Archive for June, 2007
Holidays in Thailand increasing in popularity, especially with Australians
Jun 28th
According to a recent market research report, the number of tourists visiting Thailand is expected to reach 20.03 million by 2011.
In the first quarter of this year, the number of foreign tourists taking holidays in Thailand also increased 5.4 percent to reach 3.82 million.
In the first three months of 2007, Thailand‚s tourism receipts increased 9.6 percent year-on-year to reach 142b baht.
Visitors from Australia and New Zealand have increased in the last few months. The number of Australians going to Thailand has increased 18.1 percent to reach 136,877 and the number of New Zealand visitors rose 7.9 percent to reach 23,648.
As a result of government efforts, Thailand‚s tourism industry has enjoyed continuous growth in revenues. In fact, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) estimates that tourism revenues will reach 547.5b baht in 2007, up from 486.3b baht in 2005.
In order to boost growth, TAT will also be promoting Thailand in new markets such as South America and the Middle East this year.
Source: E-Travel Blackboard
Thomas Cook to cut nearly 3,000 jobs this summer
Jun 28th
The Thomas Cook Group has announced that it will be cutting 2,000 across the company and all members of staff will be taking part in redudancy consultations lasting 15 months from this summer.
The former MyTravel headoffice in Rochdale will close, accounting for 900 jobs along with a nearby customer support division.
Many details of the job losses are remaining confidential for the time being as a series of union meetings and 90-day staff comsultations are set to take place.
The group plans to close 150 high-stree retail outlets, which will affect up to 900 retail staff.
UK and Ireland chief executive John Bloodworth said: “We will offer re-employment to all our sales people, although it may not be in the same town or city.”
The Transport Salaried Staffs’ Association has described the cuts as “draconian”.
Sat Nav company reveals its list of top 20 holiday destinations
Jun 28th
Navman, a satellite navigation systems supplier has compiled a list of the most downloaded destination by UK customers, which they say are the top holiday destinations for British travellers.
Mediterranean holiday hot spots, as well as the Canary Islands, dominate the list, along with a number European cities.
The vast majority of places on the list are in Europe, but Jamaica and the Dominican Republic both make an appearance.
Majorca, currently one of the most popular family holiday destinations, tops the list and Paris is the most downloaded European city.
Navman has pictures and description of their top holiday destination ready to download
The full list is;-
1. Majorca
2. Ibiza
3. Cape Verde
4. Tenerife
5. Gran Canaria
6. Costa del Sol
7. Minorca / Menorca
8. Corfu
9. Paris
10. Cyprus
11. Algarve
12. Amsterdam
13. Tuscany
14. Bulgaria
15. Egypt
16. Jamaica
17. Dubrovnik
18. Mexico
19. Salzburg
20. Dominican Republic