Africa witnesses a tourism explosion in 2009, while the tourism industry suffers a general refuse among the economic slowdown, according to the UN World Tourism Organization (WTO).

The newest edition of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer said that expansion returned to global tourism in the last quarter of 2009 contributing to better than estimated full-year results.

International tourist arrival for business, vacation and other purposes are likely to have declined universal by 4 per cent in 2009 to 880 million.

This represents a slight development on the previous estimation as a result of the 2 per cent upswing in the last quarter of 2009. In difference, international tourist arrival shrank by 10 per cent, 7 per cent and 2 per cent in the first three quarters correspondingly.

Asia and the Pacific and the Middle East led the revival with increase already revolving positive in both regions in the second half of 2009, the organization said.

"The global economic crisis motivated by the uncertainty approximately the A (H1N1) pandemic turned 2009 into one of the toughest years for the tourism sector", said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

"Though, the outcome of current months propose that recovery is in progress, and even somewhat previous and at a stronger speed than originally estimated", he said.

The movers and the shakers of the world’s tourism industry have been meeting in Madrid as the sector effort to put behind a miserable 2009 and look ahead to new horizons. The next hot target is always top of the agenda and one region that could take off is Africa, mainly with this year’s Football World Cup.

Despite its worried poverty, rising democracy and stability to certain parts of the continent means there are high hopes between delegates. This year 170 countries are in the Spanish capital for the Fitur show, appreciably up from last year’s 140. Along with Africa other alien locations are vying for attention, including some of the old favorites in Asia and the Indian sub-continent.

Euro news’ Francisco Garcia Martin in Madrid said:
‘‘After a hard year that many would like to forget, the tourist sector’s vital signs are start to recover. Compared to last year, the financial crisis has damaged and investors are looking at the future with a little more confidence. According to information from the World Tourism Organization, the sector will increase between 3 and 5 percent in 2010.’‘

Mickey will be declaring Aloha pretty soon! The Walt Disney Company is functioning to put up an oceanfront resort on the island of Oahu, Hawaii. The Aulani, A Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina is what Disney likes to consider of as a place for families to meet, reconnect and immerse themselves in the stories of Hawaii.

The resort will comprise hotel rooms, Disney Vacation Club Villas , gathering rooms and wedding facilities that increase over 21 acres. The huge resort sits on acres of ocean visions, white sandy beaches, lush tropical foliage, and salt water lagoons.

The engineers of the resort or as Disney like to refer to them as Imaginers teamed up with the associates of the local community to plan a resort that would tell a story. Examples of storytelling essentials contain the lobby mural depicting Hawaiian life and the path finding signs on the floor, pointing makai, "towards the ocean," or mauka, "towards the mountain." The Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa in Ko Olina which will suggest all the facilities of a world-class resort is planned to open in fall 2011.

One of the natural wonders of the world, the Great Barrier Reef off the east coastline of Australia is the world’s leading coral reef. It has the division of being placed in the World Heritage as fit as the National Heritage lists.

With further than 600 islands and coral cays, the reef faces more than 300,000 sq. km. Corals create up the reefs and cays and are liable for an enormous variety of sea life in the reef — green turtles, numerous varieties of whales and dolphins, the dugong, regarding 4000 types of mollusks, 1500 special species of fish, as well as wonderfully colored bird life surrounding at least 200 species. The Great Reef Marine Park is a vast tourist attraction with millions of tourists visiting the region each year. Sporting activities consist of reef sailing, scuba diving, and snorkeling, amongst others.

Brunei should host new international sports events as one mode of putting the country on the world tourism map, said sports supporters, after the three-day Asia vs Europe 9-Ball Team face up to attracted hundreds of visitors to the Rizqun International Hotel.

Lee Han Wee said that he liked every international sports competition seized in the Sultanate as it gives admirers such as him an option to witness a live match.

"Its high moment we prove to the globe that Brunei can host international tournaments such as this, and we require doing this extra in order to put us on the plan. I consider this is one of several ways to improve tourism in the Sultanate," he told The Brunei Times.

"It's an excitement to actually be capable to observe a 9-ball game up close quite than on television. You truly catch the experience of it. I expect to see more of this being organized so that my age group and I can enjoy," he added.

One of the practical staff at the hotel said many viewers showed up early to observe their favorite’s players in act.

"As estimated, there are more turnouts of viewers today than the earlier two days. Not just because it’s the finals, however it's also a

Sunday when public are not at work," he said. "Crowds go wild with cheers as Asian players' names were declare by the emcee, and that actually proved the strength and support of the local viewers," he added.

Depicting old history of Chitral, the Museum of Archaeology and Ethnology is sited at Polo Ground, Chitral. It offers glimpses of ancient heritage and has collection of historical articles mainly the Kalash Valley antiquity. The Parwak excavation in 2003 has provided the first ever archaeological material of Aryan Graves dating back to 1800 to 600 B.C. The museum’s formal inauguration took place on 28th November 2003. The proposal for such an historical site came from Mr. Shakil Durrani, then serving as Deputy Commissioner of Chitral.

The magnificent Panorama Route in Mpumalanga is top known for its literary heritage and its spectacular landscapes. Contribution a vast array of thrilling options for the visitor, the Panorama Route hosts some of the best adrenalin attractive adventures in the country as well as some more peaceful pastimes.



One of the main highlights of the area is the Blyde River Canyon Reserve, home to stunning wildlife and birdlife and some of the best views in South Africa. The Blyde River Canyon is the third leading canyon of its kind in the world. Other highlights include the wonderful waterfalls in Graskop and Sabie, the Echo Caves that speak of Africa’s powerful tribes such as Pedi, Mapulane and Swazi, trails left after by the Voortrekkers in regions such as Lydenberg and Ohrigstad, early artistic footprints left by native peoples of Africa and the Gold Rush land, Pilgrim’s Rest, home to the early gold prospectors.

Mabul Island is reputed to be one of the best places for underwater macro-photography in the world. Located in the clear waters of the Celebes Sea off the mainland of Sabah, it is surrounded by gentle sloping reefs two to 40m deep. Covering some 21 ha., it is considerably larger than the nearby Sipadan Island and is home to the Bajau Laut tribe, one of many ethnic groups in Sabah.

Diving is the main activity on this island, and it can be done all year round. Marine life that can be seen here includes sea horses, exotic starfish, fire gobies, crocodile fish, pipefish and snake eels. There are over eight popular dive spots, each with its own speciality.

Three resorts cater to scuba divers -- two are on the island itself while one is on a converted oil rig platform about 500m offshore. All of the resorts provide day trips for their guests to the nearby Sipadan and Kapalai Islands.

Xilai Ancient Town situated in the northern part of the county has a history more than 1700 years.it is 66 kilometers away from Chengdu and 13 kilometers from the county. There are typical residential housing in West Sichuan, thousand-years aged banyan, beautiful river corridor and fascinating rustic scenery.

After recent years' construction, the ancient town has finished the sight-formation , culture excavation of the core area and outer-ring supplementary construction and has formed the cultural theme of "mountain and water coming from the west and ancient town represented by writing and painting".The town has also perfected the reception services and was opened up on New Year's day in 2007.The scenery has successfully set up the town as one of the "Top 10 Glamourous Town", "Historically and Culturally Renowned Town" and "National town with Beautiful environment".

This architectural wonder is Lhasa' cardinal landmark. It can be seen from all directions for miles around. Potala was set up in the seventh century AD during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. It's located on the Red Hill, covers an area of 41 hectares.

Potala consists of the White and Red palaces with more than 1000 rooms. The white places was for secular use.

It contained living quarters, offices, the seminary and the printing house. The red Palace's function was religious. It contained gold stupas, which were the tombs of eight Dalai Lamas, the monks' assembly hall, numerous chapels and shrines, and libraries for Buddhist Scriptures.

With its world-wide reputation, the Potala stands on the Red Hill overlooking the Tibetan city of Lhasa as a major national cultural monument under special protection by the government of the People's Republic of China.

The name of the large sacred Buddhist building complex is a derivation from Samskrit Potalaka which is the mythical mountain abode of Avalokitesvara, one of the Bodhisattvas (Buddhist saints). In this connection Lhasa is popularly referred to as Second Mount Potalaka.

At an elevation of more than 3,700m, the Potala occupies an area of more than 360,000m. Its 13-story main portion rises 117m. The whole complex, consisting of halls, stupa-tomb halls (where the relics of the supreme lamas are preserved), shrines, prayer rooms, monks' dormitories and courtyards, is recognized as the world's highest and largest castle palace.

Built against the terraced slope of the hill, the structures combine to from a huge sky-scraping mass, reminscent of the divine realm above the mortal world. The granite walls elaborately decorated with soft white thatch, the golden roofs decorated with big gilded bottles, the splendid curtains and banners, join to form a unique structural wonder bearing the striking colors red, white and yellow characteristic of Tibetan architectural art, making the Potala an eminent example of a constructive technology traditionally Tibetan and Chinese.