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Promotional Tours
to tsunami ravaged south
TAT, Skyline Trip and Nok Air to revive Andaman tourism
Maetavarin Maneekulpan
Aiming to revive the Andaman shores of southern Thailand,
the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) in collaboration with Nok Air and
Skyline Trip has announced a special initiative bizarrely called, “Love
your Andaman, Sea-Sand-Sun, is You” starting from January 21 through to
February 28, 2005.
There are six packages, ranging from THB 4,990 to THB
6,990, and include round trip airfare with Nok Air (Bangkok/Phuket), full
board (3 meals provided), accommodation and city tour to some of the most
beautiful beaches in the world such as the Cape Phomthep, Maya Bay, Similan,
as well as tourist entertainment locations such as Phuket Fantasea.
Despite the recent tragedy, most of the Thailand’s
Southern areas on the Andaman coastline still retain their extraordinary
beauty, with the blue waters cleaner than ever and minimal damage to the
living coral and other sea life.
“We are looking at many ways to bring back the business
in the Phuket area, while respecting all that has happened,” says Juthamas
Siriwan, TAT Governor. “Much as we mourn, we know we need to help those
living in the area get back on their feet as soon as possible because this
is a big part in rebuilding their lives. We want to show everyone that the
Andaman coastline still has some of the most beautiful and welcoming
destinations in the world, and now is certainly the time to come.”
“We are very appreciative and supportive of Nok Air and
Skyline Trip for taking the initiative with this program, and we look to
this as one of the beginning steps in bringing back Phuket to the world,”
concluded Siriwan.
Travelers can make reservations for one of these packages
through 1318 (Nok Air’s call center), at the Nok Air website,
www.nokair.co.th, at the Skyline Trip website, www.tourbyyou.com, or by
calling Skyline Trip at 0-2541-5522.
AirAsia Tops Euromoney Award for Asia’s Best Managed Companies 2004
Luc Citrinot
2004 has been a busy year for AirAsia. With rapid
expansions in Thailand and Indonesia through two successful joint ventures,
and the orchestration of one of Malaysia’s largest IPO on November 2004,
AirAsia has added another feather to its growing list of accolades.
The red
and white AirAsia airplanes are now a common sight at all airports in
Thailand.
AirAsia was named “Best Managed Company in the Airlines
and Aviation Sector” in Euromoney Magazine’s annual Asia Best Managed
Companies Poll. The low fare airline received top honors in the category
after being placed above other established companies in Asia such as Virgin
Blue, Auckland International Airport, Malaysia Airlines System (MAS) and
Singapore Airlines (SIA).
AirAsia’s impressive IPO debut in November 2004 has also garnered the
airline a third placing in Euromoney’s poll for Best Newly Listed Company.
In presenting the Euromoney Award to AirAsia, Euromoney Magazine’s
Managing Director, Simon Brady said, “In a sector known for its
challenges, AirAsia has demonstrated that bold and innovative management can
deliver excellence to its customers and value to its shareholders.”
Travel News from around
Thailand and the World
PATA
Phuket Pavillions offers
intimate escapes in Thailand
Hong Kong-based boutique hotel group Pavilions will open
Phuket Pavilions in Phuket, Thailand in June 2005. The all pool-villa
hotel’s hilltop location is on the island’s west coast, a short distance
from Bang Tao and Layan Beaches. Phuket Pavilions is just five minutes from
the well-established Laguna complex, with its large range of dining options,
shopping and activities such as the world-class Banyan Tree golf course,
tennis, horseback riding, and water sports. Each of the 30 villas,
one-bedroom pavilions and three-bedroom villas feature a kitchen, dining
area and living room that flows into an outdoor space with a private pool,
sundeck and garden. For further information tel: (852) 3526-7828. Fax: (852)
2810-6796. E-mail: kacarpenter @ pa villions-resorts.com. Web site:
http://pavilions-resorts .com
Central Hotels and Resorts
launches new village resort concept in Thailand
Central Hotels and Resorts has launched a new village
resort concept at its Central Karon Village, Phuket and Central Samui
Village properties in Thailand. Village resort concept services include
personalized check in at the lounge area including an escort to the villa, a
drink and cold towels on arrival and upgrades for breakfast service. New
poolside services offer trays of tropical fruits twice daily, cold water and
cool towels. Late check out is available until 6 p.m. For further
information visit: www. cen tralhotelsre sorts.com
Raffles re-brands Merchant
Court Hotel Le Concorde Bangkok as Swissotel
Raffles International Limited has announced the
re-flagging of the Merchant Court Hotel Le Concorde Bangkok as Swissotel Le
Concorde Bangkok under its first franchise agreement. The hotel will benefit
from the brand’s various marketing platforms such as global sales and
distribution networks, cross-selling opportunities with sister properties
from Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America as well as
global brand advertising and promotions. The hotel features 407 guestrooms,
four executive club floors and meeting and convention facilities to
accommodate up to 1,000 delegates. The hotel is situated within a two-minute
walk from the Huai Kwang MRT station in the Ratchadapisek area. For further
information tel: (66-2) 694-2222. Fax: (66-2) 694-2214. E-mail: worra wee
.daorerk@swissotel.com. Web site: www.bangkok-leconcorde.swissotel.com
Dusit offers luxury golf
breakaway in Chiang Rai
Dusit Hotels and Resorts is offering a two-night golfing
getaway package at Dusit Island Resort, Chiang Rai until March 31, 2005.
Deluxe single occupancy is priced at US$230++ per package and US$ 259++ for
a twin. Extended stays per night with ABF are priced at US$ 90++ (single and
twin) with a supplemental charge of US$10++/20++ (single/twin) on weekends
and long weekends. Package includes two-nights accommodation in a deluxe
river-view room, daily American buffet breakfast, one 18-hole round of golf
at Santiburi Country Club, round-trip hotel - Chiang Rai airport transfers,
round-trip hotel - golf course transfer, shuttle bus to town (as per
schedule) and a 20% savings at YOGI ancient herbal massage. For further
information: www.dusit.com
SriLankan Airlines
introduces business class promotion
SriLankan Airlines is awarding 130,000 miles to the
Skywards member who earns the most number of miles in business class by
August 31, 2005. The prize equates to one free business class return ticket
between Colombo and any of SriLankan’s European destinations, two free
economy class tickets between the same destinations or five business class
upgrades between Colombo and the Middle East. The air miles are valid for
three years and the tickets or upgrades can be transferred to others. For
further information visit: www.srilankan.lk
SIA increases its services
during lunar New Year
Singapore Airlines has announced the increase of its
capacity and operations during the Lunar New Year period from February 4-13,
2005. SIA will be using larger aircraft on some of its flights to Shanghai,
China (PRC) and Taipei, Chinese Taipei. There will also be additional
flights to Taipei from February 5-9, 2005. For Malaysia, supplementary
flights will operate to Penang from February 4-20, 2005. The Airline will
also mount up to eight additional flights to Kuala Lumpur if the demand in
the sector is high. For further information visit: www.singaporeair.com
Strawberry
Fair without Beatles
Staff Reporters
To add color to this year’s Valentines Day, Samoeng
district will hold a Strawberry Day and the Best of Samoeng District Fair
during February 11-14, 2005 in front of Samoeng District Office, Chiang Mai.
Samoeng district has the largest area of strawberry
plantations in Thailand, with approximately 2,000 rai of under cultivation.
Various activities will be offered during the fair,
including the best strawberry contest, exhibitions from various
organizations, sales of strawberries and strawberry products, Samoeng’s
OTOP fair, A Great Kid contest (no kidding?), local cultural performances, a
strawberry eating contest, spicy strawberry salad contest and, of course,
the Miss Strawberry beauty contest.
The opening ceremony of the fair will be on February 12
and Chiang Mai Governor Suwat Tantipat will preside.
Lanna Call Center 1797 providing service throughout Thailand in 2005
Nopniwat Krailerg
The Thai Lanna Call Center 1797, implemented after the
Maha Songkran Lanna Grand festival last year to provide information for
tourists and to link tourists with service providers, will expand its
service to cover 76 provinces under the name “Thailand Call Center”.
This will assist Thais who wish to take domestic holidays, said Srisorot
Khosachan, Thai Lanna Call Center 1797 administrator. Initially the call
center served only eight provinces in the upper north.
According to statistics from the Tourism Authority of
Thailand, over 76 million domestic travel trips will be taken and the
Thailand Call Center can provide tourist information in a “One Stop
Service” because tourists can call 1797 and inquire about tour programs or
make reservations for the whole trip.
It will provide free calls for tourists in 17 countries
throughout the world so that they can call 1797 directly. This service will
link foreign tourists directly to Thailand.
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