HCMC strives to attract medical tourists

HO CHI MINH CITY, 26 June 2017: Ho Chi Minh City health and tourism agencies believe medical tourism could be the next trend to improve the southern Vietnamese city’s foreign exchange earnings.

Vietnam Net Bridge quoted the city’s Department of Health deputy director, Tang Chi Thuong, saying there had been a global boom in medical tourism and Asian destinations had benefited.

“With highly skilled and experienced physicians, state-of-the-art facilities and advanced medical technologies as well as reasonably-priced services, public and private hospitals have reported a consistent increase in the number of foreign patients.” Read more

TCT bullish on Thai tourism

BANGKOK, 26 June 2017: Tourism Council of Thailand estimates international tourist arrivals to Thailand could reach 8.75 million during the third quarter, July to September, generating THB452,469 million in revenue.

Released last Thursday, the latest Thailand Tourism Confidence Index indicates a level of 102 in Q3 compared to the confidence benchmark of 100. The index is based on data from 600 tour agencies.

TCT president, Ittirit Kinglek, said the country’a tourism  in Q3 should be positive reaching 8.75 million international travellers, an increase of 6.38% over the same quarter last year. Read more

Ban on fireworks

SIHANOUKVILLE, 26 June 2017: Sihanoukville provincial authorities say they will strengthen measures to prevent the sale of fireworks and sky lanterns claiming the crackdown would improve tourist safety.

Hundreds of tourists visiting beaches ignite fireworks and launch paper lanterns that rise on the heat created by a paraffin burner fixed to the interior of the lantern.

Khmer Times quoted the provincial tourist and waterway traffic police deputy chief, Nop Panha, saying the authorities have now banned the selling of fireworks and sky lanterns at the beaches for safety reasons. Read more

Centara offers 40% off

BANGKOK, 26 June 2017: Centara Hotels & Resorts is offering “Summer Holidays in Exotic Destinations” a promotion that covers its hotels in Thailand and offers a  discount up to 40%.

The promotion is available for bookings before 31 July for stays at Centara’s participating hotels and resorts until 30 September this year.

Offering discounts of up to 40% the low-season offers covers a mix of hotels and resorts at all major tourist destinations plus stays at the group’s Bangkok properties. Read more

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’s proposal to issue temporary tour guide cards for linguists who are not trained as guides, but he admitted they had a role to play.

The National Assembly passed a revised Law on Tourism that introduces new rules that open a guiding career to vocational college graduates. The move is intended to enlarge the workforce in the tourism sector. Read more

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 made product for GI signage.

He advised provinces to locate products in communities that do not yet have a tourism draw card.  Read more

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 drawing up a long-term management plan that could ultimately lead to filing an application with UNESCO.

The department director, U Nyein Lwin, was quoted saying work has started, but much needed to be done. A team of international experts are helping to survey the site and prepare a bid. Read more

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 travel firms, or heads of travel departments, must obtain a college diploma in travel services or a recognised certificate on travel management. Read more

September offers on TG

BANGKOK, 22 June 2017: Thai Airways International is offering “Europe 7 Days Offers” to promote travel to Europe during September the closing month of summer.

Bookings must be made by 26 June.

The promotion starts with an economy roundtrip fare, inclusive of taxes and fuel surcharges, ex-Bangkok, at THB26,790 to Brussels, Copenhagen, Paris, Frankfurt, Munich, Milan, Rome, Oslo, Moscow, Stockholm, Zurich and London. Read more

Big boost in Angkor revenue

SIEM REAP, 22 June 2017: Ticket sales revenue earned from foreigners visiting Angkor Wat’s archaeological park reached USD45,913,000 during January to May, this year, up 64.13% when compared with the same period last year.

Agence Kampuchea Presse quoted figures released by Angkor Enterprise, the state-owned institution in charge of Angkor income management.

The report also claimed foreign visits to the World Heritage site rose 12.30% to 1,092,377 in the first five months of this year, compared to the same period last year. Read more

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