World Tourism Blog

Kona Village Resort, on the Big Island of Hawaii, is the winner of the Luxist Awards’ Readers’ Choice Award for Best Luxury Family Vacation. The pristine resort features serene lagoons surrounded by lush, tropical landscaping as well as dramatic, surreal, black lava cliffs that plunge to meet the ocean.

Guests stay in thatched roof hales (Polynesian-inspired bungalows) on 82 oceanfront acres. No televisions, telephones, radios, air conditioners are there to distract. Coconuts supplant traditional “no disturb” signs.

Included in the guest rate are all daily meals, an award-winning, traditional Hawaiian luau and activities from snorkeling and tennis, to lei-making, stargazing and fishing the traditional way with bamboo poles.

Water-based activities include an Outrigger Canoe Program in which guests learn to paddle a canoe, Hawaiian-style. A Wiwo’ole Ribcraft Adventure is available for seasonal whale watching as well as cruises to hidden snorkeling sites with Scooters (dive propulsion vehicles). There’s also standup paddleboarding, kayaking, windsurfing, sailing, and SCUBA diving (scuba dive instruction and certification programs are available as Kona Village is a PADI certified resort).

If you are looking for an affordable hotel and perfect accommodation for your next business trip or family vacation checkout our hotel partners and enjoy discounted hotel rates for your next business trip. Also watchout for Best Hotel Deals available and updated every month.

By Travelandtourismnews

Kona Village Resort

Thailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry has earmarked Bt14 million (about $US447,000) to turn Kaeng Wang Tao stream in Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) Province into an eco-tourist destination for trekking, canoeing and rafting.

The stream, situated in Khon Buri district, is about 70 kilometers south of the provincial town and is fed by Wang Tao Waterfall in Thap Lan National Park, which extends to parts of neighboring Prachin Buri Province.

Pornchai Amnuaysap, a local provincial councilor, said the money will be spent on constructing a visitor information centre, public toilets and jetties, in addition to new trekking routes along the stream and a resting area by the Lam Chae reservoir on the outer fringes of the national park.

Mr. Pornchai said construction of the new facilities is expected to take about six months, with Kaeng Wang Tao ready to cater to visitors by early next year.

Already popular as a tourist destination because of it’s unspoiled beauty, visitors to the area who want to enjoy the natural surroundings currently have a choice of 18-home stay facilities at Mabkrad village and numerous raft-houses at Lam Chae reservoir in which to stay.

The new facilities are expected to increase the popularity of the region with local and international tourists alike, as well as see the introduction of a greater range of activities, which the provincial council has committed to ensuring leaves the local environment unspoiled or damaged.

Kaeng Wang Tao stream remains open to those interested in trekking, or just sightseeing, and can be reached by taking Highway 224 from the provincial town to Chok Chai district and then Route 2071 to tambon Khok Krachai in Khon Buri district, where a two-hour boat ride across the Lam Chae reservoir brings visitors to a point where they can trek to Wang Tao Waterfall.

By John Le Fevre

Thap Lan National Park and Kaeng Wang Tao stream in Khon Buri district of Nakhon Ratchasima (Korat) Province are to receive some amenities making it more friendly as a eco-tourism destination.

SAN JOSE, Costa Rica – Costa Rica, the world’s foremost leader in sustainable tourism practices, has begun to reap the rewards for its commitment to social and environmental preservation alike. The country’s philosophy to being at peace with humanity and nature have now set the stage for a country that is recognized internationally as one of the most stable, most ethical, one of the cleanest, and consequently, one of the happiest places on Earth.

A recent Gallup Poll named Costa Rica one of the Happiest Places on Earth citing its people’s health, prosperity, and overall satisfaction with life. So, what has this small nation done right to create this type of society and, more importantly, what kind of changes can other countries make to achieve a little more happiness in everyday lives?

When Costa Rica made the decision to eliminate its army in 1948, it seemed like an unlikely and naïve choice, at best. Then, in 1978, Costa Rica took it a step further and declared 25 percent of its territory as protected land in an effort to preserve the rich biodiversity that today has made the country one of the most sought after ecological destinations in the world.

While these decisions were highly criticized in their time, Costa Rica, today, has come full circle and proven that a life focused on the well-being of the people and the planet is the best recipe to living a long and happy life. Their zest for life shows because while many initially come here for the country’s natural beauty and an endless choice of activities, ultimately, the longest lasting impression they leave with is the kindness and joy that the Costa Rican people offer.

All of these choices have enabled Costa Rica to be a society that can count on accessible education for all and a nationwide healthcare system that even provides for tourists in the country. Ticos, as Costa Ricans call themselves, enjoy a literacy rate that is comparable to any other well-developed nation, equal rights for all, a political system which allows for strong participation from its citizens, and an almost complete elimination of fossil fuels for electric production.

As a destination that offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of the Earth and its people, Costa Rica began to see a growth in its tourism industry. In order to mitigate the negative effects of tourism development in the country, Costa Rica quickly took action, and in 1996, it established the Certification for Sustainable Tourism Program (CST), which outlines four main pillars for developing a property or operation that would reduce the impact that it would on the environment, its population, and its culture as well.

Over the past year, Costa Rica, as a country, and its tourism sector alike, have received an unprecedented amount of recognition for its staggering achievements at the environmental and social level. Organizations like the World Economic Index Forum and the Environmental Performance Indicator developed by Yale University and Columbia University have ranked Costa Rica as the best place to do business and the cleanest destination in the Americas, respectively.

The CST program has not only been well received by the industry, with over 150 hotels and tour operators certified, but it has also been regarded by the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) as the model for sustainable tourism in Latin America. Additionally, the CST program was recognized by the III Virtual Congress on Latin American Tourism Industry and Destination Competitiveness with the “Tourism for All” award in the category of “Innovation in Tourism and Hotels.”

All of these efforts have positioned its tourism industry as one of the most sustainable in the world and it has no shortage of awards either. In the past year alone, establishments such as Green Hotels of Costa Rica, Lapa Rios Ecolodge, Rios Tropicales, Hotel Punta Islita, El Silencio Lodge, Nature Air, among many others, have been recipients of sustainable tourism awards and recognitions from prestigious organizations such as National Geographic, Conde Nast Traveler, Rainforest Alliance, and the World Travel and Tourism Council.

The key to happiness, as Costa Rica has proven, isn’t necessarily limited to the act of consuming less. Rather, it is the philosophy that when people take the time to take care of and appreciate the things around them that aren’t replaceable, such as the environment, their people, and their culture, then they begin to create a society that finds happiness in the simple things that the world has to offer.

By Visitcostarica

Costa Rica

Overview

The Lord of the Rings film trilogy brought the breathtaking scenery of New Zealand’s countryside into the international spotlight. Combine this scenery with a huge variety of recreational opportunities, and you’ve got an outdoor enthusiast’s ideal vacation destination. Even those without a desire to jump off bridges or roll down a hill in a clear plastic ball will find something to do–New Zealand’s cities offer plenty of opportunities for fine dining, shopping and museum-going. Because a trip to New Zealand can come at great expense, however, it is important to spend plenty of time planning your vacation to ensure that it is as memorable as you hope it to be.

Step 1

Decide what time of year you would like to visit New Zealand. Remember that it is located in the Southern Hemisphere, meaning the seasons are opposite those in the Northern Hemisphere–when it is summer in the United States, it is winter in New Zealand. The summer season is the busiest in New Zealand; it is also when the majority of activities are open for tourists. From May to September you will typically find smaller crowds and also are more likely to find good deals on airfare.

Step 2

Determine how much time you have to devote to a trip to New Zealand. The greater amount of time you have to spend, the more you will be able to see. Given the amount of travel time necessary to get to New Zealand, ideally, two weeks is the minimum trip length you should consider. Two weeks will provide adequate time to see a large part of both the North and South Island, although you will have to continually be on the move. For trips shorter than two weeks, plan to focus on just one part of the country rather than trying to see it all.

Step 3

Decide on a rough budget for your trip. Your largest expense is likely to be airfare, followed by lodging, transportation and food. Check the websites of Air New Zealand and Qantas for specials when researching airfares. You may even be able to add an extra stop in Hawaii or Fiji on the front or back end of your trip without paying an additional fee. Remember to also take into account the cost of tours and recreational activities, such as bungee jumping, jet boating, zorbing, skydiving and glacier hiking.

Step 4

Put together an itinerary. The majority of international flights land in Auckland on the North Island. You can opt to start your travels here, or take an immediate flight to Christchurch in the South Island. Highlights of the North Island include Auckland, the Bay of Islands, Rotorua, Taupo and Wellington. Highlights of the South Island include Kaikora, Christchurch, Queenstown, Te Anau, Fjordland National Park, Milford Sound, Mount Cook National Park, Franz Josef and Fox Glaciers and the wineries of Marlborough and Hawkes Bay. Adrenaline junkies should plan to spend the majority of their time in the South Island; Queenstown is the epicenter of outdoor recreation.

Step 5

Choose a method of transportation during your travels in New Zealand. Although New Zealand has an efficient bus system, a rental car or camper van will provide you with the greatest amount of independence. For quick travel between locations, flying may be an option, although doing so will cut deeply into your travel budget. Traveling by rail (TranzRail) is also a good option–the TranzScenic rail line cuts through the mountains and provides breathtaking views of the surrounding scenery.

By Susan Berg

Glacier hiking is just one of the many possible activities in New Zealand.

Three Pacific sites have been awarded World Heritage status by the cultural arm of the United Nations, UNESCO.

Those sites are Bikini Atoll in the Marshall Islands, Kiribati’ s Phoenix Islands and Hawaii’s Papahanaumokuakea.

Bikini was the site of U.S. nuclear bomb testing in the 1940s and 1950s.

UNESCO said the tests had major consequences on the geology and environment of the atoll symbolized the dawn of nuclear age.

The Phoenix Islands conserve one of the world’s largest intact oceanic coral archipelago ecosystems, together with 14 known underwater sea mounts thought to be extinct volcanoes, complete with a staggering variety of marine species.

The Papahanaumokuakea chain of tiny islands and atolls, stretches nearly 2,000 km north-west of the main Hawaiian Islands.

It was declared both a natural and cultural heritage site.

This is because it is one of the world’s largest marine protected areas, and the region is also thought to be the origin of life in native Hawaiian belief.

By Travelandtourismnews

Bikini Atoll

Last year I actually won a sweepstakes (one of those that no one ever wins) for a trip to the Galapagos Islands. Beyond Darwin, I knew nothing of the archipelago and went only because it was free. However, my week touring this eco-wonder changed my life and perception of ecotourism forever.

The staff and crew of the Lindblad/National Geographic ship Endeavour quickly stepped in to fill the massive knowledge deficiencies I had regarding the Galapagos. Before arriving the only thing I knew was to expect very large turtles and to never, ever touch anything lest it become extinct and bring about the end of the world. Almost immediately though, the biologists onboard began an immersion course into all things Galapagian and we even took a nature hike that first afternoon.

Over the course of several days, my ability to be completely overwhelmed by nature was surpassed by every new experience. Everyone knows that the wildlife on the islands have no fear of humans, but to experience this unique phenomenon in person is quite another thing. To be able to stand inches away from blue-footed booby hatchlings and listen to them cry for their parents etched a sensory memory that can never be erased. This endemic trait does have its drawbacks, more than once an angry pelican tried to take a nip and seeing spitting iguanas crossing the path ahead is certainly an eye opening experience.

At the end of the week, we said our teary eyed goodbyes and took with us memories and experiences to last a lifetime. As I watched the group of islands disappear from the airplane window, I began to think about our responsibility to preserve such natural wonders.

The ability to keep areas such as the Galapagos pristine is a delicate balance between much-needed tourist dollars and limited access. I began to wonder if our presence there is really a benefit or not. Fifty years ago, the Galapagos was an all but forgotten island chain with just a handful of inhabitants. Today more than 20,000 people call this tiny place home and many more visit each year. Following in the wake is the expected pollution and general ecological maelstrom in one of the last untouched biospheres on the planet.

However the presence of these scientists and visitors has also accomplished the impossible. The Charles Darwin Foundation and other notable organizations have brought back several species from the brink of extinction, including the giant tortoise, ensuring their presence for centuries to come. Their research has also allowed biologists to better understand these endemic creatures, which in turn adds to our collective scientific knowledge and abilities.

Ecotourism and sustainable travel are oft used and very trendy travel buzz words, but most of the experiences do little to protect the designated areas. As with all things, there are both good and bad actors. I have encountered organizations, companies and properties that truly “get it” and do offer a sustainable experience. However, I fear that there are many more bad actors who are ruining the utility of the terms for everyone else. These terms are being used everywhere as a way to describe travel to important and delicate natural areas. Unfortunately though these are areas which, because of that very tourism, may very well cease to exist past another generation or two.

By Matt Long

Giant tortoises Galapagos Islands

With over 5 million annual visitors on average, Benidorm is one of the most popular destinations in Europe. The Costa Blanca, Alicante province beach paradise is a boon for package-holiday tourists who want to spend some time on the Mediterranean.

The beaches of Benidorm

Once a sleepy, traditional village, Benidorm’s long, wide coastline drew the attention of major international investors in the mid-1960s. No longer a hidden gem of the Costa Blanca, Benidorm’s fortunes altered irrevocably when plans for a world-class coastal resort came to fruition.

Modern buildings soon appeared on the narrow, winding streets of Benidorm and initial waves of foreign tourists made it clear the old fishing village was quickly becoming a desirable destination. In a few short years, Benidorm was invaded.

To accommodate the town’s surge in popularity, a necklace of high-rises was built around the coast. These towering, gleaming apartment complexes and hotels in Benidorm earned the resort town a new nickname: the “Manhattan of Spain”.

Benidorm’s remarkable skyline transformation had an undeniable pull on millions of new tourists. The additional lure of Blue Flag-designated beaches helped the area’s popularity skyrocket even further. In no time, domestic tourism to the coast had been overtaken by visitors from abroad.

Apart from the three main beaches of Levante, Poniente and La Almadraba, Benidorm has a large number of leisure and entertainment attractions. One should however, make time for the heritage quarter of old Benidorm, a rare relic from the town’s pre-mass tourism and package-holiday era. The contrast between the old quarter’s landmarks, such as Iglesia de San Jaime, and the modern high-rise skyline is stark.

Other worthwhile, non-tourist-trap attractions include Benidorm (Peacock) Island, various underwater caves (ideal for avid divers) and the distant mountains that provide such a brilliant, indelible backdrop.

Benidorm’s somewhat infamous reputation as the most popular beach and package-holiday destination on the continent aside, the Costa Blanca resort is a gem. Visitors can indulge in a plethora of “touristy” attractions of course, from amusement parks to pubs, theme restaurants to souvenir shops, but those who want genuine charm and even relative peace and quiet can find it in Benidorm as well.

By Florin Nedelcu

Benidorm - View from the west side Mount

The town of Dillon, Colorado sits at 9,156 above sea level, surrounded by the majestic peaks of the Rocky Mountains. A weekend vacation in Dillon Colorado is an ideal way to explore the town and surrounding Summit County.

History of Dillon

Dating back to the late 1800’s, Dillon was the site of trading posts and stagecoach stops, serving both the mining community and the ranchers that lived and worked in the nearby valleys. Originally situated near the convergence of the Blue River, Ten Mile Creek and the Snake River, the town was relocated to its present location on the shores of Dillon Reservoir, as a result of construction of the Dillon Dam in 1963.

A small town with only 800 full time residents, Dillon attracts thousands of weekend vacationers due to its proximity to Denver and its numerous recreational activities. With 26 miles of shoreline, Dillon Reservoir boasts two marinas, five camping areas situated around the lake and a bike/pedestrian path that can take the visitor for as many miles as they wish to go.

Dillon Farmers Market

Start your weekend by arriving on a summer Friday morning and enjoy strolling through the Farmers Market, sampling food from local restaurants and viewing the wares of the many vendors, including food, wines and jewelry from local and regional artisans. Take a stroll along the pedestrian/bike path. Enjoy stopping at the several pocket parks to view the lake and mountains, and admire some of the sculptures that have been sponsored by various local residents.

Bike rentals are available for the more adventurous weekend vacationer. The bike paths can take the rider to Keystone in one direction, Breckenridge in another and Vail in another.

Dinner in Dillon

Rest up Friday evening by enjoying dinner at one of the local restaurants (try Pug Ryans or the Arapahoe Café). Before dinner, the Tiki Bar is a favorite spot for enjoying a beverage as the sun sets and the sailboats come in.

Hiking in Summit County

Wake up Saturday morning to the sunrise over the eastern edge of the lake. If hiking is your desire, there are several easy hikes for families with children. The Old Dillon Reservoir is an easy trail, climbing 160 feet to the site where the old reservoir sits in a meadow. Sapphire Point Loop is also a short drive and then a walk with a high point of 9,500 feet with commanding views. Lily Pad Lakes is a 1.6mile hike that makes a good picnic spot. Depending on your fitness, there are more moderate or strenuous hikes that can occupy your entire day. A good guide for descriptions of these hikes is the Summit Hiker by Mary Ellen Gilliland. The author also provides information and tips for the hiker at high altitude.

Shopping Summit County

Shopping and browsing the main streets of nearby Breckenridge, Keystone and Frisco is an excellent way to spend the afternoon as well. Throughout the summer months the visitor will find craft fairs, art fairs, music and other local festivities.

Saturday Night Concerts

Saturday evenings bring concerts to the Dillon outdoor amphitheater throughout the summer weekends. This amphitheater is nestled in the hillside by the lake and enjoying a concert is a great time for the whole family. Dancing is optional!

After Sunday breakfast at one of the local eateries, enjoy a final stroll along the recreation path. Stop at the Marina to watch the boats head out onto the lake for an afternoon sail. Charter a cruise on the lake or take the local ‘ferry’ that shuttles passengers between the marinas of Frisco and Dillon.

Dillon Year Round

As you wrap up your summer weekend vacation, remember that Summit County is also home to four world class ski areas-ready to be explored on a winter weekend getaway.

By Lesley Radocy

Lake Dillon - Lesley Radocy

As part of an awareness campaign on the plight of the panda, of which there are just 1,600 left in the wild, Chengdu Panda Base in South West China, has launched a global competition to invite animal lovers around the world to help look after these endangered animals for one month.

Earning around $150 a month, 24 year old Yang Gangkun, a graduate in veterinary studies, is a panda keeper, looking after 8 pandas alongside 14 other keepers at the breeding centre. His day starts at 6:30 and begins with feeding, cleaning and exercising the pandas. Yang says that spends two nights a week sleeping near the pandas, to safeguard them and that the panda’s are very responsive to humans.

The Panda base in Chengdu openned with 6 pandas in 1987, a figure which has now risen to 84 in total. Keepers are particularly busy during the spring mating season and summer birthing season, a time when the committed panda keepers work flat out. Another major challenge for the centre is preparing pandas to be released into the wild. In the past, some released pandas have been found dead, thought to have been attacked by their wild cousins. Keepers and researchers at the reserve aim to address this problem.

Organisers say that, from August, they will be looking for “bright, articulate and engaging individuals from China and around the world, who care deeply about conservation issues”. The prize will involve assisting researchers and helping to raise awareness through blogging.

Panda - By Students.ou.edu

A new interactive Google Earth map showing the impacts of a 4 °C warmer world was launched today by the Government, in partnership with the Met Office.

Pushing the barriers with Google Earth technology, the multi platform, interactive map highlights some of the changes that may occur if the global average temperature rises by 4 °C above the pre-industrial climate average.
 
The Google Earth layer lends a human face to climate science by featuring videos of climate scientists from the UK explaining the latest scientific research behind the climate impacts shown.
 
The map also includes videos of FCO and British Council climate change projects currently taking place around the world.
 
Launched by Foreign Office Minister, Henry Bellingham and Climate Change Minister, Greg Barker alongside Chief Government Scientist, Professor John Beddington, the map was developed using peer-reviewed science from the Met Office Hadley Centre and other leading impact scientists.
 
The UK Government is committed to keeping global temperatures as low as practical to avoid dangerous levels of climate change and is working to secure an ambitious global deal which achieves this. The Copenhagen Accord already commits countries to limiting average global temperature increases to 2 °C.
 
Foreign Office Minister, Henry Bellingham, said: “The threat from climate change has not gone away and this Government is committed to doing what it can to take action. We are committed to being the greenest Government ever. As the Foreign Secretary set out recently in his first major foreign policy speech, he is keen to engage with new audiences. This Google Earth map supports that commitment to tackling climate change and will hopefully communicate with a bigger audience globally about why the UK Government is being active in championing the transition to a low carbon economy.”
 
Greg Barker, Energy and Climate Change Minister said: “This map reinforces our determination to act against dangerous man-made climate change. We know the stakes are high and that’s why we want to help secure an ambitious global climate change deal.”
 
Ed Parsons from Google said: “This is a great example of the benefits of using the latest web technology to visualise scientific information and promote better understanding of the potential human impacts of climate change. Allowing scientists to talk about their research to the general public is a way to enable the public to fully understand how the process of scientific investigation works.”
 
Vicky Pope, Head of Climate Change Advice at the Met Office, said: “If greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, global average temperatures could increase by 4 °C by the end of the century, and possibly as early as 2060. This new mapping onto Google Earth illustrates some of the potential impacts of such a rise. It uses the latest climate and impacts science to highlight the consequences of not reducing emissions.”

By Travelio

Google Earth - Climate Change