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