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STAY

Airbnb Sues New York City
Over Short Term Rental Laws

The lawsuit pits the company's concerns about its ability to operate in a key market
against the city's efforts to address an affordable housing crisis.

Airbnb has taken legal action against New York City, claiming that a recently passed law amounts to a “de facto ban” on short-term rentals.

• According to the company, the new ordinance imposes strict and arbitrary regulations that would severely limit the number of hosts in the city.

• The law requires property owners to register with the mayor's office, disclose additional residents, and commit to abiding by various zoning and maintenance rules.

Airbnb called the restrictions “extreme and oppressive”.

“Taken together, these features of the registration scheme appear intended to drive the short-term rental trade out of New York City once and for all,” Airbnb said.

Leaving them no other option but to sue.

The other side says - “The rules governing short-term rentals ... have been clear for years,” and the 2022 registration law was properly adopted by the city council, spokesman for Mayor Eric Adams added.

Why the Ban ? - The officials' argument for banning short-term rentals like Airbnb is to free up much-needed housing units and prevent the city's housing stock from being used as private hotels for individuals & has worsened the housing affordability crisis for local residents.

Supporters of the law note that it will prevent the short-term rental market from driving up housing prices and hurting small homeowners.

Not the 1st time - The company has clashed with officials in NYC over the past decade over existing rules on when hosts can offer short-term rentals

Around the world - the ban on short term rentals has taken place in European countries like France, Portugal, Spain, Italy, & Netherlands due to similar arguments mentioned above, which we’ve covered in the past.

And considering how things panned out for them, things don’t look good for airbnb.

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HAPPENING
Your Weekly Travel Roundup about the best of travels

01. HELL NO

According to a survey conducted by The Vacationer, it seems like Spirit Airlines, Allegiant Airlines, and American Airlines are the top 3 airlines that flyers avoid the most.

02. Which US Airports Do You Have To Wait The Longest Or Shortest ?

Bounce, a luggage storage company, recently conducted a study to uncover the U.S. airports with the longest and shortest passenger wait times. By analyzing factors like TSA security checks and passport control points.

Some Insight - into which airports you might want to plan your travel around for a smoother and more efficient journey.

U.S. Airport With the Longest Wait Time

1. John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York

2. San Francisco International Airport, California

3. Miami International Airport, Florida

U.S. Airports With the Shortest Wait Times

1. Baltimore / Washington International Airport, Maryland

2. San Antonia International Airport, Texas

3. San Jose International Airport, California

03. Singapore Airlines to Provide Free Wifi

July 1st onwards - passengers flying with all networks in Singapore

Joining the elites - As airlines around the world strive to enhance their services, more and more of them are jumping on the free Wi-Fi bandwagon,

JetBlue (U.S.) has been ahead of the game for a while, generously providing free Wi-Fi to all their passengers, and recently Delta also joined the club.

04. Cap - Multiple beaches in Sardinia, Italy have implemented a daily limit to visitors

EG: Cala dei Gabbiani: 300 visitors, Cala Biriala: 300 visitors, Cala Goloritze: 250 visitors etc.

And If you're planning to hit the beaches in Sardinia, here's a handy tip: You’d have to download Heart of Sardinia app and reserve your spot at least 72 hours in advance to secure your place in the sun.

Other beaches like Cala Goloritze charge an admission fee, you can pay online or at the entrance.

WARNINGS

01. Storm hits popular destinations of Spain & Portugal - “You should check with your tour operator or accommodation provider before you travel and follow the instructions of local authorities,” warns the UK Foreign Office.

02. A lesson for us all - Singapore authorities are currently investigating a million-dollar scam involving fraudulent holiday travel packages. “After receiving the payments via money transfers, the company did not fulfil the agreed service and became uncontactable,” added the police.

Book tickets from authorized & reputable sellers, & “Whenever possible, avoid making advance payments or direct bank transfers to the service providers,” Warns the police.

03. Stay where you are - Yellowstone National Park warns visitors to stay away from any animals, even if they are near campsites, trails, boardwalks, parking lots, roads, or developed areas.
These warnings follow several unruly behaviours by park goers.

DEALS & OPPORTUNITIES

01. 🍰 Cut the Cakes - Priceline is now 25 years old, & they're throwing a massive celebration! As part of their birthday extravaganza, they're offering 25 days of incredible deals to their customers. Details about Savings, Coupons, Cruises etc.

02. 🪪 Indonesia looks to unveil its new Golden Visa to foreigners
Foreigners only need to apply one submission for one visa, one Limited Stay Permit and one Re-Entry Permit altogether. Read Full Article.

03.  3 For Free - Japan is offering three fully sponsored tours to Hokkaido, Hiroshima and Kyushu. Expenses for air tickets, accommodation, transportation and meals in the itinerary will be covered by JapanbyJapan a community site by Japan. Full Details for More !

LOOKING FORWARD TO 
📅 Festivals around next week

1. Superman Celebration (AKA Superman Fest)

   June 9th – 11th June, 2023 | Metropolis, Illinois

2. Vivid Sydney | Light, Music, Ideas and Food Festival 

   26 May - 17 June 2023 | Sydney, Australia

3. Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival

   June 15 to 18th, 2023 | Manchester, Tennessee

4. Isle of Wight Festival
   June 15 to 18th, 2023 | Seaclose Park, Newport

📰 Read

🔥 Wildfires in Canda - have been wreaking havoc along the country's Atlantic coast. The fire season began fiercely in the west in May, and now Nova Scotia is grappling with its largest wildfire ever recorded.

To make matters worse, 1000’s of residents in coastal Quebec have been forced to evacuate due to the blazes.

This has gotten to a point where wildfire smoke is harming Air Quality for Millions in US (talked further below in Travel & Beyond)

Travelers are advised to take caution. If you’re planning a trip, make sure to check in on the details.

👁️‍🗨️ Watch

🌊 Catch a Wave - On a Rollercoaster ? - Get excited at SeaWorld Orlando with the grand opening of their latest attraction, pipeline “The Surf Coaster."

This awesome ride brings together the thrill of a roller coaster and the exhilaration of a surf simulator.

😲 React

💥 Deadliest Train Crash in Decades - 3 trains, 2 passenger & 1 goods train, collided near Balasore, Odisha, Eastern India. 275 people killed, while 1000 others were injured.

The force of the collision was so intense that it actually launched the passenger train's engine right over the goods train! A staggering 22 carriages filled with passengers got completely derailed.

MY TRAVEL BUCKETLIST
The Galaxy Under The Ground

📍Waitomo Glowworm Caves, 🇹🇷 New Zealand
More than 2,900 Excellent ratings | See 360^o degree video

Unveil the secrets of an otherworldly realm hidden beneath Journey into the unknown as you step into a subterranean sanctuary cloaked in darkness.
Feel the anticipation build as you traverse through winding passageways, guided only by the faint glow of luminescent creatures that dot the cave ceilings.
Listening intently as you hear the gentle droplets of water creating a soothing melody that resonates through the caverns, enticing you to uncover the secrets that lie within the depths.

Welcome to Waitomo Caves, New Zealand's very own Avatar experience—glowworms included, but sorry, no flying banshees!

Adult - NZD $61 | Child - NZD $28 | Family - NZD $154

Open daily 9am - 5pm - Pre-Booking is Essential

Tour Approx. 45 Mins

Nestled in the heart of New Zealand's North Island lies the extraordinary Waitomo Glowworm Caves. These captivating limestone caves are a geological marvel, renowned for their enchanting glowworm displays that illuminate the darkness. Located near the Waitomo village, these caves have become an iconic tourist destination, often regarded as a must-visit destination, on most travelers buckelist. Drawing visitors from all corners of the globe.

The mesmerizing glow in these Glowworms is caused by the bioluminescent reaction of the glowworms' abdomens, which emit light to attract prey and create a stunning luminescent display.

1. Unique Photography Opportunities: Waitomo Caves provide a stunning backdrop for photography enthusiasts. The ethereal glowworms and the cave formations offer a wealth of captivating subjects to capture, allowing travelers to create remarkable and memorable photographs.

2. Educational for Children: Waitomo Caves offer a valuable educational experience for children. Exploring the caves and learning about geological formations, glowworms, and the importance of conservation can spark their curiosity and foster a love for the natural world, making it an engaging and informative excursion.

3. Combination with Other New Zealand Attractions: Waitomo Caves are conveniently located within proximity to other iconic destinations in New Zealand, such as Rotorua and the Hobbiton Movie Set. Travelers can plan a comprehensive itinerary, exploring multiple attractions and experiencing the diverse beauty of the country all in one trip.

A Recent Review - “Went at the end of May with wife and two teenage daughters. Temperature at that time was slightly cool and almost all of the tour is indoors. The temp in the caves is pretty much the temp outside.
Our guide was Tutu and he was great. He was very informative and engaging. The tour starts in the cave and the beautiful “cathedral.”
The tour ends with a 5-10 min boat ride with a great view of the glow worms. Be aware that photography is not allowed in this tour. The entire tour takes 45-60 mins max. The cafeteria located on site was also very good and reasonably priced.”

If you find any cool or interesting places to share,
dm me on twitter.

EASE YOUR TRAVELS 
Exploring Caves

🧔💬 Inform Others and Communicate: Before entering a cave, inform someone trustworthy about your plans, including the cave's location, estimated duration of exploration, and expected return time. It's also important to establish a communication system, such as a walkie-talkie or cell phone, to stay in touch with your group or have a means of reaching emergency services if needed.

💡 Prepare Adequate Lighting: Caves are typically dark environments with limited natural light. It's crucial to bring reliable and sufficient lighting equipment, such as headlamps or flashlights, along with extra batteries. Ensure your lighting is strong enough to navigate through the cave safely and to examine the surroundings effectively.

👞 Dress Appropriately: Caves often have varying temperatures and can be damp or muddy. Wear appropriate clothing that provides comfort, flexibility, and protection. Opt for sturdy footwear with good traction to navigate slippery surfaces. Layer your clothing to adjust to temperature changes within the cave and consider bringing a spare set of clothes in case of unexpected moisture.

Have some of your own ?
Sound off in the comments below, (available only on website) / tweet at us.

TRAVEL & BEYOND
Staying Connected with the world beyond your travels..

1. Apple Introduces Vision Pro

2. Manchester City beats Manchester United 2-1 for FA CUP

3. Canada Wildfire Smoke Harms Air Quality for Millions in US

4. US intelligence officer turns whistleblower, claims US has UFO retrieval program

5. PGA-LIV Golf merger - What does it mean for the sport?

GUESS THE PLACE

This Country Has One of the
World’s Largest Caves.
(Answer revealed in next issue, Post your guesses in the comments)

V - - - - A -

Hint - 7 letters.. Think SEA

Last week’s answer to:
You can’t fly a plane Over this Place. - Disney

Walt Disney World, Florida & Disneyland, Anaheim, California

• Airspace is restricted in the 3,000 feet above two of Disney’s parks – within a 3-mile radius above the Cinderella Castle in the Magic Kingdom. Planes can fly higher than this, however.

• The restrictions were put in place and made permanent in 2003 after the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

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