Now You Can Travel for Less by Buying Someone Else's Vacation
Founded in 2016, this eBay-like marketplace pairs unfortunate travelers looking to sell nonrefundable trips, flights and hotel nights they can't use to bargain hunters like Ahmed who take over the reservation. For one vacation, that meant paying around $1,200 for an all-inclusive trip to Thailand that originally cost around $4,700. 'It was a week—I wish that had been longer,' Ahmed said.
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Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Lionesses raise a glass to their Euros victory ahead of London parade
The Lionesses have celebrated their historic Euros victory by raising a glass and dancing with a dog that has joined them on tour, ahead of a London parade and trip to Downing Street. England fans erupted with joy across the country as the team defended their Euros title in a penalty shootout win over Spain in the final in Basel, Switzerland, on Sunday. Chloe Kelly scored the winning spot-kick following two huge saves from goalkeeper Hannah Hampton, sending supporters in fan zones into raptures. On Monday, the team are expected to land back in the UK before heading to a reception at Downing Street hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner and sports minister Stephanie Peacock. In a post on X, an FA spokesperson advised fans not to travel to the airport where the Lionesses will touch down because of 'limited space'. Instead, the FA urged supporters to join the homecoming celebrations in central London on Tuesday, including an open-top bus procession along The Mall and a ceremony in front of Buckingham Palace. However, the Lionesses have already begun their celebrations and can be seen cheering, raising a glass and dancing with Reggie, the dog, in a video posted on the team's official social media accounts. The team can be seen wearing their gold medals, chanting the white Cavapoo's name and waving his paw after the match. Reggie belongs to Cheals on Wheels, a barista company that travelled with the team to the tournament. Posting on Instagram, the company wrote that Reggie had 'gone international' and was 'soaking up all the love (and sneaky treats) from the team' in Switzerland. They added he was 'always the star of the show wherever he goes — even on tour'. Other posts from the barista show Reggie enjoying cuddles with England manager Sarina Wiegman and former England player Jill Scott. Videos from the Lioness' accounts show the jubilant team running across the pitch and cheering as they roll around in gold and silver streamers and confetti. After the game, the King said the team had the royal family's 'warmest appreciation and admiration' in a post on X, adding: 'The next task is to bring home the World Cup in 2027 if you possibly can'. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the team's triumph, saying: 'The Lionesses have once again captured the hearts of the nation. 'Their victory is not only a remarkable sporting achievement, but an inspiration for young people across the country.' Supporters stood on tables, waved flags, threw drinks in the air and excitedly hugged each other as England claimed victory, while the Prince of Wales and Sir Keir watched on from the stands in Basel. Alessia Russo gave the Lionesses hope of retaining their Euros title with her second-half equaliser after Mariona Caldentey netted the opener for Spain in the 25th minute. A picture of the Prince of Wales with his arm around his daughter Princess Charlotte was posted to X following the presentation of the trophy, with the caption 'champions of Europe'. The pair congratulated the team in a short statement, saying: 'What a game! Lionesses, you are the champions of Europe and we couldn't be prouder of the whole team. Enjoy this moment England.' The statement was the first message Charlotte has personally signed on the Prince and Princess of Wales's X account. William was spotted in the stands applauding and celebrating with those around him – including Princess Charlotte. As the presentation ceremony took place, the Prince of Wales was among those to congratulate star striker Michelle Agyemang on being named young player of the tournament, appearing to say 'well played, fantastic, well done'. Agyemang, 19, who had one England cap before the tournament, scored crucial equalisers in the Lionesses' quarter-final and semi-final comebacks. There was non-stop applause in her home town of South Ockendon, Essex, as fans saw the Arsenal forward step through a guard of honour to pick up her award. Supporters at her old club Brandon Groves AFC danced a conga line to the sounds of Vindaloo after England's victory. The club's vice-chairwoman, Paula Howes, said Agyemang will help give youngsters the 'motivation and drive' to progress from grassroots football to the top of the game. The National Autistic Society congratulated their ambassador Lucy Bronze on the Lionesses' victory, adding: 'We hope she has inspired the next generation of autistic girls to follow their dreams.' Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy also gave her reaction to the win, saying: 'What an absolutely extraordinary achievement by our Lionesses – once again they have made history and united the country with pride and joy.' England's path to this year's final was marked by late drama. They sealed their spot with a last-gasp extra-time win over Italy, following a penalty shootout victory against Sweden in the quarter-finals after nearly crashing out in extra time. Fans can attend the homecoming celebrations in London for free and it will be broadcast live on BBC, ITV, and Sky. It is understood Downing Street has no plans for a bank holiday to mark the Lionesses' triumph.
Skift
7 minutes ago
- Skift
Sri Lanka Bets on Visa Fee Waiver for 40 Nations to Hit 3 Million Tourists
First things first: Sri Lanka isn't going visa‑free, it's just scrapping the fee. Free visas could help close the gap for Sri Lanka, but the country needs a consistent campaign and a story that goes beyond price. Sri Lanka is finally moving closer to extend free visas for visitors from 40 countries, including the seven that already enjoy visa fee waiver and 33 newly-added markets. Tourism Minister Vijitha Herath said Friday that tourists from countries including the U.S., UK, Canada, Germany, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Australia will soon be able to enter the island without paying visa fees. The move, he said, aims to attract more tourists, cut red tape, and send a message that Sri Lanka is open for business. Herath acknowledged the waiver could cost the government about $66 million in visa fees but said the broader economic gains from higher tourist arrivals would more than make up for it. But before the plan can go live, it needs clearance from the Attorney General's office. Industry stakeholders told Skift they expect that approval to be quick and straightforward. Skift has also reached out to Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority for comment. The Visa Fee Waiver The visa fee waiver expands on a smaller program rolled out in March 2023 that offered free 30-day visas on arrival for seven countries, including India, China, and Russia, provided travelers applied for electronic travel authorization in advance. Until now, most tourists outside South Asia have paid $50-$60 for a short stay visa. It's not yet clear whether travelers from the 33 newly-included countries will need an electronic travel authorization. Sri Lanka ha set an ambitious goal of attracting 3 million visitors and earning $5 billion in tourism revenue in 2025. That's a sharp rise from 2.05 million tourists and roughly $3 billion in 2024. 'The initiative is a strong step forward in making Sri Lanka more accessible and competitive as a destination,' said Amrit Rajarathnam, Managing Director of hospitality company Island Life, Sri Lanka. 'While it may not fully close the gap to the 3 million visitor target for 2025, it's expected to generate a meaningful boost in arrivals. Globally, the current trend in tourism-driven countries is to adapt the visa-free format.' What More Is Needed to Boost Arrivals? While industry leaders support the visa fee waiver, they warn it cannot stand alone. 'For most visitors, what truly matters is an efficient online visa process, which Sri Lanka already offers,' said Malik J. Fernando, chairman of the Sri Lanka Tourism Alliance. 'The visa initiative should not serve as a smokescreen for the ongoing absence of a coherent international marketing campaign. Despite repeated proclamations, no meaningful effort has materialized, even though funds have long been available.' Fernando said cutting visa costs is not enough to solve deeper problems in the sector. The failure to properly position Sri Lanka is doing 'real harm' he said. 'It contributes to depressed room rates across all categories of accommodation and deters foreign direct investment, which remains significantly below that of regional competitors due to weak margins. Ask any hotelier.' He also dismissed comparisons to high-volume tourist destinations. 'If a traveler chooses Sri Lanka primarily because of a waived visa fee, that reflects a deeper failure: we haven't communicated why the destination is truly special. The decision to visit should be inspired by the country's extraordinary offerings, not driven by a minor cost saving.' A Full Visitor Experience In March, the Sri Lanka Tourism Promotion Bureau (SLTPB) launched a new promotional campaign: Sri Lanka, A Story for Every Season. The campaign aimed to address seasonality and position the country as a year-round destination. The government hosted 12 travel influencers from India, the U.K., Hong Kong, Australia, and Portugal in Colombo. SLTPB Chairman Buddhika Hewawasam acknowledged the uphill task ahead, emphasizing the need for international collaboration and long-term strategy. He also pointed to the potential of digital influencers to shape global perception of Sri Lanka. The campaign aims to generate $110,000 worth of media exposure and engage a wide variety of travel segments. But for industry insiders, that's not enough. While the visa fee waiver removes an important barrier, lasting growth will depend on how well Sri Lanka invests in the full visitor experience, Island Life's Rajarathnam said. 'We need to improve both how we promote Sri Lanka and how travellers experience it. That means focused marketing in key markets, better transport between regions, consistent, high-quality service across the country and support for experience-driven hospitality. It's about making sure people don't just visit – but want to come back.' Tourism Numbers So Far… So far, the tourism arrival in the country has been uneven. As of July 23, Sri Lanka recorded 1.3 million tourist arrivals for the year, a 4% increase compared to the same period in 2024. But July's numbers, which were expected to be strong due to the Kandy Esala Perahera festival, fell short as only 145,188 arrivals were logged in the first 23 days of the month. This was far below the expected 277,195. 'The decline in arrivals during June and July is unsurprising,' said Fernando. 'These months have traditionally been seen as off-season. Without a consistent marketing campaign that establishes Sri Lanka as a year-round destination, such dips in visitation are inevitable.' To reach the annual target, Sri Lanka now needs to attract nearly 1.7 million additional tourists before the end of the year. That would require more than 281,000 monthly arrivals—well above the current average. Since January's peak of 252,761 visitors, monthly arrivals have steadily declined, with June posting just 138,241. India continues to lead as the top source market with 269,780 visitors so far this year, followed by U.K. and Russia. As Fernando put it, 'Sri Lanka remains an extraordinary destination… but it continues to undersell itself due to weak, fragmented communication. This must change if we are to realise the country's full potential.'
CNET
7 minutes ago
- CNET
Stop Waiting Weeks--Renew Your Passport Online in Record Time
If you're heading out of the country anytime soon, make sure your passport's up to date. While Real ID works for domestic travel, you'll still need a valid passport to go abroad—and now there's a much easier way to renew it. As of September 2024, eligible US travelers can skip the paperwork and renew online instead. The new system cuts routine processing time to just four to six weeks, making it faster and more convenient than ever. Anyone who has an expired US passport that was issued in the last 15 years can now renew it online. The State Department estimates that the online application will take about 40 minutes, but if you have all your documents and payment information together, you can probably complete it in half that time. The big catch is that you'll need a MyTravelGov account to apply online -- we'll explain more below. Learn everything you need to know about the new online US passport renewals system, including who is eligible and how you can apply. How can I renew my US passport online? Most US citizens currently renew their passports by printing and filling out form DS-82, then mailing that form with a new passport photo and a renewal fee in the form of a check or money order. The online passport renewal system instead uses a website form and a payment system that allows credit cards, debit cards or online ACH transfers. Renewing your passport online doesn't mean that you'll receive it any sooner than usual, though. The State Department is sticking to its "routine service" for passport renewals, whether they're online or by mail. That means you'll receive your new passport in four to six weeks, no matter how you apply. If you need your passport sooner than that, you'll need to apply by mail and pay $60 more for expedited service. Who is eligible to review a US passport online? The most important qualifying factors for renewing your passport online are: You are at least 25 years old. You live in the US (state or territory). Your current passport is or was valid for 10 years. Your current passport must be at least 9 years old and have been issued within the last 15 years (2009-2015). You still have your existing passport and it's not mutilated or damaged. Along with the main eligibility requirements, the State Department provides a list of further restrictions for online renewal: You can only renew regular passports online, not "special issuance" passports (like diplomatic, official or service passports). You cannot change your name, gender, place of birth or date of birth from your previous passport. You must be able to pay for online renewal using a credit card, a debit card or ACH transfer. You must be able to upload a new passport photo. You cannot travel internationally for eight weeks after submitting your online renewal application. That last restriction is important because your existing passport, if still valid, will be immediately canceled as soon as your online renewal application is accepted. If you don't meet the eligibility requirements for renewing your passport online, you'll need to renew by mail or in person at a passport agency. Here are the steps for renewing your US passport online Before you can apply for an online passport renewal, you'll need to create a MyTravelGov account, which uses the government's system. If you don't already have a account, you can visit the MyTravelGov website, click on the blue Sign In button in the top-right corner, then click Create an account. You'll then need to enter an email address and your choice of language: is available in English, Spanish and French. After submitting your email address, you'll need to verify it by clicking on a link in an email message from after which you'll choose a password and preferred form of multifactor authentication. You'll then need to provide personal information for the account, at minimum your first and last name. Once you're finished, you should be able to access the online passport renewal page. Hit the blue Start button at the bottom of the page to begin the application. The State Department estimates that the online application process will take about 40 minutes. To begin the application for online passport renewal, you'll need the following items: Your existing US passport. A digital passport photo. Payment -- credit card, debit card or your bank's routing and account numbers for ACH transfer. In the first part of the application, you'll enter information about your current passport, your legal name and whether you want a passport book, passport card or both. Next you'll upload your digital passport photo, and then finally your payment information. MyTravelGov will send you two email verifications after you submit your renewal application: The first will confirm your pending payment, and the second will confirm that the payment has been received. One week after you apply, you can sign up for email updates about your passport using the State Department's online passport status system. You should expect to receive your new passport in the mail within six to eight weeks. The type of passport -- book or card -- that you renew depends on what you currently hold. MyTravelGov/CNET Can I also renew my US passport card online? Passport cards are objects that look much like US driver's licenses and can be kept in your wallet. They allow for travel from the US by land or sea to Canada, Mexico or Caribbean countries. They are not valid for any international air travel. You can renew both passport books and cards online. Basically, you can renew whichever US passport document that you currently hold. If you have an old passport book and passport card, you can renew both at the same time. If you have one or the other, you can only renew that specific document.
