e-TRAVELERS CLUB travel update
______________________________________________________________Volume 46 – 4/12
Phi Phi Island, Krabi – Thailand © Saifuddin Ismailji
ANNOUNCEMENT
Serious Buyers Only - Beautiful Resort on Phi Phi Island South Thailand:
All papers will be in order and arrangement to visit the site with an appointment with the owners through our
rep on Phi Phi Island (Krabi-South Thailand).
"A brand-new beach front resort on Phi Phi Island (as seen in the epic Movie - "The Beach") is situated on
the pristine Long Beach and offers a peaceful sanctuary, in which to enjoy breathtaking ocean views and
soothing breezes. . ."
Thai Baht 600 million (Six Hundred million Thai Baht only). Check exchange rate on the web (about US$1 =
30 Thai Baht). For more details, please contact now: ceo@e-travelersclub.com, isaifuddin58@gmail.com
TRAVEL TREND
WTTC Global Summit, Sendai-Tokyo 16-19 April, 2012
One of the most influential Travel & Tourism events of the year, WTTC Global Summit will bring together
almost 1000 industry leaders, to tackle some of the most pressing issues facing Travel & Tourism today,
with the overall theme of "Leading a Dynamic Industry through Turbulent Times."
The 12th annual WTTC Global Summit will be held in two locations:
- Sendai City (16-17 April 2012). The Global Summit commences with the Sendai Recovery and Asia
Outlook Forum (in association with PATA
- Tokyo (17-19 April 2012). The plenary session will then be held at International Convention Centre Pamir,
Tokyo and will examine, amongst other subjects, the role of Travel & Tourism as a driver of economic and
social advancement at a time of global turbulence.
According to David Scowsill, President and CEO, WTTC: "The travel and tourism industry is in a unique
position to power sustainable growth. It has been a turbulent twelve months, including unrest in Africa and
the Middle East, impacting on traveler patterns, and last year's devastating earthquake in Japan. Now it is
more important than ever for us to discuss on how to 'Lead a Dynamic Industry through such turbulent
times' and restore its economic power globally. This year's Global Summit aims to inform the travel and
tourism industry on how this can be achieved globally."
Atsutoshi Nishida, Chairman of the WTTC Global Summit 2012 Host Committee, welcomes delegates to
Japan: www.wttc.org/events/tokyosendai-2012/, http://www.wttc.org/events/tokyosendai-2012/programme/
WTTC - The Americas Summit
The forum for business leaders in the Travel & Tourism industry is Organised by the World Travel &
Tourism Council (WTTC), the Americas Summit is hosted by the Mexico Ministry of Tourism and Mexico
Tourist Board.. With Chief Executives of some one hundred of the world’s leading Travel & Tourism
companies as its Members, WTTC has a unique mandate and overview on all matters related to Travel &
Tourism.
The agenda of the Americas Summit will be "Travel & Tourism: Generating jobs now and in the future".
Mexico will become the focus of world attention as it hosts the meeting of G20 country leaders in June
2012, and The Americas Summit is timed to bring the debate about the economic and social contributions
of Travel & Tourism to the widest possible audience of world leaders, the media and public opinion. For full
information visit: www.wttcamericassummit.com, enquiries@wttc.org
Mark Your Calendar
PATA Annual Conference April 2012
The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) Annual Conference 2012 will be held at The Royale Chulan
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, April 21-22, 2012. On April 19-20, PATA will also hold the PATA Annual General
Meeting, the PATA Chapter Colloquium, the PATA Board & Category Committee meetings, the 2012 PATA
Gold Awards luncheon, and PATA Foundation fund raising activities, all at the same venue.
Hosted by the Ministry of Tourism, Malaysia and Tourism Malaysia, the 2012 PATA Annual Conference
with the theme “Building the Business Beyond Profits” will feature some of Asia’s most acclaimed and
conscientious entrepreneurs and attended by delegates from all areas of travel and tourism. The
Conference is shaping up as a great networking, insights and Next Gen thought leadership forum that will
deliver tangible benefits to all professionals in the Asia Pacific travel and tourism space.
www.PATA.org/pac2012, www.regonline.com/PAC2012.
PATA, Taylor’s University (Division of Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary Arts), and the PATA Education and
Training Committee will hold a full-day PATA Youth Tourism Forum on April 18 at Taylor’s University,
Lakeside Campus in Kuala Lumpur. Registration is free to all participants. Contact Cindy Lee
kerhui.lee@taylors.edu.my
PATA Travel Mart Manila September 25-28, 2012
Manila hosted the very first PATA Travel Mart back in 1978, where over 300 delegates assembled to
experience Asia Pacific’s first industry trade event. On September 25-28, 2012, PATA Travel Mart returns
to Manila. It will be held at the SMX Convention Center, the largest private venue in the Philippines and one
of the flagship establishments of the country’s MICE industry. events@PATA.org
Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Center
“One Event, Unlimited Destinations” Arabian Travel Market is the travel and tourism event unlocking
business potential within the Middle East for inbound and outbound tourism professionals. Tourism
destinations from the Middle East and around the world showcase a diverse range of accommodation
options, breathtaking tourism attractions and new airline routes. www.arabiantravelmarket.com,
www.reedexpo.com
Thailand Travel Mart Plus (TTM+) Bangkok, 06-08 June, 2012
Hosted by Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai tourism industry-Thailand, TTM+ is the largest
B2B event to be held from 6-8 June, 2012 at the Exhibition Centre Hall, IMPACT, Muang Thong Thani
Bangkok: the Gateway to the Greater Mekong Sub-region. TTM+ High profile players in the Industry from
around the world will gather at the Event that focuses on trade and business talks among service suppliers
and participants. http://thailandtravelmartplus.com
ASEAN eTravel Mart, Bangkok - August 2012
This Year Thailand (Bangkok) based Tourism Technology Association (TTA) under cooperation from
ASEANTA will be holding Asia Pacific Digital forum: ASEAN eTravel Mart on a much bigger scale than the
inaugural Event that took place in March 2011, which will attract more than 500 buyers mainly from the
South-east Asia region. The 2-Day Event is scheduled to be held tentatively in August 2012, Bangkok. This
year participants are expected outside the region from key stake holder, i.e. UK, Germany, USA, Japan,
India, China and Russia. www.aseanetm.com/
AVIATION
© Saif Ismailji/
©Daniel Tan
Swiss International Air Lines
Together with Eurocontrol SWISS – one of Europe’s highly recommended international airlines is testing a
new computer system which will increase flight security, reduce CO2 emissions and save fuel. With this
new system, called ATSAW, our pilots are able to know more about aircraft operating in nearby airspace.
We are the first commercial airline to test this system aboard three A330 aircraft. www.swiss.com
AirAsia
 “Awesome Deals” Promotion offers all-in-fares from as low as RM 59 one way from Kuala-Lampur
to domestic destinations Bintulu, Johor Bahru, Kota Bahru, Penang and to International
destinations Singapore, Chiang Mai (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia), Jakarta (Indonesia) and
Vientiane (Laos). www.airasia.com
 AirAsia X has launched daily flights between Kuala Lampur and Kingsford Smith International
Airport Sydney. www.facebook.com/Air.Asia.X
 AirAsia to launch new low cost airline in the Philippines through its fully owned subsidiary AA
International under partnership with Antonio O. Cojuangco Jr., Michael R. Romero and Hontiveros
to establish a low cost airline in the Philippine.
Philippine Airlines
The Philippine Airlines is to launch on 28 April 2012, twice weekly direct flights between Manila (Philippine)
and Bali (Indonesia). www.philippineairlines.com
United Airlines
The United Airlines has now introduced nonstop daily flights between its hub Newark Liberty International
Airport to Buenos Aires - Argentina’s Minstro Pistarini International Airport. www.united.com
Tiger Airways
Based in Singapore, Tiger Airways launched this year in March, 3 times a week flights between Singapore
and Sri Lanka. www.tigerairways.com
CRUISE
© Saifuddin Ismailji
RCCL Asia - Alaska
Royal Caribbean International (also operates Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises) is a global cruise
brand with 22 innovative ships, calling on more than 270 destinations in 72 countries across six continents.
The newly revitalized Rhapsody of the Seas recently emerged from Singapore’s Sembawang Shipyard to
deliver guests a host of exciting new dining options, visually stunning entertainment and unique amenities
after the ship’s bow-to-stern transformation. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy all of Rhapsody of the
Seas new signature features as they sail in the awe-inspiring Alaska this summer from May (every Friday
on seven-night, round-trip cruises from Seattle) or vibrant Australia in the fall.
RCCL Europe
Liberty of the Seas, Navigator of the Seas and Serenade of the Seas will be among the already added
Independence of the Seas and Adventure of the Seas’ cruise line’s ships in 2013 to deliver the
culture, history, delectable cuisine and hard-to-resist retail opportunities that Europe has to offer.
This latest deployment opening offers 121 sailings on 25 itineraries that call at 30 beautiful ports.
visit www.RoyalCaribbean.com or call (800) ROYAL-CARIBBEAN
DESTINATION
Kempinski Prague
Zermatt Food Festival
Malaysia
©Saifuddin Ismailji
Prague – Czech Republic
Prague has evolved into the Future City and the culinary capital of East Europe. Kempinski Hotel
Hybernská Prague - Le Grill Restaurant, headed by Executive Chef, Marek Fichtner, has been listed as one
of the best three restaurants in Prague by the prestigious Gault Millau Guide, 2012. Located in the tourist
district near the Powder Tower along the Royal Way, the super luxury hotel is equipped with all the 5-star
amenities in an old building. www.kempinski.com, www.CzechTourism.cz
Zermatt – Switzerland
Swiss Food Festival: Zermatt (1620m) announces the second Swiss Food Festival from Friday 10th to
Sunday 12th August 2012. With the 20 Culinary Chalets on the Bahnhofstrasse, the Gault Millau Kitchen
Party in the Grand Hotel Zermatterhof and the Mont Cervin Palace, Eringer beef skewers, the aerial cable
car breakfast and other culinary activities. www.zermatterhof.ch
Zermatt Festival: The Classics and Art Festival (31st August to 16th September 2012) with the soloists
and ensembles of the Berlin Philharmonic, Zer matt Festival offer classical concerts in a magical setting.
http://www.zermattfestival.com/
Eco-friendly mountain village offers 124 Hotels (7587 beds), 2724 apartments (9860 beds), 56 mountain
restaurants and 141 restaurants/bars/clubs in the village. www.valais.ch, www.zermatt.ch,
www.mgbahn.ch,
Sendai, Japan
The capital of Miyagi Prefecture in the Tohoku region of Japan - Sendai is the ideal venue for the first part
of the WTTC Global Summit, the Sendai Recovery and Asia Outlook Forum, looking at how the Tohoku
region, other countries, and the Travel & Tourism industry have handled crisis management. On 11 March
2011, the earthquake devastated Sendai and badly damaged the port area. And soon again, the area had
to cope with the radio active contamination after the Tokyo Electric Power Company’s Fukushima Nuclear
Plant tragic incident. However, tourism is back to this City of Trees, which stages five brilliant annual
festivals: Sendai Aoba-matsuri Festival (3rd Sunday in May), Sendai Tanabata Festival (6-8 August),
Jozenji Street Jazz Festival (2nd Saturday and Sunday September), Michinoku YOSAKOI Festival (Mid
October), and SENDAI Pageant of Starlight (12-31 December). www.city.sendai.jp
Putrajaya – KL, Malaysia
Putrajaya is the venue for the PATA (Pacific Asia Travel Association) Annual Conference (20-22 April
2012). Located about 25 kilometers from the capital Kuala Lampur, Putrajaya is planned with a vision to
preserve the natural eco-system that would sustain harmony between manmade developments and the
beauty of natural surroundings. There is an express Rail Link between KL Sentral and Bandar Tasik
Putrajaya every half an hour (during rush hours). Putrajaya Festival: Malaysia International Tourism Night
Floral Parade 30 June – 08 July 2012. http://www.kuala-lumpur.ws/putrajaya/
Thailand – Songkran Festival
Thai Airways has increased more than 3000 passenger seating capacity on the occasion of Songkran
(Water throwing) Festival 12-15 April 2012, one of the favorite times for tourists to visit “Amazing Thailand”.
www.tourismthailand.com
Recommended Hotels
- Rembrandt Hotel and Towers Bangkok with luxury Spa, Sukhumvit 18 www.rembrandtbkk.com
- Sofitel Centara Grand Bangkok, near Chatu Chak Weekend Market www.sofitel.com/Bangkok
- The Westin Grande Sukhumvit next to Asok Sky Train station www.westingrandesukhumvit.com
- Amari Watergate Hotel near Pratunam Wholesale Market www.amari.com/Watergate_Bangkok_5-Star
- Furama Silom near Night Market www.furama.com/silom
Bed Down
Grand Hotel
Zermatterhof
Matterhorn Group – Zermatt, Switzerland
The Matterhorn Group unites three luxurious and highly traditional hotels as well as restaurants under a
single banner, including the classic Grand Hotel Zermatterhof (and Spa) that offers the best view of Mount
Matterhorn from some of its rooms; the historic Hotel Riffelberg and 3100 Kulmhotel Gornergrat - the
highest hotel in the Swiss Alps. And to name a few restaurants: Restaurant Rothorn, Restaurant Blauherd,
Barghus Gruensee, Buffet Bar Pizzeria, Buffet & Bar Riffelberg – to name a few; they all excel in personal
hospitality and focused on highest standards of service. www.matterhorn-group.ch
Alpenhof Hotel, Zermatt
A traditional Swiss Chalet style Hotel & Spa trimmed in exclusive interiors with inspiring view of the
Matterhorn from the ceiling of some of the rooms. www.alpenhofhotel.com
Coeur Des Alpes Hotel Garni & Spa, Zermatt - Switzerland
Located in the upper limit of the BahnhofStr to celebrate a high level hospitality. The hotel has the one of its
kind Spa with the Turkish Bath complemented with therapy treatments. www.coeurdesalpes.ch
Your exclusive address in Grindelwald. Switzerland. Personalised - friendly service, epicurean dining,
Wellness Spa. www.belvedere-grindelwald.ch
Eiger Selfness Hotel, Grindelwald, Switzerland
On the main shopping strip of Grindelwald, the Art Nouveau Hotel with traditional Swiss and Continental
dining. www.eiger-grindelwald.ch
Backpackers Villa Sonnenhof – Interlaken, Switzerland
The new innovative concept in self-catered Budget accommodation: Friendliness-Style-Comfort; centrally
located in Interlaken. www.villa.ch
Starwood Hotels & Resorts
Starwood will open in August 2012 its first dual branded (Westin and Sheraton) ski resort complex in
Changbaishan, China near the slopes of Changbai Mountains. Abound the natural beauty and rich eco
system; guests will have access to downhill skiing through unsullied pine forest trails.
Starwood Hotels Bangkok: Special Meeting/ Events offer at Westin Grande Sukhumvit, Sheraton
Grande Sukhumvit, Four Points by Sheraton Sukhumvit 15, Le Meridien Bangkok, St. Regis Bangkok.
www.starwoodpromos.com/meetingsinbangkok/en/special_offers
Hashoo Group of Hotels & Resorts
The Group of Companies comprises of hospitality, Oil & Gas development & Production, Welfare and other
organisations.The Hospitality sector is spearheaded with high value brand, Pearl Continental Hotels in
principal towns and two franchised Marriott Hotels in Islamabad and Peshawar.
Pearl Continental Hotel Bhurbun offers man made comfort abound serenity of nature, located about 2000
meters at the lush foothills of the Himalayas. From the Hotel’s Terrace Restaurant, snowcapped peaks
(including Nanga Parbat) can be seen on a clear day. The hotel is equipped with all the major 5 star
amenities including a Cinema screen, multiple restaurant outlets, casino, discotheque, a number of
restaurants, sundeck, sports, spa and much more. www.pchotels.com/PCHB/