General Travel News
Tourists Visiting Middle East Drop 18%
The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) World Tourism Barometer shows that the number of tourists visiting the Middle East plummeted 18% during the first four months of the year. The UN group attributes the sharp decrease to a decline in the number of tourists visiting Saudi Arabia. The UNWTO report said “Globally, tourism fell by eight per cent in the first four months of the year, continuing the trend that emerged in the second half of 2008.”
The report said only Africa went against the trend of falling tourist numbers with a 5% increase. Europe and the Middle East were the hardest hit regions with 10% and 18% drops respectively. Asia Pacific had a 6% decline, far below previous growth figures. Oceania fell 4% and South Asia had the sharpest drop at 12%. Results in the Americas were more mixed but overall tourist numbers fell 5%.
More General Travel News
Latest Travel News
Featured Sights To See
Children’s City
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
This is the first educational city in the UAE devoted to children between 2 to 15 years old where they can investigate, explore, play, discover and learn about the world we live. The City gives ample opportunity for children to interact in groups and gain hands on experience through the several exhibits and programs on applied sciences, nature, space exploration, human body, and l...
Mandai Orchard Garden
Singapore, Singapore
Situated in close proximity to the Zoological Gardens, the Mandai Orchard garden offers the most captivating sights of natural botanic beauty in its numerous varieties of various plants and their refreshing presence. 200 Mandai Lake Road, Singapore 729827 Tel: +65 6269 1036 Fax: +65 6366 1918 Timing: Daily from 8:30am to 5:30 pm Admission Fare: SGD2 for adults and SGD0.50 for ...
Sultan’s Armed Forces Museum
Muscat, Oman
Any tourist visiting Muscat must stop at this fantastic museum, which is located within the 150-year old Bait-al-Falaj fort, the original headquarters for Sultan Said bin Sultan’s armed forces. It displays Omani weapons and armory and also gives tourists an insight into Oman’s history, politics and relations with other international states and powers. All visiting heads of state take a trip to thi...
Wadi Abdoun Bridge
Amman, Jordan
There aren't many bridges in Amman -- not surprising since it's in the middle of the desert -- but when they do need to build one, they do it right. The Wadi Abdoun Bridge connects North Amman and West Amman. It was built between 2002 and 2006 in order to cut travel times between North and West Amman. The total length is 417m. It is Jordan's only cable stayed bridge, and is...