Regional Travel News from SpiceRoads
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12 November 2008
AirAsia Abolishes Fuel Surcharges across its Entire Network
Asia’s leading low cost carrier, AirAsia has announced that it will be the first in the world to waive fuel surcharges across its entire network including AirAsia X destinations.
Beginning on Tuesday, November 11 both international and domestic passengers flying with AirAsia and AirAsia X will only have to pay the airlines low fares, airport taxes and administration fees.
AirAsia will commemorate this special “No more Fuel Surcharge” initiative with the launch of a regional campaign, which will give away 500,000 free seats.
AirAsia passengers can book their free seats* to all of the airlines destinations with no fuel surcharge from 12– 16 November 2008 for travel between 22 June – 24 October 2009.
Dato’ Sri Tony Fernandes, Group CEO, AirAsia Berhad said: “We make every effort to ensure that we measure up to our guests’ expectations and give them the best value for their travel plans. With our brand new modern fleet fitted with leather seats and spacious cabin, an array of hot meals to choose from, high quality service, fun and friendly cabin crew, our On Time Guarantee services and now, topped with AirAsia’s “No Fuel Surcharge” initiative, AirAsia is indeed the airline to travel with.
“AirAsia’s No Fuel Surcharge is aimed to live up to AirAsia’s commitment in offering truly low fares. We believe in giving a fair and positive experience. This initiative recognizes the current economic situation and the need to provide more affordable and transparent air fares for business and leisure travellers. To top it all, we are offering 500,000 free seats to all AirAsia domestic, regional and international destinations and will shoulder the fuel surcharges from now on as a token of gratitude to our loyal guests.”
Mr Fernandes continued: “With the current economic uncertainties, we understand how important low cost travel is to the people and the economy of ASEAN countries. By abolishing our fuel surcharges, our low fares will stimulate new demand and boost tourism, thus bringing new revenue through visitor spending, stimulating employment, export earnings, and foreign investment. In addition, our increased flight frequencies and low fares can also help to bridge strong social and family ties especially for expatriates by providing accessible opportunities to return home. “When other airlines began levying higher fuel surcharges after international fuel prices skyrocketed, AirAsia maintained the same low fuel surcharge. Instead, we expanded our route network strategically tapping new underserved markets and we use innovation and technology to remain at the forefront. Being the #1 people’s airline, it is our commitment to offer the lowest fares and provide an amazing 5-star value to our guests.”
With the launch of AirAsia’s “No More Fuel Surcharge” initiative today, AirAsia’s published fares will exclude airport taxes and administration charges.
For more information on AirAsia’s low fares please visit www.airasia.com.
[Permanent link to this article: AirAsia Abolishes Fuel Surcharges across its Entire Network]
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10 October 2008
SpiceRoads lauded by Tourism Authority of Thailand
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has honored SpiceRoads with two awards – for an outstanding tour and guide!
The popular North Thailand tour, which not only takes riders off-road but onto the backs of elephants, was given an award for Outstanding Performance.
Vaikoon Kamchana, better known as Tee, received a TAT Tourist Guide Award at the same ceremony. Tee's life-long love of biking and Thailand makes being an envoy of both an integral part of his character and those on his tours appreciate his enthusiasm.
“Very thoughtful, very professional and very fun to travel with,” said Cynthia Stanton of her tour with Tee to Kanchanaburi. Alice Quan found Tee to be informative, courteous “and very patient with our two children who are beginner cyclists.” She and her family “had a terrific day” to the floating market.
Tee, who is also an International Cycling Union (UCI) Commissar for cycling events in Thailand, often leads the longer tours SpiceRoads offers.
The Northern Thailand tour was awarded in the category for inbound tour programs and was judged on being an interesting program, role in environmental conservation, promotion of arts and culture and way of life, as well as roles and responsibilities for guides. These prestigious awards were presented by Mr. Weerasak Kowsurat, Minister of Tourism and Sports.
We are now deciding where to display those golden half-human Kinaree birds of Thai mythology statues we were awarded.
[Permanent link to this article: SpiceRoads lauded by Tourism Authority of Thailand ]
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10 October 2008
Thailand Political Update
The political situation in Thailand is hitting the international airwaves and the pictures shown earlier this week were quite grim, however, the incidents broadcast worldwide were at an isolated location within the capital and for the rest of the city and country it is business as usual.
The protests have been concentrated at Government House and on Tuesday Parliament, two areas not often visited by tourists even in the best of times All tourist sites in Bangkok are open to visitors as normal.
Thailand remains one of the safest places in the world to travel and there is no threat of violence or sense of danger in the capital Bangkok for tourists or residents from the protests.
[Permanent link to this article: Thailand Political Update]
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02 October 2008
AirAsia ups Bangkok-HCMC frequency
02 October 2008 11:59 Age: 2 hrs Category: News AirAsia will fly daily to Ho Chi Min City beginning in late October.
Thai AirAsia is increasing its frequency between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City from four weekly flights to daily on 26 October, to meet the high demand.
Promotional fares are Bt699 excluding taxes and surcharges until 10 October for travel from 26 October until 28 March 2009. The mother company is also upping service from Kuala Lumpur to HCMC from seven to 11 weekly flights.
According to AirAsia regional head of commercial Kathleen Tan, the Bangkok-Ho Chi Minh service has recorded an average load factor of 90% with over 30,000 passengers since April.
The flight departs Bangkok at 1555 and arrives in HCMC at 1720, returning at 1750 and arriving Bangkok at 1950.
[Permanent link to this article: AirAsia ups Bangkok-HCMC frequency]
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02 October 2008
Thai Airways Lowers Fuel Surcharges
THAI Airways has just announced significant changes in the price of its fuel surcharges, with some sectors seeing reductions of up to 30% as crude oil lingers around US$100 a barrel. Effective immediately domestic sectors will see fuel surcharges now charged at US$24 per sector, whilst international surcharges now range from US$41 to US$266 depending on the length of the sector. The US$41 sectors include Bangkok-Ho Chi Minh City, Bangkok-Hanoi, Bangkok-Vientiene, Bangkok-Phnom Penh, and Bangkok-Penang. The most expensive surcharge of US$266 is only applied to the long-haul route of Bangkok-Los Angeles. Domestically, THAI will charge THB750 on all sectors, excluding the route Chiang Mai-Mae Hong Son where THB600 will be charged.
[Permanent link to this article: Thai Airways Lowers Fuel Surcharges]
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22 September 2008
Update on Thailand
The state of emergency has been lifted in Thailand and on Wednesday the Thai Parliament chose a new prime minister. Somchai Wongsawat, the brother-in-law of coup-ousted former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, replaces Samak Sundaravej. The transition has been peaceful and there are no adverse reactions expected.
SpiceRoads is looking forward to welcoming you to Thailand in the near future.
[Permanent link to this article: Update on Thailand]
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07 September 2008
Thailand's Political Situation
The situation in Thailand took a positive turn on Thursday with Thai Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej calling for a referendum. The step looks to resolve the ongoing impasse with thousands of protestors demanding that he resign.
Since the Thai leader declared a state of emergency several days ago there have been no more clashes between protesters and life continues as normal in Bangkok and Thailand.
Prime Minister Samak reiterated on Thursday, as has the army, that no force will be used against the protesters. Unless you are near Government House in Bangkok you will not see any signs of the demonstrations, which have even taken on a temple fair atmosphere.
Despite the scenes flashed on news stations, there has been no impact on normal city life, with Bangkokians going to work, shopping and eating out as usual.
An inconvenience to some travelers was the temporary closure of a few airports and a rail strike, all of which have since been resolved with all transport operating normally.
SpiceRoads is running all tours as usual and is monitoring the situation closely.
What is happening and why: The demonstrations are being led by a political movement called the People's Alliance for Democracy (PAD) that is calling for the resignation of Prime Minister Samak Sundaravej, claiming he is corrupt and they oppose changes he has proposed to the 2007 constitution. The PAD advocates a return to Thailand's old-style democracy, which favors government being led by a bureaucracy and appointed office holders over elected members of parliament. PAD was initially formed to spearhead a movement to topple former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, who was eventually ousted by a bloodless military coup on September 19, 2006. Prime Minister Samak, who was elected in December 2007, has said he will not step down.
[Permanent link to this article: Thailand's Political Situation]
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21 July 2008
One 2 Go -Thailand LCC Suspend Operations
High fuel prices have forced Thailand’s first budget carrier, One-Two-Go, to suspend its operations for at least two months.
The airline will be grounded from Tuesday, until September 15, and intends to restructure during that period to cope with the changing conditions in the market.
One-Two-Go commenced operations in December 2003, and was founded by the CEO Udom Tatiprosongchai.
Flying 100,000 passengers monthly on 200 weekly flights, the carrier travels between Bangkok and Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hatyai, Nakhorn Si Thammaret, Phuket and Surat Thani.
A fleet of five Boeing 747-300s and eight McDonnell Douglas MD-82s are shared between One-Two-Go, and its parent company, Orient Thai, who also services the international cargo market.
All domestic routes that are usually serviced by One-Two-Go will not operate for the suspension period, but Orient will continue its services to Hong Kong and Incheon, South Korea, Bernama reports.
The four carriers in Thailand have subjected their services to cutbacks, due to reduced passenger traffic and increasing oil prices. Frequencies of all flight, even popular long haul flights, have suffered.
[Permanent link to this article: One 2 Go -Thailand LCC Suspend Operations]
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10 July 2008
Bangkok voted world's best city in travel poll
Bangkok was voted the world's best city for 2008 and the Galapagos were picked as the best islands in an online poll by Travel + Leisure magazine, winning over last year's winners Florence, Italy and Bali, Indonesia.
US-based magazine readers also voted Singita Sabi Sand, at the Kruger National Park, South Africa, as the world's top hotel while Singapore Airlines grabbed the best airline award again.
It was the first time that Bangkok and the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador topped their respective categories, said Nancy Novogrod, editor-in-chief of Travel + Leisure.
Last year, Bangkok was ranked number 3 and the Galapagos number 8. The 2007 winners of best city and best island -- Florence and Bali -- fell to number 5 and number 2 respectively.
Singapore Airlines was voted number one, followed by Emirates, Thai Airways and Cathay Pacific.
Last year's number one hotel, the Oberoi Udaivilas in India, fell to number 4 this year. Singita Sabi Sands was voted the number two hotel in 2007.
The results were complied from votes by magazine subscribers in an Internet poll which went live between January and March. Travel + Leisure will honour winners on July 24 in New York City.
Top 10 cities :
1 Bangkok, Thailand 87.61 2 Buenos Aires, Argentina 87.24 3 Cape Town, South Africa 86.59 4 Sydney, Australia 86.49 5 Florence, Italy 86.24 6 Cuzco, Peru 86.15 7 Rome, Italy 85.12 8 New York, US 85.03 9 Istanbul, Turkey 84.61 10 San Francisco, US 84.42
[Permanent link to this article: Bangkok voted world's best city in travel poll]
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07 July 2008
Cambodian Departure Tax
The unpopular US$25 departure tax at Cambodian airports will be incorporated into air fares, following a petition from travel agents. The Phnom Penh Post has reported that the Société Concessionnaire de l’Aéroport (SCA), which operates Phnom Penh and Siem Reap international airports, has agreed to ‘disguise’ the fees by including them in flight ticket prices.
[Permanent link to this article: Cambodian Departure Tax]
