North Luzon Travel Expo Aims to Revitalize Philippine Tourism

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 11, 2023

Officials have issued a statement that Thailand is bent on restoring the confidence of tourists in the tourism sector. The statement follows closely on the heels of a mass shooting at a luxury mall. Two foreigners have been killed, and it has made hopes of attracting overseas visitors a distant dream. On Tuesday, the police arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected of having unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the Siam Paragon Mall. The location being the center of Bangkok’s commercial zone has raised all too many eyebrows. The incident caused the death of two women- one of them from China and the other from Myanmar, injuring five people. Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, has said that the agencies have vowed to do their best to restore confidence. "We need to improve security in all areas for Thai and foreign tourists," she said without explaining any necessary steps being taken. Somsong Sachaphimukh, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand industry group, has remarked, "This will impact tourism confidence and will affect our reputation. In the past, there were complaints about safety from China but this was something unthinkable." Chinese tourists have accounted for 11 million of the 39.9 million foreign visitors in Thailand in 2019. Tourism so far has been pretty slow, and it has prompted the government to decide on the visa waiver ahead of the peak season. Thai Examiner issued a report on the fee situation so far. The visa waiver will be collected from foreign travelers to provide “emergency medical health insurance cover and other benefits for 30 days from the point of entry.” The report explained that the fee needs “to be paid on arrival at kiosks at Immigration Bureau points of entry, including at airports after landing. The fee will also be delivered via a website or smartphone app.” It further added that “The tourism fee is supported broadly by the tourism industry as its tourist insurance fund is considered an essential step forward given the repeated stories of tragedies, accidents, and personal disasters which occur every year.” Read Also: Israel Government Declares War: Multiple Flights Cancelled National Taco Day: How To Celebrate If You Are From Chicago Columbus Day And Indigenous People’s Day: What IS Open And What Is Closed?

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 27, 2023

The CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Akwesi Agyemang said that measures are being put in place in order to ensure that musical concerts and events that will be held during the festive season happen under peaceful circumstances. He has revealed that his management outfit is collaborating with event organizers- the Ghana Police Service and other relevant stakeholders to chalk out the upcoming Christmas events in a mannerly structure. Speaking to TV3 and GhanWeb, Akwesi Agyemang emphasized that Ghana is ready to host the rest of the world for this festive season. He went ahead detailing what plans they have for Christmas joining hands with the Ghana Police Service to make provision for tighter security. He said in his statement, "I mean we've done this for five years so when it comes Ghana we have a track record of that. We are working with the event organizers, and we've met with the IGP (George Akuffo Dampare), he asked that everybody present their security plan that will be tied to what the police will do. Also, they were going to give us coordinators for each region." "So if it's the Ashanti region, all the event organizers, you know your points, person the number of men you need for the day and you also have to get your own security plan and they will work with you. We had a meeting with National Security and the hoteliers because people are coming, they will stay in hotels, they will stay in facilities that also need some kind of security." As Christmas draws closer it is incumbent upon the Ghana Tourism Authority to put security in place during lives when the events take place. Read Also: Venice Reveals 2024 Dates For Tourist Entry Fees: Report North Luzon Travel Expo Launched To Boost Tourism Recovery: Philippines Play Airlines Is Celebrating Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals On Flights To Europe

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 8, 2023

The most preferred destinations for tourists traveling within their country as well as abroad remain a matter of trend and fluctuations. But one country that has seen a huge surge in inbound tourists is Thailand. Especially Indians who want a small break. This growth comes from Thailand's latest visa policy that allows visa-free entry to its visitors, one of the nationals being Indians. Thailand's Bangkok has stolen this coveted spot from Dubai, according to Agoda, an online travel platform. They analyzed the trends based on hotel bookings on their application. Ever since the government of Thailand has permitted visa-free entry for many countries including India, the country has seen a 26% increase in searches on Agoda and Indian tourists have found their favorite escape. Other countries that have recently waived the visa requirements for tourists of various nationals include Malaysia and Sri Lanka. Both of these countries are seeing renewed interest from tourists. The report says, “When it comes to international travel choices, Indians consistently favour short haul destinations across the region. Chart topper Bangkok and fifth most popular destination Pattaya are poised to further strengthen their appeal, with the recent announcement of visa-free travel for Indians to Thailand.” The report also said that, “The rankings with the most booked destinations on Agoda underscore a distinct inclination among Indians for tried-and-tested destinations, showcasing a preference for all-time favourites that have lots to offer to any type of traveller and no matter how frequently they are visited." Krishna Rathi, Agoda's country director for India, Maldives, and Sri Lanka says, "2023 has been an incredible year for travel in India. Agoda search numbers reveal growth on all levels: domestic, inbound, and outbound. I am excited to see how this trend will shape the travel industry in 2024. "Bangkok has been followed by Dubai, then Bali in the third and Singapore in the fourth place. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report World’s Most Famous Christmas Tree Has Reached Trafalgar Square