Global Travel News

The Wyss Foundation Commits $108M to Protect Areas in Africa

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The Wyss Foundation Commits $108M to Protect Areas in Africa - TRAVELINDEX - TOURISMAFRICAJohannesburg, South Africa, June 9, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The Wyss Foundation today announced a commitment of up to $108M to African Parks, a South African based conservation NGO that manages protected areas on behalf of governments across the continent. This transformational commitment is part of Mr. Hansjorg Wyss’s visionary Wyss Campaign for Nature, a $1B investment in helping nations, NGO’s and indigenous communities conserve 30% of the planet by 2030 and is one of the largest single gifts ever made to the conservation of Protected Areas in Africa.

The Foundation’s commitment will be made over an initial five-year period to support up to half of the annual budgets of nine existing parks currently under African Parks’ management in Angola, Benin, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe; as well as support the addition of five new parks (which are yet to be identified) and up to two-thirds of their annual budgets. The funding for these new parks will come with a matching requirement with the goal of enticing new and diversified funders to provide needed stability for these landscapes. The grant overall serves a critical need in long-term and sustainable, multi-year financing, providing critical support for a park’s operating budget, which can vary between $1.5M to $4M per year.

“We are in a race against time to save Africa’s wildlife and wild places,” said Hansjörg Wyss, Founder and Chairman of The Wyss Foundation. “Multiple and compounding threats, including deforestation, illegal mining, poaching, and wildlife trafficking among others have imperiled Africa’s lands, waters, and wildlife – some of the most awe-inspiring on Earth. Only by working with governments and local people can we protect natural areas for the benefit of people and wildlife across the African continent. By supporting African Parks, I know that funding is being used effectively to help nations and communities protect nature and their economy now, not tomorrow.”

African Parks, a conservation organization founded in 2000, takes on the direct, long-term management responsibility of national parks and protected areas in partnership with governments to protect wildlife, restore landscapes and ensure sustainable livelihoods for local communities. With 19 parks in 11 countries under African Parks management, their conservation footprint spans over 14.7 million hectares which is the largest amount of area under conservation for any one NGO on the continent. Their goal is to directly manage 30 parks by 2030, measuring 30 million hectares, safeguarding globally significant biodiversity and ensuring that vast ecosystems function in order to sequester carbon, deliver clean air, water and food security, provide stability, and economic, socio-political and ecological benefits for millions of people.

“It’s hopeful and inspiring to see the impact one individual can have, with intent and clarity of purpose in wanting to help protect the planet” said Peter Fearnhead, CEO of African Parks. “The partnership forged with the Wyss Foundation is helping secure some of the most threatened but globally significant landscapes on Earth. What is not being managed will be lost, and once lost, these areas and their ecological functions are essentially impossible to restore. What Mr. Wyss’s commitment does is help secure these threatened areas now, it inspires other actors to get involved, and paves the way for a green and sustainable future for humans and wildlife alike”.

The philanthropic commitment announced today comes on top of the Wyss Foundation’s existing support to African Parks from 2016 for nine parks currently under their management, including three parks in Malawi where the Foundation supported one of the largest elephant translocations in human history.

The Wyss Foundation has a more than two decades long track record of working with local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and nations in their efforts to accelerate the pace and scale of conservation, supporting locally-driven projects in Africa, Australia, North America, South America, Europe, and central Asia. By partnering with communities to create and expand protected areas, by encouraging more ambitious international conservation targets, by investing in science, and by inspiring conservation action around the world, the Wyss Foundation is working to slow the loss of nature and safeguard the planet’s biodiversity.

About African Parks: African Parks is a non-profit conservation organization that takes on the complete responsibility for the rehabilitation and long-term management of national parks in partnership with governments and local communities. They currently manage 19 parks in 11 countries including Malawi, Zambia, Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Chad, with the goal of managing 30 parks by 2030.

About The Wyss Foundation / Wyss Campaign for Nature: The Wyss Foundation is a private, charitable organization dedicated to supporting innovative, lasting solutions that improve lives, empower communities, and strengthen connections to the land. In 2018, the foundation launched the Wyss Campaign for Nature, a 10-year, $1 billion commitment by Hansjörg Wyss – the Wyss Foundation’s founder and chairman – to help protect at least 30 percent of the planet by 2030. Over the past two decades, the Wyss Foundation has invested over $600 million to help conservation partners, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities permanently protect over 60 million acres of land and over 1.8 million square kilometers of ocean.

First published at TravelCommunication.net

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Marriott Bonvoy Portfolio of Brands Expands in Distinctive & Inviting Leisure Locales This Summer Season

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Ciêla, Lusaka, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa
Lusaka, Zambia
The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection
Jackson, WY
Ryan Sheets

Marriott Bonvoy, Marriott International’s extraordinary portfolio of 30 hotel brands, award-winning loyalty program, and endless experiences, is setting the stage for a sensational summer with getaway-worthy hotel openings. Recent social listening research conducted on behalf of Marriott saw a significant year-over-year uptick in searches for one-of-a-kind stays (+106%), suggesting consumers are craving more authentic and unique hotel experiences.

With consumers continuing to show strong summer travel intent, here are several recent and upcoming openings to inspire their next adventure.

Second Chances in Unexpected Cities
Following a year of little to no travel, the term ‘revenge travel’ has fueled consumers to avenge their lost plans and many pivoting to unexpected locations in secondary cities. Located a few hours from the bustling metropolis of Shanghai resides Nanjing (or ‘Southern Capital’), a cultural destination steeped in historical heritage. Slated to open later this month, The Westin Nanjing Resort & Spa and CAST Nanjing, Autograph Collection will be the area’s first destination with two brands under one roof, delivering two distinctive experiences for leisure travelers. Opening in June, Moxy Nanjing Jiangning will bring a vibrant and stylish hotel experience for the young at heart. These new openings complement a growing portfolio of hotels in the region including Courtyard Nanjing Jiangning and The Sifang Hotel Nanjing, Autograph Collection, which both opened in April.

Across to Europe along Norway’s southwestern coast is Bergen, a World Heritage City with unspoiled nature and picturesque outdoor life. Shaking up the hospitality scene, Moxy Bergen opened its doors in May with the brand’s signature playful spirit beginning with check-in at the bar, small but smart bedrooms, and stylish communal spaces with local art. Over in the Romanian capital of Bucharest, The Marmorosch Bucharest, Autograph Collection is slated to open this summer. Housed inside a former bank, guests can expect to be welcomed with a rich heritage, four unique dining experiences, and nods to its building history weaved throughout including a chance for guests to engrave their own coin in the original vault.

Idyllic Island Getaways
Sunbathers and seclusion seekers are long overdue for their next escape and these locales are certain to be on any list. A destination revered for its beauty, the Maldives will welcome two stunning new resorts, each with their own unique take on the archipelagic state. The three islands of The Ritz-Carlton Maldives, Fari Islands, which opened June 1, serve as a base for discovering all the archipelago has to offer. Featuring a minimalist design that highlights sea views and pristine beaches, the resort includes beachfront and overwater villas with private infinity pools, an overwater spa, seven culinary experiences, wedding venues, Ritz Kids Club with daily adventures, and access to Fari Marina with elevated shopping, dining and entertainment. Nestled just north on Thilamaafushi Island, Le Méridien Maldives Resort & Spa – set to open late summer– will reflect mid-century design aesthetics inspired by the golden era of travel, presented through a Maldivian lens. Guests can expect to choose from a selection of villas from beach to two-bedroom, dine at six restaurants and bars, and enjoy Le Méridien’s signature brand programs that evoke the glamour of a summer spent on the French Riviera. This includes “Au Soleil”, which encourages a summer state of mind with activations at “Golden Hour”, the magical hour at the end of a day under the sun; and Le Scoop by Le Méridien, which invites guests to pair a glass of rosé with a refreshing scoop of gelato or sorbet.

From one celebrated island to another, Hotel Riomar, Ibiza, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel – set to open in July – will mark the brand’s debut on Spain’s iconic White Isle. Where River (Rio) meets Sea (Mar), the resort will bring balance and serenity through a harmonious connection with nature. Experiences include camera-ready room views, casual alfresco dining at The Ocean Brasserie & Bar, and a ‘secret garden’ for acoustic music nights.

Situated on Greece’s western coast enclosed amongst a magical landscape, Domes of Corfu, Autograph Collection – slated to open its doors mid-July – invites families and couples to explore new ways of living and being within a community of likeminded spirits. Elegantly designed with striking domed architecture, Domes of Corfu will feature 233 rooms and suites each with its own private patio or veranda, four signature dining and bar concepts, award-winning Soma Spa, three swimming pools with adults-only areas, and the KiEPOS Kids Club.

Eco-Adventure Retreats
As conscious travel and environmental awareness continues to gain global traction, consumers are looking for ways to explore unique wonders of the world in a thoughtful way. Located at the gateway to the Grand Teton National Park in Jackson, WY, The Cloudveil, Autograph Collection, which opened in late May, captures a true sense of place and offers a modern sanctuary inspired by the organic elements of its locale. The property features 100 guest rooms and suites, a bistro-style restaurant and bar, an expansive rooftop terrace overlooking Jackson’s Town Square and Snow King Mountain, a tranquil outdoor pool and garden, and much more, all designed with the destination in mind.

Marking Tribute Portfolio’s debut in Africa, Ciêla, Lusaka, a Tribute Portfolio Resort & Spa – slated to open this month – will be located just outside of Zambia’s capital city Lusaka surrounded by a scenic, tranquil estate. Perfectly positioned for guests to experience Zambia’s mesmerizing wilderness and astonishing wildlife, the resort will offer 249 guest rooms, with a design inspired by the natural surroundings, and distinctive experiences including a microbrewery and a rejuvenating spa.

Across the Atlantic Ocean, Colombia is the second most biodiverse country in the world with 10 percent of the Earth’s flora and fauna. In the rising artistic and culinary city of Bogotá, Residence Inn Bogotá will bring the longer stay brand’s flexible and intuitive spaces to the destination with its planned opening this month. Day trips are encouraged to discover the country’s natural wonders such as Parque Nacional Natural Chingaza, a sprawling national park with glacial lakes and mountain ranges, and the city’s nearby mountain peak, Monserrate, providing sweeping views of the capital. After a long day of exploring, guests can enjoy the comfort of the hotel’s apartment-style suites featuring separate living, sleeping, and dining areas.

Guests can enjoy the advantages of Marriott Bonvoy’s award-winning loyalty program where members enjoy exclusive benefits including free Wi-Fi, member-only rates and contactless experience with the Marriott Bonvoy Mobile app, achieve elite status recognition and earn points toward free nights at the more than 7,600 properties around the world and the more than 30,000 premium home rentals with every qualifying stay.

For more information on these new openings and Marriott Bonvoy, enroll in the loyalty program for free, or to book directly, visit MarriottBonvoy.com.

About Marriott Bonvoy
Marriott Bonvoy is the award-winning travel program for Marriott International’s portfolio of 30 hotel brands, vacation home rental offering, all-inclusive resorts and hundreds of thousands of experiences. Members can earn and redeem points for stays and more, accelerating the points they earn with co-branded credit cards. When members book direct on Marriott.com they receive perks including free and enhanced Wi-Fi and exclusive member-only rates, and on the Marriott app mobile check-in and checkout, Mobile Requests and, wherever available, Mobile Key. To enroll for free or for more information about Marriott Bonvoy, visit MarriottBonvoy.com. To download the Marriott app, go here. Travelers can also connect with Marriott Bonvoy on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Media Contact
Danielle Mileno
Marriott International
Danielle.Mileno@marriott.com

Read original article at Marriott Hotels

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

CANADA PLANS FOR RETURN OF INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS

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The federal government is looking at taking a phased approach to welcoming back international visitors as pandemic restrictions loosen, focusing on case counts globally as part of decision-making, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says.

Federal officials have looked to restrict movement of non-essential travellers for more than a year, even banning at times direct flights from countries like India and the U.K. as variants of COVID-19 have raised concerns.

Trudeau said he expects high interest from overseas travellers to visit Canada as those restrictions eventually ease because of vaccination uptake rates and case counts that are better than peer countries.

Vaccinations required

Anyone coming to Canada would need to be fully vaccinated before arriving, Trudeau said during an afternoon event, because the country can’t risk another wave of COVID-19.

A fourth wave would be devastating to businesses and the morale of the country, Trudeau said.

He added the government is looking at ways to start welcoming back visitors from abroad as case counts come down at home, in the United States and elsewhere around the world to keep Canadians safe, but also help the country’s beleaguered tourism sector.

“Not only have we managed to keep case counts low and manage throughout this pandemic in most parts of the country, but we are also extremely high in terms of vaccination numbers, and that is going to be reassuring to a lot of people who maybe want to travel but don’t want to be putting their families at risk,” Trudeau said in a virtual appearance at an event hosted by the St. John’s Board of Trade.

“We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves,” he added a moment later. “We are looking at how we’re going to start welcoming up tourists in a phased way as the numbers come down in Canada, as the numbers start to come down in the United States and elsewhere around the world.”

Pent up travel demand

Tourism ministers around the world have spoken for months about how to restart international tourism that has plunged because of the pandemic, with new rules landing just as summer travel season is set to pick up and fuelled by pent-up travel demand.

The European Union is allowing travellers from a handful of countries to visit the continent this summer, and several of the bloc’s members have their own rules layered on top of that about who needs a COVID-19 test before arrival.

See Canada first

First, though, provincial travel restrictions need to loosen. Federal and provincial tourism ministers have previously agreed to first promote travel within regions, once it is safer to do so, then within provinces, before ultimately attracting international visitors.

“Canadians are going to be really keen on tourism, on getting out there, on leaving their community,” Trudeau said.

“There is a tremendous opportunity for people who aren’t quite yet comfortable travelling around the world.”

April’s federal budget promised an injection of $1 billion over three years, starting this fiscal year, for the tourism and festival industry forced to close or cancel events because of public health measures. Some of the budget money will go to help cover the costs of innovative solutions to connect with festivalgoers and help hard-hit downtown cores by extension.

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

BEZOS BLASTS OFF: Amazon CEO will blast into space on rocket’s 1st crew flight

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Outdoing his fellow billionaires in daredevilry, Jeff Bezos will blast into space next month when his Blue Origin company makes its first flight with a crew. The 57-year-old Amazon founder and richest person in the world by Forbes’ estimate will become the first person in the world to ride his own rocket to space.

Bezos announced his intentions Monday and said he will share the adventure with his younger brother and best friend, Mark, an investor and volunteer firefighter. He said that will make it more meaningful.

Blue Origin’s debut flight with people aboard – after 15 successful test flights of its reusable New Shepard rockets – will take place on July 20, a date selected because it is the 52nd anniversary of the first moon landing by Apollo 11’s Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin.

The Bezos brothers will launch from remote West Texas alongside the winner of an online charity auction. There’s no word yet on who else might fill the six-person capsule during the 10-minute flight that will take its passengers to an altitude of about 65 miles (105 kilometers), just beyond the edge of space, and then return to Earth without going into orbit.

Bezos said he has dreamed of traveling to space since he was 5.

“To see the Earth from space, it changes you. It changes your relationship with this planet, with humanity. It’s one Earth,” Bezos said in an Instagram post. “I want to go on this flight because it’s a thing I’ve wanted to do all my life. It’s an adventure. It’s a big deal for me.”

Added his brother, “I wasn’t even expecting him to say that he was going to be on the first flight, and then when he asked me to go along, I was just awestruck.”

Bezos will step down as Amazon’s CEO 15 days before liftoff. He announced months ago that he wants to spend more time on his rocket company as well as his newspaper, The Washington Post.

His stake in Amazon stands at US $164 billion, which will make him by far the wealthiest person to fly to space.

Until now, thrill-seeking billionaires have had to buy capsule seats from the Russian space program or, more recently, Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which plans its first private flight in September. These orbital trips, generally lasting several days, with visits to the International Space Station, have cost tens of millions of dollars per person.

The flight by Blue Origin’s New Shepard capsule, named for Alan Shepard, the first American in space, will last five minutes less than Shepard’s history-marking suborbital ride aboard a Mercury capsule in 1961.

But Blue Origin’s capsule is 10 times roomier with a huge window at every seat – the biggest windows ever built for a spacecraft, in fact.

The company, based in Kent, Washington, is working to develop an orbital rocket named after John Glenn, the first American to circle the Earth.

The Bezos flight will officially kick off the company’s space tourism business. The company has yet to start selling seats to the public or even to announce a ticket price for the short trips, which provide about three minutes of weightlessness.

Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson – a “tie-loathing,” mountain-climbing, hot-air-ballooning daredevil – also plans to ride into space aboard his own rocket later this year after one more test flight over New Mexico. Virgin Galactic completed its third test flight into space with a crew two weeks ago; the company doesn’t want him climbing aboard until the craft is thoroughly proven.

The 70-year-old Branson on Monday offered congratulations to Bezos, a tame, bookish Wall Streeter by comparison. Branson tweeted that their two companies “are opening up access to space – how extraordinary!”

Like Blue Origin, Branson’s company will send paying customers to the lower reaches of space on up-and-down flights, not Earth-orbiting rides.

Musk’s SpaceX already has transported 10 astronauts to the space station for NASA and sold several seats on private flights. Musk himself has yet to commit to going into space, though he has repeatedly said he wants to die on Mars, just not on impact.

Blue Origin’s launch and landing site is 120 miles southeast of El Paso, close to the Mexican border. After the capsule separates, the rocket returns to Earth and lands upright, to be used again. The capsule, also reusable, descends under parachutes.

Blue Origin opened online bidding for the first seat on the capsule on May 5, the 60th anniversary of Shepard’s flight. It’s up to US $2.8 million.

The auction will conclude Saturday, with the winning amount donated to Club for the Future, Blue Origin’s education foundation, which encourages youngsters to pursue careers in science. Nearly 6,000 people from 143 countries have taken part in the auction.

While Blue Origin’s and SpaceX’s capsules are fully automated, Virgin Galactic has two pilots in the cockpit for every spaceflight. A 2014 accident left one pilot dead and the other seriously injured.

In an Instagram video posted by Bezos, Mark Bezos’ reaction when his brother invited him on the flight was: “Are you serious? … Seriously? My God!”

“What a remarkable opportunity not only to have this adventure, but to be able to do it with my best friend,” the younger brother said.

Mark and jeff Bezos

 

 

First published at Travel Industry Today

First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Mallorca Joins UNWTO Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories

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Palma de Mallorca, Mallorca, Spain, June 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has welcomed Mallorca’s Sustainable Tourism Observatory into its International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). Mallorca, one of Europe’s top destinations for more than 70 years, welcoming millions of visitors every year, becomes the latest member of UNWTO’s global INSTO…

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WTTC Welcomes Introduction of Digital COVID Certificate by EU Member States

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Brussels, Belgium, June 8, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / In a major step towards the recovery of the Travel & Tourism sector, Virginia Messina, Senior Vice President, WTTC, acknowledges the importance of the EU Digital COVID Certificate, which has now been given the green light by all member states. “WTTC is delighted with the news that Greece, Germany, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Denmark…

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

LARGER THAN LIFE: Lucia Bitondo

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‘Larger than life.’ Lucia Bitondo epitomized that phrase in every way. A huge personality with an even bigger heart, Lucia was one of a kind – a ‘Diva’ in the best possible form – an operatic character – full of life and love and passion. She will remain forever in the minds and hearts of her friends, colleagues and competitors – those of us privileged to work with her, whether at the airport or…

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

WHEN IN ROME, AND FLORENCE

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A project to build a high-tech, retractable stage inside Rome’s ancient Colosseum will restore the site’s traditional gladiatorial “arena” while enabling cultural events to be held in the present. It will also give visitors a central viewpoint to see “the majesty of the monument.” The stage was original to the first-century amphitheatre and existed until the 1800s when it was removed for…

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

ROUND-UP:May 31-June 4, 2021

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Fines for skipping quarantine have been hiked, Transat is a buyer, a Paris webinar sounds appealing, we say farewell to Captain Stubing, and lots more news you need to know wrapped up in a neat little package. NEWS The federal government has increased the fine for air travellers who refuse to quarantine in a designated hotel for three days after arriving in Canada. Travellers who had faced a $3…

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News

Top 25 Restaurants Phuket Will be Launched in Time for Phuket’s Re-Opening

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Bangkok, Thailand, June 7, 2021 / TRAVELINDEX / Following the announcements by the Thai Prime Minister and the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) to reopen Phuket and to allow vaccinated foreign tourists to visit the island without quarantine from 1st July 2021, Travelindex has announced the launch of its first “Top 25 Restaurants Phuket,” in time for the island’s reopening.

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First published at TravelNewsHub.com – Global Travel News