Narita upgrades city transfers

East Japan Railway Company introduced the new Narita Express or N’EX Series E259, earlier last month, in a move to replace all of the N’EX trains by the end of June 2010.

The new train makes for a more convenient 53-minute transfer to and from Narita International Airport. In addition to Tokyo, the service also has direct lines from Narita airport to Shinjuku, Shibuya, Ikebukuro, Shinagawa, Omiya and Yokohama.

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Rail deals out of Narita

East Japan Railway Company sells a flexible three-day JR EAST PASS for temporary overseas visitors travelling in eastern Japan, valid until 31 December.

The discounted three-day pass costs Y10,000 for adults and Y5,000 yen for children  six through 11 years. Children under  six travel free, but if parents want a reserved seat, they have to purchase a child-rate pass.

Sales continue until 1 December, but overseas sales of an exchange order will be end earlier on 20 November. The pass can be used until 31 December. The exchange order must be validated for travel by 1 December.

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Tokyo rail fares and a spending card

Foreign passport holders travelling from Narita International Airport can buy a combined Suica and N’EX package at Y3,500 enabling them to travel at a discount to major urban areas in and around Tokyo.

Suica (Super Urban Intelligent Card) and N’EX package is a special offer of Suica IC card packaged with a free one-way trip to another destination out of Narita. Passengers can ride on the new train and save the cost of a one-way ticket on N’EX from Narita Airport to another destination in the Tokyo or Yokohama area.

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Macau subsidises events

Macau Government Tourist Office hopes to convince Thailand’s outbound travel agencies to send more incentives and events related travel to Macau .

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TAKE A TAIWAN TOUR BY TRAIN

Urai Ross

THAI outbound travel agents and media representatives surveyed destinations in Taiwan that could shortly find their way into the newest tour itineraries featuring this fascinating country.

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Munich adds museums

City of Munich is promoting new museums theatres, concerts, and even visits to BMW factory and the stadium home to FC Bayern football club.

Opened in late May, Brandhorst Museum presents the works of a classical modern era and artists who had a major influence in the second half of the 20th century. They include the works of Cy Twombly, Andy Warhol, Joseph Beuys, Mario Merz, Sigmar Polke, Georg Baselitz, Gerhard Richter and Mike Kelley. www.museum-brandhorst.de.

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Golden train ride to India’s heritage sites

Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation and Jet Airways are promoting the Golden Chariot, a luxury train in South India that offers an eight day/seven-night holiday across Karnataka State.

On board and off board hospitality in the Golden Chariot is provided by India’s hotel chain, Mapple Group.

The tour departs every Monday from Bangalore to key holiday destinations through Mysore. The itinerary identifies visits to Srirangapatna, Mysore Palace, Nagarhole National Park (Kabini) for a boat safari and the historical sites of Shravanabelagola, Belur-the 11th century cradle of Hoysala architecture and a world heritage site, Halebidu, and Hampi. The trip continues to the  heritage triangle  of Badami, Pattadakal and Aihole, before closing in Goa, a west coast beach destination.

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Free entry at UK landmarks

September marks the “Doors Open Days” in London, UK, and Scotland offering free access over the weekend of 19 to 20 September to hundreds of historic buildings that are usually closed to the public.

London landmarks open over the weekend include government buildings, City Hall and Lloyd’s of London. Entrance is free. Full details of buildings and events are published in the 2009 Guide that can be found on line.

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Hong Kong cautious on 2009 forecast

Tourism exceeds HK$158 billion but continues to decline.

Hong Kong Tourism Board reports tourism spending exceeded HK$158.95 billion but expects the 2009 revenue trend to continue its decline.

Figures released by the Hong Kong Tourism Board show that expenditure associated with inbound tourism (in 2008 reached HK$158.95 billion, an increase of 11.7% over 2007.

The average per capita spending of overnight visitors reached HK$5,439, 6.2% higher than the 2007 figure, while that of same-day in-town visitors surged by 20.9% to HK$1,498.

Commenting on the spending figures, HKTB’s chairman, James Tien, cautioned that notwithstanding the double-digit increase achieved last year, the global financial downturn is affecting visitors’ spending. Read more

Free Copenhagen Card for SAS passengers

SAS handouts a card for free enter to attractions, bus rides and discounts in Copenhagen.

SAS is giving away a free Copenhagen Card to all passengers travelling on a return ticket between Bangkok and Copenhagen during April and May.

The Copenhagen Card features free admission to 62 museums and sites

in the greater Copenhagen area, including the Hans Christian Andersen, Karen Blixen museums as well as Tivoli Gardens, a beautifully landscaped amusement park in the heart of the city. Read more

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