The top leadership of Vietnam's Communist Party has granted its inspection committees the right to ban members suspected of corruption from traveling abroad. The move that steps up the Party’s fight against corruption was taken through new regulations issued on Tuesday. Under the new regulations issued by the Politburo, the Party's premier decision-making body, all Party members, regardless of position, will be subject to inspection and strict punishment if signs of corruption are spotted. Strict punishment will also be meted out to any Party organization or member found to be tolerating or covering up corruption, or obstructing and illegally intervening in the handling of corruption cases. The Party's inspection committees from district-level upwards will be responsible for supervising members' asset declarations; and for monitoring members having disproportionate assets or engaging in suspicious activities. The committees will also receive and process corruption-related … [Read more...] about Vietnamese Party steps up corruption fight with travel ban on members
Travel
Voluntourism, Sustainability and Travel in 2018
Last week, Valerie Wilson Travel hosted a ribbon cutting ceremony at its new New York City office. In addition to a tour, Valerie Wilson Travel (VWT) hosted a panel titled What Keeps You Up at Night: Travel Market Watch and Trends Discussion. Among the myriad of topics, was the role of voluntourism and sustainability in luxury travel. “I think it’s something that is becoming ever-more apparent” in what the consumer wants, VWT co-owner and co-president Kimberly Wilson Wetty said. “They want to be able to have a more authentic experience, feel locally, but also really contribute and give back.” Both Virtuoso and the CLIA said that voluntourism is among the top trends in luxury travel for 2018 and beyond. Voluntourism can range from improving the quality of life in underdeveloped destinations to doing your part to help rebuild a destination affected by a natural disaster. ULTRA Wellness Introducing ULTRA Wellness | May 30-June 1, Palm Beach Wellness travel … [Read more...] about Voluntourism, Sustainability and Travel in 2018
New book on souvenirs explains why we bring home items from travels
"Nobody sits us down and tells us to collect objects when we're young," Rolf Potts writes, "it's just something we do, as a way of familiarizing ourselves with the world, its possibilities, and our place in it." Few of us would call ourselves collectors, but most travelers have, at some point or other, bought a key chain, pocketed a seashell or saved a ticket stub from a vacation. Turns out, as Potts notes in a new little book called "Souvenir," that there's more to this seemingly simple (perhaps frivolous to some) practice than meets the eye. For one thing, it's a ritual that spans millenniums, dating back to the oldest described journeys. And, probably unknown to many travelers, academic researchers have classified souvenirs — even mass-produced items like "I Love New York" T-shirts and plastic miniatures of Michelangelo's David — into various categories. Which categories do the things I've bought or found in my travels fall into? I began wondering this when Potts, a … [Read more...] about New book on souvenirs explains why we bring home items from travels
Travel on Trial: ‘I felt like a real surfer – until disaster struck’
It was all going smoothly until my arm popped out of its socket. Day three of a week-long learn-to-surf programme in Sri Lanka, and there I was, happily catching another wave. With a body of warm white water frothing away beneath my board, I nonchalantly prepared for a cruisy ride to the white-sand shore, and the ensuing plaudits of my Aussie instructor, Steve. But then my shoulder gave way. Amid Steve’s shouts of encouragement, I’d brought my arms up into a press-up position – or “chicken wings” as he called it – ready to spring to my feet, when an ominous internal clunk signalled that my arm had slipped its sinewy moorings. • The world's best hotels for surfing holidays This was nothing to do with Steve’s excellent (not to mention patient) tuition, you understand, but the re-emergence of an old injury. Over the years, a combination of bike crashes and snowboarding slams has left me with “lazy” ligaments – prone … [Read more...] about Travel on Trial: ‘I felt like a real surfer – until disaster struck’
Travel review: Picture-perfect cottage in the historic county of Denbighshire, north Wales
0 Have your say Set against the backdrop of rolling hills and lush countryside, Ysubor Celyn Megan is the picture-perfect location for a large family gathering or get-together among friends. Sleeping ten people across four bedrooms and a living room sofa bed, the house is largely on one, ground-floor level, making it easily accessible for people of all ages - and perfect for youngsters to charge around. It is situated Llwynmawr, a small village in in the historic county of Denbighshire, north Wales - a journey of just over two hours from West Yorkshire.The acres of farmland surrounding the property meaning little ones can delight in coming face to face with sheep and horses on their doorstep. And for older party members, a sure-fire hit is having a country pub, The Mulberry Inn (http://mulberryinn.co.uk/), a short walk up the road which also offers delicious meals in its restaurant at the rear. The owners of the house make sure guests enjoy a five-star welcome on arrival, … [Read more...] about Travel review: Picture-perfect cottage in the historic county of Denbighshire, north Wales