2007-12-25

PB AIR LAUNCHES NEW BANGKOK-MAE HONG SON SERVICE

To meet peak season demand for travel to Mae Hong Son during Thailand’s cool season, PB Air will be launching a new Bangkok-Mae Hong Son service that will be offered every Tuesday and Saturday from 1 December 2007 to 1 March 2008 only.
Mae Hong Son, a remote picturesque town surrounded by mountainous terrain and scenic natural landscape, is ranked among Thailand's most popular holiday destinations for cool season travel for both Thai as well as foreign visitors.
This new Bangkok-Mae Hong Son service is a PB Air-Thai Airways International (THAI) code-sharing route and will be served by a 50-seater ERJ 145 aircraft.
Flights will depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at 12.40 and arrive at Mae Hong Son Airport at 14.10. The return flight to Bangkok departs Mae Hong Son at 14.45 and arrives at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16.15.
The fare for a one-way ticket is 3,100 baht* and 5,800 baht* for a return trip ticket. (*the fare includes airport tax and other charges and fees)
Contact information: PB Air Tel: +66 (0) 2261 0222Fax: +66 (0) 2261 0227E-mail: sales@pbair.com Web site: www.pbair.com

SPICEROADS’ NEW FLOATING MARKET TO HUA HIN TOUR

SpiceRoads’ new floating market to Hua Hin tour takes cyclist on a three-day ride through back roads and quite trails of the Thai South Central Coast
SpiceRoads has launched its newest tour: The Floating Market to Hua Hin Tour, a three-day/two-night cycling trip that goes off of the beaten path to temples, plantations, fruit orchards, scenic lakes, mountains, and canals. Scheduled departures are every Wednesday, with only a minimum of two persons required. Private tours can be arranged for departure any day of the week.
This cycling tour mixes all different kinds of terrains and locations for a truly interesting and adventurous experience. It is suitable for all levels of cycling experience and is great for families. The price includes bike rental and safety equipment, transfers, full air–con van support, drinks and snacks, accommodations, and most meals.
The tour is attractively priced, and agents receive a commission on all bookings.
SpiceRoads focuses on providing quality cycling tours in Asia, for those who want to go beyond the hotels and tourist traps to explore the essence of a country’s culture, people, and way of life.
Source: SpiceRoads release dated June 2007
For further informationTel: +66 (0) 2712 5305 Fax: +66 (0) 2712 5306 E-mail: info@spiceroads.comWeb site: www.spiceroads.com/thailand/hua_hinSouce : http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/detail.aspωid=3417

SAMUI TO HOST 2008 SKAL ASIAN AREA CONGRESS

Skål International Koh Samui has been chosen to host the Skål Asian Area Congress in 2008 from May 23-26.
The Skål Asian Area Congress 2008 will be the first international event ever held on the island of Koh Samui which will bring international tourism professionals to the island. Between 250 to 300 international participants from all regions of the world are expected to attend the 2008 Congress.
Skål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members – the industry's managers and executives – meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.
Skål International today has approximately 22,000 members in 500 clubs throughout 90 countries.
“The most important goal of this Congress is to enhance and increase the popularity and reputation of Koh Samui as a first class holiday destination in Southeast Asia,” Mr Horst Hornung, President of Skål International Koh Samui explained.
“As international Skål members are all representatives of various tourism businesses, such as travel agencies, hotels and airlines, feedback from the Congress will generate important and long-term follow-up businesses for the Samui travel scene”, Mr Hornung added.
As the host of the 2008 Skål Asian Area Congress, Skål Samui members will actively participate in the 2007 Skål Asian Area Congress being hosted in Macau from May 25-28, 2007, where the club will host a lunch for participating Skål members to encourage the highest possible participation of international Skål colleagues at the 2008 Congress to be hosted in Samui.
Skål Samui will also present additional PR activities during the next Skål World Congress in Antalya, Turkey in November 2007 where club members hope to mobilize and generate as many potential participants for the 2008 Skål Asian Area Congress in Samui.
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has extended support to Skål International Koh Samui for participation in the 2007 Skål Asian Area Congress in Macau where club members will be helping to promote Thailand by raising the visibility and awareness for Koh Samui and Thailand as world-class travel destinations. TAT is also extending support to the club in the organisation of the Skål Asian Area Congress 2008.
Skål International Koh Samui was established in April 2004 and with more than 50 members is the second biggest Skål club in Thailand. is the biggest Skål club in Thailand. There are other clubs in Phuket, Pattaya and Chiang Mai.
The City of Pattaya won the bid to host the 2006 Congress after it bested London in an election held in 2002.
Introducing Skål InternationalSkål is a professional organisation of tourism leaders around the world, promoting global tourism and friendship. It is the only international group uniting all branches of the travel and tourism industry. Its members – the industry's managers and executives — meet at local, national, regional and international levels to discuss and pursue topics of common interest.
The first Club was founded in 1932 in Paris by travel managers, following an educational tour of Scandinavia. The idea of international goodwill and friendship grew and, in 1934, the “Association Internationale des Skål Clubs” was formed with Florimond Volckaert as its first President, who is considered the “Father of Skål”.
Skål International is headquartered at the General Secretariat in Torremolinos, Spain. The organisation is governed by an Executive Committee of seven members, elected by delegates to an annual General Assembly, held during the World Congress, hosted by a different country each year. This allows members first-hand observation of the travel and tourism potential around the world.
Skål International Koh SamuiWeb site: www.Skalsamui.org
Skål International Koh Samui MembersWeb site: www.skalsamui.org/members.php
Skål InternationalWeb site: www.Skal.orgSource : http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/detail.aspωid=3372

PATA'S 'CEO CHALLENGE 2008' CONFRONTS CLIMATE CHANGE

Bangkok, Thailand, August 2, 2007 — The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is challenging influential and passionate travel industry leaders to agree and sign on to a truly cross-sectoral industry response to climate change, one of the greatest global threats to travel and tourism.
Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, and organised in partnership with the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) and the Burba Hotel Network (BHN), PATA's "CEO Challenge 2008: Confronting Climate Change" will take place in Bangkok on April 29-30, 2008.
PATA President and CEO Mr Peter de Jong said that the ambitious goal for the CEO Challenge is to create a single platform and action plan, fully engaging tourism ministers and heads of tourist boards, CEOs of airlines and airports, CEOs of leading international hotel groups, major tour operators and other key industry stakeholders.
The agenda will be focused, relevant and actionable. Decision-makers from the public and private sectors of the travel industry will be challenged over a day and a half of interactive discussions to agree and commit to action.
Several important debates will lead up to the CEO Challenge. UNWTO is convening the second Climate Change and Tourism conference in Davos in early October this year, while in November a tourism ministerial meeting will address the theme in London. Next year on April 22-23, the airline community will convene its third Aviation and Environment Summit in Geneva.
"We strongly support these initiatives and intend to incorporate their conclusions and recommendations into our CEO Challenge'', Mr de Jong said.
He added: "We cannot achieve a meaningful response to climate change by acting alone. No one can. No single organisation. No single sector. Only by working together — as a united travel and tourism force — can we make a difference."
Leading industry personalities have begun to voice their support for the CEO Challenge.
"This is a critical issue for the aviation and tourism industries to confront together," said Qantas Airways CEO Mr Geoff Dixon. "The timing is perfect and PATA is ideally placed to assist in their efforts. I thoroughly support the CEO Challenge," he added.
"The CEO Challenge 2008 is a timely initiative that will bring together public and private sector leaders to focus on practical steps we can take, as an industry, to address the important issue of climate change," said Association of Asia Pacific Airlines (AAPA) Director General Mr Andrew Herdman.
"Economic and social development must go hand in hand with environmental responsibility," he said, adding that he believes Asia Pacific is pivotal in the sustainable development of the global aviation, travel and tourism industries.
Accor Asia Pacific Chairman Mr David Baffsky said the health of the world's environment is fundamental and climate is a crucial component to all sectors of the tourism industry.
"Our industry must not be marginalised so it is very important for CEOs to participate in the CEO Challenge on climate change," he said. "It will facilitate the industry having a real voice and making a positive contribution to a fully informed debate to allow a proper understanding of the impact of our sector on our planet", he added.
Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts Chairman Mr Ho Kwon Ping said the event could not be timelier.
"The travel industry, because of its diversity, has not been able to come to grips with the dimensions and implications of climate change, nor to even understand how culpable we truly are as negative contributors to climate change, nor how we can mobilise our enormous resources to provide positive leadership," he said.
"This is an important conference, which I hope to be able to participate in," said Mr Ho.
The 'PATA CEO Challenge' is a new annual event which PATA organises in lieu of the previous PATA Annual Conference. For the full release and testimonials, and to register your interest, please go to www.PATA.org/ceochallenge.
PATA Marketing CommunicationsMr David GillbanksTel: +66 (0) 2658 2000 extension 108E-mail: david@PATA.org
ABOUT PATAMission statement: "The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is a membership association acting as a catalyst for the responsible development of the Asia Pacific travel and tourism industry. In partnership with PATA's private and public sector members, we enhance the sustainable growth, value and quality of travel and tourism to, from and within the region."
Founded in 1951, PATA is the recognised authority on Asia Pacific travel and tourism. PATA provides leadership and advocacy to the collective efforts of nearly 100 government, state and city tourism bodies, more than 55 airlines and cruise lines, and hundreds of travel industry companies. In addition, thousands of travel professionals belong to dozens of PATA chapters worldwide. PATA is a not-for-profit organisation. Find out more at www.PATA.org.
ABOUT BURBA HOTEL NETWORKBHN brings together more than two decades of experience in developing and organizing the world's most prominent gatherings of the hotel and tourism investment community, including the Americas Lodging Investment Summit (ALIS) in Los Angeles, the International Hotel Investment Forum (IHIF) in Berlin, the Bolsa Mexicana de Inversión Turistica (BMIT) in Mexico City, the annual Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Investment Conference (CHTIC) and the Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific (HICAP) in Hong Kong.
The BHN website at www.BURBA.com is the gateway for information about the conferences BHN produces, as well as a direct link to important players in the hospitality investment world. www.BURBA.com
ABOUT CENTRE FOR ASIA PACIFIC AVIATIONFounded in 1990, the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation is the region's leading provider of independent aviation market intelligence, analysis and data services. The Centre also convenes highly acclaimed international aviation strategy summits. Understanding aviation markets is our great strength. We aim to present our clients and business partners with an unrivalled depth of expertise delivered by skilled and experienced professionals. www.centreforaviation.comSource : http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/detail.aspωid=3451

About Hands Bangkok Countdown 2008

Bidding farewell to the old year while greeting New Year is a festive practice significantly embraced by people around the world as it’s the last biggest event of the year that leads to a fresh beginning. Hands Bangkok Countdown 2008 is designed to be an international symbol of the celebrations for Thais and visitors. Bangkok is a center of tourism in Southeast Asia, full of lively attractions and facilities for tourists.
Hands Bangkok Countdown 2008 is a brainchild of joint-cooperation between public and private organizations which have seen the potential of Thailand’s Bangkok to serve as a significant destination for tourists during the festive season. Business operations with different backgrounds joined forces to initiate the largest countdown event for residents in Bangkok before it has been expanded to become an international event that targets tourists in ASEAN region: Thailand, Malaysia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Myanmar. The visitors will be invited to experience a new cultural celebration by joining hands together with the countdown in the Hands By Heart Moment.
The event’s venue is located in the heart of Bangkok’s downtown and shopping streets surrounded by leading department stores and convenient transportation systems and facilities set to serve mass population to join the event.
Landmark of the event is a gigantic structure, “The Greeting Ball Tower”, which serves as the symbol of celebrations. The tower will be installed in December every year. It’s equipped with special effects to create spectacular moments. Activities by arts and entertainment studios are prepared on a large-scale stage, making it a truly feast of celebrations to support tourism spending for the year-end.More information : http://www.handsbangkokcountdown.com

2007-12-12

PB AIR LAUNCHES NEW BANGKOK-MAE HONG SON SERVICE

To meet peak season demand for travel to Mae Hong Son during Thailand’s cool season, PB Air will be launching a new Bangkok-Mae Hong Son service that will be offered every Tuesday and Saturday from 1 December 2007 to 1 March 2008 only.
Mae Hong Son, a remote picturesque town surrounded by mountainous terrain and scenic natural landscape, is ranked among Thailand's most popular holiday destinations for cool season travel for both Thai as well as foreign visitors.
This new Bangkok-Mae Hong Son service is a PB Air-Thai Airways International (THAI) code-sharing route and will be served by a 50-seater ERJ 145 aircraft.
Flights will depart from Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok at 12.40 and arrive at Mae Hong Son Airport at 14.10. The return flight to Bangkok departs Mae Hong Son at 14.45 and arrives at Suvarnabhumi Airport at 16.15.
The fare for a one-way ticket is 3,100 baht* and 5,800 baht* for a return trip ticket. (*the fare includes airport tax and other charges and fees)
Contact information: PB Air Tel: +66 (0) 2261 0222Fax: +66 (0) 2261 0227E-mail: sales@pbair.com Web site: www.pbair.com

The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2008

ATF 2008
The ASEAN Tourism Forum 2008(ATF 2008), the annual travel industry summit of the 10 member Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is to be held in Bangkok between 18-26 January, 2008.
The ASEAN Tourism' Forum (ATF) is one of the most significant annual tourism promotional events in Asia, and is hosted on a rotational basis among the ASEAN member countries. Thailand is honored to be playing host for the 2008 ATF exchange, which is the show's fifth time in Thailand since its establishment.
The fair is made up of numerous high-level events, including a meeting of ASEAN Tourism Ministers, a meeting of the ASEAN NTOs, as well as airline meetings, press briefings, a tourism conference, and the popular Travel Exchange (TRAVEX) trade fair.
Bearing the theme, "Synergy of ASEAN towards Dynamic Unity in Diversity," the annual gathering of high-level ASEAN tourism public and private sector officials, airlines, and hundreds of buyers of ASEAN tourism products is designed to showcase the best of ASEAN tourism products and services.
Mrs. Phornsiri Manoharn, TAT Governor said, “Thailand is proud to once again welcome all delegates to ATF 2008. We last hosted the ATF in 2000, the first one of the 21st century.
“By 2008, we expect that many of the growth-drivers, such as low-cost airlines, open skies, improved road and rail networks, will be in place”.
“Clearly the issues of the future will be managing the growth to come. This is going to be our biggest challenge and we expect the ATF 2008 to provide the industry with an appropriate forum to openly discuss these issues in pursuit of constructive, positive, and long-term solutions.”
Mrs Phornsiri said TAT is working with Thai Airways International, the ASEAN airlines, travel trade associations, and other public and private sector organizations to ensure the success of this event.
She said the delegates will also get to see many of the changes taking place in Thailand, such as the new niche market products called “Amazing Wonders of Thailand,” as well as the new Royal Initiative Discovery products highlighting the long-term value of His Majesty the King’s sufficiency economy concepts.
The official programme will begin on 18 January, 2008, with the meetings of the ASEAN Tourism Task Forces at Sofitel Central Hotel. The meetings of the ASEAN National Tourism Organizations (NTOs) will held on 19-20 January.
A half-day meeting of the NTOs of ASEAN, China, Japan and Korea (ASEAN+3) will be held on 20 January at the Sofitel Central Hotel. The ASEAN Tourism Ministers, Airlines, Hoteliers and Travel Agents will hold their respective meetings on 21 January, 2008.
The buyer-and-seller trade show, called TRAVEX, will be held between 22-25 January at the Challenger 2, Impact Exhibition and Convention Centre, the world’s largest column-free exhibition hall, Asia’s largest indoor exhibition centre and Thailand’s largest ballroom. About 400 sellers, 450 buyers, and 150 media are expected to attend.
Several complimentary pre- and post-tours are being organised by TAT together with Thai Airways and the private sector to take buyers and the media to various ASEAN destinations in line with the theme "Synergy of ASEAN Towards Dynamic Unity in Diversity."
Mrs Phornsiri said, “ASEAN member countries are making continuous improvements in our tourism products such as new destinations and facilities. These tours will help introduce these exciting developments.”
For more details and on-line registration, please check out www.atf2008thailand.com

PATA CEO Challenge 2008

What is the PATA CEO Challenge 2008?
It is the first opportunity for the entire travel and tourism industry in Asia Pacific to agree to a unified plan of action to confront climate change.
PATA's CEO Welcomes You
Peter de Jong
On behalf of PATA it is my pleasure to welcome you to this dedicated website of the PATA CEO Challenge 2008: Confronting Climate Change.
This website will be a key forum for communication for all the stakeholders involved in the CEO Challenge, and we look forward to a strong degree of interactivity between now and the event on April 29-30, 2008.
The PATA CEO Challenge will be the first time that leaders of all industry sectors in Asia Pacific, private and public, will come together under one roof to agree to a unified action to confront climate change.
We have made significant strides towards making the PATA CEO Challenge an unprecedented event for the travel and tourism industry.
We are thrilled to have secured the participation of 2007 Nobel Peace Prize recipient Dr RK Pachauri as a keynote speaker at the historic event.
Dr Pachauri is Chairman of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which was named to share the prize with former US Vice President Al Gore.
In addition we are negotiating with a number of other leading international figures to become part of the programme.
Destination strategist Anna Pollock and global futurist Rohit Talwar are on board as strategic advisers and facilitators for the Challenge.
We believe the inaugural PATA CEO Challenge: Confronting Climate Change will define the way in which our industry conducts itself in the future with regard to this overarching issue.
By joining the Challenge in April, your invaluable contribution to the outcomes will ensure it is an event of great substance.
And you can start right now by leaving your thoughts and ideas in response to our news and blogs.
We welcome your interest and your feedback!

Peter de Jong
President and CEO
Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
Email: ceochallenge(at)PATA.org.

From:www.ceochallenge.pata.org

Thai company is named Asia’s Leading Spa Consultancy

Horwath Spa Consulting has been awarded ‘Asia’s Leading Spa Consultancy’ at the World Travel Awards 2007. The awards based in the UK have been called the travel industry’s equivalent to the Oscars by the Wall Street Journal and are the most comprehensive recognition programme in the global travel industry. Sponsors of the 14th World Travel Awards, include BBC World and Amadeus, with voting done on-line by over 165,000 travel professionals in 200 countries worldwide.
Receiving the award were Naphalai Areesorn, Managing Director, and Directors Andrew Jacka and Rina Segal at a gala dinner in the plush Leela Palace Hotel, Bangalore. Horwath Spa Consulting has developed and managed spas for clients in Thailand, Italy, Turkey, Dubai and on board cruise ships. Naphalai and Andrew are active in the spa industry, with Andrew being the current President of the Thai Spa Association. This award for the Thai-based company is also seen as recognition for the leading role that Thailand plays in the global spa industry