Dawit Habtemariam

I cover what destinations around world are doing to attract tourists. Prior to joining Skift, I covered corporate travel at Business Travel News.

Latest Stories

Tourism

Hawaii Conventions CEO to Step Down

The Hawaii Visitors and Conventions Bureau will need to find a leader with a long experience in managing crisis management.

Dawit Habtemariam | 6 days ago

Hawaii Conventions CEO to Step Down

Tourism

Amsterdam Picks New Spot For Red Light District Tourism

Moving the window brothels out of the Red Light District would be a big step in discouraging party behavior in Amsterdam.

Dawit Habtemariam | 7 days ago

Amsterdam Picks New Spot For Red Light District Tourism

Tourism

U.S. to Expand Visa Interview Waiver Authority in 2024

The updated visa waiver interview authority will help cut the backlog for non-immigrant visa interviews, making it easier for travelers trying to visit the U.S. in 2024.

Dawit Habtemariam | 1 week ago

U.S. to Expand Visa Interview Waiver Authority in 2024

Tourism

Iceland Volcano: Tours Switch From Blue Lagoon to Sky Lagoon

Sky Lagoon is receiving new attention from tour operators as an alternative to the Blue Lagoon, a temporarily closed major attraction.

Dawit Habtemariam | 1 week ago

Iceland Volcano: Tours Switch From Blue Lagoon to Sky Lagoon

Tourism

Iceland Volcano Eruption FAQ: What Travelers Need to Know

Iceland is safe and the volcano's impact has been minimal.

Dawit Habtemariam | 1 week ago

Iceland Volcano Eruption FAQ: What Travelers Need to Know

Tourism

Iceland Volcano Erupts and Blue Lagoon Closes Again

The volcano finally erupted. The eruption has forced Blue Lagoon to close. The country's biggest airport, however, hasn't halted its operations.

Dawit Habtemariam | 1 week ago

Iceland Volcano Erupts and Blue Lagoon Closes Again

News Blog

India’s TBO Acquires Booking Platform Jumbonline

TBO has acquired Jumbonline, an online booking system by Jump Tours Group. TBO Co-Founder Gaurav Bhatnagar made the announcement on LinkedIn on Monday. Based in India, TBO.com is a travel distribution platform. Jumbonline is a Spain-headquartered distribution platform for wholesalers and tour operators. Under the acquisition, TBO will have access to Jumbonline’s content, technology, clients,…

Dawit Habtemariam | 1 week ago

Tourism

Blue Lagoon Iceland to Reopen to Tourists

While Blue Lagoon was closed for over a month, other attractions have remained opened. Tour operators have not seen a drop in demand.

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

Blue Lagoon Iceland to Reopen to Tourists

Tourism

Hollywood Sign’s 100th Anniversary: From Generic Ad to Iconic Image

Like Egypt's pyramids and New York's Statue of Liberty, Hollywood's sign will hold its status as a tourist draw for decades to come.

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

Hollywood Sign’s 100th Anniversary: From Generic Ad to Iconic Image

Tourism

Yosemite National Park to Require Reservations in 2024

Yosemite National Park is trying to find a balance between the visitor experience and keeping it accessible.

Dawit Habtemariam | 2 weeks ago

Yosemite National Park to Require Reservations in 2024