Latest news with #JadeWilson
Skift
26-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
Italy's Overtourism Campaign, Trump's Student Visa Rules and Ritz-Carlton's New Cruise Ship
On today's pod we look at Italy's push to expand tourists' bucket lists, Trump's student social media interrogations, and Ritz-Carlton's latest yacht. Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Thursday, June 26. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Italy has launched a new national tourism campaign aimed at combating overtourism, writes Global Tourism and Experiences Reporter Jade Wilson. The goal of the campaign — called '99% of Italy' — is to expose travelers to less popular parts of the country. About 70% of international travelers converge on just 1% of the country, according to Visit Italy. CEO Ruben Santopietro said that, without a rebalanced approach, Venice could turn into a lifeless backdrop while Rome could become a parking lot for tour buses. The campaign comes as tensions around overtourism rise across Europe. Residents in cities such as Barcelona, Palma de Mallorca, and Venice have called for tighter restrictions on short-term rentals and limits on cruise ship arrivals. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, the U.S. State Department is requiring applicants for student visas to make all their social media accounts public for vetting, writes Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi. Maharishi reports the requirement only pertains to those applying for student visas. The State Department recently said it would resume interviews for international students but with enhanced social media vetting. The department stated student visa applicants have been required since 2019 to submit their social media accounts on application forms. However, applicants weren't required before to make their accounts public. Finally, the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is ramping up its presence at sea with the launch of a new ship in July, writes Hospitality Reporter Luke Martin. The Ritz-Carlton said on Wednesday that its third vessel, Luminara, will debut in the Mediterranean before sailing past Africa and across the Indian Ocean. In addition, the brand's first Asia-Pacific cruises are set to begin in December as Luminara will embark on a slate of 19 voyages, including new ports for the Ritz-Carlton across Southeast and East Asia.
Skift
13-05-2025
- Business
- Skift
U.S. Tourism Optimism, Aviation Infrastructure Woes and Viceroy Expansion Plans
For today's podcast we look at April tourism numbers in the U.S. as well as airline traffic control issues, and wrap up the pod with a glimpse at Viceroy's expansion plans. Skift Daily Briefing Podcast Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Listen to the day's top travel stories in under four minutes every weekday. Skift Travel Podcasts Good morning from Skift. It's Tuesday, May 13. Here's what you need to know about the business of travel today. Visits to the U.S. from 20 major countries — most notably those in Western Europe — rebounded in April after a March drop, writes Global Tourism and Experiences Reporter Jade Wilson. Visits from Western Europe increased 12% from last April, according to data published Monday by the U.S. International Trade Administration. Travel to the U.S. from Germany and the United Kingdom increased substantially in April — around 15% for each country. Visits from Germany were down about 28% in March. Overall inbound travel to the U.S. increased close to 3% in April. However, Wilson notes the data does not include visits from Canada, which have declined sharply in recent months and make up the largest percentage of international tourist by country. Listen to This Podcast Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Youtube | RSS Next, the U.S.' aging air traffic control system is facing increased scrutiny following a series of disruptions at Newark International Airport. Airlines Reporter Meghna Maharishi delves into the federal government's plan to improve the air traffic control system. Maharishi writes that the airline industry has long struggled with outdated technology and staffing shortages, with the FAA roughly 3,000 air traffic controllers short of its staffing goal. These issues have led United Airlines to cut 35 daily round-trip flights out of Newark. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy recently said the federal government plans to spend billions to modernize the air traffic control system and push for more hiring. Those plans include building six new air traffic control towers, which Duffy said would take three to four years to complete. Finally, real estate investment firm Highgate is increasing its investment in luxury brand Viceroy with developments in new markets, writes Senior Hospitality Editor Sean O'Neill. Viceroy plans to open The Harriman in Sun Valley, Idaho, in the summer of 2026. Richard Russo, a principal at Highgate, said the property will be the 'first true luxury hotel' at the popular ski destination. O'Neill notes the project represents a strategic shift for Viceroy, which Highgate acquired in 2023. Once known for urban boutique hotels, Viceroy is now targeting wealthy leisure travelers in outdoor destinations. In addition, Highgate expects to open more Viceroy-branded residences in the coming years.
