Asia is a land of wonder and magic. If you have plans to visit the region, make sure you leave yourself enough time to experience the tropical wonder of places like Vietnam or Laos, or the pristine, picturesque beaches of Thailand. Plan your trip to the paradise of Asia and you'll find yourself wishing you would never leave.
So, you're going to Asia on business, the time you're going is set, and it's time to decide where you want to go during the "down time". When the work is done and you need a little holiday, Asia offers a multitude of fantastic options. When making your selection, there really are certain places that will offer you the unique traveling experience you deserve, and you will be sure to leave this dreamy reality with a pocketful of memories.
• Thailand
The Land of Smiles is one of the most popular destinations in the world. The tiny, remote islands off the coast offer respite from the insanity of the world outside their humble shores. Basking in the sun, relaxing on the sand a few feet from the front door of your bamboo bungalow will provide you with ample reason never to go home again.
• India
It's hard to describe the majesty and splendor of a country home to both India Gate and the Taj Mahal. The serenity of the miles and miles of beaches along the coast of the Indian Ocean, and the sights and sounds of and exotic land will intoxicate you, and thrill your senses.
• Nepal
When you get to Nepal, your adventure begins immediately. No matter if you're trekking ancient pathways through forests, or gazing in wonder at the vibrant colors and diversity of the wildlife, Nepal offers a unique perspective into the Asian culture. Also, be sure to take a plane ride over the Himalayas. It's a must!
• Indonesia
With lush, rich forests full of vegetation that seems to swallow you whole, Indonesia is the perfect destination for those who are intent on being surrounded by the beauty of nature. Visit the shore and experience pure amazement as you snorkel and dive through mirror-clear water that's as warm as a blanket on a cold day.
• Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam
If you've ever watched a television show or movie where they showcase a tropical jungle in all its majesty, they have undoubtedly based it on the natural splendor of the foliage, vegetation, and wildlife of the jungles of these three countries. The coasts offer a blend of paradise and raw nature, and to experience these three countries is to know the wonder that is Asia.
• Singapore
You've done all the beaches; you've explored exotic jungles; now you want civilization. What to do? One word: Singapore. With style to spare, this more metropolitan country offers the brilliance of Asian city life. Mixed with an ancient culture that will make even the staunchest of stick-in-the-muds realize, as they shop the wondrous markets and eat the fine cuisine, that they're actually having a great time.
• Taiwan
Taiwan? When did Taiwan become a tourist destination, you ask? Since before they started producing your AA batteries made there. Believe it! Taiwan is a center for both city life, and the idyllic surroundings of the country. The real beauty of the country is both the hospitality of the people, and the rich, ancient culture of Taiwan. Explore the Shihlin Night Market, or the Chaing Kai-shek Memorial. Whatever you do, don't deny yourself the pleasant memories you'll have by making this one of the hubs of your Asian adventure.
• Japan
A vacation here will give you everything. The decidedly unique culture of Japan will give you a unique perspective on Asian life. What do you do first? Maybe you could get lost in the bustle of downtown Tokyo or Yokohama, taking in the shops and self-catered apartments. Or visit the mystical Japanese countryside and see what people talk about when they mention ancient Oriental culture. The pristine countryside and exotic temples have made more than one poet be at a loss for words.
These are just a few of the recommended stops for you Asian trip. Try to visit more than one place on your journey. The countries that make up the continent are to diverse and unique to limited to only one. Make a list of everything you want to do on your vacation. You want to snorkel, shop, and go to the beach. Well, Asia can give you all that and more. Whatever you have in mind for your adventure, the countries above, and all of Asia, offer the opportunity to leave your workaday world behind, and escape into paradise.
From Travel Asia
Singapore Airlines has been named the Official Airline for the inaugural Youth Olympic Games (YOG) to be held in Singapore in August 2010. The Singapore Youth Olympic Games Organising Committee (SYOGOC) and Singapore Airlines have signed a sponsorship agreement, under which the airline will provide air tickets, carriage of airfreight, as well as publicity for the games.
"We are delighted to have Singapore Airlines as our Official Airline. Singapore Airlines is our national and a world class carrier with a modern passenger fleet. We can therefore be assured that key officials travelling for the inaugural YOG will have a pleasant trip on board with the excellent services provided by SIA. The partnership will also see joint efforts by SYOGOC and SIA to fly the Singapore flag higher and further," said Mr Goh Kee Nguan, Chief Executive Officer of SYOGOC.
Singapore Airlines will facilitate the handling of airfreight carrying games-related equipment coming by air to Singapore from SYOGOC's international partners and contractors. In addition, the airline's proprietary channels such as SilverKris magazine, Priority magazine, SilkWinds magazine and in-flight Krisworld entertainment system will help to promote Singapore 2010.
Fly Roundtrip from Bangkok to Phuket
Global Traveler Magazine has recently released the results of their annual "GT Tested" reader awards and to no one’s surprise, many of the top ranked airports were in cities located in Asia:
Best Airport in the World:
1. Seoul Incheon Airport
2. Singapore Changi International Airport
3. Amsterdam Airport Schiphol
4. Hong Kong International Airport
5. London Heathrow Airport
6. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
7. Munich Airport
8. Kansai International Airport
9. Centrair Nagoya
10. Zürich Airport
Best Airport Lounges:
1. Delta Air Lines Sky Lounge
2. United Airlines Red Carpet Club
3. American Airlines Admirals Club
4. Continental Presidents Club
5. British Airways Executive Club
6. Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse
7. South African Airways Cycad Lounge
8. Emirates
9. Cathay Pacific Airways Marco Polo Club
10. Asiana Airlines
Best Airport Dining:
1. Denver International Airport
2. Chicago O'Hare International Airport
3. Dubai International Airport
4. Hong Kong International Airport
5. Singapore Changi International Airport
6. Bangkok International Suvarnabhumi Airport
7. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport
8. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
9. Detroit Metro Airport
10. Newark Liberty International Airport
Best Airport Staff/Gate Agents:
1. Korean Air
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Malaysia Airlines
4. Swiss International Airlines
5. Singapore Airlines
6. Lufthansa
7. Cathay Pacific Airways
8. Emirates
9. Etihad Airways
10. Qatar Airways
The survey itself was conducted from January 1, 2009, to August 31, 2009 and used open-ended questionnaires answered by 25,951 respondents (members of the travel industry were barred from participating in the survey).
Recently, Zagat conducted their 2009 Airline Survey covering 16 domestic and 73 international airlines and to no one’s surprise, Singapore Airlines along with a couple of other airlines based in Asia dominated the top rankings. Here are the survey results for international airlines:
Top Rated International Airlines, Premium
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Cathay Pacific Airways
3. Emirates Airline
4. Air New Zealand
5. Virgin Atlantic Airways
Top Rated International Airlines, Economy
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Emirates Airline
3. ANA (All Nippon Airways)
4. Air New Zealand
5. Thai Airways
Best In-Flight Entertainment, International
1. Virgin Atlantic Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Continental Airlines
4. British Airways
5. Delta Air Lines
The Zagat survey was based upon the opinions of 5,895 frequent fliers along with travel professionals.
While Japan Airlines (JAL) continues to announce losses and may soon be out of business, the Cranky Flier blog has recently noted that All Nippon Airlines (ANA) on the other hand is pouring serious money into improving its product offerings. These changes include:
Economy:
ANA economy seats will now have a 34 inch pitch, headrests, footrests and have 10.6 inch monitors with full audio/video on demand, iPod connectors, USB ports and power outlets.In addition, the cabin is laid out in a 2-4-3 configuration
Premium Economy:
ANA Premium economy class will also have 2-4-2 configuration while the seats themselves will have a 42 inch pitch with dividers between armrests.
Business Class:
ANA Business Class seats recline to a fully flat position and are laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration while screens are 17 inches and customers can order their own meals via touchscreen whenever they feel like eating.
First Class:
ANA First Class or “First Square” is also in a 1-2-1 configuration and screens are 23 inches plus all the amenities you can dream of.
The changes will begin rolling out on February 20 on 777-300ER aircraft beginning with the Tokyo-JFK route and then the Tokyo-London and Tokyo-Frankfurt routes by the end of 2010. By 2011, the changes will go into affect on other USA and Europe routes.
Global Traveler Magazine has recently released the results of their annual "GT Tested" reader awards and to no one’s surprise, many of the top ranked airlines were based in Asia:
Best Airline in the World:
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Emirates
3. Lufthansa
4. British Airways
5. Korean Air
6. Swiss International Airlines
7. Virgin Atlantic
8. United Airlines
9. Qantas
10. Asiana
Best Airline for First Class:
1. Emirates
2. Lufthansa
3. Qantas
4. Etihad Airways
5. British Airways
6. Korean Air
7. Cathay Pacific Airways
8. Singapore Airlines
9. Jet Airways
10. Qatar Airways
Best Airline for Business Class:
1. British Airways
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Korean Air
4. Lufthansa
5. Cathay Pacific Airways
6. Emirates
7. Jet Airways
8. LAN
9. Air Canada
10. United Airlines
Best All-Business-Class Airline:
1. Singapore Airlines
2. Lufthansa
3. Swiss International Airlines
4. British Airways (new)
1. Swiss International Airlines
2. Etihad Airways
3. Cathay Pacific Airways
4. United Airlines
5. A siana Airlines
6. Emirates
7. British Airways
8. Qantas
9. Korean Air
10. Singapore Airlines
Best Business-Class Seat Design:
1. Korean Air
2. Swiss International Airlines
3. British Airways
4. Virgin Atlantic
5. Etihad Airways
6. Singapore Airlines
7. Air New Zealand
8. Qantas
9. Asiana Airlines
10. United Airlines
Best Airline for Premium-Economy Class:
1. EVA Air Elite Class
2. British Airways World Traveller Plus
3. All Nippon Airways Premium Economy
4. Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy
5. United Airlines Economy Plus
6. BMI Premium Economy
7. Japan Airlines Premium Economy
8. A ir New Zealand Pacific Premium Economy
9. Scandinavian Airlines Economy Extra
10. OpenSkies Prem+
Best Airline for Onboard Service and Flight Attendants:
1. Asiana Airlines
2. Korean Air
3. Thai Airways
4. Singapore Airlines
5. Jet Airways
6. Etihad Airways
7. Malaysia Airlines
8. Qatar Airways
9. Cathay Pacific Airways
10. Emirates
Best Trans-Pacific Airline:
1. Thai Airways
2. Asiana Airlines
3. Singapore Airlines
4. Korean Air
5. United Airlines
6. Japan Airlines
7. Cathay Pacific Airways
8. All Nippon Airways
9. EVA Air
10. Malaysia Airlines
Best Airline in Australia and New Zealand:
1. Qantas
2. Air Pacific
3. Air Tahiti Nui
4. Air New Zealand
5. V Australia
Best Airline in the South Pacific:
1. Air Pacific
2. Qantas
3. Air Tahiti Nui
4. Air New Zealand
5. V Australia
Best Airline in Southeast Asia (Burma, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Ma laysia, Brunei, Singapore and the Philippines):
1. Malaysia Airlines
2. Singapore Airlines
3. Thai Airways
4. Royal Brunei
5. Silk Air
6. Asia Air
7. Philippine Airlines
8. Vietnam Airlines
Best Airline in China:
1. Air China
2. Hainan Airlines
3. China Southern Airlines
4. China Eastern Airlines
Best Airline in Central/ South Asia and India:
1. Air India
2. Jet Airways
3. Kingfisher
4. Biman Bangladesh Airlines
5. PIA
Best Airline in North Asia (excluding China):
1. Asiana Airlines
2. Korean Air
3. All Nippon Airways
4. Japan Airlines
5. EVA Air
6. Cathay Pacific Airways
7. Dragon Air
8. China Airlines
Best Airline to Japan:
1. All Nippon Airways
2. Japan Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. American Airlines
5. Delta Air Lines/Northwest
Best Airline for Security:
1. EL AL Israel Airlines
2. Lufthansa
3. Swiss International Airlines
4. British Airways
5. Air Canada
The survey itself was conducted from January 1, 2009, to August 31, 2009 and used open-ended questionnaires answered by 25,951 respondents (members of the travel industry were barred from participating in the survey).
Mr. Pruet Boobphakam, Executive Vice President, Commercial Department, said that Thai Airways International has always enjoyed loyal support from Arab and expatriate communities, where premium class travel in the Middle East has always been highly popular. The Middle East routes have had double-digit growth in the last few years. The Company views the Middle East as one of the most important markets in THAI's network, despite strong competition from Middle East based carriers. With the new Airbus 340-600, THAI is able to offer more seating in Royal Silk Class at a capacity of 60 seats and introduce eight Royal First Class seats.
Royal First Class passengers are offered dedicated First Class check-in counter service at Suvarnabhumi and Dubai Airports, Royal First Class Lounge access at Suvarnabhumi Airport and Royal Orchid Spa Lounge, providing two private therapy suites and sauna, exercise and yoga spaces.
Currently, THAI operates daily to Dubai, utilizing Airbus A330 aircraft and will begin utilizing the Airbus A340-600 on 1 December 2009, with a total seat capacity of 267: eight seats in Royal First Class, 60 seats in Royal Silk Class and 199 seats in Economy Class.
This upgrade in seat capacity for First Class passengers is part of an overall THAI strategy targeting the growing Middle East market. THAI serves Dubai, Kuwait and Muscat with high load factors.
THAI also takes pride in its Middle East credentials with a substantial Halal food catering division providing up to 4,000 meals a day on its own flights to Muslim countries such as Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Brunei, India, Oman, Kuwait and the UAE.
More than 10 airlines increased fuel surcharges Tuesday as much as 50 percent on international flights originating from the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong, but analysts expect the impact on the aviation industry's recovery to be negligible.
The airlines, which include Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Air China and China Southern, have adjusted rates differently.
Air China increased the surcharge from 200 yuan ($29.30) to 300 yuan ($43.94) on flights to Singapore and Thailand, and the fuel add-on for Cathay Pacific on short flights shorter than five hours will rise from HK$71 ($9.16) to HK$75 ($9.68), and flights over five hours will jump from HK$328 ($42.32) to HK$348 ($44.90).
Also, beginning December 14, Asiana Airlines will bump up the surcharge on flights from the mainland to South Korea and Japan from 200 yuan ($29.30) to 250 yuan ($36.62), and the extra fee on flights to Europe and Australia will increase from about 500 yuan ($73.24) to 600 yuan ($87.89).
The increases followed the reinstatement of fuel surcharges two weeks ago after domestic airlines cancelled the fees on domestic flights earlier this year as fuel prices dropped.
"The hike is mainly driven by the soaring price of oil," said Yao Jun, an analyst from China Merchants Securities. "Currently, the fuel surcharge on international flights is adjusted according to market changes, and it is normal to see increases if oil prices rise," said Yao.
Last month, the country's regulator increased retail fuel prices in the wake of rising international oil prices, driving up retail fuel costs by 480 yuan ($70.3) a ton, with gasoline increasing 0.36 yuan ($0.05) per liter and diesel rising 0.41 yuan ($0.06) per liter. Jet fuel accounts for 40 percent of the total expenditure of most airlines.
Normally, international flights' fuel surcharges fluctuate with changes in exchange rates and oil prices, said an anonymous industry insider.
However, analysts said fuel surcharges would not stymie the recovery of international flights.
"The increase is still small compared with the total cost of the tickets," said Ma Xiaoli, aviation analyst from CITIC Securities. He added the holiday season, which covers Christmas, the New Year's Day and the Spring Festival, is approaching, meaning there should be solid demand for plane tickets.
The aviation sector entered a period of recovery this summer that appears likely to continue into the near future.
Figures from the Civil Aviation Administration of China show international flights have registered positive growth since July, with October statistics revealing the passenger transport volume of international flights were up 7.2 percent year-on-year, and the cargo volume rose 21.9 percent over last year.