For the first time, Saudi Arabia is officially opening its doors to tourists interested in visiting the kingdom for more than religious reasons. The ultraconservative Middle Eastern kingdom announced a new e-visa program on Friday that will allow people from 49 countries to enter the country for tourism, for stays as long as three months.

The visa program is an aspect of an economic reform plan introduced by Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Saudi Arabias de facto leader, to lower the kingdoms dependence on oil.

The Saudis already have experience with outsiders coming in as religious tourists, but tourism for culture, ecology, desert thats new and its part of the project for opening up, said Bernard Haykel, a scholar at Princeton University who studies the kingdom. Its not going to displace oil, but its a dent in that direction.

Visas were previously restricted to expatriates and business people working in the country, and for Muslims traveling to the kingdom for the Hajj, the five-day pilgrimage Muslims from around the world make to follow the Prophet Muhammads footsteps and for Umrah, a smaller religious trip.

Saudi Arabia is one of the most conservative countries in the world, adhering to a strict interpretation of Islam, and is considered as particularly harsh to women who are seen as breaking religious rules.

The announcement of the visa program comes one week before the one-year anniversary of the killing of Jamal Khashoggi, a Saudi journalist critical of the government, and during a time when the kingdoms treatment of womens rights activists has garnered international condemnation.

Here is what we know about the visa program.

The program will allow people from 49 countries including the United States, Canada, most European countries and China to travel to the kingdom by applying for a visa ahead of their visit or when they arrive in the country.

People from countries that are not included in the visa program are encouraged on the visa application website to contact the Saudi embassy or consulate closest to them.

People from the 49 countries included in the program who are over 18 can go to visa.visitsaudi.com and register and apply for a visa. They can apply online before the trip or at a kiosk upon arriving in Saudi Arabia. The kingdom says decisions will be made in half an hour. The visa fee is 440 Saudi riyals ($117) and includes a health insurance fee. Applicants under 18 must apply with an adult guardian.

People with a single entry visa will be allowed to stay in the kingdom for a month and those with multiple entry visas will be allowed to stay for up to three months.

The tourism site reminds tourists that five times a day, during prayer time, music is turned off in public places and many shops close briefly, and during Ramadan, while Muslims fast from dawn to dusk it is respectful to avoid eating or drinking in public during the day.

Alcohol is illegal in the kingdom and it is illegal to bring alcohol or drugs into the country. The site also notes that public displays of affection are not consistent with local culture and visitors should also avoid using profane language or gestures.

Men and women visiting Saudi Arabia are expected to dress conservatively. Women, in particular, are expected to cover shoulders and knees in public.

One of the obvious issues that will arise is that it is a fairly conservative society, Mr. Haykel said. How will Saudis take to outsiders with different norms of dress? How are people going to react to that, especially to women who are not modestly dressed? Lots of tensions could arise around westerners who are dressed immoderately.

It is unclear what the punishment or fine for breaking rules will be. Visitors to other countries in the Persian Gulf region who have run afoul of cultural norms have been imprisoned.

The idea is that tourists who are interested in historical sites and visiting the main cities and seeing performances organized by authorities are welcome, but they are not welcome to share knowledge, influence, political thought and analysis, said Hala Aldosari, a fellow at M.I.T.s Center for International Studies and an activist from Saudi Arabia. It is still vague how Saudi Arabia plans to deal with people breaking the rules will it deport them? Detain and investigate? Torture?

Last year, Saudi Arabia lifted the ban on women drivers, and earlier this year, it eased strict guardianship laws, but many of the womens rights activists who had fought for the right to drive were imprisoned and at least one remains so.

The tourism commission did not specify whether women tourists can drive alone or with a male companion.

Only Muslims will be allowed to visit the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, but the kingdom is promoting a number of its Unesco world heritage sites, including the Madain Saleh in Al-Ula, which is the largest conserved site of the civilization of the Nabataeans south of Petra in Jordan, and At-Turaif District in Ad-Diriyah, the first capital of the Saudi state.

The kingdom is also encouraging people to visit Historic Jeddah, the Gate to Mecca, Al-Ahsa Oasis and the Hail Region, which has 10,000-year old inscriptions of human and animal figures.

The kingdoms General Investment Authority and its Commission for Tourism and National Heritage said on Friday that they have development agreements with airlines and hotel and restaurant developers to create tourist-friendly sites, including hotels, a ski slope and snow park, a water park, shopping and entertainment destinations throughout the kingdom.

The Saudi tourism commission also partnered with the World Travel and Tourism Council, the global organization that represents the private sector of the travel and tourism industry, to help make the kingdom a top five inbound destination with 100 million international and domestic visits, by 2030.

The kingdoms tourism commission said the easiest way to travel is by car and it encourages tourists to rent a car. Car services Uber and Careem, as well as train and bus, are touted on the visitor information website.

Ms. Aldosari cited the financial cost of visiting and difficulties of getting around the country as a possible hindrance for tourists visiting Saudi Arabia.

Most places in Saudi Arabia are underdeveloped when it comes to infrastructure, Ms. Aldosari said. Public restrooms, highways, all these issues can present a challenge for western tourists.

52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Follow our 52 Places traveler, Sebastian Modak, on Instagram as he travels the world, and discover more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week youll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.

Read the original:

Saudi Arabia Invites Tourists: What You Need to Know - The New York Times

(CNN) In honor of International Coffee Day -- not that you needed a reason -- we would like to raise a cup.

Our love for coffee goes beyond the Seattle purveyor who added tall, grande and vente into our daily vernacular.

The world's best coffee comes from all over the world. The origins of coffee are global, of course: 15th-century Arabs were the first to cultivate coffee and a Frenchman was behind the 1843 debut of the world's first commercial espresso machine.

Some of the world's best coffee is also art.

Courtesy Jessica Spengler

There have been a few leaps forward since then, and we don't mean the advent of the Frappuccino.

"People are more and more interested in where the beans come from, and how they're harvested and roasted," says New Zealand coffee producer Nick Clark of Flight Coffee Unlimited. "There are so many variables involved in producing a great cup of coffee these days, and the industry has had to evolve to meet growing consumer expectations."

Go get a refill, then read on for where to get the best coffee around the globe.

Wellington, New Zealand

While the ubiquitous flat white -- sort of like a latte with less milk -- was purportedly invented in Sydney, the drink was perfected in Wellington, New Zealand, where it's become the nation's unofficial national beverage.

"Wellington-ites really know their coffee, and there is a very high standard being served around the city," says Clark. "Wellington is also a small city. There's a lot of interaction between consumers and professionals, which helps our industry to improve and grow."

Local order: Flat white. It's a religion.

Melbourne, Australia

Local order: Piccolo latte.

While lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites remain popular, piccolo lattes (made with less milk so the espresso tastes stronger) are the drink du jour.

Top shops: "It's nearly impossible to find a bad cup of coffee in Melbourne," says Licata.

Hanoi, Vietnam

Coffee is deep in the DNA of Vietnam, and the country is one of the biggest producers of the beans in the world.

When Vietnam was a colony of France, the French established coffee plantations across the country in the late 19th century, and, if you're in the capital, Hanoi, you don't have to go far for a fantastic cup.

Don't expect a flat white or an Americano here, though.

Coffee is brewed in a traditional filter, dripping into a single cup below (this may predate the pour-over so popular at hipster cafes in the US), producing a thick, intense brew that is sipped black, or enjoyed with the traditional sweetened condensed milk. It's something the Vietnamese became accustomed to when fresh milk was in short supply.

Would you like some eggs with your coffee? In Hanoi, ca phe trung -- or egg coffee -- is a local favorite.

Local order: caphe den (thick black, slow brewed), or caphe sua (black with sweetened condensed milk) or coconut coffee (frozen coconut milk mixed with rich black coffee topped with shaved coconut ice -- like egg coffee, it's more a dessert than a drink).

London

Aussies and Kiwis famously opened the city's first espresso-focused coffee shops about 15 years ago -- bringing along their beloved flat whites -- and more modern cafes have been popping up across the city ever since. Tea may still be king in England, but Londoners have some bloody good coffee on offer now too.

Local order: Flat white or cappuccino.

Iceland

Scandinavians drink more coffee per head than anyone else.

Courtesy Christian Bickel Fingalo

And with Iceland's lack of commercial coffee behemoths, smaller businesses have had a chance to flourish.

Local order: Latte or cappuccino.

Rome, Italy

When in Rome, order an espresso.

Courtesy Graeme Churchard

Coffee is so much a part of Italian culture that you'll rarely encounter a local who doesn't drink it. But believe it or not, it's not always that easy to find a decent espresso in Italy, with critics whispering that Italians have been resistant to adopt modern barista techniques.

With the best of the nation's baristas calling it home, Rome is your best bet for a quality cup.

Local order: Espresso.

Custom dictates that milky coffees can only be consumed at breakfast.

Singapore

Where coffee art is as important as the taste.

Courtesy Cafe Hopping Singapore

Coffee has always been an integral part of life in Singapore -- the old tradition of kopitiam, or coffee shop culture, goes back centuries. But the city's only recently embraced modern espresso technology -- nowadays, latt art is an expected part of cafe service.

Local order: Latte, mocha or cappuccino.

Seattle

Angela Shen, Founder & CEO of Savor Seattle Food Tours, shares her top three favorite local watering holes.

If there's one American city that's consistently ahead of the game, it's Seattle. The green mermaid is only a small part of the hometown coffee scene.

"Coffee is our liquid sunshine in Seattle," says coffee consultant Joshua Boyt, a former SCA World Barista competition judge. "Passion for the product, coupled with the sheer number of coffee shops across the city, has created a culture of constant improvement through competition and camaraderie."

Local order: Espresso, cappuccino or a single-origin pour.

Austria

Fixations on cake have turned to coffee.

Courtesy Demel

They're such an important part of Viennese culture that the city's coffee houses were listed by UNESCO in 2011 as an Intangible Heritage.

That's changing since Vienna hosted the World Barista Championships in 2012, and new-style independent coffee shops have opened, says Abdul-Malik.

Local order: Espresso or cappuccino in a new style cafe. Or a Weiner melange (similar to a cappuccino, but usually topped with cream) in a traditional coffeehouse.

Nigeria

Cafe Neo, a coffee shop located in several African countries, is not just about coffee, but enabling a collaborative space for entrepreneurs to thrive.

Two brothers and US business school grads, Ngozi and Chijioke Dozie, started Cafe Neo in Lagos in 2012 to inspire more entrepreneurship in the country -- and to serve good coffee. And they're no longer alone in the superior-coffee camp.

Local order: Regular filtered coffee, black or with milk, or yes, their version of Frappuccino.

Check with coffee shops ahead of time to make sure they're open before you go.

Go here to read the rest:

It's International Coffee Day: Here's where to find the best coffee in the world - CNN

TripAdvisor will no longer sell tickets to attractions that breed, import or capture whales, dolphins, porpoises and other cetaceans for public display, the company announced on Wednesday.

The move will ban sales to attractions and events at parks and aquariums worldwide, including SeaWorld, which has locations in Florida, Texas and California, Loro Parque in Spain and the Georgia Aquarium.

The policy is the latest addition to TripAdvisors 2016 animal welfare policy, which ended sales of tickets to experiences where travelers have physical contact with captive wild animals, such as elephant riding and tiger petting.

The policy, which includes the TripAdvisor subsidiary, Viator, comes a year after the company banned sales of tickets to performances and shows considered demeaning to animals, and it comes as concerns increase over animal tourism and animal welfare.

Whales and dolphins do not thrive in limited captive environments, and we hope to see a future where they live as they should free and in the wild, said Dermot Halpin, TripAdvisors president for experiences and rentals. We believe the current generation of whales and dolphins in captivity should be the last, and we look forward to seeing this position adopted more widely throughout the travel industry.

The new rules focus on future generations of marine mammals because releasing those already in captivity would further endanger them, the company said. The new policy also focuses on improving the lives of the animals already in captivity. In order to be eligible for ticket sales on the platform, attractions must have a permanent seaside living environment.

The company will also continue to sell tickets for commercial and nonprofit organizations that are developing alternate seaside sanctuaries for cetaceans in captivity, and have made a public commitment to rehouse them these environments. That could mean bays or coves that are close environments where cetaceans are found naturally.

Animal conservation and protection groups lauded the move as a step in the right direction.

This sends a clear message to other travel companies that we must end this cruel industry once and for all, said Nick Stewart, global head of wildlife and dolphins for World Animal Protection, an activist group. Together we can ensure this is the last generation of dolphins held captive for entertainment.

In an email, SeaWorlds chief zoological officer, Chris Dold, said he was disappointed with TripAdvisors policy. SeaWorld has long faced criticism of its marine-mammal shows, and faced heavy condemnation after the 2013 release of Blackfish, a documentary about its treatment of orcas.

We are disappointed by TripAdvisors new position that ignores the educational value and conservation mission of professionally accredited zoos and aquariums, he said. SeaWorld maintains the highest standards of care for all animals, including cetaceans. And regardless of TripAdvisors position, SeaWorld will continue to advance education and animal conservation efforts.

52 PLACES AND MUCH, MUCH MORE Follow our 52 Places traveler, Sebastian Modak, on Instagram as he travels the world, and discover more Travel coverage by following us on Twitter and Facebook. And sign up for our Travel Dispatch newsletter: Each week youll receive tips on traveling smarter, stories on hot destinations and access to photos from all over the world.

Go here to read the rest:

TripAdvisor Ends Ticket Sales to Attractions That Breed or Buy Dolphins and Whales - The New York Times

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The global travel industry is expected to reach close to USD3 trillion and grow by 3.3% by 2024, according to new research released by the global market research company Euromonitor International.

Online travel sales will account for the largest share at 52%, with mobile sales representing a quarter of all travel bookings as the travel industry continues its digital transformation.

The travel industry is riding this wave that has an impact across the consumer spectrum, as consumers increasingly value experiences such as travel. Comments Caroline Bremner, travel industry manager at Euromonitor International. Euromonitor Internationals latest lifestyle survey shows that 43% of global consumers prioritise experiences over material possessions, while 78% value real world experiences in 2019.

Domestic tourism is becoming popular mainly influenced by rising incomes in emerging markets. It is expected to grow at 8% annually reaching 19 billion trips by 2024, in comparison to international arrivals, expected to reach 1.8 billion trips.

Travel is at the forefront of several drivers, whether they are economic, political, social, demographic, environmental or technological in nature. Megatrends identified by Euromonitor International can help make sense of shifts in consumer behaviour and attitudes impacting all countries and industries globally, concludes Bremner.

Euromonitor International will reveal the Megatrends Shaping the Future of Travel: 2019 Edition report at the World Travel Market London, November 5th, 2019.

Pre-register now to receive your copy of the report: https://bit.ly/2mbpSh9

About Euromonitor International

Euromonitor International is the worlds leading provider for global business intelligence, market analysis and consumer insights. From local to global and tactical to strategic, our research solutions support decisions on how, where and when to grow your business. Find the right report, database or custom solution to validate priorities, redirect assumptions and uncover new opportunities. With offices around the world, analysts in over 100 countries, the latest data science techniques and market research on every key trend and driver, we help you make sense of global markets.

Read the original:

Global Travel Industry Sales to Reach Near USD3 Trillion By 2024 - Business Wire

Vote for EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum as the Worlds Leading Tourist Attraction.EPIC

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in contention to be named the Worlds Leading Tourist Attraction at prestigious World Travel Awards against The Great Wall of China, The Taj Mahal, Table Mountain, and Machu Picchu and we want to use the power of the Irish vote to get it over the line!

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum has been announced as a finalist for the title of Worlds Leading Tourist Attraction 2019 at the 26th annual World Travel Awards, the most prestigious global travel industry accolade. Public vote will decide EPIC's fate and with32.3 million people living in the USA and over 70 million worldwide claiming Irish heritage the power of the Irish vote can go a long way!

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

Vote for EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum as the Worlds Leading Tourist Attraction.

The museum, recently voted Europes Leading Tourist Attraction, is one of 14 world finalists and will take on the Taj Mahal, India, Warner Bros World, Abu Dhabi, The Magic Kingdom Park at Walt Disney World, Florida, Table Mountain in South Africa, Machu Picchu of Peru and the Great Wall of China, among others. Now it's time to use the Irish vote to see this Dublin city center top tourist attraction win the title of theWorlds Leading Tourist Attraction 2019.

EPIC The Irish Emigration Museumis a state-of-the-art interactive experience located in the CHQ Building at one of Dublins most historic locations by the banks of the River Liffey in Dublins Docklands, the original departure point for so many of Irelands emigrants. Featuring personal stories of love, triumph, adventure, and adversity, it highlights and celebrates the positive impact and influence of Irish emigrants around the world.

The museum tells the story of the Irish diaspora across the globe, the impact they have had, the contributions they have made and the influence they have had globally. The state-of-the-art touchscreen technology in the museum makes the EPIC experience an accessible, fun and educational way for visitors to learn about Irish history, culture, and people.

Inside EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.

Aileesh Carew, Director of Sales and Marketing at EPIC, is confident that they can bring the globally prestigious title back to Ireland.

The reaction we have experienced since winning the award of Europes Leading Tourist Attraction earlier this year has been a real reflection of the esteem our visitors and partners hold our museum in. We tell the stories of the Irish emigration experience with dignity and care and this is reflected in the thousands of positive reviews our visitors have left us over the past three years.

"Our founder, Neville Isdell, had a vision to create a local museum that could connect globally and now Irish people and people of Irish descent around the world are invited to support one of the only museums in the world that honors them.

"Titanic Belfast won this award with great public support in 2016, and Spike Island was a finalist in 2017 and 2018. We hope that our visitors and supporters will join us in bringing this award back to Ireland.

Inside EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum.

The museum, which will welcome over 300,000 visitors this year, shows the far-reaching influence of Irish people and covers 1,500 years of Irish history. It tells the powerful story of 10 million Irish people who traveled abroad to start a new life, including the contributions they have made, and the enormous influence they had and continue to have on the world. The museum takes visitors on a journey of emigration from Ireland to the far corners of the globe, including America, Canada, New Zealand, and Australia.

The World Travel Awards, celebrating its 26th anniversary this year, is renowned as the most prestigious and comprehensive in the global industry. Previous winners of the award include the Las Vegas Strip and Machu Picchu. The World Travel Awards Final will be held in Oman on 28th November 2019.

CLICK HERE TO VOTE NOW!

Vote for EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum as the Worlds Leading Tourist Attraction.EPIC

See more here:

Vote for this Dublin museum as the Worlds Leading Tourist Attraction - IrishCentral

Thank you for choosing Malaysia Airlines, says the lead member of cabin crew as she welcomes us to Manchester.

Yet none of the passengers had planned to fly on the Malaysian national carrier. It is not top of the mind when choosing an airline between Spain and the UK. And its giant Airbus A380 is designed for flying almost 500 people many thousands of miles in long-haul comfort, rather than connecting Mallorca and Manchester just 982 miles apart.

From 15p 0.18 $0.18 USD 0.27 a day, more exclusives, analysis and extras.

But as Thomas Cook teetered on the brink of collapse, the super jumbo and dozens of crew flew from Kuala Lumpur to Manchester as part of Operation Matterhorn the repatriation programme to fly 150,000 travellers home from Europe, the Caribbean and North America.

Hundreds of UK government officials are in place at key Thomas Cook airports to help passengers who learned that their holiday company had collapsed while they were abroad.

I think its worked miraculously, said Alan Potter from Corby in Northamptonshire, after he had checked in at Palmas vast airport.

British passengers with Thomas Cook wait in long queue at Antalya airport in Turkey

AP

Reuters

People carry bags and boxes outside the Peterborough headquarters. A total of 22,000 jobs - including 9,000 in UK - to be lost following administration

PA

More than 150,000 British holidaymakers need to be brought home, with the government and CAA hiring dozens of charter planes to fly customers home free of charge

AFP/Getty

The group failed to reach a last-ditch rescue deal, triggering the UK's biggest repatriation since World War II to bring back stranded passengers

Reuters

Passengers talk to Civil Aviation Authority employees at Mallorca Airport after Thomas Cook declared bankruptcy

Reuters

The 178-year-old operator had been desperately seeking 200 million from private investors to save it from collapse

AFP/Getty

Pedestrians walk past a closed branch of a Thomas Cook

AFP/Getty

AFP/Getty

A British Government official talks to passengers

AFP/Getty

A woman carries a box through the carpark

PA

People line up in front of a Thomas Cook counter at the Heraklion airport

Reuters

A British Government official assists passengers

Reuters

AFP/Getty

Reuters

Passengers sit on the floor

EPA

Tourists, flying with Thomas Cook, queue at the Enfidha International airport

AFP/Getty

A man sits outside

PA

Passengers wait inside Split airport

AFP/Getty

Thomas Cook staff speak with British passengers

AP

Reuters

British passengers with Thomas Cook wait in long queue at Antalya airport in Turkey

AP

Reuters

People carry bags and boxes outside the Peterborough headquarters. A total of 22,000 jobs - including 9,000 in UK - to be lost following administration

PA

More than 150,000 British holidaymakers need to be brought home, with the government and CAA hiring dozens of charter planes to fly customers home free of charge

AFP/Getty

The group failed to reach a last-ditch rescue deal, triggering the UK's biggest repatriation since World War II to bring back stranded passengers

Reuters

Passengers talk to Civil Aviation Authority employees at Mallorca Airport after Thomas Cook declared bankruptcy

Reuters

The 178-year-old operator had been desperately seeking 200 million from private investors to save it from collapse

AFP/Getty

Pedestrians walk past a closed branch of a Thomas Cook

AFP/Getty

AFP/Getty

A British Government official talks to passengers

AFP/Getty

A woman carries a box through the carpark

PA

People line up in front of a Thomas Cook counter at the Heraklion airport

Reuters

A British Government official assists passengers

Reuters

AFP/Getty

Reuters

Passengers sit on the floor

EPA

Tourists, flying with Thomas Cook, queue at the Enfidha International airport

AFP/Getty

A man sits outside

PA

Passengers wait inside Split airport

AFP/Getty

Thomas Cook staff speak with British passengers

AP

Reuters

Welcomed by people. Guided us through. Were really pleased with the service.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), which is coordinating the operation on behalf of the government, is seeking to emulate as closely as possible the schedule that would have been flown by Thomas Cook Airlines had it been allowed to keep flying.

But assembling a pop-up airline is especially challenging this autumn because of a worldwide shortage of narrow-bodied jets such as the Airbus A320 and the Boeing 737. This has been caused by the grounding of the 737 Max following two fatal crashes that were blamed on an anti-stall system.

So among the hundred-plus planes chartered by the CAA are some very large aircraft, including the Boeing 747 Jumbo and the Malaysian Airbus A380 whose fuselage proudly notes it was the 100th edition of the double-deck to be built.

As part of the worldwide trend towards more efficient twin-engined aircraft, this four-engined giant is no longer used to shuttle between Kuala Lumpur and Heathrow. It is instead available for ad-hoc charters such as the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca or bringing Brits back in the wake of yet another holiday company collapse.

With 494 seats onboard, Malaysian Airlines flight MH8493 is flying holidaymakers from Palma to Manchester with onward connections to Newcastle, East Midlands, Birmingham, Stansted and Gatwick. But the A380 will not be hopping around the UK delivering passengers. Instead they will be put onto buses at Manchester to complete their journey in less luxurious fashion.

Indulgence is the key for Yassin Mrabet, a Londoner in his 30s who is occupying seat 14K on the upper deck not sitting, but stretched out along the 6ft 6in length of the flat bed.

All eight first-class suites and 66 business class seats are occupied by passengers who expected to be flying on a high-density, narrow-bodied jet.

Mr Mrabet had flown out from Gatwick to Palma on Norwegian but happened to have booked a Thomas Cook flight home. Even though he had opted for a trip not covered by an Air Travel Organisers Licence (Atol), he was emailed by the CAA and invited to check in for the flight to Manchester. After two-and-a-half hours of luxury he faces four or five hours on a bus.

Its not convenient for me, he says. But it could be worse. it could be to Glasgow.

Like many 21st century travellers, he has few travel loyalties.

I am a holidays-loyal customer. I fly with whoever will fly me to the sea.

The A380 is far too large for any of the gates at Palma airport. So instead it is parked at the north of the airfield and passengers are dispatched from the terminal in a series of buses. At the top of the long steps from the Tarmac, Kevin Hardy from Kings Lynn, is not happy: I just think its diabolical.

Were actually going to Manchester airport and then from there being transferred to Stansted. From Stansted weve got another hour-and-a-halfs journey back to home.

But the vast majority of passengers are very happy with the journey that fortune had delivered them. Dame Deirdre Hutton, chair of the CAA, is onboard, and addresses them on the planes public-address system: We know this was quite an unsettling end to your holiday.

No one looks unsettled. One of the cabin crew who had completed a dozen shuttles between Manchester and Spains main holiday island said the passengers are confused by being offered tea, coffee and soft drinks which they need not pay for.

Not directly, at least. Operation Matterhorn is expected to cost 100m, of which 60m will be covered by the Air Travel Trust the fund where millions of 2.50 Atol contributions go each year. But the remaining 40m is provided by the government to fly home travellers who had chosen not to buy an Atol-protected trip. Many in the travel industry are angry about what they say is a message sent out to the travelling public that they need not bother with Atol.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

I can understand the feeling about that, but its a matter of practicality, Dame Deirdre told The Independent. How could we expect people in small airports around the world to distinguish between Atol and non-Atol passengers?

After the collapse of Monarch Airlines exactly two years ago nothing has changed in the insolvency regime for travel firms.

Go here to see the original:

What happened onboard a Thomas Cook rescue flight using the world's biggest plane - The Independent

It's been a two-horse race this year to be named the world's most powerful passport, with both top contenders in Asia.

Now, as we enter the final quarter of 2019, Japan and Singapore have held onto their position as the world's most travel-friendly passports.

That's the view of theHenley Passport Index, which periodically measures the access each country's travel document affords.

Singapore and Japan's passports have topped the rankings thanks to both documents offering access to 190 countries each.

South Korea rubs shoulders with Finland and Germany in second place, with citizens of all three countries able to access 188 jurisdictions around the world without a prior visa.

Finland has benefited from recent changes to Pakistan's formerly highly restrictive visa policy. Pakistan now offers an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority) to citizens of 50 countries, including Finland, Japan, Spain, Malta, Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates -- but not, notably, the United States or the UK.

The European countries of Denmark, Italy and Luxembourg hold third place in the index, with visa-free/visa-on-arrival access to 187 countries, while France, Spain and Sweden are in the fourth slot, with a score of 186.

Five years ago, the United States and the UK topped the rankings in 2014 -- but both countries have now slipped down to sixth place, the lowest position either has held since 2010.

While the Brexit process has yet to directly impact on the UK's ranking, the Henley Passport Index press release observed in July, "with its exit from the EU now imminent, and coupled with ongoing confusion about the terms of its departure, the UK's once-strong position looks increasingly uncertain."

The United Arab Emirates continues its ascent up the rankings, up five places to rank 15th.

"It's the strongest climber this quarter," Lorraine Charles at Cambridge University's Centre for Business Research says in the October release.

"While the UAE may not be able to compete with Saudi Arabia -- the regional hegemon -- in terms of military strength and economic power, the projection of its soft power is uncontested in the GCC."

At the other end of the scale, Afghanistan is once again at the bottom of the rankings, with its citizens needing a prior visa for all but 25 destinations worldwide.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and the creator of the passport index concept, says in the July release: "With a few notable exceptions, the latest rankings from the Henley Passport Index show that countries around the world increasingly view visa-openness as crucial to economic and social progress."

1. Japan, Singapore (190 destinations)

2. Finland, Germany, South Korea (188)

3. Denmark, Italy, Luxembourg (187)

4. France, Spain, Sweden (186)

5. Austria, Netherlands, Portugal (185)

6. Belgium, Canada, Greece, Ireland, Norway, United Kingdom, United States, Switzerland (184)

7. Malta, Czech Republic (183)

8. New Zealand (182)

9. Australia, Lithuania, Slovakia (181)

10. Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Slovenia (180)

Several countries around the world have visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to fewer than 40 countries. These include:

100. Lebanon, North Korea (39 destinations)

101. Nepal (38)

102. Libya, Palestinian Territory, Sudan (37)

103. Yemen (33)

104. Somalia, Pakistan (31)

105. Syria (29)

106. Iraq (27)

107. Afghanistan (25)

Henley & Partner's list is one of several indexes created by financial firms to rank global passports according to the access they provide to their citizens.

The Henley Passport Index is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) and covers 199 passports and 227 travel destinations. It is updated in real time throughout the year, as and when visa policy changes come into effect.

Arton Capital's Passport Index takes into consideration the passports of 193 United Nations member countries and six territories -- ROC Taiwan, Macau (SAR China), Hong Kong (SAR China), Kosovo, Palestinian Territory and the Vatican. Territories annexed to other countries are excluded.

Its 2019 index puts the UAE on top with a "visa-free score" of 177, followed by Germany, Finland, Luxembourg and Spain with 170.

See the rest here:

Japan and Singapore top 2019 list of world's most powerful passports - Nine

Tourism will grow in Saudi Arabia to account for 5 per cent of the kingdom's gross domestic product (GDP) by 2021 on the back of recent government initiatives that have made it easier for people to visit the country, the president and chief executive of World Travel and Tourism Council said.

In 2018, travel and tourism, a key component of Saudi Arabias Vision 2030 programme, accounted 3 per cent of Saudi Arabias economic output. The kingdom aims to increase that to 10 per cent by 2030.

We will see an interesting growth based on changes they made on visas ... and millions of new jobs will be created, Gloria Guevara told The National on the sidelines of the Middle East and North Africa Leaders Forum in Ras Al Khaimah on Wednesday.

The increase in visitors will come as the kingdom builds major new developments such as the futuristic Neom city, the Red Sea project, entertainment city Qiddiyah, Amaala and Ad Diriyah. This comes as the kingdoms non-oil gross domestic product grew 2.9 per cent year-on-year in the second quarter, the fastest pace since the fourth quarter of 2015, when Riyadh started putting fiscal consolidation measures in place to counter an oil price slump that began in the middle of 2014.

Last month, Saudi Arabia opened its doors to tourists from all across the world by announcing a new regime allowing visa-free travel for tourists visiting the country from 49 countries. Visas are now available online, on arrival or at Saudi diplomatic missions for about $120 (Dh440), including a health insurance fee.

The country also announced agreements with regional and international investors worth 100 billion Saudi riyals (Dh99.2bn) to develop the tourism sector in the Kingdom.

They need to work on the products. For instance, a traveller from Europe is looking for something different than a traveller from the US or from Australia. An adventure traveller is looking for something different than a cultural traveller, Ms Guevara said.

At the same event, Princess Haifa Mohammed Al Saud, vice-president of strategy and planning for the Saudi Commission for Tourism and National Heritage, said the kingdom has already received 5,000 applications for visas in less than a week since the new reforms were announced.

The new tourism initiatives are positive not only for us but for the entire region," Princess Haifa said.

Updated: October 2, 2019 09:07 PM

Continue reading here:

Tourism to account for 5% of Saudi Arabias GDP by 2021 - The National

When something seems too good to be true, it usually is. However, just occasionally, there are these rare opportunities that crop up that really are a cut above the rest.

To most of us a job is just a job; we watch the clock, we covet our breaks, we run out into the weekend and begrudgingly return come Monday morning. Now imagine that your job is travelling the world, all expenses and flights paid for, and an additional salary of 1800 a month.

You get to visit sun soaked climates such as Croatia, Montenegro, British Virgin Islands and Greece. Then chill out in the snowy mountains of Canada and Austria. So far so great, but what does the job entail?

Well The Yacht Week and The Ski Week are looking for two talented creatives who are good behind a camera to come and film footage and photograph these events, while also taking over their social media channels.

What is even greater is you dont actually have to have a heap of experience to apply, as you will be getting professional training on the job. All they ask is that you have some natural talent and flare as well as a thirst for adventure.

You will also need to immerse yourself in The Yacht Week and The Ski Week culture and community, taking part in all activities. Annoyingly this means youll be paid to have fun and party what a bore!

The Yacht Week is an exclusive week-long floating festival that involves sailing, partying and exploring a series of desirable destinations in Europe and the Caribbean. Similarly, The Ski Week is a seven-day boutique ski festivals which takes place in mountain towns across the world, hosting everything from open-air apres ski parties to morning yoga in the snow.

The job will also include a Photography Masterclass from renowned photographer Jacob Riglin, as well as one-to-one mentoring. You will also have a host of other mentors throughout the year that will help you to become a top-notch travel content creator, and the option to have a full scholarship worth 12,000 for a digital marketing qualification (NVQ4).

Applications close on 1 November and you need to be 21 and have a valid passport. Will Weeks, Director of Marketing & Technology at The Yacht Week & The Ski Week comments: We're on the hunt for two creatives with an unwavering passion for travel, and the drive to produce the incredible content that sits at the heart of our brands.

"You don't have to be a seasoned pro to apply, as long as you have a creative eye and the desire to learn. Big personalities and passionate storytellers are what we're looking for in our Official Content Creators.

2020 is going to be an extremely exciting year for us, and we cant wait to welcome two more to the team. Good luck!

If you want to get involved visit The Yacht Week website: http://www.theyachtweek.com/best-job-ever, just dont let your boss see!

The rest is here:

Is this the best job ever? Get paid to travel the world next year - OK! magazine

Jannah Hotels and Resorts is esteemed to be nominated as2019World's Leading Luxury Halal Hotel & Resort Brandin the highly acclaimed 26th annual World Travel Awards.

Richard Haddad, CEO of Jannah Hotels and Resort stated,I would like to commend every member of the team for their unceasing dedication and valuable contribution as it is the foundation to our success as a growing, exemplary and luxurious hospitality group.

We are extremely gratified that our consistent development and commitment to excellence are continuously being acknowledged by such a renowned and prestigious sector. added by the Digital Marketing Manager of Jannah Hotels and Resort, Anna Asistio.

The annual World Travel Awards is accredited as the most notable honors program in global travel and tourism. Votes are cast by travel professionals and credible consumers worldwide, with nominees attaining the greatest number of votes in a category that will be determined as the winner.

The founder of World Travel Awards, Graham E. Cooke said, World Travel Awards is a comprehensive and prominent sector in the global industry that embarks in every milestone of travel, tourism and hospitality industries. We are delighted that once again Jannah Hotels and Resorts have set a remarkable standard and a highly competitive hospitality sector.

For more information, please call 800-JANNAH (526624) or email[emailprotected].

Visit link:

Jannah Hotels and Resorts Nominated as 2019 World's Leading Luxury Halal Hotel & Resort Brand - Al-Bawaba

02 October 2019 09:12

Get tips for protecting your home while you're away

Heading away? Keep your home safe with these top tips for protecting your property while you're holidaying.

To cover every eventuality, it's essential you have good quality home and contents insurance that'll give you peace of mind while away. If you've already got a policy make sure it covers what you need and is valid for your entire holiday.

If you're heading away, you don't want letters building up behind your front door and letting people know you're away. To make things easier, Royal Mail Keepsake will keep your mail while you're away and deliver it when you've returned.

It's not just your post you need to sort out if you have any regular deliveries you should stop them while you're away. There are few more tell-tale signs you're away that milk bottles or newspapers collecting at your door, so make sure you hit pause.

For that extra bit of security, why not lock away those valuables in an in-built safe or locker kept somewhere at home? This will provide an extra layer or protection for those important objects, like jewellery or electronics.

Don't let your overgrown garden give the game away by tidying up all your outdoor spaces before you head away. Mowing the lawn, cutting back any overgrown bushes, and raking up those fallen leaves will give that 'lived-in' feel.

Keep those lights coming on when the sun goes down by getting yourself a timer switch. Program lamps to come on at a time specified by you every evening you're away and give the neighbours the impression you're still at home.

Timer switches aren't the only options if you're looking to tech to help you plan for your next getaway. From doorbell live feeds to in-home motion sensors, there are plenty of apps that'll help you stay on top of things from wherever you are!

As well as protecting your home when you're away, make sure you protect yourself and your loved ones, too, by taking out travel insurance before you go. At World First, we provide a variety of cover options, from last-minute getaways to worldwide backpacker insurance.

Visit link:

How to protect your home before going on holiday - World First Travel Insurance

Climate activists such as Greta Thunberg inspiring people to refuse travelling on planes a new phenomenon dubbed flight shaming has been linked to a slowdown in the growth of air travel that could hurt the industry, according to a new report.

A survey of 6000 Americans and Europeans by Swiss bank UBS has found one in five are flying less due to concerns about climate change, Reuters reported.

About 27 per cent of respondents said they would consider reducing future flights for environmental reasons up from 20 per cent in a previous survey in May.

Commercial flying accounts for about 2 per cent of global carbon emissions and 12 per cent of transport emissions, according to the Air Transport Action Group.

In a reported handed down this week, UBS predicted climate change concerns could cut the expected growth in passenger numbers by half, which would hit aircraft manufacturers hard.

With the pace of the climate change debate, we think it is fair to assume that these trends are likely to continue in developed markets, UBS analyst Celine Fornaro said.

UBS said it expected the number of flights in the European Union to increase by just 1.5 per cent per year half the rate predicted by European jet maker Airbus.

UBS said it could reduce the number of smaller planes ordered from Airbus and its American rival Boeing by 110 each year, the BBC reports.

The slowing growth has been attributed to a burgeoning global movement known as flight shaming that pressures people to avoid air travel because of the impact on the environment.

Sweden has spearheaded the movement, which is known locally as flygskam.

The countrys current most famous citizen, 16-year-old climate activist Greta Thunberg, recently travelled to New York in a zero-emission boat to take part in climate change protests and speak at the United Nations Climate Action Summit.

The cross-Atlantic journey took Ms Thunberg two weeks to complete.

Ms Thunberg has refused to fly on planes since 2015 and encourages others to do the same.

By stopping flying, you dont only reduce your own carbon footprint but also that sends a signal to other people around you that the climate crisis is a real thing and that helps push a political movement, she told the BBC last month.

She said she wasnt trying to make anyone feel guilty, adding: I dont fly because of the enormous climate impact of aviation per person.

Inspired by Ms Thunbergs example, a group of European activists plan to sail to a UN climate conference in Chile in December, rather than fly, to pressure world leaders to find alternatives to fossil-fuelled air travel.

See the rest here:

'Flight shaming' on the rise after Greta Thunberg surged in popularity - NEWS.com.au

life-style, travel,

The best friend animals have ever had, David Attenborough, once remarked: "It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." Humanity has always had a desire to explore and observe the natural world- from our earliest pioneers to the travellers of today. Seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is, clearly, one of life's greatest pleasures. However, with advancement in technology and the ease of travel, confinement, neglect and abuse have befallen millions of animals for tourists' entertainment, which is why it is more important than ever to travel responsibly when dealing with wild animals. A recent study by World Animal protection found that 75 per cent of wildlife tourist attractions were having a negative impact on wild animals. With exotic wildlife encounters a bucket list item for many travellers, Managing Director of Cruise Traveller, Craig Bowen said that it is important that people are aware of the dos and don'ts of responsible animal tourism so that the cycle of sustaining poor animal welfare can be broken. He provided these tips: "I feel we have a responsibility to show our guests amazing locations and wildlife and also emphasise the importance of responsible tourism and conservation to help improve the wellbeing of animals," Mr Bowen said. "The community section of our website outlines the many ways we like to give back to the environment. We and our clients are enriched so much by the wonders of nature so these measures are the least we can do to give back," said Mr Bowen.

https://nnimgt-a.akamaihd.net/transform/v1/crop/frm/eV5wxSqxRk6zfLmD5bhc9J/edecd012-56ac-488a-82e3-d1fa084f68c4.jpg/r0_99_1800_1116_w1200_h678_fmax.jpg

The best friend animals have ever had, David Attenborough, once remarked: "It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement; the greatest source of visual beauty; the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living."

Humanity has always had a desire to explore and observe the natural world- from our earliest pioneers to the travellers of today. Seeing wild animals in their natural habitat is, clearly, one of life's greatest pleasures.

However, with advancement in technology and the ease of travel, confinement, neglect and abuse have befallen millions of animals for tourists' entertainment, which is why it is more important than ever to travel responsibly when dealing with wild animals.

A recent study by World Animal protection found that 75 per cent of wildlife tourist attractions were having a negative impact on wild animals.

With exotic wildlife encounters a bucket list item for many travellers, Managing Director of Cruise Traveller, Craig Bowen said that it is important that people are aware of the dos and don'ts of responsible animal tourism so that the cycle of sustaining poor animal welfare can be broken.

"I feel we have a responsibility to show our guests amazing locations and wildlife and also emphasise the importance of responsible tourism and conservation to help improve the wellbeing of animals," Mr Bowen said.

"The community section of our website outlines the many ways we like to give back to the environment. We and our clients are enriched so much by the wonders of nature so these measures are the least we can do to give back," said Mr Bowen.

Read more here:

With World Animal Day on October 4, travel with animal welfare in mind - The Canberra Times

As the nights get longer and the mornings get darker, even the most fiercely proud North Easterner can't be blamed for wishing they were somewhere else in the world.

These factors combined drive many people to book their next adventure abroad.

If you need some travel inspiration then wander over to Instagram to lust over where our local people are venturing to.

From Canada to Brazil these Toon travellers will show you the hottest destinations around the globe:

Newcastle-based social media manager and blogger Steph travels far and wide, sharing her experiences on Instagram. Her favorite place to travel is around the Amalfi Coast, particularly Sorrento.

Bespoke travel specialist Lisa Brady has a career most people could only dream of, but luckily she shares her experiences with her followers.

Lisa has recently enjoyed exploring the Algarve, Portugal and is looking forward to her upcoming trip to Thailand.

She is also organising The Chronicle Sunshine Fund's Inca Trail to Machu Picchu which you can sign up for here.

Geordie barber Danni has taken her career to the Rocky mountains in Canada.

Danni explained she now understands the phrase: 'The mountains are calling, I must go.'

She said: "They have a certain kind of magic, I find that all my problems dissolve, realising just how small they are.

"You gain patience, gratitude and not to mention the amount of achievement you feel."

So if this has peaked your interest then you can see plenty more luscious green national parks and clear blue glaciers on Danni's page.

This Gateshead girl has a passion for food and travelling - and scrolling through her feed makes us both hungry and envious. If you want travel inspiration and food goals combined, then she is the one to follow.

Her favorite places to travel are Morocco and Indonesia, but having recently returned from a cycling adventure around the Croatian islands the 'Geordie foodie' recommends this country as a 'top spot'.

Video Unavailable

Click to playTap to play

Play now

You'd struggle to find many places international jet setter Chris Envy hasn't been on his Instagram page.

Working as crew for a reputable British airline, he has the opportunity to fly to many idyllic destinations. His favourite being Brazil.

Chris said: "The country, people, food and culture are all so vibrant.

"I spent two weeks travelling there and one highlight was definitely discovering the waterfalls in the countryside of central Brazil."

Filmmaker James Alexander shares his love of America and vintage cars on his Instagram feed. His favorite place to visit is Joshua Tree, California.

James said: "My photography is inspired by the desert landscapes and the unreal sunsets you get almost every night in LA."

This 'Geordie digital nomad couple' make you feel like you're on an adventure with them when scrolling through their Insta. They have been travelling the world for the last five years and are currently in Tokyo, Japan.

If street art is your thing, then check out razzles travels as she brings world graffiti to the 'gram. She loves exploring and 'all things Japanese.'

Her colourful feed showcases magnificent architecture, art, landscapes and skylines that will make you green with envy.

Read the original:

8 Geordies who travel the world and post their incredible photos on Instagram - Chronicle Live

What makes the Ramnagar ki Ram Leela special? Well, the reason is, this festival is being practised and performed in the city from around 200 years, which makes it the oldest Ram Leela performance in the whole world. During this time the whole town gets fictional names such as Ayodhya, Ashoka Vatika and Lanka, to name a few.

Another interesting thing about the performance is that the artists do not use any kind of sound technologies such as microphones or loudspeakers but they use their own voice to perform scenes of the Ram Leela. The performance is done in natural lighting as the actors like being old-school. The Maharaja of Banaras chooses actors (below 18 years) on the basis of the quality of their voice and acting skills.Exclusives

To witness and partake in the grand rituals and processions that include huge elephants, travellers flock in from all over the world. Ramnagar ki Ram Leela is a festival of Varanasi, India, that gives an insight into the golden history and rich culture of our country. It is so famous that even UNESCO recognised its value and listed it as a World Heritage back in the year 2004. All the more reason to watch this Ram Leela.

From a travellers perspective, you get some exceptional offbeat experience. So yes, do not forget to get ready with your bags for this month-long Varanasi sojourn.

See the article here:

Ramnagar ki Ram Leela in Varanasi is the oldest in the world! Details here - Times of India

If you always wanted to travel the world but costs are just too high, then this might be the job for you.

Event organisers The Yacht Week and The Ski Week are offering not one, but two talented candidates the opportunity to travel the world, capture photos and video footage for its events, and take over its social media channels - all while being paid 15,000 and getting all expenses covered.

Dont worry if youre not yet an experienced content creator either, youll be getting professional training thrown in there too, you just need a bit of natural talent and a thirst for adventure.

The Yacht Week offers exclusive seven-day floating festivals that involve sailing, partying and exploring a series of desirable destinations such as Croatia, Montenegro and the British Virgin Islands. Similarly, The Ski Week is a variety of week-long boutique ski festivals which take place in selected mountain towns across the world - from open-air aprs-ski parties to morning snow yoga.

What exactly does the role involve?

The two chosen applicants will become the Official Content Creators for The Yacht Week and The Ski Week for 2020. Main tasks will include:

Where will I be travelling to?

Travel on three weeks of The Ski Week (1 x Canada Roadtrip, 1 x Austria, 1 x Aspen Snowmass) and nine weeks of The Yacht Week (1 x BVI, 4 x Croatia Original, 1 x Croatia Ultra, 2 x Croatia Dubrovnik, 3 x Montenegro, 3 x Greece) plus two additional exciting events in Europe.

What will I be paid/get included?

How do I apply?

Will Weeks, Director of Marketing & Technology at The Yacht Week & The Ski Weeksaid:We're on the hunt for two creatives with an unwavering passion for travel, and the drive to produce the incredible content that sits at the heart of our brands.

"You don't have to be a seasoned pro to apply, as long as you have a creative eye and the desire to learn. Big personalities and passionate storytellers are what we're looking for in our Official Content Creators.

2020 is going to be an extremely exciting year for us, and we cant wait to welcome two more to the team. Good luck!

Make sure you don't miss a single What's On event in Belfast and beyond by following our dedicated What's On Facebook page where you can keep up to date with everything that's happening in Belfast and beyond.

With articles on the latest music, family, arts, theatre, food and drink, comedy and shopping events we've got you covered!

Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.

Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.

Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .

See more here:

Social media job will pay two candidates to travel the world - here's how to apply - Belfast Live

Travel planning made easy and affordable

Sometimes making travel arrangements are simple. Sometimes its clear how to save money for your business travel. Sometimes it may seem easy to find the best vacation package for your family.

But these days its not always clear. Do you really have the best vacation deal available out of all the options out there? Are your business travelers making good buying decisions? Can we save more money? Can I trust what I read? Can I trust the pictures I see on the hotel website? And what happens if I have a problem while traveling? Whos going to be there to help?

At World Travel we understand. And thats where we come in. Whether you are looking for innovative corporate travel management, sophisticated group and meeting solutions or exclusive vacation travel planning, we provide honest, creative and real world answers that help clients manage to their corporate budgets, implement flawless meetings and experience vacations that stay with them for a lifetime.

We are headquartered in Tulsa, Oklahoma and are a nationally recognized travel company thats been in business over 60 years.

Please take a moment to look through our site and learn more about us. If youd like to learn even more about our unique travel services or if youd like to schedule your next trip, please call our team of corporate travel and vacation planning experts at 918-743-8856 or click here to contact us now.

We look forward to hearing from you.

See the article here:

We make travel planning easy and affordable | World Travel

With eight agency locations throughout Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia, WorldTravelService serves a number of large corporate clients throughout the Mid-Atlantic region, including Delaware, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. As part of a worldwide system of affiliates and partners, we are able to leverage our economies of scale to provide our clientsboth corporate and leisurewith a wide range of benefits, discounts, amenities, and conveniences that they would not otherwise be able to access. We are also the largest independent, Veteran-owned agency in the Mid-Atlantic!

WorldTravelService uses the most sophisticated travel technology available to ensure complete accuracy, cost efficiency, and security. Our quality assurance programs, fare checks, and other tools are constantly running in order to give our clients the absolute best service. And since these tools are nothing without the right people to use them, we place utmost importance on hiring and retaining the most talented and dedicated professionals in the travel industry. Your complete satisfaction in every aspect of your experience with us is our highest goal.

Call us at 800-676-3796 to learn why thousands of companies and luxury travelers entrusts their travel plans to WorldTravelService, the mid-Atlantics leading full-service travel concierge to VIPs, business professionals, and serious travel connoisseurs.

View post:

WorldTravelService - Leisure & Corporate Travel Agents in ...

Oct 5, 2012

Johanna Read /Africa Travel, Food Travel, Namibia, South Africa, Travel Abroad /

Leopard (not on the menu). Photo by Johanna Read

Smiley. A lovely word. A not so lovely dish.

Im in southern Africa. This is more of a seeing animals trip than an eating animals trip, but how can I resist the opportunity to eat something Ive never had before?

Many people have told me to keep an eye out for smiley. Cool Im a smiley person, I say. Whats smiley?Im thinking of foodsthat make me smile:dark chocolate and raspberries; lamb-sicles; gelato fromIl Crispinoin Rome; street food in Luang Prabang, Laos; passion fruit anything, twice-fried French fries with truffled ketchup ..

Then Im told smiley is the head of a sheep or a goat, brains and eyeballs included, that is cooked over a fire so that its lips pull back into a smile. Yum.

Hmmmm. Maybe Im not as much of a smiley person as I thought.

Biltong

Biltongis dried beef (sometimes oryx, kudu or ostrich), similar to beef jerky.Photo by Johanna Read

I meet up with LaurenCohen a new friend originallymet on Twitter to have dinner at one of the many fine restaurants in Cape TownsVictoria and Alfred Waterfront. The Waterfront is both a workingharborand a hub for eating, shopping and entertainment, for tourists and locals alike.Tonight we tryTasca De Belem, which serves authentic Portuguese and Turkish mains and tapas / meze. We sit outside with a view of the quay (with heat lamps and blankets available it is July, i.e. mid-winter,after all). I eat fabulous tuna, barely seared as ordered, with a delicious Portuguese prego sauce garlic, cumin and chili pepper goodness. I love that the sustainability and source of each fish aredescribed on the menu.

Of course the discussion is a lot about food, and about South Africanspecialties and Lauren mentions biltong. Bull tongue?! I ask, thinking of a variation of smiley. No. If youve ever had beef jerky, then youve eaten the very poor cousin of biltong. Biltong is dried beef (sometimes oryx, kudu or ostrich) and comes insausage form as well as thinly sliced. It is way moreflavorfuland much better-textured than beef jerky. Lauren treats us to both from theCity Grill Steakhouse, a couple doors down.

Having gorged myself at dinner, I save the biltong for the next dayspatkos Afrikaans for road food for my trip to the Cape of Good Hope.It is much appreciated after the 159 meter stair climb up to the lighthouse on an empty stomach.

Game

It is surprisingly not that hard to spend your days in Namibian animal reserves looking at game and spend your evenings eating it. No, I didnt eat leopard, cheetah, elephant or anything like that. But oryx, kudu and eland are all delicious. They are all beautiful too (and raisedsustainably).

What do they taste like? No not like chicken! But a lot like beef. The oryx is the most delicious like a dry-aged steak, both lean and juicy at the same time. Maybe a bit like lamb chops. Kudu is similar, but not asflavorfuland drier. And eland even more so.

Ill order oryx again if I ever see it on a menu, but will probably skip the kudu and eland. Theyre better lion food anyway.

Malva pudding from Tasca restaurant. Photo by Johanna Read

Malva pudding

Pudding nothing to be nervous about with dessert! Malva pudding a traditional South African dish, adopted from the Dutch is a pudding in the English sense of the word. It is a cake with sauce, served warm,resembling sticky toffee pudding.

Every Malva pudding I try (and there are several)is different. I preferthe warmer stickier ones to the cooler drier ones. The taste is somewhat like a caramel cake. I had to check recipes to see what givesit that uniqueflavor apricot jam of all things. Regardless of where you are in the world, you should be able to find the ingredients to make this one at home (see recipe below).

And the smiley?

Well, lucky for me I never did come across the smiley. After seeing photos I cant say Im too upset over it.

Maggies Malva Pudding (serves 6)

Michael Olivier, Cape Towns Wine and Food Guru, says that this is the benchmark malva pudding recipe. It is by Maggie Pepler and served at the Boschendal Restaurant. For more info see hissite.

Cake:1 cup flour1 tablespoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)1 cup sugar1 egg1 tablespoon apricot jam1 tablespoon vinegar1 talespoon melted butter1 cup milk

Sauce: cup cream cup milk1 cup sugar cup hot water cup butter

Preheat oven to 180C / 350F.With butter, grease an ovenproof dish approximately 30cm X 20cm X 5cm. Glass or ceramic best do not use an aluminium, enamel or metal container. Cut a piece of aluminium foil to cover the dish, and grease it well with butter on one side.

Sift the flour and the baking soda into a bowl and stir in the sugar.In another bowl beat the egg very well and add the remaining wet cake ingredients one by one, beating well between each addition.Using a wooden spoon beat the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix well.

Pour the batter into the prepared dish, cover with the foil, greased side down, and bake 45 minutes until well risen and brown. Bake a further five minutes without the foil if not sufficiently brown. Be careful not to under-bake: if not sufficiently baked the dessert will not soak up all the sauce.When the pudding is almost done, heat the ingredients for the sauce, ensuring that you melt all the sugar and butter.When the pudding is done, remove from the oven, take off the foil and pour over the sauce.

Serve hot, warm or at room temperature, though the warmer the better. If desired, serve with some whipped cream or vanilla custard.

TravelEater, aka Johanna Read, is a Canadian who loves travelling and loves eating, but hates eating tourist food. She collects -- and shares -- advice about eating around the world (and about what to do between snacks). Johanna is World Travel Buzz's new International Eating Expert and will be writing a monthly column.

Continued here:

South African Cuisine: Smiley (Fire-Roasted Goat Head) and ...

Travel is the movement of people between distant geographical locations. Travel can be done by foot, bicycle, automobile, train, boat, bus, airplane, ship or other means, with or without luggage, and can be one way or round trip.[1][2] Travel can also include relatively short stays between successive movements.

The origin of the word "travel" is most likely lost to history. The term "travel" may originate from the Old French word travail, which means 'work'.[3] According to the Merriam Webster dictionary, the first known use of the word travel was in the 14th century. It also states that the word comes from Middle English travailen, travelen (which means to torment, labor, strive, journey) and earlier from Old French travailler (which means to work strenuously, toil). In English we still occasionally use the words "travail", which means struggle. According to Simon Winchester in his book The Best Travelers' Tales (2004), the words "travel" and "travail" both share an even more ancient root: a Roman instrument of torture called the tripalium (in Latin it means "three stakes", as in to impale). This link may reflect the extreme difficulty of travel in ancient times. Today, travel may or may not be much easier depending upon the destination you choose (e.g. Mt. Everest, the Amazon rainforest), how you plan to get there (tour bus, cruise ship, or oxcart), and whether you decide to "rough it" (see extreme tourism and adventure travel). "There's a big difference between simply being a tourist and being a true world traveler", notes travel writer Michael Kasum. This is, however, a contested distinction as academic work on the cultures and sociology of travel has noted.[4]

Reasons for traveling include recreation,[5] tourism[5] or vacationing,[5] research travel,[5] the gathering of information, visiting people, volunteer travel for charity, migration to begin life somewhere else, religious pilgrimages[5] and mission trips, business travel,[5] trade,[5] commuting, and other reasons, such as to obtain health care[5] or waging or fleeing war or for the enjoyment of traveling. Travellers may use human-powered transport such as walking or bicycling; or vehicles, such as public transport, automobiles, trains and airplanes.

Motives for travel include:

Travel dates back to antiquity where wealthy Greeks and Romans would travel for leisure to their summer homes and villas in cities such as Pompeii and Baiae.[7]While early travel tended to be slower, more dangerous, and more dominated by trade and migration, cultural and technological advances over many years have tended to mean that travel has become easier and more accessible.[8] Mankind has come a long way in transportation since Christopher Columbus sailed to the new world from Spain in 1492, an expedition which took over 10 weeks to arrive at the final destination; to the 21st century where aircraft allow travel from Spain to the United States overnight.

Travel in the Middle Ages offered hardships and challenges, however, it was important to the economy and to society. The wholesale sector depended (for example) on merchants dealing with/through caravans or sea-voyagers, end-user retailing often demanded the services of many itinerant peddlers wandering from village to hamlet, gyrovagues (Wandering Monks) and wandering friars brought theology and pastoral support to neglected areas, travelling minstrels practiced the never-ending tour, and armies ranged far and wide in various crusades and in sundry other wars.[7]Pilgrimages were common in both the European and Islamic world and involved streams of travellers both locally (Canterbury Tales-style) and internationally.[9]

In the late 16th century it became fashionable for young European aristocrats and wealthy upper class men to travel to significant European cities as part of their education in the arts and literature. This was known as the Grand Tour, it included cities such as London, Paris, Venice, Florence and Rome.However, The French revolution brought with it the end of the Grand Tour.[7]

Travel by water often provided more comfort and speed than land-travel, at least until the advent of a network of railways in the 19th century. Travel for the purpose of tourism is reported to have started around this time when people began to travel for fun as travel was no longer a hard and challenging task. This was capitalised on by people like Thomas Cook selling tourism packages where trains and hotels were booked together.[10] Airships and airplanes took over much of the role of long-distance surface travel in the 20th century, notably after the second World War where there was a surplus of both aircraft and pilots.[7]

Travel may be local, regional, national (domestic) or international. In some countries, non-local internal travel may require an internal passport, while international travel typically requires a passport and visa. A trip may also be part of a round-trip, which is a particular type of travel whereby a person moves from one location to another and returns.[11]

Authorities emphasize the importance of taking precautions to ensure travel safety.[12] When traveling abroad, the odds favor a safe and incident-free trip, however, travelers can be subject to difficulties, crime and violence.[13] Some safety considerations include being aware of one's surroundings,[12] avoiding being the target of a crime,[12] leaving copies of one's passport and itinerary information with trusted people,[12] obtaining medical insurance valid in the country being visited[12] and registering with one's national embassy when arriving in a foreign country.[12] Many countries do not recognize drivers' licenses from other countries; however most countries accept international driving permits.[14] Automobile insurance policies issued in one's own country are often invalid in foreign countries, and it is often a requirement to obtain temporary auto insurance valid in the country being visited.[14] It is also advisable to become oriented with the driving-rules and -regulations of destination countries.[14] Wearing a seat belt is highly advisable for safety reasons; many countries have penalties for violating seatbelt laws.[14]

There are three main statistics which may be used to compare the safety of various forms of travel (based on a DETR survey in October 2000):[15]

Go here to read the rest:

Travel - Wikipedia