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WEEKLY TRAVEL NEWS ROUNDUP

Hairpulling Summer Heat

“This summer’s travel demand will be as strong as we’ve seen since before the pandemic, and potentially the strongest ever,” says Geoff Freeman, president and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.

“That kind of demand in a system that is woefully underfunded and understaffed is likely to create substantial frustrations among travelers.”

A report by Hopper has said that airfares are going up due to lower supply on international routes, high fuel costs, and high demand. Delta Air Lines even mentioned that their international flights are already 75 percent booked for the summer! Here’s the stats,

• Interestingly, it seems that domestic flights are averaging $285 per ticket, which is actually down 15 percent from last year, according to Hopper. However, it looks like prices will be on the rise again and peak in June to average around $328. This is definitely something to keep in mind when planning summer travel!

• On the other hand international airfare is expected to hit a 5-year high this year, with flights to Europe and Asia being the most expensive, according to the same report by Hopper. But don’t worry,

Good news is - Despite the increase in airfares, at least car rentals will be cheaper this summer, with prices down 21 percent from last year, according to the same report by Hopper. The average cost of a car rental is expected to be $38 per day, and to make things even better, gas prices are down around 10 percent compared to last year. So maybe it seems like a good time long roadtrips, & not only that..

Further in, we’ll also give you tips on how to beat the summer heat.

Spending money on less expensive accommodations is the number one way that people plan to save money this summer.

“High inflation and tight budgets make this a perfect time to take advantage of credit card rewards, frequent flyer miles and hotel points,” says Bankrate senior industry analyst Ted Rossman. These represent real value, and too few travelers are planning to redeem them this summer. Your rewards won’t get more valuable over time – use them before you lose them.”

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HAPPENING

01: Calling All You Pokemon Trainers: A Pokemon-Themed Cable Car Adventure
To celebrate its 50th anniversary - Mount Faber Leisure Group has teamed up with The Pokémon Company - From 1 May to 30 Sep., visitors to Mount Faber Peak, Harbourfront, and Sentosa will catch a glimpse of a rare sight – an eye-catching line of 67 Poké Ball cabins soaring 100 meters above sea level.

Tickets - S$35 (US$26) for adults and S$25 (US$19) for children aged between 4 and 12 for a round-trip ride on the Mount Faber Line and Sentosa Line. Visitors can also choose to do a S$10 (US$7) top-up for one-day unlimited rides. Children 3 & below ride for free.

02: Yosemite National Park Shuts Down Due To Severe Flooding.
California had a lot of rain and snow (15 feet) during last winter, which made reportedly the largest on record snow pile in the Sierra Nevada mountains. But now it's getting really hot earlier than usual, with temperatures expected to be 15 degrees higher than usual which is causing all the snow to melt & cause severe flooding. Even being called as a dripping time bomb.

03: Toxic Air Alert: Chiang Mai's air pollution chokes the city.
The region is experiencing a widespread problem of agricultural burning, & it's becoming quite common. The smog caused from this is affecting the tourism sector, including new hotel openings & drop in current hotel occupancy.

04: Hawaii's Tourism Authority Helpless Due To Lack Of Funding.
Which could cause them to shut down. they won't be able to carry out several important initiatives, such as managing destination plans, supporting community events and cultural programs, and promoting sports events.

05: Taiwan Takes a Gamble on Tourism: introduces Lucky Draw Contest.
Starting from May, Taiwan will introduce an incentive program for foreign tourists, offering a chance to win shopping vouchers worth NT$5,000 through a lucky draw. To be eligible for this scheme, tourists need to sign up before arriving in Taiwan.

06: JetBlue Takes Off with a New Way to Drink: Non-Alcoholic Beer at 30,000 Feet - teaming up with Athletic Brewing Company to offer a non-alcoholic beer on their flights this summer

07: From the Whitehouse - “Today, we are announcing that the Administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for Federal employees, Federal contractors, and international air travelers at the end of the day on May 11, the same day that the COVID-19 public health emergency ends,” the White House reported in a statement.

Deal - This cruise line offers trips for Europe at Just $489 Per Person

MY TRAVEL BUCKETLIST 
Paradise In Croatia

📍 Plitvice Lakes National Park, Croatia

Over 12,000 Excellent ratings on Tripadvisor | See 360^o degree view 

Prošćansko Lake is connected to the “Legend of the Black Queen.” The legend about ‘Prošnja’ tells the story about a period of drought in the region. Inhabitants called upon the magic queen to help them, to which she responded by creating the Plitvice lakes, Prošćansko jezero being the first one.

Plitvice Lakes National Park is actually Croatia's oldest and largest national park and a UNESCO World Heritage site. People flock to the park to see its 16 emerald lakes and gorgeous waterfalls, including Veliki Slap, the largest waterfall in the country. The park is divided into upper and lower falls, which are connected by a boat ride, and there are various hiking loops and even a panoramic train ride that takes you through lush forests. It's definitely a must-visit spot for nature lovers and anyone who appreciates eye popping scenery!

Outdoor Activities: Visitors to the park can enjoy a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, cycling, and boating. The park offers a variety of hiking trails, ranging from easy walks to more challenging routes. Boat rides are available to take visitors across the park's upper and lower lakes.

Relaxation: The park's serene environment provides an opportunity to disconnect from the stresses of everyday life and connect with nature. The sound of waterfalls and birds chirping, coupled with the fresh air and greenery, create a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

Going deeper - Furthermore, we’ll also provide you with the tools below no matter how hot it gets, your head remains cool.

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EASE YOUR TRAVELS 
Riding The Summer Heatwaves

HOT NEWS - Record-breaking temperatures have hit several Asian countries since April 2023, with climate scientists warning that we could face a new average temperature record due to climate change and resulting in a weather pattern known as El Nino. Extreme weather conditions like heatwaves and droughts are expected to occur in various parts of the world.

But, not to worry, as we got some practical tips to help you shield yourself from the summer heat.

🧊 Cool Body - Spicy foods can cause your body temperature to rise and make you feel hotter & even start to sweat. If you can avoid it completely, do it. Otherwise balance it, pair Spicy Foods with Cooling Foods: cucumber, watermelon, foods with high water content. These foods will keep you belly full & also keep you cool.

🛡️ Shield Your Skin - Always apply sunscreen with a high SPF before heading out into the sun. This will help protect your skin from harmful UV rays and prevent sunburn. Sunburn can cause you pain, redness, and peeling of the skin, which can make it difficult to enjoy your travels. You can also apply a cooling mist from time to time.

👒 Other Cool Stuff - Like wet wipes, especially those moisturizing ones like contain ingredients such as aloe vera or coconut oil. Portable fans can make you look like a tourist, but will keep you cool. For the ladies, its much beneficial to tie your hair up in a pony tail rather than let it free & if you pair it up with a nice combo of hat & sunglasses, with points mentioned above, I think you’re ready to take on the heat.

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. Met Gala 2023 - All the celebs, all the dresses, & the cats.

2. Atlanta Mass Shooter Faces Murder Charges in Deadly Rampage

3. First Republic Bank - Why It Was Seized and Sold to JPMorgan Chase

4. A Plot to kill Vladimir Putin ? Russia says Ukraine tried to assassinate Putin with Kremlin drone strike

5. Dune releases trailer for part 2
   

GUESS THE PLACE

At 3.6 million square miles, this Desert is as big as China or the U.S.A.
(Answer revealed in next issue)

- A - - R -

Hint - 6 letters, think within the African continent

Last week’s answer to:
This country decriminalized all drugs in 2001, the first country in the world to do so - Portugal

The main drug law in Portugal is Decree Law 15/93 of 22 January 1993, which defines the legal regime applicable to the trafficking and consumption of narcotic drugs and psychoactive substances. Law 30/2000, adopted in November 2000 but in place since July 2001, decriminalised consumption, acquisition and possession of drugs for personal consumption.

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