Tourism Asia Online

Vol. 08 | No: 1. January 2012

Timeless Vietnam Starts

How to Prevent Travel & Tourism From Falling Victim to Global Crises

THE ROOF OF THE WORLD TIBETAN BEAUTY HAS NO EQUAL

CAMBODIA

JAPAN

MAURITIUS

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES

CHINA

KENYA

PHILIPPINES

UNITED KINGDOM

HOLYLAND TOURS

MACAU

SINGAPORE

U.S.A

HONG KONG

MALAYSIA

SRI LANKA

VIETNAM

INDIA

MALDIVES

THAILAND

COMBO TOURS

contents january 08 THE ROOF OF THE WORLD

10

TIBETAN BEAUTY HAS NO EQUAL

15

MALAYSIA - EGuide JANUARY

FEBRUARY

• Le Tour De Langkawi

• Pasir Gudang International

Langkawi Island

10 ACI Regional Director scans World Airport Industry

12 How to Prevent Travel & Tourism From Falling Victim to Global Crises

Kite Festival

Pasir Gudang, Johor

Cherating Beach, Pahang

• National Craft Day

MARCH

APRIL

• Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

• Sabah Fest

Kuala Lumpur

Nationwide

Sabah

• Malaysia GP Sale

Nationwide

An exclusive report produced by Travel Impact Newswire has identified a significant disconnect between the development agen-

Putrajaya

das being pursued by global leaders and the travel/tourism industry.

Tourism Asia | January 2012

3

contents january

20

FRESH SNOWFALL BRINGS CHEER TO TOURISM INDUSTRY IN SHIMLA

SHIMLA 18

Timeless Vietnam Starts Vietnam has launched a new tourism slogan, Vietnam

22

Pre-TRAVEX Registration Statistics Reveal A Robust ATF 2012 Event

– Timeless Charm, according to the Vietnam National

The exhibitor delegation will feature some

Administration of Tourism.

438 booths represented by 390 companies and properties across the 10 ASEAN countries

4

Tourism Asia | January 2012

From the editor’s desk Managing Editor

:

Sreekumara Menon

India is probably the ultimate destination of

Group Editor

:

Janeesh Jalaluddin

all kinds of pilgrims following any faith

Executive Editor

:

Kriebel George

around the world. The great religions like

Photo Editor

:

Madhu Menon

Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Islam, Christi-

Art Editor

:

Dileep

anity and Sikhism are the integral part of

Senior Correspondent :

Subhash Ghosh

Indian culture and heritage whose values

Senior Sub Editor

:

Anish Kumar

and

Editorial Team

:

Anu S

soil and the sky of India.

faiths

are

mingled

with

the

air,

:

Viji V S

Marketing

:

Suresh Kumar S

Legal Advisor

India is the land of gods and diverse religions where lies the

:

Adv. Preeja K S

Financial Controller

serenity of its heritage. India is dotted with pilgrimages. Great

:

Abhilash S P

religions like Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism have originated on the Indian soil. Over 80% of India's population practices

Representatives North India

:

Vinod Chandana

East India

:

Gagan Sarangi

West India

:

S K Singh

Bahrain

:

Shine G Nair

Bangalore

:

Bhagvan Din Kumar

Bhubaneshwar

:

Gagan Sarangi

Chennai

:

Balachandar

Dubai

:

Shinu

New Delhi

:

Annie Chacko

Philippines

:

Cynthia Lim

Pune

:

S K Singh

Qatar

:

Aneena Jacob

Singapore

:

Ajith Menon

Srilanka

:

Prebuddha

Thailand

:

Tae

All communications to: Tourism Asia Ground Floor, ‘Tower House’, Convent Road Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India Phone: +91 471 2470660, Fax: +91 471 2470660

Hinduism, the ancient indigenous religion of India which has a wide variety of forms and expressions. Muslims constitute about 10% of the Indian population. Other significant religious groups in India include Jains, and Christians. Buddhism is almost extinct in the land of its birth, but many exiled Tibetan Buddhists now make their home in India, including His Holiness the Dalai Lama. India's famed spirituality has made it a popular destination for spiritually-inclined travelers..

There are a number of Tour operators in the country that offer various pilgrimage tour packages to tourists. These operators also arrange for the stay, the food and other comforts for the pilgrimage. Any pilgrimage tour in India is sure to make you feel elated. These pilgrimage tours are sure to provide the tourists with peace and tranquility.

Pilgrimage tourism as a business has also become big in India in the recent times. There is no denying to the fact that Indians are religious and religion is a part of their life. The boom in the

Email: news@tourismasiaonline.info website: www.tourismasiaonline.info

travel industry has helped tourists to visit these pilgrimage

Regd Office:

world are being attracted to India for its pilgrimage destina-

‘Sreeji Nivas’ , Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram

spots often. A lot of people from across different parts of the tions.

Edited and Published by: Sreekumara Menon For Advertisements: marketing@tourismasiaonline.info The news and Advertisements published herein have been collected from various source, which are considered to be reliable. Readers are however requested to verify the facts before making business decisions using the same.

No part of this magazine may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved. Copyright 2010

Tourism Asia | January 2012

V.Sreekumara Menon Editor & Publisher editor@tourismasiaonline.info +91 9447798108

7

News & Views

THE ROOF OF THE WORLD –

TIBETAN BEAUTY HAS NO EQUAL

Tibet seems like a land in the sky. With an average height of 4,000 meters above sea level, it lures mountaineers and fascinates cultural heritage fans.

There are many stories relating to Tibet, featuring its history, culture, political status. It is a fascinating place which lies nearly in the clouds, with an average height of 4,000 meters above sea level.

Local fascinating culture combines several nations and even religious background of Tibet is fascinating. It is no wonder tourists have been increasingly interested in visiting and exploring local charms.

Winter Tour in Tibet is currently one of

Tourism Asia | January 2012

the running campaigns which aims to present Tibet in a slightly different light.

The ice-cold temperatures should not daunt anyone from exploring the mystical glittering scenery, blue crystal clear lakes and primeval forests. The number of tourist agencies in Tibet is increasing at an impressive speed and many of these are already offering special ‘winter ’ packages.

One needn’t have the ambition to climb Mt Everest, however, visiting the Yarlung Zangbo Grand Canyon is highly recommended. Holidays during Tibetan Losar, or New Year, are a very rewarding experience. A visit to the capital of Lhasa is a must and paying tribute to local religious

beliefs will take one to Tibetan monasteries, such as the Samye or Tashilhunpo Monastery, Jokhang Temple or Norbulingka Palace.

Those who wish to face a trying challenge head for Mt. Kailash, one of the most significant religious places for devotees to Jainism, Hinduism and Buddhism alike. Some even take weeks to climb its peak and reaching it is no easy task.

The majority of tourists who visit Tibet are locals, however thousands from abroad arrive each year and Tibet hopes this is not the end to the tourist influx.

08

News & Views

ACI Regional Director scans World Airport Industry advocacy role in the aviation industry.

ACI’s work with ICAO and IATA is fundamental to ensuring constant improvements worldwide and keeping all nations and regions aligned on the industry’s best practices. ” As regards to promoting airport excellence, Mrs. Kwok elaborated on how ACI helps airports worldwide in the areas of safety, security, environment, staff training and service quality.

World Airport Industry Regional Director of Airports Council International (ACI) Asia-Pacific, Mrs. Maggie Kwok attended the Beijing Global Friend Airports CEO Forum, hosted by Capital Airports Holding Company (CAH) and Beijing Capital International Airport Co. Ltd. (BCIA) from 20 to 21 September, 2011 in Beijing. Mrs. Kwok reviewed the opportunities and challenges of the world airport industry to an audience of 200 airport leaders In her opening statement she stated that ACI is the voice of Airports and aims to foster cooperation between partners in the industry and aviation is a global business thriving on the essential cooperation between different market leaders with a combined goal to enhance the interests of its customers.

ACI’s traffic record showed that global passenger traffic has grown by 45% in the last 10 years (from 3.48 billion in

Tourism Asia | January 2012

2000 to 5.04 billion in 2010). Observing the continuously growing trend, ACI forecasted global passenger traffic would double to over 10 billion passengers by 2029. The high traffic growth implies need for expansion and upgrade of airport infrastructure that may impose huge financial burden to airports. Profitability is therefore crucial and airports need to explore ways to increase nonaeronautical revenues.

In closing, she thanked CAH and BCIA for setting a good example in contributing to the sustainable development of the aviation industry and promotion of airport cooperation by organizing this forum. “In our industry, standing still is simply not an option. Airports should go hand in hand to ride through the challenges.” concluded Mrs. Kwok. The aviation sector is growing so is the demand to identify sustainable development options. Service quality and adopting best practices are not the solutions of tomorrow but of today.

Mrs. Kwok added that challenges come in many other formats, they can be economic or security crises, natural disasters or operational issues.

“ACI helps airports worldwide to manage these challenges, firstly, by advocating for interests of airports and secondly, by promoting airport excellence. In terms of advocating airports’ interests, ACI aligns itself with the work and objectives of ICAO and strives to strengthen ACI’s 10

News & Events

How to Prevent Travel & Tourism From Falling Victim to Global Crises An exclusive report produced by Travel Impact Newswire has identified a significant disconnect between the development agendas being pursued by global leaders and the travel/tourism industry. Unless and until this disconnect is narrowed, or plugged entirely, travel & tourism will continue falling victim to the repeated global crises, the report warns.

Produced by the newly-established research unit of Travel Impact Newswire, the report entitled “Travel & Tourism in the New World Order” says that the shifting global balance of power will be the most important factor influencing events in the second decade of the 21st century. Either for better or for worse, travel & tourism will be significantly affected by the triad of Economic, Ecological and Geopolitical issues, what the report calls “The EEG Factor”.

In seeking to identify these root “EEG Factor” causes of global turbulence, Imtiaz Muqbil, Executive Editor of Travel Impact Newswire, went right to the top – to the policies and perspectives voiced by the global leaders at the 66th annual General Assembly session of the United Nations last September.

In an exercise never before undertaken in the global travel industry, Muqbil “mined” more than 1,200 pages of 196 speeches to identify key statements that could prove of game-changing value to policy- and decision-makers in the travel, tourism and transport industries. This report highlights the issues raised by: 1) The emerging powers of Brazil, China, India, Russia and South Africa; 2) The growing group of female

leaders (for the first time the General Assembly was inaugurated by a female leader, Ms Dilma Rousseff, President of Brazil, and featured a line-up of 16 female country representatives); and 3) The leaders of the small and medium sized countries (SMCs), especially the island nations and those in Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Says the report, “Uplifted by the Arab spring and the Occupy Wall Street movements, leaders of many small & medium sized countries, including women from 16 countries, used the historic 66th UN General Assembly last September to make plain their hopes, aspirations, concerns and misgivings about the current drift in global trends.”

Here is what one leader said: “I feel that here today, I represent all the women of the world. The nameless women, those who starve and cannot feed their children. Those who are wracked by illness and

12

Tourism Asia | January 2012

News & Events cannot receive treatment. Those who suffer violence and who are discriminated in their jobs, their societies, and their family life. Those who labor in the home to raise future generations.”

Here’s another: “The disproportionate pollution of the environment by industrialized countries, and the resultant impact on global warming and climate change, cannot be remedied with any semblance of justice by imposing harsh restraints on developing countries which have contributed very little to aggravation of the problem.”

One more: “It is generally agreed today that the current global crisis has been caused by deficiencies in the global financial system. However, no significant steps to address its flaws have yet been taken. Procrastination in tackling this issue will result in new violent waves of the crisis and a surge of regional and global instability.”

Targeted at decision-makers and policy-makers in the travel & tourism industry, as well as serious students of industry policy, the report is designed to drive positive change for what is claimed to be one of the world’s largest economic sectors by broadening both the context and content of the changes impacting it across the board.

In doing so, it helps forge a link between international development agendas and tourism development agendas. It says, “Any serious industry policy- or decision-maker will 13

immediately see the impact of these key external factors on the industry.”

By highlighting the importance given to them by world leaders themselves, the report may well help the travel & tourism industry craft a new, more holistic future development model.

Says the report, “Raising the level of discourse in industry forums is long overdue. It will underpin the stability and sustainability of the industry and perhaps, by extension, of the world at large. Proving the economic importance and resilience of travel & tourism is no longer the issue. Helping the industry deal with the root causes, the repeated “external shocks”, has become far more important.”

Says the report, “More than ever before, the industry needs to “prepare, prevent and pre-empt”. As one of the world’s most important industries from an economic, ecological, social, cultural and geopolitical standpoints, it needs to start vigorously influencing change rather than being constantly influenced by it.”

It notes that the General Assembly President Mr. Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser closed the 66th session with these words: “Without question, it has been an historic and unforgettable debate.

Many Member States paid tribute to the hope awakened by the shifts taking place around the world, where people are actively questioning their systems of governance.

“World leaders praised the courage of those people who fought for freedom, dignity and democracy, and made it clear that governments cannot suppress their people without accountability. We welcomed the new leaders who came to this Hall to express the hopes and needs of their nations.

“The time to blindly follow the Pied Piper of Hamelin is over,” the report says. “ In the wake of the “Arab spring”, ignoring the views of the SMCs is no longer possible. The “voiceless” have found a “voice”.

They are only going to grow louder.”

The report offers an eight-point set of recommendations to facilitate the designing of a new tourism roadmap for the 21st century. In another ground-breaking move, Muqbil has dedicated the report to “the rank-and-file people who depend on the global travel & tourism industry for their daily sustenance, are most affected by external shocks and unable to hold anyone accountable.”

Tourism Asia | January 2012

Events MALAYSIA - EVENTS Colour up your holiday in Malaysia with much joy and excitement, as there is always something to check out every month!

Sabah Fest

Pasir Gudang International Kite Festival

Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

Colours Of 1Malaysia

Penang International Boat Festival

JANUARY

FEBRUARY

APRIL

• Le Tour De Langkawi

• Pasir Gudang International

• Sabah Fest

Langkawi Island

Cherating Beach, Pahang

Kite Festival

Pasir Gudang, Johor

Sabah

• National Craft Day

Nationwide

MAY • Borneo Jazz

Putrajaya Hot Air Balloon Festival

MARCH • Petronas Malaysian F1 Grand Prix

Kuala Lumpur

• Malaysia GP Sale

Nationwide

• Putrajaya International Hot Air

Balloon Fiesta

Putrajaya

Sabah

• Colours Of 1Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur

JUNE • 1Malaysia Mega Sale Carnival

Nationwide

• Penang International

Dragon Boat Festival

Penang

Tourism Asia | January 2012

15

Events MALAYSIA - EVENTS

National Day celebrations

Rainforest World Music Festival

National Day celebrations

Sarawak Bird Race

LIMA

JULY

SEPTEMBER

NOVEMBER

• Kuala Lumpur Festival

• Merdeka Millenium Endurance Race

• Monsoon Cup

• Rainforest World Music Festival

• Malaysia International Gourmet

• Langkawi Birding and Fotofest

Kuala Lumpur

Kuching, Sarawak

• Georgetown Festival

Penang

• Putrajaya Flower and Garden Festival

Putrajaya

AUGUST • National Day

Nationwide

Tourism Asia | January 2012

Kuala Lumpur

Festival

Kuala Terengganu, Terengganu Langkawi Island

Nationwide

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

• 1Malaysia Tanglung Tourism Festival

• Malaysia Year-End Sale

• Sarawak Bird Race

• Langkawi International Maritime

Nationwide

Kuching, Sarawak

• Malaysian MotoGP

Nationwide

and Aerospace Exhibition (LIMA)

Langkawi Island

Kuala Lumpur

16

News & Views

Timeless Vietnam starts disputed slogan “Vietnam – A Different Orient.”

That slogan was chosen through a competition, but to the surprise of many in the travel business, VNAT refused to accept the winning slogan, created by Cowan Design. The government agency later claimed that the agreement with Cowan failed to work out as planned.

Vietnam has launched a new tourism slogan,

Vietnam

according

to

the

–

Timeless Vietnam

Charm,

VNAT then announced it would work with European experts under an EU-funded

National

project called the Environmentally and Socially Responsible Tourism Capacity Devel-

Administration of Tourism.

opment Programme to create a new slogan.

The new tourism slogan was introduced

According to VNAT general director, Nguyen Van Tuan, Vietnam tourism sector is in

by VNAT, 27 December, as the official

the spotlight as it serves as a major economic driver fueling expansion.

branding for 2012 to 2015, replacing the old slogan “Vietnam – Hidden Charm”.

“Tourism grew to 6 million international arrivals and 30 million domestic trips, earning VND130 trillion or around US$6.24,” he reported.

Vietnam – Timeless Charm comes with the logo of five colourful lotus petals, which

This year the country should gain 6.5 million international arrivals, an 8.3% increase

VNAT says symbolise the beauty of tourist

compared with last year. Domestic trips should reach 32 million, a 6.67% increase.

products and Vietnamese people.

Designed by Vietnam artist, Tran Haoi

Vietnam Holidays

Duc, the five colours of lotus petals signify the diversity of tourist products: blue for sea and island tourism; green for eco and natural tourism; orange and yellow for cultural and historical tourism; violet for adventure tourism and pink for the hospitality and dynamic service qualities of Vietnamese people.

A blooming lotus alone represents the expanding growth of the Vietnam tourism industry.

The decision to go with “timeless charm” ends months of wrangling over the

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Tourism Asia | January 2012

News & Events

Fresh snowfall brings cheer to tourism industry in Shimla

Snowfall in Shimla has brought the long wait for white flakes to an end. After a brief spell on Wednesday night, fresh snow started on Thursday afternoon.

year headed for Kashmir. But the fresh spell of snow has brought some hope to the tourism industry as it can expect more rush of tourist to Shimla and its adjoining areas.

A hotelier from Kufri said this winter Shimla has witnessed less number of tourists. "Majority have headed either for Kashmir or Manali," he added.

Snowfall also started in Shimla's surrounding areas, including Kufri and Naldehra.

Tourists, who had come to Shimla, were delighted to find white flakes covering the tourist town of Kufri during the morning hours. In the afternoon, Shimla was also lashed by snow.

"Shimla cannot be imagined without snow during winters. Snow gives a majestic look to the town," Atul Gautam, a hotelier from Shimla said. He added that after disappointing tourists during Christmas and New Year, Shimla has finally received winter's first snow which would bring more tourists to the town.

Delayed snowfall has already hit the tourism sector hard as majority of tourists this

20

Tourism Asia | January 2012

News & Events

Pre-TRAVEX Registration Statistics Reveal A Robust ATF 2012 Event The newly constructed Golden Kawanua Exhibition Hall, venue for ATF 2012 TRAVEX, is geared up to welcome over 1,400 TRAVEX delegates to Manado next week.

Pre-TRAVEX registration statistics indicate that close to 1,000 exhibitors, 390 buyers and more than 100 media delegates will fill the exhibition venue during the event. Representing quality travel trade and tourism organisations from across the world, these delegates will avail of business, learning and networking opportunities over the three action-packed days of ATF TRAVEX from 13 to 15 January.

The exhibitor delegation will feature some 438 booths represented by 390 companies and properties across the 10 ASEAN countries year, media from 36 countries across the globe including first-time participants Bahrain and Indonesia, will cover ATF 2012, thus strengthening the event’s reputation as the best platform for ASEAN exhibitors to showcase their products and services.

Speakers •Dr. Andy Nazarechuk, President of Asia-Pacific CHRIE •Mr. Martin Craigs, CEO of PATA •Mr. Tatsuro Nakamura, Senior Executive Director of the Board of JATA •Mr. Jim Boyles, GM of Melia, Bali

The learning component of the event, ASEAN Tourism Conference (ATC), continues to stay relevant to the industry with this year ’s theme, ‘ASEAN Goes Green’. To be held on 13th January from 0900 to 1200hrs, the conference will feature respected speakers from the industry. They are:-

The speakers will share the latest information and insights on the region’s constant efforts towards sustainable and eco-conscious tourism.

All ATF TRAVEX delegates can also look forward to a comprehensive array of networking and leisure activities, beginning with the complimentary city tours and friendly golf game on 12th January before official TRAVEX days begin.

Hosted lunches, dinners and late night events will commence from 12th January onwards.

The exhibitor delegation will feature some 438 booths represented by 390 companies and properties across the 10 ASEAN countries. Host country Indonesia and Thailand form the two largest national contingents with 112 and 92 exhibition booths respectively. Corporate exhibitors are also participating in a big way with some 65 exhibition booths.

Destination ASEAN’s growing reach and popularity is evidenced by buyer participation from four new countries this year; Bulgaria, Egypt, Kuwait and New Zealand. Asia-Pacific strongly displays its purchasing power, with 48% of buyers hailing from the region. This is followed by 37.6% of the buyers representing Europe.

The event continues to draw the attention of international media as well. This

Tourism Asia | January 2012

Keynote Speaker: Mr. Taleb D. Rifai, Secretary General of UNWTO

22