Northstar

www.travelweekly-asia.com | 19 GLOBAL WRAP KAIRI runs along Niigata Prefecture and Yamagata Prefecture. Korean Air will hand over e-cig smokers to the police upon landing. Mandala The Bay at Nusa Lembongan CREDIT: GETTYIMAGES All aboard: Fine dining on a fast train Japan's JNR East has debuted its newest train, the KAIRI, which runs along coastal Niigata Prefecture and the Shonai region of Yamagata Prefecture and offers fine dining at speed. The name KAIRI means 'sea village', drawing upon the strong historical and cultural influence of the ocean on the coastal towns that line the area. The KAIRI train offers the best of the Niigata and Shonai cuisines. Niigata Prefecture is the preeminent district for high-class Japanese dining. G Adventures boosts Asia team Small group adventure travel operator G Adventures is strengthening sales activities across Asia after a record year for bookings from Asian travellers. G Adventures director of emerging markets, Bryce Young, will head up a team of six Global Purpose Specialists (GPS) throughout Asia. "We consider adventure travel to be less about zip-lining and bungee jumping – although those are available on some of our itineraries, and more about cultural immersion that connects you with like-minded travellers," Young said. Mandala goes bay side on Nusa Lembongan M.Group has launched its fourth Mandala Places – Mandala The Bay, a five-bedroom villa on the island of Nusa Lembongan in Bali. Mandala Places is a portfolio of design-led residences in spectacular Balinese locations. Its newest residence, a 30-minute boat ride from Bali, blends traditional Balinese Korean Air has announced strong actions to eliminate smoking on board. The airline is also training cabin crew to be aware of today's diverse range of e-tobacco – which can come in cigarette or liquid forms – and to take proper and strong actions should passengers disregard the regulations. Under South Korean law, a fine of up to five or 10 million won will be imposed once in-flight smoking is found. Smoking e-cigarettes in planes have been banned since 2008. Although Korea's Ministry of Government Legislation ruled that e-cigarettes were also tobacco products, the e-cigarettes could still be brought on board, but may not be smoked or charged. While the number of in-flight smoking incidents has been declining year on year on board Korean Air flights – 120 cases in 2019 as opposed to 208 cases in 2018 – the airline has seen a jump from 38% last year to 54% this year in e-cigarettes being smoked onboard. architecture with modernist interiors, finishes and artworks, boasting five individually designed king bedrooms spread over 1200 sqm. Korean Air tackles in-flight smoking After an increase this year of e-cigarettes being smoked onboard,

• Cover