Tuesday, 1 May 2012. News from last night Asia time and today.

The ASIA Travel Tips Team
http://www.asiatraveltips.com
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1/5/2012 Global Leisure Hotel Rates Set New Growth Record in March.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-DailyRates.shtml

1/5/2012 Starwood Signs 3 Hotels, 1,675 Rooms in Dubai.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-HotelsinDubai.shtml

1/5/2012 Fairmont Ajman to Open in 2013.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-HotelinAjman.shtml

1/5/2012 Aston Opens Makassar Hotel & Convention Center.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-AstonMakassar.shtml

1/5/2012 Coral to Open New Hotel in Baghdad, Iraq.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-HotelinBaghdad.shtml

1/5/2012 Kirk Albrow Appointed GM of Etihad Airways Thailand.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-EtihadThailand.shtml

1/5/2012 ExecuJet Australasia Earns IS-BAO Registration.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-ExecuJet.shtml

1/5/2012 SAS to Divest Six Properties to Swedavia for SEK 1.8 billion.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-Swedavia.shtml

1/5/2012 Starwood Signs Sheraton Hotel in Erbil, Iraq.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-HotelinErbil.shtml

1/5/2012 Impact Muang Thong Thani Prepares to Host 35,000 Delegates from 160
Countries.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-RotaryInternational.shtml

1/5/2012 Cairns to Host 13 Int. Conventions with 8,000+ Delegates in Coming
Six Months.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-CairnsConventionCentre.shtml

1/5/2012 United Airlines Launches Flights to Doha, Qatar.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-UnitedAirlines.shtml

1/5/2012 Hawaiian's 7th New A330-200 - Heiheionakeiki - Joins the Fleet.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/15-HawaiianAirlines.shtml

30/4/2012 Saudi Arabian Markets Leading GCC's RevPAR Growth in Q1.
http://www.asiatraveltips.com/news12/304-GCCTourism.shtml

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CNNGo.com

Myanmar: Is now a good time to go?
Kids playing with guns: Open day at PLA Hong Kong garrison
Best of Manila
13 most overplayed Filipino cover band songs
Chinese airport uses cheerleaders to soothe stranded passengers
36 hours on a Philippine bus
iReport: My favorite Japan destinations
The Philippines' best beaches and islands
How to be a Manila local: 10 tips on faking it
Insider Guide: What to do in Beijing

Myanmar: Is now a good time to go?

Posted: 30 Apr 2012 12:41 AM PDT

by Gemma Price

Two years of political reforms, the lifting of sanctions and the floating of the Myanmar currency at 818 kyat (pronounced 'chat') to the U.S. dollar -- the opening up of this hitherto hermetic state suggests big changes in its economy.

But what are the implications for travelers?

With investors encouraged to move in, companies in Myanmar will find it easier to do business and any moral reservations that international visitors might have harbored about visiting Myanmar will likely soon begin to dissipate.

In the last six months, Myanmar has rocketed to the top of must-go-now lists as travelers -- just like the world's powers -- scramble to get in before the country is overrun by fellow travelers.

Last year, 391,176 visitors traveled to the country according to the Ministry of Hotels and Tourism. In 2012, the ministry predicts an increase of nearly 30 percent to 500,000 -- possibly straining the Southeast Asian nation's infrastructure.

Kids playing with guns: Open day at PLA Hong Kong garrison

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 10:47 PM PDT

by Zoe Li, Hong Kong Editor

When the People's Liberation Army (PLA) in Hong Kong opens up its barracks to the public each year, military buffs of all ages and sizes go nuts.

Held around the May 1 Labor Day holiday, the PLA open house event is particularly popular with parents who hope to inspire their children to be more martial in their self-discipline.

There's just nothing more character-building than an afternoon with mom, dad and a range of semi-automatic firearms supervised by men in uniform.

Also on CNNGo: All aboard! China to open luxury hotel on Soviet aircraft carrier

This year's open house event was held April 28-29 and celebrated the 15th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to Chinese sovereignty. The 28,000 free-of-charge tickets to the event were all handed out within two hours on April 22.

Best of Manila

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 03:28 PM PDT

by Cheryl Tiu

For many travelers, the Philippine capital of Manila is viewed as a stopover or transit city to the white sand beaches of Boracay and Palawan, or the vacation island of Cebu.

Despite not bringing in big tourist numbers, however, Manila is one of the most vibrant cities in the region.

The people, soul, camaraderie and fiesta attitude are all part of the best of Manila charm.

Where else in the world can you sing karaoke in an air-conditioned jeepney, cocktail in hand, while weaving in and out of city streets?

To help you find the best of Manila, here's a quick guide to the city's highlights.

More on CNNGo: How to be a Manila local: 10 tips for faking it

13 most overplayed Filipino cover band songs

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 03:06 PM PDT

by Candice Lopez-Quimpo

From Manila and Singapore to Dubai, Phuket, Hong Kong and Hanoi, bands from the Philippines command the stages in Asia's cheesiest hotel lobbies, sweatiest bars and hottest nightclubs.

Taking requests from all comers, they provide the-roof-is-on-fire entertainment with note-for-perfect-note renditions of old favorites for rowdy crowds and romance-bound couples.

But, like Kardashians and tequila shots, even old favorites can induce nausea when taken in large doses.

That's why we asked some of the top Filipino cover bands to fire back on the songs that we could all stand to hear a little less of.

More on CNNGo: How to be a Manila local: 10 tips for faking it

Chinese airport uses cheerleaders to soothe stranded passengers

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 12:57 PM PDT

by CNNGo staff

While some Chinese travelers storm the tarmac when flights get delayed, others might wish their flights never take off -- assuming they're flying from the northeast China city of Dalian.

To entertain waiting passengers, Dalian International Airport recently recruited a squad of cheerleaders to perform kicks, jumps and splits in the airport's main hall.

During massive fog-related delays in Dalian last week, the cheerleaders' pom-pom routines "soothed emotion and alleviated fatigue" for more than 5,000 stranded flyers, according to the Dalian Evening News.

More on CNNGo: Traditional Thai cheerleading explained

The cheerleading show is part of the airport's effort to "bring more convenience to passengers in the summer-autumn air season," said Zhen Qun (郑群), an airport official.

36 hours on a Philippine bus

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 12:13 PM PDT

by Gelo Gonzales

Jeepney. Moto-trike. Banca boat. Kuliglig. (Click through the gallery above if you don't know what that last one is.)

There are lots of creative ways to get around the Philippines.

To experience the best of the country's gorgeous countryside and meet its outgoing locals, however, one of the most fun ways is to hop on a bus for a trip through the provinces.

That's why we dispatched Manila native Gelo Gonzalez to spend 24 hours on a Philippine bus trip and document his trip.

Also on CNNGo: How to be a Manila local: 10 tips for faking it

iReport: My favorite Japan destinations

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 11:55 AM PDT

by Patrick Budmar

In a recent CNNGo iReport assignment, we asked readers to share their photos of their favorite Japanese destinations.

Patrick Budmar, a 30-year-old Aussie from Sydney, told us what led him off the usual, well-worn tourist trail.

"I just wanted to show that there are places that can be easily and cheaply visited from Tokyo," he said. "Not all sightseeing has to be limited to Harajuku and the Imperial Palace, though they are great places to visit as well."

Nearby nature

While central Tokyo has much to offer in terms of sightseeing, things only start to get more interesting once you venture outside of the well-trodden paths of the city center.

Anyone keen to experience the natural beauty that Japan has to offer will realize that inner Tokyo has very little in this regard, but you don't need to travel far to come into contact with a different side of the country.

The Philippines' best beaches and islands

Posted: 29 Apr 2012 10:37 AM PDT

by Candice Lopez-Quimpo

Picking a favorite beach in the Philippines is like trying to pick a favorite child. Challenging, but not impossible.

With more than 7,000 islands edged by white sand buffering turquoise waters filled with some of the world's most diverse marine life, not everyone will agree on which one is best.

Disagree with our picks? Share your favorite Filipino island or beach in the comments box below.

1. El Nido, Palawan

Hollywood loves El Nido. Scenes for the upcoming final installment of the "Bourne" series were shot here. The island was also the setting of a pit stop on "The Amazing Race."