THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) has reported that most tourism sites in Chiang Mai have been unaffected by recent floods, while floodwaters which submerged the city’s commercial areas are receding (TTG Asia e-Daily, September 29).

According to TAT Chiang Mai office director, Chalermsak Suranant, the floods in the city centre are confined to two areas near the banks of the Ping River, specifically Chang Klang and Chiang Mai-Lampoon Roads.

The famous Chiang Mai Night Bazaar and several hotels are located on Chang Klan Road, which remained submerged up to ankle level this morning, while the TAT Chiang Mai office and some hotels and restaurants are located on Chiang Mai-Lampoon Road.

Chalermsak said hotels and establishments around the night bazaar were operating as per normal, with the exception of roadside stalls. “I am now at the Le Meridien hotel (on Chang Klan Road), which is unaffected by the flood. It’s also business as usual at the Centara Duangtawan hotel, which is located nearby,” he said.

Sukanya Janchoo, general manager of dusitD2 and Dusit Princess Chiang Mai, said the floodwaters did not flow into either of the hotels, both located on Chang Klan Road, although the street in front of Dusit Princess remains submerged up to ankle level.

Chalermsak said other tourist areas such as the old quarter around Nimmanhaemin Road, Doi Suthep, the elephant camps, Mae Rim, Bo Sang and San Kamphaeng were untouched by the floods, while flights and other major forms of transportation were operating as per normal.

“Provided there is no more heavy rain, city officials have confirmed that the floodwaters on the two roads should subside by tonight,” he said.

By Sirima Eamtako

WEST Nusa Tenggara (NTB) province is planning to draw MICE to Lombok and Sumbawa islands as one of its major focus areas for tourism development.

The MICE drive forms part of the destination’s new branding strategy, which also focuses on mountains and marine tourism.

Speaking to travel agents and PCOs in Jakarta to introduce its new tagline Lombok Sumbawa Experience the Wonders, NTB Tourism Promotion Board chairman, Awan Aswinabawa, said: “Meetings and incentives contributed 50 per cent of our domestic market business last year.”

“NTB governor (Zainul Majdi) has instructed all regency heads to find and bid for government meetings to be held in Lombok. Every ministry has their national, regional and international meeting agenda, and governor Majdi wants some of those to be held in Lombok.”

Aswinabawa said hotels in Lombok had been busy constructing meetings facilities. The new Lombok Raya Convention Centre is scheduled to open soon with a capacity of 3,000 seats, while an additional 1,500 rooms are expected to enter the market between this year and next.

According to Aswinabawa, NTB’s next step will be to promote Sumbawa, especially as an incentive destination to both the domestic and international markets.

“We realise that the island still needs to develop its infrastructure and facilities, but the destination is charming and will leave unforgettable memories for travellers,” he said, adding that traditional processions and even a buffalo race could be arranged for incentive groups visiting Sumbawa.

TAIWAN High Speed Rail Corporation (THSRC) has more than doubled the number of packages offered through its T Holiday leisure travel brand since it was launched in July last year.

THSRC will offer up to 170 different itineraries from October 1, all of which include discounted train fare, hotel accommodation and guided tours.

The four-year old, high-speed rail service runs from north to south, connecting major cities along Taiwan’s densely-populated western corridor, and offering access to most of the popular tourist destinations, except those on the east coast.

Most T Holiday packages are for two days with an overnight stay, but there are exceptions. For example, a one-day tour of Taipei’s major sights is listed at NT$2,750 (US$90) per pax, while an overnight visit to the island’s southern tip, Kenting, costs NT$4,540. Prices are adjusted according to point of departure.

At the moment, T Holiday packages are sold through 13 local travel agencies, and nearly all T Holiday sales are to domestic travellers.

“Currently, T Holiday packages cannot be booked from overseas,” said THSRC brand manager Paul Ou. “Foreign visitors account for less than one per cent of sales, and they tend to be people in town on business. For them, T Holiday packages are a way to get out of town for a day.”

Ou expects the customer demographic to change sooner rather than later, with THSRC planning to promote T Holidays next year at major travel trade shows in Hong Kong, Tokyo and China.

According to Jimmy Lee, manager of Taipei-based Lion Travel, competitive pricing is one reason behind T Holiday’s popularity among domestic travellers. “T Holiday packages are priced about 30 percent lower than what a customer would pay if they booked train, tour and hotel separately,” he explained.

Jessica Chiang, spokesperson for eztravel, said THSRC also provides the same coverage of domestic destinations as traditional bus tours.

“What makes (T Holiday packages) attractive is the speed at which travellers can reach their destination, a consideration when travelling longer distances. THSRC tours may be priced higher (than bus tours), but the quality is higher too,” she said.

By Glenn Smith

TOURISM minister Ng Yen Yen is confident that Malaysia will meet its target of 25 million arrivals for the year, even though external factors have affected several major source markets.

Thailand, Malaysia’s third largest source of arrivals last year, is undergoing a transitional period, having just endured a regime change following July’s election; Europe and the US are suffering from one financial hiccup after another; while the disasters that hit Japan in March have drastically reduced outbound numbers from the country.

Competition from Singapore, with its new products such as the Universal Studios theme park and integrated casino resorts, was also expected to have an adverse effect on inbound to Malaysia, said Ng.

In spite of the challenges, a rise in tourist numbers from China, the Middle East, India and Russia is expected to take up the slack, and even boost arrivals by 0.2 per cent over last year’s 24.6 million visitors.

Ng said the tourism ministry would focus on these emerging markets, as their spending capacities were quite high, while existing promotions would remain online.

According to Asian Overland Services Tours & Travel director of sales, Andy Muniandy, the Middle East market had been especially resilient, with a surge in visitors from the region in July causing a room shortage in Kuala Lumpur.

“With Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal playing in Kuala Lumpur over 10 days in July, we could not get enough rooms because their Middle East fans travelled to the city for these games,” he said.

AOS sent the Middle East customers to various island resorts on arrival in Malaysia, before bringing them back to Kuala Lumpur for the football games.

“This was equally difficult as rooms on the islands were also heavily booked,” Muniandy said.

By N. Nithiyananthan

EVEN as Chiang Mai’s commercial areas were hit by floods late yesterday due to the Ping River overflowing its banks, some seminars and incentives scheduled to begin today have continued as planned.

The Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) is carrying on with its biennial, 17th Convention Promotion Seminar and Convention Exhibition, scheduled from today till October 1. The event will see about 120 buyers from local professional and medical-related associations, government agencies from Bangkok, as well as about 80 local sellers.

TICA manager Prapaphan Sungmuang said due to the flood and for logistical purposes, all buyers would be relocated from the four assigned hotels (including dusitD2, Shangri-La and Holiday Inn) to stay at the event venue, Le Merdien Chiang Mai.

Asia World Destination Management director, Max Jantasuwan, said a golf tournament incentive for 85 persons from today till October 2 would also go ahead as planned.

According to Jantasuwan, about eight participants arrived yesterday and two other groups came in this morning—all are staying at the Four Seasons Chiang Mai. “For us, there is no direct impact, only that we have to relocate the outside lunch venue,” he said.

Sukanya Janchoo, general manager of dusitD2 and Dusit Princess Chiang Mai, said the flood had affected both properties, but that damage was not severe as preemptive measures had been taken beforehand.

“Both hotels are running at about 20-30 per cent occupancy as this is the low season in Chiang Mai,” she said. “Some guests have been relocated to other hotels, but there are no cancellations on forward bookings.”

By Sirima Eamtako

KOH Samui hotels posted an islandwide average occupancy rate of about 62 per cent in the first eight months of the year, up from 50 per cent during the same period last year.

Bannasat Ruangjan, president of the Tourism Association of Koh Samui, said he was expecting a 60 per cent average occupancy rate for the entire year, taking into account the sluggish performance during the flood in end-March, and the low period coming up in October-November.

“The prospect for next year looks good too, as Koh Samui is getting more flights – from Singapore – (TTG Asia e-Daily, September 27) and new markets such as China,” he said, adding that Chinese visitors to the island were mostly from the high-end segment.

Meanwhile, Saiphayom Somsuk, chief of Koh Samui Tourism Coordination Centre, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), said the office would continue to promote the destination to up-market travellers from both European and Asian markets, and would ramp up efforts to entice honeymooners, weddings and families.

“The codeshare agreement between Bangkok Airways and SilkAir on the Singapore-Samui route will allow us to attract more wedding couples from Australia, on top of the mature wedding market from Europe, especially France and Germany,” she said.

Saiphayom added that Koh Samui had recently been selected by TAT as one of four areas in the country – along with Mae Hong Son, Chiang Khan and Nan – to be promoted as green tourism destinations to high-end visitors.

By Sirima Eamtako

ORCHARD Hotel Singapore, a member of Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C), has unveiled its Claymore Wing, which recently went through a S$10 million (US$7.7 million) overhaul.

All 331 guestrooms in the Claymore Wing, which includes its executive club floors, have undergone a full refurbishment.

The new executive suites, executive club rooms and deluxe rooms have taken on a contemporary appearance, while the executive club lounge features three private meeting rooms with natural daylight features, a business centre equipped with the latest hi-tech equipment, and a television lounge.

Lim Boon Kwee, senior vice-president of Asia for M&C International, the regional arm of M&C, said: “Singapore expects more than 13 million visitors this year, so the refurbishment at Orchard Hotel introduces a breath of fresh air and keeps the hotel poised for long-term competitiveness.”

IRELAND is offering visa-free entry for Indian nationals holding UK visas from now till October 31, 2012.

The visa-free facility, which allows visitors to stay for up to 90 days provided they have cleared immigration at a British port of entry, has also been offered to 13 other nations including China and Russia.

Vijay Dadhich, managing director of New Delhi-based Blue Moon Travels, said: “This will allow seamless travel to a really attractive country that is hitherto unexplored by most Indians. We can now package Ireland with England, Scotland and other popular British destinations for Indian travellers.”

Ireland is expecting a 20 per cent growth in Indian arrivals this year, up from last year’s 15,500 visitors.

BEST Western International has opened the Best Western Kuta Seaview in Kuta, Bali.

The new-built hotel, located 15 minutes from Ngurah Rai International Airport, offers 144 guestrooms in standard, superior, deluxe and junior suite categories.

Facilities include a swimming pool, Taste Restaurant serving Asian and Western cuisine, a 24-hour coffee shop, a rooftop lounge & bar, and two meeting rooms with capacity for 20-50 people.

Best Western has another property in the area – the 75-room Best Western Resort Kuta.

RESULTS of the Visa Global Travel Intentions Survey 2011 showed that the US, the UK and Japan were top travel destinations among 11,620 respondents from 23 countries.

Twenty percent, or one in five respondents, said they are likely to travel to the US for leisure in the next two years; 19 per cent the UK; 16 per cent Japan; and 15 per cent each for France and Italy.

According to Meranda Chan, country manager, Singapore and Brunei, Visa, the “great cultural diversity, amazing scenery and a shopping paradise for holidaymakers” are reasons why the US is a survey favourite.

As for the UK, Chan added: “The upcoming London 2012 Olympic Games could be a pull factor, and it is an indication that sport tourism is proving to be a growing attraction for today’s travellers.”

The survey also found that sentiment for Japan still ran strong, especially in the destination’s key markets in mainland China and South Korea.

“More than one in three (34 per cent) respondents from mainland China and one in four (24 per cent) respondents from South Korea said they are likely to travel to Japan in the next two years. This is in line with PATA Destination Trends that international arrivals to Japan have picked up slightly post-tsunami,” Chan added.

The survey also revealed that global average spend for the last trip taken by respondents in the past two years was S$1,912. Australian respondents were the highest spenders, with an average of S$4,693 (US$3,636) spent on their last trip, followed by Saudi Arabia with S$4,039.

The Visa Global Intentions Survey 2011 was an online and offline survey conducted by Nielsen in February and March.