Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has been cleaning up after his predecessor. The result? An influx of big-spending foreign companies. At a construction site next to Malaysia's southern port of Tanjung Pelapas near Singapore, giant contract manufacturer Flextronics Intl. is spending $280 million on a 1.2 million-sq. ft. factory. This will include production lines relocated from China by the Singaporean concern.
Wasn't Malaysia supposed to get smoked by China as an investment destination? Earlier in the decade, that seemed a real possibility. Under the rule of strongman leader Mahathir Mohamad, Malaysia had a problematic image among foreign investors.
>>Full article
Thursday, August 31, 2006
MALAYSIA - Lures investors
BALI - Coral Reefs Under Threat
According to page-one report in the Indonesian language Bali Post, 23/19% of Bali's natural reef has been destroyed. According to the report, of an estimated 61.13 square kilometers of remaining natural reef surrounding the Island only 50.05 kilometers remain. Moreover, of the remaining reef 69.81% (34.93 square kilometers) is in poor condition; 21.45% (10.73 square kilometers) is in satisfactory condition and only 8.74% (4.37 square kilometers can be termed in excellent shape.
>>Full article
BALI - Shifting Sources of Bali’s Arrivals
Bali by the Numbers: Europe Staging a Comeback, ASEAN a Major Market Force and Asia Pacific Down Badly for Jan-July 2006. European arrivals are still down -8.8% for January-July 2007 from one year before. European arrivals are showing definite signs of growing strength, far ahead of the pace demonstrated in 2003 after the first Bali bombing.
>>Full article
INDONESIA - Government Must Revitalize National Tourism
The Indonesian Think Tank on Tourism (Masyarakat Pariwisata Indonesia – MPI) have called on the Indonesian Government to urgently revitalize the tourism sector of the national economy and correct the perceived lack of coordination by the Department of Culture and Tourism.
>>Full article
CHINA - Tries to Teach Manners to Chinese Tourists
The Chinese government has issued guidelines on manners for its citizens traveling at home and abroad, saying poor behavior by Chinese tourists is damaging the country's image.
>>Full article
AVIATION - Open skies bring 10 EU carriers to KLIA
Malaysia has confirmed it will be the second country in Asia, after Singapore, to sign the EU-Asia civil aviation 'horizontal agreement'. It will allow European airlines to operate flights between Malaysia and any EU member state. "The agreement is expected to result in a flurry of up to ten carriers applying for landing rights at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport," said the head of the EU commission delegation.
>>Full article
ASIA - Tourism continues to pose problem in Southeast Asia
It is being felt that in nations such as Thailand, child sexual exploitation builds on a long-standing and vast prostitution industry and thrives where law enforcement is weak or corrupt. That sex with young teens is not a strong taboo in some Asian cultures makes fighting the problem more difficult. Poverty-stricken Cambodia in recent years has become new frontier for pedophiles for this very reason.
>>Full article
INFRASTRUCTURE - India builds the “most challenging railway project on earth”
The 900-kilometer project will link the Himalayan foothills to the Kashmir Valley.
"The railway will integrate the restive region with the rest of India," said Vinoo Mathur, general manager of Northern Railway, which will operate the line. The completed railway line will also bring with it the promise of economic changes from reviving the area's once-thriving tourist industry, destroyed by armed Muslim militants against Indian rule in 1989.
>>Full article
DEVELOPMENTS - Space is the new limit
Space tourism, a trip 62 miles into the boundary of space, is about to blast off for the common millionaires following offers from the founders of three leading space tourism companies.
Eric Anderson, whose company Space Adventures is the only one which has sold a space tourism package to five space tourists at a cost of US$20 million each for an eight-day trip, recently announced plans to build a spaceport each in the United Arab Emirates and in Singapore.
>>Full article
CHINA - Beijing rushes to complete new Beijing airport to city subway
Keeping its promise to improve infrastructure by the start of the 2008 Olympics, Beijing is rushing to complete its new subway line to link the airport to the city center.
The new 17 mile-subway line, pegged to cost US$675 million, is scheduled to be completed by April 2008, before the start of the 2008 Games, according to news reports.
>>Full article
DEVELOPMENTS - Diethelm Travel Asia to launch operations in India
developments - COMING SOON TO AN AIRPORT NEAR YOU: RACIAL PROFILING
Talk has surfaced in the U.K. about racial profiling of Muslims at airports. What next? Subways, restaurants, hotels and convention centres, too? Think very deeply about its full implications on the travel and tourism industry. If global travel groups don’t have a policy perspective on this, they had better start crafting one – and fast.
>>For the full article, mail to: sprangers.r@nhtv.nl
MALAYSIA - Uncertainty in Lebanon results in tourists inflow
The uncertain situation in Lebanon is proving to beneficial for Malaysia as more and more travelers from the Middle East are opting for the Southeast Asian country. Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Tengku Adnan Tengku Mansor said, “Previously, during the summer season, we (Malaysia) normally faced stiff competition in drawing Middle-East tourists because they preferred to holiday either in Beirut, Istanbul or Cairo.”
Wednesday, August 30, 2006
DUBAI - Nakheel appoints main contractor for Marina Residences & Town Houses, The Palm Jumeirah
Shimizu Corporation, a leading international general contractor, signed the agreement with Nakheel to construct the basements, superstructure, architectural works, interior finishings and landscaping of the high-end condominium which is at the tip of the trunk on The Palm Jumeirah.
>>Full article
TIBET - Surging tourism in Tibet leads to illegal ticket sales
A surge in tourism in Lhasa, following the launch of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway on July 1, has led to illegal ticket sales. For hundreds of tourists confronted with a "sold out" sign at the gate of Potala Palace, the only way of getting a close look at the world-famous cultural relic is to turn to ticket touts.
>>Full article
PHILIPPINES - DoTC lists funding sources for projects worth P305.37B
THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) has listed general funding sources for airport, seaport and rail projects worth P305.369 billion to be completed in 2010, with almost one-third to come from public-private sector initiatives.
>>Full article
MALAYSIA - Too close for comfort
THE long stretch of beach in Batu Ferringhi, Penang, is no longer safe for swimming with many water scooters zooming around dangerously.
>>Full article
THAILAND - tourism troubles
Even after the catastrophic Tsunami of 2004, tourism has remained of paramount importance to the economy of Thailand. However, with the boom comes consequences, and people are concerned about the environmental, social and economic impact on the country of one of the economy’s main drivers. Thailand’s northern town of Chiang Mai has felt the tensions between the need to create wealth and jobs, and the desire to look after the essence of what makes people trek to the country in the first place, more than most.
>>Full article
CHINA - is becoming a friend in Asia — while the U.S. sleeps
With the United States preoccupied with war and nuclear threats in the Middle East, China is emerging as the great new power of 21st century East Asia — and pulling longtime American allies into its embrace. Economically, China is both the fastest-growing trade partner for most countries in the region and the one they believe will play the biggest role in their future.
>>Full article
MALAYSIA - RM74 Mln To Enhance Tourism Infrastructure In Perak
Deputy Tourism Minister Datuk Donald Lim Siang Chai said three projects worth RM7.2 million had been confirmed and the tender-bidding process would begin next year."Among them is the construction of facilities at the Pulau Pangkor jetty terminal costing RM4 million," he told reporters at the end of his one-day visit to the island.
>>Full article
THAILAND - King's palace turns village into tourism hub
Once a simple fishing village, Hua Hin has evolved into one of Thailand's bustling tourism gems thanks largely to the presence of a revered resident: King Bhumibol Adulyadej. Just a few hours drive from Bangkok, Hua Hin is an alternative to Pattaya, a nearby beach resort best known for its thriving sex tourism, as visitors, especially Thais, find the lack of the party vibe here to be a selling point.
>>Full article
VIETNAM - Tourism industry prepares for WTO integration, specialisation
Vietnam's tourism sector is preparing to develop its services globally with the country on the brink of entering the WTO. Thoi bao Kinh te Viet Nam (Vietnam Economic Times) speaks to tourism experts about preparations for integration.
>>Full article
VIETNAM - Hoi An to found fund for tourism development
The ancient town of Hoi An will found a fund for tourism development in order to re-invest and support the making of tourism products and promote tourism activities. The project has been set up by Hoi An Trade and Tourism Department. The fund will be raised with money contributed by hotels and guesthouses owners.
>>Full article
BALI - Tsunami Warning Signs Posted on Bali's Beaches
As part of a tsunami awareness program now underway, the government is providing public information pamphlets and erecting large signs on major beaches in Bali.
>>Full article
AVIATION - AirAsia reports 18th consecutive quarterly profit
The world’s lowest cost carrier, AirAsia, has maintained its profitable run in the three months ended 30-Jun-06, with a 143% year-on-year increase in net profit, boosted by a tax exemption from the Malaysian Ministry of Finance, while revenue rose 21% and average load factors reached a record 83%.
>>Full article
FIJI - landowners seek to stop major tourism development
A group of indigenous landowners in Fiji have filed a court injunction to stop one of the country's biggest tourism developments after the Native Lands Trust Board allegedly made payments based on forged documents.
>>Full article
DEVELOPMENTS - Climate change to drive radical changes in global tourism
In less than 25 years climate change will have a radical impact on the global travel industry, according to the Holiday 2030 report launched by Halifax Travel Insurance.
Changes in the global climate have already seen Britons encounter searing heat, stinging jelly fish and wildfires at their favourite Mediterranean resorts this summer.
>>Full article
CHINA - Shanghai starts work on Disneyland site
Authorities in Shanghai are paving the way for a new Shanghai Disneyland by relocating residents currently occupying the site, according to latest reports from China.
Despite losing to Hong Kong to build the first Disneyland park in China, Shanghai, seen as China's economic and financial center, were not dismayed and wooed Disney to ward off other domestic competitors and add it to the city's appeal as an international metropolis.
>>Full article
INDIA - Andaman & Nicobar to open up 15 islands for hospitality industry
The tourism ministry has given the Andaman and Nicobar administration the green signal to open up 15 islands for the hospitality industry with a clear-cut emphasis on eco-friendly and hi-end hotels and beach resorts. By the year-end, tenders will be invited for about five islands, while by the year 2008, all the 15 would be open, after the mandatory procedures are completed.
>>Full article
BALI - Has Bali lost its “paradise island” tag?
Earthquake, bombings, SARS, the Avian Bird Flu…its not an easy when such dreadful list haunts the nation with one calamity following one after the other. Tourism in Indonesia has been victim of several such incidents over the past few years. The image of Bali as a “paradise island” and “island of the gods” is wholly inappropriate under the current circumstances, says a report in Jakarta Post.
>>Full article
PHUKET - Destination Properties Appoints Alila Hotels To Manage New Lifestyle Resort In Phuket
Situated on the west coast of Phuket at the heart of the island’s famed ‘Millionaire’s Mile’, this 4.25 rai development will comprise 200 sea-facing rooms and will be managed and maintained to international luxury standards by ALiLA Hotels & Resorts.
>>Full article
FIJI - chamber of commerce backs medical tourism plan
There is support from the Fiji Chamber of Commerce for a proposal to develop medical tourism in the country.The chamber's president, Taito Waradi, says discussions are under way with the Apollo Group, a large healthcare company in India which operates 45 hospitals and a number of clinics.
>>Full article
INFRASTRUCTURE - Bangladesh may join Trans-Asian Railway network
Bangladesh is likely to join the Trans-Asian Railway (TAR) network by signing an inter-governmental agreement to this effect in the South Korean city of Busan in November next.The government has taken an initiative for signing the multinational pact under the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) after finding the TAR route layout suitable for the country.
>>Full article
Tuesday, August 29, 2006
TASMANIA - tourism turns to online marketing
The Tasmania state government has launched an online portal, offering free use of software and training to the tourism industry in its bid to boost the state's tourism marketing efforts. The Internet booking system, Book Tasmania, was launched by Paula Wriedt, state tourism minister at the Tourism Council's 2006 Tasmanian Tourism Conference, held at Iveresk recently.
>>Full article
AVIATTION - Pressure on Australian government growing to drop protectionist attitude for Qantas
The development comes at a stage when the pressure on the Australian government is growing to open up Australia’s international airline routes to more competition and not to put the interests of Qantas before the nation’s tourism industry and airports. Following the Australian government’s rejection of Singapore Airlines’ application to gain access to the Australia-US route in February, and the indecision over whether to grant several Middle Eastern and Asian airlines additional flights into Australia, Qantas is accused of being protected at the expense of others, reported Sydney Morning Herald.
>>Full article
INDIA - LCCs get thumbs up for growth
At a time when the burgeoning low cost carrier market in India is evoking bullish sentiments, testimony of such positive mood has been affirmed by Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA). The association has stated that the LCC market share in India will reach 70 percent by 2010, making it one of the world’s leading LCC markets in terms of total market penetration. “Full service carriers are, on average, bleeding a remarkable 1.5 percentage points of market share every month to LCCs. We do not expect this rate to slow in the short term, given the profile of current fleet orders.
>>Full article
CAMBODIA - Cambodia and Vietnam to cooperate in eco-tourism
In a two-day meeting with leaders of the Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang, the Cambodian Tourism investigation corps, led by Mr. Thong Khon, Tourism Ministry Secretary of Cabodia, showed their interest in the province’s scenic beauty, infrastructure and tourism services, especially marine eco-tourism and the provincial mysterious caves.
>>Full article
VIETNAM - Top hotels capitalize on growing tourism industry
The hotels in the list of Top 10 Hotels 2005 announced by the Vietnam Tourism Association late last month are chasing in on the growing tourism of Vietnam, even in a present time considered as low season for the hotel industry.
>>Full article
Friday, August 25, 2006
INDONESIA - Theme park revival
JAKARTA’S main tourist attractions, Ancol Jakarta Baycity and Indonesia in Miniature Park (Mini Indonesia), are being revitalised to draw more visitors.The former has all the thrills and spills of a theme park, while Mini Indonesia gives visitors an overview of the world’s largest archipelago in one afternoon.
>>Full article
DEVELOPMENTS - Remaking PATA conference
The curtains have closed on the PATA Annual Conference, the Asia-Pacific travel and tourism industry’s oldest and biggest conference. What does it take for this industry to have a prestigious summit and can PATA pull off this dream? Raini Hamdi analyses.
>>Full article
PHILIPPINES - is hot again
The Philippines is making a major comeback in European wholesaler brochures.
Blue Horizons Travel and Tours CEO, Mr Patrick Blum, said Kuoni Switzerland and Meier’s Weltreisen would be featuring basic Philippine programmes for the next season, from November onwards.
>>Full article
VIETNAM - Foreign resort developers eye central region potential
Banking on the fact that Vietnam's tourism is coming of age, foreign investors have targeted the coastal provinces of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Quang Nam, and the central city of Da Nang for large scale projects.
>>Full article
BALI - Pecatu Indah Resort to jumpstart an ailing Bali
Pecatu Indah will include luxury hotels, an international standard 18-hole golf course, a convention center, shopping malls, exclusive residential areas containing magnificent homes in a variety of Balinese styles and sizes ranging in land area from 165sqm to 4,000sqm, a theme water park, a world-class hospital and a school on the site.
>>Full article
THAILAND - Up and Coming in the Kingdom
In this month’s focus we take a look at three areas of particular interest. One was previously overshadowed by Samui, the other is bouncing back from a tsunami, and the last is the last resort for those who are finding Pattaya just a little hard to bare…
>>Full article
SINGAPORE - Next job for S'pore: Making its own Mice
Expansion does not always mean looking beyond our shores. For the Mice (meetings, incentive travel, conventions and exhibitions) industry, the next lap of growth will land squarely on the shoulders of homegrown industries, after the initial emphasis on drawing events from abroad.
>>Full article
BALI - Traditional Water Rights Must be Maintained
Educator and Former Top Tourism Official Sees Bali's Traditional Culture Under Threat from Diminishing Role of 'Krama Subak' System. The authority of the Krama Subak, or Bali's traditional water distribution councils, is increasingly under threat from national irrigation legislation. The national legislation - which prioritizes water rights in the order of the needs of humans, animals and finally plant agriculture is a reversal of the age-old primacy given by the Krama Subak to agriculture.
>>Full article
AUSTRALIA - considers China to be a “golden opportunity” for its tourism industry
In a major development, Australia is set to sign a deal with China to attract millions of Chinese holidaymakers Down Under. The details are expected to be released soon.
Considering projections related to Chinese outbound tourism, with an estimate of 100 million Chinese heading overseas on holidays by 2025, Australia is keen on capitalizing on this huge market, and is expected to sign an agreement with China.
>>Full article
ASIA - Asian tourism on road to recovery after tsunami, UNWTO says
Eighteen months after the Indian Ocean, tourism in the affected areas has rebounded, according to the latest report from United Nation's World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
International tourist arrivals grew by an average of 8 percent between January to April for tourist destinations in the Asia Pacific region. Maldives recorded the highest number of tourist arrivals (97 percent increase), followed by Thailand (29 percent) and Sri Lanka (25 percent).
>>Full article
Thursday, August 24, 2006
BANGKOK - Pictures of Suvarnabhumi - Bangkok International Airport
Pictures from Bangkok's new International (and domestic) Airport - Suvarnabhumi. Located some 35 kilometres from Bangkok's city centre. The airport which will officially open at 3am on 28 September 2006 is a much more pleasant airport to visit than Bangkok's current Don Muang, which is itself already over capacity.
>>Full article
AVIATION - Low-cost carriers ready to capitalize on new ASEAN agreement on visa exception
The recent signing of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Framework Agreement on Visa Exception (FAVE) is being termed as a “boon for the tourism industry as well as for dreams of regional unity.”
>>Full Article
DEVELOPMENTS - Confronting change in the tourism industry
Travel and tourism are highly changeable industries. Too few tourism professionals, however, think about change, not only the changes that are occurring in their industry but also the changes that are taking place in their own offices, their staffs, and communities.
>>Full article
KOREA - Overseas Visitors Say Korea Is Boring
Recently, the Bank of Korea stated the main reason for the last half year’s (January – June) balance of current accounts going into the red for the first time in nine years is the tourism balance, which has been in the red for 60 months running.
>>Full article
LAO - Rides Economic Good Times Thanks to Mining, Tourism and Hydropower
The Lao economy is enjoying robust growth as it benefits from investment in the mining and hydropower sectors as well as tourism. But economic reforms, poverty reduction and persistent corruption remain challenges for the government.
>>Full article
SINGAPORE - Four groups file disclosure forms for Sentosa integrated resort bid
Four groups including US gaming giant Harrah's Entertainment have submitted disclosure forms ahead of bids for a second Singapore casino licence, the Singapore Tourism Board said Monday.
>>Full article
DUBAI - strengthens position as cruise ship hub in region
One of Dubai's many ambitions is to become the regional hub for cruise ships, considered essential if Dubai wishes to retain its position as a leading tourist destination in the region.
>>Full article
AVIATION - Australia’s inbound tourism to get a major boost as Jetstar gets ready for Asian connections
Budget airline Jetstar, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qantas, is to commence its overseas services by flying to Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand, and the Indonesian resort island of Bali from later this year.
>>Full article
INFRASTRUCTURE - Vietnam plans 880-km express railway project
Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) has shared its plans to build the first-ever 880-km express railway within a five year period beginning 2010. The initiative is being taken in order to meet the demand of increasing passenger and cargo transport between big cities including Hanoi, Hai Phong, Vinh, Nha Trang and Vung Tau.
>>Full article
AVIATION - China goes on airport building spree
China's National Development and Reform Commission has approved the construction of four civilian airports worth an estimated US$200 million, according to latest news reports.
Two airports, Kangdin and Leshan airports, will be built in Sichuan province,Tengchong airport in southwest China's Yunana province and Daqing in Heilongjiang province in northeast China.
>>Full article
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
THAILAND - Underwater park ready for divers
PHUKET: Sculptures worth 4 million baht have been placed on the seabed at a depth of 15 meters close to Koh Racha Yai, and are being promoted as a special “must see” site for divers in the coming high season.
>>Full article
BALI - by the numbers: A Market-by-Market Look at Arrivals in the First Half of 2006
Total arrivals January-June 2006 totaled 552,573. This total is -19.79% less than arrivals during the same period in 2005, but a full +44.12% ahead of arrivals for January-June 2003, the previous year also impacted by a terrorist attack.
>>Full article
AVIATION - 81% Boost in Passenger Volume for Tiger Airways since moving to Budget Terminal in Singapore
“We have seen passenger volume jump by more than 80% in the three months since we started operating at the Budget Terminal. Our load factors have also grown by an average 21% while our capacity has increased by more than 50%. This shows that our move to the Budget Terminal has paid off in terms of higher growth for Tiger Airways in all areas,” said Tiger Airways CEO, Tony Davis.
>>Full article
MALAYSIA - Bringing everyone over
Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman is confident that even more people will come to Sabah particularly now that low-budget carrier AirAsia has chosen to develop Kota Kinabalu as its latest hub.
>>Full article
INTERVIEW - Senior Advisor, Pro-poor Sustainable Tourism, SNV-The Netherlands Development Organisation, Vietnam
SNV is a Netherlands-based, international development organisation active in more than 30 countries from Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, with more than 700 advisors working with approximately 1,300 organisations. SNV’s services combine technical advice with capacity building and institutional development support to organisations and governments in developing countries to reduce poverty and support sustainable development.
>>Full article
VIETNAM - Few foreign tourists return
With persistent problems such as a shortage of hotel rooms, poor human resources with poorer language skills, poor strategy in marketing and planning has slowed down the development of Vietnam tourism. This also means that it could be difficult for the country to achieve the targets set for the industry in the future.
>>Full article
PALAWAN - Tourists arrival in Puerto Princesa seen to rise 15%
The City Tourism Council (CTC) here is optimistic it will meet its 15-percent target increase in tourists arrival this year from 120,000 in 2005.CTC president Felisa Torres said from January to May this year, it already registered 45,000 domestic and international visitors.
>>Full article
PHILIPPINES - Durano tours around Palawan, sees it as RP’s top destination in 10 yrs
In the next ten years, Palawan will become the top destination of our country,” Tourism Secretary Joseph H. Durano predicted during a four-day working visit of Palawan which centered on the Sustainable Environmental Management Project – North Palawan (SEMP-NP).
>>Full article
PHUKET - to be tourism risk management model
The Australian Government is to work with the Ministry of Sport and Tourism in Phuket to develop better tourism risk management practices. Ian Kean, executive director of APEC International Center for Sustainable Tourism (AICST) was on the island recently to outline the plans.
>>Full article
PHILIPPINES - Tourism to drive Philippine economy
A record number of foreign tourists, which reached 2.6 million arrivals in 2005, has made tourism the engine of economic growth in the Philippines.
The Philippine government is promoting tourism as its economic driver due to the loss of markets by its manufacturing sector, especially its electronics products, as a result of stiff competition from China.
>>Full article
DEVELOPMENTS - First Six Poverty Alleviation Projects Approved for Funding by ST-EP Foundation
Funding has been approved for the first six tourism projects aimed specifically at helping to reduce poverty to be supported by the ST-EP Foundation. ST-EP, "Sustainable Tourism - Eliminating Poverty", is an initiative of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) launched in 2002 at the Johannesburg Summit.
>>Full article
AUSTRALIA - sees tourism future in Asia
Tourism Australia is seeing the fruits of their concerted drive to woo tourists from the Asian continent. Figures released show despite the country attracting less visitors form Japan and South Korea, other Asian countries have made up for the loss of visitor numbers.
>>Full article
AUSTRALIA - MCVB Targets Asian incentive market
Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB) will open two new representative offices in Asia next week. “Our representative offices located in Singapore and Hong Kong will market Melbourne to the Asian corporate incentive markets.
>>Full article
Thursday, July 13, 2006
TIBET - Qinghai-Tibet railway brings identity crisis for Tibet?
Following the introduction of the historic rail link to Lhasa, capital of Tibet, from Beijing and other mainland cities, the Tibetans’ fears of “erosion of their untouched landscape, unique culture and independent identity” are being highlighted.
>>Full article
Wednesday, July 12, 2006
DEVELOPMENTS - UNWTO and Microsoft to Boost e-Tourism for Development
The UN World Tourism Organization and Microsoft Corporation today announced a long term partnership to expand information communications technology in the tourism sector. It will provide ICT systems and tools for emerging tourism economies to improve their export competitiveness, product quality and support skills. Its primary focus will be on Africa.
>>Full article
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
ACOMMODATION - Villa Santi Back in Action
After four months of uncertainties following a site closure by the Phuket Governor, construction has resumed on the Bht800 million Villa Santi project in Kalim.
>>Full article
DEMOGRAPHICS - Age does matter
Demographics will be one of the most important factors affecting the shape of tourism in the medium to long-term. However, booming population growth across much of the developing world combined with an aging population in the world’s major developed economies will raise a few issues.
>>Full article
DUBAI - The sky is not the limit
Nowhere in the pages of history has a place transformed itself from an unknown town on the edge of the desert to an international hub for business and leisure travel as quickly as Dubai has.
>>Full article
ECONOMY - Asian Economies Chart New Paths
The Asia Pacific region has become an engine of global growth. Although the United States and Europe will continue to remain important, China (PRC) and India are growing their respective profiles and relevance to the global economy. Asia is boosting its share of the world’s GDP and trade.
>>Full article
SAMOA - Polynesian Blue's Tourism Boost for Samoa
The launch of Polynesian Blue Airlines and its ongoing efforts to stimulate tourism and travel to Samoa are already stimulating growth according to new data that shows tourism in Samoa grew by 14.5% for January-May 2006 compared to an average of just 3.9% per year for the past ten years.
>>Full article
TRANSPORT - The Coming Traffic Jam in Bali
Speaking at a seminar on land transportation held in Sanur on Wednesday, June 28, 2006, the Director General of Land Transportation, Iskandar Abubakar warned that Bali's higher than average level of private vehicle ownership portends for traffic jams and added air pollution in the near future.
>>Full article
INFRASTRUCTURE - Bullet train proposed for Kuala Lumpur-Singapore journey
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (eTN Asia) -- The Malaysian government will study a private sector proposal to build a high-speed 'bullet train' service pegged to cost some US$2.9 billion. As the country’s present railway track is not built for high-speed train service, a new standard gauge railway line will have to be built to accommodate the new trains which will travel at a speed of up to 350km per hour.
>>Full article
Monday, July 10, 2006
INFRASTRUCTURE - Tourism and the Asian Highway
Facilitating travel along the Asian Highway for tourism purposes could clearly make a contribution to economic development, increased social interactions and better understanding among a great number of Asian countries.
>>Full article + Asian Highway Handbook
CHINA - Airlines to benefit from Qinghai-Tibet Railway
China-based airlines flying into Lhasa have added more flights in anticipation of the tourism boom following the opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway service, reports new wires from China.
>>Full article
SINGAPORE - The Chief Executive Officer of Sentosa, shares plans to transform Sentosa into a destination in its own right.
Metzger, who came from a theme park background (Walt Disney and Ocean Park, Hong Kong), has been overseeing Sentosa’s initial 10-year masterplan over the last four years. Impatient to get the building over with, he and his team have compressed the plan into eight years.
>>Full article
Thursday, July 06, 2006
INDONESIA - Repackaging Riau
Plans to promote the historical, cultural and agricultural aspects of the destination are under way. Over the next few years, it plans to build the infrastructure to support tourism.
>>Full article
CAMBODIA - Khmer hot picks
>>Full article
AVIATION - Personnel shortages the “next big storm on aviation radar”
Shortages of skilled employees are beginning to bite with some Asia Pacific airlines scaling back their expansion plans - and things are likely to worsen in future, according to the Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA).
>>Full article
PHILIPPINES - Empowering residents to build tourism via Homestay Program
>>Full article
SINGAPORE - opens its skies
The Singapore government has announced it is ready to open up its skies to the region's low-cost carriers by extending its air services agreement with Malaysia in a policy move to expand air services in the region. "AirAsia can now land directly at Changi Airport," said Trade and Industry Minister Lee Yi Shyan told reporters at a business forum in Kuala Lumpur.
>>Full article
CSR - in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industries
CSR in the Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Industries is the first global conference to focus on the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) efforts of companies in this sector. Hosted By CSR Asia in partnership with the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF), this two-day conference will convene prominent industry leaders to share their experiences and address critical social and environmental challenges facing company growth and local development.
>>Full article
MARKETS - Lucrative “Grey” Travel Segment In Asia Expected To Grow In Size And Value
An ageing but increasingly-wealthy and mobile Asian population represents a boon for the travel sector, and one which is requiring a new focus from industry service providers.
>>Full article
THAILAND - Loei province is becoming a popular tourist destination
The number of tou rists visiting Loei is expected to increase by no fewer than 25% at the end of the 2006 fiscal year compared to that of last year.
>>Full article
PENANG - RM10m spruce-up for inner city
Penang’s historic inner city is set to be spruced up soon with a RM10 million allocation from Tourism Malaysia.
>>Full article
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
VIETNAM - beaches bound to attract Russian travelers
Vietnamese travel agencies are expecting a boom in the now prosperous Russian tourists to Vietnam’s sunny and beautiful beaches. An emerging trend as evidenced by figures from the southern Ho Chi Minh City tourism department, showed a 60 percent growth rate in Russian travel groups in the first six months of 2006.
>>Full article
PHILIPPINES - Where is Cebu going?
WHEN told that we get half of the foreign tourist arrivals in the country, we think that Cebu is already or going to become Asia’s new tourist haven. We saw a few call centers being put in place and we also think that ICT, which is actually more sophisticated and far removed from a call center business, is the next biggest thing happening or going to happen in Cebu.
>>Full article
THAILAND - Koh Chang beginning to shine
Koh Chang is simply a gem in the rough. And set in the Gulf of Thailand 270kms southeast of Bangkok, agents and developers alike say Koh Chang is only beginning to shine.
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THAILAND - Samui Property Market Focus
One reason for the current fast-paced development on Samui is that after the millennium, international security issues and regional natural disasters prompted a popularity boom that quickly made the island one of Southeast Asia’s more lucrative investment options.
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THAILAND - Multinationals eyeing Phuket property
Generally regarded among local property developers as a surprise move, the acquisition of Crowne Plaza by Saudi-based Kingdom Home Investment (KHI) has property people thinking about the future of Phuket real estate. And some of that thinking firmly wonders if there is an acquisition trend evolving.
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INDONESIA - Air Paradise and Star Air to Fly Again?
The Director of Aviation in the Department, Eddy Wibowo, told the publication, "they (the airlines) are in the process of finalizing various requirements." Wibowo said PT Air Paradise will continue to operate on international routes while PT Star Air will fly as a domestic carrier.
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VIETNAM - spending US$5.5 billion to develop tourism
Vietnam has budgeted an investment of US$5.5 billion to develop its tourism industry as a growth engine under the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT) Action Program 2006 - 2010. The tourism development plan will include promoting the country's image globally, improve tourism products, with emphasis on the country's ecological, cultural and historical resources.
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