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2007

Virgin grounds in-flight therapists to give more services at lounges Virgin will scrap in-flight manicures and massages offered to premium passengers in favour of more beauty services at its lounges. -BT		Aviation companies want five at FBI to testify in 9/11 lawsuits They argue that the Federal Aviation Administration was not alerted that al-Qaeda was poised to launch terrorist attacks. -BT

Partying on the Flyer needs at least a beer The proper food-and-drink combination is the difference between wondering what to do with yourself after the first five minutes, and feeling like you're partying on top of the world. -BT		South-bound train services likely to resume today Officials declined to speculate on what caused the Singapore-bound Express Rakyat with 210 passengers to jump the rails. -The Star

US air fares go up for summer travel 10-15% increase expected in high- demand season due to jet fuel price hike. -BT		Airlines face worst crisis since 2001 Major airlines that survived a decade of reorganisation through bankruptcy are now facing their biggest test since the 9/11. -Reuters

Air NZ to raise air fares by another 3% Another rise was necessary because it could not absorb the surging cost of fuel. -Reuters		Human skulls smuggling foiled at airport The Customs and Excise Office at the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport had confiscated three human skulls. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

Dubai airport now world's sixth busiest The growing number of passengers in Dubai reached 9.34 million in the first three months of the year overtaking Singapore's Changi Airport. -BT		Nine dead in Egypt tourist coach inferno The coach, carrying 40 people, rolled over and burst into flames about 70km south of Suez. -ST

	China opens one of world's largest bridges China inaugurated the Hangzhou Bay Bridgeas part of its effort to boost economic integration and development. -China Daily, ANN	M'sia may allow more flights to and from S'pore next year The two governments are negotiating a bilateral agreement that may take effect next year. -ST

Plan for more direct flights from HK Talks are on-going to increase the frequency of direct flights between Penang and Hong Kong. -NST			Festive mood in Sabah Sabah's month-long Harvest Festival kicked off with symbolic harvesting of padi amid chantings by Kadazandusun priestesses. -The Star, ANN

	Three-day festival promises awesome blend of music The event is featuring multicultural 'ensembles' from Malaysia, Australia, US, Mexico, Denmark, Reunion Islands, Ireland, Iran, India, France, Canada, Croatia, Tibet and Kenya. -The Star, ANN	KL may open up more Malaysian cities to flights from Singapore There will be unlimited access for low-fare carriers on the route. -BT

Railway to start accident inquiry A full investigation would begin today, once the locomotive and coaches had been recovered. -NST		Perth airport closed after parcels found More than 3,000 travellers and staff had to be evacuated to a safe place 2km from the affected building. -NST

	Malaysia Airlines to launch zero fare tickets for domestic destinations. Travel to any domestic destination for zero fare on Malaysia Airlines. -The Star, ANN	May Day tourists bring hope to West China tourism industry About 200 people were expected to come to Tibet in small groups during the three-day holiday. -China Daily, ANN

'Magnificent 7' rescue 65 lost hikers They got lost at the top of Gunung Cemerong. -NST		Singapore Airlines Received Its Fourth A380 The fourth A380, the world's biggest passenger jet, already arrived in Singapore. -The Nation, ANN

Best Western participates in 15th Arabian Travel Market (ATM) held in Dubai Best Western International, The World's Largest Hotel Chain participates at The 15th Arabian Travel Market in Dubai. -The Nation, ANN		Bintan casino plan waiting for a green light from Jakarta Casino plan in Indonesia hopes to develop a new destination for tourists. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

MAS: No plans to introduce everyday low fare outside Asean Zero fares means that the passengers only pay airport tax, fuel surcharge and administration fees. -NST		30 lost in Botanical Park forest found early today The group lost their their way in the darkness due to lack of preparation. -NST

More Middle East tourists expected A total of 245,302 tourists from the Middle East visited Malaysia last year. -NST		Malaysia drops idea of travel restriction for women Following an outcry from women's groups. -Reuters

Administration considers jumping onboard rail project It is studying a possible railway system to connect the capital to Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. -The Jakarta Post, ANN		E. Kalimantan airport workers threaten strikes The move is likely to paralyze flights to and from the province. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

Bali needs more Japanese and Chinese-speaking guides Of the 8,000 certified local guides on the island, most could only speak English and some European languages. -The Jakarta Post, ANN			AirAsia battles it out with MAS Air Asia to announce two initiatives to counter Malaysia Airlines' Zero Fare campaign. -The Star, ANN

	AirAsia boss: Let us compete against MAS While AirAsia welcomes competition, it also should be allowed to compete against MAS, said AirAsia group chief executive officer. -The Star, ANN	Travellers advised to get suitable flu vaccine for their destination People travelling overseas advised to read up on strains common to their destinations. -myp

	Cruise liner with 984 on board runs aground in Baltic Sea Passengers safe; rescuers try to free ship from sand bank. -BT	12 dead after boat sinks in Amazon A boat ferrying more than 100 people home from a party sank in Brazil's Amazon region, killing at least 12 and leaving dozens missing. -BT

Open up aviation sector fully: Fernandes Liberalisation should include allowing AirAsia to mount increased flights to S'pore, fly into the island republic from other points in M'sia as well as fly to international destinations. -BT		Travel consent letter meant for those below age 21: M'sian minister Women above 21 years old are adult enough and do no need supervision. -The Star, ANN

	Floral fest bigger and better this year This year's Malaysia Flora Fest may no longer be a strictly Malaysian affair. -NST	Visitors from China to be screened for EV71 With immediate effect, all visitors arriving from the provinces of Zhejiang, Anhui and Guangdong in China to Malaysia will be monitored for EV71. -NST

SIA banking on a premium way to fly SIA will launch its first all-business-class direct flights to New York and Los Angeles later this month and the move will be closely watched by its Asia Pacific rivals. -BT			Where guests help in conservation Thanks to the enthusiasm of guests at the Sukau Rainforest Lodge in Sabah, there are now more lush trees growing in the area. -NST

	Chips are down in Las Vegas Casinos and hotels feel the pinch as recession forces Americans to tighten their belts. -ST	Airbus warns Emirates of further A380 delays Its first delivery due this year is already almost two years behind schedule. -Reuters

Privatise US airports to reduce congestion: economist US air travellers would have less congestion and fewer flight delays with airports and air-traffic control shifted to private hands. -BT		Flights to Burma back to normal as clean-up begins Travel agents say great damage inflicted. -The Nation, ANN

	New "U Hotels & Resorts" launches its web site U Hotels & Resorts launches its web site with luxurious stay at U Chiang Mai. -The Nation, ANN		How about gourmet tourism? Health and sports tourism have been keenly promoted but I think what we also need to promote our gourmet tourism. -NST

'Mini tsunami' at Terengganu waterfall kills 3, injures 7 It was supposed to be a relaxing outing for the swimmers at Sekayu Waterfalls, but disaster struck when a strong gush of water swept them away. -TNP		Travel consent too cumbersome Parents and teachers should remind children of the danger of accepting 'great deals' online and being greedy. -The Star, ANN

MAS: We're not cutting into business of others The new product was also aimed at boosting domestic tourism and countering inflation. -The Star, ANN			Ancient totems ruined Four 200-year-old burial totem poles and 37 units of the Punan Bah longhouse in Belaga were destroyed by fire. -NST

Shafie: New strategy to promote local arts abroad A strategic marketing effort was needed to add value to local products so that they would be accepted in the international market. -NST		Azalina: Spend holidays here Malaysians should visit more local destinations during their weekends and leave period instead of travelling abroad. -NST

Malaysia woos Arab tourists with eco-tourism Malaysia is putting up a strong presence at the four-day Arabian Travel Mart 2008 to woo Arab tourists to the country. -NST		Transport Ministry to conduct safety audit of railway tracks An independent body conduct the audit. -NST

	SIA to fly A380 to Beijing on Olympics demand Singapore Air will fly the A380 on one of its three daily flights to China's capital for one week in early August. -ST		Le festival If you have a fondness for all things French, all you have to do is go next door to Malaysia. -The Star, ANN

S'pore Airlines to raise fuel surcharge from May 12 Surcharges on SIA and SilkAir flights to increase by US$5 to US$20. -ST		'City won't invest in airport train' The administration would take the idea seriously if the project was designed mainly in the interest of Jakartans. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

British Airways aware of T5 issues before opening Delays had led to a compromise on both baggage systems testing and staff familiarisation with the terminal's workings. -Reuters		SIA, SilkAir up fuel surcharges On regional routes, passengers will pay $95 for a round-trip ticket, for long-haul flights to the US and Canada, the surcharge will be US$300 and everyone else will pay US$190 for a round-trip flight. -ST

Transport fares set to rise in Indonesia It is in anticipation of a government hike in the price of fuel. -AFP		KL relooks highway toll rates in concession review Road charges may drop, helping to offset rising fuel and food costs. -Reuters

	Fly on the A380 to Beijing for the Olympics SIA to use aircraft on one of its thrice- daily flights for one week in August. -BT	Senate wrangling derails US bill to overhaul air traffic The bill was to modernise the US air traffic system, increase safety oversight and improve customer service. -Reuters

Dewan Rakyat: Highway concession, tolls to be reviewed A toll review mechanism to gauge traffic volume and toll collected at the 22 highways nationwide could result in lower toll and re-negotiations of the agreements. -NST		Three-phase plan to develop Sabah World-class tourism infrastructure and services will be put in place, including nurturing a vibrant arts and culture scene. -NST

Safety checks for rail tracks It is to be done by an independent body. -NST			Airport workers strike hits 5 airports The coordinated 6 hour strikes were due to continued disagreements between state-owned PT Angkasa Pura I and its labour union over salaries, pensions and health insurance. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

Airplane JV firm to take off on Sunday The aim of the company will be to manufacture passenger jets with at least 150 seats, enabling it to compete with Boeing and Airbus in the fast-growing aviation market. -China Daily, ANN		Budget airline war spawns new hybrid carriers They offer some of the services of regular carriers. -ST

Travel Bargains Now is a good time to stay at the sumptuous five-star Langham Place Eco Resort + Spa in Krabi, Thailand. -ST			"I felt so lucky to be alive" S'porean Subari Sukaini relates his experience of the Keretapi Tanah Melayu (KTM) express train accident last Saturday, which killed the driver and injured 14 others. -TNP

	Released Japanese tourists apologise over Yemen kidnapping The two women, who appeared to be unhurt, were taken hostage by tribesmen as they travelled by road to the ancient Marib Dam, a major visitor attraction. -AFP	Top US-based firm to design new Marina South cruise terminal The Marina South facility, dubbed the International Cruise Terminal, will be Singapore's second terminal. -ST

Expect little respite from the heat Travelling to Singapore and want to know the weather? Temperatures are set to climb as May and June are traditionally the hottest months here. -ST		International air accident rate up: Iata Increase due to incidents in Africa, Indonesia, Brazil; but global fatalities fall. -BT

	1 in 3 travel sites contains hidden costs: EU survey Some websites conceal the true cost of flights until consumers are close to booking. -BT	Dubai aims to avoid Heathrow 'big bang' chaos It plans to open its new US$4.5 billion airport terminal gradually. -Reuters

	Hot acts at Port Dickson fest The stars of the massive Ministry of Sound in Singapore are ready to set the night on fire. -NST	Airport workers threaten more strikes Despite an intervention by lawmakers, board directors of state-owned airport operator PT Angkasa Pura I are still in disagreement with employees, over salaries, pensions and health insurance. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

England a not so green and pleasant land: tourist guide It is a nation of "overweight, sex-and-celebrity-obsessed TV addicts", according to new book. -AFP			Tidal flood wreaks havoc on flight plans A tidal flood saw the temporary closure of the toll road between Soekarno-Hatta International Airport and Jakarta. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

Thai, Brunei airlines in code share deal This will apply to flights between the capitals of the two countries. -AFP			Thai Air Asia carries donations for free to Myanmar It is extending help to cyclone-ravaged Myanmar by offering to carry to Yangon for free donations from the public and by continuing to provide regular flights to the country. -AsiaOne

Shanghai-HK passengers hurt in turbulence: report An ambulance was made to stand by when the China Eastern aircraft landed. -AFP		HK jewellery tycoon jailed for tourist scam: report He bribed travel agents to bring tourists to his company's showrooms. -AFP

	S'pore's half price surprise for M'sian tourists Under special promotion Malaysians visiting the island can just show their passports and embarkation cards to enjoy discounts on entrance fees at 16 attractions paid in Malaysian ringgit. -The Star	3 injured in evacuation from China plane: media Controls warned of a fire while the plane was taxiing to the runway. -Reuters

	Lost luggage at UK airport finds new home at the auctions Lost bags - and their contents- get new lease of life as they get sold off to highest bidders. -AFP	China unveils new jumbo jet company It is in a move that could eventually rival Airbus and Boeing. -AFP

6 detained over fatal China rail accident The six people detained include a train driver but there was no mention whether it was the person who had been driving the Qingdao-bound train. -AFP		To London and back - for $515 AirAsia X would start with five flights a week using the first aircraft. -The Star

	AirAsia goes head-to-head with MAS by slashing fuel surcharge AirAsia will not only offer passengers at zero fare, it is also offering RM5 off on fuel surcharge for domestic routes. -The Star, ANN	Hotels discharging sewage into the sea Certain hotels and resorts in Malaysia are among the culprits damaging the rich coral ecosystem. -The Star, ANN

Zuji's new tool will let users create own travel packages Package Guru is a tool that allows customers to bundle services for a personalised travel experience. -BT			China's flight plan: To build commercial jets New company set up to reduce reliance on Airbus, Boeing. -Reuters

Ryanair says high oil prices will break some airlines If the high prices remain or rise over the next 12 months, some Ryanair competitors will go out of business. -AFP		Three-day sport tourism conference The conference will discuss how the benefits of sport tourism can be maximised and its negative impacts minimised. -NST

	China trains guides as tourists flock to mountains The first group of guides trained by an expert Frenchman will soon graduate - part of a government drive to boost safety standards. -AFP		Port Dickson folks irked by youths' out of control behaviour at rave event Thousands of teenagers, many drunk and wearing skimpy clothing were misbehaving and some were even involved in substance abuse. -The Star

Uluwatu Temple at center of controversy The temple is standing at the heart of an ongoing public controversy over the rampant development of new villas inside the "sacred" 5km area of the temple. -The Jakarta Post, ANN			Building on Phuket bay Government puts Bt100-bn tourism project back on the 'fast track'. -Daily Xpress, ANN

Singapore's SilkAir flight to Chengdu diverted SilkAir said it diverted a flight headed for Chengdu after pilots were told that the Chengdu airport was shut following an earthquake. -Reuters		Malaysians advised not to travel to Lebanon Malaysians already in Lebanon were also urged to avoid unnecessary travel. -The Star, ANN

Cathay Pacific to offer fourth direct flight to HK The new additional A330 non-stop flight will start service from June 5, increasing its flight frequency to four times direct weekly from Penang. -ST		China's new jumbo-jet firm no threat to Airbus, Boeing It will pose no threat for 20 years and will require the help of foreign technology. -AFP

China travel agents seek to cash in on torch euphoria Travel agents in Guangdong could start offering a one-day tour along its route to relive the moment. -Reuters		NY man sues US airline over flight spent in toilet He says he was denied a seat on a five-hour jetBlue flight and was instead told to 'hang out' in the plane's bathroom. -Reuters

	Ugly side of Langkawi One of M'sia's most popular tourist destinations is now dotted with unsightly construction sites with the mushrooming of unlicensed chalets, pubs, eateries and makeshift stalls. -The Star, ANN		Political will needed to solve beach problem The council is aware of the problem but cannot simply demolish illegal structures because such drastic action will definitely cause negative repercussions to the state's tourism sector as well as the livelihood of the locals. -The Star, ANN

	Don't chop down the trees Some of the trees that were marked for felling a week ago have been chopped down despite objections from nature lovers. -The Star, ANN	100,000 expected at Chinese festival A mini Olympic-style torch run would be held across the country in the run-up to the event in October. -The Star, ANN

Popular seafood joint in Kelana Jaya closed after 18 years The land would be used for its future development. -The Star, ANN		Day-long carnival at Zoo Negara It is in conjuction with the upcoming school semester break. -The Star, ANN

E-ticket for Cityliner buses in Klang KTB, which owns Cityliner, has implemented the e-ticket system in Kuala Lumpur, Klang, Kuala Selangor and Banting. -The Star, ANN		Stricter rules for beach parties Organisers of parties or similar events at the popular beach destination will be subject to more stringent rules in the future. -NST

More stringent rules for events in PD Although the state had big plans to promote Port Dickson as a tourist destination, it would not allow event organisers to simply do as they wished. -The Star, ANN			Airport cabbies hard hit by touts Taxi touts are now going about luring passengers discreetly at both the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal and the KLIA main terminal in Sepang. -The Star, ANN

S'pore holiday tours in Sichuan face disruptions, cancellations Massive quake led to cancellation of tours in Si Chuan. -AsiaOne		Earthquake kills 37 tourists, 2,000 unaccounted for The tourists were travelling in Sichuan province in southwest China when the devastating quake struck. -AFP

	High-end hip hotels fuel design innovation in Thailand While other Asian metropolises such as S'pore, KL, HK and Beijing all boast cutting-edge new buildings recognisable around the world, one would be pushed to name a famous modern building in Bangkok. -AFP	New A380 delays could impact SIA, airline says Beyond these aircraft, the changes in production schedules will potentially have some impact. -AFP

	Free seats at AirAsia This international free seat campaign is AirAsia's commitment to the lowest fare online to their guests and despite rising fuel cost, AirAsia says its fuel surcharge for its international routes is the lowest in the region. -AsiaOne	300 S'porean tourists stranded after Sichuan quake: reports Six travel agents queried said they had ongoing tours when the disaster hit. - AsiaOne, AFP

Canadian parents board flight, leave toddler at airport A family boarded a flight in westernmost Canada, and forgot their toddler at the Vancouver international airport. -AFP		Cops to help curb hotel thefts The police will work closely with the Malaysian Association of Hoteliers in a move to curb thefts in hotels. -The Star, ANN

More tours to Sichuan cancelled More tours to Sichuan have been cancelled in the aftermath of the earthquake which has killed over 13,000 people. -ST		Malaysia asks Sichuan govt's help to find missing tourists They have not been contactable since Monday's massive earthquake. -AFP

	Hey, BIG SPENDER S$28.5 billion - That's how much Malaysians and tourists spent on shopping last year. -NST		Bees attack S'pore climbers Group stung while climbing Mount Ophir, four hurt. -TNP

	Feather-boa bicycle bandits invade Vietnam's city streets For the past few months, youths in Hanoi have turned their bicycles into mobile works of art, the more extravagant the better. -AFP	Malaysian and British tourists missing in China quake zone Also two Taiwanese, including a three-year-old boy, were killed by the quake and 14 others could not be contacted. -AFP

Travellers advised to plan journey when using land checkpoints With the Vesak holiday coming up this weekend, ICA advises land travellers to take note of the following. -AsiaOne		M'sian airlines plans regional zero fare give-away It would give-away airfares to 20 regional destinations as part of a plan to fill 4 million seats that go empty annually. -AFP

S'porean tourists stuck in Jiuzhaigou: shaken but not stirred 45 holidaymakers staying put at a six-star hotel till roads are declared passable to vehicles. -ST		Tour agencies expecting rise of Middles Eastern tourists The number of Middle Eastern tourists traveling to Indonesia is expected to climb as global oil price continues to rise. -The Jakarta Post

Flights disrupted Strong winds from Typhoon Ramasun have caused a Malaysia Airlines flight to be diverted and eight other flights delayed. -The Star		MAS extends zero-fare offer to Asean routes MAS is extending its Everyday Low Fares offer to Asean destinations and selected routes between China and Malaysia. -The Star

AirAsia raps MAS over deals The battle between AirAsia and Malaysia Airlines has turned up a notch after waging their fare wars. -The Star		Flights as usual to China No flights or travel arrangements appear to be disrupted between Malaysia and China despite massive earthquake in Sichuan. -The Star

	Special police battalion for KLIA A special Royal Malaysia Police battalion will be deployed at the KLIA from Thursday to ensure security. -The Star	26 elderly Malaysian tourists missing in Sichuan The fate of the group is still not known and there have been no reports of Malaysian casualties. -The Star

	'Make country a top tourist destination' M'sia PM wants Malaysians to work hard to make the country the first choice in the world's tourism destination. -NST		Wee: Let the airlines compete freely The Government should stop interfering and not protect AirAsia, said Wee Choo Keong (PKR - Wangsa Maju) -The Star, ANN

	AirAsia offers free seats for KL-Perth From midnight Thursday, 5,000 free seats are available for the Perth-KL flights. -The Star, ANN	SIA's first business class-only flight takes off for NY Passengers are able to use iPods and iPhones on board for the first time. -ST

AirAsia X to start second Aust destination amid fare wars This amid fears that a fare battle with the national carrier could lead to its demise. -AFP			Skydiving simulator to debut in S'pore next year S$16 million attraction iFly Singapore on Sentosa will give participants the exhilarating experience of skydiving at an affordable cost. -AsiaOne

Widespread showers with gusty winds expected in 2nd half of May This will take place in the pre-dawn hours and morning. -ST		Hotel rates will rise further This despite the slowing global economy due to a shortage of rooms. -Reuters

AirAsia starts Perth route on Nov 2 AirAsia X's service to Perth will start from Nov 2 and it is offering 5,000 free seats. -The Star, ANN		Take a coach up to KL from your doorstep Starting tomorrow, commuters heading up to KL may not need to leave home to catch their coach up to the Malaysian capital. -myp

No news yet on missing 26 The fate of 26 Malaysian tourists who went missing after the devastating quake in Sichuan is still unknown. -The Star, ANN		Meeting on airline price war Transport Minister Datuk Ong Tee Keat hopes that competition between the two airlines will be healthy. -The Star, ANN

Globe-trotting granny among those missing A 90-year-old matriarch is among the 26 who went missing after the quake in Si Chuan. -The Star, ANN		Britain launches website to track tourists in emergencies A new online service has been launched to track travellers caught in disasters like the ones in China and Myanmar. -ST

A stroke of good fortune Taking time to smell the roses and the penchant for buying souvenirs saved the group of 26 M'sian tourists from being harmed by the earthquake in Sichuan. -The Star		KL-S'pore shuttle service ends on June 1 Termination of the agreement would not reduce flight frequencies, says both airlines. -The Star

No subsidy in MAS fares M'sian Transport Minister says claims by AirAsia CEO that MAS was using subsidies for international flights for its domestic low-fare promotion are not true. -The Star		S$18,690 award for M'sian ex-flight attendant After a seven-year wait a former AirAsia flight attendant was awarded RM44,164 in general and special damages. -NST

	Underwater church rises in Spain's drying dam Drought causes water crisis in Barcelona, ships used to bring in water for residents. -TNP		Minister to calm MAS-AirAsia turbulence It is to ensure the price war between the two airlines does not harm the local aviation industry. -The Star, ANN

Club 21 joins GSS fray with extra 7% rebate for tourists When they spend above $2,500 on a single receipt. -BT			Visitors sign up to be 'roughed up' Interactive show in Lithuania lets tourists experience life under brutal communist rule. -AFP

	Hello Kitty to be appointed Japan's tourism ambassador Japan's ministry said Hello Kitty was 'qualified' as a goodwill tourism ambassador due to its popularity among Chinese people. -AFP	Ex-stewardess awarded nearly $19,000 for injuries She was happy with the decision after going through a seven-year ordeal. -The Star, ANN

	U-TURN S'pore tourists return safely after tremors disrupt their holiday. -TNP	Trips to quake region too risky, say tour agents The companies are trying to help those whose trips have been cancelled, either with booking them on a different tour, or with getting refunds. -TNP

Inaugural A380 flight to Tokyo diverted due to bad weather Japanese air traffic controllers advised the pilot of 'strong winds and low-level wind shear' and 'the decision was made to divert to Nagoya for fuel and to await clearing of conditions at Narita.' -AFP		Showcase of culture and food A mongth long cultural and gastronomic extravaganza called Citrawarna and Citrarasa Malaysia will begin on May 24. -NST

More flights for summer holidays Qatar Airways will fly 10 times a week between Doha and KL from June to August to meet the increase in demand for seats during the peak summer holiday season. -NST		Homestay promotions to attract visitors Malaysia's Tourism Minister encourages the promotion of homestay programmes as it is a great way to export Malaysian culture as well as to entice repeat visits. -NST

Malaysia in for hazy skies and dry weather This weather pattern is generally expected to last until September, especially in the peninsula and Sarawak. -The Star, ANN		Strike paralyses 12 airports in Norway, oil sector hit: operator The strike - launched after wage negotiations broke down between Avinor and the main trade union confederation LO - left around 31,000 passengers stranded. -AFP

A digital spin round Pattaya Tourists can take a virtual walk around Pattaya City before they even arrive in Thailand's famous beach destination. -The Nation, ANN		Firm behind Changi's T2 upgrading wins design, safety exellence award RSP Planners, Architects and Engineers, beat 12 others to clinch the inaugural BCA Design and Engineering Safety Excellence Awards 2008. -ST

	Wet weather dampens Narita airport's 30th anniversary A typhoon churning in the Pacific near Japan brought strong winds and downpours, forcing SIA's A380 jetliner to land at Nagoya airport instead. -AFP		I felt like meat in microwave S'pore man's ordeal at US immigration: Cuffed, chained, thrown in jail

	In a pint-sized Phuket Tourists can now take giant strides through Phuket's colourful past. -The Nation, ANN	'AirAsia owes MAHB RM110m' The airline accumulated the amount between 2002 and March 31 this year for use of airports nationwide, in service charges. -NST

	Travel bargains Till Sunday 25th May 2008, you can bid what you want to pay for a hotel room in China. -ST	Lufthansa cancels 62 flights on pilots' strike The walkout affected 97 flights. -BT

Hanoi airport expansion to cost $1.18 billion It will be able to handle 25 million passengers a year by 2020. -Reuters		Airline paper tickets scrapped from June 1: IATA The move will save some 50,000 trees a year. -AFP

	Rainforest music enters new decade The festival will be held from July 11 to 13 at Sarawak Cultural Village. -The Star, ANN	Tourist strips in NZ Road workers in a small New Zealand town got their wish granted when a woman stripped saying she was fed up with their wolf-whistles. -Reuters

	Mersing fast losing its charm Although it is surrounded by 15 scattered islands and long stretches of the finest beaches, the town has lost its glory. -NST		A kaleidoscopic night: Light, camera and water A giant water screen show on the Putrajaya Lake is the federal administrative capital's latest tourist attraction. -NST

North Sumatra again blanketed in haze The haze threatens to spread to neighbouring countries. -The Jakarta Post, ANN		Animals need license to travel People wanting to bring animals onto planes or ships should know the animals' health status and the safety standard requirements set by Barantan. -The Jakarta Post, ANN

Great S'pore Sale kicks off on Friday At least 30% more retailers are working with the Singapore Tourism Board to offer tourist discounts, compared to last year. -ST		Budget terminal attraction for fliers A new airport terminal at Xinzheng International Airport is expecting in the future to handle 5 million passengers a year. -China Daily, ANN

Forbidden City opens disabled tourist paths "This is an excellent example of how Beijing and China intends to advance accessibility for all people in the years to come". -China Daily, ANN		SIA to increase A380 services to London Heathrow The additional service will boost the number of Singapore Airlines A380 flights between the two cities to 11 times a week, up from 7. -AsiaOne

SIA to use A380 superjumbo for Olympics SIA said it would temporarily redeploy an Airbus A380 superjumbo for routes to Beijing to meet demand ahead of the Olympics. -ST			Sentosa fun ends in horror Trapped - Disembarking kids fall under chairlift Dragged - Chairlift for luge continues moving -TNP

Great Singapore Sale vies for tourist buck Tourists who had planned their trips to coincide with the sale spent twice as much as those who had not known of the sale before arrival. -BT		Trade fest targets 600,000 visitors The Global Indian Shopping Festival aims to be the largest Asia trade festival within the next two years. -The Star, ANN

PanPac KLIA voted best airport hotel for seventh time The award was special as the hotel celebrates its 10th anniversary and had the privilege of sharing a partnership with KLIA which bagged the coveted World's Best Airport award for the same year. -The Star, ANN			Visibility low due to hazy situation Lack of rainfall and slow wind conditions have resulted in the hazy situation prevailing in Penang.

	Errant trishaw riders A reader shares his discontentment with reckless and rude trishaw riders. -AsiaOne		Dissatisfied with airport food? 66% of travellers feel that way Food options, dining ambience and space, and the complexity of multiple menu offerings ranked high on the list of reasons why gastronomic needs are not being adequately met. -AsiaOne

Heroines untouched Phuket officials check to ensure local cultural relics are safe and protected. -Daily Xpress, ANN			Check RM100 notes for fakes Travelling to Malaysia? Own some Malaysian currency? Check your RM100 and RM50 notes - hold each note up to the light and if you can't see the first King's watermark portrait, it's a fake. -The Star, ANN

	Airlines help out AirAsia and British Airways support aid efforts in Myanmar. -AsiaOne	AirAsia to operate from KK international terminal AirAsia would cease operating at the airport's Terminal Two complex in Tanjung Aru and move to the main airport complex that is currently being upgraded. -The Star, ANN

Motorbike taxis offer affordable tourist transportation mode Unlike a regular taxi, which charges the client according to a meter, the motorbike taxi has a flat price in Bali. -The Jakarta Post, ANN		Qantas offers premium economy on Pacific route The Premium Economy would be available on selected services from Sydney to L.A. from 14 Nov 2008 and Melbourne to L.A. from 19 Dec 2008. -AsiaOne

	Say goodbye to...budget flights The era of cheap flights is over, declared the boss of British Airways, as the price of oil hit a record high for the third day running. -ST	Vietnam tourism industry gets twin boost Jetstar and a Canadian luxury resort and casino developer have launched 2 ambitious projects that aim to revolutionise Vietnam's fast-growing tourism industry. -AFP

American airlines raise fees for children flying alone Children flying alone to camp this summer will cost their parents more as US airlines boost fees to help cover rising fuel costs. -BT			Ahoy! New water taxis to cruise S'pore River soon The first batch of new water taxis run by Singapore Ducktours will take to the Singapore River in a matter of days. -ST

	Holidaying in Thailand? Beware conmen A frustrated Mr Wong told my paper about his experience hoping that the same fate would not befall others. -myp	Garuda to reopen Bali-Nagoya route The route will be served three times a week using a 293-seater Airbus 330-300 starting on June 2. -AFP

	Police track vandals of Phanom Rung castle Black magic practitioners believed to have assisted in desecration of idols at historic Buri Ram site. -Daily Xpress, ANN		Holiday fun with Pooh and friends It will be held until June 8. -The Star, ANN

Plan to hold Thai cultural fest The festival was tentatively scheduled for September to December in Penang. -The Star, ANN		Survivors asked to pay for rescue in Australia: reports 2 tourists who drifted in shark-infested waters off Australia for 19 hours when a diving trip went wrong have been asked to help pay for their rescue after selling their story. -AFP

	Cargo jet crashes and splits into 3 A Boeing 747 cargo plane crashed as it took off at Brussels airport and broke apart, but the five-person crew escaped without injury. -AFP		Zoo didn't address high prices, long queues I AM appalled by the reply on Sunday by Wildlife Reserves Singapore ('Buy value packages to save money at zoo, Night Safari') to Mr Kamar Lim's letter on Friday regarding his experience in the zoo and Night Safari ('Zoo, Night Safari, lower your charges').

Buy value packages to save money at zoo, Night Safari I refer to Friday's letter, 'Zoo, Night Safari, lower your charges', by Mr Kamar Lim regarding the main animal show and admission charges.		Zoo, Night Safari, lower your charges If the admission charges are so high, shouldn't there be a discount with no animal show?

S'pore visitor arrivals edge up 0.8% in April Singapore wants to grow its services industry to offset weakness in the manufacturing industry. -ST		Boost for mid-range hotels from tourism boom Room to grow for hotels at bottom two tiers, says STB. -ST

	S'pore conman in Thailand: 13 more victims More Singaporeans have come forward, saying that they were cheated in Thailand - the same way a reader was in an earlier report on Monday. -myp	Stop the 'nickel and dime' charges Airlines are running out of ways to squeeze money out of passengers, now that they have jacked up fares all year and slapped extra charges on checked bags. What next? Pay toilets? -myp

	In search of glorious deals 19 more extended shopping nights and increase in outlets offering bigger discounts. -myp	Mid-tier, upscale hotels faring best: STB figures For first time, data groups hotels into classes, shows their performance. -ST

Trekkers may have to hire guides This is not only to ensure their safety, but to protect the rare flora and fauna on the mountain. -NST		No word yet on skeletons found near Malacca River The bones and glass beads were among items discovered during archaeological excavations by the Culture, Arts and Heritage Ministry in May last year. -The Star, ANN

	New Bangalore airport opens, finally The trip to the new airport, 34 kilometres outside town, will easily take 90 minutes from the city centre. -BT		Shop till you drop? Get a hotel room Hotels sweeten deal by offering spa treatments and dining vouchers in GSS hotel packages. -myp

S Korea mulls air fuel surcharge hike, airlines up South Korea may raise fuel surcharges for international flights after requests by airlines to reflect soaring oil prices. -Reuters		Special deals at luxury hotels around town A list of deals at some luxury hotels over the Great Singapore Sale period. -myp

Qantas says to cut capacity due to high fuel bill It would cut some of its domestic routes. -Reuters		Qantas, Air NZ go on rations as fuel costs soar Air New Zealand would switch to more fuel-efficient planes on some key long-haul routes and continue to review fares, routes and costs while Qantas is taking more seats out of the air. -Reuters

Maldives to offer 11 new islands for resort development The government is also building 10 new regional airports to compliment the booming resort development and allow locals to commute quickly between the chain of 1,192 islands. -AFP		Cruising sailors left out in the cold by luxury marinas They say the marinas favour larger vessels and bemoan the lack of a boating culture here. -myp

JetQuay scores major coup with Japan Airlines Under deal signed last week, JAL is first major carrier to use CIP terminal. -BT		Spain's airlines losing fares to high-speed rail State-owned railway operator Renfe opened a bullet train service between Madrid and Malaga on the Mediterranean coast in December and between the Spanish capital and Barcelona, two months later. -AFP

US finds it hard to counter rising fuel prices US airlines have alerady raised fares, added new fees and surcharges, cut jobs and reduced services. -Reuters		S Korea int'l flight levy may rise Decision on fuel surcharge likely by mid-June: official. -Reuters

10 wounded in blast near southern Philippines airport Ten people were wounded in a blast outside an air base in the southern Philippines placed in a pile of luggage belonging to people -ST		Luring foreigners to mainland Kedah Tourism Council has introduced four new tourism packages to lure foreigners visiting Langkawi to come to mainland Kedah. -The Star, ANN

Langkawi airport not getting overseas flights Langkawi needed more direct international flights to attract more tourists. -The Star, ANN			Tourism plans for Muar The municipal council has decided to trace and promote all historical sites and tourism-related products in the villages in the district. -The Star, ANN

New attractions at Tasik Kenyir soon Ten islands will be transformed into dedicated parks for exotic birds, snakes, deers and wild orchids as well as for interactive games and recreational areas. -NST			Zooming in on new campaign Malaysia has to look after tourism destinations by making sure that the environment, especially in villages, beaches and rivers, are clean so that they would continue to attract tourists. -NST

	Rushing to open in 2010 The sound of blasting and piling daily pierces the otherwise idyllic Sentosa Island where one of the largest, state-of-the-art family entertainment, casino and convention resorts is taking shape. -NST		AirAsia opens new routes into Vietnam Ho Chi Minh city is just a short one hour 40 minutes flight away from Kuala Lumpur. -NST

	Resorts World launches marine life fund, offers shark fin free menu This is to further the marine conservation cause. -ST	Flying for free One carrier has fired the opening shots in a price-cutting dogfight for Asian skies. -The Nation, ANN

	Upgrade for airport Airports of Thailand plans to inject Bt5 billion to expand Phuket Airport's capacity to 11.5 million passengers by 2016. -Daily Xpress, ANN		Cultural village left to rot It was once the main attraction in Cherating. Now the unkempt cultural village complex is an eyesore. -NST

MTV Awards debuts in M'sia The MTV Asia Awards 2008, which will be broadcast to over 291 million homes across the region, will be held at the Arena of Stars, Genting Highlands, on Aug 2. -The Star, ANN		Final call for paper airline tickets On Sunday, the 240 carriers belonging to the world association Iata are switching to all electronic ticketing, much of it through Internet booking. -AFP

	All in all, the zoo is good value for money "Tickets for the Singapore Zoo is competitive and reasonable especially so if you were to compare it with zoos around the world": reader. -ST	Delays, cost, airport hassles turn Americans away from air travel The chief reasons given for avoiding air travel in the survey were 'inefficient security screening and flight cancellations and delays.' -AFP

Third Kuwaiti airline taking off in January The carrier will operate under the brand name Wataniya Airways and start will fly to destinations in the Gulf and wider Middle East. -Reuters		Fall in premium fares in March worries airlines Any more declines would sound alarm bells for the airlines. -Reuters

Airline's zero-fare advertisement misleading It gives the impression that the zero fare is applicable to all the destinations stated in the advertisement. -The Star, ANN			Plane skids off runway in Honduras, 5 dead The TACA airlines Airbus A320 lay broken in three parts and was spewing fuel after the accident. -Reuters

Briton wins damages for hotel with too many Germans The family were unable to take part in entertainment or children's activities because they were only organised in the German language. -AFP		Campaigners to rally against Heathrow expansion Some 700 houses will be razed if the expansion goes ahead. -AFP

	Promoting bicycle tourism He has neither formal training nor any financial support to promote tourism in Penang but he has successfully attracted about 140 foreign tourists to his house in the last 5 years. -The Star

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