30 Jul, 2007
Private Equity Firms Face Image Problems, Transparency Pressure
Seeking to counter a growing image problem and reputation as predatory buyout “asset-strippers”, private equity companies are trying to work out voluntary guidelines to provide more “disclosure and transparency” about themselves and their mega-billion dollar deals.
more…25 Jul, 2007
Next Big Thing: The “Happiness Business”
Bangkok – Is the phrase “travel & tourism industry” now outdated? If a rebranding is long overdue, how about the “happiness business”? Becoming arguably the first travel trade editor to cover a conference on promoting happiness organised at the UN regional headquarters in Bangkok last week, I was struck by the extent to which the […]
more…10 Jul, 2007
Global Businesses Face “Trust Gap,” Need To Reset Their “Moral Compass”
Global business leaders have been warned by a McKinsey Company survey that they are facing a “major trust gap” in how their companies are viewed by employees, consumers and the public.
more…2 Jul, 2007
Indonesians Blast European Ban on Garuda
Indonesian aviation and tourism authorities have been put on the defensive by last week’s European Union ban on Indonesian airlines, but are also beginning to question the timing, methodology and motivation of the move. Although the initial reaction has been again to plead their case before the EU Transport Commission and cite all the various […]
more…25 Jun, 2007
Beware the “Brutal” Private Equity Funds, Unions Warn
Continuing its campaign to warn governments and workers about the growing power of private equity funds, the federation of international unions in the hotel, catering, food and farm sectors has issued a report seeking to expose the funds’ inner workings and get them placed under greater public scrutiny. Produced in response to a growing number […]
more…11 Jun, 2007
Whither Tourism Brands In a World of “Homogenised Culture”
KUALA LUMPUR — National tourism boards need to start speaking out “against turning every country town into a showcase for global brands,” the chairman of VisitBritain warned last week. In a keynote presentation at the World Tourism Summit convened here by the UN World Tourism Organization, Mr Christopher Rodrigues said, “The more global companies and […]
more…7 May, 2007
Middle East Hotel Survey Says “Market Correction” Awaits
DUBAI: With about 82,000 rooms projected to open across the Middle East and North Africa region over the next four years, “a market correction is likely to happen with lower occupancy levels and declines in average rate,” according to the latest Middle East Hotel Survey for 2007 by the HVS consultancy company. The report says […]
more…26 Mar, 2007
Brand-Name Hotels More Likely to be Attacked, Say Security Consultants
Internationally-known brand name hotels are more likely to be the target of a terrorist attack than less well-known properties, two security consultants told a travel industry luncheon group last week. Speaking to the Skal Club of Bangkok, Tom Coghlan, CSP Managing Director and Fred Alimusa, CSP Training Director and Managing Director of Kerberos Co Ltd., […]
more…12 Mar, 2007
Another Tourism “Beauty Contest”, the WEF Competitiveness Index
BERLIN: Countries will soon be parading in yet another international beauty contest following the release of the World Economic Forum’s first Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index (TTCI) last week at the ITB Berlin, the world’s largest travel trade show. Designed to “provide benchmarking tools that enable countries to identify key obstacles to competitiveness, and to […]
more…8 Feb, 2007
Asean Tourism: Diverse, But Disunited
The 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) is the most diverse multi-country region on the planet. But its once powerful joint tourism marketing campaigns are no more.
more…11 Dec, 2006
Luxury Travel Targets 2% of World’s “Uber-Wealthy”
CANNES, France — The world’s growing list of “uber-wealthy” were the target of a luxury travel market organised here last week, with more than 2,500 delegates seeking a piece of the action estimated to be worth more than US$ 44 billion in travel expenditure. Deluxe yachts, private jets, remote islands and lavish resorts were among […]
more…20 Mar, 2006
Pakistan Seeks Tourism Dividend from Peace With India
BERLIN: Seeking to cash in on the peace dividend with India, Pakistan is also going on a tourism promotion offensive, a move that could give a big boost to Thai Airways’ flights to Karachi, Islamabad and Lahore. Hashim Khan, Managing Director, Pakistan Tourism Development Corporation, told a press conference at the ITB Berlin that although […]
more…29 May, 2005
Australians Rage Over Schapelle Corby Verdict in Bali
The following is a roundup of reactions in Australia after Schapelle Corby’s sentencing on drug smuggling charges in Bali. I’M GOING TO BOYCOTT BALI TOO, SAY CALLERS May 28, 2005 http://www.theage.com.au/news/Corby-Case/Im-going-to-boycott-Bali-too-say-callers/2005/05/27/1117129896430.html Talkback callers were quick to voice their disgust yesterday after Schapelle Corby’s sentencing. Many vowed to boycott Bali as a destination, including one Melbourne […]
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…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 […]
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