Challenges facing PwD travellers
August 30, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
BANGKOK, 30 August 2010 – Known more for its marketing genius than the quality of its low-cost seats, AirAsia again outpaced its rivals earlier this month by becoming the only travel industry company to be represented at a regional conference on facilitating accessibility for people with disabilities (PwDs).
Although all airlines facilitate travel by PwDs, AirAsia has been faster at capitalising on the marketing and corporate social responsibility benefits of this service as an intrinsic part of it’s “now everyone can fly” marketing slogan.
Airport rail rolls 23 August
August 9, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
BANGKOK, 8 August, 2010 ― The long-awaited opening of the airport rail-link on 23 August substantially enhances the convenience of visiting Bangkok but a number of critical missing links will impede its connectivity with the city’s mass-transit systems.
The rail-link will be a blessing for independent travellers, especially backpackers, seeking to avoid the taxis and touts at Bangkok airport. In addition to helping decentralise and decongest Bangkok towards the suburbs, it will also help the capital join the league of regional cities such as Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Hong Kong which have city-airport mass transit links.
UN enters sustainable tourism partnership
August 2, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
BANGKOK, 2 August 2010 ― The already bloated deck of global, regional and local organisations focusing on “sustainable tourism” got even fatter last month with the UN Environment Programme announcing the launch of a “Global Partnership” that “aims to transform the way tourism is done worldwide.”
Crisis barometer raises hopes of recovery
July 14, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
Most of the exhibition companies in the Asia-Pacific believe that the economic crisis is over and that they will report good increases in profits this year. At the same time, they believe that “internal management challenges” will be the key issue they will face in the coming year.
Those were among the key outcomes of the latest “crisis barometer” conducted by UFI, the Paris-based global exhibition industry association, in June 2010. It was the fifth survey conducted since the global economic crisis hit in 2008 and was answered by 175 companies from 50 countries.
Golden oldies gain recognition
July 5, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
The downturn in global travel has forced an industry-wide scramble for resilient and productive niche-markets. A report issued last week by ITB Berlin, the world’s largest trade show, identified two that still hold promise – high yield luxury travellers, and seniors.
Entitled “ITB World Travel Trends Report 2010” the report was prepared by the research company IPK International on behalf of ITB Berlin.
Yemen turns to tourism
June 28, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
SANAA 28 June, 20010 — Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world, is turning to tourism to boost economic development and has sought support from the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) for the effort.
If the plans succeed, the country will attract Asian tourism investors and hotel groups, especially those seeking exotic new destinations in which to plant a flag.
Racial profiling raises questions
June 21, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
Representatives of the Sikh and Muslim communities in the United States, last week, testified before a group of US congressmen on what one of them called “this senseless and dangerous dynamic” of racial profiling at US borders.
Jordon promotes in Asia
June 15, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
After some initial hesitation due to the political unrest, the Jordan Tourism Board went ahead with its first marketing event in Bangkok last week in a show of solidarity with the Thai tourism industry.
World Cup impact on tourism
June 7, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
BANGKOK 7 June, 2010 – With the World Cup football tournament, the world’s most popular sports event, due to start in South Africa later this month, calls are being heard in both Asia and Africa to take the opportunity to build stronger relations between the two emerging continents.
ROH asks hotels for recovery rates
May 31, 2010 by Imtiaz Muqbil
Filed under Viewpoint
BANGKOK 31 May, 2010 – Fears of hotels being forced into a massive price war are already being realised with Thai Airways International “cordially inviting” hotels contracted under its Royal Orchid Holidays programme to offer a 50% discount.