Story Archives of 'tourism'

How does "community-based tourism" help the environment?

By EarthTalk on Sunday, August 10, 2008.

Zeppelins Take Flight Again

By Virginia Prescott on Monday, August 4, 2008.

On May 6, 1937, a German airship called the Hindenburg was making a scheduled landing at Lakehurst Naval Air Station in New Jersey, when it exploded into flames. Herbert Morrison's eyewitness radio report from the landing field has since become etched into the public memory.

Thirty-six people were killed in the disaster. Up until then, zeppelins had an impeccable safety record. But the incident shattered public confidence in giant, passenger-carrying rigid airships, and marked the end of an era.

Fast forward 70 years, and zeppelins are taking to the air again. A company in California called Airship Ventures has purchased a Zeppelin NT07 Airship for approximately $12.8 million, and plans to offer aerial sightseeing tours of San Francisco by the end of October. The company's CEO, Alexandra Hall, joins Word of Mouth with more about the company’s plans, and the potential use of zeppelins for tourism and travel, advertising, scientific research, military surveillance, and beyond.

(Photo by Henk van der Eijk)

listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player

New North Country Industry: Adventure Racing

By Chris Jensen on Tuesday, June 17, 2008.

Officials from the North Country are looking for more ways to increase tourism.

But the White Mountains have already attracted one new group of tourists, adventure racers.

While they seem to be looking for shots of adrenaline, local businesses are hoping they will give the economy a little rush.

NHPR correspondent Chris Jensen has the story.

listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player

Summer Plans in a Sagging Economy

By Laura Knoy on Friday, May 30, 2008.

High gas prices and a lagging economy could thwart Granite Staters’ plans for vacation and recreation. Some businesses will be hit hard, but others could possibly flourish as many choose to stay much closer to home. We’ll check in with New Hampshire’s hotels, restaurants, marinas, and campgrounds to ask how they’re holding up.

Guests

listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player

900 Homes Slated for Exclusive Mt. Washington Resort

By Chris Jensen on Friday, April 25, 2008.

The North Country is still mourning the loss of paper-manufacturing jobs and fretting about its future. But a 1 billion dollar development projected to bring hundreds of jobs is starting up in Coos County.

NHPR Correspondent Chris Jensen has the story.

listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player

Slum Tours

By Virginia Prescott on Thursday, March 20, 2008.

The favelas of Rio de Janeiro are among the big draws for slum tourism - sometimes called "poorism" - a growing trend in the travel industry. Westerners pay to tour the garbage piles and open sewage in the slums of Mumbai, the townships of Johannesburg, and settlements among the vast landfills of Mexico City.

Eric Weiner is a national correspondent for NPR and the author of the book
"The Geography of Bliss: One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World." He recently wrote about poverty tours in The New York Times. He joined Word of Mouth to discuss the fine line of where education ends and exploitation begins.

Read Eric Weiner's article in The New York Times, "Slum Visits: Tourism or Voyeurism?"

Read "Why We Need Micro Loans Instead Of Slum Tourism" on Brave New Traveler

Read "Slum tourism: good or bad?" in Foreign Policy

Read "Slum tours: a day trip too far?" in The Guardian

Favela Tour – Rio de Janeiro

Soweto Tours

(Photo by Christopher Baan)

listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player

The Economic Impact of Tourism

By Laura Knoy on Wednesday, February 13, 2008.

A nationally-known tourism expert joins us to talk about the economic impact of the industry on New Hampshire, whether it’s money spent at local establishments, job creation or generating tax revenue. Dr. Peter Tarlow will discuss the challenges and opportunities that communities face, in terms of geography, transportation, quality of life, entertainment and culture and how tourism impacts the economy, both directly and indirectly. And we’ll talk about his recommendations for how the Granite State can better position itself for economic success in tourism. We’ll also talk with the Director of Tourism for the state of New Hampshire about local efforts.

Guests

  • Alice DeSouza, Director of the Department of Travel and Tourism Development for the State of New Hampshire
  • Dr. Peter Tarlow, Tourism Consultant, Founder and President of Tourism & More and Executive Director of the Texas chapter of the Travel and Tourism Research Association. He is also an Adjunct Faculty member at Colorado State University and has consulted for many government agencies, including the FBI, the U.S. Parks Service, and U.S. Customs.
listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player

Extreme Travels with Roxana von Kraus

By Avishay Artsy on Friday, February 8, 2008.

Mid-february can be a tough time to live in New Hampshire if you’re not a winter-lover. It’s the season of wet socks, crusty windshields, and dangerous highways. So, if you’re lucky enough to hop on a cruise ship and see seven sunny ports in seven days, then we say bon voyage. But if you’re looking for something more daring, there are plenty of options out there. Lots of companies are offering trips with educational and culinary themes - vacations based around adventure, geotourism, philanthropy - and now, forbidden travel. Word of Mouth host Virginia Prescott spoke with Roxana von Kraus, owner of Quo Vadis Travel. Roxana leads Americans to countries that haven't embraced tourists, like Bhutan, Uzbekistan, Libya and Cuba.


Samarkand is the second largest city in Uzbekistan and as old as the cities of Babylon or Rome. (Photo by Steve Evans)

listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player

Benson's Wild Animal Farm is Still Making News

By Sheryl Rich-Kern on Thursday, October 25, 2007.

This month marks 20 years since Benson’s Wild Animal Farm shut its doors.

If you’re a new transplant who’s never heard of it, Benson’s used to be one of the more popular tourist draws in southern New Hampshire.

But the Wild Animal Farm is once again making news.

Hudson officials want to transform the property into a town park.

But the state won’t transfer the deed unless the town makes some promises it doesn’t want to make.

NHPR Correspondent Sheryl Rich Kern files this report.

listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player

25 in 25: Steve Barba

By Laura Knoy on Wednesday, March 21, 2007.

Our 25 in 25 series continues with "Mr. Balsams" Steve Barba. For fifty years, Barba was a part of one of New Hampshire's oldest and most prestigious resorts, becoming almost a steward of vacationers in the Granite State. Upon his retirement in 2005, he became the Executive Director of University Relations for Plymouth State University. We'll talk with Steve Barba about his career and how he has seen tourism develop in the state in the last quarter century.

listen: Listen with Windows Media PlayerListen with an MP3 Player
NPR News