Parent’s Guide To Traveling With Kids:

BY  Sibashree Aug 20, 2024

Joshua Tree National Park, named after the crooked Joshua trees, is known for its endless hiking trails and desert ecosystems of the lower Colorado Desert and the Mojave Desert.  Further, the Joshua Tree is one of the few national parks in the USA to offer equally amazing daytime and nighttime experiences.  The geology of Joshua Tree is “interesting.” You will find Arch Rock and many other fascinating rock formations in the park. Wind power, erosion, and different weather forces have created many other spectacularly-formed rocks and other sculptures.  Hiking is the best way to cherish the beauty and splendor of this national park to the fullest. So, let’s know the tales from the trails!  Best Hiking Trails in Joshua Tree National Park Joshua Tree had an impressive 3,270,404 visitors in 2023, and hiking is one of the most popular activities in this park. Home to some of the best hikes in the USA, Joshua Tree also has many trails for kids and beginners.  Further, you can explore various short walking routes and nature trails like Bajada, Oasis of Mara, and Barker Dam in this park.  Here, I have curated some amazing hiking trails in the park across various difficulty levels.  Joshua Tree Hikes (Easy) The easy hiking trails in Joshua Tree are accessible in all seasons. To make the most of your hiking expeditions, you must start by 9 am in the morning.  Cholla Cactus Garden The Cholla Cactus Garden trek is easy, and even kids can explore it. It will take just 15 minutes to get completed. You will find the trailhead 20 miles north of Cottonwood Visitor Center. As you can guess from its name, the trail is named after the growing cholla cacti found in abundance here. Wear full-length clothes and closed-toe shoes and follow the trail to avoid getting hurt by the cactus thorns.  Discovery Trail You can start hiking this trail from the Skull Rock parking area. This easy hike will take you around 30 to 40 minutes. Catch a glimpse of the desert washes and boulders throughout the route.  Skull Rock  View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joshua Tree National Park (@joshuatreenps) Start hiking this trail early in the morning from the Jumbo Rocks Campground. You can even take the trailhead from the Skull Rock parking area, which is east of the Jumbo Rocks Campground. Skull Rock is one of the many unique rock formations you will see in the park, and it’s the highlight of this trekking route.  You can cover the trekking route within just one or two hours. A night-time view of the Skull Rock can offer you the perfect Halloween experience!  Moderate Hiking Trails Like the Channel Islands National Park and the Death Valley National Park, the Joshua Tree also has many moderate hiking trails. Here is a brief overview of some of the most amazing moderate Joshua Tree hiking trails.  Hi-View  The Hi-View trail, starting from the Northwest of Black Rock Campground, will require you to hike for at least an hour. However, based on the weather conditions, you may also need to walk for more than 1 hour and 45 minutes.  Once you reach the top of the steep ridges, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the entire park. Further, the iconic Joshua trees are found in the steeper sections of this trail.  If you feel tired in the course of your trekking, you can catch some rest on the benches across the park.  Mastodon Peak The Mastodon Peak trail starts from the Cottonwood Spring parking area, and here, you will experience an elevation change of 175 feet. To reach the granite mountain peak, you will have to pass through a rugged terrain.  You can complete the entire trek within 1.5 to 3 hours.  Split Rock Loop The Split Rock picnic area is the starting point for hiking this trail of 2.5 miles. You can complete the trek within two and a half hours. However, if you are a seasoned hiker, you can complete the safe route within 1 and a half hours.  On a spur trail of the Split Rock Loop, you will find a rock formation that looks like the profile of a human face. It is called the Face Rock.  Pine City  Go to the end of the Desert Queen Mine Road to find the trailhead of Pine City. The dense vegetation of junipers and pinyon makes this 4 miles long trail picturesque. It will take around 3 hours to complete the hike.  Strenuous Hiking Trails  These strenuous trails are not suitable for summer hiking. You can try conquering them in autumn and spring.  California Riding and Hiking Trail Stretching over 36.6 miles, the California Riding and Hiking Trail is a two-day long hike. If the weather conditions are unpleasant, the total duration of the hike can stretch up to three days.  As you hike the route from Black Rock Canyon to the park’s North Entrance, the amazing landscape of the Mojave Desert will charm you.  Ryan Mountain Hiking to the summit of Ryan Mountain is one of the most popular activities to do in Joshua Tree National Park. The trekking route has an elevation of 1,050 feet, and it stretches over 3 miles.  Despite being strenuous, this trail can be hiked in 2.5 hours. So, it is one of the most popular hiking trails in the park.  Willow Hole At the end of the Willow Hole trail, you will find the amazing willow trees. You can start hiking from the Boy Scout Trailhead located inside the park at the South end.  The sandy washes, Joshua tree vegetation, and famous boulder landscape make the trail amazing.  Short Walks And Nature Trails In Joshua Tree National Park View this post on Instagram A post shared by Joshua Tree National Park (@joshuatreenps) The short walks and nature trails of Joshua Tree are available for year-long hiking. These trails also have wheelchair facilities, offering the most inclusive experience to visitors.  It’s time to be familiar with some of these amazing nature walk trails.  Oasis of Mara (Oasis of Mara is the only trail in Joshua Tree that allows dogs. So, hiking this trail is surely one of the best things to do in Joshua Tree as a pet lover.)  Arch Rock Barker Dam Ryan Ranch  Bajada  Among these short walks and nature hiking trails, Cottonwood Spring is the shortest. You can finish the trail within just 10 minutes. Enjoy the view of cottonwood trees as you take a walk to the fan palm oasis.  Integratron: The Wonder Of The Joshua Tree National Park  Facts to Know Integratron is four stories high.Its diameter is 55 feet.It’s a 16-sided metal-free building.The construction technique used in it is called joinery.No nails or screws are used in the construction.It is made of non-ferromagnetic materials. George Van Tassel said that Nikola Tesla’s writings influenced the structure of Integratron.  The western half of the Joshua Tree National Park is on the Mojave Desert’s southern tip. UFOlogist George Van Tassel built “a time machine for basic research on rejuvenation, anti-gravity, and time travel” in the Mojave Desert in the 1950s.  This is a place where visitors are offered sound therapy that is believed to have the power to rejuvenate living tissues in human beings.  From the time it was built, this place has attracted reporters, visitors, artists, and spiritual minds.  George Van Tasse chose the Mojave Desert for building Integratron as, according to him, this place had a connection to the Great Pyramids in Giza. The proximity to magnetic vortices was another reason for choosing the site.  Final Words: Schedule Your Hike Right   March to May and October to November are the two best seasons for hiking in Joshua Tree. The park remains open throughout the year. However, the scorching and dry summer makes hiking impossible on many moderate and strenuous trails.  During summer, the daytime temperature of the park reaches around 100 degrees F, and the temperature falls to 75 degrees F at night.  Further, if you visit the park between March and May, you will see the wildflowers blooming. Also, in April, you can celebrate the National Park Week here.  In October, there are important events in the park, such as the Joshua Tree Music Festival and Pioneer Days. The temperature is also pleasant in the fall season, recording an average temperature of 80 degrees F and 50 degrees F at day and night. So, plan your visit to Joshua Tree right and share your travel stories with us as you return with the most amazing hiking experience.  Joshua Tree National Park FAQs  Is It Safe To Visit Joshua Tree At Night? Yes, it is safe to visit Joshua Tree at night. In fact, stargazing is one of the most popular activities in this national park. The roads in the park are marked, and there is strict patrolling on all roads.  However, this desert park is an important preservation hub for vulnerable ecosystems. Also, there are snakes and scorpions in the park.  So, camp in the park or explore it at night as a responsible visitor. It is safer to restrict your movements near the campsites at night.  Is Joshua Tree Worth Seeing? Yes, Joshua Tree is worth seeing, as you can hike through the California Riding and Hiking Trail, Pine City, Bajada, and many other amazing trails. As you explore these routes, you will come across a wide variety of flora and fauna.  Further, the Joshua Tree is an important preservation and conservation center for fragile ecosystems. In addition, this is a place where stargazing is an ultimate immersive experience. Other highlights of your trip to this national park will be exploring the Penguin Rock, Arch Rock, and other iconic rock formations. Moreover, indulge in a sound bath at the Integratron. Built by UFOlogist George Van Tassel, this dome-shaped place offers sound therapy that promises to rejuvenate living human cell tissues.  Can You Sleep Inside Joshua Tree?  Yes, you can sleep inside Joshua Tree, as there are nine campgrounds inside the park. The Hidden Valley, Belle, and White Tank campsites are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. However, White Tank and Belle campsites can remain temporarily closed during summer.  For the India Cove, Ryan, Cottonwood, Jumbo Rocks, and Black Rock campsites, you will need to make a prior booking.  In addition, you can try backcountry camping and consider putting up a tent in the campsites outside the park.  Remember, there are no restaurants and modern lodging facilities inside the park.  Can You See Milky Way From Joshua Tree? The International Dark-Sky Association, or IDA, has identified Joshua Tree as an International Dark Sky Park. You can get the best view of the Milky Way here.  Joshua Tree also has the darkest nights in Southern California. So, you will get to see the passing meteors, stars, and planets from this national park.  Stargazing from any part of the park is an amazing experience. However, there are also four designated stargazing spots in the park. These are: Quail Springs parking lot Hidden Valley parking lot Cap Rock parking lot Ryan Mountain parking lot Further, you can put up tents at one of the nine camping grounds, and among them, the Cottonwood Campground demands a special mention. Also read Why Include Whale Watching In Your LA Itinerary. Traveling On A Budget: Tips For Affordable Adventures. Be Soothed And Meet History At Hot Springs National Park.

BY  Ankita Feb 5, 2024

Sustainable travel practices are becoming increasingly vital for corporate travel agencies as they navigate the complexities of modern business needs and environmental responsibilities. By integrating sustainability into their policies and offerings, these agencies not only support eco-friendly initiatives but also address the burgeoning demand for responsible travel options. A corporate travel agency can play a pivotal role in reducing a company's carbon footprint through various strategies, such as offering flights with lower emissions, eco-friendly accommodations, and ground transportation options that minimize environmental impact. With the rise of sustainability, corporate travel agencies have an opportunity to lead the change towards more responsible business travel. These agencies are instrumental in educating clients about the environmental impact of their travel choices and providing them with sustainable alternatives that align with their corporate social responsibility goals. By leveraging their expertise and industry connections, travel agencies can help businesses implement sustainable travel practices that contribute to a greener future without compromising on efficiency and convenience. Key Takeaways Corporate travel agencies are essential for promoting sustainability in business travel. Agencies aid in reducing travel-related carbon footprints through eco-friendly options. Expertise from agencies assists companies in adopting sustainable travel practices. The Impact and Importance of Sustainable Business Travel Your understanding of sustainable business travel is crucial not only for reducing your company's carbon footprint but also for contributing positively to the environment. With a rise in awareness about climate change, corporate travel agencies are key players in helping businesses travel smarter. Understanding the Environmental Impact of Business Travel When you consider business travel, it's important to recognize the substantial environmental impact it can have. Flights, for instance, contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, with aviation accounting for about 2% of global energy-related CO2 emissions. Since transportation is a critical component of corporate travel, the energy used in business trips directly correlates to increased carbon emissions, thus accelerating climate change. Integrating Sustainable Travel Options into Corporate Travel To address these issues, your corporate travel policies must integrate sustainable travel options. This could involve: Choosing flights that use sustainable aviation fuel Partnering with vendors prioritizing sustainability Utilizing a carbon calculator to track and manage carbon emissions By doing so, you actively participate in reducing the carbon footprint of your business travels. Additionally, corporate travel managers are now sourcing sustainable vendors and incorporating these practices as a standard in travel programs, which increasingly reflects your company's commitment to social responsibility. Strategies for Implementing Sustainable Travel Practices Transitioning to sustainable business travel isn't simply a trend; it's an essential evolution in response to global environmental challenges and consumer expectations. As a corporate travel agency, your strategic implementation of sustainable practices is imperative. The Role of Technology and Innovation in Sustainable Travel Technology and innovation serve as the backbone for advancing sustainable travel. Travel policies can be greatly enhanced by integrating software that tracks and reports on carbon emissions, encouraging customers to opt for greener options. For instance, using platforms that offer carbon-neutral travel options provides travelers with transparent and impactful choices. You can further foster responsible travel by investing in technology that simplifies the booking of eco-friendly accommodations and transportation. Examples of technology aiding sustainable travel: Carbon emission tracking tools: Helps in monitoring and reducing the traveler's carbon footprint. Eco-rating systems: Assists customers in choosing services with lower environmental impacts. Building Connections with Local Communities and Tourism Developing connections with local communities and encouraging sustainable tourism are also vital. Strong relationships lead to more authentic travel experiences and ensure that the benefits of tourism extend to the local economy. As a travel agency, advocate for travel experiences that respect local regulations and customs and promote sustainability. Ways to connect with local communities include: Local sourcing: Advocate for using local guides and services. Supporting local ventures: Encourage travelers to engage with businesses that give back to the community. By prioritizing these strategies, your agency plays a critical role in shaping a more sustainable future for the travel industry. Sustainable Business Travel Tips Here are some of the best sustainable travel practices that corporations can implement in order to decrease their carbon footprint without having to give up business travel.  Book Your Business Trips Selectively Getting a change of air and venue to get out of the daily grind in the office is something every corporate likes. However, the organizations of these individuals must question their need for such extravagant in-person travel. As it happens, this can greatly affect the ecological footprint of the organization.  Businesses can help discourage such short trips and encourage a string of numerous trips together. Companies must consider if virtual alternatives could also be a possibility. Many corporate conferences offer virtual options through video conferencing tools that help workers attend a session and listen to the speakers without having to travel. ‘ Eco-Friendly Transportation If the traveling distance is not too far away, then businesses must ask their employees to take a train instead of a flight. According to the Journal of the Air & Waste Management Association, railways have lesser carbon emissions than air travel. Trains also have a higher comfort quotient with better views and increased legroom.  It may be that taking a train is not an option in certain cases. If travelers must get on a plane, businesses must encourage them to take a direct flight. Takeoff and landing cycles influence carbon emissions. The fuel combustion at takeoff and cruising to higher altitudes is very high. Flights with layovers could be more economical but it does not help the environment get any better.  Choose Green Hotels Many hospitality chains around the world have reduced their carbon footprint. While booking hotels, ask them about the steps they have taken to go green and if they have a LEED certification. It is a certification program that acknowledges sustainably built systems. Hotels now provide just new sheets and towels on arrival, which helps conserve water and energy in the process. In some hotels, single-use toiletries are no longer in use. Now, they offer bulk items such as shampoo, conditioner, and body wash in the shower. This eliminates the production of excess waste in the landfill.  Conclusion Corporate travel agencies have a critical role in shaping sustainable business travel practices. Through their expertise, they guide you in adopting green travel policies, ensuring that your business's travel footprint aligns with broader sustainability goals. By choosing suppliers with sustainable credentials and continuously monitoring travel impacts, your travel program can contribute to protecting the environment while also promoting social responsibility within your organization. In partnership with these agencies, you have the power to make each business trip an opportunity for positive change. Learn More About: How To Save Money On A Trip To Abu Dhabi? 7 Tips To Make The Most Out Of Your Trip To Gatlinburg How To Use Videos To Drive Conversions In Travel Business?

BY  Abdul Aziz Apr 11, 2022

Marketers today rely on videos to showcase their products or service to the audience. More than 80% of the internet audience is now spending billions of hours watching videos. And, eyeing this trend, search engine giant Google has modified its algorithm to prioritize the video content. According to a study, videos come in 52% of Google keyword searches, and more than 80% of these search results are derived from YouTube. Therefore, video marketing is not visually appealing, but they are perfect from the SEO point of view. Therefore, videos have become the main aspect of marketing, replacing the conventional marketing tricks. According to marketers, videos are much more effective than texts and images. They simply provide a sense of practicality to the viewer, and it will be easy to convince them after watching an introductory video of any product or service. That's the abject for selecting video as the prominent marketing tool for the travel business Marketers find many reasons to trust videos to promote their travel business. A few of the important reasons are mentioned below. Prime Reasons for Using Videos in Travel Business 1. Videos offer effortless engagement Using video content for marketing allows businesses to tap into a huge audience. Videos eliminate reading requirements, and travelers find it easy to view a video rather than spend hours reading texts. Since videos are replacing the conventional marketing techniques, that doesn't mean the value of the texts and images has decreased. Still, they are valuable to describe any specific location or its outstanding features. Videos arrest the viewers' attention, and that is the best part of promoting the travel business. 2. Helps to increase the visibility of the brand A video can be heavily edited and customizable. They can be made to intensify the viewer's emotion and yield the best result for the travel industry. Engaging video contents are effective in influencing the decision-making process. Plus, when you publish a catchy and informative video on your timeline, not only will it grab appreciation from your followers, but they never hesitate to share that with their circle. Due to this feature, marketers never hesitate to invest thousands of dollars in making commercial videos. 3. Better click-through-rates Call-to-Action or CTA is one of the finest features that drive viewers to land on your travel website directly. It provides a passage to view and features of the travel agency. The website and the While creating the video, ensure to include CTA in the video so that you can allow the travelers to go to the next point once the video is over. CTA is the key to video promotion, and it enhances engagement with your audience and improves click-through rates. 4. Videos are suitable for all the occasions If you want to introduce any new tour, then creating a video on that specific topic is the best way to let your audience know about that. You can insert new information providing fresh highlights or the current one. It is also possible to introduce the travel team or an interview with a client who has already availed of your package. This kind of inclusion will make the video a real one. 5. Higher email click-through-rates Videos are attractive, and inserting the word video means it will attract the viewer's attention. The same thing applies to email marketing. When you insert a video in the email, chances are the audience will open the email and read what you have put there. That means inserting video will drive more traffic to the website, and once the traffic flow grows, the chance of conversion also grows simultaneously. How to Use Video to Drive More Conversions in the Travel Business? Here is how to use video to convert viewers to potential customers for your travel business. 1. Create Engaging video content Creating videos is the finest way to engage the audience. You can try to create amazing videos using an online video maker tool. Making use of these tools can be quite beneficial for marketers as these tools are very versatile and customizable due to their easy-to-use features. Their uses and benefits are endless for a brand. Once the audience starts to believe in the brand through these original videos, the business is bound to grow. You can post this video on social media channels to draw maximum attention. If you have any website, then upload these types of videos on them, and in this way, the viewers will get an overall idea regarding the brand and the proprietor. 2. Virtual meeting with clients  Virtual meetings are a fun way to improve the engagement with the clients, especially for the people who are planning a group tour. Keep the meetings as simple as possible so that the clients will feel easy to interact with you openly. If the client is not planning anything to travel anywhere, ask about the future planning. This is the right way to concrete the relationship that ultimately delivers the best result to the travel business. 3. Share HD quality destination videos If you are planning to launch any travel package based on any specific location, then before that, share a few quality videos regarding that destination. These videos can also be added to proposals you create for the clients. This is a fun and interactive way to showcase the beauty of the destination they probably want to travel to in the future. 4. Insert videos in the client's proposal To gain the customer’s trust, it is the best way to embed videos in the proposals. The videos can be based on the destination, hotel, and tour. This is why many marketers today use videos while preparing clients' proposals. 5. Happy hour with clients If you have something special to share with your clients, arrange a happy hour. Fix a time where everyone can join and discuss the special feature or plan with your loyal clients. In this session, you can also take a couple of questions from the clients and answer them directly during the session. Virtual meetings are cool since you can meet with your loyal clients anywhere without barriers. 6. Creating a travel vlog Travel business can be thriving when more and more people travel to their favorite destination. If they don't know the destination and the details available there, they won't step out of their comfort zone. To inspire them to travel, you should create travel vlogs. These videos don't need any fancy film production techniques, but they must be simple and interactive. Make travel vlogs on these topics: Walkthrough tour Hotel room tour Vlogs are based on the delicacies and foods in the restaurants. Videos that record the part of the tour Assembling multiple clips to prepare a complete video highlighting the best features of the destination 7. Share travel tips through the videos Few people want to travel, but they have a lack knowledge of how to prepare for it. If you are leading a travel business, then create informative videos regarding how to prepare yourself for travel. Giving the ideology in the form of travel tips it's going to lead to a positive impact on clients or visitors. Making videos on packing tips, food, and beverage selection, clothes to carry, and accessories that help during the travel is a fantastic idea to improve engagement with the audience. These videos also draw a positive impression from the audience that directly impacts brand value. 8. Drive more sales by video greetings Video greetings are innovative ways to drive more sales towards your travel business. You can record a quick 1-2 minutes greeting video for your client and send it to him. Thank him for accepting the proposal and wishing for a better travel experience in the video. These are the ways that draw more attraction and brand loyalty from the customers. Preparing these videos is also simple, and there is no need to invest heavily while creating them. 9. Make question-answer videos Question-answer sessions are best to improve the engagement with the clients. Brand loyalty is the best thing that delivers long-term results from the clients, and this is why you should spare some time to make a Q&A video. Take questions from the comments and answer them by naming the person. In this way, that person will feel privileged and loyal forever. 10. Create "how-to" or demo videos Share videos with your followers describing any unique recipe they can cook in the home. Describe the steps of the recipe and make it visually appealing. Once you create and upload it to your social media accounts, it will attract maximum attention from the audience. Conclusion Video is the most powerful marketing tool now. Using the right video marketing technique in the travel business will surely drive more leads to the brand. Read Also: Top 5 Travel Tips For Your Next Trip To China 5 Fascinating And Fun Travel Destination Ideas In Africa For Vacation Top 10 Scenic Snowflake Cities In The U.S. To Travel To This Winter