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Kate Gerits joins
Holiday Inn Pattaya as General Manager
Kate Gerits, Holiday Inn
Pattaya’s new general manager.
Holiday Inn Pattaya is pleased to announce the
appointment of Kate Gerits as general manager, where she brings with her
over 19 years of experience in the InterContinental Hotels Group.
Kate commenced her career in hotel operations in 1995 at Holiday Inn Old
Sydney before being accepted into the Corporate Traineeship Program. Since
then, she has worked across various properties including Landmark Parkroyal
Sydney, Holiday Inn Brisbane, Crowne Plaza Newcastle, and Holiday Inn
Darwin. At present, Kate is also the current brand advocate for Holiday Inn
Australasia, and is well-recognised as the driving force in the successful
IHG Rewards Club program.
Prior to joining Holiday Inn Pattaya, Kate was general manager at Crowne
Plaza Coogee Beach in Sydney as well as area general manager of Central
Sydney, NSW Australia.
Kate has a Bachelor in Business Tourism Management from Charles Sturt
University and an Advanced Diploma in Hotel Management from Blue Mountains
International Hotel Management School. Kate was also awarded a U21 Global
Scholarship for Women in Tourism and Travel in 2009 - a prestigious
scholarship awarded to just 20 women in the travel and tourism industry in
Asia-Pacific.
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Dusit Thani Pattaya adds services and amenities to family holidaymakers
Dusit Thani Pattaya GM
Chatchawal Supachayanont.
Vanjie Lauzon
Dusit Thani Pattaya has extended extra privileges to all family
holidaymakers to provide them with a fantastic experience during their
stay and provide more value for their money. The additional offers are
accorded to all families visiting with their kids and not only to those
booked under the ‘Family Escapade’ package.
Among the additional value added services and amenities are
complimentary meals for children below 12 years old accompanied by their
dining parents - breakfast, lunch or dinner (on the Children’s Menu) as
well as complimentary ice cream for kids accompanied by parents dining
at any of its restaurants and outlets, where art materials will be
available for the kids. Families are also welcome to join creative art
activities at the hotel’s Kids Corner on weekends with no extra charge.
Dusit Thani Pattaya offers more as a Family
Friendly Hotel.
In the package “Family Escapade”, family members will be provided
welcome drinks upon arrival, baby cot or rollaway bed for a child under
12 years, breakfast for up to four persons (2 adults and 2 children
below 12 years old), juice or soft drink for children under 12 years at
the pool and a special turndown of milk and cookies - all with
compliments of the hotel.
According to hotel GM Chatchawal Supachayanont, “We have noticed that
the number of family guests over the years has increased, not only from
Bangkok but also from other places such as India, China, Russia, some
parts of the UK and the Middle East. We are delighted to provide our
family guests more value added services apart from the existing
family-friendly facilities and amenities that we already have. We are
more than happy to take to a higher level our welcoming hospitality to
this important part of our leisure (family) market.”
Pattaya City is showing strong signs as one of the most visited resort
cities in Thailand, thanks to the combined effort of city officials and
business establishments in their aim to give its image a bit of a boost.
This can be attributed to several factors such as its close proximity to
Bangkok and the many activities and sightseeing attractions that cater
to families. Tourist arrivals have indicated visitors coming from
different countries and the figures speak volumes as to how much these
family visitors have enjoyed their adventure in the international resort
city.
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Bhutan Targets Thai tourists during low season
- slashes daily tourist tariff to $65
Andrew J Wood
Bhutan’s Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Tshering Tobgay requested earlier
this month that tour operators develop special packages to attract Thai
tourists, starting in June, July and August of this year, during the
country’s low season.
Today, the minimum daily tariff is US$250 per tourist per day during
peak season, and US$200 during low season, which includes 3 star hotel
accommodation, 3 meals per day, a professional guide and transport, from
which the government retains a royalty (tax) of US$65 per tourist per
day. For Thai guests the new minimum daily fee will now be only $65,
everything else is not compulsory.
The PM commenting on the special promotion said such an initiative would
help the lean low season, thereby promoting the country as an all year
round tourist destination.
“For the lean months of June, July and August, we’ll offer attractive
packages for Thai tourists to begin with,” The PM said, addressing over
70 tour operators. “If it works, we’ll come out with country specific
products to attract tourists from each region.”
Tour operators, the PM said, should be able to attract Thai tourists,
given His Majesty’s popularity in Thailand, and the diplomatic relations
the two countries enjoy.
For this to work, he said, he would also request tourism stakeholders,
such as hoteliers and the national airlines, to consider huge discounts
during the specified months.
“Tourist season in Bhutan is just for a span of about five months, and
the rest of the year is under-utilised,” he said, adding the eastern and
southern belts of the country are yet to be explored.
“Let us all work together to have tourists visiting the country
throughout the year,” the PM said, assuring government support.
“It has been more than 40 years since the country opened to tourism,
therefore we need to develop more products, We could try out with
Thailand, and make them feel special,” commented PM Tshering Tobgay.
The PM would like to invite Thai nationals this summer by waiving off
the tourists tariff. They will be required to pay only US$65 royalty and
the tour operators package and will be offered 50% discounts on Drukair.
This is to celebrate the 25 year anniversary of diplomatic relations
between the two countries and also to mark the very strong friendship
and mutual respect between the two royal families.
Bhutan, a tiny, remote and impoverished kingdom nestling in the
Himalayas between its powerful neighbours, India and China, has been
almost completely cut off for centuries. It has tried to let in some
aspects of the outside world while fiercely guarding its ancient
traditions.
The Bhutanese name for Bhutan, Druk Yul, means “Land of the Thunder
Dragon” and it only began to open up to outsiders in the 1970s.
Bhutan’s ancient Buddhist culture and breathtaking scenery make it a
natural tourist attraction and Bhutan welcomes thousands of Thai
visitors each year.
Tourism is restricted; visitors must normally travel as part of a
pre-arranged package or guided tour. Backpackers and independent
travellers are discouraged.
National dress is compulsory for it’s citizens, the knee-length
wrap-around “gho” for men and the ankle-length dress known as the “kira”
for women.
The Bhutanese monarchy has also promoted the philosophy of “Gross
National Happiness” (GNH), which strives to achieve a balance between
the spiritual and the material. The tiny kingdom’s philosophy recognises
that there are many dimensions to development and that economic goals
alone are not sufficient. A philosophy made popular by the present
King’s father who abdicated in December 2006, paving the way for his
son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, to become King.
For tourists from Thailand, the daily tariff is considered an impediment
to growth, also tour operators have suggested that the Thai baht should
be accepted instead of US$ and that the promotion be open to Thai
residents.
The PM said he would raise the issue of accepting Thai baht with the
Royal Monetary Authority, and also look into the financial implications.
He also said that the focus should be just on Thai tourists for now.
The PM said tourism revenue was very important for the country to
improve tourist amenities and to contribute towards health and
education. “It’s like a golden goose for us,” he said.
President of the Association of Bhutan Tour Operators (ABTO), Karma
Lotey, said it stands as a test for tour operators. “There’s nothing for
tour operators to be alarmed about,” he said, adding it was a good
opportunity.
“What’s important is how we package, I personally welcome the move from
the government,” said Lotey, CEO of the highly regarded Yangphel
Adventure Travel company.
The Bhutanese Prime Minister is Chairperson of the Tourism Council
Board. Present at the meeting and representing the private sector on the
Council Board were the presidents of ABTO, the Bhutan Chamber of
Commerce and Industries, and the Hotel Association.
One observer commented, “It is amazing how many Thai people know about
HM King Jigme and warmly welcome Bhutanese visitors. All Thai taxi
drivers know King Jigme.”
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Cross mountains, float, climb, and explore
unimaginable beautiful stalactites
Tham Nok Nang Aen (Swallow Cave)
 Tham Nok Nang Aen (or Swallow Cave) is an interesting
place in Lam Khlong Ngu National Park that is worth your time. Part of
the Khlong Ngu River flows through it. The water first flows underground
before the cave’s entrance only showing up again in the middle of the
cave itself before disappearing underground again at the end of the
cave. The length of the stream throughout the cave is about 3 km.
Some parts of the cave ceiling have been eroded and collapsed to the
floor of the cave in piles. A collapsed ceiling is called a Karst Window
and there are a total of 6 in this cave. The spaces in the cave ceiling
allow light to shine in, as well as provide ventilation.
The size and beauty of the natural art inside the cave are
indescribable. The spaciousness of the cave, large calcite-curtains on
the walls, stalagmites and stalactites of various shapes and sizes are
the works of nature formed after millions of years.
The cave is lit by the sunshine all throughout so there is no need for a
flashlight. However, exploring the cave still imparts a sense of
adventure and excitement because reaching the final Karst Window will
require trekking through forest, crossing a fast-flowing stream,
swimming, and rock-climbing.
Know before you go
The exploration trail takes 7 hours. The cave is only open from March to
May. The stream within the cave is not suitable for drinking because it
has many pollutants.
Recommendation: You must reserve beforehand because a guide is required.
Travel Info: Located in Lam Khlong Ngu National Park. Take Route 323
(Thong Pha Phum Sangkhla Buri) and turn right at the Km. 26 marker
(Phuttho T-junction). Go pass Thung Nang Khruan Waterfall and continue
toward Ban Huai Suea. You will pass Ban Khao Phra In and turn left onto
a dirt road. After 3 km. you will reach the parking area. Then it is a
30-minute walk to the destination.
GPS Location: N14° 54.3471’, E98° 43.8571’
Contact: TAT Kanchanaburi Office - +66 3451 1200, +66 3462 3691. Lam
Khlong Ngu National Park: +66 8491 32381.
Facilities & Services: Guide, rental life vest, food, accommodation,
camping site, restroom and parking.
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