Author: Pappu

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Asia TOURISM NEWS

Bali mulls mountain-climbing ban to curb indecent behaviour by tourists

In its latest crackdown on misbehaving visitors, Bali has suggested a ban on mountain climbing.The planned prohibition is part of Bali Governor Wayan Koster’s aim to reduce debauchery on the island.


Following a string of rude occurrences involving nudity, visitors may now be refused entry to sunrise hikes on Mount Batur and 21 other summits.


According to CNN, Koster announced the mountain-climbing ban with “immediate effect” at a news conference on May 31. The prohibition is said to apply to both inhabitants and visitors, except during religious activities.


Under Koster’s suggestion, tourists visiting Bali might soon be given instructions on how to dress modestly and conduct responsibly at holy areas.


However, tourism minister SandiagaUnoi subsequently stated that the plan was still under consideration and would need to be authorized by the local government, according to the UK publication The Independent.


A Russian influencer was deported last year after posing nude on a historic holy tree. Another traveler was detained in March when a semi-naked photo of him on Mount Agung went viral.


In June, a mountain hiking trip operator told National Geographic that he had not yet noticed any changes on the terrain.


Other steps to limit harmful and rude visitor behavior have already been implemented on the island.
Following a string of traffic violations by foreigners, officials stopped visitors from hiring motorcycles earlier this year. Instead, visitors are now urged to hire vehicles.


However, controversial plans to outlaw extramarital sex in Indonesia will not apply to foreigners.

Categories
EUROPE TOURISM NEWS

Croatia tourism revenue surpasses pre-Covid figures

According to the Croatian Ministry of Tourism, more than 9 million tourists visited Croatia this year. This amount represents a 12% increase over 2022.


It indicates that tourism revenues are higher than they were in 2019, when travelers almost vanished owing to COVID.


The explanation, according to the Zagreb government, is simple: Croatia entered the eurozone and the Schengen zone at the beginning of this year.


“The eurozone made everything easier for tourists. They don’t have to look for exchange offices, don’t need to check the rates,” says Antonio Miskovic who works at one of the biggest yacht clubs in the Adriatic.


But it’s not such good news for locals, though.


“I think for people who live here, it was a big change. They’re still trying to adapt to the new prices.”


Many sellers in Trogir, a popular tourist destination, said they don’t accept the ministry’s estimates. They claim that there are at least 20% to 30% fewer tourists than previous year.


Inflation is causing problems for many Croats. It peaked at 13.5% in November of last year, and while it has progressively declined, there was a rise in January when Croatia moved to the euro. It has now stabilized at 7.6 percent.


With tourism contributing for 20% of Croatia’s GDP, the country’s success is critical.


For the time being, though, there appears to be a significant gap between what residents believe and what the numbers reveal.

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TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY NEWS

Insider of Tourism Finance Corporation ups 14 percent

By an insider, the biggest single purchase, in the last twelve months, was when Koppara Thomas, Non-Executive Non-Independent Director, bought 81m worth of shares at a price of 80.73 per share. Therefore it’s apparent that at around the current price, an insider wanted to buy, which is 86.85. It’s needless to say that they may have altered their minds. However, this suggests that they are hopeful.


At well below current prices, if someone buys shares, then it’s a positive sign in terms of balance, however, do remember that they may no longer notice the value. For the share holders of the Tourism Finance Corporation of India, the good news is that an insider was buying at the closest current prices. Koppara Thomas was the only individual insider to buy in the last year.


In the last 12 months, Koppara Thomas purchased 1.02m shares. These shares were bought at an average price of ₹80.76. One can see a visual representation of insider transactions at the chart in the last 12 months. If anyone clicks on the chart, they can see all the transactions done individually, comprising the individual, share price, and the date as well!


There are many stocks always that insiders are buying all the time. Therefore, if that suits their style they can check each stock one by one.

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Asia TOURISM NEWS

UNWTO director talks about tourism initiatives

At the PATA Destination Experience Forum & Expo 2023, while attending an interview, the Director of the Regional Department for Asia Pacific, Harry Huang, shared his thoughts and viewpoints. It was arranged in Kuching, Sarawak. With the representative of the UNWTO, Huang talked about the implication of the event, initiatives of the UNWTO in Asia, and the disputes as well as chances that lie in tourism.


About the PATA Destination Experience Forum, Huang showed his enthusiasm by highlighting the significance of such meetings after the global emergency that the sector encountered. He highlighted the
exclusivity of the destination and its offerings related to culture and gastronomy, underlining the vital role of gracious locals in making the attraction complete.


The initiatives of UNWTO in Asia


When questioned about the initiatives of UNWTO in Asia, Huang emphasized the significance of sustainability into the sector. He mentioned that sustainability is no longer an alternative but a need of the hour. UNWTO is all set to help the member countries in expanding policies related to sustainable tourism and plans through their project. In the project – Tourism for SDG – it aligns with the United Nations’ 17 Sustainable Development Goals, aiming on eliminating food shortage, sinking disparity, and making inclusive development a certain thing.

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TRAVEL DESTINATION NEWS TRAVEL NEWS TRAVEL TRENDS AND FOCUS

Iran presents lucrative prospects in water tourism

Ali-Shalbafian, the Iranian deputy tourism minister, launched a huge water park in the course of his stay to Yasuj, the capital of Kohgiluyeh-Boyerahmad area in the southwest of Iran.


In this huge investment plan, direct employment has been generated for around 150 people, said Shalbafian. In an expanse of 6,200 square meters, this water park is the largest of its kind in southwest Iran.


Notwithstanding its dry climate, Iran’s tourism segment has strived to lift hydro tourism or water tourism in current times.


Located amid the Caspian Sea from the north, and the Persian Gulf as well as the Sea of Oman in the south, Iran is a select place when it comes to water tourism. It is home to plentiful spas, cascades, rivers, islands, and natural springs.


Water tourism includes visiting places precisely to join in water-based doings. This division of tourism often comprises lively chases, and water tourists go to islands and shore areas to enjoy more stress-free
recreations like diving or swimming.

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Asia TOURISM NEWS

The Philippines President stresses on the role of tourism in luring FDI

The President of the Philippines, Ferdinand Marcos Jr. emphasized the role of tourism for luring more foreign direct investments in the country.


Marcos said this during the courtesy call of this year’s Very Important Pinoy (VIP) tour contributors at the Heroes Hall in Malacañang Palace.


Marcos said that it has become a widespread program and they have put a lot of importance on their tourism sector and investment not only in the Philippines but also overseas.

Marcos said that it plays a part in the alteration of the Philippines’ economy, and tourism plays a substantial part in that. He added that foreign direct investments coming in positively play a considerable part in that, and they look to Filipinos not only in the Philippines but universally around the world.


Initiated by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in association with the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Rajah Tours, the VIP tour is presented to Filipino- Americans along with their families and friends.

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EUROPE Travel Event News

SITE returns to Slovenia for a summer incentive summit

SITE’s Incentive Summit Europe, boutique by choice and intimate by design,has just been hosted in Ljubljana, Slovenia, where over 60 incentive travel professionals experienced a highly innnovative program of networking, education and destination immersion.

SITE challenged its in-country hosts to think outside the box and deliver a series of destination experiences reflecting the macro-trends impacting our industry – concerns around sustainability and belonging, diversity, equity and inclusion. Host committee member Boštjan Horjak, CEO, Liberty Adriatic DMC, commented, “As a long-time proponent, I was delighted with the forensic focus on sustainability during our day at the Brdo Estate and with the reaction we got to our “city tours” that focused on homelessness, feminism and the circular economy.”

“Incentive Summit Europe is now an established fixture along with Incentive Summit Americas in SITE’s annual calendar of events. Our focus with the incentive summit series is on quality and innovation – quality relationships, quality learning experiences, quality destination immersion and innovation in program design and implementation. Following two springtime events in Switzerland, this year’s event was hosted in Slovenia, building on the enduring memories and great friendships forged there during our Executive Summit back in 2017,” said SITE CEO Annette Gregg, MBA, CMM.

“We’re delighted to have hosted Incentive Summit Europe in Ljubljana and to have been able to highlight the great hotel and venue developments that have taken place since SITE was last here in 2017. The new 5 star properties in Ljubljana bring additional levels of scale and luxury to our destination, cementing its suitability for discerning incentive qualifiers” said Fredi Fontanot, Acting Director of the Slovenian Convention Bureau.

Besides discovering Slovenia’s capital, participants were charmed by the fairytale Alpine Lake Bled and by a day’s immersion in the Brdo Estate, where a panel discussion on sustainability resonated deeply with all participants.

Incentive Summit Europe’s 2024 edition will take place in Andermatt, Switzerland.

Categories
EUROPE European Travel News

At popular destinations in France, government is limiting tourism

If a holiday to Europe is a part of any of your plans for the summer, you might want to understand this before you buy purchase tickets. As restrictions related to travel have been raised since pandemic, many people have started exploring places and take that much-needed rest and relaxation over there.


If we look at France in particular, the country has witnessed a major rise in tourist numbers since the pandemic, so much so that its government is in fact requesting the locals to stop going to some natural places within the country.

France’s minister of tourism, Olivia Grégoire, said to Le Figaro, the French newspaper, saying that the huge flow of people at some of the most popular spots of France were creating issues to the surroundings, the quality of life for the locals and the experiences for its visitors.


As you’d consider that for economy, the sector would be a good thing, the huge rush of crowds have not boosted the economy, as tourists at these locations may only hang about for a short period of time without spending much in various local eateries or hotels. However, to fragile ecosystems, over tourism has proved quite destructive, deteriorating soil and the roots and wildlife.

Categories
American Travel News TRAVEL NEWS

Oklahoma tourism department promoting state parks

The Oklahoma Tourism Department is heartening up the local resident to conquer the heat by spending time at the best beaches, watering holes, and caves in the state.


Now is the time to find out the wonderful beaches and unforeseen places within the state parks in Oklahoma, said the executive director, Shelley Zumwalt. These unseen gems are respected by visitors and locals in the same way. Shelley added that anyone might love the cascading waterfalls or the tranquil ambiance of watering holes, there are tons of options to cook off and say goodbye to the heat.


There are three parks of interest in Western and Northwestern Oklahoma. From Enid they are within a short driving distance that is listed in a press release of the tourism department about close by places where people can cool off this summer.


Gage Artesian Beach is a natural swimming hole that is located in Gage town. It has cement-lined walls with a sandy-beach bottom.


From Enid off to US 412 and Oklahoma, it’s located about two hours drive. Once, these mineral-laden waters acted as major cure ailments for everyone, and in the 1920s and 30s, the Artesian Beach spent time as a popular health resort. In 1917, a group of people struck water and the rest is history.

Categories
Asia TOURISM NEWS

Vietnam – The most searched place in 2023

In the world during the first half of 2023, Việt Nam was the seventh most searched travel destination on internet as per Google Destination Insights.

In the first five months of 2023, the country welcomed more than 5.5 million visitors and majority of them were from India, China, and South Korea.


From August 15 th , changes in the visa policy of Việt Nam would increase its visitor arrival by the end of 2023, said the director of Check-in Asia travel agency in Kuala Lumpur, Gary Bowerman, based in Malaysia.


Countries which Việt Nam has waived visa requirements, citizens from those can stay up to 45 days as an alternative to 15 that was fixed earlier, and international tourists with Vietnamese e-visas can go into and out of the country numerous times.


The chairman of Rustic Hospitality Group, Bobby Nguyễn, said that Facebook, Google’s promotion pages, Tik Tok and travel communities also play an important vital behind promoting the country.


Fuse Hotels & Travel owner, Max Lambert, said that the tourism of Vietnam is reviving post-pandemic, highlighting the rising bookings numbers in his hotel to the levels of the pre-pandemic times.


However, in Việt Nam, tourism revival post-pandemic is still sluggish compared to Thailand and other travel hubs, so added initiations are required to shore up the travel industry.