The Australian business events industry is gearing up for next year’s AsiaPacific Incentives & Meetings Expo, AIME 09, determined to increase inbound business.

“We know many people around the world aspire to visit Australia. With the international release of the movie ‘Australia’, Tourism Australia’s aligned marketing campaign, and the fall of the Australian dollar, we believe we are in a good position to attract even more business events,” said Sandra Chipchase, CEO, Melbourne Convention + Visitors Bureau (MCVB).

Current information for vacationers regarding air port blockade in Bangkok / inbound flights cancelled up until 01/12/2008 / TUI guests on location securely accommodated / alternatives for return flights being investigated

The situation: the international air port in Bangkok is staying closed due to the blockade. Bangkok’s second air port has been blocked as well. Flights to and from Bangkok are thus still not possible.

How does one recognize a luxury hotel? From it having a five star rating, or from the fact that it hosts guest who are willing to pay through their noses for a stay? For Feuring Company, which has been in charge of the development of over 400 first class and luxury hotels, domestic and abroad, it is obvious: By far not all five star hotels are also premium hotels. The number one criterion is prices: „Only in being able to maintain constantly high average prices for its products, does a hotel belong to the luxury segment and can thus compete at an international level“, says Bardo-M. Feuring. And that is only achieved by the Adlon, Hotel de Rome, Grand Hyatt, Ritz Carlton and the Regent Hotel.

Two weeks earlier than planned, several major skiing regions in the Allgaeu were able to open the skiing season. Abundant snow fall over the weekend had made for perfect slope conditions, allowing three skiing regions to start the new season. Additional regions will open up next weekend, and all of the 223 ski lifts will be operating by the beginning of December: nothing stands in the way of unlimited skiing pleasure. „Allgäu-Tirol-Kleinwalsertal Super Snow“ is the border crossing lift pass opening Germany’s largest skiing region for winter athletes – with more than 220 lifts and 550 kilometres of slopes in eight well-known skiing regions.

The UK government’s decision to raise departure taxes from British airports is short-sighted and self-defeating. That’s the view of Brian Deeson, interim President and CEO of PATA, the Pacific Asia Travel Association.

“At a time when the travel and tourism industry is facing an unprecedented threat to long term financial stability we see a government in Europe imposing tax increases which pose a real threat to jobs and businesses not only in the UK but in destinations across the Asia Pacific region”, says Brian Deeson.

Mini Hotel Slippers, Spaghetti Ice Cream and Massage with Mom

(l/p) A stay at a luxury hotel is interesting and exciting for all children. For parents, however, it often turns out to be stressful and tiring. That this does not have to be the case is demonstrated by a catalog of countless creative and useful ideas at Millennium Hilton Bangkok. „We considered the needs of every family member“, explained General Manager Thomas Hoeborn. „After all, traveling as a family is meant to be a joyful experience for everyone, which we have created the perfect premises for. Especially worth noting is the new spa program, which offers specific treatments for children.“