AUGUSTA, Maine » A Maine company that develops free mobile apps for national parks says it’s raising more money.

Chimani co-founder Kerry Gallivan came up with the idea of digital park guides after finding that his smartphone was useless because of lack of connectivity while camping in Acadia National Park. Chimani designed its apps to function in areas with no phone or data connectivity.

This is the second round of funding for the company, which raised $500,000 earlier this year. The Portland-based company said the additional $745,000 includes money from Maine Venture Fund, Maine Technology Institute, Maine Angels and individuals including Facebook alum Steve King.

New airline rules for e-cigarettes

WASHINGTON » A new federal rule forbids airline passengers from packing electronic cigarettes or other battery-operated electronic smoking devices in their checked bags to protect against in-flight fires.

The rule still allows e-cigarettes in carry-on bags, but passengers cannot recharge the devices while on the plane.

The Department of Transportation said there have been at least 26 incidents since 2009 in which e-cigarettes that have caused explosions, usually because they have been accidentally left on or the battery short-circuits.

The rule goes into effect within the next two weeks.

Thailand’s ‘Teflon’ tourism rallies

BANGKOK » A deadly bombing in August threatened to scuttle Thailand’s economically crucial tourism industry, but officials are now forecasting more than 30 million visitors this year as arrivals from China swell.

The bounce back reinforces the Teflon reputation of Thai tourism, which has thrived over the past decade despite two coups, episodes of deadly street fighting, airport occupations and natural disasters.

Thailand’s tourism council is forecasting a record 30.3 million visitors this year, an increase of 22 percent from last year. Chinese tourists are expected to total 8.1 million, rising by three-quarters from 2014.

New book for new day of travel to Cuba

Tourism in Cuba has boomed with the resumption of diplomatic relations between Cuba and the U.S., and a just-published travel guide offers an up-to-date look at visiting the country.

"Cuba as Never Before," by Louis E.V. Nevaer, looks at not just classic attractions like Havana’s rum museum and Ernest Hemingway sites, but also offers a guide to some of the newest places of interest to tourists, including the contemporary arts scene, private restaurants known as "paladares" and even Airbnb listings.

The book also offers advice on car rentals, tipping, cruises, flights, tour companies and private guides, and explains current regulations on travel by U.S. citizens. In addition, the book includes information on communities and subcultures ranging from Cuba’s gay and lesbian scene to surfers, Santeria and Cuban Jews.

Offbeat recommendations in "Cuba as Never Before" include La Marca tattoo parlor, Arte Corte Papito’s hair salon and Promociones de ICAIC for original Cuban movie posters.

Lights festival returns to New Orleans

New Orleans is bringing back an unusual art installation and festival of lights called LUNA Fete that debuted last year.

The outdoor art-and-lights event uses historic buildings as a canvas for contemporary lighting, animation and interactive video.

The event begins Nov. 29 and ends Dec. 5.

The undertaking is inspired by the Fete des Lumieres in Lyon, France, which attracts millions of visitors annually. The New Orleans project was one of three similar initiatives launched last year in the U.S., with the others in New York and Boston.

A work called "The Pool," by artist Jan Lewin, in which a pool of swirling circles of light and color changes as spectators interact with it, will be shown at Lafayette Square each night of the festival.

A second work by OCUBO, a Portuguese-based studio, will use the facade of the Power House Theatre for the projection of a story featuring local children along with graphics and animation, also to be shown each night of the festival.

A third work will be presented Dec. 4-5 at the Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, where the artist Miwa Matreyek will present live performances integrating her shadow with animation of dreamlike scenes. That will be an indoor event with $10 tickets.

Local artists’ projects will also be shown throughout the week around those three sites and along Julia Street, New Orleans’ contemporary arts district.

The event is being produced by Arts Council New Orleans. Details at artsneworleans.org.

Hotel offers room service via emojis

The Aloft hotel in Manhattan’s financial district has launched a new way to communicate with guests who need room service: by emoji.

The program is called Aloft TiGi for text it, get it.

The hotel sells six specialty kits, ranging from $10 to $30, which guests can order by texting the right emojis to a dedicated number along with their room number.

Kits include "The Re:Fresh," with toothpaste, toothbrush, razor, shaving cream and deodorant, which can be ordered using emojis that include a tub and shower; "The Hangover," two bottles of vitamin water, Advil and two bananas, ordered with emojis for a drop of water, a pill and a banana; and "Surprise Me," promising "fun swag" and "cool stuff," ordered with an emoji of a wrapped box.

The hotel then confirms the order via text and delivers it to the room. Charges are included on the checkout bill.

Details at alofthotelshub.com/news/aloft-hotels-launches-worlds-first-emoji-only-room-service-menu.The hotel is at 49-53 Ann St.