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Opinion

Giving money to child beggars in the developing world perpetuates a cruel system.

A wretched-looking child begged me for money. Here’s why I refused

Giving her money will not make one bit of difference to what she eats, where she sleeps or what she wears.

  • Michael Gebicki
“Enhanced vetting” is seeing some travellers turned away from the US at the border for unusual reasons.

An Australian was denied US entry for bizarre reasons. He’s not alone

One Australian traveller says he’s now $15,000 out of pocket after being denied entry to the US after “enhanced vetting”. His crime? Choosing a cheap fare.

  • Anthony Dennis
Get a view of Tokyo’s answer to the Eiffel Tower.

Your questions: How should I spend a six-hour layover in Tokyo?

“I’m visiting France for three weeks and visiting Paris, Marseille and Lyon. Any suggestions for the rest of the time?”

The Eiffel Tower.

Eleven of the world’s lamest attractions (and why I still love them)

You can embrace the terrible nature of some of the world’s worst tourist traps and just enjoy them for what they are.

  • Ben Groundwater
It is in its public areas that Madame Reve really shines.

Not every hotel has a grand history, so some are just making one up

The Ritz and Raffles might be historic and storied, but what about a new hotel? How does it quickly get a personality?

  • Lee Tulloch
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Futuristic Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo.

I returned to Japan after almost 20 years. Here’s what’s changed

Was Japan still going to be at the pointy end of wacky experiences and futuristic technologies? Would its cultural idiosyncrasies still induce a travel buzz?

  • Penny Watson
There are no specific rules about how many toilets an airline needs to provide on board.

The 10 rules of plane toilet etiquette

Earlier this month, Qantas passengers on a nine-hour flight to Hong Kong were warned that three of the five toilets wouldn’t be working.

  • Michael Gebicki
An Indian street seller serves up chai.

The false claims people make about travelling in India

“Beggars are everywhere”. I see more beggars on a stroll through Sydney’s CBD than I do travelling in India.

  • Michael Gebicki
Tourist numbers to New Zealand have not bounced back to pre-COVID levels.

Bloody hell, NZ’s come up with a tourism slogan worse than ours

Take a bow, New Zealand. Australia’s infamous “Where the bloody hell are you?” campaign is no longer the worst to come out of this region.

  • Robert Jackman
Crowds at a section of the Great Wall of China during Golden Week.

Ten things travellers will never understand about China

Everyone holidays at the same time, there’s an obsession with giant, bizarre buildings, and it’s very different to how it’s portrayed in the Western media.

  • Brian Johnston

Original URL: https://www.smh.com.au/traveller/topic/opinion-1ql