The travel headlines of the year 2018
Worldwide, 1.2 billion people have traveled, more than ever before! We review 2018, a year of travel, looking at the headlines that have made us smile and reflect:
Palau to become the first country to ban toxic sunscreen to protect its reefs (ABC)
The island state of Palau located in the Pacific Ocean between Japan and Australia is a pioneer in environmental protection. Years ago, the world's first shark sanctuary was established here and commercial fishing was banned. Now coral-damaging sun lotions are on the agenda. Small country, but big on sustainability!
European river cruises hit a new obstacle: Not enough water (The New York Times)
At the beginning of August, it was over for the large cruise ships on the Rhine and Danube: the water levels were so low that the passengers had to continue their journey by bus. The mega-summer in Germany also caused a lot of other headlines: Record sales at the ice cream parlors, crowded Baltic beaches and open-air swimming pools had to close due to overcrowding.
Airbnb cancels Great Wall of China sleepover contest (CNN)
With a night in a tower on the Great Wall of China, Airbnb wanted to boost its market in China with this spectacular competition. But the preservationists' protests stopped the event. The year was not exactly rosy for the Internet platform either: more and more cities are restricting the rental of private apartments, and in Majorca and Ibiza rentals via this platform were even banned altogether.
Woman rescued 10 hours after falling off cruise ship (CNN)
Did she jump voluntarily or was she drunk? In any case, a cruise ship passenger fell from a balcony of the "Norwegian Star". The search took 10 hours, and the British woman was rescued. German TV celebrity Daniel Küblböck was not so lucky. He is said to have jumped off the "AidaLuna" cruise ship off Canada on September 9th and has been missing ever since.
Selfish selfie-takers cause Trevi fountain fisticuffs (The Guardian)
From time to time one reads that holiday-makers fall taking a selfie. But a brawl, and even more among women, that is new? A Dutch and an American woman brawled in August for the best photo spot at the Trevi Fountain in Rome. But not just them - their relatives and friends also dished-out kicks and punches. so much so that it was necessary for the police to intervene.
Thousands evacuate Yosemite as firefighters battle encroaching blaze (USA Today)
Forest fires were the downside of the hot, dry summer: Yosemite National Park in the USA had to close for three weeks. Devastating fires also raged in Sweden, Portugal and Greece, often with many fatalities.
Amsterdam plans to move prostitution out of red light district: sex workers upset (NL Times)
Amsterdam has been groaning under tourist masses for years: a population of just 800,000, deals with around 18 million visitors a year! More and more tourists also shove their way through the legendary red light district. The problem: they only take pictures, the real clients stay away. Therefore, alternative brothels are now to be built in other parts of the city, where there is more discretion.
Florence bans eating in streets of historic city center (The Independent)
Other cities are also responding to the influx of visitors. In Florence, for example, they lay siege to stairs and squares to eat pizza. Now they face fines of up to 500 euros. As of this year, bad behavior is also being punished in Amsterdam: Those caught peeing in public, drinking and shouting have to pay.
Paris residents peeved at very public eco-friendly urinals (Reuters)
This bright red eco-friendly urinal on the banks of the Seine is very visible to passing walkers and tourist boats. What was meant to be an action against peeing in public turned into a laughing stock: "Peeing on a presentation plate", "A quiet place, NOT!" the press mocked. Even if the location was unfortunate, there is a real problem behind the farce: a lack of public toilets.
Instagrammers are sucking the life and soul out of travel (The Guardian)
More and more young people inspired by Instagram photos make pilgrimages in droves to 'insider tips' that are no such thing anymore. One of the victims: the Braies Lake in South Tyrol. There are now almost 200,000 photos of it on Instagram. The result: the access road had to be closed this summer due to overcrowding. No longer is it a mountain idyll!
'Overweight' tourists banned from riding donkeys on Greek island of Santorini (The Straits Times)
On the island of Santorini tourists are transported up the steep climbs by donkeys and mules, supposedly an "original Greek experience". After complaints from animal rights activists, a weight limit was set in October: Those who weigh more than 100 kilograms (220 lbs) are no longer allowed to ride on the backs of the animals. Critics doubt that tourists are really going to be put on the scales.
Tourists return to Turkey after Russian ban and terror attacks (Financial Times)
An increase of 25 percent! After years of terrorist attacks and political unrest, vacationing in Turkey is more popular than ever. Also because the Lira currency exchange rate is in a state of descent. Tunisia and Egypt also brought back the vacationers with inexpensive offers.