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 […]

Kiedy otrzymaliśmy zaproszenie na tradycyjny koncert charytatywny w hotelu The Sukosol w Bangkoku – byliśmy mocno zaskoczeni. Rzecz niecodzienna – jedna ze znanych osobistości świata tajskiej muzyki zaprasza na swoje własne show. Hall hotelu The Sukosol wypełniony gośćmi; największa sala konferencyjna w hotelu przekształcona w salę koncertową (jak się później okazało z dobrą akustyką) była w stanie pomieścić niemałą orkiestrę wraz z fortepianem. Początek koncertu zaskoczył nas. Mocny i donośny głos o stanowczym tonie wywierał bezdyskusyjny wpływ na otoczenie. Nasze próby ujrzenia „źródła” głosu z oddali były sporym wyzwaniem. Dopiero później okazało się, iż słynna w Bangkoku i całej Tajlandii pani Kamala Sukosol jest osobą wzrostu Napoleona. Za to podobnie jak Napoleon – potrafi być osobowością wśród innych, którzy stworzyli podwaliny sukcesu gospodarczego Tajlandii. Pierwsze kroki rzeczywiście nie były łatwe – wymagały siły woli znaczniej większej niż u Napoleona. Ale zacznijmy od początku… Rok 1975 – po studiach w Nowym Jorku na Uniwersytecie Kolumbia oraz wcześniejszej szkole średniej w Anglii, do Bangkoku ogarniętego gorączką różnorodnych zmian, powraca Kamala Sukosol i staje przed sporym wyzwaniem. W jaki sposób dorównać swojemu ojcu, […]

As overtourism becomes a growing challenge in Asia’s tourist hotspots, industry stakeholders are calling attention to the importance of tourism management. “While it’s right to understand ‘overtourism’ (literally), what it basically means is a lack of tourism management,” said Willem Niemeijer, founder and CEO of Khiri Travel. Promoting new destinations is one way to ease crowding, but it is far from the full solution. Niemeijer said governments need to step in with measures to jump-start development in lesser-known destinations. “The Tourism Authority of Thailand’s (TAT) 12 Hidden Gems campaign is great, but we still need to get international brands in (to attract travellers from around the world)…There should be tax holidays, investment incentives in (the secondary destinations) they want to promote.” Moreover, Carl Needham, general manager of Peak DMC’s office in Thailand, pointed out: “TAT has done a good job making these new areas look attractive. Still, once people start (flocking to the next new place), there comes question of where’s next, and (so on).” Some DMCs TTG Asia interviewed at the recent PATA Travel Mart shared that while more […]

Nearly two decades since Star Cruises took delivery of the SuperStar Virgo, Genting Cruise Lines will transform the ship into the Explorer Dream, which will join the Dream Cruises fleet in spring 2019 as a pathfinder for the brand’s global aspirations. The SuperStar Virgo will undergo a US$30 million dollar transformation in March 2019 that will incorporate new facilities including The Palace, Dream Cruises’ signature, luxury private enclave featuring 50 suites and butler service. Guests will be able to enjoy new East-meets-West F&B options and a new Crystal Life Spa. Taking the first step to bring Dream Cruises outside Asian waters, in autumn/winter of 2019, Explorer Dream will homeport in Sydney and Auckland where she will embark on 21 seven-night itineraries. Explorer Dream will feature a multi-lingual crew conversant in English, Putonghua and other Asian languages and entertainment options reimagined to appeal to Asian passengers. With pre and post stays available in Sydney and Auckland, Dream Cruises’ seven-night itineraries in Australia and New Zealand is set to be an important cornerstone for Asian travellers who typically enjoy nine- to 14-day […]