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.

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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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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.

>>Full article

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."

>>Full article

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.

>>Full article

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.

>>Full article

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.

>>Full article

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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THAILAND - tourism minister keen on getting away from mass tourism

eTN, October 16 2007

Exclusive chat with Thailand's tourism minister.
Few people in Thailand have the courage of the current Thai Tourism Minister Suvhit Yodmani. Khun Suvhit is among few tourism promoters to raise the question of sustainable environment in tourism development. If Thailand’s tourism has indeed enjoyed a remarkable evolution in tourism over the last decade, reflected in a tourist arrivals growth from 7.7 million in 1997 to 13.8 million in 2006, the Southeast Asian kingdom is facing increased pressure to protect its natural assets.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - Flow of tourists from Indochina seen surging

Bangkokpost, 15th October 2007

Private tourism operators are being urged to prepare for an influx of foreign tourists as the East-West Economic Corridor linking Burma, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam approaches completion.
According to Arkhom Termpittayapaisith, deputy secretary general to National Economic and Social Development Board (NESDB), the East-West Economic Corridor linking Thailand, Laos and Vietnam has been finished, with the construction of 18 kilometres in Burma nearly completed.
The economic corridor is created based on a road of 1,450 km with the west end at port city of Mawlamyine (Burma), crossing Kayin Division, the Thai provinces of Tak, Sukhothai, Kalasin, Phitsanulok, Khon Kaen, Yasothon, Mukdahan and the Laotian provinces of Savannakhet, Vietnamese provinces of Quang Tri, Thua Thien-Hue Province and Da Nang city as the east end.

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CHINA - to build world's largest national park

chinadaily.com.cn, 2007-10-15

Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region has planned to build the world's largest national park by integrating the scattered neighboring tourist resorts into a whole.
The Kanas Geological Park, now around 1,000 square kilometers, will be expanded to about ten times larger in a few years after incorporating the nearby tourist regions and grassland, said Tan Weiping, head of the park administration committee.
Tan said under a new tourism development plan, the Tiere Keti town of Kaba County and the Hom Kanas town of Burqin County will be included in the new national park, which s expected to replace America's Yellowstone National Park, covering an area of about 9,000 square kilometers, to become the world's largest.
"The new national park is helpful to protect the unique natural scenery, wildlife and cultural relics here," said Tan.

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DUBAI - Maritime City enters Final Phase of Development

Asiatraveltips.com, 12 October 2007

Dubai Maritime City, a purpose-built maritime centre and member of the Dubai World Group of companies, recently commenced work on the third and final phase of the project, which includes infrastructure development.
The new phase consists of the expansion of service networks such as fire, telecommunications, water, district cooling, electricity, wastewater pipelines, access roads, supporting civil infrastructure needs and landscaping works. The final phase of the development is expected to be completed by the end of 2009.

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THAILAND - Proposed site for ICEC finally selected

Phuketgazette.net, October 8, 2007

Investment group ING Funds (Thailand) has chosen a 350-rai plot of Treasury Department land in Mai Khao as the preferred site for the Phuket International Convention and Exhibition Center (ICEC).The announcement came during a meeting of the project’s siting committee chaired by Phuket Governor Niran Kalayanamit at Phuket Provincial Hall on Thursday.In announcing its conclusion, ING Funds (Thailand) Managing Director Maris Tarab told the committee his firm hopes to fund the three-billion-baht project at the island’s northernmost tip through a limited public company that would be set up by the Treasury Department, if the idea is approved by the Finance Ministry. The seaside site was chosen over a 250-rai locale privately owned by the other finalist, Anuphas & Sons off Chao Fa West Rd in Wichit.

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AUSTRALIA - Gold Coast's road to wealth is clear

goldcoast.com.au, 09 Oct 07

THERE was a time, about a decade ago, when the Gold Coast's confidence could be described as tepid. The past 10 years have been the most remarkable in the city's history.
Gold Coast Airport records at least 70 arrivals and departures of large passenger jets a day, compared with about 40 flights a day on smaller aircraft conducted by Ansett and Qantas in 1997.
The volume of traffic on the Gold Coast section of Pacific Highway has increased by about 40,000 vehicles a day since that year.
Tourism bosses are daring to dream about a much larger, busier Gold Coast within a few more years and property analysts are already talking about a time when the city runs out of land available for housing.
Outsiders certainly can see the potential. Budget carrier Tiger Airways plans to provide an extra 1.4 million seats into the Gold Coast by 2010, and other airlines are keen to start up new services that would give the Gold Coast direct access to the seemingly inexhaustible markets of India, China and the Middle East.

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TAIWAN - Industries promote medical tourism

CNA, Oct 06, 2007

A new business alliance between a popular hotel, a travel agency and a medical association announced a program yesterday to promote medical tourism in Taiwan.
It is the first time that the three industries have joined forces to promote medical tourism, the market for which, according to estimates by the Council for Economic Planning and Development, could be worth up to NT$7 billion (US$220 million) per year.
Under the program, the Grand Hotel, the Taiwan Hospital Association and the Taipei-based Asia-Pacific Society of Travel Medicine (ASTM) will cooperate in promoting tourism packages to foreign visitors.
The cost of a four-day tour is estimated at between NT$30,000 and NT$60,000. The tour would include a three-hour health checkup, an anti-oxidation treatment, skin care and a magnetic wave face lift session.
Customers would stay at Taipei's Grand Hotel and spend their leisure time visiting local tourists spots, such as Taipei 101 and the National Palace Museum.

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PHILIPPINES - Boracay, Palawan among world’s top 10 destinations

Manilastandardtoday.com, October 4th 2007

Boracay and Palawan have landed in the top 10 list of best destinations in the world by international publications.
The white, powdery sands and azure waters of Boracay, Aklan landed in the top 10 beach destinations of the Asian Wall Street Journal. The publication noted Boracay as a favorite among Asian holiday seekers for the variety of activities and entertainment available—from water sports to spas, from all-night parties to quiet, secluded nooks. It is also the only Southeast Asian attraction in the survey, joining other upcoming and exotic places such as Honduras, Abu Dhabi and Montenegro.
Asian Wall Street Journal’s list was endorsed by a panel of executives from global companies in the luxury hotel and cruise industry, including Four Seasons, which operates 74 hotels in 31 countries, the internationally acclaimed Ritz Carlton, high-ranking Asian brand Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, and Amanresorts, a company that specializes in top-quality spa getaways.

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China - ETHNIC KAZAKHS TO PONDER FUTURE AMID TOURISM BOOM

Eurasianet.org, 10/05/07

Chinese rule and an influx of people from other parts of the country have forced lifestyle changes upon Xinjiang’s Kazakhs, who have for centuries lived a nomadic existence. The jewel of Xinjiang’s Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture is Kanas, a crescent-shaped glacial lake tucked into mountains not far from the point where the borders of China, Russia, Mongolia and Kazakhstan converge. The lake is surrounded by thick taiga, giving way to sweeping meadows. Rich in resources and with abundant water supplies, it is a prime area for the livestock breeding that sustains nomadic families.
This natural beauty now threatens the nomadic way of life, as tourists have begun flocking to Lake Kanas. Paved roads now reach the lake and beyond, running alongside tracks used by nomads to move between winter and summer pastures. Yurts -- the round, felt tents in which the nomads live -- are flanked by luxurious hotels painted in garish orange and yellow hues, conspicuous against the deep green taiga.

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PHILIPPINES - Calicoan Island makes a splash among surfers

INQUIRER.net, 10/07/2007

TACLOBAN CITY, Philippines--Efforts to promote Guiuan, Eastern Samar through a sports competition are paying off as more tourists and adventure lovers are coming down to sample the town's delights. The Department of Tourism and the provincial and municipal governments have been organizing the annual surfing competition in Calicoan Island, Guiuan to get enthusiasts to see what the town could offer as a destination.
Aurora delos Reyes, investment and tourism officer of Guiuan, said Guiuan Mayor Analiza Kwan has been very active in promoting Guiuan as a tourist spot, banking not only on the waves but also the town's rich historical, pilgrimage and cultural sites.

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INDONESIA - Clouds Over the Bali Climate Change Conference?

Balidiscovery.com, (10/6/2007)

Chairman of the Bali Tourism Board, Ida Bagus Ngurah Wijaya, urges the government, Climate Change Conference organizers and the tourist industry to anticipate an overload of visitors to the island, since December is normally Bali's peak tourist season, reports Kompas on October 4, 2007.The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will be held between 3-14 December, with pre-conference meetings by NGO's and experts commencing in late November, is a prestigious conference that must be organized successfully, said Ngurah Widjaja. The UNFCCC is expected to draw some 10,000 delegates. "If, say, only 7,000 delegates will attend, Bali will already be overstretched" said Wijaya. This will be the first time ever that Bali has hosted such a large number of Convention delegates. Up to now, Bali has organized a maximum of 5,000 Meeting and Conference delegates at one time. For that purpose a large number of hotels have been blocked in the resorts of Nusa Dua, Kuta and Sanur, in order to be able to accommodate all delegates.

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BANGLADESH - Development of tourism in Bangladesh

Thedailystar.net, 2007-09-27

Tourism creates employment for both sexes. According to the World Tourism Organisation (WTO), the tourism industry accounts for 11% of total global employment. It is said that every twelve tourists create a new job. Unfortunately, tourism is one of the most neglected sectors in Bangladesh, though there is no lack of lip service on the part of the government. In fact, government high-ups and policy makers have hazy as well as negative ideas about tourism. They firmly believe that to attract foreign tourists to Bangladesh, the country needs to have nightlife facilities, bars, massage parlours etc., as if these are the essence of tourism.

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MACAU - Stakes are high for new casino, hotel in Asia

Delawareonline.com, September 23, 2007

The $2.4 billion Venetian Macau Resort Hotel is an ambitious venture, remarkable both for its massive size and for its location on the once-empty Cotai Strip. The Venetian, which opened on August 28, is the biggest hotel in Asia and the second biggest building in the world. It has the world's largest gaming floor, a 15,000-seat arena, 30 upscale restaurants plus a giant food court, 350 retail shops, 3,000 all-suite rooms and 1.2 million square feet of convention space, to say nothing of its signature canals, complete with gondolas and boatmen.
And the Venetian is only the beginning of the $10 to $12 billion Cotai Strip project, which will eventually feature 14 hotels, 20,000 guest rooms, hundreds of restaurants and three million square feet of retail space, along with the card tables, slot machines, roulette wheels and other games of chance for which Macau is famous. "We are going to create a mini Las Vegas out of the Cotai Strip," said Sheldon G. Adelson, one of the world's richest businessmen with a net worth of at least US$ 15 billion and the owner and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, which owns both the Venetian and the Cotai Strip as well as the profitable Sands Macao casino in downtown Macau.

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VIETNAM - “Hoi An Eco Tour” of young fisherman

VietNamNet Bridge, 30/09/2007

It is an interesting tour attracting foreign tourists in Hoi An ancient town, whose author is a young man, 29, originating from a fisherman. He ever worked as a receptionist for the Victoria Hotel in Hoi An.Khoa asked his parents to borrow VND 100 million to buy boats to organise his own tours. “Hoi An Eco Tour” was given birth from that time. Khoa’s father rows the boat and cooks dishes; and Khoa works as a tourist guide.
“What I would like to do is to combine making tourism with protecting the environment, promoting unique values of the sea,” Khoa said.

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VIETNAM - Tourism human resources in shortage

Nhandan.com.vn, September 28, 2007

The high growth of the tourism industry has recently brought about the great demand for human resources. Human resources are directly influencing service quality and the professionalism of the tourism sector.
According to statistics of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), the total number of workers in the tourism sector is around 850,000 at present, including 250,000 workers who directly serve tourists. However, only around 50% of them are trained.
The tourism sector needs an additional around 35,000 trained workers each year but training centres can provide only about one-third of the number.
Besides weakness in terms of professional knowledge and skills, the largest disadvantage of Vietnamese tourism workers is foreign languages.

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MACAO - threatens Hong Kong for popularity

China Daily, 2007-10-01

Macao is expected to catch up with Hong Kong in the near future in terms of mainland tourist traffic, an expert said.
The estimation is based on the increasing trend of Macao's growing shares in the mainland tourist market and Macao's enriching tourism facilities.
The number of mainland tourists bound for Macao has been rising since 1999, causing annual growth of over 30 percent between 1999 and 2004, said Dai Bin, a professor at Beijing International Studies University, in a recent interview.
Although the growth rate has slowed a little in the past two years, it still beat the comparative rate for Hong Kong last year, when Macao registered 14.6 percent growth compared to Hong Kong's 8.4 percent.

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CHINA - 120 million Chinese celebrate Golden Week

CanWest News Service, October 01, 2007

At least 120 million Chinese were on the move during the weekend, filling seats in every plane, boat, train, bus and car available to take advantage of Golden Week, which officially starts today, China's National Day.
They've gone en masse to shop in Hong Kong, to gamble in Macao, to lie in the simmering autumn sunshine on Hainan Island, to visit Shangri-La in Yunnan Province and to Beijing to see the wonders of the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Others have just gone home to the provinces to see families they only have the leisure to visit once or twice a year.
One way or another, however, China's population is on holidays. Almost all 1.3 billion of them.
"It's the time of the year you absolutely don't want to travel," an ex-pat businessman advises. "It's crazy. Stay put and enjoy the peace and quiet."

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HONG KONG - Visitor Arrivals for August 2007

ASIATravelTips.com, 1 October 2007

Hong Kong visitor arrivals in August 2007 numbered 2,758,337, the highest single-month total on record. The achievement represents 16.9% growth over last August. Arrivals from Mainland China also increased by a substantial 23.5% to over 1.68 million – the best-ever monthly record for the Mainland.
All long and short-haul market regions showed positive gain this August. On top of Mainland China, Europe, Africa and the Middle East and Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific also performed exceptionally well.

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BALI - Bali's Airport: Between a Wet and a Soft Place

Balidiscovery.com (9/29/2007)

Indonesia's Vice President, Jusuf Kalla, conducted an inspection of Bali's air gateway while in town to open the PATA Travel Mart - accompanied by the Minister of Transportation, Syaffi Djamal, and the Minister for State-Owned Enterprises, Sofyan Djalil. Following that inspection Kalla called on PT Angkasa Pura - the company charged with managing the airport, to extend and expand the current runway. Kalla told the Bali Post: "the Ngurah Rai airport must soon be expanded. In the first phbase, the runway must be extended 600 meters. In the second phase, a new runway must be constructed." The Vice President called for an urgent construction program to be undertaken in order to permit Bali to welcome the larger, A380 aircraft within two year's time.

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THAILAND - Healthy progress in medical tourism

TTGasia.com, Sep 7 - 13, 2007

MORE than 10 private hospitals in Bangkok are vying for foreign patients, which according to Thailand’s Ministry of Public Health (MPH), have amounted to more than one million patients per year since 2005.
Kasikorn Research Centre said foreign patients who sought medical treatments in Thailand spent an average of 25,800 baht (US$880) per person per trip in 2005. Meanwhile, MPH expected revenue from medical services for foreign patients to reach 32.89 billion baht this year, and would subsequently reach 39.83 billion baht next year.
According to the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the main sources of medical tourists were the Middle East, South Asia, the US, Europe, Australia and Indochina.

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MARKETS - Asia Pacific Tourism Continues to Break Records

Pata.org, September 25, 2007

There were close to 356 million international trips to Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) member destinations in 2006, representing region-wide year-on-year growth of 5.3% over 2005. This was revealed by the ‘PATA Annual Statistical Report 2006’, launched today during a strategic intelligence workshop at PATA Travel Mart 2007 in Bali, which has set a new year-to-date record for arrivals. “Calendar year 2006 was very successful in terms of international visitor arrivals (IVAs) into and within Asia Pacific,” said PATA Director - Strategic Intelligence Centre (SIC) Mr John Koldowski. The following destinations posted “best-ever performances” in 2006:
• Chile, in the Americas;
• Bhutan, India and Pakistan, in South Asia;
• China (PRC), Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong SAR, Japan, Korea (ROK) Macau SAR and Mongolia, in Northeast Asia;
• Cambodia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar. Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, in Southeast Asia; and
• Australia, Cook Islands, Hawaii, New Zealand, Niue, Papua New Guinea and Samoa, in the Pacific.
“Asia Pacific may attract up to 380 million IVAs in 2007,” he added. “So far this year the region has added 13.8 million international visitor arrivals compared to the same period in 2006, an expansion of 7.1% year-on-year.”

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AVIATION - Low Cost Airlines increase Share of Business Travel Market

Asiatraveltips.com, 27 September 2007

Fares for budget airlines grew by 10% in the last year and now account for one in eight business travel bookings, according to a recent survey by international corporate services company Hogg Robinson Group.
Traditional carriers have responded to the growth of the low cost carriers in the business sector by reducing the cost of their economy fares by an average 5%. This heightened competition across the airline industry has kept overall average price increases below those seen in previous years despite an increase in the number of travellers.

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AUSTRALIA - Gold Coast airport expansion

Asia Property Report - September 18 2007

The federal government has approved a $A100 million ($US82.44 million) refurbishment andexpansion of the Gold Coast Airport´s main terminal.Deputy Prime Minister Mark Vaile said the airport redevelopment would relieve congestion and improve passenger services."The Gold Coast Airport is a key global gateway for tourism, business travel and the shipment of freight to the Pacific Rim," Mr Vaile said."Gold Coast Airport has continued to grow in terms of both its domestic and international airline services resulting in the terminals experiencing some congestion."

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FIJI - not ready for Chinese tourists

.fijilive.com, September 25, 2007

Fiji at the moment is still not ready for Chinese tourists, it does not have the products to accommodate them, Tourism permanent secretary Adi Banuve Kaumaitotoya has admitted. She says Fiji is targeting middle level Chinese tourists whom she described as independent travelers from China who come here and stay in accommodations just like a conventional tourist. These tourists are interested in culture, in ecotourism, scenic views and shopping, she says.

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THAILAND - Chiang Mai’s condo conundrum

Asia Property Report - September 27 2007

Investors have snapped up the limited number of new luxury condos available in Chiang Mai over the past 18 months, but finding tenants is proving more difficult. A combination of over-confidence in the rental market, construction-site proximity and bad location are all reasons given for the lack of demand among tenants. Yet new projects appear to enjoy buoyant sales, reports Andrew Bond.
The emergence of a small but certain luxury condo market is one of the key characteristics of property in this Northern town which has been overhauling its image somewhat in recent years. The arrival of several five-star hotels and the gentrification of areas such as Nimminhemin road and the Night Bazaar area are signs of confidence in a more cosmopolitan city atmosphere. The city has also noted a marked influx in foreigners becoming residents here, and traditionally this sector has supported the existing condo market. Now, buildings such as Twin Peaks, Kharn Kanok and Punna are offering foreign buyers and residents far more choice.

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MALAYSIA - Northern Malaysia’s major plans

Asia Property Report - September 19 2007

Malaysia’s Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, announced on July 30 the government’s plan to develop the country’s northern region. Dubbed the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the plan will introduce a slew of projects to spur growth and boost income levels in the states of Perlis, Kedah and northern Perak. Penang is also included in the masterplan and is expected to play a major role as a logistics and transportation hub and a gateway to the region.
The government hopes to attract up to RM177 billion (about US$50 billion) in investment over 18 years, with two-thirds of it coming from the private sector, according to government estimates. Sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, tourism and logistics will be the major beneficiaries of the NCER project.

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BHUTAN - is interested in Phuket’s tourism and education

Thaisnews.com, September 25 2007

A delegation from the small mountainous country of Bhutan led by its Head of Services Division in the Department of Tourism, Rinzin Jamtsho, paid a call on the Phuket Vice Governor Worapote Ratasrima during their trip to Phuket last weekend. The group discussed a possibility in tourism cooperation. Mr. Rinzin Jamtsho paid special interest in the island’s hotel accommodation and spa management to apply in their country as Bhutan is promoting its tourism development. They observed the management of large hotels like the Hilton Acadia Resort and Spa and Marina Cottage at Karon beach. A possible direct – flight between Phuket and Bhutan was also mentioned. At present Prince of Songkhla University in Phuket have some students enrolled from Bhutan.

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