July 2, 2009                                                                                       Events | Intelligence | Members | Join PATA

In this issue:

French connections

NZ Tourism chief prepares to step down

Foundation looks for Uni links

Hangzhou prepares to welcome PTM delegates

Scholars outline hopes for Pearl River tourism

Nepal targets India outbound travellers

On this Day

And finally

Careers: Jobs of the Month

PATA Connects You

French connections

Bangkok Airways has landed a codeshare deal with legacy carrier Air France on six regional destinations - Phuket, Chiang Mai, Koh Samui and Trat (Thailand), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Luang Prabang (Laos). The services from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi airport carry Air France (AF) flight numbers and are operated by Bangkok Airways aircraft. It a further strengthening of the relationship between Bangkok Airways and Air France.
     Bangkok Airways has been a partner of Air France and KLM's frequent flyer programme, Flying Blue, since June 2005 and Air France's passenger and ramp operations are handled by BFS (Bangkok Flight Services, a subsidiary of Bangkok Airways) at BKK. www.bangkokair.com

TOP

NZ Tourism chief prepares to step down

The CEO of Tourism New Zealand George Hickton (pictured)  is stepping down at the end of the year. Mr Hickton, who has led the marketing organisation for more than a decade, has advised the Tourism New Zealand board and staff that he would be leaving when his contract expired on December 1. He has presided over a 60 per-cent growth in visitor numbers during his decade in office capped with the recent news that, for the first time in a 12-month period, visitor numbers from Australia exceeded the magic one million mark.
     A spokeswoman for New Zealand Prime Minister John Key told PATA Travel Journalist of the Year Nigel Coventry that George Hickton 'had made a tremendous contribution to NZ tourism'. "His legacy will be the incredibly successful 100% Pure NZ brand," she added. PATA's Regional Director-Pacific Chris Flynn echoed these sentiments.
     "George has done a remarkable job in promoting, branding and exporting the message of environmental responsibility and tourism sustainability during his tenure as CEO," said Chris. "The 100% Pure New Zealand brand campaign has grown to become one of the most recognised and envied tourism brands in the world. It led the way in positioning the environment as something to be treasured and nurtured and not just another commodity to be taken for granted. In doing so it managed to capture the imagination of the industry which now understands the importance of protecting their greatest asset.
     "More importantly it created a deep sense of pride within the wider community. The people of New Zealand understood the significance of the message and have embraced it as their own. George and his outstanding team at Tourism New Zealand should be proud of what they've achieved. He'll be missed," adds Chris Flynn.

TOP

Foundation looks for Uni links PATA Chairman Mrs Phornsiri Manoharn (pictured centre) is looking to strengthen ties between the PATA Foundation and one of the Thailand's leading universities. Mrs Manoharn expressed her enthusiasm for closer collaboration during a meeting with Associate Professor and Dean Pongsvas Svasti at the Innovative College of Thammasat University      Thammasat has created the Innovative College where leading academics – including long-time PATA supporter Dr Walter Jamieson – are creating exciting new educational programmes embracing subjects such as travel and tourism. "An MoU cementing long-term collaboration between the two organisations is being prepared", said PATA's Director - Board and Foundation Relations Ratana Poopitakchatkaew. A strategic plan outlining a road map to innovate service excellence in travel and tourism will be developed with the university. There is also potential for students at the university to benefit from internships and work placements with the PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre. Also pictured above, from left to right, are Dr Walter Jamieson, Kaewta Rohitratana, Pongsvas Svasti and Ratana Poopitakchatkaew. TOP

Hangzhou prepares to welcome PTM delegates

Hangzhou Tourism Commission Director Li Hong (pictured) has issued a welcoming letter to all delegates attending PATA Travel Mart in September. "It is really my great honour to welcome you all to the city of Hangzhou for PATA Travel Mart 2009. I am so passionate that Hangzhou, the 'Oriental Capital of Leisure', will have the opportunity to host this valuable event from September 22-25th. What is more important is that the people of Hangzhou share these same feelings," he writes.

TOP

From left to right: Florence Ian - Vice President of IFT, Prof. Peng Qing, Prof. Bao Jigang, IFT President Dr Fanny Vong, Prof. Xu Honggang and Associate Prof. Zhang Chaozhi. Scholars outline hopes for Pearl River tourism Macau's Institute For Tourism Studies has hosted a public lecture in 'Pearl River Delta Regional Tourism Development and Cooperation' featuring prominent tourism scholars from Sun Yat-sen University (SYSU). The presentations included 'Updates of tourism development of Zhuhai and its influence to Macau' by Professor Bao Jigang, Assistant President, Dean of School of Tourism Management and Director of Centre for Tourism Planning and Research of SYSU.      IFT has rich experience in co-hosting executive development programme and public lectures with many world-renowned higher institutions but this is the first occasion that the Institute has invited leading academics from Sun Yat-sen University to lecture. IFT and SYSU are planning another joint seminar in September on the topic 'Tourism Integration among Macao, Guangdong and Hong Kong'. IFT is seeking to 'open up more opportunities for cooperation with higher institutions in the Mainland to encourage both cultural and academic exchange to further advance the teaching and research standard'. TOP

Nepal targets India outbound travellers

Nepal Tourism Board(NTB), in partnership with Nepal Embassy, New Delhi, Nepal Airlines and Nepalese private sector companies, conducted major consumer promotion campaign at two shopping malls in New Delhi, India last month with the objective of promoting the destination amongst Indian consumers now planning their trips for the summer holiday season.
     The promotion is designed to further position the 'Nepal Tourism Year-2011' campaign that seeks to achieve substantial growth in tourism. duration (90 minutes Delhi to Kathmandu) makes the country an ideal choice for Indian tourists.

TOP

On this Day

In 1566 the French astrologer, physician and prophet Nostradamus died. On the evening of July 1st he is alleged to have told his secretary Jean de Chavigny, "You will not find me alive at sunrise."

TOP

And finally

Madame Tussauds Hong Kong is paying tribute to pop legend Michael Jackson. Fans of the pop idol, who died last week, wishing to pay homage may leave flowers and express their condolences at the entrance of Madame Tussauds Hong Kong, where his wax figure (pictured) is now sited.

TOP

Careers: Jobs of the Month

PATA member TMS Asia Pacific, a specialist travel, tourism, and hospitality recruitment consultant, is seeking qualified candidates to fill the following roles:-

General Manager – Chinese Taipei
• Employer: An award-winning leader in travel technology services
• You? A great opportunity for a dynamic individual to lead a dynamic team

Global Sales Manager – Singapore
• Employer: A world leader in business travel management
• You? A competitive salary and an outstanding total rewards package

See other TMS Asia Pacific vacancies, and more, at www.PATA.org/careers.

TOP

PATA Connects You

Hot links to PATA members:

PATA Special Offers – Special deals from and for PATA members

PATA Careers Directory – PATA members' careers information

PATA Member Directory – There's a PATA member near you

PATA Member Air Timetable – Travel with PATA member airlines

www.PATA.org.

TOP

Account Information
News@PATA, please send an e-mail to unsubscribe@patanet.org with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

What Do You Think?

You can e-mail patanews@PATA.org to share your thoughts on this newsletter.

Format Problems

Subscribers using AOL, Hotmail, Yahoo and other free e-mail accounts may not be able to view this HTML format newsletter properly. Such subscribers can instead read it online at http://www.pata.org/patasite/index.php?id=20  Or e-mail us at patanews@PATA.org  to receive the plain text only version..

Newsletter Archives

News@PATA, please click heree.

Copyright 2009 Pacific Asia Travel Association