Sep
21
|
Japanese photo exhibition is on display in Talat Sao Shopping Mall 2
|
|
(KPL) A photo exhibition entitled"Kumamoto Artpolis" to promote the exchange of the culture and the good understanding between two nations was held in the Talat Sao Shopping Mall 2 in Vientiane yesterday.
The exhibition will run till 3 October, according to Japanese embassy press release.
It was jointly organised by The Embassy of Japan in Vientiane, the Japanese Foundation and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.
Ambassador of Japanese to Laos, Mrs. Junko Yokota, Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Mr. Chaleun Warinthrasak, President of Laos-Japan Friendship Association, Dr. Ponemek Dalaloy and a representative of international organisation to Laos were at present of the opening ceremony.
"I hope that this exhibition will not only promote mutual understanding by introducing Japanese culture and architecture, but also provide a hint to urban planning and rural development of Laos," said Ms. Yokota.
In addition to this exhibition, we will also organise a Manga (Japanese cartoon) drawing workshop for high school and university students on 23-24 September, and Shodo (Japanese calligraphy) demonstration and workshop for art students and Japanese learners from 26 September to October 1, Ms. Yokota adding that these week as:"Japan Art Weeks"to promote understanding of Japanese culture among all generation and social sectors of Laos and further enhance friendship relations between Laos and Japan.
Kumamoto prefecture is medium-scale prefecture with 1.8 million populations, which is situated in the southern part of Japan.
"Kumamoto Artpolis" is a programme operated by the local government authorities of Kumamoto since 1988.
They called for young and energetic architects to design public buildings such as museums, schools and hospitals to enhance the local culture through architecture and to raise the awareness of local people toward regional development and revitalization.
This unique programme as local revitalization method has been widely recognised and highly evaluated in the society, and awarded more than 70 prizes both at home and abroad.
More than 70 images and sketches of Kumamoto Artpolis, is now displayed in Vientiane.
|
|
|
|
Sep
21
|
More Vietnamese travel to Thailand
|
|
Vietnamese trips to Thailand posted a healthy growth with increasing trend toward FIT and overland travel, during the first eight months of the year.
According to the International Tourist Arrivals to Thailand Report released by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports, the country received 443,551 Vietnamese tourists representing a substantial growth of 22.22%. In 2011, Thailand recorded 488,315 Vietnamese tourists, up 28.38% from 2010.
The report covers arrivals up to the end of August.
Tourism Authority of Thailand director Ho Chi Minh City office, Chutathip Chareonlarp, told TTR Weekly on the sidelines of the 8th International Travel Expo 2012 in Ho Chi Minh City last week that the market has been growing by 20% since 2007.
“Thailand is one of the first choice when Vietnamese think of going overseas for a holiday because it is close and inexpensive…Domestic travel is expensive in Vietnam especially air fares, make it almost the same price as a visit to Thailand,” said Ms Chutathip.
The market should continue to grow as long as there are no severe floods or political demonstrations in the favourite destinations of Bangkok and Pattaya, she added.
FIT travel now accounts for 50% of the total visits to Thailand.
“The new generation studies languages and are more confident to travel independently. They usually buy free-and-easy packages combining just the airfare and accommodation. They use the internet to search for information, but buy land tour content from local companies on arrival in Thailand.”
Average daily spend of Vietnamese tourists is around about Bt4,000, while the average length of stay is six days.
The director added that overland travel had been increasing.
“Overland travel has good potential. We should promote the East-West Corridor linking central Vietnam from Danang through Laos to Thailand and the southern coastal corridor from south Vietnam running along the coast of Cambodia through Cambodia to Thailand… We have organised caravan tours on these routes and TAT supported two groups so far this year,” she said.
More direct flights between Vietnam’s major cities and Thailand’s provincial destinations would facilitate travel, but it would take time to catch on. Thai AirAsia used to fly between Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City, but cancelled the flight because of a lack of traffic.
Thai Airways International general manager Vietnam, Narinthorn Purnagupta, who was present at the ITE, said that Thai Smile looked at Danang and “it is quite likely it will start seasonal flights as there is not enough demand in the monsoon season and flights are often cancelled due to weather conditions”.
“We are assessing the feasibility. The service has to contribute to the overall network by supplying passengers who can connect to TG services in addition to covering route operational costs.”
He said he could not say exactly when the service would start, but possibly by the next tourism season (2013/2014).
Danang’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and local officials are working closely with THAI and AirAsia to develop services through a support scheme to boost tourism to Vietnam’s central region.
The central coast city’s authorities expect to gain more airline service later this year or early next year through the scheme.
|
|
|
|
|
Sep
21
|
New push for tourism cooperation
|
|
With the aim of attracting 25 million international visitors from 2013 to 2015 to Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam (CVLM) the respective ministers of tourism pushed for greater cooperation in developing the region’s tourism sector on Friday, according to the Vietnamese Communist Party official news outlet.
At a conference held in Ho Chi Minh City, the ministers also planned for at least four million “exchange visitors” between the four countries, Sai Gon Giai Phnong newspaper reported.
Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodian Association of Travel Agents, said increasing tourists visiting the region is possible.
“Cambodia alone plans to attract 4.5 million international visitors in 2015,” he said. The four countries have around 10 World Heritage sites, adding that they attract tourists from all over the world, he added.
Visiting tourists these days try to see more than just one country and Vietnam Airlines plans a new flight route between Saigon and Jakarta, promoting to travel between the two ASEAN countries, Ang said.
Poev Ponarak, managing director of Asia Corner Travel, which mainly works with European and American tourists, said CLMV's goals are laudable, but he still sees the region’s limited infrastructure as a hindrance.
“I think we still need many more years to develop the tourism services,” he said.
At the conference, the ministers also reviewed the implementation of the Ministerial Joint Statement on CLMV tourism cooperation signed in 2010. According to ASEAN tourist statistics, 81.2 million tourists visited the ASEAN region in 2011, compared to 73.6 million in 2010
|
|
|
|
|
Cambodian PM targets 7 million tourists by 2020
|
|
21/09/2012 11:09:57
|
|
|
|
New International Airport To Be Built in Siem Reap
|
|
21/09/2012 10:48:50
|
|
|
|
Bad weather affects border trade, seafood prices
|
|
21/09/2012 10:47:18
|
|
|
|
Festival honours northeastern ethnic groups
|
|
21/09/2012 10:43:55
|
|
|
|
Binh Phuoc needs tourism investment
|
|
21/09/2012 10:22:38
|
|
|
|
Festival honours northeastern ethnic groups
|
|
21/09/2012 10:12:45
|
|
|
|
HCMC-Mumbai air service in the offing
|
|
21/09/2012 10:02:19
|
|
|
|
Vietnam looks to one million Japanese tourists in 2015
|
|
21/09/2012 09:50:07
|
|
|
|
Cruise tourism in Southeast Asia begins to boom
|
|
21/09/2012 09:49:07
|
|
|
|