Malaysia to woo Indian tourists

Tourism Malaysia , with nearly 30 million tourist arrivals last year, has concluded a B2B interaction recently with the Indian travel and trade fraternity. The plan is to attract about five lakh tourists from India alone by the end of 2008.

Malaysia Airlines and Virgin Blue of Australia have formalised a new interline agreement to provide easy connectivity for Malaysia Airlines passengers from India to eight prominent cities of Australia . The agreement will help making Malaysia a popular stopover for Australia bound Indian tourists.

According to Mr. Noordin , "Tourism Malaysia 's new India initiatives would stress on bringing within the ambit of the travellers “a new diversified product” beyond Kuala Lumpur ". He said, "the three Malaysian States of Terengganu , Kelantan and Kedah , celebrating their respective Visit State Year programmes , will offer a variety of tourism options".

More travellers are opting for trains

"A growing number of tourists are using Europe 's extensive rail network over more conventional modes of transport such as planes and cars", Virgin Train has said. The train company particularly quoting the example of Indian tourists mentioned that an increasing number of holiday-makers are choosing to use trains as an alternative to air travel particularly for travel to the continent.

Philippa Richardson, manager communications at Virgin Trains explained that travellers from all parts of world and not only from Europe , are now thinking about the possibility of holidays in the European continent which involve visiting several destinations by train. Rail networks around Europe are well-used.

With high speed rail routes connecting other UK destinations to London Virgin suggests that consumers will begin to consider train travel more often.

Sharm el Sheikh popular with divers

More good news for Egypt . Sharm el Sheikh, the Egyptian holiday hot spot is popular with divers for its "exquisite variety of coral" and the chance to see a wide range of other marine life. Furthermore, once the ocean adventures are over, there are plenty of land-based activities to make a holiday of a lifetime.

Sharm el Sheikh is famed not only for its white sandy beaches and rich nautical life but also for its lively culture and bustling nightlife. “It is simply the best", says a famous comparison website. It suggests going camel riding, taking a desert safari or travelling to some of the local antiquity attractions in the resort.

Egypt is described by the Lonely Planet travel guide as a nation that has a "glorious" scope of attractions for holidaymakers. Strangely, tourists to Egypt usually visit famous historic landmarks such as the Great Sphinx of Giza and the pyramids, often overlooking other fabulous attractions this great tourist destination has in its fold.

Shorter holidays more popular

Demand for holidays of under six nights and between eight and 13 nights is increasing as the popularity of traditional long durations continues to wane.

According to a report recently provided by Ascent MI's Leisure Travel Monitor, the seven-night holiday remains the most popular. Still the demand for seven nights is also slowing down. The number of passengers taking holidays of less than six nights grew 6% this summer to the end of June and those taking holidays of eight to 13 nights grew 14% at the expense of 14 nights.

"This is an opportunity for dynamic packaging players", said Ascent MI chief executive Sarah Smalley. She added, "For those focused on value and customers, there is an ideal opportunity as consumers once again start to change. The more information in the marketplace about consumer behavior the better the industry can adapt to the changes”.

Tourists may visit Olympic venues of Beijing

There is good news for China bound tourists. Beijing 's Olympic venues will open to them during the week-long National Day holiday beginning October 1.

"Venues, including the “Bird's Nest” National Stadium and the “Water Cube” National Aquatics Center , would be open to the visitors", said Vice Mayor Chen Gang. "Plans were being drawn up for the continued use of the facilities and an aquatic amusement park project would start in the “Water Cube” by the end of the year", he said.

The National Convention Center, which served as the venue for fencing, the International Broadcast Center and the Main Press Center, would be remodeled for conference and exhibition use next year. Visitors to China may now get the feel of the recently concluded Olympics.

Another feather in SA nest

The African nation scooped the Best International Adventure Tourism Destination of 2008 prize at the second annual 'Today's Traveller ' Diamond & Platinum Awards. Adventure tourists in South Africa can enjoy the world's largest bungee jump and the nation gives visitors the opportunity to see a range of game animals on safari trips.

South Africa was also awarded the Best National Tourism Organization 2008 prize at the same ceremony.

Medha Sampat , acting country head for South African tourism, picked up the hospitality award on behalf of her nation, while Zolelwa Mukhozo , regional director of Asia and Australasia for South African tourism, collected the adventure destination prize.

South Africa is an exhilarating nation which boasts an unmistakable abundance of energy and sense of progress. Travellers are returning to this remarkable land which has been off the trail for way too long.

Whopping Airfare hikes likely next year

Carlson Wagonlit Travel in a report said that international airfares may undergo double-digit percentage increases in 2009, while it expects hotel rates to climb modestly and rental car rates to remain flat.

CWT said that international airfares are expected to increase between 16 percent and 20 percent, attributing much of that staggering growth to high fuel costs, new fees and surcharges and capacity cuts, the bulk by the end of current year. CWT in its forecast said, " preferred supplier adoption, advance airfare purchases and use of restricted airfares among other cost-saving tactics could help companies in tempering the expected fare increases."

CWT expects companies to see an overall hotel rate hike of no more than 3 percent in 2009. Some discounting will be available in certain markets where occupancy levels are lower and supply has increased.

On the ground transportation front, CWT predicts rental car rates and other transportation fares will not undergo a drastic change next year.

Booking starts for World's biggest cruise liner

The world's biggest cruise ship is set to feature the first ever 'carousel of the sea' will be launched next year. Oasis of the Seas, Royal Caribbean International's gigantic flagship vessel, is due to set sail in 2009.

The state-of-the-art ship features the first on-board amphitheatre, alongside a 43 ft. climbing wall with an incredible zip-line suspended above the deck. Weighing 220,000 tonnes , the ship will have 28 luxury two-level loft suites that boast floor-to-ceiling windows to maximize the views.

Marking a new generation in cruising, Oasis of the Seas will be able to carry 5,400 passengers in 37 categories of accommodation. Holidaymakers can also spend time in a range of themed areas, including the Royal Promenade, Boardwalk, and Central Park .

The mega ship is due to sail from Port Everglades in Florida and has started taking bookings from September 2008. The ports on its routes are presently engaged with construction work to accommodate the giant ship and its passengers.

And now a Newseum !!

A state of the art museum that tracks the historic plight of the free press has opened its doors in Washington .

Student travel has long been associated education, but the newly-built Newseum promises to give its visitors an insight into the most extreme on-the-job experiences the industry throws up. Sections of the Berlin Wall, a bullet-ridden car and, perhaps most controversially, the mangled metal broadcasting tower that once sat on top of the World Trade Centre are just some of the items on show. It also seems apt that the museum is located in such close proximity to the White House along Pennsylvania Ave , long-championed bastion of democracy and the free world.

The Newseum has been described by the authorities as the new tourist spectacle dedicated to free speech, free press and free spirit. Visitors to Washington, particularly those who are interested in the great history of United States of America will find it irresistible.

Tenerife on the top

The Spanish island, Tenerife was the top destination for overseas tourists this summer. It was followed by sun-soaked Orlando , Florida . Thanks to the weak position of the dollar against the other currencies of the world.

Other places popular with tourists included euro zones such as Alicante and Malaga , while further afield the charms of Bangkok and Dubai still lured holidaymakers. The only Greek entry was Paphos (which came seventh). Turkey also slipped into the bottom half of the top ten.

Camping and caravan trips are proving popular with overseas visitors who are looking for a more environment-friendly breaks this year.

Butterfly Garden at Changi

Flying is exhausting for anyone, but if you're heading to Singapore , don't just rush out of the airport to your hotels.

Changi Airport has opened a Butterfly Garden right in the centre of Terminal 3's Transit Mall. The garden has been designed as a tropical nature retreat, and is home to more than 1,000 free roaming butterflies.

Travel Daily News quoted Lim Hwee Hua , senior minister of state for finance and transport, as saying: "The Butterfly Garden is a unique attraction designed to complement Terminal 3's nature theme and Singapore 's tropical garden image. Passengers will have a tranquil haven offering a respite from the stresses of traveling."

Singapore 's Changi Airport serves flights to more than 180 cities in over 50 countries.

Italy slaps another ban

Officials in Rome , Italy , have banned tourists from eating food at its historical sites. The new rule will mean that any backpacking tourist caught enjoying his packed lunch while touring the Italian capital's monuments could face a fine of up to 80 US dollars. However, this ban will only apply for the bulk of the peak tourist season.

There is a fear that the behaviour of millions of visitors to the city every year could irreparably damage the preservation of historical and art areas and monuments. The ban also focuses on keeping homeless sleepers away from historical areas and ensuring littering, drunks and revellers are kept under control.

Another Italian tourist destination, Venice , also recently introduced a ban on picnicking in public places. Venetian tourists were banned from feeding pigeons in the famous St Mark's Square earlier this year.

Swiss rail duo becomes world heritage

The World Heritage Committee of UNESCO added the Albula and Bernina line of the Rhaetian Railway or Rhätische Bahn to its World Heritage list. This makes the Rhaetian Railway the third railway worldwide to be considered "universally outstanding" by UNESCO.

The two unique railway lines blend harmoniously into the enchanting landscape with spectacular constructions such as spiral tunnels and viaducts. On the Bernina line (built in 1903) the railway crosses 52 bridges and 13 tunnels. The Albula line (built in 1910) has 144 bridges and 42 tunnels.

The two historic railways are unique in the entire world: The Rhaetian Railway ( RhB ) is the highest altitude trans-Alpine line in Europe , and a line with one of the steepest gradients in the world without the use of rack and pinion technology. It is an excellent example of a mountain railway from the "Golden Age" of railroad architecture.

Mumbai's first branded Economy hotel

There's good news for tourists visiting Mumbai. Sarovar Hotels & Resorts launched Grand Hometel , their economy segment hotel in Mumbai. The launch of this property gives Mumbai its first branded budget hotel and Sarovar's third Hometel in the country. With this, Sarovar now has three wonderfully located properties in Mumbai.

Explaining his rationale behind setting up branded budget hotels in India , Anil Madhok , managing director, Sarovar Hotels and Resorts said, “ there is definitely a dearth of budget hotels right across the country including the metros. There are hardly any branded budget hotels where one can be assured basic minimum standards while traveling in India .”

He further went on to add, “Grand Hometel provides fine hospitality at a very competitive price and at the same time will meet the escalating demand for quality accommodation lacking in the financial capital of the country. The Hometel brand is a unique proposition from Sarovar Hotels which offers everything a guest aspires for at a price that comes as a pleasant surprise."

Sarovar's first Hometel brand hotel, ' Radha Hometel ' was launched in Bengaluru in 2006 and ' Aditya Hometel ' in Hyderabad in February this year. Commenting on the response to both properties Madhok said, “ our guests at both properties are mostly young Indian and expatriate executives. We are happy that both properties have done extremely well. They have been well received by our guests. We have had hardly any negative comments and guest satisfaction has been very high”.

Sarovar Hotels & Resorts is the fastest growing chain of hotels in India today. The company started operations in 1994, and currently manages 35 hotels across India spanning cities, historic places, mountains, beaches and religious destinations. As part of their future expansion plan, the group plans to open other Hometels in Chandigarh , Chinchwad ( Pune ), Chennai OMR, Sri Perambadur (Chennai) and Baddi ( Himanchal Pardesh ).

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