tourism

Tipping Tips for Travelers

Cash may be king, but figuring out how much of it to tip can leave travelers feeling like paupers. We asked experts and seasoned travelers for their best advice on tipping.

10 Most Popular U.S. Summer Vacation Cities

When it's time for some R&R in the sun, Americans have a wealth of options. But based on summertime hotel room rentals, which one takes the crown? Orlando with its theme parks? New York with its culture? Washington with it's history? L.A. with its beaches? None of the above. Curious? Read on ...

Six Reasons the Economy Needs Memorial Day

The origins of Memorial Day date to the aftermath of the Civil War, when people would decorate the graves of fallen soldiers to honor their service. The holiday still retains its reverential and patriotic spirit, but its economic consequences, though smaller than those of other holidays, cannot be overlooked.

Expedia's AirAsia Partnership Is Just the Ticket

Expedia, the world's largest online travel agency, soon will be selling flights, hotel bookings and holiday packages in the world's fastest growing aviation and tourism market, thanks to an exclusive deal with AirAsia. Trefis takes a look at what the deal will mean for both companies.

The Secret to a Successful Staycation

The sluggish economy and high unemployment rate mean that many of us won't be splurging on exotic vacations this year. But a staycation doesn't have to mean a boring bout with cabin fever. The key to being a successful local tourist lies in looking at your region the way an outsider would.

Mexico's Drug War Spurs a P.R. Battle Over Spring Break

Escalating violence related to the cross-border drug trade has caused Texas authorities to advise spring break revelers to avoid Mexico. The Mexico Tourism Board countered that traveling south of the border remains safe. At stake is a big chunk of the $12 billion that tourists spend in Mexico each year.

Luxury Biz on Edge After Japan's Earthquake

The Japanese are the world's most voracious consumers of luxury goods, from Louis Vuitton handbags to Cartier jewelry to Hermes high fashion. So purveyors of those luxury goods are justifiably worried about the effect of the Japanese quake and tsunami on their bottom lines.

A Growing Role for Tourism in Sustainable Development

In a somewhat surprising report, The U.N. Environment Programme says one of the most promising green industries -- at least when it comes to creating economic growth, reducing poverty, fueling job creation and addressing major environmental challenges -- turns out to be tourism.

Calm Returns to Egypt, but Not American Tourists

Egypt's famed antiquities and tourism sites are reopening following the political unrest there. But heeding warnings from Washington, many American travelers are steering clear of the region for now -- disrupting the tourism industry in both the U.S. and Egypt.

Coming to America: U.S. Cities Attract More Global Tourists

Nearly 60 million foreigners visited the U.S. in 2010. Where did they go? The most popular destinations included New York, Orlando, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago. The Big Apple is particularly appealing, drawing a record 48.7 million big-spending foreign travelers.

Haiti's Best Hotels Thrive in the Quake's Long Aftermath

A year after Haiti's catastrophic quake, Port-au-Prince is still a ruin. But the views from high-end spots like the Hotel Oloffson are picture perfect, and with armies of aid workers still needing to bed down, business at hotels left intact is booming.

Could Japan Hold the Key to Asia's Rising Consumers?

Although Japan's stock market has been weak for the last 20 years, there are signs that a shift may be under way that could transform that nation into the gateway to Asia's emerging-market consumers. For patient investors looking for a contrarian play with huge upside potential, it's time to re-examine Japan.

A Tough First Day for Oil Spill Claims Czar Feinberg

Kenneth Feinberg, who was jointly selected to be the new oil spill claims czar by the White House and BP, spent his first official day on the job Monday taking heat over the guidelines he has established for claims against the fund BP set up for victims of the Gulf of Mexico disaster.

Gulf Coast Tourism Spots Ask BP for $55 Million Grant

A consortium of 11 Gulf Coast tourist destinations in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida has requested a grant from BP to fund a marketing campaign aimed at luring vacationers back. While the group hopes to entice tourists to the region, it will also need to be honest about the current state of the area's beaches.

Can Harry Potter Work Magic for Beleaguered Theme Parks?

With the unveiling of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Universal Studios Orlando has officially raised the bar for vacation attractions in summer 2010. The bold move is only one of many strategies that theme parks are using to turn around an industry that has been brutalized by the recession.

Why Hosting World Cup Is a Losing Bet for South Africa

South Africa has some lofty expectations about the boost the World Cup will bring to its economy. Economists are skeptical that the soccer tournament will live up to those expectations and history shows that it most likely will not.

Violence Puts a Chill on Jamaica's Tourism Industry

Tourism accounts for around 20% of Jamaican GDP, but the recent four-day gun battle in Kingston is having an impact well beyond where it happened. Tourists are scared off -- even from resorts far from the unrest -- ending what has been a great year so far.