Sailing Into the Wild: Why a Trollfjord Cruise Is Norway’s Most Magical Fjord Experience

BY  Sibashree Sep 5, 2025

Every year, Thailand attracts millions of business travellers. While it faces competition from Singapore for the title of Southeast Asia's business hub, its superior size and geographic diversity make it many people's go-to destination for meetings, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE).  It's also one of the region's most open economies and an important trading partner for many countries, attracting visitors who are looking to do business with the country as well as in it. Nonetheless, it is a country with its own cultural quirks and unique ways of doing things, and it pays to be prepared if you want your trip to go smoothly.  So, whether you're hosting a meeting in Chonburi or attending a conference in Bangkok, here are five important things to make sure you prepare in advance for your business travel in Thailand.  Things To Prepare In Advance For Business Travel In Thailand  The International Trade Administration has a detailed guideline on business travel in Thailand. There are specific directives on visa requirements, telecommunications, currency exchange, and transportation.  However, here, we will talk about the preparations you need to make well in advance. 1. Take Care Of Travel Documents, Copies, And Connectivity Thailand receives many tourists each year due to its relaxed visa requirements for short-stay visitors. However, these generally only apply to visitors who are coming exclusively to sightsee and vacation.  If you're planning to do any kind of work, even if it's just a meeting, you'll need to apply for a non-immigrant visa at your local embassy or consulate. This should be done well in advance of your arrival in the kingdom. Make sure: Your Passport has at least 6 months of validity Make copies of your passport and visa Keep copies of your hotel booking and travel documents handy Lastly, make sure you've brought roaming data for your phone to stay in touch with people back home. 2. Ensure That You Have Access To Adequate Meeting Facilities It's important to remember that if you're travelling for business, you'll likely need access to a meeting room. Find out what you can in advance about your hotel's facilities, if that's what you plan on using.  Space Equipment Support These are the three most crucial factors.  If you need to book a meeting venue last-minute, or your hotel doesn't offer the facilities you need, translate your search, like "book meeting room in Chonburi" into Thai (จองห้องประชุมชลบุรี). You'll see the Thai results too, sometimes with lower rates. But once you click on the websites, there's usually a button to switch the language back to English. 3. Plan Your Recreational Activities Recreational activities are benefits that will carry over into work hours, both on your trip and back home. Thailand offers plenty of choices. Areas like Bangkok and Pattaya are, of course, known for their nightlife, but many modern visitors prefer to book into wellness retreats and spas. Chonburi, which is growing in popularity as a business destination, has a vibrant sports scene. It's home to the Chonburi Bluewave Futsal Club and the Supreme Chonburi Volleyball Club, which are both very popular across the country. 4. Have Access To Finances And Legal Advice As it's a business trip, we're sure you've got your budget covered. However, that means little if you can't access your money when you need it.  Make sure that you've informed your company's credit card provider of your travel plans so that they don't block it by mistake. It's also advisable to carry some cash at all times. Card payments are rarely used for everyday transactions, with the locals preferring cash or mobile app payments. Thailand has strict laws around foreign ownership of properties and businesses. You may also have local taxes and labour regulations to consider if you are setting up or investing in a Thai business.  It's also sensible to have any contracts reviewed by an expert who understands Thai law. So, get a legal advisor.  Moreover, Thailand has recently revised its visa policy. So, the duration of a visa-free stay for foreign tourists is now just 30 days instead of 60 days. This will impact visitors from around 93 countries across the world.  This new revision is aimed at controlling illegal business developments, such as unlawful condominium developments, in Thailand.  However, when you are traveling with a business Visa, or the Non-Immigrant "B" Visa, you can stay in the country for 90 days.  Do you have to suddenly extend your stay for business purposes? You can get in touch with the Immigration Bureau to get approval. Here also, provide the detailed documents and establish your requirements to get the approval.  So, irrespective of the country you are from, you need a constant consultation with an immigration expert and a lawyer.  5. Stay Aware About Local Culture And Etiquette The Western approach to business and personal interaction is a lot more direct than the Thai way of doing things.  In order to get along well with any Thais you meet and to ensure that your meetings go smoothly, you should honour the local customs. The most important concept to keep in mind is that of "saving face." This is the avoidance of direct or public confrontation with others to save them from embarrassment. Furthermore, you must always address the mistakes in private. Also, you must greet with a traditional gesture, “Wai”, before a handshake. Moreover, respect the hierarchy.  Stay Prepared To Make Your Business Travel In Thailand A Success From Chonburi to Chiang Mai, Thailand has many MICE cities that are well-equipped for the needs of business travellers.  However, keeping your documents handy and knowing the visa policies are very crucial if you are planning a business travel in Thailand. Also, if your business trip means that you have to work in Thailand, you will need a Thai Work Permit.  Moreover, the visa requirements can change in Thailand. Documentation can also get stricter. So, Read the visa policies Know the documents required Consult with an immigration expert Talk to your business counterpart in Thailand Seek legal help regarding documentation if needed All these will ensure a seamless visa application and approval for your next business trip in Thailand.  Read Also: 5 Must-Visit Places In Thailand: Should I Go To Phuket Or Krabi? 3 Reasons Why Thailand Is The Ultimate Wellness Destination Thailand Travel Guide: This Is The Best Time To Visit Thailand!

BY  Sibashree Dec 8, 2022

Are you a frequent traveler like I am? Well, if you are, you know it can take a lot of time to plan and organize travel arrangements and plane tickets. In my case, it helps if I have a reliable travel agency to do everything for me, so it becomes easier. But I am sure you have seen that not all travel agencies are reliable or legit. So, how will you know the difference without losing money? It would help if you read a thorough review of any travel agency, which is why I am here to review one of the best and trusted travel agencies I have used for my last few trips. So today, we are going to talk about the Trip.com travel agency. I can gush about it all day, but for you guys, I will stick to the facts. Trip.com has been around for a while. I know it still has questionable customer service and inappropriate customer reviews. So is trip.com legit? Or are we just wasting our time and money on it? About Trip.Com Trip.com Group Limited (parent company) is a Chinese travel service provider headquartered in Shanghai, and it was listed on NASDAQ in 2003 as Ctrip.com International. Also, I liked the fact that Trip.com is affiliated with about 1.4 million hotels and operates in approximately 200 countries and other regions. The company was established back in 1999. By now, they have over 2 million routes that connect over 5000 cities all over the world. The company has a massive network and well-connected 24/7 customer service in more than 20 languages. Also, its stocks are pretty high-stakes, as NASDAQ states. It's priced at $64.92. Recently, Trip.com, at the global partner summit, invited other travel agencies and industries to join them and build a future together. Why Is Trip.Com So Cheap? While booking your tickets, you would prefer somewhere you get the best deals. Although there are several places where you can save your money while traveling, getting the best deals on plane tickets, hotels, and other travel expenses is a good thing. And that is one of the great things I prefer about Trip.com, as they give the best deals on flights and hotels.  This makes them a popular choice for most travelers. But how do they offer such low prices compared to other companies? Ever thought of that? Since Trip.com sells to its customers directly, it can avoid other high costs from other agencies. And another thing that Trip.com does is they give back a part of the commission taken from the hotels and all the airlines to the customers, as low fare costs. So this is how Trip.com stays ahead of its competition. Can We Use Trip.com On Our Mobile Devices?  Of course! You can use Trip.com on your mobile devices. You just have to download their app. It is available for both iOS and Android. The app lets you book all sorts of tickets, such as: Flights  Hotels  Trains  Airport Rides  Attraction Tickets  You can also access Trip.com through their website on your mobile web browser.  Is Trip.Com Legit? If the company's legitimacy is in question, then there is no doubt that Trip.com is a legitimate company operating worldwide. Furthermore, it's been twenty years since the company has been operable, so you can rest assured that they are here to stay and will not disappear one day.  The services offered by Trip.com through their website are safe to use, and you can easily access flights and hotels from the website if you want.  And regarding website safety issues, it is safe and secured using SSL encryption to ensure all your data privacy, like financial and personal information.  Read More: Top Trips For Travelling With A Big Group Of People Are there Cancellation Policies on Trip.com? Trip.com has cancellation policies for flights, hotels, and trains, but these policies can be very different depending on the airline, hotel, or train operator, as well as the type of ticket or room you booked and when you cancel. Always check the specific rules for your booking to see if it is refundable and to find out what fees may apply.  How Can I Cancel A Flight Booking On Trip.com?  To cancel a flight booking on Trip.com, you need to follow the steps written below:  To cancel a flight booking on Trip.com, you need to follow the steps written below:  On your mobile or laptop, log in to your account on Trip.com. Once you are logged in, navigate to "My Trips -> All Bookings" or “Account -> All Bookings” on the Trip.com app.   To cancel your booking, tap "Manage My Booking" and select the "Cancel Booking" button. I want to clear, according to Trip.com’s Flight Cancellation Policy, you may have to pay a service fee and cancellation charges.  Now, you have to review the refund details. Then, you must confirm any processing fees that might be associated with cancelling your flights. Then, click "Next" to proceed to the details page.  Now, you must carefully verify the refund details and information, then tap "Submit" to complete the cancellation process. It will take a day or two for the amount to be refunded. How Can I Cancel A Hotel Booking On Trip.com? To cancel a hotel booking on Trip.com, you need to follow the steps mentioned below:  On your mobile or laptop, log in to your account on Trip.com.  Once you are logged in, navigate to "My Trips -> All Bookings" or “Account -> All Bookings” on the Trip.com app.  To cancel your hotel reservation, tap "Cancel Booking." Keep in mind that some hotels do not refund cancellations, while others may give a full or partial refund if you cancel by a certain date.  Enter the reason for cancelling your hotel booking and click "Submit" to confirm your cancellation.  After you submit your request, click "View cancellation policy" to check your refund details. Look over your refund information and status to finish the process.  How Can I Cancel A Train Booking On Trip.com?  Do you want to cancel a train booking on Trip.com? No biggie. You can follow the steps mentioned below: On your mobile or laptop, log in to your account on Trip.com.  Once you are logged in, navigate to "My Trips -> All Bookings" or “Account -> All Bookings” on the Trip.com app.  Click the "Refund" button to cancel your China High Speed train booking. Please remember that a small assistance fee may be taken from your refund.  To complete the cancellation process, please provide the front and back of your ID. After that, review the refund details. Finally, click the "Refund" button.  The refund fee for China High Speed trains depends on how early you cancel your ticket before the train departs. Here’s a simple overview of the refund fees:  Time Of Refund Fees Required More than 8 days No fee 48 hours-7 days 5% of the ticket fare 24 hours-48 hours 10% of the ticket fare Less than 24 hours 20% of the ticket fare  Is Trip.Com Reliable? Relying on a certain travel company can be tough, as hundreds of travel companies give great deals. So now the question is the trip com reliable?  The easy answer is yes. The Trip.com Group is a huge multinational Chinese company that is one of the world’s leading travel service providers. Although the figure isn’t accurate, currently, the Trip.com group has over 32,000 employees. In addition, the company owns other travel companies, such as CTrip and Skyscanner. Is Trip.com Better Than Other Online Travel Agencies?  Umm, it's really tricky to answer that in a single sentence. So, I will explain it in detail. You see, the other notable online travel agencies, or OTAs, include booking.com and Agoda.com. Now, Trip.com is a bit different than both these sites. How?  Well, firstly, these sites are more accessible depending on which destination you choose to travel to. To be precise, if you are planning a trip to China, please go to Trip.com. Also, if you want to book your entire trip together? Of course, including hotels, flights, and tours in one place, Trip.com is your answer.  Additionally, Trip.com will give you the best deals and possible discounted prices. Plus, you will have quick and easy booking, without any follow-up negotiations. These are all the reasons why I completely shifted to become a Trip.com user, and I intend to stay this way for a while. Trip.Com: Customer Reviews A company that has been around for more than twenty years is sure to have a good reputation and reliability as a travel company. But the real reviews come from the customers who have already used the services of Trip.com.  So here are a few original customer reviews of Trip.com.  **“Nice and easy! The details were clear with each step! Clearly showed the important stuff such as baggage allowances with each flight, dates, times, etc. On top of that, was cheaper than other websites I've tried looking. Will definitely keep using this moving forward!” ( August 24, 2025, Trustpilot)** **“I tried to book a flight then after typing all the information it kept showing it wasn’t available for like the next three times, every time showing a higher price… I wished it just showed what was available. The price turned out to be 3 times higher, still couldn’t book so I just gave up.” (August 25,2025, Trustpilot)** Is Trip.com Legit If The Reviews Are Mixed?  Even though most of the reviews the customers wrote are bad and negative, it is important to note that the company’s customer service department replied. They tried to respond to almost 94% of the bad reviews and tried to solve their problems. Not only the bad reviews. Trip.com even replied to the good reviews as well, showing their gratitude. So unlike most travel companies that ignore the negative reviews given by customers, Trip.com not only responds but tries to help them as well. Read More: Do You Know How To Buy Cheap Air Tickets?  Is Trip.com Legit? A Reliable Yes. Now that you are well aware of your question, is trip.com legit? You can decide whether you want to rely on Trip.com for your next trip plans. But it is important to note that you shouldn’t get discouraged due to the bad reviews as they are inevitable in every business. Rather it is important to know how the company deals with all those bead reviews and tries to improve itself. So if you think Trip.com legit is worth taking a chance on, comment below on how you feel. 

BY  Mashum Apr 28, 2017

India is a vast country that is plentifully blessed with tourist destinations with scenic Travel Applications that India lover, cultural, historical and religious importance. It is one of those regions that attract a huge number of visitors every year. People from all over the world visit India to see the beauty that the area has to present to visitors.   It is a gratifying experience to visit these places. Of late, the travel industry is moving fast creating many conveniences by embracing technology. It is one of the leading travel industries all over the world. Indians have integrated technology to the travel industry to a great extent.   Software and mobile applications comprising tour management software, booking engine software, and airline reservation systems have revolutionized the way and pace of this industry. It sees travel agents and service providers delight the traveler with awesome travel experiences.  It is one of the best ways to take the travel industry to the next level. No wonder the Indian tourism industry is among the leading all over the world.   In this article, we will look at five popular mobile apps for the road travel and for the planning of trips. Let’s take a look at some of these useful apps that will help you, as you plan your travel in India:  1. RedBus Arguably, the pioneer of bus ticket booking in India is RedBus.  This app has come a long way since its inception. It has been instrumental in changing the way road travel happens in India. More and more people all over India are using it to make their dreams come true.   In India, there are places not reachable by train and by flight. At this point, buses step in as a major transportation medium. There is a high number of people who use buses when touring India.   The ticket booking for a bus just got easier through the RedBus app. The beauty about this tool is that it is very simple and user-friendly. You will not have a hard time when familiarizing yourself with this app.   The app even provides for discounts and offers from both, the bus operators and RedBus itself. This is one of the best features that you can find in this tool.   This is an important app to have on your mobile even if you are not a very regular bus traveler. The reason is that RedBus can help in those rare situations when you do have the need to use the road.  Therefore, you should not be a tourist to use this app while in India. Everyone will find it useful whenever you want to board a bus from one place to another. It is one of the best inventions in the Indian travel industry.   2. AbhiBus AbhiBus is a later entrant into the bus ticketing space. The tool has come in a big way and is another major bus ticketing company. You will find the tool in immense use among the Indian population. We can only expect the popularity of this tool to increase over time.   The AbhiBus app is similar to its counterpart app. It provides all the required information of bus routes, timings and ticket availability. You will not get lost when you rely on this app during your tour.   AbhiBus does not want to stay behind in the race to gather customers and build loyalty. Thus, ythe app also comes up with some offers and discounts for users.  You can be sure of benefiting in several ways when you begin to use this App. Most people who use it confirm that it is among the leading travel solutions in the region.   3. Ola Cabs Ola Cabs is an online taxi /cab platform that created a revolution of sorts in the taxi market in India. This application has moved ahead in terms of a number of cab owners and customers who are part of these services. This number continues to grow with each passing day.   An easy to use the mobile app, Ola primarily started with cabs in three segments. These include Prime (for the high-end traveller), Mini and Micro (for the budget traveller) and then later moved into Ola share and Luxury. The ‘’share’’ allows for customers to opt for a shared travel thus reducing the cost of the trip.  The difference between Ola and its competitor apps is the – Ola Auto. It adds to the product mix by offering the option to travel by Auto-Rickshaw. It is good to understand these features if you want to use the tool effectively.   Ola has also begun Ola Outstation in order to cater to the traveler looking to move from one city to another. Ola is a very handy mobile app to possess for a great travel convenience within the city.  In case you are planning to travel to India, Ola is one of the must-have apps. You will discover that it comes with several useful features for all travelers. The tool will offer you great assistance especially if you are new to this region.   4. Uber The American disruptor company that created waves on the US West coast is now an active part of the taxi marketplace in India. It is one of the apps that we can confidently say that it dominates the taxi industry globally.   India is one of the countries that have impressed the use of Uber.  As the other major player, Uber has amassed a good number of cab drivers and customers. Most travelers accept the fact that Uber offers some of the most affordable rates in the region.   Uber drivers have been facing stiff competition from the competitors because of the affordability of their services. The app is of great help to travel within the city and has come with different types of services.   These include Uber, UberGO (for the budget traveler) and UberPOOL (for sharing). It is good to understand how each of them works to get the maximum use of the App.   Uber also has the UberHIRE for people wanting to hire a taxi for a few hours and move to different places. The hiring service is just one of the applications that the App has to offer to the users.   5. Trip Planner Trip Planner is another useful app to plan your trip across destination spots in India. We cannot look at the most popular travel apps that Indians and leave out this one. It is among the industry leaders when you examine the travel and tour industry of India.   Trip Planner helps the users to find information on the popular tourist destinations in India. The unique thing about the app is that it even helps find information on some lesser-known travel destinations in the country.   Therefore, most people who want a better understanding of India prefer to use this application. It is a reliable App for anyone who knows how to use it well.   The app also helps get information on hotels and restaurants to take care of the user’s accommodation and gastronomic needs. Trip Planner is among the few apps that offer these unique features to the user.   It also provides an idea of‘’ things to do’’ while at some certain destination spots in India. Which another app will give you such reliable information? This app is useful for both Overseas and Indian travelers who plan to move from place to place within the city.  It is good to have this app is your phone if you want real help while touring India. It has an easy to use interface and hence you will not have a hard time using this solution.   Conclusion   Travel is an important part of our lives. First, it gives us a chance to move away from the hectic professional lives. Travelling also provides people an opportunity to ‘’refresh’’ and ‘’reboot.’’ Therefore, let no one cheat you that traveling is a waste of your valuable time and resources.   It can assist you to improve your health and even become more productive in life. You can make your tour more successful by making good use of the available travel aps. India is one of the regions that have a long list of these apps that travelers can use.   While we load our smartphones with several other apps it makes sense to have some of the travel technology platform. The best innovation creates convenience through the travel planning process. It flows all the way from Ticket booking to Tour planning to Stay and Food.   So, feel free to download these apps on your smartphone from the respective mobile platforms. If you have not been using these Apps. It is time that you begin making them part of your travel lifestyle. Look at the features that each of them has to offer and use the one that will give you the best support while touring India.   Read also:  The Easy Way to Travel in India. Top Most Expensive Hotels Of India To Enjoy And Stay Your Holidays Top 7 Places To Visit For An Asian Solo Traveler 15 Interesting Facts about India That Every Traveller Should Know