Air travel demand in Asia Pacific is expected to soften in the months ahead.
Analysts expect a drop of between 1 and 2 per cent on-month for May, due to Japan which is still reeling from its recent disaster.
This came after industry body International Air Transport Association (IATA) reported a drop of 2 per cent in March.
Japan’s travel industry is worth US$65 billion with 94 million travellers, and accounts for 10 per cent of the global travel market.
Analysts said Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Malaysia are expected to pick up the slack in travel demand, going forward.
This is due to their large populations and strong economies, which have been driving up both leisure and business travel.
There’s yet another upside in South Korea.
“There is strong business sentiment in Korea, especially, because they want to attract more foreign MNCs away from Japan, which is a very strong business case. Korea might be coming up so maybe we’ll see passengers picking up as a result. Culture-wise, they are very similar and Korea is a very strong export-driven economy,” said Julius Yeo, lead aerospace management consultant, Frost & Sullivan.
Meanwhile, Japan remains a bearish market as analysts said ground sentiment remains very weak.
In March, Japan’s domestic market fell 22 per cent on-month, and a recovery is not yet in sight.
Shukor Yusof, aviation analyst with Standard & Poor’s said: “If you look at the Golden Week holiday last week, which is traditionally the most important travel activity of the year for Japan, there has been a marked slowdown in outbound Japanese travel.
“We are hearing significant reductions in Japanese travel on Cathay and SIA and many other carriers, and this is typically the time of the year when they travel in droves – millions of them go out within that one week. And we did not see that last week.”
Overall, analysts said Korean, Chinese and north-eastern carriers are most likely to be impacted as they rely more on the Japanese market.
They estimated that for example, Asiana Airlines saw a 25 to 30 per cent decline on-year in passenger traffic after the disaster in Japan.
1815 Polk St
(between Washington St & Jackson St)
San Francisco, CA 94109
Neighborhood: Nob Hill
(415) 931-3130
Asia-411.com guides the visitors how to gather informations or sources of Asia regions as China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam on business, transportation, news, travel, weather, media, investment, trade, environment, shipping and other Asian informations.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Seoul Public Transportation Guide: For Bus Lovers Review
When we first arrived in Seoul to teach English it took us a couple of weeks to familiarize ourselves with the layout of the city and the subway. When you spend all your time traveling underground from station to station, it’s hard to get a visual grasp on areas of the city. As for taking the bus, so far we’ve used it to go to Costco, Joongdong (for BBQ purposes), and City Hall. Why haven’t we taken the bus more you ask? Well, for starters all the bus stops are in Korean. My Hangul is mediocre (if you can even call it that) at best so taking a bus will result in us ending up in some far off place.
Taking the subway is interesting at times, but when it’s jam packed it can be uncomfortable. Unless it’s the during the blazing heat in the summer, the air conditioning is not turned on so there is a lack of ventilation. Trust me, it gets extremely hot and stinky when the subway car is packed to the brim and everybody is breathing heavily. That’s normal though and you will have to learn to live with it. I do enjoy the subway as it’s a fast, economical, and efficient means of transportation. Signs are in English and when you encounter a transfer line, just follow the colors on the wall to reach the next line. It’s so easy that even I can do it (and my sense of direction is non-existent)!
Through a friend from work I recently discovered the Seoul Public Transportation Guide (okay, so maybe I’m nine months too late). If you already know about this, that’s great–keep on reading anyway. If you haven’t heard about this, it will make your life a lot easier. This website is the ultimate resource to plan your transportation needs to get anywhere in the city. It’s detailed and extremely easy to use. You click on your “departure point” and your “destination point” and it will give the exact information you need for your trip: travel time, fare, route distance, a view of the route, and even walking distances. It literally helps you get from A to B with the greatest of ease. One thing, is that the website only works with Internet Explorer (like all websites in South Korea). If you are using Firefox, I’d recommend you picking up the IE Tab extension if you haven’t already.
Artspan
934 Brannan St
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 861-9838
Taking the subway is interesting at times, but when it’s jam packed it can be uncomfortable. Unless it’s the during the blazing heat in the summer, the air conditioning is not turned on so there is a lack of ventilation. Trust me, it gets extremely hot and stinky when the subway car is packed to the brim and everybody is breathing heavily. That’s normal though and you will have to learn to live with it. I do enjoy the subway as it’s a fast, economical, and efficient means of transportation. Signs are in English and when you encounter a transfer line, just follow the colors on the wall to reach the next line. It’s so easy that even I can do it (and my sense of direction is non-existent)!
Through a friend from work I recently discovered the Seoul Public Transportation Guide (okay, so maybe I’m nine months too late). If you already know about this, that’s great–keep on reading anyway. If you haven’t heard about this, it will make your life a lot easier. This website is the ultimate resource to plan your transportation needs to get anywhere in the city. It’s detailed and extremely easy to use. You click on your “departure point” and your “destination point” and it will give the exact information you need for your trip: travel time, fare, route distance, a view of the route, and even walking distances. It literally helps you get from A to B with the greatest of ease. One thing, is that the website only works with Internet Explorer (like all websites in South Korea). If you are using Firefox, I’d recommend you picking up the IE Tab extension if you haven’t already.
Artspan
934 Brannan St
San Francisco, CA 94103
Neighborhood: SOMA
(415) 861-9838
Monday, January 2, 2012
The Bento Box Review
I have been eagerly anticipating a visit to The Bento Box for some time. It did not disappoint and lived up to all expectations!
Asian fusion food can be hit or miss, long and aimless menus with too many combinations and a dilution of quality. The Bento Box runs around 4 to 5 entrees each night, with the emphasis on quality of choice and not quantity.
My wife and I started with the spicy, tempura battered tuna roll, which was great! My wife is not a keen sushi eater but this dish was an excellent example of the style that she could really enjoy.
For entrees we had the Jidori Chicken and the Singapore Noodles. Both were fantastic, well portioned and utterly satisfying. The Jidori Chicken came in a bento box, which was the star of the show, The rice, corn, dinner salad and chili jam all complemented the curry well. The curry itself was exceptional, light in lime and cream but big on rich flavor. The noodles too were fantastic, seasoned perfectly, with the BBQ pork and shrimp plentiful.
The dining room is small but we got there in the last hour of service and luckily got a table straight away. If you like Asian food in any form then The Bento Box is a must visit. It is a great BYO and we will be here again soon, possibly even for take out. Service, food and price all could not be beaten.
2246 W Armitage Ave
(between Leavitt St & Oakley Ave)
Chicago, IL 60647
Neighborhood: Bucktown
(773) 278-3932
Asian fusion food can be hit or miss, long and aimless menus with too many combinations and a dilution of quality. The Bento Box runs around 4 to 5 entrees each night, with the emphasis on quality of choice and not quantity.
My wife and I started with the spicy, tempura battered tuna roll, which was great! My wife is not a keen sushi eater but this dish was an excellent example of the style that she could really enjoy.
For entrees we had the Jidori Chicken and the Singapore Noodles. Both were fantastic, well portioned and utterly satisfying. The Jidori Chicken came in a bento box, which was the star of the show, The rice, corn, dinner salad and chili jam all complemented the curry well. The curry itself was exceptional, light in lime and cream but big on rich flavor. The noodles too were fantastic, seasoned perfectly, with the BBQ pork and shrimp plentiful.
The dining room is small but we got there in the last hour of service and luckily got a table straight away. If you like Asian food in any form then The Bento Box is a must visit. It is a great BYO and we will be here again soon, possibly even for take out. Service, food and price all could not be beaten.
2246 W Armitage Ave
(between Leavitt St & Oakley Ave)
Chicago, IL 60647
Neighborhood: Bucktown
(773) 278-3932
Anna's Asian Bistro & Sushi Bar Review
One day my pre-Thailand diet will be over and soon I will be able to eat more carbs than I currently intake from fruits and veggies. When that day comes, I'll be sure to come to Anna's and get her Laotian curry noodles! It is made with my favorite noodles in the world: kanom jeen. It's the same noodles I eat with my green curry.
Anyways, the lucky gf took a half day from work and met me for lunch in the city. Usually, I have my salad and other healthy stuff, but today I felt like taking her for Thai food. Funny thing though is we didn't really order much Thai today so I'll be covering Anna's sushi mostly.
Papaya salad: Awesome portions. Anna had this one made spicy and catered to the proper Thai spicy for me which I think is a bit spicier than what most people think is spicy here. . Usually, when it is made at home, I ask for my chili's where it's really, really spicy. When I can eat this with sticky rice again, I'll be sure to ask Anna for this to be extra spicy. This is one of the dishes where you actually specify the flavors when you order from Thailand.
Tom yum: Very good. I wasn't paying attention and ate a chili because again, Anna catered to the spice level I wanted and added fresh chili. Loved the heat especially with the chili I took in without noticing.
House salad with ginger sauce: Part of the lunch special and very good. Hard to find options that we can eat right now that gf and I like to eat. We both got the house salad and liked it a lot. There's nothing special about lettuce. Gf actually doesn't like salad and I would rather have other appetizers, but we liked the ginger dressing a lot. Usually, the ginger dressing is a bit watery which isn't so desirable, but this dressing was perfect.
Sashimi: Wow. When it came out, I said suay jong leay (hard to really make Thai into English words) which basically is like OMG, pretty. It came out in these plates that looked like a big shell and was presented very nicely. The fish itself was really, really fresh. Not sure what the one (just one) bad review was talking about for their experience, but I can honestly say this was good stuff.
My only negative isn't for Anna's restaurant, but the fact that I still haven't been able to have my beloved noodles yet! I'll be back again, when I rebuild some willpower to only order food I should eat!
813 W Lake St
(between Green St & Halsted St)
Chicago, IL 60607
Neighborhoods: Near West Side, West Loop
(312) 344-1090
Anyways, the lucky gf took a half day from work and met me for lunch in the city. Usually, I have my salad and other healthy stuff, but today I felt like taking her for Thai food. Funny thing though is we didn't really order much Thai today so I'll be covering Anna's sushi mostly.
Papaya salad: Awesome portions. Anna had this one made spicy and catered to the proper Thai spicy for me which I think is a bit spicier than what most people think is spicy here. . Usually, when it is made at home, I ask for my chili's where it's really, really spicy. When I can eat this with sticky rice again, I'll be sure to ask Anna for this to be extra spicy. This is one of the dishes where you actually specify the flavors when you order from Thailand.
Tom yum: Very good. I wasn't paying attention and ate a chili because again, Anna catered to the spice level I wanted and added fresh chili. Loved the heat especially with the chili I took in without noticing.
House salad with ginger sauce: Part of the lunch special and very good. Hard to find options that we can eat right now that gf and I like to eat. We both got the house salad and liked it a lot. There's nothing special about lettuce. Gf actually doesn't like salad and I would rather have other appetizers, but we liked the ginger dressing a lot. Usually, the ginger dressing is a bit watery which isn't so desirable, but this dressing was perfect.
Sashimi: Wow. When it came out, I said suay jong leay (hard to really make Thai into English words) which basically is like OMG, pretty. It came out in these plates that looked like a big shell and was presented very nicely. The fish itself was really, really fresh. Not sure what the one (just one) bad review was talking about for their experience, but I can honestly say this was good stuff.
My only negative isn't for Anna's restaurant, but the fact that I still haven't been able to have my beloved noodles yet! I'll be back again, when I rebuild some willpower to only order food I should eat!
813 W Lake St
(between Green St & Halsted St)
Chicago, IL 60607
Neighborhoods: Near West Side, West Loop
(312) 344-1090
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
2011 Must-Reads Review
Throughout the year, In Asia offers on-the-ground analysis from Asia Foundation experts and guest bloggers on pressing events and issues that affect the Asia-Pacific region. In Asia is taking a short break until the New Year, but stay tuned for our “Forecast: Asia in 2012″ edition on January 4. In the meantime, catch up on a few must-read pieces and highlights from 2011.
Asia Foundation President David D. Arnold and Anthea Mulakala blog from Busan, Korea, on how Asia’s new “donor” countries are shifting global aid architecture: “Busan HLF4: A New Global Compact for Development?” Development expert Adrian Leftwich looks at why developmental leadership requires forging coalitions.
The Arab Spring and lessons from Asia:
“As in Asia, Reform in Arab World Depends on Distinct Cultural Settings,” by Ellen Laipson
“China: Political Stability Amid Jasmine Revolutions?” by Harry Harding
“Egypt and the Philippines: Bridging 25 Years,” by Steven Rood
Give2Asia’s Barnett F. Baron writes from Tohoku, the northeastern area devastated by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, Véronique Salze-Lozac’h examines the economic impacts across Asia, and Allen Choate looks at how Japan’s citizens and government pulled from past lessons in the face of disaster.
Results from The Asia Foundation’s 2011 Survey of the Afghan People reveal growing levels of fear among citizens, writes V. Bruce J. Tolentino. Survey authors Fazel Rabi Haqbeen and Mohammad Osman Tariq examine Afghans’ optimism about reconstruction and trust in religious institutions.
As waters rose in Thailand’s worst flooding in half a century, our Thailand experts blogged from Bangkok:
“Apprehension and Criticism of Government Rise as Floods Spread in Thailand,” by Kim McQuay
“As Thailand’s Floodwaters Recede, Agonies Surface,” by Ruengrawee Pichaikul
A slideshow reveals Bangkok’s flooded suburbs.
With global population at 7 billion, John Brandon examines how this is stressing global land, food, water, and energy resources, and whether we might see the poor and middle class taking a stronger stand in demanding better governance. And, Reid Hamel takes a look at what 7 billion looks like for India and China.
On October 18 in Singapore, David D. Arnold spoke at The Economist‘s Banyan Conference, “Ideas for an Asian Century.” He co-writes with Thomas Parks on why internal conflicts are holding Asia back.
1644 W 18th St
(between Marshfield Ave & Paulina St)
Chicago, IL 60608
Neighborhood: Pilsen
(312) 563-9779
Asia Foundation President David D. Arnold and Anthea Mulakala blog from Busan, Korea, on how Asia’s new “donor” countries are shifting global aid architecture: “Busan HLF4: A New Global Compact for Development?” Development expert Adrian Leftwich looks at why developmental leadership requires forging coalitions.
The Arab Spring and lessons from Asia:
“As in Asia, Reform in Arab World Depends on Distinct Cultural Settings,” by Ellen Laipson
“China: Political Stability Amid Jasmine Revolutions?” by Harry Harding
“Egypt and the Philippines: Bridging 25 Years,” by Steven Rood
Give2Asia’s Barnett F. Baron writes from Tohoku, the northeastern area devastated by the earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan on March 11, Véronique Salze-Lozac’h examines the economic impacts across Asia, and Allen Choate looks at how Japan’s citizens and government pulled from past lessons in the face of disaster.
Results from The Asia Foundation’s 2011 Survey of the Afghan People reveal growing levels of fear among citizens, writes V. Bruce J. Tolentino. Survey authors Fazel Rabi Haqbeen and Mohammad Osman Tariq examine Afghans’ optimism about reconstruction and trust in religious institutions.
As waters rose in Thailand’s worst flooding in half a century, our Thailand experts blogged from Bangkok:
“Apprehension and Criticism of Government Rise as Floods Spread in Thailand,” by Kim McQuay
“As Thailand’s Floodwaters Recede, Agonies Surface,” by Ruengrawee Pichaikul
A slideshow reveals Bangkok’s flooded suburbs.
With global population at 7 billion, John Brandon examines how this is stressing global land, food, water, and energy resources, and whether we might see the poor and middle class taking a stronger stand in demanding better governance. And, Reid Hamel takes a look at what 7 billion looks like for India and China.
On October 18 in Singapore, David D. Arnold spoke at The Economist‘s Banyan Conference, “Ideas for an Asian Century.” He co-writes with Thomas Parks on why internal conflicts are holding Asia back.
1644 W 18th St
(between Marshfield Ave & Paulina St)
Chicago, IL 60608
Neighborhood: Pilsen
(312) 563-9779
Friday, November 25, 2011
Singapore Airlines Review
Singapore Airlines has come a long way since our founding in 1972, evolving from a regional airline to one of the most respected travel brands around the world. We fly one of the youngest aircraft fleets in the world to destinations spanning a network spread over five continents, with our Singapore Girl as our internationally-recognisable icon providing the high standards of care and service that customers have come to expect of us. We have made a habit of leading the way, and along the way developed a reputation for being an industry trendsetter. Our ever-growing list of industry-leading innovations includes the following firsts:
- First to offer free headsets, a choice of meals and free drinks in Economy Class, in the 1970s
- First to introduce satellite-based inflight telephones in 1991
- First to involve a comprehensive panel of world-renowned chefs, the International Culinary Panel, in developing inflight meals in 1998
- First to offer audio and video on demand (AVOD) capabilities on KrisWorld in all classes in October 2001
Hong Kong Travel Review
Hong Kong, the Oriental Pearl, is simply amazing! As a Special Administrative Region of China, Hong Kong is one of the world's leading financial, banking and trading centers. Situated on the southeast coast of China, Hong Kong occupies an area of 1,104 square kilometers (about 426 square miles), and is made up of four parts: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula, the New Territories and the Outlying Islands.
Hong Kong has a population of about 6,970,000. Most people (about 97% of the population) are Chinese and speak Cantonese and English, although Mandarin is becoming more popular in Hong Kong now. Most tourism personnel and taxi drivers can communicate with tourists in English.
5th Floor, Yu Yuan Mansion,
No.65 Nan Er Huan Xi Duan,
Xian, P.R.C.
710068
Hong Kong has a population of about 6,970,000. Most people (about 97% of the population) are Chinese and speak Cantonese and English, although Mandarin is becoming more popular in Hong Kong now. Most tourism personnel and taxi drivers can communicate with tourists in English.
5th Floor, Yu Yuan Mansion,
No.65 Nan Er Huan Xi Duan,
Xian, P.R.C.
710068
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