oleh admin | Apr 2, 2025 | community, islands, nature, tourist attractions, tourists
A renowned island on Instagram, once celebrated as the most picturesque in the Mediterranean, has transformed into a nightmarish habitat teeming with rats, resembling a dilapidated favela in some neglected nation.
Around the globe, the small Maltese island of Comino has earned recognition for its stunning turquoise waters and its well-known limestone beach called the Blue Lagoon.
The charming island’s appeal has grown thanks to social media influencers visiting Comino for the ideal photo opportunity and due to its feature in popular Hollywood movies like Troy.
Nevertheless, even though Malta’s tourism board calls it the ‘most beautiful location in the Mediterranean,’ Comino is currently suffering from excessive tourist traffic.
Throughout the summertime, as many as 10,000 visitors arrive daily by boats, only to be squeezed into the crowded bay.
Impromptu bars blaring loud tunes encircle the attendees offering alcohol and finger foods, only to have these items discarded as trash, thus becoming a readily available meal for Comino’s rapidly growing rodent populace.
Activists in Malta are currently battling to safeguard Comine, designated as a protected natural reserve and avian sanctuary, against potential destruction.
A civic organization called Movimento Graffiti is advocating for significant reforms in how the island is governed.
In 2022, they organized a large demonstration during which they took control of and removed sun loungers and umbrellas.
A participant from the group referred to the present circumstances as ‘intolerable’, according to Andre Callus.
‘The residents of Gozo and Malta consider it a nightmare, so they avoid going there now. Commercial enterprises have completely overtaken Comino. Despite being a tiny location, there are 11 kiosks selling food and drinks. Their primary aim seems to be maximizing profits from the island,’ he explained.
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Maltese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) claim that a study assessing the number of tourists the island can accommodate was suppressed by the Maltese authorities. However, numerous residents clearly observe the adverse effects of overcrowding due to tourism.
Residents of the tiny island nation took to writing letters to local newspapers criticizing the current condition of Comino.
One remarked that the once-famous Blue Lagoon now resembled “a dilapidated favela in some neglected nation.”
Someone else commented: “This formerly picturesque island has transformed into a circus, and I would not visit it again even if someone offered me money.”
The Maltese government is attempting to carefully navigate the space between safeguarding the natural allure of Comino and fostering Malta’s tourism industry — an industry that constitutes 15 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product.
Ian Borg, who serves as the minister for tourism, suggests reducing the daily visitor limit to half, dropping from 10,000 to just 5,000 individuals permitted to explore the island each day.
In order to implement this legislation, the authorities must verify with commercial boat owners the number of passengers they transport and the frequency of their daily trips.
Mr. Borg has additionally committed to reviewing the permitted number of bars operating and installing public restrooms.
Nevertheless, organizations like BirdLife Malta advocate for Comino’s designation as a nature reserve to be upheld, which includes removing waste every day and limiting visitor numbers.
Comino symbolizes the broader challenges posed by tourism for Malta; this small country with a populace of slightly more than 500,000 experienced an astounding 3.6 million tourists visiting last year.
To cater to visitors, extensive shoreline projects have been greenlit, but activists argue these initiatives are causing irreparable harm to Malta’s natural surroundings.
Mark Sultana, CEO of BirdLife Malta, wishes that the condition of the Blue Lagoon serves as an awakening for both politicians and developers.
“The cow has been milked excessively,” he stated.
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oleh admin | Apr 2, 2025 | disaster management, disasters, news, politics, tourists
The Ministry of Tourism and Sports intends to revamp its approach for the latter part of this year in response to the declining Chinese market and diminished trust after the recent earthquake. The aim is to set up a fresh crisis management group.
The ministry plans to engage in discussions with a strategic advisory group to guide the Tourism Authority of Thailand as they implement this initiative, stated Natthriya Thaweevong, who serves as the permanent secretary of the ministry.
Thailand has encountered several issues this year impacting tourist confidence, such as the earthquakes that struck both Myanmar and Thailand recently, along with worldwide economic difficulties, according to Ms. Natthriya.
She mentioned that the nation can no longer depend on the Chinese market as heavily as it once did. Before the pandemic hit in 2019, Thailand saw an all-time high of 11 million tourists arriving from mainland China. However, the comeback after the pandemic has been sluggish, with visitor counts failing to recover fully so far. The previous year witnessed approximately 6.7 million Chinese travelers visiting the country, and projections for this year anticipate about 7 million arrivals.
The Tourism and Sports Minister, Sorawong Thienthong, announced the establishment of a Tourism Risk and Crisis Management team aimed at supporting the sector. This team will include members representing various organizations within the tourism supply chain, including entities like the Interior Ministry and the Department of Land Transport.
Based on early responses from businesses, he mentioned that the ministry intends to work alongside the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to provide certification for hotels that successfully pass a security inspection post-earthquake.
“We aim to concentrate on conveying one key message: Thailand remains a secure destination for travelers,” he stated.
Mr. Sorawong mentioned that the Chinese market is particularly reactive to information about the earthquake, and the ministry intends to talk with the Chinese ambassador to try and rebuild trust.
He mentioned his intention to bring influential figures from China’s media landscape to showcase that every province across the nation is safe for tourism, along with Bangkok, which faced the biggest impact.
In light of the approaching Songkran festivities, all events are scheduled to proceed without changes. The ministry has requested that the Tourist Police collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to guarantee tourist safety across key regions.
It also motivates visitors to install the Thailand Tourist Police app, enabling them to get direct warnings from the Tourist Police in case of any unforeseen incidents.
Mr. Sorawong expressed his belief that the slow-down in booking activities wouldn’t persist, since officials have been diligently addressing the problem.
The president of the Thai Hotels Association, Thienprasit Chaiyapatranun, stated that the government ought to implement the domestic co-payment tourism promotion program at the earliest opportunity.
He projected that the typical hotel occupancy rate for April and the Songkran holiday season would stay at approximately 60%, which is below the previous year’s figure of 65%.
In the meantime, a spokesperson for the Thai Airlines Association mentioned that flight reservations experienced a decline of 40-60% over the two days following the earthquake. Notably, there was an exceptionally steep reduction in bookings from China, which fell by 60%.
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oleh admin | Apr 2, 2025 | culture, events and festivals, tourists, Travel, travel destinations
Dhaka, April 2 — Over time, Eid has transformed from being solely an occasion to visit one’s hometown into a crucial timeframe for domestic travel and tourism.
However, both the broader audience and sector specialists contend that Eid tourism in Bangladesh has grown limited and repetitive.
Nazrul Islam, a 55-year-old high-ranking official at a corporation, had originally intended to go overseas during the Eid holiday.
Nevertheless, he eventually chose to remain in Bangladesh.
Even so, he does not plan to travel anywhere inside the country or even venture out into Dhaka on Eid day.
Rather than doing anything else, he intends to dedicate all of his time to being with his family.
When questioned about his reasoning, he responded, “Upon closer inspection, you’ll notice that most festivals in our nation adhere to a similar structure. On Eid day, following the dawn prayer and a communal meal, what typically occurs? People usually head either to a relative’s home, a public garden, or an eating establishment.”
This predetermined Eid celebration, which recurs annually, doesn’t take place in large foreign cities. Even venturing outside of Dhaka proves pointless—after several hours, you’re worn out from witnessing the unchanging scenery.
Mossabber Hossain, who is 72 years old, shares memories of Eid festivities in Dhaka, stating, “In those days, each neighborhood had fairs, there were boat races in Old Dhaka, and horse racing took place in open fields. However, nowadays, Eid mostly involves walking in parks and eating at restaurants.”
A tourism surge is anticipated in Khagrachari during the Eid holidays.
A Metropolis Driven by Commerce, Lacking Celebration
Adil Muhammad Khan, who serves as the president of the Bangladesh Institute of Planners (BIP), pointed out the constraints of Eid celebrations in Dhaka by saying, “The city has grown increasingly commercialized to such an extent that space for non-commercial leisure activities has been significantly reduced.”
A number of areas where fairs used to take place no longer remain today. The waterways designed for boating activities have been overtaken. Bodies of water have been reclaimed to make way for massive office towers, and as a result, eateries inside these structures now serve as focal points for Eid celebrations.
Even public spaces like parks have not escaped this change. If you go to Dhanmondi Lake nowadays, it might seem as though the focus has shifted from the water body itself to the many eateries that now line its shores. There appears to be no vision for an energetic Dhaka. People staying in the city during Eid find themselves stuck in monotonous festivities.
A Dull Encounter Outside of Dhaka
Humayun Rashid, aged 32, went to Cox’s Bazar with his family during the last Eid holiday.
He felt let down by his experience. “Cox’s Bazar can be explored thoroughly within just two days. Anything beyond the beach, such as boat tours, parachute flying, and horseback riding, tends to be overly priced and seems fraudulent.”
He remarked, “Once visitors recognize they are continually taken advantage of, they start losing faith in those locations. During last Eid, approximately 800,000 travelers descended upon Cox’s Bazar. The shore became as packed as a busy fish bazaar in Dhaka. Room rates at hotels surged dramatically, and basic meals were priced multiple times higher than normal. Who would wish to revisit an area like this?”
Tulilia’s Tulip: Enhancing Tourism and Regional Economy
Even though there are complaints, hotels in Cox’s Bazar have already secured bookings of more than 80% for this Eid, with the few available spots anticipated to be taken soon. Nevertheless, numerous travelers continue to express dissatisfaction regarding the increased costs. A tourist named Faisal was searching for a hotel room when he discovered that an average priced, air-conditioned room designed for couples and overlooking the ocean was being charged between Tk 8,000 and Tk 9,000—a price nearly twice as high as normal rates.
Murshid Hossain, who previously managed a hotel in Cox’s Bazar and now serves as a general manager at a three-star hotel in Dhaka, stated, “Hotels find it difficult to occupy their rooms during the low season despite providing discounts greater than 50%. Therefore, to ensure business sustainability and cover employee wages, they have to increase prices significantly when tourism peaks.”
An Unprepared Tourism Industry
Professor Muhammad Shoaib-Ur-Rahman from Dhaka University’s Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management feels that Bangladesh’s tourism sector is inadequately prepared.
Each year, we’re told that around 1.5 million travelers visit various locations during Eid; however, there isn’t any verified information supporting this statement. Without basing our development of tourist attractions on actual attendance figures and reconsidering what defines enjoyable experiences, genuine progress won’t occur,” he stated.
Travel limitations eased in 4 Bandarban upazilas
He further explained, “Tourists often go to Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban just once or twice and seldom come back. In contrast, locations such as Bali or Bangkok tend to draw returning guests. The main factor behind this difference is that Bangladesh’s travel spots provide a limited variety of experiences. Overseas, tourism combines natural beauty with human ingenuity to produce multiple points of interest. It takes more than couple of days to truly see all that Bangkok has to offer, whereas one could easily complete sightseeing in Cox’s Bazar within a brief period.”
He cautioned that uncontrolled price increases and cartels are adversely affecting both travelers and residents. “Since tourism drives up the prices of essentials, locals begin to view tourists unfavorably. This growing resentment might ultimately result in security issues.”
oleh admin | Apr 1, 2025 | business, disasters, news, tourists, Travel
The earthquake that hit Thailand on Friday has dealt a blow to the country’s tourism sector, resulting in sluggish reservations for the forthcoming Songkran festival. Meanwhile, airlines have begun processing requests for reimbursements and annulments.
Yesterday, Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong met with the tourism industry to discuss how the recent earthquake has affected tourist activities. Meanwhile, the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) intends to release a roster of approved accommodations that have passed stringent safety checks for international visitors.
Chaiyapatranun Thienprasit, who leads the Thai Hotels Association (THA), stated that the majority of Bangkok’s hotels are secure and have undergone inspections by engineers.
The Provincial Administration Department has requested hotel operators to assess the structural integrity and adherence to safety norms in their establishments as mandated by hotel regulations, and subsequently submit a report to the department. This directive stems from the fact that hotels are classified as public structures and serve numerous residents and visitors alike.
If damage occurred at a hotel, the operator needed to inform the department’s registrar within 15 days following the event.
He expressed his worry regarding the security of travelers who have reserved unauthorized lodging, should unforeseen incidents happen down the line.
These unauthorized accommodations may fail to register visitors’ information, and the buildings could be non-compliant with safety regulations because of unpermitted alterations, as he pointed out.
Furthermore, images of the State Audit Office building collapsing have circulated extensively through social media platforms and international news channels, affecting perceptions regarding the safety of tourists in Thailand.
Mr. Thienprasit stated that the government ought to promptly look into the incident’s origins and inform the public since the majority of structures in Bangkok haven’t suffered significant damage.
It should also improve the real-time disaster alert system with a hub platform which provides vital information.
Paisarn Sukjarean, who leads the THA’s upper northern division, stated that despite Chiang Mai being close to the quake’s center in Myanmar, local hotels haven’t experienced significant harm. This includes about 15 skyscrapers with over ten floors each in the province.
Mr. Paisarn mentioned that currently, there are about three structures in Chiang Mai that remain inaccessible, including one school and two residential buildings.
The Chiang Mai Municipality has promptly addressed building inspections within the city limits, particularly focusing on the main tourist hub where significant structures are located.
Even though the effects may not be visible until the end of the week regarding the Songkran festivities, hotels have experienced lower reservation numbers than anticipated since the weekend.
Siripakorn Cheawsamoot, TAT deputy governor for Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and the Americas, stated that the organization will assist hotel operators in collaborating with the Tourism Ministry to promote a list of accommodations deemed safe after undergoing evaluations.
Mr. Siripakorn mentioned that the tourism minister is contemplating allocating additional funds specifically aimed at supporting property checks.
Nuntaporn Komonsittivate, who leads the commercial division at Thai Lion Air, stated that the airline continues to operate all flights routinely. However, she admitted that declaring a state of emergency in Bangkok has noticeably affected the travel enthusiasm of incoming visitors.
Mrs Nuntaporn emphasized that it is essential for the government to guarantee safe travel in Thailand, offering official reports from accredited specialists to rebuild trust in anticipation of the Songkran festival.
Several international travelers asked about the airline’s rules regarding canceled flights and reimbursement procedures.
In the meantime, SET-listed Asset World Corp declared a 50% reduction in room rates at all of its nine Bangkok hotels until April 6 for individuals affected by the earthquake.
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oleh admin | Mar 31, 2025 | flights, russian, tourists, Travel, vietnam
The Association of Tour Operators of Russia (ATOR) has noted a significant rise in the number of Russians visiting Vietnam, extending beyond just the fall and winter months to include trips during May holidays and summer breaks.
Head of ATOR Maya Lomidze cited multiple reasons for the increase, such as accumulated demand from previous years, the reinstatement of direct flight options, and the enhancement of the ruble’s strength.
She mentioned that Vietnam is expected to rank within the top 10 summer travel spots, possibly even breaking into the top five.
Direct flights between Russia and Vietnam have been restarted following an extended pause caused by the Covid pandemic.
Aeroflot from Russia initiated direct services to Nha Trang on March 22, whereas Vietnam Airlines intends to commence regular flights connecting Moscow and Hanoi beginning in May.
Moreover, Russian companies Azur Air and Pegas Touristik are increasing their charter flight operations.
The Russian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City, Timur Sadykov, has shown confidence that the reinstated flight connections will not just restore but also exceed pre-pandemic tourist numbers, thereby enhancing mutual ties even more.
As reported by the travel website Travelata.ru, interest in group tours to Vietnam rose by 5% in March compared to February and saw an increase of 9% in February relative to January.
According to data provided by Sletat.ru, tour sales between February 1 and March 18 increased threefold compared to the previous year.
In March, Level.Travel saw their tour sales quadruple, with Vietnam becoming the quickest-expanding destination, outpacing Thailand, Indonesia, and neighboring nations.
Yandex Travel saw a 49% rise in airline ticket purchases for trips to Vietnam compared to the previous year, with tickets costing an average of 81,000 RUB (more than $950).
In the meantime, the hotel reservation platform Ostrovok reported a 25% increase in bookings in Vietnam starting from early March, accompanied by an 18% surge in the average daily rate to approximately 5,100 RUB.
oleh admin | Mar 31, 2025 | hotels, islam, saudi arabia, tourists, Travel
The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Hajj and Umrah reported that 18.5 million individuals completed the pilgrimages of Hajj and Umrah in 2024. This achievement was facilitated by enhancements such as expanding lodging options, modernizing airports, refining transport systems, and implementing tech-driven services.
The efficient management of these pilgrim periods, commended by global organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO), underscores the robust functioning of the tourism industry.
The Ministry of Tourism reports that the hotel sector in Mecca expanded by 80% in 2024, with over 1,000 authorized hotels and apartment complexes. By year-end 2024, Mecca had surpassed 1,150 hotels and provided 260,000 rooms, whereas Medina ended up with 347 hotels along with 1,500 furnished apartments.
This expansion coincides with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, aiming to elevate the pilgrimage experience. Initiated in 2016, the “Doyof Al Rahman” initiative focuses on upgrading facilities and enhancing services for those undertaking Hajj and Umrah.
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Saudi Arabia hosts 18.5 million pilgrims in 2024 as part of an expanding hospitality sector.
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