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Travel pros and consi

Tim Pile assesses the good, bad and ugly sides to holiday destinations. Find out about amazing experiences, top attractions, and great services; overcrowding, rip-offs, and when not to visit; bad practices, crime hot spots and dangers.

 

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  • Last year’s estimate is up almost 15 per cent from 2022, and it’s the first time it’s crossed US$30 billion since before the pandemic
  • Carriers could be set to make even more this year, as several US airlines have upped their checked bag fees

India’s largest city, Mumbai is home to Bollywood and the country’s second most-photographed building after the Taj Mahal. But there are downsides, including bad traffic, dirty streets and crowded trains.

‘Hush trips’ – secretly working remotely – are a hot travel trend. Experts explain why they’re popular, their upsides and downsides, and how to stop your boss finding out.

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Isaan in northeast Thailand isn’t on most tourists’ itineraries, but is worth a visit for its ancient Khmer temples, dinosaur fossils, Mekong River towns and festivals.

From this year’s Greek wildfires to the 2010 Icelandic volcano eruption and 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, these eight natural disasters left their mark on tourists.

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It pays to plan ahead when picking where to take the family: make sure your kids are going to have fun in a safe and stimulating environment, and you get to relax more too

Buying a ticket to see Taylor Swift’s record-breaking tour in Asia isn’t as easy as it seems – so is it better to see her in Singapore or Tokyo? We do the sums and talk you through the knotty application process

Change linked to habits developed in three years of Coronavirus pandemic when going off the beaten track was a priority, travel experts say.

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The man’s body was found near a forest path in the Val di Sole valley, which is popular with hikers and tourists. Sightings of bears have recently increased.

Thailand’s Songkran marks the Thai New Year and has become famous for its mass water fights. The celebrations have their dark side, from dirty water causing illness, to groping, to drink driving deaths.

Barcelona is Spain’s pickpocketing capital, Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue sees muggings at gunpoint, Hollywood is full of drug addicts – there’s lots the travel industry doesn’t tell us.

Thai seaside city Hua Hin is popular with visitors from Bangkok and overseas for its 5km beach and great street food. On the downside, the seawater isn’t the clearest, and traffic and stray dogs can be a nuisance.

China’s remote-working trend is in its early stages, but it’s catching on among these pioneers who dare to ditch the office – and even local governments are looking to cash in on new opportunities.

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Hong Kong was a top 10 international market before Covid-19 for Tourism Australia, which expects numbers to jump if quarantine requirements are relaxed

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Jim Kitchen, who has visited all 193 UN-recognised countries and has been to space, offers his top travel tips and hacks, from restaurants to steer clear of to what to pack.

Most New Yorkers wouldn’t be seen dead in Times Square, and ditto for Barcelona folk on Las Ramblas. Crowded and expensive, there are some tourist haunts natives avoid like the plague.

Which carbon claims can you trust? Is cruising really that bad? How about Airbnb? A new book helps travellers negotiate the world’s ethical and climate-related challenges.

The teenager left Hong Kong with no idea she would travel the world. A year later she hitchhiked alone from Iran to France; then came Afghanistan, cycling solo through Central Asia, and onwards. ‘I found the world is full of kind people,’ says Jean, now 23.

Surfing has become cool in China, particularly among young women, and Chinese tourists are flocking to the popular holiday island of Hainan to learn how to ride the waves.

The emirate does not require quarantine upon entry, and visitors say they feel safe there with mask wearing widespread and social distancing for tour groups.

Some tourist destinations are looking to promote more responsible tourism after Covid-19, and end their reliance on mass tourism. Others, such as Venice and Barcelona, fear they won’t survive without it.

It’s been a tough year for Boracay’s tourist industry, but despite hopes of more visitors over the holiday season, the future still looks bleak for businesses there.