More than 90% of business travellers expect to travel the same or more for business this year, according to a new survey. The survey of 2,400 frequent travellers is up almost 20% on last year’s figures – pointing to a pick up in the economy this year. The poll was conducted by the Business Travel & Meetings Show, ahead of next month’s event at Earl’s Court. The survey also found that online check-in has been voted the ‘innovation of the decade’ by business travellers. This was followed closely by Wi-Fi, flat beds, notebooks and the Eurostar. “The ‘noughties’ have been a hotbed of innovation when it comes to business travel,” said David Chapple, BTMS event director. “Innovations in technology, infrastructure and services have all contributed to make it easier, more comfortable and more enjoyable than ever for professionals to both travel and do business effectively.” Respondents listed a series of demands for future innovations which had the common theme of speed. Travellers called for faster security, check in and immigration processes.
In 2010, most of vacations will still be affected by crisis of economic but tourists would like to have private tours. They still decide to book tour but they will be more careful about how to spend money for services they want.
Here below are some popular trends of travelers in 2010:
1. Luxury and cheap accommodation: Tourists would like to stay at cozy accommodation with traditional style of service or serve by themselves.
2. Superior packages: Budget is always the most problem with travelers even with generous people. They want to use their budget following the true value of travel. So they are ready to expense for the superior tour packages with fix price.
3. Ecotourism: It is still the common type travelers would like most. However the clients will be stricter with what Travel agents/ hotels pledge about green ecotourism and green destinations.
4. Combining business with traveling: To save time, travelers usually have trend to go business coordinating with traveling. They can bring their wives and children during their trip.
5. Traveling by train: It is the way they can join times during tour and save money.
Part 1 of 4 of an interesting interview / press conference with Mr Son, Dang Xuan the Product Manager of Footprint Vietnam Travel. Taken on 23 October 2009 at Suntec Singapore during the ITB Asia 2009
The Sunday market in Bac Ha is where you'll want to stock up on water buffalo, pigs and horses. Once you're all set, you can browse for bottles of local firewater (made from rice, cassava or corn) or handicrafts made by some of the 10 Montagnard groups living near here - Flower Hmong, Dzao, Giay (Nhang), Han (Hoa), Xa Fang, Lachi, Nung, Phula, Thai and Thu Lao.Bac Ha is a less crowded alternative to Sapa, and arriving midweek makes for a relaxing visit. Around 700m above sea level, the highlands around Bac Ma are somewhat warmer than Sapa. Bring ear plugs so you needn't endure the 'Voice of Vietnam' echoing from the loudspeakers at market-rousing time.
Please click here to join in tour to Bac Ha
Sapa Love Market on Saturday Sa pa is famed for its "Love Market" – sort of a cross between a peacock mating ritual, a Middle Eastern arms bazaar, an Amish square dance, a bad Pavarotti concert and Bangkok's Patpong (except here the people wear clothes). On Saturday nights, Red Dao hill tribe youths of both sexes congregate in a weekly courting rite, singing tribal versions of Loretta Lynn love songs to woo the opposite sex. The songs are highly personalized and boast of the composer's physical attributes, domestic abilities and strong work ethic. While Dao women are indeed highly industrious, the men, it seems, prefer to spend most of their time drinking, smoking opium or sleeping, only occasionally slapping the rump of a lethargic bovine moving more slowly than they are. Few of their songs, though, are about drinking, smoking opium, sleeping or slapping rumps
Can Cau Market – Saturday
Sprawling near the banks of a river, Can Cau Market is a clearly defined shantytown, packed with crude stalls covered with thatched roofs. The start of a few simple settlements can be seen high above, many of whose residents now make their weekly pilgrimage to the market.
By 9 am, the market is crammed to capacity. It's lively and surprisingly fun. The locals are mostly of the Flower Hmong minority group. You can't miss them -their traditional costume of green checked headdress and multi-colored, meticiculosly stitched and layered garments are simply stunning. Few foreigners make it to Can Cau; those that do brave the journey come either with a small tour group in four-wheel drives, or - if half-mad and on a tight budget like me -on the back of a motorbike. The handful of Westerners here this morning is the object of intense - though friendly- scrutiny. There is much laughter as we try to make basic conversation. Although the majority is painfully shy and not accustomed to seeing foreigners, some cheerfully allow photographs to be taken.
Binh Lu & Tam Duong Market – Sunday from 8 am to 1 pm. Binh Lu and Tam Duong market is located on the other side of Sapa, passing the 1900 meter Tram Ton pass, Viet Nam's highest mountain pass and considered the most beautiful stretch of road in the country. The town is bustling with activity as the local hill tribes gather for their weekly market day, amazing tribal markets in Binh Lu where thousand of Thai Kadai language groups such as Tai Lu, Tai Laos, White Tai, and H'mong - Yao group (black Yao, Yao Lantien..), Giay, Khomu.. comes to buy and sell their own produces
Coc Ly Market – Tuesdayfrom 7 am to lunchtime Off the beaten track. Several groups of Mong, Dao, Tay, Nung and Phu La groups can be found in this secluded mountain market. Return back by boat down the river Chay and marvel at the untouched natural beauty of the region
Muong Hum Market – Sundayfrom 6 am to 1 pm. This market is the biggest cardamom market in the region, pre-dating the French and serves as a meeting point for the ethnic groups living in the mountains; including the Giay, Dao, White H’mong and Ha Nhi. Those who live in the upper reaches of the mountains such as the Mong or Red Dao come down to sell specific products such as cardamom and mountain plants. In Muong Hum, it's worth taking a sip of the local brew - here it's paddy rice brandy from the Dao village of San Lung. It's become quite a famous tipple.
Muong Khuong - Sundayfrom 6 am to 1 pm.
Big market with a variety of ethnic groups, Mong, Dao, Nung and others, including visitors from as far away as China come to sell their products. Pa Zi women can be found selling traditional incense made from bark and resin of scented trees.
