Maldives first South Asian country to open borders after four months of closure due to COVID-19
By Habib Toumi Malé: The Maldives will re-open its borders for international tourists staying in resorts, live boards and hotels located in uninhabited islands on July 15. Guesthouses and hotels located in inhabited islands will be open from August 1, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said. The country had closed its borders on March 27 amid stringent […]
Vietnamese coastal cities to attract more visitors as virus fears ease
By Phong Lan Vietnam HANOI: Vietnamese people are having chances to enjoy a cool summer holiday at the beaches as the country has so far successfully curbed the virus outbreak. After staying at home for some time following the government’s social distancing regulation, life has now almost returned to normal in Vietnam and people are flocking […]
Popular Seoul park to close on virus fears
SEOUL: A park in southeastern Seoul, famous for its picturesque cherry blossom trees, will close until mid-April as part of precautionary measures to contain the new coronavirus. Seokchon Lake Park in Songpa Ward will close from Saturday to April 12, according to a Facebook post written by ward chief Park Sung-soo. The ward will open […]
Tourism industry moves to counter COVID-19 influence
By Yang Kunyi and Song Lin Beijing: As the current outbreak of the Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) continues to develop, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have issued a joint statement. The statement stressed that International cooperation is vital for ensuring the tourism sector to contribute effectively to the containment of […]
Jeju island: Rocks, Wind and Haenyo
Jeju City: Jeju-do, Korea’s largest island, has long been the country’s favorite domestic holiday destination thanks to its beautiful beaches, lush countryside, and seaside hotels designed for rest and relaxation. Also thanks to caves, museums, markets and amazing food, the island is full of tourists. It is well known for its natural wonders, including waterfalls, […]
Itaewon in the doldrums after U.S. base withdrawal and gentrification
Seoul: When TV personality Hong Suk-chun opened a Thai restaurant in Itaewon 14 years ago, the best-known foreigners’ district in South Korea was always bustling with American soldiers and foreign tourists, as well as local visitors sampling the exotic ambience of the neighborhood. Hong has since seen the district lose its vibe as many of […]
Jeju Air to acquire Eastar Jet, portending overhaul in low-cost airline sector
Seoul: Jeju Air Co., South Korea’s biggest low-cost carrier, said Wednesday it has signed an initial pact to acquire smaller LCC Eastar Jet, heralding a shake-up in the country’s airline sector. Jeju Air will take over a 51.17-percent stake in Eastar Jet for 69.5 billion won ($60 million) and sign a share purchase agreement with […]
Chinese visitors to Gulf countries to increase 54% by 2023
Dubai: The number of Chinese tourists travelling to the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is expected to increase by 54% from 1.4 million in 2018 to 2.2 million in 2023, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.8%, according to data published ahead of Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2020. As destinations from across the […]
South Korea mulls repairing old facilities at Mount Kumgang resort
Seoul: South Korea is considering repairing facilities it built at the Mount Kumgang resort on North Korea’s east coast amid Pyongyang’s threat to end their long-suspended joint tour project at the mountain, the unification ministry said Friday. Last month, North Korea demanded South Korea remove all its facilities at the scenic resort, saying that it […]
Bahrain, Saudi Arabia causeway marks 33 years of operations
By Habib Toumi Manama: King Fahad Causeway, a series of bridges and causeways that link the island of Bahrain and Saudi mainland, today marks 33 years. The causeway, Bahrain’s only terrestrial link with another country, is named after former king of Saudi Arabia Fahad bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud who ruled from June 1982 until […]