Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in conjunction with AirAsia, Bangkok Airways and VietJet Air launch a new campaign ‘Mega Deal to Thailand…Travel Is a Big Deal” to encourage tourists from ASEAN countries, especially Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos, with special price tickets from the three airlines to pull ASEAN tourists to Thailand in Q4 as well as to strengthen the relationship in ASEAN. Open for reservation from today until 31 December 2018. Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) disclosed the increasing number of foreign tourists visiting Thailand by 11% or around 2 million tourists compared to the previous year. The three most visited ASEAN countries to Thailand are Malaysia, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam totaling over 5,628,156 tourists. It is a group of countries that can facilitate easy travels in a short time and having similarities in culture, food and languages. ‘Mega Deal to Thailand…Travel Is a Big Deal’ is a proactive campaign to stimulate tourism in Thailand. The three airlines have cooperated with TAT to encourage both tourists and businessmen to visit […]

After a record-breaking awards haul so far this year, Thailand has once again been recognised with yet another prestigious honour by Condé Nast Traveller’s readers, who voted Chiang Mai among the Top 20 Small Cities in the World in its 31st annual Readers’ Choice Awards. This is hot on the heels of the recent Conde Nast Traveller UK 2018 Readers’ Travel Awards with Thailand voted into 3rd spot in the Best Country category. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said: “Chiang Mai, with its charming culture of the ancient Lanna capital plus the lovely weather and the beautiful hills, has always been popular with local and international tourists. I’d like to thank the readers of Condé Nast Traveller for naming Chiang Mai one of the World’s Top 20 Small Cities 2018.” According to Condé Nast Traveller, “There’s a reason so many travellers beeline for Chiang Mai when they visit Thailand—the city is undoubtedly the cultural capital of the country. (It also doesn’t hurt that the super-luxe Four Seasons Resort and intimate Rachamankha are fantastic home […]

Ministerstwo Morskie Tajlandii poinformowało o działaniach zwiększających bezpieczeństwo wycieczek morskich z Phuket oraz podniesienia standardu turystyki morskiej w kraju. Ministerstwo wyznaczyło 26 dodatkowych funkcjonariuszy w każdym porcie i nabrzeżu w Phuket, do przeprowadzania kontroli łodzi i pasażerów udających się na morskie wycieczki. Trwa również proces rozmieszczania większej liczby funkcjonariuszy w innych tajskich ośrodkach wypoczynkowych. Ponadto ogłoszono nowe rozporządzenie, które zostanie wprowadzone w nadchodzącym sezonie – wszystkie łodzie wycieczkowe będą sprawdzane dwa razy w miesiącu, (teraz raz w miesiącu), aby zapewnić że wyposażenie na pokładzie i załoga spełniają wymogi bezpieczeństwa. Regularna kontrola obejmuje sprzęt umieszczony wewnątrz łodzi i sprzęt na pokładzie, który musi być gotowy do użycia w nagłych wypadkach. Kapitan i sternik muszą zarejestrować nazwę i specyfikację każdego statku. Dokładną liczbę pasażerów i trasę wycieczki należy za każdym razem przedłożyć urzędnikom odpowiedzialnym przed opuszczeniem portu. Każdy pasażer musi będzie musiał podać takie informacje jak: imię i nazwisko, narodowość, miejsce pobytu i następny punkt wejścia na pokład. Zgodnie z prawem przewodnicy wycieczek muszą być również sprawdzeni. Ponadto żadna łódź wycieczkowa jakiegokolwiek typu nie może pływać w trudnych warunkach pogodowych. Tajlandzcy operatorzy […]

Bangkok is basking in the limelight of being named this year’s number one city in the world by the Mastercard’s 2018 Global Destination Cities Index, making it the third consecutive year that Thailand’s ‘City of Angels’ has been ranked in the top spot. With roughly 20 million international overnight visitors, Bangkok retained the top spot again this year. According to the study, the top cities once again underscored the importance of robust infrastructure, both business and leisure attractions plus strong local culture. All are key components highlighted in recent Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) marketing campaigns. TAT Governor Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn said TAT was delighted to hear the news of another award for Thailand’s capital city. “This is a wonderful validation for TAT’s ‘Amazing Thailand Open to the New Shades’ and ‘Go Local’ marketing initiatives. It identifies the length of stay and daily spending as two core criteria, and this is something to be very proud of. “Of all the awards and accolades that Thailand, and Bangkok in particular, has received over the past year this is one of the […]

Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) celebrated 30 year of flights to Nagoya, Japan with a reception based on the theme “the World is Always New with THAI,” which was presided over by Mr. Ekniti Nitithanprapas, THAI Chairman of the Board of Directors and attended by Mr. Sumeth Damrongchaitham, THAI President, Mrs. Usanee Sangsingkeo, THAI Senior Advisor, and Mr. Wiwat Piyawiroj, THAI Executive Vice President, Commercial. THAI Management and THAI General Managers in Japan welcomed Mr. Bansarn Bunnag, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Japan, Mr. Kimio Ishihara, Deputy Governor of Aichi Prefecture, Mr. Takashi Kawamura, Mayor of Nagoya, Mr. Akihiko Naoe, Deputy Chairman of the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), guests of honor, and members of the press who attended the reception in Nagoya, Japan. Mr. Wiwat Piyawiroj, THAI Executive Vice President, Commercial, said that THAI has operated flights to Nagoya for 30 years since 31 October 1988 as a code-share flight with Japan Airlines, which began with two flights per week and utilized Airbus A300-600 aircraft. Nagoya is the third largest city in Japan and […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), in partnership with Thai Airways International (THAI), Thai Smile Airways and Krungthai Bank, are coming together to boost domestic travel to 55 secondary destinations. This impressive alliance will launch new ‘Local Link’ tours with a dedicated e-payment gateway in the last quarter of 2018 to promote Thailand’s emerging destinations. Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said: “The ‘Local Link’ initiative represents one of the seven activities under the “Amazing Thailand Go Local” project. It aims to improve the ratio of both domestic and foreign visitors between main cities versus secondary cities. It is currently 70:30 with the new target set at 65:35, with 10 billion Baht in revenue for the grass-roots level in 2018. “The initiative is also a reminder for Thais and local businesses to take advantage of the government’s tax deduction measures. It encourages them to hold seminars and business events or take leisure travel in second-tier cities for the rest of this year.” Under the partnership, TAT will design and promote ‘Local Link’ tours. They are categorised in three types: A, B […]

Indonesia-based Sahid Hotels & Resorts is set to foray outside the country with an Uzbekistan property opening mid-2019. Under the Operational Management Agreement signed in Jakarta on September 19, Sahid Hotels & Resorts will manage a three-star hotel owned by Royal Palace in Samarkand, one of the largest cities in Uzbekistan. The 65-room Sahid Royal Palace Samarkand will be the company’s launch property. There are also plans for further expansion in the city, including a 200-room hotel in the memorial complex of Imam al-Bukhari. Vivi Herlambang, director of business development, sales & marketing of Sahid Hotel & Resorts, shared that Sahid Royal Palace Samarkand will target travellers from China, Europe, Japan, and countries around Central Asia. Hariyadi Sukamdani, president director Sahid Hotel & Resorts, said that as a country that has just opened up after being separated from the Soviet Union, Uzbekistan has seen extraordinary development. He remarked: “The government is committed to developing the country and strongly encourages tourism to advance and become the main sector. After doing research, we see the big and untapped potential of Uzbekistan. The […]

Following years of delay and cost overruns, the 26km rail link connecting Hong Kong to mainland China’s high-speed rail network was finally launched on Sunday. With the Guangzhou-Shenzhen-Hong Kong Express Rail Link (XRL) now complete, travellers will be able to ride from Hong Kong to 44 destinations in mainland China destinations without changing trains, making the city an ideal starting point for multi-destination journeys through China. In particular, the new rail link puts Hong Kong in easier reach of nine neighbouring cities in Guangdong province and heralds a major boost to tourism in the Greater Bay Area. With frequent direct high-speed trains linking Hong Kong to Shenzhen and Guangzhou in as little as 48 minutes, travelling within the Greater Bay Area will be faster and more convenient than before. The Hong Kong section of the High Speed Rail network runs from West Kowloon Station. Visitors can enjoy views of iconic Victoria Harbour by walking along the Sky Corridor on the station’s rooftop. The tourism hub of Tsim Sha Tsui ls is a short walk away from the station, which is […]

The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has formed a strategic partnership with Alibaba’s online travel subsidiary Fliggy.com, following last week’s conference between TAT and Fliggy Holiday at Alibaba’s headquarters in Hangzhou, China. The development followed the meeting between Thai prime minister Prayut Chan-o-cha and Alibaba Group founder and executive chairman Jack Ma in Thailand earlier this year in April, which concluded with a possibility for TAT to team up with Alibaba to establish an online Thailand tourism platform. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT governor, said the meeting in Hangzhou confirmed the partnership between the TAT and Fliggy Holiday, with discussion covering various dimensions aimed at improving Chinese tourists’ quality travel experience in Thailand and promoting emerging secondary Thai tourist destinations. The partnership will allow TAT to enhance the awareness of major Thai destinations including Bangkok, Phuket and Chiang Mai, and also to promote emerging secondary cities such as, Chiang Rai, Satun, Hat Yai, Ratchaburi, Buri Ram and Chanthaburi. Besides taking the lead in promoting new itineraries to Thailand, Fliggy also plans to launch its first title-sponsored event in Thailand, the New-year Electronic […]

For Soonie Wattanahongsiri, who counts 15 years of experience in major DMCs in Thailand – including Exo Travel, Khiri Travel and Abercrombie & Kent – a trusted reputation and word of mouth referrals are the most valuable tools to attract business for Blackrice Travel, a boutique travel agency she founded in early 2018. The Bangkok-based startup offers customised trips to Thailand and South-east Asia for both travellers and corporate agents alike. “We have no fixed tariffs or modules. It’s all about customisation,” said Soonie. Designing each holiday around a client’s needs and preferences, Soonie is adamant that she gives “a personal touch” to each booking, whether it’s welcoming clients upon their arrival at hotels or giving personalised souvenirs – think wicker placemats and fans embroidered with their names. In an era where competition is intense and the travel market rife with OTAs, Soonie firmly believes there remains a clear market demand for bespoke travel agents like her. Her extensive product knowledge and operations experience accumulated during her years with the region’s leading DMCs give her access to a ready pool […]