.3 billion) fiscal stimulus package to rejuvenate the tourism industry, which accounts for about 5 percent of the country's economy.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva, who took office last month, earlier said the government will also consider discounts on aircraft landing fees.

Anti-government protests last year included the weeklong seizure of Bangkok's airports at the end of November, stranding more than 300,000 travelers.

The Bank of Thailand has estimated the country would lose 290 billion baht ($8.3 billion) as a result of the protests, which called for the ouster of the previous government led by allies of former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. They accused Thaksin of corruption and abuse of power.

The central bank forecast that tourist arrivals this year would drop by 8.8 percent from 12.8 million in 2008.

Deputy government spokesman Puttipong Punnakan said the Cabinet plans to discuss other measures as well, including a short-term reduction in interest rates and property tax for hotel operators, and a reduction of airport surcharges, as well as discounts on air tickets.

Minority groups in Cambodia get spotlight

According to media sources in Phnom Penh, the Center for Advanced Study (CAS) has announced a release of the first book about the history of ethnic minority groups in Cambodia.

The 664-page book examines the lifestyles and cultures of Cambodian residents of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Laotian descent, as well as members of Muslim and other minority communities, CAS director Hun Sokhom was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

"We hope the book will help Khmer people better understand the traditions and cultures of each ethnic group," Hun Sokhun said, adding that he believed that widespread distribution of the book will reduce discrimination directed at minority groups.

The book is based on two separate studies carried out by Khmer and foreign experts - a three-month study by the United Nations in 1996, and a 12-month study in 2006, paid for by the Rockefeller Foundation, according to the newspaper.

Don't misbehave with foreign tourists: Aamir to tell people

New Delhi - Donning a new hat, actor Aamir Khan will now be seen asking countrymen not to misbehave with foreign tourists and deface monuments as part of the Tourism Ministry's social awareness campaign.

Aamir, will appear in TV commercials, national dailies and also on Internet as part of the domestic ad campaign of 'Atithi Devo Bhavah', Tourism Secretary Sujit Banerjee said.

The campaign consists of two TV commercials – one sensitising against misbehaviour with foreign tourists and the other against garbage and graffiti at tourist sites.

In the 60-second first commercial, the ‘Ghajini’ star, appointed brand ambassador of the ministry's 'Atithi Devo Bhavah' campaign, advocates friendly behaviour towards tourists saying it is a ‘matter of national honour’.

The second commercial, of 40 seconds duration, shows Khan asking people not to dump garbage and put up graffiti on monuments. The ad has been shot at the Kanheri caves in Mumbai.

The script of the advertisements have been written by Prasoon Joshi and directed by Rakeysh Mehra of ‘Rang De Basanti’ fame.

The ministry also launched an interactive website with Aamir seeking participation of visitors to stand up against misbehaviour with tourists and stop people from defacing the monuments and littering at tourist sites.

Posters will also be put up at various strategic points in cities to make the campaign a complete integrated programme which will eventually turn into a mass movement, said Banerjee.

Thailand Visitor Arrivals down by 20 per cent in 2008

Officials from the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) did their best at the recent ASEAN Tourism Forum to convince participants that overseas visitor numbers were on the increase.

“Amazing Thailand is staging an amazing recovery,” said TAT deputy governor for marking communications, Juthaporn Rerngronasa.

The deputy director reported that tactical marketing campaigns mounted by the TAT and special offers made by hotels around the country were beginning to show results.

She did say, however, that international visitor arrivals in January so far have been 20 per cent below the same period last year. “It’s coming back, bit by bit,” the tourism official added.

The tourism authority will launch road shows around North Asia in February, in an attempt to boost tourism in markets that have been among the worst performing so far this year.

The most recent figures on the numbers of tourists handled by members of the Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) show the largest decline in 10 years.

ATTA said that its members handling tourists arriving at Suvarnabhumi International Airport in 2008 report a 17.03 per cent drop off in business - from 2,495,809 clients in 2007 to 2,070,666 in 2008.

In 2008, ATTA member companies saw a decrease of 425,143 arrivals over the previous year.

The decline in tourist arrivals began in August and then accelerated when anti-government demonstrators occupied and shut down Bangkok’s two main airports for 10 days at the end of November.

Tourism futures: A case for 3 dimensional thinking

The world is swallowing a dangerous cocktail of economic recession, financial malaise, credit crunch, stock market turmoil and crumbling business/consumer confidence. Corporations and countries are being bailed out. Warren Buffet, says he can’t predict the next six months except headlines will be nasty and severe but in 4 years time markets and the economy will be just dandy. Given Mr Buffet’s track record, I’ll defer to his wisdom and offer my take on key issues for tourism.

Current estimates of 2008/2009 performance of the sector, globally, regionally and nationally will be revised downwards for the next 6 months as rapidly worsening macroeconomic structures progressively unfold. And as business and consumer confidence follows suit. The situation will only change with coordinated widespread stimulus packages, a global trade deal and nationally coordinated initiatives to shore up failing structures and sectors - which will bite over time.

All markets will be affected – but not equally, as business and consumers cut back on budgets, postpone or cancel travel plans, go closer to home, trade down in price/quality options while reducing stay and spend. We will see major consolidation across the sector – transport, accommodation and related services. It will be vertical and horizontal. Job losses will be significant with bankruptcies, mergers and takeovers all too familiar. The big losers will be in the world’s poorest countries, where tourism is an economic lifeline and development imperative. We must advocate for their support now – not when it is too late.

Those equipped to take advantage – other than having deep pockets – will ruthlessly cut non-essential costs and reposition products/prices to feasible markets and reliable segments. They will protect vital resources, starting with the human ones and eliminate the unnecessary.

This is also the moment to plan “smart tourism” – clean: green: ethical and quality – no mat-ter where in the product range and use ICT and public/private partnership to extend operational and delivery capabilities. Skilfully done, it can reduce medium term costs while increasing customer appeal and satisfaction. For the UK Olympics or the African Soccer World Cup there will be special positioning and promotion challenges.

Lessons from UNWTO’s “Resilience” activity can help in tracking market shifts, identifying best practice and sharing information. As well as identifying tourism as a key player in the emerging New Green Economy.

In this context, it’s vital to position tourism as the logical sector to help economic stimulus – whether its employment support (because we create so many job) or infrastructure programs (because our payback across the economy is so pervasive and wide ranging). Particularly when financial mechanisms are considered – we will deliver on tax breaks and moratoria better than most industries and money spent on tourism promotion will provide massive export and investment returns.

It’s equally vital to stay on course with our development and climate action, because it’s right and because policymakers must do so. Tourism is critical for development as an export driver and job creator. It’s critical for climate, like all major socio-economic sectors and a key component of any green technology paradigm shift.

Today, any consideration of the future should be like three-dimensional chess, intensive actions in the hyper-dynamic 2008 economic game must strengthen the 2015 development game and the 2050 climate game. Such vision is not easy, faced with immediate crisis of this proportion. But when the upturn occurs, because economies ultimately correct and mobility is hardwired into the human gene - the big winners will be those who really understand the value of aligning short- and long-term decisions.

Geoffrey Lipman is currently the assistant secretary general of the United Nations World Tourism Organization and is a professor at Victoria University and Christel DeHaan Institute.

India launches one more royal tourist train

Royal Rajasthan on Wheels, a regal train chugging across the land of maharajas in western India, Sunday started its maiden journey, with the government promising to launch similar services in more states.

"Many states have shown interest in this regard and I am going to take up the issue before the cabinet and also with the states that are keen on having luxury tourist trains," Tourism Minister Ambika Soni told reporters after flagging off the new train at the Safdarjung railway station here.

The luxury train is a joint venture by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Indian Railways.

It will provide an alternative to the Palace on Wheels, India's first luxury train, which is already booked till 2010.

The seven-day sojourn on the Royal Rajasthan train promises to be a heady mix of Rajasthan's pristine historic experience, said Soni.

With a carrying capacity of 82 people, the train will have 13 deluxe saloons and one super deluxe saloon, four service cars and two restaurant bars. A top-class spa and wi-fi facilities are also in the offing.

The itinerary of the train will be the same as the Palace on Wheels: it would leave Delhi and start on its week-long journey through Jaipur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Sawai Madhopur among other places before terminating the run at Delhi.

Due to technical difficulties, the train will not go to Bikaner this season though announced earlier.

The train was earlier expected to commence operations from October 2008

ATF 2009 - Media Updates - Thailand

THAILAND MEDIA BRIEFING BY MRS. JUTHAPORN RERNGRONASA
Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications
ASEAN Tourism Forum 2009 (ATF 2009)
Sunday, 11 January 2009, 16.00 – 17.00 hrs.
Vietnam Exhibition Fair Centre Hall 6A, Hanoi, Vietnam

Xin Chào, Sawasdee-kha and good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen.

I am very honoured and delighted to welcome you all to Hanoi as well as to our press briefing today. Thank you all for being with us and for giving us an opportunity to update you with the latest developments of Thai tourism.

I would like to begin by extending my warmest congratulations to the people and the entire tourism industry of Hanoi and Vietnam for their excellent arrangements in hosting their first ever ASEAN Tourism Forum.

Having hosted this important event five times in the past, including the last one in 2008, we know how much work is involved. All the feedback we have received from the delegates and participants has been very positive. Clearly, this is a coming of age for the long-standing policy of the countries of the Greater Mekong Subregion to build strong tourism relations amongst themselves as well as the countries of ASEAN.

THAILAND-VIETNAM TRAVEL
It is also due to the policy that bilateral tourism flows between Vietnam and Thailand are growing strongly. The fact that we have a mutual visa waiver system is of course a major contributing factor. We opened the TAT office in Ho Chi Minh City to directly promote Thailand tourism in the Vietnamese market.

In each year, there is an increasing number of Vietnamese arrivals to Thailand. In 2007, Vietnamese arrivals to Thailand totaled 270,000 and during January – October 2008, Thailand received 240,000 Vietnamese tourists.

In turn, Thai visitor arrivals to Vietnam in January-October 2008 totalled 150,000. We are proud to be the largest single source of visitor arrivals to Vietnam from amongst the ASEAN countries, and we hope to see continued growth in these two-way flows in future, especially because of the significant contribution to intra-regional ASEAN travel.

ASEAN VISITORS ARRIVALS TO THAILAND IN 2008
In total, the ASEAN countries contribute to about one-fourth of our total visitor arrivals. International visitor arrivals to Thailand in January – July 2008 totalled 9.14 million of whom 2.3 million visitors were from ASEAN countries, or a market share of about 25 per cent. Malaysia topped the list with one million arrivals, followed by Singapore with 370,000 and Lao PDR with 350,000.

OUTLOOK FOR TOURISM TO THAILAND AFTER THE AIRPORT CLOSURE CRISIS
I know most of you would like to get an update of what happened in Thailand during the airport closure and how we have recovered from this unprecedented crisis. Today, we can confidently say that Amazing Thailand is making an Amazing Recovery and is back in business.

The closure of Thailand’s main gateway airport at Suvarnabhumi between 25 November to 3 December was a completely unforeseen and unpredictable event caused by a domestic political dispute. The entire Thai tourism industry was mobilised to help the tourists, which became a top priority.

The Ministry of Tourism and Sports and Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), together with the entire private sector provided accommodation, transportation, and meals.
Some emergency flights were operated from other airports, and city terminals were established for tourists to undergo early check-in procedures. Once the all-clear was declared, the entire aviation industry moved expeditiously and urgently to get the airport open again and help visitors return home to their loved ones.

After the reopening of the airports, the recovery in visitor arrivals was almost instantaneous. This is clear proof of the high levels of confidence that visitors have in the Kingdom of Thailand, the Thai people and the Thai tourism industry.

Now a new Thai government has been formed. Furthermore, the new Minister of Tourism and Sports, His Excellency Mr. Chumpol Silpa-archa, has pledged immediately to expedite the recovery of tourism. He will work with other ministers to ensure the necessary funding and infrastructure support.

Recovery Plan
The industry’s three-point recovery plan for 2009 includes:

Emergency measures to restore visitor confidence, Policy measures to promote more domestic travel and international visitor arrivals, and Tactical marketing measures which include special campaigns, especially via online marketing.

Our campaigns will focus on major markets where we will work with industry partners to launch special packages, advertise in local media, promote the Amazing Value Card and Coupon, organize media trips to Thailand, encourage overseas Thai residents to visit Thailand, and bring back seminars and exhibitions.

One of the key areas is the recovery of the domestic market. In times of crisis, we have always found that the Thai people turnout big time to help their fellow citizens. We are boosting our public relations, marketing and promotional activities in the domestic market in order to help us tide over the projected shortfall in international visitors.

We are also working closely with the private sector to launch special packages in both the international and domestic markets, for example:

1. One Price All Destinations Package
   eg. 40 boutique hotels have offered 2,000 Baht nett from January - March, 2009. Moreover, the Banyan Tree in Bangkok and Phuket is promoting a special offer of the “Thailand Smiles Again Package”: Buy 1 Get 1 Free for 1,000 rooms or during 8-31 January, 2009.
   
   
2. Thailand Super Deal portal website:
   You can find Thailand’s best deal packages from hotels, tour operators, airlines, shopping centres, etc.
   Please check out: http://www.tourismthailand.org, and
   www.thailandsuperdeal.com.

We are also organising roadshows abroad and bringing media / travel agents fam trips, especially from major markets; such as, China, Japan, and the Middle East.

REVISED ARRIVAL PROJECTIONS
We are expecting that final figures for 2008 will show a total of 14.3 million arrivals, which will be about the same as 2007. Although arrivals are projected to improve in the first quarter of 2009, they will definitely be lower than arrivals in the first quarter of 2008. However, we project an improvement in the second quarter of 2009. We target the international visitor arrivals in 2009 are not less than 14 million, again depending on extra budget from the government, as well as, local, regional, and global situation.

THAILAND: BEST VALUE FOR MONEY UNDER THE CAMPAIGN “AMAZING THAILAND, AMAZING VALUE”
There are certain underlying strengths in the Thai tourism industry that supports our resilience. For example, Thailand remains the world’s best value-for-money brand, as announced on 11 November, 2008, by the 2008 Country Brand Index (CBI), the third consecutive year it has won this accolade.

The Brand Index hailed the Kingdom thus: “Famous for its authentic culture, spectacular beaches and noteworthy nightlife, Thailand is also one of the most affordable destinations in the world.” In addition, Bangkok has been voted by the Travel and Leisure Magazine and the CondeNast Traveler, US to be the “Best International Business City 2008”. From the Scandinavian market, Thailand has won the Grand Travel Award Norway 2009 that was announced on 6 January, 2009. We have also won numerous other awards.

This reputation comes about due to the continuing investments that are being made by the private sector across the board of improving the Thai tourism product. Here is a listing of some of the more prominent ones:

NEW PRODUCTS
DRAGON DESCENDANTS MUSEUM in Suphan Buri, only 1 hour from Bangkok by car. Founded to mark the 20th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the People’s Republic of China and Kingdom of Thailand, the Museum is designed to present the history of Chinese civilization, using the dragon as a known sacred imaginary animal.

CHIANG MAI ZOO AQUARIUM
The newest marine aquarium in Thailand, which also claims to be the largest aquarium in South East Asia and boasts the world’s longest tunnel aquarium. It houses about 3,600 aquatic animals of 250 different species. The Aquarium is linked together by a 230 metres walkway.

SIRINDHORN MUSEUM AND PHU KUM KHAO DINOSAUR EXCAVATION SITE IN KALASIN
The archaeological museum's outstanding exhibits include life-sized skeletons of the many significant dinosaur species discovered in this area. This museum is situated in the scenic foothills of Phu Kum Khao, Kalasin province and is named after Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn. The mysterious walkways take visitors back in time to the beginnings of the Earth and how it was formed, as well as the evolution of living creatures; such as, dinosaurs and humans.

PATTAYA FLOATING MARKET (FOUR REGIONS OF FLOATING MARKET)
The Four Regions Floating Market is the latest attraction for tourists visiting Pattaya. Tourists are ferried by boats around the compound linked by a network of canals. There are performances of Thai classical dances native to the four regions of the country.

AKSRA HOON LAKORN LEK THEATRE
Situated in the King Power Complex, it has been promoted as a showcase of Thailand’s cultural and dramatic heritage, the Aksra Theatre presents performances of traditional of Thai puppetry.

SUVARNABHUMI INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT RAIL LINK:
A rail link is under construction from Suvarnabhumi International Airport to downtown Bangkok. The service is expected to be ready by May 2009. The rail link will be 28.6 kilometres long and express journeys will take 15 minutes and commuter trips 27 minutes.

THAI – LAO RAILWAY SERVICE
For the first time, a rail service between Thailand and Lao PDR. (Nong Khai – Ban Thanaleng, Vientiane) is due to be officially open in the beginning of March 2009. The construction of the 5.3 kilometre rail line from Nong Khai province on the Mittraphap Bridge to Ban Thanaleng in Lao PDR will further enhance tourism and trade between the two countries.

NEW HOTELS OPENING IN 2008 AND 2009
One of the major indicators of the continued confidence of investors in Thailand is the huge increase in new and refurbished hotels, as well as hotel expansion in both 2008 and 2009. Our records show that a total of 50 new hotels opened nationwide in 2008.

46 new hotels are set to open this year (2009). All these hotels include both international and local hotel chains, such as,

Ritz Hotel, Best Western, Crown Plaza in Bangkok Jumeirah Phuket Private Island Resort, 65 pool villas, five-star Shangri-La Phuket Resort and Spa, 315 rooms, five-star The Regent Phuket Cape Panwa, 106 rooms, five-star Conrad Koh Samui Resort, 79 villas, five-star DusitD2 Samui, 60 pool villas, boutique Banyan Tree Koh Samui , 100 villas, five-star Anantara of the Minor Groups in Phang nga, five-star

They indicate an inflow of investment from all over the world, including the Asia Pacific and the Middle East.

THAILAND TO BE A HUB OF CHARTER FLIGHTS
We are also fortunate to have a good mix of airline traffic. Although scheduled flights are of course the dominant source of traffic, we are also seeing strong growth in low-cost airlines and charter traffic.

According to the Airports of Thailand, total Low Cost Carrier (LCC) passenger traffic at all the international airports in Thailand has risen from 7.1 million in the fiscal year of 2005 to 12.8 million in the fiscal year of 2008, a far higher growth rate than passenger movements on the regular scheduled airlines.

The winter season is also the time when we get a lot of charter traffic.

To Phuket: During the October 2008 - March 2009 season, we will have a total of 43 charter flights to Phuket per week including the inaugural flight of XL direct Charter Airlines from Paris and Brussels that landed in Phuket in December 2008. This is in addition to the regular charters we have from Italy, Scandinavia, and Switzerland. New charters are also coming from St Petersburg in Russia and Kazakhstan.

To Surat Thani: TuiFly Nordic AB Charter flights have landed to Surat Thani from Helsinki since 5 December, 2008.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Many interesting upcoming events this year will continue to facilitate our recovery. For example:

• CHINESE NEW YEAR CELEBRATION on 26 January – 4 February, 2009:
  The official opening ceremony of the Chinese New Year festival in Chinatown will be held on 26 January, 2009. This year, we have received good cooperation from seven provinces of China from Guangxi, Hainan, Xuantong, Anhui, Beijing, Heilong Jiang, and Yunnan provinces to present their local cultural shows in Amazing Thailand.
  
  
• 14th ASEAN SUMMIT 2009:
  This historic summit will now be held in Hua Hin during 27 February – 1 March 2009. It will be the first since the signing of the new ASEAN charter and will fast-track integration across all sectors, including economic, social, and cultural, and especially transport and communications. In November 2008, ASEAN transport ministers signed three air agreements that will lead to the full liberalization of freight and other air services in the ASEAN region. A wider Free Trade Agreement will go a long way towards boosting trade and business contacts. For more information, take a look at http://www.14thaseansummit.org/.
  
  
• Thailand Travel Mart Plus 2009:
  With cooperation between the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the tourism industry, Thailand has an honour to annually host the largest B2B event “Thailand Travel Mart Plus the Greater Mekong Subregion (TTM+) during June 3-7, 2009. The website of the event is www.thailandtravelmartplus.com.
  
  
• AUSTRALIAN SOCIETY OF TRAVEL WRITERS:
  Up to 200 of Australia's leading travel writers will descend upon Thailand on 21-23 August, 2009 for their annual general meeting, expected to be the largest off-shore event for the association since its inception in 1975. It will include the group’s AGM for three days in Bangkok, and a series of six tours of up to seven days’ duration.

INTERNATIONAL SPORT EVENTS

• THE 3rd GOLF PGA ROYAL TROPHY: This took place this week from 9-11 January, 2009, at the exclusive Amata Spring Country Club in Bangkok. Asia and Europe’s best golfers are participating in this tournament; such as, former British open champion Paul Lawrie, Joe Ozaki, Thongchai Jaidee and Prayad Marksaeng, along with Japanese teen sensation Ryo Ishikawa and South Korea's S.K. Ho.
  
  
• PATTAYA WOMEN’S OPEN (TENNIS) 2009: Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments in Thailand has announced that the Dusit Thani Pattaya will be the venue for the upgraded WTA tournament which will be held from 7-15 February, 2009. It carries prize money of a minimum of US$220,000.
  
  
• 1st ASIAN MARTIAL ART GAMES on 25 April – 3 May, 2009: The Olympic Council of Asia has selected Thailand to host the 1st Asian Martial Art Games 2009. This is an entirely new event that OCA will organise for the first time even though these martial arts have long been part of the sporting tradition; namely, Karatedo, Kickboxing, Muai, Wushu, Kung Fu, Pencak Silat, etc. amongst the 45 members of OCA. It has received the help and support of nine martial arts associations.
  
  
• 4th LAGUNA PHUKET INTERNATIONAL MARATHON: This will be run on 14 June, 2009, featuring a Full Marathon, Half Marathon, 10 Kilometre Run, 5 Kilometre Walk and a 2 Kilometre Kids Run. Registration is now open.
  
  
• 3rd THAILAND INTERNATIONAL BALLON FESTIVAL 2009
  The 3rd Thailand International Balloon Festival, scheduled for December 2009, will be up, up and away with more than 60 hot-air balloons from countries from around the world including the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, South Africa, Croatia and Malaysia.

BIG INTERNATIONAL CONCERTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• “SIMPLY RED THE GREATEST HITS LIVE” IN BANGKOK 2009:
  The concert will be held on 1 February, 2009, at the Impact Arena, Impact Muang Thong Thani. The British soul-pop band, Simply Red, has embarked on a massive Greatest Hits World tour and are coming to Bangkok, which will be a bonus for their fans.
  
  
• CHICAGO THE MUSICAL:
  The show will be held on 12-22 February, 2009, at the Muangthai Ratchadalai Theatre, Bangkok. CHICAGO has everything that makes Broadway great: a universal tale of fame, fortune and all that jazz; one show-stopping-song after another; and the most astonishing dancing you've ever seen.
  
  
• WONDER GIRLS LIVE IN BANGKOK 2009:
  The concert will be held on 28 February, 2009, at the National Stadium. The Wonder Girls are a famous South Korean girl group. The Wonder Girls held a fan meeting in Bangkok, Thailand in May 2008, attracting over 10,000 fans.
  
  
• ROD STEWART LIVE IN BANGKOK:
  The concert will be held in March 2009, Bangkok.

CONCLUSION
Distinguished media delegates,

In conclusion, I would like to extend my sincere thanks to all of you for being here. Please convey the message to your readers and viewers that Amazing Thailand is making an Amazing Recovery and we are back in business. I will be happy to take a few questions before I sign off today. Please do join us this evening at the “Pattaya Thailand Night”, Horizon Hotel.

Thank you and sawasdee kha.

Growth in low-cost carrier passenger traffic within Asia Pacific

SINGAPORE - Airline companies have played an immense feat, juggling both the legacy and low-cost carrier segment with unwavering commitment in going through the test of times during the last seven years and especially through 2008. The year 2007 was a year of regaining profitability for the airline industry after the uphill struggle of cutting off redundant infrastructure and going through various mergers and acquisitions and recovering from the post 9/11 downturn in volume of passenger air traffic. The exponential surge in fuel price and present volatility in financial sectors have significantly affected the aerospace industry as a whole.

According to Frost & Sullivan Asia Pacific Consultant of Aerospace & Defense Practice Amartya De, the year 2008 alone saw the International Air Transport Association (IATA) terminate 26 carriers and is keeping watch on 10 - 15 other carriers.

"This watch is not concentrated on any particular part of the world, but rather, in many different pockets. The load factor has remained more or less close to 75 percent since the last 7 years, and there is not much one can do above this unless the existing capacities are significantly cut down," he said.

He added that North America has been the largest loser in 2008 with Europe and Asia Pacific making meager profits of a few hundred million dollars and the Middle East retaining a little respectable share by the close of 2008.

"Airline companies will be able to rationalize and offer efficient services with gradual freedom to operate in open skies if governments look to deregulation as a way to promote the industry as a whole. The previous drop of 50 percent in airline share prices might just reach their initial levels, post all the merger and infrastructure cutbacks by early 2009," he continued.

In terms of industry, Frost & Sullivan estimates that the year 2009 will have its share of global losses owing to the liquidity crunch in the airline industry but most of it will be taken off by the US market. Emerging economies in Asia Pacific will still see an increase in passenger traffic of the order of 5 - 7 percent.

"The prices of air tickets globally will have come down to initial levels by end of 2008. On a positive note, the Asia Pacific players will not face any loss for 2009 and might even be left with few cents in the pocket. The market will still see reasonable growth in Low Cost Carrier (LCC) passenger traffic within Asia Pacific and even in the long haul segment," De said.

Frost & Sullivan also estimates that there will be stronger growth in the economy class travel rather than in the long-haul business class travel mainly for Asia and intra-Europe. "The three sectors - namely Europe-Middle East, Middle East-Asia, and Asia-Europe - will continue to grow at about 7 percent CAGR in 2009," De continued.

He also added that despite the financial slowdown, there will be continuing demand for new and fuel-efficient narrow body aircrafts with around 1,800 new fuel-efficient aircraft deliveries for 2009 equally shared by Boeing/McD-D and Airbus, while on the other hand, airlines will continue to deal with volatility in foreign currencies and hedging strategies.

"The financial torrent is affecting the aircraft leasing sector more than ever before and these times of change are definitely going to lay the new foundations of this industry. Increasing cost-cutting measures and resource sharing are forging together new business models in the airline industry," he said.

According to De, "The distinction between Legacy and LCC becomes thinner and thinner, and eventually we will see fewer carriers with better service and a reasonable ticket prices."

source: etn

The 29th ASEAN Tourism Forum opens in Hanoi

HANOI - The 29th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Forum opened in Hanoi on Tuesday, with participants seeking solutions to boost tourism that was heavily hit by global economic downturn.

Tran Chien Thang, Vice Minister of Vietnamese Culture, Sports and Tourism Ministry, said at the forum that global economic turmoil has reduced demand for traveling.

Thang called policy markers in ASEAN countries to map out favorable policies for tourism sectors to grow. He also suggested travel agencies to launch new products and services, like cruise tourism, to attract more customers.

Participants at the meeting discussed the establishment of ASEAN Tourism Investment Corridor, and plan to accredit regional selected hotels with the title of ASEAN Green Hotel.

With an aim to further lift the image of ASEAN tourism, participants agreed to carry out the ASEAN Competitiveness Enhancement (ACE) project in coordination with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Participants also agreed to strengthen regional cooperation to enhance competitiveness and deal with the challenges together.

ASEAN comprises ten countries, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.

The forum draws tourism ministers of ASEAN countries and representative of travel agencies, airlines and hotels from across the world.

Bruce Lee Hong Kong home to be saved as tourist site

HONG KONG - A philanthropic bid by a Hong Kong tycoon to preserve the one-time residence of kung fu legend Bruce Lee and transform it into a major tourist attraction honouring the film icon was approved Tuesday.

The green light comes after a long-running struggle by fans to save the 5,700 square-foot, two-storey town house from an inglorious fate as a seedy love motel in a leafy Kowloon suburb.

The fate of Lee's last home had hung in the balance for years, until its owner, real estate and hotel tycoon Yu Pang-lin, made a surprise decision last year to donate it to the city where the martial arts master first shot to fame.

"Both sides have now reached a consensus to go ahead and essentially proceed with this good plan," Yu told reporters after a meeting with government officials.

"I'm 88 years old now and hope that while I'm still alive I'll be able to see this Bruce Lee museum completed," he added.

Hong Kong's Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said it agreed to preserve the "original outlook of the building and its features" with an aim to revitalize it for long-term sustainable operation as a tourism attraction.

Parts of the home will be recreated, including Lee's study and training hall stacked with martial arts weaponry and other paraphernalia of his discipline.

While further details have yet to be hammered out, Yu wants the site, which has served as a love motel with rooms rented out by the hour -- to include a library, martial arts centre and a cinema to fully commemorate Lee's life and philosophy.

government spokeswoman gave no time frame but hoped to get the project up and running as soon as possible.

Lee, who died under mysterious circumstances in 1973 aged 32, starred in such kung fu classics as "Fist of Fury," "Game of Death" and "Enter the Dragon."

Revered both by martial arts adherents and movie buffs the world over for popularizing the kung fu cinematic genre, Lee also helped usher in a golden age of Hong Kong film in the 1960s.

Before Yu's charitable gesture however, the government seemed reluctant to invest public money in a major site to commemorate the legacy of one of Hong Kong's most famous names.

While born in San Francisco, the brash though sinewy fighter was raised and made his name in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong's Bruce Lee fan club welcomed the breakthrough, and expressed hopes the residence could prove as big a draw as other global memorial sites such as the Beatles Story in Liverpool and Elvis Presley's Graceland mansion in Tennessee.

Source: uk reuters

Tourism Arrivals in 2008 in Cambodia

Some 2.1 million tourists visited Cambodia last year, marking an 6.0 percent rise over 2007 but falling short of the government’s target of 2.3 million visitors, Tourism Minister Thong Khon said Sunday, citing the global financial crisis and ongoing political turmoil in Thailand a major tourist gateway to Cambodia – as reasons for the slowdown. Still, he said the Kingdom’s arrival figures were likely to increase by at least 5.0 percent this year.

”We are targeting tourists from countries not [badly] affected by the economic downturn,” he told. Cambodia had hoped to see 2.3 million arrivals this year, Thong Khon said. He had said earlier that the Kingdom would try to attract more Chinese and East Asian visitors to offset the decline in tourists from Western countries.

Cambodia’s Kep, Sihanoukville and Pailin become new provinces

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni signed a royal decree on December 22 that will change the municipalities of Kep and Sihanoukville on the southern coast into provinces and re-demarcate the boundary between the provinces of Sihanoukville and Koh Kong accordingly.

Mr. Khieu Sopheak, Spokesman of the Ministry of Interior, told that the changes were aimed at improving administrative efficiency and law and order. He added that the policy was in line with the government's existing de-centralization program that aims to upgrade the capacity and efficiency of local governments.

For the former beach resort town of Kep in the eastern part of the 443km-long coastline this new up-coming development will mean a lot. Being in the shadow of the old colonial port town of Kampot, Kep is located only some 25km away from Kampot and is reached on the way to the new border opening of Prek Chak/Xaxia into Ha Tien in Viet Nam’s Mekong Delta. It is becoming more and more popular these days because of its fresh seafood sold at the Crab Market and the nearby south sea escapes of Koh Tonsai or Rabbit Island as well as Koh Poa or Snake Island.

Actually, there is only one kilometer of sandy beach, which gets quite busy on weekends. With small boutique hotels and guesthouses, it is only a matter of time when Kep will return to its former glory that was before the Khmer Rouge totally destroyed the place during the murderous Pol Pot regime of 1975-1979. Around Kep, there are a lot of cattle farming and salt farming going on. Pepper plantations abound. Beautiful limestone-mountains dot the horizon with caves and intriguing pre-Angkorian sanctuaries.

From Kep, you can see the island of Phu Quoc, which is located some 60km off the Vietnamese coast, but less than 20km away from Kep. The colonial power of France had given this island to Viet Nam in 1949 to settle some border problems with Cambodia.

Passing the provincial town of Kampot, Tek Chhou River and Bokor Mountain, you will reach Sihanoukville, some 110km away, on the newly built Highway no. 33 via the market village of Veal Renh on Highway no. 4.

Sihanoukville was formerly known as Kampong Som until a deepwater port was built there in 1955. Since then, Sihanoukville developed steadily as a beach town until now. The latest attractions in town are the re-constructed Independence Hotel Boutique Resort & Spa, built in 1963 at the most beautiful spot of the whole area, and the newly arrived German-owned “Sun” 22mx7m luxury motor yacht, which comes with three decks plus sundeck on top, seven cosy cabins, bar and restaurant. There are regular overnight outings to Koh Rong Samloem or Koh Tang, including a co-operation with the Dive Shop Cambodia operators.

The best-featured restaurant on land is without doubt the Russian-owned Snake House, where eating around well-kept snakes and crocodiles is in order. Also, Cambodia’s first official motorbike club, Lone Brothers MC, opened in Sihanoukville recently.
Koh Kong is 222km by road from Sihanoukville at the western end of the coast and is the best province for Eco-tourism. In former times, there were four rivers to cross by ferries, but since the completion of Highway no. 48 the bus-ride takes only 4 hours - mostly along the wild Cardamom Mountains. As the gateway to the southern part of Cambodia, Koh Kong is just 12 km from the border opening of Cham Yeam/Hat Lek into Thailand’s Trat Province via the impressive new bridge across the Koh Kong River.

The sleepy town becomes more popular day by day and is the starting point to lush virginal rainforest, scenic waterfalls, lush mangroves and outlying islands. Boating is possible by contacting the German-run Neptune Guesthouse. Koh Kong Island has untouched sandy beaches and is still waiting to get developed in the future.

Interesting to note is that King Sihamoni has also signed the royal decree that the former Khmer Rouge-controlled and gem-infested Special Economic Zone of Pailin becomes a new Cambodian province. Thus, the re-demarcating of the provincial boundaries between Battambang and Pursat follows and will affect the northern part of Koh Kong accordingly. It seems that the tide of the impoverished Kingdom of Cambodia will turn to the better.

Tourism to Indonesia remains strong at year's end

Niether the financial crisis nor the Australian travel warning stopped tourists from spending Christmas and New Year in Bali, as the island once again broke its own record for highest number of visitors.

According to a report by the Christmas and New Year holidays' task force , as many as 133,705 tourists, both domestic and international, entered Bali via the Ngurah Rai International Airport between the 22 and 30 of Dec., an increase from 125,000 in the same period last year.

As many as 75,651 people passed through the domestic terminal, while 57,424 came on flights from overseas.

I Gede Ketut Astana, manager-in-duty at the airport, said the influx in tourists reached its peak on the 29th of Dec., when a total of 15,193 tourists, 8,479 of whom were domestic tourists and 6,714 were foreign tourists, arrived in the island.

"Apparently, despite the financial crisis, the numbers of foreign tourists remained high, especially from our main markets which are Japan, Korea, China and Australia," Astana said Wednesday.

Domestic airlines responded to the high demand by adding an average of four flights a day during this year end holiday season, Astana said. During non-holiday seasons, the airport manages about 54 domestic flights per day.

He said international airlines did not add any extra flights to their regular number of 40 per day.

He said he expected the mass departure of domestic tourists this coming Friday and international tourists on Saturday.

Head of the Bali Tourism Agency, I Gde Nurjaya, confirmed that Bali remained a sought-after holiday destination this new year, citing an average hotel occupancy rate of 68 percent throughout Bali.

"Specifically, the hotels in Kuta, Nusa Dua and Sanur have been quite full, with an occupancy rate of over 80 percent. Some hotels were even overbooked," he said.

He added that hotels in the northern and eastern areas of Bali, such as the Buleleng Regency and Karangasem Regency, however, were only about 60 percent occupied, which means that Bali's tourism industry has not managed to lure tourists away from the famous destinations in southern Bali, such as Kuta.

"So I would like to urge the tourism businesses again, especially travel agencies, to help spread out the distribution of tourists in Bali more evenly," he said.

"Because Bali is not just Kuta, Sanur or Nusa Dua. There are other interesting places they can find all throughout Bali."

Meanwhile, Kuta beach was very crowded on the days leading to New Year's Day.

Melinda, 28, a tourist from Surabaya, East Java, said she decided to visit Bali because it was perfect for vacationing.

"I love coming to Bali. There are beautiful places and all the souvenirs you can buy. Everything is here for you," she said.

When asked whether she was worried about the security of the island, she was not worried.

"I'm not afraid. I'm certain that Bali is a safe place to be," she said.

Source: jakarta post

India's Kingfisher Airlines to cut fares in new year 2009

The country's leading private air-carrier, Kingfisher Airlines, has said that it would effect fare cut across its network from January 1, 2009.

"Kingfisher Airlines will begin the New Year on an aggressive note by slashing fares on its network," Kingfisher Airlines Chairman Vijaya Mallya said in a statement here today. He, however, did not specify the quantum by which fares would come down.

The current low prices of Air Turbine Fuel (ATF) allows Kingfisher to pursue an opportunity to significantly increase market share by offering the fine five star flying experience at reduced fares, he said.

Earlier, Kingfisher had said that it would effect fare cut only after the government classifies ATF in the Declared Goods category. Another private airline, Jet Airways, had also taken a similar decision on the issue.

The airlines across the board are demanding from the government to classify ATF in the declared goods category. Under the declared goods category, there will be a uniform four per cent sales tax on air fuel across the country.

The proposal is now before Parliament. However, several state governments are likely to oppose the uniform taxation as it would cause revenue loss to them. Now, the sales tax varies from four per cent to 32 per cent, and accounts for over 35 per cent of airlines' operational cost.

Over the last four months, there has been a sharp decline in ATF prices. While some air carriers earlier this month reduced the fuel surcharge between Rs 200 and Rs 400, they did not touch the basic fare.

Thailand plans $450 mln to help tourist sector

$450 million package for reviving its important tourist sector, badly hit by a crippling week-long airport blockade, the Tourism Minister said on Thursday.

"If businesses fail, it will cause damage to the country," Tourism and Sports Minister Chumpol Silpa-Archa told reporters after meeting with private tourism operators.

The 4-year rescue plan will help a tourist industry suffering from the effects of the closure of Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport closure during November as it was blockaded by anti-government protesters. The blockade paralysed the industry and stranded 300,000 travellers. The government fears the period may have tarnished its image as a tourist destination for years.

Tourism directly employs 1.8 million people in Thailand and brings in the equivalent of 6 percent of gross domestic product, making it a major economic driver.

"We have already lost 100 billion baht in revenues and more than 2 million tourists from the airport closure," he said of the blockade during the peak tourist season. He did not elaborate.

The $4-billion airport handles more than 100,000 passengers and outbound cargo worth around $85 million each day.

Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents, said he expected the number of foreign tourists of 12-13 million next year, compared with 16 million projected by the Tourism Authority of Thailand before the airport siege.

"If the situation gets better, we may have more than 13 million tourists next year," he told the meeting, but gave no projection for this year.

Apichart said normally Thailand welcomed 8,000-12,000 foreign tourists a day during the peak season that started in November, but the number fell to 5,400 after the airport shut.

"Now we seem to have three low seasons in a row," he said.

India eyes Asean to ease recession-hit tourism sector

With long haul destinations like US and UK impacted by the global meltdown, the tourism ministry has focused attention on short-haul destinations like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand.

Not only is the government considering a proposal for giving long-term, multiple entry visas to visitors from ASEAN countries but special promotions are being planned before Union tourism minister Ambika Soni's visit to Vietnam in January 2009.

Overall, the tourism sector in India witnessed great buoyancy till the middle of this year with the growth between India and the ASEAN countries being high. During 2002-2007, foreign tourist arrivals to the country increased from 2.38 million to 5.08 million, growing at 16.37%. During this period, the tourist arrivals from the ASEAN region to India grew at 15.24%. Foreign tourist arrivals from the ASEAN region to India during 2002 was 1.49 lakh and in 2007 it was 3.03 lakh.

"ASEAN is an important source market for India. India has been actively promoted in this market through promotional and marketing events. India sees immense potential for tourism generation from ASEAN region due to geographical proximity and good connectivity with most of the ASEAN member countries,'' Leena Nandan, tourism joint secretary said.

Amongst the biggest draws in the region is Buddhist tourism and cruise tourism. The ministry is already working at promoting India as a port of call for those cruises that originate in Singapore and Malaysia. According to officials, the Mahaparinirvan train that showcases Buddhist sites in India is a major attraction.

The tourism ministry has also proposed issuance of multiple-entry, long-term visas for ASEAN countries. The home ministry is in the process of examining the proposal.

According to officials, the tourism ministry has suggested that the advanced passenger system, which has begun for Air India flights at Mumbai and Delhi, be extended to all international flights and then eventually to all metro cities.

How to Honeymoon in Thailand

Planning your honeymoon in Thailand does not have to be a huge hassle. It can be fun and exciting, as well as simple to plan before your wedding your wedding. Destination weddings and honeymoons are increasingly famous these days with couples and it should be an exciting and adventurous time for both of you. Learn how to plan a honeymoon in Thailand and spend some quality time together as newlyweds.

1Step OneDecide whether you want to stay in a secluded area or with other couples and newlyweds. Many all inclusive honeymoon resorts are adults only resorts and some even go as far as 'adult couples only' resorts. This atmosphere can make it more of a romantic honeymoon because everyone around is in love and happy.

2Step TwoChoose an all inclusive honeymoon package for Thailand, so you can keep away from dealing with small details like rooms and flight. You can research on the Internet for deals and fabulous packages, or you can go to your personal travel agent and ask for more information.

3Step ThreeMake sure you have a functional camera that you can take along with you. You might hire a photographer while on your honeymoon, but it is best to be prepared. This is a special moment and celebration of the beginning of your lives together. You will want to make sure you get photos of your honeymoon in beautiful, exotic Thailand.

4Step FourResearch about Thailand to learn the customs and culture before you go off for your honeymoon. You might want to go on excursions, or you might want to sit on the beach the whole time and drink cocktails. It is good to know what the location is like and what it offers to its visitors.

5Step FiveStart packing for your honeymoon to Thailand and make sure you pack according to the weather. Leave any stresses at home and get ready to rejuvenate yourself with your true love.

Philippines to host World Health Tourism Congress

It is a genuine concern for patients that sets the Filipino health care worker apart. Some will say that this is because malasakit or the capacity to empathize with people, especially the sick, is deeply ingrained in our collective cultural psyche. But couple the quality with excellent professional training, and it is not surprising that Filipino health professionals are among those most sought after throughout the world.

Thus, it is good news that the Philippines won the bid to host the fourth World Health Tourism Congress in 2009. The noteworthy global event will be held at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza on March 26 to 28, and would serve as a key networking venue for leading health and wellness providers. Aside from a three-day conference and workshop, one-on-one business sessions between buyers and sellers make it possible to acquire supply contracts, establish market linkages, and agree on mutually beneficial transactions.

Attendance to the event is by invitation only, so that only serious solution providers and buyers can join. Among the solution providers that have been invited to participate are hotels, spas, health resorts, airline and air ambulance companies, medical services agents, inbound tour operators specializing in health tourism, and general and specialist hospitals and clinics. Cosmetic dentistry, plastic surgery, orthopedic and sports medicine are specializations that are expected to grow with the successful promotion of medical tourism.

Among the speakers at the press launch was Hadi Malaeb, managing partner of event organizer Aura International Dubai.

Although 92,000 medical tourists from the Arab world visited the Philippines in 2007, the number is expected to grow as the country is given prominence as a premium medical destination at the congress. Among the corporate buyers expected to attend the event are health officials from oil-producing Middle Eastern countries that are among the biggest spenders for medical travel. An additional boost for medical tourism is anticipated with the participation of international insurance companies whose network managers decide where to send their clients, third party medical agents mostly from North America and Western Europe who incorporate travel and tours with medical treatment for their clientele, and outbound tour operators who are on the lookout for health and wellness destinations. To emphasize the immense potential of medical tourism, Malaeb cited a 2006 study by the consultancy firm Globalysis that placed the health and wellness industry revenue at US$40 billion in 2006. The figure is projected to climb to US$60 billion in 2012.

In the Philippines, medical tourism brought in revenues of US $350 million since the program was launched in 2006. The target figure for year 2012 is US $1 billion. Undeniably, promoting the Philippines as a wellspring of healthcare and wellness through such events as the World Health Tourism Congress will be invaluable in reaching this goal.

“This congress is a great opportunity for the Philippines to showcase its Centers of Excellence,” said DOT Undersecretary for Sports and Wellness Tourism Cynthia Carrion. “The world-class quality of healthcare, the country’s close attention to patient safety, and the capabilities of our caring, compassionate, and culture-sensitive healthcare professionals will reinforce the Philippines as the heart of Asia for health tourists.”

Source: philstar

Thailand tourism officials launch Super Deal promotion

Thailand's tourism authority has announced the launch of a Thailand Super Deal promotion as it attempts to bring tourists back to the country after recent political turmoil saw Bangkok’s two main airports closed for several days and millions of travellers stranded.

The focus of the campaign will be on the ‘amazing value’ that Thailand offers, as seen on a new website, thailandsuperdeal.com. Links to accommodation deals, airline offers, package tours, shopping bargains and other incentives can be found on the website.

As part of the programme, hotels and individual travel operators are able to present their own special offers, which are supported by the tourism authority’s public relations and promotions efforts.

On Tuesday, 24 boutique hotels and 11 travel operators launched the ‘One Price All Destinations’ campaign.

The campaign packages feature room rates discounted to 2,000 baht per person per night, and include breakfast, dinner and airport transfers.

Hotels participating in the campaign are located in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Chumpon, Hua Hin, Koh Phangan, Krabi, Phuket, Pran Buri, Sukhothai and Samui.

The special deals are open to Thais and foreign visitors, from 23 December through 28 February, for travel through 30 June.

Chumpol Silapa-archa, the tourism and sports minister, said he would be continuing to take steps to help the recovery of the tourism industry through the rest of the high season.

www.tourismthailand.org

India rolls out red carpet for tourists

NEW DELHI - If you've been planning to visit India - whether to soak up Goa's splendiferous sands or ogle the Taj Mahal - now's a good time to pack your bags. Hotel tariffs have plummeted by a whopping 30%, the Indian government has unleashed a raft of tourist-friendly sops and travel agents and airlines are offering great bargains.

With the portentous mix of a global economic slowdown and terror attacks eroding the growth of tourist arrivals in India, tourism has taken a beating. The Mumbai terror attacks on November 26, industry experts rue, have ruined the tourism season just as it was unfurling. As a result, compared to the 30% growth in the sector in 2007 - and double-digit growth for the past five years - the country is expected to post a tourist arrival increase of zilch this year.

This is a contrast from 2007, during which India witnessed a record number of visitors from abroad and a sharp rise in foreign exchange earnings through tourism. The number of foreign tourists in India touched a record 5 million in 2007, an increase of 12% from 2006. The estimated tourism earnings in 2007 were US$11.96 billion, compared to $8.93 billion in 2006.

This year, even till August, things weren't actually so bad. Foreign arrivals had increased 10.4% compared with the corresponding period last year. The foreign exchange earnings during the same period rose 21.5%. Buoyed with this growth, the industry had set itself an ambitious target to more than double the number of arrivals to 10 million by 2010, when New Delhi will host the Commonwealth Games.

But all this looks unachievable now due to a combination of factors, including a plunge in the number of arrivals for the first time in six years by 2.1% in November, traditionally regarded as the beginning of the high season. The number of visitors in November nose-dived from 532,000 in 2007 to 521,000, while the corresponding foreign exchange earnings from visitors dipped by 12.5% to $1 billion.

To make matters worse, in the aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks, almost 50% of bulk bookings by visitors (largely from Britain, Europe and the US) were cancelled. Travel advisories issued by the US, Britain, Australia, Canada and Singapore advising against travel to India did nothing to help things. According to Himmat Anand, co-chair of the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry's tourism committee, along with corporate bookings which usually plunge at this time, no fresh bookings have been forthcoming. "India has suddenly disappeared from overseas tourists' itineraries this year," he said.

What has further aggravated the situation is that on account of a record tourist turnout last year, operators had invested heavily in infrastructure upgrades and renovations which are now cumulatively adding to their losses. "This has been one of the worst times for Indian tourism in recent history," said Anil Kalsi, chairman (northern region) of the Travel Agents Association of India.

With panic buttons buzzing everywhere, the Ministry of Tourism has been forced to take urgent steps to increase footfalls to the country. It is now working on a war footing with trade associations and airlines to push up visitor numbers through a slew of measures. The Ministry of Tourism has set up state-level committees comprised of representatives from trade associations and ministries to look into various aspects of tourism management. Tourism Minister Ambika Soni has also urged governments of various countries not to issue travel advisories against India, simultaneously sending out a message of reassurance to the world community that India is a "safe" destination.

To prevent the sector from plunging into further gloom, the Tourism Ministry is also working proactively with travel operators to revitalize inbound tourist traffic. As a part of the "promote India campaign", for instance, tour operators have been asked to pair hotel tariffs with airfares and offer attractive incentives to visitors. Those who visit India this year will be offered sops like discounted packages for rural tourism, adventure tourism and wellness tourism on their next visit. Tour operators are also offering to sponsor at least 1,000 tourism industry reps to take a free trip to India for discussions.

Meanwhile, the ministry is working out the modalities of giving visas to tourists on arrival to further encourage unencumbered travel to India. It is also fleshing out 22 new mega tourism destinations across the country at an outlay of 250 million rupees (US$5.1 million) to 1 billion rupees for each destination, to infuse novelty into visitors' itineraries. To give rural tourism a push, 130 more villages have been identified as templates to showcase India's heterogeneous culture. Financial support to tour operators promoting India in the international arena has also been ratcheted up.

The government would do well to fire on all cylinders, considering that after the Mumbai massacre group bookings to popular tourist destinations like Goa, Jaipur and Kerala have plummeted remarkably. "The meltdown mayhem coupled with Mumbai's terror attacks have severely impacted Indian tourism," said Subhash Goyal, erstwhile president of Indian Association of Tour Operators. "It has had a cascading effect down the hospitality chain - from travel agents to the airlines to car rental companies to the hotels."

Five-star hotel tariffs in Delhi have hit an all-time low. A room can now be had in the range of 8,000 rupees to 10,000 rupees, even though the same room fetched between 12,000 to 15,000 rupees last year. Ergo, to create demand, many hotels and resorts are offering a "Global Meltdown Tariff" which knocks off 30% off the normal fare.

However, despite a raft of measures taken by the government and the hospitality sector to rejuvenate inbound tourism, industry players are still a tad wary about the Christmas-New Year season, which accounts for the bulk of their annual business.

"Ironically, this is the time when trade is [usually] booming," said Prateek Ghai of Globe Travels, a New-Delhi based travel agency. "But this time, due to a combination of factors, things are looking far too bleak!"

Thailand apologizes to Tourists

The recent closure of Bangkok’s two airports was an unforeseen and unpredictable event never experienced before in Thailand. We sympathize with all of you who were affected and the distress it caused.

In realizing your plight, the various related agencies of the Thai tourism industry did everything possible to alleviate the inconvenience incurred upon visitors. Hundreds of people across the spectrum of the Thai travel and tourism industry worked round-the-clock to help the thousands of tourists seeking to be reunited with their families and friends.

With regards to the efforts of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and together with entire private sector, we provided accommodation and meals, as well as facilitated tourists as much as possible. Some emergency flights were also operated from other airports, and city terminals were established for tourists to undergo early check-in procedures. Once the all-clear was declared, the entire tourism industry moved expeditiously and urgently to get the airport open again.

We hope that you have reached home safely and that your confidence and trust in Thailand as a destination has not been affected, and that we will have many more opportunities to welcome you again in our country.

Today, I am happy to inform that the Thai travel and tourism industry is back to normal. Thailand is and continues to be a wonderfully diverse tourism destination with great beaches, savory, food, health and wellness centers, luxury accommodation, unspoiled nature, and of course warm and friendly smiles.

So with all of this and much more, we look forward to seeing you in Amazing Thailand soon.

Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn
Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand

Tourism Back to Normal in Thailand

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has issued two statements - one for visitors to Thailand and one for members of the travel trade - amid a positive sign that Thai politics looks set to be more stabilised under the new Abhisit Vejjajiva administration.

The message for visitors to Thailand is a simple note of apology with TAT governor, Ms Phornsiri Manoharn, offering her sympathy to tourists affected by the closure of Bangkok's two airports.

Ms Phornsiri said in her note: "We hope you have reached home safely and that your confidence and trust in Thailand has not been affected...I am happy to inform that the Thai travel and tourism industry is back to normal.

"Thailand is and continues to be a wonderfully diverse tourism destination with great beaches, savoury, food, health and wellness centres, luxury accommodation, unspoilt nature, and of course, warm and friendly smiles."

The message for members of the travel trade conveys TAT's appreciation for their help and co-operation with the Thai NTO during the incident period. It also puts into perspective how TAT plans to move forward to regain the confidence of foreign visitors and investors.

Both statements reiterate how Thailand's travel trade made it its first priority to help stranded passengers, reaffirming the industry's trademark resilience in the face of crises.

Meanwhile, inbound tour operators reported seeing new bookings for Thailand coming in.

Asian Trails CEO, Mr Luzi Matzig, said new bookings from Europe for after the New Year had started to come in, albeit at a sluggish pace, due to declining spending power of European travellers under the tough economic situation.

However, he maintained the main reason for the drop in bookings for Thailand was the global economic situation that was made worst by the closure of Bangkok's two key airports.

Diethelm Travel Group COO, Mr Richard Brouwer, said: "Apart from receiving new bookings, we are not getting anymore cancellations. In fact, some cancelled bookings have been reinstated."

Source: ttg

Thailand - "We regret the incident and will not allow it to happen again"

Newly elected Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Wednesday he was sorry for the damage done to the country by the week-long occupation of Bangkok's two airports.

He spoke just hours before he received a royal proclamation which officially appointed him as the 27th Thai prime minister.

The Tourism Council of Thailand said Wednesday that 3 million tourists will skip the country this winter, costing 109 billion baht and thousands of jobs.

Council president Kongkrit Hiranyakit directly blamed seizure of Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang airports, which stranded 350,000 foreign tourists in the country.

"We regret the incident and will not allow it to happen again," the newly elected prime minister Mr Abhisit told Thai tourism industry representatives on Wednesday.

During the airport closures Mr Abhisit stayed silent and did not condemn the action by the People's Alliance for Democracy. One of the PAD leaders is a member of his Democracy party, which now controls a majority in parliament.

On Wednesday he defended the military for not intervening to clear the airport because the army had been put in a "difficult position". He did not elaborate.

Mr Abhisit personally gave tacit support to the PAD when he showed up at the funeral of a PAD supporter killed during clashes with police outside parliament on Oct 7. He also visited injured PAD protesters.

Tourism accounts for an estimated six per cent of the country's gross domestic product, and industry experts have warned that tourist numbers could fall by half next year - roughly seven million visitors - because of the damaging airport closures.

"I am fully aware that the tourism sector was hit hard and it had an unreasonable loss of revenue," said Mr Abhisit. But he stopped short of promising government aid. Because of the severe damage to tourism, "Therefore I will create national unity and national reconciliation," he added.

Hotel occupancy has already plummeted after tourists cancelled Thai trips, scared off by television images of trapped travellers sleeping on baggage trolleys and PAD guards with wooden stakes stationed at the airports.

There was some help for the industry at hand, though.

Southeast Asia's leading budget airline said on Tuesday it will give away 100,000 plane tickets as part of a regional marketing campaign to woo tourists to Thailand after that nation's political turmoil.

AirAsia said it was working with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to send the message "it is now safe to travel back to the Land of Smiles."

The airline said the free tickets would be good for travel to Bangkok from Vietnam, Cambodia, Burma, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and China as well as for flights within Thailand. AirAsia was also offering another 400,000 sites to other destinations at its website, including free tickets out of Thailand to nearby tourist centres such as Bali and thje airline's home country of Malaysia.

Tickets can only be obtained at the AirAsia web site through Friday. They will be good for travel between Jan 6 and next March 31.

source: bangkokpost

AirAsia offers 100,000 free tickets to Thailand

Southeast Asia's top budget carrier AirAsia said Tuesday it would offer 100,000 free tickets to Thailand under a regional marketing campaign to support its tourism industry battered by recent political unrest.

AirAsia said it would collaborate with Tourism Authority of Thailand to bring back tourists and businessmen by "reinstating the core message that it is now safe to travel back to the Land of Smiles."

Under its campaign themed "Get Your Baht To Thailand" — a play on the Thai currency — AirAsia will give away 100,00 free tickets to Bangkok from Vietnam, Cambodia, Myammar, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and China, as well as for flights within Thailand.

Passengers will only have to pay airport taxes and administration fee. AirAsia last month abolished fuel surcharges on all its flights.

"We hope that this campaign will instill the confidence among travelers and also help to boost tourism which is vital at this juncture," Group Chief Executive Tony Fernandes said in a statement.

Tickets can only be purchased online at AirAsia's Web site over the next three days from Wednesday for travel between Jan. 6 and March 31.

AirAsia operates over 400 international weekly flights that connect Thailand to the rest of Southeast Asia and China. Within Thailand, its affiliate, Thai AirAsia, operates 378 flights weekly.

Thailand's tourism industry is suffering after months of anti-government protests culminated last month with demonstrators taking over Bangkok's two main airports for a week.

A measure of political stability has returned to Thailand after the parliament selected a new prime minister Monday, but the political turmoil and airport shutdown are expected to discourage travelers from visiting Thailand.

Thailand ushers in new political era

Chiang Mai, Thailand - Member of Parliaments (MPs) voted Monday morning to proclaim Democrat Party Leader, Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva, 44, as the 27th prime minister of Thailand.

Of the 436 MPs eligible to vote 235 voted for Mr. Abhisit, while 198 voted for Mr. Pracha. Three MPs abstained.

The alternative candidate nominated by the recently formed Phue Thai Party, which is backed by ousted former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, was Puea Pandin Party leader and police general Pracha Promnok.

The electoral result was not welcomed by some of the supporters of Mr. Thaksin, who lives in exile and faces a two-year jail term, if he returns from abroad. "Red shirts" were protesting outside Thai Parliament against the MPs, who evidently have switched sides in the meantime.

A last ditch influence by Mr. Thaksin to prevent the result of the election process on Saturday evening has obviously failed.

Also, the amazing result ushers Thailand in a new political era and will certainly help to lead a recovery in the sinking tourism outcome.

Source: Reinhard

Le Meridien Angkor selected “the best hotel” in Asia division for 2007 by Jalpak

SIEM REAP, Cambodia – Le Méridien Angkor has been voted ‘Asia’s Best Hotel’ by Jalpak’s passengers traveling throughout Asia during April 2007 to March 2008.

Mr. Gregory Anderson, general manager, said: “We are delighted! Our team will be well pleased. JalPak’s passengers know and want the best; this is a wonderful compliment and reinforces to the market that Le Méridien Angkor invests in the right service people and training and cares about its guests experiencing wonderful service journeys.”

Voted Cambodia’s Leading Hotel and Cambodia’s Leading Spa at the 2007 and 2008 World Travel Awards, Le Méridien Angkor is just moments from the magnificent Angkor, allowing for convenient sunrise or sunset excursions to the ancient monuments. The sights and scenes of downtown Siem Reap, the countryside, and local communities beyond are easily accessible. Siem Reap International Airport is only 14 kilometers from the hotel.

After a rewarding day exploring the breathtaking ruins of Angkor, guests at Le Méridien Angkor can unwind in the spa and experience the pleasure of traditional massage or relax in the aquamarine waters of the Khmer-themed swimming pool.

Le Méridien Angkor combines elements of traditional Khmer creativity with chic contemporary décor. The refined and thoroughly modern guestrooms are rich in timbers and hand-woven silks, creating a pleasurable environment in which to relax. Just moments from the magnificent Angkor, the hotel occupies an inspiring setting and allows for convenient sunrise or sunset excursions to the ancient monuments. Siem Reap International Airport is only 14 kilometers away.

To discover more, please simply e-mail reservations.angkor@lemeridien.com or call T: +855 63... or visit lemeridien.com/angkor .

South Asia Tourism Development Plan

According to the latest news from the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau, five South Asian countries will deepen their co-operation to promote their unique tourism market of culture and nature-based destinations.

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has approved a $2-million grant to promote sustained dialogue among the governments of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka to develop an updated sub-regional tourism plan, streamline cross-border tourist movements, formulate and implement a marketing campaign, and build the capacities to protect and manage the sub-regional heritage and tourism growth.

South Asia is one of the poorest regions of the world. However, it has rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage areas as well as major Buddhist sites, making it a Buddhist heartland.

The ADB grant will be sourced from the Regional Co-operation and Integration Fund under ADB’s Regional Co-operation and Integration Financing Partnership Facility. The five governments will contribute $400,000 to cover the costs of counterpart staff, accommodation and facilities to be used during the two-year period to complete the project.

"The region has tremendous potential for developing tourism that can be used to expand economic opportunities, generate employment, and raise incomes, particularly for the sub-region’s poor," said Guelfer Cezayirli, principal urban development specialist at ADB’s South Asia Department.

The objective of an integrated tourism plan is to link the complementary tourism attractions found in each country that otherwise might not be sufficient to attract a high level of tourist arrivals if promoted as individual destinations.

Will a replica of India’s Taj Mahal in Bangladesh also draw tourists?

Tourists from around the world can now opt for which Taj Mahal to visit: the original in India, or its replica in Bangladesh.

After work started in 2003, a life-size replica structure of the original Taj Mahal, located 30km northeast of Dhaka, is now almost ready to open its doors to tourists.

"Everyone dreams about seeing the Taj Mahal, but very few Bangladeshis can make the trip because they are poor and it's too expensive for them," said wealthy benefactor/filmmaker Ahsanullah Moni, describing his reason for pouring US$58 million of his money into his "dream" project. "I hope it will be as big a draw to local and foreign tourists as the original."

Moni made six trips to India after first being inspired by the beauty of the original Taj Mahal in 1980. Not disclosing whether he was also inspired by a woman in his life, like the inspiration behind the original Taj Mahal, he set about to follow his dream to replicate the original Taj Mahal.

After hiring specialist architects, he sent them to India to get the exact measurements of the original building. He again turned to India, bringing in six Indian construction technicians to oversee the building works.

Relating the specifications he wanted in his own building, Moni added, "I used the same marble and stone." Marble and granite was imported from Italy, diamonds from Belgium." He also used 160kg of bronze for the dome in his desire to replicate the original Taj.

But unlike Shah Jehan, who built the original Taj, Moni is living in the modern age and is not shy to admit it. "We used machinery, otherwise it would have taken 20 years and 22,000 workers to complete it. I took less time."

Yet to be fully completed, work is currently going on to complete the surrounding grounds and ponds.

Moghul emperor Shah Jehan took over two decades to build the original Taj Mahal in the 17th century. Millions of visitors are drawn to India drawn by the fame of the Taj Mahal in Agra, built in memory of his beloved second wife Mumtaz Mahal, who died during giving birth.

Malaysian tourism takes firm grip on MICE market with Myceb

As economies around the world disintegrates and business confidence hit by the economic slowdown, Malaysia's tourism industry is re-imaging its products mix.

Malaysian tourism's aim to cement itself in the meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) market has resulted to a new program called "Myceb (Malaysian Convention and Exhibition Bureau). At the launching, Najib Razak, chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Tourism, said, "Myceb will be Malaysia's one-stop center to co-ordinate the needs of exhibition organizers who want to bring their programs and activities to Malaysia."

In pursuit of its objectives, the new bureau will have the cooperation of other relevant government agencies to draw up "attractive customized incentives" in its efforts to attract MICE organizers from around the world.

Najib said the country cannot "insulate" tourism from what is happening to the world economy, further adding emphasis will nevertheless be given to the MICE sector of the industry. "The government will embark on an aggressive marketing campaign to promote tourism despite the adverse world economic conditions."

Emphasizing the government's intent following the latest move, Rosly Selamant, an experienced industry marketing man who has been tapped to head the new bureau, said: "It's a giant step for Malaysian tourism. Despite the small budget compared to what Singapore and Thailand is spending in the market, we will strive to bring more cohesion, create more impact and synergy in the MICE market."

Despite its small share of total visitor arrivals, the MICE market has been seen as a lucrative market due to its higher per-ca pita expenditure.

In its sector market report among member countries, the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) said event buyers look for "innovative, high quality products, offering an authentic experience in a well-managed environment" and are willing to pay if the product is right. "Higher yields associated with business event clients make the sector attractive to suppliers such as hotels."

Malaysia will have to wind its way through established competitors, from near-neighbors Singapore and Thailand as "working" models. Other competitors in Asia range from Macau, Hong Kong to Sri Lanka, India and Australia in Asia Pacific.

Brussels-based Union of International Associations ranks Singapore as the top convention city in Asia for the 19th consecutive year, and the fifth in the world for the third consecutive year.

Claiming a 70 percent success rate, it is ready to spend "big" to attract high "profile" events. Its success in hosting the IMF - World Bank forums in September 2006, together brought an estimated 15,000 delegates to Singapore.

Long seen as a strong regional hub for health and medical tourism, it holds more than 350 medical-related conferences between 1990-2001, attracting over 175,000 participants.

Thailand will provide strong competition due to its history of hosting the annual IT&CMA ( Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia ) event, one of Asia's most important gatherings of buyers and sellers of MICE products and services.

Its post-conference tours to neighbouring ASEAN countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam is another big puller, in addition to its appeal as an affordable shopping destination.

The establishment of its high-profile Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau has helped the private sector improve the quality of their bids, public relations and marketing, MICE experts say. "With no further negative political news coverage, we are well positioned to tap into this growing market and drum up demand for our products and services, " said David Barret from Diethelm Events

"The goal is to make each show bigger and better every year," said Khun Benjawan, president of Thailand's Trade Exhibition Association. "Business travelers often return to the country later in the year to pursue deals initiated at the exhibition. Unlike meetings, incentives and congress which are unlikely to return to the same destination after 5 -10 years, exhibitions return to the same location every year once set."

Claiming to have Asia's largest exhibition and convention center, Thailand is also home to the UNCC (United Nations Conference Center), built to UN standards, and having one of the best translation facilities in the country. "Thailand is attracting these events because of a surge in convention and convention space, and the increased competition to fill it."

The 91st Lions Clubs International Convention in June 2008, boasting itself as the world's largest convention, brought an estimated 30,000 delegates during its five days of activities. Thailand also claims to have a big cost advantage, estimated by industry experts up to 30 percent, over rivals Singapore and Hong Kong.

Australia's strength in infrastructure and meeting facilities has been responsible for its MICE industry to target decision makers of business incentive travel and corporate meetings. Most of its success in attracting almost half a million business visitors yearly comes from attracting Asians from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Malaysia.

With its tagline "Choose Australia - Your Best Business Partner," it has managed to attract direct selling, insurance, pharmaceutical and IT companies from Asia, USA and Europe.

According to the International Congress and Convention Association, Australia is second to the USA for the number of meetings per country in 2002.

Malaysian tourism started its "big" push into MICE by positioning itself as the region's premier MICE destination in a partnership between Tourism Malaysia and the country's MICE suppliers.

At the launching of its "Meet and Experience" campaign in September, 2002 Malaysia guaranteed "special offers and prices" for specific products and services over a period of time to attract organizers planning to hold meetings in the country.

During its Global Meet 2002 held in Kuala Lumpur, the show attracted 107 buyers from Europe, UK, Australasia, North America, Chinas, the Middles East, Africa and the ASEAN states. "We want to lower dependence on the big boys who dictate terms," opined a seller.

"The government's move has been a long time coming," said Dr Nor Ain, a senior lecturer from UiTM, one of the country's leading hospitality and tourism schools, as well as a committee member of tourism related IMT-GT regional grouping.

As organizers of an average of two tourism related conference a year, she said the bureau has given Malaysian tourism and conference organizers a "shot in the arm."

Despite plans to embark on an aggressive marketing campaign, Malaysian tourism is lowering its projections to "around" 18 million visitors in the coming year, after admitting visitor numbers have fallen short by around 500,000 visitors in 2008 from the projected 22.5 million. "We'll most probably see around 18 million visitors. Between 1996-1997 there was a drop of up to 13 percent, related to security, health and economic issues," added Najib.

Malaysian tourism takes firm grip on MICE market with Myceb

As economies around the world disintegrates and business confidence hit by the economic slowdown, Malaysia's tourism industry is re-imaging its products mix.

Malaysian tourism's aim to cement itself in the meetings, incentive, conference and exhibition (MICE) market has resulted to a new program called "Myceb (Malaysian Convention and Exhibition Bureau). At the launching, Najib Razak, chairman of the Cabinet Committee on Tourism, said, "Myceb will be Malaysia's one-stop center to co-ordinate the needs of exhibition organizers who want to bring their programs and activities to Malaysia."

In pursuit of its objectives, the new bureau will have the cooperation of other relevant government agencies to draw up "attractive customized incentives" in its efforts to attract MICE organizers from around the world.

Najib said the country cannot "insulate" tourism from what is happening to the world economy, further adding emphasis will nevertheless be given to the MICE sector of the industry. "The government will embark on an aggressive marketing campaign to promote tourism despite the adverse world economic conditions."

Emphasizing the government's intent following the latest move, Rosly Selamant, an experienced industry marketing man who has been tapped to head the new bureau, said: "It's a giant step for Malaysian tourism. Despite the small budget compared to what Singapore and Thailand is spending in the market, we will strive to bring more cohesion, create more impact and synergy in the MICE market."

Despite its small share of total visitor arrivals, the MICE market has been seen as a lucrative market due to its higher per-ca pita expenditure.

In its sector market report among member countries, the Pacific Area Travel Association (PATA) said event buyers look for "innovative, high quality products, offering an authentic experience in a well-managed environment" and are willing to pay if the product is right. "Higher yields associated with business event clients make the sector attractive to suppliers such as hotels."

Malaysia will have to wind its way through established competitors, from near-neighbors Singapore and Thailand as "working" models. Other competitors in Asia range from Macau, Hong Kong to Sri Lanka, India and Australia in Asia Pacific.

Brussels-based Union of International Associations ranks Singapore as the top convention city in Asia for the 19th consecutive year, and the fifth in the world for the third consecutive year.

Claiming a 70 percent success rate, it is ready to spend "big" to attract high "profile" events. Its success in hosting the IMF - World Bank forums in September 2006, together brought an estimated 15,000 delegates to Singapore.

Long seen as a strong regional hub for health and medical tourism, it holds more than 350 medical-related conferences between 1990-2001, attracting over 175,000 participants.

Thailand will provide strong competition due to its history of hosting the annual IT&CMA ( Incentive Travel & Conventions, Meetings Asia ) event, one of Asia's most important gatherings of buyers and sellers of MICE products and services.

Its post-conference tours to neighbouring ASEAN countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam is another big puller, in addition to its appeal as an affordable shopping destination.

The establishment of its high-profile Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau has helped the private sector improve the quality of their bids, public relations and marketing, MICE experts say. "With no further negative political news coverage, we are well positioned to tap into this growing market and drum up demand for our products and services, " said David Barret from Diethelm Events

"The goal is to make each show bigger and better every year," said Khun Benjawan, president of Thailand's Trade Exhibition Association. "Business travelers often return to the country later in the year to pursue deals initiated at the exhibition. Unlike meetings, incentives and congress which are unlikely to return to the same destination after 5 -10 years, exhibitions return to the same location every year once set."

Claiming to have Asia's largest exhibition and convention center, Thailand is also home to the UNCC (United Nations Conference Center), built to UN standards, and having one of the best translation facilities in the country. "Thailand is attracting these events because of a surge in convention and convention space, and the increased competition to fill it."

The 91st Lions Clubs International Convention in June 2008, boasting itself as the world's largest convention, brought an estimated 30,000 delegates during its five days of activities. Thailand also claims to have a big cost advantage, estimated by industry experts up to 30 percent, over rivals Singapore and Hong Kong.

Australia's strength in infrastructure and meeting facilities has been responsible for its MICE industry to target decision makers of business incentive travel and corporate meetings. Most of its success in attracting almost half a million business visitors yearly comes from attracting Asians from China, Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea and Malaysia.

With its tagline "Choose Australia - Your Best Business Partner," it has managed to attract direct selling, insurance, pharmaceutical and IT companies from Asia, USA and Europe.

According to the International Congress and Convention Association, Australia is second to the USA for the number of meetings per country in 2002.

Malaysian tourism started its "big" push into MICE by positioning itself as the region's premier MICE destination in a partnership between Tourism Malaysia and the country's MICE suppliers.

At the launching of its "Meet and Experience" campaign in September, 2002 Malaysia guaranteed "special offers and prices" for specific products and services over a period of time to attract organizers planning to hold meetings in the country.

During its Global Meet 2002 held in Kuala Lumpur, the show attracted 107 buyers from Europe, UK, Australasia, North America, Chinas, the Middles East, Africa and the ASEAN states. "We want to lower dependence on the big boys who dictate terms," opined a seller.

"The government's move has been a long time coming," said Dr Nor Ain, a senior lecturer from UiTM, one of the country's leading hospitality and tourism schools, as well as a committee member of tourism related IMT-GT regional grouping.

As organizers of an average of two tourism related conference a year, she said the bureau has given Malaysian tourism and conference organizers a "shot in the arm."

Despite plans to embark on an aggressive marketing campaign, Malaysian tourism is lowering its projections to "around" 18 million visitors in the coming year, after admitting visitor numbers have fallen short by around 500,000 visitors in 2008 from the projected 22.5 million. "We'll most probably see around 18 million visitors. Between 1996-1997 there was a drop of up to 13 percent, related to security, health and economic issues," added Najib.

Honeymooning in Krabi, Thailand

Krabi has long been one of the most romantic honeymoon destinations in Thailand... The brand new luxurious Amari Vogue Resort located on pristine Tub Kaek Beach, offers an idyllic setting for honeymooners. Perfect for celebrating new vows or rekindling old flames, amidst the beautiful surroundings of a verdant tropical forest and a warm sandy beach, romance is definitely in the air!

On the Andaman coast, Krabi, with an endless supply of idyllic places to explore, offers an abundance of activities for relaxing, getting fit, staying healthy or indulging. Truly an incredible experience!

The charm of the region is undeniably magnificent and very distinctive. Seen from the shore, small and large islands are dotted along the horizon, just waiting to be explored. Krabi has more than 130 islands, including the famous Phi Phi islands. Picture beautiful long white sandy beaches…

Popular activities around Krabi and to the nearby islands are boat trips, canoeing, kayaking, snorkelling or scuba diving, for which the region is renowned. There are also numerous waterfalls and caves to discover, as well as beautiful rock formations. For more vigourous exertion, there is rockclimbing, jet skiing, wakeboarding, skydiving and much more...

If shopping is more your style, then there’s nothing to complain about, as there’s always time for a shopping spree. There are a number of both local and international shops by the beaches and in the town.

Krabi is no longer just the domain of the adventure seeking backpacker. Luxurious comfort can be found at Amari Vogue Resort, located on pristine Tub Kaek Beach. Surrounded by verdant forest and caressed by sea breezes, the resort provides 5-star accommodation with 57 exclusive guestrooms and suites. www.amari.com/vogue

Top 10 Things to Do in Krabi

Krabi is a destination much favoured for its striking natural beauty. With an abundance of beautiful beaches, islands, waterfalls and other wonderful manmade attractions, there are numerous activities to enjoy. For a brief or longer stay, visitors to Krabi should not miss out on the top ten things to do, recommended by Amari Vogue Resort:

1. Rent a long tail boat and take some packed lunchboxes along, to explore the surreal beauty of Hong Island, named after its hollowed out shape. The ‘Hong’ (meaning ‘room’) is in the middle of the island, formed by limestone rocks.
2. Kayak to Ao Thalene, a peaceful lush mangrove, where the delicate balance of nature is perfectly maintained – simply an amazing sight to see!
3. Visit Railey – one of Thailand’s most sought-after beaches – with its stunning limestone cliffs, white sandy beaches, including the Princess Cave Beach. Railey is ideal for lazing on the beach or getting active with some rockclimbing.
4. Discover the secret jungle lagoon in Khao Pra Bang Khram Wildlife Sanctuary. Enter through lush green jungle, to find a glistening emerald lagoon on the other side…
5. Go jungle trekking, where extreme excitement awaits! Adventure seekers delight in various trails, such as Khao Phanom Bencha and Kao Pra Bang Khram.
6. Make a day of scuba diving and snorkelling. The underwater world of the Krabi province is a must-see, especially the popular spot of the Phi Phi Islands.
7. Watch the sunset by the beach, while enjoying delicious cuisine – simple but extraordinary! Tub Kaek Beach provides and idyllic setting, with a backdrop of small islands dotted along the horizon, while the sun gleams and glitters across the water in brilliant colour.
8. Try out elephant trekking – there are many ways to explore the spectacular natural environment of Krabi, but being on the back of an elephant is an unforgettable experience!
9. Visit the Tiger Cave Temple, a quiet and peaceful atmosphere for meditation. There are two passages, 1200 steps up to the hilltop, where the striking view is worth the sweating! And 130 steps up to the monks’ cottages.
10. Be pampered and massages at Sivara Spa. Surrounded by water pools and natural beauty, caressed by cool breezes, enjoy the expert healing touch of trained therapists, as body, mind and soul are rejuvenated and relaxed – you deserve it after all that activity!

For more info on Krabi visit
http://www.tourismthailand.org/destination-guide/krabi-81-1-1.html

Weddings in Thailand

Thailand will really captivate your imagination; it is both a wonderful place to get married, a unique country to experience for your honeymoon and the perfect place to celebrate any romantic occasion or special family get-together.

Prepare to be fascinated by the many faces that Thailand has to offer: temples and other cultural treasures, tropical rainforests, where you can trek on an elephant, beautiful islands and sandy beaches. The capital, Bangkok, is a huge, thriving metropolis and one of the world's most vibrant cities. It has fabulous nightlife, shopping and every type of restaurant imaginable.

The islands are perhaps the most romantic part of Thailand. The largest, Phuket, is a fascinating mix of influences; Portuguese, Thai and Chinese, and is covered with forested hills, cliffs and beaches. For palm-fringed beaches, look no further than Koh Samui, with its stunning natural beauty. Krabi is another ideal destination for honeymooners, with beautiful beaches, charming cliffs, unspoilt offshore islands and verdant forests, with caves and waterfalls. Lush, green and mountainous, Koh Chang has a multitude of natural treasures, which visitors can explore. Pattaya is much loved, well-known beach destination on the mainland, with a great combination of city and beach life. Northern Thailand is also a truly special experience, with breathtaking countryside, a unique culture and plenty of opportunities for purchasing locally produced handicrafts.
Thailand is also famous for pampering its guests and has a tradition for relaxing and therapeutic Thai massage and spa treatments.
Traditional Thai Wedding Ceremonies

According to tradition, the religious wedding ceremony is often held at home. Monks are brought to the bride's house where the ceremony takes place and the bride and groom kneel on the floor, in front of the monks.

The traditional wedding ceremonies include the following, which are incorporated into all wedding packages:

On the morning of the wedding, guests and friends meet at the groom's house (your hotel room) carrying artistically arranged trays of fruits and delicacies. They then proceed to the bride's house with dancing and long drums to signify their joyful agreement to the union. Traditionally, the crowd escorting the groom prevents the groom from entering the bride's house, until he has paid a suitable amount of money. At Amari Hotels and Resorts, staff act as the family and join the parade around the hotel grounds.

Blessing
A blessing by local monks where the couple are joined over their shoulders by a thread, originating from a statue of Buddha, then passing through the hands of all the monks. The bride and groom light a candle and 3 incense sticks together - one for Lord Buddha, one for his teachings and one for the monks. The monks conduct the blessing with chanting and prayers, which last about 45 minutes. At some of the resorts, this is conducted in a nearby temple.
Pook Meu
An individual blessing called Pook Meu by the most respected or senior guest, where the kneeling couple rest their arms on large pillows and have their wrists tied with white cotton thread symbolizing happiness, prosperity and healthy children. This ritual involves family members and close friends only. For guests who do not bring family, several members of the hotel staff are present to offer best wishes.
Rod Nam Sang
A communal blessing by all present called Rod Nam Sang, with the seated garlanded couple linked by a thread wound around their heads with their hands in front, as if in prayer. Guests, starting with the most senior, pour lustral water from a conch shell (Sang) over their outstretched hands. The water runs into beautiful silver bowls filled with fragrant blossoms and lotus petals. This is generally considered to be the most beautiful and moving part of a Thai wedding.

http://www.weddings-thailand.com/

Phuket One of the best honeymoon destination

Most couples seeking the perfect honeymoon destination want an idyllic and romantic location, with privacy, plenty of fine food and wines, good weather and beautiful natural surroundings.

Phuket Island scores high on this ‘honeymoon wish list’ in all these areas.

Blessed with a tropical climate with year-round balmy temperatures and numerous easily accessible beautiful beaches, it truly offers newly-weds the perfect location to relax after the bustle of the wedding celebration at home and soak up some sun.

Food and wine lovers will be happy to learn there are plenty of world-class restaurants available throughout the island. While price levels in general are much lower than at home one doesn’t have to compromise on quality. Phuket’s restaurants offer traditional Thai food, fish, succulent lobster, seafood and international fare that easily match the highest standards of excellence, freshness and originality.

Phuket is long known as the ‘Pearl of the Andaman Sea’, driving around the island one comes across spots of breathtaking beauty. Famous with many visitors is Promthep Cape, in the very south of Phuket, were the sunsets are of legendary beauty. Viewpoints such as the small and big viewpoints in Kata are popular spots to admire the beaches laid-out in picture perfect style.

Beyond the beaches there are numerous attractions for active couples to explore. Snorkelling and scuba-diving in the warm waters of the Andaman Sea are a favourite pastime; dive shops offer fully accredited dive courses and recreational scuba-diving day trips.

For those with shopping high on their list of things to do, various shopping centres such as Central Festival, Jung Ceylon and Ocean present a treasure trove of must-have finds, often at bargain prices. The more adventurous might want to seek out open-air markets located all-over the island and join the local population in their favourite activity. Near Central Festival, one of the largest markets is held on weekends in the cooler evening hours. It assures a delightful exploration of exotic items and an abundance of low-priced fashionable shirts, shorts and other wares.

What can be more romantic than spending a honeymoon on this amazing island? A choice of chic boutique hotels and secluded luxury villas with private pools caters to couples seeking privacy during their honeymoon.

A prime recent addition to the available pool villas in Phuket are the Dolphin Pool Villas, part of famous Kata Beach landmark, Mom Tri’s Boathouse. Literally steps away from the beach, the villas have been designed by Thai artist and Harvard educated architect Mom Tri, with romantic couples in mind. A large living space with private terrace, generous bath tub overlooking the Andaman Sea and private butler service guarantee a leisurely stay in a luxury environment.

Couples who just want to lazy about, can stay in-house and let themselves be pampered with a traditional two hour Thai massage or organic beauty treatment by skilled therapists. At boutique hotel Mom Tri’s Villa Royale, the secluded Spa Royale even has private treatment rooms for couples. The spacious and luxurious pool villas have romantic sea views overlooking Kata Noi Bay.

An ideal location for couples new and old, Phuket has a diverse range of activities for everyone whether on their honeymoon or celebrating a wedding anniversary.

Philippines offers eco-friendly resorts and activities

MANILA, Philippines - In an effort to promote sustainable development and eco-friendly travel options, the Philippines (www.experiencephilippines.ph) offers environmental tips, socio-cultural activities and a selection of hotels and resorts ideal for the eco-friendly traveler.

The Philippines has adopted eco-tourism as an important aspect of their economic development plan. Palawan, the second largest province in the Philippines (in land area), has become the prime eco-tourism destination of the county and the new "buzz" among the green travel community. Tourism not only helps to raise the standard of living for the remote island's scarce population, but also reinforces programs that protect the environment. In response, tourists walk away with a memorable vacation, as well as the satisfaction that they are contributing to making the Earth a greener place to live.

Packaging tourism that is a spin-off from the traditional definitions, Bohol's eco-tourism has made it a model for the country. It is home to the tarsier, the world's smallest monkey, and to an enigmatic geological formation, the Chocolate Hills. Its coral reefs are home to enchanting varieties of marine life. Wetlands, caves and forests dot its terrain, while mangroves and palms grow abundantly in its coasts and swamps.

The ecotourism program has clear aims: to put in place mechanisms that are environmentally sustainable, economically viable, and socially equitable; accelerate development for the benefit of local communities; and spread tourism benefits to rural areas in terms of employment generation and improve the standard of living.

WHERE TO STAY
Following is a list of hotels and resorts throughout the Philippines which offer eco-conscious vacationers the opportunity to explore the marvels of the region while doing their part in respecting and restoring Mother Nature.

El Nido Resorts, Palawan
Lagen and Miniloc Island Resorts of El Nido Resorts believe in recognizing natural resources through responsible tourism. The resorts also work closely with the local community in the prevention of illegal fishing, promotion of coastal clean-ups, environmental education campaigns, monitoring of snorkeling sites and dive sites, and installation and maintenance of mooring buoys.

Club Noah Isabelle, Apulit Island, Palawan
Club Noah Isabelle is located on the island of Apulit on the northeastern coast of Palawan. Situated in a cove surrounded by a large marine reef, Club Noah Isabelle has been designed to be a model-case for eco-tourism. With administrative authority over a one mile radius of the island, Club Noah has slowly brought the reefs of Isabelle back to life. The presence of the white breasted eagle, grey reef egrets, and kingfisher attest to the abundance of fish in the water.

Bohol Bee Farm
The Bohol Bee Farm is a secret cherished and kept by visitors. Hidden, safe, and unexploited, it is a sanctuary where one can escape from the complexities and trappings of modern life. The farm has evolved into a popular tropical retreat, encouraging agricultural development through organic farming and introducing an alternative and sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature. Almost everything at the resort - from the food to the furniture - is made on premises.

The Philippines is what those "I-can't-wait-to-tell-you" vacation experiences are all about. Offering a great diversity of appeals, the 7,107 island archipelago boasts some of the most extensive eco-tourism offerings of any destination.

ECO-FRIENDLY PURSUITS
Following is a list of various activities for vacationers throughout the region:

WHALE SHARKS
One of the big reasons for heading to the peaceful village of Donsol in Southwest Luzon, is an opportunity to rendezvous with whale sharks measuring from 18 to 35 feet in length and weighing some 20 tons. Locally known as "butanding," whale sharks are considered to be the largest fish in the world's seas. Part of the beauty of this adventure is the opportunity to interact with the creatures in their natural environment instead of man-made captive areas. The best time for divers or snorkelers to swim alongside these gentle creatures (or to watch them from small boats) is from November to May.

BIRD WATCHING
If bird-watching is on the vacation agenda, the national bird of the Philippines, the Philippine Eagle, will surely impress (as will the rest of the country's unique bird life). The rare Philippine Eagle is said to be the world's largest, and those lucky enough to venture to the Philippines for a first-hand encounter will remember it as one of the most breathtaking experiences of their lives.

MOUSE DEER
When it comes to thinking "small," the Philippines offers special interest as well. The smallest hoofed mammal on the face of the earth - the mouse deer (locally known as Pilandok) - can be seen on Balabac Island, south of Palawan, standing a mere 15.7 inches at shoulder level.

TARSIER
The scenic and lush oval island of Bohol is the comfortable residence of the Philippine tarsier - the smallest primate in the world. Aside from fitting in the palm of one's hand, the Philippines tarsier is also the oldest surviving member of the primate group at an awesome 45 million years old. An endangered species, the tarsier can be found in several areas within the Philippines, but the most common encounters are on the island of Bohol.

PISIDUM
Beneath the surface of the warm and inviting waters of the Philippines one can find Pisidum, the world's tiniest shell, less than a millimeter in length (the country is a seashell lover's delight with some 12,000 species), and the world's shortest freshwater fish - the colorless and nearly transparent dwarf pygmy goby (males have an average length of only .3 inches).

ARCIHIPELAGO
Vacationers who come to the Philippines will also discover that the archipelago is home to 488 of the 500 known coral species in the world including seahorses, five distinct species of marine turtles (the Green Turtle, Hawksbill, Leatherback, Olive Ridley, and Loggerhead), and seven of the world's eight known species of giant clams.

CHOCOLATE HILLS
Aside from the tarsier, Bohol boasts a wide range of enticing tourist attractions including the dome-shaped Chocolate Hills - 1,268 hills rising 98-394 feet above the surrounding plateau, reaching as far as the eyes can see. The uniformly-shaped hills dry to a crispy brown in March resembling miles of oversized Hershey Kisses.

TAAL VOLCANO
Vacationers will not want to miss the chance to see the picture-postcard island of Taal, known to have the world's smallest active volcano. Taal Volcano is an island on a lake about 30 miles south of Manila. Most notably, the volcano contains a lake of its own within its center known as Crater Lake. What makes this volcano even more novel is the tiny island inside Crater Lake - Vulcan Point - which is an island within a lake on an island within a lake on an island.

CAMIGUIN ISLAND
Camiguin Island, a volcanic island in the Bohol Sea, where waterfalls create both hot and cold springs, is often referred to as the Philippines' Garden of Eden.

SUBIC BAY
Subic Bay, located two hours northwest of Manila, offers rich wildlife with distinctive species of birds, bats, monkeys and butterflies. Journey through the Subic Forest Watershed Reserves where the local monkeys are known to be extremely friendly in their interactions with visitors. At Jungle Environment Survival Training Camp, natives offer instruction on how to drink from a water vine, make fire out of bamboo shavings and twigs, cook in a bamboo steamer, and eat on a bamboo plate under a century-old tree.

MOUNT PINATUBO
Mount Pinatubo, also in Luzon, is notable in history as the second largest volcanic eruption in the 20th century, back in 1991. Spa facilities make use of hot springs and volcanic ash for their treatments, which results in a very soothing, mineral-rich experience.

PUERTO PRINCESA SUBTERRANEAN RIVER NATIONAL PARK
Palawan's Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is the longest in the world. Visitors can explore the UNESCO World Heritage Site's cavernous interior and various rock formations via outrigger boats through the underground river. Although only one third of the river's length of m