The 10 best and worst travel moments of 2014
TRAVEL is always beset with highs and lows and this year in the Asia-Pacific region it has been no different. While the Malaysian air tragedies, the ferry disaster in South Korea and the avalanches in Nepal have painted the year in sadder hues, there have also been brighter moments as well. Covering India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Australia and Nepal, here are some of the best and worst travel moments of 2014.
Malaysian flight tragediesSadly 2014 heralded some of the world’s worst ever air disasters with MH 370 going missing enroute from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing in March. The flight is still missing and presumed lost, its exact location still unknown. There were 12 Malaysian crew members and 227 passengers onboard from 15 nations. Flight MH 17 was shot down in July on its journey from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur over Ukraine. There were 298 people on board. Read more here.
The Air New Zealand Safety VideoAir New Zealand has ridden the back of the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit wave for many a year and this year they released another safety video in October to commemorate the third and final film in The Hobbit Trilogy. It’s a fantastic way of enjoying some of New Zealand’s best known scenery, movie characters and personalities such as Sir Peter Jackson and Elijah Wood, while inadvertently learning how to brace for a crash, put on a lifejacket or fix your oxygen mask. Their original hobbit safety video apparently garnered more than 12 million views on YouTube.
When the G20 comes to town the locals go to groundResidents departed Brisbane en masse in November when the 7,000 delegates, media and world leaders arrived for the G20 Leaders Summit. Fearful of safety issues and concerned they would have to exist in a virtual lock down many of the inner city’s 30,000-40,000 residents chose to leave, thanks in part to being granted a public holiday on the Friday before the official meetings. This event will therefore go down in 2014 as one of the biggest mass exodus in Brisbane history, although it was still far from a ghost town over the weekend. Read more here.
Nepal snowstorm disasterOn October 14 this year a snow storm and a series of avalanches in the Annapurna region took the lives of at least 43 people, including more than 21 trekkers. Some 400 people were rescued from areas such as Thorong La, Manang and Mustang. Local authorities were criticisied for not providing sufficient warnings but some believe the trekkers were either inexperienced or inadequately equipped. More emergency shelters, better monitoring of trekkers, improved weather tracking and communication have been recommended in light of the disaster. Read more here.
Modi maniaThe election of new Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi isn’t really a best or worst in travel moment, but the fact that thousands travel to see him when he speaks at rallies and events around the world means it makes the list. Modi is universally popular with Indian communities and when he was in Australia in November his public address at Sydney’s Olympic Park attracted over 20,000 people while millions of viewers watched on from India. Hundreds of Australia’s Indian community in Melbourne went to the address on the “Modi Express” a 12 hour chartered train ride replete with cheering, dancing and laughing people. In New York’s Madison Square Garden in October there were similar scenes with 19,000 cheering fans coming to a rally where he spoke. Read more here.
Narendra Modi welcomed in Brisbane during the G20 in November 2014. Pic: narendramodi.in
South Korean ferry tragedyThe sinking of the MV Sewol in April was particularly tragic as not only were there 476 people on board but most were secondary students from Danwon High School. 304 people died in the disaster. The ship is believed to be carrying twice its legal cargo limit at the time and the previous captain had warned the company about safety issues onboard. Read more here.
Prince George downunderPrince George may not yet be 12 months old but he was one of the biggest celebrities to travel to Australia and New Zealand this year and his every move was watched and remarked on from what gifts he was given to how much he loves Australian wombats and the Kiwi police puppies. The visits were no doubt a boom for tourism operators in Australia and New Zealand who must have been pleased parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, otherwise known as Will and Kate, took him to such tourism hot spots as Taronga Zoo in Sydney and the Blue Mountains in New South Wales. His parents also added a bit of star power to a sunset visit of Uluru in central Australia.
Asia hits best of destination listsAsian countries and cities made Lonely Planet’s best of lists in 2014 thanks to such amazing experiences as longhouse stays, its cliffs and forest, beaches, family destinations and value holidays. While none of this comes as a surprise to those who know and love holidaying in Asia, the acknowledgement is merited. Read more here.
Preparing for a galactic liftoffSpace is the new travel frontier, if you believe Sir Richard Branson. The entrepreneur continues to advance his long planned commercial space operation Virgin Galactic. The inaugural space flight did take place this year with plans for it to reach 62 miles above the earth, however the rocket plane crashed in the Mojave Desert in October, killing one of the two pilots. Virgin Galactic had hoped to fly tourists next spring and already presold 700 tickets. The company has yet to advise if things will continue to schedule.
Ebola travel scareThe impact of Ebola was also felt on travel with some countries such as Australian issuing a ban on travel from West Africa, while North Korea, despite the low number of tourists that cross its borders, said it would quarantine all foreigners in October.
Agoda
CHINA’S airlines and airports continue to have the worst flight delays in the world, according to a travel industry monitor. A survey of flight times last month showed that Beijing’s airport had the lowest proportion of flights leaving on time among 35 leading airports at just 18.3 percent, FlightStat Inc. reported on its website. Shanghai…>
FROM the anniversary of the Everest climb to airways that charge per weight, the release of films that put tourism on the map and lots of travel awards, 2013 has brought a range of tourism experiences to the Asia-Pacific region. January Qantas Airways passengers between Cairns and Port Moresby watched a large python clinging to…>
Villa Kiara Boutique Hotel
Urban Boutique Hotel
Siem Reap, , Cambodia
Deal USD $ 125 per night
Barefoot Sakau Lodge
River Guesthouse
Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 75 per night
The Peninsula
Urban, Luxury
Bangkok, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 185 per night
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit
Urban Luxury Hotel
Bangkok, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 125 per night
Shangri La Bangkok
Urban Luxury
Bangkok, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 175 per night
The Heritage House & Gardens
Boutique Resort
Chiang Mai, , Thailand
Deal USD $ $115 per night
Dream Bangkok
Boutique Hotel
Bangkok, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 84 per night
Santhiya Koh Phangan Resort & Spa
Boutique Resorts
Koh Phangan, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 184 per night
Sala Samui
Boutique Resort
Koh Samui, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 225 per night
Panviman Resort
Boutique Resort
Bantai, Koh Phangan, Thailand
Deal USD $ 275 per night
The Racha
Luxury Resort
Racha Island, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 250 per night
Lebua At State Tower
Urban Luxury Hotel
Bangkok, Bangrak, Thailand
Deal USD $ 150 per night
The Sukhothai Bangkok
Boutique Hotel
Bangkok, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 190 per night
Anantara Bophut Koh Samui Resort & Spa
Luxury Resort
Koh Samui, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 125 per night
Zeavola Resort
Boutique Resort
Ao Nang, Koh Phi Phi , Thailand
Deal USD $ 210 per night
Rachamankha Hotel
Boutique Hotel
Changmai, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 150 per night
LUXX
Boutique Hotel
Bangkok, , Thailand
Deal USD $ 75 per night
The Nam Hai
Luxury Villa
Hoi An, Quang Nam Province, Vietnam
Deal USD $ 550 per night
Hotel Penaga
Boutique Hotel
Georgetown, , Malaysia
Deal 150 per night
Hibiscus Villa
Luxury Villa
Kudat, Sabah, Borneo
Deal USD $ 750 per night
Sepilok Jungle Resort
Nature Resort
Sandakan, Borneo, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 10 per night
Old Penang Guesthouse
Urban Boutique Guesthouse
Penang, Georgetown, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 10 per night
Marco Polo Hotel
Urban Luxury Hotel
Davao City, , Philippines
Deal USD $ 92 per night
Pearl Farm Resort
Luxury Beach Resort & Spa
Davao, Samal, Philippines
Deal USD $ 119 per night
Bohol Beach Club
Beach Adventure Resort
panglao, Bohol, Philippines
Deal USD $ 111 per night
Eastwood Richmonde Hotel
Urban Hotel
Metro Manila, , Philippines
Deal USD $ 94 per night
Casa Leticia Boutique Hotel
Urban, Boutique
Davao City, , Philippines
Deal USD $ 67 per night
Satrisna Home
Urban Guesthouse
Tanjung Bungah, Penang, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 125 per night
Manila Hotel
Urban Hotel
Manila, , Philippines
Deal USD $ 185 per night
Dusit Thani Manila
Urban Hotel
Manila, , Philippines
Deal USD $ 140 per night
Sipadan Kapalai Dive Resort
Beach Resort
Kapali, Sipadan Island, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 1000 per night
Sukau Rainforest Lodge
Eco River Retreat
Kinabatangan River, Borneo, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 400 per night
Casa Nicaros Hotel
Urban Budget Hotel
Manila, , Philippines
Deal USD $ 50 per night
The Poseidon House
Luxury Villa
Kudat, Sabah, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 363 per night
Abaca Boutique Resort
Spa & Wellness Resort
Lapu Lapu City , Mactan Island, Philippines
Deal USD $ 340 per night
Sangria Langkawi
Luxury Beach Villa
Pantai Tengah, Langkawi, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 530 per night
Eternity Springs Art Farm
Eco Wellness Retreat
Byron Bay, New South Wales, Australia
Deal USD $ 100 per night
Bali Dynasty Resort
Beach Resort
Kuta, Bali, Indonesia
Deal 132 per night
Club Bali Hawaii
Beach, Adventure
Anyer, Bali, Indonesia
Deal USD $ 90 per night
Desa Seni
Boutique Spa Resort
Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Deal USD $ 125 per night
Alila Ubud
Boutique Retreat Resort
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Deal USD $ 163 per night
Long Life Hotel
Urban Budget Hotel
Hoi An, , Vietnam
Deal USD $ 28 per night
Grace Hotel Beijing
Urban Boutique Hotel
Beijing, 798 Art District, China
Deal USD $ 135 per night
Life Heritage Resort Hoi An
Urban Retreat
Hoi An, , Vietnam
Deal 131 per night
Princess D’Annam Resort & Spa
Boutique Resort
Binh Thuan, , Vietnam
Deal USD $ 250 per night
Evason Ana Mandara Hideaway
Luxury Beach Resort
Nha Trang, , Vietnam
Deal USD $ 200 per night
Victoria Chau Doc Hotel
Boutique Hotel
Chau Doc , , Vietnam
Deal USD $ 125 per night
The Terraces
Boutique Hotel
Kanatal, Uttarkhand, India
Deal USD $ 240 per night
The Orchid
Urban Boutique Hotel
Beijing, Gulou, China
Deal USD $ 110 per night
The Quay
Urban Retreat Hotel
Phnom Penh, , Cambodia
Deal USD $ 70 per night
Luang Prabang River Lodge
Urban Budget Hotel
Luang Prabang, , Laos
Deal USD $ 40 per night
Royal Bay Inn Angkor Resort
Urban Hotel
Siem Reap, , Cambodia
Deal USD $ 60 per night
Knai Bang Chatt
Beach Resort
Kep, , Cambodia
Deal USD $ 115 per night
City Inn
Urban Budget Hotel
Vientiane, , Laos
Deal USD $ $60 per night
Independence Hotel
Luxury Beach Hotel
Sihanoukville, , Southern Cambodia
Deal USD $ 130 per night
Amanjaya Pancam
Urban Retreat Hotel
Phnom Penh, , Cambodia
Deal USD $ 100 per night
Sala Luang Prabang
Urban Budget Guesthouse
Luang Prabang, , Laos
Deal USD $ 50 per night
La Residence d’Angkor
Luxury Hotel
Siem Reap, , Cambodia
Deal USD $ USD $285 per night
Settha Palace Hotel
Urban Boutique Hotel
Vientiane, , Laos
Deal USD $ 150 per night
Wanderlust
Urban Boutique Hotel
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Deal USD $ 158 per night
The Mercer
Designer Luxury Hotel
Hong Kong, Sheung Wan, China
Deal USD $ 200 per night
The Club Hotel
Urban Boutique Hotel
China Town, , Singapore
Deal USD $ 188 per night
L’Hotel Nina at Convention Center
Urban Budget Hotel
Hong Kong, The New Territories, China
Deal USD $ 100 per night
Hotel Fort Canning
Urban Hotel
, , Singapore
Deal USD $ 240 per night
Marina Bay Sands
Urban Hotel
Marina Bay, , Singapore
Deal USD $ 341 per night
Hullet House
Urban Luxury Hotel
Hong Kong, Kowloon, China
Deal USD $ 500 per night
Hotel De Edge
Urban Designer Hotel
Hong Kong, Sheung Wan, China
Deal USD $ 100 per night
Sunrise Nha Trang Beach Hotel & Spa
Luxury Beach Resort
Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam
Deal USD $ 134 per night
Maya Ubud Resort and Spa
Mountain Luxury Retreat
Ubud, Bali, Indonesia
Deal USD $ 295 per night
Batu Karang Lembongan Resort
Luxury Beach Resort
Nusa Lembongan, Bali, Indonesia
Deal 230 per night
Bon Ton Resort
Beach Luxury Villa
Pantai Cenang, Pulau Langkawi, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 250 per night
Clove Hall
Urban Boutique Hotel
Georgetown, Pulau Penang, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 180 per night
The Secret Sanctuary Boutique Cottage
Boutique Guesthouse
Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 35 per night
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Boutique Resort
Canungra, Queensland, Australia
Deal USD $ 200 per night
Argonauta Boracay
Beach Boutique Hotel
Hagdan, Boracay Island, Philippines
Deal USD $ 120 per night
Anggun Boutique Hotel
Urban Boutique Hotel
Kuala Lumpur, Bukit Bintang, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 75 per night
Soria Moria
Urban Retreat
Siem Reap, Old French Quarter, Cambodia
Deal USD $ 40 per night
La Villa Battambang
Boutique Guesthouse
Battambang, Rattanak Srok, Cambodia
Deal USD $ 55 per night
The Apsara
Urban Boutique Guesthouse
Luang Prabang, Luang Prabang Province, Laos
Deal USD $ 75 per night
Salana Boutique Hotel
Urban Boutique Hotel
Vientiane, Wat Chan , Laos
Deal USD $ 100 per night
Villa Santi Hotel
Boutique Hotel
Luang Prabang, Ban Wat Sene, Laos
Deal USD $ 90 per night
TenFace Bangkok
Boutique Hotels
Bangkok, Pathumwan, Thailand
Deal USD $ 87 per night
Villa Lomchoy
Luxury Villa
Chaweng, Koh Samui, Thailand
Deal USD $ 275 per night
Hintok River Camp @ Hellfire Pass
Rivers Glamping
Kanchanaburi, River Kwai, Thailand
Deal USD $ 125 per night
Luang Poj Boutique Hostel
Boutique Guesthouse
Ranong, City Centre, Thailand
Deal USD $ 13 per night
The Chedi, Chiang Mai
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Chiang Mai, Chang Khlan, Thailand
Deal USD $ 250 per night
Villa Blubambu
Luxury Spa Villas
Seminyak, Bali, Indonesia
Deal USD $ 115 per night
Santi Sari
Luxury Guesthouse
Goris, Bali, Indonesia
Deal USD $ 200 per night
La Residence Hue
Boutique Hotel
Hue City, Tha Thien-Hue, Vietnam
Deal USD $ 118 per night
Ana Mandara Villas Dalat Resort & Spa
Luxury Resort
Dalat, Lam Dong, Vietnam
Deal USD $ USD $175 per night
Hotel G
Urban Boutique Hotel
Beijing, Sanlitun, China
Deal USD $ 170 per night
Tiger Rock
Luxury Boutique Guesthouse
Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia
Deal USD $ 200 per night
The Opposite House
Urban Luxury Boutique Hotel
Beijing, Sanlitun, China
Deal USD $ 330 per night
The T Hotel
Urban Designer Hotel
Hong Kong, Pokfulam, China
Deal USD $ 150 per night
Hotel ICON
Urban Luxury Boutique Hotel
Hong Kong, Kowloon, China
Deal USD $ 335 per night
Hotel 1929
Urban Boutique Hotel
Singapore, Chinatown, Singapore
Deal USD $ 136 per night
The Scarlet Hotel
Urban Boutique Hotel
Singapore, , Singapore
Deal USD $ 200 per night
New Majestic Hotel
Urban Boutique Hotel
Singapore, Chinatown, Singapore
Deal USD $ 196 per night
Rohet Garh
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Rohet Garh, Rajasthan, India
Deal USD $ 100 per night
Padmini Niwas
Luxury Hotel Test
Mussoorie, Uttarkhand, India
Deal USD $ 33 per night
Orange County
Boutique Luxury Resort
Coorg, Karnataka, India
Deal USD $ 380 per night
Old Harbour Hotel
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Fort Kochi, Kerala, India
Deal USD $ USD $185 per night
Nilaya Hermitage
Boutique Luxury Hotel
Arpora, Goa, India
Deal USD $ 397 per night
Maneland Jungle Lodge
Adventure Resort Retreat
Sasan Gir, Gujurat, India
Deal USD $ 65 per night
House of MG
Urban Boutique Hotel
Ahmedabad, Gujurat, India
Deal USD $ 92 per night
Hotel Bougainvillea
Budget Boutique Guesthouse
Anjuna, Goa, India
Deal USD $ 15 per night
Fort Tiracol
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Tiracol, Goa, India
Deal USD $ 172 per night
Fort Chanwa Luni
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Jodhpur, Rajasthan, India
Deal USD $ 130 per night
Fernhills Palace
Luxury Boutique Hotel
Ooty, Tamil Nadu , India
Deal USD $ 235 per night
Carlton Plaisance
Luxury Hotel
Mussoorie, Uttaranchal, India
Deal USD $55 per night