Tourism Indochina: Siem Reap Airways to add Ho Chi Minh City

Tourism Indochina: Siem Reap Airways to add Ho Chi Minh City

Siem Reap Airways International Co., Ltd is a defunct airline based in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. It operated domestic and international services. Its main base was Phnom Penh International Airport, with hubs at Bangkok International Airport and Angkor International Airport, Siem Reap.

The airline was established in 2000 and started operations on 3 November 2000 with a wet leased Bangkok Airways ATR 72 aircraft. It was a wholly owned subsidiary of Bangkok Airways of Thailand, and shared that airline's fleet.

Siem Reap Airways served the following destinations:

* Cambodia - Phnom Penh, Siem Reap
* China - Hong Kong
* Thailand - Bangkok
* Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City
* Laos - Pakse

(Tourism Indochina: Date : 2008-09-17):

Siem Reap Airways International (FT) will launch a new air link between Siem Reap (REP) and Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) on a daily non-stop basis beginning October 26 onwards.

The new service will be operated by A319 with 138 seats in capacity. Flight (FT 981) leaves Siem Reap at 1100 hrs and arrives Ho Chi Minh City at 1155 hrs. From Ho Chi Minh City, flight (FT 982) leaves at 1240 hrs. and arrives Siem Reap at 1335 hrs.

Currently, FT flies from Phnom Penh to Bangkok, Siem Reap, Hong Kong and from Siem Reap to Pakse (Laos) v.v.


By ETN

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Tourism Indochina: US Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte arrives in Cambodia

Tourism Indochina: US Deputy Secretary of State Negroponte arrives in Cambodia

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-09-17):

Phnom Penh - US Deputy Secretary of State John Negroponte flew into the northern Cambodian tourist hub of Siem Reap in a relaxed start to his three-day official visit, touring the ancient temples of Angkor Wat, local officials said on Sunday.

Negroponte arrived in Cambodia from neighbouring Vietnam for a visit which will include meetings with Prime Minister Hun Sen and an array of ministers including Foreign Minister Hor Namhong.

He is scheduled to sign a 24-million-dollar agreement on Monday to assist economic development in the country and will hold a press conference on Tuesday morning before flying out, according to a schedule from the US embassy.

At Angkor Wat, Negroponte toured the 12th century World Heritage- listed temples, which are also the nation's largest tourism draw, 300 kilometres from the capital, and he is expected to arrive in Phnom Penh early on Monday morning, officials said.

Ties between the US and Cambodia have warmed considerably in recent years, with the US providing support for the nation's armed forces as well as recently agreeing to give aid directly to the government, rather than through other agencies.

Cambodia has also been praised by the US for its help in fighting terrorism and its assistance in helping locate the remains of US soldiers missing in action, mostly from the Vietnam War era.



Source Asia-Pacific News

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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: There's more than casinos on Koh Kong

Tourism Indochina: There's more than casinos on Koh Kong

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-09-22):

Thai tourists are being reminded that the Cambodian border province of Koh Kong offers much more than just the casinos for which it is famous.

Mayuda Mang, deputy chief of the Tourism Department of Koh Kong, said at the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) workshop on biodiversity conservation and tourism development in Bangkok that the 11,000 sq km province has a wide variety of tourist attractions.

"Koh Kong is home to the country's largest mangrove areas and we still have several small pristine islands eligible for ecotourism development," said Ms Mayuda.

She said that no matter how volatile relations between the two countries have been in recent months, Koh Kong and the opposite province of Trat have remained on good neighborly terms.

Trat has sent experts to help Koh Kong villagers preserve mangrove forests, said Ms Mayuda, adding: "We appreciate that cooperation and would like to see deepened collaboration on nature conservation in our country."

However, she conceded that Road No 48, which was jointly opened by then-deputy prime minister Somchai Wongsawat and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, with a bridge linking the Thai border to Koh Kong and on to Phnom Penh, would inevitably attract all kinds of investors, traders and gamblers to Cambodia.

The Thai government gave financial support to build the road. It takes about one hour to drive from Trat to Koh Kong and another three hours to go on to the capital Phnom Penh.

The owners of the casino projects are Thais and Cambodians and gamblers come not only from Thailand, but also from China and Taiwan, as well as a few locals.

Asked how much progress Thailand's former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra had made in his reported investment in Koh Kong, Ms Mayuda said he had taken 10 interested parties to meet Hun Sen last April, but none of them, including Mr Thaksin, had yet confirmed they had initiated any projects.

"The picture will become clearer after Hun Sen's new government is up and running. Until that time, probably only two or three investors might seriously want to pursue business in Koh Kong," Ms Mayuda said.

Mr Thaksin has shown interest in leasing Koh Kong Khrao, an 80 sq km island off Koh Kong, to develop an entertainment complex, but she did not know how negotiations were progressing. She also said that a South Korean company had been given a 99-year lease to develop hotel, entertainment and eco-tourism businesses on Koh Yo, another small island off Koh Kong.

And a Kuwaiti investor has pledged US$15 million (511 million baht) to help transform Cambodia into an agro-business hub.

Koh Kong's efforts to lure different kinds of tourists are part of Cambodia's wider strategy to develop the industry nationwide so that the impoverished country will not continue to rely on its top drawing card, Angkor Wat.

Anne-Maria Makela, senior tourism adviser for the Netherlands Development Organisation, said at the workshop that too much focus has been placed on Angkor Wat and Siem Reap, and the country should bring more communities into the tourism picture.


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Tourism Indochina: Cambodia announces AITEX 2009

Angkor International Tourism Exchange (AITEX)

Angkor International Tourism Exchange (AITEX) 2007 is a large tourism trade event in Cambodia that draws on co-operation between the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia, APSARA Authority, Cambodia Hotel Association (CHA), and Cambodia Association of Travel Agents (CATA) and the private sector.

The core objective is to promote tourism products such as tourist attractions, destinations, activities and services.

The event supports those who are new faces in the tourism business. Particularly, tourism industry can take this opportunity to meet buyers through a matching appointment system at a cost effective price.

AITEX is a trade-only mart designed to offer opportunities for suppliers of Asia Pacific Region travel products to meet selected buyers from around the world through scheduled appointment.

It is also an ideal forum for buyers to gather the latest information on Asia Pacific Region tourism products and services establish new business contacts and learn about new business contacts and tourism trends in the region.

The Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia is proudly organizing the 2nd Angkor International Tourism Exchange (AITEX), which will take place from 01 – 03 October 2007 at Angkor COEX, Siem Reap-Angkor.

AITEX 2007 is expecting to attract hundreds of sellers from local and overseas NTOs, travel agents, hotels, airlines and other related-tourism businesses. Meanwhile, over 250 buyers and 50 media from around the world will be invited to this significant event.

AITEX 2007 will be a golden opportunity for all tour operators, travel agents and tourism stakeholders represented as sellers to meet the hosted buyers from around the world and it would be an important market for all sellers to sell their products and services to the right and targeted buyers. We must realize that the global tourism industry is a very competitive business.

AITEX provides an excellent opportunity to network with travel industry experts and gather the latest information, trends and updates for all those involved in the tourism sector, and exchanging business ideas and exploring other untapped travel industry markets in this region of the world.

Exciting side events include a FAM Trip during AITEX for all organizations involved in the travel industry with Cultural Festivals and Food Fairs.
Exhibitors Profile includes:

-Hotels & Accommodation (International & Regional Chains)
-Travel Agents (Foreign & Domestic)
-Tour Operators (Inbound & Outbound)
-Airlines (International & Domestic)
-Travel & Tour Association & Organizations
-Tourism Establishments (Theme Parks, Places of Interest, etc.)
-All companies related to the Travel & Tourism industry including products and services.

On be half of the AITEX 2007 Organizing Committee, the Ministry of Tourism of Cambodia would like to invite all tourism industry stakeholders in Cambodia and from around the world to participate as sellers or buyers in the above important event to sell your products and services, and seeking your kind cooperation in this international event, which is not only the benefit of your business but it is meant momentous support for the ongoing growth of our tourism industry.

For further information and reservation, please contact AITEX 2007 Secretariat at below address:

Ministry of Tourism
#3 Preah Monivong Blvd, Phnom Penh 12258
Kingdom of Cambodia
Tel. (855) 23 720 100; Fax. (855) 23 720 101
Email: aitexcambodia@mot.gov.kh


(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-09-23):

During last night's dinner reception at the Falaknuma Palace it filtered through that there are some 1,200 delegates attending PATA Travel Mart (PTM) in Hyderabad during September 16-19.

The Falaknuma Palace is regtarded as one of the most magnificent palaces in the whole of India and overlooks the busy city of Hyderabad. It was built by Vikar-ul-Umra in the late 19th century, when India was a British colony. The former "Maharadscha" palace is a treasure trove of art and architecture and is now a part of the Taj Group, which will soon convert it into a super deluxe hotel.

Among the many invited guests at the entertaining dinner party were some people from the Kingdom of Cambodia, who announced that Cambodia will have its own travel mart again in Siem Reap on December 4-6, 2009.

This announcement was confirmed today (September 17) at the booth from the Ministry of Tourism in Cambodia and was given out in print. Thus, the event will be the 3rd Angkor International Tourism Exchange (AITEX), which was cancelled this year accordingly.

Cambodia is one of the 6 countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) that is promoting its tourist attractions heavily. Among them is the sacred temple of Preah Vihear which became the newest UNESCO World Heritage Site recently.

For interested parties, please contact the Ministry of Tourism in Cambodia by Tel. (855-23) 720100, Fax (855-23) 720101, E-mail aitexcambodia@mot.gov.kh or go to: www.aitexcambodia.com

Tonight's reception at PTM features "Andhra Pradesh Tourism Evening & Dinner hosted by Sri P. Ramakanth Reddy, Chief Secretary to the Government of Andhra Pradesh, India. The venue will be at Novotel Hyderabad.


Source ETB News

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Tourism Indochina: A new US$100 million five star hotel is being built by the Sokimex conglomerate in Cambodia's capital

Tourism Indochina: A new US$100 million five star hotel is being built by the Sokimex conglomerate in Cambodia's capital

(Tourism Indochina:Date : 2008-09-24):

The 799-room hotel which is expected to be completed by 2011 will be situated on the east side of the riverfront on Chhroy Changva peninsula in Phnom Penh's Russey Keo district.

"The 16-storey Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will be built on six hectares of land which is under a 99-year land lease from city hall from 2007," Sokimex president Sok Kong told the Phnom Penh Post.

Sok Kong said the location of the hotel was atmospheric with beautiful river views but admitted, "There is a problem with traffic because there is only one bridge for access".

He said that although the city had recently experienced a hotel boom no new conference facilities have been built to entice business travellers to the city.

The Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will feature two conference rooms with seating capacity for 1,500 persons and parking spaces for 1,000 cars.

"The hotel's conference centre will seat up to 1,500 people, and will be the [country's] biggest conference hall. It will raise Cambodia's reputation internationally," he said.

"The Sokha Phnom Penh Hotel will be the hotel with the largest conference hall in the city, and it will be suitable for international conferences," said So Mara, undersecretary of state in the tourism ministry.

Cambodia Hotel Association president Loo Meng welcomed the new hotel which will create 1,200 jobs for Cambodians.

“It is a good sign for the tourism sector. It shows that the tourism industry is getting better and better,” he said.

"The hotel will be good for high-class guests, and it will be as high quality as those in neighbouring countries."

Sok Kong said that the Sokha Phnom Penh would be the third five-star hotel operated by Sokimex in Cambodia, joining existing Sokha hotels in Sihanoukville and Siem Reap. Two more were on the drawing boards, he added.

Sokimex is also building two golf courses in a protected area on Bokor Mountain, Sok Kong said, adding that the company was also planning a resort at the site of old Bokor casino.


Source EBT News

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Tourism Indochina: Vietnam to offer first trans-ASEAN motor tour

Tourism Indochina: Vietnam to offer first trans-ASEAN motor tour

(Tourism Indochina:Poste Date 2008-09-25):

HANOI, Sept. 23 -– Nine tourists from the US , Canada and Norway will join in a trans-ASEAN tour by motorbike, which will be launched in Vietnam for the first time on September 24.

The trip will last two months under which travellers will drive through Vietnam for 20 days, then travel across Laos, Cambodia and Thailand before ending up in Malaysia.

The tour is offered by the Vinh Tan Tourism and Trade Company (Vyta Tours), which is also the first travel business in Vietnam and Southeast Asia to arrange trips of this type for tourists going in groups.

Vyta Tours Director Phan Than said his company came to the idea of this type of tour in the light of its 12-year experience in offering trans-Vietnam motor tours for foreign tourists.

According to Than, such tours are popular among foreign travellers despite higher prices. Than said he thought Vietnam has a great potential for developing this type of tourism as the country is located on the trans-Asia road and boasts various recognised world natural and cultural heritage sites such as the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, the former imperial capital of Hue, the ancient town of Hoi An and the My Son relics.

However, the number of motor tours remains limited at several trips a year in Vietnam due to complicated procedures in tour approval and granting driving licences for travellers, Than added. (PNA/VNA)


Source EBT News

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