Tourists in Rio de Janeiro will no doubt have their pick of Olympic merchandise to bring home as souvenirs — whether it’s an officially licensed product, or sold out of the back of someone’s truck. But amid the plethora of hats, T-shirts, and sporty knick-knacks, there are other, more dangerous offerings for sale. [More]
tourism
Tourist Fined $1K For Straying Off Yellowstone Boardwalk To Collect Thermal Water
By 6.17.16
Just a week after a tourist died in a geyser at Yellowstone National Park after leaving the park’s designated boardwalk, officials say they fined another visitor for straying out of bounds in an attempt to collect water from the volatile, dangerous hot springs. [More]
DOT Gives U.S. Airlines The Go-Ahead To Start Scheduled Service To 9 Cuban Cities (But Not Havana Yet)
By 6.10.16
After waiting for more than 50 years to carry passengers from the U.S. to Cuba, airlines stateside have gotten the final go-ahead from the Department of Transportation to begin scheduled service to nine cities on the island nation — not including Havana. [More]
Park City Residents Don’t Want Ski Resort To Trademark The Name “Park City”
By 6.10.16
When you have a business that’s in a popular tourist location, naming your establishment after the city is an obvious way to align yourself with that hotspot, thus, attracting said out-of-towners. That’s why one ski resort’s trademark application for the name “Park City” has the city’s other residents worried for the future of their businesses. [More]
Abercrombie & Fitch May Be Getting Worried Now That European Tourists Aren’t Shopping As Much
By 5.23.16
Even as Abercrombie & Fitch was struggling to bring American customers back into it stores, there was always one group the retailer good count on: European tourists who flock to the stores, waiting in long lines to purchase A&F-branded clothing. Abercrombie might not be able to count on that foreign bread and butter forever, however. [More]
NYC Police Arrest 21 Vendors Accused Of Shilling Fake Statue Of Liberty Tickets
By 5.19.16
If you’re planning a trip to New York City, it’s important to know which vendors you can trust to give you a fair deal on the Big Apple’s many attractions. And because not just anyone is allowed to sell access to the city’s tourist gems, the New York Police Department has arrested 21 vendors accused of pushing fake tickets to see the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. [More]
Cruise Ship Passengers Helping Themselves To Free Coffee & Donuts At Homeless Shelter
By 5.6.16
We get it: Cruises can be expensive, and often the food and drink at ports of call can be pricier than what you pay back home. But that doesn’t mean you have to bogart the free coffee and donuts at the homeless shelter near the dock. [More]
Carnival Cruise Line Hiking Automatic Gratuity Charge By Almost $1
By 5.6.16
If you’re heading out on the high seas with a Carnival cruise starting next fall, expect to see a heftier automatic gratuity charge on your bill than in journeys past. [More]
Rhode Island Yanks Tourism Video Because Reykjavik Is Not Within State’s Borders
By 3.30.16
When you’re trying to get people visit your state and see all its wonderful sights, a tourism video can be just the thing to lure travelers. But if that video contains footage of an entirely different locale, say, one that’s out of the country, it’s not going to be a very effective tool for boosting tourism. Rhode Island officials know how that feels now, after they accidentally included stock footage of Reykjavik, Iceland in a video for their home state. [More]
Airbnb Planning To Offer Add-On Travel Services Like Bike Rentals, Tours
By 3.17.16
Going on a trip isn’t just about where you lay your head to rest at night, it’s about experiencing the location you’re visiting. And where there are tourists who want to get out and explore, there’s money to be made, which is why Airbnb is planning to offer add-on travel services to customers this year. [More]
U.S. Takes Another Step To Loosen Rules Governing Personal Travel To Cuba
By 3.15.16
If you’ve been dreaming about visiting a certain island just to the south of the U.S., your time to travel might be nigh: the Obama administration announced amendments to federal regulations governing travel to Cuba, saying that the changes will make it easier for people to travel to the island nation. [More]
Study: Colorado Tourists Going To The ER With Pot Complaints More Than Residents
By 2.25.16
It’s probably no surprise that now that marijuana is legal in Colorado, tourists are trying it out. However, doctors say they were somewhat surprised by the results of a study which found that out-of-state tourists were visiting emergency rooms more often than residents with pot complaints. [More]
Police: Scammer Punched NYC Tourist In The Face For Refusing To Buy Statue Of Liberty Tickets
By 2.17.16
If you don’t want to visit the Statue of Liberty, that’s your choice, and you shouldn’t be punched in the face because of it. That’s why police in New York City have arrested a man who’s accused of hitting a tourist and knocking him to the ground after a failed attempt to sell him sightseeing tickets. [More]
NYC’s Proposed Plan To Rein In Horse-Drawn Carriages Falls Apart Before Vote
By 2.4.16
A deal that would have limited New York City’s horse-drawn carriages to Central Park and cut down how many were allowed to operate was thisclose to becoming reality tomorrow, only to fall apart before the City Council could vote on it. [More]
Carnival Cruise Ship Liberty Stuck In St. Thomas After Engine Fire
By 9.8.15
Are there worse things than not being on schedule? Yes, but at least the more than 3,000 passengers aboard the Carnival cruise ship Liberty have access to working toilets: after an engine fire broke out Monday morning, the 10-year-old vessel has remained docked in St. Thomas instead of continuing on its journey. [More]
With No Credit Cards Allowed, No Cash In ATMs, No Banks Open, Tourists In Trouble In Greece
By 6.29.15
Banks all across Greece are closed today, and will remain closed for the rest of the week. Not because it’s a holiday, but because the Greek government is trying to stop the banking system from collapsing as money flows out of the country while its long-running debt crisis reaches a critical point. As a result, tourists in Greece are finding themselves unable to pay for basics like food and shelter. [More]
Atlantic City Files Lawsuit Over Loan Program That Promised Relief For Struggling Residents, Businesses
By 5.28.15
Back in 2013, Atlantic City launched a loan program aimed at providing up to $40 million in financial relief to the city’s struggling homeowners and businesses. But after nearly two years and an investment of $3 million, the people of AC have received little help, leading the city to file a lawsuit against the company hired to administer the program. [More]
NYC Food Vendor Accused Of Charging Tourists $30 For A Hot Dog
By 5.20.15
One of the joys of street food is that it’s usually cheap, compared to what you’d get in a sit down restaurant or even a fast food joint. But New York City officials say a rumble broke out near Ground Zero recently when a food vendor was accused of charging tourists $30 for a hot dog, while sticking to the $3 price for locals. [More]
