04/22(Sat.) To cruise or not to cruise?/ Which are the world’s most powerful tourism cities? (Host: Morris)

[morris25]

My dear Yoyo friends,

Following several weeks of discussing serious issues, let's shift our focus to a more lighthearted topic: traveling.

Session I: To cruise or not to cruise?
Are you interested in taking a cruise that circumnavigates the globe and allows ample time on land to explore iconic landmarks such as the Great Wall of China, the pyramids of Egypt, the bars of Barcelona, and the icy terrain of Antarctica? The trip covers all these destinations in a single journey, but it spans three years and entails a minimum cost of $90,000.
Please read the article: “Would You Take a 3-Year Cruise? Ship Will Visit 135 Countries on All 7 Continents for $30,000 Per Year:
https://people.com/travel/the-first-all ... countries/ ”
Please watch the video for more details: "Inside world’s 1st 3-year cruise around the globe
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=825NE_EQOJo"
Questions:
1. Do you know anyone who has taken any cruise trip? How was the experience? What are the pros and cons of traveling on a cruise?
2. What's the longest period of time you've spent traveling? How did you like it? What is your perfect length for a trip?
3. Are you interested in this kind of 3-year cruise travel? Why or why not? What are other unique types of travel that you have experienced or would recommend?
4. A ship in port is safe, but that’s not what ships are built for. — John A Shedd. What are your thoughts/interpretations on this statement?

Session II: Which are the world’s most powerful tourism cities?
According to a study of World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), the top 10 powerhouses globally measured by tourism’s contribution to GDP in 2022 were:
1. Paris: $35.65 billion
2. Beijing: $32.62 billion
3. Orlando: $31.1 billion
4. Shanghai: $29.69 billion
5. Las Vegas: $22.9
6. New York: $21.09 billion
7. Tokyo: $17.97 billion
8. Mexico City: $16.7 billion
9. London: $14.92 billion
10. Guangzhou: $13.15 billion
Besides, the top 10 cities with biggest international travelers spend in 2022 were:
1. Dubai - $29.42bn
2. Doha - $16.79bn
3. London - $16.07bn
4. Macau - $15.58bn
5. Amsterdam - $13.59bn
6. Istanbul - $13.13bn
7. Barcelona - $12.73bn
8. New York - $12.45bn
9. Singapore - $10.97bn
10. Paris - $9.76bn
Please read the article for more details:
“These are the world’s most powerful tourism cities:
https://www.travelweekly-asia.com/Desti ... elatednews “

Questions:
1. Which of the cities mentioned in the article have you been to? If so, what did you think of them?
2. What are your thoughts on the WTTC's findings? Are you surprised with the results? Why or why not?
3. What are the friendliest places you've been to? What are the key factors making them friendly?
4. Do you think Taipei is a powerful tourism city? What are its strengths and weaknesses in terms of tourism development, and what improvements could be made?
________________________________________________________________________________
Agenda:
3:45 ~ 4:00pm Greetings & Free Talk / Ordering Beverage or Meal / Getting Newcomer’s Information
4:00 ~ 4:10pm Opening Remarks / Newcomer’s Self-introduction / Grouping
(Session I)
4:10 ~ 4:50pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
4:50 ~ 5:10pm Summarization (20 mins)
5:10 ~ 5:20pm Regrouping / Instruction Giving $ Taking a Break (Intermission)
(Session II)
5:20 ~ 6:00pm Discussion Session (40 mins)
6:00 ~ 6:20pm Summarization (20 mins)
6:20 ~ 6:30pm Concluding Remarks / Announcements

Meeting Date: As shown on the Subject Line
Meeting Time: 4:00pm – 6:30pm
Meeting Venue: 丹堤咖啡 Dante Coffee (Minimum Order $80)
Address: 台北市濟南路三段25號[MAP]-捷運忠孝新生站3號出口步行3分鐘

Important Notes:
1. We advise participants to print out the discussion questions and bring them to the meeting for reference. As for the supporting articles, feel free to print them out, as well, according to your preference.
2. We suggest that participants read the articles and think about the questions in advance.
3. Newcomers should prepare a two-to-three minute self-introduction in English to deliver when called upon by the host before the start of the discussion. The host may also ask you to give brief feedback about the meeting at the conclusion of the meeting.
4. We conduct the entire meeting in English. All participants should have at least moderate English-conversation skills and be able to articulate your ideas for each discussion question.
5. We welcome newcomers and other guests to attend the meetings and join the discussion freely for two times. After that, we hope you will consider becoming a YoYo English Club member. We charge a NT$1500 lifetime membership fee, or NT$1000 for students.

[Rock]

This one is coming to Taiwan.

[Rock]

Travelling for 119 days with less than NTD. 500,000! That is NTD.4,200 a day!! That's such a great deal, it's a steal!