Tag: Life

  • Tech for Good: How Technology is solving The issues related to Society and Environment |

    Technology has a greater capacity than ever to address social and environmental issues in a time when it permeates every part of our lives. Around the world, cutting-edge tech solutions are having a big influence on everything from tackling climate change to expanding access to healthcare. Here are some examples of how technology is being used for social good.

    Fighting Climate Change With AI and big data:

    Big data and artificial intelligence (AI) are completely changing how we think about climate change. These technologies are being used by organizations to evaluate massive environmental data sets, forecast trends, and determine the best ways to cut carbon emissions. AI models are being developed by companies such as Google and IBM to optimize energy usage in buildings and industrial operations, resulting in a large reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

    Clear Energy Innovations:

    The transition to sustainable energy is being driven by technological developments. Advancements in materials and energy storage systems have led to increased efficiency and affordability in solar and wind generating technologies. With their solar panels and battery storage systems, companies like Tesla are setting the standard, empowering individuals and organizations to produce and store sustainable energy while lowering their dependency on fossil fuels.

    Education For All:

    People all over the world may now access learning resources thanks to edtech platforms, which are democratizing education. Offering free or reasonably priced courses, Khan Academy, Coursera, and Duolingo promote lifelong learning and skill development. In order to improve education in disciplines like science and history, immersive learning experiences are also being created using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).

    Enhancing Healthcare Access:

    Access to healthcare is becoming more equitable thanks to telemedicine and mobile health (mHealth) apps, particularly in rural and underdeveloped areas. People who might not otherwise have access to healthcare can now get virtual consultations thanks to platforms like Teladoc and Doctor on Demand. Furthermore, the accuracy and speed of disease identification are being improved by AI-driven diagnostics, allowing for earlier intervention and better health outcomes.

    Dealing with Hunger and Food Waste:

    In order to improve food security and reduce waste, technology is vital. To keep food from going to waste, apps like Too Good To Go and Olio link customers with excess food from grocery shops and restaurants. By maximizing crop yields and resource utilization, precision agriculture—powered by IoT (Internet of Things) devices and drones—helps farmers ensure more effective and sustainable food production.

    In conclusion, technology is becoming an increasingly important tool for resolving environmental and societal problems. With technology developing at an ever-increasing rate, positive change and a sustainable future are within reach. Solving the most important problems facing the world will require embracing and funding these technologies.

  • The most productive puts — and very best instances — to take a safari

    In some African cultures, the mix of rain and sunshine signifies that a leopard and a lioness have given delivery to a cub.  

    I used to be hoping that this was once the case as we traversed Kenya’s Maasai Mara Nationwide Reserve in a four-wheel power jeep in the middle of a sunny downpour.

    Within the seven years that I have been a trip journalist in Africa, the sport power revel in has at all times been considered one of my favorites.  Flora and fauna is Africa’s treasure, and vacationers enjoy looking at the animals — specifically the cats — of their herbal habitats.

    Commute journalist Harriet Akinyi watches a herd of elephants in a recreation power at Mugie Conservancy, Kenya.

    Supply: Harriet Akinyi

    There are 10 nations in Africa that experience a robust flora and fauna center of attention: Kenya (my motherland), Tanzania, South Africa, Uganda, Mozambique, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Namibia and Rwanda.

    Listed below are highlights that I like to recommend.

    Kenya

    For greater than 25 years, skilled safari information Geoff Mayes has taken vacationers to the most efficient parks in Africa. He believes that many select Kenya — and particularly, Maasai Mara — for his or her first travel to Africa as a result of it is protected and rather obtainable.

    Referred to as probably the most 8 wonders of the realm on account of the wildebeest migration, Masaai Mara is considered one of Africa’s most famous parks, mentioned trip journalist Harriet Akinyi.

    Wldavies | E+ | Getty Pictures

    “It is more uncomplicated to catch flights to Kenya, making it prime on peoples’ bucket checklist,” he mentioned. “Additionally a recreation power revel in in Kenya will have the ability to meet the vacationers’ expectancies with regards to catching ‘the Giant 5.’”

    Lower than an hour flight from the capital town of Nairobi is Nairobi Nationwide Park, the place there is a just right likelihood of seeing lions and rhinos, he mentioned.  

    And “if you happen to come to the Maasai Mara, you’ll be able to see the elephants and leopards and lions,” he defined as we drove via it.

    In overall, Kenya has 25 nationwide parks and 16 nationwide recreation reserves with numerous inner most conservancies, that are smaller, private-owned flora and fauna reserves.

    Amboseli Nationwide Park, a UNESCO Global Heritage Web page, is understood for its large elephant inhabitants and impressive perspectives of Mount Kilimanjaro.

    Harriet Akinyi having a bush breakfast with a view of the rhinos after a recreation power in Solio Conservancy in Kenya.

    Supply: Harriet Akinyi

    Tsavo Nationwide Park, Kenya’s largest park, is likely one of the global’s biggest recreation sanctuaries. It was once highlighted through President Barack Obama within the five-part Netflix docuseries “Our Nice Nationwide Parks.”

    South Africa

    Kenya isn’t the one nation the place I have long gone on recreation drives.

    South Africa is some other and is house to one of the vital oldest and maximum iconic nationwide parks in Africa. It is a year-round safari vacation spot, however the most efficient game-viewing prerequisites are within the cooler iciness months from Would possibly to September.

    A recreation power at Kruger Nationwide Park, South Africa.

    Luis Davilla | Photodisc | Getty Pictures

    There are 20 nationwide parks, together with the world-famous Kruger Nationwide Park — which has Africa’s “Giant 5” recreation animals: lions, leopards, elephants, rhino and buffaloes.

    There is additionally Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, close to the border of Botswana, and Pilanesberg Nationwide Park. The latter is set 150 kilometers (93 miles) from Johannesburg. It is smaller than Kruger, however wealthy in flora and fauna — and, fascinatingly, it is within the crater of an historical volcano believed to be some 1.2 billion years outdated.

    Any other spotlight, Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park, has the “Giant 5” in addition to a thriving inhabitants of African wild canines.

    I have additionally been to Addo — the largest park within the Jap Cape and third-largest in South Africa — which is known for its elephants. Consistent with Ncediso Headman Nogaya, a recreation guard at Addo, October to April is the most efficient time to discuss with.

    “We’re much more likely to obtain rains from Would possibly to September and whilst the season is excellent as it offers meals to the flora and fauna … it may well be a slippery power and muddy,” he famous.

    Uganda

    Uganda is understood for its various flora and fauna and surprising landscapes in its 10 nationwide parks and 12 recreation reserves. Of the nationwide parks, seven are situated on savannahs and 3 in forests. In the ones 3, one can monitor mountain gorillas in Mgahinga Nationwide Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Nationwide Park.

    Round 1,000 mountain gorillas exist nowadays, greater than part which are living in Uganda, in keeping with the Uganda Flora and fauna Authority.

    Jason Edwards | Photodisc | Getty Pictures

    My favourite recollections at Queen Elizabeth Nationwide Park are of monitoring chimpanzees in Kyambura Gorge, looking at tree-climbing lions and a herd of elephants strolling majestically at the plains, and looking at buffaloes, warthogs, hippos and Nile crocodiles whilst cruising the Kazinga Channel.  

    Any other park to believe is the Kidepo Valley Nationwide Park, with its sweeping plains and valleys overshadowed through the brooding Mount Morungole. The mountain is sacred to the Ik tribe, probably the most smallest tribes in Uganda. The park ranks one of the best birding safari locations within the nation too.

    I beloved my recreation power revel in at Lake Mburo Nationwide Park, even supposing it is probably the most smallest nationwide parks within the nation.

    It is the best park the place vacationers can experience boat cruises, strolling safaris and horseback using, excursion operator Dennis Kahungu instructed CNBC Commute.

    A bunch of huge horn Ankole Livestock in Lake Mburo Nationwide Park, Uganda.

    Christopher Kidd | Photodisc | Getty Pictures

    Plus “it is the best nationwide park in Uganda with the impalas,” he mentioned. “It is usually the place you are going to to find the large horned Ankole cows.”

    Rwanda

    Positioned in jap Rwanda, Akagera Nationwide Park is a safe wetland and the closing final safe haven for savannah-adapted species in Rwanda. Park guests can take boat safaris alongside Lake Ilhema, the second one biggest lake in Rwanda, for flora and fauna and birdwatching.

    Weaver birds and nests over Lake Ihema, Rwanda.

    Inti St. Clair | Photodisc | Getty Pictures

    Vacationers on the lookout for mountain gorillas normally cross to Volcanoes Nationwide Park within the northern a part of the rustic. It is usually house to golden monkeys, and smartly looked for mountain climbing and mountain mountain climbing.

    Not too long ago inscribed at the UNESCO Global Heritage Checklist, Nyungwe Nationwide Park is some other section to discover and is located in southwest Rwanda and is understood for its chimpanzees and colobus monkeys. It is usually fashionable for cover walks on a suspended bridge some 70 meters (230 ft) above the wooded area flooring.

    Whilst the parks may also be visited all 12 months around, it is best to steer clear of April, as that is when Rwanda normally receives heavy rains.

    Botswana

    Botswana is a fast-emerging ecotourism vacation spot — guests are attracted to the huge elephant herds of Chobe Nationwide Park and the canoe-based flora and fauna safaris within the Okavango Delta.

    A herd of elephants at Chobe Nationwide Park, Botswana.

    Williececogo | Second | Getty Pictures

    One too can see the “Giant 5” at Moremi Nature Reserve, Nxai Pan Nationwide Park, Makgadikgadi Pans Nationwide Park in addition to Central Kalahari Sport Reserve.

    Tanzania

    In Tanzania, I visited the long-lasting UNESCO-listed Serengeti Nationwide Park, which competitors Kenya for probably the most very best flora and fauna stories in Africa.

    Vacationers watch a herd of wildebeest from a Land Rover within the Serengeti Nationwide Park, Tanzania.

    Patrick J. Endres | Corbis Documentary | Getty Pictures

    My first time there was once throughout the calving season when the wildebeests and the zebras give delivery on their option to Kenya throughout the Nice Migration.

    Any other surprise is the Ngorongoro Crater, probably the most biggest calderas on this planet.

    Some believe it probably the most very best puts to move on safari in Africa.

    Zimbabwe

    Excluding the famend Hwange Nationwide Park, I’ve additionally visited Matobo Nationwide Park, which has a large variety of fauna and a number of white rhinos. The realm round Matobo Hills is house to the stays of early settlements and the graves of historic figures like Cecil Rhodes.

    The rock formation in Matobo Nationwide Park in Zimbabwe, Africa, which is house to the grave of Cecil Rhodes.

    Westend61 | Getty Pictures

    The most productive time to discuss with the parks is throughout the dry season, from June to October. That is when the bush is thinner — making flora and fauna more uncomplicated to identify.

    Mayes mentioned the most efficient time for safaris in Kenya and Tanzania is, after all, throughout the migration season. However he recommends visiting Zimbabwe and Zambia from July to October.

    In different portions of the continent, months like February, June and September may also be very rewarding too.

    “The flora and fauna is improbable and there are fewer automobiles round,” he mentioned. “And you’ll steadily have the benefit of a off-season worth construction which after all is at all times great.”

  • Revenge shuttle is over — even in China, says CEO of InterContinental Inns Crew

    Pent-up shuttle call for — which drove international shuttle restoration following the Covid-19 pandemic — is over, stated Intercontinental Inns Crew CEO Elie Maalouf.

    “Other people began touring actually through the top of 2020 as restrictions began to raise,” he stated. “So we are actually previous revenge shuttle — even in China.”

    The corporate’s newest quarterly replace confirmed shuttle call for remained sturdy right through the shut of the summer season shuttle season.

    “We predict we are in a sustainable position,” Maalouf stated. “Our bookings for teams and conferences going into 2024 and past are the most powerful we have noticed in a long time.”

    “We are happy with the call for that we are seeing from vacationers … and hope it continues,” he added.

    IHG’s 3rd quarter buying and selling replace, which printed Friday, confirmed the corporate’s earnings according to to be had room — or “revpar” — used to be up 10.5% in comparison to 3rd quarter 2022, and just about 13% upper in comparison to the 3rd quarter of 2019, which used to be sooner than the pandemic.

    That is regardless of a three% drop in revpar, in comparison to 2019, in massive towns in Higher China, which can be extra depending on global vacationers.

    Maalouf informed CNBC that loss of “airlift,” or flight capability, into China is underneath 50% of prepandemic ranges, which is affecting shuttle restoration in towns like Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen.

    “However for those who take a look at the rustic as a complete, shuttle — which is most commonly home in China — it is recovered smartly above 2019,” he stated, including that greater than 80% of IHG’s trade in China is in mid-sized to smaller towns.

    Room charges and international enlargement

    Occupancy ranges within the 3rd quarter at IHG accommodations used to be 72% — simply 1% shy of pre-pandemic ranges, in step with the quarterly replace. However moderate room charges have jumped smartly above 2019 ranges — up just about 6% in Higher China, 15% within the Americas, and 24% in Europe, Heart East, and Africa (EMEA) and Asia.

    However emerging charges are slightly maintaining with inflation, stated Maalouf.

    “Room charges have now not actually exceeded inflation in any of our markets,” he stated. “I believe folks’s willingness to shuttle is exhibited through the truth they are prepared to pay.”

    IHG opened 50 accommodations — with some 7,700 rooms — from July to September, with a internet device enlargement of four.7% year-on-year — this comprises the corporate’s strategic alliance with the Spanish-owned Iberostar Inns & Inns, in step with the buying and selling replace.

    Our regional headquarters for the Heart East is in Dubai — and it is staying in Dubai.

    Elie Maalouf

    CEO of Intercontinental Inns Crew

    The corporate recently operates greater than 6,200 accommodations international and has some other 1,978 within the pipeline.

    “We are seeing enlargement actually throughout all of our manufacturers, throughout all of our companies and throughout all of our areas,” he stated. However “the inhabitants of the center magnificence and GDP enlargement is moving extra east … Southeast Asia, Central Asia, China. That is why we are very dedicated to this area.”  

    Maalouf additionally addressed the release of Garner — IHG’s latest emblem which is ready to be priced less than Vacation Inn Categorical — the corporate’s greatest emblem with 3,131 accommodations international as of Sept. 30.

    “In the USA, there are about 9,000 accommodations that we expect are interested by becoming a member of a device. Now not that we will have 9,000 accommodations becoming a member of us, however we expect a robust share will.”

    Maalouf stated the primary Garner accommodations will most likely open through year-end in the USA.

    Tracking the Heart East

    The CEO disputed experiences that IHG is setting up a Heart East regional headquarters in Saudi Arabia.

    “Our regional headquarters for the Heart East is in Dubai — and it is staying in Dubai,” he informed CNBC.

    He stated the corporate lately opened an workplace in Riyadh, reflecting its plans to enlarge within the Kingdom. IHG operates 40 accommodations in Saudi Arabia — together with InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Vacation Inn, Staybridge Suites and Voco accommodations — with some other 36 accommodations within the construction pipeline.

    The Israel-Hamas struggle may complicate bold tourism targets in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, however Maalouf stated IHG hasn’t modified its long-term plans within the area.

    “It is actually heartbreaking, tragic, distressing to peer the lack of lifestyles that is happening, and we are hoping that there is a very fast finish of the hostilities,” he stated.

    “We are tracking the location very carefully. However we have additionally been within the area for generations, and we stay up for staying engaged.”       

  • Netflix benefit beats expectancies, ad-tier subscriptions upward push

    Thomas Trutschel | Photothek | Getty Photographs

    LOS ANGELES — Netflix reported a spice up in subscriber enlargement pushed by way of a password-sharing crackdown efforts and hobby in its new ad-supported tier.

    The streaming massive stated after the marketplace closed Wednesday that it had added 8.76 million world subscribers right through the 3rd quarter, upper than 5.49 million Wall Side road had anticipated, in keeping with estimates from Side road Account. It is the greatest quarterly web upload overall for the corporate because it added 10.1 million subscribers in the second one quarter of 2020 – when Covid restrictions saved folks house.

    Listed here are the consequences:

    Profits: $3.73 vs $3.49 according to proportion anticipated, in keeping with LSEG, previously referred to as RefinitivRevenue: $8.54 billion vs $8.54 billion anticipated, in keeping with LSEGTotal memberships anticipated: 247.15 million vs. 243.88 million anticipated, in keeping with Side road Account

    Netflix stated that its advert plan club grew just about 70% quarter over quarter, even though it didn’t reveal what proportion of its base is subscribed to this tier.

    Earnings within the 3rd quarter rose to $8.54 billion from $7.93 billion a 12 months previous. Internet source of revenue got here in at $1.68 billion, or $3.73 according to proportion, when compared with $1.4 billion, or $3.10 according to proportion.

    The effects have been the newest affirmation that Netflix regulations the streaming international, as its would-be competitors scratch and claw to turn out to be successful.

    Jim Cramer’s Making an investment Membership stocks what traders will have to concentrate for in an organization’s profits name

    The corporate’s dominance presentations in its pricing energy. Netflix stated it’s maintaining its advert tier pricing at at $6.99 a month within the U.S. whilst its elementary and top rate services and products will see a value hike beginning Wednesday. Netflix’s elementary plan will now value $11.99 (up from $9.99) and top rate will probably be $22.99 a month (up from $19.99). Netflix’s same old plan will stay at $15.49 a month.

    The cost will increase come as the corporate seeks to reinforce its profitability and grapple with upper manufacturing prices.

    Learn extra: Netflix is leaning extra into sports activities programming

    As a part of its new maintain Hollywood’s writers, Netflix, along different individuals of the Alliance of Movement Image and Tv Manufacturers, have agreed to raised wages and fiscal advantages in line with streaming reputation. The AMPTP has but to complete negotiations with hanging actors, however expectancies are that prices for developing content material will upward push when a brand new contract is finalized.

    “We spent hours and hours with SAG-AFTRA over the previous few weeks and we have been in reality very constructive that we have been making growth,” stated co-CEO Ted Sarandos right through the corporate’s taped profits feedback Wednesday. “However then on the very finish of our final consultation in combination the guild offered this new call for on most sensible of the entirety of a according to subscriber levy, unrelated to viewing or good fortune, and this in point of fact broke our momentum sadly.”

    Sarandos famous that Netflix and different individuals of the AMPTP stay dedicated to achieving an settlement with actors. It’s unclear when negotiations will proceed. Talks had been stalled for roughly per week.

    Representatives from SAG-AFTRA didn’t in an instant reply to CNBC’s request for remark.

    The corporate forecast that earnings will bounce 11% within the fourth quarter, achieving $8.69 billion, underneath Wall Side road expectancies of $8.77 billion. Netflix stated it expects web subscriber provides will probably be very similar to the 3rd quarter.

    Inventory Chart IconStock chart icon

    Netflix inventory efficiency this 12 months

    It warned that the power of the U.S. buck in contemporary months will lead to a kind of $200 million drag on fourth-quarter earnings.

    As for Netflix’s profitability, the streamer now expects its full-year 2023 working margin will probably be round 20%, the prime finish of its earlier forecast vary of 18% to twenty%. It additionally stated full-year 2024 will have to see working margins of twenty-two% to 23%.

    The corporate additionally addressed shareholder fear about its government reimbursement type, telling traders that it will make “considerable adjustments” in 2024 to a extra typical type. Repayment will nonetheless be in line with efficiency.

    Sarandos and previous co-CEO Reed Hastings every took house greater than $50 million in 2022. Hastings took maximum of his profits in inventory choices, whilst Sarandos elected to have a $20 million base wage and the remaining in inventory.

    After Greg Peters was once named co-CEO and Hastings stepped down, the corporate set a wage cap of $3 million for executives. On the other hand, they’re nonetheless entitled to an annual goal bonus and extra inventory rewards.

    Do not leave out those CNBC PRO tales:

    Disclosure: Comcast is the mother or father corporate of NBCUniversal and CNBC. NBCUniversal is a member of the AMPTP.

  • Remittances to Mexico close to a document however ‘tremendous peso’ crimps spending energy

    A board shows the trade charges for Mexican Peso and U.S. Greenback in Mexico Town, Mexico March 13, 2023.

    Raquel Cunha | Reuters

    Folks sending a refund to Mexico this yr have confronted a brand new problem: the “tremendous peso.”

    The Mexican foreign money reached the most powerful ranges in opposition to the U.S. greenback in nearly 8 years over the summer season.

    The skyrocketing peso has eroded the buying energy of families in Mexico who depend on remittances from out of the country. The foreign money’s upward push manner each greenback despatched house yielded fewer pesos than prior to.

    Lea este artículo en español aquí.

    Coupled with inflation at house, the purchasing energy of remittances is ready to fall this yr over closing for the primary time in a decade, in line with Gabriela Siller Pagaza, leader economist at Banco Base.

    “What’s really essential for recipients of remittances isn’t the quantity they obtain in greenbacks however the how a lot they may be able to purchase with that during Mexico,” Siller Pagaza stated.

    Within the 365 days led to August, other people despatched greater than $62 billion in remittances to Mexico, in line with Banco Base. Over the similar duration, the peso complicated greater than 15.6% and annual inflation got here in at 4.64%.

    Siller Pagaza estimates that the spending energy of remittances in Mexico will decline 9.9% this yr, the primary drop in a decade and the most important proportion fall in 13 years.

    The peso is down from its highs of lower than 17 pesos consistent with U.S. greenback in July, lately at round 18 pesos consistent with greenback this week. Originally of the yr, every U.S. greenback was once value 19.46 pesos.

    The foreign money’s surge has drawn extra from the wallet of the ones sending U.S greenbacks to Mexico. Folks having a look to ship cash to the rustic from the U.S. have discovered themselves pressured to extend the quantity to check out to maintain.

    As an example, on the peso’s height in July, an individual who sought after to get 1,000 pesos to any individual in Mexico must ship about $60. A yr previous, it took round $49.

    Eric Vasquez, a 44-year-old busboy at a New York Town diner, is a kind of individuals who has needed to build up his contributions for his spouse and 3 youngsters who are living in Mexico Town.

    “Ahead of I used to ship $100,” Vasquez stated out of doors of a cash switch trade within the Corona phase of Queens, New York. “Now I’ve to ship $130, $140 to hide bills.”

    The ones cash transfers come with charges for college for his youngsters, meals and transportation.

    Vasquez stated he has in recent times been sending nearer to $200 every week again house: “The extra my youngsters develop, the extra money I’ve to ship.”

    Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwards

    Purchasing energy of remittances in Mexico

    Banco de Mexico, Grupo Financiero Base

    Melchor Magdaleno, 33, stated for the closing 3 to 4 months, he is been sending $120 a month again to his spouse and 5 youngsters in Tlapa de Comonfort, within the southern Guerrero state of Mexico. He used to ship $100 each two weeks, he stated, however this yr greater the quantity because of the trade charge and better prices in Mexico.

    Mexico’s inflation has eased in fresh months however remains to be up 4.45% at the yr, in line with the most recent learn.

    Dilip Ratha, an economist on the Global Financial institution who specializes in remittances, famous that cash transfers into Mexico have soared in recent times, pushed largely through the robust U.S. economic system.

    Zoom In IconArrows pointing outwards

    However the peso’s appreciation, tied partially to near-shoring of producing from Asia to Mexico and financial energy in each the U.S. and Mexico, may just harm Mexican families that use remittances for family budgets.

    Ratha stated some households may just reduce on sure spending to deal with mounted prices like hire or mortgages.

    “Folks will proceed to ship cash however the truth that economies are slowing, inflation is up, their buying energy is eroding,” stated Ratha. “The welfare results of the location will likely be fairly important.”

    Mexico is the second-largest recipient of remittances international after India. The transfers make up round 4% of the rustic’s gross home product.

    Whilst remittances are most likely to achieve a document once more this yr, the velocity of enlargement will most likely sluggish, economists stated, as senders and recipients grapple with inflation, squeezing family budgets.

    And the affects may well be felt in each the U.S. and Mexico.

    “Mexicans within the U.S. and their kin again house are each dealing with upper inflation, and salary enlargement has no longer stored up in each puts,” Ratha stated. “Intake has to regulate.”

  • A photographer ‘unintentionally’ discovered a method to lend a hand masses of canine get followed

    Rachael Rodgers is a photographer who paperwork her street journeys on Instagram.

    However her go back and forth partners are not members of the family or buddies — they are canine with out everlasting properties.

    Rodgers, who lives within the small hamlet of Exshaw in Alberta, Canada, mentioned she has traveled with masses of canine throughout Canada, plus 3 U.S. states — Washington, Utah and Oregon.

    And it began with an Instagram put up, she mentioned.

    “There used to be no plan for any such venture to start with,” she informed CNBC. “I simply discovered I had extra fans on Instagram than I felt the wish to put up my private footage to, so I made up our minds to volunteer at an area safe haven to take adoptable canine out for footage and put up them as a substitute.”

    I do it as a result of I’ve unintentionally advanced this … skill to modify a canine’s existence.

    Rachael Rodgers

    Photographer

    Her first put up a couple of rescue canine went viral, and he or she’s been photographing dog partners ever since, she mentioned.

    Rodgers works with greater than 20 shelters now, she mentioned, selecting up canine to take them mountain climbing and kayaking at nationwide and provincial parks. Even on her private travels, Rodgers mentioned she makes an effort to volunteer at shelters alongside the best way.

    Paddy, Aurora and Wilma are to be had for adoption, mentioned Rodgers — at Canada’s Claws Animal Rescue, Animal Rescue Basis and Lillian Albon Animal Refuge, respectively.

    Supply: Rachael Rodgers

    She mentioned just about each canine that she has photographed has been followed, except 3: Paddy, Aurora and Wilma, proven above.

    Touring with guy’s best possible pal

    Rodgers’ paintings will also be discovered on her Instagram account @trailsandbears, which showcases masses of canine within the Canadian barren region attractive in actions starting from kayaking in Moraine Lake, Alberta, to mountain mountain climbing within the Yukon, a territory in Canada.

    “I in most cases cross 60 to 90 mins in any course from the place I are living to begin the journey,” she mentioned. “I make a versatile plan in keeping with what knowledge I am getting forward of time concerning the canine.”

    She tries to seize each and every canine’s persona in her pictures, she mentioned. To take action, she mentioned she chooses actions that each and every canine loves to show off its strengths to doable adopters.

    “The canine in most cases experience at the back of my automotive … infrequently they like shotgun,” she mentioned, including that she in most cases posts movies of the canine en course, so other people can see how they reply to automotive rides.

    Rodgers and Feta, a pet from the Whitehorse Humane Society, proportion a second at a abandoned gold mine within the Yukon, Canada. Feta has since been followed.

    Supply: Rachael Rodgers

    “It was once difficult a couple of years in the past to turn up at a [shelter],” she mentioned. “I were given some bizarre seems and plenty of rejections. However the response I am getting at the moment — numerous the time I would not have to provide an explanation for what I might cherish to do.”

    Any individual in most cases acknowledges her from her Instagram web page, she mentioned.

    The desire for higher illustration

    Rodgers informed CNBC Commute that touring with rescue canine will also be difficult, however the wish to constitute them motivates her to stay volunteering.

    Rodgers performs with 3 safe haven canine.

    Supply: Rachael Rodgers

    “I do it as a result of I’ve unintentionally advanced this instrument, target market and talent to modify a canine’s existence, no longer as a result of I love to or wish to,” she mentioned.

    Rodgers mentioned it is vital to turn rescue canine in real-world environments too.

    “You’ll’t pass judgement on a canine in keeping with his or her personality in a safe haven setting — it isn’t a herbal house,” she mentioned. “It is crucial to get them out right into a herbal setting and do issues their adoptive circle of relatives might do with them,” she mentioned.

    For homeowners who wish to go back and forth with canine, she recommends keeping track of a canine’s temper.

    “And provides them psychological well being stops to get out and sniff round to lighten issues up,” she mentioned.

  • ‘They simply come, take a pleasant selfie … and depart.’ Overtourism returns, however towns are preventing again

    From overtourism to no tourism — and again once more.

    Many towns have come complete circle to being concerned about too many vacationers quite than too few.   

    The upward thrust of funds airways, momentary house leases and cruise ships are a part of the issue, stated Lionel Saul, a analysis assistant and visiting lecturer at EHL Hospitality Trade College.

    However social media, on-line influencers, films and tv displays are too, since they power many of us to the similar puts, stated Tatyana Tsukanova, a analysis affiliate on the similar college in Lausanne, Switzerland.

    “They simply come, take a pleasant selfie, submit them on social media, building up the recognition of this position … and depart,” she stated.

    The pool of vacationers is rising. The United Countries estimates the sector inhabitants will achieve 8.5 billion in 2030. And an extra 50 million world vacationer arrivals are anticipated in step with yr — most commonly from Asia — between now and 2030, in step with the U.N.’s International Tourism Group.

    What is being accomplished

    Citizens of the tiny Austrian village of Hallstatt — rumored to be the muse for Disney’s blockbuster “Frozen” franchise — constructed a wall at a well-liked lookout level after tourism hit fever pitch following town’s look in a South Korean tv sequence, stated Tsukanova.

    “They confronted perhaps round 1 million vacationers a yr for … 800 citizens,” she stated.

    However the wall did not ultimate lengthy. After on-line backlash, village officers took it down, stated Tsukanova.

    Indicators prompt guests to stick “Quiet Please!” and a riding barrier was once put in at Hallstatt’s front sooner than the Austrian the city constructed a fence at a well-liked lookout level.

    Reinhard Hormandinger | Afp | Getty Photographs

    Different towns and websites are striking a cap on day by day guests (Machu Picchu in Peru, the Acropolis in Athens, Borobudur in Indonesia, seashores in Sardinia) and limiting massive cruise ships (Venice, Bora Bora).

    However one town is going even additional than that, stated Saul: Amsterdam. 

    Graffiti on a wall within the Spanish town of Malaga. Spain and France attracted extra world guests than some other international locations in 2022.

    Jesus Merida | Sopa Photographs | Lightrocket | Getty Photographs

    Fines and charges

    Some towns are taking purpose at vacationers’ wallets, leveling fines for unhealthy conduct. Venice fines vacationers for eating beverages or meals at the floor, swimming within the canals and strolling round in swimming gear.

    Vacationers who sit down or lie on monuments, bridges, steps or walkways in Venice will also be banned from the world and matter to fines of 100-200 euros ($105-$210).

    Luca Zanon/awakening | Getty Photographs Information | Getty Photographs

    Beginning subsequent yr, town is trialing a brand new tactic: a $5 price for daytrippers.

    New tourism taxes are set to start out in Valencia, Spain; Manchester, England; Thailand; and Iceland, stated Ivan Saprov, founding father of the U.S.-based trip tech corporate Voyagu. Bali, too, will tax vacationers 150,000 rupiah ($10) beginning in February 2024, in step with native stories.

    However charges attached to sustainability are not as laborious a tablet for vacationers to swallow — so long as they’re disclosed, Saprov advised CNBC.

    “After talking with our purchasers, we had been pleasantly shocked by way of the sure comments,” he stated. “Virtually 40% of them are adequate and in want, because the income generated can be utilized to create stress-free amenities and products and services for each vacationers and locals.”

    Beginning in October, vacationers to Miyajima — house to the Itsukushima Shrine, a International Heritage Web page — will have to pay a small tax to assist maintain the Eastern island.

    James Matsumoto| Sopa Photographs | Lightrocket | Getty Photographs

    Some vacationers supported Bhutan’s $200 in step with day Sustainable Building Charge, which was once introduced in 2022. However others known as it elitist. Since then, the rustic has lowered the associated fee two times to draw guests.

    “Discovering the steadiness could be very sophisticated,” stated Saul.

    Financial restrictions are simply part measures, stated Tsukanova, including that analysis displays fines and charges on my own do not save you overtourism. Collaboration — between towns, websites, native companies and citizens — is wanted too, she stated.

    Managing ‘vacationer float’

    The United Countries International Tourism Group secretary-general, Zurab Pololikashvili, advised CNBC Shuttle that the important thing to overcoming overtourism lies in “vacationer float.”   

    “The issue is the control of float of other folks,” he stated, including that new applied sciences can assist.

    The era works by way of tracking crowds and speaking updates to vacationers in actual time, Tsukanova stated. Lidar sensors, a fixture in self sufficient cars, are managing the float of visitors in cities in northern Germany, Saul wrote in a piece of writing printed on EHL Insights.  

    The Ninth-century temple of Borobudur — which not too long ago presented customer obstacles and visiting occasions — is outdoor of Yogyakarta, one in every of Indonesia’s “5 new Balis,” in conjunction with Labuan Bajo, Lake Toba, Mandalika and Likupang.

    Jon Hicks | Stone | Getty Photographs

    To take on crowding with out sacrificing vacationer bucks, some international locations are attractive vacationers to consult with less-traveled spaces.

    Indonesia presented its “10 New Balis” in 2016 — later lowering it to “5 New Balis” — to introduce vacationers to different stunning puts within the nation.

    And Eastern tourism officers are pushing vacationers to consult with the rustic’s rural spaces, the place part of municipalities are liable to vanishing by way of 2040 owing to depopulation, in step with The Japan Instances.

    The usage of tourism for excellent

    Tourism will have to evolve and grow to be regenerative, stated Darrell Wade, co-founder of Intrepid Shuttle.

    “One of the vital issues of tourism this present day is that it’s the reverse of regenerative,” he stated. “It is extractive — and this can not proceed for for much longer.”

    Saul stated his group is learning a regenerative hospitality industry fashion, wherein vacationers assist the communities they consult with.

    Locals protest in opposition to “overtourism” close to town of Hallstatt in northern Austria on Aug. 27, 2023. One of the vital indicators learn, “Guests limitation, reclaim habitat” and “Tourism Sure. Mass tourism No.”

    Reinhard Hoermandinger | Afp | Getty Photographs

    “You do not simply come … consult with after which depart,” he stated.

    He stated vacationers can repair coral reefs, plant plants, or make sure that their cash remains on the native stage by way of opting for smaller inns and family-owned eating places.

    Vacationers additionally wish to trade their mindsets, stated Tsukanova.

    “We’ve the app the place we will rely what number of international locations we visited, what number of share of the to be had floor we coated,” she stated. “Our large problem is to coach other folks [to travel] another way.”

  • Do menopause retreats paintings — and why are other people paying $15,000 for them?

    Stomach dancing, yoga within the wooded area, conventional Chinese language medication and conferences with a nutritionist.

    Those are one of the actions that may be discovered at menopause retreats, a wellness pattern carving a brand new area of interest within the tourism business.

    Menopause retreats are adapted to lend a hand girls navigate the other levels of perimenopause and menopause, and the array of signs that include them — from sizzling flashes and evening sweats to achy joints.

    Wellness retreats are not new, after all, however ever because the pandemic, extra motels are selling menopause-focused holidays — and extra girls are signing up for them.

    “Customers discovered they want to deal with themselves. Their well being is their very own accountability. So as a substitute of simply occurring a spa retreat, other people began occurring very explicit purpose-driven retreats,” Lisa Starr, a spa industry marketing consultant at Wynne Industry Consulting and Schooling informed CNBC Commute.

    Plus, “there is such a lot of girls which are menopausal,” she mentioned.

    It is fairly freeing in reality that abruptly persons are starting to in reality discuss menopause.

    In line with the World Wellness Summit, the menopause marketplace will likely be price $600 billion through 2025, with a couple of billion girls achieving perimenopause between from time to time.

    “Ladies have [gone] to the spa, we were given a facial therapeutic massage, and frame therapies. We mentioned, that is great. However now we wish extra. And I feel this was once sped up through Covid,” mentioned Starr.

    One among them is 53-year-old Emily, who signed up for Combe Grove’s metabolic well being retreat for menopause six weeks in the past in Bathtub, England.

    Emily spent six days at Combe Grove’s manor area property, speaking with a nutritionist, finding out how one can abdominal dance, working towards yoga, and meditating within the woods, along seven different girls. 

    A happiness instructor, trainer and choice practitioner of psychotherapy meditating with a shopper.

    Image Alliance | Image Alliance | Getty Pictures

    “Menopause had came about for me coinciding with Covid and lockdown. That was once an attractive difficult mixture,” Emily, who declined to provide her remaining identify, informed CNBC. 

    “It is fairly freeing in reality that abruptly persons are starting to in reality discuss menopause,” she added. Her retreat, which price round $2,400, additionally incorporated therapies like reflexology and cranial osteopathy.

    Males incorporated?

    Amilla Maldives’ menopause-focused ‘Pause Retreat’ lets in visitors to opt-in for guided reef snorkeling excursions, biking and mixology categories. 5-night applications get started from $8,610 for unmarried rooms. 

    Every other hotel, Ananda within the Himalayas offered an age-related retreat in 2022 that caters to men and women.

    The retreat on the luxurious spa hotel in India, titled the “Rebalance Program,” options conventional Chinese language medication remedies, corresponding to cupping and acupuncture. Nutrition and meditation steerage also are at the playing cards. Costs get started from $990 in line with evening for an access degree deluxe room, and cross as much as $4,250 in line with evening for a two-bedroom villa.

    As girls in midlife, we’re conditioned to deal with everybody else.

    Mahesh Natarajan, the corporate’s COO, mentioned this system has observed a 73% building up in sign-ups in 2023 in comparison to remaining 12 months — most commonly from girls of their mid-40s.

    One visitor signed up for an 11-night program, spending $16,675 for the keep, he mentioned.

    Do menopause retreats lend a hand?

    The hefty worth tags that may include those retreats beg the query — do they paintings? And why are other people keen to shelve out such a lot?

    Visitors can carry again cognitive behavioral ways like meditation, respiring and way of life adjustments that may lend a hand with their signs, mentioned Dr. Heather Hirsch, who makes a speciality of girls’s well being and menopause remedy.

    However the get advantages could also be extra mental, mentioned Hirsch, who constructed the menopause and midlife sanatorium at Boston’s Brigham and Ladies’s Medical institution earlier than founding her personal personal apply.

    “As girls in midlife, we’re conditioned to deal with everybody else. That is what I see as some of the sure facets about those journeys is the theory of self care,” Hirsch mentioned.

    “Other people inquire from me at all times, you recognize, what in regards to the remedy or the masks that they are hanging on? Or the massages that they are getting? Is that going to remaining a life-time? No, possibly now not,” she mentioned.

    Ladies dressed in conventional Maharashtrian Nauvari (9 backyard) sarees acting yoga workout at Gateway of India at the instance of Global Yoga Day in Mumbai.

    Sopa Pictures | Lightrocket | Getty Pictures

    “The only step ahead in celebrating this milestone is spending time and sources on your self,” Hirsch affirmed. “Spending money and time on your self, the place you allow your circle of relatives, and also you cross meet different girls in the similar age bracket, who’re possibly additionally suffering with equivalent kinds of issues. I feel that is fabulous.”

    Menopause can remaining for years, infrequently even longer than a decade. And signs can take a heavy toll, that could be why girls are keen to spend their cash on those retreats.

    “You have got sizzling flashes, you have got mind fatigue, mind fog, and also you do not have power, and you need to do something positive about it,” mentioned Starr, who cautioned towards techniques that come with excessive diets or way of life adjustments.

    “So I feel that that makes other people extra keen to spend, as a result of they really feel they’ll [come back with] abilities to deal with it,” she added.

    A menopause retreat isn’t any “remedy,” she mentioned.

    “No person thinks they’ll cross on a menopause retreat and are available again and now not have menopause, proper?,” she mentioned. “However it’ll train you methods for how one can arrange higher.”

  • Beyonce’s Renaissance Excursion movie will lend a hand fill gaps for gentle December field place of job

    Beyoncé plays onstage all the way through the “RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR”

    Kevin Mazur | Getty Photographs Leisure | Getty Photographs

    Film theaters will change into a Bey Hive this December.

    Sizzling off the heels of a distribution deal to convey Taylor Swift’s filmed Eras Excursion to cinemas, AMC Leisure has partnered with Parkwood Leisure to convey a documentary on Beyonce’s Renaissance album and excursion to theaters.

    The movie will seem in theaters on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays for round 4 weeks beginning Dec. 1. Tickets will get started at $22 for same old showtimes, with top rate huge layout monitors like IMAX and Dolby Cinema to be had for the next charge. The film will display at a number of theaters national, together with AMC, Regal and Cinemark, Cinepolis, Cineplex and Harkins.

    Beyonce’s look at the movie calendar is a much-needed boon for the North American field place of job. The movie business remains to be in restoration mode after the pandemic and has noticed fewer releases in recent times, resulting in fewer price ticket gross sales.

    “Early December is a traditionally gradual length between the Thanksgiving and Christmas corridors with only a few high-profile new releases,” mentioned Shawn Robbins, leader analyst at BoxOffice.com. “This 12 months’s slate all the way through that point used to be unquestionably a little skinny sooner than Beyonce staked her declare. There is not any query, having her lovers pop out to reinforce her track and artistry at the large display will fill a few of that hole and proceed to modify how the business approaches uncommon however occasional lifeless zones at the calendar when Hollywood studios are not liberating blockbusters.”

    To this point, the large releases all the way through the month of December are ruled by way of 3 Warner Bros. titles — “Wonka” hits theaters Dec. 15, adopted by way of “Aquaman and the Misplaced Kingdom” on Dec. 20 and “The Colour Red” on Christmas Day.

    The ones choices give Beyonce’s film a lot of room to run on the field place of job.

    “The cultural have an effect on, emblem enhancement and, in fact, revenue-generating doable is obviously a motivating issue within the choice to head with a theatrical reasonably than a streaming unlock,” mentioned Paul Dergarabedian, senior media analyst at Comscore.

    It is unclear what Beyonce’s movie may open to in December, as tickets simply went on sale Monday. Trade observers be expecting Swift’s live performance movie, due in theaters Oct. 13, will open to no less than $100 million in price ticket gross sales.

    By means of the top of Swift’s world excursion dates subsequent 12 months, track analysts are expecting the celebrity’s Eras Excursion could have generated between $1 billion and $1.4 billion in profit. Beyonce’s excursion appears to be like to most sensible out simply above $560 million.

    What is in it for AMC?

    The Beyonce and Swift releases are also a part of AMC’s new revenue-generation technique. The theater chain, in bypassing the normal studio unlock style, will pick out up distribution charges in addition to percentage within the price ticket gross sales.

    AMC, particularly, wishes this sort of profit, as the corporate continues to spend extra on film-licensing prices and theater leases than it makes in price ticket and concession gross sales. Actually, the corporate most effective lately posted a benefit all the way through its 2d quarter this 12 months, having generated internet source of revenue of simply $8.6 million.

    “That is every other savvy transfer by way of creators and exhibitors that bolsters the base line for film theaters at 12 months’s finish whilst uncovering extra unexplored doable from strong point tournament releases,” Robbins mentioned.

    Inventory Chart IconStock chart icon

    AMC Leisure’s YTD inventory efficiency.

    AMC, and different film theater chains, may even have the benefit of increased concession gross sales as moviegoers load up on popcorn and soda for those live performance movies. AMC is already selling collectible Taylor Swift popcorn tubs for $14.99 and cups for $11.99. Indubitably, Beyonce-themed pieces might be printed quickly.

    “The theaters were taking part in are living or recorded concert events for over a 12 months now and started speaking about selection content material probabilities two years in the past, however the scale of Taylor Swift and Beyonce is unquestionably bringing extra consideration to this technique,” mentioned Alicia Reese, analyst at Wedbush. “It is going to be tough to seek out different acts of this scale, however there are many artists who might be traveling subsequent summer season and theaters shall be attaining out to agenda live performance movies to fill any gaps within the 2024 summer season unlock slate.”

    The ones gaps have come from manufacturing delays associated with the 2 Hollywood exertions moves. The field place of job noticed a number of titles go away for 2024 unlock dates and its nonetheless unclear the place these days scheduled titles will finally end up as soon as the mud settles.

  • Is the birthday party over? New knowledge suggests revenge commute is also finishing quickly

    The technology of unabated “revenge commute” is also coming to a detailed.

    New experiences display that, after years of inflation and emerging commute prices, vacationers might in the end be curbing their commute plans.

    A brand new record via the analysis corporate Morning Seek the advice of presentations that commute intentions are expanding in numerous nations, however flatlining or falling in others, maximum particularly in Europe.

    Intentions to commute dropped 11 proportion issues in France and 6 in Germany since 2022, in keeping with Morning Seek the advice of’s “The State of Go back and forth & Hospitality” record printed in September.

    Hobby to commute additionally fell in Canada and Russia (-4 proportion issues every), the survey confirmed.

    Survey: Jan 2021-July 2023; 14,000 adults; margin of error +/-3%.

    Supply: Morning Seek the advice of

    As as to if this implies pent-up call for is finishing: “Sure, our knowledge suggests this is so,” stated Lindsey Roeschke, commute and hospitality analyst at Morning Seek the advice of.

    “That is not to mention that commute will decline considerably once more, however … briefly, the vast majority of those that have been ready to take their ‘revenge journeys’ have already accomplished so,” she stated.

    A slowdown is also extra pronounced in Europe, stated Roeschke.

    “A lot of that is associated with the financial system — inflation has eaten away at customers’ financial savings up to now 12 months and led to them to reprioritize how they spend,” she stated.

    An inflow of North American vacationers over the summer season drove costs upper, making commute much more pricey for Europeans. Put in combination, this paints “a extra pessimistic outlook on commute in comparison to different areas.”

    ‘Revenge commute more likely to fade’

    Pent-up call for was once anticipated to have larger endurance in Asia-Pacific, the place Covid border restrictions have been stored in position longer than different portions of the sector.

    On the other hand, a brand new record via the commercial advisory company Oxford Economics says “quick haul ‘revenge commute’ is more likely to fade” within the area.

    Pent-up call for fueled commute in Asia-Pacific within the first part of 2023, however since then, the craze is beginning to opposite, it states, bringing up a drop in Singaporean guests to Malaysia following a surge in past due 2022.

    “We predict identical, if much less pronounced, dynamics for the remainder of the area,” as an preliminary flurry of short-haul journeys settles down, the record states.

    The experiences stated arrivals from different portions of the sector, particularly the US and Europe, are more likely to wane too, because the not on time results of tightening financial insurance policies hit vacationers’ wallets.

    “We’re sticking with our name that the U.S. will input recession across the flip of the 12 months,” the record states. “Go back and forth is for probably the most section a luxurious excellent and some of the very first thing to be scale back when instances get more difficult.”

    Chinese language customers ‘shedding their gusto’

    Morning Seek the advice of’s record presentations commute intentions are up in numerous puts, particularly in China, Mexico and Japan.

    On the other hand, Eastern enthusiasm to commute stays muted, with simply 53% of respondents pronouncing they plan to commute for recreational within the subsequent twelve months — the bottom of the 15 nations within the survey.

    Go back and forth is booming in China regardless that. As the rustic celebrates the “Golden Week” vacation, home bookings are up just about six instances — and outbound bookings greater than 20 instances — year-on-year, in keeping with the Chinese language commute company Fliggy.

    However this stage of fervor would possibly not closing, warns Oxford Economics.

    “Chinese language customers are all of a sudden shedding their gusto after the preliminary reopening spending spurt. Top unemployment, unfavorable wealth results from the stricken assets sector, and susceptible salary expansion don’t make a robust backdrop for forking out on international vacations,” it states.

    The record notes the chance that the longer Chinese language vacationers commute regionally, an enduring shift in commute personal tastes might happen amongst a inhabitants the place world journeys have misplaced some luster as a standing image.

    Maximum Chinese language vacationers are touring inside of China and its particular independent areas of Hong Kong and Macao. One week previous to Golden Week, same old rooms in 22 on line casino accommodations in Macao have been bought out for 3 of the eight-day vacation duration, in keeping with GGRAsia, an organization that tracks Asia’s on line casino trade.

    The spice up purely from pent-up call for might quickly run its route.

    Additionally, pastime amongst Chinese language vacationers to consult with sure puts is falling, in keeping with Morning Seek the advice of’s record. Intentions to consult with North The united states fell 23 proportion issues from 2022 — some distance eclipsing a drop in pastime from South Korea (12 proportion issues) and Japan (9 proportion issues).

    “The drop in China is especially regarding,” the record states. “Whilst causes are a mixture of logistical (flight are scarce and dear) and geopolitical (tensions are prime between the U.S. and Chinese language governments), the decline is a blow to locations that have been hoping for a extra powerful restoration.”

    Fizzling pent-up call for

    Outbound commute from China is ready to proceed rising, as flight and passport processing constraints ease. But it surely might not be sufficient to make up for the lack of vacationers from different areas, in keeping with Oxford Economics.

    “The tourism spice up to Asia has handed its height,” the record states. “Whilst mainland Chinese language are essential to the area … expansion in numbers is not likely to be sufficient to prevent the entire tempo of the tourism restoration slowing in maximum puts.”

    “The spice up purely from pent-up call for might quickly run its route,” it states. “Customers in complex economies, in particular the U.S., will most likely reasonable their spending plans within the face of an unsure financial setting. Others might apply as their house economies catch a chilly.”

    The commute trade stays bullish, then again. A JLL survey printed Thursday confirmed 77% of resort house owners and operators in Asia-Pacific await a upward push in occupancy ranges in 2024.