Airbnb: Food for thought survey

BANGKOK, 25 September 2017: According to Airbnb Asia Pacific’s regional travel survey, travellers are getting more adventurous with food and activities.

The APAC survey showed 71% of people emphasised the importance of trying local food while on vacation, and six out of 10 (59%) travellers keen to try new experiences or activities.

The findings prompted Airbnb to partner with four high profile chefs: Ian Kittichai (Thailand); Manish Mehrotra (India); Tony Yoo (South Korea); and Koh Kentetsu (Japan) for the Airbnb Kitchens of Asia initiative. Read more

Chinese tap lucrative Halal market

DUBAI, 21 September 2017: Standing behind her stall at a Dubai exhibition centre, Dai Dong He offered expo visitors what looked like carefully wrapped biscuits or chocolates.

“This is dry beef, beef snacks,” said Dai, general manager of Anhui Central Asia Food Co., one of eight Chinese firms from Anhui Province displaying products at Halal Expo Dubai 2017.

Dubai is hosting the show for the ninth year running, with the Gulf emirate positioning itself as a major hub for the halal industry, a booming USD3 trillion market for goods and services that are permissible under Islamic law. Read more

Thailand focuses on ATF agenda

VINH PHUC, VIETNAM, 3 August 2017: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports permanent secretary, Pongpanu Svetarundra, met with tourism officials from national tourist offices from ASEAN nations, including Vietnam,  to update them on Thailand’s readiness to host the 37th ASEAN Tourism Forum 2018.

The 46th ASEAN National Tourism National Organisations, held last month, gave the ministry’s permanent secretary an opportunity to update officials on ATF, which will be held 22 to 26 January. in Chiang Mai, the first time the forum has been hosted in North Thailand.

ASEAN tourism officials are collaborating to promote gastronomy tourism, tourism investment, cruise tourism and community based tourism. Read more

More than Michelin stars on the menu

CHIANG RAI, 26 July 2017: CNN Travel readers listed seven* Thai dishes among Worlds 50 Best Foods in its latest Facebook poll that garnered 35,000 responses. Good news for Thai food fans.

If that is not enough to underscore the popularity of Thai food, worldwide, the momentum continue as Michelin Guides prepares to introduce a guide for Bangkok embedded with its famous star-rating.

The Thai government splurged THB143.5 million on the sponsorship deal to bring Michelin and its star rating to Thailand. Under the terms of the five-year contract the first guide will focus on Bangkok’s top restaurants before spreading out to other popular tourist destinations in Thailand. Read more

Halal food moves in Cambodia

PHNOM PENH, 25 July 2017: Cambodia will cooperate with Thailand and Malaysia to establish halal standards to cater to the rising number of Muslim travellers visiting Cambodia, especially from the Middle East.

Khmer Times quoted Commerce Secretary of State, Mao Thora, saying there were many more Muslim travellers  visiting the country so it was important to introduce a halal standard.

“We will learn from Thailand and Malaysia to bring halal standards to Cambodia soon,” the minister said. Read more

Thailand focuses on niche markets

BANGKOK, 29 June 2017: Thailand’s Ministry of Tourism and Sports says the country will focus on the developing tourism linked to sports, marine and food.

Welcoming a courtesy visit from members of the US – ASEAN Business Council, last week, Tourism and Sports Minister, Kobkarn Wattanavrangkul, said collaboration between related departments and authorities would encourage public-private partnerships (PPP) which was the key to growing tourism.

“Currently, the Thai tourism industry no longer focuses on head count, but has shifted its focus to boosting tourism revenue, as last year’s figures showed that tourism revenue constitutes as much as 17.7% of Thailand’s GDP and there is a need to maintain that trend.” Read more

Singapore Food Festival 14 to 30 July

SINGAPORE, 28 June 2017: The Singapore Food Festival 2017 is back for its 24th edition.

Taking place from 14 to 30 July, locals and visitors alike can look forward to a spread of both traditional and contemporary Singaporean flavours, interpreted through the palates of  home-grown culinary heroes.

Themed “Savour Singapore in Every Bite”, the festival will feature up to 20 gastronomic experiences that celebrate heritage and flavours, and honour the people who work passionately to keep local culinary traditions alive. Read more

Where are the GIs hiding?

BANGKOK, 23 June 2017: Thailand’s government has asked all 77 provinces to establish their own Geographical Indications (GIs) for local products in an effort to offer diversity and attract more international visitors beyond the major tourist destinations.

Prime Minister’s Office spokesperson, Lt Gen Sansern Kaewkamnerd, said each province has been asked to promote at least one locally made product for GI signage.

He advised provinces to locate products in communities that do not yet have a tourism draw card.  Read more

Where foodie tourists go

NEW YORK, 20 June 2017: Hong Kong, Sao Paulo and Tokyo are the top cities for food fans worldwide, according to the latest Booking.com report.

With three quarters (75%) of global travellers saying that they would likely travel somewhere renowned for its great food and drink when choosing their next travel destination[i], culinary travel is a trend on the rise.

The joy of tasting new dishes while travelling is tagged as growing trend by Booking.com, global travel booking website. Read more

Sports and food will draw tourists

BANGKOK, 7 June 2017 (NNT): Thailand’s Minister of Tourism and Sports believes concentrating on sports and food tourism promotions will ensure Thailand attracts more quality visitors.

She identified sports, health, marine and food tourism as priority markets that have the potential to draw more independent visitors who have strong spending power.

Group tourism from China remains the biggest single source of visitors to Thailand but earnings are low, when compared to the independent travel market. Read more

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