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Ritz-Carlton's Luminara yacht christened in Barcelona

Ritz-Carlton's Luminara yacht christened in Barcelona

Travel Weekly8 hours ago

With "Bridgerton" star Simone Ashley onboard as godmother, Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection christened its newest ship, Luminara, on Thursday in Barcelona.
Luminara is Ritz-Carlton's third ship and will sail its maiden voyage July 3 from Monte Carlo to Rome.
"It's an extraordinary honor to be named godmother of Luminara -- a yacht that represents the very best of exploration, artistry, and hospitality," Ashley said in a news release.
Luminara will the brand's first ship with Asia itineraries. It accommodates up to 452 guests and has 226 suites, just a couple more than the Ilma.
Onboard, guests will find more than 700 art pieces, including work by Andy Warhol and David Hockney, as well as menus by two James Beard Award-winning chefs: Fabio Trabocchi and Michael Mina.
The ship also newly features Cartier, IWC Schaffhausen and Piaget stores.

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Aussie tourists warned over 'Trump travel tax' as missile threats continue
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Aussie tourists warned over 'Trump travel tax' as missile threats continue

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Pope Leo XIV Blesses Commanders Rival Ahead Of 2025 Season
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Protests Against Overtourism Are Erupting Across Europe—Here's What Travelers Need to Know
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Recently, protests and walkouts have defined some of Europe's most popular cities. Employees at the Louvre Museum in Paris walked off the job, causing it to close. Protestors gathered en masse in Barcelona, cheering and holding signs that said things like 'mass tourism kills the city,' and wielding water guns—the images have become synonymous with the movement against overtourism. In Lisbon, people staged an 'eviction' from a church as a way to highlight the dramatically increased cost of living caused by the short-term rental market that springs up in popular tourist destinations. For travelers who have been planning, saving, and eagerly awaiting their European summer vacations, the demonstrations feel like the opposite of a warm welcome, and they can make a vacation seem like an ethical dilemma. This framework, local versus tourist, is nothing new, though. It's why some people try to draw the distinction between being a "tourist" and a "traveler." 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In addition to increased costs and a decreased ability for locals to enjoy their own cities, overtourism puts an added burden on public infrastructure, which is usually funded by taxes. So, locals end up footing the bill for maintenance of a place they aren't able to enjoy fully because it is too expensive and too crowded to do so. However, locals often get messaging that tourism is good for the local economy, so they should be grateful, in a way. That's not inherently true—oftentimes, multinational corporations are the primary beneficiary of tourism spending, explains Møgelhøj. 'In today's global economy, many tourism and hospitality businesses are owned and run by multinationals,' she said. 'The vast majority of people do not benefit directly from an increase in visitor numbers. However, they may benefit from tourism indirectly through the so-called 'multiplier' effect, which means increased spending in the local economy overall due to tourism.' 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'It is crucial to have an effective destination management organization in place that represents the interests of local people as well as large multinational stakeholders,' Møgelhøj says. "The local government should be part of this, as well as the national government, which has an important role in terms of creating a positive and beneficial tourism policy and strategic framework.' There are examples of efforts like this, even in Spain, where some of the biggest anti-overtourism protests have taken place. 'Today in our most visited cities and resorts, we need measures in place so that we can maintain the balance between a thriving tourism industry and the wellbeing of residents, ensuring that tourism remains a positive force for good for all,' Manuel Butler, director of the Spanish Tourist Office in London, told T+L in a statement. 'Proposed legislation such as Barcelona's clampdown on privately let tourist apartments and ... adjustments to tourist taxes outside of the winter months, reflect Spain's ongoing efforts to build a responsible and sustainable tourism model.' Nastro agrees and says that tourism needs to be a 'a fine balance of supporting the local economy, [and] keeping locals able to operate in their local economy.' A protest banner against mass tourism in the Ciutat Vella (Old City), Barcelona. Making more intentional choices as a traveler not only benefits locals—it also means you're less likely to spend your trip in sweaty crowds and long lines. Here are Møgelhøj' and Nastro's tips for thoughtfully vacationing in ways that won't contribute to (or be ruined by) overtourism. 'Stay away from any protests and demonstrations so as not to aggravate the situation,' Møgelhøj said. "In general, walk or cycle around and take the opportunity to explore the lesser-known areas of any destination that you visit," Møgelhøj said. "The most memorable experiences tend to be least planned and unexpected." This one is pretty self-explanatory, but being courteous and respectful of local culture and customs can go a long way in improving the experience of both tourists and locals. The best way not to be surprised by protests is to keep up with the news in the places you're traveling to. 'First and foremost, be aware if the city you are traveling to has planned or has had protests recently,' Nastro said. '... Follow local news organizations to stay the most up-to-date on when and where they may take place. [That's] going to give you more accurate and timely info than U.S.-based outlets.' It's always a good idea to have some emergency contacts on hand in case things go wrong on your trip—and it's never a bad idea to know where the local U.S. embassy is. Both Nastro and Møgelhøj advise planning trips in the "off season" of your destination. 'Traveling in the shoulder season, or even better, in the off-season, can be a great way to lessen the likelihood of encountering long lines at some of the world's most iconic sites,' Nastro said. If you're planning on visiting a popular attraction, try visiting during less busy times. Or, if you want to visit a popular tourist destination, Nastro recommends staying in a nearby town and making a day trip to the city to see the sights. Perhaps one of the direct and most impactful ways that you can be a "good" traveler is being intentional about where you spend your money. Nastro recommends staying in locally owned and operated hotels, buying from small vendors and artisans, and venturing outside of busy city centers to more rural, off-the-beaten-path destinations.

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