Royal Orchid Holidays UpdatePrepared by Harold Stephens
Travel Correspondent for Thai Airways International
Thirty years ago, when Thai Airways International was still in its infancy, the management realised that as a national airlines they had to do more than just fly passengers from one point to another. They had to promote travel, and thus Royal Orchid Holidays was born.
But from the very start it was ruled that ROH would not be a travel agency. They would not be out to make a profit. What the directors of ROH decided to do was to pick travel agencies to represent the airline and, for these agencies, THAI's rules are strict. Agencies had to find the best accommodations and bargains with the hotles for the best prices. Agencies had to design tours to cater for Thai Airways passengers. The requirements were that the tours had to be fun packed, safe and inexpensive, and they had to offer something different that the average run-of-the-mill travel agency offered. The idea was for them to come up with something different and attractive and then, and only then, THAI would hire them. That is the policy that has existed for more than 30 years. The programme was so successful in Thailand, and with the airlines extending to destinations around the world, ROH now had to give travellers the widest available choice of destinations and touring itineraries that covered not only Thailand but now the whole of the world as well.
With more than 30 years of experience, Royal Orchid Holidays has developed, through their agents, programmes that have been developed to include every attraction, every activity this world of ours has to offer. But this doesn’t mean they are static, living on past laurels. ROH too is growing. Hardly a week goes by that new attractions are not added. Each one of the new attractions, each new destination, is thoroughly checked out by THAI staff which makes certain they fit Thai Airways standards.
Of course, keeping up with new demands from the public puts a tremendous strain on ROH’s planning department. One of the difficulties is switching from over-the-counter operations to going online. There is more involved than merely purchasing tickets online. One such demand is finding the pricing for ROH tours online. One reader in America wrote and said she had phoned the 800 for ROH and was told no online pricing is available. The answer to this question is not easy to come by, for prices for tours vary in each destination. Some naturally are cheaper than others, city tours for example. Nevertheless, the problem has to be faced. The ROH planning department admits the deficiencies and give their regrets but they want to assure the public that although pricing is not available at the moment, they are studying this technology and hope to be able to implement it in the very near future. At the moment, clients have to contact the travel agent by telephone in order to get the price.
What makes ROH uniquely different from other tour package programmes is that they allow for much more flexibility in itinerary planning. Travellers can select different elements, then mix and match them to create the plan exactly suited to their tastes, timetable and budget.
The important factor is that Royal Orchid Holidays guests fly when they want, on scheduled flights, not infrequent charter flights, with every practical detail taken care of by dedicated operators in each destination. Some travellers may wish to fill their itinerary with activity and sightseeing, shopping or adventure tours, while others prefer a totally relaxed vacation by the beach.
The choice is dazzling. For example, for those seeking sports or special interest activity holidays, Royal Orchid Holidays has these to offer whether it be trekking in remote forest regions or rafting down wild rivers. They offer the chance to explore nature reserves or the exquisite marine environment around Thailand's shores. Then there are the more organized sports like golfing. Golfers can play many of the Kingdom's championship courses.
And nearly everyone these days has heard about Thai cuisine. Perhaps you would like to learn Thai cooking. Royal Orchid Holidays has thought this out too. By signing up for a course, aspiring cooks can learn the secrets of Thai cuisine. These are just a few of the unlimited opportunities covered by ROH.
Accommodations for the traveller are always a concern. What frightens many travellers is that tour agents put them into accommodations that favour the tour company and not the travellers. It’s different with Royal Orchid Holiday. Guests stay where they please, at their own choosing. The ROH booklet Worldwide Stopovers 2007-2008 lists 48 pages of accommodations from Asia to Europe with Australia, New Zealand and America in between. Each hotel is described with matching photos, with the widest choice throughout Thailand and the world. From city luxury to escapist resort, each hotel has been specially selected to offer the best in location, facilities, comfort and service, to suit every traveller’s budget.
For hotel bookings, Royal Orchid Holidays packages are sold in conjunction with Thai Airways International First, Royal Silk and Economy Class tickets, and are arranged at the same time flight tickets are purchased. Royal Orchid Holidays packages can be purchased by passengers travelling from Europe, North America, Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East and South Africa on services operated by THAI, partner airlines and non-partner airlines.
Passengers travelling within Thailand must fly by THAI or associated domestic carriers to those destinations not served by THAI.
Another question that always arises is costs. Those who join Royal Orchid Holidays tours can look out for the money-saving offers presented throughout the programme. Those hotels that are listed with ROH are planned to suit practically every budget (except for the twenty years ago “Thailand on $5 a Day”) with prices including service charges and taxes. Furthermore, and what is most important, there are no hidden charges, like museum and historic monument entry fees. All guides are experienced, English-speaking local guides. ROH also offers discounts for children travelling with parents. What is also appealing to travellers with ROH is that there are numerous extensions of stay available in many destinations. What that means is you can stay on for as long as you like.
And where else but with ROH can you get special adventure and eco-tourism tours. And you don’t have to be in a party of ten to sign up. Two people will do. Few travel agencies can or will do this. With ROH you don’t have to worry about cancelled tours.
And would you believe, ROH offers a Tastes of Thailand Tour which includes specially designed cookery courses with Thai cuisine in cities and resorts throughout Thailand.
For full details about Royal Orchid Holidays, go to any Thai Airways office and ask for the free booklets.
Next week I will tell readers how they can go about diving on old wrecks in and around Southeast Asia and the Pacific.
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Q. Dear Mr. Stephens. I plan to travel to Bangkok this spring, but I am not sure what is the best way to carry money. Travelers’ checks? And what about cash? Alice Mecka, New Orleans, Louisiana.
A. Dear Alice, Time was when the only way to travel was with travellers checks. We live in a plastic world today. Credit cards will get you anywhere. In fact, if you want to rent a car, you will need a credit card. Travellers checks will not do, no matter how much you want to deposit. In Thailand, as in most Southeast Asian countries, and China as well, you will find ATM machines anywhere from airports to the smallest village or hamlet. Most restaurants and shops will take credit cards. For cash, I always carry a few dollar bills. One never knows when you might need them.
Harold Stephens
Bangkok
E-mail: ROH Weekly Travel (booking@inet.co.th)
Note: The article is the personal view of the writer and does not necessarily reflect the view of Thai Airways International Public Company Limited. | 
