Latest from Mercedes Hutton
With Western visitors staying away, an uptick in tourists from China has seen arrivals bounce back, but with their bad habits and zero-dollar tours, they aren’t universally welcome
With Western visitors staying away, an uptick in tourists from China has seen arrivals bounce back, but with their bad habits and zero-dollar tours, they aren’t universally welcome
The inaugural Camus Masters competition was held in 1983 and saw several top players descend on the colony
The inaugural Camus Masters competition was held in 1983 and saw several top players descend on the colony
As airlines, hotels and others tout their services as sustainable, it is worth remembering that saying something doesn’t make it so.
As airlines, hotels and others tout their services as sustainable, it is worth remembering that saying something doesn’t make it so.
Located in southern Siberia, the world’s largest, deepest and oldest lake is at risk from overtourism.
Located in southern Siberia, the world’s largest, deepest and oldest lake is at risk from overtourism.
The Legado Alcázar hotel is home to the only hotel rooms in the city overlooking the Real Alcázar palace gardens.
The Legado Alcázar hotel is home to the only hotel rooms in the city overlooking the Real Alcázar palace gardens.
No extinguishers and 50lbs of fireworks help the blaze, which started in a joss stick shop on the ground floor, blocking the only stairway.
No extinguishers and 50lbs of fireworks help the blaze, which started in a joss stick shop on the ground floor, blocking the only stairway.
As China is aware, all it takes for an entire nation’s reputation to be ruined is for one unfortunate incident to go viral. But equating a country’s conduct with an individual’s actions is, at best, reductive and, at worst, racist.
As China is aware, all it takes for an entire nation’s reputation to be ruined is for one unfortunate incident to go viral. But equating a country’s conduct with an individual’s actions is, at best, reductive and, at worst, racist.
Greed led Chinese feng shui practitioner Li Yuhui to murder three close friends and two teenaged daughters of one of the women during a ‘longevity rite’.
Greed led Chinese feng shui practitioner Li Yuhui to murder three close friends and two teenaged daughters of one of the women during a ‘longevity rite’.
The street in Thailand’s capital is known for being a destination for travellers in Southeast Asia, but will it still be popular once it has undergone an extensive revamp?
The street in Thailand’s capital is known for being a destination for travellers in Southeast Asia, but will it still be popular once it has undergone an extensive revamp?
Legions of obsessive superfans have sparked mass hysteria – and mass annoyance – at airports across Asia.
Legions of obsessive superfans have sparked mass hysteria – and mass annoyance – at airports across Asia.
Foreign tourists who beg for money to help fund their travels have become an increasingly familiar sight on the Indonesian island.
Foreign tourists who beg for money to help fund their travels have become an increasingly familiar sight on the Indonesian island.
A recent claim by Thai authorities that there was no evidence of streetwalking in “the sexiest street in Pattaya” has attracted much ridicule, and rightly so
A recent claim by Thai authorities that there was no evidence of streetwalking in “the sexiest street in Pattaya” has attracted much ridicule, and rightly so
A recent study found that more than half of the Indonesian island’s waste is burned or dumped in waterways and the ocean.
A recent study found that more than half of the Indonesian island’s waste is burned or dumped in waterways and the ocean.
The island nation received a record 31.2 million visitors last year, but few ventured off the well-beaten path. As rural areas are increasingly threatened by urban migration, might tourism offer a solution for struggling settlements?
The island nation received a record 31.2 million visitors last year, but few ventured off the well-beaten path. As rural areas are increasingly threatened by urban migration, might tourism offer a solution for struggling settlements?
After a six-month closure, Boracay reopened in October with new rules that prohibit smoking, drinking, dining and littering on the beachfront. But the dos and don’ts seem to have escaped notice, especially among tourists from China and South Korea
After a six-month closure, Boracay reopened in October with new rules that prohibit smoking, drinking, dining and littering on the beachfront. But the dos and don’ts seem to have escaped notice, especially among tourists from China and South Korea
In 1971, the government approved a proposal to install a cable-car system leading to the 495-metre peak, despite never being realised, the mountain remains popular with hikers and a symbol of Hongkongers’ ‘can-do’ attitude.
In 1971, the government approved a proposal to install a cable-car system leading to the 495-metre peak, despite never being realised, the mountain remains popular with hikers and a symbol of Hongkongers’ ‘can-do’ attitude.
In Sweden, people are swapping planes for trains as a sense of shame spreads among those concerned about climate change.
In Sweden, people are swapping planes for trains as a sense of shame spreads among those concerned about climate change.
At least 11 people have been reported dead or missing this climbing season, making it one of the deadliest in Everest’s history. Veteran mountaineers and guides point to overcrowding and an increase in inexperienced crowds as reasons behind rise in fatalities.
At least 11 people have been reported dead or missing this climbing season, making it one of the deadliest in Everest’s history. Veteran mountaineers and guides point to overcrowding and an increase in inexperienced crowds as reasons behind rise in fatalities.
Hinoki Land near Chiang Mai offers tourists a taste of the Land of the Rising Sun without having to leave Southeast Asia.
Hinoki Land near Chiang Mai offers tourists a taste of the Land of the Rising Sun without having to leave Southeast Asia.
Visitors from afar pay little attention to polite requests asking them to refrain from eating while walking, which is a major no-no in polite Japanese society.
Visitors from afar pay little attention to polite requests asking them to refrain from eating while walking, which is a major no-no in polite Japanese society.
The home-sharing platform has asserted that its mission is ‘to democratise travel by allowing anyone to belong anywhere’, but listings biased against Uygurs and Tibetans exist, in defiance of the company’s own non-discrimination policy.
The home-sharing platform has asserted that its mission is ‘to democratise travel by allowing anyone to belong anywhere’, but listings biased against Uygurs and Tibetans exist, in defiance of the company’s own non-discrimination policy.
Until 1997, Chinese travel was restricted to select countries and available only to those in positions of privilege. That 140 million overseas trips were made from the Middle Kingdom last year shows how far a nation can go in two decades.
Until 1997, Chinese travel was restricted to select countries and available only to those in positions of privilege. That 140 million overseas trips were made from the Middle Kingdom last year shows how far a nation can go in two decades.
Instagram tours taking travellers to the Island of the Gods’ most photogenic spots have become a popular way of seeing Bali, but the whistle-stop trips follow a well-trodden path and leave little time to take in the surroundings.
Instagram tours taking travellers to the Island of the Gods’ most photogenic spots have become a popular way of seeing Bali, but the whistle-stop trips follow a well-trodden path and leave little time to take in the surroundings.
After a German backpacker was raped and killed in Thailand and Chinese tourists complained of molestation in Malaysia, the safety of women who travel alone in the region has been called into question
After a German backpacker was raped and killed in Thailand and Chinese tourists complained of molestation in Malaysia, the safety of women who travel alone in the region has been called into question
Environmentalists fear that closing the park could encourage those who rely on tourism for their livelihoods to turn to destructive fishing methods
Environmentalists fear that closing the park could encourage those who rely on tourism for their livelihoods to turn to destructive fishing methods
In campaign for new Brisbane to Bangkok route, budget carrier seemed to equate disembarking from an aeroplane with sexual gratification. Activists argue Thailand’s sex tourism industry is no laughing matter, with sex workers particularly vulnerable to human rights abuses.
In campaign for new Brisbane to Bangkok route, budget carrier seemed to equate disembarking from an aeroplane with sexual gratification. Activists argue Thailand’s sex tourism industry is no laughing matter, with sex workers particularly vulnerable to human rights abuses.
The small unmanned aerial systems that revolutionised warfare also have the power to spoil your vacation, whether you are the pilot or not
The small unmanned aerial systems that revolutionised warfare also have the power to spoil your vacation, whether you are the pilot or not
Willy Kan was a rising star on the city’s horse racing circuit and became the first female jockey to ride in the Hong Kong Derby, but tragedy struck when a fatal fall put an end to her brief career
Willy Kan was a rising star on the city’s horse racing circuit and became the first female jockey to ride in the Hong Kong Derby, but tragedy struck when a fatal fall put an end to her brief career
From toiletries and towels to mattresses and mini-fridges, certain guests take more than they are entitled to
From toiletries and towels to mattresses and mini-fridges, certain guests take more than they are entitled to
Keating joined Boyzone at 16 and the boy band became one of the most successful ever selling more than 25 million records. Boyzone are calling in on Hong Kong on their farewell world tour.
Keating joined Boyzone at 16 and the boy band became one of the most successful ever selling more than 25 million records. Boyzone are calling in on Hong Kong on their farewell world tour.