Latest news with #OldFaithful
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tourists tame their shopaholic ways, if they even come to the US
More than taking in views from the top of the Empire State Building, more than watching Old Faithful erupt and even more than shaking hands with Mickey Mouse, visitors to the US come to do one thing: shop. But now, President Donald Trump 's global trade war and border policies — combined with broader economic uncertainty — are threatening billions of tourism dollars. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates almost 20 billion dollars in retail spending is at risk this year. Some travellers are avoiding the US altogether, and of those who are coming, many are rethinking their budgets. Although some major currencies have recently gained against the dollar, international visitors are still confronting years of US inflation that has driven up the price of hotel stays and restaurant meals, leaving less money in their pockets for shopping. Travel-related spending, which typically grows each year, has been virtually flat this year through May when compared to the same period in 2024, data from the US International Trade Administration show. Meanwhile, foreign arrivals to the US by air were down 6.6% in June compared to last year, according to the ITA. 'Tourists would come with empty suitcases and they would go out, fill the suitcases up and then ship those suitcases home,' said Floris van Dijkum, a managing director at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Now, habits are changing. 'The jury is still out on the ultimate impact, but clearly you're going to see some pressure,' he said. Betto Souza, who has been working as a tour operator in South Florida for over a decade, is experiencing the shift first hand. While his clients — predominantly Brazilians like him — are still flocking to Miami for big events like the Miami Open and Formula One Grand Prix, they're being more selective about what to spend their money on. Steep import taxes and trade barriers have long pushed Brazilians to buy brand-name products abroad, with electronics like Apple Inc. watches and MacBooks — as well as Nike Inc. sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shirts and Michael Kors bags — among their go-to purchases. Now, 'some will opt not to buy sneakers so they can still purchase an iPhone. Or they'll forgo buying perfume,' said Souza, 53, who owns Miami Tours & Limo Services. 'Some are sacrificing shopping to be able to have experiences.' Annet van der Meer, visiting New York City from the Netherlands, agrees. She's still shopping for US brands, including New Balance sneakers and UGG boots, but much of her budget is going toward day-to-day expenses. 'Compared with Europe, it's unbelievable,' said van der Meer, 64, who'd just visited the Macy's store near the Empire State Building. 'Food is very expensive, alcohol is very expensive — I think in Europe we pay two times less than here.' Hotel prices are up almost 10% since before the pandemic, while the cost of eating out has risen by almost a third, according to government data. For years, tourists from across the world have included stops at US luxury stores and outlet malls on their list of must-dos when visiting the country. Though e-commerce and international expansion mean the days of filling suitcases with half-price US brands are in the past, there are still some bargains to be found — especially for visitors from countries where certain products are priced at a premium. Last year, shopping was the top leisure activity among the more than 48 million foreigners who flew to the US, a survey by the ITA found, topping sightseeing and visits to national parks, monuments and museums. Visitors could be further deterred by the cost of visas, which are set to rise significantly due to new fees detailed in Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax and spending bill. And in recent weeks, the president has been threatening new tariffs on imports from countries including Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. Canada has already seen widespread boycotts on all things American. The unease among tourists is adding to challenges for everyone from mom-and-pop owned retailers to big companies like Macy's Inc., where Chief Executive Officer Tony Spring recently indicated that international tourism took a toll on sales last quarter. The company, which owns luxury brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury as well as its namesake stores, said its forward guidance was based on overseas shoppers staying away. Other companies have suggested US consumers could help offset some of the losses. UK fashion brand Burberry Group Plc said last week that a slowdown among tourists globally was the most challenging part of its business worldwide, but that sales in the Americas beat forecasts in the quarter through June, driven by 'new local customer growth.' Luana Krewer, a 24-year-old college student from Brazil's capital, Brasilia, returned in May from a two-week trip to Orlando and Miami with her family. She was on the hunt for a Coach bag, but said that shopping in the US 'is very different from what it used to be.' Compared to costs on her last visit in 2018, when she found deals on Apple products and the Brazilian real was almost twice as strong against the dollar, 'I thought the prices were very expensive,' she said. Ultimately, she spent more than 1,000 dollars on clothes at the discount store Ross Dress for Less and Florida's outlet stores, picking up products from Nike, Gap Inc., Victoria's Secret & Co. and Target Corp. Back in midtown Manhattan, Selma Aydin manages the New York Gift Store near the Rockefeller Center, selling souvenirs including New York Yankees hats and shirts to tourists. She said fewer people are visiting the store this year, and they're spending less. 'Last year, if people were coming, they were spending 1,000 dollars,' said Aydin, 50. 'One customer, for example, right now, is spending 200 dollars.'
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tourists tame their shopaholic ways, if they even come to the US
More than taking in views from the top of the Empire State Building, more than watching Old Faithful erupt and even more than shaking hands with Mickey Mouse, visitors to the US come to do one thing: shop. But now, President Donald Trump 's global trade war and border policies — combined with broader economic uncertainty — are threatening billions of tourism dollars. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates almost 20 billion dollars in retail spending is at risk this year. Some travellers are avoiding the US altogether, and of those who are coming, many are rethinking their budgets. Although some major currencies have recently gained against the dollar, international visitors are still confronting years of US inflation that has driven up the price of hotel stays and restaurant meals, leaving less money in their pockets for shopping. Travel-related spending, which typically grows each year, has been virtually flat this year through May when compared to the same period in 2024, data from the US International Trade Administration show. Meanwhile, foreign arrivals to the US by air were down 6.6% in June compared to last year, according to the ITA. 'Tourists would come with empty suitcases and they would go out, fill the suitcases up and then ship those suitcases home,' said Floris van Dijkum, a managing director at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Now, habits are changing. 'The jury is still out on the ultimate impact, but clearly you're going to see some pressure,' he said. Betto Souza, who has been working as a tour operator in South Florida for over a decade, is experiencing the shift first hand. While his clients — predominantly Brazilians like him — are still flocking to Miami for big events like the Miami Open and Formula One Grand Prix, they're being more selective about what to spend their money on. Steep import taxes and trade barriers have long pushed Brazilians to buy brand-name products abroad, with electronics like Apple Inc. watches and MacBooks — as well as Nike Inc. sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shirts and Michael Kors bags — among their go-to purchases. Now, 'some will opt not to buy sneakers so they can still purchase an iPhone. Or they'll forgo buying perfume,' said Souza, 53, who owns Miami Tours & Limo Services. 'Some are sacrificing shopping to be able to have experiences.' Annet van der Meer, visiting New York City from the Netherlands, agrees. She's still shopping for US brands, including New Balance sneakers and UGG boots, but much of her budget is going toward day-to-day expenses. 'Compared with Europe, it's unbelievable,' said van der Meer, 64, who'd just visited the Macy's store near the Empire State Building. 'Food is very expensive, alcohol is very expensive — I think in Europe we pay two times less than here.' Hotel prices are up almost 10% since before the pandemic, while the cost of eating out has risen by almost a third, according to government data. For years, tourists from across the world have included stops at US luxury stores and outlet malls on their list of must-dos when visiting the country. Though e-commerce and international expansion mean the days of filling suitcases with half-price US brands are in the past, there are still some bargains to be found — especially for visitors from countries where certain products are priced at a premium. Last year, shopping was the top leisure activity among the more than 48 million foreigners who flew to the US, a survey by the ITA found, topping sightseeing and visits to national parks, monuments and museums. Visitors could be further deterred by the cost of visas, which are set to rise significantly due to new fees detailed in Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax and spending bill. And in recent weeks, the president has been threatening new tariffs on imports from countries including Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. Canada has already seen widespread boycotts on all things American. The unease among tourists is adding to challenges for everyone from mom-and-pop owned retailers to big companies like Macy's Inc., where Chief Executive Officer Tony Spring recently indicated that international tourism took a toll on sales last quarter. The company, which owns luxury brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury as well as its namesake stores, said its forward guidance was based on overseas shoppers staying away. Other companies have suggested US consumers could help offset some of the losses. UK fashion brand Burberry Group Plc said last week that a slowdown among tourists globally was the most challenging part of its business worldwide, but that sales in the Americas beat forecasts in the quarter through June, driven by 'new local customer growth.' Luana Krewer, a 24-year-old college student from Brazil's capital, Brasilia, returned in May from a two-week trip to Orlando and Miami with her family. She was on the hunt for a Coach bag, but said that shopping in the US 'is very different from what it used to be.' Compared to costs on her last visit in 2018, when she found deals on Apple products and the Brazilian real was almost twice as strong against the dollar, 'I thought the prices were very expensive,' she said. Ultimately, she spent more than 1,000 dollars on clothes at the discount store Ross Dress for Less and Florida's outlet stores, picking up products from Nike, Gap Inc., Victoria's Secret & Co. and Target Corp. Back in midtown Manhattan, Selma Aydin manages the New York Gift Store near the Rockefeller Center, selling souvenirs including New York Yankees hats and shirts to tourists. She said fewer people are visiting the store this year, and they're spending less. 'Last year, if people were coming, they were spending 1,000 dollars,' said Aydin, 50. 'One customer, for example, right now, is spending 200 dollars.'
Fashion Network
4 days ago
- Business
- Fashion Network
Tourists tame their shopaholic ways, if they even come to the US
More than taking in views from the top of the Empire State Building, more than watching Old Faithful erupt and even more than shaking hands with Mickey Mouse, visitors to the US come to do one thing: shop. But now, President Donald Trump 's global trade war and border policies — combined with broader economic uncertainty — are threatening billions of tourism dollars. Bloomberg Intelligence estimates almost 20 billion dollars in retail spending is at risk this year. Some travellers are avoiding the US altogether, and of those who are coming, many are rethinking their budgets. Although some major currencies have recently gained against the dollar, international visitors are still confronting years of US inflation that has driven up the price of hotel stays and restaurant meals, leaving less money in their pockets for shopping. Travel-related spending, which typically grows each year, has been virtually flat this year through May when compared to the same period in 2024, data from the US International Trade Administration show. Meanwhile, foreign arrivals to the US by air were down 6.6% in June compared to last year, according to the ITA. 'Tourists would come with empty suitcases and they would go out, fill the suitcases up and then ship those suitcases home,' said Floris van Dijkum, a managing director at Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Now, habits are changing. 'The jury is still out on the ultimate impact, but clearly you're going to see some pressure,' he said. Betto Souza, who has been working as a tour operator in South Florida for over a decade, is experiencing the shift first hand. While his clients — predominantly Brazilians like him — are still flocking to Miami for big events like the Miami Open and Formula One Grand Prix, they're being more selective about what to spend their money on. Steep import taxes and trade barriers have long pushed Brazilians to buy brand-name products abroad, with electronics like Apple Inc. watches and MacBooks — as well as Nike Inc. sneakers, Tommy Hilfiger Corp. shirts and Michael Kors bags — among their go-to purchases. Now, 'some will opt not to buy sneakers so they can still purchase an iPhone. Or they'll forgo buying perfume,' said Souza, 53, who owns Miami Tours & Limo Services. 'Some are sacrificing shopping to be able to have experiences.' Annet van der Meer, visiting New York City from the Netherlands, agrees. She's still shopping for US brands, including New Balance sneakers and UGG boots, but much of her budget is going toward day-to-day expenses. 'Compared with Europe, it's unbelievable,' said van der Meer, 64, who'd just visited the Macy's store near the Empire State Building. 'Food is very expensive, alcohol is very expensive — I think in Europe we pay two times less than here.' Hotel prices are up almost 10% since before the pandemic, while the cost of eating out has risen by almost a third, according to government data. For years, tourists from across the world have included stops at US luxury stores and outlet malls on their list of must-dos when visiting the country. Though e-commerce and international expansion mean the days of filling suitcases with half-price US brands are in the past, there are still some bargains to be found — especially for visitors from countries where certain products are priced at a premium. Last year, shopping was the top leisure activity among the more than 48 million foreigners who flew to the US, a survey by the ITA found, topping sightseeing and visits to national parks, monuments and museums. Visitors could be further deterred by the cost of visas, which are set to rise significantly due to new fees detailed in Trump's multitrillion-dollar tax and spending bill. And in recent weeks, the president has been threatening new tariffs on imports from countries including Brazil, Mexico and South Korea. Canada has already seen widespread boycotts on all things American. The unease among tourists is adding to challenges for everyone from mom-and-pop owned retailers to big companies like Macy's Inc., where Chief Executive Officer Tony Spring recently indicated that international tourism took a toll on sales last quarter. The company, which owns luxury brands Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury as well as its namesake stores, said its forward guidance was based on overseas shoppers staying away. Other companies have suggested US consumers could help offset some of the losses. UK fashion brand Burberry Group Plc said last week that a slowdown among tourists globally was the most challenging part of its business worldwide, but that sales in the Americas beat forecasts in the quarter through June, driven by 'new local customer growth.' Luana Krewer, a 24-year-old college student from Brazil's capital, Brasilia, returned in May from a two-week trip to Orlando and Miami with her family. She was on the hunt for a Coach bag, but said that shopping in the US 'is very different from what it used to be.' Compared to costs on her last visit in 2018, when she found deals on Apple products and the Brazilian real was almost twice as strong against the dollar, 'I thought the prices were very expensive,' she said. Ultimately, she spent more than 1,000 dollars on clothes at the discount store Ross Dress for Less and Florida's outlet stores, picking up products from Nike, Gap Inc., Victoria's Secret & Co. and Target Corp. Back in midtown Manhattan, Selma Aydin manages the New York Gift Store near the Rockefeller Center, selling souvenirs including New York Yankees hats and shirts to tourists. She said fewer people are visiting the store this year, and they're spending less. 'Last year, if people were coming, they were spending 1,000 dollars,' said Aydin, 50. 'One customer, for example, right now, is spending 200 dollars.'
Forbes
04-06-2025
- Climate
- Forbes
Northern Lights Alert: These 13 States May See Aurora Tonight
The northern lights (aurora borealis) lights up the northern sky as the Old Faithful geyser emits ... More steam on May 12, 2024 in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. (Photo by) The Northern Lights may be visible in the U.S. tonight and through the week, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center, which is predicting enough geomagnetic activity for the aurora to be potentially glimpsed from as many as 15 U.S. states on Wednesday, June 4. It comes in the wake of a rare G4 geomagnetic storm that lit up June skies worldwide last weekend, with vivid auroras visible after a 'fast halo CME' sparked dazzling Northern and Southern Lights far from polar regions. The latest forecast has a G1 geomagnetic storm tonight as soon as it gets dark in North America. 'Migratory animals are affected at this and higher levels; aurora is commonly visible at high latitudes (northern Michigan and Maine),' according to NOAA, though its aurora view line has the phenomenon potentially visible from parts of 13 states. U.S. states that could potentially see aurora, according to NOAA, include Washington, northern Idaho, Montana, northern Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, northern Iowa, Wisconsin, northern New York, northern Vermont, northern New Hampshire and northern Maine. Regions far from light pollution and with a dark northern horizon are likely to get the best views. NOAA's aurora viewline for Wednesday, June 4, 2025. According to NOAA's forecast, the Kp index — which provides a rough guide to the intensity of aurora displays — may reach 5, seeing the auroral oval stretch farther south than is typical. Kp 5 equates to a G1-class geomagnetic storm. For a Kp in the range of 3-5, the aurora can be 'The aurora will move further from the poles, it will become brighter, and there will be more auroral activity (motion and formations). If you are in the right place, these aurora can be quite pleasing to look at," according to NOAA. However, anything can happen — as it did last weekend. According to NOAA's space weather forecasters, 'Unsettled to G1 (Minor) geomagnetic storming is expected on 04-05 Jun as CME effects transition into HSS activity." That refers to a coronal mass ejection — a burst of charged particles from the sun traveling through space and striking Earth's magnetosphere — and high-speed streams of solar wind. 'Quiet to active levels are expected on 06 Jun as HSS influence persists,' added NOAA's forecast. Predicting the onset of aurora is very difficult. Aurora-hunters should check NOAA's 30-minute forecast or use the Glendale App for up-to-the-minute forecasts. Both services use data from NASA's DSCOVR and ACE satellites, which orbit about a million miles out and measure the solar wind's speed and magnetic intensity. They give a roughly 30-minute warning of aurora displays. The Northern Lights are caused by the solar wind, a stream of charged particles from the sun interacting with Earth's magnetic field. Its charged particles accelerate along the magnetic field lines toward the polar regions, where they collide with oxygen and nitrogen atoms, exciting them and causing them to release energy as light. It may be that tonight's aurora is visible on camera only. Luckily, today's smartphones are ideal for capturing images of even faint aurora, which generally look white to the naked eye. If your smartphone has a 'Night Mode' feature, use it. Remember to use your primary lens, shoot in raw (if available) and use a small tripod (or support your phone on something still). Wishing you clear skies and wide eyes.
The Hill
31-05-2025
- The Hill
This national park is 95 percent underwater: Here's what it's hiding
(NEXSTAR) — When you visit a national park, you likely want to see its natural attractions. Old Faithful at Yellowstone, El Capitan and Half Dome at Yosemite, Delicate Arch at Arches. At one Florida national park, however, it'll take more than a hike or a bus ride to see some of its beloved features. You'll have better luck with a boat, or maybe some scuba gear, especially considering the park is 95 percent underwater. North of Key Largo but south of Miami, along Florida's eastern coastline, you'll find Biscayne Bay. There, within view of Miami, is the serene Biscayne National Park. Spanning nearly 173,000 acres, Biscayne National Monument was formally established in October 1968 after President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a Congressional bill led by Representative Dante Fascell (D-Fla.). Johnson was among a handful of presidents, including Warren Harding, Herbert Hoover, and Richard Nixon, who had spent time at the famed Cocolobo Club retreat within what is now Biscayne. Since then, Biscayne has been expanded and renamed as a national park. The park is touted as having 'four distinct ecosystems' that melt into each other, creating 'ecotones.' The park teems with hundreds of species of fish, birds, plants, and insects you won't find anywhere else in the U.S. Several threatened and endangered species also call Biscayne home, including beach jacquemontia, sea turtles, and the wood stork. You may even be lucky enough to see a lionfish, native to the Indian and Pacific Oceans. While stunning, park officials say they're hoping to reduce the population that has established itself in the Atlantic waters around Biscayne because of their significant environmental threats. It's within those same waters that the lionfish stalk that you'll find some of Biscayne's most beloved features. Sure, on land, there are plenty of eye-catching sights at Biscayne. You can camp among palm trees on Boca Chita Key and Elliot Key, both of which are only accessible by boat. You can follow the jetty walk to get views of the park, Biscayne Bay, and the stilt structures once built in the waters. Within the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, you can explore a gallery and museum, which often features local artists. On Adams Key, you can walk through the area that the aforementioned presidents would have enjoyed while visiting the Cocolobo Club retreat. But, as your eyes are frequently drawn to the water while visiting Biscayne, so too might your desire to explore it. If so, you're in luck. Biscayne National Park offers numerous aquatic activities that you can partake in while visiting, including canoeing, kayaking, fishing, lobstering, boating, guided boat tours, snorkeling, and diving. The boating and paddling options will take you over the shallow bay waters of the park and along the mangrove-fringed shorelines. Snorkeling and diving will give you a deeper look into the park – literally. Shipwrecks dot the seabed around the park, with six having been mapped and marked with mooring buoys, according to the National Park Service. Park officials say three wrecks – Erl King, Alicia, and Lugano, which sank in 1891, 1905, and 1913, respectively – are better suited for scuba diving, while the others can be enjoyed by snorkelers. The wrecks are found along the Maritime Heritage Trail, which also includes the Fowey Rocks Lighthouse. Below the water, you'll find expansive coral reefs brimming with colorful fish, sharks, and turtles. There are over 500 species of fish known to glide around the reefs along Biscayne. You may also encounter one of Biscayne's biggest challenges while exploring its warm coastal waters: marine debris. The National Park Service says the debris, which comprises any human-made and solid item that ends up in the ocean, can prove detrimental and even deadly to the park's wildlife. 'A highly polluted area is disappointing and upsetting for visitors to a national park,' officials warn. To help keep the situation from worsening, NPS recommends avoiding single-use plastic products, reducing the amount of trash you produce, and reusing items like water bottles, bags, and food containers. Biscayne National Park is free to visit year-round and open every day, though it has been known to close due to hurricanes.
