Tourism Indochina: Tourism responding to the Challenge of Climate Change

Tourism Indochina: Tourism responding to the Challenge of Climate Change

The conference “Tourism – Responding to Climate and Poverty Imperatives”, held in the context of ITB 2008, focused on tourism’s role in the global climate response in solidarity with other sectors. As one of the principle services exports in the world’s poorest and emerging countries, tourism has the potential to act effectively on the common cause of climate change response, linking it closely with the fight against poverty.


As the UN agency in charge of tourism, UNWTO is leading the positioning of the sector within the global efforts on climate response and poverty alleviation. UNWTO’s approach matches the road map laid out by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the broader UN System Agenda.


The Davos Declaration Process promoted by UNWTO “urges action by the entire tourism sector to face climate change as one of the greatest challenges to sustainable development, and to the UN Millennium Development Goals in the 21st Century.”


“Climate change response and poverty alleviation are complementary goals. All tourism stakeholders will very soon support concrete consensus measures to address these challenges. Our focus on climate change and the broader development agenda coincides with the active support of the UN Millennium Development Goals”, UNWTO Assistant Secretary-General Geoffrey Lipman.


This is the message presented by UNWTO during the thematic debate ‘Addressing Climate Change: The United Nations and the World at Work’, held in February at UN Headquarters in New York. UNWTO will mobilize its more than 150 Member States and its Affiliate Members in the private and academic community, representing a network of thousands of stakeholders in the tourism family.


By UNWTO

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Tourism Indochina: Travel Indochina sets new standards in responsible tourism

Tourism Indochina: Travel Indochina sets new standards in responsible tourism

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-09-18):

Our collective impact on the environment is rapidly becoming a greater concern, and Travel Indochina has responded to this concern by showing travelers how they can make a difference while on vacation without sacrificing any of the fun.

With local offices in the region, the leading Asia specialist’s overseas team is able to hand-pick suppliers who operate in accordance with its responsible travel principles. Travel Indochina not only requires responsible behavior from its suppliers, but works closely with them to develop and set new standards in the tourism industry.

In June 2008, one of the tour operator’s most popular hotels, the Anantara Golden Triangle in Chiang Rai, Thailand, was recognized by Forbes Traveler in the “World’s Most Responsible Hotels” category. Set in a stunning location, overlooking the hills of Myanmar and Laos, this magical property was recognized for the humanitarian efforts it has made in protecting the environment and promoting conservation. A highlight of a stay in this beautiful resort is a visit to the elephant camp, set in a lush bamboo forest.

Travel Indochina’s Business Development Manager, David Rothschild, explains why the hotel fits the bill: “The Anantara Golden Triangle exemplifies responsible travel for us. The sanctuary not only acts as a safe haven for the elephants, but in addition provides steady employment for its keepers and their families. This is just one example demonstrating the types of projects supported by Travel Indochina.

In addition to doing business exclusively with travel partners who practice responsible tourism behaviors, Travel Indochina seeks to support the people in those communities visited by its tours. For example, the company supports KOTO (Know One, Teach One), an organization that has trained nearly 250 Vietnamese street and disadvantaged kids to be chefs and service staff. In Cambodia, Travel Indochina supports the Angkor Hospital for Children, which provides inpatient and outpatient care to needy children. It also trains Cambodian health care professionals, and promotes public health initiatives in Siem Reap province and greater Cambodia. In Laos, Travel Indochina supports the work of Big Brother Mouse (BBM), a project aimed at publishing books for children to increase literacy levels in Lao PDR.

The Small Group Journeys and tailor-made travel arrangements offered by Travel Indochina allow for more genuine experiences with local people and their environments. Travel Indochina vacation experiences avoid the negative impacts of mass tourism. With group sizes limited to a maximum of 15 people, Travel Indochina’s customers benefit from opportunities for cultural exchange, with options such as home stays and eco-lodge experiences enabling social interaction with people from different backgrounds.

Travel Indochina differs from many other tour operators in that it employs local staff, wherever possible, in its overseas offices. This team is one of Travel Indochina’s most valuable assets and customers benefit from the responsible way in which they are looked after. Local staff members are well-trained, treated and compensated and their passion for their countries is widely recognized by Travel Indochina’s customers.

Mr. Rothschild explains: “Worldwide, we have a loyal base of clients who come back to Travel Indochina time and time again and it’s our team that makes the real difference. The combination of local English speaking guides and Western tour leaders means our customers get the best of both worlds and, as a result, our hand-picked itineraries are full of unforgettable experiences that travelers will not find with other companies.”


Source: Travel Daily News

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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia celebrates the World Tourism Day

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia celebrates the World Tourism Day

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-03):

Tourism responding to challenge of climate change is the hot topic of United Nation World Tourism Organization for world tourism day celebrating on 27 September 2008. This topic has trigged tourism and related field the discussion how tourism contributes to challenges of climate change which are the world hot issue. As one of the principle services exports in the world’s poorest and emerging countries, tourism has the potential to act effectively on the common cause of climate change response, linking it closely with the fight against poverty.

To raise public awareness on tourism and climate change and congratulate to the World Tourism Day, Ministry of Tourism in Cambodia has proposed the tourism day‘s topic and called for discussion among tourism students under the topic of “Tourism Responding to the Challenge of Climate Change”. This celebration aims to raise the tourism and climate awareness among publicity and also provide some recommendations, adaptations and strategies to minimize CO2 in tourism sector. Responding to the challenge of climate change, tourism officials suggested that ecotourism could be one of good tourism development solution that pay much attention of environmental conservation, which help deal with the climate change. As Cambodia has recently draft the National Ecotourism Policy, many articles in this policy has also mentioned about how ecotourism policy response to the climate change and develop in a sustainable manner.

Despite the fact that tourism sector has the potential to act the common cause of climate change, Tourism Sector is not the main cause to the climate change. Yet the industries that produce much green house gas are the main causes to the global warming and lead to climate change. Tourism, however, is still one among the others sectors that address keys solution to these challenges. With this context, Cambodia tourism sector has very little contribution in this global issue because Cambodia is a developing country and tourism is just a noticeable sector accelerating Cambodia economic in the last several years.

Ministry of Tourism represents its consideration in promoting the challenges of climate change and sustainable development among tourism development agencies, business and publicity in order to mitigate negative impacts and maximize profit in harmony with the codes of environmental responsibility. The Ministry also hopes all relevant stakeholders in tourism sector will help address this issue and make the balance between development and conservation while increasing the community welfare.


By CHHEM Samnang


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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

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Tourism Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia joins hands for bilateral development

Tourism Indochina: Vietnam, Cambodia joins hands for bilateral development

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-08):

Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Khiem and Cambodian counterpart Hor Namhong signed Monday agreements to cooperate in areas of education, agro-forestry and fishery, and culture-sports and tourism.

Under the plans, Vietnam will provide 550 scholarships for Cambodian students to study in Vietnam and build a vocational school in its neighbor’s Mondulkiri Province.

Cambodia, meanwhile, agrees to expedite the allocation of 100,000 hectares of land for Vietnam to plant rubber trees.

The two neighbors urged for closer collaboration between localities that host UNESCO’s World Heritage sites to boost local tourism industries.

Additionally, the officials also authorized deals to cooperate in fields of health, labor, transport and civil aviation.

The four-day meeting of the Vietnam-Cambodia Joint Committee in central Da Nang City, chaired by Khiem and Namhong, will wrap up today.


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Tourism Indochina: UN launches best practices for sustainable tourism

Tourism Indochina: UN launches best practices for sustainable tourism

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-09):

While ‘sustainable tourism’ and ‘environmental sustainability’ have been critical buzzwords around the industry these past few months, this is the first time the UN has launched a globally relevant best practices criteria.

Launched together with the Rainforest Alliance, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), this newest UN framework has been 15 months in the making.

“Sustainability is just like the old business adage: ‘you don’t encroach on the principal, you live off the interest’,” said Ted Turner, United Nations Foundation Founder and Chairman.

“Unfortunately, up to this point, the travel industry and tourists haven’t had a common framework to let them know if they’re really living up to that maxim.

“But the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria (GSTC) will change that. This is a win-win initiative – good for the environment and good for the world’s tourism industry,” he adds.

Announced at the International Union for the Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) World Conservation Congress, the GSTC was founded by a coalition of 27 organizations, including representatives from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.

“In order to minimize the negative impacts of this growth, sustainability should translate from words to facts, and be an imperative for all tourism stakeholders,” adds Francesco Frangialli, UNWTO Secretary-General.

“The GSTC initiative will undoubtedly constitute a major reference point for the entire tourism sector and an important step in making sustainability an inherent part of tourism development.”

It is estimated by the UNWTO that by 2020, 1.6 billion travellers will be crisscrossing the planet.

More than 4,500 criteria were analyzed and more than 80,000 people in the creation of the GSTC.

Full criteria can be found at www.SustainableTourismCriteria.org.

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Tourism Indochina: Thai political violence threatens tourism, economy

Tourism Indochina: Thai political violence threatens tourism, economy

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-09):

Thailand's worst street violence in 16 years has already started to hurt the lucrative tourist industry and will do nothing to help an economy feeling the effects of the global credit crisis, tourism officials and analysts said.

Two people died and over 400 were injured on Tuesday when police clashed with demonstrator’s intent on toppling the government. That ended a period of comparative calm after a short state of emergency in response to previous unrest in September.

"Bookings have recovered since the lifting of the emergency rule. But there have already been some cancellations from Asian travellers since the incident yesterday," said Apichart Sankary, president of the Association of Thai Travel Agents.

"The impact is unavoidable, but the extent of the damage depends on how the situation ends ...Will it be a happy or a painful ending? Of course, another coup will be bad," he added.

Thailand had a military coup in September 2006. An elected government that took office at the start of this year has been contested in the streets since May.

Apichart said there were no additions to the list of countries that issued travel warnings because of emergency rule.

However, Thai Airways International THAI.BK said on Wednesday that it would cut flights to Asian countries from next week because of a fall in passenger numbers due to the political unrest and the global financial crisis.

Thais have also been less willing to leave home because of the trouble.

"Yesterday's events were real sad," said Maiyarat Pirayakoset, president of the Association of Domestic Travel.

"Domestic travel has recovered to 60 percent of normal since the emergency was lifted. But new bookings after the clashes are a worry, especially because we are in the money-making high season."

Thailand is banking on 600 billion baht ($17.4 billion) in revenue from 15.5 million tourist arrivals this year. The sector directly employs 1.8 million people and brings in the equivalent of 6 percent of gross domestic product.



DOING ALL RIGHT Business seemed to be holding up in Bangkok's Khao San Road, a popular destination over the years for low-budget tourists and not very far from parliament, where Tuesday's clashes occurred.

"It's not as crowded as before. But we're doing all right, we still have new bookings despite some cancellations," said guest house owner Thongchai Nonthaleeluk.

Home to some of Asia's best beaches, Thailand has remained a top tourist draw despite the SARS epidemic, the Indian Ocean tsunami, bird flu and the 2006 coup.

But the long-running protests have hurt, and the appointment of new Prime Minister Somchai Wongsawat last month has done little to help, despite his initial talk of reconciliation.

"People had hoped things would get better after we had a new premier. But the clash is taking us to the same old political situation," said Aat Pisanwanich, head of international trade studies at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce. "Nobody knows what will happen and that's hurting confidence and the economy," he said.

Consumer confidence in August was already at its lowest this year.

In September the Chamber of Commerce said the political turmoil, if prolonged for another month, could cost the economy as much as 62 billion baht and might drag growth below 5 percent this year after 4.8 percent in 2007.

Foreign investors have sold a net $3.8 billion of Thai shares this year, and the value of foreign investment applications slid 44 percent in the first eight months compared with a year earlier to 179 billion baht, according to the Board of Investment.


Source:Bangkok Post

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Tourism Indochina: Tourist entries from Thailand plummet amid political turmoil

Tourism Indochina: Tourist entries from Thailand plummet amid political turmoil

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

As anti-government mobs wreak havoc on Bangkok, tourists are turning to Vietnam as an entry point to Cambodia, officials say

POLITICAL instability in Thailand has led fewer tourists to use the country as an entry point to Cambodia, with foreigners now choosing to instead go through Vietnam, tourism officials say.

"Since the former Thai prime minister put Bangkok under emergency rule, foreigners have been cancelling trips to Bangkok. Many are re-routing to Malaysia and Vietnam before flying to Siem Reap," said Kousoum Saroeuth, secretary of state for the Ministry of Tourism.

He said the number of flights and road arrivals from Vietnam has increased since fighting between Thai police and the royalist People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) broke out earlier this week.

He added that more Western tourists are visiting Cambodia, but that tourism in Thailand had fallen by 30 percent.

Kousoum Saroeuth also said the Ministry of Tourism has reassured Western and Asian tourists that Cambodia and Thailand will not go to war over the Preah Vihear temple dispute, which began in July.

"We have run advertisements on CNN, and world travellers know that Cambodia is a safe place to visit," he said.

He added that Cambodia aims to see 2.3 millions visitors by late 2008 - an increase of 13 percent over last year.

Visitors drop in Septembe The Tourism Ministry's statistics officer, Kong Sophearak, said in August some 30,000 travellers arrived in Cambodia via Bangkok. But that number fell below 30,000 in September as tensions flared between the Thai government and anti-government protestors.

By contrast, travellers entering Cambodia from Vietnam rose to 32,000 during September. "Since Bangkok issued travel warnings, the number of tourist coming to Cambodia by road declined, while those from Vietnam rose," Kong Sophearak said.

Ho Vandy, president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, said direct flights from Vietnam to Siem Reap increased from just a few flights per day last year to eight flights per day in recent months.

He said a new road leading to the Preah Vihear temple, proposed by the government in August, should be completed quickly in order to facilitate access to the World Heritage Site, and urged Asian travellers to consider direct flights to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh instead of transiting through Bangkok.

"Thailand seems to be creating unnecessary problems for travellers attempting to enter Cambodia through the international checkpoint at Poipet," Ho Vandy said. "Thai immigration police are asking tourists for several unnecessary documents. Entering from Vietnam is much more convenient."


Written by Kay Kimsong
Source: Phnom Penh Post

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Tourism Indochina: Tourism ideas seen to lack wow now factor

Tourism Indochina: Tourism ideas seen to lack wow now factor

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-16):

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has been promised support to target emerging markets such as India, the Middle East and Russia.

Donald Tsang also promised to help attract mainland visitors from provinces other than Guangdong to boost tourism. But he did not spell out exactly how much the government might contribute.

The board will establish an office overseas to promote meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions - or MICE business, as it is known.

The government and the Trade Development Council are also examining the feasibility of a phase three expansion of the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre at a nearby site.

Negotiations with Russia for a mutual visa-free agreement, meanwhile, are in their final stages.

That could make Hong Kong the first advanced region to reach such an agreement with Moscow.

Tsang said Hong Kong is also about to conclude an agreement with Macau to speed up immigration clearance for residents traveling between the two.

Hong Kong residents made 8.17 million visits to Macau last year. Under the deal, they should before the end of next year be able to clear immigration procedures using e-channels in Macau without filling out arrival forms.

On what Hong Kong offers, Tsang said cultural infrastructure and heritage conservation were just as important as economic growth.

Hexagonal rock columns and other features on the New Territories eastern coastline are unique attractions, he noted, and a geological park would provide academic research as well as tourism.

Ten sites are being considered as worthy candidates for heritage attention, including the Ninepin island group, Lai Chi Chong, Ping Chau and High Island.

On the cultural front, a revitalization of the original Central School would be modeled on the Fringe Club, though a public consultation will begin next year.

The government will also continue to back popular tourism and infrastructure, including a Kai Tak cruise terminal, the former Marine Police Headquarters in Tsim Sha Tsui and the West Kowloon Cultural District.

But the chairman of the Inbound Travel Association, Paul Leung Yiu- lam, said Tsang failed to provide fast remedies for the struggling sector. He said the government is on the right track but that it will take years for these plans to materialize.

"It is good to waive visas for Russians, but we don't have enough Russian- speaking tour guides," Leung added. For example, the SAR is better equipped for Vietnamese or English-speaking Middle Eastern tourists.

On eco-tourism, he said a geological park or revitalized heritage sites may be value-added attractions, but "if tourists want to see rocks, they don't come to Hong Kong for that."

Tourism constituency lawmaker Paul Tse Wai-chun found the policy address disappointing.

He believes organizing events such as the Rugby Sevens and the International Dragon Boat Championships will invigorate tourism quickly.


By Nickkita Lau

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Siem Reap, Cambodia : The small cycle and big cycle road around Angkor Area will be closed temporary

Siem Reap (Khmer: ក្រុងសៀមរាប) is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia, and is the gateway to Angkor region.

Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter, and around the Old Market. In the city, there are traditional Apsara dance performances, craft shops, silk farms, rice-paddy countryside, fishing villages and a bird sanctuary near the Tonle Sap Lake.

Siem Reap today, being a popular tourist destination, has a large number of hotels and restaurants. Most smaller establishments are concentrated around the Old Market area, while more expensive hotels are located between Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport and the town along National Road 6. There are a variety of mid-range hotels and restaurants along Sivatha boulevard, and mid budget to mid-range hotels in the Phsar Leu area.

The Town is a cluster of small villages along the Siem Reap River. These villages were originally developed around Buddhist pagodas (Wat) which are almost evenly spaced along the river from Wat Preah En Kau Sei in the north to Wat Phnom Krom in the south, where the Siem Reap River meets the great Tonle Sap Lake.

The main town is concentrated around Sivutha Street and the Psar Chas area (Old Market area) where there are old colonial buildings, shopping and commercial districts. The Wat Bo area is now full of guesthouses and restaurants while the Psar Leu area is often crowded with jewellery and handicraft shops, selling rubies to woodcarving. Other fast developing areas are the airport road and main road to Angkor where a number of large hotels and resorts can be found.

Recent flooding in Siem Reap by the heavy rain, APSARA Authority which manages the Temple and Tourism area in Siem Reap announces that the small cycle and big cycle road around Angkor Area will be closed temporarily for 24 seats bus.

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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Tourism Grows

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia Tourism Grows

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-10-30):

The tourism industry in Cambodia is the country's second-greatest source of hard currency after the textile industry. Between January and December 2007, visitor arrivals were 2.0 million, an increase of 18.5% over the same period in 2006. Most visitors (51%) arrived through Siem Reap with the remainder (49%) through Phnom Penh and other destinations. Other tourist destinations include Sihanoukville in the south east which has several popular beach resorts and the area around Kampot and Kep including the Bokor Hill Station. Tourism has increased steadily each year in the relatively stable period since the 1993 UNTAC elections; in 1993 there were 118,183 international tourists, and in 2009 there were 2,161,577 international tourists.

Cambodia reported visitor arrivals from January to August 2008 jumped 10.1% over the same period of 2007 to 1,398,557.

Siem Reap Angkor arrivals climbed to 722,944 visitors, with a 51.7% share, while Phnom Penh and other destinations brought in 675,613 visitors for a 48.3% share.

Foreign arrivals to Cambodia by all mean of transportations in August 2008 reached 156,098, an increase of 3% over last year. This included flights scheduled through the Phnom Penh and Siem Reap airports and all international border check points.

Phnom Penh International Airport visitor arrivals slipped 1.9% to 43,793 in August, representing a 30.4% share of the total, while Siem Reap International Airport welcomed 39,449 visitor arrivals for a 27.4% share.

Travellers arriving via land and waterways, which made up about one-third of the total number of arrivals, soared 34.6% to 61,292. Visitors arriving by land comprised 56,637 for a 36.3% share, while the number arriving by waterways jumped 36.3% to 4,655 visitors.

South Korea maintained its position at the top of the charts with 14.4% of the market from January top August 2008. Other key markets included Vietnam with a 10.0% share, Japan (7.5%), the United States (7.0%) and China (6.2%).

Most of the top long-haul suppliers showed gains including Thailand (+34.6%), France (+12.2%), the UK (+14.8%) and Australia (+23.9%). Taiwan fell 22.2%.

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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia, Taiwan and Hong Kong possible new destinations for Tiger

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia, Taiwan and Hong Kong possible new destinations for Tiger

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-11-17):

Tiger Airways has hinted at new routes to Cambodia, Taiwan and Hong Kong, as well as extra capacity to existing routes in Asia and Australia.

As Tiger gets ready to attend the 14th World Route Development Forum in Kuala Lumpur, the carrier has indicated that it intends to grow routes and capacity in these uncertain economic times.

“History tells us that the true low cost airline model is perfectly positioned to thrive in uncertain economic times,” said Steve Burns, Tiger COO.

“By building our presence on existing routes from Singapore and within Australia, and expanding our footprint to new destinations in places such as Hong Kong, Cambodia and Taiwan, we can be the first airline to offer true low fares to these destinations.”

Tiger adds that it will be in discussions with representatives from these destinations at the Forum.

In terms of where the capacity increases will go, no existing route has been ruled out, though it is expected that Malaysia, China, India, Indonesia and domestic Australian routes will be prioritized.

“With our firm aircraft order Tiger Airways is set to further grow air traffic in the Asia-Pacific region while other airlines cut back services,” adds Mr Burns.

Currently flying 12 aircraft, the airline is looking to receive four more planes in the next four months.


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Tourism Indochina:AirAsia Abolishes Fuel Surcharges across its Entire Network

Tourism Indochina:AirAsia Abolishes Fuel Surcharges across its Entire Network

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-11-18):

Asia’s leading low cost carrier, AirAsia has announced that it will be the first in the world to waive fuel surcharges across its entire network including AirAsia X destinations.

Beginning on Tuesday, November 11 both international and domestic passengers flying with AirAsia and AirAsia X will only have to pay the airlines low fares, airport taxes and administration fees.

AirAsia will commemorate this special “No more Fuel Surcharge” initiative with the launch of a regional campaign, which will give away 500,000 free seats.

AirAsia passengers can book their free seats* to all of the airlines destinations with no fuel surcharge from 12– 16 November 2008 for travel between 22 June – 24 October 2009.

Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia Berhad said: “We make every effort to ensure that we measure up to our guests’ expectations and give them the best value for their travel plans. With our brand new modern fleet fitted with leather seats and spacious cabin, an array of hot meals to choose from, high quality service, fun and friendly cabin crew, our On Time Guarantee services and now, topped with AirAsia’s “No Fuel Surcharge” initiative, AirAsia is indeed the airline to travel with.

“AirAsia’s No Fuel Surcharge is aimed to live up to AirAsia’s commitment in offering truly low fares. We believe in giving a fair and positive experience. This initiative recognizes the current economic situation and the need to provide more affordable and transparent air fares for business and leisure travellers. To top it all, we are offering 500,000 free seats to all AirAsia domestic, regional and international destinations and will shoulder the fuel surcharges from now on as a token of gratitude to our loyal guests.”

Mr Fernandes continued: “With the current economic uncertainties, we understand how important low cost travel is to the people and the economy of ASEAN countries. By abolishing our fuel surcharges, our low fares will stimulate new demand and boost tourism, thus bringing new revenue through visitor spending, stimulating employment, export earnings, and foreign investment. In addition, our increased flight frequencies and low fares can also help to bridge strong social and family ties especially for expatriates by providing accessible opportunities to return home.

“When other airlines began levying higher fuel surcharges after international fuel prices skyrocketed, AirAsia maintained the same low fuel surcharge. Instead, we expanded our route network strategically tapping new underserved markets and we use innovation and technology to remain at the forefront. Being the


1 people’s airline, it is our commitment to offer the lowest fares and provide an amazing 5-star value to our guests.”

With the launch of AirAsia’s “No More Fuel Surcharge” initiative today, AirAsia’s published fares will exclude airport taxes and administration charges.


Source ETB

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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia, UNESCO post sign of world heritage at Angkor Wat temple

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations. Its stated purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting international collaboration through education, science, and culture in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, and the human rights along with fundamental freedoms proclaimed in the UN Charter. It is the heir of the League of Nations' International Commission on Intellectual Cooperation.

UNESCO has 193 Member States and seven Associate Members. Most of the field offices are "cluster" offices covering three or more countries; there are also national and regional offices. UNESCO pursues its objectives through five major programs: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, and communication and information. Projects sponsored by UNESCO include literacy, technical, and teacher-training programmes; international science programmes; the promotion of independent media and freedom of the press; regional and cultural history projects; the promotion of cultural diversity; international cooperation agreements to secure the world cultural and natural heritage (World Heritage Sites) and to preserve human rights, and attempts to bridge the worldwide digital divide. It is also a member of the United Nations Development Group.

Tourism Indochina: Cambodia, UNESCO post sign of world heritage at Angkor Wat temple

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2008-12-02):

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 1 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia and UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization) on Monday unveiled the sign of World heritage at the Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap province, which was listed as a World Heritage in 1992.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Marcio Barbosa, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO, were presided over the ceremony at the Angkor Wat temple.

"It is a great honor for Cambodian people and the world because the Angkor Wat temple is universal for humanities," Hun Sen said at the ceremony with live radio broadcasting.

"We want to use our culture to develop the country through tourism," he said, adding that the country has hundreds of ancient temples.

"We also want to see a ceremony like this at the Preah Vihear temple," he said.

He also expressed concern that local residents in Siem Reap are trying to pump underground water which could cause damage to the Angkor Wat temple..

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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia and Vietnam Visa Exemption

Cambodia and Vietnam Visa Exemption has been into effected from 04th December 2008 onwards

First Let Read: Cambodia and Vietnam renew its visa exemption agreement

(By Aseanaffairs: November 9, 2008):

Cambodia, Vietnam sign visa agreement
Cambodia has signed a visa exemption agreement with Vietnam for ordinary passport holders during an official visit led by Prime Minister Hun Sen to Hanoi this week, Kyodo news agency quoted a senior government official as saying Saturday.

Foreign Minister Hor Namhong told reporters Cambodia has similar agreements with Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines and Laos.

Following his official visit to Vietnam on Tuesday and Wednesday, Hun Sen also participated in regional meetings among Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam on economic cooperation.

Among those meetings was the 3rd ACMECS Summit where the five neighbouring countries discussed implementation of Single Visa Scheme on Friday to facilitate entry into five southeastern Asian countries including Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

ACMECS is short for Ayeyawady-Chao Phraya-Mekong Economic Cooperation Strategy. Ayeyawady, Chao Phraya and Mekong are three mother rivers that culturally and historically unify these five countries in heart of Southeast Asia.

Those talks ended late Friday.

....

Cambodia and Vietnam Visa Exemption has been into effected from 04th December 2008 onwards

(By TourismIndochina.com:Date : 2008-12-05):

Cambodia & Vietnam Visa Exemption has been into effected from 04th December 2008 onwards Bayon Heritage Travel & Tours wish to inform that the agreement between Cambodia and Vietnam regarding toVisa Exemption will be went into effect on 04th December 2008, reference Reaksmey Kampuchea newspaper No.475,Dated:25th Nov 08. For Cambodian, Cambodian gets Visa Exemption to Malaysia, Singapore, Phillipine and Lao PDR. And Vietnam is the 5th country of Visa Exemption agreement with Cambodia.

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Tourism Indochina: Medical travel: vital to maintaining demand

Tourism Indochina: Medical travel: vital to maintaining demand

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-12-09):

Recent findings have suggested that the multi-billion dollar medical travel sector will be the next best thing to drive demand as mainstream sectors become increasingly threatened.

Focus On Medical Travel- fad or focus for hotel operators and investors?, conducted by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, found that hotel operators and investors are yet to tap into the medical travel sector’s full potential.

Currently, Asia drives the medical travel industry – in particular Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia and India.

According to Mark Wynne Smith, CEO for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels, those countries have been developing first-class facilities with highly skilled medical specialists that have been trained abroad.

This results in the attraction of international tourists that want high-quality and relatively low-cost healthcare, said Smith.

Smith predicts that this market will expand increasingly in the future, with Eastern Europe, Turkey and Dubai already getting on the bandwagon.

Medical tourism will see travelers seeking for hotels and resort offering medical spas and rehabilitation at attractive destinations. There are already an estimated 120 spas, health clubs and clinics offering wellness treatments in Dubai alone.

“By 2015, the United Arab Emirates could be amongst the top spa destinations in the world with an estimated 200 hotels offering world-class facilities”

The research suggests that stakeholders ensure that the medical travel industry maintains accurate, high-quality and accessible information and care to garner a cemented reputation amongst travellers.

In turn, this will allow partnerships between hotel chains, property developers, airlines, insurance companies and financial institutions to tap the full potential of the medical travel sector.

“These partnerships are vital as medical travelers need the security and peace of mind provided by purchasing an all-inclusive package for their trip” concluded Smith.

Source: ETB

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Tourism Indochina: CAMBODIA is hoping to lure more Chinese visitors

Tourism Indochina: CAMBODIA is hoping to lure more Chinese visitors

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-12-16):

According to some Cambodian media resources, tourism authorities hope to double the number of Chinese visits within the next two year.

CAMBODIA is hoping to lure more Chinese visitors in the wake of crippling anti-government protests in Thailand and falling arrivals from Western countries hit by the global financial crisis, tourism officials told the Phnom Penh Post Monday.

Tourism Minister Dr. Thong Khon said that China is a growing tourism market and that officials plan to double the number of Chinese visitors by the end of 2009.

China is the fifth-largest market after Korea, Viet Nam, Japan and the United States, with 10,776 visiting Cambodia in the first 10 months of 2008, according to Tourism Ministry figures.

An April 2008 report by the Tourism Ministry said that 6.4 percent of the total number of tourists to Cambodia in the first four months of the year was Chinese.

In 2007, Cambodia received 94,374 Chinese tourists out of a total of 2,015,128 visitors, according to the Tourism Ministry.

"We plan to attract a large number of Chinese tourists to Cambodia in 2009, and step -by-step we will double the number to keep the tourism industry strong," Dr. Thong Khon said.

"We expect that a lot of Chinese tourists will visit Cambodia soon, if there are more flights than before ... and plan to advertise to attract Chinese tourists through CCTV1 television," he added. "Through this plan, we expect that big Chinese airline companies will increase their activity, too."

There are currently four air routes between Cambodia and China, namely from Beijing, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Guangzhou, Dr. Thong Khon said.

Ho Vandy, chairman of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents (CATA), said the Tourism Ministry's plan might help attract more Chinese tourists.

He added however, that he does not expect the numbers to increase dramatically until 2010.

"I think the Tourism Ministry's plan to attract Chinese tourists to Cambodia is a golden opportunity, because China is warning their people not to visit Thailand, which is under turmoil," Ho Vandy said.

According to an evaluation by the World Tourism Organisation (WTO) up to 2020, China will get 100 million international visitors, while the country will also provide 100 million visitors to countries in the region.

Lao Heng, Chairman of VLK Tour Company, said that an increase in Chinese tourism would help offset declining visitors from the US and Europe.

"I think we should not depend on only European tourists," he told the phnom Penh Post.

"We had better look at regional tourists, because our people need food to eat."

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Tourism Indochina:The Rating System Boost the Quality of Accommodation and Attract More Visitors

Tourism Indochina:The Rating System Boost the Quality of Accommodation and Attract More Visitors

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-12-19):

THE government on Tuesday urged all of Cambodia's hotel owners to apply for a rating classification it says will improve the quality of services and attract more international travelers.

The rating system was first announced by a 2003 subdecree and awarded up to three stars based on the size and number of rooms, location, facilities, design, environmental impact, and food and service standards.

The system will now offer hotels the option of applying for up to five stars, based on the type of services they offer, Minister of Tourism Thong Khon told reporters Tuesday at a workshop on ecotourism.

"I believe that [hotel owners] will apply for classification because without it, they will lose customers." Only 10 hotels currently hold classification rankings, but the ministry has taken steps to make the registration process as simple as possible, Thong Khon said.

To receive a ranking, hotels will need to submit an application that includes a description of the services they offer and the number of stars they want, Thong Khon said.

An internationally trained three-member evaluation task force from the ministry's Hotel Classification Committee then reviews the applicant and gives an aggregate score, which determines the number of stars assigned, he said.

"If a hotel gets a score of 800, the rating will be five stars. A lower score will receive a lower rating," he said.

Rankings will be valid for only two years, after which hotels must reapply, he said, adding that application costs run between US$300 and $500, depending on the number of stars assigned.

Philip Set Kao, general manager of the Borei Angkor Resort and Spa, said hotel grading was not the only way to attract business. "I think the classification of hotels is the right thing to do to make them more competitive. But I believe that many hotels will not do it because they have done well without it," he said.


Source Phnom Penh Post

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Tourism Indochina: Setting up new charter on combating pilot fatigue

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2009-01-29):

Tourism Indochina: Setting up new charter on combating pilot fatigue

After several recent studies that many pilots are flying whilst fatigued, the United Nations’ aviation agency announced that it is working on a new charter to better combat pilot fatigue.

The International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) will take steps to drop the existing standards to battle fatigue which only consider hours of flight time, for a new model which considers things like sleep cycles, quality of rest breaks, and even nutrition.

Using the relatively new concept of “fatigue risk management systems”, an ICAO spokesperson said the existing standards will be reviewed before June this year, and new best practices could be launched by year’s end.

Some sleep experts have placed being fatigued to being more detrimental to motor skills than being drunk.

Many pilots are concerned about current standards which only consider time up in the air, and not layover and transiting period. They have been seeking mandated rest periods to be determined by total time on duty instead.

In Europe a 47-page report released this month by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) raised serious concerns about the number of pilots who were potentially flying fatigued due to work conditions such as long hours, crossing time zones and having to work too often at night.

EASA’s report, which was written by ten experts across the EU, recommended including at least ten hours sleep for crew, meal breaks for 30 minutes ever six hours as well as a shorter 10 minute break every three hours.

In the US the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has this year introduced new rules for long-haul flights to ensure pilots receive quality rest breaks, which is already seen seven major airlines file an appeal to block the move saying it will incur “significant costs”

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First Boeing 747:8 resplendent in Lufthansa livery

The first Boeing 747-8 Intercontinental emerged from the paint hangar at Boeing’s Everett factory near Seattle on Sunday resplendent in the Lufthansa livery. The fuselage is painted in the classic Lufthansa White, while the tailfin and the Lufthansa logo on the fuselage are painted in Night Blue. The Lufthansa emblem on the tailfin – an encircled crane in flight – is offset in Night Blue against a Melon Yellow background.

After completing extensive ground tests, the aircraft will undergo initial test flights in November, and is scheduled to go into service next spring with the registration D-ABYA. Lufthansa is the launch customer for the passenger version of the Boeing 747-8 and has therefore been involved from the outset in the design of the aircraft. The Boeing 747-8 has been stretched by six metres compared with the Boeing 747-400. The new Jumbo measures 76.3 metres in length, making it the world’s longest passenger airliner.

The Boeing 747-8 is also setting new standards in terms of sustainability. For example, the redesigned wings with their state-of-the-art profile and ranked wingtips give the aircraft an aerodynamic advantage. In addition, the newly developed GEnx-2B67 engines offer greater fuel efficiency as well as reduced emissions and noise levels. The Boeing 747-8 consumes 13 per cent less fuel than the Boeing 747-400.

Lufthansa has ordered 20 Boeing 747-8s, which are due for delivery from the beginning of 2012 through to mid-2015, and also has options on a further 20 aircraft. Source ETB

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