Travel is too expensive now — travel demand falls under cost concerns

Travel is too expensive now — travel demand falls under cost concerns

Travelers may have finally had enough. With revenge travel over and pandemic savings depleted, travelers say they’re planning fewer trips this summer, or skipping their vacations altogether. “After two straight years of strong gains, the number of Americans planning to take leisure trips is taking a dip,” states a summer travel report from Deloitte Insights. … Read more

Where to stay and how to spend your money in Singapore

Where to stay and how to spend your money in Singapore

For many, Singapore — the city that inspired “Crazy Rich Asians” — is synonymous with luxury, with everything from top-tier accommodations to high-end shopping and restaurants. For the ultimate stay, Marina Bay Sands has an exclusive, invitation-only Chairman Suite, while Capella Singapore on Sentosa Island is a tranquil escape, known for hosting high-level international meetings. … Read more

How much does it cost to rent a superyacht? Try $1.4 million per week

How much does it cost to rent a superyacht? Try .4 million per week

The 255-foot superyacht Malia sold in 2023 with a price tag of $120 million. But she can be yours for a fraction of the cost: $930,000 per week. But with many large yacht charters, surcharges — for fuel, food, drinks, marina fees, onshore activities and special requests — are usually an additional 35% of the base … Read more

North Korea to reopen for international visitors, tour operators say

North Korea to reopen for international visitors, tour operators say

North Korea will resume international tourism this winter, ending a COVID-era ban on travelers, according to operators that organize trips to the country. Travel companies KTG and Koryo Tours, which organize trips to North Korea, said on Wednesday that their partners in the country had informed them about government plans to allow travel to some … Read more

Monaco hosts E1, a new racing competition using all-electric boats

Monaco hosts E1, a new racing competition using all-electric boats

Monaco’s connection to car racing and boating is stamped all over it, from the hairpin turns of its Formula One circuit to the five-deck superyachts docked at Port Hercule. But its desires to be known as a sustainability destination are less apparent. Monaco’s “Green is the New Glam” campaign, launched in 2018, highlighted many of … Read more

UNESCO names Gaza site to both its World Heritage and In Danger lists

UNESCO names Gaza site to both its World Heritage and In Danger lists

UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee named a site in the Gaza Strip — Saint Hilarion Monastery, or Tell Umm Amer — to both its “World Heritage” and “World Heritage In Danger” lists in late July. The decision, made during the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi, India, reflects the ancient monastery’s … Read more

Singapore launches biometric processing at airport

Singapore launches biometric processing at airport

From Monday, some passengers arriving in Singapore’s Changi Airport won’t need to show their passports to clear immigration. As part of a trial, Singapore residents arriving in Terminal 3 who use the lanes designated for the country’s new “token-less clearance” program can enter the country using eye and facial biometric processing, rather than passports, according … Read more

Where to take an alcohol-free, sober-curious trip

Where to take an alcohol-free, sober-curious trip

Years ago, the manager of a hotel in Koh Samui, Thailand told me about an unusual booking that he once received during the middle of the night. A traveler had flown his entire family via private jet from Brunei to the Thai island after learning upon landing in Brunei that it is a “dry country” … Read more

Travel to Paris dropped because of the Summer Olympic Games

Travel to Paris dropped because of the Summer Olympic Games

Was it the Parisians who bluntly told travelers “do not come” to Paris during the Summer Games? Or did sky-high prices for hotel rooms, house rentals and event tickets turn travelers away?   For a multitude of reasons, many people — including residents — avoided Paris in the build-up to the Olympic Games, despite prognostications … Read more

Airlines roll out business class upgrades at Farnborough Airshow

Airlines roll out business class upgrades at Farnborough Airshow

FARNBOROUGH, England — Airlines showcased new business class seats at one of the world’s biggest air shows this week, as corporate travel demand is forecast to rise in 2024 in a new report. Qatar Airways displayed its business class upgrade at Farnborough Airshow near London. The most talked-about new feature was the in-flight entertainment monitors … Read more