April, contrautimes

Inspirational Travel 1

Issue 4- April - 2013

2 Inspirational Travel

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Table of ContentsPublisher

Hr Department

DesignerBui Minh Tan

Staff WritersEdward Pettitt

Kenneth JoergensenNguyen Thanh NgocVu Thi Huyen Phuong

EditorTran Gia Bach

Customers’s contributionKate & Fenner

DenmarkLiz

Credits1. Joining Buffalo Family2. Best Staff of the month 3. Recruitment News 4. Winning Viator’s Top Global Experience Award 20125. Ivivu News6. Travel Agent Night in Bangkok7. Xieng Thong Palace Events8. The Vietnam International Travel Mart 20139. “We believe in each other”10 Thien Minh Times Introduction11. Business Tips12. Birthdays and Anniversaries of May


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Joining Buffalo tours MS. Tran Thi My Dung

has started work with us as an Operation Executive since the 18th of April 2013. She is very excited to join Buffalo tours company and work with professional col-

leagues. We are confident that Dung will be a great team player.

MS. nguyEn Thu Thuy has started work with us as French Sales Executive since the 1st of March 2013.

Thuy has 5 year experience working in travel agent specialized in French market. We trust Thuy will do a great job together with Buffalo Tours team.

MS. Do Thai ha has started work with us as French Sales Executive since the 8th of April 2013.

MS. PanvaD MongkolvoraWan (BoW) has started work with us as an Operation Executive since the 1st of March 2013.

Even though she is new for Operation field in a travel agency, she has impressed us with her enthusiasm and love for travel. We are so happy to have Bow with the

team.

Mr. SoMPhong TrakoolTiPParaT (JoE) works as a Data Entry in BKK office. Even though this position is new for Thailand but we are strongly confident that with his vast experience in IT, Somphong will

be a great support for the company system and update the new information from suppliers.


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BEST TEaM of MonTh For the first 4 months, GIT team has exceeded 7% of their realised sales target

and surpassed their YTD gross profit target by 19%. The team has recently secured new group series Relax & Explore from Travelsphere starting from

November 2013. In addition to that, they usually have good feedback on cus-tomer service and turnaround time from FOX, Travelsphere and Cox&Kings.

This is very good comeback and worth recognition for GIT team after a long while trailing behind.

ouTSTanDing CuSToMEr SErviCE naruMon SongSan

Accounting Dept in Buffalo Tours Thailand. Narumon has achieved excellent overall job performance and always sets high standard of work.

ouTSTanDing CuSToMEr SErviCE Doan QuoC viET

Thien Minh Transport for his support in launching L’Azalee. He has played an important role in launching the new boat in Ha Long Bay. He set up process,

got the new crew up to speed and addressed teething issues to improve overall pax experience on L’Azalee

Recently, Viet did an excellent job as team building organiser. His enthusiasm and good sense of humour really brought everyone together.

Staff of the monthBEST TEaM of MonTh

Trinh Minh hao Online Executive for exceeding her new/realised sales for Jan and Feb. Her

March new sales has already doubled the budget. Hao sets good example of teamwork and always helps out colleagues in need

ouTSTanDing CuSToMEr SErviCE: nguyEn laM Thy

Saigon Operations for always saving the day as she managed to ensure service arrangement for last minute booking of big incentive group of 90pax.

She sorted out 45-seat coach the following day as organiser forgot to book the coach with us. The group had great time and sent in lots of good feed-

back.

ouTSTanDing CuSToMEr SErviCE: SuPhanEE Suriya (ning)

Operation Department in Chiang Mai office for her excellent initiatives and customer service. She is never shy of new and great ideas to improve efficien-

cy and always available to help colleagues and clietns out when needed.

1. MarCh

2.aPril


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Recruitment News:vaDMin CuM rECEPTioniST – hanoi offiCE (01)

Company Receptionist will be responsible for the reception desk and general company phone and assist with other administrative duties. Assistant to HR manager with the day to day admin tasks

• Can keep confidential information• Ability to work under pressure and juggle multiple tasks• Familiar with Excel, Word and PowerPoint• Friendly manner and good/neat appearance• Honest and devoted

vhEaD of MarkETing – hanoi offiCE (01)

The Head of Marketing is responsible for establishing and implementing strategic and tactical marketing and commu-nication, business development & product plans to attain the overall objectives of Buffalo Tours.

• University degree in business & marketing• Minimum of 5+ years experience in a marketing manage-ment position• Strong knowledge of marketing strategies, concepts & practices• Experience in developing and evaluating brands• Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating effective marketing & communication strategies & activities• Experience in online marketing• Experience in product management and new product development• Experience in business development

vgrouP Training ManagEr – ho Chi Minh offiCE ( 01)

Develop, conduct and evaluate corporate training programs in Thien Minh Group entities; develop and maintain the necessary reports; audit departmental trainings and classes; assist in the quality-improvement efforts of the company • Diploma in Training & Development • A minimum of two years of experience in Training field or in tourism/hospitality industry • Good listening skills/ presentation skills/ written skills • Fluent in English and Vietnamese • Aggressive, sociable, pleasant personality, well-organized, customer-oriented and result-oriented • Willingness to travel for business

vaSSiSTanT oPEraTion ManagEr – huE offiCE ( 01) Operate all Buffalo Tours trips to achieve the highest guests’ satisfaction level

• Fluent in Vietnamese and English • Personal and professional travel experience of Buffalo Tours products in Indochina • Undergraduate degree • 5-8 years experience in tourism field and at least 2-3 years in supervisor role

V aCCounTanT – Buffalo TourS ThailanD (01)

General accounting including preparing Output VAT reports, checking payments, checking cash advances, settlements, optional tours and TL salary, recording account receivablesetc. in Buffalo Tours (Thailand) Ltd. Assisting with monthly closings and account analysis and supporting the Chief accountant in carrying out the responsibilities of the accounting department.

• B.A. degree in Accounting• 1-2years experiences in all areas of Accounting preferred• Good knowledge of WHT, VAT, and TAX• Good command of computer literacy• Able to communicate and write English• Able to work under pressure and complete as per a dead-line

v For detail job description, please visit our website at: http://www.buffalotours.com/action/45/Careers.html

Please send us email to: [email protected] if you would like to apply or if you know any qualified candidates. Thank you


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february 20, 3012

Dear Buffalo Tours:I am pleased to write you today with great news. In recognition of your consistent high ratings from Viator travelers, you have earned “Top rated on Viator” status. Congratulations!

We know that you and your staff do the hard work every day of meeting and greeting customers, and providing them the best experiences possi-ble. We thank you for that, as do our customers, who have acknowledged your fantastic service via the many five-star reviews proudly displayed on your Viator product pages.

As you know, Viator works with a select group of providers, only those who feel present the high-quality experiences our customers expect. This “Top Rated” status is bestowed on an even more select group, truly the best of the best.

As a small gesture of thanks, we are presenting you with several “Top Rated on Viator” stickers for you to display in your store-front window or customer meeting point. In addition, we enclose here a dated certificate of your achievement. Congratulations again - we hope that you will fea-ture these items prominently, and with pride!

In 2013, we will continue to invest in the Viator brand, with expanded global marketing efforts and continued enhancements to our website and mobile offerings. With over 5 millions site visits a month, over 800 thou-sand Facebook fans globally, and over 400 thousand mobile app down-loads, we know consumers enjoy engaging with Viator, and see us as a trusted specialist in finding the best travel experiences around the world. We’re committed to promoting your experiences to our growing base of new and loyal customers, in all geographies, languages and all platforms. We’re also committed to making your experience with Viator a positive one. This year, we will enhance the functionality of the Viator Extranet and invest in technologies to improve automation and overall connectivity, all of which we believe will be important to our long-term mutual success.

Thank you for your continued partnership.

Warm regards,

Barrie Seidenberg,CEo, viator inc

Winning Viator’sTop Global Experience Award 2012


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Ivivu Newsho Chi Minh Travel fair

iVIVU team participated in the HCMC Travel Fair at 23/9 Park from 4th to 7th of April 2013 in boiling 39 Celsius degree heat. Yet we were all big smiles while

distributing our newly designed leaflets.

Vào ngày 4 - 7/4/2013, nếu bạn đi dạo trong công viên 23/9 của TPHCM, bạn sẽ có cơ hội gặp gỡ đội ngũ

trai xinh gái đẹp phát tờ rơi dạo và tư vấn đặt phòng khách sạn tại chỗ của iVIVU.com. Đây là hoạt động marketing của iVIVU trong khuôn khổ Ngày Hội Du

Lịch TPHCM. Hãy cùng ngắm nhìn chúng tôi tỏa sáng giữa tiết trời nóng 39 độ C ở Sài Gòn.

free lunch with hungry Panda Ngày ăn miễn phí

As part of our partnership program with Hun-grypanda.vn, iVIVU team received free food from the food catering service on April 18th, 2013. We enjoyed Subway, Chewy Junior and Tokyo Deli’s

delicious food for our late lunch. Our happy faces tell a lot how yummy the food is :)

Ngày 18/4/2013, iVIVU.com đón chào đối tác Hungrypanda.vn đến viếng thăm văn phòng và tặng

quà voucher đặt món ăn miễn phí với giá trị lên đến 150.000đ/phần. Trong không khí náo nức của ngày

trước lễ giỗ tổ Hùng Vương, toàn bộ nhân viên iVIVU đã được thưởng thức các món ăn đến từ các nhà hàng

Subway, Tokyo Deli và Chewy Junior.

vu Thi huyen Phuong – ivivu


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Travel Agent Night

in Bangkok

On the 17th of April 2013, Buffalo Tours hosted dinner cruise with travel agents in Bangkok. We are very honoured to be the sponsor and support their land operator for

2 days and 1 night. It was great opportunity for us to strengthen relationship with them.

From the left in the picture: 1. Mr. Kenneth Joergensen, General Manager.2. Mr.Jan Martin from ARD TV Team3. Mr.Andeas Gerber from Desert Team4. Ms.Lydia Heinisch from ULT5. Mr.Martin Brinkmann from ARD TV Team6. Mrs.Ruth Meerkamp - (RM Project Management & Partner)7. Ms. Netchanok Sinnong, Sales Executive.

Kenneth Joergensen – GM of BT Thailand


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Xieng Thong Palace Events

• Food tasting: following the renovation of the hotel’s F&B offer, and as it had previously been done with the lunch menu and the wine list, the entire F&B team together with the executives who do Manager on Duty, joined on 2nd April in the restaurant for the presentation and tasting of the new dinner menu. Chef Rasika prepared all the different dishes, and everybody had the chance to taste and comment on the new products, which include several Sri Lankan recipes and feature mostly local produce.

• Pi Mai: Pi Mai Lao, or the Lao New Year, is the liveliest holiday of the city and one that everyone looks forward to. It takes place in mid April (this year 14 to 16), the hottest time of the year, which is why nobody really minds being con-stantly wet from water splashed everywhere. We gathered hotel team members and guests and following the tradition, built our own sand stupa and set up our “watering station”, as locals passed in front of the hotel in trucks. Everybody enjoyed and, of course, nobody managed to stay dry at all. Previously, we all witnessed the arrival of the procession of the elephants to Xiengthong Temple, just meters away from the hotel, as start of the celebrations. As the sun went down, guests relaxed chatting about the party and savoring the delicious local Beerlao.


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The Vietnam InternationalTravEl MarT 2013


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The Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) brought to-gether a large number of operators and hotels from across the region, meeting in Hanoi to discuss business oppor-tunities and maintain relationships. A number of buyers, mostly from the Asia Pacific region were also present on the first two days, and we hope to build on the positive meetings we held with them!

This was my first time at a trade show held here in Asia, and it was a great chance to meet with some of Buffalo’s

key hotel partners. It was also a great chance for us to showcase the Thien Minh group, with Victoria Hotels, Mai Chau Lodge, Ivivu, BTA and Buffalo Tours all being repre-sented on one stand. It made for an impressive presenta-tion and was the focus of a lot of attention.

We look forward to next year’s VITM!

Edward Pettitt – US Agent Sales Team leade


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We Believe

In Each Other


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We Believe

In Each Other13th April witnessed a big success and heaps of fun for Hanoi-based TMG Team Building held at Son Tinh Camp with our slogan of ‘We Believe In Each Other’ flying high.

Our whole game and fun revolved around the theme of ‘SUPPORT’when 4 groups of 75 team members in total somehow got lost in the middle of Son Tinh ‘forest’. The teams were put up for a great challenge as we competed through 7 mini-games which called for teamwork, think-ing out of the box and laughing our head off at the same time.

I am so pleased to announce that all teams managed to find their way out of the forest in the end by capitalizing on one another’s strength and supporting each other and we all came out like big winners.

Nguyen Thanh Ngoc – Receptionist


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Feedback on what our staff members have been doing

“...All 4 of our guides were absolutely outstanding (Tang, Han and our fabulous chap in Angkor Wat whom I’ve forgotten his name) – knowledgable, friendly, helpful, intelligent, super organised, on time and going out of their way to make our experience the best they could. The english of all of them was also to an exceptional standard, which made it fun to communicate and ask questions.

We had such an amazing time in Vietnam and Cambodia and that was very much due to Buffalo Tours – We’d like to thank those on the ground and Jessie in London too. We have, and shall be, recommend-ing you to all our friends...”

Kate & Fenner

“...Overall, our vacation was perfect. Smooth arrangement, professional guides, personal touch. Every-body that we encountered tried their best to deliver a service that was top of the top. However, after coming home, one person keep on standing out in our memories: Chet from Siem Reap.... He received ALL our questions with a positive attitude, tried his best - and succeeded everytime. Chet has a very high level of knowledge of the area and a natural-born empathy which makes him an outstanding guide.

Chet is the heart and soul of Buffalo Tours. And I just wanted you to be aware.”Denmark

“ Diane and I were so pleased with how the holiday went and will definitely use you again. We were looked after so well. The hotels were excellent as were the 3 reps. We are hoping to book for Vietnam and Cambodia next Feb/Mar so will be in contact soon with details of the tour we would like. Many thanks for all your help in organising such a great holiday”

Liz


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It’s hard to carve out time to relax in a 24/7 world. But just as it’s healthy to focus at work — ignoring Facebook and personal email — you must occasionally leave work behind. Here’s how:

• Clearly schedule your time. Treat downtime like a work meeting: Sched-ule it. Book evenings off, one to two days a week free of work, and week-long chunks of vacation every year on your calendar, and stick to them.

• Shut off your devices. Leave your laptop at the office when you can. Carry a phone for work and one for personal use — leave the work phone in your bag when you come home or in the safe at your hotel when you’re on vacation.

• Create routines. Signal to your mind that it’s time to start work, leave work, or engage with family by using rituals to transition from one kind of activity to the next.

Make the Most of Your DowntimeBusiness Tips


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Make the Most of Your Downtime

Do hoang longnguyen Thi TamDao Thi huyennguyen Cao Xuan vinhnguyen Thi To uyenPorjai Chaiwongyartnguyen Quang huyPham ngoc Minhnguyen Trung Congnguyen To TranWiriya Techawongsuwannguyen Thi Thanh hongDoan Thi lan Phuonglo Thi viet hagraham harperTran Thi Minh TamTran Bich huevu Thuy Tu MiDoan Thu hien

May 2ndMay 2ndMay 2ndMay 3rdMay 5thMay 7thMay 7thMay 8thMay 10thMay 11thMay 14thMay 17thMay 20thMay 23rdMay 23rdMay 26thMay 26thMay 26thMay 31st

DriverTour GuideAdmin & ReceptionistIT SupporterPurchasing ExecutiveBranch Manager Chieng MaiDriverTour guideCTOTravel ConsultantOperation ExecutiveAccountantETA ExecutiveBTA Team LeaderETA Business DevelopmentChinese Inbound SalesCEO AssistantOperation ExecutiveAccount receivable

Birthdays:

Birthdays Anniversaries&

Tran Thu Trangnguyen Thi Mai lannguyen Thi Thu hienBui Minh Tanvu lan Phuongninh Thi hong hanhDao Thi Tuyetho Thi Thu Thuyvu Thuy Tu MiParintr MateveravongSucheera SasisuriyabPattaranida lohakul

08 years in service05 years in service02 years in service04 years in service02 years in service08 years in service02 years in service02 years in service03 years in service03 years in service03 years in service01 year in service

French Team LeaderGerman Sales ExecutiveTicketing ExecutiveDesignerOperation ExecutiveHR ManagerPurchasing ManagerPR & MKT ExecutiveOperations ExecutiveAirport RepresentativesSenior Reservations FOX ExecutivePA to GM (HR&Admin)

Anniversaries:

April, contrautimes

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