Travel News Summary in October 2024
As October 2024 began, travel activities in Indonesia and nearby countries surged with excitement. Here’s a quick rundown of the main events.
Singapore Food Festival
The Singapore Food Festival is back this October with the theme “A Celebration of Old and New.” Held at iconic locations like Marquee Singapore, Chijmes Hall, and Marina Bay Sands, visitors can enjoy free tastings from renowned Singaporean chefs and explore various aspects of art and culture.
Maya Bay in Thailand Reopens
After a two-month closure for ecosystem rehabilitation, Maya Bay in Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands has reopened to the public as of Tuesday, October 1, 2024.
Known for its stunning underwater scenery and surrounded by towering green limestone cliffs, the bay remains off-limits for swimming and snorkeling to help preserve its delicate marine ecosystem.
5 Takeaways from the 2024 WTTC Global Summit
This is some highlights from the 24th World Travel Tourism Council (WTTC) Global Summit, held on October 9 in Perth, Western Australia.
- The travel industry is projected to be worth 16 trillion US dollars by 2034.
- Millennials and Gen Z are driving tourism for the past few years, often traveling for major sporting events like Grand Slam and Formula 1.
- Over 70% of Millennials and Gen Z prioritize experiences and are willing to travel solo.
- Indian travelers enjoy local values and culture, spending 75-200 US dollars a day.
- 60% of Chinese travelers book their plane tickets just one day before departure.
Coogee Beach Temporarily Closed Due to Mysterious Tar Balls
Located in the eastern suburbs of Sydney, Australia, Coogee Beach has been temporarily closed to visitors. The closure, which took effect on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, was announced by the Randwick City Council.
This decision follows the discovery of mysterious black tar balls along the shoreline, believed to have originated from an oil spill in the nearby waters.
The Randwick City Council has deployed cleanup crews and environmental experts to investigate and address the situation. The beach will remain closed until it is deemed safe for the public.
Mount Merbabu Closure
All hiking trails on Mount Merbabu will be closed starting October 31, 2024, until further notice to allow for ecosystem restoration, reforestation, trail maintenance, and clean-up of the hiking areas.
The closure also aims to adjust new hiking tour rates that will be updated. The revenue from entrance tickets and visitor contributions will help improve service quality and support nature conservation.
DAMRI Trans Studio Mall Bandung-Tegalluar Fast Train Station Route
Starting in October 2024, DAMRI will operate the Trans Studio Mall Bandung-Tegalluar Fast Train Station route.
The route connects Tegalluar Fast Train Station, Trans Studio Mall Bandung, and the DAMRI Kebon Kawung Pool (opposite Bandung Railway Station), with a fare of Rp15,000.00 per passenger and operate from 7:26 AM to 9:16 PM.
Tickets can be purchased directly at the departure point using cashless payment methods such as QRIS, e-Money, credit cards, or debit cards.
Thailand Tourist Tax to Start in 2025
The Thai government plans to implement a tourist tax starting in mid-2025. This policy is expected to charge approximately 300 baht (around USD 9) per tourist arriving by air, while those arriving by land or sea will be charged half that amount.
The tax aims to increase tourism revenue, which will be allocated to visitor insurance and the enhancement of tourism infrastructure.
New Flight Routes from Brunei and Vietnam
Royal Brunei Airlines will launch a direct flight route from Bandar Seri Begawan to Chennai, India, beginning on November 5, 2024.
Meanwhile, Vietjet is expanding its network with two new international routes. The first route, connecting Da Nang, Vietnam, with Ahmedabad, India, commenced operations on October 23, 2024. The second route, connecting Daegu, South Korea, with Nha Trang, Vietnam, began on October 27, 2024.
These new routes aim to expand access to air travel across Asia and strengthen economic and tourism connections between the respective countries.
- Photo generated by DALL-E