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☆ Volcano Erupts in Iceland, Spewing Lava 150 Feet Into the Air
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-29 | by ( Egill Bjarnason | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Helga Arnadottir, a spokeswoman, said that this was the fifth evacuation order since the volcano first roared back to life last year. The evacuation went as “smoothly as the ones before,” Ms. Arnadottir added. Another 300 people had to move from Grindavik, a fishing town that has largely been abandoned since January after lava and earthquakes from previous eruptions destroyed parts of it. The island nation’s economy relies heavily on tourism; airlines and travel agencies have reported a drop in sales since the eruptions began in December. By Wednesday evening, lava had reached the barriers surrounding Grindavik that had been put in place to redirect the flow away from the town.

Persons: Helga Arnadottir, Ms, Arnadottir, Magnus Gudmundsson Organizations: Keflavik Airport, New York Times Locations: Grindavik

☆ A woman whose husband died snorkeling in Hawaii is suing its tourism board, saying it failed to warn them of the risk
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Joshua Zitser | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Patricia and Ray Johnson arrived at the Fairmont Kea Lani in Maui on February 23, 2022, marking the couple's sixth visit to Hawaii. AdvertisementA July 2010 Snorkel Safety Study, conducted in collaboration with the Hawaii State Department of Health and the Hawaii Tourism Authority, distinguishes drowning by ROPE from drowning by aspirating water. Related storiesPatricia Johnson told ABC 7 Eyewitness News that Ray had kept his head above water before appearing disorientated. According to the lawsuit, Ray Johnson eventually lost consciousness before reaching the shore. He added: "If even one life is saved by this message, then Ray Johnson will not have died in vain."

Persons: —, Patricia, Ray Johnson, Ray, Ray Johnson's, Patricia Johnson, Johnson, KITV, Ray wasn't, Jay Stuemke, we'd Organizations: Service, Business, Mayo Clinic, Hawaii State Department of Health, Hawaii Tourism Authority, ABC, Hawaiian Tourism Authority, Hawaii Visitors Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Wailea, Lani

☆ He left his desk job in the US to run a food stall in Hong Kong. He earns more now — but plans to walk away from it soon.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-10 | by ( Faye Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

Toby To Yan Choi left his accounting job in California to help his father run a food stall in Hong Kong. Dai pai dongs — Hong Kong's open-air stalls serving food with a no-frills approach — are disappearing. The number of dai pai dongs in all of Hong Kong has dwindled to just over 20, according to the Hong Kong Tourism Board. The braised white pepper pork hock is one of the signature dishes at Dai Lee Dai Pai Dong. AdvertisementHe's gotten married since moving to Hong Kong and plans to move back to the US if he and his wife have kids.

Persons: Toby, Yan Choi, Dai pai dongs, —, Santa Barbara, Choi, Dai Lee Dai Pai Dong, pai, Hong Kong, He's, Hong Kong Dai pai dongs, Hong, sizzling woks, Agnes Chee Yan, Wei, pai dongs, Tiffany Leung, Faye Bradley, wasn't, Shawn Cai, Law Chun Chuen, Dai Lee Dai Pai, Yan Choi There's, they've, Tony Lee, Mok Wah Ho, Ales, Yan Choi He's, Betty Richardson, dongs, Chee, I'm Organizations: Service, University of California, Kong's, Hong Kong Tourism Board, China Morning Post, Young Locations: California, Hong Kong, Santa, Hong, Sham Shui, Sham, China, Shanghai

☆ I've visited 93 countries, 57 of them with kids. These 5 underrated spots are great places to enjoy with your family.
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-23 | by ( Alcynna Lloyd | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Since 2000, I've visited 93 countries and 57 of them have been with my four children who are all under the age of 10. We went on a safari tour in TanzaniaOur family visited Tanzania in 2019 in collaboration with a tourism brand. We love Sri Lanka so much, we're building a villa thereIn 2022, my family and I moved to Sri Lanka from Abu Dhabi. Edwards' daughter and son on a beach in Sri Lanka. Courtesy of Karen EdwardsI visited the country in 2008, and then again in 2012 with my then-boyfriend and now-husband.

Persons: Karen Edwards, Edwards, —, I've, Abu, Abu Dhabi, you'll, Al, we're, It's, We'd Organizations: Service, Disney, Mto, United Arab, Oasis, Catalonian Locations: Tanzania, Abu Dhabi, America, California, Florida, Zanzibar, Tanzanian, Lake, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Al Ain, Hafeet, Sri Lanka, Galle, Andorra, Pyrenees, Spain, Barcelona, Toulouse, France, Karen Edwards Andorra, Macedonia Macedonia, Balkan, Greece, Europe, Albania, Macedonia

☆ Disney and Florida reach a deal, putting their legal war on hold
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-27 | by ( Grace Eliza Goodwin | Madeline Berg | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Disney World and Florida have settled their legal dispute. The board of the Central Florida Tourism Oversight District — which was DeSantis hand-picked to take control of Disneyworld's special tax district — agreed on Wednesday to settle the state lawsuit brought by Disney. AdvertisementBut just before DeSantis' allies took over the board, Disney's outgoing board members passed an agreement stripping the board of much of its power, effectively hamstringing DeSantis' incoming board. Related storiesNow, as part of the Disney-proposed settlement, Disney will agree to return power to the DeSantis-appointed board, which can now have a say in development plans and expansion. The settlement also instructs the tourism board to consult with Disney as it reviews and amends planning documents for the Disney World site.

Persons: Disney execs, DeSantis, Ron DeSantis, —, Bob Iger, Disneyworld, hamstringing, Iger, Disney, Charbel Barakat, Disney — I'm, Barakat, Walt, Jeff Vahle, Donald Trump, Nikki Haley, Egan, Jones, Nelson Peltz Organizations: Disney, Florida Gov, Service, Central, Improvement, DeSantis, Walt Disney World, Associated Press Locations: Florida, Central Florida, Reedy, Disney

☆ Coffee beans made from civet poop is big money in Bali. But PETA says tourists should avoid it as the animals are kept in cages and fed rotten berries.
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-15 | by ( Marielle Descalsota | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Kopi luwak is a coffee delicacy made from civet feces and is popular in Bali. Advertisement"Deliberately misleading claims about how civet coffee is obtained are rampant in Bali," the video's in-text caption read. Kopi luwak is made by cleaning and roasting partially digested coffee beans excreted by civets. Kopi luwak is also known for its high price point, costing between $45 and $600 per pound, Baker told CNBC. In 2022, PETA said tourists should avoid the kopi luwak after civets were found to be distressed when their feces were collected.

Persons: civets, —, Jason Baker, kopi, Baker, luwak, It's Organizations: PETA, Service, Google, YouTube, CNBC, Bali Tourism Board, Business, kopi Locations: Bali ., Bali, Catur, Ubud, Ohio

☆ Taylor Swift is making Singapore a mountain of money, and some of the country's neighbors are salty about it
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-04 | by ( Huileng Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Edwin Tong, Singapore's culture minister, told local outlet Mothership on February 28 that the amount of grant given "is not what is being speculated online." As Tong, the Singapore culture minister, told Mothership, the city-state is looking "beyond just the economic impact" of Swiftonimics. Economists estimate that Swift's concerts in Singapore could contribute up to 500 million Singapore dollars, or $372 million, in tourist receipts. AdvertisementIt's a different story for spending on experiences — and it's heightened because Singapore is Swift's only stop in Southeast Asia. Mann said the people who have money to pay for flight tickets, Swift's concert tickets, and a hotel are likely to keep spending at other tourist spots.

Persons: —, Taylor Swift, Srettha, Edwin Tong, Swift, it's, Yun Liu, Tong, Kevin Cheong, David Mann, Mann, Coldplay, Si Ying Toh, Cheong, Joey Salceda, Sandiaga Salahuddin Uno Organizations: Service, Business, HSBC, Asia Pacific, Mastercard, Nomura, Philippine Star, Bloomberg, Vegas Locations: Singapore, Southeast Asia, British, Thailand, Bangkok, Indonesia, Sands

☆ Why this artist photographed herself at dizzying heights
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-01 | by ( Jacqui Palumbo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Twenty-four floors up a Manhattan high rise, the photographer Ahn Jun sat on her windowsill one crisp day in 2008, dangling her leg precariously outside over the city. In the self-portrait series, Ahn sat on roof corners and building ledges, sometimes showing her whole body perched on the edge; in others, just her legs and feet are visible above the straight vertical drop below. It wasn’t a sudden interest in thrill-seeking behavior, but a more conceptual idea that Ahn was chasing: the sense of the void. The first time she looked out over her apartment’s edge in Manhattan seemed to her to crystallize that feeling. Soon, she was flooded with emails, Ahn explained, some with positive feedback, but others critical of her work, or sexually harassing her.

Persons: CNN —, Ahn Jun, Ahn, “, ”, she’d, who’d Organizations: CNN, South, Pratt Institute, British, of, Guardian, Paris, Museum of Photography, Hongik University Locations: Manhattan, South Korean, Brooklyn, New York, Seoul, Korea, Hong Kong, Daegu, South Korea, she’ll, Nara, Japan

☆ Step inside Quartzsite, Arizona, where snowbirds flock for warmer weather and a cheap place to park their RVs
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-14 | by ( Monica Humphries | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

AdvertisementOne of those places is Quartzsite's La Posa long-term visitor area . Monica Humphries/Business InsiderIf off-grid living won't fit a visitor's needs, Quartzsite is home to more than 50 RV resorts . As I meandered around La Posa, I debated how close was too close to park next to a stranger. Monica Humphries/Business InsiderIn 2020, Quartzsite became a Hollywood backdropMost people recognize the name Quartzsite from the Oscar-winning movie "Nomadland," which was released in 2020. There was a sense of freedom living on La Posa, and almost everyone I met was friendly and eager to chat.

Persons: It's, —, snowbirds, Monica Humphries, you'll, Quartzsite, Casey Osborn, he's, Osborn, He's, Osborn doesn't, Bob, La Posa, La, Fern —, Frances McDormand, Fern, Paul Winer, Winer Organizations: Service, of Commerce, Tourism, Land Management, Vehicles, La, Social Security, Reader's Oasis, Oasis, Quartzsite Yacht Locations: Quartzsite, Arizona, Quartzsite , Arizona, Mexico, La Posa, La

☆ Singapore tourist arrivals double in 2023 amid global travel recovery
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Lim Hui Jie | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Travellers look at the flight departure schedule on the screen at Singapore Changi airport on December 7, 2022.International tourist arrivals to Singapore more than doubled in 2023, surging to 13.6 million compared to 2022's figure of 6.3 million. The Singapore Tourism Board said this in line with its forecast, and was at 71% of 2019 levels, the last full year before the Covid-19 pandemic hit the country. Indonesia topped the ranking for the most amount of tourists to Singapore at 2.3 million, followed by China and Malaysia at 1.4 million and 1.1 million respectively, according to STB data. "Other key markets that posted buoyant recovery included Australia, South Korea and USA," the tourism board added.

Organizations: International, Singapore Tourism Board Locations: Singapore Changi, Singapore, Indonesia, China, Malaysia, Australia, South Korea, USA

☆ Haley, DeSantis clash over Disney and government's role in business
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-11 | by ( Chelsey Cox | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Ron DeSantis and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley participate in the Republican presidential debate hosted by CNN at Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 10, 2024. Ron DeSantis and Nikki Haley butted heads Wednesday night over the role of government in regulating private business practices during the final Republican primary debate before the Jan. 15 Iowa caucuses. "Now, Nikki Haley sided with Disney. The exchange between Haley and DeSantis about Disney served to highlight a fundamental difference between the two candidates.

Persons: Ron DeSantis, Nikki Haley, Nikki Haley butted, DeSantis, Haley, Ron, Bob Chapek, Chapek, Disney Organizations: Florida Gov, U.S, United, CNN, Drake University, WASHINGTON —, WASHINGTON — Florida Gov, Walt Disney Co, Disney, CNBC PRO Locations: Florida, Des Moines , Iowa, WASHINGTON, WASHINGTON — Florida, Iowa, South Carolina, The Florida

☆ Now you can visit a real-life ‘Hobbit Hole’ in New Zealand
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Tolkien’s imagination – and therefore sadly off limits to tourists – the Hobbiton Movie Set provides a pretty good substitute. The Hobbit sets – mostly facades built into landscaped hillsides – have operated as a tourist attraction in some capacity since 2002, but until recently most of the Hobbit Holes have been out of bounds to visitors. The Hobbiton Movie Set formed the backdrop to the "Lord of the Rings" movies and the subsequent Hobbit trilogy and is now a tourist attraction. Shaun JeffersNow, two fully decorated Hobbit Holes have opened to the public for the first time. Shaun JeffersExploring the Hobbit Holes is now included as part of the Hobbiton tour experience.

Persons: J.R.R, Peter Jackson, –, Shaun Jeffers, Hobbiton, “, it’s, ”, crouch, Doom, Conor McNish, Lane, Aragorn, Gandalf, King Théoden, Rohan, ’ ”, ” CNN’s Thomas Page Organizations: CNN, Getty, CNN Travel, Mount, Sunday Locations: New Zealand, Matamata, Waikato, “, Auckland, Hobbiton, LOTR, Zealand, South, Ngauruhoe, Ruapehu, London

☆ Louis Vuitton stages dramatic runway show in Hong Kong
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-30 | by ( Stephy Chung | Oscar Holland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Many of the looks were completed with naval accessories, like raffia bucket hats and Louis Vuitton Keepall 25 bag hand-embrodiered with seashells. Musician Ma Siwei and actor Dylan Wang at the Louis Vuitton Men's fashion show in Hong Kong, China. Louis Vuitton opened its first boutique in Hong Kong in 1979. Many of the looks were completed with naval accessories, like raffia bucket hats and Louis Vuitton Keepall 25 bag hand-embrodiered with seashells. “I definitely knew I wanted Hong Kong to be my second stop after Paris,” he said of his Louis Vuitton show schedule.

Persons: Hong Kong CNN — Louis Vuitton’s, Pharrell Williams, Pont, Hong, Anson Lo, Song, ”, Williams, ” —, —, Louis Vuitton, Ma Siwei, Dylan Wang, Billy H.C, Kwok, Virgil Abloh, Louise Delmotte, “, Louis Vuitton’s, junkboat, Dior, Louis Vuitton's, Lam Yik, Tyrone Siu, Reuters Louis Vuitton’s, Lorraine Schwartz, it’s, ” Williams, “ You’re Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Hollywood, CNN, Louis, Paris, Vuitton, National Security Law, Hong Kong Tourism Board, ”, Bloomberg, Getty, K11 Group, Stars, Victoria, Reuters, Reuters Louis Vuitton’s womenswear Locations: Hong Kong, Asia, Hong, Victoria Harbour, American, Paris, Hawaii, China, Victoria Dockside, Huangpu, Shanghai, South Korea

☆ My autoimmune disease made traveling a challenge, but accessible tech in the hospitality industry is making tourism more inclusive
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-25 | by ( Shayna Conde | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +10 min

Some hospitality businesses are becoming more inclusive with accessible tech for disabled travelers. Digital and physical tech has helped improve accessible travel experiences, but more can be done. Lawrence Sumulong/Lincoln CenterImproving accessible tech for the future of travelThe hospitality industry has a long way to go when it comes to accessibility. Two of the biggest issues with increasing accessible tech in this field are documentation of its benefits and the price of acquiring and integrating the tech. Many hotels and destinations either have trouble notating, or simply do not document, how much revenue they've made because of the accessible tech and services they provide.

Persons: —, neuromyelitis optica, Conde, Terrell Lopez, that's, Isabelle Ducharme, Ducharme, Rod Stewart, Kéroul, it's, Simon Clark, Steve Freihon, Miranda Hoffner, Lincoln Center . Lawrence Sumulong, Lincoln Center Miranda Hoffner, Hoffner, Lawrence Sumulong, Brian Brennan, Brennan Organizations: Service, Kéroul, Ministry of Tourism, Tourism, Quebec Ministry of Tourism, Bonjour, Lincoln Center, Lincoln Center ., Lincoln, MMGY Global Locations: Quebec, Mexico, Stoneham, Playa Del Carmen, Atlantic City , New Jersey, New York, York City

☆ South Korea breakdancing: Korean b-boys eye Asian Games and Olympic gold
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-05 | by ( Andrew Mcnicol | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

South Korean breakdancing team Jinjo Crew at the World K-pop Concert in 2021. Jeon Jiye, or b-girl Fresh Bella, will feature for the South Korean delegation at the Asian Games. The veteran, from the legendary Jinjo Crew, is a multiple world champion and Asian Games gold medal contender. There is added motivation after the country’s emphatic success in fellow Asian Games debutant, esports. “At the Asian Games, we will see all of this.

Persons: John Jay Chon, Breakdancing, Seo, –, United States –, Ronald Reagan’s, Han Myung, breakdancing, “, ”, Jeon Jiye, Fresh Bella, Jiang Han, Kim Heon, Korea’s, Kim, esports, We’ve, ” Kim, ” Kim Heonwoo, ’, Kwon Jang, Kwon, ” Kwon, we’re, We’re, Chen Po Chun, Chen Organizations: Hong Kong CNN, Korean, South, Asian, Summer, South Korean, World, Games, CNN, Getty, Asian Games, “ Locations: Hong Kong, Korea’s, Korean, American, South Korea, United States, Korea, Hangzhou, China, Paris, Bronx, Xinhua, South, Seoul, United Kingdom, Asia, Japan, somebodies

CNN —The Hawaii Tourism Authority announced Friday it approved more than $2 million to help rebuild Hawaii’s struggling tourism industry. The agency said West Maui accounts for 15% of Hawaii’s total tourism revenue, and since the deadly wildfires, the state has lost roughly $9 million per day because of the resulting drop in travel and tourism. Josh Green declared a “tourism emergency” as visitors to the island have dropped significantly in the wake of the devastating wildfires. While the Hawaii Tourism Authority is still trying to get a count of total job losses, Gionson said anecdotally, a small sample size of a dozen businesses informed the agency of about 200 layoffs. Gionson said if people want to help, they should keep their trips, as long as they are not staying in West Maui.

Persons: Ilihia Gionson, Josh Green, Gionson, anecdotally, Richie Olsten, they’re, ” Olsten Organizations: CNN, Hawaii Tourism Authority, Hawaii Gov, Maui Locations: Hawaii, Maui, United States, West Maui

CNN —A video of a tourist climbing into Rome’s iconic Trevi Fountain to fill her water bottle has circulated online. After filling her bottle from a spout of the fountain, she attempts to walk away, before a guard blows a whistle and paces towards her. It remains unclear what happened to the tourist after the incident, and whether she was arrested or fined. Tourists can be fined up to 500 euros for entering the fountain, which is widely considered one of the city’s best known landmarks. Around 3,000 euros ($3,200) a day are thrown into the fountain during busy tourist months, according to Rome’s tourism board.

Persons: Trevi, Rome skyrockets, surfed Organizations: CNN, Catholic, Caritas, Maserati, Vatican Museum Locations: Rome, Covid, Saudi, Italy, Australian, American

☆ The Fight for the Right to Trespass
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Brooke Jarvis | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +5 min

It looks the same all over, but because of what Ashbrook described as “botanical issues of great detail,” only one side qualified as access land, open for rambling. To Hayes, it seemed as if all these technicalities undercut the rights that the CROW Act was supposed to enshrine. In Sweden, the tourism board developed an ad campaign around the allure of what the country calls allemansrätten, or everyman’s right. “It’s a right protected by the law that allows me to sleep and eat and walk pretty much wherever I want,” the voice-over explains. “Part of that bundle of rights in England for the last several hundred years has been the right to exclude other people from your land,” Shrubsole says.

Persons: you’ve, Henry II, Ashbrook, Hayes, “ It’s, Guy Shrubsole, Shrubsole, Norman, squires, ” Shrubsole, Duke of Westminster, William the Conqueror, “, ”, that’s Organizations: Scottish, ramblers Locations: Scotland, Finland, Norway, Iceland, Austria, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Sweden, England, Britain, United States

☆ Hong Kong May retail sales rise 18.4%, sees support from local consumption
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-03 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The government launched a promotional campaign earlier in March called "Hello Hong Kong" to bring back tourists and businesses and also launched a "Happy Hong Kong" campaign in late May to boost local spending and the economy. "Retail sales should continue to improve in the coming months," a government spokesperson said. The city's industry body Hong Kong Retail Management Association launched "Happy Hong Kong Shopping Festival" from July 1 to August 31 with about 6,000 stores participating, offering discounts and other retail promotion to boost consumption. Among the arrivals, mainland Chinese visitors eased slightly to 2.29 million in May from 2.31 million in April, Hong Kong Tourism Board data showed. ($1 = 7.8342 Hong Kong dollars)Reporting by Donny Kwok and Twinnie Siu; Editing by Philippa FletcherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Donny Kwok, Twinnie, Philippa Fletcher Organizations: HK, Hong, Hong Kong Retail Management Association, Hong Kong Tourism Board, Thomson Locations: HONG KONG, Hong, Hong Kong, China, COVID

☆ The CEO of Malaysia Airlines, Captain Izham Ismail, went from selling snacks as a child to running a fleet of airplanes
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-02 | by ( Chris Johnston | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Captain Izham Ismail started flying for Malaysia Airlines in 1979 and became its CEO in 2017. Yet despite coming from such a modest background, Ismail went on to become a pilot and then run Malaysia Airlines, one of the world's oldest carriers. Ismail started flying for Malaysia Airlines in 1979, became a captain and a decade later was selected for its senior management training scheme. After running one of its regional carriers and becoming group chief operating officer, Ismail was elevated to CEO of Malaysia Airlines in 2017. Malaysia Airlines has 11,000 staff, down from 35,000 two decades ago, and flies to almost 50 destinations, mostly in Asia, with 106 aircraft that are all leased.

Persons: Izham Ismail, Ismail, it's, —, Captain Izham Ismail, –, Mohd Rasfan, Khazanah, Christopher Mueller, He'd, Sabena, Mat Zain Organizations: Malaysia Airlines, Service, Bournemouth University, Philippine Airlines, MIT, Stanford, Boeing, Netflix, Aer Lingus, Germany's Lufthansa, Malaysian, British Airways, American Airlines . Malaysia Airlines, Qatar Airways, Emirates Locations: Malaysia, England, Malaysia's, Istanbul, London, Court, Kuala Lumpur, Beijing, Ukraine, Russian, Malaysian, Asia

☆ Towering sea cliff in Norway opens jaw-dropping tourist route
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —Spectacular snow-capped mountain views, aquamarine water stretching out below and sheer, sheer cliff. The towering Hornelen mountain on the western coast of Norway is now open to adrenaline-seekers with the nerves of steel needed to tackle its new via ferrata climbing route. Via ferrata directly translates from Italian to English as “iron path” – it’s a term used to describe mountain climbing routes that use steel cables and fixed ladders to aid climbers. Hornelan mountain is 860 meters (2,820 feet) high and is claimed by tourism board Fjord Norway as the tallest sea cliff in Europe. The new climbing route is van Oorschot’s vision – he’s been working on the project for nine years.

Persons: ” Rogier van Oorschot, Construction, Van Oorschot, King Olaf I of Norway, Kristoffer B, Fürstenberg, ”, van Oorschot Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, ferrata, Ferrata, Norges, Eagle, Via Ferrata’s Locations: Norway, Europe, Norwegian, Bremangerlandet, Norway’s Nordfjord, Eagle

☆ Nepal seeks to promote itself as an LGBTQ-friendly destination
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-29 | by ( Bibek Bhandari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

We’re starting a new trend, we’re being trendsetters.”Ravit Kushmi, a participant who identifies as queer, calls the training “historic,” adding they can serve as Nepal’s LGBTQ tourism ambassadors. But Pant believes LGBTQ tourists have favored those destinations for years, and Nepal offers a fresh travel experience in Asia. The Nepal Tourism Board plans to launch an official LGBTQ tourism campaign soon, too. “This niche market will contribute to Nepal’s tourism,” says Mani R. Lamichhane, director of the Nepal Tourism Board. He says Nepal’s LGBTQ tourism would provide mutual benefits, particularly for tourists visiting the country seeking adventure and spiritual experiences.

Persons: Nepal’s, Sunil Babu Pant, “, ”, gwara mari, –, Bibek Bhandari, Himal Pandit, Manoj, Asshika, Ravit, Tiffany, Pant, John Tanzella, Courtney Mitchell, Sarah Welton, Mani R, Lamichhane, Rubina Bhujel, Bhadra, ” Bhadra, ” Pant Organizations: Kathmandu CNN, Pant, Nepal Tourism, –, Nepal Mountaineering Academy, CNN, International, Travel, ”, Nepal’s, Nepal Tourism Board, West University, UN Locations: Kathmandu, Pant, Nepal, Bibek, Bibek Bhandari Nepal, Thamel, ” Nepal, Asia, Taiwan, India, Thailand, Pink, American, “ Nepal

☆ Hong Kong's international dragon boat races return after 4-year hiatus
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/6] Participants splash water during a ceremony in between races during Tung Ng or Dragon Boat Festival at Aberdeen fishing port in Hong Kong, China June 22, 2023. The two-day event, organised by Hong Kong's tourism board and the Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, drew more than 4,000 paddlers from 160 teams including from the Chinese mainland, Taiwan and internationally, its tourism body said. Can't think of a better way to celebrate the Dragon Boat Festival than with my team and the rest of Hong Kong and Asia," said Shirleen Ho, 41, a member of the Australian National Dragon boat team. While dragon boat originated in China's southern Lingnan region more than 1,000 years, the modern version began in Hong Kong, a special Chinese administrative region, around 40 years ago. The competition is one of many events the Hong Kong government is holding to boost tourism and reinvigorate its economy after sealing its borders for more than two years.

Persons: Tung Ng, Tyrone Siu, Shirleen Ho, Joyce Zhou, Farah Master, Jacqueline Wong Organizations: REUTERS, Hong Kong China Dragon Boat Association, Australian National, Hong, Thomson Locations: Aberdeen, Hong Kong, China, Tyrone Siu HONG KONG, Hong, Hong Kong China, Taiwan, Asia, China's, Lingnan, Victoria, British

☆ Singapore kicks off the world's first Olympic Esports Week
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-23 | by ( Audrey Wan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

An athlete warms up before the cycling finals on the second day of Olympic Esports Week in Singapore. Yong Teck Lim | Getty ImagesSINGAPORE — Singapore is hosting the inaugural Olympic Esports Week where over 100 athletes from around the world are competing across 10 virtual sports. It builds on the success of the Olympic Virtual Series staged before the Tokyo Summer Games in 2021, which attracted 250,000 participants, the IOC added. Singapore is no stranger to esports competitions, launching the Singapore Games Association to develop the country's esports ecosystem. The Singapore Tourism Board said the country has the potential to become a "top-of-mind destination for esports fans globally," CNA reported.

Persons: Yong Teck Lim, Alvin Tan, Tan, Halimah Yacob, Newzoo Organizations: Getty, SINGAPORE —, Olympic, International Olympic, Olympic Games, Straits Times, International Olympic Committee, Tokyo Summer Games, IOC, Singapore Games Association, Singapore Tourism Board, CNA Locations: Singapore, SINGAPORE, SINGAPORE — Singapore, Suntec City, Esports, Asia Southeast Asia, Statista

☆ India is now the most populous country in the world. And it’s ready to become a tourism force
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Tara Subramaniam | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

A series of bold investmentsExperts say much of India’s outbound growth trajectory is being driven by improvements in infrastructure and an expansion in its aviation sector. Morgenshtern says the rise in outbound tourism from India is the result of investment not just by the government but by private airlines as well. Air India, for example, is fully owned by Indian conglomerate Tata Sons. As part of its efforts to expand its offerings, the company announced earlier this year it will be operating flights under both the Air India brand and Air India Express, having previously merged the latter with Tata’s other low-cost airline, AirAsia India. In February, Air India purchased nearly 500 new planes, the most ever bought in one order by a single airline.

Persons: Omri Morgenshtern, it’s, Gary Bowerman, It’s, Delhi’s Indira, Morgenshtern, Indira, Bowerman, Jyotiraditya Scindia, ”, “, Matthew Micah Wright, ” Morgenshtern, Arun Sankar, ” Bowerman, there’s Organizations: CNN, Reuters, Times, National Capital, Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International, Indira Gandhi International, Creative, Imaging, Air India, Tata Sons, Air India Express, AirAsia India, India, LCC, ”, Tata, US . Air India, Indigo, Civil Aviation, CAPA India Aviation Summit, Bank Locations: India, China, Noida, Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, Times of India, Delhi, Western Uttar Pradesh, Asia, ., India’s, Europe, Africa, Morgenshtern, France, Switzerland, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, An, Vietnam, Southeast Asia, Singapore, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Air China, Beijing, Shanghai, China Southern, Guangzhou, Northeast Asia

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