Thailand faces tourism slump
THAILAND’S tourist industry could be facing a R28-billion hit if political protests carry on for the next six months, officials say. Thawatchai Arunyik of the Tourism Authority of Thailand said the number of foreign tourists visiting the country could drop by 900 000 if the unrest continues, The Telegraph reports. Although the number of visitors from Asia is likely to drop, British travellers seem not to be deterred by the troubles — the number of British travellers is up 10% on last year.
CRUISE LINE WAIVES SINGLE SUPPLEMENT
FRENCH boutique-cruise operator, Compagnie Du Ponant, is waiving the single supplement on select sailings throughout 2014 and into 2015. This will greatly benefit solo travellers, who often have to fork out as much as double fares for single occupancy in a cabin. The offer is valid on a range of cruises globally and varying in length from five to 17 days.
DISNEY FEE IS NO FAIRYTALE
WALT Disney World has increased its entry fee to the Magic Kingdom for the second time in a year. A one-day ticket now costs $99, $4 up from the previous price hike in June. According to the UK Daily Mail, it is cheaper to buy multi-day passes. The paper said prices have been raised to help pay for MyMagic+, a wristband ticketing and ride reservation system that works on wireless. MyMagic allows visitors to book ride times weeks before they arrive at the park. The MagicBand is also an all-in-one park ticket, room key and credit card.
ZANZIBAR BLASTS
FRESH concerns about tourists’ safety in Zanzibar have been raised following separate explosions at a cathedral and a popular tourist restaurant in Stone Town.
A police spokesman claimed no one was hurt in the blasts, which struck on Monday. One of the bombs went off next to an Anglican cathedral, the other at Mercury’s, a seafront bar and restaurant favoured by tourists. The explosions are the latest evidence of growing religious tensions on the mostly Muslim island.