After a prolonged period of being closed off to foreign tourists due to the COVID-19 pandemic, North Korea has announced plans to resume international tourism this winter. This news comes as a relief to travel companies like KTG and Koryo Tours, which specialize in organizing trips to the secretive country. According to these operators, the
The recent rejection of a new labor deal by Alaska Airlines flight attendants has caused a stir within the aviation industry. The proposed agreement, which promised immediate raises averaging more than 24%, was turned down by the union representing the flight attendants. This decision has opened up the opportunity for further negotiations between both parties
Being a CEO is not just about the glamorous title; it comes with significant responsibilities and pressures that can take a toll on even the most experienced executive’s mental health. As a company grows, the stakes, spotlight, and expectations increase, making the job even more demanding. Starbucks, a prime example of this, has recently faced
Cruise lines operating in the Caribbean have had to make significant adjustments to their itineraries in light of Hurricane Ernesto. The Norwegian Breakaway, which set sail from Miami on August 11 for an Eastern Caribbean voyage, had to reroute to the Western Caribbean. This change included stops at Roatan, Honduras; Costa Maya, and Cozumel in
Elliott Investment Management has taken an aggressive stance by publicly identifying 10 potential nominees for Southwest Airlines’ board of directors. This move signifies a significant escalation of its demands for changes within the carrier’s senior management. Such a bold move indicates the investment firm’s dissatisfaction with the current leadership and their desire for a major
As a travel advisor, one important aspect to consider is the size of the group that can be effectively managed. It is crucial to assess how many people the advisor and the ship can handle to ensure a personalized experience for each client. For example, one advisor capped her group at 41 people on a
When it comes to booking travel for clients, one important consideration for travel advisors is the size of the group they can effectively manage. For example, a travel advisor named Freed decided to take a group of her neighbors on a cruise with Royal’s sister brand, Silversea. She made the strategic decision to cap the
Monaco, known for its opulent lifestyle and luxury amenities, is making a bold move to position itself as a sustainability destination. Despite its association with high-end car racing and extravagant boating culture, Monaco has launched initiatives to promote environmental awareness and green practices. The “Green is the New Glam” campaign, rolled out in 2018, shed
Starbucks recently made a surprising move by removing its Chief Executive Officer, Laxman Narasimha, from his position. The decision came after the company’s third-quarter earnings report revealed a 4% decrease in comparable store sales, following a 3% drop in the previous quarter. This downward trend is a stark contrast to the 11.5% increase in full-year
Plitvice Lakes National Park, located in Croatia, boasts stunning lakes and waterfalls that can be explored via a network of trails and bridges spanning approximately 22 kilometres. These trails, constructed from a blend of stone and gravel, are easy to navigate, while the chestnut timber bridges seamlessly connect various parts of the Park. With an
Chicken Cock Whiskey has a rich history dating back to 1856, when James A. Miller established a distillery in Paris, Kentucky. Throughout the years, the brand faced numerous challenges such as changes in ownership, a distillery fire, and even the era of prohibition. Unfortunately, the brand gradually faded into obscurity and was eventually lost in
In the aftermath of catastrophic wildfires that devastated Lahaina, Maui, the island’s tourism industry has been struggling to recover. According to the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), tourist arrivals and spending statewide have experienced a decline in the first half of 2024. Maui, in particular, has seen a significant decrease in visitor arrivals and spending, with
Royal Caribbean International’s CEO, Michael Bayley, hinted at a new series of cruise ships called the Discovery class during a preview sailing of the Utopia of the Seas. The brand’s chief marketing officer, Kara Wallace, revealed that the project is currently in the brainstorming stage. The team is asking open-ended questions like “what if” and
Southern Connecticut is about to witness a fierce competition between two discount airlines, Breeze Airways and Avelo. With Breeze’s recent announcement of introducing 10 routes from Tweed Airport in New Haven, Connecticut, where Avelo currently maintains its primary East Coast base, a showdown is on the horizon. Breeze Airways is set to launch routes from
Alaska Airlines recently made a groundbreaking investment in JetZero, an aircraft engineering startup focused on revolutionizing the aviation industry. JetZero’s innovative blended-wing aircraft design aims to reduce carbon emissions and fuel burn by up to 50%. This investment, facilitated through Alaska’s venture capital subsidiary Alaska Star Ventures, marks a significant step forward in sustainable air
New York City boasts some of the most prominent art museums in the world, with the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art being key attractions. These iconic institutions draw millions of visitors each year and play a significant role in shaping the art scene in the city. However, beyond the mainstream
The Walt Disney World Resort has recently filed permits for construction work at the Magic Kingdom in order to make way for the expansion of Frontierland with attractions inspired by Pixar’s “Cars” franchise. This announcement marks the largest Magic Kingdom expansion to date, according to Disney. The addition of characters such as Lightning McQueen, Tow
Finnair, a member of the Oneworld alliance and a joint-venture partner of American Airlines, has been a strong advocate for NDC technology in the airline industry. However, the airline recently announced that it would not be discontinuing legacy GDS sales by the end of 2025 as originally planned. Aviation editor Robert Silk sat down with