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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THAILAND - Koh Samui ready to hoist her sails

Asia Property Report - September 24 2007

Every cruising market eventually loses momentum, but will a second wind follow swiftly for Koh Samui? And what form will it take? James Cook talks to the survivors of the recent slump and assesses new arrivals to the island’s shores.
A five-year property boom ended abruptly on Koh Samui when a series of high profile investigations into land encroachment coincided with the strict enforcement of the Foreign Business Act. The latter made it considerably more difficult for foreign investors to buy land through a Thai registered company, and with added uncertainty after the military coup, Samui’s once soaring market seemed to be facing a bleak future.

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PHILIPPINES - Volcanoes as attractions are RP’s next pitch for tourism

globalnation.inquirer.net, 24 Sept 2007

Environment officials plan to turn volcanoes which are rich in biodiversity, such as Mt. Iraya in Batanes, into “eco-tourism zones” that could benefit the local communities.
Officials of the Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources said that aside from their natural features, volcanoes offered other attractions such as endemic flora and fauna to climbers, adventurers and tourists.“A volcano doesn’t erupt every day. Therefore, we can promote these as tourist attractions. And biodiversity is part of the attraction,” PAWB director Theresa Mundita Lim said at a forum on volcano eco-tourism.

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BALI - Overly Dependent on Tourism Business

Balidiscovery.com, (9/23/2007)

As reported in the authoritative Indonesia Digest, Bali economist, Prof. Nyoman Erawan has recently predicted that Bali's rate of economic growth may reach 6% in 2007.According to Erawan, while the island's economy is gradually improving, such growth remains precarious when dependent solely on business trends in the tourism sector. In comments carried in the Bali Post, He warned that Bali must develop other sectors, such as agriculture, which can provide a significant contribution to public welfare.The respected economist from Bali's Udayana University also predicted that Bali's economy will continue to grow a rate above 6% in 2008 and beyond, as long as the province's economic stability is guarded and other sectors beyond tourism are developed.

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BALI - Regent to Get Tough with Noise-Polluting Bars and Restaurants

Balidiscovery.com, (9/23/2007)

A group of disgruntled commercial villa and private home owners in Bali's Petitenget area are trying to increase pressure on local authorities to enforce anti-noise pollution regulations on bars and restaurants operating in the area.In a letter sent to the Regent of Badung on September 17, 2007, the group complained of the lack of action by authorities against business places who electronically amplify music. Those who signed the letter underlined how the bars often play music on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 11:00 p.m. until the early hours of the following day.In the letter, business operators report they are losing revenues when disgruntled guests check out early from their villas and pledge not to return until the noise pollution problem is remedied.

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INDIA - Kerala starts year-long study on tourism impact

business-standard.com, 20 Sept 2007

Kerala Tourism (KT) has launched a year-long study to find out the impact of tourism on ecology and infrastructure. The study comes in the wake of its initiative to promote eco-tourism in a big way.
The Responsible Tourism (RT) initiative is being implemented on a pilot basis in four destinations -- Kovalam, Kumarakom, Thekkady and Wayanad."The state is also set to host the second international conference on responsible tourism in association with the International Centre for Responsible Tourism (ICRT), India," Venu V, secretary, Kerala Tourism, said.

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MARKETS - More Asian Women aged 18 to 35 Travelling Abroad

Asiatraveltips.com, 20 September 2007

Contiki Holidays, a leader in vacations for 18-35 year-olds, has found that more women than men are travelling around the world according to the number of tour bookings made in the first six months of this year.
Seven out of every ten tour bookings at the company were made by a female traveller, an increase of 10% when compared to the same period last year.
Travellers from Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Singapore made up the female majority, and of that number, close to 60% travelled as individuals.
Japanese and Korean women proved to be the most independent travellers of the four, embarking on various tours to Australia, Europe, New Zealand and North America.

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INDIA - Luxury travel new craze among millionaires

indiatimes.com, 19 September 2007

If luxury is about indulging, sans the boundaries, then owning a private jet or yacht is the ultimate in luxury travel for the Indian millionaires.
Luxury travel has arrived in India and is moving very fast— from speedboats to luxury yachts, from small four-seater aircraft to bigger brands. Indian corporate houses—Reliance Industries , Videocon, UB Group, Raymond, GMR, Bharat Hotels, Taj Air, Oberoi et alare all buying private jets such as Falcons, Cessnas, Bombardiers, Beech Kings and Gulfstreams in large numbers. The new-age Indian traveller wants to travel not only in comfort but also save time, and at his convenience. With money not being the deciding factor, orders for private jets shot up to more than 45 last year while nearly 100 new yachts are expected to enter the India market this year.

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MALAYSIA - PGCC to create 40,000 jobs

The egde daily, 13-09-2007

PENANG: The Penang Global City Centre (PGCC) will give Penang a major boost in economic development, particularly the tourism sector, and is expected to create some 40,000 jobs.
The PGCC will initially generate 5,000 jobs in the construction industry, and when completed, will create over 20,000 jobs in the retail industry, 10,000 office jobs, 2,000 jobs in the service and health care industry, 1,000 in the convention centre and 4,000 in the hotel industry.
The project, with a gross development value (GDV) of over RM20 billion, is being developed by Abad Naluri Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Equine Capital Bhd over the next 18 to 20 years.
The PGCC, to be developed under the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), will comprise two towers, a metropolitan park, the Penang Performing Arts Centre, high-end retail outlets, a convention centre and condominiums.

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SRI LANKA -Promoting tourism through sports

Dailynews.lk, 14 September 2007

SPORTS TOURISM Deputy Minister of Tourism, Faizer Mustapha had a discussion last week with Malaysian High Commissioner, Rosli Ismail and CEO of Asian German Sports Exchange Programme, (AGSEP) Dietmar Doering, regarding tours by German sports teams from Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Cologne, Dresden and
Meet: From Left. Deputy Minister of Tourism Faizer Mustapha, Malaysian High Commissioner Rosli Ismail, CEO of AGSEP Dietmar Doering, Co-ordinators of Marketing of AGSEP Stefan Eggecs, Rebecca Schmalen and Assistant to CEO of AGSEP Isabelle Bogorinsky.
Magdeburg to Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
This would help to promote the two countries as tourist destinations.
AGSEP is presently launching this Campaign which will result in bringing German football, table tennis, volleyball, badminton and tennis teams to Sri Lanka and Malaysia.
Thirty clubs will visit each country next year that will foster closer relationships through sport events.

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THAILAND -Slump in foreign visitors 15% fall in those booking via agents

The Nation business, September 12, 2007

It says the number of foreign tourists who arrived at Suvarnabhumi between January and August, after booking their travel through travel agencies, totalled 1.57 million, down by a whopping 15.3 per cent from the corresponding period last year.
The association's figures show that the arrivals were down by 350,000 from 1.92 million in the first eight months of 2006.
The figures do not, however, include the large number of tourists who travel without using agencies, and who book directly with airlines. And although Suvarnabhumi is the main tourist gateway to Thailand, the figures do not include arrivals directly to other international airports like Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai and Krabi.
The ATTA says the global economic slowdown, Thailand's political turmoil, rumours that Bangkok was targeted for more bombings and the sharp fluctuations in major currencies had been the main negative factors affecting the tourist industry.

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PHILIPPINES - Jolo Island eyeing huge developments

Manilatimes.net, September 17, 2007

The province of Sulu in Mindanao may soon become an island resort similar to Boracay in central Philippines or even to Phuket in Thailand as part of a new tourism plan to lure Filipino and foreign visitors.
Gov. Sakur Tan said they would convert some of Sulu’s islands and pristine beaches into resorts, complete with amenities and business centers and land and water vessels to transport holidaymakers.
“We want to develop Sulu into one of the most beautiful places in the Philippines, and we are pursuing an ambitious program to promote tourism and also trade and investments,” Tan told The Manila Times.
Tan said the plan to put up world-class resorts in Sulu would probably begin in 2008 and would take between one to two years to finish. “We are now working on this project,” he said.

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CHINA - to invest 26.9 bln yuan to develop tourism in Three Gorges

China Daily Online, September 17, 2007

China's Three Gorges Dam region will receive 26.9 billion yuan (3.5 billion U.S. dollars) from 2007 to 2020 to develop tourism to provide jobs for people relocated for the project.The investment aims at realizing the government's plan to build tourism into the pillar sector in the Three Gorges Dam region, in order to generate 20 billion yuan, or 24.7 percent of the area's GDP by 2020.
The Three Gorges tourism development plan, which outlined the investment schedule, issued by the National Development and Reform Commission, has been approved by a group of experts in tourism and city planning organized by the government.

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BALI - Potential Bali villa crackdown

Asia Property Report - September 16 2007

In Bali today, at the height of the tourist season with visitors flooding back into the island, you’d be hard pushed to buy a bottle of half-decent wine. By mistake or design, the authorities have decreed that all imported wines on sale are illegal. Even newly opened French megastore Carrefour has hardly a bottle on its once-groaning shelves.
If that’s putting a dampener on the holiday season, try this on for size. It’s not just visitors and their favoured quaff but also the very roof over their heads that’s under threat. From August 30, over 250 rental-villa properties or over a third of the total could in theory be closed or even pulled down.

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CHINA - China Contact Survey

ForImmediateRelease.Net, September 17, 2007

ChinaContact, a leading consultancy on China market access for the tourism sector, has launched the first ever global survey of the travel industry's readiness for Chinese tourists. This survey will provide a snapshot of what travel organisations have been or are intending to do to prepare for the growth in tourism coming from China. The data is valuable for destinations to assess the market and for travel companies to understand the trends and realise where investment is needed. Tourism from China is growing at 14% this year, with forecasts for strong growth until 2020. Recent media reports of an imminent tourism deal between China and the US are prompting renewed urgency to prepare for Chinese visitors. Competition for Chinese tourists is becoming fierce with 92 destinations now approved for marketing travel in China and further 40 that have signed bilateral tourism agreements.

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INDONESIA - ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum in Bali

Balidiscovery.com, (9/16/2007)

As reported in TBSC-Strategic Communication's Indonesian Digest, the ASEAN Tourism Investment Forum (ATIF) will be held in Bali September 20-22, 2007. Organized back to back with the PATA Travel Mart, the Forum will be followed by the ASEAN Task Force Meeting before the commencement of the PATA Travel Mart September 25-28, 2007."The strategic importance of the tourism industry to support sustainable socio-economic growth of ASEAN Member States and the diversity in cultures, economy, and the complementary advantages across the region, will benefit tourism development in ASEAN in the pursuit of improved regional quality of life, peace and prosperity", says an ATIF brochure.

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MYANMAR - Tourism thrives as Myanmar is urged to release demonstrators

eTN, 13-Sept-2007

An official from Myanmar's Ministry of Tourism has claimed that no significant cancellations have been reported, and arrivals are still up over last year. The official, who was not authorized to speak to reporters therefore speaking on condition of anonymity, told Agence France Presse: "We don't think tourist arrivals will decrease because of the protests here. Now the number of arrivals is up 11 percent from April 1 to now, compared to the same period last year. These protests are not about tourists."Tourism's peak season is due to start in October when the dry season starts and the weather turns cooler. Travel operators are so far claiming that no tourists have cancelled their reservation yet as a result of the protests. Last year, approximately 630,000 foreigners visited military-ruled Myanmar, spending some US$164 million.

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BRUNEI - New Executive Committee for Brunei Association of Hotels

Asiatraveltips.com, 12 September 2007

The Brunei Association of Hotels (BAH) has appointed a new Executive Committee for the next 2 year term.
Heading up the new BAH Executive Committee is BAH President- Mohammad Irwan Goh, General Manager of The Rizqun International Hotel with Pg Dato Hj Jaludin Pg Mohd Limbang, Owner of Nazira Guesthouse as BAH Vice President. Other Executive Committee members are Cynthia Bong, General Manager of Brunei Hotel as Honorary Treasurer, Shamsul Bahrin Pehin Hj Ahmad, General Manager of Orchid Garden Hotel as Honorary Secretary and Executive Committee Members- Alex Riva, General Manager of Sheraton Utama Hotel, Manfred Keiler, General Manager of The Empire Hotel & Country Club, Bambi Sumadsad, Assistant Operations Manager of The Holiday Lodge and Simon Leong, General Manager of Traders Inn.

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PHILIPPINES - Body formed to develop

visayandailystar.com, September 6, 2007

The steering committee will supervise the over-all implementation of the action plan that will be formulated by regional and provincial technical working groups chaired by Regional Technical Director for Research Alicia Lustica.
The groups are expected to hold consultations with various stakeholders and come up with a plan six months.
Claudio, through Regional Special Order 2007-263, also instructed the technical working groups to include in their gathering of data existing plans and programs of different national government agencies, local government units, business and private sectors, non-government organizations and individuals with stakes in Boracay Island.

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INDIA - promises to link Thailand and Singapore to the Andamans

AFP, Sep 8, 2007

India on Saturday said it will try to link Singapore and Thailand to the Andamans by air by March 2008 but added the archipelago needed a makeover to sell itself to tourists.
The announcement comes amid an unprecedented increase in the number of arrivals by low-budget domestic tourists to the Andamans, where most of the 36 inhabited islands are now partially open to visitors.
Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said the Indian Ocean archipelago, mauled by the tsunami in 2004, could outshine destinations in Thailand and Singapore if it were refurbished.
"There is not much difference between Phuket, Bangkok and the Andamans but more tourism-related facilities are needed here," Patel said in capital Port Blair, which upgraded its airport to international standards six months ago.
Most European tourists to India avoid the island chain because of its remote location and due to the stifling presence of the Indian military.
"We now intend to link Andamans to Singapore, Bangkok and Phuket in Thailand within six months by air and we are certain we can match their tourism industries," Patel said.

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INDIA - Andaman tsunami tourism plan backfiring - industry

in.reuters.com, September 10,2007

PORT BLAIR, India - A flood of low-budget tourists since the 2004 tsunami is hurting India's ecologically fragile Andaman and Nicobar islands and ruining plans to make it a top global destination, industry officials said.
It has drained scarce resources such as water, sparked excessive demand for airline tickets, hit hotel revenues and created a service culture which is insensitive to the needs of wealthier travellers, they said.The problem, officials said, is a decision to allow all levels of government and state-run firms' workers to use their paid family and home leave travel allowances, awarded every two years, to fly if they want to visit the Andamans.That means low wage state workers were visiting -- taking up the chance to fly for the first time and visit the far-off islands -- with trips previously restricted to senior level state employees.

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BALI - Freehold Land Title for Foreigners in Bali: Caveat Emptor

Balidiscovery.com, (9/9/2007)

Foreigners trying to obtain a freehold title on land in Indonesia should note that current law is clear in both its letter and intent: namely, foreigners cannot directly hold freehold title on Indonesian land.
Despite this lack of equivocation by the Government on the continuing prohibition of foreign land ownership; it is ironic to discover real estate companies have erected booths in the arrival halls of Bali's airport, placed ads in local publications and distributed brochures – all advertsing "freehold" land in Bali. Given the state of current property law, the very use of the English language term "freehold" in connection to a local property transaction involving a foreigner is highly suspect and is a tactic that, in other jurisdictions, would form the basis of a criminal prosecution.

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AVIATION - With thousands signing up as early space tourists, a new race is on

iht.com, September 5, 2007

There are already several dozen space tourism ventures in various stages of development worldwide, analysts say, offering experiences ranging from a brief trip to the outer limits of the Earth's atmosphere to an extended stay in a zero-gravity space hotel. Public and private investors in places as far flung as Dubai, New Mexico and Singapore are preparing to invest hundreds of millions of dollars to develop full-blown "spaceports," complete with hotels, museums, Imax theaters and other space-themed diversions.With the first paying passengers expected to take flight sometime in late 2009, Futron, a market research firm, predicts that as many as 14,000 space tourists will be heading into space each year by 2021, generating annual revenue of more than $700 million.

>>Full article

CAMBODIA - to establish a national airline

people.com.cn , September 5, 2007

The Cambodian government will establish a national airline soon, senior officials said on Tuesday.
The state-owned aviation company will become a key tool for globally advertising and promoting of the kingdom's tourism industry, because Cambodia expects to attract about two million of foreign tourists this year, said Tourism Minister Thong Khon at the 12th Government-Private Sector Forum."Last year Cambodia collected over one billion U.S. dollars from the tourism field and the tourist arrivals in the first half of this year increased nearly by 20 percent (over that of last year)," he added.

>>Full article

SINGAPORE -Works Begin on Sin$33 million Pit Building for Formula 1

Asiatraveltips.com, 4 September 2007

Works on the Pit Building for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix officially started last week. Measuring some 350 metres long, the Pit Building is a key piece of infrastructure for the F1 Singapore Grand Prix, which will debut on 28 September 2008.
Located along the waterfront, it will house key race infrastructure. Taking up most of the ground floor is space for 36 garages for the 12 teams. The second floor houses the Media Centre, hospitality lounges, the race control centre and the winners’ podium while the third floor features a modern and aerodynamic structure housing more hospitality facilities and a roof terrace offering more viewing opportunities of the race.

>>Full article

HONG KONG - Tourism Board launches Three New Eco-Oriented Tours

Asiatraveltips.com, 4 September 2007

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has introduced three new eco-oriented tours under the Hong Kong Nature Kaleidoscope Programme to tie in with the seasonal climate, providing visitors with more choices of eco tour products. New itineraries available for visitors include the wetland tours in Long Valley and Mai Po, as well as the re-packaged Northeast New Territories Islands Hopping Tour offered by the HKTB in collaboration with the travel trade.
“To help sustain the continued development of tourism, the HKTB is working closely with travel trade in introducing more commercially-operated eco-oriented tours in the market under the Hong Kong Natural Kaleidoscope Programme.

>>Full article

THAILAND - TAT targets Indian travelers

Phuketgazette.net, August 31, 2007

Representatives of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Southern Region 4 Office will tomorrow set off for the subcontinent as part of a nine-day “Amazing Thailand Roadshow to India 2007”, with stops in New Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore.The road show, with funding by the Phuket Provincial Administration Organization (OrBorJor), will promote Phuket tourism and facilities to Indian travel agencies, the Indian press and the public to boost the number of Indian tourists visiting Phuket.Suwalai Pinpradab, director of the TAT Southern Region 4 Office, said that India is the biggest tourism market in Southeast Asia, with enormous spending power.

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MALAYSIA - New economic zone to focus on tourism

ttnworldwide.com, sept 2007

A newly announced economic development zone in northern peninsular Malaysia will give a fillip to the tourism industry in the northern states, eTN reported.
The Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER) blueprint was announced last week and will focus on tourism, in addition to diversifying the area into a more modern manufacturing, agricultural, services and logistics center.A combined government and private sector initiative, the plan aims to boost the economy and raise income levels in the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak in peninsular Malaysia. Covering a span of 18 years, the $51 billion masterplan aims to create half a million jobs by 2012, rising to one million by 2018.

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THAILAND - Las Vegas Sands eyes Kingdom

The Nation Business, September 3, 2007

To Adelson, integrated resorts like the Cotai Strip, which includes 14 five-star hotel brands, casinos, convention and exhibition halls, arenas and other amenities under one roof,
are effective magnets to draw tourists. He also insisted that it would be a boon to the cities where the developments were located as they would create jobs. The Cotai Strip, which will be completed in the next 26-30 months with 20,000 hotel rooms, will hire 70,000 people. In the next five years, supported by the development, Macau will be like Las Vegas.

Despite the giant development project, Adelson believes that there are opportunities for future developments in other countries, including Thailand. However, all development projects must incorporate casinos, as this will generate ample revenue to subsidise other services. To Adelson, every country has a chance to bring in new tourists. He is in discussion with a country which welcomes 8-10 million tourists a year. He is confident that if an integrated resort is allowed in this country, arrivals will double.

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CAMBODIA - Ex-Khmer Rouge stronghold bets the pot on casino boom

AFP, Sep 2, 2007

Landmines -- thousands of them -- lie unseen, in some places only metres (yards) from the road.
But the hidden killers are one of the few reminders left of the war that raged a decade ago across this remote hill country in Cambodia's western-most reaches.
The tanks that were commonplace have since given way to truck convoys rumbling across from Thailand, past casinos and highrise hotels that residents hope signal a rebirth for this former Khmer Rouge stronghold.
These ex-guerrillas, whose misguided dream of a classless agrarian utopia had violently rejected the fruits of capitalism, are now in the business of making money.

>>Full article

VIETNAM - AirAsia to launch New Budget Airline

Asiatraveltips.com, 3 September 2007

AirAsia has signed a Letter of Intent with the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Group (VINASHIN), one of the largest state owned corporations in Vietnam with a legal capital of the Joint-Venture Company estimated at US$30 million.
The venture will see both parties establishing a low-cost airline in Vietnam based on AirAsia’s successful business model. The intended business for the venture will include securing the license to operate a new Vietnamese airline which will serve; domestic, regional and international routes.

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MALAYSIA - Middle East investment boost for IDR

thestar.com.my, August 28, 2007

Investors from the Middle East are expected to ink an agreement tomorrow to commit billions of ringgit into the Iskandar Development Region, making them the pioneer investors.
Malaysia’s reputation as a destination for foreign investment will certainly be burnished with the news that these Middle Eastern investors would be making a significant investment in the project.
Government officials are tight-lipped about the matter but several analysts believe that the initial investment could be more than RM3bil. This investment will kick-start the Iskandar project, an ambitious plan to develop a large swathe of south Johor into a global city.

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CAMBODIA - gives permission for companies to build tourist resorts on islands

International Herald Tribune, 30 July, 2007

Cambodia's government has given its permission for six local and foreign companies to develop tourist resorts worth up to US$627 million (€460 million) on islands off the country's coast, officials said Monday.
Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh, who is also vice chairman of the Cambodian Investment Board, signed agreements in principle with the companies last Friday, said Long Sakhan, president of one of the companies.
She said her real estate firm, Vimean Seila Ltd., received permission to build a hotel and resort on a 420-hectare (1,037-acre) area of an island off Kampot province, 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of the capital Phnom Penh.
She said another Cambodian company and four other foreign firms are planning to develop similar tourist resorts on four islands off the coast of Sihanoukville, a port 185 kilometers (115 miles) southwest of Phnom Penh.

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PHILIPPINES - Boracay administrator proposed

Inquierer.net 08/14/2007

The Department of Tourism in Western Visayas is pushing for the appointment of an administrator for Boracay as one way to save the island-resort from deterioration brought by unregulated commercial development.
DoT regional director Edwin Trompeta has recommended to Tourism Secretary Joseph "Ace" Durano, who also chairs the Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA), that the PTA appoint an administrator to oversee the day-to-day implementation of the regulations concerning development projects on the island.
The administrator will also coordinate the projects and programs of local government units and other agencies, according to Trompeta.

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CHINA - closes scenic mountain peak to recover from tourism

USAtoday.com, 21-8-2007

Chinese tourism authorities have closed one of the peaks on popular tourist attraction Huangshan mountain for three years to allow vegetation to recover from the hordes of tourists who visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The barring of visitors to Danxia Feng, or "Purple Cloud Peak," is part of a revolving series of closures of sites on the mountain, located in Anhui province, about 745 miles south of the Chinese capital, Beijing.
Another of the mountain's scenic spots, Shixin Peak, reopened to tourists on July 1 after authorities restored trees and shrubs. The official China Daily newspaper called the closure the "latest move to protect one of China's World Heritage Sites."

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PHILIPPINES - Palawan, too, is home to whale sharks

Inquierer.net, 08/19/2007

Sightings of the rare whale shark (Rhincodon typus) around Puerto Princesa City just right outside the bay have increased in frequency over the last five years, prompting tourism officials and conservation groups to take stock of its potential as a tourist attraction.
City tourism officer Melinda San Juan-Mohammad said they were setting aside funds this year, for the first time, to undertake a more rigorous program to protect the whale shark and to promote it as a tourist attraction, in addition to the famous underground river of Puerto Princesa City.

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VIETNAM - Survey reports record growth in domestic hotel industry

VietNamNet Bridge, 20/08/2007

Record growth in visitor arrivals, hotel occupancy and room rates and an increase in interest from major hotel groups all occurred in 2006, according to a new survey conducted by financial and accounting firm Grant Thornton Vietnam. Five-star hotels in Hanoi and HCM City recorded significant increases in average room rates and occupancy rates last year, the survey said. Northern Vietnam remained the market leader in terms of occupancy with over 70% in 2006, according to Grant Thornton’s annual Vietnam Hotel Survey 2007. Grant Thornton surveyed 29 hotels with 3,946 rooms in different cities in three main regions of the country during 2005 and 2006.

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CHINA - Foreign tourists to China up 18.47% in 1st half year

english.eastday.com, 5/8/2007

Nearly 12.12 million foreigners came to the Chinese mainland for sightseeing from January to June, up 18.47 percent year-on-year, according to the latest figures from the China National Tourism Administration (CNTA).
The growth rate more than tripled the 6.1-percent increase for all inbound tourists to the Chinese mainland, who added up to 63.37 million in the first half of the year.
It also overtook the 4.22-percent rise for tourists from Hong Kong, 0.56-percent rise for tourists from Macao and 8.84-percent rise for tourists from Taiwan.
CNTA figures revealed that foreign tourists came mainly from 16 countries, with tourists from the Republic of Korea registering the rapid growth of 30.62 percent, followed by India 16.48 percent, and Russia, 15.73 percent.

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THAILAND - TDA teaches sea gypsies to dive

Phuketgazette, August 4, 2007

Twenty villagers from Rawai’s sea gypsy community are taking part in a five-day dive course that kicked off with a ceremony Thursday morning presided over by Minister of Tourism and Sports Dr Suwit Yodmanee.The training, being held jointly by the Thai Diving Association (TDA) and the Phuket Office of Sports and Recreation Development, is intended to give the sea gypsies useful knowledge in safe diving practices and prepare them for possible future work as instructors in the local dive industry.The five-day course is the first of three that have been budgeted for sea gypsies under the Yoo Dee Mee Suk (“Good Life and Happiness”) provincial development strategy. The second course will also take place at the Rawai, while the third session will be offered to the Laem Tukkae and Tah Chat Chai sea gypsy communities.The program is based on the Thai Dive Association’s TDA/CMAS “One Star Diver” training, which could lead to the sea gypsies entering the workforce jobs as dive master assistants.

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PHILIPPINES - Huge Korean presence hardly benefits Pinoys

manilatimes.net, August 05, 2007

ONE of the closest friends of the Philippines in the post-Second World War period, Korea—Chosun, Land of the Morning Calm–has become the object of love-hate sentiments among Filipinos, who see Korean residents here as loud, noisy and overbearing people.
Primarily this is because, just in the last two years, it suddenly seemed to Filipinos that their communities and neighbor-hoods have been “invaded” by hordes of Korean residents.
They complain that small Filipino businesses were facing competition from similar-sized but better-financed Korean companies.
They complain that some of these Korean firms were opening successful restaurants and taverns with “For Koreans only” signs.

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CAMBODIA - leases tourist islands for $627m

thetidenews.com, 2 august 2007

Cambodia, Monday, agreed to lease five islands in the Gulf of Thailand for 627 million dollars to investors for tourism, the state investment agency says.
“The projects will become a magnet for tourism. These projects will create natural resorts which are popular with foreign tourists”, Commerce Minister Cham Prasidh said in a statement.
Prasidh, who is also deputy chairman of the Council for the Development of Cambodia, said six Cambodian companies signed the long-term leases and have one year to submit detailed plans for the resorts.

>>Full article

THAILAND - Samui welcomes the big brands

Asia Property Report, August 05 2007

Before the turn of the millennium, the biggest brand on Koh Samui was probably Bob Marley, but massive economic growth and major developments in tourism have led to a significant increase in global interest and investment. As is often the case, it was the retail sector that led the brand invasion with golden arches, superstores and high street pharmaceuticals taking over from street stalls and family-run corner shops. More recently, the hospitality sector followed suit with mainstream hotel chains and now, largely on the back of big name resorts with mixed use strategies, the island’s property industry has expanded to include international, corporate agencies and developers.

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FIJI - Unchecked expansion can threaten environment

Islands Business, 6-8-2007

Tourist numbers are a key issue for Pacific Islands nations as they seek to balance economic development and sustainability, says a key tourism researcher from the University of the South Pacific.Professor Jim McMaster told a recent conference in Port Vila that unchecked expansion of tourism in the Pacific region could threaten some fragile islands environments. “The focus in some countries is on attracting more and more tourists to generate economic growth, but there are limits on the capacity of the local environments to assimilate wastes generated by tourism growth and to supply up-market resorts with the large quantities of water they consume.”Charlie Panakera of the University of Waikato Management School, who has practical experience of running tourism businesses in the Solomon Islands, said that environmental concerns were not always uppermost for Pacific Islanders and it was hard to translate commercial sustainability to local communities.

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INDONESIA - US$800 Million Tourism Investment for Lombok

Balidiscovery.com, (8/4/2007)

Taj Hamaad, an Advisor to the Dubai-based Group Emaar International Properties, have confirmed that they will invest US$800 million in a new tourism resort development in Lombok, an island just east of Bali.According to Hamaad, technical agreements and final a final memorandum of understanding (MOA) are now being hammered out prior to ground-breaking ceremonies planned for later this year.

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BALI - Protests Mount Against Proposed Golf Course in the North

Balidiscovery.com, (8/9/2007)

Vague plans to develop a 100 hectare site near Bali's sacred temple of Besakih into a golf resort complex are fomenting strong oppositon from many circles in Bali, all opposed to a resort development which has reportedly received a green light from the Regent of Karangasem.Residents from the traditional villages of Tagenan and Menanga (near Rendang) are said to be up-in-arms over the appearance in recent days of unannounced surveyors pacing off their traditional farming lands. One local resident who's land was surveyed, quoted in Nusa Bali, insisted he was ready to wager his very life in violent opposition to any project that would violate the sanctity of the lands surrounding Bali's Mother temple complex. The man also said he could see no value whatsoever in building a golf course on his otherwise productive agricultural lands.

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PHILIPPINES - P5 B island airport to benefit Boracay

The News Today, July 23, 2007

The construction of the P5-billion Carabao Island Airport, starting October, is expected to serve hundreds of thousands of local and foreign tourists visiting the world famous Boracay island and nearby areas yearly.

The construction of the airport, a private sector initiative, will be completed by 2010.
Steve Tajanlangit, vice chairman of the Boracay Property Holdings, Inc., the main proponent of the project, expressed confidence that the airport will further hasten the growth of tourism on Boracay- Carabao Island corridor.
Tajanlangit stressed that the airport will also generate thousands of employment and spur economic growth and activities not only on Boracay island, but also the entire municipality of San Jose, Romblon, where the Carabao Island is located.

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MALAYSIA - launches massive northern development plan

Channelnewsasia.com, 30 July 2007

Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi on Monday launched a 51-billion-dollar development masterplan to spur economic growth and reduce poverty in northern Peninsula Malaysia. The Northern Corridor Economic Region (Northern Corridor) is a government initiative to boost the economy and raise income levels in the northern states of Perlis, Kedah, Penang and Perak over 18 years. "Projects and programmes to enhance human capital, infrastructure, and competitiveness in the region will involve about 177 billion ringgit public and private sector investments from 2007 to 2025," a government statement said.
"The focus will be to turn the Northern Corridor into a modern food zone of Malaysia, increase the value-add in the manufacturing sector and strengthen tourism," it said.

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MALAYSIA - Reinventing and boosting tourism in the northern region

The edge daily, 25-07-2007

Over the years, tourism remains one of the healthiest sectors in the country due to our unique cultural ‘melting pot’ characteristic. Statistics from the Ministry of Tourism indicate that Malaysia received RM36.27 billion in tourist receipts last year, up 13.5% from RM31.95 billion in 2005.
Although two major tourist spots, Penang and Langkawi, are located within the Northern Corridor Economic Region (NCER), the four states — Penang, Kedah, Perlis and Perak — collectively capture only 4.8 million visitors per annum, while average spending per tourist in the NCER stands at RM1,890, compared to the national average of RM2,066.
This is surprising, as the two island resorts have always been promoted heavily on the national and international scale. However, this is possibly caused by a shorter average length of stay and cheaper prices as compared to other parts of Malaysia and especially, East Malaysia.

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INDIA - Touristy South Indian Cities A Haven For Asian LCCs

Bernama, July 28 2007

Flourishing south Indian cities are a haven for burgeoning Asian no-frill airlines that have set an exciting rhythm for travel-starved passengers in the region.Regional low cost carriers (LCCs) like AirAsia, Nok Air (Thailand) or Tiger Airways (Singapore) cannot miss the economically vibrant and touristy cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and Cochin, from their radar screens. The four cities are a remarkable catchment area and if we look at the classic LCC model of 3-5 hours flying band," CAPA (Indian subcontinent and the Middle East) chief executive Kapil Kaul told Bernama."There is a remarkable historical and cultural affinity between countries like Singapore, Malaysia and Thailand. There are so many Indians from the south settled or working in these countries which any airline must take note of.

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VIETNAM - sea being ‘cut into small bits’

VietNamNet Bridge, 28/06/2007

Vietnam’s sea is now being cut into small bits, commented Pham Tu, Vice Head of the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism (VNAT), at a recent workshop titled “Nature – tourism resources” held on June 15 in the coastal city of Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province.
The number of foreign visitors coming to Vietnam increased from 1.5 million to 3.6 million from 2002 to 2006. During this time, sea tourism accounted for 70% of the total revenues of the tourism sector. As the number of tourists rises, the number of coastal tourism projects is also on the rise.
With nearly 1 million sq.km of sea, Vietnam’s sea tourism potential is huge. However, Vietnam’s sea is being polluted. Ha Long Bay, Lang Co Lagoon and Nha Trang Beach are the most typical examples.

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VIETNAM - Qatar team to visit Vietnam

GulfTimes.com, 1 July, 2007

THE Qatari Investment Agency will send a delegation to Vietnam this month to inquire into projects on urban development and the development of tourist sites and luxury resorts, Vietnamese press reports said yesterday. Vietnam's Minister of Planning and Investment Vo Hong Phuc has just concluded his trip to Qatar and Kuwait that ran from June 22- 27 and was aimed at securing investment from the oil rich states. Phuc visited Qatar and Kuwait at the invitation of the Kuwaiti finance minister and the Qatari minister of finance and economy and was charged with carrying out agreements signed by the Vietnamese prime minister and the Kuwaiti prime minister and the Qatari deputy prime minister during their recent Vietnam visits.

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SABAH - steers harder

TTGmice.com, June 2007

Having experienced a slight drop in MICE events from 536 in 2005 to 451 last year, the Sabah Tourism Board is stepping up measures to bring up the numbers again.The fall in numbers was due in part to a reduction in the number of flights. Since May 15, 2006, the number of Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flights between Tokyo, one of the emerging source markets, and Sabah’s state capital of Kota Kinabalu, fell from thrice- to twice-weekly. As such, the board plans to focus on Asian markets with direct air links to Kota Kinabalu this year.

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INDONESIA - Undersea jewel

TTGasia.com, Jun 29 - Jul 5, 2007

ALOR islands may not be on the regular tourist map, but this could improve in a couple of years thanks to improved air accessibility and government support.Last year, TransNusa started five-weekly Alor-Kupang flights. Together with Merpati Nusantara Airlines’ twice-weekly services, the new flights have opened up the islands even more.Kupang, the province’s capital, is served by many domestic airlines connecting with key cities such as Jakarta, Surabaya and Denpasar. TransNusa has three flights from Bali via Waingapu.The waters around Alor islands are good for diving, fishing and snorkelling. Turtles, reef sharks, whales, marlin, napoleon wrasse, giant trevally and barracuda are just some of the underwater inhabitants.Groups of dolphins can often be seen passing between Alor Kecil island and Kepa island, Pura island, Kalabahi Bay and near Terewang island.

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SINGAPORE - hotels start new round of upgrades

TTGasia.com, Jun 29 - Jul 5, 2007

Another round of hotel refurbishments begins in Singapore just as several properties emerge from under the dust sheets. The 20-year-old Pan Pacific Singapore has started its S$14 million (US$9 million) refurbishment, scheduled for completion in January 2008.Main works include refitting all 775 rooms and suites with new furnishings, interior fixtures and flatscreen TVs.Two floors of deluxe rooms will be converted to Executive Business Floors, increasing the inventory from 126 to 171 Executive Business rooms and suites. Hotel Royal at Queens began a 15-month refurbishment in June. When completed, there will be 223 rooms, up from 215. All rooms will have flatscreen TVs and new furnishings. The refurbishment will be done floor by floor, with about 20 rooms taken off the inventory at any one time.Director of sales and marketing, Mr George Lim, said: “Not only will the integrated resorts be coming up but there are also new hotels opening in the next few years.”

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JAPAN - Midtown set to steal the scene

TTGasia.com, Jun 29 - Jul 5, 2007

Tokyo has a major new tourist area following the completion of a massive urban redevelopment project.Tokyo Midtown covers 10 hectares and includes the city’s tallest skyscraper, a luxury hotel, two new museums and scores of shops and restaurants. It is less than a kilometre from the popular Roppongi Hills area.The capital’s first Ritz-Carlton property occupies the top nine levels of the development’s highest building, with a total of 248 rooms beginning on the 45th floor. Its presidential suite is said to be the most expensive in Japan at US$20,000 a night. Introductory rates for standard rooms start at about US$473.

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CHINA - Parting the waters

TTGasia.com, Jun 29 - Jul 5, 2007

Where once there was a desert, today there is a flood. China’s rapidly growing spa scene provides a wellspring of new alternatives. Natasha Dragun reports.“Business is booming. We don’t have enough therapists, and we don’t have enough rooms,” spa director of the newly-opened CHI, The Spa at Shangri-La Hotel Beijing, Ms Pansy Chong, tells TTG Asia. Ms Chong’s sentiments ring true for many in the industry. They are overwhelmed by the attention and interest being paid to the many modern international spas emerging around China in recent years. Today, the development is still quite formulaic: outlets are centred in big cities such as Beijing and Shanghai, and predominantly located in international five-star hotels.

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MARKETS - Generation 'S'

TTGasia.com, Jun 29 - Jul 5, 2007

Call them seniors or the silver segment. They have always been a lucrative niche to tap, and the world’s population is ageing. Many in the age group today have better health and better access to choices, thanks to the Internet. Mak Ying Kwan looks at the mindset change needed to cater to this market.SENIOR travellers run the gamut, from well-off retirees willing to spend generously on overseas holidays to those with more limited means who travel on a budget.This means there are opportunities for everyone in the tourism industry, from luxury hotels to limited service accommodation facilities, from travel agents offering customised, top-end packages to those selling seat-in coach tours.

>>Full article

CHINA - New road to Everest

TTGasia.com, Jun 29 - Jul 5, 2007

The Chinese government has announced plans to build a paved road from the foot of Mt Everest to Base Camp at 5,200m above sea level on the Tibetan side of the mountain. With construction starting this week, local authorities are predicting the 108km road will be completed as early as November. According to the authorities, the new road would follow the route of an existing dirt path up the mountain. The aim of paving the road, they said, was to smooth the path for the Olympic Torch, which is expected to reach the 8,849m summit of Mt Everest in May 2008 as part of the longest, and arguably most ambitious torch relays in Olympic history – covering 137,000km across five continents in 130 days.

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PHILIPPINES - Ecotourism to create jobs, lure investments

mb.com.ph, July 3, 2007

The Department of Tourism (DoT) expects its ecotourism program to generate, not only jobs and livelihood, but also investments in the countryside.
DoT Secretary Joseph Ace H. Durano based this projection on the way Donsol and other emerging ecotourism destinations have begun attracting tourists, creating a demand-driven market for investment ventures in tourism facilities and infrastructure.

>>Full article

PHILIPPINES - Concern for rice terraces

Manilatimes.net, July 03, 2007

Local villagers were joined by tourists in a rice granary in the middle of the rice field where a mumbaki (native spiritual priest) performed harvest prayer rites in one of the world’s heritage sites, the Ifugao rice terraces.
More Filipinos are now becoming part of the uphill bid to preserve and bring back the natural grandeur of the Ifugao rice terraces not by just taking pictures of the terraces but also by experiencing the culture that built the terraces more than 200,000 years ago.
Close to 30 visitors from as far as Palawan, Bohol, Batangas, Manila and Baguio joined the Bfoto’ Ad Majajaw tour over the weekend, which is part of year-round tour organized by the “Pochon” of the Save the Ifugao Terrace Movement (SITMo), a nongovernmental organization group advocating for the preservation of the terraces and the rich culture of the villagers.

>>Full article

PHILIPPINES - sustainable growth benefits tourism

Dailytravelnews.com, June 27, 2007

The previously poor image of the Philippines is now being challenged as current President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s economic reforms, as well as her strong stance on crime and corruption, has transformed the country into a thriving democracy which is welcoming foreign visitors with open arms and a uniquely Filipino sense of hospitality. Philippine history has been marred by economic difficulties which have prevented Asia’s only English-speaking country from truly capitalizing on its significant tourism advantages.Under the Arroyo administration, the Philippines enjoyed a sustained positive growth in Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and Gross National Product (GNP) since 2001, with GDP up from 3% in 2001 to 5.4% in 2006, and a GNP growth increase of 2.7% in the same time period. Inflation, a major impediment for many developing countries, remains low in the Philippines at 2.6% as of February 2007.

>>Full article

THAILAND - New airport near its limits

Bangkokpost.com, June 28, 2007

While Suvarnabhumi Airport soldiers on, shrugging off criticism and impressing us as we gaze through an aircraft window at the hectares of twinkling lights below, airline managers are still not buying the story.
Bundled together, airlines serving Bangkok make their voice heard through the local Board of Airline Representatives and they have not been slow to remind the Airports of Thailand that it needs to bite the bullet on "phase two expansion."
Leading the charge is the BAR president, Brian Sinclair-Thomson, who bravely laid the airline cards on the table at a media session at the Foreign Correspondents Club, earlier this month.

>>Full article

CAMBODIA - sees tourism boom in first five months of ‘07

e-travelblackboard, June 29, 2007

It seems more and more travellers are discovering the wonders of Cambodia, with the ports recording just below 20% growth in the first five months of the year when compared to 2006.
Siem Reap was still the most popular entrance port, with a market share of 65.26% of total arrivals. The 553,873 trips into Siem Reap represent a lift of a little over 57% when compared to 2006 figures.

>>Full article

REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia join forces to develop tourism

Vietnam Net bridge, 29/06/2007

Dinh Hai, director of Quang Nam's Department of Tourism, told the Daily that the tourism authorities of Siem Reap, Luang Prabang, Champasak and Quang Nam would sign the deal on the sidelines of a tourism festival.
The four-day Quang Nam - Heritage Road Festival 2007 kicked off on Wednesday in the World Heritage-listed town of Hoi An.
The four provinces, Hai said, will jointly market tourism products and promote their World Heritage sites. "We have special tourist attractions - World Heritage sites, so we want to join hands to introduce them to attract tourists," he said.
The UNESCO-recognized World Heritage sites are Hoi An and My Son in Quang Nam, Luang Prabang and Wat Phou in Luang Prabang, and Angkor Wat in Siem Reap.

>>Full article

HAWAII - Building Partnerships with Asia

Hawaii reporter, 1-7-2007

As part of the Lingle-Aiona Administration’s efforts to transform the state’s economy from one over dependent on land development to one based on the innovation capacity of Hawai‘i’s residents, Governor Lingle recently completed a 13-day trip to Indonesia and Japan to strengthen Hawai‘i’s links in the Asia-Pacific region and to increase the ability of our residents and businesses to successfully compete in the global marketplace.

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - Asia Pacific Region continues to Lead World Tourism Growth

Asiatraveltips.com, 2 July 2007

The year 2007 has started on a higher than expected note for global tourism. From January through April, international tourist arrivals worldwide rose by over 6% to 252 million, representing an additional 15 million arrivals as against the same period in 2006, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.
Asia and the Pacific (+9%) achieved the strongest growth, followed by Africa (+8%), the Middle East (+8%) and Europe (+6%). Although arrivals to the Americas (+4%), showed the slowest growth rate among the world regions during the first four months of 2007, this performance is nevertheless very positive as the region doubled the 2007 forecast growth (+2%).

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ACCOMMODATION - Malaysian five-star hotels: Where are the tourists?

eTN, 3-7-2007

Despite the reported increase in tourist figures in the first quarter of Malaysia's VMY 2007 campaign, five-star hotel operators are asking: where are the tourists staying?Tourism Malaysia figures show 4.8 million tourist arrivals for the first quarter of 2007, an increase of 9.8 percent compared to the same period in 2006. However, the increase is not reflected in occupancy rates of the country's five-star hotels.Explaining the mystery, Malaysian Tourism Minister Tengku Adnan said tourists are now choosing to stay in cheaper hotels and service apartments. "Homestay programs are also getting good response."

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BALI - Economic Data Reveals that Bali's Poor Getting a Smaller Share of the Benefits of an Expanding Economy

Balidiscovery.com, (6/30/2007)

Significant improvements in the economy of Bali are widening the gap between the wealthy and the poor and bringing few improvements in the living condition of the Island's poor.

According to the head of the consumer spending section of Bali's Central Statistic Bureau (BPS), Didik Nursetyohadi, "the poor are enjoying the fruits of development, but not to the degree of the rich."

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PHILIPPINES - Tourism: A Major Contributor to the Economic Growth

ForImmediateRelease.Net, June 29, 2007

The Tourism Industry has once again proven to be a major contributing factor in the consistent growth of the Philippine economy. With arrivals increasing and revenues rising, the Department of Tourism (DOT) is pleased that its efforts have vastly improved the country’s economic landscape, and that it has helped in generating jobs and business opportunities for Filipinos back home. DOT enjoins all Filipino communities in the United Kingdom to be part of the ever-widening effort to project the beauty of our country and attract more visitors to our sun-kissed, friendly shores.

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INDONESIA - A Creative Approach to Funding Tourism Promotion

Balidiscovery.com, (6/30/2007)

The Indonesian Tourism Council(DEPARI) have asked Indonesia's Minister of Culture and Tourism to use Presidential Instruction No. 16 of 2005 to overcome the current impasse in promotion funding leading up to "Visit Indonesia Year 2008."According to the Chairman of DEPARI, Iqbal Alan Abdullah: "The Minister of Culture and Tourism has the ability via Presidential Instruction No. 16 of 2005 to accumulate funds for promotion working with related government departments. We do not think that a lack of funding from the legislature can be used as a reason for failing to launch 'Visit Indonesia Year 2008'."

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REGIONAL DEVELOPMENTS - India, Pakistan to discuss group tourism

The Hindu, 29-6-2007

India and Pakistan are in talks about strengthening their tourism ties.
ISLAMABAD - A proposal to permit group tourism between India and Pakistan, and increasing the number of religious shrines that pilgrims from either country can visit on the other side, are on the agenda for the two-day talks between the two culture secretaries that will begin here on Thursday.Permit for touristsAt present, India and Pakistan do not permit tourists from either country, but both sides recently included group tourism among proposals to liberalise their respective visa regimes.

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AUSTRALIA - tourism told eco and indigenous tourism key for foreign visitor growth

eTN, 2-7-2007

A tourism body in Australia is saying Australia should look into eco and indigenous tourism if it wants to increase its foreign visitor traffic.
The Australian Tourism Export Council (ATEC) has said developing indigenous and eco tourism product and experiences are the major keys for the Australian tourism industry to increasing international visitor growth over the next decade. This development comes as the latest Tourism Forecasting Committee (TFC) figures recently revealed that 8.8 million international visitors were predicted to come to Australia annually by 2016, an average increase of 4.9 percent per year. By comparison, Australians traveling overseas were predicted to increase by an average 5.2 percent to 8.1 million trips.

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THAILAND - to be major hub for int’l meetings and incentive travel

Asia News Network, 02-07-2007

After successfully establishing itself as one of the finest leisure travel destinations in the world, Thailand has now embarked on a journey to promote the country as one of the major hubs for international corporate meetings and exhibitions in the ASEAN region.
The fresh effort is expected to further increase the number of incoming tourists to Thailand and generate thousands of additional employment opportunities.
Talking to journalists at a press meet organised in Bangkok on Friday, Nipat Dithipen, deputy director general of Thai Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) said: “We have set a deadline of 2011 to make Thailand a major hub for international corporate meetings and incentive travel in the ASEAN region. We hope we will be able to fulfill our commitment within that period.”

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INTERVIEW - Exotic Tourism with a Twist: Travelling Through the 'Axis of Evil'

alternet.org, 2-7-2007

Tony Wheeler traveled to Iran, North Korea and Afghanistan and found that the media's image of the countries has very little to with what daily life is like in those places.
It's been a hectic day for Tony Wheeler. He missed his morning flight from Portland; he almost didn't make it on the next flight, and now his luggage has been lost.

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