Northstar

TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA O F F I C I A L D A I L I E S www.travelweekly-asia.com 8 27 October 2017 For the third year running Bangkok headed MasterCard's Global Destination Cities Index for tourism arrivals last year, reaching 19.41 million. Meanwhile, the whole country is celebrating its unprecedented 32-million tourist arrivals statistics from 2016, while hoping to rack up over 35-million by the end of 2017. This year the government has spearheaded a focus on quality tourism, moving away from tours (and having banned zero-baht groups) towards the FIT market. This has dented the current number of inbound Chinese tourists whose arrivals declined by 7.24% first quarter 2017 but rallied at 0.12% up second quarter, year-on-year. They still make up the largest proportion of visitors at around 27%. Specific focuses are health and wellness, sports tourism, weddings and foodie tourism. The Michelin Guide has plans to be out before the end of the year reflecting the quality of Bangkok's F&B scene. Rumours suggest it will also include street food, even as authorities are said to be trying to banish the city's beloved carts from the sois. The upgrade to Phuket Still shining bright International Airport is scheduled to be finished in December of this year. 2016 saw approximately 15 million passengers passing through the 12-million capacity airport, a growth of 17% year-on-year. And despite plans to alleviate heavy air traffic, Bangkok Airways' proposal for a new airport in Phang Nga to relieve the pressure is mired in controversy. On the ground "We're seeing more unique requests for destinations (inbound) further afield. Eco-tourism is spearheading this trend in Southeast Asia, as luxury properties are being developed farther away from the grid. Island and beach resorts are stretching ever further south beyond Krabi and into Trang, and east into Trat on the Cambodian border." - Daniel Fraser, founder, Smiling Albino "We have seen a large increase in visitors from Mainland China to Phuket and Chiang Mai. Shopping is still a major factor for many mainland visitors, but there is now a greater sense of adventure with more curiosity in off the beaten Bangkok's Temple of Dawn stands testimony to the country's appeal and growth, reflecting a 3.7% GDP increase in the second quarter By Catharine Nicol Thailand wants quality tourists, throwing the spotlight on niche tourism sectors, while aiming for over 35 million arrivals by year-end. PHOT0 CREDIT: GETTY IMAGES Err, Bangkok Little sister resto to fine dining Bo.lan, Err is a casual yet designer eatery in an old shop house near Wat Po. Walls are painted with murals of local life and dishes bring street food and local ingredients to their hipster tables, washed down with craft cocktails. • 394/35 Maha Rat Rd. Work, rest and play hub, Bangkok Open House, on the sixth floor below the Park Hyatt Bangkok in Central Embassy, is a brand new high-ceilinged haven for lovers of books, coffee and shared work spaces. Bring your laptop, your colleague, your family or just some downtime and peruse the wall of books over a latte and some peace and quiet. • 6f, Central Embassy, 1031 Ploenchit Road Coffee, books, art, Phuket Bookhemian in Phuket Old Town is the perfect mix of caffeine, words and creativity, packed into one of Thalang Road's old shop houses. The coffee is artisan and brewed with love as well as skill, while a dip into the books or a quick look out back at the art gets the creative juices going. • 61 Thalang Road, Phuket Town Fisherman's Village, Koh Samui Fisherman's Village Walking Street is a charming, if touristy, way to shop and eat, and for tasty and healthy fare, Greenlight's white, hanging plant interiors and teak tables make a refreshing stop for brunch, lunch or dinners serving dishes that make use of veggies from their organic garden. • Fisherman's Village, Bophut, Koh Samui Hot Numbers 35 million projected arrivals for Thailand in 2017 19.41 million arrivals to Bangkok in 2016, topping MasterCard's Global Destinations Cities Index for the third year running US$14.08 billion in total visitor expenditure for 2016 (MasterCard's Global Destinations Cities Index) 5,346 flights from Greater China to Chiang Mai in 2016 61% increase in Chinese tourist arrivals to Koh Samui in the first 9 months of 2016, year-on-year track activities. They have also become more selective, with a greater interest in more refined/ boutique luxury accommodation rather than the larger chain hotels. This may be related to an increase of repeat visitors who are looking for something more unique." - Kieran Smith, head of Asia, Lightfoot Travel (HK) //////Best hot spots

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