Americans swat away high fuel prices and gear up for record July 4 travels | Business and Economy News

Americans swat away high fuel prices and gear up for record July 4 travels | Business and Economy News

Record 71 million people are expected to travel on upcoming long weekend, a growth trajectory similar to pre-pandemic. High fuel costs and the threat of a hurricane are not expected to dampen Americans’ desire to hit the road, with vacationers preparing for record travel to kick off Fourth of July…

‘Refuge of the last dreamers’: Luang Prabang, a city suspended in time | Arts and Culture

‘Refuge of the last dreamers’: Luang Prabang, a city suspended in time | Arts and Culture

A new day breaks to the rhythmic shuffling of bare feet upon the ground. Like an apparition from centuries past, a procession of several hundred shaven-headed monks emerges through the dawn mist, snaking its way through the sleepy narrow streets. Buddhist locals line the route to make their daily offerings…

Dubai’s ruler announces construction of world’s largest airport terminal | Aviation News

Dubai’s ruler announces construction of world’s largest airport terminal | Aviation News

Al Maktoum International Airport is envisaged to have capacity for 260 million passengers upon completion. Dubai has started work on a $35bn airport terminal that is set to have the world’s largest capacity upon completion, the emirate’s ruler has said. Dubai’s Prime Minister and Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid…

Thousands protest against over-tourism in Spain’s Canary Islands | Tourism News

Thousands protest against over-tourism in Spain’s Canary Islands | Tourism News

Demonstrators say mass tourism is overwhelming the Atlantic archipelago. Tens of thousands of demonstrators have hit the streets of Spain’s Canary Islands to demand changes to the model of mass tourism they say is overwhelming the Atlantic archipelago. An estimated 57,000 people joined the protests, which began at midday (11:00…

How one Mexican beach town saved itself from ‘death by tourism’ | Sustainability

How one Mexican beach town saved itself from ‘death by tourism’ | Sustainability

Puerto Escondido, Mexico – With its bucolic beaches, lush greenery and kaleidoscopic sunsets, it is not difficult to see why the remote tropical paradise of Puerto Escondido has become so popular. The coastline, tucked away on the southern Pacific hip of Mexico’s Oaxaca region, is a mecca for surfers, bar…

Tourist numbers up in post-war Afghanistan | Tourism News

Tourist numbers up in post-war Afghanistan | Tourism News

His soldier son toured Afghanistan with fighters in his crosshairs, but US traveller Oscar Wells has a different objective – sightseeing promoted by the Taliban’s fledgling tourism sector. Marvelling at the 15th century Blue Mosque in northern Mazar-i-Sharif, 65-year-old Wells is among a small but rising number of travellers visiting…

Malaysia’s airport fee hikes leave bad taste in travellers’ mouths | Tourism News

Malaysia’s airport fee hikes leave bad taste in travellers’ mouths | Tourism News

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Entrepreneur Jehan Abu Bakar is fuming that she will soon have to pay more in airport fees whenever she flies from her home in Malaysia to other countries in Southeast Asia. Jehan, the founder of the organic soap company LeStarry Natural, said any increases should be…

Old ways survive in Bali despite mass tourism, but for how long? | Arts and Culture News

Old ways survive in Bali despite mass tourism, but for how long? | Arts and Culture News

Bali, Indonesia – At dawn, as the first shards of light dance over the rice fields in the seaside village of Seseh on Bali’s west coast, Putu and her husband Made, who like many Indonesians go by one name only, spend an hour reciting prayers and distributing small palm leaf…

Thailand sees Chinese tourism soar as visa requirement dropped | Tourism News

Thailand sees Chinese tourism soar as visa requirement dropped | Tourism News

Bangkok, Thailand – Bangkok’s Chinatown, lit up by red-lanterns and decorative banners to celebrate the Lunar New Year holidays, is bustling. As the region welcomed the Year of the Dragon last weekend, ethnic Chinese Thais thronged temples to light candles and pray for good fortune. Inside the glowing red interior…

‘Nothing left’: Indonesia’s tourism industry fears wipeout under tax hike | Tourism News

‘Nothing left’: Indonesia’s tourism industry fears wipeout under tax hike | Tourism News

Jakarta, Indonesia –  After spa therapist Murniyati survived COVID-19 on a sparse salary, she thought the worst was over. But after the Indonesian government’s announcement of a steep rise in taxes on entertainment services, she fears the salon where she works could be forced to close, leaving her unemployed. “My…