Author: Sophia Rodriguez

Fresno Unified School District school board members earn about $20,000 a year, but part of their job involves attending meetings in tourist destinations like Napa, New Orleans and Miami. Not all meetings are the same, nor are the costs that boards charge taxpayers the same. For example, Edison High School District Trustee Keshia Thomas has claimed $55,308 in travel expenses over the past three years, nearly 33 percent of the board’s total travel expenses during that period, according to district records requested by GV Wire. Board member Beba Islas, who represents McLean High School, said there are many reasons board…

Vacations are meant to let people rest and relax. But vacations bring their own concerns, like what to pack and how to pack. Do you really need four pairs of shoes? How many dress-up dinners will you have? What if it rains? Is it too much to pack a different swimsuit for every day of your beach vacation?According to travel expert, executive producer and host Pamela Holt: Me, Myself and the World: The Art of Solo TravelPacking too many unimportant things is the biggest mistake people make when packing.”I've traveled solo to over 90 countries and territories, and overpacking and…

Lacey Faltz Last updated: Friday, May 31, 2024 at 1:20 pm More travellers are discovering the joys of solo travel this year, with new data from Squaremouth showing that 42 per cent of travellers are planning to take a solo trip this year.A travel insurance comparison site asked over 2,600 customers about their opinions on solo travel and found that 87% of solo travelers travel internationally. Only 13% of solo travelers prefer to travel domestically. When we think of solo travel, many of us think of backpackers staying in hostels to save money on their trip to Europe, but that's…

The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) recently released its 2024 Adventure Travel Industry State Snapshot Report, which analyzes market trends. Key findings include popular travel destinations such as the Mediterranean, Western Europe, Scandinavia and North-East Asia, while popular activities range from hiking, walking and e-bike cycling to gastronomy, culture, safaris and wildlife watching, as well as wildlife and nature photography. ATTA also found that adventure travel companies are diversifying their market base, targeting families, women, travelers over 50, LGBTQ+ travelers, etc. In terms of business health, the survey found that revenue has recovered steadily since 2021, with 83% of respondents…

The sun setting over the Parthenon (Photo: Scott Barber/Getty Images)Getty Images Never before have so many people wanted to spend their days visiting vineyards and writing about the fascinating subject of wine. Yet somehow, this profession (or should we say calling?) is in crisis. Perhaps it always has been. But as wine publications struggle for revenue and big tech platforms further squeeze visibility and traffic, the fragmentation of quality voices continues. The effect is to disperse the critical mass of engaged readers. With AI looming menacingly, raising the bar on quality is crucial to survival. Given these risks, perhaps delving…

As part of Tour & Travel Week, the Greater Birmingham Convention & Visitors Bureau reported big news: Tourism had a record impact in Jefferson County. Alabama, last year. The key to its success was reliable ground transportation. Alan Thrasher, president of the United Motorcoach Association, is also president of family-owned Thrasher Brothers Trailways in Birmingham. In 2023, Greater Birmingham’s tourism industry will generate $2.52 billion in economic impact, support 51,550 jobs and contribute $296 million in state and local taxes. These figures exceed all previous impact levels generated by tourism in Jefferson County. UMA Chairman Alan Thrasher, GBCVB leadership and…

13 Hotels in Mexico for an authentic Temazcal experience.One & Only Mandarina circleFor a truly Mexican experience, nothing is more authentic and heartwarming than a stay in a temazcal, a domed sweat lodge. Derived from the Nahuatl word “temazcalli,” or “house of heat,” temascals (traditionally managed by shamans) offer a variety of health benefits, including flushing toxins from the body, reducing inflammation, improving circulation and aiding digestion. The W Mexico City is the only hotel in Mexico's capital city to offer temazcals, but if you're traveling elsewhere, fear not: here are 13 Mexican hotels where you can experience an authentic…

Skift Take McKinsey said Indian tourists were becoming an attractive source market, with a booming domestic travel market leading to “significant investment”. Bulbul Dhawan India is a fast-growing source of international travel, according to a report by consulting firm McKinsey & Company. The report reiterated McKinsey's earlier prediction that India would become the fourth-largest domestic travel market by spending by 2030. India is currently the sixth-largest domestic travel market. “They are rapidly expanding the pool of first-time tourists,” the report said. Outbound travel spending by Indian tourists has reached a new peak: According to data from the Central Bank of…

Overpacking means big business for airlines: Many airlines, including JetBlue, American Airlines, and United Airlines, have increased their baggage fees for 2024. While there's a financial incentive to pack less these days, experts want to make sure travelers can bring the essentials.In an effort to thin out their packing, travelers often forget about items that will have a huge impact on their comfort and ease during their vacation. From comfortable clothing to necessary tech accessories, these items rank high on the list of things you shouldn't forget when heading away from home with your family for a week.No matter how…

If you've booked a last-minute flight on short notice or are finally heading off on a long-awaited vacation, you'll likely be searching for a travel bag that can fit under your seat.You know the kind of trip-ruiner it can be when you're hit with excess baggage fees right before you're about to board your flight, but thankfully over the past year or so, TikTok has come to the rescue, showcasing the perfect bag to fit all your holiday essentials and meet those pesky luggage requirements.Available to buy from Amazon, the Kono holdall measures just 35 x 20 x 20cm, which…