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Thailand's same-sex marriage legislation, scheduled to come into effect in January 2025, could attract an additional 4 million tourists to the country per year, according to a report commissioned by the travel company Agoda. The report published Thursday estimates the country's marriage equality law may increase tourism arrivals by 10%, netting the country an extra $2 billion in tourism revenue per year, within two years. Arrivals are expected to come, not only from same-sex couples and their wedding guests, but from the broader LGBTQ community and beyond. The new law will make Thailand the third place in Asia to allow same-same marriage, following Taiwan in 2019 and, on a more limited basis, Nepal in 2023. The law is also set to grant same-sex couples rights related to child adoption, health care and inheritance.

Organizations: Thailand's Tourism Industry, Partnership Locations: Thailand, Asia, Taiwan, Nepal

☆ 33-year-old mom: I left the U.S. to live 10 minutes from the beach in Jamaica for $1,900 a month—'I could not be happier'
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-30 | by ( Tiffany Grant | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

I work outside every day—and I spend lessWhenever I sit out on my veranda, I say, "My office is open." There is some incredible scenery right outside my door, so I work outside every day. But my expenses come to about $1,900 a month, including rent, utilities, childcare, food, transportation, school fees and home maintenance. A view from Travellers Beach Resort, where I often take my kids to the beach. Some folks here like to do "bush cooking," where they prepare food outside, and people will happily offer you a plate if you are around.

Persons: I'd, Tiffany Grant Organizations: U.S Locations: North Carolina, Jamaica, Negril, U.S, Beach

With a plum position atop many "Best Places to Travel" lists, Japan is on track to welcome a record-breaking number of travelers in 2024. Summer trips are up too, with inbound bookings doubling since last summer, a representative from the travel website Trip.com told CNBC Travel. In 2019, China welcomed some 49.1 million travelers — as of July this year, around 17.25 million foreigners had arrived, according to Chinese state media. "The USD/JPY exchange rate [moved] from approximately 140 in January 2024 to over 160 by July 2024, making Japan more affordable," said Chakraborty. But a Pew Research Center report shows that, among 35 surveyed countries, more than half have unfavorable views of China.

Persons: Trip.com, Joydeep Chakraborty, Chakraborty, Jasmine Leung Organizations: National Immigration Administration, CNBC Travel, Japan, Japan Federation of Service & Tourism Industries Workers ' Unions, East Asia, Pew Research Center, France — Locations: Japan, China, Kiyomizu, dera, Kyoto, United States, Germany, United Kingdom, France, Saharan Africa, Asia, Malaysia, Thailand, Australia, South Korea

☆ Why Ibiza is having a fashion moment once again
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Suyin Hayes | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —There are two rather different perceptions of the Balearic island of Ibiza near Spain. “Today, (Ibizan style) still persists and is absolutely recognizable anywhere in the world.”Fashion brand Reformation dedicated their latest summer collection to Ibiza. ReformationAs well as on-island boutiques such as Annie’s Ibiza and Vicente Ganesha, Ibiza style is celebrated by Loewe’s creative director Jonathan Anderson, who grew up vacationing in Ibiza, and since 2017, has spearheaded a high end collaboration between the luxury house and another legendary local institution Paula’s boutique. “When the pandemic happened, there was a chance to reframe what Ibiza was about: slow travel, wellness and mindfulness,” Fonner said. “I don’t really think (Ibiza) has gained popularity in recent years; I believe it has always been popular artistically,” she said.

Persons: Gala Mora, Freddie Mercury, Grace Jones, Bob Marley, ” Mora, ”, Vicente Ganesha, Jonathan Anderson, Shane Fonner, ” Fonner, ‘, Assouline, biennal, Sergio Sancho, Oriol, Oriol Maspons Sancho, Sancho, “, Irene de Andres, Mora Organizations: CNN, “, L.E.R, Enric, Contemporary Art Museum Locations: Balearic, Ibiza, Spain, North America, Bohemia, Agrotourism, Spanish, Madrid

☆ Japanese yen: How the currency’s record slump is squeezing the Japanese
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-03 | by ( Juliana Liu | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

Higher interest rates in the United States and other countries mean investors can make bigger returns on investments there than they can in Japan. This encourages carry trades, in which investors borrow money in yen to invest it in higher-yielding assets priced in other currencies. That weakens the Japanese currency. A Big Mac costs 50% more in the next cheapest G10 currency, the New Zealand dollar, than it does in yen, he added. … and lots of drawbacksBut the falling yen has caused much pain at home and not just for small businesses like Japan Fraise.

Persons: hasn’t, Hiroko Ishikawa, “ It’s, ” Ishikawa, “, we’re, We’re, Himari Semans, That’s, ” Nigel Green, Kit Juckes, Warren Buffett, ” Sean Callow, ”, Sato Hitomi, Semans, I’ve, —, Laura He, Chris Lau Organizations: Tokyo CNN, US, Reserve, CNN, Nikkei, Bank of Japan, deVere, greenback, Labor, Societe Generale, New Zealand, Japan’s National Tourism Organization, Tokyo’s Locations: Hong Kong, Tokyo, Japan, United States, Sydney, Hawaii

☆ 4 Americans charged with ammunition offenses in Turks and Caicos
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-02 | by ( Amanda Musa | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Four Americans are charged with possession of ammunition offenses in the tropical Atlantic getaway of Turks and Caicos, according to a post from the Turks and Caicos Islands Government. Carrying firearms in Turks and Caicos is prohibited, according to the TCI Government. Another man visiting Turks and Caicos from Pennsylvania is set to appear before a TCI court Friday on similar charges, according to CNN affiliate WPXI. Two additional Americans – a 31-year-old from Virginia and a 72-year-old from Texas – are also facing lengthy prison sentences for possessing ammunition, according to the TCI Government. Firearms, ammunition (including stray bullets), and other weapons are not permitted in the Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI).

Persons: Ryan Watson, Watson, Valerie, “, Valerie Watson, ”, Bryan Hagerich, Hagerich, Ashley, ” Ashley, WPXI, ” Hagerich, CNN’s Michael Rios, Tanika Gray, Forrest Brown Organizations: CNN, Turks, Caicos, Caicos Islands Government, TCI Government, British Overseas Territory, Embassy, Howard Hamilton International Airport, TCI, TSA, Will Rogers, Airport, WPXI, “, Transportation Security Administration, US State Department, British Overseas, State Department, United States, Firearms, Caicos Islands Locations: Caicos, Caicos Islands, Bahamas, Providenciales, Oklahoma, America, Oklahoma City, Turks, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Texas, United States, United

☆ India’s UPI: How e-payments have taken over, from sari shops to street food stalls
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-29 | by ( Amy Gunia | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

“Digital payments are likely to enhance India’s growth by eliminating frictions, increasing efficiency, and reducing costs,” Eswar Prasad, an economics professor at Cornell University, told CNN. Covid-19 further boosted the adoption of digital transactions, as people tried to protect themselves from the virus. In 2023, the number of UPI transactions topped 100 billion. Azeez, a 34-year-old rickshaw driver in Old Delhi, told CNN that he’s too scared of losing money to use e-payments. Sania Farooqui/CNNConvenience aside, India’s digital public infrastructure has helped it achieve an 80% financial inclusion rate.

Persons: Brij Kishore, ”, Agarwal, tuk, India’s, Narendra Modi, Eswar Prasad, Old Delhi Sania Farooqui, Ramesh Kumar's, Sania Farooqui, Ramesh Kumar, he’s, Azeez, Prasad, Kapil Sharma, “ Organizations: Hong Kong / New Delhi CNN, ”, Unified, “, frictions, Cornell University, CNN, “ UPI, India, National Payments Corporation of India, UPI, Sarojini, Finance, Eiffel Locations: Hong Kong / New Delhi, Chandni, India’s Old Delhi, Delhi, India, Old Delhi, Sarojini, Covid

☆ Singapore outbound flights to cost more from 2026 over green fuel requirements
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-19 | by ( Lee Ying Shan | In Ying-Shan-Lee | ) 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. Flights departing from Singapore will cost more from 2026 as the country pushes ahead with its aviation industry decarbonization goals. The initiative is part of a sustainable air hub blueprint which was unveiled by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) on the eve of the Singapore Airshow. To achieve the ambitious 1% target by 2026, travelers flying out of Singapore will have to be prepared to pay higher air fares. In 2021, the International Air Transport Association and member airlines committed to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

Persons: Chee Hong Tat, CAAS, Chee Organizations: Changi Airport, Seletar, SAF, Transport, Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore, International Air Transport Association Locations: Singapore Changi, Singapore, Bangkok, Tokyo, London

☆ Lufthansa Strike Hits Air Travel as German Disruption Mounts
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-07 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN (Reuters) - Ground staff at German airline Lufthansa walked out at major airports on Wednesday, raising the pressure in wage talks and piling misery on travellers in Europe's biggest economy already hit by strikes on railways and public transport. The Verdi union has targeted the Frankfurt and Munich airports, where Lufthansa says only 10%-20% of flights will operate, as well as Berlin, Hamburg and Duesseldorf. Verdi wants a wage rise of 12.5% for some 25,000 workers, or at least 500 euros ($537.00) more per month over a 12-month-period, plus a one-time payment of 3,000 euros to offset inflation. A wave of nationwide industrial action in the last few weeks has hit air travel, railways and public transport, inflicting pain on the economy and fuelling discontent with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz's awkward three-way coalition. ($1 = 0.9311 euros)(Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Miranda Murray)

Persons: Verdi, Duesseldorf, Olaf Scholz's, Madeline Chambers, Miranda Murray Organizations: BERLIN, Lufthansa, Frankfurt Locations: Europe's, Munich, Berlin, Hamburg

☆ 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

☆ Germany's Airport Security Staff to Ground Flights in Nationwide Protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-01 | by ( Feb. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

BERLIN (Reuters) - Security staff at some of Germany's biggest airports, including the global hub Frankfurt, walked off the job on Thursday, grounding flights and piling pain on Europe's largest economy. The 24-hour strike, called by labour union Verdi, is the latest in a series of industrial actions that has paralysed the country's transportation sector in recent weeks. Almost 200,000 travellers will be affected by over 1,100 flight cancellations or delays, the German airports association ADV estimated on Wednesday as some of Germany's biggest airports including Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart said there would be no departures for passengers. Last week, German train drivers had staged their longest railway strike to date following a week-long nationwide protest by German farmers who had blocked the country's roads. On Friday, industrial action is expected to bring public transport to a halt in every federal state except Bavaria.

Persons: Verdi, Ralph Beisel, Wolfgang Pieper, Nette Nöstlinger, Klaus Lauer Organizations: BERLIN, Security, ADV Locations: Frankfurt, Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Germany, Bavaria

☆ Air Traffic Climbs at Israel's Tel Aviv Airport in 2023 but War Weighs
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-21 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Steven ScheerJERUSALEM (Reuters) - Air travel to and from Israel plunged in the last three months of 2023 amid the Israel-Hamas conflict, but the number of passengers travelling through Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv still rose 10% in 2023. The number of international travellers reached 21.1 million in 2023, up from 19.2 million in 2022, the Israel Airports Authority (IAA) said in a report on Sunday. But since then, traffic has plunged, culminating in a 78% drop in November and 71% dive in December, the IAA said. Ryanair was third with a 5.4% share, although its number of passengers dipped 12% in 2023. In 2023, 3 million tourists visited Israel, up from 2.7 million in 2022.

Persons: Steven Scheer JERUSALEM, Ben Gurion, Oz, Israel . Bar Oz, Steven Scheer, Bernadette Baum Organizations: Ben Gurion, Israel Airports Authority, Palestinian, Hamas, IAA, Al Israel Airlines, Ryanair, Israel ., Airlines, Lufthansa, Swiss, Tel Aviv . Air France Locations: Israel, Tel Aviv, Gaza, El Al, United States, York's JFK, France, Britain, Austrian, Aegean

☆ Japan Sees Record 2.73 Million Visitors in December in COVID Recovery Year
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-17 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Rocky SwiftTOKYO (Reuters) - Japan welcomed a record number of visitors in December, official data showed on Wednesday, closing out a year of rapid recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure rose to 2.73 million last month from 2.44 million in November, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed. For the full-year 2023, a little more than 25 million visitors arrived in Japan, the agency said. Arrivals exceeded 2 million every month since June last year, boosted by a weakening in the yen that makes Japan cheaper compared to other destinations. That is helping to compensate for a slow recovery in visitors from mainland China, who made up nearly a third of all visitors and 40% of all tourist spending in Japan in 2019.

Persons: Rocky Swift TOKYO, Teppei Kawanishi, Kawanishi, Wanping Aw, Rocky Swift, Rashmi Aich, Tomasz Janowski Organizations: Japan National Tourism Organization, Tourism, mov Locations: Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Asia, Singapore, Australia, China

☆ U.S. Visitors Push Portugal's Foreign Tourism to Record in November
▼ + stars: | 2024-01-15 | by ( Jan. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

LISBON (Reuters) - Almost 140,000 visitors from the United States brought the number of foreign tourists in Portugal to a record high last November, the National Statistics Institute (INE) said on Monday. Overall, 1.1 million foreigners travelled to Portugal in November, a record number for that month. Spaniards and Britons came second and third, with 131,000 and 124,000 travellers respectively, INE said in its monthly report. The number of U.S. tourists has grown significantly in recent years as they increasingly find the southern European country cheap, sunny and safe. Tourism, a key driver of Portugal's economy, accounted for almost 15% of gross domestic product before the pandemic.

Persons: Patrícia Vicente Rua, Inti Landauro, Alex Richardson Organizations: National Statistics Institute, Britons Locations: LISBON, United States, Portugal, Tourism

☆ China says visa-free travel policy has boosted tourism
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-05 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

BEIJING, Dec 5 (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry said on Tuesday its visa-free travel policy has produced a clear effect, making things easier for travellers. "Going forward, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to adjust visa policies to create more favourable conditions and further facilitate cross-border travel," spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a press briefing when asked for an update on tourism after China announced the policy, which covers several European countries and Malaysia. Travellers walk past an installation in the shape of five stars, at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing, China April 24, 2023. Germany's ambassador to China had expressed hope that China would extend the measures to all European Union members. Reporting by Andrew Hayley; Writing by Liz Lee and Bernard Orr; Editing by Tom Hogue and Miral FahmyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Wang Wenbin, Tingshu Wang, Wang, Andrew Hayley, Liz Lee, Bernard Orr, Tom Hogue Organizations: Ministry of Foreign Affairs, China, Beijing Daxing International, REUTERS, European Union, Thomson Locations: BEIJING, Malaysia, Beijing, China, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain

☆ Thailand, Hong Kong launch cross-border QR payments
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

[1/2] A woman wears a protective face mask as she looks at her mobile phone amid the outbreak of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Bangkok, Thailand September 30, 2020. REUTERS/Soe Zeya Tun/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsBANGKOK, Dec 4 (Reuters) - Thailand's central bank and the Hong Kong Monetary Authority on Monday launched a link for cross-border QR payments, they said in a joint statement. "Through this linkage, travellers from Thailand and Hong Kong will be able to make retail payments by using their mobile payment applications," they said. Reporting by Chayut SetboonsarngOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Soe Zeya, Chayut Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Hong Kong Monetary Authority, Monday, Thomson Locations: Bangkok, Thailand, Rights BANGKOK, Hong Kong

☆ More than 700 flights cancelled as Munich sees heavy snowfall
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( Benjamin Brown | Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Around 760 flights were canceled at Munich Airport on Saturday due to heavy snowfall, an airport spokesperson told CNN. Buses, trams, and some train services in Munich were also suspended due to the snow, according to Munich’s public transport company. Munich’s central train station was closed for arrivals, while long-distance services have been suspended entirely, according to Germany’s national railway company Deutsche Bahn. Germany’s regional Süddeutsche Zeitung reported that huge numbers of travellers have been left stranded at Munich’s main station. Bavarian public broadcaster Bayerischer Rundfunk on Saturday reported that the 44 centimetres of snow in Munich was the most snowfall ever recorded in December in the Bavarian state capital since records began in 1933.

Persons: I’ve, “, there’s, Peter Kneffel Organizations: CNN, Munich Airport, Deutsche Bahn . Deutsche Bahn, Zeitung, Getty, Police, Saturday, Bayern Munich, Union Berlin, Bayerischer Rundfunk Locations: Munich, Bavaria, Union, Bavarian

☆ Munich flights, long-distance trains cancelled due to snow
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-02 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

Dec 2 (Reuters) - Long-distance trains and hundreds of flights in and out of the German city of Munich were cancelled on Saturday because of heavy snowfall, according to statements by Deutsche Bahn and Munich Airport. Flights were not scheduled to depart or arrive at Munich airport until at least 6 a.m. (0500 GMT) on Sunday according to a statement on its website. Trains could not arrive at Munich's central train station, Deutsche Bahn said on its website. The halt was expected to last all day, it added, advising travellers to rebook their trips. Reporting by Victoria Waldersee, Elke Ahlswede; Editing by Alison Williams and Toby ChopraOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Victoria Waldersee, Elke Ahlswede, Alison Williams, Toby Chopra Organizations: Deutsche Bahn, Munich, Thomson Locations: German, Munich, Munich's

☆ Finland will close Russian border for 2 weeks to stop asylum seekers
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-28 | by ( Essi Lehto | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A view of closed gates at the Raja-Jooseppi international border crossing station before its opening in Inari, northern Finland on November 24, 2023. Finland last week shut all but one of its border posts to travellers from Russia, keeping open only the northernmost crossing located in the Arctic. On Monday he said his country had intelligence information on Russian authorities assisting the asylum seekers and that despite Finnish border closures, there were still more people heading towards Finland in Russia. On Monday, only three asylum seekers arrived in Finland through the remote Raja-Jooseppi station, the last open border post, and on Tuesday there were no entrants. The border station will remain open on Wednesday before closing until Dec. 13, the government said.

Persons: Korhonen, Petteri Orpo, Essi Lehto, Terje Solsvik, Anna Ringstrom, Louise Rasmussen, Alexandra Hudson Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Nordic, Finnish Border Guard, Finland's Border Guard, Kremlin, NATO, Alexandra Hudson Our, Thomson Locations: Inari, Finland, Russia, Moscow, Kenya, Morocco, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Yemen, Helsinki, United States, Ukraine

☆ Malaysia to allow visa-free entry to Chinese, Indian nationals from Dec. 1
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-27 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

REUTERS/Lai Seng Sin/File photo Acquire Licensing RightsKUALA LUMPUR, Nov 27 (Reuters) - Malaysia will grant visa-free entry to citizens of China and India for stays of up to 30 days starting on Dec. 1, according to Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. According to government data, Malaysia recorded 9.16 million tourist arrivals between January and June this year, with 498,540 from China and 283,885 from India. That compared to 1.5 million arrivals from China and 354,486 from India in the same period of 2019, prior to the pandemic. The move follows similar measures implemented by neighbouring Thailand to boost its vital tourism sector and stimulate its sluggish economy, with Chinese and Indian nationals among those exempted this year. Currently, Chinese and Indian nationals must apply for visas to enter Malaysia.

Persons: Lai Seng, Anwar Ibrahim, Anwar, Danial Azhar, Martin Petty Organizations: Kuala, Kuala Lumpur International, REUTERS, People's Justice Party, Malaysia, Thomson Locations: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Singapore, Sepang, KUALA LUMPUR, China, India, Thailand

☆ Gunmen Kill One, Kidnap at Least 150 in Nigeria's Northwest, Residents Say
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Nov. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

By Hamza Ibrahim and Ahmed KingimiKANO, Nigeria (Reuters) - At least 150 people, including women and children, were abducted with one person killed in a coordinated attack by gunmen on four villages in Nigeria's northwest Zamfara state, residents said on Saturday. The Zamfara police spokesperson did not immediately respond to Reuters' request for comment on the attack, which took place late on Friday. Residents told Reuters that gunmen on dozens of motorcycles stormed the villages of Mutunji, Kwanar-Dutse, Sabon-Garin Mahuta and Unguwar Kawo in the Maru local government area of the state. Dankandai Musa, a resident of one of the villages, told Reuters he managed to slip away unnoticed during the chaos. "I managed to escape after they were regrouping us and the people from the three other villages that were attacked," he said.

Persons: Hamza Ibrahim, Ahmed Kingimi KANO, Garin Mahuta, Dankandai Musa, Lawali Damana, Bola Tinubu, Elisha Bala, Mark Potter Organizations: Reuters, Residents Locations: Nigeria, Nigeria's, Zamfara, Mutunji, Sabon

Travellers walk with their suitcases at Beijing Daxing International Airport in Beijing, China April 24, 2023. A recent Pew Research Center survey in 24 countries revealed that views of China were broadly negative, with 67% of adults expressing unfavourable views. Visa-free travel to Germany for Chinese nationals would only be possible if all members of the European Schengen Agreement approved, she said. This month, China expanded its visa-free transit policy to 54 countries to include citizens of Norway. It resumed 15-day visa-free entry for citizens of Singapore and Brunei in July.

Persons: Tingshu Wang, Patricia Flor, Catherine Colonna, Wang Yi, Joe Cash, Ethan Wang, Ryan Woo, Christopher Cushing, Kim Coghill, Miral Organizations: Beijing Daxing International, REUTERS, Rights, Pew Research Center, Visa, French, Chamber of Commerce, Thomson Locations: Beijing, China, Rights BEIJING, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Taiwan, Norway, Singapore, Brunei

☆ Venice to experiment with entry fee, visitor cap from April 2024
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Federico Maccioni | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Tourists walk during a new heatwave as temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees Celsius in some cities, in Venice, Italy August 22, 2023. REUTERS/Manuel Silvestri/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMILAN, Nov 23 (Reuters) - Venice will start testing a daily admission fee and cap on visitor access to its famous canals from next April, in what the Italian city's mayor hailed as the world's first such scheme. "It is the first time in the world that you do something like this, you make a city bookable," Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said. Potential sanctions will range from 50 to 310 euros will be imposed on those failing to comply with the measure. The trial is estimated to cost 3 million euros against proceeds for about 700,000 euros.

Persons: Manuel Silvestri, Luigi Brugnaro, Michele Zuin, Federico Maccioni, Keith Weir Organizations: REUTERS, Visitors, Thomson Locations: Venice, Italy, Italian, Murano

Breton also is co-chair of a government working group on charging infrastructure. "People seem to forget that the backbone of the infrastructure is not public charging, it's home charging," Breton said. 'SERIOUS CHALLENGE'Breton said that 30% of the cost of installing a home EV charging station in the U.S. is covered by a federal tax credit, while California residents can receive rebates for upgrading charging stations and electric panels. Most Canadians drive short distances to work, meaning that public charging is mainly necessary for longer-haul travellers, Breton said. Canada had 19 EVs per public charging point in 2022, while the number was 24 in the U.S., according to the Paris-based International Energy Agency.

Persons: Chris Helgren, Justin Trudeau's, Canada's, Daniel Breton, Breton, Brian Kingston, Kingston, Joanna Kyriazis, Rod Nickel, Denny Thomas, Paul Simao Organizations: Volkswagen, Canadian, REUTERS, Companies Parkland Corp, Justin Trudeau's Liberal, Infrastructure Bank, Parkland Corp, EV, Electric Mobility Canada, Natural Resources, International Energy Agency, Clean Energy Canada, Simon Fraser University, Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers ' Association, Thomson Locations: Toronto , Ontario, Canada, WINNIPEG , Manitoba, British Columbia, Canadian, Parkland, Breton, U.S, California, Natural Resources Canada, Paris, Vancouver, Ottawa, Winnipeg , Manitoba

TOKYO, Nov 15 (Reuters) - Visitors to Japan exceeded pre-pandemic levels in October, official data showed on Wednesday, marking a full recovery in arrivals for the first time since the relaxation of border controls last year. The number of foreign visitors for business and leisure rose to 2.52 million last month from 2.18 million in September, data from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) showed. Reuters GraphicsVisitor numbers improved to 100.8% of levels seen in 2019 before the outbreak of COVID-19 led to travel curbs around the world. That year, Chinese accounted for nearly a third of all visitors and 40% of all tourist spending in Japan. Almost 20 million visitors have arrived in Japan in the first 10 months of 2023, JNTO data showed, compared to the record of about 32 million in all of 2019.

Persons: Rocky Swift, Miral Organizations: Visitors, Japan National Tourism Organization, Graphics, Thomson Locations: TOKYO, Japan, Southeast Asia, North America, Europe, Australia, Canada, Mexico, Germany, China

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