12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today

12 Things in Travel You Need to Know Today
(This is a recurring post, updated daily with new information):

Monday, July 14
Yesterday’s TSA checkpoint numbers
TSA officers screened 3,005,374 people at airport checkpoints nationwide yesterday, July 13

Grand Canyon Wildfire Destroys Historic Lodge and Dozens of Structures
A fast-moving wildfire destroyed a historic lodge and dozens of other structures on the Grand Canyon’s North Rim, forcing officials to close access to that area for the season, the park said Sunday. The Grand Canyon Lodge, the only lodging inside the park at the North Rim, was consumed by the flames, park Superintendent Ed Keable told park residents, staff and others in a meeting Sunday morning. He said the visitor center, the gas station, a wastewater treatment plant, an administrative building and some employee housing were among the 50 to 80 structures lost. “Numerous” historic cabins in the area also were destroyed, the park said. CNN

New York Weather: 3 Counties Told To Prepare for Horror Flash Floods in ‘Excessive’ Rain
A Flood Watch order has been issued for parts of New York State as rain is set to batter large areas of the region. Thunderstorms and rain are expected daily for most of this week, not just in rural areas but also in New York City. This comes as the state is coming out of a sweltering heat wave. The weekend was mostly hot and sunny with temperatures in the high 80s and humidity hovering around 80%, making things very sticky and uncomfortable. The Mirror

At Least 8 Killed as Protesters Battle Police in Kenya
At least eight people were killed and hundreds were injured in Kenya on Wednesday, rights groups said, as thousands faced off with the police amid nationwide protests that laid bare the anger at President William Ruto’s government. The police fired live rounds, rubber bullets and tear gas and sprayed water cannons at protesters who were waving Kenyan flags and blowing whistles in central Nairobi, where banks and businesses were closed amid a heavy security presence. Officers also closed some major roads leading to the city center and blocked routes connecting to Parliament with barbed wire. The New York Times

Plunging Dollar Leaves American Travelers With Less Buying Power This Summer
American tourists have grown accustomed to their dollars traveling well, too. This summer, they are getting a wake-up call. The ICE U.S. Dollar Index, which compares the U.S. currency to a basket of six others, just posted its worst first half of the year in more than 50 years. The dollar has tumbled 13% against the euro this year and 6% against the Japanese yen. WSJ

German Backpacker Speaks Out After Being Found Alive in Australian Outback
A 26-year-old German backpacker found alive in Western Australia’s remote outback has revealed that a car crash and head injury left her disoriented and lost for 11 days. Carolina Wilga trekked through one of the most sparsely populated and remote places in the world after her van became bogged in the Karroun Hill Nature Reserve. The Independent

Wizz Air Abandons the Middle East Over Sand in Engines
Wizz Air is retreating from the Middle East after sand in the plane’s engines caused it to ground flights. The low-cost airline confirmed it will no longer operate from its hub in Abu Dhabi following a series of challenges in the region. It said the “hot and harsh” climate had caused increased running costs for the carrier, as high temperatures and sand particles degraded its engines. The Telegraph

Airbnb To Introduce More Guest-Friendly Cancellation Policies
Airbnb guests will welcome these policy changes, for sure. Many hosts, on the other hand, undoubtably will think that Airbnb’s policies are once again leaning too heavily against their interests. Skift

Airline Alliance Oneworld Is Playing Catch-Up in Tech Integration
The Oneworld alliance has set a goal of integrating each of its 15 member airlines into Oneworld’s common technology platform by the end of the year. Initially, Oneworld expects the platform to facilitate cross-airline boarding passes on multi-airline itineraries so that flyers can board flights using whichever airline’s app they prefer. Travel Weekly

Air Quality Warning Issued for Toronto as Smoky Conditions Expected
As extreme heat grips southern Ontario, Environment Canada has issued an air quality warning for Toronto, with smoke from ongoing wildfires in northern Ontario contributing to poor air conditions. The national weather agency says smoke is causing or is expected to cause poor air quality and reduced visibility, which could persist through the day and possibly into Tuesday for some areas. City News

Turtle Illegally Smuggled Onto El Al Plane From US Escapes On Board
A passenger on an El Al flight arriving from the United States tried to bring a turtle onto the plane illegally on Wednesday. The reptile was packed in a bag but managed to escape and wander around the cabin until it bit another passenger. The turtle was eventually captured by the flight crew and placed in a safe crate until the plane landed in Israel. The Jerusalem Post

‘Tragic and Sudden Death’: UC Berkeley Professor Slain in Greece While Visiting Family
A UC Berkeley business professor was shot and killed in Greece this month while visiting family, according to his brother and international media reports. Przemyslaw Jeziorski, 43, was slain on July 4 in Agia Paraskevi, a suburb of Athens, as he approached the home where his children lived. SF Chronicle

16 Abandoned Places That Have Become ‘Must-See’ Tourist Attractions
Abandoned places can be creepy, but fascinating. These spaces, whether an old high school, a rundown house, or a shipwreck, can deliver a thrill, but also a peek into the past. And there are some unique sites around the world that give visitors an unforgettable experience. From Italy to Australia to Curaçao, some of the destinations on this list sat empty for decades — even centuries — before becoming popular tourist attractions. CNBC