Latest news with #Koslow
New York Post
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Post
Nassau County Exec Bruce Blakeman rakes in $2M for campaign in an ominous sign for Democratic challenger
Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman tripled his campaign war chest in a year — and raised nearly $1.5 million more than his election opponent in the first half of 2025. The Republican pulled in just under $2 million from PACs, corporations, unions and individual donors between Jan. 15 and July 15, according to the most recent campaign filings — while Democrat Seth Koslow only brought in $433,535. Blakeman ended the first six months with a whopping $3.3 million on hand while Koslow — a county legislator and attorney from Merrick — had $389,855 on hand, the filings showed. Advertisement 3 Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman's campaign has raised $2 million so far this year. Michael McWeeney 'I'm proud to have earned overwhelming support from hardworking taxpayers, law enforcement, trade unions, and local employers who stand behind my record of holding the line on taxes and keeping Nassau the safest county in America,' Blakeman told The Post. The county executive raked in nearly 700 individual donations, with about 40 of them over $10,000 apiece, the filings showed. This includes $50,000 each from insurance executive and CEO of The Whitmore Group, James Metzger as well as relatives of Bolla Oil CEO Harvinder Singh, according to the records. Advertisement Blakeman also took in $25,000 each from two major Republican donors in the nursing home industry — Kenneth Gaul of Port Jefferson and Benjamin Landa of Cold Spring Hills — the same amount as the estate of Lawrence Herbert, the late inventor of the Pantone color system, according to the filings. Blakeman was boosted by donations of $12,000 from the Nassau PBA, $7,000 from the correction officers' union, $2,500 from the Detectives' Association, and $2,000 from the superior officers' union, the filings showed. 3 Blakeman's Democratic opponent Seth Koslow speaking at a 'Nassau not for sale' rally on July 17, 2025. Brigitte Stelzer Koslow bashed Blakeman for taking money from law firms that have active contracts with Nassau. Attorneys with the firm Abrams Fensterman — including Frank Carone, the former chief of staff to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, and his wife — donated $25,000, according to the records. Advertisement 'If you're doing business with the county, odds are you're cutting checks to Bruce, too,' Koslow said Thursday outside of the county exec's office for a rally, where he placed a 'for sale' sign on his door and accused the incumbent of corruption. 'Bruce Blakeman didn't raise over $2 million by accident, he did it by auctioning off county contracts like they were concert tickets. If you're a vendor doing business with Nassau, odds are you're cutting checks to Bruce too.' 3 Blakeman has raised about $1.5 million more than Koslow this year. Brigitte Stelzer But Blakeman fired back and called Koslow's run against him a 'failing campaign aided by criminal attorneys and radical NYC politicians that want to defund the police and raise taxes.' Advertisement Koslow reported almost 100 more individual donors than Blakeman — though in much smaller amounts. His backers include $15,000 from state and county Democratic boss Jay Jacobs, $10,000 from Port Washington trader and philanthropist Eric Knight and $8,500 from the New Suburbia PAC, which backs progressive suburban candidates. The election is Nov. 4.
Straits Times
02-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Leisure travel market to triple in worth to $19 trillion by 2040, report says
Consumers' growing wanderlust has resulted in more people booking more last-minute trips, even in the face of all the economic uncertainty. LONDON – You don't need statistics to know that airports and airplanes are crammed far more densely than they used to be. But a report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) spells out just how quickly the travel industry is growing. The company's global review of leisure travel, based on a survey of nearly 5,000 travelers, estimates that annual consumer expenditure on travel will triple to US$15 trillion (S$19 trillion) in 2040 from US$5 trillion in 2024. That catapults the industry ahead of both pharmaceuticals and fashion. That momentum isn't coming from the US or Europe, the report suggests. 'Emerging markets are really going to drive significant growth, countries like China, India and Saudi Arabia,' says Lara Koslow, senior partner at BCG and one of the authors of the report. Discussing the findings with Bloomberg, Ms Koslow says the growth of the middle class in these places is giving rise to consumers that are newly interested in leisure travel – just as the rise of the middle class in the US gave rise to a resort culture there many decades ago. China is on course to become the country with the highest spending on leisure, which is predicted to increase more than 10 per cent a year. 'We all know that leisure travel is on the rise and that trend has been going on for a while,' says Ms Koslow. But she says she was surprised to find that 70 per cent of emerging market travelers add a leisure component to their work trips, a practice that's much less common in the United States. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey Singapore Ong Beng Seng's court hearing rescheduled one day before he was expected to plead guilty Singapore Three hair salons raided in clampdown on touting, vice, drugs in Geylang and Joo Chiat Singapore New $7.5m fund to encourage social service agencies to track impact of their programmes Singapore GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July Singapore Police looking into claim by driver who caused teen's death that he was an NUS student Asia Dalai Lama says he will have successor after his death Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Domestic trips within a traveler's home country represent a majority of the demand. But international leisure travel is growing at a faster clip. BCG forecasts that it will more than triple, from U $424 billion in 2024 to US$1.4 trillion in 2040. Of course, the travel industry is difficult to quantify. Most estimates, like those from the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), include things such as restaurant expenditures or the knock-on effects of hospitality workers contributing to their local economies; in April, the WTC estimated that the industry would reach US$11.7 trillion, or 10.3 per cent of the world's gross domestic product, by the end of 2025. BCG's figures follow the same approach. Its latest study factors the evolution of travel patterns across 68 countries from 2014 to 2024; it also surveyed travelers in 11 countries whose populations either travel frequently or are likely to do so. But BCG's research didn't take into account the current risks of trade wars or geopolitical conflicts that could scuttle travel across large regions such as the Middle East. Koslow says those situations are 'very unclear' at the moment. However, the travel industry has been resilient, says Ms Koslow – an assessment that tracks with WTTC's outlook. And consumers' growing wanderlust has resulted in more people booking more last-minute trips, even in the face of all the economic uncertainty. 'People have this desire to indulge more in experiences and not miss out – carpe diem,' she says. 'We're seeing more people take that moment if they have it and really lean into it.' BLOOMBERG
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
India's rising middle class joins the $15 trillion global travel opportunity
India's rising middle class and younger population eager to travel are helping place the country among the most important contributors to the next wave of global leisure travel growth, according to a new report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG). The study estimates that annual global consumer spending on leisure travel will triple from $5 trillion in 2024 to $15 trillion in 2040, making it larger than the pharmaceutical and fashion industries. BCG's global review of leisure travel is based on a survey of nearly 5,000 travellers. It finds that the increase in travel spending is being driven by multiple factors, including a growing emphasis on experiences over material goods, and the emergence of a large middle class in several developing countries. 'Emerging markets are really going to drive significant growth, countries like China, India and Saudi Arabia,' said Lara Koslow, senior partner at BCG and one of the authors of the report. In an interview with Bloomberg, Koslow said the expansion of the middle class in these regions is giving rise to a new group of leisure travellers, similar to how middle-class growth in the United States once led to the development of a resort culture there. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Top 25 Most Beautiful Women In The World Articles Vally According to BCG, China is on track to become the country with the highest spending on leisure travel, with expenditure expected to rise by more than 10% a year. Other countries contributing to this trend include India, Saudi Arabia, Bulgaria and Cambodia, as their residents increasingly travel for leisure. Travel demand is also becoming younger and more digitally engaged. Companies across the travel value chain are being advised to understand and welcome new travellers, even as they continue serving traditional ones. Live Events India's travel growth patterns The report says that India experienced moderate to strong growth in leisure travel spending between 2019 and 2024, suggesting a fast recovery from COVID-19 impacts. BCG expects this momentum to continue. According to the projections, domestic, regional and international overnights for Indian travellers will grow annually by 3%, 4%, and 6% respectively. In terms of expenditure, domestic spending is forecast to increase by 12% per year, regional by 8%, and international by 10%. Younger Indian generations are particularly interested in travelling more and spending more. Globally, Millennials and Gen-Zers are the most influential travellers, with their share of planned trip increases outpacing older generations by 4 to 26 percentage points. These cohorts are described as mobile-savvy, socially conscious, and highly engaged online. In India and China, Gen-Xers also remain an important market segment, especially when compared to their diminishing role in developed economies. The report also identifies religious travel as a niche category that is more prominent among travellers from India, Nigeria and Saudi Arabia. Global growth projections From 2024 to 2029, leisure travel measured in overnights is expected to grow by about 4% annually, slowing to 3% a year between 2029 and 2040. The bulk of these overnights will be domestic, followed by regional travel. Spending, too, will rise. Leisure travel expenditure is projected to grow by 8% per year through 2029, then by 7% annually through 2040. Domestic leisure travel in 2024 is valued at $4.1 trillion, driven by nearly 13 billion overnights. This is expected to reach $11.7 trillion and about 18 billion overnights by 2040. Regional travel is expected to grow from $710 billion (over 3 billion overnights) in 2024 to just over $2 trillion (7 billion overnights) by 2040. International leisure travel is projected to more than triple, from $425 billion (almost 2 billion overnights) in 2024 to approximately $1.4 trillion (5 billion overnights) in 2040. Koslow said, 'We all know that leisure travel is on the rise and that trend has been going on for a while.' But she added that she was surprised to find that 70% of emerging market travellers add a leisure component to their work trips, a practice far less common in the US. Destinations and motivators Leisure travellers continue to seek out traditional favourites—beaches, nature, and cities. These remain the top three destination types, especially for high-spending travellers and solo travellers, the latter showing a slight preference for cities. However, newer preferences are emerging. Travellers are now also drawn to curated, purpose-driven experiences, such as wellness retreats, spiritual travel, and holistic health resorts. The report includes examples like destination marketing in Qatar and Qiddiya. The motivations for travel are broadening. While relaxation, escape, exploration, outdoor activity, and visiting friends and relatives remain dominant, people are increasingly seeking experiences that align with their lifestyles. The report says, 'Travelers today seek meaning, convenience, and experiences that align with their lifestyles.' But traditional leisure staples like 'beach chairs, cabanas, snorkeling, [and] golf courses' are not going away. Across all markets, the most common reasons to travel remain relaxing and spending quality time with loved ones. One specific trend is the rise of food tourism, particularly in Asia. Travellers from China, Vietnam and Indonesia now often rank food as a top reason for travel. They plan entire itineraries around food, including Michelin-starred restaurants and street food tours. In Western markets, food travel exists too, but tends to be secondary to traditional motivations like relaxation. External risks and long-term outlook Quantifying the travel industry is complex. Like the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), BCG includes a wide range of spending—from restaurant bills to the indirect effects of hospitality employment. WTTC estimated in April that the travel sector would reach $11.7 trillion, or 10.3% of global GDP, by the end of 2024. However, BCG's estimates do not account for potential impacts from trade wars, geopolitical conflicts, or immigration restrictions, particularly in relation to travel to and from the United States. Some forecasts from other organisations have adjusted expectations downward due to these concerns, but BCG has not altered its projections. Koslow described such developments as 'very unclear' and said their mid- to long-term implications for leisure travel remain to be seen. Despite global uncertainty, Koslow said the travel industry has shown resilience. The WTTC shares that view. Many consumers, the report says, are continuing to travel—and even book last-minute trips—in spite of economic volatility. BCG said that wanderlust remains a global motivator. 'It's baked into our DNA,' the report says. As more consumers across emerging markets find themselves able to explore, the desire to experience new geographies and cultures is only expected to grow.
Yahoo
26-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Nassau County bill would slash ‘shakedown' fees for business licenses
Small businesses in Nassau County could catch a break from the avalanche of local fees tied to dozens of required permits and licenses. Democratic county legislator Seth Koslow, who is running against County Executive Bruce Blakeman for his seat in November, proposed legislation last week to cut up to 85 percent of local licensing fees for businesses. 'If you want to groom dogs, hang a sign, or fix locks in Nassau, you're looking at hundreds of dollars in yearly fees — it reads less like a licensing schedule and more like a shakedown list,' Koslow told The Post. 'Small businesses are getting squeezed.' The proposed legislation would slash fees for more than 30 types of business licenses — including those involving dry cleaners, locksmiths, dog groomers, health clubs and home-service providers — which currently cost Nassau business owners anywhere from $650 to $1,300 a year. That's more than triple what businesses in neighboring Suffolk County pay for the same licenses, which typically range from just $100 to $200 annually — making Nassau's fees 225% to 550% higher depending on the license. Koslow told The Post that Suffolk's model was essentially the blueprint for his bill. 'Why should a young entrepreneur in Nassau pay triple what someone pays across the county line,' Koslow said. 'That's not competition, that's punishment. These fees hit hardest for women, minority, and veteran-owned startups. This bill is how we level the playing field.' David Adeoya, a Nassau County-based financial adviser who works with small businesses in the area, told The Post that the proposed legislation could provide much-needed breathing room for entrepreneurs struggling to stay afloat in a tough economy while making Nassau a more competitive place to do business. 'Many small businesses are facing rising costs and higher import prices, so lowering these fees can offer meaningful relief,' Adeoya said. 'Lower licensing fees mean business owners have more room in their budgets for necessities like inventory, staffing and equipment while also having the potential flexibility to add more tax efficient assets — things that directly support their businesses growth and stability.' Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he would be on board with the legislation. But he also noted licensing fees bring in so much money for Nassau that lowering them by nearly 80% could significantly impact the county budget. 'I am happy to cut the fees, provided Democrats come up with matching cuts to spending,' Blakeman told The Post.
New York Post
25-05-2025
- Business
- New York Post
New Nassau County bill would slash ‘shakedown' fees for business licenses
Small businesses in Nassau County could catch a break from the avalanche of local fees tied to dozens of required permits and licenses. Democratic county legislator Seth Koslow, who is running against County Executive Bruce Blakeman for his seat in November, proposed legislation last week to cut up to 85 percent of local licensing fees for businesses. 'If you want to groom dogs, hang a sign, or fix locks in Nassau, you're looking at hundreds of dollars in yearly fees — it reads less like a licensing schedule and more like a shakedown list,' Koslow told The Post. 4 Small businesses in Nassau County could catch a break from the local fees tied to dozens of required permits and licenses. Google Maps 'Small businesses are getting squeezed.' The proposed legislation would slash fees for more than 30 types of business licenses — including those involving dry cleaners, locksmiths, dog groomers, health clubs and home-service providers — which currently cost Nassau business owners anywhere from $650 to $1,300 a year. That's more than triple what businesses in neighboring Suffolk County pay for the same licenses, which typically range from just $100 to $200 annually — making Nassau's fees 225% to 550% higher depending on the license. Koslow told The Post that Suffolk's model was essentially the blueprint for his bill. 'Why should a young entrepreneur in Nassau pay triple what someone pays across the county line,' Koslow said. 'That's not competition, that's punishment. These fees hit hardest for women, minority, and veteran-owned startups. This bill is how we level the playing field.' 4 Seth Koslow proposed legislation last week to cut up to 85 percent of local licensing fees for businesses. Seth Koslow for County Executive David Adeoya, a Nassau County-based financial adviser who works with small businesses in the area, told The Post that the proposed legislation could provide much-needed breathing room for entrepreneurs struggling to stay afloat in a tough economy while making Nassau a more competitive place to do business. 'Many small businesses are facing rising costs and higher import prices, so lowering these fees can offer meaningful relief,' Adeoya said. 4 Koslow is running against Executive Bruce Blakeman for his seat in November. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post 4 The proposed legislation would slash fees for more than 30 types of business licenses which currently cost Nassau business owners anywhere from $650 to $1,300 a year. Google Maps 'Lower licensing fees mean business owners have more room in their budgets for necessities like inventory, staffing and equipment while also having the potential flexibility to add more tax efficient assets — things that directly support their businesses growth and stability.' Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said he would be on board with the legislation. But he also noted licensing fees bring in so much money for Nassau that lowering them by nearly 80% could significantly impact the county budget. 'I am happy to cut the fees, provided Democrats come up with matching cuts to spending,' Blakeman told The Post.
