This week in travel news: makeup videos at 30,000 feet, the “little Marrakech” none of your friends have been to, and a historic European city is losing its footing. And it’s Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kickoff to the busy summer travel season. That also means beach weather. “Dr. Beach” has released his list of the top 10 US beaches, and this year’s No. 1 isn’t in Florida or Hawaii. Trouble in Bruges When tourists say they wish they could take a piece of their favorite place home with them, sometimes they mean it a bit too literally. Belgium’s picturesque city of Bruges has issued a request that tourists stop stealing cobblestones from its UNESCO-recognized medieval streets. Local politician Franky Demon says an estimated 50 to 70 cobblestones disappear per month — even more during peak season — and it costs 200 euros (about $225) per square meter to replace them and fix the damage. “While some may see this as harmless or quirky, the consequences are serious,” Demon told CNN. “The removal of cobblestones poses a clear safety risk to both residents and visitors. Missing or loosened stones create tripping hazards, and city workers must frequently be dispatched to carry out repairs.” Demon said that one “perpetrator” apparently even took the time to replace a missing stone with a planted flower. “A whimsical gesture, but one that underscores a lack of respect for our shared heritage,” he said. “We simply ask for respect. Walking through Bruges means stepping through centuries of history,” said Demon. “These cobblestones are not just pieces of stone — they are part of our city’s soul. We urge visitors to enjoy Bruges, but to leave its beauty intact for others.” Like Venice, Barcelona and other historic European cities, Bruges has been struggling to cope with overtourism. In 2019, the city voted to reduce the number of cruise ships that would be allowed to dock in the nearby port of Zeebrugge and ended tourism promotion campaigns in nearby destinations like Paris to discourage day-trippers. Visitors to Bruges who want a memento of their vacation — maybe consider a box of Belgian chocolates instead? Off the beaten path One way to avoid overtourism is to head to less expected locales. While Syria might not be top of mind for a summer holiday, the fall of former president Bashar al-Assad’s regime has resulted in the country opening up to international visitors. Turkish Airlines and Qatar Airways have launched routes to Damascus, and adventure travel outfitters are in-country to try to get in on the ground floor. “Now Assad is gone I’m sure the tourism industry will grow so fast. And as soon as governments stop saying ‘Don’t go to Syria,’ tourism will explode,” local tourism operator Ayoub Alsmadi told CNN Travel. Morocco’s Marrakech is one of the most beautiful destinations in the world, with its souks and mosques set against a desert backdrop. But many of the same beautiful features can be found in the southwestern Moroccan town of Taroudant — a “little Marrakech” without the hordes of tourists. Located an hour and a half east of Agadir, this sun-soaked town was founded in the 11th century. Taroudant is a place where you can sip tea at a family-run restaurant, explore a historic fortress, or just relax in a traditional riad courtyard house. And if you’re looking for an underwater vacation, you don’t have to go to the Great Barrier Reef. The Philippines’ Apo Reef Natural Park is the second-biggest contiguous coral reef system in the world. The reef is located in the Philippine Sea, 140 miles southeast of Manila, and is much less visited than its Australian cousin. That may change, though, as the government of the Philippines has submitted Apo Reef for UNESCO consideration — meaning now is a great time to go. Makeup and moves It’s one thing to miss a flight because you got stuck in a long security line. But Blake McGrath missed his plane for a very different reason — he’s a professional dancer and decided to do some ballet turns in the airport. McGrath’s dance video went viral and also started a trend of other performers — professional and amateur alike — doing dances in airports. He’s not the only content creator starting a travel-related trend. Beauty influencers are taking their GRWM (Get Ready With Me) videos to the skies, transforming their seatback tray tables into vanity tables. But it’s not just about putting on makeup. The air in airplane cabins is dry, so some of these TikTokers focus on skincare and moisturizers in the sky. As several of those influencers point out, you still need to wear sunscreen on planes. Our friends at CNN Underscored, a product reviews and recommendations site owned by CNN, have tested the best face sunscreens. In case you missed it Disneyland is turning 70 years old. Get ready for special discounts and deals aplenty. This New Delhi neighborhood used to be full of grand houses. Now, there’s only one historic mansion left. A Lufthansa plane was pilotless for 10 minutes. One fainted while the other was in the bathroom. A British mountaineer just summited Mount Everest for the 19th time. It’s the highest number of climbs for a non-Nepali climber.
European city asks tourists to stop stealing cobblestones from its historic streets
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Bruges Appeals to Tourists to Stop Stealing Cobblestones from Historic Streets"
CNN
7.8
TruthLens AI Summary
The picturesque city of Bruges in Belgium, recognized for its medieval architecture and cobblestone streets by UNESCO, is facing a peculiar challenge as tourists are increasingly taking cobblestones as souvenirs. Local politician Franky Demon has reported that between 50 to 70 cobblestones go missing each month, with thefts peaking during the busy tourist season. The replacement of these stones is costly, amounting to approximately 200 euros per square meter, and poses significant safety risks. Missing or loose stones create tripping hazards for both visitors and residents, necessitating frequent repairs by city workers. One notable incident involved a thief who replaced a stolen cobblestone with a planted flower, highlighting a troubling disregard for the city's historical integrity. Demon emphasized that these cobblestones are not mere stones but integral to the city's identity and heritage, urging visitors to appreciate Bruges without compromising its beauty.
Bruges, like many other historic European cities, is grappling with the consequences of overtourism, leading to measures aimed at controlling visitor numbers. In 2019, the city took steps to limit cruise ships docking at Zeebrugge and halted promotional campaigns for nearby tourist destinations to discourage day-trippers. As the summer travel season approaches, the city is advocating for respect and preservation of its cultural heritage, encouraging tourists to seek alternative souvenirs, such as local Belgian chocolates, instead of taking pieces of Bruges with them. This plea reflects a broader concern among historic cities facing similar challenges from tourism, as they strive to maintain their charm while accommodating visitors who wish to experience their unique histories.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article highlights a peculiar issue faced by the historic city of Bruges in Belgium, where tourists are reportedly stealing cobblestones from its medieval streets. This situation underscores a broader concern regarding overtourism and its impact on cultural heritage sites. The request from local authorities reflects a need for community respect and awareness of the significance of preserving historical sites.
Motivation Behind the Article
The publication aims to raise awareness about the consequences of tourism on historical cities, especially regarding the theft of cultural artifacts, even if they are as seemingly innocuous as cobblestones. By highlighting this issue, the article seeks to encourage tourists to engage with their travel destinations more respectfully, fostering a sense of responsibility among visitors.
Perception Creation
The narrative constructs a perception that tourism can lead to destructive behaviors that undermine the integrity of historical sites. It emphasizes the importance of collective responsibility in preserving cultural heritage, aiming to evoke a sense of guilt among those who might consider taking souvenirs from such locations.
Potential Concealed Issues
While the article focuses on the theft of cobblestones, it may also be a way to divert attention from broader issues related to overtourism, such as overcrowding, environmental degradation, and the pressure on local economies and infrastructures. By concentrating on a specific act of vandalism, the article may obscure larger systemic problems associated with tourism.
Manipulative Elements
The article contains elements that could be seen as manipulative, such as the emotive language used to describe the cobblestones as "part of our city’s soul." This framing may elicit emotional responses from readers and encourage them to reflect on their travel behaviors. However, it does not misrepresent facts; rather, it emphasizes the consequences of seemingly trivial actions.
Comparison with Other News
In the context of recent discussions on sustainable tourism, this article aligns with ongoing debates about how to manage tourist influxes in historic cities. It relates to broader narratives about the need for responsible travel practices, paralleling reports from cities like Venice and Barcelona, which have also faced similar challenges.
Impact on Society and Economy
The potential repercussions of this article may include a heightened awareness of the need for sustainable tourism practices. It could lead to increased local advocacy for tourism regulations, which might affect economic activities reliant on tourist spending. If awareness leads to behavioral changes among tourists, it may help alleviate some of the pressures faced by Bruges.
Target Audience
This article may resonate more with environmentally conscious travelers, cultural heritage advocates, and local residents concerned about the impacts of tourism. It aims to reach a broad audience that values historical preservation and responsible travel practices.
Potential Market Effects
While the article itself does not directly influence stock markets, it could indirectly impact businesses related to tourism, hospitality, and heritage conservation, particularly those operating in historic cities facing similar challenges.
Geopolitical Relevance
This news story may not have immediate geopolitical implications but can contribute to ongoing discussions about cultural heritage preservation within a global context. It reflects a growing awareness of the need to balance tourism with conservation, which is relevant in today’s globalized world.
AI Involvement in Article Creation
It's plausible that AI tools could have assisted in drafting or organizing the content, especially in structuring the arguments or selecting impactful phrases. AI models focused on natural language processing might have contributed to the article’s clarity and emotional resonance, although specific sections where AI influenced the writing style aren't explicitly identifiable.
In conclusion, while the article serves to raise awareness about a specific cultural issue, it also reflects broader concerns related to tourism management and heritage conservation. The reliability of the information presented seems solid, as it is based on statements from local authorities and relevant statistics regarding the issue at hand.