Travel news and information are most sought after by all types of travellers no matter what the purpose of their travel may be. Whether it’s to relax on a tropical island, go on a safari or experience the culture of another country it’s all news and information that is desirable to most travellers. However, there are times when we must take a step back from our agendas and look at the bigger picture. The current global economic climate has had a profound effect on travel and tourism in recent years and this combined with the increasing security issues faced by all international travellers has created a difficult situation for travellers looking to travel abroad. Whilst some people have turned their backs on organising travel plans due to the uncertainty of the future, there are still thousands of people who are planning and opting for travel throughout the year.
There are many reasons why we can all do with a little more information about the travel rules and regulations for various countries throughout the world as the summer months approach. There is of course the challenge of getting our schedules and itineraries ready in order to secure lodging, airline tickets and rental cars in advance. There are also issues such as obtaining insurance coverage for the travelling family and ensuring that your passport is in pristine condition before travelling. A major issue for many travellers is the enforcement of passports and visa requirements at airports around the world, especially during the holiday seasons and when travelling within more isolated parts of the world. There are also issues of personal safety which are not only important from a vacation point of view but also if you are planning a longer stay, such as business travel.
On the topic of vaccinations and immunizations there is an ongoing measles outbreak in Singapore which has been spreading rapidly across the Asia Pacific region. The news regarding this outbreak has created a lot of concern among Australian and Asian tourists who have been travelling to Bali and other Indonesian islands in order to participate in the annual Java Fair celebrations. This comes at a time when there are outbreaks of dengue fever, cholera and dysentery across several countries. While the incidence of these diseases is minimal in comparison to the summer months, when they peak, it is imperative that every traveller be up to date on routine vaccinations and immunizations.
Another significant travel matter of note is the inclusion of a new member into the Red List of VIPs travelling to Australia, Canada or the United States – Lucinda Margherita. Lucinda will be joining the likes of Queen Elizabeth II and her husband, the Prince Philip. This news was released just days after the wife of British Prime Minister David Cameron had been excluded from a planned state visit to Washington D.C. due to an undeclared golfing holiday in Las Vegas. The inclusion of the couple into the VIP list means that Lucinda and her husband can now be viewed as the new American First Lady.
There has been a lot of negative press surrounding the cancellation of the Malaysia airlines flight from Bangkok to Kuala Lumpur due to a suspected toxin in the final passenger plane. The news of the poisoning on board the aircraft prompted a full scale investigation by Malaysian authorities who are leading the investigation into the causes of the poisoning. No charges have been brought against the passengers so far, but all passengers on board the flight have been evacuated and investigators are now assessing the safety of the area in which the plane landed. No details have been released regarding the source of the toxin, but all passengers on board the flight have been advised to stay away from the area while it is being cleaned.
The Simoncelli Foundation was also quick to issue a statement saying “The Simoncelli Foundation deplores any suggestion of malpractice on part of any of its programs or partners. In this instance, following the tragic death of our dear Lucinda on 2nd October, we have been in contact with the Malaysia Ministry of Transport and their officials, following which we have been in regular contact with the airline company. We were subsequently given a detailed report of the circumstances surrounding the departure, which included the boarding of the aircraft, the customs clearance of the items in the hold, the loading of the aircraft at Hong Kong and the transport of the body from Kuala Lumpur to Singapore. The individual in question has since passed away.”