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Travel Industry to change in ways we cannot imagine
New Travel Opportunities Aplenty - But Beware “Sustainability”
Some 1,141 delegates and leaders representing all sectors
of the travel and tourism industry in Asia Pacific convened at the 55th PATA
Annual Conference in Pattaya to discuss the theme, “Changing Lifestyles –
New Opportunities.” The event was staged at the Peach Conference Center at
the Royal Cliff Beach Resort Hotel Pattaya. This year conference delegates
from 40 countries attended the event April 23-27.
 Deputy
Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop told delegates in the Conference’s
inaugural address that Thailand is fully committed to expanding its tourism
industry.
Opening speakers said the convergence of economic, demographic and cultural
trends would continue to revolutionize the travel industry.
In the Conference’s opening keynote address, Ho Kwon Ping, executive
chairman for the Banyan Tree Group said, “The next decade or two will see
more lifestyle changes than in the entire past century.”
He identified three driving forces: ageing baby boomers, the rise of the
urban middle class in China and India, “and the fact that travel aspirations
are becoming almost a human need”.
“Accelerating this process is technology – both travel-specific technology,
such as the introduction of newer and cheaper aircraft, and even seemingly
unrelated technologies.”
He said the convergence of Internet, telephone and television in a digital
“triple play” and the increasing power of technology would continue to drive
change in ways we cannot yet imagine.
(L to R) Juthamas Siriwan,
governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Nobutaka Ishikure, chairman
PATA Japan Chapter who gave the PATA 2005/2006 chairman’s response and
address, and Peter de Jong, president and CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel
Association (PATA) announce the official start at the news conference.
“For example, the velocity of information transfer, the ‘death of distance’
and the ability to reach out to consumers all over the globe - all
consequences of digital convergence - is empowering everyone in the travel
industry,” he said.
Ho added, “On the other hand, our customers are also empowered with a
plethora of choice and information. The consumer experience, the tourist
experience, now begins long before they get on the plane.”
Thai Deputy Prime Minister Suwat Liptapanlop told delegates in the
Conference’s inaugural address that Thailand was fully committed to
expanding its tourism industry based on the principles of innovation, the
enhancement of human skills and collaboration with all stakeholders.
“We believe that sharing experience and best practices, especially in the
areas of agricultural development, public health, and tourism will close the
economic gap between countries in the region,” he said.
The governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Juthamas Siriwan, told
delegates that Thailand has launched a series of special events for visitors
throughout the year to celebrate the 60th anniversary of His Majesty, King
Bhumibol Adulyadej’s accession to the throne.
The events are being promoted as “Thailand Grand Invitation 2006”.
John Koldowski, director of PATA’s Strategic Intelligence Centre put the
speakers’ remarks in context. “Over 330 million international visitor
arrivals visited Asia Pacific destinations in 2005, the second consecutive
year a new record has been reached.
“Much of the growth in demand is being fuelled by strong national economic
performances in Asia Pacific, deregulation in aviation, and the growth in
low cost carriers and special price deals, many of them booked on the
Internet.”
It was agreed that plenty of new opportunities will be created by tourism
growth, but the crunch will soon become sustainability issues. Experts also
said growing corporate responsibility was a solid marketing tool.
Traditional Thai dance was a
highlight of the opening ceremonies.
Ho Kwon Ping said sustainability was not sufficiently understood and that
shareholders need to better understand that profits run hand in hand with
social responsibility.
Panellist Ms Dawn Drew, vice president & publisher, National Geographic
Traveler, told the audience that “geo-tourism” can make a positive impact.
People want an “authentic experience” she said and they are now willing to
pay more to preserve a destination’s culture and environment. However, she
cautioned against “Loving it to death.”
Ho said, “I think there will be a confrontation between mass tourism and
geo-tourism. This is a problem that needs to be resolved.”
He added that governments should educate businesses to use self-restraint.
PATA chairman-elect, Richard Beere, director international marketing,
Tourism Australia, pointed out that it was easy to manage tourists who
wanted to “look and see,” but the challenge was in “capturing the essence of
the experience.” He said tourists were “looking for immersion”. He asked:
“How will we manage a niche that will be a mass?”
The opening ceremony grand finale.
Panellist Alfred Fan Min, chief executive officer, Ctrip.com, pointed to
efforts made by China, where the government limits access to various
destinations.
Asked who has the right to travel, as it should not become an elitist
activity, Ho said: “Travel is a fundamental human right.” He said that when
people’s income begins to climb, they want to travel. “The market votes with
its feet,” he said.
Min pointed to the different income levels of travellers. He said education
will help sustainable tourism, but some places will be inevitably be
“sacrificed”. He added: “Protect what is most important. That’s success.”
Drew said hotels should show transparency by telling consumers how they are
reinvesting in a destination.
Ho commented that the travel industry is the largest industry in the world,
and is the “most fragmented” as it involves hotels, airlines and various
other segments. He said the industry must get together to make a clear
decision to avoid problems from the increasing numbers of travellers.
Also during the opening ceremony, Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA)
bestowed honours upon two PATA chapters that have made outstanding
contributions to both the travel and tourism industry and the Association,
and presented plaques to over 30 winners in the 2006 PATA Gold Awards
programme.
PATA Sri Lanka Chapter was awarded the 2006 Sprit of PATA Award for working
diligently over the past 16 months to help re-establish the destination in
the aftermath of the December 26, 2004 tsunami.
The winner of the 2006 Award of Excellence, the PATA Nepal Chapter, worked
tirelessly to overcome adverse media reports about Nepal and to ensure the
continuation of vital tourism flows.
Four PATA Grand Awards were presented for best-of-show entries submitted by
The South China Morning Post, Singapore Airlines, Kerala Tourism and the
Mount Lavinia Hotel in Sri Lanka.
In addition to the four Grand Awards, 29 PATA Gold Awards were presented.
Multiple Gold Awards went to Banyan Tree Holdings, Kerala Tourism, Tourism
New Zealand and Sarawak Tourism Board.
The 55th PATA Annual Conference ended April 26.
The spectacular fire dance.
Andaman diving business
grows despite tsunami
The diving industry in Thailand’s Andaman coastal
provinces of Phuket and Phang-Nga not only has stayed afloat, but it
continues to grow, despite the tsunami which brought death and destruction
to the tropical paradise in December 2004, according to Phuket’s Ecological
Tourism Association President Pakdi Krutanang.
Even after the strike of the tidal waves, the two resort provinces remain
popular diving destinations for tourists worldwide. Currently, at least 500
divers visit the Andaman coast’s undersea world of rich marine life on a
daily basis, Pakdi said.
In Phuket, there are now 80 to 100 companies involved in the diving
business, including providing diving instruction courses for undersea world
lovers and commercial diving-related products and services. The diving
business here is estimated to have generated a total of Bt1 billion (US$25
million), or an average of Bt3-10 million (US$75,000-US$250,000) for each
operator, she said.
Pakdi said she believes that the diving industry in the two provinces will
continue to grow at a level comparable to, or even better than, that of the
renowned diving-destination Maldive Islands.
She said that unlike the Maldives, where activities are limited only to
diving, Thailand’s Andaman coastal provinces could gain an edge over the
Maldives since Phuket and Phang-Nga provide tourists with varied additional
recreational activities. Each dive is reasonably priced at roughly
Bt2,500-4,500 (US$60-110). (TNA)
Songkran spurred Bt25 billion in tourist spending in Bangkok
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) said the
traditional Songkran water festival generated Bt25 billion in
tourism-related spending across the country, with Bangkok topping the league
with Bt2 billion, followed by Chiang Mai with Bt1 billion.
Declaring Songkran a major triumph in boosting tourism, TAT spokesman
Wansadet Tawornsuk said that between April 9-15, Songkran festivities across
the nation led to Bt25 billion in tourism-related spending.
Bangkok still proved a magnet of tourists as over 2 million foreign and Thai
revelers contributed Bt2 billion spending during the period, according to
TAT’s estimate.
Chiang Mai was just as busy, with over 90 percent of its hotel rooms booked
in advance. TAT estimated Bt180 million a day turnover during the period in
this northern city.
The southern city of Hat Yai, meanwhile, received a stream of roughly 50,000
tourists per day during the week, the majority of whom were Malaysian and
Singaporean. Over 10,000 rooms in Songkhla province were booked ahead of the
festivities and up to Bt400 million was estimated as tourism spending during
the period.
For the northeast, TAT said that the Songkran week generated a daily
turnover of Bt40 million in tourist spending in Khon Kaen province.
Occupancy rate in hotel rooms in Nongkhai was at 70 percent during the
period as a large number of Thai tourists transited en route to Laos. TAT
also estimated Bt100 million in tourism spending in Ubon Ratchathani
province. (TNA)
TAT sets higher goal
for Asia-Pacific arrivals
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plans to increase
this year’s tourist arrivals from Asia-Pacific by 10 to 15 percent.
Deputy Governor for international marketing, Phornsiri Manoharn, said TAT is
planning to organize roadshows overseas and take part in international trade
shows in the second quarter of this year. The activities will hopefully
entice tourists from Asia-Pacific to visit Thailand during the low-season
months, she said.
In May, TAT will cooperate with Bangkok Airways on a roadshow to Fukuoka and
Hiroshima in Japan. In the same month, it will also embark on promotional
activities in New Zealand and Australia.
In June, it will take part in Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai and Korea World
Tourism Fair in Seoul.
Through these activities, TAT wants to expand the golf, spa and health
tourism markets. These three segments represent approximately 15 percent of
the overall tourist markets for Thailand. In addition, TAT plans to tap
honeymoon and incentive travelers, particularly from China. (TTG Asia)
THAI Airways International
gets new president
Thai Airways International Vice Executive President for
Operations Apinan Sumanaserani has been chosen as new president of
Thailand’s national flag carrier. The announcement was made last Tuesday
after a meeting of the THAI board approved the choice made by the selection
committee.
Flying Officer Apinan was among four candidates short listed by a
five-member selection committee chaired by Transport Ministry permanent
secretary Wanchai Sarathulthat. The other three candidates, also THAI
executives, included Chinawut Naressaenee, executive vice president,
Customer Services Department; Noranuch Ployyai, executive vice president,
Standards and General Administration Department and Supachai Limpisvasti,
managing director, Technical Department.
The new president was selected to succeed Kanok Abhiradee, whose term as
THAI president ends this month. Kanok was suspended from his managerial
duties in August last year as the airline reported a massive loss for its
fiscal third quarter. Following the suspension, the airline appointed board
member Somchainuk Engtrakul to oversee Kanok’s major responsibilities.
Sources said the selection committee named only airline personnel as
candidates for the post in response to pressures by the THAI union and
employees who opposed having an outsider become president. Union members and
other employees said an outside appointment would cause internal conflict in
the airline.
Flying Officer Apinan, 57, started his career as a third pilot of the
national flag carrier in August 1975. As the successful candidate, he must
resign his current post before accepting the four-year presidency contract
at a salary of Bt750,000. (TNA)
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