Rising temperatures threaten the Mediterranean's tourism industry

Oct 12, 2023
Temperatures are increasing in the Mediterranean 20% faster than the global average. That's likely to have an impact on tourism.
A man cools off at a fountain in Xàtiva, in eastern Spain, during a heatwave on Aug. 10.
Jose Jordan/AFP via Getty Images

Smaller, independent hotels in Europe find it harder to bounce back from the pandemic

Oct 6, 2023
While 77% of European hotels are independently owned, they've struggled to rebound from the pandemic as easily as larger hotel chains.
The lobby of a luxury hotel in southwestern France.
Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images

A decade after its debt crisis, Greece's economy may have recovered

Oct 5, 2023
"In the last several years, there's been sort of an acceleration of an economic turnaround," said Liz Alderman at the New York Times. "We're basically at a point now where Greece is essentially booming."
"Huge numbers of people have been visiting Greece," said New York Times chief Europe business correspondent Liz Alderman. "That's helped to drive a boom in everything from construction to services."
Spyros Bakalis/AFP via Getty Images

If the Great Salt Lake dries up, what would that mean for the U.S. economy?

Sep 22, 2023
The demise of the landmark site would affect a range of industries as well as Utah residents’ health. It would strike an emotional blow as well.
A view of the Great Salt Lake in 2021. If water levels continue to decline at the current rate, the lake could be dry in five years, researchers found.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

What China's domestic tourism recovery looks like at a seafood market

Aug 30, 2023
There's more foot traffic than in December, but that doesn't always translate into more spending at Xiamen's Bashi.
Seafood snack and fruit stall vendors in Xiamen say the crowds are back to pre-pandemic levels at Bashi, the Eight Seafood Market, but business is just OK.
Jennifer Pak/Marketplace

How climate change is impacting where and when tourists want to travel

Aug 11, 2023
After a hot summer, some travelers are expressing more concern about heat waves, wildfires and other extreme weather events that might affect their plans.
A heat advisory sign is shown along US highway 190 during a heat wave in Death Valley National Park. Tourism patterns have started to change in the area thanks to climate change.
Ronda Churchill / AFP via Getty Images

Business is still unpredictable for this Hawaii boat tour owner

Aug 4, 2023
The pandemic almost sunk Manu Powers' company. Though it's mounted a recovery, the summer rush still isn't what it used to be.
Manu Powers and husband Liam outside the office of Sea Quest Hawaii.
Courtesy Manu Powers

For public good, not for profit.

Americans are going abroad again, and airfare prices track the trend

Aug 4, 2023
International airfare is up 10% from last year, while domestic airfare is down more than 10%, according to the travel site Hopper.
Visitors view the sights in Venice, Italy. Many American travelers are choosing European destinations over domestic travel routes.
Stefano Mazzola/Getty Images

Hotels and restaurants have had trouble hiring, so they innovated

Jul 17, 2023
That’s meant automating some tasks once done by humans and thinking carefully about the humans they do hire.
After two summers of worker shortages on Cape Cod, some restaurant and hotel owners have become more efficient, "enabling them to operate with a smaller staff,” the Beige Book says.
Tim Graham/Getty Images

Is birding tourism in Colombia finally ready to take flight?

Jun 6, 2023
There are more bird species in the country than any other in the world. And post-pandemic, Colombia hopes more bird-watchers will visit.
The Andean motmot is a beautiful and relatively common bird in Colombia.
Stan Alcorn