If you haven’t been paying attention to the news concerning the US national parks lately, you may not be aware that there is a growing problem in the parks system. They are becoming far too popular and far too easy to access. Now, you may be wondering how the parks being too popular and too easy to access are problems, and on the surface I wouldn’t blame you for thinking that. The parks should be enjoyed by people and they should be accessible to everyone. However, only to a certain extent and I explain why.
Archive for ‘Opinions’
Friday Sound-Off: Will Biometrics Revolutionize Air Travel?
If you have done any international traveling, you are probably familiar enough with the customs and immigration process and you are no stranger to the long lines that often accompany that process. I don’t think anyone in this world enjoys having to go thru the tedious customs and immigration process after having just gotten off of a long haul flight, but most travelers also understand the importance of such security measures.
If you were secretly hoping that the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Transportation and Security Administration (TSA) would come up with a more convenient and streamlined process to move people thru the customs and immigration process, then I have some really great news for you. They have been working very hard to do just that, and some very big changes are just around the corner.
50 Signs You Might be a Travel Addict
We have all heard the terms before. Wanderlust, the travel bug, nomads, vagabonds, wayfarers, drifters, and globetrotters. All of these terms are used to describe, to a varying extent, people who suffer from one thing in particular, and that is an addiction to traveling. Once the travel bug bites you, it is a very hard thing to let go. The excitement that one can get from traveling to new places and experiencing and learning new things can give you a rush and fulfillment that leaves you craving for more-and-more.
15 Common Pieces of Travel Advice You Should Ignore
There you are planning your next big trip, and then all of a sudden the travel advice starts flowing in from everyone you know. We’ve all been there. Even people who haven’t traveled in decades start throwing advice your way. With so much advice and differing opinions, it is easy to get confused and start to second guess yourself. And let me tell you, I have seen some really bad advice floating around out there.
Is Hidden City Ticketing Worth the Risks?
As travelers, we are constantly looking for ways to save money on travel so that we can afford to do more of it. We explore new apps and websites to find the best deals on lodging, we do our research to find the most economic tours and excursions, and of course we always have our eye out for bargain airfare.’
In recent years, a strategy for finding low cost airfare has emerged that has created a lot of controversy in the travel industry. This strategy, which is known as Hidden City Ticketing, isn’t illegal and it isn’t a scam, but it does come with some risks. So much so that it has avid travelers debating whether or not the significant cost savings it can give you are worth it.
Friday Sound-Off: Is There Such Thing as Going Too Far to Embrace a Culture?
For me personally, unless the culture and traditions in the nation I am visiting request that I wear a certain outfit or do a certain thing, I just try and be myself. I want to learn about other cultures and other traditions, but I don’t want to portray those cultures and traditions as my own, because they are not.
Friday Sound-Off: Are Antimalarial Medications Worth Taking?
It is a question that I have asked myself a few times before traveling internationally. Do I take an antimalarial and deal with the sickness that is often a side-effect, or do I forgo the antimalarial and increase my odds of getting Malaria? The answer to that question seems pretty straight-forward, and it probably is. However, you would be surprised at how many people actually choose to not take an antimalarial before their trip.
Friday Sound-Off: Should Restrictions be Placed on Comfort Animals on Flights?
Chances are, you have heard the story by now. A young woman flying home on Spirit Airlines was allegedly told by an airline employee to either set her emotional support hamster free or flush it down the toilet after being told that the animal couldn’t accompany her on a flight. The news hit social media and almost instantly went viral.
Friday Sound-off: The Danger of Relying on National Parks and Conservation Areas
National Parks and Conservation Areas are dangerous? This may sound counter-intuitive at first thought, but if you see what is happening in Isle Royal National Park in the United States, the Gir Forest National Park in India, and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area in Tanzania, it may make more sense.
Friday Sound-Off: Is Slum Tourism a Good or Bad Thing?
It is a major tourism draw that brings in over a million tourists a year. Mumbai, New Delhi, LA, Detroit, Copenhagen, and Berlin are all seeing tourists flock to their city to participate. They aren’t visiting to see world class museums, or theme parks, or historical sites. These tourists are flocking to these cities to visit the slums.