Tourism Feels Cash Squeeze
International travel is expected to stagnate or even dip one or two per cent this year due to the global economic downturn, according to the publication UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.
The current troubled economic scenario is expected to continue well into 2009 and probably beyond, and given the prevailing uncertainty, extreme market volatility and decline in both consumer and business confidence, the UNWTO has forecast a modest performance this year.
America and Europe will be the most affected regions. In Asia and the Pacific the results are expected to be positive, although growth will be slower than in previous years.
The study put the international tourist traffic in 2008 at 924 million, up 16 million over 2007, or an increase of two per cent thanks to the strong growth in the first half before the financial crisis escalated out of control.
With economy the major concern, people will think twice before deciding to travel. The trend this year therefore points to travelling to destinations closer to home, meaning more domestic travel. This is expected to be favoured as against long-haul travel.
Visiting friends and relatives, repeat visitors and special interest and independent travellers are expected to be more resilient.
UNWTO also said the decline in average length of stay and expenditure will be more pronounced than the decline in overall volume. Destinations offering value for money and with favourable exchange rates have an advantage as price becomes a key issue.
Consumers will wait for special offers before making decisions resulting in an increase of late booking, while companies will focus on containment of cost.
Vintage drama
If you like dramas, here is your chance to watch The Bridge Project - The Winter's Tale scheduled to be staged March 26-31 at Esplanade Theatre in Singapore, the only Asian stop on the troupe's world tour.
The Bridge Project is a new trans-Atlantic venture that brings together director Sam Mendes (Academy Award winner for American Beauty), the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and The Old Vic in London run by Kevin Spacey.
The Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare stars Britons Simon Russell Beale, Sinead Cusack and Rebecca Hall, and Americans Richard Easton, Josh Hamilton and Ethan Hawke.
For more information, visit http://www.sistic.com.sg.
THAI adds flights
Thai Airways International (THAI) has raised flight frequency on some routes it operates from Bangkok to cope with increase in passenger traffic, according to its acting-president Narongsak Sangapong.
As of February 1, it has doubled weekly flights from Bangkok to New Delhi and Mumbai from seven to 14 on each route, and plans to add more flights to Munich, Milan, Seoul, Guangzhou and Fukuoka.
On the domestic front, the airline has added another daily flight to Udon Thani and Ubon Ratchathani from Bangkok, in addition to the two it already operates on those routes.
Rejoice with SCB
Siam Commercial Bank (SCB) is giving away a palm-sized Thai-language guidebook titled 102 Thi Thiew Aokrot, published to mark the 102nd anniversary of its founding and promote domestic travel.
The full-colour title highlights 102 destinations segmented into six categories: romantic, family, cultural, nature and merit-making routes, complete with maps, travel tips and a list of recommended cuisines and restaurants.
Meanwhile, the bank will host "Travel Fair 102" from February 20-22 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre featuring, among others, lucky draws, with the winners standing a chance to buy airline and hotel deals to destinations listed in the guidebook for a throwaway price of 102 baht per package.
The book is available at SCB outlets nationwide.
Source - The Bangkok Post