Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes

BY Abdul Aziz MondalDec 13, 2023

Christmas is drawing close and there is no better way to celebrate it than immersing yourself in the magical holiday spirit visiting some of the world's best Christmas destinations? There are snow capped mountains, colorful city lights and the ever-enchanting vibe of Christmas. We now have a list of the most iconic places to visit around the globe while the bells chime and the choir sings. Nuremberg, Germany Germany is well-known for its unreal Christmas markets and Nuremberg is the most beautiful and traditional destination. The Nuremberg Christkindlesmarkt is the oldest dating back to the 16th century and has over 180 stalls. They are draped with red-and-white cloth roofs. Quebec City, Canada Another old world city, Quebec boats cobblestoned streets and 17th century architecture which transforms into a wintry fairytale when the holiday season arrives. The German-inspired Christmas market in Place de l'Hôtel-de-Ville has local delicacies, crafts, and a festive atmosphere. Tokyo Japan Japan is known for embracing the Christmas season with a cultural flair. They do not celebrate it in the Christian spirit but the streets, especially Tokyo, transforms into the most vibrant array of decoration, color, and lights. Displays at places like Roppongi Hills and Tokyo Midtown draws a huge crowd that seeks a vibrant and modern Christmas. The Japanese Christmas cake is as delicious as it can get. Reykjavik, Iceland Capital of Iceland is yet another destination for all your Christmas magic needs. The place offers an unique take on Christmas with a backdrop of geysers and glaciers. The Yule Lads (mischievous Icelandic elves) come to life during the holiday season and the city is decorated with festive lights and decor. Lapland, Finland The official home of Santa Claus, Lapland is truly the winter wonderland that no one must miss. The region stays blanketed in snow during the holiday season. Visitors can enjoy reindeer safaris, husky sleigh rides, and also catch glimpses of the Northern lights. And of course Santa Claus Village is an absolute must visit. Read Also: Crime Rate In Florida Trending Down While California Skyrockets: Report Thailand Becomes Most Preferred Destination For Tourists: Agoda Reports

BY Abdul Aziz MondalNov 11, 2023

Vietnam has exceeded its target of attracting eight million international visitors for the year 2023 by welcoming 8.9 million tourists in the first nine months. This target was set before China reopened following COVID-19-related border closures, from where around one-third of Vietnam's total international tourists came in 2019. This figure is less than half the pre-pandemic international arrivals, which were 18 million. With the introduction of new, more open visa policies, there have been calls to revise the target. Vu The Binh, the chairman of the Vietnam Tourism Association, said that Vietnam could increase the target to 10-12 million tourists by 2023, which is achievable. During the first nine months of 2023, the number of visitors was 4.7 times higher than the same period in the previous year, but only 69% of the figure seen in the same period of 2019. In September, Vietnam welcomed over one million foreign visitors, down 13.4% compared to the previous month. Out of the total number of tourists, 87.5% arrived in Vietnam by air, 11.8% by road, and 0.7% by sea. The majority of the arrivals were from Asia, followed by Europe, the Americas, Oceania, and Africa. The revenue from accommodation and catering services in this period saw a rise of 16%, and earnings from travel and tourism services increased by 47.7% year-on-year. Micenet Magazine, Australia, has recently called the central region of Vietnam the new hotspot for MICE tourism. The magazine wrote, “Central Việt Nam is coming into its own as more international and domestic flights serve Đà Nẵng City, which is growing as a destination for conferences, meetings and incentive events. Its location between two UNESCO world heritage sites – Hội An, 30km southeast, and Huế, 100km northwest – also helps”. The city offers an array of choices from luxury and 5-star international as well as local brand hotels around the city, with a long beach stretching 60 km. This surge in Vietnam’s tourism has been a result of the accessible e-visa policy made available by Vietnam to its visitors. Even travel agencies have contributed to the spike that has made travel easier for tourists. They are offering cheaper flights and attractive deals to streamline e-visa services for travelers, especially from India. It makes visas a 100% online process, with limited documentation. Now you can look up the best time to visit Vietnam, because this is probably a sign for you to get packing for a Vietnam trip. Read Also: November Trips In 2023: From London To The World The Best Hotels In Mexico City For A Frida Kahlo Pilgrimage Excited For Christmas? Leicester Square’s Glittering Christmas Market Is Returning To London From Nov 8

BY Abdul Aziz MondalDec 27, 2023

Bora Bora is a heavenly part of French Polynesia, sitting in the expanse of the south Pacific Ocean. They are set to make a shift in their tourism policy in the upcoming year. Given its natural splendor, the island has become a hot spot for tourists from all over the world. Tourists in large cruise ships have overwhelmed the island for the longest time. The island became so overrun with in 2019 that Bora Bora vowed to tackle the problem by limiting the number of visitors aboard cruise ships. However, this year, a new government having formed abandoned the promises made. They instead have pledged to double the number of visitors by 2033. It has actually gone to the extent of welcoming large cruise ships to many of its ports. This dramatic shift in policy has divided the opinion in Polynesia. Many support the growth of the tourism sector whereas there are others who want a more sustainable model of the island. The ships that port at the island is now posing a risk to the environmental stability of the ecosystem. The French Polynesia is made up of more than 100 islands that includes Bora Bora and Tahiti. Tourism is vital for French Polynesia. According to Tahiti tourism, it is responsible for contributing about 12% of GDP and 80% of the export revenue. Rainui Besinau is the chair of Bora Bora's tourism association. Besinau says, “The hotels wanted to protect the quality of their service. So when the ships arrived, the hotels closed the doors to the people outside. They [didn’t] want to be invaded. ”There are two models that have been proposed. One being the luxury model with a peaceful island and not too many people in the water. Or, a mass tourism spot involving cruise ships. Environmentalists have welcomed the move. Marie-Laure Vanizette, the spokeperson for an environmental group has said, “Capping tourist numbers is logical. It will also help, “preserve our assets and our way of life”. Additional Reading: 6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes