With 1.4 billion international tourist arrivals recorded globally, 2024 marked the recovery of international tourism from the worst crisis in the sector’s history. A majority of destinations welcomed more international tourists in 2024 than they did before the COVID-19 pandemic, while visitor spending also continued to grow strongly. For 2025, more growth is predicted.
Tag: Palestine
UPDATE | 65 countries where gay sex is illegal in 2025
The tally of countries with anti-homosexuality laws has again risen to 65 with last month’s official publication of a homophobic new penal code in Mali in West Africa, Erasing 76 Crimes reports. This means that in January 2025, 65 countries (and other entities) criminalise gay sex.
ISTANBUL | Galataport – Sirkeci Railway Station – Hagia Sophia – Topkapi Park
July 2024. Steve and I are cruising on the Norwegian Getaway, a Breakaway class ship by Norwegian Cruise Line or NCL. Interestingly, our stay on board happened shortly after the Getaway paid a visit to the dry dock for some refurbishments. The route? Piraeus, which is the port of Athens in Greece; followed by Mykonos;…
PHOTOS | 150,000 people attend 2024 Antwerp Pride parade
The 17th edition of Antwerp Pride takes place from Wednesday 7 to Sunday 11 August 2024. This year’s theme is ‘Many Voices. One Pride‘. The organising committee advocates a more militant pride, with a “we’re not going back in the closet” attitude in reaction to rising conservatism and conformism. But let’s face it: pride is…
SCENIC TRAINS | Train de Rhune (France), Texas, Oman, Alaska, Romantic Road (Germany), New York to San Francisco, Tuscany
You may have noticed we love to travel by train and we don’t shy away of travelling to ride on one or more specific trains or railway line. The Canadian in Canada, the California Zephyr in the United States, the Glacier Express in Switzerland or the Flåmsbana in Norway just to name a few. As…
Antwerp Queer Arts Festival 2022 programme and schedule
It’s that time of the year again: Antwerp Pride and Antwerp Queer Arts Festival. Pride focuses on the second weekend of August: from Wednesday 10 to Sunday 14. AQAF runs from 5 to 28 August. In 2022, Antwerp Pride turns 15 and looks 15 years into the future under the banner of ‘Queertopia‘. AQAF hasn’t…
71 (68) countries where gay sex is illegal
The 17th of May is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia. IDAHOBIT, or more commonly in Belgium, IDAHOT. As it falls on a Tuesday this year and Tuesday is one of our default publishing days with Thursday and Sunday, I’d thought I’d take a look at the state of affairs regarding state-sponsored…
Borgerhout flies intersex inclusive Rainbow Progress Pride Flag for IDAHOT
The 17th of May is the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Intersexphobia and Transphobia. IDAHOBIT, or more commonly in Belgium, IDAHOT. Since a few years cities, communes (municipalities) and districts in Flanders fly the rainbow flag on this occasion. This year, the District of Borgerhout in Antwerp is also flying the latest version: the Progress…
ANTWERP | ‘Stories of Refuge’ exhibition at Red Star Line Museum
Until 11 December, the Red Star Line Museum in Antwerp hosts the temporary exhibition ‘Stories of Refuge‘. A topical exhibition, now with the war Russia is waging against Ukraine.
HOW TO | Travel to the Eurovision Song Contest
Slowly, broadcasters will present their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC), which this year takes place in Tel Aviv, Israel. If you haven’t already, mark 14, 16 and 18 May 2019 in your calendar.