World Tourism Blog

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.

Singapore predicted it will have 11.4 million - 12.5 million foreign tourists up to the end of 2010.

Bey Soo Khiang, Senior Executive Vice President (Marketing & Corporate Services) of Singapore Airlines said at the opening of Natas Holiday Fair 2010 at Singapore Expo on Friday that the country`s tourism industry looks brighter and more prospective than last year`s.

Until July 2010, Singapore`s economic development continued increasing by 13-15 per cent of its Gross National Product (GNP), which is level than that of the United States.

“The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) estimates that the number of foreign tourists will increase 3-4 per cent in 2010, while that in in Singapore will grow to 12.5 million.”

“It is quite reasonable to have such optimism,” he said.

Moreover, Singapore`s tourism sector is also undergoing a transformation. This year saw the inauguration of Marina Bay Sands, integrated with the World Resort Sentosa.

It will also be supported with world class events like the Youth Olympic Games and Formula One. The two events may increase the number of foreign tourists to Singapore.

Changi International Airport reported that the number of passengers on transit increased by 17 per cent in the last six months.

SA is encouraging an increase in the number of foreign tourists by expanding overseas flights.

Now SA flies to 62 destinations in 34 countries.

“If we make a comparison with Indonesia`s tourism sector, the estimation has a very wide gap. Indonesia with is much larger than Singapore and has more destinations, may only have seven foreign tourists until the end of this year.”

By Eturbonews

Singapore predicted it will have 11.4 million - 12.5 million foreign tourists up to the end of 2010.

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

As Greece recovers from the damage caused by street violence, strikes and a massive blow to its reputation on the international stage, surrounding nations are set to steal its tourists, particularly Croatia.
 
It is said that every cloud has a silver lining and the crisis in Greece is proving that this saying is at least half true. The cloud over Greece looks more violent than ever and is stopping Brits, Germans and Italians from visiting the traditional destination. The silver lining has a Croatian flag on it as the Greek unrests pushes tourists in a northerly direction.

This is not to say that Croatia has nothing to offer without being a substitute for a nearby EU country in crisis. The country boasts a general mixture of green and blue as the Adriatic combines with stunning islands such as Hvar and medieval walled cities like Dubrovnik to create breathtaking landscape.

 If it were not for the “Balkan” reputation, there is no reason to believe why the former Yugoslav country should not be more popular. The government relies on at least 10 million visitors per annum. Then the figures of Croatian tourism are very favourable and account for one sixth of the country’s economy.

With the help of Greek crisis, Croatia has experienced a 7% growth in overnight stays this July. Whether these stays are in expensive hotels or tents, it still shows an element of progress. This means every 50th tourist in Europe visited Croatia in July. In Greece, the number of tourists remains almost the same yet spending is significantly down compared to last year. Indeed, tourists in Greece have been spending at least 7% less than in 2009.

By Tourism-Review

CROATIA TO EARN OUT OF GREEK CRISIS

Taj Mahal hotel Reopens Sunday After Attacks in Which Guests, Staff Died

Holding balloons and flowers, employees pledged on Thursday to re-dedicate themselves to Mumbai’s Taj Mahal hotel when it reopens at the weekend after the 2008 militant attacks in which guests and staff members died.

The hotel, which suffered extensive damage from a siege laid by four heavily armed gunmen, was one of several Mumbai landmarks attacked by Pakistan-based militants. The November strikes, which lasted over 60 hours, killed 166 people.

Standing on the grand cantilever stairway, staff members cheered and tossed rose petals in the air after chairman Ratan Tata garlanded a bust of the founder of the Tata Group, India’s oldest conglomerate, which also owns the luxury Taj hotels.

“This flagship property, this venerable Old Lady, is going to reopen in the same glory, the same splendor of more than 100 years,” Tata said, his voice cracking, ahead of the hotel’s scheduled reopening on Sunday, also India’s independence day.

Tata had vowed to “rebuild every inch” of the iconic hotel, founded in 1903, and which has played host to maharajas, heads of state, chief executives, movie stars and entertainers alike.

Architects, designers and restoration experts from India and around the world spent more than 21 months assessing the damage, then restoring the hotel, said Raymond Bickson, managing director of Taj Hotels, a unit of Indian Hotels Co Ltd..

“It was a cast of thousands that undertook the extensive restoration and sensitive restoration of the hotel, staying true to the original design and spirit,” he said.

Founder Jamsetji Tata had originally shopped for the hotel in London, Dusseldorf, Berlin and Paris, ordering 10 spun iron pillars that he saw at the Eiffel Tower opening exhibition for the hotel’s large ballroom, now redone in tonnes of gold.

The hotel, which combines Oriental, Florentine and Moorish architectural styles in its vaulted alabaster ceilings, graceful archways and marble floors, houses fine examples of modern and contemporary Indian art, and now, modern security systems, too.

By Rina Chandran

A man walks with the Indian national flag in front of the Taj Mahal hotel, one of the sites of last year's militant attacks, in Mumbai November 26, 2009. Holding balloons and flowers, employees pledged on Thursday to re-dedicate themselves to Mumbai's Taj Mahal hotel when it reopens at the weekend after the 2008 militant attacks in which guests and staff members died.

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

My parents forced me to hike as a kid. I had no choice. I had to walk up the mountain, or they’d leave me behind.

Their strategy might sound cruel but it worked. I’ve grown into an adult who loves spending weekends walking a trail, and now that I have my own kids I find myself bringing my own children–and using my parent’s same no-nonsense approach. (It’s frightening how we all turn into our parents.)

Our family spent last weekend hiking in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, and my husband and I brought our 5-year-old son and 7-year-old daughter on two four mile hikes. Our first hike started with a steep climb up a mountainside. It was a hot day, even at 9 a.m., and about 15 minutes into the hike my daughter started complaining.

“I’m hot!” “When will be there?” “I need a break!” Can we turn around?”

My husband and I both ignored her.

She eventually threw herself onto the ground and started crying. I actually felt badly for her and wanted to stop and console her but I just kept walking and turned the corner.

As soon as we were out of sight, she popped back up and ran after us. “Hey! Wait up!”

She never complained again, and we made it to a pretty, little lake where the kids dipped their feet in the water and cooled off.

The next day, we all happily hiked through fields of purple lupine to a vista point that offered sweeping views of Lake Tahoe. We even made it to a patch of snow where the kids had a snowball fight. They seemed to realize that making it to the top of the hill has its rewards.

By Onthegowithamy

Hiking with kids

Johannesburg lies in the heart of South Africa. Tourists have been flocking this fascinating country and it has a multidimensional quality that attracts tourists from all over the world. The older surroundings have been well maintained in conglomeration with the rising needs of modern living. People coexist with history in this city and one has to visit to know what it is. This is more evident in cities like Gauteng.

Nevertheless Johannesburg is a very modern city and since it is the financial capital it holds many attractions and shopping centers in it.

Things to do in Johannesburg

The Saturday flea market is really the most ideal shopping place and if you are looking for that special memento to carry back then this is the place you would find it at a steal deal.

Museum Africa unlike any other museum reveals the utmost African struggle in a critical way and also takes you through the troubled times of the nation. History buffs can spend one whole day in this museum to learn its vast findings.

People with kids should head to the Gold reef City theme park which has the state of the art rides and water theme parks.

What to expect when you visit Johannesburg

Most people come with the mind set that Africa is poverty stricken however you would be sadly mistaken when you visit some wealthy Northern Suburbs of the city. Places like Sandton, Bryanston, Fourways have some of the best restaurants, pubs, discotheques and bars. The slick environment can have you partying sooner than you think. However as a tourist the best way to explore the city is by taking a tour. There is everything here from fossil tours to theme parks and gold digging or shopping. In a nutshell you don’t have to go elsewhere for fun and entertainment when in Johannesburg.

By Besttouristdestinations

Johannesburg

Seaside inns offer incredible views without breaking the bank.

With cooling ocean breezes and miles of striking coastline, Newport was an obvious place for turn-of-the-century tycoons to build their summer mansions. But you too can live like a steel baron at the OceanCliff Hotel, a red granite Rhode Island estate surrounded by 10 acres of rolling lawns that overlooks the graceful yachting traffic in Narragansett Bay. The price, however, is decidedly less aristocratic: just $250 a night.

Oceanfront hotels, with water views and steps-from-shoreline locations, usually command a premium price. But don’t let your budget keep you from getting close to the water. All along the U.S. coastlines, you can find charming inns set right on the water for $250 and less.

Sometimes it takes a little research and flexibility to get these great rates. But it doesn’t mean endless web searching. Now innkeepers are searching out former and prospective guests with social-networking tools to lure them with discounts and promotions. The ’Tween Waters Inn in Captiva, Fla., recently alerted its more than 5,000 fans on Facebook of a summer getaway sweepstakes. Up for grabs: two nights free at the playful resort straddling the Gulf of Mexico and Pine Island Sound.

Travelers can also save money by zeroing in on seashore destinations where small inns and B&Bs are not as common, says Bill Montcrief, president of Select Registry, an association of independently owned inns. The little-known Waimea Plantation Cottages are a bargain on Kauai, where the bulk of guest rooms are found at major resorts in Poipu. Every cottage at the former sugar plantation features a private lanai and barbecue grill for guests to best enjoy the low-key, authentic Hawaiian vibe, for as low as $239 a night during high season. The pool looks out over the shoreline, and a hammock strung between two coconut trees makes for the perfect spectating spot to watch the sun sink into the ocean. Active explorers can enjoy close access to the trails of Waimea Canyon and the mind-boggling beauty of the Na Pali coast.

Lastly, explore all pages of your calendar when planning your trip to the seashore. “On the East Coast, the mid-Atlantic during fall gives the best value because demand is down,” says Montcrief, who is also owner of the Candlestick Inn in the seaside town of North Wildwood, N.J. “Many people don’t realize that the water temperature usually stays above 70 degrees through the end of September.”

On the West Coast, where the weather is less variable, some places have no high season, such as the Agate Cove Inn on California’s Mendocino coast, a farmhouse set on a bluff overlooking the Pacific coast, where rates stay unchanged all year long (rooms from $179 to $329 a night) and every season offers a different attraction: whale-watching in winter, the birth of harbor seals in spring, blackberry picking in summer, and mushroom-hunting walks through the forest in autumn.

By Jennifer Coogan

Set 125 feet on a bluff above teh Pacific, this farmhouse and collection of cottages are well guarded from the occasional 25-foot wave that crashes into the cliff below.

Sleepy Austrian village wakes up with annual beer fest, complete with dirndls and oom-pah-pah.

Dirndls, lederhosen, an oom-pah-pah band and beer: It doesn’t get more traditional than this when the sleepy Austrian village of Altaussee wakes up for a nonstop beer party, Sept. 4-6.

The annual three-day beer fest is sometimes described as a more intimate and less commercial version of Germany’s Oktoberfest. It marks its 50th anniversary this year in Altaussee, a quaint hamlet located 186 miles (300 kilometers) west of Vienna.

Showing up in traditional garb is a must. So if you’ve ever wanted to don an Austrian dirndl or lounge around in lederhosen and knee socks for a few days — this is your chance.

Organized by the local fire department, the annual beer fest draws both droves of locals and a large crowd from the Austrian capital.

It was with one of these Viennese groups that I decided to make the trip last year.

Within minutes of our arrival, the owner of the inn we stayed at welcomed us with a hearty “Griass eich!” (an informal greeting in the local dialect). We had entered another world where talk revolved not around politics or the financial crisis but about the strength of the local schnapps.

The epicenter of the event is the so-called beer tent (”Bierzelt” in German) crammed with wooden benches, tables and counters selling sausages, roast chicken and, of course, beer. From a stage in the center, bands pump out “oom-pah-pah” tunes that, in the early hours of Sunday morning, oddly enough included an Austrian rendition of “The Final Countdown.” A small fairground lies to one side the tent, complete with rides and stalls selling sweets and gingerbread hearts.

As the tent fills up to maximum capacity, you might consider securing a spot at the Wirtschaft Altaussee, an inn a stone’s throw away where, as the night wears on, patrons are known to dance on tables to Austrian and German pop songs. Or for a more formal dinner, try the restaurant at the Gasthof zum Hirschen where we spotted Hannes Androsch, a well-known entrepreneur and former Austrian finance minister.

By VERONIKA OLEKSYN

Young women arrive in their traditional Dirndl dresses during a beer fest in Altaussee, Austria, Sept. 7, 2009. Each year at the start of September, the sleepy hamlet of Altaussee about 300 kilometers (186 miles) west of Vienna turns into a nonstop beer fest some describe as the Alpine republic's more intimate and less commercial version of Germany's Oktoberfest.