Bangkok--Sep 16--Virgo 68 Public Relations
Award-winning airline will bring in holidaymakers from one of
Thailand's new target sources of tourism, while carrying
increasing numbers of tourists from the Arabian Gulf
Gulf Air President and Chief Executive James Hogan is in Bangkok to announce a new service between Johannesburg and Bangkok that will contribute to a 2005 Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) plan focusing on South Africa as one of six new sources of tourism.
Gulf Air is already a major carrier of tourism to Thailand, thanks to its daily service from Bahrain in the Arabian Gulf - an area that generates increasingly high levels of premium tourist trade for Thailand. Numbers of visitors from the region rose by more than 40% in 2004.
The new service linking Bangkok with Jo' burg will fly via Bahrain, thereby carrying tourists to Bangkok from two locations considered by TAT to be among the richest sources of tourism revenue for Thailand.
Gulf Air boss James Hogan said: "I am delighted to announce the new service linking Bangkok and Johannesburg, thereby bringing in tourists from one of Thailand's new target sources. Following our very recent announcement of a new service between Bangkok and Dublin, this is yet further evidence that Gulf Air is ramping up operations in Bangkok, which we regard as our chief hub for Asia."
The new Gulf Air service will also appeal to business travellers between the two nations, as Thailand is South Africa's third largest ASEAN trading partner.
TAT says its 2005 marketing campaign focuses on six key markets-the US, Australia, the UK, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and South Africa.
TAT Governor Juthamas Siriwan said last month that the authority would launch marketing plans to attract more Arab tourists, who tend to bring their extended families and have large disposable incomes to spend in Bangkok's shopping and healthcare centres.
In August, the Thai Ministry of Tourism and Sports unveiled a plan to promote Nana as a so called "Arabian Street" because visitors from the Gulf have become such an important source of tourism in Bangkok.
Operated by Airbus A330 aircraft on the Bahrain-Joburg leg, passengers will be able to experience the airline's state-of-the-art sky beds in First and business class along with other innovations including Gulf Air's unique Sky Chefs and Sky Nannies.
A US$10 million refurbishment of Gulf Air's A330 fleet was completed this summer, which means passengers will effectively be flying in new aircraft.
Hogan said: "There are just eight seats in First Class and 24 in Business. They are wider, more comfortable, more private, more convenient and more spacious than those offered by any other airline at present."
Johannesburg becomes Gulf Air's 46th destination in 32 countries. For more information on flight schedules and prices, contact Gulf Air on (662) 254 7935, or your nearest travel agent or visit http:///www.gulfairco.com
About Gulf Air
Gulf Air was founded in 1950. Today, it is owned by the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Sultanate of Oman and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and is the only truly pan Gulf carrier in the region. The airline's network stretches from Europe to Asia and covers 44 cities in 30 countries. The fleet is one of the most modern in the Middle East and comprises 34 aircraft.
The dramatic turnaround in Gulf Air's fortunes has won international recognition. In January 2004, The Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) presented the airline with the prestigious Airline Turnaround of the Year Award for 2003. Gulf Air was also the recipient of the 2003 Platinum Award for the Best Airline in the Middle East and North Africa, recognising the airline's commitment to service excellence.
Winner - Middle East and North African Platinum Best
Airline Travel Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Most Improved Airline Award 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best First Class Onboard Food Category 2004
Winner - Skytrax Best Business Class Check - in Category 2004
Official Airline and Sponsor of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2005
For more information please contact:
Virgo 68 Public Relations
Harry James on (+852) 92633343;
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