Scheduled to be held over three days, from 5th to 8th May 2014, the annual Arabian Travel Market or ATM is the premier travel & tourism event that assists travel and tourism professionals to gain access to the inbound and outbound travel market in the Middle East region. The trade show is one of the biggest travel events in the world. The Dubai International and Convention Centre will play host to more than 16,000 participants and showcase more than 2,000 products from over 70 exhibitors related to the travel and tourism industry in 23,500 sq metres of space. New products relating to the industry have been successfully launched at previous events therefore there is reason to believe several new products will be released this time …

Sri Lanka is an enchanting island paradise with never a lack of things to fascinate you. Among Sri Lanka beach resorts, Anantaya Resort & Spa Chilaw is one of the finestChilaw hotels. Considered to be both a cultural and religious festival in Sri Lanka, Wesak commemorates the birth, enlightenment and passing away of Lord Buddha. Celebrated on the full moon day of May every year, it is the most important day for Buddhists all across the world. The festival sees the country transforming into a land of colourful lanterns adorning every nook and corner as a celebration of the three most significant events of Buddhism. Hordes of pilgrims visit temples all across the country to indulge in religious activities and attain spiritual bliss.   Thanuja Silva …

When in Bangkok make it point to experience some of the vibrant local festivals. Plan on staying at Bangkok serviced apartments? If so, Ascott Sathorn Bangkok features a selection of elegant serviced apartments Bangkok has to offer. One such festival is Visakha Bucha Day which is held in commemoration of Gautama Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and the passing away. It was on this day that Lord Buddha was born and 35 years later attained enlightenment. On the very same day at the age of 80 Buddha passed away to attain nibbana. Due to these reasons, this day is of great significance for Buddhists all over the world. This day in Thailand is a time for Buddhists to reflect on Buddha’s teachings and indulge in various spiritual activities. Thanuja Silva …

Uluwatu is home to idyllic beaches, a sacred temple (Pura Luhur), and some prime surfing spots. Depending on what time of year you visit, you will also be treated to a fabulous array of local festivals that are wonderful to witness and participate in. Ensure you book one of the fine Bali luxury villas to host your stay in the area, and the Alila Villas Uluwatu features an excellent selection of choice Bali boutique villas. Celebrated all over Bali is the local version of Christmas, Galungan, which occurs every 210 days and lasts for 10. It commemorates and welcomes the gods and ancestors to earth to live at their descendants’ dwelling places. The festivities include dances, the purchase and wearing of new clothes, offerings at the temples in …

Rich in culture and history, the enchanting kingdom of Bhutan also features a wide range of annual festivals which offer unique insights into the country’s heritage and its people. Travellers can make use of Bhutan tour packages that take you to regions where one can witness these cultural celebrations in all their splendour. Another option would be to stay at a centrally located Bhutan hotel such as Uma Bhutan which is ideally placed in the Paro Valley, making for an excellent base for your travels. When it comes to festivals in Bhutan, there is much to choose from. Tshechu is a festival celebrated in order to honour the birthday of Guru Rimpoche though the exact date of the event can vary from place to place. Thimphu Tshechus and Paro …

Each year, the central valley of Bumthang witnesses a unique event of sorts. Hundreds of Bhutan’s nomadic highlanders bring together herders of the north eastern and north western Himalayan frontiers in celebration of their unique culture and traditions, giving visitors the ideal opportunity to peek into their authentic way of life. Survival in the wilderness is hard. These nomads live under some of the harshest conditions closer to the snow capped mountains and it is interesting to see how they get by. The nomads of Bhutan depend on yaks for their livelihoods and therefore feature largely in their celebrations, traditions and customs. Although these communities are gradually entering the cash economy, they are still seen to be largely dependent on bartering practices. The ways of …