Celebrating the worst in travel

“The Titanic Awards: Celebrating the Worst of Travel” is travel expert and author Doug Lansky’s new compilation of bad travel experiences. Based on information from tourists and experts, the book provides readers with a roadmap of what to avoid during travel. Here are some of our favorites:

Least reassuraning maintenance practice
Winner: Nepal Airlines
In response to a technical problem on one of its Boeing 757s, Nepal Airlines announced that two goats were sacrificed on the tarmac at Kathmandu’s Tribhuvan International Airport. While airlines officials believed that the two sacrifices would placate the Hindu god of sky protection, Akash Bhairab, passengers were unable to heave a sigh of relief. “The snag in the plane has now been fixed and the aircraft has resumed its flights,” said Raju K.C., a senior official at Nepal Airlines, just before the flight began its trip to Hong Kong.

Least Appealing Hotel Names
Winner: Hotel Ufuk, Istanbul, Turkey
Some more stunners include:
1. Barf Bed and Breakfast, Barf, England
2. Resist Bacteria Hotel, Kashgar, China
3. Ah Chew, Singapore
4. Somass Hotel, Port Alberni, Canada
5. French Lick Resort, Indiana USA
6. Arsenic and Old Lace Bed and Breakfast, Arkansas USA
7. Black Butte Ranch Resort, Oregon, USA
8. Wang Thong Hotel, Chiang Raii, Thailand
9. Elephant Butte Inn, New Mexico, USA