Destinations, Travel tips, Festivals and Public Holidays
News
Japan Earthquake Tsunami 11 March 2011
Mar 11th
Following the Japan’s most powerful earthquake at 8.9 magnitude, a 10-meter high tsunami was triggered in the coasts of Japan.
The giant waves of the monster tsunami has carried away houses, shipping containers, cars and even light planes along debris, causing lost of many human lives and huge financial damage.
More than 1000 death has been confirmed and more than 10000 people were feared dead.
To follow more news about the Japan earthquake here
Meanwhile, join us in a moment of silence for victims of the Japan tsunami.
How to Donate for survivors of Japan Earthquake Tsunami
Donate through reputable organizations with experience with relief effort for similar disaster and presence in the area. You can donate to Japan Red Cross from anywhere, including Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, India, China, Hong Kong, Australia, United States, United Kingdom, Canada via Google Crisis Response Page.
Asian visitors to New Zealand drops amid influenza A(H1N1) fears
Jul 22nd
Asian visitors to New Zealand drops amid influenza A(H1N1) fears
The number of Asian tourists visiting New Zealand has plummeted due to swine flu fears, officials said Tuesday. The numbers of visitors from China, Japan and South Korea fell by half in June compared with the same month last year as the influenza A(H1N1) virus spread in New Zealand and elsewhere.
“Experience with past shocks, like SARs and September 11, meant we knew that arrivals from our Asian markets would likely be badly hit by the swine flu outbreak,” Tourism New Zealand chief executive George Hickton said.
Visitor numbers from Japan fell 67 percent to 2,300 last month from June last year, the lowest number of arrivals from there since June 1985, Statistics New Zealand said Tuesday. In the same month the number of visitors from China fell 49.4 percent to 2,556 and South Korean tourist numbers dropped 48.5 percent to 3,114. Overall, the number of Asian visitors fell 37.4 percent to 17,982 in June compared with a year earlier.
Hickton said it was hoped that some of the earlier threatened cancellations from Asia could be turned into postponements in coming months. “Fortunately, our offshore offices are picking up some more positive signals for later this year,” he said. “We are hoping China will start to improve from September, and the outlook for Japan is also looking slightly better for the first time in many months.”
The impact of the global economic crisis has also hurt tourism, which provides one in 10 New Zealand jobs and nearly 10 percent of gross domestic product. The main Asian markets were among the worst affected in the year to June, with the number of visitors from South Korea falling 31 percent from the previous year to 61,733, Japan by 23 percent to 88,474 and China 13.2 percent to 107,541.
Overall, the number of tourists in the year fell three percent to 2.41 million and numbers for the month of June were 135,200, down five percent from a year earlier. The falls in the numbers of Asian visitors has been partly offset by more Australians visiting their neighbouring country. In the year to June the number of Australian visitors rose four percent to 1.01 million.
Singapore National Day 9 August 2009
Jul 22nd
Singapore National Day is observed yearly to celebrate Singapore’s Independence on 9 August 1965.
Singapore celebrated its first National Day in 1966, one year after Singapore’s independence from Malaysia.
This year, the 44th birthday of Singapore falls on Sunday, 9 August 2009, with this year theme is “Come Together – Reaching Out, Reaching Up”
As the National Day (Independence Day) holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday, 10 August 2009 will be a public holiday.
One of the most important aspect of this holiday is the National Day Parade.
The National Day Parade is a national ceremony in Singapore that, as its name implies, includes a parade on Singapore’s national day on August 9, in commemoration of Singapore’s independence.
The first National Day Parade started in the morning at 0900. People came as early as 0700 in order to get good vantage points. Singapore’s first President, Mr Yusof bin Ishak and Singapore’s first Prime Minister, Mr Lee Kuan Yew, were seated with members of the government at the grandstand on the steps of City Hall.
Over the years, the Parade has become the biggest national event in Singapore. What is perhaps most memorable at each celebration is the fireworks display marking the climax of the parade; the sky would be bursting with the wonderful colors of the visual vista, dazzling it as well as the hearts of fellow Singaporeans. On this very special occasion, most Singaporeans would be decked out in patriotic colours – namely, red and white.
The Singapore National Day Parade is usually held in the Singapore National Stadium or the Padang. For the first time in 2007, it was held in Marina Bay and future parades, including this year’s 9 August 2009 National Day Parade will be held there until the new sports hub is completed in around 2011.
Due to the enormous popularity and support from the people, in 2003 Singapore government set up the e-balloting ticketing system. Such ticketing system enables citizens to stand a chance at winning the tickets(free of charge) by registering their e-mail addresses or mobile numbers at the NDP website or phonelines.
While it is very unlikely for visitors to ever get hold of the Parade ticket, you can always join the local and tourist crowds at the Waterfront (near Esplanade) to enjoy the beautiful fireworks.
Some hotels (e.g. One Fullerton) also have rooms well positioned to view the fireworks display.
China Public Sector / National Holiday For Calendar Year 2010
Jun 24th
China Public Holidays 2010 Calendar
Here is the list of public holidays observed in China. You may note that some falls on Saturday or Sunday. This is norm in the seven working days China.
Majority of the public holidays are traditional holidays, some dating back to pre-Civil war era. The only international holidays observed here are New Year 1 January 2010 and May Day 1 May 2010.
The China Government will usually announce official holiday dates nearer to closing of the preceding year (in this case year 2009), so for time being, hopefully this calendar is good to make some planning.
List of China Public Holidays 2010:
International New Year
Friday, 1 January 2010
Spring Festival, Chinese/Lunar New Year
1st day of 1st lunar month
Chinese New Year
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Monday, 15 February 2010
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
Qing Ming (Tomb Sweeping) Festival
5th Solar Term
Monday, 5 April 2010
Labour Day / May Day
Saturday, 1 May 2010
Sunday, 2 May 2010
Monday, 3 May 2010
Dragon Boat Festival / Dumpling Festival
5th day of 5th lunar month
Wednesday, 16 June 2010
Mid-Autumn Festival / Lantern Festival
15th day of 8th lunar month
Wednesday, 22 September 2010
National Day
Friday, 1 October 2010
Saturday, 2 October 2010
Sunday, 3 October 2010
Happy holidays !
Cambodia National Public Holidays For Year 2009 Calendar
Jun 24th
1 January 2009
International New Year’s Day – The celebration of New Year’s Eve has become more and more popular in Cambodia, and although not an official holiday, January 1 may as well be.
7 January 2009
Victory over Genocide Day – This national holiday commemorates Vietnamese-backed troops taking the capital from the Khmer Rouge in 1979.
9 February 2009
Meak Bochea Day – An important Buddhist holy day.
8 March 2009
Women’s Day – This United Nations-inspired holiday has become a big deal. Don’t hope to get anything done.
14, 15, 16 April 2009
Cambodian New Year – Possibly Cambodia’s most important holiday. The cities empty as Cambodians rush to spend the three-day lunar holiday with family. This is the Khmer equivalent of Chinese New Year, welcoming in the new zodiac animal. Gifts and tips are especially auspicious during April and should be accompanied with the phrase ‘Sok Sabay, Ch’nam Tmey’ (Happy New Year!)
1 May 2009
Labour Day – A relatively minor holiday. Embassies advise avoiding large labor-related gatherings and rallies falling on this day as union disputes can occasionally turn violent.
8 May 2009
Visaka Buja Day – Vesak Day, to celebrate Birth of Buddha
12 May 2009
Royal Ploughing Day Ceremony – Richly decorated royal oxen ceremonially plough the field next to the royal palace before being presented with a bovine feast of food and drink. Which dishes the animals consume and how much is analyzed by royal astrologers to predict the coming season’s weather. Get there early for photos to beat the huge crowds.
13, 14, 15 May 2009
King Sihamoni’s Birthday – The current king was crowned in 2004 after the abdication of his father, Norodom Sihanouk.
18 June 2009
Former Queen’s Birthday – Cambodians have a deep affection for the queen mother. Even so, this is a minor holiday which does not usually affect travel.
18, 19, 20 September 2009
Pchum Ben Day – Festival of the Ancestors. Buddhist tradition demands Cambodians visit many pagodas over two weeks. Food, flowers, rice and gifts are given to the monks to convey to the afterlife so the dead do not haunt the living. This is a particularly poignant celebration given Cambodia’s recent history.
24 September 2009
Constitution Day
29 October 2009
Coronation Day
31 October 2009
Former King Sihanouk’s Birthday – Retired king Sihanouk is indisputably Cambodia’s most important modern monarch and still widely regarded as divine.
1, 2, 3 November 2009
Water Festival – Millions teem into Phnom Penh from the provinces to celebrate the end of monsoon season. Dragon boats race for three days with the king overseeing. Perhaps the best time of any for meeting the people and enjoying the culture of Cambodia but the capital is impossibly crowded!
9 November 2009
Independence Day - Marks anniversary of independence from France. King Sihamoni visits Independence Monument in Phnom Penh.
10 December 2009
Human Rights Day – A United Nations-inspired holiday. Unlikely to affect travel plans but government offices are closed.
China Public Sector / National Holiday 2009 Calendar
Jun 24th
January 1 New Year
Thursday 1 January 2009 – Friday 2 January 2009
1st day of 1st lunar month Chinese New Year
Sunday 25 January 2009 – Saturday 31 January 2009
5th Solar Term (April 4th or April 5th) Qing Ming Festival
Monday 6 April 2009
May 1 Labor Day
Friday 1 May 2009
5th day of 5th lunar month Dragon Boat Festival
Thursday, 28 May 2009 – Friday 29 May 2009
15th day of 8th lunar month Mid Autumn Festival
Combined with National Day
October 1 National Day
Thursday, 1 October 2009 – Thursday, 8 October 2009
Indonesia National Government/Public Holidays Calendar Year 2009
Jun 23rd
The following table indicates declared Indonesian government national holidays for year 2009 only – cultural variants also provide opportunity for holidays tied to local events. Beside official holiday, there are the so-called “libur bersama” or “cuti bersama”, or joint holiday(s) declared nationwide by the government. Please notice that there are two Islamic New Year in 2009 because Islamic Calendar 10-11 days shorter than Gregorian version. In total there are 14 public holidays, and 9 “cuti bersama” or joint holidays.
2009 Indonesia National Public Holidays
| Date | English Name | Local Name | Remarks |
| 1 January 2009 | New Year’s Day | Tahun Baru Masehi | |
| 26 January 2009 | Chinese New Year | Tahun Baru Imlek | 1st day of 1st month of Chinese Calendar |
| 9 March 2009 | Mouloud / Birth of the Prophet | Maulid Nabi Muhammad | Birthday of the Islamic Prophet Muhammad |
| 26 March 2009 | Day of Silence | Hari Raya Nyepi (Tahun Baru Saka) | New Year of Balinese Calendar |
| 10 April 2009 | Good Friday | Wafat Isa Al-Masih (Jumat Agung) | Date varies; this is the Friday before Easter Sunday, which is the first Sunday after the first Paschal Full Moon following the official vernal equinox |
| 8 May 2009 | Vesak Day / Buddha’s Birthday | Waisak | Date varies according to the Buddhist calendar |
| 21 May 2009 | Ascension Day | Kenaikan Isa Al-Masih | |
| 20 July 2009 | Ascension of the Prophet | Lailat al Miraj | |
| 17 August 2009 | Independence Day | Hari Proklamasi Kemerdekaan R.I. | |
| 21 September 2009 | Eid al-Fitr / End of Ramadan | Idul Fitri (Lebaran) | Date varies according to the Islamic calendar |
| 28 November 2009 | Eid al-Adha / Feast of the Sacrifice | Idul Adha | Date varies according to the Islamic calendar |
| 18 December 2009 | Islamic New Year | Tahun Baru 1430 Hijriyah | 1st day of the Muharram, the beginning of the new Islamic year |
| 25 December 2009 | Christmas Day | Hari Natal |
Here is the official announcement
KEPUTUSAN BERSAMA MENTERI AGAMA, MENTERI TENAGA KERJA DAN TRANSMIGRASI, DAN MENTERI NEGARA PENDAYAGUNAAN APARATUR
NEGARA REPUBLIK INDONESIA
NOMOR : 4 TAHUN 2008NOMOR : KEP. 115/ MEN/VI/2008NOMOR : SKB/06/M. PAN/6/2008 TENTANG HARI-HARI LIBUR NASIONAL DAN CUTI BERSAMA TAHUN 2009
DENGAN RAHMAT TUHAN YANG MAHA ESA
MENTERI AGAMA, MENTERI TENAGA KERJA DAN TRANSMIGRASI, DAN
MENTERI NEGARA PENDAYAGUNAAN APARATUR NEGARA
Menimbang :
a. bahwa dalam rangka efisiensi dan efektivitas pemanfaatan hari-hari kerja, hari-hari libur, dan cuti bersama
dipandang perlu menata pelaksanaan hari-hari libur nasional dan mengatur cuti bersama tahun 2009;
b. bahwa penataan hari-hari libur dan pengaturan cuti bersama tahun 2009 sebagaimana tersebut pada huruf a diharapkan menjadi pedoman bagi instansi pemerintah dan swasta sehingga dapat meningkatkan efektivitas dan produktivitas kerja;
c. bahwa berdasarkan pertimbangan sebagaimana dimaksud pada huruf a dan huruf b di atas, perlu ditetapkan Keputusan Bersama Menteri Agama, Menteri Tenaga Kerja dan Transmigrasi, dan Menteri Negara Pendayagunaan Aparatur Negara tentang Hari-hari Libur Nasional dan Cuti Bersama Tahun 2009.Mengingat :
1. Keputusan Presiden Nomor 3 Tahun 1983 tentang Perubahan Atas Keputusan Presiden Nomor 251 Tahun 1967 tentang Hari-hari Libur sebagaimana telah beberapa kali diubah terakhir dengan Keputusan Presiden RI Nomor 10 Tahun 1971;
2. Keputusan Presiden RI Nomor 19 Tahun 2002 tentang Hari Tahun Baru Imlek;
3. Peraturan Presiden RI Nomor 9 Tahun 2005 tentang Kedudukan, Tugas, Fungsi, Susunan Organisasi dan Tata Kerja Kernenterian Negara Republik Indonesia sebagaimana telah beberapa kali diubah terakhir dengan Peraturan Presiden Republik Indonesia Nomor 94 Tahun 2006;
4. Keputusan Menteri Agama RI Nomor 331 Tahun 2002 tentang Penetapan Hari Tahun Baru Imlek sebagai Hari Libur Nasional.
MEMUTUSKAN:
Menetapkan : KEPUTUSAN BERSAMA MENTERI AGAMA, MENTERI TENAGA KERJA DAN TRANSMIGRASI, DAN MENTERI NEGARA PENDAYAGUNAAN APARATUR NEGARA TENTANG HARI-HARI LIBUR NASIONAL DAN CUTI BERSAMA TAHUN 2009.
Kesatu : Menetapkan Hari-hari Libur Nasional dan Cuti Bersama Tahun 2009 sebagaimana tersebut dalam lampiran Keputusan ini.
Kedua : Untuk kepentingan pelaksanaan ibadah Had Raya Idul Fitri dan Hari Raya I’dui Adha bagi umat Islam, maka tanggal 1 Ramadhan 1430 H, 1 Syawal 1430 H, dan 10 Dzulhijjah 1430 H ditetapkan kemudian dengan Keputusan Kenteri Agama
Ketiga : Unit kerja/satuan organisasi yang berfungsi memberikan pelayanan langsung kepada masyarakat di tingkat Pusat dan Daerah yang mencakup kepentingan masyarakat luas, seperti: rumah sakit/puskesmas, unit kerja yang memberikan pelayanan telekomunikasi, listrik, air minum, pemadam kebakaran, keamanan dan ketertiban, perbankan, perhubungan, pajak, bea cukai, dan unit kerja pelayanan lainnya yang sejenis agar mengatur penugasan pegawai dan pekerja/buruh pada hari – hari libur nasional dan cuti bersama yang ditetapkan, sesuai dengan peraturan perundang-undangan.
Keempat : Pelaksanaan cuti bersama sebagaimana dimaksud pada Diktum Kesatu mengurangi hak cuti tahunan pegawai sesuai dengan peraturan perundang-undangan dan ketentuan yang berlaku pada masing-masing instansi/lembaga/perusahaan
Kelima : Pelaksanaan cuti bersama di kalangan dunia usaha sebagaimana dimaksud pada Diktum Kesatu diatur oleh lembaga atau perusahaan yang bersangkutan
Keenam : Keputusan ini mulai berlaku pada tanggal ditetapkan.
Ditetapkan di : Jakarta
pada tanggal : 9 Juni 2008
LAMPIRAN KEPUTUSAN BERSAMAMENTERI AGAMA, MENTERI TENAGA KERJA DAN TRANSMIGRASI,DAN MENTERI NEGARA PENDAYAGUNAAN APARATUR NEGARAREPUBLIK INDONESIANOMOR : 4 TAHUN 2008NOMOR : KEP.115/MENNI/2008NOMOR : SKB/06/M.PAN/6/2008TENTANGHARI-HARI LIBUR NASIONAL DAN CUTI BERSAMA TAHUN 2009
A. HARI LIBUR TAHUN 2009
- 1 Januari, Kamis, Tahun Baru Masehi
- 6 Januari, Senin, Tahun Baru Imlek 2560
- 9 Maret, Senin, Maulid Nabi Muhammad SAW
- 26 Maret, Kamis, Hari Raya Nyepi Tahun Baru Saka 1931
- 10 April, Jum’at, Wafat Yesus Kristus
- 9 Mei, Sabtu, Hari Raya Waisak Tahun 2553
- 1 Mei, Kamis Kenaikan Yesus Kristus
- 2 Juli, Senin Isra’ Mi’raj Nabi Muhammad SAW
- 17 Agustus, Senin, Hari Kemerdekaan RI
- 21-22 September, Senin-Selasa, Idul Fitri 1 Syawal 1430 Hijriyah
- 27 November, Jum’at, Idul Adha 1430 Hijriyah
- 18 Desember, Jum’at, Tahun Baru 1431 Hijriyah
- 25 Desember, Jum’at, Hari Raya Natal
B. CUTI BERSAMA TAHUN 2009
2 Januari, Jum’at, Cuti Bersama Tahun Baru Masehi
18 September, Jum’at, Cuti Bersama Idul Fitri
23 September, Rabu, Cuti Bersama Idul Fitri
24 Desember, Kamis, Cuti Bersama Natal
Ditetapkan di : Jakarta
pada tanggal : 9 Juni 2008
MOM Singapore Public Holidays for The Year 2010
Jun 9th
Ministry of Manpower has confirmed the Singapore Public Holidays for 2010. Please note that based on this new calendar, the previous calendar we released was not accurate.
SINGAPORE PUBLIC HOLIDAYS FOR THE YEAR 2010
The dates for the 11 specified public holidays for 2010 are as follows:
|
New Year’s Day |
Friday |
1 January 2010 |
|
Sunday* Monday |
14 February 2010 15 February 2010 |
|
|
Good Friday |
Friday |
2 April 2010 |
|
Labour Day |
Saturday |
1 May 2010 |
|
Friday |
28 May 2010 |
|
|
National Day |
Monday |
9 August 2010 |
|
Friday |
10 September 2010 |
|
|
Friday |
5 November 2010 |
|
|
Wednesday |
17 November 2010 |
|
|
Saturday |
25 December 2010 |
* As Chinese New Year falls on Sunday 14 February 2010 and Monday 15 February 2010, the next day, Tuesday 16 February 2010, will be a public holiday.
2. The date, 5 November 2010, for Deepavali needs to be checked against the Indian Almanac when it is available. Should there be a change in date, the Ministry of Manpower will issue a press release to announce the change.
3. The list of public holidays for 2010 is available on the Ministry of Manpower’s website at http://www.mom.gov.sg
Update: Singapore 2011 Public Holidays is out. Check it out !
Firefly’s Ipoh-Singapore Route via Sultan Azlan Shah Airport
Jun 8th
The tour operators in Perak are very happy with new Firefly’s Ipoh – Singapore route as the service will surely give a boost to Perak’s tourism industry. The flight will depart from Sultan Azlan Shah Airport.
Jetstar Asia Boost Singapore Visitor Arrivals Promotion
Jun 8th
Jetstar Asia aims to Boost Singapore Visitor Arrivals with Promotion
Supported by a major multi-media advertising campaign in Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan, Jetstar Asia in collaboration with the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) and Singapore Tourism Board (STB) will be promoting efforts to boost number of visitors arrival at Singapore.
