Author Archives: Brian D. Butler

How Important Are Online Reviews

Posted on July 2, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

The online reputation management company TrustYou has just released this neat infographic  (see below) that examines the impact of web reviews and social media on travel booking decisions. Would you book a hotel that had no online reviews? Well 49% … Continue reading →

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Waving, Not Drowning

Posted on July 1, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

If you’ve ever tried to hail a taxi in an unfamiliar city, or just didn’t know where to find a cab and not get ripped-off, then the Hailo app is right up your alley. After a quick sign-up process, you’re ready … Continue reading →

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Don’t Be Rude

Posted on June 30, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

One of the Europe’s most visited cities, but also famous for its purported rudeness, Paris has  launched a campaign to improve its reputation and better meet the needs of tourists. Restaurant servers, taxi drivers and retail sales staff in the … Continue reading →

Posted in Europe, Hotels, Museums, Tourism, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

Home is The Navel of the World

Posted on June 29, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Sergio Miranda is an Argentina-born, Bahrain-based photographer usually known for his work in fashion and advertising. So, his series called Ombligo is a bizarre departure. The amusing project is based on photographs of maps printed on stomachs. Each image prominently … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Maps, Middle East, Photography, South America | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

On Departure

Posted on June 28, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

On Departure is a marvelous, minimalist short animated film by Vancouver-based, Irish filmmaker Eoin Duffy that captures the disconcerting, otherworldly feel that seems to pervade airports. After spending too many hours, in too many airports over the past few months, I … Continue reading →

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Station to Station

Posted on June 27, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Station to Station: A Nomadic Art Happening is a rare and exciting transcontinental arts event that will connect visual artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers and even chefs this September. The ten stop train trip/public art project is the brainchild of the … Continue reading →

Posted in Art, Books, Film, Museums, Music, Photography, Theater, Tourism, USA, Writing | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Operation Book Drop

Posted on June 26, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Weller Book Works was founded over 80 years ago in Salt Lake City, Utah as Zion Bookstore. Over the decades the shop, which sells new and used titles, has remained in the Weller family, but has been known as Sam Weller’s … Continue reading →

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It Takes A Train

Posted on June 25, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

An expert team of creative food artists and bakers from the UK collective Eat Your Heart Out were commissioned to build an edible train replica to celebrate the 15th anniversary of London’s Heathrow Express . The amazing confection—measuring 1.5 x … Continue reading →

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Globe Painter

Posted on June 24, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Whether he is going by Seth Globepainter , Julien Seth, or just plain Seth, the globetrotting French street artist is always surprising, entertaining and challenging art lovers around the globe with his original and imaginative wall paintings. I was recently in … Continue reading →

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Every Airport Needs One

Posted on June 23, 2013 by Brian D. Butler

Singapore’s Changi International Airport has planted an enormous digital “Social Tree” to help entertain and connect flyers. Situated in Terminal 1 Central Piazza, the tree is nine meters tall and eleven meters wide, with sixty-four HD TV monitors and eight … Continue reading →

Posted in Asia, Photography, Tech, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment