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Zika's Effect on Caribbean Travel

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/23/2016, 8:00 AM

In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned pregnant women to avoid traveling to certain Latin American and Caribbean countries affected by an outbreak of the mosquito-borne Zika virus, which can cause fetal brain damage and other problems. In April, the warning expanded to include 20 more Caribbean locales. Have concerns over the virus slowed down the Caribbean's busiest ...

Universal Releases Water Park Details

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/22/2016, 7:15 PM

Universal Orlando has released some details about its new water park, Volcano Bay, which the company promises will be up and running by June 1, 2017. The park will feature 18 attractions, including a wave pool with sandy beaches, a winding river with special light and water effects, a raft ride with saucer-shaped curves, and a centerpiece faux volcano featuring a slide with a 70-degree, 125-foo...

TSA PreCheck Delays

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/22/2016, 7:15 PM

The Transportation Security Administration reports that the number of travelers signing up for its PreCheck program—which allows you to move through airport security faster and without removing your shoes and taking electronics out of your luggage—has more than tripled in the last few months, surging to an average of 16,000 applicants a day in May. The result? You guessed it: long delays in p...

LGBT Travel After Orlando

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/22/2016, 8:45 AM

In the wake of the Orlando shooting, which took place at a gay bar and appears to have been motivated by homophobia, the New York Times spoke with several leaders in LGBT tourism to see what effect the massacre is having on the willingness of gay, lesbian, and transgender people to travel this summer. What they found: a mixture of nervousness and resilience. The consensus seems to be that while ...

Southwest Unveils New, Wider Seats

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/22/2016, 8:15 AM

You might find a little more legroom on Southwest Airlines flights by the end of the year. The carrier has announced that it's installing what the company calls the "widest economy 737 seat" available on 28 of its 737-800 planes as part of a redesign of cabin interiors. Upholstered in blue composition leather, the slimline seats feature adjustable headrests and reconfigured seat-back pockets, to...

United's Plan to Boost Revenue: Slimmer Seats, More Chances to Upgrade

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/22/2016, 8:15 AM

United Airlines, which has been struggling since a merger with Continental in 2010, outlined yesterday its plan for boosting revenue. The big news for price-sensitive travelers: by the end of the year, the airline will introduce "basic economy" entry-level fares, similar to a program Delta offers (American Airlines is expected to add basic economy fares soon, too). United hasn't yet explained w...

Chinese Village's Tourism Plan Turns Into Monkey Trouble

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/21/2016, 8:45 AM

A village in China has a monkey on its back—or, to be precise, 600 monkeys. In a scheme to attract tourists, residents of Xianfeng in the country's Sichuan province lured about 70 macaque apes from the mountains in 2003. The idea was to entertain visitors as at Mount Emei, another tourist destination famous for its primates. But in 2014 the Xianfeng project's main funder died and the attraction...

Senate Panel OKs Cuba Travel

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/21/2016, 8:15 AM

Easier travel to Cuba got one step closer on Thursday as a key Senate panal approved several provisions in line with President Obama's effort to restore ties with the island nation. Under the committee's recommendations, US citizens would no longer have to declare one of 12 reasons for visiting Cuba (tourism isn't among them), thus essentially lifting the travel ban. The move comes fast on the ...

New York Passes Anti-Airbnb Bill

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/21/2016, 8:00 AM

New York State has approved a bill that would ban users on sites like Airbnb from posting listings for short-term rentals lasting fewer than 30 days. Violators could be fined up to $7,500. Having passed in New York's house and senate, the bill now goes to Governor Andrew Cuomo. Supporters of the legislation—including landlords, housing regulators, and the hotel industry—say that Airbnb and site...

Airbnb Vows to Root Out Racism, but Blocks Ability to Sue

By Zac Thompson

Posted on 06/20/2016, 8:30 AM

Airbnb has responded to complaints from some users that they've had trouble booking rooms on the popular online vacation-rental site because of their race. The evidence isn't just anecdotal, either; in December, Harvard University (PDF) researchers found that guests with African-American-sounding names had a difficult time renting rooms through the site. Now Airbnb vows to weed out hosts who ...

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