People Are Interested To Spend More On Traveling Instead Of Investing On Diamonds: Prices Fall

BY  Abdul Aziz Dec 23, 2023

Icelandic Tourist Board reported over 1.7 million visitors in 2022. The ethereal beauty of Iceland has persistently drawn hoards of tourists to its shores. Unavoidably, these tourists make mistakes and encounter culture crushes. There are now about six things that collectively irks the people of Iceland. First, there is the joke about Iceland and Greenland. Actually we have all heard the joke. It stems from the fact that Greenland is covered in ice and Iceland is lush green. Then there is the northern lights that tourists look for during the summers. Icelanders are tired of tourists not doing their research before planning their trip. The midnight sun that occurs between May and August is also a matter of confusion among tourists. European culture, especially Iceland does not appreciate tipping in restaurants, finding it borderline offensive in certain parts. Saying no to tipping on the part of the service-providers also results in arguments. Anna Ragna, born and raised in Iceland moved to the US in 2015. She tells Business Insider, "A lot of times there would be tips on the table for the waitress and they say, 'We can't take it,' and then it'll end up turning into an argument, and that's something that happened quite often." Iceland is renowned for its pristine beauty and the natives hate when tourists littter. Ragna says, it "enrages us as a people." There is also the issue of tampering with the delicate Icelandic moss. This slow-growing green layer is able to adapt to the harshest climates but it can be very fragile when tread  upon. It grows incredibly slowly and it can take up a hundred years just to grow a simple patch." Tourists also ignore signs in different hazardous areas. For example, an Icelandic Coast Guard helicopter rescued an  "exhausted, cold and shocked" hiker who got too close to a volcanic eruption near Grindavík on December 19. Authorities warned tourists to "think four times." Davíð Geir Jónasson who is the owner of Icelandic tour company called Vik Expeditions says he has seen this happen too many times throughout his 15-year long service. He says, "In Iceland, a warning sign is put up because someone has died or multiple people have died. It's not just because something might happen." Read Also: Kenya Is Targeting 5.5M Tourist Arrivals By 2028 Juneau’s Mendenhall Glacier Recreation Area Is Expecting Big Changes Christmas In Nottingham: 2023 Bin Collection Dates, Tram Timetable And More

BY  Ankita Nov 17, 2023

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) predicts a historic holiday travel season, estimating a record-breaking 30 million passengers nationwide during the upcoming 12-day Thanksgiving travel period. This projection is based on the already set records in 2023, with seven of the best ten busiest travel days in the history of TSA. TSA Administrator David Pekoske assures preparedness for the expected surge, working closely with airline and airport partners to maintain efficient screening processes. Pekoske emphasized the commitment to keeping wait times under 30 minutes in the case of the standard screening lanes. When it comes to TSA PreCheck lanes, the wait time is under 10 minutes. Meanwhile, the aftermath of the devastating Maui wildfires has impacted tourism in Hawaii. Although the holiday travel period may not break records, improving visitor demand and local travel may contribute to a busier atmosphere at state airports. After immediate economic losses following the wildfires, Maui is gradually reopening to visitors, with a projected recovery to pre-fire levels not expected until 2028. Recent tourism data indicates a decrease in arrivals to the Hawaiian Islands, with Maui experiencing a 57% drop in visitors in September. Despite a slower Thanksgiving, Jerry Gibson, president of the Hawaii Hotel Alliance, notes a last-minute pickup for December. This is particularly true on Oahu, the Big Island, and Kauai. Room rates are higher for the festive season, offering travelers more value due to lower volumes. Hawaiian Airlines responds to increased travel demand by adding 20 neighbor island round trips during Thanksgiving. The carrier also enhances service between Honolulu and Las Vegas, with a daily schedule from November 17 to January 12, except on December 31. Additional flights are scheduled between December 21 and 29, and a round-trip third weekly flight between Pago Pago and Honolulu on December 13 and January 3. Read Also: November Trips In 2023: From London To The World Zanzibar Or Oman: Which Do The Hungarian Tourists Like?

BY  Abdul Aziz Oct 11, 2023

Officials have issued a statement that Thailand is bent on restoring the confidence of tourists in the tourism sector. The statement follows closely on the heels of a mass shooting at a luxury mall. Two foreigners have been killed, and it has made hopes of attracting overseas visitors a distant dream. On Tuesday, the police arrested a 14-year-old boy suspected of having unleashed a barrage of gunfire at the Siam Paragon Mall. The location being the center of Bangkok’s commercial zone has raised all too many eyebrows. The incident caused the death of two women- one of them from China and the other from Myanmar, injuring five people. Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Thapanee Kiatphaibool, has said that the agencies have vowed to do their best to restore confidence. "We need to improve security in all areas for Thai and foreign tourists," she said without explaining any necessary steps being taken. Somsong Sachaphimukh, Vice President of the Tourism Council of Thailand industry group, has remarked, "This will impact tourism confidence and will affect our reputation. In the past, there were complaints about safety from China but this was something unthinkable." Chinese tourists have accounted for 11 million of the 39.9 million foreign visitors in Thailand in 2019. Tourism so far has been pretty slow, and it has prompted the government to decide on the visa waiver ahead of the peak season. Thai Examiner issued a report on the fee situation so far. The visa waiver will be collected from foreign travelers to provide “emergency medical health insurance cover and other benefits for 30 days from the point of entry.” The report explained that the fee needs “to be paid on arrival at kiosks at Immigration Bureau points of entry, including at airports after landing. The fee will also be delivered via a website or smartphone app.” It further added that “The tourism fee is supported broadly by the tourism industry as its tourist insurance fund is considered an essential step forward given the repeated stories of tragedies, accidents, and personal disasters which occur every year.” Read Also: Israel Government Declares War: Multiple Flights Cancelled National Taco Day: How To Celebrate If You Are From Chicago Columbus Day And Indigenous People’s Day: What IS Open And What Is Closed?