Discover the exceptional collaboration between Golden Concept, the Swiss master of ultra-luxurious Apple Watch Cases, and Blvck Paris, renowned for its ‘All Black’ luxury lifestyle apparel and accessories. Together they unveil a groundbreaking line that merges Parisian chic with Swedish sophistication, redefining the realm of high-end tech fashion. The limited-edition styles are now live and range from $899usd / $1,234cad to $1299usd / $1,783cad. The collaboration features two of Golden Concept’s top-selling pieces that have been expertly modified into exclusive black editions. This unique transformation combines the signature luxury and craftsmanship of Golden Concept with the distinct, all-black aesthetic of Blvck Paris. The pieces come in two sizes; one compatible with the Apple Watch 45 mm and the other one compatible with the Apple Watch 49 mm. These reimagined pieces perfectly represent both brands’ renowned styles, offering an unparalleled luxury experience for Apple Watch enthusiasts.
“We are super excited about this collaboration with the exquisite brand of Blvck Paris. My passion has always been in the design and creation process and to embark on this together with Julian and his team has been a real treat. We hope the customers love it as much as we do,” says Puia Shamsossadati, CEO and Creative Director of Golden Concept. “At Blvck Paris, we’re excited to team up with Golden Concept. Both brands have a deep appreciation for aesthetics and luxury, making this collaboration a natural fit. Our shared vision is to create designs that are both elegant and contemporary, offering something truly special for our customers.” – Julian O’hayon, Founder & CEO of Blvck Paris. For the Silo, Melissa Nicholls.
About Golden Concept
Golden Concept is the premier brand of luxurious tech accessories where design and style take center stage. Founded by Puia Shamsossadati in 2014, we are now celebrating a decade in the market. Our product range also includes mobile cases, accessories, and apparel with prices ranging from $1,000usd / $1,373 to $250,000usd/ $343,125cad. Golden Concept is available at over 150 premium retail locations worldwide, as well as flagship stores in Tokyo, Taipei, Singapore, Bangkok, and Shanghai, with worldwide shipping from Golden Concept. About Blvck Blvck Paris is a luxury lifestyle brand founded in 2017 by French designer Julian O’hayon. Blvck is known for its ‘All Black’ clothing, accessories, and digital goods. Blvck strives to pioneer an aspirational lifestyle from visual content to merchandise, pursuing quality and design. To date, the brand opened stores worldwide in California, Tokyo, Taipei, Taichung, Hong Kong and Macau.
The Butchart Gardens, Canada, is the seventh most beautiful spring flower spot in the world, according to a new study.
#7 worldwide- Butchart Gardens, Victoria, British Columbia.
With springtime on the horizon, there are beautiful gardens all around the world filled with flowers getting ready to bloom. But which of these spots deserve a place on your travel bucket list?
Looking at flower locations across the globe, our friends and experts at Japan Rail Pass analyzed a variety of factors – including Google reviews and ratings, Instagram hashtags, and the vibrancy of the flowers in spring – to give an overall score and determine which flower spots you absolutely should not miss this spring.
The most beautiful spring flower spots around the world
According to the research, the most beautiful flower spot in the world is the Keukenhof Tulip Gardens of Lisse, Netherlands, which has exhibited spring flowers to the public since 1950.
The tulips in spring achieve an almost perfect vibrancy score of 9.96/10, proving just how bright and colourful these stunning gardens are.
Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo, Japan – 9.3/10
Credit – Sutterstock_Benny Marty
Next in the rankings, is the beautiful Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo, Japan. From the wide variety of cherry blossoms in the national garden, it is the Somei (Yoshino cherry) that bloom in spring.
The beautiful Japanese garden has over 856,000 Instagram hashtags, more than any other spot in the top 10, with people all over the world travelling to view the cherry blossoms.
Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, London, UK – 9.2/10
Credit – Sutterstock_Charles Bowman
The third most beautiful spring flower spot according to the study is in London, England: The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
With almost as many Instagram hashtags as Shinjuku Gyoen (764,996) and 44,465 reviews, it is clear that the flowers found here,cherry blossom, bluebells, and magnolias to name a few, are beloved by many.
Nabana no Sato, Mie, Japan – 9.0/10
Credit – Sutterstock_martinho Smart
In fourth place is the Nabana no Sato flower park, located in the Nagashima resort in Mie, Japan.
The spot is known for its illuminations throughout the park in winter through to spring, as well as the blooming cherry blossoms and tulips which scored a 9.34/10 for vibrancy in the study.
Dubai Miracle Garden, UAE – 8.9/10
Credit – Sutterstock_Sergii Figurnyi
The fifth most beautiful spring flower spot in the study was found to be the Dubai Miracle Garden in the United Arab Emirates, which occupies over 72,000 square metres, making it the largest natural flower garden in the world.
With over 75,000 reviews since its opening in 2013, and a vibrancy score of 8.78/10, it is clear that this impressive garden deserves its place in the top five rankings.
Methodology:
1. Japan Rail Pass wanted to find out which are the best flower spots around the world to see in Spring.
2. To do this they collected data on 25 popular flower locations around the world including the following variables:
Google ratings and reviews.
Instagram hashtags (using all relevant hashtags including where applicable local language versions)
Kanazawa remains one of Japan’s most curious cities. True to its deep roots, its architecture and layout continue to reflect the style and look that dominated its feudal era during the famed Edo period. Even today, its mysterious districts draw visitors and photographers from around the world who wish to experience and capture its intrigue, which is well-depicted on the Visit Kanazawa website replete with captivating visuals and trip planning resources.
One of its most intriguing elements is its Geigi culture—a world that is quite mysterious to many. In Kanazawa, Geisha is called “Geigi” and the life of these women is dedicated to mastering various forms of entertainment that is performed for guests, from dancing and singing to playing instruments and games. Brittanica notes that “many geisha are also adept at flower arranging, performing the tea ceremony, or calligraphy.”
A report on Bokksu.com notes that, “Nowadays, there are just 1,000 geisha left in Japan, most of whom live and work predominantly in Tokyo and Kyoto. These modern geisha tend to remain within their district, where they’re treated with the utmost respect by Japanese locals, and not approached for photos or conversation.”
For its part, Kanazawa is home to three distinct Geigi districts and, though it can be difficult to secure, a private appointment with a Geigi is actually possible. These opportunities are not for the budget conscious. However, the experience promises to be an unforgettable evening once you are able to get your foot in the door.
A private appointment with a Geigi must come by personal referral, or through a trusted travel partner with proper access when on-site. Once in, the evening is a captivating series of conversations, questions, performances and masterful displays of the arts accompanied by several courses of unique traditional Japanese dishes. Guests are able to engage, observe and take photos with the Geigi while they ponder such a lifestyle and glean a more defined understanding of the culture that is still so vibrant today in Kanazawa’s labyrinth-like streets.
For those who don’t need the private appointment to fulfill their curiosity, there are plenty of alternative options. Geigi Evenings are available at Kaikaro teahouse, the largest teahouse in Kanazawa, which offers guests an opportunity to see Geigi in full traditional dress, makeup and ornate hairstyle. One of the highlights at Kaikaro is to meet the legendary landlady, Lady Baba, who provides informative, entertaining speeches regarding the teahouse and Geigi culture entirely in English. And, if one happens to visit off season when Geishas take a break from full dress, it’s possible to take in the Geigi Practice Session where you can observe the ladies during daytime hours , roaming makeup-free with natural hair and casual dress as they practice their performances.
Geigi culture reconvenes annually each September with Kanazawa Odori, where performers from Kanazawa’s three teahouse districts unite to perform together with various musical instruments and traditional dances that tell stories.
The Visit Kanazawa Facebook page is a great place to get inspired and learn more about the wonders of this enigmatic destination.
~~~
Merilee Kern, MBA is an internationally-regarded brand strategist and analystwho reports on cultural shifts and trends as well as noteworthy industry change makers, movers, shakers and innovators across all categories, both B2C and B2B. This includes field experts and thought leaders, brands, products, services, destinations and events. Merilee is Founder,Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List” as well as Host of the “Savvy Living” lifestyle TV show that airs in New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, Atlanta and other major markets on CBS, FOX and other top networks; as well as the “Savvy Ventures” business TV show that airs nationally on FOX Business TV and Bloomberg TV.
Merilee also hosts the Savvy Ventures Podcast & Radio show available globally on W4CY Radio—the #1 ranked live streaming radio station—among others as well asall major podcast platforms, including Pandora, Audible, Spotify, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Streamyard, iHeart Radio and dozens more.As a prolific lifestyle, travel, dining and leisure industry voice of authority and tastemaker, Merilee keeps her finger on the pulse of the marketplace in search of new and innovative must-haves and exemplary experiences at all price points, from the affordable to the extreme.
Her work reaches multi-millions worldwide via broadcast TV (her own shows and copious others on which she appears) as well as a myriad of print and online publications and she is a regular contributor here at The Silo.
***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided or arranged at no cost to accommodate if this is review editorial, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***
As many dedicated foodies will know, hunting for the most incredible food spots when traveling requires a savvy approach. There are plenty of bustling food markets, charming eateries, and hidden culinary gems around the world to explore – but where are the best cities to be a foodie?
To find out, our friends at Spin Genie looked at various factors, such as the average cost of visiting a restaurant in different parts of the world, the cities with the most restaurants, and the most Instagrammable food spots.
Whether you’re looking to try out sizzling street food in Bangkok or seeking the ultimate Michelin-star experience in Paris, we’ll reveal the ultimate travel guide for food lovers and unique spots to indulge in flavourful cuisines from across the globe.
The Best Foodie Cities Around the World
1. George Town, Malaysia – 7.86/10
George Town takes the crown as the best foodie city, scoring 7.86 out of 10. The colourful, multicultural capital is surrounded by stunning colonial streets and is described as a center for vibrant culture, street art, and the country’s best street food.
Also in the top place for its wide range of affordable food spots, George Town has plenty to offer food lovers, from Michelin-starred feasts to street eats. Teksen Restaurant is a top choice, serving delicious dishes since 1965. The well-known Chinese restaurant among its locals has won the hearts of serious foodies with its traditional Cantonese cuisine infused with a local twist.
2. Taipei, Taiwan – 7.31/10
Taipei follows closely behind, scoring 7.31 out of 10. The food capital of Taiwan offers an array of things to experience and explore, from the island’s fascinating temple culture and architecture to its indulgent food at affordable prices.
Some of the best food spots for quality, flavourful dishes and good service in the capital include Din Tai Fung, which has been serving traditional Chinese dishes since its opening
in the 1980s. Another top-rated restaurant is Raw, a French-style restaurant with vibrant cuisine infused with Taiwanese flavours.
3. Osaka, Japan – 7.24/10
Described as the economic powerhouse of the Kansai Region, Osaka is a large port city known for its modern architecture, vibrant nightlife, and hearty street food. If you’re looking for some of the best food spots in Japan, Osaka has plenty to offer.
Osaka Cuisine Asai is a Michelin-star restaurant that serves various course meals made with fresh, seasonal ingredients daily. With such a vibrant food scene, it’s no wonder the popular city completes the top three, scoring 7.24 out of 10.
The Most Affordable Foodie Cities for a Quick Bite
1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Average cost at a cheap restaurant: C$1.98
Chiang Mai grabs first place as the foodie city with the most affordable meals at a cheap restaurant. On average, meals are incredibly inexpensive, costing just C$1.98. Some of the best cheap eats in Chiang Mai include The Breakfast Club, a bakery restaurant at the heart of Chiang Mai, and Tong Tem Toh, a popular restaurant specializing in Northern Thai cuisine.
The Most Expensive Foodie Cities for a Quick Bite
1. London, England
Average cost at a cheap restaurant: C$34.70
London tops the list when it comes to the foodie city you’ll most likely pay more for, even while dining at a cheap restaurant. The capital city harbours some of the world’s best hotels, bars, and restaurants, but sometimes at a hefty price.
With over 300 Michelin-star restaurants in the city alone, it’s no surprise London has a wide range of food hot spots that tend to be more expensive. In fact, on average, you can expect to spend C$34.70 for a meal.
Foodie Cities with the Most Affordable Mid-range Restaurants
1. George Town, Malaysia
Average cost at a mid-range restaurant: C$13.46
George Town tops the list for having some of the most affordable meals at a mid-range restaurant. On average, a meal for two costs as little as C$13.46, much lower than in many other major foodie cities.
One of the most popular areas for street food is New Lane; here, you can find stalls selling everything from BBQ chicken wings to rice noodle rolls at highly affordable prices.
Foodie Cities with the Most Expensive Mid-range Restaurants
1. Copenhagen, Denmark
Average cost at a mid-range restaurant: C$160.21
Described as a classy city with many small independent galleries and cafés, Copenhagen offers diverse worldwide cuisines, from Taiwanese to Ethiopian food spots. There are also around 68 Michelin-starred fine dining restaurants within the city.
It comes as no surprise that the city is the most expensive for a meal. As a matter of fact, it costs as much as C$160.21 for a three-course dinner for two. If you’re seeking a Michelin-star experience for a moderate price, Selma is a great restaurant to experience traditional Danish lunch.
The Foodie Cities with the Most Cheap Restaurants
1. George Town, Malaysia
Total number of cheap restaurants: 280
Number of cheap restaurants per 10,000 population: 17.7
With many favourites, such as Siam Road Charcoal Char Kuey Teow, New Lane Street Food stalls, and the Tai Tong Restaurant, it is no surprise that George Town grabs first place as the city with the most affordable joints. There are just under 300 cheap eats to discover in George Town, with roughly 17.7 cheap restaurants per 10,000 population.
The Foodie City with the Most Mid-range Restaurants
1. Paris, France
Total number of mid-range restaurants: 8,410
Number of mid-range restaurants per 10,000 population: 36.6
The capital of France and a major European city, Paris, is one of the global centers for art, fashion, culture, and, of course, food. Known for its cafe culture, there are plenty of opportunities to grab a bite.
Le Truffaut, Maison, and Le Cadoret, which serve classic French food, are just some of the hottest restaurants in Paris right now.
The Foodie City with the Most Fine-dining Restaurants
1. Paris, France
Total number of fine dining restaurants: 709
Number of fine dining restaurants per 10,000 population: 3.1
Once again, Paris tops the list for the foodie city with the most fine-dining restaurants. The city has, on average, 3.1 fine-dining restaurants per 10,000 of the population. From Odette to Atelier Maître Albert, the city has an impressive 709 fine-dining restaurants in total. This comes as no surprise as the famous capital is home to some of the most renowned restaurants in the world.
The Most Instagrammed Foodie Hotspots
1. Melbourne, Australia
Instagram hashtags: #Melbournefoodie
Number of Instagram hashtags: 2.8 Million
Melbourne takes the crown for the most Instagrammed food spot with a whopping 2.8 million posts for the hashtag #Melbournefoodie. Some of the most Instagrammable dining experiences include Sebastian, a restaurant reminiscent of the sunny shores of San Sebastian; The Kettle Black, a café featured in Vogue Living; and Higher Ground, a one-of-a-kind location with three levels of dining space and 15-meter high ceilings.
Highest-earning Influential Foodies
1. Gordon Ramsay
Potential earnings: C$64,965 (£37,740)
When it comes to the highest-earning foodie influencer in the world, it comes as no surprise that the British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay tops the list with an impressive potential earnings figure of C$64,965 (£37,740) per sponsored post on Instagram.
During his career, the multi-Michelin-starred chef has opened a string of successful restaurants worldwide, including the UK, France and Singapore. Also a star on the small screen, Gordon Ramsey has been featured in shows such as MasterChef US, Kitchen Nightmares, Hell’s Kitchen, and Hotel Hell.
Thriving as one of the most famous restaurateurs today, the MasterChef has some top-tier restaurants for foodies to visit, such as the Restaurant Gordon Ramsay located on Royal Hospital Road in Chelsea, London. Holding three Michelin stars, foodies can expect nothing but the finest seasonal ingredients for the most elegant modern French cuisines.
The Best Foodie Cities in the US and Canada
1. Savannah, Georgia – 7.86/10
Savannah tops the list as the best foodie city, scoring 7.86 out of 10, known for its beautiful coastal landscapes, charming architecture, and its rich, vibrant history. The city’s food scene is just as impressive. From plentiful coastal cuisines to flavours from around the world – Savannah knows how to serve a good time and a good meal.
A top foodie destination in Savannah for locals, tourists, and celebrities alike is the Olympia Cafe. After more than three decades in business, the dining establishment thrives, serving up a storm with its much-loved traditional Greek and Mediterranean menu.
2. Las Vegas, Nevada – 7.78/10
In second place is Nevada’s finest – Las Vegas, with a score of 7.78 out of 10. The food scene in Las Vegas has grown to become a so-called “Gourmet Rooms” galore hailed by celebrities.
From Bardot Brasserie to Wing Lei, the first Chinese restaurant in the United States to be awarded a Michelin star, the city has every genre of food imaginable, all at various price points.
3. Atlanta, Georgia – 7.26/10
Ranking in third place is Atlanta, scoring 7.26 out of 10. From century-old diners to award-winning eateries, Atlanta offers some of the best dining experiences in the country and is described as one of the nation’s best food cities. The city caters to all tastes and palates, whether you prefer classic southern cuisines or top-tier modern dishes.
Bacchanalia is one of the top-rated restaurants in the city, offering guests a complete dining experience. You will not be disappointed if you opt for their signature dishes or divine four-course tasting menu.
Foodie Cities in the US and Canada with the Most Affordable Quick Bites
1. Savannah, Georgia
Average cost of a meal at a cheap restaurant: C$16.26 (US$12.00)
When it comes to foodie cities with the most affordable meal at a cheap restaurant, Savannah grabs first place with an average of C$16.26 (US$12.00) for a decent plate of food.
If you’re looking for a new dinner spot to try out, Savannah has an array of places to add to your list, including southern favourites such as The Olde Pink House. Whether you’re in search of classic southern cuisines such as shrimp, grits, and buttery biscuits or a plant-based brunch, you won’t run out of options.
Foodie Cities in the US and Canada with the Most Expensive Quick Bites
1. Saint John, New Brunswick
Average cost of a meal at a cheap restaurant: C$35.41 (US$26.13)
Home to a variety of cafes and restaurants that offer an array of colourful cuisines, international dishes, and the ultimate Canadian comfort foods, Saint John tops the list as the foodie city with the most expensive meals at a cheap restaurant. On average, you can expect to pay C$35.41 (US$26.13).
Foodie Cities in the US and Canada with the Most Affordable Mid-range Restaurants
1. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Average cost of a meal at a mid-range restaurant: C$75.89 (US$56.00)
Winnipeg has many great food spots. In fact, a couple of the city’s restaurants are seen as some of Canada’s best eateries, with an average price of C$75.89 (US$56.00). If you’re looking for a trend-setting eatery in Winnipeg, Deer and Almond is the perfect blend of global and local flavours.
Foodie Cities in the US and Canada with the Most Expensive Mid-range Restaurants
1. Seattle, Washington
Average cost of a meal at a mid-range restaurant: C$162.63 (US$120.00)
Surrounded by the Olympic mountains and evergreen forests, Seattle is a hub for many attractions, entertainment, and food and drink spots. The beautiful food scene in the city offers visitors anything from local seafood to downtown gems.
Whether you want to try classic or unique cuisine, Seattle offers it all, from Pacific Northwest cuisine inspired by Filipino-American flavours to contemporary dishes bursting with rich seasonings. However, these delicious cuisines come with a hefty price tag. The average meal cost at a mid-range restaurant in Seattle is C$162.63 (US$120.00).
The Foodie Cities in the US and Canada with the Most Cheap Restaurants
1. Victoria, British Columbia
Number of mid-range per 10,000 population: 11.2
A great place for food lovers to explore and enjoy the local culinary scene is Victoria. The Canadian city has a host of hidden foodie gems and fine dining hotspots that will leave you spoilt for choice.
The city not only has a thriving culinary scene, but it is also the top destination with the highest number of cheap restaurants in both the US and Canada, with an estimated 11.2 affordable restaurants per 10,000 population.
Foodie Cities in the US and Canada with the Most Mid-range Restaurants
1. Victoria, British Columbia
Number of mid-range per 10,000 population: 36.7
Also the top foodie city with the highest number of cheap restaurants, Victoria once again tops the list with the highest number of mid-range restaurants in both the US and Canada.
Whether it’s mouth-watering Chinese cuisine or Danish baked goodies, the city has enough colour and flavour to satisfy culinary cravings at any price point. As a result of its large, diverse range of eateries, Victoria has approximately 36.7 mid-range restaurants per 10,000 population.
The Foodie Cities with the Most Fine-dining Restaurants in the US and Canada
1. Las Vegas, Nevada
Number of fine dining per 10,000 population: 2.3
From Michelin-starred restaurants to world-class cuisine, Las Vegas offers a memorable dining experience. The city tops the list with an estimated 2.3 fine dining establishments per 10,000.
Whether it’s indulging in traditional French fare at Joël Robuchon or immersing yourself in the mouth-watering experience of Japanese delicacies at the world-famous Nobu in Caesars Palace, even the most demanding culinary appetite is guaranteed satisfaction.
The Most Instagrammed Foodie Hotspots in the US and Canada
1. New York City, New York
Instagram hashtags: #NYCfoodie
Number of Instagram posts: 2.1 Million
As a city bursting with character, it is no surprise that New York City takes the top spot for the most Instagrammable dining experiences. From floral-covered interior designs to chic modern rooftops, the Big Apple really does have something for everyone.
Filled with iconic landmarks, the popular city bagged over 2.1 million posts on Instagram using the hashtag #NYCfoodie.
Highest-earning Influential Foodies in the US and Canada
1. Chrissy Teigen
Potential earnings: C$182,849 (US$135,150)
With several best-selling cookbooks under her belt, the American model and TV personality Chrissy Teigen is crowned first place as the highest-earning foodie influencer on Instagram across the US and Canada.
The popular star has also been featured on several cooking channels, such as Cookies and Cocktails and Chrissy Teigen’s Hungry. She also launched her own cooking website back in 2019. Therefore it’s no wonder that the well-known star is estimated to make a whopping sum per sponsored post on the social media platform.
Some of Teigen’s favourite food spots include Giorgio Baldi, a popular restaurant on the Pacific Coast and Via Veneto, a lively Italian eatery in Santa Monica that combines organic and locally sourced ingredients with its creative cuisines.
Methodology
Using a list of articles such as Time Out and Luxury Columnist, we created a seed list of the top foodie cities around the world. With this list, we then used Numbeo to source the average cost of a cheap restaurant as well as the cost of a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant. Please note that each currency used was also taken from Numbeo. This data was collected on 01/08/2023.
Then, using Trip Advisor, we gathered data on the number of cheap, mid-range, and fine-dining restaurants by using the relevant filters on the site. The data collected was solely based on the number of restaurants from within each city, not including nearby areas. Data collection of this was completed on 21/08/2023.
To calculate per 10,000 population, we used City Population to search for each city’s population. We took the most current data available for each location and only considered cities with more than 50,000 population. This data was completed on 16/08/2023.
To find out which cities are the most Instagrammable, we used Instagram to search for various hashtags relating to each city e.g. #[CITY]foodie. This data collection was completed on 22/08/2023.
Using various articles from Google, our friends also compiled a list of the top foodie influencers, considering how many followers they have on the social media platform. We then calculated their highest estimated potential earnings per sponsored post by using the Instagram Influencer Sponsored Post Money Calculator. The data collection for this section was completed on 23/08/2023.
●Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis, at 32.66 USD per gram.
●Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive marijuana, at 1.34 USD per gram.
●Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented, New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalizing weed, with 156.40 million USD per year. New York City also has the highest consumption rate of cannabis, at 77.44 metric tons per year.
●Cannabis costs $7.82 per gram in Toronto, Canada.
Berlin, Germany – Automatic cultivator device, Seedo, after much research and data gathering, previously released the 2018 Cannabis Price Index, detailing the cost of marijuana in 120 global cities. Seedo is one of the many new ventures embracing the newly legalized cannabis industry. Their main goal is to allow both medicinal and recreational consumers to grow their own supply, avoiding extra taxes and bypassing harmful pesticides. The aim of this study is to illustrate the continuous need for legislative reform on cannabis use around the world, and to determine if there are any lessons to be learned from those cities at the forefront of marijuana legalisation.
Although Seedo’s technology enables smokers to get off the grid, this study considers one of the biggest byproducts of legalising cannabis—the potential tax revenue for the local government body. For this reason, Seedo decided not only to research the cost of cannabis around the world, but also to calculate how much potential tax a city could generate if they were to legalise marijuana.
The study began first by selecting 120 cities across the world, including locations where cannabis is currently legal, illegal and partially legal, and where marijuana consumption data is available. Then, they looked into the price of weed per gram in each city. To calculate how much potential tax a city could make by legalising weed, Seedo investigated how much tax is paid on the most popular brand of cigarettes, as this offers the closest comparison. They then looked at what percentage marijuana is currently taxed in cities where it’s already legalised in the US.
“This study has revealed some incredible insights into the kind of tax revenue that legalising weed could generate.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “Take New York City for instance, which has the highest consumption level in the study at 77.44 metric tons of cannabis per year. If they taxed marijuana at the average US cannabis tax level, the city could make $156.4 million in potential tax revenue per year. This is equivalent to providing nearly 3 months worth of free school meals to every single public school kid in New York City.”
The table below reveals a sample of the results for Toronto, Canada:
City
Legality
Price per gram, US$
Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$
Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$
Total consumption in metric tons
Toronto
Partial
7.82
124.15
33.38
22.75
The table below shows the top 10 most and least expensive cities for cannabis:
Top 10 Most Expensive Cities
Top 10 Least Expensive Cities
#
City
Country
Legality
Price per gram, US$
#
City
Country
Legality
Price per gram, US$
1
Tokyo
Japan
Illegal
32.66
1
Quito
Ecuador
Partial
1.34
2
Seoul
South Korea
Illegal
32.44
2
Bogota
Colombia
Partial
2.20
3
Kyoto
Japan
Illegal
29.65
3
Asuncion
Paraguay
Partial
2.22
4
Hong Kong
China
Illegal
27.48
4
Jakarta
Indonesia
Illegal
3.79
5
Bangkok
Thailand
Partial
24.81
5
Panama City
Panama
Illegal
3.85
6
Dublin
Ireland
Illegal
21.63
6
Johannesburg
South Africa
Illegal
4.01
7
Tallinn
Estonia
Partial
20.98
7
Montevideo
Uruguay
Legal
4.15
8
Shanghai
China
Illegal
20.82
8
Astana
Kazakhstan
Illegal
4.22
9
Beijing
China
Illegal
20.52
9
Antwerp
Belgium
Partial
4.29
10
Oslo
Norway
Partial
19.14
10
New Delhi
India
Partial
4.38
N.B. These tables are a sample of the full results. To find the complete results for all 120 cities, please see the bottom of the press release.
The table below shows the top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the same rate as the most popular cigarette brand:
#
City
Country
Legality
Price per gram, US$
% of cigarette tax
Possible tax revenue, mil US$
1
Cairo
Egypt
Illegal
16.15
73.13
384.87
2
New York
USA
Partial
10.76
42.54
354.48
3
London
UK
Illegal
9.20
82.16
237.35
4
Sydney
Australia
Partial
10.79
56.76
138.36
5
Karachi
Pakistan
Illegal
5.32
60.7
135.48
6
Melbourne
Australia
Partial
10.84
56.76
132.75
7
Moscow
Russia
Partial
11.84
47.63
128.97
8
Toronto
Canada
Partial
7.82
69.8
124.15
9
Chicago
USA
Partial
11.46
42.54
119.61
10
Berlin
Germany
Partial
13.53
72.9
114.77
N.B. % of cigarette tax refers to the tax percentage on the most popular brand. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at cigarette level. For a full explanation of how the study was conducted, please see the methodology at the bottom of the press release.
The table below shows the top 10 cities who could generate the most potential tax by legalising cannabis, if taxed at the average US marijuana tax rate:
#
City
Country
Legality
Price per gram, US$
Possible tax revenue, mil US$
1
New York
USA
Partial
10.76
156.4
2
Cairo
Egypt
Illegal
16.15
98.78
3
London
UK
Illegal
9.20
54.22
4
Chicago
USA
Partial
11.46
52.77
5
Moscow
Russia
Partial
11.84
50.82
6
Sydney
Australia
Partial
10.79
45.75
7
Melbourne
Australia
Partial
10.84
43.9
8
Karachi
Pakistan
Illegal
5.32
41.89
9
Houston
USA
Partial
10.03
39.32
10
Toronto
Canada
Partial
7.82
33.38
N.B. Possible tax revenue refers to the total possible tax collection per year, if taxed at average US marijuana tax rate.
The table below shows the top 10 cities with the highest and lowest consumption of cannabis, per year:
Highest Consumers of Cannabis
Lowest Consumers of Cannabis
#
City
Country
Legality
Price per gram, US$
Total consumption, metric tons
#
City
Country
Legality
Price per gram, US$
Total consumption, metric tons
1
New York
USA
Partial
10.76
77.44
1
Singapore
Singapore
Illegal
14.01
0.02
2
Karachi
Pakistan
Illegal
5.32
41.95
2
Santo Domingo
Dominican Rep.
Illegal
6.93
0.16
3
New Delhi
India
Partial
4.38
38.26
3
Kyoto
Japan
Illegal
29.65
0.24
4
Los Angeles
USA
Legal
8.14
36.06
4
Thessaloniki
Greece
Partial
13.49
0.29
5
Cairo
Egypt
Illegal
16.15
32.59
5
Luxembourg City
Luxembourg
Partial
7.26
0.32
6
Mumbai
India
Partial
4.57
32.38
6
Panama City
Panama
Illegal
3.85
0.37
7
London
UK
Illegal
9.20
31.4
7
Reykjavik
Iceland
Illegal
15.92
0.44
8
Chicago
USA
Partial
11.46
24.54
8
Asuncion
Paraguay
Partial
2.22
0.46
9
Moscow
Russia
Partial
11.84
22.87
9
Colombo
Sri Lanka
Illegal
9.12
0.59
10
Toronto
Canada
Partial
7.82
22.75
10
Manila
Philippines
Illegal
5.24
0.6
N.B. Total consumption is calculated per annum.
Additional quotes:
“The way that the legalised cannabis industry is rapidly evolving alongside new technologies shows how innovative emerging tech companies are today.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “Take the way that cannabis and cryptocurrency have joined forces, with examples such as HempCoin or nezly, which manage processes and payments in the new marijuana industry. When you consider too the potential that these new technologies have to disrupt the cannabis industry, there’s no denying that these are very exciting times.”
“At Seedo, we’ve built technology that helps regular smokers to grow cannabis plants of the utmost quality from the comfort of their own home, avoiding pesticides and taking ownership of their personal supply.” says Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “We believe that by understanding the cost of weed around the world, we can help to educate smokers about the potential financial benefits of hydroponic growing technology.”
“That illegal cannabis use is so high in countries that still carry the death penalty, such as Pakistan and Egypt, those in power ought to see how desperately new legislation is needed.” comments Uri Zeevi, CMO at Seedo. “By removing the criminal element from marijuana, governments will then able to more safely regulate production, take away power from underground gangs, and as we’ve shown in this study, generate huge tax revenues.”
Further findings:
●New York City, USA has the highest consumption rate of cannabis, at 77.44 metric tons per year.
●Boston, USA has the most expensive cannabis of all the cities where it’s legal, at 11.01 USD, while Montevideo, Uruguay has the least expensive at 4.15 USD.
●While Tokyo, Japan has the most expensive cannabis of all cities where it’s illegal, at 32.66 USD, Jakarta, Indonesia has the least expensive at 3.79 USD, despite being classed as a Group 1 drug with harsh sentences such as life imprisonment and the death penalty.
●For cities where cannabis is partially legal, Bangkok, Thailand has the most expensive at 24.81 USD, while Quito, Ecuador has the least expensive at 1.34 USD.
●Bulgaria has the highest tax rates for the most popular brand of cigarettes, at 82.65%, while Paraguay has the lowest, with rates of 16%.
●Cairo, Egypt would gain the most revenue in tax if they were to legalise cannabis and tax it as the same rate as cigarettes, at 384.87 million USD. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.14 million USD, due in part to the city’s low consumption of marijuana at 0.02 metric tons per annum.
●Based on the average US marijuana tax rates currently implemented, New York City could generate the highest potential tax revenue by legalising weed, with 156.4 million USD per year. Singapore, Singapore would gain the least, at 0.04 million USD
About “Seedo”: Seedo is a fully automated hydroponic growing device which lets you grow your own medicinal herbs and vegetables from the comfort of your own home. Seedo controls and monitors the growing process, from seed to plant, while providing optimal lab conditions to assure premium quality produce year-round. Seedo’s goal is to simplify the growing process, making it accessible for everyone, without compromising on quality.
The full results of the 2018 Cannabis Price Index:
#
City
Country
Legality
Price per gram, US$
Taxes of cigarettes, % of the most sold brand
Total possible tax collection, if taxed at cigarette level, mil US$
Total possible tax collection, if taxed at average US marijuana taxes, mil US$
Total Consumption in metric tons
1
Tokyo
Japan
Illegal
32.66
64.36
32.14
9.37
1.53
2
Seoul
South Korea
Illegal
32.44
61.99
31.61
9.57
1.57
3
Kyoto
Japan
Illegal
29.65
64.36
4.64
1.35
0.24
4
Hong Kong
China
Illegal
27.48
44.43
19.72
8.33
1.62
5
Bangkok
Thailand
Partial
24.81
73.13
99.11
25.44
5.46
6
Dublin
Ireland
Illegal
21.63
77.80
29.31
7.07
1.74
7
Tallinn
Estonia
Partial
20.98
77.24
22.13
5.38
1.37
8
Shanghai
China
Illegal
20.82
44.43
49.12
20.75
5.31
9
Beijing
China
Illegal
20.52
44.43
43.10
18.21
4.73
10
Oslo
Norway
Partial
19.14
68.83
19.28
5.26
1.46
11
Washington, DC
USA
Partial
18.08
42.54
47.51
20.96
6.18
12
Cairo
Egypt
Illegal
16.15
73.13
384.87
98.78
32.59
13
Reykjavik
Iceland
Illegal
15.92
56.40
3.97
1.32
0.44
14
Belfast
Ireland
Illegal
15.81
77.80
13.55
3.27
1.10
15
Minsk
Belarus
Illegal
15.80
51.15
9.08
3.33
1.12
16
Athens
Greece
Partial
14.95
79.95
7.42
1.74
0.62
17
Auckland
New Zealand
Partial
14.77
77.34
106.03
25.73
9.28
18
Munich
Germany
Partial
14.56
72.90
50.90
13.10
4.80
19
Helsinki
Finland
Partial
14.42
81.53
27.12
6.24
2.31
20
Singapore
Singapore
Illegal
14.01
66.23
0.14
0.04
0.02
21
Berlin
Germany
Partial
13.53
72.90
114.77
29.55
11.64
22
Stuttgart
Germany
Partial
13.50
72.90
20.20
5.20
2.05
23
Thessaloniki
Greece
Partial
13.49
79.95
3.17
0.75
0.29
24
Stockholm
Sweden
Illegal
13.20
68.84
15.06
4.11
1.66
25
Vienna
Austria
Partial
12.87
74.00
59.21
15.02
6.22
26
Copenhagen
Denmark
Partial
12.47
74.75
20.65
5.18
2.22
27
Moscow
Russia
Partial
11.84
47.63
128.97
50.82
22.87
28
Hamburg
Germany
Partial
11.64
72.90
50.16
12.92
5.91
29
Chicago
USA
Partial
11.46
42.54
119.61
52.77
24.54
30
Philadelphia
USA
Partial
11.30
42.54
68.37
30.16
14.22
31
Bucharest
Romania
Partial
11.18
75.41
17.23
4.29
2.04
32
Cologne
Germany
Partial
11.14
72.90
28.51
7.34
3.51
33
Geneva
Switzerland
Partial
11.12
61.20
5.90
1.81
0.87
34
Boston
USA
Legal
11.01
42.54
28.59
12.61
6.10
35
Adelaide
Australia
Partial
10.91
56.76
41.60
13.75
6.72
36
Istanbul
Turkey
Partial
10.87
82.13
21.79
4.98
2.44
37
Melbourne
Australia
Partial
10.84
56.76
132.75
43.90
21.58
38
Sydney
Australia
Partial
10.79
56.76
138.36
45.75
22.59
39
New York
USA
Partial
10.76
42.54
354.48
156.40
77.44
40
Düsseldorf
Germany
Partial
10.70
72.90
15.82
4.07
2.03
41
Brisbane
Australia
Partial
10.63
56.76
66.88
22.12
11.09
42
Hanover
Germany
Partial
10.51
72.90
13.46
3.47
1.76
43
Prague
Czech Rep.
Partial
10.47
77.42
63.95
15.50
7.89
44
Frankfurt
Germany
Partial
10.29
72.90
18.06
4.65
2.41
45
Wellington
New Zealand
Partial
10.11
77.34
19.53
4.74
2.50
46
Dallas
USA
Partial
10.03
42.54
51.01
22.50
11.95
47
Houston
USA
Partial
10.03
42.54
89.13
39.32
20.89
48
Vilnius
Lithuania
Illegal
10.00
75.76
5.20
1.29
0.69
49
Zurich
Switzerland
Partial
9.71
61.20
10.33
3.17
1.74
50
Montpellier
France
Illegal
9.70
80.30
12.21
2.85
1.57
51
Canberra
Australia
Partial
9.65
56.76
10.96
3.63
2.00
52
Zagreb
Croatia
Partial
9.43
75.26
24.35
6.07
3.43
53
Nice
France
Illegal
9.40
80.30
15.80
3.69
2.09
54
Phoenix
USA
Partial
9.35
42.54
58.26
25.71
14.65
55
Paris
France
Illegal
9.30
80.30
102.25
23.90
13.69
56
Miami
USA
Partial
9.27
42.54
16.24
7.16
4.12
57
San Francisco
USA
Legal
9.27
42.54
30.94
13.65
7.85
58
London
UK
Illegal
9.20
82.16
237.35
54.22
31.40
59
Colombo
Sri Lanka
Illegal
9.12
73.78
3.98
1.01
0.59
60
Riga
Latvia
Illegal
9.00
76.89
10.23
2.50
1.48
61
Bratislava
Slovakia
Illegal
8.92
81.54
7.24
1.67
1.00
62
Milan
Italy
Partial
8.85
75.68
46.06
11.42
6.88
63
Varna
Bulgaria
Illegal
8.83
82.65
4.84
1.10
0.66
64
Marseille
France
Illegal
8.69
80.30
36.23
8.47
5.19
65
Glasgow
UK
Illegal
8.65
82.16
15.21
3.47
2.14
66
Toulouse
France
Illegal
8.62
80.30
18.67
4.36
2.70
67
Birmingham
UK
Illegal
8.58
82.16
27.73
6.34
3.93
68
Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia
Illegal
8.54
55.36
6.61
2.24
1.40
69
Monterrey
Mexico
Partial
8.45
65.87
4.17
1.19
0.75
70
Edinburgh
UK
Illegal
8.41
82.16
12.22
2.79
1.77
71
Lisbon
Portugal
Partial
8.36
74.51
4.69
1.18
0.75
72
Strasbourg
France
Illegal
8.35
80.30
11.13
2.60
1.66
73
Warsaw
Poland
Partial
8.31
80.29
29.27
6.84
4.39
74
Lyon
France
Illegal
8.20
80.30
19.45
4.55
2.95
75
Los Angeles
USA
Legal
8.14
42.54
124.88
55.10
36.06
76
Liverpool
UK
Illegal
7.94
82.16
10.86
2.48
1.67
77
Amsterdam
Netherlands
Partial
7.89
73.40
20.94
5.35
3.61
78
Manchester
UK
Illegal
7.88
82.16
58.99
13.48
9.11
79
Rome
Italy
Partial
7.86
75.68
88.16
21.86
14.82
80
Toronto
Canada
Partial
7.82
69.80
124.15
33.38
22.75
81
Denver
USA
Legal
7.79
42.54
20.53
9.06
6.20
82
Naples
Italy
Partial
7.75
75.68
29.82
7.40
5.08
83
Leeds
UK
Illegal
7.67
82.16
16.93
3.87
2.69
84
Seattle
USA
Legal
7.58
42.54
20.59
9.08
6.39
85
Madrid
Spain
Partial
7.47
78.09
93.40
22.45
16.01
86
Calgary
Canada
Partial
7.30
69.80
52.23
14.05
10.25
87
Luxembourg City
Luxembourg
Partial
7.26
70.24
1.62
0.43
0.32
88
San Jose
Costa Rica
Partial
7.23
69.76
7.84
2.11
1.56
89
Buenos Aires
Argentina
Partial
7.13
69.84
25.32
6.81
5.09
90
Brussels
Belgium
Partial
7.09
75.92
15.50
3.83
2.88
91
Santo Domingo
Dominican Rep.
Illegal
6.93
58.87
0.67
0.21
0.16
92
Graz
Austria
Partial
6.84
74.00
4.81
1.22
0.95
93
Budapest
Hungary
Illegal
6.74
77.26
7.70
1.87
1.48
94
Sofia
Bulgaria
Illegal
6.66
82.65
12.83
2.91
2.33
95
Ottawa
Canada
Partial
6.62
69.80
35.43
9.53
7.67
96
Vancouver
Canada
Partial
6.40
69.80
23.44
6.30
5.25
97
Sao Paulo
Brazil
Partial
6.38
64.94
68.55
19.81
16.55
98
Rotterdam
Netherlands
Partial
6.33
73.40
12.75
3.26
2.74
99
Ljubljana
Slovenia
Partial
6.32
80.41
3.43
0.80
0.67
100
Barcelona
Spain
Partial
6.23
78.09
39.59
9.51
8.14
101
Montreal
Canada
Partial
6.15
69.80
60.52
16.27
14.10
102
Kiev
Ukraine
Partial
6.00
74.78
14.73
3.70
3.28
103
Abuja
Nigeria
Illegal
5.88
20.63
7.40
6.73
6.10
104
Lima
Peru
Partial
5.88
37.83
12.28
6.09
5.52
105
Mexico City
Mexico
Partial
5.87
65.87
22.58
6.43
5.84
106
Cape Town
South Africa
Illegal
5.82
48.80
2.47
0.95
0.87
107
Karachi
Pakistan
Illegal
5.32
60.70
135.48
41.89
41.95
108
Manila
Philippines
Illegal
5.24
74.27
2.32
0.59
0.60
109
Rio de Janeiro
Brazil
Partial
5.11
64.94
28.82
8.33
8.69
110
Mumbai
India
Partial
4.57
60.39
89.38
27.78
32.38
111
New Delhi
India
Partial
4.38
60.39
101.20
31.45
38.26
112
Antwerp
Belgium
Partial
4.29
75.92
4.10
1.01
1.26
113
Astana
Kazakhstan
Illegal
4.22
39.29
1.78
0.85
1.07
114
Montevideo
Uruguay
Legal
4.15
66.75
19.54
5.50
7.06
115
Johannesburg
South Africa
Illegal
4.01
48.80
3.76
1.45
1.92
116
Panama City
Panama
Illegal
3.85
56.52
0.81
0.27
0.37
117
Jakarta
Indonesia
Illegal
3.79
53.40
1.92
0.68
0.95
118
Asuncion
Paraguay
Partial
2.22
16.00
0.16
0.19
0.46
119
Bogota
Colombia
Partial
2.20
49.44
15.80
6.00
14.53
120
Quito
Ecuador
Partial
1.34
70.39
0.56
0.15
0.60
Methodology
Selection of the cities:
To select the cities for the study, Seedo first looked at the top and bottom cannabis consuming countries around the world. Then they analysed nations where marijuana is partially or completely legal, as well as illegal, and selected the final list of 120 cities in order to best offer a representative comparison of the global cannabis price.
Data:
●Price per gram, US$ - Crowdsourced city-level surveys adjusted to World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime.
●Taxes on Cigarettes, % of the most sold brand – Taxes as a percentage of the retail price of the most sold brand (total tax). Source: Appendix 2 of the WHO report on the global tobacco epidemic, 2015.
●Annual possible tax collection is calculated in the following way:
●Population: latest available local population data sources.
●Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). Source: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
●Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year).
●Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint.
●One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010).
●The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday.
●Population: latest available local population data sources.
●Annual Prevalence (percentage of population, having used weed in the year). Source: World Drug Report 2017 of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime
●Average Consumption of weed per year in grams (people who consumed weed at least once in the previous year).
●Estimation, with the assumption, that one use of weed on average means one joint.
●One joint is assumed to have 0.66 grams of weed as in the paper of Mariani, Brooks, Haney and Levin (2010).
●The distribution of use during the year is assumed to be the same as in Zhao and Harris (2004), where the yearly usage varies from once or twice a year to everyday.
●US tax level - Average tax level in the states of US where weed is legal: Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington. Includes retail sales taxes, state taxes, local taxes and excise taxes.
●Legality
○Legal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is legal.
○Illegal, if possession and selling for recreational and medical use is illegal.
○Partial, if
■Possession of small amounts is decriminalised (criminal penalties lessened, fines and regulated permits may still apply)
■OR medicinal use legal
■OR possession is legal, selling illegal
■OR scientific use legal
■OR usage allowed in restricted areas (e.g. homes or coffee shops)
■OR local laws may apply to legality (e.g. illegal at federal level, legal at state level)
First quote: Based on New York City Council’s free lunch initiative which began in September 2017, with 1.1 million public school children, at a cost of $1.75 per child per day.
Although we live in the richest and most advanced society the world has ever known, many of us say we need more money in order to be happy, notes best-selling business book author Doug Vermeeren.
“Even some of those in the top percentile of earners often feel like they don’t have enough money,” says Vermeeren, (www.DouglasVermeeren.com), an international speaker who consults with celebrities, business executives and professional athletes.
“The math is simple: More money does not equal more happiness. It’s our attitude toward money, not the amount, that influences our happiness the most.”
Happiness researchers Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton, professors at the Harvard Business School, recently published research indicating that it’s not money that makes people happy, nor the things people buy with it. Rather, it’s the experiences one has that ultimately account for happiness.
“How you experience your money on a day-to-day basis is what matters,” Vermeeren says. “If the software running in your brain is constantly reinforcing the message, ‘it’s not enough,’ then that is likely how you will see yourself and experience your life – as ‘not enough.’ ”
The world’s richest city- is it Tokyo or Dubai? The top ranking seems up for grabs and changes from year to year.
Harvard’s Happiness researcher Elizabeth Dunn
Vermeeren reviews the three fallacies of abundance as it relates to happiness:
• We are all entitled to a certain amount of wealth: The feeling that we deserve or are owed a certain amount of wealth will always make us unhappy with whatever we have. While we are entitled to certain human rights, those do not include a winning lottery ticket. In reality, we are not owed any amount of abundance and, in fact, should count ourselves lucky if we’re able to meet our basic needs; many in the world are not. More of us, however, would be happier simply appreciating what we have.
• The result of our labors is money: Money is a means to an end, not an end in itself. This can be a challenge to keep in mind since so much of our lives are spent in the pursuit of money. We work and go to school to support ourselves and our families. We see things we want, and we know we need more money for them. Study after study shows, however, that what really makes us happy is what we do and who we do it with, and not how much money we spend.
• We’ll be happiest when we finally reach our goal: We are happiest when we are progressing toward a goal. When we lose sight of our goal, veer off the path toward our goal, and even achieve our goal, we’re less happy. Rather than setting one goal and deciding you will be happy when you meet it, you’ll be most happy if you continually set goals and relish your journey toward them.
Doug Vermeeren is an internationally renowned public speaker, author, movie producer and director. His life coaching strategies help those from all walks of life, with clients including business executives, celebrities, professional athletes and more. Throughout the last decade, Vermeeren has conducted extensive first hand research into the lives of more than 400 of the world’s top contemporary achievers, making him a sought-after commentator on news outlets including ABC, FOX, CNN and more. He has written three titles contributing to Guerilla Marketing, the best-selling business series in publishing, which is included reading in the Harvard Business School.
His documentaries include the award-winning film, The Opus, which has been published by Random House as a book in 23 countries. Vermeeren’s latest film, The Gratitude Experiment , has received critical acclaim. For the Silo, Ginny Grimsley.
The number of international travelers from Japan to France is set to grow from 1.1 million in 2019 to 1.3 million in 2023, increasing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.6%, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.
GlobalData’s latest report: ‘Tourism Source Market Insight: Japan’ reveals that the Japanese are specifically drawn to Paris due to their perception that it is a romantic city.
Ralph Hollister, Travel and Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “This substantial growth forecast illustrates that the Japanese source market is willing to sacrifice affordability and sometimes accessibility due to the cultural draw of a destination. The city is a popular tourist destination due to Japan’s fascination with all things French; cities such as Tokyo are filled with French patisseries and luxury French fashion outlets such as Chanel and Louis Vuitton.”
According to GlobalData, France overtook Guam in 2018 to become the fifth largest outbound market for Japanese travelers. Guam is a destination which is much closer to Japan (average flight time of 3 hours 45 minutes, compared to 12 hours 50 minutes to France), thus making it more accessible and affordable also. However, Japanese travelers are willing to sacrifice these vital aspects of a holiday in order to experience the French tourism product, due to the nation being heavily romanticized by the Japanese media.
Hollister continues, “Air France and New Caledonia-based Aircalin have renewed their codeshare agreement for five years in October 2019. The airlines offer a daily service between Paris and Noumea, with additional frequencies during peak periods and optimized connections at Tokyo Narita and Osaka Kansai airports. This renewal will no doubt contribute to this accelerated growth rate.”
It is clear to see that the majority of Japanese travelers are flocking to Paris, contributing to the growing issue of over-tourism in the capital. Atout France – the national tourism development agency, should focus on promoting less touristic cities to the Japanese source market such as Bordeaux. This city is popular for its gastronomy and many chateaux’s (castles), which are the type of famed stereotypes that attract Japanese travelers.
About GlobalData
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Tokyo edges Singapore (2nd) and Osaka (3rd) again to take the top spot globally in 2019.Two North American cities make up the top ten, including Toronto (6th) and Washington, DC, (7th).The remaining top ten cities are: Amsterdam (4th), Sydney (5th), Copenhagen and Seoul (tied 8th) and Melbourne (10th).The 2019 edition of the index includes ten new indicators, of which eight are related to environmental resilience.
The Economist Intelligence Unit today releases the third edition of the Safe Cities Index (SCI) at the Safe Cities Summit in Singapore. The index, which is the centre piece of a research project sponsored by NEC Corporation, ranks 60 cities worldwide across five continents. It measures the multifaceted nature of urban safety, with indicators organised across four pillars: digital, infrastructure, health and personal security.
Cities in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region make up six of the top ten safest cities, with Tokyo taking the top spot for the third time in a row. Along with Tokyo, other APAC cities, as in the past, dominate the SCI2019. Singapore and Osaka come second and third, while Sydney and Melbourne also make the top ten.
Toronto and Washington, DC, are the highest ranked North American cities in the SCI2019, with Washington, DC, entering the top ten for the first time. Overall, North American cities perform well in digital security, accounting for seven of the top ten cities in this category. These cities include Chicago, Washington, DC, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, New York and Toronto.
Vaibhav Sahgal, consultant at The Economist Intelligence Unit, says: “US cities continue to perform well in digital security as the government strengthens its cyber-security regulations, while Canadian cities tend to fare better than their US counterparts in personal security. None of the cities in the US make it into the top 20 in the personal security category—Washington, DC, only ranks 23rd, together with Shanghai.”
The SCI2019 benefits from a major revision designed to better capture “urban resilience”—the ability of cities to absorb and bounce back from shocks—a concept that has had an increasing influence on thinking in urban safety over the last decade, especially as policymakers worry about the implications of climate change. The 2019 edition is the third, following the 2015 and 2017 iterations.The SCI2019 scores are not evenly spread, with a large number of cities clustered at the top, and the rest showing wider variation in scores. Just ten points separate the overall scores of the top 24 cities, while the following 36 are 40 points apart. The research shows that levels of transparency in cities correlate as closely as income with index scores.
Research shows that the performance of different safety pillars correlates very closely with each other, signifying that different kinds of safety are thoroughly intertwined. The top performers in each pillar are as follows: Digital security: Tokyo (1), Singapore (2), Chicago (3), Washington, DC, (4), Los Angeles/San Francisco (5)Health security: Osaka (1), Tokyo (2), Seoul (3), Amsterdam (4), Stockholm (5)Infrastructure security: Singapore (1), Osaka (2), Barcelona (3), Tokyo (4), Madrid (5)Personal security: Singapore (1), Copenhagen (2), Hong Kong (3), Tokyo (4), Wellington (5) The leading cities got the basics right, including easy access to high-quality healthcare, dedicated cyber-security teams, community-based police patrolling and/or disaster continuity planning. The accompanying SCI2019 report explores the index results, incorporating 14 in-depth interviews with industry experts around urban safety.
Naka Kondo, senior editor at The Economist Intelligence Unit, and editor of the SCI2019 report says: “Overall, while wealth is among the most important determinants of safety, the levels of transparency—and governance—correlate as closely as income with index scores. Our research shows the many ways that transparency and accountability are essential in every pillar of urban security, from building safer bridges to developing the trust needed for relevant stakeholders to share information on cyber-attacks. The research also highlights how different types of safety are thoroughly intertwined—that it is rare to find a city with very good results in one safety pillar and lagging in others. Policies, service planning and provision should also take this into account—and this year, we have decided to convene stakeholders from around the world in a Safe Cities Summit to discuss such matters around urban safety.”
For the high end market, there are often many different brands of similar products and services vying for attention. What are some effective ways luxury consumers can stay abreast of the newest, highest quality products and services?
This can actually be the done the good ol’ fashioned way and that’s simply to read a lot. Everything that you can possibly be looking for, think you might be looking for or not even know you’re looking for is on the Internet. Every day when I wake up, I spend a good 30 minutes and go through literally everything while I’m drinking my coffee—from international news to gossip to anything I can find that’s different from what I read before. People are out there doing everything they can to appease the people.
You are a member of a network called, “The Billionaires Club.” What are some of the luxury brands you and your inner circle are paying attention to and what draws these brands apart?
I would say these days quite a few people have moved away from just so called “big purchases.” Everything is now more about personal touches. For instance, many people own a Rolex, Audemars Piguetor Hublot. More often than not, some of these are one out of however many but how many people really have something that’s one of kind? Not too many. The other point is that the watch may suit you but it doesn’t reflect your own personality, likes and dislikes. So what’s actually becoming quite popular is engraving one’s watches. I’ve seen some crazy designs that really add some character to a person’s wrist such as koi fish, skull heads and zodiac signs.
So back to the main question and one particular brand that has stood out is Golden Concept. Again, it’s all about personal touches these days and being unique. Golden Concept specializes in luxury cases for your phone. They have gold, snakeskin and gator cases just to name a few. All done to the highest of quality and many are customizable. So if you’re looking to stand out, make sure to check them out.
Another brand which has seen quite a bit of press and accolades is JetSmarter, one of the more successful private aviation companies. For many entrepreneurs, meetings take place in different cities, different continents and in different time zones. JetSmarter offers these services in an easy-to-maneuver application that makes flying private relatively affordable and easy.
World’s most expensive ‘whatever’: click me
What are the top three luxury items or brands that have captivated your own attention right now?
Right now there are three top brands that are top-of-mind for me right now. These are Emperada Cigar Humidor by Imperiali Geneve; Astonomia Tourbillion by Jacob & Co; and Bentley EXP 10 Speed 6 Concept car.
Not everyone can afford luxury brands. What would you suggest for those who have the desire to appear high end but not necessarily the means?
There’s actually been a lot of hype surrounding brands that cater specifically to people who enjoy the “finer things” but are limited by what’s in their wallet. Many bloggers, for instance, are always writing about the newest gadget, accessory or clothing. I would recommend finding a few that fit your style and follow them on Instagram to see what it is that they’re rocking on a day to day basis. Many people have to understand that your average blogger is there to inform the public on some of the newest fashion do’s and don’ts, and these are all done with new brands or affordable pre-existing brands.
Second, which I have seen quite a bit, is on Kickstarter or similar sites that are always offering “perks” for those who invest early in their brands. Without naming names, a few brands offered a discounted handmade Italian leather, skeleton movement watches for a fraction of the cost to the first “so many” number of investors.
Just keep in mind for everything high-end there is always a cheaper counterpart. Don’t worry just about name brand or high end. All that matters is that it looks good and makes you feel great.
For those who focus on products that are affordable luxury, who are some of the brands doing the best and what are the keys to success?
One of the biggest and most successful brands that I have seen that caters more towards the everyday luxury is Tory Burch. Although TB is for women, I have on many occasions bought it for family, friends and clients so I can safely say I have quite a bit of exposure to this brand and can thus speak with some confidence. Obviously, price point for TB is well within the means of many. Besides that, what is it that has led TB to such success? I would say three main factors: relate-ability, professionalism and seamlessness. Relate-ability in that walking through the concrete jungle that is New York, TB products have always caught my eye in their simplicity but also how stylish it is, whether on a working woman running into Starbucks or that beautiful lady going to brunch. Second, professionalism – although many brands always stress the attentiveness of the staff, it pales in comparison to TB. People have to understand that often times upper tier luxury items are for a certain group and employees are naturally prejudiced to people who they perceive not to be at that level. There have been times where I would walk into a Rolex store unattended for 15 minutes and the instant my AP peaks out from under my shirt, someone is there to help. This just doesn’t happen at TB and for that I am quite appreciative. Seamlessness in TB’s product, in that it offers just the right amount “je ne sais quoi.” Most of their products can be matched with a variety of other brands. This has all led to the tremendous success that TB has experienced over these past few years.
What are the top three factors that truly set an ultra-premium wine, champagne or spirit brand apart from less costly luxury beverage counterparts, wine and otherwise?
Marketing wine for the luxury market is a really tough job to do. Quite frankly it’s because you’re trying to appease a group of people who have seen it all. People always say when you do something for long enough, whether you want to or not you will become a bit of a connoisseur. That’s especially true for those in the wine industry. Most are well educated, well informed and have a true passion towards exploring the finer points of what’s in a wine bottle. If we were to say that all wines in the luxury market were of the same caliber, there would still be so many factors in play, the first being accessibility and quantity. Many luxury wines are such because there is a limited supply. You can’t expect a brand to sell at the same price point when there are only 10,000 bottles as compared to 100,000 bottles. However, although there are still 10,000 bottles that were produced, that doesn’t mean your everyday Joe would be able to get his hands on them even if he’s willing to dish out the necessary cash. Thus, there’s another added premium to an already sky high price.
Another example is time and care. For those who are only there to turn a quick profit, the longer time they spend on making a wine, the more money that needs to be invested. That in itself increases cost and decreases profit. This is why sometimes you have wineries that will actually keep the wine in their cellars for years after bottling to ensure that the wine has at least matured to a passable level. By care, I mean winemakers are very passionate about their craft and thus hate having their name associated with sub-par wine. Thus, you have some years where there is little to no wine produced by a certain grower because only a small amount of the grapes harvested passed the standard or none at all.
Never one to rest on his laurels and even amid a diversity of endeavors, Shu continues to raise the bar for himself professionally and personally. Whether it be as an active investor looking for the latest innovation in the luxury and tech space or, despite his jam-packed schedule, his current pursuit of an Ivy League Master’s degree at Columbia University. Clearly this good life connoisseur turned luxe market mogul will continue making an impact on the numerous high-end industries for many years to come. For the Silo, Merilee Kern. Merilee is an influential media voice and lauded communications strategist.
If you could choose just one photo exhibit to see all year, it would have to be Hurban Vortex in Cannes.
Often, photography is the visual equivalent of telling a one-word story, expressed through an immediately comprehensible image. In contrast, Parisian photographer Boris Wilensky takes you on a journey through time, space, and humanity. His photos are true documentaries which require time to contemplate, and listen to. Yes, listen to, not just look at. Because all of his work tells a powerful, juxtaposing story. A story of humans in cruel, all-consuming urban environments… facing challenges beyond their control… surviving in harsh conditions… A story that is already written but that is reinvented every time you look at the image.
Boris Wilensky’s current exhibition Hurban Vortex at the Suquet des Art(iste)s in Cannes opened on December 9 last year, featuring a selection of 30 of his works. Much has been said and written about it, and him, since, so no further biographical introduction is needed. And what really shaped his life, are locations rather than dates – Israel and Palestine, Tokyo, Fukushima, and Cambodia.
An emotional trip to Israel and Palestine in 2005 left a big impression on the idealistic young man, and he started keeping and publishing travel journals to share his impressions. At some point he began illustrating those with photos. Meanwhile he kept working as a photographer in entertainment and sports.
In 2008, a café in Paris offered him space to display his photos. Thinking to himself, “This is a great opportunity… probably the only one I’ll ever have to exhibit”, he went for it. It was a success, and the impetus to turn his passion into a profession.
A visit to Tokyo in 2009 would prove to be the pathway into that professional career as an art photographer. The swirling, frenzied city of dazzling lights around the clock inspired him to find a way to capture the craziness of the megalopolis and the loneliness of its citizens … and he found a way to do so by superimposing two photos taken in the Tokyo subway, of the train and its travelers. It turned out so well that this type of photography would soon become his signature.
On his next visit to Japan – and in fact to Fukushima, just one month after the 2011 reactor catastrophe there – he found a country that had profoundly changed. The Japanese were beginning to awaken to the consequences of boundless, unchecked use of nuclear energy. As a consequence, the garish lights all over town were dimmed, and the mood had become much more somber and sober.
This was when the Hurban Vortex project started taking shape in the artist’s mind. “Hurban Vortex is an urban adventure with a big H”, he explains, the constant game between the concepts of humanity and urbanity, extending into notions of modernity and identity, future, sustainable development, ecology and economy. The City, symbolizing Progress and Modernity, in constant growth, now become a “megalopolis”, or a “City-world”, a space built by humans to live in but one that eats them up in return.
For this project, and forever drawn to Asia, Boris Wilensky returns to Tokyo, Shanghai and Bangkok to take as many “photographic backgrounds” as possible. Then he tours Cambodia for two months, the stark contrast to the other cities’ modernity. Here he immerses himself fully in the ancient Khmer culture, taking portraits of men, women and children. Many of those faces bear silent witness to the horrors of the Khmer Rouge regime, and yet retain pride and dignity that speaks of inner strength.
Over 15,000 photos later, Hurban Vortex sees the light of day. The ensemble of artistic, esthetic and human adventure are at the core of the triptych that represents his works: Origins corresponds to 2009 (present), the period of an oblivious, profligate, consumerism-driven world. Collapse takes us into 2011 (future)…Fukushima, with its worldwide impact. The glasses and gas masks worn by the humans represent the man-made destruction of a world as we had known it before and which will never be the same. And in Post we find ourselves in an urban landscape filled with waste and shattered ruins. But people are no longer wearing their blinders… Maybe there is hope after all that cities may disappear but humans are still around? Or does the urban jungle always win in the end? You decide, because it is your personal interpretation, after an intense dialogue with the image… exactly what Boris Wilensky wants.
What the viewer sees, is how this artist sees the world – not in the literal but figurative sense. But he does not dictate, he suggests. He considers himself a storytelling portraitist first and foremost, and an urban photographer second. As you look at his large-size pictures (180 x 120 cm), the image in front of you transforms from a flat canvas to a three-dimensional scenography. You are drawn in, pulled onto a stage, you become part of the performance, an actor engaged in a dialogue. You are the person across from the man in the photo, but you also become him, turning outward to the viewer.
The continuous movement – the vortex – pushes and pulls you as the borders between Human and Urban blur and become Hurban. There are violently cold and anonymous city landscapes, consisting of monochromatic and starkly geometric patterns, entirely unlike anything you find in nature. But the human element, superimposed, invariably bestows them with a strangely appealing aesthetic. For the Silo, Natja Igney. This article originates at Riviera-buzz.Banner diptych image Boris Wilensky- concept by Jarrod Barker.
LOS ANGELES – Bucky O’Hare – the original comic book series turned into a classic cartoon – made its debut in the digital domain with an 8-page exclusive Swipe Studio e-comic book written and illustrated by brand creators Larry Hama and Michael Golden together with Neal Adams and his Continuity Productions. Bucky O’Hare and the Toad Menace made its premiere appearance Day One of Stan Lee’s Los Angeles Comic Con recently held October 28-30 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.
Designed utilizing the tools available on the all-new Swipe Studio design app, the latest offering in the Bucky O’Hare legacy follows Bucky and his crew as they do battle with the Toad Armada. The special Los Angeles Comic Con presentation featured legendary artist Neal Adams together with Swipe Studio’s famed creator Satoshi Nakajima.
The 8-pager provided fans with a glimpse into the creative for the planned Bucky O’Hare theatrical motion picture now in the works with Neal Adams producing and directing.
The brainchild of software genius Satoshi Nakajima – the engineering architect responsible for Windows 95 and Windows 98 along with Internet Explorer versions 3 and 4 – Swipe empowers everyone from consumers to creators to easily animate everything from emails to digital comics with media-rich digital elements and make use of animation, video, vector graphics as well as full audio for voice, music and sound effects on tablets and smartphones. Created to take full advantage of today’s touch-enabled smartphone and tablet technology, Swipe eliminates the need for complex programming typically required to build animation or other forms of design content. As a result, creators, designers, animators and artists have the tools to create media-rich animated digital content for consumption via touch-enabled devices including smartphones, tablets and touch-enabled set-top-boxes, such as iPhone and Apple TV.
In addition to the Swipe Bucky O’Hare comic book, artist Neal Adams also worked with the Swipe team to load into the platform an impressive portfolio of Bucky art elements and animation that can be adapted by anyone for any digital purpose, including e-mails or presentations of any kind, including all main characters and several backgrounds.
Creators and artists can now experience the free Swipe app instantly by downloading Swipe Studio to their iPhone/iPad/iPod touch and begin to create media-rich animated digital content. To download the Swipe Studio, go to App Store https://appsto.re/us/hlcDeb.iNote- Swipe Studio is available only for iPhone/iPad/iPod touch users with version iOS9 or later.
“We are thrilled to unveil the newest Bucky O’Hare creative from the team responsible for this celebrated and enduring property at Stan Lee’s Los Angeles Comic con,” said Nakajima. “I [had] tremendous enthusiasm towards sharing a panel with the great Neal Adams whose brilliant use of the Swipe Studio design tools helps us usher in a new era in digital design.”
“It has been a lot of fun to work with Swipe Studio and I encourage artists to check it out for their own design projects. In fact, Swipie – which is Swipe’s platform for consumers – continues to offer a wealth of art and animation applications to enhance everything from emails to digital presentations. Mr. Nakajima has built an extraordinary platform and I am proud to contribute Bucky O’Hare as a way of underscoring its power as a design platform,” said Neal Adams.
About Swipe, Inc.
Headquartered in Tokyo, Swipe, Inc. is the parent company for Swipe™, an open source platform embedding the full range of visual and audio media into digital documents for smartphones, tablets and other touch-screen devices. Swipe, Inc. Founder-Chief Technology Officer Satoshi Nakajima is recognized industry-wide as the lead engineer and architect of Windows 95 and Windows 98 which he created during his tenure with Microsoft. Visit Swipe, Inc. online at http://www.Swipe.net/.
About Golden Concept
If you could choose just one photo exhibit to see all year, it would have to be 
Over 15,000 photos later, Hurban Vortex sees the light of day. The ensemble of artistic, esthetic and human adventure are at the core of the triptych that represents his works: Origins corresponds to 2009 (present), the period of an oblivious, profligate, consumerism-driven world. Collapse takes us into 2011 (future)…Fukushima, with its worldwide impact. The glasses and gas masks worn by the humans represent the man-made destruction of a world as we had known it before and which will never be the same. And in Post we find ourselves in an urban landscape filled with waste and shattered ruins. But people are no longer wearing their blinders… Maybe there is hope after all that cities may disappear but humans are still around? Or does the urban jungle always win in the end? You decide, because it is your personal interpretation, after an intense dialogue with the image… exactly what Boris Wilensky wants.
What the viewer sees, is how this artist sees the world – not in the literal but figurative sense. But he does not dictate, he suggests. He considers himself a storytelling portraitist first and foremost, and an urban photographer second. As you look at his large-size pictures (180 x 120 cm), the image in front of you transforms from a flat canvas to a three-dimensional scenography. You are drawn in, pulled onto a stage, you become part of the performance, an actor engaged in a dialogue. You are the person across from the man in the photo, but you also become him, turning outward to the viewer.
The continuous movement – the vortex – pushes and pulls you as the borders between Human and Urban blur and become Hurban. There are violently cold and anonymous city landscapes, consisting of monochromatic and starkly geometric patterns, entirely unlike anything you find in nature. But the human element, superimposed, invariably bestows them with a strangely appealing aesthetic. For the Silo, 
Designed utilizing the tools available on 