Orlando International Airport expects travel bump for start of summer
Editor's note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.
The region's largest airport is expected to see a bump for passenger traffic during the unofficial start of the summer travel season.
Orlando International Airport staff expect a 2% increase in travelers compared to last year during the six-day Memorial Day window from May 22-27, during which more than 980,945 people will utilize the travel hub. Memorial Day on May 27 is expected to be the busiest, with more than 176,782 travelers expected to arrive at or depart the airport.
'In light of the recent news that Florida celebrated record tourism last year, Orlando International kicks off the summer travel season on a positive note,' Lance Lyttle, CEO of the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, said in a news release. 'Because MCO is a significant economic generator for Central Florida, this is good news for the region as well.'
Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journal's website.
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National Geographic
34 minutes ago
- National Geographic
10 destinations where you can ditch your car this summer
More than 45 million U.S. travelers took road trips for Memorial Day 2025—an increase of approximately one million from the previous year, breaking the 2005 record of 44 million people driving to their desired destination for the holiday weekend. Choosing a car-free destination is a way both to save at the pump and help save the planet. Places that prohibit, or at least greatly restrict, motorized vehicles range from the well-known (Venice, Italy, the world's largest pedestrian zone), to the less-charted Geithoorn in the Netherlands and Holbox Island in Mexico. A horn-free, less-hurried vacation can be more relaxing. 'Traveling without a vehicle alleviates the stresses of route-finding under pressure, the headache, and expense of finding parking spots in busy city centers, and allows people to slow down and soak in a destination at walking speed,' says Paul Melhus, CEO and cofounder of ToursByLocals, which leads trips to auto-free zones, including Dubrovnik in Croatia, Governor's Island in New York, and Hydra Island in Greece. Here are 10 places where you can ditch your wheels and start unplugging immediately. Tunø, Denmark Inhabited since the Stone Age and just 1.4 square miles, Denmark's Tunø is easy to explore on foot, bike, scooter, and traxas, the island's tractor taxis. Travelers arrive via a scenic hour-long ferry from Hou (on the Odder Coast of Jutland), perhaps spotting seals and porpoises along the way. Covered in lush green hills that rise above sandy, stony beaches, the island lures hikers and birders. The best views come at the tower of the 14th-century Tunø Church, an unusual combination of chapel and lighthouse surrounded by apple trees and blackberry bushes. Tunø has several restaurants and a microbrewery, as well as a former dairy converted into a soothing and affordable seaside inn. Mackinac Island, Michigan Victorian architecture and old-fashioned atmosphere draw visitors to Michigan's Mackinac Island. Cars are banned, so tourists get around the 3.8-square-mile island on foot, bike, or via horse-drawn carriage. Photograph by Wiltser, Getty Images Located on Lake Huron between Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas, Mackinac Island has been a popular vacation spot since the late 19th century. More than 80 percent of the 3.8-square-mile island is covered by Mackinac Island State Park, with its natural trails and butterfly conservatory. Historic buildings in the postcard-pretty downtown hold boutiques and restaurants including coffeeshop/art school the Watercolor Café and the Ice House BBQ with its expansive garden. The island's seven confectionaries crank out 10,000 pounds of fudge a day. The Grand Hotel, built in 1887 and home to the world's longest front porch, just added a new BMX bike path, a miniature golf course, pickleball courts, and a greenhouse nature center. (Explore why it's important to preserve historic hotels.) Medina of Fez, Morocco One of the largest contiguous car-free urban locations in the world, the 690-acre Medina of Fez is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the best-preserved medieval town in Morocco. Its 9,400 narrow, meandering streets are open only to foot and donkey traffic. Beyond its souks—which sell food, spices, lanterns, and leather—the medina holds centuries-old palaces, mosques, fountains, and schools. The Bab Boujloud (blue gate), is the main entrance to the old town. Dar Batha, a palace museum, has an excellent collection of local artifacts, especially textiles and embroidery, plus a garden with a mosaic patio and fountain. Stay at one of the city's many riads, historic mansions that have been transformed into boutique hotels. While non-Muslims are prohibited from entering most mosques, the library of the ornate Al Quaraouiyine Mosque is open to the public. Trogir, Croatia The 13th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence towers over the old town in Trogir, Croatia. The island is a UNESCO World Heritage site due to its wealth of medieval and Baroque buildings. Photograph by Robert Harding, Alamy Stock Photo A UNESCO World Heritage site with Hellenistic roots (B.C. 323-33), this small island settlement in the Adriatic features architecture from Roman to Baroque. Located an hour west of Split—reachable by bus, taxi, or water taxi—Trogir holds a quaint, cobblestoned Old Town with pristinely preserved medieval buildings. The finest might be the 13th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence with its 150-foot bell tower, three naves, and a stone portal featuring intricately carved nude images of Adam and Eve. A short-but-dazzling waterfront promenade is lined with palm trees, seafood restaurants, and cafés. Local guide Dino Ivančić jokes, 'I can't keep up with them all. They are like mushrooms, popping out after the rain.' Several music festivals take place here in the summer. For the sunny Adriatic beaches Croatia is known for, Čiovo is a quick walk over a pedestrian bridge. Little Corn Island, Nicaragua A spit of land once frequented by pirates, Little Corn Island feels like a lost tropical paradise. Maybe that's because getting here requires a flight to Great Corn Island, about 50 miles off the coast of Nicaragua, then an eight-mile boat ride onward in the Caribbean. Although tourism is Little Corn's biggest business, even high season is crowd-free. Walk the one-square-mile island under mango, breadfruit, and coconut trees. Or sink into a hammock on palm-shaded beaches. If you're not daunted by heights, climb the vertical metal ladder to the top of the Little Corn Lighthouse, a lightless tower with impressive views of the island and its candy-colored sunsets. Hiking and horseback riding paths head into the jungle and along the shoreline. The idyllic waters surrounding Little Corn can be explored via paddleboard, kayak, or Miskito, a type of primitive wooden sailboat named after the Indigenous people who created them. Porquerolles Island, France A 10-minute water shuttle from the Cote d'Azur zips nature and history fans to Porquerolles, the most-visited of France's Golden Isles. Its pristine stretches of sand, limestone cliffs, and lush greenery can be explored via hiking and biking trails that crisscross the seemingly trapped-in-time island, 80 percent of which forms Port-Cros National Park. Beaches, including secluded Notre Dame, can be reached by ferry, foot, or the many e-bikes for rent. Tour gardens and several historic fortresses, including the 14-century Sainte-Agathe Fort. The Villa Carmignac, a Provençal farmhouse-turned-museum, fills 21,000 square feet with contemporary art. The main village, founded in the 19th century, claims the bulk of the island's 22 restaurants and several shops. There are also dozens of lodgings options, from boutique hotels and villas to houseboats. The blissful surrounds draw thousands of visitors a day in the summer, making spring or early fall the best time to come. Channel Islands, California Wildlife watchers, kayakers, and hikers find crowd-free, car-free nature in California's windswept Channel Islands National Park. Five of these eight small islands off the coast of Santa Barbara can be accessed by private plane or boat or via ferries which operate several times a week in season. The trip through the Pacific takes between one hour to four hours each way; upon arrival you'll need your own water—and a tent if you want to stay over. (Take this epic trail around Canada's Prince Edward Island.) Isolation and a unique mix of warm and cool ocean waters fuel biodiversity on both land and sea. In the depths off Santa Cruz, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa islands, snorkelers and divers might see giant black sea bass and California moray eel amid kelp forests and sea caves. Worthwhile hiking trails include a flat walk to Water Canyon Beach on Santa Rosa Island and a grueling 16-miler on foggy, challenging-to-reach San Miguel Island, best attempted with a guide. Birders come to the islands to spot Western gulls, Brandt's cormorants, Scripps's murrelets, and the only nesting population of California brown pelicans along the West Coast. Hoi An, Vietnam Chua Cau, commonly known as the Japanese Covered Bridge, is a wooden structure dating to the 16th century. It's among the historic attractions in the old town of Hội An, Vietnam. Photograph by Peter Forsberg, Alamy Stock Photo Scenic and compact, Hội An is a former colonial trading port on the Thu Bồn River in central Vietnam. Its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site, features 1,000 buildings dating from the 15th through 19th centuries, including shophouses and pagodas. Its most photographed spot? A 400-year-old Japanese bridge, built, some believe, to prevent the mythical Japanese monster Namazu from thrashing about and causing earthquakes. The nights here are ambient and lantern-lit; days buzz with cruises on round, Vietnamese basket boats, cooking classes, or visits to one of Hội An's legendary tailors, who can whip up a custom dress or suit in 48 hours. Refuel with a sweet Vietnamese coffee or a banh mi; Hội An is considered a sandwich capital. There are numerous lodging options, including the new Hội An May Village and Hội An Riverland Villa. Pontevedra, Spain Less than an hour's drive southwest from Spain's Santiago de Compostela, Pontevedra (the capital of a Galician province by the same name) went car-free in 1999, helped by a government program that created 1,600 free parking spaces around its perimeter. Now travelers can traverse Pontevedra's Old Town end-to-end in a 25-minute walk, taking in handsome stone buildings, including the Gothic-style Santa Maria Basilica and the barrel-shaped Church of the Pilgrim Virgin, who is said to guide voyagers along the Portuguese route of the Camino de Santiago. (Learn why the pandemic spurred a pilgrimage travel boom.) Pontevedra Museum showcases Celtic coins, religious iconography, and contemporary paintings. The city's tree-lined central plaza, Plaza de la Herrería, is surrounded by restaurants and bars, most pouring the crisp white wines of the nearby Rías Baixas. After lunch, walk over the Lérez River via the Burgo Bridge, a medieval crossing built over a Roman one. Rottnest Island, Australia Water and wildlife are the big draws at Rottnest Island ('Rotto' to locals), a short ferry ride from Perth, amid the coral reefs and shipwrecks off Australia's western coast. Dozens of beaches offer swimming, snorkeling, sea bikes, and other watery diversions. Glass-bottomed boat trips spotlight marine life such as bottlenose dolphins and 400 species of fish. Rottnest (a mere seven miles by three miles) is small enough to walk in a day, but is best seen via hop-on, hop-off buses that loop around the island, or on an e-bike or Segway. Or explore hidden coves and shorebird-rich wetlands on the Wadjemup Bidi, a 27-mile network of walking trails. Keep an eye out for quokkas, native wallabies with upturned lips that some say are the happiest animal in the world. The Indigenous Whadjuk Noongar people inhabited the island thousands of years ago. Landmarks related to their culture headline in GoCultural's Aboriginal Tours and Experiences. This article was updated on June 6, 2025, but originally published on May 18, 2022.
Politico
5 hours ago
- Politico
Why Trump can't have it both ways on rates
Presented by Editor's note: Morning Money is a free version of POLITICO Pro Financial Services morning newsletter, which is delivered to our subscribers each morning at 5:15 a.m. The POLITICO Pro platform combines the news you need with tools you can use to take action on the day's biggest stories. Act on the news with POLITICO Pro. Quick Fix President Donald Trump wants a strong labor market and low interest rates. Right now, those goals aren't compatible. Economists expect the Labor Department to report this morning that employers added 125,000 jobs last month. If the number exceeds expectations, it will be yet another sign of economic resilience despite the effects that Trump's trade agenda, market convulsions and touch-and-go recession fears have had on sentiment. It would be great news for a White House that has reveled in recent positive economic data and has sparred with Wall Street heavyweights or reporters who spotlight the risks posed by the president's agenda. But it would also give Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell a case to hold rates higher for longer. Higher borrowing costs might help keep a lid on inflation — and further weaken rate-sensitive sectors like housing — until there's greater clarity on how tariffs ultimately affect consumer prices. The Fed is scheduled to announce its interest rate decision on June 18. Obviously, that's not what Trump wants. The president used this week's tepid private sector hiring report from the payroll processing firm ADP to lash out at the Fed chair — whom he's nicknamed 'TOO LATE' — and make a case for why he 'must now LOWER THE RATE.' And there are signs that the labor market is flagging. U.S. employers announced layoffs affecting nearly 94,000 positions last month — a 47 percent increase over April of last year, according to a report from outplacement firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Jobless claims for the week following the Memorial Day holiday jumped more than many economists had predicted, the government reported on Thursday. And the Institute for Supply Management's manufacturing and service sector employment indices were both in contraction territory in May. But if today's jobs report disappoints — EY's Gregory Daco sees job growth falling below 100,000 — it will be taken as a sign that Trump's trade agenda is starting to wear on employers. While a softening labor market increases the likelihood that Powell accelerates the timeline for rate cuts, it would also suggest the economy is in much worse shape than anyone in the White House would like. Trump would then face more political pressure — from both Wall Street and industry — to dial back his protectionist trade policies. Julien Lafargue, the chief market strategist at Barclays Private Bank, put it this way: 'Anything below the 100,000 mark could reignite recession fears while a stronger-than-expected print could perversely be negative for risk assets as it would likely put upward pressure on yields.' In other words, for Trump, the odds that he'll get a Goldilocks economy and low rates — soon — look slim. We'll see at 8:30 a.m. when the Labor Department puts out its report. IT'S FRIDAY — What are you looking for in the jobs report? Let me know. And as always, send your tips, suggestions and personnel moves to Sam at ssutton@ POLITICO PRO SPACE: Need an insider's guide to the politics behind the new space race? From battles over sending astronauts to Mars to the ways space companies are vying to influence regulators, this weekly newsletter decodes the personalities, policy and power shaping the final frontier. Find out more. Driving The Day Federal Reserve Vice Chair for Supervision Michelle Bowman will speak at a Psaros Center for Financial Markets and Policy event on financial regulation at 10 a.m. Food Fight — Elon Musk, the godfather of the Department of Government Efficiency and one of Trump's most powerful boosters during the 2024 campaign, was already on the warpath against GOP leaders over the president's 'big beautiful bill.' On Thursday, he went after Trump. Suffice it to say, it got personal. — As Irie Sentner reports: 'In a Washington full of big money and bigger personalities, it's shaping up to be the breakup of the decade. And it's happening for all the world to see … Musk suggested the president should be impeached, Trump threatened Musk's companies, and Musk even threw out allegations related to Jeffrey Epstein.' — The consequences have the potential to simultaneously 'derail the president's agenda and Musk's personal fortune,' Irie writes. As the feud spilled across X and Truth Social, shares of Tesla notched their worst day ever, erasing more than $150 billion of market value, according to the WSJ. Trust us. — The White House is also dialing up its attacks against both the Congressional Budget Office and outside experts over projections that the megabill could cause debt levels to spike in exchange for mediocre economic returns, The NYT's Tony Romm reports. Revival — Binance has survived its legal battles with U.S. regulators. Now, the global crypto exchange is emerging as a major beneficiary of Trump's pro-crypto pivot. Declan Harty has more in a Q&A with the exchange's CEO, Richard Teng. TRADE CORNER Too much news — Before the Musk spat overtook the news cycle, Trump had a 'very good phone call' with Chinese leader Xi Jinping amid tense negotiations over tariffs and other trade barriers, per Megan Messerly, Phelim Kine, Ari Hawkins and Daniel Desrochers. — Treasury did not identify the country as a currency manipulator in its semi-annual report on the foreign exchange practices of major trading partners, Doug Palmer reports. Trade deficit falls — Doug also reports that the trade deficit fell sharply in April after hitting a record high in March. Talking Points First in MM: From Wall Street regulator to crypto lobbyist — In one of her first interviews as Blockchain Association CEO, Summer Mersinger, a former CFTC commissioner, spoke with Declan Harty about the critical but chaotic moment facing crypto in Washington today. The following is an excerpt of their conversation, edited for length and clarity. With the regulatory landscape shifting, how are you thinking about this moment for crypto in Washington? Just a year ago, there was this discussion around all the risks involved with blockchain and crypto, and now, we're at a point where Congress is on the cusp of passing a stablecoin bill. So it's a critical time for the industry. It's a critical time for the policymakers, and it's the opportunity that I think the industry needs to come together, be a unified voice and really push this forward so that the U.S. can become a global leader in this space. How do you hope to use your experience at the CFTC as you lead the Blockchain Association? My time at the CFTC taught me a lot about these markets and the ways that a well-regulated market functions. But if you go back further in my history, I came from Capitol Hill — that's where I spent most of my career. And I'm hoping that I can use those skills to really help BA and the members get that critical legislation accomplished. Do market structure and stablecoin legislation need to be packaged together? They both stand on their own. I trust Congress to do what's best to get legislation to the president's desk, and however they decide to move forward, we're going to be supportive. … If stablecoin [legislation] gets to the president's desk before the other, I see that as a win — and it just adds momentum to the market structure bill. On The Hill Trouble in Senate Banking — Senate Banking Republicans are skeptical that some of the measures being sought by Chair Tim Scott (R-S.C.) for the megabill can comply with the strict rules governing the filibuster-skirting budget reconciliation process, Jasper Goodman reports. Markup incoming — Katherine Hapgood reports that House Financial Services Chair French Hill (R-Ark.) plans to move ahead with a landmark crypto market structure bill on Tuesday over objections from Democrats, who want more time to negotiate. Adios — The House passed a bill Thursday that would remove Small Business Administration offices from 'sanctuary cities' that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities, Katherine reports. First in MM — Democrats led by Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.) and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) on Friday introduced a new bill to counter the administration's rollback of rules that required businesses to disclose their true owners. Under the bill, the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network and the SBA would have to coordinate on multilingual guidance, education and scam prevention to make compliance easier, Katherine reports. GOP senators look to codify DOGE operations of Treasury payment systems — Congressional DOGE Caucus Chairs Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rep. Aaron Bean (R-Fla.) will introduce legislation next week to codify changes that the cost-cutting operation once led by Elon Musk made to the Treasury Department's payments system. The bill would require Treasury to have a description of the payment, link it to a budget account and crosscheck the payment against government databases to ensure accuracy and eligibility, Katherine reports. Ernst said the measure would save billions over the next 10 years. 'Enacting safeguards to spending has been one of the Trump administration's and DOGE's greatest triumphs, and I am determined to codify it and make it permanent.' Jobs report David Maurstad, the former senior director of the National Flood Insurance Program, recently launched Maurstad Advisors, LLC to advise on issues like insurance brokerage, resilience planning and crisis communication.
Business Insider
14 hours ago
- Business Insider
AMC Entertainment Draws Bigger Crowds as Investor Confidence Fades
AMC Entertainment (AMC) just posted its best Memorial Day weekend ever, setting new records for both ticket sales and concession revenue. But despite packed theaters and positive box office momentum, the stock has dropped more than 16% over the past week. The disconnect highlights a deeper issue: while strong movie turnout is encouraging, it's not enough to offset the company's underlying financial challenges. With lingering structural issues, ongoing meme-driven volatility, and more attractive opportunities elsewhere in the sector, I remain bearish on AMC for now. Confident Investing Starts Here: The Bright Spots There's no denying that AMC is enjoying some genuine momentum. The Memorial Day weekend was a clear highlight, as more than 7 million people went to an AMC to catch a movie (or two) over the holiday. This helped the company set new records for admissions, food and beverage sales, and overall revenue. Furthermore, the industry is experiencing upward trends. After a brutal start to 2025, the spring months brought a welcome turnaround. April's box office results were double what they were the previous year, suggesting that audiences are returning to theaters (finally). AMC is looking to ride the wave of returning moviegoers by doubling down on offering 'premium experiences', including upgraded seating, enhanced sound systems, and larger screens. These premium formats command higher ticket prices, which should help boost revenue per customer. Finally, the company has recently announced it is experimenting with new advertising strategies, potentially creating another revenue stream. Where Does the Red Carpet Lead? Despite riding a rising tide and operational improvements, AMC's financial health remains problematic. The first quarter of 2025 was particularly challenging, with several key metrics heading in the wrong direction. Furthermore, AMC reported a loss of $202.1 million for the quarter, compared to a loss of $163.5 million during the same period in 2024. The impact this has had on AMC's cash reserves is alarming. Cash levels have dropped dramatically from $632.3 million to just $378.7 million. This rapid cash burn is worrying. Ultimately, AMC's debt is a significant burden. The company carries a staggering $8.28 billion in total debt, with $43 million in debt payments due this year, $173 million next year, and a whopping $526 million in 2027. With less than $400 million in cash, its interest coverage ratio is now an anemic -0.18. Is AMC a Buy, Hold, or Sell? AMC's leadership team remains bullish about the company's prospects. Management is projecting annual revenue growth of about 7% over the next three years. While this sounds encouraging, it's actually slightly below the average for the broader entertainment industry, suggesting AMC may continue to face headwinds even in a recovery scenario. Analysts following the company hold a mixed outlook for its prospects, rating it a Hold overall, with a 12-month price target of $2.92. Most recently, T exas Capital's Eric Wold rated AMC a Hold, with a price target of $3. Noting AMC's significant debt and upcoming maturities, he suggests cash flow challenges from rising interest expenses could impact the company's equity valuation. Meanwhile, B. Riley's Drew Crum has lowered the price target on AMC to $3, while maintaining a Neutral stance. He maintains a generally positive outlook for the industry, given a robust upcoming slate of Hollywood films that are expected to drive box office recovery. Citi analyst Jason Bazinet holds a more pessimistic view, recently reiterating a Sell rating. However, he slightly increased the price target to $2.60, citing changes in advertising forecasts amid reduced tariff concerns. The Meme Stock Wild Card Any discussion of AMC stock would be incomplete without addressing its 'meme stock' dynamics. Take May as an example—the share price nearly doubled within a matter of days, fueled by a wave of coordinated buying from retail investors on platforms like Reddit. These kinds of explosive moves have become a defining feature of AMC's trading behavior. But the rallies are usually fleeting. Once the hype dies down, the stock often gives back its gains as the company's underlying financial challenges come back into focus—something we've likely seen play out over the past week. While AMC's meme stock status can create bursts of excitement for short-term traders, it also brings extreme volatility. That volatility distorts traditional valuation metrics and skews technical indicators, such as moving averages, making it difficult to assess the stock through a conventional investment lens. Final Analysis on AMC The question for AMC ultimately revolves around whether resurgent demand and operational improvements can overcome its financial constraints. Until AMC can demonstrate consistent profitability and make meaningful progress in reducing its debt burden, positive box office trends will not be enough to sustain the stock (though ongoing meme-related volatility spikes are likely). I am inclined to avoid AMC until the company can demonstrate that it can turn its box office momentum into the kind of sustained financial performance that will help it climb out of its debt crater.
