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Marissa Carruthers
Marissa is a British journalist of 15 years, who relocated to Cambodia almost six years ago. She writes about lifestyle, travel and culture across Southeast Asia and has been contributing to the Post for the last five years.
Is this the hottest new place to visit in the Philippines? Panglao, in the southwest part of Bohol, has dreamy beaches, majestic marine life, artisan chocolate and plenty of agritourism.
World Bank project helps Cambodia promote eco-tourism, as travel operators bet on an increased appetite for nature and engaging experiences when visitors return after the pandemic.
Hotels, airlines and travel agents in Asia are hopeful of a resumption of tourism, and many are offering flexible flight tickets and large discounts in return for early bookings.
The tycoon has gained sympathy from followers by claiming he was provoked, highlighting a cultural prevalence of victim shaming.
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Avitourism, looks set to be an important eco-travel trend in a post-Covid-19 world, and the potential saviour of threatened species in Cambodia and other habitat-rich, cash-poor countries.
Although Singapore, Bali and other Southeast Asian destinations are still closed to tourists, virtual tours will put you in the mood for when flying takes off again. Here are the some of the best.
With heavy Chinese investment, rising land prices, major construction projects and the clearing of part of a national park for development, sleepy Kampot in Cambodia is in danger of losing its laid-back reputation.
The opening of the five-star Hyatt Regency Phnom Penh hotel was always going to be a big deal. Covid-19 has lent it added importance – the pandemic has cost Cambodia thousands of tourism jobs.
Boat operator shut his business but considers himself lucky. At least he can fish. Friends from elsewhere in Thailand left Phuket ‘with no job to go home to … they went back with nothing’.
Cambodia’s skateboarding scene is barely a decade old but a visit from Tony Hawk and an NGO from Afghanistan prompted the founding of a professional federation, and now young skaters are dreaming of success at the 2023 SEA Games.
Agritourism encompasses farm stays and experiences such as working the land, herding livestock and taking part in cookery classes, and it’s a travel trend set to rapidly accelerate post-pandemic.
Health and safety will be Thailand’s number one priority when tourism returns. Hygiene measures in 10 tourist-related industries will be unveiled to boost visitors’ confidence.
The coronavirus has emptied the world’s tourist hotspots. The industry can only wait for a rebound, but some are asking whether places adversely affected by mass tourism could benefit from more responsible tourism in future.
A family tree used to take years of painstaking research, but with the introduction of home kits for genetic testing, more people are learning about their origins – and the travel industry has taken notice.
The island, with its spectacular karst hills, coral reefs and rich marine life, is determined to safeguard its environment as more tourist resorts and attractions are built, and avoid pitfalls of other destinations.
Dolphins that work with fishermen on the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar are threatened by overfishing. An ecologist and a tour group are working to assure the survival of the critically endangered mammals and the fishermen’s livelihoods.
The Karimunjawa archipelago boasts pristine, near-deserted beaches and clear waters ideal for diving; go beach and island hopping, walk through mangrove forests, and wind down at the end of the day on the appropriately named Sunset Beach.
From Cambodia to Nepal to Vietnam women are taking on a previously male-dominated career. They feel empowered and independent, but say there are still prejudices to overcome.
Eye-catching deals on flights to Hong Kong can be had in October as anti-government protests continue – US$460 from London, US$112 from Manila among them – as airlines try to fill seats amid a plunge in tourism.
Instagram, Facebook and the like have helped boost the appeal of locations around the world for younger travellers, though it is not always welcome. Here are some of the places paying the price for their popularity.
A TripAdvisor report found that nearly 1.4 million of 66 million reviews submitted to the site in 2018 were fake, with one senior director urging other review platforms like Google and Facebook to help fight a widespread problem.
Airlines are offering ‘incredible deals’ in an attempt to fill seats as tourism falls amid the anti-government protests, which triggered a partial shutdown of the city’s airport. Direct flights to Europe can be had for around US$500.
Sihanoukville has become a focal point for Chinese investment, but the speed of development has outpaced essential town planning. With floods causing extensive damage, there are worries things are only going to get worse.
To cater to the growing global army of digital nomads, a rising number of digital nomad retreats are cropping up. They offer a combination of co-working and co-living options, which range in length of time and destinations.
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In November, traditional and contemporary performing artists will join forces to showcase the finest in Cambodian music, dance and performance, marking 40 years since the Khmer Rouge all but wiped out the country’s cultural scene.
With more tech-savvy Gen Zers embarking on globe-trotting trips, a wave of digital start-ups are making travel easier. With Asia home to a mounting collection of innovative travel tech start-ups, here are four regional businesses who are using technology to aid travel.
The Rama family buried their family photographs to hide their past when the Khmer Rouge came to power in Cambodia in the 1970s. Photographer Charles Fox has created a book filled with these retrieved photos.
Inle Lake was so clean you could wash in it when Yin Myo Su was growing up. A decade ago, alarmed by its low water quality, she launched efforts to clean it up, teach people about the lake’s value and give its young people hope.
Companies that make a living from attracting tourists to Asian beauty spots are taking steps to reduce their impact on the environment; many are striving to end their reliance on single-use plastic.
With clean beaches, quaint fishing villages and emerald green paddy fields, Quy Nhon offers a quiet respite for travellers – although development is coming. Enjoy amazing seafood, historic sites and sundowners above lapping waves.
