After almost a decade developing the technology behind its version of commercial space tourism, World View is beginning to hone the guest experience for the voyages launching in 2024. The Arizona-based company hired Dale Hipsh as president of tourism and exploration in February. Most recently the senior vice president of hotels at Hard Rock International, Hipsh is a veteran hospitality executive who worked on the development of Atlantis Paradise Island Resort, Grand Hyatt Wailea and Ritz-Carlton Bali among other properties. He is charged with crafting the guest experience both on terra firma and inside the capsule lifted about 19 miles into the sky by a helium balloon. The first flights will take off from near the Grand Canyon, with plans for more spaceports at the Great Barrier Reef, the Pyramids at Giza and other renowned sites. Hipsh recently spoke with Travel Weekly senior editor Tovin Lapan about his plans.
The last four years at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park have been hectic, from a major eruption at Kilauea in 2018 and subsequent volcanic activity in 2021 to pandemic closures and delays. The park's superintendent Loh discusses all of the recent action at the park.