Tourism Indochina: Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours ready to serve

Tourism Indochina: Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours ready to serve

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-06):

Cambodia tourism is growing notably. Cambodian Ministry of tourism is reporting number of tourist arrival were up 13 percent in the first half of 2008. The World Heritage-listed ruins have been a vital engine driving Cambodia’s tourism. Cambodia has the potential attraction and provides the real experiences to tourists as Ministry of tourism has proposed a news tourism slogan-Visiting Cambodia, Kingdom of Wonder- which reflects the tremendousness of Cambodia’s tourism. During holiday vacation and peak season for tourism in Cambodia, the reservation rate in tourism industry is expected to be high.

As yet Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours, one of the leading tour operators in the Indochina Region, is ready for the TRAVEL peak season. We are fully licensed as international tour operators and recognized as a leading luxury holiday and vacation organizer arranging private and group tours to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. Why Travel with us?

Bayon Heritage offers exciting and enjoyable trips ranging from free and easy tours to challenging activities and in-depth exploration of culture, history, tradition, and lifestyle, including a wonderful variety of cuisines, vistas, and personal encounters in the enchanting, unspoiled landscapes of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

With in-depth local knowledge, our friendly tour operators provide holiday experiences that you will remember and treasure long after your holiday has ended. We tailor our tours to suit each traveler’s needs and to exceed their expectations -- including the most discerning of travelers. Customer satisfaction is highly taken in to consideration and is our great success.

Selecting Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours as your travel consultant is smarter decision making and choice to fully taste travel experience with suitable price that won’t disappoint you. So DO NOT Wait! The time is now to travel to enjoy your holiday in Indochina region with Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours who is a smart travel consultant standing next to you while on trip. To book your trip, please link to http://www.tourismindochina.com/ .


By CHHEM Samnang

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Tini Tinou Cambodia circus extravaganza

Tini Tinou 2009, Cambodia’s circus extravaganza now in its sixth year and bigger than ever, which attracts artists from around the world, will take place in both Phnom Penh (the country’s capital) and Battambang this coming March & April.

The spectacle is arranged and hosted by Phare Ponleu Selpak, whose roots are in the 1980s Thai refugee camps, caused by helpless people fleeing Cambodia as a result of the brutal Khmer Rouge regime in the late 1970s. Phare’s initial aim was to utilise visual arts to help children and young people overcome the Regime’s and subsequent 20 years of civil war’s torments. Today Phare Ponleu Selpak (meaning Light from Arts) is based in Battambang and goes from strength to strength, now providing fresh beginnings for disenfranchised and disaffected youth.

From March 10 to 26, prior to the festival officially commencing, their will be two weeks of workshops held by professionals and senior artists from around the world, such as France, Canada, Romania and Japan, to train the younger Cambodian artists.

The festival will officially open in Phnom Penh on March 28 with a colourful and exciting parade through the streets of the city, featuring all the invited artists, over 120 from 10 countries. Later that evening in the capital’s Olympic Stadium there will be a stage show, continued the following morning, with a cabaret afternoon; rich moments, unique & unmissable!

The international troupe then moves on to Battambang, where from 2 to 5 April the 12 companies from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Japan, Romania, Germany, France, Belgium, Canada and Australia, will entertain the public with feats of acrobatics, juggling, trapeze flying, tightrope displays, contortionists, tumbling, and of course everyone’s favourite the antics of the clowns…

For people wishing to visit Cambodia during this time and experience the lively atmosphere, Asia Adventures Co. Ltd. - a Cambodia tour operator, is putting together a number of itineraries that will allow people to experience the event from start to finish, or just parts of it whilst visiting other destinations in the country such as the magnificent ancient temples of Angkor Wat. ‘This is truly a unique event in South East Asia, and it is a great time to visit Cambodia where not only can you experience the ancient cultural heritage of the country, but also witness the vibrancy of contemporary Cambodia’, explained Mark Ellison, Asia Adventures Managing Director. ‘The work Phare is doing with these youngsters, lifting them off the streets and filling them with hope, seeing how much they enjoy performing, shouldn’t be missed by anyone who is in the c! ountry during this time,’ he added.


Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Will Thai Airways have the courage of Malaysia Airlines

Repeated rumors about Thai Airways International quasi-bankruptcy have surfaced in Thailand’s newspapers over the last ten days, forcing the country’s national carrier to issue a release to officially deny it. But, according to The Nation newspaper, Thai management last Thursday also had to reassure the airline’s employees assuring of “stable outlook’” and adding also that staff lay-offs would be the last option.

It is definitely true that the airline will not go bankrupt. Thailand’s government, which holds 51 percent of the airline through the Ministry of Finance, will not let it happen. Thai Airways might even get a financial injection due to a severe liquidity shortage. The airline needs some Baht 19 billion (US$ 540 million) to resolve its liquidity problems. It has earlier discussed an agreed with Airbus to postpone the first payment of six new Airbus A330-300 by three months. The six jets must be delivered over the year and replace aging aircraft such as Airbus A300 and Boeing 747-300.

Thai Airways lost already Baht 6.6 billion (US$ 188 million) during the first nine months of the year with experts estimating now that the airline could lose up to US$ 300 million. In an interview conducted in late December, Thai Airways executive vice president for commercial and marketing Pandit Chanapai estimated that the closure of both Bangkok airports between November and December had cost the airline some Baht 500 million per day.

However, Bangkok airports’ woes just accelerated a rapid downturn in the airline’s fortune. If Thai Airways wants to survive, it has to change its way to conduct business and get rid of political interference, nepotism and its culture of inefficiency. In the last decade, Thai Airways’ strategy has been constantly fluctuating due to regular changes in its board of directors. They are generally acknowledged as rather incompetent as most of them are political appointees.

Thai Airways currently has one of the oldest fleet of any large Southeast Asian carrier. On average, 11.6 years with over 20-years old aircraft such as Airbus A300 and Boeing 747-400.

Adding to the airline’s woes is its overstaffing problem. The airline currently has 27,000 employees, compared to 14,000 at Singapore Airlines or 19,000 at Malaysia Airlines.

The Thai flag carrier is also struggling to build an efficient air hub at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. complete missed integration of low cost subsidiary Nok Air into Thai’s network strategy, the forced transfer of some domestic routes to Don Muang or Thai website’s failed revamp can be described at best as “misguided” strategic decisions from the board.

Transport Minister Sopon Sarum acknowledged himself recently the need to have a board of directors capable to deal with hard times. “The new board must consist of people who can devote themselves and their time to their work,” the minister explained.

Under close scrutiny are all perks and advantages provided to all employees and especially directors and board members. The Bangkok Post revealed that the minister would like to review various allowances for fuel expenses, entertainment and attending board of directors meeting. Each year, directors, their families and accompanying passengers are entitled to 15 free first-class tickets for domestic and international routes with previous directors and their families to pay only 25 per cent of normal fares for up to 12 international and six domestic trips per year. Staff can enjoy up to 90 percent discount on air tickets, according to The Bangkok Post.

Although Thai Airways can’t indulge itself such luxuries for its employees, it is unlikely that anything will happen. The Minister will definitely face resilience from Thai staff with a board of directors watering down any decision until another Minister of Transport takes over. It is also unlikely that Thai Airways will reduce its staff, many of them being there thanks to their connections. “Retrenching employees will be the last option,” reassures Chanapai.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij asked already Thai Airways management to present a restructuration plan that will lead to financial sustainability of the airline and have long-term effects. Only a credible plan would open up the doors to the Ministry’s generosity.

Some measures have already been taken but they are certainly insufficient. According to Chanapai, Thai has started restructuring its network. Non-stop very long haul routes from Bangkok to Los Angeles and New York are already gone, Johannesburg was close on January 16 and Auckland is now under review.

“With the sharp decline in markets such as Korea and Japan, we think to provide more intra-orient flights,” added Chanapai.

Under consideration are frequencies such as Bangkok-Manila or Taiwan-Japan or Bangkok-Manila-Korea. Chanapai would also like to fly to the USA via Mainland China. Capacities will now be adjusted strictly to demand and not anticipated with a close eye on yields. But rather to close routes, Chanapai is keener to play on frequencies.

The airline wants also to renegotiate fees with its GDS. “It still costs us US$3 per transaction,” stresses the executive vice president. Other decisions include the reshaping of Thai website. “Only 3 percent of our sales are on the web as we would like to reach at least 12 percent”.

And by next March, Thai will finally retransfer all its domestic operations from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi.

Financial relief will also come from the end of a costly fuel hedging operation in March and an anticipated travelers’ come-back in the second half of the year. Despite controversies about the delivery of new Airbus A330, the brand new aircraft will help Thai airways to cut its fuel and maintenance costs substantially. But Thai Airways must further act and is due to present more measures in February. And they should be painful, if politics allow it.

The airline could take its inspiration from its Malaysian neighbor. Managed in a similar way to Thai Airways today, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was on the verge of bankruptcy in 2006. It went then through a painful but successful restructuring process. With new cash injected into the airline, Malaysia’s government also told the management that it would be the last time they would bail out the national carrier. But they also promise not to interfere into MAS management and commercial decisions. Today, Malaysia Airlines is again profitable. A lesson to be meditated by Thai authorities and Thai Airways board of directors.


Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Minority groups in Cambodia get spotlight

According to media sources in Phnom Penh, the Center for Advanced Study (CAS) has announced a release of the first book about the history of ethnic minority groups in Cambodia.

The 664-page book examines the lifestyles and cultures of Cambodian residents of Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Laotian descent, as well as members of Muslim and other minority communities, CAS director Hun Sokhom was quoted by the Phnom Penh Post as saying.

"We hope the book will help Khmer people better understand the traditions and cultures of each ethnic group," Hun Sokhun said, adding that he believed that widespread distribution of the book will reduce discrimination directed at minority groups.

The book is based on two separate studies carried out by Khmer and foreign experts - a three-month study by the United Nations in 1996, and a 12-month study in 2006, paid for by the Rockefeller Foundation, according to the newspaper.

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Phnom Penh traffic strong, Siem Reap dips slightly

Full year figures are in for Cambodia’s two airports and while the airport serving the capital Phnom Penh held its own, the more leisure hub of Siem Reap dipped slightly as leisure travelers opted to stay at home.

Following years of dramatic growth levels Phnom Penh International Airport (PNH) lifted by 5.6% to 1.69 million visitors from the 2007 level of 1.6 million passengers, holding steady amidst global uncertainties.

Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SEP), which services the world heritage site of Angkor Wat saw a marked downturn of leisure traffic, dropping 11.6% down to 1.53 million passengers for the full year from 1.73 million achieved in 2007.

Despite the fact the Phnom Penh serviced the capital city; traffic at the touristier SEP overtook PNH in 2006. This recent dip edges PNH back in front.

Forecasts for 2009 show that whilst the capital is expected to slightly grow its traffic numbers Siem Reap, on the other hand, is expected to continue its contraction.

Both PNH and SEP are managed by Cambodia Airports. The government run aviation body also runs Sihanoukville International Airport (KOS), the country’s third, and newest, international airport which does not yet offer scheduled services.

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Will Thai Airways have the courage of Malaysia Airlines

Repeated rumors about Thai Airways International quasi-bankruptcy have surfaced in Thailand’s newspapers over the last ten days, forcing the country’s national carrier to issue a release to officially deny it. But, according to The Nation newspaper, Thai management last Thursday also had to reassure the airline’s employees assuring of “stable outlook’” and adding also that staff lay-offs would be the last option.

It is definitely true that the airline will not go bankrupt. Thailand’s government, which holds 51 percent of the airline through the Ministry of Finance, will not let it happen. Thai Airways might even get a financial injection due to a severe liquidity shortage. The airline needs some Baht 19 billion (US$ 540 million) to resolve its liquidity problems. It has earlier discussed an agreed with Airbus to postpone the first payment of six new Airbus A330-300 by three months. The six jets must be delivered over the year and replace aging aircraft such as Airbus A300 and Boeing 747-300.

Thai Airways lost already Baht 6.6 billion (US$ 188 million) during the first nine months of the year with experts estimating now that the airline could lose up to US$ 300 million. In an interview conducted in late December, Thai Airways executive vice president for commercial and marketing Pandit Chanapai estimated that the closure of both Bangkok airports between November and December had cost the airline some Baht 500 million per day.

However, Bangkok airports’ woes just accelerated a rapid downturn in the airline’s fortune. If Thai Airways wants to survive, it has to change its way to conduct business and get rid of political interference, nepotism and its culture of inefficiency. In the last decade, Thai Airways’ strategy has been constantly fluctuating due to regular changes in its board of directors. They are generally acknowledged as rather incompetent as most of them are political appointees.

Thai Airways currently has one of the oldest fleet of any large Southeast Asian carrier. On average, 11.6 years with over 20-years old aircraft such as Airbus A300 and Boeing 747-400.

Adding to the airline’s woes is its overstaffing problem. The airline currently has 27,000 employees, compared to 14,000 at Singapore Airlines or 19,000 at Malaysia Airlines.

The Thai flag carrier is also struggling to build an efficient air hub at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi. complete missed integration of low cost subsidiary Nok Air into Thai’s network strategy, the forced transfer of some domestic routes to Don Muang or Thai website’s failed revamp can be described at best as “misguided” strategic decisions from the board.

Transport Minister Sopon Sarum acknowledged himself recently the need to have a board of directors capable to deal with hard times. “The new board must consist of people who can devote themselves and their time to their work,” the minister explained.

Under close scrutiny are all perks and advantages provided to all employees and especially directors and board members. The Bangkok Post revealed that the minister would like to review various allowances for fuel expenses, entertainment and attending board of directors meeting. Each year, directors, their families and accompanying passengers are entitled to 15 free first-class tickets for domestic and international routes with previous directors and their families to pay only 25 per cent of normal fares for up to 12 international and six domestic trips per year. Staff can enjoy up to 90 percent discount on air tickets, according to The Bangkok Post.

Although Thai Airways can’t indulge itself such luxuries for its employees, it is unlikely that anything will happen. The Minister will definitely face resilience from Thai staff with a board of directors watering down any decision until another Minister of Transport takes over. It is also unlikely that Thai Airways will reduce its staff, many of them being there thanks to their connections. “Retrenching employees will be the last option,” reassures Chanapai.

Finance Minister Korn Chatikavanij asked already Thai Airways management to present a restructuration plan that will lead to financial sustainability of the airline and have long-term effects. Only a credible plan would open up the doors to the Ministry’s generosity.

Some measures have already been taken but they are certainly insufficient. According to Chanapai, Thai has started restructuring its network. Non-stop very long haul routes from Bangkok to Los Angeles and New York are already gone, Johannesburg was close on January 16 and Auckland is now under review.

“With the sharp decline in markets such as Korea and Japan, we think to provide more intra-orient flights,” added Chanapai.

Under consideration are frequencies such as Bangkok-Manila or Taiwan-Japan or Bangkok-Manila-Korea. Chanapai would also like to fly to the USA via Mainland China. Capacities will now be adjusted strictly to demand and not anticipated with a close eye on yields. But rather to close routes, Chanapai is keener to play on frequencies.

The airline wants also to renegotiate fees with its GDS. “It still costs us US$3 per transaction,” stresses the executive vice president. Other decisions include the reshaping of Thai website. “Only 3 percent of our sales are on the web as we would like to reach at least 12 percent”.

And by next March, Thai will finally retransfer all its domestic operations from Don Muang to Suvarnabhumi.

Financial relief will also come from the end of a costly fuel hedging operation in March and an anticipated travelers’ come-back in the second half of the year. Despite controversies about the delivery of new Airbus A330, the brand new aircraft will help Thai airways to cut its fuel and maintenance costs substantially. But Thai Airways must further act and is due to present more measures in February. And they should be painful, if politics allow it.

The airline could take its inspiration from its Malaysian neighbor. Managed in a similar way to Thai Airways today, Malaysia Airlines (MAS) was on the verge of bankruptcy in 2006. It went then through a painful but successful restructuring process. With new cash injected into the airline, Malaysia’s government also told the management that it would be the last time they would bail out the national carrier. But they also promise not to interfere into MAS management and commercial decisions. Today, Malaysia Airlines is again profitable. A lesson to be meditated by Thai authorities and Thai Airways board of directors.


Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Asia Pacific travel sector will get worse before it gets better

Key Asian tourism destinations including Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and India are bracing themselves for a weak 2009, as traveller numbers are expected to drop.

In a recent report from the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the tourism body recognised that the tourism sector in the Asia Pacific bore much of the brunt in the last quarter of 2008.

“The slowdown was particularly strong since August following the spike in oil prices and the consequent cuts in airline capacity and increasing transport costs,” noted the UNWTO.

“In the shorter term, overall prospects – against continuing downward revisions in macro-economic expectations and primary generating markets in recession – look quite gloomy.”

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) too has noted that traffic in and out of the Asia Pacific has dropped more than any other region in recent months.

In comparison, North America traffic figures were doing relatively well due to having entered the downward trend much earlier than the Asia Pacific.

IATA notes that in 2009, “North America [aviation] will be the only region in the black,” whereas the Asia Pacific is expected to see losses more than double from the US$500 million in 2008 to US$1.1 billion.

For these destinations a drop in capacity from carrier will translate to weaker profits across the board, from hotels to attractions as well as restaurants and convention centers.

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/
More about Cambodia Rice Exporter, please visit: http://www.cambodiaorganic.com/

Read more...

Cambodia Tourism Peak Season: Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours ready to serve

Cambodia tourism is growing notably. Cambodian Ministry of tourism is reporting number of tourist arrival were up 13 percent in the first half of 2008. The World Heritage-listed ruins have been a vital engine driving Cambodia’s tourism. Cambodia has the potential attraction and provides the real experiences to tourists as Ministry of tourism has proposed a news tourism slogan-Visiting Cambodia, Kingdom of Wonder- which reflects the tremendousness of Cambodia’s tourism. During holiday vacation and peak season for tourism in Cambodia, the reservation rate in tourism industry is expected to be high.

As yet Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours, one of the leading tour operators in the Indochina Region, is ready for the TRAVEL peak season. We are fully licensed as international tour operators and recognized as a leading luxury holiday and vacation organizer arranging private and group tours to Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar. Why Travel with us?

Bayon Heritage offers exciting and enjoyable trips ranging from free and easy tours to challenging activities and in-depth exploration of culture, history, tradition, and lifestyle, including a wonderful variety of cuisines, vistas, and personal encounters in the enchanting, unspoiled landscapes of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar.

With in-depth local knowledge, our friendly tour operators provide holiday experiences that you will remember and treasure long after your holiday has ended. We tailor our tours to suit each traveler’s needs and to exceed their expectations -- including the most discerning of travelers. Customer satisfaction is highly taken in to consideration and is our great success.

Selecting Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours as your travel consultant is smarter decision making and choice to fully taste travel experience with suitable price that won’t disappoint you. So DO NOT Wait! The time is now to travel to enjoy your holiday in Indochina region with Bayon Heritage Travel and Tours who is a smart travel consultant standing next to you while on trip. To book your trip, please link to http://www.tourismindochina.com/ .


By CHHEM Samnang

Cambodia tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/cambodia/tours/
Vietnam tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/vietnam/tours/
Laos tours=> http://www.tourismindochina.com/laos/tours/

Read more...