Latest news with #travelers
Daily Mail
2 hours ago
- Health
- Daily Mail
Urgent vaccination warning for Aussie travellers heading to Europe
At least four European countries frequented by Australian tourists have reported outbreaks of the highly contagious Hepatitis A virus. A significant increase in the liver infection has been reported in Austria, Czechia, Hungary, and Slovakia from January to May - with a total of 2097 cases this year. Slovakia, which has had an outbreak since late 2022, reported 880 cases this year. Austria has recorded 87 cases including three deaths, and Czechia has seen 600 cases including six deaths, with young children being the most affected group. Hungary has experienced 530 cases, mainly among adults, and Germany - though not labelled an affected country - had three cases matching Hungary and Austria. A spokesperson for the Interim Australian Centre for Disease Control has warned Australians to take care regarding the current outbreak in Europe. 'Australian travellers should be aware that hepatitis A is highly contagious,' they told The Daily Telegraph. 'You can get infected after ingesting the virus by: eating contaminated raw food... drinking contaminated water... handling soiled nappies, linen or towels of an infectious person; sharing personal items with an infectious close or intimate contact with an infectious person.' The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control issued a risk assessment on Hepatitis A (HAV) on June 18. 'This outbreak reminds us that hepatitis A can cause serious illness and death, especially among people with limited access to healthcare and basic hygiene,' it said. 'Vaccination and good hygiene are the best ways to protect against hepatitis A infection.' The centre's head of unit for One Health Related Diseases said the group would need to 'strengthen outreach' through access to vaccination and basic sanitation. Hepatitis A, which is caused by a virus spread via contaminated faeces making its way into food and drink, is not common in Australia. The virus typically spreads through a lack of clean water and by not cleaning things correctly, Hepatitis Australia said. People can also get hepatitis A through close physical contact with someone who has it, including through oral or anal sex. Almost everyone who has the virus will recover, but a small number can get very sick or die from liver failure. The majority of people affected are those aged 50 years or older, or who have other health issues (like hepatitis B or C). Smartraveller's advice for Australians to avoid infectious diseases including Hepatitis A also suggested a range of sanitation measures. 'Wash your hands often and use hand sanitiser before you eat,' the advice said. 'Drink bottled water from a sealed bottle.' Smartraveller also suggested using water-sterilising tablets or filtration bottles to make tap water safe and washing fresh produce with bottled or sterilised water. Australians are advised to avoid drinks with ice cubes, uncooked or undercooked food, fresh salads and raw vegetables. They are also told to avoid contact with water or soil that may be contaminated with sewage and, in some places, swimming or wading in any fresh water. Signs of the infection include a high temperature, flu-like symptoms - such as fatigue, headache and muscle pains - feeling or being sick, abdominal pain, changes in bowel movements, pale grey coloured faeces and itchy skin. In more severe cases, a patient's skin and eyes may appear yellow, a condition known as jaundice and a serious sign the liver is struggling to function correctly.
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
5 ways to make a TSA officer hate you — and how to avoid it
Ever feel like a TSA officer has it out for you? You're not alone. The Transportation Security Administration screens millions of passengers daily. If you've never worked security at an airport, you probably can't imagine what it's like repeating the same instructions every few seconds, only to be ignored half the time. So, yes, some officers may seem short with you, but often, it's less about rudeness and more about exhaustion. TSA Officers don't actually hate you. But the truth is, they might be extremely annoyed with you—and for good reason. Still, knowing what grinds their gears can help you breeze through security faster and with fewer hiccups. Here's your unofficial guide to not being that traveler. You're late. Your gate is boarding. And you're contemplating begging a TSA officer to let you cut the line. Let me stop you right there. It's not going to work. If TSA made exceptions for every late passenger, there'd be chaos. Officers follow protocol to maintain fairness and order. But here's a Gate Access Tip: build rapport. When I was a TSO, frequent flyers who took the time to say hello, ask how I was doing, or follow up on previous conversations occasionally got waved through during slower moments. So instead of pushing your luck with entitlement, try kindness and consistency. You might be surprised how far it gets you. Trying to speed things up by handing over your family's entire batch of boarding passes? Don't. Each passenger is expected to present their own ID and boarding pass. This ensures accuracy, particularly in the age of facial recognition technology. It also reduces confusion and keeps lines moving smoothly. Gate Access Tip: If you're unsure, just ask: 'Would you prefer we go one-by-one?' Officers appreciate the courtesy, and it helps keep you from being added to their already long list of annoying travelers. You know that moment when the officer asks, 'Anything in your pockets?' and you say no, but the body scanner flags you anyway? Chances are, you left a crumpled tissue or receipt in there. And guess what? That 'harmless' tissue just made your screening process 10 minutes longer. Body scanners are extremely sensitive, designed to detect even the smallest objects. When you set off an alarm, it creates extra work and may trigger a pat-down. And no, saying 'It's just paper' won't help your case. Gate Access Tip: Before you get in line, do a full pocket sweep—not just for metal, but for paper, gum, and even ChapStick. If you didn't know, you can keep Chapstick in your hand. All you have to do is open the top so the TSA officer can take a quick look inside the tube. When your bag gets pulled aside, hands off. Seriously. That 'restricted side' of the conveyor belt isn't just a holding area—it's a controlled inspection zone. TSA officers are trained to inspect bags in a specific order, and interfering, even just to grab your shoes, can be seen as a security breach. Gate Access Tip: Want to avoid being barefoot for 10 minutes? Send your shoes through in a separate bin. That way, if your bag is flagged, you can still grab your shoes and at least stand comfortably while you wait. Choosing a pat-down over the full-body scanner is 100% within your rights. You have the legal authority to opt out of the scanner for any reason, whether for religious beliefs, health concerns, or personal discomfort. That said, TSA officers dread this option. Why? Because it requires stopping what they're doing, calling for a same-gender officer, and going through a time-consuming physical screening process. If you choose this route, pack your patience. It may take longer, especially during peak travel times when staff are stretched thin. But don't let officer frustration deter you because it's your right, and you should feel comfortable exercising it. TSA officers aren't trying to ruin your vacation; they're actually there to make sure you make it to your vacation safely. They're doing a high-stress job, often under tight time constraints. By avoiding these common missteps, you'll not only make their day a little easier, but you'll also make your own journey smoother. So next time you're at your home airport and navigating through the TSA checkpoint, try to stand out and be known as non-problematic, especially if you're a frequent flyer. It might not get you upgraded to first class, but it could save you some serious hassle.
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Travel + Leisure
8 hours ago
- Travel + Leisure
Protests Against Overtourism Are Erupting Across Europe—Here's What Travelers Need to Know
Recently, protests and walkouts have defined some of Europe's most popular cities. Employees at the Louvre Museum in Paris walked off the job, causing it to close. Protestors gathered en masse in Barcelona, cheering and holding signs that said things like 'mass tourism kills the city,' and wielding water guns—the images have become synonymous with the movement against overtourism. In Lisbon, people staged an 'eviction' from a church as a way to highlight the dramatically increased cost of living caused by the short-term rental market that springs up in popular tourist destinations. For travelers who have been planning, saving, and eagerly awaiting their European summer vacations, the demonstrations feel like the opposite of a warm welcome, and they can make a vacation seem like an ethical dilemma. This framework, local versus tourist, is nothing new, though. It's why some people try to draw the distinction between being a "tourist" and a "traveler." Getting to the bottom of these protests, and the feelings behind them is vital—for tourists, locals, and the cities at the center of the conversation. Here's what you need to know about overtourism. Protestors march during an anti-tourism protest on June 15, 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. 'Overtourism is almost like too much of a good thing,' said Katy Nastro, a travel expert at Going, to Travel + Leisure . 'We tend to forget as travelers that these incredible places we love to visit have locals who live their day-to-day lives there. Communities have been cemented here long before these places gained popularity.' Once a location becomes a 'can't miss' destination, it can be hard to prepare for just what that means. 'In the case of these famous cities and sites, they unfortunately were not set up centuries ago to handle the type of traffic year after year,' Nastro said. The negative effects of a city becoming popular to visit are not as obvious as it is in natural environments, where you can see traces of trash or decimated wildlife. While beaches and forests might be obviously suffering from a lack of proper conservation, it can be harder to spot the stress that too many visitors can cause in cities. Helene Møgelhøj, a sustainable travel and regenerative tourism expert says that while locals will feel the impacts first, they will affect everyone—including tourists. 'In big cities, the effects of over tourism are not necessarily immediately obvious to the visitor, apart from perhaps congestion and overcrowding,' Møgelhøj said. 'However, for local people, a large increase in visitor numbers can lead to a shortage of affordable housing and general price increases at, for example, local restaurants.' In addition to increased costs and a decreased ability for locals to enjoy their own cities, overtourism puts an added burden on public infrastructure, which is usually funded by taxes. So, locals end up footing the bill for maintenance of a place they aren't able to enjoy fully because it is too expensive and too crowded to do so. However, locals often get messaging that tourism is good for the local economy, so they should be grateful, in a way. That's not inherently true—oftentimes, multinational corporations are the primary beneficiary of tourism spending, explains Møgelhøj. 'In today's global economy, many tourism and hospitality businesses are owned and run by multinationals,' she said. 'The vast majority of people do not benefit directly from an increase in visitor numbers. However, they may benefit from tourism indirectly through the so-called 'multiplier' effect, which means increased spending in the local economy overall due to tourism.' None of this means that tourism is inherently bad. Asier Basurto, a member of the 'tourism degrowth' group that helped organize some of the protests in San Sebastián, Spain, told The Guardian in a June 2025 article that tourists aren't the enemy. 'People who go on vacation to one place or another are not our enemies, nor are they the target of our actions,' Basurto said in the article. 'Let me be clear: our enemies are those who speculate on housing, who exploit workers, and those who are profiting handsomely from the touristification of our cities.' Crowds of tourists on La Rambla pedestrian street in the summer.Møgelhøj believes that tourism can actually have a powerful, positive impact on local communities. 'I'm a great believer in tourism as a force for good,' she said. But she also thinks that responsible tourism cannot rest solely on the individual shoulders of visitors. 'It is crucial to have an effective destination management organization in place that represents the interests of local people as well as large multinational stakeholders,' Møgelhøj says. "The local government should be part of this, as well as the national government, which has an important role in terms of creating a positive and beneficial tourism policy and strategic framework.' There are examples of efforts like this, even in Spain, where some of the biggest anti-overtourism protests have taken place. 'Today in our most visited cities and resorts, we need measures in place so that we can maintain the balance between a thriving tourism industry and the wellbeing of residents, ensuring that tourism remains a positive force for good for all,' Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, told T+L in a statement. 'Proposed legislation such as Barcelona's clampdown on privately let tourist apartments and ... adjustments to tourist taxes outside of the winter months, reflect Spain's ongoing efforts to build a responsible and sustainable tourism model.' Nastro agrees and says that tourism needs to be a 'a fine balance of supporting the local economy, [and] keeping locals able to operate in their local economy.' A protest banner against mass tourism in the Ciutat Vella (Old City), Barcelona. Making more intentional choices as a traveler not only benefits locals—it also means you're less likely to spend your trip in sweaty crowds and long lines. Here are Møgelhøj' and Nastro's tips for thoughtfully vacationing in ways that won't contribute to (or be ruined by) overtourism. 'Stay away from any protests and demonstrations so as not to aggravate the situation,' Møgelhøj said. "In general, walk or cycle around and take the opportunity to explore the lesser-known areas of any destination that you visit," Møgelhøj said. "The most memorable experiences tend to be least planned and unexpected." This one is pretty self-explanatory, but being courteous and respectful of local culture and customs can go a long way in improving the experience of both tourists and locals. The best way not to be surprised by protests is to keep up with the news in the places you're traveling to. 'First and foremost, be aware if the city you are traveling to has planned or has had protests recently,' Nastro said. '... Follow local news organizations to stay the most up-to-date on when and where they may take place. [That's] going to give you more accurate and timely info than U.S.-based outlets.' It's always a good idea to have some emergency contacts on hand in case things go wrong on your trip—and it's never a bad idea to know where the local U.S. embassy is. Both Nastro and Møgelhøj advise planning trips in the "off season" of your destination. 'Traveling in the shoulder season, or even better, in the off-season, can be a great way to lessen the likelihood of encountering long lines at some of the world's most iconic sites,' Nastro said. If you're planning on visiting a popular attraction, try visiting during less busy times. Or, if you want to visit a popular tourist destination, Nastro recommends staying in a nearby town and making a day trip to the city to see the sights. Perhaps one of the direct and most impactful ways that you can be a "good" traveler is being intentional about where you spend your money. Nastro recommends staying in locally owned and operated hotels, buying from small vendors and artisans, and venturing outside of busy city centers to more rural, off-the-beaten-path destinations.
Daily Mail
10 hours ago
- Daily Mail
American Airlines hit by outage leaving thousands stranded
American Airlines has been hit by a widespread outage that is impacting all flights. Reports of issues surfaced around 1:30pm ET, with travelers saying they are stuck on the runway or crammed in waiting areas. Some travelers have shared their frustrations on social media, saying they have been sitting at the gate for more than one hour. 'Sitting at the airport, they are saying AA flights everywhere are impacted by the maintenance system being down,' one user shared on Reddit . One flyer in Fort Myers said the Pilot told passengers that they are unable to 'get a flight plan, fuel report or passenger manifest.' 'Our team is awaiting the all clear to take the air, and we truly apologize for the added wait. We'll have you on the way very shortly,' American Airlines shared at 2:37pm ET. Downdetector, a site that monitors online outages, shows issues with the website, delays and logging into the app. A live outage map shows major cities, including Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, New York and Phoenix, are all in the red. Derick Bores, who is flying out of Dallas-Fort Worth, shared on X: 'Pilot just said he's considering deplaning because we've been sitting here so long.' 'He said many planes are now getting out with a manual signature of the maintenance form, but isn't sure how long they will take.' The American Airlines X account replied: 'We know you're ready to be off to your sunny destination. 'As soon as we have the final sign-off complete, we'll head for the skies! Thank you for packing your patience today.' The outage comes just days after five American Airlines passengers and flight attendants were taken to the hospital after being injured by extreme turbulence on the way to North Carolina. Panic spread through Flight 1286, traveling from Miami to Raleigh-Durham International Airport on Sunday night, when the 'unexpected' disturbance hit. Sudden altitude drops sent laptops, cellphones and other personal items flying through the aircraft, forcefully striking those aboard. Passengers alleged they saw a man knocked unconscious, a flight attendant scorched by spilled boiling water from a drink cart and another who sustained a broken arm. 'I would say it was absolutely horrific. People thought that they were going to lose their lives,' one anonymous passenger told WRAL. The airline said in a statement to that the plane landed safely around 10:50pm despite the terrifying event. Three flight staffers and two customers were taken to the hospital after landing. None of these injuries were life-threatening and all victims have since been discharged. Four other people were evaluated by EMS workers onsite, but refused care, CBS reported. While American Airlines said the situation was handled with grace, passengers have claimed otherwise. 'It took way too long for the captain to address what happened,' the anonymous passenger told WRAL. 'There were injured people aboard the aircraft. He should have stopped at the closest airport instead of flying another hour and 10 minutes when two people were in need of immediate medical attention.' The airline said the seat belt sign was on, but those on board told WRAL that was not the case. 'They wouldn't have been serving drinks if they knew turbulence was coming,' she explained. 'They were carrying hot water. I mean, there was ice flying everywhere, soda cans, cups. People by the carts, they just had things flying in every direction.' Another flyer, Cameron Autry, told WRAL he was in the 'absolutely worst place in the entire plane' when the turbulence struck - the bathroom.
The National
11 hours ago
- The National
Rove Al Marjan Island review: The budget-friendly brand drawing crowds in booming Ras Al Khaimah
The Rove Hotels format arrived on our shores in 2019 as a price-conscious but fun alternative for travellers seeking to enjoy Dubai without blowing their budget. Ten properties have since opened around the city and the homegrown brand recently extended its laid-back appeal to Ras Al Khaimah. Rove Al Marjan Island is a 441-room beachfront hotel that readily caters to couples, families and digital nomads who crave vibrancy and price over frills and formality. The welcome The vehicle entrance arrives suddenly on the main island road and opens on to a short drive and a spacious car park. Rovers – as guests are playfully referred to – can drop their luggage and passengers in front of the lobby or go straight to self-parking and wheel their bags across. We chose the latter on spotting a coach arrive. However, it's an immediate glimpse of Rove's refreshing less-fuss format, something echoed when we venture unaccompanied to the lifts after a swift and friendly check-in. The room Not really fans of an unnecessary curated room introduction, my wife and I find our way along a colourful corridor to our fifth floor, sea-facing accommodation. Breezy but formulaic designs prevail in Rove hotels, from licence-plate-style room numbers to the digs themselves. An open wardrobe and storage area flanks a comfy bed, opposite a widescreen TV that features seemingly every news channel except the BBC or CNN. There's no robe, but additional amenities such as extra pillows, shaving kits and an ironing board can be requested. There is, however, a fridge and an invigorating rain shower. Rove loves an inspirational message as well as seaside-inspired artwork. 'The beach is not just a place, it's a feeling,' the wall above our bed reveals. The food Rove regulars will be familiar with the brand's main dining option, The Daily. The venue for breakfast, lunch and dinner is spacious, but eclectic decor and furniture and smart layout lends it an almost intimate feel. Primarily buffet-orientated, guests can choose a la carte – although it was suggested on our arrival that only the former was available, only for ordered dishes to land on nearby tables. The organic sea bass (Dh99) and acacia chicken club sandwich (Dh71) looked promising, however, and serendipity meant buffet access to the finest paneer jalfrezi I've sampled in a while, with salads of pumpkin and squash, plus quinoa with molasses also shining. Grilled fish with beurre blanc and beef shashlik also proved a hit on our table, as did refreshing soft drinks named Floral Fall and Sunrise Surprise. Day-time snacks and refreshments can also be had from the Rove Beachside Truck and the Pool Bar, which offers a great selection of food including a tomato flatbread (Dh57) substantial enough for sharing. If you crave further evening options, you're a short walk from food trucks on the island promenade and F&B at neighbouring hotels. The breakfast scene Open only since in April, Rove Al Marjan Island staff seemingly have had to hit the ground running. Not least at the busiest breakfast session we've witnessed in a while. Everyone seems to find a table, however, before heading to a buffet that includes a decent fruit and salad selection, baked goodies and hot options such as ful medames, scrambled eggs and sausages. Guests can also order one item each from a menu that includes basil and rhubarb bircher muesli and mango lavender waffles. We can vouch for the semi-dried tomato-powered Mediterranean omelette and a decadent acai super jar that includes agave, basil seeds, almond butter, passion fruit and mint concasse. No shakshuka here (as previously swooned over at Rove La Mer), but the buffet does yield croissant and blueberry bake, a revelation washed down with TWG tea. Accessibility and sustainability Plenty of ramps in to and out of the hotel, across to the pool and through to the beach make this Rove very friendly towards wheelchair users. And the property's sustainability credentials are evident with its 'hang your towel to reuse' messaging in the bathroom and leave-behind shampoo and shower gels – plus its use of refillable glass water bottles with a label announcing 'plastic ain't fantastic'. The Rove's adherence to Ras Al Khaimah's Green Building Regulations includes composting all food waste. Hotel facilities The main pool immediately stands out. A sensible rectangle, generous in relation to the hotel, it is lined with plenty of loungers and shallow enough for supervised children to enjoy. The beach is a few steps away with a buoy rope boundary to keep jet-skiers and other water sporting folk a safe distance from swimmers. There's a quieter area with double loungers and cabanas to one side of the main pool zone. On the other side, a big screen shows movies and sports on a grassy area soundtracked by a DJ operating evenings out of a VW camper van, occasionally joined by a fire poi performer. Another nice – and practical touch – is a significant luggage storage area, each unit bearing the name of an area in RAK, and beyond. Beside this is one of two fitness areas. Inside features plenty of new Life Fitness equipment while outside there's a Woodsman Fitness 'Jungle Gym', a Flintstones-style workout area with wooden weights and more. The co-working space – typical of Rove hotels – is blessed with natural light and busy with digital nomads, some possibly making use of Rove's monthly stay deals. Family-friendly factor Younger Rovers were evidently part of the brief when designers pondered RAK Rove, from surfboard-adapted pool showers to the strong use of colour throughout. There's a dedicated indoor play area with TV and soft toys, and a soft-play zone outside beside a small, family-only pool. Value for money Rove Al Marjan Island combines good value with a fun vibe. A sea view room for Dh474 ($132), including taxes, for up to three people is hard to beat for a fresh property with direct beach access and a generous pool in one of the hottest real estate locations in the UAE – all close to the emerging Wynn resort. Check-in is from 4pm (earlier if pre-booked) and check-out is at 2pm.
