>>What's New<<

Korean Air Agreement
Update:08/27/08

Starting September 3rd, Korean Air and Alaska Airlines have a new code share agreement and expanded frequent flier partnership.

Customers can take advantage of the new partnership from Korean Air's Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco gateways.

Korean Air flies non-stop between Seattle and Seoul on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.



A Breath of Fresh Air
Update:08/04/08

We hear a lot about how much fuel and carbon emissions planes generate

So it’s a bit of good hews that a coalition including Air New Zealand, Continental Airlines and Virgin Atlantic, working with biofuel technology developer UOP, have joined the recently formed Algal Biomass Organization (ABO), which is co-chaired by aerospace manufacturer Boeing.

ABO expects these new members will form the first wave of aviation-related companies interested in developing new generation biofuels.

find out more at greenaironline.com



Which Is Most Popular?
Update:07/22/08

Apparently the Incredible India campaign is working.

U.S Department of Commerce data confirms U.S. travelers make up 15.7 percent of the total visitors to India.

To put it in perspective, India got the top spot not just because of its popularity with the leisure traveler but due to the large number of business travelers, wealthy retirees seeking luxury travel and citizens of Indian origin interested in seeing their ancestors' homeland.

Source material from Travel Agent Central www.travelagentcentral.com



US Customs Gets Easier
Update:07/14/08

Finally, some positive air travel news!

Starting this month, you can sign up to speed through customs checkpoints at select U.S. airports when you are coming back home.

Global Entry allows U.S. citizens and PRs to get in a separate line that allows you to swipe your passport at a kiosk rather than dealing with those less than friendly Custom agents who “welcome” us home.

The catch is that it will cost you $100 to enroll for a separate line at participating airports. But it could be worth it to skip buying a few souvenirs if you can end your trip on a positive note.

So far three airports, Dulles, Houston and Kennedy are on the plan, with others to follow. We’ll keep you posted as more come on board.



Keep Name Official
Update:05/22/08

Where travel and your name are concerned, the devil is in the details.

Be very careful to use your legal, official name when booking tickets.

While your friends may know you as A.C. rather than Archibald Charles, you could not only create some headaches for yourself, you may even miss your flight.

Using that official version is especially critical when you fly internationally. So make certain the name you give to the airline is your name precisely as it is on your passport.



Myanmar Update
Update:05/06/08

Myanmar has experienced the worst cyclone in over 70 years. The storm hit Yangon, Pathein and the Bago area over the week-end.

Yangon itself was badly damaged. It will take time and a massive humanitarian effort to normalize life for those in the affected areas.

Explore Asia has confirmation from its ground operators that, with some modifications in the affected areas, travel to and around Myanmar remains safe.

While international and domestic flights are running normally, travel agents will want to redirect their customers around Yangon. Hotels and tourist destinations upcountry are unaffected and operating normally.



Luxury in a Temple?
Update:04/24/08

BEIJING - The simple life of monks at China's famed Shaolin Temple got an upgrade with the installation of luxury restrooms worth 3 million yuan ($430,000 U.S. dollars)

The restrooms are free of charge for both monks and tourists.

Does this strike you as odd? What about the monks vow of poverty? If monks and tourists get to use these five star facilities, what about the locals?



Personal Safety
Just Like Home
Update:04/05/08

You may have seen the news from Thailand about the death of a Western tourist. We were recently in Bangkok and it was front page news there

To put it in perspective, compared to violence in America, places like Thailand are safer than most places in America.

When you go to an isolated beach alone and sunbathe, you are taking a chance, any place in the world.

When you try to break up a brawl at a rave party, you run the risk of getting hurt or killed whether that party is at a beachside resort in Thailand or back home.

Just follow the guidelines you routinely follow at home and you will be as safe or safer in Asia than back home.



Voting That's Fun
Update:03/05/08

Here’s a novel idea. Instead of just disagreeing because someone you never heard of has proclaimed the 7 Wonders of the World.

Vote for your favorites and have it matter.

Then check out the ranking, updated twice a day.

When we wrote this column, eight of the top 10 live rankings were Asian destinations. The consensus at our office is that it would be easy to select 77 finalists, all of them from Asia!

It’s an election year, so vote and then track your favorites for the world’s top destinations.

It’s a lot more fun that tracking bickering politicians.



Women Headed for Asia

More women are leaving the men at home. More than 50% of adventure travelers are now women traveling with other women.

And adventure travel has many faces. It’s not just trekking and mountain climbing. It’s yoga and meditation retreats, spiritual connections to ancient Asian religions, spas and small boat cruising. Interested?

Later this year, Explore Asia partner Nancy Harkrider will be leading a small group of women travelers off the beaten path to immersive, unforgettable experiences.

Or we’ll help you plan your own women’s travel. This is the year. Call your friends, then call us.



Traveling Au Naturale

There’s always something unique being offered for travelers.

Now it’s a German travel agency who is offering air service for nudists who prefer that travel style.

Don’t worry. Explore Asia offers unique experiences, but not that kind of unique.

However during these frigid months in North American, you can anticipate that you will be able to shed all those layers of winter clothing once you land in tropical Asia.

You will then be free to more around tropical Asia in your sarong and sandals to your heart's content!