US president Barack Obama plans to boost international tourist numbers to the United States. He plans to do this by setting a number of initiatives in place over the next year. The United States is a top tourist destination for international travellers. Nearly 60 million people visited the US in 2010, and they pumped approximately USD $134 billion into the American economy. Obama wants to  [ Read More ]

Staff members from the MTR train system in Hong Kong took part in the annual Green Power Hike to help raise awareness about environmental issues and sustainable living. This was the 8th annual Green Power Hike. Participants ran from the Peak down to Big Wave Bay and Tai Tam, racing against the clock and other teams. MTR staff won the championship for the 10km Corporation/ Organization Cup. A second team  [ Read More ]

As the world’s busiest international airport, Heathrow faces huge influxes of travellers during the Summer Olympics. That is why they have planned to open a temporary terminal used just for departures. The airport estimates a 50% increase in arrivals on July 26, the day before the opening ceremonies, and even more departures on August 13, the day after the closing ceremonies. It is expected that 80% of those involved in  [ Read More ]

  There’s not much to be had in Malaysia that isn’t better made somewhere else (batik, for example). But Peter Hoe is a pure Malaysian original, and his two boutiques unite the best of both contemporary and laid-back fashion and design. The first, called Evolution and located across from Central Market to catch tourist traffic, is crammed with his flowery shirts. The second, called Beyond, features housewares, jewelry, crafts and  [ Read More ]

Jim Zuckerman / Alamy The choice is yours: An hour south or a bit further north? Malaysia’s future or its past? Putrajaya or Fraser’s Hill? The latter definitely requires a private car, and often patience, to access a mountain road that only allows traffic in one direction at a time. Once the primary hill station where Britons sought out cool air, bird-watching and golf, Bukit Fraser, as the Malays prefer  [ Read More ]

  Arriving Being 50 km away, K.L.’s superb international airport is, unfortunately, convenient for nowhere but palm-oil plantations. However, the high-speed train link into town is one of the most efficient, and least crowded, in Asia. It’s also cheaper, faster and more comfortable than a taxi, so don’t be taken in by persistent touts. Upon arrival at the downtown Sentral train station, you buy coupons for onward taxis, which takes  [ Read More ]

  Arriving If you haven’t prearranged for a car to whisk you to your destination from Ninoy Aquino International Airport, join the queue for an official taxi, which will take you downtown in around 30 minutes (assuming good traffic, and that’s quite a big assumption). Look for the yellow taxis to the left as you exit: more expensive than those you flag down on the street, these are safe, reliable  [ Read More ]

You can walk, or jog, to the Kuala Lumpur City Centre development, and carry your shopping bags back without need of a taxi. You can ogle the glowing, cloud-piercing thrust of the Petronas Twin Towers at night from the rooftop pool or popular bar. You can get a high-tech room at an unpretentious price and the brightly lit buffets go way beyond standard congealing stews and pasta stations. What the  [ Read More ]

The temple roofs glitter amid the grime. The flower garlands cloak urban ills with the scent of jasmine. But the tuk tuks no longer hurtle quite as scarily, the skies are less sooty, and all those dark alleys Bangkok leads you down seem better lit. In its own fitful fashion, the Thai capital is becoming a world city — tamer, wiser and with an emerging art and dining scene that  [ Read More ]

  The klong (canals) were once Bangkok’s claim to fame. These days, it’s best to avoid most of these sewer-like legacies of the city’s wealth of water. Instead, the best place to experience real canal country is in Amphawa, a district in Samut Songkhram province, just over an hour’s drive from Bangkok. Its market, part grounded and part floating, is the one most Thais prefer to navigate toward; it properly  [ Read More ]