World Tourism Blog

Welcome to the Tourism Commission’s homepage and, in particular, a special warm welcome to visitors to Hong Kong.

In order to maintain Hong Kong’s position as the top destination city for visitors in Asia, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region established the Tourism Commission in May 1999. Our job is to enhance our tourism facilities and support the development of new attractions and events so that Hong Kong remains a premier tourist destination.

As Asia’s world city, Hong Kong has much to offer to you as a visitor, whether you are coming here on business or for pleasure:

* A city of charm: the sophistication of an international city, cultural diversity and cosmopolitan lifestyle are at the very core of Hong Kong’s attractions.
* Natural beauty: we also offer unspoilt natural parkland and spectacular scenery.

Here are some of the most popular tourist attractions:

* The Peak is one of the most popular attractions in Hong Kong. Looking down from The Peak you will be amazed by the spectacular view of the world- famous Victoria Harbour.
* Giant Buddha at Lantau Island beside the Po Lin Monastery, is the world’s tallest, outdoor, seated bronze Buddha.
* Ocean Park at the southern part of Hong Kong Island, provides an exciting mix of entertainment, education and conservation facilities.
* Golden Bauhinia Square outside the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre on the Wan Chai waterfront marks the unification of Hong Kong with the motherland. The “Forever Blooming Bauhinia” Sculpture (Golden Bauhinia) at the Square is a gift from the Central Government. There is also the flag-raising ceremony held every morning.
* Repulse Bay at the southern part of Hong Kong Island, famous for its wide and wave-lapped beach, is popular with locals and visitors alike.
* Stanley Market & Murray House, a popular market town that offers crisp sea environs and bargain buys. Murray House is a restored three-storey colonial building situated at the Stanley seaside.
* A Symphony of Lights, awarded the World’s Largest Permanent Light and Sound Show by Guinness World Records, staged on both sides of the Victoria Harbour, starting at 8:00pm every night.
* Avenue of Stars, located on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, not only a salute to eminent Hong Kong film workers for their devoted contribution to local and world theatres, but also one of the ideal vantage points for visitors to appreciate “A Symphony of Lights”. National Hard Money Association Conference

Manila is an especially lively and diverse city, with all kinds of different tourist attractions awaiting. Although a large number of the sights are historic, others simply offer a fun day out, suitable for all the family. Particularly popular is the Enchanted Kingdom and its Space Shuttle roller coaster, along with the awesome water slides and pools that make up Splash Island. To experience a little of the life and soul of Manila, spend time exploring the Divisoria Market and haggling over the prices, or alternatively, check out the various exhibits and performances found within both the Cultural Centre of the Philippines and the Nayong Filipino Cultural Park. More information about Manila Tourist Attractions.

Many old and historical buildings are spread around Manila, offering a taste of the past. Dating back to the latter part of the 16th century, Fort Santiago was once used as a prison and now serves as a popular park. Of a similar age, San Agustin Church features its very own collection of religious art works, while much newer and equally impressive, the Manila Cathedral of today was built as recently as the mid-20th century, after five predecessors suffered at the hands of fire, war and earthquakes. For a touch of grandeur, the gleaming-white riverside Malacanang Palace will provide just that and is actually the residence of none other than the President of the Philippines. More information about Manila Landmarks and Monuments. NHMA

Taipei City, the capital of Taiwan, is the center of Taiwanese commerce and culture. As the financial and governmental center, Taipei is not only the most advanced city, but also the most prosperous city in Taiwan. Due to its political and economical significance, Taipei is one of the most popular cities for tourism in Taiwan.

Taipei is a modern city with newly planned business districts and impressive achievements, such as the construction of Taipei 101, the tallest building in Asia; Taipei World Trade Center, the exhibition halls to hold international exhibitions and important events; Eslite Xinyi Bookstore, a twenty four hour book palace. In addition, this city offers a wide range of entertainments, such as shopping malls, night markets, night clubs, and exotic restaurants.

Taipei City and Taipei County are also well known for having a wide variety of sightseeing locations. Tourists may enjoy appreciating natural sceneries at Zhuzihu Scenic Spot and Yeliou Scenic Area, visiting historical landmarks like Chiang Kai-Shek Shilin Residence and Lin Family Garden, learning about Taiwanese culture and beliefs by visiting the Longshan Temple and National Palace Museum, relaxing in the great outdoors at Maokong and Yangmingshan National Park, enjoying a hot spring vacation at Beitou Hot Spring, or simply taking pleasure in some casual shopping at the Shilin Night Market and Ximending.

There are a large selection of Taipei hotels and resorts at different districts. Therefore, you may easily find a place to spend the night during your Taipei travel. Sinotour provides hotel online reservation services of nearby hotels for an array of sightseeing locations in Taipei. So start planning for an amazing trip to Taipei that will take your breath away!. National Hard Money Association

A guided bus tour of the city is always a good way to start your first day in Reykjavik and provides you with an overview of the main sights. If you are interested in Iceland’s volcanic history, then visit the popular Red Rock Cinema and enjoy its ‘Volcano Show’, or alternatively, spend a day at the Nauthólsvik Thermal Beach and enjoy the geothermally heated beachfront and waters. For families in Reykjavik, the friendly farmyard animals at the Húsdyragarourinn Zoo will be sure to put smile on everyone’s face, while for a touch of culture, head to the Háskólabió Concert Hall and enjoy a performance by the Icelandic National Symphony Orchestra. More information about Reykjavik Tourist Attractions.

Sporting a rich heritage and containing a number of old and important buildings, two of the most notable landmarks in Reykjavik are churches. The Landakot Church (Landakotskirkja) was built in the late 1920s and is known for its wooden statues. Considerably more youthful is the contemporary Church of Hallgrimur (Hallgrimskirkja), which dates back to the mid-1980s and boasts a dramatic spreading base and tall steeple. Something quite different is sited on the very outskirts of Reykjavik and on the Island of Vioey. Here, John Lennon from legendary rock group ‘The Beatles’ is remembered at the Imagine Peace Tower. More information about Reykjavik Landmarks.

This region has led a particularly interesting past and a wealth of local history is to be found within the National Museum of Iceland, where the heritage of the country is celebrated and numerous archaeological treasures exhibited. Part of the National Museum itself, the Icelandic Maritime Museum lies in nearby Hafnarfjörour and feature endless exhibits and information about fishing and seafaring. Providing interest to all ages, the Reykjavik Museum of Natural History contains many plant and animal specimens and is situated next to the Hlemmur bus terminal. If you feel in the mood for a gallery, then the best include the Art Gallery Fold, the Gallery Reykjavik, the National Gallery of Iceland, and also the Reykjavik Art Museum, which comprises no less than three separate museums, including the recent addition of the Harbour House. More information about Reykjavik Museums and Reykjavik Art Galleries. Hard Money Association

Moscow does not actually contain any tourist information centres as such.  Therefore, if you are looking for tourism advice within the city, you will need to turn to one of the many travel agencies, such as those located along the Komsomolsky Prospekt and the Zelenodolskaya Ulitsa, where a number of booking services are offered.

Moscow Tourist Information: Top Moscow Sights
The Moscow metro system is an enormous network of underground trains and allows tourists to zoom around and sightsee with ease.  Lots of these attractions are highly suitable for children, such as the Big Moscow City, the modern Cinema Centre and the Zoo Park, where no less than 6,000 exotic animals call it their home.  Also of interest is the rather surprising Moscow Dolphinarium (Dolfinariia), which is located within the rather grand surrounding of the Palace of Water Sports, built for the city’s 1980 Olympics. More information about Moscow Tourist Attractions.

Many of the most noteworthy landmarks and buildings within Moscow emanate from around Red Square and give the city its strong identity and Russian character.  The Kremlin is one such building and this vast complex comprises a group of cathedrals and palaces, along with a superb exhibition of weapons and jewels at the Kremlin Armoury, while Lenin’s Mausoleum is close by and always attracts large crowds.  Also standing proudly on Red Square is another of Moscow’s iconic buildings, St. Basil’s Cathedral.  The brightly coloured, crazy architecture really is a sight to behold on a sunny day.  More information about Moscow Landmarks. National Hard Money Association Conference

Slovakia’s geographical position between two superpowers of the middle ages, Austro-Hungarian and Russian, has left its mark plainly in its historical architecture. Of the two, the traditions of Germanic Austria-Hungary dominate, often tied to the Roman Catholic faith with some hints of Protestantism. However, especially in the east, the Orthodox Christian religion of Russia and other eastern European cultures play a role in the architectural landscape.

Most towns have historic churches, and many of these have features of special signicance. For those seeking a truly eastern European experience, the centuries-old, still-functioning wooden churches of northeastern Slovakia are one of the country’s greatest treasures, though they are hard to reach.

The other significant historical influence came from Slovakia’s role as an essentially underling nation for centuries. Wealth never accumulated here as it did in nearby centres such as Vienna, Prague, Budapest, Krakow or even Kiev. Therefore the ornate “old town” sections of Slovak cities are more compact, though no less beautiful - in fact, many travellers find sightseeing more digestible in Slovakia, as the ornamentation is not so overwhelming.

For a quick but memorable architectural experience, check out almost any town square. Some of them (such as Bardejov and Banska Stiavnica) have UNESCO cultural heritage certification and big reputations, but most old town squares have some unique and well-restored aspects of beauty.

Slovak castles and ruins
Castles can be divided into those which have been restored, and those which have fallen into ruin. Every region of the country offers some of each. Restored castles, some of which were never fortified and therefore are in fact palaces, offer a glimpse of how the wealthy lived. Castle ruins are more interesting for those with explorer spirits, in part because they usually require significant walking or gentle climging; they have deliciously eerie atmosphere. NHMA

San Jose, CA, is a very old city, founded in 1777. Before white people came to this area, the Ohlone  Indians lived here, along the Guadalupe  River. They were peaceful Indians who lived in huts made from grasses.

In the 18th century, Spaniards came to this area. They found bears, antelope and geese. They founded the Mission Santa Clara near the river. This mission was moved several times because the river flooded. It is now on the grounds of the University of Santa Clara.

The first civil settlement in California was El Pueblo San Jose de Guadalupe  founded in November 1777. It was a farming community and they grew food for the military forces in San Francisco and Monterey. These settlers finally moved to the area that is downtown San Jose today. The first census in 1778 showed 68 people of different races living here.

San Jose was the first capital of California, named in 1849 by the people who wanted California to become a new state. San Jose promised a lot, but disappointed the people who visited here. The capital building wasn’t finished. There weren’t enough rooms for the legislators. People had to sleep in tents and the weather was rainy. The people were so unhappy they moved the capital to Monterey.

Many people came to California looking for gold. Most of them didn’t find any gold, but decided to stay here and grow crops. Prunes became the valley’s biggest crop, also apples, apricots, cherries, peaches and pears. Canneries were built to can the fruit and ship it to other places. The 1906 earthquake hit San Jose very hard. Business buildings collapsed, homes were damaged and hundreds of people were hurt and killed. When A.P. “Dutch” Hamann was city manger (1950-1969) the city’s population grew from 95,000 to 446,000 and from 17 square miles to 136 square miles.

Today this area is known as Silicon Valley because of the powerful high technology economy. It all started with Dave Packard and Bill Hewlett in a garage in Palo Alto in 1938. Today, the Silicon Valley is known everywhere as the center of the computer and software industries.

San Jose still has a diverse population. Ethnic groups today make up about 52 per cent of the city. Large numbers of Vietnamese moved here after the fall of Saigon in 1975 and Asians make up 20% of the population. Hispanics, mostly from Mexico and Central America are about 27%. National Hard Money Association

Bonbini, in our native language of Papiamento, means “Welcome”. Welcome to Aruba. The word is ours. But we like to think the meaning is universal.

Our beaches curve like an Aruban smile along the western shores, soft and white and fringed with palm trees, sloping gently toward the calm transparent turquoise of the Caribbean.

The waves of the windward coast crash like incessant thunder against the northern cliffs, carving high, arched coral bridges and deep, dark secret limestone grottoes.

Between the two extremes, in a desert landscape where the cacti grow to the height of a man, great building-sized tumbles of boulders stand like the legacy of some ancient, angry god. Winding roads lead to rocky passes and hidden coves, or sometimes to nowhere at all. Giant green parakeets call to their mates, and troupials flash brilliant orange against the deep blue of the Caribbean sky.

This is not the Caribbean as usual. This is Aruba! And if its true that opposites attract, then this could well be the most attractive island of them all. The fact is, if you’re looking for it, and if it has anything to do with a great Caribbean getaway, you can probably find it here in Aruba.

As you explore, as you get to know Aruba, you’ll soon begin to notice the smiling faces everywhere. Real smiles. Gracious smiles. Sheer-joy-of-living smiles. Aruba, as any traveler here will tell you, must surely be among the most welcoming places on Earth.

Maybe its the Dutch tradition of hospitality. Maybe its the long and prosperous history of the island. Maybe its the year-round warmth of the sunshine and the fresh breezes of the tradewinds. More than likely, its all those things and more. But whatever it is, its absolutely true: Aruba is a genuinely happy place to be. And the people who live here, in the cities, in the villages, in the countryside, are genuinely happy to be sharing it with you.

So, sit back, relax and explore our website, where you will find many things to do, places to go and things to see, as well as important information to help you plan your visit to Aruba, “One Happy Island”. Hard Money Association

Rapid modernization and population growth thus created numerous problems associated with heavy industry such as heavy traffic, pollution, the destruction of historic neighborhoods, and a large population of impoverished migrant workers from the countryside. By early 2005, the city government attempted to control urban sprawl by restricting development to two semicircular bands to the west and east of the city center, instead of the concentric rings of suburbs that had been built in the past.

The rapid growth of population, motor vehicles and factories has created high polluation levels. Days with gray, acrid skies, with an eye-reddening pollution score over 400, are common, as health officials advise wearing masks and staying indoors. Heavy trucks are allowed in only at night but their diesel fuels create much of the problem. By 2008 for the city’s 12 million residents, pollution was not only an inescapable health and quality-of-life issue, but a political issue tied in with the Summer Olympics scheduled for August 2008. The city’s bid for the 2000 Olympics in 1993 failed partly because of high pollution levels, and in response the city began a massive cleanup campaign. That campaign has been successful in terms of 2000 standards, but the city’s economy is 2.5 times larger now, with millions more people. Over 3 million cars and trucks clog the streets, and 400,000 more are added annually as the wealth shoots up rapidly. Old dirty, coal-burning furnaces have been replaced, lowering the city’s sulfur dioxide emissions. Factories and power plants were changed to burn cleaner, low-sulfur coal; sulfur dioxide emissions fell by 25% 2001-2007, even though much more coal is burned, reaching 30 million tons in 2006.

Furthermore, fine-particle pollution has been exacerbated by a staggering citywide construction program which saw more than 160 million square meters (1.7 billion square feet) of new construction begun 2002-2007. Athletes may have some breathing problems, but in the long-run air quality is expected to remain a critical issue as the city grows to a projected population of 20 million. National Hard Money Association Conference

Holiday at the marvellous Indian city of Bombay. Bombay is together a tourist destination, financial capital, biggest metropolitan and celluloid capital of India. Formerly known as Bombay, the city of Bombay is a tourist’s paradise.

Most of the people who arrive in Bombay have stars in their eyes. The commercial capital of India promises different things to different individuals. Situated on the western coast of India, Bombay is best visited in the winter months from November to March. In the past Gateway of India used to be the arrival point for visitors from the west. Today the Gateway of India is synonymous with Bombay. This landmark of Bombay is a must visit of the city. It was built way back in 1911 to commemorate the visit of King George V and Queen Mary for the Delhi Durbar. For the historians a visit to the Prince of Wales Museum is a must.

The museum stores antique items of art, sculpture, china, rare coins, old firearms and miniature paintings. For the nature lovers Kamala Nehru Park and the Hanging Gardens are worth visiting. Marine Drive is the perfect spot for evenings with thousands of lights. For the beach lovers Chowpatty is the place to be at. The residence of Mahatma Gandhi in Bombay Mani Bhawan or the Gandhi memorial too is worth visiting.

So, even if you are on a business trip tourism in Bombay is attractive enough to force you visit the tourist attractions of the city and offers by Tour Operator in Bombay. NHMA