Wednesday 16 November 2011

Big things to come for Johor's east coast

Ever come to Malaysia, here I would like to introduce one more interesting places in the southern portion Malaysia, Johor.

BOOMING A multi-million ringgit project at Tanjung Leman will add more flourish to the vibrant tourism sector in the state's east coast.


The Fishing Bay Resort is among the many resorts in Mersing. It offers a breathtaking view.

The tourism sector for Johor's east coast received a huge boost recently when Johor Corporation (JCorp) announced the RM100-million Tanjung Leman resort town project at the popular beachside destination.

The mixed development, which includes a resort, theme park, agrotourism attraction, marina, 700 units of houses and 93 shoplots, is expected to spur economic activities in the surrounding areas.

Located about 120km from Johor Baru, Tanjung Leman is one of many beaches along Johor's east coast. This stretch of beach has a jetty which provides ferry services to nearby islands. There are also chalets and the Felda Residence resort.

The beauty of the state's east coast has been known for many years as it is blessed with sandy beaches. The coast is also teeming with fish that attract many anglers. Johor's east coast stretches from Pengerang at the southeastern tip to Mersing at the northeast.

Tanjung Leman is among the many tourist destinations between these two points. Other popular beaches along the same stretch are Desaru, Tanjung Balau and Tanjung Sedili.

Mersing and Tanjung Leman are located within the East Coast Economic Region (ECER) which is among the comprehensive development blueprints put in place by the government.

All these locations are expected to become boom towns in the years to come.

Many of these towns are considered small and are less congested compared to towns along Johor's west coast.

It is something one notices whenever one drives to this part of Johor. Instead of the busy north-south expressway at the west coast, there is a trunk road that stretches from Kota Tinggi to Mersing.

This trunk road is dotted with hilly terrain, jungles, villages, small towns and oil palm estates.

It is a less congested route. Though that can be a much-welcome respite for motorists, many also find that it can be somewhat deserted at night.

Some motorists try to avoid these roads after dark because of the many ghost stories that have been told about this stretch.

Nevertheless, Johor's east coast is an ideal place for nature lovers.

The Panti bird sanctuary in Kota Tinggi has been named by experts as one of the top four birdwatching spots in southeast Asia. It is located along the same trunk road, several kilometres north of Kota Tinggi.

Spread over 1,600 hectares, the sanctuary is known as a stopover for about 48 per cent of the total bird species found in peninsular Malaysia.

Managed by the state Forestry Department, the sanctuary has an 8-km bird-watching trail known as Bunker's Trail.

Nature lovers may be able to see tropical lowland birds and migratory birds from Myanmar, Thailand, India and Mongolia at certain times of the year.

Desaru, with its sandy beaches that are lined with trees, is another popular beach for Johoreans and foreigners alike.

The name is a combination of the Malay words desa (countryside) and rhu (casuarina tree). The beachside has several resorts, chalets and a public beach popular during weekends and public holidays.

The annual Desaru International Triathalon, which is normally held from September to November, also attracts sportsmen from across the globe.

Further down, at the southeastern tip of Johor, is Pengerang which is poised to become a boom town because of its oil and gas (O&G) industry.

Menteri Besar Datuk Abdul Ghani Othman said Pengerang may well be on its way to becoming an O&G hub bigger than Kerteh in Terengganu.

This scenario is likely due to a RM60-billion refinery and petrochemical integrated development (Rapid) petrochemical complex slated for opening in 2015. Another RM6-billion deep-water petroleum terminal will also be built in Pengerang. These two projects will certainly create a ripple effect on tourism and spur the economy for local residents.

The town of Sungai Rengit, which is barely a few kilometres from Pengerang, is famous for its seafood restaurants, and this will bring in more tourism earnings to the town once the O&G projects are completed.

Johor's east coast will thrive even more now with more development projects in place.

Places like Pengerang, Tanjung Leman and Mersing will become more vibrant in years to come.
Source : nst.com.my

Wednesday 9 November 2011

“Can’t Miss” Tourist Attractions in Atlanta, Georgia


Atlanta is an incredibly diverse and fascinating city, and there are many sights and activities to keep you busy during your stay.

And with the world's busiest airport serving this great southern city, hunting down cheap flights to Atlanta isn't all that tough.

Here are five of the top tourist attractions in Atlanta that the whole family can enjoy.

Saving tip: If you plan on visiting all five, you might consider purchasing an Atlanta CityPASS, which grants visitors admission to all five attractions for just $69.

World of Coca Cola : The World of Coca Cola is comprised a large Coke museum (featuring Coke paraphernalia both old and new), a tasting room (where you can sample some of Coke’s most famous products), and a large gift shop where you can purchase Coke-related souvenirs. Prepare for a sugar rush!

CNN Atlanta Studios : News junkies will love touring the global headquarters of CNN. Tickets are available for two different tours : the Morning Express Tour (a tour of the morning show) and the CNN VIP Tour. Detailed information on tour times and ticket prices can be found on the CNN tour website.

High Museum of Art: Atlanta’s world-class High Museum of Art boasts and impressive permanent collection, as well as a variety of well-curated temporary exhibitions throughout the year. On view between September 25, 2011 and January 8, 2012 is The Sculptures of Grainger McKoy, an artist known for his life-like wildlife sculptures. Picasso to Warhol, an exhibition featuring fourteen twentieth-century artists who redefined the very idea of art, is on view between October 15, 2011 and April 29, 2012.

Georgia Aquarium: Kids of all ages will be awed by the sea creatures at the Georgia Aquarium. A variety of tours and educational programs are available (see the Georgia Aquarium’s website for more information).

Atlanta History Center: The Atlanta History Center is comprised of the Atlanta History Museum, Centennial Olympic Games Museum, Swan House, Smith Family Farm, six historic gardens, and the Kenan Research Center. Visit one or all of these sites to learn more about the history and culture(s) of Atlanta, or simply stroll the Center’s stunning grounds.

Source : blog.onetravel.com

Tuesday 8 November 2011

7 Tips Money Saving Travel

Where attractive destinations you want to go? Sure, you want some fun in this December. If you're not getting a bonus or under financial pressure, you need to plan ahead. I have tips for you.

Unless you receive a whopper bonus or an unexpected Christmas windfall, for most South Africans ‘kicking back’ and taking a break often comes with a nasty price-tag. Beat the annual holiday splurge that can leave you with little more than a peeling tan and a bad bank balance come January by taking a frugal vacation.

Here's how the smart holiday-maker will be living it up during December without breaking the bank in 2012:

1. House-sitting
This is a great idea if you’d like to earn a few bucks while on holiday. Many people go away each year leaving their homes and pets unattended for long periods of time and need a house-sitter to keep an eye on things. This is a perfect opportunity to enjoy free accommodation and earn some spending money while you’re at it!

2. Swap houses
If a ‘bells and whistles’ holiday is too pricey this year, why not just swap homes with someone instead? It works by trading places with other frugal travellers like you or family and friends for the holiday and is a smart way to enjoy a getaway without forking out a cent for accommodation.

3. Sleep under the stars
Camping is another adventure-filled, cost-effective option for those who are keen to explore the great outdoors. Not only will you save tons of money on accommodation and meals, you’ll also enjoy getting back to basics by cooking potjies on a fire; taking long walks in the forests or beachfronts or reading that holiday novel you’ve been meaning to get around to without any TV interruptions!

4. Try something new closer to home
Talk to family and friends for recommendations and look for destinations that are closer to home and affordable. Often the smaller, unknown spots offer the most unexplored beauty and best hospitality.
So instead of the usual, pricey vacation, why not try something new?

5. Stay-cautious
Although the idea of going away to a new, unexplored holiday destination sounds more fun than staying at home; the reality is it’s often more expensive. Become a tourist in your own city by exploring the local galleries, farmer’s markets, beaches or picnic sites.
Not only will this save you tons of moolah on travelling, accommodation and all the other associated costs of going on holiday; the ideas are endless and can be as easy as camping in your backyard if you so wish.

6. Fly local or go road-tripping
Sometimes flying is cheaper than driving. If you decide to fly local, subscribe to low-cost airlines’ mailing lists, such as kulula.com, for regular special deal offers. Book early, avoid peak travel times and always be on the lookout while comparing prices.
For international trips, take advantage of medical aid. They could also come in handy when booking accommodation as hotels often honour them for free or discounted rooms.
If you’re driving, why not grab a bunch of friends and turn it into a road trip? This way everyone can chip in on the petrol and other expenses along the way. Also ensure your car has a service done upfront to avoid any expensive tow-in costs in case of an accident.

7. Enjoy all the free entertainment on offer!
Sometimes you can spend so much money getting to your destination that you don’t have enough left to enjoy anything while you’re there. Keep an eye out for free activities on offer in your local city or even holiday resort. Why not take the kids to build sandcastles on the beach; enjoy reading a book in the garden or go and have a sunset picnic in a scenic spot?
You could also opt for adventurous nature activities such as bike riding, hiking or swimming. Search your local newspaper for listings and holiday go to guides to spot any free events or activities that could be worth exploring. Once you start looking, you’ll be surprised how much there is to do.

There are many ways to save on holiday. So while you may not be able to go to Europe or afford lavish hotel trips each year; with some smart planning, dedication and research you can still have an enjoyable, relaxed getaway. Being frugal during the rest of the year can also make an immense difference to your holiday budget.

Enjoy your holidays with this new tips. 

Source : women24.com

Friday 4 November 2011

Top 5 Medical Tourism Destinations

I have read this article relates the top 5 Medical Tourism Destinations.

The modern concept of medical tourism - traveling to foreign countries for lower cost of care. Medical tourism destinations have emerged all over the globe, from Thailand to South Africa, and even European countries such as Hungary. The industry anticipates a great deal of growth in the coming years, from a 2004 estimate of $40 billion to $100 billion by 2012, according to statistics produced by McKinsey & Company and the Confederation of India.

Experts believe that medical tourism will have a positive impact on the economies of destination countries and benefit skilled and unskilled trades alike. The medical tourism phenomenon may also bode well for foreign investors who hold an interest in those countries.

Below, NuWire has selected its Top 5 Medical Tourism Destinations which present the most attractive opportunities for medical tourists and foreign investors alike. These markets were selected based on quality and affordability of care as well as receptiveness to foreign investment.

It should also be noted that medical staffs in the following countries are largely English-speaking, and thus language barriers do not pose a major obstacle for foreign patients.


Panama's economy should benefit from medical tourism

1. Panama

Panama offers significantly lower costs for medical procedures just south of the U.S. border. Costs, on average, are 40 to 70 percent lower than costs of similar surgeries in the U.S., according to a report on medical tourism published by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) last November. Although costs for medical procedures are generally higher compared to those of Southeast Asian countries, travel costs from the U.S. to Panama are considerably lower.

Panama is a relatively “Americanized” country and an attractive place for both regular tourists and medical tourists to visit. Panama City is a relatively safe and modern destination; the U.S. dollar is the country’s official currency, and many of the physicians are U.S.-trained. Consequently, U.S. patients are less likely to experience a high degree of culture shock when seeking care in Panama.

Medical tourism should have a positive impact on Panama’s economy, which relies heavily on the services industry. The medical tourism industry can also help to utilize Panama’s labor force of approximately 1.5 million people, which has a surplus of unskilled labor, according to the CIA World Factbook.

In general, Panama has shown commitment to improving its economy in fostering trade relations with the U.S. Rather than participate in Central America Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA), Panama independently negotiated a free trade agreement with the US in December 2006.

Finally, Panama presents a wide range of opportunities for real estate investments as well as investments in the service and tourism-related industries. For more information on investing in Panama, please read our previous article, Investment Opportunities in Panama.

2. Brazil

Brazil has become an international mecca for cosmetic and plastic surgeries. Its road to fame in medical tourism began with Ivo Pitanguy, the world-renowned plastic surgeon who opened a clinic outside of Rio de Janeiro more than 40 years ago. It is the second largest market for plastic surgery in the world, behind the U.S., which is most likely attributed to the high quality of service and low cost compared to other countries.

Brazil is also becoming a medical tourism destination for other types of procedures in its own right. In terms of general medical treatment, Brazil has the most hospitals of any country outside the U.S. that are fully accredited by the Joint Commission (JCAHO), the largest U.S. hospital accreditation organization, according to the website for medical tourism service company MedRetreat.

São Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, is considered to have some of the world’s best equipped hospitals, advanced evaluation procedures and highly skilled physicians, according to BrazilMedicalTourism.com, a website hosted by Sphera Internacional.

Brazil can be reached from most U.S. cities within eight to 12 hours by plane.

Brazil is predicted to become one of the world’s most dominant economies in the future, according to the BRIC theory proposed by Jim O’Neill of Goldman Sachs. Furthermore, Brazil’s property sector appears favorable for foreign investment. For more information about investing in Brazil real estate, please read our previous article,Brazil Property Investment: More Than Just the Amazon.


Malaysia's capital city is metropolitan and modern

3. Malaysia

Malaysia’s medical tourism industry has seen staggering growth over recent years. The number of foreigners seeking healthcare services in Malaysia has grown from 75,210 patients in 2001 to 296,687 patients in 2006, according to the Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia. The large volume of patients in 2006 brought approximately $59 million in revenue. The Association of Private Hospitals Malaysia projected that the number of foreigners seeking medical treatment in Malaysia will continue to grow at a rate of 30 percent a year until 2010.

Malaysia offers a wide array of medical procedure - including dental, cosmetic and cardiac surgeries - at significantly lower costs than in the U.S. In Malaysia, cardiac bypass surgery, for example, costs around $6,000 to $7,000, according to a publication released by Tourism Malaysia last November.

Malaysia attracts medical tourists and investors alike for its favorable exchange rate, political and economic stability and high rate of literacy. The country also offers a comprehensive network of hospitals and clinics, with 88.5 percent of the population living within three miles of a public health clinic or private practitioner, according to statistics quoted on Hospitals-Malaysia.org.

In addition, Malaysia’s real estate market offers the potential for significant returns.

4. Costa Rica

Costa Rica, like Panama, has become a popular destination among North American patients for inexpensive, high-quality medical care “without a trans-Pacific flight,” according to experts quoted in the University of Delaware’sUDaily news in 2005. The convenience of travel has made the country a particularly attractive destination for American patients, as Costa Rica can be reached from most U.S. cities within seven to 10 hours of flight time.

Around 150,000 foreigners sought care in Costa Rica in 2006, according to the NCPA report published last November. Often, foreign patients travel to Costa Rica for the low costs of dental work and plastic surgery. Costs of procedures in Costa Rica are generally less than half the cost of the same procedures in the U.S.; the price of a dental veneer, for instance, is approximately $350 in Panama, whereas the same procedure is $1,250 in the U.S., according to the website for Medical Tourism of Costa Rica, a medical travel service company.

The country’s political stability, high education levels and the fiscal incentives offered in free-trade zones have attracted substantial foreign investment, according to the CIA World Factbook. The Costa Rican government seems to be taking steps to further encourage foreign investment in the country; in October 2007, a national referendum voted in favor of the U.S.-Central American Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA). Successful implementation by March 2008 should result in an improved investment climate.


Population, education and business are all booming in India

5. India

India, arguably, has the lowest cost and highest quality of all medical tourism destinations , according to a report on medical tourism published by the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) last November. Several hospitals are accredited by the Joint Commission International (JCI) and utilize highly trained physicians and cutting-edge medical technology. But India comes in fifth on our list rather than first because of the amount of restrictions placed on foreign investors and the distance Americans must travel to get there.

The medical tourism sector is experiencing rapid growth, with approximately 500,000 foreign patients travelling to India for medical care in 2005, compared to an estimated 150,000 patients in 2002, according to experts quoted in the University of Delaware’s UDaily news. In monetary terms, experts estimate that medical tourism could bring India as much as $2.2 billion per year by 2012.

India has become a well-known medical tourist destination for cardiac and orthopedic procedures. In the past, American patients have travelled to India for procedures such as Birmingham hip resurfacing, which was previously unavailable in the U.S., and has only recently been FDA approved. Medical tourists also journey to India for procedures that carry high costs in the U.S.; for example, Apollo Hospital in New Delhi charges $4,000 for cardiac surgery, while the same procedure would cost about $30,000 in the U.S.

Although India has taken significant steps to becoming the “global health destination” envisioned by Finance Minister Jaswant Sing in the country’s 2003 budget, the country still faces problems such as overpopulation, environmental degradation, poverty and ethnic and religious strife. Such problems may dissuade some patients from traveling to India to receive healthcare.

What the Indian government has in store for foreign investors also remains uncertain. Although the government has reduced controls on foreign trade and investment, incremental progress on economic reforms still hinder foreign access to India's vast and growing market, according to the CIA World Factbook.

Now we know a few places to to go for Medical (Medical Tourism Destinations).

Source : nuwireinvestor.com

Tuesday 1 November 2011

Tips To Save Money On Family Travel and Vacations

This are some tips to save money on family travel and vacations. Hopes this can help.

Family travel and vacations have never been a cheap endeavor for most and more than ever families are looking for deals on their vacation. Knowing how to search for the deals and using a few quick tips can help save you money no matter if you are going on a large vacation to some island resort or simply traveling a few hours by car to a state park. Check out a few of the tips to save money on family travel and vacations below.

Book Your Travel In Advance – A tip that almost everyone knows but needs to be pointed out is that if you book ahead you can save money. While it depends on where, what, and when you’re booking your travel you can save anywhere from 5% to 30% when you book your travel at least 30 days in advance with ideally booking your travel at least 90 days in advance to get the maximum savings.

Don’t Be Afraid To Call – While booking your travel online is easy and usually ideal for those with busy schedules, don’t forget to also pick up the phone. Many websites including Expedia, Orbitz, Travelocity, and Hotels.com all have the option to call and book. Many times when you call you can find exclusive travel coupons available for their website as well a other discounts you may be missing. So don’t just settle for booking your travel online when you can make a 15 minute call to the company to possibly save a few dollars to a few hundred bucks. This tip also works with individual hotels.

Compare Travel Websites – if you’re going to be booking a hotel room or your entire vacation online then make sure you compare all of the travel sites to get the best deal. The website I feel is the best for comparing all the travel sites at once is Kayak, they usually test out to have the best deals as seen in our review of Google Flight search. All you do is go to the website, put in your information, and it will compare your destinations across multiple websites. It works great with individual hotels or hotel and flight combinations but isn’t available for vacation packages due to the complexity of each specific package.

Use Coupons and Deals – another common sense goal is to make sure you search for coupons, deals, and discounts ahead of time for not only the activities you plan to do but also any travel you may doing. We have various coupons for travel from online travel agencies to rental car companies and even tickets for attractions. For instance if you’re booking your hotel through Expedia then you would go to our Expedia hotel coupons page or if you were looking to go to SeaWorld then you would go to the SeaWorld coupons page to find some deals. You can find coupons for almost every place imaginable so take a few minutes to search around.

Rent A Car – instead of trying to take one of those expensive shuttles or taxis from the airport you can save money by renting a car in many cases. While it isn’t always true, you can usually save money by renting a car which also gives you flexibility to be able to drive to other locations when you arrive which will help save on other transportation costs. We have many deals available for rental cars companies including our most popular section for Enterprise Rent A Car coupons.

Buy Multi-Day Passes – not only can you buy multi-day passes for places like Disney or for specific cities, you can also get discounts for buying these tickets as a family. Most cities that are tourist attractions will have some type of multi-day pass where you buy a ticket which gets you access to almost all of the attractions in the area for one low price. We have a CityPass discount code to help you save more on the passes from CityPass but you can find other companies who provide the same thing in the place you’re traveling to.

Prepare Food Ahead of Time – nothing “eats up” your money like eating out for every meal or having to purchase snacks from a vending machine or cart in the tourist area of your vacation location. By packing some food ahead of time or going to the local grocery store in the area once you arrive will potentially save you a couple hundred, especially with a large family.

So by following some of the common sense tips we put above as well as some of the more unique tips you should be able to save some on your next family vacation. Just remember that there’s always a way to save more money on everything and when you keep that mindset you can achieve the ultimate frugality.

Source : buzzraid.com