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: Chilean authorities detained an American influencer who illegally entered Antarctica; Mexico City residents protested against overtourism; and a tourist in Germany left a dog in a hot locker.
Dive into these and more as we examine the latest in travel news.
NO.1
TOURIST LEAVES DOG IN LOCKER
On a hot day in Germany, a tourist locked her dog in a locker and left to visit the famous Neuschwanstein Castle. The dog was rescued unharmed after security staff were alerted by other tourists. It had been cramped into the hot locker—alongside a stroller—and authorities plan to prosecute the owner for violating animal welfare laws.
Police said, “The dog was fortunately unharmed but visibly glad when it was rescued from the already hot locker.” The dog was taken to the police station. Its breed is unknown, but it is medium-sized and about two feet at the shoulder.
The castle, which inspired Disney’s Sleeping Beauty castle, is located in the foothills of the Alps and attracts up to 6,000 visitors a day during peak season.
NO.2
MEXICO CITY PROTESTS AGAINST OVERTOURISM
A popular destination for Americans is pushing back against overtourism and gentrification. Residents of Mexico City are unhappy with tourists driving up living and rental costs and gentrifying their neighborhoods, leading to protests last week. Marchers also staged demonstrations at the U.S. Embassy and demanded legislative action, using slogans such as “Gringos Stop Stealing Our Home.”
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The march began peacefully, but later, masked individuals broke windows and looted businesses in the Roma and Condesa neighborhoods. Locals are frustrated with Americans who moved to Mexico during the pandemic as remote workers and digital nomads, causing prices to rise and forcing residents from their homes. Mexico City now joins cities in Europe grappling with similar challenges caused by tourism.
NO.3
JAPAN AIRLINES’ FLIGHT PLUNGES BEFORE EMERGENCY LANDING
A Japan Airlines flight from Shanghai to Tokyo made an emergency landing after descending 26,000 feet in 10 minutes. Cabin pressure dropped, oxygen masks deployed, and the flight was redirected to Osaka. No injuries were reported, but the sudden drop terrified passengers—one even wrote a will on a phone.
In a statement to the Independent, Japan Airlines said, “On June 30, Flight JL8696 experienced a malfunction with the cabin pressurisation system, accompanied by an alert indicating an abnormal cabin altitude pressure level.” The incident was not deemed serious, but the plane was grounded, and the airline offered compensation to passengers.
NO.4
AMERICAN TEEN GETS DETAINED FOR LANDING IN ANTARCTICA
A 19-year-old American landed in hot water after making an unauthorized trip to Antarctica. Influencer Ethan Guo aims to be the first person to fly solo to all seven continents; his website states he is fundraising for cancer research. He broke several laws when he landed without permission in the Chilean territory of Antarctica, and authorities detained him.
Guo submitted false flight plans and diverted mid-flight to land in Antarctica. “He submitted a flight plan indicating that he was going to fly over the city of Punta Arenas. However, he continued toward Antarctica without informing anyone and without any authorization, landing at the airfield of Lieutenant Rodolfo Marsh Base in Chilean Antarctic territory. With this behavior, the accused seriously endangered the safety of air traffic to Antarctica and the Magallanes region,” Regional Prosecutor of Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Cristian Crisosto said.
Guo’s lawyer claimed he faced complications en route and was trying to determine whether continuing his route was possible. He remains detained in Antarctica.
Related: Antarctica Has Become a Popular Destination. But Should You Actually Go?
NO.5
ELEPHANT KILLS TWO TOURISTS IN ZAMBIA
Two tourists were killed in Zambia after a female elephant with a calf charged them. The victims, 68-year-old Easton Taylor of the United Kingdom and 67-year-old Alison Taylor of New Zealand, were walking in South Luangwa National Park when they were attacked from behind and trampled, despite a guide firing shots to scare off the animal.
The women were part of a safari group that had stayed at the Big Lagoon Camp for four days. “They were moving to other camps when the elephant charged from behind. We are really sorry that we have lost our visitors,” police chief Robertson Mweemba said. He added that both women died at the scene.