North Luzon Travel Expo Aims to Revitalize Philippine Tourism

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 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 Dec 29, 2023

Using AI technology, the online travel company Agoda has unveiled the ultimate list of places to celebrate New Year's Eve around the world. Agoda created a picture of several beautiful New Year's Eve locations from across the globe using Midjourney AI and ChatGPT 4.0 to identify the list of travel destinations. Ten Places to Go on New Year's Eve. Singapore: Take in the bright street parties and carnivals while marveling at the stunning fireworks display in Marina Bay. Bali, Indonesia: Enjoy festive fireworks and traditional Balinese performances while celebrating on the beach. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: Savor the lively nightlife in District 1 and the spectacular fireworks over the Saigon River as you celebrate. Tokyo, Japan: Celebrate cultural events and contemporary countdown parties as you embrace the Japanese custom of witnessing the first sunrise of the year. Sydney, Australia: Take in the internationally recognized fireworks show over the Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, along with family-friendly activities and celebrations. New York City, USA: Attend the famous ball drop with the crowds in Times Square, or pick from a plethora of events and concerts taking place all over the city. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: Take in the exuberant atmosphere of Copacabana Beach, complete with samba music and a breathtaking fireworks display. London, England: Enjoy a range of boat parties and events as you watch the River Thames light up with fireworks at night. Experience the historic Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh, Scotland, which include processions, concerts, and the unique Loony Dook tradition, which involves swimming in the chilly Firth of Forth on New Year's Day while dressed in costume. Reykjavik, Iceland: Come celebrate with the locals over community bonfires and a pyrotechnics display against a backdrop of snow, with the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights. Krishna Rathi, Country Director India, Sri Lanka, and Maldives at Agoda said, "As recommended by some of the leading AI software of the moment, this list is meant to ignite a sense of wonder amongst aspiring travellers and perhaps even inspire the more spontaneous to book a last-minute getaway on Agoda. Whether it’s a short getaway within Asia or a longer trip to the other side of the world, Agoda provides the best deals."   According to data analyzed by Agoda, Bangkok, Thailand, has overtaken Dubai as the most popular foreign travel destination for Indians in the past year. There has been a 26% increase in searches on the platform since the Thai government granted visa-free entry to Indian tourists visiting the nation last month, making it a popular destination for Indians seeking a getaway. Additional Reading: 6 Things Locals Wish Tourists Wouldn’t Do When In Iceland Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 30, 2023

Tourism Minister Tetsuo Saito and U.S. Ambassador to Japan Rahm Emanuel signed a memorandum on Wednesday designating 2024 as a year to promoting tourism between the two countries. During this year the two parties will work together to boost tourism exchange using joint efforts from the public and private sectors in a bid to heighten the recovery of the demand for travel since the COVID-19 pandemic. Citing that 464 cities share sister relationships between the two countries, Saito called for taking advantage of the tourism year to resume and boost the exchanges at the local levels. After the two countries agreed to the plan to apply on Japanese tourists, which will help expedite immigration procedures in the U.S. held at the residence in Tokyo of the ambassador, it was also attended by Japanese Digital Transformation Minister Taro Kono and Justice Minister Ryuji Koizumi. Under the supervision of the Tourism Year initiative, both the countries will hold travel campaigns for the general public and it will host events for travel agencies from the two countries. The number of visitors from the U.S. to Japan has been steadily going up with the help of the fall of the value of the yen against the dollar. The monthly number amounted to some 210,000 in October, with an increase of 40% from the same month in 2019, prior to the pandemic. Meanwhile, the number of Japanese visitors to the United States in October came up at about 140,000, less than half of the pre-pandemic numbers. Read Also: Ghana Is Ready To Host The Rest Of The World: Ghana Tourism Authority On Christmas Concerts Play Airlines Is Celebrating Black Friday And Cyber Monday Deals On Flights To Europe Travel Tuesday Is Here To Get You Cheap Flights And Hotel Deals: Upto 50% Off