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Asia-Pacific is world’s second
largest playground
Asia-Pacific is the world’s second largest theme park market, with theme
park spending projected to total US$8.4 billion in 2012, according to
PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In its report, Global Entertainment And
Media Outlooks: 2008-2012 - Theme Parks And Amusement Parks, PwC said
Asia was home to eight of the top 25 parks worldwide and total
attendance at amusement parks in Asia-Pacific was 65.8 million last
year.
The largest market in the region is Japan, with revenues of US$3.7
billion. The parks in Japan account for 58 per cent of the total revenue
in Asia-Pacific and revenues are projected to reach US$4.6 billion by
2012.
China, home to more than 450 medium and large amusement parks, is the
second largest market in Asia with revenues of US$1.5 billion last year.
In 2012, revenues are expected to be more than US$2.1 billion.
Other countries with significant theme park revenues are South Korea,
which brought in US$549 million in 2007 and projected growth of US$909
million in 2012; Australia, with US$180 million in 2007and projected
growth of US$223 million in 2012; and India, with revenues of about
US$125 million. (TTG)
TAT Los Angles office pays visit to Dusit Thani Pattaya
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (Los Angeles
Office) TAT-LA recently visited Dusit Thani Pattaya as part of the Amazing
Thailand familiarization trip that included Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya. The
program, supported by the Royal Thai Consulate General Office in LA brought ten
high-end members of the travel and media catering to Hispanic community in
Southern California. The ‘fam trip’ was led by Chuwit Sirivajjakul, TAT-LA
Assistant Director (standing, right). They were welcomed by Oranuch Chantamara
(standing, left) hotel club manager and Michael Ganster (standing, 5th from
left), executive assistant manager of Dusit Thani Pattaya.
Thai NTO to request
higher 2009 budget
Thailand’s tourism and sports ministry will be requesting a 10 billion baht
budget for next year’s tourism marketing and development campaign.
According to minister Weerasak Kowsurat, the sum represented one per cent of the
country’s total tourism revenue of one trillion baht.
Weerasak said the amount would be spent on tourism promotion and development for
the next fiscal year, between October this year and September next year.
He added part of the sum would also be used to address volatile tourism risk
factors resulting from rising oil prices, global economic implications and
Bangkok’s political condition.
Thailand expects a 10 per cent growth on foreign tourism revenue for 2009, up
from the 600 billion baht expected for this year. (TTG)
MBK launches Tinidee brand
The Thai-based MBK Group has launched a four-star hotel brand – Tinidee
- with the rebranding of the former Royal Princess Ranong to Tinidee
Hotel@Ranong.
The move came after the management contract between MBK and Dusit
International ended last month.
MBK will spend around one billion baht renovating and upgrading the
hotel in the southern province of Ranong, which is rich with hot springs
and mineral water.
Tinidee general manager, Vichai Chaiprasert, said upon completion of
renovation, the hotel would become the flagship property under the
Tinidee brand.
MBK owns the popular MBK shopping centre in Bangkok and three other
properties in Thailand - Pathumwan Princess Hotel in Bangkok, Sheraton
Krabi Beach Resort in Krabi and Loch Palm Golf Club in Phuket. (TTG)
Call for revival
of Thai floating market
Thai travel agents are urging the authorities to rehabilitate the Damnoen Saduak
Floating Market, which has declined in popularity over the past few years.
Association of Thai Travel Agents president, Apichart Sankary, said the floating
market had lost its charm for many years due to inconsistent development plans
between the local authority and private sector.
Mr. Apichart, who is also AED Travel managing director, said his company had
included the floating market as a must-see attraction to overseas market for
many decades.
However, he added, it was removed from the company’s tour programme last year
due to the declining tourist demand.
The floating market, which has existed for 142 years, used to be one of the
must-see attractions for first-time and repeat visitors worldwide. It is located
in Ratchaburi, about two hours’ drive from Bangkok.
To revive the market’s charm, Ratchaburi governor, Wongsak Sawadpanit, said the
authority would seek a 54.1 million baht budget from the Ministry of Tourism and
Sports to clean the 10km canal, train local staff, renovate the cultural
exhibition centre and create a brand new image. (TTG)
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