Ways to Travel
Golden Gate Park Is The Center Of The Live Music World
The Uproxx Music Travel Hot List series is sponsored by Priceline, where you can go to book your next music travel adventure.
Across three consecutive weekends this month, Golden Gate Park will be hosting Doja Cat and Tyler, The Creator atop the lineup of the 17th annual Outside Lands festival, a three-night series of concerts by Dead & Company to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead, and a country-leaning mega concert led by Zach Bryan and Kings of Leon. When it’s all said and done, 450,000 people will have come through Golden Gate Park between August 1st and August 15th in an unprecedented live music feat for the park.
Before last year, there had never been a concert in the park beyond 7 pm aside from Outside Lands. That’s when Another Planet Entertainment (APE) put on a one-night-only concert led by System of A Down and Deftones, the weekend after the festival — tickets sold out in an hour. Now, in the second year of APE’s expanded programming at the hallowed ground of Golden Gate Park’s meadows and fields, the park will become nothing short of the center of the live music world.
“If you take any venue in the history of San Francisco, from Oracle Park to Chase Center, Candlestick Park, etc., I don’t think there’s ever been a venue in a single month that has sold 450,000 tickets,” says Allen Scott, APE’s President of Concerts & Festivals. “That is historic in and of itself.”
Scott says that APE was heavily inspired by Hyde Park’s British Summer Time (BST) series of concerts in London. Started in 2013, BST grew in 2022 from a two to three-weekend slate of concerts, coaxing attendees from all over Europe and the world with some of the biggest names in music like Taylor Swift and The Rolling Stones in the past, and this year’s iteration featuring Bryan. Stateside, what’s happening at Golden Gate Park is rivaling the springtime revelry at Southern California’s Empire Polo Field, which hosts two weekends of Coachella followed by the Stagecoach Festival.
When APE was seeking the ability to add another weekend or two of concerts at Golden Gate Park surrounding Outside Lands, the Berkeley-based promoter proposed throwing a series of free concerts each year in San Francisco as well. It’s been a win-win for the city as APE has already put on two shows with the Dirtybird dance music collective on the Embarcadero that each had 7,500 attendees, as well as a Portugal, The Man concert at the Civic Center, and another with country singer Don Louis at Union Square. There are two more free shows on the horizon this year as well, one in collaboration with titanic local label Empire (happening September 13 with Shaboozey as headliner) and the other with producer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist, Poolside.
With this structure in place, APE’s biggest announcement this year came in the form of the 60th anniversary of the Grateful Dead series of shows with Dead & Company. Three nights in a row of ticketed concerts, which will coincide with Jerry Garcia’s birthday. From August 1st to 3rd, each show also has a unique headliner in Billy Strings (Fri), Sturgill Simpson (Sat), and Trey Anastasio Band (Sun).
“We’d been talking to Dead & Company for 2 years,” Scott explains. “We tried to get them for 2024, and they decided to do their Vegas residency at Sphere instead. So then we started gelling around the 60th anniversary for so many reasons. It made so much sense to have them come to Golden Gate Park, since they’d played shows here back in the ’60s when they called the city home.”
Before the Sphere residency, Dead & Company famously played in San Francisco at Oracle Park in what was deemed to be the “final tour” in 2023, presented by LiveNation. Scott says that those 30,000-person shows generated $31 million for the local economy. He expects twice that much economic impact with 57,000 tickets sold for each of the three nights (co-presented with LiveNation) at Golden Gate Park, noting that 74% of ticket buyers are coming from outside of the Bay Area and from many parts of the world.
The Polo Field at the Park is where the stage will be set up for the Dead & Company and Zach Bryan shows. Setting up the grounds for what’s necessary for each weekend is a dance that APE’s production staff got a lesson in last year.
“It was like a Tetris puzzle,” Scott says. “How to bring it down, the fencing and moving structures around. We’ll keep building for Outside Lands during the Dead & Company shows, with the extended Hellman Hollow footprint being built around the same time. So it starts small, then expands for the festival and then contracts again for the final weekend.”
As one can imagine, not having to build a fresh main stage three different times presents some serious savings in production costs. Scott says APE is using some of that money to add different festival-style elements for Dead & Company and Zach Bryan shows that will give each a distinctly unique aesthetic. Outside Lands’ famed legal cannabis sale and consumption area known as Grass Lands is expanding into a second weekend so Deadheads can experience it too, because it’s almost too perfect a placement. “A no-brainer if there ever was one,” as Scott puts it.
As for additional wear and tear on the grass turf of the Polo Field, SF Parks and Rec groundskeepers employ a method where they stop watering the grass a week or two before the festivities. It dries out the turf and hardens it to better maintain its integrity after 450,000 people will be walking on it. And while the grass dies out, the root structure of the field isn’t compromised. Boom.
But ultimately, the key to the success of these ventures lies in the lasting cultural and financial impact left behind once all of the structures are taken down. And while Scott says that APE will conduct economic impact reports following the three weekends, the cultural impact surrounding these unprecedented large-scale events at Golden Gate Park is already being felt.
“With the Grateful Dead and Dead & Company, specifically, the city has embraced the anniversary beyond these concerts,” Scott says.”The GD60 IndyCar is on display at Bill Graham Civic Auditorium, Jerry Day is happening again at McLaren Park, Mickey Hart has an art exhibit at the Haight St Arts Center, and there are street pole banners all around the city. And just like when a Taylor Swift or Beyoncé was in town — in any city, really — you feel it, everywhere, in those cities.”
This is summer here on the Island. A busy time of year for the tourist industry.
The Island is still a popular destination, despite the eye-watering price of the ferries.
The sea is bright with toys, gaudy swim rings and noodles, body boards, small inflatable boats and paddle boards.
All are available to buy at beachside shops and supermarkets. Just inflate and you’re ready for fun.
Sorry to bring a dampener on this happy scene, but just how many of us are aware of water safety?
Some of the main beaches offer lifeguard services during the holiday season, although the more remote areas often don’t.
Observing beach safety warnings such as the red flag system, advising when and where it is safe to swim, is common sense.
The warnings are there precisely because it is unsafe to swim. Rip tides, hidden rocks, deeply shelving beaches can easily turn a refreshing dip into a job for the emergency services.
Also, that time you spend in the local pool isn’t always a precursor to being confident in the sea.
Swimming in a pool is vastly different to swimming in the sea.
Anyone planning leisure time at the beach should be aware of some simple guidelines, especially if there are young kids involved; check the tide times, especially if rock pooling.
If out on lilos, paddleboards or similar, check the weather – a brisk wind could easily sweep a youngster out to sea.
A holiday is a great opportunity for us older folk to try our hand at paddleboarding or kayaking. It looks simple and makes for amusing selfies to show friends.
Take a lead from the more experienced at this sport; get yourself a lifejacket, or Personal Flotation Device – ‘just in case’. Learn the RNLI ‘Float To Live’ technique.
I don’t want to scaremonger or detract from having fun and relaxation.
However, no-one wants to be involved in or witness an accident on the water.
Many locals are respectful and aware of the power of the sea and its unpredictability. Smooth as glass one minute, choppy and wayward the next.
Unfortunately, not everyone is lucky enough to live near the sea and therefore realise the strength and power it has.
Both the RNLI and the Independent Lifeboat services offer, for free, advice and safety checks on equipment such as lifejackets. They are there if you get into difficulties. Whatever the sea conditions, they are always on call 24/7.
However, we can help them by making sure we are as responsible as possible when in the water.
There is information available through websites, leaflets and the IW Council’s own page. It is up to the individual to access it.
How awful for a hard-earned holiday to end in disaster because basic safety measures were ignored.
Ways to Travel
New Zealand’s Natural Beauty and Adventure Tourism Now More Accessible for Indian Tourists Through New Partnership with Flamingo Transworld
Saturday, August 2, 2025
In a groundbreaking partnership that aims to make travel more accessible and enjoyable for Indian tourists, Flamingo Transworld has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Tourism New Zealand. This collaboration marks a significant effort to encourage Indian travelers to explore the scenic beauty, adventure, and cultural richness of New Zealand, with a particular focus on boosting tourism during off-peak seasons. The agreement is poised to offer tailored travel experiences, seamless booking processes, and a range of ready-made packages that appeal to the diverse interests of Indian travelers. New Zealand, with its renowned natural landscapes, vibrant culture, and adventure tourism offerings, has long been a dream destination for many Indians. This partnership, which follows a series of diplomatic meetings between the two countries, promises to make New Zealand more accessible to Indians than ever before.
In 2024, over 80,000 Indians visited New Zealand, marking a 23% increase from 2019. Key Indian cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru have shown a growing interest in New Zealand, with 43% of travelers from these cities naming it as their top international destination. This new agreement between Flamingo and Tourism New Zealand is set to take these numbers even higher, promoting New Zealand not just during peak travel seasons but throughout the year.
Key Highlights of the Partnership
- Custom Travel Packages: Tailored packages to cater to Indian travelers’ interests, focusing on nature, adventure, and cultural experiences.
- Booking Simplification: Seamless online booking options to make the travel process smooth and efficient.
- Off-Peak Travel Boost: Special efforts to increase travel during the off-peak months from March to November, coinciding with India’s summer holidays and festivals like Diwali.
- Training and Promotion: Comprehensive training programs for Indian travel agents, better marketing strategies, and promotional efforts aimed at strengthening ties between the countries.
- Kiwi Link India 2025: A major event to further promote bilateral tourism, with travel experts and businesses coming together to create new opportunities.
The Growing Appeal of New Zealand for Indian Tourists
New Zealand has long been a top destination for international tourists, and its appeal is only growing among Indian travelers. Known for its breathtaking landscapes, adventure tourism, and rich cultural experiences, New Zealand offers a unique blend of activities that attract nature lovers, thrill-seekers, and those in search of relaxation. The collaboration between Flamingo Transworld and Tourism New Zealand will play a pivotal role in helping more Indians explore the island nation.
Why New Zealand?
New Zealand’s allure lies in its diverse offerings. From the majestic peaks of the Southern Alps to the pristine beaches of the North Island, New Zealand offers a wide array of experiences that resonate with Indian tourists:
- Adventure Tourism: New Zealand is known globally for its adventure tourism, offering activities like bungee jumping, skydiving, hiking, and white-water rafting. These activities align well with the adventurous spirit of many Indian travelers.
- Natural Beauty: With its lush green landscapes, sprawling national parks, geothermal wonders, and stunning coastlines, New Zealand provides a perfect setting for those seeking a tranquil and rejuvenating holiday.
- Cultural Diversity: The island nation is rich in Maori culture and traditions, offering visitors a chance to learn about the indigenous history and partake in unique cultural experiences.
- Friendly Hospitality: The warm hospitality of New Zealanders makes it an inviting destination for Indian travelers, who often find it easy to connect with the locals and enjoy a welcoming atmosphere.
Tourism Trends in India
Indian tourism to New Zealand has seen a steady rise in recent years. According to reports, over 80,000 Indians visited New Zealand in 2024, a 23% increase from 2019. Major Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Bengaluru have shown significant interest in New Zealand, with many Indian tourists calling it their top international destination. The rise in interest is particularly evident in the luxury and adventure travel segments, with more affluent travelers looking for destinations that offer unique experiences.
The introduction of a more streamlined booking process and customized travel options by Flamingo Transworld and Tourism New Zealand is expected to further increase this number, making New Zealand even more accessible to the Indian market. With the country’s winter months aligning with India’s summer holidays, there is an excellent opportunity for Indians to visit during the off-peak travel season, thus helping spread tourism throughout the year.
How the Flamingo-Tourism New Zealand Partnership Benefits Indian Tourists
The new MoU between Flamingo Transworld and Tourism New Zealand promises several benefits for Indian travelers, which will significantly enhance their overall travel experience.
1. Tailored Travel Experiences
The partnership aims to offer personalized travel experiences that cater specifically to the preferences of Indian tourists. Whether it’s an adventure trip for adrenaline junkies, a cultural tour to explore New Zealand’s Maori heritage, or a relaxing holiday in one of the country’s many luxurious resorts, these customized packages are designed to ensure that travelers get the most out of their trip.
2. Seamless Online Booking System
One of the main goals of this collaboration is to make the booking process as simple and efficient as possible. By providing an intuitive online booking platform, Indian tourists will have access to easy, direct options for planning their trips. Whether they’re booking flights, accommodations, or experiences, the new platform will offer an all-in-one solution for travelers.
3. Off-Peak Travel Focus
One of the most notable aspects of this collaboration is the emphasis on promoting travel during New Zealand’s off-peak months, specifically from March to November. This time frame aligns with India’s summer holidays and major festivals like Diwali, making it easier for Indian families to plan their vacations. By focusing on these months, the partnership will help distribute tourist traffic more evenly, allowing for a better experience for all visitors.
4. Training and Awareness for Travel Agents
To ensure the success of this initiative, Tourism New Zealand and Flamingo Transworld will also focus on training Indian travel agents. By equipping them with detailed knowledge of New Zealand’s offerings and the best travel packages for Indian tourists, the goal is to ensure that agents can offer the most relevant and valuable advice to their clients.
Key Events to Strengthen the Partnership
A major upcoming event that will be crucial to this collaboration is the Kiwi Link India 2025, set to take place in Goa and New Delhi. This event will bring together tourism professionals, travel agents, and industry leaders from both India and New Zealand. The aim is to spark discussions, generate new business opportunities, and strengthen bilateral tourism ties. This event will be a major step forward in enhancing the visibility of New Zealand as a key destination for Indian travelers.
Conclusion
With the new partnership between Flamingo Transworld and Tourism New Zealand, Indian tourists are set to experience a whole new level of convenience, customization, and excitement when traveling to New Zealand. The collaboration aims to promote the destination as not just a place to visit during peak seasons but as a year-round option for those seeking adventure, relaxation, and cultural immersion. As New Zealand continues to rise in popularity among Indian travelers, the enhanced marketing strategies, easy booking systems, and tailored travel packages offered through this collaboration are expected to drive a further increase in Indian tourist arrivals. Whether it’s the beauty of the landscapes, the thrill of adventure, or the warmth of its people, New Zealand is poised to become an even more prominent destination on the Indian traveler’s map.
Intrepid Travel celebrated its inaugural Intrepid Day, on July 24, with a series of global events focused on culture, connection, and community. Marking the company’s 24/7 global presence, the event is set to become an annual tradition highlighting purpose-driven travel and long-term community impact. Celebrations spanned 31 country offices, with major events held in Melbourne, Toronto, and London, the company said in a statement. In Australia, Intrepid hosted giveaways and social media activations, distributing more than 1,000 free Urban Adventures tours to travellers. In Nepal, Intrepid DMC marked the occasion with meaningful local initiatives. Staff and community members joined hands to clean the Changunarayan Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and planted over 200 trees in partnership with a local forest group. The day also featured a cultural celebration with traditional Newari cuisine, folk music, and a sarangi performance by the Gandharva community, raising awareness about their endangered traditions. The day concluded with a guided Urban Adventure tour of Bhaktapur, highlighting hidden historical gems and promoting sustainable tourism. Globally, Intrepid Day raised over AUD $50,000 in 24 hours for The Intrepid Foundation, surpassing its initial goal and contributing to a wider impact of AUD $150,000 to benefit over 50 grassroots partners worldwide. In Nepal, funds were raised for local partner Sagarmatha Next, reinforcing the day’s theme: culture, connection, and community.
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