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Sitting near children is ok, say two-thirds of flyers
Global survey also finds that three-quarters of passengers would like to be able to change unsatisfactory seats, and those next to the window are the most popular. -Reuters
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Going, going, gone
Holiday packages to winter wonderlands are going fast for December. Airlines and tour agents are reporting good business for the year-end as Singaporeans shop for a well-deserved break. -ST |
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What's up for grabs
All is not lost if you are a last-minute holiday-maker looking for December packages. -ST
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City centre check-in for Changi?
Airport looks into letting travellers hand over bags and get boarding passes offsite, perhaps at hotels. -ST
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S'pore a hit destination with Chinese
Nielsen survey shows that 29 per cent of Chinese planning for a trip abroad chose the Republic, second to Hong Kong which had over 50 per cent. -myp
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Thai Airways cuts surcharges
Airline said it would cut fuel surcharges by up to 30 per cent for tickets. -Reuters
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29,000 to be banned from S'pore casinos
Families may also apply for their members to be excluded from Jan 2009. -AsiaOne
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32 injured on turbulent China Airlines flight
The Boeing 747-400 hit severe turbulence en route from Hong Kong to Bangkok, which resulted in 32 people being sent to hospital, said a Thai aviation official. -AFP |
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'Expensive' and 'inaccessible' Japan keen to attract tourists
For a long time, Japan was perceived as an expensive destination and largely inaccessible due to the language barrier. But the government is now seeking visitors as a potentially lucrative market. -Reuters
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Putrajaya Lake hotel all set for soft opening
It features rooms designed around multi-cultural ethnic influences. -The Star |
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AirAsia to be taken private
Controlling shareholder Tune Air Sdn Bhd currently holds 30.7 per cent of the company's shares. -Reuters
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More direct flights for AirAsia to Singapore
Budget carrier can now fly direct from three major towns in Sabah and Sarawak to Singapore. -The Star
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Goa targets drink, drugs
Indian resort state wants to restore tarnished reputation after the shock murder of a British teenager. -AFP
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Goodbye to 'G'day mate'
Nasal Australian twang - exemplified by the late Steve Irwin - will be phased out within a few decades, says report. -AFP
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Malaysian guide drowns after saving 2 S'poreans
Exhausted and caught by undercurrents, Mr Sarip Samaon disappeared under the waters of the Takah Tinggi falls, after rescuing two men trapped in a swirling pool. -TNP
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Ocean race to give Sentosa hotels a boost?
Gruelling 10-month round-the-world race will make a stopover at Sentosa for the first time. Hotels are expecting a surge in business, and some are rolling out special packages. -TNP |
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Singapore, Malaysia further liberalise air travel
Budget carriers from both countries will be allowed to operate between S'pore and East Malaysia cities. -AFP
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Vietnam to build urban rail by 2020
Rail systems worth nearly S$21.9b will be constructed in its two largest and most traffic-choked cities. -AFP
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Rooms booked for next year's F1
Tentative bookings and enquiries are already pouring in for both trackside and Orchard Road hotels for 2009's race. Hotels like the Ritz-Carlton Millenia, which charged $1000+++ a night last week, are expecting to do well again. -TNP
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Temasek to own Changi Airport
Changi Airport will be corporatised by July next year as competition grows. -Reuters
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Up to 40 injured in Qantas mid-air jet incident
Some passengers and crew sustained injuries, including fractures and lacerations. -AFP
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More China-Taiwan flights?
Negotiations over new direct flight routes could add up to six Chinese cities and cut travel times. -Reuters
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Man swims naked in Japan Imperial Palace
He threw rocks and splashed water at police before being taken into custody. -Reuters
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Broken bones and injured spines
Passengers tell of their terror as a Qantas jet plunged dramatically in mid-flight, slamming them against the cabin roof. -AFP |
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Computer error may have caused Qantas mid-flight plunge
36 passengers were injured in the terrifying mid-air drama. -AFP
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18 dead in Nepal plane crash: airport official
Of the 19 passengers on the plane, 14 were foreigners and five were Nepalese and only one Nepalese survived. -AFP
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S'poreans injured in Qantas mid-air plunge
Majority given outpatient treatment but a few are under observation and in stable condition, said MFA. -AsiaOne, AFP
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AirAsia offers 5,000 free Kuching-S'pore seats
The route will be a huge boost to tourism in Sarawak, says airline's chief executive. -The Star
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Airlines may not survive crisis
Next 12-18 months will be 'extremely difficult' for Asia-Pacific carriers: AAPA. -AFP
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"Find yourself" down under
Australia, losing its appeal to overseas visitors, is pitching itself as a place to "find yourself" in a massive global tourism campaign aligned with an outback movie starring Oscar-winning actress Nicole Kidman. -Reuters |
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'Tourists' cheating locals in Malaysia
A group of Arabs employing similar tactics have cheated hawkers of their money. -NST
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Belt up or risk getting hurt
President of pilots' association says that the injuries which occurred on flight QF72 would not have occurred if all passengers had been wearing seat belts. -myp |
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No People Power Party MPs on my flight
Thai Airways captain has been suspended from work indefinitely, after he disallowed three MPs from boarding the plane. -The Nation, ANN
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Monkey business at Japan tavern
Traditional "sake house" north of Tokyo employs a pair of Japanese macaque to serve patrons. The monkeys are certified by the local authorities to work and receive tips from appreciative customers. -Reuters |
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Poor visibility blamed for Everest plane crash
18 people were killed, including 12 German tourists. -AFP
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Tiger Airways says bookings up despite economic crisis
People are substituting from premium carriers to budget airlines, says spokesman. -AFP
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Famous Shanghai street market to go
Wujiang Road, popular for its street snacks and cheap goods, will soon make way for office buildings and a hotel. Fancy brands like Starbucks and Levi's have already permeated parts of the 400m road. -China Daily, ANN
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Sri Lanka tourist arrivals slump on war fears
Sporadic bomb blasts in and around the capital Colombo have dampened arrivals. -Reuters
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'Die' for a better life
Each week, some 2,000 Thai people climb into a coffin to "die" and be "reborn". This coffin ceremony is the latest religious trend to sweep the country, as people attempt to make wishes come true. -AFP
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Visit the Forbidden City, as a virtual eunuch
Online tourists can dress up as an imperial eunuch, meet courtesans, and watch the emperor feast at Beijing's famous palace. All through a digital three dimensional recreation. -Reuters |
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Chinese couples 'wed' for 2nd time in France
They may have already tied the knot back home, but these couples are willing to fork out the money for a "romantic wedding" tour package in the French city of Tours. -AFP
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First B747-400 to land in Terengganu
Debut flight signalled the beginning of direct flights to Mecca for Muslims.
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Step-on scanner lets air passengers keep shoes on
"MagShoe" announces within two seconds whether the footwear of the passenger standing on it contains unusual metal. -Reuters
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Sky dining in Milan
Forget fashionable cafes and restaurants, dine 50m high and admire the views below. - Reuters |
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Hotel names give cabbies a 'headache'
Renamed hotels and properties with similar-sounding names have left cabbies and tourists struggling to keep up. One taxi driver has resorted to recording new names and locations in a notebook. -ST
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You never know when you need a seat belt
Reader relates frightening incident of a mid-air plunge during his Bangkok-S'pore flight. -myp
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Eye on Malaysia moves to Malacca
The 60-metre tall Ferris wheel took seven weeks and some $420k to relocate. -NST
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KL top venue in Malaysia for tourists
The most visited destinations were KLCC, the National Museum and Istana Negara. -NST |
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Water way to enjoy nature
Singapore Zoo visitors can take a 20-minute guided ride along the Upper Seletar Reservoir to learn about the area's wildlife. -ST
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Aerospace park on course
Development of Seletar Aerospace Park will proceed as planned despite the slowdown in the aviation industry. -ST
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Tech glitch caused jet to dive
Qantas plane nosedived hundreds of feet after a computer fault shut down the autopilot: Investigators. -AFP
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Corporatisation of Changi: Will it serve national interests?
What is surprising is not that it was done at all, but that it took so long. After all, corporatisation has been the way for governments to divest state assets since the 1980s. -ST |
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Tighter security at Malaysian airports
The General Operations Force has been deployed to replace auxiliary police, following a high number of crime cases at KLIA. -NST
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Qantas wins airline award for 3rd time
Carrier takes the honours for Best Pacific Airline at TTG Travel Awards ceremony in Bangkok. -AsiaOne |
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Qantas dive an 'isolated' case
Computer fault switched off the jet's autopilot and generated fake data, causing the plane to plunge dramatically. -AFP
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Aussie dollars? No stock
Customers not selling; money changers say falling rate makes it unprofitable. -ST |
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'Take me inside or I will explode the bomb'
Drunk Turkish Airlines passenger sparks a hijack alert after he passes threatening note to pilot during a flight from Antalya to St Petersburg. -Reuters
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Gold-plated splendour amid dire poverty
The Emporio Mall in New Dehli is the exclusive playground of the rich. And a phalanx of security guards coupled with a US$5 admission fee is set to keep the destitute out. -TNP |
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US visa waiver goes online
Travellers from Japan, western Europe and others must request authorisation to enter the US. -AFP
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4-star hotel unconcerned about escort services using rooms
Reader taken aback by nonchalance of staff after voicing concerns about a spam email he received offering sex services. -AsiaOne |
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Bikinis ok, say Indonesian MPs
They agree attire is acceptable in tourist areas like Bali, in light of country's new anti-pornography bill. -AFP
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Recession? What recession?
It may be turbulent times for the economy, but Singaporeans are still taking to the skies.
The travel industry has registered an increase of 15 to 30 per cent annual growth. -TNP |
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Travel agent upset over issuance of cancelled Indian visas
Clients angry over not being able to travel to India as planned. -The Star
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Malaysian in India can't come home
Authorities have failed to provide him with a new passport for the past 31 years. -The Star |
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Jakarta's latest family attraction? A cemetery
The developer of San Diego Hills park claims this is the world's first graveyard with recreational facilities, complete with swimming pool, Italian restaurant and man-made lake. -ST
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Haw Par Villa not left out of STB guides
It is an authentic and attractive tourism destination in S'pore, says STB. -myp |
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Why is Haw Par Villa neglected?
Tourist map of S'pore does not indicate the former attraction's location, says reader. -myp
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Restriction-free travel
Talks are underway to remove restrictions on flights to China. -ST
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Pilot arrested after failing breath test
He was to fly a United Airlines plane from Heathrow to San Francisco. -Reuters
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Girls leave 'sunblock' phone numbers on skin to lure boys
This stunt has been seen on at least two Sydney beaches. -TNP |
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Second highest airport to open
The world's second highest airport will open this month. -Reuters
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Top 10 places to steal a kiss
It's all in the lips - pucker up for everything from passion to chocolate. Be the first in 2009 to kiss or find eternal happiness under a bridge - Lonely Planet shows you how in new book. -AsiaOne |
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"Transformers" ride to debut first in Singapore
Blockbuster movie will be developed into a thrilling ride, and Singaporeans will be the first to experience it on Resorts World at Sentosa in 2011. -AsiaOne
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Visit a "Stan," sail away: Lonely Planet's '09 best
The travel gurus have come up with what they say is the definitive list of what to do and where to go next year. -Reuters |
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M'sian airport cabbies up in arms over $60m 'tax'
They currently have to pay a 9% commission for every trip taken to the low-cost carrier terminal. -NST
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Tourists, locals want Jalan Alor to be maintained
But Kuala Lumpur City Hall is adamant about changing the name to Jalan Kejora. -The Star |
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Clogged up Orchard Road causes frustration
Noise and blocked pathways annoy tourists and locals. -TNP
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Changi handles fewer passengers
First drop since 2004 follows three months of slowing growth; SIA too feels the impact of global slowdown. -ST
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Indian clinics woo "fertility" tourists as medical travel booms
Depending on education level, egg donors are paid up to 40,000 rupees (120-800 dollars). -AFP
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New hotel in Clarke Quay
Park Hotel Clarke Quay will be ready by next March. -ST
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More executives choosing Jetstar
Jetstar Asia is confident it can weather the turbulence of the global financial crisis. -ST
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More Singaporeans going on self-drive holidays
Such vacations have become popular, say industry insiders, whether it is revving up across the Causeway or barrelling down other foreign highways in rented or borrowed wheels. -ST |
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Fares from $0? Ads with hidden costs get the chop
Whatyou see is what you pay. From Nov 1, advertisement tag-lines such as 'Fares from $0' or '15,000 seats going for only $0.01 one-way' here will be a thing of the past. -ST
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2-hour delay at most for AirAsia
With new on-time guarantee, passengers will receive an $84 e-voucher if their flight is delayed more than 2 hours. -The Star
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Forget hotels, just rent a flat
S'porean hits on idea to rent out empty flats to travellers in New York, Chicago, Boston and Toronto. -ST
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Two-thirds of a pint?
Britain considers easing the restrictions on glass sizes for draught beer - designed to appeal to people who can't face a pint, but think a half is too small. -Reuters
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It's decided - Jalan Alor will keep its name
That's the decision of Federal Territories Minister Datuk Seri Zulhasnan Rafique. -The Star
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Volunteers help restore Redang's reefs
442 poisonous starfishes, 200 metres of broken ropes and 20 aluminum beverage cans. That's just some of the rubbish and harmful marine life that volunteers picked up during an island-wide clean-up. -AsiaOne |
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South-east Asian air services to be liberalised
Flight frequencies and number of airlines flying to and from a destination would no longer be limited by govts. -The Star
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Forget hotels, just rent a flat
A Singaporean based in New York has hit upon an unconventional way of renting out accommodation to travellers, harnessing the power of the Internet and social networking sites. -ST |
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Robbed pilgrim wanders in India for weeks
He quit S'pore security job to visit ashrams. -TNP
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Dragonair launches daily flight to Hanoi
Route is the eighth new destination launched since the carrier became part of the Cathay Pacific group. -AFP
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This airport lounge caters to furry frequent fliers
Tucked in a corner of Frankfurt Airport, the Animal Lounge is the size of a professional soccer pitch. It has 60 airline staff who tend to the furry travellers - feeding, walking and cleaning up after them. -AFP
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Will Shah Rukh Khan's Datuk title help boost tourism?
The 'knighting' of India's top Bollywood star will help boost tourism in Malaysia, an official from Malacca said. It is a 'cost-free advertisement', he added. -AFP |
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AirAsia gets nod to fly to India
The first flight to Tiruchi in Tamil Nadu will take off on Dec 1. -The Star
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Be careful of what colour you wear in Thailand
Foreign visitors, locals and football fans are thinking twice about whether to don yellow and red colours in Thailand, for fear of getting into political trouble. - Daily Xpress, ANN |
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Space tourism will survive
Rich adventurers will still pay for despite a global financial crisis. -Reuters
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Indonesian crash pilot was speeding: co-pilot
Garuda jet which crashed in Yogyakarta in 2007 killed 21 people. -AFP
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Jetstar Asia celebrates 4th birthday with 44,444 free seats
Budget carrier will also offer special fares to destinations like Bali and Hong Kong. -AsiaOne
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You won't miss a sunset in this Japanese city
Matsue has set up what it believes is a first-of-its-kind sunset forecast, giving weekly previews of whether there is a view to enjoy. - AFP |
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Happiest places in the world
Bhutan tops the list, with not only a GDP but a GNH measurement - Gross National Happiness. Lonely Planet shares the top ten happiest places in its new book. -AsiaOne
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Recession? Not for year-end travel sales
Crowds flock down to travel fairs and spend millions on holiday packages. -ST |
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Why does travel industry shun transparent fares?
Travel agencies perhaps want to entice and excite you, to have you call them up to find out more and, in the end, be encouraged to sign up for that dream holiday. -ST
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Meet "The King" at Brazil's soccer museum
Watch a 3d performance of Ronaldinho dribbling, marvel at 25 footballers projected on giant screens, or be greeted by Pele at the entrance - soccer fans can eat their heart out at this museum. -Reuters |
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SIA to have less flights to Asia, more to Middle East
Airline making adjustments to better match capacity with demand. -AsiaOne
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Can 'SMILE' help Changi Airport regain No 1 spot?
A Sydney Morning Herald report says that Changi's new customer service programme is aimed at reclaiming the Skytrax best airport title it lost to Hong Kong. -TNP |
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Marina IR not likely to open fully in end-'09
It is 'several months' behind schedule, sources say.
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More Egyptian tourists visiting Malaysia
Numbers have increased by more than 48 per cent for the first nine months of this year. -The Star
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Thailand launches campaign to boost domestic tourism
Industry has been hurt by the global economic meltdown. -The Nation, ANN
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Qantas jet guided to safety after weather radar fails
Fault was discovered on flight QF12 a few hours after it left Los Angeles. -AFP
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Visitor arrivals to S'pore decline despite F1 spike
September's figures drop 4% as compared to same period last year, due to gloomy economic outlook. -AsiaOne
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'Dark years' ahead
Asian airlines face bleak business in the next two years. -AFP
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M'sia's AirAsia X upbeat
It remained bullish about its outlook. -AFP
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No more ads, but 'free seats' to stay for Jetstar Asia birthday promo
Low-cost airline will embrace new advertising guidelines from November 1. -AsiaOne
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S'pore passenger still dealing with trauma
More than 70 people were injured when flight QF72 plunged 200m in two dives, slamming many onboard into the cabin's ceiling and walls. -ST
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Strap in - it can get bumpy up there
Expert says seat belts keep air travellers safe during turbulence. -ST
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More to fly trans-Pacific route?
Australia can consider further opening up the lucrative trans-Pacific route only after its second long-haul carrier starts services to the US next year. -AFP
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Travel binge? Time to save, not succumb
A reader is shocked to learn that Singaporeans are still succumbing to the travel bug despite the state of the economy. |
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Escape global financial crisis, visit North Korea
With no stock market, a centrally planned economy and an ideology of self-reliance, life in the self-described paradise of North Korea remains blissfully untouched. -Reuters
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Cholera outbreak in Hainan
China's southern resort island has confirmed 30 cholera cases and nearly 300 suspected cases in the last few days. -Reuters
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Beijingers more civil now
Hosting the Olympics has helped encourage civil behaviour. -AFP
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