DIRS.INFO The most relevant business & tech news

Under the new passport-less immigration program, Singapore residents will not need to show their passports to arrive and depart at air and sea checkpoints. Foreign travelers must also enroll their iris, facial and fingerprint biometrics at manual immigration counters, according to Singapore's Immigration & Checkpoints Authority. However, children under six years old cannot use biometric clearance, or automated lanes at all, to clear immigration, according to authorities. By early 2026, Singapore immigration officials expect 95% of travelers will be able to clear immigration via automated lanes. Biometric processing is expected to reduce immigration wait times by 40%, according to immigration officials.

Persons: Sumesh Patel, SITA Organizations: Changi Airport, Seletar, Bay, Centre Locations: Singapore's, Singapore, Asia, Pacific

Many people consume alcohol to relax and relieve stress, which are some of the top reasons people travel, too. How is sober travel discussed on TikTok? Sentiment in the past year shows that among social media interactions 32% is positive, 38% is neutral and 30% is negative. The ranking, however, isn't a list of countries where alcohol sales are banned — places like Brunei, Saudi Arabia and Iran. Costa Rica ranked high on the list of "sober travel" destinations, in part, because of its outdoor activities and national parks.

Persons: He's, Virgin Mary, Dublin's, Artur Widak, Jordan – Organizations: Airports, CNBC Travel, Virgin, Nurphoto, YouTube, Social, Costa Rica, Siemens, Digitalvision, Getty, UNESCO, Heritage Locations: Koh Samui, Thailand, Brunei, Texas, Asia, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, Australia, Saudi Arabia, Iran, U.S, Nepal, Morocco, Costa Rica, Turkey, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Singapore, India, InsureMyTrip, North America

Was it the Parisians who bluntly told travelers "do not come" to Paris during the Summer Games? London, Athens and Atlanta all saw a drop in summer visitors when they hosted the Summer Games, said Grant. Empty Airbnbs and unsold ticketsHotels, too, are feeling the pinch of Paris' summer slowdown, with occupancy rates expected to drop to 60% in early July, down some 10 points from 2023, according to Paris' tourism board. Airbnb also said "domestic interest" for stays during the Games has never been higher than in the weeks leading up to Paris Games. 'The Olympics is too broad'Last-minute travelers can still snag tickets to the Paris Games.

Persons: —, John Grant, Grant, Rather, They've, OAG's John Grant, Jakub Porzycki, Airbnb Organizations: Olympic Games, France, Summer, Ryanair, Nurphoto, Olympic, Games, Notre Dame, CNBC, Paris Games, Paris, Financial Times Locations: Paris, London, Athens, Atlanta, Delta, Europe, North America, Oceania, Lille

Protests in Spain will spread if European officials fail to address mass tourism's negative effect on the lives of residents, UNESCO's Peter Debrine told "Squawk Box Asia" on Monday. He cited the banning of large cruise ships in Venice, Italy, in 2021 as an example. "Cruise ships are no longer going through the Grand Canal." Cruise ships now dock farther from Venice, which helps the structural and environmental integrity of the city. But travelers also play a role in curbing mass tourism, said Debrine.

Persons: UNESCO's Peter Debrine, Debrine, it's Organizations: Adriatic, Port Authority, Council, CNBC, Barcelona Locations: Spain, Venice, Italy, Barcelona, Debrine, Amsterdam

Airports have many bells and whistles these days. But most travelers would gladly trade them for flights that consistently arrive on time. The passenger rights company AirHelp ranked 239 airports in 69 countries, with an emphasis on the on-time performance of flights operating from May 2023 to April 2024. That measure accounted for 60% of each airport's total score, with on-time performance defined as flights that arrive within 15 minutes of their published arrival times. Passenger opinions of each airport, along with traveler ratings of its food and shops, accounted for the remaining 40% of the score, according to AirHelp's website.

Mass tourism troubles hit fever pitch in Barcelona on Saturday as protesters threw items and sprayed travelers with water guns and canned drinks, while shouting "tourists go home." In 2023, hotel occupancy rates neared 80% in July and August, as the city of 1.6 million people swelled to accommodate more than 4 million visitors, according to the Barcelona City Council. Paco Freire | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty ImagesBut the delicate dance between locals and visitors had spiraled long before that. Two tourists on bicycles being stopped in front of a demonstration against mass tourism in Barcelona on July 6, 2024. Paco Freire | Sopa Images | Lightrocket | Getty Images

Persons: overtourism, Paco Freire, Jaume Collboni, Collboni Organizations: Barcelona City, Associated Press, Barcelona City Council, Barcelona Cruise Port, Getty Locations: Barcelona, Barceloneta, Spain, France

From recent graduates to wealthy professionals, many Brits are considering moving abroad these days. Over half of British workers (52%) have considered leaving the United Kingdom for better working opportunities abroad, according to the British human resources website Employer News. Others are in search of affordable housing and lower taxes, it said, citing research from London-based financial services company Prograd. But contemplating moving abroad, and actually doing it, are very different things, especially for parents, who must consider if the grass is greener abroad — with the whole family in mind. But the United States — often referred to as Britain's "cousin" — comes in dead last in the ranking of 28 countries, dragged down by high childcare costs and long work hours.

Persons: Williams Russell, — Locations: United Kingdom, London, European Union, Portugal, Sweden, Italy, Spain, Finland, United States

With New York's congestion pricing plan indefinitely delayed, traffic into Manhattan this summer is set to be gridlocked as usual. But travelers staying in some of the city's top luxury hotels can avoid the highways altogether. Announced Tuesday, Marriott International Luxury Group is providing free helicopter transfers from John F. Kennedy International Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport from July 1 to Sept. 2. The transfers can reduce transportation time from the airports into Manhattan to as little as five minutes, the company said. The flights, operated by the urban air mobility company Blade, are available for guests staying at least two nights in one of the six Manhattan hotels:The St. Regis New York JW Marriott Essex House New York W New York - Union Square The New York EDITION The Ritz-Carlton New York, NoMad The Luxury Collection Hotel Manhattan MidtownHelicopter transfers land at one of two helipads in Manhattan: Blade Lounge East on East 34th Street or the newer Blade Lounge West on West 30th Street, where a car service waits to drive guests to their hotels.

Persons: John F Organizations: Marriott, Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Regis New, Regis New York JW Marriott, Regis New York JW Marriott Essex House, Union, The, Carlton New, Helicopter, East, West Locations: Manhattan, St, Regis, Regis New York, Regis New York JW Marriott Essex, York, Carlton New York

Japan's two largest commercial airlines are toughening their stances against travelers who verbally or physically abuse airline staff. Japan Airlines and All Nippon Airways updated their websites Friday with "customer harassment" policies, in the wake of rising instances of front-line worker abuse occurring across industries in Japan. "This has placed a significant burden on our employees, leading to cases where some have been forced to take leave," she said. Japan Airlines' policy also mandates airline staff to undergo harassment training — employees will be provided manuals detailing how to quickly and appropriately respond to "malicious" behavior. Both airlines' policies state that travelers who harass employers will be issued a warning, after which consequences can include denial of boarding and police involvement.

Persons: ANA's Yoshiko Miyashita Organizations: Japan Airlines, All Nippon Airways, CS, Nikkei Asia Locations: Japan

That's despite respondents from both countries taking the most vacation days — 27 days and 29 days, respectively — in the survey. However, only 53% of Japanese said they feel "vacation deprived" compared to 65% of Americans, it showed. Expedia's report indicates that feeling "vacation deprived" has less to do with the actual time off one takes, and more to do with cultural mores around work and free time. Wasted vacation daysDespite most workers indicating they feel vacation deprived, respondents from nearly every location admitted to letting some of their annual leave lapse. "In 2024, 15% of Hong Kongers plan on taking 31 vacation days, exceeding the average allotted 25.5 days," said Hudson.

Persons: That's, Christie Hudson, Hudson, Hong Kongers, Hong Kong, Hong, Japan aren't Organizations: Expedia Locations: Japan, United States, France, Germany, Hong, Hong Kong

Those are just some of what fans of Disney cruises can expect on board the upcoming Disney Adventure, according to details announced Tuesday by Disney Cruise Line. Like other Disney cruises, Disney Adventure will have characters on board, entertainment based on Disney songs and viewings of its most popular movies. Other Disney cruisesDisney Adventure joins Disney Cruise Line's fleet of five ships, alongside two others — the Disney Treasure and Disney Destiny — that are on the way, according to the release. The AquaDuck water coaster aboard a Disney cruise ship — the Disney Dream — in Nassau, Bahamas. Matt Stroshane | Disney Cruise Line | Getty Images

Persons: Pixar's, Sarah Fox, Matt Stroshane Organizations: Disney, Disney Cruise, Marina Bay Cruise, Pixar, Marvel, Asia, Disney Adventure, Disney Treasure, Getty Locations: Asia, Singapore, Marina, Moana, Caribbean, Europe, Alaska, Mexico, Canada, Hawaii, Pacific, Australia, New Zealand, Nassau, Bahamas

Qatar Airways is 2024's "Airline of the Year," according to AirlineRatings.com. This year's list is again dominated by Middle Eastern and Asia-Pacific carriers, though Europe's Air France/KLM entered the ranking at No. The complete top 25 list of premium airlines for 2024, according to AirlineRatings.com, is as follows:1. American AirlinesIn an article announcing the ranking, AirlineRatings.com Editor-in-Chief Geoffrey Thomas said "Qatar Airways came out number one in many key areas although it was a very close scoring for the top ten." Qatar Airways also won the "Best Business Class" category for the fifth time in a row, while Singapore Airlines was named "Best First Class" and Air New Zealand for "Best Economy Class."

Persons: Geoffrey Thomas Organizations: Qatar Airways, Air New, Europe's Air France, KLM, Korean, Cathay Pacific Airways, Air New Zealand, Emirates, Air France, All Nippon Airways, Etihad Airways, Qantas, Virgin, Vietnam Airlines, Singapore Airlines, TAP, JAL, Alaska Airlines, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines, IGA Group, British Airways, Air Canada, Delta Air, United Airlines, American Airlines, Flight Entertainment, Doha's Qatar Airways, Dubai's, Abu Dhabi's Etihad Airways Locations: Doha, Air New Zealand, Eastern, Asia, Pacific, Virgin Australia, TAP Portugal, Swiss, Iberia, Dubai's Emirates

Search resuls for: "Www.Linkedin.Com In Monicapitrelli"

12 mentions found