We are always on the look out for new destinations for our audience of solo travelers so here is a collection of some places to be in 2019!
MALAWI AND EAST AFRICA
East Africa is an upcoming destination for the intrepid traveller who prefers to travel alone. Countries such as Malawi are excellent as an introduction to Africa. There is good infrastructure there and plenty of budget style hostels for all.
It is easy – if slow – to travel around using public transport. Wherever you decide to go, there will always be some form of transport going your way, be it a smart coach or the back of a pickup, it’s how most of the local folk get around.
English is widely spoken and people are helpful – even more so if they see you are travelling alone. Many African women travel a lot, buying and selling, you are quite likely to be taken under the wing of one who will feel sorry for you being without a friend to travel with!
Things are not set up just to cater for rich tourists, there are plenty of cheap hotels and guesthouses you can stay in, even in quite small towns. You don’t need to book a room in advance unless you are going somewhere popular at a busy time – like Zanzibar for Xmas.
There are less independent tourists than in, say, Thailand, but there are a fair few, and most of them are visiting the same places. Look on a map, there aren’t that many roads so it’s quite hard to get off the beaten track! I’ve never had problems meeting other foreigners, either to share a meal with, or to travel with for a few days. If people are travelling in the same general direction as you, it’s not uncommon to keep bumping into them over and again, which is fun. Because there are less of you, you’re more likely to talk to each other.
If you do head to East Africa then make sure you have comprehensive cover like 90 days travel insurance in case you run into problems.
We love East Africa and it gets to you like no other place I’ve visited – but its not easy to travel there independently. I go once or twice a year but use a travel consultant now to book everthing for us. Only on our first trip in 2006 did we travel as we usually do – i.e. get a flight there and wing it thereafter. We wasted a lot of time and money trying to find accommodation and arranging things. We haven’t tried to do this since because its just more cost-effective to have things organised before we get there.
As always, my tips are designed to help you save money. So that the Big Apple doesn’t take a big bite out of your wallet, here’s my take on the best of budget New York City for solo travelers.
New York is a good idea any time of year, but during the winter months this incredible city can get pretty cold. With a little determination and a lot of warm layers, winter in NYC can be an amazing time to visit. Here are ten amazing things to do in NYC this winter to help you escape the cold – or make the most of it!
Check Out the Views
Whatever time of year it is, New York has one of the most iconic skylines in the world. And soaking up the views from one of the city’s towering skyscrapers should be top of every visitor’s list. The question is, do you choose the Empire State Building or the Top of the Rock at the Rockefeller Center – or both? Both options have incredible views, but there’s a bit more space on top of the Rockefeller Center and you can see the Empire State Building from it which might make for a better photo.
Uncover a Hidden Gem at an Indoor Market
Shopping in New York is the perfect way to escape the winter cold, and NYC is full of amazing markets which offer all kinds of unique shopping experiences. Head to Chelsea Market for a great range of cafés and quirky shops. Or go in search of a bargain at the Brooklyn Flea, which moves inside to Industry City during the cold months.
Walk the High Line
At all times of year, Chelsea’s High Line park makes for a beautiful walk. A 1.45-mile-long elevated linear park, the High Line was built along an old railway line and has some lovely views of the city.
Hit the Museums
Make sure you have adequate travel cover
The United States healthcare is one of the most expensive in the world. It doesn’t matter where you are from, you will need travel insurance over 90 cover for any unforseen medical issues.
New York is well known for its museums and art galleries – of which there are dozens. Must-sees include the American Museum of Natural History, the Guggenheim, and the MoMA (Museum of Modern At). There are also lots of unusual museums in New York to discover, like the miniature Mmuseumm, which is housed in a disused freight elevator.
Discover a Winter Festival
Discover a Winter Festival
There’s always something happening in New York – and a bit of bad weather isn’t about to put a stop to that. From winter carnivals and holiday festivals, to art shows and concerts, there are endless winter events to keep you busy. Check out the Time Out listings to see what’s on when you visit.
Eat Your Way Around NYC Restaurant Week
Eat Your Way Around NYC Restaurant Week
Speaking of New York events, winter sees the city host the incredible NYC Restaurant Week (22nd January – 9th February 2018). Restaurants across the city offer special, fixed-price menus starting from $25 and celebrating the very best food in New York.
Go Sledding
Go Sledding
Although NYC is pretty flat, there are still a few great sledding spots to be found when the snow days hit. Most popular is Pilgrim Hill in Central Park, or there’s Inwood Hill Park in Uptown and Prospect Park’s Long Meadow over in Brooklyn.
Rockettes
See the Rockettes
Founded in 1925, the Rockettes have been performing at New York’s Radio City Music Hall since 1932. This precision dance company always put on a good show, but the annual Christmas Spectacular is truly iconic and a must-do during an NYC winter visit.
Botanical Garden
Escape the Cold at New York Botanical Garden
The greenhouses at the New York Botanical Garden offer the perfect respite from the cold, with lush tropical climates and an abundance of beautiful nature to discover. Plus there are events on all winter long, including the incredible annual Orchid Show (3rd March – 22nd April 2018).
Getting Around New York City on the Cheap
Balancing safety with your budget is important when you travel solo. The New York transit system works well and is generally very safe. Yellow cabs are expensive but safe. Uber and Lyft are a somewhat less expensive option to cabs and have their safety system built in through the rating process. I don’t recommend ever getting into an unmarked cab though I have often been offered one in New York.
From the airport to the city. This article gives you information on traveling from all NYC airports via public transit. In some cases the GO Airlink Shuttle is a better deal in terms of time and money.
NEW – Uber from the airport. I normally take the train from Newark Airport to Penn Station and then hop on NY Transit to my destination. But my plane was delayed on this occasion and I had meetings at the New York Times Travel Show so I first checked on the cost of a taxi (US$55 + tolls) and then called an Uber which cost US$51 all in. It took me to midtown where I was staying at the St. Giles Tuscany Hotel. They have an entire section of their site called Go Solo Go St. Giles. They sponsored my accommodation in the city.
Get a MetroCard. The bus and subway system in New York City is a really efficient way to get around. You can buy a single ride at station kiosks for $3. However, you’ll likely want to check out the Metrocard options for your stay.
Take the people’s ferry. The Staten Island Ferry is free and offers such a great view of the city. It runs 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, with more frequent service during rush hour on weekdays. You can get free WiFi on the ferry and in the ferry terminals. Here’s a post that gives you great information on a Staten Island tour.
Take a bus tour. A Hop On, Hop Off tour is great if you’re short on time or want to get an overview of the city before you dig into its specifics. If I only have a couple of days in a city I generally take one.
Walk and soak up the city. Budget New York City definitely includes walking which is great because there are so many wonderful areas to explore. As you walk, listen for New York as well. It’s unique. Read Fuhgeddaboudit: The Sounds of Travel.
Top Things to do in New York City Traveling Alone
Take a free tour:
Big Apple Greeters. Whatever your interests, with luck, you’ll get a volunteer tour guide who shares them and will show you their beloved New York.
New York By Foot. Free tours but it’s important to tip – I think $5 is the minimum.
Explore the Village. Take one of 28 self-guided tours offered by the Village Alliance. I sure wish they had these as an app, but perhaps that is coming.
Tour Grand Central Station. Every Friday at 12:30 pm, the Grand Central Partnership conducts a 90-minute guided walking tour led by an urban historian.
New York City Pass. There are various options (with and without bus tour) and they often run specials so have a look and see if the New York City Pass will save you money on what you want to do in New York.
Museums. Watch for free times for visiting the many museums in the city. The Museum of Modern Art offers free admission from 4:00-8:00 pm on Fridays. Museum at the Fashion Institute is always free. For a complete list of New York museums and when they’re free go to FreeMuseumDays.
Go to Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. Located on the upper west side, Saint John the Divine is a massive cathedral and a major attraction in the city. It’s free, though donations are appreciated. And, bonus, down the block is the diner featured in the Seinfeld series.
Go shopping and get a deal. Here’s a guide to shopping deals in New York City. You can also check out Time Out’s sample sale page. It’s updated all the time so sometimes the list is long and at other times it’s shorter.
We have some news from around travel world. Remember always take out travel insurance for Turkey when visiting the country.
IS LONDON TOURISM RESILIENT TO TERRORISM?
On June 3, London was struck by a terror attack on London Bridge. As a result, 8 people were killed and 48 injured. In May, a suicide bomber detonated a bomb at the Manchester Arena, killing 23 people. It is clear, that the attacks had to have an impact on London tourism. But how significant was the impact and is the British capital actually a safe city?
PORTUGAL’S TOURISM REVENUE REGISTERED ITS STRONGEST GROWTH OF THE LAST 20 YEARS
Last April, Portugal recorded the biggest increase in spending by foreign tourists since 1997, surpassing for the first time ever the major impacts caused by Expo 98 and the European Football Championship in 2004. The Portugal’s tourism revenue generated by the locals follow the same trend recording 2nd biggest increase since 1997.
CURACAO’S TOURISM REVENUE REMAINS STABLE
During the first four months of 2017, Curacao’s tourism generated US$182.7 million. Compared to the same period last year, the amount represents a drop of 0.8%.
FRENCH TRAVELERS WILL TRAVEL MORE THIS SUMMER
At the beginning of the summer season, tourism professionals have noticed a sharp rise in the amount of vacations booked by French travelers. This is a recovery that mainly benefits the foreign destinations.
FEMALE-ONLY TRAVEL MADE EASIER
The travel and tourism industry is very lucrative and successful. One of its segments is the female-only travel which is becoming a very powerful niche of the tourism industry.
TUNISIAN TOURISM RECOVERY – REVENUES FAR BEHIND
Although the Tunisian tourism recovery that started at the beginning of 2017 is real, the sector’s foreign currency earnings remain low to insignificant.
ITALY: NEW TOURISM STRATEGY BASED ON DIGITALIZATION
Italy has officially presented the 2017-2022 program for tourism. Technology will play an important role to increase the quality and integration of policies with the project called Industry 4.0 to revive the country. The slogan of the new Italian tourism strategy is “Efficiency and Sustainability”.
RUSSIAN INBOUND TOURISM RISING AT THE BEGINNING OF 2017
Russian inbound tourism increased by 17% in the first three months of 2017. A significant part of the tourist traffic were most likely business travelers, according to the evaluation of experts from the RST (Russian Travel Union).
BARCELONA CRUISE BOOM NOT PLEASING THE RESIDENTS
Barcelona cruise tours have been growing in popularity and the number of travelers exploring the Spanish city is booming. However, the residents stand in opposition against rising tourism numbers as well as the cruise ships.
LGBT TOURISM IN BRAZIL GROWS 11% – ABOVE THE SECTOR’S AVERAGE
Showing results that are more significant than the industry’s average, the LGBT tourism in Brazil presents itself as one of the sectors with the greatest development potent
Being a female solo traveller can be an awesome experience, particularly in safer places around the World, but nevertheless, you must still be on your guard, as you could be viewed as an easy target!
Families flock to water parks and couples seek out luxurious destinations, but single folks sometimes get left in the dust. Taking a trip to visit siblings or crashing on a friend’s coach might be fun from time to time, but there’s no reason anyone should miss out on a stellar trip just because they don’t have a partner. Going solo might actually be more fun.
Traveling as an individual means you have a lot more flexibility in terms of plans. It might be inconsiderate to pick a flight that leaves at 5:15 a.m. to save on airfare when going with a pal, but traveling by yourself opens you up to a lot of possibilities. You’re also 100% in charge of the schedule. That means there’s no need to suffer through a museum that makes you want to pull your hair out when you’d rather go for a relaxing boat ride. Nothing planned yet? Travel + Leisure has a great list of its favorite countries for traveling alone to give you some inspiration.
As wonderful as all that freedom is, individual travelers need to be a lot more savvy. If you aren’t careful, you get get mugged or worse. This is another reason why travel insurance for seniors is so important. If something like this does But don’t fear, we’ve compiled some great tips to help keep you safe on vacation. Read up and get ready for one of the best trips you’ll ever take.
1. Research ahead of time
It’s likely that you’ve already read plenty about whichever location you chose, but be sure to go deeper than just information about sites you want to see and hotels in the area. Don’t immediately book a room just because it’s a great deal.
It could be in a rough neighborhood, or there could be some sort of national unrest if you’re headed out of the country. Condé Nast Traveler recommends downloading the Smart Traveler app for your phone. It’s a program designed by the U.S. Department of State that will notify you of any emergencies and features regularly updated travel warnings. There are also a number of other helpful apps you might want to consider.
If you’re checking out an entirely new location, it’s not a bad idea to look into criminal activity as well. Derek E. Baron, a travel blogger, told CBS Chicago that the website Plansify.com is a great resource for finding out about criminal activity from fellow travelers. Like-minded adventurers are going to have the most accurate and reliable information about what the area is really like.
And just because you’re in an unfamiliar city or country does not mean you should assume your regular clothes are most appropriate. Find out about customs and dress before you head out. Independent Traveler said, “don’t draw attention to yourself by wearing flashy clothes or jewelry.” The same goes for obvious tourist attire.
2. Stay connected
While it’s tempting to completely unplug when enjoying a relaxing trip, it’s not the smartest idea for individuals. Emergencies happen. You could lose your luggage or get robbed, so having phone and Internet access is key. AARP Travel insurance recommended you check with your phone service provider before leaving to make sure you’ll be able to get service. If it’s too much of a hassle, renting or purchasing a temporary phone while away is a smart choice.
Social media is another great way to stay in touch while traveling. A few photo uploads and messages to friends keeps them aware of your activities. Many locations have a wide array of Internet cafes to meet your needs, but be aware of what type of information you’re sharing. Nomadic Matt warned public internet often isn’t secure, meaning your personal information could be stolen. That’s not that big of a deal when it comes to Facebook or Instagram, but banking information is a completely different story.
3. Let others know your itinerary
Going over travel plans | Source: iStock
This, of course, means you should have an itinerary. While it might seem juvenile to plan out your whole day, it’ll save you a lot of headache is something goes wrong. USA Today recommended providing friends and family with your day’s schedule and setting up regular times to check in. And don’t forget to provide them with the address of your accommodations.
It’s not a bad idea to let some people around you know of your plans either. AARP Travel suggested you keep a concierge or innkeeper updated on your schedule just in case. It might sound like overkill, but things do go wrong. As an added precaution, U.S. News and World Report suggested registering your itinerary with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program. In the event of major disasters or political unrest, it provides embassies a way to contact you.
4. Be independent
Source: iStock
Man traveling by himself | Source: iStock
While it might sound confusing to suggest self-reliance, you can’t bank on strangers’ trustworthiness. Doing your research ahead of time will help, but you should also arm yourself with some basic tools to help you get around. Rick Steves’ Europe said it’s a good idea to keep money, a guidebook, a map, and a phrase book with you at all times.
Just be smart about when you pull out those tools. Unfolding a massive map on a busy street while nervously glancing around is definitely not a good idea. If you do find yourself lost, don’t just ask a random person on the street. Reader’s Digest said it’s always a better idea to enter a business to ask for directions. Basically, try not to look like a tourist.
5. Limit alcohol consumption
Keep cocktails to a minimum | Source: iStock
Letting loose might be appealing when traveling, especially if work has been particularly stressful. This is one instance where the rules of travel differ for single people, though. Getting drunk when you’re alone just isn’t a good idea. Condé Nast Traveler revealed that some developing countries might mix toxic substances into some of their liquors. And whatever you do, never leave a drink unattended.
That doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy any tasty beverages, though. Just know your limits and make smart choices about when you’ve had enough.
6. Don’t carry all of your personal items
Wallet filled with money and credit cards | Source: iStock
Just because you traveled light and have the ability to carry your license, passport, multiple credit cards, and cash with you at once doesn’t mean you should. TechRepublic pointed out keeping everything in one purse or wallet means it can all get stolen if someone robs you. While it might seem like a pain, utilizing multiple storage locations for your personal items is the best plan.
USA Today recommended keeping money in under-clothing storage like specialized bras and money belts. The story also said it’s a good idea to keep small bills and limit the amount of items you carry in your wallet. And actually use the hotel room safe. It’s a good idea to keep larger amounts of money and your passport under lock and key.
7. Learn emergency numbers in advance
Never be stranded without the proper phone numbers | Source: iStock
It’s better to plan for the worst and have a smooth trip than plan for a smooth trip and have the worst happen. Nomadic Matt suggested you look up the local emergency contact information before you depart, or immediately after you arrive. You probably won’t need it, but you might.
8. Learn some basic self defense
Learning self defense | Source: iStock
Frequently, an assailant is only after money and other valuables. According to The Washington Post, letting the mugger take your purse or wallet is the safest option. It’s probably not your natural reaction, so try to maintain a clear head if someone grabs for your stuff.
In the worst case scenario, you may have to defend yourself. Lifehacker shared a tutorial for some basic moves that anyone can use. But keep in mind, these are for life-threatening emergencies only. If it’s a matter of losing a couple of hundred dollars, take the hit to your wallet.
ANZAC DAY INSPIRES FREE TRAVEL INITIATIVE BETWEEN AUS AND NZ
Australians and New Zealanders might soon not need passports to travel to each other’s countries, as the local tourist industry backed an informal initiative proposed by the New Zealand Internal Affairs Minister, who suggested a strengthening of the relationship between the neighboring countries to Aussie PM Tony Abbott, in celebration of the Anzac Day’s centenary.
TURKISH TOURISM ABOUT TO FACE A DIFFICULT YEAR
Expensive liquor licenses, increasing European fear of terror and a massive drop of bookings by Russian tourists startle the Turkish tourism industry. Some regions close to the Mediterranean Sea.
India is likely to become world leader in business travel. This is the result of a report by Global Business Travel Association (GBTA). BTI Outlook India is the third semi-annual analysis, which compares the current economic events locally and abroad with the impacts they have on the business travel industry in India.
JAPANESE MAGLEV TRAIN BREAKS SPEED RECORD AT 603 KM/H
Japan’s magnetic levitation (Maglev) train from the JR Tokai rail company broke the world speed record for rail vehicles by travelling at 603 km/h (375 mph) for about 10 seconds during a test run on an experimental track in the Yamanashi prefecture, according to local media reports.
GOOGLE TO RULE HOTEL SEARCHES
Google plans on developing a proprietary Google Hotel Finder, which compares hotel prices. Now, whenever you make a Google search you will find its hotel advertisements popping up on its entire organic search results pages.
ITALY: FOREIGN TOURISM IS WORTH 34 BILLION EUROS A YEAR
Foreign tourism in Italy is worth 34 billion Euros a year, and it keeps growing, with an average increase of one billion per year. Moreover, Italians started traveling abroad again. These are some of the incoming and outgoing trends of 2014, according to Bank of Italy, published in a report focusing on tourism and the upcoming Expo.
ZIMBABWE: NEW LOW-COST OPERATORS TO BOOST TOURISM
Industry experts said that the growth of low fare airlines in Zimbabwe is expected to help spur the growth of the tourism sector as connectivity improves and the cost of traveling becomes more affordable.
10,000 TOURISTS VISIT NUCLEAR EXPLOSION-HIT CHERNOBYL ANNUALLY
With dark tourism being on the rise, the interest in Chernobyl for holiday tours is also rising with more than 10,000 visitors annually.
Numerous hotels are taking their guests out to play hunters looking out for food outdoors. The amazing places to forage may include everything ranging from huge mountains for picking berries to lovely woodlands to pick blossoms. The guests are usually accompanied by local foragers who also assist the hotel chefs in the culinary styling. Tourism-Review.com brings 7 hotels featuring wonderful foraging packages.
AFRICAN TOURISM FIGHTING EBOLA AND MEDIA COVERAGE
After years of low sales from the US market largely due to the great recession, business has over the recent past been remarkable good for Alluring Africa a leading tour operator in East & South Africa. Then came the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
ONLY THREE AIRLINES OFFER FREE WIFI
Norwegian, Turkish Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines are the only airlines in the world offering free WiFi on board, according to a study by the company Rumbo.
INFOGRAPHICS: THE 2014 FORMULA 1 RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX
The first Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix in history took place in the Olympic Sochi and exceeded all expectations. The main race on Sunday provided the near 60 000 excited visitors. Exciting race also gave the drivers a proper challenge that they all seemed to enjoy.
MOBILE BOOKINGS GROWING IMMENSELY IN POPULARITY
The recent “Travel Flash Report,” by Criterio, highlighted the importance of the mobile gadgets in the travel and tourism industry. The report was based on 2014 first half data, showing how the consumers made 300 million bookings, worth more than USD 150 billion within the period. The data was retrieved from online travel agencies and online travel suppliers in all the holiday marketplaces.
THE AZORES NAMED NO. 1 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION AGAIN
And the Award for Platinum Quality Coast, 2014-2015 goes to the Portuguese archipelago of nine islands – Azores. The award from Quality Coast, the largest certification programme in the world, identifies destinations that standout in regard to sustainable tourism. This is the first time such an award is being presented.
SPAIN: NUMBER OF MEDICAL TOURISTS TO DOUBLE WITHIN 5 YEARS
The number of medical tourists coming to Spain is expected to double in the next five years. A new public-private partnership ‘SpainCares’ has been proposed to boost the segment and to achieve 200,000 travelers seeking medical care in the country in 2019
EURO DISNEY LOSES 800.000 VISITORS IN ONE YEAR
Euro Disney announces a recapitalization of EUR 1 billion by its American head office, Walt Disney Company. This proposal aims to improve the financial situation of the European subsidiary and allow it to pursue its investments.
BUSINESS TRIP 2030 – ALL HANDLED BY A BUSINESS TRAVEL AGENCY
The business trip of the future will be set up by a consulting travel agency. It will be planned, accompanied and evaluated by a single tool. The entire trip will be green, respect the travelers’ ages and families; use alternative transportation and conveniently get the traveler from point A to point B on time.
RESEARCH: CRUISE INDUSTRY CONTINUES GROWING GLOBALLY
A decade ago, only 12 million people cruised across the globe. However, the amount has grown to an amazing 21.3 million passengers which is a 77% increase.
KASHMIR FLOODS CAUSING A MAJOR BLOW TO THE TOURISM INDUSTRY
What looked like a place straight from the heaven now seems a dirty swamp. This has been going in the mind of every person who has ever been to the city of Srinagar in Kashmir, and visited the iconic Boulevard Road or the Dal Lake.
BIG HOTEL BRANDS DISCOVER LESS KNOWN CHINA
According to a recent report of Knight Frank, the international property consultant, lower-tier Chinese cities are yet to experience international hotel big brand’s expansion. The report explained that the movement to smaller markets is due to high competition in the mainland China, a market dominated by both international and local hotel brands.
TUNISIA LAUNCHES NEW TOURISM TAX
Next month, Tunisia is introducing their new tourism tax. Starting on 1st October, every tourist who comes to the country will be charged a departure tax of 30 dinars (about 13 euros).
HOUSTON IS GROWING AS A MEDICAL TOURISM DESTINATION
According to a recent study initiated by the Texas Medical Center, Houston is attracting a growing number of medical insurance tourists – 20,000 per year.
SPANISH HOTELS ARE THE MOST POPULAR BUT NOT THE CHEAPEST
In September Spain has been the most searched travel destination in Europe. This is the finding of a study by the online travel company Kayak.es. But Cyprus, Malta and Portugal offer better hotel room prices.
TOURISM IN CENTRAL AMERICA HELPS THE ECONOMY AND REDUCES POVERTY
According to the Nicaraguan head of the Ministry of Tourism Integration (SICA), Anasha Campbell, tourism in Central America has had a positive and steady growth for over 10 years and it became the primary sector reducing poverty in the region.
PRICES OF FLIGHT TICKETS EXPECTED TO REMAIN STABLE
According to the travel industry forecast for 2015 by a consulting firm Advito, the flight demand will grow next year due to the improvement of the world economic situation.
5 PLACES TO VISIT WHEN IN CHINA
China is a huge country offering myriad of attractions. Choosing the top destinations for the tourists is essentially impossible. Still, Tourism-Review.com invites you to visit the must-sees of the Chinese world.
Always ensure you have good travel insurance over 90 when you visit Asia.
EUROPEAN AND U.S. TOURISTS AVOID RUSSIA
The current tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine crises take its toll on the tourism sector. The Russian travel agencies reported that about 40-60% fewer US and European holiday makers travelled to Russia in the first six months of this year compared with the number that went there in 2013 during the same period and 3 times fewer Russian tourists traveled abroad.
ROME: HOTEL TAX INCREASE LIKELY TO HIT TOURIST NUMBERS
Rome is still in the eye of the storm after the controversy over warnings from abroad and recent increase of the tourist tax. The capital is under siege; operators and industry associations feel discomfort after the considerable tax rise.
NORWAY LAUNCHES A MOBILE APP FOR THE NORTHERN LIGHTS
One of the biggest attractions of Norway is aurora borealis, commonly known as the Northern Lights. The local tourist board recently, Innovation Norway, announced a new mobile app that will help visitors to experience this natural phenomenon.
CHILE FOCUSING ON SENIOR TRAVELERS TO BOOST TOURISM
The president of Chile, Michelle Bachelet, attended the launch of a new holiday season focusing on elderly people. The project that has been running for 14 years, is supposed to offer the Chilean people “traveling opportunities, continuing the adventure of life, meeting new friends and discovering landscapes.”
AUSTRALIAN TOURISTS SPEND MORE OVERSEAS THAN AT HOME
In recent years, the Australian tourism industry has struggled a lot to convince tourists to travel at home. Though domestic travel numbers have touched record highs, Australians are still more focused on overseas travel. Recently, Tourism Research Australia released the latest domestic visitor survey.
MADAGASCAR PLANS TO ATTRACT 1M VISITORS BY 2020
After years of turmoil Madagascar has finally found political stability and the Ministry of Tourism announced a plan to attract 1 million tourists by 2020. In order to achieve the goal minister Ramarcel Benjamina Ramanantsoa has launched a project that includes a number of measures to prepare the island to accommodate this massive number of arrivals.
BRAZIL ATTRACTS ECO-CONSCIOUS TOURISTS WITH SUSTAINABLE DESTINATIONS
Ecotourism is big part of Brazil’s global growth. The annual increase rates remain between 15-25 percent and according to the World Tourism Organization it outweighs conventional tourism growth.
The Spring Festival or Chinese New Year is coming close – starting on February 19, 2015. Many Chinese towns, big or small are already preparing traditional events that travelers can look forward to.
CRUISE: FOUR NEW SHIPS FOR CARNIVAL CORPORATION
Carnival Corporation recently announced its intention of increasing its fleet capacity by almost 10% from 2014 all the way through to 2016. This new expansion will result in 4 new ships across 4 different brands in a span of less than 18 months.
HOTEL TAX TO INCREASE CONSIDERABLY IN FRANCE
The French Minister for Tourism, Laurent Fabius, announced coming changes to the hotel tax rates that will affect not only the traditional hotels but apartments booked via internet like Airbnb website as well.
INFOGRAPHICS: CHINESE OUTBOUND TRAVELERS DEMOGRAPHICS
In 2013 outbound travel market in China reached 98 million person trips. It means increase of 18% from the previous year. Most of Chinese outbound travelers came from Shanghai, Guangdong, and Beijing, and also form some coastal provinces such as Jiangsu, Zhejiang and etc.
GLOBAL TOURISM ECONOMY FORUM 2014 IN MACAU CLOSED WITH A TREMENDOUS SUCCESS
The Global Tourism Economy Forum • Macau 2014 (the “GTEF” or “Forum”) adjourned this afternoon (28 October), concluding the two-day meeting with tremendous success. As an advanced international platform for tourism exchange and a bridge for multilateral cooperation, this edition has invited over 40 ministerial officials, globally‐renowned corporate leaders, experts and scholars from around the world to address the Forum under the theme “Maritime Silk Road – From Macau We Begin”.
CHINA TO INVEST $16.3 BILLION IN THE SILK ROAD
Centuries-old Silk Road is planned to be revitalized so that it can connect China’s markets spread on three continents – just as it did it in the past. For this, China is ready to invest incredible $16.3 billion in construction of infrastructure including building and expanding railways, roads and pipelines in Chinese provinces covered by the project.
ALITALIA AIRLINE TO BE HEADED BY EX-FERRARI BOSS
Last week, a number of reports have linked Luca Cordero di Montezemolo, the former Ferrari boss, with the future top job at Italy’s Alitalia Airline.
CANCÚN BECOMING THE HUB OF ONLINE AGENCIES
Quintana Roo, one of the Mexican states, has become in recent years the epicenter of online travel agencies ever since they have established their central offices there.
ITALY: ONLINE AND OFFLINE TRAVEL SALES SEEM TO BE BALANCED
Since the end of the summer, several indicators point to a change in the balance between online and offline travel bookings in Italy.
CHRISTMAS IN EUROPE – TRADITIONAL MARKETS ARE MOST POPULAR
From the German and Austrian markets to the Jewish Prague – European tours take the traditional and cultural route for this year’s Christmas.
Guests heading to Europe and the U.S. need to dig deeper in their pockets when paying for hotels. Asian and Latin American hotels on the other hand decreased their rates in the first half of 2014.
With hotels the next biggest expense, travel insurance for the over 80 is set to increase too. Flights are suppose to become cheaper though as the price of fuel drops.
HOW TO WELCOME CHINESE GUESTS: WHAT A CHINESE HOTEL GUEST WANTS
Clearly, Chinese outbound market is a huge one, yet will only increase as time goes by. Tourism Review introduces a simply infographic-guide for hospitality businesses to know how to cheer up your Chinese guests in their hotel.
HERITAGE: Tours: In the Footsteps of Political Icons
PROFESSIONAL: Hotel Chains with Pet Friendly Policies
TRANSPORT: Some Like to Cruise
ETHICAL: Rural Tourism – A Genuine Vacation Trend
DESTINATION: Berlin – Living without the Wall
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NEW ZEALAND REPORTS GROWING VISITOR SPEND
New visitor spend statistics indicate that New Zealand’s tourism industry can now boast being on the right track to reach its objective of nearly doubling tourism revenues by 2015, at least according to the Tourism Industry Association new Zealand (TIA).
USA: NATIONAL PARKS TO RAISE ENTRANCE FEES IN 2015
If you are planning to visit one of the 131 national parks in the U.S. this fall, you will be among the last people to enjoy the low admission fees. The National Park Service has given permission to the parks to raise their entrance fees starting in 2015.
GBTA: BUSINESS TRAVEL SPEND IN CHINA TO GROW 18% IN 2015
The Global Business Travel Association (GBTA) has just released a new GBTA BTI Outlook for China. The Business Travel Index (BTI) is a semi-annual publication that analyses current economic events around the globe and their effect on China’s business travel market.
REPORTED DATA ON TASMANIA TOURISM IS INACCURATE
According to Tourism Tasmania, the Federal Government figures on the number of interstate tourists to Tasmania are wrong and detrimental.
SWITZERLAND CELEBRATING 150 YEARS OF WINTER TOURISM
Switzerland is celebrating 150 years of winter tourism. What started as a small spa getaway now attracts tourists from all over the world in search of fun and extreme sports. Schweiz Tourismus wants to bring the pioneer spirit from the past to the present.
WAIKIKI’S TOURISM INDUSTRY PLANS TO REDUCE HOMELESSNESS
Industry leaders in the tourism sector donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to put an end to Waikiki’s homeless problem. The initiative aims to get hundreds of homeless off the streets in a year’s time.
SCOTLAND: LEASED HOTELS GREW 7.8 %
According to Scottish Development International, a recent research shows that over the past three years, there has been a significant growth in returns for investors as Scottish leased hotels have tremendously grown at 7.8 percent year-on-year. The research goes ahead to report that the total returns from the Scottish hotels have ranked Scotland as the second best market in total investment returns in the leased hotel sector in Europe.
TOP 7 HOTELS WHERE GUESTS FORAGE FOR THEIR FOOD
Numerous hotels are taking their guests out to play hunters looking out for food outdoors. The amazing places to forage may include everything ranging from huge mountains for picking berries to lovely woodlands to pick blossoms. The guests are usually accompanied by local foragers who also assist the hotel chefs in the culinary styling. Tourism-Review.com brings 7 hotels featuring wonderful foraging packages.
AFRICAN TOURISM FIGHTING EBOLA AND MEDIA COVERAGE
After years of low sales from the US market largely due to the great recession, business has over the recent past been remarkable good for Alluring Africa a leading tour operator in East & South Africa. Then came the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
ONLY THREE AIRLINES OFFER FREE WIFI
Norwegian, Turkish Airlines and Hong Kong Airlines are the only airlines in the world offering free WiFi on board, according to a study by the company Rumbo.
INFOGRAPHICS: THE 2014 FORMULA 1 RUSSIAN GRAND PRIX
The first Formula 1 Russian Grand Prix in history took place in the Olympic Sochi and exceeded all expectations. The main race on Sunday provided the near 60 000 excited visitors. Exciting race also gave the drivers a proper challenge that they all seemed to enjoy.
MOBILE BOOKINGS GROWING IMMENSELY IN POPULARITY
The recent “Travel Flash Report,” by Criterio, highlighted the importance of the mobile gadgets in the travel and tourism industry. The report was based on 2014 first half data, showing how the consumers made 300 million bookings, worth more than USD 150 billion within the period. The data was retrieved from online travel agencies and online travel suppliers in all the holiday marketplaces.
THE AZORES NAMED NO. 1 SUSTAINABLE DESTINATION AGAIN
And the Award for Platinum Quality Coast, 2014-2015 goes to the Portuguese archipelago of nine islands – Azores. The award from Quality Coast, the largest certification programme in the world, identifies destinations that standout in regard to sustainable tourism. This is the first time such an award is being presented.
SPAIN: NUMBER OF MEDICAL TOURISTS TO DOUBLE WITHIN 5 YEARS
The number of medical tourists coming to Spain is expected to double in the next five years. A new public-private partnership ‘SpainCares’ has been proposed to boost the segment and to achieve 200,000 travelers seeking medical care in the country in 2019.
EURO DISNEY LOSES 800.000 VISITORS IN ONE YEAR
Euro Disney announces a recapitalization of EUR 1 billion by its American head office, Walt Disney Company. This proposal aims to improve the financial situation of the European subsidiary and allow it to pursue its investments.
A set of photographs showing the destruction of priceless statues recently shocked the world with their depictions of violence and hatred at the hands of extremists in Syria. These images are being seen as a dire warning by many historians who fear the same will soon happen in Iraq; the violence is spreading across the country and those responsible appear to have no regard for the history of the land around them.
SPENDING ON BUSINESS TRAVEL IN THE U.S. TO GROW BY 7%
According to a Visa-sponsored survey conducted by the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), the U.S. business travel spending is expected to grow about 7 percent on year-on-year basis in 2014. The report clearly highlights the relationship between business travel and the country’s economic growth. The study also points out that the U.S. businesses have increased confidence in the country’s economic recovery.
GENERATION Y BUSINESS TRAVELLERS INCREASING IN NUMBER AND INFLUENCE
Business travel is being redefined with the increasing presence and influence of Generation Y. The approach of members of Generation Y to business travel is different in many ways, owing to a number of factors, including technology, a desire to meet new people and explore new places. Gen Y business travel trends are certainly worth considering, given that they make up a third of business flight passengers in the US and have higher travel expenditures than average.
CHINESE TOURISTS ARE HEADING TO NEPAL IN LARGE NUMBERS
A recent report from Nepal’s Tourism Ministry shows that the recent attempts to attract tourists from neighbouring countries through selling low-cost travel with desirable air links has had a great impact. The idea began when the industry saw the need to look towards a new market following the drop in interest from Europe and America, areas still dealing with financial issues. The result was that this Asian market began to see the appeal of Nepal’s geographic location and enhanced flight options and more visitors started to arrive.
PRICING DISAGREEMENT PROVES TO BE A HURDLE FOR NEW RUSSIAN BUDGET AIRLINE
Dobrolyot emerged as a new low-cost airline in Russia only last month, but now they are facing a hurdle with establishing flights to St Petersburg as a result of a pricing disagreement. A news revealed that Dobrolyot was unable to get the low priced servicing charge they needed from St Petersburg’s only airport, Pulkovo.
HOTELIERS ARE FURIOUS: HIGHER TAXES AGAIN
Following the adoption by the National Assembly of an amendment to establish an additional regional tax of 2€ per night and person in Ile-de-France, Roland Heguy, the Confederal President of the Union of Trades and Industries in the Hotel Business (UMIH) is furious.
INCREASE IN TOURISTS FROM EMERGING MARKETS TO CHILE
A study by El Servicio National de Turismo (SERNATUR) shows that in May, Chile enjoyed a 9% increase in foreign visitors. Undersecretary of Tourism, Javiera Montes, explained, “In the fifth month of the year we received 228,542 visitors from other countries, which signified an increase of 9 percent over the same time period in May of 2013.”
TOP 7 OFFICIAL WORLD LEADER RESIDENCES TOURISTS CAN VISIT
More and more official residences belonging to world leaders are opening their doors to tourists. For the world leaders, it’s a great way to lift the building’s world heritage status and show people one of their country’s architectural treasures. For tourists, it’s a great opportunity to explore an iconic national building first-hand, and for many, has become a key attraction to check out when visiting a country. Tourism Review introduces a list of seven world leader residences around the globe available for tourists.
Welcome to solotravel world’s first headline news post, this will become a monthly feature where news from around the web will be posted.
TRAVEL AGENCIES NEED TO RE-EVALUATE THEIR ATTITUDE TOWARDS SOCIAL MEDIA
Technology is a vital resource for tourism brands and companies need to embrace it to stay ahead of the competition and encourage new business: that is the message that has been sent out across the global industry for months following reports and forecasts but it seems some travel agencies are still ignoring the potential of social media. Because the market is so saturated, companies need to establish their niche and clientèle and social media is the ideal way to create an individual, online presence and build on successes.
A NEW ONLINE TREND IN SENIOR TRAVEL BOOKINGS
Online and mobile travel booking is often perceived as being a young man’s game, with some companies understandably targeting the more youthful demographic that seems to be constantly attached to their smartphones; however, research shows that 23% of the total internet population is over 55, a sizeable portion of users that shows that senior travellers are heading online more readily than the tourism industry may have suspected.
IN SEARCH OF THE CHINESE MARKET
Europe has done studies that show that potential Chinese tourists are currently found to be around 100 million people, and experts believe that they will reach 220 million by 2023. Chinese tourists have a special preference for France and they are “obsessed with Bordeaux wines,” a recent analysis done by The Economist indicated.
CRUISES: AUSTRIA GROWS IN RECORD PACE
The number of the booked cruises in Europe reached its all-time high of 6.4 million in 2013. That corresponds to an increase of 4 percent as opposed to 2012 and a doubling of the European cruise ship market in only eight years. The source market Austria – with an absolute emergence of more than 134,000 passengers in the previous, not at all considered a giant – evolved even stronger.
2014 IS A YEAR OF FULL RECOVERY FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL IN ITALY
The forecasting index indicates a more marked progression in the second half of this year. In 2014, the Italian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow by 1 percent with business travel following suit. This is what is shown by the figures of the business travel sector revealed by the Uvet Travel Index, the statistical model developed by the Uvet Group with the scientific back up from The European House – Ambrosetti.
US GROWTH PREDICTIONS RISE DESPITE THE CRIMEAN CRISIS AND AMERICAN STORMS
The problem with creating forecasts for sector growth for the year to come and predicting global travel trends is that any event, big or small, can have an potential effect and positive and negative outcomes can come from unlikely sources. Events that seem so far away and inconsequential to American business travel could have a bigger impact that first imagined but, at the same time, situations much closer to home may not have been as damaging as suspected.
GERMAN OCCUPANCY DATA SHOWS GROWING TREND IN WEEKEND BREAKS
There is a new trend emerging in Germany of visitors spending the night in hotels over the weekend rather than during weekdays. Data for room occupancy in German hotels from the MKG European Hospitality Report shows that rates rose to 67.6%, putting the country only marginally behind the European average of 67.9%.
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