Tourism Indochina: Guests commend Airasia's self check in service

Tourism Indochina: Guests commend Airasia's self check in service

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2009-02-22)

AirAsia guests have commended the airlines’ latest addition to its self check-in facility – the web check-in that was made available from Tuesday, 17 February 2009.

With the new innovation, air travelers can now save time on pre-departure procedures by using the free- of-charge web check-in facility implemented across AirAsia and AirAsia X’s entire network.

“This is a wonderful innovation. With AirAsia’s web check-in, I can perform check-in myself in the office. I do not have to worry about long queues at the counters anymore. It allows me to plan my trip better and saves me a lot of time, and it minimizes chances of missing my flight,” said Janice Kuek, an AirAsia guest from Kuala Lumpur when met at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal today.

The web check-in facility allows AirAsia and AirAsia X guests to skip long check-in queues at the airport if they web check in at www.airasia.com from 48 to 4 hours before their scheduled flight departure.? Web check in is available for all AirAsia and AirAsia X flights.

During web check-in, guests may also opt for AirAsia’s Baggage Supersize and “Pick A Seat,” new services that allow for carriage of more baggage weight and the option to choose seats, respectively. “Pick A Seat” has been smoothly implemented on all AirAsia flights beginning 17 February 2009.

Another guest, Nazatul Ismail Kamaruddin from Sungai Buloh who was en route to Bandung for a holiday with his family, said: “The web check-in is really convenient for me and my family. All we need to do upon reaching the airport is present our printed boarding passes and drop our luggage at the special counter. Also, with Pick A Seat, we no longer have to worry about rushing to board the aircraft. With a nominal fee we can choose where we want to sit, and that is important for a family with small kids like us.”

Kathleen Tan, Regional Head of Commercial, AirAsia, said, “At AirAsia, long check-in queues will be history.? We have invested in technology that now offers web check-in services to guests flying across our network of over 114 routes to over 64 destinations.? With our increasing use of technology to enhance services, we stay in step with the needs of our guests, who call for convenience in their travels.”

AirAsia’s web check-in is complemented by the self check-in kiosks that allow self-check in from 6 to 1 hour before departure. Airports that allow kiosk check-in include those in Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur, Johor Bahru, Penang), Thailand (Chiang Mai, Hatyai, and Phuket) and Indonesia (Jakarta and Bali).

With the latest addition of web check-in facility, AirAsia now boasts of three check-in options for its guests:? via web at www.airasia.com, self check-in kiosk at selected airports, and through conventional check-in counters at airports.

“We expect our host of check-in options to increase demand for AirAsia seats, especially among professionals and young adults who gravitate towards fast and efficient do-it-yourself electronic services.? This increase in demand can only strengthen AirAsia’s lead among low-cost airlines in Asia.? Our string of innovations brings ease of travel to guests from Southeast Asia, China, Bangladesh, India, Australia and UK.? These electronic services are incredibly user-friendly; guests from all walks can easily use them,” Kathleen said.

Check In Options

1. To check in via the web, guests must log on to www.airasia.com between 48 to 4 hours before flight departure, key in details pertinent to their travel, then print their web check-in boarding passes.

2. To check in via self check-in kiosk, guests need to key in details pertinent to their travel into self check-in machines at selected airports.

3. At the airport, domestic travelers with check-in baggage go to the baggage drop/document check counter before proceeding to the departure gate.?

4. All international travelers go to the document check counter for baggage check-in, if needed, and travel document verification before proceeding to immigration and departure gates.

5. Domestic travelers with check-in baggage and all international travelers need to receive verification stamps on their web check-in boarding pass before proceeding to the departure gate.

Web and kiosk check-in are available to guests except those who are expectant mothers, traveling with infants, 16 years old and below and traveling alone, traveling in a group of more than 9 under the same reservation number, and those who have reduced mobility and special needs and who book flights using credit cards within 24 hours of flight departure.? Kiosk check-in is not available to guests who fly within 12 hours after booking their seats? Other terms and conditions apply.


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Tourism Indochina: Gulf Air signs on for four new Boeings

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2009-02-25 ): Intent on continuing re-fleeting and product-enhancement plans, Gulf Air signed an agreement with Jet Airways late last week to lease four new Boeing 777 ER aircraft.

The national carrier of Bahrain will receive three aircraft during March of this year and the fourth plane will arrive in May.

Trade Arabia reported that the new Boeings will slowly replace the Airbus 340s, serving routes between London, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and intra Gulf routes.

“The introduction of these four aircraft is another important step in our strategic direction towards re-fleeting, enhancing our product and strengthening our presence as the carrier of choice in the Middle East and beyond” said CEO.

As the largest long-range twin-engine commercial airplane in the world, the wide-body Boeing 777-300ER will feature a three class configuration with a total of 312 seats.

“It will further strengthen our successful hub-and-spoke network and our operational efficiency while offering enhanced passenger comfort and flying experience”

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3rd World Ecotourism Conference to be held by Discovery Mice in Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Ahead of the 3rd 'World Ecotourism Conference', to be held by Discovery Mice in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, UNWTO Secretary-General outlines the value of ecotourism and UNWTO's commitment to sustainable tourism development. This event will be celebrated in Sihanouk Ville Cambodia with discussion panel about ecotourism sustainable development of Minister of Tourism in Cambodia.

The Ministry of Tourism is pleased to collaborate with UNWTO and DISCOVERYMICE to deliver yet another productive platform for global ecotourism leaders to share, learn and network. .

Our proposed sustainable and responsible development of the Phnom Penh-Sihanouk Ville Ecotourism Corridor will provide a wide range of experiences from National Parks to pristine nature reserves, Dr. Thong Kun, Minister of Tourism.

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Tourism Indochina: Asia to suffer this year as travel demand slumps

(TourismIndochina: Date : 2009-02-27 ): Experts suggest new figures set to be released at the ITB Future Day in March will show a significant drop in the travel demand in Asia for 2009.

The 2009 ITB World Travel Trends Report is still being finalised but the preliminary trends show Asia will suffer a challenging 2009.

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) reported that the growth of inbound and outbound international travel in Asia fell from 6% in January-June to 2-3% in the second half when fuel prices soared and the economy cracked.

Rolf Freitag, President of IPK International, suggested that many leading source markets for Asia which experienced declines in outbound travel in 2008 will most likely experience it further in 2009.

However there is a light at the end of the tunnel according to Dr Martin Buck, Director of the Competence Center Travel & Logistics at Messe Berlin.

“It is still possible that Asia could start to recover before the end of 2009”

“Initial findings in the World Travel Trends Report still point to a modest overall growth in outbound travel demand from Asian markets in 2009”

“We expect short-haul travel to gain at the expense of long-haul demand. And if oil prices stay low, there could be another surge in low-cost flights in the region”

Asia will now rely on younger consumers which, according to Dr Yuwa Hedrick-Wong, economic advisor, Asia/Pacific, MasterCard Worldwide, are being much more powerful travellers.

“Young consumers in Asia Pacific now typically see personal travel as a key activity in their lifestyles” said Mr Hedrick Wong.

“Our research on consumer purchasing priorities shows personal travel ranking among the top discretionary spend priorities for consumers in the region”

The finalised ITB World Travel Trends Report 2009 will be released at the ITB Convention on ITB Future Day, Wednesday 11 March 2009.

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Tourism Indochina: Growth Triangle tourism cooperation

(TourismIndochina-Date : 2009-03-02) Phetchaburi - Leaders of Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia on Saturday agreed to step up closer tourism cooperation under the Indonesia-Malaysia-Thailand Growth Triangle in a campaign to be launched this year.

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also urged his two counterparts, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono of Indonesia and Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Badawi, to further cooperate in energy to strengthen regional security in the longer term.

The three leaders held talks on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations summit in Cha-am district of Phetchaburi.

PM's Office Minister Virachai Virameteekul said after the fourth IMT-GT meeting, chaired by the Indonesian president, that the new tourism campaign for the sub-region would be officially launched in Sumatra Island in coming months as a joint effort between the three countries.

The private sector would be encouraged to take leading role to promote tourism opportunity in the sub-region including medical tourism, he said.

Mr Abhisit has expressed his opinion that tourism would be the key for IMT-GT members to get through the current global economic crisis.

Besides, the premier called on Indonesia to develop cooperation on liquefied natural gas. With Malaysia, Thailand proposed joint development of the energy land bridge which is a part of Thailand's long-delayed Southern Seaboard project.

The southern seaboard has been suggested to be developing in line with Malaysia's northern and eastern regional development plan.

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Tourism Indochina: Vietnam Airlines aims to rank second in South East Asian

Vietnam Airlines aims to rank second in South East Asian

Vietnam Airlines Company Limited, trading as Vietnam Airlines (Vietnamese: Hãng Hàng không Quốc gia Việt Nam), is the national flag carrier of Vietnam. It was established as a state enterprise in April 1989, and is headquartered in the Long Bien district of Hanoi, with hubs at Noi Bai International Airport and Tan Son Nhat International Airport. From there, the airline flies to 46 destinations in 19 countries, excluding codeshares, using its fleet of 69 aircraft.

Vietnam Airlines was subsequently formed in 1996, after bringing together several service companies. The company is overseen by a seven-seat management board, members of which are appointed by the Vietnamese Prime Minister. Vietnam Airlines was the major stakeholder in Vietnam's second largest carrier, Jetstar Pacific Airlines, but its share has recently been transferred to the Ministry of Finance, then subsequently, to the State Capital Investment Corporation (SCIC).

With the core activity of the airline being passenger transportation, Vietnam Airlines also earns revenue from catering and the maintenance and overhauling of aircraft through a number of its subsidiaries. The maintenance and overhauling of aircraft is handled by Vietnam Airlines Engineering Company (VAECO), while the former is performed by Noibai Catering Services Join-Stock Company and Vietnam Air Caterer, who cater airlines that use Vietnam Airlines’ hubs for the flag carrier. The airline also controls and operates its cargo division, Vietnam Airlines Cargo, using the airline’s luggage hold on its passenger fleet, as well as a number of dedicated airplanes.2 Vietnam Airlines owns 100% of Vietnam Air Service Company (VASCO)—a regional airline in southern Vietnam, and 49% of Cambodia Angkor Air—the national flag carrier of Cambodia.

The airline is ranked as a 3-star airline according to the independent research consultancy firm Skytrax. Vietnam Airlines became a member of SkyTeam on 10 June 2010 making it the sole Southeast Asian carrier to join that airline alliance. During the months of September and October 2010, Vietnam Airlines was slated to manage all the transportation for the Miss World beauty pageant in its capacity as the official airline of the contest, although recent rumours of Vietnam's withdrawal as host have cast doubt on this. Recently, Miss World had decided to hold the contest in Sanya, People's Republic of China.

Vietnam Airlines has set out to achieve its 2015 goal to become the second largest airline in the South East Asian region, just after Singapore.

As planned, Vietnam Airlines will improve the quality of its services in addition to expanding its aircraft fleet to 104 in 2015 and 150 in 2020.

Vietnam Airlines currently ranks fourth in the region with 50 aircraft operating on 29 domestic and 36 international air routes.

Vietnam Airlines believes this goal will become attainable through a direct focus on upgrading air routes, developing infrastructure, training pilots and improving maintenance work.

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Tourism crucial in this current economic crisis

Outlining tourism ‘Roadmap for Resilience’ Taleb Rifai, UNWTO Secretary General, opened the 2009 ITB Berlin travel exhibition on Tuesday in front of thousands of representatives from around the world.

ITB Berlin kicked off on its five-day agenda underneath the cloud of gloomy economic data, but Mr Rifai implores the travel community to pull together under a brand new framework of resilience.

“Over the last few decades, our industry has experienced various setbacks, and faced severe natural and man-made crises. Through it all, the industry demonstrated a remarkable resilience and always came out stronger and healthier,” he said in his opening speech.

“Indeed, resilience has become synonymous with our industry. This juncture, however, seems to be different. This crisis is truly global and its parameters are unclear. We need a different mindset.”

Outlining six main points, he highlighted the need for the industry to be realistic with forecasts, take actions to shore up defences, recognise that measures need to be taken immediately, use all available tools including new technologies, take advantage of tried and tested partnerships, and lastly he pledges that the UNWTO will offer all the support that it can.

“History shows that the biggest challenges provide the biggest opportunities,” Mr Rifai adds.

He reiterates, “We know that tourism means trade, jobs, development, cultural sustainability, peace and the fulfilment of human aspirations. If ever there was a time to get this message out loud and clear, it is now.”

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