Chris Sorbe and his father converted their family home in Glendale, Utah into a vacation rental called Hummer Hill in 2018, positioned between Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. The rental thrived initially with balanced foreign and domestic guests, but international bookings have declined sharply in recent years, prompting Sorbe to lower nightly rates from $229 to $179 while maintaining his vision of creating a welcoming space for global travelers.
Japanese mayors of Iga and Koka cities are organizing Shinobi Youchi, a modern recreational battle on October 3 that recreates a 1581 ninja clan conflict using foam weapons and game objectives. The losing mayor must produce a promotional video for the winning city, celebrating the regions' ninja heritage and attracting tourism.