Mamoiada: the transformation from criminal backwater to tourist attraction. The story of a region that has fought - and won - a courageous battle

Illicit activity is rampant in the rundown motel rooms dotting Costa Mesa’s Harbor and Newport boulevards. Officials think they finally have a plan to make some of those motels disappear: Property zoning.

Overall, Cambodia is a relatively poor country whose residents don't own much. Norwegian hotel owners in the city of Krong Siem Reap urge their Cambodian staff to be more in charge of making their own decisions by making them co-owners of the hotel, an act that forced them to have more confidence and critical thinking skills.

Raton, a town once surrounded by eight coal mines, now has a main street of boarded-up buildings. There is reason for optimism as the town diversifies its local economy, betting on "a mix of small manufacturing businesses, health care and specialty services, and hospitality for travelers" to endure the sudden decline in mining revenue. Its calculated revitalization may hold lessons for other towns.

Fathom is the world's first-ever cruise line for people who want to vacation and volunteer as a way of helping poor families in the Dominican Republic have concrete floors, water filters etc. However, the impact of this organization is unknown given a lack of data and contrasting anecdotal evidence.

At the vanguard of initiatives to increase diversity among visitors to the National Parks are groups like Oakland, CA-based H.E.A.T.—Hiking Every Available Trail -- which uses social media and group park expeditions to increase minority groups' awareness, use, trust and enjoyment of the outdoors. Emerging alongside changes in policy—such as the Park Services' creation of a Diversity and Inclusion Office—, HEAT demonstrates how local organizers in minority and, often, urban regions around the U.S. are moving the presence of diversity at National Parks from rarity to normality, with studies and polls revealing the positive changes in attendance and interest.

The Good Hotel floats on a platform off the dock in London and provides the long-term unemployed with job training and jobs in the hotel industry. Located in an area that is low-income, poor housing, and a largely uneducated population, the Good Hotel makes the possibility of finding a fulfilling job and training within reach. The Good Hotel also takes on the responsibility of helping its trainees find employment so they can stay in the industry and keep their hospitality skills vital.

Truth or Consequences is a town facing many growth barriers such as an aging population and low average income. Entrepreneurs are seeing an opportunity to develop businesses in this town which is helping to revolutionize the town and bring more people in.

A needle exchange in Atlantic city has resulted in used needles visibly strewn around the surrounding area, which is also a popular area with tourists. The government as well as locals aren't happy with the the needle hazard which has resulted in solutions such as a program to incentivize users to return needles, drop boxes around the city for needles, and moving the needle exchanges outside the tourist area.

Rural areas are known for requiring tourists to rent a car in order to move around, which can be a significant added expense. But Aspen has developed a bus system that can bring residents or tourists from Aspen to suburban areas and back, and the area is also well geared to bicycle use.

After the downturn of the coal industry, 8,000 jobs were lost in Central Appalachia. While some counties are renewed with the help of federal assistance, others find ways to help themselves.