Tag Archives: ท่องเที่ยว

Holidays for the tech savvy

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/world/30350388

Holidays for the tech savvy

World July 19, 2018 12:05

By The Nation

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More and more Thai travellers are becoming tech savvy when it comes to finding local hot spots and hidden gems while on vacation, according to new research from Booking.com.

One in five of Thai travellers puts a lot of research into planning trips to ensure they have the best trip possible and about 22 per cent like the security of knowing travel plans are taken care of. However, 17 per cent think that on-the-go planning is the best way to discover new things and 11 per cent get a thrill from spontaneity.

Booking.com conducted research across 20,500 global travellers to reveal that 75 per cent of Thai travellers frequently use technology to enable limitless travel and 77 per cent use it for navigating while in an unfamiliar destination. Sixty-seven per cent use it for local insights, 52 per cent for entertainment and 37 per cent use it for amending a trip on the spot.

The key to becoming a Limitless Traveller is getting the most from every travel opportunity and not being afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to travelling.

Even with technology at hand, 86 per cent) of Thai travellers have made travel mistakes. The most common mistakes are:

Misunderstanding directions and getting lost (56 per cent)

Misunderstanding what was ordered in a restaurant (25 per cent)

Getting caught in a tourist trap and over-paying (22 per cent)

Mispronouncing a word in the local language (18 per cent)

Not reading reviews before booking place to stay (17 per cent)

Packing the wrong clothes (15 per cent)

But travellers tend to embrace mistakes and learn from them. Fifty four percent believe that is what travelling is all about. Almost half (43 per cent) of Thai travellers even find making travel mistakes to be funny.

Globally, technology is an important factor for Generation Z. So much so that when travelling to a remote location, 30 per cent of 18 to 24 year olds least enjoyed the lack of technology whereas 31 per cent of the rest of the age group didn’t like the feeling of being isolated from the rest of the world, this rose to 36 per cent for 55 to 64 year olds. Nearly half of respondents liked travelling to a remote location because the journey there was an adventure in itself and they like the untouched and undeveloped landscape, this figure was higher for travellers over 65 years old, with 52 per cent) preferring the undisturbed landscape.

Centara confident tourism in South will recover after Phuket boat tragedy

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Tourism/30350457

Centara Deputy CEO, Markland Blaiklock
Centara Deputy CEO, Markland Blaiklock

Centara confident tourism in South will recover after Phuket boat tragedy

Tourism July 20, 2018 09:22

By The Nation

The Phoenix tour boat tragedy has had a “minimal impact” on Centara Hotels & Resorts business in the South, despite over 7,700 hotel room cancellations reported to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports.

Forty-seven Chinese tourists died when the vessel sank on July 5.

Centara Deputy CEO, Markland Blaiklock said: “Thus far impact has been minimal and we expect it to remain so, providing the government continues to quickly and effectively respond to the situation.

“The tourism industry in the South should rebound after a few months. We have received some cancellations mostly in Krabi and Phuket and some in Bangkok most probably linked to the ones in the South, while other regions have minimal or no impact currently.

“We are already working to replace this business and any future business loss. In today’s world, it is important to be nimble and able to react quickly to a diverse range of situations.”

Chinese tourists account for one third of foreign visitors to Thailand and almost a third visit Phuket.

“While the Chinese inbound sector is affected by the accident in Phuket, we believe it will have only a short-term impact if Thailand can prove it will take stronger measures for tourist safety, which is of course to the benefit of all visitors.

“We regard it as a wake-up call for synergy across the tourism industry to ensure tourist safety and welfare remain paramount. More robust enforcement of basic safety measures and regulations should be put in place by the government in order to continue to grow the appeal of the destination and Thailand as a whole,” Markland said.

OTA–booked travellers top spending in all

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Tourism/30350411

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OTA–booked travellers top spending in all

Tourism July 20, 2018 01:00

By   THE NATION

TRAVELLERS who booked via an online travel agency (OTA) spent more per trip than non-OTA guests across all categories, regardless of whether they were travelling for business or leisure, making them a valuable segment of customers for hotels, according to a joint survey by online travel company Expedia Group in collaboration with Oxford Economics.

The study covered a per trip basis including transportation, retail, dining, and entertainment, and guests were segmented by those who booked part or all their journey using an OTA and non-OTA booking guests.

According to the survey shows that the aim of an OTA is to make travel bookings as frictionless for guests as possible. The research from Expedia Group and Oxford Economics revealed that guests who booked using OTAs are more profitable to hoteliers than non-OTA customers. The OTA guest brings greater or equal value to hoteliers and destination marketing than any other travel segment.

Over one-fifth (21 per cent) of surveyed travellers used an OTA in trip planning and booking, and according to the data, OTA bookers stay eight per cent longer and spent nearly 18 per cent more per trip than non-OTA bookers. Coined “OTA Premium” by Oxford Economics, this variance between OTA guest and non-OTA guest spending is evident across all categories, including food and beverage, retail, recreation, entertainment, and transportation.

The largest difference in spending is in the retail category, where the OTA premium is nearly 26 per cent, followed by transportation, recreation and entertainment, both upwards of 20 per cent.

“OTAs are a valuable contributor to the travel ecosystem, often bringing a larger traveler spend to every facet of a trip, regardless of trip purpose,” said Abhijit Pal, Head of Initiative and Ops for Expedia Group. “With more than one-fifth of travelers using an OTA to book all or part of their trip, the data shows the scale and importance of this traveler segment to hotel brands and owners, transportation companies, restaurants and other businesses in the destination.”

The OTA premium is partly attributable to the typically longer length of stay for OTA bookers and does not have any correlation to travel party size. The Oxford research reveals that OTA bookers generally are slightly younger than non-OTA bookers, with a higher concentration in the 25 to 54 age group , by nearly 10 percentage points, and no notable variant from household income.

Although the focus of this study was specifically based on American travellers who reported staying at a hotel in the US, the insights are still beneficial for hoteliers in Thailand as the US is the number one feeder market for Thailand based on Expedia Group data in the past 12 months ending Q1 2018.

“It’s encouraging to see that OTAs are the primary source for travel planning and booking among the US travellers. As the world’s leading online travel company, we’re here to support our hotel partners to tailor their offerings and help them acquire more valuable American travelers to stay in their properties,” Pimpawee Nopakitgumjorn, Director of Market Management at Expedia Group concluded.

The ultimate in boutique hotel luxury

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sleep/30350387

The ultimate in boutique hotel luxury

sleep July 19, 2018 12:00

By The Nation

Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) has announced the addition of five new properties to its portfolio in France, Greece, China, Italy and Thailand.

Relais de Chambord – France

The newly opened hotel offers 55 luxury rooms with breathtaking views of the aweinspiring Chateau de Chambord and combines heritage and wellbeing within a notable historic setting. The room rates start from EUR165 (Bt6,400) per night including breakfast.

Surrounded by private gardens designed by Christian Fournet, the country hotel brings together natural elements and warm atmosphere less than two hours from Paris. The rooms come in six categories overlooking the Chateau, Le Cosson River, Place Saint Louis or the forest of Domaine National and are adorned with lush velvet, wood and ceramics.

The Sukhothai Shanghai – Shanghai, China

Situated in the heart of vibrant Shanghai, this 201room contemporary luxury hotel was designed by the internationallyacclaimed Neri & Hu Design and Research Office. With some of the largest rooms and suites in the city, the floortoceiling windows offer sweeping views of the bustling landscape while natural furnishings create a sense of calm and warmth.

The room rates start from CNY 2,098 (Bt10,500) including daily breakfast, inroom refreshments a credit of CNY300 on food & beverage consumption and WiFi access. Led by Michelinstarred guest chef Theodor Falser, La Scala restaurant serves freshtoorder contemporary Italian cuisine from an open theatre kitchen.

For a moment of relaxation, The Spa Retreat provides Southeast Asian healing therapies and signature wellness programs, along with a Fitness Studio, 25metre heated indoor pool, sauna and steam room.

Seamlessly connected to the HKRI retail mall, the neighbourhood is also easy to explore on foot or by bamboo bicycles provided on property with People’s Square, Grand Theatre and Shanghai Natural Museum all nearby.

Canaves Oia Epitome – Santorini, Greece

This boutique hotel has carved out a peaceful spot just outside the main town, giving it the feel of a secret piece of paradise. It has 24 luxury villas in Classic Cycladic design that are perfectly positioned for soaking up the best sunset views on the island.

Spend the day relaxing by a private terrace and pool, guests can savour an evening by the private fire pit. Muted natural tones and a minimalist design add to the sense of peace, which is complemented by activities including daily yoga classes. The room rates start from EUR500 per night including breakfast.

akyra Sukhumvit Bangkok – Bangkok

Located on Sukhumvit Soi 20, the new boutique hotel offers guests reimagined urban accommodation in the heart of Bangkok. With natural wooden floors, crisp white linens and neutral colour schemes, the hotel offers 46 rooms and suites complete with floortoceiling glass doors that open onto spacious balconies, seamlessly merging indoors with outdoors.

Guests can unwind with a long soak in the bath before a night out or plan an evening in, and have dinner served in their room. The room rates start from Bt4,220 including breakfast.

This property is set to become the first new hotel in Asia to launch without singleuse plastic in its rooms or food and beverage outlets. The hotel will extend the ecofriendly initiative for guests on the go with stylish akyra stainless steel water bottles and reusable shopping bags presented on arrival.

Fendi Private Suites – Rome, Italy

Dominating the buzzing Via dei Condotti, this sumptuous palazzo originally belonged to a noble family and has been the prestigious headquarters of Fendi since 2005 – and the world’s very first Fendi hotel.

Featuring seven impeccably designed suites, the hotel epitomises the ultimate in elegance and offers exclusive access and immersion into the Fendi world. It redefines luxury for sophisticated travellers who are looking for privacy as well as a unique experience in the heart of Rome. The room rates start at EUR500 including breakfast.

The bedrooms are exclusive galleries to luxury style, with every element carefully chosen to create a sleek, peaceful space in which to unwind. Relax on furniture sourced from classic designers such as Hans J Wegner and Fendi Casa. Take in the views of city life outside or of local landmarks in photographs taken by Karl Lagerfeld.

After a day of shopping, return to Fendi Private Suites and join fellow fashionistas for cocktails at Zuma Lounge, followed by contemporary Japanese cuisine at Zuma restaurant located on the rooftop.

Find out more details at http://www.SLH.com.

Triathlon for Asean Day coming soon

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Travel_log/30350235

Triathlon for Asean Day coming soon

Travel log July 18, 2018 01:00

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The CIMB Thai Triathlon for Asean Day is being held on August 5, 2018 at the Pattana Golf Club & Resort in Sriracha district, Chonburi. This year’s event is being organized in three categories – Standard, Sprint and Duathlon with the standard distance open to individuals and teams of three (one swimmer, one cyclist and one runner).

Entrants receive swim caps, a set of race numbers, a timing chip, souvenir T-shirt and bike bottle, and food and beverages after the race. First, Second, and Third place finishers in each age group category will receive a trophy for the Triathlon and Duathlon, while all finishers who cross the line receive a medal.

For further information, registration, etc., see https://www.runlah.com/events/c/ctt18

Anger at plan to curb surfing on Sydney’s iconic Bondi beach

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/world/30350310

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Anger at plan to curb surfing on Sydney’s iconic Bondi beach

World July 18, 2018 14:59

By Agence France-Presse
Sydney

A proposal to ban surfing on most of Australia’s iconic Bondi Beach has triggered anger among the local boardriding community.

Current restrictions confine fibreglass boards to the southern end of the Sydney beach. Softer foam boards popular among novice surfers and children are allowed anywhere, other than inside the flags — a lifesaver-supervised area designated for swimmers.

But Waverley Council, the local government with authority over the beach, is canvassing feedback from residents on a plan to abolish the distinction between hard and soft boards, and instead categorise them as “simply fin or no fin”.

This would force all surfers to the southern end of the 900-metre-long (3,000-foot) beach, where waves are usually bigger and dangerous rip tides more frequent.

Between 50 and 300 people surf Bondi each day, according to the council, with 84 percent of people in the ocean using the beach outside the flagged area.

In the warmer months the iconic shoreline draws thousands of people.

The council says the change would reduce the risk of people swimming between the flags being hit by a surf craft with fins. But it notes the change would increase surfer congestion and heighten the risk of injury outside the flags.

Surfers slammed the proposal, saying it would crowd too many surfers as well as users of other craft into too small an area, notably creating hazards for novices.

“If they agree with the proposal, there will be nowhere for our kids to learn about the ocean other than sticking them with hundreds of surfers on glass boards with kooks mowing them down,” Bondi Boardriders posted on Facebook Tuesday.

Waverley council on Wednesday called for calm, saying there were no plans to ban surfing on the beach.

“At this stage, we are only seeking feedback and no decision has been made,” it said in a statement.

Fun for all the family

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/world/30350238

Fun for all the family

World July 17, 2018 14:40

By The Nation

Hong Kong is a great place to be during the summer, with a line-up of fun-filled events and festivals to keep visitors busy.

Here are the top three picks for Thai visitors looking for new experiences in the coming months.

eSports & Music Festival

eSports and music come together under one roof with three top international e-sports tournaments being staged this year – the “Return of the Legends 2018” and two brand new tournaments – the “Zotac Cup Masters CS:GO 2018 Grand Finals” and the “Hong Kong PUBG World Invitational”. The tournaments will feature over 110 local and international players.

The highlight is the Experience Zone, which will showcase the latest e-sports and related products and feature game displays, VR experience, mobile game trials, KOL stages, and music performances. Visitors can enjoy fascinating activities and experience game products first-hand.

The festival takes place at Hall 3, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre (HKCEC) from August 24 to 26.

Be@rbrick Summer

Until August 5, Be@rbrick fans are in for a real treat in the sun and sand, as the Ocean Terminal Deck in Harbour City transforms into a beach. Thirty Be@ebricks with eight brand new summer looks will be joining this summer party. Come and see these adorable characters that come in all sizes, from the standard seven centimetres high to the four-metre-tall l Giant Be@rbricks.

A spectacular 7,000-per-cent Be@rbrick will be there to greet all visitors at two sides of Victoria Harbour, while the 8000-per cent Be@rbrick will be sun bathing on the grand steps.

Carnivale of Stars: Make a Splash at Hong Kong Disneyland (Until September 2)

Until September 2, kids of all ages will love splashing into the fun at Hong Kong Disneyland, as their favourite Disney characters and Disney-Pixar pals get together for a line-up of dazzling activities. Big fans of Moana, The Incredibles, Toy Story, Jungle Book, Lilo and Stitch and many more, will be thrilled with the unforgettable action they can participate in, while enjoying delicious summer snacks and feasts.

The Pixar Water Play Street Party, journeying down Mainstreet USA, is a water-filled celebration not to be missed.

Thailand not seen as safe tourist destination until it fixes problems: Weerasak

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Tourism/30350270

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Thailand not seen as safe tourist destination until it fixes problems: Weerasak

Tourism July 18, 2018 01:00

By JINTANA PANYAARVUDH
THE NATION

2,732 Viewed

TOURISM and Sport Minister Weerasak Kowsurat yesterday urged agencies to sort out a series of problems before they can send a convincing message to the world that Thailand is still a safe destination for tourists.

Weerasak was responding to the Phoenix boat accident that killed 47 Chinese tourists earlier this month off the southern resort island of Phuket.

There are many issues that authorities should review and rectify to help improve tourists’ confidence in Thailand as a safe destination, Weerasak told The Nation in an interview.

He said authorities should complete the first phase of the process by paying all compensation that is due to the relatives of victims and return them to their country.

Authorities should then try to figure out what happened to the boats by retrieving the wreckage for inspection. Concerned agencies should collect statistics nationwide about boat accidents and study international standards for tour boats that can be compared to Thailand.

He also urged authorities to explain that the cause of the accident was not related to so-called zero-dollar tours or nominee ownership in tourism.

“[People] should not generalise. We should be sympathetic to those who lost their loved ones. Money cannot bring them back,” he said.

He also urged authorities to speed up the completion of a safety standards manual to improve confidence.

“If we can manage all the issues we then can send a single, convincing message to the world, the Chinese, and local people and ask them to have confidence in us,” he said.

The number of Chinese tourist visitors to Phuket has dropped sharply in the wake of the tragedy.

SAVVY THAI TRAVELLERS

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/Tourism/30350267

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SAVVY THAI TRAVELLERS

Tourism July 18, 2018 01:00

By The Nation

More and more Thai travellers are becoming tech savvy when it comes to finding local hot spots and hidden gems while on vacation.

The key to becoming a so-called Limitless Traveller is getting the most from every travel opportunity and not being afraid to push the boundaries when it comes to travelling. It is also important to plan and usee technology to fuel spontaneity during trips, according to research from Booking.com.

With social media and travel technology at our fingertips, it’s easier than ever to plan a trip away. According to the survey has conducted research across 20,500 global travelers to reveal that 75 per cent of Thai travellers frequently use technology to enable limitless travel and 77 per cent use it for navigating while in an unfamiliar destination.

Santiburi tops the polls

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http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sleep/30350176

Santiburi tops the polls

sleep July 16, 2018 16:31

By The Nation

The luxury Santiburi Koh Samui resort has once again ranked one of the top destinations for families and couples in Smart Travel Asia’s 2018 Best in Travel Poll.

Based on the opinions of frequent travellers from around the world, the beachfront resort was voted as one of the Top 25 Family Hotels in Asia and one of the region’s Top 25 Weddings Hotels by the independent poll. And thanks to idyllic island location nestled in the Gulf of Thailand, it was also selected as one of Asia’s Top 10 Holiday Destinations.

Smart Travel Asia’s Best in Travel Poll is designed to showcase the region’s best hotels, resorts and airlines in a wide range of categories. In its 14th year, the poll does not charge entry fees or offer voter inducements, meaning the results are a true reflection of global opinion.

“We are delighted to have been named one of Asia’s best resorts for families and weddings as these are two of our key target markets. To achieve success in one category would have been wonderful, but to feature twice is a fantastic achievement and testament to the skill and dedication of everyone in the team,” said Sabine Gabriele Lamberts, general manager of Santiburi Koh Samui.

“It’s also great to see Koh Samui named one of Asia’s top ten destinations. It is a true paradise and we are proud to showcase this idyllic island to guests from around the world.”

Set on a stretch of golden sand known as Mae Nam Beach, Santiburi Koh Samui offers a choice of exclusive accommodation, fine restaurants, upscale amenities and engaging activities suitable for all ages.

Family friendly facilities include a huge swimming pool, a well-equipped sports centre with a fitness centre, yoga studio and floodlit tennis courts and complimentary water sports, as well as a choice of expert-led classes such as Thai boxing and yoga.

Children are entertained at the Kid’s Club, which will be refreshed and upgraded before the next high season, while couples or parents can unwind at the Santiburi Spa or play a round of golf course and enjoy breathtaking views and surroundings at Santiburi Country Club.

With the most incredible setting for romance, turquoise seas, vast tropical gardens perfect for wedding, the resort’s suites and villas offer perfect private sanctuaries for honeymooners, especially the recently launched Grand Deluxe Pool Villas, which feature their own high walled gardens and private pools.

View the full results at http://www.SmartTravelAsia.com/travelpoll.