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Use your OLA app to ride tuk tuks in Liverpool, UK
London (TAN): India-based ride-hailing company Ola is taking over UK streets with it entering the British market with an auto rickshaw service in Liverpool.
Ola UK has launched a fleet of bright green Bajaj and Piaggio autorickshaws or ‘tuk tuks’ in the city, with over 500 drivers in neon green jackets on board, media reports said.
The new service was recently rolled out in Liverpool’s Merseyside. Continue reading Use your OLA app to ride tuk tuks in Liverpool, UK →
Have you ever hiked up a volcano? Do it at Camiguin in the Philippines
Camiguin, Philippines (TAN): Camiguin island, one of Philippines’ top tourism destinations, has launched another attraction for both outdoor enthusiasts and mountain trekkers.
Camiguin’s chain of volcanoes, especially Mount Hibok-Hibok, will be on the radar of adventure seekers as the provincial government, the department of tourism-10, and the department of environment and natural resources-10 launched “Climb Camiguin” on Saturday, March 23.
Climb Camiguin will promote the province as a prime destination for mountain tourism in the country. Continue reading Have you ever hiked up a volcano? Do it at Camiguin in the Philippines →
FairBnb offers sustainable alternative to Airbnb model
Bologna (TAN): A startup called FairBnB offers a model for “hosts and guests to connect for meaningful travel and cultural exchange, while minimizing the cost to communities” as an alternative to home-sharing platforms such as Airbnb.
FirBnB co-founder Sito Veracruz says the AirBnb model, which initially looked good for business, has disastrous effects on the lives of the local people.
“I think it’s obvious that Airbnb contributes to gentrification,” Veracruz told The Guardian. “It drives up real estate prices…Neighbourhood business that create ties between residents are replaced by businesses that only focus on tourists. Bike rental companies replace local grocery shops. And apartments that are continuously rented out to tourists are lost to people who want to actually live here.” Continue reading FairBnb offers sustainable alternative to Airbnb model →
Whale shark season is here at the Ningaloo reef in Australia
Perth (TAN): Whale sharks have started arriving this year at the Ningaloo Reef on Australia’s mid-north coast.
An increasing number of tourists have been coming to the World Heritage-listed reef over the past few years to experience its corals and wildlife. The primary attraction in this season is to swim with the whale sharks. Over 32,000 people swam with the world’s biggest fish in 2018, say reports.
The Ningaloo reef, which is 300km long, is the largest coral reef in the world situated close to a landmass. Continue reading Whale shark season is here at the Ningaloo reef in Australia →
How Facebook can make your trip better and cut costs
Love it or hate it, Facebook has changed the world.
Whether the cons more than the pros is a matter of debate but I can assure you it is a great resource to cut down on your travel costs.
In this post, I will explain four ways by which you can use Facebook to make your trip better and cheaper. Continue reading How Facebook can make your trip better and cut costs →
Tourist nearly swept away by giant wave near Bali
Bali (TAN): A tourist posing for a picture had a close shave when a wave nearly swept her away at the Nusa Lembongan island next to the popular tourist destination of Bali.
In a video clip that has gone viral on social media, a woman is seen posing with outstretched hands with the waves behind her crashing into the rocky coast.
A big wave that appeared to crash some way away but continued to smash against the shore behind her because of its size, is seen suddenly appearing from behind and entirely engulfing her. Continue reading Tourist nearly swept away by giant wave near Bali →
Protests before elections affect tourists in South Africa
Hazyview, South Africa (TAN): Tourists movement to and from Kruger Gate and Sabi Sand Game Reserve have been affected by protests by the local people and many have missed planes and buses, media reports said.
The situation is unlikely to become better before the national elections, which are scheduled to be held in May.
Hazyview is a sub-tropical farming town in Mpumalanga. Most of the province of Mpumalanga’s private game reserves, including Sabi Sand, are found just east of Hazyview. The 65,000-hectare Sabi Sand Game Reserve, a private game reserve in South Africa, is located on the south-western corner of the Kruger National Park. Continue reading Protests before elections affect tourists in South Africa →
Vietnam’s Hanoi named cheapest Asian city for backpackers
Hanoi (TAN): Tourism price index website Price of Travel has named the Vietnam capital as the cheapest Asian city for backpackers.
The low costs attract a large number of holiday-makers to Hanoi.
However, experts said, sustainable tourism development requires much more. Diverse and quality products and services are what keep tourists staying longer, spending more money and returning to the city. Consequently, the city’s tourism sector needed to consistently pursue long-term and sustainable strategies. Continue reading Vietnam’s Hanoi named cheapest Asian city for backpackers →
Low season is the perfect time to visit Goa
The last time I was in Goa was in September, weeks before the tourist season set it. It’s so much better when you don’t have to jostle with the teeming tourists!
It’s easier to find a place at nice restaurants, easier to find a spot in the sea water to splash about in peace and easier to have an awesome trip while spending a fraction of what you would in the high season.
Now that March is here and the crazy crowds have disappeared, it’s time you planned a trip to Goa as well! Continue reading Low season is the perfect time to visit Goa →
Botswana’s elephant hunting proposal triggers debate
Gaborone (TAN): The Botswana government’s proposal to withdraw its ban on hunting elephants has trigged a big debate on social media.
According to reports, the proposal was timed ahead of elections and aimed to satisfy rural communities that had earlier been adversely economically affected by the hunting ban. The panel is said to have made the recommendations with only minimal consultation with the tourism industry stakeholders.
In the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Hunting Ban Social Dialogue report, it has been proposed to lift the ban on hunting. Continue reading Botswana’s elephant hunting proposal triggers debate →
Iceland closes Justin Bieber canyon till June
Reykjavik (TAN): The Iceland government has closed the popular Fjadrargljufur canyon to the public in order to conserve its fragile ecosystem that has been affected by a humid winter and a large number of tourists, media reports said.
The relatively unknown canyon has been flooded by tourists since being featured in a 2015 Justin Bieber ‘I’ll Show You’ music video. Fjadrargljufur is around 100 meters deep and some 2km long with steep green walls and a meandering riverbed.
I’ll Show You has 440 million views on YouTube. Continue reading Iceland closes Justin Bieber canyon till June →
Up to INR 1,000 off under SpiceJet’s ‘Terrific Tuesday’ deal
New Delhi (TAN): India-based budget carrier SpiceJet is offering instant discounts on base fares along with a free priority check-in on bookings made on Tuesdays until March 31, 2019.
Under the ‘Terrific Tuesday’ deal, passengers will get a discount of INR 1,000 on round trips and INR 500 on one-way trips.
The offer is only valid on flights with a minimum base fare of INR 2,000. Continue reading Up to INR 1,000 off under SpiceJet’s ‘Terrific Tuesday’ deal →