The latest openings and events from around the world.
ON THE ROAD
Better roads and GPS navigation systems are spurring more tourists to explore India by rental car. Avis, the only company with a self-drive fleet in the country, saw its rentals double in 2011. Still the totals were small: about 10,000 bookings, with only 40 per cent of those from foreigners. Avis has 17 outlets and 1,400 vehicles in India. While private car ownership is rising dramatically, drivers still have to share the roads with cows, bullock carts and bikes.
IN THE BUFF
Pasco County, located north of Tampa on Florida's west coast, has pledged nearly $4,000 (U.S.) to promote nude tourism. The money is a grant to PANDAbare, an association representing a dozen nudist resorts in the Land O'Lakes area. It will fund a marketing campaign directed at naturists from Britain, Germany, France and the Netherlands. The ads will suggest using the resorts as a base for touring during a new "Eurobird" season in July and August.
ON TOUR
The days of Chinese tour groups being herded everywhere by guides may soon be over. Young, well-educated Chinese professionals are increasingly seeing the world as individuals, according to a World Travel Trends Report prepared for Berlin's ITB travel marketplace. An economic boom means more people have money to spend and the digital savvy to book their own trips. They also want relaxation and entertainment along with the sights. The report advises travel sellers to respond with Chinese-speaking staff, Chinese dishes and communications through Chinese social media sites.
Special to The Globe and Mail