Despite Bangkok Protests, Thailand Tourism Officials Say City Is Open For Business
By Mark Johanson
on January 13 2014 8:01 PM
A fresh wave of massive anti-government protests kicked off in Bangkok Monday as demonstrators vowed to completely shut down the Thai capital ahead of general elections next month. Despite the threatened closures, however, the Tourism Authority of Thailand remained adamant that the city was open for business and has put in place several measures to ensure a warm welcome and safe onward journey.
Those measures include a tourist care center at the Sports Authority of Thailand at Hua Mak Stadium and tourist care units at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang international airports to coordinate with all concerned public and private agencies.
TAT said it was working with the Tourist Police, Immigration Bureau, Metropolitan Police Bureau, Railway Police Unit, Tourism Council of Thailand, Thai Hotels Association, Road Passenger Transport Association and Association of Thai Travel Agents to ensure all involved in the tourism industry were united in their efforts.
“The measures are the results of a meeting between all authorities involved and several major travel and tourism organizations,” Thawatchai Arunyik, governor of TAT, explained in a statement. “Our aim is to ensure safety and convenience to tourists while traveling within Bangkok and to and from both Suvarnabhumi and Don Mueang international airports during the current ongoing anti-government demonstrations.”
In addition to the tourist care centers and units, TAT set up tourist help desks at several BTS skytrain and MRT subway stations that are manned by Tourist Police officers. Accommodation near the airports has also been reserved for tourists waiting or arriving late for their flights.
Monday was the first day in a new series of demonstrations aimed at pressuring Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s government to step down. Protests first erupted in November when the government attempted to force through a political amnesty bill that would have enabled the return of former leader Thaksin Shinawatra, Yingluck’s billionaire brother who was ousted in a military coup in 2006 on charges of corruption. Thaksin now lives in self-imposed exile in Dubai to avoid a prison term, though he argues his punishment was politically motivated.
Many protesters claim that Yingluck’s government is, in fact, controlled by her brother. Fearing that she may win the Feb. 2 elections on the back of support in the rural north and northeast, they’ve called for her to step down and be replaced by an appointed “people’s council” to push through electoral reforms.
Large-scale protests took place in six areas of downtown Bangkok and one government center Monday, and were largely peaceful. TAT described the demonstrations as having a “festival vibe,” and assured visitors that life in Bangkok and throughout Thailand “continues as per usual.”
Most banks, hotels, convention centers, restaurants and entertainment centers are open, as are all tourist attractions in and around Bangkok such as the Grand Palace, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Vimanmek Mansion and Siam Paragon. Nevertheless, tourism officials urged visitors to use the skytrain, subway or airport rail link to get to and from destinations as a precaution against unforeseen traffic delays caused by several road closures.
Protest leader Suthep Thaugsuban assured that the shutdown would not explicitly target tourists, and promised not to disrupt the city’s public infrastructure, including city buses and vans, BTS skytrain, MRT subway and the airport rail link. Despite these assurances, and despite promises of a peaceful protest, the streets of Bangkok remained heavily patrolled Monday.
“Tourists need not be alarmed by the presence of security forces in Bangkok today,” TAT said in a situation update Monday. “More than 20,000 police and military personnel will be deployed in important areas and at key state agencies in the capital to maintain peace and order.”
TAT said it was closely monitoring the state of affairs and would continue to issue daily situation updates to keep tourists and the tourism industry abreast of any changes.
Prolonged protests have begun to take their toll on Thailand. Hotel occupancy in Bangkok is expected to fall by 30 to 40 percent in the first quarter of 2014, while TAT predicts a 5 percent decline in visitor numbers for the first quarter if demonstrations continue.
Thailand’s Foreign Ministry said 45 countries, including Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and Brazil, had issued travel advisories urging citizens to avoid visiting areas near protest camps in the capital. The U.S. Embassy in Bangkok also issued a message to American citizens in Thailand, warning that political unrest could continue for some time.
“While protests have been generally peaceful over the last two months, some have resulted in injury and death. Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence,” the embassy said in its message. “You should avoid areas of demonstrations, and exercise caution if in the vicinity of any large gatherings, protests or demonstrations. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to local news media reports.”
The embassy advised U.S. citizens to have a week’s supply of cash on hand, keep mobile communication devices charged, and stock up on food, water and medicine as a precaution.
Tourists currently in Thailand can seek assistance by calling the following hotlines:
Tourism Authority of Thailand -- 1672
Thai Tourist Police -- 1155
Suvarnabhumi Airport Operation Centre -- 02 134 4077
Don Mueang Airport Operation Centre -- 02 535 3431
Tourist Assistant Centre (temporary) -- 02 401 1111
Source: http://www.ibtimes.com/despite-bangkok-protests-thailand-tourism-officials-say-city-open-business-1538348
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
Do you think this business practice of TUIfly help the company increasing its sales and profit? This practice should appeal more to tourists with which type of personality (according to big five personality traits) ? Will it work in Thailand? Why? Why not?
TUI Travel exceeds stretching carbon reduction target Vicky Karantzavelou - 10 January 2014, 09:26 - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58467/tui-travel-exceeds-stretching-carbon#sthash.mj6DRwMu.dpuf
In the 2013 atmosfair Airline Index, TUIfly was named the most climate efficient airline worldwide with over a million passengers and most climate efficient charter airline. - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58467/tui-travel-exceeds-stretching-carbon#sthash.mj6DRwMu.dpuf
LONDON – TUI Travel PLC has exceeded its latest and most stretching airline carbon reduction target (9% by 2015 on a 2008 baseline). Across its six airlines, the Group has reduced its relative carbon emissions by 9.3% in 5 years, and a year before its Sustainable Holidays Plan concludes.
Average CO2 per revenue passenger kilometre now stands at 70.7g- an improvement of 3.2% since 2012, making us one of the most carbon efficient airlines in Europe and beyond.
In the 2013 atmosfair Airline Index, TUIfly was named the most climate efficient airline worldwide with over a million passengers and most climate efficient charter airline (for the second year in a row), and also ranked Thomson Airways as the second most climate efficient for short haul flights.
In 2013, 3.8 million customers went on ‘greener and fairer’ holidays with the Group, up 1.8 million from 2012, and leaving a target of 4.2 million for 2014. The goal, as laid out in the Sustainable Holidays Plan, is to deliver 10 million ‘greener and fairer’ holidays over the three years to 2015, by measuring the number of customers we take to hotels with credible sustainability certifications*. We are committed to influencing more hotels to achieve credible sustainability certifications, so as to be assured that our suppliers are making continual sustainability improvements. This not only improves our sustainability performance, but also benefits our suppliers.
- See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58467/tui-travel-exceeds-stretching-carbon#sthash.mj6DRwMu.dpuf
All these achievements relate to specific goals that have been outlined in the Sustainable Holidays Plan, which highlights four key areas of focus: Carbon, Destinations, Customers and Colleagues and within these areas are 20 stretching and measurable targets. Also in 2013, TUI UK & Ireland pioneered a scheme to support 40 of its differentiated hotels to achieve reductions in energy and water usage, resulting in average cost savings of 6% for energy and 13% for water, generating savings of nearly 2 million Euros.Another example of TUI Travel’s commitment to sustainability was announced in December, in its partnership with Boeing on the 2014/15 ecoDemonstrator programme, which seeks to design, create and test high-tech sustainable developments for aircraft of the future.Jane Ashton, Group Director of Sustainable Development, TUI Travel, said: "TUI Travel’s aim is to support sustainability change at scale, both across our own operations and the wider industry. We made a significant step towards this in 2013, when TUI Travel airlines’ carbon efficiency improvements exceeded our expectations, and we saw a major shift in the number of our hotel suppliers who have now achieved credible and independently-audited sustainability certification. We look forward to building on this in 2014, the 3rd and final year of our Sustainable Holidays Plan, as we strive to fulfil - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58467/tui-travel-exceeds-stretching-carbon#sthash.mj6DRwMu.dpuf
In the 2013 atmosfair Airline Index, TUIfly was named the most climate efficient airline worldwide with over a million passengers and most climate efficient charter airline. - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58467/tui-travel-exceeds-stretching-carbon#sthash.mj6DRwMu.dpuf
LONDON – TUI Travel PLC has exceeded its latest and most stretching airline carbon reduction target (9% by 2015 on a 2008 baseline). Across its six airlines, the Group has reduced its relative carbon emissions by 9.3% in 5 years, and a year before its Sustainable Holidays Plan concludes.
Average CO2 per revenue passenger kilometre now stands at 70.7g- an improvement of 3.2% since 2012, making us one of the most carbon efficient airlines in Europe and beyond.
In the 2013 atmosfair Airline Index, TUIfly was named the most climate efficient airline worldwide with over a million passengers and most climate efficient charter airline (for the second year in a row), and also ranked Thomson Airways as the second most climate efficient for short haul flights.
In 2013, 3.8 million customers went on ‘greener and fairer’ holidays with the Group, up 1.8 million from 2012, and leaving a target of 4.2 million for 2014. The goal, as laid out in the Sustainable Holidays Plan, is to deliver 10 million ‘greener and fairer’ holidays over the three years to 2015, by measuring the number of customers we take to hotels with credible sustainability certifications*. We are committed to influencing more hotels to achieve credible sustainability certifications, so as to be assured that our suppliers are making continual sustainability improvements. This not only improves our sustainability performance, but also benefits our suppliers.
- See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58467/tui-travel-exceeds-stretching-carbon#sthash.mj6DRwMu.dpuf
All these achievements relate to specific goals that have been outlined in the Sustainable Holidays Plan, which highlights four key areas of focus: Carbon, Destinations, Customers and Colleagues and within these areas are 20 stretching and measurable targets. Also in 2013, TUI UK & Ireland pioneered a scheme to support 40 of its differentiated hotels to achieve reductions in energy and water usage, resulting in average cost savings of 6% for energy and 13% for water, generating savings of nearly 2 million Euros.Another example of TUI Travel’s commitment to sustainability was announced in December, in its partnership with Boeing on the 2014/15 ecoDemonstrator programme, which seeks to design, create and test high-tech sustainable developments for aircraft of the future.Jane Ashton, Group Director of Sustainable Development, TUI Travel, said: "TUI Travel’s aim is to support sustainability change at scale, both across our own operations and the wider industry. We made a significant step towards this in 2013, when TUI Travel airlines’ carbon efficiency improvements exceeded our expectations, and we saw a major shift in the number of our hotel suppliers who have now achieved credible and independently-audited sustainability certification. We look forward to building on this in 2014, the 3rd and final year of our Sustainable Holidays Plan, as we strive to fulfil - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58467/tui-travel-exceeds-stretching-carbon#sthash.mj6DRwMu.dpuf
Apetite for wellness is satisfying which type of self concept in tourists? Do you think this trend happens in Thailand? How will you make this insight in your future tourism or hospitality professional life?
Appetite for wellness, tech among family travel trends 2014 Theodore Koumelis - 13 January 2014, 11:28 - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58509/appetite-for-wellness-tech-among#sthash.BiFyQrlP.dpuf
Fast-growing family travel market demanding more, better technology, service, food, child-care; Industry moving fast to meet needs of multigenerational travelers for diverse experiences; 12 Trends and Predictions for Family Travel in 2014 from the Experts at Family Travel Consulting. - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58509/appetite-for-wellness-tech-among#sthash.BiFyQrlP.dpuf
NEW YORK – The American family travel marketplace has evolved from simple and cheap to sophisticated and demanding of better technology, service, food and child-care, according to Eileen Ogintz and Kyle McCarthy from Family Travel Consulting."From the yearning for curated experiences to small ship cruising, locavore cuisine and better technological tools, families – who used to be synonymous with cheap - are close behind luxury travelers in their demands," Ogintz and McCarthy note in their just-published "12 Family Travel Trends and Predictions for 2014"."In many ways we trained them, by putting luxury products on sale during a recession and inundating kids with the travel-styles of the rich and famous."Among the trends and predictions: Childcare Has Gone from Fun to Function; "We predict resorts will have to drop their fees for functional childcare programs – or use them as a value-add - to stay competitive." Food Obsessions Skew Younger, with Kids Demanding Healthy & Interesting Dining Options; "We predict that family travelers will pay more to avoid unhealthy, mediocre food given a choice." Families Demand Technology to Simplify Travel Planning; "We predict busy families will bypass clunky old travel websites to seek out the latest in responsive, time-saving planning and booking tools online." No One Wants an Unplugged Vacation Anymore; "We predict families – with every family member using a different device - will demand fast, cheap connectivity and try digital detoxification on their own terms." Multigenerational Travel Will Get Bigger and More Demanding; "We predict that destinations which work now to exceed multigenerational expectations, can lead this huge new market." McCarthy and Ogintz say the reason the travel industry is paying increasing attention to the family travel market is simple – "There are many more of them than any other segment and as the definition of family expands, their numbers keep on growing." - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58509/appetite-for-wellness-tech-among#sthash.BiFyQrlP.dpuf
Fast-growing family travel market demanding more, better technology, service, food, child-care; Industry moving fast to meet needs of multigenerational travelers for diverse experiences; 12 Trends and Predictions for Family Travel in 2014 from the Experts at Family Travel Consulting. - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58509/appetite-for-wellness-tech-among#sthash.BiFyQrlP.dpuf
NEW YORK – The American family travel marketplace has evolved from simple and cheap to sophisticated and demanding of better technology, service, food and child-care, according to Eileen Ogintz and Kyle McCarthy from Family Travel Consulting."From the yearning for curated experiences to small ship cruising, locavore cuisine and better technological tools, families – who used to be synonymous with cheap - are close behind luxury travelers in their demands," Ogintz and McCarthy note in their just-published "12 Family Travel Trends and Predictions for 2014"."In many ways we trained them, by putting luxury products on sale during a recession and inundating kids with the travel-styles of the rich and famous."Among the trends and predictions: Childcare Has Gone from Fun to Function; "We predict resorts will have to drop their fees for functional childcare programs – or use them as a value-add - to stay competitive." Food Obsessions Skew Younger, with Kids Demanding Healthy & Interesting Dining Options; "We predict that family travelers will pay more to avoid unhealthy, mediocre food given a choice." Families Demand Technology to Simplify Travel Planning; "We predict busy families will bypass clunky old travel websites to seek out the latest in responsive, time-saving planning and booking tools online." No One Wants an Unplugged Vacation Anymore; "We predict families – with every family member using a different device - will demand fast, cheap connectivity and try digital detoxification on their own terms." Multigenerational Travel Will Get Bigger and More Demanding; "We predict that destinations which work now to exceed multigenerational expectations, can lead this huge new market." McCarthy and Ogintz say the reason the travel industry is paying increasing attention to the family travel market is simple – "There are many more of them than any other segment and as the definition of family expands, their numbers keep on growing." - See more at: http://www.traveldailynews.com/news/article/58509/appetite-for-wellness-tech-among#sthash.BiFyQrlP.dpuf
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