TTG Events, organisers of the IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific event, have confirmed that the event will run as planned from September 29 to October 1 at the Bangkok Convention Centre at CentralWorld.

Since the recent devastation to hit the city on Monday night, TTG has been working closely with its partners in Thailand, including TCEB, to closely monitor the situation. Event delegates have also been informed of the organiser’s decision which was made with the view that the Royal Thai government will soon restore Bangkok to normalcy. TTG has assured delegates that their safety and security will remain as the top priority, and further updates will be made in response to the situation.

Said Darren Ng, managing director of TTG Asia Media: “Thailand has been a tremendous host to IT&CMA and CTW Asia-Pacific for over a decade, with Bangkok being home to the event for the 9th consecutive year now. Our delegates look forward to coming to this city year after to year as it remains an extremely popular destination for both business and leisure.

“Our team is saddened and grieved by this incident that has rocked this hospitable city and its people. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims, families and loved ones affected. We hope that the industry will continue to stand together with one heart and mind, and bounce back from this set-back,” he added.

Should travelers require any further information, they may contact TCEB office at +66 (0) 2694 6000, TCEB call centre at 1105 (within Thailand only), visit www.tceb.or.th or contact info@tceb.or.th, or contact these relevant authorities:

Tourism Authority of Thailand Call Centre 1672
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Hotline +66 (0) 2 644 7245 /+ 66 (0) 2 643 5522
Narenthorn EMS Center 1669
Suwannabhumi International Airport +66 (0) 2132 4000
Don Muang International Airport +66 (0) 2535 1616

THE Union of International Associations (UIA) will still hold its Associations Round Table Asia-Pacific 2015 in the Thai capital despite the recent bombing incident.

This year’s discussions are set to take place in Bangkok on September 29 and 30 in conjunction with IT&CMA 2015.

Nancy Carfrae, coordinator, UIA Associations Round Table, has confirmed that the event will go ahead as planned and that they have “seen no indication that participation will be affected by the incident”.

She added: “On the contrary, registrants have expressed their sympathy and solidarity with the people of Bangkok, and confirmed their intention to attend the event.”

Reporting by Samuel Ng

Credit: Wyndham Hotel Group

WYNDHAM Hotel Group is set to expand its presence in South Korea by more than 200 per cent over the next three years with 12 new property franchise agreements.

The signings are a continuation of the company’s 14 franchise agreements in South Korea in 2014, bringing its pipeline in the country to more than 7,550 rooms across 26 properties under the Ramada, Days Inn and Howard Johnson brands.

The new hotels, consisting of 17 Ramadas, six Day Inns and three Howard Johnsons, will be scattered across Seoul, Pyeongtaek and Jeju Island. All are expected to open by 2018. The first of these new locations, Ramada Encore Jeju Seogwipo, has opened on June 30, 2015.

“With its increasing popularity among tourists, natural beauty, trend-setting technological marvels and upcoming world events like the 2018 Winter Olympics, South Korea plays a key role in our growth in the region,” said Barry Robinson, president and managing director, South-east Asia and Pacific Rim of Wyndham Hotel Group.

ACCORDING to data analysis done by travel search engine Kayak, Tokyo, followed by Manila and Seoul top the list of the 15 most searched destinations for outbound travel from Singapore during the Christmas period.

The results are based on travel searches made between January to July 2015 on their website for Christmas period travel from Singapore to destinations abroad.

The Christmas period is defined as December 18, 2015 to January 3, 2016. Searches are based on return flights and prices are based on average costs.

Based on Kayak findings, Singaporeans tend to prepare their Christmas trips well in advance, with flight searches starting in March. July saw a three per cent increase from June, which saw a 33 per cent spike in searches.

While flight prices generally increase by 50 per cent during the season, Kayak has found exceptions for flights to Paris, with an 18 per cent decrease; New York, a one per cent decrease; and Seoul, also a one per cent decrease.