Tourism reset

Cities are back, ski season is here, time for a good cry [View in browser]( [Bloomberg]( Hi there, I’m [Lebawit Lily Girma](, new travel reporter at Pursuits. I’m writing to you from Amsterdam, where I spent the week participating in the [Bloomberg CityLab]( conference. Picture a gathering of more than 40 mayors from around the world—from Alabama to Zambia and Ukraine—plus artists, academia, architects, activists, storytellers, heat officers, and entrepreneurs. Over two days, these thought leaders exchanged lessons and ideas on solving urban issues in their backyards in innovative ways. What’s a travel journalist doing hanging out with a bunch of city officials? That’s me on the right, moderating the CityLab tourism panel with officials from Amsterdam, Vienna, and Cape Town. Source: Lebawit Lily Girma Putting my ear to the ground on how the world’s cities are tackling their economic recovery amid huge challenges, that’s what, all discussed at CityLab—climate change, the migrant crisis, mental health, racial justice, war. These all impact tourism, you see, and[tourism plays a key part in the rebound of cities]( we’re seeing now. The fact that a “tourism reset” panel was part of the main stage (moderated by yours truly) rather than a breakout session was a major nod to that. On the surface, it may seem as if we’re back to [more of the same](—that is, [the congestion and overtourism]( in cities seen prior to the pandemic. Central Amsterdam welcomed me with bumper-to-bumper traffic on a Sunday afternoon, while a constant flow of people obscured the pavement on either side of my taxi. But behind the scenes, big city leaders have [shifted their mindsets](. They’re focused on improving residents’ quality of life rather than attracting more visitors, and pushing for the [kind of tourism that benefits locals](. This shift means how we experience cities in the future will change. Destinations redesigning their tourism future was part of my focus while reporting for [travel industry news site Skift](, prior to joining Pursuits, when I wasn’t otherwise [blasting the industry for greenwashing]( and lacking diversity. Talk is cheap, but the “less is more” pledge from destinations seems to be sticking. Auckland, New Zealand, where tourists will now have to “pay their way.” Photographer: Scott E Barbour/The Image Bank RF “We don’t want to grow tourism anymore,” Geerte Udo, chief executive officer of Amsterdam & Partners, the city’s tourism board, [told me]( at Bloomberg CityLab. Changing Amsterdam’s image as a place for those seeking “a vacation from their morals,” [to quote Amsterdam Mayor Femke Halsema](, is not easy, Udo admits. Part of Mayor Halsema’s solution is to redesign the old city center. This includes diversifying nightlife in the outer boroughs where most locals live by creating new spaces, like the riverfront [Het Hem]( in Zaandam just a bit north. The former ammunition factory turned culture center for visual arts and music, plus a cozy bar/lounge space and library, is part of this idea to create more safe and inclusive nightlife spaces for this young city’s diverse groups. The reopening of Japan’s borders will provide a much-needed tourism boost, especially to its cities. Photographer: PHILIP FONG/AFP Building the infrastructure needed for public transport to places outside the city center is part of this city’s new “night vision.” It will take time. But when residents thrive, visitors will benefit as well. There must also be regulation of mass tourism in the city centers, said Vienna Tourist Board’s managing director, Norbert Kenner. Meanwhile the former status quo is looming, with no clear “quick fix” solutions in place yet to deter, say, drunk or lewd tourist behavior other than fines. Amsterdam’s mayor is trying to hold back a tide of tourism—so keep it classy. Photographer: Lebawit Lily Girma/Bloomberg There’s lots of industry talk overall of attracting the “quality tourist,” which reeks of elitism. Are you not a quality visitor if you’ve saved up for months to see your dream city’s crowded major sights, which you gleaned on Expedia or Instagram? A better term may be the “immersive tourist,” who seeks to connect to places and people in search of [new ideas and multicultural exchanges](. Hawaii’s next phase of tourism is seeing if it can work for locals, too, like Clifford Nae'ole, cultural adviser to luxury hotels. Source: Ritz-Carlton Maui, Kapalua That’s what cities do best and why we are seeking them again, no matter [how soothing the outdoors](. It’s also where we find the most inclusive and accessible safe spaces for all, where we learn our global history—lesser-known colonial histories are coming to light post-pandemic—and where we are pushed to come together in all of our differences. As the places we visit transform, we must support residents’ efforts to better their home. We do that by being better informed as travelers (or travel editors), and more intentional about the choices we make and how we connect with others around the world. Stay in touch with Lily via [Twitter]( and [Instagram]( Dreaming of more city travel. [Explore Japan Before the Crowds Return]( Tokyo’s fish markets, Kyoto’s off-the-beaten track museums, plus a weaker yen are among the reasons to visit now. [Six Best Places in Europe to Travel This Fall]( Great weather and affordability point to Santorini, Portugal and Prague, among others. [The Best Travel Deals for the Strong US Dollar]( It’s a great time to book that spring break trip to Lisbon or Stockholm, where airfare is lower from the east coast than to Paris or London. [A Less Touristy and More Local PragueÂ]( This once overtouristed city seems to be back in touch with its cultural side with new attractions and spaces geared to locals. Just what rethinking tourism means. [Exploring Favorite US Cities]( From small towns to big city lights, this Conde Nast Traveler readers’ choice list brought in nearly a quarter million survey responses, proving America’s cities are having a moment too.  Time to book that ski vacation. annual Ski Special is in [this week’s issue of Bloomberg Businessweek](. I’m excited because it contains one of my first Pursuits assignments—a round up of the hottest new ski hotels, from Idaho to Hokkaido and the French Alps. They made this tropical island lover look forward to winter, which is no easy feat. [Skiing’s Final Frontier Is Accessible Only by Boat]( [The Best Headset for Keeping Track of Your Friends on the Slopes]( [The Mighty Dolomiti Are Roaring Back With a Vengeance]( [Bode Miller’s New Skis Are Testament to 15-Year Quest for Perfection]( [Four New Hotels in Ski Country That Are Worth Their Weight in Snow]( Secrets of Aspen Ski Instructors, From Sex to Spilled Champagne]( What I’m watching, reading, and obsessing about. - A random pick on my Air France flight to Amsterdam, Ténor had me glued to the screen and on [an emotional rollercoaster from start to finish](. There should’ve been a warning to grab a napkin or two. It’s the story of a young sushi delivery guy from Paris’ suburbs who moonlights as a rapper, until he runs into a Paris national opera singing teacher who notices his talent and convinces him he belongs in opera.  - One of the [most mindset-shifting books]( I’ve read in a long time, The Big Conservation Lie by Kenyan carnivore ecologist [Mordecai Ogada](, sheds light on how racism is perpetuated through wildlife conservation and safari tourism in Kenya. It’s heavy stuff, but if you don’t know the root history of tourism as a colonial pastime and how it translates today, grab a copy.  - Arajet’s Instagram feed is [a wanderluster’s dream](. The Caribbean’s first-ever budget airline flaunts ridiculously low fares and cuts regional travel time in half (and emissions, yay!). Nonstop flights depart from Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic to Aruba, Costa Rica, Colombia, Guatemala, and Peru, among others.   - Bloomberg Green’s newsletter is a [daily fix for this sustainability nerd](. It’s packed with insights on cities, like how London’s strict policies [led to rapid adoption of electric vehicles]( and better air quality. It also breaks down climate change topics (and greenwashing) into an easy read.  - I’m also an advertising nerd, especially when it comes to tourism campaigns. Following how destinations have evolved in their messaging since 2020 has been fascinating. Years ago you’d never see a responsible travel campaign like this one on [how to experience Aboriginal cultures]( in Australia’s Northern Territory. So, you had some questions... Here’s some answers! Whatever the topic, keep them coming for next week via our [Bloomberg Pursuits Instagram]( and [e-mail](mailto:askpursuits@bloomberg.net?I%20have%20a%20question). What’s the minimum amount of nights to stay in a city to experience its culture? My rule of thumb is to identify what aspect of the culture I want to experience ahead of time, and then have time for both sightseeing and “flanerie” to allow for those serendipitous moments that end up making a trip. So depending on what your interests are—do you even care about nightlife, for example—save two days for the places you must see, then two days to fit in cultural experiences, planned and unplanned. Next time you’re in Las Vegas, Michael Heizer’s City is the ultimate cultural day trip—that is, if you can get a reservation. Photographer: Ben Blackwell © Michael Heizer. Courtesy of Triple Aught Foundation This might seem basic if you’re an experienced traveler, but trust me: Sign up for a food walk, art walk, or other neighborhood tour on day one. Those are often owned and run by locals and are both a quick way to get some culture in and give you a sense of place early in your stay. Fit in other sights around that activity such as cafes, museums, crafts shopping. Day two, take a trip to a nearby town that’s a favorite locals’ escape. Save a third day for serendipitous experiences and encounters. Then a fourth day lets you do things you learn about while there, or catch up on what you’ve missed in case it was bad weather the day prior. So that’s four nights, or a long weekend if you’re an energizer bunny like I am. When in Mexico City, make time for its incredible bars. Here’s why. Source: Handshake Speakeasy How sustainable is it to fly around the world? I’m glad you asked because… it isn’t, plain and simple. Planes still depend on fossil fuels. [Offsets are a sham]( in my opinion. It doesn’t make sense to release carbon dioxide emissions into the atmosphere in one place, then think that reforesting another part of the world makes up for it. Nature doesn’t work that way. So until governments and aviation [step up with sustainable aviation fuel](, there’s a few ways the average traveler can minimize their impact. One is to stay longer in the destination and travel slowly while there, which means using less impactful modes of transport such as trains and bicycles. It also means flying economy when you must fly, versus first class to lower your footprint. And voting for candidates who believe in climate action, and pressuring corporations and government leaders to do better. No, carbon offsets are not travel’s saving grace. Photo Illustration: 731; Photos: Getty Images Putting flying in context, tourism accounts for up to 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions while [aviation makes up 17% of all tourism-related emissions](. There’s momentum in the tourism industry [since the 2021 Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism](, a commitment to halve emissions by 2030 and to file a plan of action within a year’s time detailing the path to net zero by 2050. (Better late than never.) Over 400 tourism businesses have signed the declaration so far, which is a drop in the bucket, but it’s a start. There are also [efforts taking place]( in aviation—newer planes, or aircraft using small amounts of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) that are available so far—which will reduce per passenger emissions. But there’s a long way to go to produce more SAF.  Then again you could always buy your own train car and live a life on the rails. Source: Madison McVeigh/CityLab/Shutterstock And in case you’re thinking it, I always roll my eyes at those who claim everyone should just stop flying—a very privileged take! There’s the “need” side of aviation, such as transferring medical supplies and vaccines or post-disaster assistance. And flying is also an equity issue. Maybe these travelers are running from danger, maybe they’re making just $200 a month and seeing a better life for their families, or have a host of other reasons beyond taking a holiday that they need to get from point A to point B. There’s no easy answer but your thinking is right: flying around the world is not a sustainable practice. Not yet.  Yum yum rhum. Source: Vendors Do you have a favorite aperitif? I’ve shuffled to the Caribbean islands a lot for the past 15 years so I’ve come to lean on island aperitifs—my favorite is a Ti’ Punch (or “little punch” in French creole) from Martinique and the Guadeloupe islands, and it’s made of [rhum agricole](, brown sugar syrup, and lime. Try one at any restaurant on this archipelago, literally, and ask to watch as they make it. Otherwise, I love my glass of kir royale with cava and a drop of [Chambord](. You didn't ask about digestifs, but I love them even more so I’ll share my favorite: mamajuana, from the Dominican Republic—an artisanal, [often homemade brew]( made of rum, red wine, honey, and tree barks. It’s heady stuff. Beware of throwing back more than one of these, even after a meal. One of the best I tasted was at the bar at [Doña Elvira](, a boutique hotel in Santo Domingo’s Colonial City. Top bartender Estelle Bossy is also a big fan of Dominican mamajuana Photographer: Gabriela Herman/Bloomberg Ask us anything! Each week we’re picking reader questions and putting it to our network of experts. So get in touch via AskPursuits@bloomberg.net. Follow Us Like getting this newsletter? [Subscribe to Bloomberg.com]( for unlimited access to trusted, data-driven journalism and subscriber-only insights. You received this message because you are subscribed to Bloomberg's Pursuits newsletter. If a friend forwarded you this message, [sign up here]( to get it in your inbox. [Unsubscribe]( [Bloomberg.com]( [Contact Us]( Bloomberg L.P. 731 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10022 [Ads Powered By Liveintent]( [Ad Choices](