“Shoot on sight” is how President Duterte wants the military to deal with Abu Sayyaf bandits, as the United States and Britain have alerted their citizens to threats of kidnapping of foreigners by the terror group in some resorts in Palawan.
My order to the security forces is stalk, shoot them on site. Patayin ninyo (Kill them), do not waste your bullet, then we take care of them in hospital.
Expend your bullet to finish the problem because it is really a problem. It is a problem of security, law and order,Duterte said in remarks before journalists shortly before his departure for Cambodia yesterday to attend the World Economic Forum on ASEAN.
He said soldiers should not hesitate to kill terrorists.
If you encounter them, kill them. Filipinos are in great number. Next year there will be more,there will be about 125 million of us. We can always replenish the supply, do not worry, he said in English and Filipino.
The latest advisories came weeks after the two countries and several others alerted their citizens to threats of kidnapping in Bohol.
Security forces would later pounce on Abu Sayyaf bandits in three boats in a remote riverside community in Bohol.
Six militants and four government troops died in the Bohol clashes, including terror leader Muammar Askali, also known as Abu Rami.
The US embassy has received credible information that terrorist groups may be planning to conduct kidnapping operations targeting foreign nationals in the areas of Palawan province, Philippines, to include Puerto Princesa City and the areas surrounding Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park,” the embassy said in its travel advisory.
The British embassy also advised British nationals to carefully consider travel plans and exercise heightened vigilance in the areas mentioned by the US embassy.
In its travel advice, the British embassy said “terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in the Philippines. Terrorist groups continue to plan attacks and have the capacity and the intent to carry out attacks at any time and anywhere in the country.”
The travel advice said attacks could happen anywhere, including in places visited by foreigners, like airports, shopping malls, public transport and places of worship.
“You should remain vigilant at all times and report anything suspicious to the local authorities,” it said.
The US embassy reminded its nationals of the most recent Worldwide Caution, dated March 6, 2017, indicating threat of terrorist actions and violence against US citizens and interests abroad, including in the Philippines.
In its previous travel alert, the US embassy said it has received unsubstantiated yet credible information regarding possible kidnapping of foreigners in the Visayas, especially Cebu and Bohol.
For Western Command (Wescom) commander Lt. Gen. Raul del Rosario, it would be difficult for the Abu Sayyaf to snatch tourists in Palawan as the island province is amply protected.
He also said that while the military has not confirmed any specific threat of kidnapping or any terror activity in Palawan, it is taking the US travel advisory seriously.
With their vast network, the US will not just release without any basis, he said, referring to the US embassy advisory.
However, based on our own intelligence, we view this threat as very minimal. While there were previous threat reports, these were not confirmed following weeks of validation. We don’t see anything, Del Rosario said.
He said Wescom has been on heightened alert since the clashes in Bohol between security forces and a group of Abu Sayyaf bandits.
All the security efforts are in place and the terrorist could not just penetrate the province, Del Rosario said.
Tourism, Travel, Hospitality, Conservation: News,Stories And Experiences From Allover The World
Showing posts with label World Economic Forum. Show all posts
Showing posts with label World Economic Forum. Show all posts
Friday, 12 May 2017
Wednesday, 26 April 2017
SPAIN: Chinese Tourists Spend A Lot
Foreign tourists in Spain spent some 77.6 billion euros (83.6 billion U.S. dollars) in 2016, up 9 percent from the previous year, according to data released Friday by Spain's Statistical Office.
British tourists spent the largest amount of money in Spain, which reached 16.2 billion euros (17.3 billion dollars), a 12.8-percent increase compared with 2015.
The British were followed by Germans and French, who spent 11.07 billion euros (11.8 billion dollars) and 6.8 billion euros (7.3 billion dollars), respectively.
In December alone, foreign tourists spent 4.5 billion euros (4.8 billion dollars), up 19.3 percent year-on-year.
In the same month, the average spending per tourist stood at 1,131 euros (1,210 dollars), while the average daily spending stood at 124 euros (133 dollars).
Spain received a record 75.6 million international tourists in 2016. It is one of the most visited destinations in the world, ranking the first in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum.
Meanwhile, Cambodia attracted some 694,712 Chinese tourists last year, up 24 percent year-on-year, accounting for 14.5 percent of the total international visitors to the country last year, said a report from the Tourism Ministry Monday.
China ranked the second largest source of tourists to Cambodia last year after Vietnam, the report said.
Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, attributed the increase in Chinese visitors to Cambodia to excellent ties between Cambodia and China and many direct flights between the two countries.
"Moreover, Cambodia has a lot of attractive tourism resorts, especially the Angkor archaeological park," he said.
Cambodia sees China as a key market for its fast-growing tourism industry. In January, the Southeast Asian country released a white paper, aiming to attract roughly 2 million Chinese tourists by 2020.
The white paper lists steps to be taken by the tourism authorities to facilitate visits by Chinese tourists, such as providing Chinese signage and documents for visa processing, encouraging local use of the Chinese yuan currency, and ensuring that food and accommodation facilities are suited to Chinese tastes.
Cambodia is famous for its Angkor archaeological park, a world heritage site, in northwest Siem Reap province. Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline, which is one of the World's Most Beautiful Bays.
British tourists spent the largest amount of money in Spain, which reached 16.2 billion euros (17.3 billion dollars), a 12.8-percent increase compared with 2015.
The British were followed by Germans and French, who spent 11.07 billion euros (11.8 billion dollars) and 6.8 billion euros (7.3 billion dollars), respectively.
In December alone, foreign tourists spent 4.5 billion euros (4.8 billion dollars), up 19.3 percent year-on-year.
In the same month, the average spending per tourist stood at 1,131 euros (1,210 dollars), while the average daily spending stood at 124 euros (133 dollars).
Spain received a record 75.6 million international tourists in 2016. It is one of the most visited destinations in the world, ranking the first in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report published by the World Economic Forum.
Meanwhile, Cambodia attracted some 694,712 Chinese tourists last year, up 24 percent year-on-year, accounting for 14.5 percent of the total international visitors to the country last year, said a report from the Tourism Ministry Monday.
China ranked the second largest source of tourists to Cambodia last year after Vietnam, the report said.
Ang Kim Eang, president of the Cambodia Association of Travel Agents, attributed the increase in Chinese visitors to Cambodia to excellent ties between Cambodia and China and many direct flights between the two countries.
"Moreover, Cambodia has a lot of attractive tourism resorts, especially the Angkor archaeological park," he said.
Cambodia sees China as a key market for its fast-growing tourism industry. In January, the Southeast Asian country released a white paper, aiming to attract roughly 2 million Chinese tourists by 2020.
The white paper lists steps to be taken by the tourism authorities to facilitate visits by Chinese tourists, such as providing Chinese signage and documents for visa processing, encouraging local use of the Chinese yuan currency, and ensuring that food and accommodation facilities are suited to Chinese tastes.
Cambodia is famous for its Angkor archaeological park, a world heritage site, in northwest Siem Reap province. Besides, it has a 450-km pristine coastline, which is one of the World's Most Beautiful Bays.
Monday, 24 April 2017
The Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2017
The World Economic Forum has, for the past 11 years, engaged leaders in travel and tourism to carry out an in-depth analysis of the Travel and Tourism competitiveness of 136 economies across the world.
The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index measures “the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector, which in turn, contributes to the development and competitiveness of a country”.
The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index enables all stakeholders to work together to improve the industry’s competitiveness in their national economies.
The theme of this edition Paving the Way for a More Sustainable and Inclusive Future, reflects the increasing focus on ensuring the industry’s sustained growth in an uncertain security environment while preserving the natural environment and local communities on which it so richly depends.
In 2016, the travel and tourism industry contributed an astonishing $7.6 trillion to the global economy,that’s 10.2% of global GDP. It also generated a total of 292 million jobs, which means that 1 in 10 people work in the sector. The numbers of international arrivals are just as impressive, reaching 1.2 billion in 2016, 46 million more than in 2015.
What’s even more incredible is that these figures are expected to continue growing in the coming decade. And this has the potential to help countries generate economic growth, create jobs and enable national and regional development.
But which countries are in the best position to make the most of all these opportunities? Every two years, the World Economic Forum sets out to answer that question by ranking the travel and tourism competitiveness of 136 countries. These are the top 10 according to our latest index.
These countries have successfully created an enabling environment for travel and tourism to thrive by facilitating travel to their nation, promoting their natural and cultural heritage, and ensuring rewarding and hopefully unforgettable experience for their visitors.
Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet and no one-size fits all approach that other countries not in this top 10 list can attempt to copy. Some countries will have more difficulty growing their tourism industry as a result of their economic or geopolitical context, while others may not have been blessed with unique natural and cultural resources.
That said, this year’s report shows that many countries around the world have been able to make policy changes that have made them more competitive. And from those observations, we’ve been able to draw together four interesting points that all countries might learn from.
The rise of the South
While historically the majority of travel was North-North, this reality is changing. Outbound travel from Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decade.
Developing and emerging markets are not only becoming larger source markets, but they are also improving their travel and tourism competitiveness in order to position themselves as more attractive destinations.
In the 2017 edition of the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, it was discovered that 12 of the top 15 most improved countries are developing and emerging markets. This growth is here to stay. South-South tourism is on the rise, and this trend will continue as these countries improve their competitiveness and develop their travel and tourism sectors.
Build bridges, not walls
While isolationist and protectionist rhetoric is on the front page of the newspapers, the travel and tourism industry, unlike global trade, remains relatively unharmed to date.
Governments around the world realize that for the most part, the barriers to travel are not making people and countries safer, but are hindering economic growth, job creation and tolerance between countries.
In 2016, destinations worldwide required 58% of the world’s population to obtain a visa prior to departure a significant improvement from 2008, when 77% of the world’s population was made to apply for a traditional visa.
In effect, the great majority (approximately 85%) of countries have reduced, at least partially, the burden of obtaining a tourism visa in the past two years.
To continue supporting the expected growth in international travel in the coming decades, we need to continue improving policy frameworks and innovate the way people move across international borders.
Embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Today, digital has become a basic requirement to being competitive, even in travel and tourism. Countries not integrating technology and enhancing their connectivity will be left behind.
In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the telecommunications infrastructure across countries. And ICT readiness correlates directly to the amount of value that tourism can generate.
However, the meaning of being “ICT ready” continues to evolve rapidly, causing many organizations, companies and countries to spend time rethinking their “service delivery”, integrating constant connectivity into the experience.
At the same time, the growing number of connected citizens around the world provides a unique opportunity for customers benefit from the inclusive nature of the travel and tourism industry.
In effect, the internet has become a great mechanism to enable locals and travellers to connect directly without relying on intermediaries.
Sustainability is a win-win
Despite growing global awareness on the importance of sustainability, and the fact that real progress has been made on some fronts, many aspects of the natural environment continue to degrade, causing a serious and quantifiable impact on the tourism sector.
Data reveals that the environmental strength of a country is directly related to tourism revenue. Although this relationship is complex, and there is no evidence of direct causality, the more pristine the natural environment of a country is, the more tourists are inclined to travel there, and the more they are willing to pay to access well-preserved areas.
Consequently, as the natural capital depletes, destinations lose revenue.
The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index measures “the set of factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector, which in turn, contributes to the development and competitiveness of a country”.
The Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index enables all stakeholders to work together to improve the industry’s competitiveness in their national economies.
The theme of this edition Paving the Way for a More Sustainable and Inclusive Future, reflects the increasing focus on ensuring the industry’s sustained growth in an uncertain security environment while preserving the natural environment and local communities on which it so richly depends.
In 2016, the travel and tourism industry contributed an astonishing $7.6 trillion to the global economy,that’s 10.2% of global GDP. It also generated a total of 292 million jobs, which means that 1 in 10 people work in the sector. The numbers of international arrivals are just as impressive, reaching 1.2 billion in 2016, 46 million more than in 2015.
What’s even more incredible is that these figures are expected to continue growing in the coming decade. And this has the potential to help countries generate economic growth, create jobs and enable national and regional development.
But which countries are in the best position to make the most of all these opportunities? Every two years, the World Economic Forum sets out to answer that question by ranking the travel and tourism competitiveness of 136 countries. These are the top 10 according to our latest index.
These countries have successfully created an enabling environment for travel and tourism to thrive by facilitating travel to their nation, promoting their natural and cultural heritage, and ensuring rewarding and hopefully unforgettable experience for their visitors.
Unfortunately, there is no magic bullet and no one-size fits all approach that other countries not in this top 10 list can attempt to copy. Some countries will have more difficulty growing their tourism industry as a result of their economic or geopolitical context, while others may not have been blessed with unique natural and cultural resources.
That said, this year’s report shows that many countries around the world have been able to make policy changes that have made them more competitive. And from those observations, we’ve been able to draw together four interesting points that all countries might learn from.
The rise of the South
While historically the majority of travel was North-North, this reality is changing. Outbound travel from Africa, the Middle East and Asia-Pacific is expected to grow exponentially in the coming decade.
Developing and emerging markets are not only becoming larger source markets, but they are also improving their travel and tourism competitiveness in order to position themselves as more attractive destinations.
In the 2017 edition of the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, it was discovered that 12 of the top 15 most improved countries are developing and emerging markets. This growth is here to stay. South-South tourism is on the rise, and this trend will continue as these countries improve their competitiveness and develop their travel and tourism sectors.
Build bridges, not walls
While isolationist and protectionist rhetoric is on the front page of the newspapers, the travel and tourism industry, unlike global trade, remains relatively unharmed to date.
Governments around the world realize that for the most part, the barriers to travel are not making people and countries safer, but are hindering economic growth, job creation and tolerance between countries.
In 2016, destinations worldwide required 58% of the world’s population to obtain a visa prior to departure a significant improvement from 2008, when 77% of the world’s population was made to apply for a traditional visa.
In effect, the great majority (approximately 85%) of countries have reduced, at least partially, the burden of obtaining a tourism visa in the past two years.
To continue supporting the expected growth in international travel in the coming decades, we need to continue improving policy frameworks and innovate the way people move across international borders.
Embrace the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Today, digital has become a basic requirement to being competitive, even in travel and tourism. Countries not integrating technology and enhancing their connectivity will be left behind.
In recent years, we have seen a significant increase in the telecommunications infrastructure across countries. And ICT readiness correlates directly to the amount of value that tourism can generate.
However, the meaning of being “ICT ready” continues to evolve rapidly, causing many organizations, companies and countries to spend time rethinking their “service delivery”, integrating constant connectivity into the experience.
At the same time, the growing number of connected citizens around the world provides a unique opportunity for customers benefit from the inclusive nature of the travel and tourism industry.
In effect, the internet has become a great mechanism to enable locals and travellers to connect directly without relying on intermediaries.
Sustainability is a win-win
Despite growing global awareness on the importance of sustainability, and the fact that real progress has been made on some fronts, many aspects of the natural environment continue to degrade, causing a serious and quantifiable impact on the tourism sector.
Data reveals that the environmental strength of a country is directly related to tourism revenue. Although this relationship is complex, and there is no evidence of direct causality, the more pristine the natural environment of a country is, the more tourists are inclined to travel there, and the more they are willing to pay to access well-preserved areas.
Consequently, as the natural capital depletes, destinations lose revenue.
FINLAND: Yes, Finland Is The Safest Country In The World.
Finland has reason to be proud. Not only is the Nordic country celebrating 100 years of independence, according to the World Economic Forum's 2017 Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report, but Finland can also boast the fact that it's the safest country in the whole world.
"Finland remains the safest destination globally, despite rising concerns in most of Europe, including Finland, regarding terrorism," the report reads.
The report collected data from a total of 136 countries, looking specifically at "sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector, which in turn, contributes to the development and competitiveness of a country."
That means that the World Economic Forum focused on the tourism industry, which makes sense, since safety is a major factor in deciding where to book a vacation.
The survey also looked at how open a country is to tourism in general, the state of infrastructure within a country's borders, and even things like environmental sustainability and price competitiveness.
Brides magazine adds that Finland's top spot isn't surprising. After all, it and much of Scandinavia, in fact is a land of hygge, natural hot springs, a laid-back attitude, and snow-capped vistas.
Its neighbors also earned high rankings, with Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland all in the survey's top 10. But those looking to green up their vacation plans should definitely head to Finland; the country also earned the highest rank for environmental sustainability.
If you're not looking to head to Europe, there are a slew of other destinations that rank high on the safety list. The United Arab Emirates, Quatar, and Oman also got top marks. And if you're looking for an Asian getaway, Hong Kong and Singapore are great picks, too.
"Finland remains the safest destination globally, despite rising concerns in most of Europe, including Finland, regarding terrorism," the report reads.
The report collected data from a total of 136 countries, looking specifically at "sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector, which in turn, contributes to the development and competitiveness of a country."
That means that the World Economic Forum focused on the tourism industry, which makes sense, since safety is a major factor in deciding where to book a vacation.
The survey also looked at how open a country is to tourism in general, the state of infrastructure within a country's borders, and even things like environmental sustainability and price competitiveness.
Brides magazine adds that Finland's top spot isn't surprising. After all, it and much of Scandinavia, in fact is a land of hygge, natural hot springs, a laid-back attitude, and snow-capped vistas.
Its neighbors also earned high rankings, with Iceland, Finland, Norway, and Switzerland all in the survey's top 10. But those looking to green up their vacation plans should definitely head to Finland; the country also earned the highest rank for environmental sustainability.
If you're not looking to head to Europe, there are a slew of other destinations that rank high on the safety list. The United Arab Emirates, Quatar, and Oman also got top marks. And if you're looking for an Asian getaway, Hong Kong and Singapore are great picks, too.
Sunday, 23 April 2017
Travel And Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015
The World Economic Forum has, for the past nine years, engaged key industry and thought leaders through its Aviation & Travel Industry Partnership Programme, along with its Global Agenda Council on the Future of Travel & Tourism, to carry out an in-depth analysis of the T&T competitiveness of economies around the world.
The resulting Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 provides a platform for multistakeholder dialogue with the objective of achieving a strong and sustainable T&T industry capable of contributing effectively to international economic development.
Rank Country
1 Spain
2 France
3 Germany
4 United States
5 United Kingdom
6 Switzerland
7 Australia
8 Italy
9 Japan
10 Canada
11 Singapore
12 Austria
13 Hong Kong SAR
14 Netherlands
15 Portugal
16 New Zealand
17 China
18 Iceland
19 Ireland
20 Norway
21 Belgium
22 Finland
23 Sweden
24 United Arab Emirates
25 Malaysia
26 Luxembourg
27 Denmark
28 Brazil
29 Korea, Rep.
30 Mexico
31 Greece
32 Taiwan, China
33 Croatia
34 Panama
35 Thailand
36 Cyprus
37 Czech Republic
38 Estonia
39 Slovenia
40 Malta
41 Hungary
42 Costa Rica
43 Qatar
44 Turkey
45 Russian Federation
46 Barbados
47 Poland
48 South Africa
49 Bulgaria
50 Indonesia
51 Chile
52 India
53 Latvia
54 Seychelles
55 Puerto Rico
56 Mauritius
57 Argentina
58 Peru
59 Lithuania
60 Bahrain
61 Slovak Republic
62 Morocco
63 Sri Lanka
64 Saudi Arabia
65 Oman
66 Romania
67 Montenegro
68 Colombia
69 Trinidad and Tobago
70 Namibia
71 Georgia
72 Israel
73 Uruguay
74 Philippines
75 Vietnam
76 Jamaica
77 Jordan
78 Kenya
79 Tunisia
80 Guatemala
81 Dominican Republic
82 Macedonia, FYR
83 Egypt
84 Azerbaijan
85 Kazakhstan
86 Cape Verde
87 Bhutan
88 Botswana
89 Armenia
90 Honduras
91 El Salvador
92 Nicaragua
93 Tanzania
94 Lebanon
95 Serbia
96 Lao PDR
97 Iran, Islamic Rep.
98 Rwanda
99 Mongolia
100 Bolivia
101 Suriname
102 Nepal
103 Kuwait
104 Guyana
105 Cambodia
106 Albania
107 Zambia
108 Swaziland
109 Gambia, The
110 Venezuela
111 Moldova
112 Senegal
113 Paraguay
114 Uganda
115 Zimbabwe
116 Kyrgyz Republic
117 Côte d'Ivoire
118 Ethiopia
119 Tajikistan
120 Ghana
121 Madagascar
122 Cameroon
123 Algeria
124 Gabon
125 Pakistan
126 Malawi
127 Bangladesh
128 Mali
129 Lesotho
130 Mozambique
131 Nigeria
132 Sierra Leone
133 Haiti
134 Myanmar
135 Burundi
136 Burkina Faso
137 Mauritania
138 Yemen
139 Angola
140 Guinea
141 Chad
The resulting Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report 2015 provides a platform for multistakeholder dialogue with the objective of achieving a strong and sustainable T&T industry capable of contributing effectively to international economic development.
Rank Country
1 Spain
2 France
3 Germany
4 United States
5 United Kingdom
6 Switzerland
7 Australia
8 Italy
9 Japan
10 Canada
11 Singapore
12 Austria
13 Hong Kong SAR
14 Netherlands
15 Portugal
16 New Zealand
17 China
18 Iceland
19 Ireland
20 Norway
21 Belgium
22 Finland
23 Sweden
24 United Arab Emirates
25 Malaysia
26 Luxembourg
27 Denmark
28 Brazil
29 Korea, Rep.
30 Mexico
31 Greece
32 Taiwan, China
33 Croatia
34 Panama
35 Thailand
36 Cyprus
37 Czech Republic
38 Estonia
39 Slovenia
40 Malta
41 Hungary
42 Costa Rica
43 Qatar
44 Turkey
45 Russian Federation
46 Barbados
47 Poland
48 South Africa
49 Bulgaria
50 Indonesia
51 Chile
52 India
53 Latvia
54 Seychelles
55 Puerto Rico
56 Mauritius
57 Argentina
58 Peru
59 Lithuania
60 Bahrain
61 Slovak Republic
62 Morocco
63 Sri Lanka
64 Saudi Arabia
65 Oman
66 Romania
67 Montenegro
68 Colombia
69 Trinidad and Tobago
70 Namibia
71 Georgia
72 Israel
73 Uruguay
74 Philippines
75 Vietnam
76 Jamaica
77 Jordan
78 Kenya
79 Tunisia
80 Guatemala
81 Dominican Republic
82 Macedonia, FYR
83 Egypt
84 Azerbaijan
85 Kazakhstan
86 Cape Verde
87 Bhutan
88 Botswana
89 Armenia
90 Honduras
91 El Salvador
92 Nicaragua
93 Tanzania
94 Lebanon
95 Serbia
96 Lao PDR
97 Iran, Islamic Rep.
98 Rwanda
99 Mongolia
100 Bolivia
101 Suriname
102 Nepal
103 Kuwait
104 Guyana
105 Cambodia
106 Albania
107 Zambia
108 Swaziland
109 Gambia, The
110 Venezuela
111 Moldova
112 Senegal
113 Paraguay
114 Uganda
115 Zimbabwe
116 Kyrgyz Republic
117 Côte d'Ivoire
118 Ethiopia
119 Tajikistan
120 Ghana
121 Madagascar
122 Cameroon
123 Algeria
124 Gabon
125 Pakistan
126 Malawi
127 Bangladesh
128 Mali
129 Lesotho
130 Mozambique
131 Nigeria
132 Sierra Leone
133 Haiti
134 Myanmar
135 Burundi
136 Burkina Faso
137 Mauritania
138 Yemen
139 Angola
140 Guinea
141 Chad
Sunday, 9 April 2017
MALAYSIA: Malaysia Ahead Of Thailand In Travel And Tourism Competitiveness
Malaysia dropped one spot from 2015 to be placed 26th among 136 countries, although it improved on its overall performance from various indicators by rising from 4.41 points in 2015 to 4.50 in 2017.
Malaysia is ranked higher than Thailand in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2017 by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
According to the report released on April 5, Singapore topped the table among the nine nations in South-East Asia with Malaysia second, followed by Thailand and Indonesia.
Globally, Malaysia dropped one spot from 2015 to be placed 26th among 136 countries, although it improved on its overall performance from various indicators by rising from 4.41 points in 2015 to 4.50 in 2017.
The report which is released every two years, said Malaysia's strong performance was attributed to its price competitiveness, strong air connectivity, and beautiful natural resources.
The WEF report engages leaders in the travel and tourism industry to carry out an in-depth analysis of its industries' competitiveness of 136 economies that account for over 98 per cent of the world's GDP.
The index measures a set of "factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector", which includes international openness, prioritisation of travel and tourism, human resources and labour market, health and hygiene, and safety and security.
The report also said that Malaysia could become more competitive by further prioritising the travel and tourism industry via investing in the development of its cultural resources and business travel.
It added that Malaysia should address environmental sustainability and preserve its beautiful natural environment.
There were more than 25 million tourist arrivals into the country last year, contributing almost RM80bill in inbound receipts, according to the report.
Spain which had a score of 5.43 tops the rankings for the second time due to its unique offering of both cultural and natural resources.
It is followed by France, Germany, Japan and United Kingdom.
The WEF is a Swiss non-profit foundation that engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Malaysia is ranked higher than Thailand in the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index 2017 by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
According to the report released on April 5, Singapore topped the table among the nine nations in South-East Asia with Malaysia second, followed by Thailand and Indonesia.
Globally, Malaysia dropped one spot from 2015 to be placed 26th among 136 countries, although it improved on its overall performance from various indicators by rising from 4.41 points in 2015 to 4.50 in 2017.
The report which is released every two years, said Malaysia's strong performance was attributed to its price competitiveness, strong air connectivity, and beautiful natural resources.
The WEF report engages leaders in the travel and tourism industry to carry out an in-depth analysis of its industries' competitiveness of 136 economies that account for over 98 per cent of the world's GDP.
The index measures a set of "factors and policies that enable the sustainable development of the travel and tourism sector", which includes international openness, prioritisation of travel and tourism, human resources and labour market, health and hygiene, and safety and security.
The report also said that Malaysia could become more competitive by further prioritising the travel and tourism industry via investing in the development of its cultural resources and business travel.
It added that Malaysia should address environmental sustainability and preserve its beautiful natural environment.
There were more than 25 million tourist arrivals into the country last year, contributing almost RM80bill in inbound receipts, according to the report.
Spain which had a score of 5.43 tops the rankings for the second time due to its unique offering of both cultural and natural resources.
It is followed by France, Germany, Japan and United Kingdom.
The WEF is a Swiss non-profit foundation that engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Friday, 31 March 2017
LUXEMBOURG: Touring Luxembourg
Bordered by Belgium, France, and Germany, Luxembourg has a population of over half a million people in an area of 2,586 square kilometres (998 sq mi).
Tourism in Luxembourg is an important component of the national economy, representing about 8.3% of GDP in 2009 and employing some 25,000 people or 11.7% of the working population.
Despite the 2008–2012 global recession, the Grand Duchy still welcomes over 900,000 visitors a year who spend an average of 2.5 nights in hotels, hostels or on camping sites.
Business travel is flourishing representing 44% of overnight stays in the country and 60% in the capital, up 11% and 25% between 2009 and 2010.
Published by the World Economic Forum in March 2011, the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report puts Luxembourg in 15th place worldwide, up from 23rd place in 2009.
Major destinations are historic Luxembourg City, the medieval castle of Vianden, Echternach with its abbey and the wine districts of the Moselle valley.
The Mullerthal with its rocky cliffs in the east and the mountainous Oesling district in the Ardennes to the north are also favourites for outdoor enthusiasts.
Luxembourg has good road and rail and air connections with the rest of Europe, making it an increasingly popular destination for international meetings as well as for extended weekend stays.
Over half the visitors to Luxembourg come from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany with substantial numbers from France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Camping is popular in Luxembourg, particularly with the Dutch, who camp for much longer than other nationalities, especially in the Ardennes and the Mullerthal.
A representative democracy and constitutional monarchy ruled by a Grand Duke, it is the world's only remaining Grand Duchy.
The country has a highly developed economy, with the world's highest GDP per capita.
Its strategic importance dates back to a Roman era fortress and Frankish count's castle site in the Early Middle Ages.
The City of Luxembourg, the capital and largest city, is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the European Union and an important financial centre.
Luxembourg culture is a mix of Romance Europe and Germanic Europe, borrowing customs from each of the distinct traditions.
While Luxembourgers are fluent in all three of their official languages, German, French and Luxembourgish, most also have a good working knowledge of English.
Luxembourg's road network has been significantly modernised in recent years with motorways to Belgium, France and Germany.
The advent of the high-speed TGV link to Paris has led to renovation of the city's railway station while the new passenger terminal at Luxembourg Airport handled over 1.6 million passengers in 2010, an increase of 5.1%.
There are frequent air connections with many European cities including Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome.
Paris can also be reached in just over two hours by rail and in about three and a half hours by road.
Brussels is some two hours away by road, a little longer by rail.
In 2009, Luxembourg had 261 hotels, inns and hostels able to accommodate 14,709 guests.
The central area including the City of Luxembourg had a capacity of 8,057 guests (55%) followed by the Ardennes region with a capacity of 2,757 (18%). The total number of nights spent in hotels, inns and hostels was 1,264,448, down 8% on 2007.
The number of nights spent camping was 739,208, down 8.4%.
Luxembourg has a number of celebrations of its own, some of which date back centuries. Among the most popular are:
Buergbrennen: held on the Sunday after Shrove Tuesday, huge bonfires blaze throughout the country celebrating the end of winter.
Emaischen: held every Easter Monday in the village of Nospelt and in Luxembourg's Fish Market, the centrepiece of the pottery fair is the Péckvillchen, a bird-shaped earthenware whistle.
Octave: the main religious festival of the year, the octave is held in the second half of April for a period of two weeks when pilgrims come to the cathedral; a market on the Place Guillaume offers food, drink and religious artifacts.
Dancing procession of Echternach: held on Whit Tuesday in memory of St Willibrord, hundreds of people "spring" from left to right as they dance through the town, linked by white handkerchiefs.
National holiday: celebrated throughout the country on 23 June in honour of the grand duke, the festivities begin on the evening of the 22nd with a firework display in the centre of Luxembourg City.
Schueberfouer: the extensive fun fair with all the traditional rides goes up in Limpertsberg on the Glacis around 23 August and remains for about three weeks.
Wine festivals: usually held in October in the wine villages along the Moselle as a thanksgiving celebration for the grape harvest.
St Nicolas: Kleeschen, the patron saint of children, with his servant in black, arrives in every village accompanied by a brass band ready, in agreement with their parents, to distribute presents to the children.
Luxembourg cuisine combines the quality of French dishes with the quantity of German and Belgian servings.
But there are also some national favourites such as Bouneschlupp, a soup with French beans, Judd mat Gaardebounen, neck of pork with broad beans, and Fritür, small fried fish from the Moselle.
Dry white wines from the Moselle valley include Riesling, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc and Auxerrois and the less sophisticated Rivaner and Elbling.
Also popular is Luxembourg's Crémant, a sparkling wine produced in accordance with the traditional method for French champagne.
The City of Luxembourg is not only a historic UNESCO site with its fortifications lining the steep valley but also an important European and financial centre with imposing modern buildings.
In September 2011, the Luxembourg City Tourist Office reported that after several years of decline, the city welcomed 403,085 tourists between January and August 2011, a 6.38 increase over 2010.
The casemates were the most popular attraction with a total of 87,083 visitors, most of whom visited the Bock Casemates.
Within walking distance of each other, places of interest in the old town include the fortifications and the underground defences known as the casemates, the Grand Ducal Palace, the neogothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, Place Guillaume II with the City Hall, the Place d'Armes with its pavement restaurants and cafés, the Gëlle Fra or Golden Lady crowning the obelisk in memory of those who died for their country during the First World War and the nearby Adolphe Bridge towering over the valley.
There are also two particularly interesting museums in the old town.
The Luxembourg City History Museum traces the history of the city from its foundations in the lower floors to the present at the top while the National Museum of History and Art showcases Celtic and Roman findings including the well-preserved Vichten Mosaic depicting the Roman muses.
Grund
The valley itself, known as the Grund, also has points of interest such as the Neumünster Abbey and the Natural History Museum.
Once a poor quarter of the city, it has become increasingly popular for its night life in the narrow medieval streets and for its gastronomic restaurants.
Kirchberg
The Kirchberg Plateau which covers the area between the city and the airport began to develop in the 1970s with office buildings for the European Institutions.
Over the years, it has become the focus of Luxembourg's financial interests with an impressive array of banks and business centres.
There have also been cultural developments such as the impressive Museum of Modern Art and the Philharmonie concert hall as well as sports and entertainment facilities.
Vianden
Located close to the German border in northeastern Luxembourg, Vianden is a small hilly town in a picturesque setting on the River Our.
Visitors are attracted above all by the carefully restored medieval castle standing high above the river but also by the old-world atmosphere which pervades the town.
Vianden Castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries and became the seat of the counts of Vianden.
It was further developed until the 18th century but with the departure of the Counts of Luxembourg to the Netherlands combined with the effects of fire and an earthquake, it slowly deteriorated.
The final blow came in 1820 when William I of the Netherlands sold it to a local merchant who in turn sold off its contents and masonry piecemeal, reducing it to a ruin.
Not until 1977, when Grand Duke Jean ceded the castle to the State, was it possible to undertake large-scale restoration work.
Vianden also has a chair lift up to a restaurant high above the castle, offering extensive views of the town and its mountainous surroundings.
The Victor Hugo museum near the bridge over the River Our presents a number of the author's original letters and drawings in the house where he used to stay.
Echternach
With a population of some 4,000, Echternach near the German border is the oldest town in Luxembourg. It was founded in 698 by St. Willibrord, an English monk who was the abbot of the monastery until his death in 739.
In his honour, for the past 500 years the dancing procession has taken place every Whit Tuesday, attracting pilgrims from near and far.
The Romanesque basilica with symmetrical towers still houses his tomb in its crypt.
The town of Echternach grew up around the abbey walls and was granted a city charter in 1236. The abbey was rebuilt in a handsome Baroque range in 1737.
Echternach is also the site of a large Roman villa which was discovered in 1975 and is open to visitors.
The picturesque town, still surrounded by its medieval walls, hosts the International Music Festival in May and June each year.
It is an ideal starting point for walks into the Mullertal or for cycle trips along the River Sure.
Echternach also has an interesting Prehistory Museum.
Moselle valley
Stretching 42 km (26 mi) from Schengen in the south to Wasserbillig in the north, the rounded hills of the Moselle valley are lined by vineyards.
The river passes a number of quaint little riverside towns and villages with narrow streets, wine cooperatives and annual wine festivals.
From south to north, the river flows past Schengen, famous for the EU agreement facilitating cross-border travel, Remerschen, Schwebsange, Bech-Kleinmacher, Wellenstein and Remich which has been attracting wine-enthusiasts since Roman times and is still a busy venue for tourists with promenades, gardens, river excursions and wine cellars.
After Stadtbredimus on the river front and Greiveldange up in the hills, the Moselle then passes the charming villages of Ehnen with its Wine Museum, Wormeldange, Ahn and Machtum where some of Luxembourg's finest restaurants are to be found.
Then comes the small town of Grevenmacher before the Moselle meets the Sauer at the busy border town of Wasserbillig.
Ardennes
The Ardennes in the north of the country present excellent opportunities for ramblers and mountain bikers in an area of forested hills, rocky crags and green valleys.
Additional attractions are the castles of Bourscheid, Brandenbourg, Clervaux, Esch-sur-Sûre, Vianden and Wiltz as well as the Lac de la Haute-Sûre which provides opportunities for swimming and water sports.
Mullerthal
The Mullerthal, just north of Echternach, also offers interesting walking and cycling circuits through curious rock formations, often complete with caves.
The motorist too can experience a surprising variety of countryside driving through the river valleys and up to the surprisingly flat plains above.
Berdorf and Beaufort are popular tourist centres.
Mondorf-les-Bains
Mondorf-les-Bains in the south of the country not only has a range of modern spa and fitness facilities but is home to Luxembourg's only gambling facility, Casino 2000.
Not far from Mondorf is one of the Luxembourg's most interesting Roman sites, Dalheim Ricciacum, with its old Roman theatre.
Bock Casemates
The Bock casemates in Luxembourg City are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm from March to October.
Now a UNESCO heritage site, these underground passages were part of Luxembourg's former defences.
National Museum of Military History
The National Museum of Military History at Diekirch in the central part of Luxembourg provides insights into the Battle of the Bulge and related episodes of World War II.
The museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
Les Thermes
Les Thermes, an indoor/outdoor water park in Strassen just west of Luxembourg City, offers an olympic swimming pool, two pools for children, wave baths, slides and sauna.
Parc Merveilleux
From April to early October, the Parc Merveilleux near Bettembourg has a range of attractions for children including rides, mini zoo, and fairy tale presentations.
The historic steam Train 1900 operates between Petange and Fond-de-Gras in the south-east of Luxembourg on Sunday afternoons between May and September.
From Fond-de-Gras, trips on the Minièresbunn narrow gauge railway are also possible.
National Mining Museum
The National Mining Museum in Rumelange, south-east Luxembourg, is open April to September from Thursday to Sunday, 2 pm to 6 pm.
Lasting about an hour and a half, the visit includes a 20-minute trip on the old railway deep into the mine.
Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Garden in Grevenmacher is open every day from April to mid-October.
Lankelz Railway
The Lankelz Railway in Esch-sur-Alzette, south-eastern Luxembourg, is a miniature railway on a scale of one third normal size.
The railway operates on Sunday afternoons and public holidays from May to mid-October.
The Aquarium is located in Wasserbillig, a small town in the south west of Luxembourg.
Open every day from Easter to the end of September, it is otherwise open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
There are 15 tanks from 300 to 40,000 litres with fish from all five continents in their natural surroundings.
Tourism in Luxembourg is an important component of the national economy, representing about 8.3% of GDP in 2009 and employing some 25,000 people or 11.7% of the working population.
Despite the 2008–2012 global recession, the Grand Duchy still welcomes over 900,000 visitors a year who spend an average of 2.5 nights in hotels, hostels or on camping sites.
Business travel is flourishing representing 44% of overnight stays in the country and 60% in the capital, up 11% and 25% between 2009 and 2010.
Published by the World Economic Forum in March 2011, the Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Report puts Luxembourg in 15th place worldwide, up from 23rd place in 2009.
Major destinations are historic Luxembourg City, the medieval castle of Vianden, Echternach with its abbey and the wine districts of the Moselle valley.
The Mullerthal with its rocky cliffs in the east and the mountainous Oesling district in the Ardennes to the north are also favourites for outdoor enthusiasts.
Luxembourg has good road and rail and air connections with the rest of Europe, making it an increasingly popular destination for international meetings as well as for extended weekend stays.
Over half the visitors to Luxembourg come from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany with substantial numbers from France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Camping is popular in Luxembourg, particularly with the Dutch, who camp for much longer than other nationalities, especially in the Ardennes and the Mullerthal.
A representative democracy and constitutional monarchy ruled by a Grand Duke, it is the world's only remaining Grand Duchy.
The country has a highly developed economy, with the world's highest GDP per capita.
Its strategic importance dates back to a Roman era fortress and Frankish count's castle site in the Early Middle Ages.
The City of Luxembourg, the capital and largest city, is the seat of several institutions and agencies of the European Union and an important financial centre.
Luxembourg culture is a mix of Romance Europe and Germanic Europe, borrowing customs from each of the distinct traditions.
While Luxembourgers are fluent in all three of their official languages, German, French and Luxembourgish, most also have a good working knowledge of English.
Luxembourg's road network has been significantly modernised in recent years with motorways to Belgium, France and Germany.
The advent of the high-speed TGV link to Paris has led to renovation of the city's railway station while the new passenger terminal at Luxembourg Airport handled over 1.6 million passengers in 2010, an increase of 5.1%.
There are frequent air connections with many European cities including Amsterdam, Berlin, Copenhagen, Frankfurt, Geneva, London, Madrid, Paris and Rome.
Paris can also be reached in just over two hours by rail and in about three and a half hours by road.
Brussels is some two hours away by road, a little longer by rail.
In 2009, Luxembourg had 261 hotels, inns and hostels able to accommodate 14,709 guests.
The central area including the City of Luxembourg had a capacity of 8,057 guests (55%) followed by the Ardennes region with a capacity of 2,757 (18%). The total number of nights spent in hotels, inns and hostels was 1,264,448, down 8% on 2007.
The number of nights spent camping was 739,208, down 8.4%.
Luxembourg has a number of celebrations of its own, some of which date back centuries. Among the most popular are:
Buergbrennen: held on the Sunday after Shrove Tuesday, huge bonfires blaze throughout the country celebrating the end of winter.
Emaischen: held every Easter Monday in the village of Nospelt and in Luxembourg's Fish Market, the centrepiece of the pottery fair is the Péckvillchen, a bird-shaped earthenware whistle.
Octave: the main religious festival of the year, the octave is held in the second half of April for a period of two weeks when pilgrims come to the cathedral; a market on the Place Guillaume offers food, drink and religious artifacts.
Dancing procession of Echternach: held on Whit Tuesday in memory of St Willibrord, hundreds of people "spring" from left to right as they dance through the town, linked by white handkerchiefs.
National holiday: celebrated throughout the country on 23 June in honour of the grand duke, the festivities begin on the evening of the 22nd with a firework display in the centre of Luxembourg City.
Schueberfouer: the extensive fun fair with all the traditional rides goes up in Limpertsberg on the Glacis around 23 August and remains for about three weeks.
Wine festivals: usually held in October in the wine villages along the Moselle as a thanksgiving celebration for the grape harvest.
St Nicolas: Kleeschen, the patron saint of children, with his servant in black, arrives in every village accompanied by a brass band ready, in agreement with their parents, to distribute presents to the children.
Luxembourg cuisine combines the quality of French dishes with the quantity of German and Belgian servings.
But there are also some national favourites such as Bouneschlupp, a soup with French beans, Judd mat Gaardebounen, neck of pork with broad beans, and Fritür, small fried fish from the Moselle.
Dry white wines from the Moselle valley include Riesling, Pinot gris, Pinot blanc and Auxerrois and the less sophisticated Rivaner and Elbling.
Also popular is Luxembourg's Crémant, a sparkling wine produced in accordance with the traditional method for French champagne.
The City of Luxembourg is not only a historic UNESCO site with its fortifications lining the steep valley but also an important European and financial centre with imposing modern buildings.
In September 2011, the Luxembourg City Tourist Office reported that after several years of decline, the city welcomed 403,085 tourists between January and August 2011, a 6.38 increase over 2010.
The casemates were the most popular attraction with a total of 87,083 visitors, most of whom visited the Bock Casemates.
Within walking distance of each other, places of interest in the old town include the fortifications and the underground defences known as the casemates, the Grand Ducal Palace, the neogothic Cathedral of Notre Dame, Place Guillaume II with the City Hall, the Place d'Armes with its pavement restaurants and cafés, the Gëlle Fra or Golden Lady crowning the obelisk in memory of those who died for their country during the First World War and the nearby Adolphe Bridge towering over the valley.
There are also two particularly interesting museums in the old town.
The Luxembourg City History Museum traces the history of the city from its foundations in the lower floors to the present at the top while the National Museum of History and Art showcases Celtic and Roman findings including the well-preserved Vichten Mosaic depicting the Roman muses.
Grund
The valley itself, known as the Grund, also has points of interest such as the Neumünster Abbey and the Natural History Museum.
Once a poor quarter of the city, it has become increasingly popular for its night life in the narrow medieval streets and for its gastronomic restaurants.
Kirchberg
The Kirchberg Plateau which covers the area between the city and the airport began to develop in the 1970s with office buildings for the European Institutions.
Over the years, it has become the focus of Luxembourg's financial interests with an impressive array of banks and business centres.
There have also been cultural developments such as the impressive Museum of Modern Art and the Philharmonie concert hall as well as sports and entertainment facilities.
Vianden
Located close to the German border in northeastern Luxembourg, Vianden is a small hilly town in a picturesque setting on the River Our.
Visitors are attracted above all by the carefully restored medieval castle standing high above the river but also by the old-world atmosphere which pervades the town.
Vianden Castle was built between the 11th and 14th centuries and became the seat of the counts of Vianden.
It was further developed until the 18th century but with the departure of the Counts of Luxembourg to the Netherlands combined with the effects of fire and an earthquake, it slowly deteriorated.
The final blow came in 1820 when William I of the Netherlands sold it to a local merchant who in turn sold off its contents and masonry piecemeal, reducing it to a ruin.
Not until 1977, when Grand Duke Jean ceded the castle to the State, was it possible to undertake large-scale restoration work.
Vianden also has a chair lift up to a restaurant high above the castle, offering extensive views of the town and its mountainous surroundings.
The Victor Hugo museum near the bridge over the River Our presents a number of the author's original letters and drawings in the house where he used to stay.
Echternach
With a population of some 4,000, Echternach near the German border is the oldest town in Luxembourg. It was founded in 698 by St. Willibrord, an English monk who was the abbot of the monastery until his death in 739.
In his honour, for the past 500 years the dancing procession has taken place every Whit Tuesday, attracting pilgrims from near and far.
The Romanesque basilica with symmetrical towers still houses his tomb in its crypt.
The town of Echternach grew up around the abbey walls and was granted a city charter in 1236. The abbey was rebuilt in a handsome Baroque range in 1737.
Echternach is also the site of a large Roman villa which was discovered in 1975 and is open to visitors.
The picturesque town, still surrounded by its medieval walls, hosts the International Music Festival in May and June each year.
It is an ideal starting point for walks into the Mullertal or for cycle trips along the River Sure.
Echternach also has an interesting Prehistory Museum.
Moselle valley
Stretching 42 km (26 mi) from Schengen in the south to Wasserbillig in the north, the rounded hills of the Moselle valley are lined by vineyards.
The river passes a number of quaint little riverside towns and villages with narrow streets, wine cooperatives and annual wine festivals.
From south to north, the river flows past Schengen, famous for the EU agreement facilitating cross-border travel, Remerschen, Schwebsange, Bech-Kleinmacher, Wellenstein and Remich which has been attracting wine-enthusiasts since Roman times and is still a busy venue for tourists with promenades, gardens, river excursions and wine cellars.
After Stadtbredimus on the river front and Greiveldange up in the hills, the Moselle then passes the charming villages of Ehnen with its Wine Museum, Wormeldange, Ahn and Machtum where some of Luxembourg's finest restaurants are to be found.
Then comes the small town of Grevenmacher before the Moselle meets the Sauer at the busy border town of Wasserbillig.
Ardennes
The Ardennes in the north of the country present excellent opportunities for ramblers and mountain bikers in an area of forested hills, rocky crags and green valleys.
Additional attractions are the castles of Bourscheid, Brandenbourg, Clervaux, Esch-sur-Sûre, Vianden and Wiltz as well as the Lac de la Haute-Sûre which provides opportunities for swimming and water sports.
Mullerthal
The Mullerthal, just north of Echternach, also offers interesting walking and cycling circuits through curious rock formations, often complete with caves.
The motorist too can experience a surprising variety of countryside driving through the river valleys and up to the surprisingly flat plains above.
Berdorf and Beaufort are popular tourist centres.
Mondorf-les-Bains
Mondorf-les-Bains in the south of the country not only has a range of modern spa and fitness facilities but is home to Luxembourg's only gambling facility, Casino 2000.
Not far from Mondorf is one of the Luxembourg's most interesting Roman sites, Dalheim Ricciacum, with its old Roman theatre.
Bock Casemates
The Bock casemates in Luxembourg City are open daily from 10 am to 5 pm from March to October.
Now a UNESCO heritage site, these underground passages were part of Luxembourg's former defences.
National Museum of Military History
The National Museum of Military History at Diekirch in the central part of Luxembourg provides insights into the Battle of the Bulge and related episodes of World War II.
The museum is open every day from 10 am to 6 pm.
Les Thermes
Les Thermes, an indoor/outdoor water park in Strassen just west of Luxembourg City, offers an olympic swimming pool, two pools for children, wave baths, slides and sauna.
Parc Merveilleux
From April to early October, the Parc Merveilleux near Bettembourg has a range of attractions for children including rides, mini zoo, and fairy tale presentations.
The historic steam Train 1900 operates between Petange and Fond-de-Gras in the south-east of Luxembourg on Sunday afternoons between May and September.
From Fond-de-Gras, trips on the Minièresbunn narrow gauge railway are also possible.
National Mining Museum
The National Mining Museum in Rumelange, south-east Luxembourg, is open April to September from Thursday to Sunday, 2 pm to 6 pm.
Lasting about an hour and a half, the visit includes a 20-minute trip on the old railway deep into the mine.
Butterfly Garden
The Butterfly Garden in Grevenmacher is open every day from April to mid-October.
Lankelz Railway
The Lankelz Railway in Esch-sur-Alzette, south-eastern Luxembourg, is a miniature railway on a scale of one third normal size.
The railway operates on Sunday afternoons and public holidays from May to mid-October.
The Aquarium is located in Wasserbillig, a small town in the south west of Luxembourg.
Open every day from Easter to the end of September, it is otherwise open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
There are 15 tanks from 300 to 40,000 litres with fish from all five continents in their natural surroundings.
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