COLUMN: 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 […]
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