Holiday hotspots: where to go in 2008

The great hope for 2008 is that tourism, like other global industries, can find a way to be both green and profitable. At present, niche operators such as hotelier Campbell Gray (One Aldwych and Carlisle Bay, among others) can safely target the sliver of wealthy travellers who really do prefer a single perfect apple in an earthenware bowl to a huge basket of waxy fruit wrapped in cellophane. Still, a decisive shift is taking place and any hotel-owner who thinks that going green means putting a little card in the bathroom asking you whether you want your towels washed has spectacularly missed the point.

The World Tourism Organisation (WTO) says that tourism accounts for 10 per cent of global GDP. International tourism will triple in next 20 years and international arrivals are expected to rise from 700 million to 1.6 billion by the year 2020.

Bali highs (and lows)

Making a difference. That's what made me travel thousands of miles from my home to Bali in Indonesia. I was there with Oxfam to fight for the world's poorest people as government leaders thrashed out the next deal on climate change.

I've always been driven to do something in life that makes a difference. Since having my own children, I also want to protect the planet for them and for future generations.

SHORTLIST: NINE PLACES TO SURF BEFORE YOU DIE

* Angourie: Surfing magic close to home »
* Bali: Uluwatu island life is swell »
* Gold Coast: All the way to the Superbank »
* Kirra: Surfing shortboard heaven »
* La Jolla: Twenty seconds of tube time »
* Mentawais: Lance's alright on surfing safari »
* Pipeline: Surfing monster waves in Hawaii »
* Shipstern Bluff: Surfing with the Tassie devil »
* Tahiti: Welcome to Teahupoo »

Bali hotels set to close strong

Hotel investors and operators are showing a renewed interest in Bali as inbound tourism to the island continues to rebound strongly, according to Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels.

Mr Craig Collins, Managing Director Investment Sales Asia, commented, “Bali is red-hot at the moment. Preliminary statistics from top-tier hotels are indeed indicating a positive trend for October with year-on-year occupancy levels around 70%, and strong RevPAR (Revenue per Available Room) growth exceeding 80% for many hotels over the same period last year.”

Island of gods has red carpet out for Indians

Bali: Wherever an Indian goes in this island of the gods, the first question is: "Are you a Hindu? I am." From taxi drivers to tour guides to policemen, the question in this crowded little island of 2.5 million people does not vary.

Over 90 percent of the population is Hindu, and you see signs of that everywhere. Every few steps on the pavement, there is a small leaf-plate, with a few flowers and an incense stick in a corner. It is an offering to the family deity, the locals tell you, and you have to watch your step.

Sounds of worship float out of every neighbourhood temple in the evenings - the gongs, the small drums and the singing where you can pick out a few words of Sanskrit here and there if you listen carefully.