This prestigious recognition celebrates Stacy Ritter and her unwavering commitment and groundbreaking efforts in promoting inclusive travel, making Greater Fort Lauderdale a beacon of diversity and accessibility in the global tourism landscape. Ritter was honored this month at the inaugural Travel Unity dinner at the ILA Penthouse & Rooftop Garden, New York. “I am truly honored to be recognized by Travel Unity as an advocate for inclusive travel,” said Stacy Ritter. “This award is a testament to the work of our whole team and community who believe that the power of travel can bridge divides and build understanding. Our goal…
Author: Robert Adams
Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale, will participate in a unique partnership to reach over a million LGBT+ visitors in Provincetown, Massachusetts. Thanks to an innovative year-long, multi-pronged campaign, Greater Fort Lauderdale will be top of mind for Provincetown residents and visitors until October 2024. Provincetown attracts over one million annual visitors from the northeast and across the globe. It is one of the largest LGBT+ communities in the country. “As part of the partnership, which started in December 2023, the Provincetown Business Guild (PBG) has welcomed Visit Lauderdale to brand, co-host, and sponsor some of its key LGBT+ events, including Pride,…
As of today, smoking in all public places in Mexico is illegal. The new law is one of the most stringent anti-smoking laws in the world. Smoking is no longer allowed in parks, beaches, hotels, offices, and restaurants. There will also be a total ban on the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco products, meaning that cigarettes cannot even be on shown inside shops. Mexico is sending a strong message that basically says: Tourists who smoke are not welcome here. According to the BBC: “Some smokers are dismayed at the draconian nature of the new law. In essence, it means…
The people of Florida impacted by Hurricane Ian appreciate your help, but make sure what you are doing does the most goood. Here’s what you can do to help. If there is an absolute need to donate items, they ask that you contact local food pantries and donate non-perishable items to them as needed. Local options include: The Harry Chapin Food Bank Meals of Hope Our Daily Bread Food Pantry Feed Thy Neighbor St. Matthews House Sadly, during times of crisis there are those who will attempt to prey on the vulnerable, including fraudulent organizations. That is why Collier County…
“I love Las Vegas because it always has something going on,” says entrepreneur Eduardo Cordova who changed Las Vegas’ gay nightlife forever when he opened his award-winning LGBTQ lounge, The Garden. Eduardo saw that, while Las Vegas was a spectacular city for nightlife, it was missing one thing: an upscale venue for LGBTQ visitors and residents alike. Part playful and part opulent, The Garden has been wowing visitors and locals for years, cementing itself as one of Vegas’ top spots. They serve signature cocktails like The Cher, which combines Empress gin, fresh lemon, passionfruit, and pineapple juice, before being topped off…
This summer has been more than a headache for people traveling by air. Reports of flight cancellations in the US and around the world are making travelers wary of booking flights. SAS, one of the world’s largest airlines, filed for bankruptcy protection and canceled flights this week. Meanwhile, air travel in Europe is much worst than in the US. It appears, the airlines tried to do too much, too soon. They wanted to get back to normal after the pandemic, but they did not plan on being unable to meet passenger demand with the necessary staff. Many of the people who…
Great news for international travelers! The Biden administration is lifting its requirement that air travelers to the U.S. take a COVID test within a day before boarding their flights. A senior administration official said the mandate expires Sunday, June 12 at 12:01 a.m. ET, saying the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has determined that it’s no longer necessary. The official said that the agency would reevaluate the need for the testing requirement every 90 days and that it could be reinstated if a troubling new variant emerges.
The CDC anounce on Friday, February 25 that most Americans are safe going without a mask in indoor settings, including in schools. According to NBC: “The new guidance puts more than half of the nation’s counties at low or medium risk for Covid, meaning masks are no longer necessary there. Those counties account for roughly 70 percent of people in the country. It’s a dramatic shift from the previous guidance, which recommended masks in counties with substantial or high transmission, a category that covered the vast majority of the country. The recommendations apply to everyone, not just those who are…
Laughlin Artz is an unmissable figure when you see him sailing down the street on his skateboard, standing over six-feet tall with a dirty blonde mane, wearing outfits and accessories so bright even wearing sunglasses one would still be blinded. Once he steps off his skateboard, Artz is a powerhouse when speaking about climate change and his non-profit 2030 Or Bust. His mission with 2030 Or Bust is to alter the already decided conversation on climate change by putting it into a powerful context that people can better relate to and eventually have the motivation to act and end the crisis.…
Swiss International Air Lines (SWISS) is changing its ticket fare structure until the end of December. Effective immediately, all fares can be rebooked several times free of charge, including the lowest fare without checked baggage. In response to the pandemic, SWISS had already made a one-off free of charge rebooking possible in spring. The new regulation applies worldwide to all new bookings on short, medium, and long-haul routes for SWISS. SWISS is thus meeting its customers’ needs for flexible travel arrangements to an even greater extent. However, customers may incur additional costs if, for example, the original booking class is…
Travelers from certain states landing at New York airports must now fill our a tracing form or pay a $2,000 fine. The state has implemented this rule to ensure visitors follow quarantine restrictions and to reduce the spread of COVID-19 from states where the virus is now surging. The states include Texas and Florida, where COVID-19 appears to be spreading. The advisory also includes states where their seven day average of positive tests exceeds 10%, or if the number of positive cases exceeds 10 per 100,000 residents. New York’s contact form asks for the traveler’s birth date, phone number, email address,…
In a series of short videos filmed in landmark locations in Malta, Liam Gauci, the Director in charge of the ‘Taste History’ project, narrates stories uncovered about these fascinating islands while historic culinary delights are reproduced for the audience to try at home. The first Season, consisting of 4 episodes, will be aired on www.Facebook.com/TasteHistoryMalta and www.facebook.com/VisitMalta every Friday, starting June 26th, 2020. With their wide variety of historical sites, ranging from Neolithic temples to walled cities and the more recent British period, the Maltese Islands have been described as a living museum, reflecting the legacy of the…
On Sunday, June 21, more than 30 decorated boats formed a flotilla down the Intracoastal Waterway and up the New River into downtown Fort Lauderdale. Many were members of a local LGBTQ boating club, Boys with Boats. The vessels ranged from deep sea fishing boats, luxury yachts and sailboats to personal watercraft. Two boats from the Fort Lauderdale Police Marine Unit, both sporting rainbow flags, escorted the boat parade. “When our Pride parade was postponed, everyone was so disappointed,” said Scott Schramm, one of the event organizers. “But, we realized, the pandemic couldn’t stop us if we moved the parade…
The FAA has banned certain MacBook Pro laptops that were recalled by Apple earlier this summer due to safety concerns over the risk of fire with the lithium batteries. The 15-inch MacBook Pro units, sold between September 2015 and February 2017, were listed in its recall notice to customers. Some international airlines have taken the ban to extreme measures. According to Conde Nast Traveler: Singapore Airlines and Thai Airways, for instance, have banned the recalled devices from both checked luggage and carry-on bags. “Customers are to refrain from bringing the affected models either as hand-carry or in checked baggage until the battery has…
Here are 10 reasons to put Montréal at the top of your travel list; and remember, you don’t just visit Montréal, you live it! By Barry Hoy Montréal celebrated its 375th anniversary last year, and it is one of North America’s most dynamic and cultured cities. Between the amazing food, stunning architecture, and fun festivals, it’s the perfect destination to visit any time of year. Here are 10 reasons to put Montréal at the top of your travel list; and remember, you don’t just visit Montréal, you live it! 1. The Old European Charm – From the cobblestone streets of Old…