Beth J. Harpaz, Associated Press Published 7:02 a.m. ET Feb. 18, 2018 Can the appeal of America’s music help reverse the downturn in international visitors coming to the U.S.? Brand USA, which markets U.S. tourism around the world, hopes so. The agency is behind a new IMAX movie called “America’s Musical Journey” that premiered last week. The 40-minute film aims to show off America’s musical heritage to the world. It’s narrated by Morgan Freeman and stars Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Aloe Blacc as he explores American music history in cities like New Orleans, Memphis, Detroit and Miami. Speaking at a media preview in New York on Tuesday, Blacc said he hopes the movie sparks in viewers a “love for music. I want them to learn about the growth of different genres that were born here in the U.S. like jazz, blues, rock, even hip-hop. … If you get to see ‘America’s Musical Journey,’ you’ll see all the best … [Read more...] about New IMAX film promotes U.S. music destinations
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Zero died in U.S. jet crashes – a trend predating Trump
Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, Los Angeles Times Published 6:13 p.m. ET Jan. 3, 2018 The United States racked up another sterling year for airline safety: Zero people died in crashes of commercial jets in 2017, for the eighth year in a row. Worldwide, there were 10 fatal airliner accidents and 44 fatalities — 25 passengers and 19 crew members, according to the Aviation Safety Network, a group that tracks accidents involving airliners, military transport planes and corporate jets. But that was down from 16 accidents and 303 fatalities in 2016. The number of deaths caused by airline accidents has steadily declined for several years, the group said, and on average, for every 7 million flights worldwide, there is one fatality. President Trump sought to claim credit for the good year. “Since taking office I have been very strict on Commercial Aviation. Good news — it was just reported that there were Zero deaths in 2017, the best and safest year on record!” he tweeted … [Read more...] about Zero died in U.S. jet crashes – a trend predating Trump
New U.S. travel advisory recommends “caution” to Baja California visitors; no restrictions for tourist areas
Under a new travel advisory system announced Wednesday, the U.S. State Department issued its highest-level warning for five Mexican states—Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa and Tamaulipas—recommending that U.S. travelers refrain from visiting these regions due to security conditions.The advisory lists a “level 2” warning for Baja California and Baja California Sur, recommending that travelers “exercise increased caution due to crime” when visiting these states. The warning is the second-lowest of a new four-level ranking system now being used to evaluate security conditions for U.S. travelers to countries worldwide. It ranges from the lowest level—“exercise normal precautions”—to the strictest, “do not travel.”For Baja California, the statement says that “criminal activity and violence, including homicide, remain an issue throughout the state” and that homicides had increased over 2016. It states … [Read more...] about New U.S. travel advisory recommends “caution” to Baja California visitors; no restrictions for tourist areas
Clearwater Beach named top beach in the U.S.
Florida once again is home to the best beach in the U.S., with the title heading back to Clearwater Beach coming in at No. 1 in the TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice Awards.The Pinellas County beach won the accolade in 2016, but dropped to No. 4 last year as Siesta Beach down near Sarasota took the top spot.Back on top again, the beach leads a hearty pack from the Sunshine State, which landed six of the top 10 and eight of the top 25 on the list, which is based on the quantity and quality of reader reviews in the TripAdvisor community.Siesta Beach, which also was named the best beach in the U.S. in the 2017 Dr. Beach list fell to No. 2 this year. Other Florida beaches on the list are South Beach at No. 4, Fort Lauderdale Beach at No. 6, St. Pete Beach at No. 7, Hollywood Beach at No. 8, Panama City Beach at No. 11 and Fort Myers Beach at No. 14.For the U.S. top 25, Florida landed eight, while Hawaii had one more with nine including No. 3 Ka'anapali Beach in Maui, No. 5 Hanauma Bay Nature … [Read more...] about Clearwater Beach named top beach in the U.S.
Explore one of the most remote regions in the continental U.S., Washington’s Olympic National Park
As I sit gazing at a million stars against a pitch-black sky at the edge of a thousand-year-old forest, listening to the pounding waves of the North Pacific, a remarkable feeling of insignificance washes over me. Huddled under a heavy blanket against a howling wind on this cold April night, I experience a feeling of powerlessness that is strangely comforting.The same thought occurred to me a few days earlier, during an early-morning stroll through the chilly mist that hung over a mountain resort in the foothills of Olympic National Park in Washington. As blue jays flitted between giant cedars, I took a seat on a rock, watching four deer grazing unhurriedly between cabins. One of the animals ambled to the edge of a narrow service road that separated us, stopping no more than 10 feet from me. As it ate, it was no more perturbed by my presence than by the sudden appearance of a robin alighting on a nearby rock.Over the course of five days hiking through the myriad landscapes of the … [Read more...] about Explore one of the most remote regions in the continental U.S., Washington’s Olympic National Park