Study Buddy (Challenger): Where to travel in 2024, according to Forbes, National Geographic, Fodor’s and more – and where to avoid

Old favourites await rediscovery, up-and-coming hotspots vie with “undiscovered gems” and “sustainable havens” for inclusion, and, according to at least one industry player, some tourist attractions should be avoided altogether.

[2] Forbes
In its 24 Best Places to Travel in 2024, global media brand Forbes leads with the gorgeous Italian island of Sardinia on account of its stunning beaches, history as a Mediterranean crossroads and seafood-influenced culinary traditions. Renowned for its reliable snowfall, the Japanese ski resort of Niseko makes the cut as an alternative to more familiar European and North American winter sports venues and Forbes reckons the emerald waters and limestone pinnacles of Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, will enjoy a bumper 2024 as well.,

[3] National Geographic
National Geographic’s Cool List 2024 gives the Albanian Alps a nod for their challenging hiking trails amid jagged peaks. Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region is also recommended – three stages of the 111th Tour de France will roll through the vineyard-cloaked landscapes next summer. Then there’s China’s Xian, which in 2024 marks 50 years since a group of farmers stumbled upon a clay soldier while digging a well. Further excavations led to the unearthing of thousands of life-size warriors, horses and chariots.

[4] Fodor’s
Guidebook publisher Fodor’s produces an annual Go List that includes Philippine diving paradise Coron (translucent seas, World War II shipwrecks and talcum powder sands). And with its fusion of cultures, cuisines, British colonial architecture and Chinese shophouses, George Town, the capital of Penang, Malaysia, merits a mention. World Heritage site? It goes without saying.

[5] Fodor’s also compiles a No List of holiday spots that are suffering from overtourism. Venice, Italy, is out for 2024, as locals aren’t convinced a planned €5 (HK$43) tourist tax will discourage enough people from visiting. Athens is blacklisted, too. The Greek capital hopes its timed-entry system will ease congestion, although the daily cap of 20,000 sightseers sounds like a lot.

[6] Furthermore, the company suggests giving Japan’s Mount Fuji a wide berth for the time being (human traffic jams and avalanches of rubbish left for volunteers to clear). Ha Long Bay appears on the No List as regulations aimed at curbing marine pollution (discarded plastic water bottles and leaked diesel from ageing fishing vessels and tourists boats) are poorly enforced. Forbes says “go” but Fodor’s says “no”. What’s a tourist to do?

[7] American Express Travel
American Express Travel has produced a countdown of trending holiday spots for the year ahead and joins Forbes in giving the powdery pistes of Niseko a plug. The company likes the look of Udaipur, India, too. The City of Lakes, which appeared in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy, is touted as an alternative to Agra and the Taj Mahal. And when it comes to Indian Ocean rivals, Amex plumps for the Seychelles as a substitute for the Maldives.

Source: South China Morning Post, December 8

1. Find a word in paragraph 1 that means “compete”. ___________________________________________________

2. Which place in paragraph 2 would be most suitable for a pescatarian traveller?
___________________________________________________

3. Which group of people would be keen to visit the Albanian Alps according to paragraph 3?
A. history buffs
B. families with young children
C. budget travellers
D. avid mountain climbers

4. Name one measure mentioned in paragraph 5 that Athens has taken to address overtourism. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. In paragraph 6, Fodor’s is … when it says to give the destination “a wide berth”.

A. advising tourists to avoid Mount Fuji
B. suggesting that tourists participate in volunteer activities to clean up Mount Fuji
C. encouraging tourists to explore alternative hiking trails near Mount Fuji
D. recommending tourists visit Mount Fuji from a distance

6. In paragraph 7, how might Udaipur’s appearance in a James Bond film have affected its popularity as a tourist attraction, and why?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. According to the text, which destination do two travel guides have conflicting recommendations for, and why? (2 marks)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. Which of the following is the best alternative title for the text?

A. Discovering the less travelled destinations in 2024
B. Unveiling the world’s top destinations for 2024
C. Hidden gems and overrated spots in Asia
D. Uncovering the world’s luxurious travel destinations

9. Based on your understanding of the text, which destination is the writer most likely to avoid?
A. Coron
B. George Town
C. Italy
D. the Seychelles

1. vie
2. Sardinia
3. D
4. The Greek capital has introduced a timed-entry system, which sets a daily limit to 20,000 sightseers.
5. A
6. It might have boosted its popularity as a tourist attraction because fans of the film might feel intrigued and motivated to explore the region and its cinematic charm. (accept all reasonable answers)
7. Ha Long Bay as Forbes recommended it for its emerald waters and limestone pinnacles while Fodor’s advised against visiting the place as regulations aimed at curbing marine pollution are poorly enforced.
8. B
9. C