22 REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
22 REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS EUROPE ASIA More than Lucky for Travellers 777 Days of Incredible Indian Himalaya reflects great beauty of region With an extraordinary cultural diversity and beautiful landscapes, India is one of the destinations that appeals most to international travellers; a fact confirmed by 6.85 million international arrivals in 2013, according to a government press conference at ITB Berlin. Girish Shankar, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Tourism for the Government of India, spoke at the press conference about two ideas for attracting tourists to the destination in 2014. First, with 365 days in a year, India suggests a fascinating journey with its new campaign on the Himalayas: “777 Days of Incredible Indian Himalaya.” That lucky number filled with 7s reflects the great natural beauty in a two-year discovery visit to the region of the country (Jammu, Kashmir, Himachal Oradesh, Uttarakh and, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Westbengalen), which borders Tibet, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar. Secondly, to help the visitors and tour operators prepare their trips, the Ministry of Tourism’s website has been updated and reorganised. IATO (Indian Association of Tour Operators) takes part in the changes with Plan Your Vacation. Other important links are online: Indian visa info, bookings (for a flight, a hotel, a bus, a train), e-books, 360° virtual walking tour, general and essential information. (From left to right) Ajit Gupte, Deputy Chief of Mission Embassy of India, Girish Shankar, additional Secretary Ministry of Tourism for the Government of India, Pasang Dorjee Sonq, Parliamentary Secretary – Government of Arunachal Pradesh Osaka… and All That Jazz Osaka selected as global host city for UNESCO International Jazz Day 2014 The Japanese delegation to ITB Berlin has revealed that Osaka is to be the Global Host City for International Jazz Day 2014. The concept for the event was spawned by UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador Herbie Hancock. Presented each year on April 30 th in partnership with the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz, International Jazz Day encourages and highlights intercultural dialogue and understanding through jazz, uniting people in all corners of the globe. “It is a great honor for Osaka to host this celebration and global movement in which appreciation for culture becomes the common language, an enabler for embracing our differences. Osaka has a rich history of fertile grounds where many forms of art have flourished. In the early 1920’s Osaka was known as the Mecca for Jazz in Japan. We look forward to welcoming the world to the Asian Gateway Osaka with our city’s hospitality” - Director Ken Kunio of the Osaka Government Tourism Bureau. Osaka will kick off the 2014 International Jazz Day celebration on April 30 th with a daylong series of jazz education programs, performances, and community outreach. Master classes, roundtable discussions, improvisational workshops, and education programs led by worldrenowned jazz musicians, educators, and diplomats will take place in various places around the city. In the evening an All- Star Global Concert at the Osaka Castle Park, a fortress carrying over 430 years of history for the city, will feature performances by Herbie Hancock, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Wayne Shorter, Kenny Garrett, Esperanza Spalding, amongst many other internationally acclaimed artists. From the home grounds of Japan, artists such as acclaimed jazz trumpeter Terumasa Hino and Japanese-American Jazz Pianist Toshiko Akiyoshi are expected. ITB BERLIN NEWS • Tuesday 18 th March 2014 www.itb-berlin-news.com
EUROPE ASIA REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS 23 Crisis or Opportunity? Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, explains how his government is planning for further growth despite problems in Bangkok In 2013, Thailand welcomed 26.73 million international visitors, up 19.6% over 2012. Thawatchai Arunyik, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT told ITB Berlin News that his government expects further growth this year despite political mayhem in the country. China is our biggest market at 4.7 million arrivals followed by Malaysia with 2.99 million arrivals. Five other markets- India, Russia, Japan, Korea and Laos- generate over a million arrivals each. Europe historically played a major role in Thai tourism. In 2013, European visitor arrivals reached 6.3 million. For 2014, we expect 6.36 million arrivals and 10.2 billion € in revenues from Europe. Bangkok is currently experiencing political turbulences. Do you see the current situation as an opportunity to promote destinations beyond Bangkok? That is exactly what we are doing. Due to the current situation in Bangkok, TAT is converting a crisis into an opportunity by promoting many wonderful and emerging destinations in regions. We organise for example more media and agents fam trips to unaffected areas such as Krabi, Samui, Phang-nga, Chiang Rai or Sukhothai. We are also promoting border areas with our neighbours from the Greater Mekong Subregion. You took over the Governor’s position last December. Thawatchai Arunyik Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand What are the new impulses you would like to infuse into promotion and marketing? Is social media becoming an essential communication tool? TAT has worked tirelessly over the years to build a strong tourism foundation. My job is to build on that and implement the strategies and projects outlined in our Marketing Action Plan. I want to further strengthen alliances with industry partners, boost costeffective communications via social media and ensure that the industry never loses sight at environmental sustainability. Thailand is a faithful partner of ITB Berlin. How important is this presence at ITB in your strategy? This year, ITB Berlin marked the 49 th anniversary since its DUE TO THE CURRENT SITUATION IN BANGKOK, TAT IS CONVERTING A CRISIS INTO AN OPPORTUNITY inauguration in 1966. It also marked Thailand’s 40th year of participation in the show. I am proud to recognise the unparalleled contribution of this great event in developing European travel to Thailand. At ITB Berlin this year, we had over 116 Thai participants. Vigan, North Luzon, Philippines Tacloban and Bohol “Back in Business” Philippines overcomes typhoon tragedy to push ahead with tourism Visitor arrivals in the Philippines in 2013 reached 4,681,307, up by 9.56% over 2012, despite the archipelago’s tragic typhoon. But what is the outlook for the current year? We put the question to Daniel Corpuz, Undersecretary of State for the Philippines Department of Tourism… Tourism continues to demonstrate sustained growth despite challenges brought forth by natural calamities that struck the central part of the Philippines in the last quarter. We remain optimistic that 2014 will be a recordbreaking year as we are likely to reach the five million arrival mark. 97% of the country was not affected by the calamity. Rebuilding and rehabilitation of Tacloban is now in full swing while Bohol is also back in business and is stepping up its promotion. How important is Europe for the Philippines? Do you expect a boost thanks to PAL return to Europe? Arrivals from Europe comprise around 11% of all our tourist arrivals. This is a lucrative market for Philippine tourism as it combines high expenditures and longer stays. The Department is very happy that PAL now flies the route Manila to London. With the UK being our biggest European source market, this development is expected to generate greater growth. And with excellent flight connections linking London to the rest of Europe, we are very optimistic that arrival figures from other European markets will also be boosted. We also encourage PAL’s introduction of more flights to Europe in the months and years to come. The Department of Tourism will certainly work together with PAL in promoting these new services. [INTERVIEW BY LUC CITRINOT ] ITB BERLIN NEWS • Tuesday 18 th March 2014
