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Tagged With "tourism"

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Re: Iceland: 'No we're not Disneyland'

GarryRF ·
Now that Rekyjavik is on the European Budget Airlines destinations list its hard to avoid a rush. It was one of those places you wouldn't visit unless you had a business interest and an expenses account. They're still advertising Iceland on TV, so someone must be pleased with the extra income tourism brings.
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Re: Iceland: 'No we're not Disneyland'

DrFumblefinger ·
Iceland is a great destination, but it has limited tourist facilities. The population of the entire island is about 300,000 and there aren't all that many hotel or B&B choices in smaller places. I think the lack of infrastructure is the main problem. They certainly have the space and ability to handle more tourists, but need to develop services for them outside Reykjavik.
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Re: Biggest Apple Ever: NY Gets 54M Tourists, Expects More!

DrFumblefinger ·
Are you sure that number is correct? Paris does just over 20 million visitors a year.
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Re: Biggest Apple Ever: NY Gets 54M Tourists, Expects More!

Paul Heymont ·
We'd have to compare the methods used by the two cities in counting. Tourism figures are notoriously difficult (are business travelers disaggregated? Regional visitors? etc.) It's possible that if Paris used the NY methodology, it would have a much larger figure.
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Re: Biggest Apple Ever: NY Gets 54M Tourists, Expects More!

DrFumblefinger ·
Originally Posted by PHeymont: We'd have to compare the methods used by the two cities in counting. Tourism figures are notoriously difficult (are business travelers disaggregated? Regional visitors? etc.) It's possible that if Paris used the NY methodology, it would have a much larger figure. Gotcha. A bit of an apples and oranges comparison. Sort of whether to count all migratory birds or only the snowbirds.
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Re: Greek debt deal will raise taxes on tourists

DrFumblefinger ·
It will definitely hurt tourism, especially for those who want to stay awhile and relax in Greece. The increase in food and accommodations will take a bite out of most budgets. It won't hurt the cruiseship travelers, though.
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors

Travel Rob ·
It's really amazing because the US dollar has done so well in 2014 compared to most currencies . I'm not surprised at all that Japanese tourists to the US decreased after the hit the Yen been taking, but i guess thats been more than made up in increased travel from travelers from Brazil,Mexico and China
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors

Paul Heymont ·
Actually, what surprises me is that overseas tourists keep coming, despite the terrible attitude so many of them encounter from airport Customs and Immigration people, and the whole visa issue.
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Re: U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors

DrFumblefinger ·
The post indicates the biggest growth comes from China and Brazil. Folks in those countries are used to their governments treating them poorly. The TSA/Immigration probably seems like business as usual to them. Just my humble opinion.
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Re: Spain's booming tourism hits record numbers

DrFumblefinger ·
Most countries would envy Spain this particular problem. Given how week other aspects of their economy are, I can't see the government putting a stop on this, despite the actions of some mayors. I'd suggest they look at diverting tourists to less traveled parts of the country. Spain is a large place and there are lots of places tourists hardly ever go.
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Re: South Dakota (yes!) has booming tourist year

DrFumblefinger ·
The western part of the state is really beautiful, and the plains have their own magic. I'm not surprised by this news. There's a lot to see and do in "flyover country".
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Re: New routes give Denmark big tourism boost

Travel Rob ·
It's good news for travelers and for Denmark. It shows budget travelers do contribute too. I haven't been to Denmark yet but I thought Sweden was very reasonable. Now Norway is pricey, but its so well worth seeing.
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Re: We're more than Tokyo, Japan tells tourists

Travel Rob ·
Tokyo can be a very intimidating city for a traveler because of it's massive and crowded metro system and it's lack of English speakers. I think that's why more people don't venture out past the tourist sights in Tokyo.
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Re: We're more than Tokyo, Japan tells tourists

HS ·
A few simple items to remember when transiting Tokyo ... In Tokyo, JR/Subway maps are available for the asking (FREE from the station attendant) with stations listed in either English or in Japanese. Get a copy of both. Have someone write your destination in Japanese. When approaching someone on the street with a "Please direct me towards xxxx" written in Japanese I have ALWAYS been given good directions. (A mix of English and Japanese does NOT often work) This includes traveling solo in...
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Re: We're more than Tokyo, Japan tells tourists

Travel Rob ·
US News published a story by the AP on problems that were occurring with increased tourism in Tokyo. http://www.usnews.com/news/bus...articles/2015/06/18/
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Re: Guide to Greek Holidays, Summer 2015-style

DrFumblefinger ·
That's all good information, PHeymont, thanks. No one knows how the Greek people will react to this, but there is a possibility of riots and demonstrations. Perhaps violence -- there is no way of predicting. The crisis will have a major impact on the Greek quality of life. I've heard some estimates that if Greece makes a new currency, it will have only a fraction of the buying power of the Euro, perhaps 25 cents on the Euro. That will obviously not be at all well received but its much too...
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Re: Britain's #1 attraction: The British Museum

GarryRF ·
Another "Best of Britain" survey that doesn't see beyond London. The Albert Dock in Liverpool has 6.3 Million visitors per annum - and not a mention. The Albert Dock is a UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE.
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U.S. on track to record for overseas visitors

Paul Heymont ·
With 50.3 million visitors in the first 2/3 of the year, and more to come, the U.S. is on track for a record tourism year. The numbers through August show an 8% increase over 2013. Travel industry site Skift analyzed figures from the Federal...
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U.S. bad weather, strong dollar = big bonus for Mexico tourism

Paul Heymont ·
A north-of-the-border 1-2-3 combination of severe weather, cheaper gas and a strong dollar have meant a booming tourist season south of the border, as Mexico is seeing more U.S. tourists than usual, with more money than recently to spend.  ...
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NYC&Co: We bring you tourists, we'll show you how to serve them

Paul Heymont ·
Taking a step beyond just beefing up the number of tourists arriving, New York City's tourism promotion agency, NYC&Co. has developed a program to help businesses and attractions in all five boroughs be ready for the numbers. And they are impressive numbers. Last year 56.4 million visitors came to New York; the city is pushing to hit 67 million by 2021. The new program, called "Tourism Ready" builds on Brooklyn's success in branding and marketing itself; experts including former...
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Barcelona: Sometimes TOO many tourists at market

Paul Heymont ·
Barcelona, which continues to be one of the hottest European cities for visitors, has locals who sometimes feel a little crowded out...especially at their favorite food market, La Bouqueria. The result: during the Friday and Saturday shopping rush...
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Tourism websites grow, but not like travel!

Paul Heymont ·
Two reports on Skift, a travel-industry news site, paint an interesting contrast. New numbers from the National Travel and Tourism Office tally 75 million international visitors to the U.S. last year, about 34 million not from neighboring countries....
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Toronto scales new heights in Tourism

Paul Heymont ·
Add Toronto to the list of cities, including New York and London, that have recently reported record new levels of tourism. In Toronto's case, it adds up to over 14 million overnight guests.   While its sports teams, the CN Tower, markets and...
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U.S. plans for 100 million visitors by 2021

Paul Heymont ·
Lincoln Memorial: Lots of visitors, room for many more.        Photo: ILA-boy / Wikimedia   The U.S. is on the way to hitting 100 million international visitors by 2021, according to Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker. Last...
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Iceland's tourism numbers are booming!

Paul Heymont ·
Tourism is up, it seems in most of the world; France and the U.S. are both preparing for 100 million visitor years soon. And Iceland, while far behind in total visitors, is among the most-rapidly-growing destinations.   Iceland had 970,000...
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French goal: 100,000,000 visitors by 2020

Paul Heymont ·
Always popular, France seeks even more visitors   France, already the world's top draw for international visitors, is ready to spend hundreds of millions of Euros in a drive to up the number to 100 million visitors by the end of this decade. Last...
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China, Russia team up for 'red tourism'

Paul Heymont ·
Visitors at Mao Zedong's birthplace                        Photo: Brucke-Osteuropa / Wikimedia Chinese and Russian tourism authorities have agreed to work together on activities that center...
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France has plans to polish tourist welcome

Paul Heymont ·
France, which recently announced a huge investment in tourism promotion and upgrades in hopes of having 100 million visitors a year soon, has also published a report on 13 proposed improvements in how visitors are welcomed.   The report's...
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Greek debt deal will raise taxes on tourists

Paul Heymont ·
Demonstration last week in Syntagma square, calling for No vote in referendum on austerity pact. After agreement, new demonstrations call for rejecting the agreement.   The recent deal between Greece and European finance authorities is not...
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Spain's booming tourism hits record numbers

Paul Heymont ·
Spain's busy beaches (Playa del Ingles, Gran Canaria, above)             Photo: Wouter Hagens / Wikimedia   If it seems like you've seen a stream of articles lately about Spanish towns wondering whether there's a...
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Drones to travel for armchair tourists?

Paul Heymont ·
Imagine sitting in your armchair with a virtual-reality helmet and a remote control and "visiting" the streets of your favorite city, an art gallery, the Grand Canyon, or...?   There have long been travel documentaries and the like for armchair...
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South Dakota (yes!) has booming tourist year

Paul Heymont ·
Not a place whose tourism industry often makes the headlines, but South Dakota's tourism is really on a roll this year. Literally a roll in one instance: It's the 75th anniversary Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, and it's expected to be the biggest ever....
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Travel to Japan surges again in August

Travel Rob ·
  Inbound travelers to Japan surged again in August, up a staggering 63.8% over August of last year. The Japan National Tourism Organization  announced 1,817,000  travelers arrived in August, beating 2014's high of...
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Spain, Italy fight to reverse drop in Russian tourists

Paul Heymont ·
A troupe of Spanish horses will visit Russia to promote tourism A combination of frosty relations between Russia and Europe and the drastic decline in the value of the Russian ruble have seriously cut Russian tourism to Italy and Spain, where Russian...
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In wake of U.S.-Cuba thaw, Cuba tourism jumps 17%

Paul Heymont ·
Sunset along Havana's Malecon           Photo: Antonio Milena / Wikimedia   In a year that has seen a thaw in U.S.-Cuban relations and restoration of diplomatic relations, Cuban authorities report a 17% increase in...
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Barcelona cruises to a new cruise record

Paul Heymont ·
Barcelona, which has expressed some doubts recently about just how much tourism to promote, has scored an all-time record for a weekend's worth of cruise ship visitors, with just under 60,000 arriving.   That includes over 26,000 on Sunday alone...
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Lisbon's Tourism Booming but Residents Feel Unheard

Travel Rob ·
Lisbon Tourism has grown at record pace with an estimated 3.6 million foreign overnight guests expected in 2015. Not all residents are happy and and they feel unheard. They are demanding better garbage collection, limits on public drinking and...
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Guide to Greek Holidays, Summer 2015-style

Paul Heymont ·
World events are pushing their way to center stage for travelers to Greece. Here's some practical information and advice for those who are committed to going (and some travel agencies and tour companies are offering cancellation or postponement...
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Barcelona's new mayor: Maybe too many people like us!

Paul Heymont ·
Too many people rambling on Las Ramblas? Barcelona mayor things so.          Photo: Jeffwarder / Wikimedia   Barcelona's new mayor, Ada Colau, an anti-austerity and anti-eviction activist, has floated the idea that maybe...
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Greece hopes for tourist boom on Mideast fears

Paul Heymont ·
Greece, which a year ago was losing tourist business because of fears of economic crisis, lack of cash in ATMs and possible disorder, is hoping to have a better time this year as crises in the Middle East kill tourism business there. Greece is...
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Game of Thrones to become Game of Tourists

Paul Heymont ·
Tourism Ireland is teaming up with HBO to promote visits to the scenes of the network's medieval fantasy series, a lot of which was shot in Northern Ireland. With Season 4 coming up, the tours could be a big hit, too!  DETAILS
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Climate Change and European Tourism

Paul Heymont ·
The travel industry site Skift is continuing a series assessing the effects of climate change on travel, and has concluded that changing climate over the next 50 years may shift tourism from southern to northern Europe in the summer, but may have...
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Biggest Apple Ever: NY Gets 54M Tourists, Expects More!

Paul Heymont ·
New York's tourism industry played host to 54.3 million tourists this year, a record, and expects to break it next year with more than 55 million. Most NY visitors? Canada and UK with over a million each, followed by Brazil, France and Germany. MORE
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Canada gets birthday present: Named as top destination

Paul Heymont ·
It's Canada, Colombia and Finland at the top of Lonely Planet's ratings for next year...you're invited to the party!
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Iceland: 'No we're not Disneyland'

Paul Heymont ·
Iceland's either enjoying or suffering a huge boom in tourism, depending on your point of view.
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France puts €€€ into rebuilding tourism

Paul Heymont ·
Facing a drop in tourism after a year marked by terrorist attacks, France's government is committing new funds for tourism promotion.
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Medical Tourism: $439 billion and growing!

Paul Heymont ·
Medical tourism is a growing trend, and may increase 6-fold in the next 10 years.
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To boldly go where no one much has been going...

Paul Heymont ·
Visit Britain's list of the least-popular tourism 'attractions' of 2015.
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Record # of Visitors for Japan

Travel Rob ·
2013 brought more foreign visitors to Japan than ever before. This is, in part, due to a weaker yen and an ease on Visa requirements.  This is a remarkleable achievement after the devasting Earthquake and tsunami.  Read more ...
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Amazing! Syria still trying to promote tourism

Paul Heymont ·
In midst of war, Syria's government tries to promote tourism
 
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