TRAVEL TITBITS
A taste of ‘Le Tour’
The “L’Étape Thailand by Le Tour de France” will be hosted in Phangnga from Oct 19-21.
Started in 1993, the L’Etape bicycle race is organised by the Amaury Sport Organisation that owns, designs and organises top international sporting events including the Tour de France, the biggest bike race in the world.
The event is held in many countries including Australia and South Korea to give cyclists an experience of “Le Tour”.
In Thailand, the company has recently signed a three-year contract with Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the Tourism and Sports Ministry, Phangnga Province and Move Asia, a promoter and official licensee of L’Étape Thailand by Le Tour de France.
Thailand will be the first country in Southeast Asia to host the world-class event, said TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.
“L’Étape Thailand by Le Tour de France is a perfect combination of sports, tourism and business,” he said, adding that the event is expected to generate more than 300 million baht and create about 800 jobs.
The event will not only help boost the country’s sport industry, but will also be a factor for the province to improve the infrastructure and public transportation network, to meet the high standards determined by organising an event under the Tour de France brand.
Phangnga has been selected because over 80% of the land in the province is hilly, said Phangnga governor Sitthichai Sakda.
The race will feature two routes; 140km and 70km. The starting point is at Khao Lak and will end at the old town of Takua Pa. The event is expected to draw more than 20,000 participants.
Visit facebook.com/letapethailand.
Tourist award nominations open
Pacific Asia Travel Association (Pata) Gold Awards are open for submission. The awards will have two new categories: Community Based Tourism (CBT) and Women Empowerment Initiative. Submissions for CBT will be accepted for both CBT supporters or CBT initiatives and judging will be based on the benefit of the initiative, impact on the local community, awareness of the programme and effectiveness of the programme.
The award for Women Empowerment Initiative will be presented to travel and tourism-related organisations or destinations that embrace initiatives that forge positive visibility in women.
Other existing seven categories are “Marketing Campaign”, “Environment”, “Corporate Social Responsibility”, “Heritage & Culture”, “Education & Training”, “Marketing Media” and “Travel Journalism”.
The application fees vary depending on categories.
The deadline for submissions is May 11. Award presentation will take place during Pata Travel Mart 2018 on Sept 14 at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre in Langkawi, Malaysia.
Visit PATA.org/goldawards.
Airlines update
Thai AirAsia is offering QR
Code payment.
The airline has joined hands with Kasikorn Bank for the cashless payment channel, allowing passengers of Thai AirAsia and Thai AirAsia X to pay for their tickets via mobile phones.
The system is available at AirAsia counters in 21 domestic airports and its ticketing office on Patong Beach, Phuket.
This process is available for payments up to 50,000 baht per transaction.
The airline also runs another promotion with Kasikorn Bank by allowing the bank’s credit card holders to make instalment payments for their tickets for up to 10 months.
Visit airasia.com.
Nok Air has offered direct flights between Bangkok and Mae Hong Son.
The flight is operated by a 72-seat ART72-500 aircraft. The service is available on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays.
The flight departs from Mae Hong Son Airport at 11.15am and arrives at Don Mueang International Airport at 1pm. The return flight from Bangkok is 1.55pm and the arrival time in Mae Hong Son is at 3.40pm. The travel time is one hour and 50 minutes.
Visit nokair.com.
Hotels update
Asara Villa and Suite Resort has been rebranded to Movenpick Asara Resort & Spa Hua Hin.
Located on Hua Hin 5, the beachfront luxurious property features 54 pool villas and 42 suites. The room sizes range from 120m² to 360m². The resort has two swimming pools, a beach bar, two restaurants, spa and fitness centre.
The hotel is now under renovation and is scheduled to be opened in May.
Visit movenpick.com/ en/asia/thailand/hua-hin/ asara-resort-spa-hua-hin.
InterContinental Yao Yai Resort is set to open in early 2020.
The property is owned by Soraya Development Company, the property development company in Krabi, and will be managed by InterContinental Hotels Group.
Located on Ko Yao Yai in Phangnga, the beachfront resort will feature 170 rooms including suites with a private plunge pool and one- to three-bedroom villas.
Other facilities will be three restaurants and bars, a gym, pool, spa, meeting and function facilities.
InterContinental Yao Yai Resort will be the third property of Soraya Development with IHG’s brand after Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach and Holiday Inn Express Krabi Ao Nang.