And other travel news you may have missed.
This week in travel, we’ve uncovered several stories that might have flown under your radar. Among them: a tiger attacked a tourist in Thailand; travelers at a popular U.K. tourist attraction are inadvertently damaging it with coins; and a British Airways flight attendant was allegedly dancing naked in the business-class lavatory.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
NO.1
TIGER ATTACKS TOURIST DURING SELFIE ATTEMPT IN THAILAND
A video of a man being mauled by a tiger went viral last week. He walked beside the animal and attempted a selfie when the tiger attacked. Screams erupt in the footage as the man is knocked to the ground and a handler rushes to gain control. The tourist’s injuries were not severe, but the incident raised alarm bells about such experiences.
Tiger Kingdom in Phuket allows visitors to get up close to the predators. The park’s website states that the tigers are never sedated or declawed and that trainers use positive reinforcement to facilitate human-tiger interaction. Nevertheless, these venues are controversial; experts warn they raise ethical and safety concerns.
Related: These Animals Are Almost Impossible to Spot See in the Wild. Here’s How I Saw 3
NO.2
BRITISH AIRWAYS CREW MEMBER DANCES NAKED IN BATHROOM
A British Airways flight attendant went missing aboard a transatlantic flight from San Francisco to London. It’s alleged that he was later found dancing naked in a business-class lavatory by a colleague on the double-deck Airbus A380. Staff members clothed him in first-class pajamas and restrained him for the remainder of the journey.
Some crew members speculated he was under the influence of pills. The flight landed safely at Heathrow Airport, where police and medical personnel met the aircraft. The airline confirmed he’s been suspended, and authorities—escorting him in a wheelchair—are investigating.
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NO.3
CANNABIS FOUND IN CANDY IN THE NETHERLANDS
German confectionery company Haribo has recalled its cola candies in the Netherlands after traces of cannabis were discovered in the children’s sweets. The 1-kilogram packets sickened consumers, including children, and testing confirmed the contamination. The manufacturer is working with authorities to investigate the mishap and has recalled all stock with best-before dates of January 2026, offering full refunds.
NO.4
NORTHERN IRELAND ASKS TOURISTS NOT TO WEDGE COINS IN HISTORIC ATTRACTION
The Giant’s Causeway in Northern Ireland faces a unique problem: tourists are jamming coins between its stones. The UNESCO World Heritage Site features more than 60,000 basalt columns formed by a volcanic eruption 50 million years ago. Officials are now urging visitors not to leave souvenirs, warning that the practice causes physical and aesthetic damage.
The U.K.’s National Trust said in a statement, “We know some may want to leave a token of their visit, but the coins are causing damage and we are urging people to stop the practice and to leave no trace so this natural wonder remains special for future generations.” The coins rust and expand, causing surrounding rocks to crumble and staining the columns. Removing the jammed coins will cost an estimated $40,500.
NO.5
PASSENGER ATTACKS FLIGHT ATTENDANT YELLING, “YOU’RE COMING WITH ME”
A passenger on an American Airlines flight allegedly attacked a flight attendant last week. The plane was en route from Connecticut to Chicago when the incident occurred. The passenger, a man in his 20s, allegedly stood up and ran to the rear of the cabin, shouting, “Help me.” He pulled a flight attendant from their seat to the floor and tried to drag them down the aisle, screaming, “You’re coming with me.” Other passengers intervened and returned him to his seat, but he continued to behave erratically.
The pilot aborted the flight and returned to the airport, where the man was arrested for violent behavior.
Related: Can Airlines Sue You if You Behave Badly?
