>> ASIAONE / TRAVEL / NEWS / ARCHIVE 2008 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec 2007 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec Top condo units vie for F1 pie Expensive rates and full bookings at Singapore's more popular five-star hotels are driving Formula One tourists to look elsewhere. A company is offering apartments near Orchard Road as affordable alternatives for tourists. -myp Spanair flight makes unscheduled landing Airline was involved in a crash last month that killed 154 people in Madrid. -AFP More airport closures, warns PAD Thailand's People's Alliance for Democracy threatens to close seven airports if PM Samak Sundaravej refuses to resign. -The Nation, ANN Tourists join in Merdeka fun Watching the National Day parade is not only a yearly routine for local patriots, as it is also an event not to be missed for foreign tourists. -The Star Charter flight to bring home Australians stranded in Phuket Hundreds of holidaymakers are expected to head home after budget airline Jetstar said it would send a chartered plane to collect them. -AFP Hotel has their back New bed-lifting device eases problem of elderly staff with back problems. -TNP Ban parents of noisy children Reader encounters baby who cries throughout flight from HK to Singapore, and whose parents did little to stop the crying. Should such irresponsible parents be banned? -myp Carriers restart S'pore-Phuket route after airport reopens SilkAir will increase its regularly scheduled single evening flights to ferry the backlog of passengers. -The Nation, ANN Australian aviation watchdog tells Qantas to improve Carrier has failed to meet some of its self-imposed standards, says safety authority. -AFP Whale sharks at IR? Bad move, say activists Resorts World promises 'top-class' care as animal welfare groups raise issue. -ST The lesson of a Kleenex moment On holidaying with family, Sujin says "I was taught an important lesson about being too critical about family members." -myp Eye on Malaysia to be relocated to Malacca The 60m-high Ferris wheel had been operating at the Taman Titiwangsa since January last year, but it will be dismantled and relocated to Malacca this week. -The Star Asian nations urge citizens against Thailand travel Thai PM Samak Sundaravej has declared a state of emergency in Bangkok after a man died in overnight clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters. -AFP Plane with burst tire lands safely American Airlines jet forced to return to Los Angeles International Airport after take-off. -AFP How much taller will it go? The Burj Dubai tower in Dubai - already the tallest building in the world - has now reached a height of 688 metres, say developers Emaar. -AFP S'poreans spent $4b on shopping abroad Telephone survey of 5,000 Singaporeans shows that most popular shopping destination last year was Malaysia, followed by China, then Thailand. -ST Travel agency with a heart Heart Travel goes beyond sales, helping train needy to be consultants. -ST Tourists unaffected by emergency in Bangkok Golden First Travel & Tours (Butterworth) Sdn Bhd tour manager Desmond Ang said many of his customers still wanted to travel to Thailand despite the unstable political situation. -The Star Eco-tourism projects fall flat Certain areas of completed eco-tourism projects cannot be fully utilised as equipment and facilities were either not adequately prepared or non-existent. -The Star AirAsia to offer exclusive deals AirAsia is offering fares to local and overseas destinations from as low as RM10 as well as holiday packages from RM156 at this year's Matta Fair. -The Star SIA aircraft 'going on a diet' Every effort taken to shave off weight abd burn less fuel. -ST China to allow tour groups into North Korea North Korea will become an approved destination for Chinese tour groups, giving them more freedom to travel in the reclusive country. -China Daily Iran Air flight makes emergency landing in Mumbai Aircraft engine caught fire soon after take-off forcing emergency landing. -AFP Crisis? What crisis, ask backpackers in Bangkok "No one targets tourists. It's between Thais." -Reuters Tourists shunning Thailand amid turmoil Foreign travellers are cancelling their trips to Thailand in the wake of political turmoil in the Kingdom's capital. -AFP No more Phuket holidays for this family They are among more than 40 Singaporean tourists who were still stuck in Phuket yesterday after the airport was closed on Friday afternoon due to protesters occupying the runway. -TNP New route for AirAsia New Air Asia route from Kota Kinabalu to Labuan daily from Sept 26. -The Star Snake On A Plane: Air India Reports that the snake was a venomous cobra were denied by an Air India spokesman. -AFP Going to US? Apply online Online application can be done by the traveller or by a third-party like family or travel agents to make it more convenient. -ST SIA steward accused of raping colleague The victim is said to have been a relatively new recruit. -ST Tourism will pick up by 2010 Opening of integrated resorts and Gardens by the Bay will give boost. -ST AirAsia X to fly to Korea, Japan Long-haul budget airline currently in negotiations with airport operators and tourism bodies of both countries. -NST Bollywood offers tourists a spot in the limelight Bollywood may be all about glitz, glamour and all-star line-ups, but when it comes to casting foreign extras, any Western tourist will do. -Reuters AirAsia X unfazed by high fuel costs, airline failures The long-haul budget airline said ticket sales were strong despite faltering economies and high fuel costs. -AFP What?! Party here for how much? Partygoers baulk at pricey tickets and venue for Megadance S'pore. -TNP New tourist 'attraction' Bangkok's demonstrators' campground is attracting budget travellers. -AFP Hong Kong Disneyland lures Chinese as it marks third birthday The theme park has struggled to attract enough visitors since it opened to great fanfare in 2005. -AFP Eat where you 'poop' At the Modern Toilet restaurant in Taipei, customers eat soups, meat dishes and faecal-looking ice cream from mini plastic toilet bowls and drink out of small urinals. -TNP Travel to Taiwan eased This is a further sign of revitalised trade and transit links between Taiwan and China. -Reuters Sentosa to review transport links in time for IR New chief also plans to create fresh masterplan and ensure smooth opening for attractions. -ST SIA to reduce fuel surcharges Cuts will apply to short- and medium-haul flights, following a recent easing of jet fuel prices. -AFP Peranakan-style hotel coming up The boutique hotel aims to ride on the area's reputation for good food and rich Peranakan culture when it opens next year. -ST Heavy rains in northern Malaysia to continue until Thursday Thunderstorms and strong winds in Penang, Perlis, Kedah and Perak expected to wane by end of the week. -NST Iconic Bangkok hotel says hurt by Thai political row "The current political crisis would hurt business for a few months before things return to normalcy." -Reuters Australian surfer says shark dragged him like a 'jet-ski' "The water was dirty so I couldn't make out what type of shark it was but I knew from the splashing white water that it was roughly eight to ten foot." -AFP Bald facts on new NZ services Air New Zealand is looking for 50 people willing to be a 'cranial billboard'. -Reuters 4-cent tickets to commemorate Tiger Airway's 4th anniversary Special fares on 100,000 seats will apply to destinations like Phuket, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur and Hanoi. -AsiaOne Singapore luxury hotel dedicates floor to the ladies The Naumi hotel said the concept was intended to give women travellers a sense of security and privacy in luxurious surroundings. -Reuters Where down means up A house that is entirely upside-down opened its doors to the public on the northern German island of Usedom this week. The family-sized house is furnished with chairs, tables and carpets stuck to the ceiling. -Reuters EU to up airline safety checks Minimum number of ground inspections to be carried out after last month's fatal crash in Madrid. -Reuters Man 'made to dance' at checkpoint Israeli airport security officers questioned dancer and made him dance before allowing him entry into country. -Reuters F1 fever: Rates at cheaper hotels soar up to 50% Backpacker hostels and budget hotels here have seen a surge in bookings, thanks to the first Formula One night race later this month. -TNP Make S'pore a coral haven 10% of reefs proposed as 'no-go zones' in Blue Plan. -myp Will the Flyer take off any time soon? The Singapore Flyer has notched up one million visitors in five months but fewer than half are tourists. This does not bode well for its immediate future. -TNP Airports aim for more DIY options They want self-service facilities to cut costs, offer travellers more flexibility. -ST Discovering the 'real' China Most first-time visitors to China find it very different from their prior notions of the country and its people, which have been shaped by media reports, hearsay and personal biases. -The Star AirAsia targets sale of 100,000 seats to M'sian civil servants Under Govt Fare Scheme, they can get a 20 to 30% discount on the published fares for work-related trips. -The Star STB picks Tanya to woo 1.2m tourists Singer will be its tourism ambassador to China for two years. -ST Changi Airport fees going up Flying out of Singapore will cost more from Jan 1, when departure taxes go up. -ST Infant's corpse found in airline luggage Security officials at Ho Chi Minh airport discovered body as the passenger was about to board the plane. -AFP Hat-trick for AirAsia For the third year running, the low-cost carrier has been voted the best budget airline in Asia. In an annual poll conducted by an online travel magazine, the Malaysian airline garnered 30 per cent of the total votes. -myp Tiger Airways ranked 4th in Asia AirAsia voted best regional budget airline in annual poll by online travel magazine. -AsiaOne Go people watching in Miami Sunshine State's metropolis has the most beautiful people in the US, according to an online survey. -Reuters Koreans on holiday exodus amid economic downturn Many passengers pack bottled water and portable toilets for the annual exodus which effectively turns some stretches of highway into giant car parks. -AFP Thousands stranded as British holiday firm collapses Soaring fuel costs and the credit crunch left Britain's third largest tour operator facing bankruptcy. -AFP Dishonest retailers give Singapore bad name Reports about foreign customers being swindled in places like Lucky Plaza are not uncommon. Complaints often involve overcharging, aggressive sales tactics and failure to honour agreements. -TNP Russian airliner crashes killing 88 people The passenger jet was flying from Moscow to Perm near the Ural mountains when it plunged into scrubland and railway tracks. -Reuters Fuel levy won't be cut yet Despite SIA's move, many not about to follow suit as fuel prices are still relatively high. -ST F1 street guide for Marina Bay area out More train trips, free bus rides, access to shops. -TNP Holiday suggestion sparks heated online debate A suggestion that the weeklong National Day holiday be scrapped has sparked heated debate. -China Daily AirAsia to fly Bangkok-Hong Kong route from October The Hong Kong-Bangkok route will provide increased access to Thailand for the huge tourism market in Greater China. -AFP Can surfing make waves for Bangladesh tourism? Jafar Alam, who says he is Bangladesh's first surfer, is working to build international recognition for the largely untouched beach where he surfs. -AFP Visa ruling to China lifted Singaporeans going to China will no longer need to queue at the Chinese Embassy. -ST Thousands of Balinese rally against Indonesian anti-porn bill They denounced the proposed law as too broad and a threat to local customs, where naked temple statues proliferate and skimpily dressed foreign tourists unwind on beaches. -AFP Porn bill will hurt Indonesia tourism A degradation of Balinese culture will further reduce the island's attractiveness, said experts. -The Jakarta Post, ANN Make a baby, in five-star luxury Australian fertility specialists aim to ease the stress out of making babies by combining their clinic with a five-star luxury resort, complete with a spa and masseurs. The centre hopes to attract 50% of its patients from around the world. -Reuters MASwings flies 'green' with new aircraft Low-emission ATR 72 consumes 10 per cent less fuel than the smaller Fokker 50. -NST SIA receives sixth A380 Latest superjumbo addition allows for a second daily flight between S'pore and London. -ST Air China eyes top-end fliers Flag carrier attempts to counter challenges posed by growing fuel costs and a slowing global economy. -AFP Turkish hotel fires philandering male staff They had repeated affairs with foreign female guests. -Reuters Chinese Garden under criticism for Hello Kitty lanterns: report Visitors feel it is unrelated to the Mid-Autumn Festival and lacks educational value. -AsiaOne Malaysia's 'worst in the world' taxis tarnish national image "The vehicles are in shabby condition, the driver will take you if he likes your face - that is, if he agrees with where you want to go for the price he insists on." -AFP Air travel nosedives in India as costs rise The sharp escalation in fares this year has resulted in fewer people flying in India, with the July-September period being the leanest for air travel in the country. -BT New Sats catering facility to target budget airlines This dedicated low-cost inflight catering facility will provide an alternative platform that complements Sats' conventional airline catering. -ST Deepavali light-up starts this weekend Come Saturday, Little India will be covered in festive lights and colourful decorations to mark the lead-up to Deepavali on Oct 27. -ST $35m for Marina Bay waterfront promenade This part of the promenade will have a granite-paved upper level promenade and a lower level timber boardwalk with water-taxi landing points and berthing points for boats incorporated. -BT Tiger flies high, plans to boost fleet SIA, Jetstar Asia also do well in a tough year for airlines worldwide. -ST Aussie pub dares patrons to bare all down under Women who take part in "No Undie Sundie" get $57 worth of free drinks. -Reuters S'pore tourism to slow despite new F1 race A weak global economy and sagging financial markets will put the brakes on the industry. -Reuters Tough China travel rules limit visitors to Taiwan Tourist headcount an average of just several hundred people per day. -Reuters More flights between S'pore and Japan New agreement will nearly double the number of passenger flights that S'pore carriers can operate to Tokyo. -AsiaOne The bigger the better? The biggest burger, the loftiest lobster, and a Guinness record-sized restaurant - here's a list of unusual largest things in the world, some created in a bid to attract travellers for an interesting stop-off. -Reuters 'Airports now highly secured' With the deployment of General Operations Force (PGA) personnel. -NST Tourism groups join opposition to porn bill They called it a reckless move on the part of the House of Representatives because the DPR had failed to accommodate the aspirations of the pluralistic cultures in Indonesia. -The Jakarta Post, ANN 8 hurt on Bali flight Eight Taiwanese have been hospitalised on Bali after a China Airlines jumbo jet hit severe turbulence en route to the Indonesian holiday island. -AFP To Singapore with love Filipinos dish out effusive praise to S'pore and name some places worth checking out. -Philippine Daily Inquirer, ANN Australia's Qantas says A380 arrival heralds new era Company hopeful that its arrival will boost the Australian carrier. -AFP Europe in a whiz Chase away those Monday blues. Explore the diverse cultures, cuisines, landscapes and architecture of Europe through a selection of images from Lonely Planet's latest book. -AsiaOne Hong Kong China visa curbs "to go next month" Tightened security measures for the Beijing Olympics were criticised by business groups as costly and cumbersome. -Reuters BA suspends Pakistan flights after hotel bombing At least 60 were killed when a suicide attacker rammed a massive truck bomb into the gates of the Marriott. -AFP Balancing faith and duty Muslim Air Traffic Controllers in KLIA juggle between the fasting period of Ramadan, and ensuring the safe departure and arrival of aircraft. -NST A home sweet home with paying guests Teluk Ketapang, which has hosted many foreign tourists, will represent Terengganu for the National Homestay awards in M'sia. -NST 'Steep, steep, steep and scary' Singapore Paralympic gold medallist Yip Pin Xiu is not easily put off by tough challenges, but a 40-minute trip up the newly 'disabled-friendly' Great Wall last week left her muttering those words. -ST 11 European tourists kidnapped in Egypt Area of kidnapping is a desert plateau famous for prehistoric cave paintings, featured in the film "The English Patient". -AFP Las Vegas sexed up Casinos making a dramatic shift from the 1990s, when the city tried to clean up its image to attract families. -Reuters Luxury terminal upbeat despite $4m loss JetQuay expects turnaround after cutting charges and scrapping membership fees. -ST China lifts visa curbs Singaporeans headed to China on short trips of 15 days or less no longer need visas from today. -ST City skyline to get new night glow A new city skyline will arise over the next couple of years when 23 buildings turn on the lights at night. -ST Fewer S'pore tourists head for Thailand Plunge in number of new bookings and rise in number of cancellations since start of political crisis. -ST SIA Hong Kong flights cancelled, rescheduled Inclement weather conditions in HK caused by Typhoon Hagupit. -AsiaOne Changi a student's paradise When it comes time for the O levels, students make a beeline for the airport. No, they are not running away from exams, but rather, heading for the latest study haven - Terminal 3. -ST Web TV to net more tourists for Malaysia Country expects an increase of 10 million tourist arrivals next year, after initiative is launched. -The Star S'pore unlikely to meet tourism target: officials Visitor arrivals in August fell 7.7 per cent compared with a year earlier, said STB. -AFP 200 tourists stranded on railway to Machu Picchu Forest fires caused by local farmers burning their pastures resulted in the rail disruptions. -AFP Gutted hotel just beyond deadly reach - till now The success of the attack on Islamabad's Marriott must be on the minds of every building security officer in Asia. -ST Beach sex trial highlights Dubai's cultural divide Reports often show hapless foreigners falling foul of local laws that strictly control drinking and ban homosexuality or kissing in public. -Reuters Wake up to a 'gentle sunrise' in the hotel room of the future Philips and Fairmount Singapore team up to launch Asia's first Ambient Experience Concept Suite. -AsiaOne Tiger offers 50,000 free seats