Author Archive
26 May, 2003
Throwing Marketing Money at Crisis May Not Prove Effective, Industry Execs Say
While there is a good deal of support for the government’s move to launch multi-million baht roadshows to address the short-term need to bring back visitors this low season, there is concern that the money is being spent in a highly imbalanced way that overlooks simpler and more long-term solutions. Interviews with industry leaders indicated […]
more…25 May, 2003
Saudi Arabia Opens Its Doors — Carefully
The first Saudi in space, Prince Sultan bin Salman, is to lead Saudi Arabia’s first tourism promotion drive. The conservative kingdom is going about it very, very carefully, and with good reason.
more…19 May, 2003
All-Economy Airline, Gulf Traveller, Launched
DUBAI: Gulf Air, the Bahrain-based carrier owned by the governments of Bahrain, Oman and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), has launched the Middle East region’s first all-economy class airline, Gulf Traveller. The airline is to start flying on 1 June 2003 out of a new hub to be developed in the UAE state of Abu […]
more…18 May, 2003
As “Holy Days” Became “Holidays”, Partying Replaces Praying
Originally Published: 18 May 2003 Somewhere through the passage of time, a small but significant change occurred in societies and communities that converted holy days into merely holidays. The original objective of a holy day was largely religious, a day of worship, meditation and prayer. Rest was designed to soothe the mind, nourish the spirit, […]
more…12 May, 2003
Putting More Balance Into The Business
Emirates Holidays, one of the Middle East’s most prominent wholesalers, is pushing ahead with a major strategy to balance its over-exposure to the UAE and Gulf country markets as source of revenues.
more…12 May, 2003
SARS Scare Dries Up Business for Thais at Arabian Travel Market
Seriously tainted by the erroneous perception of coming from a SARS-affected country, Thai hotels and tour operators found themselves in the highly unusual position of twiddling their thumbs at the Arabian Travel Market (ATM) last week. The lack of buyers was made worse by a poorly-managed communications counter-campaign that saw Thailand being clearly eclipsed by […]
more…28 Apr, 2003
SARS Strikes, Leading To Worst Fall in Thai Tourism History
International visitor arrivals at Bangkok airport have plunged by 41% in first three-week period of April 2003 over the same period of 2002 due to the SARS crisis, the biggest fall ever in the history of Thai tourism. Figures made available to this columnist last week showed that arrivals at Bangkok airport, the country’s major […]
more…24 Apr, 2003
Are Balinese Leaders Smarter Than Indian Leaders?
Bali and India share a common historic Hindu heritage. That, unfortunately, is where the similarity ends. When it comes to tourism and preserving the peace, Indian leaders have much to learn from Balinese leaders.
more…20 Apr, 2003
Orwell’s “Animal Farm” Warnings on How Totalitarianism Creeps In More Relevant Than Ever
Originally Published: 20 April 2003 No student of the history of totalitarianism can afford to ignore the monumental literary works of British author George Orwell, whose 100th birth anniversary is being commemorated this year. Well worth revisiting today are Orwell’s ‘Animal Farm’ (1946), a brilliant satire about the failure of communism, and ‘Nineteen Eighty-Four’ (1949) […]
more…19 Feb, 2003
Whatever happened to “There is No Justification for Killing Innocent Civilians”?
Originally published: 19 Feb 2003 Hands up those who agree: There is no justification for killing innocent civilians. That statement resounded vigorously after 9/11 and rises in volume each time Palestinian suicide bombers strike in the streets of Israeli cities. I stress the words “no justification”, free of any ‘ifs’ and ‘buts’. Now, according to […]
more…6 Jan, 2003
Thai Aviation Department Rebuts Claims of Air Traffic Decline
After listening silently for more than a year to complaints about the decline in airline frequencies to Thailand, the Aviation Department has struck back, releasing figures which show exactly the opposite. In the current winter season 2002/2003, Thailand is being served by 79 foreign airlines operating a total of 670 weekly scheduled international flights, up […]
more…5 Jan, 2003
2002: The Year TIME Magazine Recognised Whistle-blowers
Originally Published: 5 Jan 2003 On Sept 22, 2002, the Soul-Searching column was headlined “Let’s Hear it for the Whistle-blowers.” In it I paid tribute to the morally correct choice whistle-blowers make, at great personal risk and doubtless after a great of soul-searching, to blow the whistle on wrongdoings in their companies and institutions. I […]
more…16 Dec, 2002
PB Air Helps Boost Embraer’s Foothold in Asia
Domestic Thai airline PB Air is to become the second in Asia to start operating the Brazilian-made aircraft, the Embraer ERJ 145, two of which are due to arrive in Thailand on Dec 23rd and go into service on Christmas day. The aircraft will replace PB Air’s existing Fokker F28 equipment on its routenet which […]
more…2 Dec, 2002
Mombasa Bombings Mean “Soft & Vulnerable” Tourism Now a Target
LAST week’s bombings in the Kenyan beach resort of Mombassa pose a grave danger to the future of the global tourism industry, and more specifically to that of Thailand, too. While international intelligence and security officials are admitting that the ‘soft and vulnerable’ tourism industry has now become a target worldwide, Thai industry executives are […]
more…25 Nov, 2002
Big Companies Gobbling Up Small Seems To Be Over
LONDON: The era of large travel companies gobbling up small travel companies appears to be over. Mr Roger Luscombe of Continental Capital Partners told a seminar at the recent World Travel Market 2002 that the mergers and acquisitions among travel companies that dominated the industry for the last 2-3 years is “not happening”. He noted […]
more…28 Oct, 2002
Music to the Ears of Team-Builders in MICE Sector
The boom in global conventions and meetings business is creating huge cross-linkage opportunities for the music and entertainment industry. While traditional music remains in demand for regular functions like opening and closing ceremonies, corporations with big budgets and specific team-building needs are turning to companies like Spirit of the Dance and Human Rhythms. Both were […]
more…21 Oct, 2002
Global Aviation Contracts, But Thai Airlines Buck Trend
Global airlines are going through a bad patch and the aviation industry appears ready for a major downturn. Not so, apparently, in Thailand where airlines appear to be bucking the trend. In the last few weeks, Thai Airways International has rolled out a string of announcements designed to present an upbeat picture about its future […]
more…14 Oct, 2002
Bali Bombing Leaves Industry in Shock
The Pacific Asia travel and tourism industry was in a state of shock yesterday as it sought to contemplate the wide-ranging impact of the devastating bomb blasts in Bali over the weekend. “There is no such thing as a ‘safe place’ in the travel and tourism industry any more,” said Mr Alwin Zecha, managing director […]
more…14 Oct, 2002
Industry Executives Begin to Brace for Fallout from Attack on Iraq
The Asia-Pacific tourism industry is beginning to prepare for yet another crisis that is expected to follow an attack on Iraq, an informal survey of regional industry executives reveals. Mr Ken Boundy, managing director of the Australian Tourist Commission, said ATC executives have met with all the CEO’s of the state tourism organisations to start […]
more…13 Oct, 2002
Karen Armstrong’s Book Traces Monotheism’s “Battle for God”
Originally Published: 10 Oct 2002 The global resurgence of Islamic, Christian and Jewish fundamentalism is the theme of the latest book by well-known religious writer Karen Armstrong. The former nun who is considered one of the world’s foremost authorities on the monotheistic religions has produced a powerful book called “The Battle for God,” which should […]
more…7 Oct, 2002
Food & Catering Sector Faces post-9/11 Security Headaches
Kuala Lumpur: Security concerns are creating major financial and administrative headaches for suppliers of food and catering services to the aviation industry in the post-9/11 era. Although not a single incident of hijacking or terrorism has involved security lapses in catering, suppliers say they are suffering from an image of being the “soft-under-belly” of aviation, […]
more…6 Oct, 2002
Double Standards of Death: How Many More Innocents Will Perish in Iraq, The Sequel?
Originally Published: 6 Oct 2002 Sifting through the mass of material available on the internet about the coming conflict in Iraq, distinctly noticeable is the nearly complete absence of any soul-searching about how many people will die. Innocent people, that is. Yes, we all know that it’s about control of global oil supplies, the upcoming […]
more…30 Sep, 2002
Amadeus, Abacus Chase SMEs in Asian Travel Industry
Two of the Asia-Pacific’s leading global distribution systems (GDSs) are beginning to target one of the most neglected travel industry customer segments: the thousands of small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) who badly need access to low-cost reservation and booking systems to drive business. Both are testing the technologies and administrative systems that will be […]
more…22 Sep, 2002
Let’s Hear It for Whistle-Blowers
Originally Published: 22 Sept 2002 At any time in any government organisation or major company, questionable decisions are being made that rattle the conscience of one of those involved in them. Behind all the public relations glitz and glamour, someone knows exactly who is trying to achieve what and why. Unable to live with the […]
more…16 Sep, 2002
How The Oriental Awoke to the Potential of the Middle East Market
In the hotel business, location is everything. A few weeks ago, Kurt Wachtveitl, general manager of The Oriental, realised that his hotel’s riverside location was not his only asset. In a letter to various embassies of the Middle East countries inviting them to book their guests at The Oriental, he pointed out that Thailand’s most […]
more…9 Sep, 2002
Indonesian Travel Groups Oppose Attack on Iraq
JAKARTA: In what could be an industry first, Indonesian travel and tourism associations are to mount a joint campaign to oppose an attack on Iraq. Citing the small but steady recovery taking place in one of the country’s leading foreign exchange earning industries, the Indonesian Tourism Council and the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB) are […]
more…8 Sep, 2002
The U.S. is becoming more like the enemy every day
Originally Published: 08 Sep 2002 Exactly a year ago, the events of 9/11 triggered a backlash against the religion of Islam. If Islam was supposed to be a religion of peace, there does not seem to be much evidence of it, went the refrain in the global media. The word ‘Islam’ was, and still is, […]
more…2 Sep, 2002
Malaysian Airlines to Sell Off Assets as Part of Restructuring
Malaysia Airlines is to sell-off all its aircraft and many of its properties, including its headquarters, in a revolutionary attempt to become a debt-free ‘virtual airline,’ according to a detailed report on the restructuring plan published this week by Aviation Analyst – Asia Pacific. Under the plan, all the carrier’s assets and liabilities are to […]
more…19 Aug, 2002
Wider Security Concerns Over Baggage Thefts At Bangkok’s Don Muang Airport
The recent spate of thefts and pilferage from baggage at Don Muang airport has again raised serious concern about security, but airport and airline executives are undecided who should take responsibility or what should be done next. Incidents of pilferage began after the Airports Authority of Thailand stopped securing checked-in baggage with a wrap-around plastic […]
more…12 Aug, 2002
Ousted TAT Governor Goes To Court
The action initiated by former Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) governor Pradech Phayakvichien against the TAT chairman and board seeks to declare unlawful and illegal the order removing him from the post. It will also have broader ramifications on the search for a new governor. The Administrative Court is expected to take at least two […]
more…11 Aug, 2002
The Gut-Wrenching Process of Making A Fresh Start
Originally Published: 11 Aug 2003 One of the films featured at the recent film festival in Bangkok was “Wild About Harry.” Behind the relatively unceremonial title and an equally bland synopsis was a brilliant, deeply thought-provoking film of great relevance to society and humanity at large. The central character is a hard-drinking, womanising, swaggering but […]
more…11 Aug, 2002
The beauty of “restructuring” by making a fresh start
Originally Published: 11 Aug 2002 One of the films featured at the recent film festival in Bangkok was “Wild About Harry”. Behind the relatively unceremonial title and an equally bland synopsis was a brilliant, deeply thought-provoking film of great relevance to society and humanity at large. The central character is a hard-drinking, womanising, swaggering but […]
more…29 Jul, 2002
Leisure Conference to Break New Ground, Ponder New Topics
A fundamental and long overdue change is taking place in the subject matter discussed at global travel conferences, one that will have a profound impact on the forces shaping the future of the industry. International tourism industry academics, meeting for the biennial 7th World Leisure Congress in Kuala Lumpur, will be setting aside well-worn topics […]
more…22 Jul, 2002
Bangkok Skytrain Moves to Double Daily Tourist Useage
Bangkok’s popular Skytrain has embarked upon a number of long-overdue initiatives to double the number of tourists using it daily. After having nearly totally ignored the huge potential of visitor traffic since opening in December 1999, and lost millions of baht in untapped business, the management of the Bangkok Mass Transit System PCL (BTS) is […]
more…15 Jul, 2002
Thai Airways Chief’s Apology to Travelling Public Leads to Head-Scratching
Last week’s unprecedented apology by Thai Airways President Kanok Abhiradee to representatives of upmarket clients who have taken their business elsewhere was not only the first of its kind in aviation history but has left some wondering whether the chief executives of other Thai state enterprises will follow suit. Airline chief executives do not extend […]
more…8 Jul, 2002
Marketing Via Movies Can Backfire, Says Study
While national tourism organisations are falling over themselves to promote movies being made in their destinations, they are paying little attention to the consequences of the success of the policy and the destination management problems that may result, according to a study by an Australian researcher. Sue Beeton, senior lecturer in tourism at La Trobe […]
more…30 Jun, 2002
Religious leaders sign peace charter but now have to practice what they preach
Originally Published: 30 Jun 2002 Hundreds of religious leaders who met in Bangkok between June 12-14 have established a World Council of Religious Leaders and signed off on a charter reaffirming their belief that religion can serve as a positive force for achieving world peace. But, as usual, their lofty and noble words were belied […]
more…24 Jun, 2002
As Aviation Security Costs Soar, Key Question Is: Who Will Pay?
As the airline industry faces billions of dollars in additional costs to security and insurance concerns, and the major question is: Who is going to pay, and how? For years, airlines resisted attempts to impose any kind of taxes, surcharges or levies, be it to protect the environment or boost government revenues, but today faces […]
more…17 Jun, 2002
TAT Survey Shows Visitors Fret About Being Cheated
For years, the Thai tourism industry suffered from two serious ‘image’ problems: Bangkok’s traffic and environmental conditions, and the city’s barefaced nightlife. Now, both those complaints have been dethroned by the latest ‘image problem’: Dishonesty of the city’s public transport drivers and jewellery shops. In a survey of 500 visitors earlier this year, the Tourism […]
more…16 Jun, 2002
Hindu Leader Criticises Conversions: Save Us From the Saviours
Originally Published: 16 June 2002 IT did not take long for the fault-lines to emerge at the meeting of global religious leaders at Buddhamonthon last Wednesday. Within minutes of the opening bell of the World Council of Religious Leaders conference, the mainstream religions had placed their political and philosophical baggage out in full display. Amidst […]
more…10 Jun, 2002
Victimised TAT Governor Exonerated, Walks Away With Head High
Former Tourism Authority of Thailand governor Pradech Phayakvichien last week walked away from his job legally exonerated of the charges against him, with the added confirmation that he was indeed the victim of a political conspiracy hatched by TAT insiders in collusion with Cabinet ministers. In a statement of rebuttal over the “ethical” as against […]
more…3 Jun, 2002
Australia Launches $3 Million, Multi-Language Tourism Website
BRISBANE: The Australian Tourist Commission last week launched a new multi-language tourism website designed to help potential visitors cut through the clutter of thousands of individual websites and give a major hand specially to small and medium sized businesses. Three years and A$3 million in the making, the website, australia.com, is referred to as “the […]
more…27 May, 2002
Second Bangkok Airport Faces Further Delay
A conference on the future of Thai airports last week made little headway in clarifying some of the major issues related to the opening of Suvarnabhumi, the second Bangkok International airport. While the official position remains a prospective inauguration in 2005, virtually no-one believes it will be possible, with airline veterans in Thailand saying 2008 […]
more…20 May, 2002
Thai Women Tourism Leaders Plan Local Chapter of Global Network
Some of Thailand’s top women executives in the travel and tourism industry are exploring the possibility of setting up their own separate grouping in the wake of the momentum generated by the annual convention of the International Federation of Women’s Travel Organisations (IFWTO) in Bangkok last week. At least 15 individual members are needed to […]
more…19 May, 2002
World religious leaders to ponder whether they are a part of the solution, or the problem?
Originally published: 19 May 2002 Ministers responsible for the social and economic development of Asia Pacific countries will gather in Bangkok this week for their annual talk-fest on the never-ending range of regional problems. In the august halls of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, they will moan and groan […]
more…5 May, 2002
Nobel Laureate Bishop Tutu: “Oppressing another people will get Israel neither security nor safety”
Originally Published: 5 May 2002 Even the most carefully laid plans have a way of backfiring. What began as a plan to demonise and smear Muslims as terrorists in the wake of Sept 11 has now shifted to the greater truth: A focus on the brutal occupation of Palestine and Israel’s attempts to cover up, […]
more…2 Apr, 2002
Just Months After 9/11, The Industry Changes Hands
1. THE INDUSTRY CHANGES HANDS: The travel and tourism industry has now slipped well and truly into the hands of security companies, insurance firms, intelligence agencies and diplomats. A serious problem looms.
2. UP IN ARMS AGAINST ADVISORIES: A number of governments resent being held hostage to “unfair, capricious and arbitrary” travel advisories. At least two ministers are speaking out. The UNWTO feels they have a point.
1 Nov, 2001
“Karl Marx Led To My Arrest As A ‘Terrorist’ In Germany”
A UK commentator of the Muslim faith narrates his experience of the idiotic racial discrimination being faced by Muslim travellers at airport checkpoints. Also in this dispatch, American Muslims are taking up the problem of airline profiling and traveller discrimination at the highest level. About time for some international travel associations to get involved too.
more…15 Oct, 2001
Islamic Tourism Ministers See Post-9/11 Shift to Intra-Islamic Travel
Affected like all other countries by a decline in visitor arrivals, tourism ministers the world’s 56 largely Islamic countries last week adopted a plan to refocus marketing and promotion strategies at their easiest target markets: the world’s one billion Muslims themselves.
more…8 Oct, 2001
Airlines Predict Huge Drop in Traffic Post-9/11
The International Air Transport Association is forecasting that capacity on international scheduled services will drop by an average of 10-20% during the next three months as a result of the turbulence affecting the airline industry in the wake of the September 11 attacks in the US.
more…30 Sep, 2001
Bleak Days Ahead as Post-9/11 Crisis Roils Travel Sector
THE global travel & tourism is confronting a bleak scenario for at least several months to come but all indications are that Thailand is still managing to hold its own – so far.
more…27 Sep, 2001
Stay Away, Arab-American Leader Tells Terrorists
Dr. James Zogby, president, Arab American Institute, minces no words in saying what he thinks about terrorists. Also in this dispatch: The bigots in the US don’t know the difference between terrorists and normal people, but many others do. And they are showing it.
more…17 Sep, 2001
Industry Ponders Life after 9/11
IN the mad scramble that will start for what little life there will be left in the travel industry following the US retaliation to come, Thailand ‘s ability to maintain its share could hinge to a large degree on two conditions: safety & security, and total neutrality.
more…10 Sep, 2001
PM urged to Reinstate Respected Thai Airways Chairman
If there is one thing that many in the Thai aviation and tourism industry agree on, it is that Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra needs to reinstate Prof Chai-anan Samudvanij as chairman of THAI.
more…3 Sep, 2001
JTB Forecasts 20 Million Japanese Outbound by 2005
A major travel forceast report by the giant Japanese tour operator Japan Travel Bureau (JTB) predicts that the country could generate 20 million overseas travellers by 2005 but major shifts taking place in the market demographics need to be closely monitored.
more…27 Aug, 2001
Shinawatra Group Shows Thai MICE Sector How Mobile Phones Can Help
Looking to squeeze some added business out of two once high-flying global industries, travel and telecoms, the Shinawatra group of companies last week moved to boost its profile amongst a key target market: Members of the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA).
more…20 Aug, 2001
Tourism Educational Institutions Seek Ways to Make Training More Relevant
A growing regional network of travel & tourism educational institutions is making steady headway in helping overcome one of the region’s most pressing problems: The chasm between the quality of manpower being produced by these institutions and that actually required by the private sector.
more…14 Aug, 2001
Travel Agents’ Advice on Health & Safety Not Up To Par
As mass movements of people across countries leads to a corresponding increase in health and safety risks, the role of travel agents in providing proper preventive advice is becoming crucial. However, researchers at the University of Queensland, Australia, say agents are not rising to the task.
more…6 Aug, 2001
Asian Hotels Alliance Plots Marketing Blitz to Take On Global Chains
MARKETING chiefs of the newly-formed Asian Hotels Alliance (AHA) are to meet in Pattaya today to work out finer details of how the newly formed group is to be financed, structured and operated as it strives to growing competition from multinational hotel chains.
more…23 Jul, 2001
New Thai Airways Chairman Seeks to Sweep Clean
Bit by bit, Thai Airways International chairman Prof Chai-anan Samudavanij is proceeding with a plan to make THAI what he calls a model example of how state enterprises can and should be restructured in a global economy.
more…16 Jul, 2001
Report Highlights Challenge of Change Facing NTOs
The recent changes in the structure and focus of the Tourism Authority of Thailand are in line with similar changes being made world-wide. According to a report by an Australian-based consultancy company, national tourism organisations (NTOs) face more changes as direct-distribution, competitive pressures, budgetary-shortages and changing consumer lifestyles create an ‘entirely new marketing environment.” Published […]
more…9 Jul, 2001
First China Aviation Report Says Huge Restructuring to Come
Along with other elements of its economy and services sector, China’s multi-billion dollar aviation industry is being rigorously restructured in preparation for the liberalisation and competition that will come with its entry into the World Trade Organisation. Exactly how the country’s dozens of airlines and airports are being reorganised, and the impact this will have […]
more…6 Jul, 2001
First Asia-Pacific Summit of Women Mayors Focusses on Leadership
Cities are the front-lines of global travel & tourism. A comparative analysis of cities in 13 Asia-Pacific countries claims that women can govern them better than men. Agree or disagree, excerpts of the study will certainly make you think.
more…2 Jul, 2001
First Thai Spa Association Faces Standards Test
Thailand’s first spa association is due to be set up this month but faces the critical challenge of ensuring the upkeep of standards amongst its members and staff. Indeed, while the association is being set up primarily to ensure that business flows to those facilities which claim to be genuinely professional, in a country and […]
more…25 Jun, 2001
First Meeting to Link Tourism Along Mekong – Ganges Rivers
A relatively low-key meeting took place in Bangkok last month to build stronger tourism linkages between Mekong countries and India, one of the most promising future source markets for visitor arrivals. The First Tourism Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Expert Group Meeting was held in Bangkok on 29 May, to identify ways to boost intra-regional tourism flows […]
more…18 Jun, 2001
Life Set To Begin at 40 For Thai Tourism Industry
It is said that life begins at 40. That is certainly proving true for the Thai travel & tourism industry which last week witnessed four press conferences that were amply indicative of the shape of things to come. The TAT announced details of its new Tourism Action Plans for 2001/2 in which it is going […]
more…11 Jun, 2001
Thai Tourism Seeks Ways to Get 40-Year-Old Goose To Keep Laying Eggs
Having completed a week-long meeting of its senior officials last week, the Tourism Authority of Thailand is today set to announce one of its most significant revisioning programmes since the agency was created in 1960. Like many other regional national tourism organisations which are doing the same for their own industries, the TAT is trying […]
more…8 Jun, 2001
Major Issues Facing Travel & Tourism In The New Millennium
The former Deputy Managing Director of the Australian Tourist Commission offers his thoughts upon completion of a term at the ATC that spearheaded Australia’s tourism promotion campaign built around the 2000 Olympics.
more…4 Jun, 2001
Australian Tourism Mulls Life After Sydney Olympics 2000
BRISBANE: Australia has joined the growing club of countries with devalued currencies and its travel industry now faces major ‘restructuring’ in the post-Olympics era. The Australian Tourist Commission (ATC) as well as its hotels and airlines are all facing shifts in their management, ownership and strategic directions as a result of the new realities that […]
more…29 May, 2001
Australia, With New Tourism Chief, Mulls Life After 2000 Olympics
Ken Boundy replaces John Morse as chief of the Australian Tourist Commission and admits he has an hard act to follow.
more…21 May, 2001
Thai Resort Club, Bought by German Bank, Faces Overhaul
An old 235-room holiday club in Pranburi, set up originally for the German market, has been partially bought by the Deutsche Bank and is undergoing a 300 million baht retrofit to join the growing range of classy resort properties in Thailand. The old Club Aldiana Siam is due to open in November as the Evason […]
more…16 May, 2001
Emirates Agents “Convict” Aussies
EMIRATES AGENTS ‘CONVICT’ AUSSIES: Emirates Holidays, the in-house tour wholesaler of Emirates Airlines, launched its glossy 325-page brochure for 2001/2002 in Dubai last month. Twenty-four countries featured in the brochure strutted their stuff to 220 specially-invited travel agents. The Aussies took the cake. Here’s why.
2. BRIDGING THE GULF: Asia-Pacific NTOs are sharpening their marketing pencils in the Middle East. A roundup of the marketing campaigns and strategies mounted by the NTOs of Malaysia, Singapore, India all of which exhibited at the Arabian Travel Market.
7 May, 2001
Dusit Becomes First Thai Hotel in the Middle East
DUBAI: While Asia-Pacific national tourism organisations are scrambling to set up marketing and promotional offices in the Arabian Gulf to tap the strong potential for outbound business, Thailand last week got its own de facto office: A distinctive ‘wai’-shaped building in arguably the most important commercial city of the entire Gulf. The rushed opening of […]
more…30 Apr, 2001
Asia-Pacific NTOs Scramble to Tap Gulf Outbound Market
DUBAI: Asia Pacific national tourism organisations (NTOs) are scrambling to get their share of the Gulf outbound market in advance of the peak summer season for outbound travel from this lucrative part of the world. A better understanding of the cultural nuances of the Gulf countries, growing airline connections and a huge diversity of product […]
more…27 Apr, 2001
Ten Great Business Opportunities In Travel
A TIME Asia staff writer offers his insights in this speech delivered at the PATA 50th anniversary annual conference in Kuala Lumpur.
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