{"id":3051,"date":"2017-11-02T05:21:04","date_gmt":"2017-11-02T05:21:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/?p=3051"},"modified":"2020-12-02T05:42:47","modified_gmt":"2020-12-02T13:42:47","slug":"most-visited-cities-viahero-letape-du-tour-shoot-for-the-stars-thanksgiving","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/most-visited-cities-viahero-letape-du-tour-shoot-for-the-stars-thanksgiving\/","title":{"rendered":"Most Visited Cities, ViaHero, L’\u00c9tape du Tour, \u201cShoot for the Stars,\u201d Non-Traditional Thanksgiving"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

The Top 10 Most Visited Cities in the World: Mastercard Index<\/h2>\n

\"temple<\/p>\n

According the latest edition of the annual\u00a0Mastercard Destination Cities Index, Bangkok, Thailand received 19.41 million international overnight visitors in 2016 —\u00a0a\u00a0figure that’s expected to grow another 4 percent this year to 20.19 million.<\/p>\n

\"Space
Photo by Deb Roskamp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rounding out the top three spots is London, which is\u00a0forecast to receive 20.01 million international\u00a0overnight visitors by the end of 2017, and Paris, which trails at\u00a0an\u00a0estimated\u00a016.13 million.<\/p>\n

Globally, international overnight visitor arrivals across all 132 destinations studied have grown by 55 percent since 2009, points out the report.<\/p>\n

But the biggest movers and shakers around the world lie mostly in Asia-Pacific and the Middle East, which has seen a 15 to 24 percent growth in international visits over the last seven years.<\/p>\n

The list of fastest growing destinations, for instance, is led by Osaka which saw 24 percent growth since 2009, followed by Chengdu (23 percent) and Colombo (20 percent).<\/p>\n

The report also looks at\u00a0spending power among visiting tourists, and found that international visitors to Dubai are the biggest high rollers: In 2016, tourists spent US$28.5 billion.<\/p>\n

That figure is expected to grow another 10 percent this year to $31.4 billion.<\/p>\n

Dubai enjoys a big lead over its next competitor, New York, where international tourists spent $17.02 billion, a figure that’s expected to rise a modest 1.5 percent this year.<\/p>\n

One of the biggest losers this year is London, where the fallout from Brexit is expected to result in negative growth (-5 percent) in tourist spending.<\/p>\n

The index also revealed spending trends in some of the top 20 destination cities. For example,\u00a0visitors to Seoul spend the most on shopping (57 percent), followed by London (47 percent), Osaka (43 percent) and Tokyo (43 percent).<\/p>\n

Visitors to Istanbul and Prague can expect to shell out the most on food and dining (34 and 29 percent respectively), while accommodation eats up most of a\u00a0traveler’s\u00a0budget\u00a0to cities like Paris (45 percent), Milan and Rome\u00a0(both 40 percent).<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Bangkok, Thailand – 19.41 million visitors in 2016 (20.19 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  2. London, England –\u00a019.06 million visitors in 2016 (20.01 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  3. Paris, France –\u00a015.45 million visitors in 2016 (16.13 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  4. Dubai, UAE –\u00a014.87 million visitors in 2016 (16.01 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  5. Singapore –\u00a013.11 million visitors in 2016 (13.45 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  6. New York, USA –\u00a012.70 million visitors in 2016 (12.36 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  7. Seoul, South Korea – 12.39 million visitors in 2016 (12.44 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  8. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – 11.28 million visitors in 2016 (12.08 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  9. Tokyo, Japan –\u00a011.15 million visitors in 2016 (12.51 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/li>\n
  10. Istanbul, Turkey –\u00a09.16 million visitors in 2016 (9.24 million\u00a0forecast\u00a0for 2017)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
    <\/div>\n

    The NAACP Warns that “Travelers \u2014 Especially African Americans … Could [be] Subject [to] Disrespectful, Discriminatory, or Unsafe Conditions.\u201d<\/h3>\n

    Courtesy Tim Winship<\/em><\/p>\n

    When Muslim Advocates and the NAACP<\/a> issue a joint letter accusing the U.S. airline industry of racism, it\u2019s big news. And when the NAACP, the \u201cnation\u2019s oldest and largest nonpartisan civil rights organization,\u201d follows that up with an advisory<\/a> specifically questioning the racial policies of the nation\u2019s largest airline, American, it\u2019s nothing less than a media firestorm. Indeed, all the major news media covered the story exhaustively. And \u201cAmerican Airlines\u201d has been a trending Twitter topic for several days.<\/p>\n

    That\u2019s where matters stood earlier this week, after the NAACP warned black travelers not to fly with American Airlines, following a series of incidents involving African-American travelers. \u201cIn light of these confrontations, we have today taken the action of issuing a national advisory alerting travelers\u2014especially African Americans\u2014to exercise caution, in that booking and boarding flights on American Airlines could subject them disrespectful, discriminatory or unsafe conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

    The advisory cited four specific incidents that were suggestive of \u201ca corporate culture of racial insensitivity and possible racial bias on the part of American Airlines.\u201d The NAACP expressed concern that \u201cthe examples cited herein may represent only the \u2018tip of the iceberg\u2019 when it comes to American Airlines\u2019 documented mistreatment of African-American customers.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Predictably, American disputed the charges, and has signaled its willingness to meet with NAACP representatives. In a memo to the airline\u2019s 120,000 employees, company CEO Doug Parker addressed the issue as follows:<\/p>\n

    (W)e were disappointed to learn of a travel advisory issued by the NAACP regarding American Airlines. The mission statement of the NAACP states that it \u201cseeks to remove all barriers of racial discrimination.\u201d That\u2019s a mission that the people of American Airlines endorse and facilitate every day \u2013 we do not and will not tolerate discrimination of any kind. We have reached out to the NAACP and are eager to meet with them to listen to their issues and concerns.<\/p>\n

    And so matters stand today. An accusation of bias from a noted civil rights organization. And a denial by a billion-dollar multinational company that has an enormous financial stake in being perceived as being unbiased. The media attention will persist for a week or two, bringing more heat than light to the topic, before petering out in a vacuum of new developments. And then \u2026?<\/p>\n

    A charge of systemic racism can probably never be conclusively proved or disproved; there is no final arbiter. Whatever the underlying merits of either position, it will play out in the media, and in the court of public opinion.<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    ViaHero: How to Have a Local Plan Your Personalized Trip<\/h2>\n

    Judy Koutsky<\/em><\/p>\n

    When Kevin Maloney started to plan his trip to Iceland, a friend mentioned a new service called ViaHero<\/a>. \u201cI knew there was a lot to see in Iceland and I had a short period of time. I didn\u2019t want to spend a lot of personal time doing the research,\u201d Maloney says. \u201cMy goal was to have an expert map it out for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He was looking for someone with expert knowledge of the area, but tailored to exactly what Maloney wanted to do on vacation. \u201cIt wouldn\u2019t have been difficult identifying some of the big landmarks, like Blue Lagoon,\u201d he says. \u201cBut it would have been hard for me to identify great local food spots, or natural springs that aren\u2019t in the guide books.\u201d<\/p>\n

    So he signed up for the service and received a local \u201cHero\u201d in Iceland.<\/p>\n

    \u201cMy Hero was awesome to work with,\u201d Maloney tells me. \u201cVery helpful and nailed the activities that we wanted to do after a short online interview.\u201d By recommending a great restaurant that opened earlier than others, Maloney\u2019s Hero made sure he\u2019s be able to have a worthy breakfast upon landing from his overnight flight.<\/p>\n

    \u201cInstead of searching around, I knew exactly where to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

    ViaHero allows travelers to select a local to plan their trip.\u00a0The service has locals in Cuba, Japan, and Iceland so far, but it\u2019s expanding quickly. \u201cEvery trip is personalized by an in-the-know local, called a Hero,\u201d explains Ben Preston, Co-Founder and Head of Growth for ViaHero.<\/p>\n

    \u201cThe Heroes provide travel consulting, on-the-ground arrangements, and build a personalized guidebook and custom maps with local recommendations,\u201d Preston says. \u201cTravelers save time, discover hidden gems, and have everything they need at their fingertips on the ViaHero mobile app.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Many independent travelers lack the time and local knowledge to expertly plan an international trip, especially if it\u2019s off-the-beaten-path. And increasingly, people want unique, local experiences.<\/p>\n

    \u201cA traveler can spend over thirty hours planning a trip, they can wing it once they get there, or they can use a travel agent who lacks local knowledge and is incentivized to sell the traveler a more expensive trip,\u201d says Preston. \u201cIt\u2019s easier, cheaper, and faster to have a local arrange everything.\u00a0 Our users have been able to drive classic cars<\/a> in Cuba, see the Northern Lights at hidden spots in Iceland, and have the best food in Tokyo\u2014all thanks to their local Heroes.\u201d<\/p>\n

    ViaHero launched in 2016 with Cuba as the first destination. The company capitalized on a surging interest in Cuba despite the lack of online travel recommendations due to the long-upheld Cuba travel ban.\u00a0 ViaHero expanded to Iceland and Japan in 2017, and it\u2019s slated to expand to destinations across South America, Asia, and Europe in 2018.<\/p>\n

    How Does ViaHero Work?<\/h3>\n

    \u201cViaHero is like a travel agent for the Airbnb crowd,\u201d says Preston. The service targets travelers who want to travel to places like Cuba, Iceland, and Japan without paying for an expensive, guide-led group tour.<\/p>\n

    ViaHero uses actual locals, or Heroes, to plan each trip from $25 per day<\/a>. For example, a traveler who wants the inside scoop on Cuba can have\u00a0Lianet<\/a>, a Cuban journalist and self-professed foodie, on their side.<\/p>\n

    ViaHero also provides rich, useful trip plans in an offline mobile app. This includes trip consulting, booking recommendations, and a personalized guidebook. ViaHero\u2019s premium plan, which costs $40 per day, includes features like offline map navigation, on-the-ground phone support, and restaurant reservations.<\/p>\n

    While Maloney speaks very favorably about the service, his one caveat was the maps. \u201cThey didn\u2019t do a great job of mapping out the landmarks for our self-driving tours. They did identify the best ones to see\u2014and nailed it\u2014but didn\u2019t provide detailed directions on how to find them. They work with the maps.me app, but it wasn\u2019t intuitive.\u201d<\/p>\n

    But Maloney says he would use the service again, and would recommend it to others. \u201cIt\u2019s great for those who want to get the most out of a vacation.\u201d<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    \u201cUncommon Flavors of Europe\u201d Campaign Will Promote Three Delicously Italian Ingredients for Three Years<\/h2>\n

    Petaluma, CA<\/strong> (October 30th, 2017) \u2013 \u00a0Under the “Enjoy, it’s from Europe” program adopted by the European Union, a new campaign titled \u201cUncommon Flavors of Europe\u201d will bring the attention of consumers to three products from Italy for the next three years through grocery store promotions in the U.S. and Canada: Asiago PDO cheese, Speck Alto Adige PGI ham and Pecorino Romano PDO cheese.<\/p>\n

    The program \u201cEnjoy, it\u2019s from Europe\u201d promotes Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) foods from Europe and provides information on the EU quality system which strives to protect names of quality agricultural products.<\/p>\n

    The Uncommon Flavors campaign kicked off this year with press conferences in Brooklyn, New York on October 23rd<\/sup> and in Montreal, Canada on October 25th<\/sup> where producers of Asiago PDO, Speck Alto Adige PGI and Pecorino Romano PDO were in attendance from Italy.<\/p>\n

    The campaign will market the partner products across web, television, radio, print advertising, digital campaigns, social media, supermarket demos, trade trips to Italy and through a \u201clearn & earn\u201d page on the campaign\u2019s official website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    The Uncommon Flavors of Europe \u201cLearn & Earn\u201d page will give industry professionals and consumers the opportunity to go online and learn more about the three partner products and complete a quiz in order to earn entries in a drawing for a trip to visit the production zones of each product during the campaign.<\/p>\n

    About The Partner Products<\/h3>\n

    Asiago PDO is made from milk from cows that graze on lush fields in the provinces of Trento and Vicenza and parts of the provinces of Padua and Treviso. Fresh Asiago tastes of creamy milk and melts easily on your tongue while aged Asiago varies from sweet and yeasty, to nutty and even notes of salted caramel, all depending on the age ranging from 4 months up to 15 months or more.<\/p>\n

    Speck Alto Adige PGI, made exclusively in the Alto Adige region of Italy, is a unique ham that melds the air-curing traditions of the Mediterranean with the smoke-curing traditions of the Alps. The process begins with the careful selection of high-quality, lean pork legs.\u00a0 The deboned meat is massaged with spices, garlic, bay leaf, juniper, pepper, rosemary, and sea salt. Each producer\u2019s specific rub is a treasured family secret.<\/p>\n

    Pecorino Romano PDO dates back 2000 years and proudly continues the rich, long history of ancient Roman sheep\u2019s milk cheeses in Italy. The sheep still graze on wild pastures filled with native flora on the island of Sardinia, the Lazio region and the province of Grosseto. Only there can Pecorino Romano PDO be made from fresh whole sheep\u2019s milk from October to July.<\/p>\n

    About PDO and PGI<\/h3>\n

    Of the EU quality certifications PDO certified foods have the strongest possible link to original historical practices, because their ingredients must come from and their production must occur within the natural environment in which the product developed. PGI foods are made with traditional production methods in their historic places of origin.\u00a0 While raw ingredients can be sourced outside the production area but within the EU, all ingredients are scrupulously monitored for quality.<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    Sports Tours International Invites Amateur Cyclists to L’\u00c9tape du Tour 2018<\/h2>\n

    \"L'EtapeSports Tours International, the UK-based provider of vacations built around nail-biting, world-class cycling and running competitions, is taking reservations now for amateur cyclists who want to participate in L’\u00c9tape du Tour 2018<\/a>, an opportunity to tackle a mountain stage of the 2018 Tour de France.<\/p>\n

    L’\u00c9tape du Tour <\/em>2018 is scheduled for Sunday, July 8, 2018, in Annecy, France. The finish is at Le Grand-Bornand, a resort in the Auvergne-Rh\u00f4ne-Alpes region. This finish was used in the 2009 Tour de France on Stage 17 when Alberto Contador famously went against team orders and left Lance Armstrong on both the Col du Romme and the Col de la Colombi\u00e8re.<\/em><\/p>\n

    Riders experience highs and lows while traversing a distance of 169km and climbing to heights of up to 4,000km, just like the pros when the 2018 Tour de France begins on July 7 and runs through July 29. For example, the Col de la Colombi\u00e8re <\/em>will be the final climb for Stage 10 (Annecy to Le Grand Bornand, 159km) on July 17.<\/p>\n

    \"L'Etape<\/p>\n

    Riders and their guests will enjoy a festival of cycling over the weekend in Annecy. Lake Annecy is a focal point of Annecy, an alpine town known for canals and cobbled streets. Annecy is well known for the heritage of its buildings and natural landscape. It is situated beside one of the purest lakes in Europe, at the foot of the Alpine massifs of the Aravis and the Bauges, but close to Switzerland and Italy.<\/p>\n

    \"L'EtapeSports Tours International\u2019s L’\u00c9tape du Tour <\/em>2018 four-day\/three-night tour package includes guaranteed entry when booked through Sports Tours International. With direct-to-the-public entries nearly sold out, Sports Tours will become one of only a handful of operators who can guarantee entry to the event. Also included in the package are accommodations at a range of hotels, roundtrip airport transfers from Geneva, overland bike transfer, bike rental and storage, complimentary coach accommodations for traveling companions to witness the excitement, three breakfasts, and, depending on the hotel, three dinners, staff support along the race course and more. Per person, double occupancy rates begin at \u00a3519<\/em> and go up to \u00a369<\/em>9 for four-star accommodations. Self-drive packages are also available. While guaranteed, an additional cost is the actual entry fee to L’\u00c9tape du Tour <\/em>2018.<\/p>\n

    For non-riders, a free coach from Annecy to the finish in Le Grand Bornand is offered with return to Annecy later in the day.<\/p>\n

    For further information, go to L’\u00c9tape du Tour <\/em>2018 <\/a> <\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    \u201cShoot for the Stars\u201d Winners Announced by Global Connections<\/h2>\n

    Global Connections, Inc.<\/a> (GCI) has selected exceptional photos from nearly 1000 entries in its 12th<\/sup> Annual \u201cShoot for the Stars\u201d Contest.<\/p>\n

    First, second and third prizes were awarded in each of the three categories: Wild and Fun, Family & Friends, and Landscape. In total, prizes were valued at more than $3,000 overall.<\/p>\n

    \u201cAnother year, another amazing collection of photos from GDV members,\u201d said Melanie Gring, GCI\u2019s VP\/Strategic Alliances. \u201cOur members shared their memories from worldwide travels and it was a tough decision to limit our winners to only nine images.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \u201cIt really is exciting to see all the places and activities our members experienced on their vacation,\u201d she continued.\u00a0 \u201cWe\u2019re particularly fortunate these photos are so great because we use them in member collateral materials, on the website, and in testimonials.\u201d<\/p>\n

    \"Family
    First prize in the Family and Friends Category went to Daniel and Paige R., Beavercreek, Ohio: \u201cSelfie at Joshua Tree.\u201d<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"the
    Raymond and Angela B., Orlando FL submitted the winning shot of Villa D \u2019Este\u2019s Oval Fountain (Italy) in the Landscape Category.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Executive
    Gary and Rebecca K, of East Bethel, MN took home the \u201cExecutive\u2019s Choice\u201d for their shout-out to Global Discovery Vacations along the Coastal Path near Kapaa, Kauai.<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \"Wild
    The first prize in the Wild and Fun category was awarded to Giovanni T. and Morgan K., Perth, Australia for a photo taken during their Royal Caribbean Cruise.<\/span><\/center><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

    First place contest winners were awarded a $500 Global Connections Inc. vacation credit, good towards condos, cruises, tours and more.\u00a0 Each second- place winner received a free activity fee and the prize for third place winners was a one–bedroom \u201cExpressway\u201d condo vacation.<\/p>\n

    The Executive\u2019s Choice Award winner had the option to select from any of the three prizes offered and this year\u2019s winner– for their photo taken on the beach in Hawaii–selected the $500 vacation credit.<\/a><\/p>\n

    <\/div>\n

    Non-Traditional Ways to Celebrate Thanksgiving<\/h2>\n

    Roast turkey feasts, food comas, and football marathons are all perfectly fine Thanksgiving traditions. But if you\u2019re looking to shake things up this year, check out these alternative ideas for T-Day.<\/p>\n

    Spend Time with Your (Extended) Family<\/h3>\n

    \u201cThanksgiving is typically a time to gather the clan together for a feast. But now that it\u2019s easier than ever to find out about your heritage through services like Ancestry.com, maybe it\u2019s time to expand the table even more.\u201d Says Phil Sylvester from WorldNoads.com.<\/p>\n

    Did your DNA swab turn up ancestral roots in Italy? Were you amazed to learn you\u2019re actually 1\/16th<\/sup>Polynesian? This year, why not travel to the lands of your cultural heritage and share some pasta or\u00a0poke<\/em>with a long-lost cousin?<\/p>\n

    The winner of World Nomads\u2019\u00a0Relative Distance<\/a>\u00a0contest, Hannah Murray, will soon be heading to South Korea to trace her family history. \u201cMy father met my mother while doing a homestay with her family in South Korea,\u201d Hannah told us. \u201cShe left us when I was two and I was raised by my incredibly loving father. I know nothing of the culture, language, or land that my mother came from. I’d love to explore the lifestyle and terrain that nurtured her.<\/p>\n

    Since I\u2019m an only child and my father passed away last year, I’m having to rethink what the word \u2018family\u2019 means. In order to have it have relevance to me, I’m going to have to change it and make it broader than it was before.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Put the \u201cGive\u201d in Thanksgiving<\/h3>\n

    Obviously, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks \u2013 but it can also be about giving back. If you\u2019re grateful for all you have and want to help people (or animals) who aren\u2019t as fortunate, volunteer opportunities abound.<\/p>\n

    Give Thanks for Natural Wonders<\/h3>\n

    The world is an extraordinary place, but you don\u2019t need to travel beyond US borders to find astounding natural beauty. Thanksgiving weekend is a perfect time to slow down your pace and be grateful for river-carved canyons, snowy peaks, unspoiled valleys, and sandy shores.<\/p>\n

    By November, the Northern Lights have already begun their yearly show, and Alaska\u2019s aurora belt is one of the world\u2019s most active. At\u00a0Wrangell-St. Elias National Park<\/a>, which features the largest array of glaciers and 16,000-foot-plus mountains in the US, you\u2019ll get spectacular scenery day or night. (But be aware daylight hours will be few, and park services even fewer.)<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019re more about barrelling down mountains than gazing up at them, Thanksgiving marks the opening of ski season for many US resorts.\u00a0Here\u2019s a list<\/a>\u00a0of some of the best snow playgrounds in the States.<\/p>\n

    If you\u2019d rather scuba dive than snowboard, head to\u00a0these parks<\/a>\u00a0for water lovers. One more reason to be grateful: Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida is now open again after suffering the impacts of Hurricane Irma. This park, about 70 miles west of Key West, is made up of seven small islands surrounded by coral reefs. The 200 shipwrecks strewn around its shoals mean it\u2019s heaven for snorkelers and divers.<\/p>\n

    You\u2019ll also be gratified to know that whether you\u2019re trekking, climbing, kayaking, or diving, World Nomads travel insurance\u00a0can cover you<\/a>.<\/p>\n

    World Nomads<\/a>\u00a0is a fast-growing online travel company that provides inspiration, advice, safety tips and specialized travel insurance for independent, volunteer and student travelers traveling and studying most anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    According the latest edition of the annual Mastercard Destination Cities Index, Bangkok, Thailand received 19.41 million international overnight visitors in 2016 \u2014 a figure that\u2019s expected to grow another 4 percent this year to 20.19 million.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":9,"featured_media":21753,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[57],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3051","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-travel-tips"],"yoast_head":"\nMost Visited Cities, ViaHero, L'\u00c9tape du Tour, \u201cShoot for the Stars,\u201d Non-Traditional Thanksgiving - Traveling Archive<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/travelingboy.com\/travel\/most-visited-cities-viahero-letape-du-tour-shoot-for-the-stars-thanksgiving\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Most Visited Cities, ViaHero, L'\u00c9tape du Tour, \u201cShoot for the Stars,\u201d Non-Traditional Thanksgiving - 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