THE LOUVRE museum in Paris has announced it will open its doors for free one Saturday night a month to attract younger, less wealthy visitors.

Home to the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, the world’s most-visited museum previously opened for six free Sundays a year, but a statement published last week said this was failing to bring in visitors from a broad spectrum of society.

The new nocturnal openings, set to begin on January 5, are to include activities such as a board game area and reading corner to attract families.

The Louvre is also hoping to appeal to more people living in poorer Paris suburbs as well as to young adults and families with older children with the initiative.

The museum’s statement said that the Saturday nights were a bid to underpin the “democratisation” of the Louvre, where a full-price ticket costs 17 euros (Bt640).

“The number of French visitors coming to the Louvre for the first time was dropping during these free Sundays, while the number of foreign visitors was going up considerably,” it added.

The main people benefiting were tourism operators who cashed in by ferrying foreigners through the Louvre – an obligatory stop in any case – for free on the Sundays.

“Working-class visits were not going up,” it said.

The monthly Saturday evening sessions will run between 6 and 8.45pm.

The Louvre saw a sharp rise in visitors in 2017 to 8.1 million, making it the most visited art gallery in the world according to a ranking from the Themed Entertainment Association, an industry body.

Those figures mark a recovery since 2016, when visits to Paris dropped following a wave of deadly jihadist attacks in France the previous year.

NEPAL’S PLEDGE to crack down on fraudulent helicopter evacuations has failed to curb the scam, with tourists still being unnecessarily airlifted from the Himalayas so middlemen can profit on the insurance payouts, industry sources say.

An AFP investigation earlier this year exposed the chopper racket where dodgy trekking outfits pressure tourists into needless and costly airlifts, or bill multiple times for a single flight.

Nepal’s government launched an inquiry in June after insurers were billed more than $6.5 million (Bt213.5 million) on 1,300 helicopter rescues in the first five months of 2018.

An unidentified injured person is carried at the Everest Base Camp near Namche Bazar.

Global insurers threatened to stop covering travellers to Nepal unless the frequency and cost of rescues fell sharply, worrying the poor Himalayan nation which relies heavily on tourism revenue.

But industry insiders told AFP the scam was thriving well into the busy autumn trekking season, with operators continuing to make thousands evacuating tourists months after Nepal promised to rein in operators.

“The government came up with all these ideas but no one is following it,” says Jay Rana, who acts as an in-country agent for international insurance firms.

Invoices seen by AFP show trekking agencies and charter companies are still overbilling insurers for rescues, collecting kickbacks between $500 and $2,100 per flight.

The four chopper firms involved most frequently in rescues told AFP they carried out 489 airlifts in September and October.

Industry officials say the helicopter companies tend to understate the true figure to avoid competition and scrutiny.

An airport source, who requested anonymity, adds that more than 1,000 chopper airlifts were conducted over the same two-month period – with 68 recorded in a single day in late October.

But Nepal’s tourism department – which started monitoring airlifts in September – claimed only 40 helicopter rescues had occurred in the two months to November.

“There is a little bit of a problem with the system in coordinating with the (trekking and helicopter) operators,” concedes Dandu Raj Ghimire, director general of the tourism department, referring to the new rules the government implemented to curb the fraudulent rescues.

But, he adds, the chopper scam was “not a big problem nowadays”.

Mount Ama Dablam in the Himalayas, as seen from Khumjung village in the Everest region, some 140km northeast of Kathmandu. 

Nepal’s trekking industry has become hooked on the kickbacks received from getting tourists evacuated by helicopter, said Rana.

In one instance, a trekking company refused to share the location of a stricken tourist because Rana refused to pay the agency a hefty commission.

“It was like a hostage situation,” Rana said, adding the trekker was eventually brought to lower altitude on horseback.

The government has also not taken action against trekking outfits selling the below-cost Himalayan trips that are at the heart of the chopper scam.

The budget outfits bank on making a profit through the commission they receive if a tourist gets airlifted.

Some offer itineraries without acclimatisation days factored in, or have guides push tourists to skip their rest days, increasing the risk of altitude sickness and a possible airlift from the mountains.

There are also reports of guides putting baking soda –a laxative –in food to deliberately make trekkers ill.

One tourist trekking in the Everest region in late October –who declined to be named – says her guide told her that rest days were unnecessary.

She was evacuated by a helicopter with altitude sickness halfway through her trek.

The government’s probe has identified 15 companies – including helicopter firms, trekking agencies and hospitals – linked to the lucrative racket.

But no action has been taken against any of the alleged perpetrators.

“Nothing punitive is happening,” says Suraj Paudel, a Swiss-trained mountain rescue specialist.

“We are still doing the helicopter business like we are buying goats in the market.”

Insurance companies, however, are taking note.

Since AFP’s investigation published in June, many UK-based insurers have hiked premiums or introduced special excess charges for helicopter rescues in Nepal.

Anthony Kaye, of Campbell Irvine Insurance Brokers, described these steps as “a halfway house” and said it was only a matter of time before insurers stopped issuing policies for Nepal.

“There is no commercial reason to maintain cover to Nepal given the sustained losses. The clock is ticking.”

Operated by Jetstar’s Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft, customers can book the direct Jetstaroperated service between Melbourne/Sydney and Bangkok/Phuket in one direction, with a Qantasoperated service on the return leg.

The flights from Sydney to Phuket and Phuket to Sydney are available on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday, Melbourne to Phuket and Phuket to Melbourne on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday and Melbourne to Bangkok and Bangkok to Melbourne on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.

Qantas Frequent Flyer members can earn points and status credits on all sectors. Other benefits include a complimentary hot meal and prelanding refreshment, complimentary access to the Jetstar seatback inflight entertainment, a comfort pack including a pillow blanket and eye mask, plus access to Qantas Lounges in Sydney, Melbourne and Singapore for eligible passengers.

Customers can take advantage of the Qantas International baggage allowance for their entire journey, including all Jetstar Airways and Jetstar Asiaoperated services (as stated on their ticket) and baggage through check between QF domestic and JQ international terminals in Sydney and Melbourne, when booked on QFcode flight in a single itinerary.

The airways also offers the Qantas transfer bus service at Sydney Airport, when transferring between a Qantasoperated domestic flight in Australia and Qantascodeshare, Jetstaroperated international service to/from Phuket.

Qantas codes to over 50 destinations on Jetstar Group services between Australia and Asia, as well as intraAsia services, offering Qantas customers a wide range of route options when travelling across the region.

The Hong Kong Tourism Board has made a shortlist of eight exciting ideas, including two places to dine.

Find out more at http://www.DiscoverHongKong.com/eng.

PULSE LIGHT FESTIVAL

The Hong Kong Pulse Light Festival has light-art installations from around the world to delight visitors of all ages. It starts today at the Central Harbourfront and Tamar Park and continues into February.

CHRISTMAS TREASURES

Be amazed by a 60-foot Christmas tree and a 40-metre-long Christmas bridge festooned with heart-shaped “love locks” you can purchase with a partner and seal your affections.

Continuing until January 1 on Level 3 of the Ocean Terminal at Harbour City, it’s a picture-perfect place to record precious moments with loved ones.

Also featured is the world’s largest video kaleidoscope, a surreal world of dynamic Christmas-theme scenery.

A DISNEY CHRISTMAS

Hong Kong Disneyland on Lantau Island is livelier than ever every day until January 1 from 10.30am to 8pm (Fridays and Saturdays until 10) with multimedia shows, streets aglow with magical lights, music and heart-warming moments.

Capture all the cherished moments with your family, and especially with your favourite Disney friends dressed in their holiday finery.

SNOW VILLAGE

In the Village Square and Bodhi Square of Ngong Ping on Lantau Island, you can sprawl out on the powdered ground and make a snow angel and then lace up your skates for a romp on the outdoor rink.

It truly will be a White Christmas from December 1 to January 1.

TONG CHONG STREET MARKET

The market in Taikoo Place at Quarry Bay is an annual affair offering everything from fresh farmers’ produce to cooking tips and the latest food-and-beverage trends.

The market this season returns with a more exciting collection of stalls selling homegrown food, unconventional packaged food and fresh seasonal produce.

That’s every Sunday until February 17, except December 2, 23, 30 and February 3, from 11am to 5pm.

LEE LO MEI

An up-and-coming restaurant featured on the local TV series “Lueat Khon Khon Chang” (“In Family We Trust”) boasts a bar on the ground floor serving astonishing cocktails crafted by an all-star team of locally born bartenders.

The restaurant is furnished with artwork depicting old Hong Kong, replete with mah-jong tiles, birdcages and amah bags. The space is colourful and lively and at the same time full of nostalgia. It’s famous for premium-quality dishes that elevate and redefine Hong Kong street food.

Lee Lo Mei is at 8 Lyndhurst Terrace in Central district and open daily from noon to midnight (Fridays and Saturdays until 2am).

AIA CARNIVAL

Blending elements of a traditional European carnival with futuristic sights, sounds and technology, the AIA Carnival is filled with top-flight events and festivities to please the whole family.

On offer are fantastic rides, all sorts of toys, “Carnival Eats” by celebrity chef Christian Yang and a cast of entertainers, acrobats and circus superstars.

It’s scheduled for December 14 to February 17 (except January 11), daily from 11 to 11, at the Central Harbourfront Event Space 9 on Lung Wo Road.

TAI MO SHAN ADVENTURE

Nature lovers will enjoy Tai Mo Shan, Hong Kong’s highest peak, ideal for leisurely strolls and adrenaline-pumping hikes alike. Rising 3,140 feet, Tai Mo Shan is made for custom-tailored hiking experiences that fit your interests and fitness level. Highly recommended is the Family Walk route.

To get to the starting point, use Exit A of the MTR Tsuen Wan Station, walk to the bus stop on Tai Ho Road North and catch Bus 51 to the Country Park stop on Tai Mo Shan Road.

Whether you want to be a cowboy for a day, get a bird’s-eye view or “geek out” over auto parts, these quirky theme properties on Agoda are sure to spice up your travel diaries.

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME

Get ready to be transported to the golden era of 1930s Shanghai at the elegant Shanghai Mansion Bangkok, where each decadent room is inspired by Shanghai Art Deco design. On-theme facilities include the Red Rose Chinese Restaurant and Jazz Lounge, where refreshing cocktails are served and live jazz is performed throughout the night.

WILD, WILD WEST

Head to the Wild West at the Big Joey Country Resort and embrace your inner cowboy or Native American, choosing to stay in either the rugged cowboy-theme rooms or colourful teepees. Within commuting distance of KhaoYai National Park, with its expansive forest scenery and hiking trails, this property is the ideal base camp for a full-on nature retreat.

UP IN THE SKY

Keemala’s luxurious tree-house villas in Phuket are inspired by the woven tangle of bird’s nests. Perched high above the trees, each tree house offers large rooms, a private pool and epic views of the Kamala rainforest. Nearby attractions include elephant sanctuaries, scuba diving excursions and the lively nightlife of Patong Beach.

WOOLLY WONDERS

If you love animals and nature, the European-theme Swiss Valley Hip Resort is just the place for you. Nestled within a green valley, the property offers panoramic views of Suan Phueng’s mountainous landscape. From the on-site sheep farm to the horseback riding and archery activities, you’ll be able to get a taste of rural farm life.

START YOUR ENGINES

If cars are your thing head to Mestyle Garage Hotel, a new property born from the owner’s love of cars. Recycled auto parts are given new life as one-of-a-kind room decor and furniture for the boutique hotel. After a day of exploring Bangkok’s attractions, head to the trendy rooftop bar and re-fuel your tank.

They host “New Taste of Hong Kong”, a new three-episode series showcasing classic movie locations in Central and Sham Shui Po, which premieres tomorrow (Tuesday, November 27 ) at 8:05pm on TLC Channel on TrueVisions Channel 566.

Tsang, the daughter of actor Eric Tsang and Ko, son of stuntman/actor Blackie Ko, have recently revisited places in Hong Kong where their fathers began their movie careers.

Starting from Old Town Central, they take viewers to iconic movie locations to relive the scenes and, with the help of local expert guides, head out to new spots where the next big movie may be shot.

As an actress and TV presenter, Tsang has travelled the globe and tasted cultural delights all over the world. Now, she’s revisiting the places she grew up with a brand-new perspective.

“I remembered Hong Kong as a small place. But as we were shooting the show, I realised that there are still a lot of spots worth visiting. Old Town Central has been given new life in recent years and the hidden zone in Sheung Wan/ Central has been transformed into a new hip area nicknamed Poho. You can find small shops, bookstores, galleries or even a tea house.”

Also moved by the local hospitality, Tsang says, “whenever I was back in town in the past, I would just go to the shopping malls and didn’t really get to chat and connect with the locals. But visiting food stalls and Hong Kong style cafes, plus the old and new shops in Sham Shui Po, I am rediscovering the genuine hospitality of Hong Kongers. Everyone is loving and contributing to Hong Kong in their own unique way.”

As a child, Ko would follow his dad around the various movie locations in Hong Kong. When asked about his impression of Hong Kong, he answers: “My impression of Hong Kong has always been it’s a place of happiness. It’s a city where the east and the west meet, and the two cultures not only coexist but flourish.”

His favourite is western-style Chinese food.

“There is no other place that can make a better egg and ham sandwich!”

During the shooting process, the pair revisited Tai Ping Koon Restaurant, an iconic time-honoured restaurant serving Hong Kong-style western food—also a place of childhood memories for the two hosts.

Ko was pleasantly surprised when the restaurant owner took out an autograph of his late father, and a senior staff member recalled the favourite dish of Tsang’s grandfather. They shared childhood memories whether it was about the chicken wings in Swiss sauce, roast pigeon or its giant soufflé. Tsang shared her must-have heavenly-delicious French toast in her gourmet trip in Sham Shui Po, saying “This is hands down the best I’ve had in 40 years!”

The pair visited the Mid-Levels Escalator from the Hong Kong classic “Chungking Express”, enjoyed sharing childhood memories at Tai Kwun (former Central Police Station), which inspired the story of “Police Story”.

WITH AN eye to making the most of its natural attractions, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has joined with National Geographic to promote its 10th annual “Great Outdoors” campaign, featuring 13 of the city’s most stunning landscapes. The campaign will include an authoritative guidebook, “Your Guide to Hiking & Cycling in Hong Kong”, a photo gallery as well as collaborative content with insights from National Geographic photographers and trail experts.

Visitors to Hong Kong can now discover some of the SAR’s most picturesque nature trails through the contrasting lenses of the “One Place, Two Perspectives” narrative. The stories present Hong Kong as a jaw-dropping, breathtaking visual dichotomy with contrasting city views and verdant mountains, traditional villages with natural flora and fauna, and beautiful landscapes and seascapes.

The MacLehose Trail showcases sea caves, sea stacks and hexagonal rock columns. (Photo by Matthieu Paley)

“We are delighted to be working with National Geographic, which has a huge number of followers, who enjoy travelling and adventures,” says Anthony Lau, executive director of HKTB.

“In this fresh attempt to showcase Hong Kong’s natural beauty through stunning photography and inspiring stories by some of the world’s top photographers, we hope to encourage visitors to discover another side of cosmopolitan Hong Kong during the hiking season, which runs from November to March.”

“One Place, Two Perspectives” will be presented by a team, that includes French photographer Matthieu Paley, a contributing photographer to the respected magazine, whose assignments have taken him to far-flung corners of the globe. Paley has lived in Hong Kong for nine years and is intimately acquainted with the city’s natural landscapes. He will capture Hong Kong Unesco Global Geopark’s majestic volcanic rock columns on land before diving into the park’s mesmerising aqua waters.

Hike on the country trail toward Shek Pik Reservoir to see the Big Buddha and Wisdom Path from a distance. (photo by Tugo Cheng)

National Geographic award-winning photographer and Hong Konger Tugo Cheng, whose background in architecture gives his work a unique aesthetic, will dish up an inside scoop on the beauty of Hong Kong’s natural landscape. He’ll be taking his camera to historical Sam A Village to explore the indigenous culture, and then onwards to the exotic plants and wildlife that thrive in Plover Cove Country Park.

Trail runner Wyan Chow Pui-yan, who was the first local female to win the Vibram Hong Kong 100 and who placed 17th in the Ultra Trail World Tour, will lead the team into Tai Mo Shan Country Park — and the city’s tallest mountain, at 900 meters above sea level. Chow and her godmother, who runs a popular kiosk in the park, will share their insights on hiking and trail-running along Tai Mo Shan, as well as their love for the magnificent sunset views the highest peak in Hong Kong offers.

“As a community of bold explorers with an insatiable curiosity, there’s nothing we like more than showing people new perspectives on the world around them,” says Con Apostolopoulos of National Geographic.

“Partnering with the tourist board is a fantastic opportunity to transform the way people think about Hong Kong; showing off its contrasting urban and rural beauty in a new light through the lens of talented photographers and explorers.”

IF YOU GO

Find out more about the Great Outdoors Hong Kong at /www.DiscoverHongKong.com/ eng/see-do/great-outdoors/index.jsp

An e-version of “Your Guide to Hiking & Cycling in Hong Kong” can be downloaded from the same website.

Tugo Cheng’s “Experience Nature and Culture in Plover Cove Country Park” can be viewed at https://youtu.be/MZq8NScpPTs.

Matthieu Paley’s “Hong Kong: Land and Sea” video is at https://youtu.be/eQ7C19pJ3-A

DUBBED THE Little Paris, the hilly town of Da Lat in southern Vietnam is blessed by year-round cool breezes and constantly bathed in a sea of mist, making it a popular holiday escape both for locals and visitors from overseas.

Discovered by French bacteriologist Alexandre Yersin in 1893 and developed by the French in the early 1900s, it boasts colonial architecture that draws on both French and Swiss designs, giving the resort an Alpine feel.

Luxury chateau-style hotels and boutique accommodation take visitors back to the first decade of the 1900s and Da Lat’s heyday as a classy resort town for the elite.

The Hydrangea Garden is the hottest photo spot for the locals and Thai tourists. 

Standing at 1,500 meters above sea level, it’s now home to massive verdant fields of artichokes, strawberries, persimmons, potatoes, pumpkins, tomatoes, asparagus, lavender and hydrangeas, all of which love the climate and temperatures that range from 9 to 28 degrees Celsius.

“The French army occupied Saigon but the Europeans had problems coping with the hot and humid weather and the mosquitoes. So, the French went into the rural areas of this southern region and turned Da Lat into a place where they could enjoy a terrific climate the whole year. We have two seasons here – blue skies and occasional light rain during the day and chilly nights,” says local guide Thai Mac Vi Tien, who invites us to call her Cat, her nickname.

“The city’s name means river of the Lat tribe and it has been home to several hill tribes for centuries. Vietnam was under French colonial rule until 1954 and divided into northern and southern Vietnam during the American War. Plenty of Vietnamese left their homes and fled to Thailand, while some of the residents from the central region relocated to Da Lat. Today, the town has about 5,000 residents.”

Surrounded by dense jungle, Datanla Waterfall is a gateway to Da Lat and draws both Vietnamese families and foreigners with such fun attractions as a free jump, rafting and a zip line through the trees.

For an adrenaline high, ride a roller coaster to Datanla Waterfall.

There are several ways to reach this 100-metre high waterfall. Visitors can spend 15 to 20 minutes trekking along the trail or board the cable car for a five-minute ride. We choose to ride the self-controlled, two-seat roller coaster, a system unique to Da Lat.

Safely strapped in, we learn how to use the hand pedal to adjust speed and stop before zooming off on a breathtaking ride that sees us take the curves taken at 40 kilometres per hour. Visitors can pay VND 35,000 (Bt50) for a one-way ride and VND 45,000 for a return trip.

Back in the town, meanwhile, we observe group after group of Vietnamese youngsters dressed in South Korean-style overcoats posing for photographs in front of Da Lat Railway Station – fashion shoots, our guide tells us.

Erected in 1932 and opened for operation in 1938, this art deco-style building is the collective brainchild of French architects Moncet and Reveron and is inspired by the native Cao Ngyuen communal houses of ethnic minorities from Vietnam’s Central Highlands.

The station was abandoned during Vietnam War and returned to service in 1990s to promote tourism. With its stunning multicoloured glass windows and three roofs resembling the three peaks of Lang Biang Mountain, it was named a national historical monument in 2001.

Catch a train from Da Lat Railway Station for the scenic sevenkilometre ride to Trai Mat. 

Last year, it introduced a daily seven-kilometre service –the Da Lat Plateau Rail Road – between the town and the village of Trai Mat, treating visitors to the sight of row after row of vegetable gardens, small hamlets and historical sites all along the route.

It’s also home to a vintage coffee house adapted from old bogies where while waiting for the train visitors can buy handmade keepsakes and self-portraits quickly sketched by a local artist.

The temperature drops to 17 degrees Celsius when the sun sets, perfect for a shopping trip to Da Lat Night Bazaar. Spread all along Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street, the market is populated by hundreds of local vendors selling cheap winter clothes and accessories mixed in with stalls offering a variety of tasty treats. We sample an interesting crispy Vietnamese pizza with a variety of toppings, soymilk paired with home-made French pastries and some coconut candy known as keo chi dua.

Woken very early by the sound of several horns being honked the next morning, I cover the short distance from the historical Du Parc Hotel Da Lat where I am staying for two nights, to the iconic Da Lat Cathedral in no time. Constructed between 1931 and 1942, it’s also known as the Rooster Church thanks to a large rooster statue installed on top of its bell tower. The peaceful interior boasts 70 stained glass panels brought over from France and has a statue of the Virgin Mary at the gate.

Da Lat Cathedral stands at the very heart of the town.

Walking back to the hotel once the morning rush hour has started, I get stuck in the middle of the road with horn-blowing motorcycles coming at me from every direction. Crossing the street seems to be impossible even in small Vietnamese towns but a friend takes hold of my hand and urges me to keep walking and learn to trust Vietnamese motorcyclists. Apparently they are good at reading the minds of pedestrians and measuring walking speed but hate using their brakes. I’m not sure I believe this but make it to the other side without being knocked over.

I feel considerably safer during the 20-minute drive to the suburb of Lac Duong and my harrowing memories fade completely once we arrive at the Hydrangea Garden that stretches as far as the eyes can see. It’s like a wonderland, where tourists can dive into a sea of giant purple hydrangeas and find the best spot for taking selfie.

“Hydrangeas are blooming the whole year thanks to Da Lat’s cool weather. When it first opened, there was free access to the garden and many of the blossoms were damaged by tourists. The owner decided to set up a photo shoot zone for which visitors pay VND15,000 to enter,” Cat says.

“Apart from hydrangeas, this month is also the season for Mexican sunflowers and persimmons. Da Lat is famous for artichoke tea that’s good for cleansing the liver and relaxing the mind.”

The Hydrangea Garden is the hottest photo spot for the locals and Thai tourists. 

Two kilometres away from the hydrangea garden is the highly revered Linh Phuoc Pagoda, another delight for the eyes with its fine colourful mosaic murals. Built between 1949 and 1952, it greets visitors with a 49-metre-long dragon’s head made from 12,000 glass bottles.

The main hall is adorned with cobblestone mosaics and bas-reliefs that depict the story of the Lotus Sutras and of Shakyamuni. Another attraction is the seven-floor bell tower housing an 18-metre-high golden statue of Guanyin fitted out with 600,000 paper flowers. Pilgrims write their wishes on yellow paper and ring the bell three times to pay homage to Buddha.

That afternoon, back in downtown Da Lat, we drop by the Domaine de Marie Church. Built in the 1940s, its design is reminiscent of Normandy’s 17th-century cathedrals.

Featuring pink limestone walls, stained glass windows and a three-metre-tall statue of the Virgin Mary, the church is home to the Roman Catholic nuns of the Mission of Charity.

Our sightseeing tour ends at Doha Cafe, a new landmark opposite Xuan Huong Lake. Made from green glass, this coffee house is designed to resemble an artichoke flower and serves a selection of western snacks along with coffee and smoothies.

The writer travelled courtesy of KTC World Travel Service.

IF YOU GO

>> Thai Vietjet operates flights between Bangkok and Da Lat on Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.

>> For reservations, go to http://www.bookvietjetair.com.