Back to school for taxi drivers
Visitors to Dubai will soon be able to learn a host of interesting facts about the city while en route in a taxi from the airport to their hotel.
The Tourism Ministry wants to send Dubai's taxi drivers back to school to learn more about the city so as to be in a better position to answer any question a traveller might pose. The drivers will receive lessons about Dubai's landmarks and hotels as well as being kept up to date about events taking place in the city.
New airport for Myanmar
Construction work for a new Hantharwady International Airport is to start in early 2014, as Myanmar gears up to receive a growing number of visitors. Yangon International Airport, currently the country's main entry point, handles 20 million passengers a year and will be upgraded to receive another 6 million. Major extensions, however, are restricted due to a surrounding military airbase and residential areas. Korean’s Incheon Airport Consortium has been awarded the tender to build the new airport and is currently discussing the details of the contract with the DCA. – Eleven Media/ANN
South Africa’s coastal trail
The small coastal village of St Francis in South Africa is the starting point for a new hiking trail for slack packers looking to experience unspoilt sand dunes, protected fynbos, wetlands and a visit to one of South Africa’s few working small harbours. The so-called Chokka Trail, which is named after a type of squid, runs for approximately 60 kilometres through St Francis Bay, Port St Francis, Cape St Francis and Oyster Bay. Hikers can explore the area on foot at their own pace before retiring for the night at a top class guesthouse. An average tour lasts four days with the transport of rucksacks, meals and accommodation all arranged for visitors in advance. Visit www.ChokkaTrail.co.za. – DPA
Why ice is nice
Ice climbing enthusiasts can try new equipment or attempt to climb a slippery
ice wall with the help of mountain guides at a new three-day festival in Austria. “Eis Total 2014” takes place from January 17-19 in Maltatal near Salzburg. It offers visitors a variety of challenges including staying overnight in an igloo they have to construct themselves over the course of an afternoon. Visit www.Eis-total.at.
Major growth in air travel predicted
As aviation becomes increasingly accessible in all parts of the world, future journeys will increasingly be made by air particularly to and from emerging market in the next 20 years. According to Airbus’ latest Global Market Forecast (GMF), air traffic will grow at 4.7 per cent annually requiring over 29,220 new passenger and freighter aircraft valued at nearly US$4.4 trillion (Bt136.4 trillion). With today’s fleet of 17,740 aircraft, it means that by 2032, the worldwide fleet will double to nearly 36,560 aircraft.
Virtual in the air
Travellers who fancy themselves as flyboys and girls can test their skills at Fly the Dream, a new virtual entertainment store where customers can navigate a simulated flight of an F-16 Falcon, a single-engine fighter aircraft developed by General Dynamics for the Air Force in the early 1970s. The first store, which opened recently in Los Angeles, features seven high-fidelity cockpit simulators, each replicating more than 100 functions of the F-16 through 12 touch-screen monitors, a 180-degree field of view with real-world perspective, integrated control panels and combat rudder pedals. Visit www.FlyTheDream.com.
