TRAVEL TITBITS
Tourism goes digital
The tourism industry celebrates “World Tourism Day 2018” today.
The official celebration is organised in Budapest, Hungary. The theme is “Tourism And The Digital Transformation”. The aim is to raise awareness on the potential contribution of digital technologies to sustainable tourism development, according to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO).
“Harnessing innovation and digital advances provides tourism with opportunities to improve inclusiveness, local community empowerment and efficient resource management, among other objectives within the wider sustainable development agenda,” said UNWTO Secretary- General Zurab Pololikashvili.
The official celebration will also see the announcement of the semi- finalists of the first UNWTO Tourism Startup Competition, launched by UNWTO and Globalia Group from Spain to give visibility to start-ups with innovative ideas capable of revolutionising the way people travel and enjoy tourism.
Visit wtd.unwto. org.
Sundays are free
The Fine Arts Department has waived entrance fees for its 42 national museums every Sunday for a year for Thai family visitors.
The aim is to encourage parents to bring their children to museums and to promote family day on Sundays, according to Fine Arts Department director- general Anandha Chuchoti.
Activities to attract young visitors will be offered, including musical performances and games in the national museums.
The campaign started last Sunday and will end on Sept 29 next year.
Visit virtualmuseum. finearts. go. th.
TAT teams with Grab
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has partnered with Grab Thailand to launch the “Grab Xi” campaign in five cities.
Until Sept 30, the campaign is expected to promote local communities in Bangkok, Pattaya, Phuket, Krabi and Samui in Surat Thani.
Travellers can get discounts by selecting a destination from the “TAT x Grab” list and add a promo code. For destinations of local communities in Bangkok and Pattaya, the promo code is “AMAZING”, which offers up to 150 baht discount per ride. For Phuket, Krabi and Samui, the promo code is “THAITAY” which provides up to 250 baht discount per ride.
Visit grab.com or call Grab Call Center at 02-021-2500.
Enchanting Myanmar
Myanmar has changed its tourism slogan to “Myanmar, Be Enchanted”, replacing the old “Let The Journey Begin”, which was launched in 2013.
The new slogan will highlight the country’s ancient mystical charms, according to Hotels and Tourism Minister U Ohn Maung as reported by the Myanmar Times.
The ministry expects that the new campaign and its marketing activities would help bring tourists back to the country. The tourism industry in Myanmar has dropped since the Rohingya crisis in Rakhine State intensified in August last year.
The number of international tourist arrivals was down to 3.4 million last year from 4.6 million in 2015. During the first six months of this year, the total number of visitors dropped by about 2% to 1.8 million when compared to the same period of last year.
The largest group of visitor is from China, followed by Thailand and Malaysia.
AIRLINES AIRLINES UPDATE UPDATE
Thai AirAsia X has joined hands with Lotte World, a theme park in Seoul, South Korea, to introduce a “Lotte World” livery adorned on the Airbus A330-300.
The aircraft depicts the park’s mascots: Lotty and Lorry as well as its iconic castle and Lotte World Tower, South Korea’s tallest skyscraper. In addition, passengers of Thai AirAsia X can receive a 30% discount on tickets to Lotte World Aquarium and Lotte World Adventure.
Thai AirAsia X flies from Don Mueang Airport to Incheon International Airport in Seoul two times a day.
Visit airasia.com.
Emirates has launched a “Kids Fly Free To Dubai” promotion for children up to 12 years old. It aims to make Dubai an unmissable family getaway.
The campaign is available for up to two kids per one booking and with at least one adult. The passengers must depart either from Bangkok or Phuket to Dubai in Economy Class. Although the ticket price is zero baht for kids, there will be a payment for taxes and surcharges.
In addition, kid passengers are offered a free 96-hour visa. The campaign will last until Oct 7 and for flying until March 31 next year.
Visit emirates.com.
HOTEL HOTELS DEALS DEALS AND & UPDATE UPDATE
Al Meroz Hotel, a Halal hotel in Bangkok, offers a “Martial Arts Package” for guests who want to experience muay Thai training.
Valid until Dec 31, the package includes six nights stay in a deluxe room, daily breakfast, five meals at an international lunch buffet, six buffet dinners, five days of training, round- trip airport transfer from and to the hotel, round- trip shuttle service to the muay Thai class at the LKT Muay Thai Gym, late check-out until 4pm and 20% discount on food and beverage at all hotel outlets.
Prices start at 31,900 baht net for one guest per room, 41,900 baht net for two guests and 59,900 baht net for three.
Visit almerozhotel. com.