Krung Thai Bank Card is making inroads into the travel-booking scene through 16 service branches that were opened primary for customers to settle bills.
KTC World officially kicked off its travel activities last week at its Soi 33 Sukhumvit Road branch where card members can now book an assortment of outbound tours including hotel and airline reservations.
With over one million card members and storefront space at prime shopping locations around the city, it seemed like a good idea to branch out into travel bookings too.
Travel comes under subsidiary company KTC World headed by high-profile travel executives from corporate, leisure and events segments of the business.
Consumers will be impressed with the clean lines of the KTC World sales outlets where they can browse the Internet, view tour options and use their card to secure bookings.
Unlike the traditional travel agencies that are reluctant to accept credit cards, KTC World staff swipe your credit card sporting a broad smile. Possibly this is because on the narrow margins tour operators earn these days, the real benefit is drawn from encouraging card holders to buy a holiday on credit.
At the launch last week, representatives of airlines keen to work with the bank were present such as Bangkok Airways, Air New Zealand, Swiss Air, Continental Airlines and PB Air.
KTC World is headed by Staporn Sirisingha who started his career with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, but soon branched out into the private sector taking a top job with American Express and then with other leading tour companies either selling outbound travel or special events.
More: bangkokpost.com
Related Travel Information
Six months after a tsunami struck the region, tourism in the Thai resort town of Phuket has yet to rebound. Tourist revenue -- the community's lifeblood -- is down by half. Hotel rooms remain empty, while scores of airlines have ended or cut back service.
A Thai father talks to his son at Patong Beach in Phuket, Thailand. While locals who rely on tourist income are struggling, the government must decide how to spend money: on tourism development or the immediate needs of local businessmen.
More: npr.org
Australia Warns of Terror Threat to Thai Tsunami Commemorations
Dec. 19 (Bloomberg) -- Australia's government has warned that ceremonies in Thailand commemorating the tsunami anniversary may be targeted by terrorists.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is monitoring security and issued a new bulletin dated Dec. 16 that advised Australians traveling to Thai memorials around Dec. 26 ``exercise a high degree of caution because of the high threat of terrorist attack.''
``We continue to receive reports that terrorists are planning attacks against a range of targets, including places frequented by foreigners,'' the Thailand bulletin posted on the department's Web site
New Zealand's international tourism showcase Trenz started in Christchurch yesterday with at least some overseas buyers looking for something new from local operators.
Trenz (Tourism Rendezvous New Zealand) has drawn more than 1600 international and domestic industry delegates, and some media.
Some 450 travel and tourism companies are exhibiting their wares.
Among the buyers attending the conference, which has been organised by the Tourism Industry Association of New Zealand, was Swai Hapoo-riwat of Thai company Majestic Travel International.
Mr Hapoo-riwat's firm organises air travel, tours and activities for more than 2000 Thai tourists to New Zealand each year and he
Australia faces tough Asian Cup
The Australian soccer team was handed a difficult initiation to the Asian Football Confederation after Wednesday's draw handed the newcomer a tough path to the 2007 Asian Cup.
Australia, which joins Asia this year from the Oceania soccer confederation, joins 2004 Asian Cup semifinalist Bahrain, fellow Middle Eastern powerhouse Kuwait and Lebanon in Group D.
Defending champion Japan, which has won three of the past four Asian Cups, will have fellow World Cup qualifier Saudi Arabia for company in Group A, along with Yemen and India. Japan has to compete in the qualifying competition due to
Nok Air in race to tap Thai travel boom
Thai discount carrier Nok Air plans to start services in July from Bangkok to Macau, making the SAR its first international destination.
Chief executive Patee Sarasin said he is targeting Macau as a stepping-stone into the mainland and because he expects interest in travel to the territory to surge in Thailand.
``It's just a gambling center for now,'' he said. ``I think within the next two years, Macau is going to sprout into a center of entertainment for Asia.''
Thailand emerged as Macau's fastest-growing source of visitors last year, sending 41,841 residents to the SAR,
