Asia Vacations - Travel, Tourism - Info & Review

 Morimoto Asia restaurant opens today at the freshly renamed Disney Springs, but last night I had a serious flashback to the previous tenant, the late, at-times-great Mannequins Dance Palace, a casualty of the retheming of Downtown Disney. The moment was not as shocking as I anticipated. In fact, I had been seated for about 10 minutes before I realized that I had parked myself where Mannequins' giant round dance floor spun for years. The transformation is so drastic that I had lost track of where I was. At Morimoto Asia, you can't help but notice the elaborate and long light fixtures coming down from the ceiling. You might remember a smoke machine or confetti shooter firing from up there, going off at key moments in the dance music back in the day. Style points definitely to the new guys. The spinning floor, of course, has been removed. Rotating and dining aren't the best partners. Other very noticeable changes include a moved entrance and a grand stairway

TripAdvisor's Stephen Kaufer says 'the more we know about you, the better we can do'. Picture: BloombergSource: Bloomberg The world's largest travel review company, TripAdvisor, wants to roll out its much-vaunted instant hotel booking platform over mobile devices in Australia and use its purchase of the nation's largest online restaurant booking group to help it expand in Asia. The US-based company's chief executive, Stephen Kaufer, said the acquisition this year of Dimmi, the online restaurant reservation company backed by Telstra and Village Roadshow, meant Trip­Advisor had a new base to drive its restaurant reservations offerings in the region. "We certainly hope to use Australia as a bit of a base to further expand into Asia,'' Mr Kaufer told The Australian in an interview from the group's Boston headquarters. "We think consumers around the world will be making their restaurant reservations online in the not too distant fu

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and Paralympics may still be five years away, but the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) is already making plans to reap the rewards years after the world's largest sporting event comes to town. "London and Barcelona were both successful on building their tourism sectors after hosting the Olympic Games and we are hoping to follow in London's footsteps," Shuichi Kameyama, executive director of JNTO's inbound promotion department, told TTG Asia e-Daily."I expect to keep our momentum in the run-up to 2020 and to use that time to build up our tourism infrastructure, both in terms of hardware and software. I think that Japanese people will become more used to interacting with foreign visitors and the industry will become more skilled," he said. "This will help to improve the overall experience of visitors and enable us to kick on after 2020." Speaking exclusively with TTG Asia e-Daily at the Visit

While room rates may continue to fall amid the currency war in Asia, Hotel.com Asia-Pacific head Abhiram Chowdhry sees it as an opportunity to boost demand. Photo: Edmond So A weaker yuan might hurt in the short term but won't pose a big problem for Asia's hotel industry as Chinese outbound travel demand is still increasing amid Asia's currency war, an industry veteran said. "This is just a small change. I don't think it has a big impact," said Abhiram Chowdhry, Asia-Pacific vice-president of Hotels.com a leading online accommodation booking website. "In the short term, mainland travellers do become more cost cautious and hotel prices may go down, but the number of travellers is still growing." In its latest report, the China Tourism Academy predicts a 16 per cent rise in Chinese outbound trips this year, compared with the 19 per cent growth seen last year. "The yuan has recently devalued, but there have been other currencies tha

PHNOM PEHN, CAMBODIA — For Cambodian farmer Chea Sophanny, life is more bountiful since he connected with a Canadian-backed charity offering agricultural, sanitary and safe water aid in developing countries. Brushing back his James Dean shock of black hair, the energetic 35-year-old smiles broadly as he welcomes foreign visitors to his home — a new metal roof, a pair of fat lounging cattle and scattered free-range chickens testifying to the benefits of branching out from the traditional rural Cambodian practice of small-plot subsistence rice farming. "Before, it was difficult. But now it's gotten a lot better," he says in Khmer through an interpreter while showing off his new cucumber field, surrounded by rice paddies, behind the family home. A just-plowed empty plot nearby represents his vegetable expansion project. "With the extra income, I've expanded my plot as well as built a fence around my house and a new roof. I also bought some chickens and oth

Photo courtesy VisitBritain Insight Vacations rolled out its new Luxury Gold Collection for 2016 and 2017. The new collection includes eight new programs out of more than 30 itineraries in Europe, the Americas and Asia, including Bhutan, Nepal and India. The Luxury Gold Collection is Insight's way of tapping into the growing demand for luxury product throughout the industry. Insight has historically positioned itself as a premium brand in a niche between the mass-market operators and the top tier of luxury travel. The Luxury Gold Collection aims to push that envelope on the upper end. The product line is distinguished with high-end hotels, increased focus on culinary experiences and Michelin-recognized restaurants, special access experiences, Wi-Fi-equipped luxury motorcoaches, expert guides and personal airport pickup and delivery.   The new itineraries for 2016 include: French Elegance with Monaco Extension is a 16-day program that includes visits to Normandy, Britt

More Asian multinational companies are cutting down on local TMCs in favour of a centralised global corporate travel management system for greater convenience and savings. Singapore-based Applied Materials South East Asia awarded its travel management contract to Carlson Wagonlit Travel (CWT) in November last year and is now using a call centre in Poland. The company's regional travel manager of global travel services, Winnie Liew, told TTGmice e-Weekly that using CWT helped because many of her travellers head to the US where they fly on Southwest Airlines whose "best deals can't be purchased in Asia". "We need a lot of non-GDS carrier content, especially for Southwest Airlines in the US," Liew explained. "This prompted staff to buy direct from the airline's website and as a result we lost track of our travellers." She added: "Furthermore, our people move from country to country so there are a lot of challenges in profil

Asia Sales for BoPaul Media Worldwide's Bikini Destinations By Joel Marino Published: September 22, 2015 LOS ANGELES: BoPaul Media Worldwide has clinched two territory sales in Asia for the exotic travel series Bikini Destinations. The 55x30-minute series from Bennett Productions was licensed to Fox Life in India, a Fox International channel covering South Asian countries such as Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Seychelles and Myanmar. Additionally, Metropolis Television picked up the mobile and internet rights for the series in Malaysia and Indonesia. Bikini Destinations is a weekly reality series that follows five women as they travel the globe seeking out new cultures, adventures and nightlife. Episodes of the show's fifth season have been distributed in more than 125 countries. Source: Asia Sales for BoPaul Media Worldwide's Bikini Destinations

Having just spent the last two weeks in Asia -- China and Japan, specifically -- discussing the impact of imbalance with employees at multi-national corporations, I was struck by the lack of conversations taking place about the impact of economic development on the very humans who drive much of the world's growth. Issues like stress and burnout, traditional diversity as well as diversity in work styles -- and the impact the lack of these conversations is having on local workforces. It's no secret that employees in Asia work very hard. Ask anyone at a multi-national company in this region of the world how dedicated their teammates are, and they will smile and share a story or two: stories of super-human workweeks and sleeping at the office. In Japan, there's even a word that translates to "death from overwork": Karōshi. For "traditional white collar" workers in Asia, Western countries' concept

After the opening of the Myawaddy-Thinggan Nyenaung-Kawkareik section of the Asian Highway Network that connects India and Thailand via Myanmar, many are intrigued about the other routes which come under the Asia Highway (AH) Network. Here are seven routes that you probably didn't know of which passed through India. 1. AH42 – China-Nepal-India Google Maps 3,754 kilometres long, this Asian highway is the nearest to Mount Everest. The route passes through China, Nepal and India and connects Lanzhou, the capital of  Gansu Province, China to Barhi in Jharkhand. 2. AH43 – Agra- Matara, Sri Lanka Google Maps Did you know that you could drive to Sri Lanka easily? Well, the AH43 connects Agra to Matara in Sri Lanka. The 3,042 km route through Agra (AH1), Gwalior (AH47), Nagpur (AH46), Hyderabad and Bangalore (AH45, AH47), Madurai. The road briefly ends at Rameswaram before starting in Sri Lanka at Talaimannar and passes through Mannar, Anuradhapura, Dambulla (AH44), Kuruneg

CAIRO: Al Azhar University in Egypt is famed for being one of the leading Islamic educational institutions which has been attracting students from across the globe for decades. One of the oldest educational institutions in the world, the university is considered one of the most prestigious Islamic universities with more than 300,000 students studying there. Among the many tens of thousands who enter its doors are students from different parts of Asia, including Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand. The students are interested in learning Arabic and Islamic teachings, among other professions and specialities. "The mission is international, we have a duty towards all Muslims all over the world," said Dr Abdel Dayam Nossir, the advisor of the Grand Imam of Al Azhar for Education and Cultural Affairs. "We are the only university that provides free education to everybody regardless of their nationality in Islamic and Arabic studies." Among the international student

Traveler profiles and markets in Asia are anything but easy to understand which is why it's important for travel data companies like ADARA to continue refining their abilities to help the travel industry better understand the region. — Dan Peltier Each week we create a roundup of travel startups that have received or announced funding that week. The total amount raised this week was $455.9 million. Here are four companies that announced they raised funding this week, listed in order by the highest amount raised. See previous roundups here. >BlaBlaCar raised $200 million in a Series D investment round led by Insight Venture Partners and Lead Edge Capital with the participation of Vostok New Ventures. BlaBlaCar is a ride-sharing website that connects drivers with empty seats and paying passengers to offset travel costs. It has more than 20 million members and operates in 19 countries including several in Europe, Russia, Turkey, Mexico and India. This latest fun

Niloufar Ardalan, the captain of the Iranian women's futsal team. Photograph: Facebook The captain of an Iranian women's football team is to miss a forthcoming Asian championships because her husband would not allow her to renew her passport. In a case highlighting Iran's discriminatory law that requires married women to have permission from their husband before travelling abroad, Niloufar Ardalan, 30, will not be able to join teammates for the AFC Women's Futsal Championship, an important showcase event in her 19-year career as a footballer. "This is the first time such Asian championships are held and I had participated in all training camps by the national team," Ardalan told Iran's Nasim Online news agency. "But I will miss the tournament because my husband is opposed to me travelling abroad." The inaugural tournament, to be held in Malaysia next week, brings together Asia's best female players of futsal, a variant of five-a-si

Singapore Airlines' newest international sale features travel to several Asian cities, including Denpasar, Manila, Seoul, and Tokyo; plus to Frankfurt, Germany. Fares start at $350 each way (shown as $700 round-trip below) and include all taxes and fees. Travel (and restrictions) varies by route from now through the last day of the year. Round-trip travel is required. Singapore Airline's latest sale features travel to several Asian destinations, including Cambodia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vie ... more Singapore Airlines' newest international sale features travel to several Asian cities, including Denpasar, Manila, Seoul, and Tokyo; plus to Frankfurt, Germany. Fares start at $350 each way (shown as $700 round-trip below) and include all taxes and fees. Travel (and restrictions) varies by route from now through the last day of the year. Round-trip travel is required. Singapore Airline's latest sale features travel to several Asian destinations, including Cambo

Africa is lauded as the destination of a lifetime by those fortunate enough to visit on safari -- and perhaps equally feared by those who read headlines about war, disease and misfortune.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Is there anywhere in the world that's as misunderstood as Africa? Lauded as the destination of a lifetime by those fortunate enough to visit on safari — and perhaps equally feared by those who read blistering headlines about war, disease and misfortune — Africa is the subject of many misconceptions and generalizations. Here are five we should put to rest. 1. Africa is really one country. Amazing as this may sound to seasoned travelers, this is a remarkably common misconception, in part because Africa is often spoken of as a single place. "Africa is in fact a continent, the second largest on the planet after Asia," says Rumit Mehta, the Kenyan-born CEO and founder of Immersion Journeys, which takes travelers to both East and West Africa.

Five years ago, the majority of expats in Asia were Westerners on short-term assignments with multinational corporations that offered generous housing, schooling and travel packages. They came for the experience and compensation, and knew they would leave. That profile is changing significantly, especially in the more developed economies of Singapore, Hong Kong and China. Only around 30% to 40% of the expat population in these parts of the region fits this description now, according to Lee Quane, Hong Kong-based regional director of ECA International, a company that helps corporations manage expat assignments. The trend started soon after the 2007 global financial crisis as companies, forced to cut costs, began reducing expat packages. Advertisement At that time, expats were sent largely by multinationals to set up operations: open offices, train and transfer knowledge, protect companies from corruption and standardize corporate cultures. Since then, markets such as Hong

This month Asia Frontier Capital's analyst Scott Osheroff traveled through Mongolia. Scott visited one of the largest tanneries in Mongolia: Darkhan Nekhii which is listed on the Mongolia Stock Exchange "MSE". Gobi Cashmere is the largest cashmere company in Mongolia and also listed on the Mongolia Stock Exchange. In line with our process of covering frontier countries from the ground, this month AFC's Regional Investment Analyst, Scott Osheroff, recounts his recent travels through Mongolia. It is 6am in Ulaanbaatar and just out my apartment window the sound of steel rebar being positioned into the beginnings of a 30-storey skyscraper has become my regular alarm clock. With eyes half open, I peer out the window. The construction site is already a hive of activity as the distant sunrise slowly illuminates the newly opened Shangri-La Hotel (OTCPK:SHALF) (OTCPK:SHALY) across the street. With the blunt hammering of progress pounding its way into

From the bespectacled to the bubbly, the daunting to the daring, Asia's Buddhas are among its most extraordinary cultural, artistic, and of course, spiritual attractions. With this in mind, the members of travel website Trippy.com offer their favorite places to pay homage. Did we miss one of your favorite Buddhas? Let us know on Trippy.com! © Santorini/Dollar Photo Club 1. Leshan Giant Buddha, Mount Emei Scenic Area; Sichuan, China Talk about looking good for your age. The unofficial granddaddy of the Buddha world, this statue was carved in the 8th century and is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At an amazing 233 ft. tall he's currently the largest Buddha on the planet. © yann&bernard Anceze/Dollar Photo Club 2. Shwemyethman Paya; Shwedaung, Myanmar If you thought Harry Potter was the first to wear oversized round glasses, think again. Known as the "Buddha with the Golden Spectacles," this Buddha has bee

Tokyo's Ueno Zoo is sending an endangered lemur on an extended romantic vacation to the British Isles. Ala, a female aye-aye, will spend her "extended break" at a facility where it is hoped she will enjoy a fling with a male of the species. The loan for breeding purposes is intended to preserve the genetic diversity of the primate, which is native to Madagascar. "We hope that Ala gives birth to healthy babies and will deliver happy news to us," a Ueno Zoological Gardens official said. Ala is set to leave Japan on Sept. 10 after Ueno Zoo clinched a deal with the Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust, based in Jersey, an island in the English Channel. The aye-aye is a small, nocturnal primate found only in the rainforest of Madagascar. It is about 40 centimeters long and has a long tail and big ears. The species faces a high risk of extinction because of deforestation. According to Ueno Zoo, 51 aye-ayes were being kept at facilities worldwide as of A

While China's volatile economy has raised concerns about business and business travel to the country, other nations throughout Asia are seeing solid demand for meetings and events. At IMEX Frankfurt earlier this summer, IMR spoke with Ping He, global general manager for Asia Pacific Markets at Maritz Travel, about the state of Asia's MICE industry. Asia has become the epicenter for what's coming up in the world right now, Ping He began, citing what she called the Four Small Dragons: Japan, Singapore, Korea and Hong Kong. On top of that, Indonesia is upcoming, she noted, as is Malaysia, "because it's so affordable and has the best luxury hotels at the most affordable prices." Maritz has also seen strong demand for Kuala Lumpur.  Maritz 2015 - Ping He interview from International Meetings Review on Vimeo. "Ever since we decided to go global, we look at Asia Pacific's roughly 60 countries and we divide into three tiers. Tier one is the m

Anantara Vacation Club has appointed Ivy Chee as Director of Marketing Alliances – Travel & Leisure and Paul Lim as Director of Marketing Alliances. As Director of Marketing Alliances – Travel & Leisure, Ivy Chee will seek out new opportunities for Anantara Vacation Club to develop partnerships with travel agencies, tour operators, attractions, luxury travel networks and others. She will also work to evolve Anantara Vacation Club's dynamic digital platform.  Ivy has a diverse background in the global travel industry with a focus on Asia. She previously served as the Regional Director – East Asia for PATA where she cultivated both public and private sectors partners within the tourism industry. Paul Lim will serve as the Director of Marketing Alliances and will be based out of Anantara Vacation Club's corporate office in Bangkok.  Paul has more than ten years of industry experience developing strategic affiliate marketing programs and partnerships, most recen

Bengaluru, Sep 08, 2015, DHNS: The 38th Pacific Asia Travel Mart Meet 2015 exhibition centre came alive with cultural performances, beating of drums and music on Monday.After inaugurating the event, Union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister Ananth Kumar danced along with the karaga and Yakshagana artistes. The delegates, ministers and international guests, too, were seen tapping their feet. Around 1,000 delegates from 57 countries were accorded a red carpet welcome with folk performances. The Mysore Dasara dolls of the Wadiyar army and stone statues were seen en route to the centre. A replica of a bogie of the Gold en Chariot train and the wine-tasting stall were some of the highlights of the event. The Maharaja darbar at the entrance of the exhibition centre was the star attraction. People were seen posing near the royal throne for photographs. Apart from attending to clients at the 350 booths, they were seen indulging in various activities like stamping postcards at the Korea