Northeast Attica in Greece found itself at the mercy of the wildfires once again this year.
13.08.2024 - 10:20 / insider.com
TikTok is helping travelers find new places for a vacation as users increasingly use the app for search rather than just scrolling for entertainment.
That's according to Hannah Bennett, the travel lead in TikTok's global business solutions team. "People are now really leaning into TikTok to search for the next destination, where to travel, and who to fly with," she told Business Insider.
Bennett said that since 2021, TikTok has seen a fivefold increase in views of travel content. In a survey of UK users last year, 82% said the app inspired them to consider new destinations.
Bennett told BI the "destination dupes" trend has been noticeable, with users interested in a location that's "not completely off the beaten track, but somewhere that's a little bit more undiscovered."
Travel companies like Booking.com and Expedia have been leaning into the travel dupe hype with videos on the app promoting alternative destinations.
Idk about you but my idea of romance doesn’t involve crowds…
As examples, Bennett pointed to people choosing to visit Albania or Montenegro instead of Greece or Italy, or the Slovenian capital Ljubljana instead of Prague. Taipei and Zanzibar have also recently seen more traction, she added.
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A record 6.19 million people visited Slovenia last year, and the Zanzibari government's most recent statistics show a 66% increase between February 2022 and this year.
Airlines have also been taking advantage of TikTok's popularity.
Bennett recalled how easyJet capitalized on the virality of scenes from "Airline" — a reality TV show about the budget airline — by reconnecting with its former operations manager Jane Boulton to make a video for TikTok.
She also said she liked how British Airways "championed their crew" in videos, making the company more personable.
All in a day’s work
Northeast Attica in Greece found itself at the mercy of the wildfires once again this year.
Europe's scorching hot summer is showing no signs of cooling down, with Italy facing its warmest weekend of the year so far and heatwave warnings issued in southern France.
Lake Como, in northern Italy, conjures images of glistening blue water, opulent villas and villages where celebrities like Taylor Swift, Travis Kelce, and Amal and George Clooney try to dodge the paparazzi.
There are different approaches to spa holidays, I realise as I arrive at the hot spring wellness complex of Terme Snovik. Most people are dressed in pretty summer clothes, looking clean and relaxed.
Riots have erupted throughout England and Northern Ireland over the past week in the wake of the killing of three children in a small town near Liverpool.A 17-year-old attacked the children with a knife while they attended a dance class. In addition to three dead, eight other kids were wounded in the incident, per media reports.While the alleged perpetrator was born and raised in Britain, rumors had initially circulated on social media that the individual was an immigrant. Since then, more than 400 people have been arrested in connection with violent riots taking place and the U.K.’s National Police Chiefs’ Council has implemented a “united and robust policing response” throughout the country.The riots in the country started in Southport, England, but have since spread to Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Leeds, Belfast, London, and other locations. Media reports have also indicated that the protestors have expressed anti-immigration and Islamophobic sentiments during the riots. Amid these protests, the media has released images of police in riot gear and backdrops of smoke and fire. And now, a flurry of countries have begun issuing travel advisories for the U.K. In an update issued as of August 5, Australia is recommending that its citizens “exercise a high degree of caution” when traveling to the United Kingdom. “Avoid areas where protests are occurring due to the potential for disruption and violence,” says the Australia advisory. “Monitor the media for information and updates. Follow the instructions of local authorities.” Additionally, the UAE, Nigeria, Malaysia, India, and Indonesia have issued new U.K. travel warnings amid the spate of violence.While the United States has not yet released its own updated advisory for the U.K., American travelers may naturally be wondering whether it’s safe to visit at the moment.
The infinity pool at Resorts World Las Vegas. (Photo Credit: Resorts World Las Vegas)
Dangerous wildfires near Athens, Greece forced hundreds to evacuate the suburbs north of the country's capital on Monday, August 12, reported to be the worst fire the Mediterranean country has seen so far this year.
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Tom Hatfield, 74, spent the first 60 years of his life living in Louisiana. However, after traveling extensively over the last few years, the retiree has visited all 50 states and is set to visit his last few national parks this year.
If you’re an avid traveler (and even if not), you’ve probably heard the rumblings that sometime soon the 3.4 oz. TSA liquids rule is going to change. Currently, you’re not allowed to bring containers larger than 3.4 ounces (or 100 ml) of liquids, gels, or aerosols through security. Commonly referred to as the “3-1-1” rule, it traces its origins back to a failed plot in 2006 when terrorists in the U.K. tried to smuggle liquid explosives onto planes. The rules were originally intended to be temporary but nearly 20 years later remain in place.
Europe dominates in a new ranking of the world’s most beautiful cities, filling nine of the top 10 spots.
Is a grand tour of Europe on your bucket list? We bet it is.