ON the Thursday morning I arrived in Bangkok, everything still seemed somewhat peachy, if only the air was plagued by a mild unease about recent news reports. News had spread about Thailand’s…
The iconic Raffles Hotel Singapore will close for 18 months for renovation
THE historic Raffles Hotel in Singapore will begin a multi-phase renovation early next year, and is slated to close until June 2018.The facelift will take place in three phases, and will begin with…
Airlines ban Samsung Note 7 phones over risk of fires
MORE and more airlines are banning the Samsung Note 7 aboard their flights after reports that some phones have caught fire.Qantas and its budget carrier Jetstar said in a statement: “The ban …
Thailand King’s Death Prompts Tourism Concerns
Asia’s airlines, tour agents and cruise operators are on alert for a tourism slowdown in Thailand, where partying and drinking alcohol in public are off limits following the death of King Bhu…
Brand USA and U.S. Tourism Groups Target India as the Next Major Asian Tourism Market
For the last year, U.S. officials and members of the tourism industry have engaged in a partnership with China, aimed at better educating Chinese travel agents and connecting U.S. tour providers wi…
TripAdvisor will stop selling tickets to animal attractions
FOLLOWING pressure from wildlife preservation groups, TripAdvisor has halted ticket sales for all tourist attractions where visitors are allowed to interact with animals.Stephen Kaufer, TripAdvisor…
Singapore Tycoon Wants Chinese Travelers to Visit Mega-Yacht Marinas
The tycoon behind a Singapore berth for mega-yachts is hoping hot towels and rice porridge breakfasts can lure Chinese tourists to marinas and leisure boats in European destinations like Venice, Ib…
Tourism in Thailand ‘on pause’ as the country mourns death of king
THE death of Thailand’s revered king yesterday has led to a period of mourning in the kingdom, and incidentally, it could also impact the country’s tourism industry.In the tourist-heavy…
Etihad welcomes ABTA to Abu Dhabi with digital first message
Etihad Airways chief executive, Peter Baumgartner, addressed the annual Travel Convention summit in Abu Dhabi earlier and took the opportunity to underline to conference delegates how the airline w…
Indian Himalayas Grapples With Overtourism Issues
Villagers nestled high in the Indian Himalayas are grappling with lifestyle changes in the world’s fastest-growing major economy that are eroding their age-old Buddhist culture but opening up…