Arrivals & Departures Weekly Travel News & Views 20 August 2024

TV BLOCKING

A reader who has just returned from Ireland, flying with Emirates, sensibly broke the journey with a short stay at Dubai International Hotel, in the airport. “We are always happy with their facilities,” he writes. But during the 19-hour stay, he noticed that all news channels on the room’s TV had a blank signal. When he rang reception, he was told it was hotel protocol. It has long been the practice of the authorities in the United Arab Emirates to block certain international feeds and web providers. Some hotels take this further and one can understand that, with conflict in the region and guests from a wide variety of countries, backgrounds and beliefs, that way they don’t offend anyone.

The residents of Dubai live on VPN providers — connecting to the internet and TV that way, so they are (to some degree) invisible. I’m told by a local it is the only way they can watch The Real Housewives Of Beverly Hills.

PASSING THROUGH

Dubai International Airport is on course to handle a record number of passengers this year. In the first six months, there was an 8 per cent increase in passengers compared with the same period last year. Just under 45 million passengers passed through the airport in those six months. And that puts it on track for 91 million passengers this year, passing the 2018 record of the airport’s 89 million.

SPAIN BOOMING

Despite protests against tourists, the number of overseas visitors arriving in Spain in the first half of the year jumped by 13 per cent. With more than 42 million internationals arriving by the end of June, last year’s record of 85 million is in its sights. Spain is the world’s second most visited country, behind France.

PAY FOR PRIVILEGE

Lots of travellers look for more out-of-the-way places, and Montenegro has been in the frame as one of those. But there are reports that the town of Kotor is struggling to cope with the attention. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is set on the Adriatic, and some locals are now calling for an increase in the €1 ($1.65) fee that cruise ship passengers pay to come to town. About 500 are expected to dock this year.

The Italian city of Venice “broke the seal” on such charges in April, when it became the first place to introduce a charge. There is now a €5 charge for visitors at peak times.

New rules have also just been introduced in Venice which limits the size of tour groups, in another initiative to reduce the effects that come with a lot of visitors. Groups are now capped at 25 people and guides are not allowed to use loud speakers. It should limit the amount of pedestrians and make the place quieter.

ALTERNATIVE LAKES

The Italian lakes of Como, Garda and Maggiore dominate social media, but I’m going to give you a tip … the lakes Bourget, Leman and Annecy. (But don’t tell anyone else.)

TASTY TIP

Readers Ross Dowling and wife Wendy have been touring Italy with Perth friends Steve and Anna Fanning (pictured at the top of the page). Ross, who is an emeritus professor specialising in tourism at Edith Cowan University, wrote from Bologna: “This evening Steve took us to a restaurant you had recommended in the Saturday Travel supplement. We went to Trattoria dal Biassanot and had a fabulous evening.

“We sat outside to start with, but a wild storm drove us inside. There, we had a great evening with excellent food, great service and a wonderful ambience. We engaged with a number of other guests while we enjoyed a full three-course meal supplemented by excellent wines. So, your recommendations work and we all had the best night, thanks to you.”

CARD FOR A DONG

Reader Madhumati Sarkar kindly says she reads us every weekend, and asks for advice on a travel card for a planned visit to Vietnam. Ah, the Vietnamese dong. My suggestion is a Wise Travel Card, which works well: wise.com/au/travel-money/vietnamese-dong-card

CURRENCY CLASSICS

This leads me to think of other currencies with interesting names …

Balboa in Panama.

Zloty in Poland.

Metical in Mozambique.

Quetzal in Guatemala.

BARGAIN CASE

And if you want to make your money go further, here’s another tip … the $39 wheeled carry-on hard case at Kmart. I’ve thoroughly examined it and this 47cm, four-wheeler is a sturdy thing. The shell is acrylonitrile butadiene styrene — ABS. It has a 33-litre capacity and weighs 2.4kg. I like it in charcoal.

Kmart.com.auand search for “47cm 4 Wheels Carry On Hard Case”.

STAYING CLOSE

AAT Kings specialises in tours of Australia and New Zealand. And the team there has just released the results of travel trends research conducted in July which shows that 70 per cent of respondents aged 45 and older say they would prioritise domestic travel in the next 12 months. They want to stay close to home and explore their own backyard. In addition, 55 per cent of respondents said they would consider a group or guided holiday on their next trip. The most important considerations in choosing a tour are the destination (30 per cent) and, close behind, the itinerary (28 per cent).

EXPERIENCES & DEALS

AAT Kings has released its itineraries for 2025-2026.

New experiences They now include Emu Ridge Eucalyptus Tour on Kangaroo Island, a visit to Tasmanian Gourmet Sauce Company and Iron Creek Bay Farm Estate in Tasmania and a Lake Manapouri tour in New Zealand.

Deals An AAT Kings spokesperson says there are saving of up to $6400 per couple twin share, on some tours departing between April 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026, for those who pay by September 30, 2024. aatkings.com

PEARL SHINES

Boutique expedition cruise ship Paspaley Pearl by Ponant has completed sea trials off Fremantle. Capt. David Marionneau, Ponant’s director of marine operations Asia Pacific, says: “The sea trials were a resounding success.” The Azimuth propulsion system was quiet and Capt. Marionneau says the ship has “superb manoeuvring capabilities”. The ship is due to start sailing in East Indonesia in January 2025, with up to 30 guests and 21 crew. ponant.com