Travel and Tourism Industry News

HO CHI MINH City travel agents unveiled on June 12 insurance packages for outbound tourists to reassure visitors at a time when A/H1N1 flu is sweeping around the world. The insurance provides a maximum cover of 50,000 USD for passengers travelling to Europe and 10,000 USD for those going elsewhere, said Vo Anh Tai, director [...]

When SARS was in its infancy in 2003, Tim Harcourt Chief Economist at the Australian Trade Commission said, “Every year economic forecasters have to contend with an “X Factor”, and I am sure that it is fair to say that this year we are already not only dealing with two “X Factors” and let’s call [...]

Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro has given a cautious welcome to the new travel rules for US citizens, saying they are positive but insufficient. US President Barack Obama announced on Monday that restrictions on travel and money transfers to Cuba would be lifted for Americans with relatives in the Caribbean country. In an article published [...]

A fire swept through a high class nightclub jammed with hundreds of New Year’s revelers in the Thai capital, killing at least 54 people and injuring about 100, officials said early Thursday. Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation and injuries during the stampede to escape from the club, which had only one door for entry [...]

Rabies has been confirmed in the tourist island of Bali in Indonesia and tourists have been warned to avoid all contact with dogs, cats, monkeys and other animals. The disease is often fatal, so tourists are urged to seek advice on vaccinations before travelling to Bali.  The warning from Australian health authorities after a meeting [...]

With Suvarnabhumi not even yet back to full steam and thousands of travellers still stranded in Thailand, it may be a little early to start looking at what Thailand needs to do to kick start the tourism industry it’s economy so dearly needs. But with many hotels reporting less than 10% occupancy rates, and more [...]

The anti-government protestors that have been holding Bangkok’s two major airports – Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang – as well as Thailand’s tourism industry and image under siege, returned the airports to the official authorities on Wednesday, after having caused enormous damage to the Thai economy. While at first glance the end of the siege is [...]