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☆ An Oklahoma tourist says he faces 12 years in prison in the Caribbean after he mistakenly left 4 bullets from a hunting trip in his carry-on duffel bag
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-26 | by ( Matthew Loh | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

He and his wife, Valerie, say the four bullets in their duffel bag were unknowingly left there from a hunting trip. Watson now faces 12 years in prison, alongside several US tourists who say they made the same mistake. Valerie Watson was released from the charges on Tuesday and flew back to Oklahoma to reunite with her children. He now faces 12 years in prison, which is the minimum custodial sentence for bringing firearms or ammunition into Turks and Caicos. Related stories"We were trying to pack board shorts and flip flops," Valerie Watson told CBS News.

Persons: Ryan Watson, Valerie, Watson, —, Valerie Watson, GoFundMe, Tyler Wenrich, Wenrich, wouldn't Organizations: Service, NBC Boston, NBC, CBS News, Business, US State Department, TCI, Tourism, Turks, Commonwealth Chamber of Commerce, United Nations World Tourism Organization Locations: Caicos, An Oklahoma, Caribbean, Turks, Oklahoma

☆ China’s Travel Economy Is Slowly Coming Back. Here’s Where It Stands.
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-23 | by ( Tiffany May | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Since China reopened its borders in 2023 after three years of Covid isolation, domestic travel has thrived and high-speed rail has grown increasingly popular. Before the pandemic, Chinese travelers were the world’s biggest spenders, accounting for 20 percent of global tourism spending, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Among the changes: China has waived travel visas or agreed to extend the length of visa-free travel for visitors from eight countries, including Germany and France. The main factor holding back international travel by Chinese will continue to be China’s economy. As they think twice about their business in China, travel suffers.

Organizations: United Nations World Tourism Organization Locations: China, Germany, France, United States, Europe

☆ Falling Domestic Fares and an A.I. Arms Race: What Travelers Can Expect in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-18 | by ( Christine Chung | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +21 min

Arms Race: What Travelers Can Expect in 2024 At the start of what promises to be a very busy year, we look ahead at what you’re likely to encounter. With 2023 in the rearview mirror, we look ahead at what travelers will face in 2024. At United Airlines, for example, smarter software can offer rebooking options and issue food and lodging vouchers when a flight is canceled, rather than just rebooking a flight. United Airlines has suspended its flights indefinitely, said Josh Freed, a United spokesman. This year, travelers are expected to choose faraway places and board small ships, according to Virtuoso, the consortium of luxury travel agencies.

Persons: Chanelle, Hayley Berg, ” Ms, Berg, “, Robert W, Mann Jr, ”, Chad Burt, Oren Etzioni, Gilbert Ott, Hopper, Greg Forbes, Delta’s, Neville Pattinson, Mr, Pattinson, biometrics, Laura Lindsay, Joshua Smith, Smith, Laurel Brunvoll, Michael Zeiler, Airbnb, We’ve, Jamie Lane, ‘, ’ ”, Jan Freitag, “ We’ve, David Whiteside, Brian Kelly, Guy, Leigh Rowan, “ There’s, Kelly, Rowan, ” Mr, James Thornton, Sharm el Sheikh, Khaled Ibrahim, Harry Rubenstein, Rubenstein, Eyal Carlin, Josh Freed, Jack Ezon, Tom Marchant, Beth McGroarty Organizations: World Tourism Organization, International Air Transport Association, Analysts, Express Global, ”, airfare, University of Washington, United Airlines, Transportation, Administration, Salt Lake, International Airport, Denver International Airport, Delta Air Lines, U.S . Customs, Border Protection, La Guardia Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, biometrics, Thales, Air, American Airlines, Global, “, —, MidX Studios, LivSmart Studios, Hilton, Hyatt Studios, Accor Hotels, Boston University, Visa, Mastercard, Walmart, Target, Savanti, Chase, Intrepid Travel, Amisol Travel, East Travel Alliance, United, Consumers, Ki’ama, Wellness, Global Wellness Institute Locations: United States, Point.me, Salt, North America, London, Rome, Tokyo, Cancún, Las Vegas, Cayman Islands, Polynesia, Europe, Norway, Denmark, Air Canada, Bergen, Flam, Scandinavia, Italy, France, Malta, Slovenia, Maryland, Spain, Portugal, Britain, Egypt, India, Mexico ; Cape Girardeau, Mo, Niagara Falls, N.Y . Texas, Burnet, Sulphur Springs, New York, Vienna, Marriott, Israel, Jordan, Oman, Oman —, Tunisia, Northern Africa, Sharm, Cairo, Amisol Travel Egypt, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, Ramle, Kimberley, Western Australia, Mitre, Patagonia, Ki’ama Bahamas, Bahamas, South Africa, Hudson, Tuxedo Park, N.Y, Malibu , Calif, Mexico

☆ Pack your jerseys. The era of 'sports tourism' is here
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( Randy Mulyanto | Marylou Costa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Sports tourism, as it's called, is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the travel industry, according to the United Nations World Tourism Organization. "The sport tourism market will continue as long as new opportunities to play and compete exist," she said. Justin Setterfield | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesFor some countries, these events are an opportunity to raise their international standing. Patrick Smith | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesTravel + Leisure Co. and Sports Illustrated Resorts announced plans to open a network of sports-themed resorts in American college towns. Ryan Pierse | Getty Images Sport | Getty Images

Persons: Lisa Delpy Neirotti, George, Neirotti, Delpy, Justin Setterfield, Cristiano Ronaldo, Dustin Johnson, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Delpy Neirotti, Lewis Hamilton, Kym Illman, Jay Wardle, Narendra Modi, Robert Cianflone, Gianni Infantino, Major League Baseball —, Patrick Smith, GetYourGuide, Ryan Pierse Organizations: Summer, Games, Sports, United Nations World Tourism Organization, George Washington University's, Management, Sport, Padres, NFL, MLB, FIFA, Getty, CNBC Travel, Saudi Crown, Fox News, Adara, ICC Men's Cricket, The Bank of Baroda Economics Research, Narendra, MotoGP, Rugby, Las Vegas, Companies, Major League Baseball, Sports Illustrated Resorts, University of Alabama —, McLaren Technology, U.S ., CNBC, Olympic Games, Olympic Locations: Mexico City, Germany, London, Brisbane, Australia, Saudi Arabia, China, Qatar, Singapore, India, New Zealand, Indonesia, France, United States, Tuscaloosa , Alabama, U.S, New York

☆ When you’re Gen Z but live in a 900-year-old European castle
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-18 | by ( Maureen O'Hare | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

Editor’s Note: Sign up for Unlocking the World, CNN Travel’s weekly newsletter. In their princess eraFor most young people, living back home with your parents is about economic necessity. But for 22-year-old Ludovica Sannazzaro Natta and 23-year-old Megan Clawson, it’s about living their absolute best life. Sannazzaro Natta is descended from Italian nobility and moved into a 900-year-old fairytale Italian castle when she was four years old. But if you’re looking for a fun nabe to base yourself while you live like a local, it’s an excellent guide.

Persons: Megan Clawson, Sannazzaro, Henry VIII, Anne Boleyn’s, Lucia, Dolly Parton, ”, Parton Organizations: CNN, United Nations World Tourism Organization, Resorts, Western Locations: London, it’s, American, Mexico, China, Ethiopia, Croatia, St, Benin, Uzbekistan, Pennsylvania, Down, Tennessee, ”, Russian, South America, Japan

☆ UN shares its world’s ‘best tourism villages’
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-17 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

For travelers who want to visit a smaller, more authentic local destination, the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has released this year’s list of the best tourism villages. For 2023, 55 villages were recognized by the international organization, which focuses on sustainable tourism, up from 32 last year. The list includes small towns and villages from places as diverse as Mexico, China, Ethiopia, and Italy. There’s no ranking of the villages, and they are all listed in alphabetical order in English. Highlights in EuropeEurope’s selections to the UNWTO list represent a mix of cultural and environmental differences.

Persons: Dhordo, Les Falles, Sant, Al Sela, Jordan • Barrancas, Spain •, Peru •, Egypt •, India •, Korea •, Portugal •, Colombia •, Japan •, Italy • Manteigas, Ecuador •, Pisco, Austria •, Uzbekistan •, • Siwa, Portugal • Anton, Arlberg, Tân, Viet Nam, Hungary •, Moldova • Vila, China • Organizations: CNN, United Nations World Tourism Organization, Asia Dongbaek, UNWTO, UNESCO, Reserve, Spain • Ordino, Andorra • Oyacachi, Schladming, Moldova • Locations: Tokyo, London, Mexico, China, Ethiopia, Italy, Asia, South, Jeju, Shirakawa, Japan, Gifu prefecture, Nagoya, Zhejiang, Dhordo, Rann, Kutch, India, Europe, Spain, Sigüenza, Madrid, Slunj, Croatia, Andorra, Ordino, Sant Pere, Peru, Machu Picchu, Lima, Peruvian, Chacas, Chile, La Carolina, Argentina, Biei, Tortel, Cantavieja, Spain • Chacas, Huantar, Peru • Dahshour, Egypt, Egypt • Dhordo, Republic, Korea, Korea • Douma, Lebanon, Ericeira, Portugal, Portugal • Filandia, Colombia, Huangling, Cánovas, Kandovan, Iran, Lerici, Switzerland, Mosan, Juárez, Oñati, Ecuador, Ecuador • Paucartambo, Peru • Penglipuran, Indonesia, Pisco Elqui, Pozuzo, Saint, Saty, Kazakhstan, Austria, Austria • Sehwa, Korea • Sentob, Uzbekistan, Uzbekistan • Shirakawa, Egypt • Slunj, Sortelha, Viet, Peru • Tokaj, Hungary, Hungary • Văleni, Moldova, Madalena, Portugal • Xiajiang, China • Zapatoca, Colombia • Zhagana

☆ 'They just come, take a nice selfie ... and leave.' Overtourism returns, but cities are fighting back
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-09 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Many cities have come full circle to worrying about too many tourists rather than too few. "They just come, take a nice selfie, publish them on social media, increase the popularity of this place … and leave," she said. And an additional 50 million international tourist arrivals are expected per year — mostly from Asia — between now and 2030, according to the U.N.'s World Tourism Organization. James Matsumoto| Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesSome travelers supported Bhutan's $200 per day Sustainable Development Fee, which was announced in 2022. Managing 'tourist flow'The United Nations World Tourism Organization secretary-general, Zurab Pololikashvili, told CNBC Travel that the key to overcoming overtourism lies in "tourist flow."

Persons: Lionel Saul, Tatyana Tsukanova, What's, Tsukanova, Reinhard Hormandinger, Saul, Jesus Merida, It's, Luca Zanon, Ivan Saprov, Saprov, Miyajima, James Matsumoto, Zurab Pololikashvili, overtourism, Jon Hicks, —, Darrell Wade, Reinhard Hoermandinger Organizations: Hospitality Business, United Nations, Asia —, Tourism Organization, South, Afp, Getty, Guardian, daytrippers, CNBC, United Nations World Tourism Organization, CNBC Travel, Stone, Japan Times, Intrepid Travel Locations: Lausanne, Switzerland, Asia, South Korean, Machu Picchu, Peru, Acropolis, Athens, Borobudur, Indonesia, Sardinia, Venice, Bora Bora, Amsterdam, Spanish, Malaga, Spain, France, trialing, daytrippers . New, Valencia, Manchester, England, Thailand, Iceland, U.S, Bali, Germany, Yogyakarta, Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba, Austria

☆ People want sustainable travel, which spells opportunities for 'green investments'
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-25 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Share Share Article via Facebook Share Article via Twitter Share Article via LinkedIn Share Article via EmailPeople want sustainable travel, which spells opportunities for 'green investments'The United Nations World Tourism Organization says green investing opportunities exist across the tourism industry, from sustainable buildings to technology and workplace training, reports CNBC's Monica Pitrelli.

Persons: CNBC's Monica Pitrelli Organizations: People, United Nations World Tourism Organization

☆ Google Flights says the best time to book your flights for Christmas is 71 days before departure
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-29 | by ( Kai Xiang Teo | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

The best time to book your flights for Christmas is around 71 days before your departure, per Google. That's a big change from 2022 when Google said the best time to book Christmas flights was 22 days before departure. AdvertisementAdvertisementThe best time to book your flights for Christmas is around 71 days before the departure day, according to Google's analysis of its historical data of US flights. AdvertisementAdvertisementThese estimates are a big change from the company's recommendations in 2022 when it said the best time to book Christmas flights was 22 days before departure. These experts told the BBC that Google Flights' new methodology for calculating your flight's footprint — introduced in 2022 — excludes many pollutants, meaning only half of a flight's environmental impact is most likely shown.

Organizations: Google, Morning, US Travel Association, World Tourism Organization, BBC Locations: Europe

☆ Investors still see blue sky ahead for Europe travel stocks as boom abates
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-31 | by ( Danilo Masoni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

"For many people, the pandemic is now over, and this is time now for travelling far from home," said Corinne Martin, fund manager at Ofi Invest in Paris. The point at which China announced the end of health restrictions in 2022 was probably the best moment to jump into travel stocks. They remain buyers, noting how at 11 times 2024 earnings, the stock displays an unjustified discount and prices no growth. "Now, vacation budget is no more a variable families adjust," said Jerome Schupp, fund manager at Prime Partners in Geneva. European travel and leisure earnings are seen rising 63% this year and 23% in 2024, according to Refinitiv Datastream.

Persons: Corinne Martin, Ofi's Martin, Martin, Goldman Sachs, Jerome Schupp, Schupp, Cristina Matti, Andrea Scauri, Lastminute, Refinitiv, Lucy Raitano, Conor Humphries Organizations: MILAN, Ofi Invest, Paris . Airlines, Royce, World Tourism Organization, China, Traders, Paris Olympics, UEFA European Football, Ryanair, Europe's, Prime Partners, Visa, Air, Thomson Locations: Paris, Europe, Germany, Geneva, Air France, Lemanik, London

☆ Where to go this summer: A dozen destination ideas
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-28 | by ( Marnie Hunter | Jane Levere | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Peru"Peruvians are welcoming travelers back with open arms," says travel one travel expert. And perhaps most importantly, the city offers excellent value, in part because it will be the winter/low season there during the Northern Hemisphere’s summer. It’s home to three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including megalithic temples that date to the 4th millennium BC. Although summer is the rainy season, Gellis says showers are often brief and intermittent. AlbaniaAlbania is a Mediterranean gem that’s likely to be less crowded this summer than Greece and Croatia, says Joao Donadel, another EMBARK Beyond travel advisor.

Jekta's electric-motor PHA-ZE 100 will generate zero emissions, according to the company. Gayo intends to use the planes for sustainable luxury travel and transport to remote areas, Gayo Chairman Gisle Dueland told Reuters. United Airlines (UAL.O) and Air Canada (AC.TO) have both said they would buy electric planes from Swedish start-up Heart Aerospace. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres on Monday urged developed countries to commit to reaching net zero emissions by 2040 instead of 2050. Carbon dioxide emissions from tourism are expected to grow 25% by 2030 from 2016 levels if there are no changes, according to the U.N. World Tourism Organization.

☆ Inflation isn't dampening people's desire to travel — but travel companies may be missing a trick
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Karen Gilchrist | Chris Dwyer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Inflation and higher living costs may be weighing on consumers' wallets, but there's one area where many are unwilling to cut back: their desire to travel. The number of people willing to fork out more on travel could be even higher, as costs rise. Inflation and higher living costs may be weighing on consumers' wallets, but many are unwilling to cut back on travel. Jackyenjoyphotography | Moment | Getty ImagesThe disconnect could mean travel companies might fail to provide consumers with the deals they're looking for. The United Nations World Tourism Organization said that it expects the global tourism market to recover 80% to 95% of pre-pandemic levels this year.

☆ Cheaper hotels, shorter trips: Trivago CEO on how inflation is reshaping travel
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-14 | by ( Julia Horowitz | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

But as inflation has jumped, many tourists are hunting for ways to keep costs down, from opting for shorter trips to steering clear of higher-end hotels. “You have real wage contractions in quite a lot of markets,” Axel Hefer, CEO of search platform Trivago, told CNN. Meanwhile, domestic travel remains strong in countries like the United Kingdom, which has seen big swings in the pound in recent months. “People still do want to travel and do travel, but they’re still trying to compensate for the increase in prices,” Hefer said. For now, bookings for air travel still lag pre-pandemic levels.

☆ Travel companies are ‘greenwashing’ — here are 3 ways to find ones that aren't
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-29 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

But finding companies that are serious about sustainability isn't easy, said James Thornton, CEO of tour company Intrepid Travel. "You see hotels saying they're sustainable, and then you're using these little travel bottles for shampoos and shower gels," he said. "The honest truth is that every travel company is ultimately contributing towards the climate crisis," he said. "So the best thing any travel company can start to do is measure the greenhouse gas emissions it creates." Other companies with B Corp status include Seventh Generation, Ben & Jerry's, Aesop — and Patagonia, which Thornton called "arguably the most famous B Corp in the world."

OUIDAH, Benin, Jan 11 (Reuters) - On Benin's national voodoo holiday, performers dressed as guardians of the night swirled in costumes resembling technicolour haystacks, delighting worshippers and tourists alike. [1/7] Devotees perform as they take part in the annual celebration of Voodoo festival in Cotonou, Benin January 10, 2023. REUTERS/ Charles Placide Tossou 1 2 3 4 5"For them, there is a lot of interest in discovering the roots of our ancestors, the African roots," she said. Only around 350,000 tourists visited Benin in 2020, although numbers have been rising steadily since 292,000 visited in 2016, according to the most recent annual data from the World Tourism Organization. French tourist Elodie Wine, 23, said seeing the group dances and fantastical costumes of the Ouidah festival was likely to be the highlight of her trip to Benin.

☆ (grafic) 2020 – cel mai prost an din istoria turismului. Zborurile internaționale au scăzut cu peste 70 %
▼ + stars: | 2020-12-17 | by ( Onixmedia Srl | ) diez.md time to read: +2 min

(grafic) 2020 – cel mai prost an din istoria turismului. Zborurile internaționale au scăzut cu peste 70 %Zborurile internaționale au scăzut cu 72 % în primele 10 luni ale anului 2020 din cauza restricțiilor de călătorie, a încrederii scăzute din partea consumatorilor, dar și a luptei globale pentru a menține sub control virusul COVID-19. Toți acești factori au contribuit la înregistrarea celui mai prost an din istoria turismului. Raportând la datele curente, UNWTO se așteaptă ca zborurile internaționale să scadă până la 75 % până la sfârșitul lui 2020. Orientul Mijlociu a înregistrat un procent de 73 la sută în timp ce Africa a înregistrat o scădere de 69 %.

Organizations: World Tourism Organization, Europa Locations: SUA, Asia, Pacificul, Orientul Mijlociu, Africa, Europa, America

☆ Google reveals the 10 most popular travel destination trends of 2019
▼ + stars: | 2019-12-13 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

1 travel destination trend in the U.S., per Google's "Year in Search 2019" results. 3) Bora BoraSunset from the Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora. In 2009, Club Med Bora Bora shuttered its doors. Home to a crystalline lagoon and sugary sands, Bora Bora is a good spot to swim with sharks (the pleasant kind), rays and even whales. Americans search for "all-inclusive" resorts as well as specific hotels, such as the Four Seasons and St. Regis properties.

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