World News

As the world renowned Edinburgh Fringe Festival draws to a close, it's residents in Birmingham who are having the last laugh – having just been crowned the funniest city in the UK, research from lastminute.com reveals. Analysis of over three million social conversations combined with consumer research uncovered the laughter profiles of 25 towns and cities across the UK. Birmingham, who admit to regularly playing practical jokes on friends or family, is closely followed by Leeds and Cardiff in second and third with Newcastle and Hull tying for fourth.

Tourism in Slovakia offers natural landscapes, mountains, caves, medieval castles, spas, ski resorts, active tourism opportunities, hiking, international flight and train connections, as well as rich cultural heritage, gastronomy, attractions and modern newly-developed lodging capacities.  In the last two years, tourism in Slovakia has been rapidly increasing, and more than 4.3 million people visited Slovakia in 2015, especially the most attractive regions like Bratislava – the capital of Slovakia and the High Tatra region.

Avalon Waterways UK has launched its 2017 brochure with a new type of European river cruise featuring active excursions and local authentic experiences to appeal to a new and potentially younger market. Available on one of the most spectacular stretches of the Danube, from Linz to Budapest, the new 'Active Discovery on the Danube' cruises have been carefully planned so Avalon guests can experience the area like a local.

Perth's coastline offers some of the closest whale watching experiences in the world, if you are lucky you can actually see whales whilst standing on the beach! Perth coastal waters are part of the Humpback Highway that stretches along the coast of WA.  Up to 35,000 whales take this trip every year making it the largest whale migration in the Southern Hemisphere!  Between September and December, humpbacks take a rest-stop off the coast of Perth giving you the perfect opportunity to see them from the beach or for an encounter on a thrilling whale watching cruise.   

The Australian Chamber Orchestra (ACO) will return to the spiritual heart of Australia to perform a series of intimate concerts, led by Richard Tognetti, combined with fine dining events and tour activities from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th June 2017. “Following the outstanding success of the 2015 ACO Uluru Festival, it is a great pleasure to welcome the ACO back to Ayers Rock Resort,” said Voyages Chief Executive Officer Andrew Williams.

The Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau is proving there's plenty to look forward to once the summer heat begins to cool. Following the huge excitement of the recent Democratic National Convention, visitors will be kept well-entertained with the brilliant festivals and exhibitions, ranging from a spellbinding Harry Potter festival to celebrations of the best arts, music and beers Philadelphia has to offer.

China's stunning city of Hangzhou has already welcomed 1.3 million visitors between the months of January and May this year and expects to see many more travellers enter the city before the end of 2016 as a result of hosting the G20 Summit this September. According to the China National Tourism Administration, approximately 625,000 UK tourists visit China annually and, with this autumn's high-profile event further raising awareness of the city, Hangzhou Tourism Commission is expecting this figure to grow significantly from October onwards.

A global celebration of Yoga, World Music and Wellbeing, the 10th annual BaliSpirit festival will be taking place this March 19th-26th 2017 in the magical town of Ubud in Bali. Attracting a global audience from more than 40 countries each year, the festival brings together top international performers, world class musicians and experts in the fields of yoga, dance, movement, healing, spirituality and personal development offering you a truly unforgettable experience.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) debuted the latest edition of the Hong Kong Pulse 3D Light Show, which will run until August 28. The show has been expanded to cover not only the façade of the Hong Kong Cultural Centre, but also the entire space within its Open Piazza. Locals and tourists alike will be treated to a magnificent 3D visual spectacle, with 60 laser beams projected from all sides of the piazza, weaving the most vivid imagery ever seen.

Willy Etheve, the new CEO of IRT (Ile Reunion Tourisme), this week met with Minister Alain St.Ange, the Seychelles Minister responsible for Tourism and Culture, in the presence of Bernadette Honore, the representative of the Seychelles Tourism Board Office in Reunion, and Pascal Viroleau, the CEO of the Indian Ocean Vanilla Islands. Reunion Island is known for its spectacular mountains and volcano and has often been referred to as the Switzerland of the Indian Ocean and has for a long time been combining efforts with the Seychelles and its picture perfect white sandy beaches and turquoise blue seas.

The head of the United Nations agency responsible for the promotion of responsible, sustainable tourism will make his first ever appearance at a Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) event when he presents at the State of the Tourism Industry Conference (SOTIC) next month. Secretary General of the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) Taleb Rifai will be joined by the president of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) David Scowsill and CTO secretary general Hugh Riley on a panel to discuss how to pilot an industry through a perpetual state of flux.

This December, escape the UK and enjoy an alternative Christmas break with a trip to Japan's cultural capital, Kyoto.  The home of over 15 UNESCO world heritage sites is transformed over the holiday period into a twinkling haven for shopping and sight-seeing alike, and Kyoto Convention and Visitors Bureau (KCVB) has rounded up the city's highlights for a December break this year.

The Italian city of Pisa today welcomed the first Qatar Airways flight to arrive at its international airport from Doha, Qatar. The Airbus A330 landed at 06:55 and was greeted by a celebratory water canon salute as well as a welcome ceremony with flags and drums from people in traditional costumes.

The online registration to take part in the Tenerife Walking Festival 2017 is now open. The third edition of the festival is set to be the biggest and best yet, featuring a total of 20 walking routes – two more than the last edition – and a packed programme of supporting activities. The event, designed to showcase the island's astonishing natural beauty, will take place from 23rd to 27th May 2017.

Monday 15 August marks the 70th anniversary of India's Independence, when India became an independent nation after being under the rulership of the British Empire. India fought for freedom during a revolution and gained independence on this day, now a national holiday. On Sunday 21 August 2016 at 9am to 4pm, the High Commission of India and Indian Community Organisations in the UK will host this year's Independence Day celebrations at the Indian Gymkhana Club in London.