Ski resorts have a butt problem
The French ski resort of Val Thorens is selling disposable ashtrays to tourists in an effort to cut down the millions of cigarette butts left of its slopes every season. According to The Times, officials at the famous resort say that under one ski lift alone, they find an incredible 30,000 butts every season, after the snow has melted. Each butt takes two years to decompose, and pollutes mountain streams as the spring thaw sets in. A spokesman for the resort reportedly said: “The 30,000 butts that we pick up under one chairlift are enough to pollute the equivalent of 500 swimming pools.” The ashtrays are being sold for GBP1.00 but officials reportedly state that few skiers are taking them on to the slopes. Meanwhile, the Austrian resort of Hochfuegen has held its first-ever “nude” ski race, which attracted some 2,000 spectators. According to the online news provider Ananova, competitors, who wore “g-strings, bikinis, swimming trunks or underwear”, had to complete two jumps, down a glass of schnapps and perform a pirouette. Authorities reportedly insisted that skiers did not go completely nude; even so, five women went topless to take part. Report by Tim Gillett, News From Abroad
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
TAP Air Portugal to operate 29 flights due to strike on December 11
Qatar Airways offers flexible payment options for European travellers
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt
Air Mauritius reduces frequencies to Europe and Asia for the holiday season
Major rail disruptions around and in Berlin until early 2026