Latest news with #AndresGutierrez
Extra.ie
13-06-2025
- Extra.ie
Quiet peaceful holidays popular in 2025
Eco friendly holidays, nature based breaks and gazing upwards at the night sky are topping the list of holiday wishes for the year ahead, according to a new survey. The data compiled by Airbnb and found that holiday makers are looking ahead with an eco friendly eye on their annual summer getaway. While the travel industry has more or less returned to pre-covid levels, the growing level of economic uncertainty, alongside the ongoing wars in Ukraine and the Middle East and Donald Trumps presidency in the USA is apparantly making 2025 feel quite unpredictable in the world of travel. Pic:Visitor numbers to the USA have already seen a drop this year while more and more people are looking to 'step out of reality' and embrace an almost 'ethereal experience' on their annual sojourn for rest and relaxation. This is shown in a new trend towards taking 'Calmcations' holidays where your every move is geared towards total relaxation and zero stress, with absolute peace and tranquility. Pic: Shutterstock In fact, a recent survey from the World Health Organisation rated noise pollution, particularly from traffic, as the second most important cause of sickness in Western Europe. Travel agencies are also reporting a rise in bookings to the Scandinavian countries with increasing interest in Norway and Sweden as Summer destinations, instead of the popular perennials like Spain, Portugal, Italy and Greece which have seen protests over the past couple of years from locals there complaining about over-tourism in their areas. TENERIFE, SPAIN – MAY 18: Thousands of people protesting against the tourism model and mass tourism in the Canary Islands in Tenefire, Spain on May 18, 2025. (Photo by Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu via Getty Images) But while the usual holiday hotspots are seeing a decrease in popularity among some sun-seekers, it seems people are not really looking at travelling further afield, as more than likely swapping one holiday hotspot for a similar neighbouring country that may be cheaper and less crowded, like moving from Italy to Bulgaria or Croatia to Albania instead. And have you ever considered Noctourism? Combining the night time with tourist experiences from glowing bioluminescent beaches to the Northern Lights. Pic: Getty Images Stargazing holidays are expected to be popular this year as, according to leading astronomers, solar activity is going to reach new heights in 2025, sending higher than average numbers of charged particles to interact with the Earth's atmosphere, creating dramatic aurora viewing opportunities. So if you're still undecided about where to go this summer, maybe a peaceful, star gazing type of break is just what the doctor ordered.
West Australian
09-06-2025
- Health
- West Australian
Seven in 10 Aussies admit to faking sickie in past year
Seventy per cent of Australians faked a sick day at work in the past year when they were not actually unwell, a new study has found It was estimated sickies cost Australian businesses $7.3bn a year in lost productivity and 24.6 million days off. The study conducted by iSelect found the most common reasons people took a sick day were a lack of sleep, to relax and recharge, mental health or personal issues to deal with family, or relationship problems. The health insurance comparison service found when mental health issues were counted as personal leave, 68 per cent of Australians still admitted to taking a fake sick day. The highest proportion of people pulling a sickie were workers aged 25 to 34 (84.5 per cent). The most significant difference between men and women surveyed was that 26.6 per cent of women used a sick day for a mental health day compared with 19.5 per cent of men. Men 12.9 (per cent) were more likely to take a sick day because they were hungover compared with women (8.5 per cent), but twice as many women (20 per cent) were more likely to take the day off to care for children than men. Other excuses revealed some workers took sick days to attend a special event or they just wanted the day off for general leisure. Others avoided meetings or did not want to go to work because it was raining. iSelect general manager of health Andres Gutierrez said the research found it was very common for Australians to take a sickie at least once a year despite not being physically ill. 'A lack of sleep, wanting to relax and recharge, and mental health are the top three reasons, highlighting how some Australians might choose to prioritise self-care,' he said. 'If you're finding it tough to get a good night's sleep or you're dealing with mental health challenges, it's important to reach out for support.'
News.com.au
09-06-2025
- Health
- News.com.au
Seven in 10 Aussies admit to faking sickie in past year
Seventy per cent of Australians faked a sick day at work in the past year when they were not actually unwell, a new study has found It was estimated sickies cost Australian businesses $7.3bn a year in lost productivity and 24.6 million days off. The study conducted by iSelect found the most common reasons people took a sick day were a lack of sleep, to relax and recharge, mental health or personal issues to deal with family, or relationship problems. The health insurance comparison service found when mental health issues were counted as personal leave, 68 per cent of Australians still admitted to taking a fake sick day. The highest proportion of people pulling a sickie were workers aged 25 to 34 (84.5 per cent). The most significant difference between men and women surveyed was that 26.6 per cent of women used a sick day for a mental health day compared with 19.5 per cent of men. Men 12.9 (per cent) were more likely to take a sick day because they were hungover compared with women (8.5 per cent), but twice as many women (20 per cent) were more likely to take the day off to care for children than men. Other excuses revealed some workers took sick days to attend a special event or they just wanted the day off for general leisure. Others avoided meetings or did not want to go to work because it was raining. iSelect general manager of health Andres Gutierrez said the research found it was very common for Australians to take a sickie at least once a year despite not being physically ill. 'A lack of sleep, wanting to relax and recharge, and mental health are the top three reasons, highlighting how some Australians might choose to prioritise self-care,' he said. 'If you're finding it tough to get a good night's sleep or you're dealing with mental health challenges, it's important to reach out for support.'
DW
03-06-2025
- DW
What is the answer to overtourism? – DW – 06/03/2025
Many popular holiday destinations are struggling from the environmental impact of huge visitor numbers. How can it be tackled? Tourism is booming all over the world. Last year there were around 1.5 billion holiday makers, setting the second highest ever record after 2019. From Gran Canaria, to Mallorca and Rome, many population destinations are now overcrowded with visitors. Overtourism describes the excessive, and often simultaneous, rush of vacationers to one place. According to the UN World Tourism Organization it is usually defined as the point at which locals or visitors feel tourism has negatively impacted the quality of life in a region to an unacceptable degree. All of this applies to the seven Canary Islands. The archipelago in the Atlantic, home to 2.2 million locals, hosted a total of 15.2 million visitors last year — and a new record is expected this year. While tourism accounts for more than a third of the islands' economy, it is mainly large investors that profit, according to local groups. Rents are exploding, the environment is suffering and living space for the local population is becoming scarce as property owners capitalize on lucrative short-term rentals. How does overtourism impact the environment? Overtourism magnifies the existing problems of heavy tourism and often stretches infrastructure and local resources to their limit. Noise, littering, drones flying through the air to take holiday snaps, and traffic jams are just a few of the less pleasant aspects of surges in visitors. Landscapes are often altered by additional footpaths or new parking lots catering to visitors, disrupting the local flora and fauna. Tourism threatens water resources, especially on islands and in warm regions as vacationers, especially those that are wealthy, generally consume more water than locals. Waste water is also often a problem. For example, the wastewater discharged into the sea off the popular Spanish Balearic island of Majorca has caused underwater seagrass beds, important helpers against the climate crisis, to shrink considerably. In May, 2025, locals on Tenerife protested overtourism on the Canary Islands Image: Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu/picture alliance Is overtourism fueling the climate crisis? Emissions from tourism increased by 65% between 1995 and 2019 and it is today responsible for 8-10% of all global greenhouse gas emissions. Air travel is the main driver of its growing climate impact. While flying accounts for a quarter of all vacation trips, it is responsible for three quarters of tourism emissions. Added to this are emissions from local transportation, accommodation and leisure activities. The general rise in travel often leads to overtourism: if more people are traveling, particularly popular destinations become more crowded. Short trips are becoming more popular. Last year, Germans alone took around 94 million short trips — an increase of almost a quarter compared to the previous year. This type of travel is particularly damaging to the climate, as the largest proportion of tourists' CO2 emissions comes from the journey to and from a destination. More short trips equals more arrivals and departures, and this means more emissions. What causes overtourism? According to the Swiss non-profit organization fairunterwegs, air travel has a particularly influential role in driving overtourism. They say the existence of nearby airports, particularly if they are served by low-cost airlines, encourages the emergence of overtourism. Mallorca, for example, would probably not be as popular if people had to travel there by ship. However cruise ships are also criticized for exacerbating the problem. Cruise ship tourists tend to go ashore for only a few hours, putting a strain on local infrastructure and contributing relatively little to the local economy, as they are usually fully catered for on board. Visitors to Hallstatt, Austria, have boomed since it was featured in popular TV series Image: JFK/EXPA/ alliance And then there is the phenomenon of so-called set-jetting. The film locations of popular TV series often lead to a huge spike in visitor numbers. On Maui and Sicily, the filming locations for the US series "The White Lotus", the number of guests has risen by 20% on both islands. Dubrovnik in Croatia, where much of Game of Thrones was filmed, is also suffering from overtourism. In Hallstatt, Austria, a local initiative is fighting against the impact of a tourism surge, likely driven by the picturesque town being featured in the South Korean Netflix series "Spring Waltz". Can overtourism be prevented? Some cities and regions are trying to limit the number of travelers at certain times or altogether. In Venice, day tourists have to pay up to €10 and Lisbon charges cruise ship operators €2 for every disembarking passenger. Tenerife is restricting access to the summit of the Pico del Teide volcano to 300 visitors per day. Paris has moved to limit the number of days per year locals can rent out their main residence via platforms such as Airbnb, while Thailand is closing the popular Similan and Surin Islands this year until autumn to allow local ecosystems to recover and is planning to charge entrance fees in future. In addition to access restrictions and higher taxes on overnight stays, visitor flows are also being managed through digital booking systems that help avoid queues in front of monuments or museums. Some tourism hotspots are also promoting attractions outside city centers. Copenhagen is trying a different approach by instead rewarding more climate-friendly travellers, with those arriving by train able to access free rental bikes, yoga lessons, guided tours and reduced admission prices. This article was first published in German.
Extra.ie
19-05-2025
- Extra.ie
Irish holidaymakers trapped as tourism protests rock the Canary Islands
Thousands of Canary Islanders took to the streets yesterday in protest over tourism in the region. In Tenerife, one local carried a placard with the slogan: 'My misery is your paradise.' Another said the archipelago 'is no longer a paradise' thanks to tourists. Thousands of holidaymakers, including Irish, are currently visiting the islands, where demonstrations began at 11 am, with many tourists not daring to leave their accommodation, despite the presence of dozens of armed police. Protests are taking place across the Canary Islands. Pic: Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu via Getty Images One, from Ireland, said he was too scared to leave his Airbnb. Alberto Babo, 32, said: 'I didn't go out today due to the protests, I'm stuck in my Airbnb to avoid the crowds. 'I hope they are not violent or anything, but just to be safe, I'm here. All I can hear is the noise.' The din was from people blowing on shells, banging drums and chanting, with slogans including: 'El dinero del turismo, donde está?', meaning 'The money from tourism, where is it?' One placard being carried in the crowd read: 'Stop excessive tourism. This is our home.' Protests are taking place across the Canary Islands. Pic: Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu via Getty Images Another said 'tourists swim in s***', referencing the large amount of sewage water that is dumped into the sea – the majority of it, activists say, coming from hotels and tourist accommodation. Other placards in Spanish said: 'Don't sell your homes to guiris!' Guiri is a Spanish slang word for tourists. Solidarity protests are also taking place in Barcelona, Valencia and Madrid. The Canary Islands have a population of 2.2 million people, but welcome about 18 million holidaymakers each year, which locals say is placing a strain on resources. Activists are calling for a cap on the number of tourists to prevent overcrowding and resource depletion. Among their other demands is a ban on any new hotels or tourism apartment complexes, and the immediate demolition of projects already declared illegal. Among the protesters was Paula McKnight Morales, 39, whose father is from the US but who grew up on the islands. The swimming instructor said: 'Spain has become the after-party for Europe, and Tenerife has more tourists per year than Brazil. 'We don't have room. Since our historic protest last year, the government has done nothing; they have actually increased the number of tourists coming, and we don't have enough room. 'The number of Airbnbs is too high, and there is nowhere to rent; it is catastrophic for the island.' Reporting by Laurence Dollimore
