Different kind of mask

A tourist tries on a carnival mask in Venice Thursday. According to the Venice Hoteliers Association, floods in November and fears of the spread of the 2019 Novel Coronavirus have led to a 10 percent decline in hotel bookings ahead of the Venice Carnival, which begins Saturday.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Not so 'Welcome to Venice'

A tourist pushes her floating luggage in a flooded St. Mark's Square, in Venice, Wednesday. 85% of the city was flooded, the high-water mark hitting 187 centimeters (74 inches) late Tuesday, inching close to the highest level ever recorded was 194 centimeters (76 inches) during infamous flooding in 1966. 

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Snap! Selfie-seeking tourist bitten by Thai croc

BANGKOK - A French tourist was bitten by a crocodile inside a Thai national park as she tried to get close to the fearsome animal to take a selfie, an official said on Monday.

The incident took place on Sunday afternoon in Khao Yai, a popular national park filled with dense jungle hiking trails and waterfalls three hours north of Bangkok.

"She wanted to take selfie with the crocodile who was lying down near a stream," a park official told AFP, asking not to be named because he did not have the authority to speak to the media.

"It was startled and bit her on the leg."

The official said two crocodiles had made their home on that particular section of the park for years with warning signs laid out.

"I guess that she wanted to see it for real," he added.

Local media posted pictures of park rangers dressed in camouflage carrying the 47-year-old victim strapped to a stretcher, a thick bandage wrapped around her knee.

Another shot showed a ranger pointing to a pool of blood close to a sign saying in Thai and English "Danger Crocodile No Swimming".

The victim was taken to hospital for treatment and is expected to recover.

Siamese crocodiles were once ubiquitous across South East Asia but their populations have been decimated in the last century by hunting and habitat loss.

They are currently listed as critically endangered on the IUCN's red list.

In Thailand there are just a handful of wild populations left in central and western national parks.

Most tourists will only see them in crocodile parks, many of which have been criticised by animal rights groups for controversial feeding practices.

ju-jta/tm

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Lonely Planet's best travel destinations for 2016

Travel giant Lonely Planet has released its "Best in Travel 2016" lists, highlighting the places leisure travelers should visit.

Topping the must-visit country list is Botswana, which the lonely planet calls "wild Africa at its best".

Those who are into diving should book a flight to Palau, a Pacific island nation dubbed as "the underwater Serengeti".

Top 10 Countries for 2016
1. Botswana
2. Japan
3. USA
4. Palau
5. Latvia
6. Australia
7. Poland
8. Uruguay
9. Greenland
10. Fiji

Lonely Planet also suggested traveling to Transylvania in Romania. This region is not just about vampire folklore as it also offers activities for adventure-seeking travelers.

UNESCO world heritage site Valle de Viñales in Cuba placed third in the top region list to visit.

Top 10 Regions for 2016
1. Transylvania, Romania
2. West Iceland
3. Valle de Viñales, Cuba
4. Friuli's wine regions, Italy
5. Waiheke Island, New Zealand
6. The Auvergne, France
7. Hawaii
8. Bavaria, Germany
9. Costa Verde, Brazil
10. St. Helena, British Territories

Meanwhile, the coastal town of Kotor in Montenegro was named Best City for 2016. Known for its Venetian-style architecture, Kotor boasts of having one of the most beautiful harbors in the world.

On the sixth spot is Mumbai in India. "A powerhouse of fashion, finance and film," Lonely Planet sees that Mumbai is set for a stellar 2016 with India's booming economy.

Top 10 Cities for 2016
1. Kotor, Montenegro
2. Quito, Ecuador
3. Dublin, Ireland
4. George Town, Malaysia
5. Rotterdam, Netherlands
6. Mumbai, India
7. Fremantle, Australia
8. Manchester, UK
9. Nashville, Tennessee
10. Rome

For the list of value destination, Estonia topped the list. This European country offers rich history, vast forestation and adventure activities.

Southeast Asian country Timor-Leste made the list, with Lonely Planet describing it as a highly-affordable destination.

Top 10 Best Value Destinations for 2016
1. Estonia
2. Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, Vietnam
3. East Africa
4. New Mexico
5. Bosnia and Herzegovina
6. Galicia, Spain
7. Quebec City, Canada
8. Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast
9. Timor-Leste
10. Western Australia

---Mornings @ ANC

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Boracay Water starts building P86M transmission line

MANILA, Philippines - Boracay Water said it has started building the Nabaoy Transmission Line, which is aimed at increasing water supply capacity in the island.

The P86-million project includes the construction of a 5.5 kilometer pipe connecting Nabaoy River water source to the Caticlan Water Treatment Plant.

The project will increase water supply capacity from 14.5 million liters per day (MLD) to 20 MLD.

The transmission line is expected to be completed by mid-year.

It is expected to meet the increasing water demand of Boracay, due to the growing number of tourists.

The Department of Tourism estimates that tourist arrivals to Boracay will jump 22 percent to 1.8 million this year. Boracay is one of the places that will host the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit this year.

Boracay Water, a company formed through the partnership of Manila Water and the Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority in 2009, provides water and used water services in Boracay, Malay, Aklan, particularly in its three barangays – Manocmanoc, Balabag, and Yapak.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

India set to ease visa restrictions: report

NEW DELHI - Tourists travelling to India from up to 180 countries will no longer have to queue up at their local consulates to obtain visas under reforms expected to be approved this week, local media reported Sunday.

Most foreigners currently have to wait several weeks before learning whether they will be allowed to enter the country after submitting their applications at visa processing centres, a major deterrent for potential visitors.

But India's intelligence agencies have now given their backing to proposals that would allow tourists to apply online and then wait only three days before receiving the green light, the Indian Express reported.

They would then be able to pick up their visas on arrival at any airport.

India currently issues visas on arrival to visitors from about a dozen foreign nations, including Japan and Indonesia.

But visitors from countries which account for the bulk of its tourists -- such as the United States, Britain and France -- have to go through the time-consuming process of applying in person.

The reforms were first mooted last October but only for around 40 countries.

The citizens of a handful of countries, including Pakistan, will not be included in the changes, the daily said.

Despite its cultural attractions, beaches and mountains, India attracts relatively few foreign holidaymakers -- 6.58 million in 2012, which was about a quarter of Thailand or Malaysia.

A final decision on the visa reforms is likely to be taken on Wednesday at a meeting to be attended by the country's top intelligence officers.

No one from the interior ministry was immediately available for comment.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com