| Thailand to attract short-break visitors Posted: 11 Jul 2011 08:22 PM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  THAILAND-The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched a “Best Deal” campaign to attract short-break visitors from regional source markets to Chiang Mai and the northern Thai provinces. At a press conference here today, Mr Sansern Ngaorungsi, TAT's Deputy Governor for International Marketing (Asia and South Pacific), said:
“This project is being organised by the TAT in cooperation with the Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association and over 180 local tourism partners; such as, hotels, golf courses, spas, department stores, and food shops. Visitors can book online through various websites (listed below) and gain access to special benefits and offers with discounts of up to 50%.”
One highlight of the campaign is a set of special three-day two-night tour packages discounted 15-20% off the normal price. These are being offered in three variations to suit different budgets: a) 5,000 Baht package (accommodation, Thai massage and ticket for playhouse complex), b) 9,000 Baht package (accommodation, food, spa and car rental) and c) 15,000 Baht package (accommodation, private dinner, spa, and 1 day programme tour).
For independent travellers seeking to design their own tours, the website also introduces a range of new products and routes like nature guide, adventure guide, and shopping guide. It also includes a list of events and festivals, tourist map, currency exchange information and airline timetable.
Mr Sansern added, “TAT is expecting at least 50,000 visitors from Asia and the South Pacific region to take advantage of this campaign. It is designed to be easily bookable by the growing number of online-savvy young people, especially those seeking to get away for short weekend-breaks from cities in the Asia-Pacific region.”
One key objective of the project is to generate business for the Northern provinces in the “Green Season”, the monsoon period, when arrivals from the European and North American markets decline.
“This will help both the airlines get a better return on investment on their flights but also more importantly, bolster the incomes of the thousands of small- and medium-sized enterprises and grass root workers who are employed in the travel and tourism industry.”
He added, “It is also in line with the national development plans to reduce economic imbalances among different regions of Thailand.”
Chiang Mai is the economic, communications, cultural and tourism centre of Northern Thailand. In recent years, it has undergone considerable economic development but still retains its historic heritage.
It is also becoming increasingly well-known as a centre of traditional Thai meditation, health and wellness. The accommodation sector is vastly improved with new properties ranging from specialist boutique hotels to health and wellness retreats to deluxe resorts.
Between May-October, the monsoon rains make North Thailand lush and radiant green.
Today, Chiang Mai is served by ten airlines including Thai Airways International, Silk Air, Orient Thai, Air Bagan, Lao Airlines, China Eastern Airlines, Korean Air, Bangkok Airways, Nok Air and Thai Air Asia.
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| Bali Voted as Best Island in Asia Posted: 11 Jul 2011 08:04 PM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  Bali, Indonesia has been voted as the Best Island in Asia and second best in the World in Travel + Leisure Magazine’s Annual World’s Best Awards 2011 Readers Survey. The announcement was made on July 7. Bali beat Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia; Boracay, Philippines; Great Barrier Reef Islands, Australia; Sicily, Italy; and Big Island, Hawaii. In 2010, Bali was in ranked fourth in the favorite island in the world. Travel + Leisure Southeast Asia Editor in Chief Matt Leopard stated that this year has been another triumph for the region. Leopard was quoted in eTurbo News as having said that not only Bangkok bagged the coveted to spot again as Best City, Bali also remains hugely popular, moving up in the overall ranking in 2011, and almost all of their world-class hotels and resorts are among global traveller’s favorites. The Readers Survey was conducted on Travel + Leisure readers at TLWorldBest.com from December 1, 2010 to March 31, 2011. The respondents were asked to rate hotels, islands, spas, rental car agencies, cities, cruise lines, tour operators, safari outfitters, and airlines on various determined characteristics. The winners were awarded at ceremony held on July 14 in Los Angeles, California.
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| Another golf course to be built in airport Posted: 11 Jul 2011 12:42 AM PDT |
| Vietnamese travel firms target nearby markets Posted: 11 Jul 2011 12:30 AM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  VIETNAM-Nearby markets are the ones that Vietnamese travel firms are targeting now, because they believe that in the context of economic difficulties, when travelers have to fasten their belt, they would plan short-distance tours to save up money. Vietnamese travel firms target nearby marketsVietnamese travel firms are hurrying to draw up the plans to promote tourism for 2011 and 2012. A lot of tourism promotion campaigns will be launched by travel firms to attract more foreign tourists to Vietnam. Especially the firms will focus on nearby markets.
According to the Institute for Tourism Development Research ITDR, defining the key markets and the exact forecasts about the development potentials will help policy makers to draw up reasonable tourism development strategies. Meanwhile, reasonable strategies will allow to develop loyal markets and find new markets, thus helping attracting more and more tourists to Vietnam.
The countries and territories in Northern Asia (China, Japan, Taiwan and South Korea), in Eastern Europe (France, the UK and Germany) and in other continents such as the US, Australia have been the most important markets for Vietnam. Meanwhile, the last 2-3 years have witnessed the rapid increases of the numbers of tourists from ASEAN countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore.
According to the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), besides the nearby markets, existing markets have been growing steadily. These remain the most important markets for Vietnam’s tourism. The images of Vietnam have become familiar to the travelers from the countries; while Vietnamese travel firms have got experiences in serving the travelers.
However, VNAT said that the rapid growth rates of new markets in the region have shown new great potentials for Vietnam’s tourism. Providing good tourism products to expand the existing markets and satisfying the demand of newly emerging markets are the two goals for Vietnam’s tourism.
According to ITDR, in 2004, South Korea was considered a new market for Vietnam. However, South Korean quickly became the second biggest market in the top 10 key markets in 2006-2008.
Most recently, Japan has become a key market with 300,000 Japanese travelers arriving to Vietnam every year. In fact, the number of Japanese tourists to Vietnam once decreased sharply by 40 percent due to the earthquake. However, a strong recovery has been reported in the market.
Vietravel said that the travel firm received three groups of 700 Japanese travelers in early July, the biggest groups of travelers who come to Vietnam after the catastrophe in March.
Vietravel believes that Japan is the most important market for Vietnam’s tourism with the number of tourists to Vietnam to increase by 15-20 percent over 2010. Bui Nguyen Tam Dang, a senior executive of Vietravel said that despite the severe damages, Japan still has great potentials and it can recover soon. Experts say the market will fully recover from the third quarter of 2011.
With the visa waving policy for international tourists to Vietnam, experts have predicted the rise of the two regional countries - Thailand and Cambodia. Besides, Malaysia and Singapore also prove to be the potential markets
The old markets in Northern Asia always bring the highest proportions of tourists to Vietnam. The number of Chinese tourists goes up and down regularly, but China has been leading the markets.
In North America, Vietnam expects to receive many travelers from the US. Most of them are war veterans who want to return to the old battle, and Viet Kieu (overseas Vietnamese) who want to return to the homeland.
In the first six months of 2011, Vietnam received 3 million foreign travelers, an increase of 18.1 percent in comparison with the same period of 2010.
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| Tour of Vientiane's Buddha Park Posted: 10 Jul 2011 07:45 PM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  LAOS-Looking for sites to see in Vientiane, Lao PDR, while taking your holiday in Laos. Join the Vientiane Times staff in a walking tour of one of Vientiane’s Premier tourist attractions, Xieng Khuan, also known as Buddha Park. Explore and discover the featured attractions of the park, like the famous reclining Buddha, an icon of Laos and Vientiane. Learn of the history of the park and the story of the parks creator Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat and discover why he made the park in Vientiane and how his beliefs helped define the sculptures.
Finally join us on a journey to another world as we ascend through the parks famous doorway to the afterlife and climb through its three levels of hell, earth and finally to heaven, if we make it.Make your holiday to Laos one to remember and stay tuned for more Postcards from Laos.
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| Stunning Beauty of Malaysia Posted: 10 Jul 2011 07:39 PM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  MALAYSIA-Malaysia is an unbelievable country and is globally well-known for its tourism attractions. Wealthy traditions and traditions, picturesque beaches, exotic flora and fauna, mount stations with healthy ordered tea gardens, historical monuments, contemporary architecture and the friendly ambiance construct Malaysia truthfully in unbelievable tourism country in Southeast Asia. Malaysia tourism has great possible as it has diverse tourist attractions and sightseeing spots with the purpose of invitation the visitors from distant and broad. As a result if you are preparation for tour a tour it is advisable to arrangement your holiday with the leading and healthy recognized Malaysia tour worker.
andnbsp;With the support of the healthy recognized and leading take a trip agent, you determination not merely keep out the hassle of inn booking, cab booking and direct who would obtain you to the significant places with the purpose of are incorporated in the tour packages.
andnbsp;As a result holiday is a lifetime experience and it is improved to take pleasure in holiday in a much enjoyable and pleasant method to construct the holidays truthfully unbelievable, memorable and pleasant.Some of the significant tourist places which are the unbelievable division of tourism in Malaysia are scheduled below
Cameroon highlands
Cameron is single of the gorgeous position on this division of the Malaysia and it is house of the nonviolent nature loving public and a plenty of flora and fauna provides you finest chance to happen to the division of nature and Cameron highlands online portal is single of the finest starting place to lookout for the accommodation and additional tourist necessities to construct your voyage thrilling and unforgettable.
You can make use of the Cameron highlands online portal for not merely receiving the information about the normal offspring and chill temperature ground Cameron but can also obtain exclusive offers of Malaysia heritage hotels together with Cameron highlands hotels and can still tome your inn reservation of Cameron highlands apartments online.
if you are a household otherwise an global tourist, you have need of the correct part of information particularly about the accommodation and finest tourist places near and here Cameron highlands online portal being managed by local public can make available you the finest as a result with the purpose of you can take pleasure in your tour in a suitable and price efficient way. Maybe it merely in this division of Malaysia can also make available you exclusive booking conveniences of certain Malaysia hotels together with Cameron highlands hotels.
Kuala lumpur
kuala lumpur is the major as healthy as the assets town of Malaysia, positioned halfway along the peninsular Malaysia’s west shore, at the convergence of the two well-known rivers, the klang and the gombek. Occupying an region of about 250 square kilometers, kuala lumpur is single of the three federal territories of Malaysia, others being putrajaya and labuan.
kuala lumpur, otherwise kl as it is fondly recognized, was a mining completion during the 1800s. But, the destination at the present excels in every one arenas together with deal and trade, finance and banking, carrying organization, and developed processes. In truth, kula lumpur has at the present happen to a contemporary thriving town, and serves as the directorial, cultural, and Economic middle of the state.
as single of the peak tourist destinations of Asia, Kuala lumpur offers visitors touring the town a abundance of belongings to observe, from towering structure, unbelievable mosques, and gorgeous monuments to relaxing PARKS, impressive gardens, and interesting museums. Almost certainly the the majority well-liked among the attractions is Petronas twin tower otherwise the twin towers, which is single of the world's tallest edifices.
Petronas tower consists of two towers, together of which are connected at the 41st and 42nd levels by an elegant the skies overpass. This architectural splendor is influenced by the five pillars of the Islam, and position out from additional BUILDINGS in the region. Among the highlights inside the towers are Petrosains discovery centre and the Malaysian philharmonic orchestra and an array of shopping malls.
Situated on the Bukit nanas mount is one more well-liked structure in the town, namely, kl tower, which is the world's tallest concrete tower as healthy as the fourth tallest telecommunication tower. Climbing atop this 425 meters tall tower enables you to obtain a bird's eye vision of the town.
Batu caves
Batu caves is in fact a limestone mount, which has a sequence of caves and cave temples, situated in Gombak region, 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of kuala lumpur, Malaysia. It takes its name from the sungai Batu otherwise Batu stream, which flows history the mount. Batu caves is also the name of the near village.
Batu caves is of Malaysia's the majority well-known tourist destinations in exacting for the colorful thaipusam festival. This attracts up to 800,000 devotees and spectators; the highlight is considering devotees in a trance carry Kavadi, a metal border attached to the body.
Rising attractive much 100m above the floor, Batu caves in fact consists of key caves along with a pair of slighter ones. The most, referred to as the place of worship cave, has a 100m-high ceiling, and functions ornate Hindu shrines. To arrive at it, visitors require climbing a precipitous flight of 272 events.
Below the place of worship cave determination is the dark cave; with its extraordinary astound formations and many animals discovered nowhere else. Stalactites jutting from the cave's ceiling and stalagmites rising from the ground shape intricate formations similar to cave curtains, run stones, cave pearls and scallops which took thousands of years to shape. The Malaysian nature civilization organizes distinctive educational and exciting activity trips to the dark caves.
The additional key cave determination is the painting gallery cave situated at the foot of the events. Statues and partition paintings depicting Hindu deities and mythology are displayed here. The saunter to the way in is itself in fact a agreeable experience via a pond and ponds full with hundreds of colorful fish.
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| China Pavilion to reopen to visitors Posted: 10 Jul 2011 07:38 PM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  CHINA-The Shanghai Expo's China Pavilion expects crowds to teem through its doors when it reopens on July 12 in the sweltering summer heat.The pavilion will be open to public for three months till October 9, from Tuesday to Sunday. A sunshade large enough to keep 8,000 people out of direct sunlight has been erected at the waiting area outside the pavilion. Fans have been installed under the sunshade, said pavilion staff.The staff also had prepared enough umbrellas for 2,000 people at the security check zone.
Shanghai is expected to have from 20 to 24 days with temperatures reaching above 35 degrees Celsius this year, according to the Shanghai Municipal Meteorological Bureau.The exhibition of the China Pavilion, also known as the "Crown of the East," was first extended from December 1, 2010 to May 31, 2011, after it was closed when the Shanghai Expo ended in October last year.
Like the first exhibition extension, tickets for the pavilion are still priced at 20 yuan (about 3.1 U.S. dollars) for adults and 15 yuan for students, disabled people, military servicemen and senior citizens.During the first extension of exhibitions, the pavilion received more than 5.7 million visitors. During the six-month Expo, it received more than 10 million visitors from home and abroad.
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| Delta Expands Paperless eBoarding to Hong Kong Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:42 PM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  Delta Air Lines has launched paperless eBoarding pass options in Hong Kong, allowing customers departing the vibrant SAR to check-in on-the-go using their iPhone, BlackBerry, Android or other smartphone for access to security checkpoints and to board their flight. Delta now offers paperless eBoarding check-in options in 70 cities worldwide.
With eBoarding, Delta customers use Delta apps available on iPhone, BlackBerry and Android or other smartphone rather than a paper boarding pass to access security checkpoints and board their flight.
“Delta’s eBoarding option allows our customers to use their mobile device to check in, get their boarding pass, access security and board their flight without spending time at a computer, airport kiosk or ticket counter,” said Vinay Dube, Delta’s senior vice president – Asia Pacific. “It’s another way we’re addressing the needs of our increasingly mobile customers, who want innovative travel tools that make travel on Delta more convenient and enhance their experience at every step of their journey.”
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| Tiger Airways to Relaunch Bangalore Flights; Fares from Sin$100 Posted: 07 Jul 2011 09:38 PM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  Tiger Airways is to relaunch direct flights between Singapore and Bengaluru (Bangalore) in India from 31 October 2011. To celebrate, tickets to Bangalore are on sale from 8 July until 15 July 2011 at Sin$100 (Singapore to Bangalore), all-in, for travel from 31 October 2011. Terms and conditions apply.
The service will launch with four flights a week - Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The capital city of Karnataka, Bangalore is widely regarded as India’s Silicon Valley, and is home to some of the most high tech industries and premier scientific establishments in India.
“We are pleased to welcome Tiger Airways back to Bengaluru International Airport. This route opens cost effective opportunities for our passengers travelling between India's Information Technology capital and Singapore. It will also boost travel and tourism, with benefits that will extend beyond Karnataka to neighboring states as well,” said Mr. G V Sanjay Reddy, Managing Director, Bengaluru International Airport.
Bangalore is the fourth destination in Tiger’s India paw print, following Chennai, Trivandrum and Tiruchirapalli.
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| Tourism developers bringing Europe to China Posted: 07 Jul 2011 07:58 PM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  CHINA-The Chinese tourists wandering through Paris' Louvre this summer or shopping along New York's Fifth Avenue are part of the nearly 65 million Chinese who will travel abroad this year, according to estimates by the China Tourism Authority. These tourists are among China's wealthy. But consider this: More than 20 times that number of Chinese citizens will travel within China this year.So for those who can't afford to visit to Europe, Chinese tourism developers are trying to bring Europe to China.
Witness the popularity of Thames Town a places that looks and feels like an old English town, but is situated on the Yangtze River, not the Thames. This replica town on the outskirts of Shanghai isn't alone. A Chinese firm plans to rebuild the historic village of Hallstatt, Austria, in Guangdong Province much to the apparent ire of some Hallstatt citizens.
Yet looking at the throngs of newlyweds who throng to Thames Town, like those pictured above, clearly Chinese developers think they're onto something.
So who is the domestic traveler in China? How much do they spend? The latest statistics released by the Chinese government is from 2009. In that year, the average amount of money a Chinese traveler spent per trip was 535 yuan (US $82). That doesn't sound like a lot, but we're talking about volume. According to the government, the number of trips taken by domestic travelers more than doubled between 1999 to 2009.
In 2009, Chinese made 1.9 billion trips. Considering the population of China is 1.3 billion, this averages out to one or more trips per Chinese citizen. While Hong Kong and Macau are top destinations, other resort areas like southern China's Hainan Island and the eastern coastal city of Qingdao also draw many local tourists.
As a group, the Chinese low-to-middle market traveler is formidable. Marriott International’s COO and President Arne Sorenson is aware of this. In a recent interview, he told me the most interesting change he's seeing in China's hotel industry is the face of the guests.
"In virtually every one of our hotels in China today, the most significant guest in terms of percentage of guests in the hotel are Chinese travelers. That gets us into a different business than we were in, certainly 10 years ago, which was opening hotels, by and large, catering to global inbound travelers.
As a result, Sorenson sees a growing opportunity for middle market hotels aimed at the Chinese domestic traveler who may not be able to afford the Ritz Carlton (a Marriott brand) , but will find the rates at a Courtyard Marriott appealing. There are already 10 Courtyard Marriotts open in China, three under construction and five more approved.
Most of the domestic travelers are still on a rather low budget; says Chak Wong, finance professor at Chinese University of Hong Kong. I can see specialized hotels catering to the low-end benefitting from the boom. However, there are not a lot of specialized chains providing clean, cheap and efficient hotels like those in Europe yet.
Sam Goodman is an entrepreneur and author of Where East Eats West, a foreigner's how-to-guide on doing business in China. If youre not focusing on the high-end, then you need to focus on the low-end and go with the Chinese saying 'bo li duo xiao' which means 'small profit, high volume,' says Goodman. As an entrepreneur, I look for ideas that are scalable.
Travel, as a whole, is a very large industry, but extremely fragmented. The larger brands go to where the money already is. They have no real desire to nurture and wait for the smaller players to develop the market.
While Marriott is one of the big names reaching out to the price-conscious traveler, it's a challenge keeping pace with China's growth. Sorenson acknowledges the number of middle market Marriott hotels breaking ground is still not enough. He says," It's much fewer in number than the potential China ultimately presents at a level like Courtyard. It could be possible we would participate in the (pricing) segment below Courtyard as well.With hotels and replica towns catering to domestic Chinese travelers, expect the travel landscape to change by the day.
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