Space tourism is fast becoming a reality, thanks to pioneers like Jeff Bezos and Richard Branson who have ventured to the edge of space, making it     1     (access) to individuals. The era of space vacations is on the horizon,     2     (offer) multi-day escapes that rival traditional getaways.

A space hotel will have been opened     3     2027 by Orbital Assembly Corporation (OAC). Voyager Station, the world’s first luxury space resort,     4     (accommodate) 280 guests and 112 crew members with complete facilities, providing an unparalleled space experience in the near future.

    5     space tourism may seem novel, it dates back hundreds or thousands of years, with Voyager Stations design inspired by the concept of a rotating wheel that generates artificial gravity.     6     (initial), the station will offer lunar-level gravity, like Earth’s gravity. This unique lunar environment     7     (promise) exciting possibilities for individuals with disabilities and the able-bodied.

Guests will embark on their celestial journey, arriving at a central, zero-gravity docking hub (对接枢纽) before     8     (transport) to habitation modules(独立仓) not far away. It’s at the edge of the wheel     9     centrifugal (离心的) force will provide gravity for daily activities.

As technology advances and transportation costs decrease, the dream of space tourism could soon become       10     reality. The rapidly growing space commerce industry and competition among companies further support the possibility of this ambitious vision.

In recent years, food     1     (become) one of the favorite travel themes for young people. In 2024, Tianshui in Gansu became another Zibo or Harbin due to     2     spicy hot pot. The chili peppers from Gangu in Tianshui, pepper from Wudu, wide rice noodles from Zhuanglang, potatoes from Dingxi..., these unique     3     (ingredient) are said to be the soul of Gansu’s spicy hot pot. In a spicy hot pot restaurant in Gansu, dishes are usually skewered (串) with bamboo sticks and placed in bundles. They     4     (typical) cost one or two yuan per skewer and will never be too expensive       5     (afford). After you pick     6     you like and hand them over to the boss, various ingredients are cooked in     7     (boil) soup and put into a plate without sticks; original soup is ladled onto them; two spoonfuls of chili oil are finally poured onto the dish,     8     (release) an explosion of aroma (芳香) within the bowl.

The spicy hot pot has aroused people’s interest in Tianshui, a thousand-year-old city. Besides the spicy hot pot, as an ancient city     9     a history of over 2700 years, Tianshui boasts a series of scenic spots such as Maijishan Grottoes, Nanguo Temple, and Xiguan Ancient City. Some     10     (history) figures like Jiang Wei and Li Guang were born here.

4 . As we know, queues (队列) have always been related to the theme park experience. Disliked by many, attractions do their best to stop them from having a bad influence on the guest experience. However, queues remain a necessity for gated attractions with popular rides.

The most obvious problem with queues is that they waste time, and for guests, wasting their limited time during their visit leads to a poor experience. For attraction operators, queues can be a letdown too. Even though long queues might be a sign that business is good, the more time guests spend tied up in long lines, the less opportunity they have to spend money on on-site retail and food offerings.

Thankfully, technology is developing to meet changing guest expectations. Many theme parks are taking guests out of physical queues and putting them into virtual queues through an app or wearable device.

Free from queues, guests are likely to spend their time and money far more freely around the attraction. Even though no one has to wait in line, attractions can still offer queue upgrades within a virtual queue system. According to a recent survey done by Attractions.io, over 84% of theme park visitors said they would rather use virtual queuing.

But queuing isn’t all bad, either. Making a queue part of the experience can also create an opportunity for better guest management. For example, Disney observes queues on many of their rides to give worried kids a space to relax. For smaller attractions, physical queues can be useful for judging how busy different rides are likely to be.

So to queue or not to queue? We say, why not both. In an ideal world, every attraction will have both virtual and physical queues. While virtual queuing can ensure that no one has to stand in line for hours, not every ride will need one. Short physical queues may still work for smaller or less popular rides, which guests can even enjoy while they wait in line virtually for another ride.

9 . Must-See Destinations in 2024

Are you ready to explore the world in 2024? Whether you dream of sailing down famous European rivers or exploring unique places, our list of must-see destinations is here to inspire your travels.

Throw yourself into the rich culture and history of Spain. From the sunny beaches of Tenerife to the Moorish architecture (建筑物) of Andalucía, there’s so much to explore in this lively country. Discover the UNESCO World Heritage (遗产) city of La Laguna and become amazed at the beauty of Cordoba, Seville, and La Alhambra, or relax on a beach holiday to Majorca or Tenerife.

Despite its size, Montenegro has beautiful beaches, rich history, and a breathtaking channel. Experience the beauty of the Montenegrin coast — Dalmatia’s jewel (宝石) is the UNESCO World Heritage listed oasis of Dubrovnik, famously praised by Lord Bryon as The Pearl of the Adriatic.

Discover the beauty that is Dubrovnik. Explore the 16th-century city’s defensive walls and red-roofed buildings. Sail along Croatia’s Adriatic Coast, where attractive villages and beautiful towns like Pula, Rovinj, and Poreč are just waiting to be explored...

Explore the wonders of South Africa, from the Garden Route’s nature reserves to the thrill of a Safari drive in the Kariega Game Reserve. Discover the different plants and animals while searching for the “Big Five” on an unforgettable South Africa holiday.

With over 25 years of experience creating holidays for the curious, Travel Department ensures that your journey is in good hands. Plus as a trusted Reader’s Digest Travel partner, you can get special deals when you travel with them across lots of different 2024 holidays. If you want to know more information, please click here.