THE luggage market is huge and by 2020, it is expected to be worth a phenomenal US$67 billion. Yet, these days, travel bags and suitcases need to do more than simply transport belongings from point…
Sunshine in your pocket: Dreamy island resorts in the Maldives
THE fantasy island of Maldives is something out of a painting – Pantone-like shades of aquamarine waters that stretch out to infinity, palm-fringed coasts, silky white-sand beaches, and the w…
Conrad Maldives Rangali Island: Quality family time against a spectacular backdrop
MANY families face the conundrum of busy schedules and differing time zones, making reunions difficult to organize. But a trip out to the dazzling island of Maldives is an excellent way to get in s…
New high-speed Japanese rail to run faster than bullet trains
JAPANESE rail company JR East will begin testing a newer, faster model of the Shinkansen bullet train, according to a report in The Japan Times.The new models will adopt new designs including a new…
Myanmar: Govt to ban tourists from climbing pagodas in Bagan
BURMA’S Culture Ministry will ban tourists from climbing ancient pagodas to protect the monuments and aid in its bid to score Bagan the status of Unesco World Heritage Site by 2019.A similar …
Chinese Travelers Turn to Messaging Apps To Make Payments
The growth of the Chinese outbound travel market is significant due to a variety of reasons, among which are cultural, political, and economic. Beyond the simple fact that a 15 percent growth of Ch…
The chai road: India’s national drink a tourist magnet
TEA is the world’s second most consumed beverage after water, and India’s version, or chai, has been claimed to be some of the “best in the world”.A cup of chai to Indians i…
China’s richest man to build world’s biggest indoor ski resort
TYCOON Wang Jianlin’s new US$6 billion resort in Harbin opened its doors last week – his sixth theme park in his bid to take over Disney in the country’s premier entertainment and…
Electronics ban lifted for major Middle East airlines
QATAR AIRWAYS said on Thursday passengers travelling to the United States can now carry their laptops and other large electronics on board, ending a three-month in-cabin ban on devices for the Doha…
Behind Thailand’s lucrative animal tourism is a picture of cruelty, torture
THE six-day “phajaan” ritual is the first thing an elephant in captivity endures. It has its calves tied together and is forced to walk on a narrow wooden plank for hours on end. Then l…