The Korea Herald

Hawaii’s Hilo gets its day in the sun

HILO, Hawaii ― “Hilo ― it is what it is” probably isn’t a tourism slogan that would get a thumbs-up from the Big Island city’s Chamber of Commerce.But I don’t mean it as a put-down. It’s just advice from a longtime visitor who loves Hawaii’s “second city.” I also know the worst thing anyone can do f

Sept. 30, 2011

Nepal launches Great Himalayan Trail

KATHMANDU (AFP) ― Nepal has officially opened the Great Himalayan Trail, one of the longest and highest trekking routes in the world, the tourism board said on Thursday.Billed as the ultimate trek, the arduous hike over Nepal’s mighty Himalayas stretches from Taplejung in the shadow of the world’s t

Sept. 30, 2011

Korea to host UNWTO general assembly in Gyeongju

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said it is hosting the 19th General Assembly of the United Nations World Tourism Organization in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, from Oct. 8-14.At the biennial meeting, tourism policy makers, scholars and industry leaders from 154 countries will discu

Sept. 27, 2011

October festivals seek to draw tourists

The Visit Korea Committee will host a series of festivals across the country starting next month to attract more foreign tourists, the committee announced on Monday.Things will kick of with “Hallyu Dream Festival” (www.hallyudreamfestival.or.kr), which is scheduled from Oct. 1-3 in Gyeongju, North G

Sept. 26, 2011

Yacht world seduces China, Brazil’s rich

MONACO (AFP) ― Russian oligarchs and their floating palaces helped keep the luxury yachting industry buoyant through the crisis, but super-rich buyers from China and Brazil are rushing to join them on the waves.Emerging market billionaires are showing a keen interest in superyachts, according to pun

Sept. 26, 2011

Man with broken leg survives 4 days in Utah desert

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) _ A North Carolina man crawled four days across the Utah desert after breaking his leg on a solo hike, inspired by a Hollywood movie about a man who cut off his own arm to save himself after being trapped by a boulder in the same canyon.Amos Wayne Richards, 64, of Concord, North

Sept. 26, 2011

JW Marriott Seoul promotes pine mushroom

The hotel’s Japanese restaurant Mikado will offer an eight-course Japanese meal featuring pine mushroom, which will be immersed in seafood soup, grilled with prime beef, deep fried with vegetables, and cooked as the main ingredient in rice. The course menu also features seasonal delicacies, five kin

Sept. 23, 2011

Korail opens Jeolla KTX route

Korail will open a KTX route between Seoul and Yeosu in South Jeolla Province on Oct. 5. , It will then take up to three hours and 45 minutes to travel from Yongsan Station to Yeosu Expo Station, significantly less than the five hours and 18 minutes on the existing Saemaeul train, Korail said. The f

Sept. 23, 2011

Millennium Seoul Hilton offers Indian flavor

The hotel’s buffet restaurant, Orangerie, will feature Indian cuisine to spice up its popular buffet in October. Chef Sanjay Tyagi from the famous Umerkot Indian Fine Dining Restaurant in Bangalore will serve a variety of 20 hot and cold dishes that showcase Indian cuisine. The essence of good India

Sept. 23, 2011

Finnair to pick seven bloggers

Finnair and Helsinki Airport will jointly seek seven “Quality Hunter” bloggers until Oct. 5 to check the services of the two companies and upload reviews on their blogs and www.qualityhunters2.com. The seven bloggers will be able to travel Asia, Europe and the U.S. for seven weeks from October to De

Sept. 23, 2011

Peter Greenberg uses high-level tour guides

NEW YORK (AP) ― If travel expert Peter Greenberg does not like his tour guides when he explores different countries for his new public television series, he really has nobody to complain to.That is because he is starting at the top, everywhere. “The Royal Tour” features Greenberg, the CBS News trave

Sept. 23, 2011

Peter Greenberg uses high-level tour guides

Natural beauty in the Orient’s Moscow

HARBIN, China ― Many Koreans are familiar with the spectacular Harbin Ice and Snow Festival in northeastern Heilongjiang Province, China.“Air tickets and hotels for the ice festival are usually sold out during the peak season in the winter,” said an official from a Seoul-based tour firm specializing

Sept. 23, 2011

KTO boosts marketing to attract 10 million foreign tourists in 2011

The Korea Tourism Organization said it will accelerate its marketing efforts for Chinese and Japanese tourists in the fourth quarter to attract 10 million foreign tourists in 2011.According to data by the KTO, the number of foreign tourists who traveled to Korea during the first eight months is esti

Sept. 19, 2011

KTO boosts marketing to attract 10 million foreign tourists in 2011

Grand Hyatt Seoul holds party

The hotel’s J.J. Mahoney’s will be holding a “JJ’s Maple Tree 樂 Party” on Sept. 23-24. In celebration of the autumn, the party offers live performances by JJ’s band Sonic and guest DJs Jal and BD. Events include lucky draws for prizes, a welcome drink, complimentary illy coffee and more. The party w

Sept. 16, 2011

Novotel extends BBQ happy hour

Novotel Ambassador Gangnam said it will extend its outdoor BBQ happy hour through early October at its entertainment bar Gran*A. The hotel’s popular sell-out Happy Hour will continue to offer unlimited BBQ and draft beer. Located at the entrance of B1 arcade, the happy hour operates from 6:30 p.m. t

Sept. 16, 2011

Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel opens

In southwestern Seoul, Sheraton Seoul D Cube City Hotel said it has opened as of Sept. 16, a third Sheraton hotel in Korea.Directly run by Starwood, the hotel received design consultations from U.S. company Jerde and Japanese company Mori. The hotel is located within the multi-purpose shopping mall

Sept. 16, 2011

Discounts for 30 years of TGV

Rail Europe said it will offer special discounts for TGV to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the high-speed train. Opened in 1981, TGV runs more than 400 cars per day on 1,900 kilometer rails in and around France. About 1.7 billion people in total have used the train to date. The discounted price w

Sept. 16, 2011

The next Napa? Arizona’s Verde Valley angles to become a mecca for wine aficionados

The red rocks of Sedona drew Steph Houser from Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania, to the Verde Valley. Then a tip from a friend, a brochure and a little curiosity led her to a winery.Glass of white wine in hand, she strolled the grounds of Alcantara Vineyards, accompanied by her husband and mother-in-law.“We

Sept. 16, 2011

The next Napa? Arizona’s Verde Valley angles to become a mecca for wine aficionados

In transition: Egypt slow to recover, especially in tourism

Exploring Egypt months after a revolution rocked the Middle East, the only conflict we witnessed was between a taxi and carriage driver, furiously arguing over our business.The sidewalk scene was unsettling to a pair of tourists simply seeking a ride down the street. But it was nothing compared to o

Sept. 16, 2011

In transition: Egypt slow to recover, especially in tourism

Take the scenic route this Chuseok

The winding Okjeong Lakeside Driveway on National Road No. 27 between Jeonju and Imsil. (KTO)National roads offer pleasant alternative to highways for homecoming motoristsChuseok is here and a majority of the nation’s population will head for their home towns for family gatherings, using major expr

Sept. 9, 2011