Cuba’s visitor economy supports livelihoods well beyond the beach, but current fuel shortages and blackouts are straining daily life, transport, and hospitality operations. Why Tourism Matters In Cuba, tourism is not a side story. It is one of the country’s most visible ways to earn foreign currency and support employment in communities that rely on
Japan is still welcoming hanami travellers in 2026, but Fujiyoshida has cancelled its signature festival near Mount Fuji to protect local life—and it’s changing how we should all travel during sakura season. Japan has not cancelled cherry blossom season nationwide. What has changed is local: Fujiyoshida, near Mount Fuji, has officially cancelled its Arakurayama Sengen
The aloha shirt didn’t “come from” one community. It emerged in multi-ethnic Hawai‘i, stitched together by Japanese textiles, local makers, savvy retailers, and later, designers who helped it travel the world. The Shirt That Refuses a Single-Origin Myth The Hawaiian shirt is one of the world’s most recognizable travel souvenirs, but its real origin story
The rise of slow travel reflects a growing desire among travellers to experience destinations at a deeper, more meaningful level. Rather than rushing from one attraction to the next, slow travel encourages spending more time in fewer places, allowing for a richer connection with the local culture and environment. This guide explores how to embrace
A full-circle night of rhythm, reverence, and the kind of nostalgia that doesn’t just return—it arrives with new meaning. When the Music Stops Being “A Show” and Becomes Your Story When I first wrote about Buena Vista Social Club on Broadway, I approached it as a storyteller—listening closely to the artists, absorbing the intention behind
This year, the “why” leads the “where.” From whycations to secondary destinations, travellers are seeking meaning and comfort while reducing harm and overtourism pressure. Travel trends 2026 point to one clear shift: travellers want trips that feel personal, purposeful, and lighter on the planet. Booking.com highlights ultra-personalised travel, Hilton calls it the “whycation” (choosing a
This year, let’s keep the gym goals and the fresh starts, but add something that lasts longer than January: gentler choices for the planet, our communities, and the animals who share our home. Keep the Classics, but Make Them Kinder Every January, we reach for the same well-meaning promises: move more, drink less, sleep better,
Meaningful travel isn’t about perfection or privilege—it’s about intention: choosing experiences that respect nature, protect culture, and keep more benefits in local hands. What “Meaningful Travel” Really Means Meaningful travel is the idea that tourism should create direct benefits for host communities, protect cultural and environmental assets, and connect travellers to a place in a
It’s ok to choose the kind of leisure that doesn’t require a boarding pass—just permission to pause, and a willingness to stay put and enjoy your own backyard. There’s a quiet truth I return to every year around this time: I don’t always travel in December, and I don’t apologise for it. In fact, this
In the heart of Grapevine’s historic Main Street, a woman-owned corner shop has been bringing the best of Britain to North Texas for decades. There are some travel moments you plan, and others that feel like they were waiting for you. I found myself beaming at a Union Jack–trimmed storefront called British Emporium—and all my years
On the road between Waco, Frisco, Grapevine and Dallas, one little phrase – “welcome in” – became my window into Texas hospitality, history and that fiercely independent spirit that once made it its own country. What “Welcome In” Says About Texas Linguists tend to describe “welcome in” as a relatively recent twist in English –
From glittering Main Street lights to wine trains and festive markets, Grapevine, Texas wraps its historic core in holiday magic, with most experiences clustered within just a few miles. Grapevine doesn’t just decorate for the holidays; it transforms. Officially recognized as the Christmas Capital of Texas, the city rolls out more than 1,400 festive events
