S10 TB2509 2015 Star Awards Dream Destinations_Layout 1 23/09/2015 12:48 Page 39
starawards
DREAM DESTINATIONS
STAR AFRICA TOURIST OFFICE
Winner: Tunisian National Tourist Office Runner Up: South african Tourism Finalists: Botswana Tourism Board, egyptian Tourist authority, Moroccan National Tourist Office, Namibia Tourism
We WOULD like to thank Travel Bulletin and the UK travel agents for their tremendous support towards Tunisia. We are delighted to have won ‘Star african Tourist Office’ for the second year in a row; it is a testament to the strong relationship which we enjoy with the travel trade all over the UK. We are, of course, aware that the whole industry is wondering when Tunisia will be back to business. Tunisia has chosen a very difficult path, that of democracy with respect for the rule of law and for human rights. For this reason both the British and the Tunisian governments are working hand-in-hand very hard to ensure that Tunisia is as safe and secure as possible. Tunisia is now under enormous pressure as hotels are closing down and the livelihood of 400,000 workers is in jeopardy. all businesses related to tourism such as handicrafts, cafes, bars and many other industries are struggling to keep up with these tough challenges. We are sure we don’t need to remind you that the British market was the jewel of Tunisia’s european markets, and was up a staggering 20% in the year to last June. We know that this is down to the support and trust shown by both tour operators and travel agents. We are using this valuable time to review our marketing and Pr strategies to make sure that we will be able to support you in every way possible once the FCO travel advice changes. First and foremost though, we know that for Tunisia to get back on track, in the words of our general director, we must work hard on “the three S’s – safety, safety, safety”. Thank you again for all of your support. It really means a lot to us all.
Proud to collect the Star award for Africa Tourist Office are Mounira Derbel Ben Cherifa and Moncef Battikh from the Tunisian National Tourist Office.
STAR ASIA TOURIST OFFICE
Winner: Tourism authority of Thailand Runner Up: China National Tourist Office Finalists: Hong Kong Tourism Board, Japan National Tourist Organisation, Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board, Singapore Tourism Board
THaNK yOU so much to all our travel agent friends who voted for Thailand at the recent Travel Bulletin Star awards where we won the ‘Star asia Tourist Office’. We are totally committed to our great relationship with the UK travel trade and we continue to run a whole series of workshops and trade evenings throughout the year. Our ‘Friends of Thailand Club road Show’ brings you the best airlines, hotels, destination management companies and attractions Thailand has to offer. These workshop style evenings include ten-minute ‘speed dating’ presentations from key Thai suppliers, as well as a destination overview from Thailand Tourism. During the evening great Thai food, Thai beer, wine and soft drinks will be served with a prize draw at the end of the evening. Over the last six years, our ‘Cities and Dates’ roadshow has visited 41 cities in the UK and Ireland. In 2016 we will be visiting another nine cities – to register or for more information email marketing@tourismthailand.co.uk Meanwhile, as an active member of the Pacific asia Travel association (PaTa), we will also be attending the PaTa quiz in Brighton and Bournemouth in October and the PaTa quiz in Bristol and Cardiff in March next year.
www.travelbulletin.co.uk/awards
Chris Lee from the Tourism Authority of Thailand waves the flag for their Star Asia Tourist Office award.
September 25 2015
39