PATA France Chapter successfully conducted a "visioconference" between Paris and Bangkok on May 23 at Accor's Asia office in Bangkok. The 90-minute event was created to promote Thailand to the French outbound market and was attended by eight senior travel industry representatives in Bangkok and more than 50 media and travel-related professionals in Paris.
In Bangkok, panelists included Mr. Peter de Jong, PATA President and CEO; Mr. Mana Chobthum, Regional Director of Japan and Korea, Tourism Authority of Thailand; Mr. Jean-Marc Loustalet, Accor Chief Operating Officer - Asia; Mr. Luzi Matzig, Chairman Special Projects, PATA Thailand Chapter; Ms. Madeleine de Langalerie, Director, TV 5 - Asia; Mr. Joel Routier, General Manager, Air France (Mekong region); and Mr. Gilles Cretallaz-Speich, General Manager, Sofitel Silom, Bangkok.
Mr. de Jong told the participants: "PATA has always tried to enhance bilateral cooperation among PATA member destinations to promote two-way activities for both parties. We are always eager to provide assistance, which could support our members achieving their mission."
Mr. Chobthum said Thailand welcomed 240,000 arrivals from France in 2001. "We are expecting a 10 percent increase for 2002," he said.
Mr. Routier said that Air France currently offers daily flights from Paris to Bangkok and the airline plans to expand Bangkok as regional hub and gateway to the Greater Mekong Sub-region.
Mr. Cretallaz-Speich told the audience in Paris that Accor, among many projects, is renovating its new property, the Sofitel Silom Bangkok, which is due to be unveiled later this year. Upon completion, the hotel will offer a mixture of French ambiance and Thai hospitality, he said.
The PATA France Chapter plans to hold further visioconferences in Bali, Jakarta, Macau SAR, Hong Kong SAR and Moscow.
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