Bangkok is ranked 21st in the Global Destination Sustainability Index.
Launched by International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA), the index is a rating system focusing on the ability of the city destination and its supplier base to support corporations, associations and government planners to organise sustainable business events.
The benchmark is based on four factors including environmental strategy and infrastructure, social sustainability performance, industry supplier support and convention bureau strategy and initiatives.
Gothenburg of Sweden stands in first place of the index, which has 47 participating cities. Second place is Copenhagen (Denmark), followed by Reykjavik (Iceland), Oslo (Norway), while Uppsala (Sweden) and Helsinki (Finland) share fifth place.
Bangkok is ranked 21st with leading scores in the categories of convention bureau performance and supplier performance. It is because many exhibition centres have sustainability certifications, convention bureaus like Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau establish and implement a destination sustainability strategy and provide clients with ideas and resources to support the local community.
The low score is in the environmental performance due to traffic congestion and lower rate of waste management and minimal energy sourced from renewables.
"Bangkok and TCEB participated in the GDS-Index for the first time. The ranking showcases the country's commitment to the international standard and the focus on environmental sustainability for meetings and events industry, said TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.
Other cities in Asia listed in the index are Kyoto (19th), Goyang in South Korea (25th) and Sapporo (28th).
AIRLINES UPDATE
NokScoot will increase its flights between Bangkok and Osaka from four to six weekly, starting on Feb 2.
The airline launched the service last October and found the strong demand on the route.
The two additional Bangkok-Osaka flights will be available on every Thursday and Saturday and will continue to be served by Boeing 777-200 wide-body jet, configured with 415 seats, 24 in premium class and 391 in economy.
The new flight will depart Don Mueang International Airport at 11.40pm and will arrive in Osaka at 7.10am. The return flight will depart at 8.30am and will arrive in Bangkok at 12.45pm.
Visit http://nokscoot.com.
Vietjet will launch its first direct flight from Hanoi to Tokyo on Friday.
The service will be available daily. It will depart Vietnam's capital at 12.55am and will arrive in Tokyo at 8am. The return flight departs the capital of Japan at 9.30am and arrives in Hanoi at 2pm.
Visit http://vietjetair.com.
HOTEL DEALS & UPDATE
- Oakwood Hotel & Residence Sri Racha will host its grand opening ceremony on Jan 19 after the soft-launch since last January.
Located on a 12 rai plot of land on Sriracha Nakorn 3 Road in Chon Buri, the 48-storey property offers 458 rooms, including studios as well as one- and two-bedroom suites.
Other facilities are meeting rooms, restaurant and bar, swimming pool, onsen facility, fitness centre and golf driving practice room. The hotel has a pet friendly policy.
Visit http://oakwoodasia.com.
- Eastin Thana City Golf Resort Bangkok has launched Eastin Goes Golf package.
Available until March 31, the offers include a two-night stay with daily breakfast, one round of green fees with a caddie and a golf cart per golfer, round trip shuttle van service from and to Suvarnabhumi airport, 10% discount on food and beverage and late checkout until 2pm.
The package prices start at 3,300 baht per person.
The hotel is located within the Thana City multipurpose development on Bang Na-Trat Highway KM14 in Samut Prakan. The property features 194 rooms and guests can use the facilities of the Thana City Country Club, which includes an international-class 18-hole course designed by renowned golfer Greg Norman.
Visit http://eastinthanacitygolfbangkok.com.
- Avani Hotels and resorts offer up to 35% discounts for rooms in its 24 properties worldwide.
The offer is available during the flash sale that ends Jan 20 and will be valid for stays until Dec 21.
In Thailand, Avani has six properties including two in Bangkok, and one each in Pattaya, Hua Hin, Khon Kaen and Koh Samui.
Visit http://avanihotels.com.
- U Hotels & Resorts has launched "Ur Spring" promotion. It offers a room discount starting 30% to 50% on all room types at every U hotel and resort as well as a 20% discount on food, beverage and spa bills.
The packages is available for a minimum two-night stay and can be booked until Jan 31 for a period of stay between Feb 1 and April 30.
Visit http://uhotelsresorts.com.
Email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th if you have any comments to share.
