beach resort review essay

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ASIA , HOTEL REVIEWS , MALAYSIA , TRAVEL · January 22, 2020 Last Updated on March 14, 2024

TEA, STRAWBERRIES AND STEAMBOATS AT THE CAMERON HIGHLANDS RESORT

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The Cameron Highlands is an easy 3 hour bus journey from Kuala Lumpur. Known for its beautiful rolling hills, cooler temperatures, and wonderful tea plantations, the Cameron Highlands is a wonderful change of pace from Kuala Lumpur.

When I started researching hotels to stay at during my trip, I quickly realised that the Cameron Highlands Resort was easily the best hotel option. I’m excited to share some of the things that made my stay at the Cameron Highlands Resort so memorable!

The Cameron Highlands Resort is steeped in history and fully embraces the feel of the Cameron Highlands. Built as an extension from a 1930’s cottage, the resort has a very unique colonial feel, with some of the architecture dating all the way back to 1070!

The hotel feels like you are in a very luxurious yet welcoming colonial home, complete with a shared fireplace (where you can enjoy a fire lighting ceremony if it is a special occasion), wood flooring, and beautiful white shutters.

Each of the Resort’s 56 rooms and suites perfectly captures the colonial yet comfortable feel shown in the lobby.

I stayed in a Deluxe room, which is perfect for a couple with its king sized four-poster bed, spacious seating area, and private balcony overlooking the neighbouring golf course (note all rooms have a balcony).

I was so content to make a cup of tea, which was provided in the room, and sit on the balcony reading my book. It was truly an escape from the hustle and bustle of Kuala Lumpur , and was such a relaxing experience to simply breathe in the cool mountain air while looking at the rolling hills in the distance.

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Cameron Highlands Activities

If you want a more active experience, the Cameron Highlands Resort has you covered as well. They can help organise all sorts of tours and fun things to do around the Cameron Highlands .

Jim Thompson Mystery Trail

The Resort organises complimentary walking trail tours, where an experienced resident naturalist explains all about the plants, animals, and extensive history of the area. I did the “ Jim Thompson Mystery Trail ” on my first morning, which was a leisurely 45 minute beginner hike through the jungle with our amazing guide Madi.

During our walk Madi made sure to point out several interesting facts, including background information on Jim Thompson who the walk was named after.

Boh Tea Plantation

The next day we were treated to a half day tour with Madi. This tour explored farther from the hotel and included a visit to the Boh tea plantation .

The tea plantation is absolutely massive and includes a look into how the tea is made, from growing, to refining, to drinking. There is a great little restaurant on a balcony overlooking the tea fields, and Madi expertly showed us some of the lesser known vantage points to take some incredible pictures from!

Strawberry Farm and Temples

The rest of our day included a visit to a strawberry farm, where we were given a pair of scissors and a basket to go and pick our own strawberries. These were some of the best tasting strawberries I’ve ever had, straight from the vine!

Finally, we also visited Sam Poh Temple, which is the oldest Buddhist temple in the area. Madi was providing funny stories throughout the entire tour, making the day even more enjoyable!

And if that doesn’t fill your time in the highlands read my post 12 Things To Do In The Cameron Highlands .

The Spa At The Cameron Highlands Resort

After a long day of sightseeing, one of my favourite things to do is relax in the spa. As you would expect from a luxury hotel, the Spa Village at the Cameron Highlands Resort was one of a kind!

I was treated to a “Fresh Strawberry Escapade” experience in their Spa Village, which was truly one of the most unique spa treatments I’ve ever had.

Strawberries are extremely important in the Cameron Highlands, with countless strawberry farms and products, so this “Escapade” involved a tea and strawberry bath, a 1 hour massage, and strawberry scrub wrap which soothes inflammation and softens the skin.

Seriously, if you have never had a relaxing massage and then been covered in strawberries you need to experience it at least once in your life!

The Spa Village offers a wide range of other treatments as well. From traditional massages, to rose petal facials, to other amazing experiences offered only at the Cameron Highlands Resort (like a Chrysanthemum & Avocado Escape or a “Cameron’s Mint” treatment), the Spa Village is the perfect way to relax after a long day with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating areas to chill out.

The Cameron Highlands Resort has a good number of in-house  dining options , each with its own character matching its unique location.

I started my day each morning with breakfast at the traditional Dining Room restaurant, which offered a combination of made to order dishes and a self-served buffet. The dining room overlooked the neighbouring golf course and mountains in the distance, and was the perfect setting to plan out my day.

I also had dinner one night in the Dining Room, which transforms into a smart casual restaurant with an excellent selection of colonial, western, and local foods.

Each day the culinary team would go out and get the freshest ingredients, and this attention to detail really pays off because the food was all excellent. Be sure to save room for dessert, because there were some delicious choices, and as we all know calories don’t count on vacation!

Afternoon Tea

Afternoon tea is another important part of the Cameron Highlands, and the Cameron Highlands Resort organised a perfect one in their Jim Thompson Tea Room. The beautifully furnished Tea Room offers a place to sit and relax while enjoying a wide range of pastries, sandwiches, and strawberries with your cup of tea.

This experience reminded me of being back in England, and I really felt miles away from the heat and craziness of the city. A delicious lunch is also served daily in the same Tea Room, which is a perfect spot to kick back and relax while having some traditional dishes.

Steamboat Dinner

Finally, no Cameron Highlands trip is complete without a proper “Steamboat” dinner experience. Luckily you will not have to venture far to find the best Steamboat in the Cameron Highlands, because the Resort has one in their very own “Gonbei” restaurant.

For the unacquainted, a Steamboat dinner involves a pot of boiling soup with different flavors, where you cook your meat and vegetables yourself tableside.

Situated near the guest rooms in the back of the hotel, Gonbei is a half outdoor seating area which lets you fully appreciate the cool night air while eating your meal.

The manager of the restaurant was exceptionally nice, making recommendations on the best combinations of food and explaining how the process worked, from picking our boiling base to adding the right amount of meat and vegetables.

It’s difficult for me to pick my best meal at the Cameron Highlands Resort , but I would have to lean towards Gonbei because the food was not only incredible, but the entire experience was so much fun and memorable!

The Cameron Highlands Resort is the premier resort in the Cameron Highlands, and after my stay, it is easy to see why they have earned their stellar reputation. The setting and amenities are beautiful, the food is outstanding, the activities very well organised, and the customer service is always fast and friendly.

Next time you find yourself in Malaysia, make sure to take a trip to the Cameron Highlands and experience the Cameron Highlands Resort firsthand!

I hope that this article has inspired you to visit the Cameron Highlands and stay at the Cameron Highlands Resort. If you have any questions or comments please share in the comments below.

Read More About Malaysia

• 12 Things To Do In The Cameron Highlands, Malaysia
• City Guide: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• City Guide: The Best Of Penang, Malaysia
• 5 Places You Must Visit In Malaysia

Book Your Stay

• Find the best price for  The Cameron Highlands Resort

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I was welcomed as a guest at the Cameron Highlands Resort. As always all opinions are my own and reflect my genuine opinion of my stay at the resort. Please see my Disclosures for more information.   

You’ll Also Love

Vanessa Rivers says

January 23, 2017 at 3:41 am

Another great post! This place loos like a must visit!

Becky van Dijk says

January 23, 2017 at 8:19 pm

Thanks Vanessa! The hotel was absolutely beautiful, and best part was I got to have a traditional afternoon tea and eat strawberries and cream every day!

[…] relatively basic with a few upscale guest houses to choose from. By far the most luxurious is the Cameron Highlands Resort which offers its guests a true English countryside feel, with a roaring fireplace, snug leather […]

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How to Write Hotel Reviews

Last Updated: February 16, 2023

This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff . Our trained team of editors and researchers validate articles for accuracy and comprehensiveness. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. This article has been viewed 190,141 times. Learn more...

Based on your trip experience, you may want to praise or tear apart the hotel location where you stayed. Knowing how to write hotel reviews will help you give an unbiased consumer opinion that may help others make well-informed travel decisions in regards to their lodging accommodations.

• Give advice to the travelers such as providing details that you wish you would have known before you went on the trip.
• Give information about the property that can't be found on the website. Tell if there are a restaurant or two right next door, so meals were relatively inexpensive, or share that it was in a secluded location and you could only eat at the expensive hotel restaurant.

Community Q&A

• Try to answer in the review what you would do differently if you were to stay at that hotel again. Tell if you would ask for a room far from the indoor pool because the noise was too loud at night, or share that you would have remembered to bring your own shampoo because the establishment doesn't supply those amenities to help keep their costs down for the guests. Thanks Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0

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• ↑ https://www.villapalmarcancun.com/blog/news/how-to-write-a-hotel-review
• ↑ https://lifehacker.com/how-to-write-genuinely-useful-reviews-online-5885607

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8 Tips for Writing Hotel Reviews that Editors Want

Posted March 20th, 2020 by Margot Bigg & filed under Travel Writing .

Writing hotel reviews isn’t as straightforward as it might seem. While it’s easy to write a few words about what you do and don’t like about a place, professional reviews require you to go a lot deeper, while keeping the prose engaging and fresh. Whether you’re new to hotel reviewing or just looking to refine your writing, consider these eight tips for writing a hotel review that will sparkle. 

1. Read reviews and talk to guests.

Writing a hotel review is a service to potential visitors, and your experience staying at a property is one of many. It’s a great idea to read online consumer reviews about the hotel you’re writing about as well as talk to guests while you’re there. Other people may notice things that you haven’t, and taking others’ experiences and opinions into consideration will help you pen a well-rounded piece.

2. Watch your language.

If your hotel review sounds like a PR speech, your readers are going to have a hard time trusting you. Avoid using flowery prose or terminology that sounds like it came straight from a brochure. Instead, speak to your readers the way you would to a friend. On the same token, try more casual terms (think “room service” instead of “in-room dining”). 

3. Answer the question: Why should I stay here?

If you’ve gone through the trouble to write a hotel review and a website or publication has gone through the trouble to publish it, chances are you think it’s worth staying in. Your readers will want to know why. Is there something standout about the rooms? Is the location fantastic? Is the free breakfast buffet an attraction unto itself? Let your readers know! 

4. Don’t leave out the facilities.

Hotels are more than just blocks of rooms, and it’s important to highlight the facilities. While you might not be much of a gym rat, some of your readers will be, so at least have a look to see if the gym is more than a couple of old kettlebells and a broken elliptical in the basement. While you might be a vacationer, many people use reviews to find properties for events and meetings: find out about that wedding chapel and meeting rooms. And don’t forget to try the food! Meal options can really make or break some guests’ hotel experiences. 

5. Create a scene.

Part of being a good reviewer is helping your readers picture themselves in the hotel you’re reviewing. Use your five senses, describing and evoking the scents, sounds, and sights of the hotel. Are the windows kept open, allowing a breeze to come in? Are most guests wearing suits and huddled around laptops? Is the smell of coffee permeating the air? Is there music piped in, or maybe someone playing a piano? Show us, your readers, the whole picture. 

6. Tell us something we don’t know.

While it’s pretty easy to garner a basic idea about a hotel by simply spending a few minutes on its website, the real gems usually come from people who have already stayed in the property. Go beyond the facts and tell your readers something special about the hotel. Maybe it’s housed in a converted farmhouse or perhaps there’s a trusty hotel pet that greets guests in the lobby. Use anecdotes to engage your readers. 

7. Tell us about the area around the hotel.

Don’t forget to tell readers about the area around the hotel. Basic location info is good (for example, if the property is near the airport, guests will want to know). Additionally, remember to also show your readers what to expect of the neighborhood. Is it quiet or lively? Walkable? Safe? 

8. Don’t be afraid of your voice.

Finally, don’t be afraid to use your voice. While you’ll want to follow the basic conventions of your publication, it’s great to let your own unique voice shine through. It will breathe life into your piece and make it more fun to read. 

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Writing hotel reviews

How to write reviews.

Hotel reviews are now not included as an option in the current FCE Cambridge exam. I have kept these exercises here for students interested in studying language associated with hotel facility descriptions.

When writing reviews about hotels, it's important to remember the following points. These reviews are not attempting to sell the product but offer an honest opinion of it.

Use a conversational style in your writing, especially when giving your own opinion, e.g.

"I found the hotel extremely comfortable; the lounge area was quiet and peaceful with large plush sofas and armchairs."

However, avoid very informal expressions and adjectives which may sound too emotive or have little clear meaning, e.g.

" It was a great hotel - the lounge was fantastic and had really comfy places to sit. "

The aim of a review is so that people reading it can decide whether that hotel, restaurant, film etc. would be suitable for them. For that reason, your review should be descriptive using adjectives that are mostly non-emotive and as precise as possible. Remember that what you like may not be appealing to someone else.

"The hotel is located at a 5-minute walk from a very clean beach of white sand and crystal clear water. Access to the beach, however, means walking down some rather precarious and dangerous steps. ..."

Once you have offered a clear description, you can add your own opinions, which could be positive or negative. Your opinions should be supported with why you liked or didn't like a particular thing.

"... Although I thought the beach was quite idyllic and uncrowded for the time of year, you need to be fairly agile and daring to get to it. I had to make my way down those steps very carefully!"

If you remember that a review is intended to be read by people of all tastes, income brackets and ages, you will write a text that will be more useful to everyone.

Try the exercises and get some practice writing hotel reviews.

Go to exercise 1 on hotel review expressions...

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Eat, Sleep, Wander

30+ Hotel Review Examples to Copy & Paste

11 . Unlike some of the posts I’ve read in other places, I found the ( HN ) to be clean, inviting and downright classic! The staff was very friendly and consistently making sure I was comfortable. I will definitely stay there when I come back!

12 . The staff at the ( HN ) in downtown ( L ) were fantastic. Great attitude. Helpful, and always available. The bed was super comfy. I will always stay at this location when traveling to or through ( L ).

13 . Everything was great at this hotel.. amazing staff that is friendly and makes customers feel welcome.

14 . The staff was the nicest staff I have ever encountered at a hotel. They were always friendly and asked how our stay was going every time we walked in the door. They also were able to recommend places to get any type of meal that we needed as well.

• See also : 40+ Bad Hotel Reviews (Worst Experiences Ever)
• See also : 3 Hotel Style Shower Curtains for 2021
• See also: 10+ Luxury Hotel Description Examples
• See also: TOP 10 Best Pillows for Hotels

15 . We went to the rooftop bar and had an amazing time. The atmosphere and service were great. Definitely a must do if you are looking for a good time.

16 . Hotel exceeded my expectations was spotless the staff was amazing and the most comfortable bed I have ever slept in.

17 . Lovely hotel with a wonderful restaurant. Very friendly staff. Hotel is full of great art. Just a charming place.

18 . Love the charm of this hotel. Does not give you the routine chain hotel vibe at all. While I did not get there in time to eat at restaurant, have heard amazing reviews on the restaurant.

19 . Every just melt into a bed? It was so amazing! The staff was so friendly. I’ll be back in a month!

20 . The bed was extremely comfortable. The room was spacious and clean. The vintage aesthetics were awesome. Wish we weren’t just passing through!

Home — Essay Samples — Geography & Travel — Beach — Descriptive Writing: The Beach

Descriptive Writing: The Beach

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Published: Mar 20, 2024

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Blue Hotel and Resort Review Essay

Introduction.

The name of this business is Blue Hotel and Resort. The business is hotel-based but targets local and international tourists who are coming into the country all year round. The business will mostly be aimed at taking advantage and promoting local tourism, which has not been very much exploited because investors and the government have been concentrating on international tourists.

Type of Business

The business will be a partnership because it requires a large amount of capital which will be contributed by the partners. Investors will be included as partial owners of the business. A large amount of capital will be used to rent business premises at different localities and towns suited for local and international tourists’ attraction sites across the country, development of these apartments to suit the requirements and standards, and equipping of these hotels with necessities to carry out the business. The business will start by managing at least ten hotels at different places best-considered tourists sites across the country. Plans will include buying land and building hotel apartments to be owned by the hotel. This will enable a shift from rental to individually owned apartments.

Services and Products

The hotel will take care of all or most of the tourist’s needs while in the apartment and will provide food, beverages, snacks, and drinks for sale. Different services will include entertainment, gym, and sanitary services. The business services will include room rental services for local and international tourists taking long-term or short-term holidays. Transport services for both goods and people will also be available through business-owned vehicles. In addition, informational systems such as the internet will be made available to the tourists once in the apartments to connect with their businesses and families. All these services will be paid for separately according to the usage by the individual. Tourists shall also be assisted to access various services such as those offered by the government officials and goods according to their requests for the necessary possible arrangements. The business services and products will thus be made as affordable and known to the locals as possible as compared to the competitors’. In addition, the products and services will be modified over time to suit the locals as well as ensure a diversity of products and services to suit the international tourists.

Role of Accounting and the accounting staff

The role of accounting in this business is important since it will ensure that careful planning of the available investment funds is possible. Careful planning will ensure that the business not only achieves its goals and objectives but that these goals and objectives are practically aligned to the excelling of the business through the making of profits. Accounting will ensure that funds are allocated in the most optimal way to gain optimal profits and reduce and eliminate chances of incurring losses through the reduction and management of risks involved in the hotel business.

Transparency of any business is important and therefore accounting will ensure that financial account details are prepared and reported to the business owners to take appropriate action relating to the actual financial position of the business.

Accounting staff needs to be people who are competent enough in the accounting field to understand and implement practical accounting methods in the hotel business. Experience in the field would also be desirable to speed the process and cut on cost, minimize chances of errors, and have confidence. Practitioners will also be required to be of high professional and personal integrity as well as knowledgeable in internal control techniques (Internal Controls, n.d.).

Budgeting, internal controls and management, and work characteristics for the business staff

Any person entering a business should have a professional level of budgeting, internal controls, and cash management before entering business since the excellence of any business will partly be determined by these components. Professional budgeting and cash management will ensure that the businessman allocates properly the available resources to various components of the business to maximize profits while minimizing the expenses. Internal control systems are important in mitigating against risks, threats, and vulnerability of the business, and managers need to be aware of the systems that are important in safeguarding the business assets against losses, compliance with the laws, recording and accounting of revenues and expenditures, and maintenance of the accounting records among other issues (Internal Controls, n.d.). In addition to making sure that the staff are competent, supportive attitudes by managers towards the internal controls, identification of the logical and applicable and reasonable control objectives and adoption of effective and efficient control techniques, there will be clear documentation of all events and activities in accounting and transactions, separation of duties of staff and access and accountability to resources in the business (Internal Controls, n.d.). Investment in the hotel industry would be expected to face such risks like fear for domestic and international terrorism, which means that security for the people is important. The hotel shall invest in intelligent services up to capability or work with the government to minimize risks related to security. Managers will review financial information provided by the accounting staff and use it to estimate future results of current investment plans as well as make appropriate adjustments, make future investment decisions in the growing sectors of the business, estimate future financial positions as well as control excessive expenditure. Accounting will ensure the identification of challenges to achieving the goals and objectives and making sure that the organization’s funds are properly allocated to counter these challenges.

References and bibliography

• Bizzer. (1998). “Understanding Financial Statements”.
• FASAB. “Generally Accepted Accounting Principles”.
• Internal Controls . Web.
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2023, November 1). Blue Hotel and Resort Review. https://ivypanda.com/essays/blue-hotel-and-resort-review/

"Blue Hotel and Resort Review." IvyPanda , 1 Nov. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/blue-hotel-and-resort-review/.

IvyPanda . (2023) 'Blue Hotel and Resort Review'. 1 November.

IvyPanda . 2023. "Blue Hotel and Resort Review." November 1, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/blue-hotel-and-resort-review/.

1. IvyPanda . "Blue Hotel and Resort Review." November 1, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/blue-hotel-and-resort-review/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Blue Hotel and Resort Review." November 1, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/blue-hotel-and-resort-review/.

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• How it Works

The Project Description

Beach resort is a kind of resort, where the main tourist attraction is seaside facilities. The beach is a central point for potential tourists in such kind of resort. Beach resort is a real estate project that can be made and developed by a master developer. This kind of resort is supposed to provide its clients with an easy access to various beach facilities and attractions. Moreover, beach resort usually includes lodging accommodations, residents, and ownerships used by tourists, travelers and season residents. Resorts are usually categorized according to three main criteria: proximity to primary markets, setting and primary amenities, mix residences. When talking about beach resorts, it is possible to say that they are usually located near the beach and provide clients with seaside facilities and attractions (Resort development (development, 2008).

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Beach resorts usually provide tourists with a wide range of various facilities. First, various residences are usually located on the territories of beach resorts. The most popular are hotels, however there are some other kinds of residence. Hotels and residences can have different characteristics and level of services. Moreover, hotels usually have swimming pools and various facilities and attractions. In the area of a beach resort many restaurants, bars, and cafes are usually located. Attractions and places to visit are one of the most significant issues in beach resorts. In beach resorts it is possible to find various attractions, like historical places, sport facilities, clubs and so on. The most vital point is to provide tourists with facilities of seaside.

The Reasons of Selecting this Project

The main reason for choosing this project is an increased level of tourism demand in UAE. Moreover, local people also search for local getaways. UAE today is one of the most developed and attractive countries for tourists in the world. Tourism is one of the most developing fields of UAE, and it is appropriate to design a beach resort.

The Goals of Project Design

The main goal of the project is to design a resort, which will correspond to tastes of both local and foreign tourists. This beach resort is not going to be of a luxurious status, but will have the highest characteristics of service. The resort is going to be accessible for people with the average income. The resort must have fascinating architecture that will attract visitors. Moreover, design of the beach resort must also be attractive for all visitors. The most vital issue is safety, which is supposed to provided by good architecture.

The objective of the essay is to create a beach resort in UAE for tourists with the average income and higher. The resort will have all necessary facilities and will be designed in the theme of Emirate`s heritage. Location is the main point in the project, as well as transport communication. The area should be available for business goals as well, like business meetings and conferences.

Project Statement

Beach resort in UAE is designed in a specific theme. Beach resort signifies such type of resort where all attractions are surrounded by sea facilities, and the resort is located near the sea or ocean. The beach resort is created for relaxation and promotion of the region.

The Project Site

The beach resort will be located on the territory of UAE. The beach resort will be located near the beach. The resort will consist of a few hotels and residences of different ranking. However, the ranking starts from four starts. Each hotel or residence will have its own swimming pool. On the area of the resort, various facilities and attractions like restaurants, bars, cafes, shops, gardens and so on will be built. The resort is going to be located not far from the sea. The weather is hot throughout the year, however there are rainy seasons. The site is going to have four resorts: Fujairah Rotana Resort and Spa, Le Meridien AL Aqah Beach Resort, Iberotel Miramar AL Aqah Beach Resort, Sandy Beach Hotel Resort. There will be a petrol station, privately owned farms, residential houses, private beach houses and developed resorts next to the resort. The reason for choosing this location is based on the fact that it is the coolest area, and is a perfect place for vacation; moreover, it is close to the stunning Indian Ocean. AL Aqah that offers many facilities such as water sports is located at the site. The main point is that everything can be designed according to Arabic medieval literature such as Arabian Nights, or Aladdin. Cuisine in restaurants, cafes, bars or hotel’s canteen should be only Arabic. The architecture will be designed according to the main topic of the project. Arabic gardens, hotels that look like palaces, markets, shops, which will come through the Arabic tales about Aladdin and Scheherazade will be constructed on the territory of the resort. In every hotel or residence, tourists will be amused by various concerts, shows and activities. For example, belly dancers or show of acrobats. Next to the beach there will be shops with different deserts and food and bars, where it will be possible to buy non-alcoholic drinks. The proposed project will comprise the best traditions of Arabic culture, and will bring an opportunity for tourists to become a part of a fairytale.

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Methods of Data Collection

The main methods of data collection are interviews, surveys and observation. Interviews are necessary as they will help to create a general picture of tourists’ needs and market opportunities. As interviewers, a few people from both local and foreign areas will be selected in order to know their tastes and expectations. Another significant approach is observation, which I am going to make by myself. In this part of my research I will make my own observations related to the issue of location, climate, access to raw materials, licenses, nature and views. The last method of data collection is survey, which I am going to conduct with a help of the internet and various periodicals. I will visit several tourist websites on the internet in order to get necessary information of the region. Additionally, I am going to read various journals and magazines related to tourism and cultural heritage of the region.

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Project organization/methodology/work plan.

The main point of project organization is explanation of the importance and relevance of building a beach resort in the chosen region. In this part, it is vital to specify the duties of each member, and create a timeline in order to end the project in time. For the project organization it is essential to conduct a research, and in order to get necessary information, it is vital to choose significant research methods. There are four main research methods: description, interpretation, management, and prediction. Description method shows the differences between samples and objects. Interpretation represents the explanation of processes and researching objects. Prediction helps predict the future processes and prevent bad consequences. And management can help in managing all other researches. After the goal is set, it is necessary to choose a methodological approach which is extremely important for the goal`s implementation. The research methodology has two categories: quantitative and qualitative. The first category includes the measurement of different aspects of a person’s activity. This category is defined as observation of objects. In the quantitative category there are four types of a measurement scale such as nominal, ordinal, interval, and ratio. The second category is conducted in natural settings, where researchers can work in a non-research atmosphere. (Shiraev & Levy, 2010). Qualitative research method is good in situations when the subject cannot use or read answer scales. Also typical methodology forms that are used in cross-cultural psychology include: survey, experiment, meta-analysis, observation, content-analysis, psychobiography, focus-group methods, and other analysis procedures,. Critical thinking gives very important approaches for scientific researches. There are different points of view, so it is very important to choose the right instrument of research. To avoid wrong solutions, it is necessary to understand the problem from two different sides, because this can help in solving the problem in the right way. Work plan is also essential as it helps to carry out a project according to set requirements and goals.

Report Organization

I will start with researching and studying precedent studies. Then, it is vital to look for an appropriate site and study its conditions, in order to gather all the data I will need to make a design program. In addition, it is necessary to conduct surveys and interviews that will help me understand customers’ needs. I will make a design program and present it in a form of bubble diagrams and an adjacency matrix. After the research I will propose a possible site plan in order to make everything according to requirements.

Generic Data

Project background.

This part of the report aims at providing a definition of the term resort and it covers various aspects in designing a resort. In addition, the background and history of resorts, types of resorts, resorts in UAE, and tourism will be discussed in this part.

The term resort means a significant place which comprises an accommodation and various recreational spaces. The main goal of the resort is to provide people with a possibility to relax and have some rest. People usually visit resorts during their vacations and holidays. Moreover, people visit various resorts for business purposes such as meetings and conferences. Resorts can be of various types and provide tourists with different facilities like lodging, food, sports, shopping and entertainment. Hotel is an essential part of a resort as it provides tourists with accommodation and various services. Hotels can be of various types and ranks. Resorts usually comprise hotels of two to five stars ( Tong, 2001). Moreover, hotels usually have swimming pools, canteens, bars, sport facilities, entertainment areas etc. The territory of resorts must have developed infrastructure with restaurants, cafes, and bars. One of the most important issues while creating a resort is a beautiful nature and a view from hotel rooms or restaurants. In a resort all buildings usually are high as the view is extremely important for tourists. Especially, sea view is crucial.

According to the history of resorts, the first resorts were created on the seaside, as well as near the area of beautiful nature, and the main goal of those resorts was relaxation. The oldest resorts appeared in the Roman Empire nearly two thousand years ago. Romans used to build a public leisure facility known as Baths. This resort could be used by both women, and men, but separately. The main purpose of baths was health, social enjoyment and recreation. The first resort in Europe, was constructed in Belgium in the 14th century, and it was based on spa procedures. Then, in the 17th century such resorts became popular in Britain. Starting from the 19th century, resorts became more popular, and diverse, as well as more private. Today, tourism development requires an increase of various resorts and development of infrastructure (Resort development (development, 2008).

There are various types of resorts

• The first type of resorts that is going to be discussed is destination resort. This kind of resort is supposed to be close to a destination like town, historical place, park, etc. An example can be Niagara Falls, which fascinating nature always attracts a lot of visitors. Moreover, there are many places to visit there and to have a wonderful time. People usually come there to see the famous miracle of nature – Niagara Falls, various parks, and gardens. On the territory of Niagara Falls, there is an extremely developed infrastructure, with various restaurants, shops, hotels, and picnic pavilions. Other examples can be Matchu-Pitchu, Taj Mahal and so on. Destination can be also a historical place, where ancient times left a trail as well. For those visitors, who want to visit a historical place, such kind of resort will be perfect. Such resorts have a spirit of the ancient century, with its houses, workshops, and other buildings that reflect the ancient communities of the past centuries. Artisans and villagers demonstrate skills of bread making and cooking in the style of that period of time. Such a resort is also a cultural place, where art plays an extremely significant role.
• Another type of resorts is seaside resorts. The main aim of such resorts is to be near the sea or ocean. The main facilities are “snorkeling, kayaking, scuba diving, parasailing, and boating”. Many of such resorts have their own beaches.
• Then, one of the most popular resorts is a golf resort. This resort is famous among rich people, and usually such resorts have their own golf fields that are free for tourists. Island resorts usually provide theur tourists with various facilities that include water sports like swimming, fishing, bathing etc.
• There are also extreme resorts, the main goal of which is to participate in various extreme activities like safari. Such resorts are well-known due to great nature and there is also a possibility to visit real African Lion Safari. Usually over 1,000 exotic animals and birds live in the area of safari. All visitors can drive their own vehicles, or use a specific, comfortable, guided and air-conditioned safari tour bus.
• Luxury resorts are another type of resorts. Such resorts are designed for rich people and usually include spa, golf, water sports, natural ecology etc. The main issue in such resorts is the highest quality of customer service.
• Mountain resorts are usually perfect for those who are willing to spend time near the mountains. Such resorts are usually located near the mountains. The tourists are usually attracted by the possibility of skiing.
• Following this, another popular resort is a ski resort that became extremely popular in recent years. Every winter such resorts attract many visitors, who are interested in skiing, snowmobiling, ice-skating, and other winter sports.

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Theme park resorts also can attract many tourists. A resort can has its own events, attractions, beautiful nature and developed infrastructure. First, it can has parks, where all tourists can get an opportunity for biking, jogging; moreover, it also attracts tourists with its beaches, nature trails, outdoor recreation and various interpretive programs. In addition, there are many amusement parks, many of which are located near the seaside. One of the examples can be Disney Parks. The biggest events such as concerts, performances, and festivals are usually held there. Every week it is possible to visit a concert. This kind of resort is famous with its natural attractions such as plains, landscapes, wildlife rich forests, lakes and rivers.

Project Description

Many resorts are located in the ocean area and are well-known with its beautiful nature and water attractions. There are many cruise ships there. UAE is located in Southwest Asia, and the weather is hot there throughout the year, that is why beach resorts are extremely popular in this area. Beach resorts are usually created for those tourists who prefer a relaxing type of resorts. However, beach resorts can be different and vary according to target audience. Beach resorts can be for families, where it is necessary to create all services for both parents and children such as amusement parks, for example. Another example of a beach resort is a resort for young people like Ibiza, where the main attraction should be clubs and festivals. Then, there is such type of beach resorts like Bora Bora, for those who prefer relaxing, calm, and romantic resorts. In such type of resorts, usually resort owners create atmosphere of heaven, with little bungalows, tropic themes, and exotic nature.

Functions/Activities

Hotels play a vital role in beach resorts as they should provide all tourists with all necessary services. According to the rating system, hotels can be ranked by stars, crowns, or other characteristics, however the most well-known and spread is ranking by stars. Moreover, in beach resorts it is also possible to stay in holiday villages (Lawson, 1995). Such hotels usually have an all-inclusive system, which means that food, drinks and some services are included in the price, so the visitors can feel free and get a sense of abundance. Such a system is especially popular on beach resorts as the main aim of beach resorts is to provide tourists with the feeling of relaxation, where they should not care about their expenses. A beach should also have a developed infrastructure. For instance, it is possible to build cafes next to the beach. Moreover, it is vital to provide the beach with all necessary services. Beach resorts can provide different attractions. For example, every beach resort provides its tourists with possibilities to go on a excursion. Usually close to beach resorts there are some places to visit like historical places or villages, or big cities, where it is possible to observe a dynamic life. Cultural tourism is also wide spread there as tourists enjoy being entertained with various art and cultural attractions.

Design Guidelines

In almost every hotel there is a swimming pool, where tourists can swim when the weather is not good enough for swimming in the sea, or when they just want to change the place of swimming. In addition, every hotel in beach resorts must have a bar that can be near the swimming pool, a canteen, where tourists can eat, and some hotels have their own restaurants or lounges. Hotels can provide their clients with various luxury facilities like a golf field, a tennis court, gym, spa, and so on. In addition, it is possible to build gardens and other attractive design’s features inside the hotels. In beach resorts, the view of the sea or the ocean is a vital point. That’s why hotels should not be built behind high buildings. All building should be located close to each other; it is better to locate shops and restaurants in the centre, natural attractions – outside the region.

A city or region where a beach resort is supposed to be built must have developed infrastructure. Shopping is a vital part of a beach resort, so it is vital to have shopping centers, malls, or shops there. Then, restaurants, bars, and cafes are crucial for beach resorts as, while relaxing, people want to taste national cuisine of the region, and drink cold drinks. Attractions and various types of entertainment are important for any beach resort, so there should be stages for concerts or concert halls, clubs and places where tourists can book an excursion. All the hotels in this resort must be located not far from each other and close to the beach. In addition, the resort should be also located close to the centre of the city, which is full of facilities and attractions. All buildings in front of the resort should not be high as the view is vital for tourists. The resort should be surrounded by the nature and create a fascinating picture.

According to the project a beach resort is going to be located in UAE. Beach resort means such type of resort where all attractions are surrounded by sea facilities, and the resort is located near the sea or ocean. The beach resort is created for relaxation, and promotion of the region. On the territory of the beach resort different residentces such as hotels are usually located, where clients should be provided with a high quality service. The infrastructure also must be created in order to satisfy tourists’ needs. Beach resorts are well-known for beautiful nature and ecology, where every visitor or tourist can visit various places and view all beauty and mightiness of the nature. Beach resorts are created for people in order to provide them with full relaxation and satisfaction.

Project Elements /Components

The main elements of a beach resort are hospitality, an excellent service, developed infrastructure, various facilities and an access to the beach. Hotels must include a full range of services that will help tourists have a full relaxation. Infrastructure must be developed and comprise shopping centers, restaurants, clubs and other amenities. The main elements are also historical places, cultural events and many others.

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AI Index Report

Welcome to the seventh edition of the AI Index report. The 2024 Index is our most comprehensive to date and arrives at an important moment when AI’s influence on society has never been more pronounced. This year, we have broadened our scope to more extensively cover essential trends such as technical advancements in AI, public perceptions of the technology, and the geopolitical dynamics surrounding its development. Featuring more original data than ever before, this edition introduces new estimates on AI training costs, detailed analyses of the responsible AI landscape, and an entirely new chapter dedicated to AI’s impact on science and medicine.

Read the 2024 AI Index Report

The AI Index report tracks, collates, distills, and visualizes data related to artificial intelligence (AI). Our mission is to provide unbiased, rigorously vetted, broadly sourced data in order for policymakers, researchers, executives, journalists, and the general public to develop a more thorough and nuanced understanding of the complex field of AI.

The AI Index is recognized globally as one of the most credible and authoritative sources for data and insights on artificial intelligence. Previous editions have been cited in major newspapers, including the The New York Times, Bloomberg, and The Guardian, have amassed hundreds of academic citations, and been referenced by high-level policymakers in the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, among other places. This year’s edition surpasses all previous ones in size, scale, and scope, reflecting the growing significance that AI is coming to hold in all of our lives.

Steering Committee Co-Directors

Ray Perrault

Steering committee members.

Erik Brynjolfsson

John Etchemendy

Katrina Ligett

Terah Lyons

James Manyika

Juan Carlos Niebles

Vanessa Parli

Yoav Shoham

Russell Wald

Staff members.

Loredana Fattorini

Nestor Maslej

Letter from the co-directors.

A decade ago, the best AI systems in the world were unable to classify objects in images at a human level. AI struggled with language comprehension and could not solve math problems. Today, AI systems routinely exceed human performance on standard benchmarks.

Progress accelerated in 2023. New state-of-the-art systems like GPT-4, Gemini, and Claude 3 are impressively multimodal: They can generate fluent text in dozens of languages, process audio, and even explain memes. As AI has improved, it has increasingly forced its way into our lives. Companies are racing to build AI-based products, and AI is increasingly being used by the general public. But current AI technology still has significant problems. It cannot reliably deal with facts, perform complex reasoning, or explain its conclusions.

AI faces two interrelated futures. First, technology continues to improve and is increasingly used, having major consequences for productivity and employment. It can be put to both good and bad uses. In the second future, the adoption of AI is constrained by the limitations of the technology. Regardless of which future unfolds, governments are increasingly concerned. They are stepping in to encourage the upside, such as funding university R&D and incentivizing private investment. Governments are also aiming to manage the potential downsides, such as impacts on employment, privacy concerns, misinformation, and intellectual property rights.

As AI rapidly evolves, the AI Index aims to help the AI community, policymakers, business leaders, journalists, and the general public navigate this complex landscape. It provides ongoing, objective snapshots tracking several key areas: technical progress in AI capabilities, the community and investments driving AI development and deployment, public opinion on current and potential future impacts, and policy measures taken to stimulate AI innovation while managing its risks and challenges. By comprehensively monitoring the AI ecosystem, the Index serves as an important resource for understanding this transformative technological force.

On the technical front, this year’s AI Index reports that the number of new large language models released worldwide in 2023 doubled over the previous year. Two-thirds were open-source, but the highest-performing models came from industry players with closed systems. Gemini Ultra became the first LLM to reach human-level performance on the Massive Multitask Language Understanding (MMLU) benchmark; performance on the benchmark has improved by 15 percentage points since last year. Additionally, GPT-4 achieved an impressive 0.97 mean win rate score on the comprehensive Holistic Evaluation of Language Models (HELM) benchmark, which includes MMLU among other evaluations.

Although global private investment in AI decreased for the second consecutive year, investment in generative AI skyrocketed. More Fortune 500 earnings calls mentioned AI than ever before, and new studies show that AI tangibly boosts worker productivity. On the policymaking front, global mentions of AI in legislative proceedings have never been higher. U.S. regulators passed more AI-related regulations in 2023 than ever before. Still, many expressed concerns about AI’s ability to generate deepfakes and impact elections. The public became more aware of AI, and studies suggest that they responded with nervousness.

Ray Perrault Co-director, AI Index

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Turmoil at NPR after editor rips network for political bias

The public radio network is being targeted by conservative activists over the editor’s essay, which many staffers say is misleading and inaccurate.

Uri Berliner had worked at NPR for a quarter-century when he wrote the essay that would abruptly end his tenure. On April 9, the Free Press published 3,500 words from Berliner, a senior business editor, about how the public radio network is guilty of journalistic malpractice — for conforming to a politically liberal worldview at the expense of fairness and accuracy.

“It’s true NPR has always had a liberal bent, but during most of my tenure here, an open-minded, curious culture prevailed,” Berliner wrote. “We were nerdy, but not knee-jerk, activist, or scolding. In recent years, however, that has changed.”

The essay, whose arguments were disputed by NPR management and many staffers, plunged the network into a week-long public controversy.

Last week NPR’s new CEO, Katherine Maher, indirectly referenced Berliner’s essay in a note to staff that NPR also published online. “Asking a question about whether we’re living up to our mission should always be fair game: after all, journalism is nothing if not hard questions,” she wrote. “Questioning whether our people are serving our mission with integrity, based on little more than the recognition of their identity, is profoundly disrespectful, hurtful, and demeaning.”

The drama reached a pinnacle Wednesday, when Berliner resigned while taking a shot at Maher.

In his resignation letter, Berliner called NPR “a great American institution” that should not be defunded. “I respect the integrity of my colleagues and wish for NPR to thrive and do important journalism,” he wrote in the letter, posted on his X account. “But I cannot work in a newsroom where I am disparaged by a new CEO whose divisive views confirm the very problems I cite in my Free Press essay.”

Berliner’s comments have angered many of his now-former colleagues, who dismissed as inaccurate his depiction of their workplace and who say his faulty criticisms have been weaponized against them.

Berliner’s essay is titled “ I’ve Been at NPR for 25 Years. Here’s How We Lost America’s Trust .” On its face, it seemed to confirm the worst suspicions held by NPR’s critics on the right: that the legendary media organization had an ideological, progressive agenda that dictates its journalism. The Free Press is an online publication started by journalist Bari Weiss, whose own resignation from the New York Times in 2020 was used by conservative politicians as evidence that the Times stifled certain ideas and ideologies; Weiss accused the Times of catering to a rigid, politically left-leaning worldview and of refusing to defend her against online “bullies” when she expressed views to the contrary. Berliner’s essay was accompanied by several glossy portraits and a nearly hour-long podcast interview with Weiss. He also went on NewsNation, where the host Chris Cuomo — who had been cast out from CNN for crossing ethical lines to help his governor-brother — called Berliner a “whistleblower.”

Initially, Berliner was suspended for not getting approval for doing work for another publication. NPR policy requires receiving written permission from supervisors “for all outside freelance and journalistic work,” according to the employee handbook.

An NPR spokeswoman said Wednesday that the network does not comment on personnel matters. Berliner declined The Washington Post’s request for further comment.

In an interview Tuesday with NPR’s David Folkenflik — whose work is also criticized in the Free Press essay — Berliner said “we have great journalists here. If they shed their opinions and did the great journalism they’re capable of, this would be a much more interesting and fulfilling organization for our listeners.”

Berliner’s future at NPR became an open question. NPR leaders were pressed by staff in meetings this week as to why he was still employed there. And some reporters made clear they didn’t want to be edited by Berliner anymore because they now questioned his journalistic judgment, said one prominent NPR journalist, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to preserve relationships. “How are you supposed to have honest debates about coverage if you think it’s going to be fodder for the point he’s trying to make?” the staffer said.

Berliner had written that “there’s an unspoken consensus” about stories to pursue at NPR — “of supposed racism, transphobia, signs of the climate apocalypse, Israel doing something bad, and the dire threat of Republican policies” — and that the network operated without friction, “almost like an assembly line.”

Several prominent NPR journalists countered that impression. “We have strong, heated editorial debates every day to try and get the most appropriate language and nuanced reporting in a landscape that is divisive and difficult to work in as a journalist,” Leila Fadel, host of “Morning Edition,” told The Post. “Media and free independent press are often under attack for the fact-based reporting that we do.” She called Berliner’s essay “a bad-faith effort” and a “factually inaccurate take on our work that was filled with omissions to back his arguments.”

Other staffers noted that Berliner did not seek comment from NPR for his piece. No news organization is above reproach, “Weekend Edition” host Ayesha Rascoe told The Post, but someone should not “be able to tear down an entire organization’s work without any sort of response or context provided, or pushback.” There are many legitimate critiques to make of NPR’s coverage, she added, “but the way this has been done — it’s to invalidate all the work NPR does.”

NPR is known to have a very collegial culture, and the manner in which Berliner aired his criticism — perhaps even more than the substance of it — is what upset so many of his co-workers, according to one staffer.

“Morning Edition” host Steve Inskeep, writing on his Substack on Tuesday , fact-checked or contextualized several of the arguments Berliner made. For instance: Berliner wrote that he once asked “why we keep using that word that many Hispanics hate — Latinx.” Inskeep said he searched 90 days of NPR’s content and found “Latinx” was used nine times — “usually by a guest” — compared to the nearly 400 times “Latina” and “Latino” were used.

“This article needed a better editor,” Inskeep wrote. “I don’t know who, if anyone, edited Uri’s story, but they let him publish an article that discredited itself. … A careful read of the article shows many sweeping statements for which the writer is unable to offer evidence.”

This week conservative activist Christopher Rufo — who rose to fame for targeting “critical race theory,” and whose scrutiny of Harvard President Claudine Gay preceded her resignation — set his sights on Maher, surfacing old social media posts she wrote before she joined the news organization. In one 2020 tweet, she referred to Trump as a “deranged racist.” Others posts show her wearing a Biden hat, or wistfully daydreaming about hanging out with Kamala D. Harris. Rufo has called for Maher’s resignation.

“In America everyone is entitled to free speech as a private citizen,” Maher wrote in a statement to The Post, when asked about the social media posts. “What matters is NPR’s work and my commitment as its CEO: public service, editorial independence, and the mission to serve all of the American public.”

Maher, who started her job as NPR CEO last month, previously was the head of the Wikimedia Foundation, the nonprofit that operates the online encyclopedia Wikipedia. An NPR spokesperson said in a statement Tuesday that Maher “was not working in journalism at the time” of the social media posts; she was “exercising her first amendment right to express herself like any other American citizen,” and “the CEO is not involved in editorial decisions.”

In a statement, an NPR spokesperson described the outcry over Maher’s old posts as “a bad faith attack that follows an established playbook, as online actors with explicit agendas work to discredit independent news organizations.”

Meanwhile, some NPR staffers want a more forceful defense of NPR journalism by management. An internal letter — signed by about 50 NPR staffers as of Wednesday afternoon — called on Maher and NPR editor in chief Edith Chapin to “publicly and directly” call out Berliner’s “factual inaccuracies and elisions.”

In the essay, Berliner accuses NPR of mishandling three major stories: the allegations of the 2016 Trump campaign’s collusion with Russia, the origins of the coronavirus , and the authenticity and relevance of Hunter Biden’s laptop. Berliner’s critics note that he didn’t oversee coverage of these stories. They also say that his essay indirectly maligns employee affinity groups — he name-checks groups for Muslim, Jewish, queer and Black employees, which he wrote “reflect broader movement in the culture of people clustering together based on ideology or a characteristic at birth.” (Berliner belonged to the group for Jewish employees, according to an NPR staffer with knowledge of membership.) He also writes that he found NPR’s D.C. newsroom employed 87 registered Democrats and zero Republicans in editorial positions in 2021. His critics say this figure lacks proper context.

Tony Cavin, NPR’s managing editor of standards and practices, told The Post that “I have no idea where he got that number,” that NPR’s newsroom has 660 employees, and that “I know a number of our hosts and staff are registered as independents.” That includes Inskeep, who, on his Substack, backed up Cavin’s assessment.

Berliner also wrote that, during the administration of Donald Trump , NPR “hitched our wagon” to top Trump antagonist Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) by interviewing him 25 times about Trump and Russia. Cavin told The Post NPR aired 900 interviews with lawmakers during the same period of time, “so that’s 3 percent. He’s a business reporter, he knows about statistics and it seems he’s selectively using statistics.”

Cavin said some inside the organization agree with points Berliner made, even if they “don’t like the way he went about it. The irony of this is it tells you how diverse as an organization we are, in ideological terms.”

“There are a few bits of truth in this,” NPR international correspondent Eyder Peralta wrote on Facebook. But he said the essay “uses a selecting reading to serve the author’s own world views” and paints with “too broad a brush.”

“I have covered wars, I have been thrown in jail for my work,” Peralta told The Post, “and for him to question part of what is in our nature, which is intellectual curiosity and that we follow our noses where they lead us, that hurts. And I think that damages NPR.”

Some staffers have also been attacked online since the essay’s publication. Rascoe, who, as a Black woman host for NPR, says she’s no stranger to online vitriol, but one message after Berliner’s essay labeled her as a “DEI hire” who has “never read a book in her life.”

“What stung about this one was it came on the basis of a supposed colleague’s op-ed,” whose words were “being used as fodder to attack me,” Rascoe said. “And my concern is not about me, but all the younger journalists who don’t have the platform I have and who will be attacked and their integrity questioned simply on the basis of who they are.”

NPR, like much of the media industry, has struggled in recent years with a declining audience and a tough ad market. NPR laid off 100 workers in 2023, one of its largest layoffs ever , citing fewer sponsorships and a projected $30 million decline in revenue.

Going forward, some staffers worry about the ramifications of Berliner’s essay and the reactions to it. The open letter to Maher and Chapin said that “sending the message that a public essay is the easiest way to make change is setting a bad precedent, regardless of the ideologies being expressed.”

An earlier version of this article included a reference to Uri Berliner's Free Press essay in which Berliner cited voter registration data for editorial employees of NPR's D.C. newsroom. The article has been updated to clarify that this data was from 2021, not the present day.

• A history of CNN’s Laura Coates, who calmly narrated a self-immolation April 20, 2024 A history of CNN’s Laura Coates, who calmly narrated a self-immolation April 20, 2024
• Are some reporters putting Trump jurors at risk? April 18, 2024 Are some reporters putting Trump jurors at risk? April 18, 2024
• Turmoil at NPR after editor rips network for political bias April 17, 2024 Turmoil at NPR after editor rips network for political bias April 17, 2024

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Harvard’s Taylor Swift Scholars Have Thoughts on ‘Tortured Poets’

The students taking Harvard University’s class on the singer are studying up. Their final papers are due at the end of the month.

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By Madison Malone Kircher

Fans of Taylor Swift often study up for a new album, revisiting the singer’s older works to prepare to analyze lyrics and song titles for secret messages and meanings .

“The Tortured Poets Department” is getting much the same treatment, and perhaps no group of listeners was better prepared than the students at Harvard University currently studying Ms. Swift’s works in an English class devoted entirely to the artist . The undergraduate course, “Taylor Swift and Her World,” is taught by Stephanie Burt, who has her students comparing Ms. Swift’s songs to works by poets and writers including Willa Cather, Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth.

On Thursday night, about 50 students from the class gathered in a lecture hall on campus to listen to Ms. Swift’s new album. Mary Pankowski, a 22-year-old senior studying history of art and architecture, wore a cream sweatshirt she bought at Ms. Swift’s Eras tour last year. The group made beaded friendship bracelets to celebrate the new album, she said.

When the clock struck midnight, the classroom erupted into applause, and the analysis began. First, the group listened through the album once without discussing, just taking it all in.

Certain lines, however, immediately caused a stir, said Samantha Wilhoit, a junior studying government — like a reference to the singer Charlie Puth and the scathing lyrics to the song “The Smallest Man Who Ever Lived,” Ms. Wilhoit, 21, said.

A line from the song “I Can Do It With a Broken Heart,” in which Ms. Swift sings, “I cry a lot but I am so productive,” also seemed to resonate, Ms. Wilhoit said, laughing.

A smaller group of students, including Ms. Pankowski, stuck it out until the early hours of the morning waiting to see if Ms. Swift would drop additional music. At 2 a.m., they were rewarded with an additional “volume” of 15 tracks called “The Anthology.” Ms. Pankowski said she didn’t go to sleep until hours later.

Speaking with The New York Times together on a video call Friday morning, several students from the class discussed their thoughts on the 31 new songs and brainstormed their final papers, which are due at the end of the month.

“The song ‘Clara Bow’ reminded me of ‘The Song of the Lark,’” Makenna Walko, 19, said, citing the Willa Cather novel that follows the career of an aspiring opera singer, Thea Kronborg. “She’s talking about a girl trying to make it out of her small town and trying to get to Manhattan, and what it’s like to have these big, musical dreams and try to pursue them,” she continued. “That’s a narrative that has shown up a lot in Taylor’s own life, over the course of her own career. In a lot of ways, it’s Taylor’s story, too.”

Lola DeAscentiis, a sophomore, zeroed in on the song “But Daddy I Love Him,” comparing it to the Sylvia Plath poem “Daddy.” She plans to explore the link in her final paper.

“I hesitate to say that the song was anywhere near the genius of Sylvia Plath — no offense to Taylor Swift — but I can definitely see some similarities in the themes, like sadness, depression and mental health,” Ms. DeAscentiis, 20, said. (Ms. DeAscentiis also drew a distinction between being a fan of Ms. Swift and being a devoted Swiftie. She said she identified as the former.)

“The way that Taylor overlays her relationship with the significant other that she’s talking about in the song with the relationship that she has with her father — I think that was very Plath,” she added.

Another student, Ana Paulina Serrano, echoed Ms. DeAscentiis, noting that the class had learned about the genre of confessional poetry. “Is Taylor considered a confessional poet?” Ms. Serrano, a 21-year-old junior majoring in neuroscience, asked the group on the call. In support of her own position, she offered as evidence Ms. Swift’s song “Mastermind,” a track off “Midnights,” in which Ms. Swift reveals herself to have calculated and plotted the outcome of a relationship.

“Sometimes she’s confessing things that we, like, already knew or assumed, but she often seems to feel this need to explicitly tell us,” Ms. Serrano added.

Isabel Levin, a 23-year-old senior studying integrative biology, said she thought Ms. Swift’s delivery on several tracks had a spoken-word quality. She wondered if maybe some of the lyrics had initially begun not as songs but as more traditional poems.

Ms. Swift has said she categorizes her songs by the type of pen she imagines using to write each. A “frivolous, carefree, bouncy” song is a glitter gel pen song, while a fountain pen song might be more “brutally honest,” according to Ms. Swift . Quill pen songs are “all old-fashioned, like you’re a 19th-century poet crafting your next sonnet by candlelight,” she explained during her acceptance speech as songwriter-artist of the decade at the Nashville Songwriter Awards in 2022.

And with what implement might Ms. Swift have written “Tortured Poets?”

Quill pen, for sure, Ms. Walko said.

Madison Malone Kircher is a Times reporter covering internet culture. More about Madison Malone Kircher

Inside the World of Taylor Swift

A Triumph at the Grammys: Taylor Swift made history  by winning her fourth album of the year at the 2024 edition of the awards, an event that saw women take many of the top awards .

‘The T ortured Poets Department’: Poets reacted to Swift’s new album name , weighing in on the pertinent question: What do the tortured poets think ?  

In the Public Eye: The budding romance between Swift and the football player Travis Kelce created a monocultural vortex that reached its apex  at the Super Bowl in Las Vegas. Ahead of kickoff, we revisited some key moments in their relationship .

Politics (Taylor’s Version): After months of anticipation, Swift made her first foray into the 2024 election for Super Tuesday with a bipartisan message on Instagram . The singer, who some believe has enough influence  to affect the result of the election , has yet to endorse a presidential candidate.

Conspiracy Theories: In recent months, conspiracy theories about Swift and her relationship with Kelce have proliferated , largely driven by supporters of former President Donald Trump . The pop star's fans are shaking them off .