Tag: Return

Now Is The Perfect Time To Return To This Popular European Destination

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Busy planning your summer vacation? There’s one place in Europe that a lot of people have written off due to recent events, but it’s the perfect time to return — Turkey.

Turkey was devastated by earthquakes in early February, which left more than 50,000 people dead and thousands of buildings destroyed.

But the Turkish people are resilient, and they are ready to welcome tourists again, as tourism is an essential part of the economy.

Despite this, according to a recent report, tourism in Turkey is experiencing a significant slump. Stays of two nights or more in Istanbul are down by 31% compared to the same period in 2019.

Before the earthquakes, Turkish officials had hoped for a strong year, and Turkey was leading the post-Covid travel recovery in Europe. Foreign visitors arriving in Turkey increased by a whopping 80% year-on-year to 44.56 million in 2022.

Since the earthquakes, tourism to the country has taken a nosedive. But in reality, now is the perfect time to visit Turkey. Here’s why:

All The Attractions, Without the Crowds

A sharp decline in visitor numbers may be bad news for the Turkish economy, but it’s great news for tourists planning to visit the country.

This means you can enjoy all the country’s most popular attractions but without the crowds.

There are 19 UNESCO World Heritage sites of cultural significance in Turkey, 4 of which are in Istanbul.

The country is home to an astonishing wealth of things to see and do, and during the summer months, these are often overwhelmed by tourists.

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From the famous Blue Mosque to the other-worldly beauty of the Topkapi Palace Museum, it would be near-impossible to enjoy all of Turkey’s best attractions in just one visit.

A decline in visitor numbers to these attractions would provide an opportunity to explore them at your own pace and without the density of crowds that you may never get again.

A Warm And Welcoming People

Much of the Turkish economy is reliant on tourism. Tourism contributes approximately 10% to the nation’s GDP.

And the Turkish people, particularly those working within the tourism sector, are keen to see their visitors return.

That means that those visiting Turkey right now will find a warm and friendly welcome, above and beyond the usual warmth regular visitors have come to expect from the Turkish people.

Those working in the Turkish tourism sector are famously hospitable. And most are welcoming the support of the tourists who continue to travel to their country and support their livelihoods.

Turkey has so much to offer. But as well as the fabulous food and the huge wealth of cultural sites, it is the charming people that tempt repeat visitors back to the country.

Coastal Resorts Were Unaffected

The vast majority of tourists who choose to visit Turkey head to either Istanbul or to the country’s popular coastal resorts. These include Marmaris, Antalya and Bodrum.

These areas were completely untouched by the quake. In fact, the vast majority of tourists in these locations when the quakes took place remained in Turkey and continued to enjoy their vacations.

The epicenter of the earthquake was in the southeastern inland city of Kahramanmaras. This is an area rarely visited by huge numbers of tourists.

Turkey is unlikely to experience the same high-magnitude earthquakes again so soon after the tragic events of February. But it should be reassuring that, even if they do, you are unlikely to be impacted in the main tourist resorts of the country.

Great Value Vacations

Finally, a vacation to Turkey is particularly good value right now.

With occupancy in hotel rooms low, many hotels are choosing to lower their prices to attract guests. Last-minute travelers in particular are finding that Turkey is currently more affordable than ever.

The current depreciation of the Turkish lira also makes Turkey a particularly popular destination for travelers on a budget. This is particularly true for European and American travelers, where inflation is high in their home countries.

Turkey remains an all-around great vacation destination, and right now, it is an affordable one too.

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April 30, 2023
Top 7 International Destinations Americans Always Return To

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Have you ever gone on a vacation so great you didn’t want it to end? You’re not alone.

Many Americans have favorite international destinations they return to year after year, and many of them aren’t too far from home.

It’s great to travel to see more of the world, but sometimes returning to an old favorite is a guaranteed way to have a great vacation.

Plus, there isn’t always a need to go somewhere different to see something new; sometimes, going to the same place will show you something new without even trying.

Destinations like Cancun and London are favorites for many travelers, and there is so much to do and see in both destinations you could visit 10 times and have a completely different experience each time.

There’s nothing wrong with going to the same place repeatedly. As already mentioned, you can learn something new by visiting a destination over and over again.

It’s similar to reading a book twice or watching a film more than once. You gain a fresh perspective and start appreciating things you missed the first time.

If you’re traveling to a repeated destination this upcoming season, stay caught up with what people say about returning to the same place. Take a cue from becoming familiar with a location and gain something new.

Here are the top seven international destinations Americans always return to:

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Cancun And The Riviera Maya, Mexico

Cancun and the Riviera Maya are extremely popular destinations for many Americans and Canadians.

New hotels are constantly popping up in the area to accommodate the rising influx of travelers who can’t get enough.

Cancun usually gets 18-20 million visitors annually, which is no surprise. The destination suits families, solo travelers, and groups looking for an international destination without traveling too far.

Los Cabos, Mexico

Los Cabos is another Mexican destination that Americans love to return to.

It’s different from Cancun and Riviera Maya primarily because it’s on another coast, and the waters differ.

Generally, travelers in this area are looking for resorts that offer all-inclusive options or luxury amenities that, like Cancun, are close.

Rome, Italy

Traveling to Italy this summer is going to be popular.

It’s projected to be one of Europe’s favorite summer destinations, and for a good reason.

The beaches here are probably some of the best in this region, and it can be an affordable destination for many groups. It’s also incredibly diverse, which adds to its appeal.

These reasons and more are why this destination is a repeat offender for many travelers.

Punta Cana, Dominican Republic

If you’re traveling to Punta Cana this season, it’s probably because you’re staying at one of the many luxury all-inclusive resorts, which is the perfect way to have a relaxing vacation.

The area is known for having the best all-inclusive hotels in the entire Caribbean, and it’s been proven coming back here can showcase new sides of this destination.

Montego Bay, Jamaica

Montego Bay is Jamaica’s second-largest city and one of its most populous.

One fun aspect of Montego Bay is that you can jump from baggage claim to the beach in less than 30 minutes. This is one reason travelers keep coming back.

Doctor’s Cave Beach is one of the most popular in the country and is definitely worth a visit.

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

Another Mexican favorite on this list is Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.

Puerto Vallarta is part of the Jalisco state of Mexico, often touted as being the most authentic area of the country.

On top of being an LGBTQ+ safe space for travelers, it’s known for great beaches and numerous shopping towns within walking distance of each other.

London, England

London, England, is a destination on everyone’s bucket list, and for repeat offenders, it’s a place you go to more than once, and you always have a different experience.

The destination is excellent for gastronomy, culture, and museums.

Your favorite places aren’t yours because you’ve only been there once. They are your favorite because you appreciate something about them, which sometimes takes a few visits to realize.

Repeat traveling shouldn’t be shamed, and if you love going back to the same beach year after year, do it.

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April 12, 2023
The Cayman Islands Return To Normal Entry Requirements Dropping All Restrictions
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American sunseekers, this is the moment you’ve been patiently waiting for. The Cayman Islands, one of the hottest cruise ports and leading destinations of the Caribbean has just dropped all entry requirements. Heading into the fall, the islands will no longer require visitors to present health-related documentation, finally reinstating pre-Covid normality.

For two and half a years, the famous archipelago applied some of the strictest rules in all of the Americas, barring unvaccinated visitors while requiring those able to produce a vaccination certificate to apply for authorization in advance. Naturally, these self-imposed barriers have been hampering the recovery of tourism.

Fortunately, as of this week these have all been lifted:

Cayman Fully Reopens For Tourism After Two And Half Years

For the first time since Covid was declared an emergency, the Government of the Cayman Islands has decided to rescind all regulations that have kept a large number of tourists from coming back to their favorite vacation spot. Beginning August 24, all will once again be allowed to enter free of scrutiny and strict border checks, including unvaccinated Americans.

This makes the British Overseas Territory the latest Caribbean destination to return to their pre-pandemic travel guidelines, in a list that includes all of America’s top rated sunny breaks. Prior to the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, The Dominican Republic, Belize and countless others opened up for tourism, moving away from the harsh zero-Covid approach.

Now, visiting Grand Cayman, or any other destination within the territory will feel like it was in 2019:
- No pre-departure testing
- No mandatory pre-arrival registration form
- No vaccination certificate required
- No booster certificate required
- No post-arrival testing
- No state-regulated quarantine
Whether they are arriving by sea or air, visitors will be able to step into the sun and enjoy their hard-earned break in paradise stress-free. As the Cayman Islands Department of Tourism confirms, starting this Wednesday, all American travelers are now permitted to cross the border simply by bringing a valid passport, ‘without the need of any additional documents’.

Although travel insurance is also not mandatory, we cannot stress enough the importance of carrying a valid insurance policy when flying abroad, especially now that U.S. airlines are failing to meet their targets and cancelations are widespread. Trust us, you don’t want to be left stranded in Cayman if your flight back is axed at the very last minute.

Find out more about travel insurance here.

What Has Changed Following The Latest Update?

Before the update, U.S. citizens and any other foreigners flying to Grand Cayman had to seek permission beforehand. The so-called ‘Travel Certificate’, which served as proof for Cayman border authorities that a traveler had been pre-screened and deemed fit for travel, could be easily obtained through an online portal – that is, if you were vaccinated.

Those who were not had their applications routinely turned down, unless they were a British Overseas Territory citizen linked to the Cayman Islands, or someone with close ties to local residents. Additionally, the few allowed to board a Cayman-bound flight or vessel had to present a negative test and later isolate at their accommodation, or home, for 7 full days.

The quarantine did not apply to vaccinated travelers, though they were still subject to the pre-arrival testing rule up until June 30. These regulations made the territory an outlier in the Caribbean, as a majority of countries in the region accepted Covid is no longer a disruptive disease and ceased to restrict tourism in return.

At last, Cayman has joined what we’re dubbing the Freedom Club.

What About Masks?

Similarly to the border restrictions, the Cayman Government has scrapped mandatory mask usage all across the islands. Since June 30, visitors have not been expected to wear face coverings in any indoor or outdoor settings, including:
- Beaches
- Clubs and entertainment venues
- Restaurants
- Leisure centers
- Public transportation
It is worth noting private establishments may still enforce mask usage.

The Cayman Islands are a collective of 3 small islands part of the British Commonwealth in the Western Caribbean. The largest of them, Grand Cayman, is the main entry point and a home to world-renowned resort brands, such as the Ritz-Carlton, Palm Heights and Margaritaville. On the other hand, Little Cayman is popular among nature enthusiasts for its diverse nature, marine life and water sports.

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This article originally appeared on Travel Off Path. For the latest breaking news that will affect your next trip, please visit: Traveloffpath.com

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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August 24, 2022
Hawaii Is Quickly Losing Popularity: Why Many Travelers Say They’ll Never Return
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During the past few months, Hawaiian authorities —and locals— have been complaining about over-tourism, and their wish of having fewer tourists is starting to come true.

Just two months ago, The State of Hawaii’s Department of Land and Natural Resources announced that travelers would have to pay a fee and make an online reservation to visit the iconic Diamond Head State Monument to avoid large crowds and protect the natural environment. But this might no longer be necessary.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) recently published an official report showing the results of a recent survey for visitor satisfaction in 2022, and the conclusions were controversial: travelers were extremely satisfied with their travel experience but didn’t want to return soon, mainly due to high prices.

Travel To Hawaii Is Changing

During the pandemic, tourism in Hawaii has been crucial to counter the consequences of the global health crisis. Many visitors during the pandemic were returning visitors. And, at the beginning of the year, from January to March 2022, it was estimated that 75% of tourists were returning visitors.

John De Fries, President and CEO of the Hawaii Tourism Authority (HTA), explained why Hawaii was becoming such a popular destination a few months ago: “An essential component of Hawai‘i’s sustained recovery, the increase in visitor satisfaction during the first quarter is attributable to the numerous, hardworking individuals in our community – from the flight attendants and front desk agents, to the stewards of our natural and cultural resources, to the musicians and entertainers, and the shop owners and restaurant servers.”

However, almost 4,000 travelers were surveyed, and many visitors from the United States and Canada —which represent the majority of travelers visiting Hawaii— stated that they didn’t want to return to Hawaii.

Despite that 9 out of 10 assured that they would recommend Hawaii as a vacation destination to friends and family, compared to results from 2021 more travelers stated that wouldn’t return ever nor in 5 years.

Why Travelers Won’t Return To Hawaii

US and Canadian travelers love Hawaii and nearly 90% rated their time in this destination as “excellent”. However, there are a few reasons why visitors will not be returning:
- High prices: Hawaii has the highest hotel prices in the United States with an average of $371 per night. Luxury hotels’ average is $887 and Maui is the most expensive island. Also, gas prices are higher than the national price —it’s been above $5.60 per gallon during the past few weeks— and restaurants and car rentals are also expensive.
- Travelers can now visit international destinations: During the pandemic, Hawaii was the perfect destination not only because of its beautiful beaches, warm weather, and great attractions but also because there weren’t as many alternatives. Now that travelers can visit exotic and cheaper destinations, Hawaii has lost popularity.
- Locals dislike tourists: There’s been a huge debate over tourism in the archipelago. Locals and authorities have publicly complained about having too many tourists and a few weeks ago a local mayor requested airlines to reduce the number of flights to the islands. Some travelers do not feel as welcome or comfortable as they would like to while they are on vacations.
According to the local site Beat of Hawaii, local authorities and residents should be more concerned about why travelers are not returning and stated many reasons why returning guests are important: regular income stream for different companies in the travel industry, loyalty, and considering that they are more likely to pay for upgrades.

Authorities in Hawaii must determine now whether the loss of travelers’ interest in returning to this destination is beneficial or detrimental. John De Fries assured to be considering every aspect: “We aim to foster the right balance in which Hawai‘i’s residents, natural resources, and culture can thrive, and visitors can have a meaningful, enriching experience.”

Read More:

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories
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July 12, 2022
Large Crowds Return To Las Vegas As Casinos Post Near Record Numbers

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Large crowds of tourists have returned to Las Vegas – with the city’s casinos reporting near record numbers.

With the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic having had a major impact on the tourism industry worldwide, Las Vegas was no exception to this – with the 26th-most populous city in the U.S. having seen its world-renowned ‘Las Vegas’ strip resembling nothing but a ghost town for months on end.

And, there is no doubt that the city suffered greatly from the ongoing lockdowns and business closures that were brought about due to the Covid-19 pandemic – with financial losses having been recorded in the billions and billions of dollars.

However, fast forward to this present time – and the contrast could not be any greater.

The Number Of Visitors To Las Vegas Has Increased By Nearly 50%

Compared to the last year, March, 2021, the number of visitors to Las Vegas increased by a near 50% in the month just gone – with more than 3.3 million visitors having made their way to the Nevada state city – according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

And, there is no doubt as to why so many people are now heading to Vegas – with the city offering so much for visitors.

Whether you’re looking to do something adventurous or ‘out of the box’, wanting to party the night away at some of the world’s most famous bars and nightclubs – or looking for an activity that the whole family can enjoy – Las Vegas really does have it all.

The city even offers some more ‘unusual’ attractions for those looking for something a little ‘different’ from the usual mainstream entertainment.

Casinos In Vegas Are Reporting Near Record Numbers

With the huge numbers of tourists – once again stepping foot onto the city’s iconic Las Vegas Strip – the city’s casinos are undoubtedly reaping the rewards, with the state of Nevada’s Gaming Control Board reporting a near 27% increase on takings compared to March last year (2021).

In fact, the $1.35 billion that the state’s casinos took last month was just short of the record amount of revenue recorded in a single month – which currently stands at $1.36 billion (July 2021).

Visitors To Vegas Can Expect Long Queues And Waiting Times

Of Course, with large numbers of tourists comes long queues – and therefore for those looking to head to Vegas right now will have to prepare themselves for potentially significant waiting times upon their arrival into the city, as well as throughout the duration of their stay.

The city’s airport – Harry Reid International Airport – recently reported near pre-pandemic figures, with close to 4.3 million visitors having passed through its doors last month (March).

Hotels in the city, which is infamously known as ‘Sin City’, are also experiencing an influx in bookings – with more than 80% of rooms reportedly being occupied.

And, with U.S. airlines continuing to add new direct Vegas-bound flights to their schedules, we are likely to see these numbers grow – especially with the city once again playing host to some of the world’s best and biggest shows and conventions on the planet.

One Of The City’s Major Casino Resorts Has Recently Reopened

Just last month we reported that one of the most famous casino resorts in Las Vegas – The Palms Casino Resort – was due to reopen its doors from the end of last month (27 April).

Although not located on the Las Vegas strip itself, there is no doubt that the resort will attract a huge number of visitors – with many wanting to check out its newly renovated property, which comes following new ownership and a $600 million refurbishment.

Read more:

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A Massive Casino Resort is Reopening its Doors in Las Vegas

Top 6 Hotels On The Las Vegas Strip

Spirit Announces Three New Nonstop Flights To Las Vegas Starting At $65

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Disclaimer: Current travel rules and restrictions can change without notice. The decision to travel is ultimately your responsibility. Contact your consulate and/or local authorities to confirm your nationality’s entry and/or any changes to travel requirements before traveling. Travel Off Path does not endorse traveling against government advisories

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May 11, 2022