And other travel news from the week.
This week in travel, we’ve uncovered several stories that might have flown under your radar. Among them: Madeira will start charging tourists for hiking; Lake Como is selling air; and a celebrity is in trouble for promoting Abu Dhabi.
Dive into these and more as we explore the week’s five most intriguing, under-the-radar travel news.
NO.1
LAKE COMO IS LITERALLY SELLING AIR FOR $11
Lake Como is a coveted tourist destination, attracting 1.4 million visitors annually to its celebrity-approved resort area. Taylor Swift famously vacationed here this summer, while George Clooney resides here with his wife, human rights lawyer Amal Clooney. The region’s allure is so compelling that a company is now selling bottled fresh air to tourists.
You can get a 400ml can of bottled air from Lake Como for $11, produced by ItalyComunica. Marketer Davide Abagnale told CNN that it is “something original, fun, and even provocative.” The mayor of Como, Alessandro Rapinese, isn’t excited about the prospect and wishes that people also looked at other souvenirs, like the silk scarves. He told CNN that the can wasn’t for everyone, “but as mayor of one of Italy’s most beautiful cities, if someone wants to take some of their air home, that’s fine as long as they also take beautiful memories of this area.”
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NO.2
CHRIS HEMSWORTH FACES BACKLASH FOR PROMOTING ABU DHABI
Australian actor Chris Hemsworth appeared in a promotional ad alongside his wife, fellow actor Elsa Pataky, but the Thor star’s latest endeavor has not been well received by fans. The couple promoted Abu Dhabi as a tourist destination in the ad, showcasing their experiences filming action scenes in the city and enjoying various attractions with their children. However, fans have criticized them for overlooking human rights violations in the UAE.
Justine Nolan, director of the Australian Human Rights Institute at the University of New South Wales, told The Guardian that the ad presented a different reality from what’s happening on the ground. The country has come under fire for its treatment of migrants, women, and the LGBTQ+ community. “They’re trying to move on and improve their image.”
Related: Saudi Arabia Is Open to Tourists, but Should You Go?
NO.3
POMPEII SETS A LIMIT TO DAILY TOURISTS
Around 36,000 people visited the Italian archaeological site of Pompeii on the first Sunday of October when entry was free. However, the park is introducing a daily cap of 20,000 tourists starting November 15.
The park’s director, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, told Reuters that reducing human impact is important for conservation and safety reasons. However, the daily limit will result in turning away tourists on rare days when entry to the park is free and tourist numbers exceed 20,000. The archaeological site, which features beautiful frescoes, costs €18 to enter. Around 4 million people visited in 2023, and visitor numbers have been increasing consistently.
NO.4
MADEIRA WILL CHARGE TOURISTS A HIKING FEE NEXT YEAR
The Portuguese island of Madeira is a favorite among hikers, thanks to its rugged cliffs and trails. But starting January 1, 2025, non-residents will be asked to pay €3 to hike on its 30 popular routes. The new rule will allow for better crowd management and maintenance of the natural areas.
Tourist fees have become a way for governments around the world to manage swelling tourist numbers. Hikers will be able to pay on the government website Simplifica or make on-site payments. Those who fail to pay the fee will be fined up to €50. All proceeds will go toward maintaining and preserving the trails.
Related: It’s Going to Get More Expensive to Visit This Beautiful Country
NO.5
THE TREVI FOUNTAIN OPENS WALKWAY DURING RESTORATIONS
Rome’s 18th-century Trevi Fountain is being cleaned, and people have been disappointed by the sight of scaffolding and its emptied pool. A temporary metal walkway was installed over the fountain last weekend to allow people to see the monument’s architecture from a unique angle. Tossing a coin into the fountain is out of the question, but the authorities have installed a basin to honor the tourist-favored tradition.
The fountain was last cleaned in 2014, and it took a year for the job to be completed. This time, the authorities are planning to finish it in a couple of weeks. The $330,000 renovation will be completed by the end of this year, and once the fountain is filled again, tourists might have to pay a €2 fee to get up close and personal. The walkway, which accommodates 130 people at a time, may also be used to control capacity at the crowded site.
