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IFTM Daily - Day 4

  • Text
  • Tourism
  • Iftm
  • Salle
  • Resa
  • September
  • Formation
  • Experts
  • Publication
  • Destinations
  • Destination

4 NEWS MORNING BRIEFING

4 NEWS MORNING BRIEFING BY FRÉDÉRIC LORIN Director of Tourism Division, Reed Expositions France THAILAND Still The Real Thing Juthaporn Rerngronasa, Deputy Governor Marketing Europe says authenticity is a major asset for visitors from Europe ADVERTORIAL Hello and welcome to the last day of IFTM Top Resa 2016. This day will be marked by conferences and entertainment destined to those who are the future of the tourism industry: students. Starting with “job dating” between employers and job seekers organised by the “Rencontres Emplois Tourisme” - the opportunity to meet a maximum of employers in the French tourism sector in a minimum amount of time. The “Travellers are changing and you?” and “Better understanding the needs of foreign tourists to better welcome them” conferences, aimed at students, will be moderated by the FFTST (French Federation of Technicians and Scientists of Tourism). The animation entitled, “They love their job and will come to introduce it on stage!” will allow you to elect the tourism professional that made you dream the most. Finally, I want to take advantage of this last "Morning Briefing" to thank all the partners of IFTM Top Resa MAP Pro for their support. The success of these shows is also theirs. See you next year! Mixing Adventure and Culture Across the Continents Thailand’s popularity remains high in 2016 thanks to a combination of authentic experiences, superb landscapes, an outstanding gastronomy and excellent service. 2016 will be a special IFTM Top Resa for Juthaporn Rerngronasa, TAT’s Deputy Governor Marketing for Europe. Some 20 years ago, she was head of TAT (Tourism Authority of Thailand) Office in Paris. IFTM 2016 is, however, her last public appearance, as she will leave her office by the end of September. Over the past 20 years, the soft-speaking Thai lady witnessed tremendous changes in the industry, with a major evolution for France: “the French market has now turned into one of Thailand’s most important European tourist sources. Last year, we welcomed 681,000 French tourists. As we recorded already 518,000 travellers between January and August 2016, it is possible that France might overtake Germany by year end”, she says. TAT now promotes seven communitybased destinations across the Kingdom but also secondary destinations described as “ Thailand’s hidden jewels”. “I think that smaller cities such as Nan in the North, Chanthaburi in the East or Trang in the South are perfectly adapted to the French market. Nan is famed for its temples and its slow pace of life, Chanthaburi has an old community living in what used to be a French developed urban centre and Trang is a charming vintage place, while its coast has some beautiful resorts”, adds Ms Rerngronasa. TAT’s presence at IFTM Top Resa has been constant since the start in Deauville recalls the Deputy Governor. A dozen hotels, airlines and DMC are present this year while TAT office in Paris continues actively to promote the Kingdom by proposing an exclusive trip to Thailand Fan Club members to celebrate the Thai festival of lighting (Loy Krathong) in Bangkok next November » HALL 7.2 / STAND H025 Croisières d’Exception (meaning “Exceptional Cruises”) is a tour operator based in Paris and specialised in high value cruises with prestigious guest speakers and lecturers. Its growth has so far been extremely impressive: up by 250% between 2015 and 2016. According to its management, Croisières d’Exception's should enjoy a similar growth rate between 2016 and 2017 with more than 30 cruises been on offer next year. Croisières d’Exception strength is to blend the excitement of discovering new destinations in the presence of personalities- generally specialised in a topic linked to the cruise. As an example, in May 2017, a historical cruise around the Baltic Sea will see the presence of French TV star Stéphane Bern who will tell all about the history of the area and about the struggle of Baltic countries to gain their independance. In June 2017, a special cruise dedicated to classical music on the Danube River will be entertained by seven musicians, including world-known composer Jean- François Zygel. In 2017 Croisières d’Exception programmes will also explore Japan, Alaska, Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Madagascar, New England, Patagonia as well as the North Pole and the Antarctica. Always with the presence of Frenchspeaking specialists » HALL 7.2 / STAND L073 Juthaporn Rerngronasa Deputy Governor Marketing Europe, Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) IFTM Daily • Friday 23 rd September 2016 www.iftmdaily.com

NEWS 5 BLOGGERS’ TIPS ADVERTORIAL AIR FRANCE-KLM IN AFRICA The Other Side of The Coin Solène reveals the “backstage” side of travel journalism The creator of www.solcito.fr, Solène talks to IFTM Daily about how her passion for blogging was spawned… At the end of my studies, I went to live in Australia on a working holiday visa. To avoid spamming my friends and family, I created my first blog where I told them all about my adventures. I put it aside upon coming back to France to focus on my first freelancing jobs. A few years later, Solcito.fr was born. It is now 4 and a half years that I have been talking about the “backstage” side of the profession of travel journalist and my unusual wanderings around the world. What are you seeing as being the most interesting new developments in terms of hotel and transport infrastructure in Peru? Attractive prices of domestic flights in the South of the country allow one to move around easily. Alternative cheap, safe but slower are the “luxury” buses such as those of the Cruz del Sur company that serves many destinations. In terms of accommodation, tourist areas offer a range of accommodation for all budgets, with of many hostels for backpackers. The country is wagering more and more on the concept of “unusual” nights, such as a dome in the mountains, hanging in the Amazon jungle, or bungalows on floating islands. What are your tips for TOs or TAs looking for new ideas in Peru? A visit to the South of Peru is of course essential. But extending one’s stay allows the traveller to explore the North and many more authentic, less touristic areas and national parks. In addition to the highly coveted Inca Trail, other treks can take one to Machu Picchu, with Salkantay offering sumptuous landscapes. Arriving on site, focus on sporting visits (Montaña, Huayna Picchu, or the Sun Gate) if one is still in shape and visitors are generally grouped in the “city”. In a world that is always faster, slow tourism allows one to immerse oneself in a place without running from one point to another. Volunteering is the ideal way to learn everything by being in contact with the local population. How do you see the future of bloggers / influencers? We are all influencers at all levels, whether bloggers or not. Word of mouth has been a great means of communication since the dawn of time. Blogs have taken over this concept with a “megaphone” that allows one to be heard all around world. With the proliferation of sites and advice, readers need a return to core values such as honesty, transparency and originality From February 28, 2017, Air France will offer three new flights every week to Accra (Ghana) departing Paris- Charles de Gaulle. Air France is thus developing one of the most important markets on the African continent for traffic to and from Europe and North America. In summer 2016, Air France-KLM serviced 48 destinations on the African continent. The group has also developed agreements with a number of key players in African air transport (Kenya Airways, TAAG Angola Airlines, Air Côte d'Ivoire, kulula.com & Comair), providing more than 20 additional destinations. DEDICATED STAFF At Paris-Charles de Gaulle, a team of experts on the African continent works flights to and from Africa, taking into account geopolitical, commercial, regulatory, and © Air France-KLM cultural specifics of each country. Air France has implemented multicultural teams familiar with the international customers’ expectations. Close to 5,000 passengers are welcomed daily, and the team assists with check-in formalities as well as with the facilitation of correspondences between flights. IMPROVED BAGGAGE POLICY FOR AFRICA Air France and KLM offer a luggage franchise that is more generous than the rest of the long-haul network, on most African destinations, enabling economy class travellers, for example, to register 2 x 23 kg suitcases at no extra charge. » HALL 7.2 / STAND K098 IFTM Daily • Friday 23 rd September 2016

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