CHICAGO (AFP) ― Bed bugs, bad service and terrible food used to be inevitable risks when traveling, but a host of online review sites such as Yelp and TripAdvisor are helping savvy consumers pick the best hotels and eat like locals.The power of good reviews quickly shows up in the cash register, producing a virtuous circle in which business owners bend over backwards to keep them coming.But bad write-ups can take a big bite out of a business ― and give frustrated customers a taste of revenge ser

The Philippines Department of Tourism has opened an exhibition in partnership with Olympus that shows photographs and videos of the Philippines through the camera lens of various amateur photographers. A total of 30 photographers were hand-picked from an estimated 300 candidates that signed up for the event and were sent to numerous locations within the country with a PEN E-P5 model in tow. Locations included Davao, Illocos, Banaue, Subic, Manila and Legazpi. Photographers were encouraged to dep

A train service that operates across the southern part of Korea will be launched on Aug. 27.The “S-train” will travel on two major routes running between Busan and Yeosu Expo, and Gwangju and Masan, Korail said.The train will stop at more than 20 stations along the way, including locations such as Gunpo, Jinyoung, Boseong and Suncheon. One-way trips on both routes will take about five hours. Inspired by the famous Korean warship Geobukseon, both the exterior and the interior of the S-train will

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization recently hosted an event to promote domestic travel in Korea. More than 300 people participated in the event by posting their favorite regions to visit on the event’s website. Results showed a mix of popular beach and river travel destinations such as Busan’s Haeundae Beach and Udo Island in Jeju, as well as locations that are lesser known including Tongyeong’s Somaemuldo Island and Geoje City’s Geojedo Island. For mo

Finnair is holding special promotions for round-trip tickets from Korea to Europe, costing as little as 700,000 won for an economy-class seat to 37 destinations in Europe via Helsinki, Finland. Business-class seats cost 4.4 million won for two on flights to 15 major European cities. Reservations must be made through Aug. 16. For the special rate on economy class, departure must be made between Oct. 1 and March 31, 2014. For business class, departures must be made by Oct. 25 and the trip complete

Tourism Malaysia is promoting Hari Raya Aidilfitri, an event with Islamic roots that has become a festival that anyone can enjoy. In a country with a population that is 60 percent Muslim, the majority of Malaysians participate in Ramadan, which is the practice of fasting for a month. People do not consume food or water until sunset during this time. Ramadan began on July 10 ends on Aug. 8, which is when Hari Raya Aidilfitri will take place. The government has announced a two-day national holiday

BAGHDAD (AFP) ― As it trundles down busy roads, the minibus packed with tourists would be unremarkable except for two things ― its passengers are Westerners and the city they are in is Baghdad.Iraq is no stranger to tourism, with countless pilgrims visiting its religious shrines, but now the country that touts itself as the “cradle of civilization” also wants a different kind of visitor.Though almost entirely dependent on oil exports for government income, Iraq does play host to millions of Shii

The California Tourism Office is promoting a variety of summer adventures and activities in 12 different areas of the Golden State. Beer lovers can go to any region of the state and taste different local beers in 200 different breweries and bars with the Beer Tour (www.californiacraftbeer.com). A range of organized events await travelers at the America’s Cup Pavilion in San Francisco, including the America’s Cup Yacht Competition and various concerts and performances (www.americascup.com). If yo

Hyatt Hotels Corporation has announced plans to open a Hyatt Place hotel in Seoul by 2016. The hotel will be the first Hyatt Place branch in the Northeast Asian market. The hotel will join three existing Hyatt-branded hotels in Seoul: Park Hyatt Seoul, Grand Hyatt Seoul, and Hyatt Regency Incheon. The new Hyatt Place will be in the Dongdaemun area, a famous shopping district and tourist destination, where it will cater to the increasing demand in business and leisure travel by offering 204 guest

PARIS (AP) ― What does an American expect from Paris? What’s the best way of making an Italian feel welcome?Paris’ Chamber of Commerce and Industry and its Regional Tourism Council have teamed up to produce a guide for hotel owners, restaurateurs and shopkeepers in the hopes that it will help shake off the city’s reputation for snobbishness.Here are some excerpts from “Do You Speak Touriste?’’ ― a guide to the cultural habits of some of Paris’ most frequent visitors:Americans: spend the largest