As tourists discover Finland’s Santa Claus Village, some locals call for rules to control the masses
Rovaniemi, Finland AP Shuffling across icy ground on a cold December afternoon, lots of tourist groups poured into Santa Claus Village, a winter-themed amusement park perched on the edge of the Arctic Circle. They frolic in the snow, take a reindeer sleigh ride, sip a cocktail in an ice bar or even meet Saint Nick […]
Another bleak Christmas in Bethlehem as Christian families quit West Bank
Bethlehem, West Bank Reuters For a second year running, there is no Christmas cheer in Bethlehem, with tourists shunning the Palestinian city and many residents seeking a way out as the Gaza war grinds on. Bethlehem’s Manger Square in front of the Church of the Nativity is largely deserted and souvenir shops are shuttered. A […]
More than 50 countries sign UN sustainable tourism declaration
Baku, Azerbaijan Reuters More than 50 governments have signed a UN declaration to make tourism around the globe more climate friendly, the United Nations said on Wednesday, in what it hailed as a major achievement of the climate summit in Azerbaijan. “At COP29 we have achieved today an historic milestone by being included in the […]
Japan’s Mount Fuji eyes China-made tram to transport hikers, source says
Tokyo, Japan Reuters Japanese authorities seeking to reduce the carbon footprint and overcrowding at Mount Fuji will propose a trackless, rubber-tyred tram system made by China’s CRRC to transport climbers, a person with direct knowledge of the plan said. The new proposal, which has not been previously reported, would replace the original plan to build […]
Pope asks church of Rome to help address housing crisis ahead of Holy Year in 2025
Rome, Italy AP Pope Francis on Friday called on the diocese of Rome to respond to a growing housing crisis in the Eternal City, wading into the debate about rising rental prices that has only grown more acute with Holy Year celebrations in 2025. Francis has written to the city’s church leaders and religious order […]
Jordan’s tourism industry struggling as Gaza war deters visitors
Petra, Jordan/London, UK Reuters Enas Al Hinti has cut staff pay in half and asked workers to take unpaid leave in an effort to keep her hotel in ancient Petra open as Western holidaymakers fearful of conflict shun destinations in the Middle East. A crisis across the region’s tourism industry since the start of the […]
Italy’s Pompeii to cap daily visitor numbers to 20,000
Rome, Italy Reuters The ancient Roman archaeological park of Pompeii in southern Italy said on Friday it would cap daily visitor numbers at 20,000 as a response to its surging popularity. The change, effective from 15th November, comes after a peak of more than 36,000 daily entrances on a free-admission Sunday, the park said in […]
Will a curfew ease overtourism in Seoul’s historic Hanok Village?
Seoul, South Korea Reuters Kwon Young-doo, owner of a private art gallery in Seoul’s historic Bukchon Hanok Village, is concerned about an impending curfew policy aimed at mitigating overtourism in the area. The curfew, set for a trial in November and to be officially launched in March next year, will limit tourist access to specific […]
Thousands protest in Spain’s Canary Islands against over tourism
Gran Canaria, Spain Reuters Thousands of people protested in holiday resorts in Spain’s Canary Islands on Sunday against over tourism which they say prices local people out of the housing market. Under the slogan Canary Islands has a limit, residents demonstrated simultaneously in Gran Canaria, Tenerife, La Palma, Fuerteventura, Lanzarote and El Hierro and called […]
Postcards: A week of medieval merriment draws crowds to UK cathedral
ANGELA YOUNGMAN reports on the recent week-long medieval festival at Worcester Cathedral in the UK…