• Dream vacations for travelers to explore in 2018

    January 4, 2018
    Dream vacations for travelers to explore in 2018

    TravelBizNews —

    New York : Travel Leaders Network – one of the travel industry’s largest travel agency organizations, recently released its 2018 “Bucket List” vacations recommended by its travel advisors.

    In conjunction with its supplier partners, Travel Leaders Network’s Bucket List highlights 23 unique vacation packages to some of the most spectacular destinations in the world, including: a helicopter sightseeing flight over the Okavango Delta, exploring the sights and architecture of futuristic Singapore, finding handcrafted treasures in the pottery-making village of Kyauk Myaung, feasting on the local cuisine during a city tour of Manila, experiencing the adventure and wildlife sightings in Antarctica, and taking a catamaran cruise to the Great Barrier Reef for an unforgettable snorkeling excursion.

    “It’s a big world, and it can be challenging for travelers to narrow down ideas for their dream vacations. We’re happy to help fuel those dreams with the 2018 Travel Leaders Network Bucket List, which provides travelers with our travel agents’ recommendations for the year’s top luxury experiences,” said Roger E. Block, CTC, President of Travel Leaders Network.

    Some notable trips from each continent featured include:

    Antarctica

    Explore the End of the World in Antarctica and Patagonia: Travel Leaders Network clients will cruise the grandeur of Antarctica and the natural splendors of Patagonia on an ultra-luxury Seabourn voyage. Guests will experience a 21-day journey that includes opportunities for frequent wildlife sightings from the ship and on shore, a chance to see the glaciers and fjords of Patagonia with a visit to the remote Falkland Islands and so much more.

    Africa

    Safari Through Africa’s Unspoiled Wilderness: This 12-day tour travels through Zambia, Botswana and South Africa to bring you up close and personal with wildlife – and locals – in a variety of innovative ways. Adventurers will explore via helicopter, use thermal imaging cameras and night vision goggles, and go back in time travelling aboard a vintage 1920s steam train. They will even experience a traditional braai, a traditional South African barbecue hosted by a local family.

    Australia

    Discover Nature in Queensland: Explore stunning beaches, tropical islands, vast outback, ancient rainforests and five World Heritage Sites in the place with 300 days of sunshine a year. The 7-day Luxury Lizard Island & Rainforest Hideaway cruise sails passengers through the Great Barrier Reef and other stunning natural wonders, such as the Daintree Rainforest and Mossman Gorge.

    Asia

    Experience Classic China and the Yangtze River: For those longing to experience China’s most historic sites and the beauty of its scenery is a 12-day Globus tour that will take them through six nights in Beijing, two nights in Xi’an, and finishing with a three-night cruise through several breathtaking gorges down the Yangtze River. The trip includes intimate tours of all the top sites: The Great Wall, Forbidden City, Tian’anmen Square, the Terracotta Warriors, Shanghai’s Yuyuan Gardens and more.

    Europe

    Romantic Danube River Cruise: Guests selecting this 8-day dream river cruise with Viking River Cruises will experience the medieval towns, grand cities and stunning scenery on the “Blue Danube.” They will savor the tastes of authentic dishes, learn about local legends and understand why Johann Strauss II immortalized the “Blue Danube” in his famous melody. On this trip, participants will also explore both sides of Hungary’s capital, experience Vienna’s imperial architecture and gracious culture, tour riverside towns in Austria’s Wachau Valley and explore a baroque cathedral while strolling cobbled streets lined with half-timbered houses.

    North America

    Rugged Denali National Park and Alaska’s Coastline: Experience the wild beauty of Denali National Park and Alaska’s coastline on a 14-day Holland America Line Denali Land and Sea Journey. Travel to the park on the luxury McKinley Explorer, take in views through a glass-domed railcar, and stay in the exclusive McKinley Chalet Resort.

    South America

    Spy Rare Species in the Galapagos: Cruise the Galapagos Islands for this 7-day trip aboard a Celebrity Cruises luxury ship with national park certified guides. The guides lead guests on daily Zodiac trips to the islands’ best spots to see hundreds or rare species, including marine Iguanas, Blue-Footed Boobies, and more.

    Source :  Travel Leaders Network / PR Newswire Dec 26 2017

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      Bangkok named Asia’s best

      holiday destination for 2025

      Bangkok has been ranked as the best city to visit in Asia for 2025 by Smart Travel Asia, a leading digital travel magazine, based on the opinions of hundreds of thousands of travellers and readers worldwide.

      The city received the highest votes in the “Best Holiday Destination in Asia” category, retaining its top position for the second consecutive year.

      Smart Travel Asia highlighted Bangkok’s strengths as its 24-hour vibrancy and diverse experiences, including food, culture, shopping, and the friendliness of its people, describing it as a “city full of energy and colour, day and night.”

      The city’s dominance stems from several compelling factors. Bangkok has emerged as a paradise for food enthusiasts, offering everything from legendary street food stalls to Michelin-starred restaurants and panoramic 360-degree rooftop bars. Its cultural and heritage sites, including the iconic Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Arun, and Wat Pho temples, remain major attractions to international tourists.

      Additionally, from luxury malls in the city centre to the Chatuchak weekend market, Bangkok caters to every type of shopper. Affordability and friendliness also play a key role, as Bangkok remains an accessible living cost destination where welcoming smiles continue to charm travellers.

      In the Smart Travel Asia 2025 rankings, Bali (Indonesia) and Tokyo (Japan) shared second place behind Bangkok, while Seoul (the Republic of Korea) and Luang Prabang (Laos) tied for fourth. Thailand further strengthened its tourism appeal with Chiang Mai placing third and Phuket sharing fifth place with Hong Kong (China).

      Having the three cities, Bangkok, Chiang Mai, and Phuket, in the top 10 highlights the diversity and appeal of Thailand’s tourism offerings for travellers worldwide. — VNA/VNS ( Oct.12, 2025)

      India resumes tourist visa for

      Chinese citizens after 5 years

      India announced  that it will open tourist visa applications to Chinese citizens from July 24, 2025. It was the first time in five years since the South Asian country suspended Chinese citizens’ tourist visa applications in February 2020.

      The Embassy of India in China announced via its Sina Weibo account  that, starting from July 24, 2025, Chinese citizens can apply for a tourist visa to visit India after completing an online application, scheduling an appointment, and personally submitting their passport and other required documents to three Indian visa application centers in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou in South China’s Guangdong Province.

      Responding to the related inquiry, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said  that “we take note of this positive move. Easing cross-border travel is widely beneficial. China will maintain communication and consultation with India to further facilitate travel between the two countries.”

      Chinese experts said the latest move taken by the India marks a phased milestone in the easing of relations between the two countries, and creates favorable conditions for further strengthening bilateral people-to-people exchanges.

      On February 2, 2020, India temporarily suspended its e-visa facility for Chinese travelers and foreigners residing in China amid coronavirus outbreak. – Global Times

      Gulf Cooperation Council Tourism 

      Dubai – As tourism destinations in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) continue to grow, involving local communities in destination development has become increasingly vital for long-term success.

      Abu Dhabi’s Tourism Strategy 2030 aims for 39.3 million visitors per year, while Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 targets 150 million domestic and international visits, emphasising how tourism is being established as a key element of economic diversification throughout the region.

      At Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2025, industry leaders emphasised that sustainable revitalisation of destinations must align tourism investments with community partnerships, cultural authenticity, and immersive guest experiences to provide lasting value for both residents and visitors.

      During the session on “Considerations and Implications of Involving Communities in Destination Revitalisation” on the ATM 2025 Global Stage, experts shared insights into building resilience, enhancing local prosperity, and ensuring tourism growth is both inclusive and enduring.

      Arabian Travel Market 2025, held under the theme “Global Travel: Developing Tomorrow’s Tourism Through Enhanced Connectivity”,  featured more than 200 speakers across three content stages and welcomes over 55,000 travel professionals from 166 countries.

      Messe Berlin India launched 

      to drive growth of ITB India 

      Messe Berlin announces the official launch of Messe Berlin India, a newly incorporated subsidiary that underscores the company’s long-term commitment to one of Asia’s fastest-growing markets. Headquartered in Delhi , the new entity will serve as a strategic base for expanding ITB India and launching future projects tailored to the Indian market. With this establishment, Messe Berlin is reinforcing its vision of India as a regional hub for innovation, collaboration, and sustainable business growth within the exhibition and events industry.

      “Messe Berlin’s presence in India reflects our strategic intent to strengthen our international reach by being where the growth is. India is a key market for us — vibrant, diverse, and full of opportunities. With Messe Berlin India, we are laying down long-term foundations to build strong partnerships, support local industries, and elevate our global platforms,” said Dr. Mario Tobias, CEO, Messe Berlin.

      ITB India, inaugurated in 2023, continues as the flagship event under the new subsidiary. Held annually, ITB India is a three-day B2B travel trade show and convention that connects the global travel and tourism industry with the Indian market. Alongside MICE Show India, Travel Tech India, and the ITB India Conference, ITB India serves as a unique platform to forge new partnerships, strengthen existing ties, and capitalize on the fast-growing potential of the Indian and South Asian travel economies. The show hosts key players from the MICE, Leisure, Corporate Travel, and Travel Technology sectors. The upcoming edition, ITB India 2025, will take place from 2 – 4 September 2025  in Mumbai.

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      In 2019, Travel & Tourism’s direct, indirect and induced impact accounted for:
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