TRAVELTIDBITS
The Information and Communications Technology Ministry has joined hands with the Tourism and Sports Ministry to introduce free Wi-fi at 1,615 popular tourism spots nationwide.
Called "ICT Free Wi-fi for Tourism", the service will allow locals and visitors to access the internet and share their experiences online while travelling in the Kingdom, according to Group Captain Anudith Nakornthap, the ICT Minister.
"We expect the service to help increase the capacity of the tourism segment and also open more opportunities for people to access the internet to reduce the information technology gap," said the ICT Minister.
In Bangkok, people can access the free internet at 253 places such as the area around the Grand Palace, Victory Monument and MBK shopping mall. Upcountry, the service covers 446 hotspots in the Central region, 325 in the North such as Wat Phrathat Doi Suthep in Chiang Mai, 323 locations in the South, 201 places in the East and 67 spots in the Northeast.
Each hotspot has a sign saying "Free Wi-fi Here" to indicate the service area. According to the ICT minister, the maximum speed is 2MBps per hotspot.
Users need to register their name, ID card or passport number, mobile phone and email address. Each account can be used within six months after the registration via a pop-up page after connecting to the wireless network.
The free service is available for 20 minutes per time and can be reconnected for a period of two hours per day.
Sustainable tourism awards The 2013 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are open for tourism businesses, organisations and destinations worldwide to submit applications.
Organised by the World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC), the awards aim to recognise best practices in sustainable tourism. It comprises four categories: Global Tourism Business, Conservation, Community Benefit, and Destination Stewardship.
The submission deadline is Nov 26. Winners will be announced at the WTTC Global Summit in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on April 9, 2013. Visit www.wttc.org/tourismfortomorrow.
Hotels update
- Accor has opened Novotel Hua Hin Cha Am Beach Resort and Spa.
The beachfront hotel features 243 rooms, each of which has a private balcony, flat-screen TV and free Wi-fi.
The hotel also targets the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (Mice) segment offering fully equipped meeting facilities. .
- In a show of environmental concern, DusitD2 Baraquda Pattaya is offering orange rental bikes.
Guests can bike along a 3km-long beach road or cycle around town to enjoy another view of Pattaya.
Airlines update
- Thai Airways will start flying to Sapporo, Japan's northern island, on Oct 30.
It will utilise an Airbus A330-300 and will depart Bangkok on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. Another flight will be added on Dec 30.
Sapporo is famous for its annual Snow Festival at Odori Park, beautiful natural scenery, lavender and flower fields in spring, Ainu village, Otaru port and its romantic streets.
- Air Asia will launch a daily flight to Xi'an on Nov 16.
Xi'an is a 3,100-year old city located in northwest China and is most famous for the life-size terra-cotta warriors and horses in the tomb of emperor Qin Shihuangdi, listed among Unesco's world cultural heritage sites.
The flight will depart from Don Mueang on 9.30am and return at 3.25pm. The flying time is about four hours.
Tickets can be booked at www.airasia.com.
If you have any comments or news to share, email karnjanak@bangkokpost.co.th.
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About the author
Writer: Karnjana KarnjanatawePosition: Reporter
Source: http://www.news.thethailandlinks.com/2012/09/28/free-wi-fi-boosts-tourism/
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