Featured
2020 Predicted as the Boom Year for Tourism

In recent years, traveling has not just been as a form of leisure but has become a sort of investment especially among Millenials. Thanks to the influence of digitalization, and globalization, most young adults are trading career and family life to plane tickets and picturesque sceneries. As the decade draws to a close, survey from the United Tour Operators (USTOA) shows that exponential growth and good sales are the expected travel trends for 2020.
Seeing The Boom Year
Based on the association’s survey results, as much as 82 percent of tour operators anticipate growth in sales for 2020. In fact, 45% or almost half of the respondents see it as the “boom year” with expected growth from 7 to 10 percent or even higher.
This positivity might be a result of good sales in 2019 as 69% say that they have seen an increase for this year, with half of the respondents saying they have enjoyed a 10 percent increase in sales or higher.
The growth in tourism also affects all aspects of travel including the airline industry as 67% claimed a steady growth in the number of passengers for 2019.
So what are the key reasons for this exponential growth?
One-third of the respondents said that this might be attributed to better and improved marketing strategies- and in an era of Facebook and Instagram, marketing on a global scale has never been this easy (and cheap!). On the other hand, infrastructure projects, travel agency’s expansion in their portfolio of products, and new programs have also contributed to the sales growth.
The Next Top Travel Destination
Based on the survey, the picture-perfect city of Italy remained the most popular destination for travelers in 2020. While the island might expect an influx of tourists for the new year, there are also emerging destinations for those who want to take the off-beaten path.
For travel advisors, the wealth of history in Egypt plays a key role in being named as the top emerging destinations. “Egypt topping the list is the epitome of a destination comeback story. It reinforces a strong return in popularity and demand among travelers, after several challenging years.” Terry Dale, President, and CEO for USTOA said.
Croatia and Columbia also follow as one of the emerging destinations, as well as Slovenia, Thailand, Vietnam, Morocco, and Ethiopia.
Meanwhile, the next “hot” destination for 2020 is listed as; France, Spain, Greece, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, Germany, and South Africa.
On the other hand, if you are looking for local top spots, respondents list California as one of the most popular destinations, followed by New York, Florida, Nevada, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii.
Expected Problems
While there is a steady increase in sales, the next year’s presidential election might have a strong influence on traveler confidence. Another key factor that might affect the tourism industry is the recession, especially with the looming global financial instability.
For the next year, travel advisers see that tourists are not only after visiting places and frequenting gift shops but as well as having that authentic local experience. In fact, local immersion, small groups/small ships and uncharted destinations were identified as the next top travel trend to look out for in the next five years.
Destinations
10 Best Casinos Outside Las Vegas

The United States has other casinos outside Las Vegas. Here is a list of the top 10 casinos that you can visit even without going to Crescent City.
There are more than 1,500 casinos spanning the entire US. Aside from the casinos that are located inside Las Vegas, gamblers can easily visit various casinos near their area. If you like playing a game or two—or three, it’d be nice to know the different casinos that might be near you. In this article, we decided to feature the 10 best casinos outside the Big Easy.
Mohegan Sun

Located in Uncasville, Connecticut, Mohegan Sun boasts of three casinos. These are Casino of the Sky, Casino of the Wind, and Casino of the Earth. To provide you with even more entertainment choices, the three floors in between these casinos feature about 5,000 slot machines, 42 poker tables, 275 table games, a race book. If you like playing Asian table games like Pai Gow Poker, Baccarat, and Sic Bo, you can also visit the Sunrise Square. You can even find a couple of smoke-free areas, sections that are dedicated to non-smoker visitors.
Pechanga Resort and Casino

Branded as California’s largest casino, the Pechanga Resort and Casino measures 188,000 square feet. It has over 4,000 slot machines, a 700-seater Bingo area, 154 table games, and a non-smoker poker section.
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City

You can also visit the Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City that’s located in New Jersey. It has 2,172 slot machines, a 3,800 square feet sportsbook, and a daily poker tournament.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa

If you’re in Florida, this can be your new hangout as it boasts of over 4,000 slot machines, 46 poker tables, and a multitude of table games.
Peppermill Resort Spa Casino

If you’re tired of Las Vegas but still want to visit a casino within Nevada, you can check out the Peppermill Resort Spa Casino that’s located in Reno, Nevada.
Casino Del Sol

For Tucson, Arizona gamblers, you can visit Casino Del Sol. Players can enjoy various table games for the minimum expense of $3 per game.
Ocean Casino Resort

Another Atlantic City gambling destination is the Ocean Casino Resort. Aside from its multiple slot machines and Sportsbook, it has the biggest Topgolf Swing Suite in the whole United States.
Atlantis Casino Resort Spa

Another casino that’s located in Reno, Nevada, the Atlantis Casino Resort Spa has 1,400 slot and poker machines. It even provides guests with a tropical-themed experience.
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City

Another popular destination is the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City. This New Jersey casino has 2,115 slot machines and various poker and play tables to check out. It also provides customers with an Asian gaming area that allows visitors to play Baccarat, Asian Poker, and Pai Gow.
Foxwood Resort Casino

Ranked as the best casino outside of Las Vegas, the Foxwood Resort Casino is located in Mashantucket, Connecticut. Offering around 4,500 slot machines and numerous gambling amenities, visitors will surely enjoy the place. The place even boasts four hotels to choose from and more than 30 restaurants, as well. If you’re looking for your new staycation and gambling destination, the Foxwood Resort Casino is a must-try.
Destinations
Tourist Experiences Bad Luck, Returns Pompeii Artifacts

A Canadian woman returned Pompeii artifacts, 15 years after they were stolen from the Pompeii site.
Prof. Massimo Ossana, the Archeological Park of Pompeii’s temporary director released a statement last Tuesday confirming the return of five stolen artifacts that were sent back via a travel agency. The said agency, then, contacted the Carabinieri police regarding the matter.
The artifacts, which were accompanied by a letter, were brought back to the archeological park. However, they cannot be returned to their specific, original spots within Pompeii’s old ruins. “Obviously they cannot be relocated because their precise origin is not known,” Osanna shared.

According to The Guardian and CNN, the Canadian tourist’s missive narrated her experiences of bad luck right after she took the Pompeii artifacts back in 2005. She mentioned that she went through financial and health problems because of them. “We are good people and I don’t want to pass this curse on to my family,” the woman explained.
In relation to the incident, Ossana mentioned that stolen artifacts get frequently sent back to the archeological park that features the ruins of an ancient Roman city that got destroyed by the violent eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD. Many of these items are returned due to the same reason—that the artifacts are accompanied by a curse, bestowing ill luck to those who take them from their resting place.
“For several years, the Archaeological Park of Pompeii has been receiving letters from visitors who, on the occasion of their visit, had taken small objects (we are talking about mosaic tiles, small shards, stones, pieces of plaster, lapilli), of little value, but part of unique archaeological heritage, and that they decided after years to return, claiming to have derived only bad luck from that act,” the Archeological Park of Pompeii’s statement said.
Consequently, the statement also mentioned that the supposed curse that accompanies the artifacts found at the park serves as an effective deterrent for anyone who wishes to take or steal other Pompeii items in the future. “But we hope that an international civil awareness towards cultural heritage in general will increase, regardless of the fear of a bad luck that could affect those who make such gestures,” Osanna continued.

Stealing items from famous archaeological sites and tourist destinations is a rampant activity. However, visitors to these heritage areas must be aware of the necessity to preserve these artifacts because they serve as actual, historical objects that provide current and future generations with the means to understand how our ancestors lived in the past. Preserved artifacts are living testaments to the people who came before us, offering us a glimpse into their lives—how they lived, how they interacted with one another, and how they died.
Knowing what happened in the past—how people survived in the past—provides us with the necessary knowledge to improve our present lives and the lives of future generations. Hence, it is essential for everyone to preserve these archaeological and historical sites—and understand the significance of their continued presence in our modern existence.
Destinations
Thailand Plans to Welcome Back International Tourists by October

Hope is knocking on the door of travelers who are anxious to spend their Christmas holidays in Thailand. However, provided that they are willing to spend a few weeks in a kingdom with limited areas.
During a public forum held in August 2020, Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn, Thailand’s Minister of Tourism, said that the country is planning to allow foreign tourists to enter the country under the program, Safe and Sealed. He claims that he has already asked the prime minister to approve the expected date of opening on October 1. Ratchakitprakarn says that he has already requested Phuket as a model and has gotten approval from the Center for Economic Situation Administration. Upon launching the program, tourists will be able to enter Thailand’s largest island, Phuket. However, travelers will need to stay in quarantine in a selected resort for not more than 14 days upon arriving.

According to Phipat, the famous Patong Beach is an excellent example wherein three to four resorts are set up there. Keeping the tourists in the area would allow them to spend time on a beach, given that they would stay in their designated areas. Travelers are also required to get tested for COVID-19 at the beginning and the end of their allotted quarantine period. However, the minister says that tourists who want to travel outside of Phuket would have to undergo a third COVID-19 test and have an extension of seven days under quarantine. Besides that, hotel staff who work in the designated areas aren’t allowed to leave the premises without taking a COVID-19 test and going into quarantine.
Governor Yuthasak Supasorn of the Tourism Authority of Thailand has told CNN that the government has approved the travel plan. The next phase would be holding a public hearing to obtain the residents’ approval.
The Step for the Future

Like most countries who have always relied on tourism, Thailand has been hit pretty hard by the pandemic. Aside from having all international commercial flights being banned, the residents on returning flights would have to be put into quarantine for 14 days. Gratefully, Thailand hasn’t had a locally transmitted COVID-19 case for more than three months now, which gives travelers a sense of relief as they go on trips for the weekends. Managing director Bill Barnet of the Asia-focused consulting firm C9 Hotelwork claims that welcoming international travelers is the right step.
According to Barnet, COVID-19 is different compared to other events like 9/11 and the restart of traveling. He claims that the Safe and Sealed program may not be a silver bullet, but a step forward against “the deer in headlights position.”
He diminishes any form of criticism that says the project may be too restrictive. Barnet claims that Phuket has proven its appeal as a destination for people looking to escape the winter season. Barnet notes that Russians, Britons, Germans, and Scandinavians have always returned to Phuket yearly and stay long-term guests. He claims that the moment the temperature drops in Europe, the people will quickly mark Phuket as one of their destinations.
-
Destinations4 months ago
All-Inclusive Resorts Outside The Caribbean!
-
Destinations4 months ago
Touring Nashville!
-
Destinations4 months ago
Safe Travel Spots For Travel Currently
-
Destinations4 months ago
Stay With The Animals At These Awesome Hotels
-
Destinations4 months ago
The Best Cruises For Every Family Type
-
Destinations3 months ago
The Cheapest Travel Destinations in the World in 2020
-
Destinations1 month ago
Cheapest Caribbean Destination: Punta Cana VS Cancun
-
Featured4 months ago
How To Make A Healthy Gas Station Meal