Destinations News: Travel Weekly Asia

Destinations News

[From left] Nina Kubik-Cheng from the German National Tourist Office, Dr Ulrich A. Sante, German Ambassador to Singapore and Dr Johannes Widodo, associate professor, Department of Architecture, National University of Singapore.

Germany second most popular Europe destination for SingaporeansGermany is the second most popular Europe destination for Singaporeans after the UK.

Mekong countries keen to improve connectivity.

Mekong countries eye food and religion for tourism boostMekong tourism ministers have agreed to boost cooperation, particularly in religious and food tourism.

Camping site on crater rim of Mount Rinjani at sunset.

Lombok plans to separate hikers on Mt Rinjani, citing ‘disrespectful activities’The Mount Rinjani National Park Agency (TNGR) plans to have separate camping areas for male and female hikers in a bid to...

Yamagata prefecture was affected by this week’s magnitude 6.7 earthquake.

Japan rocked by another earthquakeMore than two dozen people were injured, and 800 evacuated from their homes, after a magnitude 6.7 earthquake struck Japan’s...

The lady said ‘Yes’ in first rideshare submarine.

Love in a bubble on the Great Barrier Reef.ScUber, the world's first rideshare submarine on the Great Barrier Reef, has had its first marriage proposal.

A new island destination, Cai Chien Island, in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh, is being earmarked for tourism development.

Fancy a homestay at Vietnam’s new island destination?A new island destination in Vietnam’s northern Quang Ninh province has been earmarked for tourism development, with investment...

HKTB says the decision to scupper this year’s dragon boat festival was taken after "after careful consideration".

Hong Kong sinks its dragon boat carnival at short noticeThe Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has cancelled the Hong Kong International Dragon Boat Carnival, which was scheduled to be...

Macau’s main Art Macao exhibition opensThe main exhibition of Macau’s largest art and culture festival to date opened on June 6 and will run until October.

Yokohama City authorities have rolled out a subsidy for hotels to make accessibility modifications.

Japanese government pledges to make all hotels accessible by 2020The Japanese government has committed to ensuring all hotel rooms are converted to make them accessible for wheelchair visitors...

JNTO’s deputy manager, Daisuke Kobayashi, at ILTM Asia Pacific in Singapore.

Japan’s under-the-radar spots the new focus for luxury travellersJapan’s Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto may be evergreen destinations, but well-heeled travellers are increasingly on the look out for...

Myanmar hopes easing VoA restrictions will boost inbound tourism. Credit: Myanmar National Airlines.

Myanmar welcomes six more countries with visa on arrivalMyanmar is rolling out the red carpet for citizens of six more countries, effective October 1, 2019.

Patong tuk-tuk drivers urged to be a ‘Good Host’

Patong tuk-tuk drivers urged to be a ‘Good Host’The Chief of Patong Police in Phuket is heading up a project aimed at improving the behaviour and attitude of Patong taxi and...

Heading to Hong Kong? Don’t miss the dragon boat races

Heading to Hong Kong? Don’t miss the dragon boat racesOne of Hong Kong’s best-attended events – the annual dragon boats races - will be drawing in the crowds again from June 14-16.

The Wellington Cable Car in Wellington, New Zealand.

New Zealand implements tourist taxNew Zealand's legislature has approved a tourist tax to take effect July 1. The country proposed to levy the tax last year.

Grand Lisboa’s executive Chef Norihito Muranaka unveiled a 1.2-metre-high, 72kg chocolate sculpture on stage to celebrate the launch of Art Macao.

Macau showcases its artistic side with the launch of Art MacaoIn a destination better known for its glittering skyline and attractions, a new brand of cultural tourism has been announced.

Ready, Players One and Two: Keith Tan, chief executive of Singapore Tourism Board, and Mathias Kuepper, managing director of Koelnmesse Singapore, signed the Memorandum of Understanding to mark a new partnership for the inaugural Asian edition of gamescom on May 29.

Singapore wins right to hold Asian edition of world’s largest gaming festivalThe largest international games festival, gamescom, will be making its way to Singapore come October 2020.

The tour boat sank near Hungary’s Parliament building in Budapest.

Disaster on the Danube as boats collideThe search is continuing for South Korean tourists still missing after a tour boat sank on the Danube River in Budapest.

Mt Everest deaths rise, Nepal blames the weather

Mt Everest deaths rise, Nepal blames the weatherNepal's tourism authority has denied accusations that the rise in Mount Everest deaths is solely due to overcrowding.

Temperatures in many parts of Hokkaido peaked above 38 degrees as Japan sweltered under a heat wave.

Hokkaido sets new national record for unseasonably hot MayJapan found itself sweltering under an unseasonable heat wave on Sunday that saw temperatures peaking above 38 degrees Celsius...

In 2018, Thailand welcomed over 38 million arrivals, contributing more than THB 2 trillion (US$62.7 billion).

Tourism ‘charge’ considered for ThailandThailand’s Tourism and Sports Ministry is considering the possibility of imposing a tourist levy, which will go towards...