Monday, 3 October 2011
New York Fashion Week debut a successful world stage
New York Fashion Week debut a successful world stage: New York Fashion Week collection, the largest of the two seats reserved reonweyieseo 1000 Fashion Show, held this group of New York s finest fashion professional stage director, stylists, models, hair, makeup, and local staff members in New York fashion show spectacular 360-degree support the participation said
spring fashion trends, designers at New York
spring fashion trends, designers at New York: Super Skinny quot; style pants, fashion this fall with the changing times, such as dotgatyi widely spread style lately, while fashion trends are changing extremely skirt now, most dramatically reported that the length becomes longer. According to the newspaper this week,
Sunday, 25 September 2011
Multilingual Survey for Hospitality and Tourism Purposes Expert Author Mark G Jones
Companies in the hospitality and tourism industries need to constantly know what their guests are thinking about their facilities, activities, location, service and practically every area of their businesses. The success of these businesses relies fully on the satisfaction of their guests. They conduct researches to gather pertinent information so they'd know if they're doing things right and how they could do things better to stay on top of their game. A multilingual survey is one effective means by which they get these crucial data.
Being able to get complete and accurate information makes the big difference in any research. Communicating with a person in the language that he knows best would give you a better insight to his thoughts, perceptions and opinions. You'd know more about his expectations about your country, your hotel or the destinations that you're promoting to him.
Particularly in the recent years, with globalization of businesses and the Internet, people have been traveling much, much more than before. Chinese, Koreans, Japanese and other Asian nationals of all ages can be seen touring Europe, Australia and America on any given day. And in the same way, people from the West have been flocking to the East whether for business or for leisure. This is why hotels, restaurants, theme parks and other tourist-dependent establishments have been recruiting people who are fluent in 3 or more languages to make sure they are able to communicate well with these tourists who are constantly growing in number.
A multilingual survey is an excellent way for you to know the exact level of satisfaction your guests had with the city tour, the lunch buffet or the free transportation that they had. An elderly couple from Europe or Asia who are enjoying their retirement savings on their first trip outside the country might not be able to completely express in English their dissatisfaction about your service. A concept or two might get lost in translation.
While many establishments all over the world still use purely English comment cards, questionnaires and other feedback media, it would be best for you to have your questions translated in the languages that your main markets speak.
You can opt to hire the services of a certified foreign language translator to complete your multilingual survey. You need to make sure that you brief the translator you'll hire about your business and that the level of the target language that he'll be using would be what your guests would understand.
One convenient option is the survey translation software you can find in some websites. These tools will help you instantly convert your original questionnaire to the various target languages you require. You just need to be sure that the software you'll sign up for has the capabilities that you need for your questionnaire.
While it is indeed difficult to have your questions translated into various languages, you should still try to start having a multilingual survey - whether by hiring a certified translator or through the aid of an online survey tool. You would know sooner or later the big difference of being able to draw answers from your guests in the language that they speak and understand very well.
Multilingual survey can be done in a flash with Web Survey Creator, which uses integrated translation tools to manage a single survey with multiple languages. Visit their site to sample their free survey templates.
FDI Leeway For Projects In Hospitality And Tourism
In yet another move to ease the foreign direct investment (FDI) guideline for real estate, the department of industrial policy & promotion (DIPP) has proposed that minimum capitalisation norms be waived for some projects in hospitality and tourism.
In a note drafted for the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the DIPP, which also handles the FDI policy, has said the minimum capitalisation norms specified in Press Note 2 can be waived in the case of projects involving hospitality and tourism facilities such as hotels, restaurants or entertainment facilities. Press Note 5 specifies that minimum capitalisation should be $5 million for permitting FDI in realty projects which involve an Indian partner. However, for a fully-owned subsidiary of an overseas firm the minimum capitalisation is $10 million. The waiver would be available to projects where half the built-up area is devoted to hotel and tourism businesses like food courts, resorts, restaurants, or if 20% of the total built-up area is used for hotel rooms.
The DIPP has also proposed that FDI should be allowed to flow into smaller realty projects covering only 10 acres. As of now, FDI is allowed in realty projects only if the minimum area covered is 25 acres (or 10 hectares). The move will help realty projects in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad attract FDI.
Realty players say that it is not possible to find 25 acres of land in these cities to make their projects comply with Press Note 2 of 2005, which defines guidelines for permitting FDI in this sector. The industry is keen on business in the metros as it attracts high-profile customers, but wants FDI to be allowed since the cost of land in these cities is high, making them expensive.
Veterans in the real estate business who do not want to be identified said the liberalisation moves were welcome. These steps, when implemented, will provide relief to high-value projects in metros and projects being developed for the tourism sector. The move comes as a relief at a time when realty players are struggling to managed debt and lull in business, they added.
However, the realty industry is upset that its demand for waiving off the three-year lock-in for FDI in real estate has not been accepted. Many fund houses keep off realty projects due to the threeyear lock-in period, industry players feel.
Courtesy:- Et dt:- 11-07-09
In a note drafted for the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the DIPP, which also handles the FDI policy, has said the minimum capitalisation norms specified in Press Note 2 can be waived in the case of projects involving hospitality and tourism facilities such as hotels, restaurants or entertainment facilities. Press Note 5 specifies that minimum capitalisation should be $5 million for permitting FDI in realty projects which involve an Indian partner. However, for a fully-owned subsidiary of an overseas firm the minimum capitalisation is $10 million. The waiver would be available to projects where half the built-up area is devoted to hotel and tourism businesses like food courts, resorts, restaurants, or if 20% of the total built-up area is used for hotel rooms.
The DIPP has also proposed that FDI should be allowed to flow into smaller realty projects covering only 10 acres. As of now, FDI is allowed in realty projects only if the minimum area covered is 25 acres (or 10 hectares). The move will help realty projects in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad attract FDI.
Realty players say that it is not possible to find 25 acres of land in these cities to make their projects comply with Press Note 2 of 2005, which defines guidelines for permitting FDI in this sector. The industry is keen on business in the metros as it attracts high-profile customers, but wants FDI to be allowed since the cost of land in these cities is high, making them expensive.
Veterans in the real estate business who do not want to be identified said the liberalisation moves were welcome. These steps, when implemented, will provide relief to high-value projects in metros and projects being developed for the tourism sector. The move comes as a relief at a time when realty players are struggling to managed debt and lull in business, they added.
However, the realty industry is upset that its demand for waiving off the three-year lock-in for FDI in real estate has not been accepted. Many fund houses keep off realty projects due to the threeyear lock-in period, industry players feel.
Courtesy:- Et dt:- 11-07-09
Hi
I am Santosh Kumar Baranwal. I am working in Bhardwaj Buildtech pvt. Ltd. as a SEO
I am Santosh Kumar Baranwal. I am working in Bhardwaj Buildtech pvt. Ltd. as a SEO
International Hospitality and Tourism Management
A career in international hospitality and tourism management encompasses hotels, restaurants and travel, to be concise. There is much more involved within each of these headings.
Hospitality management by itself involves the management of administration of running hotels, and may include everything from the front desk to catering and entertainment. In fact, hotel management consists of the involvement of the organization of the rooms, the front office, the concierge, reception, reservations, housekeeping, catering, and entertainment. The hotel manager will also manage the financial aspect of running the hotel, and the marketing of it. They will also get involve in ordering the furniture, carpet, linens and oversee security issues.
Tourism management involves the movement of people during their vacations. They will find various destinations for people on holiday to visit. It will involve the journey to the destination and the stay there itself. They would need to know all about the facilities in which their travelers would be staying, and other comforts offered. They would get their vacationers involved in the activities while on their tour. These destinations would need to be very temporary and short-term.
Eco tourism is also becoming a very popular type of tourism. It involves the encouragement of travel that is environmentally responsible, and the greening of tourism.
The education involved in this type of career may be of special interest to developers in timeshares and other vacation ownership. As well, it would be beneficial to people managing visitors bureaus, members of hotel and motel associations, and hotel and restaurant developers.
When getting into the hospitality and tourism careers, it would also be very beneficial to learn other languages and dialects. This, of course, would open up an entire world of communication with your guests, so that you can be that much more accommodating. Being bilingual is always a plus, however, in almost any career.
Hospitality management by itself involves the management of administration of running hotels, and may include everything from the front desk to catering and entertainment. In fact, hotel management consists of the involvement of the organization of the rooms, the front office, the concierge, reception, reservations, housekeeping, catering, and entertainment. The hotel manager will also manage the financial aspect of running the hotel, and the marketing of it. They will also get involve in ordering the furniture, carpet, linens and oversee security issues.
Tourism management involves the movement of people during their vacations. They will find various destinations for people on holiday to visit. It will involve the journey to the destination and the stay there itself. They would need to know all about the facilities in which their travelers would be staying, and other comforts offered. They would get their vacationers involved in the activities while on their tour. These destinations would need to be very temporary and short-term.
Eco tourism is also becoming a very popular type of tourism. It involves the encouragement of travel that is environmentally responsible, and the greening of tourism.
The education involved in this type of career may be of special interest to developers in timeshares and other vacation ownership. As well, it would be beneficial to people managing visitors bureaus, members of hotel and motel associations, and hotel and restaurant developers.
When getting into the hospitality and tourism careers, it would also be very beneficial to learn other languages and dialects. This, of course, would open up an entire world of communication with your guests, so that you can be that much more accommodating. Being bilingual is always a plus, however, in almost any career.
To find out more about hotel management degrees, go to this hotel management degrees website, and read about hotel management degrees to help you choose what schedule and education is right for you.
Hospitality & Tourism Industry Cape Town South Africa
The hospitality industry in Cape Town has experienced significant growth in recent years, and this upward trend is expected to continue in the near future, as despite a worldwide recession, as the citywide and country wide efforts to further development strengthen with the rising hopes surrounding the Soccer World Cup 2010.
As the world began to discover the true potential of South Africa, whether for business or leisure purposes, the number of visitors to the country increased. The most recent data indicate that South Africa as a single country surpassed the world and the whole African continent in terms of growth in international arrivals, posting healthy increases of about 14%in 2006 and 9% in the year-to-date period through October 2007 compared to the corresponding months of 2006. In addition, South Africa was ranked one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the world according to the 2006 data gathered by the World Tourism Organization.
The countries ranked in the Western Cape's top three source markets are the United Kingdom, Germany, and somewhat surprisingly the United States. The United States has only in the recent period ranked in the top three due to the distance, time and cost associated with travelled to the tip of the African continent.
The increasingly strong presence of European and US travellers to the Western Cape Region is indicative of the potential growth in demand for internationally recognized branded hotels. A significant number of new developments and infrastructural expansions are currently underway in the major cities of South Africa ahead of 2010.
Refurbishment of existing stadiums and building of new ones continues in South Africa, as well as upgrades to infrastructure such as airports. Meanwhile, many smaller enterprises, such as guesthouses and restaurants, are preparing to host the world.
"The hotel sector in South Africa is first-rate," the Fifa inspection team said in its country report. "There are enough hotel rooms to accommodate everyone taking part in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including media representatives and fans from around the world, both in the main towns, and in the other towns suggested as 2010 Fifa World Cup venues."
With world class restaurants, hotels and wine farms and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, South Africans are right to be upbeat about this event and their hospitality offering in general.
As the world began to discover the true potential of South Africa, whether for business or leisure purposes, the number of visitors to the country increased. The most recent data indicate that South Africa as a single country surpassed the world and the whole African continent in terms of growth in international arrivals, posting healthy increases of about 14%in 2006 and 9% in the year-to-date period through October 2007 compared to the corresponding months of 2006. In addition, South Africa was ranked one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the world according to the 2006 data gathered by the World Tourism Organization.
The countries ranked in the Western Cape's top three source markets are the United Kingdom, Germany, and somewhat surprisingly the United States. The United States has only in the recent period ranked in the top three due to the distance, time and cost associated with travelled to the tip of the African continent.
The increasingly strong presence of European and US travellers to the Western Cape Region is indicative of the potential growth in demand for internationally recognized branded hotels. A significant number of new developments and infrastructural expansions are currently underway in the major cities of South Africa ahead of 2010.
Refurbishment of existing stadiums and building of new ones continues in South Africa, as well as upgrades to infrastructure such as airports. Meanwhile, many smaller enterprises, such as guesthouses and restaurants, are preparing to host the world.
"The hotel sector in South Africa is first-rate," the Fifa inspection team said in its country report. "There are enough hotel rooms to accommodate everyone taking part in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including media representatives and fans from around the world, both in the main towns, and in the other towns suggested as 2010 Fifa World Cup venues."
With world class restaurants, hotels and wine farms and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, South Africans are right to be upbeat about this event and their hospitality offering in general.
Visit for Hospitality and Travel Jobs continued news and events leading up to the World Cup as well as hospitality jobs and training for the Hospitality Jobs, News, Events Africa
How Hotels and Tourism Operators Use Facebook
Tours and travels is an important part of our lives. We all love to spend a great holiday once a year. There are lots of place which can be of great interest to us. Before you choose your destination you need to discuss it with your family or friends.
Other than this, it is also important to make sure that you find out proper information about the destination before you visit the place. You also need to pay attention to the bookings. There are lots of websites which can help you book your tickets as well as hotels and the other local activities.
Do you know that these days' Facebook hotel bookings are also available? Facebook is one of the most popular social networking sites these days. Facebook travel bookings are quite easy and if you know the procedure then you can do it just sitting at home.
The popularity of Facebook is increasing day by day and the numbers of subscribers are also increasing. There are at least 500 million subscribers of Facebook all over the world. Among these subscribers there are lots of travelers. Facebook offers a great forum to discuss different kinds of issues.
Therefore the travelers present in Facebook can share their holiday experience, travel plans, information and much more. Facebook hotel bookings are almost a new concept these days. Facebook tourism marketing can surely help you improve your travel experience.
If you are a vendor or own hotel then you need to learn how to use Facebook in the best possible way for your benefit. So if you are interested in Facebook tourism travel marketing then you need to look out for the ways which will help you stand out from the others in the same business.
First of all you need to make sure that your posts are not boring. When you create a community you need to make sure that the common people get involved into the community and they even think themselves to be a part of it.
If you want to create a successful page in Facebook then you must keep the customer engaged with quality content as well as updated information. If you are interested in Facebook tourism marketing then you need to make sure that you follow a certain roadmap to success.
There are various applications which can help you work better. These applications are in use in the Facebook. It is also very important to promote your business as well as social network page in the best possible way so that people come for your Facebook bookings.
Do not post all the packages you have together in Facebook. There are certain special packages which can be used to attract the travelers. Facebook hotel bookings can also be offered within these packages.
It is also important to make sure your Facebook page is interesting. You can post various pictures of the events that are organized by your company on your Facebook page to make it much more attractive and popular.
Make Facebook a marketing and bookings channel for your hotel and tourism brand. Add photos, description, room, units, seasons, rates, specials and packages on your Facebook pages in minuets. Manage all changes with an easy to use tourism market platform that can publish your brand specials and products to 100's of marketing channels. Get Your Tourism Products & Bookings on Facebook Now - Free Trail.
The Importance of Hotels and Accommodation in Promoting Tourism
In the modern times, the way people spend their vacations has undergone a great change. People like to spend good times with family and friend while at the same time exploring various tourist places across the globe. As a result the tourism industry across the globe has seen an unprecedented growth which in turn has also resulted in tremendous growth in the hotel and accommodation facilities.
Comfortable hotels and accommodation facilities play a very important role in popularizing any tourist destination. If a person, who is quite far away from home, gets to enjoy the same facilities and comforts as he enjoys at his home, then he is bound to become attached to the place. On the other hand if the tourist ends up at a place where the hotels and accommodation facilities are not satisfactory, it is quite likely that he might never return to that place.
Perhaps that is why, hotels and accommodation facilities being made available at different tourists spots, have shifted focus on providing maximum comfort to tourists at reasonable rates. It is also vital to provide comfortable accommodation to people from diverse economical backgrounds. While five star hotels can cater to the needs of affluent visitors, small and medium range hotels and lodging houses are available for use by a middle class traveler.
Blog reviews are also vital that information about all the hotels and accommodation facilities available in a particular tourism spot is available to people quite easily. For this there can be no better option than internet, as most tourist gain information about the hotels and accommodation facilities through this medium only. The other ways are by making booklets containing information about the hotels and accommodation facilities available at train and bus stations.
The information provided to the tourists should be detailed and correct. It should contain the information related to room rentals, types of rooms, catering services, check out times, pick and drop facilities etc. Additional information about the significant tourist spots in the area can also be provided both on the net as well as the booklets, to promote not only the hotel but the tourist spot as well.
Comfortable hotels and accommodation facilities play a very important role in popularizing any tourist destination. If a person, who is quite far away from home, gets to enjoy the same facilities and comforts as he enjoys at his home, then he is bound to become attached to the place. On the other hand if the tourist ends up at a place where the hotels and accommodation facilities are not satisfactory, it is quite likely that he might never return to that place.
Perhaps that is why, hotels and accommodation facilities being made available at different tourists spots, have shifted focus on providing maximum comfort to tourists at reasonable rates. It is also vital to provide comfortable accommodation to people from diverse economical backgrounds. While five star hotels can cater to the needs of affluent visitors, small and medium range hotels and lodging houses are available for use by a middle class traveler.
Blog reviews are also vital that information about all the hotels and accommodation facilities available in a particular tourism spot is available to people quite easily. For this there can be no better option than internet, as most tourist gain information about the hotels and accommodation facilities through this medium only. The other ways are by making booklets containing information about the hotels and accommodation facilities available at train and bus stations.
The information provided to the tourists should be detailed and correct. It should contain the information related to room rentals, types of rooms, catering services, check out times, pick and drop facilities etc. Additional information about the significant tourist spots in the area can also be provided both on the net as well as the booklets, to promote not only the hotel but the tourist spot as well.
There are many websites available on internet which is based on travel and tourism. You can get information regarding hotel accommodations, tourists place, and business blog reviews sight scenes. You should search these websites to make your travel easy and plan things accordingly. Through blog reviews you can get the link of such websites that are truly genuine and will provide you travel packages to many countries. Read these blog reviews and you will know better.
Singapore Hotels and Tourism
Singapore, an island country, is located at the southern tip of Malay Peninsula. It is one of the most sophisticated and modernized country which will give you the best memories of your life. Actually, Singapore is considered one of the worlds most prosperous countries.
When you will put your first step in Singapore, you will feel an air of modernization. There are some of the most amazing buildings and skyscrapers that will surely compel you to say few words in appreciation. Along with some attractive and astounding buildings and architectures, you will love the overall atmosphere in there. It has a tropical climate which makes it the best place for holiday makers. Also, when you talk about tropical climate, its essential to talk about the tasty food. You will become able to taste the most delicious dishes that you will never find anyplace else.
The amazing Singapore:
There is no doubt in the fact that Singapore is a small country. But, you will really be amazed to find out that there are more than four million people living in this small country. Its truly amazing. However, its not the only thing which is amazing about Singapore as there are many others as well. Everything like Jumbo arts scenes, parks, beaches and other attractions are nothing short of excellence. Language of Singapore is amazing as well. Generally, its English that people use in offices, but, there is another language which is an amalgamation of English and Singaporean dialects. This language is known as Singlish. Amazing, isn't it
Touring Singapore:
There are lots of people who visit Singapore for different reasons. Singapore is teeming with bright opportunities for business persons. So, you can see lots of people coming to Singapore to get in touch with local business owners. However, Singapore is one of the best places in the world to make merry. There are clubs and casinos which contribute to its nightlife in a great way.
Surely, there are lots of attractions, but, you must be thinking about accommodation. That's what most people do think before coming to Singapore for the first time. Actually, Singapore is one of the most densely populated countries of the world, so, it is obvious to feel insecure about the availability of accommodation. However, Singapore hotels will really make your vacations even enjoyable by presenting some stylish rooms with all amenities.
The best thing about Singapore hotels is not the availability of these hotels, but, it's the availability of hotels that you want. Singapore cheap hotels can be found with the same ease with which Singapore luxury hotels can be found. However, it is pertinent to mention that Singapore surely is expensive as compared to some other South-East Asian countries. It means that Singapore cheap hotels will also cost you something from $50 to $100. However, Fragrance hotel and Hotel 81 are the places where you will be able to stay by paying least amount of money. For Singapore luxury hotels, there is no limit as you will get more luxuries if you will be willing to spend more money.
Arranging holidays in Singapore is simple, but, handling your budget well is the main thing. However, the availability of Singapore cheap hotels will help a lot. But, if you want to get an experience of your life, try Singapore luxury hotels as these Singapore hotels will show you a new world.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1490319
Best Hospitality and Tourism Management Schools
The best hospitality and tourism management schools are where you gain an academic education on a degree program, which is a requirement if you are planning on enjoying a long career in the travel and tourism industry. When you gain qualifications in the tourism industry, the knowledge and education you gain will ensure that you are going to succeed in the hospitality industry in general.
Here are just a few of the top tourism and hospitality management schools located around the world:
National Academy Foundations, New York
IMI Switzerland
AIM Paris, France
Queenstown Resort College, New Zealand
Victoria Management School, New Zealand
Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS)
Choose any one of these great management schools, and your life will soon become an adventure in this vast and exciting industry.
The courses provided at these top colleges are designed to fit the students needs for knowledge and education, as well as the requirements of the tourism industry itself. Meaning hotels, casinos and cruise line companies. Courses offer both a practical approach to business administration and leadership to ensure qualify with an understanding of general, as well as tourism business practices. Although an exciting industry to be a part of, it very demanding of individuals and their knowledge.
A degree in tourism management is just one of graduates qualifications/requirements (leadership aside), along with extracurricular learning in over two thousand hours of volunteer and paid work in one or more internships.
Tourism management schools focus on the areas of hotel and event operations, as well as restaurant and gaming operations. This education is fundamental for working in a coastal resort or hotel, where education requirements vary amongst employers. The reason students are required to gain work experience on internships, usually throughout the summer months, is that most employers will hire someone who has already had experience in the tourism field. However, this is not always the case as many people become part of management team only having a bachelor's degree and working their way up through the ranks to senior management level.
A Swiss hotel management school will train you in all aspects of hospitality business administration, both practical and theory operations in hotels and other fields (of hospitality). Gaining an academic education in a degree program at one these globally recognized and top Swiss hotel schools will ensure your lifelong success in this huge industry.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5849607
Monday, 19 September 2011
Hospitality & Tourism Industry Cape Town South Africa
The hospitality industry in Cape Town has experienced significant growth in recent years, and this upward trend is expected to continue in the near future, as despite a worldwide recession, as the citywide and country wide efforts to further development strengthen with the rising hopes surrounding the Soccer World Cup 2010.
As the world began to discover the true potential of South Africa, whether for business or leisure purposes, the number of visitors to the country increased. The most recent data indicate that South Africa as a single country surpassed the world and the whole African continent in terms of growth in international arrivals, posting healthy increases of about 14%in 2006 and 9% in the year-to-date period through October 2007 compared to the corresponding months of 2006. In addition, South Africa was ranked one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the world according to the 2006 data gathered by the World Tourism Organization.
The countries ranked in the Western Cape's top three source markets are the United Kingdom, Germany, and somewhat surprisingly the United States. The United States has only in the recent period ranked in the top three due to the distance, time and cost associated with travelled to the tip of the African continent.
The increasingly strong presence of European and US travellers to the Western Cape Region is indicative of the potential growth in demand for internationally recognized branded hotels. A significant number of new developments and infrastructural expansions are currently underway in the major cities of South Africa ahead of 2010.
Refurbishment of existing stadiums and building of new ones continues in South Africa, as well as upgrades to infrastructure such as airports. Meanwhile, many smaller enterprises, such as guesthouses and restaurants, are preparing to host the world.
"The hotel sector in South Africa is first-rate," the Fifa inspection team said in its country report. "There are enough hotel rooms to accommodate everyone taking part in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including media representatives and fans from around the world, both in the main towns, and in the other towns suggested as 2010 Fifa World Cup venues."
With world class restaurants, hotels and wine farms and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, South Africans are right to be upbeat about this event and their hospitality offering in general.
As the world began to discover the true potential of South Africa, whether for business or leisure purposes, the number of visitors to the country increased. The most recent data indicate that South Africa as a single country surpassed the world and the whole African continent in terms of growth in international arrivals, posting healthy increases of about 14%in 2006 and 9% in the year-to-date period through October 2007 compared to the corresponding months of 2006. In addition, South Africa was ranked one of the top 25 tourist destinations in the world according to the 2006 data gathered by the World Tourism Organization.
The countries ranked in the Western Cape's top three source markets are the United Kingdom, Germany, and somewhat surprisingly the United States. The United States has only in the recent period ranked in the top three due to the distance, time and cost associated with travelled to the tip of the African continent.
The increasingly strong presence of European and US travellers to the Western Cape Region is indicative of the potential growth in demand for internationally recognized branded hotels. A significant number of new developments and infrastructural expansions are currently underway in the major cities of South Africa ahead of 2010.
Refurbishment of existing stadiums and building of new ones continues in South Africa, as well as upgrades to infrastructure such as airports. Meanwhile, many smaller enterprises, such as guesthouses and restaurants, are preparing to host the world.
"The hotel sector in South Africa is first-rate," the Fifa inspection team said in its country report. "There are enough hotel rooms to accommodate everyone taking part in the 2010 Fifa World Cup, including media representatives and fans from around the world, both in the main towns, and in the other towns suggested as 2010 Fifa World Cup venues."
With world class restaurants, hotels and wine farms and some of the most beautiful scenery in the world, South Africans are right to be upbeat about this event and their hospitality offering in general.
Visit for Hospitality and Travel Jobs continued news and events leading up to the World Cup as well as hospitality jobs and training for the Hospitality Jobs, News, Events Africa
FDI Leeway For Projects In Hospitality And Tourism
FDI Leeway For Projects In Hospitality And Tourism
In yet another move to ease the foreign direct investment (FDI) guideline for real estate, the department of industrial policy & promotion (DIPP) has proposed that minimum capitalisation norms be waived for some projects in hospitality and tourism.
In a note drafted for the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), the DIPP, which also handles the FDI policy, has said the minimum capitalisation norms specified in Press Note 2 can be waived in the case of projects involving hospitality and tourism facilities such as hotels, restaurants or entertainment facilities. Press Note 5 specifies that minimum capitalisation should be $5 million for permitting FDI in realty projects which involve an Indian partner. However, for a fully-owned subsidiary of an overseas firm the minimum capitalisation is $10 million. The waiver would be available to projects where half the built-up area is devoted to hotel and tourism businesses like food courts, resorts, restaurants, or if 20% of the total built-up area is used for hotel rooms.
The DIPP has also proposed that FDI should be allowed to flow into smaller realty projects covering only 10 acres. As of now, FDI is allowed in realty projects only if the minimum area covered is 25 acres (or 10 hectares). The move will help realty projects in metros like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad attract FDI.
Realty players say that it is not possible to find 25 acres of land in these cities to make their projects comply with Press Note 2 of 2005, which defines guidelines for permitting FDI in this sector. The industry is keen on business in the metros as it attracts high-profile customers, but wants FDI to be allowed since the cost of land in these cities is high, making them expensive.
Veterans in the real estate business who do not want to be identified said the liberalisation moves were welcome. These steps, when implemented, will provide relief to high-value projects in metros and projects being developed for the tourism sector. The move comes as a relief at a time when realty players are struggling to managed debt and lull in business, they added.
However, the realty industry is upset that its demand for waiving off the three-year lock-in for FDI in real estate has not been accepted. Many fund houses keep off realty projects due to the threeyear lock-in period, industry players feel.
International Hospitality and Tourism Management
A career in international hospitality and tourism management encompasses hotels, restaurants and travel, to be concise. There is much more involved within each of these headings.
Hospitality management by itself involves the management of administration of running hotels, and may include everything from the front desk to catering and entertainment. In fact, hotel management consists of the involvement of the organization of the rooms, the front office, the concierge, reception, reservations, housekeeping, catering, and entertainment. The hotel manager will also manage the financial aspect of running the hotel, and the marketing of it. They will also get involve in ordering the furniture, carpet, linens and oversee security issues.
Tourism management involves the movement of people during their vacations. They will find various destinations for people on holiday to visit. It will involve the journey to the destination and the stay there itself. They would need to know all about the facilities in which their travelers would be staying, and other comforts offered. They would get their vacationers involved in the activities while on their tour. These destinations would need to be very temporary and short-term.
Eco tourism is also becoming a very popular type of tourism. It involves the encouragement of travel that is environmentally responsible, and the greening of tourism.
The education involved in this type of career may be of special interest to developers in timeshares and other vacation ownership. As well, it would be beneficial to people managing visitors bureaus, members of hotel and motel associations, and hotel and restaurant developers.
When getting into the hospitality and tourism careers, it would also be very beneficial to learn other languages and dialects. This, of course, would open up an entire world of communication with your guests, so that you can be that much more accommodating. Being bilingual is always a plus, however, in almost any career.
Hospitality management by itself involves the management of administration of running hotels, and may include everything from the front desk to catering and entertainment. In fact, hotel management consists of the involvement of the organization of the rooms, the front office, the concierge, reception, reservations, housekeeping, catering, and entertainment. The hotel manager will also manage the financial aspect of running the hotel, and the marketing of it. They will also get involve in ordering the furniture, carpet, linens and oversee security issues.
Tourism management involves the movement of people during their vacations. They will find various destinations for people on holiday to visit. It will involve the journey to the destination and the stay there itself. They would need to know all about the facilities in which their travelers would be staying, and other comforts offered. They would get their vacationers involved in the activities while on their tour. These destinations would need to be very temporary and short-term.
Eco tourism is also becoming a very popular type of tourism. It involves the encouragement of travel that is environmentally responsible, and the greening of tourism.
The education involved in this type of career may be of special interest to developers in timeshares and other vacation ownership. As well, it would be beneficial to people managing visitors bureaus, members of hotel and motel associations, and hotel and restaurant developers.
When getting into the hospitality and tourism careers, it would also be very beneficial to learn other languages and dialects. This, of course, would open up an entire world of communication with your guests, so that you can be that much more accommodating. Being bilingual is always a plus, however, in almost any career.
To find out more about hotel management degrees, go to this hotel management degrees website, and read about hotel management degrees to help you choose what schedule and education is right for you.
Best Hospitality and Tourism Management Schools
Best Hospitality and Tourism Management Schools
The best hospitality and tourism management schools are where you gain an academic education on a degree program, which is a requirement if you are planning on enjoying a long career in the travel and tourism industry. When you gain qualifications in the tourism industry, the knowledge and education you gain will ensure that you are going to succeed in the hospitality industry in general.
Here are just a few of the top tourism and hospitality management schools located around the world:
The courses provided at these top colleges are designed to fit the students needs for knowledge and education, as well as the requirements of the tourism industry itself. Meaning hotels, casinos and cruise line companies. Courses offer both a practical approach to business administration and leadership to ensure qualify with an understanding of general, as well as tourism business practices. Although an exciting industry to be a part of, it very demanding of individuals and their knowledge.
A degree in tourism management is just one of graduates qualifications/requirements (leadership aside), along with extracurricular learning in over two thousand hours of volunteer and paid work in one or more internships.
Tourism management schools focus on the areas of hotel and event operations, as well as restaurant and gaming operations. This education is fundamental for working in a coastal resort or hotel, where education requirements vary amongst employers. The reason students are required to gain work experience on internships, usually throughout the summer months, is that most employers will hire someone who has already had experience in the tourism field. However, this is not always the case as many people become part of management team only having a bachelor's degree and working their way up through the ranks to senior management level.
Here are just a few of the top tourism and hospitality management schools located around the world:
- National Academy Foundations, New York
- IMI Switzerland
- AIM Paris, France
- Queenstown Resort College, New Zealand
- Victoria Management School, New Zealand
- Tourism Management Institute of Singapore (TMIS)
The courses provided at these top colleges are designed to fit the students needs for knowledge and education, as well as the requirements of the tourism industry itself. Meaning hotels, casinos and cruise line companies. Courses offer both a practical approach to business administration and leadership to ensure qualify with an understanding of general, as well as tourism business practices. Although an exciting industry to be a part of, it very demanding of individuals and their knowledge.
A degree in tourism management is just one of graduates qualifications/requirements (leadership aside), along with extracurricular learning in over two thousand hours of volunteer and paid work in one or more internships.
Tourism management schools focus on the areas of hotel and event operations, as well as restaurant and gaming operations. This education is fundamental for working in a coastal resort or hotel, where education requirements vary amongst employers. The reason students are required to gain work experience on internships, usually throughout the summer months, is that most employers will hire someone who has already had experience in the tourism field. However, this is not always the case as many people become part of management team only having a bachelor's degree and working their way up through the ranks to senior management level.
The Importance of Hotels and Accommodation in Promoting Tourism
n the modern times, the way people spend their vacations has undergone a great change. People like to spend good times with family and friend while at the same time exploring various tourist places across the globe. As a result the tourism industry across the globe has seen an unprecedented growth which in turn has also resulted in tremendous growth in the hotel and accommodation facilities.
Comfortable hotels and accommodation facilities play a very important role in popularizing any tourist destination. If a person, who is quite far away from home, gets to enjoy the same facilities and comforts as he enjoys at his home, then he is bound to become attached to the place. On the other hand if the tourist ends up at a place where the hotels and accommodation facilities are not satisfactory, it is quite likely that he might never return to that place.
Perhaps that is why, hotels and accommodation facilities being made available at different tourists spots, have shifted focus on providing maximum comfort to tourists at reasonable rates. It is also vital to provide comfortable accommodation to people from diverse economical backgrounds. While five star hotels can cater to the needs of affluent visitors, small and medium range hotels and lodging houses are available for use by a middle class traveler.
Blog reviews are also vital that information about all the hotels and accommodation facilities available in a particular tourism spot is available to people quite easily. For this there can be no better option than internet, as most tourist gain information about the hotels and accommodation facilities through this medium only. The other ways are by making booklets containing information about the hotels and accommodation facilities available at train and bus stations.
The information provided to the tourists should be detailed and correct. It should contain the information related to room rentals, types of rooms, catering services, check out times, pick and drop facilities etc. Additional information about the significant tourist spots in the area can also be provided both on the net as well as the booklets, to promote not only the hotel but the tourist spot as well.
Comfortable hotels and accommodation facilities play a very important role in popularizing any tourist destination. If a person, who is quite far away from home, gets to enjoy the same facilities and comforts as he enjoys at his home, then he is bound to become attached to the place. On the other hand if the tourist ends up at a place where the hotels and accommodation facilities are not satisfactory, it is quite likely that he might never return to that place.
Perhaps that is why, hotels and accommodation facilities being made available at different tourists spots, have shifted focus on providing maximum comfort to tourists at reasonable rates. It is also vital to provide comfortable accommodation to people from diverse economical backgrounds. While five star hotels can cater to the needs of affluent visitors, small and medium range hotels and lodging houses are available for use by a middle class traveler.
Blog reviews are also vital that information about all the hotels and accommodation facilities available in a particular tourism spot is available to people quite easily. For this there can be no better option than internet, as most tourist gain information about the hotels and accommodation facilities through this medium only. The other ways are by making booklets containing information about the hotels and accommodation facilities available at train and bus stations.
The information provided to the tourists should be detailed and correct. It should contain the information related to room rentals, types of rooms, catering services, check out times, pick and drop facilities etc. Additional information about the significant tourist spots in the area can also be provided both on the net as well as the booklets, to promote not only the hotel but the tourist spot as well.
There are many websites available on internet which is based on travel and tourism. You can get information regarding hotel accommodations, tourists place, and business blog reviews sight scenes. You should search these websites to make your travel easy and plan things accordingly. Through blog reviews you can get the link of such websites that are truly genuine and will provide you travel packages to many countries. Read these blog reviews and you will know better.
Knysna Hotel and Tourism Information
Knysna Tourism
Knysna is a scenic municipality nestled along the Garden Route, a 200 kilometer stretch of land covering beaches, mountains, inland water systems, and lush forest greenery. Located in the southeastern coast of South Africa, Knysna in the Garden Route pulls in domestic and international visitors all year round with its amazing natural beauty, outdoor activities, cultural attractions, and wonderful Knysan accommodation options, including upmarket Knysna Hotel, easy Knysna self-catering and peaceful Knysna B&B accommodation. In terms of weather and climate conditions, even the winters are mild in Knysna, with temperatures averaging consistently within or a little bit above 19 degrees Celsius.
Attractions in Knysna
The municipality, which is situated between George and Plettenberg Bay, comprises of Buffalo Bay, Brenton, Noetzie, Rheenenal, and Sedgerfield. The main tourism attraction of Knysna is its natural beauty, especially it's salt water lagoon, which has been protected and promoted for its tourism potential.There are numerous small accommodation establishments, as well as a number of larger hotels surrounding the lagoon. What makes Knysna accommodation so special is the fact that many self-catering, B&B and hotel establishments are situated right on the shores of this lagoon!
Tourism excursions can be arranged to view any of the several forest and mountain trails surrounding the area. The Garden Route trail takes visitors on a tour of the estuaries, wetlands, sand dunes, coastal areas, and forests along the Garden Route, which crosses some areas of the Goukamma Nature Reserve and the Wilderness National Park. There are many hiking trails through the Knysna Forest, an 80,000 hectare sanctuary famous for its elephants. There are also many accommodation options available in this forest.
For those who are looking for history and art, the municipality has a thriving community showcasing their arts and crafts in several galleries and alternative venues such as the alfresco markets. The Millwood Museum and Materoli Tea Room is constructed at the mining site of the old Goldfield Gold Rush and provides an interactive mining experience.
Dining, Shopping and Outdoor Activities
Knysna's wonderful verdant surroundings, exciting mountain terrain, and deep blue coastal waters attract a host of sports and outdoor activity enthusiasts every year. Abseiling, bungee jumping, hiking, paragliding, mountain biking, water skiing, canoeing, and other exciting outdoor activities are offered by tourism companies specializing in extreme, sports, and recreational activities. Many Knysna accommodation establishments will help organize these activities for their guests.
This quiet town is a magnet for gourmands and beer aficionados. Traditional South African and Cape-Malay influenced establishments serve a wide array of choices, from braai to bobotie, alongside restaurants offering international and fusion cuisine. Locally cultivated oysters and other seafood are served fresh in Knysna. Mitchell's Brewery, one of the foremost breweries in South Africa and a tourism attraction by itself, produces a range of excellent beers.
In terms of shopping, Knysna has an array of specialty shops and stores, including six open air markets, for the satisfaction of the inveterate shopper or the souvenir hunter. The alfresco markets, where locally produced vegetables, fruits, and other farm products are sold, provide a good opportunity to meet and interact with the members of the community.
Where to Stay
Visitors to this popular South African tourism destination will not be disappointed with the range of Knysna accommodation is available for booking. Since the area receives different types of visitors each year, the numerous accommodation options are designed to cater to individual and group preferences and budget. There are more than 6,000 beds available for visitors, these include Knynsa Hotel, Knysna B&B and Knysna self catering accommodation options.
Knysan has many accommodation options available to accommodate everyone. Some accommodation options include campsite, lodges, chalets, hotels, and bed and breakfasts. Other accommodation options include holiday and wildlife resorts and private game resorts. Visit: Knysna Accommodation for a complete listing of Knysna accommodation.
Saturday, 3 September 2011
We can't wait until next year for tourism plan - the industry's dying and we must act now
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 2: Several Bermuda hotels have been running at a loss for more than two years and could be facing closure before next summer, a leading hotelier has warned.
Mike Winfield, a former president of the Bermuda Hoteliers Association, condemned the delay in producing a strategic plan for tourism.
He said the industry was in “critical condition” and warned “we are fiddling while Rome burns”.
The Cambridge Beaches boss said the announcement, from Tourism Minister Patrice Minors, that the much-hyped masterplan for the future of the industry would not be released until next year was “deeply concerning. We have been talking and talking about this. There were clear and definitive ideas to come out of that retreat.
“There was a consensus that we should be putting this out no later than October to save 2012.
“To find out now that it is not coming out until the beginning of next year is deeply concerning.
“I am not sure the number of hotels will be the same in 2012. There is potential of losing some.”
He said even a small delay in producing a new vision and brand for Bermuda was significant for the shareholders of the island’s hotels.
“How long do shareholders continue to invest money if they are not at least given assurances that the organization responsible for creating demand and ensuring a sustainable environment is in place and making things happen?”
The Annual Job Market Employment Briefs, released on Wednesday, showed 287 jobs were lost in hotels in 2010 — despite no significant closures.
Mr Winfield said the cuts were a sign of how badly hotels were struggling to make ends meet.
“What we are seeing is very clear evidence of the criticality of Bermuda’s hotel industry today.
“Many hotels have been losing money during this economic crisis and there is an obvious impact on the labour force.
“It is the shareholders that pay for that and they are increasingly worried about the sustainability of the industry.”
The Tourism Board held a ‘retreat’ in April to brainstorm ideas with key industry figures with a view to charting the way forward for the struggling industry.
The aim was to produce and publish a clear plan by October to give the island time to market itself for the 2012 season.
But Minster Minors announced last week that progress had been delayed.
Several hoteliers are said to be concerned.
“We can’t procrastinate ad-infinitum,” said Mr Winfield.
“It is my belief that what is required is not rocket science.
Guidance
“There are some definitive steps that need to be taken. We need to know what we want tourism to look like in five years and have a plan to get there. That needs professional input, guidance and management. We should have that in place and we should be moving forward. The state of Bermuda’s industry is not a surprise. We’ve been in a loss position for the last two years.”
He said business had been declining badly for ten years with Bermuda reaching the “critical point” where it could not afford to lose any more hotel beds.
“Look at the number of hotels that have closed. Look at the number of beds on the island.We are half of what we were ten years ago.
“There are lots of people taking decisions about the future of their hotels and looking at different ways of using the land.
“But from a social and financial perspective the tourism industry is vital to the future of Bermuda.
“It provides the infrastructure for International Business. It provides the rationale for the airlift that also supports IB.
He said the industry was in “critical condition” and warned “we are fiddling while Rome burns”.
The Cambridge Beaches boss said the announcement, from Tourism Minister Patrice Minors, that the much-hyped masterplan for the future of the industry would not be released until next year was “deeply concerning. We have been talking and talking about this. There were clear and definitive ideas to come out of that retreat.
“There was a consensus that we should be putting this out no later than October to save 2012.
“To find out now that it is not coming out until the beginning of next year is deeply concerning.
“I am not sure the number of hotels will be the same in 2012. There is potential of losing some.”
He said even a small delay in producing a new vision and brand for Bermuda was significant for the shareholders of the island’s hotels.
“How long do shareholders continue to invest money if they are not at least given assurances that the organization responsible for creating demand and ensuring a sustainable environment is in place and making things happen?”
The Annual Job Market Employment Briefs, released on Wednesday, showed 287 jobs were lost in hotels in 2010 — despite no significant closures.
Mr Winfield said the cuts were a sign of how badly hotels were struggling to make ends meet.
“What we are seeing is very clear evidence of the criticality of Bermuda’s hotel industry today.
“Many hotels have been losing money during this economic crisis and there is an obvious impact on the labour force.
“It is the shareholders that pay for that and they are increasingly worried about the sustainability of the industry.”
The Tourism Board held a ‘retreat’ in April to brainstorm ideas with key industry figures with a view to charting the way forward for the struggling industry.
The aim was to produce and publish a clear plan by October to give the island time to market itself for the 2012 season.
But Minster Minors announced last week that progress had been delayed.
Several hoteliers are said to be concerned.
“We can’t procrastinate ad-infinitum,” said Mr Winfield.
“It is my belief that what is required is not rocket science.
Guidance
“There are some definitive steps that need to be taken. We need to know what we want tourism to look like in five years and have a plan to get there. That needs professional input, guidance and management. We should have that in place and we should be moving forward. The state of Bermuda’s industry is not a surprise. We’ve been in a loss position for the last two years.”
He said business had been declining badly for ten years with Bermuda reaching the “critical point” where it could not afford to lose any more hotel beds.
“Look at the number of hotels that have closed. Look at the number of beds on the island.We are half of what we were ten years ago.
“There are lots of people taking decisions about the future of their hotels and looking at different ways of using the land.
“But from a social and financial perspective the tourism industry is vital to the future of Bermuda.
“It provides the infrastructure for International Business. It provides the rationale for the airlift that also supports IB.
Gloom but not doom for Indian hospitality industry
Sunday, September 04, 2011 Local Saturday, September 03, 2011 HANMI TO LAWMAKERS Pass $15 travel promotion fee to grow CNMI tourism
The Hotel Association of the Northern Mariana Islands is asking the Senate and the House to pass a bill that seeks to charge passengers from non-U.S. destinations a new $15 “travel promotion fee,” but asks that fees collected should go directly to the Marianas Visitors Authority instead of the general fund to help grow the tourism industry.
HANMI represents hundreds of hotel rooms in the CNMI.
“We support the implementation of a $15 per person travel promotion fee on arrivals from non-U.S. destinations to fund the Tourism Incentive Program. We do not feel this additional fee will negatively affect the average visitor's decision to choose the Northern Marianas destination,” HANMI board chair Nick Nishikawa and five other HANMI directors said in a letter to Senate President Paul Manglona (Ind-Rota) and House Speaker Eli Cabrera.
House Bill 17-179, House Substitute 1 passed the House in May, and has since been with the Senate.
The bill seeks to amend a law signed in February, to expand the target market for the tourism incentive program to include “Asian countries” in addition to Japan, which was struck by disasters in March or a month after the original law was enacted.
But Nishikawa and the other board members said it is imperative that the funds collected for this bill's purpose be given “directly” to MVA for the purpose of the Tourism Incentive Program.
“We do not support this revenue being collected under the general fund, as there is concern it would be diverted for other than the intended purpose, which is solely for the growth of our tourism industry. Furthermore, allocating this revenue directly to MVA will eliminate any delays in allotments, a challenge the tourism authority continues to face in implementing its programs,” the HANMI officials said.
Tourism is now the only major industry in the CNMI, after the total pullout of the garment industry. But tourist arrivals have been steadily declining. In June, for example, arrivals dropped by 17 percent compared to June 2010, attributed mainly to the negative effects of the March 2011 earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in Japan.
MVA said there were only 23,604 visitors in June compared to 28,372 during the same month last year. Overall, visitor arrivals are down 5 percent this fiscal year to 251,992 visitors.
House floor leader George Camacho (Ind-Saipan), author of HB 17-179, HS1, said yesterday he's hopeful that the Senate will pass the tourism incentive bill.
“I am sure the Senate understands the CNMI's need for revenue and will pass the legislation. I just hope they can do it soon and not delay the process. MVA is waiting on that bill so that they can quickly promulgate the rules to get the program started,” Camacho told Saipan Tribune.
But a copy of the Senate's scheduled Sept. 8 session agenda does not include the tourism incentive bill. The bill calendar has only the fiscal year 2012 budget.
Sen. Ralph Torres (R-Saipan), chair of the Senate Committee on Resources and Economic Development, said in a separate interview yesterday that the panel will meet on Wednesday or Thursday to discuss this legislation.
“And from there, we'll know whether to recommend passage or not of the bill,” he added.
The Fitial administration sponsored the original tourism incentive bill that became law.
When a bill amending the tourism law was introduced, it contained the new $15 fee to be collected by airlines, besides expanding the target market for the tour agent incentive program.
The law gives monetary incentives to travel agents who are able to bring in tourists from the Japanese cities of Osaka and Nagoya during so-called low peak periods. The March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan has prompted the CNMI to expand the target market, to include those from Korea and China and other Asian countries.
Collections from this new fee will also be used to “recover costs incurred for enforcement of customs and quarantine laws,” the bill amending the law says.
Lawmakers have always talked about passing revenue-generating bills and cut spending, but only a few actually get acted on.
Idul Fitri Good News for Local Tourism
Many of Indonesia’s 237 million people are in the mood for holidaying in the post-fasting Idul Fitri period, and they have flocked to domestic tourist attractions.
The government combined the national holiday with leave days, giving almost everyone nine days off for Idul Fitri 2011. Work starts again on Monday.
The long holiday helped boost transportation and tourism, with about 15.5 million travelers going home to celebrate Idul Fitri with their relatives. And once the prayers were over, they spent the rest of the holiday at the beach and other attractions.
In Jakarta, PT Pembangunan Jaya Ancol official Metty Yan Harahap estimated that at least 1.5 million visitors would flood Ancol Dreamland during the week, at least 10 percent more than during last year` week-long Lebaran holiday.
In addition, on the second day of Idul Fitri, Thursday, at least 45,000 people visited the Taman Mini Indonesia theme park in East Jakarta, said the park’s spokesman, Mas`ud Toyib said. He expected visits would hit a peak Sunday.
In nearby Tangerang, thousands of holiday makers visited the popular Tanjung Pasir beach on Saturday, said beach security coordinator Asmar Yopi. He said the place would stay packed through the weekend as people get as much fun as possible out of the holiday before heading back to work.
Rosidah, a resident of nearby Balaraja, Tangerang, said every year she and her friends visited Tanjung Pasir beach because it’s close to home and easier to reach than the popular seaside Anyer resort in Banten.
"If we go to Anyer, we are also afraid of getting stuck in a traffic jam," she said.
Anyer itself was crowded for its busiest time of the year.
"The peak of tourist arrivals at Anyer is expected this Saturday and Sunday," Secretary of the Indonesian Hotel and Restaurant Association’s Serang Chapter, Sukirman, said Friday.
Cilegon Police Chief Umar Surya Fana said he would deploy extra personnel in Anyer to handle the crush of arrivals over the weekend.
"This weekend, it`s not only the peak of tourist arrivals in Anyer Beach, but also the reverse flow of Idul Fitri travelers from Bakauheni to Merak Seaport," he said.
In West Java, thousands of tourists visiting Mount Papandayan in Garut, West Java ignored a government warning to stay away from the volcano, which erupted recently and has been on alert status since Aug. 13, according to local government spokesperson Dikdik Hendraja.
Also in West Java, at least 25,000 visitors were expected by resorts in the Rancabali region of Bandung District.
"Around 17,000 people already have arrived from various cities in Indonesia. It`s likely that the number of tourist arrivals this year will increase from the previous year," Asep Ester, the chairman of the Bandung Tourism Association, said last week.
Its also been a good time for malls and department stores. In Bekasi, visitors to malls in Cikarang are up about 17 percent after Idul Fitri.
"Visitors come for discounted products, especially garments and Lebaran necessities," Ridwan Arifin, a spokesman for Sentra Grosir Cikarang in Bekasi said on Friday.
The stories are repeated nationwide, from the Punti Kayu forest resort in Palembang to East Java’s Wonorejo Dam and reservoir, where numbers were up sharply.
In Malam, East Java, five to six thousand people a day visited Jatim Park 2 during the holiday, an increase of 40 percent from non-peak times, said an official. Jatim Park 1 saw about 4,000 people a day.
For the wealthy, Australia was a popular destination, with the Australian Embassy getting over 16,000 tourist visa applications in the seven weeks leading up to the holiday.
"Lebaran is a special time for all Indonesians and we`re proud to be able to meet the growing demand for Indonesians visiting Australia," Australian Ambassador Greg Moriarty said in a press release Friday.
Welcome aboard North Korea’s first cruise ship.Keen to boost tourism and earn much-needed cash,
Welcome aboard North Korea’s first cruise ship.Keen to boost tourism and earn much-needed cash, authorities in the impoverished nation have decided to launch a cruise tour from the rundown northeastern port city of Rajin to the scenic resort of Mount Kumgang.
In a highly unusual move, the reclusive regime invited more than 120 journalists and Chinese tour operators on board the newly renovated, 39-year-old Man Gyong Bong ship for a trial run of the 21-hour journey.
The vessel left one of Rajin’s aging piers Tuesday to the sound of rousing music, as hundreds of students and workers holding colorful flowers stood in line and clapped in unison.
“The boat was only renovated one week ago,” said Hwang Chol Nam, vice mayor of the Rason special economic zone, as he sat on the top deck at a table filled with bottles of North Korean beer, a large plate of fruit, and egg and seafood dishes.
“But it has already made the trip to Mount Kumgang and back. I told people to test the ship to make sure it was safe,” said the 48-year-old, dressed in a crisp suit adorned with a red pin sporting late leader Kim Il-Sung’s portrait.
The project is the brainchild of North Korea’s Taepung International Investment Group and the government of Rason, a triangular coastal area in the northeast that encompasses Rajin and Sonbong cities, and borders China and Russia.
Set up as a special economic zone in 1991 to attract investment to North Korea, it never took off due to poor infrastructure, chronic power shortages and a lack of confidence in the reclusive regime.
Now though, authorities are trying to revive the area as the North’s economy falters under the weight of international sanctions imposed over the regime’s pursuit of ballistic missiles and atomic weapons.
The country is desperately poor after decades of isolation and bungled economic policies, and is grappling with persistent food shortages.
In Rason, Hwang said authorities had decided to focus on three areas of growth – cargo trade, seafood processing and tourism.
North Korea has only been open to Western tourists since 1987 and remains tightly controlled, but more destinations are gradually opening up to tour groups keen to see the country for themselves.
Mount Kumgang, though, is at the heart of a political dispute between North and South Korea after a tourist from the South was shot dead by a North Korean soldier in 2008.
And Rason, where the cruise begins, is a poor area. The tours are tightly monitored, and the only brief contact with locals is with guides, tourist shop owners and hotel employees.
Visitors can expect only brief glimpses of everyday life through the windows of tour buses, as locals – many dressed in monochrome clothing – cycle past or drive the occasional car in otherwise quiet streets.
Small apartment blocks, many of them run down, are interspersed with monuments to the glory of the country’s leaders.
A portrait of current leader Kim Jong-Il and his late father Kim Il-Sung greets visitors as they walk through the vast lobby of the large, white hotel in Rajin. “The book is a silent teacher and a companion to life,” reads a quotation from the late Kim, hung over glass cases full of books about North Korea, with titles like “The Great Man Kim Jong-Il” and “Korea – a trailblazer.”
Emirati students boost their skills in Delma Island tourism
Abu Dhabi: For Mariam Ahmad Mohammad, the chance to return to the island where her father tended to the animals loved by the UAE's late President Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan was a dream come true.
"My father was the caretaker of Sir Bani Yas… he would look after the island and the animals… he met with Shaikh Zayed whenever he visited to talk about any changes that took place. Growing up, I visited the island regularly with my father and I loved seeing all the animals, especially the giraffes," she said.
After graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication from the UAE University, Mariam returned to Delma Island and enrolled in various courses in the Delma Island Education Centre (DIEC).
"While studying at the centre, I heard about a new tourism programme and when I found out more about it, I was very excited to join… it provided me with the perfect way to enhance my BA skills while also promoting my culture and heritage in a unique, hands-on way," Mariam said.
Article continues below
"My parents were very supportive, especially my father… they're very proud that I am following in his footsteps but in my own way," she added.
First batch
The 24-year-old is one of five Emirati women who make up the first batch of students who have graduated from the DIEC's 11-month programme, the Introductory Diploma in Travel and Tourism. The diploma is accredited and certified through the UK-based vocational skills organisation City & Guilds Group.
"We launched this programme because we wanted to encourage Emirati involvement to develop the desert islands into a tourist destination," Mahra Al Qasimi, Senior Communications Manager in Tourism Development and Investment Company (TDIC), said. "Even though our first graduates from this programme are women, it is open to both men and women who are Emiratis. The women have given their feedback and we are considering their suggestions for the next batch, of which we've already begun receiving applications," she added.
The women completed courses in English, tourism, customer service, the presentation of promotional materials, task planning and time management before moving on to an internship at the Desert Island Resort & Spa by Anantara, the signature hotel on Sir Bani Yas, a two-hour ferry ride from home.
Wafa Sanad Al Mehairbi, 21, was studying at the UAE University before enrolling in the Centre. "I loved the programme… it taught me so much, both about the industry and myself… I was a very shy person and wasn't very physically active. But when we had to do our practical training on the island, I had a lot of fun. I learnt to ride a bicycle and through interacting with guests, I became more confident about speaking in public," Wafa said.
Fostering closeness
"Another great thing about the programme is that while at first the only other person I knew was Mariam, by the time it ended, we all became as close as sisters," she added.
Mariam, Wafa and their fellow graduates, Inaam Yousuf Al Hammadi and Yasmeen Ebrahim Al Hammadi are working as tour guides on the island while their fifth classmate, Shaikha Mohammad Al Ali, is an administrator in the DIEC.
"Being able to do all these activities is amazing, especially since not many people were sure we could be full-time tour guides. Also, we were able to share our culture with international guests who don't know a lot about the UAE"
Wafa said because of the positive experiences she's had, she is trying to encourage a friend to enrol with the next batch.
"We need more Emiratis to join this industry because who better than us to represent our country's culture and hospitality?" Wafa said.
About the Desert Islands Education Centre
A North Korean Resort Seeks to Draw Foreigners
The golf course is devoid of caddies; banks and restaurants are chained and padlocked; and empty hotel rooms have grown musty.
Income from tourism here has plummeted since a South Korean visitor was shot dead in 2008 by a North Korean soldier while wandering one night into a nearby area that North Korean officials said was a military zone. South Korea then forbade its citizens from traveling here, and the South Korean developer of the park, Hyundai Asan, had to suspend the venture, for which it had exclusive rights from this authoritarian Communist state.
Now, the North Korean government, desperate for revenue, seeks to lure other foreign investors to Mount Kumgang, against the wishes of South Korea.
A senior North Korean tourism official gave a video presentation on Wednesday night to scores of Chinese businesspeople and officials shuttled to the park on a 21-hour bare-bones cruise from the Rason region in the far north of the country. The official, Kim Kwang-yun, told foreign reporters who had been given a rare opportunity to accompany the Chinese group to this secretive country that Mount Kumgang was open to investment from anywhere.
“Last night, I explained a lot to allow foreigners to see the beautiful sights of Mount Kumgang,” Mr. Kim said as he sat beneath chandeliers in the lobby of the Kumgang Hotel, adding that he could also talk about investing “if big delegations from Europe, Africa and other countries come to the Mount Kumgang area.”
The effort by North Korean officials to bring foreign investment to Mount Kumgang is the latest move in a chess match between the two Koreas over the park, which abuts the demilitarized zone. New investment would help with infrastructure construction, and rejuvenated park operations could bolster tourist numbers. But the vast majority of the two million visitors who have come to the resort since its opening in 1998 have been South Koreans, and North Korean officials say they want to restart their partnership with Hyundai Asan. The very public wooing of foreign investors could be an effort to pressure the South Korean government to let Hyundai Asan rejoin the venture.
The North Koreans began raising the stakes on Aug. 22, when officials informed the government in the South that they were evicting any remaining South Korean employees from the park and contended that they had the right to “start legal disposal” of South Korean assets, which amount to $443 million.
The South Korean government immediately said it would take legal and diplomatic measures to protect the assets, and Hyundai Asan warned that anyone who bought facilities at the resort would be implicated in international lawsuits.
Mr. Kim said the South Korean government was responsible for the conflict by putting “unilateral restrictions on tourism” for “political purposes.” He added that the tensions would not scare off foreign investors.
“I think we already established the legal foundation for developing this Mount Kumgang area,” he said. “Whether they will invest in this area is their choice.”
An official at South Korea’s Unification Ministry said in an e-mail on Saturday that the “Mount Kumgang tourism issue cannot be resolved by the unilateral measures by the North. It can be addressed by inter-Korean dialogue.”
Once accessed by ferry and road from South Korea, the special administrative zone of Mount Kumgang is a rugged area of pine trees and waterfalls, soaring stony peaks and curving coastlines. Carved into the ubiquitous granite rock faces are gigantic slogans paying homage to the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-il, and his deceased father and North Korea’s founder, Kim Il-sung.
The South Korean government built a center here for a pilot program in which family members split by the division of Korea in 1945 and the subsequent war could meet again. But since the killing of the South Korean tourist, relations between the two Koreas have become much more strained, especially after the sinking of a South Korean naval ship for which the South blames the North and the shelling of a South Korean island last year.
The drop in tourism has been particularly hard on North Korea, which has been grappling with food shortages caused in part by failed economic policies and struggling with the effect of economic sanctions from the United Nations. The sanctions were imposed mostly at the urging of the United States, which is trying to force the North Korean leader to end a nuclear weapons program.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)