The United Kingdom remains one of Thailand’s biggest tourism markets, with nearly one million British nationals entering the country each year, more than any other country outside of Asia and by far the biggest market for Thailand within Europe.

To demonstrate to the European market that Thailand is up and running and open for business, Thailand Conventions and Exhibitions Bureau (TCEB) bring with it 15 stakeholders from Thailand’s meetings industry from hotels and convention centres to tourism agencies to London

Six Senses Spas has officially signed a partnership agreement to operate a world-class spa at the Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat.

Set amongst Oman’s Hajjar Mountains and adjacent to the property’s palatial grounds, the spa boasts spectacular ocean and mountain views. The design of the Six Senses Spa sets a new dimension and was created by Six Senses in conjunction with Bangkok-based interior designers – P49 Design, and architects Febraur. The inspiration for the architecture came from traditional Omani and Islamic architecture, complementing the exterior and interior style of the Al Bustan Palace InterContinental Muscat, immersing guests in an enriching local setting.

Kris Lim joins PATA Strategic Intelligence Centre team
Kris Lim has joined PATA as Associate Director – Strategic Intelligence Centre. He joins PATA from the Association of Asia Pacific Airlines in Kuala Lumpur where he was Assistant Manager of the AAPA Research and Statistics Department. Mr Lim is now based at PATA’s HQ in Bangkok. He is a graduate of Edith Cowan University in Western Australia.

Berlin goes green – on IMEX, Frankfurt, May 26 to 28
The Berlin Convention Office will be showcasing itself at IMEX in Frankfurt, Germany with a record participation of 31 partners from the Berlin convention industry. During this industry meet, they will present the “Berlin Green Meetings“ project, unique in Europe and intended to support meetings planners in organizing sustainable events in Berlin.

3 fashion tradeshows launch ”Berlin Fashion Summer“
Following the announcement of Bread & Butter, Berlin Fashion Week and fashion tradeshow Premium will join the ranks of events to take place between July 1 and 4, 2009. Both globally renowned events, they are expected to draw an even larger audience, further establishing Berlin as an internationally relevant fashion metropolis.

Accompanying the topping out ceremony of the new Meininger Berlin Hauptbahnhof, Stiftung Warentest rated the Meininger hotels as recommendable in its recently published issue on “Good Value Stays”, with an overall rating of “Good” (2.2). The rating “Excellent” was not awarded.

Stiftung Warentest assessed room furnishing, breakfast, information and booking options via Internet, as well as further services and public areas.

Germany’s second-largest airline is expanding its route network and will be flying to Israel for the first time this summer. From July 7, 2009 onwards, Air Berlin passengers will have a choice of two non-stop flights a week from Berlin to Tel Aviv. There will also be feeder flights from various German cities. The Air Berlin jets will be taking off from Berlin on Tuesday and Thursday evenings to land in Tel Aviv the following day.