Top Ten Airports of World

The Incheon International Airport in Seoul, S Korea has been voted as the world's best airport in 2009 according to the latest passenger satisfaction rankings conducted by Skytrax.The World Airport Awards are based on the responses from 8.6 million airline passengers in 2008-09, covering more than 190 airports worldwide. The survey evaluates travellers' experiences across 39 different airport service and product factors.

1. Incheon International Airport
The Incheon International Airport has also been ranked as Asia's best airport. It is the world's No.1 in terms of security processing and terminal cleanliness.One of the busiest airports in the world, the Incheon Airport has plans to build an 'air city', with apartments, shops, recreational facilities and businesses. The 'air city' and the airport terminal will be connected by a new magnetic levitation train system. The air city project is likely to be completed in 2020.
Built with an investment of $5 billion, the airport became operational in March 2001.

2. Hong Kong International Airport
Hong Kong's reign as the world's best airport has come to an end. Ranked second, it is voted for being the world's easiest international transit and offers the best airport dining experience. In 2008, more than 48.6 million passengers used the airport.Opened in July 1998, 85 airlines operate flights to around 150 destinations worldwide. HKIA also operates one of the world's largest passenger terminal buildings. The airport designed to offer maximum convenience to passengers. Moving walkways and the automated people mover allow easy movement throughout the building.The airport has a people mover system to ferry people from the check-in area to the gates. The service is free for all passengers and crew. Besides this, airport offers great facilities for entertainment, dining and shopping.

3. Changi International Airport, Singapore
Changi International Airport has been ranked as the world's third best airport. It also has the world's best leisure amenities. With 80 airlines serving more than 180 cities in over 50 countries, Changi Airport has established itself as a major aviation hub in the Asia Pacific region.Changi Airport now has an annual handling capacity of more than 70 million passengers. The airport boasts of themed gardens ranging from tranquil indoor ponds to outdoor sunny gardens.
Besides, this it offers avenues for relaxation, entertainment shopping and automated people mover system. It started operations in July 1981.

4. Zurich International Airport
Voted as the best airport in Europe, Zurich Airport ranks 4th worldwide. The airport has an automated underground train to move passengers between the existing terminal complex and the new terminal.The airport has banks, a post office and wireless Internet hotspots at several locations throughout the terminal. The airport also has restaurants, coffee shops, and duty-free shopping. Zurich Airport has the second biggest shopping centre in Switzerland.It also has a medical and dental centre, pharmacies, prayer rooms and nurseries. Zurich Airport handled 22.1 million passengers in 2008.

5. Munich International Airport
Munich has maintained the 5th rank this year. It was named the 2nd best airport in Europe.Munich Airport is the second busiest airport in Germany in terms of passenger traffic (34.73 million in 2008) after Frankfurt International Airport. The airport started operations on 17 May 1992.Investment: $92 million

6. Kansai International Airport, Japan
Kansai International Airport was ranked at the 6th position last year as well. Kansai has the world's cleanest airport washrooms.Kansai is Japan's second most important international airport. Located on a man made island about 50 km south of Osaka, Kansai Airport was opened in 1994.Estimated investment: $13 billion

7. Kuala Lumpur International Airport
Kuala Lumpur International Airport has slipped from from 4th to 7th in 2009. It offers the world's best immigration service. KLIA now has more than 50 airlines, offering connectivity to more than 90 destinations worldwide. The airport celebrated its 11th anniversary on June 30It handled a total of 27.5 million passengers in 2008, an increase of 4.1 per cent from the year 2007. The airport was built at a cost of about $3.5 billion.

8. Amsterdam International Airport
Also known as Schiphol Airport, Amsterdam International airport is ranked as the world's 8th best airport. The airport opened on 16 September 1916 as a small military airbase.Over the years it expanded its facilities. It now ranks as the world's 3rd largest in terms of international passenger traffic and world's 14th busiest by overall passenger volume.The airport has a large rooftop viewing area. Huge shopping areas are another attraction. The See Buy Fly shopping centre has been named the world's best airport shopping centre by 'The Business Traveller'.Investment: Euro 340 million


9. Centrair Nagoya Airport, Japan
Central Japan International Airport is Japan's third international airport after Tokyo's Narita Airport and Osaka's Kansai Airport.It is also known as Chubu Airport. Constructed on a man made island in the Bay of Ise, the airport was opened in February 2005.Investment: $7 billion


10. Auckland Airport, New Zealand
Auckland International Airport Limited (Auckland Airport) was established in 1988. Today, over 70 per cent of visitors enter or leave New Zealand via Auckland Airport, which handles over 13 million passengers a year.More than 30 international airlines fly to Auckland Airport. The airport hopes to see 24 million passengers a year by 2025.

What is Ailing Our Tourism?

We have taj, we have tiger, we are not once ancient and modern, we taught the world religion, maths and peace.

We are the world’s largest democracy and the second most populous country. Yet in tourism we rank only fifth in the world. Countries like Australia, New Zealand and Brazil are more preferred destination. Why? What is ailing our tourism? Why do we have peaks and valleys in tourist influx and income, one tourism season after the other?

Well, we don’t have to go far to seek them. Look at the stink our country is. We are perhaps the stechiest nation. More than stench, the tourists are put off by red-tapism, corruption and insecurity. If foreign tourists are to be raped or assaulted, fleeced or looted or even murdered, who would risk coming to India? Beggars, transport troubles, drugs, under-developed tourist facilities knock the life out of tourism paradise our country is, according to the tourist pundits. Who would like to travel to India to taste its crime and grime along with its curry and spices, who would like to return home with mementos of shame and disappointment?

If India is to regain its place in world tourism, we will have to make a reality check and immediately purge the industry of all its ills. It is true we need to foreign exchange, but we need international tourist smiles and satisfaction too to sustain ourselves as a world’s tourist destination. We haveto improve tourist infrastructure and facilities too. Monuments must be saved from denigration through graffiti, garbage and inscriptions. Our holy places need o be spruced up. And most importantly we must tap the vast potential of domestic tourism, too.

Travel Blog

Manipur The Switzerland of India

This beautiful Indian provincial State has to offer tourists unforgettable experience of fun and festivities.

Situated in the far north-eastern region of India, Manipur is a tiny hilly provincial State. In India the State is best loved for its vibrant, colourful culture and festivities. For its stable temperature and exotic natural scenery, Manipur is also referred to as “Switzerland of India”.

There is a market called “Ima Keithel” in Manipur where only women are the sellers and men are the buyers !! The market is one of its kind in the whole world. I don’t know such unique market exists anywhere in the world. It is said to be more than 100 years old. “Ima Keithel” literally means Mothers’ Market ~ Ima meaning in Manipuri “mother”. Here businesses are totally run, managed and controlled by the women. Due to this, atmosphere in the market is homely and very social. For something to buy, you yell out “Ima”(mother), “Ine” ( aunt) or “Iche” ( sister)!! From fish to handicrafts, shawls to vegetables, they sell all. All local products. Manipuri women are very hard-workers. From sunrise to sunset they work hard for their families. Most importantly, while doing their business, they always wear a smile and seem to enjoying their profession.

Rafting down the Kolad
Travel Blog

Visit Vilnius in Eastern Europe

Today, Vilnius is one of the most visited cities in Eastern Europe, pulling the attention not only because of its architectural identity, and cultural events, entertainment. Here are the various business, political and cultural meetings. Capital of Lithuania actively presents at international tourism exhibitions in collaboration with many European capitals. 2009, Vilnius, the first of the new EU countries, cities, has become the European Capital of Culture. This honor is shared with the Austrian city of Linz.

Vilnius is the most important city in Lithuania. Vilnius - the capital of the Republic of Lithuania, the administrative, cultural, political and business center. Here, the President, the Seimas, the Government, the Supreme Court, located in the diplomatic service, education, culture, education, medical institutions and banks.


Vilnius is also the largest city in the country. It lives on septintadalis the population of Lithuania. The year 2006, the Vilnius live 553 553 people is 57.8% Lithuanian, 18.7% - Polish, 14% - Russian, 4% - Belarusian, 0.5% - the Jews. The remaining 5% are of other nationalities.

Urban area - about 400 square kilometers. 20.2% is built, and the remaining part of the plantations (43.9%) and water (2.1%). The historical center of Vilnius, Old Town, is one of the largest in Eastern Europe (360 ha). Because of its uniqueness in 1994 he was included in UNESCO’s most important objects of the world’s protected list. Old Town is located in a picturesque two rivers - Vilnius and Neris - the valley, the crossroads of trade, to Brastos, which kept the ancient castles of Vilnius.

City has always been hospitable, open and tolerant. He is creating a consolidation of three currents of religion: paganism, Eastern and Western Christianity. This is already the fourteenth century observed Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas. The last pagan ruler the state wrote letters to the parties that all Vilniuje worshiped one god, but each according to his custom, the city is already built, and the Catholic Church and the Orthodox churches. Later, here in the city and the house of prayer pasistate Muslims, Tatars, Karaites and Jews.

Multinational, daugiatikybis, multicultural city in the city has always attracted visitors for vacation packages and Zavejo architectural diversity. Castle ruins, a network of narrow streets, smailiabokstes red-brick church, the residential cellars … All this testifies that the Vilnius - Gothic city. But already in the XVI century Gothic overlap with the Renaissance, and the XVII - XVIII century emerging baroque buildings.

That you had and what you are - a businessman, came to Vilnius to sign the contract, a tourist on holiday, or a seasoned traveler looking for new experiences - enough for a few days stay in Vilnius, the pamiltumete this city. Vilniuje worth a longer stay, but if you stay only for one weekend, you will of bright impressions. The theater or opera fans, rapidly parties or street carnival lovers, besidomintieji architecture or mėgstantieji time to allow the wild - all in this city will find what their heart.