Bangkok, Tokyo & Taipei top 3 destinations for Lunar New Year

BANGKOK, Tokyo and Taipei are the top three most popular destination for Asia Pacific travelers over the Lunar New Year period in 2019, according to booking data from Agoda, one of the fastest growing digital travel platforms. 

This year, Osaka, slips from third spot in 2018 to sixth, while Taiwan scoops three of the top ten destinations with Taipei in third, and Kaohsiung and Taichung in fifth and seventh respectively. Overall, Japan, Taiwan and Thailand will benefit most from travelers celebrating the Lunar New Year.

Travels during the Spring Festival tend to be reserved for family bonding and indulging in food and leisure activities that the whole family can enjoy. It is thus not surprising that most travelers in the region has chosen gourmet and retail paradise in Bangkok, Tokyo, Taipei, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore among their top ten destinations.

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Tbilisi is for the whole family

Tbilisi the Georgian capital is not only a beautiful city where unique cultural and architectural monuments are concentrated, but also a place where you can have a great time with your family. There are many entertainment centers, beautiful parks and museums for young intellectuals and don't pass by the Razo Gabriadze Puppet Theater and be sure to visit the local zoo and water park with the children.

Old Tbilisi is the most beautiful and cozy landmark place. This is the historic center of the city where you can see beautiful old buildings and cobbled streets. It's better to organize excursions and walks around the city in summer. The Georgian capital offers fun at local fairs and holiday festivals with Santa Claus in winter.  Little travelers can get a lot of vivid impressions during a trip on the cable car from where the city is visible in a bird's-eye view.


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Leaving the EU a positive impact for the Isle of Wight

LEAVING the EU is having a positive impact on holiday island the Isle of Wight, according to Wight Coast Holidays who are the island's leading provider of self catering holidays.

Estimates vary but the company have seen a rise in holidays by over 20% for #IsleofWight holiday rentals in 2019 compared to 2018.

According to a spokesman from their office in Bembridge they have received multiple bookings from holidaymakers who normally visit Spain, France and Portugal worried about possible delays at airports after the UK leaves the EU - and the prospect of queueing for their flights with children in tow for hours on end has led to them considering the Isle of Wight in 2019, with some visiting for the first time in a few years.

For many in the UK the Isle of Wight ferry crossing separates them from a staycation on the mainland, and the crossing takes less than an hour with Red Funnel from Southampton and Wightlink from Portsmouth Harbour and Lymington.

While it's likely that other UK destinations will experience a holiday industry boost in Devon and Cornwall for example, the fact that to get to the Isle of Wight involves a ferry crossing for those used to going abroad could mean the island will benefit more from the uncertainty over Brexit.

Top attractions on the island include Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne House but for family holidays the beaches of Bembridge, Seaview, Sandown and Shanklin could mean tourists will return again in future years with a positive impact on the tourist industry, which is a major player in the island's economy.


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Anemos Luxury Grand Resort with 4 TUI Awards

TUI company, one of the biggest tourism organizations in the world, honored Anemos Luxury Grand Resort in Chania with 4 TUI Awards: the TUI Holly 2019 Award, the TUI Top Quality 2019 Award, the Family Champion 2019 Award and the TUI Environmental Champion 2019 Award.

The TUI Holly is the highest accolade that can be accorded a TUI Hotel. It stands for everything that makes a TUI holiday perfect: Great attention to detail, superb service and outstanding cuisine. The hotel’s guests are the jury. The TUI Holly is the premium prize for the 100 most popular TUI hotels worldwide.

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Create and Save on admissions in Orlando

THE new Orlando CityPASS program, which debuted recently, lets visitors to Florida build an individualized, easy-to-use ticket to Orlando's most famous and family-friendly theme park collections: the Walt Disney World Resort, Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and LEGOLAND Florida Resort.

Designed by CityPASS, the company that has specialized in bundling discounted admission to the most iconic #attractions in 14 North American destinations for more than 20 years, the #Orlando CityPASS program allows travelers to create a custom vacation experience that comes with the added benefit of compelling #savings. 

Upon visiting the Orlando page of the CityPASS website (citypass.com/orlando), travelers can select the parks they want to include in their customized ticket and then choose the specific type of ticket and number of days. Once the selection process and payment is complete, the ticket is delivered in the language the buyer selected when first entering the CityPASS website (language options include Chinese, English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish).


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Celebrate with The Three Little Pigs

DISNEYLAND Resort rings in the Year of the Pig this Lunar New Year at Disney California Adventure Park, Friday, January 25 to February 17. During the 24 days of celebration, live entertainment and musical performances, including an enhanced "Mulan's Lunar New Year Procession," can be enjoyed. Even the Three Little Pigs join in the fun with a rare appearance.

Experience Asian culture through inspired food, music and entertainment all to welcome another year of good fortune. Lunar New Year, traditionally celebrated within Chinese, Korean and Vietnamese cultures, commemorates the moment when both the sun and the moon begin their journey for another year.


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Best Adventure Specialists for Families

FAMILY travel specialist, Activities Abroad, based in Stannington near Morpeth, has been named Best Adventure Specialist for Families at the prestigious Family Traveller Awards 2018.

Activities Abroad was thrilled that its commitment to providing active family holidays to create precious, lasting memories has been recognised on a national scale. Activities Abroad offers a wide range of sun and snow family holidays to destinations including Croatia, The Azores, Sicily, Finland, Sweden, Norway and South America.

Central to Activities Abroad’s ethos is the idea of shared family experiences, meaning that their family holidays don’t feature any kids’ clubs and, instead, offer a wide range of fun and educational activities that the whole family will enjoy – be it sea kayaking in the Galaápagos, ice fishing in Sweden, taking a reindeer sleigh ride in Finnish Lapland or cycling in Madeira.


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Rising above Pulau Melaca

SITTING atop the 14th floor of a 30-story development, this first-of-its-kind waterpark combines ultramodern innovation on a new reclaimed foreshore of Melaca, a UNESCO city, which already makes the area a tourist draw with its rich heritage and cultural attractions currently with 16.5 million tourists per year..

Splash World Theme Park is part of an ambitious, US$198 million project being built off the coast of Pulau Melaka, Malaysia, by Hatten Group. Designed as a unique holiday destination for the entire family, Splash World comprises multiple entertainment options on a tropical, manmade island in a strategically located city just three hours' drive from Singapore and two hours from Kuala Lumpur. The building itself - shaped like a towering, giant cruise ship - pays homage to the area's historical beginnings as a port city.

Eleven of the rides at Splash World are extreme waterslides offering breathtaking speeds and sharp, sudden curves. The total length of all slides combined is more than 1 km with more than 2,000 square meters of leisure river alone that flow at 3 km per hour and include a wave ball and torrent river for added adrenaline excitement.

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Extra fun for your money

HOME to seven of the world's top theme parks, #Orlando is the No. 1 family vacation destination, Theme Park Capital of the World, and most visited destination in the United States. So to Celebrate the biggest shopping week of the year -- including Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Travel Tuesday -- Visit Orlando, the official tourism association for the destination, will offer an extra 10 percent off all purchases at OrlandoTickets.com. 

On top of exclusive deals and discounts to more than 40 world-famous theme parks, attractions, activities and dinner shows, the deals will be available for purchase starting November 20 and range from free additional days at theme parks to exclusive offers. Most are valid one year from purchase, perfect for gifting a 2019 vacation.

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And a dash of pixie dust

WHETHER at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim, California, or Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Florida, World of Disney is the ultimate shopping destination for all things #Disney. Now these two dynamic retail experiences are unveiling complete transformations that make shopping easier and more fun.

More than a year in design and development, the makeover has touched every feature and function in the store, as if the Fairy Godmother outfitted the store herself. From displays to signage to lighting and much, much more, guests discover magical Disney storytelling wherever they look.

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Brits most treasured memories revealed

A study into childhood memory has revealed some of the nation's most vivid early memories, with school trips and first pets proving to be the most popular. The research, collected by beach holiday specialists On the Beach, provides an insight into Brits' most treasured childhood memories, and reveals why certain memories are more likely to be stored and used to form the story of our lives.

The holiday company has collaborated with Peter Kinderman, Professor of Clinical Psychology at the University of Liverpool and honorary consultant clinical psychologist with the NHS, who has provided insight into how memories are constructed - and advice which may help people remember life's best moments more clearly.

When it came to the memories we look back on most fondly, the survey revealed our happiest memories include whole days in the swimming pool on holiday (14%), moving house (11%), making a holiday friend (10%), and our favourite childhood teachers (9%).

Almost half of the people surveyed (48%) said their most vivid childhood memories were formed when the weather was hot and sunny, while 30 per cent said their strongest memories relate to cold winter temperatures.

The research also proved Brits are a nostalgic bunch when it comes to looking back on our favourite memories. A staggering 88 per cent said they talk about their best childhood memories with family and old friends, while 20 per cent said looking back on happy memories helped them feel more optimistic about life in general.

Almost half (44%) said they looked through their holiday photos and video footage on a regular basis, and more than a third of parents (37%) said they talk to their children about happy memories they have shared together in a bid to help their children remember their best experiences more clearly.



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Top tips for a family safari

LOOKING for something completely different to do with the kids for your next holiday? Well, for families seeking extraordinary adventures off the beaten track, or for those who enjoy the great outdoors and connecting with nature, international luxury travel specialist, Sanctuary Retreats has just the answer. When it comes to keeping inquiring young minds stimulated, an African safari through unspoiled landscapes teeming with extraordinary wildlife is guaranteed to broaden your family’s horizons, and ensure that everyone shares a truly memorable experience. Here are top tips for parents planning the ultimate African ‘school excursion’ with the family. 

Choosing the Right Camp - Will the kids enjoy a tented camp or find it a little too rustic? And if your kids are younger, it might also be worth considering whether the camp is fenced – although older children may enjoy hearing larger animals close by during the night, chances are smaller kids might find it a little scary. 

How long? - We generally recommend that families take in 2 – 3 camps and lodges, with a stay of 3 days or longer per camp. That gives everyone plenty of time to get acclimatized and experience the full program of activities on offer at each property, plus a little rest and relaxation in between.

Meeting the locals - Squeezing in some culture or a philanthropic component is also good idea so that your kids have a chance to immerse themselves in local traditions and experiences. 

Preparing for Game Drives - With no standard minimum age for children to go on safari, and camps can differ significantly on how they accommodate younger guests. Some have a strict minimum age for safari, while others leave it up to parental discretion. 

What to Bring? - Regardless of your children’s ages, going on safari is guaranteed to create memories that will last a lifetime. So to keep kids engaged, definitely binoculars and a digital camera to capture every moment.

The Sanctuary portfolio includes safari camps and lodges in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, as well as river cruise ships on the Nile, the Yangtze and in Myanmar.   

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Disney Cruise Line to Sail from New Orleans for First Time

IN early 2020, Disney Cruise Line will offer families even more ways to explore the world together with the addition of a brand-new home port in New Orleans and a highly anticipated return to the Hawaiian Islands. Disney Cruise Line will also return to Puerto Rico for a limited time and continue guest-favorite itineraries to tropical destinations from Florida and California.

The Disney Wonder will embark on a variety of Caribbean and Bahamian cruises from New Orleans – the first time Disney Cruise Line will have a home port in Louisiana. Not only will this provide families from the region with the magic of having a Disney ship in their own backyard, but it will also draw families from farther away to discover this incredible city before they set sail.

Bookings open to the public on Oct. 4, 2018. More details on 2020 itineraries can be found on the Ports and Itineraries for 2020 page of disneycruise.com.
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Multi-dimensional waterpark and entertainment complex for Phuket

PHUKET'S tourism industry has received a major shot in the arm with the unveiling of Blue Tree Phuket, a USD40 million investment (undiscloed local and overseas investors) and multi-dimensional destination waterpark and entertainment complex set over 140 rai in Cherng Talay. 

Positioned as Phuket’s premier family attraction, Blue Tree is located within easy reach of Phuket’s popular central west coast and will be the island’s first international-standard, fully integrated waterpark and family entertainment complex, placing it at the cutting-edge of a growing demand for inland tourism on the island. 

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White Stallion Ranch named in America's Top 10 family resorts

THE White Stallion Resort, a family owned and operated dude ranch located in Tucson, has been named one of the top 10 America's best family resorts of 2018 by readers of USA Today.

The USA Today Readers Choice Award honor was based on readers' votes for the resort determined by kids' amenities and family programming. A panel of experts including USA Today editors, 10Best.com editors, expert contributors and media nominated the ranch.

White Stallion Ranch is located just outside Tucson, Arizona and adjacent to Saguaro National Park West, and for more than fifty years has been the home of the True family. Guests reconnect with nature, family, friends and serenity during a relaxing visit to the ranch. Visitors ride through the unspoiled desert, rugged mountains and cactus that have brought Hollywood filmmakers to the ranch for over 70 years. The White Stallion Ranch is a unique, high quality and elegant working cattle ranch with spectacular views of the mountains. 

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Hotel and Resort News . . .

INTERCONTINENTAL Bali Resort is delighted to announce that it has been ranked number 2 as #FamilyHotel In Asia by Smart Travel Asia 2018. The Best In Travel Poll by smarttravelasia.com is a market research exercise that has run since 2004. Voters indicate their preferences for the best airlines, spa hotels, conference hotels and so on from an unlimited universe. 

The hotel categories cover thousands of options across Asia. InterContinental #Bali Resort was singled out for its extensive stretch of white sand beach overlooking the gentle waters of Jimbaran Bay. Another highlight for families is Planet Trekkers, a dedicated children’s facility, which has a strong environmental theme and offers age-appropriate pastimes and culturally-inspired activities within a nurturing clubhouse setting. 

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Club Med Cancun Yucatan Doubles The Size Of Its Aguamarina Family Oasis

CLUB Med has unveiled an expansion to the family-centric Aguamarina concept at its all-inclusive resort in Cancún, Mexico. As the pioneer of the all-inclusive, Club Med continues to build on its foundation of family-friendly vacations that accommodate all travelers. With the new expansion at Club Med Cancún Yucatán, the Aguamarina family oasis area is now more than double the size.

The new expansion introduces 60 all-new oceanfront family rooms – 30 Club Rooms and 30 Deluxe Rooms – with two-bedroom accommodations to create a comfortable experience for both parents and children while still keeping them connected. This new expansion increases the Aguamarina capacity to 120 family accommodations total.

Boasting a new pool dedicated solely to families with exhilarating water games, relaxing lounge areas and outdoor activities for all-day entertainment, the pool area also plays host to La Marina, a new family bar that features a dedicated kids' corner with a beverage and snack menu specially curated for children and their taste buds. 

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A new world sets to open in Abu Dhabi

WARNER BROS. World Abu Dhabi, the world's largest Warner Bros. branded indoor theme park, is putting the final touches on the Park ahead of its July 25, 2018 grand opening. The 1.65 million sq. ft. park promises captivating experiences, bringing together some of the world's most iconic characters and stories under one roof for the first time in the region. The park's incredibly immersive environments, unique thrill rides and fan-favorite characters will undoubtedly create a truly unparalleled experience and memories that will last a lifetime for all who visit.

When the highly-anticipated theme park opens its doors later this month, guests will be transported to six expertly designed lands including DC's Metropolis and Gotham City, as well as Cartoon Junction, Bedrock, Dynamite Gulch and Warner Bros. Plaza.

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Merlion to connect with families in Singapore

THE Singapore Tourism Board (STB) unveiled today Merli, a heart-warming and whimsical illustration of the Republic's mythical national icon. #Merli, short for Merlion, is a character that STB hopes will appeal to families with young children, one of STB's key target consumer segments.

"We came up with this endearing character, based on our beloved Merlion, to build a stronger emotional connection with families and to entrench Singapore's brand awareness among them," said Ms Lim Shoo Ling, Director, Brand, STB. "Armed with a can-do attitude and a great enthusiasm for discovering more about #Singapore, Merli embodies the Passion Made Possible brand."

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Picture credit: Singapore Tourism Board

Explore like never before

EXPLORE the Disney theme parks like never before with the Play Disney Parks mobile app, a transformative new digital entertainment offering that will make its official debut on June 30 at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida and Disneyland Resort in California.

The Play Disney Parks app will bring to life unique interactive experiences that enable guests of all ages to access a wide range of activities including themed games, Disney trivia, digital achievements, music and so much more – whether they are playing on Main Street, U.S.A. or waiting in line at beloved attractions.

Play Disney Parks was designed for families and guests to enjoy together, with group play options that enable everyone to join in on the fun while staying fully engaged in the immersive environments of Disney parks. The app will be available for iOS and Android platforms and will be free to download.


The new Play Disney Parks app is the latest addition to the Disney Parks digital app portfolio. Play Disney Parks complements the popular My Disney Experience app at Walt Disney World Resort and the Disneyland App at Disneyland Resort, the convenient places for guests to plan their visit, access important information such as attraction wait times and park hours and utilize services like mobile food ordering.

And this is just the beginning. Play Disney Parks is planned to grow and evolve over time with new experiences and offerings at Walt Disney World Resort and Disneyland Resort, including at the eagerly anticipated Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, coming to Disneyland Resort in summer 2019 and Walt Disney World Resort in late fall 2019.

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