Visa and the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) have released findings from their latest Travel Intentions survey. The 2010 survey shows Australia and Japan have cemented their status as the most sought-after holiday destinations for the next two years, with 40% of the 6,714-respondents surveyed in this year’s research saying they would consider travelling to Australia or Japan in the next two years.

The survey asked respondents from 13-key Asia Pacific travel source markets (Australia, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Mainland China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, Thailand, the United Kingdom and the United States) about past and future travel plans.

The survey indicated that most travellers prefer organising their own trips by booking their own airlines and accommodation. However, travellers from Mainland China, which is fast becoming a major generator of tourism revenues for the region, still prefer packaged group tours. Travellers from Australia tend to take the longest breaks – nearly one quarter intend to spend more than 20-nights whereas the average traveller is happy with three-to-five nights. Australia was the favourite destination for vacationers from New Zealand, UK, US, and Japan, while Japan won out with travellers from South Korea, Chinese Taipei, Thailand and Hong Kong.

Said Greg Duffell, chief executive officer, PATA: “One of the most heartening features from this year’s report is the relatively wide spread of Asia Pacific destinations under consideration by the 13-source markets studied, including the long-haul sources of the UK and the USA.”

Originally published by http://www.pata.org

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Thai Airways International Public Company Limited (THAI) and Tiger Airways Holdings Limited today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding to form a new low fare airline called Thai Tiger Airways Private Limited. The new airline will operate the same low fare, low cost model as the other airlines in the Tiger Airways Group, and is expected to commence operations in the first quarter of 2011, pending regulatory approvals.

Based in Bangkok, Thai Tiger will operate international and domestic flights out of Suvarnabhumi International Airport offering short-haul, point-to-point services within a 5- hour flying radius. The route network and further information on the corporate structure will be announced in due course. Read the rest of this entry »

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Amara Holdings Limited’s hospitality arm, Amara Hotels & Resorts continues its regional expansion with the upcoming development of a new 272-room hotel in central Bangkok, Thailand.

This marks the Group’s first entry into the “Land of Smiles”.

In conjunction with this hotel development, an agreement was signed today with Thailand Crown Property Bureau, a quasi-government agency, through the Group’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Amara Hospitality (Thailand) Co., Ltd.

Amara Bangkok will be located in the choice Surawong Road, which is parallel to Silom and Sathorn Roads. Together, they form one of the most exciting areas in Bangkok, an area known for its rich and colourful local entertainment and shopping activities, as well as the financial district of Bangkok. The location was also chosen for its convenient access to and from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and its proximity to the other commercial and shopping centres of Bangkok. Read the rest of this entry »

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Our Summer Sale continues to be our biggest promotion for the season. Travelers can still take advantage of our FLIP5 coupon offer which gives them 40% off and a free Flip™ camcorder when they book 4+ nights at select hotels.

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Should you require any assistance or have any questions regarding the program, please do not hesitate to contact us. We look forward to working with you!

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At present the impact from the global warming is of extensive interest, therefore there is a tendency that people are paying more attention to the natural resources and environment which brings about the trend of the eco tourism and additional natural adventure activities.

Thus Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has organized Thailand Eco & Adventure travel Mart 2010 between 25th – 27thJune, 2010 at Nakhonnayok province which is the hub for those who admire the fascinating nature and thrilling adventure.

The objective of the event is to provide the buyer both internal and external to meet and discuss business potential with the seller from every province nationwide. In addition it is an opportunity to compile tourism products and services from various sources for the consumer to choose which is also stimulate the travelling between the regions.

Within the travel mart the customer will get a special offer on the related products and services on eco-tourism and other various adventures in almost 100 booths from varying 5 regions in Thailand. There are as well the performances on provincial culture to enjoy, different local food to taste, and interesting adventures to partake such as Artificial Rock Climbing, BB gun shooting, canoeing, balloon flying, ATV riding, and numerous fascinating activities for all to join in. Read the rest of this entry »

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Accor hotels and resorts throughout Thailand welcome you back with these great value ‘cash back’ incentives.

Book a stay between 21 June to 30 September 2010 at participating Pullman, MGallery, Grand Mercure, Novotel, Mercure, ibis and all seasons hotels throughout Thailand and you will receive:

• THB500 – at any Pullman, M Gallery and Novotel per room per day to be spent in the hotel.
• THB250 – at any Grand Mercure and Mercure per room per day to be spent in the hotel.
• THB150 – at any ibis and all seasons per room per day to be spent in the hotel.

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Qatar Airways today announced its expansion programme was continuing with vigour with plans to launch six new routes in Europe and Asia from October 2010.

The Doha-based airline will phase in the route expansion over a four-month period with daily flights to Phuket – after Bangkok, its second destination in Thailand – kicking off the growth drive on October 11. The new flights will operate via Kuala Lumpur.

Three weeks later, beginning November 1, Qatar Airways adds the Vietnamese capital Hanoi to its network with four flights a week via Bangkok. The new route will support existing services to Vietnam’s commercial centre and largest city of Ho Chi Minh City, where flights will also be stepped up from four-a-week to daily.

November 24 marks the launch of the carrier’s European expansion drive with thrice-weekly flights to the French Mediterranean city of Nice. Operating via Milan, the Nice operation will strengthen Qatar Airways’ services to France, where it already operates to the capital Paris.

The New Year sees Qatar Airways’ entry into eastern Europe with the launch of four flights a week to the Romanian capital of Bucharest, starting on January 17. The services continue on to Budapest, capital city of Hungary.

And with five flights a week from January 31, the Belgian capital of Brussels, home of the European Parliament, rounds off an impressive list of destinations for the airline, which has maintained its strategy of opening exciting new routes around the world since launching just 13 years ago.

Announcing the expansion at the airline’s annual commercial conference in the Qatari capital Doha today, Qatar Airways Chief Executive Officer Akbar Al Baker spoke of the carrier’s commitment to develop its route network far and wide from its hub. Read the rest of this entry »

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Thailand’s world-class luxury lifestyle community Royal Phuket Marina (RPM) was the recipient of another prestigious regional award for its unique waterfront properties, and in particular, the new ‘Aquaminium’ apartments.

RPM was voted ‘Best Developer – Waterfront Development’ at the 2010 Cityscape Awards for Real Estate in Asia.

The annual awards, presented in Singapore on May 19, recognise outstanding real estate development in Asia. RPM’s luxury Aquaminiums are a new concept in marina living, uniquely featuring private ‘drive-in’ boat berths, as well as sumptuously designed and appointed interiors.

They have been snapped up by investors, setting a record price for condominium sales in Phuket.

Royal Phuket Marina’s Luxury Waterfront Villas were also honored at the awards for showing strong architectural design, coupled with the unique ability to moor ones yacht at the foot of your garden. Read the rest of this entry »

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Centara Hotels & Resorts is to open the Centara Grand Beach Resort Phuket in October 2010, a newly-built resort property at Karon Beach on the island of Phuket.

The hotel is one of the few at Karon to be set directly at the edge of the sand, most of the existing properties being on the other side of the beach road.

Designed in a colonial style with Sino-Portuguese architecture, the five-star resort is Centara’s fourth property in Phuket.

Centara has taken key elements of its resort properties at Krabi and Pattaya to create an ideal destination resort at Karon Beach. Read the rest of this entry »

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The World’s Largest Hotel Chain has added four new hotels to its growing presence in Japan, the 242-room Best Western Hotel Fino Sapporo (Sapporo), 145- room Best Western Hotel Fino Oita (Oita), 72- room Best Western Naha Inn (Okinawa) and 168-room Best Western Fukuoka Nakasu Inn (Fukuoka).

The four new hotels join Best Western’s existing portfolio of 7 hotels in Japan, located in Tokyo, Osaka, Nagasaki, Hirosaki, Sendai, Takayama and Wakayama, further establishing the brand’s position as one of the country’s fastest expanding hotel chains. Another two properties are also set to soon join Best Western in Osaka and Sapporo in July and November 2010. Read the rest of this entry »

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