Empire State Building Shows Off New $165 Million Observatory

People look at the view from the 102nd floor observatory of the Empire State Building, in New York, Thursday, Oct. 10, 2019. The world-famous observatory atop the Empire State Building has a dizzying new look with floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree windows 102 floors above New York City.(AP Photo/Richard Drew)

By VERENA DOBNIK

NEW YORK (AP) — The observatory atop the Empire State Building has a dizzying new look with floor-to-ceiling, 360-degree windows 102 floors above New York City.

The remodeled observatory opened to the public Saturday October 12th. It was unveiled to the media Thursday.

More than 4 million annual visitors to the 1931 Art Deco skyscraper — about 60% from abroad — will be offered an unobstructed view of the city and far beyond through panoramic floor-to-ceiling sheets of glass. They replace old windows that were half the size.

For a nocturnal view of New York, visitors have until 1:15 a.m. to take a new, high-speed, translucent elevator to the 102nd floor. Now visible from the interior on the way up are the building’s tower lights, whose colors change daily to celebrate holidays or people.

On the way up to the high new perch are an additional 10,000 square feet (930 sq. meters) of fresh exhibits, including a replica of the moving hand of King Kong, the monster gorilla in the 1933 film that climbs the building, plunging to its death amid an attack by Helldiver military planes.

Also on display are photos of actors in movies shot there.

The $58 cost to get to the observatory at 1,250 feet (380 meters) above Fifth Avenue has not changed. But now, visitors are promised shorter lines that have often stretched out onto Fifth Avenue, spilling into an elbow-to-elbow lobby crowd before even getting into an elevator.

The entrance to the observatories has been switched to the side of the building on West 34th Street, where added security stations help move the crowd along. Tickets may be purchased at electronic kiosks installed only last year, in addition to online purchases.

The building also has remodeled its famous open-air observatory on the 86th floor, which still requires a $38 ticket. Walls were opened between the interior space and the open-air terrace so city views emerge immediately after exiting the elevators.

The four-year project cost $165 million and was financed by Empire State Realty Trust Inc.

Remodeling was a daunting task, said project manager Robert Krizman.

Workers mounted metal baskets suspended outside the 103rd floor, wearing harnesses attached to the building. From there, they removed defunct broadcast antennas weighing 200 pounds each, jutting out from the top and bottom of the old windows.

Their work station was an aluminum and wood cocoon ringing the 102nd floor for months while the old walls were demolished.

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This story has been updated to correct the height of the remodeled observatory to 1,250 feet above the street, instead of 1,224 feet.

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Travelore Cruise News: Hundreds Of British Cruise Passengers Refused Entry To China

Some had to fly to Japan to await Quantum of the Seas (Image: Quantum)

Sobbing families said they were “treated like criminals” by border staff at Beijing Airport after flying in to join a 12-day Royal Caribbean cruise. They had been told they would be able to enter the country under a 144-hour visa exemption system that would allow them to spend three days sightseeing before boarding Quantum of the Seas. But families said they feared for their safety after randomly being targeted by officials. 

Many told how they were separated from their loved ones after individuals were picked out of groups and refused entry. 

Some passengers were forced to fly back to Britain immediately. 

Management consultant Alison Goldie, 56, told how she and accountant husband Allan, also 56, had spent £6,000 on the cruise to celebrate her friend Lesley McGregor’s 50th birthday. 

Lesley was travelling with husband Scott and her parents Anne and Matt Matheson. 

Wheelchair-user Mrs Matheson, 68, and her 71-year-old husband were rushed through immigration before officials ruled Alison could travel but not the rest of the party. 

Alison, who stayed behind with her husband, said: “Lesley’s parents were in a completely different country for five days. 

“It seemed to me that the Chinese were having a ball. It was just like a game. “Staff dealing with us seemed very young and were in high spirits. They were just giggling as they refused entry in a random way.” 

The group were forced to fly to Japan to await the ship and meet the elderly parents onboard. 

Clair Matthews, 46, husband Joseph, 50, and her parents-in-law Teresa, 71, and Stanley Matthews, 79, were all refused entry. They were forced to spend a night at
the airport. 

Clair said: “We had the temporary visa. They flicked through our passports and told us, ‘You’re not coming in’.”

When the family refused to pay to fly on to the boat’s first port of call in Japan, they were threatened with arrest. Clair said: “I was told that if I was still here within 24 hours of landing and didn’t have proof of onward travel, I would be taken to prison. 

“I just thought, I don’t want to be in prison in my own country, I sure as hell don’t want to be in prison in Beijing.” 

The family spent more than £3,000 on flights to Japan and four nights in a Fukuoka hotel before boarding the ship yesterday. 

It set sail from Tianjin port in China on Monday before arriving in Fukuoka yesterday morning. 

An Abta spokesman last night said: “Entry into China under a visa waiver is not guaranteed and Chinese border officials have the right to refuse entry without warning or explanation.” 

Source: https://www.express.co.uk/news/world/1188687/cruise-ship-chaos-royal-caribbean-cruise-china-jail

Hays Travel Purchases Thomas Cook And Pledges To Save 555 Shops And 2,500 Jobs

Image captionJohn and Irene Hays run the business, set up 40 years ago

All 555 Thomas Cook shops are to be bought by rival Hays Travel in a move that could save up to 2,500 jobs.

The independent travel agent said the move gives it shops in areas where it had little or no presence, including Scotland and Wales.

John Hays, who set up the Sunderland-based firm 40 years ago, said he hoped the shops would reopen within days.

It had been an emotional day, he said, with many staff crying when they were told their jobs were saved.

He said it was difficult to give cast-iron guarantees about every Thomas Cook shop, because there would now be talks with individual landlords.

However, "it is certainly our intention to take on all the staff; to welcome them back," he added. The shops will be branded under the Hays name.

Image copyrightGETTY IMAGES

Image captionAll the Thomas Cook stores will be rebranded as Hays Travel

There is likely to be some overlap of stores, and the BBC estimates that there are more than 30 locations where there would be two competing High Street branches. In Yorkshire and the North East, for instance, there are branches just streets apart in Sunderland, Newcastle, York, Leeds, Doncaster, and at Morpeth, South Shields.

• Who are the family buying Thomas Cook shops?

The acquisition, for an undisclosed sum, is a significant step for Hays, which has 190 shops, 1,900 staff, and last year had sales of £379m, reporting profits of £10m.

Mr Hays, who owns the business with wife Irene, said: "It is a game-changer for us, almost trebling the number of shops we have and doubling our workforce - and for the industry, which will get to keep some of its most talented people."

'It's been emotional'

The takeover deal was struck with the travel industry regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, after several days of negotiations. He said he was "elated to get the deal over the line. It's been emotional".

Many ex-Thomas Cook staff had cried when told they still had jobs, he said. "These people did nothing wrong. One day they were in jobs, and the next day they were locked out."

He expected many of the shops to reopen on Thursday, "although probably with a skeleton staff". There were some logistics problems - Hays had still to locate many of the shop keys, he said.

More than 100 new jobs will be based at the company's Sunderland headquarters, with the rest in shops across the UK. The company has tweeted, urging former Thomas Cook staff to apply.

Image Copyright @HaysTravelJobs@HAYSTRAVELJOBS

Report

When Thomas Cook collapsed, it put 22,000 jobs at risk worldwide, including 9,000 in the UK.

It also sparked the biggest ever peacetime repatriation by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to bring more than 150,000 British holidaymakers back to the UK. The last flight to repatriate Thomas Cook customers landed at Manchester Airport on Monday.

Business Secretary Andrea Leadsom said she hoped the deal "will provide significant re-employment opportunities for former Thomas Cook employees, alongside the advice and support we will continue to provide to help people find a new job as quickly as possible".

Image Copyright @RebeccaWearn@REBECCAWEARN

Source: BBC.Com

Venice Day-Tripper Tax To Take Effect July 1, 2020

A view of the St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, taken on June 8, 2019. As of July 1, day-trippers to the 

MILAN (AP) — Authorities in the Italian canal city of Venice say a tax on day-trippers will start being charged on July 1, 2020.

The tax was announced nearly a year ago, but its implementation was delayed as officials worked out how it would be paid and enforced.

Authorities said Wednesday that the level of the tax will be decided closer to the date, but a law establishing it set a range of 3-10 euros ($3.30-$11) a day.

Visitors staying overnight already pay a tax as part of their accommodation charge.

In the coming months, city officials will announce details of how visitors can pay the tax, with efforts focused on pre-payments over the internet or in neighboring provinces.

Exceptions will be made for those visiting Venice for work, study or family reasons.

Puerto Vallarta Recognized As #5 Among The The Top 10 Small Cities In The World By Condé Nast Traveler Magazine #PuertoVallarta

#PuertoVallarta recognized with @CNtraveler 2019 #ReadersChoiceAward for the top 10 Small Cities in the World Photo: @PuertoVallarta #PuertoVallartaRCA

Condé Nast Traveler magazine today announced the results of its annual Readers’ Choice Awards, with Puerto Vallarta recognized as No. 5 among the “Top 10 Small Cities in the World.” “We welcome this honor with open arms in Puerto Vallarta because it represents so many of the people who have visited our great shores,” said Javier Aranda, Director of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board. “During the voting period, we read so many kind posts in social media pushing for us; it was a testament to destination that those who visit Puerto Vallarta will return its love with this kind of accolade.” Puerto Vallarta is an international destination promoted as the “Mexican beach with the heart of a pueblo.” The city’s Historic Center, named a Jalisco Heritage Site in 2018, is rich with more than a century of history, gastronomy and architecture. Puerto Vallarta is also a popular destination for outdoor activities, including mountain biking, bird watching and paddle boarding, and it’s a special retreat for those who want to incorporate pampering and holistic healing into their getaway, will find fitness programs, spas, healthy dining, and more as Puerto Vallarta is a haven for wellness travel. In fact, Puerto Vallarta is an active city and a top destination in Mexico for wellness-minded travelers to stay in touch with their health goals while enjoying one of Mexico’s most famous beach destinations. The destination is also home to a number of events focused on wellness, one of the biggest being the annual Free Soul Festival (https://www.freesoulfestival.com/) taking place form Nov. 29 to Dec. 1st of this year. Puerto Vallarta is also home to one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing arts scenes in Mexico. With more than 30 galleries displaying works by local, national and international artists, the art on offer ranges from native indigenous art and traditional Mexican silverware, glasswork and pottery to folk art, contemporary paintings and sculptures. Art aficionados will enjoy the numerous gallery events and guided art walks that are held year-round and are an integral part of the local social scene. There are more than 12,400 hotel rooms in Puerto Vallarta, with hotels ranging from small and boutique properties to AAA 5 Diamond hotels and resorts, with more than half of all properties rated 4 stars or more. More than 600,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers across the globe submitted a record-breaking number of responses rating their travel experiences to provide a full snapshot of where and how we travel today. Puerto Vallarta has had a long and prosperous history with the Readers’ Choice Awards, first appearing on the list as “World's Friendliest City" in 2001. More recently, in 2017, it appeared again as one of the "Best Cities in the World" and "Top Small Cities Outside the U.S." Puerto Vallarta was one of three Mexican cities listed in the "Top 40 Cities in the World" and one of just two cities in Mexico added to the "Top 20 Small Cities in the World" category. Puerto Vallarta was also the only beach city to be added to both lists. The Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards are the longest-running and most prestigious recognition of excellence in the travel industry and are commonly known as “the best of the best of travel.” The 2019 Readers' Choice Awards are published on Condé Nast Traveler's website at www.cntraveler.com/rca and celebrated in the November issue of Condé Nast Traveler U.S. and U.K. print editions.

Los Angeles International Airport Bans Uber And Lyft From Picking Up Passengers At The Terminal

It’s about to get even harder to hail an Uber or Lyft at Los Angeles International Airport. Ride-hailing vehicles will be banned from making pickups outside LAX’s terminals under new rules announced by officials on Thursday, the Los Angeles Times reports. Instead, passengers wishing to get picked up by Uber or Lyft will have to take a shuttle to a parking lot next to Terminal 1.

It’s a new twist in the increasingly fraught relationship between airports and the app-based car service companies that have added to some of the confusion and congestion at most travel hubs. With more people flying than ever before and a growing share of those people expecting to use their smartphones to summon cars to pick them up, the traffic situation outside of airport terminals has reached a breaking point.

A NEW TWIST IN THE INCREASINGLY FRAUGHT RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN AIRPORTS AND RIDE-HAIL COMPANIES

LAX is in the midst of a $14 billion revamp of its aging roads and terminals. Construction has led to some road closures, while airlines are adding routes leading to an increase in passenger pickups and drop-offs.

“We understand that trying to get into the central terminal area is a challenge and has been for a long time, and we’ve been working to make that much better,” Keith Wilschetz, deputy executive director of the Operations and Emergency Management Division at Los Angeles World Airports, told the LA Times. “This is a way we can do that.”

Passengers will have to wait three to five minutes for the shuttle to take them to the nearby parking lot, or they can walk, which should take 18 minutes at most, officials say.

Other airports have adopted similar tactics in recent years. San Francisco International Airport, for example, recently moved almost all ride-hailing passenger pickups to the top floor of the main parking garage. Some passengers said the change has made pickups more efficient, even though it involves a longer walk from the gate. Similar changes are expected to take place at Boston’s Logan International Airport.

Meanwhile, Uber and Lyft have tweaked their apps for drivers in the hopes of making drop-offs and pickups more seamless. Both companies have added a feature called rematch that allows drivers who have just dropped off a passenger to pick up a new customer without leaving the airport and waiting in an off-site area.

To avoid situations where passengers are jockeying to find the right vehicle, both companies have experimented with giving their customers a code that they can give to any Uber or Lyft driver that’s waiting in a line, rather than searching for a specific vehicle — much like a traditional taxi line.

“We have been working closely with the Airport leadership regarding the impending infrastructure projects taking place at LAX,” a Lyft spokesperson said. “We look forward to continued collaboration on how to best reduce terminal congestion, lessen wait times for drivers and riders, and we are confident that we will be able to continue providing the best possible pick up and drop off experience for all Lyft users.”

Uber was a bit more combative in its response. “While we have concerns with aspects of LAX’s plan to move all rideshare pickups to a staging lot, we have shared those concerns directly with LAWA and will continue operating at the airport,” the company said in a statement. “In the meantime, we hope LAX will listen to and incorporate our input so that so that LAX passengers can continue to access rideshare service in a seamless way.”

Updated October 4th, 12:40PM ET: Added a statement from Uber and Lyft

By Andrew J. Hawkins