Tourism Indochina: World Tourism News: China, Malaysia Cross One-Million Arrivals Mark in First Half of 2012

China, Malaysia Cross One-Million Arrivals Mark in First Half of 2012

Bangkok, July 16, 2012 - The Thai tourism industry continued its strong performance in the first six months of 2012, with total arrivals of 10,496,789, up 7.60% over the same period of 2011.

The most important contributor to this growth was arrivals from China which, for the first time, crossed the one million arrivals mark in the six-month period to record a total of 1,124,234, up by a robust 28.87% over January-June 2011.

Here is the listing of the Top Ten Source Markets of Visitors to Thailand in the first half of 2012:



Below is a summary of the overall figures for the period of January – June 2012, with the percentage change over the same period of 2011, tabulated on arrivals by nationality at all points of entry into Thailand:

Overview:
East Asia recorded 5,486,941 arrivals (market share 52.27% of total arrivals). Europe 2,971,939 (market share 28.31%); The Americas 545,042 (5.19% share); South Asia 632,976 (6.03% share); Oceania 477,894 (4.55% share); Middle East 296,653 (2.83% share); and Africa 85,344 (0.81% share).
East Asia (+5.73%):
• Japan is the fourth largest source of visitor arrivals to Thailand with total of 630,058, up 11.47%.
• Korea is the fifth largest source of visitor arrivals with total of 540,523, up 4.88%.
• Arrivals from the neighbouring ASEAN countries also showed good growth, e.g., Vietnam (+24.96%), Brunei Darussalam (+20.15%), Cambodia (+12.32%), Myanmar (+12.30%), Laos (+9.16%), Indonesia (+4.40%), Singapore (+4.53%). Only the Philippines was down (-3.44%).
Europe (+11.12%):
• Russia remained ahead of the UK and Germany as the largest source market from Europe, with total arrivals of 634,312, up 12.21%.
• The UK and Germany ranked the second and third largest sources of visitor arrivals – 433,989 (+1.52%) and 357,472 (+9.71%), respectively.
• French visitor arrivals totalled 304,717 (+17.11%).
• Arrivals from the Nordic countries of Norway, Sweden and Denmark grew by 17.59%, 16.45% and 14.84%, respectively.
The Americas (+10.58%):
• The US is the tenth top source-market of arrivals to Thailand with a total of 379,430 (+8.63%).
• Canadian visitors grew by 10.62% to 114,678.
• Brazilian visitors grew by 23.65% to 14,965.

South Asia (+5.83%):
• India is the biggest source of visitors in South Asia and the sixth largest source of total arrivals. Arrivals were up 6.32% to 504,634 arrivals.
• Pakistani visitor arrivals totalled 34,809 (-2.65%).
• Bangladeshi visitor arrivals totalled 33,494 (-0.20%).
• Visitors from Sri Lanka grew by 20.85% to 32,878.

Oceania (+9.45%):
• Arrivals from Australia and New Zealand were up 9.63% to 427,096 and 8.15% to 49,365, respectively.

Middle East (-0.15%):
• The UAE experienced a decline of -0.76%.
• Visitors from other Middle East markets (such as Iran) were down 7.08%.
• However, other Middle East source markets were up, especially Saudi Arabia (50.51%) and Kuwait (19.97%). Arrivals from Egypt were up by 22.49%.

Africa (+28.88%):
• The most important source market of South Africa was up 13.99% to 35,319.
• Other countries are also showing considerable promise with a total growth of 41.97% to 50,025.

For 2012, TAT has set a target of 20.5 million total international visitors. This is a conservative estimate but is certain to be exceeded if the international economic and geopolitical situation remains stable.

Source: TATNews/16July2012

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...

Tourism Indochina: World Tourism News: Thailand Tourism Receipts Up 30%, Highlighting Value for Money Factor

Thailand Tourism Receipts Up 30%, Highlighting Value for Money Factor

Bangkok, July 16, 2012 -- Thailand recorded a 31% increase in tourism receipts in 2011 over 2010, according to Ministry of Tourism and Sports figures. The total earnings of 776 billion baht (US$25.45 billion) were also well above the original target of 716 billion baht (US$ 23 billion).

The figures show that Thailand recorded clear increases in both quality and quantity of visitor arrivals. The growth in total number of visitors is being matched by increased average length of stay and average daily expenditures, further underscoring the role of tourism as one of the most important economic sectors and contributor to job creation in Thailand as well as nationwide income distribution.

According to the Ministry, Thailand recorded 19.23 million international visitors in 2011, up by 20.67% over 2010. With an average length of stay of 9.64 days and an average daily spend of 4,187.12 baht (US$137) per person, the Thai tourism industry generated 776 billion baht in earnings.

By regions, East Asia recorded the largest increase in receipts in 2011 at +39.40%, followed by South Asia (+33.27%), Oceania (+32.84%), Africa (+32.21%), Europe (+26.20%), the Americas (+20.36%) and the Middle East (+19.79%).

Europe holds the largest share of international tourism receipts in absolute numbers (a 38.23% share), reaching US$ 9,733 million in 2011, followed by East Asia (37.33% share or US$ 9,505 million), the Americas (7.10% share or US$ 1,807 million), Oceania (7.30% share or US$ 1,858 million), and South Asia (4.85% share or US$ 1,235 million). The Middle East (4.29% share) accounted for US$ 1,093 million and Africa (0.88% share) was worth US$ 224 million.

According to per-capita daily spending, the top 10 countries for tourism spenders in 2011 were UAE (US$175.21), Saudi Arabia (US$166.92), South Africa (US$164.10), India (US$161.78), Hong Kong (US$161.63), Singapore (US$160.96), Kuwait (US$159.66), Australia (US$159.19), Brunei Darussalam (US$155.30) and Korea (US$153.17).

Among Asian visitors, the lowest daily spend was by Laotians (US$101.99) and among Europeans, the lowest daily spend was by Germans (US$115.46).

In terms of total expenditure by all visitors, the top five nations were Russia, China, Australia, Malaysia, and the United Kingdom. Here is a brief snapshot summary of each:

Russia: Thanks to an increasing number of charter flights, Russia is now the top generator of arrivals from Europe, up 63.45% to 1,052,361 in 2011. Russian tourists spent a total of US$1,970.84 million (60 billion baht) in 2011, based on an average length of stay of 13.29 days and an average daily spend of US$140.92 per person.

China: In 2011, China was the second-largest source of visitors after Malaysia, with total arrivals of 1,704,800, up 50.57% over 2010. Based on an average daily spend per person of US$146.63, and average length of stay of 7.61 days, Chinese visitors generated tourism revenue of US$1,902.32 million (58 billion baht).

Australia: In 2011, Australian visitors to Thailand totalled 835,719, up 18.89% over 2010. Based on an average length of stay of 12.78 days and an average daily spend of US$159.19 per person, Australians generated US$1,700.27 million (51.8 billion baht) of tourism income.

Malaysia: Malaysia is Thailand’s largest source of visitor arrivals with a total of 2,492,034 in 2011, up 21.73% over 2010. Based on an average length of stay of 4.78 days and an average daily spend of US$137.10 per person, Malaysia generated US$1,633.15 million (49.79 billion baht) in tourism receipts.

United Kingdom: The United Kingdom was the second-largest source of arrivals from Europe with a total of 771,466 visitors in 2011, up 1.48% over 2010. Based on an average daily spend of US$121.84 per person and an average length of stay of 17.35 days, the UK generated US$1,630.80 million (49.72 billion baht) in tourism receipts.

Overall, the figures show that the recent strengthening of the baht against the US$ is having little impact on expenditure patterns and Thailand remains good value for money for visitors across the board.

Source: TATNews/16July2012

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...

Tourism Indochina: World Tourism News: Olympics Tourism Boost Sails Into Weymouth

Olympics Tourism Boost Sails Into Weymouth

At 120 miles from London, the Sailing host town Weymouth is one of the furthest Olympic venues from the capital.

The sleepy seaside resort in Dorset was chosen for the event in 2005 - because of its internationally acclaimed sailing waters.

The town was promised that the event would boost the local economy, support tourism and put Weymouth on the international stage.

Sky News has spoken to the family-run Channel Hotel on the Seafront, which has been booked up since Christmas.

Owner Chris Reay said he chose not to raise prices at the hotel to capitalise on the Olympics.

"Some of them (local hotels) do show dramatic increases in price. That's something that we decided not to do because we were looking at the long-term picture of wanting to bring people back in the future."

Other businesses, however, are concerned that the event is driving the ordinary tourism trade away.

Tracy Welch, who works at a local ice cream shop, said: "It hasn't been particularly brilliant. A lot of the road closures have put a lot of people off coming in, and it all seems to be down by the Pavilion rather than up this end (of town)."

The event though will give the area international exposure and the new sailing facilities are world class.

Britain is the world's top Olympic sailing nation, with a squad of 16 sailors including triple gold medallist Ben Ainslie.

Local people hope the Olympic sparkle remains once the competitors have sailed away from the Dorset coast.

Source: SkyNews/29July2012

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...

Tourism Indochina: World Tourism News: Thailand launches major domestic tourism drive

Thailand launches major domestic tourism drive

Thailand has kicked off a major new domestic tourism campaign, encouraging Thais to make travel a ‘Part of Life’.

Initiated by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the new campaign is planning to drive 107.4 million domestic trips with revenue earnings of THB453 billion (US$14.3bn) in 2013. According to the TAT, the campaigns, which will run for the rest of 2012 and into 2013, will aim to promote tourism as a “necessity” for Thai nationals and residents, as opposed to being “just a luxury or a recreational activity”

The tourism board added that the campaigns will also strive to reinforce a strong sense of national identity among Thais, especially young travellers, as well as opening up new destinations in an effort to decongest more traditional and popular holiday spots.

“Domestic tourism has become an increasingly important component of the overall tourism mix. The growing Thai middle-class has the time, means, and the propensity to travel. It plays an important role socially, economically, environmentally and culturally,” the TAT said in a statement. “Its importance has become particularly acute especially in times of crisis, when international travel tends to be affected, enhancing the role of domestic travel as a means of economic survival,” it added.

The new campaign will be underpinned by the slogan; ‘New Thinking, New Perspectives – Travel in Thailand Can Yield More Than You Think’, and will hope to take advantage of the improvements in Thai road, rail and air infrastructure.

Source: Traveldailymedia/17July2012

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...

Tourism Indochina: World Tourism News: Tourism ban will not help the Big Cat

Tourism ban will not help the Big Cat

The Supreme Court’s decision banning tourism in core areas of tiger habitats overlooks several critical considerations. It will harm, rather then help, the cause of tiger conservation.

For a start, it gives way too much power to the forest department. The ban will mean only one agency will both implement the tiger protection agenda, and audit that process.

The various forest and environment officials at the Centre and at the State level have a terrible record of tiger protection. They had held up the absurd number of 5,000 wild tigers in India till recently when it was already clear to every one (including the much maligned lodge owners) that there are only about 1,500 tigers left in India.

Tellingly, the two parks from where the tiger completely disappeared due to poaching were Panna and Sariska and both were not in the top ten most visited by tourists. In contrast, parks with the highest tiger density, such as Ranthambhore and Corbett, are amongst the most visited In India.

In both Panna and Sariska, the forest officers went to great lengths to deny that the parks were without a single big cat. The unscientific relocation in Sariska has been a double disaster. These are the very people who will run tiger parks across India, if the new order is implemented in its current form.
Tourism isn’t the villain

Tourism allows for ample outside scrutiny of the forest and thus aids tiger preservation. Tourism brings in its wake assessment by lodge owners, guides, photographers and other stake-holders whose survival depends on robust tiger numbers.

Breeding of tigers has been observed with regularity by experts even when the tourism season is in full swing. What is more, no tiger deaths due to tourism have been reported. Forest officer vehicles have, however, caused at least three tiger deaths in national parks of Madhya Pradesh in the recent past.

Poaching for skin and bones and poisoning by nearby villagers remain the two main causes of tiger deaths in India. Incidentally a majority of the poaching incidents, including the latest one in Corbett last fortnight, have happened during the monsoon, when Parks are closed to the tourists.

The Minister of Environment and Forests has proposed dismantling of tourism infrastructure in and near parks within a five-year framework.

Instead, this is the time for the tourism industry as well as the MoEF to draw up a regulatory framework. And hotels that violate norms need to go.
Price it for rarity

At the same time, India needs to understand that the tiger is the rarest of the rare, and access to it should be priced accordingly. The African model offers some lessons. A one-week visit to the Masai Mara, Kenya, during the great migrations costs $3,000 while a week in Ranthambhore or Corbett costs a measly $400 - and the Masai Mara is far cheaper than reserves in places such as Okavango in Botswana.

Raising access fee to national park core area will not only regulate tourist numbers but also provide for far greater revenues for the upkeep of parks and sharing with the local population. This is the one measure that will achieve the desired ends and is also easy to implement on the ground.

To deny future generations that heart-stopping moment - when one sights a tiger in the wild - is no solution. The State’s job is to facilitate this majestic experience through a regulatory approach.

Each park in India has unique issues and will need different solutions. A thought-out policy framework - not an “off with the tourist's head” diktat - is the way forward.

Source: TheHinduBusinessLine/26July2012

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...

Tourism Indochina: Singapore’s luxury liver transplants draw Cambodians

Singapore’s luxury liver transplants draw Cambodians

With paintings on every wall, a hotel-fresh scent, and a full-service restaurant on the ground floor, Gleneagles often feels more like a five-star hotel than a hospital.

The Singaporean medical centre, owned by private health care company Parkway Pantay Ltd, has become a prime overseas destination for some of Cambodia’s wealthiest citizens seeking treatment.

In addition to Gleneagles, Parkway runs three other hospitals Singapore – Mount Elizabeth, Parkway East, and Mount Elizabeth Novena – and operations throughout Asia including Malaysia, China, Vietnam and Hong Kong.

The company’s Patient Assistance Centres are central in bringing patients from countries where high-quality healthcare is difficult to access or nonexistent. Cambodia is among these.

“Our Cambodian patients are mostly sent to two hospitals – Mount Elizabeth and Gleneagles,” says Phoung Nimol, the marketing executive at Parkway’s Patient Assistance Centre in Phnom Penh, which has operated for four years. According to Phoung Nimol, gastrointestinal and liver diseases are the primary reasons Cambodians seek treatment in Singapore.

“Mount Elizabeth treats a lot of heart, lung, stomach or gastrointestinal diseases. But Gleneagles specialises more in liver cirrhosis, especially liver transplants,” he said.

Liver cirrhosis is a chronic liver disease usually resulting from long-term alcohol abuse or untreated hepatitis B and C infections. In its most severe stage, the entire affected liver must be removed through a complicated and expensive procedure that is not currently available in Cambodia....Read more...

Source: Phnompenhpost/25July2012

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...

Tourism Indochina: World Tourism News: Over 1,500 tourists evacuated as fires rage in Croatia

Over 1,500 tourists evacuated as fires rage in Croatia

ZAGREB: A firefighter died and 1,500 tourists were evacuated after forest fires fanned by strong winds broke out on Croatia's Adriatic coast Monday, with the interior minister warning of a "very difficult" scenario.

"The situation is very difficult ... we are doing everything possible to protect people's lives and property," Interior Minister Ranko Ostojic told commercial Nova television, as the fires continued to blaze out of control in the increasingly popular tourist area.

"Everything is ready for (further) evacuations," said the minister, who visited the coastal resort of Selce, close to the northern port of Rijeka, where some 150 firefighters were battling the blaze.

A 45-year firefighter died while battling another blaze that broke out near Moscenicka Draga on the Istria peninsula, fire service official Slavko Gaus told national HRT television.

That fire was brought under control later in the day.

The inferno broke out in the morning in the hinterland of Rijeka, some 180 kilometres (110 miles) southwest of Zagreb, and spread towards Selce.

Strong winds of more than 100 kilometres (60 miles) an hour made tackling the fires very difficult as water-bombing planes could not be used, the authorities said.

In Selce some 1,500 tourists from two campsites, mostly Slovenians and Austrians, were evacuated while a number of other tourists left a nearby hotel, officials said.

Part of the Adriatic coastal highway was closed, police said.

The resort was cut off from electricity and phone lines were down, Nova television reported, showing footage of people in Selce covering their faces with scarves to protect themselves from the thick smoke and ashes.

The roofs of several houses also caught fire.

In fellow former Yugoslav republic Macedonia, 14 people were injured, five of them seriously, in a forest fire at Strumica, 100 kilometres (60 miles) east of Skopje, the country's farm minister said.

The minister, Lupco Dimovski, said there was information suggesting that this fire may heave been started deliberately

The Macedonia fire was still raging late Monday.

-AFP/ac:24July2012

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...