July 3, 2009

Thailand was chosen as representing the best value for money for travelers

CNN International today announced the results of its Online Consumer Survey (OCS) on Travel and Tourism which reveals that Thailand was chosen as representing the best value for money for travelers in the Asia Pacific region. The survey conducted across CNN English websites had more than 5,000 respondents globally. Thailand came out as the best value in Asia-Pacific for respondents over China in second place and India in third.

The comprehensive survey also revealed that although times are tough, the recession hasn’t reduced people’s desire to travel. On the contrary — people are trading down, not trading out — but not compromising their experience. In addition, more business leaders are likely to travel over the next 12 months than in the past year.

  • Overall the survey indicated that more people would travel for holiday over the next 12 months than last year, but 1 in 5 would make fewer trips

  • 46% of business travelers in Asia Pacific claim the economic environment has had no impact on their business travel plans.

  • 79% of Asia-Pac respondents feel they are likely to take a vacation in the region within the next 12 months. And the economic downturn isn’t affecting everyone’s travel plans. Asia-Pacific holidaymakers spent an average of just over US$4,000 on their last vacation, - ahead of the global average of $3,700.

  • 71% of CNN’s audience of global travelers flies long-haul for leisure. Respondents take an average of 14 days vacation a year and holiday an average of three times a year.

Brand image and reputation also remains a critical factor for air travel, and survey respondents clearly feel that preferred, trusted airlines are able to command a premium. Respondents are also more likely to do fewer trips than look for cheaper hotels or discounted flights with budget airlines.

  • 58% of Asia Pacific respondents are ‘willing to pay more to travel with my preferred airline’ (vs. 50% globally and just 41% of North American respondents)

  • 61% of these Asia Pacific air travelers ‘prefer to fly with a trusted brand regardless of cost’. Furthermore, in difficult financial times, there is value for advertisers in targeting premium audiences.
  • 83% of business travelers influence the choice of airlines and hotels when it comes to corporate travel.

  • 40% of those who travel for work fly business or first class, make an average of five business trips per year and are away for an average of 19 days per year.

William Hsu, VP Advertising Sales, CNN International added “These results send a strong message to tourism boards that smart destination branding is critical for country differentiation and return on investment.”

The survey comes as the latest PAX research for the full year 2008 once again reconfirms CNN as the leading channel in its genre for reaching each of the 3 main PAX groups: Affluent Adults, Business Decision Makers and Top Management. Among the Top Management group CNN is the leading international channel regardless of genre, while CNN.com continues to generate substantially higher reach than all other measured media sites.

June 21, 2009

Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2009


Amazing Thailand Grand Sale 2009
Date :
1 June to 31 August 2009

Thailand’s annual Amazing Thailand Grand Sale got underway this month and continues to offer visitors great bargains right through to 31 August.
This year, as fuel prices escalate, both visitors and residents are looking for more value and bigger discounts when they are shopping. Thailand never disappoints.
Most mega stores and shopping malls are offering discounts of between 10 to 70%, so there are bargains galore for the shopper prepared to browse around the stores.
Fortunately, most of Bangkok’s major shopping malls and stores are located close to the city’s skytrain or metro transport systems, making it very convenient to hop from one store to the next.
Both the Skytrain and the Metro, offer day use stored-value cards for visitors to make it even more convenient to use the two systems.
Bangkok’s main shopping districts and streets are to be found along Ploenchit and Sukhumvit roads.
Many of the department stores have direct bridge linking them to Skytrain stations. Just a short walk from the Skytrain stations and visitors discover some pretty impressive department stores and shopping plazas namely Siam Discovery Centre, Siam Centre, Central World Plaza, Erawan Bangkok, Amarin Plaza, Gaysorn, Central Chidlom, Home Pro Plus, Robinson Department Store, The Emporium and The Mall Department Store.
Discounts are also available in King Power duty free shops, both at Suvarnabhumi Airport and downtown locations. There are even discount deals on luxury treatments at spas, a round of golf at a selection of courses at all major tourist destinations, travel packages and even medical check-ups at world-class hospitals.
The three-month campaign also embraces a variety of destinations beyond Bangkok such as Chiang Mai, Chiang Rai, Hua Hin, Cha-am, Pattaya, Nakhon Ratchasima, Udorn Thani, Phuket, Krabi, Hat Yai and Samui Island.
Grand Sale prizes are offered in conjunction with the campaign sponsor, Visa Card, and include bargain holiday packages to premier destinations such as Phuket and Samui.


sorce : Tourism Investment Department, Tourism Authority of Thailand
Tel : 66 (0) 2250 5500 ext. 2951

June 12, 2009

Why Thai massage is an effective massage therapy for relieving low-back pain

Why Thai massage is an effective massage therapy for relieving low-back pain


Thai massage, also known as Thai-yoga, is a style of massage therapy that is gaining in popularity in the U.S. recently. More people who get massage are receiving Thai massage.Massage therapy has been shown to be effective for treating low back pain naturally. With so many massage therapies being practiced, maybe it is time to examine the effectiveness of individual styles like Thai massage.Thai massage foundations.Thai massage is rooted in ancient Ayurvedic medicine. Ayurveda is considered a more holistic approach to treating physical conditions than our modern Western medical model.The Western approach to treating conditions is to look at each symptom, and each corresponding body area, separately from the rest of the body. When we strain a muscle, we repair that muscle. We don't pay attention to the surrounding muscles until they appear symptomatic. This is not holistic, or prevention-based.Ayurveda and Thai massage are steeped in prevention and holistic treatment. When pain or tension arises, the whole body is treated. There is no question that muscles, organs, and other areas are affected when one is injured or diseased.Thai massage applications.Thai massage is a form of relaxed, gentle, assisted stretching. Some of its stretches are more dynamic, like yoga being applied to a relaxed person.During a Thai massage session, the therapist will apply stretches to the client's entire body. In the process, the therapist loosens muscles and joints. They enhance movement and restore circulation in tight areas. They relieve stress and tension in restricted tissues.Thai massage and back muscles.When a therapist offers Thai massage, they do not focus on one area or muscle group. They apply their therapy to the whole body.Back fitness depends on many muscles working together. When muscles in the lower back are weak, they are not fit. They are at risk for becoming strained or stressed.Everyday activities are mostly multi-directional and dynamic. Most daily activities require the use of several muscles working together in harmony. Back injuries commonly occur because the muscles are not prepared for dynamic, everyday functions.Thai massage loosens all of the muscles in the back, and stretches all of the surrounding muscles. It treats the entire low back in a way that improves its ability to perform everyday activities.For more information about natural therapies to relieve back pain, visit the Higher Lifestyle blog at www.higher-lifestyle.blogspot.com

story by : higherspa