| Spending Up in Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2011 Posted: 14 Jul 2011 01:00 AM PDT |
| Hilton, Starwood cater to Chinese travellers Posted: 13 Jul 2011 09:14 PM PDT |
| Explore the beauty of Southeast Asia with 30% off Best Available Rates at Starwood Hotels & Resorts Posted: 13 Jul 2011 03:41 AM PDT |
| Banyan Tree hotel & resorts:700 awards and counting Posted: 13 Jul 2011 02:53 AM PDT + Click Image to Enlarge  Banyan Tree’s award tally crossed the 700th mark in the second quarter, sweeping honours around the world including China where the group is expanding aggressively. Since the Group received its first award 17 years ago, Banyan Tree has now reached 718 awards and accolades, with the 700th award going to Banyan Tree Al Wadi as Middle East’s Leading Villa Resort in the 2011 World Travel Awards. Recognition from TripAdvisor, the world’s largest travel website, was also a significant contributor to the distinction list this quarter. Banyan Tree Shines in China Banyan Tree bagged several prestigious awards this quarter in China, a validation of its growing success in China, and places the group in prime position for its aggressive expansion in this destination.
Banyan Tree Lijiang remains China’s Top 10 Most Popular Resort Hotels of 2011 for the fifth consecutive year, in the high-profile 8th Golden-Pillow Award of China Hotels, organised by China's top financial media, 21st Century Business Herald. In the same event, Banyan Tree Hangzhou was judged as China’s Best Elegant and Luxury Hotel in 2011 for its exquisite combination of traditional China architecture with modern comforts, set within tranquil natural surroundings.
The world’s most widely read travel magazine, National Geographic Traveller, also endorsed Banyan Tree Lijiang as the Best Resort Hotel in its China Readers’ Choice Gold List, as well as Banyan Tree Ringha for Sustainable Tourism.
China will see another 12 new properties under the Banyan Tree or Angsana brand opening from now to 2013. The Group is slated to open Banyan Tree Riverside, Shanghai, Banyan Tree Tianjin and Angsana Hangzhou later this year.
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| 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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