Marriott International has reported an operating income of $545 million in the 2021 third quarter, compared to 2020 third quarter reported operating income of $252 million.
Month: November 2021
Health Officials Warn Drinkers Not to Breach COVID-19 Rules
With alcohol now allowed to be served at restaurants in key tourism cities, the Department of Health is urging drinkers to drink responsibly and continue practicing personal protective measures against COVID-19. Restaurants are warned not to serve alcohol beyond the permitted hours.
Restaurants in Bangkok, Phuket, Krabi, and Phang Nga are now permitted to serve alcoholic drinks, as the government looks to stimulate tourism activities.
The Department of Health has urged restaurants and customers to comply with all the restrictions that remain, including the limit of serving hours outlined by provincial communicable diseases committees.
The Department of Health’s Director-General, Suwanchai Wattanayingcharoenchai, said most restaurants are found complying well with the regulations, while some restaurants and their customers might become quite loose with the compliance.
He asked restaurants and customers not to serve or consume alcohol beyond the permitted hours, and to prevent overcrowding at venues.
Dr. Suwanchai said lower cognitive abilities in intoxicated persons would lead to more chances of breaching disease control measures, adding that drinkers must be considerate of their own safety and that of others.
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WHO DG, Chief Scientist Congratulate India As WHO Approves Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin
As the World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved Bharat Biotech COVID-19 vaccine Covaxin for emergency use, the international health agency’s Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus and Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan on Wednesday congratulated India for the vaccine approval.
WHO DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus took to Twitter and reacted to Covaxin emergency nod:
Glad to see one more vaccine, #Covaxin, being granted WHO emergency use listing. The more products we have to fight #COVID19, the better: WHO DG Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus pic.twitter.com/t6czetH2OT
— ANI (@ANI) November 3, 2021
The WHO Chief Scientist Soumya Swaminathan hailed India for the successful vaccination programme in the country.
One more vaccine gets @WHO emergency use listing. Congratulations India @BharatBiotech @ICMRDELHI @MoHFW_INDIA for successful development of indigenous vaccine #Covaxin as well as for a massive vaccination program! @mansukhmandviya @NITIAayog @SuchitraElla @DBTIndia @GaviSeth https://t.co/Fit5huxwcP
— Soumya Swaminathan (@doctorsoumya) November 3, 2021
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PM calls for country transformation after reopening
Thailand’s Prime Minister has invited all sectors to take part in a country transformation, following the country’s reopening to international visitors, with the new chapter of tourism being one of the main focuses.
Following Thailand’s reopening to international tourists, Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-o-cha has urged all sectors to collaborate in the country’s transformation towards the New Normal in every aspect.
At the latest meeting of the Center for COVID-19 Situation Administration, the Prime Minister ordered government agencies to find new ways to thrive, starting with areas to which changes could immediately be applied, while at the same time pushing for positive changes to infrastructure development to attain sustainable growth.
In response to this new vision, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) has launched the new tourism concept “Amazing Thailand, Amazing New Chapters” to promote Thai tourism next year, with a focus on the New Normal, health, and safety.
The new concept aims to deliver new and more wonderful stories and experiences that meet all tourists’ needs, with campaigns promoting this concept being rolled out from now until the end of next year.
The TAT expects the tourism industry to be different due to the changing consumer behaviors towards the new normal.
The TAT anticipates that tourism businesses will need to change their business models to better focus on quality, rather than the number of tourists, as well as diversifying their target audiences to include both long-distance markets such as European countries and the Americas, as well as short-distance markets such as Asian and ASEAN countries so that they do not have to rely solely on a single market.
Information and Source
Reporter : Tanakorn Sangiam
Rewriter : Tarin Angskul
National News Bureau & Public Relations : http://thainews.prd.go.th
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TAT Introduces ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022’ at WTM 2021
The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) introduced the latest tourism marketing campaign, the ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022” with a number of strategic activities to promote the reopening of the kingdom’s ‘Amazing New Chapters’ of new normal tourism at one of the world’s leading travel trade shows, the World Travel Market (WTM), from 1-3 November, 2021.
TAT at WTM 2021
This year marks the 40th year of TAT’s participation in the WTM, which is being held in the form of a live event at Excel London from 1-3 November, and a virtual event from 8-9 November.
Thailand’s participation at the WTM 2021 was graciously supported by Princess Ubolratana who took time to grace the Amazing Thailand: The Royal Dinner on 1 November, 2021, and offered words of encouragement for Thai tourism professionals to recognise opportunities in times of crisis and join together in being a good host to ensure Thailand remains a sustainably Preferred Destination. The Princess also extended an invitation to travellers from around the world to once again visit Thailand, the Land of Smiles, and experience the renowned Thai hospitality.
Also on 1 November, 2021, H.E. Mr. Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Minister of Tourism and Sports, presided over the opening of the Thai pavilion at the WTM 2021, which comprises a number of exhibitors including Thai hotels such as Centara Hotels and Resorts, Dusit Hotels & Resorts, Minor Hotels, The Standard Hotels, and Wattana Hotel Marketing Consultant; tour operators such as Asia Thailand, Diethelm Travel Thailand, Discova, and Easia Travel, and tourism representatives such as SALT Representation, Red Elephant Reps, and The MC Collection.
Mr. Yuthasak Supasorn, TAT Governor, said, “TAT is using the WTM 2021 as a platform to launch our new marketing campaign, the Visit Thailand Year 2022, to the world. Leveraging the Royal Thai Government’s Bio-Circular-Green or BCG economy model and our ongoing promotion of responsible and sustainable tourism, our new marketing activities for next year will emphasise Thailand’s strengths in biological diversity and cultural richness under the “Amazing New Chapters” concept. This will reiterate the good image of the kingdom as a top tourist destination with all health and safety measures in place as the world exits the COVID-19 era.”
During the WTM 2021, TAT also signed a Letter of Intent (LoI) with British Airways and TUI to form
a strategic partnership to promote Thailand as a preferred destination for travellers from UK and around the world.
Visit Thailand Year 2022
The “Visit Thailand Year 2022” will offer 3 ‘Amazing New Chapters’ in which the world’s travellers are welcome to experience in Thailand.
Chapter 1, or The First Chapter, will see TAT highlight tourism products and services that will awaken travellers’ five senses; such as, delicious Thai cuisine and the picturesque natural scenery that can be discovered all throughout the kingdom.
In Chapter 2, titled The One You Love, TAT will focus on specific segments like families, couples, and friends and invite them to create wonderful memories together in Thailand. Bangkok, Phuket, and Chiang Mai in particular will be promoted as popular destinations for weddings and honeymooners, with their beautiful beaches, mountain resorts, and vibrant city appeals.
Chapter 3, The Earth We Care, will highlight how nature’s chance to revitalise due to the COVID-19 situation has increased ecotourism awareness among the world’s travellers and how their behaviour has impacted the environment. The emergence of travel segments like Wilderness tourism (Escapers) and Cult-Vacation (Conscious) will also show that travellers’ behaviour has changed towards spending more time in nature and being increasingly conscious of their impact on natural resources.
In addition, other segments to highlight include gastronomy, health and wellness, as well as, workation, which has become a growing trend when the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic will allow people to work remotely and enjoy a vacation.
Thailand Tourism Situation
From January to September, 2021, Thailand welcomed a total of 85,845 visitors from overseas through various entry schemes, including the Sandbox Programme, Special Tourist Visa (STV), Thailand Privilege Card, and Medical Tourism. The Phuket Sandbox programme in particular recorded a total of 60,649 visitors from 1 July-31 October, 2021, with the top five markets being the USA, Israel, UK, Germany, and France.
Meanwhile, from 1 November, 2021, “Thailand Reopening” is welcoming fully vaccinated visitors from 63 countries and territories via the Exemption from Quarantine (TEST & GO) entry scheme, and from around the world under the Living in The “Blue Zone” (17 Sandbox Destinations) programme. Partially or unvaccinated visitors from any countries and territories are also much welcomed via the Happy Quarantine requirements.
This year’s various entry scheme is expected to bring at least 700,000 visitors to Thailand.
For 2022, TAT expects Thailand’s tourism to generate 1.58 trillion Baht, which includes 818 billion Baht from international tourists and 771 billion Baht from domestic tourists. The forecast is based on the base scenario, and can result in different outcomes depending on the COVID-19 pandemic and global and local economic situation.
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Tourism scene visibly livelier in some provinces
The tourism scene in some provinces has visibly gotten livelier after the relaxation of Covid restrictions to accommodate the reopening of Thailand to international tourists, and as the tourism high season comes into view. This is especially true for Phuket province, which has a 3-month head start because of the Phuket Sandbox quarantine waiver initiative.
Many tourists were seen boarding vessels at Chalong Bay Pier in Phuket’s capital district, as they made their way to islands and islets near Phuket. There were Thai as well as foreign boaters, the latter consisting of travelers from countries such as Israel, Denmark, and France. Staff at the tourist drop-off point at the pier said there have been more visitors lately, in contrast with very quiet days at the pier earlier, when around 20 people would head to the pontoon and marina at the pier each day. Currently, more than 1,000 people make use of the pontoon and marina per day. The staff said more tourists are expected during the year-end peak season.
In Trang province, Pak Meng Pier was seeing significant tourist activity. The visitors comprised both Thais and foreigners who were generally there to tour Morakot Cave – Trang’s highlight tourism destination. Recently, no less than 100 people charter boats to the cave each day. The charter service has become more popular as opposed to group tours, as each visitor group tries to avoid mingling with other tourists due to COVID-19 concerns.
In Trat province, Ko Chang district’s implementation of the safe tourism model resembling Phuket Sandbox was apparently going well, as hotel bookings continued to climb. Hoteliers said rooms were almost completely booked for nights within the peak season. They viewed Thailand’s reopening to international tourists positively and said they have made all the required preparations, notably making sure that their hotels meet the SHA Plus public health standard.
Information and Source
Reporter : Namo Vananupong
Rewriter : Tarin Angskul
National News Bureau & Public Relations : http://thainews.prd.go.th
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BMA Insists On Allowing Alcohol Consumption Until 9 PM
Bangkok Governor Pol Gen Aswin Kwanmuang wants to maintain Covid restrictions by allowing alcohol consumption in restaurants only until 9 pm for the time being, reasoning that the easing of curbs must proceed gradually. The move came after a call for an extension of the alcohol consumption period by the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association.
The governor said the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) will be assessing the situation every two weeks to consider how well the general public and business operators cooperate with the City Hall, after which authorities will consider extending the alcohol consumption period accordingly.
Starting from November 1, the BMA lifted a ban on alcohol consumption in restaurants, allowing SHA-certified restaurants to resume dine-in services with the sales of alcoholic drinks permitted until 9 pm. However, alcohol consumption in hotels, exhibition halls, and convention halls is still not allowed.
Thanakorn Kuptajit, secretary-general of the Thai Alcohol Beverage Business Association, has requested authorities to allow restaurants and eateries to serve alcohol until 11 pm in 4 pilot areas for tourism or blue zones including Bangkok, Krabi, Phang Nga, and Phuket.
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