Saturday, November 9

Tag: lifestyle

In Europe, tourist tax is seen as one solution to overtourism
Lifestyle

In Europe, tourist tax is seen as one solution to overtourism

From Amsterdam to the Algarve to Barcelona, tourist accommodation will be more expensive in some places this year due to hikes in the tourist taxes adopted by many European destinations. One key reason for this is the need to limit the negative effects of overcrowded tourist areas. The start of the new year always brings its share of changes, including price hikes. And travellers are not spared, not even those planning a city-break in Europe. In fact, the increase in Amsterdam's tourist tax has caused quite a stir. Said to be the most onerous in the European Union, it has risen from 7 per cent to 12.5 per cent of the cost of a night's stay in a hotel. This price increase will apply from the beginning of this year. The tax on cruise passengers visiting the Venice of the North is als...
Hilton’s 600th hotel opens, upbeat about tourism recovery
Lifestyle

Hilton’s 600th hotel opens, upbeat about tourism recovery

The nation saw the 600th Hilton hotel opened recently in Nanjing, Jiangsu province. The global hospitality company is steadfast in its commitment to accelerating further expansion, banking on the thriving tourism market, according to a top Hilton executive. Qian Jin, president of Hilton Greater China and Mongolia, emphasised the significance of China as its second-largest market globally after the United States. “As one of the fastest-growing international hotel groups in China, Hilton has opened 100 new hotels annually over the past four years. This rapid expansion showcases our collaborative efforts, a pace we proudly refer to as Hilton speed,” he said.According to JLL, a leading provider of commercial real estate solutions, this year has seen a significant increase in Chinese...
Datuk Lat receives Cai Zhizhong comic prize, thrilled by recognition in China
Lifestyle, The IKON

Datuk Lat receives Cai Zhizhong comic prize, thrilled by recognition in China

Malaysia’s beloved Royal Artist, Datuk Lat, was the proud recipient of the Cai Zhizhong Comic Prize at the 3rd Cai Zhizhong Comic Prize award ceremony held in Guangzhou, China, last Friday. The 72-year-old Lat, whose real name is Mohd Nor Khalid, said he was proud to be recognised by the awards committee which comprised several renowned artists from numerous branches of art in China. "I was proud to represent our country. And also the ties between China and Malaysia are currently strong, mostly in the business sector,” he said when contacted by Bernama today. He said his comic books and cartoons have had a wide audience overseas, including China, since the 1970s. He also confirmed that he was the sole foreign participant at the award ceremony this time and was also invited...
Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Tops List as Busiest International Flight Route in 2023
Lifestyle

Kuala Lumpur to Singapore Tops List as Busiest International Flight Route in 2023

Travel intelligence company OAG has unveiled its annual ranking of the world's busiest international flight routes, with Kuala Lumpur to Singapore claiming the top spot based on the number of seats sold throughout 2023. Despite a decline in daily flights from the pre-pandemic average of 82 to approximately 36, the route recorded 4.9 million seats this year. The flight, lasting just over one hour, holds the distinction of being the shortest international flight globally. The top 10 busiest routes predominantly feature destinations in Asia and the Middle East. Cairo to Jeddah secured the second position with 4.8 million seats, followed by Hong Kong to Taipei with 4.6 million seats. Here is the full list of the world's busiest international flight routes for 2023: Kuala Lump...
Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche had the best concept cars of 2023
Innovation/ Technology, Lifestyle

Audi, Lamborghini, Porsche had the best concept cars of 2023

Written by Hannah Elliott The path from concept car to production vehicle is a long one. When Tesla Inc delivered the first Cybertrucks to customers on Nov 30 in Austin, it was almost exactly four years since the proto-type debuted — and a decade since CEO Elon Musk started talking publicly about making an electric pickup truck. Concept cars are visions of the future created by automakers to showcase design and technology they believe they can achieve one day. They hope that these design studies show so much promise, that they’ll capture the imagination of consumers and hold their interest while the automaker decides whether, and how, to produce them. This year, I saw many concept cars that carried enticing hints about the automotive landscape’s future. Many were electric ...
Tesla’s cheapest Cybertruck will cost RM285,000 and be available in 2025
Lifestyle

Tesla’s cheapest Cybertruck will cost RM285,000 and be available in 2025

After two years of delays and production snags, Tesla Inc has finally handed the first Blade Runner-esque Cybertrucks over to customers. CEO Elon Musk delivered a handful of vehicles to their new owners on Nov 30, including Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian. The handovers at Tesla’s Austin headquarters were part of a live-streamed launch event on X, the social media platform Musk owns. The Cybertruck comes in three configurations: Rear-wheel drive, all-wheel drive and the so-called Cyberbeast. The cheapest version of the Cybertruck will cost US$60,990 (RM284,823), which is more than 50% over the price Musk floated when he announced the vehicle in 2019. That version, a rear-wheel drive model with a battery range of 250 miles (420.34km), won’t be available until 2025. Tesla is offe...
MB&F Unveils HM11 “Architect” Watch: A Modernist Masterpiece
Lifestyle

MB&F Unveils HM11 “Architect” Watch: A Modernist Masterpiece

Swiss luxury watchmaker MB&F SA introduces the Horological Machine No 11, a groundbreaking timepiece inspired by radical modernist architecture akin to the visionary designs of Richard Neutra and Antti Lovag. Dubbed the "Architect," the HM11 boasts a 42mm diameter and is crafted from grade five titanium. Limited to 25 pieces per edition, it offers two variations: a striking blue dial and a red gold edition, each retailing for US$230,000 (RM1.07 million). This unique timepiece showcases four conical "rooms" stemming from a central flying tourbillon to the outer rim. Each room serves a distinct function: displaying minutes and seconds through rod-mounted orbs and red-tipped arrows, showcasing the power reserve, featuring an uncommon thermometer, and housing the watch's adjusta...
Seven restaurants named best in the world by La Liste
Lifestyle

Seven restaurants named best in the world by La Liste

The world has not one new best restaurant, but seven. That’s according to La Liste, one of a crowded field of companies publishing restaurant ratings that are increasingly used by diners who travel around the world in search of culinary excellence. Unlike some other companies that dole out stars or crown the No 1 restaurant in the world, La Liste compiles scores based on online reviews from casual diners and influencers, magazine and newspaper ratings, and scores from guides and other lists. The more than 1,000 sources include online travel guides, the food publisher Eater and the Black Pearl guide by Meituan Dianping in China. “We believe by aggregating these subjective choices, reviews and critics, we end up with a ranking that is a bit more objective,” said La Liste MD Hél...