A couple of developments in the travel industry have been making headlines recently. They may not be in the biggest type, but they’re notable. They’ve gotten me thinking. They’re indicators, I think, of what may be trends that will affect your travels in the near future.What do you think?Culture in the CaribbeanCuba’s hot. Its new prominence at the top of Americans’ list of places to see has gained most of the attention. But Cuba’s new rock-star status is also making waves among government and t

Escape summer heat at the Ritz-Carlton Seoul The Ritz-Carlton Seoul presents Sunday Escape package for guests seeking a relaxing Sunday break.The package includes 12-hour stay at the Superior Deluxe room during the daytime and lunch at the Oksan Buffet for two adults and one child under the age of 6. The guests could choose to check in either at 9 a.m. or at 10 a.m., avoiding the relentless heat of midsummer.The guests will also be allowed access to the hotel’s indoor swimming pool during the st

Thrill-seekers visit haunted areas to discover spirits that linger after death

North Gyeongsang Province’s tourist attraction Mungyeong Rail Bike will extend its operating hours from July 2, the Mungyeong Tourism Promotion Corporation announced Tuesday. According to the MTPC, the 7.4-kilometer roundtrip section between Maseong-myun’s Jinnam Station and Gurang-ri Station will operate bicycles beyond the original ending time of 6 p.m. 　(Instagram @yujin.8781)For three Saturdays -- July 2, 9, and 16 --  bikes will be allowed to leave Chinnam Station at 6 and 7 p.m., finishing

Midsummer night’s getaway at W Seoul-Walkerhill 　W Seoul-Walkerhill is offering a signature summer cocktail promotion 2016 W Tiki Night, featuring Polynesian cocktails and an exotic atmosphere at WooBar.　During the promotion, WooBar -- decorated Polynesian style -- will serve Tiki cocktails that have been modified from the popular 1940s and 1950s drinks. The cocktails are served in Tiki-shaped ceramic glasses representing New Zealand’s Maori tribe, or in tropical fruit such as coconuts.　The drin

Buyeo Seodong Lotus FestivalThe annual Buyeo Seodong Lotus Festival is a celebration of all thing lotus flowers, while highlighting the importance of preserving wild flowers. As part of the festival celebrations, the event features a variety of lotus flower experience programs such as lotus paper origami and flower soapmaking. This year’s festivities will run from July 8 to 17 at Buyeo’s Seodong Park. 　Although nowhere near as popular with tourists as Seoul and Busan, Buyeo continues to strength

ROME — Buongiorno, my hundreds of fellow tourists crowding the Trevi Fountain on this bright spring day. Doesn’t it look magnificent? Isn’t it grand? Aren’t you happy to be the first high-season tourists to see the place again without scaffolding? The baroque fountain was recently closed for 17 months while it was cleaned, scrubbed, repaired and restored to the glory intended by sculptor Salvi when he began carving it in 1762.“I am happy to see it. I love ‘La Dolce Vita,’” said Jessie Cantrell,

‘Fun Taipei’ all-inclusive discounted travel package In an effort to promote travel to Taiwan’s bustling capital city of Taipei, Fun Taipei has unveiled is new all-inclusive discounted travel package.The Fun Taipei travel deal offers guests round-trip airfare from Incheon to Taipei with China Airlines, hotel accommodation for two nights, two days of free Wi-Fi, a one-day “Easy Pass” travel card as well as a free travel guidebook, all starting at the low price of 274,000 won (excluding taxes and

Exotic summer vacation at Imperial Palace Seoul HotelImperial Palace Seoul Hotel presents Midsummer Night Package from July 16 to Aug. 31, presenting a perfect summer vacation at the exotic outdoor swimming pool.The package includes one night’s stay at Deluxe or Business room, access to night outdoor pool or voucher for two for happy hour at Lobby Lounge, and two movie tickets. Molton Brown travel kits and Instyle magazines will be given to the guests.Free access to the fitness studio and indoor

 American Airlines to reward based on dollars, not miles　American Airlines announced it will no longer reward its airlines members with perks based on how many miles they fly, rather with how much passengers spend on tickets. The change, which matches those at Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, starts with flights on Aug. 1 and rewards the airline’s highest-paying passengers.　Elite-status members of American’s AAdvantage frequent-flier program will earn bonus miles for every dollar they spend.

Looking for places to go during summer vacation? The Korea Herald has compiled a list of interesting festivals across the peninsula for visitors to see, taste and enjoy the summer fun. Boryeong Mud FestivalBoryeong Mud FestivalSince it began in 1998, the annual Boryeong Mud Festival has been perhaps the premiere event for those from abroad, attracting around 300,000 foreign visitors each year to the country’s western coast for a week filled with muddy fun. The upcoming 19th festival kicks off on