China opens Bangkok tourism office

BANGKOK, 26 June 2017: China National Tourism Administration opened a bureau in Bangkok, last week, the authority’s 22nd overseas office according China Radio Online.

Officials attending the opening ceremony said the two countries enjoy strong two-way travel.

The opening of the China National Tourism Office in Bangkok will also encourage more tourism exchange and provide support for projects linked to China’s “one belt, one road” policy. Read more

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

Qatar eases visa process

DOHA, 26 June 2017: Qatar’s Ministry of Interior, Qatar Airways and Qatar Tourism Authority, have launched an e-visa platform to allow travellers to obtain tourist visas online.

Doha News reported that a tourist visa can now be obtained on the new e-visa platform, which is currently in a  pilot phase, at www.qatarvisaservice.com.

Previously, travellers were required to submit their applications through accredited Qatar-based entities, such as hotels and tour operators. Now, they can apply directly and track the status of their application online. 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

Rainy season festivals and events

BANGKOK, 26 June 2017: Tourism Authority of Thailand is grouping events and activities into four categories to open up travel to secondary destinations and improve travel options during the rainy season.

TAT said it will concentrate on promoting food & music festivals; cultural & art festivals; creative events and recreation & sports events.

This July, activities start with the Kaeng Song Coffee Sipping and Khek River Rafting Festival to be held 1 July to 31 October at the Khek River. Read more

Lufthansa names Molnar GM Thailand

BANGKOK, 26 June 2017: Lufthansa Group has appointed Stefan Molnar as the new general manager sales in Thailand.

He will lead efforts to improve passenger airlines sales in Thailand, Vietnam and the Mekong region.

Lufthansa will be the first European carrier to fly the A380 to Bangkok when the service starts this October. Read more

Taxi drivers told to behave

BANGKOK, 26 June 2017: The Land Transport Department has asked taxi drivers to improve their manners after some drivers set about a car driver they suspected was an Uber of Grab member.

The incident that occurred at the weekend could have turned nasty.

Taxi drivers besieged the driver at Chiang Mai airport, which is under the management of the Airports of Thailand. Read more

Airline fined over no show rule

ROME, 26 June 2017: Italy’s competition watchdog on Friday fined British Airways and Etihad Airways for failing to adequately inform customers booking online that return legs of roundtrip tickets would be cancelled if they failed to travel on the outward journey.

The so-called ‘no show’ rule was not made sufficiently clear on the companies’ websites, the anti-trust body said in a statement announcing fines totalling one million euros (USD1.1 million).

The body said it welcomed commitments from three other airlines — Emirates, Iberia and KLM — to ensuring their rules were transparent. Read more

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