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Khiri Travel opens branch in Chiang Mai

A new low during low season

Airlines add more flights for high season

Khiri Travel opens branch in Chiang Mai

Khiri Travel, an independent travel company with its own regional network has expanded its network by opening a new branch in Chiang Mai.

Frans Betgem and Willem Niemeijer of Khiri Travel at the recent opening of their Chiang Mai branch.
Khiri Travel based in Bangkok maintains presence in Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam with offices in Vientiane, Luang Prabang, Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Hanoi.
Headed by Frans Betgem, co-founder of Khiri Travel, he is often seen scouting new border crossings and pioneering new destinations and routes. When not on the road, Frans calls Chiang Mai his home.
Bangkok based Managing Director Willem Niemeijer started his travel career in the early 1980 working in The Netherlands.
According to the travel agency, Khiri Travel is the choice of a rapidly growing number of discerning tour operators in the UK, The Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, Canada, the USA and other destinations.
Khiri Travel is located at 164/56-57 Chang Klan Road. Tel. 0530-821-030-5 and their web site can be accessed at www.khiri.com

A new low during low season

Narong Tananuwat, President of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce (CCC), warned that the Chiang Mai had encountered a new low during the city’s traditional low season.

Narong Tananuwat, President of the Chiang Mai Chamber of Commerce (center) speaks about the current tourism woes affecting the city.
The president admitted that the country’s economic downturn had an effect on consumer’s purchasing power which in turn has hurt the tourism industry.
Narong said he was confident that the new government would promote and support the economy of Chiang Mai as the city is the gateway of the great Mekong sub-region. “The new government must promote on the city’s environment, arts and culture along with the economic growth,” said the CCC president.
Narong encouraged the government to continue to support the construction of the convention center which he believes will become an economic magnet for the city of Chiang Mai.

Airlines add more flights for high season

Several airlines agreed to increase flights to Thailand to cope with the expected demand during the tourism high season that will begin in the next three months, according to Tourism and Sports Minister Suwit Yodmanee.
Dr. Suwit on Thursday presided over a brainstorming session of tourism related agencies to seek a solution to facilitate the air transport of tourists who are expected to visit Thailand during the high tourism season.
Some 100 representatives from Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Transport, Immigration Bureau, airlines, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and tourism associations attended the meeting.
The Minister said the meeting discussed the measures to respond to the high demand for seats on flights to Thailand, particularly passengers from the Middle East, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, which are considered quality tourists and the prime target for the kingdom.
The government was placing high hopes on Thai Airways International, the national flag carrier and privately-run Bangkok Airways to increase flights but conceded that the two airlines lacked sufficient numbers of aircraft, he said.
However, Dr. Suwit said, some 20 international airlines agreed to increase their flights to Thailand during the end of the year until mid-2008.
“British Airways will increase around 10-14 flights per week, while Jet Airways will have seven more short distance flights, Etihad Airways and Hong Kong Express for example, plan more flights.” he said.
He also added that from September 1, the numbers of Customs staff would be increased to respond to the high demand, particularly at Phuket International airport, where tourists have complained about long lines. TNA

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