INDIA - Poor India? No, a rich travel experience

Times News Network, 13-12-2006

There are low-budget tourists and no-budget tourists. And Indian travel and hospitality companies are increasingly discovering that no-budget tourists — the top-end luxury ones — are willing to splurge top dollars for the India experience.

A helicopter ride from Delhi to Jaipur to shop for curios or for a breakfast with royalty, a private dinner in the middle of a lake, an exclusive session with a yoga guru, a networking cocktail party with corporate honchos and celebs, or it could even be a visit to the local market with the hotel chef as he selects the ingredients for the hotel’s daily menus — luxuries are increasingly less about extravagance and more about memorable, engaging personal experiences. India is fast coming on its own as a destination for top-end luxury travel, with a niche but growing number of foreign tourists attracted by the allure of the Indian experience, through its wellness industry, palaces, forts, reserve forests, beaches, the Himalayas, and soft adventures. Luxury hotels and travel companies are going the extra mile to woo the cash rich-time poor discerning traveller from Europe and United States. “Interest in India is increasing amongst luxury travellers and we expect this trend to continue,” said a spokesperson from the Oberoi group, which started tapping into this niche market with its “Vilas” properties.

>>Full article

DEVELOPMENTS - Bridge opens route for 'caravan tourism' in Mekong Delta

eTN Asia, 12-12-2006

Typhoons which have become more frequent lately have not stopped Vietnam from being a tourist destination for land 'caravan tourists' which is booming.

The opening of the East-West Economic Corridor in the Mekong Delta has brought with it an unexpected boom in 'caravan tourism' to Da Nanag, in central Vietnam, according to latest news reports.

The official inauguration of the Huu Nghi Bridge, connecting Mukdakhan in Thailand
and Savanakhet in Laos in the Mekong Delata on December 20, picked to commemorate Laos's 61st National Day is expected to boost tourism and trade activities along the economic corridor.

Foreign tourists have helped to popularize overland journeys to Vietnam from
Thailand, pushing the number of caravan tours to 20,000, up five-fold from last year's figures, said Thai Ba Canh, deputy director of Da Nang Tourism Department.

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MALAYSIA - Minister: Sabah unable to cope with tourist arrivals

Dailyexpress.com.my, 10 December, 2006

Kuala Lumpur: Sabah, especially its capital Kota Kinabalu, is facing an overflow of tourist arrivals in the current peak period, rendering many tourists without hotel rooms to check-in.

Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said his Ministry was concerned over the matter and tried to sort it out by diverting tourists to other states like neighbouring Sarawak by promoting tourism events there.

"We will try to address the situation by promoting other destinations such as Sarawak and dispersing tourist arrivals," he said after launching Visit Malaysia Year 2007 Domestic Tourism Guidebook and Tourism Exhibition. The high hotel occupancy in Kota Kinabalu had caused concern to the Ministry, he said.

The overflow of tourist arrivals in Sabah served as an "eye-opener" to his Ministry on the need to build more hotels, particularly budget hotels, under the Ninth Malaysia Plan to cope with the targeted 24 million tourist arrivals under the Visit Malaysia Year 2007 campaign, he said.

>>Full article

VIETNAM - Central coast lags behind nation in luring investment

Vietnamnews.vnagency.com.vn (06-12-2006)

Thoi Bao Kinh Te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) spoke to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Duc Hoa about investment opportunities in the central coast region.

Following Viet Nam’s accession to the World Trade Organisation and the capital’s hosting of the APEC meeting, the Ministry of Planning and Investment opened a conference on raising investment for the central coastal region in Quy Nhon City, in the central province of Binh Dinh last month. What is the event’s significance?

After 20 years of renewal, the achievement of attracting foreign investment is remarkable and the foreign invested sector now contributes 55 per cent to the nation’s export value, 36 per cent to industrial production and about 16 per cent to GDP.

However, there are some problems with the country’s development. For example, the development gap between the central regions and other regions is quite large.

In 2005, GDP per person was US$640 nation-wide, while in the central region the index was $364 per person due to low economic development and limited foreign investment.

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DEVELOPMENTS - East Meets East

Washingtonpost.com, December 10, 2006

Fifteen years ago, it would have been impossible to identify a uniquely East Asian identity. Few Southeast Asians or Japanese had traveled to China, for instance, and almost no Chinese had left their country for tourism. The legacy of the Cold War continued to divide the region, and most nations remained reliant on the United States to solve their disputes. Asian businesses also looked West rather than East, exporting to America more than among themselves. And East Asian elites sent their children to universities in the United States and Australia, jetted to Las Vegas for holidays and bought up the latest CDs from American pop stars.

But in the mid-1990s, East Asia began to reorient its compass inward. Regional economies expanded, producing a class of younger businesspeople. These new cosmopolites grew up forging ties among East Asian corporations, building firms such as Thai agro-industrial giant Charoen Pokphand, which quietly became the largest foreign investor in China. More sophisticated Asian companies also began developing the high-tech industries that would keep Asian talent from migrating to Silicon Valley.

>>Full article

NOOSA - EcoNova’s water reclamation plant unveiled

Ferret.com.au, 12 december 2006

Australia’s first private utility is ready to roll out a wastewater treatment plant, powered by its own waste.

A water reclamation plant invented by new Queensland utilities provider EcoNova has been hailed as a world leader. It turns out water to a previously unreachable standard: six star Class A++, and is thought to be the first wastewater treatment unit, fully powered by energy extracted from the waste products that it treats.

EcoNova has also recently become what it says is the first private firm in Australia authorised to provide water, sewage, recycled water and garbage services to any community. The Queensland Government gave it the green-light on the basis of its integrated systems, which operate independent of the water mains. EcoNova hopes councils will outsource their services in new developments to avoid upgrading infrastructure and shift the service risk to the private sector.

EcoNova’s first venture is a $1.47 million contract to provide wastewater treatment units for 300 existing and future properties at the Noosa North Shore Tourism Portal, plus on top of that to supply potable water and solid waste services.

>>Full article

PHILIPPINES - Tubbataha generates P4M from dive tourism in 2006

Bayanihan.org, December 18 2006

Tourism Prime divespot Tubbataha Reef National Park has generated P4 million from dive tourism from January to December 2006.

Angelique Songco, park manager, said the Tubbataha Management Office has collected P3.6 million as conservation fees from dive tourists and operators during the period.

However, Songco said it didn't meet its P4.5 million target income from diving activity.

The reef, located off Sulu Sea and some 182 kilometers (113 miles) southeast from this city, is home to 10,000 coral reefs, 483 species of fish, two nesting species of marine turtles and nine species of marine mammals.

The reef's islets are among the last breeding strongholds of seabirds in Southeast Asia.

Songco said tourism income will be used for conservation, research and monitoring and other park-related management job which pegged at P10 million annually.

In the last week's national conference, Songco said, the well-managed conservation of Tubbataha has benefited the lives of Cagayancillo in terms of fish resources.

Fish biomass doubled from 166 metric tons per square kilometer in 2004 to 318 metric tons per square kilometer in 2005.

Tubbataha, which was declared as World Heritage Site by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 1993, has reportedly contributed ecological value of P840 million every year in the country's economy in terms of fisheries and tourism. (PNA)

>>Full article

AVIATION - SEAIR to posts P1-billion this year

Business.balita.ph, December 06 2006

Business South East Asian Airlines (SEAIR) will post at least P1-billion this year, from P600-million in 2005.

Avelino L. Zapanta, newly appointed President and CEO of SeAir, said that the company has grown exponentially to more than 10 times its initial revenue output since it started commercially 10 years ago.

”SeAir will continue to pump additional investments for its long-term plans. The field of opportunity for expansion has widened with the inevitable push for greater liberalization of the aviation industry, emergences of new breed and models of airlines, coupled with the potential for greater growth of tourism in the country,” Zapanta said.

Pushed by a market-driven business demanding additional aircraft, flights and destinations, the company will buy two Airbus A320 from Tiger Airways within the first quarter of 2007.

The planes are se to operate in domestic and regional routes as soon as the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) grants the necessary regulatory approvals,” Zapanta said.

”SeAir is in an eviable position of operating a fleet of modernad cost efficient aircraft. It has the most modern fleet in the jetcrop industry,” he added.

Aside from the local expansion, SeAir si positioning itself to enter the international market such as Singapore and Macau from Clark and other destinations after its appointment as one of the official carriers for the Brunei-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines-East Asian Growth Area (BIMP-EAGA) region.

>>Full article

AVIATION - Thai Air Asia To Fly To Langkawi From Next Month

(Bernama) Dec 9, 2006

Thai Air Asia will introduce four-times-a-week Bangkok-Langkawi direct flights from next month, Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mahdzir Khalid said.

He said the airline would be making more announcements on this at the end of this month.

"For the Kedah government, we support and welcome this direct flight service as it will help to increase tourist arrivals to Langkawi island," he told reporters after presenting wings to 23 cadet pilots of HM Aerospace Sdn Bhd's flying course 03/2005 here.

Mahdzir said the airline had requested for a one-year landing fee subsidy at the Langkawi International Airport in Padang Matsirat for introducing the direct-flight service.

He said the state government and the Langkawi Development Authority had agreed to bear half the cost of extending the subsidy, and had requested the Tourism Ministry to pay the remaining 50 per cent.

>>Full article

PHUKET - Tourist Arrivals Jump 87 Per Cent In Post-tsunami Phuket

eTN, december 11, 2006

Tourist arrivals to Phuket - one of the Thai beach resorts hit by the December 26, 2004 tsunami - are expected to reach 4.7 million this year, up 87 per cent from 2005, a Thai think tank predicted Sunday.

According to a report issued by Kasikorn Research Center (KRC), an affiliate of the Kasikorn Bank, about 70 per cent of 4.7 million tourists visiting Phuket in 2006 were foreigners, up 150 per cent from last year. Parts of Phuket Island were hit by the Boxing Day tidal wave two years ago that killed more than 5,300 people in Thailand's six provinces rimming the Andaman Sea. Nearly half of the tsunami victims were foreign nationals vacationing at Thailand's popular beach resorts Phuket, Phang Nga and Phi Phi - all on the Andaman coast. The return of foreign visitors to Phuket this year demonstrates their confidence in Thailand's tsunami safety measures and the success of publicity campaigns carried out by the Thai public and private sectors, said the KRC.

>>Full article

INDIA - Wyndham Hotel Group Agreement Calls for 10 New Ramada Hotels in India

eTN, december 11, 2006

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Dec. 8 / -- Wyndham Hotel Group, the lodging unit of Wyndham Worldwide (NYSE:WYN) , today announced it has signed an agreement with Royal Orchid Hotels Ltd. of Bangalore, India, to develop 10 Ramada(R) hotels totaling at least 1,000 rooms in the Indian states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtr, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Chender Baljee, Royal Orchid chairman, said his company would invest 5 billion Indian rupees, or about $100 million, to build four-star-quality Ramada hotels during the next three to four years. Steven. A. Rudnitsky, Wyndham Hotel Group president and chief executive officer, said India represents a "significant, ongoing opportunity" for hotel development in the Asia-Pacific region. He said a recent PricewaterhouseCoopers report indicates the India market will require up to 125,000 new hotel rooms in India during the next five years.

>>Full article

BALI - Banyan Tree Spreading its Branches in Bali

Balidiscovery.com, (12/9/2006)

Singapore-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts are scheduling to open two new resorts in Bali in 2008 - The Banyan Tree Ungasan Resort and the Angsana Tepi Kahyangan, Bali, Indonesia.

The Banyan Tree Ungasan Resort

Developed in cooperation with Indonesian Developer PT Surya Semesta Internusa, the Banyan-branded resort will be comprised of 73 villas located on a ten-hectare site 70-meter high cliff on Bali's southern Ungasan peninsula.

Costing an estimated US$30 million, the project is being financed via an "owner lease-back" scheme in which investor owners will pay from US$650,000 for a one-bedroom suite to US$2.7 million for a presidential villa.

The units will then be leased back to the Resort who will rent them out to the public at rates starting at US$600 per night.

>>Full article

BALI - Responsible Tourism

Balidiscovery.com, (12/9/2006)

WildAsia.net seeks out tourism operators in Asia who demonstrate a "high degree of commitment towards respecting local cultures, benefiting local economies and achieving low environmental impacts."

Supported by the British Government's Global Opportunities Fund and the Langkawi Development Authority, Wild Asia is a Malaysian-based think-tank that specializes in supporting conservation initiatives in Asia. It runs programs promoting conservation in tourism, forestry, and plantations.

Bringing special recognition to Bali were the Alila Manggis and Alila Ubud who came to the selection committee's attention for their deep and abiding respect Bali, its culture, people and environment.

>>Full article

INDONESIA - VP Expresses Heightened Interest in Bali Tourism

Balidiscovery.com, (12/9/2006)

During a Thursday, December 7, 2006, visit to Bali to meet with the Island's tourism leaders, Indonesian Vice President M. Jusuf Kalla declared Bali the gateway for visitors to Indonesia and the key to the revival of the nation’s tourism fortunes.

Beautiful Bali Indonesia

As reported by Antara News Agency, the VP underlined his conviction that Bali must serve as the gateway to Indonesian tourism by ordering the Culture and Tourism Ministry and urging all elements of the tourism industry to begin using "Beautiful Bali Indonesia" as a motto for the promotion of Indonesian tourism. Complaining that tourism promotion has been plagued by a "lack of funds and an unclear theme," he called on Culture and Tourism Minister Jero Wacik to make movies featuring interesting tourism destination nationwide under the "Beautiful Bali Indonesia" theme, promoting Indonesia's many "Beyond Bali" attractions.

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FIJI - No respite for Fiji’s tourism industry

eTN Asia/Pacific, december 8, 2006

For Fiji, which heavily depends upon tourism when it comes to propelling its economy, the coup’s adverse impact is resulting in alarming situation. Tourism is considered to be Fiji’s biggest foreign exchange earner.

“Now the industry worth about $700 million a year is braced for a backlash as tourists stay away as the military coup takes effect. The tourism industry employs more than 45,000 and makes up a quarter of Fiji's economy,” according to a media report.

According to Economist.com, tourism numbers are bound to fall off sharply as bookings are cancelled in light of the latest coup. On top of this, aid inflows are likely to be revised—and sanctions imposed—as Fiji’s neighbors review diplomatic relations with the military government.

Apart from tourism, the overall situation is getting adversely affected. The international rating agencies, Standard and Poors, and Moodys have put Fiji on negative credit watch as a result. It is being felt that the drop-off in tourism following the coup will add to Fiji’s existing problems, such as the declining sugar and garment industries. Meanwhile, the global bank Citicorp, says the continuing unrest means the next time Fiji’s government goes to the market for money, the interest rates will be much higher.

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AUSTRALIA - Foreign tourists stay longer in Australia and spend more

eTN, 7-12-2006

International visitors to Australia are staying longer and spending more, which was positive news for the tourism industry, the Australian Tourism Export Council said today.

ATEC Managing Director Matthew Hingerty, was commenting on today's release of Tourism Research
Australia's latest International Visitor Survey figures, which revealed a 12 percent increase in visitor nights and expenditure for the year ended September 2006.

"International visitors stayed 149.4 million nights in Australia and spent an average $2665 each while in the country in the year to September 30 2006 - up 12 percent on the previous year," Mr Hingerty said.

"Overall, international visitors contributed $18.9 billion to our economy, making tourism one of Australia's most important exports."
Mr Hingerty said the figures were good news, particularly in light of actual visitor numbers, which remained static at just over five million for the year - about the same as for the corresponding period in 2005.

"It is important to not just look at actual numbers as increases in volume without a corresponding increase in profits is not a sustainable outcome for the industry," he said.

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SINGAPORE - Royal Caribbean to begin operations in Singapore next year

ChannelNewsAsia, december 7, 2006

Singaporeans can look forward to a whole new cruising experience next year. Royal Caribbean International (RCI) has announced its entry into the local cruising scene.

It is the latest tie up between Singapore Tourism Board (STB) and an international cruise operator. Rhapsody of the Seas, which will debut on December 2007, will offer a series of trips that will call on neighbouring countries. Under this partnership, RCI will tap on the Singapore Fly-Cruise Development Fund for its product development and marketing activities.

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VIETNAM - New tourism wave in Vietnam: more travellers reached

VietNamNet, december 7 2006

Experts believe that Vietnam will be an attractive destination for more and more tourists in the time to come, as the image of Vietnam is becoming well known in the world.

Vietnam has become an attractive destination for different types of tourists. Popular tourists find Vietnam a place they need to visit after they hear about Vietnam’s joining of the WTO and Vietnam’s successful organisation of the APEC summit 2006. Moreover, Vietnam has also attracted ones who want to come to visit the wonderful landscapes here and seek business opportunities at the same time. More rich visitors will knock on the door.

The fact that a lot of international political officials came to Vietnam in November to participate in APEC summit 2006 is a milestone worth remembering in Vietnam’s tourism industry. It is clear that the satisfaction of the states’ leaders has been the best advertisement for Vietnam.

Duc Tung, an official from a travel company, said that it was not by chance that the Hollywood couple Brad Pitt and Angielina Jolie came to Vietnam just several days after the APEC summit ended. It is clear that the name of Vietnam has become attractive in the eyes of foreign tourists. Experts said that the number of tourists coming to Vietnam, especially rich travellers, has been increasing sharply in recent days.

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BANDUNG - Restore them and tourists will come, Bandung official says

The Jakarta Post.com, december 7 2006

Bandung is planning to restore more than a hundred old and historic buildings in the city as part of an aggressive campaign to attract more tourists, an official said Tuesday.

Askary Wirantaatmadja, the head of the Bandung Tourism Office, said his staff were currently making a list of the city's old and historic buildings for restoration. Out of 637 historic buildings standing in the increasing busy city, 160 would be prioritized for development, he said.

"All of the buildings ... will be included in a regional draft bill on old and historic buildings, which is currently being worked out by members of the city's legislative council," he said.

If the bill was passed, Bandung would be the third city in the country to have a bylaw protecting heritage buildings after Jakarta and Surabaya, Askary said. Structures could be classed as protected if they were more than 50 years old, had important architectural features or were once used as venues where noted figures gathered.

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DEVELOPMENTS - Tourism Land-Grabs Mean Thousands of Tsunami Survivors in Sri Lanka, India and Thailand Remain Homeless

eTN, 6-12-2006

The pressure group Tourism Concern welcomes BBC 2’s two-part TV drama ‘Tsunami, The Aftermath’ which raises that most hidden of issues – why local people have not been able to move back home, nearly two years after the 2004 Boxing Day disaster in South East Asia. This is an outstanding opportunity for all of us to finally understand what happened to local people following the tsunami.

Tourism Concern’s report, “Post-tsunami reconstruction: a second disaster?” was the first to reveal back in October 2005 that it was very likely that people would be doubly displaced, first by the tsunami and then by opportunistic tourism development.

Tourism Concern is campaigning for displaced peoples’ rights to the coastal land and their involvement in the reconstruction process. Tricia Barnett, Director, said, “The tourism industry is treating the tsunami aftermath as an financial opportunity. This has resulted in strategic displacement of traditional fishermen communities from the coast and their livelihood. “ She continued, “The ongoing impacts on tsunami survivors, the loss of their livelihoods and natural resources are devastating and need to be addressed”.

In Sri Lanka, India and Thailand there is conflict between the needs of local communities affected by the tsunami and the plans of government and businesses to rapidly promote tourism in the area. Why is coastal land being used for tourism resorts while thousands of people are stuck in temporary housing? The governments of all affected countries prioritized high-end tourism development rather than the needs of local people. Many survivors were ordered by the government to live away from the sea and provided with housing that was too small, hot and inappropriate. Fishermen have been housed two miles inland.

Thai communities have said they are suffering from six ‘tsunamis’: the actual tidal wave; disorganized and divisive aid agencies; intrusive and insensitive press; landlords threatening eviction with violence; religious organizations trying to convert beneficiaries; and researchers and NGOs collecting information without giving any information.

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CHINA - Long checklist for China to become tourist hub

CHINAdaily.com.cn, dec 6th 2006

China must improve infrastructure and services, as well as offer visas upon arrival, to develop a thriving travel industry and enjoy its economic benefits, a top global tourism expert said on Tuesday.

Beijing should also spread out holidays to avoid the mad rush caused by the three "golden weeks" off every year when hundreds of millions of people take to the roads, rails and air, said the head of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC). "There is a strong appeal to go to China. The country is intriguing. It has a 5,000-year history, which is the best marketing campaign someone could ever do for a country," WTTC President Jean-Claude Baumgarten said in an interview.

Last year China received more than 17 million tourists -- excluding visitors from Hong Kong, Taiwan and Macau -- according to Chinese government figures. "Will that figure become 70 million or 80 million in 2020 or 2025. The potential is here.

It all will depend on the infrastructure," Baumgarten told Reuters at a luxury hotel in Beijing's central business district. To boost tourism, China needs to build more roads, improve the standard of spoken English, make sure credit cards can be more widely used in a cash-dominant economy and bring in foreign expertise to improve management of the industry.

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MACAU - to receive more than 20 Million Visitor Arrivals in 2006

Search ASIA Travel Tips .comWednesday, 6 December 2006

In the year 2000 and 2001, Macau’s visitor arrivals experienced breakthroughs of 9 million and 10 million respectively. Seven years after the establishment of the Macau SAR, the number doubled to 20 million.

In the first ten months of 2006, visitor arrivals exceeded 17 million, an increase of 15.85% compared to the same period last year. The top ten tourism market sources of Macau (in accordance with volume) are Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan China, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Korea, the United States, Singapore and Thailand. Mainland China, the largest source market, occupies nearly 54% of total visitor arrivals; among which, half of the 9.7 million visitors are comprised of individual travelers. On the other hand, the increment of the other markets was also satisfactory.

Director João Manuel Costa Antunes of MGTO said, “It is not easy for Macau, a tiny enclave with an area of only 28.2 sq. kilometers and a population slightly over 500 thousand to receive 20 million visitors a year. The outstanding result is fruitful of the great support of the Central Government, our Macau SAR leaders as well as the hard work both the travel and tourism industry and the public.”

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DUBAI - IFA Hotels & Resorts to launch US$ 1 billion Luxury Resort on The Palm Jumeirah’s Crescent

ASIATravelTips .com, 5 December 2006

IFA Hotels & Resorts, international leaders in the development of premier mixed-use hotel and tourism resort projects, is launching one of the largest projects on The Palm Jumeirah’s Crescent - Kingdom of Sheba. The resort covers 141,500 sq. metres in a prime location on The Crescent of The Palm Jumeirah, adjacent to the renowned Atlantis development.

Talal Jassim Al-Bahar, Chairman and Managing Director of IFA HR, said “This is by far our most ambitious resort development to date. Following in the footsteps of our successful projects in Dubai with over 1,800 units sold in the past three years, the Kingdom of Sheba is certain to become a significant landmark in our international portfolio.”

Al-Bahar added “The Fairmont Palm Residence, the last development we announced on The Palm Jumeirah, is already 90% sold out. The Kingdom of Sheba will be the final opportunity for investors to buy into IFA Hotels & Resorts’ developments on The Palm Jumeirah.”

>>Full article

DUBAI - Nakheel explains How The World Works

ASIATravelTips .com, 6 December 2006

Nakheel, a leading property developer in the UAE, has explained how it foresees The World will function as a project, revealing plans for infrastructure, transportation and the different types of islands that are available to developers.

Land reclamation of The World, a series of more than 300 man-made islands shaped to form the map of the world, is currently 90% complete with developers currently working to complete their plans for estate islands, residential and resort communities.

Hamza Mustafa, General Manager, The World, said, “This is a big step forward in the evolution of The World. The project has played an enormous role in raising awareness of Dubai on a global scale; many people know about Dubai because of this incredible project, but I think few people understand how The World will actually work in reality.

“With reclamation at such an advanced stage, The World is truly turning from an incredible vision into a reality and is quickly evolving into a one-of-a-kind destination and investment opportunity. Engineered to be flexible and designed to be unforgettable – The World is a blank canvas in the azure waters of the Arabian Gulf with endless possibilities.”

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THAILAND - High Season at Khao Lak, Phang Nga

Andaman News TV11, december 2006

This is Khao Lak today. Two years after it has been struck by the tsunami, nature seems to have recovered, as well as the tourism industry here. More than 48 hotels and tourism businesses have been rebuilt and around 2,700 accommodation rooms. The Scandinavian, German and new markets like the British have come in on direct charter flights from UK to Phuket and are now prominent tourists here.

John Graham, the holiday representative of Thomson Tour Operations in UK, part of the German company TUI, Europe’s biggest tour operators, said that Thomson just started bringing British tourists to Khao Lak since the 2nd of November; and most of the tourists usually love to spend 2 weeks here.
At the moment we have around 70 guests for three hotels in Khao Lak now we have the charter flight which flies from Manchester 2 times a week:

Many tourists seem not to worry about what had happened in the past. We talked to a few tourists who we met on the beach and asked why they liked to come to Khao Lak:

Prasert Chanpol-ngam, the owner of Royal Bangsak Beach Resort and the President of Phang-nga Tourist Association, mentioned the readiness of Khao Lak and activities provided for the tourists, including beach and water activities, trekking and diving.

>>Full article + video

THAILAND - The Phuket Professional Guide Association called for the Governor to resolve the 'Korean Guide' issue.

Thaisnews.com, december 5th 2006

Around 30 members of Phuket Professional Guide Association, led by its vice president Subin Pakdi, submitted a petition to Phuket Governor Nirund Kalayanamit to resolve the Korean guide issue. According to Thai law, guide careers are reserved for Thai nationals only. Mr. Subin pointed out that the problem has long existed as tour companies want to bring in the maximum number of tourists while there are insufficient quality guides who can handle Korean tourists groups. The association members disagreed with the proposed law easing by temporarily allowing Koreans to act as tour guides. They stated that some operators disobeyed the law and ended up damaging the image of local tourism with some officials receiving bribes. The petition calls for the issue to be discussed in a meeting of the Travel Business committee chaired by the Minister of Tourism and Sports.

>>Full article

A one way traffic system will be introduced in Phuket's Patong on a trial basis early next year

Andaman News TV11, december 5th 2006

In another attempt to tackle traffic congestion in the famous tourist area of Patong, the Municipality there plans to introduce a one way traffic system in the middle of January 2007. The Patong City Mayor, Pean Keesin, said the system will be on a trial basis for 3 months, then it will be assessed for improvement. The traffic in the famous tourist area is heavily congested, especially during rush hours while parking spaces on the beach front road are almost 100% occupied by rental vehicles and public transport like Tuk Tuks. It has lead to many complaints from tourists for a long time.

>>Full article

MALAYSIA - RM460mil budget for Penang

Thestar.com.my, November 28, 2006

RM460mil budget for Penang

CHIEF Minister Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon has tabled a budget of RM461.86mil for next year, an increase of RM71.56mil (18.33%) from the 2006 Budget.
The management budget saw an increase of RM4.27mil (1.44%) to RM300.76mil while the development budget went up by RM65.34mil (48.13%) to RM201.1mil.
Dr Koh described the budget as realistic and pragmatic.
“It is in line with the state’s consistent commitment to generate high economic growth, ensure the rakyat’s progress and enhance their quality of living,” he said when tabling the Supplies and Development Bill 2007.
Dr Koh said emolument expenses to pay out salary raises and allowances for 3,471 government employees increased about RM4.24mil to RM84.61mil.

>>Full article

NEW ZEALAND - clean, green tourism brand put under microscope

University of Otago, Thursday 30 November 2006

The future of New Zealand’s clean, green tourism brand is up for debate at two upcoming international conferences being held at the University of Otago.

Next week, the University’s Department of Tourism, based in the School of Business, will host the Atlas Asia Pacific ‘Tourism after Oil’ and the Tourism and Hospitality Research ‘Beyond Nature’ conferences.

The conferences, held consecutively, will feature national and international experts in nature tourism, international trade, environmental management and destination branding who will present various views on the need for a long-term perspective on tourism in the Asia-Pacific region.

Tourism Associate Professor James Higham says New Zealand has long been promoted and, arguably, studied in terms of its natural dimensions.

“The ‘100% Pure’ campaign and an emphasis on ‘clean and green’ branding has had great benefits in attracting visitors to New Zealand, but how sustainable is the focus on nature in the long term?

>>Full article

SABAH - Enough emergency facilities: Chong

Dailyexpress.com.my, 01 December, 2006

Kota Kinabalu: Sabah Parks is equipped with enough emergency facilities to administer assistance during emergencies. Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat, who said this in his winding-up speech Thursday, added that its staff are also trained in basic first aid skills.

During the debate earlier, Sook Assemblyman Tan Sri Joseph Kurup had highlighted the death of an eight-year-old Korean girl after being stung by jellyfish at Pulau Manukan, off here, recently.

Chong said Sabah Parks has 43 staff trained as life guards, 19 of them stationed at the Tunku Abdul Rahman marine park, namely, six in Pulau Manukan, eight in Pulau Sapi, three in Pulau Mamutik and two in Teluk Molohom, Pulau Gaya. "The lifeguards in Sabah Parks were trained by the Kinabalu Life Saving Society and Malaysia Life Saving Society.

>>Full article

MYANMAR - Better than Thailand?

Phuket post, 4-12-2006

Myanmar has long been a controversial destination for tourists, with the argument being about whether visiting the country actually helps to support the ruling junta in the face of an international boycott over its undemocratic ways.

Now Aljazeera reports online that some people are claiming Myanmar is a better destination, morally, than Thailand.

Reporter Veronica Pedrosa, once a familiar face on CNN, says that a tourism promoter told her on a recent visit that Myanmar was being seen in some markets as a ''decent'', safe and cultural alternative to Thailand.

Well, it depends on your concept of decency. What's a “decent” government?
While coming off a low base number of visitors, Pedrosa reports that tourism in Myanmar is on the rise. According to Myanmar figures, she says, it has tripled since 2000.

''At Yangon's best known tourist spots, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Spanish and Italian tourists pose for photographs and bargain hard for the best deals,'' she writes.

And there are clearly some good reasons for visiting Myanmar. She mentions the pristine beaches, colonial architecture, temple complexes and ethnic villages, untouched by mass tourism.

>>Full article

PHUKET - The Islands North

Phuket post, 4-12-2006

When does the high season begin? Opinions vary. The Patong Festival usually is promoted as the opening of the high season, and that's always around 1 November. But most Phuket hotels don't increase their rates until December at the earliest, and sometimes not until the middle of the month.

Perhaps one indication is that the Chedi, which has been operating on a headland north of Surin beach for 16 years, will be holding a party this Wednesday (7 December) to mark the high season.

The Chedi forms the first Phuket Post DAILY resort profile. More will be coming, Monday to Friday, from north, south, east and west.

Daniel J Meury, general manager of The Chedi for four years, believes that when it comes to tourists, quality is more important than quantity. While the occupancy rate there is 80 percent for November, he can see it topping 90% very soon – a good result considering guests can be asked to pay up to $US500 a night for a holiday along the beachfront.

“The beach is very private,” he said. The Chedi followed on the site of the Pansea Hotel, one of the first on the island, which went up about 25 years ago. According to Mr Meury, the beach is still The Chedi's best asset.

>>Full article

MYANMAR - tourism industry to boost in current tour season

People's DailyOnline, December 01, 2006

Myanmar's tourism industry is signaling to boost in the current tour season with reservations at almost all major hotels in the country's tourist sites fully booked, according to local tour operators Friday. Myanmar's tour season lasts from November to May.

Reservations at hotels in Bagan, Mandalay and Inlay have been full up to next February, the sources said.

Meanwhile, air tickets for airlines flying the main route for international transit between Yangon and Bangkok have been sold out, the sources quoted the Thai Airways International (TG), Bangkok Airways (PG), Myanmar Airways International (8M), Phuket Airlines (9R) and Thai Air Asia (FD) as saying.

To meet passenger demand, the main foreign airline of TG flying between the two destinations is arranging to increase its afternoon flight services and the new schedule will last until next March, it added.

Observers see a new record high of one million tourists arrivals in the tour season especially in this year-end through to the first quarter of next year.

>>Full article

ACCOMMODATION - Accor takes Major Step in its Expansion in India

ASIATravelTips .com, 4 December 2006

As part of its global development strategy aiming at opening 200,000 new hotel rooms by 2010, of which 60% are in emerging markets, Accor has signed a significant partnership that triggers a major expansion in India. This expansion plan covers the full spectrum of the hotel market in India, including budget Formule 1 hotels, economy Ibis hotels, mid-market Novotel hotels and upper-upscale Sofitel properties.

Budget and Economy Hotels: Formule 1 and IbisGilles Pélisson, Chief Executive Officer, Accor, and HE Mohammed Ali Alabbar, Chairman, EMAAR Properties, signed on Friday an agreement to develop 100 Formule 1 hotels in India. This agreement will involve a joint investment of US$300 million in phases.

>>Full article

BALI - Electrical Power Supply Under Threat

Balidiscovery.com, (12/1/2006)

The Indonesian language Bisnis Indonesia reports that PT Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN) predicts the shortfall in electrical power production for Java and Bali will reach critical stages in 2008 as the result of the shortfall in new power-generating capacity.

Fahmi Mochtar, General Manager Distribution for Jakarta and Tanggerang for PLN told the newspaper that electricity requirements in 2007 will be met for the most part by new capacity coming on line in 2006 and entering into full service in 2007. Nonetheless, he warned, "the condition (of electricity generation in 2007) won't be substantially different than 2006."

>>Full article

BALI - Bali Tourism Board Restructured

Balidiscovery.com, (12/1/2006)

In the wake of a torrent of recent criticism attacking the management style of the Bali Tourism Board (BTB) and the manner in which recovery funds have been handled, the heads of the tourism stake holder organizations that steer BTB have met and decided to restructure the private sector group charged with representing the Island's tourism industry.

The nine stake holding organizations that comprise BTB have decided that the Chairmanship position leading the group will be abolished in favor of a "Consortium Coordinator" - the new job title given to the individual who will execute the directives and decision made by the respective chairmen of the nine tourism stake holder groups.

>>Full article

BALI - A Tidal Change Needed in How We Care for Bali's Oceans

Balidiscovery.com, 12/1/2006

Increasing pollution along Bali's southern beaches is a source of growing public concern and closer scrutiny on how business and tourism operators across the island dispose of their waste and sewage.

Minister of Tourism Reacts

As reports of concerning levels of nitrates, bacteria and other pollutants in Bali's coastal waters arrived on his desk, Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, called for quick action to stop the pollution which threatens the entire tourism industry. The Minister called for legal action against the perpetrators of the pollution, if that was necessary to clean up the Island's waters.

Although pollution enforcement fall under another branch of the Government, Minister Wacik has issued instructions to his staff in Bali to find out who is responsible for polluting the waters off Bali's beaches. Two days prior to the story reporting the Minister's "get tough" order in the Indonesian language Nusa Bali, that paper carried a front page photograph of a large sewage pipe discharging waste on Sanur beach, allegedly connected to a nearby star-rated hotel.

>>Full article

AVIATION - Viva Macau launches Super Low Fares Promotion to Maldives, Phuket and Jakarta

ASIATravelTips .com, 1 December 2006

Viva Macau, the new international low-cost Macau-based airline, has launched its first flight schedule with fares as low as HK$88 to top destinations.

The airline is selling one-way tickets to its short-haul destinations Phuket, Thailand and Jakarta, Indonesia for HK$88; while fares to long-haul route Maldives cost only HK$888.

“Viva Macau is set to fly in December in a bid to bring residents of Macau, Hong Kong and the Pearl River Delta (PRD) to our exciting destinations at great value for money,” said Andrew Pyne the airline’s chief executive. “With this, we also bring quick and efficient access to the spirit of Macau, Asia’s vibrant entertainment capital.

”Viva Macau will fly to the Maldives twice a week on Thursdays and Sundays beginning December 21, 2006. Tickets on this special introductory fare are valid for travel until January 31, 2007.

>>Full article

CHINA - Tourists sites struggling with online promotion

China Daily, 1-12-2006

Beijing's tourist spots are not using the Internet effectively to promote their appeal to foreign visitors, according to experts speaking at a forum Thursday in Beijing.

Official statistics show Beijing has 121 scenic spots, 38 of which are top-ranking sites. But only 34 of the 38 have built official websites.

"Every tourism attraction in Beijing should build a website and make it easily accessible," said Liu Feng, assistant research fellow of the Development Research Centre of the State Council.

Adding to the problem, the websites in existence are not pulling in the visitors, according to Liu.

"When you search Google for websites introducing Beijing's tourism spots, the top result is a small American travel service. None of the scenic spot websites are in the first 10 pages," he said.

With the 2008 Olympic Games fast approaching, the need for promotion is more pressing than ever. According to the administration's estimates, 4.4 million overseas tourists will visit Beijing in 2008, spending US$4.5 billion.

>>Full article

SINGAPORE - plans a themed destination tourist attraction

eTN Asia, 30-11-2006

Singapore has unveiled a S$12 billion-worth master plan to turn its islands into a themed destination as an added tourist attraction, Channel News Asia reported.

According to the report, Singapore’s planners are turning natural resources available on six islands to the south of Sentosa into a tourist destination by mixing education and entertainment.

The Sentosa Master Plan will include Harbourfront and the Southern islands of Sisters', Kusu and St John Islands.

"We plan to tap on the momentum created by the Sentosa integrated resort developments and extend investor interest to the islands nearby," Singapore Tourism Board (STB) said in a statement.

""Enhancing the lush greenery and natural foliage of the Southern Islands will make them irresistible to tourists," added the statement from STB. "They will be developed into a resort island, cultural site, natural ecosystems and rainforest park."

>>Full article

CAMBODIA - Shinta Mani Hotel & Institute of Hospitality recognised for Poverty Reduction in Siem Reap

ASIATravel Tips .com, 29 November 2006

The accommodation and learning complex comprising the Shinta Mani Hotel and Institute of Hospitality has been globally recognised for the immense benefit it brings to the Siem Reap community.The Shinta Mani Hotel and Institute of Hospitality was highly commended in the First Choice Responsible Tourism Awards’ “Best For Poverty Reduction” category, which focuses on poverty diminishment initiatives that assist local communities in developing countries.

This category received a wide range of nominations from all over the globe and the hotel and institute was presented with the award during the recent World Travel Market in London.The British Guild of Travel Writers also awarded the Shinta Mani Hotel and Institute of Hospitality the “Best Overseas Tourism Project” where the winner must “not only have tourism potential but also benefit the local community”. The award was presented to the hotel during an exclusive gala function at the beginning of the World Travel Market.

>>Full article

MALDIVES - South of Maldives looks ahead to tourism expansion

eTN, 28-11-2006

Plans to develop the most remote part of the Maldives into a new tourist zone have been unveiled to the tourism industry in London. The project will bring prosperity and new jobs to Addu Atoll, and particularly the island of Gan, in the southern-most part of the Maldives.

New career opportunities in the hotel and catering sector and demand for local expertise and opportunities to sample Maldivian culture will boost employment for the islanders and will contribute to the overall growth of the economy of the region, where there is an enduring longing and welcome for visitors especially from Great Britain.

Gan is a former British military base and the former Royal Air Force station is currently used as an airport for domestic flights from the capital Malé. Gan airport is being upgraded to international standards and could be ready to receive direct flights from London next year. The Maldives Tourism Development Board is in talks with charter flight operators in the UK and one well-known company has already been signed up.

>>Full article

CHINA - eyes explosive tourism growth, scores massive rail investment

eTN China, 28-11-2006

After posting record-breaking figures in terms of tourist numbers and revenues last year, China is eyeing an explosive growth from the tourism in the years to come.

China is to earn US$156.5 billion from tourism in 2010, according to Liu Kezhi, head of the Tourism Promotion and International Contact Department, China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).

Liu says the number of foreign tourists who will spend at least one night in China is expected to jump to 68.8 million in 2010, when domestic tourists are expected to take 1.78 billion overnight trips.

The Chinese government has formulated the Eleventh Five-Year Program for Tourism Industry (2006-2010). The program aims to make China a strong tourist nation in the world.

China is counting on the forthcoming 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing and the 2010 World Exposition in Shanghai to provide unprecedented opportunities for the development of Chinese tourism industry.

>>Full article

CHINA - Shenzhen vows to become hot tourism spot

People's Daily Online, 28-11-2006

This coastal city in South China's Guangdong Province is set to capitalize on its proximity to Hong Kong in a bid to become a global tourist city. Li Xiaogan, an official from Shenzhen municipal tourism department, made the remarks at an international tourism conference in Shenzhen in late October.

An important part of the Guangdong International Tourism and Culture Festival, which kicked off yesterday, the International Conference on Building International Tourist Cities under Globalization was held on October 25-27, focusing on building international tourist cities and other issues related to development of international co-operation in the tourism industry. To build it into an international tourist city, Li said that Shenzhen would promote its image as a young metropolis and seaside resort, plan international-level events, and enhance co-operation with the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.

>>Full article

AUSTRALIA - Federal Group Recognized with Four Tasmanian Tourism Awards

eTN, 28-11-2006

Federal Group was presented with four Tasmanian Tourism Awards on Friday night, recognising excellence within the State’s tourism industry.

Gordon River Cruises won the Significant Tour and Transport Operator award for the second consecutive year, and will now aim for its second Australian tourism award in two years.

Gordon River Cruises provides the pre-eminent wilderness experience on Tasmania’s West Coast, taking visitors up the majestic Gordon River into the World Heritage Area.

The Pure Tasmania brand launch was presented with the Tourism Product Marketing award. It was also the second year the Group’s marketing program has been recognised, winning with the Federal Hotels and Resorts campaign in 2005.

>>Full article

AVIATION - Jet Star to add more flights between Thailand and Australia

(TNA), Nov 25 2006

Jet Star announced additional flights between Australia and Thailand.

The carrier’s Chief Executive Officer Alan Joyce announced that Jet Star starts flying the routes between Melbourne and Bangkok; and Sydney and Phuket three times a week during the peak travelling season. The service will be increased to five times a week in December.

He said Thailand is a popular destination among travellers and these additional flights will help to boost passenger traffic to Suvarnabhumi Airport.

In addition to these flights, Jet Star is operating three direct flights a day between Bangkok and Singapore, and four flights a week between Singapore and Phuket. In September next year, it plans to operate services to five cities namely Ho Chi Minh City, Bali, Honolulu, Osaka and Nagoya.

>>Full article

THAILAND - Accidents and crime Phuket’s biggest tourism threats

Phuketgazette.net, November 24, 2006

PHUKET: Despite fears of terrorism, natural disasters and health pandemics, government officials rate everyday crime and road accidents as the greatest dangers to Phuket’s tourism industry, a Phuket Provincial Tourism Management Strategy (PPTRMS) workshop revealed on Tuesday.

During the workshop, at the Royal Phuket City Hotel, government officials were presented with the results of a survey from the previous workshop, held on August 22, when attendees were divided into four groups.

Each group was asked to collectively assign a “likelihood” and “consequence” rating of 1, 2 or 3 to 12 potential threats, with the total “level of risk” calculated as the product of the two ratings.

The overall results found that “crime” had the highest overall risk level (7) on average, followed by “road accidents” (6).

>>Full article

MALAYSIA - Mideast investors tap Malaysia property

Businessweek.com, November 22, 2006

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia

Middle Eastern investors interested in diversifying their risks are zeroing in on Malaysian real estate, property executives and bankers say.

Malaysia's growing infrastructure projects, relatively transparent laws on ownership and the availability of Islamic financing make the country attractive to Middle Easterners, who are familiar with Malaysia as a vacation destination.

Since 2005, two Middle Eastern parties have invested more 2 billion ringgit (US$548 million; euro428 million) in three major development projects in Muslim-majority Malaysia.

Kuwait Finance House, the first foreign Islamic bank to operate in Malaysia, is a 49 percent investor in the Pavilion, a condominium, hotel, office and retail complex in Kuala Lumpur.

It also owns 20 percent of the Sunway South Quay housing development in a suburb outside Kuala Lumpur -- a project expected to have about 4,000 luxury home units and apartments.

Bahrain-based Al Salam Bank is partnering Malaysia's E&O Property Development Bhd. to develop seafront luxury villas in northern Penang state.

>>Full article

PHILIPPINES - Spain's booming tourism industry can be replicated in RP

Bayanihan.org, November 27

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo said Monday the Philippines can advance its development and eventually become an economic superpower by replicating the success attained by Spain’s tourism industry.

Keynoting the 2nd Tribuna España-Filipinas (Philippines-Spain Tribune) Forum at the Hyatt Hotel and Casino in Manila this morning, the President noted that Spain has become the economic superpower that it is today through its booming tourism industry.

"Spain is so strong in tourism and whenever I try to convince some of our provinces that tourism is their best hope for their development, I always point out the experience of Spain," the President said.

"That Spain became the economic superpower that it is today from one of the less prosperous countries a long time ago in Europe (because of tourism), that can happen to many of our islands and peninsulas in the Philippines," she added.

The President said that the groundwork for the country’s tourism program was encapsulated in her State-of-the-Nation Address (SONA) last July where she enumerated the development of the country’s Super Regions.

>>Full article

MALAYSIA - LDP and Sabah Bumi Chamber praise budget

Dailyexpress.com.my, 27 November, 2006

Kota Kinabalu: The proposed Sabah State Budget 2007 continues to get positive response from political and business sectors describing it as "strategically formulated" and "reflected optimism for future positive growth in the State".

Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) President Datuk VK Liew said that despite being a deficit budget it showed confidence of higher economic growth for Sabah.

"In particular, the focus on sustainable use of natural resources and effective protection of the natural environment, which was one of my seven visions during the thanksgiving dinner to (former party President) Tan Sri Chong Kah Kiat," he said.

"It is important for us in the BN coalition to continue to work together in stopping illegal logging for our forests.

"Prevent from encroachment of all natural habitats for our endangered wildlife and to reduce exploitation of our natural resources for quick economic gain. This is the effective way of protecting our natural environment," he said.

Speaking at the LDP Women's Seminar in Beverly Hotel, Sunday, he said the State Government has regarded tourism as one of its main income earners.

>>Full article

MALAYSIA -Bukit Bintang Will Never Become Pat Pong, Says Tourism Minister

Bernama.com.my, November 25, 2006

KOTA BAHARU, Nov 25 (Bernama) -- Bukit Bintang in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's most modern and popular tourist spot, is not a red light district and will never be one, Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said here.

"It's not fair (to compare Bukit Bintang with Pat Pong in Thailand). You see in Pat Pong, (they) even have dancing on tables and striptease shows. We don't have such a thing in Bukit Bintang," he told reporters after attending the Kelantan Tourism Awards ceremony last night.

"You cannot compare Bangkok with Kuala Lumpur. We are not extreme at all," he said.

He also said that tourists know that Malaysia offers mainly family and leisure-oriented tourism products and that the country is not a sex-tourism destination.

"Tourists coming to Malaysia don't expect to see or experience the products available in Bangkok, Jakarta, Bandung or Bali," he said.

>>Full article

SINGAPORE - The Quays to a vibrant S'pore

Todayonline.com, November 24, 2006

STB to announce blueprint to develop Singapore River area into a 24-hour hotspot

THE Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will soon reveal plans for a vibrant Singapore Riverfront that never sleeps.

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A tender for qualified surveyors to study the site — stretching from the Esplanade Drive in the east to Kim Seng Road in the south — was recently called. Upon appointment, the site survey must be completed within six weeks.

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The STB said it intends to appoint a design consultant to "develop Singapore River into a must-see, 24-hour favourite riverfront precinct in the region".

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Said Mr Oliver Chong, STB director for cluster development (events and entertainment): "We are currently looking into plans to revitalise the Singapore River and position it as a must-visit, 24-hour lifestyle and entertainment precinct that targets the well-heeled young professionals, business travellers, singles and couples."

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Since December last year, landscape and planning consultancy Edaw has been appointed to look into the revitalisation project and work with stakeholders.

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Ms Jo McAllister, Edaw associate and senior landscape architect, told Today: "We've been studying other waterfront cities such as Sydney to help the STB realise its vision for a vibrant waterfront in Singapore, and to bring Singapore's waterfront to the world stage through a mixture of software and hardware."

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Infrastructure enhancements may include more walkways, viewing points and promenades. Software elements will include signature events and regular activities to breathe life into the river stretch.

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There may also be plans to seamlessly link up Boat Quay, Robertson Quay and Clarke Quay, which recently went through an $80 million makeover. Said Mr Chong: "We believe the Singapore River precinct has the potential to stand out as a 24-hour lifestyle and entertainment riverfront belt that attracts visitors and local residents.

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"More importantly, the area adds to Singapore's profile as an exciting and dynamic destination. This project will be one of the key initiatives that will contribute toward realising STB's Tourism 2015 vision."

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The STB's aim is to double tourism arrivals to 17 million by 2015.

>>Full article

PHILIPPINES - Only in the Philippines: Tender Loving Care

Asianjournal.com, November 27th, 2006

RP Trains Its Sights on Medical Tourism

MANILA - President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo led officials in opening the first-ever Philippine Medical Tourism Congress, Expo and Grand Launch at the Philippine International Convention Center on November 20 and 21, 2006.

The event effectively launched the Philippines as the next premiere health holiday destination, as key public officials led a consortium of both public organizations and private businesses in learning more about what is considered as one of the sunshine industries in the Philippines.

President Arroyo, in her message to the congress delegates, lauded the cooperative efforts between the Department of Tourism and the Department of Health to bring together professionals and experts in the field to discuss relevant information on market opportunities.

The Philippines intends to promote its world-class health facilities and services as it plans to become more aggressive in running after more tourists who would like to consider having health holidays in the country.

"This puts us in direct competition with other nations who actually learned a lot from us in the field of medical tourism," Health Secretary Francisco Duque said in his speech.

>>Full article

DEVELOPMENTS - Pacific islands in the spotlight at PROFIT 2006

Traveldailynews.com, November 27, 2006

More than 200 delegates have registered for PROFIT in the Pacific 2006, including prospective project partners from Europe, USA, Asia and the Pacific. They are drawn to Vanuatu for the November 29-December 1 event to conduct a series of one-on-one meetings with 37 carefully screened development project proposals. PROFIT `06, organised by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), will be officially opened in Port Vila, Vanuatu by the host destination?s Prime Minister, the Hon Mr Ham Lini. Mr Greg Urwin, Secretary General of the region`s premier political and economic policy organisation, the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat, has confirmed he will deliver a presentation during the conference programme. The conference will address significant tourism issues and trends in the Pacific Islands region.

>>Full article

PHILIPPINES - Singaporeans pledge $1b in investments

Manilastandardtoday.com, November 22, 2006

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo returned from her official visit to Singapore yesterday, securing pledges for $1 billion investments in the country’s frontline industries.

Trade Secretary Peter Favila said the brief stopover at Singapore proved to be more productive in terms of investments than the President’s three-day stay in Hanoi for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.

“We were in Singapore less than 24 hours and it has been a very productive visit. The government is looking at something like $1 billion new Singaporean investments in the power, energy, technology, mining, telecommunications and tourism sectors in the Philippines,” Favila said.

The department chief attributed the bullish stance of the Singaporean businessmen to the improved economic and political conditions.

Singapore Airlines is tying up with Cebu Pacific of the Gokongwei empire to expand flights between the two countries, while ShoeMart of tycoon Henry Sy also entered into a joint venture with the Keppel Bank.

>>Full article

VIETNAM - MICE arrivals booming

Nhandan, 24 november 2006

Travel companies have made a great deal of contracts to organise MICE tours in recent months, particularly since Vietnam’s accession to the WTO. The country has great prospect to develop MICE but a joint marketing strategy is needed and co-operation should be boosted.

Busy with new contracts

Saigontourist predicted a rising trend for the number of meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) tourists as Vietnam had its membership to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) approved.

The leading national travel company said it has received reservations for MICE services from 6,420 customers in November and December, of whom 1,500 are foreigners while domestic MICE customers make up two thirds of inbound contracts and 520 others have booked outbound MICE services.

About 4,400 domestic MICE tourists of Saigontourist will join MICE tours in Long Hai, Phan Thiet, Da Lat and Vung Tau. The most number from Neisei Company with 2,500 tourists to Phan Thiet, Vung Tau and Madagui and a delegation of 400 tourists from Toyota to Phan Thiet, said Saigontourist.

The Saigontourist company reported a total of 36,664 MICE customers it served in the first ten months of the year, attributing the boom to the progress made in Vietnam's WTO negotiations.

>>Full article

THAILAND - Hat Yai hoteliers appeal for govt help

(TNA), Nov 28 2006

Songkhla's Hat Yai business district has been deeply impacted by the unfolding unrest in the three southern provinces and needs assistance from the government, according to Hat Yai-Songkhla Hoteliers Association chairman Somchart Pimthanapoonporn.

He said that in addition toYala, Pattani and Narathiwat, Songkhla itself was the fourth province affected by the vilolence. He said that as the government is considering extending assistance to the business sector in the three provinces, Songkhla should also be included in the measures.

"The government should consider extending the lifeline to the private business sector in Hat Yai," he said.

The cabinet last week resolved to set up a special development zone in the five southern border provinces of Yala, Pattani, Naratiwat, Songkhla and Satun in an attempt to restore peace in the insurgency-plagued southern border region.

Under the plan, incentives such as tax cuts will be introduced to help businesses and promote industry as well as to create jobs in the region.

>>Full article

VIETNAM - Should Vietnam establish a Ministry of Ha Long Bay?

VNECONOMY, 27/11/2006

Nguyen Si Dung, Deputy Chairman of the National Assembly’s Office: “It is an original idea” Where does the idea on the establishment of the Ministry of Ha Long Bay come from? This is the idea raised by an American expert. After returning from Ha Long Bay, he said to me: “If Ha Long Bay can be developed in the right way, it can provide for all Vietnamese people. Why don’t you think of setting up the ministry of Ha Long Bay?” Do you think that such an administrative body can bring the economic benefit big enough to provide for the whole country? In Vietnam, a ministry is understood as having the function of undertaking management and making policies. When mentioning the Ministry of Ha Long Bay, the American expert wants to stress the importance of a body in charge of Ha Long Bay management. What he wants to say is that the management of the world’s landscape must be taken by a body equal to a ministry. Only a body at such a level would be fit for Ha Long Bay, which is unique in the world.

>>Full article

VIETNAM - Tourism body to combine with business on MICE

VietNamNet Bridge, 23/11/2006 The Tourism Promotion Department under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism will work with the MICE Vietnam Club to bolster MICE tourism development, a tourism official said. Pham Huu Minh, head of the department, told the Daily that his department would work with the club to discuss ways to make a marketing plan for MICE as a potential tourism segment of the country. "I with meet with representatives of the club early next month for the discussions," he said, referring to the MICE issue. MICE stands for Meetings, Incentives, Conventions/ Congresses and Events/Exhibitions. Minh said that the club comprises local and foreign business members who have experiences to develop MICE tourism. When these businesses and tourism authorities join hand, the country tourism can find the best way for the developing the industry, Minh said, adding "We will submit the plan to the government for approval".

>>Full article

VIETNAM - Handicraft village tourism gets priority

Vietnam News, 11-27-2006

Vice Chairman of the Viet Nam Administration of Tourism, Pham Tu, talked with Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) about the role of handicraft villages in tourism development.

What are the prospects for developing tourism in handicraft villages as Viet Nam has become an official member of the World Trade Organisation (WTO)? Handicraft village tourism is a highly unique form of cultural tourism which needs to be implemented thoroughly with a detailed development plan. To maximise development of villages will require co-ordination among industry, agriculture, trade, environment, investment, culture and tourism. To adhere to key criteria on sustainable development and community the infrastructure and material systems must leave the lowest environmental footprint possible. Waste treatment and anti-pollution systems are also compulsory requirements. Another thing we need to do is organise showrooms, at least one for each type of product. Each craft should have a viewable system where consumers can experience the products before purchasing them. As there is cultural value in each product, handicraft village tourism needs to have competent guides who understand the historical and cultural aspects of the pieces, guides also need to be good at foreign languages.

>>Full article

BALI - The Shifting Sands of Sanur Politics

Balidiscovery.com, (11/26/2006)

As reported on balidiscovery.com [ Construction of Bali Tsunami Warning Towers Underway], the government has commenced construction of 6 tsunami warning towers along the island’s southern beaches as part of an emergency preparedness program inspired by the boxing day tsunami disaster of 2004.

No Longer on Schedule?

Plans to have the single Sanur tower in place and operating in time for comprehensive evacuation drills scheduled for December 26, 2006, are now in doubt following protests by local residents in Sanur regarding the location of the tsunami facility in their community. The tower, containing seismic sensing equipment and a large sirens, was in an advanced stage of construction on the beach in front of the Inna Grand Bali Beach Hotel when local leaders complained to the government that the selected site for the tsunami facility was sacred and needed for local religious rituals.

>>Full article

Bali - Where You Gonna Run To? Bali or London?

Balidiscovery.com, (11/26/2006)

A report in the Sydney Morning Herald by Tom Allard, National Security Editor, of the paper has underlined both the futility and haphazard way in which governments construct international travel advisories.

Quoting Australian tourism figures and security experts, Allard declares "travel to London 'riskier' than Bali" with "London is now seen as the prime western target for jihadists, especially after Britain's spy chief revealed there were 30 active terrorist plots and 1600 suspects."

Lacking Both Rhyme and Reason

Supporting widely held suspicion that government travel advisories have more to do with politics than with any objective reference to actual threats, the 900,000 Australians that travel to Britain every year are only advised by their government "to exercise caution and monitor developments." Surprisingly, on a warning scale of one to five, Britain sits at the second lower category of risk. According to Allard, "Indonesia, by contrast, is in the second highest category, below only a few countries such as Iraq, Afghanistan and Sudan.”

The Sydney Morning Herald explains: "While the threat from Islamic extremism remains in Indonesia, the country has not suffered a large-scale terrorist attack in the past 12 months, the first time for more than five years."

On the other hand, London, which does not warrant an extreme caution from the Australian government, has suffered suicide bombings by Islamic extremists on the City's transportation system with British authorities saying they have "narrowly" thwarted at least 10 plots to attack aircraft leaving Heathrow Airport.

>>Full article

BALI - Signs of a Turnaround in Progress?

Balidiscovery.com, (11/25/2006)

October 2006 foreign arrival totals for Bali hit 112,629, providing concrete evidence that Bali's tourism figures may be on the rebound.

Better Times Ahead?

Why the enthusiasm? Note the following when considering Bali's latest arrival figures:

∙ While month-on-month comparisons for October 2006 (112,629) versus October 2005 (81,109) show a +38.86 improvement in total arrival numbers, that development is hardly surprising given the exodus of visitors to Bali in October of 2005 following the second terrorist attack

>>Full article

BALI - Protecting Beaches and its Tourism Reputation

Balidiscovery.com, (11/26/2006)

Occupying page-one of the Indonesian language Nusa Bali for the past week have been a series of reports highlighting pollution along some of Bali's main tourist beaches.

According to the report, testing carried out along Bali's Sanur Beach, Pulau Serangan and Kuta Beach over the past several years have identified levels of pollution at levels exceeding government guidelines. The pollution is also blamed for the algae bloom that is in evidence on a number of popular beaches blamed with destroying local coral reefs.

According to Nusa Bali, testing conducted in 2005 and 2006 along Sanur Beach by PT Bahtera Lestari at a distance of 100 meters from the shoreline show worrying levels of nitrates and other chemicals. Dody Prasetia, an employee of the testing firm, pointed out that the level of pollutants identified by the testing did not suggest a very high state of pollution but admitted levels of pollution might be higher if tests were conducted closer to the shoreline.

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VIETNAM - welcomes back Americans

eTN Asia, 11-24-2006

Vietnam's recent admittance into the World Trade Organization (WTO) fold will get a further boost with the forthcoming visit by US travel agents.

Under the agreement with Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Department, United Airlines (UA) will invite 'high-quality' travel agents interested in promoting the Vietnam tourism market for an industry survey of its market potential for 2007.

UA is currently the only carrier offering seven direct flights to Vietnam.

The industry survey follows a similar sponsorship of eight journalists from the US to reintroduce Vietnam to Americans, remembered for the last 30 years for its involvement in the Vietnam war.

"Since then promotional activities of Vietnamese tourism in the US has been very limited," said Joe Mannix, UA director in Vietnam.

To attract US travelers, Vietnam is basing its marketing strategies on its world-famous beaches, yet to be discovered by the US market, under its tagline 'Vietnam-The Hidden Charm'.

"This is an efficient way to promote Vietnamese tourism abroad," said Pham Huu Minh, from the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT).

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DEVELOPMENTS - UNWTO Executive Council Fighting Poverty and Improving Cultural Understanding

Asiatraveltips.com, 24 November 2006

The importance of tourism and its contribution to the process of economic and social development, within the framework of the Millennium Development Goals of the United Nations, was underscored during the Executive Council of the UNWTO, meeting in Algiers for its 79th session on November 20th and 21st.Under the chairmanship of H.E. Mr. Tijani Haddad, Minister of Tourism of Tunisia, the UNWTO Executive Council decided to endorse its Secretary General's report on the following major challenges facing the sector and proposals for strengthening the organization's capacity to respond:Promoting the economic impacts of tourism - Managing site congestion and enhancing infrastructure - Liberalizing tourism services - Managing socio-cultural impacts - Integrating into peace processes - Embracing Information and Communication Technology into all aspects of management - Intensifying the fight against poverty - Strengthening public-private partnerships - Preparing to manage crises

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SINGAPORE - Tourism Board’s Project Postcard targets Two Million Households

Asiatraveltips.com, 24 November 2006

The Singapore Tourism Board’s Project Postcard is returning for the fourth consecutive year with an aim to reach over two million households across the island. Available as both postcards and e-cards in a variety of eye catching designs in over 750 outlets island wide as well as the Internet, Project Postcard 2006 is set to be the biggest rally call yet for residents in Singapore to become the city’s tourism ambassadors.With pre-paid international postage, each set of three specially designed postcards as well as e-cards tell a vibrant Singapore story featuring popular local icons such as the Merlion, Ice Kachang, Orchard Road and local food. Singaporeans, permanent residents and foreigners residing in Singapore can send these Uniquely Singapore postcards to their overseas friends and relatives inviting them to visit Singapore and experience its colourful and rich blend of cultures first-hand.

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