Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com | 23 GLOBAL WRAP THE BEST OF TRAVEL WEEKLY ASIA'S GLOBAL WRAP e-DAILY Travel Weekly Asia writers and correspondents wrap up the best of the news from across Asia. Tick-tock, NZ sets tax clock THAI FIRM BUYS SIX OUTRIGGER PROPERTIES Singha Estate Public Co., Ltd. announced it has acquired six properties from hotel chain and management company Outrigger Hotels and Resorts for US$310 million. The six properties are: Outrigger Laguna Phuket Beach Resort and Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort in Thailand, Outrigger Fiji Beach Resort and Castaway Island in Fiji, Outrigger Mauritius Beach Resort in Mauritius, and Outrigger Konotta Maldives Resort in the Republic of Maldives. Outrigger will continue to manage the six properties. TAIWAN TETCHY OVER ROGUE RENTALS The Taiwan Tourism Bureau is cracking down on unlicensed rentals in an effort to provide safe and premium accommodation for international tourists. Tourists to New Zealand will be charged a special tax under new government plans to cope with the growing influx of visitors. A tax of NZ$25-35 (US$17-24) will be imposed on international visitors from mid-2019, while price increases for immigration fees and visas will start in November. Foreign tourist arrivals have risen to 3.8 million in the 12 months to April – a figure that almost rivals the country's population size. Australians and most Pacific Island forum countries will be exempt from the new charges. Ocean pool villa at Outrigger Konotta Resort, Maldives The Champagne Pool at Wai-O-Tapu, New Zealand The bureau said the government would conduct stringent inspections on property owners of unlicensed rentals. More than 500 tour operators from around the island pledged support for the initiative seen to control unlicensed rentals that have a huge impact on Taiwan's travel and safety image. Unsightly wires to go underground in Pattaya. PHOTO CREDIT: CARLOSCASTILLA/ GETTYIMAGES. Kids trying to topple a sumo wrestler at the special event. A total of 46 kilometres of wires will have been buried in Pattaya when the work is finally completed. by 2021. TOOT TOOT! JAKARTA'S LUXURY TRAIN ARRIVES State-owned railway operator PT Kereta Api Indonesia launched a new luxury sleeper train car on June 12. The train car will be attached to KA Argo Anggrek, which travels from Gambir Station in Jakarta to Pasarturi Surabaya Station in East Java. Each passenger will be offered amenities such as a 170-degree reclining seat, electric foot rest, 12- inch TV with headset, USB charging power source, foldable food tray, pillow and blanket, trash bin, mirror, cup holder, a compartment to store shoes, magazines and a coat hanger. TSA EXERTS FLOUR POWER The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in the United States will implement stricter rules related to powder-like substances on inbound international flights beginning June 30. Under new requirements, flyers travelling with more powder than would fit in a standard 12-ounce soda or beer can will be subject to additional screening. If the substance can't be verified as safe, the US is requiring the foreign security authority to prohibit it from being brought aboard the aircraft. Cosmetics, ground coffee, spices, sugar and flour are among the substances that could be subject to the new screening procedure. Coffee, flour and cosmetics under scrutiny by TSA. PHOTO CREDIT: DANIELFELA/ GETTYIMAGES BEAUT Y TREATMENT FOR PATTAYA Pattaya's notorious Walking Street is to be cleaned up – but the girlie bars won't be going anywhere. Next year's clean-up will see unsightly wires that hang across Walking Street buried underground in an effort to beautify the infamous red light street. PHOTO CREDIT: HOTEL NIKKO BALI BENOA BEACH HOTEL NIKKO BALI BENOA BEACH OFFERS A TOUCH OF JAPANESE Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach hosted a friendly sumo game and a Japanese tea ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Japan and Indonesia. "We are thrilled to have the opportunity to share this unique Japanese culture with the people in Bali, and we thank everyone who supported the programme and creating a successful event," Hotel Nikko Bali Benoa Beach general manager Jean-Charles Le Coz said. Makiko Iskandar, chairwoman of Project Sakura 60 and the Japan- Bali Friendship Foundation, said: "The 60th anniversary of Japan and Indonesia's diplomatic relationship is a great milestone, and it was the perfect opportunity to showcase the prestigious traditional sport to the Japanese people living in Bali. especially the young ones."

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