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Peter Dutton defends comparing pro-Palestine rally to Port Arthur massacre

Peter Dutton has doubled down on controversial comments he made comparing a pro-Palestine rally to the Port Arthur massacre in 1996. The leader of the opposition sparked fierce criticism fort he remarks he made when discussing the rise of anti-Semitism in Australia as the Israel-Palestine war rages on. He compared a pro-Palestine protest that took place outside Sydney Opera House on October 9th, just days after the first attacks by Hamas, to the deadly massacre in Tasmania in which 35 people were killed which prompted major gun reforms in Australia under the Howard government. Dutton later repeated the comments, insisting Mr Howard’s response had been “strong” and claimed Mr Albanese has not done enough to stem the rise in anti-Semitism. The Opposition Leader appeared on Today on Friday morning where he again defended his comments when asked if he had gone too far with the comparison. “The point I was making, which is absolutely a legitimate one, is that I thought this was a time for the Prime Minister (Anthony Albanese) to show leadership and to step up,” Mr Dutton said. “I think, with John Howard, who stood up at a point of national importance for our country, demonstrated leadership and changed the course of history for the better. The Prime Minister has allowed this rise of anti-Semitism in our country.” “I don’t resile from that at all.” Mr Dutton’s fury was sparked by comments made by the Foreign Minister Penny Wong in her own speech earlier this week, which left the door open for Australia to back Palestinian statehood in the UN. “Penny Wong never went to cabinet with this proposal. It’s not agreed to by the Palestinian leaders here in Australia,” he said. Government Services Minister Bill Shorten then chimed in on the debate, arguing there was nothing new in Senator Wong’s comments as the war in Palestine continued to claim thousands of innocent lives. “Labor has had as its policy for a very long time, the whole time I’ve been a member of the Labor Party, support for a two state solution,” he told Nine. But he said it was a grave mistake to conflate Port Arthur with the “unacceptable” rise in anti-Semitism. “I think probably if he had his time again in the privacy of his own head, he would probably not do (that),” Mr Shorten said. “They’re two separate issues. Port Arthur was a shocking, murderous, evil act in Australia. And John Howard certainly spoke up about it." “I think Peter, you know, has got to make his point. That’s his job. But I think he should work with the Prime Minister to call out inflammatory language here.” Mr Dutton went on to clarify he was just trying to make a parallel between the two leaders’ responses. “John Howard stood up for our country at a time when he needed moral clarity. He did that he changed the course of history with gun laws,” he said. “That’s the parallel that I’m making to the absolute absence of leadership from the Prime Minister at the moment, which has given rise to those in the Jewish community talking about feeling unsafe in our country.” Image credits: Getty Images <div class="media image" style="caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-style: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration: none; box-sizing: inherit; margin-bottom: 24px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; align-items: center; width: 705.202209px; max-width: 100%;"> </div>

Legal

Selfie-taking tourists launched from Venice gondola after refusing to sit down

A group of rowdy tourists have ended up in the waters of a Venice canal after causing a ruckus onboard the boat. Six passengers were travelling on a canal in the Italian hotspot when the boat was heading towards a low bridge that they needed to pass under. The gondolier explained to the tourists that they needed to sit down and be still as the boat passed under the bridge, explaining that a change in weight would cause an issue. Despite the gondolier's warning, the tourists continued to stand up and move around the narrow vessel to take selfies of their journey. Predictably, ignoring the requests of the gondolier caused the vessel to capsize, sending the tourists into the freezing water as the gondolier jumped to safety. <iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=314&href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FSkyNewsAustralia%2Fvideos%2F854034223389998%2F&show_text=false&width=560&t=0" width="560" height="314" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> No one was injured in the mishap, as the tourists swam to safety at the bank of the canal, before seeking refuge at La Fenice theatre, according to Venice police. According to a spokesman for the city’s gondola association, the gondola was not damaged, although the upholstered furniture in the vessel was ruined by the water. The spokesperson went on to confirm that the gondolier had instructed the tourists not to move around or stand up to take selfies during the manoeuvre, but due to a language barrier, the tourists did not comply. A video of the incident was posted to an Instagram page called Venezia Non è Disneyland (Venice Is Not Disneyland), an account run by young locals to chronicle tourism in the city, with the video being flooded with comments about the misbehaved tourists. Many Italian locals were quick to point out how rowdy the tourists must've been to cause the incident, with many pointing out they "didn't know it was possible to capsize a gondola". Image credits: Facebook

Travel Trouble

An entry fee may not be enough to save Venice from 20 million tourists

<a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sameer-hosany-292658">Sameer Hosany</a>, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/royal-holloway-university-of-london-795">Royal Holloway University of London</a> Venice’s history, art and architecture attract an estimated <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/copy/overtourism-in-venice">20 million</a> visitors every year. The city, a <a href="https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=ac36ced945412121372dc892cc31498fb268247c">Unesco World Heritage site</a>, is often crammed with tourists in search of special <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/mar.21665">memories</a>. But for the people who actually live there, this level of tourism has become unsustainable. So from 2024, day-trippers will be charged a €5 (£4.31) fee as part of an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/world/europe/venice-tourist-fee-italy.html#:%7E:text=The%20City%20Council%20passed%20an,popular%20but%20equally%20fragile%20place.&text=Starting%20next%20spring%2C%20day%2Dtrippers,5%20euros%20for%20the%20privilege.">attempt</a> to better manage the flow of visitors. The city’s mayor has <a href="https://travelweekly.co.uk/news/tourism/controversial-e5-venice-tourist-tax-finally-approved">described the charge</a> – which will be implemented on 30 particularly busy days in the spring and summer – as an attempt to “protect the city from mass tourism”. It comes after cruise ships were banned from entering the fragile Venice lagoon in 2021. Both policies are designed to respond to the particular problem facing Venice, which is that <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/02/venice-day-trippers-will-have-to-make-reservations-and-pay-fee">around 80%</a> of its tourists come just for the day. Research has shown that such a high proportion of day-trippers – who tend to spend little – <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0160738395000658">pushes</a> a tourist destination <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1541-0064.1980.tb00970.x">towards decline</a>. So from next year, all travellers to Venice will have to register their visit in advance and obtain a QR code online. Day trippers will then have to pay the fee; visitors staying overnight will not. Other exemptions include children under 14, as well as people who travel to the city for work and study, or to visit family members. To enforce the policy, the municipal police and authorised inspectors will carry out random checks. Anyone without the proper QR code will face a fine of up to €300 (£261). But some have expressed doubts about whether the €5 fee – the price of a coffee or an ice cream – will be enough to dissuade tourists from travelling to this iconic ancient city. One city politician <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/12/world/europe/venice-tourist-fee-italy.html">commented</a> that the charge means Venice has become “a theme park, a Disneyland,” where “you get in by paying an entrance fee.” Certainly the charge is a lot less than Bhutan’s (recently reduced) “sustainable development fee” of <a href="https://globetrender.com/2023/09/17/bhutan-woos-more-tourists-reduced-entry-tax/">US$100 (£82) per night</a>, which applies to all tourists, and was introduced to encourage “high value, low impact” tourism. Research also indicates that strategies aiming at persuading tourists to come at less crowded times <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780080436746/seasonality-in-tourism">do not reduce numbers</a> at peak periods, but actually end up increasing overall demand. <h2>‘Veniceland’</h2> But Venice has to try something. For <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/11/24/6937">researchers</a>, Venice is the embodiment of <a href="https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/book/10.1079/9781786399823.0000">overtourism</a>, and residents clearly suffer from the consequences – living with the congestion, environmental damage and affects on their lifestyle and culture that 20 million visitors can cause. This can then lead to a negative response, known as “<a href="https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348605007_Overtourism_and_Tourismphobia_A_Journey_Through_Five_Decades_of_Tourism_Development_Planning_and_Local_Concerns">tourismphobia</a>”.Another term, “<a href="https://dokufest.com/en/festival/2013/cities-beyond-borders/das-venedig-prinzip-the-venice-syndrome#:%7E:text=The%20film%20shows%20what%20remains,municipal%20council%20with%20scorn%3B%20a">Venice Syndrome</a>” has been used to describe the <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0264275123001816#:%7E:text=It%20explains%20the%20data%2Dgathering,between%20urban%20form%20conditions%20and">decline of the city’s</a> permanent population, as citizens feel forced to leave. Venice’s population is around 50,000 and has been consistently falling, from a peak of <a href="https://www.blueguides.com/venice-in-peril/">175,000</a>. If the population falls below 40,000, there is concern that Venice will cease to be a <a href="https://www.responsibletravel.com/copy/overtourism-in-venice">viable living city</a>. Those who remain have often expressed their discontent. Well publicised protests have included the “<a href="https://www.reuters.com/article/us-venice-funeral-idUKTRE5AD1DQ20091114">Funeral of Venice</a>” in 2009, a mock funeral to mourn the sharp drop in population, and “<a href="https://scholarworks.gsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1065&context=anthro_theses">Welcome to Veniceland</a>” in 2010, which claimed that Venice was becoming more of a theme park. And while “tourist taxes” <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14616688.2019.1669070">remain popular strategies</a> to address overtourism, their effectiveness remains debatable. Instead, research suggests that a <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14616688.2019.1669070">combination</a> of specific economic measures (like fees and variable pricing) and non-economic policies (such as educating visitors) is the best option. That combination needs to be specially designed for each destination. There can be no one-size-fits-all solution. A <a href="https://www.e-unwto.org/doi/pdf/10.18111/9789284420070">report</a> by the World Tourism Organisation on overtourism identifies 11 different strategies and 68 measures to manage visitors’ growth in urban destinations. Barcelona, often seen as a city which has done well in handling mass tourism, has successfully used a <a href="https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/216242/1/CESifo-Forum-2019-03-p20-24.pdf">well targeted approach</a>. This has included harnessing new technology to develop a data driven management system to control visitor flows and overcrowding. It also deliberately engaged with the public when deciding on policies, and came up with specific strategies like limiting the number of new souvenir shops. But it did not resort to charging an entrance fee. Venice will be the first city in the world to do so – and other locations struggling with mass tourism will be keeping a close eye on whether such a bold move turns out to be a success.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213703/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/sameer-hosany-292658">Sameer Hosany</a>, Professor of Marketing, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/royal-holloway-university-of-london-795">Royal Holloway University of London</a> Image credits: Getty Images This article is republished from <a href="https://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/an-entry-fee-may-not-be-enough-to-save-venice-from-20-million-tourists-213703">original article</a>.

International Travel

5 of the best things to do in Port Stephens

From magnificent coastline to whale watching and sunsets that will take your breath away, these are five of the best things to do in Port Stephens. Be warned: After reading this you’ll want to hop in the car immediately. 1. Camp in luxury safari tent (pictured above) If you’re looking for that up-close-and-personal-with-nature feel that goes hand in hand with camping, but don’t want to go with out the luxuries of a resort, the safari tents at <a href="http://www.twsr.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Thou Walla Sunset Retreat</a> are for you. Labelled as “Glamping Safari Tents,” the experience is just that – camping with all of the glamourous trimmings. From the king-size bed to the large flat-screen TV, you can expect all the features that you get from a luxury hotel room, including an electric fireplace, fridge and a big bathroom with a shower and toilet – they are, however, eco friendly with a few different bells and whistles. The tents themselves are located a stone’s throw from the marina and the calm waters of Soliders Point, which runs alongside one length of the site. Located around 15 minutes from Nelson Bay, the award-winning retreat is home to villas as well as the safari tents. If you are adverse to noises in the night, you may want to pack you earplugs to drown out the noisy birds – but apparently they don’t make a ruckus all year round and in any case, the piece des resistance that is the amazing sunset, enjoyed from your tent’s deck with a tipple in hand, by far makes up for the noise. It is absolute bliss. 2. Hike up to Tomaree Head Tomaree Head sits 161 metres above Port Stephens and offers the most incredible views of the region. The track to the summit is just over two kilometres and will take around an hour, but you’ll be rewarded with sweeping views over Zenith, Wreck and Box beaches, the lighthouse and WWII gun placements, Cabbage Tree and Boondelbah islands, and potentially even whales or dolphins. There’s a picnic table at the top, so bring your lunch for a meal with a view. 3. Go whale watching Every year, thousands of humpback and southern right whales make their way past Port Stephens during their annual migration. At this time of year, the southern migration has begun and you’ll see many mothers with newborn calves returning from the breeding grounds. There are plenty of spots to watch the whales from shore, but for the real experience you need to be out on the water. <a href="http://www.imaginecruises.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Imagine Cruises</a> runs whale-watching tours every day from May to November. You’ll be sailing on a 16-metre catamaran as the whales swim right alongside or breach from the water in a stunning display of aquatic acrobatics. 4. Spend the day at the beach Port Stephens is surrounded by more than 20 golden sandy beaches so enjoy a classic stop on the shore. There’s a beach for just about every kind of water activity you could ask for, from swimming and surfing to snorkelling, parasailing, fishing and jetskiing. Divers can explore the sea caves and shipwrecks of Fly Point Marine Park. Or you can just spread out your towel, pick up a good book and soak up some sun. 5. Have dinner by the water The Port Stephens region is famous for its food and wine, and one of the best spots to taste it is the <a href="http://littlebeachboathouse.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Little Beach Boathouse</a>. The restaurant sits right on the water at Nelson Bay – but set away from the main shops on the marina. Styled like a cool, breezy beach house, the menu features fresh local produce like rock oysters, fish and prawns, accompanied by wines from the nearby Hunter Valley and Murray Brewery Beers brewed in Port Stephens. Arrive early for dinner to watch the sunset with a glass of bubbles. Image credit: Shutterstock Related links <a href="../travel/international/2016/09/10-of-the-most-incredible-landmarks-in-australia/">10 of the most incredible landmarks in Australia</a> <a href="../travel/international/2016/08/10-images-showcase-the-beauty-of-tasmanian-wilderness/">10 images showcase the beauty of Tasmania’s wilderness</a> <a href="../travel/international/2016/08/12-aerial-photos-showcasing-south-australias-beauty/">12 aerial photos showcasing South Australia’s beauty</a>

Domestic Travel

“Overbearing idiots” fined for surfing through Venice’s Grand Canal

Two “overbearing idiots” who were caught surfing through Venice's Grand Canal have been identified and had their boards confiscated. A furious Mayor Luigi Brugnaro shared footage of the pair calling for them to be found and punished for “making a mockery of the city”. “Here are two overbearing idiots who make a mockery of the City,” his translated tweet read. “I ask everyone to help us identify them to punish them even if our weapons are really blunt... we urgently need more powers for the Mayors in terms of public safety! “To those who spot them, I offer a dinner!” <blockquote class="twitter-tweet"> Ecco due imbecilli prepotenti che si fanno beffa della Città… chiedo a tutti di aiutarci a individuarli per punirli anche se le nostre armi sono davvero spuntate… servono urgentemente più poteri ai Sindaci in tema di sicurezza pubblica! A chi li individua offro una cena! <a href="https://t.co/DV2ONO3hUs">pic.twitter.com/DV2ONO3hUs</a> — Luigi Brugnaro (@LuigiBrugnaro) <a href="https://twitter.com/LuigiBrugnaro/status/1559808148843765760?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">August 17, 2022</a></blockquote> In a later post, the Mayor Brugnaro announced that the pair were caught and fined. “Speaking of the two “heroes” of this morning, we have identified them!” he updated his followers. He did not disclose how much their fine was but thanked everyone for their cooperation on catching the two. Image: Twitter

Travel Trouble

Two years on since the Beirut port explosion

It’s been two years since the devastating port explosion that rocked Lebanon and saw the country slowly become even more poor. The terrifying explosion killed 218 people, wounded 7,000 and damaged 77,000 apartments, displacing more than 300,000 people in the already struggling country. Covid was well underway with hospitals already under pressure, but the explosion saw them suddenly overflowing with injured citizens desperate for help. People are saying that the country’s stay-at-home orders saved lives which would have otherwise seen hundreds of thousands on the roads, at work and at the beach near the exploded port. But two years on and the residents are still struggling through the worst economic crisis in 30 years. Electricity runs for an hour a day unless you have a deal with electricity companies, there is also no running water, no bread, no gas, and much more. And it’s only expected to get worse in winter when temperatures plummet and families struggle to keep their loved ones, particularly the elderly, warm. Even putting food on the table has become more difficult with grocery prices soaring exponentially – almost 10 times what they were back in 2019. Families are being forced to ration and even resort to basics. There have been several protests calling for an end to the widespread corruption and tax increases. Will the politicians listen? Probably not, as this has been a long-running issue for Lebanon. Despite all this heartache, Lebanon remains the Paris of the Middle East and is likened to a phoenix, a mythical bird that is born again from the ashes of its predecessor. But what can we do to help Lebanon? Go and visit. Lebanon’s economy continues to rely on tourism and is a stunning summer/spring destination. Travellers will be in awe at the beauty of the Middle Eastern country which is constantly bringing Aussie tourists in. From its capital city Beirut, to Byblos in the seaside of the north of the country, Tyre, also known as Sour (pronounced soor), Harissa and many more it is certainly the place to be. It comes as the Lebanese Ministry of Tourism launched a tourism campaign to bring in Lebanese expats to come to the country during the 2022 summer season. The campaign was dubbed “Ahla Bha Talle,” in reference to a song by late and prominent Lebanese singer Sabah. So in reference to that TikTok video “Yallah come to Lebanon habibi” (Come to Lebanon my love). Images: Twitter

Travel Trouble

7 free activities to do at a port stop

Having a fun during your port stop doesn’t mean you have to spend lots of money. Depending on where you have stopped, there are various activities that you can spend your time doing that will still allow you to soak up the country that you are in. 1. Beach Beaches not only provide some of the most beautiful views on earth but they are an enjoyable activity that requires no money. You can spend your time taking in some Vitamin D, reading a book, searching for seashells or cooling off in the crystal waters. 2. Explore Depending on where you are, you can choose to go on a nice walk to take in the outdoor views or explore the streets and local life. You will be able to stretch your legs, take in the views and you will also be bound to meet some friendly faces that might be willing to give you some insider tips to where to go next. If you prefer not to walk too much when you explore, research prior to your trip to see if there are any free bus rides where you are stopping. 3. Tour the city If you have great navigation skills, don’t bother paying for a tour but visit the most prominent sites by yourself. From churches, to statutes and museums, you can explore the history of the location on your own terms. This will allow you to spend more time on the places you don’t want to rush or skip the attractions that don’t interest you at all. 4. Browse markets Markets are often free and will definitely entertain you as you browse through the local handmade goods and food. If you find some cheap items you can also purchase them as souvenirs and save yourself from spending lots of money at the tourist trap shops. You will also be supporting locals who may need the money. The markets will also provide a lot of options to meet different people. Be sure to know the conversion rate before you go to the markets so you don’t get ripped off. 5. See live music Live music is delightful to watch in another country and is a great way to see how the country’s culture and history has influenced the music. Live music can be found anywhere whether it be in front of prominent attractions, street corners or in bars. If you stumble upon an act that you enjoy, feel free to dance along or start clapping. Be aware of pickpocket thieves when you listen to live music as they love crowds. 6. People-watch People-watching is a great way to learn about the culture of a country. If you feel like relaxing in a park or at a café, be sure to pick a spot that gives you a great view of the crowds. You will be easily entertained watching people going about their lives oblivious of your gaze. 7. Attend local events There are so many local events on in all countries around the world, it is just a matter of being aware of where they are and what time they are occurring. Check out the events calendars for your cruise ports to see which events take your fancy. What free activities are your favourite in cruise ports? Let us know in the comments below.

Cruising

A genius hack to save in one of the most expensive cities in the world

A woman from the UK has revealed on Tiktok how she avoided paying for an expensive tourist attraction while travelling around Europe. Katie shared the clever hack after visiting Italy and people have called her a genius. Posting a video on her TikTok account, she explained how she managed to avoid paying for a gondola ride around Venice – a popular pastime for tourists, but one that can prove very expensive. <blockquote class="tiktok-embed" style="max-width: 605px; min-width: 325px;" cite="https://www.tiktok.com/@backpackingbabble/video/7053031345127263493" data-video-id="7053031345127263493"> <section><a title="@backpackingbabble" href="https://www.tiktok.com/@backpackingbabble" target="_blank" rel="noopener">@backpackingbabble</a> And this is how you travel Venice on a budget 🇮🇹 <a title="romantisizeyourlife" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/romantisizeyourlife" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#romantisizeyourlife</a> <a title="venice" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/venice" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#venice</a> <a title="boat" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/boat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#boat</a> <a title="gondela" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/gondela" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#gondela</a> <a title="lol" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/lol" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#lol</a> <a title="viral" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/viral" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#viral</a> <a title="fyp" href="https://www.tiktok.com/tag/fyp" target="_blank" rel="noopener">#fyp</a> <a title="♬ original sound - liamfawell" href="https://www.tiktok.com/music/original-sound-7045186791162350338" target="_blank" rel="noopener">♬ original sound - liamfawell</a></section> </blockquote> She wrote: “Romanticise talking the bin men into giving you a boat tour of Venice because you don’t have €80 to spend on a gondola ride.” The video shows her and her friend sitting on the iconic boat as it goes under a bridge, while surrounded by bin bags and cement bags. She then panned back to show the two men behind her as they steered through the canals. Her video has been watched more than 1.5 million times with more than 200,000 people loving the advice with one person saying: “This is iconic.” Someone asked if the boat smelled to which Katie replied; “Not at all! I think it was just sandbags and building materials.” Not everyone agreed, with someone adding: “I’d rather spend the €80.” And one person said: “Venice seems like the only city in the world where a tour from the bin men can be romanticised though.” Katie explained in a follow up video: “This is Alessandro and his father, they were both absolutely lovely and we went out for a few drinks with them after to say thank you.” Tourists have often complained about the expensive costs of Venice. Venice is also set to introduce a new fee from this year where tourists must pre-book and pay a day rate to enter. Visitors will have to pay €5 ($A8) and pass through a turnstile in order to enter the city. Images: TikTok

Travel Tips

Kyle Sandilands engaged while holidaying in Port Douglas

Image: Instagram / Twitter Kyle Sandilands is engaged to his girlfriend, Tegan Kynaston, proposing after two years together. The radio presenter, 50, got down on one knee while the couple were holidaying in Port Douglas. "She said YES!!!! Congratulations to the future Mr & Mrs Kyle Sandilands!!! #KJShow," Kyle and Jackie O's Twitter caption read. Tegan, aged 35, sparked engagement rumours after she was spotted wearing a large diamond ring on Saturday after arriving in Sydney from the holiday. She is director of communications for her now-fiancé's company King Kyle Private Limited. The duo went public with their romance on New Year's Eve in 2019 when Kynaston shared a photo of herself kissing Sandilands in front of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. She had previously been Sandilands' personal assistant before they began dating. Prior to their romance, Sandilands had been linked to model Imogen Anthony, calling off their relationship after eight years together.

Relationships

“Awful”: Steve Price slams upcoming Port Arthur movie

The film about the 1996 Port Arthur massacre has proven to be a massive controversy, with many saying it should not be made. On Wednesday night’s episode of The Project, Lisa Wilkinson asked Steve Price his opinion on the upcoming film. “A controversial new film about the 1996 Port Arthur massacre has been widely condemned. It is due for release next year. Survivors have branded it ‘tasteless and inappropriate,’” Lisa stated. “The film focuses on the gunman who killed 32 people and injured 23 others in what became one of Australia’s worst mass shootings.” “Steve Price was at the scene after that horrific event unfolded in 1996. “There are films made about 9/11, World War II and here in Australia about Snowtown. What is different about this one?” Lisa asks. “Well, Lisa, I think it is probably too soon and too close to home. I mean, the 35 people who were killed there, their relatives today I would think would be having flashbacks,” Price said. “The 21 people injured by that gunman would be feeling uncomfortable. I saw an interview back with Walter who did it from the ABC, where he was talking about how he lost his wife and his two children and he described how the gunman had left the cafe and was driving back down the road. He saw his wife. He jumped out of the car. He killed her. He then shot one of the daughters. The other was hiding behind a tree. He turned around the side of that tree and gunned her down as well. I stood in front of that tree the day after that happened and I can tell you, and I wasn’t there on the day but I was there the next day, it still haunts me. It was an awful feeling and awful place and it would be an awful movie.” “Is it fair to protest a film – we don’t know what is in the film. Is it fair to protest a film which has not been made yet?” asked co-host Joel Creasey. “We all know how it ends and the end is grim and awful. I don’t know what sort of job this filmmaker will make of this movie. I won’t see it. I am sure anyone there on the day will avoid it at all costs. I agree it should not be made,” he said. “I don’t see the point in making something which was an awful stain on our history.” Waleed Aly asked him whether the film could be seen as a crucial way to learn lessons from the tragedy, as there was no trial. “It sounds like an important story to tell. Isn’t this a way to do that?” Waleed asked. But Price didn’t think so. “The big lesson we learn is there’s no place in Australian homes for automatic and semiautomatic weapons. We learnt that John Howard took guns off people after that. A lot of people turned weapons in and we’ve not had as may a mass shooting as that ever since. That is the lesson we learnt. What did we learn about the gunman? What we have learnt today is we’re not using his name. That is a good lesson. I don’t though how a movie can be made without using the person it is about and saying their name.” The movie based around the events leading up to the horrible tragedy will make its cinematic debut in 2021.

Movies

Charging your phone using a public port is dangerous

Have you ever used a public charging station to charge your mobile phone when it runs out of battery? If so, watch out for “juice jacking”. Cybercriminals are on the prowl to infect your mobile devices such as smartphones and tablet computers and access your personal data, or install malware while you charge them. Specifically, <a href="https://dl.acm.org/doi/pdf/10.1145/2732198.2732205">juice jacking</a> is a cyber attack in which criminals <a href="https://securelist.com/wired-mobile-charging-is-it-safe/74804/">use publicly accessible USB charging ports or cables</a> to install malicious software on your mobile device and/or steal personal data from it. Even a <a href="https://media.blackhat.com/us-13/US-13-Lau-Mactans-Injecting-Malware-into-iOS-Devices-via-Malicious-Chargers-WP.pdf">60-second power-up</a> can be enough to compromise your phone’s data. This is because USB cables allow the transmission of both power and data streams simultaneously. Victims can be left vulnerable to identity theft, financial fraud, and significant stress. USB charging stations are a common sight in shopping centres, airports, hotels, fast-food restaurants, and even on public transport. While juice jacking is neither <a href="https://securelist.com/wi-fi-security-and-fake-acdc-charges-threaten-your-data-at-the-2014-world-cup/63759/">new</a> nor particularly widespread so far, it was recently highlighted by <a href="http://da.lacounty.gov/about/inside-LADA/juice-jacking-criminals-use-public-usb-chargers-steal-data-ff">Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office</a> as a significant threat, especially to travellers who can easily find themselves caught short and in need of a battery boost. How does it work? First, the attackers tamper with the charging stations or cables in public areas, and install malicious software on them. This software then infects the phones of unsuspecting users who subsequently plug into the tampered charger. The software can invade, damage or even disable your phone. It can also steal or delete data from your phone and possibly spy on your usage activity, to the extent of transmitting your personal information such as account numbers, usernames, passwords, photos, and emails to the perpetrator. How can I tell if I’ve been juice jacked? Hacked mobile devices will often go undetected. But there are a few telltale signs that your device may have been hacked. These include: <ul> <li> a sudden surge in battery consumption or rapid loss of charge, indicating a malicious app may be running in the background </li> <li> the device operating slower than usual, or restarting without notice </li> <li> apps taking a long time to load or frequently crashing </li> <li> excessive heating </li> <li> changes to device settings that you did not make </li> <li> increased or abnormal data usage. </li> </ul> How do I protect myself? The tampering of USB charging stations or USB cables is almost impossible to identify. But there are some simple ways to guard against juice jacking: <ul> <li> avoid USB power charging stations </li> <li> use AC power outlets rather than USB ports </li> <li> use a portable battery power bank (your own, not a borrowed one!) </li> <li> carry your own charging cable and adaptor </li> <li> use a data-blocker device such as <a href="http://syncstop.com/">SyncStop</a> or <a href="https://www.amazon.com.au/Juice-Jack-Defender-Security-purchased-employees/dp/B00XYTQ4Q8">Juice-Jack Defender</a>. These devices physically prevent data transfer and only allow power to go through while charging </li> <li> use power-only USB cables such as <a href="https://www.4cabling.com.au/portapow-fast-charge-micro-usb-cable-300cm.html">PortaPow</a>, which don’t pass any data. </li> </ul> And finally, if you must use a charging station, keep your phone locked while doing so. USB ports typically don’t sync data from a phone that is locked. Most mobile phones will ask your permission to give the USB port access to your phone’s data when you plug in. If you’re using an unknown or untrustworthy port, make sure you decline. I think I might have been juice jacked – what can I do? If you suspect you have fallen prey, there are several things you can do to protect your device’s integrity: <ul> <li> monitor your device for unusual activity </li> <li> delete suspicious apps you don’t recall installing </li> <li> restore your device to its factory settings </li> <li> install anti-virus software, such as <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.avast.android.mobilesecurity&hl=en_AU">Avast Antivirus</a> or <a href="https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.antivirus&hl=en_AU%22">AVG AntiVirus</a> </li> <li> keep your mobile device’s system software up to date. Developers continually release patches against common types of malware. </li> </ul> A lot of data is stored on our mobile devices these days, and protecting our privacy is crucial. While juice jacking may not be a widespread threat, it is important to ensure the safety of our mobile devices. So, the next time you consider using a public USB charging station or cable, ask yourself if it is worth it, particularly as your personal information is at stake.<img style="border: none !important; box-shadow: none !important; margin: 0 !important; max-height: 1px !important; max-width: 1px !important; min-height: 1px !important; min-width: 1px !important; opacity: 0 !important; outline: none !important; padding: 0 !important; text-shadow: none !important;" src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/130947/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-basic" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" /> <a href="https://theconversation.com/profiles/ritesh-chugh-162770">Ritesh Chugh</a>, Senior Lecturer/Discipline Lead – Information Systems and Analysis, <a href="https://theconversation.com/institutions/cquniversity-australia-2140">CQUniversity Australia</a> This article is republished from <a href="http://theconversation.com">The Conversation</a> under a Creative Commons license. Read the <a href="https://theconversation.com/charging-your-phone-using-a-public-usb-port-beware-of-juice-jacking-130947">original article</a>.

Technology

Stunning scenes as Venice becomes partially submerged by tides

The low-lying Italian city of Venice was partly submerged in water on Wednesday after being hit with the highest tide in over 50 years. The mayor of the city said the incident would leave “indelible marks”. Photographs shared to social media showed boats that made their way onto land as water was overflowing from hotels and cafes. One of the city’s most popular tourist destination, St Mark’s Square was knee-high in water, forcing the usually hustling and bustling spot to be eerily empty. The event is known as “acqua alta”, and usually occurs after days of wet weather around the country. City authorities said the water level in Venice had peaked at 1.87 meters, or just over six feet. That’s second to a record flood that occurred in 1966. One city hall official, Claudio Madricardo told the Washington Post that he was stuck at home because the water levels were higher than his boots. “For months now, I have been thinking I should sell my home and leave, because the assets I’d leave to my son one day won’t be worth much of anything,” he said. “Nobody will want a house in Venice, because the situation will be a disaster.” According to Italian news agency ANSA, two people have been killed on the small barrier island of Pellestrina, including a 78-year-old who was electrocuted while attempting to repair something in his flooded home. The other death could have been related to natural causes. Scroll through the gallery to see Venice under water. Photo credit: Instagram <a href="https://www.instagram.com/aquaapartments/">@aquaapartments</a><a href="https://www.instagram.com/aquaapartments/"> </a>

International Travel

Iconic tourist destination slugging visitors with a “tourist tax”

The popular tourist destination of Venice has announced that they are going to start charging day-trippers a new tax from July 1st, 2020. The day-trip tax for tourists was announced about a year ago, but the implementation of the tax has been delayed as authorities argued about how it would be enforced. However, city officials have announced that while they’ll confirm the exact fee closer to the date, they will be charging between 3 and 10 euros ($AUD 4.90 to $16.30) a day for day-trip visitors. Overnight tourists or visitors will be exempt as they already pay tax as a part of their accommodation fees. There are also exemptions to be expected for those visiting Venice to work, study or visit family. As Venice is a canal city that’s been popular amongst tourists, the floating city is struggling under the weight of overtourism. With more than 20 million people visiting the destination each year, this is a far cry of their estimated permanent population of 260,000. Locals have even begun to protest the amount of tourists who come and visit Venice. A Venice local named Tommaso, who attended a <a href="https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/ships-out-of-the-lagoon-locals-march-against-cruise-ships-in-venice/news-story/5d646acacc7f5110c95da8fa069e3f2d">protest at St Mark’s Square in June</a>, said Venice’s lagoon has “never been so full”, leaving the city and locals at the “mercy of mass tourism”.

Travel Trouble

A local's secret guide to Venice

In Venice my best friend Christian works in an ancient profession that few know or understand the intricacies of. He has done so since he was 14. This title has been passed down from father to son for centuries. What is interesting is that Christian’s father was a painter but Christian is a Gondolier. So how did he end up in this closely guarded and prestigious role? Well it turns out that his Gondolier uncle Federico didn’t have a son so at Christian’s birth his uncle was named as the father to ensure that the family linage continued. This all happened in the 1970’s and now times have changed. Recently one of Christian’s cousins became the first female Gondolier in history due to the depleting pool of eligible young men to take up the role. Housing in Venice is becoming very expensive so Christian now lives on the Mainland and commutes with many other Venetian workers by train across the lagoon to resume his role for the daily hordes of tourists from cruise ships and tour buses. Some cynics liken todays Venice to a theme park with workers trained to play their roles in a charade of historical beauty and culture. But they are wrong. What not to do Most visitors to Venice see the usual sites like San Marco Square and the Basilica, they then take a Gondola ride along the Grand Canal, have an overpriced meal and head back with their tour group to a mainland hotel. Many photos are taken and stories will be told of their special adventures in this magical city. There is nothing wrong with the way these tourists see Venice in a day but they really are missing out getting to know this city of endless wonders. I asked Christian for his ideas on how a visitor could experience Venice in a different way to get a better insight into the daily life of Venice and how he might spend his day off? What to see One of Christian’s simple pleasures is a visit to The Venice Giardini. These Gardens were established by Napoleon in the early 1800’s and many Venetians enjoy this space with their families as it is a great way to unwind from the daily hustle and bustle of Venetian life. As Christian loves the painter Tintorello he often visits The Church of San Giorgio Maggiore which is a 16th-century Benedictine church built in the classical Renaissance style of the late 1500’s. Personally I’ve always marvel at the approaching view of the Church’s impressive white marble façade as it contrasts with the blue summer waters of the lagoon. Within the basilica you will be treated to some inspired paintings by Tintorello and Christian suggests that you take the time to climb the bell tower for some amazing views of Venice over the lagoon and afterwards enjoy a prosecco at the small pub in front of the marina. What to do Crossing the Grand Canal is a daily need for Venetians so a Traghetto ride across the Grand Canal isa must. The Traghetti are in fact large gondolas without the decorations or trimmings of a traditional gondola and provide a crossing service at several points along the Grand Canal. Off duty Gondoliers like Christian man the Traghetti under a roster scheme as part of their collective duties. At (Euro)2 for a standing one way trip a Traghetto ride can never replace the romance of a traditional Gondola ride but it is a great way to do as the locals do. Venice is full of myths and legends and one of Christian’s favourite pastimes is Ghost spotting, Legend has it that near Rialto at the Campiello del Remer is it said that on foggy nights you may sight the Ghost of Fosco Loredan holding the removed head of his wife Elena Grimani. I ‘m still not sure what poor Elena did to lose her head but luckily for me Fosco has never appeared during any of my nocturnal visits to the site. If you are game take a boat ride to the island of Poveglia which was the burial place of thousands of medieval plague victims. In the 20th century it became a mental asylum complete with a Mad Doctor who performed all sorts of evil experiments on the residents. The Doctor later jumped from the bell tower after complaining of hearing voices. Poveglia is an eerie abandoned island that offers some amazing photo opportunities as you wander through the empty buildings, ruins and hospital wards. I am a sceptic but during my visit I never quite felt that we were alone and as we departed the island I couldn’t stop myself from looking back in anticipation of spotting whoever had been watching us. Some weekends Christian visits his grandmother’s grave on the Island where Venetians sleep. Isola San Michele is located half way between Venice and Murano and while most tourists pass it by it is a great place to enjoy some peace and solitude while taking in the surreal surroundings of a cemetery island. San Michele isn’t one of the great European monument cemeteries like in Paris or Milan but you will have time for reflection before the next Vaparetto arrives to take you on to the bustling Murano and Burano. On Murano Christian advises to avoid the cheap glass trinkets as you will only be buying fakes made elsewhere and if you visit Burano he recommends that you take the time to cross the bridge to Mazzorbo where the church of Saint Caterina holds the oldest tolling bell on the lagoon. On occasions he will take his family for a visit the island of San Lazzaro degli Armeni which is located just before the Lido. The island is home of a Mechitarist Catholic Monestry and its museum holds some amazing artefacts including an Egyptian mummy and also an extensive library of precious books and manuscripts. Tours are run by members of the order and are well priced to will give a fascinating insight into the islands history and collections. Where to eat and drink Eating out in Venice can be notoriously sub-standard but if you explore the back laneways you might just find where the locals meet and eat. I am sworn to secrecy about the exact location of il Diavolo e l'acqua Santi which translates toThe Devil and the Saints Water but I can tell you that this ambient Osteria is located in one of the side streets that run parallel to a market place in the Rialto area. It is here that you will find a small group of Venetians mingling in the street and peculiarly hanging their wine glasses by the base of the glass from the gaps in a brick wall. The food is excellent as is the old school atmosphere. Christian introduced me to 'the Devil' and now it is one of my favourite restaurants where I would eat night after night given the chance. I suggest you try the small daily seafood plates which are always a treat and don’t miss the squid ink pasta as it is simply delicious and will make you long for a plate for many years to come. You may find that initially the service is a little gruff and year round there will be a wait for a table. Have a drink while waiting for a table and amuse yourself by people watching outside with the locals. For family celebrations Christian often dines at Corte Sconte Trattoria where the house specialties of local seafood will have you coming back time and time again. Their home made sparkling wine is excellent and the homemade desserts are so delicious you wouldn’t share them with your own mother(sorry Mum!). Venetian Galleon Dinner Cruise is one of the newer ways to enjoy Venice at night from the water. Built in 2001 the cruise offers a candle lit dinner on a replica Venetian Galleon. The dinner cruise is proving popular with Venetians like Christian and also a growing number of tourists who are looking for a romantic evening out on the water. Harry’s bar is the most famous of the bars in Venice but you won’t find many Venetians enjoying their overpriced Bellini’s. Christian suggested that we should enjoy the more refined surrounds of the ornate Bar Longi at the Gritti Palace. After spending a lazy sunny afternoon enjoying the views and a Campari on the Grand Canal Terrace I understood why! In the evenings at the bar you are assured of colourful conversations with a range of fascinating characters. Who knows who you may bump into over a cocktail or dinner; Bill Gates was there during the week of my last <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/a-locals-secret-guide-to-venice.aspx"></a>visit. Staying and playing at the Gritti Palace is definitely an expensive but worthwhile experience. Dining in the elegant Club del Doge Restaurant and then enjoying a night cap or two in the Longi bar is also certainly worth the eye watering bill! Thanks to Christian I have seen and experienced many unique adventures in Venice. Seen through his eyes Venice is a story book of history and symbols with hidden meanings that most visitors walk unknowingly past. I cherish every visit to this magical city on the water and always perk up as my train crosses the bridge over the lagoon and offers a glimpse of what is to come. Venice is certainly old but it never gets old to me. Written by Lynton Jones. Republished with permission of <a href="https://www.wyza.com.au/articles/travel/a-locals-secret-guide-to-venice.aspx">Wyza.com.au.</a>

Travel Trouble

Why Venice has banned cruise ships

The Italian government has announced that large cruise ships will be banned from entering the Grand Canal in Venice’s historic centre. “The aim is to reroute about one-third of the cruise ships already booked on Venice toward new berths by 2020,” said Italy’s infrastructure and transport minister Danilo Toninelli at a hearing on Wednesday, as reported by <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/venice-cruise-ships-lagoon-scli-intl/index.html">CNN</a>. “We’ve been talking about big ships for 15 years, and nothing has been done. These floating palaces will start to go elsewhere.” Starting September, select liners will be redirected away from Guidecca Canal to Fusina and Lombardia terminals outside the historic centre, Toninelli said. The decision came after <a href="https://www.travelandleisure.com/travel-news/new-venice-cruise-ship-bans">the MSC Opera ship crashed into a dock in the city centre’s canal in June</a>, injuring five people. Residents have been protesting the presence of large cruise liners in the city since 2006, with concerns raised over environmental damage, water levels’ displacement and overtourism. According to the Port Authority, an estimated 32,000 cruise ship passengers disembark in Venice every day from April to October. This number increases to nearly 500,000 in August, as per recent National Tourism Agency figures. The cruise industry has supported the government’s call. “The cruise industry has worked diligently with the Mayor of Venice, the Veneto Region, the Port Authority and many others to find viable solutions to allow larger cruise ships to access the Marittima berths without transiting the Giudecca Canal,” Adam Goldstein, chairman of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) said. “We are in agreement with the solution developed by Comitatone in 2017 to utilise the Vittorio Emanuele Canal as the best and most prudent means to move larger cruise ships away from the Giudecca. “CLIA cruise line members welcome and will support the urgent implementation of this solution.” A “tourism tax” will also come into effect next month as the Italian city begins implementing a daytime entrance fee of up to €10. Tourists staying overnight will be exempt as the fee is included in the hotel rate.

International Travel

Venice heartache: Cruise ships asked to find a solution before it's too late

The Venice port authority has called on Europe’s most popular cruise ship destinations to tighten their rules as the dangers posed by the massive vessels are taking a serious toll. Italy’s transport minister has proposed a plan to divert massive shops from porting at Venice’s historic centre after five people were injured when a 13-deck shop hit a tourist boat along the busy Giudecca Canal. The incident resulted in protests calling for big ships to be banned from the gorgeous venice lagoon all together. Ships weighing more than 1,000 tonnes will have to find a different waterway to settle into. Venetians carried banners reading "Ships out of the lagoon" and "No big ships" while others turned to rowboats in the Venetian Lagoon. Venice hosted 594 cruise ships in 2018, and critics argue the currents created by the vessels are causing costly damages to Renaissance buildings. "They are destroying Venice, they are physically destroying Venice, physically destroying our lungs," activist Tommaso Cacciari told the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-08-09/venice-bans-large-cruise-ships-from-city-centre/11398434">ABC </a>in March. The cruise ship ban follows after a lengthy campaign by Venice residents for a better and more sustainable tourism model.

Cruising

Is overtourism impacting our favourite destinations?

Overtourism can be a big dream killer, especially if you’ve been saving up and looking forward to your trip all year. As the population of the world continues to grow, overtourism is fast becoming one of the more debated issues in the world of travel. Many factors are at play when heading to your favourite destination, including cheaper flights, rising incomes and social media’s ability to put a laser-like focus on destinations that were once hidden from the world. Headlines from around the world have highlighted that cities who are reliant on tourism dollars undergo an identity crisis when the boatloads of tourists become more of a problem than they’re worth. "Tourism is like any other industry: it needs to be regulated and managed locally to prevent negative impacts," says Justin Francis, CEO of UK-based tour operator Responsible Travel told <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/travel/article/how-to-stop-overtourism/index.html">CNN</a>. In some of the world’s more popular destinations, such as Venice, Italy, the locals are already taking charge. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B016qhkhyLW/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B016qhkhyLW/" target="_blank">One day in Venice is all we needed. It wasn’t the crowds, sitting police, expensive treats and excursions, or sore feet, that left us feeling sombre as we made our way back to the bus. The city of Venice is built on 118 islands! Its architecture is inspiring. However, it’s history and future is what left me saddened. Things like the Venetian Ghetto makes my heart sink. Not only my heart, but the city itself is sinking and doomed to sea level rise. As tourism soars and rents rise, the Venetian residents leave and the city's quality of life erodes. Venice, there is no other city like yours 💔</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/franncarver/" target="_blank"> Frances Carver</a> (@franncarver) on Aug 6, 2019 at 5:21pm PDT </div> </blockquote> "The main problem is 'mordi e fuggi' tourism, day trip tourism," says Guido Moltedo, Editor in Chief of Ytali, who claims this accounts for two thirds of visitors. The city has introduced a new levy on day-trippers, which starts at 3 euros. By 2020, the fee will range between 3 euros and 10 euros, which are dependant on the time of year and the amount of visitors in the area. However, Moltedo is aware that it doesn’t solve the problem. “The real problem is not getting more money, but reducing the impact of tourism." Other smaller countries are suffering as well. Due to the popularity of the show Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik in Croatia has seen a popularity surge to locations such as its Old Town. With an increase of 8 per cent from 2017 in 2018 numbers, with a massive 1.27 million people visiting, the city needed to do something. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B01rfMWgTpO/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B01rfMWgTpO/" target="_blank">Kayak into the deep blue... 🚣🏼‍♀️ 📸Credit to @aznlamaaaaaaa . . . . . . #Croatia #Dubrovnik #DubrovnikSea #DubrovnikSeaView #View #ViewAtTheTop #Kayak #DubrovnikKayaking #DeepBlue #Ocean #Nature #Crazy #FirstofTwo #Travelgram #Freedom #TravelPhotography #TravelEurope #EatPlayLive #Globetrotting #DoYouTravel #Lifestyle #IGTravel #IGWorldclub #IGCapturesClub</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/mlinhling/" target="_blank"> Marie-Linh NC</a> (@mlinhling) on Aug 6, 2019 at 3:08pm PDT </div> </blockquote> "Dubrovnik is successfully conducting a project called 'respect the city', with the aim of sustainable and responsible tourism development," says Romana Vlašić, director of the Dubrovnik Tourist Board. "One of the measures is limiting the number of cruise ship passengers to 4,000 at the same time." As the weather heats up around the globe, some people want to escape to the colder weather that can be found in Reykjavik, Iceland. The annual numbers have jumped from 500,000 in 2010 to 2.3 million in 2018 and this means that the country has had to deal with a huge influx of people. <blockquote style="background: #FFF; border: 0; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: 0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width: 540px; min-width: 326px; padding: 0; width: calc(100% - 2px);" class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1KgzokiZqD/" data-instgrm-version="12"> <div style="padding: 16px;"> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: row; align-items: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 50%; flex-grow: 0; height: 40px; margin-right: 14px; width: 40px;"></div> <div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; flex-grow: 1; justify-content: center;"> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; margin-bottom: 6px; width: 100px;"></div> <div style="background-color: #f4f4f4; border-radius: 4px; flex-grow: 0; height: 14px; width: 60px;"></div> </div> </div> <div style="padding: 19% 0;"></div> <div style="display: block; height: 50px; margin: 0 auto 12px; width: 50px;"></div> <div style="padding-top: 8px;"> <div style="color: #3897f0; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: 550; line-height: 18px;">View this post on Instagram</div> </div> <a style="color: #000; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/B1KgzokiZqD/" target="_blank">One shot 🌊🗺 #waterfall #iceland #dji #trip #holiday #makeup #fun #me #cooking #a #b #c #d #e #f #foodporn #style #love #london #thegoodlife #vscocam #l4l #friends #fuck #ok #cooking #cool #photography #canonphotography</a> <p style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 0; margin-top: 8px; overflow: hidden; padding: 8px 0 7px; text-align: center; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">A post shared by <a style="color: #c9c8cd; font-family: Arial,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: 17px;" rel="noopener" href="https://www.instagram.com/bgphotopl/" target="_blank"> BGphoto</a> (@bgphotopl) on Aug 14, 2019 at 5:21pm PDT </div> </blockquote> However, instead of discouraging visitors, Iceland is looking to diversify the offerings for tourists. "Recognizing the strain being placed on Reykjavik and a small number of other sites, they have tried to promote areas further afield to ease the pressure on the 'Golden Circle,'" Francis says, referring to a popular day tour of geological attractions.

Travel Trouble

5 things to do when visiting Port Stephens

Port Stephens is about a two-and-a-half-hour drive from Sydney and offers jaw-dropping views to boot. With beaches, sand dunes, national parks and coastal walks, you’re bound to find something to do that will suit your holiday style. 1. See the view from the top of Tomaree Head Tomaree Head offers the best view of Port Stephens. It’s a 360-degree lookout post that’s easy to get to. The journey is about 25 minutes, 160 metre climb and there are steep steps in some places, but the view up the top is worth it. You’re able to see the offshore islands, Fingal Spit in the distance as well as Yacaaba Head and the Myall Rover. Don’t forget to pick your jaw up from the floor once you leave. 2. Enjoy oysters fresh from the sea If you’re a fan of seafood and freshly shucked oysters, head to Holbert’s Oyster Farm in Salamander Bay. The plain-brick shop is so simple you might miss it, but there’s plenty to enjoy. With large, cooked king prawns for $30 a kilo, you won’t want to miss out. Grab a seat outside and enjoy the view of the oyster farms. However, there are no inside tables if the weather is bad, so this is something to keep in mind. 3. See some seals (or whales if you’re lucky!) Head down to Port Stephens during the migration period from May to November and you might just be lucky enough to see some humpback whales making the journey. More than 7,000 whales pass by the Port Stephens coastline, so if you go during the migration period, you might just get lucky. If you don’t manage to see any whales, there’s seal colonies, fairy penguins and dolphins to look at as well. 4. Relax with morning tea at the lighthouse Enjoy some downtime in the heritage listed Nelson Head Inner Lighthouse along Shoal Bay. You’ll be able to enjoy beautiful water views whilst relaxing with some famous lighthouse scones. With a relaxed atmosphere and a range of food to suit a variety of tastes, this isn’t the worst place to spend a lazy morning. 5. Go to the beach Saved the best for last. The best things in life are free, so take a sweet stroll along the magnificent coastline of Port Stephens. There’s plenty of beaches to choose from, but for some, the journey towards Fingal Spit is best. You’re able to walk across the sand spit to the connecting island if the tide is low, but it’s best to keep an eye on the tide before attempting this journey. Do you have any places to recommend in Port Stephens? Let us know in the comments.

Domestic Travel

Pauline Hanson caught on camera "questioning" Port Arthur tragedy

One Nation leader Pauline Hanson has been recorded on camera making a controversial comment and suggesting that the 1996 Port Arthur massacre, in which a gunman shot and killed 35 people, was a government conspiracy. The hidden camera footage, released as part of Al-Jazeera's three-year <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/03/australia-nation-offered-change-voting-system-cash-190327170846167.html">investigation</a>, showed the Queensland Senator saying she had “a lot of questions” about the mass shooting. "An MP said it would actually take a massacre in Tasmania to change the gun laws in Australia," said Hanson. "Haven't you heard that? Have a look at it. It was said on the floor of parliament." In another footage, Hanson could be seen telling her chief of staff James Ashby, "They were precision shots … I've read a lot and I have read the book on it, Port Arthur. A lot of questions there." In response to the 1996 massacre, which left 35 people dead and 23 wounded, the Australian government established stricter gun laws, banning automatic and semi-automatic long guns as well as introducing more stringent licensing and registration system for firearm ownership. The new video also showed One Nation's Queensland leader Steve Dickson requesting political funding from American energy giant Koch Industries in a meeting September last year. Dickson could be seen telling the company's representative: "What you can do to help us and it's going to get down to money at the end of the day … we can change the voting system in our country, the way people operate, if we've got the money to do it." On Tuesday, Dickson and One Nation official James Ashby faced the media after the two men were <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/one-nation-officials-on-the-sauce-when-seeking-20-million-donation-from-us-gun-lobby/" target="_blank">caught on record</a> talking about asking for a $20 million political donation from the US’ biggest gun lobby group, the National Rifle Association (NRA). Ashby and Dickson were also receiving advice from the NRA on ways to weaken gun laws in Australia. "Just shame [gun control supporters] to the whole idea," Lars Dalseide, a member of the NRA's public relations team, told them in one of the footage. Ashby said at the press conference, "The conversations that have been recorded where there is talk of $10 and $20 million dollars – I’ll be the first to admit, we’d arrived in America, we’d got on the sauce, we’d had a few drinks." Hanson, who is <a href="https://www.oversixty.com.au/news/news/pauline-hanson-unrecognisable-after-suffering-facial-paralysis-amid-one-nation-scandal">reportedly suffering facial paralysis</a> after being bitten by a tick, is expected to front the media today over the scandal.

News

5 places that have been ruined by tourism

Tourism is both a blessing and a curse. While a healthy amount can boost the economy, too much of it can be harmful to the environment and uproot local populations. Before you book your next trip, consider how your wanderlust is affecting some of the most beautiful places in the world. 1. Caño Cristales, Colombia With “the river of five colours,” also known as “the melted rainbow,” waters that are a hallucinogenic concoction of pink, red, green, and blue colours (a result of the unique micro-organisms living in it) and its jaw-dropping waterfalls, Caño Cristales is now overwhelmingly popular. And, it’s only become more so after a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/11/30/world/americas/colombia-farc-accord-juan-manuel-santos.html">2016 peace agreement</a> was signed between the government of Colombia and the country’s largest rebel group. The uptick in foot traffic is cause for concern, as it could jeopardise the area’s extremely fragile ecosystem. In 2017, access was restricted to give the river a break. “We decided to implement the restriction because human presence can harm the plants’ reproduction processes,” Faber Ramos, coordinator of the ecotourism program, told the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-43700833">BBC</a>. 2. Venice, Italy Built on more than 100 small islands in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea, the main allure of Venice is its famed canals, while the abundance of delicious food and wine, the culture, and the ornate architecture add to its allure. But over-tourism has chipped away at the city’s vitality. Cruise ships and group bus tours have made infamous sights like St. Marks Square a blur of people and the streets are lined with litter; between the hoards of humans and the rising sea levels, Venice is sinking rapidly and the stonework and carvings on its historic buildings are crumbling. Venetians are finally fighting back, however: Beginning summer of 2019, short stay tourists will be charged up to €10 (about $11.50) to enter the city. Nothing's worse than that sinking feeling you get when you head off on your adventure and remember you left something important at home. 3. Antarctica The entire continent of Antarctica is in trouble, between global climate change and the mass infiltration of tourists via cruise ships. The boat traffic, from Chile and Argentina down to the Antarctic Peninsula, has greatly increased water pollution, threatening the lives of unique species. <a href="https://www.ats.aq/e/ats.htm">The Antarctic Treaty</a> has sought to stop such environmental devastation, limiting the number of people allowed on shore to 100 at a time, while ships carrying more than 500 passengers are not allowed at any of the landing sites. Sailing to Antarctica, cruising the Galapagos Islands and travelling along the Trans-Siberian Railway are the top three trips every traveller must take in their lifetime, according to US-based <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/aussie-travel-destinations-make-top-50-travel-bucket-list">Flight Network’s World’s Best Once-In-A-Lifetime Journeys 2018 list</a>. 4. Pig Beach, The Bahamas The only inhabitants of Big Major Cay are wild pigs, known most famously for swimming in the sea, a phenomenon that draws tourists to the island off Exuma for an encounter and photo opp. In 2017, a wave of pig deaths struck Pig Beach. While a combination of factors likely lead to their death, reports <a href="https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/03/swimming-pigs-bahamas-death/">National Geographic</a>, the government banned visitors from feeding the creatures. 5. The Isle of Skye, Scotland One of the most picturesque places in the United Kingdom, The Isle of Skye is known for its rugged landscapes, quaint fishing villages, and medieval castles. Crossing the Skye Bridge to the island from Scotland’s northwest coast is a test of patience these days, with hoards of people packed in caravans, motorhomes, and cars, often in stand-still traffic. Visitors without prior booking accommodations have found themselves in a pickle. <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-40874488">According to authorities</a>, tourists often arrive at the police station with nowhere to stay asking for advice. Many end up staying the night in their car. Local authorities have taken note, advising visitors to use “common sense” before travelling to the island for an overnight stay. Have you stayed at any of these places? Let us know in the comments. Written by Alexa Erickson. This article first appeared in <a href="http://www.readersdigest.com.au/travel/15-places-have-been-ruined-tourism">Reader’s Digest</a>. For more of what you love from the world’s best-loved magazine, <a href="http://readersdigest.innovations.com.au/c/readersdigestemailsubscribe?utm_source=over60&utm_medium=articles&utm_campaign=RDSUB&keycode=WRA87V">here’s our best subscription offer.</a> <img style="width: 100px !important; height: 100px !important;" src="https://oversixtydev.blob.core.windows.net/media/7820640/1.png" alt="" data-udi="umb://media/f30947086c8e47b89cb076eb5bb9b3e2" />

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Peter Dutton defends comparing pro-Palestine rally to Port Arthur massacre

Selfie-taking tourists launched from Venice gondola after refusing to sit down

An entry fee may not be enough to save Venice from 20 million tourists

5 of the best things to do in Port Stephens

“Overbearing idiots” fined for surfing through Venice’s Grand Canal