In the pink

In the pink

Japan will be in the pink as usual this year as its famed cherry trees start to show their gorgeous blossoms around March 25 in Tokyo and get into full glory early in April, according to forecasters that specialise in the sakura showcase. According to a forecast released by Weather Map on March 9, cherry trees will bloom at around the same time as usual, or a little earlier, in many parts of the nation as temperatures start to rise from the latter half of this week. As for the day when Tokyo will see its first cherry blossoms of this season, Weather Map forecasts it will be March 24, while Japan Weather Association and Weathernews Inc predict it will be March 26. – ANN

 

Sticks get the chop

Many of the most eminent museums in the United States are banning selfie sticks, as used by myriad tourists to photograph themselves at famous sites, according to the Washington Post. Among the museums to ban the sticks, which hold cameras beyond arm’s length, are the Museum of Modern Art in New York and the Getty Center in Los Angeles. At the National Gallery of Art in Washington DC, selfie sticks are considered in the same class as monopods, tripods and umbrellas, namely items that are not allowed in the exhibition areas. National Gallery of Art spokesman Deborah Ziska said these items had been banned to protect the art from damage. – dpa

 

Up, up and away

Asiana Airlines, South Korea’s second largest carrier , is poised to set up its second low-cost airline this year, company officials said recently. Based in Incheon, Seoul Air will focus on less profitable short-haul routes that Asiana currently operates. The new LLC will operate international routes only, not domestic ones. Asiana’s move to set up the second budget carrier is in line with the LCC industry’s rapid growth. In February, Asiana Airlines announced a $2.83-billion order for 25 planes from Airbus Group, weeks after returning to profit last year. – The Korea Herald/ANN

 

Lao travel figures revealed

More than 2.7 million Lao nationals travelled outside their country in 2014 according to the latest statistics released by the authorities. The number of travellers included those with official visas and for other official reasons. The statistics did not give a ranking on which countries were the most popular destinations for Lao outbound tourists, but they showed that the border at the first Laos-Thai Friendship Bridge was once again the busiest transit point. – Vientiane Times

 

Singapore tops Muslim traveller list

Singapore has been named the friendliest destination for Muslim travellers among non-Muslim countries for the third successive year. The recently released Global Muslim Travel Index gave Singapore high scores for its safe travel environment, ease of access to prayer spaces and number of halal dining options. Singapore, which welcomed 3.2 million Muslim visitors last year, placed ninth on the overall list. There were 108 million Muslim travellers last year, who spent S$145 billion (Bt3.4 trillion). This represents 10 per cent of the global travel economy. By 2020, the number of Muslim travellers is expected to reach 150 million and have a S$200 ($146.15 billion) market value. – The Strait Times