It's Not Just Tokyo and Kyoto: Tourists Descend on Rural Japan
The vacationers, mostly foreigners, often trampled private land, prompting the town to install cameras that trigger a warning in multiple languages and snap photos of intruders. But the tourists kept coming, with buses of them jamming the streets. On one stretch of road, traffic often halted as visitors stopped for shots of a particularly photogenic row of white birch trees.
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Miami Herald
2 hours ago
- Miami Herald
Visitors to the U.S. on business and tourist visas may have to pay $15,000 bonds
Some international visitors to the United States might be required to pay up to $15,000 deposits as part of a new visa bond pilot program announced by the State Department this week in a document published in the Federal Register. The pilot program is another strategy the Trump administration is utilizing to crack down on illegal immigration and is meant to discourage the number of visitors who overstay their visas. The State Department said in the filing that those who overstay their visas pose a national security threat to the U.S. The program is being formed as part of the enforcement of a January executive order in which President Donald Trump declared there was an invasion by illegal immigration through U.S. borders. The consular officers in the respective U.S embassies will determine the amount of the bond during the issuance of the visa. Travelers will have to post the assigned bond amount before they are issued a single-entry visa, which will be valid for three months. Travelers with visa bonds would also be limited to traveling in and out of pre-selected airports. The list of airports has yet to be announced. The administration said 500,000 people overstayed their visas in 2023, based on data from the Department of Homeland Security. The pilot bond program will focus on those countries that the administration has identified as having high visa overstays. The program is limited to only B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas. It does not affect students applying for F-1 student visas. The full list of countries has yet to be announced. A State Department spokesperson said business and tourist visitors from Malawi and Zambia who are eligible for the B-1/B-2 visas will have to post bonds starting Aug. 20. According to Homeland Security's 2023 fiscal year visa overstay data, Malawi had a total visa overstay rate of 14% from 1,655 visitors, and Zambia had 11% from 3,493 visitors. The complete list of countries will be published when the program takes effect. This new program comes as South Florida airports saw a decline in the number of domestic and international travellers compared to the previous year. Dan Linblade, the president and CEO of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, which represents more than 1,250 companies, said in a statement that international business and tourism were vital to the economy and the new bond pilot program is a 'disincentive to travel from abroad.' 'We are concerned of the potential negative impact on international tourism at a time when we see declining numbers related to foreign travel,' said Lindblade. 'If the State Department's focus is only targeted to bad players then the impact will be smaller.' The Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, which covers the Sixth District of the Federal Reserve, including Florida, reported in July that group bookings from international travel to the U.S from Canada, Asia, and Europe continued to slow, but there was some growth in overall travel and tourism. In the filing this week, the Department of State said that after reviewing reports going back as far as 2000, when the Immigration and Naturalization Service Data Management Improvement Act was introduced, the reports of entry and exits of nonimmigrant visa holders to the U.S. who overstayed their visas show that thousands of visitors failed to depart by their visa terms. The first Trump administration had tried to initiate a six-month visa-bond pilot program in November 2020. The program was to 'serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to take all appropriate actions to ensure their nationals timely depart the United States after making temporary visits.' It was to run from December 2020 through June 2021. The State Department scrapped the pilot program due to the reduction of global travel because of COVID-19. 'Data collected during the Pilot may also be used to determine the effectiveness of visa bonds at reducing overstays, evaluate concerns about insufficient identity verification, and the extent to which visa bonds may deter otherwise legitimate B-1 and B-2 visa applicants from traveling to the United States,' the State Department said. The bond program will run until August 2026, and the countries on the list will continually be updated over the year. Visitors with bonds will have to file for a refund within 30 days of their departure from the United States. Failure to do so results risks forfeiting the deposits.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Egypt sets opening of $1 bn Pyramids museum for Nov 1
Egypt said on Wednesday that its much-anticipated new $1-billion archaeological museum near the Pyramids of Giza will officially open on November 1 after several delays. Authorities hope that the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which boasts the treasures of Tutankhamun among its collection of more than 100,000 ancient Egyptian artefacts, will attract visitors from around the world. Official say that at 50 hectares (124 acres), the museum will be the largest in the world dedicated to a single civilisation. Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly told a cabinet meeting that President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi had approved the new opening date. He said the opening would "an exceptional event" that would showcase Egypt's cultural heritage and attract visitors from around the world. It had been set for July 3 but was postponed when Israel attacked Iranian nuclear facilities on June 13 sparking a 12-day war that closed airspace across much of the Middle East. The project has faced a series of setbacks, including political unrest and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic. Authorities anticipate that the museum will draw five million visitors per year in a major boost to the tourism industry, which is a key foreign exchange earner for Egypt. maf/kir
Buzz Feed
3 hours ago
- Buzz Feed
35 Ultra-Handy Things That You'll Want To Pack For Every Trip From Here On Out
A refillable soap dispenser that turns almost any disposable water bottle into a portable sink. This'll be super helpful at playgrounds, gas stations, or other places where hand sanitizer is simply not enough. A luggage strap to hold extra essentials — like that jacket you really only needed for the first couple hours of the day. Just clip on the heavy-duty carabiner and suddenly gain an extra hand while traveling. So simple, so reliable, so genius! A pair of spill-proof Munchkin snack catchers so food can actually make it into your toddler's mouth instead of, say, the car floor. The BPA-free, dishwasher-safe cups have handles and soft flaps that allow for easy grabbing. A set of Tide sink packs if you're adamant about only bringing a carry-on but also adamant about not wearing dirty socks. Now you can wash your clothes in the hotel sink and avoid wasting valuable vacation time at the laundromat. A *foldable* wide-brim hat because aren't you sick of having to buy a new one on every vacation? This paper straw fedora rolls up neatly, so you can bring it on all your future warm-weather adventures. A hair tie keychain that fits up to three elastics and takes up exactly zero bag space because you can clip it anywhere. Bon voyage, annoying indents on your wrists! A set of bendy small containers perfect for face creams, pills, or any other small items. They're easy to clean at the end of your trip, so you can use them over and over. Or some splurge-worthy Cadence Capsules, which stick together magnetically to create tidy, easy-to-pack honeycombs or towers. They're leakproof, sturdy, and come with labels, so you can pack your various skincare goos or tiny items like vitamins and jewelry. Orrr travel bottles with built-in pumps for an elevated showering experience. They come in a grippy travel case to keep them secure. Your fancy shampoo and conditioner deserve nothing less. OR! If you're packing full-sized toiletries (fancy), LeakLocks Toiletry Skins you can pull over the tops of your bottles just like a— never mind. Like that thing we're not thinking about, these will protect your luggage from unwanted spills. A convertible duffel bag with a garment bag lining so you can carefully pack your nice dress or suit without *shudder* having to fold it. You don't have to lug around a separate garment bag *or* arrive at your next wedding in wrinkly finery — you're welcome! A children's camera that beats taking pics on your phone: It's lightweight, adorable, has 15 photo frames, and boasts filters that put Instagram to shame. Amazon didn't have good review pictures, so I beg you to watch the TikTok. A viral "Soft" perfume in a convenient rollerball style so you can still smell good, even if your carry-on bag doesn't have room for an entire fragrance bottle. Reviewers compare this $10 scent to caramel, lemon cupcakes, warm vanilla scones, and cotton candy. A pack of Neutrogena makeup remover towelettes sooo much easier to pack than a giant bottle of cleanser. They're compact and won't leak all over your stuff, so you might as well throw a bunch in every bag. A crossbody bag designed to keep your water bottle upright and in arm's reach while you're out exploring. And don't worry about having to bring another bag: There's also a front zippered pocket to hold all your nonhydrating stuff. A teeny-tiny razor for travelers who like to shave on the move. The kit comes with an extra five-blade razor and a travel case. Anti-pickpocketing clips to keep your zippers in place and immune to sticky fingers. You'll still have to be alert, but maybe you can now stop hugging your backpack like a baby while you waddle through town. A pair of quick-dry water shoes that pack flat in case there's a body of water near your next walking trail. These are also great for when the beach has more rocks than sand. A travel-sized Bounce wrinkle release spray to freshen up clothing after it spent a few hours jammed in your suitcase. The 3-in-1 formula straightens out wrinkles, deodorizes, and removes static with just a few spritzes. More than a hotel iron could do, thank you. A Cincha travel belt so you can take a load off your tired shoulders. The Shark Tank-famous strap attaches your tote, backpack, or weekender to the top of your wheeled suitcase. Unlike a run-of-the-mill belt, this one has an elastic slip that fits securely around most trolley handles, so it won't slip as you run to catch your flight. A satin-lined Hairbrella that'll keep your hair protected from rain, humidity, and anything else that's out to ruin your perfect hairdo. When the sun reemerges, the Hairbrella folds up neatly into a pouch small enough to throw in your bag. A 2-in-1 hair tool capable of both curling *and* straightening so you only have to bring one device on your next trip. AND it's dual-voltage so you can bring it abroad. Great hair knows no borders. Or a foldable hair dryer so you can have your most essential hair tool nearby without sacrificing your entire carry-on. Reviewers say this dual-voltage gadget works just as well as the full-sized version. A set of packing cubes that will bring peace and order to your messy luggage. They provide space for enough clothing to last a 14-day vacation! A gel lint roller designed to fit in the palm of your hand, making it easy to throw in a bag for quick refreshes. It's reusable (just wash the lint and fur off), making it way more convenient than a paper roller, too. A bendy pillow capable of contorting itself to meet your ever-changing needs. Neck rest? No prob. Pillow to keep your face off the gross bus window glass? Of course!!! Round pillow to make sleeping on your cousin's floor more bearable? Almost! A cocktail tin with everything you need (syrup, bitters, mixing tools, etc.) to make an amazing drink — just add an airplane bottle, and you're basically an in-flight bartender. An LED neck reading light to illuminate your current vacation read without bothering the sleeping people around you, whether it's on a plane or in a small hotel room. A roll of aloe wrap infused with aloe vera, green tea, and vitamin E to help soothe and moisturize sunburnt skin and prevent excessive peeling. Just slap these forbidden Fruit Rollups wherever needed and marinate for 20-40 minutes for best results. A school-inspired 4-in-1 makeup pen with everything you need — eyeliner, highlighter, lip liner, and eyebrow filler — so you can free up some space in your bag. A bunch of Sriracha packets to help make the bland airplane food taste sliiiiightly more edible. A digital luggage scale so there are no surprises when it's time to check your bag. Nothing more annoying than having to wear three sweaters and two hats while carrying an extra pair of shoes onto your flight. A wireless transmitter that'll connect your AirPods (or any other wireless headphones) to the headphone jack on the flight so you can get access to the free entertainment without having to use those tinny-sounding earbuds they offer during flights. A set of Sea Bands for anyone still working on getting their sea legs. They apply pressure to a specific acupoint on your wrist, which many reviewers say is the key to a successful, barf-free boat trip. An anti-blister balm to protect your feet while walking on your trip. Sure, new shoes for vacation seem like a good idea, but beware the breaking-in period.
