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Gifts galore at IT&CMA/CTW Singapore (2007-06-11)

THIS year's Incentive Travel & Convention, Meetings Asia (IT&CMA) and Corporate Travel World Asia-Pacific (CTW), will showcase the Thai Gifts, Premiums & Decorative Association (TGP) as a supporting association for the first time.

Gifts and premiums is a segment that TTG Asia Media, organiser of both events, plans to grow in the coming years. Event manager, Ms Wendy Chan, said: "Thailand is an up-and-coming prime source market for quality gifts and premiums at competitive prices...the showcase provides the perfect opportunity for all delegates to source gifts and premiums for their MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) activities and corporate giveaways."

TGP's members will be able to target buyers and corporate travel managers and the association will also be going on a recruitment drive during both shows.

The 15th IT&CMA and 10th CTW will take place in Bangkok between October 23 and 25.

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Ctrip to establish Beijing-based travel agency Beijing (2007-06-11)

CHINESE online travel service provider Ctrip.com has announced it will supplement its online travel operations with a new brick-and-mortar travel agency, to be named Beijing Ctrip Travel Agency.

Ctrip.com vice-president, Mr Yang Tao, said the aim of the new venture was to capture a part of the travel market previously untouched by the company and give traditional travel agencies "a run for their money".

Mr Yang said the new agency would focus on high-end group and FIT tours to 10 overseas destinations and a Ctrip package would cost 10 to 15 per cent higher than that offered by other agencies, not only because of the quality of its products, but also because its tours would not be cancelled and itineraries would be strictly followed.

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Thailand's push to attract rich neighbours Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2007-06-11)

THE Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has come up with two promotional activities to attract wealthy international travellers and tourists from its regional neighbours.

The 72-hour Amazing Thailand campaign is scheduled to launch next month while the luxury tourism product booklet is in the design stage.

TAT deputy governor for international marketing, Ms Juthaporn Rerngronasa, said 72-hour Amazing Thailand was aimed at short-haul FIT and expatriate travellers from Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong and Vietnam. "(We aim) to stimulate more traffic from these declining markets," she said.

In the initial stage, TAT will distribute at least 2,500 English booklets highlighting more than 200 tourism products including golf courses, spas, hotels and restaurants in Bangkok and nearby destinations. Travellers who hold a Master Card are entitled to discounts at selected merchants as the credit card company is sponsoring the campaign.

Ms Juthaporn said, if successful, the campaign would also be launched in Japanese and would cover more tourism destinations within the country.

Meanwhile, the TAT is also compiling the country's luxury tourism products in a booklet aimed at attracting rich travellers from around the world. The booklet will single out specific products such as the Rain Suite at Pathumwan Princess Hotel in Bangkok. The suite was created to welcome its first guest, South Korean pop heartthrob, Rain.

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Green initiative by Hertz Singapore (2007-06-11)

HERTZ is doing its bit for the environment with the introduction of the petrol/electric hybrid Toyota Prius sedan to its Australian fleet.

The car can travel up to 100km on just 4.4 litres of petrol, and up to 1,000km on one tank of fuel. It emits up to 55 per cent less carbon monoxide than conventionally-powered vehicles of similar size.

When the vehicle is accelerating it is powered by electricity, until it reaches cruise speed, when it automatically switches to petrol. Then, when the car begins to decelerate or brake, it switches back to battery, which minimises fuel consumption by automatically selecting either battery or petrol, whichever is most efficient at the time.

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Carlson adds one more to India pipeline New Delhi (2007-06-11)

CARLSON Hotels Worldwide - Asia Pacific will add the 172-room Radisson Hotel Nagpur to its portfolio when it opens in December 2009.

Located on Wardha Road, the Radisson Hotel Nagpur is midway between the city and the industrial belt, and is two kilometres from the airport.

The new property brings the number of Radisson hotels now under development in India to 11.

There are currently 32 hotels operating in India under the Carlson hotel brands of Radisson Hotels & Resort, Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Country Inn & Suites By Carlson and Park Inn.

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AdamAir plans full service arm Jakarta (2007-06-11)

INDONESIAN budget carrier, AdamAir, has announced plans to launch a full service arm to increase revenue. The move also comes in light of the expected competition when the ASEAN airline liberalisation takes place next year.

The full service carrier is expected to start operations this year.

Mr Hary Tanoesoedibjo, executive chairman of AdamAir's new investor Bhakti Investama, was quoted by the local media as saying: "There are two types of travellers. Those who want a cheap but safe airline, and those who want both safety and comfort. We want to be able to cater to both."

Mr Tanoesoedibjo said this meant the airline would need to adjust their fleet to meet these different demands, but he did not specify the type of aircraft he would like to add to the 26 existing Boeing 737 aircraft.

Meanwhile AdamAir president director, Mr Adam Adhitya Suherman, said the airline would continue to improve its safety standards. "We have hired an international consultant to assist us in meeting IATA's operational safety audit."

On January 1, 2007, one of the airline's planes crashed off the coast of western Sulawesi while flying from Surabaya in East Java, to Manado in North Sulawesi. The cause has yet to be determined.

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