travel store 2017

The top 10 travel stores in Toronto

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Travel stores in Toronto will get you ready for your next adventure by letting you stock up on luggage , airplane pillows, sleeping masks, water bottles, plugs and any other accessories you might need on your trip around the world or even just to cottage country.

Here are my picks for the top travel stores in Toronto.

With two locations in Toronto, this popular store has all sorts of bags, packs and rain gear as well as more intense items for hiking, biking, running and water sports.

Europe Bound

This longstanding store stands out with well-made, good-looking accessories as well as a great rental program for travel gear. It has a selection of compact items, including umbrellas and hair dryers as well as creative and flexible food and drink containers.

Monocle Shop

For the business traveller, or the person interested in looking good wherever they're headed, this small, but mighty shop on College Street is the place to go for travel bags, umbrellas and travel guides for cities around the globe.

This Japanese mega-brand is the place to go for a curated selection of monochrome travel accessories, including slippers, robes, pillows, light blankets and stationary.

Pack in style thanks to this Queen West store with hip-looking luggage, good-looking bathroom kits, money bags and even fanny packs.

Tucked inside the Eaton Centre, this well-known travel brand has a great selection of luggage, bag tags, wallets, passport holders and other travel essentials to bring some flare to your travel look.

This travel accessory store is based out of Montreal and has three locations in Toronto, including one in the Eaton Centre . Its travel accessory selection is unmatchable. Find leather totes, shoulder bags, weekend bags, bag tags and passport holders here.

You'll find this reliable travel brand's shop underneath First Canadian Place in the PATH . This is one of the country's largest luggage retailers, and the store is stocked with a solid selection of umbrellas, bag tags and totes as well.

Drake General Store

This three-storey clothing and design shop has an assortment of fun and unique travel add-ons, like bag tags, carry-on size grooming products, travel kits and loads of fun Canadiana-themed gifts to share with friends from abroad.

The luggage department at this Canadian department store is quite impressive. It rides the line between practical and fashionable, leaning a bit on the practical side, but that's usually what you need while traveling.

Jesse Milns at Drake General Store

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50 Best Places to Travel in 2017

Since 1971, Travel + Leisure editors have followed one mission: to inform, inspire, and guide travelers to have deeper, more meaningful experiences. T+L's editors have traveled to countries all over the world, having flown, sailed, road tripped, and taken the train countless miles. They've visited small towns and big cities, hidden gems and popular destinations, beaches and mountains, and everything in between. With a breadth of knowledge about destinations around the globe, air travel, cruises, hotels, food and drinks, outdoor adventure, and more, they are able to take their real-world experience and provide readers with tried-and-tested trip ideas, in-depth intel, and inspiration at every point of a journey.

Putting together our annual list of the best places to travel is a process that takes several months—we survey writers based around the world, talk to our A-List travel specialists , and look at the most exciting hotel and restaurant openings. While news and global events have a large impact on the places we choose, we also pay attention to cities that are worth revisiting: Philadelphia, in particular, may surprise you with the amount of growth and development it has seen in recent months. North America made a strong showing on this year’s list—more than a quarter of these places are within reach for a long-weekend trip from the United States. We know that people will travel far and wide for incredible food and drink, which is why that was a key factor in our decision-making. In 2017, you’ll want to head to Jerusalem for its exciting Levantine food, Oslo for its coffee culture, Belgrade for craft beer, and Valle de Guadalupe for coveted Mexican wines. Related : The 50 Best Places to Travel in 2019 While beach vacations are timeless—you truly don’t need much more than a comfortable resort, warm waters, and a good book to read—tack on a bit more time if you’re visiting these places: Tofino, in British Columbia, has a wild food scene; Honolulu will host its first arts biennial this year; and Málaga has amazing hidden museums. Technology and globalization can make the world feel small and thoroughly explored. But there are always places to discover—and rediscover—for yourself. Take a look at the Best Places to Travel in 2019 for additional inspiration, and share your own picks with us on social media using #TLBestPlaces.

Angra dos Reis, Brazil

Brazil’s visa waiver during the Olympics was a success for one big reason: it encouraged travel beyond the big cities. The tourism board hopes to bring back the waiver, and if you’re planning to take advantage, save time to visit Angra dos Reis, between Rio and São Paulo. This popular Brazilian vacation area is where cariocas go to escape the crowds. “It’s where many of the country’s elite have their beach villas,” says Martin Frankenberg of Matuete , who has access to several of these glamorous rentals. Big changes are coming to the region. In May, Brazilian chain Fasano will open a long-awaited 54-suite hotel in a complex that includes a marina, golf course, restaurants, and a spa. The design is striking, with elevated wooden buildings that look like they’re floating, all with open-air terraces and views of the forest and sea. And the government recently pledged $8 million to improve the infrastructure on Ilha Grande—an island that’s so popular that they’ve had to impose a daily limit on visitors. —Stephanie Wu

Belfast, Northern Ireland

With a growing array of open-air bars, arts venues, and restaurants, Belfast is quickly becoming an attractive destination for travelers. Stay at the design-forward Bullitt Hotel (inspired by the Steve McQueen film), which opened in October with casual, well-appointed rooms and complimentary grab-and-go breakfast granola. Check out arts organization Seedhead , which runs street-art tours and hosts pop-up cabarets around the city. The Michelin-starred OX and EIPIC lead the fine-dining pack, but also visit Permit Room , with its internationally inspired breakfast and locally roasted coffee. Noteworthy new nightlife spots include the Muddlers Club , a stylish restaurant and cocktail bar in the trendy Cathedral Quarter, and Vandal , a graffiti-adorned pizza place that turns into a late-night club, on the top floor of a 17th-century pub. —Nell McShane Wulfhart

Belgrade, Serbia

Since the end of the Yugoslav wars, Belgrade has attracted steady investment—its graffiti-covered neighborhoods are now full of restaurants and bars. You’ll find hearty platters of ćevapi—smoky sausages without casing—and stuffed somborka peppers at Sokače, paprika-laden kebabs at Tri Šešira , and pan-Latin tapas at Toro . But the biggest draw is the growing craft-beer scene (the city has 37 breweries). Don’t miss the Kabinet Supernova IPA at Prohibicija in the bar-filled Savamala district, as well as Kas’s full-bodied pale ales and Salto’s IPA at Bajloni , set in a 100-year-old brewery space in Cetinjska. —Govind Dhar

After being hit hard by the financial crisis, Bermuda is shaking itself out of stagnation and attracting a new generation of travelers. In 2014, the island won a bid to host the 35th America’s Cup, the high-profile international sailing race, which takes place this June. The promise of a flood of wealthy visitors—and a loosening of restrictions on foreign investment—has sparked a spate of development. Big news is the $100 million overhaul of the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club , the island’s 132-year-old grande dame, whose revamped rooms have a fresh, contemporary look. The hotel has also added a stellar art collection, a spa, and a restaurant serving locally sourced fare from James Beard Award–winning chef Marcus Samuelsson. Elsewhere on the island, a St. Regis, a lavish Ritz-Carlton Reserve, and the Ariel Sands resort (backed by actors Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones) are in the works. —Paola Singer

Cambodian Coast

Cambodia has some of Southeast Asia’s most stunning islands, but getting to them has always been arduous (a flight to Phnom Penh, a four-hour drive, then a choppy ferry ride). Luckily, there are now direct flights into the coastal Sihanoukville airport via Ho Chi Minh City. That means a much smoother journey to the newest island escapes: the wellness-minded Six Senses on Krabey Island, where spa treatments are Cambodian-inspired, and the Alila eco-resort on Koh Russey, which has an emphasis on Khmer cuisine and community service. And if you want to spend some time in the capital of Phnom Penh before or after your island vacation, you can do that in style as well: Rosewood has announced plans to open there in early 2017. —Stephanie Wu

Cape Town, South Africa

Beyond its iconic mountain backdrop and cinematic beaches, Cape Town has a compelling art and design scene, and it’s only going to get better when the Zeitz Museum of Contemporary African Art opens at the V&A Waterfront in 2017. The MOCAA—heralded as South Africa’s answer to the MoMA or the Tate Modern—will take over a soaring concrete building once used for grain storage. Atop the museum sits The Silo , a luxury hotel from the Royal Portfolio that’s set to open in March. Until then, visitors can fill the hours between gallery-hopping with a taste of the legendary local fare. The surrounding Cape Winelands—Stellenbosch, Constantia, and Franschhoek, among others—keep Cape Town’s residents well hydrated, while acclaimed restaurants like the Test Kitchen (ranked number 22 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list) and its new sister spot the Shortmarket Club keep them well fed. — Mary Holland

Cincinnati, Ohio

The Queen City’s transformation is most evident in its Over-the-Rhine district, first settled by German immigrants in the 19th century. Once a dodgy neighborhood, it has renovated buildings and warehouses that are now apartments and offices for tech companies. On Vine Street, young brands like interiors shop Elm & Iron sit alongside Cincinnati institutions like Holtman’s Donuts . There are larger changes throughout the city: the new Cincinnati Bell Connector streetcar links the northern fringes of OTR with downtown and the Ohio River, and Ziegler Park, with a deepwater pool and redesigned public spaces, will be unveiled this spring, followed by the reopening of the city’s historic Music Hall and the inaugural Blink Cincinnati light and art festival in October. Locals zip across state lines on a daily basis, and the best new place to bed down is actually a 10-minute drive across the river in Covington, Kentucky. The boutique Hotel Covington occupies the former headquarters of Coppin’s Department Store, and the original 1907 architecture serves its new purpose beautifully: upon entering, you get a sweeping view of reception, the lobby, and the bar with its 20-foot ceilings, thanks to a sloping floor originally designed to let shoppers see the entire department store when they walked through its Madison Avenue doors. Filmmakers are also increasingly drawn to Cincinnati, thanks to its Art Deco buildings and its tax incentives. Off-camera, Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, and Ellen Page have all been spotted dining in hot spots like Boca and Sotto and checking in to the art-filled 21C Museum Hotel. —Aoife O’Riordain

Devon, England

Devon is best known for cream teas and surf beaches, but a raft of openings are elevating the county’s image with rarefied takes on the rural experience. The elegant Lympstone Manor has been reimagined by eminent chef Michael Caines, who will reopen it in 2017 as a 21-room hotel and restaurant. Design lovers can soon overnight at the Secular Retreat, a strikingly minimal property inspired by ecclesiastical architecture and designed by Peter Zumthor. And on the coast, the Art Deco Burgh Island Hotel has another groundbreaking design in the works: a suite that bridges the vertiginous gap between two rocky outcrops. — Emily Mathieson

Guayaquil, Ecuador

As a gateway to the Galápagos , Guayaquil has seen its fair share of overnight visitors en route to the islands. But additions to the tropical port city are enticing travelers to stay longer. The just-opened Hotel del Parque sets a new standard in the city, with 44 elegant rooms in a restored 19th-century colonial complex that also includes a riverside restaurant. The massage-treatment room is in a repurposed bell tower atop the property’s original chapel, an airy mix of Gothic and Mediterranean styles where mass is still held. And the hotel’s setting on the seven-acre Parque Histórico Guayaquil makes it easy for guests to explore a wildlife sanctuary, historic structures, and a former cacao plantation. See modern Guayaquil when you visit the Malecón 2000, the city’s revitalized riverfront promenade lined with plazas, playgrounds, monuments, galleries, gardens, and two fantastic museums. Go at night for the best view, when the Ferris wheel—Ecuador’s newest toy—is backed by the twinkling lights above the hillside village of Las Penas. —Nina Kokotas Hahn

Hamburg, Germany

Slicker than graffiti-laden Berlin and edgier than Munich or Frankfurt, this booming port town has always been one of Germany’s most intriguing cities. Recent years have seen the banks of the Elbe River morph into an architectural wonderland, with icons such as Zaha Hadid’s River Promenade reshaping the landscape. The Elbphilharmonie Hamburg by Herzog & de Meuron, a concert hall featuring an undulating glass structure on top of a midcentury brick warehouse, will welcome visitors for its inaugural performance on January 11, 2017. Not far away, The Fontenay , a stylish grande dame, will open its doors in summer. The once-gritty isle of Wilhelmsburg is transforming into a hot spot, drawing comparisons to the similar-sounding Williamsburg in Brooklyn thanks to projects like IBA Hamburg – Energiebunker —a former air-raid bunker converted into an eco-friendly power source— WCW Gallery , and third-wave coffee shops like Kaffeeliebe . — Diana Hubbell

Hampi, India

One of India’s most spectacular monuments will become newly accessible this year with the launch of a high-end resort in Hampi. When the 14th-century capital of the Vijayanagara Empire was constructed, in what is now the southwestern state of Karnataka, it was one of the largest cities in the world . The ruined settlement’s dazzling temples, monuments, and public buildings—strewn across a landscape of giant boulders, banana groves, and rice paddies—have long been a must-visit for dedicated Indophiles. But the town of Hampi has lacked world-class accommodation and infrastructure, making a visit less than luxurious. Now the new Orange County, Hampi offers a solution: 46 rooms spread across a palatial, Vijayanagara-inspired estate less than three miles from the UNESCO World Heritage site area. As Lucy Davis, director of India tour operator Banyan Tours, puts it, “the property is a game-changer for visitors to Hampi.” —Flora Stubbs

Helsinki, Finland

Finland celebrates 100 years of independence on December 6, 2017, but the parties will start much earlier—and many of them will be happening in Helsinki, the capital. The country's gift to itself is a major new landmark: the sinuous Central Library, designed by ALA Architects to be Helsinki’s new living room (it will open in 2018). Sauna culture is a big part of everyday life in the city. The latest and greatest public one is Löyly , a contemporary geometric complex of wood designed by Avanto Architects. And on Sauna Day , which takes place twice a year, several unique private saunas, including one on a raft and another in a castle, open to the public. When it comes to a design-savvy place to stay, book a room at Lilla Roberts , at least until the summer opening of sister hotel St. George , a grand 150-room property in a 19th-century landmark building. —Gisela Williams

Honolulu, Hawaii

The tides are changing in Honolulu . Hawaii’s capital is becoming a cultural powerhouse—in 2017 it will host its first Biennial , which will attract artists from across the Pacific Rim as well as celebrate Hawaii’s own underrepresented artists. Check out the litany of installations, panel discussions, and performances from March 8 to May 8, when creative forces will transform sites like Foster Botanical Garden, City Hall, and Chinatown. But the cresting art scene can be found year-round. In the gritty Kaka’ako neighborhood, dozens of new Pow! Wow! murals saturate the walls of warehouses, construction sites, and burgeoning collectives-cum-galleries like Lana Lane Studios . Further proof the capital is becoming an arts hub: Even touristy Waikiki is changing, thanks to brand new art-centric hotel, Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club , which collaborated with local artists—from the restrooms’ custom bird-of-paradise wallpaper to the Matthew Tapia–designed graphic mural at the bottom of the pool that reads “Wish You Were Here.” —Jenna Scatena

Indianapolis, Indiana

The city shattered expectations of Midwestern dining a couple of years ago with the opening of beloved brunch spot Milktooth , and the culinary scene has only gathered steam since then. In the fall, Indy hopped on the fried-chicken trend with Crispy Bird , a sustainability-focused joint from James Beard Award–nominated restaurateur Martha Hoover, while Milktooth’s Jonathan Brooks lent his expertise to the gastropub menu at the Owner’s Wife. This coming year, Sun King Brewery will open a 15,000-square-foot distillery in nearby Carmel. And with hotels in the works from 21c, Ironworks, and home-goods brand West Elm, Indianapolis is poised to become America’s next big destination. — Lila Battis

Jackson Hole, Wyoming

The total solar eclipse on August 21 will be the first in almost 40 years to be visible from the continental U.S., with a path of totality that slashes across the States from Oregon to South Carolina. For prime viewing, head to Jackson Hole—spectacular scenery, expansive vistas, and minimal light pollution make it an ideal vantage point. Once the two-minute main event is over, there are plenty of warm-weather activities to keep you occupied, from hiking the backcountry of Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks to exploring Jackson proper (be sure to snag a pastry at Persephone Bakery and a chic, locally crafted souvenir at Made). — Lila Battis

Jebel Akhdar, Oman

A two-hour drive from Muscat, in the rocky contours of Oman’s Al-Hajar Mountains, is Jebel Akhdar, an area beloved for its astounding views, craggy wadis, and natural terraces. Come spring, a blanket of velvety pink damask rose blossoms shroud the hills with their romantic scent. From these blossoms, distillers produce soothing rosewater potions that are used in both spa treatments and cocktail menus. To best experience Jebel Akhdar, head to the recently opened Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar . The magnificent property is giving the region’s reigning boutique hotel, the Alila Jabal Akhdar , a run for its money. While both promise canyon-view infinity pools and post-hike pampering treatments, the Anantara’s splashy suites, six restaurants, and amenities (like a cliff-side private meal), are unbeatable. —Dylan Essertier

Jerusalem, Israel

Typically more of a pilgrimage site than a sybaritic city, Jerusalem has now emerged as a culinary force to rival Tel Aviv. At the sprawling Mahane Yehuda Market, food-and-drink spots have popped up in produce stalls, many of which stay open long past sunset. The Jewish diaspora and Middle East merge at restaurants like Ishtabach—try the Kurdish shamburak, a pastry with brisket, potatoes, and chimichurri—and Machneyuda , known for its standout beef tartare with plums. Stay at the new boutique Brown Jerusalem Hotel , which will open soon in a restored Ottoman-era villa and serve drinks in an underground water cistern. —Sara Toth Stub

Jura, France

Concealed by Alpine peaks and rolling, wooded hills, Jura—France’s smallest wine region—has long been shielded from the swarms that descend upon Burgundy to the west and Switzerland to the east. But in recent years, the Jura’s highly idiosyncratic, oxidative wines have generated explosive interest, with bottles making regular appearances on sommelier lists at U.S. restaurants like Eleven Madison Park and the French Laundry. Thanks to the newfound attention, the secret of Franche-Comté’s remote gem—a medieval-era region perfect for gourmands and nature-lovers—is out at last. Oenophiles will want to visit buzzy vineyards like Domaine André & Mirielle Tissot ; co-owner Stéphane Tissot is a dynamic, progressive vintner who produces one of Jura’s famous sherry-like vin jaunes . Pair them with the Jura’s rich, rustic cuisine and the regional specialty, wheels of raw-milk Comté cheese. Burn off the calories hiking, cycling, or skiing the miles of quiet trails that arc around steep mountain ridges, shimmering lakes, and primordial waterfalls. For lodgings, turn to Les Jardins sur Glantine , a charming B&B that also produces superb natural wines. —Christopher Ross

Kanazawa, Japan

This city on the western coast of Honshu has seen a boost in visits since a bullet-train extension shortened the trip from Tokyo to just 2½ hours. Go for the old wooden teahouses of the Higashi Chayagai district, the beautiful samurai residence in Nagamachi, and the contemporary art museum. Then have your pick of sushi that’s just as good as, and much cheaper than, what you’d find in Tokyo. Try it at Sentori, Kagayasuke, or Omi-cho Market—a favorite of sushi master Masa. For a truly traditional experience, head to the Noto Peninsula and stay in a Japanese farmhouse, where you can forage for wild mountain greens and mushrooms and dine by an indoor fire pit. —Selena Hoy

Lake Lucerne, Switzerland

The city of Lucerne’s medieval charms continue to draw busloads of tourists, but neighboring Lake Lucerne is full of developments that entice visitors to venture out as well. Make your base the ultramodern Bürgenstock , a $480 million project that opens in mid 2017 with scenic lake views, four hotels, and a massive yet tranquil spa. From there, explore the craggy summit of Mount Pilatus —once thought to be a dragon den, it’s become more accessible lately (its popular cog railway will be included in the Swiss Travel Pass starting this year). At the lake’s southern arm, called Lake Uri , the 36-mile-long Gotthard Base Tunnel (the world’s longest train tunnel) opens for passenger service in December 2016—it has shaved 40 minutes off the trip from Milan. Hikers to the region won’t be disappointed either: the nearby village Engelberg has created the Buiräbähnli Safari , a two-night Alpine trek that utilizes farmer’s gondolas and aerial cable cars to visit remote farms, where you can sample cheese and Alpine butter. —Adam H. Graham

Despite its many allures (milky-blue terraced waterfalls, mountains blanketed with jungle, centuries-old golden stupas, and crumbling temples) landlocked Laos has always been overshadowed by its tourist-magnet neighbors. But that’s changing: in the fall, the country was thrust into the international spotlight with a historic visit from Barack Obama, the first sitting U.S. president to set foot in the nation. Recent negotiations with Thailand opened up additional flights from Bangkok, and new upscale lodgings have made Laos’s two major cities—the temple-studded capital of Vientiane and Luang Prabang, a UNESCO-protected town prized for its natural sights and mix of traditional and French-colonial architecture—much more accessible. In 2017, the President by Akaryn —the area’s first five-star hotel—arrives in Vientiane just steps from the temple of the Emerald Buddha, followed by a Rosewood in Luang Prabang. — Lila Battis

La Paz, Bolivia

Once beleaguered by frequent strikes, roadblocks, and a paucity of amenities, the backpacker haven of La Paz has emerged as a true culture capital. Infrastructure has played a key role: in 2014 the city introduced Mi Teleférico , a network of aerial trams that transport riders across the city in minutes on routes that once took an hour by bus. The city’s culinary scene is being driven by fine-dining restaurant Gustu , launched by Noma cofounder Claus Meyer in 2013. Since then, the restaurant scene has exploded with ventures from Gustu alums: elevated vegan fare at Ali Pacha , locally inspired pastas at Propiedad Pública , and house-roasted, single-origin coffee at Typica . Stay in the city’s first Design Hotel, the Atix . Each of the 53 rooms doubles as a gallery, displaying works by Bolivian artists like Gastón Ugalde. It’s a microcosm of the city’s thriving contemporary art scene: galleries like Mérida Romero , Mamani Mamani , and the reopened Salar Galería de Arte showcase much of the country’s top talent. —Nicholas Gill

Madagascar is sometimes overlooked as just another safari destination . But this massive island is home to thousands of species that are found nowhere else on earth—more than 90 percent of Madagascar’s flora and fauna are endemic—and with the threat of climate change and deforestation looming ever larger, this is one trip that shouldn’t be delayed. Reinstated Airlink flights from Johannesburg to Nosy Be have expanded access to the northern stretches of the country just in time for the April 2017 opening of Miavana , Madagascar’s most well-appointed property yet. Situated on the island of Nosy Anko, the eco-friendly resort includes 14 villas designed by Silvio Rech and Lesley Carstens, the architects behind similarly luxe African retreats like Chinzombo and Angama Mara. Between seaside pursuits, guests are whisked by helicopter to Ankarana National Park for lemur-spotting or Amber Mountain National Park to explore its waterfalls and crater lakes. — Jane Broughton

Málaga, Spain

Málaga, in Spain’s Andalusia region, is now a veritable museum-goer’s paradise . The first wave included a Picasso museum (the artist was born here) and the sprawling 8,000-square-foot CAC (Centro de Arte Contemporáneo), which has hosted exhibits by Ai Weiwei and Marcel Dzama. Since then, the Carmen Thyssen , an outpost of Madrid’s Thyssen-Bornemisza Museum that houses the famous baroness’s extensive private collection, has opened; so has a five-year pop-up of Paris’s Centre Pompidou displaying works by Magritte, Chagall, and Kahlo. The Pompidou’s location along Málaga’s renovated waterfront is marked by a hypermodern, rainbow-hued glass cube. And in the industrial space of a former tobacco factory is a sister site of the Russian Museum in St. Petersburg. Archaeology buffs can comb the extensive collection at the Aduana Palace (it houses both a fine arts and archaeological museum) or head to the Antequera Dolmens (a prehistoric burial site that earned its UNESCO World Heritage nod in 2016). Unwind afterward at the lavishly appointed Gran Hotel Miramar ; it opened at the end of 2016 in a historic 1926 Art Nouveau building across from Málaga’s most timeless attraction: Malagueta Beach. —Fiorella Valdesolo

Montevideo, Uruguay

Montevideo, the quiet capital of Uruguay, is making a name for itself in design, fashion, and food. The new Rotunda Estudio —a sleek three-story boutique, design studio, and workshop in residential Punta Carretas—sells capsule collections by emerging local talents alongside its flagship line of minimalist women’s wear. Nearby, Telma stocks sophisticated, loose-fitting dresses, shirts, and shoes, plus prints by illustrator Valeria Rienzi from Good Objects . The city’s gourmands are flocking to supper clubs like Mesabrava , where guest chefs prepare multicourse communal dinners in antiques auction houses and shuttered factories. One of the rising stars of the local culinary scene is Lucía Soria, whose casual spot Jacinto in the historic quarter is all about perfectly cooked market ingredients. And Uruguay’s famously high-quality meats are the focus at Plantado Restaurant , inside the gorgeously decorated Hyatt Centric Montevideo —which also happens to be the city’s best new place to stay. —Paola Singer

Montreal, Quebec

In January, the Canadian city kicks off a year of events in honor of its 375th birthday . Look for art pop-ups, symphony performances, and the unveiling of the Promenade Fleuve-Montagne, an urban boardwalk that will connect Mont-Royal to the St. Lawrence River. And plan on returning a few pounds heavier. Montreal’s phenomenal culinary scene—influenced by its French-British background and multiethnic population—is drawing interest from foodies far beyond Canada’s borders. Don’t miss local favorites like Foxy and Candide , which prove that sophisticated doesn’t have to mean stiff, and the hotly anticipated Marconi, from chef Mehdi Brunet-Benkritly, who recently moved back to his native Montreal after a five-year stint in New York City. — Mary Holland

Nashville, Tennessee

This gateway to the South has hit its stride, and 2017 looks to be a banner year. The iconic Ryman Auditorium celebrates its 125th anniversary with a full calendar of fêtes, while the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum celebrates 50 years and the Bluebird Café turns 35. The city is brimming with new and upcoming eateries : Maneet Chauhan’s The Mockingbird, John Besh’s Marsh House, and Henrietta Red from Per Se–trained chef Julia Sullivan. And there are plenty of places to stay, thanks to a hotel boom—the Westin and Thompson recently debuted, with a Kimpton and 21c slated to open this year. — Kristin Luna

A wave of incredible new properties is bringing renewed attention to Central America’s largest country , which visitors flock to for rain-forest tours and snorkeling around surrounding islands. Fifteen miles south of Granada is the recently opened Nekupe Sporting Resort & Retreat . Nekupe, a native word used to describe heaven, is an intimate eight-villa resort spread across 1,300 acres on the mountainside. Floor-to-ceiling windows offer uninterrupted views of Mombacho, but the best way to experience the cloud-forest-covered volcano is hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding. Travelers seeking a beach escape should head to the new Meson Nadi hotel on the edge of Costa Esmeralda: a contemporary, Bauhaus-inspired, six-suite boutique with concrete tiles, handwoven hammam blankets, and gardens. — Melanie Lieberman

Noosa Heads, Australia

One of the unsung sirens of Australia's eastern coast , Noosa Heads—less than two hours from Brisbane—is gaining attention for its upscale hotels and modern restaurant openings. The Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort is the first five-star player to hit the beach here. It’s a short stroll from surfer heaven Main Beach and not far from Noosa National Park, which features cliff-hugging boardwalks through lush rain forest. Richard Branson's Australian hideaway, Makepeace Island , is situated just up the Noosa River: the lavish, Balinese-inspired resort is usually an exclusive-use affair but lately has been opening up individual villa bookings during certain weeks. Restaurants in Noosa Heads skew Asian: the hottest table in town is Wasabi , a Japanese omakase concept where the dining room is suspended over the water, while the more casual Embassy XO , in the next town over, serves pan-Asian dishes like killer “son-in-law” eggs and jasmine-cured duck leg. But don’t miss the natural wonders here, either—head into the dreamy, ruggedly beautiful hinterland with Tropical Treks , an outfitter offering guided bushwalks, bird-watching, and wildlife experiences. — Emma Sloley

Norfolk, Virginia

Once characterized mainly by the defense industry and a massive naval base, Norfolk has become an off-the-radar, affordable hot spot​ thanks to a flourishing arts scene and increasing city- and university-supported entrepreneurship. Its craft beer continues to be a huge attraction: Benchtop Brewing was one of the newest breweries to open in 2016; the upcoming Bearded Bird Brewing ​​will operate as a microbrewery co-op and have a large patio where visitors can sample beers. ​A ​taproom from Starr Hill Brewery ​will be part of a newly developed Waterside District —an area that will see several restaurant openings (like regional favorite Cogan’s Pizza ) in 2017. Nearby, The Main aims to become another downtown hub in the spring, with a seafood restaurant, rooftop lounge, 300-room Hilton, and other entertainment additions. And don't miss the​ NEON District —the mural-studded home of the Chrysler Museum of Art—which has recently introduced an extra element of urban cool. —Christine Wei

Okavango Delta, Botswana

It’s now possible to spot the Big Five in Botswana, an idea that just a few years ago may have seemed far-fetched. Buoyed by the antipoaching efforts of the Botswana government and local conservation groups, the philanthropic arm of the (impeccably renovated) Sanctuary Chief’s Camp has helped reintroduce populations of both black and white rhinos to the Okavango Delta. The neighboring andBeyond Nxabega Okavango Tented Camp also got a thoughtful redesign of late, with understated, sustainable accommodations that echo the surrounding landscape. For lovers of wildlife and luxury, there’s never been a better time to visit. — Krista Simmons

Oslo, Norway

Once prohibitively expensive, the city’s still not cheap—but the dollar's worth around 25 percent more today than it was two years ago. Some 28 million additional visitors will pass through Oslo’s airport in the next 12 months, thanks to its new swooping, Scandi-chic wing. Many of these travelers are here to participate in one of the world’s most thriving coffee cultures. Two great spots are in the Grünerløkka area: Supreme Roastworks , where a world-champion brewer helms the bar, and Tim Wendelboe , whose owner is so obsessed with quality beans that he bought 17 acres of Colombian farmland. After the buzz from your first few pour-overs wears off, explore another formerly gritty neighborhood, the warehouse-filled Vulkan, where Hendrix Ibsen sells the trendy triumvirate of single-origin coffee, vinyl, and craft beer. —Eimear Lynch

Panama City, Panama

After nearly 10 years of construction, the Panama Canal expansion has opened. Giant cruise ships—like the Caribbean Princess —can now pass through via the 180-foot-wide locks. Princess is one of the first lines to take advantage of this, with six sailings in 2017. On land, a sleek W Hotel will open downtown, and a new boutique property, La Concordia —where rooms have private balconies and claw-foot bathtubs—is near completion in historic Casco Viejo . For an introduction to Panama City , book a tour with Black Tomato . They can arrange private helicopter rides or sailings around Gatun Lake. Best of all, Panama uses the U.S. dollar, making shopping easy. — Melanie Lieberman

Paros, Greece

Kitesurfers have long made a playground of the breezy beaches of Paros, and no wonder: this sunshiny isle is a Cycladic triumvirate of sandy shoreline, history, and culture. Last summer the island debuted a new airport, opening it to larger aircraft and more vacationers. And the fishing village of Naousa, with its boxy white architecture and seaside tavernas, is increasingly sophisticated—check in to the modern, adults-only apartments of Porto Naousa or the elegant Seven Santa Maria , where six airy, all-white suites (and a separate villa) come with a private boat and skipper for exploring the island’s secret coves. —Emily Mathieson

Perth, Australia

It’s one of the most remote cities on earth, but that hasn’t stopped the capital of Western Australia from becoming a dining hot spot. Take City Beach, where the new restaurants have the best ocean views in town. The latest is the beautifully designed Odyssea —its veranda is a favorite for seafood and sundowners. Elizabeth Quay is a contemporary urban precinct on the Swan River that combines public spaces and art. There, the Reveley has three levels of modern Australian dining, including a rooftop bar; and Isle of Voyage , in a restored historic kiosk, serves swank café fare like crab tagliatelle paired with local wines. The chicest cocktail bar in town is the Waiting Room , in the lobby of Crown Towers, the city’s new ultra-luxe, 513-room hotel. Design firm Bates Smart has taken inspiration from the glamour of Manhattan and Palm Springs, with lush jewel tones, a marble bar, and a sprawling terrace with vistas of the river and city skyline. —Carrie Hutchinson

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Philly is coming off a high-profile couple of years, between hosting Pope Francis and the DNC and being the first U.S. city inducted into the Organization of World Heritage Cities . Bathed in that ego-boosting afterglow, America's birthplace is adding hotel options from brands like Four Seasons, W, SLS, and Study, and debuting its new Museum of the American Revolution this spring. The young population here is growing at a faster rate than any other major city, and tidy residential neighborhoods like East Passyunk are being diversified. Here, the old guard sipping homemade limoncello at the Sicilian social club shares sidewalk seating with the double-IPA enthusiasts at the craft-beer boutique next door, while across the street, two young female sommeliers have put together thrilling lists of skin-fermented Malvasia, Breton cider, and quirky Canary Island reds at hot spots Townsend and ITV . Around the corner, the succulent slow-cooked lamb tacos at South Philly Barbacoa come with a side of social justice: owners Cristina Martinez and Ben Miller are staunch activists for undocumented workers' rights (Martinez is open about her own undocumented status). And the new mayor is on their side as well—he’s fighting to protect Philly as a sanctuary city. —Adam Erace

Pisco Province, Peru

A new airport in the port town of Pisco is making access to coastal Peru’s top attractions easier than ever. It’s shortened the journey to the Nazca Lines, the 2,000-year-old geoglyphs that are best spotted from a plane, as well as the Paracas National Reserve, a protected swath of desert and marine habitat where visitors can see colonies of sea lions and the occasional group of Humboldt penguins. The lush oasis of Huacachina, in the neighboring Ica province, is a popular day trip for high-speed buggy rides over the surrounding sand dunes. Pisco’s namesake brandy is on tap in the region’s tasting rooms—including one at the oldest distillery in the Americas —and vineyard hotels . — Nicholas Gill

Provence, France

Wineries and hilltop bastides have always lured travelers to Provence , but a recent wave of modish auberges has turned the destination downright stylish. Take the Domaine de Fontenille , a refurbished 17th-century Luberon estate that now includes a 17-room inn and a contemporary art gallery. In St.-Rémy-de-Provence, a landmark mansion has been transformed into the Hôtel de Tourrel , a sleek seven-room inn dotted with Eileen Gray designs and crowned with a rooftop pool terrace. And just outside Aix-en-Provence, the 28 villas at the contemporary Villa La Coste are encircled by vineyards that supply the estate’s organic winery. Its sculpture park contains works by boldface architects and artists such as Louise Bourgeois, whose mammoth Crouching Spider guards the Provençal landscape like a Modernist scarecrow. —Raphael Kadushin

Queenstown, New Zealand

There are two new places to stay in New Zealand’s adventure capital (ski season starts in mid-June, but there’s bungee jumping and jet boating year-round). Bed down at the boutique Hulbert House , with six suites in an 1888 Victorian villa, or the 69-room QT Queenstown , which is slated to land on the shores of Lake Wakatipu this year. And those who have previously traveled here for adrenaline rushes have a new treat in store: the Nevis Thriller, coming early in 2017. Details are sparse, but its creator, the AJ Hackett company, says it will combine “speed, height, and flight.” —Carrie Hutchinson

Rotterdam, Netherlands

After years in Amsterdam’s shadow, the second-largest city in the Netherlands is stepping into the spotlight thanks to its burgeoning culinary and design scenes. Eye-popping architectural stunners such as the Modernist De Rotterdam have been joined by De Markthal , a mural-covered hall where 96 vendors hawk gourmet goods. You’ll find more locavore eats at Fenix Food Factory and Roffa Streetfoodbar , a smokehouse where virtually everything is locally sourced. Art is everywhere in this city—more than a thousand pieces, including sculptures by Picasso and Rodin, are scattered throughout Rotterdam. Be on the lookout for one of the newest pieces, Bobbing Forest , a surrealist installation of floating elm trees by art collective Mothership. The innovative, fun-loving spirit of the city is best embodied by its upcoming attraction, RiF010 , an artificial wave park where surfers will be able to show off their skills in the Steigersgracht Canal. —Diana Hubbell

Of the 800 or so mountain gorillas left in East Africa, more than half live in the forested foothills of the Virungas, a chain of 12,000-foot volcanoes stretching through Rwanda, Uganda, and Congo. Rwanda is by far the safest and most reliable (in terms of infrastructure) of the three, and this summer it will become even more enticing when Wilderness Safaris’ first Rwandan property, the upscale, six-villa Bisate Lodge , opens near Volcanoes National Park. With dramatic views of the forested volcanic peaks, this new base—close to park headquarters, the departure point for daily treks—exists to fund conservation projects, including a reforestation program. In addition to spotting silverbacks, guests can see Buhondo and Burera lakes, the lava tunnels of the Musanze Caves, and the golden monkeys that are endemic to the region. — Jane Broughton

Salta, Argentina

More travelers are starting to take notice of Salta , a province in northwestern Argentina known for its diverse topography, from jungles and volcanoes to vineyards and salt flats. LATAM Airlines has added service between Salta and Lima, Peru, a testament to the region’s growing popularity. The best months to visit are September through November or May through July—travel outfitter Auténtica Salta recommends going to wine country to sip a glass of Torrontés (the area’s emblematic grape) at Piattelli Vineyards' Cafayate winery and staying at the latest luxury hotel, Grace Cafayate . Other operators are increasing their offerings, too: Wanderlust Expediciones recently launched a textile tour that visits artisans keeping the ancient custom of weaving alive, while Jacada Travel ’s 4 x 4 trips to Tolar Grande will include a stay at at Antofallita Oasis, two new guesthouses in Puna owned by locals from the Andean community. —Nora Walsh

Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic

The Dominican Republic is making a name for itself beyond sumptuous resorts and golf clubs. Santo Domingo is amping up the party vibe and giving beach-lovers more reasons to stay in the capital. Upscale neighborhoods like Piantini and Naco are home to scores of new restaurants, many of which turn into nightspots after dinner—try Santru , home to some of the city’s best nueva dominicana cuisine. The electronic music scene is booming, too: The Warehouse , an industrial space that's been repurposed into a venue, hosts some of the liveliest club nights in town, while promoters ShaveUrLegz run festivals and regularly bring in international DJs. For live music, Mecenas Café Cultural is the spot; the sangria and terrace draw a crowd. Recent openings, like the boutique Luca and Casas del XVI’s expanding collection of colonial mansions, are upping the hotel ante as well. —Nell McShane Wulfhart

There are beaches, and then there are beaches . This 115-island nation off Africa’s eastern shore has some of the world’s most beautiful white sands—and lavish new resorts, so you can experience them in style. On the private island of Félicité, Six Senses Zil Pasyon is paradise for honeymooners, with five open-air spa pavilions and a plunge pool adjoining each of the 30 villas, which face the ocean. Later this year, Desroches Island’s sole resort will become a Four Seasons: guests can stay in an airy, eclectic-chic beach suite or one of 11 palatial villas. Also ideal for families: the new Presidential Villa on Cousine Island . —Jacqueline Gifford

Suzhou, China

A half-hour from Shanghai by bullet train, 2,500-year-old Suzhou has two faces. Most know of its classical gardens (nine UNESCO-designated), celebrated in Chinese art and poetry for centuries, and its canal-filled Old Town with traditional white-washed buildings. But there’s also the high-rise-filled Suzhou Industrial Park (built in partnership with the Singaporean government), which has lured many Fortune 500 companies and is a recreational spot for locals and expats. It has a shopping and entertainment district named Times Square, a London Eye–like Ferris wheel, multiple Western and Asian restaurants, bars, theaters, and a concert hall, plus colorful musical fountains on Jinji Lake at night—and it’s all just a 20-minute subway ride from the heart of Old Town. Over the next two years, W Hotels, Sheraton, and the Luxury Collection join a stampede of Western hotel brands that include the stylish Tonino Lamborghini, a Hilton , and a Hyatt Regency . — Sharon McDonnell

Tamuda Bay, Morocco

A mélange of cultural and geographic influences has given this string of seaside towns on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast a uniquely European flavor, and recent upscale openings have turned the area into a bona fide resort destination. Last spring in the town of Mdiq, Sofitel debuted Tamuda Bay Beach & Spa , a 104-room hotel with a palette inspired by the mid-20th-century Côte d’Azur. It’s a lively contrast to the subdued Moorish aesthetic of Banyan Tree Tamouda Bay , a new all-villa resort 20 minutes north in Fnidek. But there’s more to the region than sun and surf: the nearby port city of Tétouan has several museums and one of Morocco’s best-preserved medinas. Head there now—with a Ritz-Carlton Reserve on the horizon, Tamuda Bay won’t stay under the radar for long. —Lila Battis

Tofino, British Columbia

Known for its year-round swells, Canada’s surf capital comes with a cold-water reputation that has helped to keep it a relative secret from the rest of the world. But lately, this remote Vancouver Island gem is seeing more visitors for a new reason: wild food. Chefs are using ingredients foraged straight from the Pacific Ocean and huge swaths of temperate rain forest—Tofino’s front and backyard. The salmon is so recently caught that chefs try not to grumble over the fact that the still-tense flesh is difficult to clean. Check out the new Sea Monster Noodle Bar , where the broth simmers with dried kelp and the poke is made with fresh-caught tuna. At Wolf in the Fog , order smoky potato-crusted oysters and sourdough toast topped with just-plucked chanterelles. Pair it with forest-fresh beverages, like the rye infused in-house with raw cedar or Tofino Brewing Company’s seasonal Spruce Tree Ale, steeped with locally foraged Sitka spruce tips. And stay at Long Beach Lodge Resort , where magical days on Cox Bay Beach include foraging treks with chef Ian Riddick—so you can see what the same food looks like in the wild. —Nina Kokotas Hahn

Turin, Italy

Best known for its historic cafes and the Shroud of Turin, the city is also a vibrant contemporary art destination. Last year, superstar curator Carolyn Christov-Bakargiev was named director of two major institutions, Galleria Civica d'Arte Moderna , Italy's first modern art museum, and Castello di Rivoli , its first contemporary art museum, featuring works from powerhouses like Michelangelo Pistoletto and Paul McCarthy. Earlier eras can be explored at two other newly overhauled museums: the Galleria Sabauda , where visitors can see more than 500 works once owned by the royal Savoy family, and the Egyptian Museum , which houses one of the most extensive Egyptian-artifact collections in the world. Early in 2017, Turin's medieval roots will be revealed at Lavazza coffee's new headquarters in the Aurora neighborhood, when the company unveils a fourth-century basilica discovered during construction. — Carol Kino

Valle de Guadalupe, Mexico

This wine region 80 miles south of San Diego is known for its red blends, but most bottles can’t be exported, so a visit is the best way to try the coveted pours. Start at Decantos Vinícola , which uses a flavor-preserving antigravity decanting method for its rich Malbecs. There are several new design-forward hotels here, too: chef Javier Plascencia runs Finca La Divina , a four-room B&B with a pool. It’s just a few miles from his acclaimed Finca Altozano restaurant and Lupe, his torta truck, housed in an Airstream. And in the summer, hacienda-style El Cielo Winery will open a 58-suite hotel where you can sip its traditional varietals with abandon. —Archana Ram

Veracruz, Mexico

In lieu of the crowded beaches of Cancún and Cozumel, make your way to the state of Veracruz , where the seafood alone is enough to warrant a visit. Enjoy dishes like spicy crab broth on the Emerald Coast, a 12-mile stretch of beach free of crowds and lush with vegetation. Stay at the Maison Couturier , a Design Hotel surrounded by the banana plantations of San Rafael. The French community that’s been there since 1833 sells artisanal cheese and pan de agua, a French-style bread baked in wood ovens. Then venture to Papantla, a well-known Mexican village famous for its pre-Columbian architectural ruins and centuries-old vanilla farms. — Diana Spechler

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Best in Travel: The 2017 SmarterTravel Editors’ Choice and Readers’ Picks Winners

The Editors

We are the editors of SmarterTravel! Together we have appeared in countless travel publications including ABC News, Huffington Post, Travel + Leisure, USA Today, and more. We dedicate our days to creating and producing expert travel content, including packing tips, general travel advice, destination inspiration, and helpful videos. Follow us across social media on YouTube , Pinterest , Facebook , Instagram , and Twitter or drop us a line to say hi at [email protected]!

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We’re proud to announce the winners of the  2017 SmarterTravel Editors’ Choice Awards . We spent six months and enlisted eight subject experts to select our Editors’ Choice winners, and then turned it over to you, our readers.

Thousands of SmarterTravel readers voted for their favorites in travel categories ranging from airlines and hotel chains to travel gadgets and up-and-coming destinations. Both the Editors’ Choice and Readers’ Picks winners are listed below.

Congratulations to the 2017 winners!

Category: Best U.S.-Based Airline

Two favorite airlines outperformed the competition in the best U.S.-based airline category.

• Editors’ Choice: Alaska Airlines
• Readers’ Pick: Southwest Airlines

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology:  The Best U.S. Airlines for 2017

Category: Best Frequent Flyer Program (U.S.-based)

As more frequent flyer programs are undermined by decreasing value, these two stood out to editors and readers as still delivering a good experience to loyalty members:

• Editors’ Choice: Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan
• Readers’ Pick: Southwest Rapid Rewards

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology:  The Best Frequent Flyer Programs for 2017

Category: Best Paid Airline Amenity (U.S.-based)

There was no denying the top choice of both editors and readers in this year’s best paid airline amenity category:

• Editors’ Choice: JetBlue Even More Space
• Readers’ Pick: JetBlue Even More Space

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: Best Paid Airline Amenities 2017

Category: Best Free Airline Amenity

Few airline amenities are free these days, but a these two stand out:

• Editors’ Choice: Porter Airlines lounge access and in-flight amenities
• Readers’ Pick: Air New Zealand’s Economy Skycouch

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: Best Free Airline Amenities 2017

Category: Best Boutique Hotel Chain

Boutique hotels offer comfort and character. And this year, editors and readers agree on the standout chain:

• Editors’ Choice: Kimpton Hotels
• Readers’ Pick: Kimpton Hotels

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: Best Boutique Hotel Chains 2017

Category: Best Hotel Loyalty Program

Editors and readers agree on the best hotel rewards program in 2017:

• Editors’ Choice: Marriott Rewards
• Readers’ Pick: Marriott Rewards

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology:  The Best Hotel Loyalty Programs for 2017

Category: Best Travel Rewards Credit Card

This year, editors and readers agreed on the credit card that offers travelers the most bang for every buck:

• Editors’ Choice: Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa
• Readers’ Pick: Chase Sapphire Preferred Visa

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology:  The Best Travel Rewards Credit Cards of 2017

Category: Best Rolling Carry-On

The right carry-on makes every trip better. Here are our top picks from editors and readers for 2017:

• Editors’ Choice: Eagle Creek Tarmac Carry-On
• Readers’ Pick: TravelPro Crew 20″ Expandable Business Plus Rollaboard

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: Best Carry-On Bags of 2017

Category: Best Overall Travel Product

Travel gear has to work twice as hard as everyday gear to earn a place by your side on vacation. This year, one product stood out to editors and readers alike:

• Editors’ Choice: Arden Cove Travel Bag
• Readers’ Pick: Arden Cove Travel Bag

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: Best Travel Products of 2017

Category: Best Oddball Product That Actually Works

File our oddball product winners under strange-but-effective:

• Editors’ Choice: The Allurette Washer
• Readers’ Pick: SCOTTeVEST Debbie Dress

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: Best Oddball Products That Actually Work, 2017 Edition

Category: Best Value Destination

Editors and readers agreed that one country stood out from the rest when it comes to delivering great travel value this year:

• Editors’ Choice: Portugal
• Readers’ Pick: Portugal

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: Best Value Destinations 2017

Category: Best Family Travel Destination

The competition was intense for the top family destination accolade, but one easy-to-access city reigned supreme:

• Editors’ Choice: Montreal, Quebec
• Readers’ Pick: Montreal, Quebec

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: 10 Best Family Destinations for 2017

Category: Best LGBTQI Destination

The winning LGBTI destinations this year are welcoming, fun, and have a proud history of gay culture:

• Editors’ Choice: Berlin
• Readers’ Pick: San Francisco

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: Best LGBTQI Destinations 2017

Category: Best Up-and-Coming Destination

Off the radar? Not for long. Here are the editors’ choice and readers’ picks winners for the next great vacation destinations:

• Editors’ Choice: Oman
• Readers’ Pick: South Africa

Discover more about all the finalists and methodology: 10 Up-and-Coming Destinations You Need to Visit in 2017

We hand-pick everything we recommend and select items through testing and reviews. Some products are sent to us free of charge with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions and do not accept compensation to review products. All items are in stock and prices are accurate at the time of publication. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.

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AARP Travel Research: 2017 Travel Trends

Vicki Gelfeld, AARP Research

Patty David, AARP Research

For travel inspiration, planning, and more, visit AARP Travel.

Top 2017 Boomer travel trends show that almost all will travel for leisure with about half traveling internationally.

Key findings include the following:

General Travel Insights

• Most Boomers (99%) will take at least one leisure trip in 2017, with an average of five or more trips expected throughout the year.
• Most (51%) expect to only travel domestically, but a significant portion are hoping to travel both domestically and internationally (43%).
• The majority of travel is anticipated in the Spring and Summer of 2017, and to a lesser degree in the Fall, regardless of destination.
• For Boomers, Bucket List trips are the most popular motivation for an international trip, while domestic trips are a combination of Summer vacations, Multi-generational trips, Weekend Getaways, and Holiday travel.
• With all the trips anticipated for 2017, it is important to note that most (~85%) have yet to be booked, meaning Boomers are still in the planning or idea phase.
• Among those who noted an issue, budgeting challenges top the list.
• Boomers are not avid users of online resources for travel planning and booking, especially compared to younger generations.  Among those using online resources, the most popular sites include Trip Advisor, Expedia, Travelocity, Yelp, and Google Maps.
• That said, 41% will book online at the airline/hotel/car website.  This is most likely driven by the fact that most Boomers are members of at least one loyalty program.  In fact, 82% are currently members of an airline loyalty program.
• More often than not (~70% Always/Mostly), Boomers will book their travel (flight, hotel, car) with their loyalty program provider.
• And although many continue to indicate a desire to travel more in 2017 than they did in 2016, a handful of barriers remain in the way; cost (43%), health (34%), and security concerns (28%) top the list.

Trip Specifics

• Most Boomers are looking for a laid back and relaxing trip to give them the opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family.
• To do so, Boomers are planning to escape to Mexico, the Caribbean, and/or the British Isles (UK, Ireland) for their upcoming international trips. Their domestic trips, although covering a variety of cities, are most often being planned for a Florida or California destination.
• Regarding authentic experiences, although Boomers would like to eat a meal with locals (50%), or tour with locals (40% among international travelers), they are not as open to staying with locals, domestically or abroad (18%).
• As seen in past research, among Boomers who are still working, approximately 40% do not anticipate taking all of their vacation days.  And when they do vacation, 40% feel it is at least somewhat important to stay connected to work while away, which is why many anticipate spending at least 10% of their vacation time working.

A 15-minute online survey was conducted among males and females age 18-plus who have taken at least one leisure trip in the past two years.  The survey was fielded in September 2016.  Final data have been weighted to the U.S. Census for analysis.  For more information contact Vicki Gelfeld at  [email protected] .

Suggested Citation:

Gelfeld, Vicki.  AARP Travel Research: 2017 Travel Trends.  Washington, DC: AARP Research, November 2016.  https://doi.org/10.26419/res.00134.001

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DETAILED FINDINGS

TravelStore In the News

Company accomplishments, staff accomplishments, news stories, press releases.

Throughout our history, our company and members of our professional staff have been recognized or awarded for their accomplishments. We are pleased to share some of these here, as well as news stories about TravelStore.

BEST TRAVEL AGENCY

TravelStore Pasadena was voted the Reader Recommended Winner for Best Travel Agency in the 2023 Annual Best of Pasadena series. Featured in the Pasadena Weekly newspaper, the category was extremely competitive and there were over 50,000 votes this year.

Beloved Business - Pasadena

TravelStore Pasadena was recognized as a Beloved Business of 2023 by Yelp. Yelp's platform has over 6 million active claimed business pages and over 265 million cumulative reviews, which means TravelStore made the list of highest rated and best reviewed.

Beloved Business - Sacramento

TravelStore Sacramento was recognized as a Beloved Business of 2023 by Yelp. Yelp's platform has over 6 million active claimed business pages and over 265 million cumulative reviews, so to have such high ratings and positive reviews is no small feat.

Best of Pasadena

Pasadena Weekly newspaper celebrates the year 2021 with its annual Best of series. Amidst votes by readers and subscribers, results were announced and TravelStore was selected by locals as Reader Recommended.

Employee Owned Company of Year

TravelStore Announced as the 2022 Employee Owned Company of the Year in the California/Western States Chapter of the ESOP Association at the annual conference held in Monterey, CA. The chapter is made up of over 420 employee-owned companies and professional service providers in the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, Colorado and Utah.

Best Place to Work

TravelStore honored as one of the Best Places to Work in Orange County , ranking #19 in the mid-size company category. The assessment survey and awards program dedicated to identifying and recognizing the area's best employers, was managed by Best Companies Group working together with the Orange County Business Journal.

On October 14, 2021, TravelStore was named amongst the 34 Best Places to Work in the Sacramento region at the Best Places to Work Award ceremony. Honorees of the award resulted from research project conducted by a joint effort between the Sacramento Business Journal and the all American City Business Journals markets.

TravelStore remains triumphant in being awarded as one of the Best Places to Work in Los Angeles , with a ranking of #17 out of 35 announced winners in the mid-size company group. The annual celebration is a joint effort of The Los Angeles Business Journal and Best Companies Group, with 2-part workplace assessment to conduct an in-depth analysis of the strengths and opportunities existing in each company (2021).

2021 Magellan Award

Every year, Travel Weekly honors the best in the travel industry with the Magellan Awards, with winners featured in the October issue of Travel Weekly. With the launch of a new website, Travel Weekly announced TravelStore as a Gold Winner at the 2021 Magellan Awards in the "Travel Advisor Organizations - Marketing" Category.

Global Excellence Award

The Global Excellence Awards have recognized TravelStore in 2021 as Travel Management Company of the Year 2021 - California. The awards are an annual program in which recipients are determined via a process of research, analysis, shortlisting, and selection based on the company's hard work and notable achievements throughout the year.

TravelStore is pleased to be recognized as a Best Place to Work in Los Angeles recipient, in the mid-size company grouping, ranking #14 of 33 winners. A joint effort of The Los Angeles Business Journal and Best Companies Group, the program selects elite employers who have proven they know what it takes to create environments where people love to come to work. (2020.)

Most Innovative

LUX Life Magazine, the UK-based digital luxury lifestyle publication, selected TravelStore as "Most Innovative Travel Agency - California." The 2018 Leaders in Luxury awards are designed to recognize companies "who are excelling within the ever-growing industry of luxury products and services, those who go above and beyond to ensure they are maintaining an excellent standard of customer service."

30Under30: Christine Chalmers

We are proud of Christine Chalmers who was selected to the Class of 2022 for the top 30 Under 30,the best up-and-coming travel advisors under the age of 30.

Travel+Leisure Advisory Board

TravelStore has been represented on the Travel Advisory Board of the prestigious travel publication, Travel+Leisure, for some years. Presently, Dan Ilves, Senior Vice President at TravelStore, services on this advisory group.

AFAR Advisory Council

The travel magazine AFAR has a very select group of professionals on their Travel Advisory Council, on which TravelStore is proud to be represented by our Director of Leisure Sales, Katie Cadar.

30Under30: Madison Wallace

One of our newer travel advisors, Madison Wallace, was selected in 2020 by Travel Agent magazine in its 13th year of selecting its 30Under30, the top 30 from among 400 rising stars under the age of 30. We're proud of Madison!

A-Lister: Susanne Hamer

Travel+Leisure magazine identifies the best of the best travel advisors worldwide with its prestigious A-List designation. Advisors need to apply for consideration and go through a rigorous review process. We are proud TravelStore's Susanne Hamer has been on the A-List multiple years for Tahiti and Fiji.

Leadership Award: Dan Ilves

TravelStore's Dan Ilves was honored to receive the prestigious 2019 Michelle Morgan Leadership Award from Signature Travel Network. In 2013, Signature's board of directors created the award as a way of honoring the memory of Morgan and recognize industry professionals “who embody the qualities that made her successful in both her professional and personal life.”

30Under30: Patrick Hinds

Patrick Hinds, was selected in 2019 by Travel Agent magazine in its 12th year of selecting its 30Under30, the top 30 from among several hundred rising stars under the age of 30. We're proud of Patrick!

Trendsetter Award Winners

We are proud TravelStore's agents have been among those recognized by Luxury Travel Advisor as the top advisors in the most prestigious luxury travel agencies across the United States. Kudos to Cara Kobzeff for being selected in 2019, Florence Brethome in 2018 and Katie Cadar in 2017.

Agent of the Year: Katie Cadar

Katie Cadar, our Director of Leisure Sales, was honored at the Southern California American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) Diamond Awards Gala with the 2016 Elaine Kirschner Travel Agent of the Year Award.

TravelStore wins Reader Recommended for the 2021 Best of Pasadena

Health Care Workers Program

TravelStore Designated to Manage State of California Hotels for Health Care Workers Program During COVID-19 Crisis .

Employee Ownership

At The TravelStore, The Employees Are The Owners .

South Pasadena Review

South Pasadena Review interviewed Heidi Hoehn, our Pasadena TravelStore Manager, about planning post-pandemic travel.

South Pasadena Review interviewed Heidi Hoehn, our Pasadena TravelStore Manager, about planning travel in 2024.

Best of Pasadena 2021

Nov. 11, 2021: "Pasadena Weekly Readers Names TravelStore Best Travel Agency in 2021"

TravelStore Wins Gold Award

October, 2021: "TravelStore becomes recipient of Gold Magellan Award for new company website."

ESOP Company of the Year

Oct. 18, 2021: "TravelStore ... announced its recognition as a Employee Owned Company of the Year in the California/Western States Region"

Best Place to Work Designation

Aug. 24, 2021: "TravelStore ... announced its designation as a Best Place to Work in Los Angeles, Orange County, and Sacramento, Calif."

Partnership With Tripkicks

May 12, 2021: "TravelStore ... announced its partnership with Tripkicks to provide TravelStore’s users with important health and safety insights and alerts."

Helping During COVID-19 Crisis

April 23, 2020: "TravelStore ... is arranging hotel accommodations for frontline healthcare workers during the COVID-19 pandemic."

Two Advisors Honored

Sept. 10, 2019: "TravelStore is proud to announce employee-owners Susanne Hamer and Patrick Hinds have been selected by Travel+Leisure and Travel Agent magazines."

Pocket Travel Assistant

Dec. 8, 2017: "TravelStore ... has just released a new video highlighting the key features of their highly popular mobile travel application, the Pocket Travel Consultant."

Katie Cadar Wins Award

May 23, 2017: "Katie Cadar ... was honored last month at the Southern California American Society of Travel Agents Diamond Awards Gala."

Celebrating 40 Years

Dec. 16, 2015: "TravelStore ... is celebrating its 40th anniversary."

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A 2017 Guide To Travel Trends, In Case You Need A Holiday Already

A whole new year to travel is before us — but where to go and what to do? Pauline Frommer from Frommer's Travel guides looks at the travel ideas for 2017.

Copyright © 2017 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit our website terms of use and permissions pages at www.npr.org for further information.

NPR transcripts are created on a rush deadline by an NPR contractor. This text may not be in its final form and may be updated or revised in the future. Accuracy and availability may vary. The authoritative record of NPR’s programming is the audio record.

To revisit this article, visit My Profile, then View saved stories .

The 10 Hottest Travel Destinations of 2017

By Jen Murphy

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Last year, savvy travelers flocked to Rio for the Olympics; Cuba, because they could; and America’s national parks, to celebrate the 100th birthday of the natural wonders in their own backyards. In 2017, we’ll see hot spots like Sri Lanka, Colombia, and Oman remain popular, but travelers will venture off the beaten path, beyond each country’s tried-and-true holiday escapes. Remote parts of the world will become more accessible than ever, thanks to new heli-skiing operations in the mountains of Georgia and a new walking trail that crosses the length of Jordan. Malaysia’s beaches are primed to become the new alternative to island getaways in Vietnam and Thailand, and there’s a Caribbean destination with just as much culture as Cuba, minus the crowds. You’ll want to get your passport ready to experience a fresh take on the African safari in Madagascar and the new capital of Nordic cool in Europe, and for something close to home, there’s a U.S. mountain town you’ll want to experience now, before the secret’s out.

1. Georgia Georgia (the country, not the state) has gotten buzz in recent years for its surprisingly great wine scene. But a stellar bottle of vino is just one reason to visit. The capital, Tbilisi, with its young, creative class and Brooklyn-esque undertones, has emerged as a hub of cool. The super design-y Rooms Hotel should be your base for exploring the city’s exciting art, music, and food scenes. Bassiani , a favorite local music venue, brings in the best electronic music performers from around the globe, while Fabrika , a Soviet-era sewing factory turned multiuse cultural space, highlights Tbilisi’s urban artists. Georgian food has begun to come into its own right, due to innovative restaurants like Le Montrachet , a neo-bistro run by former French Laundry alum Francesco Manalo. And thanks to a new partnership between Rooms Hotel and Kazbegi Helicopters , Georgia is primed to become a new winter playground for hard-core skiers and snowboarders looking to access untouched terrain in the Caucasus Mountains.

By Tatiana Dias

By Elise Taylor

2. Oman For years, Europeans, particularly Brits, have known Oman as the Middle East’s ultimate holiday escape. Only recently have Americans caught onto the country’s natural and cultural attractions. The antidote to the bling of Dubai, Oman offers incredible natural beauty in the form of the vast desert, pristine coast, and rugged mountains. For the past year, the dramatic sandstone mountains and empty beaches of the north have gotten most of the attention, thanks to luxe hotels like Six Senses Zighy Bay , Alila Jabal Akhdar , and most recently Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar , which opened this October with a stunning location nestled into the Saiq Plateau.The November opening of Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara , bordering the historic Al Baleed UNESCO archaeological site, is a sign that travelers are ready to explore the south. And Oman experts HudHud Travels can coordinate incredible desert experiences between the north and south.

3. Langkawi, Malaysia Thailand and Vietnam have traditionally stolen the spotlight in Southeast Asia, even though Malaysia’s cuisine, art, architecture, and beaches are just as fantastic. Langkawi, an archipelago made up of 99 islands on Malaysia’s west coast, is about to put the country on the travel map. The St. Regis opened the country’s first all-suite resort here, complete with a Bill Bensley–designed restaurant and the largest swimmable lagoon on the island. Next summer, the Ritz-Carlton is scheduled to open a 90-room, 30-villa property with a destination spa that will rival even Thailand’s famous wellness retreats.

4. Madagascar The Big Five aren’t the only wildlife worth seeing in Africa. About 75 percent of the species found in Madagascar live nowhere else on the planet, making the island Africa’s version of the Galapagos. Next year’s opening of Miavana on the island of Nosy Ankao finally gives the country its first plush base for exploring the wildlife and wilds. The conservation-minded property will reinvent the traditional safari experience, offering lemur treks on land and “blue safaris” in the surrounding marine preserve. More adventurous types can island-hop the Nosy Be Archipelago on a seven-night cruise with the Sailing Collective . Stops include epic dive sites; traditional villages; lemur colonies; and dreamy, empty beaches.

5. Sri Lanka We’ve been calling Sri Lanka the next It destination for the past five years, however, tourists have always flocked to the coast (and with good reason). Sun and surf will remain a big draw, especially with new beach retreats, like the recently opened KK Beach on the south coast near Galle. But in 2017, we’ll also see Sri Lanka emerge as the next hot wellness escape, ranking up there with India, California, and Thailand, thanks to forward-thinking retreats like Santani and Tri . The country’s wildlife and interiors will also become a draw, particularly when Resplendent Ceylon’s Wild Coast Tented Lodge opens at the edge of Yala National Park next October.

6. Trinidad and Tobago Cuba will, of course, remain hot throughout 2017 but, also, logistically complicated. Yes, change will come but not overnight. Rather than join the “mad rush” to experience Cuba now, head to Trinidad and Tobago. The islands’ unique mix of wild nature and distinct culture make them a refreshing alternative to the typical Caribbean beach vacation. Katalina Mayorga, the trendsetting owner of El Camino Travel , was so blown away when she visited Trinidad and Tobago last year that she immediately developed a trip for 2017. The weeklong itinerary mixes cultural experiences (dancing to soca music and tasting that national dish, roti) with jungle adventures and beach lazing.

7. Idaho Idaho is having a moment. The capital, Boise, may not have an Ace Hotel yet, but it’s quietly setting itself up to be one of America’s most desirable second-tier cities with hip lodging like the Modern Hotel + Bar , indie coffee shops, creative hubs , distilleries, and a serious craft beer scene. And then of course, there’s the incredible access to the outdoors, including more than 190 miles of trails to hike, run, and bike in the Boise Foothills. Hemingway’s beloved Sun Valley, while often overlooked for glitzier mountain towns like Telluride, Park City, and Jackson Hole, is having a renaissance. America’s first destination ski resort area offers some of the best slopes in the U.S. and still maintains a laid-back mountain-town feel (think Aspen in the ’60s). The December 30 opening of the Limelight Ketchum , the first new hotel in more than two decades, will bring some youthful energy to the mountains. Farther afield, Selkirk Powder Company recently announced it will be offering heli-skiing trips to the Idaho panhandle beyond the Schweitzer Mountain backcountry, giving adventurers access to the rugged and untapped American Selkirk Range of northern Idaho.

8. Jordan Outdoor lovers, trekking enthusiasts, and pilgrims looking for an alternative to Spain’s legendary Camino de Santiago should consider a trip to Jordan. After five years of work by 40 volunteers, the 370-plus-mile Jordan Trail was recently completed, connecting the country’s very diverse landscapes, from the Mediterranean-feeling villages of the north to the dramatic Jordan Rift Valley and the Red Sea. Lodging options along the trail range from cushy lodges like Feynan Ecolodge to homestays and camping. Three Jordanian women recently completed the entire trek in 33 days. If you don’t have time to walk the entire route, which spans the length of the country, choose one section, like a seven-day one from Petra to Wadi Rum .

9. Aarhus, Denmark Aarhus has never gotten the hype of Nordic cool cities like Copenhagen or Stockholm, but Denmark’s second largest city is primed to be the new Nordic star. Crowned the European Capital of Culture and Region of Gastronomy in 2017 (the first time that one city has held both titles), Aarhus will have the stage to show off its riches: restaurants, museums, and galleries; some of Denmark’s best beaches; and Mols Bjerge, one of Denmark’s four national parks, is just a short drive away. Be sure to have Hærværk, Substans, Såårt, and Frederikshøj on your restaurant cheat sheet. The ARoS Aarhus Art Museum has a stellar collection, plus a seriously great new restaurant that also affords some of the best city views. When it opens in the summer of 2017, Carmel, a 1920s-inspired boutique hotel, will be the city’s coolest new base.

10. Colombia Bogotá and Cartagena have been buzzy for the last few years, but the recent signing of the peace accord ending the country’s 52-year war with the FARC guerilla army will attract tourists to cities like Medellín and Cali. Coffee aficionados should head to the interiors and explore Colombia’s coffee triangle. Plan a visit from November to March so you can partake in the coffee harvest. The best bases include Casa Galavanta , located in the heart of the lush Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountain range, and the eight-room Hacienda San Jose Pereir a.

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Best Travel Gifts for 2017

The approach of the festive season means one thing – OK, so it means numerous things – but at GY HQ it means it’s time for another travel gift guide! While some travel gifts from last year’s list have made the cut for 2017, we’ve also made way for some new products, which are well worth considering when buying a gift for the traveller in your life. 

1) Packing Cubes

2) Luckies Adventure Journal

Everyone loves a scratch map, but the gift gurus at Luckies have taken it to the next level with their scratchable travel journal!  This 64 page journal is compact enough to take travelling and includes 8 x mini scratch maps, as well as almost 300 bucket list experiences to inspire travellers.

3) Water-to-Go Bottle

The drinking water in many backpacking destinations is often unsuitable for drinking, meaning a method of water purification is necessary to ensure you don’t get ill during your trip. Of course, another option would be to buy bottled water everyday, but this isn’t particularly good for a backpacker’s budget or the environment. Our solution to safe drinking water is the Water-to-Go bottle, which removes 99.9% of bacteria, viruses and other contaminants found in water, making it safe to drink.

4) Silk Sleeping Bag Liner

Travelling with a sleeping bag liner is recommended for most destinations, especially when staying in budget accommodation. While silk is the most expensive, it packs down smaller and weighs much less compared to cotton and polycotton options. Silk is also more breathable, wicks away perspiration and performs well in both warm and cool climates.

5) Matador Droplet Dry Bag

We’d recommend packing dry bags for most trips, they’re great for keeping stuff dry at the beach, on boat trips or when you’re travelling during monsoon season. They can also be used to store a wet bikini or swimming shorts, so you can keep them away from dry items in your bag. The Matador Droplet is a 3 litre dry bag, which packs inside a teeny silicone droplet shaped key ring, keeping it safe and easy to find when you need it.

6) Travel Towel

You really can’t go wrong with the humble travel towel! Where do we start? They’re lightweight, quick-drying, pack down small and some even come with anti-bacterial protection to reduce odours (so you don’t need to worry if you’re unable to wash it for a while). We’d recommend choosing an XL or Giant size, that way it can also double as a beach towel.

7) Pop Up Mosquito Net

A bugbear for many travellers is how they’ll hang their mosquito net when they get to their accommodation. Sometimes it’s a fairly simple affair, then there are occasions where you really have to improvise and it can be pretty tricky. The pop up mosquito net alleviates this common travel issue, as it simply pops up and requires minimal effort on your part! It can also be used outside, making it a great option for travellers who will be camping during their gap year.

8) Marco Polo Travel Guide

While many travel guides can be on the bulky side, the Marco Polo pocket guide range is compact and travel-friendly. The guides are small enough to keep in your daypack during the day and also come with a pull out map. The range covers popular gap year destinations including; Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Australia and New Zealand, to name a few.

9) Travel Door Lock

For destinations and accommodation where security is a concern, the travel door lock will help keep intruders out and will fit almost all internal doors. This handy travel gadget is easy to set up and release and is great when door locks aren’t available.

10) Surge Protected Worldwide Adapter

A worldwide adapter is a great gift idea for travellers visiting multiple countries. Most cover around 150 countries and feature the common European, USA and Australian configurations. Power surges can occur in some countries and damage your electric equipment, so choosing an adapter with surge protection is a great way to safeguard against this.

11) Pacsafe Travel Safe

If you’re travelling in countries with a high crime rate or staying in accommodation without lockers, the Pacsafe travel safe offers the perfect solution to keeping your valuables and other important items safe. The travel safe features slashproof steel wire within its fabric to stop thieves cutting into it and stealing your stuff. It also includes Pacsafe’s patented 360° eXomesh locking system, allowing you to lock the safe to railings and hard to move objects…A great gadget for hostel dorms, sleeper trains and overnight bus journeys, where travellers can’t always keep any eye on their belongings.

12) Travel Gear Gift Voucher

If choosing a travel related gift is proving too difficult, you can remove the stress by buying them a travel gear voucher! Available in values of £10, £25 or £100, your travel-loving friend or relative can choose their own present from a range of travel equipment and accessories.

13) Travel Clothes Line

One way of saving valuable packing space is to pack less and wash your clothes more. This is easily achievable with the help of the travel clothes line, a twisted elastic washing line which can be attached to trees, hostel bunk beds, railings and other objects to help you dry your clothes when travelling…No pegs required, simply tuck your clothes into the elastic and you’re all set!

14) Colorlogue

Colouring books took the world by storm a couple of years ago, but what about one for travellers? The Colorlogue allows you to colour in the countries you’ve visited and also includes maps, flags and guides to colour in…Perfect for keeping travellers entertained on long bus journeys and long-haul flights. It even includes a set of colouring pencils!

15) Packable Daypack

Every traveller needs a smaller backpack for day to day use, and this packable 16 litre option from Lifeventure is perfect for storing daily essentials. It packs down to a compact 15 x 16 x 4cm in size when not in use and features internal and external pockets once it’s opened out. The shoulder straps are also constructed from mesh material, making it more breathable and comfortable to wear in tropical climates.

16) Platypus Bottle

Another packable travel accessory, the Platypus SoftBottle rolls up or packs flat when it’s empty to save space in your backpack. It’s also extremely lightweight compared to standard water bottles and comes with a clean taste guarantee, meaning no unpleasant plastic tastes.

17) Scrubba Wash Bag

A great gift for gadget lovers, campers and people travelling off the beaten track, the Scrubba Wash Bag provides a machine quality wash wherever you are in the world! The Scrubba is a dry bag with a flexible integrated washboard, which can be used to wash clothes when camping, trekking or travelling in remote areas. When it’s not in use, it packs down to just 16 x 10 x 3cm in size and weighs 145g, making it well suited to backpacking.

18) RFID Money Belt

Money belts are an essential item, allowing travellers to discreetly store cash and valuables out of sight. Thieves are now able to scan contactless cards and biometric passports from a distance, allowing them to steal the data embedded in their RFID chips. Due to this development, many money belts now come with RFID-blocking fabric to block illegal scans of your cards and passport. While they’re not the coolest travel accessory, a money belt would make a good present for anyone travelling in South and Central America, Asia or Africa.

19) Towel Poncho

Getting changed at the beach has never been easier, thanks to this adult sized towel poncho! It opens out to the size of a beach towel (230 x 85cm) and is made from quick drying microfibre material to help you get dry after a shower or swim. It packs down small, too!

20) Mini RFID Travel Wallet

This mini sized travel wallet keeps your passport, documents, cards, currency and other essentials organised without taking up too much space. It also benefits from RFID-blocking & water-resistant fabric to ensure its contents are protected throughout your trip. For such a small travel organiser, the Lifeventure Mini RFID Travel Wallet offers a surprising amount of space and is ideal for travellers who think standard travel wallets are too bulky!

21) Stamp Passport

Another addition from the Luckies range, the stamp map in a compact passport size! This craft passport is supplied in a stylish presentation box and comes with interchangeable stamps to help you document where you’ve been or where you’re going next.

22) Power Bank

When you’re choosing a gift for someone who loves to travel, you really can’t go wrong with a power bank. This slim power bank is roughly the size of a credit card and is easy to pack in your daypack for power on the go. It’s also useful in hostels when you need to charge your phone and all the wall sockets are in use!

23) Pacsafe Backpack Protector

A popular gadget in the travel world, the Pacsafe backpack protector creates a slashproof steel net around your backpack to stop thieves cutting into your bag or running off with it. Simply pull the mesh protector over your bag and lock it to railings or hard to move objects to keep your backpack safe.

Like the Travel Safe, the Pacsafe backpack protector is a handy accessory for hostels, sleeper trains and overnight bus journeys. It’s available in three different sizes too, including; 25-55L , 55-85L & 75-120L , so there’s an option for all sizes of backpack.

24) Incognito Shampoo & Body Wash

This shampoo and body wash combo is one of our favourite products from the Incognito range. Incognito hair & body wash is made from 100% natural ingredients and acts as a foundation layer of insect protection (use in addition to mosquito repellent for the best results), you also won’t need to pack separate shampoo and body wash as it combines the two!

If you know a traveller who can’t be without their gadgets, a protective e-Case would make the ideal travel gift. Designed to organise gadgets such as cameras, memory cards, cables and adapters, tech cases offer protection for electrical items and make them easier to find inside your backpack. They also tend to come with a soft lining to help prevent scratches and damage to equipment.

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USA TODAY 10Best

Neiman Marcus voted America's best department store!

Best Department Store (2017) December 8, 2017

Thanks to a wide variety of products, a good department store takes some of the stress out of the holidays by offering one-stop shopping for just about everyone on your gift list.

We asked our readers to help us name the nation's best department stores by voting daily for their favorites, and the results are in!

The top 10 winners in the category Best Department Store are as follows:

No. 10: Bloomingdale's

Our shopping experts agree that Bloomingdale's is great for its selection of trending labels and popular brands. What began as a Ladies' Notions Shop in New York in 1861 has since expanded to include 53 upscale department stores and Bloomingdale's Outlets across the nation. Their brown shopping bags are icons by themselves.

No. 9: Target

Since Target was founded in Minneapolis in 1902, the department store has become one of the largest discount retailers in the nation.  At the 1,700-plus stores across the country, shoppers tend to walk away with a cart full of items they didn't know they needed. Designer collaboration launches are an extra treat. 

No. 8: JCPenney

JCPenney, a line of more than a thousand mid-range department stores in all 50 states and Puerto Rico, sells an assortment of national, private and exclusive brands at a variety of price points, including brand names like Sephora, Liz Claiborne, Nicole by Nicole Miller and even a pop-up collection from Project Runway .

No. 7: Dillard's

Featuring brands like Michael Kors, Calvin Klein, Eileen Fisher and Armani Exchange, Dillard's offers mid-priced, affordable fashions in its 300 locations spanning 30 states. The chain is headquartered in Little Rock with flagships in Dallas and Norfolk, Va.

No. 6: Kohl's

Since Kohl's was founded in Wisconsin in 1962, it's expanded to more than 1,000 locations across 49 states. Return shoppers come for the good value on brands like Simply Vera by Vera Wang, Marc Anthony, Lauren Conrad, Juicy Couture and Jennifer Lopez. It's one of the largest department store chains by retail sales and number of locations in the nation.

No. 5: Bergdorf Goodman

New York's classic style mecca is often a first stop for shopaholics in the Big Apple. The duo of department stores on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan have been a landmark in the city since 1901, featuring boutiques for Gucci, Versace, Chanel and Yves Saint Laurent.

No. 4: Macy's

Macy's, one of the largest American department stores by retail sales, operates more than 700 locations in 45 states. The iconic flagship on Broadway and 34th alone has more than 1 million square feet of retail space, so shoppers find a bit of everything.  

No. 3: Nordstrom

Each of Nordstrom's 122 locations across 40 states offer customers upscale fashions and exceptional customer service–some of the best in the industry–since the department store first debuted in 1901.

No. 2: Lord & Taylor

The flagship location of Lord & Taylor on Fifth Avenue has seen countless American designers make their debuts in the iconic windows, such as Bonnie Cashin, Norell, Pauline Trigere, Claire McCardle and Vera Maxwell. Besides offering a wide selection of reasonably priced fashion brands, the retailer has a lot of firsts under its belt, including being the first to open on Fifth Avenue, the first to open a branch store and the first to offer personal shopping services.

No. 1: Neiman Marcus

According to our shopping expert Taryn Scher, Neiman Marcus is "where any girl should go to dream about the life she wants." Ruta Fox adds that the luxury department store headquartered in Dallas with 41 locations around the USA represents "fashion at its most sophisticated."

Congratulations to all these winning retailers! Remember to keep this list handy as you work through your holiday shopping gift list.

About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards

Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best .

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The Best Places to Travel in 2017

By Conde Nast Traveler

From Portugal and the Azores to Canada (yes—all of it), these 17 editor-endorsed destinations are the best places to travel this year.

It's the Great White North's 150th birthday, and Canadians have graciously invited us to celebrate. Start by signing up for the free Discovery pass that gives anyone (not just Canadians) free entry into all of its national parks in 2017—we’re eyeing Grasslands National Park in Saskatchewan or Point Pelee National Park near Ontario. But Canada’s cities are truly having a moment. Montreal is redefining itself as a food city worth the flight (it's only an hour in the air from NYC). Toronto is taking the Iceland approach and encouraging travelers to extend their layover via AirCanada’s new free up-to-seven-day stay. And the Rocky Mountaineer, a train that winds from Vancouver to Jasper without Wi-Fi, might just be the world’s best tech detox. —Meredith Carey

Athens has always been known as an old city—that’s nothing new. Instead, what is new is its burgeoning status as a modern arts capital: Look no further than the recently opened, Renzo Piano-designed, $623 million Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center, which houses the National Opera and the National Library of Greece, sits on the biggest park in Athens, and is the first public building in Greece to achieve a Platinum LEED certification. The National Museum of Contemporary Art also partially reopened in a renovated brewery after a 12-year closure, and in April, the city will co-host documenta, the exhibition of modern and contemporary art that takes place every five years in Kassel, Germany (it's the first time the hosting duties will be split between two cities). Book a room in the shadow of the Acropolis at the new-as-of-2015 AthensWas boutique hotel, and make time for a souvlaki (or three) at O Kostas, which serves the best in town. Though it’s long played second fiddle to other European capitals like Rome, and merely seen as a stopover point on the way to, say, Corfu, Athens has once again arrived. —Katherine LaGrave

It was a good year to be Zika free. Just far enough north to avoid the virus that rocked much of the Caribbean, Bermuda became the 2016 escape portal for Americans in the Northeast—and the Hamilton Princess and Beach Club, fresh off a $100 million July reboot, welcomed a new wave of travelers with its pop art and infinity resort pool overlooking the harbor. Chef Marcus Samuelsson's new 'Marcus' restaurant is one of the top hotel—and Hamilton—draws; we're also partial to the Newport, a nautical gastropub in the Fairmont Southampton, and the beachside cocktail-and-seafood lunch at The Reefs. In 2017, the island—just a ridiculously short two-hour flight from the New York area—will host yacht devotees for America's Cup, so we'll be back again, long after Zika has left our vocabulary. —Laura Dannen Redman

Scandinavia's Countryside: Norway, Finland, Sweden

There’s little cooler than a Scandinavian capital—we see you, Stockholm, Oslo, and Helsinki. Yet if 2016 was the year for biking down city streets and lounging in design hotels, 2017 is all about adventuring into the countryside. Thanks to new stopover programs, the temptation of affordable transatlantic flights (hi, Norwegian Air), the arrival of a year-round ice hotel, and Finnish tourism initiatives inviting travelers to well, just relax, it will be easier than ever. Try a 100-mile Swedish road trip from Gothenburg to the border with Norway, or skip Sweden and tackle Norway via fjord (the best way, in our opinion). Finland? Swap nightlife for nature with a five-step process meant to transform each visitor into a new person. If that doesn’t speak to the spirit of the new year, we don’t know what does. —K.L.

By Emily Tannenbaum

By Sophia Bush

Beachy Tel Aviv gets a lot of love, but Jerusalem is proving it has way more to offer than religious sites and ancient monuments. The Latin-fusion food scene is blossoming—Burrito Chai in the Mahane Yehuda market is a hot ticket on Saturday nights (bonus: it’s kosher)—while the cocktail scene is about to get an important addition when the J’lem outpost of Brown Hotel opens, complete with a new bar in a onetime underground cistern, in March. Our readers also named Jerusalem one of the world's top six art cities this year, celebrating its contemporary art scene. Check out Kayamuta, whose installations deal with environmental issues—think moving, luminescent trees—and sometimes include hands-on workshops to illustrate how the natural world informs the artistic one. In a desert city, it never hurts to look ahead. —L.M.

This isn’t the first time Rwanda’s been on our "where to go next" list, but it's back now because of one of the most anticipated hotel openings on the continent. In June 2017, Wilderness Safaris’ Bisate Lodge will open in an eroded volcanic cone, just a short drive to the entrance of Volcanoes National Park, where visitors can see the critically endangered mountain gorilla. It’s also a prime example of a safari lodge making a firm commitment to conservation and community development. The hotel will have its own cooperative farm, tree plantation, and a number of educational initiatives around protecting endangered species. Additionally, after years of being all but ignored in favor of the luxury safari lodges, African cities are finally being recognized as destinations in their own right—for their cosmopolitan food scenes, grassroots art movements, and history. In many ways, Rwanda’s capital Kigali leads the charge in that respect: Some have labeled it as the “Singapore of Africa” for its clean streets, safety, and the speed at which it has grown into a major attraction for foreign investment. It’s all the more astonishing considering the country was the site of one of the worst human tragedies in history, just 22 years ago, a chapter that instead of ignoring, the country stares right in the face, through its museums and education. —S.M.

A new $150 million airport in Victoria Falls, capable of welcoming 1.5 million people a year aboard massive passenger jets, is only one of several reasons why Zimbabwe is on our 2017 list. The country is building up its tourism infrastructure despite—and, sometimes, in spite of—years of economic downturn and authoritarian governance. The same resilience is on show in the country’s conservation efforts; there's been a clampdown on poaching and biodiversity flourishes in Hwange National Park, the country’s largest game reserve. While everyone’s booking stays in the safari parks of Kenya, Tanzania, Botswana, and South Africa, we recommend scouting for the Big Five in much less-crowded (and often more affordable) Zimbabwe. A new under-$1,000 eight-night safari by Gecko Adventures, launching in the spring, will take you from Victoria Falls, through Hwange and into South Africa’s Limpopo province, making it possible to see the best of the country in a single stretch. —S.M.

Chilean Patagonia

Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia just got easier than ever to visit. South American airline LATAM is now flying a non-stop route from Santiago, Chile to Puerto Natales, the airport nearest the park, eliminating an extra stop and nearly four hours of driving required by the usual route. After the long trip, you’ll be rewarded with the mountain, fjord, and glacier photos your phone can handle—but get there soon. Global warming is taking its toll and this southern summer has been one of the warmest, driest on record for the region. Make it a Jeep safari or let Santiago-based Upscape Travel take care of the logistics for conquering the “W trek.” Steel yourself for the journey ahead with an evening spent before the fireplaces of the Singular Patagonia, a former cold storage plant redesigned as a luxury hotel and living museum to the history of the region. —C.D.

See the rest of The Best Places to Travel in 2017 on CNTraveler.com

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By Danielle Sinay

By Brigitt Earley

By Talia Abbas

Fujairah Adventures 4+

Adventures tourism, ignite future technologies, designed for iphone, iphone screenshots, description.

The official Mobile App of Fujairah Adventures Center Fujairah Adventures was established in 2017 by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, the Crown Prince of the Emirate of Fujairah, to promote tourism and encourage mountain, water, air, and desert adventure activities in the Emirate, one of the few governmental entities around the world that solely focuses on adventure. Vision Provide all the necessary components for tourists and residents to have a unique experience, including various outdoor activities and adventures. Mission Provide safe and appropriate exploitation, protection, and preservation of natural environment resources, with the application of all safety guidelines to protect the visitor during adventurous activities. Objectives Encourage community members to practice adventure sports in a healthy environment and spreading this culture by attracting visitors to experience the existing activities. Continuous research and upgrade old mountain paths embraced by the Emirate and establish new ones while providing all needful details for each path. Revive the ancient water springs in the area and establish mountain camps near them. Invest in capabilities and create a generation with athletic abilities in practicing various adventure activities. Discover sports talents and prepare them to compete in local and international tournaments. Continuous development of adventure sports in the Emirate and provide the necessary means to facilitate them for enthusiasts. Be keen to participate in existing activities and organize local and international adventurous competitions. Support members' hobbies and work on refining them. Strengthen relations between members by involving them in trips and various social events.

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The developer, Ignite Future Technologies , indicated that the app’s privacy practices may include handling of data as described below. For more information, see the developer’s privacy policy .

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25 Travel Moments That Mattered in 2017

Skift Staff, Skift

December 19th, 2017 at 2:30 AM EST

In 2017, politics dominated the headlines, which were built out of travel bans in the United States and the UK confiding to the European Union that the divorce would indeed proceed. Kick back for the upcoming holidays. We’ll all need plenty of energy for 2018.

Taking a look at 25 stories that commanded our attention over the course of 12 months is a handy way of taking stock of what transpired. It was a year that was unlike many, as you’ll see in our annual presentation of 25 Travel Moments That Mattered, in this case for 2017.

Politics dominated the headlines, which were built out of travel bans in the United States; the UK confiding to the European Union that the divorce would indeed proceed; China’s decision to reroute cruises away from South Korea; a Saudi-led blockade of Qatar; a U.S. decision to cool off warmer travel relations with Cuba, and an historic vote in Catalonia to seek a split from Spain.

If politics wreaked havoc or hope, depending on your views, climate change seemingly tore the heart out of Caribbean tourism — or big parts of it, at least. Hurricanes ripped up tourist destinations from St. Maarten to Puerto Rico and the Florida Keys, and some of the locales will take years to recover.

In online travel, there were developments that no one could have predicted. The veteran Expedia CEO hightailed it to a troubled unicorn in Uber. The big-spending Priceline Group announced that it would bite the hand that fed it, namely retool its digital-marketing strategy with a tilt toward brand advertising and TV in the offing. And share prices for Expedia, Priceline and TripAdvisor sunk in a flash, although there was a debate about whether this was a blip or the new normal.

Some of the Travel Moments That Mattered in 2017 did matter because they spoke volumes about the future. The TUI CEO said blockchain could upend the distribution landscape and disperse the gatekeepers. And a $50 billion Airbus order for 430 A320 aircraft means you’ll be seeing plenty more ultra-low-cost carriers that are miserly about free overhead bin space for years to come.

Thinking of the year to come, one thing is certain: There are new moments that will matter that are in the formative stage right now. Kick back for the holidays. We’ll all need plenty of energy for 2018.

Dennis Schaal, Executive Editor

Carnival Promised a Cruise Game-Changer With New Wearable Tech

Early january, why it mattered:.

The world’s largest cruise ship company made a big splash with its announcement of new wearable technology to better personalize cruising, but there’s an arms race going on now as competitors likewise make major technology investments.

Carnival’s Ocean Medallion wearable is pictured.

Carnival Corp. kicked off 2017 with a keynote speech at CES to unveil, in glowing terms, a wearable bauble that functions as a room key, credit card, navigation tool, and preference-tracking device.

Chairman and CEO Arnold Donald referred to “an amazing use of technology that potentially redefines travel as we know it.” Another executive said that the device, called Ocean Medallion, “takes vacations to an entirely new level.”

The implementation timetable hasn’t been executed as planned. A few ships were to get the tech in November and into early 2018, but the line has delayed the rollout. Still, the kind of device and technology Carnival is readying highlights the evolution in store for the cruise industry.

While Carnival made the most noise with its announcement, rivals in the sector — especially Royal Caribbean Cruises — are building their own paths to better personalization, engagement, and so-called seamless experiences.

They are following a path that Disney paved with its revolutionary MagicBand (both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have Disney veterans working on their respective projects). But by adding these new capabilities, the lines are moving the cruise experience into the future.

Carnival Corp. Wants Wearable Tech to Elevate the Cruise Experience

Carnival Corp. Is Delaying the Full Launch of Its New Wearable Tech

Royal Caribbean Is Rolling Out New Tech to Make Cruising Easier

First Trump Travel Ban Caused Airport Chaos, Set Unwelcome Tone

The United States has shed its image as a friendly destination for both vacationers and business travelers thanks to President Trump’s travel ban. The damage is broad and could be protracted.

People carry posters during a rally in support of Muslim Americans and protest of President Donald Trump’s immigration policies in Times Square, New York, Sunday, Feb. 19, 2017. AP Photo/Andres Kudacki

One night in January, chaos broke out at international airports across the United States. The U.S. executive branch had suddenly banned visitors from a variety of majority-Muslim countries, and Customs officials were at a loss at how to implement the new restrictions. Reports of malpractice surfaced, which have been given credence by recent reports on how the ban was implemented.

President Donald J. Trump cited security and combating terrorism as his justification for the ban, but his earlier campaign comments calling for a Muslim ban resurfaced. Following a public outcry and several lawsuits from states including Hawaii, the ban was stayed in court, only to be followed by two more bans with a narrower scope.

The legal battle lingered throughout the year, with a more limited set of restrictions finally becoming approved by U.S. courts pending other appeals. The damage has been done, however, to the perception that the U.S. is welcoming place for international visitors, and Muslims in particular.

The Trump Slump in tourism is real. International arrivals to the United States fell 3.9 percent in the first six months of 2017 compared with a year earlier.

Trump’s Staff and Allies Aren’t Clear on Travel Ban Specifics

New Trump Travel Ban Targets Same Countries as Old Trump Travel Ban

Trump Travel Ban Block Is Extended Indefinitely

Trump Slump Means U.S. Tourism Is Losing Visitors From Its Most Important Markets

Barcelona Locals Occupied La Rambla to Protest Overtourism

The overtourism protests and unrest that occurred in Barcelona and elsewhere helped transform the issue into a mainstream topic, and signaled the fact that local populations will not be passive bystanders as tourists — at times — overrun their cities.

A man sleeps in the beach as people protest against tourism in Barcelona, Spain, August 12, 2017. Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Over the summer, anti-tourism protesters generated headlines across the world with stunts that included slashing tires on a tour bus and demonstrating on a popular beach. But it was a gathering of Barcelona locals in January that initially amplified the problem, and contributed to the issue going mainstream in 2017. Some 2,000 protesters occupied the city’s iconic La Rambla thoroughfare, holding up signs saying “Barcelona is not for sale.”

The protest coincided with a new law the city council enacted to regulate tourist accommodations. The big problem for locals and politicians is that the city is the perfect mix of sun, sea, and culture. Meanwhile, cheap airfares make this enticing concoction easily accessible.

Up until a terrorist incident in the summer and the Catalonia independence vote in October, visitor numbers in Barcelona had grown steadily over the years. While the tourist influx bolstered the economy, it put pressure on housing prices and adversely impacted many residents’ quality of life.

Airbnb, for all its benefits, has only exacerbated the overtourism dilemma by making cities much easier to visit for tourists across income spectrums.

Video: Barcelona and the Trials of 21st Century Overtourism

Proposing Solutions to Overtourism in Popular Destinations: A Skift Framework 

Barcelona Overtourism: Airbnb and Short-Term Rentals

Airbnb Moved Into Luxury When It Acquired Luxury Retreats

February 16.

Because it’s so fragmented, the vacation rental market — especially in the luxury realm — is ripe for disruption. Airbnb’s move into the luxury market diminishes hotels’ boast that sharing economy customers are a different and lower-spending demographic than their own clientele.

In February, Airbnb acquired Montreal-based Luxury Retreats. The luxury market is likely Airbnb’s next target for disruption. Luxury Retreats

When Airbnb purchased Luxury Retreats for a rumored $200 million to $300 million in February, it was a clear signal that Airbnb, now nine years old, has come of age and matured into a versatile travel and accommodations player.

Yes, listings for luxury accommodations like private villas and even castles have long existed on Airbnb. But it wasn’t until Airbnb bought a company that exclusively specializes in luxury accommodations and services that it became clear the luxury vacation rental market would be its next target market for disruption.

As the alternative accommodations sector becomes more saturated and mainstream, companies like Airbnb are looking to luxury for higher margins and growth. As with these more traditional vacation rental listings, including second or third homes, there are fewer regulatory challenges than with urban short-term rentals.

The lodging industry — hotels, timeshares, and vacation rental companies alike — should be paying close attention. For so long, hoteliers have said Airbnb is for different audiences and occasions, and travelers with less spending power. But now that Airbnb’s inventory encompasses just as wide a range of price points as the big, multi-branded hotel companies have, that argument is increasingly losing validity.

Airbnb Acquires Vacation Rental Company Luxury Retreats, Officially Moves Into Luxury

Airbnb’s Road to an IPO: Everything You Could Possibly Need to Know

Airbnb Is Readying Its Luxury Vacation Rentals Business

Airbnb Is Testing a Luxury Service That Will Include Inspections for Quality Control

Visit Florida Budget Battle Put Other Tourism Boards on Notice

February 21.

Visit Florida’s funding battle put tourism boards on notice that they need to be fiscally prudent and transparent or risk losing funding. They must do a better job of engaging with politicians to convince them of the benefits of tourism marketing.

Lawmakers in Florida had a nasty battle in 2017 over the future of Visit Florida’s budget. Gov. Rick Scott (center) has generally been a proponent of spending money to market the state. Andrew Wardlow/News Herald via AP

Visit Florida’s high-profile budget crisis began February 21 and lasted until June. Some Florida politicians wanted to eliminate the tourism board’s budget after the disclosure in 2016 that Visit Florida secretly paid Miami rapper Pitbull up to $1 million to market the state to visitors.

The budget conflict drew attention to a sometimes-messy process that plays out periodically in local and national seats of government around the world. In Florida’s case, politicians argued that the state’s iconic reputation didn’t require such a large tourism marketing investment, and that Visit Florida had made too many irresponsible spending decisions.

Attracting throngs of additional tourists to visit a destination often requires marketers to make large cash investments, something tourism bodies around the world have understood for years. But when that destination is Florida – the world’s theme park capital and the most-visited U.S. state – politics come more fiercely into play.

Before state government resolved Visit Florida’s funding dispute in June, more than a dozen tourism boards in the state put their relationship with Visit Florida on hold while they learned how new transparency guidelines would affect them.

Eventually, the politicians relented. Visit Florida retained $76 million in funding for fiscal year 2018 — the same amount as in the previous year — although Florida Governor Rick Scott had wanted $100 million.

Lawmakers did, however, place restrictions on Visit Florida. Now, the Florida Legislature can review any contract worth $750,000 or more. And destination marketing organizations that do business with Visit Florida may see their finances and operations scrutinized.

Visit Florida’s funding controversy reminded U.S. tourism boards, many of which are taxpayer-funded, that they need to be budget-conscious and efficient. They also need to keep politicians engaged with the travel industry as the boards push their argument that sacrificing tourism marketing dollars is often economically counterproductive. These are lessons that aren’t lost on destination marketing organizations abroad, as well.

Visit Florida’s $76 Million Budget Gets Legislative Approval After 4-Month Battle

Visit Florida’s Budget Cuts Could Seriously Impact Florida’s Robust Meetings Business

Interview: Visit Florida’s Ex-CEO on Tourism Marketing Challenges in 2017

South Korea Dispute Dealt Setback to Cruise Lines in China

Early march.

North American cruise operators have moved into China in a major way in recent years. The ban on group travel to South Korea made key itineraries off limits for much of the year, and resulted in lagging prices. It became the latest hurdle in the fledgling Chinese market.

Royal Caribbean International’s Ovation of the Seas is shown in Tianjin, China in 2016. Royal Caribbean International

Cruise operators were looking forward to 2017 as the year the fast-growing China market was supposed to become a little more normalized. Normal, it turns out, was not a word that could apply.

A dispute between China and Seoul over the deployment of a U.S. missile defense system meant China barred ships based in the country from docking in South Korea. Other Chinese outbound travel to South Korea was likewise affected.

Cruise substituted less-popular stops, and travelers were confused. The cruise business — typically driven by travel agents who charter entire ships or blocks of rooms — initially slowed.

The good news for cruise lines was that the appetite for cruising returned. By August, operators reported high occupancy numbers and in some cases record-breaking loads. There was also bad news: Those crowds getting on sailings were not made up of big spenders, resulting in lower prices for cruise companies with a history in the region.

Still, cruise executives pledged their dedication to the market for the long haul, despite fluctuations along the way.

“Perhaps the Chinese market is a little more volatile than some of the other more mature ones,” said Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings president and CEO Frank Del Rio, whose company sent a new ship to China in 2017. “But we’re committed to being in China in the long term.”

China-Based Cruise Ships Are Skipping South Korea Amid Tensions

Carnival Says China Is a Good Long-Term Cruise Bet Despite Ongoing Struggles

China Cruises Are Packed at Lower Prices Amid Tensions With South Korea

First Laptop Ban Led to Long Unproductive Flights for Business Travelers

After being forced to jump through hoops, and relinquish their laptops on lengthy international flights to the U.S. and UK, life got a lot worse for business travelers in 2017.

Emirates was one of the airlines hit by the electronics ban on some international flights. Emirates

When the U.S. and UK announced in March a ban on laptops and all devices larger than a phone in the cabins of certain international flights to the United States., due to vague threats of terrorist attacks, global airlines did their best to cope with the massive inconvenience to their most lucrative and frequent passengers: the international business traveler. Besides the challenge of getting work done on the plane, information security concerns mounted for corporations around the world as data on checked laptops can be accessed easily without permission.

Gulf airlines led the way on flyer-friendly responses to the ban. Emirates began offering free Wi-Fi and tablets for use on affected flights. Etihad introduced a white-glove laptop check at the gate to allow travelers to work on their devices until they had to board.

Affected airports were forced to introduce new security measures in exchange for getting the bans lifted, and by July the laptop ban had ended. It’s likely, however, that similar bans may come along in the future in response to terrorism threats.

U.S. Bans Large Electronic Devices on Inbound Flights From Middle East and Africa

U.S. May Ban Laptops on All Flights From Europe, Report Says

Emirates Uses New Electronics Ban to Tout Its In-Flight Entertainment

UK Told EU It Intends to Bid Adieu as Brexit Talks Kicked In

Invoking Article 50, as the UK did, means there won’t be a retreat from the country’s increasingly bitter divorce from the European Union. The official start of the departure process kicked off an anticipated two years of fierce negotiations that will undoubtedly reshape Europe.

EU Council President Donald Tusk holds up a letter he received signed by UK Prime Minister Theresa May formally triggered the beginning of Britain’s exit from the European Union. Associated Press/Olivier Matthys

In March, the UK formally triggered Article 50 and announced its intention to leave the Europoean Union , giving it two years to agree to an exit deal with its biggest trading partner. As Prime Minister Theresa May said upon giving notice: “This is an historic moment from which there can be no turning back.”

If you’re already bored by Brexit, there is much more intrigue to come. The UK may have voted to leave the European Union in June 2016, but the divorce is some way off.

Since the Article 50 invocation, the two sides have agreed to some guidelines and timelines, and have decided to proceed to the second phase of negotiations. But there are still very big issues to iron out.

Will the UK stay in the single market and Customs Union, which guarantee the free flow of people and goods across borders, or will the parties sign a deal similar to the one between the European Union and Canada, which eliminates most trade tariffs but leaves in place other trade and financial barriers? And what will happen at the border between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

There are other travel-specific questions: Airlines still have no idea whether they’ll be able to fly into and out of the UK on March 30, 2019, when the divorce would be final. There’s uncertainty about how Brexit would impact travelers entering the UK and European Union countries. Article 50 started the process in earnest, and the outcome likewise will be serious business.

New Series Launch: How the European Union Invented Modern Travel and Tourism

Why the UK Travel Industry Isn’t Yet Suffering a Brexit Slowdown

Interview: VisitBritain Chairman Steers Tourism Boom Through Brexit Uncertainties

Overbooked Flights Took Center Stage as Passenger Was Dragged Off a Plane

Most U.S. airlines — not just United — reexamined overbooking policies and how they interact with customers after security officers dragged a United passenger off an aircraft. Airline executives also learned that it is crucial to respond to such incidents publicly within minutes, and to take get it right as best as possible even in a very fluid situation.

Asian American community groups led rallies at Chicago O’Hare to protest United’s of an incident involving Dr. David Dao. United and other airlines changed their policies aftward. Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune via AP

It’s hard to know whether the bigger problem was the incident — when security officers in Chicago dragged a United Airlines customer off a plane — or the airline’s response to it that caused an international uproar. Either way, April 9 is probably a day United’s employees will remember for awhile.

By now, most people know the story. United needed to bump four passengers from a United Express flight from Chicago to Louisville, Kentucky, so an airline crew could fly as passengers to their next assignment. One passenger, David Dao, a doctor, refused to deplane, and United called security to remove him. Three officers violently dragged him from the plane, as other passengers videoed the incident. The viral videos showed a bloody Dao, who didn’t seem to understand what was happening or why he was losing his assigned seat and purchased flight.

It would have been bad no matter what, but United executives didn’t seem to understand the severity of the public relations crisis. In early statements, the airline appeared to blame Dao. One statement from CEO Oscar Munoz defended airline employees and called called Dao “disruptive and belligerent.”

It took United more than two days to change its posturing, and Munoz eventually issued a series of apologies. Eventually, United settled with Dao. The airline also made changes to its policies to ensure similar incidents do not occur and said it would overbook flights less often. But passengers still make jokes about the incident, and some travelers may be avoiding United because of it.

Other airlines also made policy changes. Southwest Airlines said it would stop overbooking flights — period. And at an industry event two months later, several CEOs said they had a new policy: They would issue contrite, if vague, apologies within 15 minutes after any incident. Some airlines also promised they would not call law enforcement for customer service issues unless absolutely necessary.

Some airline employees say they wonder if the incident changed flying permanently. Flight attendants and gate agents sometimes say they’ve seen passengers become more combative. And airline employees say customers are more likely to video anytime they’re having a disagreement with an airline staff member.

United Releases Internal Report on What Happened in Violent Chicago Incident

United Airlines Settles With Doctor in Dragging Incident

U.S. Senators Criticize Airline Customer Service in Committee Hearing

United Launched No-Frills Basic Economy Nationwide

Before United introduced its Basic Economy fare, no mainstream U.S. airline had barred any passengers from bringing large carry-ons into the cabin. But now both United and American do it, and it looks like this is a trend that’s here to stay.

United Airlines was the first U.S. carrier to roll out a Basic Economy fare nationwide that does not let customers bring large carry-on bags. Passengers who buy it may only bring a purse or laptop bag. United Airlines

United wasn’t the first U.S. airline to introduce a Basic Economy fare — a cheaper option without some of the frills passengers have come to expect, such as the ability to select seats in advance, or a change to an earlier flight for a fee. Delta Air Lines introduced its Basic Economy product in 2012, and while passengers may not love it, they seem to accept it.

But United’s fare, which went nationwide in April, has one feature Delta’s does not. United does not allow most customers who buy it to stow a large bag in the overhead bins. Instead, they must pay to check luggage larger than a purse or laptop bag.

This feature has not been well-received. Many customers have complained on social media and elsewhere they were unaware of the restrictions, even though the airline warns them repeatedly about it online before they buy their tickets. Some customers are likewise not pleased a United employee must check a bag’s size before passengers can board with it.

Ultimately, though, this was a business decision. United’s Basic Economy fares are the cheapest it offers, and the airline didn’t want to give its most frugal customers all the perks of a regular ticket. If they want the usual goodies, they need to buy-up to what was once the entry fare.

United’s not the only airline with a no-bag policy on board for some tickets. American has it too, but the Dallas-based carrier’s nationwide rollout came later in the year. Meanwhile, Delta said it has no plans to copy its two main competitors.

United Says Customers May Dislike Basic Economy But They’re Buying It

United Expands Its Basic Economy No-Frills Service

How ‘Basic Economy’ Actually Makes You Pay More to Fly

British Airways Hopped on (Or Solidified) the Distribution Surcharge Bandwagon

It looks like the airlines’ effort to claw back power from the global distribution systems has gained a second wind after more than a decade of trying. This is forcing big travel management companies to negotiate directly with the carriers for better deals.

International Airlines Group chief executive Willie Walsh expressed scathing remarks about the airline distribution middlemen in his recent earnings call with investors. IAG

Airlines are beholden to global distribution system networks to sell flights across the world, and 2017 has been a year of upheaval as European airlines have made moves to wrest control of the relationship back from their distribution partners.

International Airlines Group, parent company of British Airways and Iberia, fired a major salvo in May when it announced the airlines would place a surcharge on bookings made by travel agents through global distribution system platforms. This extra approximately $11 per leg of a trip makes flights more expensive when booked through an agent, forcing global distribution systems to come to the negotiating table.

The British airline giant followed in the footsteps of Lufthansa, which successfully introduced a similar fee in 2015.

We’ve already seen fallout from the new policy; Sabre was unable to reach an agreement with the airlines, forcing travel agencies to negotiate directly with International Airlines Group for better deals. The airlines would prefer to reach a private channel arrangement with agencies instead of dealing with the high distribution costs associated with global distribution system bookings.

With two European giants now embracing the booking surcharge, it should only be a matter of time until others follow suit.

British Airways Adds a Fee That Could Weaken Airline-Ticket Middlemen

British Airways Surcharge Means Travel Agents Won’t Get Lowest Fares Through Sabre

Lufthansa Calls Direct Booking a Success as British Airways Is Poised to Copy It

Disney and Universal Escalated Orlando Theme Park Wars

Universal and Disney have been fighting for Orlando theme park visitors for decades, but this year brought the battle to new heights when the resorts opened much-hyped additions over the same weekend.

Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida is shown in this promotional photo. David Roark/Walt Disney World Resort

When crowds of journalists had to figure out a plan for covering separate media opening events at Disney and Universal on the same day, you know competition in theme park central had reached superheated status.

Over Memorial Day weekend, the two theme park giants opened major new additions in Orlando: Volcano Bay, a water park at Universal Orlando Resort, and Pandora — The World of Avatar at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The openings were just the latest chapter in a years-long tale of two operators, each trying to give visitors more reasons to choose one over the other. After years of being the also-ran, Universal started to make real gains with the opening of its first Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction in 2010. Another followed four years later.

Despite all the action in 2017, the theme park war will stretch on for years: Disney opens Toy Story Land next year, followed by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge in 2019. More changes, including new rides at Epcot, are slated to be in place by the Walt Disney World 50th anniversary in 2021.

For its part, Universal is building a new Nintendo-themed addition, though details on its size and timeline are still not public. And questions remain about Universal’s plans for hundreds of acres it has purchased in recent years. Ultimately, this might be the kind of war that both sides win.

Disney and Universal Keep Building So Visitors Stay Longer and Spend More

Disney’s Newest Land Is Meant to Add a Literal Glow to Animal Kingdom

Disney Is Hiking Its Spending on Park Projects by Nearly $1 Billion

Saudi-Led Blockade Created Qatar Airways Crisis

The blockade was another example among many in 2017 of politics cluttering up the free flow of travelers. Isolation isn’t just a gesture. It really puts pressure on a country’s travel industry and psyche. In this case, Qatar Airways, and regional business travel, were hit hard.

Qatar Airways’ CEO made operational adjustments due to the blockade by Gulf countries. Bloomberg

In June, Qatar began facing an economic blockade by Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Egypt, and the UAE. These countries accused Qatar of supporting terrorism, and being too friendly with Iran. Since travel is so frequently tied up in geopolitical issues, the fallout came quickly for the country’s flag carrier.

The second-biggest Persian Gulf carrier, Qatar Airways, saw point-to-point flights become circuitous and time-consuming, while the airline had to scrap other routes altogether. Plus, these new longer flights meant higher operating costs for the carrier. Business trips among the Gulf countries suddenly became less feasible, and Qatar Airways headed for an annual loss.

Qatar Airways lost 19 destinations in the countries participating in the blockade.

Qatar claims to be committed to helping end global terrorism, but the blockade continues. Despite the ensuing isolation still cramping travel to and from the country. Qatar Airways CEO Akbar Al Baker vowed that the blockade won’t get in the way of the airline’s growth. But clearly, it has.

Understanding the Qatar Ban and Its Implications for Qatar Airways

Blockaded Qatar Will See Its Flag Carrier Lose Money This Year

Middle East is ‘brimming with extremism’ but Qatar doesn’t support terrorism

Marriott And Its Peers Tightened Their Cancellation Policies

Hotels are becoming more sophisticated about how they’re charging guests and pricing their product. That’s a good thing for the hotel industry, but maybe not for guests.

In June, Marriot became the first major hotel company to implement a new more restrictive cancellation policy. Pictured is a Marriott front-desk employee. Marriott International

Marriott was first: On June 15, its newer, more restrictive cancellation policy went into effect, extending the deadline to cancel a room reservation from 24 hours to 48 hours before check in. Hilton and InterContinental Hotels Group followed the next month.

Last-minute cancellations lead to millions in lost revenue for hotels. They also make it harder for people looking for last-minute lodging to find a place to stay.

Some in the corporate travel sector were not pleased. The Business Travel Coalition issued a statement saying it was “deeply disappointed [and] concerned over Marriott’s new cancellation policy.” But travel management companies can still negotiate more favorable deals with the hotel companies to avoid fees.

The real reason these changes in policy are resonating is because they are a clear signal hotel companies are getting smarter and tougher about managing revenues and inventories. This will continue into 2018 and beyond.

Marriott Joins Competitors in Extending Cancellation Deadline From 24 to 48 Hours

Marriott and Hilton’s New Cancellation Policies Won’t Impact Corporate Travel as Much as You Think

InterContinental Hotels Group Institutes a 24-Hour Cancellation Policy

Trump’s Cuba Travel Retreat Not as Bad as Feared

Trump’s decision to tighten restrictions on U.S. travel to Cuba wasn’t as large a reversal as many had feared. Cruise lines saw an advantage, but airlines’ initial bullishness has faded as demand hasn’t lived up to expectations.

U.S. tour operators aren’t being deterred by policy changes towards Cuba. Pictured are tourists riding in a convertible in Havana. Marco Derksen / Flickr

U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to rescind individual people-to-people visas for U.S. travelers to Cuba wasn’t the worst-case scenario although it did halt the giant leap forward both countries had made in normalizing relations over the past three years.

If 2016 was the most pivotal year the U.S. and Cuba had in more than 50 years with flight and cruise operations restarting, the Trump administration’s decision to roll back some of the easing up of travel travel restrictions disappointed many.

This year was a mixed bag for U.S. companies entering Cuba. On the airline side, Silver Airways and Frontier Airlines completely gave up on Cuba while Spirit Airlines downgraded its ambitions for the country. In the cruise industry, Norwegian continues to be bullish about Cuba while Carnival Corp. said that Cuba is a longer term play.

Regarding hotels, Marriott is taking a wait-and-see attitude toward its Cuba business, and AccorHotels said Cuba’s small size and scope doesn’t make it as relevant as other markets with growth opportunities. Cuba had been a growing market for Airbnb, although the new restrictions on individual travel was a setback.

U.S. Tour Operators Optimistic About Cuba Travel Because They’re Even More Essential

Norwegian Cruise CEO Says Cuba Sailings Are Selling Strong

U.S. Travelers Want to Go to Cuba But Brands Were Too Aggressive, Too Soon

TUI Boss Predicts Blockchain Will Crater the Industry’s Powerhouses

When the CEO of one of the world’s largest tour operators said that blockchain will disrupt travel distribution, people listened. And the fact that TUI, which historically fell behind the digital curve, is playing around with blockchain ahead of so many others, points to a new era for the tour company.

Fritz Joussen, CEO of TUI Group, thinks blockchain will revolutionize travel distribution. TUI Group

TUI CEO Fritz Joussen could be to blockchain what Stephen Hawking was to black holes. Like Hawking, Joussen’s a person of stature whose clear explanation of a knotty concept could lead many to grasp its full significance.

Speaking at a Noah Advisors conference in Berlin, Joussen said that blockchain would provider a lower barrier to entry for new distribution companies, and thus take away the power to charge high commissions from middlemen companies such as Airbnb, Amadeus, and Booking.com.

Being a blockchain buff can be an invitation to mockery, though. Many skeptics doubt that the technology will deliver more than modest efficiency gains for companies anytime soon.

Yet in the months that followed Joussen’s speech, investment analysts started grilling the CEOs of the industry’s top intermediaries about blockchain. That grilling may have caused the industry’s top players to take the concept more seriously.

This autumn, Lufthansa and Air New Zealand each said they were developing relationships with blockchain vendors. Their moves helped to amplify Joussen’s message.

For his part, Joussen has moved some of TUI’s hotel technology onto its in-house blockchain by adopting so-called smart contracts. It plans a more elaborate adoption of the technology in the next two years.

Blockchain Will Disrupt Expedia and Airbnb, TUI CEO Says

6 Blockchain Takeaways From Tour Operator TUI’s Hotel Initiative

Skift Research Report: The Future of Blockchain in Travel Distribution 2018

EU Slaps Google With a Record Antitrust Fine as Travel Penalties Could Be Next

When Europe’s antitrust cop fined Google $2.7 billion, or €2.42 billion, it became the first major antitrust regulator to sanction the tech giant for its product practices. That development created a precedent that could have a big impact in the future on Google’s travel business.

Google has filed an appeal against an EU antitrust fine. Pictured, attendees pass a company booth at a developer conference. Bloomberg

When the European Commission fined Google for its comparison shopping services, where internet users browse retail products, it said, “Google abused its market dominance as a search engine by promoting its own comparison shopping service in its search results and demoting those of competitors.”

Google had to pay the fine and change its search setup. But Google is trying to overturn the decision. The appeal process will last for years.

Will travel be next? The commission had included travel services as an area of concern when it launched its investigation in 2010. Google’s flight, hotel, and vacation rental shopping services compete against metasearch brands such as Kayak, Skyscanner, TripAdvisor, and Trivago. Some of these online travel companies have backed a lobbying group, the European Technology & Travel Services Association, to contribute testimony to the commission’s travel services investigation.

No travel-related decision is believed to be imminent, though. As of publication time, the European watchdog was instead expected to announce other possible fines related to Google’s advertising program AdSense and its Android operating system. Any follow-on decisions by the European Commission could have ripple effects worldwide and into the travel sector.

Google Slapped With Record $2.7 Billion EU Antitrust Fine for Biasing Search Results

Google Sues to Block EU Antitrust Fine as Travel Probe Could Be on the Agenda

Google May Finally Face a Showdown With Regulators Over Its Evolving Travel Tools

Expedia CEO’s Exit for Uber Signals New Era for Online Travel Agencies

Khosrowshahi’s surprise departure from Expedia capped off a changing of the guard at the big incumbent online travel agencies. For Uber, which has been tied to a wide array of bro culture and other abuses, the exit of its own CEO to make way for the Expedia boss was a harbinger of the #Me Too movement before it had a name.

Dara Khosrowshahi speaking at Skift Global Forum in New York City in September 2016. Skift

The New York Times reported on a Sunday in late August that longtime Expedia Inc. CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, who had shepherded the company through numerous acquisitions and into market leadership in the United States over a couple of decades, had agreed to become the Uber boss. Khosrowshahi replaced Uber co-founder and CEO Travis Kalanick, who brashly led the ridesharing company into becoming a global brand, but was plagued by scandal after scandal.

Within days of Khosrowshahi’s appointment at Uber, Expedia named CFO Mark Okerstrom as Expedia CEO. Barry Diller, who has voting control of Expedia and is its senior executive, said he never considered anyone but Okerstrom for the CEO post once Khosrowshahi left.

Okerstrom’s succession of Khosrowshahi was the third CEO switch and replacement of veteran leaders in less than a year at the Big Three online travel agencies. In November 2016, Jane Sun became CEO of Ctrip as James Jianzhang Liang, co-founder and CEO, slid over to the executive chairman slot. At the beginning of 2017, Glenn Fogel became CEO of the Priceline Group, replacing interim CEO Jeffery Boyd, who had led the company to top dog status among the online travel agency pack.

It could be argued that Khosrowshahi bolted for Uber not only for perhaps the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to lead a unicorn startup, but also because he saw tough times looming at Expedia. The challenges including integrating Expedia’s 2015 of acquisition of vacation-rental leader HomeAway; increased competition from Airbnb and Google, and harder times for Expedia-controlled Trivago in hotel metasearch, among other factors that might drag down growth.

Now, it’s all up to the new guy.

Expedia CEO Starts New Job as Uber Boss Today

Complete Oral History of Online Travel

Expedia CEO Dara Khosrowshahi to Leave Company With Unfinished Business

Hurricane Irma Reshapes Caribbean Tourism

September 6.

Climate change is here and a very tough hurricane season that reshaped a wide swath of Caribbean tourism may no longer be an aberration for warm-weather destinations.

Officials survey the beach of Great Cruz Bay for environmental impact as a result of Hurricane Irma and Hurricane Maria on St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Coast Guard News/Flickr

Four major hurricanes hit Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean in quick succession — Harvey, Irma, Jose, and Maria — just as these regions and cruise lines that serve them entered the high season. The storms caused an estimated $188 billion in damages, making 2017 the costliest season on record, according to AccuWeather.

In a one-two punch, Hurricane Irma decimated Caribbean islands such as St. Maarten, Barbuda, Dominica, and U.S. and British Virgin Islands beginning September 6, and then Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico after making landfall September 20.

Puerto Rico was already suffering from a severe economic crisis and was especially hard-hit by Maria’s 155-mile-per-hour winds. Unfortunately, the U.S. territory received a colder response from President Trump than Texas and Florida. Puerto Rico has an uphill path to an expensive recovery ahead.

Even if a destination received more federal support than Puerto Rico, skilfull messaging is key to drive tourism, while being sensitive to locals’ ongoing struggles. Paulette Kluge, CEO of the Corpus Christi CVB, which saw its Gulf coast hit by Hurricane Harvey, said the tourism board is trying to invite tourists back while being honest about the destination’s capabilities.

“All of our hotels are completely full right now and have been since the day after the hurricane with first responders and insurance adjusters and remediation,” said Kluge in October. “Drive in, enjoy, and then go home, because there are no hotel rooms.”

Wyndham Took $13 Million Hit From Hurricanes in Third Quarter

Post-Hurricane Marketing in the U.S. and Caribbean Puts Tourism Boards to the Test

Trump Slams Puerto Rico But Island’s Tourism Leader Expresses Confidence in Relief Efforts

Las Vegas Mass Shooting Made Hotels Revisit Security Challenges

This mass shooting in the United States, where legal and illegal guns proliferate, made the hotel industry rethink its policies and procedures for safety and security. Whether it will lead to meaningful changes remains to be seen.

Reed Broschart, center, hugs his girlfriend Aria James on the Las Vegas Strip in the aftermath of a mass shooting at a concert. The couple, both of Ventura, California, attended the concert. Associated Press/Marcio Jose Sanchez

At the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas on October 1, a gunman opened fire into a crowd of more than 22,000, killing 58 people and injuring more than 500 from his suite at the Mandalay Bay hotel. It was one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.

In the massacre’s immediate aftermath, the national conversation, at least briefly, turned to gun control — as is usually the case when mass shootings like this take place. And in this instance, that conversation also cast a spotlight on hotel safety and security measures as the gunman stockpiled his hotel room with weapons unimpeded.

The incident raised so many questions for the hotel industry to consider. Among them, what can hotels do when local gun laws make it legal for their guests to bring firearms into their rooms? Do hotels need even more surveillance than they already have? How can something like this be prevented from ever happening again?

At least one other Las Vegas Strip hotel, Wynn Las Vegas, installed metal detectors immediately following the shooting. But is it only a matter of time before hotels as standard procedure start installing metal detectors or baggage screening areas like airports do?

So far, the hotel industry hasn’t yet come up with all the answers to these questions, but many are working on it — they have to.

Speaking at a conference a few weeks after the incident, Marriott CEO Arne Sorenson said the issue is “probably more about the softer things. It’s about training. It’s about making sure our associates are keeping their eyes open. It is about things like how often do housekeepers go into rooms even if that do-not-disturb sign is on the room. We do all the things to do the best we can in that space, and then we pray.”

8 Questions About Hotel Safety and Security Raised by the Las Vegas Shooting

Marriott CEO Believes There Are Limits to What Hotels Can Do About Security After Las Vegas

Las Vegas Casino Execs Talk Security and Recovery After Shooting

Catalonia Declared Itself Independent From Spain

Catalonia’s potential independence from Spain would have a huge impact on both in tourism and beyond. Spain’s most popular region in terms of international arrivals, Catalonia tourism has benefited from instability in countries such as Turkey and Tunisia, but the unrest in Barcelona has put all that into doubt.

Demonstrators holding banners that read in Catalan: “Freedom for the Political Prisoners”, gather during a protest against the decision of a judge to jail ex-members of the Catalan government at the University square in Barcelona, Spain, Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017. AP Photo/Manu Fernandez

The Catalan secession movement has been bubbling away for more than a century , but rarely has it spilled over as dramatically as it did this year. The region’s standoff with the central Spanish government came to a head in October when Catalonia held a disputed independence referendum.

The authorities in Madrid refused to recognize the vote’s legitimacy and ordered police onto the streets to stop people from casting ballots. Violence ensued with images of the electoral and physical confrontation beamed around the world, helping to dent Barcelona’s reputation as risk-free place to visit. It also didn’t burnish Madrid’s credentials as a modern European democracy.

The street clashes, combined with a growing anti-tourism movement in the region’s capital, Barcelona, and a devastating terrorist attack, damaged visitor numbers.

Should these incidents have a knock-on effect to tourism numbers in 2018, then the local and national economies would suffer. Spain generates billions of dollars each year from tourism and Barcelona is its crown jewel.

Despite the growing anti-Spain sentiment in the region, the prospect of Catalonia seceding from Spain is seemingly diminished compared with the referendum’s immediate aftermath. Catalonia leader Carles Puigdemont had declared independence ( sort of ) and the Madrid moved to re-establish direct control. Several prominent Catalonia politicians were jailed, while Puigdemont fled to Belgium.

Although independence now appears more remote, the underlying issues will persist.

Catalonia’s Bid for Independence Is Complicating Tourism in Spain

Catalonia Tourism Forecasts $520 Million Drop in Visitor Revenue

Tourism Is the Biggest Loser So Far in Spain-Catalonia Standoff

Expedia’s Drop Triggered Debate on Tough Times Ahead

Expedia Inc. saw its stock price plunge after reporting third quarter results, and the Priceline Group and TripAdvisor subsequently became saddled with their own share-price woes. These collective problems have left some investors wondering whether this is the new normal for heretofore leading online travel companies.

Expedia’s website as seen on an iPhone. Bloomberg

Was it a blip, or is this just the way it will be from now on for the presumptive leaders of online travel?

That was a question on the minds of investors, competitors, and other industry observers after Expedia reported lackluster third quarter earnings, and saw its share price fall some 20 percent to $117.32 over the course of two weeks on November 9.

Each of these competitors — Expedia, Priceline and TripAdvisor — had their own specific reasons for their respective swoons, but concerns about the need for increased advertising spend or other rising expenses was a common thread.

Expedia had also revealed that its HomeAway unit would not hit previously announced profit goals for 2018, and Expedia’s Trivago hotel-metasearch unit was piling up losses and under pressure from its largest advertiser, the Priceline Group, which was moving advertising spend on Trivago toward other companies.

For Expedia’s new CEO, who was conducting his first earnings call since taking the helm only weeks earlier, it was a tough beginning. He subsequently announced he would be turning the company away from big acquisitions and tilting it more toward organic growth.

New Expedia CEO Just Became His Own Guy in Outlining a New Strategy

CEOs of Expedia and Priceline Group — What Have You Done for Me Lately?

Expedia CEO: Math and Strategy Are ‘In Our Favor’

Booking.com Seriously Rethought Online Advertising as it Tilted Toward TV

Booking.com is Google’s largest travel advertiser, and the Amsterdam-based online lodging seller historically set the pace in digital marketing. When travel’s leader in digital advertising says it will reconsider the amount of money it is spending on marketing through third-party online channels, the rest of the travel industry pays attention and listens.

The logo of online accommodation booking website Booking.com is pictured at the International Tourism Trade Fair (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, March 9, 2016. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch

Priceline Group CEO Glenn Fogel may have shocked partners and competitors when he revealed during the company’s third quarter earnings call that he was rethinking the company’s advertising spend on third party channels — metasearch companies Trivago and TripAdvisor come to mind — and would tilt spend toward brand advertising on TV.

Make no mistake: The Priceline Group, including its most important subsidiary, Booking.com, will keep spending billions of dollars on digital advertising. But it wants to balance things a bit more with a new emphasis on TV commercials.

That’s because Fogel thinks TV brand advertising will give his company a better chance to forge direct relationships with consumers instead of having to pay to acquire them and reacquire them through third parties such as Google, which use the windfall to compete against Priceline Group companies.

Trivago and TripAdvisor are already reeling because of Booking.com’s inattention in the form of diminished advertising spend. Prior to Fogel’s talk of a tilt toward TV, we couldn’t imagine writing this: But will Google, which has been making market share gains through Google Hotels and Google Flights, be the next company to feel Booking.com’s new digital thriftiness?

Inside Priceline Group’s Diss of Trivago — The Backstory

Video: Travel Investors on Why Booking Sites Still Have Plenty of Room for Growth

Booking.com Rethinks Digital Advertising in Favor of TV

Google Flights Redesign Signaled an Enhanced Consumer Focus

Mid-november.

The competitive environment in online travel seems to be heating up, and Google’s expansion and consumer-focused moves appear to be a significant part of the mix. The design and technology tweaks tend to drive consumers away from traditional Google Search and into Google’s better-converting Hotels and Flights products.

Google rolled out a new look for its flights search and hotel search tools in November. Skift

The travel industry tracks Google’s moves so obsessively you might be reminded of The Police’s hit song, “Every Breath You Take.”

Google made a variety of consumer-facing design tweaks that, when considered together, moved the company from being a research tool to more of a booking venue that is similar in style to Kayak, Trivago, and other metasearch, or comparison shopping, players.

The company unveiled a streamlined look for its flight search for desktop users. The first thing a consumer now sees is a stripped-down search box along with three suggested places to visit for low prices from the nearest big airport. The design change de-emphasized a once-prominent research tool that aimed to help undecided travelers discover destinations by entering their trip budget and time constraints.

Similarly, Google changed the design of its hotel metasearch product for mobile users. The design will likely coax more people to research and book rooms through its comparison search tool. These types of bookings may work better on mobile devices than sponsored search results, but they may also raise marketing costs for many hotels, airlines and online travel agencies.

In a further sign of its commitment to travel selling, Google rewrote its hotel front-end technology stack. The company also began testing in select European markets, such as in the UK and Germany, listings for flight-and-hotel packages and vacation rentals — in an expansion of its ambition.

The industry loves Google in the sense that it places more ads on it than anywhere else. But their love is twisted. Expect executives to keep humming the lyrics, “Every breath you take, every move you make, I’ll be watching you.”

Google Flights’ New Look Moves Away From Travel Inspiration

Google Hotels Revamps Mobile Features as Its Ambitions Expand

Google Travel Is Worth $100 Billion — Even More Than Priceline

Airbus $50 Billion A320 Order Meant a Boost for Ultra-Low-Cost Carriers

November 15.

The largest single Airbus order ever did not come from a U.S. airline, or even a Chinese one. Instead, it came in a joint order from four ultra-low-cost carriers on three continents. This suggests we would see big growth from discount airlines if and when these airplanes arrive.

Frontier Airlines is one of four ultra-low-cost-carriers that will receive new Airbus narrowbody planes after its financial backer, Indigo Partners, negotiated a deal that will provide aircraft to it and three other airlines supported by Indigo. A. Doumenjou/Airbus

Before November’s Dubai Airshow, Airbus executives likely thought they’d make their biggest splash at the show with Emirates, which they expected to place a big order for new Airbus A380s. But that order fell apart, with Emirates unsure it wanted to invest in an aircraft Airbus may kill in a few years.

Instead, Airbus’ most important triumph came from one massive order split among four low-cost airlines many travelers don’t know much about — Frontier Airlines in the United States, Volaris in Mexico, Wizz Air in Hungary, and JetSmart in Chile. Combined, they committed to 430 Airbus A320 aircraft. Technically, it’s only a memorandum of understanding, but Airbus is confident the deal will be finalized.

It’s perhaps a sign that, while the most interesting story of the last decade might have been the build-up of the three largest Gulf carriers, all of which fly giant A380s, the future could be owned by ultra-low-cost carriers flying narrowbody aircraft. These are airlines that charge for anything regulators will permit, including seat assignments, drinks and, sometimes carry-on bags. The four discounters aren’t known for customer service, but they sell tickets for far cheaper prices than legacy airlines. In many cases, they’re less expensive than other low-cost-carriers, too.

Interestingly, the four airlines have no commercial ties. But they joined on an aircraft order because all have one major investor in common — Indigo Partners. The firm’s managing partner, Bill Franke, negotiated the deal, and is believed to have come away with an excellent price.

Why Airbus Lost Its Super Jumbo Deal With Emirates

Airbus Beats Boeing With $50 Billion Deal in Latest Aircraft Order Battle

It’s Amazingly Cheap to Acquire a Fleet of Airbus Jets

Note: Skift reporters Hannah Sampson, Dan Peltier, Deanna Ting, Sarah Enelow, Sean O’Neill, Andrew Sheivachman, Brian Sumers, Patrick Whyte and Dennis Schaal contributed to this report.

The Daily Newsletter

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The 11 Most Uplifting Travel Stories of 2017

By Mark Ellwood

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

We know—we feel it, too: Sometimes, news can feel like a relentless onslaught, an avalanche of problems, snafus, or disasters that never seems to slow, let alone pause. But as 2017 draws to a close, we wanted to highlight some bright spots from the year. Here, 11 feel-good moments that remind us why we love traveling so much.

Two black women piloted a commercial plane together…

To celebrate the end of Black History Month and the beginning of Women’s History Month, two black female pilots with Delta commandeered the cockpit together for the first time . First Officer Dawn Cook saw that pilot Stephanie Johnson was scheduled to helm DL 555 from Detroit to Las Vegas and suggested she join her on the plane as a symbolic milestone. Johnson’s used to making history: She was the first black female pilot for Northwest Airlines, later acquired by Delta, twenty years ago.

…and a female Air India pilot made history.

Air India’s made major strides this year in gender parity, flying a plane with an all-female crew to celebrate International Women’s Day, again . In July, the airline appointed 30-year-old Anny Divya as what’s thought to be the youngest female commander of a Boeing 777 anywhere in the world, a role that is 95 percent male.

Hurricane Irma’s unsung heroes brought a little hope.

The devastation wrought by hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean is one of the year’s most heart-wrenching stories, but there were many heroes who helped save the day for displaced families and travelers. Take Dede Tanel, guest services manager of Royal Caribbean’s Adventure of the Seas : She worked tirelessly to plan for the ship to dock in St. Martin and rescue several hundred Americans stranded there post-Irma. She offered them all shelter, a shower, and scads of human kindness, telling one woman who’d fled with nothing more than the dress she was wearing that they would go shopping together in the ship’s boutique.

Madrid banned manspreading.

The Spanish capital took a stand against sitting in more than your fair share of a seat on public transport. New signs on trains and buses were inspired by a months-long social media-driven protest, #MadridSinManspreading (#MadridWithoutManspreading), which was aimed at the mayor and regional president (both women). No word yet, though, whether the city has gone as far as New York, where errant, open-legged men have faced arrest .

Sometimes, fellow passengers can prove kinder than you expect.

Kesha Bernard, mom of two, chose to help rather than huff when she saw a fellow passenger struggling with three young children on an Alaska Airlines plane at dawn. Her subsequent Facebook post about holding (and soothing) that stranger’s grouchy baby spread across the world.

We launched the Women Who Travel podcast.

Of course, we champion all kinds of travel, by all kinds of travelers, but one of our most active Facebook groups is Women Who Travel : a sensible, supportive, troll-free space to swap stories and ask for advice. The passion of the members (over 30,000 and counting) inspired us to launch a new, standalone podcast to accompany our longtime staple Travelogue : Women Who Travel , co-hosted by editors Meredith Carey and Lale Arikoglu, is aimed at exploring the realities of traveling as a woman today.

Reefs like Australia's famed Great Barrier Reef are still in danger, but bleaching has slowed—for now.

The world’s coral reefs are catching a break from coral bleaching. For now.

The world’s major coral reefs suffered back-to-back global bleaching events over the last three years, as warmer-than-usual sea temperatures caused entire sections of reef to turn bone-white, especially in Australia’s Great Barrier Reef , for which a premature eulogy was written in the process. In June, though, the NOAA’s Coral Reef Watch announced that the worst of the bleaching event had concluded. Now, of course, it’s up to us to prevent another bleaching event, which could prove catastrophic for the planet's reefs.

A flight delay turned into a pizza party.

We all know that delays are irritating but inevitable, especially when weather makes it unsafe to take to the air. If only every airline handled those delays the same way Delta did when thunderstorms derailed operations at its Atlanta hub in the spring. To keep passengers happy, and hunger pangs at bay, it ordered almost 600 pizzas to stranded travelers, and delivered them directly to their seats. Call it a pre-flight appetizer.

Human kindness shined through after Hurricane Harvey.

Hurricane Harvey’s final toll looks likely to hit $190 billon in damages and almost 80 deaths. Amid the devastation, though, there were signs of resilience and human kindness, especially from Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale. The effervescent local TV celebrity threw open the doors to his showrooms, turning two into impromptu shelters where those looking for a place to sleep could take refuge; he also corralled trucks and volunteers in the relief effort. He even sent a group of first responders to the World Series on a chartered plane as a way of saying thank you.

Alternative jet fuel moved further into the mainstream—and afield.

Earth-friendly jet fuel continues to spread: California-based startup AltAir Fuels has been working with United Airlines for three years, and just announced it will help power the first bio-fuel flight between the U.S. and Australia on Qantas next year. The Dreamliner will run on an oil derived from mustard seed. Meanwhile, Finland-based Neste is finalizing plans for a plant that could produce four million tons of bio-based jet fuel per year by 2022.

Hello Kitty became a Sustainable Tourism ambassador.

Hello Kitty, the ultimate embodiment of kawaii , earned a new title this year: International Ambassador for Sustainable Tourism for the UN’s World Tourism Organization. It’s a goofy gesture with a serious message, aiming to use the cartoon icon as a way of reminding travelers to treat the world with care—a major new drive, given the problems of overtourism which seemed to snowball over the course of 2017.

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African Diaspora

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry will soon travel to Nigeria

Meghan Markle is diving further into her Nigerian heritage in her upcoming trip with Prince Harry.

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The next stop on the Duke and Duchess of Sussex’s world travels will reportedly be Nigeria. 

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are scheduled to visit the country in May, following an invitation from the Nigerian Chief of Defense Staff. While visiting the African country, the couple will participate in native cultural activities and meet with various service members. 

The invitation to visit was reportedly sparked by Harry’s Invictus Games , a sporting event he designed after discovering how “sports could help wounded servicemen and women in their recovery — physically, psychologically and socially.” Considered to be one of the prince’s few remaining ties to the royal family, the games hosted 500 athletes across 21 nations last year in Germany, where Nigeria was cheered on by the duchess herself . Though the 2025 Invictus Games are scheduled to take place in Canada, Nigeria is expressing its interest in hosting a future event. 

“The visit is to consolidate Nigeria’s stronghold at the game and the possibility of hosting the event in later years,” said Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Nigeria’s acting director of defense information in a statement, per People magazine . 

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During last year’s event, the couple grew a special affinity for the Nigerian team . In 2022, after learning that she is 43% Nigerian by taking a genealogy test, Markle revealed her newfound heritage on her award-winning podcast “Archetypes.”

“I’m going to start to dig deeper into all this because anybody that I’ve told, especially Nigerian women, are like, ‘What!’” she shared on the show. 

In light of this discovery, Markle and her husband reportedly spent time with Nigeria’s team at the 2023 Invictus Games, during which the Duchess of Sussex received a new nickname. Like her royal title, her Nigerian name, “Amira Ngozi Lolo,” holds a royal meaning, with “Amira” meaning warrior princess from a legend, “Ngozi” meaning blessed and Lolo meaning “royal wife.” 

“Now, I’m not saying we play favorites in our home, but since my wife discovered she’s of Nigerian descent, it’s likely to get a little bit more competitive this year,” Prince Harry said in his 2023 opening speech, teasing about which team the Duchess would be rooting for. 

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Working Parents, Plan for the Week with This Simple Exercise

• Avni Patel Thompson

To avoid surprises and decision fatigue, take 20 minutes to preview your family’s commitments.

As work travel and hours in the office mount, work parents are feeling the logistical challenges of making every week happen — from kid pickup and dropoff and sports practice to meal planning and doctor’s appointments. The main difficulties lie in managing the firehose of information, coping with decision fatigue, and dealing with surprises like an illness or a forgotten event. The best approach for avoiding — or mitigating — these obstacles is the weekly preview: A planning session between the core adults in the family each week to go over what’s coming. The week’s plan is documented and discussed, highlighting variances from typical weeks and indicating back-up plans for particularly tricky spots.

It’s been nearly four years since we first met Amir and Ria as they were navigating the early months of Covid with two jobs and two young children at home.

• AT Avni Patel Thompson  is the founder and CEO of  Milo, the world’s first app to tackle the invisible load of running and raising a family. She is a third-time founder building technology solutions that make everyday parenting lighter and more connected. Previously she was the founder of YC-backed Poppy. Prior to taking the entrepreneurial plunge, she spent over a decade building consumer businesses at P&G, adidas, and Starbucks. She has an MBA (HBS ’08) and a BSc Chemistry from the University of British Columbia. She lives in Vancouver with her husband and two daughters.

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