Asiasentinel.com, 24 October 2006
New visa regulations in the Land of Smiles may put frowns on the faces of thousands of long term residents
Jay thought that his life as an English teacher in Bangkok was set. There were few hassles with authority, other than traveling off to the Cambodia border once a month to pick up a new Thai entry stamp for his passport.
Now Jay may have to change his lifestyle dramatically. He has stopped decorating his apartment and is unlikely to buy any more furniture, after new immigration regulations upended what he and thousands of other foreigners had taken for granted -- that the monthly “visa-run” could keep them in Thailand indefinitely.
Agencies, which bought plush buses and minivans for visa-run packages sold to people like Jay, are bracing for a sharp drop in business over the coming months. “The customer, which is the basis of the business, is gone or they will find another way to stay in Thailand. I think every company will have to cut down from two buses a day to one a day or one every other day,” says Claudio Mattioli, operator of Sawasdee Transport in Bangkok.
New immigration rules are intended to stop people like Jay using border stamps and tourist visas to live and work here, ending so-called grey migration, mostly from developed countries, and turfing out a growing criminal fraternity. While the aims are laudable, the dragnet might prove to be an own goal for the economy. Legitimate small businesses are more easily drawn to the rational structure in Singapore while neighboring Cambodia is happy to grant multiple entry business visas to anybody with $25. The legions of itinerant – but solvent – long term visitors in Thailand could soon be packing up.
In September, after three years of thinking it over, the immigration department announced that from October it would only allow foreigners without visas to visit for no more than a cumulative three months in any six month period. Airlines risk fines if passengers without confirmed return tickets are denied entry at immigration because their three month allowance is up.
Immigration officers are directing those who have used up their three months to apply for visas at a Thai embassy. Passports full of visa exemption stamps and a handful of tourist visas may not fare well, though. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which determines visa policy, has advised its consuls to use more discretion when considering tourist visa applications.
Living and working on 30-day stamps and tourist visas has been feasible because changes in policy and technology coincided more than a decade ago. In 1995, to encourage longer stays by package tourists, the immigration department doubled the stay without a visa from 15 to 30 days. The result was a tourism boom just as the regional financial crisis was savaging everything else in 1997.
Around that time Cambodia opened its borders with Thailand to international travelers. A few bright sparks in Thailand soon realized they could, in a day, trip to the border, hop into Cambodia and then back to Thailand with a a new 30-day visa exemption stamp. The infamous visa run was born. For some who could not pass muster with the existing tight immigrant visa and employment permit regime -- like many English teachers, NGO workers, and freelance consultants -- it was more convenient than going to a Thai embassy to apply for a proper visa, which could be refused.
When the baht plummeted in 1997, Thailand become even more attractive. That same year public Internet started to appear. A few years later mobile phone prices finally dropped and not long after, the cost of international calls began to fall precipitously too. So in just a few years Thailand became a much more practical place to live affordably or set up shop for knowledge workers, consultants, and traders. Unfortunately, scamsters also arrived, such as hustlers selling dud stocks through “boiler room” operations to naïve people around the world.
Just how many people live and work here using 30-day stamps is hard to say, but with at least a dozen agencies now operating daily visa run tours, plus those taking public or casino buses, 30,000-50,000 seems a reasonable figure. Most of these are not dead beats. They likely spend at least a $1,000 per month, many considerably more, on rent, meals, laundry, taxis, drinks, shopping or golf. Pull up a seat in a beer bar in Pattaya or Bangkok and pry a foreign resident’s attention from his drink and a bar girl and there’s a good chance he’s here indefinitely on a tourist visa, probably working or whiling away his retirement looking for love. And that costs money.
>>Full article
Tuesday, October 31, 2006
THAILAND - The End of the Thailand Visa Run
Thailand - Perpetual leaseholds cause stir on Samui
bangkokpost.com, 23-10-2006
Samui _ The real estate industry on the resort island of Koh Samui could receive a major boost if a plan to offer foreign buyers perpetual leases materialises.
The Vacation Investment Programme (VIP) is being offered by Thailand Longstay Management (TLM), a company set up by the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to promote long-stay tourism.
The TAT holds 30% of the shares in TLM, small shareholders including tourism business associations hold 15%, and the remaining 55% is held by Pol Col Ruamnakorn Tubtimthongchai, the company's chief executive officer.
TLM says that VIP will instill confidence in the real estate profession, which has come under heavy scrutiny on Samui, by granting licences to developers who pass certain criteria. Only these licensed firms will be allowed to use VIP services.
While foreigners can buy leasehold property in Thailand, leases are for 30 years only. They can be extended only after the 30-year term is complete but this is not always guaranteed. Under VIP, 30-year renewals would be available in perpetuity.
Chaiyakarn Sudampanthorn, managing director of Samui Estate Corporation, says that VIP could help reverse some of the damage caused by the "economic tsunami" that battered the resort island for the past three to four months.
VIP would also shore up foreigners' confidence in buying and leasing property in Thailand, especially after waves of negative publicity.
Foreign individuals and businesses have been on edge because of continuing questions about the use of nominees in establishing businesses, and policies toward foreign investment following last month's coup. Of particular concern in Samui has been a land scandal involving the marketing of many plots for which the title was questionable at best and downright illegal in some cases.
AUSTRALIA - Asia-Pacific competition blamed for dive firm demise
ABC tropical north Queensland, 20 October 2006 New and improved Asia-Pacific dive operations are being blamed for a downturn in dive tourism in the Whitsundays. Col McKenzie from Dive Queensland says the closure of Whitsunday dive school Pro Dive reflects the shrinking number of backpackers visiting the region for scuba diving training. Outgoing Pro Dive general manager Alan Irving says Whitsunday dive operations need better marketing to compete with overseas destinations. Mr McKenzie says the region's dive industry needs to compete with the new Asian markets on quality rather than price. "What we're seeing is that the dive industry in Queensland is trying to promote itself with its own money and we're competing against foreign governments to do that and we have seen a decline of about, say, 30 per cent in the diving industry at a time when the increase in Thailand, for example, has been something like 40 per cent," he said.
SABAH - Govt Never Complacent In Facing Alien Threats, Says Musa
KOTA KINABALU, Oct 17 (Bernama)
The government has never been complacent in facing the threat of illegal immigrants in Sabah and is continuing with its operations to hunt them down, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said Tuesday.
He said that in the Jan-Sept period, 12,788 illegal immigrants, mostly Filipinos and Indonesians, had been deported.
"This shows the government's determination to deal with the illegal immigrant problem in Sabah," he told reporters after chairing a meeting of the State Security Working Committee at Wisma Innoprise, near here.
"We should not be complacent and lose focus on the illegal immigrant threat. The issue must be dealt with firmly, intensively and continuously," he said.
Musa also asked the federal government to continue to hold discussions with the Philippines government to facilitate easier repatriation of its nationals because cooperation from the neighbouring country was needed to ensure proper documentation.
"For example, we do not have a Philippines' consulate in Sabah and we have to deal with the country's embassy in Kuala Lumpur to arrange the travelling documents. Without the documents, it is difficult to send them back.
"It is a bit easier with the situation of illegal immigrants from Indonesia because the country has a consulate here," he said.
On the security situation in Sabah, Musa said that it was safe and under control.
"This situation facilitates smooth development including in the tourism sector. We thank the security forces and all relevant agencies for their roles and commitment to maintain security and safeguard the country's sovereignty," said Musa.
He also said the committee also viewed seriously the drug menace in the state and efforts to deal with it were being carried out.
Meanwhile, Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Tan Sri Bernard Dompok in a statement here today, proposed that the State Barisan Nasional (BN) convene a special meeting to formulate a masterplan to rid Sabah of its long-standing illegal immigrant problem.
>>Full article
INDIA - Tourism could rejuvenate rural economy of North East: Minister
The Hindu, October 18, 2006
Shillong, Oct 18. (PTI): Tourism was the key sector, which could rejuvenate the rural economy of north east by giving the people their economic empowerment, Meghalaya's Art and Culture minister R G Lyngdoh said here on Tuesday.
"Villagers in the northeast would be able to sell their finished products at their doorsteps rather than sending outside if tourism was properly developed in the region," Lyngdoh said while inaugurating a two-day seminar on 'infrastructure development in the north east organised by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).
Calling for looking at the region as a whole keeping aside 'petty differences and chauvinism attitude', Lyngdoh advocated to market the north east in a proper manner so that all the constituent states get benefit from it.
The Minister highlighted the transport handicap in the region and mooted an idea of introducing air taxi from one State Capital to another for the convenience of tourists and bureaucrats traveling inside the region.
Later, chairing a technical session on 'infrastructure requirements - regional perspective', former Union Tourism secretary M P Bezbaruah urged the North Eastern Council (NEC) to have a 'benchmark survey' on tourism potentials in the region and find out what would be needed in a particular timeframe.
VIETNAM - Boom or doom for resorts?
VietNamNet Bridge, 23/10/2006
The Central Vietnam’s resort boom over the past few years has been a double edged sword, promising a tourist paradise and a flood of money into the area, but there has also been a negative impact on the lives of many locals.
On the road from Dien Ngoc Commune to the famous Hoi An ancient Town, dozens of resorts have been planned, and re-zoning has forced the local inhabitants off the land, yet behind the fences the resort sites lie dormant.
Nobody can say when building will start, or when the plane loads of tourists will begin arriving.
This situation is causing the vice chairman of Dien Ban district’s Dien Duong commune to “lose his hair”.
In 2001, he said, when the Dien Ngoc – Hoi An coastal road was expanded, many investors took up land between the road and the ocean, almost closing off the area to locals who rely on the sea for their livelihoods.
Since the rash of ground breaking ceremonies five years ago, Khue said, only three resorts have been put into operation. “At first, the locals were very glad, dreaming of a city of resorts,” he said. “But now, the dream is over. People have returned to basic work of rice farming or fishing, but the coast has been cut off by either barbed wire or brick walls.”
Many locals sought to get over the walls in order to find a way to the sea. However, resorts’ guards attempted to stop them or even fought with them. After numerous conflicts the commune’s authorities asked the provincial and district leaders to open two beaches and two roads so that the local fishermen could access the sea again.
VIETNAM - targets 500,000 Japanese tourists in 2007
VietNamNet Bridge, 23/10/2006
On the occasion of the APEC Tourism Ministerial Meeting, Vietnamese and Japanese leaders of tourism agreed to further intensify cooperation in tourism as written in a joint-declaration made before.
According to Mme Vo Thi Thang, General Director of Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), in Hoi An earlier this month tourism leaders of the two countries had a meeting. The two sides agreed to work closely together to seek measures to increase the number of Japanese tourists coming to Vietnam to 500,000 in 2007.
Apart from asking Japan to provide more support for Vietnam’s tourism through ODA programmes, VNAT also urged its Japanese counterpart to upgrade current Japanese websites on Vietnam tourism together with launching more websites in Japanese language to advertise Vietnam’s tourism in Japan.
As findings of the recent research on the comprehensive development of tourism in Vietnam’s central region funded by the Japanese Government reveal that Vietnam needs to build a good tourism institution in the region, Vietnam asked Japan to further support it in founding and building up a high quality hospitality training institution in the central region.
At the meeting, VNAT also asked the Japanese side to organise more FAM trips giving Japanese travel agencies, investors the chances to search for more investment opportunities in the country as well as to provide more support in terms of Japanese language training for Vietnam’s tourism workers.
INDIA - Tourism Ministry for "visa on arrival" scheme
The Hindu, 19-10-2006
NEW DELHI: In a bid to facilitate travel to India, the Union Tourism Ministry is pushing for a "Visa on Arrival" scheme even as the Union Home Ministry has expressed certain security concerns before giving its nod.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Tourism and Culture Minister Ambika Soni said that the Ministry of External Affairs had agreed in principle to give long-term visas with multiple entries. "It is a breakthrough and the Ministry of External Affairs is also considering outsourcing visa and putting additional counsellor staff in embassies where rush for visas is more. It will be possible to provide a fast track service of giving visas in 36 hours," Ms. Soni said. She added that medical visas for one year were being already granted, giving a boost to wellness and health sectors.
>>Full article
FIJI - Gavoka counters low-pay theory
Fijitimes online, October 21, 2006
FIJI's reputation as a quality destination, and not a low-pay structure, is what attracts tourism investment, says the Fiji Visitors Bureau.
Chief executive officer Viliame Gavoka was responding to a presentation at a regional conference that foreign direct investment in tourism was predicated in Fiji's maintenance of a low wage structure.
Professor Vijay Naidu of Victoria University in Wellington and Elizabeth St John-Ives, a Masters student, presented a study at this week's regional conference on Institutions, Globalisation and their impacts on labour markets in Pacific island countries.
Mr Gavoka said the labour cost component of doing business in Fiji was much higher than among some competitors in Asia.
He said people invested in Fiji tourism because it was a destination that continued to grow in popularity and would continue to do so.
"It is demand-driven and demand for Fiji will grow. If it was driven largely by low wages, then some of the more populous countries inAsiawould be seeing huge tourism investments, but they are not," said Mr Gavoka.
He said tourism industry workers were not lowly paid. He said they had more non-cash benefits than workers in most other industries.
PHUKET - regains Dragonair’s vote of confidence
eTN Asia, 20-10-2006
There is positive news for Phuket ahead of the busy end-of-year holiday season.
Only recently, Hong Kong’s Dragonair had opted to stop its flights to Bangkok. In a boost for tourism in Thailand, the same airline has decided to re-launch its services to Phuket on a daily basis with an A320 aircraft starting on December 15, in time for the busy end-of-year holiday season. The airline had suspended flights to Phuket in January 2005 after demand dropped dramatically following the Asian tsunami of late 2004. The new schedule will cater to all travellers, optimizing the time they can spend in both cities. Additionally, the schedule provides convenient connections for long-haul travellers. For Dragonair, the development follows its integration with Cathay Pacific. Airline’s chief executive officer Kenny Tang said that this is the first of a number of routing and product initiatives that will result from the synergies of the integration. Tang said, “Following our integration with Cathay Pacific, and its ability to deliver overseas passengers to the Hong Kong hub, we now believe demand is at a level that can sustain a daily service.” “With Cathay Pacific’s worldwide network to back us up we expect the flights to be popular with travellers from around the globe as well as in Hong Kong,” he added.
>>Full article
THAILAND - Floods destroying ancient Thai city
eTN, 20-10-2006
Officials in Thailand say three months of flooding have turned the foundations of the ancient city of Wiang Kum Kam into mud.
The head of Thailand's provincial fine arts office, Sahawat Naenna, said the immense flooding in the ancient city's area has caused more than $75,000 in damage to the city's brick foundation, the Bangkok Post said. Wiang Kum Kam was originally founded around 1286 by King Meng Rai and became the capital of the Lanna kingdom before flooding forced the ruler to move his capital to Chiang Mai. After eventually being buried by the area's floods, the city was unearthed in 1984 and was opened in 2004 as a tourist attraction. The Post said that while a request has been made to government officials for funds to safeguard the national monument, to date to allowances have been made.
DEVELOPMENTS - World Leisure Congress Stands up for Millennium Development Goals and Against Poverty
Hangzhou, China 20th October 2006/eTN
Referring to the strong links between leisure, tourism and poverty reduction UNWTO Assistant Secretary General Geoffrey Lipman commended the 9th World Leisure Congress for joining the global campaign to stand up against poverty and for the Millennium Development Goals.In his remarks, he identified the emergence of a form of responsible enjoyment embodied in the UNWTO's Global Code of Ethics for Tourism which leaves a positive impact on visitors, on host communities and on the ecosystems it impacts. Noting that, the world is increasingly recognizing the beneficial socioeconomic impact of that mobile form of leisure and its great potential for the poorest countries -particularly in Africa.China, so embodies the spirit and the realization of the tourism paradigm. In less than 2 decades, under the balanced dynamism of the socialist market economy, China has become the fourth largest international tourist export market and is on track to become the largest market in the next two decades. And with its rapidly expanding middle class this is destined to become the largest two way market in the world.
>>Full article
INDONESIA - Minister Wacik to Establish a Directorate of MICE
Balidiscovery.com, (10/21/2006)
Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, has announced plans to establish a dedicated Directorate within his Department to actively seek out a larger share of the lucrative MICE market (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions).
The MICE Directorate is promised to be fully operational early in 2007.
>>Full article
INDONESIA - Developing a Tourism Vision for Tomorrow
Balidiscovery.com, (10/22/2006)
Ibu Wuryastuti Sunario has spent her entire professional life working on behalf of Indonesian tourism. "Ibu Tuti," the editor of "Indonesia Digest" - an e-zine published by Strategic Communications that succinctly analyses Indonesian current affairs "in a nutshell." Formerly, she held the post of Managing Director of the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board (ITPB) which valiantly tried to put national tourism promotion on higher, more professional plane. She has also served as the Director of the Indonesian Tourism Promotion Board for ASEAN, Taiwan and Hong Kong from a regional office in Singapore. She also once headed Indonesia's tourism promotion office in the United States.When asked by balidiscovery.com for her views on the current state of Indonesia's tourism industry, she very kindly supplied the comments below.
>>Full article
Friday, October 20, 2006
DEVELOPMENTS - Ctrip.com offers 25,000 hotels to China
TTGasia, Oct 20 - 26, 2006 / No.1499
BEIJING – Ctrip.com, China’s leading travel service provider of hotel accommodation, airline tickets and packaged tours, has added 25,000 overseas hotels to its reservation platform, a move generating mixed reaction among the country’s trade.
It signals the start of major changes in the local hospitality industry and comes at a time when hundreds of international hotels are opening their doors across China.
Hilton Beijing director of business development, Mr Harald Feurstein, said this was the only way forward for the industry in China. “More business is being conducted via online booking agencies. While travel agents are here to stay, their model of business will have to evolve...For online reservation systems, connectivity will be key. A successful reservations centre must have direct connectivity to the hotels they are booking, as the agents do now.”
But China agents TTG Asia spoke to were more sceptical. UTS Travel domestic wholesale manager, Mr Guo Feng, said: “The booking market in China is dominated by travel agents. Changes will happen very slowly. Some individuals may pick up online reservations, but most companies will continue to use agents. Businesses have good relations with agents and will not want to jeopardise this.”
Beijing School of Tourism Management analyst, Mr Li Xinjian, said: “Things are going to change – however slowly. More international hotels are calling China home, and their extensive sales and marketing networks will force local changes to both booking systems, and the way hotels are managed.”
Mr Guo added: “Most Chinese-managed hotels have a lot going for them – good locations, good connections, and of course the backing of the government. But most are ill-equipped to compete with international chains in terms of management and service. Competition will push (them) to join forces with international management teams.”
TAIWAN - tourism boom
TTGasia, Oct 20 - 26, 2006 / No.1499
FROM 158 organisations taking part at the first Taipei ITF in December 1987, the event has grown to 598 organisations this year, its 20th anniversary.
Honorary chairman of the Taiwan Visitors Association (TVA) and chairman of the Taipei ITF organising committee, Mr Stanley Yen, who was there from the start, said the event was successful from day one.
“When the Taiwan government removed the foreign exchange ban in June 1987, there were already 846,000 outbound travellers and tourism expenditure of US$2 billion, even though the economy was not as strong as it is now.
“TVA (a non-profit tourism organisation and the organiser of Taipei ITF) saw the opportunity to do something and decided to set up a platform where international exhibitors could promote their destinations and products to consumers, especially the
mass market.
“The first ITF created a lot of interest and curiosity about Taiwan. At that time, the mature outbound markets were Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong. But because of Taiwan’s large population, it had a lot of potential.”
Proof of Taiwan’s potential was reflected in TVA’s decision to upgrade the biennial ITF into an annual affair, starting in 1999. Mr Yen said: “The demand was overwhelming and we realised we could maximise the potential by holding it every year, and ITF has continued to grow.”
The number of organisations taking part grew from 312 in 1997, to 313 in 1999 and 326 in 2000, while the number of booths increased from 481, to 520 to 548 respectively.
Taiwan’s outbound market has now grown to around seven billion travellers and expenditure of around US$10 billion. And from a mass market outbound-focused consumer fair, Mr Yen said ITF had evolved to incorporate domestic and inbound tourism.
“In the last few years, Taiwan has developed many new upmarket resorts and facilities targeted at youth travellers. And some are very unique. They are targeted at a growing number of sophisticated Taiwanese travellers, and are also suitable for the international market,” he added.
“As a result we have seen an increasing number of visitors from Singapore and Malaysia in Ilan, where there are hotsprings, interesting scenery and local culture.
“And the length of stay has definitely increased.”
Of the 598 organisations taking part this year, there are 106 national and regional tourism organisations, 56 tourism associations, 206 hotels and resorts, 61 travel agencies, 53 attractions, 26 transport companies and 90 other related companies, representing Taiwan and 59 other countries.
The 945 booths they occupy will take up all four exhibition halls of the Taipei World Trade Center.
>>Full article
INDONESIA - Mighty Makassar
TTGasia, Oct 20 - 26, 2006 / No.1499
WHILE the scuba sites of Manado in North Sulawesi are world famous, and the beautiful architecture of traditional Toraja homes have become an icon of the country, Sulawesi has still some way to go in gaining international tourism recognition.
Having hosted TIME (Tourism Indonesia Mart and Expo) for the first time this year, Makassar is setting its tourism sights high and is hoping to become a more well-known gateway to eastern Indonesia.
The city is one of the few in Indonesia which has set a percentage of its budget aside for promotions through its own Makassar Tourism Board (MTB). MTB was established four years ago. Chairman, Mr Andi Ilham Mattalatta, said: “The industry has replied to the city government’s call to develop revenue from tourism by asking them to commit three per cent of its tourism income for promotion and product development.”
This year, MTB gets 750 million rupiah (US$82,000).
Makassar is a busy business city and tourists tend to treat it as a transit point on the way to Tana Toraja. City-wide hotel occupancy averages more than 75 per cent.
Being the major hub for eastern Indonesia, Hasanuddin Airport is one of the country’s busiest, with an average of 72 flights taking off and landing every day. Last year, it served 3.4 million passengers, a number which pushed airport capacity to the maximum.
Makassar mayor, Mr Ilham Arief Sirajuddin, said: “Makassar has the potential to become a tourist destination on its own.
“We have historical, cultural and marine tourism assets. What we need to do is to manage and develop them well to attract tourists.”
The city government started revitalising its famous waterfront, Losari Beach, two years ago.
Land along the beach has been reclaimed to create a public area where visitors can stroll or just sit, relax and watch the sunset.
Street food hawkers, who used to crowd the whole stretch of the beach, have been relocated to Pusat Sajan Wisata Laguna (Laguna Culinary Centre), about five minutes away.
There are 11 small islands off Makassar, four of which can be developed for marine tourism.
Mr Sirajuddin said: “Of the four, Kayangan Island has been developed and is a popular resort destination for local tourists.
“We are looking for investors to develop Samalona, Lanyukang and Kodengareng Keke islands.”
Samalona is a diving and snorkelling spot, Lanyukang has potential for fishing and Kodengareng Keke has been slated for resort development.
>>Full article
SINGAPORE - nightlife goes glitzy and glamorous
eTN Asia, 10-20-2006
Singapore is on its way to transforming itself into a clubbing and fun capital with its glitzy and glamorous nightlife.
In a country where gum spitting carries the penalty of a caning, the city-state is reinventing itself by offering all-night partying, including drinking and bar top dancing.
The government's recent decision to build two casino integrated resort complexes is seen as the impetus for investors to pour money into the entertainment industry, ranging from major casino licenses to smaller entertainment outlets, and liquor/ beverage supplies for consumption by its nightlife market.
Smaller investors are believed to have poured as much as US$37 million, multi-playing six-fold into the Singapore nightlife scene over the past year, mainly centered around the Singapore River quayside and Chinatown enclave.
Said Simon Lee from the Wong Sun Group, an investor in the Singapore nightclub scene, "Compared to the rest of Asian nightlife, Singapore offers the widest range of concepts."
By mid-December, St. James Power Station, one of the city's biggest names on the nightlife scene, will offer up to nine different forms of music outlets, from live Cuban street party to Chinese karaoke, live Chinese shows, R&B dance music, trans music, Mono and Swing Bar.
London-based competitor, Ministry of Sound, is investing in six entertainment outlets during the same time, identifying its own outlets from Fashion Bar, Kandi Bar, Buddha Bar to FBar. Five of its own outlets will be located at Singapore's choice nightlife address in Clarke Quay.
"Initially the outlets may have a small impact on the nightlife scene, but in the long run we believe we will have a very loyal following, becoming repeat customers," said Tracy Philips, Zouk's marketing manager.
After expansions in Australia and Denmark, it now has the largest dance floor in Singapore.
Thursday, October 19, 2006
MARKETS - Singapore makes the grade
TTGasia, Oct 20 - 26, 2006 / No.1499
SINGAPORE – Singapore is having a bumper year with Japanese overseas school tours (OST) heading this way in record numbers. But ground agents handling the market said it must rapidly address some issues to continue reaping high marks from student groups.
JTB Singapore general manager, Mr Takashi Stanley Uno, said: “We have a 15 per cent increase in the number of Japanese public high school students this year compared to 2005.” NTA Travel Singapore, and World Holidays also reported healthier 2006 figures. Collectively, they handle the majority of Japanese OST inbound into Singapore.
Strained diplomatic ties between Japan and its neighbours, China and South Korea, led schools to head for “safe destinations” such as Singapore out of concern for students’ security. Mr Uno said once political tensions ease, “there may be a shift back to travel in China and South Korea, which are popular destinations”.
His comments highlight external developments boosting OST performance which may change, chipping away recent market gains. Recent economic and political developments also played an important role in driving student traffic here. Agents said some Japanese school groups diverted to Singapore from Australia when travel there became too costly due to airline fuel surcharges. Schools switched to cheaper places rather than ask parents to top up the amount.
Agents also raised issues that may signal rain clouds on the horizon.
NTA Travel Singapore managing director, Mr Shigeru Nakashima, explained: “The budget for public high schools’ OST is determined by each prefecture’s education board. For 2006, the average is ¥100,000 (US$841) per student, inclusive of air fare and accommodation.”
Singapore, becoming increasingly expensive, must address cost issues or find the price-sensitive student tour market drifting away. Mr Uno said: “Hotels are the biggest problem. Rates are rising rapidly....Malaysia and Thailand are also eager to get student tours and their hotel rates are much cheaper than Singapore. Maybe hotels here can offer student discounts.”
World Holidays general manager, Mr Chua Kim Song, added: “Hotels do not want to accept large groups next year because of yield management. If this continues, schools may go elsewhere, like Malaysia.”
>>Full article
THAILAND - Chief concerns
TTGasia, Oct 20 - 26, 2006 / No.1499
BANGKOK – New Thai tourism and sports minister, Dr Suvit Yodmani’s, call for greater emphasis on sustainable tourism – and not merely revenue – is viewed as a major departure from Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) policy under the previous government.
Dr Suvit, 64, an environmental and social crusader, who was appointed interim tourism minister last week, said the ministry’s main goal was not only to register high revenue, but also to focus on the environment, security and hospitality.
Dr Suvit, who is expected to remain in the post until new elections are held (the interim government has promised to relinquish power in a year), added the tourism and sports ministry’s 2007 budget request of 24.1 billion baht (US$645 million) was too high. It is a 147 per cent increase, or 14.4 billion baht over this year’s budget.
Dr Suvit, whose previous closest association with the tourism industry involved the production of a coffee-table book, did not indicate his budget request, but said it would come into effect early next year.
The trade has responded warmly to Dr Suvit’s call. Association of Thai Travel Agents (ATTA) president, Mr Apichart Sankary, said: “We need quality tourists, instead of always talking about numbers.”
LTU Asia Tours managing director, Mr Raymond Honings, agreed. “It shouldn’t be about revenue at all costs.”
Dr Suvit also said problems at Suvarnabhumi Airport – especially those involving baggage handling – needed to be solved quickly. Thailand, he added, had the potential to become the tourism capital of Asia, but had to focus on establishing itself as the tourism capital of South-east Asia first.
>>Full article
INDONESIA - Haze closes Indonesian airports
Aljazeera.Net, 10-19-2006
Several airports in Indonesia have been closed by the smoke from land-clearing fires that have been burning for more than two months.
"We ordered the closure of three regional airports . . . where visibility was only about 100 meters," Hatta Radjasa, the transport minister, said.
Flight cancellations and delays have also been reported at other airports on Borneo and Sumatra islands, officials said.
The closures threaten to cause travel chaos as millions of people prepare to travel at the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
At Sultan Thaha Airport in Sumatra’s Jambi province all flights have been cancelled.
"Our airport has been paralyzed. No planes are able to land or take off because of poor visibility," Basuki Mardianto, the airport head, said.
Holiday traffic
About 14.5 million people are expected to travel by road, air and sea from major cities to visit their families in rural villages. Traffic is expected to peak at the weekend.
Rachmat Witoelar, the environment minister, said he was worried that the haze, which is hanging over much of South East Asia, may be prolonged by the late arrival of the wet season. Indonesia's rainy season usually starts in late October but has so far failed to arrive.
Jakarta has appealed for funds and equipment from its neighbors, Singapore and Malaysia, to combat the smog which is coming mainly from the Indonesian provinces on Sumatra and Borneo islands.
The army has been enlisted to help fight the fires and the government has tried using firefighting airplanes and cloud seeding to extinguish the blazes.
Brush fires
Brush fires are started by farmers or agricultural companies looking for a cheap way to clear land for plantations, often for producing palm oil or timber.
In Malaysia, air quality in the capital Kuala Lumpur has fallen to unhealthy levels leading the government to advise citizens against outdoor activities.
A meeting of leaders from five South East Asian countries last week urged the government in Jakarta to ratify a regional treaty on cross-border haze, and said financial assistance would be withheld until it did.
The smog, which has triggered health warnings in Singapore and Malaysia this year, has plagued the region since the 1990s.
AUSTRALIA - Western Australia passes adventure tourism operators law
eTN Asia/Pacific, 10-19-2006
The Western Australia government has imposed new strict standards for adventure tourism operators, in a move to protect tourists following some “near tragedies” in the state's wilderness areas.
Under a new legislation, accreditation will be compulsory for all adventure tourism operators in the state.
The state has also allocated 'more' than of A$500,000 to improve safety across the industry, with the bulk to be spent for its accreditation program.
"The changes have been made following some near tragedies in the state's wilderness area," said Sheila McHale.
"Our goal is all adventure tourism operators are properly assessed and accredited so that the lives of our visitors are safe," she added. "We want to make sure everybody in adventure tourism is properly accredited, competent and equipped."
While the majority of operators offering adventure tourism in the state are competent and accredited presently, it is still done a voluntary basis.
The accreditation program is one of the recommendations of a recent government review of adventure tourism.
MARKETS - PATA's Top Five Winners for First Quarter 2006
BANGKOK Pata.org, October 18, 2006
Travel and tourism arrivals across the Asia Pacific region expanded 4.5% in the first quarter of 2006 compared to first quarter 2005, according to the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)’s comprehensive and comparative listing of Asia Pacific destination performance.
That translates into nearly 3.5 million more arrivals for Asia Pacific destinations, year-on-year. PATA’s ‘First Quarter 2006 Quarterly Statistical Report’ (‘QSR’) shows which Asia Pacific destinations attracted the most increases in international visitor arrivals and from which source markets.
The top five origin-destination % growth performances for first quarter 2006 compared to first quarter 2005, (where passenger traffic was 25,000 or more) were:- 1) Russian Federation to Thailand (+138.2%) 2) China (PRC) to Thailand (+131.8%) 3) Italy to the Maldives (+126.9%) 4) Korea (ROK) to Thailand (+89.7%) 5) China (PRC) to Philippines (+87.1%) “Thailand clearly bounced back from the post- tsunami declines it suffered in the first three months of 2005,” said PATA Director-Strategic Intelligence Centre Mr John Koldowski.
In purely % growth terms, irrespective of volume, top five origin-destination growth performances for first quarter 2006 compared to first quarter 2005, were:- 1) Sweden to Bhutan (+200.0%) 2) Indonesia to Chinese Taipei (+145.0%) 3) Brunei to Cambodia (+143.6) 4) Russian Federation to Thailand (+138.2%) 5) Malaysia to Tahiti (+136.4%)
The top five origin-destination pairs with the greatest volume gains in first quarter 2006 over first quarter 2005 were:- 1) Hong Kong SAR to China (PRC) (+680,681) 2) China (PRC) to Hong Kong SAR (+553,052) 3) China (PRC) to Macau SAR (+492,748) 4) Hong Kong SAR to Macau SAR (+237,802) 5) Canada to USA (+150,232)
PATA’s ‘First Quarter 2006 Quarterly Statistical Report’ (‘QSR’), which was released last week, can be purchased at www.pata.org/catalogue. PATA members are eligible for discounts.
DEVELOPMENTS - APEC countries meet to boost tourism
eTN Asia, 10-18-06
Asia-Pacific tourism ministers and officials from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member countries have concluded their two-day meeting in Hoi An, Vietnam. The aim for the meeting was to boost tourism growth among member countries, ahead of an APEC summit which is to be held in Hanoi next month.
In addition to taking summit delegates on a tour of its ancient town of Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary, both UNESCO world cultural heritage sites, Hoi An also hosted an APEC Tourism Fair, attracting visitors to some 100 pavilions.
Tourism ministers from the Pacific Rim countries met to discuss how to boost growth and investments, at the same time remove barriers in the tourism industry.
"Tourism is a very important industry for the APEC region," said secretariat spokesman Christopher Hawkins. "It covers many areas on the APEC agenda, from small business and transportation to counter-terrorism and emergency preparedness."
Matters discussed included raising airport capacity, reaching open-skies agreements to boost air travel, and ways to increase cooperation between the public and private sectors.
Vietnam's national tourism administration also proposed the setting up of an APEC Investment Forum to attract capital from investors interested in the tourism industry, in addition to rotating hosting of the annual APEC Tourism Fair.
The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has estimated that the tourism industry now employs over 100 million people in the APEC countries, with 30 million more jobs expected by 2010 when the industry will be worth over US$3 trillion dollars a year.
Despite facing natural and man-made disasters such as the Bali bombings, earthquakes, 2004 tsunami wave attacks, SARS and bird flu pandemic outbreaks and annual haze from forest fires, the growth of tourism in the Asia-Pacific region has not stopped.
"The industry has shown tremendous resilience to make significant strides and meet demands," said Vo Thi Thang, chairwoman of Vietnam National Tourism Administration. "Tourism has contributed significantly to APEC countries' economic development, helping to reduce poverty and provide job opportunities."
PHILIPPINES - Sarangani edu-tourism town draws thousands
Sun Star Davao, 10-18-06
MAITUM, Sarangani -- By promoting child rights and by protecting its watersheds, this town gets thousands of visitors each year in educational-tourism.
Its award-winning Child Friendly Movement (CFM), white-water tubing, heritage and nature-conservation sites are top edu-tourism draws. Since 2005, the town has received 27 CFM-related group tours from Baguio City, Pampanga, and Banaue. CFM learners also came from the Surigao provinces, Kidapawan City, Bukidnon, South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Koronadal City, and Davao City, to name a few.
From January to September this year, close to 10,000 tourists have arrived. Their favorites were the river-tubing facility in Barangay New La Union, pawikan sanctuary in Old Poblacion, Lemlunay Research and Learning Center for farmers in Kalaong, and Pinol Cave -- origin of man-shaped burial jars dating back to 5 B.C. A town tour only takes one day. An overnight stay is more than enough to get familiar with this Ilocano and T'boli enclave.
"The new police station is also becoming a tourist attraction," said Beth Palma Gil, the municipal accountant and information officer. Chief Superintendent German Doria, Philippine National Police regional director, called it "one of the best" police stations and "far beyond the standards of our regional office" for its cleanliness, orderliness, and crime-solution efficiency. Doria cited the police's partnership with the community for this feat. "Tourists usually drop by this police station. Local children also visit the station because of it is child-friendly," Gil said. Senior Inspector Geronimo Dimayuga, the chief of police, would let children do some drills in exchange of chocolates and the children love it, she said.
Maitum's eco-tourism spots, child-friendly practices, good governance, and environment initiatives took the Regional Youth Science Camp here with more than 1,000 delegates. "They appreciated a lot what they saw and they promised to come back," Gil said. Mayor George Yabes, now serving his last term, has consistently championed his constituents' causes for the environment, child rights and rural development. Maitum, 107 km. west of General Santos City, has a population of 39,424 today. Its economy was buoyed up by the logging boom in the 60's and 70's. Commercial logging and the Muslim secessionist wars of the 70's have wrought their damage but the town springs back to life time and again.
In 2003, Maitum won the National Award for Most Child-Friendly Municipality. Maitum also gained the 2005 award from Gawad Galing Pook Foundation for promoting child rights. In 2002, village officials and residents of Barangay New La Union fought off a cooperative commercially logging their watershed in the guise of a community-based forest management agreement with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR).
>>Full article
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
CHINA - National Day holiday in China proves to be a boon for its tourism industry
eTN Asia, 10-17-2006
The recent weeklong National Day holiday in China has proved to a boon for its tourism industry.
Beijing received 4.32 million visitors during the seven days, 1.8 percent up from last year, and tourism income crossed 3.6 billion yuan or US$455 million, according to the municipal vocation office.
In southern China’s Guangdong Province, the week saw visitors spend 3.2 billion yuan as the city received 6.55 million visitors, 3.39 percent up from the same time last year. East China’s commercial hub Shanghai welcomed more than four million visitors during the weeklong vacation.
As per the information available, the recent National Day holiday week, one of the nation’s three “Golden Weeks”, four big attractions -- the Summer Palace, Beijing Zoo, Beihai Park and the Temple of Heaven -- received 16 million visitors.
According to Xinhua news agency, 120,000 people visited the newly opened Happy Valley amusement park, while western Beijing’s Mentougou District with its ancient temples and well-reserved traditional village houses received more than 270,000 visitors resulting in an income of US$ 2.67 million.
The report added that the number of passengers going through the Shanghai Railway station hit a record high on October 1, when about 957,000 people traveled by train that day. From September 28 to October 7, the railway station handled 7.12 million passengers. Five additional tourist trains and 716 additional passenger trains were arranged during the holiday. The first weeklong vocation since the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway brought 11,536 visitors to the Potala Palacein the first six days, including 2,299 from other countries.
INDIA - hotel rooms full despite rising death toll
eTN Asia, 10-17-2006
The rising toll of chikungunya cases is casting a shadow over Kerala’s tourism industry, which is again expecting a record number of domestic and international arrivals.
Kerala tourism recorded a 36 percent increase of foreign tourist arrivals until June this year, compared to the same period in 2005.
"We are sending a newsletter to travelers, travel agents and tour operators to ally any anxiety about health fears," said B Suman, Kerala tourism director.
Added Sudheesh, secretary of the Kerala Hotel & Restaurant Association, "We have received cancellations specifically on account of deaths from chikungunya."
Malaysia, meanwhile, which receives a large number of foreign workers from Kerala, has issued a travel advisory against visiting Indian states affected by the chikungunya and dengue outbreaks.
As of Sunday, India's National Vector Borne Disease Control Center confirmed that the dengue death toll has crossed 100 nationwide, with over 5,000 affected.
"The number of dengue and chikungunya deaths has decreased due to sanitation drives and awareness campaigns," said Shakti Gupta from the All India Institute of Medical Sciences.
Said Nigel, a tourist from the UK, "We are using a lot of mosquito repellants, creams and lotions. I had a few mosquito bites, but nothing serious before seeking medical help."
Meanwhile, despite 21 confirmed cases of chikungunya deaths in New Delhi, hotel rooms have been fully booked until March next year. "Tariffs have shot up with the growing demand, while rooms rates have almost doubled," said Akhil Mathur from Le Meridian.
Said Anit Sarin, executive director of the Anantraj Group which is building nine budget hotels, "Five-star hotels have increased their rates two and a half times in the past 18 months, forcing budget hotels to increase their rooms rates to near five-star levels."
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
SINGAPORE - Genting and Star Cruises unveil Resorts World at Sentosa
On Monday, Genting International and Star Cruises unveiled details of the consortium’s world-class Resorts World at Sentosa, its proposed integrated resort on Sentosa Island.
THAILAND - seizes initiative in airport battle
AFP , SINGAPORE, Monday, Oct 09, 2006, Page 10
While the opening of Suvarnabhumi international airport has intensified rivalry within Asia for market share, analysts say an expanding aviation sector means there is enough business for everybody.
"We are not worried about over-investing," said Paul Behnke, director of economics at Airports Council International (ACI).
"There is under-investment in some of the key countries and frankly, airport capacity is in short supply," he said.
Passenger traffic in the Asian region is projected to grow 8 percent this year and 7.8 percent next year, faster than the global average of 5.1 percent for the same period, according to ACI.
Air freight traffic in Asia is expected to grow an average 6.9 percent in the 2004-2020 period against the global average of 5.4 percent, said the Geneva-based body whose 557 members operate more than 1,530 airports globally.
"The reality is the region needs new international capacity and we welcome new capacity," he said. "I don't see many airports out there that are terribly under-utilized."
Bangkok's new airport, which cost US$3 billion, has a capacity of 45 million passengers a year, well ahead of its rivals in Singapore and Malaysia.
That capacity is expected to more than double when it becomes fully operational, but for now it is on par with the eight-year-old Hong Kong International Airport which received 40.3 million passengers last year.
An additional US$15.8 million has been allocated for a budget airline terminal to open there next year.
Suvarnabhumi, which opened on Sep. 28, replaces Bangkok's creaking Don Muang which was straining under an annual load of 39 million passengers, two million more than it was designed for.
"In the case of the Bangkok airport, it definitely was a rational investment ... Don Muang was for years operating well above its design capacity and the resultant bottlenecks were keeping Thailand's aviation sector below its natural level," said Richard Pinkham, a Singapore-based analyst with the Center for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
"In order to keep things moving forward, investment in upgrading infrastructure was necessary," he said.
Asia needs to continue developing its key airports if the region's economies, especially the tourism sector, are to blossom, analysts said.
"Asia's major hubs will continue to have to invest in new airport capacity, to meet expected trade and tourism growth," said Peter Harbison, executive chairman of CAPA, a Sydney-based independent aviation consultancy.
"The capacity shortages run the risk of undermining hub competitiveness, not to mention inconvenience to passengers, while airport congestion can also lead to financial loss for airlines," he said.
John Koldowski, director for strategic intelligence at the Bangkok-based Pacific Asia Travel Association, said airport investment places the region in a strong position to cater to Asians' rising affluence.
"The near-term future for air travellers particularly is very, very strong," Koldowski said.
AVIATION - Viva Macau plans low-cost air service to central VN
Vietnam net bridge.com, 13/10/2006
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VietNamNet Bridge – VivaMacau Limited intends to launch low-cost direct air service between Macau and central Vietnam in the first quarter of next year, according to a memorandum of understanding signed with Furama Da Nang Resort and Spa. Huynh Tan Vinh, deputy general manager of Furama Da Nang, signed the MOU with the budget airline at the resort on Wednesday during the visit to Da Nang City by a delegation of officials and business people from China's Macau Special Administrative Region. Under the MOU, the resort will cooperate with Viva Macau for accommodation and aviation services when the company flies to the central coast city in response to the big demand for air travel on the route. Viva Macau's interest proves that Vietnam is emerging as a potential market for budget airlines as Australia's Jetstar Airways looks set to launch three Sydney-HCMC weekly flights from late next month. The low-cost airlines active in Vietnam at the moment include Singapore's Tiger Airways and Air Asia, with the latter having just launching service between Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi a year after Malaysia's airline began its Hanoi-Bangkok service. Also yesterday, the resort inked another MOU with Macau-based travel firm Gray Line Tours Ltd. over their cooperative tourism activities and promotions in both destinations. Vinh said the MOUs with two Macau companies were important to bringing a large number of international travelers to not only Furama Da Nang but also the central coastal city. |
DEVELOPMENTS - First Mindanao trade congress slated in Dipolog
Sunstar.com, (September 15, 2006 issue)
LOCAL and foreign investors and other stakeholders are to converge in Dipolog City for the first-ever Mindanao Trade, Investment, and Tourism Congress (MTITC).
The MTITC, which will be held for two days from October 5 to 6 this year, will bring together key business leaders, government officials, local and foreign investors, and entrepreneurs from Mindanao to discuss trade, investment, and tourism potentials.
Dipolog Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Edgar Bagarinao said the MTITC aims to provide a better understanding of Mindanao as a super region, realizing its potentials in trade, investment, and tourism.
The Federation of Business Chambers of Mindanao Foundation Inc. (FBC-Mindanao) organizes the conduct of the two-day MTITC.
Bagarinao said the MTITC will also focus on Mindanao's strategic location within the East Asian region considering that Mindanao has the geographic advantage and potentials to be a transshipment center of trade in the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-Eaga).
Among the invited resource persons to the MTITC are: president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Ambassador Donald Dee; acting chairman of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) Undersecretary Virgilio Leyretana; Corporate Affairs advisor of TVI Resource Development Philippines John Ridsdel; founding director and chairman of the Board of Directors of BIMP East Asean Business Council Vicente Paterno; Senator Manuel Villar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Embassy of Canada Peter Sutherland; country Representative of the Asia Foundation Steve Rood; Tengku Datuk (Dr) Zainal Adlin, chairman of Sabah Tourism Board; Tourism Secretary Ace Durano; and Congressman Edgar Chatto, chairman of the committee on tourism of the House of Representatives.
DEVELOPMENTS - Basking on the beach, or maybe on the operating table
New York Times, 16 october 2006
Travelling to countries like Thailand, Malaysia, Costa Rica and India for medical and dental treatments cost about 20 to 80% less than at US
A growing number of Americans are traveling to countries like Thailand, Costa Rica and Malaysia for cosmetic, orthopedic and heart surgeries and other medical and dental treatments that cost 20 to 80 per cent less than at home.
The number of these travelers varies, depending on whom you ask, but there is no doubt that health travel is growing, hastened by the fact that 46 million Americans are uninsured and that health insurance costs are soaring.
In Bangkok, Bumrungrad International Hospital counts 55,000 American patients a year. It describes itself online to visitors much the way a hotel would, with photographs of rooms, lists of surgery prices and amenities for patients, like laptop computer rentals and secretarial services.
In Costa Rica, construction is under way on new medical retreats — basically hotels with nurses and medical amenities to help patients recuperate from surgery. In India, hospitals are sprouting that offer foreigners fine dining, marble bathrooms and manicured lawns. The hospitals promote the fact that they have credentialed physicians and a one-to-one ratio of nurses and patients.
Yet going overseas for medical care is not without risks. Life-threatening complications, possible with any surgery anywhere, can arise far from home, and medical travel brochures don’t always adequately inform consumers of standards for hospitals, medical providers and post-operative care.
INDIA - incredible tourism story only gets better
Hindustantimes.com, October 16, 2006
With Conde Nast Traveller ranking India as the fourth most preferred travel destination and Lonely Planet selecting the country among the top five destinations from 167 countries this year, India has finally made its mark on the world travel map.
Global recognition is evident from the rising number of India-bound tourists. From just 17,000 international arrivals in 1951, the number has grown to 39 lakh in 2005. According to the Ministry of Tourism, we have already clocked almost 30 lakh foreign tourists between January and September, as compared with 27 lakh during the same period last year.
In the past three and half years there has been a 45.5 per cent growth in foreign tourist arrivals, pushing India's foreign-exchange earnings from $3.5 billion in 2003 to $5.7 billion in 2005. Foreign tourists in India spent an average of $1,470 per person last year; nearly double the global average of $844. France, the top tourist destination in the world, earned only $556 per tourist last year. The ministry estimates that by the end of 2012, India's foreign-exchange earnings from foreign tourists will cross $12 billion. In fact, the World Travel and Tourism Council estimated that Indian tourism industry would grow annually at 10 per cent over the next decade, the highest in the world.
Tourism in India is the third largest net earner of foreign exchange and contributes 6 per cent to our gross domestic product (GDP). It also employs the largest number of people. In 2003-04, according to the National Council for Applied Economics Research, the industry employed 4 crore people directly and indirectly, which was 8.78 per cent of the total employment in the country.
Packaging India
Much of the credit goes to the Ministry of Tourism's high-decibel 'Incredible India' campaign launched towards the end of 2002. The campaign mounted a concerted effort in international print, electronic, and Internet media besides outdoor advertising and road shows to showcase the country's tourism-friendly aspects. "It helped create high visibility and brought in high-value traffic into the country," says Amitabh Kant, joint secretary, Ministry of Tourism. Earlier, the ministry was solely dependent on its overseas offices to promote India as a tourist destination.
BALI - Government Calls Temporary Halt to Pecatu Golf Project
Balidiscovery.com, (10/14/2006)
Following page-one coverage in the Bali press and growing protests from the public, a team of Badung government officials swooped down on the Bali Pecatu Graha Golf Course (BPG) project on Thursday, October 12, 2006, and ordered developers to cease all work until the necessary permits are in hand.
In their defense, the BPG developers claim that the basic permits and environmental studies required by law were in hand, dating from 1995 during the reign of IB Oka as Governor. Since that period, however, new rules on decentralization of authority now mandate the permits from local regencies (in this case, Badung) are now required.
A Growing Water Crisis
Speaking to the Indonesian language Bali Post, a local expert warned that the Ayung River provides most of the water needs of the South Island as well as the four regencies of Tabanan, Badung, Denpasar and Gianyar and that permits for project requiring large amounts of water should be carefully considered before they are granted.
The head of the local environmental authority, Made Adijaya, expressed a similar opinion to the Bali Post, reminding all involved of a warning in place since the mid-1990s urging that hotels and supporting elements be limited in the face of Bali's limited water resources.
The Bali Post also reports that the developers of the BPG project have drilled 4 wells to meet their water requirements and have established a large number of ponds to retain surface water to meet their needs. Drilling into the water table shared with other hotels, housing and a university campus on the peninsula - the 75-meter deep bore holes are reportedly producing water with a high alkaline content.
>>Full article
BALI - The Robber Barons of Bali
Anthropologist I Wayan Geria suggested that Bali had entered into its present downturn and devastated state over the past twenty years, and is now badly in need of "recovery" efforts. In the current period, complained Geria, many tourism players are only interested in what they can "rob" and "steal" from Bali.
According to Geria, there are two distinct groups now operating in Bali tourism. The first group is comprised of those who make a meaningful contribution to Bali, while members of the second group are only concerned with how they can wrest from the island. Geria added: "The group who make significant contributions to Bali is relatively small while the majority (of tourism practitioners) only think what they can 'rob' from the island."
He explained that while the concept of "cultural tourism" was set out and elaborated in the local tourism laws promulgated in 1974, the principle, however, remains largely unachieved in practice.
A Crisis of Ethics and Morality Driven by Money
Geria pointed to a crisis in ethics in Bali tourism, claiming the crisis has its roots in tourism being rendered into little more than a commercialized commodity, as demonstrated in the increase in property sales; and the exploitation of water, land, forest and mountain resources.
At the same time there has developed an easy readiness to tolerate any changes demanded by tourism. This has resulted in an erosion of community ethics as regards environmental standards, economic standards and standards of human morality.
Another tourism and community leader, Professor Dr. Adnyana Manuaba, traced Bali's current problems back to 1986 and the increasing competition for natural resources, pressures on the environment, and the displacement of culture. The noted academic said there was a need for a common perception between the various elements of the tourism sector that provides for the interests of the agricultural and small industry sectors.
INDONESIA - Minister Wacik Responds
Balidiscovery.com, (10/15/2006)
As reported on balidiscovery.com [Tourism Minister to Be Ousted in Cabinet Reshuffle? ] and [ A Minister at Loggerheads with His Industry ], Indonesia's Minister of Tourism and Culture, Jero Wacik continues to face a torrent of criticism from leading figures within the Indonesian tourism industry with some of the more vocal critics even calling for his replacement in a promised reshuffle of the Presidential Cabinet.
In an interview carried in the Indonesian language Bali Post on Thursday, October 12, 2006, Minister Jero Wacik addressed the controversy regarding his management of the tourism sector and mounting criticism from the Indonesian Tourism Thing Tank (MPI).
The Interview
Bali Post: The Chairman of the Tourism Think Tank (MPI) Pontjo Sutowo appraises the Minister of Culture and Tourism work to date as lacking strategy?
Jero Wacik: That is not correct. I have spoken extensively with associations and the tourism industry on how to advance Indonesian tourism and I have worked to a maximum. If the figures are such (editor: the continuing decline in tourism arrivals), there's not much we can say. What's clear is that for the past two years since becoming Minister I have worked strategically and to a maximum.
Bali Post: What do you mean?
Jero Wacik: It's like this. I was appointed Minister of Culture and Tourism on October 21, 2004. The following day I met with tourism associations – the PHRI (Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association), ASITA (the Association of Indonesian Tour Agencies), and INNCA (Indonesian Association of Congress and Conference Organizers) – except for Pak Pontjo of the MPI, a much smaller organization. I sought input on what the industry needs. It developed that they complained that Chinese citizens who wanted to visit Indonesia had to travel 4 hours to Ghuang Zhoa to obtain a visa and that an Indonesian representative office needed to be opened in Ghuang Zhoa. They also ask that seat capacity on foreign flights be increased. Other issues included the need to create new markets outside the traditional markets of Australia, ASEAN and a handful of European nations. We agreed that these new markets would be China, India and the Middle East because these three countries were 'closed' by us.
Bali Post: The results?
Jero Wacik: I immediately spoke with the Foreign Minister and the Minister of Justice and Human Rights regarding opening a diplomatic office in Ghuang Zhoa to which they agreed. We also established a strategic plan for market development by undertaking promotion to three new markets that to date we had never done.
Bali Post: So, this includes strategic works?
Jero Wacik: To this needs to be added the meeting with 17 ministers with connections to tourism in Tampaksiring, Bali led by President Yudhoyono. Moreover, Pak Pontjo (MPI) personally came and witnessed this meeting. It should be noted that this is the first time the President has convened a working meeting on tourism issues. So, there was added value for our tourism industry. Is this considered non-strategic?
Bali Post: Sir, are you unhappy with these accusations?
Jero Wacik: Yes, that's right. Because I have worked for the people and I will report every year to the President. I am sure that my report and the synergy of my work over the past two years will not be coded 'red' because I have done much.
>>Full article
INDONESIA - A Minister at Loggerheads with His Industry?
Balidiscovery.com, (10/16/2006)
The criticism against Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, as reported by balidiscovery.com [ Tourism Minister to Be Ousted in Cabinet Reshuffle? ], is appearing to sharpen and steadily mount, based on evidence of the growing chorus of criticism and the resulting sharp rebuttal from Minister Wacik.
The Indonesian language Bali Post reports that a distinguished list of "founding fathers" of Indonesian tourism including Sany Sumakno, Tuty Sunario, Pontjo Sutowo, Ahmad Zacky, Sirnadj and Didien Junaedy recently gathered together in a Forum for Tourism Dialogue (FDP) to exchange views on the current condition of the industry.
According to Pontjo Sutowo, Chairman of the Indonesian Tourism Think Tank (MPI), Indonesia managed to achieve its highest rate of development back in 1996 when 6 million foreign visitor spent an estimated US$6 billion in foreign exchange. However, according to Sutowo, the advent of Indonesia's political reformation marked the beginning of a steady decline in the country's tourism fortunes. Sutowo said that there is a basic difference of perception between professionals in tourism and their counterparts in the public sector.
Sutowo, the former Chairman of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), admitted that a spirit to rebuild national tourism does exist together with a political will to do something constructive, as evidenced by the "tourism summit" of the Presidential cabinet convened by President Yudhoyono last year at the Tampaksiring Palace in Bali. Sutowo did, however, express surprise at the lack of follow up on the decisions made at that meeting. Similarly, he claims, there has been little follow-through on Parliament's initiative to draft a new basic law on tourism.
While crediting Minister Wacik as a Minister who is spirited and enthusiastic, Sutowo says the tourism minister has fundamentally failed to prioritize his work and identify the major tasks at hand. To dramatize his point, the MPI Chairman points to the drastic drop in Australian arrivals to Bali and the diplomatic tensions between Indonesia and Australia following the refugee status extended to a group of Papuan rebels. "This (situation) should have created a scale of priority that stressed better relations through tourism," insisted Sutowo.
In an even sterner mode, Sutowo told the Bali Post that the Minister has yet to form strategic policies to advance national tourism. Moreover, he insists there have been fatal errors, such as the sudden cancellation of the Asia Pacific Nation Tourism Organizations Conference and Exhibition scheduled for Yogyakarta in November 2006. Sutowo explained that if the Tourism ministry enjoyed better communication with the Indonesian travel industry this event would not have been cancelled; citing how aggressively Indonesia had fought to win the right to host the event.
Nyoman S. Pendit
Balinese tourism figure Nyoman S. Pendit told the Bali Post of his concerns on how tourism was on the retreat on several fronts. He cited the drop in tourism arrivals, issues of access, infrastructure limitations and problems of human resources as emblematic of areas suggesting a lack of proper government attention.
Also saddening to the tourism observer is the lack of overseas Indonesian tourism promotion offices. He explained that Indonesia has no overseas tourism representation while competing destinations maintain a strong foreign presence. According to Pendit, Singapore has 16 overseas tourism offices, Australia 17, Malaysia 22, Thailand 15 and the Philippines 12.
Tuti Sunario and Sani Soemakno
The Bali Post reports that Tuti Sunario and Sani Soemakno of the group Care Tourism expressed similar dismay, blaming the downturn in tourism numbers on the lack of cooperation and coordination between the private and public sector in addressing tourism development issues.
In separate comments to balidiscovery.com, Tuti Sunario explained that the role of responsbility of the Department of Culture and Tourism in developing national tourism remains unclear, making it difficult to asses or evaluate the Departmet's basic job performance. Sunario also pointed to the seeming "disconnect" between the stated desires of Indonesian tourism officials for greater access to certain markets (e.g. China and the Middle East) and the lack of support for these iniatives from natioal air carriers.
Ray Suryawijaya
The Vice-chairman of the Bali Chapter of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association (PHRI), Ray Suryawijaya told the Bali Post that the government lacks a clear view of the role to be played by the tourism sector. As a result, he insists government policies in support of tourism from the tourism ministry or other government agencies are few and far between. This occurs despite the fact that an estimated 7.5 million Indonesians work in tourism representing a 9.4% share to the gross domestic product.
>>Full article
ACCOMMODATION - Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi To Open February 2007
Odyssey Magazine, October 16, 2006
Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts has signed anagreement with Al Jaber Establishment andTourism Development and InvestmentCompany, Abu Dhabi to manage the Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, Abu Dhabi, openingFebruary 2007. This is the second suchmanagement agreement between the twogroups; the first was for the Shangri-La Hotel,Dubai.
The 21-acre (8.5 hectare) property, includingthe luxury hotel, serviced apartments anddeluxe villas, complemented by dining,entertainment, retail and recreational facilities,will be the first development of its kind in AbuDhabi.
The Shangri-La Hotel, Qaryat Al Beri, designedby Northpoint Architect of Johannesburg,South Africa, faces a 1,000-metre-long (3,300foot) private beach. The luxury hotel is 10minutes from the airport; 15 minutes from theAbu Dhabi Corniche and five minutes from thenew Convention Centre.
All accommodations will feature sea views,including the 214 guestrooms with room sizesover 45 square metres (484 square feet), 161studio to four-bedroom serviced apartments,and seven four to six-bedroom deluxe villas.
Each villa will have its own private swimmingpool. Dining choices will include a poolside bar, lobbylounge, all-day dining coffee shop, andrestaurants serving French, Vietnamese andChinese cuisine. A lively souk (Arabianmarketplace) will be a center for dining andcolorful shopping activity.
The hotel will feature CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La, Shangri-La’s signature spa brand. Theconcept of CHI is to create a sanctuary oftranquillity inspired by the legend of Shangri-La, with therapies based on the ancient healingtraditions and rituals of the Himalayas andChina. In addition to CHI, recreational facilities willinclude a health club, five outdoor swimmingpools and water sports. A 700-metre-long(2,296 foot) waterway with ‘abras’ (Arabgondolas) will transport guests on itsmeandering pathway through the property.
Friday, October 13, 2006
DEVELOPMENTS - UNWTO sees promising future for rural tourism
eTN Asia, 10-12-2006
The United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) regional representative for Asia and the Pacific sees a “promising future” for development of rural tourism, especially in China. This view was expressed at the recently concluded Rural Tourism Forum, held in Guizhou province, which was attended by more than 200 tourism industry representatives and experts from 16 countries.
Xu Jing, UNWTO's regional representative, "Rural tourism offers clear tangible benefits to villagers, and relaxation for city dwellers."
Experts who gathered for the forum, which was jointly organized and sponsored by the UNWTO, World Bank and China National Tourism Administration, agreed that apart from meeting its key goal of alleviating poverty worldwide, rural tourism can help to bridge the divide between cities and countrysides.
"Apart from conserving its heritage, rural tourism should also create financial opportunities for villagers, stimulate the overall economy and cultural development of rural areas," said Francesco Frangialli, secretary general of UNWTO. "It also helps the underprivileged, women, the elderly, children and the disabled."
The experts further recommended the development of Guizhou without losing its unique culture and landscape.
"Local ownership and control under the village tourism associations will ensure fair distribution of profits and benefits. Local stakeholders should be fully involved in both planning and implementation of projects, without which it cannot be successful and sustainable," said the forum's communiqué.
CHINA - opts to shut melting glaciers in its northwestern Xinjiang region to tourists
eTN Asia, 10-13-2006
As China battles to clean up its heavily polluted waterways and stave off water shortages across arid northern regions that have been exacerbated by waste and mismanagement, the authorities have decided to shut melting glaciers in its northwestern Xinjiang region to tourists.
It is being said that tourists littered, polluted and even drove across the ice that provides water to millions, the official Xinhua agency reported.
The glaciers in the Tianshan, or heavenly mountains, supply 2.3 million people in the regional capital Urumqi with drinking water but are shrinking by about 25 feet a year because of global warming and increased human activity, the report said. “Travel agencies had been offering unauthorized tours that drew around 2,000 visitors each year for as little as 20 yuan, or $2.53 per person. As well as driving across the ice, careless tourists had damaged research equipment on one of the country’s most closely studied glaciers, the report added. Glaciers covering China’s Qinghai-Tibet plateau, known as the “roof of the world,” are also shrinking by seven percent a year,” it reported.
PHUKET - Radisson Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach to open in 2008
The Radisson Plaza Resort Phuket Panwa Beach, located on the picturesque south-eastern tip of Phuket in Thailand, is scheduled to open in the latter half of 2008.
