Accessible Tourism
TRAVEL IMPACT NEWSWIRE โ Edition 60 (2009) โ Thursday, Sept 03, 2009
A WORD FROM MY SPONSORS - TOURISM AUTHORITY OF THAILAND
THAILANDโS UNIQUE ROYAL PROJECTS: His Majesty King Bhumibhol Adulyadej and members of Thailandโs royal family have set up numerous village-based community development projects nationwide which are now open for small-scale tourism. They provide unique insights into the Kingโs concept of a โsufficiency economyโ and are models of alternative economic development. The Mae Lot Royal Project Development Center focuses on developing hybrid Arabica coffee, along with researches on the other crops such as camphor and pepper that can planted on coffee plots. Visitors can visit the research centre, spend their time viewing coffee plots and taste Doi Kham fresh coffee, or study traditional lifestyle of the Karens, engaged in craft such as textile weaving, or pounding rice under their houses at Ban Pha Taek. Tourist Attractions include trekking to and bird-watching at Mok fa waterfall. One can also relax at Mok fa Waterfall, a cascade about 50 meters high, with trekking trail in beautiful nature down below. They can visit plantations of vegetables, fruits and herbal trees. The centre is located 56 kilometers from downtown Chiang Mai downtown. The Baan Pa Taek Cultural center features an exhibition of local lifestyle, handicrafts and weaving. The Center also has lodging houses for 25 persons, along with rental tents and sleeping bags. Contact, Mr. Prawit Rit-Ngam, Head of Station, Mobile: 089-5557030
For further information about visiting Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value, visit http://www.tourismthailand.org/
Useful Information For All Readers in Australia
The former Tourism Australia representative in Thailand, Mr Thongchai Wibulsaksakul, has set up the Australian Marketing Center to help Australian travel companies seeking to expand their presence and profile in the Thai market. He can now be contacted at the following address: 598 Meeting Mall, 2nd Floor, between Charansanitwong Soi 92-94, Bang-Orr, Bangplad, Bangkok 10700, Thailand. Tel: +662-8800964. Fax: +662-8800965. Mobile: +668-18481179/+668-02596464. Email:bkkamc@gmail.com/keobkk@yahoo.com
HELP THE SURVIVAL OF SMALL & MEDIUM SIZED ENTERPRISES IN ASIA-PACIFIC TRAVEL & TOURISM
Messe Berlin (Singapore) has commissioned Travel Impact Newswire to compile a report of the efforts being made to help travel & tourism SMEs survive in these difficult days. As SMEs comprise the bedrock of the travel & tourism industry across the Asia-Pacific, their survival is of critical importance for jobs and income. Travel Impact Newswire would like to invite readers to provide data input for this landmark study, such as the various assistance measures extended by ministries, government agencies, finance institutions and industry associations across all categories of the travel industry in your respective countries. This could include help being extended for finance, marketing, training, operations and any other areas of business, targetted specially at SMEs. If readers have any frustrations about the way these assistance schemes are being managed or administered, those would be welcome, too. Anonymity is guaranteed. A sequel to a more generic study prepared last year, this detailed report will provide a comprehensive round-up of the assistance efforts and facilitate a significant sharing of experience. It will be presented at this yearโs ITB Asia in October and later issued publicly free of charge. Please send your responses & feedback to Executive Editor Imtiaz Muqbil at imtiaz@travel-impact-newswire.com.
1. Recovery Arriving Quicker Than Expected But Activity Will Remain Weak โ OECD
Paris, 3 September 2009: Recovery from the global recession is likely to arrive earlier than had been expected a few months ago but the pace of activity will remain weak well into next year, according the OECDโs latest Interim Economic Assessment. Governments will need to continue to stimulate their economies as rising unemployment and weak housing markets continue to dampen private demand. The current exceptionally low interest rates should remain in force for the time being, the assessment adds.
The OECD forecasts economic growth across the Group of Seven countries to fall by 3.7% this year, a less brutal contraction than the 4.1% drop projected in June 2009. The latest GDP forecasts for this year provide slightly improved outlooks for Japan and the Euro area, an unchanged overall projection for the US but point to a gloomier situation in the UK. Download the full presentation from the press conference, packed with slides, charts and statistics.
2. Global Exhibitions Sector Sees Signs Of โBottoming Outโ
Paris, September 2, 2009 - Results of the third Global Economic Crisis Barometer Survey conducted by UFI, the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry, show that although the majority of the exhibition industry has been impacted by the economic downturn, it appears now to be taking its recessionary course with less energy and signs of โbottoming-outโ in several regions. Indeed, the very nature of the exhibition business implies that while it was slower to feel the impact of the recession, it may also be slower to come out of it.
The first and second Barometer Surveys of the Exhibition Industry were published respectively in February and May 2009. Each survey includes an assessment of business fluctuations prior to 2009 and forecasts of business recovery expectations. The latest third edition includes replies collected from UFIโs members in 83 countries, the North American members of the Society of Independent Show Organizers, and the Central and South American members of Asociacion International de Ferias de America. UFI members themselves manage and operate over 4,500 exhibitions and 181 exhibition centres worldwide.
Within the exhibition community there is a definite undercurrent of optimistic anticipation that 2010 will bring with it the first signs of recovery. 53% of survey participants believe that economic recovery for the exhibition industry will occur by 2010, while 47% believe it will follow in 2011 or later. This current of optimism is greatest in Asia/Pacific (65%), followed by the Americas (58%), the Middle East/ Africa (50%) and finally Europe (44%).
Said John Shaw, UFI President, โThe fourth edition of our Global Economic Crisis Barometer which will be issued at the end of the year will certainly reflect the efforts of the exhibition community to find solutions and adapt to todayโs โnew normalโ business environment.โ
The following are highlights of the results of the third Economic Crisis Barometer surveys of the exhibition industry, conducted in July 2009. It also includes trends drawing on the results of the previous surveys wherever possible. The number of replies to this survey (179, from 53 countries) provides representative results. However, the rather low number of answers from the โMiddle East/Africaโ Region (between 9 and 14 depending on the surveys) makes the results for this specific region less robust than the other regions.
1. Decrease In Gross Turnover
The percentage of survey participants who experienced a decrease in Gross Turnover grew from 66% for the activity โprior to 2008โ, to 76% for the โfirst half of 2009โ, and 83% when anticipating the โsecond half of 2009โ. The decrease in Gross Turnover anticipated for the second half of 2009 โis 10% or moreโ for 50% of survey participants, compared to between 37% and 39% for the previous periods. These tendencies are stronger in the Americas and in Europe than in the Asia/Pacific region. The latter appears to have been hit to a higher degree than the other regions at the end of 2008.
A โbottom-outโ is anticipated by some companies: 45% of survey participants declare that their Gross Turnover for the โfirst half of 2010โ will not decrease as compared to the first half of 2009, where only 24% of the survey participants were in a stable or positive trend.
For the remaining 55%, another decrease is anticipated. This phenomenon is stronger in Europe where 71% of survey participants expect a decrease during the first half of 2010 (36% in the Americas, 40% in Asia/Pacific and 50% in Middle East/Africa).
2. Operating Profit
The decrease of Operating Profit for 2009, compared to 2008, Barometer is expected to exceed 10% for 57% of the survey participants and will be โmore than 50%โ for 5% of them.
3. Discounts
The number of companies who have initiated discounts has risen from 47% as declared in early 2009 to 55% in July 2009. These discounts reach โmore than 10% on averageโ for 23% of survey participants against 17% early 2009.
4. Cost reductions
The number of companies with cost reduction programs (already high in the previous surveys: 77% and 85%) has not increased during the last 3 months (86%), but the level of cost reduction has: it reached โ10% or moreโ for 49% of the survey participants in July, compared to 40% 3 months ago.
5. Assessment of regional impacts
A majority of survey participants from Asia/Pacific (57%) and Middle East/Africa (60%) believe that their region is less affected than other regions of the World. On the other hand, almost 2/3 of survey participants from Americas (65%) and Europe (66%) consider that their region is affected โto the same or to a greater levelโ than other regions of the World.
6. Recovery expectations
53% of survey participants believe that the economic recovery for the Exhibition Industry will happen in 2010 (or before). 47% believe it will be โin 2011 or afterโ. The most optimistic answers come from Asia/Pacific (65%), followed by the Americas (58%), the Middle East/Africa (50%), and finally Europe (44%).
All the survey results with full charts and graphs are available at http://ufi.org/pages/publicationspress/surveys.aspx.
3. Airports Report Softer Contraction In July - Asia Pacific Sees Strong Domestic Market Growth
GENEVA, 2 September 2009 โ Airports Global passenger traffic in July 2009 showed positive signs of stabilisation, according to the ACI 'PaxFlash' report. ACI World Director General Angela Gittens comments, โThis is a scenario where we can draw optimism from a negative. Although overall traffic is still lower than 2008, the gap is narrowing significantly. Total traffic worldwide was down by 1.2 percent in July, but reflects a rising growth trend when compared to declines of 5 percent in June and 8 percent in May. It may still be too soon to assume the worst is over, but results in a few key markets are most encouraging. โ
Three regions โ Asia Pacific, Latin America & Caribbean and Middle East โ recorded overall growth in July, a first for this year. Also for the first time this year, domestic traffic worldwide for July grew by 0.9 percent, driven by excellent results in the Asia Pacific region (+10.1%) and Latin America & Caribbean (+9.5 %). Although total international traffic remained depressed (-3.4%) compared to July 2008, this is a marked improvement over the 7 percent decline recorded in June 2009 โ June 2008 comparison. The Middle East and Africa regions both report positive international growth (respectively 11.6 and 0.7 percent increases).
The ACI 'FreightFlash' report similarly reflects this rising traffic trend. Although results are still below 2008 figures, the steep downward spiral of the first quarters has ceased. Worldwide global freight traffic was down by 8.7 percent in July 2009 over July 2008, but is a notable improvement compared to the year to date results for January-July (-17.2 %) or for the past 12 months (-14.7%).
For international freight, the Middle East region saw positive growth at a 3.5 percent increase. For domestic traffic, only Asia Pacific reported strong results (+12.1%), due in large part due to activity at Chinese airports. North Americaโs results were down by 3.5 percent, yet equally an improvement over previous months. European and Latin American freight results remain more seriously depressed.
Regional results and 12 month trend charts are included in the full release at http://www.emailbrain.com/eb_members/12262/ftp/PR_020909_July_Stats.pdf.
ACI, the only worldwide association of airports, has 597 members who operate over 1679 airports in 177 countries and territories. PaxFlash and FreightFlash statistics are based on a significant sample of airports that provide regular monthly reports to ACI. They represent approximately 60% of total passenger traffic and 70% of total freight traffic worldwide. Commentary, tables and charts are based on data submitted by participating airports.
4. UNWTO To Convene Conference On โWeathering the Storm of Global Recession: The Challenge for Destination Managementโ
The global economic crisis is impacting adversely on tourism destinations of the world, bringing in its wake challenges for their management. As a result of this, and in order to devise the right responses to the difficulties posed by the economic downturn for tourism destinations, the World Tourism Organization in partnership with Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA), is organizing the 5th International Conference on Destination Management - Weathering the Storm of Global Recession: the Challenge for Destination Management in Hangzhou from 21 to 22 September 2009. The Conference is being organized also in collaboration with China National Tourism Organization and the Peopleโs Municipal Government of Hangzhou.
The Conference aims at identifying the main challenges for the tourism destinations in the face of the global economic downturn and to acquire an overview of the measures and policy actions to mitigate the negative impact through different illustrative cases. For this reason, this conference will bring together representatives from the National Tourism Administrations, regional and local tourism destinations, the industry and the academia from different parts of the world.
Numerous tourism dignitaries will speak at this high-level forum, providing the latest insight of trends and analysis on the global perspectives in general and the regional situation in particular. This conference will serve as the first step in a comprehensive and strategic collaboration planned between UNWTO and PATA.
Please read more information from : http://www.unwto.org/destination/activities/en/activities.php?lang=E.
5. American Express Business Travel Unveils Virtual Meetings Solution
NEW YORK -- American Express Business Travel last month unveiled virtual meetings eXpert, a telepresence solution that will guide them through scenarios that determine if it makes sense to take the trip virtually. It will act as a central hub and aggregator of both public telepresence facilities and the private network a company may already have in place. By offering a company access to a broader pool of virtual meeting options, virtual meetings eXpert will help clients achieve their individual travel goals and cost savings.
The Company also announced it has filed for patent protection of the solution, encompassing the design for aggregating the content as well as methodology and process which will help travelers weigh the choice to travel versus using telepresence services or virtual meetings technology. This service will be integrated at the point-of-sale with both travel counselor-assisted reservations or online booking channels, including the Company's global eXplore portal, meetings solutions, and other key platforms.
Based on criteria such as the price, duration of the trip, purpose, environmental impact and more, the solution will alert travelers at the time of booking on available telepresence and high-end virtual meeting options, and guides them through scenarios that determine if it makes sense to take the trip virtually. Furthermore, the solution can also be utilized in helping companies convert conference calls and webexes to a virtual meeting. Virtual meetings eXpert provides an efficient booking process of the available facility when it's the right decision. Not only can this drive key savings, but ultimately enhances productivity and employee satisfaction, by boosting collaboration that otherwise may not have been able to occur.
"The current operating environment and new level of sophistication presented by suppliers with telepresence technology has paved the way for heightened interest in virtual meetings as our clients look for alternatives to manage travel costs," said Charles Petruccelli, President, American Express Global Travel Services. โBy understanding the current environment, we are providing an innovative solution enabling companies to retain the highest rate of return on their travel and telepresence investments and continuing their ability to achieve their business goals."
Through the solution, larger companies that have already invested in their own telepresence facilities will now be able to extend their private network to include public facilities, further maximizing their return on investment by encouraging a higher utilization of their internal rooms. As additional telepresence facilities become available, smaller companies can also benefit from visibility into the availability of public virtual meetings facilities.
The Company also announced a plan to host a press conference in September using telepresence platforms around the world. The Company will use this to unveil its annual Global Business Travel Forecast and Trends Report allowing media to experience the virtual meetings environment at the same time.
American Express is working with multiple third parties to arrange for access to telepresence and virtual meeting inventory. "Ultimately, we believe that both virtual meetings and face-to-face meetings should be components of a best-in-class corporate travel and expense program, particularly in this environment," said Mr. Petruccelli. "By being able to rely on an automated process, companies can feel confident that employees are making the right decision when it comes to travel versus virtual meetings, and taking advantage of every opportunity to save while maintaining travel that is strategically essential."
American Express Business Travel is currently piloting the first phase of the new solution with a FORTUNE 500 company.
By: Executive Editor: Imtiaz Muqbil.
When: 7/2/2014
