Manila  - Tourist arrivals in the Philippines rose 1.5 per cent in 2008 despite the global economic slowdown, the government said Wednesday.

Tourism Secretary Ace Durano said 3.13 million tourists visited the Philippines last year, up from 3.09 million in 2007.

"The increase in the visitor count in 2008 is greatly attributed to the strong performance of the European markets, led by Russia, which posted a growth of 34 per cent," Durano said.

Hong Kong - Hong Kong's struggling Disneyland theme park confirmed Wednesday that it is pushing up its weekday admission prices by almost 20 per cent despite the economic slowdown.

Weekday admission to the park is to rise beginning Monday from 295 to 350 Hong Kong dollars (38 to 45 US dollars) for adults and from 210 to 250 Hong Kong dollars for children.

The higher prices previously only applied to visitors who went to the 3-and-a-half-year-old, 3.5-billion-US-dollar theme park on weekends and public holidays.

Singapore  - The Singapore tourism industry hit some records in 2008 even though visitor numbers fell and tourism spending fell short of targets.

The city-state welcomed 10.1 million visitors last year, 1.6 per cent fewer than in 2007 and below the 10.8 million target set for 2008, media reports said Wednesday.

According to the Singapore Tourism Board, the decline in visitor arrivals reflected the impact of the global economic slowdown on consumer sentiment and discretionary spending.

Castries, Saint Lucia  - Holidaying in the Caribbean this winter season has never been so cheap, said Hugh Riley, General Secretary of the Caribbean Tourism Organization.

Riley said internet bookings have proved some of the biggest bargains for holidaymakers.

It is also worth enquiring at hotels and airlines whether they are offering any discounts to their customers.

Holidaymakers from the United States are encountering savings of up to 50 per cent. "But European holidaymakers are also seeing some very inexpensive offers," says Riley.

Wellington  - The stars shine in the crystal-clear night sky over Lake Tekapo, at the foot of New Zealand's Southern Alps, more brilliantly than just about anywhere else on earth and the area is already renowned as a stargazers' heaven for tourists.

Now, New Zealand is bidding to have the area declared a "Starlight Reserve" and a world heritage site recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Kawakawa, New Zealand  - Kawakawa could be described as an inconspicuous backwater New Zealand town. It has a long main street, a butcher, a cafe, a supermarket and a pub.

But this town with about 1,300 inhabitants shines because of an unusual attraction: A public toilet in the middle of its main street created by Viennese-born artist Friedensreich Hundertwasser. Though the toilet attracts many people to Kawakawa, in the northern region of North Island, the town maintains its tranquility, which is what drew the artist to Kawakawa in the first place.