Thailand will be the first country in Asia to host the Miss Tourism World beauty pageant in December.
The aim of the upcoming event, which is the 12th of its kind, is to promote and highlight the tourism sector of the kingdom, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) Governor Suraphon Svetasreni.
"This is also a great opportunity to demonstrate confidence and safety in travelling in Thailand," he noted.
About 60 finalists will visit Thailand and will have a chance to explore Thai culture and history in places such as the old city of Ayutthaya, the Grand Palace and Chitralada Royal Villa in Bangkok, white sandy beaches in Krabi, the old town in Hat Yai and several places in Pattaya during Dec 2-14.
"The finalists will also look beautiful and graciously dressed in Thai traditional outfits," he said, adding that TAT will ensure that the finalists enjoy their time in the country.
Organised by Media Empire in conjunction with the Tourism World Organisation and supported by TAT, the final round of the Miss Tourism World 2012 will be held on Dec 16 at Siam Niramit theatre in Bangkok and will be broadcast on Channel 7.
The winner of the contest will receive 1 million baht cash, a trophy, and other prizes. The first and second runners-up will receive 500,000 baht and 300,000 cash respectively.
Visit www.misstourismworld.com or www.facebook.com/MissTourismWorld2012
Thais most interested in US travel
The US is the top country searched for by Thai travellers on TripAdvisor, according to the popular travel website.
The site has about 260,000 unique visitors from Thailand a month and the finding was the result of records from from January to July this year.
After the US, the top 10 most-viewed countries by travellers from Thailand are Japan, China, Singapore, the UK, Malaysia, Indonesia, Italy, France and Laos.
The site also found the most frequently searched domestic destinations are Bangkok followed by Pattaya, Chiang Mai, Hua Hin, Patong in Phuket, Krabi, Chaweng Beach and Bo Phut in Koh Samui, Cha-am in Phetchaburi, and Ao Nang in Krabi.
Airlines update
- Bangkok Airways has introduced an e-boarding pass service to speed up the check-in process.
According to the airline's ground services director Tresarun Sitakalin, passengers who check-in online can select a QR code service for the e-boarding pass.
The QR code, consisting of flight information and seat number, will be sent to the given email address and can be used to board the flight.
To promote the service, the airline is offering an additional 10kg of checked baggage allowance to those using the e-boarding pass service until Dec 31.
Visit www.bangkokair.com or call 1771 for more details.
- Emirates has launched its first in-flight mobile phone service on A380 aircraft allowing passengers to make calls and send text messages through their mobile phone service provider. The service was launched on a flight from Dubai to Munich earlier this month and will be available on all A380 aircraft in the future. According to Emirates, the mobile phone service is the next step in wi-fi service, which has been available on the aircraft since last year.
Emirates is the largest A380 operator with 25 such aircraft in its fleet. Dubai International airport will next year open a new terminal dedicated to the planes.
Hotels update
- Banyan Tree and Chiva-Som have received several awards in the first Thailand Spa and Wellbeing Awards.
Organised by the Thai Spa Association, the awards name winners in 18 categories. All winners were voted by event exhibitors at the Thai Spa Convention, spa operators, consumers and the Thai Spa Association Board.
The Banyan Tree line of spas based in Phuket, Samui and Bangkok took four awards _ Innovative Spa Treatment, Spa Product, Amazing Hotel Spa and Amazing Resort Spa. The Hua Hin-based Chiva-Som, on the other hand, won the three awards for Innovative Spa Cuisine, Environmental Conscience and also Spa Educator.
Visit www.thailandspaawards.com.
- Dusit International has signed a hotel management agreement with property owners Tanota Partners to operate Dusit Thani Guam.
Scheduled for an opening in late 2013, the 30-storey hotel will be located in the island's prime commercial and tourist area. It will feature 417 rooms, restaurants, bars, and a conference centre, which is claimed to be the largest facility in Guam.
Under the agreement, Dusit Thani College (Bangkok) will also train Guam staff about international hospitality through specialised internship exchange programmes.
"Thai hospitality is unique and we have full confidence in Dusit International's 60 years of experience in this field," said Tanota Partners' general manager Michael Ysrael.
If you have any comments or travel news to share with Life, please send them to karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th
