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Anchorage airport saw its best year ever with record passenger, cargo figures…

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

Alaska's principal gateway is celebrating its best year ever following publication of its 2018 figures, which showed record passenger numbers and major growth in its cargo business. Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport reported last week that more than 5.6 million passengers passed through its gates last year, which was a 3.1 percent increase on 2017. What is suddenly making this remote hub more attractive? Airport Manager Jim Szczesniak has attributed "the vast majority of this increase was driven by tourism and that translates into tens of millions of additional dollars being poured into Alaska’s economy."

Travel2020: Bucket list travel for 2019

Lark Gould Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

For those who keep a bucket list, there is no time like the new year to check off the progress. For experienced wanderers or experienced dreamers, there are plenty of special places yet to be crossed off on life's to-do list. According to a recent survey conducted by AARP, travel is the top aspiration for Americans of all ages, not just baby boomers. Research shows that boomers are expected to take four to five leisure trips in 2019 and spend more than $6,600. Gen Xers are forecast to spend $5,400, and millennials $4,440. For those in need of some inspiration or timely recommendations, here’s a starter list to spark the imagination.

Lesser-known chocolate destinations to visit in February

Connie Ulman Food & Beverage

I really enjoy the month of February because it speaks both to the heart and the taste buds. February is the month of chocolate, and while the experts say that dark chocolate has health benefits, it is the taste I am after. Everywhere you look this month, you will find seemingly unlimited choices, ranging from chocolate covered pretzels to chocolate Amish fry pies and many, many more. I’d like to share with you some outside-the-box chocolate destinations that I have been to or are on my bucket list.

Fun and weird spots to visit in the Midwest

Cindy Belt Recreation & Leisure

While I enjoy the museums and normal tourist spots, I absolutely love the weird and unique places that show individuality and originality. The Midwest region has more than its fair share of fun places to visit. This article features balls of twine, an American automotive tribute to Stonehenge, Capt. James T Kirk's "future birthplace," canned meat museums and more.

The mad dash to quell drivers’ fears about autonomous vehicle safety

Ryan Clark Transportation Technology & Automotive

Apparently, in an attempt to ward off the Skynet-led techno-apocalypse, people in the American Southwest are attacking self-driving cars. While this sounds insane, in light of recent incidents where autonomous vehicles have led to the injury and even death of citizens, it makes sense in a sort of morbid way. This type of consumer anxiety is not what a budding industry should want, especially if it wants to grow. Recently, carmakers have made efforts to address consumer fears about self-driving cars.

Boutique airports, airlines are on the rise

Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

In a world defined by stiff global competition, heightened user experiences, and demanding social media presences, the bigger is better mindset has been ruling for some time. But some regional airports and smaller airlines have been quietly rewriting this messaging. The reality of the travel industry is that a large percentage of travelers fall into the economy travel and short-haul categories. It is imperative that these travelers, who also bring in the volume of business, be addressed and served accordingly.

Skift reveals 12 megatrends in travel, tourism for 2019

Linchi Kwok Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Skift released The Megatrends Defining Travel in 2019 earlier in January. Through surveys, interviews, and focus group research with travelers throughout the year, Skift reveals 12 megatrends in travel and tourism. For example, one trend is that brands give travelers more control over their experience. It is now very common for travelers to plan their own trips through price alerts and location-based apps.

8 great national parks for a winter visit

Dave G. Houser Recreation & Leisure

Summer may seem the ideal time for visiting America’s vast network of national parks, but winter offers a surprising variety of park getaways — with activities ranging from skiing to scuba diving. Here are eight national parks scattered across the country that provide a smorgasbord of winter adventures.

Travel2020: Uber’s futuristic air taxi lands at CES

Lark Gould Transportation Technology & Automotive

While Las Vegas is currently one of two cities in the U.S. allowing for consumer testing of driverless cars, the city got another driverless boost recently from CES2019: the driverless heli-taxi. Even though the annual Consumer Electronics Show brought a life-size prototype of the new aerial hybrid vehicle currently in development, it also brought a lot of debate about the future of urban transportation — the good, the bad and the seemingly impossible. The vision is this: sometime in the not too distant future, a traveler, a commuter, or a person in a hurry may be able to choose on a whim to hail an air taxi from a nearby rooftop and take that taxi to another rooftop stop, the airport or even some port on a high-rise rooftop of another nearby city.

Want to hunt in the Western states next season? Apply for your tags soon

John McAdams Recreation & Leisure

Even though deer season remains open in some parts of the country, it’s not too early to start planning for next hunting season. Specifically, application season is rapidly approaching for most of the Western states. So, if you'd like to hunt deer, elk, pronghorn, moose, mountain goat, or bighorn sheep next fall in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah, or Wyoming, then pay close attention to the upcoming application deadlines to make sure you don't miss out on the chance to draw a tag.

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