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☆ Asia-Pacific markets set to rise as China's top financial officials gather in Hong Kong for summit
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

CNBC asked Intrepid Travel and ChatGPT to put together a two-day itinerary to Melbourne City, AustraliaAsia-Pacific markets are set to open higher on Tuesday, tracking Wall Street gains buoyed by a Tesla rally, and as traders wait to watch key Chinese financial policymakers speak at an investment summit in Hong Kong. Futures for Australia's S&P/ASX 200 stood at 8,327, slightly higher than the index's last close of 8,300.2. Japan's Nikkei 225 futures pointed to a stronger open for the market, with the futures contract in Chicago at 38,275 and its counterpart in Osaka at 38,310 compared to the previous close of 38,220.85. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index futures were at 19,766, higher than the HSI's last close of 19,576.61. The Reserve Bank of Australia will publish the minutes from its monetary policy meeting earlier this month, where it held its benchmark interest rate for the eighth meeting in a row at 4.35%.

Organizations: CNBC, Intrepid Travel, Futures, Australia's, Japan's Nikkei, Reserve Bank of Australia Locations: Melbourne City, Australia Asia, Pacific, Hong Kong, Chicago, Osaka

☆ I quit my six-figure corporate job to work on a vineyard for less than $500 a month. I have no regrets.
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-19 | by ( ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Armed with shears and headlamps to guide us, we filed into the vineyard rows like soldiers, performing the synchronized ritual that has existed for centuries: picking grapes for wine harvest. AdvertisementI instantly answered: "I want to work a wine harvest in Europe." I spent hours firing off emails, asking if they had any open positions on their harvest team. I worried about running out of money and blowing through the savings I'd spent years growing. It was all underpinned by one fear: Is this worth upending the life I'd built?

Persons: wouldn't, I'd, Gruner, I've, I'm Organizations: Australia Locations: Austria, Burgenland, Coast of California, Europe, Slovenia, England, Australia, Austrian

Delta Air Lines allows buyers to personalize gift cards with photos and is shipping gift cards for free through Dec. 13. Royal Caribbean sells gift cards that can be redeemed for a cruise booking, but not pre-cruise purchases such as shore excursions, beverage packages and internet. Intrepid Travel, which specializes in sustainable tours for small groups, lets gift buyers purchase specific tours for another person. Other websites offer gift cards that aren't tied to specific brands, but reviews are mixed on some of those companies. For example, Finnair gift cards expire in one year, while Airbnb gift cards aren't available in every region.

Persons: Zs, millennials, Reddit, Rick Steves, Hilton Organizations: American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, Marriott, Royal, Intrepid Locations: Italy, Rick Steves Italy, Lyft, Royal Caribbean, U.S

☆ Does off-season travel exist anymore?
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-20 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

Then, you can plot a graph to see which months are higher and lower than that total to determine when the peak season is. “In Thailand, low season typically spans from April to September with April and May being really hot,” says Ponti. “During this low season the tourist volumes each month constitute more than 7% of the annual total. Angelos Tzortzinis/dpa/picture alliance/Getty ImagesArguably the biggest single factor affecting what we know as “peak season” travel is weather. “For me, the challenge is about finding the joy in those low seasons, finding those nuggets of gold.”

Persons: ”, Olivier Ponti, Ponti, Angelos Tzortzinis, Ged Brown, Mikey Sadowski, there’s, we’re, Sadowski, David Silverman, it’s, ForwardKeys ’ Ponti, Ann Woodward, “, Woodward, –, I’ve, ’, Brown, haven’t, ” Brown Organizations: CNN, United Nations, European Travel Commission, Intrepid, Travelers Locations: Italy, Hong Kong, Amsterdam, Japan, Canary, Spain, Thailand, Hawaii, Maldives, “, ”, Athens, Greece, Europe, Denmark, Sweden, Nepal, Mexico, New York

☆ Safaris aren't the only tourist attraction in Africa. From cruises to wine tasting, here's what else you can do
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-28 | by ( Harriet Akinyi | Penny Sadler | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

Bungy jumping at Soweto Towers, a decommissioned power station in Johannesburg, South Africa. Explore the beachAfrican beach towns combine beauty and culture, in places like Seychelles, Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Namibia and Egypt. In addition to being a popular stop for world cruises, East and South Africa have their own ocean cruise routes which follow the coastlines and visit offshore islands. But South Africa is the continent's crown jewel. The wine country of Franschhoek, outside of Cape Town, South Africa.

Persons: Toubkal, there's, Thomas Janisch, Zina Bencheikh, Madagascar's Tsingy, Carlo Morucchio, Kenya's Masai Mara, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, Mombasa's, Samir Hussein, Luciemarie Swanepoel, Jeremy Villasis, Peter Unger, Kate Powell, Intrepid's Bencheikh, Kevin Bubolz, Wrenelle Stander, Michele Westmorland Organizations: bungie, Getty, Intrepid Travel, UNESCO, Heritage, Wireimage, Diamonds, Sainte, Cruises, Stone, Queen, Cruise Line, MSC, Continental, Penguin Locations: Africa, Morocco's, Kilimanjaro, Tanzania, Nyangani, Zimbabwe, Soweto, Johannesburg, South Africa, Europe, East, Namibia, Victoria Falls, Zambia, Jinja, Uganda, Morocco, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Mauritius, Zanzibar, Ghana, Egypt, Mombasa, Mombasa's Fort Jesus, Fort Jesus, Kaya, Zanzibar's Stone, Madagascar, Swanepoel, Durban, Cape, Kivu, Silversea, Continental Europe, Middle East, Port, Ethiopia, Wesgro, Stellenbosch, Franschhoek, Cape Town , South Africa

☆ Millennials and Gen Zers want human connection, so they're choosing travel tours with strangers to cure their loneliness
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-26 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

The average Intrepid Travel group has 10 people. AdvertisementIt also allows people to form new bonds in a tight-knit setting, which young travelers crave, after the COVID-19 pandemic. The average Intrepid Travel group has 10 people. jacoblund/Getty ImagesBerna said Intrepid Travel began receiving requests from people in their 30s looking for adventures off the beaten path. Intrepid Travel said they saw 172% increase globally in bookings to South Korea from 2022 to 2023.

Persons: —, Gen Zers, it's, Stephen Simpson, Matt Berna, Intrepid, Berna, crave, Gen, Brian Chesky, They've Organizations: Service, Business, Intrepid, Intrepid Travel, Travel, Japan Locations: Morocco, Sri Lanka, Americas, millennials, Paris, Vietnam, peddle, America, Peru, South Korea, Korea

☆ What it’s really like to live in Antarctica
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-23 | by ( Lilit Marcus | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

The Minnesota native first went to the White Continent in 2007 to work as a janitor at McMurdo Base, one of the three US outposts there. She was one of half-a-dozen people staffing the world’s southernmost post office, UK-administered Port Lockroy. Counting penguins is one of the roles Port Lockroy staff have during their time in Antarctica. Once you get the Antarctica bug, Long and Nelson say, it’s pretty hard to get rid of. In a fast-paced globalized world where everyone is on their phones all the time, Antarctica offers a rare opportunity to live a different kind of life.

Persons: United States –, Keri Nelson, Amundsen, ” Nelson, “, McMurdo, Palmer, Evan Townsend, ” Keri Nelson, ”, Nelson, Scott Base, –, Scott, Keri Nelson “, Chris Long, Long, Laura Bullesbach, Bridie Martin, Laura Bullesbach doesn’t, you’re, You’re, Port Lockroy, Bullesbach, Clare Ballantyne, ” Long, Keri Nelson Long, he’s, vacationer, ” Klaus Dodds Organizations: CNN, United, Antarctic, Minnesota, Base, Scott, Palmer, grownups, McMurdo Base, McMurdo, US, Geographic, Pole, Ocean, Scott Base, Port, Lockroy, Port Lockroy, Electronics, University of London Locations: Antarctica, Chile, Japan, Australia, United States, McMurdo, New, Ross, Amundsen, New Zealand, Russian, South America, Port Lockroy, Lockroy, Port, Denver, China

☆ Borneo over Bali? Here are 5 'destination dupes' for travelers who want unique getaways without the crowds
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-04 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Matt Berna of Intrepid Travel said young travelers seek immersive, unique experiences. Some are skipping popular tourist spots in favor of so-called "destination dupes." According to Berna, young travelers aren't bogged down by FOMO — or the "fear of missing out" — that influenced older generations. AdvertisementThat's why more young folks are booking so-called "destination dupes," alternative vacation spots that are more affordable and less crowded than the well-known locations. Intrepid Travel compiled a list of destination dupes travelers should consider this year.

Persons: Matt Berna, —, Berna, aren't, FOMO — Organizations: Intrepid Travel, Service Locations: Seoul, Tokyo

☆ Scientists went on a hunt for the elusive colossal squid — and brought cruise ship tourists with them
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-15 | by ( Jenny Mcgrath | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

Kolossal hopes to film a colossal squid in its natural habitat, the waters around Antarctica. The scientists were searching for the colossal squid, an evasive cephalopod that can weigh 1,100 pounds. The enigmatic colossal squidMeasuring about 46 feet with its tentacles spread out, the colossal squid is nevertheless hard to spot. Advertisement"We're not claiming this is the colossal squid, but it's also not not a colossal squid," Mulrennan said of footage of a translucent squid that the camera filmed. Kolossal/MulrennanBased on assessments of experts who have seen the footage, it's impossible to tell whether the animal is a young colossal squid or a full-grown glass squid.

Persons: Kolossal, —, Matthew Mulrennan, Mulrennan, Kat Bolstad, Myrah Graham, Graham, Mulrennan wasn't, Matt Mulrennan, it's, they're, Jennifer Herbig, Mulrennan Mulrennan Organizations: Service, Juvenile, University's Marine Institute, University of Auckland, Endeavour, Intrepid, Endeavor, Marine Locations: Antarctica, icefish, Paradise Harbour

☆ Australia stocks hit record high, most other Asia-Pacific markets set to decline
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-28 | by ( Shreyashi Sanyal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

CNBC asked Intrepid Travel and ChatGPT to put together a two-day itinerary to Melbourne City, AustraliaAustralia stocks hit a record high Thursday, while most other Asia-Pacific markets looked set to fall even though Wall Street rallied and the S&P 500 closed at another record high. In Australia, the S&P/ASX 200 rose 0.77% to hit an intraday record high of 7,883.90 just moments after opening. The index was higher for a second straight day. All eyes are now on Australia's retail sales data for the month of February, which a Reuters poll expects will rise 0.4%. Investors will also be watching for moves in the Japanese yen after it fell to 151.97 — its weakest level in 34 years against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday.

Organizations: CNBC, Intrepid Travel, U.S Locations: Melbourne City, Australia Australia, Asia, Pacific, Australia

☆ My Tour Operator Is a B Corp. What Does That Mean? Should I Care?
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-18 | by ( Sophie Stuber | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

When it comes to travel, she also values environmentally and socially responsible companies, which led her to choose Intrepid Travel, a certified B Corp company, for a tour in Morocco in 2019. The sheer number of sustainability certifications for the travel and tourism industry is almost overwhelming and certainly confusing. Certified B Corp enterprises must meet standards set by B Lab, a Pennsylvania-based nonprofit founded in 2006 that awards for-profit companies with certifications for social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Globally, there are only 62 certified B Corps in the travel industry and 76 in accommodation and hospitality. “When you see the B Corp logo, I know it’s been at least semi-vetted,” Ms. Dohoney, 64, said.

Persons: Tanya Dohoney, Ms, Dohoney, “ Organizations: Intrepid, B Corp, B Lab, Corps Locations: Texas, Paris, Morocco, Pennsylvania, Patagonia

☆ My family traveled in first class on a high-speed train in Morocco for only $34. Here's what the 3-hour ride was like.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-22 | by ( Jamie Davis Smith | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

I took my two kids on a train ride from Marrakech to Casablanca. I chose to buy my tickets once I got to Morocco to avoid paying extraJamie Davis SmithI like being prepared and wanted to buy train tickets in advance. My thrifty nature prevailed, and I waited to buy train tickets until I arrived in Marrakech. On my first day in Morocco, I asked my hotel concierge how I could buy train tickets, and he advised me to get them at the train station. I braced myself for the worst, unsure if I'd have to navigate the type of stressful, chaotic train station I've encountered in other countries.

Persons: I'd, —, Jamie Davis Smith, wasn't Organizations: Service, Intrepid Travel, Islamic Locations: Marrakech, Casablanca, Morocco, Marakkesh

☆ How much does ‘shoulder season’ travel save? We crunch the numbers in 5 top spots
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-29 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Nearly one in five Americans said they plan to travel less in 2024, with most citing costs as the reason , according to Intrepid Travel's 2024 Outlook Survey. And for some 70% of respondents of Intrepid's survey, that means avoiding peak season trips. Enter the era of "shoulder season" travel — or vacations booked between high and low seasons — which allows for cheaper trips, thinner crowds and better weather. Travelers are typically adults without school-aged children, however "parents are increasingly willing to take kids out of school for travel," he told CNBC Travel. Similar patterns of year-round travel are happening in parts of the Caribbean and Mexico, too.

Persons: James Thornton, Kiatphaibool, CNBC's Organizations: Intrepid, Intrepid Travel, CNBC Travel, Tourism Authority of Locations: Tourism Authority of Thailand, Caribbean, Mexico

☆ 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

☆ Influencers are the new travel agents: Here's how creators are using their adventures to build businesses, from planning group trips to becoming certified advisors
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-08 | by ( Shriya Bhattacharya | Sydney Bradley | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

DMs persuaded some travel creators to arrange group trips with their followersTravel creator Gabby Beckford led her first group trip with her followers in August 2021. Ismail initially worked with the group travel company TrovaTrip, which handled the logistics. AdvertisementAs more travel creators build communities to travel with, startups like Jerne are popping up to help support their businesses. Morgan said quite a few creators are now using Jerne to find brands to sponsor group travel, as well. "Travel advisors have been hosting group trips for as long as they've existed," he said.

Persons: —, Tia Cooper, she's, Cooper, they've, Instagram, influencers, Tim Morgan, Gabby Beckford, she'd, Beckford, Nabila Ismail, Ismail, Morgan, It's, Dharma, Charaf El Mansouri Organizations: Service, Business, BI, DMs, Intrepid, Brand, Virgin Voyages Locations: Ireland, Abu Dhabi, Croatia, Mexico, Indonesia, Pakistani

☆ Want to avoid crowds while traveling? Here's the 'not hot' list for 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-28 | by ( Quek Jie Ann | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

Adventure travel company Intrepid Travel's new "Not Hot" list is out — spotlighting overlooked travel spots around the world. The 2024 list calls attention to two destinations in Asia, two in Europe and one in Central America. Source: Intrepid TravelUnlike Italy's tourist-saturated Positano, travelers visiting Corsica can "enjoy a more authentic, tranquil, and immersive experience ... without the overwhelming crowds," according to a press release by Intrepid Travel. Intrepid Travel recommends Panama for those who wish to "immerse themselves in local traditions, folklore, and contemporary arts ... that differs from the more European-centric cultural landscape," the press release stated. Source: Intrepid Travel

Persons: Matt Berna, Nick Lim, Lim, Gonzalo Azumendi, Emberá, David C Tomlinson Organizations: Intrepid, Americas, Intrepid Travel, CNBC Travel, UNESCO, Heritage, Euromonitor International, Japan National Tourism Organization, Korea Tourism Organization, The Travel Corporation, CNBC, Trip.com, La Amistad, Bank, Getty Locations: Asia, Europe, Central America, Corsica Corsica, France, Corsica, Seoul Tokyo, Singapore, Seoul, Korea, Intrepid Travel Tokyo, Tokyo, Panama Panama, Central American, Costa Rica, Colombia, Panama, Panama Viejo, Casco, Darien, La, Guna, Corfu Greece, Santorini, Mykonos, Kefalonia, Corfu, Greece, Split, Dubrovnik, Croatia, Borneo Borneo, Southeast Asia, Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, Kalimantan, Indonesian, Sarawak, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysian, Indonesian's Kalimantan

REUTERS/Ammar Awad/ Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK/LONDON, Nov 6 (Reuters) - Travelers are canceling or postponing planned vacations to the Middle East and North Africa due to fears of the Israel-Hamas conflict worsening, and as touring companies have also altered itineraries and canceled flights. Travel operators say the war is affecting demand for travel to nearby nations including Egypt, Jordan and Turkey. German airline Group Lufthansa (LHAG.DE) said on Thursday their Middle East bookings have not been affected by the war, with only an initial dip when the conflict started. Spanish travel agency Essentialist said it has canceled 75% of trips to the extended Middle East and Northeast Africa region. The conflict's effect on travel demand to the Middle East may extend beyond the holidays and even just neighboring countries.

Persons: Ammar Awad, Israel, Todd Elliott, Konrad Waliszewski, Willie Walsh, Kathleen Oberg, Patrick Scholes, Essentialist, Matt Berna, Khaled Ibrahim, Doyinsola Oladipo, Joanna Plucińska, Rajesh Kumar Singh, Daniel Wallis Organizations: REUTERS, Cruise Line Holdings, Royal Caribbean Group, International Air Transport Association, Group Lufthansa, AS OMAN, Marriott, Intrepid Travel, Americas, East Travel Alliance, Thomson Locations: Damascus, Jerusalem's Old City, East, North Africa, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Orlando , Florida, Israel . Washington, Cyprus, Lebanon, Valencia, Spain, Spanish, Northeast Africa, Australia, Norway, Sharm el Sheikh, Oman, UAE, New York, London, Chicago

[1/4] People walk into Jerusalem's Old City via Jaffa Gate, as the conflict wreaks havoc across the tourism sector October 11, 2023. Now they are empty after a devastating attack by Palestinian militant group Hamas in Israel on Oct. 7. InterContinental Hotels (IHG.L) said two of its hotels, Six Senses Shaharut and Hotel Indigo Tel Aviv – Diamond District, were temporarily shut. Australian tour operator Intrepid Travel has called off tours to Israel and Palestinian territories until the end of the year. Odysseys Unlimited has suspended its Israel trips until March 31.

Persons: Sinan Abu Mayzer, Abu Dawoud, Khader Hussein, Jesus, That's, Elias al, Dan Hotels, Isrotel, Dan, Israel, Joanna Plucinska, Steven Scheer, Doyinsola, Yadarisa, Josephine Mason, Mark Potter Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Palestinian, Hamas, West Bank, Virgin, European, InterContinental Hotels, Indigo, Aviv, Diamond, Israel Central Bureau of Statistics, Arab Hotel Association, Intrepid, Odysseys, NEW, Thomson Locations: City, Jaffa, Rights BETHLEHEM, JERUSALEM, Bethlehem's, Israel, Palestinian, Gaza, Jerusalem, Tel Aviv, United States, European Union, Britain, Europe, Bethlehem, Tel, U.S, West, Australian, Egypt, Jordan, LONDON, Bengaluru

U.S. air carriers United Airlines (UAL.O) and American Airlines (AAL.O) suspended direct flights to Israel after the Federal Aviation Administration urged airlines to exercise caution. Many European airlines have also cancelled flights. Norwegian Air (NAS.OL) cancelled its flights from Copenhagen and Stockholm to Tel Aviv this week and Ryanair (RYA.I) cancelled flights through to Wednesday. Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), also among the airlines most exposed to Israel according to Goodbody, cancelled flights to and from Tel Aviv through Monday. Hainan Airlines (600221.SS), the only Chinese airline to fly between China and Israel, and other airlines flying from Hong Kong and South Korea cancelled flights to Tel Aviv.

Persons: We've, Matt Berna, Benjamin Netanyahu, Amir Cohen, Britain's, Goodbody, . Virgin Atlantic, IAG, Sharon Singleton, Rosalba O'Brien Organizations: Tel, United Airlines, American Airlines, Federal Aviation Administration, Delta Air Lines, El Al, Fighters, Tourism, Royal, Intrepid Travel, Regulators, FAA, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, Israeli, Ben Gurion International, REUTERS, Delta, Air, Portugal's TAP, Norwegian, Ryanair, Sunday, Wizz, Lufthansa, . Virgin, British Airways, Hainan Airlines, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Tel Aviv, Russia, Israel, Gaza, Israel's, Jerusalem, Americas, U.S, New York, Chicago, Washington, Miami, Lod, Europe, Air France, Copenhagen, Stockholm, Hungarian, China, Hong Kong, South Korea, Hainan, Beijing, Shenzhen, Cairo

☆ '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

☆ Which is better — ChatGPT or a travel agent? Here's our pick
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-18 | by ( Isabella Lok | Silvia Marchetti | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Simply input a prompt and watch the travel recommendations pour in. Intrepid Travel, a small group travel agency, accepted CNBC Travel's request to find out. Intrepid Travel, on the other hand, provided options that came with either a pool or a gym, or both. Conversely, I felt that Intrepid Travel suggested places that were more niche and representative of Melbourne's unique culture. Both Intrepid Travel and ChatGPT came back with reasonable options around the city.

Persons: Bard, Microsoft Bing, ChatGPT, Lane, It's, Gertrude, Société, Rippon Lea, Chin Chin Organizations: Microsoft, Intrepid, CNBC, Melbourne, Intrepid Travel, — Queen, — Queen Victoria Market, National Gallery of Victoria, Reds, Getty, Gardens, Queen, Queen Victoria Market, Melbourne Museum, Eau De Locations: Melbourne, Australia, Swanston, Paris, Barcelona, — Queen Victoria, Melbourne's Fitzroy, Queen Victoria, Eau

☆ What travelers to Morocco need to know following the recent earthquake
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-11 | by ( Julia Buckley | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

CNN —Thousands of people are known to have killed in the Morocco earthquake, with the death toll expected to rise as rescuers continue to search for survivors. Zdenek Kajzr/iStock Editorial/Getty ImagesHow about the High Atlas Mountains? “Many hotels in the High Atlas Mountains have had considerable structural damage with some of them closing,” he says. “I would say that the only part to avoid is the High Atlas mountains, to help the authorities with the rescue process. Santiago Urquijo/Moment RF/Getty ImagesIs there an an alternative to the High Atlas mountains?

Persons: King Mohammed VI, that’s, Al Haouz, “, ”, Zina Bencheikh, CNN’s Ivana Kottosová, storeowners, Kottosová –, Bilal El Hammoumy, Vanessa Branson, El Fenn, Musee Des Confluences, Zdenek Kajzr, Kottosová, ” Kasbah, Richard Branson, El Hammoumy, –, Fez –, Abdelilah El Khadir, Francesco Riccardo Iacomino, Anabel Dean, she’d, Dean, Stallholders, Bencheikh, Ait, they’ve, I’d, ” El Hammoumy, ” Dean, ” Azrou, Santiago Urquijo, Ameziane, Meryem Organizations: CNN, Intrepid Travel’s, EMEA, AFP, Inclusive, Jewish, El, Musee Des, Marrakech medina, Expeditions, US State Department, Foreign Locations: Morocco, Spain, Qatar, UAE, Marrakech, Al, medina, Seaside, Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Intrepid Travel’s Morocco, Jemaa el, Bahia, Saadian, El, ”, Inclusive Morocco, reroute, “, Hassan, Rabat, Paris, –, Ait Benhaddou, Dades, Santiago

☆ Why cell phone service is down in Maui — and when it could be restored
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Cell service is down. Although strong winds can sometimes threaten cell towers, most are strong enough to handle the worst that even a Category 5 hurricane can bring. The smoke and flames can also attenuate signals because of the particulate density in the air.”If a tower collapses, cell networks could take months to restore. This means satellite phones, which often feature large antennas, can help provide voice, SMS, and data services anywhere on Earth, even without cell service. Although it’s unclear how long cell phone service could be down in affected regions, companies have been able to bring connectivity to disaster regions in the past.

Persons: Gov, Sylvia Luke, ”, Glenn O’Donnell, Forrester, “, O’Donnell, Dimitris Mavrakis, ” Mavrakis, Apple, Hurricane Maria, Hawaii’s Organizations: CNN, Wireless, ABI Research, Mobile, Emergency Management Team, FEMA, Verizon, Motorola, Huawei, Apple Watch, Google Locations: Maui, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Hurricane

☆ Man who visited every country without flying has finally returned home
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-02 | by ( Kate Springer | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +14 min

After nearly ten years of travel, Pedersen successfully visited his 203rd and final country, the Maldives, and began his long-awaited voyage back to Denmark. In early 2020, the intrepid traveler suddenly found himself stuck in Hong Kong for two years with just nine countries left. “I look back at Hong Kong, and it’s a bit of a paradox. Next came a 16-day journey back to Hong Kong, where he returned to hotel quarantine for another two weeks. Pedersen in Hong Kong, where he spent an unexpected two years during the pandemic.

Persons: Torbjørn, Thor ” Pedersen, Pedersen, He’d, ” Pedersen, ”, “, Le, I’ve, He’s, ‘, ’ ”, Maxime Champigneulle, Gunnar Garfors, it’s, It’s, you’ve, he’s, “ There’s, Mike Douglas Organizations: CNN, CNN Travel, Maersk, “, Port, Le, UN, Danish, Hong, Denmark, Pacific, Tonga, National Museum, Ross Energy, Aarhus . Port Locations: Denmark, Maldives, Danish, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Aarhus, Kenya, Colombia, Australia, Norway, Guinea, Equatorial Guinea, Mongolia, Pakistan, Syria, Iran, Nauru, Angola, Ghana, Iceland, Canada, Hong Kong, Everest, Palau, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga, Vanuatu, Pacific, Tuvalu, Fiji, Singapore, Malé, Norwegian, Aarhus ., Aarhus What’s, Suez, Germany

☆ Opinion: ‘I believe there was peace’ at the end of Titan’s doomed final voyage
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-22 | by ( Opinion Mike Reiss | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Finding a sub once it’s lost is like dropping a quarter into Lake Erie and hoping to get it back. And the passengers on the Titan weren’t thrill-seekers — they weren’t skydivers or rich tourists who climbed Mount Everest so they could brag about it. There’s a toilet onboard, and it’s never been used.” And that turned out to be the case. I quickly became aware that we were in the middle of a crisis: We were lost on the ocean floor. But with this comforting thought, of course, comes sadness — for the passengers, for their families, for the dreams of the Oceangate sub company.

Persons: Mike Reiss, CNN —, Mike Reiss Tim P, —, Mount, I’ve, it’s, “, Oceangate, ”, Hamish Harding, Paul, Henri Nargeolet, Shahzada Dawood, Sulaiman Dawood, Rush, we’ve Organizations: CNN, Titan, Whitby, Stockton Rush, Twitter, Facebook, Sherpa Locations: Lake Erie, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, British, French

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