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☆ My family moved to Florida in 2016 and have been through 6 major hurricanes. We're staying here anyway.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-18 | by ( Terri Peters | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Since moving to Florida in 2016, my family and I have faced several major hurricanes. Florida may seem dangerous, but the people who live here know the risk of hurricanes is worth it. "You're wondering what you did moving your family here with these storms, but they rarely happen and you will love living here. AdvertisementDespite the dangers of living in Florida, I love living hereSeven years after moving to the Sunshine State, I know my family doctor was right. There are so many things to love about living in FloridaThere are more things I love about Florida than I can count.

Persons: —, Hurricane Matthew, we'd, Matthew, We've, Hurricane Irma, we've, Dorian, Elsa, Idalia, Florida —, Augustine, Mickey Mouse, we're, Jim Cantore's, Jim Cantore Organizations: Service, Sunshine State, Walt Disney Locations: Florida, Maryland, Hurricane, Milton, Christmastime, St, West Coast, It's

☆ Why bars and restaurants are shedding 'Sunday Ticket' subscriptions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Alex Sherman | Alex Sherman Covers Media For Cnbc. | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +7 min

DirecTV still provides bars, restaurants, small businesses and hotels with game access — but it no longer has the exclusive rights. As a condition of that deal, EverPass included the right to build its own commercial streaming connection for “Sunday Ticket,” bypassing third-party licensing. EverPass sets all the pricing for “Sunday Ticket,” both for its new streaming product and DirecTV’s satellite offering. Sports bars concerned about having all of their TVs show games without a delay probably would opt for the DirecTV product. 3) Certain commercial establishments are using YouTube’s “Sunday Ticket” and paying residential prices (about $500 per year) instead of the higher business rates.

Persons: DirecTV’s, EverPass, Lillian Rizzo, —, ”, Alex Sherman, Everpass, It’s Organizations: NFL, YouTube, DirecTV, EverPass Media, RedBird Capital Partners, CNBC, Amazon Prime, ESPN, “, Dish Network Locations: Apple

☆ Epic Universe: Universal Orlando announces opening date for the theme park
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Universal Orlando Resort announced Thursday morning that its highly anticipated new theme park, Epic Universe, will open on May 22, 2025, just before Memorial Day weekend. “I anticipate that this new Epic Universe theme park will easily crack 6 million plus visitors during its first 12 months of operation,” Speigel told CNN in an email. “Universal Studios theme parks have been on a huge roll since Harry Potter was introduced in 2010.”Speigel said this park will ratchet up the Orlando theme park market, where Universal and Disney are the biggest players. Speigel – along with many theme park fans – wonders how Disney will respond to its competitor’s moves and whether it will also open a new theme park in the coming years. It will be located in the new theme park, with Universal’s first dedicated theme park entrance for hotel guests.

Persons: Harry Potter, we’re, ”, Karen Irwin, Dennis Speigel, Speigel, “, ” Speigel, Potter, Universal’s, –, Voldemort, Ron, Hermione, Donkey Kong Organizations: CNN — Universal Orlando Resort, Ministry of Magic, Nintendo, Universal Orlando, Park, CNN, “ Universal Studios, Universal, Disney, Ministry, Universal Parks, Universal Orlando Resort, Loews, Super Nintendo, Universal Parks USA, Paris, British Ministry, Floo, Universal Islands of, Universal Studios, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan Locations: Orlando, Berk, Central Florida, Universal Islands, Los Angeles

Disney parks are adding a top-tier, line-skipping upgrade with a whole new world of pricing: as much as $449 per person on top of park admission, Walt Disney Co. said Wednesday. The two existing Lightning Lane passes require holders to commit to estimated time windows for specific attractions. Tokyo Disney Resort's Premier Access passes work like the Lightning Lane Multi Pass. Disney World tickets start at $119 for single-day admission and are $104 for one of the Disneyland Resort parks, according to the park websites. The Premier Pass pilot program is among Disney Parks' priciest upgrades or ticket packages.

Persons: Lightning Organizations: Disney, Walt Disney Co, Lightning, Walt Disney, Disneyland, Disney Parks, Paris, Premier, Tokyo Disney Resort's, Universal Express, Universal Destinations, Universal Studios Hollywood, NBC, Universal, Comcast, Walt Disney Company, CNBC Locations: Anaheim , California, Lake Buena Vista , Florida, Florida, Tokyo

☆ Expedia stock jumps on report that Uber explored a takeover of the travel platform
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Theron Mohamed | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Expedia stock climbed 8% while Uber stock fell more than 3% in premarket trading on Thursday. Uber spoke with advisors about a potential takeover in recent months, The Financial Times reported. AdvertisementExpedia stock jumped as much as 8% in Thursday's premarket, while Uber tumbled more than 3% following a report the ride-hailing giant recently explored a takeover of the travel group. A third party raised the idea of buying Expedia to Uber, sources told the FT, adding that merger talks were nascent and a deal might not materialize. One source told the newspaper that Uber hasn't formally approached Expedia, and there were no ongoing discussions between the two companies.

Persons: Uber, —, Expedia, Uber hasn't, Dara Khosrowshahi Organizations: Financial Times, Service Locations: Thursday's premarket

☆ I took my mom to Hawaii's Kona Village resort for $1,765 a night — our stay was almost perfect
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( David Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

My mom and I stayed at Rosewood's Kona Village resort on Hawaii's Big Island for $1,765 a night. Some highlights of our stay included our ocean-view room and access to a black-sand beach. The resort's spa treatments seemed overpriced and some meals were just OK, but our stay was great. On my most recent trip, I stayed at Kona Village. AdvertisementThis was absolutely a splurge: We paid $1,765 per night, which included credits for breakfast each day and tax.

Persons: —, it's, We've, I'm Organizations: Service Locations: Kona, Hawaii, —, Maui, Lanai, Rosewood

☆ I stayed at the hotel recently named the best in the world. After spending $900 for one night, I'm not sure I agree.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Paul Oswell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I stayed at Capella Bangkok two weeks after it was named the best hotel in the world by 50 Best. I had a great stay and think it's one of the best hotels in Bangkok, but not in the world. AdvertisementI happened to be on vacation in Bangkok when the results of the annual World's 50 Best Hotels were announced a few weeks ago. Each year, 50 Best ranks hotels based on votes from a panel of 600 industry experts around the world. It's owned by the luxury hospitality brand Capella Hotel Group, which I was familiar with because I'd stayed at Capella Sydney when it opened in 2023.

Persons: —, I'd Organizations: Capella Bangkok, Service, Capella Hotel Group, Capella Sydney, Capella Locations: Bangkok, Capella Bangkok

☆ I paid $50 for an Eras Tour ticket in Europe. The whole trip was a great value considering what I spent seeing Taylor Swift in the US.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Jamie Davis Smith | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

We spent weeks in Europe and saw the Eras Tour twice for about what we paid to see her in the US. AdvertisementThe world has never seen anything quite like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. Since embarking on the high-grossing tour, Swift has showcased her talents and proved her performances can boost economies and change travel patterns. For example, we saw Swift in Warsaw, Poland, instead of the super-popular Paris or London. Seeing the Eras Tour in the US cost us thousands.

Persons: we'd, —, Taylor, Swift, Kate Green Organizations: Service, Swift's Warsaw, Swifties Locations: Europe, Poland, Warsaw, Paris, London, Philadelphia

☆ A full economic recovery in Asheville and Tampa ravaged by Milton and Helene may happen faster than you think
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Elisabeth Buchwald | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

New York CNN —The economic successes of Asheville, North Carolina and Tampa, Florida, have been the envy of many cities across the United States. Will the economies in hard-hit areas like Asheville and Tampa ever fully recover from the hurricanes? Economic activity plunged in the immediate months following Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, Hurricane Harvey in Houston and Hurricane Irma in Columbia, South Carolina. But within one year after those hurricanes, among the costliest in the US in the last 20 years, economic activity rebounded to levels similar to or greater than before the hurricanes. People could similarly leave parts of Florida if home and flood insurance rates, which have gone up significantly in recent years, continue to jump post Helene and Milton, Kamins told CNN.

Persons: Hurricanes Helene, Milton, Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma, Harvey, Irma, Eric Gay, Helene, Adam Kamins, ” Kamins, Kamins, he’s Organizations: New, New York CNN, Labor Department, Hurricanes, Office, National Guard, Hurricane, ” Local, Moody’s, CNN Locations: New York, Asheville , North Carolina, Tampa , Florida, United States, Will, Asheville, Tampa, New Orleans, Hurricane, Houston, Columbia , South Carolina, Sandy, New Orleans , Louisiana, Texas, ”, ” Local Louisiana, Orleans, Florida, North Carolina

☆ CNBC Sport: Why bars and restaurants are shedding 'Sunday Ticket' subscriptions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Alex Sherman | In Alex-Sherman | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +29 min

As a condition of that deal, EverPass included the right to build its own commercial streaming connection for "Sunday Ticket," bypassing third-party licensing. 1) Some commercial establishments are switching to EverPass's internet product. 2) Some commercial establishments are cutting the cord on pay-TV in general. 3) Certain commercial establishments are using YouTube's "Sunday Ticket" and paying residential prices (about $500 per year) instead of the higher business rates. 3) Certain commercial establishments are using YouTube's "Sunday Ticket" and paying residential prices (about $500 per year) instead of the higher business rates.

Persons: Alex Sherman, DirecTV's, What's, EverPass, Lillian Rizzo, –, Everpass, It's, Craig Kilborn, Val Ackerman, Ackerman, that's, We're, Alex, you've, they're, Jeff Shell, Tom Brady, Tom Wagner, CNBC's Michael Ozanian, Jessica Golden, Brady, He'll, Wagner, Warner, Jake Piazza, CNBC's Rizzo, Nielsen, That's, — Ian Charles, Arctos, Charles, NBC's Peacock, Christian Miller, Miller, Adam Silver doesn't, Jim Dolan, Abu, Greg Norman, Norman, Rory McIlroy, Tiger Woods, Chiney Ogwumike Organizations: CNBC, NFL, Google, YouTube, DirecTV, EverPass Media, RedBird Capital Partners, Amazon Prime, ESPN, Dish Network, Big East Conference, WNBA, Big, CNBC Sport, Skydance, Paramount Global, Shell, Paramount, Las Vegas Raiders, Knighthead, Raiders, Fox Sports, NBA, Warner Bros, Discovery, TNT, MLB, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, Mets, Revenue, League, Golden State Warriors, Boston Celtics, Philadelphia Phillies, Wall Street, Comcast, Puma, NBC News, U.S, SEC, New York Times, Sphere Entertainment, Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, Sports Business, PGA, Chiney, Continent Foundation, Philadelphia Eagles, Kansas City Chiefs, Visual China, Getty, Big East Locations: Apple, New York, American, Boston , Philadelphia, Northern California, U.S, Abu Dhabi, Vegas, Queens, Africa, Newport Beach , California

☆ Universal's Epic Universe theme park set to open in May 2025
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-17 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Universal 's Epic Universe theme park will open its gates on May 22, 2025, in Orlando, Florida. First announced in 2019, Epic Universe represents the single-largest investment Comcast's NBCUniversal has ever made in its theme parks business and in Florida overall, CEO Brian Roberts said at the time. Epic Universe will be anchored around the Loews Hotels' Universal Helios Grand Hotel, a 500-room property that will have a dedicated entrance to the park for hotel guests. This first phase of tickets will allow guests to purchase three-, four- or five-day admission to Universal's Orlando Resort, with one-day admission to Epic Universe. Additionally, annual passholders will have the chance to buy single-day tickets to Epic Universe on Oct. 24 before they go on sale to the general public.

Persons: Harry Potter –, NBCUniversal, Brian Roberts, we're, Karen Irwin Organizations: Magic, Nintendo, Orlando, Universal Studios, Universal Orlando Resort, Loews Hotels, Universal, Comcast, CNBC Locations: Orlando , Florida, Berk, Florida, NBCUniversal

Uber discussed a bid for the $20 billion travel booking company Expedia , CNBC confirmed, in a deal that would push the ride-share company into new markets beyond car travel and food delivery. Expedia is familiar territory for Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who previously served as CEO of the travel group from 2005 to 2017. Expedia reported $28.8 billion total gross bookings in its second-quarter results in August. An acquisition of Expedia would be a "‘major strategic home run" for Uber, Dan Ives, Wedbush Securities managing partner, told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Thursday. "I think they're going to be on the hunt for M&A."

Persons: Uber, Dara Khosrowshahi, Khosrowshahi, Expedia, Dan Ives, CNBC's, they're, Ives Organizations: CNBC, Financial Times, Wedbush Securities

☆ Disney’s new all-access, skip-the-line plan can cost more than the park ticket does
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Natasha Chen | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

For example, it will cost $137.39 (after tax) to add the Premier Pass to an Animal Kingdom park ticket on a less busy day. EPCOT’s pass would cost more, Hollywood Studios a bit more than that, with the most expensive Premier Pass at Magic Kingdom. To buy a Premier Pass for the Magic Kingdom park on a very busy day such as Christmas would cost $478.19 (after tax) in addition to your park ticket. At Universal Studios Hollywood, which has one theme park with 17 express lines, this pass can cost anywhere from $80 to $170 (not taxable) in addition to the theme park ticket price. The Premier Pass is “priced for someone for whom the time-money tradeoff is different,” Munsil said.

Persons: CNN —, ”, Disney, EPCOT’s, Allen J, what’s, CNN Don Munsil, Munsil, ” Munsil Organizations: CNN, Lightning, Disney, Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Hollywood Studios, Magic Kingdom, Los Angeles Times, Disney Food, The Universal Studios, Universal, Busch Gardens, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Resort Orlando, Universal Orlando, Royal Pacific Locations: Florida, California, Animal, Animal Kingdom, Magic, Disney California, ”, SeaWorld, Portofino

But Clark and others in Asheville’s music scene — which has a spunky, up-and-coming reputation — foresee a long recovery ahead. A key question now is how to rebuild lives and livelihoods in Asheville as attention on the region wanes. Debris covers the River Arts District in Asheville, an area popular among artists and musicians. Tim Gormley, who co-owns Burial Beer Co., decided to scrap Burnpile, a music and beer festival that he called his company’s annual “Super Bowl” event. Burial Beer Co.'s Burnpile festival typically draws crowds every fall, but this year's was canceled after Hurricane Helene.

Persons: Kenny Clark, “, ”, Clark, Hurricane Helene, Miranda, Liz Tallent, Grant Halverson, won’t, Tallent, Orange Peel, Katie Cornell, ArtsAVL, “ We’re, Mario Tama, Cornell, Tim Gormley, “ It’s, Gormley, Helene, Anthony Thomas, —, Thomas Organizations: Asheville, Orange, Arts, Cornell, Getty Locations: Nashville , Tennessee, North Carolina, Hurricane, Nashville, Asheville . The, Peel, Asheville, N.C, Tennessee, Charlotte, Raleigh, YMI, American

☆ I'm a 2-time college dropout and I followed this unusual career advice to land my dream job working in a national park
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Megan Wright didn't know what she wanted to do until she discovered seasonal work in national parks. AdvertisementThis as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Megan Wright, a 29-year-old from Texas who works seasonal jobs in or near national parks. We always joke that you've got to be a little weird to get into seasonal work. I met my fiancé at the Grand Canyon and he was also doing seasonal work. I may not do seasonal work forever, but it's great for nowThere are some people who do seasonal work forever.

Persons: Megan Wright didn't, —, Megan Wright, I've, Wright, you've, who've, There's Organizations: Service, National Park Service, Xanterra, Business Locations: Texas, Yosemite, Death, Zion, Death Valley, I've, Moab , Utah, California, Utah

☆ The most haunted home in every US state
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Priyanka Rajput | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Business Insider identified haunted homes in every US state via various paranormal sighting reports. The haunted homes industry in the US reportedly checks in at least $300 million annually. In America, haunted homes are not only a staple of the spooky season; they can be highly lucrative and raise a town's profile as a tourist destination. To find the most haunted home in every state, Business Insider considered properties that are known locally for their spooky occurrences or ghost sightings, or ones with horrifying backstories. From abandoned mansions to historic hotels, here's where the spookiest haunted home is hiding in every US state.

Persons: —, Lucy Yang Organizations: Service, Ohio State Reformatory, Mansfield Reformatory Preservation Society, Business Locations: America, Mansfield, here's

☆ NYC's short-term rental ban slashed Airbnb listings. A year later, it's unclear if it's made housing more affordable.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Eliza Relman | Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

It's been a year since New York City began enforcing its near-ban on short-term rentals, including Airbnbs. While the number of short-term rentals has plummeted, the effect on the housing market is unclear. AdvertisementNew York City's ban on most short-term rentals was supposed to make housing cheaper in the city. In September 2023, NYC began enforcing new regulations — known as Local Law 18 or LL18 — that severely restricted short-term rentals. With so many Airbnbs out of the short-term rental picture, they've been able to charge more.

Persons: It's, Airbnb, —, it's, Ben Kallos, LL18, they've, Sean Hennessey, Jonathan M, that's, they're, Paul, who's, Paul —, Theo Yedinsky, Yedinsky, Eric Adams Organizations: New, Service, New York Times, New York, Tisch Center of Hospitality, Facebook, Business, York City Locations: New York City, York, New, Astoria, Queens, San Diego, Mission Beach

☆ Hong Kong leader announces measures to address housing crisis in annual policy address
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-16 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu delivers his annual policy address at the Legislative Council on Oct. 16, 2024, in Hong Kong. Hong Kong chief executive John Lee announced moves aimed at addressing the city's housing affordability crisis, calling it "an issue of great public concern" in an annual policy address on Wednesday. Under the plan, the Hong Kong Housing Authority will allocate an extra ballot number to applicants aged below 40 — a move that will increase their chances of being selected for the city's subsidized Home Ownership Scheme flats. He also said the government expects to complete about 9,500 new public housing units next year, moving toward a goal of completing about 30,000 units by 2027-2028. The current wait time for a public housing unit in Hong Kong is 5.5 years.

Persons: John Lee Ka, chiu, John Lee, Hong Kongers, Lee Organizations: Legislative, Hong, Hong Kong Housing Authority Locations: Hong Kong, Hong Kong . Hong Kong

You can check your first bag free on Delta flights, saving up to $70 on a round-trip Delta flight per person. The exceptions are flights to South America, as well as transatlantic and transpacific flights, which allow a carry-on bag. Spirit AirlinesFees for checked and carry-on baggageSpirit charges varying fees for checked bags and carry-on bags. Opt for a carry-on bag whenever possible, as most airlines allow at least one free carry-on bag. Oversized bags: Fees for oversized bags depend on the bag's dimensions.

Persons: aren't, Doesn't, stow, Miles, it's, Harlan Vaughn Harlan Vaughn, he’s, Harlan, Read Organizations: Business Insider, Citi, Mastercard, JetBlue, Alaska Airlines, U.S . Airlines, American Airlines, U.S, U.S ., Airlines, Delta Airlines, United, New Zealand, Delta, Express Card, U.S . Supermarkets, PayPal, United Airlines, United ®, United Club, ℠, FDIC, Southwest Airlines, Southwest ®, Rapid, Southwest, Rapid Rewards, JetBlue Plus, Card, Alaska, Spirit Airlines, Chase, American Express, Frontier Airlines, Frontier, American, Citi ® Locations: Puerto Rico, U.S, U.S . Virgin, Canada, Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, Guyana, Cuba, North America, South America, China, Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, India, New Zealand, Europe, Israel, Qatar, Australia, Suriname, Panama, San Pedro Sula, Honduras, San Salvador, El, North, South, North Africa, South Africa, Emirates, New, Brazil, East, Africa, Asia, Central, delta.com, Delta, California , Idaho , Oregon, Washington, Dallas , Texas

☆ The Panda Factories
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Mara Hvistendahl | Joy Dong | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +30 min

They show that, from the beginning, zoos saw panda cubs as a pathway to visitors, prestige and merchandise sales. Panda keepers with cubs at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding, in China, in 2022. A Chinese giant panda at the Panda Park in Al Khor, in Qatar, in 2022. Smithsonian Institution Archives A panda wakes up from anesthesia in March 1999 during a seminal study by American and Chinese researchers into panda breeding. Smithsonian Institution Archives Giant panda Mei Xiang taken out of the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Wolong, Sichuan Province, in 2000, for shipment to the National Zoo in Washington.

Persons: Ariana Drehsler, Kati Loeffler, “, ’, Loeffler, Kimberly Terrell, ”, Terrell, Soraya, Xin Bao, zookeepers, Richard M, Nixon, Pat Nixon, Annalisa Meyer, Melissa Songer, Heather Bacon, Bacon, Don Kohlbauer, JoGayle Howard, Darting, Howard, Ping Ping, Thomas Hildebrandt, Dr, Hildebrandt, Lei Lei, Meyer, Lung Yuan Chih, Lung, James Ayala, . Hildebrandt, Ayala, interjected, Mei Xiang, Ken Cedeno, Tian Tian, Xiang, David Wildt, Mei, Mei Xiang vomited, Qi Ji, Agnes Bun, scrawled, Pierre Comizzoli, Mads Frost Bertelsen, Meng Lan, Su Weizhong Organizations: Zoo Washington, Factories, Chengdu Research Base, Archives San Diego Zoo, The New York Times Chengdu Research Base, China, National Zoo, New York Times, Smithsonian Institution, Times, Pandas, Agence France, Memphis Zoo, Tulane University, Smithsonian, San Diego Zoo, The New York, Smithsonian . Pandas, Zoo, Associated Press, University of Central, Bear Care Group, China Conservation and Research Center, San Diego Union Tribune, Feature, Future Publishing, Getty, U.S . Fish, Wildlife Service, ”, Leibniz Institute for Zoo, Wildlife Research, National Zoo Washington, Institution Archives Chengdu Research Base, Breed, The New York Times, Beijing Zoo, Tsinghua University, Animal Studies, Visitors, New York Times China Conservation and Research Center, Smithsonian National, Associated, Smithsonian’s, and Wildlife Service, National, Fujifilm, Smithsonian Institution Archives, Reuters, Smithsonian Channel, “, Copenhagen Zoo Locations: China, Chengdu, Sichuan, Archives San Diego Zoo California, Washington, Louisiana, Japan, San Diego, San Francisco, Indonesia, Qatar, Al Khor, University of Central Lancashire, England, U.S, San, Fuzhou, United States, Feature China, Sichuan Province, Beijing, Berlin ., Wolong, Taiwan, American, estrus, New York Times China, Europe, Washington ,, Washington , DC, Beijing Zoo Beijing

☆ Prague bans bar crawls to discourage ‘drunk’ tourists
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Francesca Street | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Prague, a city as famous for its beer as its historic architecture, is set to ban late-night bar crawls, seeking to end its reputation as a party destination. Prague’s deputy mayor, Jiri Pospisil, said the city wants to discourage tourists who come “for a short time only to get drunk” in favor of “a more cultured, wealthier tourist,” according to the AFP news agency. The news, announced on Monday, follows complaints from residents in Prague 1, the city’s historic district – home to the UNESCO-protected Old Town Square, Prague Castle and the Charles Bridge – over noise caused by rowdy pub crawls. Prague joins many cities across Europe that have been pushing back against tourists in recent months. Officials in Venice, Italy recently limited tour group sizes to 25 people and banned megaphones, while Barcelona’s mayor plans to end apartment rentals for tourists by 2028.

Persons: Jiri Pospisil, Zdenek Hrib, Charles, Vaclav Starek, Starek, ” Simon Old, ” Organizations: CNN —, AFP, UNESCO, Czech Association of Hotels, Brits, stags, ”, CNN Travel Locations: CNN — Prague, Czech, Prague, Europe, Venice, Italy

☆ Hotel chains are launching ultra-luxury cruise ships. Here's how the newest entrant plans to compete with Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Brittany Chang | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . The hotel company plans to venture out to sea with its first luxury cruise ship, set to debut in early 2025. Grupo Vidanta's new cruise arm, VidantaWorld, has some luxe promises for its first floating resort. The 500-foot-long vessel, called Elegant, would have amenities like three pools, 13 restaurants and bars, and an almost one-to-one crew-to-guest ratio.

Persons: — Organizations: Grupo Vidanta, Ritz, Service, Grupo Locations: Mexico, Cabos

☆ Inside a high-tech parking garage where robots valet park your car
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Ray Parisi | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Five bays equipped with self-serve kiosks provide entry and exit to the building's automated parking garage. Automated parking is a growing trend in high-end real estate where buildings from New York to Miami now come equipped with kiosks, car lifts and car-parking robots. One of five car lifts inside the automated parking system. The AGVs are essentially free roaming, self-charging, robo-parkers that use vision systems, lifts and lasers to precisely park and retrieve cars. An AGV prepares to park a Ferrari inside the Brickell House's automated parking system.

Persons: Ginger Monteleone, Monteleone, ParkPlus, Peter Manis, Manis, Billionaire Palmer Luckey, Luckey, Palmer Organizations: Brickell House, CNBC, Grand View Research, ParkPlus, Brickell, Ferrari, VR, Anduril Industries, Anduril Industries CNBC Locations: Miami, New York, Manhattan, North America, Brickell, ParkPlus Florida, Newport Beach , California

☆ I stayed at a Gilded Age hotel built by a railroad tycoon. It was cozy but the $478-a-night cost felt steep.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-15 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I recently stayed at The Inn at St. John, a historic hotel in Portland, Maine. We stayed at the inn during one of the busiest Portland weekends, making the cost higher. Described on the hotel's website as a charming Victorian-era inn, The Inn at St. John was established by railroad tycoon John Deering in 1897, toward the end of the Gilded Age. Now, the hotel claims the title of being the oldest continually operating hotel in Portland. Here's what it was like to stay at The Inn at St. John in Portland, Maine.

Persons: —, John, John Deering Organizations: Service Locations: St, Portland , Maine, Portland, Connecticut, John

☆ I'm the CEO of a remote-first company. I'll never ask my employees to return to the office.
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-14 | by ( Jyoti Mann | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Landau used to be pro-office but says remote working has helped his employees' work-life balance. AdvertisementThe world is my oyster for recruitmentAs the company grew, I became increasingly enamored with remote work. Most Park My Fleet employees are US-based, but we have tech teams in Costa Rica and Israel. I don't think there's anything wrong with in-person office work; it makes sense in certain environments. As an employee who joined a company as a remote worker, it would feel like a bait-and-switch move if the CEO then decided to change the remote work policy.

Persons: Mike Landau, Landau, —, I've, we've, RTO, that's Organizations: BI, Service, Business Locations: Costa Rica, Israel, Europe

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