THE DOMESTIC oil crisis seems to be affecting Songkran travel plans with a NIDA opinion poll showing that over 50 percent of the respondents had not made advance plans to travel during this period, TV Channel 7 and Naewna newspaper said today (March 22). The NIDA survey, entitled “Oil Shortage, Even Talking to Your
Tag: travel
As the next crisis looms, Travel & Tourism faces a failure of leadership
IN MY 45 years of reporting on Thai, Asean and Asia-Pacific Travel & Tourism, I have covered multiple crises. Three of the most devastating were the 1997 financial crisis, the 2004 tsunami and the 2020-2022 Covid pandemic. Each left a swathe of destruction, with Travel & Tourism being particularly badly hit.
Read morePATA forecast confirms geopolitics poses top risk and threat to Travel & Tourism
GEOPOLITICAL turbulence is now indisputably the leading risk and threat facing Travel & Tourism, according to visitor arrivals forecasts presented by the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). Statistical data presented at a webinar on June 26 clearly showed how countries and regions are being impacted by multiple geopolitical conflicts, and will continue to be
Read moreTrump signs proclamation banning travel from 12 countries, including Myanmar
By Agencies and published by CNA Washington – United States President Donald Trump signed a proclamation banning travel from certain countries to “protect Americans from dangerous foreign actors”, the White House said on Wednesday (June 4). The proclamation fully restricts and limits the entry of nationals from 12 countries: Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, Congo, Equatorial
Read moreAre global Travel & Tourism leaders inspiring HOPE? Gallup report offers food for thought
A REPORT on the future of global leadership by the Gallup Organisation says that inspiring hope is by far the most important characteristic followers seek in their leaders, especially young people. Next comes trust, compassion and stability. As I combed through that report, the first question that came to mind was: Have Travel &
Read moreThaksin allowed by court to leave for Malaysia
By Thai Newsroom Reporters DE FACTO PHEU THAI BOSS Thaksin Shinawatra who has been charged with a lese majeste lawsuit was today (Jan.31) allowed by court to leave for Malaysia over the upcoming weekend. The Criminal Court today allowed the billionaire power player/father of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to temporarily depart for Malaysia where
Read moreHow to choose the right roaming data package for your next trip
By Anucha Kasun PLANNING an international trip? Staying connected is essential, whether it’s for navigation, keeping in touch with loved ones, or sharing your experiences online. The right roaming data package can make all the difference to ensure you have reliable service without unexpected charges. Here’s how to pick the best package for your
Read moreThaksin’s requested trip to Dubai denied by court
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE CRIMINAL COURT today (July 31) denied a request filed by de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra as a criminal suspect on bail to leave Thailand for the United Arab Emirates for a couple of weeks next month. The Criminal Court denied Thaksin’s personal request for a departure from
Read moreCOLUMN: As fires threaten the PATA region, who will stop the pyromaniacs?
THE PATA Annual Summit 2024 opens in Macau today, May 15, with the usual fanfare that has accompanied such events. Delegate numbers have crossed the projected targets. The programme is “guaranteeing a wealth of enriching experiences, including dynamic plenary sessions, participative roundtables & breakout sessions.” A rash of images will be uploaded on Facebook
Read moreCOLUMN: Israel pulled out of the ATM Dubai. So did I. Here’s why.
IN 2023, Israel was present at the Arabian Travel Mart in Dubai. So was I. This year, Israel gave it a miss. So did I. For pretty much the same reasons, I would think. It does not take much to figure why Israel was absent at this year’s ATM between May 6-9, 2024. Every
Read moreAs the global Arms Bazaar booms, Travel & Tourism pays the price
ON APRIL 23, 2024, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) published its annual World Military Expenditure report for 2023. It showed that the Arms Bazaar raked in $2,443 billion, the highest level ever. The figure was up 6.8% over 2022, up for the 9th consecutive year and the steepest year-on-year rise since 2009.
Read moreTravel & Tourism pays the price of not investing in peace
THE global Travel & Tourism industry is waiting with bated breath to see what happens next in the Middle East. After ignoring the rising geopolitical tension for months, the industry was jolted out of its comfort zones by a sharp escalation which threatened to again bring the entire house crashing down. Climate change and
Read moreFlagship UN report pinpoints pivotal role of Travel & Tourism in Asia-Pacific economic recovery
ROBUST domestic demand and Travel & Tourism are the two major factors contributing to the post-Covid economic recovery of the Asia-Pacific region, according to the flagship annual report of the UN Economic and Social Commission for the Asia-Pacific. Released on April 4, the report notes that although GDP growth has resumed, multiple risks loom large,
Read morePM given 139 million baht in funding for world tours in Fiscal 2024
By Thai Newsroom Reporters THE GLOBETROTTING PRIME MINISTER Srettha Thavisin has been given a sum of 139 million baht in government funding at his disposal with which he may travel the world over for the current fiscal year, according to a government official. The 139 million baht in funding was primarily earmarked for planned
Read moreThai travel industry urged to reduce usage of US$ for doing business
THE Thai travel & tourism industry has been warned about using the US dollar for business transactions and urged to use the currencies of the countries with which they are doing business. In a landmark lecture at this year’s joint meeting of the Association of Thai Travel Agents and the Thai Hotels Association on
Read moreThreat of overtourism returns as Thailand, China sign total visa-free travel deal, as of March 1
THAILAND and China have signed an agreement for the citizens of the two countries to get totally visa-free access, as of March 1, 2024. The move will set off a renewed boom in Chinese visitors and help the kingdom exceed its original arrival targets for 2024 beyond eight million for Chinese nationals and 35
Read moreChinese make travel plans as Covid-19 rules ease further
By Reuters and published by CNA Shanghai – Chinese people, cut off from the rest of the world for three years by Covid-19 curbs, flocked to travel sites today (Dec. 27) ahead of borders reopening, even as rising infections strained the health system and roiled the economy. Zero-tolerance measures – from shuttered borders to
Read moreCabinet nod for Thai-India Air Travel Bubble, flights to start this month
THE Cabinet today (Mar. 1) approved the Air Travel Bubble Agreement between Thailand and India to again resume commercial flights between the two countries after suspension since 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Amarin TV said. Airlines are expected to start flying between the two countries this month. Ms. Ratchada Thanadirek, deputy spokesperson for
Read moreLong queue for travel permit in Chonburi amid 305 new Covid-19 cases
EVEN as Thailand added 305 new coronavirus cases over the 24 hours to this morning (Jan. 7) tighter control of Chonburi, one of five provinces clamped down, led to a two-hour long queue to get a permit to travel to other areas of the country, Amarin TV reported. The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA)
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