Want to be a GM?
May 16, 2012 by Paphada Apimonton
Filed under News, Trade Talk
BANGKOK, 16 May 2012: The Thailand Hotels Standard Foundation, under the Thai Hotels Association, is offering new courses on hotel management administration, 14 June to 13 July, in Bangkok.
The new courses are suitable for hotel staff who are seeking to elevate their careers to general manager positions.
The courses cover 11 days of seminars split into two to three days a week. Venues are to be confirmed, but it is likely the seminars will be held at Dusit Thani, InterContinental and Mandarin Oriental.
Guitar festival in Bangkok
May 16, 2012 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 16 May 2012: The Asia International Guitar Festival 2012 will be held,14 to 17 June, at the Siam City Hotel in Bangkok and should attract artists from 14 nations.
Highlights include guitar master classes, guitar exhibits, competitions and concerts by famous world-class guitarists from: Thailand; Italy; Japan; England; Ukraine; United States; Poland; the Philippines; Switzerland; Czech Republic; Cuba; Germany; Indonesia and Korea.
Back to Fiji Airways
SUVA, 16 May 2012: Air Pacific will change its name to Fiji Airways next year to capitalise on the Pacific island nation’s positive global brand, Attorney General Aiyaz Sayed-Khaiyum said Tuesday.
Sayed-Khaiyum said the national airline, which posted a loss of Fj$3.6 million (US$2.0 million) in the 12 months to March 2011, would complete the rebranding by the end of next year.
“The Fijian brand conjures up different images,” he said in a statement.
Air Berlin reduces losses
BERLIN,16 May 2012: Air Berlin, Germany’s second largest airline, said on Tuesday it had reduced its net loss in the first quarter of the year despite turbulence stemming from rising fuel costs and aviation taxes.
Net losses amounted to 102.9 million euros (US$132.4 million), nearly 15% less than during the same period last year, the firm said.
At 149.3 million euros, pre-tax losses (EBIT) were also down significantly, by 20.7%.
EU hands out carbon deadline
BRUSSELS, 16 May 2012: The European Union on Tuesday gave China and India a month to comply with a new airline carbon emissions fee coming into effect across the bloc, or face penalties for flights in and out of Europe.
EU Commissioner for Climate Change Connie Hedegaard said all EU airlines and “nearly all” world airlines had agreed to hand over emissions data required under a controversial carbon levy on air travel that took effect 1 January.
“There has been a very, very high level of compliance … the only exception is Chinese and Indian carriers,” she said at a news conference.
Exploring brand Phuket
May 15, 2012 by Paphada Apimonton
Filed under News, Phuket
PHUKET, 15 May 2012: Phuket’s PR gurus hope to build brand by hosting seminars with the first event set for 24 May to explore opportunities in sports tourism.
The initial report was posted on Phuket News which identified the topic Marketing Brand Phuket – Sports Tourism to be held at Thanyapura Hotel and organised by Shine PR Phuket.
Managing director, Natasha Eldred, said it was the private sector’s effort to brand the island’s tourism.
Dive and golf shows shine
May 15, 2012 by Paphada Apimonton
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 15 May 2012: Consumers turned out in their droves, over the weekend, to catch travel discounts at the Wonderful Thailand, Wonderful World 2012.
Around 250,000 consumers, mainly Thais living in Bangkok, turned out to visit the tourism fair.
Bargain hunters were attracted to two sub-themes promoting diving and golfing where suppliers were offering 50% discounts on promotional packages to South Thailand.
Aerial photography to the rescue
May 15, 2012 by Wanwisa Ngamsangchaikit
Filed under News, Thailand
BANGKOK, 15 May 2012: Thailand’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Kittiratt Na Ranong, says the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is conducting aerial photography of the central plains to establish the best sites for flood water retention by the end of the month.
“JICA confirmed that aerial photography was nearing completion therefore the flood management zones should be identified and announced within this month.”
He added: “Once the aerial photographs are submitted, the government will be able to indicate the exact location where monkey cheeks will be set up.”
Myanmar to rejoin UNWTO
May 15, 2012 by TTRweekly Staff
Filed under Myanmar, News
YANGON, 15 May 2012: Head of the United Nations World Tourism Organisation said last week Myanmar was now seeking to rejoin the agency after an absence of 25 years.
According to Myanmar Times, UNWTO secretary-general Taleb Rifai confirmed last week at the close of a three-day visit to Myanmar that country’s President, U Thein Sein, officially notified the organisation it was ready to rejoin.
“He informed me that Myanmar is very keen to rejoin UNWTO … Myanmar was a member of UNWTO in the past and it’s very easy to rejoin,” Mr Rifai was quoted.
Tour agents blast hotels
May 15, 2012 by Paphada Apimonton
Filed under Hospitality, Myanmar, News
YANGON, 15 May 2012: Tour operators and foreign-owned hotels are in a standoff over soaring hotel rates that skyrocketed almost 300% and threaten the country’s long-term tourism prospects.
The initial report on the dispute was reported by the Myanmar Times, but there has been evidence for some time, since the country started to open to investors, that hotels were taking advantage and trebling rates.
Representatives of Yangon’s foreign-owned hotel attended a meeting chaired by the Myanmar Hotels and Tourism deputy minister, U Htay Aung, but it ended with no conclusion.
