Don't Even Go There!

Poll of 40,000 hotels ranks visitors on politeness, generosity

(NEWSER) - The French are the world’s worst tourists, AFP reports. A global survey asked staff at 40,000 hotels to rate tourists on categories ranging from politeness to generosity to willingness to learn local languages—and the French finished last in several categories. Japanese tourists took honors in just as many and were ranked “best tourists” for the third year running. Americans topped the “noisiest” category. More»

Gigs that straddle the line between necessary and absurd

(NEWSER) - From Parisian sewer guides to a coconut safety engineer in St. Thomas, some travel industry jobs straddle the line between necessary and absurd. Travel and Leisure highlights some of the strangest.

1. Tourism ambassador, Japan. Diplomacy never looked so soft and cuddly after Japan appointed elder statesfeline Hello Kitty for PR duty in Hong Kong and China.

Oddball traditions say plenty about a culture

(NEWSER) - Forget museums and street markets. To truly understand a culture, travelers should take in its bizarre traditions. From fire walking to tomato hurling, Travel and Leisure looks at the world's most off-the-wall celebrations.

• Lopburi Monkey Buffet in Thailand: Each November, Lopburi's residents lay out a feast to appease the city's greedy monkeys.

Capital ditches 'American Experience' for new tourism slogan

(NEWSER) - "The American Experience" hasn't been the come-on Washington officials hoped, Portfolio reports, and DC's tourist board hopes to change that with a new campaign: “Create Your Own Power Trip." With a stumbling economy projected to eat into the US capital's 15 million in annual tourism, the city decided a rebranding was needed to keep up with the competition. More»

Delicious food means you don't have to leave the hotel

(NEWSER) - With this sort of room service, why leave the hotel at all? Forbes lists eight hotels that are stand-outs for room service offerings:

1. Four Seasons Washington, DC: Gourmet in-room dinner for two served by personal butler.
2. Ritz-Carlton Chicago: Get whatever you want, whenever you want from the kitchen—prepared to your specs.