World Tourism Blog

Multiculturalism has not only made Malaysia a gastronomical paradise, it has also made Malaysia home to hundreds of colourful festivals. It’s no wonder that we love celebrating and socialising. As a people, Malaysians are very laid back, warm and friendly.

Geographically, Malaysia is as diverse as its culture. There are two parts to the country, 11 states in the peninsula of Malaysia and two states on the northern part of Borneo. Cool hideaways are found in the highlands that roll down to warm, sandy beaches and rich, humid mangroves.

One of Malaysia’s key attractions is its extreme contrasts. Towering skyscrapers look down upon wooden houses built on stilts, and five-star hotels sit several metres away from ancient reefs.

For the perfect holiday full of surprises, eclectic cultures and natural wonders, the time is now, the place is Malaysia.

Welcome to winter in Australia, which lasts from June to August for most of the country.
These months fall in the dry season in our tropical north. You can ski and snowboard down Victoria’s powdered slopes or snorkel and dive the balmy waters of Queensland’s Great Barrier Reef. Four wheel drive South Australia’s Simpson Desert or head to the Blue Mountains for Christmas festivities.

Follow Western Australia’s wildflower trail or embrace the Northern Territory’s unique festival culture. Snuggle next to a roaring fire at Canberra’s Fireside Festival or celebrate the winter solstice in Hobart’s cobblestone streets. Winter is also a great season to discover our coastline, where you can spot migrating whales and dive with a dazzling array of marine life.

The Thailand Travel Mart (TTM) is a great place to get the latest updates on trends, strategies and products that will shape for the year to come the direction of Thailand’s tourism industry.

In a course of a day, media from all over the world heard a series of press conferences where various tourism bodies will reveal their secrets. And for once, the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) has decided to join the media session. The BMA sent its deputy governor in charge of social affairs, Mrs. Taya Teepsuvarn.

In front of a couple of dozens of media, mostly from the trade, Mrs. Teepsuvarn delivered an impassioned speech on the beauty of Bangkok. We learned that Bangkok has delicious Thai restaurants, that a visit to the Royal Palace or the Temple of the Emerald Buddha was a must, that the Thai capital is a great city for shopping, entertainment, medical treatment, all of that offering great value for money. Fair enough to spend 20 minutes to tell what the audience probably already knew, as it was comprised mostly of let’s travel trade journalists.

On September the 27th, when the high season ends in the Northern Hemisphere and starts in the Southern one, the Tourism Day is commemorated everywhere with fairs, meetings and, of course, journeys.

The date was established by the World Tourism Organization, an UN agency, in 1980. Every year, a topic and a country which acts as international host of the celebration are selected. In 2009, the Tourism Day is devoted to the challenge of the climate change and the country is Ghana.

In order that the Tourism day is not be considered only as a marketing expression, the UN organizes a series of conferences about climate change and tourism. Those people taking part in such conferences will have to write down ten proposals for the decrease of environmental impact to be applied on world tourism.

International tourism demand has deteriorated further due to the impact of the global economic recession. International tourist arrivals declined at a rate of 8% between January and February this year, leaving the overall volume at the same level as recorded in 2007. At the same time, influenza A(H1N1) is starting to affect the sector. Its impact is being closely monitored by UNWTO in close collaboration with the World Health Organization (WHO). UNWTO follows the WHO’s advice as it is the leading UN agency in matters relating to health. WHO does not recommend travel restrictions at this point.