TRAVELTITBITS

If you have to spend a lot of time at airports, you might want to find out what to do to kill your boredom, or ease your fatigue.

Amadeus, a leading travel booking-technology provider, recently listed the top 10 traveller-friendly airports that have facilities to help brighten your day while waiting for your flight.

- South Korea's Incheon International Airport stands out from the crowd thanks to the government's tireless efforts to promote Korean culture. The airport houses the National Korean Museum and cultural areas _ facilities that are "the most-loved features" according to Amadeus because travellers can create traditional Korean dolls in papier-mache. Also recommended are the jungle gyms for children, free shower facilities, a spa and an ice rink. If that were not enough, there are also traditional dance and musical performances.

- Singapore's Changi International Airport has a butterfly garden in Terminal 3. The garden also houses 200 carnivorous and insectivorous plants and boasts a waterfall. Other facilities include a movie house, a pool and rooms for napping.

- Charlotte Douglas International Airport in North Carolina has an atrium lined with trees and white wooden rocking chairs, and also has the Yadkin Valley Wine Bar where travellers can taste offerings from local wineries.

- Portland International Airport offers live music performances and exhibitions by local artists, while products and services available in its shops and restaurants are the same price as those outside the airport, with no sales tax.

- Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport in Michigan houses an elaborate light tunnel that features an original musical score and a multi-coloured light show behind sculpted glass panels.

- McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas has nearly 1,300 slot machines, free Wi-Fi service and houses the Howard W Cannon Aviation Museum.

- Taipei's Taoyuan International Airport boasts an outstanding Hello Kitty-themed waiting area near the C3 boarding gate in Terminal 2. The cute Japanese cartoon cat appears everywhere including wall decorations, pink seats, a playground for children and more items in the Hello Kitty shop.

- Schiphol Airport in Amsterdam is home to a branch of the famous Rijksmuseum which features a small collection of Dutch Golden Age paintings and as well as a casino.

- Vancouver International Airport has a 5.2m-deep aquarium that is home to 1,000 marine species including the wolf eel, rock fish and kelp greenling.

- Hong Kong International Airport has a 330-seat 4D theatre allowing travellers to enjoy movies on a four-storey high screen and four-dimension special effects like falling snow, splashing water and wafting fragrances.

Thai AirAsia launches daily flight to Xi'an

Thai AirAsia will launch its first daily flight from Bangkok to Xi'an tomorrow.

"China is growing rapidly and AirAsia is very focused on this market. We are the first and only low-cost airline to offer daily direct flights to Xi'an," said Tassapon Bijleveld, the airline's CEO.

The historical city is the airline's third new destination in China this year after the launch of direct flights to Chongqing and Wuhan.

Currently, Chinese travellers are the airline's largest group of international passengers with 34% growth compared to the same period last year.

"Our direction for the remainder of 2012 and 2013 is to focus on further expansion in China and to add to our popular domestic and international destinations," he said.

Hotels update

- The first Holiday Inn Resort in Krabi opened at the beginning of this month.

Holiday Inn Resort Krabi Ao Nang Beach targets travellers seeking an idyllic getaway, according to general manager Steve Ng.

The beachfront resort initially offers 55 contemporary-style rooms ranging from 45m2 to 95m2 and with a balcony or direct access to the swimming pool. In-room features include a rain shower, a bathtub, iPod docking station and free wireless internet. Other facilities include a free-form swimming pool, a fitness centre, a spa, a children's club and a restaurant.

"We plan to announce the complete opening of our 188-room property by October 2013," said Mr Ng. The new wing will house the Holiday Inn Kid Suites aimed at families with children, with three swimming pools with a large water slide. The resort is a 30-minute drive from Krabi International Airport and only a 10-minute walk from the popular entertainment and shopping areas of Ao Nang.

Visit www.holidayinnresorts.com/krabi for more details.

- The Outrigger Phi Phi Island Resort and Spa officially opened on Nov 3.

Located on a 28 hectare plot of land, the 156-room beachfront hotel was originally named Phi Phi Island Village Beach Resort and Spa.

"We have started to implement Outrigger international standards across facilities, food and beverage and human resource services," said Outrigger Asia-Pacific managing director Darren Edmonstone.

The renovation covers 44 new deluxe Thai-style garden bungalows and a fitness centre, as well as food and beverage outlets offering new Thai, French, Italian and Japanese menus.

The resort also offers snorkelling, scuba diving, private boat and fishing excursions and a full spa facility.

Visit www.outrigger.com for more information.

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