Bali loses out in the tourist game

Bali seems to be losing its "tropical paradise" status, with the island seeing a worrying drop in tourists, especially Chinese visitors.

A 52.96 per cent drop in Chinese visitors was recorded during the first month of this year, with only about 25,000 Chinese tourists heading to the island in January, compared to 55,000 Chinese in the same month last year. Overall, Bali saw a 14.35 per cent decrease in the number of foreign tourists in January. - The Jakarta Post/ANN

Philippines drops carrier tax

The Philippines is scrapping a carrier tax imposed on foreign airlines operating in the country to try to attract more tourists. The new regulation removes the 3-per-cent tax imposed on receipts derived from transporting passengers, and exempts foreign airlines from a 2.5-per-cent tax on their gross revenues if their home countries also extend the same incentive to Philippine airlines. - DPA

The best job in the world

Tourism Australia is offering six "best jobs in the world" to young people around the world with remuneration of A$100,000 (Bt3 million) under a six-month contract, plus exciting and life-changing opportunities for young people struggling in the economic downturn. Part of job description includes: waking up the kangaroos in the morning, swimming with dolphins and sea lions in the middle of the day, and calling it a day after checking the water temperature in the sea. The best jobs are offered to individuals eligible for an Australian working visa. Visit Facebook/australianworkingholiday - Korea Herald/ANN

AirAsia bids for Indian market

AirAsia has received a provisional go-ahead from Indian authorities to launch a joint venture airline in India with Tata Sons Ltd. AirAsia would hold 49 per cent equity in the joint venture while its Indian partners Tata Sons, the holding company of the Tata Group, would hold 30 per cent and the remaining 21 per cent would be with Indian investment firm Telestra Tradeplace Pvt Ltd. There were some procedural problems relating to AirAsia’s application, but the proposal now seems to be moving again.

Flights to Kuwait resumed

Iraqi Airways was set last week to relaunch services to neighbouring Kuwait with its first flight there since 1990 when the two countries were in the Gulf War. The airline is to operate three regular Kuwait-bound flights a week, according to the airline's assistant general manager Majid al-Amiri. "This flight ends a forcible suspension now that all obstacles have been removed, al-Amiri told the pan-Arab newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat. - DPA

Double decker to Hong Kong

British Airways (BA) has confirmed that it will commence Airbus A380 flights between London and Hong Kong from November 15, making it the first airline to operate the A380 non-stop between Hong Kong and Europe. British Airways has ordered 12 A380s for delivery by 2016 as part of a HK$60 billion (Bt228 billion) investment over five years in new aircraft, smarter cabins, elegant lounges, and new technologies to make life more comfortable in the air and on the ground. The A380 will be the largest aircraft in British Airways' fleet, accommodating 469 customers across four cabins.