Bring back quality travel

BANGKOK, 15 May 2013: To offset losses caused by  fierce competition in the Russian and CIS markets, travel companies need to create more profitable luxury products to present at the up-coming Thailand Travel Mart 2013.

ILVES Tour company group general manager, Mikhail IIyin, who has registered for TTM+2013 told TTR Weekly by email that due to an expansion of Turkish and Russian tour operators, the market has drifted into a low-cost business model.

“There are huge price wars in the market therefore, the general trend in CIS markets is low-cost services, low class hotels, minimum spend on dining and shopping.”

Read more

Tourism needs leadership

BANGKOK, 14 May 2013: Thailand Incentive and Convention Association says tourism needs a leader to coordinate the industry, according to TICA president, Sumate Sudasna,  who noted that tourism was growing, but without clear direction due to the lack of leadership  and cooperation.

“Although we have the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to take care of the tourism industry, there is a need for a coordinator to lead the various agencies,” he said.

Read more

MTF zooms on China market

BANGKOK, 13 May 2013: This year’s Mekong Tourism Forum convenes in Guilin, China, 19 June, adopting a theme of “The Rise of the Chinese Traveller,  optimising impacts for the Greater Mekong Sub-region.”

Commenting on progress, Mekong Tourism Office executive director, Mason Florence, told TTR Weekly, Monday: “Everything is on track to address the tremendous China outbound market, how to attract/retain, while protecting (assets)…”

For the first time in the forum’s decade-long history the number of participants will be limited to 150 delegates, by invite only, to keep the single-day forum manageable.

Read more

TICA calls for cooperation

BANGKOK, 3 May 2013: Thailand Incentive and Convention Association believes Thailand’s tourism sector needs to strengthen cooperation with neighbouring countries and business associations within the country.

TICA president, Sumate Sudasna, said Thailand should work together with other ASEAN member countries to increase travel to the region, especially in the events sector to improve the region’s competitiveness against its main rivals; Europe, Africa and South America.

“Southeast Asia countries should join hands to be competition partners instead of competing among ourselves,” he explained

Read more

TAT finalises TTM features

BANGKOK, 30 April 2013: Tourism Authority of Thailand says this year’s Thailand Travel Mart’s welcome reception will honour foreign travel-related professionals who have supported Thailand’s tourism.

It was decided to move the awards presentation for the 2013 “Friends of Thailand,” which is normally part of the annual Thailand Tourism Awards to the TTM to add value to the show.

The welcome reception this year will adopt a street food theme to reflect the country’s most popular dining activity.

Read more

Phuket takes 4Ms on board

PHUKET, 29 April 2013: Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau and Phuket province are cooperating to build the island destination’s event business, believing it can become a regional hub for meetings.

Phuket governor, Maitree Intusut, said the province has formulated a four-year development plan for the island to attract more business related visitors.

“Under the “Charming Andaman” direction, Phuket has developed the “4Ms” strategy to add more value and an achieve sustainable growth for Phuket and the neighbouring provinces,” he said.

Read more

PATA signs CSR partnership

BANGKOK, 29 April 2013: The Global Sustainable Tourism Council signed off on a partnership with the Pacific Asia Travel Association, Friday.

PATA Chief Executive Officer Martin Craigs and GSTC Board Member Guy Chester signed the MoU during the closing session of PATA Annual Summit in Bangkok.

The MoU underscores PATA’s support and endorsement of GSTC’s sustainability criteria but it will also open the door for joint advocacy and the sharing of sustainability practices with PATA 700 plus members.

Read more

UNWTO and PATA share projects

BANGKOK, 29 April 2013: Advancing economic diversification, cultural and environmental preservation through tourism are the key objectives of a new strategic partnership signed between UNWTO and the Pacific Asia Travel Association last Friday at the closing session of the PATA Summit.

The partnership was signed by UNWTO secretary-general, Taleb Rifai, and PATA CEO, Martin Craigs.

“We are proud to further deepen our relationship with PATA, a leading voice of tourism in Asia Pacific”, said Taleb Rifai, who spoke at the summit attended by approximately 300 executives many of them top management representatives of hospitality, technology and travel companies in the region.

Read more

ITB revamps images

BERLIN, 26 April 2013: ITB Berlin will be strengthening its image as the world’s leading travel trade show with the launch of a new advertising campaign.

The creative team of Berlin-based branding agency Kleiner und bold has been responsible for developing the strategy. The main objective is to position experience of  ITB and experts who attend the event and participate in convention content.

Every year, decision-makers from the international tourism industry gather at the trade show on the Berlin exhibition grounds to exchange information on the latest developments and trends. Numerous lectures, workshops and seminars at the ITB Berlin Convention enable visitors to ITB Berlin to gain information on the latest industry trends.

Read more

TCEB to focus on Asia

BANGKOK, 25 April 2013: Five key Asian MICE markets — India, China, South Korea, Japan and Singapore — have been identified as priority markets by the Thailand Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau.

“It will require collaboration with associations and stronger efforts to build human resources, campaigns and roadshows to support these markets,” TCEB board member and acting president, Thongchai Sridama, said.

He noted that both the European and US economies have not shown signs of recovery so the priority is to seek business in Asian MICE markets.

Read more

Next Page »