NEW DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM SINGAPORE TO HCMC TO START IN NOVEMBER

Vietnam based Pacific Airlines, the country's second carrier, is to launch direct flights from Singapore to Ho Chi Minh City from the end of 2002. The airline will operate five flights a week using modern aircraft. With the coming seasonal flight schedule 2003, Pacific Airlines will reschedule its domestic flights from HCMC to Danang to connect with international flights from Singapore.

Pacific Airlines also operates a direct service from Hong Kong to Danang twice a week on Tuesday and Saturday, while Thai Airways operate direct flights from Bangkok to Danang three times a week on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Paul Stoll, General Manager of the Furama Resort, Danang said, "Danang which is Vietnam's third gateway city is becoming more and more of a transport hub for Vietnam and the Indochina countries. Besides direct flights from Hong Kong and Bangkok, Cambodia's Siem Reap Airways International recently launched its new international flights linking World Heritage sites in Central Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Thailand. Three flights a week now connect Danang with Siem Reap (Angkor Wat) in Cambodia, Bangkok & Sukhothai, Thailand and Luang Prabang in Laos."

HANOI VENUE FOR 8TH MEKONG TOURISM FORUM

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) will hold the 8th Mekong Tourism Forum from 28-30 March, 2003 at the Hanoi Daewoo Hotel, Hanoi, Vietnam.

National tourism offices, government officials, airline leaders, hoteliers, tour operators, travel agents and media from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam and Yunnan, China  will meet to discuss key issues of selling the Mekong and mutual cooperation within the Greater Mekong Sub-region.

The theme for the Forum is Innovation: Selling the Mekong in a Dynamic Marketplace. Panellists will debate issues such as customer and market needs, Mekong destination cohesion in tourism development and the role of local tourism associations. Breakout sessions will focus on market intelligence, customer relationship management and niche markets.

Hanoi Opera House

Despite global tourism passing through a challenging period, the Mekong region has shown great resilience. According to the PATA 2002 half-year report, Myanmar and Vietnam received visitor arrivals increases of 12 percent and 10.1 percent respectively for January-June 2002, compared to same period of 2001. Cambodia increased 7.8 percent, Thailand 6.4 percent (January-July) and Laos 34.6 percent (January-March).

"The region is really starting to raise its tourism profile," said PATA's vice president of development, Peter Semone. "As a venue, Hanoi offers an intriguing mix of old and new, with many well-preserved old buildings. We expect a strong turnout."

The 8th Mekong Tourism Forum is organised by PATA in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP). The Forum is being hosted by the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism.

Registration for PATA members is US$120 per delegate, US$200 for non-members and US$50 for spouses for social functions only. Earlybirds will receive a US$20 discount for registering before February 28, 2003. A late fee of US$20 will be levied for registrations received after March 1, 2003.

For more information, please contact PATA Manager-Support Services, Aaron Tan.
Tel: (66-2) 658-2000 ext. 125
Fax: (66-2) 658-2010
E-mail: aaron@pata.th.com