Global tourism revenues set record in 2012

Posted on May 18, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Tourists from Asia exploring Hallstatt, Austria.

Travel and tourism a key driver in world economy

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The global tourism economy hummed along at a record pace in 2012, growing by 4 percent and generating a total of $1.3 trillion when international passenger transit revenues are included in the equation.

“It is encouraging to see that the growth in international tourist arrivals was equalled by a comparable increase in spending in spite of continued economic challenges,” said United Nations World Tourism Organization secretary-general Taleb Rifai. “Considering that tourism is a key export for many economies around the world, this result is good news as it provides foreign reserves to destinations, and contributes to job creation in tourism as well as in related economic sectors,” he added.

By regions, the Americas recorded the largest increase in receipts, plus 7 percent, followed by Asia and the Pacific ( plus 6 percent), Africa ( plus 5 percent) and Europe (plus 2 percent). Receipts in the Middle East were down about 2 percent but improving compared to the double-digit decline recorded in 2011. (more…)

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Morning photo: Americana

Posted on May 14, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Roadtrip rehash

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Chugwater, Wyoming.

FRISCO —Re-editing some pics from a big summer road trip two years ago — two dogs, three people, a beat-up 1998 Nissan Pathfinder and about 6,000 miles through Wyoming, South Dakota, then down the Mississippi all the way to the mouth of the great river, and finally, southwestern Florida … fishing, fried pickles and an awesome dog beach where both the dogs enjoyed their first (and so far only) swim in the ocean.

Back along the Gulf Coast, San Antonio, west Texas during big summer heatwave and drought of 2011, with temps in 100-and-teens, and into New Mexico just in time to watch the Las Conchas Fire erupt north of Santa Fe. All that’s left now are some pretty amazing memories, and, of course, a LOT of photos. (more…)

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Morning photo: Horizons

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Ever onward …

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The horizon over Dillon Reservoir is sandwiched by clouds.

FRISCO — Most of us know how important it can be to have strong lines in an image to help guide the eye toward the subject. But often, the most common line — the horizon — is the focal point of an image. Our eyes are automatically drawn toward that distant threshold, beyond which is, well, the rest of the world. Horizons in the theme of this week’s #FriFotos Twitter chat, with wonderful images streaming in from all corners of the globe. Join the fun by uploading your own pics and tagging them with #FriFotos.

Sunlit icebergs gleam on the horizon in the Antarctic Sound.

Distant icebergs float on the horizon in the Antarctic Sound.

(more…)

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Travel: Popular Grand Canyon trailhead gets a makeover

Posted on May 10, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

National Park Service touts expanded parking, better visitor service

The Bright Angel trailhead at the Grand Canyon has had a big makeover, with more parking and an expanded view area

The Bright Angel trailhead at the Grand Canyon has had a big makeover, with more parking and an expanded seating area.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — One of the most storied trails in the country has seen a partial makeover, and the National Park Service will celebrate the new look of Grand Canyon National Park’s Bright Angel Trail with a May 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The renovation encompasses a 3.5 acre area at and surrounding the Bright Angel Trailhead. The work focused on creating an accessible and comfortable area for visitors that complements existing historic buildings including the Bright Angel Lodge and Rim Cabins designed by Grand Canyon architect Mary E. J. Colter.

With little work on the trailhead in the past 100 years, the National Park Service said visitors were having a hard time finding the trailhead, and there was no convenient or comfortable place for people to sit to either enjoy the view or prepare for hikes.  The renovation will greatly improve conditions at and around the trailhead, providing a much better experience for park visitors. (more…)

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Morning photo: Cityscapes

Posted on May 8, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Euro-mania …

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Centuries-old castle walls serve as a backdrop for river runners in Český Krumlov.

FRISCO — I usually try to keep the intros for the daily photo essays pretty short and let the pictures speak for themselves, and that works pretty well for this short set with some of my favorite European city scenes. (more…)

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Travel: U.S. Senate acts to avert more airport delays

Posted on April 26, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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The U.S. Senate wants to keep air traffic moving.

Budget shuffle could enable FAA to avoid furloughs

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — With the busy summer travel season already winding up, the U.S. Senate acted to try and prevent more delays at U.S. Airports. The bipartisan deal to give the FAA more budget flexibility was led by Senators Mark Udall (D-Colo.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine).

The Reducing Flight Delays Act gives the U.S. Secretary of Transportation the flexibility to transfer discretionary funds into the FAA’s operations budget to prevent essential employees, such as air traffic controllers, from being furloughed.  (more…)

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Travel: National Parks visitation surges in 2012

Posted on April 22, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Rocky Mountain National Park is fifth-most visited

Great Sand Dunes National Park may not be one of the most-visited, but it's definitely one of the most intriguing. Bob Berwyn photo.

Great Sand Dunes National Park may not be one of the most-visited, but it’s definitely one of the most intriguing. Bob Berwyn photo.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Even though Hurricane Sandy forced the closure of some popular national parks in the Northeast late in the year, overall visitation to national parks surged to 282 million in 2012. National Park Service officials said it was the sixth-highest total ever, even though the agency estimated 2 million fewer visitors as a result of park closures caused by Hurricane Sandy. (more…)

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Morning photo: West!

Posted on April 19, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

It’s not ALWAYS wild …

Looking out at the Golden Gate Bridge makes you realize you're about as far west as you can be in the U.S.

Looking out at the Golden Gate Bridge makes you realize you’re about as far west as you can be in the U.S.

FRISCO — When I saw this week’s #FriFotos theme I was pretty excited. After the West is where I first really spread my photography wings and learned to fly. In the early days, it was all I could do to hold the camera steady and straight while taking in those jaw-dropping vistas. Today, places like the Golden Gate Bridge still make my jaw drop, but thanks to digital photography and a slightly more sophisticated approach and technique, I do manage to capture a decent shot every now and then. Join in the Twitter chat fun by uploading your favorite west-themed pics and tagging with #FriFotos and posting them to Twitter. (more…)

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Morning photo: Purple power!

Posted on April 12, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

The royal color

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Under a purple glow deep in the bowels of Ali Pasha’s castle in Butrint, Albania, a bartender named Napoleon made a hot raki drink for us using a tiny campstove. Photo courtesy Leigh Wadden. Click here to learn more about Butrint.

FRISCO —When the theme of this week’s #FriFotos Twitter chat was announced as “purple,” I knew that I had plenty of pics in the archive. After all, it’s one of my favorite colors, eye-catching and friendly. I was pretty sure I had plenty of purple wildflower images, but I wasn’t really sure what else I would find. It ended up being quite a mix of photos, from a pleasing purple balloon at the Frisco Oktoberfest to the deep purple of ripening olives on a Greek hillside. Learn more about #FriFotos here, and check out the Facebook page, too. (more…)

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New tourism policy to boost outbound Chinese travel

Posted on March 31, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Tourism destinations around the world could benefit from a new policy encouraging Chinese people to travel.

Government wants to encourage both domestic and foreign travel

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Chinese travelers are already boosting tourism economies around the world, but a new national policy that specifically encourages travel abroad could lead to an increase surge of business at popular destinations, according to the World Tourism Organization.

The Outline for National Tourism and Leisure (2013-2020), issued by the State Council of China, the country´s highest level of government, presents a roadmap for restructuring the current paid leave system across China. (more…)

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