Tuesday, October 19, 2010

Asia-Pacific online travel by numbers

Some fascinating data and detail into the growth of online travel in the Asia-Pacific region from Joe Nguyen, vice president in South East Asia at Comscore.

asia


At the top of the story behind the region’s growth is the nugget that travel sites are outpacing growth from the general internet audience by almost three to one.

The total internet audience increased by 7% from 477 million in 2009 to 511 million in 2010, but visits to travel sites jumped 19% from 108 million to 129 million.

Making up the largest share of the growth in travel sites comes from online travel agents in Asia-Pacific, increasing by 30% from 40 million to 52 million over the same period.

In the airline sector, AirAsia leads the field with 3.5 million unique visitors a month in August 2010 (up 15% y/y). Tiger Airways, interestingly, has the largest growth amongst the top ten airlines with a 52% leap from 2009 to 2010  to 930,000 monthly UVs.

Around specific behaviour online, Comscore’s data paints an interesting picture.
For example, developing markets in Asia have a low number of female users (India 30% and Indonesia 36%), but figures in other Asian markets are closer to those in the US and Europe, such as Malaysia (47%), Singapore (51%) and Japan (44%).


Among the over-45s, car rental is the rather curious winner as the most popular internet category, well ahead of ISP services, sports, politics and food and the leader in the travel sector. Airlines come in eighth position and hotels at 19.

Source : http://www.tnooz.com/2010/10/19/news/asia-pacific-online-travel-by-numbers/?utm_source=Tnooz+Mailing+List&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=15d5f84ec8-RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN

Sunday, October 3, 2010

New 7 Wonders - Why VOTE for the Dead Sea

The world contains an abundance of varied and beautiful locations, which fascinate and excite visitors, but the Dead Sea region is unique, combining history, geography, nature, health and beauty, and has attracted visitors throughout human history.

Even in ancient times, the Dead Sea was the focus of important events: In the Bible, Abraham, the father of Isaac and Ishmael, rescued his nephew, Lot, from Sodom and Gomorrah, minutes before the wicked cities were demolished by divine punishment; King David fled from the wrath of Saul to the Dead Sea region, and the heroic tale of Masada took place by the Dead Sea.


In addition, the Dead Sea region was the abode of the Essenes, whose writings, the Dead Sea Scrolls, excited the world (and were a source for the Indiana Jones movies); the Tribes of Israel crossed the Jordan River near the Dead Sea, and Jesus was baptized in the Jordan by John the Baptist.

Seven reasons to vote for the Dead Sea:

1.

The lowest place on earth

The Dead Sea is located in the Syrian-African Rift on the border between Israel and Jordan, 423 meters below sea level. Due to its uniquely low altitude, which increases the distance taken by sunbeams before they touch the human skin, healthy solar energy is created, with positive and healing qualities that help in the healing of various skin diseases, such as psoriasis.

2.

The saltiest lake in the world

The Dead Sea has a salt concentration of 33.7%, and is the second-most salty water source in the world. Due to the high saline levels, a variety of salts can be produced and marketed to meet global demand, serving as the basis for the existence of many industries in a variety of fields (from foodstuffs to microchips and cellular phones).

3.

Unique mud with medical and cosmetic characteristics.

At the Dead Sea you can frequently see people coating their bodies with mud! The natural mud excavated from the shores of the Dead Sea is rich in minerals and salts, and has well-known medicinal characteristics. Dead Sea mud is used both for medical treatments of skin diseases and for cosmetic treatments, and is sold throughout the world.

4.

Clear, rich air.

The air at the Dead Sea has 6% more oxygen than anywhere else in the world, and also contains bromide and magnesium. In addition, the air at the Dead Sea is very dry, and serves as a helpful medical factor for people suffering from lung diseases. Groups of patients from around the world come to the region every year, in order to breathe the unique air and enjoy its health-giving qualities.

5.

A winning combination of history and nature

First-time visitors to the Dead Sea region are thrilled by the lowest lake in the world, surrounded by ancient ruins, mountains colored in the light of the sun, and pillars of salt giving the place an unearthly, celestial appearance. This beauty is studded with desert springs emerging from the shaded wadis, creating a unique landscape of pools and waterfalls, and providing mineral water for the entire region.

6.

Floating effortlessly

The Dead Sea's high salt concentration allows anyone bathing in the water to float effortlessly. This escape from gravity allows visitors to cut themselves off from their day-to-day lives, and connect to the natural world surrounding the lake. In addition, floating naturally in the Dead Sea provides hydrotherapy treatment without requiring any technical aids.

7.

The World's largest natural spa

Visitors to the Dead Sea enjoy a luxurious, natural and varied spa, containing all the attractions the Dead Sea has to offer:
  • Three types of water: Dead Sea water, thermo-mineral water, and mineral water for drinking.
  • Twenty-four different minerals that are found in the water (including sulfur) are beneficial to the human body.
  • A large number of heated sea water pools along the Dead Sea are available for hydrotherapy sessions.
  • Natural mud excavated along the Dead Sea beaches is rich in minerals and salts, and has special medical and cosmetic qualities.
  • The unique sunlight has healing qualities for various skin diseases.
  • High-oxygen air relaxes the nervous system.
In addition, the Dead Sea is surrounded by a large number of spas, providing treatments based on the natural materials found in the Sea and providing their visitors with treatments based on materials provided by Mother Nature.

How do you vote for the Dead Sea?

Voting is simple. All you have to do is enter the competition site and vote, or send the words "Dead Sea" via a text message to 2244. (Text messaging is only possible in Israel.)

Want to know more on how to vote? Click here.

The Dead Sea is a candidate shared by Israel, Jordan and the Palestinian Authority. The Dead Sea has reached the third stage of the campaign and is among the 28 finalists.

You can read more about the Dead Sea region and vote for it on the campaign site.

Source http://www.votedeadsea.com/why-vote-dead-sea

Friday, October 1, 2010

New 7 Wonders

The third phase of the New7Wonders of Nature is now underway, and you can vote on your choice of seven natural wonders from the selection of 28 Official Finalist Candidates. If you cast your vote during the nominee phases, you can vote again now during this finalist phase

Procedure for the New 7 Wonders of the World

flowchart_07_2009 600x


The Official New7Wonders of Nature campaign started in 2007, immediately after the successful campaign to elect the man-made Official New 7 Wonders of the World , in which more than 100 million votes were cast and which took democracy to a new global level. From over 440 participants representing over 220 countries - more countries than participate in the Olympic Games - and through a national qualification and race to become one of the Top 77, as well as the Panel of Experts recommendation of the list of 28 Official Finalist Candidates, the Official New7Wonders of Nature is now in its third and final phase in which the wonders themselves will be chosen by an estimated 1 billion votes. The Official Declaration of the New7Wonders of Nature will be on 11.11.11.




New7Wonders of Nature World Tour

Voting will continue throughout 2010 and into 2011. During this time, the New7Wonders World Tour will aim to visit each of the Finalists to allow them to present themselves to the voters across the globe.


The change from man-made structures to treasures of nature

New7Wonders Founder and President Bernard Weber notes, “We are finding the New7Wonders of Nature campaign to be excitingly different from the first campaign. So many breathtakingly beautiful, natural places are still quite unknown to many. From waterfalls to fjords, rainforests to mountain peaks, freshwater lakes to volcanoes, we are discovering together the incredible beauty and variety of our planet.”

How to VOTE
World Map



Source : http://www.new7wonders.com/community/en/new7wonders/new7wonders_of_nature

About Indonesia

The Republic of Indonesia is the largest archipelago in the world comprising 17,504 large and small tropical islands fringed with white sandy beaches, many still uninhabited and a number even still unnamed. Straddling the equator, situated between the continents of Asia and Australia and between the Pacific and the Indian Oceans, it is as wide as the United States from San Francisco to New York, equaling the distance between London and Moscow.  Indonesia has a total population of more than 215 million people from more than 200 ethnic groups. The national language is Bahasa Indonesia.


Monas Krakatau

Among the most well known islands are Sumatra, Java, Bali, Kalimantan (formerly Borneo), Sulawesi (formerly Celebes), the Maluku Islands (or better known as Moluccas, the original Spice Islands) and Papua. Then, there is Bali “the world’s best island resort” with its enchanting culture, beaches, dynamic dances and music. But Indonesia still has many unexplored islands with grand mountain views, green rainforests to trek through, rolling waves to surf and deep blue pristine seas to dive in where one can swim with dugongs, dolphins and large mantarays. 

Because of her location, and geology, Indonesia is blessed with the most diverse landscape, from fertile ricelands on Java and Bali to the luxuriant rainforests of Sumatra, Kalimantan and Sulawesi, to the savannah grasslands of the Nusatenggara islands to snow-capped peaks of West Papua.


Her wildlife ranges from the prehistoric giant Komodo lizard to the Orang Utan and the Java rhino, to the Sulawesi anoa dwarf buffalos, to birds with exquisite plumage like the cockatoo and the bird of paradise. This is also the habitat of the Rafflesia the world’s largest flower, wild orchids, an amazing variety of spices, and aromatic hardwood and a large variety of fruit trees. Underwater, scientists have found in North Sulawesi the prehistoric coelacanth fish, a “living fossil” fish, predating the dinosaurs living some 400 million years ago, while whales migrate yearly through these waters from the South Pole. Here are hundreds of species of colourful coral and tropical fish to admire.

Culturally, Indonesia fascinates with her rich diversity of ancient temples, music, ranging from the traditional to modern pop, dances, rituals and ways of life, changing from island to island, from region to region. Yet everywhere the visitor feels welcomed with that warm, gracious innate friendliness of the Indonesian people that is not easily forgotten.   

Bali Indonesia

Facilities-wise Indonesia’s hotels are second to none. In fact, many of our luxurious and unique hotels have constantly been listed as some of the best in the world, located on white sandy beaches, overlooking green river valleys, or situated in the heart of busy capital Jakarta. While Indonesia’s cities like Jakarta, Bandung, Surabaya, or Makassar are a hive of activities for business and leisure and a paradise for shoppers, offering upscale boutiques selling top brand names, to local goods at road-side stalls. Here gourmets can treat themselves to the many regions’ delectable spicy cuisine or dine sumptuously at international restaurants. And for sheer relaxation, Indonesia Spas are second to none to reinvigorate both body and mind.  

Convention centers are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, as many top international conferences and exhibitions are held in Jakarta, Bali to Manado, ranging from the Global Climate Change Conference in Bali to the World Ocean Conference in Manado, to trade and investment exhibitions and tourism trade shows in many provincial capital cities.

Jakarta, Bali, Medan, Padang, Bandung, Solo, Yogyakarta, Surabaya, Makassar are connected by direct international flights, and many regular and low cost carriers fly passengers to Indonesia’s towns or remote locations.


Related links :-

Travel Information 
About Gallery
About Activiries
About News
Others

Source : http://www.visit-indonesia.com.my/about_indonesia.html

CHINA tourists return to Thailand

Sirima Eamtako, Bangkok (2010-10-01)

THE TOURISM Authority of Thailand (TAT) and the Thai-Chinese Tourism Alliance Association (TCTA) have reported a healthy rebound in arrivals from China after the advisory for the kingdom was lifted in early July.

This follows an exemption of a tourist visa fee for Chinese tourists and a host of stimulus campaigns, including a 60 million baht (US$1.97 million) advertisement series, to restore travellers’ confidence.


Despite the recent Thai political crisis, the country is on track to welcome one million arrivals from China this year and 1.3 million for the next, according to TAT and TCTA.

Sansern Ngaorangsi, TAT deputy governor for international marketing (Asia and South Pacific), said in the first eight months of this year, arrivals from China jumped 54.57 per cent year-on-year to 685,215 visitors, despite a drop in numbers in April, May and June.



The number of flights and air seats from China has also increased by 18 per cent and 17 per cent respectively, over last year.

“Phuket is in demand for the Chinese market,” said TCTA president Vichit Prakobgosol. TCTA data register a 200 per cent increase in charters from China to Phuket in the fourth quarter.

Arrivals from China to the southern Thai island are expected to grow from about 70,000 to 80,000 visitors last year to more than 100,000 this year, and to increase further to about 140,000 to 150,000 next year, said Vichit, who is also chairman of CCT Group, one of the kingdom’s largest inbound Chinese tour operators.

Source : http://ttgtravelhub.net/