Escorted tours to china

PHOTO: Lunar New Year celebrations in Bali – Jakarta Post “When China sneezes, the rest of south east asia catches a cold.” From quiet markets in Malaysia, empty rooms in Hanoi’s hotels and barren beaches in Bali, China’s economic slowdown and weakening yuan are sending shockwaves felt across south east Asia’s vacation belt. Thailand is just one of many countries currently affected by the Chinese staying at home as their currency abroad weakens. The Chinese outbound travel boom stoking tourism across south east Asia is now in reverse gear. And the abrupt decline of Chinese packing their bags for a holiday is becoming a painful lesson for the countries that became overly dependent on Asia’s top economy and its burgeoning middle class. Rising incomes over the past decade fueled Chinese consumers and their hunger for travel, making them the world’s largest outbound travel market with the total number of outbound trips more than doubling from 57 million trips in 2010 to 131 … [Read more...] about The China Syndrome, south east Asia’s tourism dilemma

"Red tourism" will see integration of high-quality travel resources and social media-based marketing this year. This is expected to spark a trend of more young people traveling to pay respects to the founding fathers of New China, as part of the celebrations to mark the centenary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. In January, Trip.com Group, China's largest online travel agency, launched 100 tailored travel options related to red tourism. It expects 50 million people to take such trips this year, the company said. Red tourism focuses on tours exploring the history of the CPC before the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. Such trips cover 108 cities and about 200 red tourism-related sightseeing spots in China. More than 60 percent of the trips offer options of small group tours and private tours for families and friends, as well as outings organized by companies. "Red tourism is expected to help promote the good spirit of the Party. We would like … [Read more...] about Tourism sector growth to turn ‘red’ hot this year

Australian Open: Nadal schools Mmoh in Melbourne masterclass The Spaniard looked in impressive form as he swept aside Michael Mmoh 6-1 6-4 6-2 in the evening session at Melbourne Park, with perhaps the biggest hinderance for Nadal caused by a rowdy spectator who was eventually escorted out of Rod Laver Arena. Having come through qualifying, Mmoh had rallied to stun Viktor Troicki in the opening round. However, he never threatened a stunning upset of the 2009 champion, who will next face Cameron Norrie. Meanwhile, Daniil Medvedev marked his birthday with a routine win of his own, the in-form Russian stretching his unbeaten run to 16 matches to suggest he is a serious contender for the title. Stefanos Tsitsipas found life a little tougher in his outing but while the Greek survived the scare to move on in the main draw, fellow seeds Borna Coric and Lorenzo Sonego were knocked out. NO VIDEO NASTY FOR NADAL Ever the consummate professional, Nadal revealed he did his … [Read more...] about Australian Open: Nadal helped out by YouTube as Medvedev enjoys birthday win

Born on August 16, 1945, Brookes began competing in the early 1960s. But it was 1974 when Brookes signed the pioneering deal with heating/cooling hire company Andrews-Sykes when his profile skyrocketed. The Worcestershire-born driver got a big break in 1976 when he received a works Ford Escort for the British Rally Championship – which he lost to Ari Vatanen – but in the firm’s RS1800 he took his first British title one year later against stiff competition. He had to wait until 1985 for his second British title, coming at the end of a fierce two-year battle with Opel Manta 400 works' teammate Jimmy McRae , father of 1995 champion Colin . Despite that almost eight-year wait for a title, Brookes took wins – in most cases multiple victories – on most of the major prestigious events of the period, including the Circuit of Ireland, Manx, Ulster, Welsh and Scottish rallies, all at a time when the majority of the drivers in the World Rally Championship would come … [Read more...] about British rallying legend Russell Brookes dies

In the broad world of the Grateful Dead, change has always been a tough thing to accept. There are still fans who yearn for the bluesy years of Ron "Pigpen" McKernan. Despite sitting in the keyboard seat for a full decade between 1980 and 1990, Brent Mydland often felt he failed to win the respect of fans. And when the band announced its 50-year anniversary reunion and farewell, a huge debate ensued over whether Phish guitarist Trey Anastasio was the right person to fill Jerry Garcia's shoes. See also: Confessions of a Deadhead as the trip comes to an end But change is inevitable in a band that's been around in one fashion or another for five decades, particularly one whose actuarial tables have never been that favorable. Then what were we to make of this John Mayer kid? A "radio-friendly" Grammy winner who got on the bus just a scant four years ago after hearing Garcia's tune "Althea"? A singer-songwriter-musician who's known as much for his ex-girlfriends and his … [Read more...] about Potent brew: John Mayer adds a kick to the Grateful Dead