While some airlines are cutting back due to the rise of gas prices, others are expanding their routes. Some cities in Southeast Asia are benefiting from these mavericks. Case in point – the Indonesian city of Manado.

Two new routes have opened up between Manado and the rest of the region – Wings Air, a fledgling Indonesian airline, has reopened the long-dormant Davao-Manado route. And budget carrier AirAsia is set to launch its Kuala Lumpur-Manado route on September 12, with three direct weekly flights.

"Our flights so far are fully booked," said Daniel Jacob, Wings Air district engineer for Manado and East Indonesia, adding they are optimistic on the market viability of their Davao-Manado flights.

Manado is the capital of North Sulawesi province, and serves as a key tourist transit point to Malaysia and Indonesia. Nearby Bunaken Island also offers scuba diving and snorkelling experiences.

Image courtesy of the Singapore Tourism Board

From my personal experience in Singapore, having the biggest and best of everything’s a national obsession. I’m not knocking it; Singapore’s outsize ambition is what made it a regional powerhouse despite its small size. Take the Fountain of Wealth in the Suntec City Mall – it’s the biggest fountain in the world (or so Guinness Records says). If size counts for something in the luck department, Singapore ought to have a lucky streak centuries long.

Want to see more amazing Singapore sights? Visit this image gallery: Images of Singapore.