by Roy -

Nikita Garia is a blogger and contributes articles for The Wall Street Journal

At first glance, members of India’s business community may not appear to be mad about fitness, but a new survey of Asian business travelers says Indians are the most likely to seek out fitness centers and spas while on the road for work.

French hotel operator Accor carried out an  online survey between the end of June and early July of business travelers from seven Asia-Pacific countries that included Australia, China, Indonesia, Singapore, New Zealand, Thailand and India. Hong Kong, though part of China, was surveyed as a separate region. About 10, 000 people responded to the survey, which asked them about their travel habits in the first half of 2011.

Of the roughly 500 Indians who took the survey, 85 % claimed they went to the fitness centers in the hotels they stayed in and 64% said they utilized the spa facilities in those hotels. This was way above the average for the Asia Pacific region  as a whole – 76 % and 53 % respectively. Overall Asian road warriors seem to care about working out – Thai travelers were the least likely to use hotel gyms, but even 71% of them said they used the fitness centers.

The survey also found that India was second only to China when it came to the frequency of business travel. In India, executives across all levels made an average of 7.3 business trips each in the first half of the year, while in China, the average number of trips was 8.7.

Among Indian respondents, the overwhelming majority — 93% — of travelers were male. India had the lowest share of female respondents of the countries surveyed.  This was rather low considering that “one out of four business travelers in Asia were female, ” said Evan Lewis, Accor’s Asia-Pacific spokesman, while talking about the findings in New Delhi on Wednesday.

A fifth of Indian respondents belonged to the manufacturing sector, compared to 15% for the survey as a whole, followed by retail and finance. “Surprisingly, the travelers belonging to the manufacturing sector in India was more than the average in Asia, ” said Mr. Lewis.

When it came to choosing a hotel, 27% of Indians preferred to stay in those hotels where they had previously stayed, while 22% cared about the hotel’s brand name. “Indians are less brand-conscious and give more importance to their past experience, ” said Mr. Lewis.

Singapore and Thailand were the top destinations for Indian business travelers. According to the survey, 51 % of Indian travelers visited Singapore at least once in the previous six months and 38 % traveled to Thailand for work.

Nikita Garia

25 Aug 2011

http://blogs.wsj.com/indiarealtime/2011/08/25/what-the-indian-business-traveler-wants/

Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 214 user reviews.

[ | | | | ]

by Roy -

Foreign tourists brought a dose of economic relief to Spain this summer, making it one of the best years ever for the sector which is helping keep the indebted country afloat.

“Spain had one of the best summers in its history for tourism, ” the government said in a statement.

“In the months of July, August and September, 20.9 million international tourists visited our country, which indicates an 8.5 percent increase compared to summer last year.”

In 2011 up to September, the country received 45.8 million tourists, eight percent more than during the same period last year, the tourism ministry statement added.

Britons were the most numerous among these, while large proportions also came from Germany, The Netherlands and France.

The tourism industry benefited early this year as unrest in popular sunspots such as Tunisia and Egypt caused tourists to switch to Spain, and an economic recovery in Germany and other key markets prompted more holidays.

 The Canary Islands, Spain

The Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean, which offers all-in packages like those available at resorts in Tunisia and Egypt, saw the biggest jump in foreign tourist arrivals: 19.7 percent in January to September, to 7.4 million.

Tourism accounts for about 10 percent of Spain’s Gross Domestic Product, acting as a crutch for the country while the Bank of Spain is warning of near-stagnant growth and unemployment is at more than 20 percent.

Spain was the world’s fourth most-visited country last year, after France, the United States and China, according to the World Tourism Organisation.

“If we maintain for the rest of the year the overall trend observed up to September, we will end 2011 with about 57 million international tourists visiting our country, ” the fourth best yearly count ever, the government said.

25 Oct 2011

http://travel.hindustantimes.com/travel-stories/spain-tourism-booms-despite-economic-gloom.php

 

Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 based on 169 user reviews.

[ | | | | ]

by Roy -

A view of The Grand Canyon, Arizona

Say goodbye to the United States of America.

Say hello to “the United States of Awesome Possibilities” as it looks to visitors from abroad to help lift it out of the economic doldrums.

By soft-pedaling patriotism, the newly-formed US national tourism board tasked with getting more tourists — and their money — onto US soil is reinventing the nation as a hip new land of diversity and possibilities.

“We’re rebranding America for the first time, ” said Jim Evans, chief executive of the Corporation for Travel Promotion, ahead of the World Travel Market that opened Monday in London.

“Over the last 10 or 12 years, people have seen America as unwelcoming as we’ve focused on security … and our competition (from other countries) is more fierce than it’s ever been before.”

The United States made $134.4 billion off international tourism in 2010, when a record 60 million tourists came to visit, according to figures from the US Commerce Department.

But the majority of those visitors came over the border from Canada and Mexico, including day trippers. Only six percent came from Britain, five percent from Japan, three percent from Germany and two percent from France.

The United States also trails France as the premier tourist destination — and it’s nowhere near tapping the full potential of the Asian market, after just 1.45 million Chinese and Indian visited last year.

Mindful that tourism already counts for 2.8 percent of gross domestic product and 7.52 million jobs, Washington sees the industry as a relatively fast and easy way to snap the economy out of its post-recession blues.

“The growing middle class in Asia is driving a lot of this, ” said Evans at the Corporation for Travel Promotion’s not-yet-fully-furnished offices in downtown Washington.

One hurdle has little to do with image, and everything to do with bureaucracy — a byzantine US visa application procedure that can take weeks to complete, including fingerprinting and interviews at an embassy or consulate.

Under a visa waiver scheme, most Western Europeans — plus Japanese and Australians — can avoid the byzantine process, but they still need to pay $14 to enter the United States.

“If we institute a smarter visa policy, we can create 1.3 million US jobs” and add $859 billion to the economy by 2020, Roger Dow, chief executive of the US Travel Association, representing the travel and tourism industry, has said.

Legislation passed in March 2010 set up the Corporation for Travel Promotion — which is renaming itself Brand USA — to spearhead marketing efforts which historically have been fragmented among individual states and businesses.

Central to that message is a pixelated “USA” logo, unveiled Monday in London and a world away from the Stars and Stripes, that is meant to represent what the corporation calls “the United States of Awesome Possiblities.”

“It is not about patriotism, flag-waving or chest-beating, ” says the corporation in a capsule explanation of the design. “It is meant to be welcoming, unexpected and inclusive.”

Full-fledged marketing campaigns are scheduled to begin in March next year, tailored to each market and focusing on the great outdoors, urban excitement, culture and “indulgence.”

“We have to rekindle the romance with the United States, ” Chris Perkins, chief marketing officer at the Corporation for Travel Promotion, told AFP.

“It pains me, as a proud American, but we’re viewed as arrogant and brash, and we’ve never been out there saying: ‘Please come’.”

http://travel.hindustantimes.com/travel-stories/awesome-united-states-angles-for-more-tourists.php

 

Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 based on 274 user reviews.

[ | | | | ]

by Roy -

This article is written by Capt Anup Murthy, an aviator, traveler and a noted travel writer, based in Singapore

I’d like to take some time off, maybe I’ll do that during the Holidays, to write about Thailand and Bangkok in particular. I know many things comes to one’s mind when one hears the word Bangkok. For some it is a place for fabulous and cheap (if you know where to go) shopping, for some it conjures up images of hundreds of Buddha temples and there are those who use Bangkok as a short stop, a transit point to go further to their favorite resorts of Thailand.

There’s a lot more to Bangkok than just the many number of notable temples, great shopping and night life. That surely deserves another blog where I can flog lots of photos that I have taken. There are trips that I have made as an extension to Bangkok, going by road to Ayutthaya in the North, the erstwhile capital of the Kingdom of Thailand to visit the archaeological sites there and then coming back to Bangkok on a long leisurely lunch cruise, in a large river boat, observing life along the river. I am of course talking of the famous Chao Phraya river. Chao Phraya river deserves a blog by itself, being the lifeline of Bangkok and forming an important transportation link as well. I’ll do justice to this later.

A view of the Chao Phraya River taken from top of Hilton

This blog shows a bit of this river, as seen from the top of Hilton Millennium Hotel, where I went for a meeting a few days back. The pictures show parts of Bangkok, a small part of it actually, because Bangkok is quite a large city and sprawled out. While I wait to blog about the details of Bangkok, I do suggest travelers to Thailand to take a couple of days off to visit this vibrant city and enjoy the myriad delights it has on offer. These photos are from my phone and not the greatest, hope you like them.

An important update about Visa On Arrival facilities in Thailand. Indians and citizens of various countries that are eligible for Visa on arrival facility can now apply for visa on arrival for free. There was a Thai Baht 1, 000 fee earlier and one needed to carry this amount in Thai Baht. That fee has been waived for all till March 2010 with the aim of encouraging tourism in Thailand. Other conditions of the visa on arrival still remain. One must fill up a simple form on arrival, have a valid/paid for return ticket, stick a pp size photograph and also demonstrate (in cash) that you have at least 10, 000 Baht for your stay or 20, 000 baht if you are traveling as family. equivalent amount in other convertible currencies is fine. Producing your Credit/Debit card will not help.  I took 1, 000 Baht with me this time without knowing that there was a waiver and they have put up bold signs at the visa on arrival counter that clearly mentions this fact.

To add: This info is for visa on arrival nationalities only. If you are from the USA, EU and other Visa waiver countries, you do not need to go through this process.

Once you come out of the Aircraft, you will find signs that say “Visa on Arrival” as you proceed towards immigration. First go to these counters and get the visa on arrival stamp on your passport (as mentioned above) and then go to immigration counters with this stamp on your passport along with the arrival/departure card (that the Airline gives you on board before arrival in Bangkok). After you clear immigration and get an entry stamp, you may proceed to baggage claim at the same level to get your baggage. Note that Visa on arrival takes time, especially if there are many applicants waiting. If there are any questions related to this, please ask me on this blog and I will try and address those based on what I know and experienced.

Capt Anup Murthy

4 Dec 2009

http://mymysore72.blogspot.com/search?updated-max=2010-06-19T01%3A58%3A00-07%3A00

Average Rating: 4.5 out of 5 based on 196 user reviews.

[ | | | | ]

by Roy -

Before going, certainly going on a trip it helps to know what make the run, stress-free experience. Learn how to avoid wasting precious vacation time and how to travel within your budget while and this certainly is while getting the actual most out of your vacation.

Join in travel or like something else an automobile club can, certainly can save you like as in yourself money on maps, hotels,  car rentals, visits to museums, fairs, exhibits, galleries businesses, etc. Creating an itinerary will, like actually will save money, time and headaches.

Some people think that, certainly that planning ahead of time takes the actual fun out of travelling and makes it less adventurous. Nothing could be, and really be further from the actual truth. Take note of this part, it pays to be prepared.

Create Travel itinerary

Determine how many as in lot days you like as in yourself will travel. Mark List of the actual towns and places you like as in yourself plan to visit. Road map find how many as in lot miles you like as in yourself have to travel between towns, calculate how much time it will, like actually will take to travel. record on your itinerary.

On the actual internet find points of interest you like as in yourself want to visit along the actual way. Look for museums, historical monuments,  national parks, state parks, fairs, exhibits, galleries, etc. Record on your itinerary. Decide which places you like as in yourself want to visit, how much time it will, like actually will take to visit and how much time it will, like actually will take to get there. Record on your itinerary.

Decide how far you like as in yourself want to travel every day. This determines where you like as in yourself will spend the actual night. Record towns on your itinerary.

Look for hotels at your destination on the actual internet. Wait to make reservations until your itinerary has been, actually been finalized. For each travel day record: where you like as in yourself will start the actual day how many as in lot miles you like as in yourself will travel which laces/events you like as in yourself will visit where you like as in yourself will spend the actual night? how much money you like as in yourself will spend that, certainly that day for food, lodging and events.

Review and revise your list. Make sure to keep this is in mind. Ask, will you like as in yourself have enough time to do all the actual things you like as in yourself want to d.ill you like as in yourself have enough vacationday.ake changes as well as necessary. Figure out your budget: add up the actual cost of hotels, events/activities/ how much money you like as in yourself will need for food, gas and fun spending.

Add up the actual total projected cost of your trip and make adjustments if you like as in yourself find that you like as in yourself are going, certainly going over your travel budget. After you like as in yourself have create.inal budget, make hotel reservations.

Take Copy of your tour itinerary and leave another copy at home for your family or like something else friends. Take note of this part, include the actual phone numbers of the actual lodgings where you like as in yourself will be, and really be staying so they know where to find you like as in yourself in case of an emergency.

Raj Aryan

25 Jun 2010

http://blogs.rediff.com/peoplefav/2010/06/25/how-to-travel-smart/

Average Rating: 4.9 out of 5 based on 266 user reviews.

[ | | | | ]

by Roy -

Geography and Territory

The Libyan territory, closed by political boundaries straights but not morphological, bordered to the the Mediterranean Sea (900 km), with Algeria and Tunisia to  with Chad and Niger, with  Sudan and Egypt. The country is mostly occupied by the Sahara. Sandy or gravelly east (desert Calanscio), dry and rocky south-west (and Murzuk Ubari), in the Fezzan desert, only along the Mediterranean coast has hills (Jebel Akhdar) and short, fertile plains (plain Jefara). Extreme south rise the mountains Tibesti (3000 m) and the plateau of the Tassili (1000 m). In Libya there are no permanent rivers, but only on a seasonal wadis. Appear within a few oasis of Kufra and those are the greatest Sabha.

Climate


The climate is extremely arid, characterized by high temperature, hot dry winds that blow from the desert and rare winter rains along the coast (max. 100 mm at the end of December). Summer is very hot along the coast, where the moisture can be very high, you reach 30 º C while in the south can be as high as 50 º C. In the desert the temperature between day and night is always remarkable.
In winter the average daytime are at 20 º -25 º C maximum and the night of 5 º / 6 º C and minimum of 0 º C with peaks in December and January. In winter the climate is cooler, however, much cooler along the coast where rainfall was the highest (100 mm) at the end of December. In the spring blows ghibli, a hot dry wind from the desert that can significantly raise the temperature.

Festivals and Traditions


National holidays are March 2 (foundation of the Jamahiriya), June 11 (anniversary of the evacuation of U.S. military base Wheelus Field), September 1 (Day of the Revolution, Tripoli, parades, marching bands and folkloric companies) and 26 October ( Day of mourning: all activity stops, public phones do not work and ferries, close the borders). In October Harvest Festival is held on the dates and at New Year festival in Ghadames to Ghat Tuareg (30th, 31 December and 1 January). Interesting is also the Feast of Qasr Kabaw held in April. Are observed all the Islamic holidays such as New Year’s Eve and the end of Ramadan, the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. They follow the Islamic lunar calendar which means that each year fall at different times.

Health


You need special care hygiene during your stay: purifying water or drink bottled water to avoid unpleasant diarrhea, not eating raw vegetables, peel the fruit. Local hospitals are often very far from Western standards and lack of ambulances, for less serious situations are reliable local doctors. Following the recent suspension air embargo is easier for medical evacuation, which remains the essential conclusion of a good private medical insurance. Medicines are not readily available, so if you need some special medicine portatevene a good supply.

Vaccinations


To enter Libya no one is required vaccination is required only yellow fever vaccination for travelers coming from infected areas. no prophylaxis is not considered necessary.

Pack Your Suitcase


Cotton dresses, a sweater and a heavy jacket in the evenings in winter months, personal hygiene products (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, toilet paper is difficult to find), hat and sunglasses; peril desert clothing heavy for the night, sturdy shoes and sandals, water bottle, pharmacy, travel goods (in addition to basic medicines, eye drops, tablets to purify water, salt and dextrose tablets, moisturizer and anti-sunburn), flashlight and batteries parts, multipurpose boxcutter, film, anti-sand plastic bag for the camera. We recommend using a backpack or soft bag, the bags are quite rigid unsuitable.

Behaviors


Libya is a Muslim country and therefore it should pay attention to clothing (avoid low-cut and skimpy clothes for women, men would be better advised to wear long pants and tank tops to avoid): This is true even if you’re in the desert where you can always meet with local people or military control functions.
The expressions of affection between men and women, even married, are frowned upon. During Ramadan you should not eat, drink or smoke in public during daylight hours. Remember that you do not eat, you do not need nor do they salute with his left hand.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially women, and not to photograph potential strategic targets.  In the Libyan desert is important to know that there is a fundamental rule of conduct: who notice any person or a car is forced to go to them even without any kind of signal. Then follow this rule and do not try to dodge the issue because such behavior could be misinterpreted especially when the vehicle crossed considered to belong to a patrol around the controls.  The desert is a wonderful place and must remain: avoid thus polluted with the remains of your camps. Take a deep hole and throw your garbage, burn them and cover it all.

Consular Visas


Since September 2009, no longer need to be equipped with tibro bilingual and certified translation of your passport.
Entry visas are obtained in Libya at the airport and at border points.
This formality is initiated only after it was booked the trip (at least 25 days prior to departure).

IMPORTANT: Under the new law regulating the granting of visas at the airport every tourist must demonstrate at least 1000 USD or equivalent in Euros or a credit card issued by an international school.

ITALIAN BORN IN LIBYA:


And ‘formally revoked the ban for Italians born in Libya back into the country. Each participant is required to personally check the validity of your passport (which must not expire within six months from the date of departure), the presence of at least one free page and validity of the stamp.

Raj Aryan

17 Mar 2010

http://blogs.rediff.com/peoplefav/category/travel/libya/

Average Rating: 4.4 out of 5 based on 212 user reviews.

[ | | | | ]

by Roy -

The raging sea beats the island of Batanes as if to say I am King.
The waves violently slap the rocks with enviable freedom. Its stammering power heeds no remorse.

The island however doesn’t back down, doesn’t fold-up or disintegrates. It takes a proud beating with a ‘Hah’, I am Batanes.

Batanes should indeed be proud of its coffers. It offers an amazing landscape that is as complex as a Roger Dean art work. The twisting spiraling mountains roll for miles and miles carpeted with green pastures.

The Mahatao Lighthouse, Batanes, Philippines

Atop its numerous cliffs one can get a front seat view of the feisty merging waters of the China Sea with the Pacific Ocean. There is also something incredibly charming about the island’s unique stone houses. Around 3 meters thick, these rock abodes crafted by the ancestors have stood against torturous rain and bullying winds. The roofs are made of cogon providing water proof shade. From afar the houses create an amazing texture of color and form that is bucolic and unlike anything that I’ve ever been in the provinces I’ve visited.

In spite the amazing scenery the island’s greatest strength is its people–the Ivatans. Storm warriors by birth they still posses a gentle demeanor, friendly disposition and an unbelievable sense of trustworthiness.

Crime is said to be non-existent in Batanes and people find no need to lock their doors. There is even a sign posted in the city treasury that reads “LOST AND FOUND- MONEY. Please claim inside”.

As most travel junkies know Batanes is the northernmost province of the Philippines and its smallest island both in terms of land area and population. Among its ten petite islands only three are inhabited– Batan, Itbayat and Sabtang. Sandwiched by Babuyan Island and Taiwan, the province is closer to Taipei than Manila. In fact an urban legend states that on a clear day one can see Taiwan and hear Chinese roosters crow.

Growth in Batanes’ tourism has been spurred by airlines such as Asian Spirit that conveniently jets weeklyflights (for a P10, 000 round cheap tickets price).

Surprisingly posh, the main airport is located in Basco, the province’s capital (found in Batan island). Albeit the flight being a bit choppy, I land safely in Batanes and seek my adventure holidays.

Raj Aryan

31 Mar 2010

http://blogs.rediff.com/peoplefav/tag/manila/


Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 based on 222 user reviews.

[ | | | | ]