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Jumpstart your travel business by becoming a member of fora.

Fora is built for the next generation of entrepreneurial travel advisors. Our mission is to empower anyone with a passion for travel to earn a flexible income booking trips.

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Travel Advisor

Pamela murphy.

Fallon Alexandria

Rabia Malik

Fora gives you everything you need to start your travel business.

We’ve got all the tools and resources you need to start planning and booking trips from day one.

Our diverse, inclusive & engaged global community is designed to make you feel welcome.

Live networking events across the country

Community app for collaboration and support, weekly online community & partner events, mentorship, fam trips & site visits.

Start booking trips the day you join, with a best-in-class training curriculum developed by industry experts.

Access to recorded lessons, getting what you need when you need it

Learn alongside your community from experienced advisors, 40+ hours of live, small-group training, certification programs to guide your learning journey.

Partnerships

You'll benefit from our decades of experience in the industry, to unlock perks & upgrades for your clients at hotels around the world.

Preferred partnerships and invite-only memberships with hotel brands

Perks at over 4,500 hotels and cruises worldwide, increased commission at partner properties, exclusive rates.

We've got data-driven marketing resources and shareable assets to make you look like a star.

Your own @fora.travel email address

A dedicated profile page on fora's website, designer-made email & social media templates, client-development tips and best practices.

We’re using the latest technology to build tools that make being a travel advisor easier than ever.

IATA # (license to sell travel)

All-in-one booking platform, client management tools, client card collection & storage.

We handle every aspect of getting you paid — so you can focus on the fun part.

Commission payouts every two weeks

Commission & payment collection, partner invoicing & admin support, net rate & planning fee collection, apply to join fora & get everything you need to succeed.

Our advisors typically make back their membership fee within their first month.

• BEST VALUE: Save 50%
• Start at 70% commission split
• Live training and mentorship
• Access to 4,500+ preferred partners
• Custom marketing tools
• Global community of travel pros

Take the first steps to become a Fora Advisor

Enter your email to get started. Next, you'll take a survey to share more about yourself.

Book just $360/month* in travel, and you’ll cover your subscription fees.

Everything after that is your profit to keep.

*Based on annual pricing

Select a booking example to see how much you could earn

Pro-tip: You can also enter your own numbers.

Your best friend’s hotel staycation

Your parents’ cruise

Your colleague’s safari

Your custom adventure

Booking Cost

Commission Rate *

Commission Earned

You Keep 70%

* Commission levels differ by travel partner, typically ranging from 10-25% and averaging ~12%. Most of that commission (70%) goes straight to you, the advisor. The remainder supports Fora's behind-the-scenes work invoicing partners and chasing commission checks to ultimately ensure timely payment to our advisors.

Easy to get started

Become a Fora Advisor in just a few easy steps. Most advisors' applications are accepted within a week, and they book their first trip one week after that.

Submit your email & complete our application to share more about yourself.

Once your application is accepted, sign up for one of our membership plans.

Book Travel

Get everything you need to go from travel-lover to professional advisor.

Normal Agency

Apply to join fora today & get everything you need to succeed.

Book just $360/month in travel and you’ll cover your subscription fees. Everything after that is your profit to keep.

Still have questions? We got you.

What is a fora advisor is it the same as a travel advisor or travel agent.

The terms travel agent and travel advisor are used interchangeably. The original term was ‘travel agent,’ but the industry has gone through a bit of a rebrand to showcase the breadth of work that a travel advisor does. We use both! 

Personally, we like to think of Fora Advisors as next-generation travel agents. Sure, we earn money by selling and booking trips, but it’s so much more than a transaction. Fora Advisors are consultants and advocates for their clients. We work with clients to understand their vacation needs and handle all the travel arrangements, from booking a staycation to planning a honeymoon. 

A Fora Advisor has access to all of Fora’s training resources, including seamless technology (which makes booking a breeze) and access to specialists with destination expertise. Even better, Fora Advisors don’t have to worry about tracking commission payments or invoicing travel partners. We handle all of that, so our advisors can focus on what they love: building their business in travel.

What does a travel agent (a.k.a. Fora Advisor) do?

A travel agent is someone who sells, curates and books travel, typically working under a host agency (like Fora). Travel agents consult with clients on where to go, what to do and where to stay — and earn commission from booking hotels, cruises, experiences and more. In addition to planning and booking trips, agents communicate with hotels and other partners (tour companies, cruises, etc.) to ensure each trip goes smoothly.

How do I become a travel agent? Do I get a travel agent license?

Fora is a host agency and all of our advisors are automatically licensed to sell, book and plan travel as soon as they join our membership program. Fora offers turn-key infrastructure, tools and resources to get you set up with everything you need to succeed as a travel advisor, including expert-led training, commission tracking and payments, seamless tech to make bookings a breeze and more.

The first step to become a travel agent is to apply to join Fora . Enter your email on this page and you’ll be prompted with a survey to tell us more about yourself. Once you apply, we’ll be in touch if it’s a good fit. From there, you’ll be able to sign up with our membership program and start booking from day one.

Where do travel agents work?

Some travel agents work in an office, but Fora Advisors can work from anywhere (the flexibility we offer is one of the reasons our advisors love us). All you need is a passion for travel, a WiFi connection, an entrepreneurial mindset and a roll-up-your-sleeves attitude — and a few potential clients in your network don't hurt either. Whether you’re looking for a flexible way to monetize your love for travel, looking to build a travel business or are a seasoned veteran in the industry, you can call Fora home.

What types of travel can I book as a Fora Advisor?

Some Fora Advisors focus solely on booking hotels, while others offer full itinerary planning including and on-the-ground experiences (tours, activities, transportation…). In addition to hotels, advisors can book villas, cruises, yacht charters, vacation packages, all-inclusives, car rentals, travel insurance and private aviation.

Where do travel advisors book trips to?

If you can dream it, you can book it. Our advisors book vacations to Costa Rica (a community favorite), Paris , Montana , all around the Caribbean , Australia and beyond. No destination is off-limits (yes, Fora Advisors even book travel to Antarctica ).

What kinds of travel partnerships does Fora have?

Fora has partnered with more than 5,000 hotels, meaning our advisors have access to exclusive upgrades & perks at 5,000+ properties around the world, many of which belong to prestigious collections including Virtuoso , Four Seasons , Rosewood and more . We work with both high-end luxury partners as well as lifestyle boutique partners. At Fora, it’s all about meeting your clients where they're at.

How do Fora Advisors get paid?

Fora travel advisors get paid by earning commissions from their clients' trips — usually from hotel and travel bookings. Travel partners typically pay the agent 10 to 15 percent of the total cost, but sometimes more (depending on the brand and type of partner). 

Unlike other agencies (where travel advisors frequently have to chase their own commission), we're proud to offer a full-service, backend commission-management department. We pay out commission once your client has finished their trip. The process is seamless, but don't just take our word for it: hear directly from Fora Advisor in .

What is Fora's commission split?

Fora Advisors take home the majority (70 percent) of each commission, and Fora keeps a small portion (30 percent) as the host agency. After you book more than $300k in commissionable travel in a calendar year, the split changes to 80/20.

Are there minimum bookings?

At Fora, never. You're empowered to book in accordance with your schedule, and on your own terms.

How quickly can I start booking?

Right away! Once you’ve signed up and joined an onboarding call, you will be set up with our IATA number and can start selling ASAP. No need to wait.

I am a travel content creator. Can I join Fora?

Yes! Booking travel is a great way for creators to expand on their travel income streams. It is important to note that the role of a Fora Advisor is rooted in planning and booking travel, which is different from an affiliate program.

I am already a professional travel advisor. Can I join Fora?

Of course! As professional travel advisors ourselves, we’re excited to welcome experienced travel agents to our community. We’re advisor-centric to our core, so there’s something here for everyone, no matter where you are on your advisor journey.

Is Fora a multi-level marketing (MLM) company?

Nope! We never require advisors to recruit other advisors, and our advisors’ earnings come from booking travel. Advisors don’t profit off of anyone else’s bookings. Fora Advisors are independent contractors and earn commissions on their own, without any contingencies, limits or minimums. And, advisors can cancel their Fora subscription and stop booking at any time. No questions asked.

Does Fora have E&O insurance?

Yes. Fora has E&O Insurance coverage that extends to you upon joining.

Do I need an LLC to join Fora?

As part of joining Fora, you will be a 1099 independent contractor. You do not need to have an LLC to sign up with Fora. Should you want to, though, you can onboard with Fora as an LLC, rather than an individual contractor.

How much does Fora's subscription plan cost?

We charge advisors a monthly ($49) or annual ($299) subscription fee, which includes the cost of Fora’s technology platforms, certified training, admin support and our community app. We’ll set you up with everything you need to succeed, from your first booking to your 1,000th and beyond.

How do I get started?

Sign up! Enter your email on this page and you’ll be prompted to complete a detailed survey on your travel style and experience. If you meet our criteria, we'll get you onboarded and show you the ropes, so you can start booking travel in no time.

Travel Nursing, Allied & Per Diem Jobs

Plus permanent, float pool and in-house agency jobs directly from leading healthcare systems

Katherine P., Social Worker

The largest digital platform directly connecting you with leading healthcare facilities.

Whether your goal is to explore new places, boost your resume or make an impact where you’re needed most, we’ll help you find the right match.

Featured Locations

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How it Works

Interested in traveling with aya just click & go..

As America's largest travel nursing agency, and a leading allied and locums agency , we make things simple. We provide you with the opportunities, resources, technology and support you need to grow your career. Traveling with Aya is as easy as 1-2-3.

• Register now and complete your profile. Be as detailed as possible.
• Log in to search jobs, view pay packages and review facility information.
• Click “I’m Interested” to let your recruiter know.

The largest travel nursing agency and healthcare staffing company

Ranked #1 by travel nurses across the nation.

Here are some of the reasons clinicians choose Aya Healthcare.

Aya has been fabulous. Their staff is timely, professional, courteous and attentive — and their pay, benefits and locations are the best. Thanks, Aya!

Ultrasound Tech

Aya's website has been the easiest for me to use and they consistently offer more competitive pay rates than other agencies for the same position.

I'm a single mom and was able to take care of my family on my own, which is awesome. I've also gained some great experiences and wonderful friends.

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5 Apps That Will Help You Make Money While Traveling

From selling travel photos to packing extra luggage, here's how to make some dough on the road.

Susan Shain is a journalist who has been traveling since 2008, writing about everything from the birthplace of piña coladas to snail mail. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post , The New York Times , The Atlantic , and elsewhere.

658 million. That's how many vacation days Americans left on the table in 2015. In other words, as a country, we missed out on nearly two million years worth of traveling.

Though many workers skip vacations because they don't feel they can take time off, money likely has something to do with it, too. We spend an average of $2,448 per vacation , according to a 2016 Travelex survey—a big chunk of change for almost everyone.

If you're excited to travel but worried about your finances, one way to ease the pain is with apps that can help you earn money wherever you are. They won't make you rich—and they won't fund your trip—but if you're on the road, especially somewhere cheap, they might cover your next meal or drink.

Here are five apps that might help you make money while traveling .

In addition to making all your friends jealous, you can actually make money with your travel photos . Just use an app called Foap , which helps you sell your photos to big brands—like Heineken, Visit Sweden, and Garnier—for use in their digital marketing efforts.

You can upload images directly from your phone, and whenever a company buys your photo, you'll earn $5. The best part? You can sell the same photo to an unlimited number of buyers, earning $5 each time.

The app also features "Missions," which are requests by brands for specific photos. Examples of past Missions included a photo of "Christmas time in Poland" or "hair with flowers." If your photo's selected as the winner of a Mission, you'll earn $100 or more.

It's worth noting that when you sell your photos through Foap, you grant a non-exclusive right to buyers and therefore waive your right to be identified as the photographer in their content.

Heading out on a road trip? Roadie will pay you to transport items in your trunk to another location within the United States.

For local deliveries, you'll earn $8 to $50—but travel long distance with an oversized item, and you could earn up to $650. (Or more, if you transport a pet!)

Even better, you might be able to write off the mileage on your taxes. "It's no different than for any other freelance job: the driver needs to report all income received on Schedule C of their Individual Tax Return," said accountant Eric Nisall . "Any expenses directly related to earning that money, such as mileage, tolls and lodging for long-distance trips can be deducted on the Schedule C. Nothing prior to pickup or beyond final delivery can be deducted as business expenses."

Airmule is a similar concept for plane travel. If by some miracle, you have extra space in your suitcase, you can fill it with items that need to be transported overseas. Or you can check an extra suitcase filled entirely with a sender's items.

As a "mule," you'll earn 80 percent of the sender's fees, which is $40 for up to five pounds, plus $6 per additional pound. You'll earn more if you have to pick up the package, or if your departure's within the next 48 hours.

Right now, jobs are only available on routes between the U.S. or U.K and China—a trip for which most travelers earn a whopping $300 one-way—but the company plans to widen its offerings as demand for international shipping grows. "We will expand more globally in the near future," said co-founder Rory Felton.

4. Swagbucks Watch (TV)

No matter how you spin it, traveling involves a lot of waiting. Instead of scrolling through Facebook for the billionth time, why not earn some extra money?

One way is with Swagbucks Watch (TV) , which lets you earn "SB" points for watching movie trailers or other short videos in categories like recipes, fashion, and even travel.

You'll earn 2 SB for every six videos you watch, with "typical active users" earning 50 to 100 SB per day, according to Swagbucks spokesperson Sarah Aibel. Once you've racked up enough, you can redeem them for gift cards or cash: 500 SB for a $5 Amazon gift card, for example, or 2,500 SB for a $25 PayPal transfer.

Clearly, the points add up very slowly, but remember that you can keep the videos on in the background while waiting at the airport or hanging out at your hotel.

5. Field Agent

Want to explore your new surroundings? Use FieldAgent as your excuse to wander.

Available in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the U.K., Romania, South Africa, and Australia, this app connects you with companies in need of on-the-ground market research. Once you download it, you can simply create a new login for whichever country you're traveling in.

The app uses geolocation to find gigs near you, and pays $2 to $12 for quick tasks like checking prices or displays in stores. (You'll get paid via PayPal in the currency of the country in which the gig is located.) Find a bunch of gigs within a walkable area, and you might be looking at a decent hourly rate.

One thing to note: because of international tax laws, "as you add more income and more countries, this can get very complicated very quickly," said Jeremy Williams, Field Agent's Director of International and Product Strategy, via email. So if you're using this app in a foreign country, be sure to seek professional help before filing your taxes.

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Nomad: Travel Healthcare Jobs 4+

Travel nurse and allied jobs, nomad health, designed for iphone.

• 4.5 • 878 Ratings

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Description.

Nomad: Travel Healthcare Jobs makes it easy to find and apply for traveling clinician jobs across a wide variety of healthcare disciplines, including travel nursing and allied health. Search for open positions in trusted facilities all over the country, chat with a team of experts as you navigate the hiring process, and track your shift hours easily. GET WHERE YOU WANT TO GO FASTER As soon as you complete your profile, you can apply for jobs in as little as one click. Explore job listings that fit your speciality, view a curated list of top matches, and subscribe to new job alerts. After you’ve submitted an application, you’ll get notifications about its status, as well as any incoming messages from a Nomad Navigator. SEARCH TRANSPARENT JOB LISTINGS You should feel confident and empowered to make informed decisions about your career. By using Nomad’s platform, you have access to full job descriptions, position requirements, facility information, and more. You can search jobs using a number of filters, including: specialty, location, start date, shift schedule, contract length, pay rate, and exclusivity. REACH OUT FOR EXPERT SUPPORT At any time during the application process, you can reach out via in-app messaging for support. A team of Nomad Navigators, our own healthcare industry experts, can help guide you through your placement by fielding questions, contacting your facility, and offering personalized solutions. Once you’re connected to a Navigator, you can chat with them from within the app, making it easy to communicate while on the go. MANAGE YOUR HOURS Not only can you search and apply for open travel healthcare positions from within the app, but you can also log your hours while on assignment and set up payment. If you accept an offer through Nomad, you’ll have access to a robust benefits package, including full healthcare coverage, 401(k) matching, malpractice insurance, and travel reimbursement, among other exciting features. Download today and get started.

Version 3.11.0

We’re constantly working to improve your app experience. In this release: • General bug fixes and performance improvements

Ratings and Reviews

878 Ratings

Great app!!!

User friendly app! You can do everything you need for Nomad with the app. This is the perfect app and very convenient for a traveling nurse who’s always on “the go.” Nomad is an amazing traveling company. I’ve only traveled with them but am active with other agencies. Nomad makes you in control and doesn’t constantly text and call like other companies. They are transparent with their rates which is nice compared to other companies. The app allows me to apply with 1 click and upload required documentation easily!!

Long time traveler

I’ve worked across the country as a traveler for many years with many different staffing agencies. I know the business and what to expect. Nomad Healthcare has an interesting approach to staffing but my experience working with them as a traveler leaves a lot to be desired. Originally, their “hands off” website and way you can apply for jobs seemed neat and efficient. What I came to realize is that travelers need the human to human relationships developed with a real recruiter. It’s that simple. As travelers, we need to chat with a real human who is actively looking for a job that fits our needs. The A.I. approach Nomad Uses seems empty and hollow. You’ll apply for jobs and suddenly your job will be closed by a Nomad Navigator without warning. Additionally a lot of information about the job is incorrect. I found myself personally reaching out the HR department of the job I applied for with many times the facility not even needing a traveler! Crazy! Anyway, thank you for reading my review about at real world experience with Nomad Healthcare.

Great in Concept Terrible in Execution

Nomad seems like a good resource for travel nurses at first glance but is very inconsistent with its practices. I experienced multiple requests for the same information- which I had provided multiple times -which was very annoying and had the effect of delaying my application for multiple jobs. In addition, I don’t think they update their job listings to be current because they never take filled jobs down, at least nowhere near in a timely fashion. Their reference requirements are either unrealistic or confusing because they asked for 3 references, 2 of which had to be above a charge. However, when I provided 1 charge, 1 manager and 1 house supervisor apparently it wasn’t enough! I would suggest that you not rely on Nomad as your main resource until they fix some of their inherent issues otherwise you will find yourself yelling at their redundant emails. I’m sure some people have had success through them without so many hurdles but I get the feeling they are the exception to the rule and not the norm.

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Travel app Sēkr can plan your next road trip with its new AI tool

Sēkr, a startup that offers a mobile app for outdoor enthusiasts and campers, is launching a new AI tool for planning road trips. The new tool, called Copilot, is available on the startup’s updated website and app, which is used by more than 100,000 users. 

The company was founded in 2016 with the goal of helping the “van life” community find campsites based on their needs, such as shower facilities, restrooms, overnight van parking or free Wi-Fi. The app also allows users to connect with fellow travelers who want to participate in outdoor activities together, like rock climbing or skiing.

After being acquired by van company Peace Vans in December 2023, the startup is under new leadership. Sēkr and Peace Vans CEO Harley Sitner was a user of the app for seven years but had noticed last year that the app had gone dormant. He learned that the founders of the startup were going to unwind the app due to the sudden shift in global fundraising climates in late 2022, despite having a strong user base. Sitner, who was a former product manager at Microsoft, was approached to acquire Sēkr in November 2023.

Fast-forward eight months, the startup is now looking to help people better plan the journeys to their destinations, while also updating the app with enhanced features that stay true to Sēkr’s original mission.

With the new AI-powered road trip planning tool, Sēkr is combining natural language processing with proprietary data from its community of users who have left reviews and ratings about specific places. Copilot also looks at publicly available data when creating road trip itineraries. The tool leverages OpenAI’s GPT, Meta’s Llama and others.

“For the millions of people traveling by van, car, or RV this summer, Sēkr Copilot will help you bypass hours of trip planning to quickly deliver a better itinerary,” Sitner said in a statement. “AI isn’t going to create a panoramic sunset, but it will help you overcome the notorious planner’s block, set you up for serendipitous moments, and connect you to an authentic road trip experience co-created by Sēkr’s incredible community of dedicated users.” 

Copilot can be accessed via the new “Trip Planning” tab on the startup’s website or app. Once users open the tool, they will be asked to answer a series of prompts about where they’re going and what they’re looking for. The tool will then provide a travel itinerary that has editable trip legs that include camping destinations, stops for food and outdoor activities. 

The idea behind Copilot is to help travelers discover unique places that they may not have known about otherwise. For instance, the tool may encourage travelers to check out a taco truck parked by the side of a dusty road in Baja that users have said offers better food than a five-star reviewed Denny’s outside of Los Angeles. Or, the tool may encourage users to explore secluded, unmarked areas in BLM (Bureau of Land Management) land that overlooks scenic views. 

Sēkr is available on iOS and Android . The app’s basic features are free to use. Users can unlock premium features like, offline maps, event discount codes, and unlimited messaging and searching for $4.99 per month.

The startup previously received $2.25 million in seed funding led by Storyteller Overland, with participation from Backstage Capital, Techstars, Ad Astra Ventures, Crescent Ridge Ventures and Andy Ballester, the co-founder of GoFundMe.

Travel app Sēkr scores $2.25 million to bring campsite inventory into the digital age

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Wealth of Geeks

9 Jobs That Can Be Done While Traveling

Posted: December 24, 2023 | Last updated: December 24, 2023

In a world of high-speed living and remote jobs, earning money anywhere is possible. Travel isn’t cheap. It costs a lot of money, and working in an office does not leave much time for leisure. If you are on vacation and have seen all there is to be seen, you may look for something else to pass the time.

Remote jobs don’t have to be boring. In fact, many of them are great options for earning free or discounted travel. You just have to know how to choose which of these travel jobs is right for you.

1. Blogging

Blogging while traveling is a great way to earn some money. Your office is wherever your laptop is, so you are never tied down to one place. This can help you travel the world with just a laptop and a bit of data, which you can always find in local cafes or restaurants . It’s even better if you do travel writing, so you can combine firsthand experience with creative writing that helps others plan their travels.

2. Vlogging

Similar to blogging, video blogging, also called “ vlogging ,” is a visual form of content. You can write blogs for your website but also work as a freelancer for other people’s websites. When it comes to vlogging, however, people usually vlog for their own channels. It takes more time to succeed but can also be more rewarding monetarily. All you need is a smartphone with a nice camera, or if you want to be fancy, a laptop with some video editing software like Adobe PremierePro or DaVinci Resolve.

3. Video Commercials

This one is both fun and rewarding. If you have a smartphone with a decent camera and invest in an excellent DJI drone, you can earn some nice money on your travels. Combine this with an investment in a decent laptop and a video editing course, and you have a recipe for success. When I was on vacation in Corfu , I discovered an opportunity with their beautiful beachfront Tavernas. I packed my drone, visited a few of them on foot, and offered them my services. I scored two jobs for filming a video ad and one logo redesign job, which made me a nice profit for less than a full day of work.

4. Singing and Playing an Instrument

Singing or playing an instrument is another excellent way to earn some surprisingly good money. If you are a good singer and can play an instrument, you can always play in the city center or other popular spots. Many great talents have been discovered performing in public this way. You can also offer your skills to local restaurants or lounges if they are in need of live music or other entertainment.

5. Haircuts for Tips

If you know how to cut hair, another great way to earn money is to offer free haircuts and keep profits from their tips if they decide to give you one. You only need hair clippers for this one, so you can be flexible and earn well in countries where haircuts are expensive. Pro tip : You can combine this with vlogging and use this as your content on your vlog to increase exposure.

6. Exposure for Businesses

This travel job is for those with a well-developed online business. If you already have a travel blog , you can always ask restaurant owners, bar owners, hotels, and others who provide services in tourism if they would like to collaborate on a promotion on your website. The business will get exposure to your audience, and you can negotiate payment or exchanges for that promotion, like a one-night hotel stay or a free meal.

7. Bartending

A good barista is always a much-needed part of the crew. If you know how to mix drinks or make a killer espresso, you can always offer your services to nightclubs or cafes and earn a decent wage, plus tips.

8. Temporary Tattoos or Hair Styling

Unlike the classic tattoo industry, where laws and regulations can tie up employment approval, temporary tattoos can be done anytime, anywhere, and do not fall under any laws and regulations. There is a low risk of infection with temporary tattoos or paints, unlike classic tattoos that are created by piercing the skin. Hair braiding or wrapping is popular at beach destinations and can also be done anytime, anywhere.

9. Working on a Cruise Ship

Working on a cruise ship is more permanent, but it still fits within the scope of travel jobs. There are numerous jobs that you can do on a cruise ship, and each of those offers some nice wages. Understandably, a captain makes much more than a cabin steward, but all employees receive benefits and gratuity. You can use the time between shifts to discover beautiful cities wherever you stop. 

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Ukraine-Russia war latest: Ukraine peace summit 'opens door to limited talks with Russia'

An upcoming Swiss-hosted summit on Ukraine will aim to create a pathway for Russian officials to take part in future talks, it is reported.

Wednesday 5 June 2024 13:30, UK

• Ukraine peace summit 'opens door to limited talks with Russia'
• Kremlin denies disinformation campaign targeting Olympics
• Russia could be ready to attack NATO in three years, Norway warns
• Big picture:  Everything you need to know about the war right now
• Your questions answered: Are there any signs of an underground resistance in Russia?  
• Live reporting by Niamh Lynch

As Russia opens a new front on Ukraine's northeastern border, the war has entered an important phase.

Readers have been sending in their questions to our senior correspondents and military experts for their take on the changing battlefield environment.

Today, Trevor Prew asks:

Are there any signs of an underground Russian resistance operating inside Russia, or can Russians openly criticize Putin, as long as they don't protest on the streets or mention the war.

Russia correspondent Ivor Bennett says:

In a word, no.

There wasn't much opposition to speak of in Russia even before the war, but now there's nothing left whatsoever.

All of Putin's political opponents are either exiled, jailed or dead, as are those with any connections to Alexei Navalny.

Those who dare to speak out are silenced.

At one end, are the long-time critics and opposition activists, like Vladimir Kara-Murza, the dual Russian-British national opposition who is serving a 25-year prison sentence for treason.

But at the other end are ordinary Russians, like the former schoolteacher Nikita Tushkanov sentenced to 5.5 years for comments he made online about Putin.

The crackdown on dissent seemingly knows no bounds and it's created a climate in which those who oppose the war are terrified to speak out.

They do exist - as evidenced by the huge turnout for Navalny's funeral. But that was a unique moment and is unlikely to be repeated anytime soon.

A unit of a Spanish firm that is refurbishing Leopard tanks for delivery to Ukraine, suffered a cyber attack that took its website down, a pro-Russian hackers group said.

A spokesperson for the aerospace and defence company General Dynamics, which the Spain-based Santa Barbara Systems is a part of, said it was still analysing the cause of the website outage.

The company added that all of its operations in Europe were running normally.

The NoName hacking group claimed responsibility for the distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack on Telegram. 

DDoS attacks direct high volumes of internet traffic towards targeted servers to knock them offline. 

"We sent our DDoS missiles against websites in Russophobic Spain," the group, which often directs such actions against countries which support Ukraine, wrote on Telegram.

NATO said last month that Russia was behind an intensifying campaign of hybrid attacks on companies and infrastructure in member states, an accusation Russia dismissed as "misinformation". 

Santa Barbara assembles heavy vehicles such as Leopard tanks and artillery equipment for the Spanish army and has been involved in refurbishing Spain's mothballed Leopard tanks for delivery to the Ukrainian army, according to the defence ministry.

Last week, Spain pledged €1bn (£850.5m) in military support for Ukraine this year.

An update on our previous posts on Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov's trip to Africa. 

Mr Lavrov announced that Moscow will send additional military supplies and instructors to Burkina Faso to help the west African country boost its defence capabilities, Russian state media reported.

Some pictures have come in of Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov's visit to Africa (see 9.20am post), where he met his counterparts from Burkina Faso, Republic of Congo and Guinea. 

He also met the President of the Republic of the Congo Denis Sassou Nguesso.

A senior US Treasury official has said US and allies' budget assistance is designed to help Ukraine combat corruption and increase transparency - amid its bid to become a NATO member. 

Brent Neiman, deputy undersecretary for international finance, said in a speech to the Atlantic Council thinktank that Ukraine's wartime economy has proven resilient during the conflict.

But he said that Ukraine needs to undertake reforms to "reduce the likelihood for conflicts of interest and corruption".

Mr Neiman laid out anti-corruption steps Ukraine has taken, including having public office holders report their asset holdings, insulating Ukraine's special anti-corruption prosecutor's office from political pressure and improving corporate governance at state-owned companies.

The US has provided roughly $175bn to Ukraine, according to the Council on Foreign Relations.

The European Union and NATO have demanded widespread anti-graft measures before Kyiv can join the blocs.

“To be clear, I believe the US and the international community should help Ukraine defend itself against Russia's barbaric attacks even if there were no scope for Ukraine to make these sorts of reforms," Mr Neiman said. 

"Nonetheless, this is an important opportunity to help Ukraine do both.”

“To this end, budget assistance from the United States, Europe, and the International Financial Institutions is designed to help support Ukraine in undertaking a number of priority reforms.”

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was elected on an anti-corruption platform in 2019. Both Mr Zelenskyy and his aides have portrayed the recent firings of top officials, notably that of Ivan Bakanov, former head of the State Security Service, in July 2022, as proof of their efforts to crack down on graft.

The past two years has seen Ukraine's defence minister, top prosecutor, intelligence chief and other senior officials lose their jobs. 

Russia's supreme court has rejected an appeal by sociologist and activist Boris Kagarlitsky against his five-year prison sentence on charges of "justifying terrorism", the TASS state news agency reported. 

Kagarlitsky, 65, is a long-time political dissident and has spoken out repeatedly against the conflict in Ukraine in a magazine he edited and on his YouTube channel. 

A petition calling for his release has been signed by intellectuals and politicians from around the world including Canadian author Naomi Klein, former British Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn and former Greek finance minister Yanis Varoufakis. 

A former teacher at the prestigious Moscow Higher School of Social and Economic Sciences, Kagarlitsky was designated a "foreign agent" by the Russian government in 2018 and was last year added to a register of "terrorists and extremists". 

A Russian court handed him a 600,000-rouble (£5,272) fine in December 2023 after finding him guilty of "publicly justifying terrorism" in a video commenting on a Ukrainian attack on the bridge linking Russia to annexed Crimea in October 2022. 

The video was entitled Explosive Congratulations for Mostik the Cat - a reference to a real cat who lived on the Crimean Bridge and whose image was used by state media to promote the idea of Crimea belonging to Russia. 

Prosecutors appealed, saying the fine was too lenient, and Kagarlitsky's sentence was later increased to a five-year prison term. 

Remote-controlled electric stretchers may be spotted on the Ukrainian battlefield soon. 

The vehicle, designed by Dmytro Mamonov, was on display at a Ukrainian manufacturing presentation outside Kyiv last week.

Here Mr Mamonov demonstrates the stability of the medical evacuation vehicle that he built for the military in his workshop in central Ukraine.

The Russian Orthodox Church has "Russified" Ukrainian children abducted by the country's occupying forces, according to a new investigation.

Children from orphanages and boarding schools in the occupied Donetsk region were sent to Russia's Rostov region, a joint investigation by DOXA, a Russian opposition student journal, and open source outlet Kidmapping found. 

The report, cited by the Institute for the Study of War, found that in Rostov, the children were visited by senior clergyman Metropolitan Mercury - also known by his secular name Igor Ivanov - who encouraged them to consider baptism into the church. 

Other clergy have also called for the baptism of deported Ukrainian children into the church and reportedly encouraged them to join various "military-patriotic" youth organisations in Russia, the report said.

Ukrainian children from occupied Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts also stayed at shelters run by the Orthodox Church in Voronezh Oblast, where clergy and affiliated officials held "military-patriotic" events in an effort to encourage pro-Russian and pro-ROC sentiment among the children and cut them off from their Ukrainian identities.

The Institute for the Study of War previously found that the ROC is instrumental in enacting the Kremlin's Ukraine occupation plan. 

Maria Lvova-Belova, the Kremlin-appointed commissioner on children's rights, against whom the International Criminal Court has issued an arrest warrant due to her role in the deportation of Ukrainian children, is married to an ROC priest.

Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov has said Moscow is prepared to target French military instructors in Ukraine.

Speaking at a joint news conference with his counterpart in the Republic of Congo, Mr Lavrov said he had "reason to believe" the instructors were "already working" in the country.

It comes after top Ukrainian commander Oleksandr Syrskyi said last week that he had signed paperwork allowing French military instructors to visit Ukrainian training centres soon.

"Regardless of whether they are members of the French Armed Forces or simply mercenaries, they represent an absolutely legitimate target for our armed forces," he said.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov has also said anyone training Ukrainian troops doesn't "have any sort of immunity, and it doesn't matter whether they are French or not".

The office of French President Emmanuel Macron declined to comment on Mr Lavrov's remarks.

Here is how the situation looks on the ground...

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This free line-cutting app could save you hours at the airport

Skip the wait at customs with Mobile Passport Control, travel’s best open secret.

A month ago, I flew from Paris back to Baltimore full of despair: My vacation was over , and the trip home seemed to take an eternity .

Then I saw the snaking line for customs.

What could have sunk me into a deeper woe actually revived me, because I didn’t have to wait in that soul-sucking purgatory. I didn’t have to wait in the shorter but still well-populated Global Entry line, either.

Instead, I headed to a third option that most people miss: the Mobile Passport Control (MPC) line. Thanks to this secret national treasure, I was out of the airport and hailing my Uber in 8 minutes. (I timed it.)

You, too, can experience this completely free VIP treatment the next time you fly internationally. Here’s how.

What is Mobile Passport Control?

Think of Mobile Passport Control like a fast pass for international travel. It’s a free service that allows select travelers to access a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) express lane with a smartphone app.

To be eligible, you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident, a Canadian B1/B2 citizen visitor or a returning Visa Waiver Program traveler with approved Electronic System for Travel Authorization.

You can only use the app when returning from an international trip at an MPC-approved site . That currently includes more than 30 U.S. international airports, 14 pre-clearance locations (among them airports in Abu Dhabi, Aruba and Ireland) and four seaports.

Why don’t more people use it?

While you’ll see signs promoting Mobile Passport around those sites and sometimes ads on in-flight entertainment systems, most people aren’t taking advantage of the service. Just 8 percent of eligible travelers used the app in the 2024 fiscal year, according to CPB spokesman Aaron Bowker, though that’s a 50 percent increase from the year before.

The company Airside Mobile originally developed the app and launched it in 2014, first at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Awareness of its powers seemed to spread mostly by word-of-mouth and some signs around airports. In 2022, CBP officially took over the app, launching an updated version that left the original defunct. Some travelers missed the memo and figured the service had been discontinued when their app no longer worked.

But CBP is invested in the program’s growth.

“We’ve expanded the population of travelers that are able to use it. We’ve started to educate the airports. Airports have started to put in a better queuing system,” Bowker said. “And so we’re expecting to see this continue to increase.”

How Mobile Passport works

First, download the Mobile Passport app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store . Unlike line-cutting services like Global Entry or TSA PreCheck , MPC doesn’t require preapproval or an application process. Even if you forget to do it before your trip, it’s so quick to set up, you can install it as you’re walking up to customs.

When it’s time to pass through, eligible travelers can just fire up the app, answer the standard few questions about their trip that they would at a customs kiosk, take a selfie and proceed to a dedicated Mobile Passport lane, where an officer will confirm their details and wave them through. Individual travelers and families of up to 12 people can use the app at once.

It makes me feel like a fancy diplomat — not someone who just spent 12 hours in economy — every time I use it.

Mobile Passport vs. Global Entry

Mobile Passport and Global Entry both promise a faster airport experience. Both also come with pros and cons.

One MPC downside: While it’s completely free to use and rarely has a line of more than a few travelers, it’s not at every airport. And Mobile Passport lanes may not always be available even in places that claim to offer it.

CBP spokeswoman Corey Daboin said the agency is aware of that problem. Sometimes, issues are due to infrastructure constraints — some airports may not have the lanes available to operate MPC continuously — or management. The agency stresses, however, that Mobile Passport is a priority, and “we are working on making that so it’s not an issue moving forward,” Daboin said.

If you fly internationally and your home airport doesn’t have MPC yet, Global Entry is a great option. It does cost $100 and requires an application and interview process. But it also comes with a TSA PreCheck membership and is good for five years — plus it’s still light-years better than waiting in that endless regular customs line.

More travel tips

Vacation planning: Start with a strategy to maximize days off by taking PTO around holidays. Experts recommend taking multiple short trips for peak happiness . Want to take an ambitious trip? Here are 12 destinations to try this year — without crowds.

Cheap flights: Follow our best advice for scoring low airfare , including setting flight price alerts and subscribing to deal newsletters. If you’re set on an expensive getaway, here’s a plan to save up without straining your credit limit.

Airport chaos: We’ve got advice for every scenario , from canceled flights to lost luggage . Stuck at the rental car counter? These tips can speed up the process. And following these 52 rules of flying should make the experience better for everyone.

Expert advice: Our By The Way Concierge solves readers’ dilemmas , including whether it’s okay to ditch a partner at security, or what happens if you get caught flying with weed . Submit your question here . Or you could look to the gurus: Lonely Planet and Rick Steves .

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Global Entry Mobile App Now Available in More Airports

WASHINGTON – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced today that the Global Entry mobile application can now be used at eight additional airports, enabling more trusted travelers to complete their arrival processing on the plane instead of waiting in line to use a portal.  

“CBP has prioritized Global Entry arrival to enhance the speed, accuracy, and security of the arrival process for trusted travelers,” said CBP’s Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller. “CBP officers are often the first to welcome trusted travelers when they arrive home, and we want to continue to find ways to improve that experience through new technologies and innovations while maintaining the highest levels of security.”  

Travelers may now use the app at Austin–Bergstrom International Airport, Nashville International Airport, Houston International, Kansas City International Airport, Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, San Antonio International Airport, St. Louis Lambert International Airport, and Toledo Express Airport. The app will be available to Trusted Traveler Programs members flying into all 77 U.S. international airports by the end of fiscal year 2024. A list of U.S. airports that currently accept the GE mobile app .

The Global Entry app is available to be downloaded from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, and can currently be used at 53 international ports of entry in the United States and all Preclearance locations. Upon landing at any of these airports, Global Entry members can complete their entry processing before leaving the plane, and then bypass the Global Entry portals to speak with a CBP officer.  

Global Entry is one of the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Programs , and is used at land, air, and seaports of entry into the United States at all major airports and all Preclearance airports. All applicants undergo rigorous and recurring background checks and an in-person interview before initial enrollment. To maintain Global Entry members as low-risk travelers, any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in appropriate enforcement action and termination of the traveler’s membership privileges. For more information on Global Entry and CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs please visit our dedicated webpage .

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 65,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We facilitate safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

This is the most stressful airport in the US, according to a new report

While travel can be fun and rewarding, it can also be stressful. Sometimes, the stress starts before you even begin your trip: at the airport.

With crowds and frequent flight delays, airports have become a particular source of agitation for travelers. Hitting traffic on the way to the airport or in the parking garage can kick-start your frustration, and seemingly endless security lines add another layer of stress to the travel experience. 

But not all airports are created equal when it comes to smooth traveling. 

StressFreeCarRental.com recently released the 2024 USA Stressful Airport Index , ranking the most stressful airports in the U.S. from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. 

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To determine the rankings, the car rental platform analyzed five stress-inducing factors at the 15 most popular domestic airports: passenger numbers from 2022, cost for a week of parking, the number of destinations served, airport passenger ratings from Flightradar24, and distance to the city center.

“A stressful experience at the airport could make or break your vacation, so we’ve crunched the data to find which destinations travelers should steer clear of if they want a peaceful airport experience,” John Charnock, CEO of StressFreeCarRental.com, said in a statement.

If you’re headed to one of the most stressful airports, Charnock recommends people “leave (themselves) plenty of time to check in and go through security before your flight. Where possible, try to check in online to save yourself time.”

“It’s also worth arranging transport to the airport to avoid having to pay a staggering parking fee. Parking at Chicago O’Hare International Airport for just one week could set you back around $280, so you may want to look at taxi fares or ask a friend or family member to drop you off.”

Read below to learn more about the most stressful U.S. airports.

15. Phoenix International Airport

Serving 44.3 million passengers annually and flying to 145 destinations, Phoenix International Airport ranked as the least stressful airport on the 2024 USA Stressful Airport Index with a score of 16. The airport has a high satisfaction rating of 83% on Flightradar24, with passenger reviews stating that it’s small yet efficient and clean. PHX also has affordable parking, about $72 for a week, compared with $376 a week at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

14. San Francisco International Airport

SFO sees 20.4 million passengers a year who can fly to 142 destinations. The airport scored 24 on the index because of its proximity to the city center and high satisfaction rating on Flightradar24. The airport has expensive parking rates, however, about $175 for a week. 

13. George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston

About 20 million passengers a year pass through the terminals at IAH to fly to 184 destinations, and thankfully, the airport is one of the least stressful on the USA Stressful Airport Index. The sprawling 10,000-acre airport has an 80% satisfaction rating on Flightradar24. Those driving to the airport can feel good that it has the cheapest weekly parking cost on the index.

12. Charlotte Douglas International Airport, North Carolina 

Only a little more than 7 miles from the center of Charlotte and with an affordable parking cost of $93.99 for a week, CLT ranked low in stress with a score of 33. On Flightradar24, passengers said the airport is easy to navigate. More than 21 million passengers use the airport to travel to 187 destinations, such as San Juan, Puerto Rico; Rome; and Tulum, Mexico. 

11. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport 

Serving the Seattle area, SEA is conveniently located about 12 miles from the city center and reachable by a 20-minute car ride or the Link light rail. The airport also has a high Flightradar24 satisfaction rating of 82%. Unfortunately, the airport's parking is expensive, clocking in at $376 for a week – the highest of the index. It also has the least number of destinations of the 15 domestic airports analyzed in the index. 

10. Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas

Those flying to and from Sin City at LAS can rest assured that the airport scored 36 on the 2024 USA Stressful Airport Index. Out of the index, LAS is the closest airport to the city center, making for a quick 10-minute ride to and from the Strip. LAS also has a satisfaction rating of 82% on Flightradar24. Unfortunately, it is pricey to park your car there – a week costs about $250. 

9. Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport

As the busiest airport in the country, with 45.4 million passengers each year flying to 187 destinations, ATL can be a hectic place. However, with one of the highest Flightradar24 scores for consumer satisfaction – passengers noted how many amenities and options there are – ATL earned the ranking of the ninth-most stressful airport on the index. 

8. Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey

With the lowest Flightradar24 rating of 71%, EWR earned the spot for the eighth-most stressful airport in the U.S. Passenger reviews noted that while renovations have helped improve the airport, its Wi-Fi, TSA and food options were lacking. The airport also serves New York City, so it can be a trek to get to. 

7. Orlando International Airport in Florida 

Disney World and Universal Studios travelers are most likely flying in or out of MCO, which earned a score of 43 on the USA Stressful Airport Index. The airport, which sees 24.4 million passengers annually, is 14½ miles from the city center, or a 20-minute drive. It also has a satisfaction rating of 82% on Flightradar24 and is pricey for parking.

6. Miami International Airport

With 23.7 million passengers flying to 192 destinations, MIA ranked sixth for the most stressful airport. The Florida airport earned one of the lower satisfaction scores on Flightradar24 of 78%; passengers said Wi-Fi, TSA and lounges were inadequate. The airport is about a 30-minute drive from Miami’s South Beach, and if you’re driving, expect to pay about $175 a week to park. 

5. Los Angeles International Airport 

One of the busier airports on the index, with 32.3 million passengers in 2022, LAX scored 47 on the 2024 USA Stressful Airport Index. The fifth-most stressful airport in the U.S. flies to 189 destinations, but while that’s convenient for travelers, it’s also tricky to get to, especially given Los Angeles’ notorious traffic. The airport also has one of the lowest Flightradar24 satisfaction ratings for its immigration and customs and its food options, tied with New York’s JFK. 

4. Denver International Airport

As the largest airport in the U.S., DEN also ranks as the third-busiest and fourth-most stressful, with 33.7 million passengers passing through its terminals in 2022. The volume makes sense because the airport flies to 219 destinations, but it adds to the airport’s stress level. Thankfully, parking at DEN is cheap, about $54 a week. Travelers can drive 45 minutes to Denver’s city center or take the airport rail to Denver Union Station in 37 minutes. 

3. Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport 

The second-busiest and second-largest airport in the U.S., DFW saw 33.7 million passengers in 2022 and flies to 258 destinations, which adds to the stress of the traveler experience. On Flightradar24, however, the airport has a rating of 84%. Passengers say it’s easy to get to and easy to pass through TSA, although the airport is crowded. There are also many lounges and food options to choose from. 

2. John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York

Flying to 193 destinations and serving 26.9 million passengers in 2022, JFK ranked second on the stress index for its expensive parking and difficulty to access. The airport’s Flightradar24 rating is one of the lowest on the index because of poor Wi-Fi, TSA and immigration and customs experience.   

1. Chicago O'Hare International Airport

ORD scored the top spot on the USA Stressful Airport Index. The airport, which served 33.1 million passengers in 2022 and flies to 249 destinations, stresses travelers out with its expensive parking of $281 for a week and its distance from the city center. It’s about an hourlong drive or 45-minute train ride to the airport from downtown Chicago.  

Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at [email protected] .

Cicada map 2024: Broods XIII and XIX emerge in Ohio vacationer hotspots

It's not necessarily a once-in-a-lifetime experience, but it doesn't happen often. It's typically more than a decade between times when periodical cicadas emerge in full force in many portions of the country.

They're out now in nearly 20 U.S. states across the Southeast and Midwest.

These 17 states, which range from Oklahoma to Wisconsin to North Carolina and more, are seeing the trillions of cicadas emerging this year in a rare, double brood event.

The two broods this year, the 13-year Brood XIX located mainly in the Southeast and the 17-year Brood XIII in the Midwest, have not emerged together in 221 years and are not expected to do so again until 2245.

Thanks to warm soil temperatures and ideal conditions, cicadas from both broods have already made their way above ground and the emergence is already in full swing.

Here's where you can find cicadas above ground this year.

What do cicadas eat? Lifecycle, diet and biting habits explained

2024 cicada map: Check out where Broods XIII, XIX are projected to emerge

The two cicada broods were projected to emerge in a combined 17 states across the South and Midwest. They emerge once the soil eight inches underground reaches 64 degrees, beginning in many states in April and May and lasting through late June.

The two broods  last emerged together in 1803 , when Thomas Jefferson was president.

Traveling from Ohio or Northern Kentucky this summer? You may see cicadas

Are you an Ohio or Kentucky resident traveling to places like middle Tennessee or western North Carolina? Well then, be on the lookout for cicadas.

Gatlinburg, Tennessee, and Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, both less than 300 miles from Cincinnati and under 400 miles from Columbus, are Ohio vacationer hotspots where cicadas are above ground this spring.

If you're eyeing a Lake Michigan getaway, you're likely to share the beach with some 17-year cicadas.

New Buffalo in Southwest Michigan, which is less than 300 miles from Columbus and Cincinnati and slightly more than 300 miles from Akron, has cicadas.

Likewise for Indiana Dunes in Northern Indiana — also less than 300 miles from Columbus and Cincinnati and a little over 300 miles from Akron. Northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, are also expected to experience 17-year cicadas this year.

Where are the cicadas in 2024? App developed in Cincinnati tracks sightings

Adult periodical cicadas from Brood XIX are out in full force in states across the Midwest and Southeast, according to  Cicada Safari , a cicada tracking app developed by Mount St. Joseph University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

App users have spotted them in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, southern Illinois, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Brood XIII has emerged in Wisconsin, Iowa, and Indiana. The Chicago area and around central and northern Illinois and downstate areas around the cities of Peoria and Champaign are experiencing cicada mania, according to the tracking service.

Does Ohio have cicadas?

Ohio is  not  in the path of the two broods appearing across much of the Southeast and Midwest, according to the University of Connecticut. However, you might still spot either brood this spring as "some stragglers may pop up in the southwest of the state," according to Ohio State University's  Buckeye Environmental Horticulture Team .

Parts of southern and southwest Ohio will see the emergence of Brood XIV cicadas in 2025, per OSU's Buckeye Environmental Horticulture Team.

Confusingly, Brood XIII emerges every 17 years while Brook XIX resurfaces every 13 years, according to the  University of Illinois .

Will cicadas emerging this year fly to Ohio?

Ohio is not expected to see an onslaught of periodical cicadas from either Brood XIX or XIII, but some neighboring states will.

So will the cicadas be able to fly to Ohio? That's unlikely for two reasons.

First, cicadas are clumsy flyers, and their wings are not suitable for long distance travel, according to  Science News Explores .

Plus, periodical cicadas emerge only to molt, breed, lay eggs and die, all within a few weeks. They don't spend time looking for new territory. Cicadas typically fly less than half a mile from the spot where they emerge, according to the University of Illinois. So, 17-year cicadas from Abraham Lincoln's day have spread roughly five miles total.

What is a brood?

According to the  University of Connecticut , broods are classified as "all periodical cicadas of the same life cycle type that emerge in a given year."

A brood of cicadas is made up of different species of the insect that have separate evolutionary histories. These species may have joined the brood at different times or from different sources. These distinct species are lumped together under the brood because they are in the same region and emerge on a common schedule.

How long will the cicadas be above ground?

How long cicadas live depends on their brood and if they are an annual or periodical species.

The two periodical broods this summer are Brood XIX, which has a 13-year life cycle, and Brood XIII, which has a 17-year life cycle.

Once male and female periodical cicadas have mated and the latter has laid its eggs, the insects will die after spending only a few weeks above ground − anywhere from three to six weeks after first emerging.

That means many of this year's periodical cicadas are set to die in June, though some could die off in late May or July, depending on when they emerged.

The nymphs of annual cicadas remain underground for  two to five years , according to the Missouri Department of Conservation. These cicadas are called " annual " because some members of the species emerge as adults each year.

Why do cicadas make so much noise?

You'll have to thank the male cicadas for all that screeching. Male cicadas synchronize their calls and produce congregational songs, according to  Britannica , which establish territory and attract females. There is also a courting call before mating.

The periodical 13-year and 17-year brood cicadas are the loudest, partially because of the sheer number of them that emerge at once.