TTR Weekly

Vietnam eases guide rules

HO CHI MINH CITY, 23 June 2017: Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister, Vu Duc Dam, says people who are fluent in lesser-used foreign languages, but lack relevant university decrees are now eligible to accompany professional tour guides to serve international tourists and end a labour shortage. Saigon Times media reported that the Deputy PM Dam rejected the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism...

UNWTO’s Rifai got it wrong

BANGKOK, 23 June 2017: At about the same time as Otto Warmbier was shipped out of North Korea in a coma on a flight home to the US, UNWTO secretary general, Taleb Rifai, was preaching the good news that tourism could build international relations with North Korea. Warmbier never regained consciousness. He died at home from serious brain damage caused by the brutal treatment meted out by guar...

Where are the GIs hiding?

BANGKOK, 23 June 2017: Thailand’s government has asked all 77 provinces to establish their own Geographical Indications (GIs) for local products in an effort to offer diversity and attract more international visitors beyond the major tourist destinations. Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said each province has been asked to promote at least one locally ma...

Moves to gain heritage recognition

RAKHINE STATE, 22 June 2017: Myanmar’s Mrauk U’s Department of Archaeology and the National Museum says surveys are being carried out to start the process that could ultimately lead to a UNESCO World Heritage site listing in 2019. Global New Light of Myanmar reported teams are producing a map that will identify cultural heritage and are installing signs indicating heritage locations and ...

Vietnam tightens tourism law

HO CHI MINH CITY, 22 June 2017: The recently introduced Tourism Law requires bosses of travel firms, or heads of travel departments, to meet stricter educational qualifications. Under the law heads of department and top management must to obtain college travel diplomas or degrees. According to the Saigon Times report, the National Assembly confirmed the law specified that bosses of trave...

AoT reports passenger gains

BANGKOK, 22 June 2017: Two North Thailand gateway airports registered increases in international passengers; Chiang Mai up 5% and Chiang Rai, a remarkable rise of 244%, due to an increase in flights from China during May. Airports of Thailand’s latest report monitored increases in both aircraft movements and passenger traffic at five of its six airports during May this year. Hat Yai suffer...

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News

Vietnam eases guide rules

Finnair tweaks Asian services

BANGKOK, 23 June 2017: Finnair will upgrade its winter season services from Helsinki to Phuket and Krabi, in South Thailand, from Airbus A330 to A350 aircraft. Flights operate from 9 October to late March 2018. The airline will offer three flights weekly to Phuket and two flights weekly to Krabi. The flight to Krabi will depart Helsinki at 1915 and... [Read full story]

Timor introduces ePassports

SINGAPORE, 23 June 2017: Gemalto, a leader in digital security, partners with the East Timor government to issue electronic passports (ePassports) to citizens. The complete solution is built around the ICAO-compliant ePassport model. It comes with a suite of capabilities such as easy enrolments, biometric data capture, de-duplication of redundant biometric... [Read full story]

STB rejigs travel agents act

SINGAPORE, 23 June 2017: Singapore’s Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Singapore Tourism Board are seeking feedback on proposed amendments to the Travel Agents Act and Regulations. The public consultation exercise will run through to 12 July. The review of the Travel Agents Act and Regulations is part of the government’s efforts to strengthen... [Read full story]

Qatar buys American Airlines shares

NEW YORK, 23 June 2017: Qatar Airways, its Middle Eastern business pressured by a diplomatic row with neighbours, is seeking as much as a 10% stake in American Airlines, the US carrier said Thursday. Qatar Airways’ surprise investment push was disclosed by American Airlines in a securities filing, Thursday, saying the Qatari company planned to buy... [Read full story]

WTTC takes a swipe at Cuba ban

LONDON, 23 June 2017: The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) expressed disappointment at President Trump’s plan to reverse key elements of the trading relationship between the US and Cuba, which was originally outlined by President Obama in 2014 and by his visit last year. “The Cuban people are directly benefiting from increased business... [Read full story]

AirAsia orders 14 more A320ceo

LE BOURGET, FRANCE, 23 June 2017: AirAsia has signed an agreement with Airbus to order an additional 14 A320ceo aircraft to meet higher than expected near-term growth on the carrier’s regional network. The contract, which is subject to AirAsia board approval, was announced at the Paris Air Show Thursday. It will see the total number of A320 family... [Read full story]

Iran agrees to buy more A320s

LE BOURGET, FRANCE, 23 June 2017: Iran’s Zagros Airlines has agreed to buy 28 planes from Airbus, the European aircraft maker said on Thursday at the Paris Air Show. Zagros, which flies domestic routes in Iran, signed a memorandum of understanding to pick up 20 planes of the A320neo family, and eight of the A330neo type, Airbus said in a statement. Zagros... [Read full story]

Marco Polo and Niccolo under one Wharf

HONG KONG, 23 June 2017: Niccolo and Marco Polo Hotels are now officially grouped together under Wharf Hotels Management Limited. This marks a new chapter in the company’s evolution, with Wharf Hotels now becoming the trading name for Wharf Hotels Management Limited, which in turn manages the two hotel brands. Headquartered in Hong Kong, and a subsidiary... [Read full story]