AUSTRALIA performed exceptionally well in the Economic Intelligence Unit’s (EIU) annual livability report which ranks cities around the world based on living standards.“It is an excitin…
Thailand to double visa-on-arrival fee for China, India and Taiwan tourists
THAILAND’S immigration authorities will begin imposing new charges for visas on arrival beginning next month, raising the current fee from 1,000 baht (US$28) to 2,000 baht (US$57), local medi…
Japan Has a Word to Describe the Effects of Chinese Tourists’ ‘Explosive Shopping’
The spending power of Chinese tourists in Japan is so impressive there’s a special word for it: bakugai, or explosive buying.While the soaring yen this year has threatened to curb their enthu…
Accor debuts MICE-friendly hotel in Xi’an
ACCORHOTELS launched its Novotel brand in the Chinese city of Xi’an with the aim of pulling in business travelers and delegates for meetings, incentive groups and product launches.Novotel Xi&…
China at the forefront of Asia’s rapidly growing cruise industry
ASIA has been confirmed as the world’s fastest growing source of cruise passengers with a 24 percent jump in numbers in 2015 compared to the previous year.The Cruise Lines International Assoc…
Your days of lugging heavy luggage are over with new ‘stair-climbing’ suitcase
LUGGING heavy bags up a flight of stairs is a literal stumbling block that most travelers are all too familiar with. Traxpack is a new “smart” bag fitted with a “dynamic self-adju…
Vietnamese passenger fined for slapping flight attendant accused of stealing phone
A VIETNAMESE business class passenger was left red-faced after he accused a female flight attendant of stealing his iPhone and even slapped her for it, only to find out later that he had merely mis…
6 cultural dos and don’ts to keep in mind when visiting Asia
IT’S impossible to sum up the weird and wonderful world of Asia in a single list of do’s and don’ts. When in doubt, ask before you act and follow the lead of those around you. Tha…
Tourism in Thailand expected to bounce back after spate of bombings
THE tragic bombings last week that left three dead in Thailand’s popular tourist areas Phuket and Hua Hin have certainly put a dent in its tourism industry.Several foreign embassies in Thaila…
You can now register your business with British Airways to gain air miles
TO cater to companies that often send their executives out on trips to Asia and beyond, British Airways has introduced the On Business rewards program, an opportunity for businesses to gain recipro…