Reliance buys into Oberoi
MUMBAI, 1 September, 2010 – A unit of India’s largest private firm Reliance Industries has bought a 14% stake in one of the country’s most luxurious hotel chains in a US$217-million deal, the companies said last Monday.
The giant conglomerate, headed by India’s richest man Mukesh Ambani, said its unit Reliance Industries Investment and Holding had acquired a 14.12 % stake in East India Hotels, which owns the Oberoi and Trident brands.
UK territory hit by travel advisory
August 31, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Outbound
LONDON, 30 August 2010 – Australia, New Zealand and the United States have all issued cautionary warnings to travellers visiting North Ireland which is part of the United Kingdom.
The warnings follow three bomb blasts, earlier this month, linked to political demonstrations.
New Zealand’s travel advisory wet as far as to suggest citizens avoid travelling to Northern Ireland fearing they could be caught up in protests and demonstrations that have turned violent.
JNTO’s latest promotions
August 25, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Outbound
BANGKOK, 23 August 2010 – Japan National Tourism Organisation introduces new tourism products this month including a new branch of AEON Mall in Kyoto, JR East Pass Special and Narita Sky Access.
AEON Mall opened its new branch in Kyoto located next to the new Miyako Hotel. Travellers visit the new mall by train exiting at the Hachijo-guchi JR Kyoto line station. There are 130 stores in the mall open daily from 1000 to 2100.
Floods disrupt Kashmir’s tourism
LEH, 18 August 2010 – The deaths of six foreign trekkers in devastating flash floods have dealt a major blow to the crucial tourist industry in India’s high-altitude adventure playground of Ladakh.
The fallout from the floods which struck in peak trekking season and killed nearly 190 people has forced mountain guides in the region to relocate to Nepal in their search for clients.
“It’s been a very bad season,” said Tsering Dolkar, deputy officer at the Tourist Reception Centre in Ladakh’s main city, Leh.
British told to brush up on their manners
LONDON, 20 August 20, 2010 – The British, impolite? Golly gosh, what a thing to suggest!
Despite Britons’ reputation as the politest people on Earth, some have decided it is time to give their compatriots a few lessons in manners so they are ready to extend a warm welcome to visitors at the London 2012 Olympics.
For the 2008 Beijing Olympics, a national campaign was launched to teach the Chinese good behaviour — don’t spit in public and don’t clear your throat in a restaurant loudly were just two examples on a long list.
Singapore Tourism Board tweaks website
August 6, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Outbound
BANGKOK, 6 August 2010 ― Singapore Tourism Board will place digital media at the heart of its marketing campaigns to tap the popularity of virtual communities.
Its latest campaign, YourSingapore that evolved from the successful Uniquely Singapore destination brand introduced in 2004, focuses on new attractions, festivals and high profile events such as the F1 Grand Prix.
STB’s Director of Brand Management, Chang Chee Pey stated: “STB has to embrace global trends and the shift to media consumption. Digital media is now at the heart of our marketing communications.”
2010: A banner year for Singapore tourism
August 6, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News, Outbound
BANGKOK, 6 AUGUST 2010 – Singapore has identified 2010 as a banner year for tourism with new man-made attractions and events to draw visitors.
It has successfully opened two casinos or so-called integrated resorts – Resorts World Sentosa and Marina Bay Sands, while it claims even its iconic Orchard Road and the Singapore River have been rejuvenated.
Reporting on developments, earlier this week, Singapore Tourism Board’s ASEAN regional director, Geraldine Yeo, underscored the importance of the Thai outbound travel market for the island’s tourism industry.
Following the Buddhist pilgrimage trail
August 6, 2010 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News, Outbound
BANGKOK, 6 August 2010 ― Train travel options to India’s Buddhist sites were promoted to travel agencies, earlier this week, by the Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation.
The railway marketing company also introduced its local partner, Nisco Travel, which is the general sales agency for Thailand.
Rail packages focused on Buddhist pilgrimage trail that is popular from November through to March.
Australia launches student safety campaign
SYDNEY, 6 August 2010 – Australia launched a multimedia campaign on Friday about the dangers to foreign students of “opportunistic crime”, after a spate of attacks on Indians that inflamed diplomatic tensions.
“Think Before — A Student Safety Initiative” was developed for social media and mobile phone platforms, and features video of an animated would-be student, George, warning about potential risks when travelling.
“International students are more likely to respond to information sent from web, mobile and social media tools than traditional communications channels,” said Victoria police inspector Ian Geddes, one of the campaign’s architects.
Paddy art puts Japan village on map
TOKYO, 4 August 2010 – A remote Japanese village with rice fields and not much else has put itself on the tourist map with eye-catching artworks painstakingly created one rice stalk at a time.
Best viewed from above, the sports-field-sized masterpieces of Inakadate village are created by more than 1,000 locals and outside volunteers using rice varieties in five different colours.