Mumbai Hotels

The iconic Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai along with its Tower wing welcomed its guests again this Sunday. The reopening of the hotel took place 24 days after the terrorist attack on the city of Mumbai. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Ratan N. Tata, Chairman of the Indian Hotels Company Ltd., said: "Today has been an incredibly moving day. The Taj has been reopened, after a massive concerted effort, in dedication to all of those who lost their lives in the attacks on Mumbai."

The re-opening of the hotel witnessed tremendous support for its celebrated 5 restaurants. Each of these received full bookings for the evening. The Trident portion of the Oberoi hotel complex also reopened on Sunday. However, the main luxury sections of the hotels are expected to open after a few months.
The Taj Hotel has launched a fund to support all the victims of the attacks, not just at The Taj Mahal Palace and Tower, but also across the city of Mumbai.

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Flybe adds fourth Jersey route

Flybe is launching flight from Humberside to Jersey with a lead-in fare from £59.99 one way including taxes and charges. The weekly flight will operate on Saturdays between May 2 and September 19.

Flybe already flies to Jersey from Dundee, Inverness, and Manston in Kent. All four services have been launched in partnership with Jersey-based C. I. Travel Group, which had previously operated the routes as exclusive charter flights. All routes will operate once a week, on Saturdays.

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Thai tourism

Following the damaging Bangkok airport siege, Thailand tourism is promising a major investment to boost tourism back to the country. A tourism recovery plan has been outlined as opposition leader Abhisit Vejjajiva was elected as prime minister. Tourism chiefs hope the strategy will result in one million UK tourists visiting Thailand in 2009.

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Kenya’s Back on track

The Kenyan tourism industry says tourist arrivals are starting to pick up as travellers are now becoming more confident to book the destination after the post-election crisis in the first three months of this year.

“We have received new enquiries and bookings are starting to come. The tourism started to pick up again in the last quarter of 2008 and we expect bookings to Kenya as normal in the year 2009.” Says Harish Kohli, CEO of AwimAway.com

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Brazil Rain-forest Rescue Plan

More than a decade after Brazil said it would reduce Amazon destruction, it has now pledged to reduce clearing of the world’s largest rain forest to half. Over the past year Amazon deforestation rose 3.8% as forest-razing for agriculture accelerated with soaring beef and soya prices.

The announcement of the new plan coincides with the opening of a United Nations climate conference in Poznan, Poland, indicates that Brazil will reduce the destruction to an annual 2,260 square miles by 2018.

The destruction of the Amazon rain-forest makes Brazil one of the top emitters of greenhouse gases because trees release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere when they're cut down or burned.

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Airline strike action

TAP Portugal is warning passengers of a possible disruption this weekend due to industrial action.

The union representing cabin crew at TAP Portugal is calling for a one-day strike this Saturday (December 20) over a pay dispute.

The airline said this would result in severe delays and/or flight cancellations to the airline’s operations across the system.

It is strongly advising customers to consider other travel dates.

Customers with existing and ticketed bookings for Saturday who wish to change may do so free of charge.

Date changes are subject to availability on passenger’s chosen flights.

Alternately, passengers wishing to cancel their travel plans can opt for a full refund by contacting either their agent or TAP.

“TAP senior management is doing all possible to avoid work stoppage by working with the trade union authorities. They are optimistic that the issues between the two parties can be resolved without the need for a strike,” said a spokesman for the airline.
See the TAP website www.flytap.com/UK/en or call TAP Portugal at 0845 601 0932.
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Eco-Friendly at Lalibela Game Reserve

Location: South Africa’s Eastern Cape

Mark’s Camp has been built with minimum impact on the surrounding vegetation. A team of people have eradicated alien vegetation. Land and vegetation rehabilitation is high on the list of priorities with old farmland restored to its original state.

Tree Tops considers water and electricity conservation a priority. The staff at Tree Tops practise conserving these natural resources without compromising quality. Tree found naturally in the area have been planted on raised platforms to minimise sand impact.

Lentaba Lodge recycles old Sneezeweed fence posts from farm fences found on the property before it became a game reserve. The posts are used for walkway railings, balconies and verandas in the lodge. Other natural materials and stones found on the property have also been used.

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Mexico City - Happiness Initiatives

If you have been to Mexico City recently, you may have already noticed the change, the eviction of sidewalk vendors from around the central plaza, known as the Zocalo. Two years ago the Mexico City Mayor, Marcelo Ebrard launched a number of unusual programs, such as installing a free ice-skating rink in the capital's main plaza and throwing free coming-out parties for poor 15-year-old girls. There are more than 350 public works projects under way, including a new subway line, bus lanes, and an overhaul of the overwhelmed sewage system. The old or unlicensed taxis will go off the streets and new ones will take its place.

Now, there is a “Happiness Initiative” for a better quality of life. The Mayor plans to give out free erectile-dysfunction pills to men over 70. As many as 100,000, which could cost more than $4 million. Anyone travelling to Mexico City?

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Kyoto Goals

A U.N report has given mixed reviews on reducing greenhouse-gas emissions. The findings released in November indicated that 19 industrialised nations are falling behind on their emissions goals for 2012 under the Kyoto Protocol. The level of emission has grown 2.3% since 2000. However, overall emissions have dropped 5% below 1990 levels. There are 16 nations which are on track including the United Kingdom. The list is given below:

Bulgaria

Czech Republic

Estonia

France

Greece

Hungary

Latvia

Lithuania

Monaco

Poland

Romania

Russia Fed.

Slovakia

Sweden

Ukraine

United Kingdom

To travel to these countries for your Adventure Holidays, click here.

Thailand: sustainable tourism

Community Based Tourism Institute
The Community Based Tourism Institute provides support to strengthen the capacity of Thai communities to manage tourism sustainably. It facilitates Community based tourism research and development initiatives which strengthen local communities and support sustainable natural resource management.

Mekong Tourism
The Mekong Tourism Coordinating Office (MTCO), located in Bangkok, Thailand, co-ordinates sustainable pro-poor tourism development projects in the Mekong in line with the United Nations Millennium Development Goals, and promotes the Mekong region as a single travel and tourism destination.

North Andaman Tsunami Relief
Thailand is an interesting destination. There is something-for-everyone in this destination that if it didn’t exist, the industry would have invented it. It satisfies the demands of every traveller, from budget, luxury to sex tourism. But, it’s much more than that!

Behind these mass media images, lies its original culture and a society that is cultured and responsible to the environment. The growing sustainable tourism industry is already winning accolades galore.

There are non profit and non religious organizations which has implemented over 120 projects in various. All projects have focused on long-term social, economic, and environmental sustainability and creating realistic economic opportunities through training and marketing. The North Andaman Tsunami Relief is a network of friends, dedicated volunteers, and donations.

Luxury Operators
It is not only the small community organisations that are leading the way but they are joined by the most luxurious resorts like the Six Senses and Banyantree, who are the most ethical (and successful) luxury ecolodge and spa operators in the world.

As they say, Thailand is a destination for mass tourism but it also knows its ways towards sustainable tourism.

Woman smuggles monkey

A Washington woman successfully managed to smuggle a monkey hidden under her blouse out of Thailand only to be caught on arrival in the United States.
CNN reports that Gypsy Lawson 28, aided by her mother Fran Ogren, 56, was carrying a sedated rhesus monkey and pretending to be pregnant. Authorities in Los Angeles, California, rescued the monkey from under Lawson’s loose fitting blouse and convicted the two on smuggling charges.

Rhesus Macaque monkeys, native to Asia, are most commonly used in medical research.
Though cute they do not make for desirable pets as they grow to become quite aggressive animals and are known to carry disease and virus harmful to human beings. This Rhesus Macaque monkey in question has since been placed into a center for abandoned primates.

Sustainable Travel: Algae latest aircraft biofuel source

Continental Airlines has announce plans for the first biofuel-powered demonstration flight; another step towards reducing carbon emissions and supporting Sustainable Travel. The test flight of a U.S. commercial airliner will involve operating one engine on the special biofuel blend and conducting both normal and non-normal procedures.

The demonstration flight, (with no passengers), will be conducted in Houston on Jan. 7, 2009 and powered by a special fuel blend including components derived from algae and Jatropha plants -- sustainable, second-generation fuel sources that don't impact food crops or water resources, and don't contribute to deforestation.

World Travel Awards

The World Travel Awards, often called the Oscars of the travel industry were announced on 02 Dec 09. Amongst the winners were 11 Green operators.

Green winners were:
1. World's Leading Conservation Company Shamwari Game Reserve, South Africa
2. World's Leading Eco-friendly Airport Singapore Changi Airport
3. World's Leading Eco-Lodge KumbukRiver, Sri Lanka
4. World's Leading Green Cruise Line Sea Cloud Cruises
5. World's Leading Green Destination Costa Rica
6. World's Leading Green Hotel Chateau Mcely, Czech Republic
7. World's Leading Green Resort AquaCity Poprad, Slovakia
8. World's Leading Green Tour Operator Tribes Travel, United Kingdom
9. World's Leading Green Transport Solution Company Europcar
10. World's Leading Responsible Tourism Scheme Quest, England
11. World's Leading Sustainable Tourism Scheme Green Airport Initiative

RUNWAY CLOSED AT LONDON GATWICK

Due to ice on the runway, Gatwick Airport was shut this morning meaning delays for more than sixty flights. All passengers were told to continue their check in as normal even though many of their flights were either diverted to other airports or cancelled. For those passengers whose flights were delayed there was a long wait whilst efforts were being made to remove the ice. The runways were not expected to be open until ten thirty this morning but most passengers experienced delays for at least four hours. A spokesperson for London Gatwick explained that the extreme weather conditions were not forecast.

Technology-savvy retirees book more holidays online

The internet is proving to be an essential means for booking holidays...especially for the older generations. According to the results of a recent study published by an online travel agency, of the 142 retired people interviewed, 88 booked their holidays via the internet. Furthermore, the research concluded that over 100 of these OAPs were self-taught internet users for the specific aim of purchasing low-cost holidays online.

The research presents further statistics that reflect the reasoning to why people entering their twilight years, and indeed many travellers in general, may prefer to use the internet for booking their holidays, rather than venturing out onto the high street- it is easier, quicker, cheaper and can also be fun. One can research destinations more efficiently and compare and contrast bargains and deals in a comprehensive, hassle-free fashion.

Reinforcing this notion, Harish Kohli from AwimAway.com stated “We are an online operator and almost 90% of our enquiries come through our website”

Travel Updates – Thailand

Our ground operator in Thailand reports that business is as usual and both major Bangkok airports are open. Normal flight schedules have resumed for Thai Airways and most other international Airlines. Inbound flights are experiencing no problems at Suvarnabhumi International Airport and connecting inbound flights from both Bangkok Suvarnabhumi and Don Muang Airports are running freely.

Outbound flights are still experiencing a few issues however. There are still large numbers of people suffering from delayed flights out of the country. This has meant outbound flights have mainly been over-subscribed. This situation should ease as early as next week when it is expected that most outbound clients will have exited the country. Delayed tourists are staying in Thailand at the Thai government's expense for their hotel and subsistence.

Our representative also reports that the weather in Thailand is 29 degrees Celsius with clear skies. Life is going on as normal. “Looking out of my office window, I can see palm and fruit trees, Tuk-Tuks the hustle and bustle of Bangkok and the BTS (overland sky train) zooming past.”

Save this Christmas

Prepare yourself to save this Christmas, so that you can enjoy the summer 2009 holiday. Look for good bargains that do not compromise quality. Search and thou shall find.

According to Expedia.co.uk, about 18% plan to spend Christmas with their in-laws in to save money for their summer break. Research shows that about 20% travellers will save between £200 and £300. That’s interesting.

Book early and save: We have hundreds of amazing at www.awimaway.com that you can book now and save.