Whilst Vietnam has more recently hit the news in connection with Paul Gadd better known as Gary Glitter's guilty conviction, there's good news that gives Vietnam greater tourist access. Vietnam will build a USD$158 million international airport on its southernmost island Phu Quoc island off Kien Giang province near Cambodia next year to boost tourism.…

Any of you e-newsletter readers run or are in involved with a travel agent operation should note that the .travel internet domain name has been established. 16,162 companies have signed up in the name's first 16 weeks of operation including the likes of British Airways, Marriott, Carnival Cruise Lines and Disney. Unlike the better known…

Thinking of going on a cruise? The owners of the Queen Mary 2 have said that they will fully refund around 1,000 furious passengers after the world's largest cruise ship missed three ports of call, Barbados, St. Kitts and Salvador, Brazil on a voyage from New York to Los Angeles because of an accident where…

Travel Photographer of the Year competition judges, the professional photographers Nick Meers and Chris Coe are running four travel photography master classes over the next three months, which will allow photographers to refine their skills before heading off travelling this summer. Globetrotter members get a £25 discount. There are two, two-day courses, at Huddersfield (March…

As we reported back in 2005, French President Jacques Chirac campaigned hard for an international tax on airline tickets to help fight global poverty. Now the French government has approved the levy which will range from EUR1 to EUR40 (USD$1.18 to USD$47.20) on flights from France, depending on distance travelled and the class of ticket.…

A human bird flu pandemic could ground up to 70 percent of aircraft, Virgin Group boss Richard Branson has said at the recent World Economic Forum in Davos. “If it happens, an airline is going to have 50 percent of its planes grounded, maybe more – 60, 70 percent,” he said. The only positive would…

Seniors and baby boomers over 55 planning a holiday in New Zealand or Australia, can now purchase a discount travel and shopping card – New Zealand Seniors Card. There are currently over 2,500 discounts available including hotels, tourist attractions, cruises, tours, coaches, ferries and shops. Savings range from 10% to 50% off and the cost…

Passed on by Globetrotter Committee member Francesca, a new company has written to us. They organise walking holidays in “4 stunning and pleasingly unusual areas of Europe… with charming accommodation in traditional, upland villages.” They are currently running a free prize draw to win a holiday for 2 for 7 nights in Italy's beautiful Majella…

If you are planning to travel to Saudi Arabia in the coming months, then good news for getting around. Saudi Arabia's first low-cost airline Sama plans to start flights within months. Sama will begin serving Riyadh, Dammam and Jeddah, carrying frequent travellers and pilgrims. Another Saudi firm, National Air Services (NAS), said last year it…

A travel tip from Stanley in the US via Mac: it is a good idea to only take new dollar bills etc and then iron them (make sure iron is not too hot) so they will not be too winkled. Some countries will not take old or tattered bills. To my surprise I ran into…