Travel World Gateway

  We've all heard about whalewatching from boats or shore, and a few companies are now offering the possibility of actually swimming and snorkeling with whales in the wild. Is this a good thing? Some whalewatching operators in the Kingdom of Tonga, South Pacific islands, advertise the possibility of swimming and snorkeling with humpback whales during the cetacean's annual migration from July to October. This activity sounds appealing, yet there are a number of things to consider. To drop clients off within snorkeling distance of a whale, the swim boats must come closer than the 30 meters laid down in Tongan government guidelines in 1997. Engine noise from a maneuvering boat can startle a whale, and repeated disturbances can lead to the animals changing their behaviour and even abandoning their traditional habitat. The nursing and resting routines of the pods can be disrupted, potentially threatening the health of the whales. This high-risk activity is not covered by most travel...

  Published by Travelinja Tired of elbowing your way through crowds just to catch a glimpse of a monument you’ve already seen a thousand times on social media? You aren't alone. Across the globe, a massive shift in travel behavior is rewriting the global tourism playbook. According to recent data from global tourism networks and travel trend reports, modern explorers are actively ditching overcrowded viral hotspots in favor of "non-viral" destinations . Overtourism has placed immense strain on classic urban hubs, prompting savvy globetrotters to seek out quieter, more authentic regions where they can travel responsibly and avoid the digital-age herd mentality. The Rise of Secondary and Undiscovered Hubs Data shows that interest in secondary destinations and lesser-known corners of popular countries is surging. Instead of booking packed summer trips to saturated European capitals, travelers are turning toward emerging regions across Asia, Latin America, and Africa. Authent...