Travel Week in Review – August 4th, 2023

The competition for travel dollars is heating up, and the U.S. is losing out. Airlines and hotel chains in recent weeks have reported a surge in bookings for international trips—along with rising prices. That’s a boon to companies with global offerings, but a new challenge for airlines, theme parks and hotels that are more focused within the U.S. as travelers increasingly opt for locations abroad at the expense of domestic destinations. Read More…

On some days 23,000 tourists cram into the ancient complex. Only 20,000 daily visitors will be let into the Acropolis of Athens, Greece’s most popular archaeological site, starting next month. There will also be cap on how many visitors will be let in every hour. Up until now, as many as 23,000 people a day have been squeezing into the monument complex, with mostly large groups visiting before noon. Read More…

In Norway, there have never been more cruise ship calls planned in a single year, while there are record numbers of motorhomes on the roads, especially in Northern Norway. But while the travel industry is welcoming the boost especially after the dip between 2020 and 2022, the record numbers are bringing a set of new problems. Norway’s famous trail to the iconic Preikestolen (also known as Pulpit Rock) has drawn more hikers than ever before, creating pressure on parking and restroom facilities. Read More…

Travelers are flocking away from overcrowded airport terminals and into airport lounges. And so, these lounges have a problem. The exclusive spaces that purportedly offer a refuge from packed airports have become just as chaotic as the general terminals. Overrated or not, airport lounges tend to stand superior to most airport terminals. In a lounge, travelers can at least munch on a cheese cube without boarding announcements blaring from the loudspeaker. Read More…

Officials at UNESCO are recommending that Venice, Italy, be added to its List of World Heritage in Danger, a designation that identifies vulnerable heritage sites in need of support. The agency’s World Heritage Committee will officially decide which sites to add to the list when it meets in the fall, according to Reuters’ Geert de Clercq, Augustin Turpin and Federica Urso. The list currently includes 55 locations around the world facing a variety of threats—including war, natural disasters, climate change, development projects. Read More…