As a way of combatting overtourism, a measure in Italy’s 2019 budget law will allow the local government in Venice to charge day-trippers for access to the city’s historic center. Venice Mayor Luigi Brugnaro said late Sunday on Twitter that the new visitors’ tax would “allow us to manage the city better and to keep it clean” and “allow...
About 68 percent of people in Amsterdam commute to work or school by bicycle, accounting for around 1.25 million miles of cycling a day. All of these cyclists generate an estimated 19.5 million watt-hours of energy each day. This would be enough energy to power thousands of homes – if it could be captured. Now, two Dutch designers think they...
The world's first fully autonomous ferry has been demonstrated in Finland. The Falco used a combination of Rolls-Royce Ship Intelligence technologies to make the outward journey. The vessel detected objects using sensor fusion and artificial intelligence and conducted collision avoidance. It also demonstrated automatic berthing with an...
Nera, the world’s first 3D-printed electric motorcycle is an electric vehicle with many unique features including airless tires, embedded electronics, and forkless steering. Developed by the German innovation lab, NOWlab, Nera features fully 3D-printed parts such as tires, rims, frame, fork, and seat, excluding only electrical components. Plus...
The U.S. Department of Commerce released a cheerful forecast of international visitation to the United States for the next five years. The Commerce Department’s latest projections, released this week, show that more than 95 million international travelers will visit the United States in 2023. The latest forecast is also more optimistic for 2018...
Hans Meyer, founder of hotel brand Zoku, is one of many in the industry saying that hotel experiences are becoming more sensory experiences. “It’s not only what you see but also what you smell, hear and taste.” A good example is the London hotel The Mandrake for its generously-sized courtyard. Emma King, head of interior design for...
In Scotland, driverless buses will be tested on public roads for the first time as part of a major expansion of the technology. Under the government-funded trial five autonomous single-deck vehicles will run between Edinburgh and Fife, although regulations mean that a driver will remain on board during all journeys. The buses will carry up to...
The so-called homesharing economy continues to heat up. Expedia Group said it had acquired two small startups — Pillow and ApartmentJet — which help owners of multifamily residential communities list and manage short-term rentals while complying with local regulations. Pillow, a San Francisco-based startup, had raised $16 million in capital,...
If any more evidence was needed that the microbrew trend is here to stay, it's provided by Carnival Cruise Lines, as the company has installed brewing equipment on several of their ships, and hired brewmaster Colin Presby to oversee the operations. Presby’s job is to make Carnival a destination for craft beer fans like him — as well as a place...
Equinox is one of the largest owner of gyms in America. When the company opens its first line of hotels in 2019, it will also enter another travel industry sector by rolling out multi-day luxury tours around the world next April. New York-based Equinox has partnered with Leah Howe, formerly of Toronto-based Butterfield & Robinson, and New...