By Sirima Eamtako
BANGKOK Russian hospitality group PGS International’s acquisition of a major share in Thai-based tour operator T Traveller2000 completes its network of airline and hotel management businesses in Thailand.
Rebranded as Pegas Touristik from July 1 (TTG Asia e-Daily, July 16), the new entity is a sign of the company’s latest commitment to the country.
PGS International established PGS Hotels’ regional office, PGS Hotels Asia Pacific, in Phuket in January. Its Nordwind Airlines, which started in December 2008, has been operating regular charter services from Moscow to Bangkok and to Phuket.
According to Kubilay Atac, general manager of Pegas Touristik in Thailand, the company operates tour operations out of Russia to 10 destinations, including Turkey, Egypt, Greece, Spain, Thailand, Vietnam, China (Sanya) and Indonesia (Bali). Together with Nordwind Airlines, it handled 2.2 million Russian passengers last year.
Atac added that the tour operator had seen unprecedented growth in Russian passengers to Thailand since the 2005/2006 peak season.
The numbers rose from 3,500 in the first season of Atac’s posting to 15,000 in the second season. Eighty thousand passengers were recorded between October 2009 and July 2010, and some 95,000 to 96,000 passengers are expected in the next peak season.
Based on the current season’s performance, which exceeded the target, Atac said: “Passenger numbers for next year should be not less than 120,000.”
The rebranding of T Traveller2000 – which has been the groundhandler of Pegas Touristik for five years – would not affect the 92 staff stationed at offices in Bangkok, Pattaya, Koh Samui, Phuket, Kanchanaburi and Siem Reap. Staff count in the Phuket office may be increased from 10 to 25 as there are plans to promote nearby Khao Lak and Krabi.
Nordwind Airlines, which operates charter flights from Moscow to Bangkok with one flight every two days, and to Phuket with one flight every three days, will increase frequencies for November 2009 to June 2010 with 20 flights per week to Bangkok and one daily flight to Phuket.
Said Kaya Cansever, managing director of PGS Hotels Asia Pacific: “We are planning a considerable presence in the region as a hotel operator in accordance with Pegas Touristik growth.”
TTG Asia understood that PGS Hotels Asia Pacific has landed two hotel management deals in Phuket.
|
