Thursday, July 31, 2008

Millennium aims to inject new life in Patong


More hotels news today:

Phuket's famous Patong beach has finally received its first 5-star hotel. Whether this is a good thing or not, that would make a whole new discussion, however it is definitely a good story for Phuket's recovery since 2004 Tsunami.

London-listed Millennium & Copthorne (M&C) opened the 421-room Millennium Resort Patong Phuket yesterday. The resort is part of a new mega shopping and leisure complex, Phuket Jungceylon, in Patong. The development aims to change the face of Patong Beach and inject new life into the area.

The Asian family market and upmarket tour groups including MICE are among its key targets. Apart from the shopping draw, the resort boasts a ballroom which can seat 300 people for a reception and 14 function rooms, four f&b outlets, two swimming pools, a health and fitness centre and the Escentika Spa.

M&C is expanding in Asia, but thus far more in cities, including Millennium Wuxi and Millennium Chengdu (opening 2008/2009). Recent openings include Copthorne Hotel Qingdao (May), Grand Millennium Beijing (April), Millennium Harbourview Hotel Xiamen (January), Grand Millennium Sukhumvit Bangkok (November 2007) and Grand Millennium Kuala Lumpur (September 2007).

M&C is also in a joint venture with Indian group Rakindo to build 20 to 30 contemporary business-class hotels in India, the first of which will open in 2009 in Chennai.

In Singapore, one such hotel will open in one of the city's trendy nightspot area, Mohamed Sultan Road, in 2009.

In the Middle East, M&C recently opened two new properties in Dubai and one in Kuwait. It has announced the signing of a further seven management contracts in the UAE and one in Dubai.

Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Hotel room rates in Hanoi highest in Vietnam


Vietnam is getting more expensive (and not only hotel rooms), compared to its neighbours Cambodia and Thailand.

A unstoppable demand for accommodation especially in 5 star segment with not enough rooms available, have led to an under supply with hotels being winners for now and able to charge sky high rates.

Grant Thornton conducted a survey on hotel rooms in 2007, which showed that the hotel room rates increased by 37% over 2006. The survey was conducted at 37 3-5-star hotels with 5,200 rooms.

Hanoi proves to be the most expensive destination in terms of average room rates, while Da Lat the cheapest.


On average, every client who stays in Hanoi hotel rooms has to pay $82.78 more than in Da Lat.


The hotel room occupancy rate has increased by 142% in the last four years. HCM City is the city which had the highest occupancy rate, 79.32% in 2007. Phan Thiet saw the highest growth rate in hotel room occupancy rate, 29.4%.


The majority of clients who stayed in 5-star hotel rooms were businessmen, while the majority of clients of 4-star hotels were travelers, who went on tours.


According to Grant Thornton, the most noteworthy thing is that the number of clients who hired hotel rooms for business purposes increased by 52.6% compared to 2005.


Looks like more travelers will look for better deals soon elsewhere?



Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Delays hit Le Meridien debut in Chiang Mai


Quick note today from hotel news front on Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, which are further soon to expand all over Thailand, however the most anticipated new hotel in Chiang Mai will have to be postponed for another 3 months....

The hotel is now expected to soft open 1 November, although no reasons were given for the delay.

However, industry sources acknowledge that the northern city is suffering a very low and difficult low season with an alarming drop in business from Europe.

Opening yet another hotel in a crowded hospitality segment might have played a role in the decision to delay. There have also been interior fitting challenges to face that may have been a contributing factor.

Monday, July 28, 2008

Bangkok Airways latest victim to soaring oil prices


Bangkok Airways feeling the pinch!


Rising cost oil, (even tough price of crude has momentarily retreated from a high of 145USD just a week ago to 124USD today), is continuing to take its toll on airlines all over region.

Bangkok Airways is the latest airline joining Thai-based carriers in cutting back its services, just two weeks after it announced a delay in its expansion.


At the end of last week, the airline sent a circular to travel agents announcing its decision to suspend the four-weekly Bangkok-Fukuoka service from October 1 and the thrice-weekly Bangkok-Shenzhen service from August 15.

The thrice-weekly Bangkok-Hiroshima service will be reduced to twice weekly from October 1.

Meanwhile, its sister airline Siem Reap Airways International will suspend the thrice-weekly Siem Reap-Hong Kong service from August 15.

The airline's circular advised the route suspensions and reductions would be until further notice.

Two weeks earlier, the airline announced it was holding the plan to expand direct links between Koh Samui and new domestic and international destinations to indefinite dates, citing the higher oil prices.

The airline's initial plan was to introduce direct links between Koh Samui and domestic destinations - Hua Hin and Trat - and international cities - Shanghai, Macau, Kuala Lumpur and Bali - within the next two years.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Thai hotel bookings slump


Bad news, but the inevitable has happened, besides let's remember it is still low season here in Thailand, as well as in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. Soaring fuel costs and especially political situation in Thailand is quickly to blame for hotel's occupancy rates.

I can confirm however that most of my friends in Europe have no clue what's going on here as TV networks over there are too busy covering their own little domestic stories and of course Obamas' historical trip this week.

THA president Prakit Chinamourphong reported during the Thai Hotel Association Meeting held at the A-One Hotel in Bangkok on 22 July, that the average hotel occupancy rate for the first six months of this year stood at 69% for an increasing of only 1% over the same period last year.

He reported that issues such as the economic slowdown, soaring fuel costs, and Thailand’s political situation are still key negative factors for the tourism business.

He said that over the next two years, it is expected that the country will have more 30,000 new four-to-five starts hotel rooms, of which 15,000 will be in Bangkok, and if these negative factors persist, it could effect future investment in hotels development.

Mr Prakit reported that forward bookings for the coming high season currently stood at around 70% occupancy, while during the same period last year, hotels achieved over 80% in advanced bookings for high season.

Mr Prakit said that considering the business performances by region, hotels in Bangkok are putting in a satisfactory performance while the report shows July’s occupancy rate in Phuket standing at 50%, Krabi at 30%, Hua Hin at 40%, Pattaya at 47%, Chiang Mai at 40% and Kao Lak at 12%.

I am sure once November and December are closing in, situation will change again for better. Right?

Friday, July 25, 2008

The World's most expensive cities for Expats


Great cost of living survey done by MERCER as every year, considering 143 cities spanning over all continents. Bangkok is making it at 105th position and Ho Chi Minh City is ranked 100th. This only shows once again what a great place and good value for money South East Asia is. Especially Bangkok, considering its excellent infrastructure compared to other cities in India, which are now really getting expensive - outch!!

Below is a summary of a lenghty report:

Moscow is the world’s most expensive city for expatriates for the third consecutive year, according to the latest Cost of Living Survey from Mercer. Tokyo is in second position climbing two places since last year, whereas London drops one place to rank third. Oslo climbs six places to 4th place and is followed by Seoul in 5th. AsunciĆ³n in Paraguay is the least expensive city in the ranking for the sixth year running. Hong Kong dropped one place to rank as the sixth most expensive city in Asia.

With New York as the base city scoring 100 points, Moscow scores 142.4 and is close to three times costlier than AsunciĆ³n which has an index of 52.5. Contrary to the trend observed last year the gap between the world’s most and least expensive cities now seems to be widening.

“As the exchange rate of Hong Kong dollar is linked with the US dollar, although the inflation rate actually climbed up quite fast in Hong Kong in the past one year, the cost of living remains relatively stable compared to other cities where the exchange rate was getting much stronger,” Ms Connie Leung, Mercer’s business leader for Information Product Solutions, Hong Kong, said.

Mr. Alan Zhang, Mercer’s business leader for Information Product Solutions, Greater China, added, “For Beijing and Shanghai, the two largest cities in China, rankings are quite stable. However, the real cost of living increased substantially, especially on food.”

Mercer’s survey covers 143 cities across six continents and measures the comparative cost of over 200 items in each location, including housing, transport, food, clothing, household goods and entertainment. It is one of the world’s most comprehensive cost of living surveys and is used to help multinational companies and governments determine compensation allowances for their expatriate employees.

Yvonne Traber, a principal and research manager at Mercer, said, “Current market conditions have led to the further weakening of the US dollar which, coupled with the strengthening of the Euro and many other currencies, has caused significant changes in this year’s rankings.”

“Although the traditionally expensive cities of Western Europe and Asia still feature in the top 20, cities in Eastern Europe, Brazil and India are creeping up the list. Conversely, some locations such as Stockholm and New York now appear less costly by comparison.

“Our research confirms the global trend in price increases for certain foodstuffs and petrol, though the rise is not consistent in all locations. This is partly balanced by decreasing prices for certain commodities such as electronic and electrical goods. We attribute this to cheaper imports from developing countries, especially China, and to advances in technology.

“Keeping on top of the changes in expatriate cost of living is essential so companies can ensure their employees are compensated fairly and at competitive rates when stationed abroad,” Ms. Traber added.

“In some cases, cost of living increases may be correlated to countries with a high rate of economic growth. Companies may assign high priority to expansion in these economies but may have to deal with inflationary pressures due to competition for expatriate-level housing and other services, as observed in our surveys,” Ms Taber noted.

For example, Latvia had real GDP growth of 10.2% in 2007, well above the global average growth rate of 5.2%, and its capital, Riga, jumped to 46th place in the latest Mercer ranking, up from 72nd a year ago. Cities in India all rose in the cost of living ranking, with New Delhi climbing to 55th place from 68th a year ago, as India posted a real GDP growth rate of 9.2% in 2007. Bogota jumped to 87th place from 112th, reflecting Colombia’s 7% real GDP growth.

Asia

Tokyo is the costliest Asian city, in 2nd place (score 127), two places up since last year. Seoul follows in 5th place (score 117.7) and Hong Kong closely after in 6th with a score of 117.6. Singapore ranks 13th and holds a score of 109.1. Karachi continues to be the least costly city in this region, in 141st place with a score of 54.7.

Whilst the five top-scoring cities in Asia remain relatively stable in the ranking there have been significant changes further down the list. In India, Mumbai moves up four places to reach 48 (score 90.3), whereas New Delhi climbs 13 places to 55 (score 87.5) due to the strengthening of the India rupee against the US dollar. Although India has experienced relatively high inflation, this has increased at similar pace to New York and has therefore had a reduced impact on its cities’ rise in the rankings. Manila rises a total of 27 places, ranking 110th with a score of 73.4, mainly as a result of price increases for international-standard accommodation.

Mercer’s Asia Pacific Head of Information Product Solutions’, Ms. Neo Siew Khim said, “The increase in cost of living of rankings for cities such as Singapore, India and Philippines can be attributed to their highly valued quality of living (as in the case of Singapore), the strong economic growth coupled with consumer demands (as in India), and the increasing attractiveness of Philippines as an alternative business investment location to China and India.”

In contrast, certain cities in this region have experienced significant falls in the ranking. Some examples are Jakarta falling from 55th to 82nd place (score 80.5) and Bangkok dropping from 95th to 105th place with a score of 75.1. In Vietnam, Hanoi drops 35 places to rank 91 (score 79) and Ho Chi Minh City drops 40 places to rank 100th (score 76.3), mainly because the Vietnamese dong has remained stable against the US dollar and so has pushed these cities down on the list. The low level of inflation observed on goods in these Vietnamese cities compared to in New York has further widened the gap.

Ms. Neo added, “Despite Asian cities dominating the top 10 most expensive places to live and with many Asian cities climbing the rankings this year, the cost of living in Asia somehow has not deterred many companies and their employees from wanting to come to Asia to set up operations or gain working experience in the region. This could be attributed to Asia (due to its attractive business environment) being the current focus for foreign direct investment from multinational organisations seeking to grow revenue and extract significant profits.”

Australia and New Zealand

Sydney continues to be the most expensive city for expatriates in this region, moving up six places in the overall ranking to reach 15th place (score 104.1). Melbourne follows in 36th place (score 94.2), jumping 28 places and Perth climbs 31 places to reach ranking number 53 (score 88.5).

Both Australian and New Zealand cities are moving up in the rankings due to the appreciation of their local currencies against the US dollar. New Zealand’s cities remain the less costly option for expatriates, however, with Auckland in 78th place (score 81) and Wellington in 93 (score 77.6).

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Moscow is ranked the most expensive city both in Europe and globally for the third year running. The city’s score has steadily increased over the last few years and is currently at 142.4 (compared to 134.4 in 2007 and 123.9 in 2006). “Moscow’s position as the most expensive place for expatriate living has been strengthened by the appreciation of the rouble against the US dollar and the continuous rising accommodation costs,” said Ms Traber.

London is the next European city in the ranking at 3rd place (score 125), down one from last year, while Oslo has jumped six places to rank 4th with a score of 118.3. “Norwegian property prices were at an all-time high towards the end of last year after a 50% increase in the last five years. Coupled with the continuous strengthening of the Norwegian krone this has created a substantial increase in living costs for expatriates in Oslo,” said Ms Traber, principal at Mercer.

Other European cities in the global Top 10 include Copenhagen at 7th (117.2) and Geneva in 8th (115.8). Both cities have dropped one place from last year. Zurich remains in 9th place (112.7), whereas Milan climbs one to 10th place with a score of 111.3. Sofia in Bulgaria is again the least expensive European city for expatriates in 97th place (76.9), although the city has climbed 11 places in the overall ranking.

Several European cities have experienced a significant rise in the rankings this year, mainly as a result of local currency strengthening against the US dollar. For example, Prague has jumped from 49th to 29th place (score 96) and Warsaw is up to 35th place (score 95) compared to 67th in 2007. Istanbul has climbed 15 places to rank 23 (score 99.4) reflecting the Turkish lira’s significant appreciation against the US dollar as well as general price increases, especially for accommodation.

In addition to London dropping one place, two additional UK cities, Birmingham and Glasgow, have both moved down in the rankings, dropping from 41st to 66th (score 85.4) and 36th to 69th (score 84), respectively. “In contrast to the strengthening euro and other European currencies, the British pound has remained relatively stable against the US dollar. As the cost of living in the Eurozone has risen relative to the US, UK cities have declined in the rankings,” Ms Traber said.

Tel Aviv is again the most expensive city in the Middle East, positioned 14th (score 105) on the global list, up three places from 2007. Both Dubai and Abu Dhabi have dropped significantly this year, positioned at 52 (score 89.3) and 65 (score 85.7), respectively. This is mainly due to the UAE dirham being pegged to the US dollar. Most African cities in the survey have moved down the ranking with the exception of Lagos in Nigeria, which has jumped seven places to join the Top 30 at position 30 (score 95.9).

The Americas

The only North American city to feature in this year’s top 50 is New York in 22nd place (score 100), dropping seven places in one year. All other US cities have also experienced a significant decline in the rankings. For example, Los Angeles has moved from 42nd to 55th place (score 87.5), Miami from 51st to 75th place (score 82) and Washington, DC, from 85th to 107th place (score 74.6).

“The decline in the ranking of all US cities is due to the weakening value of the US dollar against most major world currencies,” said Mitch Barnes, principal at Mercer in the US. “The dollar has been declining steadily for the past several years, which has resulted in an overall decrease in the cost of living in 19 US cities, relative to other major global cities studied.

“On the bright side, the US dollar's loss of value may serve to attract globally mobile executives to business centres such as New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. The difference in cost of living can be significant, particularly for those executives with families.”

In 54th place (score 88.1), jumping 28 places from last year, Toronto is the most expensive city for expatriates in Canada. All other Canadian cities in the survey have experienced similar rises, with Vancouver moving from 89th to 64th (score 85.8), Calgary from 92nd to 66th (score 85.4) and MontrĆ©al from 98th to 72nd with a score of 83. This reverses last year’s trend which saw Canadian cities decline, and places them back where they have traditionally been rated. The Canadian dollar has appreciated nearly 15% against the US dollar, the main reason for these movements.

The two top-ranking cities in South America are SĆ£o Paulo in 25th place (score 97) and Rio de Janeiro in 31st place (score 95.2), jumping 37 and 33 places, respectively. The Brazilian real appreciated nearly 18% against the US dollar last year, causing these Brazilian cities to rocket up the list. Another high-riser in this region is Caracas, jumping 40 places from 129th to 89th (score 79.3). High inflation in Venezuela has caused a sharp increase in the price of food and household products.

South America also has some of the lowest ranking cities globally. AsunciĆ³n is the least expensive city for the sixth consecutive year (score 52.5), followed by Quito in Ecuador in 142nd (score 54.6), Buenos Aires in 138th (score 62.7) and Montevideo in 136th (score 63.2).

http://www.mercer.com/costofliving#Cost_of_living_top_50_cities

Thursday, July 24, 2008

Lao Airlines is introducing a new service to Savannakhet


There have not been much news coming out of Laos during past few weeks, but finally good news are here from Laos Airlines which announced direct flights later this year between Vientiane – Savannakhet and Savannakhet – Bangkok.

The airline will operate three-weekly flights on both routes using its MA60 aircraft.

Effective from 15 August, flight QV201 will depart Vientiane at 1030 every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday, and arrive in Savannakhet at 1130. The return flight QV202 departs Savannakhet on the same days at 1210 and returns to Vientiane at 1435 via Pakse.

On the Bangkok service, the Savannakhet – Bangkok flight will operate from 29 October onward. QV621 will depart Savannakhet on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 1210 and arrive in Bangkok at 1320. QV622 departs Bangkok at 1420 and arrives in Savannakhet 1530.

Savannakhet province is located in central Laos, and is bordered in the north by Khammouane, Vietnam’s Quangtri and Quanbinh provinces, Salavan to the south and Moukdahan, Thailand to the west. The province is on Route No 9 of the East-West Economic Corridor, a transit route across Thailand, Lao and Vietnam.

With the development of the economic corridor and the second Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, the number of overland tourists to Savannakhet has more than doubled. According to Lao National Tourism Administration, 399,667 tourist visited Savannakhet in 2007, a jump of 141% over the 165,360 arrivals recorded in 2006.

Most of the travellers fly to Thailand’s Ubonratchathani Airport and travel overland to Mukdahan, cross the Friendship Bridge and start their journey on the 240-km Route No 9 via Savannakhet to Danang in Vietnam.

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

New taxi rules at Bangkok International Airport


Interesting piece of news for those taking their taxis from departure level once arriving at Suvarnabhumi Airport:

In order to provide better services and promote smother traffic flow, Suvarnabhumi Airport has rearranged its taxi parking procedures for the fourth-floor departure hall.

Taxis can only drop passengers off at the outer ring opposite Gates 1 and 8 and they have to immediately drive off to allow access to others. However, they can pick up passengers at the taxi stand opposite Gate 10, but if there are no passengers waiting, they cannot park.

For those who do not comply, their wheels will be locked and they will be reported to the traffic police.


So, let's see if this new rule is really being enforced this time. Looks like fresh breeze is finally blowing taxi drivers way, or is it?

Tuesday, July 22, 2008

1-2-Go Airlines story continued....


Here's more news about yesterday's story, mentioning immediate stop on all flights for this LCC:

EMBATTLED low-cost carrier (LCC), One-Two-Go Airlines, issued a press statement last evening saying it would take full responsibility for the 40,000 passengers left stranded following the Thailand's Department of Civil Aviation's (DCA) order to ground the LCC's operation for 30 days.

DCA had announced yesterday the suspension of the airline's operations from today to August 22, citing the LCC's violation of safety regulations and substandard operations.

The LCC is required to correct all mistakes involving its safety regulations, operations and personnel during the suspension period, failing which DCA will either extend the suspension term or entirely terminate the airline's flying certificate.

One-Two-Go chairman and CEO, Mr Udom Tantiprasongchai, said the airline would comply with DCA's order and would cover the 70 million baht (US$2.09 million) expenses in transferring the 40,000 advanced booking passengers to other airlines.

The LCC formerly operates 60 daily domestic flights throughout Thailand. Coincidentally, prior to DCA's order, the airline had also announced its plan to suspend all its flights from today to September 15, citing rising fuel costs and declining passenger numbers.

Meanwhile, the LCC's parent carrier, Orient Thai Airlines, has received warnings from the DCA to reschedule its pilot timetables by July 30. The airline is also required to improve the standards of its pilots on its MD80 Series aircraft within 30 days or the DCA will revoke the pilots' licences.

Monday, July 21, 2008

Orient Thai, One-Two-Go grounded for 30 days


After last year's horrible crash of a 1-2-GO Airline flight from Bangkok to Phuket, this Low Cost Carrier has been finally suspended from taking off air. Just days ago airline stated that operations will be put on hold due to skyrocketing cost of oil, however looking at today's verdict it seems that owners already knew what will happen this week. Survivors and friends started this website:

http://www.investigateudom.com/

In case it got you interested, there is also a petition to sign. Below is text of today's news mentioned in The Nations newspaper:

Orient Thai Airline and its low-cost subsidiary One-Two-Go are ordered Monday to cease operations for 30 days, starting from July 22, because of the poor safety standards.

Civil Aviation Department Director-General Chaisak Angkasuwan said at the press conference on Monday that the air operator certificates to the two airline companies have been suspended.

"Orient Thai and OneTwoGo are the second aviator which faces service suspension, after Sky Aviation. The deparment will file criminal suits against their pilots, inspectors and the companies within two weeks," Chaisak said.

Saturday, July 19, 2008

Fly like a gibbon in Chiang Mai's forests


Here's one for weekend: If you find time to travel to Chiang Mai don't miss this great adventure....

Flight of the Gibbon, the new cable-and-pulley activity in Chiang Mai, is offering adventure canopy tours for eco and adventure travellers, and is donating 10% of the profits to the gibbon rehabilitation and other conservation projects.

The new attraction, located 15 kilometres from the centre of Chiang Mai province, sends travellers flying through the 1,500-year-old rainforest on a mountain 1,300 metres above sea level. Riders sway along the forest canopy on the two-kilometre-long cable contraption with 18 stations houses.

The attraction’s operator, Tree Top Asia Company based in Buriram province, is also planning other eco-projects called the Flight of the Gibbon Conservation Project in the Mae Kampong and Mae On area.

One-day and two-day canopy tours are available. The one-day ‘Flight of the Gibbon’ tour includes a three-hour canopy adventure on the two-kilometre zip lines and sky bridges, a one-hour trek up to Mae Kampong waterfalls in the afternoon, transfers to and from the participant’s accommodation and lunch. The price is Bt2,200 per person.

Accommodation at the nearby Mae Kampong Village is available at Bt980 per person and includes three meals.

For the two-day tour, an adventure program takes up the first day with rock climbing, white water rafting, mountain biking and in the future, elephant trekking, bamboo rafting and a hill tribe experience. The tree canopy program takes place on the second day. The price is Bt5,500 and includes transportation, accommodation in the village, instructors, equipment, lunch and dinner, water and insurance.

The riders must be at least seven years old and 120 centimetres tall. The attraction operates all year round, from 0800 to 1700. The temperature on the mountain is commonly seven to nine degrees Celsius cooler than the provincial centre.

For more information, visit: www.treetopasia.com or contact the company at Tel: 089 9705511, Email: info(at)treetopasia.com.

Friday, July 18, 2008

Westin Grande Sukumvit Bangkok offers Workout promotion


This is first time I found a hotel promoting hotel room as a WORKOUTroom, offering a healthy start to day, but hey why not. It sounds all good and for anyone with a health conscious it is a great way to maximize well-being.

Start your mornings on an energetic note during your stay at The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok with the hotel's WestinWORKOUT package.

From Baht 6,600 ++ per night guests can enjoy the luxury of exercising in the privacy of their own customized WestinWORKOUT room featuring either a treadmill or spinning cycle. Alternatively guests could choose to start the day with RunWESTIN, a complimentary 90-minute jogging program available Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

Complete the healthy start to the morning with a wholesome and nutritious SuperFoods breakfast buffet. SuperFoods, consisting of fruits, vegetables, grains and proteins rich in health-enhancing antioxidants and phytonutrients are the key ingredients in a specially crafted breakfast buffet designed to improve well-being and longevity.

This package is valid until August 31 2008. A 2-night minimum stay and other terms and conditions apply.

The Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Bangkok is located in the heart of Bangkok’s prime shopping, restaurant, and entertainment area, and steps from the sky train and underground train service.

The 362 deluxe guest rooms and suites showcase contemporary styling featuring a blend of Westin comforts, including the all-white signature Heavenly Bed, and Thai inspired touches. The Westin Executive Club rooms and Executive Suites provide butler service and Club benefits.

asiatraveltrips.com

Thursday, July 17, 2008

Prices climb as fuel crisis worsens


Air travel is definitely getting more expensive. Unfortunately, as long as Oil price keeps soaring to new records highs, there's not much we can do about it and hope that prices fall again in future. This has become a real serious issue and lots of travelers have to consider their travel plans for upcoming high season.

This month several international airlines’ offices in Bangkok have announced an increase in fuel surcharges:

• Singapore Airlines will adjust its fuel surcharge from US$75 to US$110 per sector for Bangkok-Tokyo; Singapore to Fukuoka, Nagoya, Osaka and Tokyo and Tokyo-Los Angeles starting 30 July.

• Philippines Airlines is raising its fuel surcharge en route Bangkok-Manila from US$65 to US$85, effective from 28 July.

• El Al Israel Airlines increased its surcharge US$50 per sector to US$227 for economy class and US$252 for business class, effective from 15 July.

• Austrian Airlines went up 6 euro to 106 euro per sector for long-haul flights while short-haul travel climbed 3 euro to 35 euro.

• From 10 July, China Eastern Airlines increased to CNY550 per sector for Southeast Asian and Southern Asian destinations and CNY1,100 per sector to Europe, America, Australia, Africa and Middle East.

• Air France/KLM charge 139 euro per sector for long-haul travel and 39 euro per sector for intra Europe flights from 10 July.

• Myanmar Airways International now charges Bangkok-Yangon at US$30 per sector.

• One Two Go Airlines climbed from Bt750 to Bt850 per sector, effective from 5 July.

Wednesday, July 16, 2008

HCMC aims to double tourism revenue


Arrivals to Ho Chi Minh City continue to soar as the city focuses on expanding in potential new markets.

Ho Chi Minh City’s People Committee aims to double tourism revenue to hit VND46 trillion by 2010.

HCMC’s People Committee recently adopted a tourism development scheme aimed at expanding in potential tourism markets such as Norway, Sweden, India, Indonesia and South Africa in addition to key markets including the US, Canada, France, Japan, China and ASEAN.

According to the report, the HCMC Tourism Department and the Tourism Association will coordinate with domestic airlines to conduct campaigns abroad that introduce the country’s history, traditions and culture by actively participating in international tourism fairs and forums.

A series of tourism promotional activities will be held in major cities across the country including Hanoi, Haiphong, Danang, Hue, Dalat, Nha Trang and Can Tho to attract more local visitors to HCMC to visit attractions such as architectural works, the Chu Chi tunnels, Thong Nhat Palace, Duc Ba Church and Giac Lam Pagoda.

In addition to improving the service quality of its existing tourism, the city will introduce new tours that combine tourism with high-quality medical check-ups and treatments, spas and traditional therapies.

In the first half of 2008, HCMC welcomed close to 1.5 million foreign tourists, a year-on-year jump of 16%. The figure is expected to reach 3 million by the year’s end.

The city pulled in around VND 14.6 trillion from tourism during the period, a 40% jump over last year.

ttrweekly.com

Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Jetstar to stop in Darwin on Sydney-HCMC route


Airline eyes Darwin as an international hub as it ups HCMC service to five weekly flights.

Jetstar plans to connect Sydney and Darwin with Ho Chi Minh City from 2 September.

Jetstar currently offers three weekly Sydney–Ho Chi Minh City flights onboard an A330. In September, the Sydney–Ho Chi Minh Service will be bumped up to five times a week via Darwin on an A320.

Jetstar group general manger – commercial Bruce Buchanan said the service highlights the ongoing opportunities for Darwin to become a northern hub for international service.

The Sydney-Darwin-Ho Chi Minh City service will operate as a domestic to international connecting flight though Darwin. International passengers departing from Sydney Airport’s Domestic Terminal 2 check in once and receive two boarding passes for both flight sectors that terminate in Ho Chi Minh city.

The airline reported fares are now on sale via its website starting from AU$419 one-way for a JetSaver Light fare from Sydney and AU$249 one-way between Darwin and Ho Chi Minh City.

ttrweekly.com

Monday, July 14, 2008

Laguna Phuket unveils new products


LAGUNA Phuket, which comprises a collection of seven resorts and residences, has announced new products and developments.

The 226-key Dusit Thani Laguna Phuket has scheduled to soft open 17 of the 28 Dusit Pool Villa on July 15. The remaining villas are slated to come online in October. Each three-storey villa comprises a swimming pool and sundeck on the third floor, living room on the second floor and two bedrooms on the ground floor.

Senior sales manager, Mr Aphichat Tangguai, said all villas were already sold at 38 million baht (US$1.12 million) each. Owners were entitled to a week's stay and six per cent return of investment per year under a 100-year contract, he said.

The new 22 Banyan Tree DoublePool Villas with a private lobby and a French-Vietnamese restaurant has been opened at Banyan Tree Phuket. The
49 newly renovated two-bedroom island villas at Sheraton Grand Laguna Phuket are scheduled to open in August. Meanwhile, the lobby area at Laguna Beach Resort will receive a two-month facelift in August.

Opening this month will be the 10 three-bedroom villas and 11 two-bedroom villas at the Laguna Phuket Holiday Residences, in addition to the 17 units launched in December last year.

The integrated destination resort is also developing its eighth property – Angsana Phuket - slated to open within the next few years. It will have 132 keys of sky-pool villas and guestrooms.

www.ttgtravelhub.net

Saturday, July 12, 2008

Thailand 'goes all flash'


Thailand 'goes all flash' Thailand is throwing off the shackles of its backpacker image and establishing itself as a flashpacking favourite, according to Luxury Travel Magazine.

Although its reputation as a cheap holiday destination precedes it, Thailand is one of the world's growing luxury travel destinations.

According to the Kuoni Long Haul Report 2008, Thailand was the second most popular travel destination among UK tourists, renowned for its beaches and spa services.

Alyson Cook, editor of Luxury Travel Magazine, explained that Thailand "appeals to the baby boomers looking for more privacy and looking for more understated luxury".

"They have also perfected the spa side of the market and that, increasingly, is very high on the luxury travellers' list; a decent spa is almost a pre-requisite," she added.

The Kuoni report also found that Thailand has become particularly popular for the personal boutique-style holiday offered to tourists.

http://www.hostelbookers.com/info/news/18678884

Friday, July 11, 2008

Bangkok voted No 1 in world!


Yes, finally we made it! What everybody already knew has become official...

Bangkok was voted the world's best city for 2008 and the Galapagos were picked as the best islands in an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine, trumping last year's winners Florence, Italy and Bali, Indonesia.

Magazine readers also voted Singita Sabi Sand, at the Kruger National Park, South Africa, as the world's top hotel while Singapore Airlines grabbed the best airline award again.

It was the first time that Bangkok, the vibrant capital of Thailand, and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador topped their respective categories, said Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure.

Last year, Bangkok was ranked number 3 and the Galapagos number 8. The 2007 winners of best city and best island -- Florence an Bali -- fell to number 5 and number 2 respectively.

"We're delighted to welcome so many new winners this year," she said in a statement. "Nature, and adventure, were clearly a draw in the selections."

Last year's number one hotel, the Oberoi Udaivilas in India, fell to number 4 this year. Singita Sabi Sands was voted the number two hotel in 2007.

The results were complied from votes by magazine subscribers in an Internet poll which went live between January and March. Travel + Leisure will honour winners on July 24 in New York City.

The complete "World's Best Awards" is available on www.travelandleisure.com. Following are some highlights:

Best city - Bangkok, Thailand

Best hotel - Singita Sabi Sand, South Africa

Best island - Galapagos, Ecuador

Best cruise line (large ships) - Crystal Cruises

Best cruise line (small ships) - Silversea Cruises

Best international airline - Singapore Airlines

Best domestic airline - Virgin America

Best tour operator - Micato Safaris

Best car-rental agency - Hertz

Best hotel for $250 or less - Domaine des Hauts de Loire, France


www.reuters.com

Thursday, July 10, 2008

Beachside luxury for tourists


There’s more than meets the eye to beautiful Sealinks Golf Resort in Phan Thiet. An internationally recognized consulting company began working on the concept of the hotel before even the first brick was laid.

Sealinks Golf Resort is a 134 hectare five-star resort in Phan Thiet Town – the political, economic and administrative center of Binh Thuan Province.

Surrounded on three sides by ocean, it is part of the Sealinks Vietnam chain of entertainment and hospitality complexes.

All 245 hotel rooms have a large balcony and look over the swimming pool, golf course and the ocean.

The 220-meter-long pool, stretched across the front of the rooms, is a great place swim, sunbathe and relax.

It’s like a peaceful oasis with white sand under foot and the blue sea beyond.

Sealinks Golf Resort has a conference room for 500 people.

It is an ideal place for business functions.

Orchid Hospitality Consulting Company is the professional management consultant for the builder and owner of the resort, Rang Dong Construction and Installation Company.

Nguyen Dinh Toan, director of Orchid Hospitality Consulting, says his company invested a lot of time and energy to prepare for this project.

According to Toan, building a beautiful hotel is not as difficult as developing a good business plan.

His job is to find the best way to: attract and maintain customers; take its trademark to the international market; and make it successful.

It is not a small challenge. The trademark must be formed before the hotel is built, Toan says.

“In every project Orchid undertakes, we thoroughly study the locality, present and future competition, the market trends and fluctuations and the main sources of customers.

We need to do this so we can set a policy on price structures, advertising strategies and be able to analyze market shares and sensitive elements in the market,” Toan says.

www.thanniennews.com

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

Kimi Raikkonen invests in Phuket Beachfront Villa


Reigning Formula 1 world champion Kimi Raikkonen has bought a beachfront villa in Phuket, Thailand. Raikkonen purchased a 279 square metre beachfront property at the Outrigger Serenity Terraces Resort Phuket, a 78-unit mixed residential-resort property in the southeast of the island.

When he opens his bedroom curtains, the 2007 Formula 1 world champion from Finland will be able to gaze upon the tropical islands of the inner Andaman archipelago, including Phi Phi Island.

Raikkonen said, "Having this kind of place, which is very exclusive, brand new and very high quality, is exactly what I'm looking for when I have a week or two off in winter. I can go and relax, be at home almost -- but in a warm and sunny place."

Buying into a mixed residential-resort property in Phuket can deliver handsome returns, whether the priority is quality of lifestyle, financial gains, or more commonly, an astute mix of both.

According to real estate agents in Phuket, the island's properties are now appreciating at an average of 20% a year. Research from global property adviser, Jones Lang LaSalle, shows that luxury villas on Phuket, costing between US$1 million to US$1.66 million have increased by 25% in the last year.

According to the Phuket and Samui Resort Markets Outlook published in January by CB Richard Ellis, the global real estate services adviser, villa prices in Phuket doubled from 2000 to 2006. Its assessment of Thailand's largest island: "Phuket remains globally competitive. Prices and interest remain solid."

At Outrigger Serenity Terraces, where prices range from US$250,000 to US$1.1 million, buyers can receive an additional 6% rental guarantee for three years if they enter the optional rental programme.

Many people want an investment that pays back in quality of life as well as financially. As a lifestyle investment, Phuket has a lot going for it. The temperature sticks within the 23-35 celsius range all year. The scenery, dining and friendliness of the Thais are world-renowned. As Phuket is Thailand's flagship international beach resort, infrastructure and services are advanced.

Phuket offers two international schools, six major hospitals, nine leading shopping malls, eight golf courses within an hour's drive, and 800 yacht berths at five marinas.

Air access is easy. Phuket International Airport is served by more than 40 international and domestic carriers handling up to 287 international flights per week. Direct international scheduled flights link Phuket to 22 cities around the world including Singapore, Beijing, Delhi, Kolkata, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, Guangzhou, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Kaoshiung, Sydney, Dusseldorf, Munich, Penang, Amsterdam, Muscat, Karachi, Shanghai, Siem Reap, Perth, Moscow, and Seoul. Some of these flights are seasonal.

With a fully managed property, any communal gardens, gym, restaurant or spa are maintained to five-star international hotel standards. If the property is entered into the optional rental programme, the management team will also maintain all the soft furnishings, tiles, kitchen utensils and so on.

Properties often include amenities to help you enjoy Phuket's great outdoors. Outrigger Serenity Terraces, for example, provides owners with free access to a fully-equipped speed boat, two Hobie cat catamarans, and four kayaks.

Source: Asiatraveltips.com

Monday, July 7, 2008

Call for revival of Thai floating market




THAI agents are urging the authorities to rehabilitate the Damnoen Saduak Floating Market, which has declined in popularity over the past years.

Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Mr Apichart Sankary, said the floating market had lost its charm for many years due to inconsistent development plans between the local authority and private sector.

Mr Apichart, who is also AED Travel managing director, said his company had included the floating market as a must-see attraction to overseas market for many decades.

However, he added, it was removed from the company's tour programme last year due to the declining tourist demand.

The floating market, which has existed for 142 years, used to be one of the must-see attractions for first-time and repeat visitors worldwide. It is located in Ratchaburi, about two hours' drive from Bangkok.

To revive the market's charm, Ratchaburi governor, Mr Wongsak Sawadpanit, said the authority would seek a 54.1 million baht (US$1.60 million) budget from the Ministry of Tourism and Sports to clean the 10km canal, train local staff, renovate the cultural exhibition centre and create a brand new image.

ttgtravelhub.com

Saturday, July 5, 2008

Arrival numbers to Vietnam on rise


Tourist arrivals to Vietnam are rising and numbers of tourists visiting Vietnam continue to grow steadily......read more:

2.5mil. foreigners arrived in Vietnam in first half of 2008. An estimated of 450,000 foreign visitors came to Vietnam in June, an increase of 34 percent on year, raising the total figure for the first six months this year to 2.5 million, said the Governmental website portal.

According to the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), the total tourism turnover in the first six months of this year reached an estimated 37 trillion VND, fulfilling 60.7 percent of the yearly target.

The foreign tourists mainly come from China, Switzerland, Finland, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Laos, Malaysia, Norway, Germany, and the UK. The most notable increase has been in the number of visitors from China which has risen sharply.

The number of tourist traveling by sea to Nha Trang, Danang, and Quang Ninh and by road from Thailand to Central provinces through Lao Bao and Cau Treo international border gates surged.

The recent campaign to promote Ha Long Bay across the world has shown signs of success with nearly 213,300 tourists, including 130,500 foreign tourists, visiting the area in June alone.

(Source: CPV)

Friday, July 4, 2008

Cambodia tourism moves into mainstream


Interesting piece of news from Phnom Penh Post. Cambodia's tourism is definitely on way up and way to go for many travelers ready to explore something different....




Tuk-tuks take tourists on a tour of the Angkor temples complex in Siem Reap province. More than half of all visitors to Cambodia visit Angkor during their stay.

Helicopters buzz over Sihanoukville and the nearby islands off the southern coast, carrying development prospectors hungry for a slice of the pie. Meanwhile, construction by private developers is underway to convert the abandoned French colonial Bokor hill station into a $1 billion luxury resort.

Less than a decade and a half ago, local headlines about tourists may have mentioned the three Western backpackers kidnapped and eventually executed by the Khmer Rouge.
“Ten years ago on the forefront of visitors’ minds was Khmer Rouge, civil war, landmines. Now it’s Angkor Wat and beaches,” says Gordon Sharpless, who runs the Tales of Asia travel website and owns a guesthouse in Siem Reap.

“Back then, even in Phnom Penh you always had to ask a guesthouse if their electricity and water were working,” he says.
Travel writers and guesthouse owners acknowledge that some thrill-seekers still visit Cambodia in search of a wild-west atmosphere, but they say that breed is fading as mainstream tourists flood in.

A record more than two million tourists arrived in Cambodia in 2007, up 20 percent from 2006. Meanwhile industry earnings grew more than a third to $1.4 billion and are expected to hit $2.2 billion by 2010.

The Ministry of Tourism (MoT) estimates annual international visitor arrivals will reach 2.4 million in 2008. After that, the projections are for 2.9 million in 2009 and 3.35 million in 2010.

In the past six years the volume of Cambodians traveling domestically has more than tripled.

The total number of international visitors was only one million in 2004 – a figure the MoT expects to be nearly doubled by tourism to Siem Reap alone by 2010.

Hotel and guesthouse numbers in Cambodia more than tripled in the past ten years, contributing to the sector’s employment numbers – 280,000 last year and expected to rise almost 100,000 more by the decade’s end.

http://www.phnompenhpost.com/index.php/20080307190/-Special-Supplements/Tourism-moves-into-mainstream.html

Thursday, July 3, 2008

Wesley Snipes to film in Thailand


Did you hear latest about Wesley Snipes? Found this on BBC news page, not really travel related but interesting news in case anyone is in Thailand during his movie shoot..

A judge has granted US actor Wesley Snipes permission to travel abroad to work while his lawyers fight convictions for tax offences.

He will be allowed to visit the UK and Thailand for filming and editing on forthcoming movies.

A travel ban request had been made on the grounds he might not return.

In April, Snipes was sentenced for three years in jail for failing to file tax returns, but was granted bail while his convictions are being appealed.

Errors

Federal judge William Terrell Hodges approved Snipes' request to visit London for three days to put the finishing touches to Gallowwalker.

He will go to Thailand for eight weeks to film Chasing The Dragon.

The 45-year-old, whose screen credits include White Men Can't Jump and Jungle Fever, was accused by prosecutors of failing to pay tax or file tax returns on earnings of $38m (£19.2m) since 1999.

On the day he was sentenced, his lawyers handed over cheques totalling $5m (£2.5m) for the tax authorities.

His legal team are arguing that the judge in the case made several errors before and after his February conviction.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7486922.stm

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

Moevenpick hotels expand to Vietnam


What happend to Blogger in Thailand? I was unable to access this website for last 5 days and many others too...hmm....good things are up and running now again!!

MOVENPICK Hotels & Resorts will commence management of its first Vietnamese hotel in Ho Chi Minh City on July 1. The 251-room City Hotel (former Omni Hotel) will be rebranded Movenpick Hotel Saigon.

Movenpick's management of a second Vietnamese hotel in Hanoi is scheduled for end-2008.

For more news please check their web site

http://www.moevenpick-hotels.com/en/pub/homepage.cfm