Listen to today’s podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/true-travellers-daily/id1842920062
True Travellers Society: Your weekly news briefing
Today’s podcast episode was created from the following stories:
This trans mountain guide wants everyone to feel welcome in the backcountry – after she hid for decades
Author: Jacqueline Gelineau | Date: November 16, 2025
Source: CBC News
After retiring from a high-risk career in the alpine, veteran guide Julianna Howatt came out as a transgender woman and is now advocating to make mountain culture more inclusive. Her story, featured in the Banff-premiered film “Beauty in a Fall,” highlights the hidden “interpersonal hazards” marginalized people face alongside mountain risks. Howatt mentors through the Open Mountains Project to lower barriers with scholarships, gear access, and community support.
JTB CONTINUES TO RESHAPE JAPAN’S TRAVEL LANDSCAPE
Author: Not specified | Date: November 17, 2023
Source: News On Japan
Travel giant JTB is easing overtourism with time-shifted access in Kyoto (early-morning shrine entries and evening temple tours) and crowd-management tools like Ticket Hub reservations at popular nature sites. The company is also redirecting demand to nearby Lake Biwa through new cruise products and regional experiences, while revenue rebounds past 1 trillion yen. Under President Eijiro Yamakita, JTB is evolving from a traditional agency into an experience and infrastructure creator.
FACT CHECK: WAS RAINFOREST CUT DOWN FOR A HIGHWAY TO COP30?
Author: Swati Mishra | Uta Steinwehr | Date: November 16, 2025
Source: DW
DW finds viral claims that Brazil felled Amazon rainforest to build a highway for COP30 are misleading: the Avenida Liberdade project predates the summit and follows an already cleared utility corridor within a managed protection zone. Still, the road has sparked protests and environmental concerns, and media framing fueled an “authenticity gap” narrative around climate conferences. The takeaway: nuance matters—logistics and legacy projects can be conflated with summit actions.
INSIDE THE MAKING OF JAPAN’S NEW LUXURY HOTELS
Author: Not specified | Date: November 17, 2023
Source: News On Japan
Mori Trust’s president, Date Tadako, is redefining luxury hospitality by restoring heritage sites in culturally rich locations and pairing them with top global brands. Flagship successes like Suiran in Kyoto’s Arashiyama show how place-based design and meticulous restoration can attract high-end travelers and revitalize local economies. New projects, including historic townhouses in Takayama, extend this model beyond major hubs.
Ministry ramps up preparations for year-end air travel season
Author: Not specified | Date: November 16, 2025
Source: ANTARA
Indonesia’s Transport Ministry will run a centralized observation center covering 257 airports from December 18 to January 4 to manage the Christmas–New Year surge. With 366 aircraft ready for service and peak days expected Dec 21 and Jan 3–4, authorities are adding contingency and disaster-preparedness plans and temporary fare relief (VAT, airport fees, fuel discounts). Busiest gateways will include Jakarta, Bali, Makassar, Medan, and Surabaya, with strong traffic to Singapore and Kuala Lumpur.
German vice chancellor heads to China in difficult times
Author: Christoph Hasselbach | Date: November 16, 2025
Source: DW
Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil makes the government’s first China visit amid supply shocks, export controls, and unresolved de-risking goals. Berlin just launched an expert commission to examine security-sensitive ties with China, as Klingbeil seeks pragmatic dialogue while signaling vigilance over Taiwan. The visit’s tone and outcomes may set the stage for Chancellor Merz’s own long-delayed trip.
CHINA, HONG KONG & MACAU ISSUE TRAVEL WARNING AGAINST VISITING JAPAN
Author: John Ollila | Date: November 16, 2025
Source: LoyaltyLobby
Beijing, Hong Kong, and Macau issued advisories urging citizens to avoid travel to Japan, citing security concerns amid tensions over Taiwan; major Chinese airlines are offering waivers through year-end. The post notes these advisories often correlate with diplomatic disputes and can dampen arrivals, while questioning claims of elevated risks to Chinese visitors. Travelers with Japan plans should check waiver policies and monitor official guidance.
Colors of Asia / book.sv / Compression bags
Author: Not specified | Date: November 16, 2025
Source: Cool Tools
Kevin Kelly unveils “Colors of Asia,” a limited-run, 144-page hardcover organized by color (1,000 copies, US shipping only), alongside practical travel finds like low-cost roll-up compression bags that can replace packing cubes. The roundup also features book.sv, a taste-savvy recommendation engine built on Goodreads data, and a handy guide to the nine essential apps for independent travel in China. Bonus tips include an ACT-inspired mindset for daily hiccups and an AI prompt to translate and explain menus in plain language.
