#Tourism industry

[speedilydeepruins]

The Three Sisters of Glenorchy, New Zealand. One of the many instagram-popular sites which tourists like me flock to.

[alpaca-clouds]

When White (or allistic?) people travel...

I am gonna travel a bit next week. Well, "a bit" really means: I am gonna dip across the border for a few days into the Netherlands (I am living really close to the border) and bike around a bit. At least as long as the weather is gonna play along.

But it has reminded me of this one thing I always saw when I was traveling.

And I am to this day not entirely sure whether it is a white people thing or an allistic people thing. And that is this need to travel often into a fantasy land.

Now, there are those people who will travel to some hotel ressort and hang at the beach for ten days. Which is valid. Laziness is a myth. All power to you. Just consider to maybe not do it on indigenous land. (No, really. The gif is there for a reason. Do not travel to Hawai'i.)

But there is this other kind of travel happening too. The travel, where you wanna see this other country - but not as it really is, but this idealized fantasy version of it.

I most often saw this in relation with Japan. Because let's face it. A ton of people, who are into Japan, are into Japan because of anime and the stuff they have "learned" through anime, with maybe some Japanese self-mythology put into it when it comes to stuff like honor and samurai and what not. And then they travel to Japan and are very, very disappointed, because the Japan they arrive in is not anime!Japan, but just another place. Another speck of earth so to speak. Where just normal people live, not anime characters. Sure, there are cool shrines and temples to visit. But all in all it is just a place like any other. It is not fantasy.

But it is a thing I have seen with a lot of white people travelling. They do not want to visit a place but the fantasy version of that place. Like, with Hawai'i they wanna go palm beach, hula dancing, aloha and what not. They do not wanna go to a place where the indigenous population is exploitated and gets further and further pushed from their land. If they go to South Africa, they wanna go to this trendy place, watch some whales and what not, not see the rampant poverty and crime. Or when they go visit Greece, they wanna see that country with those nice ruins and stuff, eat some good food, and once again not be confronted with the poverty.

I still remember when I was a teenager and got send onto this Christian youth trip to Corfu, Greece. Now, it was knda funny, because it was a Christian youth trip - but our hostel was right next to the local brothel. But the pimp was actually a super nice guy, just so you know. Like, I got bullied on that trip by some of the other teens and at one time he just threatened those bullies to set his dog onto them, before inviting me and my friends over for dinner.

Now, the entire trip was two weeks and every day there was the option to go somewhere. Either to the beach or to see some sights. I did not go along. Partly because of the bullying, partly because I never got the idea of "seeing the sights". Instead I made friends with some local kids and hung out with them. At times I went with them on some trips they did with their families... And the irony is: I have seen much more of that island than anyone else on that trip. Just not... the ruins and stuff, that everyone else wanted to see. But I saw a farm where I got to taste some fresh honey, got a street dog to the vet, somehow ended up on a small fishing boat, was at a party where a kid got babtized, and visited a couple of villages that usually tourists just drive through. I learned a lot about the place and how the people live there.

And I do realize that it is not feasable for everyone from that group of 60 teens to just do that. I get that. But I also have to wonder... What is the value to visit the same ruin that has already been photographed like 2 million times?

Again, I get hanging at the beach. I do. But... looking at stuff that I can look at online? Yeah, no.

I guess what my rambling is aiming at...

Tourism kinda sucks. And even the entire idea, that it somehow helps the communities just does not really match the reality. Because the truth is that the money generated through communism mostly gets gobbled up by big companies, while the tourism at the touristy places also makes everything more expensive for the people who actually live their.

And tourists just do not want to see the people actually living there. They are not interested in the real place. Just in a fantasy. A fantasy that the tourism sector tries to uphold.

But it is... not really good, is it?

Like, hundreds of people or even thousands visiting either ruins or cultural heritage sites is not actually a good thing. It harms the environment and everything. And in the end it also hurts the people actually living around it. And they kinda have more of a right to be there than any tourist.

We really need to rethink how we travel and how we vacation. Because this isn't it.

[the-first-man-is-a-cat]

[curiouslycaffeinatedcephalopod]

help me choose!

i want to make a well written, more informative and more coherent blog post, where i put even more thought, research, and time into developing it. but i need help picking the topic: - AI in research/academia but for biologists as the application and practicality of AI does vary from field to field or - What a marine biologist in South Africa thinks about the tourism industry in South Africa; impacts, implications and a plea to those interested in visiting!

[plainhendo]

Norway tourism be real pissed that 3/4 of the worlds population just saw auroras in one night

[yungcrybby-anonymousbosch666]

[cucullas]

Temperatures are kinda warm, birds are singing since 5 am, im doing 10h workdays, there is a three blocks queue to access the Eiffel Tower and two tourist got at the last second in the metro at Charles de Gaulle-Etoile leaving their 12 yo son behind... high season is officially here I guess

[jackkennard]

Your travel website design should use a professional theme that is responsive and visually appealing, and works well with plugins for adding features such as Google maps, SEO, and forms for travel profiles and be able to create lists for email newsletters.

[reasonsforhope]

Additional source with more details!:

After months of fighting for a fair contract, thousands of union Disney World employees in Orlando approved a new union contract with Walt Disney World on Wednesday [March 29, 2023] that delivers wage increases for all of the theme park’s union workers and paid child bonding leave.

Out of 12,650 workers across Disney World who participated in the single-day vote (not an easy feat to arrange), 97% voted in favor of the contract.

A group of around 200 Disney World workers — or "cast members," as they're referred to by the company — at the Wyndham Orlando Resort and Conference Center in Kissimmee Wednesday night celebrated the vote.

"When we fight, we win!" the group chanted, to applause and cheers from a room emanating with high energy after a high-stakes fight.

The new contract was negotiated by the Service Trades Council Union, a coalition of six labor unions that altogether represent about 42,000 Walt Disney World employees across the parks, ranging from workers in attractions to housekeeping, transit workers, food service workers, character performers and more.

The agreement raises Disney World’s minimum wage to $18 per hour, up from $15, by the end of the year.

Non-tipped workers in job classifications that currently earn Disney World’s minimum $15 hourly rate — such as union dishwashers, as well as some of Disney’s costuming specialists, custodial workers and laundry workers — will see a raise to $17 per hour minimum, immediately upon ratification of the contract.

They’ll also receive retroactive pay equal to $1 per hour extra (a $16 hourly rate) dating back to Oct. 1, 2022, when the unions' last contract expired.

Across the board, Disney World cast members this year will see a $3 per hour raise minimum in 2023, with some job classifications seeing more. Over the life of the contract, effective through October 2026, workers will see a wage increase of between $5.50 to $8.40, with that range varying by position.

That means, by the end of the contract, Disney World will have a minimum wage that's more than double what it was a decade ago, when the minimum hourly rate for cast members was less than $10.

"It's a historic amount of money," Nicolle Mischer, a cook at EPCOT Festival Kitchens and Unite Here Local 737 union member, told Orlando Weekly of the new raise. "It's been a long hard fight, but it's so rewarding to know at the end, that we continued the fight and we continued to push the company to do the right thing as far as, you know, making sure their cast members are taken care of," she said.

Personally, as a mother who will see her pay rise $4.10 upon the contract's ratification, Mischer's looking forward to not having to work as much overtime. She has sometimes worked upward of 60 hours per week just to pay the bills.

She's looking forward to having more time to spend with her musically inclined 15-year-old, who's in marching band, symphonic band and jazz band — and to have the time to perhaps volunteer to go on their trips as they travel to play.

The raise offered in the new contract, Mischer said, will give her a chance to breathe, "not having that heavy weight of working all those extra hours."

Another new addition to the contract — not offered in prior contracts — is eight weeks of paid child bonding leave (family leave) for full-time workers, employed for at least one year, who either give birth to a child, become a parent, or adopt or foster a new child under the age of 18.

This was something Sean Hopper, an employee at Star Wars Galaxy’s Edge in Disney's Hollywood Studios and a Unite Here Local 362 shop steward, previously told Orlando Weekly was especially important to him...

Tiara Moton, a cook of 15 years, said that as the mother of a 3-year-old, that paid child bonding time is an amazing achievement for the unions, joking that for her, the pandemic was her "child bonding time."

"We deserve this. We worked hard for it," she said.

Pictured: Tiara Moton (middle) surrounded by Disney World workers in union shirts in Central Florida on March 29, 2023.

When we organize, we win

This vote of approval on this new contract, considered a victory by union leaders, comes nearly two months after thousands of workers stood together and rejected a worse offer from Disney that would have offered just a $1 raise in the first year of the contract for many, albeit with a similar $5 increase over the life of the contract.

Although some union workers, such as culinary staff, would have seen a higher raise under that agreement, workers almost unanimously rejected it in solidarity with those who wouldn’t.

Out of 14,263 workers who voted on that last agreement, 13,650 — or 96% — shot it down.

A couple weeks after, Disney came back with a worse offer that would have offered a higher raise upfront — a $17 minimum hourly rate for those making $15 — but would have decreased the amount of retroactive pay workers would have received, earning backlash from union leaders.

The new agreement, approved by workers Wednesday, restores that back pay.

Union organizers and other union leaders in the parks have been organizing behind the scenes of the Most Magical Place on Earth to negotiate a new contract for union workers since August, ahead of their last contract’s expiration on Oct. 1...

With their new deal, Disney's cast members in Orlando hope they'll be able to spur change across the tourism and hospitality sector, which makes up roughly one-fifth of the Central Florida region's workforce.

Universal Orlando (which is non-unionized) recently announced a $17 minimum wage for its own workforce this year, and some smaller companies have also moved to offer workers something closer to a living wage.

Food service workers at the Orange County Convention Center, represented by Unite Here Local 737, also won their own historic contract earlier this year, winning an $18 minimum wage this year, up from $13.

When the STCU won a $15 minimum wage at Disney during the last contract cycle, back in 2018, that prompted other employers (including Universal) to follow suit, eventually, with their own raises.

Mischer, the cook at EPCOT, said this agreement opens the door not just in Central Florida, but across the state, and potentially across the country,  with Disney widely considered an industry leader. "I believe that other companies will see and take the lead that Disney has, you know — the steps that Disney has taken to make sure their cast members have taken care of."

"When we come together, when we unionize and organize, this is what we can do," said Henry, speaking to his fellow workers. "We are changing the future of the Central Florida. The state of Florida right now. Tonight. Don't ever forget what you've done tonight."

-via Orlando Weekly, 3/29/23

Source

Let’s go!

[speedilydeepruins]

Sunrise in Goolwa, SA. This was taken just before the Australian Tour Downunder started

[head-post]

Why Europe has become epicenter for anti-tourism protests

A growing wave of tourism across Europe is causing unrest among locals who feel their neighbourhoods are drowning under the weight of too many visitors. Recent protests across Spain have highlighted the growing discontent with excessive tourism, as residents express concern about the impact on housing, the local economy and community life, The Pinnacle Gazette reports.

One of the cities at the forefront of this movement is San Sebastian, where demonstrators held a rally under the slogan “We are in danger; degrow tourism!” Locals expressed their concern about the situation and stressed that they could no longer accept holidaymakers. Under the banner of the civic group Bizilagunekin, which means “with neighbours” in Basque, the protests were the culmination of the “October against touristification,” a series of actions protesting against the priority of tourists over locals.

According to Amaia Oulad from Bizilagunekin, San Sebastian has simply reached its limit. She said:

“We are fighting since 2018, asking for tourism de-growth in our city.”

The impact of tourism, she also explained, is not limited to crowded streets; it affects housing affordability and the harsh labour conditions of local workers. Oulad painted a picture of neighbourhoods suffering from too many tourists. Highlighting how ordinary citizens are being pushed out of their neighbourhoods, she lamented:

“We can’t live in our town anymore, we have to go live elsewhere.”

San Sebastian is not alone. The wave of demonstrations echoes similar sentiments across major cities, with residents from other Spanish cities, including Madrid and the Canary Islands, joining in. The upsurge follows a recovery in tourism after the pandemic, with visitor numbers in many cities exceeding pre-virus levels, according to The Pinnacle Gazette.

Social and economic impacts of tourism

Such tensions are not unique to Spain �� crowded cities and debates about over-tourism are widely felt in several popular European destinations. According to figures, Spain will welcome up to 90 million foreign tourists this year, and Braintrust predicts that by 2040 the number of tourists in the country will surpass France and reach 115 million. With these expectations, locals are increasingly worried about how this will affect their lifestyles and communities.

Tourism stress manifests itself not only in protests, but also in the practical actions of local authorities trying to keep the peace. For example, Seville’s city council has introduced rules limiting the number of flats for tourists to only 10 per cent of the accommodation on offer in all areas of the city. This strategy reflects concerns about rising rental prices and a housing shortage directly related to increased demand from tourists.

The urban fabric of cities such as San Sebastian is being eroded by tourism, and residents are feeling the social and economic consequences of prioritising the annual influx of tourists over the well-being of the community. The delicate balance between thriving tourism and preserving the integrity of local life is easier said than done when citizens are already struggling with the cost of living and housing insecurity, The Pinnacle Gazette reports.

Golden goose

While tourism brings economic benefits, making it a golden goose for some, residents demand accountability, demanding restrictions and regulations to protect their homes and livelihoods. They argue that the current tourism model is unsustainable and claim it is squeezing the life out of their neighbourhoods.

Back in San Sebastian, locals are not only clamouring for their city, but also for their way of life. They are calling for greater awareness, signalling to both their leaders and the tourism industry: communities must come first. Only by considering their needs can destination cities truly thrive.

The growing wave of protest movements across Europe demonstrates the complex relationship between tourism and everyday life. It’s not just about travelling, but also about the sustainability of communities and the quality of life of residents. The struggle to protect local interests from ever-expanding tourist traffic continues to shape the discourse around urban planning and community well-being.

Read more HERE

[afunlessland]

Would something like a mass travel boycott help against overtourism?

Cause if overtourism is caused by an exploitative system and industry that poisons travelling as a whole, if a significant amount of people just decided on the next summer holiday to just stay at home and grind the tourism industry to a halt, it could send a message on how overtourism is damaging places all around the world.

Again, I'm not super informed on the topic so sorry if this comes off as a dumb question.

[tadotravel]

🎉 Tanzania Achieves Another Victory in Tourism! 🎉

We are thrilled to announce that Tanzania has secured four major awards at the Travel World Awards held in Mombasa, Kenya on October 19, 2024. Our beautiful country has been honored with:

🏆 Best Tourist Destination in Africa

🏆 Best Tourism Board in Africa (Tanzania Tourist Board - TTB)

🏆 Best National Park in Africa (Serengeti)

🏆 Best Tourist Attraction in Africa (Mount Kilimanjaro)

As one of the leading tour companies, we take this moment to thank our Madam President for her visionary leadership and the successful promotion of Tanzania through initiatives like the Royal Tour Film, which captured the world’s attention.

Congratulations, Madam President! 🌟 Glory to Tanzania, glory to all the hardworking tour companies, including Tado Travel, for your dedication and commitment to making this possible.

Tanzania Worldwide! 🇹🇿🌍

[journeymytrip]

Jmt Travel Services Pvt Ltd is an 11-year-old travel agency that specializes in business and tourist visas for China. We serve a wide range of clients, including tourists, business travelers, and family vacationers.

[tenth-sentence]

The Greetings Group troubles involved lending to a company that may have been over-reliant on the tourism industry, and the problems with Westmex related to Westpac's lending against the security of shares in a bull market.

"Westpac: The Bank That Broke the Bank" - Edna Carew