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Trending News: Customized travel Market Overview and Forecast Report 2020-2026 Top players: TCS World Travel, DuVine Cycling & Adventure Co,...

Australia will allow New Zealanders to enter two of its eight states and territories within a fortnight but New Zealand is not yet returning the favour.

The Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, announced the plan on Friday after both nations closed their borders in mid-March at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic.

Travellers from New Zealand must not have been in a designated Covid-19 hotspot in the 14 days before they fly to Australia. A hotspot is defined as having a rolling three-day average of three cases a day.

Australias deputy prime minister, Michael McCormack, said on Friday that from 16 October the bubble would free up 325 additional places in hotel quarantine in Sydney each week.

New South Wales and the Northern Territory were the only two jurisdictions to take up the offer for the bubble at the last national cabinet meeting.

McCormack said South Australia was likely the next cab off the rank. The Nationals leader said if Queensland were to agree to the plan it would free up another 250 places in quarantine a week.

Australians would not be permitted to travel to New Zealand for now, McCormack said, and that decision was very much in prime minister [Jacinda] Arderns court at the moment.

A spokesperson for Ardern said her position remained unchanged, with the earliest possible date for a mutual bubble remaining Christmas-time.

The trans-Tasman bubble has been discussed at length since May, with two dates for its possible inception having already sailed by on 1 July and 1 September.

Community outbreaks of Covid-19 in both countries have prevented the bubble, but Morrison has appeared far more committed to the concept than Ardern, who has used vague language and refused to commit to a deadline.

Some domestic tourism operators in New Zealand expressed concern that local tourism dollars would now head offshore, but most Kiwis expressed scorn at the one-way nature of the arrangement, saying they would not bother with a holiday in Australia if it meant quarantining to the tune of NZ$3,000 on their return.

Kiwis also said they would not feel safe with the arrangement until it was reciprocal and mutually agreed.

McCormack said people arriving in New Zealand from other Pacific island nations that are permitted to enter New Zealand could then come to Australia and work picking fruit or shearing sheep, once they had completed the required 14 days in New Zealand.

Meanwhile, the Queensland premier, Anastacia Palaszczuk, announced changes to Covid-19 restrictions, including allowing Queenslanders to stand at a bar and drink from 4pm. Outdoor events will increase from 500 to 1,000 people, and outdoor stadiums will be allowed to move up from 50% to 75% of capacity.

From 1 November, all New South Wales residents or Queenslanders returning from NSW will be able to enter Queensland with a border pass without having to quarantine for two weeks. The re-opening is subject to NSW recording 28 days of no community transmission.

On Friday, NSW reported its seventh day in a row of no locally-acquired Covid-19 cases. The four new cases reported were returned travellers in hotel quarantine.

The Tasmanian premier, Peter Gutwein, also announced his state would reopen its borders to the ACT, South Australia, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory from 26 October. It may also be opened to NSW, depending on community transmission over the next few weeks.

Victoria was excluded from both the Queensland and Tasmanian announcements, as the state records a steady decline in active cases.

The Victorian attorney general, Jill Hennessy, announced on Friday a reset of the hotel quarantine program, after the government was grilled after revelations nine staff at health hotels for Covid-positive residents had tested positive for the virus between July and August.

On Wednesday evening, Spotless contractors working in the Novotel in South Wharf were pulled out mid-shift and replaced with Victoria police and government staff.

Hennessy said this shift was part of the reset of the program, which meant isolating for Victorian residents who cannot isolate at home, frontline workers and returned travellers all in the one program.

Following evidence heard in the hotel quarantine inquiry that no ministers were being regularly updated about hotel quarantine, Hennessy said she was receiving daily briefings on the operations of the program, and there were clear processes in place for staff or residents to report issues.

We are working very, very hard to make sure that we have got in place a workforce that is stable, secure and very, very focused to the task at hand, and that is keeping Victorians safe, as well as our workforce safe, she said.

We are feeling very comfortable and confident about the changes we have made.

The chief health officer, Prof Brett Sutton, said the genomic data for six of the nine cases in hotel quarantine since July, as well as the contact tracing done, indicated the cases were not picked up working in hotel quarantine.

The cases that occurred in these settings were absolutely a reflection of the very substantial community transmission in Melbourne at that time and, in fact, cleaning services are a vulnerable cohort for infection, he said.

We saw a number of cleaners who developed infection right through that period.

Sutton did, however, confirm two of the workers had been working at the hotel while infectious but were not showing any symptoms.

There are currently 55 people in quarantine, including a family of eight connected to an outbreak at a butcher shop in Chadstone.

Victoria reported seven new cases of Covid-19 overnight, with two additional deaths: one male and one female in their 80s.

Metropolitan Melbournes rolling 14-day average dropped to 12.8, with the number of mystery cases down to 14 between 16 and 29 September.

There are 261 active cases in Victoria, including 40 among healthcare workers and 111 in aged care. There are 38 Victorians in hospital, four of whom are in intensive care and three on ventilators.

There were 12,550 tests conducted in the previous day.

Temperatures on the weekend in Melbourne are expected to reach 28C, and the Victorian premier, Daniel Andrews, said people should not delay getting tested due to the good weather.

On Friday afternoon, NSW Health said it was contacting passengers and crew who were on Jetstar flight JQ510 from Melbourne to Sydney at 11am on 27 September, after one of the passengers tested positive on day two of hotel quarantine in Sydney.

NSW Health said the majority of passengers on the flight were already in mandatory hotel quarantine, but 47 passengers with special permits and exemptions, and the crew, were not in quarantine and were now being advised to get tested and isolate for 14 days even if they received a negative result.

The ACT also announced that from 9 October gatherings would be increased up to 200 people, with venues of between 101 and 200 sq metres able to host 50 people.

Capacity at indoor seated venues would be lifted to 50% capacity, up to 1,000 people, and cinemas could increase capacity up to 200 people.

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Australia-New Zealand travel bubble to partially open within two weeks - The Guardian

But what is now clear is that the policy was about politics and economics more than public health.

Public health records, scores of scientific studies and interviews with more than two dozen experts show the policy of unobstructed travel was never based on hard science. It was a political decision, recast as health advice, which emerged after a plague outbreak in India in the 1990s. By the time Covid-19 surfaced, it had become an article of faith.

Its part of the religion of global health: Travel and trade restrictions are bad, said Lawrence O. Gostin, a professor of global health law at Georgetown University who helped write the global rules known as the International Health Regulations. Im one of the congregants.

Covid-19 has shattered that faith. Before the pandemic, a few studies had demonstrated that travel restrictions delayed, but did not stop, the spread of SARS, pandemic flu and Ebola. Most, however, were based on mathematical models. No one had collected real-world data. The effect of travel restrictions on the spread of the latest coronavirus is still not understood.

Anyone who is truthful is going to tell you its a big fat We dont know, said Prof. Keiji Fukuda, a former senior World Health Organization official who teaches at the University of Hong Kong.

Not knowing is especially vexing as the world seeks a way back to normalcy. For months, national leaders have invoked travel restrictions that vary in strictness and are often contradictory. Some shut their borders and simultaneously imposed domestic lockdowns, others required tests and quarantines. Many regularly revised their lists of risky destinations, sometimes responding tit for tat when their citizens were denied entry.

The restrictions have humbled powerful nations like the United States, whose citizens are no longer welcome across most of the world. Even so, President Trump has called his travel restrictions the biggest decision we made so far and attacked the W.H.O.s early advice on borders as disastrous.

Still, it is too soon to know, based on data and hard science, how much travel restrictions help, and if they do, which restrictions help most. Experts who had defended open borders at the start of the pandemic now say countries should use judicious travel measures. The W.H.O. now calls for a gradual reopening in which each country weighs its own risks.

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Ski, Party, Seed a Pandemic: The Travel Rules That Let Covid-19 Take Flight - The New York Times

A very idle New York City this summer

Les Echos ran an article at the end of August talking about the deadly summer of urban tourism in France. Large cities had recorded lower than average occupancy rates because there werent any Asian, American or Russian tourists.

Some cities, such as Marseille in the south and Lille in the north, were able to attract local, French visitors to do better than originally expected. In Lille, for instance, 70% of the hotels were open, with an occupancy rate between 40 to 45%.

For Paris, the situation has been dire; it is, after all, the most visited city in the world.

The city lost 14 million visitors in the first six months of 2020 and occupancy rates stood at just 34% over the summer. During July and August, tourism professionals estimate a loss of 60% of normal earnings.

A very empty Champs-lyses, seen from Arc de Triomphe in Paris, France

At a global level, the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) reported that international arrivals fell 65% during the first six months in 2020 and from April to June, this figures rises to a whopping 95.2% reduction in arrivals.

As reported by The Telegraph, this amounts to a loss of 440 million international arrivals and about $460 billion in export revenues. This is five times the loss recorded in 2009 after the financial crisis.

Using data from the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC), Statista analysed which countries (with the largest economies) would be most affected by the tourism slump using data showing the dependence of GDP on tourism.

Mexico was on the top of the list because 15.5% of its GDP comes from tourist-related activities. Spain (14.3%) and Italy (13%) were second and third with China (11.3%) and Australia (10.8%) completing the top 5.

The U.S. was in 8th place. CNN reported that the impact on the worlds largest economy has been less significant because tourism only accounts for 8.6% of its GDP (including revenue from hotels, travel agents, airlines and restaurants).

Travelers from the U.S. are still able to visit Dubrovnik in Croatia

The Telegraph reported that whilst tourism contributes about 10% of global GDP (330 million jobs), some countries are more disproportionately affectedCaribbean countries offer the best example. Whilst many Caribbean economies are too small to make Statistas list, they will suffer.

The WTTC gives the nation of Antigua & Barbuda as having the highest share of tourism in the worldin 2019, 91% of employment was in the travel and tourism industry. Aruba is second (84%) with St Lucia coming in third at 78%.

In Asia, Macau is most affected (66%) with the Maldives at 60%.

In Europe, Croatia is first, because 20% of its GDP comes from tourism. Its hardly unsurprising then, that its borders remain open to travelers from the U.S., when it has so much more to lose by keeping them closed.

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Which Countries Did Worse In The Deadly Summer Of Tourism? - Forbes

LONDONA major social media campaign has been launched to raise awareness of the wide-ranging social benefits of travel by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

The new initiative asks travelers to think about the positive social impact that travel makes to people, places and communities dependent upon the travel and tourism sector for their livelihoods. It also encourages people around the world to share stories of how tourism has made a difference and changed their lives. The campaign tagline Travel the world. Make a difference, is inspired by the deeper positive socioeconomic and cultural benefits, which each and every trip can generate.

A specially made video to share the message will go online across social media platforms, asking travelers about their own journeys, which have had a profound impact on their lives and to share their stories using the hashtags #togetherintravel and #aworldofdifference.

It comes after WTTCs drive to responsibly rekindle the wanderlust of travelers through its successful Together in Travel campaign earlier this year, despite the multiple global challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Travel gives us memories which last a lifetime and the most amazing experiences to share. But this is just half the story, said Gloria Guevara, president/CEO, WTTC. Travel & Tourism has a hugely positive benefit upon the world, far beyond the immediate pleasure it brings to those who are able to explore and discover people, places and amazing experiences for themselves. As our latest campaign shows, the social impact of Travel & Tourism can transform lives of all of those who depend on this sector, alleviate poverty, reduce inequality, protect wildlife and preserve cultures and communities around the globe. It plays a vital part in achieving wider developmental goals.

She continued, We want to increase the awareness amongst travelers of the incredible extra benefits of travel, so they are more conscious that their actions and spending go further than they think, as well as how positive an impact every trip can have. While we fully understand that many vulnerable people are unable to travel at this time, others can and will as soon as they are able to do so. With the immense pressures being faced by the global travel and tourism sector due to the current restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, its now more important than ever that we remind everyone, how traveling can make all the difference inand tothe world.

Link:

New WTTC Campaign Highlights Social Benefits of Travel & Tourism - Hotel Business

Angra do Heroismo in Terceira

As party islands go, Terceira is a pretty mild one. This volcanic rock in the Azores archipelago isnt much like Ibiza, nor Mykonos, nor Hvar. But by Portugals decorous standards, Terceirawith its seemingly endless religious-cultural festivals and eccentric street partieshas a bit of a reputation.

We have a saying that the Azores is made up of eight islands and an amusement park, said Mara Godinho, my enthusiastic and personable guide from Azores Getaways in Terceira. She was referring to her own island, of course. Sure enough, when I moved on from Terceira to Pico, my guide there greeted me by asking, How was the party?

Point made. Except there was no party. Not in Terceira, nor anywhere else, because this is 2020. While some of the older people on the island are still observing some of the more strictly religious aspects of the commemorations, the freewheeling celebration scene in Terceira is on hold for now.

Another moody view of Angra do Heroismo

So why visit? Whats left?

Theres a lot, actually. To start, theres some seriously stunning natural beauty, which comes in many shades of green. Its pastoral at its most pleasant, with significantly more cows than people (and excellent cheese and butter to match). There are dramatic lava rocks where beaches should be, and picturesque stone homes in the middle of black boulder fields. If you time it right, there could be a rainbow behind one, as the rain shimmers down through the sunlight.

No filter, no photoshop

That nature is everything at the Caparica Azores Ecolodge, near the village of Biscoitos, where the rooms are little cabins in the forest, with private terraces and full walls of windows. The pathway up to reach them can be treacherous, but the views more than make up for it.

Even better, breakfast is a low-key way to start the day with deliciousness.

Breakfast at Caparica Azores Ecolodge

Theres the architectural equivalent of all those music-fueled street partiesmost of which involve some sort of celebration or supplication to the Holy Spirit. This took on a lot of importance in the Azores a few centuries ago, when people were trying to find explanations for the frequent volcanic eruptions.

All over Terceira there are colorful little chapels called imprios. With their confectionary architecture and eye-popping colors, they reminded me of Hindu temples as much as Catholic chapels. (To be sure, theyre more cultural than religious, and they havent exactly been historically popular with the Vatican.)

Architecturally, theres much more beauty, particularly in the islands capital of Angra do Heroismo, the onetime capital of the Azores. It was recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983, for its tidy buildings and picturesque, colorful plazas and streets.

An imprio in Terceira (human for scale)

As everywhere in the islands, there are hiking and adventure activities galore. Two of volcanic caves stand out. Gruta do Natal is typical lava tube, but it gained notoriety in the 1960s, when islanders started celebrating Christmas mass inside of itthe same spirit that led to all the street parties, or, as Godinho put it, there wasnt very much to do on the island, and people had to get creative in order to amuse themselves.

The other important cave is Algar do Carvo, one of two huge, open caves of its type in the world. The other is in Iceland and its cold and you have to rappel down into it. This one is far more comfortable and accessible.

Its just as well that I didnt know about the bull thing before my trip. I saw it on television during lunch with Godinho at Ti Choa, a comfortable spot for home-style food. Watching the footage from last years bull runs, I was mesmerized.

This statue shows the importance of bulls in Terceira

This is not a violent bullfight, like in history, in which the bull suffers. Nor is it a dangerous running of the bulls, like in Pamplona, in which reckless people suffer. Rather, its a celebration of a strong animal. Theres a rope to limit the bulls orbit, and sometimes umbrellas for a bit of gentle teasing with umbrellas, and people seem to like it when a bull slips on wet pavement and slides into the sea. The bulls dont seem to mind.

The main point, says Godinho, is to admire the bullafter all, cows are vitally important here, so whoever can keep making more cows is worth admiring. She grew excited as she explained the scoringsomething like Olympic figure skating, apparently, in which the bull gets points for artistic flourishes, such as sticking his head onto the first-floor balcony.

No one cares about football in Terceira, she says. But we all have our favorite bulls. She remembers swooning over specific bulls with her mother, and one particular animal that became known as the Ladies Bull, for his proclivity to move toward women in the audience. In a normal year, there can be 350 of these bull runs, sometimes three or four in a single day.

Up on top of one of the mountains, where you can see the bulls at rest

The bulls may be hanging out calmly in the mountains this yearyou can hike or drive by and see thembut you can still eat and drink well. The Azores is known for excellent fish, including many varieties you dont find elsewhere in Portugal. Along with Ti Choa, a great choice for dinner is Beira Mar in So Mateus, a lively, brightly lit restaurant where families share big platters of fish and seafood chosen from the fresh items on display over ice. (I confess its a taste I havent yet acquired, but my Portuguese friends go mad for the lapas, chewy little shellfish cooked with enough garlic to kill a vampire.)

I complemented my dinner with a wine called Magma, a perfectly crisp, complex white wine made with grapes grown on the islands volcanic fields. For a more thorough introduction to the islands winemaking culture, the Museu do Vinho is open to visitors by appointment. Its run by the fifth generation of the winemaking Brum family, and it has an interactive garden planted with different grape varieties, a museum with the familys old tools and various awards, and an inviting tasting room decorated with repurposed wine barrels.

Vineyards in Terceira

It may not be all that rollicking at the moment, but Terceira is still an awfully nice place to pass a few days.

Although the Azores, like the rest of Europe, are not currently welcoming American tourists, European citizens and residents can get to the islands easily with TAPs direct flights from Boston to Ponta Delgada. From there its just a short hop to Terceira. Azores Getaways can handle all the logistics on the ground.

Want more Azores? Consider Pico, the islands capital of adventure and wine.

Excerpt from:

Worlds Best Islands: Why Portugals Terceira Belongs On Your Travel Wish List - Forbes

Did Star Wars Rebels go gently into that good galactic night in the last couple of episodes before its finale? No it did not it did the exact opposite.

Just in case the death of a lead character and force sensitive space wolves weren't enough for you, the episodes "Wolves and a Door" and "A World Between Worlds" came along. Not only do they give us a wicked space archeologist played by Malcolm McDowell, they also bring back the Mortis storyline from Star Wars: The Clone Warsas well as Ahsoka Tano.

Also there's time travel.

For the first canonical time in any Star Wars project, time travel is a thing here. It's not because of a machine, or a sentient blue box. It comes to us in the form of a liminal space (thanks Caitlin) known as the World Between Worlds. In this place within the cosmic force, all of Star Wars is happening at once.

It's a crazy concept which shouldn't work, but it does, because... Dave Filoni. Our heroes over on Jabba the Pod have a lot to say about all of this and more! Join Brian, Caitlin (she of the liminal space knowledge) and Matt as they go through it all, and also discuss the trending of Ezra, Star Wars: Squadrons, and more. Get liminal right here, or wherever you get your podcasts.

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When Star Wars Rebels brought back Mortis and introduced time travel [Jabba the Pod 3.13] - SYFY WIRE

By: Dream Vacations / CruiseOne | 0Shares 78Reads

October 02, 2020 // Franchising.com // Fort Lauderdale, Fla. - Dream Vacations announced that its 2020 National Conference will now be held virtually from November 9 - 12; it was originally scheduled to take place aboard Celebrity Apex during the same week. The decision to Lift and Shift was made to ensure that an exceptional conference onboard could still be delivered, and with so much uncertainty in the current environment, that wasnt feasible.

Even though we cannot reunite in person for a fun-filled week of learning, networking and fun aboard the beautiful Celebrity Apex, our ultimate goal is to replicate the onboard conference experience virtually, said Drew Daly, senior vice president and general manager of Dream Vacations. What we are most excited about this year is that even more people will be able to attend and get a taste of what our National Conference is all about.

The Dream Vacations training program is nationally recognized, and its National Conference is lauded by travel industry suppliers as one of the most comprehensive in the industry. To add to its prestige, this year for the first-time ever conference attendees who have earned the distinction of Certified Travel Associate (CTA), Certified Travel Counselor (CTC) or Certified Travel Industry Executive (CTIE) with The Travel Institute will earn the required 10 Continuing Education Units (CEUS) as part of their annual continued education.

The home-based travel agency franchise is no stranger to hosting virtual events as three of its five regional trainings were virtual this year. The Dream Vacations training and events team plans to elevate the Virtual Regional Training experience to the next level for National Conference by integrating even more interactive and engaging events. Just like onboard, attendees will have the opportunity to attend general sessions, workshops and networking mixers; meet one-on-one with industry executives and members of the headquarters team; and participate in online fundraising events for signature charity Make-A-Wish.

I was originally unable to attend National Conference, but after experiencing our Virtual Regional Trainings I am so excited to attend National Conference virtually and re-connect with all of my travel industry friends, said Aggie Batista, Dream Vacations franchise owner and vacation specialist in Rockaway Park, N.Y. The Dream Vacations headquarters team has gone above and beyond this year to keep our networks morale high and to make sure we are educated on the latest industry news and engaged with each other.

Using Celebrity Cruises Lift & Shift policy, the 2021 National Conference will be held November 13 - 20, 2021, aboard Celebrity Apex.

Use the #2020VisionConference hashtag to follow the excitement leading up to the annual Dream Vacations conference.

Travel agents with the top-ranked home-based travel agency franchise Dream Vacations have the resources to plan and create seamless vacation experiences for their customers while offering the best value. A member of the International Franchise Association, Dream Vacations is part of World Travel Holdings and has received franchise partner of the year, a top-ranking status, by all the major cruise lines as well as national recognition for its support of military veterans. For more information about Dream Vacations, visit the website. Like Dream Vacations on Facebook, follow on Twitter and watch its videos on their youtube.

SOURCE Dream Vacations

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Dream Vacations Lift and Shifts National Conference Aboard Celebrity Apex to 2021; This Years Conference will be Virtual - Franchising.com

DUBAI, UAE, Sept. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ --Two UAE based technology pioneers have agreed to form a strategic partnership that will help accelerate the revival of the global travel and tourism sector. Tratok, a blockchain-powered travel ecosystem, and Hotel Data Cloud, a content distribution channel for the hospitality industry, have joined forces to extend the services of both companies to their respective client bases. The partnership will ensure that the data from Hotel Data Cloud's portfolio of over 11,400 hotels in 153 countries which feature more than 1.2 million rooms, will be utilized by Tratok's ecosystem and its 1.3 million verified users.

This partnership offers multiple benefits for service providers and clients. Through leveraging Tratok's blockchain technology, and combining it with HDC's intelligent algorithms, both parties can benefit from timelier, more economic and transparent transactions in Tratok's sanitized ecosystem that is free from manipulation and fraud. At the same time, more accurate and standardized descriptions and data from Hotel Data Cloud will result in enhanced user experiences and higher conversion rates due to cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence content presentation. The combination means that clients get more affordable and better-matched offerings while service providers get better-matched guests and increase profits by up to 30%. This comes as a welcome relief to an industry which has spent much of the year being adversely affected by Covid-19.

"We are extremely proud to be partnering with Tratok to help restart the travel and tourism industry. The key to coming out of this crisis is to work together to make customers feel safe to travel again, while enabling hotels to streamline and be more cost-efficient through technological solutions," said Gregor Amon, co-founder of Hotel Data Cloud. Mohammed Altajir, Custodian of Tratok added: "The technology exists to address key problems in the sector and there is no excuse for lack of adoption given the sector's importance and growth potential. We are empowering stakeholders giving themthe nextevolutionary ecosystem."

The agreement represents another tourism milestone for the United Arab Emirates as two home grown, revolutionary and cutting-edge technology companies come together to offer groundbreaking products to the travel sector. The partnership also complements the country's aim to diversify the economy from natural resources to knowledge, innovation and the export of services. The partnership was brokered by the Middle East Hospitality Asset Managers Association. Mr. Amit Nayak, Vice President of HAMA Middle East commented, "This partnership is in line with the vision of Hama MEA advancing the transparency and ease of doing business in a structured way for all parties involved."

About Tratok Founded in November 2017, Tratok leverages blockchain technology to create an all-encompassing global travel ecosystem. Be it reserving a hotel room, booking a flight or renting a car, this multi-platform application will result in more economical, hassle-free arrangements for clients and service providers alike. Tratok offers significant advantages over existing conventional platforms. Principally, it lowers transaction fees, eradicates the need for intermediaries, saves time on bookings and results in more profit for service providers and savings for consumers.

About Hotel Data Cloud Hotel Data Cloud (HDC) was founded in June 2016 as a solution to help hotels win back control of the descriptive content of their listings. The global platform stores a variety of current data, images and regularly updated descriptive information in a standardized format, sourced directly from hotels. This is freely accessible and automatically distributed to travel agents, tour operators, online platforms and intermediaries that facilitate bookings. HDC is headquartered in Dubai with global operations.

Media Contact:Nicholas PaillartEmail: [emailprotected]

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the-two-uae-based-technology.jpg The two UAE based technology pioneers have formed a strategic partnership Tratok, a blockchain-powered travel ecosystem, and Hotel Data Cloud, a content distribution channel for the hospitality industry, have joined forces to extend the services of both companies to their respective client bases.

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Tratok - The World's Travel Token

Hotel Data Cloud

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Tratok and Hotel Data Cloud Sign Agreement to Restart Travel Industry Through Blockchain Powered Technology and Artificial Intelligence Enabled...

Here's how to help animals stuck in shelters abroad.

Shelters in the U.S. sit empty as quarantine puppies have stolen the hearts of many American familiesbut in different parts of the world, travel restrictions have created a backlog in the number of animals stuck in shelters abroad and unable to fly overseas for adoption. In some parts of the world, there is an influx of dogs being rescued that are in need of families as soon as possible. Theyre arriving by the dozen and desperately seeking volunteers to assist in finding forever homes.

From the Caribbean to Colombia to Mexico, heres how people can help the animals facing the diverse challenges of the pandemic.

Cargo flights usually save thousands of animals each year by transporting them to countries like the U.S. to be adopted, but since the start of COVID-19, these flights have not been occurring due to recent travel restrictions.

Continue Reading Article After Our Video

The Animal Care Center (ACC) of St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands has partnered with shelters from the U.S. Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico to form a coalition leading efforts to fundraise for lifesaving private cargo rescue flights for animals, which will save more than 300 animals from shelters across the Caribbean.

At the end of the day what I want everyone to take away from this and realize is that these are U.S. territories, these are U.S. heartbeats and they need our help, said animal rescue volunteer Jessica Nicodemo, whose specialty is disaster animal relief and logistics.

So far, the group has raised over $70,000, which has saved hundreds of animals from euthanasia. The coalitions current goal is to raise $125,000 which will allow for three additional transports out of these islands, as well as for the spaying and neutering of the island dogs after the third transport has been completed. Now that hurricane season is in full-force, its even more important to get the animals out of danger as soon as possible.

To lend a hand by donating money to future rescues and to learn more about each organization, check out the GoFundMe for this Caribbean Coalitions relief efforts.

Dogs and Cats of Antigua was established as a non-profit organization in 2015, with the aim to help save the rapidly reproducing street dog population in Antigua. This non-profit provides necessary medical care for the animals and works toward finding them forever homes.

Antigua is a very small island with a large stray population. There is very little spay and neutering done on the islandso animals breed quickly, and have nowhere to go. Business at the organization was essentially halted due to COVID-19 as the borders worldwide closed and passenger airplanes traveling into Antigua were grounded.

The organization was left with about 75 animals waiting to travel overseas and began to raise money to build their own sanctuary on the island with the intention of housing them and attracting future island visitors interested in adopting.

As tourism is the main economy on this island the Sanctuary is being built with that in mind. We are making it a destination spot with hiking trails around the property so tourists can take a dog for a hike, said Joy Farrell, Founder of Dogs and Cats of Antigua.

The organization also raised money for an Antigua Puppy Airlift-Freedom Flight, where 58 pups flew out of the island nation30 of which have already been adopted while the rest are on their way to having their applications approved.

Those interested in offering a hand can donate money to the organization online or if theyre traveling to or located in Antigua, by volunteering onsite.

The Animal Pad (TAP) has partnered with two shelters in Ensenada, Mexico, to help get dogs out of kill-shelters in Mexico and into the United States to be adopted. So far this year, the organization has rescued close to 1,000 dogs and adopted out over 800.

Were rescuing about 150 dogs a month and at least twice a month we have new dogs coming, said Founder Stephanie Nisan. About 95% of the dogs rescued have been from Mexico; around 80% of those from the organizations two partner shelters, Ellos Son La Razon, and Los Adoptables.

TAP is a volunteer and foster-based organizationall this work has all been done completely through raising money and with the help of volunteers who travel across the border weekly donating donate their time and money to fund the rescues.

Were completely volunteer-based. We have volunteers in Tijuana, Ensenada, and here in San Diego. We have members of our marketing team worldwide, said Nisan. Most of TAPs volunteer positions are administrative and can be done from anywhere in the world.

Dogs are driven up from Mexico to California in a renovated van and are quarantined in a U.S. kennel before settling into their foster homes. Fostered animals are primarily kept in the California area, close to the TAP facility which ensures any follow-up care for the dogs can be completed easily.

For however many foster homes we have, we will rescue that many dogs. Without the community, we wouldnt be able to do what we do here, said Nisan. Those interested in helping can follow their social media @theanimalpad for updates, and donate supplies using the organizations Amazon wishlist.

Cartagena Paws just celebrated its five-year anniversary and over that time, it has helped over 200 dogs and cats find homes abroad. Since the pandemic started, the organization has had to turn away new rescues, as the cost of caring for more dogs is expensive.

Now that international flights have resumed to Colombia from the U.S., anyone who is traveling to the country can help by becoming a flight volunteer. The way we can get animals out is through flight volunteers. This is crucial for us. This is anyone whos planning a trip who can take a dog with them when they return home. We handle all the vaccinations, we make sure theyre spayed and neutered, and they have a home waiting for them in the Statesits just a matter of getting them there, said flight volunteer recruiter Clementyne Chambers.

Those who arent traveling to Colombia soon can lend a hand through donating on the website, which helps dogs onsite that are in need of care, as well as assists with education for the local community on how to care for their animals.

People can also sponsor an animal from abroad online, and financially support a specific animals upkeep and adoption fees. Sponsors will get updates on bills and receive plenty of videos and pictures of their animal.

Between donating time, money, and supplies, there are many ways people can help to save hundreds of animals across the globe. These organizations assist by helping them find forever homes and give them the opportunity to receive the proper treatment they need to live a better life in the future.

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How You Can Help Animal Shelters Around the World During COVID - Fodor's Travel

Panama announced today that it will reopen its borders to international visitors from all countries from October 12, with some new regulations in place that are intended to keep everyone safe.

Following the news that its neighbour to the south has opened its borders to tourists again, Panama will welcome international visitors from all countries from October 12. The tourism board has been working closely with the ministry of health to implement new health and safety guidelines to keep visitors and locals safe. If you plan to visit you should expect some pre-travel requirements such as a negative COVID-19 result from a test taken no more than 48 hours before travel. If the test was taken before that, you'll have to undergo a new test at the airport for about US$30.

"After closing our borders to travelers in late March, we are excited to safely welcome visitors back to Panama," said Minister Eskildsen. The new health and safety protocols reflect our continuous hard work and dedication in protecting both Panamanians and our visitors, and through our efforts, have earned the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels stamp of approval. Our beautiful country, rich in nature, biodiversity and cultural heritage is once again ready to be discovered.

Anyone arriving into Panama must also fill in an online form before flight check-ins, where they must agree to comply with new health and safety measures such as adhering to physical distancing and submitting to temperature screenings in the airport. If a passenger displays a high temperature, they'll be given a rapid COVID-19 test. If the result is positive, the government will put them up in a hotel, at no extra cost, for seven days, at which time another test will be administered.

When it comes to dining out in Panama, tourists should be aware that they might need to book ahead as restaurants are limiting the number of diners they accept. Contactless payment is also in operation across most hospitality establishments. Additionally, museums and other tourist attractions have reduced capacity to 50%. Making reservations online in advance will help your visit run smoother. Beaches and national parks are open, boats are taking tourists to the islandsand visitors can once again converge in Casco Viejo, the colorful Unesco World Heritage Site with its narrow stone streets, 19th-century mansions and cafes.

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Panama is reopening to tourists from all countries in October - Lonely Planet Travel News