Siam Paragon Mass Shooting Propels Thailand’s Proposed 300 Baht Tourism Fee To Get Fast-Tracked

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 19, 2023

Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) is looking to grow its tourism arrivals into the country to  5.5 million within the next 5 years as it is about to reach out to private sector players for collaborative efforts to take the country to the global stage. KTB chairperson Francis Gichaba has disclosed that the tourism sector is back on full recovery pointing out that the arrivals by the end of this financial year will be closing at slightly over 1.9 million visitors that was recorded in 2019. Gichaba has revealed, “We are very optimistic that with the support from the private sector and other key players in the industry, our performance will even surpass the 2019 arrivals to over 2 million and progressively beyond." He was delivering a speech at Bomas of Kenya during a tourism stakeholders meeting that brought under the same roof tour operators, hoteliers, government agencies and tourism associations. The session sought to validate KTB's 5-year strategic plan for 2023-2028. In the strategy, KTB is targeting to achieve 5.5 million international tourist arrivals and grow the tourism industry's contribution to the economy of Kenya to KES 1 trillion each year by June 2028. Gichaba said destination marketing has been a collaborative exercise noting that the involvement of the private sectors in the development of strategy which was one of the ways of incorporating invaluable ideas that would shape the sector's performance within the review period. Kenya Hotel Keepers Association and Caterers (KAHC) CEO Mike Macharia suggested to the private players to curate their products and travel experiences to the needs of the market. He said, “We talk of Africa as the low-hanging fruit in terms of numbers and market share in the country and therefore the product owners should package their products and experience and sell to Africa. This move would also open opportunities for Africans to invest in the hospitality sector in Kenya... We have to go where the market is, and this is what our competitors such as South Africa have beaten us on. They have invested heavily in market presence not only to build brand awareness but to sign marketing deals." Read Also: Manila Wins Big At World Travel Awards 2023, Crowned World’s Top City Destination Celebrations Have Begun At Oaga, Art Resort, Maldives: Report Burger King Is Giving Away Free Food All Month

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 24, 2023

Are you planning to visit Venice? Have you been looking for things to do in Rome or best hotels in Rome? Before you do that here is some news to stay updated on. Venice has unveiled the 29 dates in 2024 when the new €5 entry fee will become active for day-trippers starting on 25 April, which is a public holiday in Italy. The fee is said to be applicable only for day trips and not those who are staying overnight. On Thursday Mayor Luigi Brugnaro confirmed on Thursday further adding that the multi-lingual booking system will be operating from January 16. The dates when the entry fee will be in place are 25 April to 5 May and every other weekend in May (11,12, 18, 19, 25, 26 May), It will last four weekends in June (8, 9, 15, 16, 22, 23, 29, 30 June) and the first two weekends in July (6, 7, 13, 14 July). On the days mentioned the entry fee system will be effective from 08:30 to 16:00 along with penalties of up to €300 if the rules are violated. ANSA news agency has reported Brugnaro of saying that once the day trippers pay the fee they will receive a QR code "which will be checked randomly" at eight access gates to the historic center. "It is an experiment that has never been done anywhere in the world" - Brugnaro told reporters - "The city is complex and fragile, but it is alive, and we have the obligation to take measures because in the historic center, at certain times of the year, there is crowding that we must reduce." Brugnaro underlined that the trial measure "will cost us more than we will earn" and is "to evaluate the bookability of the city, which will never be closed". This move which kept getting postponed due to the covid pandemic and other logistic obstacles is designed to ease the added pressure hordes of tourists pose to the fragile lagoon city. Read Also: Chinese And US Presidents Have Come To A Common Ground Regarding Tourism Facilitation! The Italian Train Group FS Will Launch A New “Night Train Like Hotel”: Rome To Dolomites Traveling Christmas Tree For The Western Lawn Of U.S. Capitol

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 6, 2023

If you are looking to visit Mexico, chances are its capital Mexico City is pretty high up on your list. The best hotels that you can choose to stay here are listed below. The country is popular among tourists, and it's really easy to see why. In case you want to witness the real Mexico, which is away from the beach resorts (glamorous as they are), you must visit Mexico City. Getting a glimpse of the Mexico that Frida Khalo belonged to is a treat in itself. Her house is Casa Azul is in the Coyoacán locality. The blue house is one of the essential stops on any Mexico City itinerary. After you get your culture fix, Coyoacán is famous for its churros. Some of the best restaurants dot the sprawling city. The eateries are amazing too. Mexico City offers the best food, whether it is from the streets or the high-end establishments with elaborate menus. The usual neighborhoods that attract tourists are La Condesa, Colonia Roma, and Polanco. Colonia Roma is one of the coolest with buzzed bars and restaurants. It is also a great place to just take a walk around. Roma Norte is where La Valise Mexico City is situated. It is a boutique hotel that is simply waiting to become your pied à terre. It is home to the popular Brick Hotel, which has a local-approved restaurant and green rooftop. At the tree-lined La Condesa, there is the circular Avenida Amsterdam which used to be a horse-racing hippodrome at one point. It has now become a popular dog-walking spot for the city’s trendiest people. The hotels include shiny high-rises like the Mondrian and the Andaz. Some of the best hotels that you can lodge while feeling bougie have a great line-up in Mexico City. The Four Seasons Mexico City, Colima 71, The Red Tree House, Volga, and Downtown are essentially the most Mexican lodging you must experience while visiting. Read Also: Muslim Miss Universe Queens Are The New Faces Of The Philippines’ Halal And Wellness Tourism Campaign Singaporean Expert Says Vietnam Tourism Needs Better Destination Management: Report Glasgow City Council Moved To Offer More Bus Stops For Tourists