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☆ A look at the behind-the-scenes business of Hollywood studio lot tours
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-31 | by ( Sarah Whitten | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +12 min

Hosted by Universal , Warner Bros. , Sony and Paramount , studio lot tours showcase the movie-making process from set design and sound recording to costumes and props. Building facades at the Warner Bros. studio lot. Floor to ceiling shelves filled with marble and faux marble busts at Warner Bros.' studio tour prop house. Studio Tour Hollywood Grand Re-Opening at Warner Bros. Studios on June 24, 2021 in Burbank, California. For the first six months of their employment with the studio, these pages serve as studio tour guides.

Persons: Tama, Robert Thompson, Adam Burke, Burke, Thompson, Mayer, Sarah Whitten, Tony Tasset, Oz, bauer, Foley, Gilmore, Harry Potter, Matt Winkelmeyer, Paul Dergarabedian, Alfred Hitchcock's, Truman, Benjamin Button, Steven Spielberg, Gabriel Bouys, King Kong, Allen J Organizations: Getty, Hollywood, Syracuse University, Universal, Warner Bros, Sony, Paramount, Los Angeles Tourism Board, Los Angeles Department of Public Works, Sony Pictures, Metro, Goldwyn, CNBC, Social, Sony Pictures Entertainment, CNBC Warner Bros, Warner Bros ., Fantastic, Studios, Turner, Paramount Studios, Bloomberg, Universal Studios, Afp, Universal Studios Hollywood, York, Los Angeles Times Locations: New York City, Los Angeles, Culver City, Central, Burbank , California, Los Angeles , California, York, Hollywood, New York

☆ Turkmenistan’s flaming ‘Gates of Hell’
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-30 | by ( Joe Yogerst | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

Darvaza, Turkmenistan CNN —Rarely does an industrial accident develop into a major tourist attraction. Mysterious originsNo one is quite sure when the gas crater opened, apparently because the Soviet-era reports are missing, incomplete or still confidential. Reaching DarvazaThe gas crater lies a four-hour drive north of Ashgabat, the national capital. Located around a five-minute walk from the crater rim, the camp features yurts with beds and chairs, a shaded dining area and porta-potty/outhouse-style toilets. Garagum lies about a 10-minute walk from the crater rim and even closer to a small rocky mount where visitors can snatch a bird’s-eye-view of the Gates of Hell.

Persons: Hell, Joe Yogerst “, ”, Ged Gillmore, Dylan, wasn’t, George Kourounis, who’s, Kourounis, I’ve, Garagum, “, there’s Organizations: Turkmenistan CNN, Central, Geographic, NASA, futon, CNN Travel Locations: Darvaza, Turkmenistan, Soviet, Central Asian, “, Central Asia, Canadian, Ashgabat, Iwanami_Photos, Bokurdak, Darwaza, porta, Hell

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

☆ The big mistake that can leave you ‘highly disappointed’ with your vacation, says travel agent for billionaires
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Jennifer Liu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

"I think people need to stop following trends, and they need to follow their heart more," India tells CNBC Make It. People of more typical means should avoid falling into the "celebritization of travel," India adds. Instead, India recommends choosing travel spots based on your own passions and what you want to learn more about. Think about what you're reading, watching, listening to and talking about to guide your travel decisions. Where is a place that you can go, try the massages daily, or really go deeper into the culture?"

Persons: Jaclyn Sienna India, Sienna Charles, Beyonce, Jeff Bezos Organizations: Wall Street titans, Hollywood, CNBC, Aspen, Netflix Locations: India, Europe, Egypt, France, Italy, South America, Africa, Southeast Asia

☆ I've been to North Korea more than 180 times. Here's how tourists can stay out of trouble.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Hannah Abraham | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

The first time I went to North Korea, I thought I knew what to expect. AdvertisementIn the two decades since then, I've visited North Korea more than 180 times on various tours and trips — perhaps the most of any Westerner. Pictured with a North Korean tour guide in front of a statue of North Korean leader Kim Il Sung in Pyongyang. Steer clear of comparisons to South KoreaA lot of tourists who come to North Korea have experience in South Korea as well (it's not true that visiting South Korea makes it difficult to enter North Korea). Simon's travel documents on his 180th trip to North Korea - boarding pass for Pyongyang, DPRK visa, and a well-used passport.

Persons: —, Simon Cockerell, I've, Kim Il Sung, you've, — it's, Kim Jong, I'm, they're, Simon, Joss Stone, Steer, haven't, it's Organizations: Service, Business, Pyongyang Airport, South Locations: Koryo, North Korea, Beijing, China, Russia, —, Korean, Pyongyang, Korea, South Korea, DPRK

☆ I went to Venice for the first time. I loved it, but I won't go back due to the massive crowds.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Joey Hadden | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Tourists flock to Venice, Italy, for its canals and historic architecture, causing overtourism. I visited Venice in 2022 and saw how mass tourism negatively impacts residents, so I won't return. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! You can opt-out at any time by visiting our Preferences page or by clicking "unsubscribe" at the bottom of the email. AdvertisementThe reasons tourists travel to Venice, Italy, are obvious.

Persons: —, haven't Organizations: overtourism, Service, Business Locations: Venice, Italy

☆ Traveling to die: The latest form of medical tourism
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-23 | by ( Debwaldman | Kff Health News | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +9 min

At that point, she would have had to travel to Switzerland — or live in the District of Columbia or one of the 10 states where medical aid in dying was legal. (Montana effectively allows aid in dying through a 2009 court decision, but that ruling doesn’t spell out rules around residency. In Oregon, 23 out-of-state residents died using medical assistance in 2023, just over 6% of the state total, according to the Oregon Health Authority. She would’ve preferred to travel from her home in Pennsylvania to neighboring New Jersey for medical aid in dying, but it is allowed there only for state residents. Instead she has arranged to die in Vermont, one of two states that explicitly allow medical aid in dying for nonresidents.

Persons: Francine Milano, she’d, ”, “, Milano, Oncologist Charles Blanke, he’s, ” Blanke, Peg Sandeen, Kris Brackin, would’ve, nonresidents, Eric Harkleroad, Diana Barnard, there’s rescheduling, “ It’s, Anita Hannig, Sandeen, Barnard, Blanke, Airbnbs, Milano hasn’t, Dr, Sanjay Gupta, That’s, she’ll, it’s Organizations: Health, District of Columbia, Vermont Department of Health, Oregon Health Authority, KFF, Craigslist, CNN, CNN Health, KFF Health Locations: Pennsylvania, Vermont, Lancaster, Switzerland, District, Oregon, Montana, New York, California, Portland, U.S, Carolinas, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, America, . Delaware, Burlington, When Oregon

☆ North Korea to reopen for international visitors, tour operators say
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-15 | by ( Dylan Butts | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

North Korea will resume international tourism this winter, ending a COVID-era ban on travelers, according to operators that organize tours to the country. This undated picture released by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) on November 28, 2016 shows North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un (C) standing among skiers in Samjiyun. The efforts could help North Korea with its economic recovery from the devastating impacts of the global pandemic. The only nationalities restricted from travel to North Korea as tourists are citizens of the Republic of Korea. It is likely that an opening of Samjiyon is aimed at attracting Chinese travelers, who constituted the majority of international tourists visiting North Korea before the pandemic.

Persons: Kim Jong, Kim Jong Un Organizations: North, Korean Central News Agency, Department of State, NK News Locations: Koryo, Korean, Beijing, Samjiyon, North Korea, Samjiyun . North Korea, Russian, Koryo Tours, Republic of Korea, The U.S, Pyongyang, U.S

☆ PDX reopening its main new terminal after $2.15 billion renovation
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Forrest Brown | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

At Portland International Airport (PDX), they’ve spent big money aiming to bring the famed Oregon outdoors indoors. The $2.15 billion renovation has several purposes, according to Allison Ferre, media relations manager with the Port of Portland, which runs PDX. What PDX passengers will seeThe airport is attempting to provide an arboreal atmosphere with big trees and a lots of natural sunlight streaming into the overhauled terminal. Ema PeterOne of the first things passengers might notice will be 72 large trees, including black walnut, ficus and olive varieties, disbursed throughout the terminal, Port of Portland said. “PDX is the first and last impression for many of our visitors and the renovation of the main terminal is certain to make it a positive one,” Travel Portland President and CEO Jeff Miller said.

Persons: it’s, they’ve, Allison Ferre, wasn’t, ” Ferre, Ferre, Peter, of, ”, Curtis Robinhold, Celeste Noche, “, Brenda Meade, PDX, There’s, Jeff Miller Organizations: CNN, Pacific, Portland International, Port, TSA, CNN Travel, Mtn, ” Travel Portland Locations: Oregon, Port of Portland, Pacific Northwest, ” Port, Portland, Changi, Singapore, Port, Washington, of Portland, PDX, Portland’s, Coquille

☆ Solar-powered boats are sailing through Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Leah Collins | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

CNN —In a secluded part of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest, river transport is far more common than road travel. “Since the (solar) boats arrived, families have been giving up these motors completely,” he added. Working at an Achuar-owned local business in a remote Amazon community, he saw firsthand the difficulties people had in accessing basic resources such as electricity and transportation. I realized that I wanted to help empower them to reach this goal.”Achuar technicians maintaining the solar boats. “The study came back very positive; the solar boats could work if powered correctly,” he said.

Persons: Kara Solar, ”, Angel Wasump, Kara Solar’s, Oliver Utne, Utne, I’d, “, Kara, Begovic, “ We’d, Tapiatpia ”, Cheryl Martens, ” Kara, Nantu, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, MIT, — Escuela Superior, Universidad San Francisco, Quito —, Institute for Advanced, San Francisco University of Quito Locations: Ecuador, Peru, Quito, “, Minnesota, Pastaza

☆ I was born and raised in the Caribbean. People are wrong to reduce it to sun, sea, and sand.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Mikhaila Friel | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Clarke was born and raised in Port of Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. I was raised in a part of Port of Spain called East Dry River, one of the poorest communities in Trinidad and Tobago. My mom migrated to Canada when I was three years old, so I was raised by my maternal aunt. Tenille ClarkeI want people to know that the Caribbean region is so much more than the sun, sea, and sand. AdvertisementAnd that's the beauty of the Caribbean region — even if you do change your mind, you can still find something that aligns with that new idea.

Persons: —, Tenille Clarke, Clarke, Sean Drakes Organizations: Service, Chambers Media Solutions, Business, Transatlantic Slave Trade, Pearson International Airport, York University, Caribbean Locations: Caribbean, Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, Canada, Toronto, Trinidad, Bahamas, Bermuda, Barbados, Grenada, —

☆ China expects air travel to hit a record in 2024
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Ernestine Siu | In Ernestinesiu | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

China is expected to see a record-level of passenger air travel in 2024, according to the Civil Aviation Administration of China. China is expecting air passenger travel to hit a record in 2024, bouncing past pre-pandemic levels. In the first half of this year, total passenger trips rose nine percent from the same period in 2019, the State Council added, signaling that China's air travel sector has rebounded from the pandemic. The country's projection for 2024 comes in higher than the 619.6 million air passenger trips seen in 2023, according to data released in June by Chinese officials. Meanwhile, the broader Asia-Pacific region's travel sector has seen growth this year thanks to Chinese tourists.

Persons: Zhiyong Organizations: Civil Aviation Administration of, Civil Aviation Administration, Asia Pacific Summit for Aviation Safety, State, Council, Paris Olympic Games Locations: China, Civil Aviation Administration of China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Europe, Asia, Pacific

☆ Monaco is 1 of 6 locations hosting the star-studded E1 — a race thought ‘impossible’ before it began
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Marylou Costa | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

During the Monaco race on July 28, Bernard d'Alessandri, general secretary and managing director of Yacht Club de Monaco, said E1 showcases new technology for boat racing. "Before E1, it was impossible to have a race with electric boats," he said. Acceptance of electric boating among the eliteRacebird creator Sophi Horne said getting the attention of Monaco's boating elite wasn't easy. Team owners Didier Drogba and Tom Brady speak with Alejandro Agag, co-founder and chairman of the E1 Series, ahead of the E1 race in Venice, Italy — the second of the series. The final two E1 races are scheduled to occur in Lake Como, Italy and Hong Kong.

Persons: Shiv, Bernard d'Alessandri, Akin, Racebird, Rodi Basso, Team Rafa, Rafael Nadal, Basso, Prince Albert II of Monaco, Sophi Horne, Cara Delevingne, Lloyd, Horne, they've, …, Will Smith, Marc Anthony, Tom Brady, Didier Drogba, Virat Kohli, Sergio Perez, Steve Aoki, Marcelo Claure —, Alejandro Agag, Italy —, Daniele Venturelli, Brady, Drogba, Nadal, Carlos Duarte, Racebirds Organizations: Port, Media Monaco, Monaco, Yacht Club de Monaco, Formula, Team, NFL, Getty Locations: Monaco, Saudi Arabia, Racebirds, Venice, Italy, Mallorca, Lake Como, Hong Kong

☆ Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin removed from office in shock court ruling
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-14 | by ( Helen Regan | Kocha Olarn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

Bangkok, Thailand CNN —Thailand’s Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin has been removed from office after a court ruled he had violated the constitution, in a shock decision that plunges the kingdom into further political uncertainty. But Wednesday’s ruling shocked political analysts who believed the court would side with the prime minister. Pheu Thai and the establishmentPopulist Pheu Thai is the latest incarnation of parties aligned with divisive former leader Thaksin, who was ousted by the military in a 2005 coup. His dramatic return from a 15-year self-imposed exile last year coincided with the Senate’s vote to appoint Srettha as the country’s 30th prime minister. With Srettha now out of office, political negotiations will restart, with coalition partners jostling for Cabinet positions and the top job.

Persons: Thailand CNN —, Srettha Thavisin, Srettha, Pichit, Thaksin Shinawatra, Thaksin, Wednesday’s, jostling, Pheu, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thaksin’s Organizations: Thailand CNN, Thailand CNN — Thailand’s, Party, Populist, Manchester City Football Club, Pheu Thai Locations: Bangkok, Thailand

A trove of artifacts from Egypt’s last dynasty has been discovered in 63 tombs in the Nile Delta area and experts are working to restore and classify the finds, an official with the country’s antiquities authority said Monday. An Egyptian archaeological mission with the Supreme Council of Antiquities discovered the mud-brick tombs at the Tell al-Deir necropolis in Damietta city in Damietta governorate, the ministry said in a statement last month. The site where 63 mud-brick tombs were discovered at the Tell al-Deir necropolis, in the Nile Delta town of Damietta, Egypt. Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities / APThe Ptolemaic dynasty was Egypt’s last before it became part of the Roman Empire. Egypt exhibited artifacts from the Ptolemaic period for the first time in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo in 2018, with around 300 artifacts on display.

Persons: Neveine el, Arif, Alexander the Great, Ptolemy, Ptolemy I, Cleopatra Organizations: Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, Supreme, of Antiquities, Egypt's, Egyptian Locations: Delta, Deir, Damietta, Damietta governorate, Nile Delta, Egypt, Roman, Macedonia, Cairo

Mr. Pierce wanted to show off a property that he described as “the most important passion in my life”: a once-glamorous beachside resort that he had recently bought for more than $15 million. In its heyday, the resort, a W Hotel, boasted a 6,000-square-foot spa, restaurants run by a Michelin-starred chef and sweeping views of the ocean; it was a key source of tourism jobs in Vieques. Then, in 2017, the hotel was damaged by Hurricane Maria, forcing it to close. Mr. Pierce planned to reopen it, using his crypto riches to revitalize both the glistening property and the local economy. A former child actor, Mr. Pierce knew how to put on a show.

Persons: Brock Pierce, Pierce, Hurricane Maria Organizations: Michelin Locations: Vieques, Puerto Rico

☆ An Se-young: South Korean badminton player wins landmark Olympic gold — then takes shot at country’s governing body
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-12 | by ( Gawon Bae | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

Seoul, South Korea CNN —South Korea’s badminton gold medalist An Se-young envisioned a glorious return from Paris, popping open a bottle of champagne with the coveted medal around her neck. The country was busy celebrating her triumph, until the athlete began calling out alleged mistreatment that she said she had endured for seven years, when she joined the national team. “I was so disappointed,” An said of the national team, accusing it of poorly managing her injuries. South Korea’s badminton team won An’s gold medal in women’s singles and a silver in mixed doubles in Paris. Alex Pantling/Getty ImagesIn Paris, the country had four badminton coaches in addition to head coach Kim who supervised all of Korea’s badminton matches — men’s and women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Persons: peppering, “, China’s, ”, Ahn Young, Li, ning, ning China Masters, Kim Hak, Yonhap, Alex Pantling, Kim, Shim Suk, I’ve Organizations: South Korea CNN, Korean Badminton Association, Olympics, South, La Chapelle Arena Court, Hangzhou Asian Games, Incheon International Airport, Samsung Life, Kumamoto Masters Japan, ning China, News Agency, Investigations, Culture, Tourism Ministry, Games, Korea Sport Locations: Seoul, South Korea, Paris, South, South Korean, Hangzhou, Incheon, Kumamoto, Eastern, Korea

☆ Disney World is entering its villain era
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Lauren Edmonds | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Read previewDisney Experiences Chairman Josh D'Amaro unveiled ambitious plans for Walt Disney World, including new attractions and in-park destinations. Advertisement"As we develop the next generation of Disney Experiences, we're always looking for new ways to tell the stories people love," D'Amaro said. Representatives for Walt Disney World did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Disney beyond FloridaD'Amaro also shared details about how other Disney theme parks would expand. AdvertisementAlthough Disney is investing heavily in its domestic theme parks, it also plans to expand Disneyland Paris and Shanghai Disneyland.

Persons: —, Josh D'Amaro, D'Amaro, Araya Doheny, Disney, who've, we're, Joe Burbank, Indiana Jones, Hugh Johnston, Ron DeSantis, Disney hadn't, Florida D'Amaro, James Cameron's Organizations: Service, Walt Disney, Disney, Lucasfilm, Marvel Studios, Business, Walt Disney World, Central Florida . Magic, Magic Kingdom, Orlando Sentinel, Tribune, Getty Images, Pueblo Esperanza, Hollywood Studios, Pixar, Inc, The Central, Florida Gov, Marvel, Disney California, Shanghai Disneyland Locations: Anaheim , California, Central Florida, Florida, Animal Kingdom, Pueblo, Disney, The Central Florida, California, Paris, Shanghai

☆ Europe inflation may spike on Olympics and Taylor Swift, but UBS says it won't hit locals' wallets
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Sean Conlon | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Kevin Voigt | Getty Images Sport | Getty ImagesThe Olympic Games are causing a surge in prices, but French consumers aren't likely to feel its pinch. "The Olympic Games or a Taylor Swift concert create a sudden demand shock," wrote Paul Donovan, chief economist at UBS Global Wealth Management, in a recent analyst note. But in the days after the closing ceremony, Paris hotel bookings are projected to drop from a year ago. Tourists pass near a banner with the Paris 2024 logo before the start of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games on June 17, 2024 in Paris, France. Paris 2024 may generate as much as $12 billion, or 11.1 billion euros, in long-term economic impact, a recent study from the Centre for Law and Economics of Sport estimated.

Persons: Kevin Voigt, Taylor, Paul Donovan, Taylor Swift, Kevin Mazur, Swift, Donovan, Matthias Hangst, it's, ove Organizations: Eiffel, Getty, UBS, UBS Global Wealth Management, Wembley, Olympics, City of Light, Games, CNBC, —, Olympic, Paralympic Games, Paralympics, Paris, Chesnot, Visa, Paris Olympics, Centre for Law, Sport, Olympic Committee Locations: Paris, France, London, City, Greater Paris, U.S, Triomphe, cardholders, Barcelona

☆ Rethinking Tourism With the Renewal of a Beloved Italian Path
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Elisabetta Povoledo | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In Riomaggiore, one of the five vertigo-inducing villages that make up Cinque Terre, which hug the steep cliffs of Italy’s northwestern coast, just about everyone has a memory of the Via dell’Amore, or Love’s Lane. With breathtaking sunset views, the seacoast trail to neighboring Manarola was popular with local couples. “Otherwise what kind of love lane would it be?” said Marinella Cigliano, a 60-something who remembers getting caught by her mother while making out with a long-ago boyfriend. The only alternatives were oft-crowded trains, ferries or a sweat-inducing path up in the hills. “For us, it was a tragedy,” said Ms. Cigliano, who runs a luggage deposit near the Riomaggiore train station.

Persons: ”, Cigliano, “, Roberta Pecunia, Brizio, Vittoria Capellini’s Organizations: Terre Locations: strollers

☆ Barcelona is banning Airbnbs. Other European cities have cracked down already — with some success.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-11 | by ( Eliza Relman | Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Many experts say short-term rentals, including Airbnbs, are part of the problem, restricting local housing supply and driving up prices. We took a look at three European hubs — Lisbon, Florence, and Amsterdam — that have imposed relatively strict regulations on short-term rentals. Cities have been worried about the impact of short-term rentals on housing costs for years. Instead of a blanket ban, Amsterdam caps the number of nights hosts can rent out their homes at 30 a year. In an increasingly tight housing market, the dominance of short-term rentals acts as an "amplifier," he said.

Persons: —, Airbnb, Lisbon's, João Pereira dos Santos, Pereira dos Santos, Gregory W, Fuller, Florence, Florence's, Dario Nardella, Antonello Romano, Romano Organizations: Service, Business, New York, School of Economics, Finance, Queen Mary University of London, University of Groningen, Wall Street, University of Pisa Locations: Barcelona, Barcelona's, Spanish, New York, Tokyo, Vancouver, London, Paris, — Lisbon, Florence, Amsterdam, Lisbon, New York City, EU, Portugal, Netherlands, Venice

☆ Promises of happier, healthier living drove tourists to Costa Rica in droves. Now, locals say the Blue Zone lifestyle is dying out.
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Katherine Tangalakis-Lippert | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Tourists are flocking to Costa Rica, with visitors trying to get a taste of the Blue Zone lifestyle that promises better-than-average health and longevity. Researchers from Stanford have studied the Nicoya Blue Zone. "It's not uncommon to see people in Nicoya live to be in their 90s, but we're seeing that number slip back down into the 80s." AdvertisementStill, if you're in the region, you will probably see a lot about the Blue Zone as a selling point driving more tourism. "A lot of people are using it for their business — Blue Zone this, Blue Zone that — I'm sure they know what it means, but the lifestyle is something that's fading, unfortunately, because it was all the old-timers keeping it alive," Jones told BI.

Persons: Costa, Thomas Jones, it's, —, Jones, Juan Gabriel, Gabriel, he's, David Rehkopf, Luis Rosero, there's Organizations: Service, Central, Business, Tourism, Bahia Rica, Stanford, Stanford Medicine Magazine, Stanford School of Medicine Locations: Costa Rica, Nicoya, Central American, Paquera, Germany, Spain, France, Norway, Bahia, Costa Rican

☆ China’s Great Wall of Villages
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Muyi Xiao | Agnes Chang | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +14 min

China’s Great Wall of Villages China has moved thousands of people to new settlements on its frontiers. Mr. Akester and Mr. Barnett, who have studied Tibet’s border villages for years, reviewed The Times’s findings. In neighboring Xinjiang and Yunnan, The Times identified six new and 59 expanded border villages. (China says there are hundreds of villages like them, but few details are available and many appear to be mere upgrades of existing villages.) A Times investigation found 12 villages in disputed areas Disputed areas Villages in disputed areas Other villages CHINA CHINA TIBET Arunachal Pradesh Controlled by India Claimed by China BHUTAN INDIA MYANMAR 50 miles CHINA CHINA TIBET Arunachal Pradesh Controlled by India Claimed by China BHUTAN MYANMAR INDIA 75 miles Source: RAIC Labs and The Times analysis of Planet Labs satellite imageryChina makes clear that the villages are there for security.

Persons: ”, Xi Jinping, Bhutan Gyalaphug, Tian Shan Wang, Matthew Akester, Robert Barnett, Akester, Barnett, India Demchok, ” Mr, Xi’s, Brahma Chellaney, Mr, Chellaney, Liu Pengyu, Brian Hart, India Migyitun, Jing Qian, Tenzin, “ Organizations: Daily, New York Times, RAIC Labs, Planet Labs, The Times, SOAS University of London, India, China United Front News Network, Times, ”, Embassy, Local, Planet Labs India, China Power, Center for Strategic, International Studies, Maxar, Center for, Asia Society, Communist Party, Human Rights Watch Locations: China, India, Beijing, Arunachal Pradesh, Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, Central Asia, Southeast Asia, Tajikistan Fumin, Aimin, Vietnam, Luozha county, Shannan, Tibet Autonomous, Fumin, Xinjiang, Yunnan, China’s, CHINA CHINA TIBET Arunachal Pradesh, China BHUTAN INDIA MYANMAR, China BHUTAN MYANMAR INDIA, New Delhi, South China, Washington, ” India, Ladakh, Times, ”, Center for China, Central Asians, Dokha

☆ US to South Korea: TikTok star undergoes 15 beauty treatments in just 3 days
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Steffi Cao | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +12 min

“Getting a plane ticket to Korea to get Botox and filler done is honestly cheaper than getting it done here.”Lee undergoes a beauty treatment in South Korea. Courtesy _Lee @taxinoodle_A screenshot from Lee's TikTok video where she explains the 15 beauty treatments she had done in Seoul. Visitors and vendors discuss beauty products at the K-Beauty Expo, the largest beauty exhibition in South Korea, on October 12, 2023 in Goyang, South Korea. Courtesy _Lee @taxinoodle_Lee receives a consultation — and the requisite "before" shots to compare with post-treatment ones — at a clinic in South Korea. Courtesy _Lee @taxinoodle_Lee always gets her hair dyed ($125) in South Korea because she prefers the pricing and service.

Persons: Yerim Lee, Lee, It’s, ”, ” Lee, “ It’s, Chris Jung, Don’t, —, “, Botox, Jennie, Kim, there’s, @taxinoodle_ Yerim Lee, @taxinoodle_ Lee, TikTok, ‘ Organizations: CNN, . Visitors, Getty Images, South Korean Ministry of Health, Welfare Locations: Seoul, South Korea, New York City, Korea, _Lee, Goyang, Seoul’s Gangnam

☆ 21-year-old left the U.S. for Australia on a working holiday visa—why she says her life is better now
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Celia Fernandez | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Bella Robben has been living in Australia for almost a year. Bella RobbenRobben's original plan was to visit Australia for just one week, but right before the trip she decided to apply for the country's working holiday visa. Bella RobbenIn Australia, Robben says she is able to earn enough to have a life and to save. Now, approaching one year in Australia, Robben says she isn't the same person she was when she first arrived in the country. Bella Robben

Persons: Bella Robben, Robben, Louis, I've, Bella Robben Robben, Port Douglas, that's, it's, she's, I'm Organizations: CNBC, Tourism Board, Student Locations: Australia, St, Louis , Missouri, Peru, Colombia, Europe, Barcelona, London, Lisbon, Melbourne, U.S, Australia's Northern Territory, Robben, Port, Australian, Queensland, Far North Queensland, America, Southeast Asia

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