The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has announced the PATA China Advisory Board at the first China Responsible Tourism Forum, organized by PATA, in co-operation with the Organising Committee of the China International Heritage Towns Exposition.

The PATA China Board will be made up of the chairs and vice-chairs of PATA chapters in mainland China, and will act as an advisory council to the PATA China Office, which was established in 2008.

While the role of the PATA China office is to foster public and private partnerships, and develop intra-governmental relations, the PATA Board and the PATA China chapters will have the mandate of building a community of travel and tourism professionals in China.

Read full topic…

This site, where I have shared so much with you and in turn have learned so much from you all, has turned 3 years old.

To think that in December of 2008 I simply started writing with the intention of staying connected to our family out-of-state and share with them what our new lives back in NYC from Wisconsin, and with me as a stay at home mom (yes, this was what I was supposed to do) was going to be like.

I was excited to share, but lacked the confidence in my voice, in my ability to interest anyone even my family in what I had to say. So, I hid behind the 3rd person.

Read full topic…

It’s not often that I am bowled over, but walking on a Friday night into The Jetty provided one of those rare moments. “It feels like a top London restaurant,” said Anna, who, with her husband, Pierre, joined us for dinner at the pieds dans l’eau restaurant that stands in the grounds of the Christchurch Harbour Hotel.

And she was spot on, for The Jetty indeed felt at once glamorous and laid-back, animated and chilled, and the Friday-night diners looked their best under the swirl of ceiling lights.

Read full topic…

 

What warmweather springbreak destination is right for you? We check out seven hot spots and uncover what’s new and happening.

JAMAICA

Best for: Partyminded students, walletwatching families and couples

Why go: Great beaches, lively local culture, drinking age of 18. Some go for the local marijuana , which is, illegally, hawked to tourists. A more legit reason is an abundance of allinclusive resorts, from those costing less than $100 a day a person for all activities, meals, snacks and booze, to higherend properties with villas and butlers. Sa

Read full topic…