Author: Lee Fletcher
The Yunnan monkey reserve in China is seeing an increase in the number of tourists, which environmentalists say could harm the monkeys. The reserve is home to black snub-nosed monkeys, which are very rare. It is believed that there are less than 2,500 of them left in the wild. The reserve in south western China had been set up to increase the number of monkeys after their numbers declined due to expanding human population. However, as the number of tourists to the reserve is increasing, authorities are worried that the monkeys could suffer from the increase in human contact. The…
Green Globe has announced that it has issued a recertification for the Cinnamon Lakeside Hotel Colombo in Sri Lanka. The hotel has been issued with the recertification after it was subjected to an audit about two years ago. The certification agency said that the recertification comes after the hotel implemented a number of improvements. The hotel was also commended for its continuous demonstration of leadership in sustainable tourism and corporate social responsibility. After the hotel won the recertification, Denis Gruhier, general manager, said, ‘At Cinnamon Lakeside Colombo, we firmly believe that creating awareness is the key to strengthening green initiatives.…
Affected by a slump in the number of tourists to the city state, Singapore is boosting tourism initiatives with new additions to existing attractions such as Formula 1 racing events. The state is making efforts to encourage tourists to visit Singapore and spend more at new attractions being offered by the state. New marquee events and attractions such as the Formula One night race have been planned to encourage visitor arrivals. S Iswaran, trade minister who oversees the tourism industry, said that tourist arrival to the city state is forecast to increase to 17 million. Further, tourism spending is expected…
India-based Uniglobe Sameera Travel has announced a plan to offer a new kind of tourism, cricket tourism. The firm said that it was planning the travel itinerary for cricket lovers and fans, and the idea would capitalise on the popularity of the game around the world. The company, an associate of Vancouver-based Uniglobe Travel, said that the unique travel programme would enable willing cricket connoisseurs and professionals to connect with the game they love, directly or indirectly. The novel idea is the brainchild of former Ranji player, Vijay Mohan Raj, who is also a qualified cricket coach for the National…
Tourism Australia has announced that it is planning to launch a new tourism campaign to focus specifically on those travellers over 50 years of age. The department said that the next phase of its ‘There’s Nothing Like Australia,’ campaign, it would target those above 50 years of age. It will be a global campaign and offer premium tourism opportunities. The department is to launch the GBP1m campaign in the UK on September 17. The event is to be partnered by Australian airline, Qantas. The campaign will involve television advertisements and awareness through online, mobile and print media. The tourism department…
The tourism department of Shanghai has set official dates for a tourist festival to be hosted in the city. The department said that the annual event is to be launched on September 15 this year, and will continue until October 6. This year, the department is planning to allow more travel companies to take part in the festivities, with the intention of promoting tourism in the city. The authorities are also expecting an increase in domestic as well as international tourism this year. The city administration has smartened up the city for the event, and hotels and business establishments are…
As if confirmation was needed, British tourists have told a recently conducted survey that they consume more alcohol when they are on holiday. The survey, which was conducted by travel website, Tripadvisor, revealed that 60 percent of UK travellers drink more when they are on holiday than they would in normal circumstances. 28 percent admitted that during their vacation they consume five or more alcoholic drinks every day. Any suggestion that this extra consumption is a universal trend amongst holidaymakers is quashed by further revelations from the survey, which indicated that British holidaymakers drink more while they are away than…
British Airways, a UK based airline, is launching a new service to Monrovia, in Liberia, from London Heathrow Airport. The airline is offering a new 2012 winter schedule, which includes flights to Monrovia, in Liberia, operating three times per week, from November 5, 2012. The flights will be departing from British Airway’s terminal 5 at London Heathrow, and will be transiting through Freetown, in Sierra Leone. The inauguration of the new flight will take to 19 the number of African destinations served by British Airways. The new service will be operated by a B767 aircraft with three-classes of seating. The…
Air Nigeria, the Nigerian national carrier, has announced the suspension of its service from London Gatwick Airport to Lagos, in Nigeria. Air Nigeria has suspended its international flights, amidst reports of the airline being sold to a new buyer. The London Gatwick to Lagos flight had only recommenced in May this year after a gap of three years. Air Nigeria was offering passengers a daily flight to Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Lagos, from London Gatwick Airport, using an A330-200 aircraft. The troubled airline has been struggling with a debt burden of around GBP157m, and in June 2012, most of its…
Visitors to Accor properties in the UK will now be able to surf the Internet for free, as the France-based hotel group is planning to scrap Wi-Fi charges at 500 of its properties worldwide. The hotel company owns the Ibis, Mercure, Sofitel and Novotel hotel brands, and has opted for free Wi-Fi after a recent survey concluded that travellers decide on hotel room bookings based on availability of complimentary Wi-Fi services. A survey conducted in January 2012 by Hotels.com, a US-based travel company and a part of the Expedia group, suggested that travellers voted for complimentary Wi-Fi as the hotel…