Latest Hospitality and leisure industry News

Historic ocean liner could soon become the world's largest artificial reef

Oct. 12, 2024 17:24 PM EDT

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The conservancy that oversees a storied but aging ocean liner and its landlord have resolved a years-old rent dispute that will clear the way for a Florida county to turn the historic ship into the world’s largest artificial reef. A federal judge had ruled in...

Planned nuclear plant in a Kenyan top tourist hub and home to endangered species sparks protest

Oct. 12, 2024 04:56 AM EDT

KILIFI, Kenya (AP) — Dozens rallied against a proposal to build Kenya's first nuclear power plant in one of the country's top coastal tourist hubs which also houses a forest on the tentative list of the UNESCO World Heritage site. Kilifi County is renowned for its pristine sandy...

Company recalls nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry dishes for listeria contamination

Oct. 10, 2024 13:28 PM EDT

A company is recalling nearly 10 million pounds of meat and poultry products made at an Oklahoma plant because they may be contaminated with listeria bacteria that can cause illness and death. BrucePac of Woodburn, Oregon, recalled the roughly 5,000 tons of ready-to-eat foods this...

In Wrexham, the ‘Rob and Ryan effect’ goes beyond the soccer club as tourism and investments grow

Oct. 10, 2024 08:22 AM EDT

WREXHAM, Wales (AP) — Clutching a pint of Guinness in one hand and flicking through photos on his cell phone in the other, Nestor Aguedelo laughed and joked with his wife and sister-in-law in a corner of The Turf, a pub in north Wales that has rapidly become one of Britain’s most unlikely...

Disney World and Universal closures halt Orlando tourism as Milton approaches

Oct. 09, 2024 18:39 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Tourism in Orlando rapidly came to a standstill Wednesday with the main airport and at least three theme parks and other businesses set to shut down, leaving Florida residents and visitors fleeing Hurricane Milton to hunker down in area hotels. Milton, which is...

How Waffle House helps Southerners — and FEMA — judge a storm's severity

Oct. 09, 2024 12:55 PM EDT

Golden hashbrowns, gravy-smothered biscuits and crispy waffles with a hearty helping of maple syrup are among the classic Southern comfort foods. But when hurricanes tear through Southeastern towns, the hot meals and bold yellow signs of the local Waffle House provide another kind of comfort. ...

Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld will all close ahead of Milton

Oct. 08, 2024 17:15 PM EDT

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Orlando’s tourism machine began grinding to a halt Tuesday with at least three major theme parks and the main airport announcing closures ahead of Hurricane Milton ’s expected hit as a major storm in Florida. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and...

Manitoba's train is a lifeline for many towns. Now tourists are also discovering the route

Oct. 08, 2024 09:52 AM EDT

The setting sun backlights a pristine panoply of pines of different sizes and species. Far northern Canadian countryside rolls by at a leisurely pace of a train ride, viewed through an upper deck glass-enclosed of a special observation car. Waves of green and brown in slightly varying shades sweep...

India offers financial support to Maldives after talks to repair ties

Oct. 07, 2024 06:40 AM EDT

NEW DELHI (AP) — India stepped up its development assistance to the Maldives after the two leaders held talks in New Delhi on Monday in a bid to repair strained ties that saw the president of the Indian Ocean archipelago forging closer relations with China. After the talks, Prime...

US adds a robust 254,000 jobs and unemployment dips to 4.1% in sign of still-sturdy labor market

Oct. 04, 2024 12:36 PM EDT

WASHINGTON (AP) — America’s employers added a surprisingly strong 254,000 jobs in September, easing concerns about a weakening labor market and suggesting that the pace of hiring is still solid enough to support a growing economy. Last month’s gain was far more than economists...