Travel

At age five, Oliver Bowerman was surprised when his parents announced they were moving to a cave. Rather than a Stone Age lifestyle, his family had purchased Stump Cross Caverns, a tourist attraction in Yorkshire Dales. The Bowermans acquired the cave system in 2003 after responding to a newspaper ad describing it as a "once in a generation" opportunity. Originally discovered by lead miners in the 19th century, the caverns became a tourist site in 1926 under Septimus Wray's ownership. Now, 22 years later, Oliver is taking over management from his mother Lisa. After completing his psychology degree, he joined the family business, bringing fresh ideas including plans to open a new section previously accessible only to potholers. "To be in a position to hand it over to somebody with such an amazing business brain and such a vision for […]

A small Cessna 207 aircraft crashed in a remote, densely wooded area of Jalisco, Mexico, on Sunday, tragically claiming the lives of all seven people on board. The plane was en route from La Parota in the neighboring state of Michoacán when it went down. Jalisco Civil Protection reported the incident, stating that the crash site was located in a difficult-to-access area. Rescue efforts were hampered by the remote location and dense vegetation. Authorities confirmed a preliminary death toll of seven, but the victims have yet to be formally identified. A fire that broke out after the crash was extinguished, and measures were taken to prevent further damage. Forensic specialists are expected to arrive at the scene to recover the bodies and confirm the final casualty count. The cause of the crash remains under investigation. This tragic incident adds to […]

President William Ruto, of Kenya, has announced plans to expand the busy Nairobi-Nakuru Highway into a dual carriageway, addressing recent traffic congestion issues that have plagued the vital transportation route. The project is scheduled to begin in 2024 under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement. The expansion project will be implemented in two phases: Phase One: Nairobi to Nakuru section Phase Two: Nakuru to Malaba section Speaking at AIC Kipkorgot church in Uasin Gishu County, Ruto explained that the project's delay was due to complications with a previous French contractor. However, the government is now in discussions with new private companies to take over the project. "We had a PPP programme with a French company, but it did not work out. However, we have alternatives that we are working on as a government," Ruto stated. He assured citizens that similar improvements […]

Italy has introduced a new nationwide ban on self check-in for short-term rentals, requiring hosts to personally identify guests before granting them access to properties. This measure, aimed at enhancing security and preventing potential risks, has implications for both tourists and property owners. The ban targets the use of lockboxes or key boxes, which allow guests to access properties without meeting the host in person. The Italian Interior Ministry has mandated that all guests must now be greeted and identified by their host before entering a short-term rental. This decision comes in response to concerns about potential security risks associated with remote verification methods. Authorities aim to prevent the accommodation of individuals with links to criminal or terrorist organizations, particularly in light of upcoming events like the 2025 Jubilee in Rome, which is expected to attract a large influx of […]

Starting Monday, tourists and residents in Spain will face increased data collection requirements when staying in hotels, renting cars, or using other accommodation services. A new law mandates that businesses in the tourism sector collect and submit personal information about their customers to the Ministry of the Interior, citing national security reasons. The regulations, officially known as Royal Decree 933/2021, require businesses to gather passport details, home addresses, and payment methods for all guests over the age of 14. This information will be reported daily to the Ministry of the Interior and stored for three years. While the government maintains that the new rules are necessary to combat terrorism and organized crime, tourism experts have expressed concerns about privacy and potential delays at check-in desks. The Confederation of Spanish Hoteliers and Tourist Accommodation (CEHAT) has criticized the regulations, arguing that […]

A British backpacker believes a spontaneous decision to extend her stay in Cambodia may have saved her life after several tourists died from suspected methanol poisoning in Laos. Tash Moore, 21, was originally scheduled to be at the Nana Backpacker Hostel in Vang Vieng on the night that two Australian teenagers, Holly Bowles and Bianca Jones, allegedly consumed contaminated drinks that led to their deaths. Ms. Moore, who had heard rumors of the deaths and received warnings about the hostel, decided to rebook her stay at a different location. However, she noted that even after the deaths became public knowledge, bars in Vang Vieng continued to offer free shots, raising concerns about the ongoing risks. "In the clubs they were offering free shots and if you didn't take them they'd look at you, like 'why won't you have the free […]

A controversial American live-streamer, known online as "Johnny Somali," is facing potential imprisonment in South Korea for his provocative and offensive actions, highlighting the rise of so-called "nuisance influencers" seeking online fame through disruptive behavior. Ramsey Khalid Ismael, 24, has been indicted by Seoul prosecutors for causing a "commotion" at a convenience store, a charge that could carry a prison sentence of up to five years. He is also banned from leaving the country while authorities continue their investigation. Ismael has gained notoriety for his offensive video stunts, which have led to bans from multiple social media platforms. He has been accused of harassing locals in various Asian countries in an apparent attempt to boost his online viewership. Earlier this month, Ismael sparked outrage in South Korea after posting a video in which he allegedly desecrated a monument dedicated to […]