Technology promotes transparency in transportation, shipping | 2020-08-27 – DC Velocity

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Transportation management systems (TMS) are vital to navigating the challenges of a changing economyespecially as the Covid-19 pandemic continues to alter the business and logistics landscape,according to a recent studyfrom logistics solutions provider Odyssey Logistics & Technology Corp.

Odysseys survey of more than 350 shippers revealed the critical role cloud-based TMS solutions play in improving transparency and communication among shippers, their customers, and carriers. The researchers said TMS solutions have helped shippers increase shipping transparency, improve risk mitigation, automate cost management, close the customer communication gap, and maintain remote work capabilitiesduring and after the pandemic.

They said improved communication is among the greatest of those advantages.

Its critical for logistics professionals to maintain continual communication with customers, yet its also the leading cause of disruptions to logistics operations, Albert Lee, Odysseys chief technology officer said in a statement announcing the findings. Our research indicates that customer communication is the one activity that consumes the most time for planners and a centralized, automated TMS can reduce this stress and labor.

The research anticipates that shippers will spend an average of $60 million on domestic freight in 2020, underscoring the need for a technology system that can help manage and streamline the transportation process. With so much on the line, respondents said that accessing shipment status information (81%) and transportation cost analysis by lane and mode (70%) were highly important for their shipping operations. They said their top challenges are visibility, track, and trace (42%) and communication with customers and carriers (37%).

Other survey findings include:

Nearly two-thirds of respondents (65%) said having cloud-based access to shipping operations is either critically important or very important considering the effects of Covid-19 on logistics operations and office support.

Nearly two-thirds of respondents (63%) currently use a TMS, are in the process of implementing a TMS, or are evaluating or planning to implement TMS within the next 24 months.

The top two drivers for using or planning to use a TMS were cost management (68%) and track and trace (61%) capabilities.

As the pandemic continues, more than half of respondents (56%) said they were very likely or somewhat likely to reassess the integration of a cloud-based TMS.

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Technology promotes transparency in transportation, shipping | 2020-08-27 - DC Velocity

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Global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy Market 2020-2026 | EDAP TMS, SonaCare Medical, Theraclion, ILJIN Holdings, FUS Instruments – NJ MMA…

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Global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy Market 2020 report provides synopsis of the industry which includes applications, definitions, industry chain structure and classifications, along with this, the report also states demand and supply figures, revenue, production, import/export consumption as well as future strategies, sales volume, gross margins, technological developments, cost and growth rate. The Global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy Market report also delivers historical data from 2015 to 2020 and forecasted data from 2020 to 2027, along with SWOT analysis data of the market. This report also provides data and information by types, by application, by region and by manufacturers or producers.

The global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market report profiles major key players of the market on the basis of business strategies, financial weaknesses and strengths and recent development. The major vendors covered as below:

EDAP TMSSonaCare MedicalTheraclionILJIN HoldingsFUS InstrumentsChongqing Haifu Medical TechnologyShanghai AS Technology DevelopmentMianyang Sonic Electronic

For more insights into the Market, request a sample of this report (Including Full TOC, List of Tables & Figures, Chart) @ https://www.glamresearch.com/report/global-high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-therapy-market-by-361252/#sample

The High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy Market report also assess the current and historical enactment of the market particularly highlighting various growth opportunities and current trends of the market. The global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market report also contains future development trends, in-depth exploration of competitive landscape, growth pattern by the key manufacturers, types, applications and regions from 2020 -2027. This report is a broad analysis of the corporate field which considers as one of the lucrative business vertical in futures and also provides brief segmentation of the market as well as Key regions. Furthermore, the High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market report also includes both quantitative and qualitative analysis of the High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market during the forecast period from 2020-2027. Along with this, report also provides in-depth into market barriers or threats and the impact of controlling framework that give blueprint of High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market.

The COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease) pandemic has created the hostile impact on the global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market. Due go this pandemic, the alternative methods are used to support manufacturing operations and these alternatives like virtual replica of the operating machines is a costly process and due to shutdown many companies are facing cash flow crunch.

High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy Industry Research Objectives

Segment by Type, the High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market is segmented intoNon-invasive TreatmentMinimal Invasive Treatment

Segment by Application, the High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market is segmented intoHospitalDagnostics CenterOthers

For Information On The Research Approach Used In The Report, Ask to Our IndustryExpert@ https://www.glamresearch.com/report/global-high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-therapy-market-by-361252/#inquiry

Global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy Market Segmentation: By Region

Global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market report categorized the information and data according to the major geographical regions like,

Access Full Report, here: https://www.glamresearch.com/report/global-high-intensity-focused-ultrasound-therapy-market-by-361252/

The Global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy market is displayed in 13 Chapters:

Chapter 1: Market Overview, Drivers, Restraints and OpportunitiesChapter 2: Market Competition by ManufacturersChapter 3: Production by RegionsChapter 4: Consumption by RegionsChapter 5: Production, By Types, Revenue and Market share by TypesChapter 6: Consumption, By Applications, Market share (%) and Growth Rate by ApplicationsChapter 7: Complete profiling and analysis of ManufacturersChapter 8: Manufacturing cost analysis, Raw materials analysis, Region-wise manufacturing expensesChapter 9: Industrial Chain, Sourcing Strategy and Downstream BuyersChapter 10: Marketing Strategy Analysis, Distributors/TradersChapter 11: Market Effect Factors AnalysisChapter 12: Market ForecastChapter 13: High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy Research Findings and Conclusion, Appendix, methodology and data source

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Global High-intensity Focused Ultrasound Therapy Market 2020-2026 | EDAP TMS, SonaCare Medical, Theraclion, ILJIN Holdings, FUS Instruments - NJ MMA...

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Seahawks one of two teams still in the mix for Jadeveon Clowney– report – NBCSports.com

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Were less than two weeks from the start of the 2020 NFL season and Jadeveon Clowney is still on the free agent market.

The three-time Pro Bowl defensive end remains unsigned as training camps around the league conclude and teams ramp up for NFL action. Clowney has received interest from multiple teams, but the 27-year-old remains unsigned largely because of his asking price.

The elite pass rusher initially entered free agency with a $20 million per year asking price but has reportedlyloweredhis price tag to somewhere in the $17-18 million range awaiting an ideal suitor.

If you ask Yahoo! Sports NFL insider Charles Robinson, the Seattle Seahawks or Tennessee Titans could still make a deal with Clowney. That is, at the right price.

I think its Tennessee and Seattle, and I think its all on Clowney deciding what the number is that hes willing to play for, Robinson said Tuesday on the Pat McAfee show. If its sub-$15 (million), this, I think, can get done. Maybe its 12 or 13 with incentives that could push it, but the market, its not great.

Clowney, who turned 27 on Feb. 14, made $15 million in 2019when he was traded by the Houston Texans to the Seahawks. The Texans paid $7millionofClowney'scontract for this season, while the Seahawks picked up the remaining $8millionof the deal.

In 11 starts through 13 games in Seattle, Clowney compiled 21 tackles (seven for loss), three sacks (13 quarterback hits), four forced fumbles (two recoveries) and one interception for a touchdown (three pass breakups).

Robinson noted how Yannick Ngakoues trade from the Jacksonville Jaguars to the Minnesota Vikings may have had a domino effect on Clowneys value on the market. Ngakoue signed a one-year, $12 million deal, making it unlikely Clowney could obtain the type of money hes looking for in a future NFL team.

Hes also turned down several lucrative offers from the Cleveland Browns, per Robinson. The Browns presented Clowney with deals between one and three years, all within the $17 to $18 million per year range, but the star pass rusher was not interested.

When asked if Clowney could pull a Le'Veon Bell and sit out the entire season if his contract demands aren't met,ESPN's John Clayton said it's entirely possible.

As of today, hes taking the same position, Its either $15 million or Im not playing,' Clayton said. And unless he changes that then hes not playing because no one is going to pay him $15 million, particularly now that you saw (Browns defensive end) Olivier Vernon took a (paycut to $11 million) and you saw that (Ngakoue is making $12 million). I think right now its up to him.

But Clayton does think Clowney would be open to reducing his asking price for the right team, a la Seahawks.

If he goes down to $12 or $11 million, he could be here (in Seattle), he said. I could see that happening.

While theres no new indications that a Clowney signing is imminent, the clock is ticking and Clowney will soon have to decide whether hes going to play this year or sit out the entire 2020 season.

Check out the latest Talkin' Seahawks podcast with Joe Fann and special guest Joel McHale

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Seahawks one of two teams still in the mix for Jadeveon Clowney-- report - NBCSports.com

The US Looks to Lose $155 Billion Without International Tourism in 2020 – TravelPulse

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The World Travel & Tourism Councils (WTTC) latest research indicates that, with this years COVID-induced collapse of international tourism, the U.S. economy is set to lose $155 billion in 2020. This catastrophic upset to the American economy is tantamount to a shortfall of $425 million a day, or almost $3 billion per week.

International travel spending in the U.S. during 2019 reached $195.1 billion, accounting for 16 percent of the countrys total tourism-sector spending. Thats nearly $16.3 billion each month, which equates to $3.7 billion every week or $534.5 million per day.

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The virtual evaporation of global travel activity for the better part of 2020 could result in international visitor spending declining by an astounding 79 percent, according to WTTCs analysis. WTTCs 2020 Economic Impact Report also makes clear COVID-19s far-reaching impact on the Travel and Tourism industry and global economics.

The report reveals that, in 2019, the Travel and Tourism sector provided 16.8 million American jobs (10.7 percent of the nations total workforce) and generated $1.8 trillion, which is equivalent to nine percent of the U.S. economy. WTTCs modeling mapped out a worst case scenario in which almost 12.1 million U.S. jobs may be lost due to the economic fallout of the pandemic.

The economic pain and suffering caused to millions of households across the U.S., who are dependent upon Travel and Tourism for their livelihoods, is evident from our latest shocking figures," said Gloria Guevara, WTTCs President and CEO.

The lack of international visitors to the U.S. due to the pandemic could wipe out more than $155 billion from the U.S. economy alonea loss of $425 million a dayfrom which it may take years to recover. It could also threaten New Yorks position as one of the worlds premier hubs for business and leisure travel, she explained.

Representing Travel and Tourisms private-sector players, the WTTC and its Members recently petitioned President Donald Trump and the other leaders of the G7 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom), asking that they work together to formulate a coordinated recovery response for the sector.

International coordination to re-establish transatlantic travel would provide a boost for the Travel and Tourism sector. It would benefit airlines and hotels, travel agents and tour operators, and revitalize the millions of jobs in the supply chain which are dependent upon international travel across the Atlantic," Guevara said.

She continued: We urgently need to replace blanket quarantine measures with rapid, comprehensive and cost-effective test and trace programs at departure points across the country. This investment will be significantly less than the impact of blunt quarantines which have devastating and far-reaching socio-economic consequences.

The recent $750 million deal with Abbott labs for $5 rapid test is very promising in this respect, and we hope that it allows the U.S. to continue to reopen and can prove as a blueprint for a way forward for other countries. Targeted test and tracing will help rebuild consumer confidence to travel."

According to WTTC research, in 2019, the Travel and Tourism industry supplied one in ten jobs (330 million in total), generated one in four of the worlds new jobs and contributed 10.3 percent to the global GDP.

For more information, visit wttc.org.

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The US Looks to Lose $155 Billion Without International Tourism in 2020 - TravelPulse

Briefing of Acting SRSG Stephanie Williams to the Security Council on the situation in Libya – Libya – ReliefWeb

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Mr. President (Ambassador Abdou Abarry of Niger), Excellencies,

Allow me to congratulate Niger for assuming the presidency of the Security Council during the month of September and for giving me the opportunity to brief this Council today.

It is becoming a regrettable clich to appear before you and warn that Libya is at a critical juncture but yet I am compelled to pronounce these same words again today. Libya is indeed at a decisive turning point. Your support, not only in words but most importantly in action, will help determine whether the country descends into new depths of fragmentation and chaos, or progresses towards a more prosperous future.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

On the ground, an uneasy stand-off continues around Sirte, imperiling the lives of the citys 130,000 vulnerable inhabitants as well as the countrys vital oil infrastructure which comprises its economic lifeline. While the frontlines have remained relatively quiet since June, both the Libyan Arab Armed Forces (LAAF) and forces under the control of the Government of National Accord (GNA) continue to benefit from the regrettable assistance of foreign sponsors to stockpile advanced weaponry and equipment.

Since the Secretary-General last briefed you on 8 July, some 70 resupply flights landed in eastern airports in support of the LAAF while 30 resupply flights were dispatched to airports in western Libya in support of the GNA. Similarly, around nine cargo vessels docked in western ports in support of the GNA, while a reported three cargo vessels arrived in support of the LAAF. Foreign sponsors are fortifying their assets at key Libyan air bases in the east and west. The activity described above constitutes an alarming breach of Libyas sovereignty, a blatant violation of the UN arms embargo, not to mention the commitments undertaken by the Berlin conference participants. The Mission continues to receive reports of large-scale presence of foreign mercenaries and operatives, further complicating local dynamics and chances of a future settlement.

While the rate of incidents and accidents has decreased from booby traps, including IEDs, landmines and explosive remnants of war, explosive hazard contamination remains a significant risk to many communities, particularly in southern Tripoli. As of 24 August, a total of 61 people have been killed and 113 people injured, of which 107 are civilians. The UN continues to support the authorities to develop and implement strategies to ensure the safe, dignified, and voluntary returns of people to their homes.

Reports of imminent offensives, and reliance on social media networks to spread those rumors, exacerbate the risk of miscalculation. As a sign of increased volatility, localised tensions among armed groups, most recently in the cities of al-Asabaa, Sirte and neighboring localities, are on the rise with allegations of unlawful arrests and detention, abuse of power and targeting of civilians being widely shared with the Mission. These developments make the requirement for a genuine DDR programme even more urgent. On 26 August at night, General Haftar's forces launched Grad rockets towards areas in which GNA forces were operating near Sirte and last night there were similar reports of rockets launched by forces affiliated with General Haftar. The rockets did not cause any damage or injuries but are a breach of the ceasefire that General Haftar's spokesperson said he signed up to in June.

With the stakes so high, any such reckless action risks igniting large-scale confrontation, with the devasting consequences this would entail for the country and the region at large. It is imperative that you use your influence to impress on all sides that now is the time for restraint.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

Instability is further compounded by degraded socio-economic conditions, fueling popular unrest and threatening the fragile calm required to advance our security and political discussions.

The partial lifting of the oil blockade announced by the LAAF on 18 August had a minimal impact on the severe energy crisis faced by the country as it only applied to the removal of condensates from eastern stores. While this allowed the National Oil Corporation to continue providing natural gas for eastern power plants, the blockade otherwise remains unreasonably in place including a forced shutdown of all domestic refineries. As the international price of fuel increases, so do domestic fuel shortages which negatively impacts on multiple sectors of the economy, including electricity. In the nations capital, residents too often go without electricity for up to twenty hours per day. We must make the full lifting of oil blockade, which has been in place since January, a top priority.

The immiseration of the Libyan people is further compounded by the debilitating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, which appears to be spiraling out of control. The number of confirmed cases has more than doubled in the last two weeks, with 15,156 cases and 250 recorded deaths as at 1 September. Exponential increases are a worrying trend with community transmission now reported in some of Libyas main cities, including Tripoli and Sebha. We are, however, looking at the problem through a keyhole, as persistent shortages in testing capabilities, adequate health care facilities and contact tracing mean that the true scale of the pandemic in Libya is likely to be much higher. Handling of the pandemic is constrained by the fragmentation of health sector institutions, the extreme shortage of medical supplies and workers as well as a funding shortage. Nearing full collapse after more than nine years of conflict, the health care system is unable to respond to the additional weight placed by COVID-19 patients along with maintaining normal health services, including child immunization programmes. The United Nations and our partners are at the forefront of supporting the national authorities, through the provision of health supplies and personal protection equipment. We are also working closely with the authorities to build capacity of health workers, to destigmatize the virus and increase awareness to ensure people take the proper precautions to protect themselves. It is essential that Libyan authorities cooperate transparently in our joint fight to control this terrible plague.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

Humanitarian access, compounded by COVID-19 restriction measures, remains a persistent challenge across the country. These challenges notwithstanding, the humanitarian organizations have reached more than 243,000 people with assistance since the beginning of the year. This includes support to 66,000 internally displaced people, 119,000 vulnerable, conflict-affected Libyans and recent returnees and 58,000 migrants and refugees.

The socioeconomic impact of COVID-19, along with the protracted crisis and the deteriorating public services, continued to stretch the coping capacities of those in the most vulnerable circumstances, particularly the more than one million people estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance in 2020.

I remain concerned that migrants, refugees and asylum-seekers continue to attempt to cross the Mediterranean, at great risk to their lives. I am deeply saddened by the recent deaths of 45 migrants and refugees in a single incident on 18 August when their boat sank off Libyas coast attempting to cross to Europe. More than 7,000 migrants and refugees have attempted this crossing this year; more than 300 of whom have died. Reports of delays in rescue and disembarkation highlight the need for a review of the European countries approach to this situation and for a more humane and predictable disembarkation mechanism in line with the responsibilities placed on Member States by international human rights law as well as search and rescue obligations. Libya cannot be considered as a safe port for disembarkation. Many migrants and refugees that have been intercepted at sea have been returned to Libya and placed into detention. As of 21 August, almost 2,400 migrants and refugees are in official detention centres in Libya, where they are subjected routinely to grave human rights violations. Many more are in unofficial sites where the UN does not have access. I continue to urge for greater steps by the authorities against smugglers and traffickers and for finding alternatives to detention in Libya.

UNSMIL welcomes the nomination by the High Commissioner for Human Rights of the three members of the independent Fact Finding Mission on Libya. We look forward to cooperating with them and assisting them in fulfilling their mission to document violations of international human rights and humanitarian law since 2016, address impunity for such violations and act as a deterrent. Sustainable peace in Libya will only be achieved through justice and accountability.

Excellencies, Mr. President,

All these elements are producing a fertile ground for social unrest across the country and confirm once more that the status-quo is simply unsustainable.

In recent days, Libyans have come out in force throughout the country, most notably in Tripoli, to express their anger over the lack of basic services, widespread water and power cuts and rampant corruption. I have personally communicated the United Nations concerns to Libyan authorities at reports of excessive force used against peaceful demonstrators and reiterated our calls for the rights to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression to be respected. Those who have been arbitrarily detained by armed groups must be released. The surge in the use of hate speech and incitement to violence occasionally stirred through foreign-based media outlets and electronic armies - appears designed to further divide Libyans, to increase polarization and tear at the country's social fabric at the expense of a Libyan-Libyan solution.

On 29 August, the situation morphed into an open political crisis when the Presidency Council suspended the Minister of Interior and expedited a governmental reshuffling, exposing underlying tensions that had resurfaced within the western camp, as the threat posed by General Haftars offensive subsided. Now is the time to join hands as efforts are being undertaken to reach a settlement that would aim to preserve the countrys sovereignty and integrity as well as to address long-standing economic shortcomings and the need to implement lasting DDR and security sector reforms.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

The disturbing trends I have just described should all compel us to press for immediate de-escalation and return to the political process before the fragile window of opportunity created by the informal halt in hostilities dissipates to the detriment of the Libyans first and foremost, but also to the detriment of international peace and security. Glimmers of hope have appeared from within Libya, which UNSMIL, with the support of the Berlin-established International Follow-up Committee on Libya, is working on nurturing and using as an anchor to its own efforts. Rejuvenation of political activity in the West and the East has enabled the emergence of a constituency advocating for change, for a Libyan-Libyan solution, to restore the countrys sovereignty and to disentangle themselves from broader regional and international struggles.

On 21 August, President of the Presidency Council Serraj and House of Representatives Speaker Saleh issued simultaneous, yet separate, statements calling for an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the oil blockade and a return to the political process, under UN auspices. These statements were met by overwhelming expressions of support coming from Libyans from all political affiliations and international partners alike. I remain optimistic that, with many points of convergence between both declarations, we may have a chance to move forward with regard to intra-Libyan political and security discussions while continuing to engage with other key political and military forces across the country.

Since the last briefing, I have conducted a number of missions to shore up support for the UNs efforts in Libya, including visits to the United Kingdom, Algeria, Morocco and Egypt. Earlier today, I met with Tunisian President Saied to specifically thank the Tunisian government for its unstinting support for the UNs operations in Libya. With all of my regional and international interlocutors, with all of them, I secured commitments to assist UNSMIL in our task to bring the Libyan parties together and to work to maintain calm on the ground. Libyas neighbors are directly threatened by the continuing instability and influx of weapons and mercenaries. I have also met directly with President Serraj, House of Representative Speaker Saleh and Higher State Council President Mishri as well as a number of their representatives and other key figures. I would like to thank the Swiss government for their superb facilitation of our meetings with Libyans in these difficult times. At all levels, the Mission is engaging with Libyan stakeholders to counsel calm and to build the bridges which will ease the political process.

In Ghat, on 18 August, the relatively high turn-out recorded in the municipal elections, despite COVID-19-related constraints, demonstrated the Libyans determination to exercise their rights to elect their representatives. It is therefore not surprising that spoilers would seek to sabotage further such exercises, as happened in the city of Traghen on 25 August when an armed group affiliated with the LAAF forced the suspension of the vote. These green shoots of democracy must be protected. I salute the tireless efforts of the Central Commission of Municipal Council Elections as it continues preparations for elections in a new group of municipalities, starting with Misrata tomorrow.

On the military front, UNSMIL continued discussions with delegations of both sides under the auspices of the 5+5 Joint Military Commission and moved past areas of convergence identified previously to adjust to new dynamics on the ground. As of today, and since 8 July, we have convened three virtual rounds of discussions with the GNA and two with the LAAF delegation in an attempt to urge for immediate de-escalation. I encouraged both sides to consider the incremental establishment of a demilitarized area starting with Sirte, supported by a comprehensive set of confidence-building measures. This proposal would also comprise a small international-Libyan joint ceasefire monitoring mechanism. While divergences of views and distrust between both sides remain high, I call on you to encourage the parties to refrain from insisting on unrealistic and maximalist positions and to participate in good faith, for the sake of their country.

Addressing the economic drivers of the conflict is at the core of any hope for a sustainable settlement. To create the necessary confidence required for a frank and open discussion over the transparent allocation of resources, UNSMIL had long pushed for an international audit of both branches of the Central Bank of Libya, as requested by Prime Minister Serraj in a letter to the Secretary General in July 2018. I am pleased to report that, thanks to your support, the international financial review audit was launched on 1 August and is moving forward quickly. This process will advance efforts to unify the two branches of the Central Bank of Libya, enhance accountability and create the transparency needed to inform discussions on the equitable management of revenue.

Mr. President, Excellencies,

I remind you that 16 months ago, we were on the cusp of a broadly gauged Libyan national conference that would have established the framework to replace the current divided political structures with one that would have more clearly reflected the legitimate aspirations of all Libyans. That effort was upended by those who falsely believed they could achieve their aims through the use of force. After 14 months of needless death and destruction, they did not succeed. The use of oil as a weapon of war has only exacerbated the misery of the Libyan people and propelled the country towards economic and social collapse. It is therefore clear that the only path out is through dialogue and compromise leading to a comprehensive political settlement and culminating in national elections.

Thank You.

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Briefing of Acting SRSG Stephanie Williams to the Security Council on the situation in Libya - Libya - ReliefWeb

WTTC Says France Looks Set To Lose 48 Billion From Missing Tourists And Visitors Due To Pandemic – Hospitality Net

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London, UK - A staggering 48 billion looks set to be lost from the French economy due to the collapse of international travel during 2020, according to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, says the massive decline in the number of international travellers and tourists visiting France due to the COVID-19 pandemic, could result in international visitor spending dropping by a staggering 82%.

This catastrophic loss to the French economy equates to a shortfall of 131.2 million a day, or 918 million a week, to the country's economy.This deeply worrying news comes after the UK removed France from its quarantine free list, with British holidaymakers returning from France now needing to quarantine for 14 days when arriving back to the UK.

This blanket measure will have a massive economic impact on both French and the UK economies, with WTTC predicting the UK is set to lose 22 billion from its economy due to the collapse of international travel this year.

The severe impact on the French Travel & Tourism sector is laid bare by WTTC as the economic fallout from coronavirus continues to ravage the sector. More than two million jobs (2.1m) in France supported by Travel & Tourism, are at risk of being lost in a 'worst case' scenario mapped out by WTTC economic modelling.

Across Europe, in the 'worst case' scenario, that figure rises to more than 29m (29.5m) Travel & Tourism jobs.

This comes as France recently announced considering imposing quarantine to UK travellers which would have a bigger impact in both economies.

According to WTTC's 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for 2.7m million jobs, or 9.4% of the country's total workforce. It also generated more than 205 billion GDP, or 8.5% to the French economy.

WTTC and its Members recently called upon President Emmanuel Macron and the other leaders of the G7 countries, urging for a coordinated approach be taken in leading the recovery response to the crisis.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: "The economic pain and suffering caused to millions of households across France, who are dependent upon a thriving Travel & Tourism sector for their livelihoods, is evident from the latest WTTC figures."

"The lack of international travel caused by the pandemic could wipe out 48 billion from the French economy alone - a loss of 131.2 million a day - from which it could take many years to recover. It could also threaten the position of Paris as one of the world's premier hubs for business and leisure travel."

"International coordination to re-establish transatlantic travel would provide a vital boost to the Travel & Tourism sector. It would benefit airlines and hotels, travel agents and tour operators and revitalise the millions of jobs in the supply chain which are dependent upon international travel."

"We urgently need to replace the ever-changing quarantine measures with rapid, comprehensive and cost-effective test and trace programmes at departure points across the country. This investment will be significantly less than the impact of blunt quarantines which have devastating and far-reaching socio-economic consequences."

"Targeted test and tracing will also rebuild consumer confidence to travel. It will enable the restoration of vital 'air corridors' between countries and regions with similar COVID-19 case rates."

"A quick turnaround test and trace system in place for all departing passengers means the government could consider reinstating travel between France and major international hubs such as London, New York, Dubai and others. Restoring business class travel between the world's top financial centres, would act as an engine to help kick-start the economic global recovery."

WTTC analysis of international travel spending in France during 2019 reveals it reached 58.6 billion, accounting for 34% of the total tourism spend in Germany. Domestic travel spending was last year responsible for the other 66%.

A further breakdown reveals how crucial spending from international travellers during 2019 was to the French economy. Every month it accounted for 4.9 billion or 1.1 billion a week - and 160 million a day.

Between 2016 and 2018, the largest inbound source markets to France were travellers from Germany and the UK, each accounting for 14% of all international arrivals, with Belgium coming in third with 12%, and Italy and Switzerland in joint fourth place with 8% each.

Data for 2018, which is the most up-to-date available, shows how dependent Paris in particular is on international visitor spending. It accounted for almost three quarters (74%) of all tourism spending in the city, with domestic tourists making up the remaining 26%.

The US was the most important source market for the city with 19% of arriving visitors, with the UK in second place with 9% of arrivals.

WTTC is the body which represents the Travel & Tourism private sector globally. Members consist of CEOs of the world's Travel & Tourism companies, destinations, and industry organisations engaging with Travel & Tourism.

WTTC has a history of 25 years of research to quantify the economic impact of the sector in 185 countries. Travel & Tourism is a key driver for investment and economic growth globally. The sector contributes US$8.8 trillion or 10.4% of global GDP, and accounts for 319 million jobs or one in ten of all jobs on the planet.

For over 25 years, WTTC has been the voice of this industry globally. Members are the Chairs, Presidents and Chief Executives of the world's leading, private sector Travel & Tourism businesses, who bring specialist knowledge to guide government policy and decision-making and raise awareness of the importance of the sector.

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WTTC Says France Looks Set To Lose 48 Billion From Missing Tourists And Visitors Due To Pandemic - Hospitality Net

Italy looks set to lose more than 36 billion from missing tourists and visitors due to pandemic, says WTTC – Marketscreener.com

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100 million a day being lost to the Italian economy

A devastating 36.7 billion looks set to be lost from the Italian economy due to the collapse of international travel during 2020, according to latest research conducted by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC).

WTTC, which represents the global Travel & Tourism private sector, says the massive decline in the number of international travellers and tourists visiting Italy, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, could result in international visitor spending dropping by a staggering 82%.

This catastrophic loss to the Italian economy equates to a shortfall of 100 million a day, or 700 million a week, to the country's economy.

WTTC and its Members recently called upon Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte and the other leaders of the G7 countries, to urge for a coordinated approach to be taken to lead the global recovery response to the crisis.

The harsh impact on Italian Travel & Tourism is laid bare by WTTC as the economic fallout from coronavirus continues to burn its way through the sector. Some 2.8 million jobs in Italy which are supported by Travel & Tourism are at risk of being lost in a 'worst case' scenario mapped out by WTTC economic modelling.

Across Europe, in the 'worst case' scenario, that figure rises to more than 29m (29.5m) Travel & Tourism jobs.

According to WTTC's 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for almost 3.5 million jobs in Italy, or 14.9% of the country's total workforce. It also generated 232.9 billion GDP, or 13% to the Italian economy.

Gloria Guevara, WTTC President & CEO, said: 'The economic pain and suffering caused to millions of households across Italy, who are dependent upon a thriving Travel & Tourism for their livelihoods, is evident from our latest shocking figures.

'The lack of international travel caused by the pandemic could wipe out more than 36 billion from the Italian economy alone - a loss of 100 million a day - from which it could take many years to recover. It could also threaten Milan's position as global financial powerhouse for business, and Rome as a major leisure destination.

'International coordination to re-establish transatlantic travel would provide a vital boost for the Travel & Tourism sector. It would benefit airlines and hotels, travel agents and tour operators and revitalise the millions of jobs in the supply chain which are dependent upon international travel.'

'We must replace any stop-start quarantine measures with rapid, comprehensive and cost-effective test and trace programmes at departure points across the country. This investment will be significantly less than the impact of blunt quarantines which have devastating and far-reaching socio-economic consequences.

'Targeted test and tracing will also rebuild the much-needed consumer confidence to travel. It will enable the restoration of vital 'air corridors' between countries and regions with similar COVID-19 case rates.

'A fast turnaround test and trace system in place for all departing passengers means the government could consider reinstating travel between Italy and major international hubs, a move which would help kick-start the economic global recovery.

WTTC analysis of international travel spending in Italy during 2019 reveals it reached almost 45 billion, accounting for 24% of the total tourism spend in the country. Domestic travel spending last year was responsible for the other 76%.

A further breakdown reveals how crucial spending from international travellers during 2019 was to the Italian economy. Every month it accounted for 3.74 billion or 861 million a week - and 123 million a day.

Between 2016 and 2018, the largest inbound source markets to Italy were travellers from the Germany, accounting for one in five (20%) of all international arrivals, with the US and France both coming in second with 8%, and the UK in third place with 6%.

Data for 2018, which is the most up-to-date available, shows how Rome is dependent on international visitor spending. It accounted for 66% of all tourism spending in the city, with domestic tourists making up the remaining 34%.

The US was the most important source market for the city with 18% of arriving visitors, with Spain in second place with 8% of arrivals, the UK in third place with 7% of arrivals, and Germany in fourth position with 6%.

The loss of this international visitor spending could have a profound long-term impact on the Italian capital for years to come.

According to WTTC's 2020 Economic Impact Report, during 2019, Travel & Tourism was responsible for one in 10 jobs (330 million total), making a 10.3% contribution to global GDP and generating one in four of all new jobs.

Ends

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Italy looks set to lose more than 36 billion from missing tourists and visitors due to pandemic, says WTTC - Marketscreener.com

DPM Heng: S’pore must adapt to change but stay true to its values – The Straits Times

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In my maiden speech in Parliament in 2011, I said that all debates in this House will always be guided by one question: "How can we best ensure the survival and success of Singapore, and improve the lives of Singaporeans?"

We have over the years examined this question in different ways.

The question has now become more critical than ever. We began 2020 full of hope, having just commemorated our Bicentennial last year. None of us could have foreseen what was to come - the whole of humanity locked in by a virus; millions of people infected, and lives upended; the global economy plunged into the worst recession since the Great Depression; and the ways we earn a living, go about our lives, and interact with one another turned on their head.

In Singapore, we mounted a swift and robust response. To protect lives, we imposed the circuit breaker. To protect livelihoods, we are doing all that we can to keep our workers in jobs, preserve the core capabilities of our businesses and support households during this difficult period. We committed around $100 billion to fight the pandemic and safeguard our people and businesses from the fallout.

But as a small and open economy, we cannot defy the full force of this global crisis. We have to tackle these challenges amid the underlying shifts that predated Covid-19.

There is a backlash against free trade and sharpening nativist instincts, because the costs and benefits of globalisation have been unevenly distributed. Technology and innovation are reshaping the nature of work, disrupting jobs and businesses. These stresses have in turn caused societies to be polarised... The uncertainties created by Covid-19 have only accelerated these shifts.

To compound matters, governments around the world have financed massive stimulus packages through borrowing, putting an even greater burden on future generations.

It is against this sombre backdrop that we open our 14th Parliament. As the President said in her speech, we are at an inflection point in our history. Now, more than ever, we must ask: How can we best ensure the survival and success of Singapore, and improve the lives of Singaporeans in these unprecedented times?

We can answer this in one line: Adapt to change, but stay true to our values.

Change will leave us behind if we stand still. That we must adapt is a given.

Deputy Prime Minister Heng Swee Keat yesterday said Singapore must take a more integratedapproach to economic transformation, redouble efforts to develop every Singaporean to hisfullest potential, boost pathfinding capacity to find new bright spots and seek new ways tobe a vital node in the world. PHOTO: GOV.SG

What will define this term of Government is how we will adapt, that will build a better life for our people. Even as we keep pace with change, we must stay true to the values that have enabled us to progress all these years.

By embracing change with courage and confidence, we build our capacity to adapt. By staying true to our values, we strengthen our sense of common purpose. By working in close partnership, we advance as Singapore Together.

I will speak about how we need to adapt as an economy, a society and a people.

Singapore's economic story over the decades has been one of constant adaptation, restructuring and transformation. Our latest refresh started in 2016, with Industry Transformation Maps to spur sector-specific adaptation throughout our economy.

The effort has borne fruit. Productivity and wages were going up before Covid-19 struck. Industry players have also found new ways of working together to raise the competitiveness of their industries.

Indeed, bearing fruit is not just a metaphor here. I met a fruit seller Jun Sheng, better known as "Ah Boy" at Block 58 Marketplace in Bedok. In addition to operating a physical stall, he sells fruits online and even takes orders via WhatsApp. Many hawkers and small businesses islandwide are also going digital. We must do what we can to support our workers and business, big and small, and make such innovation pervasive.

While we have made progress in industry transformation, we must look ahead and prepare ourselves for even faster and more disruptive change. To emerge stronger as an economy, we must strengthen our capacity in four areas.

First, we must take an even more integrated and coordinated approach to economic transformation.

The economy is very complex, with multiple stakeholders. In our system, tripartism - the Government, businesses and the labour movement working together - has been a tremendous source of strength.

Two years back, as chairman of the National Research Foundation, I visited the Netherlands to learn more about its "triple helix" model of innovation - where government, businesses and academia work together to build knowledge, test prototypes and scale innovation.

Like some research triangles in the United States, the Dutch have done well. This model is being expanded to incorporate other dimensions such as societal responsibility and environmental protection.

In essence, the economy is very complex in how it allocates resources, generates innovative ideas, and in how returns are distributed across multiple stakeholders. While there is a competitive element in this, there are also benefits to be gained from working together for shared prosperity.

Singapore can build on our tripartite partnership to be a test bed that creates deeper linkages with an expanded set of stakeholders - including our education and research institutions, our community groups, and interested partners from around the world. By doing so, we can create good jobs for our people and new opportunities for entrepreneurs.

Second, we must redouble our efforts to develop everyone to his or her fullest potential. In this way, our people can take on new opportunities and flourish in their chosen pursuits. We need a holistic approach for this that spans the lifetime of individuals, from birth to pre-school to schools, all the way to lifelong learning as part of SkillsFuture. I am glad our workers are embracing upskilling, with about half a million taking part in SkillsFuture programmes last year.

And we have to explore new possibilities for developing our people fully.

Third, we must strengthen our pathfinding capacity to find new bright spots amid economic disruption.

Four months ago, we set up the Emerging Stronger Taskforce to identify and seize new opportunities in emerging trends. The task force has made good progress and commissioned seven Alliances for Action. These industry-led coalitions to pilot ideas quickly represent a new, action-oriented approach to pursue specific growth areas.

The ideas being explored are promising. They range from environmental sustainability to smart commerce, supply chain digitalisation and the use of robotics. These can create new growth markets for our businesses and good jobs for Singaporeans.

We will invest in incubating and accelerating start-ups, and supporting established companies to expand their R&D to build competitive strengths. Such a vibrant innovation ecosystem will build up our path-finding capabilities.

Fourth, we must find new ways to be a vital node, with rich and deep interconnections with the rest of the world.

As a small city-state, being open is our strength and opportunity. Unlike other major cities, we do not have domestic hinterlands that buffer us against shocks. We cannot take for granted that, in a post-Covid-19 world, we can continue to be the same kind of hub that we used to be.

We must therefore forge new forms of connections, such as digital economy agreements, while deepening our linkages with regional markets to ride on Asia's potential.

We must also remain open to investment and talent from around the world. In this economic climate, we understand that many Singaporeans are anxious about their livelihoods. Our starting point is that our economic strategies must serve the interests of Singaporeans. The foreign investments we attract must create meaningful jobs for our people and strengthen our corporate ecosystem. Singaporeans must receive fair consideration at the workplace.

We are therefore adapting our manpower policies, including our Employment Pass and S Pass policies, to the changing circumstances, to ensure that Singaporeans' interests are upheld. But to emerge stronger, we must resist any temptation to turn inwards. We cannot close ourselves to the world, or make foreigners unwelcome in our society.

We must always serve the interest of Singaporeans. The best way is to ensure that this little red dot - with no natural resources of any kind, but with a determined, hardworking, forward-looking people - is to remain useful and relevant to the world.

We do this by keeping our economy vibrant and competitive, so that Singaporeans and other people choose to be here, to invest and do business, thereby creating good jobs and opportunities for all of us. Mr Patrick Tay (a labour MP who is National Trades Union Congress assistant secretary-general) is right that we should create even stronger linkages in the form of skills maps, job redesign, and the retraining and reskilling of our workers, to take on new jobs.

In particular, we must also make a deliberate effort to develop Singaporeans for leadership roles in companies, so that they can take Singapore forward. Singapore, as a regional operational headquarters, has what it takes. Singaporeans, in a multiracial, multi-religious, multicultural environment, can connect with people all around us and build deep linkages with our friends in the region. This is something that we will pursue.

At the same time, we must not undermine the essence of what has made us successful. Even as we adapt to a changing world, we must stay true to our values - our sense of unity as a people, our composition as a multicultural society. We must stay true to our value to the world, as an oasis of harmony in this fractious world.

Even as we evolve our economic strategies, our society too is facing new challenges and needs to continue to adapt, to sustain the promise of progress for every Singaporean. We must not let change lead to polarisation.

In the early days of our development, our economy was growing strongly. A rising tide lifted all boats, and most Singaporeans saw their lives improve by leaps and bounds. We invested in our people so that they could adapt and grow with our economy.

As our economy matured, we also strengthened our social safety nets. For example, we improved healthcare affordability, through MediShield Life and Chas (Community Health Assist Scheme), and provided extra support for the Pioneer and Merdeka generations.

We uplifted the wages of our lower-wage workers through Workfare and the Progressive Wage Model. Our social spending has tripled over the last 15 years and this is set to rise further as our population ages.

Looking ahead, our economy will change at a much more rapid pace.

Disruption to jobs will be more common with the greater adoption of technology, such as automation and remote work. We must therefore take an integrated view of our economic and social policies. As our labour movement puts it, a job is the best form of welfare for our people. The Government will continue to invest in our people, match them to new opportunities and bring out the best in all Singaporeans. This way, we will keep social mobility alive.

At the same time, with major changes in the economy and labour market, we will need to adapt our social safety nets and keep inequality in check.

More workers will fall on hard times and we need to enable them to adjust and bounce back through this crisis and beyond. Some Singaporeans are also taking part in the "gig" economy, taking on a wide range of jobs, either part-time or full-time. So our support for self-employed persons will have to evolve accordingly. We must continue to uplift our lower-wage workers and enable our older workers to continue working, if they wish to.

Various ideas have been proposed on how we can do this, such as a minimum wage, universal basic income and unemployment insurance. The Government will keep an open mind to all these ideas. But we must also recognise there are no magic bullets. Each of these ideas has its merits as well as unintended effects. We have to consider the trade-offs and be clear about what works for our context and our times.

Demands on our social safety nets are increasing, at a time when our revenue base is growing more slowly and with sharper competition for tax revenue across countries. So I must caution against looking for what may appear to be "costless solutions" - somehow, someone else will have to pay for these schemes.

There are trade-offs. If we want higher social spending, taxes will have to go up. Or it will mean spending more at the expense of future generations, like what many countries are doing by raising debt. We must never forget that we have provided almost $100 billion of support for our people and businesses this year, without incurring a single cent of debt, because we were able to fund more than half of this using past reserves.

At the same time, while we must strengthen our social safety nets, we must do so in a way that reinforces, and not undermines, an individual's efforts. A strong compact maintains a balance between the roles of the individual, family, community and the Government, and helps us better cope with change together.

Indeed, a social safety net cannot become a set of shackles. It should not hold down those who started with less. It should not create dependency such that people who get fish for today never learn how to fish for food tomorrow. It should not breed an entitled class who asks: "What more can you do for me?"

A well-designed social safety net protects the vulnerable, invests in human and societal capital, and provides a means for those who fall down to bounce back. It gives hope and builds confidence. It believes in people and lifts the human spirit. It supports every generation to have aspirations and dreams, and for everyone to ask: "What more can we do for one another?"

As MPs debate how we can strengthen our support for Singaporeans, let's keep in mind how new enhancements can be funded equitably and sustainably over time, and strengthen our people's capacity to not only succeed throughout life, but also help others succeed too. These are the values we must strengthen even as we adapt.

How we can best ensure the survival and success of Singapore, and improve the lives of Singaporeans depends on how well we adapt to change. As we adapt, and in some cases make major adjustments because the circumstances we face have changed significantly, we must stay rooted to our values and identity, and above all, our unity as one people.

I have been encouraged to see how Covid-19 has strengthened our sense of common purpose and brought out the best in us. Many have stepped up to support others. One example is the Masks Sewn With Love project, a community effort that has sewn more than 250,000 masks for vulnerable families.

This sense of unity, through both good times and bad, is rooted in the values enshrined in our Pledge and the distinct Singaporean identity we have evolved through the years.

It will take more effort to maintain this sense of common purpose as our society becomes more diverse. Our society will face new differences along the lines of identity, socio-economic status and political beliefs. There will always be different perspectives on subjects like race, language and religion, and the rights and obligations of citizenship.

It is essential that we rise above our differences and find common ground.

Occasional setbacks need not trip us in our perseverence to continue to make progress. Harmony in diversity will always be a work in progress. We may not always agree, but we cannot afford to let our disagreement turn into division.

Otherwise, change will cause a rupture in society, as we have seen elsewhere. The better we adapt to change and stay true to our values, the stronger we can emerge from this and future crises. The stronger we are at home, the more confident we can be to stake our place in the world and create value with others. This has been our formula for survival and success.

We are determined to uphold a rules-based global order, which has taken us to where we are today. As a small nation that threatens no country, we want to be friends with all and to work with all.

We are both a city-state and a global metropolis. Maintaining this "dual identity" will not be easy. But as long as we are clear about our values and what holds us together, it will be a source of strength that opens up new opportunities. This is our Singapore premium. Let us continue to work with like-minded partners to build a better world, for Singaporeans, for people around the world and for our future generations.

Since our independence, we have weathered one crisis after another, from the withdrawal of British forces and the ensuing massive unemployment, to the 1973 oil crisis, Asian financial crisis, Sars, 2001 IT bubble collapse and the global financial crisis.

All of us in our 50s and older would have lived through these turbulent periods. Each time, Singaporeans would have been called upon to show fortitude and resilience, and work in unity with our fellow citizens. And each time, we have risen to the challenge, adapted and emerged stronger.

The Covid-19 pandemic could be our most severe test so far. To overcome this crisis, we will have to once again draw upon and build on this capacity to adapt and remain united and stand true to our values. We can navigate this period of great uncertainty and change, but our politics must set the right tone for the rest of society

This House must fulfil its duty to articulate and debate policy options, to build a better life for our people and to advance Singapore's place in the world. This is the mandate that has been entrusted to us by Singaporeans. I trust that all of us, whether in Government or the Opposition, will share this common sense of mission, to serve in the best interests of Singaporeans and Singapore.

My colleagues and I in Government have listened to the voices of our people. We have heard and share our peoples' anxieties. We acknowledge the concerns and unhappiness that some have voiced. As the world and our society changes, there will be a greater divergence of views. We will continue to understand your concerns and improve your lives. We will have to adapt to these changes but stay true to the values. The same values that have enabled us to stay united and succeed against the odds.

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DPM Heng: S'pore must adapt to change but stay true to its values - The Straits Times

World Travel Awards 2020: The Best New Luxury Hotels And Resorts In Europe – Forbes

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Mandarin Oriental Lake Como

Every year, the World Travel Awards celebrates the very best across the tourism and hospitality industries. Postponed this year due to the pandemic, the Awards will now take place in Antalya, Turkey, in late October.

Among the nominations this year, which are selected by travel professionals and the public, are properties from emerging tourism destinations like; Baku, Azerbaijan-Batumi, Georgia-Bydgoszcz, Poland-Derry, Northern Ireland-Kutn Hora, Czech Republic-Ljubljana, Slovenia-Matera, Italy-Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina-Sibiu, Romania-Sofia, and Bulgaria.

I have focused on the category of new luxury hotels and resorts in Europe so that when travel opens up again, we can all experience these spectacular new properties. Also important to note that due to the pandemic, numerous hotels are still closed and not planning to open until the end of the year.

Here is the list of this years World Travel Awards nominations that will be updated with the winners in October.

BEST NEW HOTELS IN EUROPE

Poolside at the Grand Park Hotel Rovinj

Grand Park Hotel, Rovinj

Nestled within a pine forest on the seafront overlooking St Katarina Island and the charming old town of Rovinj, lies this elegant hotel, designed by the renowned Italian architect Piero Lissoni and Croatian 3LHD Studio. The six floor hotel, you can enjoy one of the elegantly designed rooms and suites, dine in a collection offers restaurants, boutique shopping and a large Albaro Wellness & Spa.

Amara Luxury Hotel in Cyprus

AMARA Hotel, Limassol

The AMARA is located near the famed ancient Kingdom of Amathus, and is the most significant ancient city kingdom of Cyprus, dating back to before Christ. The hotel offers Michelin-starred chefs overseeing restaurants, Nobu Matsuhisa and Giorgio Locatelli. The 207 rooms provide personal cascading plunge-pools, all with stunning views of the Mediterranean sea.

Radisson Blu Hotel, Prague

Nestled between Pragues Old Town and New Town, the renovated Radisson Blu Hotel Prague boasts a prime location within walking distance of the city center. The Art Nouveau-styled property features 160 contemporary rooms and suites.

Grantley Hall in England

Grantley Hall, North Yorkshire

Grantley Hall is a hidden jewel found in the Yorkshire Dales,offering 47 beautiful bedrooms, four gourmet restaurants and three stunning bars. The property also features the large Three Graces Spa perfect for a wellness retreat.

Hard Rock Hotel, London

Explore the city from the corner of Oxford Street and Park Lane, this hip new music inspired property is similar to other Hard Rock Hotels with themed rooms and Rock Royalty suites. The property also features the Hard Rock Cafe Oxford Street, with famous memorabilia.

Stock Exchange Hotel reception and lobby

Stock Exchange Hotel, Manchester

Stock Exchange Hotel is located within the heart of central Manchester. Set within the former home of the Manchester Stock Exchange, the property offer 40 rooms, signature suites and a stunning top floor residence. There is also the Tom Kerridge directed restaurant The Bull & Bear featuring refined British food.

Cheval Blanc St. Tropez

Cheval Blanc, St-Tropez

I was the first journalist to visit this new property and it is my absolute favorite in France. You will not find a more elegant experience than staying at this resort within walking distance from the center of St-Tropez. With direct access to the beach, the 30 rooms and suites feature a terrace or spacious balcony. Cheval Blanc St-Tropez also hosts a magnificent three Michelin star restaurant and an underground Guerlain inspired Spa.

Wyndham Grand, Tbilisi

With old-world charm, the Wyndham Grand Tbilisi hotel is situated near Tbilisis bustling Rustaveli Avenue. The 158 view rooms and suites, the hotel also offers two contemporary gourmet restaurants, with impressive city views. There is also a a heated indoor pool and full-service spa.

Fashion House lobby bar

Hard Rock Hotel, Dublin

Located in the city center next to Dublin Castle and Temple Bar. The 120-room hotel is a contemporary re-imagining of two historic buildings, combining the Exchange Building, built at the turn of the 20th century, and the adjacent Fashion House building linked together by a newly built glass bridge.

Roma Suite at the Hotel de la Ville, A Rocco Forte Hotel

Hotel de la Ville, A Rocco Forte Hotel, Rome

This impressive property in Rome is a personal favorite with 89 rooms and 15 suites including a stunning Presidential Suite. The rooftop bar with views of the city and modern Roman dining make this one of the best options in the city.

Masseria Torre Maizza in Puglia

Masseria Torre Maizza, A Rocco Forte Hotel, Puglia

Located in Puglia on the Adriatic coast, and surrounded by ancient olive groves, the renovated 16th century masseria also includes a 9-hole golf course, private beach club and spa. Designed by Olga Polizzi, the 40 stunning contemporary rooms and suites offer the best of Italian living. The brand new Torre Suite is located in the tower offering sensational views over the Puglian countryside.

Mandarin Oriental, Lake Como

Located on the Eastern shore of the Lake, the hotel features nine separate villas, 21 guestrooms, 52 suites and two private villas. The heart of the resort is the Villa Roccabruna, the former residence of Italian soprano Giuditta Pasta built in 1799.

Palazzo Doglio, Sardinia

Situated on the island of Sardinia, Palazzo Doglio features 72 large guestrooms and suites all within the hotels central location in Cagliari. The property is walking distance to the marina and Poetto Beach.

St. Regis Venice Hotel

The St. Regis, Venice

The newly restored St. Regis Venice includes 130 modern guestrooms and 39 suites with balconies overlooking the Grand Canal, the Italianate Garden, or the stunning rooftops of the city. The property is located in the former Grand Hotel Britannia which opened in 1895.

Savoy Palace in Portugal

Savoy Palace, Funchal Madeira Island

On the site of the former Savoy Hotel, a short walk from the Old Town, the new Savoy Palace offers chic contemporary 309 rooms and 43 suites with balconies. The rooftop lounge, terraced gardens, and multiple pools (including a spectacular infinity version, and one dedicated to kids) are perfect for family getaways. There is a selection of restaurants, bars, and a world-class spa with hydrotherapy facilities.

Nobu Hotel, Barcelona

This new and very trendy hotel in Barcelonaoffers 259 spacious guest rooms and suites, along with the famed Nobu Restaurant, andthe tapas Nobu Sake Bar, all with panoramic views of the city and the sea. Currently closed until the end of 2020.

Aerial view of the Arctic Bath Hotel

Arctic Bath, Harads

One of my absolute favorite designed hotels is the Artic Bath, located South of the Arctic circle on Lule River, downstream from the bridges of Bodtrskfors. The property alternates between frozen and floating structures depending on the season with 6 floating cabins and 6 additional land-based cabins. The circular-shaped Arctic Bath houses one spa treatment room, four saunas, an outside cold bath, and a hot bath. Property is currently closed until end of 2020.

La Rserve Eden au Lac Zurich

La Rserve Eden au Lac, Zurich

Philippe Starck has helped give a new life to this legendary hotel on Lake Zurich with an imagined yacht club vibe. La Rserve Eden au Lac is a spectacular property that opened on the lakeshore 100 years ago. The property features 40 rooms and suites, with a Japanese-Peruvian restaurant and a busy bar on the ground floor.

Six Senses Kocatas Mansions

Six Senses Kocatas Mansions, Istanbul

This newly restored urban resort property is located in the prestigious Sariyer district of the city's European side. The extensive and beautifully-landscaped grounds offer views over the Bosphorus as it curves toward the Black Sea. Originally built in the second half of the 19thcentury, theTurkish-Ottoman Kocata Mansion was previously owned by the former Minister of Justice and founder of Kocata Spring Water. The 45 guest rooms and suites are spread across the two mansions. There is also a Six Senses Spa and a Toro Pan-Latin and Asian Gastro Bar on property.

Grandhotel Lienz, Tirol

BEST NEW RESORTS IN EUROPE

Grandhotel Lienz, Tirol

Chenot PalaceHealth Wellness Hotel, Gabala

Yastrebets Hotel Wellness & Spa, Borovets

Calilo,Ios Island

Nikki Beach Resort & Spa, Santorini

Delfino Blu Wellness Boutique Hotel, Corfu

Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomites

Lefay Resort & SPA, Dolomites

Hotel Alpin Royal, South Tyrol

Lefay Resort & Spa Lago di Garda,Gargnano

Wyndham Grand, Algarve

EPIC SANA, Algarve

H2otel - Congress & Medical SPA,Unhais da Serra

Vila Gal, Sintra

Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay

Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavis, Marbella

Finca Serena, Mallorca

Nobu Hotel, Ibiza

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World Travel Awards 2020: The Best New Luxury Hotels And Resorts In Europe - Forbes

Move Over, Sustainable Travel. Regenerative Travel Has Arrived. – The New York Times

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VisitFlanders, the tourism organization representing the Northern Belgium region, used local input to rethink its mission, repositioning its stance from growing travel for the sake of the economy to creating an economy of meaning, according to its master plan. That includes, among other initiatives, linking visitors with locals who share their passions for things like history or food and making storytelling central to sites like its World War I battlefields.

Weve managed to shift the thinking from having their primary objective be about growing the numbers, to creating flourishing destinations, flourishing communities and having them say what kind of tourism they want, said Anna Pollock, the founder of Conscious Travel, an education and consulting enterprise devoted to positioning travel as a force for good, who worked with VisitFlanders.

Ms. Pollock believes regenerative travel is a supply-side concept that asks operators to do more for the environment and community than they take from them. But travelers play a key role in demand.

Become mindful of the fact that your trip is going to have a set of costs associated with it, which needs to be paid by somebody, she said. In the same way you think, Should I buy that cheap T-shirt from the dime store down the road?, knowing its created by semi-slave labor. Now youre thinking consciously about who do I buy it from and is it quality.

The experience of the pandemic when many are discovering the power of their pocketbooks in supporting local businesses like bookstores and restaurants is, perhaps, the most instructive in demonstrating sustainability, even if the travel involved is within a few blocks of home.

Travel is an important vote of your principles, said Mr. Baker of OneSeed. When you decide to put your time and resources into a trip, youre affirming thats the type of business you want out there.

Sustainable travel, let alone regenerative travel, will still have to find solutions to the carbon emissions produced by air travel. Until the economy recovers, theres likely to be less travel, more local travel, or slower travel by car, train, bike or foot. This moment of reflection, say proponents, is where regeneration begins.

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Move Over, Sustainable Travel. Regenerative Travel Has Arrived. - The New York Times

Travel COVID Safe Accreditation Group Launches The Most Rigorous Three-Point Inspection Health Certification For The Travel And Tourism Industry – PR…

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Travel COVID Safe

BUFFALO, N.Y. (PRWEB) September 02, 2020

Travel COVID Safe (TCS) is a new three-point accreditation specifically created to rebuild consumer confidence in travel and reactivate the hospitality industry. By providing a uniform set of health and hygiene based protocols, TCS is part of an advocacy accreditation consortium that addresses the lack of standards for COVID-19 safeness in the hospitality and tourism industry. TCS helps the travel industry win back the confidence of the US traveler by introducing stringent and rigorous health and hygiene standards based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization(WHO) guidelines that set the minimum requirement for traveler safety.

TCS accreditation is the only certification process that has three points of inspection by three distinct individuals. It is the only accreditation that incorporates a coaching process to help the organization get accredited. It is the only certification process that offers ongoing continuous support by alerting the accredited organization of standard changes that could affect operations. TCS is the gold standard for COVID travel safeness. The three points/audits include:

To date, there have not been any rigorous standard certifications or accreditation's developed for COVID-19s safety, specifically for the tourism industry. Several countries and hotel chains have developed their propitiatory certifications, but the public perceives them as inherently biased as they made to entice tourists back. These propitiatory certifications also lack the uniformity that travelers seek (tourists do not want to learn about every countrys or hotel chains specific safety standards). From a global perspective, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) has introduced the global Travel Safe protocols and stamp, a great beginning in establishing essential yet basic global uniformity in the industry. But the WTTCs, as most of the independent countrys protocols, have no validation in place and are based on an honor system of self-assessment. The need for audits, on-site inspections, and a means of consumer feedback is fundamental in regaining the consumers confidence.

What sets TCS apart is that it is the first accreditation for the Travel and Tourism industry that:

We are excited to provide a solution that will win back the travelers confidence while minimizing COVID-related health risks. All of this is ultimately acting as a catalyst to help reactivate the tourism industry. The only way to start regaining the American travelers confidence in travel is by having a unified set of rigorous health standards that are uniform, relatable, and trusted, making travel safer yet still enjoyable. Travel COVID Safe does this precisely! It addresses these concerns with the highest accreditation level while still granting autonomy and evaluating organizations based on globally accepted CDC guidelines. TCS has been developed by Americans for the American traveler and organizations trying to cater to them, says Terry Suero, Executive Director of Business Development.

Travel COVID Safe seeks to rebuild confidence by being the most stringent, reliable, and up-to-date seal of COVID safety for anyone looking to travel. The program also acknowledges the impact the pandemic has had on the travel and tourism workforce and thus aims to create local in-country employment by integrating them into the inspection process. The accreditation is for 3-years and the processing time can take anywhere from 3 - 4 weeks, depending on the line of business and how advanced the organization is with COVID safety standards. The cost of a 3-year accreditation is contingent on the nature of the organization and usually ranges between $1,500 to $7,500. For those organizations that do not want to get accredited but want access to the industry best practices, it is possible with the $19 per month Consortia Membership. The system in place is set across the board to assist all forms of the hospitality and tourism industry, which include but not limited to: hotels, small lodging, short term rentals, tour operators, car rentals, restaurants, and more.

To learn more about Travel COVID Safe, visit TravelCOVIDSafe.org and make sure to follow us on Face Book: Twitter: , Instagram: and Pinterest

ABOUT TRAVEL COVID SAFE:Travel COVID Safe was created by an alliance of both Health and Travel professionals, among them Tim Case, Eric Sheets and Terry Suero, in the summer of 2020 to address the need for a unified set of safety guidelines addressing the fear of travel safety in the hospitality and tourism industry. Travel COVID Safe is an audited three-point accreditation system that is healthcare-based and is designed exclusively to tackle the fears of the American traveler market. The systems platform operates online to allow worldwide access and facilitate knowledge sharing within the different industry segments. This accreditation is the highest certification in the Travel and Tourism industry and includes multiple audits components during the development of the individualized procedures. Accredited organizations are seeking to have the highest levels of COVID safety accreditation and to attract American clientele.

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Travel COVID Safe Accreditation Group Launches The Most Rigorous Three-Point Inspection Health Certification For The Travel And Tourism Industry - PR...

Louis Vuitton Parfums Explores Out of This World Travel With New "Mtore" Fragrance – HYPEBEAST

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Louis Vuitton follows on from its recently-debuted Nuit de Feu with an all-new fragrance, Mtore. Like all of LV Parfums creations, the new scent looks to tap into a mans emotions, especially ones that they feel when traveling, exploring, and escaping.

Mtore was crafted in Grasse by the houses master perfumer, Jacques Cavallier Belletrud. He wanted to develop something light yet powerful, fresh but capable of delivering a grandiose impact. This is achieved by mixing together notes of Calabrian bergamot, mandarin and Sicilian orange to hit the nose first, while also incorporating Tunisian neroli, Guatemalan cardamom and Indonesian nutmeg into the potion.

Lastly, a signature finishing note of Java vetiver has been added, but it has been stripped of its smokiness through a unique distillation process. Instead, it lets the amber nuances, as well as the freshness of grapefruit or damp soil, come through.

Its an incredibly complex scent, and one that comes with an apt pricepoint. Louis Vuitton Parfums luxurious new Mtore is priced at 225 EUR for 100ml, 350 EUR for 200ml, or 225 EUR for four 7.5ml travel sprays (approximately from $266 USD to $414 USD, respectively).

Louis Vuitton Parfums Mtore will be available in-store and on the Louis Vuitton website as of August 28.

For more luxurious scents, check out IIUVOs BULLSHIT.

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Letters to the editor Sept. 2, 2020 | Letters To Editor – goskagit.com

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Find relaxation at home

Heres my way of finding pleasure amidst the pandemic restrictions: We cant travel anywhere else for vacations this year. But rather than bemoaning our plight, I look at it this way: People from all over the world travel to Anacortes and the San Juan Islands for vacations. So Im just pretending I am on an extended vacation in the San Juans.

I dont have to pack and unpack suitcases, or wait in lines at airports, or sleep in uncomfortable beds that have been slept in by dozens of strangers. I can wear any of my clothes, not just the few that will fit in my carry-on. I can select any food I choose from my local grocery stores or take-out restaurants or the Farmers Market.

If I have an accident or illness, my hospital and doctor are just minutes away. My phone and internet work here. I can go for a socially-distanced walk with friends on woodland trails, not be stuck somewhere with strangers. I can say, Not today, Im on vacation. And if I need help, my family and friends are nearby.

Staying home seems pretty good if you think of it as a vacation.

Cynthia Richardson

Anacortes

Horse riders should clean up the mess

I regularly walk the trails through our Anacortes Forest Lands and truly see all the work that has gone into making them both beautiful and very much appreciated.

What my frustration has been is with those whose actions seem to mean they want to have horse riding forbidden on the trails. No, I dont want to outlaw all horseback riding. There may only be one rider who refuses to be responsible for their animal.

Almost every day I find a new pile of droppings right in the middle of the trail. I do know some riders who take responsibility for their horse and actually carry a small shovel to remove what their horse drops as they travel. Just getting the mess off the trail would be very much appreciated. When they are left in the middle of one of the most traveled trails, it seems like the rider desires horses no longer be allowed.

Chris Anderson

Anacortes

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Letters to the editor Sept. 2, 2020 | Letters To Editor - goskagit.com

6 numbers to know about the greatest short courses in the world – Golf.com

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By: Zephyr Melton September 2, 2020

The Cradle at Pinehurst Resort is among the best par-3 courses in the world.

Pinehurst Resort

If youre bad with number, you should love short courses. With less real estate to work with, the numbers stay low and theres less math involved great for those who have to pull out a calculator when tabulating their scores. And though this piece is number-centric, we did our best to dilute them enough so even the most math deficient among us can understand.

GOLF Magazine recently released its list of the 50 best 9-hole courses in the world, as well as the top 25 par-3 courses and top 25 sub-6,000-yard courses. While we recommend you check out all of these lists, here are six numbers to know about them if you are in need of a cliff-notes version.

In our compiling of these lists, we turned to 88 of the brightest minds on golf courses in the world. Expertise from our GOLF Top 100 Courses panelists was instrumental in this undertaking, with added input from our editors, architects from around the world and select other short-course aficionados. Though the courses may be small, the undertaking for this project was huge.

Goat Hill Park in California.

Courtesy Photo

The shortest 18-hole course on our list is the 4,049-yard Kobe Golf Club in Hyogo, Japan. Kobe GC was built on Mount Rokko in 1903 and is still considered one of Japans most exclusive clubs. At just a touch over 4,000 yards, the course measures shorter than some nine-hole stretches in professional golf the closing nine at TPC Colorado is 4,103 yards. But despite its miniscule scorecard yardage, Kobe GC is no slouch, with our expert calling it as tough a walk as you will find. Dont judge a course by its scorecard.

The oldest course on our list is the historic Musselburgh Links in East Lothian, Scotland. The course was founded in 1672, making it 348 years old over 100 years older than the United States. Though it is just a nine-hole track, Musselburgh is one of just 14 clubs to host an Open Championship, having crowned the Champion Golfer of the Year on its ground six times in the late 1800s. The course also holds a significant place in the history of the game as it is known as the place where the four-and-a-quarter inch hole diameter was first implemented.

Seemingly every other sport has derivatives of their normal format. From flag football to 3-on-3 basketball, there are variations that makes the game playable with less to work with. So why should golf be any different? Sometimes you wont have time to dedicate an entire day to golf, hence the appeal of short courses. For par-3 courses on our list, we estimate they will only take 45 minutes to play. That can be done on your lunch break from work. For a nine-hole track, that number only bumps up to 105 minutes. And if you still want to play a sub-6,000-yard 18-hole course while still being time efficient? Try out a short course and you can be done in 180 minutes. Golf has a much broader appeal when it doesnt monopolize an entire day.

Zephyr Melton is an assistant editor for GOLF.com where he spends his days blogging, producing and editing. Prior to joining the team at GOLF.com, he attended the University of Texas followed by stops with Team USA, the Green Bay Packers and the PGA Tour. He assists on all things instruction and is the staffs self-appointed development tour expert.

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Mike Fox introduces a travel book narrating his wife’s treatment for Parkinson’s disease in Italy – GlobeNewswire

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TORQUAY, England, Sept. 02, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Author Mike Fox offers a travel book/autobiography advocating awareness for Parkinsons disease. This year, he announces the release of his fourth book titled The Italian Therapy Job (published by AuthorHouse UK). Visit https://www.amazon.co.uk/Italian-Therapy-Job-Travel-Diary/dp/1728395623/ to know more about the book.

In 47 pages, this travel book/autobiography centers on his wife, Syliva, and her experience at an Italian therapy center called European Parkinsons Therapy Centre, which operates in the small Italian resort town of Boario Terme, in the foothills of the Alps in the north of the country. It takes readers to the life of a person living with Parkinsons disease from the treatments to the therapies. It also introduces some inspirational people they met along the journey, who helped them along the journey.

Fox recalls the adventures they enjoyed in Italy as they visited known landmarks such as the streets of Verona, Statue of Juliet and Ponte Pietra. He takes his readers to the Lake Iseo at Pisogne, Island of Loretto and the Island village of Peschiera. Pictures are provided to introduce the place they visited and also pictures that capture Sylvias journey. Thus, this book is also a cameo of life in present-day Italy.

There are over 10 million people who are living with Parkinsons disease worldwide, according to the Parkinsons Foundation. National Health Service state that a total of 127,000 people have the disease in the U.K. with a person being diagnosed every hour. Fox created the book in an attempt to raise the awareness of such a condition and focus on the work being undertaken by an Italian Therapy center.

I want Parkinson's [patient] to be encouraged; I want everyone to be more aware of the disease; and hopefully my readers will enjoy my travels and observations of Italy, Fox says.

The Italian Therapy Job

By Mike Fox

Softcover | 8.5x11 in | 56 pages | ISBN 9781728395623

E-Book | 56 pages | ISBN 9781728395616

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Mike Fox is a semi-retired civil servant in the U.K. He sees writing about people and places as a complete and relaxing change from his professional work, where he can indulge in his passions for travelling, reading, anything that moves on railway tracks and badminton. He is married to Sylvia, who has a passion for dogs and music. They have two adult sons, Nathan and David, who fled the nest many years ago. Ho loves encountering new situations, people and cultures, and observing the world around him. He has been particularly inspired by travel writers such as Paul Theroux and Bill Bryson, sharing something of the formers love of trains and the latters sense of humor.

AuthorHouse, an Author Solutions, Inc. self-publishing imprint, is a leading provider of book publishing, marketing, and bookselling services for authors around the globe and offers the industrys only suite of Hollywood book-to-film services. Committed to providing the highest level of customer service, AuthorHouse assigns each author personal publishing and marketing consultants who provide guidance throughout the process. Headquartered in Bloomington, Indiana, AuthorHouse celebrates over 23 years of service to authors. For more information or to publish a book visit authorhouse.co.uk or call 0-800-014-8641.

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Mike Fox introduces a travel book narrating his wife's treatment for Parkinson's disease in Italy - GlobeNewswire

JT Hodges Sings Sandman for The Bahamas on the One-Year Anniversary of Hurricane Dorian – American Songwriter

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After the category 5 Hurricane Dorian slammed The Bahamas in 2019, the country was left devastated, particularly the Abacos, located in the Northern region of the island. A month following the hurricane, JT Hodges went down to the area to offer whatever help he could, and in the process, an old song resurfaced.

Immediately following the hurricane, rebuilding efforts were underway to restore schools, homes, and businesses with the help of a Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) and benefactors of Treasure Cay homeowners but were recently halted when the pandemic hit. Hodges had visited The Bahamas before and felt drawn to see the situation first-hand.

Its not hard for anybody to be drawn to the beauty of the islands and the water, says Hodges. So I felt this kind of duty, of let me go down there and help. I didnt necessarily know what I could do. Its just me moving stuff around, cleaning upwhatever was needed.

Arriving to The Abacos, Hodges saw the devastation first-hand and was blown away. Theres just this spirit there, and the people have this attitude that well get through it, says Hodges. There was a smile on their face every time somebody was down there helping.

When he and a friend decided to go fishing one day, Hodges met his new friend, a local named Stumpy, who served as their boat captain for the day. Stumpy would ultimately lend his Goombay-style drums, congo playing, and vocals to the finished track.

After a day of fishing, Hodges invited dozens of locals down to the beach for a grill and music, and thats were Sandman reappeared.

All of a sudden, I just happened to remember Sandman, just off the cusp, shares Hodges. Ill never forget everybody just being silent halfway through it, and it wasnt about me. The way the locals took the song it struck a chord, and it gave them hope.

Originally written with the intention of Kenny Chesney using the track for a summer-themed album, Sandman was a song Hodges says was locked in his vault waiting for the right moment.

That moment was for The Abacos, and The Bahamas.

As an artist, Hodges says hes always been locked into a concept for his albums, but this was the first time a release was not about him. It was much bigger.

This is the first time that Ive ever released a song where It wasnt about me, says Hodges. I wrote this song and finally the song said, okay, this is where I want it. This is how I want to be released and you will be the conduit. Its not about you JT, its about the song. That has never happened to me, but it was very cool.

Easy, breeze-y, Sandman is just the summertime vibe needed during these tumultuous times. Uplifting and light, Sandman is also about hope and perseverance. Music is kind of a religious experience, says Hodges of Sandman and The Bahamas. Its a universal language, and you kind of need that. We need that fellowship.

Co-directed by Hodges and Cristy Nielsen, the video for Sandman was shot when he returned to the Abacos in February of 2020, along with co-writer and co-producer Brandon James. In the video, Stumpy reappears alongside Hodges with additional instrumentation and vocals provided by Abacos locals.

Documenting everything the second time around, they decided to do an old-school pop-up video, says Hodges, telling the story of what happened on the island, and the relief efforts, interspersed between scenic footage of The Abacos and its people.

I wanted something that gives the information and tells the story of what happened, says Hodges. Maybe this is not the best time to create awareness for this, but everything happens for a reason, and then lo and behold, we all collectively said, hey, its been a year (since the hurricane hit), so lets tie it around the one year anniversary.

September 1 marked the one year anniversary of Dorian, and even with the pandemic setback, The Abacos are in much better shape one year later with its Coopers Town Primary School nearly ready to reopen. Additionally, GEM and Team Ghost, a privately funded grassroots relief movement, acquired food donations for Coopers Town, Treasure Cay, and Central Abaco regions, which ended following COVID. Since then, private donors have been providing additional food to households weekly.

Additional non-profits who have helped rebuild the Abaco area throughout the past year include: Lyford Cay Foundation,Samaritans Purse,Water Mission,Idea Relief Org,Pure H2O,Critical Path Foundation,Rotary Clubs of Bahamas,Open World Relief,Discovery Land,One Bahamas Foundation.

Hodges says he wants to get back to the island again and continue the work he started.He now has friendships and a connection to The Abacos for life. I want to help, however I can, says Hodges. These people are blown away when anybody comes back, because what they do best is to open up their hearts, and Ive developed some really great relationships down there.

With everything going on now, it just seems like one catastrophe after another, Hodges says on bringing attention to The Bahamas during the current pandemic, but this story is a more joyous one that he needed to share.

I just wanted people to hear the story, he says. Music brings people together, and a song can literally create a moment, and a memory.

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Over $140 million spent on COVID-19 recovery efforts in The Bahamas – WIC News

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The Finance Ministry of The Bahamas says up to June this year, approximately $140 million had been spent on COVID-19 relief efforts.

In its fourth-quarter report, the Ministry said in response to the damning effects of the pandemic on the macro-economy the government initiated several programmes to lend support to citizens and encourage business continuity.

The Finance Ministry said in a statement: Approximately $140 million was spent on COVID-19 related initiatives which covered Food assistance, Unemployment support, Loans for small businesses, Tax credits for medium/large businesses, Increased funding to the public health sector, Subventions support to allow deferral of utility payments

The Ministry said because of these measures in excess of 284 businesses have been able to continue their operations and in so doing provide jobs for approximately 26,000 people.

Government support, the Finance Ministry said, also allowed for the continuation of 54,000 jobs through the end of the fiscal year.

During phase one of the pandemic which ended on June 30, businesses with at least 25 employees that usually has an annual turn over of $3 million were able to apply for a tax credit of up to $300, 000 over a three-month period for VAT and Business License Fees.

To access these concessions, businesses were required to keep at least 80 per cent of their staff on payroll.

Finance Minister Peter Turnquest said he will host a press conference on Wednesday where he will give detailed insight into the impact of the pandemic on the economy.

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Over $140 million spent on COVID-19 recovery efforts in The Bahamas - WIC News

New orders see beaches and range of businesses open today – EyeWitness News

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS Prime Minister Dr Hubert Minnis has signed new orders that will see dry cleaning or laundry service,salons and barbershops, as well as beaches open today with some restrictions.

The orders delineatesvarying restrictions for the islands of The Bahamas and businesses, grouped under two schedules.

First Schedule

Islands in the first schedule, included Chub Cay, Harbour Island, Long Cay, Long Island, Ragged Island, Rum Cay, San Salvador, Spanish Wells.

Churches may conduct service in accordance with the Bahamas Christian Council guidelines.

The new orders permit schools to open, home school programs with no more than five students, preschools and daycares.

Salons, barbers and cosmetologists may operation provided that premises do not exceed one person per service provider.

Restaurants, including mobile takeaway, may offer indoor and outdoor opening with 50 percent seating capacity.

Social gatherings have been permitted not exceeding 20 people.

Weddings and funerals, including graveside service, may proceed with social distancing in place.

The orders also provide for repast with no more than 20 people at a private residence or facility.

All public beaches and parks shall open today.

Second Schedule

Islands in the second schedule, Acklins, Abaco, Andros, the Berry Islands, Bimini, Cat Island, Crooked Island, Eleuthera, Exuma, Grand Bahama, Inagua and Mayaguana.

New Providence and Paradise Island will be added to the second schedule today.

A curfew remains in effect for these islands between 10pm and 5am.

Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, hardware stores and water depots shall remain open between 6am and 9pm.

Restaurants may operate between 5am to 9pm daily with curbside, pickup, delivery, drive-thru and takeaway service.

Outdoor seating can also be offered with 50 percent capacity and social distancing.

Social gatherings remain prohibited.

Beaches and parks will be open in Grand Bahama between 5am and 9am, and in New Providence, effective today, between 5am and 9am.

The order allows for individuals to exercise in their immediate area between 5am and 9am and in their yards at any time.

Construction shall be permitted on Monday through Friday between 7am and 5pm, and Saturday between 7am and 1pm.

Public transportation taxi service, private and public bus may operate at 50 percent occupancy.

International banks, architecture and engineering businesses; real estate; law firm; insurance agents and financial services, shall be allowed to open Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.

The order provides for pool maintenance, landscape services, and news vendors to operate between 7am and 5pm.

Meanwhile, laundromats may open daily between 6am and 9pm at 50 percent capacity.

According to the orders, dry cleaning or laundry service can now operate between 9am and 5pm, retail clothing or fabric stores Monday through Saturday from 7am to 6pm; and retail business from Monday through Saturday between 7am and 6pm

Additionally, beauty salons, barbershops may operate Monday through Saturday between 7am and 6pm. These businesses must be certified by the Ministry of Health and not allow more than one person per service provider on the premises.

Spas, bars, cinemas, gyms, festivals and cultural events remain prohibited.

Gaming house operators may also operate using curbside service, online or delivery.

Effective today, church service may only be conducted via live stream between 7am and 1pm from the sanctuary with no more than 10 people permitted to participate.

The orders also provide for schools to operate virtually provided that a teacher can attend the premises to perform the necessary tasks for virtual learning.

Preschool and infant daycares may also reopen in accordance with all health guidelines.

Weddings and funerals may be held provided that attendees are limited to 10 people, excluding the officiants.

Travel

In order for a resident or visitor to enter The Bahamas, a negative RTPCR COVID-19 test must be obtained within five days of travel, a health visa acquired, and mandatory quarantine for 14-days.

As a condition of entry, must agree to be monitored via the geofencing application Hubbcat, the Ministry of Health and the COVID-19 Enforcement Unit.

While a citizen or a resident who refuses to be monitored shall be required to quarantine, a visitors refusal will result in their deportation at the earliest opportunity.

A hotel is an appropriate quarantine facility.

The competent authority may, after consultation with health officials, exempt a person traveling for an essential service from quarantine.

Inter-island travel requires a RTPCR COVID-19 negative within five days prior to travel effective September 1, and mandatory quarantine upon arrival for 14-days.

A negative COVID-19 test is not required for passengers traveling between islands of the first schedule those that have yet to record a case of the virus, and from islands in the first schedule to any other island.

Travel from other islands to Grand Bahama or New Providence shall be exempt from the testing requirement, but must mandatory quarantine at a government facility or any other appropriate facility as determined by the Ministry of Health.

Passengers traveling between Grand Bahama and New Providence will also be required to obtain a negative COVID-19 test.

A person 10-years-old or younger will not be required to obtain a negative test prior to arrival in The Bahamas, but must quarantine for the requisite time.

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Workers In The Bahamas Protest At Chinese Embassy, Demand To Return Home – ZIZOnline

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS , September 2nd 2020 (EyeWitness News) More than 100 Chinese workers of The Pointe demonstrated in front of the Chinese Embassy in Nassau, expressing a desire to return home as work on the downtown project nears completion and cases of coronavirus continue to surge in The Bahamas.

The workers, clad in hardhats and construction vests, had what appeared to be a brief, but heated exchange in Mandarin at one point with embassy personnel, before officials managed to calm the large group.

Some of the protestors recorded from the sidelines.

Others sat on the grass in front of theembassy in silence, their masks covering their faces.

Many of them declined to be interviewed, while few attempted to speak to reporters in Chinese.

In a video circulating on social media, purporting to show scores of workers demonstrating in front of The Pointe, a worker said in broken English: All Chinese man have to go [back] to China. No give Chinese man. Why? Why? Have to go back China. Why? All people want to go.

Several police officers monitored the situation from across the street.

Speaking to the media, Counselor at the Chinese Embassy Haigang Yin said workers from China Construction Americas development The Pointe were anxious to go home now that the project was nearing an end, and there were also concerns about their safety amid a rising number of cases of COVID-19 in The Bahamas

He said the embassy and The Pointe were working to arrange a chartered flight for an estimated 200 workers, though he was unable to say how soon the flight would be arranged.

They said there is anxiety to go back to China, Yin said.

The embassy explained the situation, including that there [are] no international flights available, but the embassy and the Chinese company are working together to bring them back.

We are considering to arrange a chartered flight to bring them back.

And also, the company promised to improve their personal protection against the virus and the workers are quite satisfied.

The protestors eventually left the area.

According to Yin, the workers have been in The Bahamas for over six months, and in some cases more than a year.

COVID-19 originated in Wuhan, China, in December, but the country has since largely returned to normal having reigned in the spread of the virus.

Cases of COVID-19 have continue to surge daily in The Bahamas, particularly in New Providence.

Health officials confirmed 50 more cases on Monday.

As of yesterday, there were 2,217 confirmed cases of the virus with 1,378 cases in New Providence.

As it relates to The Pointe project, Yin said it was progressing well.

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Bahamas ranked top five pick for future travel destination – EyeWitness News

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NASSAU, BAHAMAS A popular online travel company yesterday ranked The Bahamas in the top five among Caribbean destinations its members are most likely to travel to over the next two years.

Lara Barlow, Travelzoo general manager was speaking a Caribbean Hotel and Tourism Association web series Gauging Consumer Travel Sentiments.

She noted that based on a recent survey, The Bahamas ranks second among its U.S. members and fourth among its Canadian members as a Caribbean destination they would most likely travel to over the next two years.

When we look at the Caribbean islands that people want to visit most in the next two years we find that for US travelers the US Virgin Islands ranked number one, now outranking one of our longtime favorites which is The Bahamas. For our Canadian members Cuba and the Dominican Republic remain at the top, said Barlow.

With regards to accommodations, Barlow said: We asked our members when they book their next destination where do they plan to stay and what we found was that for both Americans and Canadians, all-inclusive, chain hotels really ranked number one.

The reason being is that members felt that the chain properties had stricter safety guidelines and protocols. Canadians are even more likely to chose this accommodation type. Undecided does rank second which means there is an opportunity to shift share not just between destinations but between accommodation types.

Susan Catto, head of content and publishing at Canada Travelzoo noted that with regards to COVID-19 restrictions and protocols its U.S. and Canadian members indicated they were more likely wear a mask in some places and submit an online health visa.

They also indicated that they were less willing to quarantine in a hotel or government facility and follow a nightly curfew.

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Bahamas ranked top five pick for future travel destination - EyeWitness News