tourism news stories on Newser

Lawmakers Push Ban on Ban on Las Vegas Travel

Kevin Spak — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 16:00:06 CDT

No one is actually talking about outlawing government travel to Las Vegas or Reno in the wake of the GSA scandal, but a pair of Nevada lawmakers want to ban such a banning, just in case. Sen. Dean Heller and Rep. Shelley Berkley are putting forward bills in their respective...

Town Considers 'WTF' Slogan

Neal Colgrass — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 15:34:35 CST

A Colorado town with the motto "Honor the Past, Envision the Future" is considering three more letters to advertise itself: "WTF"—as in, "Welcome to Fruita." A couple printed out 500 stickers with the term and handed them out to businesses in downtown Fruita, sparking the idea of a new...

Homeless Tour Guides Offer New Peek at London

John Johnson — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 16:42:21 CST

Visitors to London can get an earthier view of the city courtesy of homeless tour guides. Der Spiegel tags along as one woman ticks off facts on familiar sites such as the London Bridge, along with tidbits not to be found on more official tours: "This is where I used...

Tourism Spikes Worldwide

Neal Colgrass — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 18:59:12 CST

The economic crisis, Japanese disasters, and the Arab Spring couldn't stop tourists from globetrotting last year, AFP reports. European tourism surged the most—6% higher than in 2010—helping to fuel an international rise of 4.4% that clocked 980 million travelers, according to a UN report. But tourists did...

Unlikely Tourist Hotspots for 2012

Neal Colgrass — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:33:49 CST

If you like cool design, upscale safaris, or a forbidden communist island, the New York Times can recommend 45 locales to visit in 2012. Among them: Panama . See the world-famous canal before its expansion, then stay for Panama City's economic boom and Frank Gehry's first design in Latin America—a...

New Destination for Rich Chinese Tourists: Wales?

Matt Cantor — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 10:14:06 CST

With Chinese tourism to the UK booming, a developer is planning a resort village aimed at their specific needs. But it's not exactly a stone's throw from London's attractions: Instead, it's calling itself "just three hours away" in Wales. Pantglas Estate would house a 92-bedroom hotel and 80 cottages, with...

North Korea Now Open for Tourism!

Kevin Spak — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 13:16:21 CST

Looking for an exciting new vacation destination? Well, scenic North Korea would love to have you—provided you don’t try anything foolish like talking to a local, walking down the street, or (gasp) using a cellphone. The repressive country is looking to tourism to raise money, but doing its best...

Glasgow All the Rage After Brad Pitt Stay

Dustin Lushing — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 06:36:14 CDT

What happens in Glasgow stays in Glasgow—except when Brad Pitt comes to town to film a potential zombie blockbuster, and the city transforms into Scotland's top destination spot so far this year. Calling it the "Brad Pitt effect," the Daily Mail notes that Scotland's No. 2 city boasted a...

Siberia Turns Up 'Proof' of Yeti

Neal Colgrass — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 07:00:05 CDT

Siberian officials say they've uncovered concrete proof of an Abominable Snowman living nearby. Have they actually spotted him? Well, not Yeti—but during an expedition to the Shoria mountains, participants found the creature's "footprints, his supposed bed, and various markers with which the yeti marks his territory," according to a...