SINGAPORE - to double park visitor numbers through 'quality real life experience' of nature

eTN Asia/Pacific, 27 Nov 2007

Singapore Tourism plans to transform its newly planned 30-hectare nature reserve park into Asia's top nature park.
The Singapore Tourism Board (STB) has said it is planning to transform a 30-hectare site in the Mandai region into Asia's top nature spot to add to its present world-renowned Night Safari Park and Singapore Zoo.Admitting Singapore's land-locked size cannot offer what some of its neighbors can offer in the region, Singaporean Trade and Industry Minister S. Iswaran, Minister said Singapore is instead offering an immersive experience. "We have to compete on the quality and nature of the experience," he said. "If you are looking for an immersive experience, tropical rainforest in a natural setting, I think we can do quite a bit."

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KOREA - Universal Studios, Partners to Build Park in Incheon

Bloomberg.com, Nov. 27 2007

Universal Studios, owned by General Electric Co., and partners will build a $3.1 billion theme park in South Korea, its third resort in Asia, the nation's Gyeonggi provincial government said.
The resort, to be built in partnership with Posco Engineering & Construction Co., will be located near Hwaseong, south of Seoul, and open in 2012, the provincial government said in a statement today.
The development will join Universal parks in the Japanese city of Osaka and a planned resort in Singapore. Entertainment and gambling companies, including Walt Disney Co. and Las Vegas Sands Corp., have expanded in Asia to take advantage of rising disposable incomes.

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CAMBODIA - seeks $3bn investments in power plants

Bangkokpost, 24 November 2007

Cambodia's economy, which relies on garment exports and tourism, may grow 9.7% this year, Prime Minister Hun Sen said on Nov 7. Companies such as Club Me'diterrane'e SA and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide Inc are planning to build hotels to tap the country's rising tourist arrivals.
Poor Infrastructure "Cambodia has very low labour costs that can even compete with China," said Van Sou Leng, chairman of the Cambodian Garment Manufacturers Association, a trade group. "Investors are cautious to invest here because of poor infrastructure such as electricity, roads and ports."

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PHILIPPINES - Boracay gears up for 1 million tourists

The news today, November 20, 2007

The Aklan provincial government is undertaking several preparations for its plan to welcome one million tourists to arrive in this resort island in the year 2010.

Nieven Maquirang, Caticlan-Cagban Port Administrator, said Gov. Carlito Marquez already instructed him to coordinate with the Provincial Engineer's Office to map out plans to ensure the one-million-tourists target will be realized.

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AVIATION - Get ready for cheap S’pore-KL flights

Traveldailyasia.com, 11/26/2007

Finally, the cost of air travel between the capitals of Singapore and Malaysia are to become more affordable – and reasonable – as low-cost carriers were given the green light to launch limited flights on the route. From February 1 next year, the 30-year monopoly on the route held by the national carriers of both countries - Singapore Airlines and Malaysian Airlines – end.
LCCs would be allowed to operate four flights daily - two from each side – initially but by December 1 next year, there will be full liberalisation, allowing airlines to operate as many services as they want. “It will also bring both countries closer to ASEAN’s goal to remove all restrictions on passenger flights between ASEAN capitals by December 2008,” a statement from Singapore’s transport ministry said at the end of two-day talks between air transport officials from both sides.

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THAILAND - Koh Phangnan sees condos on horizon

Property Report Thailand - November 07 2007

Koh Samui’s property market has boomed in recent years with developers and ex-pats rushin for slice of the tropical pie. So rapid is the expansion that attention has already been placed on the environmental impact caused by such a flurry of construction. The desire for real island living has propmpted development opportunities further a field on neighbouring Koh Phangnan, with a number of projects already setting the standard.
Koh Phangan gained popularity with young partygoers and the alternative lifestyle fraternity, thanks mainly to its monthly full moon celebrations. However, much of the original island charm survives and this is behind what may become a boutique development boom.

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THAILAND - Koh Yao expands its horizons

Asia Property Report - November 26 2007

Koh Yao may be experiencing a growth spurt. The remote, idyllic setting has been a well-kept secret hideaway for a few lucky travellers in the past but those days seem to be gone. With the number of developments on the island kept below the amount you could count on one hand, the island has been able to captivate visitors with it astonishing beauty and local charm. Now, word is getting out and with the addition of some well-known names in the resort industry the question is, can this island become a “branded” winner while retaining its beauty and without outgrowing the magic that sets it apart?

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INDONESIA - Aceh invites tourists to see Sharia law in action

adnkronos.com, 26 Nov 2007

Corporal punishment is carried out in Aceh for crimes including the sale or consumption of alcohol, gambling or meeting a person of the opposite sex, that is not your husband, wife or family member, in a private place.
Tourism authorities in Indonesia's Aceh province hope that its practice of Sharia or Islamic law will attract visitors. "We invite international tourists to visit Aceh to observe how an Islamic community lives and how the Islamic code of Sharia is applied," said Cipta Hunai, an Aceh tourism official, in an interview with Adnkronos International (AKI).

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INDONESIA - Chinese tourists visiting Bali up 131 percent

thejakartapost.com, 26 Nov 2007

The number of Chinese tourists who visited Bali in the first ten months of 2007 was more than 69,400 or up 131 percent from the same period last year, a tourism operator said.
The figure put China in the sixth place after Japan, Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and Malaysia in terms of foreign tourists visiting the resort island, Tjok Gde Agung said Tuesday.Tjok said he was pleased with the rising number of Chinese tourists visiting Bali and asked the government and tourism operators to work hard to attract more Chinese tourists.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - During economic downturn, in Asia we trust

forimmediaterelease.net, November 25, 2007

Companies expecting to dance across Asia and forge a successful business by applying blanket distribution models or successful European and US models, will either fail miserably or cost themselves needlessly. Distributing travel products across a region as economically, politically and culturally diverse as Asia is a tremendously complicated proposition. Add Australia, New Zealand and the other islands of the Pacific into the mix as well, and suddenly the recipe grows increasingly murky.The allure of the Far East from overseas investors is still alive and extremely healthy however. What began with India and China now looks likely to continue further South-East into Vietnam and the Philippines, where internet penetration is slowly but surely making inroads. Internet penetration is widely accepted as a measure of a country’s financial stability and prosperity, so with around 20% of both countries populations now internet capable their industries are ripening.

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CAMBODIA - To Get New Airline

aero-news.net, 26 Nov 2007

The Cambodian government signed a joint venture agreement with two Indonesian companies Friday, to form a new national airline to exploit the country's growing tourism industry.
The new Cambodian airline, with no name at this time, is expected to begin flying in six months, according to The Associated Press. Cambodia's previous flag carrier, Royal Air Cambodia, went bankrupt five years ago.The joint-venture agreement was signed between Cambodia with Rajawali Group and PT Ancora International. The Indonesian partners' businesses include cigarettes, cement, telecommunications, hotels, resorts, extractive minerals and airlines, according to officials with both companies.

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BALI - 70 Bali Travel Agencies to Be Axed?

Balidiscovery.com, (11/24/2007)

BisnisBali reports that 70 Bali travel agents may soon be expelled from the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASITA) as a precursor to the companies' eventual closure by the Indonesian government.The Chairman of ASITA-Bali, Al Purwa, announced that the 70 "unhealthy" travel agents are being given 3 months to get their house in order or face expulsion from the trade organization. Said Purwa, "We will ask ASITA headquarters to revoke the memberships of the 70 Bali members who are no longer healthy." The 70 companies, according to Purwa, have not responded to repeated attempts by ASITA-Bali to make contact and do not take an active role as a member of the organization.

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AUSTRALIA - AirAsia X and Tourism Queensland sign Cooperative Marketing Agreement

Asiatraveltips.com, 22 November 2007

AirAsia X and Tourism Queensland have signed an agreement to collaborate globally to promote travel on AirAsia X’s international services and to develop international tourism to Queensland, Australia.
Under the Cooperative Marketing Agreement, both parties have agreed to implement activities to promote international tourism to Queensland with the Gold Coast International Airport as the primary gateway, using AirAsia X’s international services. Joint marketing activities will be undertaken in various international markets such as Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, China and other South East Asian markets as deemed appropriate by both parties, to support the Kuala Lumpur to Gold Coast route operated by AirAsia X.

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HONG KONG - Tourism Board voted Best Asia Pacific Tourist Board

Asiatraveltips.com, 22 November 2007

The Hong Kong Tourism Board UK office has been voted Best Asia Pacific Tourist Board in the British Travel Awards 2007. The awards invited both industry professionals and the public to cast their votes.
HKTB Chairman The Hon James Tien said that the Board was greatly honoured by the accolade. “Since our UK office in London came into existence in 1972, we’ve been working closely with the British travel trade to promote Hong Kong,” he remarked. “Our recent strategy is to position Hong Kong as a hip and trendy destination, and winning the award shows how positively our promotions have been received by the UK travel trade and consumers.”

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CHINA - Survey: Tourists in Shanghai struggle to get satisfaction

xinhuanet.com, 20 Nov 2007

Shanghai's tourism industry still has considerable room for improvement, a survey conducted by the city's consumer rights watchdog has revealed.
The Shanghai Commission of Consumers' Rights and Interests Protection invited volunteers from surrounding provinces to rate their Shanghai experiences in terms of traffic, shopping, catering and accommodation. Their verdicts led the group to conclude some tourism-related services were not satisfactory. The survey involved 46 volunteers from six cities in Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces during August and September, said the commission.

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HAWAII - Big Island cruise ship visits to drop, eliminating jobs

the.honoluluadvertiser.com, 20 nov 2007

Cruise ship port-of-calls to the Big Island are expected to drop by nearly a third next year, depriving the isle of hundreds of jobs and millions of dollars in tourist revenue.
The average passenger spends about $100 per day on land, buying souvenirs, going on tours and eating off the boat.By the end of this year, 469 cruise ship calls are expected to generate upward of $94 million in visitor expenditures, fueling 1,223 jobs, the Hawaii Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism says.

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MALAYSIA - Penang’s polluted beaches keeping tourists away

The star.com.my, November 14, 2007

Polluted beaches is the main reason why tourists from Europe and Australia are avoiding the state in favour of Bali and Phuket.
State Tourism Development Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow said he was informed of the matter by the management of Malaysia Airlines during a meeting on Monday.
“The number of tourists from these regions has been steadily declining over the past decade.
“Tourists come to the state for the surf and sand but they usually return home disappointed.
“We are even losing out domestically to Pangkor and Langkawi,” he told reporters after a press conference on the Penang Career and Entrepreneur Expo 2007 yesterday.
He said RM10mil had been allocated for the rehabilitation of Batu Ferringhi.

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AUSTRALIA - Aussies looking to cash in on China tourism boom

Malaysia Sun, 18th November, 2007

As China integrates with the global economy, its tourism industry is expected to boom in the next five years. The World Tourism Organisation forecasts that by 2020, China will be one of the world’s leading tourism destinations, overtaking traditional destinations such as France, Spain and the United States.By that time, it is estimated that China will receive 145 million visitors, 33.5 million of which will be foreigners. The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has registered a 9.8% increase in the number of Australians travelling to China*, and this number is expected to increase over the next two decades.

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CHINA - Travel Firms Bank on Jump In Getaways When Holidays Shift

online.wsj.com, November 19, 2007

China's government may give its citizens at least six more vacation days next year, and analysts say the extra leisure time likely will boost China's already flourishing travel-and-tourism sector.
Travel operators are betting on a shift to shorter, more frequent trips by rolling out new vacation packages, a sign that they believe the government will push through the holiday proposals soon.
Analysts say the biggest travel companies are the ones most likely to benefit from the overhaul because they have the scale and network to respond to the heightened demand for road trips and weekend getaways.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - Asean Leaders Agree to Form EU-Style Bloc by 2015

Bloomberg, Nov. 20 2007

Leaders of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will today agree to eliminate trade barriers for goods and services in an attempt to create a European Union-modeled economic community by 2015.
The 10 members of the group will adopt an Asean Economic Community Blueprint aimed at eliminating trade barriers, the leaders will say in a declaration obtained by Bloomberg News.
Member nations say integration, styled after the EU without a common currency or passport-free travel, is essential for the group as it competes with China and India for exports and investments.

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MALAYSIA - medical tourism on upward trend

Theedgedaily.com, 19-11-2007

“SJMC today receives referrals from the UK on a weekly basis. The momentum is starting,” Thomas said.
“Prior to (1985), people had to go to the UK or Australia for specialised care. Today, there is little reason to refer a patient outside of Malaysia and quite the opposite, people are being referred to Malaysia for nearly every possible procedure needed,” Thomas said.
OBG said Asia attracted over 1.3 million visitors annually for medical tourism and was expected to generate more than US$4 billion (RM13.27 billion) a year in revenues by 2012. “Within five years, Malaysia is expected to bring in US$590 million per annum in medical tourism receipts,” it said.
OBG said while Malaysia was still catching up with countries such as Singapore, Thailand and India, the authorities believed Malaysia could provide state-of-the-art facilities at affordable prices to compete in this growing field.

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CAMBODIA - Coast of Utopia

Travel.nytimes.com/2007/11/18

As peace and a measure of prosperity have come to Cambodia, the government has identified the southern coast as a key to diversifying tourism — which for years has almost entirely been focused on Angkor — and travel agents have begun suggesting a few days on the beach as part of their Cambodia packages. The highway from the capital, three and a half hours away by car, has been paved with American aid money and is now safe and easy to navigate, even at night. (When I used to drive it, soldiers with AK-47s would step out onto the road to stop the cars, already slowed to a crawl by craters and washed-away pavement, to demand money and cigarettes.

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CAMBODIA - Doubts surround Cambodia's plans for a stock exchange

The Associated Press, November 19, 2007

Last month, the Senate passed a law on the issuance and trading of stocks and bonds in the latest move to prepare Cambodia for establishing its first stock market by 2009.
Finance Minister Keat Chhon says the country needs a stock market to diversify the way businesses raise money. So far, beyond international aid for development projects, most financing has come from banks. But he acknowledges that it will take some time for Cambodian entrepreneurs and the public to accept the idea of a stock market - particularly the requirement that all companies' bookkeeping would be open to scrutiny.

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MALAYSIA - Sustainable tourism: Malaysia 'buys' home for landing turtles

eTN, 19 Nov 2007

The Malaysian government, through its Fisheries Department, has purchased an island that will be turned into a home and sanctuary for landing turtles, which have long been an attraction for tourists, in what is believed to be the largest nestling population in Malaysia. Costing an estimated US$2.5 million, the 2.8ha Upeh island, off the coast of Malacca together with the beaches along the mainland had long been the favorite landing sites in Malaysia for the hawksbill turtle.

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PHILIPPINES - Group to build RP’s first seven star hotel

Philippine Star, October 8, 2007

A joint partnership of Filipino and Chinese businessmen will build the country’s first seven star hotel possibly in The Fort or in the reclaimed area in Roxas Boulevard.“The seven star hotel will be similar to the one in Dubai,” Susan Barlin, co-founder of the CEO Club Philippines, said in an interview.The project dubbed as the Pentominium, will be a combination of retail outlets, offices and penthouses.The 35-story luxury hotel is an exclusive hotel given that the occupants will mostly be members of the CEO club. “They will use the hotel whenever they visit here either for a vacation or business,” Barlin explained.

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THAILAND - Don Muang airport for international flights

Traveldailyasia.com, 11/20/2007

The Airports of Thailand (AoT) was told to submit plans on the Suvarnabhumi airport expansion and the use of Don Muang to the government before the December 23 Thailand election.
''We are rushing to seek cabinet approval for the overall framework, but not going into budgets or any investments,'' Thailand's Deputy Transport Minister Sansern Wongcha-um was quoted saying. With the number of people using Suvarnabhumi airport approaching the annual capacity of 45 million passengers, the new airport needed an additional terminal as well as other buildings, he was quoted saying. As part of the plan, the AoT must conduct a study and initiate plans to shift some international airlines back to the old airport.

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PHILIPPINES - Europeans rediscover Philippines

Traveldailyasia.com, 9/11/2007

Now, the biggest travel wholesalers in Germany and France have started carrying the Philippines again,” said Durano. He added that the country now stands an equal chance with Maldives in attracting divers. Jose Clemente III, President of the Philippine Travel Agencies Association said the country has now become more competitive and appealing than some of its South East Asian neighbours. This he attributed to the Philippines still remaining unexplored, “specially to many jaded tourists who have been to traditional places like Thailand and Bali several times”.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - Next stop: Halal tourism

Traveldailyasia.com, 11/19/2007

"Halal tourism has the potential to develop into one of the most resilient forms of tourism," said Parita Chitakasem, Asia Pacific and Australasia Travel and Tourism Manager for Euromonitor International.
She said tourism revenue in the Middle East is expected to double to almost US$51 billion and domestic tourism by over 80 percent to reach US$24 billion in 2011.
"Most of this growth stems from Middle Eastern travellers, underlining the need for tailored Halal tourism products and services that are developed within the region and cater to this dynamic local market," she said.

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INDONESIA - Bali to build new cruise ship port

Traveldailyasia.com, 11/19/2007

Putu Ardana, head of the Bali Transportation Office, said the project is expected to be completed in 2009, according to a Jakarta Post report.
He added that the port would be designed to accommodate large-scale single or double-deck cruise ships measuring 360 metres by 50 metres.
"The completion and operation of the port will constitute the first cruise ship port in Indonesia," said Nengah Parwata, a transport official at Karangasem in Labuan Amuk where the port is being built. Putu said the infrastructure currently being built included office buildings, a berth, terminal, health and security posts, immigration office and other supporting facilities.

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PHILIPPINES - Banyan Tree Expands to the Philippines

media.banyantree.com, 14 November 2007

Singapore Main-Board listed Banyan Tree Holdings Limited (“Banyan Tree” or the “Group”), a leading developer, designer and operator of top tier resorts, hotels and spas worldwide, today announced its new venture in the Philippines. Tree and its partner, Mr Salvador B Zamora II, a prominent businessman in the mining and real estate industries, have entered into a joint venture to develop and operate luxury resorts on Dinaran Island in the Philippines.

The uninhabited island, which has an area of about 55 hectares, is surrounded by stretches of white-sand beach. Located south of Manila in Palawan Province, Dinaran Island is just 15 minutes away by speedboat from the thriving town of Coron. Visitors can reach Coron through daily scheduled flights of approximately one hour from Manila to Yulo King Ranch Airport in Busuanga, which is the adjourning town to Coron.

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HONG KONG - Brand lessons from an 80-year-old

TTGasia.com, Nov 16-22, 2007

IS the world better off with fewer hotel brands, or more hotel brands?
There are at least 47 well-known brands in the global hotel industry today and still, there are not enough! During the recent Horwath Hotels Investment Conference Asia-Pacific at Hotel InterContinental Hong Kong, I listened with incredulity to global hotel chain CEOs saying more brands were needed. Indigo to me is a jazz number (as in the popular Blue Indigo). Soon it will be plastered on hotels as the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) pushes its expansion. A Pullman to me is a train car. Soon, it will be the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) hotel brand of the Accor group, as the Crowne Plaza is to IHG.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - reports of 2007 closing strongly

TTGasia.com, Nov 16-22, 2007

The closing months of 2007 are quite positive for us. Our occupancy rate is 76 per cent and our average room rate is 2,500 pesos (US$54).

The Tourism Authority of Thailand has launched many promotional campaigns together with airlines and agents and has staged various international tourism roadshows. The increase of flight frequencies and the introduction of direct international services into Thailand play a vital role in boosting the number of visitor arrivals.

India’s heritage and culture continues to attract visitors. Niche segments such as adventure tourism in the Himalayas and wellness and spiritual tours are also on the upward trend. Medical tourism is growing even faster than leisure tourism.

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INDIA - Kerala improves tourism facilities

TTGasia.com, Nov 16-22, 2007

KERALA is adding new infrastructure and festivals to draw tourists, and authorities have been allotted a budget of US$7.63 million to do so in the current financial year.

International tourist arrivals increased by 20.05 per cent from January to June 2007, compared to the same period last year.The state is spending US$1.27 million to develop 10 “town squares”. Kerala Tourism director, Mr Sanjay Kaul, told TTG Asia: “Town squares with sufficient open space at important centres will act as tourism nodes.” He said tour operators could utilise the spaces to assemble and move to different tourist attractions.

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HONG KONG - Hotel crunch

TTGasia.com, Nov 16-22, 2007

WHILE hoteliers elsewhere would moan in the face of new competition, Hong Kong properties performed well the first seven months of this year despite a jump in room inventory, from 43,866 rooms at the end of 2005 to 51,742 rooms by July 2007.Projected inventory by the end of 2007 is 55,174 rooms, which translates into an increase of 26 per cent in two years.According to the Hong Kong Hotel Association (HKHA), the swelling number of rooms has had such limited impact on occupancy, there was only a slight two percentage point decline from January to July 2007 to 83.4 per cent, versus 85.4 per cent in the same period last year.Meanwhile, average hotel room rates rose robustly by 11.9 per cent compared to the same period last year.

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UAE - Dubai targets 1.4 Million British Tourists by 2010

Asiatraveltips.com, 14 November 2007

The Dubai Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) is targeting to attract 1.4 million visitors from the highly-promising UK and Ireland markets by the year 2010, up from the present nearly 700,000 tourists, according to Mr. Ian Scott, who took over as the new Director of DTCM's Representation Office for the UK and Ireland last month.
Last year, nearly 700,000 British guests stayed with Dubai's rapidly-expanding hotels and hotel apartments, making the UK and Ireland the top source market for the emirate's booming tourism industry. Presently, about 200 tour operators are featuring Dubai in the holiday packages in this prime European market.

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INDIA - plans to create a splash in the cruise market

easier.com, Novermber 13 2007

India is gearing up to relaunch itself as a major cruise destination.
Ports selected for upgraded cruise facilities include Mumbai, Mormugao (the port city of Goa); Cochin in Kerala, New Mangalore on the southwest coast and Chennai on the east coast.Speaking at World Travel Market, Leena Nandan, Joint Secretary to the Government of India, Ministry of Tourism, said: “Cruise operators are more than ever searching for new destinations and itineraries and India’s reputation as an enchanting, exotic and historical destination lends itself ideally to becoming a major port of call.”

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AVIATION - IATA puts damper on Southeast Asia open skies

eTN Asia/Pacific , November 13 2007

Amid the euphoria of low-cost carriers being granted new landing rights in the ASEAN region, the International Air Transport Association is saying the region is still a long way from liberalizing the aviation industry.
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) has dampened the euphoria felt by air passengers in ASEAN member countries with the recent agreement by the Malaysian and Singapore governments to allow “limited” low-cost flights by warning that Southeast Asian nations are still a long way from liberalizing the aviation industry."I think there is a long way to go," said Mike Barclay, regional vice president of IATA. "Regulations still obstruct carriers in the region, hampering the industry's growth."

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - Urbanization: how will it impact on tourism?

T o u r i s m S c a n, Vol. 4 Issue 10 November 2007

Twenty-one major cities are reported to be in most danger of rising sea levels, one of the effects of climate change, as a recently released report by the Worldwatch Institute announced. According to the Associated Press, the most vulnerable cities will count at least an 8-million population by 2015. Cities identified as "highly vulnerable" i.e. in danger by climate change effects, while housing a total of 10% of the world's population are: New York, Los Angeles, Tokyo, Bangkok, Jakarta, Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, Shanghai,
Cairo, Mumbai and Karachi, according to Australia's News.com. Unplanned and chaotic urbanization is taking a huge toll on human health and the quality of the environment, contributing to social, ecological, and economic instability. Of the 3 billion urban dwellers today, 1 billion live in “slums,” defined as areas where people cannot secure key necessities. An estimated 1.6 million urban residents die each year due to lack
of clean water and sanitation as a result.

>>Full newsletter

VIETNAM - to develop sea tourism infrastructure

Vietnamnetbridge, 13/11/2007

An official from the Travel Department of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism said the conference was initiated given an increase in cruise ship arrivals and would be attended by leading tourism officials, experts and travel companies.
Currently, the tourism authority does not have a strategy in place for developing sea tourism interns of promoting the sector and building the necessary infrastructure.
Since 2002, Vietnam has received more than 300,000 cruise ship visitors. The SARS outbreak in 2003 caused many potential tourists to travel elsewhere, but with the number of visitors growing in recent times, the tourism authority expects visitor arrivals by sea to recover soon.

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NEW ZEALAND - China to become New Zealand's 3rd largest tourism market by 2013

xinhuanet.com, Nov 13 2007

China will become New Zealand's third largest market in terms of inbound tourists after Britain and Australia by 2013, said Ed Sims, group general manager of Air New Zealand.
To meet growing demand, Air New Zealand would increase the number of its aircraft flying to the Chinese mainland to four by 2013, including two Boeing 777s and two 787s, said Sims.

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THAILAND - Regional resort competition rising

Bangkokpost, November 12, 2007

While there is no denying that Phuket is at the top of the hierarchy when it comes to the region-wide resort property market, Thailand should watch the economic benefits it is obtaining from foreign investment because neighbouring countries are offering better terms.

In any case, Phuket remains the most successful regional resort market, followed in succession by Samui where CBRE has just opened an office, Pattaya and Hua Hin. Also emerging rapidly are Danang in central Vietnam and Penang and Langkawi in Malaysia. While Thailand's tourism reputation and infrastructure are quite enviable, Mr Simister noted that rival destinations are not only getting the tenure issue right, but some have improved their infrastructure as well. The facilities in Langkawi are excellent, he notes.

Vietnam is also becoming very interesting to property investors, even though Bali in many ways is seen as Phuket's most obvious competitor. However, Mr Simister believes that while the Indonesian resort island has seen a resurgence, it is now viewed as an area of minority interest.

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UAE - Dubai to host Global Travel & Tourism Summit in April 2008

Asiatraveltips.com, 12 November 2007

The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has confirmed that Dubai will be the host state of the Global Travel & Tourism Summit taking place on April 20-22, 2008.
At the official launch last week, His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Dubai Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman and Chief Executive of Emirates Airline & Group and Geoffrey Kent, Chairman of WTTC and Chairman & CEO of Abercrombie & Kent signed an accord establishing a public-private partnership.

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INDONESIA - Can Bali Say 'No' to Casinos?

Balidiscovery.com, (11/10/2007)

Highly controversial plans to open a casino in Bali at the location of the former Bali Cliff Resort surfaced recently with reports in the local press that local law enforcement officials and lawmakers were reportedly "studying" such a plan.According the Radar Bali, Nengah Netra, a Balinese living in Ungasan, not far from the Bali Cliff Resort, says he has been appointed to establish an integrated international entertainment business in Bali by a local company PT. Lumba Indocas Jaya. The Company, which reportedly holds a "principal agreement" issued by the former Regent of Bandung in 2001, sought to form a cooperative venture with the Bali Cliff Resort that would offer electronic games of bridge, baccarat, black jack, poker, slot machines, roulette, keno and Internet Sports games in Bali.

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BALI - Government Explores Ways to Allow High-Rise Buildings

Balidiscovery.com (11/11/2007)

Steps are underway that, if successful, will pave the way for the construction of high-rise buildings in Bali. Current regulations in force prohibit the construction of buildings that stand higher than 15 meters, the approximate height of a tall coconut tree.The Chief of Bali's Provincial Planning Board (BAPPENDA) Drs. Made Adijaya and the Head of Bali's Public Works Department Nyoman Sudiana told the Bali Post that a change in the current policy would be "studied" starting from 2008 as a means of relieving increasing land pressures on the Island.

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BALI - Running out of Runway

Balidiscovery.com (11/10/2007)

PT Angkasa Pura I, the managers of Bali's Ngurah Rai International Airport, surprised a meeting of local planners and regency officials on November 5, 2007 when they revealed current airport development plans only contemplate a runway extension sometime after the year 2025.Quoting Angkasa Pura's aviation consultants, the current thinking is that Bali's single runway of 3,000 meters in length and 45 meters in width "is sufficient to land a Boeing 747 carrying 400 passengers and a full load of fuel."

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INDIA - eyes $6.5 bln funding for medical tourism

reuters.com, Nov 7 2007

India is trying to simplify procedures for foreign investors to invest in Indian hospitals and hotels, the tourism minister said on Tuesday, forecasting $6.5 billion flowing into the sector in the coming years.
"The biggest deterrent for foreign investors is the unavailability of a single window clearance system," Ambika Soni said, adding the government was working on simplifying processes. She said the government was in talks with three international firms to set up 1,000-bed hospitals in New Delhi and adjoining areas.

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AVIATION - Tiger Aviation to establish New Low Cost Airline in Korea

Asiatraveltips.com, 6 November 2007

On Monday, Tiger Aviation CEO, Tony Davis and Incheon City Mayor Ahn Sang-Soo, signed a letter of co-operation to establish a new Korean low fare airline called Incheon Tiger Airways.
Tiger Aviation and Incheon Metropolitan City will now commence work on the required approvals from the central government necessary to secure the appropriate traffic rights. Incheon City and Tiger Aviation will establish a joint venture company to form the new airline.

>>Full article

AVIATION - Tourism Players Want A Say In BIMP-EAGA Air Links

Bernama.com.my, Nov 3 2007

Tourism players want their input considered when airlines initiate air connectivity within the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).The call follows the disclosure that a Malaysia Airlines subsidiary, FireFly, is considering serving the sub-region.Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) president Wee Hong Seng said Saturday such feedback would help create a win-win situation for the airline industry as well as the BIMP-EAGA stakeholders in the public and private sectors of the four participating countries."We need to promote two-way traffic for both inbound and outbound tourists, otherwise the load may not be enough for the airlines to be viable in this sub region," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Value Chain Tourism Forum held in conjunction with the Third BIMP-EAGA Travel Exchange 2007 here.

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AVIATION - Tourism Players Want A Say In BIMP-EAGA Air Links

Bernama.com.my, Nov 3 2007

Tourism players want their input considered when airlines initiate air connectivity within the Brunei, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines East Asean Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA).The call follows the disclosure that a Malaysia Airlines subsidiary, FireFly, is considering serving the sub-region.Sarawak Tourism Federation (STF) president Wee Hong Seng said Saturday such feedback would help create a win-win situation for the airline industry as well as the BIMP-EAGA stakeholders in the public and private sectors of the four participating countries."We need to promote two-way traffic for both inbound and outbound tourists, otherwise the load may not be enough for the airlines to be viable in this sub region," he told Bernama on the sidelines of the Value Chain Tourism Forum held in conjunction with the Third BIMP-EAGA Travel Exchange 2007 here.

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PHILIPPINES - MMDA chair eyed as Boracay consultant

Thenewstoday.info, 2007/11/05

Amid growing concerns of unregulated development and pollution threats in Boracay, officials and business owners on the island are eyeing to tap Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair Bayani Fernando as development consultant for the island.
Fernando met with Malay Mayor Ciceron Cawaling and officials of the Boracay Foundation Inc. on Friday to discuss the possibility of his helping the island, according to BFI president Nenette Graf.
BFI is a group of owners or resorts, restaurants and other businesses on the island.
Graf said that the local government unit of Malay town, where Boracay is located, and the BFI have requested Fernando to act as consultant to the Malay development council.

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TAIWAN - Tourism threatens one of East Asia's top diving spots

Reuters.com, Oct 31 2007

A tropical island off the coast of Taiwan has become a victim of its own success as pollution caused by a recent spike in tourism threatens its reputation as the best diving spot in East Asia.The aptly named 15-square-kilometre Green Island, an hour's ferry ride from Taiwan's main isle, is fast losing its luster due to garbage and excrement dumped into its azure waters and shrinking reefs plundered by coral-robbing tourists."The water is not as clear as it used to be," a dismayed Taiwan Vice President Annette Lu told Reuters after surveying Green Island by boat in October. "That's what happens when a place chooses to grow."

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SAMOA - Why tourism is important to the islands

Islands Business, November 2007

Tourism expenditure flows through the economies of the Pacific and benefits a diverse range of supportive sectors. In 2004, it was estimated that the tourism sector resulted in US$375 million worth of purchases of materials and supplies from within the local economies with a further US$274 million in other costs, including areas such as financial services and insurance. Therefore, every US$1 million of visitor expenditure generates around $660,000 in local wages/salary payments and other purchases that are made from local economies in the region. Tourism therefore contributes significantly to the improvement of livelihoods in the Pacific.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - UN studies sustainable religious tourism

bangkokpost.com, November 5 2007

With millions of people now on the move for ''religious tourism,'' the UN World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) has begun to turn its attention towards studying and analysing the issues related to its sustainability.
The growth of interest in the Buddhist circuit is one aspect of this phenomena which covers two kinds of travellers: those who travel specifically for religious purposes such as a pilgrimage and those who travel for other purposes but include visits to religious monuments as part of their trip. Last week, UNWTO with the support of the Spanish government, organised an ''International Conference on Tourism, Religions and Dialogue of Cultures'' to expand the level of discourse into areas that have long been neglected because they were considered too politically and culturally sensitive.

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TAIWAN - looking to generate more medical tourism

taipeitimes.com, Novermber 5 2007

Taiwan is to promote medical services to generate medical tourism to the tune of NT$7 billion (US$215.52 million) within three years, an official said yesterday.
Wu Ming-yen, chief executive officer of an international medical services project, was speaking after a team, comprised of the Taiwan Nongovernmental Hospitals and Clinics Association, Chung-Hua Institution for Economic Research and 20 prestigious hospitals, announced the inauguration of a project management center.

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ACCOMMODATION - Six Senses to launch New Brand

Asiatraveltips.com, 5 November 2007

Six Senses has commenced rebranding their Evason Hideaway properties to Six Senses Hideaway. The group says the rebranding is in response to market surveys which showed that 'Six Senses' - a group brand that has thus far been reserved for the Six Senses Spa division - enjoyed high global recognition and was indicative of the lifestyle experiences offered by the group's boutique resorts.
The first Six Senses Hideaway is a fifty-six private pool villas new-build that opened November 1, 2007, on the Thai island of Yao Noi, just beyond Phuket in picturesque Phang Nga Bay.

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INDONESIA - Shrinking Market Share in ASEAN

Balidiscovery.com, (11/3/2007)

While precise arrival figures for foreign tourist arrivals to all of the ten member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) are difficult to come by, currently available figures do suggest that Indonesia, when viewed as a part of all-ASEAN arrivals, is losing market share.

Against a backdrop of generally improving arrival numbers in Southeast Asia, Indonesia has lost 24.59% of its relative market share from 2002 to 2006
• In the same period of 2002 to 2006 total ASEAN arrivals increased +29.08% to 56.73 million.
• In the period of 2002 to 2006 Indonesian arrivals decreased -3.1% to 4.87 million.
• Indonesia has the dubious distinction among ASEAN nations of having lost the largest amount of market share over the subject 4 year period declining -24.97%.
The only other ASEAN countries to lose market share were Brunei (-5.61%), Thailand (-1.5%) and Singapore (-0.6%).

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BALI - Conflict Between Sanur Community and Local Resort Developer Resolved

Balidiscovery.com, (11/3/2007)

The recent destruction of two Balinese temples in Sanur by a Resort developer has been the source of community protests that saw the investor accused of disregarding local religious values and disturbing the natural balance on Bali. According to the Bali Post, the investor in the proposed Sanur project - PT Restu Maharani have finally agreed with community demands to completely rebuild the two Pura or temples they demolished on October 1, 2007. At a prolonged community meeting held on November 1, 2007, an agreement between the Investor and local community members was hammered out, with the Investor insisting there was no desire to offend local customs, blaming recent protests on simple "miscommunications."

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INDONESIA - New face of Nusa Dua

TTGasia.com, Nov 2 - 8, 2007

Management company for Nusa Dua, Bali Tourism Development Corporation’s (BTDC) managing director, Mr Ida Bagus Mandra, said: “Nusa Dua has developed into a lifestyle destination. Various upmarket facilities have been and are still coming up in the area to support the needs of upmarket hotel clients.”The 300-hectare landscaped area has been developed to include facilities, such as shops, restaurants, a museum and beauty clinic over the last couple of years.Mr Mandra added BTDC was also developing facilities to cater to retirees. Projects under development include an aesthetic surgery hospital, a retirement village and wellness resort to open in 2009.

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AVIATION - A deregulated Singapore-Malaysia skies opens fierce debate

TTGasia.com, Nov 2 - 8, 2007

Malaysian outbound agents find the prospects of dirt-cheap air fares between Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (KL) scary, while Singapore agents who work with budget carriers cannot wait for them to crack the route finally.Twice daily services by AirAsia and a Singapore low-cost carrier (LCC) on the Singapore-KL route could begin as early as December if Singapore agrees. Malaysia’s government gave its in-principle nod last week.This route has been monopolised by Singapore Airlines (SIA) and Malaysia Airlines (MAS), resulting in one of, if not the highest, fares in the region in relation to distance flown. Its deregulation is a real breakthrough and will have various implications for various sectors.Malaysian outbound agents argue business at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) will suffer, likewise, tourism in Johor, Malaysia’s southern gateway.

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AUSTRALIA - Cruise ships locked out of Brisbane

news.com.au, 31 Oct 2007

"Next week, the 279m superliner Rhapsody of the Seas will call into Brisbane but she's been deemed too long to navigate the river and will be relegated to Fisherman Islands cargo terminal. Her captain is more than happy to bring her up but is being prevented from doing so by government regulations."Yet the harbour master has previously allowed two P&O liners, the 260m Oriana and the 270m Aurora, to berth at Portside."That's what we struggle with in the industry – they've already set a precedent. Legend of the Seas is 264m long and she turned in the river but to this day, the authorities deny that she did that, but we have photographs of her doing it!" says Hunter with exasperation. "She just turned in the river and it took about 10 minutes."

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INDIA - Goa struggling to cope with Russian tourist influx

earthtimes.org, 30 Oct 2007

This fall, 1,400-1,500 Russian visitors are expected to fly to Goa's resorts every week, as compared with last year's average of 800-900.
Russian airlines offering flights to Goa will have to increase their capacities dramatically this year to be able to handle the ever-growing tourist traffic.To meet the demand, KrasAir's Boeing 757 will take Russian holidaymakers to Goa once every ten days and TransAero will schedule three Boeing 747 flights per week.The number of Russians choosing the former Portuguese colony as their holiday destination during the high season, which in Goa is between November and March, has now reached 30,000, and is expected to increase to 50,000 in 2007-2008.

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AUSTRALIA - Soaring dollar sends tourists elsewhere

smh.com.au, 30 October 2007

IN AN ominous sign for the tourism industry, the growing might of the Australian dollar has pushed foreign travellers towards cheaper destinations, while more Australians are likely to take their relative wealth overseas.
The dollar hovered around US92 cents yesterday, and its even healthier value against the yen is causing equal concern.The Australian Tourism Export Council said local operators must start marketing what was unique about Australia if they were to overcome potential damage caused by the strong dollar.Sydney, a prime destination for most overseas visitors, was "getting a little tired", the council said, while the traditional marketing imagery of tanned lifesavers and sandy beaches may have to be modified to attract richer visitors.

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SINGAPORE - Sin$ 40 Million Rejuvenation for Orchard Road

Asiatraveltips.com, 30 October 2007

Singapore's world-famous Orchard Road is set to undergo a Sin$40 million rejuvenation that will result in a more attractive destination for locals and visitors to this vibrant city. With the planned landscape and infrastructural enhancements, Singapore’s premier shopping street will have state of the art lighting highlighting its lush tree-lined boulevard, new creative spaces for staging events and a more integrated and engaging pedestrian mall.
The Orchard Road rejuvenation plans were unveiled Monday ahead of a tender for the main mall enhancement construction works, which will be called in early November 2007. The announcement follows the sale of three prime sites by the Urban Redevelopment Authority last year, targeted to increase the number of shopping venues and diversity of retail concepts and options to Orchard Road.

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SINGAPORE - set for tourism record-breaking year

Channel NewsAsia 25 October 2007

Singapore is on target to achieve another record breaking year in the tourism industry. Manpower Minister Ng Eng Hen said the sector is set to achieve 10.2 million visitor arrivals and some S$13.6 billion in tourism receipts this year. According to the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), this is the first time double-digit growth is being achieved for the sector in Singapore. Singapore is also getting ready for the spike in manpower demand in the tourism industry, especially with the development of the two integrated resorts and several signature events which Singapore will be hosting to attract the international tourist dollar. So, the government is investing S$360 million over the next three years in manpower development to train and prepare some 74,000 workers for the growth in the tourism sector.

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INDONESIA - Record Bali arrivals

Asia Property Report - October 26 2007

Daily tourist arrivals in Bali over the past few months hit a record high of 5,400 to 6,000 since the Bali bombings of Oct 12, 2002 and Oct 1, 2005, Governor Dewa Beratha said.In the first eight months of 2007 an estimated 1.05 million foreign tourists visited Bali, raising hopes that the tourist arrival target of 1.5 million for this year will be achieved, he said when receiving 13 members of the House of Representatives´ Commission IV on agriculture, plantations,forestry, fisheries and food here Thursday.During the Idul Fitri holidays, the occupancy rate of most star-rated hotels in Bali was quite high, although most of the hotel guests were domestic tourists, he said. This indicated that the Bali tourism industry had begun to recover, he said.

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Australia - Brisbane tourists must cut showers

news.com.au, 29 October 2007

TOURISTS will come under pressure to cut their shower time to four minutes while in Brisbane, when level six restrictions come into force next month.
Water Commissioner Elizabeth Nosworthy said water saving messages would be displayed in hotel rooms and bathrooms may even be fitted with shower timers, in response to "public concern" about the lack of advice for tourists. "The messages will offer tips like turning off the tap while shaving or brushing teeth, and encourage visitors to observe the four-minute shower time limit," said Ms Nosworthy.Level six restrictions would be finalised late this month or early next month, before coming into force in mid-November, she said.Ms Nosworthy also told a business breakfast yesterday, south-east Queensland's water crisis was a long way from being over.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - Nielsen and PATA release findings of China Outbound Travel Monitor 2007

Asiatraveltips.com, 29 October 2007

With nearly seven in 10 Chinese leisure travellers accessing destination websites, and about six in 10 using online travel discussion forums to source information, travel operators and tourism promotional bodies will need an effective Internet presence to capture the opportunities presented by Chinese outbound tourism, according to a new research study conducted by The Nielsen Company in partnership with PATA.
The new China Outbound Travel Monitor 2007 reveals that traditional travel agents rank only second behind online sources (63%) as the most popular source of information for potential travellers while the use of traditional media is found to be much lower (40%) for newspapers and magazines.



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INDONESIA - A Lack of Support for Bali's Branding Efforts

Balidiscovery.com, (10/27/2007)


The Bali Post reports that the Chief of the Bali Tourism Authority, Gde Nurjaya, has complained that Bali has received "nil support" from the Central Government in Jakarta following the launch of a Bali branding campaign in June 2007.Pointing out the irony of the obvious lack of support for "Bali branding" against the repeated claim by national tourism leaders that Bali is the "locomotive" of national tourism, Nurjaya was reluctant to comment further on the lack of enthusiasm in Jakarta for Bali's new "Shanti Shanti Shanti" marketing campaign.



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INDONESIA - Bali Exposed on New Internet Television Network

pr-inside.com, 2007-10-16

The Indonesian island archipelago of Bali is receiving added exposure with the debut of the first Internet-based television station (ITV) to broadcast from the area. Bali Alive is introducing Bali's customs, tourism and businesses to the world via professionally produced television programming via the Internet. According to Chris Abbott, Head of Production of Bali Alive, he & Jason Michael Head of sales & marketing decide to create Bali Alive after frequenting this tropical paradise for over 20 years. 'We found plenty of Bali information on sites featuring lots of inactive words and pictures.

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TONGA -Tourism is a key priority area

tonga-now.to, 20/10/2007

Tourism is a key priority area and is recognized as providing significant benefits to the region. It is a key driver of economic growth in the Pacific and thus a major contributor to the goal of economic growth couched in the Pillars of the Pacific Plan.
Hon Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi (seated), MP Prime Minister of Samoa and Minister for Foreign Affairs delivered the Forum’s Statement on Tourism.

In his statement he said that Pacific Island Countries have a comparative advantage in Tourism and can therefore compete internationally. It is one of the sectors making significant contribution to regional economies through foreign exchange, jobs and government revenue it generates. It therefore has a vital role in the achievement of the Pacific Plan’s goal Economic Growth.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - Two SARs plan closer cooperation on tourism

thestandard.com.hk, October 23, 2007

Hong Kong and Macau have agreed to negotiate with the mainland government on combining into one the current separate visas for mainland tourists visiting the two cities.
The aim is for mainland tourists, under the Individual Visit Scheme, to travel to both places in one trip, according to Hong Kong Tourism Board chairman James Tien Pei-chun who revealed the plan yesterday.
Hong Kong and Macau are not competitors but partners in tourism promotion, Tien said after meeting with Macau Chief Executive Edmund Ho Hau-wah and Macau tourism officials in the neighboring SAR.
He said increasingly severe international competition has driven them to embrace their partnership.

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BALI - Governor Says Kintamani's Panoramic Views are Being Lost to Unregulated Building

Balidiscovery.com, (10/20/2007)

Bali’s Governor Drs. Dewa Made Beratha has called for a stop to illegal and unplanned development in the areas surrounding Kintamani's volcanic lake district.Dismayed at the rapid growth of restaurants, shops and accommodation providers around the crater-lake's edge, the Governor warned, "if this (unplanned and illegal building) is not stopped, don’t hope for tourists to continue visiting Kintamani."Beratha also warned that if businesses are allowed to continue to build structures and concrete walls the scenic views of nature and Lake Batur will be lost. "if visitors can no longer see nature's beauty, what's left for them to do at Kintamani?"" the Governor asked.

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BALI - Spiritual Tourism

Balidiscovery.com, (10/20/2007)

Republika On-Line reports that the Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik has identified spiritual tourism as a key product for Bali's future.According to the Minister, "a source for tourism in Bali for the future is spiritual tourism because of the potentials and possibilities offered in the cities and regions in Bali."

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INDONESIA - Population Pressures in Bali

Balidiscovery.com, (10/20/2007)

The Bali Post reports that Bali is becoming increasingly over-populated. While experts estimate the ideal carrying capacity for Bali's 562,286 hectares of land area is 2.4 million, a number far below the more than 3 million people who now make their home on the Island.The Regional Planning Board for Bali (BAPPEDA), Drs. Made Adijaya revealed that the current average of 600 people per square kilometer in Bali is 50% more than the ideal number of 400 residents per square kilometer. In municipal areas, such as Bali's capital of Denpasar, population loads are estimated to equal a very crowded 800 people per square kilometer.

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INDIA - Allocates billions to upgrade tourism infrastructure

TRAVEL IMPACT NEWSWIRE -- Edition 63 – Friday, October 19, 2007

October 15, 2007 – The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a record Rs.323.00 crore for various development and site improvement projects nationwide in this fiscal year (1 April 2007 – 31 March 2008). Special importance has been given to improve the tourism infrastructure. The Ministry of Tourism extends Central Financial Assistance to the State Governments/UTs for Product/Infrastructure Development of Destinations and Circuits. A two-pronged strategy is being followed of upgrading tourism infrastructure coupled with vigorous marketing under the banner of ‘Incredible India Campaign’ to position India as a global brand.During 11th Five Year Plan (2007-2012), the Ministry of Tourism proposes to continue supporting creation of world class infrastructure in the country so that existing tourism products can be further improved and expanded to meet new market requirements and enhance the competitiveness of India as a tourist destination. In consultation with the State Governments and UTs the Ministry of Tourism have identified several tourist circuits and destinations for integrated development.

MALAYSIA - The death of Malaysia’s travel agencies?

eTN, 18 October 2007

Many mostly locally-owned travel agencies in Malaysia face imminent "closure of business" due to shifting business practices including the move by airlines to implement zero commission and the onslaught of online travel bookings.Travel agents, almost entirely dependent on businesses conducted on contract basis with government departments and entities for the majority of their ticket sales, will face a "big hole" in their income source with the decision by national carrier Malaysia Airlines to migrate towards zero commission.

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CAMBODIA - New tourist route could be answer to Cambodia’s Angkor Wat woes

(eTN), October 17th 2007

As tourism in Angkor Wat continues to grow unabated, a new tourist route could alleviate some of the tourist pressure.
For many years now, the Cambodian government has been looking for solutions to take some of the pressure out of the site. As the first seven months of 2007 brought 442,000 visitors to Siem Reap International Airport, a growth of 38 percent, Angkor Wat is poised to continue to take a beating from the hordes of tourists that visit the world heritage site. The Apsara Authority, which manages the Angkor Wat complex, recently introduced new paths with tourists taking different routes to enter and exit the temple.The objective now is to make certain that tourists do not flock to the site at the same time. The idea is to create circuits around Angkor Wat to spread the number of visitors and take some of the pressure faced by Angkor top attractions.

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AVIATION - Cellphone could speed demise of paper airline tickets

ajc.com, 17 October 2007

Airlines agree to standard for bar code text message
Major airlines have agreed on a standard that will allow travelers to check in using a bar code sent to their cellphones, the International Air Transport Association said at a meeting in Geneva.Passengers will register their cellphone number when buying a ticket and receive a bar code by text message, the group representing most commercial carriers said.Check-in staff will scan the bar code directly from cell phones, doing away with the need for a boarding pass.

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AVIATION - Pacific Blue to increase Flights to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands

Asiatraveltips.com, 17 October 2007

Pacific Blue has ramped up flights to both New Zealand and the Pacific Islands following strong demand for extra services around the busy Christmas and New Year period.
The airline currently operates 110 weekly flights serving Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Island countries. After some schedule changes, Pacific Blue will operate an additional 124 flights spread over the four and half week festive season, from 21 December 2007 to 20 January 2008, as follows:

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