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Industry needs Internet update
TTS seminar will highlight cost-saving online applications
Bangkok Post June 11, 1998
Yingyord Klangsombut
The economy may be crawling but the tourism business continues to undergo rapid change. As customers become more cost-conscious and information technology-literate, the people who serve them must also know how to compete in the Internet era. The Thailand Tourism Society, an umbrella organisation representing more than a dozen industry groups, is committed to keeping its members abreast of new ways to do business. The TTS held its first Internet seminar in November 1996. But the pace of change in the online world has been so fast that it has decided the industry needs a thorough update. The second Internet for Tourism seminar will be held this coming Tuesday at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre. The ability to use information technology will be a key factor in the future of tourism, said Anuchart Channarong, executive director of the TTS. "Now that the Internet is the hottest issue, everyone needs to know how it will enhance the efficiency of their work and importantly, how it will help save costs." When the first seminar was held, the focus was on promoting the use of e-mail, said Diethelm Travel's Luzi Matzig, chairman of the society's transport, communication and technology committee. Now people are actively using e-mail but there are many other aspects of the Internet that they have yet to exploit, he said. More sophisticated e-mail applications, intranets and increased use of Web sites are fast replacing the fax and telex as the preferred - and cheaper - means of communication. Mr Matzig recalls that he introduced a new information technology system at Diethelm Travel, starting with a small home page. Now the company's sites get more than 50,000 hits a day. He estimates the ratio of hits to bookings is 1,000:1, making the Web site a good source of income for inbound tour operators. At Tuesday's seminar, participants will be able to learn the basics at the morning session from expert speakers. Yaniv Kimchi of Shaked Computer System Ltd of Israel will give an overview on how the Internet works. Patrick Lai will present Abacus Web solutions. Y.K. Tan will demonstrate the use of the Spy Travel Discount Network, a popular site being used by travellers and agents around the world. As well, Tony Waltham, editor of the Bangkok Post's Database section, will present "Cyberspace: The Guided Tour". The afternoon session will feature workshops showing off successful local operations such as Krung Thai Credit Card's Thaitouch, and <www.exoticthailand.com> by World Travel Information Service, a joint venture between Worldphone Shops and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. The seminar is managed by Siam Landmark. The registration fee is 1,450 baht, or 950 baht for the morning session only. For more information call 513-6936-9, 513-8365, fax 513-8366.
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