Singaporean Expert Says Vietnam Tourism Needs Better Destination Management: Report

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 5, 2023

The people of Norway have sent a Christmas tree to Trafalgar Square. Every year since 1947 it has been a tradition of Norway to send Britain a Christmas tree in order to commemorate their support during the Second World War. The Norwegian spruce is nearly 20 meters high and is around 70 years old. It has been chosen to be the "queen of the forest" from the woodlands of Oslo. It was felled in the presence of the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Patricia McAllister, who described the spruce saying it was "spectacular". Every year, the selected tree is brought to the UK by a sea route which then ends up getting delivered by a lorry. The Christmas lights will be draped vertically in traditional Norwegian style. The energy efficient bulbs will be switched on during a ceremony on Thursday 7 December. Ms McAllister helped fell the Christmas tree in Oslo. "It was astonishing, spectacular, emotional: especially when the tree was hoisted [from where it's been for] the last 70 years," she said. "It really is a spectacular tree. It's stunning." She further added. Few of the previous Christmas trees that were sent From Norway, were not so warmly received. They would sometimes be of the opinion that they were either "sparse" or "anemic". However, the Norwegian foresters who take care of these trees described the chosen tree to be the "queen of the forest". Every year The Poetry Society commissions a poem based on the Oslo Christmas Tree. This year poem is set to be called "T for Tree" written by Isabel Galleymore. It is composed mainly for children and it will be read during the tree-lighting ceremony. The spruce will stay in Trafalgar Square until the 5th of January when it will be composted and chipped. Read Also: Traveling Christmas Tree For The Western Lawn Of U.S. Capitol Ghana Is Ready To Host The Rest Of The World: Ghana Tourism Authority On Christmas Concerts Excited For Christmas? Leicester Square’s Glittering Christmas Market Is Returning To London From Nov 8

BY  Abdul Aziz Nov 25, 2023

For Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Travel Tuesday, Play Airlines is offering a new deal. You can now get a 35% discount on flights from Stewart Airport to several popular European destinations, including Iceland, Paris, Berlin, Frankfurt, London, Copenhagen, Dublin, and Amsterdam. This offer is valid between November 24th and 28th, and you can book flights for travel between December 2023  and May 2024 on flyplay.com. You do not need a promo code to avail of this offer. Two former executives of Wow Air, which ceased operations and went bankrupt in March 2019, founded Play. The airline has been operating daily flights from Newburgh to Reykjavik since June 2022, and it has been expanding its list of destinations. Recently, Play launched new routes to Amsterdam, Glasgow, and Venice, allowing travelers to plan spring getaways, summer trips, and spontaneous vacations, as stated by Play CEO Birgir Jónsson. For Hudson Valley residents, Stewart Airport is a convenient option, while for those coming from New York City, Play provides a Stewart Airport Express shuttle that is timed with its flights. “(Stewart) is a popular airport for New York and surrounding area travelers as it offers the convenience that other airports in the area do not. It is uniquely situated as a hub for travelers in Manhattan, the growing Hudson Valley area, and surrounding states,” Jónsson said. Play's fares encompass all necessary fees, taxes, and carrier charges. However, there are limitations and baggage fees that may apply. You can visit Play's website to obtain more information on their baggage fees. From Friday, November 24 to Tuesday, November 28, Play Airlines, an Icelandic budget airline, is providing a discount of 35% on its already budget-friendly flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI), and New York’s Stewart International Airport (SWF) to various destinations in Europe. Reyjavík Paris Berlin Frankfurt London Copenhagen Dublin Amsterdam Read More About: Venice Reveals 2024 Dates For Tourist Entry Fees: Report Zanzibar Or Oman: Which Do The Hungarian Tourists Like?

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 23, 2023

Icelandic Tourist Board reported over 1.7 million visitors in 2022. The ethereal beauty of Iceland has persistently drawn hoards of tourists to its shores. Unavoidably, these tourists make mistakes and encounter culture crushes. There are now about six things that collectively irks the people of Iceland. First, there is the joke about Iceland and Greenland. Actually we have all heard the joke. It stems from the fact that Greenland is covered in ice and Iceland is lush green. Then there is the northern lights that tourists look for during the summers. Icelanders are tired of tourists not doing their research before planning their trip. The midnight sun that occurs between May and August is also a matter of confusion among tourists. European culture, especially Iceland does not appreciate tipping in restaurants, finding it borderline offensive in certain parts. Saying no to tipping on the part of the service-providers also results in arguments. Anna Ragna, born and raised in Iceland moved to the US in 2015. She tells Business Insider, "A lot of times there would be tips on the table for the waitress and they say, 'We can't take it,' and then it'll end up turning into an argument, and that's something that happened quite often." Iceland is renowned for its pristine beauty and the natives hate when tourists littter. Ragna says, it "enrages us as a people." There is also the issue of tampering with the delicate Icelandic moss. This slow-growing green layer is able to adapt to the harshest climates but it can be very fragile when tread  upon. It grows incredibly slowly and it can take up a hundred years just to grow a simple patch." Tourists also ignore signs in different hazardous areas. For example, an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter rescued an  "exhausted, cold and shocked" hiker who got too close to a volcanic eruption near Grindavík on December 19. Authorities warned tourists to "think four times." Davíð Geir Jónasson who is the owner of Icelandic tour company called Vik Expeditions says he has seen this happen too many times throughout his 15-year long service. He says, "In Iceland, a warning sign is put up because someone has died or multiple people have died. It's not just because something might happen." Read Also: Kenya Is Targeting 5.5M Tourist Arrivals By 2028 Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes Christmas In Nottingham: 2023 Bin Collection Dates, Tram Timetable And More