New charter flights from Europe

[aussie dollar]

New charter flights from Europe

PHUKET: One of the biggest names in European tourism is joining forces with a German airline to launch a new Phuket charter service at the start of the high season.

Thomas Cook Airlines Belgium, founded in 2002 and based at Brussels Airport, and low-cost carrier Condor Flugdienst plan to operate flights to Phuket between November and April next year.

“Europe will return to Phuket again this winter, thanks to Thomas Cook AG and tour operator Neckermann Reisen’s joint promotion of Phuket to the European market, to the media and to Thomas Cook's trade partners,” Dr Peter Fankhauser, a member of the Thomas Cook AG Executive and CEO Germany, said.

“The company is offering good rates and fares in order to increase capacity, in addition to marketing via the international press in Germany and the rest of Europe,” he said. Thomas Cook AG is one of the biggest names amon g European tour operators.

“After the tsunami’s impact on the Andaman provinces, Thomas Cook AG’s business dropped 15% nationwide, but Phuket business suffered most,” Dr Fankhauser said.

“In an average year we used to have 45,000 passengers from Europe to Phuket. Now, after our marketing activities throughout Europe, we are hoping that the number of passengers flying to Phuket will reach about 25,000 during this six-month promotional period.”

Thomas Cook AG recognizes that Phuket is a beautiful place to visit, Dr Fankhauser said, and the company believes that tourists who had been to Phuket before will want to return.

“We want to show that Phuket is safe and ready to welcome tourists; that Phuket is back to normal,” he added.

Pattanapong Aikwanich, President of the Phuket Tourism Association, thanked Thomas Cook AG for promoting Phuket in Europe. “I believe that Thomas Cook’s su pport will increase the confidence of investors in the tourism industry,” he said.

Phuket Governor Udomsak Uswarangkura added that he and staff of the Tourism Authority of Thailand will visit Japan next month to promote Phuket further.

“We will make presentations to the Japanese about our evacuation drills and we will do practice drills again at Phuket International Airport on September 9.

“We can demonstrate that we are up to date in terms of equipment and staff training, which will go a long way to restoring Japanese tourists’ confidence in Phuket,” the Governor said.

Brought to you by:
The Phuket Gazette
19:48 local time (GMT +7)

[steve@thaib]

Brittannia did this in 1997 and it was not a roaring success. All it meant was that the 'Ibiza' crowd landed in Phuket. Not good.

[Captain]

They are picking up the flights from Sobelair, a daughter company from Sabena. Most tourists are couples booked package holidays, hotel included, through Best Tours and Neckerman. They normally fly Thai, so they must be sure they can make a (bigger) profit.
I know the pilots loved it. One flight a week Brussels-Phuket. Crew change and they stayed for 8 days in Patong Beach resort or similar. Played golf every day.
In fact when I started learning golf in Phuket first question of the pro was if I also was a Sabena pilot like all other Belgians starting golf here.

[stevem]

Originally Posted by Captain

Most tourists are couples booked package holidays, hotel included, through Best Tours and Neckerman.

Just the type of tourist we need, NOT!!!!

Well at least not for the bar businesses, and they are the only businesses we are concerned about.

[steve@thaib]

I hope this is how it works out; the Brittannia flights were appalling.

I think that Air France are doing a lot of package deals now too, it brings a different crowd to Phuket but I don't see a great deal wrong with that.

[domifletch]

Originally Posted by stevem

Just the type of tourist we need, NOT!!!!

Well at least not for the bar businesses, and they are the only businesses we are concerned about.

Better than nothing, Stevem. I have been to LOS twice with my ex Belgian GF. Of course, we didn't go back drunk to our room but we didin't use to stay at the hotel and were out everyday for eating and drinking. We have spent less together than I have spent alone afterwards, but this kind of tourists coming back to Phuket is such a good advertising for the area, they will speak about their fantastic holidays around them, all their friends will know that Phuket is operating normally, etc.

Single tourists can also book via these tour-op's and just book the flight (sometimes with at least two nights in one of their hotels). It was what I did for my previous trip in Feb (but all direct flights have been cancelled, so I have had to find another way to go).

I think if tour-op's have good forecasts for "normal" tourism, it's a good point as it's probably true for all kinds of tourists

[stevem]

Guys, it was a tongue in cheek comment. Of course all arrivals are good for the general economy, just not the mongering market.

[erik1]

Actually they can mostly be booked flight only too and then the flight is mostly damned cheap. So might not be so bad after all. As far as my info goes it is one of the solutions for the Phuket Air debacle

[Captain]

Originally Posted by stevem

Just the type of tourist we need, NOT!!!!

Well at least not for the bar businesses, and they are the only businesses we are concerned about.

Maybe they are not the big barspenders, but they fill hotelrooms (at a cheap group tariff), so at least it is some work for hotel staff and cleaning ladies. And for the street vendors (cheap polo's and so).

[Caerphilly]

hi

if anyone has a link to this offer which isn't coming up via tc uk page i'd be interested as have a £200 tc vouchure to spend

thanks