“Given the state of the global economy, we’re particularly delighted by Six Senses’ renewed commitment to Raceweek,” said Image Asia MD Grenville Fordham. “And to sign a prestigious co-sponsor like Jaguar Land Rover Asia Pacific at times like this is a real boost,” he added.

Fordham pledged that his company will go all-out to maintain the high overall standards achieved at the 2008 event despite the world-wide economic conditions.

Echoing Fordham’s sentiment, organiser of the NRG Cup (inaugurated in 2008), Benjamin Dupal, CEO of Singapore-based NRG Engineering, said, “I’m confident we’ll be able to gather a full class, around 10-12 boats, this year. I can’t wait to be there again!”

The NRG Cup, an invitation event for companies within Oil and Gas industry, is staged within Six Senses Phuket Raceweek – with competitors racing against their industry colleagues from all over Asia, yet still competing in the main regatta against all other participants.

44 boats competed in Raceweek 2008 and the organisers are confident that the numbers will increase yet again in 2009. “Raceweek has grown gradually over the past five years, attracting sailors from around the world, as its reputation for excellent monsoon season racing and superb waterside parties every evening has spread throughout the international yachting community,” said Fordham.

From the sponsor’s point of view, what sets Phuket Raceweek apart from others is the attention paid to professional sponsorship management. From first contact, through signing a sponsorship agreement, until after the event winds down, sponsorship experts Paul Poole (South East Asia) Co., Ltd. work with both the sponsor and the organiser to ensure that agreed benefits are delivered in full and that opportunities presented by the event are fully maximised.

Speaking from the recent World Yacht Racing Forum in Monaco, Paul Poole, who has represented Phuket Raceweek since 2007 said, “Six Senses repeat sponsorship, and Jaguar’s new sponsorship of the only commercially operated regatta in Thailand, is testament to the event’s ability to consistently deliver a return on investment (ROI) and, as importantly, a return on objective (ROO), to its sponsors and partners. I believe that despite the anticipated difficult financial year ahead we will see a sell out the commercial sponsorship of the 2009 edition of this popular event, with the further five co-sponsor opportunities being filled by a combination of repeat and new sponsors.”

Six Senses Phuket Raceweek enjoys the support of the Sports Authority of Thailand, the Yacht Racing Association of Thailand, the Tourism Authority of Thailand and the Ao Chalong Yacht Club.

Two of the hotels are located in city centre locations in the metropolis of Bangkok, and four in some of Thailand favourite beach destinations.

“Whilst the tourism sector in Thailand continues to be affected from the recent political unrest, Accor remains positive about the long term future of the industry’ said Oswald Pichler Vice President Operations for Accor in Thailand, Cambodia and Laos. Thailand has been a popular tourist destination for a long time with a very diversified leisure offer, Accor’s expansion will provide tourists and business travelers more choices in some of Thailand’s most popular destinations’.

Bangkok – a shopper’s paradise

Novotel Bangkok Platinum (283 rooms) situated right next to Platinum Shopping Mall in the midst of one of the most popular shopping areas in Bangkok – Pratunam. The hotel is adjacent Pratunam Market and within easy walking distance of Pantip Plaza, Central World Plaza and Siam Square. Scheduled to open in 2011, Novotel Bangkok Platinum will be Bangkok’s fifth Novotel.

Ibis is also expanding further in Bangkok with ibis Nana (200 rooms) scheduled to open in the first quarter of 2009. The hotel in the heart of Bangkok’s popular tourist district of Nana, is close to the Nana Skytrain Station, Shopping and Entertainment areas and Bumrungrad Hospital. ibis Nana will be the fifth ibis hotel to open in Thailand in less than 12 months.

Southern Thailand beach locations

Two hotels with two distinctive styles will be opened on Samui Island (Koh Samui), one of South East Asia’s most famous international tourist paradises. Mercure Samui Buri, formerly Samui Buri Beach Resort & Spa, will be a beachfront resort located on Maenam Beach, comprising 56 rooms and 29 private pool villas all of which integrate traditional Thai architecture. The Mercure Samuiburi will join the Accor network in early 2009.

Soon after also on Samui Island, all seasons Samui Chaweng (153 rooms), is scheduled to open in mid-2009. The hotel is just a few minutes walk to the popular night life centre on Chaweng Beach.

The world renowned Phuket Island sees the development of Novotel Phuket Kamala Bay. This new hotel will have 185 rooms and villas, and a comprehensive choice of leisure and event facilities. Located on Kamala Bay, one of the four most popular bays in Phuket, the hotel is within close proximity to Phuket Town, Phuket Airport, and Phuket Golf Club. Novotel Phuket Kamala Bay is expected to open in 2011.

Additionally two ibis hotels will open in the popular Southern beach destinations; ibis Kata Phuket (260 rooms), just five minutes on foot to the peaceful Kata Beach, and ibis Krabi (206 rooms), the first internationally branded economy hotel in Krabi located on the famous Ao Nang area. Both hotels, together with ibis Nana, are newly built and scheduled to open by the end of 2009, and owned by the Erawan Group of Thailand.

“Accor has operated in Thailand for 20 years and we continue to maintain very strong partnerships with developers, hotel owners and key travel operators. We are delighted with this continued rapid expansion in Thailand” added Mr. Pichler.

In 2008, the Accor network expanded significantly in Thailand with the addition of six hotels; namely, ibis Sathorn, ibis Bophut Samui, ibis Pattaya, ibis Patong Phuket, all seasons Sathorn and all seasons Nai Harn.

Ibis and all seasons are worldwide economy brands of Accor and are expected to fair better as the travellers look for ways to save their travel costs as a result of the global economic crisis. Last month, the first member of the MGallery collection – Vie Hotel Bangkok opened in Bangkok, expanding the range of brands on offer in Thailand by Accor.

Abhisit—who has come under fire for including in his government members of the protest group that seized the airports in November—said late Thursday there could also be discounts on aircraft landing fees.

“The plan to revive the tourism sector will be tabled at the cabinet meeting next Tuesday and will include a three months waiver for visa fees and discounting landing fees,” he told a seminar.

“I hope these measures will help the tourism sector one way or another.”

Nationals of 41 countries including the United States, most European nations, Japan, Australia and New Zealand already do not require a visa to enter Thailand if their stay does not exceed 30 days.

Tourism in Thailand has taken a hit from both the global economic downturn and the anti-government protests in late November that led to a blockade of Bangkok’s two airports for more than a week.

The siege left 350,000 travellers stranded in Bangkok and dented the kingdom’s tourist-friendly image.

The government has allocated one billion baht (28.6 million dollars) of a 115-billion-baht fiscal stimulus package to boost tourism.

Abhisit said he had also dispatched government minister Veerachai Veeramethikul to Beijing to persuade China to remove its travel warning to Thailand.

He said he hoped Thailand’s political turmoil would end ahead of planned trips to China and Japan in February and March, adding: “I am sure that by then we will have everything in good shape at home.”

Abhisit was elected prime minister in December, after a court verdict which removed the previous government from power and persuaded protesters to lift the airport blockade.

Separately, Phornsiri Manoharn, governor of Tourism Authority of Thailand, was quoted on the Thai government’s website as projecting 14.8 million tourist arrivals this year.

“Under the campaign slogan of Amazing Thailand, Amazing Value, we expect to attract at least 14.8 million tourists,” she said.

She said there were 14.2 million tourist arrivals in Thailand in 2008, below the targeted figure of 15.7 million.

Jeyhun Efendi, Emirates’ Area Manager Thailand and Indochina said, “Business Rewards is a result of months of research and planning, to understand what our SME customers want in a reward programme, and how we can transact and add value to them in an online environment. We believe the SME community in the Thailand will embrace Business Rewards, as others have in markets that have already introduced the programme early this year.”

In addition to reward miles, Emirates’ Business Rewards programme also provides a convenient online portal for administrators in SMEs to manage employee travel on Emirates Airline. The company must register with Business Rewards in the country where it is located, but it can accumulate Miles for travel undertaken by employees at all their branches into one central account.

The Ministry of Sports and Tourism, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives, together with the Chiang Mai Provincial Administration, have joined forces in hosting the event with highlights including the official opening of the Chalermprakiat Ratchapruek Park and the grand celebrations for His Majesty the King’s birthday on 5 December.

Following the overwhelming success of the 92-day internationally-acclaimed International Horticulture Exposition for His Majesty the King, the Royal Flora Ratchapruek 2006 at the Royal Agricultural Research Centre in Mae Hia sub-district, Mueang district, Chiang Mai, the Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives was granted the green light from the cabinet to have the research centre developed into a cultural, recreational and agro-tourism attraction. The centre has been renamed the Chalermprakiat Ratchapruek Park.

One of the activities during the 10-day festival will be the celebration procession for the Chalermprakiat Buddha images to be permanently enshrined in the park. The Buddha images were made from an enormous amount of bhodi tree leaves that the Thai people presented to His Majesty the King in full reverence during their visits to the Royal Flora Ratchapruek 2006.

The floral festival will be held in full scale covering 7 amazing areas of the Park just like the Royal Flora Ratchapruek held two years ago. Visitors are encouraged to get a passport upon entering the entrance. Those who have collected seven stamps — one from each of the amazing zones will have a chance to win big prizes including tour packages to different destinations in Thailand.

Fireworks displays will cap each of the 10 nights and on 5 December, a 9-series grand fireworks display will be a special not-to-be-missed spectacle of the event.

TAT is expecting around 200,000 visitors from all parts of the country to attend the 10-day festival.

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Set on the shores of the Andaman Sea, Phulay Bay, which will open 1 March 2009, will be a hideaway 54-villa and pavilion boutique hotel with unspoilt views of the towering limestone karsts which make up the beautiful landscape of this part of southern Thailand. Coupled with sandy beaches, a coastline flecked with more than 200 islands, surrounded by a national forest with rugged rock formations and hidden waterfalls, Phulay Bay is a natural wonder.

The essence of Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve will be about enlivening the senses. Guests will subtly and gently have their senses enriched and stimulated with the resort’s own scent, signature drink, beautiful and stunning scenery both inside the suites and in the environment of the resort, as well as by the sounds of traditional Thai music coupled with the gentle lapping of the sea on the shores of Phulay Bay. This will all be coupled with the environment of tactile natural Thai silk soft furnishings and coverings to help guests truly relax in this unique and special environment.

Nestled on the shore of the Andaman Sea, the resort is the vision of in-demand Thai architect Lek Bunnag and features modern styling and architecture with accents of Thai culture and design to create a harmonious synergy of luxury and tradition to compliment its secluded location. Bunnag draws strongly from Thai traditions and cultural heritage to create an environment where relaxation and enjoyment are the very bedrock of the guest experience.

The architecture, landscape, interiors and accessories fuse to create a marriage of style and design that is completely in keeping with and tied to the natural environment of the location. Oversized beds, pillows, chairs, baths and doorways create a sense of comfort and welcoming that sets the guest at ease and welcomes them into the resort.

Combining contemporary Thai styling in the buildings with preservation of the environment, the natural flora of existing trees and plants relies on the past and tradition to create something sustainable today and for the future. The use of traditional Lanna art forms both in architectural structure and design as well as paintings and artworks on the walls and doors of the villas further create a contemporary setting that draws on tradition to offer a unique and luxurious environment and further enlivens the senses.

“When styling and designing Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, we were very conscious of the abundant beauty surrounding us which is what makes people fall in love with Thailand,” explained Estelita Sebeto, the resort’s General Manager. “We want guests to enjoy and discover the extraordinary diversity and beauty in this part of the country in a setting of relaxation and rejuvenation. So we have worked with nature to maintain a setting that evokes the very best of the natural environment of the hotel and sourced local and sustainable materials in its construction and styling. We see the resort as an ambassador for the local environment and for the tradition of the land here in Phulay Bay.”

With accommodation offering a variety of unspoilt ocean views, private plunge pools, sheltered outdoor baths and showers set among lush indigenous flora the sense of privacy and comfort allows guests to indulge in the scenery and detach from the world during their stay. Coupled with the natural warmth and easy smiles of the Thai people and Ritz-Carlton’s world-famous service, Phulay Bay is the perfect destination to host the first of The Ritz-Carlton Reserve’s exotic, hand-picked hideaways.

With an emphasis on personalised, bespoke experiences, guests can ‘design’ or tailor make their visit to perfectly suit their needs and desires. A light BBQ lunch in your favourite area of the resort? A meditation class in a local monastery? Elephant trekking to a remote pick nick spot? A sea plane tour of region’s dramatic scenery? No problem. The resort will tailor-make your visit and personaise your experience, to make it a truly unique and one-of-a-kind visit.

The sense of arrival will immediately let guests know they are somewhere special and unique. High aubergine walls with even taller ‘hedges’ made from indigenous trees create a sense of wonder from the outside and a great sense of peace and stillness once on the inside. Guests will enter the resort over a stepping-stone walkway that leads them to a wooden Thai pavilion situated on an island surrounded by thousands of gently flickering candles. Guests will be treated to a traditional welcoming ritual and taken directly to their accommodation for in-room registration.

Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve will offer world-class culinary experiences throughout the resort. Lae Lay, the resort’s seafood grill, will allow guests to enjoy the best local fish and seafood available in a contemporary outdoor setting overlooking the Andaman Sea – a private dining room on the roof top of the restaurant will allow for a more personalised experience with live cooking by your own private chef. While the resort’s signature Thai restaurant, Sri Trang, will offer more traditional Thai cooking in a modern, minimalist setting using the very best of ingredients and cooking traditions from Thailand’s southern region. The restaurant’s chef table, which seats up to 12, will even offer cookery classes so guests can learn tips and techniques from the best local chefs.

The infinity pool bar, Plai Fah, will offer oversized cabanas where guests can enjoy lighter, more relaxed culinary offerings, while Chomtawan, the resort’s sunset lounge, will tempt guests with day beds, oversized pillows, chill-out lounge bar music and candle lamps for a truly intimate and relaxing feel.

The ESPA at Phulay Bay promises to be a sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation with stepping stones meandering through the spa leading to decked walkways and relaxation terraces surrounded by vegetation and reflection ponds that perfectly capture the unique character of Phulay Bay.

The Spa itself comprises three traditional Thai pavilions set over two levels offering 11 luxurious treatment rooms including single and couples Thai massage rooms and two VIP treatment suites. Each suite includes a private decked terrace with raised platform for Thai massage and a deep bath for soothing relaxation. The peaceful setting enhances the therapeutic ESPA treatments and enables the richness of the natural surroundings to be absorbed.

The opening rate for Phulay Bay, A Ritz-Carlton Reserve, which will open on March 1, 2009, will be $1,500 for two nights, and includes round trip transfers from Krabi Airport in Mercedes E-Class/BMW 5 Series, pack and unpack service by your private butler, daily breakfast for two, a yoga retreat for two and unlimited WiFi high-speed internet in all accommodation. Guests can also fly directly to Phuket airport and be transferred by car to Phulay Bay.

“The Ritz-Carlton Reserve will feature signature, one-of-a-kind boutique resorts positioned in unique settings, each with a distinctive personality and sense of place reflecting its history and culture,” said Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer. “A refuge from the expected, Ritz-Carlton Reserve is for travellers seeking to discover a singular location and peerless resort that will offer guests’ exotic, hand-selected ‘hideaway’ destinations in a relaxed, casually elegant atmosphere. Phulay Bay in Thailand is a natural choice for the first resort.”

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“With the potential growth of the tourism industry in Phuket to help stimulate the overall economy of Thailand, we need to continue our heavy and extensive promotion of this world-renowned seaside resort city,” said Mrs. Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor for Marketing Communications of TAT, adding that the Miss France 2009 campaign in Phuket is part of a series of TAT promotion plans.

In September 2008, the management of Miss France and TF1, France’s No.1 TV channel, flew to Phuket to inspect the island and its tourist attractions, in preparation for the Miss France 2009 campaign in Phuket.

During their stay, the famous Morning Talk (La Matinale) TV programme filmed a documentary about the beauty pageant with segments in Phuket to be telecast via the Miss France 2009 programme on TF1 on 6 December 2008, the contest finals, at 8.50 – 11.30 p.m., before an expected audience of 12 million French-speaking people.

Following its cooperation to organize the Miss France 2009 campaign in Phuket, XL Airways France will start its operation of the Paris-Phuket charter flight service in December 2008. The one-flight weekly service will continue until April 2010 using 364-seat Airbus A330-200, with the inaugural flight to take place on 21 December 2008. TAT will invite 100 travel agents and media for the inaugural flight.

With the wide and varied media channels for the Miss France 2009 campaign in Phuket and the inaugural flight, TAT hopes that French people will feel encouraged to pack their bags and choose Thailand as their next holiday destination. For years, France has remained one of the most important European markets for Thailand’s travel industry, along with the UK, Germany and Sweden.

Thailand welcomed around 351,651 French visitors in 2007, an increase of 9.92% from 319,910 the previous year. Their average length of stay is 15.15 days while the average spending is Baht 3,820 or about US$110. For the first seven months of 2008, Thailand welcomed 246,188 visitors from France, a slight 2.69% rise from 216,121 during the same period of 2007.

According to statistics from the Immigration Bureau, tourist arrivals to Thailand at Phuket International Airport during January and August this year are 829,083, an increase of 5.24% from 787,827 arrivals during the first eight months of 2007.

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The Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Hotel, located on the banks of the Chaophrya River, is just 40 minutes from Bangkok’s International airport via the new Express way and minutes away from Bangkok’s famous shopping and entertainment on Silom Street by Skytrain. A free shuttle boat service connects the hotel within minutes to the BTS Sky Train’s Saphan Taksin station.

The Ramada Plaza Menam Riverside Bangkok will celebrate the Grand Opening of its rebranding on 26 December 2008.

The hotel is offering all bona fide travel trade professionals the opportunity to stay at the hotel before 31 January 2009, including over the Christmas and New Year periods, free of charge for a DIY fam trip.

A total of 10 rooms per day have been set aside for the attractive promotion. Agents wishing to book can stay up to a maximum of two nights. Reservations need to be made up to 5 days in advance, and a special AD 50% discount off rates will apply for additional nights.

Mr. Andrew J Wood, General Manager, Chaophya Park Hotel & Resorts, said, “During these difficult times for the industry we thought we would take advantage of our few extra unoccupied rooms and put them to good use. It is an investment in the future and our travel agents are very important to the Chaophya Park. If our ‘Thailand to the World’ promotion encourages more people visiting and experiencing this wonderful unique country, then it can only be to everyone’s advantage. And when you consider the role agents play as opinion formers and their ability to influence choice, we believe the investment will be repaid many times over.”

The Chaophya Park Hotel is a luxurious 402 bedroom hotel located on Rachadapisek Road, just 10 minutes from Sukhumvit Road. Getting around town on business, or to simply shop, couldn’t be easier with the MRTA subway (linking to the skytrain) just a few minutes walk from the hotel’s entrance.

In addition to five distinct styles of accommodation and five F&B outlets, the hotel boasts a full length golf driving range with 45 tee off positions, a massage centre, Bali Spa and fully fitted fitness centre and outdoor pool.

The hotel was also one of the first in Thailand to offer complimentary WiFi and internet access in all guest rooms and public areas

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Amari Bonanza Rates are available at all of the Amari properties throughout Thailand. In Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Koh Chang, Samui, Phuket, Krabi, Loei and Doi Angkhang, these travel industry rates start from as little as 1,300Baht++ per night (based on single occupancy).

Click to http://www.amari.com/eflyer/2008/AHR-Bonanza-High-Ezine.html for more info on Amari Bonanza Rates, or contact Central Reservations on Tel: +66(0) 2255 3960.