Chinese tourist numbers increase

Chinese visitors to Laos are expected to double in the next few years. In July a memorandum was signed to sway Chinese people to visit Laos, encouraging Chinese and Lao travel agencies to adapt their tours, hotels, restaurants and services. China is selecting among 20 Lao tour companies to work with Chinese companies. About 50,000 Chinese people visit Laos each year and it is expected that one million tourists will visit in 2005. Tourism is now the top income earner for Laos (ahead of electricity and garment manufacturing) with around 124 million USD per year in revenue.

Irrawaddy dolphins at risk

The WWF has decided to protect as a priority the population of Irrawaddy Dolphins, now estimated at only 80 individuals. Their continued survival in the Mekong River is highly uncertain. They are captured by fishing nets and thus die from not being able to take air at the surface. They are now restricted to a 190-kilomtre section between Laos and Cambodia. It is stressed that if the fishing methods are changed they could probably survive.

Nuites D'Angkor in December

16^th to 18^th December will see the sixth edition of the annual Angkor Night Festival, or Des Nuits D’Angkor, within the Angkor Wat temple site. The event is organised by the French Cultural Centre, the French Embassy in Cambodia, the Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts, and the Apsara Authority.

Pattaya construction

Construction will soon begin on Pattaya’s Best Western Premier Silver Lake Estate, which when completed will house 150-200 guest rooms and a restaurant, bar and spa.

Novotel opened the Garden Cliff Resort & Spa near Pattaya’s Palm Beach in August with 234 rooms, a ballroom and meeting rooms for corporate meetings and incentive events, two restaurants, two swimming pools a spa, and a fitness centre.

Excursion from Bangkok

Exotissimo Thailand has introduced a new two-day excursion that introduces travellers to Bangkok’s surrounding attractions. Day one begins an hour away from Bangkok in the market town of Chachensao for visits to Wat Sunthorn, a one hundred-year-old market on the banks of the river, Khao Yai National Park, a village farm winery and nearby villages. Day two involves a morning stroll through beautiful vineyards before departing to Khao Yai Winery, the birthplace of Khao Yai wine. Please contact thailand@exotissimo.com for more information.

Myanmar cancels ATF 2006

The Ministry of Hotels and Tourism in Yangon announced in August its decision to hand over its chairmanship of ASEAN to the Philippines. As a result, the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2006 scheduled on 13^th to 21^st January will be held in Davao City.