Captain Cook Cruises have reopened Tivua Island for day cruise experiences and also launchedbuy a coral - build a reef coral rejuvenation program.

Thebuy a coral - build a reef coral rejuvenation programallows guests to get involved in reef sustainability when they are visiting Tivua island. Guests can buy a coral frag and plant it like they would a seedling on land. All funds go towards funding Captain Cook Cruises Coral Rejuvenation Program and making Fijis reefs even more glorious.

Tivua Island is surrounded by 500 acres of coral reef. The area has benefited greatly from the extensive work by Captain Cooks team of Marine Biologists through the lockdown period. Coral planting, and monitoring and rejuvenation of on land plant life, have been priorities.

Captain Cook Cruises is a leader in sustainable tourism and reef education with their team of Marine Biologists providing ongoing education to guests both on Tivua Island as well as when cruising on the Reef Endeavour. Through their Ocean Ambassador program many tons of rubbish have been collected from beaches around Fiji during the Reef Endeavour itineraries that stretch as far as Sawa-i-lau & Kia island in the north and the outer reaches of the Lau group visiting more than 90 of Fijis 330 islands. Rubbish is collected by crew member Ocean Ambassadors, sorted, weighed, recorded and recycled. Passengers enjoy getting involved with the program as well.

Captain Cook Cruises are relaunching their updated and refreshed Tivua Private Island adventure experiences post COVID for Fiji residents for only $99 per adult and $49 per child 3-15yrs. The fabulous Tivua Island Day Cruise will be available at this special rate from 28 June 2020 on Saturdays and Sundays and progressively more often as the Nadi International Airport opens. They are also offering additional discounts for first responders in Fiji, Police, Navy, Army and Hospital employees at F$89 for adults and F$49 for children.

Sail out aboard one of Captain Cooks magnificent tall ships to exclusive Tivua Island with morning tea, enjoy snorkeling over the spectacular 500 acres of coral gardens, kayaking, volleyball and standup paddle boards before a delicious tropical buffet lunch is served. 5 star PADI Diving from introductory to experts is also available and experienced divers can even explore a deep wreck dive. The return sail to Denarau, afternoon tea and Fijian entertainment round off a beautiful day in paradise.

Guests can rest assured that Captain Cook Cruises have implemented a company wide policy of strict cleaning, hygiene and health protocols to ensure the safety of its passengers.

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Day Cruisers to Tivua Island to Get Involved in Reef Sustainability - FTNnews.com

The US President described the infamous Caribbean island as a cesspool and told reporters to ask the Duke of York, claiming hell tell you about it.It came as the outspoken billionaire linked the Epstein scandal to his political rival Bill Clinton before he entered the 2016 US presidential race. Andrew acknowledges he visited Epstein on his privately-owned Little Saint James island but says he never witnessed anything untoward and never suspected Epstein of any crimes.

Trump - who also socialised with Epstein in the years before the late financier was disgraced and jailed for child sex crimes - spoke at a CPAC conservative gathering.

In a Q&A session with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Trump was asked for his view on Bill Clinton and said: Nice guy, got a lot of problems coming up in my opinion with the famous island with Jeffrey Epstein.

Later, Trump was asked to expand on this in an interview with Bloomberg and brought up Prince Andrew.

He said: That island was really a cesspool, there's no question about it.

Just ask Prince Andrew, he'll tell you about it. The island was an absolute cesspool.

Asked whether the issue would impact Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, Trump said it could be a political problem.

At the time, Epstein was already a known paedophile because of his 2008 conviction in Florida and was embroiled in a lawsuit with Virginia Roberts Giuffre, the woman who alleges she had sex with Prince Andrew on three occasions.

Andrew has denied any wrongdoing and said he does not recall ever meeting Ms Roberts.

READ MORE:Prince Andrew and Ghislaine Maxwell's secret meeting at Palace

Buckingham Palace issued a statement that read: It is emphatically denied that the Duke of York had any form of sexual contact or relationship with Virginia Roberts.

Any claim to the contrary is false and without foundation.

Before Epstein's conviction, he had a vast network of wealthy and powerful friends including Andrew, Trump and the Clintons.

DON'T MISSRoyal rebel: Why Prince Andrew thought he was above rules[INSIGHT]Ghislaine Maxwell not only friend Andrew let sit on Queens throne[ANALYSIS]Prince Andrew was 'cocky and rude' in meeting with US Ambassador[COMMENT]

Epstein bought Little St James island - a spot in the US Virgin Islands - for $7.95million (6.3million) in 1998. It was later dubbed paedophile island.

The Virgin Islands sued Epstein's estate earlier this year, claiming the late sex offender raped and trafficked dozens of women and young girls there.

The complaint alleges that Epstein's abuse spanned from 2001 to 2018 and targeted girls who appeared to be as young as 11 or 12.

The lawsuit seeks civil penalties plus some assets from Epstein's estimated $577.7million (459.7million) estate, including the forfeiture of his two private islands, Little St James and Great St James.

Epstein pleaded guilty in 2008 to a Florida state prostitution charge, and completed a 13-month jail sentence.

The scandal resurfaced in 2019 when the financier was arrested on new child sex charges in New York and then killed himself in jail.

Earlier this month, Epstein's partner Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested and charged with procuring underage girls for him to abuse.

Maxwell denies wrongdoing, but is due to stay in custody until a trial next year after she was denied bail by a federal judge.

Andrew, who is being treated as a witness by US prosecutors, is said to be bewildered by claims from the FBI that he is not cooperating.

His legal team claim they have reached out at least three times.

Andrew's BBC Newsnight interview with Emily Maitlis last November was widely seen as a disaster and led to his resignation from public life just days later.

In a subsequent statement he said he regretted my ill-judged association with Jeffrey Epstein and deeply sympathised with everyone who has been affected.

He added: Of course, I am willing to help any appropriate law enforcement agency with their investigations, if required.

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Donald Trump says 'just ask Prince Andrew' when probed about Epsteins 'paedophile island' - Express

By Joanna Ossinger Jul 17, 2020

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Here's some good news for those frustrated by the lack of travel options in the Covid-19 era: The Maldives opened to international visitors on July 15.

And, yes, that includes US citizens. South Africans, on the other hand, won't be able to holiday in this idyllic destination as international borders are currently closed due to South African government regulation.

The picturesque chain of almost 1 200 islands in the Indian Ocean has a remote location that lends itself naturally to social distancing, with luxury accommodations focused on private overwater bungalows and much of the activity outdoors as well, all fortunate factors for the economy of the 400 000-person country that's heavily dependent on tourism.

International visitors will be allowed only on resort islands and live aboard boats as of July 15. On August 1, guest houses and hotels on inhabited islands will be allowed to reopen. Of course, that comes with the big caveat that you still have to get there and then get back.

Visiting is no small affair. Nor is it cheap. Because almost every resort in the Maldives is its own private island. Many luxury hotels charge upwards of $1 500 (R24 992) a night. And that's before seaplane or speed boat transfers, which can be expensive.

Still, the Maldives is trying to make it relatively easy, at least on its end.

According to an announcement from the Maldives Marketing & PR Corp, tourists are not required to pay an additional fee, produce a certificate or test result indicative of negative status for Covid-19 prior to entry into Maldives. For tourists without symptoms, there is no requirement for quarantine either, it revealed.

Any tourist who does show Covid-19 symptoms will have to pay for a test, the statement cautioned, adding that people with visible symptoms or those with a history of contact with a confirmed Covid-19 case "are advised not to travel to the Maldives."

The Maldives has been working toward the reopening for weeks.

Those who do venture to the archipelago will have some choice. By the end of the month, more than 40 resorts out of a total of about 150 properties are expected to be operational, according to the Maldives' Ministry of Tourism. The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru and Soneva Fushi is already open, and the One & Only Reethi Rah will open on July 24, and Milaidhoo Island is slated for an August 1 opening, a list from the ministry showed.

Many resorts are waiting a bit longer, though and peak season is from around December to March, anyway. That's when skies are clearest and tropical temperatures fall to more moderate levels. Almost 50 of the resorts on the country's list are planning to open around October 1. Como Maalifushi said it will get going again in mid-November.

The islands' resorts and accommodations are taking all recommended precautions, a Maldives spokesperson said. Properties have implemented new cleanliness and hygiene protocols to ensure that guests will be safe.

Some of those protocols fall on the more basic side. The Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru says it has an arrival procedure that involves a temperature screening and questions about recent travel history.

At the Angsana Velavaru Maldives resort, all public areas and back-of-house areas are sanitized on an hourly basis, and rooms are deep-cleaned and disinfected with virus-specific protocols, the website says. Temperature checks are mandatory at the spa.

Soneva is taking a stricter approach at its two Maldives resorts, Soneva Jani and Soneva Fushi. Sanitizing luggage before passengers even arrive, requiring a real-time PCR Covid-19 test upon arrival (it has invested in a Roche Diagnostics testing machine), and taking temperatures every day are all part of the process now, according to the company's website. There's another Covid-19 test on the fifth day of the stay. Soneva says its "hosts," or staff, are tested every five days, and all materials and produce that are coming onto the islands will undergo cleaning and sanitation procedures first.

"Although this could be considered as being slightly excessive or overcautious, both Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani are 'One Island, One Resort'; it is our goal to make our private island homes Covid-19 free environments so that all of our guests can truly relax and engage with our Hosts and fellow travellers and not feel any concern about a risk of infection," the site declares.

If you come up positive, the resorts will still take care of you, with attention from a medical team as you isolate in your villa, and Soneva waiving the daily room rate for the next 14 days. The value of that stay, in one of Soneva Jani's currently-discounted entry-level rooms: $37 723.

If any guest needs to be hospitalised, the Maldives has built up sufficient hospital and medical capacity to treat Covid-19 effectively, the website revealed, noting that the hospital on a neighbouring island, only 10 minutes away by speedboat, has a new ICU unit with 20 beds.

More:

Maldives has reopened, but a vacay won't be cheap - IOL

The Prime Minister is to announce today [23 July] the UK Government is committing 50 million to Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles, unlocking the islands economic potential.

Mr Johnson will be marking one year as Prime Minister with a visit to Scotland. He will reaffirm his commitment to supporting all parts of the UK through the coronavirus pandemic.

The multimillion pound Islands Growth Deal will provide investment for local projects across the Scottish islands, driving sustainable economic growth and creating jobs. It will also help to attract further private and public sector investment.

Projects set to be supported by the Islands Growth Deal could include some which are developing space technology while others are researching new renewable energy systems. The deal will also support projects that will boost tourism and housing.

The announcement, made ahead of the Prime Ministers visit to Orkney, means that every part of Scotland is now covered by the innovative growth deals and takes UK Governments investment in deals across Scotland to more than 1.5 billion.

To date, this funding has supported innovative and exciting projects across Scotland including: a new concert hall in Edinburgh reaffirming the city as a global cultural leader, a feasibility study of the Borders Railway looking at improving transport links between England and Scotland, and the world-leading Oil & Gas Technology Centre in Aberdeen.

Scottish Secretary, Alister Jack, who will accompany Mr Johnson on his visit today, said:

The City Region and Growth Deals will be crucial to our economic recovery from coronavirus. Todays announcement means that every corner of Scotland will benefit from these and takes the UK Governments investment in growth deals across Scotland to more than 1.5 billion.

These deals are just part of the unprecedented support that the UK Government is providing to people and businesses in Scotland during this time. We have supported 900,000 jobs in Scotland with our furlough and self-employed schemes, including 11,600 across the islands.

We look forward to working with our partners across the islands and the devolved administration in Scotland to develop innovative and effective proposals.

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50 million to boost islands' economy - GOV.UK - GOV.UK

While global jet-setters have stayed safely at home these past few months to plan the next trip of their dreams, hotel and resort properties across the globe have continued working hard to care for onsite gardens, orchards, livestock even beehives and baby goats to ensure that they'll be prepared to welcome back visitors when travel can safely resume.

From a Tanzanian organic coffee farm to an eco-lodge nestled in the Alaskan wilderness to a private island in the Caribbean, these five hospitality properties have turned their recent vacancies into the opportunity to learn new skills and contribute to their local communities.

Staff members on Gibb's Farm in Tanzania, Africa. Gibb's Farm.

The historic Gibb's Farm is an organic farm and coffee-growing estate that spans over 80 acres of land on the forested outer slopes of the Ngorongoro Crater in Africa.

The entire organic farm which consists of 30 acres of coffee, 10 acres of vegetables and fruit, five acres of flowers and herbs, and a working dairy and pig farm is based upon sustainable farming methods.

A worker harvesting coffee beans on Gibb's Farm. Gibb's Farm

And the most unique aspect of the property's self-sustaining livelihood is happening right now, during coffee harvest season. Every year from June to September, 30 acres of rich Arabica coffee are organically cultivated, cleaned, and roasted at the estate even during this time, while it's temporarily closed.

Produce from the farm has been feeding the property's onsite crew, and each staff member receives a basket of food to take home every week.

"I like the collaboration with the team here and how we all work together," said Pius Daniel, the agricultural manager at Gibb's Farm. "I am proud of what we produce, not just the variety but the abundance and quality of the produce."

A freshly caught fish from the nearby fjord at Within the Wild. Within the Wild

Located in remote Southcentral Alaskan wilderness, the two family-owned and operated eco-lodges run by Within the Wild Adventure Company Tutka Bay Lodge and Winterlake Lodge have little choice but to produce their own food onsite, and so foraging, fishing, and hunting in surrounding wilderness is a daily part of life.

Most of the produce used in the lodge kitchen is grown in gardens on site in poly-hoop greenhouses, which are greenhouse structures made of metal semicircular rods that are mounted into the ground and laid over with plastic and use heat from the sun to increase the inside temperature.

Inside one of the poly-hoop greenhouses at Within the Wild. Within the Wild

Using these greenhouses extends the growing season in the extreme Alaskan climate and allows for year-round cultivation. At the Tutka Bay Lodge, which sits along a private cove up against a rugged nine-mile fjord at the edge of the Kachemak Bay State Park, the Dixons also source Alaskan seafood from the bay.

While the lodges are vacant during the pandemic, the onsite team has been taking the opportunity to learn new skills like shrimping, foraging, making kombucha, experimenting with pickling, and hand-making sausages.

Freshly foraged produce and flowers at Within the Wild. Within the Wild

"I said, 'We've got some time. Let's go do and learn these new things,'" said Kirtsen Dixon, Within the Wild co-owner. "Let's learn new stuff while we have this free space, and not waste time worrying about what we can't control."

The produce garden at The Newt in Somerset Hotel & Spa. The Newt

The Newt in Somerset is a hotel and spa located in southwest England in the county of Somerset near the town of Bruton, which is about three hours west of London.

Somerset means "land of the summer people." It's known for its flourishing farmland, and for being home to many traditional country estates, which in England have historically served as second homes and quiet retreats for people who live in larger, bustling cities.

The Newt itself is a 300-plus year old historic country estate that offers wide cultivated gardens, acres of apple orchards, and parkland.

When the property is open to visitors, there's an array of talks and workshops for guests about organic gardening and beekeeping. During the lockdown, while the property was closed to guests, growers continued to plant and harvest from the kitchen and market gardens multiple times a week.

Floriculturist Maiko Ishida harvesting fresh herbs. The Newt

Head beekeeper Paula Carnell still regularly tends to the onsite beehives, and cellar master Greg Carnell continues to press cider on site.

Butcher Lloyd Tucker hangs fresh cuts of meat alongside the Himalayan salt wall at The Newt's butchery. The Newt

The Newt refocused its business to support locals by offering free, next-day delivery to nearby towns. The deliveries include fresh food items from the gardens, estate kitchens, bakery, butchery, and creamery. They also offer fresh-pressed cider, as well as other goods from local growers and artisan producers.

Fresh produce, eggs, and baked goods that come in The Newt's local delivery box. The Newt

"We'll continue to celebrate Somerset, the apples, and the traditional cider apple orchards." said Greg Carnell, cellar master of cider operations at The Newt, on the absence of visitors.

A secluded resort residence on Guana Island. Guana Collection

Guana Island is a private, family-owned island resort in the heart of the British Virgin Islands spanning 850 acres. The property is home to seven beaches and miles of tropical forest, mountains, and dramatic flora and fauna.

With acres of privacy per guest (no more than 35 guests are allowed on the island at any time), and no marina or public facilities of any kind, Guana Island has plenty of secluded open space.

Acres of undisturbed nature are available to visitors at Guana Island. Guana Collection

While the property has been closed due to the pandemic, a core team of workers has been living on the island and enjoying fresh produce from the onsite orchard, which is housed inside multiple greenhouses.

Several staff members have stayed on Guana Island during the pandemic to care for the orchards and farm animals. Guana Collection

The island grows everything from microgreens and herbs to fresh vegetables, as well as a wide selection of tropical fruit, like coconut, mango, soursop, and papaya. Guana also keeps over 100 chickens for eggs and sources fresh fish from the sea nearby.

Some chickens near their coop on Guana Island. Guana Collection

"The waters around Guana Island are home to a wide variety of seafood, including grouper, yellowfin tuna, and mahi-mahi, as well as the local Anegada lobster," said executive chef Kael Mendoza.

An aerial view of the Carmel Valley Ranch. Carmel Valley Ranch

Carmel Valley Ranch is located in the foothills of the Santa Lucia Mountains along California's Central Coast. This 500-acre resort is especially known for its onsite farmstead of organic gardens, pinot noir vineyard, apiary, salt house, hen house, goat barn, and creamery. There's even an on-property cheese-maker that hand-produces fresh cheeses from goat's milk for guests to enjoy during their stay.

Charlie Cascio is the resident cheese-maker at Carmel Valley Ranch. Carmel Valley Ranch

When the resort closed, a small crew continued working on site to tend to the gardens, chickens, goats, and bees. They continued harvesting honey and planted a variety of tomatoes and melons for future use and took on tasks that they might not have been responsible for in their previous roles.

Beekeepers look into the hives at Carmel Valley Ranch. Carmel Valley Ranch

"It's been a really humbling experience for everyone," said executive chef Tim Wood. "This time has enabled us to return to nature and really understand the beauty of what we have here at the ranch and to celebrate it."

Wood chronicled his newfound responsibilities outside of the kitchen, including caring for the resort's animals and gardens (which are flourishing more than they normally would this time of year since there's no visitor foot traffic to disrupt growth). Additionally, Wood has been bottle-feeding the onsite newborn goats, fetching hay, sprouting oats, and tending to farm duties as well as overseeing his kitchen to ensure it's properly safe and clean.

Goats peek outside of their barn at Carmel Valley Ranch. Carmel Valley Ranch.

While these properties have recently been short on overnight guests, they've been full of opportunities for those remaining on site to celebrate the land's natural, undisturbed beauty. The properties will continue to make improvements to their onsite offerings and when it's safe, they'll welcome back visitors for an experience better than ever before.

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How 5 eco-friendly resorts survived the pandemic without guests - Business Insider - Business Insider

Antigua and Barbuda officially reopened for tourism at the beginning of June, and now some of its most prominent resorts are back open again.

That includes the islands newest adults-only, all-inclusive, Elite Island Resorts Hammock Cove.

The boutique resort, set on the eastern coast of Antigua, is a collection of free-standing, 1,080-square-foot luxury villas in other words, the perfect social-distancing vacation.

Each villa comes with its own private plunge pool, along with other perks like a wine bar and a massive private verandah to boot.

Elite Island Resorts says the property has been adapted for the new normal of travel, meaning seating at bars and restaurants is spaced out, as is the seating around the propertys main pools and the beach.

The company says its using state-of-the-art electrostatic sprayers to disinfect and sanitize every villa and the propertys facilities.

That means surfaces, soft furnishings and everything in between, the property said in a statement.

The brand-new resort had just opened its doors at the end of 2019 and its now the new centerpiece of Antiguas reopening.

And when you can stay in an ocean-view private villa on a spectacular beach in Antigua, well, its the getaway were all looking for right now.

For more, visit Hammock Cove.

CJ

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Antigua's Hottest All-Inclusive Resort Is Open Again - Caribbean Journal

Travelers itching for a change of scenery amid months of lockdowns and stay-at-home orders brought on by the coronavirus pandemic now have a new option. The Maldives reopened to international visitors this week, after being closed to visitors since March 27.

While much of the world has shut its borders or enacted strict measures on incoming travelers, the Maldives will not require new arrivals to quarantine or undergo testing, other than a simple temperature check at the airport. There is one other rule: Visitors must book their entire stay at the same resort whilst visiting the South Asian country.

Minister for Tourism Ali Waheed has described the impact of the pandemicas, "more devastating than the 2004 tsunami and the 2008 global financial crisis."

With a population of half a million, the Maldives has recorded more than 2,700 cases of Covid-19.

Its government originally announced it would require visitors to pay a new $100 visa fee and $100 for a Covid-19 test at the airport, plus stay a minimum of 14 nights. It has since dropped those requirements.

Airlines, includingEmirates, Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways, are resuming services to the island nation.

Despite the nation being open for business, hotels are only gradually reopening, with Conrad Maldives Rangali Island planning to reopen at the end of September, and St. Regis and all other Marriott International hotels in the Maldives not planning to reopen until October.

One resort, however, reopened immediately with new measures designed to stay clear of the virus. Guests of Soneva Fushi will be given a mask upon arrival and be tested for Covid-19. Guests are then required to stay in their room or villa until their test results come back, which could take between six and 24 hours.

If they receive negative test results, guests can roam freely, but must still conduct daily temperature checks. On the fourth day of their trip, an additional test will be carried out.

"You might consider that this is excessive and that we're being overcautious," said Sonu Shivdasani, CEO of Soneva, in a corporate video explaining the process. Yet his aim is "to make all our private islands Covid-free environments so the guests can truly relax and engage with our hosts (and) fellow guests."

A socially-distanced guest experience simply didn't appeal to Shivdasani.

"Life is about relationships, you know, the secret of life is about the friendships you make," Shivdasani told CNBC. "This idea of our guests distancing from each other, we felt would be a real challenge and we didn't want them to feel uncomfortable engaging with others."

"For the urban rich, luxury is about sitting outside in the open air."

Sonu Shivdasani

Soneva CEO

In fact, 55% of its revenue is generated by repeat guests, whom he said often mingle with one another.

One factor that could lure tourists to the Maldives is its desolate nature, especially compared to say, a beach club in Mykonos. Also, many health experts have said being outdoors poses a lower risk for contracting Covid-19 than being indoors.

"The urban rich have all the famous designer restaurants in their cities, the famous branded chefs in air-conditioned environments," Shivdasani said. "For the urban rich, luxury is about sitting outside in the open air."

Soneva thinks its tight health measures could pay off. The hotel said reservations for August are higher than last year. Yet, not everyone was willing to undergo its new policies.

"We've had one or two who feel it's unnecessary and didn't want to put their children through this difficulty," he said, "but most have said that's actually reassured them, and I've received lots of emails say, 'Fantastic, bravo. I was thinking about where to go, but I'm now coming to stay with you.'"

Hilton, meanwhile, whichhas three resorts operating under its brandsin the Maldives, will be gradually opening with new measures in place, including staff temperature checks and increased cleaning procedures.

Nils-Arne Schroeder, vice president of luxury and lifestyle for Hilton's Asia Pacific hotels, outlined the company's new measures to CNBC: "You didn't want to see the people cleaning your public areas in the lobby; it was always cleaned in the night. Nowadays, you want to see them actually during the day so you know the hotel is looking after the cleaning."

Last month, Hilton rolled out new guidelines for its properties worldwide. Called Hilton CleanStay, one measure includes putting a seal on the doors after cleaning a room to visibly show customers that nobody has since entered.

A socially-distanced sand bank dinner at Soneva Fushi.

Courtesy of Soneva Fushi

Guests staying at Hilton properties will have their temperatures checked, but will not be required to take Covid-19 tests.

"You can make decisions if you want to be distanced from everyone else because you can be in your villa, you can have in-villa dining all day, you can jump into your ocean ... but if you want to be part of the island community, of course, we are ready for you, to make sure that the self-distancing is available," Schroeder said.

Marriott International plans to reopen its Maldives resorts in October and is implementing new policies, such as requiring guests to sit at the same table each day for breakfast.

But, whether travelers feel safe enough to travel or leave their hometown and be subjected to restrictions, is yet to be determined. For instance, Hong Kong residents who leave the city must take a Covid-19 test upon their return and they are required to quarantine for 14-days while wearing a location-tracking wristband.

Some resorts in the Maldives are requiring guests undergo Covid-19 tests, while others are not.

Levente Bodo

"It's beautiful that Maldives is open," VincentPauchon, general manager ofThe St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort, a Marriott property, told CNBC. "We don't see the demand because of so many restrictions internationally ... So, you can imagine, someone coming for six nights to enjoy Maldives and then goes back for 14 days quarantine, it doesn't make sense."

Although, he said the resort could be ready to open within one week if it sees shifting demand.

Chinese travelers have traditionally been the largest source of visitors to the Maldives. New measures will allow Chinese nationals to return from the Maldives without having to quarantine as long as they conduct a Covid-19 test shortly before their flight and again when they return.

Pauchon said he's seeing an increase in demand with bookings ranging between 40% to 60% for the last quarter of this year, and inquiries and bookings for 2021 are already coming in.

The St. Regis Maldives Vommuli Resort is now rethinking much of its group activities in anticipation of its reopening, like its yoga classes, gym and boat tours. Amid physical distancing plans, Pauchon is also examining new ways to lure guests.

"Unfortunately, for the next one year, there'll be less travelers coming to Maldives, so less travelers but same number of hotels, so it's going to be a very, very competitive market," he said.

"We have to innovate with new activities and experiences for our guests to enjoy something special. We cannot just sell the beach and our villas; it will not work anymore," he said.

View original post here:

The Maldives reopened to tourists and its hotels have some ideas to lure you back - CNBC

After months of staying at home, who isn't dreaming of taking a luxurious trip somewhere far away? Here are a few top accommodations from around the globe where travelers can live the suite life:

The Suria and Purnama Suites at Pangkor Laut Resort

YTL HotelsPangkor Laut Resortislocated on its own 300-acre private island off the west coast of Malaysia, comprised of a 2-million-year-old rainforest and surrounded by white-sand beaches and turquoise waters.Pangkor Laut Resort features overwater villasresting on stilts above the waters of the Strait of Malacca. The villas boast private outdoor verandas with sun loungers and oversized bathtubs that look out over the water. Their two top villas, the Suria and Purnama suites, stand on stilts over the sea. They are complete with an entrance hall, separate bedroom, an elegant lounge with a television, balconies for sunbathing, and a spacious bathroom with windows that offer beautiful views of the ocean from the oversized bathtub.

The Tschuggen Suite at The Tschuggen Grand Hotel

Nestled in the magnificent Alpine region of Arosa is theTschuggen Grand Hotel, a contemporary fairytale-style venue featuring the Tschuggen Express,a private cable car giving hotel guests exclusive access to the mountains,iconic 54,000 square foot Mario Botta-designed Tschuggen Bergoase Spa and four outstanding restaurants. Those who wish to enjoy the area in total luxury can take advantage of the property's1,500 square-footTschuggen Suite. Complete with two bedrooms, 2 1/2 bathrooms, separate living and dining areas, a kitchenette and two terraces overlooking the mountains, the one-of-a-kind suite is ideal for an unforgettable Alpine getaway.

The Grace Kelly Suite on the M/Y Grace

Before becoming one ofQuasar Expeditions'two yachts sailing around the Galapagos Islands, theM/Y Grace was known as Princess Grace Kelly and Rainier's honeymoon yacht and a gift from Aristotle Onassis. Therefore, it was only fitting that Quasar create a special Grace Kelly Suite on-board. Finished in 2017, the two-person suite features contemporary designs and decor by renowned designer Adriana Hoyos with a mix of classic wooden furniture, bringing guests back to a bygone era. The one-of-a-kind suite also boasts picture windows, allowing guests to enjoy the wonders of the Galapagos without having to leave their room.

The Motse at Tswalu Kalahari

Designed to create a home from home atmosphere, the luxury family legaes of theMotseat Tswalu highlights the Kalaharisdramatic and expansive views while creating a cool, shaded oasis for guests to enjoy. The luxurious two-bedroom residences were constructed from all organic and are meant to blend in with the surrounding landscape around them.Design elements were thoughtful to the last detail, like mapped canopies and netted headboards.The luxurious suites offer close-to-nature sleep-out experiences for guests who seek a morecomplete immersion in the environment.

Banyan Hill Estate at Fregate Island Private

Situated on the most eastern inner granite island of the Seychelles,Fregate Island Privateis home to 13 private pool villas and 3 private pool twin villas (starting at 4,300 sq ft) and provide plenty of space and airing, with dedicated bedrooms and living areas, large, open bathrooms, indoor and outdoor showers and of course, private pools. Those who wish to have their own peninsula can experienceBanyan Hill Estate, which consists of a large open core and living area, infinity swimming pool, study, TV lounge, sitting area, and three detached bedrooms with antiques from all over the Indian Ocean. A personal assistant is assigned to each villa, including a 24/7 private butler service to ensure guests enjoy their time on the island. When not relaxing in their villas, visitors of Fregate Island Private can spend their time exploring the islands unique flora and fauna, diving, lounging on the beach and so much more.

The Nelson Mandela Suite at The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spa

The Saxon Hotel, Villas and Spain Johannesburgs Sandhurst neighborhood features theNelson Mandela Platinum Suite,in honor of the late president and philanthropist. The stylish suite is a fitting tribute to the statesman who was closely connected to the hotel. In fact, Mandela edited his bestselling autobiography Long Walk to Freedom at the Saxon following his release from prison. The redesigned space has a distinct African theme, with heavily adorned dark wood throughout, animal skin rugs, authentic copper lamps and geometric African patterns running through the soft furnishings. The suite features a number of notable pieces and art work that pay homage to Mandela and his life including a statue, original vintage photographs, a portrait and more.

The Presidential Suite Penthouse at Hotel Arts Barcelona

Hotel Arts BarcelonasPresidential Suite Penthouse is a duplex suite on the top floors of the hotel offering additional privacy, independence and exquisite service. This penthouse is comprised of two bedroom suites (one of which has an excellent view of La Sagrada Familia), a spacious lounge, terrace, kitchen and an exclusive and private gym with a personal trainer available. The Presidential Penthouses interiors have been designed for an exclusive living experience combining the powerful architecture of Bruce Graham, who designed the hotel with the warm elegant interiors conceived by Antoni Puig, Jos Juanpere and Jaime Treserra. As a Penthouse, this suite offers enhancements to services available for guests of the Penthouses level only. These exclusive services include interactive smart televisions with Netflix access, BVLGARI bath amenities and luxurious tailor-made robes and slippers. The Penthouses provide a true luxury experience through the hotels multilingual butler service, specialized chefs, customized breakfast, and a private transfer to La Roca Village for high-end designer shopping. Furthermore, guests to the Penthouses are provided with Mini Cooper cabriolets to discover Barcelona and limited edition strollers for families.

Prestige Suite at Hotel Lou Pinet

ThePrestige SuiteatHotel Lou Pinetin Saint-Tropez, France is the ultimate guest room for space and privacy. Discreetly nested on the 1st floor, the Prestige Suiteis the only guest room with its own unique private entrance. The suite boasts two intimate terraces offering charming views the property garden and pool. In the early morning, guests can admire the view of the sun rising from behind the gardens tall pine trees and when evening comes, the deckchairs are an excellent place to wind down and take in the suns last rays. The Prestige Suite also features a separate living room area, and a luxury bathroom complete with custom products from Le Labo.Architect, interior decorator and designer Charles Zana was behind the design of this intimate hideaway that echoes the vintage spirit of the 60s and 70s. At Hotel Lou Pinet, guests can expect period art showcasing the regions art and crafts heritage against natural dcor including linen, ceramic, rope, terracotta and whitewash. Throughout the hotel rooms and suites there are light hues with the occasional black highlighting, rooms with slightly rounded shapes, natural stone, wrought iron, sophisticated cane effects, linen, wood and a joyful blend of textures and materials for a gentle sunshine ambiance inviting guests to relax and enjoy the Bohemian charm of Saint-Tropez.

Singita Serengeti House

Located in the western corridor of Tanzanias magical Serengeti,Singita Serengeti Houseis the perfect home away from home for familiestraveling together. Set on the slopes of Sasakwa Hill its location provides endless, breathtaking views of the Serengeti plains and wildlife asthey visit the nearby watering hole. Up to eight guests can feel at home at Serengeti House, with two suites in the main house and two gardensuites situated on either side, connected through a central pool deck. With plenty of space and both indoor and outdoor dining, day beds, aprivate tennis court and a dedicated house team, families can create memories that will last a lifetime. Additionally, guests will delight in thewide range of activities available at Serengeti House including private game drives and walking safaris, hot air ballon rides,star gazing,mountain biking on Sasakwa Hill.

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Live the Suite Life in These Top Rooms Around the Globe - Luxury Travel Magazine

Chrissy Teigen has made headlines following a backlash from online trolls over past Twitter posts.

Being a celebrity or social media influencer in the media spotlight is not an easy job.

Posting on social media comes with a lot of responsibilities from voicing your opinion about important issues to creating an online community with dedicated followers.

However, celebs often become a target of online trolling and that looks to be the case with Chrissy Teigen.

Chrissy Teigen has deleted 60,000 tweets from her account following backlash from social media users.

Taking to Twitter, she revealed:

I actually deleted 60,000 tweets because I cannot f**king STAND you, idiots, anymore and Im worried for my family. Finding me talking about toddlers and tiaras [TV series] in 2013 and thinking youre some sort of f**king operative.

In a previous Twitter post, Chrissy spoke out about other accusations from her followers. She tweeted:

Every time I post food, some q anon loser asks if it contains baby. Im honestly just gonna start posting things to drive them even more bats**t insane. Also like, was I on the island, do I eat babies, or just put them on my skin, or am a pedo?? like Im everything? pick a lane.

This content could not be loaded

Chrissys tweets are no longer available, however, some people have continued to flood Twitter with screenshots of the now-deleted posts (please note the content and language from other Twitter users).

According to a report from Elle, the model has received backlash over the last few years after photoshopped images of her and John Legend allegedly showed them on Jeffrey Epsteins plane.

The Sun has further reported that Chrissy has denied the claims, saying that she hasnt visited Epsteins private island in theUS Virgin Islands.

In a Twitter post in October last year, Chrissy wrote:

Like someone there is a chicken scratch list of with epStEin FLIGHT loGs and wrote down jon + crissy and now they all believe this.

As a result of the backlash, Chrissy has blocked over one million followers from her account.

The model explained that thanks to a Twitter block chain she has been able to block followers from viewing or responding to her tweets.

She wrote: Went private! welcome to my club. Exclusive to 13 million!

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Lucifer Season 5 | Official Trailer | Netflix

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In other news, What happened to SiriusXMU? When is the radio station coming back?

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What were Chrissy Teigens deleted tweets? She slams accusations over past Twitter posts - HITC - Football, Gaming, Movies, TV, Music

Many, many years ago, I tore my calf muscle, had to have surgery, my right leg wrapped in a cast for almost six to eight weeks and after it was removed, I had to learn to walk all over again. Something I had taken for granted my entire life, the ability to put one foot after the other, I had to re-learn.

Its almost how I feelthese days, as I re-learn how to go out to restaurants, have meetings in cafes,enter office buildings and be with people again. After months of staying home,being confined in interactions to the two people I live with (thank goodness weare still talking to one another) and only having my dogs to talk to, itsreally strange to socialize again.

I almost feel I have to re-learn all the rules of physical engagement.

In the WiT Podcast I did with Mike Barclay, CEO of Mandai Park Holdings, which oversees the Night Safari, Zoo, Bird Park and River Safari, he told me how certain animals, which are naturally social, would have no problems adapting when humans return to their world but those which are more introverted would need to be eased into it.

Which category areyou?

The first time I went into a restaurant in Orchard Road, I felt like I was entering a foreign country. You have to enter with the Safe Entry app, get your temperature taken, and then you get a coloured sticker that you place on a part of yourself, to indicate youve been processed and approved.

When I got to the Pistachiorestaurant, I flinched. It wasnt really packed, but it felt like it to me.Remember, in the last months, three had truly become a crowd, so 10 is a mob. Myheart started racing. Then I saw my friends whom I hadnt seen since CircuitBreaker started. The upper half of their faces lookedoh-so-dear-and-oh-so-familiar. I sensed their smiles behind the masks.

Pistachio has gonecontactless and cashless. Covid has really done tech a big favour. You scan theQR code, order and pay on your phone. The only contact with staff comes whenthey serve your food and drinks. The chef and owner though comes out to sayhello he is appreciative for the support. I can only imagine what thispandemic has done to his business and I am glad that hes still smiling, stillgracious and his food is still oh-so-good.

I now realise what Ihave missed eating delivered food at home is nothing like eatingfreshly-cooked food, prepared by a chef who cares, with friends you care about.And I dont know if I imagined it but other than the initial part where we hadto order and pay with our mobile, the three of us talked like we hadnt for along while, without being constantly distracted and interrupted by our devices.It was like we had re-discovered the joy of being with each other again.

After that firstouting, I have slowly ventured out more. Some days, I end up with so manycoloured stickers on my clothes, I feel like a polka dotted panda. I have goneback to my favourite food courts, cafes and restaurants and learnt to talkagain with people, to listen, to empathise, to make eye contact and todifferentiate between Zoom faces and real faces.

I say this because this week, I caught up with CC Chan, CEO and co-founder of GlobalTix, and I realized that I had seen him more often on screen than in real life this year and in fact, the last time we met for real was last December in Las Vegas. This virtual life we have been forced to live is doing weird things to my psyche, I cant tell virtual from real anymore.

I think this is why afriend sensing I was in danger of disappearing into Zombie land decided toinvite me on a private cruise to the Southern Islands. The last time I venturedthis far south in Singapore was probably two decades ago. There were alwaysfurther oceans to discover. Now this is the only ocean weve got to explore.

Getting on that boatand sailing off into the sunset was the closest Ive got to feeling like Imtravelling again. You know, that sensation of movement, freedom and lightness.I had to re-learn to breathe that in, to hold it, and to allow that feeling ofwonder and sense of adventure to take over.

And I couldnt have had a better guide than Chong Wei Yong, founder of Discover Sailing Asia, whose passion for sailing led him to set up the company that offers sailing programmes and holidays in Asia. His boats operate in Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore.

As he happened to bein Singapore when Circuit Breaker started, hes spent the past few months hereand in the past couple of weeks, with the easing of restrictions, hes had timeto explore the Southern Islands, and so he knows how to tell good stories aboutthem about the first turtle hatchery that is on the twin Sisters Islands,the wishing well and Chinese temple on Kusu Island, the glass building thatsits empty on Lazarus Island one of those projects built for an event andthen forgotten.

We stopped off on Lazarus Island for a walk to the beach. Looking out onto the horizon and seeing only one sail boat in the distance, I felt like I was on the private island of Nikoi, which isnt that far away really, from where I stood maybe seven to eight hours of sailing, said Chong. Can we go there? I asked wistfully. He laughed indulgently.

So for now, we all have to be content with sailing close to home and we have to learn to be like water. I quote the late Bruce Lee, Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like water. If you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.

He was speaking about kung fu but he could just as well be speaking about living in the time of coronavirus.

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Excuse me, did I see you on Zoom or was it for real? Re-learning the rituals of socialising again - Web In Travel

This South pacific island country offers convenient, flexible and easy-to-administer options for setting up private trust companies

When establishing a trust for wealth planning, succession, philanthrophropy or any of the many other reasons trusts are established, choosing a trustee is the first and most important decision a settlor will need to make. As creating a trust requires legal ownership of the settlors assets to be transferred to the trustee, the settlor will need to have the utmost confidence in the trustees experience, substance, integrity and professionalism.

There are a number of options available to a settlor when choosing a trustee. Professional corporate trustees in foreign jurisdictions are commonly used, where the trustee is licensed and either institutional or independent. However, due to the settlors understandable reluctance in handing over ownership and control of his/her assets to people he/she doesnt know, and who are based in a country he/she has never visited, another trustee option is becoming increasingly popular.

Private trust companies (PTCs) are established with the sole purpose of acting as a corporate trustee to one or more family, or otherwise related, trusts.

Using a PTC can provide a settlor with numerous benefits and advantages, including:

Peace of mind. The settlor may find greater comfort having the trust assets owned and administered by a PTC that he/she has created;

Control. A PTC allows the settlor, or those he/she nominates, to retain a high degree of control over the administration of trust assets, including investment and distribution decisions. This can be achieved by the settlor and his/her family members and advisers becoming directors of the PTC;

Confidentiality. A PTC enables better control over information confidential to the settlor and his/her family;

Diversification. A PTC will provide the settlor greater opportunity to invest in and hold assets of his/her choice. A trustee has a duty to preserve and diversify trust assets in the best interests of all beneficiaries. A professional corporate trustee may therefore be averse to holding high-risk assets, or a high percentage of the same assets, to avoid breaching its duty;

Expense. A PTC allows the settlor to avoid trustee fees and other professional costs, which for larger trust funds are often charged on an ad valorem basis.

The ownership and management of the PTC are vital to its effectiveness and the efficient operation of the overall structure. The settlors circumstances, and what is best for him/her and his/her family, will ultimately determine ownership and management decisions.

Directors. In determining the composition of the PTC board, the settlor must understand that he/she having total control over trust assets may compromise the validity of the structure as well as its tax effectiveness. In addition, it must be remembered that the PTC is a trustee and owes legal duties to the trusts beneficiaries. The settlor and family members will not (as a professional corporate trustee would) be familiar with the role of the trustee or what is required to discharge those duties. Failure to discharge those duties may lead to personal liability for the directors.

Where the settlor retains too much control over trust assets through the use of the PTC, the structure runs the risk of being considered a sham. Similarly, it may lose tax effectiveness if all substantial decisions are seen to be made in the settlors home jurisdiction.

To avoid such scenarios, it is advisable that directors of a PTC be a combination of family members and professional advisers, including a professional corporate trustee.

It is most unlikely that the settlor and his/her family members would have experience in administering a trust and its assets. It is therefore advisable that the PTC board engages a professional corporate trustee to provide administration services to the PTC to ensure it meets statutory, regulatory and compliance obligations, and properly documents trust activity such as investments, distributions, financial transactions and asset transfers.

Owners. There are a number of options a settlor might consider when deciding on the ownership of the PTC. The most favourable is for the PTC to be ownerless, as this will distance the settlor from ownership reducing the potential for:

(i) the structure to be compromised through the settlor not having divested ownership of trust assets sufficiently; and (ii) the trust being taxable in the hands of the settlor.

Two vehicles commonly used to create an ownerless PTC are: a purpose trust and a foundation.

A purpose trust is a trust established for a particular purpose, as opposed to being for the benefit of named beneficiaries. In the PTC scenario, the trusts sole purpose would be to hold shares in the PTC. A foundation is created by a founder and managed by a foundation council, similar to a board of directors.

Although it is an incorporated entity, the foundation has no shareholders or beneficiaries with proprietary interests. A foundation is established to carry out certain activities or achieve certain objectives. In the PTC scenario, that objective would be to hold shares in the PTC.

Should the settlor wish to hold shares in the PTC directly, he/she should be mindful that in addition to this potentially compromising the overall structure and its tax effectiveness, as mentioned above, in the event of the settlors death the PTC shares will form part of his/her estate and may result in the ownership and control of the PTC, and the succession of the trust assets, being different to what he/she had intended.

Cook Islands law requires that companies carrying on trustee company business be licensed to do so (section 12(3)(a) of the Trustee Companies Act, 2014 [TCA]). However, where such a company is a Cook Islands international company (IC) incorporated under the International Companies Act, 1981-82 (ICA) and it is to act as trustee of no more than three Cook Islands international trusts (ITs) established under the International Trusts Act, 1984 (ITA) the company is deemed not to be carrying on trustee company business, and licensing is not required (TCA section 5(3)(b)). The use of an IC as trustee of an IT meets the ITA requirement that one of the ITs trustees be a Cook Islands licensed trustee company (LTC), a registered foreign company or an IC.

The Cook Islands therefore provides settlors a convenient, flexible and easy to administer PTC option through the use of an IC.

ICs must be incorporated through an LTC, which will provide a registered office and company secretary as required by the ICA. The directors of the IC do not need to be resident, therefore allowing the settlor to determine the composition of the PTC board.

The Cook Islands has a number of LTCs experienced in the establishment and administration of ICs and ITs, and is therefore able to assist the PTC in meeting its statutory and regulatory obligations, as well as other trust activity as the PTC board directs.

When structuring the ownership of the PTC, the Cook Islands can provide an ownerless vehicle to hold the shares of the PTC through either a purpose trust or a foundation. Cook Islands law provides for non-charitable purpose trusts where the specified purpose will be to hold the shares of the PTC. Similarly, a foundation could be established pursuant to the Foundations Act 2012 for the purpose of holding the shares. The LTC will be able to provide a trustee to the purpose trust and a member to the foundations council and administration services to both.

In the event the settlor wishes to hold the PTC shares directly, despite the above-mentioned potential pitfalls, the Cook Islands can provide a solution to assist the settlors succession planning and avoid the PTC shares falling into his/her estate upon death.

Section 228B of the ICA allows the settlor to specify in the PTCs articles of association a person or persons to whom he/she wishes the shares to be automatically transferred to upon his/her death, therefore avoiding the probate process.

Through a carefully structured and professionally administered PTC, a settlor and his/her family are able to actively participate in decisions concerning the trust and its assets. The integrity of the structure can be retained, the settlors succession and tax planning objectives achieved, and legal duties to beneficiaries discharged.

The Cook Islands PTC solution currently involves the use of an IC as a PTC, an LTC to provide administration services to the PTC, and an ownership structure. However, a proposed amendment to the TCA currently being discussed is for Cook Islands foundations and limited liability companies also to be able to act as a PTC of no more than three ITs. This could provide some interesting planning opportunities, especially around the ownership of the PTC.

COOK ISLANDS FINANCEPO Box 3255, Clarkes Building,Parekura, Rarotonga,Cook IslandsTel: +682 21175www.cookislandsfinance.com

Excerpt from:

Private trust companies and the Cook Islands solution - Vantage Asia

July 21, 2020 -Federally qualified health centers looking to expand their telehealth footprint need to take a closer look at why their patients are having problems accessing healthcare.

Transportation issues, insurance availability, home life and school and work pressures all can play a part in whether someone can or cant visit the doctor, said Christina Quinlan, director of operations for Islands Community Medical Services on Vinalhaven, an island of some 1,100 people off the Maine coast. And creating a means of identifying those barriers - and using telehealth and mHealth tools to address them - will go a long way toward a value-based care environment.

Telehealth fills the critical gaps, she said.

Quinlan, who presented at a recent virtual conference jointly hosted by the Northeast Telehealth Resource Center (NETRC) and the Mid-Atlantic Telehealth Resource Center (MATRC), highlighted the value of using telehealth to identify and address social determinants of health as the nation shifts to a value-based healthcare system.

The situation is particularly important for FQHCs and Rural Health Centers (RHCs), who deal with a large underserved population that is growing larger as the coronavirus pandemic ravages the economy and pushes more people into Medicare and Medicaid or out of insurance altogether. These clinics have been able to take advantage of telehealth freedoms included in emergency mandates and COVID-19 relief bills to expand access, but the future is hazy and that growing population is and will be there.

READ MORE: Telehealth Offers a Vital Resource to Maines Island Residents

Thats why its important for FQHCs to understand the people theyre serving, Quinlan said.

We know that value-based medicine isnt a matter of if, (but) a matter of when, she said. Focusing on reducing health disparities will be a huge part of that platform, and the only way we can do it is through telehealth.

The best means of identifying barriers to care is through a patient needs survey or questionnaire. This gives providers a window into the patients daily life, helping them to get a handle on what care needs arent being addressed such as chronic condition management, behavioral health, health and wellness checkups.

Those needs might not be met because of a lack of transportation, Quinlan said, or perhaps a lack of insurance or other family needs that get in the way of going to the doctor.

Her advice? Take on the no-show rate first, addressing why those visits arent being conducted and finding ways to put people in front of providers, either in person or virtually.

READ MORE: Coronavirus Grant Gives Massachusetts FQHCs a Chance to Embrace Telehealth

This may also mean bundling services together, and using telehealth to access other care providers or specialists or even non-medical services.

This is particularly helpful in a place like Vinalhaven, some 75 miles by boat from the mainland. A family coming in for a wellness checkup or some other medical appointment could also be scheduled at the same time for a behavioral health session, a visit with a social worker, maybe even a substance abuse testing or counseling session or a meeting with a probation or parole officer, education specialist, accountant, lawyer or family therapist.

Integrating social care and other services with clinical care will be more prevalent as we move towards value-based medicine, Quinlan says. And a rural or community clinic that can use a telehealth platform to accommodate those services stands a good chance of improving outcomes.

For the first time, were linking medical and non-medical services in ways that can help the provider meet the bottom line, she said. And were removing the transportation issue and using the limited space a center might have to accomplish a wide range of services.

The challenge, as always, is sustainability. Federal and state guidelines have eased in the midst of the pandemic to support more connected health access, and private payers have been accommodating in boosting their coverage, but the future beyond COVID-19 is uncertain.

READ MORE: The MAVEN Project Gives Busy Health Clinics a Telehealth Resource

More to the point, Quinlan says an FQHC or RHC needs to address these issues regardless of whether theyll get paid, because it helps them to establish relationships with patients.

The reimbursement may not always be there, but the value is, she said.

The trick may be in understanding what services can lead to coverage. A Medicaid or Medicare program may allow reimbursement for substance abuse therapy delivered via telehealth to the patients home or behavioral counseling for obesity, or a private plan might cover health and wellness screenings.

As well, questionnaires and screenings might not be reimbursed, Quinlan said, but its where they lead you to. These services identify those critical gaps in care that lead to tests, specialist services and follow-up care that will be covered.

And those follow-ups can be handled through telehealth.

Quinlan sees a lot of uncertainty ahead as federal and state regulators move from a fee-for-service platform to value-based care. Social care will be included in alternative payment models, she said, but in many case it will be up to care providers to raise their voices, point out the value of providing certain services, and show that telehealth can and should be used to provide them. There should be some give and take in the process, she said.

For distant and disparate community health centers, FQHCs and RHCs that sit on the front lines and serve a growing number of people struggling to access care, this is the time to open up about the value of telehealth. This is a movement for advocacy.

Value-based care will require telehealth, she added. Its not just a tool in the toolbox, but the best tool.

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Telehealth is 'The Best Tool' in the Healthcare Toolbox for FQHCs - mHealthIntelligence.com

The current property opened in 1985 following the restoration of the original club and the summer homes of its wealthy members. If they were around today, even the Rockefellers and Carnegies would have to abide by COVID-19 safety precautions.

Rooms at the Jekyll Island Club Resort are sanitized between guests, but there is no daily housekeeping service. The island shuttle is not running, but bicycle rentals are available. That scrumptious buffet in the Grand Dining Room has been scrapped.

Alexa Orndoff, director of marketing and communications for the Jekyll Island Authority, says visitors generally have been understanding about the new safety measures.

Weve heard overwhelmingly positive comments from visitors about their experience on Jekyll Island since our reopening, said Orndoff. They appreciate that our island-wide protocols about cleaning and social distancing are clear and consistent.

If you adopt a glass half full outlook, there are many reasons to make Jekyll Island your next road trip.

The popular open-air tram tour of the National Historic Landmark District is still operating, but at limited capacity. It showcases the charming cottages (more like mansions) on Millionaires Row. Indian Mound Cottage was a winter retreat for the Rockefeller family for some 20 years, and the Goodyear Cottage, an imposing white stucco Mediterranean-Revival home, was an oasis for lumber baron Frank Henry Goodyear.

The resorts golf courses and tennis courts are ready for play, but after months of being homebound, it would be worth the trip just to amble along the windswept sand dunes and marvel at the beauty of the driftwood bone yard on the beach.

Jekyll Island Club Resort. $259 and up. 371 Riverview Drive, Jekyll Island. 844-201-6871, http://www.jekyllclub.com

The King and Prince Golf Resort on St. Simons Island reopened to guests in May. Contributed by the King and Prince Golf Resort

Credit: Johnson Pictures Inc.

Credit: Johnson Pictures Inc.

The King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort

At the King and Prince Beach and Golf Resort on St. Simons Island, the largest of Georgias Golden Isles, the scene looks pretty much like it did pre-pandemic. Golfers tee off at the award-winning course, kayakers revel in the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean and cyclists pedal beneath the shade of ancient live oaks.

Thats on the surface, but so much goes on behind the scenes to keep everyone healthy. Enhanced property-wide sanitation procedures are in place, and all staff has undergone extensive COVID-19 training.

A new touchless entry system to the hotel helps keep surfaces virus-free, and hand sanitizer is everywhere. To minimize interaction between guests and staff, there is no daily housekeeping.

Bud St. Pierre, director of sales and marketing, says when the resort reopened in May, there was uncertainty about guests willingness to return, but return they did, and in unexpected numbers.

We are seeing the highest individual demand for reservations ever, said St. Pierre. We went from being closed for seven weeks to really not knowing what to expect once we reopened to 90 plus percent occupancies.

The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort. $219 and up. 201 Arnold Road, St. Simons Island. 800-342-0212, http://www.kingandprince.com

Montage Palmetto Bluff

Pull!

The command rings throughout the Palmetto Bluff Shooting Club where guests shoot sporting clays under the direction of a certified instructor.

More experienced shooters eschew the family-friendly five-stand for a challenging 13-station sporting clays course that runs through a coastal maritime forest.

The shooting club sets Montage Palmetto Bluff apart from other Southern beach resorts. Located within the 20,000-acre community of Palmetto Bluff between Hilton Head and Savannah, the South Carolina property offers the expected golf, tennis, water sports and a dreamy spa, but some guests come for the shooting.

Nothing much has changed at the beloved shooting club except the equipment is disinfected between guests. The resort is operating at 50 percent capacity to help guests maintain social distancing. Valet and bell services are still available, but stringent protocols are followed between staff and guest interactions. And families participating in archery lessons with their little Katniss wannabes will be instructed privately, not in groups.

Marketing director Alex Gregory says travelers are looking for places that give them a sense of security.

Our guests have been very understanding that any measures were taking, both on our own and as part of our state and local regulations, are in their best interest, he said.

Montage Palmetto Bluff. $535 and up. 477 Mount Pelia Road, Bluffton, South Carolina. 855-264-8705, http://www.montagehotels.com/palmettobluff

Boating and fishing are favorite activities at Kiawah Island Golf Resort in South Carolina. Contributed by Kiawah Island Golf Resort.

Credit: HANDOUT

Credit: HANDOUT

Kiawah Island Golf Resort

Its been said boat captain Jake Feary could navigate the waterways surrounding Kiawah Island blindfolded on a moonless foggy night. Theres no way to test him on this clear, sunny day, but as he steers a fishing boat with a family of four anglers into narrow salt marshes and shallow creeks lined with tall spartina grass, he exudes a confidence that could come only from someone who spent his childhood exploring South Carolinas sea islands.

Feary, assistant director of outdoor programs at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, arranges private charters for resort guests looking to catch and release red drum and trout.

The Sanctuary, the resorts five-star hotel, started welcoming guests again on June 6 with seating restrictions at the pool. Other modifications include the suspension of daily housekeeping and valet service. Elevator capacity is limited, and some restaurants remain shuttered. All five golf courses are open, but the Golf Pro Shops are closed. The Spa at the Sanctuary offers a limited menu of services. Steam rooms, saunas and whirlpools are off limits.

Much has changed, but what remains the same is the timeless beauty of Kiawah island and its tangle of waterways. Sail away and make believe youre in a pandemic-free world for a few hours.

Kiawah Island Golf Resort. $229 and up. Sanctuary Beach Drive, Kiawah Island, South Carolina. 843-768-2121, http://www.kiawahresort.com

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Resort travel in the age of coronavirus - Atlanta Journal Constitution

WITH the travel industry hardly on the road to recovery one of Queensland's small island eco-tourism gems is on the market

The award-winning boutique Pumpkin Island has a potential $25m price tag and is expected to attract Australian and offshore interest.

The 6ha island in the Southern Great Barrier Reef's Keppel Group of Islands is being sold by Sojourn Properties which bought the rolling lease in 2003.

It is just the second time the island has been on the market since 1961.

It has not always been known as Pumpkin Island. It was leased by Castlemaine Perkins between 2012 and 2015 and was renamed XXXX Island as a promotional campaign, with 3000 people visiting the island over those three years.

Enjoying the scenery at Pumpkin Island.

Knight Frank's Deborah Cullen, who is co-running the sale campaign, said the buyer will be purchasing an entire island on a rolling lease current until 2046.

"It's an opportunity that only presents itself once in a blue moon," she said.

Pumpkin Island first opened to guests in 1964 and is a private whole island escape for couples, families or groups.

The award-winning eco resort offers stunning views of the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.

One of Queensland's most sustainable boutique tourist destinations the island offers eco-friendly accommodation for up to 34 guests in five fully self-contained oceanfront guest cottages and two bungalows with an open-air kitchen and bathroom facilities.

The island is completely off grid and powered by solar, wind and with plenty of rain water storage.

Ms Cullen said the island - just 14km from Yeppoon - offered privacy, seclusion and exclusivity.

"We expect it will be even more attractive in the current climate post COVID-19 for someone who wishes to use it as a safe haven during any possible future pandemics," she said.

"During this pandemic life continued on the island as normal."

The exclusive island only has room for 34 guests. Picture: Supplied

The property also contains staff quarters, a large work shed, a double-storey lookout building, a bar lounge area, a manager's cottage, a children's playground, two registered moorings, a helicopter land pad and a custom built 36-passenger catamaran.

An oyster lease also belongs to the owner and can be sold with the island allowing guests to shuck their own oysters off the rocks.

A tourist wading in water at Pumpkin Island off the coast at Yeppoon.

Pumpkin Island was named Australia's most sustainable hotel in Australasia in 2018 at the World Boutique Hotel Awards, and was the first beyond carbon neutral island in Australia, offsetting 150 per cent of its annual greenhouse gas emissions.

Originally published as Exclusive XXXX island hideaway on the market

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Exclusive XXXX island hideaway on the market - Queensland Times

Maldives has reopened its mesmerising beaches, clear waters and posh hotels to international tourists (yes, even for American travellers). However, for the first few weeks, only the private islands and live-aboard stays will be accessible to tourists. From August 1, 2020, they will be able to appreciate the island's picturesque guest houses and hotels too.

And this time, the island will be a tad cheaper than the exorbitantly priced vacation destination it was before. Earlier, tourists needed to book vacations no shorter than 14 days. They also had to apply for a tourist visa, which cost another $100.That's not all. They had to submit either a negative antigen test or a positive antibody test, a week before their arrival. And after arrival, they had to pay another $100 for tests. And they would be quarantined for a maximum of 12 hours.

Now travellers will not have to show a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival. And people who dont have symptoms will not be quarantined. Also,there are no new visa requirements or additional fees to be paid.

Government guidelines say that you can only visit the resort islands and you will need to book your stay in one registered establishment. The only exemption will be for transit arrangements.

Some of the establishments have already opened their doors to travellers, like the Lily Beach Resort and Spa, Velaa Private Island Maldives, Four Seasons Maldives Private Island at Voavah.

Read: Lighthouses Are The New Tourism Destination

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Maldives is Open to International Travellers - Outlook India

Presented by Travel Alaska

This year, travelers everywhere put their plans on hold, presenting Alaskans with a unique opportunity to get out and explore the states incredible destinations while supporting Alaska small businesses. Travel Alaska is encouraging residents to Show Up For Alaska by exploring new places and taking advantage of deals just for locals. Read on to learn about the adventures that await!

Wake up on a private island. Spend the afternoon surfing. Enjoy world-class cuisine. View 18th century art and artifacts. All in a single day -- and all in Alaska?

Sitkas a unique place, said Rich Kraft, who owns Cascade Creek Inn and Charters. With industries driven by fishing and the outdoors, education and the arts, he said, it has intelligence and diversity and outdoors and fine arts all in one.

Sitka is incredibly popular with Outside travelers, but its location off the road system means it remains a bucket list item for many Alaskans.

You talk to people and theyre like, Wow, Ive never been to Sitka and Ive always wanted to go, said Laurie Booyse, director of Visit Sitka. Well, whats stopping you? Were here!

This summers a poke in the nose, Kraft said. A hard poke.

Kraft and his family got into the visitor industry about five years ago, when they drove by a for-sale sign on a lodge a few miles outside downtown Sitka. Now charters and hospitality are the family business, with their grown children and daughters-in-law involved on the boats, in the kitchen, and around the inn and its 10 oceanfront rooms with views of Mount Edgecumbe.

Many of those rooms will be empty this summer. Sitka was anticipating about 300,000 visitors this year, according to Booyse. With the cruise ship season canceled and most other travelers putting their plans on hold, the streets that would usually be bustling are instead strangely quiet.

While the travel drop-off has been hard on local businesses, for the visitors who do come, its a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to have the place pretty much to themselves.

Youre definitely going to experience Sitka as though you were here living with us, Booyse said. Some of our best restaurants, you normally cant get a table. Youre actually able to eat like a local. Many of Sitkas eateries are open, either for takeout or for distanced dining, and spots that are impossible to get into during a normal visitor season have plenty of openings. Sitka has a strong food culture, with local ingredients in plentiful supply, vegan and organic options, a farmers market, and even food trucks.

If youre a foodie, youre definitely going to find something excellent for you to experience here, Booyse said.

The benefits of Sitkas slow summer arent limited to the food scene. At the animal sanctuary Fortress of the Bear, tours that are usually delivered over a microphone to groups of 50 have been replaced by private appointments -- long, leisurely visits with the Fortress eight resident black and brown bears, guided by an experienced naturalist.

Everyones getting a personal, private tour experience when they visit, said Bear Manager and Specialist Claire Turner. Having an opportunity to view those bears without being kind of part of a larger group can be really nice.

Even the locals are getting to check out some new experiences; Turner said she recently participated in a behind-the-scenes octopus encounter at the Sitka Sound Science Center that was just the coolest thing ever.

The community here is really doing everything they can to keep everything as safe as possible, Turner said, adding that Fortress of the Bear, the Science Center and the Alaska Raptor Center have been working together to ensure each facility has what it needs to keep guests healthy.

Alaskas scenic melting pot

Located in Southeast Alaska rainforest, Sitkas climate is temperate, lush -- and yes, wet. Wear layers and bring your Xtratufs if youve got them, Booyse advised.

The tradeoff? Its really, spectacularly beautiful.

Because we face the open ocean, we have a constant access to wildlife in a way thats really unique, Booyse said.

Kelp beds foster a large sea otter population; marine birds, crabs and fish flourish in Sitka Sound; and whales, sea lions and seals can all be spotted in and along the water. Old-growth timber still stands on the hillsides, and the dormant Mount Edgecumbe volcano is a scenic reminder of Sitkas location directly along the Ring of Fire.

I fell in love with Sitka instantly, said Turner, who came from the United Kingdom eight years ago for a summer research project and ended up staying. Its a really beautiful place to live. The scenery is beautiful, but the community is beautiful, too.

Even the fast food in Sitka comes with a side of spectacular.

You can go sit in McDonalds, thats on the water, and theres no other McDonalds in the world with a view like that, Kraft said referring to possibly the most scenic McDonalds anywhere, located on the edge of a boat harbor overlooking Mount Edgecumbe. Then youve got just the taste of old Sitka, you know, walking around the small streets and the harbors. Then you put your hiking shoes on, and weve got the best trails of anyplace weve seen.

His personal favorite is the Herring Cove Trail, which twists past waterfalls, meadows and a scenic lake.

I always say, if you were in Hawaii, and you spent $50 to go on this hike and you were butt to butt with people the whole way, when you got down youd still say Thats the best $50 Ive ever spent, Kraft said.

And theres more to Alaskas former capital than plentiful wildlife and sweeping vistas. Visitors to Sitka can experience Alaskas history from pre-contact days to the Russian colonial era to the territorial years to statehood.

Its a real melting pot of histories and cultures and experiences, Booyse said.

There are Russian buildings still standing, with art and icons dating to the 1700s, while the Sitka History Museum displays the document transferring Alaska from Russian to American control. And the areas original Tlingit culture is vibrant and thriving in the community. Sheldon Jackson Museum is offering its artist-in-residence program this summer, giving guests the opportunity to visit and talk to Alaska Native artists at work in the studio. And although the Sitka Music Festival and some other events have gone virtual this year, the communitys creative culture is still on display for visitors to experience.

People make things here, Booyse said. Everything from what you would expect, (like) the Tlingit carving and beadwork, (to) we have two people in town who are chocolatiers, we have two bakeries, we have people who make soap, we have people who make sea salt, we have people who make kelp pickles. If you can figure out a way to make something, people in Sitka are making it.

Sail on a yacht, sleep in a lighthouse

When it comes to accommodations, Sitka again has something for everyone -- hotels, bed and breakfasts, camping, cabins and lodges -- including some truly unique properties, like homes located on private islands and even a lighthouse.

Sitka Travel owner Christine McGraw, who manages about 60 local rental properties, said the vacation home rental market is up and coming in Sitka, with numerous options for visitors who want something remote, something right downtown, or something in between.

Definitely an island is a cool experience for a couple of days, she said. We also have the private charter yachts. We have Dove Island (Lodge), which is a high-end resort -- I have (clients) that will stay out there and come stay at Bart Island for five days after that.

McGraw, who is offering Alaska resident discounts, recommends booking multiple shorter stays at a couple of different properties to get a variety of experiences in a single trip.

Sitka just has it all, she said.

For more ways to experience Sitka like a local, check out VisitSitka.org.

Presented by Travel Alaska, encouraging you to Show Up for Alaska this summer! Whether its a quick trip to your favorite fishing spot or a new adventure in a corner of the state youve never explored, Alaskas small tourism businesses offer something for everyone -- and every budget. Browse summer travel opportunities and specials for Alaska residents at ShowUpForAlaska.com.

This story was produced by the creative services department of the Anchorage Daily News in collaboration with Travel Alaska. The ADN newsroom was not involved in its production.

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This summer in Sitka: All the magic, none of the crowds - Anchorage Daily News

Tourists with a COVID-19 negative certificate issued up to 96 hours prior to the flight can now enter Dubai

By Ian Horswill

Posted on July 17, 2020

The thought of a holiday back in April and May seemed non-existent. Now there are luxury holiday destinations that beckon providing you can prove you do not carry the coronavirus.

Dubai

Tourists with a COVID-19 negative certificate issued up to 96 hours prior to the flight can enter Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. There are pristine beaches, amazing shopping experiences, luxurious resorts and the usual warm Arabian hospitality. Face masks are necessary in public spaces.

Aruba

Tourists with a COVID-19 negative certificate issued up to 72 hours prior to the flight can enter the idyllic Aruba, an island of the Netherlands in the southern Caribbean Sea. An online ED card is mandatory for all visitors to Aruba before boarding to fly to the island.

Aruba has a dry climate and an arid desert, with divi-divi trees, palm trees and cacti-strewn across the landscape. This climate has helped tourism as visitors to the island can reliably expect warm, sunny clear skies all year-round. January through to March is the peak season.

Salmon pink flamingos strut along Flamingo Beach on the Renaissance Hotels private island. The island is only a short boat ride away from the capital, Oranjestad, but youll need a day pass to access the island unless youre a paying guest.

Egypt

Almost 10,000 tourists visited Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada since the resumption of Egypts tourism at the beginning of July.

Egypts Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities said the two Red Sea cities had received 56 flights from Kiev, Zaporizhia, Lafif, and Kharkiv in Ukraine; Minsk in Belarus; Zurich in Switzerland; and from the Hungarian capital Budapest.

Also, Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada received three flights coming from Ukraine and Belarus with 587 tourists on board.

Egypt has also reopened Marsa Matrouh, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea. Face masks are mandatory in public places in Egypt.

The Bahamas

The Bahamas, with its 700 islands sprinkled over 100,000 square miles of ocean, reopened its international borders on 1 July. It requires all arrivals present a negative COVID-19 test that is less than seven days old. Those without proof will have to pay for a test on arrival or quarantine for two weeks.

The Bahamas is one of the richest countries in the Americas (following the US and Canada), with an economy based on tourism and offshore finance. The best island in the Bahamas where you can spend your holiday really depends on the type of trip you are planning to do.

There are islands and cays which work great for families, others for couples, others for activities. New Providence is the most popular destination and Grand Bahama and the Out Islands are the best options.

Bermuda

Bermuda began welcoming back visitors on July 1, requiring arrivals to test negative for coronavirus at least 48 hours prior to their trip and again upon arrival in order to gain freedom of movement throughout their stay.

Bermuda, an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, consists of 181 islands, with the largest known as Main Island. Unlike other areas designated as subtropical, summers are quite mild, with temperatures not rising in most years above 86F (30C) during the hottest months of July and August.

French Polynesia

French Polynesia is open to international tourists and the first flight arrived in Tahiti from France on Wednesday, with a second from Los Angeles on Thursday. Before embarking on the flight, passengers had to prove they were COVID-19 negative 72 hours before departure and have to self-test for COVID-19 in four days.

An estimated 3,000 visitors are expected in French Polynesia by the end of this month, with a further 7,000 visitors expected in August coinciding with Frances summer holiday.

Saint Lucia

The sovereign island of Saint Lucia in the West Indies, on 9 July, introduced updated travel protocols requiring visitors to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within seven days of travel unless they are traveling from the governments designated travel bubble, which includes the following countries: Antigua, Barbuda, Aruba, Anguilla, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, Bonaire, British Virgin Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Monsterrat, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Martin, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Turks and Caicos.

Upon arrival, all arriving passengers will be screened, with temperature checks at the airport. Any symptomatic passengers will be isolated and tested; they will be required to remain in isolation at their hotel or government-operated quarantine facility until their test results are obtained if positive, they will be transferred to a treatment facility until they receive two negative test results and are clinically stable.

Likely reopening to tourists: Bali, Indonesia, July 31; Hawaii, US, August 1.

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COVID-19 free? Go on holiday to these countries - The CEO Magazine

(MENAFN - MENAFN) Baa Atoll, Republic of Maldives, 16 July 2020 - Proud to represent one of the world''s foremost luxury resorts, the team at Vakkaru Maldives have always done everything in their power to ensure guests enjoy a holiday experience to treasure forever. But with all of the challenges that have swept across the world this year - and the time that family and friends share together more precious than ever before - it was decided that Vakkaru Maldives should take its commitment to truly supporting guests'' wellbeing even further. Launching on 1 August to coincide with the resort''s reopening, Vakkare is a new standard in luxury hospitality, unmatched in the Maldives, that will place the concept of care at the core of all that Vakkaru Maldives offers. Comprising four pillars - We Kare, Self Kare, Let''s Kare and After Kare - Vakkare incorporates not just the resort''s practical responses to the challenge of operating a remote private-island resort in the age of Covid-19 but also considers the physical, social and emotional needs of guests who have sought out this peaceful retreat as a timeless sanctuary in which to rest, rejuvenate and refocus following the exhaustions of the last few months. A mantra that will guide the Vakkaru team through this new era, We Kare signifies the resort team''s dedication to sincerely investing in the wellbeing of its members and everyone who visits. It is a renewed commitment towards displaying empathy, surpassing guest expectations, and delivering happiness. It also means ensuring every possible step is taken so each new arrival can be completely confident their health and safety is fully protected. Vakkaru Maldives has always upheld the highest hygiene standards, but nonetheless various new measures have been introduced in response to the emergence of Covid-19. They include thorough medical checks for team members and health screenings for new arrivals, alongside enhanced sanitisation practices and the provision to guests of We Kare packs to include face masks and other personal items and keepsakes. While social distancing is now a consideration around the world, its implementation didn''t require a drastic change to the property''s infrastructure. With the protection of privacy a consideration from day one, villas, restaurant seating and the like have always allowed for exclusivity. A portfolio that will deliver uplifting encounters, indulgent moments and wonderful memories, Self Kare refers to the many restorative, wellness-minded experiences and services that will be available to every guest. Among them are a range of enhanced light- and no-touch spa treatments and rituals that will complement the resort''s most popular massages and facials. Those returning to Vakkaru will find a greater emphasis on visiting practitioners who specialise in meditation and yoga, alongside a range of transcendental sound therapies facilitated by the reverberations of crystal healing bowls. The ultimate new spa immersion is the resort''s signature Merana Healing Journey, a day-long ritual that incorporates yoga, sound healing and a rebalancing coconut shell massage. For those inspired to improve their physical fitness, Vakkaru''s personal trainer is on hand to tailor programmes and the range of outdoor exercises on offer will include tennis, beach volleyball and family-friendly mini triathlons. Nourishing dining experiences will be available throughout Vakkaru''s restaurants, with the Vakkare symbol in menus signifying refreshing, nutritionally balanced dishes that promote good health without ever compromising on taste or satisfaction. To learn more about healthy eating, guests can pick perfect produce themselves in the resort''s flourishing organic garden, before participating in a Self Kare cooking class. Alternatively, the resort''s team will take care of everything by facilitating pleasure-filled private-dining experiences that might take place within sight of the ocean on the beach or under the glow of starlight within the comfort of guests'' villa. During the day, private nature walks will wind through the forest of over 2,300 coconut trees that shades Vakkaru''s interior - should anyone request refreshment, the walk''s guide will be happy to pluck a coconut directly from a treetop. With the healing power of nature so fundamental to Self Kare, guests will also be encouraged to explore the majesty and truly rare beauty of the seascape that envelops the resort. Located in Baa Atoll, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve internationally recognised for the abundance of sea life drawn to its warm, crystalline waters, Vakkaru Maldives can arrange private, marine biologist-led excursions in search of graceful manta rays and aweinspiring whale sharks, alongside access to superlative diving and snorkelling sites. They include a remarkable blue hole, so close to Vakkaru''s beach that it can be reached in just a few minutes by kayak. That abundance of natural wonders contributed significantly to Vakkare''s third pillar: Let''s Kare. Keenly aware of their responsibilities to this vulnerable, vital ecosystem, the team at Vakkaru Maldives already follow stringent sustainability procedures and will increasingly look to facilitate opportunities for curious guests who wish to contribute to environmental and community-based endeavours, be they participating in coral-planting programmes, assisting local conservation efforts or supporting community work on local islands. Vakkare means not just taking care of team members, guests and the resort, but making a meaningful, positive difference to the broader region and beyond. Those tenets combined with the incredible beauty, exceptional villas and world-class facilities Vakkaru Maldives has always provided should mean every stay stands out as truly special. So that sense of good health and happiness is sustained long after their return home, Vakkare''s After Kare will be a wellness-centred loyalty programme providing guests with tips from visiting practitioners and the Vakkaru team, alongside a range of exclusive offers and special surprises. Combined, those four pillars are intended to support a guest experience that holds an unwavering, sincere sense of true hospitality at its heart. At a time when so many feel the need for a worry-free escape more than ever, each warmly welcomed visitor to Vakkaru Maldives can count on the team''s commitment to Vakkare. They will be certain to take the utmost care of absolutely everything. Getting There Vakkaru Maldives promises an intimate slice of paradise, designed to create timeless memories, effortlessly. Whether traveling as a couple or family, guests can book direct their long-awaited getaway with Escape Awaits Reopening Offer starting from US$900++ per room per night in the Beach Pool Villa. Available for stays between 1 August and 22 December 2020, this exceptionally generous offer includes a 40% discount on accommodation and an array of benefits including complimentary transfers for up to two adults and two children, daily breakfast, complimentary daily dinner as well as a 60-minute relaxing body massage at Merana Spa. For reservations and general information, please visit vakkarumaldives.com or contact . For real-time updates, follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/vakkarumaldives, Instagram @vakkarumaldives and Twitter @vakkarumaldives

MENAFN1872020000452288ID1100503431

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Introducing Vakkare: From Sound Healing to Blue Hole Diving, Vakkaru Maldives' Unmatched New Hospitality Concept Will Take the Utmost Care of You -...

The pandemic has thrown a sizable iceberg at the cruise industry, but long-term customer demand won't crash

Landlubbers who wrote this industry off for dead just don't get it.

Cruise lines have navigated their share of hardships over the last several decades, but now they face what some see as a true existential threat from a mix of canceled business, heightened regulations, lawsuits and cleanup costs amid the pandemic.

Fortunately for them, it seems hard-core cruise goers can't wait to climb back aboard. Their loyalty should eventually resuscitate battered shares of major operators Carnival, Royal Caribbean Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line -- as long as they can stay afloat financially in the meantime.

Research by the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) shows the number of cruise passengers has grown each year for the past decade, with a cumulative 30% growth in passengers over the past five years. This growth has come even in the wake of recent disasters like the 2012 capsizing of the Costa Concordia, which killed 32 people, a 2013 engine room fire-turned-sewage flood and frequent instances of mass illness onboard.

While that streak will be broken in 2020, cruise goers are like Moby-Dick's Ishmael: drawn to the sea, no matter how it throws them. Analysts estimate about 30% are repeat customers. Carnival says the majority of its guests are, with many taking at least one cruise every year and some taking two or more. As with casino patrons, status in loyalty programs is a big draw, earning repeat cruisers anything from a lapel pin to a private dinner with their ship's captain.

The market has been expanding, too. UBS analyst Robin Farley notes that, while cruises are historically known to attract an older cohort, millennials are actually the fastest-growing segment of the market in absolute and percentage terms. Indeed, from high-end to budget, cat-themed to gothic, it seems there is now a cruise for literally anyone.

Clearly, the coronavirus has put the industry into a holding pattern without a definitive end and eroded some trust as well.

A Wall Street Journal investigation found cruise ship operators initially played a role in Covid-19's spread, sailing on despite passengers and crew showing symptoms of the disease. Regulations as a result of the disease's spread have since sidelined new voyages.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a no sail order for large cruise ships that will stand until at least late July. CLIA has issued a voluntary suspension of sailings from U.S. ports until September 15, and Carnival has now canceled all North American cruises through September 30.

When ships set sail again, the experience could look quite different. Packed bars, shows, pools and onboard buffets will have to wait until there is minimal risk of infectious disease.

Despite that, cruise loyalists are moving forward with plans for their next journey, even while ships remain docked. Carnival recently reported growing demand for cruises due to set sail next year, and not just from people trying to redeem the credits they got for canceled cruises earlier this year.

In a six-week stretch ending May 31, about two-thirds of Carnival's 2021 bookings were from people without those credits, the company said. Royal Caribbean recently said it was also seeing acceleration in 2021 bookings, exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

Indeed, 85% of cruise travelers in a May survey by UBS said they are likely to cruise again, 62% said they will cruise just as often in the future and more than half said they expect to cruise again in the next 18 months. A June survey from Cruise Critic, a travel website, shows 32% of its readers are already looking to book their next cruise.

Cruise executives say they expect re-entry to be staged a few ships at a time rather than all at once. Analysts say an easy start will be shorter trips to private islands, which alleviate cross-border regulation risks and allow companies to control who comes and goes, all while enabling enhanced social distancing once onshore.

Carnival owns two private islands and Royal Caribbean recently made a major splash in the industry, investing $250 million to turn a Bahamian beach into a theme park featuring the tallest waterslide in North America and the largest wave pool in the Caribbean.

Regulatory and legal risks do muddy the waters. Tensions between cruise lines and the CDC have been mounting, according to people familiar with the matter. Meanwhile lawmakers are investigating the role of cruise operators in spreading the coronavirus, while plaintiff's attorneys are reportedly pursuing potential class-action class action claims over alleged consumer and shareholder fraud, as well as potential employment law violations.

Liquidity also becomes more of a concern the longer cruise ships are docked. But Carnival said it ended its fiscal second quarter with $7.6 billion in available liquidity, which at its average monthly burn rate would support operations for about a year without service.

Royal Caribbean said last month it has roughly $5.2 billion in total liquidity -- enough to get through what Chief Financial Officer Jason Liberty describes as a "prolonged out-of-service period," plus some leftover cash to ready itself for service.

Shares of all three major cruise lines plunged by more than 80% from mid-January to mid-March. While they have recovered some of those losses, shares of all three major cruise corporations are down well over 50% from pre-Covid levels.

U.S. regulators have long been concerned about the cruise industry's issues managing health outbreaks on board. Now, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio says he is concerned Carnival in particular "is still trying to sell this cruise line fantasy," ignoring future threats to public health.

Call it what you will, but it is the industry's most loyal customers who are fantasizing about their next stroll on the lido deck.

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Cruise Ships Still Have Their Fans, Even After Coronavirus - Bangkok Post

VistaJet, the first and only global business aviation company, uncovers a portfolio of private and safe journeys as Members seek to experience exclusive-use escapes and health- enhancing adventures around the world.

During a challenging time with COVID-19, planning and researching future journeys is high on the agenda, and a vast majority 80% of global travelers intend to explore as soon as they are able1. With privacy and safety becoming paramount, health is being factored into travel choices more than ever before2. The concept of safety is also changing. Historically, travelers associated safety only with what happens outside of the aircraft. Now, the journey to the aircraft, the in-cabin experience3 and the final destination4 are the driving factors.

As the number of touchpoints significantly decreases when flying private 20 interactions as opposed to 700 when flying commercial5 the travel industry expects to see an increased number of first-time private flyers looking for safer and more reliable alternatives. Research shows that 79% of UHNWIs would be more inclined to travel by private jet than before6, and this is reflected in VistaJets new incoming requests: as of June 2020, 71% are from passengers who have not regularly used business aviation solutions before.

Today, partnering with a network of world-leading travel experts and properties including Abercrombie & Kent, Velaa Private Island, Blue Marble Private, ROAR AFRICA, Entourage Travel, Dean Stott and The Eden Club, the VistaJet Private Office can exclusively facilitate safe point-to- point journeys from flight to destination for Members to enjoy a memorable holiday with the maximum peace of mind introducing the ultimate notion of private travel.

VistaJet World Safe Havens presents seven exceptional destinations, all with privacy, health and minimized contact at their core:

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

with Abercrombie & Kent

VistaJet Members can explore the natural splendor of Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands during a 14-day exclusive trip. Guests will discover spectacular scenery, enjoy epic adventures, learn about the countrys rich heritage and culture, while safely and responsibly immersing themselves in the secluded, natural habitat of aquatic and land creatures.

With the new Cotopaxi Sanctuary Lodge as an exclusive base, spectacular volcanoes and the abundant wildlife of the National Park can be explored. Guests can enjoy a hike in the Andes with world record breaking mountain athlete, Karl Egloff, sharing his own story, mountain climbing anecdotes and the best tips to handle hiking at altitude. From here, a privately chartered seven-night private yacht cruise

1 LUXX Media, Ultra Affluent Consumer Survey

2 Travel + Leisure, Will Travel Change After Coronavirus? Heres What Experts Have to Say

3 Survey conducted within the U.S. by The Harris Poll from May 14-17, 2020

4 Abercrombie & Kent, Luxury Consumer Travel Trends Post Lockdown Revealed

5 Private Jet Card Comparisons, COVID-19 Coronavirus risk 30 times lower on private jets, says operator 6 LUXX Media, Ultra Affluent Consumer Survey

in the Galapagos Islands awaits, including a private audience with a leading scientist from the Galapagos Science Center, San Cristobal Island.

Velaa Private Island, Maldives

Velaa Private Island has been designed and curated with privacy and comfort as its guiding principles, while allowing the Indian Ocean to take center stage. Within 35 minutes of landing, VistaJet Members can sink their toes into the island sand with their personal butler on hand to take care of check in and any individual requirements. All 47 private villas 18 suspended over water feature private pools. For those wanting ultimate seclusion, the Romantic Pool Residence can only be reached by boat, allowing for even more privacy. Private island buyouts can also be arranged.

Guests can contribute to The Velaa Private Island Coral Project one of the largest coral reef restoration projects in the Maldives by adopting a coral plantation and following its development with the marine biology team. Private Moments, from deserted island picnics to wine tastings, are tailored to the occasion and guest preferences. There are also unlimited activities for all to enjoy in privacy, from golf at the Velaa Golf Academy designed by Ryder Cup Captain Jose Maria Olazabal, to the Maldives only snow room in the Velaa Spa. No activity is ever shared.

The Town, Colorado

with Blue Marble Private

Introducing a hidden secret nestled in the mountains of Colorado. For the first time, a unique private western town located on 4,500 acres of unparalleled Colorado land, with mountains, plains, rivers and lakes is opening its doors to a select few to experience the American Western Frontier. The Town is a modern cowboys dream with authentic yet luxurious accommodation and an unlimited range of summer and winter activities where history, luxury, nature and adventure interlace.

Just an hours drive, or 20 minutes by helicopter, from Aspen, The Town is home to the most astounding historical collection to ever have been assembled in one place; a homage to the vast story of the American Western Frontier and its outlaw years in the country. For exclusive use only, guests can immerse themselves in the life and stories of the Wild West while enjoying modern day luxuries, including a full-service spa, nightly live entertainment and five-star dining. More information will be available upon signing an NDA.

South Africa and Antarctica

with ROAR AFRICA

Private air terminals, planes and exclusive use lodges; a dedicated team of pilots, chefs, rangers and guides to service guests every need. This journey allows for a low impact, low touch private adventure in Africa and Antarctica, offering absolute isolation in safe, luxurious, and breath-taking surroundings. In Africa, VistaJet Members will be able to nurture their minds and feed their souls on safari in a 100,000-hectare remote private property, watching elephants as they pass by, and having dinner whilst listening to theroar of lions. Guests will then follow their deep human instinct to explore Whichaway Camp in Antarctica. They can march with the Emperor penguins; hike the Labyrinth of ice tunnels; partake in 4x4 excursions; visit the polar station; and indulge in picnics and drinks at the ice bar, all while taking in the sights and sounds of water, ice and open plains in breath- taking surroundings.

Island Outpost, Jamaica

with Entourage Travel

Explore Jamaica, straight from where Chris Blackwell founded Island Records and where Ian Fleming wrote many of the James Bond books at his estate, GoldenEye.

From their base at Strawberry Hill, VistaJet Members can discover the Blue Mountains, passing secluded waterfalls and quaint churches, and have the opportunity to enjoy private coffee tastings.

The journey continues in the privacy of the Fleming Villa at GoldenEye, complete with its own private beach where a host of water sports and activities can be enjoyed, before emerging at leisure to enjoy sunset cocktails at playwright Sir Noel Cowards nearby residence. Rafting down the tranquil Rio Grande, with a visit to the Blue Lagoon, guests will travel onwards to their own private farm, Pantrepant, to enjoy horseback rides and dips in cool, unexplored watering holes before returning for farm-to-table dining. The journey concludes with a visit to candle-lit caves, private snorkeling and boat trips, and dancing to a live Reggae band at The Caves.

Chene Bleu, France

with Dean Stott and Joe Fattorini

Experience a truly unique vineyard tour, cycling through beautiful France, guided by Dean Stott former special forces operator and holder of two world cycling records. Guests will be hosted in the vineyard by Deans friend, Joe Fattorini one of the worlds leading wine experts and presenter of The Wine Show. This is a unique opportunity to bring together two diverse interests with two leading experts in their fields.

VistaJet Members will be based at La Verriere, a wine estate and ninth century priory specializing in sustainable luxury, restored by Nicole Sierra-Rolet and Xavier Rolet KBE. It is home to the award- winning Chene Bleu wines, praised by critics as the worlds first Super Rhones. For the keen cyclists, Dean will challenge guests with the nearby Mont Ventoux and for those preferring to immerse themselves in wine or simply enjoy the estate, a taster of Chene Bleus signature Extreme Wine course and the pool await. Each evening, as Members enjoy farm-to-table fare, prepared by internationally trained chef Victor Guerin, and wines from one of Frances most exciting wine projects, they can listen to stories about Deans work in global security and Joes experience of wine across more than thirty countries.

Pittormie Castle, Scotland

with The Eden Club

VistaJet Members are invited to stay at the baronial Pittormie Castle, Scotlands most illustrious private gated estate and home of The Eden Club. Upon landing, guests will be transferred directly by car to their own private residence within the Pittormie grounds, where they can relax in ultimate privacy. Located in the home of golf, there are over 30 courses in the local area, including The Old Course and Kingsbarns, suiting all playing abilities. Members are also invited to enjoy Affinity Membership to The Eden Residence Club, receiving privileged access to a portfolio of private residences and clubs around the world. Membership includes access to world renowned events such as The Masters and Tiger Jam.

The Safe Havens collection will expand to more destinations across the globe during the Summer and Autumn months. For more private travel inspirations, follow @vistajetworld on Instagram.

To request a VistaJet World Safe Havens adventure, visit vistajet.com/privateoffice.

For information on VistaJets safety standards and its efforts to help stop the spread of COVID-19, visit vistajet.com/safety.

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Explore, Relax and Reconnect With Vistajet's Safe Havens - AviationPros.com