The Korea Herald

Air Busan increases Busan-Cebu service

Dec 21, 2012

Air Busan announced it will increase the frequency of its nonstop service between Busan and Cebu from four flights to seven a week. Cebu is a popular vacation destination for Koreans as it takes about four hours by air and has family-friendly resorts providing multiple travel options including water sports, cultural experiences and shopping. Bohol, an island province of the Philippines, has many great tourist spots and attractions tourists can explore and discover such as the Tarsier monkey, kno
Budget carriers can give you an unexpected bonus

Dec 21, 2012

GIRONA, Spain ― Many European backpackers on a budget have braved the world of the “budget” airline. As if draconian bag fees and cramped seating weren’t enough, many budget carriers serve satellite airports, dumping passengers far from their ultimate destinations. That means more time and euros spent on buses, trains and taxis.In the case of Girona, Spain, though, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.For travelers to Barcelona on Ryanair, Europe’s ubiquitous budget carrier, the quintessentially S
‘Bearding winter’ at British Columbia’s Siwash Lake Ranch

Dec 21, 2012

KAMLOOPS, Canada ― “It’s a true thing,” as my grandmother used to say. Luxury lodging is in the eye of the beholder.Whether it’s an inn, hotel, resort, even a campsite, all the assorted bits that meet to make a hotel feel like a home will never be to everyone’s taste. Colors and styles that speak to you might leave me yawning. And vice versa.But luxury comes in different flavors in Canada, where most land area is either lightly populated or wilderness. We’ve flown along the coasts and over the i
Luxury spa to ocean suites: one place for all

Dec 14, 2012

Singapore’s integrated resort offers something special for everyone
Singapore Airlines to focus on Asia after Virgin divestment

Dec 14, 2012

SINGAPORE (AFP) ― Singapore Airlines’ sale of its 49-percent stake in Virgin Atlantic will allow the cash-rich Asian carrier to focus resources on its fast-growing regional market, analysts said Wednesday.The Singapore carrier’s tie-up with British billionaire Richard Branson’s Virgin Atlantic never really took off since the alliance began 12 years ago when the stake was bought for 600 million pounds ($966.5 million).Singapore Airlines (SIA) on Tuesday said it will sell the stake to Delta Air Li
U.S. Congress streamlines baggage rules

Dec 14, 2012

WASHINGTON (AFP) ― U.S. lawmakers passed legislation Wednesday allowing officials to waive baggage re-screening requirements for international passengers arriving in the United States.All passengers arriving at U.S. airports currently must have their checked baggage re-screened if they are flying on to another domestic destination, in a process that leads many travelers to miss their connecting flights.The “No-Hassle Flying Act” gives authority to the Transportation Security Administration to wa
World tourist numbers pass one billion: U.N. body

Dec 14, 2012

MADRID (AFP) ― The number of tourists in the world this year will pass the one-billion mark despite the economic crisis, the head of the World Tourism Organisation said Wednesday.“The need to travel is defying economic difficulties,” the Madrid-based U.N. body’s Secretary General Taleb Rifai told AFP.The number of people making tourist trips in 2012 is set to record a rise of three percent compared to 2011 in recession-bound Europe, seven percent in Asia and four percent worldwide, he said.“When
Ireland, Myanmar, Marseille on travel list

Dec 14, 2012

NEW YORK (AP) ― Myanmar, Marseille, New Zealand and Gettysburg are all on the travel radar for 2013 thanks to new tours, events and anniversaries. But the best pitch for travel in the new year might just be coming from Ireland, which is running ads “calling all Flynns, O’Malleys and Schweizenbergs’’ to the Emerald Isle for a unique grassroots homecoming called “The Gathering.’’Here are details on these and other places, events and travel trends for 2013.Ireland’s ‘The Gathering’“It’s a citizen-l
Sheraton Incheon Hotel recognized as ‘World’s Leading Green Hotel’

Dec 13, 2012

Sheraton Incheon Hotel received the “World’s Leading Green Hotel” award at the 2012 World Travel Awards ceremony held at the Oberoi hotel in New Delhi, India, on Wednesday. The hotel’s green policy, along with the continuous growth in business, has been recognized with numerous international awards around the world. The World Travel Awards acknowledge and celebrate commitment to excellence in the hotel industry and rewards organizations that have continued to raise the standard of their product
Fraser Suites in Insa-dong celebrates year-end with concerts

Dec 9, 2012

Fraser Suites Insa-dong, Seoul hosted an opera night on Dec. 6 as part of its pre-Christmas celebration and to express gratitude to its long-term guests. The “Night at the Opera” featured famous songs from operas and Christmas carols sung by celebrated singers in Korea. The two-hour event featured performances by singer Choi Si-sun, soprano Yoon Ji-young and tenor Yang Seung-yeop, who captured the audience with stunning performances and beautiful and joyful voices in celebration of the Christmas
Paris offers shopping promotion

Dec 7, 2012

Paris will start the winter shopping promotion in January, the city’s travel agency said. The Shopping by Paris promotion will offer discounts, special offers at hotels, department stores and outlets throughout the city. About 190 hotels in the city hold promotional events that feature complimentary breakfast, late check-out and gifts. Gallery Lafayette offers bags to customers who purchased more than 40 Euros ($52) worth of goods, and La Vallee Village, a luxury outlet located on the outskirts
Special Christmas holiday at Halekulani Hotel in Hawaii

Dec 7, 2012

The Halekulani Hotel in Honolulu, Hawaii, offers a special Christmas celebration. From Dec. 12-24, the luxury hotel located on Waikiki Beach on Oahu welcomes guests with its annual “12 days of Christmas” event.The 12-day festive daily highlights include cocktail receptions, complimentary limousine transfer for holiday shopping at the Ala Moana Shopping Center, signature gifts, and treatments from SpaHalekulani. Special activities, such as one-on-one sessions to learn how to prepare Halekulani’s
KTO operates information phone service at train stations

Dec 7, 2012

The Korea Tourism Organization operates a travel information phone service at five train stations, including Incheon International Airport, Gimpo Airport, Hongik University, Gongdeok and Seoul Station on the airport express line. Travelers can use the service by calling 1330 on their cell phones or use the phones exclusive to the information service installed by the KTO at the train stations. The 1330 phone service offers travel information in four languages including Korean, English, Japanese a
Malaysian islands named after Korea’s ‘Nami,’ ‘Jara’

Dec 7, 2012

Two nameless islets near the famous Malaysian resort island of Langkawi were named after two famous holiday spots in Korea.The two islands were named “Nami Island” and “Jara Island” after the spots, near Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, and in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, respectively, at a ceremony held by the Langkawi Development Authority and Nami Island Inc. on Monday. The naming was part of Korean Culture Month held at the Oriental Village of the Malaysian island. It follows Malaysian Culture M
Large, family-owned resorts offer personal touch

Dec 7, 2012

VAIL, Colorado (AP) ― Rosana Faessler stops by the hostess stand to check on reservations, then makes her way into the dining room to chat with a couple of the regular guests. After a few minutes, she wanders to the breakfast buffet to make sure everything’s clean and full, then straightens a picture before heading back out to the dining room.These tasks could easily be delegated to the staff. But Faessler just can’t help herself. Sonnenalp, the resort in the Colorado Rockies that Faessler owns