http://www.ibtimes.com Latest News en http://www.ibtimes.com/will-hurricane-sandra-hit-cancun-or-cabo-which-mexican-vacation-spots-will-be-hit-2199935?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution The late-season Hurricane Sandra, which was upgraded to Category 2 Wednesday, was expected to make landfall over the weekend and perhaps hit tourists hopeful to escape to sunnier skies in Mexico. The storm, some 500 miles south-southwest of the Mexican Pacific port of Manzanillo, was projected to strengthen as it headed toward the country's northwest coast, the U.S. http://www.ibtimes.com/will-hurricane-sandra-hit-cancun-or-cabo-which-mexican-vacation-spots-will-be-hit-2199935 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 10:35:40 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/euro-risk-should-travel-be-restricted-schengen-area-jean-claude-juncker-says-2199689?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution BRUSSELS (Reuters) -- European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker said Wednesday Europe's single currency will be jeopardized if its Schengen passport-free travel zone unravels due to member states reimposing border controls to keep out refugees. The 26-member Schengen Area has come under immense pressure since the summer as hundreds of thousands of migrants fleeing war and poverty in the Middle East and Africa stream across the continent's southern frontiers in search of security in Europe. http://www.ibtimes.com/euro-risk-should-travel-be-restricted-schengen-area-jean-claude-juncker-says-2199689 Wed, 25 Nov 2015 08:10:26 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/thanksgiving-travel-2015-airport-service-workers-stage-hunger-strike-15-union-busiest-2197856?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Airport workers are hoping their calls to boost pay and improve working conditions will resonate on the busiest travel day of the year. About 200 baggage handlers, cabin cleaners, wheelchair attendants and other low-paid airport service workers nationwide are planning to hold a 24-hour fast starting on Tuesday afternoon, demanding $15 an hour and union recognition. http://www.ibtimes.com/thanksgiving-travel-2015-airport-service-workers-stage-hunger-strike-15-union-busiest-2197856 Tue, 24 Nov 2015 09:28:47 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/thanksgiving-travel-tips-2015-how-get-last-minute-vacation-deals-2196170?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Did you wait until the last minute to make Thanksgiving Day plans? There's still a chance you can snag a vacation travel deal before the turkey and football filled holiday begins. Here are a few last-minute tips for booking a Thanksgiving vacation getaway. http://www.ibtimes.com/thanksgiving-travel-tips-2015-how-get-last-minute-vacation-deals-2196170 Mon, 23 Nov 2015 10:41:05 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/5-injured-fire-chicago-skyscraper-2195163?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Five people were injured, none seriously, on Saturday in a fire that sent flames bursting out of windows from a residence on the 50th floor of the Chicago's famous John Hancock Center, according to the Chicago Fire Department. The fire broke out on the east side of the 100-story building in mid-afternoon and was quickly extinguished by responding firefighters, according to tweets by the Chicago Fire Department. http://www.ibtimes.com/5-injured-fire-chicago-skyscraper-2195163 Sat, 21 Nov 2015 19:09:28 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/lufthansa-cancels-941-flights-amid-cabin-crew-strike-nearly-110000-passengers-2183017?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution German airline Deutsche Lufthansa AG said that it will cancel 941 flights on Friday due to a strike by flight attendants, taking the total number of flights cancelled during the week to 4,700. Friday’s cancellation is expected to affect 110,000 passengers, while more than half a million passengers were reportedly affected due to the week-long strike, the Associated Press (AP) reported. http://www.ibtimes.com/lufthansa-cancels-941-flights-amid-cabin-crew-strike-nearly-110000-passengers-2183017 Fri, 13 Nov 2015 07:26:56 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-plane-crash-update-russian-egypt-tourism-loses-millions-countries-suspend-2181433?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Six days after flights between Russia and Egypt were suspended, the Russian tourism industry has already taken a major hit. Russian tour operators have lost 1.5 billion rubles -- about $23 million -- since flights were suspended Nov. 6, The Moscow Times reported. http://www.ibtimes.com/russia-plane-crash-update-russian-egypt-tourism-loses-millions-countries-suspend-2181433 Thu, 12 Nov 2015 11:14:07 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/amid-isis-terror-fear-uk-issues-travel-warnings-map-6-mideast-countries-deemed-unsafe-2177403?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution The U.K. Foreign Office has recommended against Brits visiting 18 countries in the world. Of those, six are in the Middle East, a new map shows, with the Islamic State militant group, also known as ISIS and ISIL, controlling parts of Iraq and Syria and its offshoots in other neighboring countries being one particular source of concern. http://www.ibtimes.com/amid-isis-terror-fear-uk-issues-travel-warnings-map-6-mideast-countries-deemed-unsafe-2177403 Tue, 10 Nov 2015 11:53:59 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/what-diwali-2015-festival-light-celebrates-good-defeating-evil-2173793?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Millions of Hindus, Jains, Buddhists and Sikhs around the globe will celebrate the holiday of Diwali, also known as Deepavali, beginning Wednesday. The festival highlights the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness. Here’s a look at the holiday and where and how it is celebrated around the world. What Is The Origin Of Diwali? http://www.ibtimes.com/what-diwali-2015-festival-light-celebrates-good-defeating-evil-2173793 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 22:03:51 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/amid-killer-whale-backlash-seaworld-san-diego-phase-out-orca-shows-2175991?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution After controversy and protests over the conditions of killer whales at SeaWorld, the company announced Monday it would begin to phase out shows featuring the mammals at its San Diego park beginning next year, the San Diego Union Tribune reported. The company has faced criticism over its treatment of animals and said it would present a new orca experience in 2017. http://www.ibtimes.com/amid-killer-whale-backlash-seaworld-san-diego-phase-out-orca-shows-2175991 Mon, 09 Nov 2015 13:24:10 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/airbus-prepares-finalize-a380-deal-emirates-airline-wake-sinai-crash-2174670?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution The French airplane manufacturer Airbus was close to signing a deal Sunday with Gulf air carrier Emirates for updated A380 passenger aircraft. News of the deal came one week after an Airbus passenger plane carrying 224 passengers and crew from Egypt to Russia crashed over the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt. http://www.ibtimes.com/airbus-prepares-finalize-a380-deal-emirates-airline-wake-sinai-crash-2174670 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 16:15:55 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/investigators-90-sure-bomb-brought-down-russian-plane-egypt-reuters-exclusive-2174526?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution CAIRO (Reuters) — Investigators of the Russian plane crash in Egypt are "90 percent sure" the noise heard in the final second of a cockpit recording was an explosion caused by a bomb, a member of the investigation team told Reuters Sunday. The Airbus A321 crashed 23 minutes after taking off from the Sharm al-Sheikh tourist resort eight days ago, killing all 224 passengers and crew members. Islamic State group militants fighting Egyptian security forces in Sinai said they brought it down. http://www.ibtimes.com/investigators-90-sure-bomb-brought-down-russian-plane-egypt-reuters-exclusive-2174526 Sun, 08 Nov 2015 09:23:49 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/lufthansa-flights-grounded-crews-launch-what-could-be-their-longest-ever-strike-2174263?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution BERLIN/FRANKFURT (Reuters) -- The German airline Lufthansa canceled hundreds of flights Friday and warned of more disruption Saturday after a cabin-crew union started a series of walkouts that could become the longest-ever strike at the carrier. On the first day of a planned week of protest over failed pension talks, flight attendants were instructed to strike at Frankfurt, Lufthansa's biggest hub, and Duesseldorf between 1300 and 2200 GMT (8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST), affecting about 37,500 passengers. http://www.ibtimes.com/lufthansa-flights-grounded-crews-launch-what-could-be-their-longest-ever-strike-2174263 Sat, 07 Nov 2015 10:02:12 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/after-russia-suspends-flights-egypt-what-will-happen-egyptian-tourism-sector-2173131?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution The warm weather, nice beaches and short flight times from Moscow and St. http://www.ibtimes.com/after-russia-suspends-flights-egypt-what-will-happen-egyptian-tourism-sector-2173131 Fri, 06 Nov 2015 12:55:31 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/pitbull-florida-ambassador-miami-rapper-contrast-wholesome-orlando-some-floridians-2167727?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Mary-Ellen Miller has lived near Walt Disney World for the past 13 years, so when she learned recently that Miami rapper Pitbull is poised to become an official tourism ambassador for the entire state of Florida, she had a lot of thoughts on the topic, not all of them positive. http://www.ibtimes.com/pitbull-florida-ambassador-miami-rapper-contrast-wholesome-orlando-some-floridians-2167727 Wed, 04 Nov 2015 08:13:23 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/airbnb-protesters-occupy-san-francisco-headquarters-brass-band-megaphones-2165883?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution San Francisco housing activists occupied the local Airbnb headquarters Monday in support of a measure on Tuesday's ballot, Proposition F, that would regulate house-sharing services. Protesters are pitted against the company because they say Airbnb is aggravating homelessness in the city. http://www.ibtimes.com/airbnb-protesters-occupy-san-francisco-headquarters-brass-band-megaphones-2165883 Mon, 02 Nov 2015 18:31:15 -0500 http://www.ibtimes.com/manila-airport-bullet-extortion-philippine-authorities-speed-investigation-passenger-2162893?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Philippine authorities said they will speed up an investigation into an alleged extortion racket in Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport involving bullets supposedly found in passengers' bags. Office of Transportation Security (OTS) and other involved agencies will consolidate their investigations and issue a report by Nov. 6, according to OTS spokesman Miguel Oraa."We are also alarmed, it could affect our tourism industry," Oraa said in a phone interview. "We will never condone or tolerate this from our people." http://www.ibtimes.com/manila-airport-bullet-extortion-philippine-authorities-speed-investigation-passenger-2162893 Fri, 30 Oct 2015 05:13:41 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/canadian-whale-watching-vessel-sinks-least-5-dead-search-called-2155609?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution UPDATE: 2:06 a.m. EDT -- The death toll from the sinking of a whale-watching boat off British Columbia has risen to five, according to Canada’s Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, cited by Global News, a local news site. http://www.ibtimes.com/canadian-whale-watching-vessel-sinks-least-5-dead-search-called-2155609 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 23:46:24 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/federal-biologists-track-endangered-orcas-drones-new-baby-orca-spotted-washington-2155521?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Federal biologists used drones to track three endangered orca pods recently, taking thousands of pictures. Some of the orcas appear to be pregnant, and the Center for Whale Research confirmed Saturday that a new orca calf had been spotted in one of the pods. http://www.ibtimes.com/federal-biologists-track-endangered-orcas-drones-new-baby-orca-spotted-washington-2155521 Sun, 25 Oct 2015 19:23:35 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/israeli-hummus-restaurant-offers-discount-jews-arabs-who-dine-together-2147168?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Tensions between Israelis and Palestinians have reached a fever pitch in recent days, but one restaurant is doing its part to bridge the gap. The Hummus Bar, located in a small town in central Israel, is offering a special deal: a 50 percent discount to Arabs and Jews who sit together in the restaurant. http://www.ibtimes.com/israeli-hummus-restaurant-offers-discount-jews-arabs-who-dine-together-2147168 Mon, 19 Oct 2015 15:56:06 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/iran-could-see-tsunami-tourists-iran-nuclear-deal-takes-hold-ap-report-2145730?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Iranian officials are preparing for a "tsunami" of foreign tourists as the country begins implementing a landmark nuclear deal with the U.S. and five other world powers. Iranian Vice President Masoud Soltanifar told the Associated Press Sunday Iran will inject new investment into the country's rich historical and cultural sites, which have suffered a sharp decline in tourism during years of Western sanctions. http://www.ibtimes.com/iran-could-see-tsunami-tourists-iran-nuclear-deal-takes-hold-ap-report-2145730 Sun, 18 Oct 2015 18:06:08 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/top-7-real-haunted-houses-across-america-visit-halloween-2015-2144876?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution For those who love a good scare, what’s spookier than checking out a real haunted house? Turns out, America has plenty of them. From New York to California, from New Orleans to Washington, D.C., there are various locations where spirits are said to roam the halls.  1. The Amityville House -- Long Island, New York http://www.ibtimes.com/top-7-real-haunted-houses-across-america-visit-halloween-2015-2144876 Fri, 16 Oct 2015 17:18:11 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/china-visa-policy-changes-impact-boeing-sees-big-uptick-international-travel-because-2142103?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Changes in Chinese visa policies and in the country's economy over the last few years have made a noticeable difference for aviation company Boeing, which has struggled at times in recent years with several of its key programs, such as the rollout of the massive Dreamliner jet. http://www.ibtimes.com/china-visa-policy-changes-impact-boeing-sees-big-uptick-international-travel-because-2142103 Thu, 15 Oct 2015 11:16:21 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/flight-mh370-search-philippine-officials-say-locals-unaware-reported-wreckage-linked-2136684?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Philippine officials said they have investigated but found no sign of reported wreckage and remains that some have linked to Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared in March last year. Officials said fishermen and other residents of the southern islands where debris was reportedly spotted had no knowledge of it either. http://www.ibtimes.com/flight-mh370-search-philippine-officials-say-locals-unaware-reported-wreckage-linked-2136684 Mon, 12 Oct 2015 03:37:20 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/china-golden-week-travel-record-numbers-brave-crowds-gridlock-punishment-bad-behavior-2130340?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution SHANGHAI -- Vast crowds, gridlock on roads and punishment for bad behavior at scenic spots could not prevent record numbers of Chinese tourists from travelling during the country’s seven-day National Day vacation, which ends Wednesday. http://www.ibtimes.com/china-golden-week-travel-record-numbers-brave-crowds-gridlock-punishment-bad-behavior-2130340 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 05:20:48 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/hong-kong-philippines-officials-search-5-yacht-passengers-hit-typhoon-mujigae-2130155?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution MANILA, Philippines -- Hong Kong rescue authorities have spotted two bodies as they search for a yacht that went missing amid Typhoon Mujigae, the Philippine Coast Guard said Wednesday. Philippine Coast Guard spokesman Armand Balilio told International Business Times he received an email Wednesday from the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Center that said they saw the bodies about 220 nautical miles west of the northern Philippine city of Laoag. http://www.ibtimes.com/hong-kong-philippines-officials-search-5-yacht-passengers-hit-typhoon-mujigae-2130155 Wed, 07 Oct 2015 01:58:09 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/spies-oktoberfest-german-intelligence-agency-pays-secret-agents-get-drunk-annual-beer-2121442?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Oktoberfest, the annual German celebration of all things beer, typically attracts all types of tourists to soak up the country's brewing culture by consuming golden suds from giant steins. But there is apparently another demographic that has visited Germany to participate in the carousing: international spies. http://www.ibtimes.com/spies-oktoberfest-german-intelligence-agency-pays-secret-agents-get-drunk-annual-beer-2121442 Wed, 30 Sep 2015 14:59:06 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/trump-hotel-hack-payment-info-stolen-infected-registers-being-used-hackers-2118469?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Travelers who visited one of Donald Trump's Las Vegas hotels between May 19 and June 2 earlier this year may have had their payment information stolen by hackers, the company that runs the properties said in a statement to customers. It appears to be the first confirmation from Trump Hotel Collection that information taken in a breach at the international hotel chain -- suspected to have taken place in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Honolulu, Las Vegas and Miami – is being used against customers. http://www.ibtimes.com/trump-hotel-hack-payment-info-stolen-infected-registers-being-used-hackers-2118469 Tue, 29 Sep 2015 08:06:06 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/mount-everest-officials-could-bar-amateur-elderly-disabled-climbers-attempting-summit-2117533?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution The young, old, inexperienced and disabled may soon be banned from climbing Mount Everest. Nepal's tourism officials are considering new rules ahead of the spring climbing season that would allow only certain people to attempt to scale the world's highest peak, the Guardian reported Monday. Excluded would be people under 18 and over 75, as well as potential climbers with severe disabilities.  http://www.ibtimes.com/mount-everest-officials-could-bar-amateur-elderly-disabled-climbers-attempting-summit-2117533 Mon, 28 Sep 2015 16:42:46 -0400 http://www.ibtimes.com/facebook-taps-disney-world-food-wine-festival-latest-place-tips-test-2115584?utm_source=Public&utm_medium=Feed&utm_campaign=Distribution Facebook just got a bit more magical. The social network has partnered with Walt Disney World to offer live event coverage, information and check-in features for the park’s annual International Food & Wine Festival, held at Epcot. http://www.ibtimes.com/facebook-taps-disney-world-food-wine-festival-latest-place-tips-test-2115584 Sat, 26 Sep 2015 15:23:07 -0400