With over 1,500 bird species recorded, the Country of Beauty continues to showcase its singular, awe-inspiring biodiversity. Colombia has once again soared to the top of the world's largest bird count. Recording an astonishing 1,563 bird species during the recent edition of Global Big Day 2025, the country reaffirms its title as the most biodiverse nation on Earth for birds and a rising global leader in nature tourism. This achievement comes amid a landmark moment for Colombian tourism. In 2024, the country welcomed over 6.9 million international visitors — a historic record — with the United States leading the way. Today, Colombia is the number one South American destination for U.S. travelers. Flame-faced Tanager and Glistening Green Tanager, Photo cour...
Read MoreMonth: May 2025
Royal Caribbean promises three more destination experiences to come From record-breaking firsts at the game-changing Perfect Day Mexico to ultimate beach days, vacationers can create the memories of a lifetime in more ways than ever before The world's boldest vacations are on the horizon as Royal Caribbean is raising the bar with its newly revealed Ultimate Destination lineup – with headliner Perfect Day Mexico set to break records with never-before-seen features. From all-new thrills and unrivaled ways to chill at the next Perfect Day to unmatched beach getaways across the first Royal Beach Clubs, the vacation brand's growing portfolio of exclusive destinations will deliver more ways for vacationers to experience the best of Royal Caribbean's newest ships alongside shoreside adve...
Read MoreBlack-winged white stilts wade through a salt pan, plunging their beaks into the water in search for food at the Kalloni bay on the Greek island of Lesbos, as bird-lovers watch through binoculars from afar. Stilts are one of more than 330 species found in the wetlands of Kalloni and elsewhere in Lesbos, which have established the island as a European hotspot for birdwatchers from around the world since the 1990s. "We have some very special birds that are breeders on the island, like the Cinereous Bunting or the Kruper's Nuthatch, the Masked Shrike," local environmental scientist and bird guide Eleni Galinou said. Black wing stilt is reflected at Kalloni's salt pans A black stork flies at Kalloni's salt pans, Lesbos island, Greece The island's main attraction are the migra...
Read MoreThe deep cracking sound bursting from within the ice signals the dramatic fall about to happen. Seconds later, a block of ice some 70 meters (230 ft) tall - the size of a 20-story building - collapses from the face of the Perito Moreno glacier into the aquamarine water below. The sight has attracted visitors to Argentina's most famous glacier for years. Standing on platforms facing the ice, they wait for the next crack to split the cool Patagonian air. But recently the size of the ice chunks breaking off - a process called "calving" - has been starting to alarm local guides and glaciologists, already anxious at a prolonged retreat by Perito Moreno, which had bucked the trend in recent decades by maintaining its mass even as warmer climates spurred faster glacial melting worldwide. ...
Read MoreThe World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the global body representing the Travel & Tourism private sector, has announced its latest Economic Impact Research which found that the U.S. is on track to lose a staggering $12.5BN in international visitor spending this year. Notably, international visitor spending to the U.S. is projected to fall to just under $169BN this year, down from $181BN in 2024. This significant shortfall represents a 22.5% decline compared to the previous peak. The loss won’t be felt by Travel & Tourism alone, with WTTC saying it represents a direct blow to the U.S. economy overall, impacting communities, jobs, and businesses from coast to coast. According to the study, the U.S, the largest Travel & Tourism sector in the world, is ...
Read MoreNew 'World of Color Happiness!' debuts at Disney California Adventure Park and 'Paint the Night' parade returns to Disneyland Park Family and friends are invited to 'Celebrate Happy' with joyful décor, food and beverages, merchandise and more New and recently debuted experiences, such as 'Disney Jr. Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Live!', Tiana's Bayou Adventure and dining at Downtown Disney District offer more reasons to visit The Disneyland Resort 70th Celebration kicked off on May 16, 2025, honoring seven decades and counting of The Happiest Place on Earth with must-visit festivities across the resort through summer 2026. In 1955, Walt Disney opened Disneyland Park with a hope that it would be "a source of joy and inspiration to all the world." Th...
Read MoreHelsinki clears up the biggest sauna misconception Eurovision has sparked global curiosity about one of Finland's most iconic traditions: the sauna. But for many, the idea of stepping into one comes with uncertainty — do you have to be naked, is talking allowed, and what's with the felt hat? Now Helsinki is inviting everyone to experience a sauna culture that's less about rules and more about what feels right. As Eurovision fans set their sights on Basel, another cultural star is quietly gaining global attention: the Finnish sauna. While many may recognise the image of a steamy wooden room and a plunge into icy water, the act of stepping into a sauna can feel surprisingly intimidating. While international audiences seem to be genuinely intr...
Read MoreUN Tourism has named Dr. Larry Dwyer, Professor and Adjunct Fellow at the University of Technology Sydney, as the winner of the 2025 Ulysses Prize for Excellence in the Creation and Dissemination of Knowledge in Tourism. The Ulysses Prize is UN Tourism’s highest academic honor, awarded to individuals whose work has significantly advanced the understanding and development of tourism through knowledge creation and its practical application. Since its establishment, the Prize has recognized the world’s foremost thinkers whose contributions have shaped the future of the sector. Dr. Dwyer, one of the most respected scholars in tourism economics and policy, destination competitiveness, and sustainable tourism development. His work has consistently bridged the gap between theory and practi...
Read MoreSet against the azure backdrop of the Arabian Gulf, Anantara Santorini Abu Dhabi Retreat, operated by Minor Hotels, unveils a new chapter in transformative wellbeing, inviting both in-house guests and the wider community to experience a collection of rejuvenating rituals that move beyond the traditional spa. Full Moon Ceremony Each month, as the full moon ascends over the horizon, guests are invited to gather for a deeply evocative Full Moon Ceremony. This guided experience unfolds in a sacred sequence beginning with a shared circle and heart-opening cacao ritual, moving into breath-led meditation and gentle self-reflection. Guests are encouraged to release what no longer serves them through a symbolic bonfire ritual, before closing with a flower offering and shared gratitude beneat...
Read MoreTokyo and Osaka top the list of summer hot spots Nha Trang makes its debut in MEI report on travel spending Currency fluctuations are a key consideration for travelers Asia-Pacific is home to eight of the world’s top 15 trending summer travel destinations, according to Travel trends 2025, the annual Mastercard Economics Institute (MEI) report on consumer spending in the travel economy. While exchange rates and geopolitical dynamics can influence behavior, the report highlights that passions and purpose-driven motivations remain strong drivers shaping the travel industry. Drawing on a unique analysis of aggregated and anonymized transaction data and third-party data sources, the report uncovers what is shaping travel choices today. Japan leads the pack—with Vietnam’s Nha Tr...
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