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North America’s oldest farmers’ market gets new boost from cruise passengers
TransportVisitors from all over the world are descending on the Halifax Seaport Farmers’ Market these days, climbing down cruise ship gangplanks into the bustling market that hugs the waterfront. Indeed, more than 130 cruise vessels are expected this year to deliver some 250,000 people from across North America, Europe and Asia to Halifax and the [...]
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Starwood’s Aloft hotels let lobbies double as venues for local bands
RoomsOffering guests live entertainment is not a new concept in the hotel industry. In Las Vegas, major hotels regularly host acts such as Carrot Top and Penn & Teller. Aloft Hotels, the ultra-modern economy brand operated by Starwood Hotels & Resorts, has put a new twist on the idea, turning its hotel lobbies into concert [...]
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Sequester grounds military jets for dozens of air shows
DestinationsDozens of air shows that draw tens of thousands of people and generate millions of dollars for local economies have been cancelled this year after the military grounded its jet and demonstration teams because of automatic federal budget cuts. For years, the biggest draws at air shows have been the military’s two elite jet teams, [...]
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How a trip to the Great Wall of China spawned tour startup AnyRoad
Digital[AnyRoad co-founders Daniel and Jonathan Yaffe] asked around and found out about remote parts of the wall where you could walk for miles without seeing another soul. It took hours to get there, but they got lucky and met a courteous taxi driver who showed them exactly what they wanted — that endless, breathtaking view of the [...]
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Christchurch, New Zealand asks locals to take in tourists during room shortage
DestinationsChristchurch will encourage residents to open up their homes to tourists next summer in a bid to avoid another “accommodation crisis” in the city. Tourism bosses want to establish a billeting system with residents providing accommodation for people unable to find a room. The plan is being explored after an acute bed shortage this summer [...]
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Tourism exec prompts luxurious Singapore to remember its roots
DestinationsWhile waiting for a flight to Miami last month, Mr Lionel Yeo found time to study a Wall Street Journal (WSJ) article about Singapore that had been making a stir on social media. It was a racy read. Fast cars, private jumbo jets, S$32,000 cocktails and a lavish party scene — all of which depicted [...]
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The local food and drink movement takes root in West Africa
DestinationsAt first glance Republic, a revolution-themed bar in one of Accra’s busiest nightlife districts, could be any of the Ghanaian capital’s hotspots. Artsy residents, office workers and expats sit on plastic chairs in front of its wooden façade as dusk turns to night, ordering caipirihnas or snacks like thick-cut chips and bowls of soup. But [...]
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Is Foursquare becoming so yesterday?
DigitalAccording to prevailing wisdom at the time, the rapid take-up of smartphones meant we would all soon be sharing our location online and being targeted with offers from local businesses. The leader of a wave of start-ups founded on this prediction was Foursquare, a New York-based app and social network that allows users to check [...]
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Foursquare wants to encourage local discovery, not just checkins
DigitalFoursquare, the location-based service, has significantly evolved since exploding in popularity at SXSW years ago. Only last month, cofounder and CEO Dennis Crowley was once again at the Austin festival, taking the audience through the startup’s journey, from being known for check-ins and gamification to badges and mayorships to tips and to-do lists. But Foursquare [...]
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Five travel startups focus on design, communities and local experiences
DigitalIn response to a recent SkiftSeedlings posts that highlighted startups itching to take travelers deeper into their destination, several companies contacted us claiming that those were categories they too were a part of. Those and others are in included in this week’s roundup which looks at five booking platforms and niche travel communities that continue [...]
