Thailand Offers 200,000 Free Flight Tickets to Boost International Tourism

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Wat Mahathat Temple in the precinct of Sukhothai Historical Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Thailand

After a lukewarm 2024 with only 20.8 million visitors by August (down 7% from the previous year), Thailand is pulling out all the stops. The government is preparing a massive tourism campaign that could revolutionize travel in the kingdom: distributing 200,000 free domestic flight tickets to international travelers between September and November 2025. The “Buy International, Free Thailand Domestic Flights” program works simply: any tourist purchasing an international ticket to Thailand through participating airlines or online agencies will automatically receive a round-trip domestic flight with 20 kilograms of baggage allowance. It’s a world first in terms of scale, though Japan tested a … Read more

This Massive New Beach Resort Just Opened in North Korea – And You Can Actually Visit It

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North Korea Beach Resort

We might not think of it this way (to say the least…), but North Korea under dictator Kim Jong Un also has tourism ambitions, or at least eyes on the revenue it could generate. This is what the recent opening of this massive beach resort in Wonsan on North Korean territory seems to suggest… A country that has always welcomed tourists This might also come as a surprise, but apart from during the pandemic and the (lengthy) closure of its borders, North Korea has always welcomed tourists, including Europeans and Americans. In fact, as we mentioned some time ago, the … Read more

The World’s Tallest Statue Stands 598 Feet High—And Most People Have Never Heard of It

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Statue of Unity, India

The Statue of Liberty, Christ the Redeemer in Rio, Copenhagen’s Little Mermaid, the Great Sphinx of Giza, Easter Island’s Moai—some statues are undeniably famous, standing as witnesses to our world and our times. Yet the tallest of them all remains surprisingly unknown to most people. Perhaps that’s because it was only completed in India as recently as 2018. 597 Feet—Even 787 Feet Including Its Base After five years of construction and over $360 million invested, the Statue of Unity was inaugurated on October 31, 2018, on an island near the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the Indian state of Gujarat. Standing 597 feet tall (182 … Read more

When the train (finally) starts thinking on a European scale

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European Train

Europe boasts by far the densest rail network in the world, with heavyweights in the field like France and Germany. Yet, for the longest time, it has felt as though each country has been developing its network in isolation, with little to no connection to its neighbours. So much so that, with rare exceptions, we hardly ever consider taking the train to travel from one country to another. That’s if we even know where to find the information or how to go about booking tickets in the first place. But all that could be about to change… 21st Europe Enter … Read more

This Pacific Island Nation Could Vanish Within 25 Years

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Tuvalu

You’ve certainly heard about climate change, but you probably haven’t heard of Tuvalu. Yet the two are intimately connected, as this Pacific archipelago could become the first nation to disappear due to climate change… Where is Tuvalu and what does it look like? It’s one of the smallest (9.9 square miles) and least populated (10,600 inhabitants) countries on Earth. Lost in the middle of the Pacific, northeast of Australia and New Caledonia, this former British territory gained independence in 1978 and remains one of the world’s least visited and known destinations. Though Tuvalu did have its moment of fame a … Read more

This Sacred Place Where Women Are Banned for Life

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Mount Athos, Greece

There are places and sites we’d love to visit but simply cannot. Sometimes they’ve vanished due to human folly or nature’s whims, but more often their access is no longer feasible because they’re now located in war zones or regions completely off-limits to tourism. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re permanently closed or that things will never change, but still. Then there are a few that are forbidden for very specific reasons, like Mount Athos in Greece. What and where are the Mount Athos monasteries? Located in northeastern Greece, just a few dozen miles east of the city of Thessaloniki, Mount … Read more

Chiang Mai Uncovered: Why Northern Thailand’s Ancient Capital Will Change How You See Southeast Asia

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Buddhist temple in Chiang Mai

Chiang Mai, the former capital of the Lanna Kingdom, stands apart as a unique gem in northern Thailand. Far from Bangkok’s relentless pace, this city moves to its own rhythm. The historic center preserves its ancient moats and remnants of city walls that encircle over 300 Buddhist temples, bustling markets spilling onto sidewalks, and a vibrant local arts scene. Temple Treasures Wat Phra That Doi Suthep watches over the city from its mountain perch at 3,280 feet above sea level. After climbing 309 steps flanked by golden naga serpent railings, the panoramic view rewards every bit of effort. In the … Read more

This Forbidden Island Will Kill You if You Try to Visit: North Sentinel Island, India

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North Sentinel Island

There are places and sites we’d love to visit but simply cannot. Some have vanished due to human folly or nature’s whims, while others—more commonly—have become inaccessible because they’re now located in war zones or regions where tourism is strongly discouraged. This doesn’t necessarily mean they’re permanently closed or that circumstances will never change, but for now, they remain off-limits. Today we’re heading to a small island not far from Myanmar that, despite its proximity, belongs to India: North Sentinel Island. Where is North Sentinel Island? North Sentinel is an island in the Indian Ocean, specifically in the Bay of … Read more

Will Senegal Soon Require Visas for European and American Travelers?

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Senegal Birds

While many countries are simplifying entry requirements for visitors by eliminating visa requirements, some nations are moving in the opposite direction. Senegal is considering implementing an e-visa system for citizens from countries that don’t offer reciprocal visa-free access to Senegalese nationals—including those from the European Union and the United States. A Less-Than-Promising Precedent Like Namibia recently, Senegal wants to apply a reciprocity system by requiring visitors from countries that demand visas from Senegalese citizens to complete the same process before traveling. This initiative is part of a broader program called “Senegal 2050,” which aims to transform the country economically and … Read more

The Global Cruise Fleet is About to Explode: 60 New Ships Set to Transform Ocean Travel

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New Cruise Ships

As we regularly discuss, the cruise industry is experiencing robust growth with encouraging prospects for the coming years, and even more cruise passengers expected than we see today. This surge is driving cruise lines to invest heavily in new vessels to meet the growing demand. Sixty Projects Over the Next Decade We recently covered MSC Cruises’ massive $3.8 billion contract with Chantiers de l’Atlantique shipyard in Saint-Nazaire for two new ships scheduled for delivery in 2029 and 2030. While this project remains one of the most significant in terms of scale, it’s far from the only one. Not all projects … Read more

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