Opened the friendship bridge over the Mekong River!

A bridge linking the Mekong River’s Khong island to mainland Champassak province in Laos was officially opened, earlier this week.

It should help to boost trade and tourism in the far southern corner of Laos, by making it easier to transfer from the large Mekong River island to the rest of the province, without needing to use ferries.

The Lao News Agency reported the 718-metre long bridge, which was largely funded by the Chinese government, will enable inhabitants of the 10 villages on Khong Island (Khong district) to connect with the rest of the province that borders the river bank.

Visitors to the island, which is a popular tourist spot, can transfer by bus rather than using small ferries.

Public Works and Transport Minister, Dr Bounchan Sinthavong, was quoted as saying that Chinese financial support was very important to develop the province’s economy.

“The bridge will make travel to and from the island much easier. It will significantly contribute to greater socio-economic development, trade, investment, and tourism in the southern region.”

Built at a cost of more than USD34.12 million, 95% of the financing was provided by a long-term, low interest loan from China’s Export-Import Bank (Exim Bank). The remaining 5%, amounting to USD1.7 million, was provided by the Lao government. The bridge, which is 11 metres wide, took 34 months to complete.

Champassak is a province in southwestern Laos, and shares borders with Thailand and Cambodia. Freshwater dolphins and the province’s many waterfalls are the main tourist attractions.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Cambodia to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Cambodia; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

Read More

Vietnam And Thailand Establish Cooperation

Vietnam’s Danang City and Thailand’s Khon Kaen province recently signed a Letter of Intent to establish cooperation in tourism, education, culture, investment and trade.

The coorperation was inked 16 January to encourage both destinations to improve competitiveness.

Danang, located in the central region of Vietnam, and Khon Kaen in the centre of Northeast Thailand are on the East-West Economic corridor linking Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam.

They have seen modest trade exchanges in previous years. Their export-import turnover was about US$31.2 million in 2012. Only one company from Thailand has so far invested in Danang and three enterprises have opened representative offices.

Danang University also officially included the Thai language in its curriculum in 2006.

Danang welcomed 3.1 million tourists last year, of which 750,000 were foreigners. Only 45,000 tourists from Thailand visited the central city and other destinations in the central region.

Khon Kaen is a major commercial town on the main highway and rail line linking Bangkok and Vientiane the capital of Laos.  At the heart of the northeast region it is known for its universities, commerce and agricultural trade.

Visit us at http://www.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam holidays 2014; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Laos - from a landlocked to a landlinked country

Landlocked Laos is fast turning into land-linked after the newest bridge over the Mekong River separating the country from Thailand opened last month and plans for railway links begin to take shape.

The director general marketing, Saly Phimphinith, said the newest Mekong River Bridge linking Chiang Rai province in Thailand and Huay Xai in Laos would accelerate tourism growth in Northern provinces bringing more tourists from China and Thailand.

The road bridge opened in mid-December 2013 linking highways in Chiang Rai province with the R3A route north to Luang Namtha, and Yunnan province in China.

Already there is a steady stream of container trucks plying the R3A route to transport Chinese exports from Kunming to northern Laos and all the way to the Laem Chabang seaport on the Gulf of Thailand.

Tourism is expanding, too, with Chinese bus tours from Yunnan and private cars visiting Laos and North Thailand.

The deputy director also noted that an agreement had been reached with China to build a rail line from Luang Namtha, in the far north of Laos, all the way to the Vientiane and the border with Thailand via the World Heritage town of Luang Prabang.

It would merge with rail lines in China to Kunming and would eventually be part of a high-speed rail network covering Thailand south to Malaysia.

Malaysia investors recently agreed to build a 220 km rail line from Savannakhet in central Laos to the border with Vietnam where it would merge with Vietnam’s rail system to coastal towns in the central region including Danang.

In the west the line would end at the Mekong River border town of Savannakhet that faces the Thai town of Mukdahan. Cost of the project is estimated at M$5 billion and will not be completed until 2020. The Lao PDR government has already approved a plan to expand the airport at Vientiane with a new international terminal. A new terminal at Luang Prabang, the country’s most popular destination, was completed last year.

Laos attracted an estimated 3.7 million tourists, last year, of which 91% came from Asia. The top market was Thailand, followed by Vietnam, China, South Korea and the United States.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Laos to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Laos; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Bus route linking Thailand & Laos via the new Friendship Bridge

The Transport Co Ltd, under the Ministry of Transport, introduced its 11th bus route linking Thailand and Laos via the Fourth Mekong Friendship Bridge in Chiang Rai province.

Transport Minister, Chadchart Sittipunt, said the new bus service was approved recently by Thailand’s Ministry of Transport and the Lao PDR Department of Public Works and Transport.

“The new Chiang Rai-Chaing Khong-Bokeo bus route crosses the 4th Mekong Bridge connecting Chiang Rai and Huay Xai in Bokeo province in Laos making it more convenient to travel between the two provinces.”

The minister added: “The service is also in line with the ASEAN Economic Community policy to build cooperation between Thailand and neighbouring coutries as well as other countries in the region.”

The Transport Company Limited president, Wuthichart Kalyanamitra, said the 11th bus route Chiang Rai-Chaing Khong-Bokeo uses second-class air-conditioned buses with 46 seats offering four to eight trips daily. The two countries operate three buses each on the route.

The one-way fare from Chaing Rai to Bokeo is Bt220 (55,000 Kip) and from Chiang Khong to Bokeo Bt30 (7,500 Kip).

The bus route ends at the Bokeo bus station. It covers  a distance of 166 km and take four hours to complete the trip between Chiang Rai and Bokeo. The service starts at Chiang Rai’s second terminal which is on the main highway 1 about 5 km from the town centre.

There is also a bus transfer across the bridge at least four times daily with a fare of Bt20 per person (5,000 Kip). Travel across the bridge is limited to motorised traffic. Cycles are not allowed, they have to be transported across the bridge on the bus which is very inconvenient for tourists who use the route to cycle to Luang Prabang.

None of the Friendship bridges allow cycles despite them being a very environmentally way to travel and popular with tourists who want to tour the Mekong Region at a leisurely pace. Motor cycles are allowed and cycle enthusiasts will argue that should have opened the way for cycles.

The 10 bus routes are: Nong Khai-Vientiane; Udon Thani-Vientiane; Ubon Ratchathani-Pakse; Mukdaharn-Savannakhet; Khon Kaen-Vientiane; Nakhon Ratchasima-Vientiane; Nakhon Phanom-Khammouane; Bangkok-Vientiane; Udon Thani-Nong Khai-Vang Vieng; and Bangkok-Pakse.

The Fourth Mekong Friendship Bridge connecting Chiang Khong in Chiang Rai province, Thailand and Huay Xai in Bokeo province, Laos opened on 11 December.

Visit us at http://laos.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Myanmar Visa Exemption To Be Speeded

Myanmar’s government says it hopes to secure bilateral visa exemption agreements with all ASEAN member countries by the end of this year to enable citizens to enjoy visa-free travel for up to 14 days.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs deputy chief administrator, U Sein Oo, was quoted by local media as saying agreements were needed to enable as many people as possible to attend the Southeast Asian Games that will be held mid-December.

However, with just four weeks to go it will be difficult to reach that goal. The Thai premier is expected to sign a bilateral agreement during her official visit linked to  the opening of the Games.

The country already has vias-free travel privileges with Vietnam.

“The government wants to have visa-free travel for all ASEAN nations in 2014, when Myanmar will chair the 10-nation group,” he said.

Yet some countries are still working on the terms, while Singapore and Brunei have not yet responded to proposals according to reliable sources in Yangon.

Agreements with Laos and Indonesia are already at the stage of signing and could be firmed up by the start of the Games. That would leave agreements with Singapore, Malaysia, Brunei, Philippines and Cambodia still to negotiate.

The Union Myanmar Travel Association representative, U Naung Naung Han, said visa-free travel would present a substantial business opportunity for both inbound and outbound travel.

On 22 October, the Thai Cabinet approved a draft agreement on visa exemption but it still needs to be signed by the two premiers.

Once the bilateral accord is signed the visa exemption will apply to departures and arrivals at 23 airports in Thailand.

The airports are: Suvarnabhumi; Don Mueang; Chiang Mai; Chiang Rai; Hat Yai; Phuket; Nan; Phitsanulok; Mae Sot; Mae Hong Son; Khon Kaen; Nakhon Ratchasima; Udon Thani; Ubon Ratchathani; Krabi; Trang; Narathiwat; Ranong; Surat Thani; Hua Hin; Samui; Sukhothai; and U-tapao.

The agreement could also be suspended for security and public health reasons by informing the other country at least 15 days in advance. It can be annulled by either country through a notice presented through diplomatic channels at least 60 days in advance.

Visit us at http://www.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam tours; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Thailand - Cambodia Checkpoints Extend Working Hours

The Thai Cabinet has given the green light to extend working hours at five border checkpoints with Cambodia from 0600 to 2200 to boost trade and tourism between the border provinces.

The government spokesman, Teerat Rattanasevi, said the cabinet last Tuesday approved a Ministry of Interior proposal to extend working hours at five border checkpoints with Cambodia.

Checkpoints:

• Ban Laem in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi;

• Ban Phak Kat in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi;

• Ban Hat Lek in Klong Yai district of Trat province;

• Ban Klong Luek in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaew province;

• Ban Chong Chom in Kap Choeng district of Surin.

Up until now checkpoints were open 0700 to 2000.

It will require more immigration officials and some checkpoints may continue with the present opening hours until the staff shortage is resolved. Travellers should check in advance.

Visit us at http://www.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam holidays; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Visa-free Travel To Myanmar For Thailand

Thai government spokesman, Teerat Ratanasevi, says Thailand and Myanmar will sign an agreement on visa exemption between the two countries, this December,which will give citizens of the two countries a 14-day visa-free stay.

Mr Teerarat said the Cabinet on Tuesday approved the draft agreement on the visa exemption.

“The draft will now be presented to the premiers of the two countries to sign when Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra visits Myanmar this December.”

The Thai PM will visit Myanmar, 11 and 12 December, to participate in the SEA Games opening ceremony.

He added: “The draft agreement was submitted to the Cabinet for approval in line with Article 190 of the Constitution, but does not have to be approved by Parliament.”

Under ASEAN membership rules all 10 countries are supposed to allow visa-free travel for the group’s citizens. Myanmar is the last of the member countries to comply with the rule.

However, ASEAN rules are based on voluntary participation and in the case of visa-free travel, bilateral agreements need to be ratified first that comply with national immigration laws.

Once the bilateral accord is signed the visa exemption will apply to departures and arrivals at 23 airports in Thailand.

The airports are: Suvarnabhumi; Don Mueang; Chiang Mai; Chiang Rai; Hat Yai; Phuket; Nan; Phitsanulok; Mae Sot; Mae Hong Son; Khon Kaen; Nakhon Ratchasima; Udon Thani; Ubon Ratchathani; Krabi; Trang; Narathiwat; Ranong; Surat Thani; Hua Hin; Samui; Sukhothai; and U-tapao.

Airports in Myanmar have yet to be identified.

However, the two countries reserve the right to deny entry to certain citizens, or reduce their stay without having to inform them of the reasons, he said.

The spokesman cited that the agreement could also be suspended for security and public health reasons by informing the other country at least 15 days in advance. It can be annulled by either country through a notice presented through diplomatic channels at least 60 days in advance.

Earlier this month, Myanmar’s Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin and Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh signed a bilateral agreement in New York to allow Vietnamese travellers, the first in ASEAN, to gain visa-free entry to Myanmar.

Visa-free travel between the two countries applied 26 October this year.

According to the visa exemption pact between Vietnam and Myanmar, citizens need to have passports valid for a minimum of six months, and their stay must not exceed 14 days, without any facility to extend.

Myanmar authorities have also granted pre-arranged visa-on-arrival for visitors from 48 countries. It requires pre-approval from authorities. Once the traveller has confirmation that the visa on arrival has been approved they take a flight to Yangon and have the visa stamped into their passport on arrival.

The visa-free entry between Thailand and Myanmar will be limited to airline travel only, which excludes travellers who might want to travel over the border at Mae Sai in Chiang Rai province and then fly from Tachilek airport to Yangon, Mandalay or Bagan. They will still need a visa to pass through the overland checkpoint.

Visit us at http://www.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam holidays; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Special Discounts From Nok Air

Nok Air sells discount fares on domestic routes and its regional routes to Myanmar, but the booking window closes 6 November.

The one-way  all inclusive fare is pegged at Bt1,099 departing Bangkok (Don Mueang Airport) to Phitsanulok, Nakhon Phanom, Udon Thani, Ubon Ratchathani, and Surat Thani.

The fare is also applicable on the Chiang Mai–Mae Hong Son and Chiang Mai–Mae Sot routes.

A higher fare Bt1,199 sells to Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, Mae Sot, Nan, Phrae, Sakon Nakhon, Buri Ram, Roi Et, Loei,Hat Yai, Phuket, Krabi, Nakhon Si Thammarat, Trang, Chumphon, Hua Hin, Ranong, including Chiang Mai–Udon Thani.

Services to Krabi will begin 1 January 2014.

On regional routes, the fare sells at Bt1,590 from Bangkok to Yangon and Mae Sot to Mawlamyine and Yangon.

For Fly’n Ferry and Fly’n Ride routes promotion will be apply to air ticket content only.

Booking can be made until 6 November for travel 26 November to 25 October next year.

The fares save around 10% to 30% off standard fares. However, the airline has been offering frequent discounts on domestic fares that were pegged at Bt1,200 one way.

Visit us at http://www.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam holidays; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

China - Thailand Take Advantage From Visa Exemption

With visa exemption, it would be much easier, cheaper, as well as time saving for Chinese tourists to travel to Thailand, Li told the Chinese travellers.

Proposed visa exemption for regular passport holders will offer Chinese and Thai tourists more convenience, and promote closer bilateral people-to-people exchanges, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said on Saturday, according to Xinhua.

Chattering with Chinese tourists in the Thai capital, Li, currently on an official visit to the country, asked about their tourism experiences in Thailand and talked about the visa exemption initiative.

Thailand is the first country within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to start such talks with China.

The move was first announced by the Chinese premier when he addressed the Thai Parliament on Friday shortly after his arrival in the Southeast Asian country.

Li said in his speech that visa exemption would facilitate the people-to-people and cultural exchanges of the two countries, and bring more benefits to the two peoples.

China is now the largest source of foreign visitors to Thailand, with Chinese visitors to the country topping 2.8 million person-times last year.

After visiting Bangkok, Li, accompanied by Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra, visited the site of Royal Flora Expo in the northern Thai resort city of Chiang Mai.

Touring the the "Chinese Tang Garden", donated by China to Thailand during the expo, he said it embodies cultural exchanges between the two nations and bears witness to the bilateral friendship.

Li called for enhancing people-to-people exchanges between the two nations and promote the amity between the two peoples.

Visit us at http://www.threeland.com/ to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam holidays; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Mutual visa-free between China and Thailand in September

According to “Thai World Journal”, negotiations have been undertaken between Thailand and China to introduce mutual visa-free policy in September this year.

The report pointed out that Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra highly welcomed this mutual visa-free policy between Thailand and China, hoping to attract five million Chinese tourists every year. She also indicated that related departments in Thailand should further intensify the activities of sister cities with Chinese counterparts to promote trading and investing.

Representatives of Thai-Chinese Culture and Economy Association had met with Yingluck recently, reporting current progress in promoting and developing cultural and economic cooperation with China. They said that related departments from two countries have already exchanged views on introducing mutual visa-free policy and further details were currently under discussion. This initiative was affirmed and approved by the Prime Minister, who spoke highly of this policy in creating enormous opportunities for both countries.

Once the mutual visa-free policy is implemented, there will be more Chinese tourists visiting Thailand. According to statistics, there are approximately 2 million Chinese travelling to Thailand each year at present, the number of which will increase by 3 to 4 million with the help of the new policy.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Vietnam to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam holidays; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Advantages of Japan visa-free for Thais

Kasikorn Research Centre says Japan visa exemption for Thais will encourage outbound travel to reach around 300,000 trips this year up around 50% on last year’s trends.

Japan confirmed that the new visa-free rule would be effective, 1 July, giving Thai visitors a stay of up to 15 days in the country. For longer stays visitors will need to apply for a visa at the Japanese embassy in Bangkok. The visa-free stay is not extendable.

The bank noted that Japan’s tourism has made a quick recovery in the aftermath of the great East Japan earthquake disaster of March 2011, and through the introduction of visa-free entry, travel to the country should continue to expand.

The centre said the Japanese government intends to increase international tourist arrivals to 18 million by 2016 and 25 million by 2020, focusing on ASEAN markets including Thailand.

Outbound travel from Thailand performs well below par when compared to Singapore and Malaysia. Thais face considerable hassle to obtain visas, while the low value of the Thai baht compared with most currencies in the past made overseas travel expensive.

Japan will give visa-free entry to both Thai and Malaysian tourists. The government of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe approved the scheme, 11 June, although he did not elaborate at the time when the new measure would take effect. He suggested it would be introduced ahead of the summer season. A 1 July launch has now been officially confirmed by the Japanese government.

Other factors that attract foreign visitors to Japan are the diverse tourism products along with numerous breathtaking natural attractions, fine weather, exotic food and a mix of traditional and high tech lifestyles. The bank noted that Japan should welcome 10 million visitors this year, up 20% year-on -year.

Outbound travel from Thailand is growing mainly because of the rapid rise in the baht against the yen since the fourth quarter of 2012. Japan is viewed as a top shopping destination.

Although the baht is expected to weaken substantially in the second half of this year a visa-free policy when combined with creative packaging by Thai travel agents should maintain a steady moderate growth.

The bank estimated Thai travelers will spend around Bt12 billion on trips to Japan this year.

Kasikorn Research Centre is a subsidiary company of Kasikorn Bank, which conducts tourism and business research mainly on Thailand’s economy including tourism with reliable recommendations and indicators on business prospects.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Vietnam to get further information about traveling around the world and Vietnam  tour; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

Idea On Building Phuket, Vietnam, Burma Trail Link

Phuket - Thailand

From Threeland Travel's Blog - September 2012

Phuket could become the central link in a Burma-Phuket-Vietnam tourism alliance, Vietnamese Ambassador Ngo Duc Thang suggested on Phuket yesterday.

''It's certainly an idea for the very near future,'' the ambassador said when he met Phuket Vice Governor Dr Sommai Preechasin at provincial Hall in Phuket City yesterday.

Earlier in the day, Phuket's new Tourism Authority of Thailand Director Chanchai Doungjit coincidentally suggested the same need.

''For many people, a trip to Burma or Vietnam is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,'' he said. ''Phuket needs to join with its neighbors for a win-win-win.''

Air-Asia tried a Phuket-Vietnam link once but the time may be nearing when Thai Airways or another airline could resurrect the route.

Dr Sommai told the ambassador that Phuket had about 500 Vietnamese who were residents and that numbers were likely to increase with the arrival of the Asean Economic Community in 2015.

She noted that Phuket remained virtually 100 percent dependent on tourism and needed more diversity, something that perhaps could come with Vietnamese investment.

The ambassador mentioned Burma's Dawei deep sea port and the planned land bridge from the Andaman to the Gulf of Thailand.

''Phuket could certainly benefit from working with Burma and Vietnam and perhaps Cambodia to negotiate with larger tourist markets,'' he said.

The vice governor and the ambassador had previously met when Dr Somai was vice governor of an Isarn province.

The ambassador confessed this was his second visit to Phuket.

His first came as a golf tourist, playing at Phuket's Loch Palm and Red Mountain courses. He confessed to becoming a fan of the ''liveliness'' of Phuket by day and especially by night.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Myanmar to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Myanmar; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

UAE airline to open new direct route to Ho Chi Minh City

Etihad Airways

From Threeland Travel's Blog - August 2012

A latest announcement from UAE airline Etihad Airways that this air corporation is planning to open direct route between Ho Chi Minh City and UAE in October 2013.

If implemented, HCMC will be the 6th destination in Southeast Asia that Etihad flies to, with prior routes including Bangkok (Thailand), Jakarta (Indonesia), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Manila (Philippines) and Singapore.

This is considered a response of Etihad to the rising demand of both air travelers from UAE and Vietnam. The route is also supposed to strengthen commercial relationship between the two countries. However, Etihad Airways has not yet reveal official information about these flights, including schedules and fare.

Etihad Airways is an international airline established in 2003 and based in Abu Dhabi (UAE). The airline is regarded as one of the largest airlines in UAE and Middle East Region, as well as the world with its fleet of 52 airplanes which flying to 65 destinations all over the world.

Visit us at Threeland Travel Vietnam to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Vietnam; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

The sharp growth of tourism to Cambodia

BANGKOK, 14 August 2012: Tourist statistics in June showed arrivals from Thailand to Cambodia continued to improve, while arrivals from Laos surpassed the usual market leader China for the first time.

Cambodia’s Statistics and Tourist Information Department, Ministry of Tourism reported arrivals from Thailand in June doubled at 103% to 13,699 ranking it fifth in the visitor supply market.

In June, visits from Laos also continued to spiral in June, surging 85.6% (22,174). China visits grew 39.8% to 19,918, but it slipped into second place after Laos.

Overall, during June, Cambodia recorded 250,918 arrivals, increasing substantially at 29.8%. This growth rate was an improvement over the past two months: +24.3% in April and +22.6% in May.

Over the six months, January to June, arrivals from Thailand and Laos improved 90.8% and 87% respectively. They ranked fifth and fourth suppliers.

Based on January to June figures, the growth in June pushed the average up from 26.3% at the end of May to 26.8% at the end of June. The accumulated arrivals were 1,756,652.

Besides Thailand and Laos, arrivals from the Philippines improved since the start-up of the first air link (Cebu Pacific) between the two countries (Manila-Siem Reap) 19 April. Arrivals jumped 60.4% in May, +52.2% and in June, +60%. Due to the increase, Philippines has ranked on the top 10 supply list since May.

Vietnam showed a significant growth of 31% (72,385) after the rate fell to 12% in May. However, arrivals from Korea slipped from +11.5% in May to +7.1% (23,040) in June.

By region, all markets reported growth except Africa which represents a very small share. It declined 23% to 355 visitors.

Arrivals from Asia Pacific, accounting for 82.5% market share, grew 33.8% to 207,062. Over half of the visits, at 64%, were from ASEAN. Europe recorded a 14.5% increase (26,474), while the Americas gained 14% (16,472) and the Middle East, +9.7% (555). In Europe, the traditional key markets — United Kingdom and France — showed a minimal growth of 4% (6,419) and 4.2%(5,696) respectively. The strongest growth came from Russia at 61.2% on 3,356 visits.

The surge in trips from neighbouring countries was reflected in a further rise of land arrivals. In June, trips registered at overland checkpoints accounted for 56% (140,518), up from 54.3% in May.

In June, 42.4% travelled by air. Phnom Penh International Airport welcomed 54,359 passengers (21.7% share), while Siem Reap International Airport welcomed 52,084 (20.8% share).

Phnom Penh and other provinces welcomed 133,712 tourists, or 53.3% of the total, improving 4838%. Siem Reap tallied 117,206 tourists with a slight increase of 13.3% over the same period in 2011.

Trips by Cambodians reached 66,070, a 30.4% rise over the same month last year.

Top 10 Markets in June 2012

From Threeland Travel's Blog - August 2012

Top 10 Markets during January to June 2012

From Threeland Travel's Blog - August 2012

Visit us at Threeland Travel Cambodia to get further information about traveling around the world and exploring Cambodia; to have access to the best travel services and to meet our professional consultants who're always available for help. For any inquiry please contact us.

A warm welcome from Threelanders.

Read More

July marginally better for Vietnam’s tourism

Vietnam Timeless Charm

From Threeland Travel's Blog - August 2012

HANOI, 7 August 2012: Vietnam National Administration of Tourism estimates the country welcomed 466,000 international travellers in July representing a marginal increase of 1.30% over 460,000 visits registered during the same month last year.

Thailand’s outbound trips to Vietnam ranked 10th on the country’s listed top markets with 16,833 visits down 4.5% over the same period last year.

China led the field with 90,741 visits, down 26.33% from 123,167 visits followed by South Korea, Japan, the United States, Taiwan and Cambodia.

Neigbouring Cambodia slotted in at sixth place supplying 23,033 visits, but decreasing 44.15% from 41,242 visits during the same month last year.

All of the top markets are in Asia/Pacific region, with the exception of the United States and France.

The bulk of arrivals in July (380,000) passed through the two main aviation gateways Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

For January to July this year, international travellers showed an improvement of 10.99% to 3,832,427 visits compared to 3,452,820 visits during the same period last year. VNAT updated its data on website, late last week, sourced from the government’s statistic office.

Read More