Buying Food at the Market and Other Daily Savings Tips for Travelers

You’ve got to eat while traveling and most tourists will tell you that the best part of the whole trip is experiencing the food while in foreign places. If you are a fussy eater or have special dietary needs, you can still be accommodated while traveling, just plan ahead.

What better way to immerse yourself in the local culture than by visiting the local markets. Not only will you get to see and try the local cuisine, but you’ll probably save a lot of money. Eating in restaurants, especially those geared towards the tourist trade, can get very expensive. Try buying your food fresh from the markets and preparing it yourself. Or buy already prepared food from the market vendor.

In Bangkok you can visit the floating markets and buy anything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to ready prepared noodle soup. In Jerusalem the outdoor market or ‘shuk’ not only sells fruits and vegetables, but meat, poultry, fish, bread, nuts, cheese, spices and so on. As in most markets, you have to bargain at a shuk to get a good deal as prices vary markedly. African markets sell souvenirs as well as food.

Bargaining is welcomed at most markets, especially for keepsakes. Knowing how to bargain will save any traveler money. Here are a few points to follow when attempting to bargain for an item: (more…)

Chinese Prosperous Inbound Tourism Market In 2010

By: Kerry

With the development of the society, the tourism industry has become one of those industries with the highest growth rate and the largest development scale in the world. The tourism industry plays an increasingly important role in the urban economy, stimulating the development of urban economy, social employment, culture and environment. In China, the tourism industry is also regarded as a pillar sector.

In the previous three quarters of 2009, despite the financial crisis and H1N1 Influenza, Chinese tourism industry managed to maintain the favorable growth. In 2009 Q1-Q3, the number of domestic tourists in China totaled 1.45 billion, 11% increase over the same period of 2008; the income from domestic tourism came up to CNY 740 billion, 10% growth over the same period of 2008. In 2009 Q1-Q3, the number of tourists from abroad amounted to 94 million, dropping by 3% YOY; the foreign exchange earnings from inbound tourism reached CNY 28 billion, falling by 7% YOY. In the previous three quarters of 2009, the number of outbound tourists in China was 35 million, 2.4% increase over the same period of 2008. Presently, Chinese tourism industry is under full recovery with the improved operation status, stable tourism employment and active tourism investment.

On one hand, the financial crisis has narrowed down the global demand, impeding the development of Chinese tourism industry; on the other hand, Chinese tourism industry still faces favorable development opportunities and environment. Therefore, Chinese inbound tourism can maintain stable and healthy development. Moreover, with the increase in urban and rural residents’ incomes, the domestic consumption demand for tourism is quite high.

On Dec. 1st, 2009, the Opinions of the State Council on Accelerating the Development of Tourism Industry was released, proposing to cultivate Chinese tourism industry into the strategic and pillar industry in the national economy for the first time. This will bring about new development opportunities for Chinese tourism industry. It is forecast that Chinese tourism industry will restore prominently in 2010 with the industrial growth rate of 16.50%. (more…)

Dominican Republic Defies Tourism Market, Keeps Growing

Throughout the world, there has been a decline in tourism.  That decline has, however, missed the Dominican Republic.  The Dominican Republic has managed to attract tourists year after year, and with plans from investors and new routes promised by airlines, it would appear the Dominican Republic is going to continue to grow in the area of tourism.

With so many markets struggling, the Dominican Republic has managed to see a 6.55% increase in tourism for the first part of 2008.  That increase is thanks to the 2.2 million people that traveled there in the opening months of the year.  People continue to go to the area, despite tourism trends in other areas of the world.

The world is noticing the strong tourism market in the Dominican Republic.  Because of that, investors are getting in on the action.  The first indication that tourism in the DR was going to exceed even current expectations was when a development group from the Balearic Islands decided they wanted in on the opportunity to invest.

The group intends to invest 3.7 billion Euros over a four year time period in order to build up the tourism industry.  With the money, they want to work on a railway linking Santiago and Santo Domingo.  The railway promises to help the tourism market by making traveling in the region easier.  (more…)

Importance of Tourism for Emerging Market Investments

Global mass tourism has been a strong influencing factor in the expansion of foreign real estate investment around the world. Emerging markets with growing mass tourism appeal have gained investor interest for strong rental yields, bargain property prices, fast capital growth potential and high demand enabling good exit strategies. Continued success with economic growth in these markets largely depends upon the lasting appeal of the tourism sector.

Locations with the greatest potential for continued mass tourism and real estate investment growth are those offering year round sunshine, attractive beaches and golfing options. Areas of fast growing interest tend to be in locations within a short or mid haul flights of the tourism sector client base. Currency exchange rates can also have an effect on the popularity of specific locations, as fluctuating rates offer either benefits or disadvantages to certain areas, increasing or decreasing the seasonal attraction.

As tourism interest increases in emerging market locations, property prices tend to rise dramatically over a relatively short period of time. The surge in investment demand enables impressive returns to those buyers entering the market at the earliest stage of expansion. This is also considered to be one of the riskier alternatives, as the success of the tourism sector is yet to be established.

Although the lower cost of property prices in emerging markets can lead to a surge in demand for investment opportunities, the risks of investing tends to decrease as tourism interest strengthens. The continued development of local tourism is a factor closely tied to the ‘make or break’ situation of the buy-to-let market.

The global expansion of mass tourism, assisted by faster travelling times, convenient flight connections, low cost airlines and the internet, has created a potential for strong economic growth in regions of high demand. Government integration to boost the domestic economy through foreign investment and tourism, has lead many nations to develop and improve the infrastructure required for continued expansion and demand. (more…)