1
HEY BABY, WHAT’S YOUR SIGN?
Note: Waywinds will be off next week due to business travel in London. If you happen to be there, stop by World Travel Mart and/or City Nation Place where we’ll be speaking. Or, just let me know you’ll be there so we can grab a pint!
Ok, so whether you believe in the whole zodiac thing or not, what does it hurt to match a few cool destinations to your horoscope for some travel inspiration? Apparently, as a Sag, I should seriously consider Reno, Nevada. From The Ladders: “Rather than painstakingly researching destinations, what if you decided to just trust in the stars to lead you to your next vacation? It’s not such a crazy idea: If we’re honest, we consult our horoscopes for pretty much every major decision already, so why not let the zodiac inform our travel plans?” Now, if I’m honest, the real reason I wrote this blurb is to remind you that my birthday is coming up.
2
CANADA, EH?
Sometimes I wonder whether there is any correlation between cold and happy. How is it that almost all top 10 happiest countries in the world are in frigid cold places? Might as well just start sleeping with the windows open to get used to it as I plan my move up north (thank you warm front for coming through tonight). From National Geographic: “What makes these countries the happiest in the world? All possess a winning formula of good governance, strong sense of community, respect for fellow citizens, and general high quality of life.”
3
WHAT’S MY NAME!
“Whereas designer handbags and jewelry used to be status symbols, Mr. Sachs says that now it is all about authentic, individual experiences,” author of The Million Dollar Greeting. “He believes that nowadays, most travelers want a memorable experience, and one in a way that a tangible product can’t.” I personally like this concept, 1. because I find that people like to feel special when you address them personally, and 2. it’s a way for destinations to aim towards more sustainable tourism, by offering a more authentic, personalized experience to visitors who see that as the new travel status symbol.
Speaking of sustainable tourism, Boracay, one of the world’s most famous beach islands in the Philippines just reopened its doors to a limited amount of visitors after a six month clean-up hiatus. However, it’s not what it used to be. If you ask me it’s better. The government laid down the law, ensuring hotels are properly registered, banning single use plastics, establishing water sports zones, and regulating sand castle buildings (what? I didn’t need a permit for the moat, it was only 3 inches deep). But, seriously, other destinations – take note. This is how you make a destination more sustainable.
4
SORRY, I DON’T HAVE CASH
Here’s something that can make someone’s day: tipping the hard-working housekeepers who clean up our hotel room mess. It goes a long way for them and their families. I never knew what the right amount ought to be. This guide helped: “What Travelers Need to Know About Tipping Hotel Staff.”
And, little did I know, there’s a whole host of tipping etiquette at the airport too. For example, it is not acceptable to tip (or bribe) the ticketing agent. Whoops.
5
STOP AND SMELL THE FLOWERS/COFFEE
“Electronic devices — like the computer and mobile phone — were created to make communication easier, yet nowadays, families spend their downtime together either watching TV, texting on mobile phones and using the internet on laptops, instead of communicating with one another.” It’s true, doesn’t it feel like we end up getting hooked on all this tech in the hope that it will somehow simplify our lives, yet it seems to do more harm than good, or at least as much harm as good? This article lays out a few ideas of how to slow it on down again to stop and smell the flowers.
And, if that doesn’t work, then screw it, have another cup of coffee to try and keep up. Some super smart researchers at Montana State University figured out an algorithm to ensure that each drop of caffeine is used to maximize alertness and performance.
Thanks,
Joe Naaman
Managing Editor, Waywinds
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