All roads lead to Myanmar

About 90,000 Thai tourists are expected to visit Myanmar this year, according to Kasikorn Research Centre.

The number is a 30% rise from last year and Thai tourists will spend around 1.1 billion baht while travelling around the neighbouring country. The Thai group will represent 18% of this year's forecasted 500,000 foreign tourists who will bring earnings of around $400,000,000 (12 billion baht).

According to the centre, the top five visitors to Myanmar will come from China, Thailand, Malaysia, South Korea and Japan. Last year, Myanmar welcomed 391,176 tourists, a 25% increase from 311,000 visitors in 2010 .

The rapid increase of tourists has lead to a shortage of accommodation. It is estimated that there are only 25,000 hotel and guesthouse rooms available across the country, but those mainly serve tourists in major cities such as Yangon, Mandalay and Bagan. The number of rooms will not be enough to serve the growth of foreign tourists, especially when there will be more direct flights from various countries to Myanmar.

"Thailand _ a relatively large tourism market in Asean _ should seek the opportunity to invest in this promising tourism market," noted the research centre.

Myanmar allows 100% foreign ownership in four to five-star hotels. Today major foreign investors in the hotel business are Singapore, followed by Thailand, Japan and Hong Kong.

In addition to the numbers of Thai tourists to Myanmar, Kasikorn Research Centre also expects to see 135,000 Myanmar tourists visiting Thailand this year, up 22% from last year.

Best travel places

Phuket, Bangkok and Koh Samui are among the Top 10 destinations in Asia, according to Best in Travel Poll 2012 by the SmartTravel Asia, an online travel magazine.

The research was conducted from May to July. It found that voters took an average 16.22 air trips (up from 15.75) over the past 12 months and earned $162,134 (about 5 million baht) in household incomes. About 70% are based in Asia, 15% live in Europe and the rest 15% are from the US/North America. The poll found that the top holiday destinations are Bali, followed by Phuket and Hong Kong, while 4th place was shared by Siem Reap in Cambodia, the Maldives and Palawan in the Philippines.

Bangkok ranked 5th, up from 10th position in last year's survey, while Koh Samui was 10th, slightly lower from 9th rank the year before.

For the top 10 cities for business, Hong Kong led the poll followed by Singapore, while Kuala Lumpur and Seoul shared 3rd position. Bangkok was 4th and Sydney was in 5th position.

The poll also asked its readers for the best in other categories and the results are as follows:

Top Airline: Singapore Airlines, which also won top airline for business class and cabin service.

Top Budget Airline: AirAsia

Top Airport: Singapore Changi Airport

Top Business Hotel: The Fullerton Hotel Singapore

Top Conference Hotel: Four Seasons Hotel Hong Kong

Top Leisure Hotels and Resorts: The Peninsula Hong Kong

Top Spa Hotels and Resorts: Conrad Maldives Rangali Island

SmartTravelAsia found that 87.9% of its readers draw their primary "brand image" information from the internet, while 79% made travel decisions online. However, just 37% made online bookings, many preferring to talk to someone, especially for high-end bookings. Most readers said they went online primarily to seek independent "reviews and information" first and not just the best price.

Airlines update

- Thai Airways has received its first Boeing 777-300ER, out of eight that have been ordered. They will join the fleet that serves long haul flights.

The Boeing can accommodate up to 348 passengers, including 42 travellers in Business Class, which features 180-degree reclining seats, and 306 seats in Economy Class.

The aircraft comes up with new interior design, including larger personal screens, in-flight entertainment system offering 100 movies, 150 documentaries, 500 CD albums and 60 games. The aircraft can also support the use of personal mobile phones onboard.

Thai will use the aircraft for Bangkok-Narita routes and the service will expand to Bangkok-Seoul-Los Angeles and Bangkok-Brussels routes when the second aircraft arrives in October. The remaining Boeings will be delivered by next year.

- Air China has introduced a Fast Track service to help its premium customers spend less time at Suvarnabhumi Airport.

According to the airline, the Fast Track card will be handed out after check-in for passengers of First and Business class, and for those who are PhoenixMiles Platinum members.

Like other airlines which also have the Fast Track service, the card will allow passengers to use the special Premium Lane Immigration Service, which has fewer people queueing for both security checks and the passport control.

Hotels update

- Minor Hotel Group has acquired Bundarika Villas & Suites in Phuket.

The beachfront resort with 77 villas and suites is now closed for renovation and will be renamed Anantara Phuket Layan Resort & Spa in September.

"We are very excited to announce this new addition to Minor's portfolio and what will become a second Anantara resort in Phuket," the Group CEO Dillip Rajakarier said.

The hotel has set aside a budget of 3 billion baht for the refurbishment and for purchasing a 31.6 rai plot for its new high-end residential property project.

- Onyx Hospitality Group will open its first Ozo brand resort on Koh Samui in 2014.

Called the Ozo Chaweng Samui, the hotel targets budget travellers. "We will offer comfortable and good value accommodation," revealed CEO Peter Henley.

Located on Chaweng beach, the hotel will offer 208 guest rooms and communal zones, a swimming pool, children's pool, two restaurants and a beach bar.

Onyx will also launch the Ozo brand in Hong Kong and Sri Lanka.

- For those who love onsen service, a public hot spring bath, a new facility has opened in Bangkok.

Called Yunomori Onsen & Spa, it is located on Sukhumvit Soi 26. With an investment of 70 million baht, the two-storey building on a 1.2-rai plot offers separate hot springs facilities for women and men, including an outdoor bath, hot and cold mineral water, a jacuzzi and classic teak wooden tubs. The mineral water is supplied from Ranong hot springs. Yunomori Onsen & Spa also has a garden space, spa facility, beauty salon, restaurants, bakery shops and coffee

Sourced: bangkokpost