|
THAI to fly Bangkok to New York
Sunathee
Isvarphornchai (2nd from left), Thai Airways International’s vice
president for corporate communication relations; Manit Chaisukumarn (2nd
from right), THAI’s general manager for USA Central and South USA; and Wit
Kitchathorn (far right), THAI’s general manager for Northeastern USA, met
Pisanu Chanvithan (middle), consul-general, Royal Thai Consulate-General,
New York to consult on activities on the launch of a new route from Bangkok
to New York commencing April 2005.
Nim See Seng attracting the weekend tourists
The Nim See Seng Hotel in Chiang Rai (very close to the
Night Bazaar) is offering new promotions to attract tourists to the northern
city, with general manager Isara Wongyanyong saying that the slogan of the
hotel is that it is a Low Cost Standard Hotel. With today’s similarly
positioned low cost airlines, it is now possible to spend weekends away
without it costing King Mengrai’s ransom.
 Regulars
who know this Chinese style hotel can buy ‘memberships’ for B. 1000,
which entitles the holder to a round table Chinese banquet for six, complete
with four bottles of whiskey! The banquets are normally B. 550, without the
four bottles of whiskey, so the value for money for a group of tourists is
very evident. The banquet consists of eight dishes including choices of fish
or meats, soup, stir-fries, salads, fried rice or noodles and a mixed fruit
bowl and Thai or Chinese desserts.
In addition, the membership has other bonus features,
such as a 10 percent discount on the already very inexpensive tariff. For
example, a Standard room is only B. 450, a Superior B. 550, while a Suite is
only B. 750 – and now deduct 10 percent as well, says GM Isara.
The hotel features three restaurants, an all day lobby
coffee shop, the Lannchan rooftop live music restaurant and beer garden from
6 p.m. and the entertainment caf้ and restaurant featuring Thai
singers and karaoke, if that is your wish, which opens at 7 p.m.
For a group, especially if it includes many local
residents, a weekend away in Chiang Rai as a company incentives plan would
be well received and quite inexpensive, particularly if you take up the
membership offer.
GM Khun Isara can be contacted at the Nim See Seng hotel, 930/14
Phaholyotin Road, Amphur Muang, Chiang Rai, telephone 053 600 421, fax 053
754 492. English spoken but Thai preferred!
Site sought for Chiang Mai convention center
A new US$30-million convention center in Chiang Mai is
expected to be completed by about September 2006, even though a decision
about its exact whereabouts may not be made until the end of this year.
Tourism Authority of Thailand investment department
executive director, Udom Metatamrongsiri, said work on the new center had to
be completed in time for the opening of the Chiang Mai Horticultural
Exposition in November 2006.
“The center would already be under construction but we
have discovered that the chosen site is in a national park and nothing has
been started yet because we have to get a decision from the government on
whether national park status can be revoked,” Udom said. He said an
alternative site at Nong Haw near the municipal sports complex in Chiang Mai
City was available for immediate development and would probably be a better
location because it was nearer to the hotels, was downtown, and did not
require permission for change of use.
Tourism minister, Sontaya Khunplome, is on record as
saying the location near the sports complex seemed more suitable. (TTG Asia)
Dusit unveils new brand
Dusit Hotels & Resorts is launching a new brand,
D2hotel, the first opening in Chiang Mai in the first quarter of 2005. Dusit
senior executives describe D2hotel as “modernistic Thai” and “warm but
cool”. It is pitched at a rate level of around 3,700 baht.
The main Dusit brand is also undergoing rejuvenation with
the completion of renovations at flagship Dusit Thani Bangkok, which now
fields new room concepts, Club and Grand, that will start to filter to other
Dusit properties.
Meanwhile, the Dusit Resort and Polo Club Cha-am/Hua Hin
has dropped the “Polo Club” from its name and has appointed Simon
Burgess executive assistant manager effective February 1, 2005. (TTG Asia)
Thailand launches Happiness on Earth
Jeffrey Studebaker,
TTG Asia
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has announced the
theme of its new promotional campaign, Thailand: Happiness on Earth.
TAT governor, Jutamas Siriwan, said the goal of the
campaign, which replaces the now four yeas old Amazing Thailand campaign,
was to highlight the quality of the country’s products and services.
“We will be placing emphasis on the happiness visitors
can experience from Thailand’s friendly people, cultural attractions, fun
festivals, natural landscapes, spas, and convenient transportation
network,” she said.
A new logo is being launched to go with the new slogan.
Featuring a half-circle representing the earth, it is emblazoned with a
five-colored flower suggesting an image of uniqueness and fun. In support of
the campaign, the TAT will be encouraging Thailand tourism operators to
maintain high standards in their products.
Troubled year for southern Thailand tourism
Violence in Thailand’s three southernmost provinces is
playing havoc with domestic and international tourism and is expected to
make 2004 the worst year in recent history for the hospitality industry
there. But bookings to nearby Samui, Phuket and Krabi are holding up well
and 2004 could be a bumper year for hotels and agents.
Thai Hotels Association (THA) vice president, Prakit
Chinamourphong, said the stark contrast between the safe destinations and
the troubled areas of Yala, Pattani and Narathiwat are likely to continue
for the rest of the year.
“The three southernmost provinces are badly affected.
They are quite dependent on cross-border business and the Malaysians have
been told not to travel unless it is necessary,” Prakit said. But he added
that tourists realize Krabi, Samui and Phuket are not in the danger zone and
are entirely unaffected by the ‘southern problem’.
Problems in the south have turned 2004 into the worst
year in recent memory for tourism operators in Hat Yai district.
Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand Tourism Association chairman, Tosavorn
Wiwatsurakij, told reporters business was more than 50 percent down on last
year.
“We are not getting any group bookings at all now, not
even for the Loy Krathong festival at the end of November which is usually a
really big event in the south,” Tosavorn said, adding there had been a
stream of cancellations since 87 people died following a protest on October
25. (TTG Asia)
|
