Since our American family moved from South Carolina to Madrid, I've been slowly adapting to all things Spain.
19.07.2024 - 23:56 / insider.com
Too many tourists visit the world's hottest destinations, from Italy to Amsterdam and Barcelona. As a result, locals regularly endure massive crowds, traffic jams, and increased living costs.
Travel sustainability experts previously told Business Insider that overtourism negatively impacts destinations. People love to visit historic cities in Europe and popular national parks around the US, but these places simply weren't built to serve the millions of travelers going there during peak seasons.
It's gotten so bad that popular vacation spots are actively trying to deter visitors rather than attract them.
Destinations use several tactics to curb tourists, from charging fees and limiting visitors to implementing reservation systems and banning large cruise ships.
However, local governments and residents of some hot spots have incorporated more unique strategies to keep tourists away.
Since our American family moved from South Carolina to Madrid, I've been slowly adapting to all things Spain.
Presented by Capital One
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation voted to pass a bill that, if it receives a majority vote in the Senate, would prohibit hotel and vacation rental companies from advertising unfair and deceptive pricing — aka booking "junk fees."
Right now, domestic airlines treat traveling families differently. A handful, such as JetBlue Airways, American Airlines and Alaska Airlines, guarantee that parents can sit next to their children. But on the others, parents are left to pay for more expensive assigned seats or to bank on the good will of strangers.
Make 2025 the year you realize your travel dream. Maybe that's flying in a helicopter to an Alaskan glacier where you can ride on a dogsled pulled by adorable huskies. Or, perhaps it's sipping wine at vineyards across Italy, Spain and France. Your bucket list might simply include visits to new countries across the globe, such as Japan, New Zealand or Thailand, or be as specific as watching the sun set over Hawaii's Haleakala Crater or snorkeling amid brightly colored coral and fish in Bonaire's Marine Park.
In Tuscany, the Val d’Orcia, with its rolling fields and untouched landscape beneath the dormant volcano of Monte Amiata, seems created for photo ops. Within it, the town of Pienza is one of the finest examples of Renaissance architecture, designed by the famed Bernardo Gambarelli, better known as Bernardo Rossellino, in white travertine marble and surrounded by palazzi which he also built.
As we were preparing to land at Orlando International Airport (MCO) during a recent Delta Air Lines flight, a friendly attendant handed me and a few other passengers a card with a handwritten thank-you note on the back. I had never received such a note, nor had I known they existed. I immediately texted my trusted co-worker and fellow frequent flyer Clint Henderson for some insight.
This summer has been tough for vacationing travelers, with overcrowding, heat, hurricanes, fires, you name it. But if you’re still looking to get away, there are places where the weather right now is great, the crowds palatable and the destination itself is at its best. Here, six off-the-beaten-track spots around the world for an end-of-summer vacation.
Southwest Airlines just announced a monumental shift in its passenger experience. The Dallas-based carrier said on July 25 that it plans to soon introduce seat assignments, as well as premium extra-legroom areas on board its fleet of narrow-body aircraft.
American Airlines is trying to make it easier to travel with mobility devices.
The share of hotels sold via the direct channel in Spain increased by an average of 18% during the summer of 2024 over other channels thanks to the determination of the hoteliers to improve the profitability of the hotels again, according to data from Mirai. Although during the initial weeks of the UEFA Euro Cup 2024 sales growth slowed down, probably also due to the bad weather in Spain, in the last few days the company has observed that growth is picking up again. This rebound suggests a potentially very positive last-minute booking trend in most tourist destinations.
With incredible food and wine, idyllic villages, and stunning scenery, Italy is always a good idea. Many travelers seem to agree, choosing to spend their hard-earned PTO exploring this popular European destination.