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Lufthansa and Expedia announce global strategic agreement
Airline extends its global
online activities
Deutsche Lufthansa AG and Expedia, Inc. (NASDAQ :EXPE), the world’s leading online travel service, have signed a cooperation agreement. To Lufthansa, this agreement represents a substantial increase in its online presence in the US, Canada, the UK, France and Germany.
Thierry Antinori, executive vice president of sales for Lufthansa German Airlines, remarked on the successful conclusion of the agreement, “The partnership with Expedia will strengthen our position in the online market and shows the importance of the online channel to Lufthansa,” he said.
“Through this agreement, travelers who visit the various international Expedia sites will have access to the savings and value that Lufthansa provides as well as special promotional offers. Lufthansa will also use the local Expedia websites to communicate detailed information on services and marketing offers to the millions of Expedia users.
“As we add to our partnerships, we certainly value this expanded agreement with Lufthansa, which will also use the local Expedia websites to communicate detailed information on services and marketing offers to the millions of Expedia users,” Antinori said.
Based on the multi-channel sales strategy of Lufthansa, electronic sales channels are still gaining in importance. Along with the continual improvement of its own website www.luft hansa.com, Lufthansa presses for a prominent positioning of its products with major online travel agencies.
“Survivor” game-show production team finishes shooting without environmental damage
The popular reality US television game show production “Survivor” has finished shooting its latest series in Tarutao Marine National Park. Chris Lowenst Giw, Thai production manager of the series disclosed that the company would certainly get the 5 million baht bond that was posted returned to them because the film production did no damage to the environment.
Five million baht was paid to the Royal Forestry Department earlier as insurance for any damage that might occur during production. Members of the production crew who stayed on the island to clear things up left on August 5. The series producers also donated 1 million baht to the park for conservation purposes.
Giw added that the Survivor Thailand series, scheduled to broadcast in US in the next three months, would boost the province’s image and promote Thailand as a popular tourist destination. “The beautifully pristine nature of Tarutao will draw more tourists to the island,” said Giw. “Thai viewers may have a chance to see the series next year,” he said.
Ruangchai Chongsanguan, Satun deputy governor said that provincial officials have checked out the filming sites and found no damage. However, Film Board and Forest Department officials will check the location again to make sure the TV shoot didn’t affect the environment and will then return 5 million baht to the producers.
He added the presence of the production crews benefited locals by generating millions of baht in income. In the long term, the show will make Thailand known worldwide and gain international recognition. (TNA)
TAT supports ‘home-stay’ tourism on Chang Island
Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has designated two traditional fishing villages on Chang Island that will welcome home-stay guests who wish to observe a Thai fisherman’s real life.
Chuchart Oncharoen, director of TAT Central Region Office Region 5, Trat Province said that the government wants to develop Chang Island in Trat Province to be a model seashore tourist attraction for visitors.
The government has set aside a budget of 498 million baht for infrastructure projects including roads that will link all communities on the island. The road construction will be speeded up in order to complete the road network on the island before the high season next year.
Chuchart said TAT will also promote ‘home-stay’ tourism in two fishing communities, Ban Bang Bao and Ban Salakphet, which have great potential to accommodate tourists.
Bang Bao and Salakphet are traditional fishing villages along the seacoast in the Gulf of Thailand. Both villages have retained their unique lifestyle of Thai fishing villages even though they are large communities. Moreover, most of the villagers are Chang Island’s native inhabitants. These would be the selling points of tourism.
“Visitors will have a chance to get a first-hand experience of the Thai fisherman’s life. The authorities are confident that the campaign will respond to the demand of tourists who want to learn about the real life of villagers,” Chuchart said.
TAT has arranged study trips for Chang Island’s entrepreneurs to observe the home-stay operations in other provinces to help them understand that home-stay tourists want simplicity more than modern conveniences. Tourists want to experience the authenticity of village life. For example, visitors may prefer a room with a large window and natural sea breezes over air-conditioning.
TAT feels that home-stay tourism can not only harmonize with local society but also diminish class discrimination between entrepreneurs and villagers. “Hospitality and participation of local people is important for developing home stay tourism,” said the TAT director. (TNA)
Eva Air to increase flights to Hong Kong from Taiwan
Will also launch new card services
Eva Air has completed the preparatory work to increase flights to Hong Kong. Passenger frequency will increase to four times daily from July 8 and five times daily after July 15. It will also launch a new cargo service.
The new passenger services, using modern Boeing 747-400 aircraft, will provide a convenient gateway and flexible schedule for destinations in Mainland China. Morning flights from Taipei will be departing at 8:20 a.m., 9:30 a.m. and 10:25 a.m. Afternoon flights will depart at 1:55 p.m. and 6:10 p.m.
The first phase launch of dedicated cargo services commenced on July 5 as Eva Air introduced two flights per week. The service will be increased to six flights weekly from July 16. MD-11 freighter aircraft will be deployed on this route and cargo capacity will be further boosted by space on B747-400 combi-flights.
Through its Hong Kong gateway, EVA Air will be able to provide shorter transportation and turnaround times for is shippers in Mainland China. The carrier has pallet transit service cooperation agreements with several major carries in Mainland China and will provide same-day delivery to Taiwan’s CKS airport for morning and afternoon shipments. From Taiwan freight can be forwarded to cities worldwide using EVA Air’s route network and cooperation agreements with carriers globally.
Eva Air’s new services to Hong Kong will increase its competitiveness in the Asia-Pacific market place. The carrier’s aim will be to provide the safest and most comfortable flights for passengers and businessmen traveling between Taiwan and Mainland China.
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