中英双语新闻——103 Bargain breaks in 2012(在线收听

   Get your passport ready for 2012.

 
  2012年来了,准备好护照吧。
 
  Deal experts of Travelzoo, a global Internet media company, have narrowed down the world to four top destinations where they anticipate “wow deals” this year.
 
  来自全球网络媒体公司Travelzoo的旅游专家们搜罗了世界各地的旅行优惠套餐,最终预测出2012年“全球四大超值旅游圣地”。
 
  The company researched thousands of deals and interviewed more than 400 travel executives during the past three months in making these *predictions. Here’s what it found.
 
  为了得出这些预测信息,该公司在过去三个月内对数千个全球旅游特惠套餐进行研究分析,并且访谈了400多位旅游业经营者。最终结论如下。
 
  Japan
 
  日本
 
  Japan has historically been one of the most expensive destinations for travelers.
 
  按往常来看,日本是开销最为昂贵的旅行目的地之一。
 
  However, aggressive deals that didn’t exist a year ago are popping up all over the country now – a bid to recover from the *devastating *tsunami of 2011.
 
  而为了尽快从2011年海啸危机的阴影中走出来,日本全国上下都推出绝对超值的旅游优惠套餐,放在1年前,这些根本想都别想。
 
  The Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) reportedly proposed last October to give 10,000 free flights to foreign visitors, starting from April 2012 when cherry blossoms are in full bloom.
 
  据报道,去年10月日本观光厅就就打算向外国游客赠送1万张机票,该活动将于2012年4月樱花怒放时开始。
 
  Deal Experts from Travelzoo’s Tokyo office say top hotels are reducing rates by as much as 50 percent.
 
  来自Travelzoo东京分公司的旅游专家们表示,一些顶级酒店降价幅度最高可达50%。
 
  Thailand
 
  泰国
 
  Like Japan, Thailand is also in recovery from disaster. The months-long flooding has left the country hungry for tourists. As waters *recede, the government and *hoteliers are quickly sounding the all clear and advertising incredible deals.
 
  同日本一样,泰国也正处于灾后恢复期。长达数月的洪灾使得这个国家渴望全球各地游客的光临。随着洪水退去,泰国政府以及当地旅游业经营者们迅速宣布解除灾情警报,并宣传推广一些令人意想不到的超值旅行套餐。
 
  “We’ve seen hotel occupancy after the floods dropping by 40 percent,” says Gabe Saglie, senior editor for Travelzoo. “2012 will be a good year for Thailand.”
 
  Travelzoo的资深编辑Gabe Saglie表示:“洪水过后,泰国酒店的入住率下降了40%。对于泰国来说,2012年是一个好年景。”
 
  The Mediterranean
 
  地中海
 
  Stretching for 46,000 kilometers, this tourist *paradise *lures millions of tourists every year with everything from white sandy beaches and rolling *dunes to superb *redolent cafes.
 
  绵延4.6万公里,从白色沙滩到延绵起伏的沙丘,再到香气四溢的超棒咖啡馆,地中海这个度假天堂每年都会吸引无数游客的造访。
 
  “The region holds a heck of a lot of charm and cultural and historical appeal,” says Saglie. “Mediterranean *cruises provide a budget-friendly option for traveling to and throughout Europe.”
 
  Gabe Saglie称:“地中海地区极富魅力,历史文化更是卖点十足。对于那些将展开欧洲之旅的人来说,地中海邮轮观光不失为一种便宜划算的选择。
 
  The good news is, Saglie adds, that Norwegian, Celebrity and some other cruise lines are putting a record number of ships on the routes. Ports of call include Spain, France, Greece and Italy – with weeklong cruise prices starting at less than $600 (3,804 yuan) per person.
 
  Saglie还透露了一个好消息,包括挪威邮轮、名人邮轮等在内的一众邮轮公司纷纷开设地中海航线,数量之多可谓前所未有。停靠的港口包括西班牙、法国、希腊和意大利。长达一周的邮轮之旅的最低售价还不到600美金(约合3804元人民币)/人。
 
  Costa Rica
 
  哥斯达黎加
 
  The multicultural country in Central America is the perfect destination to get in touch with nature in an adventurous way. From *volcanoes to the beach to the rainforest, there are plenty of options to experience all that Costa Rica has to offer.
 
  哥斯达黎加这个位于美洲中部的多元文化国家是很多喜欢亲近自然的旅行者的冒险乐园。从火山、沙滩再到热带雨林,哥斯达黎加为你提供充足的选项。
 
  According to Travelzoo, airlines are increasing the number of flights to Costa Rica, which could signal more competition and more deals for consumers.
 
  Travelzoo网站表示,各大航空公司都在增加飞往哥斯达黎加的航班数量,这也预示着当地旅游业竞争越发激烈、因而也衍生出更多的超值旅行套餐供游客选择。
  原文地址:http://www.tingroom.com/lesson/zysyxw/201543.html