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2007

Tyre bursts as Indonesian jet lands 1 of the tyres of an Airbus A320 operated by Batavia Air burst upon landing but none of the 147 people on board were injured. -AFP		Bangladesh hotel blasts injure over 30 people Two explosions rocked the nine-storey Orchard Plaza hotel at the city's Nayapaltal area, setting two upper floors on fire. -Reuters

French tour operators say Chinese boycott 'catastrophic' Many cancelled their trips after demonstrators disrupted the Olympic flame's passage through Paris. -AFP		Soekarno-Hatta airport plans improved services, infrastructure After training staff at Soekarno-Hatta, the staff in Bali would be given similar training. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

Polonia Airport closed for seven hours over Batavia jet's burst tire None of the 147 on board the company's A320 Airbus was injured, but flights were either diverted or returned to their origins due to the closure. -The Jakarta Post, ANN		KTM offers entertainment to attract more passengers Commuters can surf the Net, watch live shows and movies and even hold birthday parties onboard. -The Star, ANN

	Travellers see red over white card Officers ask for cards after miscommunication with KL HQ, causing confusion and chaos at the Causeway. -TNP		Opinion: Tour agencies hope for clear skies again The recent fuel price hike will have an impact on tourism but the industry is confident that it will only be for the short term. -NST

	New Singapore a less friendly city for tourists A long-time admirer of Singapore expresses his concern that the country has been carried away with its own success, and may be riding for a fall. -ST	Subang airport to KL Sentral rail link mulled A train service linking Subang Airport and KL Sentral is one of the proposals that will be considered in redeveloping the airport. -The Star, ANN

Movies and Web access on trains Trains will have entertainment and Internet access when new coaches are put into use in about three years. -The Star, ANN			Rail travel with fun and games Keretapi Tanah Melayu Berhad (KTMB) plans to make it fun to travel by train. -NST

Hitler wax figure sparks controversy in Berlin Plans to include an Adolf Hitler figure in Berlin branch of Madame Tussauds wax museum are being condemned by critics. -Reuters		Cheaper travel access to South Korea and beyond Partnership with Incheon government leads to opening of new base in city by Tiger Aviation. -myp

	Good attitude travels a long way For Chan Brothers Travel?s Jessica Chang (top), the human touch still counts in the tourism industry. -myp	Technology has reduced the need for business travel But busy executives still prefer old-fashioned face-to-face meetings with far-flung colleagues. -myp

Tiananmen security tight for China massacre anniversary Tight security at the Tiananmen Square after the Tiananmen massacre that happened 19 years ago. -AFP		L&T to bid for Muscat airport job The new airport would have a capacity for 12 million passengers that would eventually go up to 48 million. -Reuters

Taiwan approves 8.3% hike in airline fuel surcharge The fuel surcharge per passenger for long-haul flights would rise to US$84.50 (S$115.20) from US$78, while those for short-haul routes would rise to US$32.50 from US$30. -AFP		Penang a holiday hit Local tourists are flocking to the island for the school holidays. -The Star

Hotel manager murdered He was found murdered in one of the hotel rooms in Cameron Highlands with two stab wounds on his chest. -The Star		15,000ha elephant sanctuary for Kenyir Elephant handlers will use the site to tame the animals and train them to perform antics to attract tourists. -The Star

	Meru Valley Resort wins award The picturesque resort in Meru is now the best golf development property in Asia Pacific. -NST	1901 hot dogs for AirAsia When you next fly on AirAsia and AirAsia X, expect a new addition to its menu of nasi lemak and sandwiches - 1901 hot dogs! -NST

	Business-class coach to Singapore For RM80, you can travel in business-class luxury to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur. -NST	Visiting US? You'll need to register online next year Travellers including Singaporeans, who do not need visas to enter the United States, will soon be required to register online with the US government at least three days before they visit. -AFP

	2 die in Genting bus crash Two people were killed and 17 others seriously injured when the express bus they were in plunged into a 20m-deep ravine. Amongst the 41 passengers on board were several tourists from Singapore, Kuwait and other Middle Eastern countries. -NST	Two killed in Karak crash, 17 including driver, hurt There were 45 passengers on board the bus and most of them were believed to be tourists staying in Genting Highlands. -The Star

Government wants bus passengers to belt up while on the road Particularly those on tourist coaches. -The Star		Air travel hard hit by rising oil price Rising international airfares are forcing big businesses to cut down on executive travel and small ones to cancel all overseas trips. -China Daily, ANN

Southern Airlines to suspend flights It will suspend 8 international flights from Guangzhou to Southeast Asia countries this month. -China Daily, ANN		Boutique hotels show the way Technically, the word "boutique" has not been a good fit for the hotel industry ever since companies started pairing it with the word "brand". -myp

Mainland-Taiwan charter flights start for festival Charter flights between Chinese mainland and Taiwan started on Tuesday for a national holiday. -China Daily		Boiling with anger over water cut The management of several Cherating hotels and resorts are fuming over an unannounced 24-hour disruption of the water supply over the weekend. -NST

New gallery for Perak tourism centre Tourists who visit the centre for travel information would find a good introduction to the city's diverse food, culture, arts and heritage. -NST		Gearing up for Festa San Pedro The week-long celebration of tradition and culture by the Portuguese community in Malacca opens with Festa San Juang on June 23, and is combined with the opening of Festa San Pedro on June 27. -NST

Travelling the Kingdom Discover Thailand in just three days. From June 5 to 8, check out the best places to go at the Thailand Tourism Festival (TTF) 2008. -The Nation, ANN		Resorts support 'no turtle eggs' campaign "Welcome to the island, but don't eat turtle eggs!" -NST

	Hop-on for a fun ride around town Tourists can now enjoy KL sightseeing in a new light. -NST		Save Ayutthaya campaign Unesco says area being damaged by vendors and may be taken off its World Heritage list. -Daily Xpress, ANN

	Web surfing Philippines' islands To meet the growing demand for information about the 7,107 islands, Philippine Airlines has begun an online portal called Onfill for Koreans. -The Korea Herald, ANN	VOA to continue for Indian tourists Tourists from India would need a visit pass for two weeks as well as a return air ticket to visit Malaysia. -The Star, ANN

	Trapped in a tourism-spun matrix Why pay to travel to commune with people, places and objets d'art we cannot possibly lug home? Perhaps it is the lure of things, places and cultures exoticised and romanticised. -ST	France still tourism' top spot, ministry says France kept its position as the world's top tourist destination in 2007, ahead of Spain, with nearly 82 million foreign visitors. -Reuters

Before check-in, check out eco-policy On green marketing in hotels. -myp		Bukit China now in Malacca heritage zone The hill was deemed to have historical value and significance dating back to the 15th century Malacca Sultanate. -The Star, ANN

	Putrajaya a tourist magnet The administrative capital in Putrajaya is just as popular as Kuala Lumpur - the official capital - with both local and foreign tourists. -The Star, ANN	Kuala Terengganu as hub to Far East proposed Terengganu wants the Sultan Mahmud Airport here to be a hub for destinations to China and Vietnam. -The Star, ANN

	Tourists soak up the charm of Penang Some 2,600 tourists comprising mostly Australians had an enjoyable visit to Penang when their ship docked at the Tanjung City Marina in Weld Quay for half a day. -The Star, ANN	Qantas to change flight schedules due to high oil It would withdraw some services to Japan. -Reuters

	SIA boys get new look From June 30, 2008, SIA's male cabin crew will take on a fresh look - they will wear a new uniform, created by veteran French fashion designer Christophe Galibert, artistic Director of Balmain Uniformes, which will complement the sarong kebaya worn by the Airline's female cabin crew. -AsiaOne	Tour agents to wait and see The Malaysian Association of Tour and Travel Agents has suggested that inbound tour operators maintain their rates for now. -NST

	M'sian couple shocked by prostitutes outside hotel Malaysian journalist Fauzi Baharuddin, 28, ended up with more than he bargained for when he realised that his hotel was in the heart of Singapore's red-light district. -TNP	Korea targets more Malaysian tourists For many, Korea becomes a dream holiday destination after they have watched the popular Korean drama series on television. -The Star

Lion Air connects Singapore with Bali Indonesia's largest private airline Lion Air will start serving the Denpasar-Singapore route Friday. -The Jakarta Post, ANN			Get a taste of the Bidayuhs A nine-day Gawai Festival showcasing the Bidayuh culture, music and arts in will kick off from June 21. -The Star, ANN

Strong airlines can weather storm of high fuel prices Asia-Pacific will gain from weak US dollar and rising demand, says industry body. -ST			Stylish suites Developers are overcoming the space crunch by converting under-utilised areas and carparks into hotel rooms, offices and retail space. -ST

	Not too late for good deals in June break Tour agenciesduring this usually brisk sales period, have unleashed a slew of cheap holiday packages. -TNP	Travellers cry foul over Tiger's new baggage rule PEEVED passengers are speaking out against a new decision by Tiger Airways to charge for checked luggage.

MAS passengers get to save rainforests The airline and its subsidiaries have introduced a mechanism aimed at offsetting carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere. -NST			Holiday? They visit orphanage instead Family group spends $40,000 to do volunteer work in India. -TNP

MAS launches third wave of low fares campaign It's offering another two million seats to destinations in Malaysia, South-East Asia, China, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Australia. -The Star		Call to develop Pulau Pisang for eco-tourism As well as a proposal to return the operation of the lighthouse to Malaysia. -NST

New visa rules for waiver countries not cumbersome: Bush The new US regulations aim to make it more difficult for potential terrorists to enter the United States. -AFP			Attractions too pricey for families Parents say that high admission fees and miscellaneous charges at spots like the Night Safari or Singapore Flyer are pricing them beyond a regular family's reach. -ST

	Largest mall in Borneo opens The opening of Borneo's largest hypermall has the potential to place Sabah among the top regional shopping destinations. -The Star, ANN	Airport's laptop checks linked with terrorist activity, drug smuggle ecurity at Soekarno-Hatta International airport will be tightened for passengers carrying laptop computers. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

Casinos look to technology to reduce Macau's baccarat addiction Culturally-specific slot machines and computerised games to lure Asians away from baccarat. -AFP			M'sia airports infested by taxi touts Tourists are confronted by taxi touts the moment they step out of the arrival lounge. -The Star

Lufthansa launches two new Asian routes It would run 5 flights a week between Singapore and Munich as well as thrice weekly flights from Shenyang in China to Munich via Seoul. -AFP		Thailand confident on tourism despite fuel costs, protests Around 14.5 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Thailand this year. -ST

The better way to fly It might be more worth it at times to fly a premium, full-service carrier than a budget one. -ST			Asia's casino jackpot In four years, region's gambling revenues will overtake those of US. -myp

	Serving corporate clients a 24-hr calling The ability to facilitate smooth transitions is one of the attributes a corporate travel agent should have, and the industry is in need of such talents. -myp	Let's face it, airfares will have to go up If ever any business faced a perfect storm, it must be the global airline industry. -myp

	Operator fails to extend DHL balloon lease The DHL balloon at Tan Quee Lan Street, which has become an icon of sorts, will go on its last flight on Aug 3. -myp		How Macau casinos lure gamblers to the slot machines While gaming revenues in Macau last year overtook those of the Las Vegas Strip, figures show up to 88 per cent of it was spent on baccarat tables. -AFP

AirAsia slashes fares to just RM1 AirAsia has returned with irresistible promotions with some 250,000 seats up for grabs with fares from as low as RM1. -The Star, ANN		Hotels issue wake-up call about being 'wiped out' Hoteliers are worried about being "wiped out" by the government's decision not to hold functions at hotels, unless they were international events. -NST

Shrinking airlines mean higher fares, fewer routes The new pricing power is long overdue - and consumers will just have to accept that cheaper air fares have disappeared for now. -Reuters		Cathay Pacific defends ad campaign from stereotype jibes Cathay said accusations that its adverts only valued its male passengers and played to cliches of Asians serving western clients were 'misleading and unfair.' -AFP

Fear of flying infections exaggerated: study The belief that passengers crowded aboard airliners are exposed to a high risk of catching infectious diseases is exaggerated. -AFP		UN calls for lifting travel restrictions on HIV carriers Latest call comes as UN chief Ban Ki Moon seeks to end discrimination against people carrying the dreaded Aids virus. -AFP

	Skyscraper of steel toy parts sparkles in New York American artist Chris Burden's latest project is a nearly seven-storey model skyscraper made from a million pieces of stainless steel toy parts.- Reuters	Plane bursts into flames in Sudan; dozens reported killed About 200 passengers were thought to be aboard the Sudan Airways plane when it landed in bad weather. -The Nation, ANN

Malacca outlines strategies to lure 6.8 million visitors Among the strategies to be adopted were developing more quality products and enhanced transportation services for tourists in line with the state's Open Theme Park concept. -The Star			Russian tourists spend big in S'pore Their numbers are also rising fast; tourism board to set up office in Moscow later this year. -ST

Raffles Hotels to bring its brand to Moscow Hotel management firm signs agreement to open a hotel in the Russian capital in 2011. -ST			A taste of Singapore at Taiwanese night market STB woos Taiwanese tourists with local fare such as satay. -ST

Kuantan set to be AirAsia's eastern hub AirAsia plans to have direct flights from Kuantan to international destinations like Singapore, Jakarta and Bangkok. -The Star		Travel agents expect domestic travel to increase Matta is expecting over 80,000 people to buy their local and regional travel packages during the fair in September. -The Star

Hoteliers turn price hike guru for tourism sector Maha will forward several proposals to the state in a bid to help prepare the tourism sector absorb the effects of the fuel price increase. -The Star		Tourism in Iskandar Government had made plans to develop tourism in the mega project in line with its vision of creating a metropolis in the region. -The Star

Save by holidaying locally, says Azalina Forget overseas vacations and opt for local destinations. This is what Malaysians should do in view of rising costs, says M'sian Tourism Minister. -NST		Fuel prices force Thai Airways to raise surcharge by $123 The increase will take effect from June 25. -AFP

Oil costs will push some Asian airlines under Many of the region's airlines are ill-prepared to cope with the soaring oil prices. -AFP			Scaling Great Heights for a Good Night's Sleep 'Climbing into bed' takes on a whole new meaning as ANA Crowne Plaza offers Tokyo's Best Bedroom View - in a bed half way up a Ginza building. -AsiaOne

	HK budget airline Oasis formally wound up Employees, passengers left with useless tickets and others believing they had a claim would now be invited to apply for compensation. -AFP	Amazing travel packages on offer At the Malaysian International Travel Mart on July 25 to July 27 in Johor Baru. -The Star

	Travel agents cut tours to Beijing during Olympics Travel agents here have decided not to offer tours to Beijing while the Olympic Games are on. -ST		Khartoum plane fire kills at least 28 people The airport authorities said the engine fire spread to the fuselage. -AFP

	Budget no more With regular airlines dangling promotions and increasing fuel surcharges, budget travellers are eyeing full-service carriers. -ST		Airlines get creative in cutting cost They are power-washing jet engines more often to get rid of grime, carrying less water for the washroom taps and toilets, and replacing seats with lighter models. -myp

	Why are travellers on foot not allowed through Tuas exit? A reader was told by an officer that nobody is allowed to enter or leave the said checkpoint by foot due to security reasons. -myp	Budget vs Regular It pays to shop around as promotional fares of regular airlines can be cheaper than budget fares. -ST

Tioman and Labuan ferry operators forced to charge extra They would be forced to impose surcharges of between RM10 and RM30 if the authorities continue to ignore their request for subsidised fuel. -The Star			Granddad to cycle to Beijing for Olympics He has embarked on a 4,400km-long solo bicycle tour to China. -The Star

Attacked for picking up tourists Tourist van driver claimed he was sent to pick up a group of Indonesian tourists at the Penang International Airport but ended up having to leave the place empty handed with a painful limb. -The Star		Terengganu hoteliers told not to raise rates The state government has opposed any move by hoteliers on holiday islands to increase rates following the rise in fuel prices. -The Star

New lease of life for old building Plans are underway to convert the 96-year-old dilapidated building owned by the Penang Municipal Council into a museum and art gallery. -The Star			Sound of soca and jamoo at rainforest fest They are Trinidad and Tobago's royal family of music and will be performing at the upcoming Rainforest World Music Festival in Sarawak from July 11 to 13. -The Star

FAA using more inexperienced controllers US FAA has failed over 4 years to fill gaps in how it trains its air traffic controllers. -Reuters		Travellers choosing cheaper ways to fly Some companies are increasingly relying on online booking tools. -BT

SIA, Tiger offer promotional fares to regional hotspots With the Great Singapore Sale well under way, even some airlines are trying to get in on the action. -BT			China, Taiwan sign landmark flight deal The deal will launch regular flights between the long-time rivals, though they will be limited to weekend charters. -Reuters

'Excite tourists with round-the-island cruise' The local tourism industry players should expand activities by introducing round-the-island cruises. -NST		AirAsia will not reduce routes It will also not increase the fuel surcharge. -NST

Monthly ticket offered for Shanghai-HK flights Hong Kong Express Airways will soon offer unlimited flights between Shanghai and Hong Kong for no more than US$886 per month. -China Daily, ANN			China gives its climbing industry a leg up Government runs courses for guides to cash in on climbing?s growing popularity. -AFP

	Lijiang balances protection and modernisation Despite the big challenges ahead, the local government has found a new way to protect the precious world heritage through close cooperation with enterprises. -China Daily, ANN	NParks to consult Australian institute on guide training scheme Recommendations from the government-linked William Angliss Institute Specialist Centre for Tourism are likely to form the basis of a proposed NParks scheme to accredit guides. -ST

S'pore tourism, air services push bode well for aviation sector China, India and Vietnam expected to contribute to traffic growth. -BT			Tiger to add international routes Tiger Airways is now in talks with the Australian government to add international routes to its network, using Australian-based crews and aircraft. -BT

	Tourists, eat your way through M'sia Malaysia wants to draw tourists to its shores through gastronomic tourism. -TNP		World-class airport? Not with apathetic service Reader: How can Changi Airport be world-class when service staff are unconcerned about well-being of sick passenger? -ST

US airlines seek help to defer China, other service US airlines say they cannot afford to fly new routes or maintain all flights to China and other countries that restrict access, but they still want to keep their rights to serve those destinations. -Reuters		Quake-hit China province to re-open tourist services China's earthquake-hit Sichuan province will reopen some tourist services from June 15, in a bid to revive its tourism industry. -Reuters

	Cold holiday, cool style Dunhill is planning a camping trip in November that will bring adventure seekers to one of the coolest places in the world - the Antarctica. -NST		Science Centre charges affordable To get the best out of every penny, sign up for packages at the Singapore Science Centre. -ST

	US airline industry heading towards catastrophe: study It calls for a new energy policy to give airlines a chance to survive and recover. -AFP		From souvenir shop to luxury-brands store Since its revamp , DFS Galleria has scaled down its souvenir section and moved with the times by bumping up the presence of international brands. -ST

Jetstar's more flexible Jetstar addresses some issues pertaining to the way budget fares are perceived and offer readers a more balanced view of budget airlines. -ST		Airlines will merge or go bust as costs surge: AirAsia chief BUDGET carrier AirAsia said on Monday that surging fuel prices will force carriers worldwide to merge or face bankruptcy. -AFP

Flight delayed more than 3hrs? Get a RM200 voucher AirAsia will compensate passengers whose flights are delayed for more than three hours. -The Star, ANN		Taking the axe to a grand Paris hotel The content of one of Paris' grandest hotels goes up for sale or wreckage when the Royal Monceau closes down for a year-long makeover. -AFP

SIA inflight supervisor fined for theft An inflight supervisor was fined for stealing liquor and other items from a London-bound Singapore Airlines flight. -ST		Jakarta heritage society launches new museum guide Only a handful of people are aware that there are 57 museums in Greater Jakarta. -The Jakarta Post

S. Sumatra airport offers visas on arrival Visas have been offered on arrival (VoA) to foreign tourists at the Sultan Mahmud Badaruddin International Airport to promote tourism. -The Jakarta Post		Tourists top spenders at Great Singapore Sale Foreign cardholders accounted for $17.4 million worth of purchases, with tourists from Australia, the US, and the UK among the top spenders. -ST

	Dirty Singapore River? A readers asks if the relevant authorities will be taking measures to maintain the reputation of Singapore as a clean city in the world. -AsiaOne	Cabinet to decide on AirAsia's proposal AirAsia's proposal to increase the number of flights to Singapore will be referred to the cabinet: M'sian Transport Minister. -NST

Island fever hits summer holidays Aa a holiday choice to beat the summer heat, many Americans are finding the Caribbean an appealing spot. -myp			Travel business hits an oil slick Rising fuel prices have plunged airlines into a crisis not seen since the Sept 11 terror attacks. -ST

Airlines fighting back with cost cuts To cushion the impact of the crisis, airlines are feverishly pulling out all the stops. -ST		The highs and lows of flying A snapshot of how fares of major carriers have moved in the last 12 months. -ST

AirAsia will be profitable even with US$200 oil: CEO We will 'market ourselves out of this problem', says confident Fernandes. -AFP		US airlines seek help to defer China, other flights They suggest others could fly the unused routes temporarily, but insiders say that would not happen. -Reuters

Qantas sells tickets for maiden A380 flight in October It said it would launch its first A380 flight from Melbourne to Los Angeles on Oct 20, followed by a Sydney-Los Angeles flight on Oct 24. -AFP		China divides Taiwan weekly flights among airlines The country's big three carriers are China Southern Airlines, Air China and China Eastern Airlines. -Reuters

MAS withdraws AirAsia chief Fernandes' perks He has been enjoying discounts of 50% for first or business class travel and 75% for economy class. -AFP		More budget holiday options The Tourism Ministry will promote domestic tourism by offering budget travel packages. -NST

	20 conned by travel agent employee A businessman who bought four air tickets to Macau on a budget airlines was shocked when he was told at the airport that his flight details were not in their records. -The Star, ANN	Pakatan states to offer special tour package Selangor Government would promote the state in Singapore as Singaporeans were one of the largest groups of visitors. -The Star, ANN

	Taxi drivers: Rude, arrogant and intimidating A frequent visitor to Malaysia complains about taxi drivers he observes and encounters. -The Star, ANN	Lizards, kites hold up flights in Indian capital They strayed onto the runway delaying around 100 flights. -Reuters

Azalina meets Selangor tourism industry players M'sian tourism Ministerhas given an assurance the ministry would not discriminate against states run by Pakatan Rakyat. -NST		Aero Mall to complement Senai airport Senai in Johor is set to be a world-class airport city and a major transport hub in the region. -NST

Five Taiwanese airlines to operate China flights They include Mandarin, Transasia, Uni, China Airlines and Eva Airways. -AFP		Major US airlines see $14b loss in 2008 US airlines predict $14 billion loss in 2008 due to skyrocketing fuel costs. -Reuters

China's first tourists to US take to the skies The 60 tourists from Beijing will join 79 from Shanghai and 90 from Guangdong in the US capital, Washington. -Reuters			Rainforest music festival enters 11th year After the rousing 10th anniversary celebrations last year, the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF) is ready to provide an even better experience for music lovers. -NST

3 airlines allow cellphone check-in on US flights The on-the-fly service is the latest innovation introduced by TSA to accelerate security procedures at America's airports. -AFP		Singapore Airlines to raise fuel surcharge again The new levels will also apply SilkAir flights. -Reuters

In Penang, it's 'raining tourists' State government denies claims of dwindling tourists. -NST		Bigger and better sales carnival from July 5 Malaysian Mega Sale Carnival will be back with bigger and better incentives. -NST

	180 fume over 28-hour delay in S'pore flight Passengers claim no timely update from Tiger Airways, some were forced to take leave. -TNP		Yummy time in the air Local favourites like roti prata and satay will be added to the menu for greater variety. -The Star, ANN

	No alcohol means fewer stars for Egypt luxury hotel A member of the Saudi royal family and owner of the coveted luxury property decided to get rid of all the alcohol in stock. -AFP	HK hotel guests thrown out over unpaid loan Guests were ordered to leave the Tatami Hampton Hotel after Bank of East Asia (BEA) took possession of the property. -AFP

AirAsia announces deal to fly M'sian civil servants Currently MAS does so. -AFP			Hotel fiasco: HK government says 'sorry' The city's Tourism Board was reportedly trying to contact the affected guests to offer free half-day tours. -AFP

	Top 10 "weird activities" around the world These weird activities include soaking yourself in a red wine pool and celebrating Eeyore's birthday. -Reuters		Jetstar sisters fly the nest and go their separate ways The split comes barely a year after the two Qantas-controlled budget carriers embarked on an ambitious commercial arrangement. -BT

Tourism boom threatens Costa Rica eco-paradise Pungent brown sewage spews into the Pacific ocean. In the background, cranes put up hotels and beachfront apartments. -Reuters		SIA and Garuda agree to boost flights The agreement will see a new once-daily flight introduced on August 1 between Denpasar on the holiday island of Bali and Singapore's Changi Airport. -AFP

Indian airlines hike fares in bid to stem fuel losses The hikes announced were between five and 20 per cent, depending on the route and other factors. -AFP			Stop expecting Govt to nanny you What is wrong with some Singaporeans? Imagine calling the Singapore embassy in Bangkok for help when one's flight is delayed for a few hours? -ST

No Tiger when you need one badly I have always thought that in times of need, we could turn to our embassies for help. -ST		Don't worry, Natas fair is still on On the contrary, booths for the Natas fair are selling fast. -TNP

Hotels, shops struggle in Lhasa as tourism slows after riots Local businesses complained of slow trade since the riots in March. -AFP			Naomi Campbell says racist slur sparked air rage British Airways rejected claims of racism. -Reuters

Sudan grounds its national airline It says the airline does not meet international standards. -AFP		Australia's Qantas cancels flights due to strike The latest strike follows a two-day stoppage last month that grounded 17 Qantas flights. -Reuters

F1 room rates should go down If the room rates are at a more reasonable level, more F1 followers may begin to make their bookings. -myp		Chinese tourists warned against gambling and porn in Taiwan Chinese visitors to Taiwan will not be allowed to gamble or engage in 'pornographic activities', China's state news agency reported yesterday. -ST

Wooing tourists from Hong Kong Tourism Malaysia is working on growing its share of the north-east Asia market with plans to draw more arrivals from Japan and Hong Kong. -NST			Outback epic to lure tourists Romance film starring Hugh Jackman and Nicole Kidman will be part of drive to regain Australia's tourism 'mojo'. -Reuters

	Do go chasing waterfalls - in New York City If they pay attention to it at all, many people view the water off Manhattan's East Side as a flat, even boring expanse stretching under a series of bridges. -ST		Rebuilding history A historic neighbourhood in Beijing has been revamped to cater to tourists but the shops won't be ready in time for the Olympics. -ST

Jewish museum of life The Libeskind-designed institution in San Francisco focuses on the evolving expression of Jewish identity, rather than the past. -Reuters			Be more bicycle-friendly says tourists The Spanish couple, who are pedalling around Malaysia said Penang is especially suited for cycling around. -The Star, ANN

Fraser's Hill grows as place for bird watching It has been made the highland area a premier place for the activity. -The Star, ANN			Thai tiger temple a con job, says wildlife group Thailand's famed tiger temple, where monks walk around with tigers - and make money from tourists - is facing accusations that it is a con job, where tigers face extensive abuse and exploitation. -ST

	Fortnight of festival fun for F1 race Get ready for a jam-packed fortnight of festivals, events and parties when the Formula One season zooms into town in September. -ST	Amid weak dollar, foreign travel to US rises Rising international visitation continues to have a positive impact on US travel and tourism industry. -AFP

	Father clears airport security with son's passport He checks in and clears immigration at the Budget Terminal and boards his flight to Vietnam, all with his son's passport. -AsiaOne		German woman goes sight seeing on a bicycle So far, she has travelled for 2,221 days. -The Star, ANN

Do more to welcome visitors, tour industry told Warm hospitality, efficient service and cleanliness are simple and inexpensive attributes that bring changes in the tourism industry. -The Star, ANN		Tibet reopens to foreign tourists Wednesday - Xinhua The passing of the Olympic torch relay through Lhasa over the weekend proved that the region was stable enough to let foreign tourists back in. -Reuters

Travel to US up while the dollar falls International visits rose 15% in the first quarter from a year ago, and visitor spending increased by 20%. -AFP		Japanese are top tourists The hoteliers rated travellers on categories that included manners, willingness to learn the local language and sample the cuisine, tidiness, generosity and stylishness. -Reuters

Cut flights to combat 'Heathrow hassle': London business group Alternatively the size of Heathrow should be increased. -AFP		Portuguese fest lights up city Thousands of candles illuminated the Portuguese settlement in Malacca as residents and visitors gathered to celebrate Festa San Juang (Feast of St John). -The Star, ANN

Qantas cancels flights amid widening strikes It cancelled 35 flights and was moving critical maintenance tasks overseas as a campaign of strikes by engineers widened to the country's west. -Reuters		More competition for budget airlines Indonesia's fledgling Lion Air roars out loud when many of the world's carriers are reeling from sky-high fuel prices. -ST

Australia's Qantas cancels more flights due to strike Qantas said on Wednesday it had to cancel dozens more flights following strikes by maintenance engineers earlier this week. -AFP			Tightening the reins - thorough passport checks at airport now Airport officials have beefed up security to an all time high as a result of Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng's wake-up call yesterday over the passport mix up at Singapore Changi Airport. -AsiaOne

	Crafts bazaar bonus The famous Rainforest World Music Festival is getting bigger, greater, more varied with every year. This year, it is enlivened by an International Crafts Bazaar (July 9-15). -NST		Rainforest jungle beat It's music without borders at next month's Rainforest World Music Festival. Find out what those attending can expect. -NST

	Nightmare trip for Valuair passengers They wait in airport for more than 15 hours. Flight grounded by two separate mechanical problems. -TNP	China reopens Tibet to foreign tourists But ban on foreign journalists to region not yet lifted. -AFP

Cash, gems lost in 5-star hotel A German couple was shocked to find $29,500 of their valuables in cash and jewellery missing from their room in a five star hotel in Malacca. -NST			Windfall for budget traveller A traveller was rewarded with 50 flight tickets when she was picked as AirAsia's 50 millionth guest of the no-frills airline after its sixth year of operation. -NST

Front-line staff fatigued? A reader perfectly comprehends Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng when he condemned the latest publicised slip-up of the Home Team, calling it 'appalling'. -ST			Poll: Malaysian taxis among worst in world Readers of The Expat magazine gave the Malaysian taxi service a big thumbs down when compared with services in 22 other countries. -NST

MAS extends low fare offer to tickets bought at travel agents Currently, they can only do so through the airline's website. -The Star, ANN			New drive-in admission to Sentosa from July Drive-in visitors will be required to pay admission fees to Sentosa with their Cashcard from next Tuesday. -ST

MAS raises surcharge Fuel surcharges are once again higher in Malaysian Airlines, with the last raise only three weeks ago. -The Star		S'pore visitor arrivals up 0.8% in May Some 828,000 visitors arrived last month as travel and airline promotions pulled in more tourists from Vietnam, Australia, Japan, and a record number from India. -Reuters

	To survive a fire in a plane, sit near exits Passengers sitting near plane?s emergency exits have the best chance of escaping in a fire. -ST		Manhattan splashes out with public art waterfalls New waterfalls created in Manattan turning it into a waterfall destination. -Reuters

	Plane misses destination as both pilots fall asleep 2 AIR India pilots fell into deep slumber at a high altitude and missed their descent cues from air traffic control. -AFP	SIA offers promo fares on new economy class to Houston and Moscow ?Two-to-go? return Economy Class tickets from Singapore to Moscow and Houston are priced at S$1328 and S$1588 respectively. -AsiaOne

	Comfort of home in the skies with Singapore Airlines Singapore Airlines' non-stop service to Newark is fitted with spacious, leather-upholstered seats which are 30-inches wide and recline to fully-flat beds. -BT	DFS at Changi pledged to competitive pricing With regard to the comparison of the prices of liquor made between Changi and another airport in the region, DFS does not operate at the other regional airport.

Travel bargains Check these travel deals out to get your money's worth! -ST			Passport blunders leave many S'poreans stranded Some show up with expired passports or visas, while others can forget about their passports altogether. -ST

	Sichuan after the earthquake: Will tourists return? To rebuild Sichuan's bustling tourism trade, agencies is offering extensive promotions, expanded air services and slashed prices. -TNP		Tibet after the unrest: Open to travellers once again Local travel agencies are gearing up to attract Singaporeans to Tibet now that the ban on foreign travel has been lifted. -TNP

UAE's Etihad opens new office in S'pore Airline is growing in the Asia-Pacific, Middle-East; remains committed to S?pore and region, says GM. -BT			Vote for your favourite air stewardess uniform! They are the people who make your flight bearable or unbearable. Air stewardesses and their uniforms - what makes it tick for you? Vote here for what you consider flight uniform eye candy. -AsiaOne

	Big pats on the back for great service Many Singaporeans go the extra mile - to applaud those who provide great service. -myp	Nature guides may soon need to be certified By the end of next year, all nature guides who show local and foreign tourists around Singapore's parks and reserves could need a certificate from the Government. -ST

	Tuas Checkpoint is for vehicles only ICA explains why travellers on foot are not allowed through Tuas exit. -myp	Strict checks at airports for our own good Travellers should cooperate when going through thorough checks at Singapore's Budget Terminal. -myp

Leatherbacks nesting at Rantau Abang beach again The endangered leatherback turtle has made a surprise return to nest in Malaysia where they were feared to have been wiped out. -The Star		Pilot escapes serious injury in plane crash The pilot is believed to have been alone in the aircraft. -The Star

	Preferential treatment @ DFS This reader shares his experiences at Duty Free Shop, where a group of tourists were unfairly allowed to jump queue. -AsiaOne	Disney says no deal yet on Shanghai park Walt Disney said it had not yet reached an agreement with the Chinese government to build its first mainland China theme park in Shanghai. -AFP

MAS launches Everyday Low Fares, Wave 4 ELF Wave 4 is offering its customers more options with domestic fares from as low as RM9 and domestic travel packages from RM178. Other routes also include attractive destinations in Asean, China, South Asia and Australia. -The Star		Flight cancelled, but 52 refuse to get off The flight was cancelled due to bad weather but passengers refused to disembark and instead spent the night on board before finally leaving for their destination. -Reuters

Thai court blocks support for temple bid Bangkok told to suspend backing of Cambodia's heritage site application for temple near border. -The Nation, ANN			Leaks at new airport terminal hurting HK's image Plastic sheets go up in airport shops as storm proves too much. -ST

	Grand View for Grand Prix For $12,000, Fairmont offers 'hospitality suites' for F1 fans. -TNP	Indian tourists add to surge in visitor arrivals Healthy figures allay fears of tourism slump due to rising global fuel costs. -ST

	Terminal 3's mesh appeal This new airport hotel is attracting greenies who like its eco-friendly features, and locals looking for a getaway. -ST	2 seriously hurt as turbulence hits plane Cathay Pacific plane was about to land in HK. -TNP

Etihad to Codeshare with Jet Airways Etihad Airways expands its network by codesharing with Indian-based Jet Airways. -ANN		Qatar Airways successfully implements eletronic ticketing worldwide Airline eliminates paper tickets as part of global drive to simplify travel. -ANN

United Airlines offers Apple-tech connectivity United has become the first US carrier to offer iPod and iPhone connectivity. -ANN		Additional Etihad summer service to Geneva Etihad Airways, The National Airline of the UAE is set to boost its summer Geneva service from Sunday 22 June. -ANN

China reassures Taiwan its tourists will behave China told tourists to be good ambassadors in Taiwan following a warming of ties between the two often bitter rivals. -Reuters		Let Shu Qi take you around HK Louis Vuitton has recently launched a travel audio guide narrated by celebrities. -ST

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