Top Travel Tips for Summer 2007

Travel Advice from the UK's Foreign Office, news from Royal Brunei Airways, value-added Visa Credit Cards and why high hotel prices are affecting Vietnamese tourism.

For this week’s blog I thought I’d do a round up of travel items that affect us all, some more important than others, but all, I hope, of interest.

1. Top Tips for Travellers.

I’ve gone to the UK’s Foreign & Commonwealth Travel Advice to download their most recent top tips which apply to nationals of all countries as they head off to foreign parts. Here they are:

• Check the Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) Travel Advice on the website www.fco.gov.uk

• Set up travel insurance and check that the cover is appropriate.

• Check what vaccinations you need at least 6 weeks before you go and consider whether you need to take extra health precautions.

Get a good guidebook and get to know your destination. Find out about local laws and customs.

• Ensure you have a valid passport that is in good condition and the necessary visas.

• Make copies of your passport (including any visa pages), insurance policy plus 24-hour emergency number, and ticket details. Leave these copies, your itinerary and contact details with family and friends.

• Take enough money for your trip and some back-up funds, for example travellers cheques, your local currency or/or US dollars or Euros.

2. News from Royal Brunei Airways.

For those of us who like to be free to choose whether to have an alcoholic drink on a flight or not, the news that Royal Brunei Airways has just appointed a new CEO, raises hopes that the airline may discontinue its “dry” policy.

Brunei, a Muslim state, in deference to national custom, follows the policy of Saudi Arabian Airlines. However, both Emirates Airlines and Qatar Airlines, successful airlines and also Muslim states, have a much more relaxed attitude, leaving choice to the passenger.

Ray Sayer, the new CEO, is an industry veteran, and his appointment takes effect from 1st September 2007. He lived in the country in the early 1980’s when he was with British Airways, and has a good knowledge of the customs and mores of Brunei. At the moment however, he is issuing no comments on the future drinks policy of Royal Brunei Airways.

3. VISA CREDIT CARDS.

Asian Pacific residents using Visa Credit cards and heading for the beautiful island of Bali should be mindful to take advantage of the “Explore Bali with Visa” programme that runs from July 1st to September 30th, 2007. This is aimed at cardholders from Asia Pacific who make up the bulk of Bali’s visitors, and it is hoped that by doing this, their numbers will increase.

Member banks from 10 countries in the Asia Pacific region will be pushing the “Explore Bali with Visa” program to cardholders in Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, Japan, India, China, Australia and Hong Kong.

Package deals are being offered by more than 220 merchants in Bali, ranging from hotels, restaurants, fashion retailers and sports providers, together with a reward programme that has value added significance.

4. Cost of Vietnam Hotel Rooms.

No longer regarded as a value-for-money country, Vietnam’s hotel rates, accusations of profiteering and reports of contracts not being honoured, is affecting the country. Vietnam’s image is being damaged almost daily, as tales of rocketing room rates, lack of trained staff and the pollution that is encountered at tourism sites, filters back from disgruntled tourists.

I've been visiting Vietnam for many years and I've been very happy to see how quickly the country has pulled itself out of terrible poverty (even though pockets of desperation still exist) but I think their current pricing structure will scare off the very people they need to help take them further. A Tourism Manager with teeth is needed now, one who can curb the price hikes put in place by the hotels, not all of which are Vietnamese owned, either. The declining appeal of a very damaged environment, poor maintenance of sites of interest, plus the outrageous prices being asked, will surely damage Vietnam’s credibility in the long run.

5. Vietnam Park in Thailand.

And speaking of Vietnam, construction of a Park near the hovel where the Vietnamese President hid from the French during the French/Indochine war, is underway in northeastern Thailand. Ho Chi Minh, Uncle Ho, disguised himself as a monk, during this time. No word yet as to when it will be ready for visiting, but it is expected to be later this year.

Viet Nam Park as it will be called, will house a one-pillar pagoda. It is a cooperative effort between Thailand’s Khon Kaen Provincial authorities and Vietnamese people living in Thailand.