(L to R) Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome, PBTA President
Jamroon Wisawachaipan, Rear Adm. Surapong Aiyasanon, deputy director of
U-Tapao Airport, and Deputy Mayor Verawat Khakhay.
Vimolrat Singnikorn
If an upgraded U-Tapao Pattaya International Airport
is going to generate new tourists for the Pattaya area, private
businesses need to work more closely with aviation authorities and the
city needs to improve its infrastructure and marketing, a top airport
official told Pattaya Business & Tourism Association members.
Saeree Piasai, CEO of U-Tapao ground-handling agent
Swift Aviation Services, presented the PBTA’s annual general meeting
March 30 with an eight-point “roadmap” for tourism development of
tourism related to the planned redevelopment of U-Tapao’s passenger
terminal and auxiliary faculties. The report, prepared by U-Tapao Deputy
Director Rear Adm. Surapong Aiyasanon, said aggressive, integrated
marketing is needed to publicize the airport’s upgrades and the benefits
of visiting Pattaya.
The city’s hopes of using the expanded airport
facilities to draw new tourists to Pattaya “cannot succeed if Pattaya
city officials … and private organizations don’t cooperate to drive the
development plan,” the report’s executive summary warns. It adds that
private firms should not fear committing to help U-Tapao’s development
because it does not bind them legally or financially to the airport,
only the ultimate goal.
While the 900 million baht in improvements being made
to U-Tapao will certainly attract more business, sustainable growth in
tourism is ultimately tied to improvements in Pattaya’s own
infrastructure, the report concludes. The city needs better road and sea
transportation, including a modern local-bus system, train service and
offshore boat anchorages. It also needs to improve food-chain
management, waste eradication and install of Wi-Fi Internet access
city-wide, the report states.
Aggressive marketing and promotion is also needed,
the airport concludes. This includes showing of the region at more trade
fairs, educational facilities and duty-free shops. The report also
suggests promotions such as a Pattaya “VIP card” and discounts on
lodging and entertainment for U-Tapao passengers.
The most-pressing goals for the city should be
creation of convenient airport links to U-Tapao and in-town check-in
services, the report states.
The presentation was well-attended, with Pattaya
Mayor Itthiphol Kunplome taking in the conclusions. Following the
report, association members and others at the general meeting attended a
party.
Thai Airways International (THAI) has adjusted
its domestic airfare to include fuel and insurance surcharges in
the ticket price. The adjustment, which took effect on April 1,
causes THAI’s domestic airfares to rise by 36.5 per cent.
The airline has also raised the fare on all its 11
domestic routes by an average of 1.53 baht per kilometre, bringing domestic
airfare to around 6 baht per kilometre.
THAI executive vice president Pruet Boobphakam said the
domestic airfare was adjusted on an average based on the Department of Civil
Aviation’s stipulation that airlines may increase airfares within the
standard price ceiling set by the department.
The last time THAI adjusted its domestic airfare was on
December 1, 2006. (TTG)
Furama Hotels International’s four new properties in
Thailand mark the introduction of the group’s FX and four-star Furama
brands in that market.
The Singapore-based hotel management company opened
the 68-room FX Hotel Bangniang Beach, Khao Lak in February and rebranded
the 450-room Nusa Playa Hotel and Spa as Furama Jomtien Beach, Pattaya
on March 1.
In May, the 183-room Grand Heritage Chiang Mai will
be rebranded Furama Chiang Mai. The Unico Grande Silom Bangkok, which is
being renovated to house 280 rooms, will be rebranded the Furama Silom
in October.
Furama first entered Thailand in 2008 with three
FuramaXclusive boutique hotels and 303 rooms. According to Furama Hotels
and Resorts International Management (Thailand) sales and marketing vice
president, Tatcha Riddhimat, the group will most likely bring its
Thailand portfolio to 10 hotels within the year, with three additional
properties in Phuket and Krabi. (TTG)
