Floods hit northern travel

CHIANG MAI, 29 November 2011: Tourism to Chiang Mai was damaged by floods in central plains according to a recent survey conducted by the Chiang Mai Economic Research and Agriculture Forecasting Centre.

Known as the Maejo Poll, the study collected data, 16 to 23 November, from 619 tourists in the province.

It showed that 66.8% of travellers interviewed believed the central plains floods had deterred travel to Chiang Mai.

Read more

Flora to open 14 December

CHIANG MAI, 28 November 2011: The second edition of the Chiang Mai international horticulture expo known as Royal Flora Ratchaphruek will run from 14 December 2011 to 14 March 2012 the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives confirmed Friday.

Minister Theera Wongsamut said the flower fair is almost 100% ready for visitors after the 9 November opening was postponed due to floods in the central plains, where most of the expo visitors would be sourced.

“This event will help encourage domestic tourism after the country economic down,” he said.

Read more

North left out of tourism loop

CHIANG MAI, 22 November 2011: Chaing Mai Tourism Business Association says it will take two years to improve business in this northern town that is largely forgotten by mass tourism heading for Thailand’s  more popular beach resorts.

CMTBA general secretary, Vorapong Muchaothai, said the province would spend around Bt50 million on promotions during the fiscal year 2012 to address the shortcomings.

Data shows that less than 15% of all the travellers to Thailand will visit the North and Chiang Mai. Repeat visits are also low and spending is considerably below what Phuket or Pattaya earn from tourism. Read more

TAT hosts Lanna weddings

BANGKOK, 25 October 2011 – Tourism Authority of Thailand taps the wedding market in Taiwan by promoting a traditional northern wedding ceremony.

It’s part of a wider programme that targets key Asian markets in the growing business of wedding planning.

The four markets are Japan, Korea, China and Taiwan as these markets have high purchasing power.

Read more

Chiang Mai convention hall almost ready

CHIANG MAI, 21 October 2011 -  Minister of Tourism and Sports, Chumpol Silpa-archa, believes his mega project to give Chiang Mai a Bt1.8 billion convention centre will be ready by January.

At a site inspection late last week, Mr Chumpol confirmed the completion date was set for 25 January. The latest data shows the project is 80% complete.

The contractor is not a happy man. He is a around three months behind schedule and that is costing him Bt186,715 per day, or Bt5,601,450 a month in fines. Read more

Battling for pedal power

CHIANG MAI, 10 October 2011 – Competition in Chiang Mai’s tiny cycling tour market in Chiang Mai will intensify with the arrivals of SpiceRoads a specialist company based in Bangkok.

It is introducing six new cycling tours following the opening of its first full-time office outside of Bangkok.

All programmes are one-day trips at prices starting at Bt1,000 for a two to three-hour ride to as much as Bt4,000 for a full-day ride, which also includes a zip-line adventure. Read more

Chiang Mai Night bazaar reopens

CHIANG MAI, 3 October 2011 – Chiang Mai Tourism Association estimates flood damage will cost tourism and hotel operators as much as Bt300 million in repairs and lost revenue.

Association president, Sarawut Saeteaw, said the River Ping overflowed its banks and inundated the inner district of the town, flooding the Night Bazaar, Chang Klan Road and Ton Lamyai and Warorot markets.

“Around 10 hotels in the Nigh Bazaar area including tourism shops were flooded and the repair bill could be as high as Bt1 billion when including the loss of goods and damage to commerce.” Read more

Spiceroads opens CNX office

CHIANG MAI, 3 October 2011 –  SpiceRoads Cycle Tours, a Bangkok-based specialist tour operator, has opened a new office in Chiang Mai, 1 October.

The Chiang Mai office is located at 34 Nimmanhaemin Soi 7, Tambon Suthep, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand.

“The expansion to Chiang Mai is a logical step for us and makes a great springboard for travels to Northern Thailand,” said SpiceRoads’ general manager Struan Robertson. Read more

Chiang Mai promotes flowers

BANGKOK, 26 September 2011 – Chiang Mai Tourism Business Association sells packages to both domestic and international tourists for the second international horticulture expo known as the Royal Flora Ratchaphreuk.

The flower show opens at the start of the cool season in North Thailand, 9 November and continues through to New Year to 15 February 2012.

The association offers three packages to make it easy for travellers to visit the expo. Read more

Flower show trips made easy

BANGKOK, 21 September 2011 – Now in its second year, Chiang Mai’s international horticulture expo known as the Royal Flora Ratchaphreuk is partnering with Thai Airways International, Thaiticket Major and Total Reservations to sell packages to both domestic and international tourists.

The flower show opens at the start of the cool season in North Thailand, 9 November and continues through the New Year to 15 February 2012.

THAI Airways sells a three-day/two-night package starting at Bt6,135 per person with twin-share accommodation. Read more

Next Page »