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THAILAND TO HOST ABACUS INTERNATI0NAL CONFERENCE

4 June 2002

Bangkok has been selected as the location for the fourth ABACUS International Conference (AIC) with Don Birch, President and CEO of Singapore-based ABACUS International - Asia-Pacific's largest Global Distribution System and Computerised Reservations System - citing the city's comprehensive, convention-friendly infrastructure and the active and ongoing support of the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

The two-day conference, which will be held from September 26-27, 2002, is expected to attract up to 1,000 of the top Travel Agents and travel buyers from across Asia-Pacific, bringing significant benefits to Bangkok and Thailand. 

In addition to the personal spending of the delegates and their guests, Mr Birch reported that ABACUS will be investing an estimated US$1.2 million in Thailand during the convention. 

"Almost 80 per cent of visitors to Thailand come from other Asian countries, so, as an Asia-Pacific based organisation, ABACUS felt that the selection of Bangkok was a logical choice," Mr Birch indicated. 

"The Kingdom's quick rebound from the effects of September 11th, coupled with a 7.2% increase in tourist arrivals during the first quarter of 2002, proves that this is a destination travellers see as exotic, yet safe."

The 2002 programme will feature both plenary and workshop sessions, a 40-stand exhibition displaying the latest in travel solutions technology and, finally a special ABACUS charity golf tournament that will donate all proceeds to The Human Development Centre, located in Bangkok's Klong Toey slums. 

The ABACUS International Conference 2002 theme is "A World of Opportunities", and is a must-do regional event for travel agents. AIC will be presenting a review of the latest trends and industry directions and offer valuable insight on how to remain relevant in the changing travel marketplace, and showcase the scope and breadth of ABACUS Solutions that will be on display.

Confirmed sponsors, exhibitors and advertisers to date include All Nippon Airways and Cathay Pacific Airways; Le Meridien Hotels & Resorts, Marriott International Inc, Nikko Hotels International, The Peninsula Bangkok, Hotel Plaza Athenee, Raffles International, Regal Hotels International, Royal Orchid Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel & Towers, SRS-WORLDHOTELS, The Leading Hotels of the World and Utell Ltd; as well as partners like Excellent Management Limited, INFINI, SITA, TravelWeeklyEast and the Tourism Authority of Thailand.

"AIC 2002 will of course also be a perfect platform for our leading travel agents to celebrate their achievements, network with industry leaders and help ABACUS formally recognize and present awards to its top sales agents," Mr Birch added.

Despite the sharp drop in travel after September 11, tourism contributed some 30 billion baht ($US.62 billion) into Thailand's economy last year, and that is expected to rise to 35 billion baht ($US.81 billion) this year. He added that ABACUS is committed to maintain investing in the growth of Thailand's tourism.

"We already have strong relationships with key industry players like the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Thai Airways, but we want to strengthen these ties further," he emphasized. "The best way to achieve this goal is to increase our presence, continue to provide free and useful information to travellers across the region through our TravelSmart - Asia programme, and to help travel agents use our products and services even more effectively."

The number of Thai travel agents subscribing to the ABACUS system has risen 60 per cent since 1999 and Mr Birch expects that we will increase the value of our Thailand business by 20 percent per annum over the next three years.

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