Category Archives: Space Travel

Scott Kelly, a former NASA astronaut and retired United States Navy Captain, speaks from the stage to the near-capacity crowd during a public lecture and discussion event held in Shannon Hall inside the Memorial Union at the University of WisconsinMadison on Oct. 4. Colton Mansavage

One hundred forty-three million miles, 520 days and four flights thats what it took for NASAs Scott Kelly to set a new record in 2016 for most days spent in space by an American astronaut during his final flight when he spent a year on the International Space Station.

Kelly has since retired from NASA, and these days he travels more modest distances, crisscrossing the country to inspire young scientists.

Kelly detailed his life story and his year in space for a University of WisconsinMadison audience recently as a part of the Wisconsin Union Directorates Distinguished Lecture Series.

If we can dream it, we can do it, Kelly said to a packed house at Memorial Union. The sky is definitely not the limit.

Kelly answered questions from audience members, including Rachel Rauth, a fifth year kinesiology student, during a the lecture. Colton Mansavage

Despite his many honorable distinctions as a U.S. Navy pilot and astronaut, Kelly stressed that his life has not been a nonstop success story. He spoke candidly about his academic struggles growing up and the substantial effort he put into his naval flight training. Kelly described his mindset going into every new opportunity, knowing the possibility of failure. Without that perspective, he shared, he would never have gone to space, much less broken spaceflight records. Reflecting on his own determination to persevere through uncomfortable challenges, Kelly encouraged the audience to take risks, be willing to make mistakes and even be willing to fail. In his experience, the willingness to risk failure is what distinguish those who are truly successful.

Kelly meets with a group of student reporters following the lecture. Colton Mansavage

Extended time in zero-gravity has drastic effects on the body, and indeed, enduring prolonged exposure to microgravity and the radiation of space was a central component of Kellys mission. He was specifically chosen because his twin brother Mark also worked at NASA. As twins, Mark and Scott have nearly identical genetics, so when Scott went up to space, Mark stayed behind and acted as a control to see exactly how the year in space affected Scott. By comparing the two brothers, scientists sought to learn how the body changes after prolonged space travel, in preparation for one day sending astronauts to Mars.

The genetic results were quite surprising. Normally as humans age, the ends of their chromosomes, called telomeres, shrink. Scientists hypothesized that given his lengthy stay on the International Space Station, Scotts telomeres would shorten more compared to Marks.

Despite predictions, Scotts telomeres elongated by an average of 14.5%. However, the telomeres reverted to shorter lengths almost immediately after he returned to earth. NASA researchers are still seeking an explanation for this surprise finding. Additionally, Kelly noted that 7% of my gene expression changed.

The effects on his overall physical condition were also profound, if less surprising. It was really hard to just stand up. My joints and muscles were really stiff, he said. You know, had I not been in space for a year, I probably would have gone to the emergency room. Thats how bad I felt. I was nauseous. I was tired. I was dizzy.

A lot more work has to be done before humans embark for Mars, but Kelly has paved the way for this research to continue.

While he takes pride in doing his part to send humans to a new planet, Kelly made a point to emphasize the need for environmentalism on Earth.

We have to take care of this planet. Im a big believer in going to Mars, but I hate to tell you, were not all walking to Mars, and Mars is not the lifeboat for planet Earth, Kelly said. No matter how bad we screw this place up. Its always gonna be easier to live here.

A new perspective on his home planet may be the most profound, lasting impact of his mission.

When you look at planet earth from space, you dont see political borders, and you realize its not that big of a planet, Kelly said. Were all in this thing called humanity together and big problems take cooperation to solve.

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NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly speaks at UW on his Year in Space - University of Wisconsin-Madison

In Mootoa's Moons: The Other Woman, a bright and healthy love story in space was realized with enthralling romantic twists that specifically highlighted gender norms and LGBTQ issues.

The book is a space opera about the Mootoa, a planet far away in another star system where non-humans led more prosperous lives. Three comparable engines were in high demand as soon as Earth learned of interstellar travel to distant stars. The crew of the spaceship Lorili inexplicably perished. One of them was the captain's wife, Jacob Grimm, also known as Jake.

The quest of Captain Jake and Lorili to find new engines and an engineer in Mootoa, the only location where they could be found, was then followed in Mootoa's Moons: The Other Woman.Evidently, the Earthmen knew very little about Mootoa. More importantly, the people of Mootoa didn't think that Earthmen could handle the responsibilities of running a spaceship, especially with a male human as the captain. As Captain Jake worked to establish his credentials, he was also confronted by a fresh engineer from Mootoa who wanted to join his crew, get his favor, and have her life become intertwined with his as they continued their adventure through space and in love.

Readers seeking interstellar romance and adventure with fascinating mechanical insights are advised to pick up this book. Readers looking for LGBTQ romance will find this to be an interesting read as well.

Buy the book at: https://youronlinepublicist.com/product/mootahs-moon-the-other-woman-by-susan-quilleash/

Mootoa's Moon: The Other WomanAuthor: Susan QuilleashPublisher: Your Online PublicistPublished Date: April 2022Book Genre: Science Fiction, Romance

About the AuthorSusan Quilleash, a retired army sergeant living in Colorado Springs, when not writing spends her time in volunteer work for her church and the local GLBT community. Also retired from 19 years in the public schools as a high school math teacher and substitute. She has lived and worked on four continents. A boy until she grew up to be a woman, she has worked as a cowboy, cook, soldier, carpenter, teacher, politician, and writer.

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In Her Work, Susan Quilleash Examines the Intriguing Facets of Space Travel, Extraterrestrial Life, and L - Benzinga

TUSTIN, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) (Virgin Galactic or the Company), an aerospace and space travel company announced today that it will report its financial results for the third quarter 2022 following the close of the U.S. markets on Thursday, November 03, 2022. Virgin Galactic will host a conference call to discuss the results that day at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time (5:00 p.m. Eastern Time).

A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be available on the Companys Investor Relations website at investors.virgingalactic.com.

About Virgin Galactic Holdings

Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. is an aerospace and space travel company, pioneering human spaceflight for private individuals and researchers with its advanced air and space vehicles. It is developing a spaceflight system designed to connect the world to the wonder and awe created by space travel and to offer customers a transformative experience. You can find more information at https://www.virgingalactic.com/

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Virgin Galactic - Virgin Galactic Announces Date of Third Quarter Fiscal Year 2022 Financial Results and Conference Call - Virgin Galactic - Investor...

A new study published in the journal Frontiers in Space Technologies states that psychedelics could be useful to treat astronauts who have spent long durations in space. Entitled A long trip into the universe: Psychedelics and space travel, researchers believe that due to the known physiological and psychological effects that astronauts experience while above our atmosphere, psychedelics could be beneficial.

According to Back of the Yards Algae Sciences Founder Dr. Leonard Lerer, and Chief Innovation Officer Jeet Varia, psychedelics could very well be useful to our astronauts now, as well as those of the future who may be sent on long-distance space travel missions.

We propose a role for psychedelics (psychoactive fungal, plant, and animal molecules that cause alterations in perception, mood, behavior, and consciousness) and in particular psychedelic mushrooms to facilitate extended sojourns in space, wrote Lerer. Psychedelics research is in the midst of a renaissance and psychedelics are being explored not only for their therapeutic potential in psychiatry but also for their ability to promote neuroplasticity, modulate the immune system and reduce inflammation.

The study is one of many to identify the burden and harms of long-term exposure to living in space. According to its authors, there will come a day when we must seek outside of our solar system for resources, and with the rise of both publicly and privately funded space initiatives, and when long-distance space travel becomes a reality, the next frontier in space travel is ensuring the health and wellbeing of astronauts on long-duration space missions.

Researchers state that maintaining wellness in space is difficult, and NASA notes at least 30 health risks to humans through its Human Research Program. Space station astronauts have suffered transient, reactive psychological distress causing sometimes critical lapses in attention, sleep disorders, emotional lability, psychosomatic symptoms, irritability towards fellow crew members and mission control staff, a decline in vigor and motivation, and possibly increased risk of anxiety, depression and psychosis, psychosomatic symptoms, emotional problems, and post-mission personality changes.

However, researchers of this study argue that psychedelics could be a useful treatment toward some of these symptoms. Given the psychological pressures of long-duration space travel at an individual and group level, it is useful to consider the potential positive, adaptive effects of the psychedelic experience that include enriched states of consciousness, enhanced cognitive flexibility, heightened creativity, enhanced ability to attribute meaning and value, empathy, enhanced insightfulness, and self-awareness.

They add that in some cases, astronauts who have returned from space report experiencing transcendental experiences, religious insights, or a sense of unity with humankind to some extent attributed to viewing the Earth below and the cosmos beyondwhich is not unlike how some people might describe their psychedelic experiences. They even go so far as to suggest that using psychedelics could prepare space travelers to meet other forms of life, if they exist.

Researchers conclude that studies on psychedelics are in the early stages of development, but the benefits shouldnt be overlooked. While there is no empirical evidence to support the application of psychedelics in space exploration, we should be aware that our species has a longstanding history of using psychedelics to explore the fluid interface between ourinner space(including our consciousness) and the universe orouter space, the authors concluded.

In April, High Times wrote about former International Space Station astronaut Chris Hadfield, who joined the board of BioHarvest Sciences, a biotech firm involved in medical cannabis, and the company CEO, IlanSobel, in an interview with Futurism. We see the potential ability for valuable minor cannabinoids to be grown at significantly higher quantities compared to its growth on Earth, Sobel said.

For Hadfield, he says he joined BioHarvest Sciences because of the the scalability of the biotech platform, and how it can solve a lot of the agricultural problems we face in feeding 10 billion people. In reference to cannabinoids, those are just one of the things we grow, although its still a long ways out.

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New Theory Believes Psychedelics Could Benefit Long-Term Space Travelers - High Times

Space technology is one of the most exciting technologies that significantly impacts peoples lives in numerous ways, saving thousands of lives annually through disaster warnings, weather forecasting, and climate monitoring. The main objective of this field of space technology is to support design and development of satellites, facilitate space exploration, and space flight. Did you know space technology has influenced many modern and emerging technologies in your home even?

Students with a B.Tech degree often show a strong interest in space because this is an exciting engineering domain offering diverse application scenarios where engineering innovations can be applied both terrestrially and extra-terrestrially. Having specialist knowledge in space technology gives graduates an invaluable advantage for securing and following exciting career paths. In fact graduates with competencies in space technology will have opportunities for applying your knowledge to extreme environment scenarios as diverse which can range from exploring the depths of the oceans or the mysteries of outer space as well studying the multitude of planets and solar systems.

Space Technologys application to B.Tech students

With a B.Tech in space technology, you have endless possibilities for a rewarding career. ISRO and other leading Indian space institutions are growing rapidly and will flood the market with job offers. There is no doubt that there is a high demand for space scientists, and they are primarily hired based on their qualifications, skill sets and specialist domain knowledge. Institutions are always willing to offer you lucrative jobs if you are a passionate space science enthusiast ready to advance the boundaries of technology. For a space technologist, many career opportunities are waiting to be explored. Weather forecasting, remote sensing, satellite television, and long-distance communication systems are some industries with the most in-demand jobs.

Skills a space technologist needs to possess

Space technology is both difficult and exciting it is all about being a rocket scientist!! People who are driven by a desire to understand the universe have what it takes to be astronauts. To be qualified for this position, they must undergo rigorous training and meet specific physical fitness requirements, along with the following skills.

Space technology is currently pushing the boundaries of change and innovation by creating new applications to satisfy the expanding demands and needs. Numerous start-ups have begun to develop components and parts for satellites and vehicles in India to offer space-based services.

Can the likes of Elon Musk be far behind, given the rapid development of space technology? Elon Musks SpaceX, a space company, has developed a novel method of sending rockets into space and returning them to the earth by vertically landing them on a concrete pad. No aerospace agency has attempted this major technological leap before.

This cutting-edge technology has significantly reduced rocket launch costs, enhancing space travel and space tourism. Some advances achieved through space technology research include portable cordless vacuums, LED lighting, and freeze-dried foods.

Top recruiters for space tech

Some of the top employers of space technologists include data science companies like Amazon, LinkedIn, and Walmart Labs, as well as space research organizations like ISRO, NASA and ESA. Additionally, ISRO hires B.Tech Aerospace engineering graduates. Additionally, they are given advanced projects. A space technologists dream job is to work for these organisations, and a B.Tech in space technology can lead you on to achieving your dreams.

(The author is Professor Gurvinder Singh Virk, Dean, UPES School of Engineering and the views expressed in this article are his own)

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Rev up your career with a B.Tech. in Space Technology - CXOToday.com

The space race ended after the dissolution of the Soviet Union, but it is now starting to rise up again because of the fact that this is the sort of thing that could potentially end up achieving a space travel related goal can bring a lot of prestige to countries. In spite of the fact that this is the case, the quest to conquer space is creating a unique new problem, namely that of space junk or space debris.

Every object that is launched into space and left there is coming together to create a massive debris field that might collide with active satellites and potentially trap humanity on earth for the foreseeable future. However, what country is most responsible for this debris? It turns out that there are three main culprits behind the massive increase in space debris, namely the US, Russia and China with all things having been considered and taken into account.

With all of that having been said and now out of the way, it is important to note that Russia is responsible for well over 7,000 spent rocket bodies and other types of junk that is now orbiting the planet. The number for the USA is around 5,216, and China is currently sitting at around the 3,850 mark.

This problem will become increasingly pertinent in the future as major corporations start trying to launch consumer oriented space travel in low orbit. These shuttles will be at risk of getting crashed into by orbiting debris. One might assume that the solution is to slowly bring these pieces of junk down, but that runs the risk of depleting the ozone layer, generating a lot of heat as well as whatever the damage at the crash site was look like.

This is an issue that has no easy fix, and major world leaders would need to come together in order to figure out how to handle it. Humanity is starting to look to the stars once again, but we will only reach them if we approach this new era of space travel in a responsible way with all factors having been considered.

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What Country Creates the Most Space Debris? - Digital Information World

Flight cancellations. Traffic jams. Train delays. Is any mode of transportation safe from massively frustrating obstacles? It seems not. Airline and train travelers alike have felt the effects of increased demand and staff shortages all summer, and this fall is shaping up to be no less chaotic.

If this is the new normal of travel, the only way to make it through endless hours stranded in a terminal is to plan ahead. By packing the perfect carry-on (complete with an extra outfit in the event of lost baggage), youll have everything you need to make the delay a little more tolerable. Heres the gear wed bring to get through the stress and frustration of a travel delay.

Most airports and train terminals have charging stations, but if the area is packed with frustrated travelers trying to juice up their devices, you may not be able to find a free outlet. Bringing along a portable power bank ensures that your devices dont die before your departure. Compact and lightweight, the Zendure SuperMini 20W doesnt take up much space in your carry-on, and it has the ability to charge multiple devices at once, so no need to play favorites between your phone and tablet.

This power bank may be the size of a deck of cards, but it still contains enough juice to charge most smartphones (and other small electronic devices) up to three times.

If you have hours (or an entire night) to wait out before a flight, a nap may help stave off crankiness. A cozy travel pillow, along with an eye mask to block out harsh fluorescent lights, can turn an uncomfortable situation into a slightly more comfortable one. The Trtl Pillow, ideal for side sleepers, supports your head from one side. Its essentially a scarf with a plastic plate in it, so it packs down to the size of a sandwich and lays flat against the back of your bag. The Alaska Bear sleep mask, made of soft mulberry silk, breathes even when pressed against the skin and blocks external light well. You might not get the best sleep of your life, but some rest is better than none.

This space-saving travel pillow is ideal for side sleepers: Its a fleece scarf with a built-in one-sided plastic brace. Its not ideal for folks who shift position while they sleep, but side-sleepers will love its comfort and convenience.

Certain video games can be a great way to relax. Trade the chaos of the airport for a calming island thats all your own. In the Nintendo Switch favorite Animal Crossing: New Horizons, you are plunked down onto a deserted island that you construct over time. If the idea of spending a few hours fishing, gardening, and catching bugs sounds like a soothing reprieve, this game (or something similar) may be for you.

If you lean on books to get you through bouts of boredom, an e-reader is monumental. We recommend the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite Kids: It has waterproof hardware, a massive, affordable ebook catalog, and the ability to connect to your library. The Paperwhite Kids Kindle is also able to play audiobooks from Audible if youre a hybrid reader who likes to switch between the two. For folks who strongly prefer audiobooks, an Audible subscription is ideal. Each month, subscribers get access to one audiobook and two Audible originals. All you need is a good book and a pair of noise-cancelling headphones to enjoy.

An audio subscription from Audible includes a monthly credit for one ebook, along with two free original stories.

If youre traveling with a buddy, kill time with a card game that whips up some friendly rivalry. Coup, which hinges on deceit, ticks all the boxes a good travel game should: Its small enough to fit in your bag, it doesnt take up too much space on a table, and its a quick play, with rounds lasting around 15 minutes.

If youre traveling with kids, you already know that entertainment is key for everyones sanity. A game of Uno offers rounds of fun for kids and adults alike, and the Worlds Smallest Uno, the miniature version of the game, can tag along to the airportits teeny, tiny cards easily fit in a pocket or fanny pack.

Unleash chaos in the airport with a round of Coup. It plays quickly, packs up small enough to easily fit in most bags, and encourages you to betray your friends.

You never know when the opportunity to play a game of Uno will arise; this set is small enough to keep tucked away in your bag so youll always be ready.

Terminals are hectic, especially after mass delays and cancellations. Tuning out the noise can help you keep calm in a stressful situation, but youll want to make sure you dont completely block out helpful announcements. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are great because you have the option to turn off noise cancellation to be more aware of your surroundings. The Anker Soundcore Life Q20, another pair with a toggling noise-cancelling feature, is a more affordable option that offers good sound, comfortable memory-foam earpads, and a 38-hour battery life. Once youre officially en route to your destination, you can flip the noise-cancelling feature back on to drown out your surroundings and dial into your favorite comfort Netflix watch.

These over-ear, wireless headphones offer great sound, comfort, and noise-cancelling abilities at an affordable price.

A quick meditation session can help melt the tension from your shoulders. Headspace offers a large variety of meditations; we love the guided sessions for beginners, but the app also provides less-structured programming for pros. With a good pair of headphones, you can almost pretend youre relaxing on a white sand beach and not in a hard-back chair outside a Hudson News.

This user-friendly meditation app can hopefully bring you a moment of calm with its warm colors, adorable illustrations, and range of sessions.

This article was edited by Annemarie Conte and Ben Frumin.

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Air Travel Is Chaos. This Gear Will Help Get You Through the Exasperating Delays. - The New York Times

French-based hospitality giant Accor operates more than 5,000 locationsincluding Fairmont, Sofitel, Mondrian, SLS, M Gallery, and so many more hotel brandsin 110-plus countries around the world. Thus, it only makes sense that the execs at Accor, including chief sales and distribution officer Markus Keller, are uniquely positioned to have their fingers on the pulse of the hospitality industry, including travel and business tourism trends.Markus Keller, Accor's chief sales and distribution officer.Photo: Courtesy of Accor

One thing BizBash knows for sure is that bleisure travel is on the rise (we even heard so at Accors Global Meeting Exchange in San Francisco back in July). The relatively new concept combines the concepts of business and leisure travel, with professionals wanting to attend a conference, but also wanting to bring their loved ones along with flexibility in the itinerary to relax, explore, and have family time. Perhaps the growing popularity of bleisure travel is a result of the pandemic shifting mindsets about the workforce, or maybe because its cost effective for travelers.

To get the lowdown on the travel trend, weve turned to the pro, Keller. He's been with Accor since 2004 and held front line, senior management, and corporate positions in Sydney, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, and now Paris.

Keep reading to find out what bleisure means for the hospitality, travel, meetings, and events industries, plus what companies encouraging MICE travel can do about it

What does the word "bleisure" mean to you?Bleisure is the blending of business and leisure travel. People travel differently nowthey leave home on Wednesday night and come back on Tuesday morning, giving them the full ability to work from a hotel or co-working space on Thursday, Friday, and Monday while taking advantage of the trip to enjoy the weekend.

Why do you think bleisure travel has risen in popularity so much recently?Guest expectations have changed dramatically over recent years, with the need for alternatives to the traditional workplace setting being greatly accelerated by COVID. This has created a stronger desire for more authentic, personalized, and sustainable experiences that can be experienced not only far from home but also within local communities close to nature, and to the places where individuals live and work.

Domestic leisure travel has increased notably as changing work cultures and new modes of productive working have allowed people greater flexibility and the opportunity to work in different settings. This trend now sees people frequently commuting a few hours from home to discover new cities and locations where they can experience living as a local [with new] cultures, environments, and foods as part of their work week. This all needs to be facilitated and guided by hospitality providers who can instill guests with the confidence and inspiration to try new ways of working.Accor's capitalizing on the trend with the launch of its "All-Inclusive Collection" that will incorporate culinary experiences, entertainment programs, and sporting activities.Photo: Courtesy of Accor

Another key driver of bleisure is the general growing demand for sustainable lifestyle options. Many, if not most, people care for the environment, and they want to travel in a more sustainable and responsible way. Naturally, this has created new expectations for the industry as demonstrated by the fact that 69% of travelers expect the tourism industry to offer more sustainable travel options, according to the WTTC 2021 Report.

This is where augmented hospitality can have an important impact. Even prior to the pandemic, Accor has provided varied offers in bleisure and workation, addressing the needs of nomad travelers who want to work from anywhere while making the best use of a hotels available space.

Workspitality solutions contribute to more environmentally friendly workplaces withless traffic congestion, fuel consumption, and associated emissions.

What does the bleisure traveler look for that the traditional business traveler doesn't?Career choices have evolved across the world, because of the pandemic further bringing into focus work-life balance, key talent traits, and hybrid working models. It has become clearer across the globe that people are looking for organizations that care more deeply about what matters to them as individuals.

Now, they are looking for what hotels can do for them outside of the hotel room. For example, access to museums, festivals, and restaurants. We need to inform them through the use of digital tools what they can do outside of the concierge service.

[To accommodate those needs,] Accors concept of augmented hospitality offers clients the experiences and services to Live, Work & Play during traveland in their everyday liveswith the best performing integrated hospitality ecosystem.

COVID may have accelerated the shift toward a hybrid office model, but Accor was already a pioneer in this space, having started powerful initiatives such as our hybrid meeting solution ALL Connect, in partnership with Microsoft Teams, plus a collaboration with WOJO co-working spaces.Keller pointed out that the rise of bleisure travel "has created a stronger desire for more authentic, personalized, and sustainable experiences." (Pictured: Sofitel Mexico City Reforma)Photo: Courtesy of Accor

With all this being said, are the days of traditional business travel over?The value of human interactions and need for reassurance and relationships have been reinforced after two years of pandemic restrictions and uncertainty. So, to that extent, traditional business travel will still continue, but a share of the pie will go to mixed modes of travel or hybrid events.

With hospitality rooted in human values, we put people and human connections at the heart of our activity and are naturally committed to reconnecting with our clients and partners to meet their needs, reassure, navigate changing travel rules, and offer flexibility.

[As far as business travel statistics,] September will be key for the Northern Hemisphere with bookings shifting more from leisure to business segments. Current trends are positive, and we are getting closer to 2019 [travel figures]. We know that the corporate segment will perhaps never return to 2019 level due to Microsoft Teams, Webex, and similar tools, but the recovery has been strong, and there are large business events planned in the upcoming weeks.

[Into 2023,] it is possible there will be a few headwinds and uncertainty associated with the economy, inflationary pressures, and other costsall of which are having knock-on effects to companies, which will want to keep some control of costs. However, it is clear that in-person meetings are better for nurturing company culture, client relationships, and making and sealing deals. They beat virtual contact hands down. So, the need to travel for business will always be there, and bleisure is likely to continue to evolve as individuals and companies find the right balance for themselves.

How do you suggest companies incentivize employees to travel again?For the most part, few employees need motivation to travel againits in our nature to want to meet colleagues and business partners face-to-face. What we do observe, however, is companies encouraging employees to think differently about traveling, notably by combining trip purposes. Perhaps its less frequent and longer trips, both for economic and environmental reasons. This gives way to the changing needs of travelers to be able to stay and work at distance in adapted environments, which feels more like home.Keller told BizBash that bleisure travelers "are looking for what hotels can do for them outside of the hotel room." And it goes beyond hybrid working solutions to "access to museums, festivals, and restaurants." (Pictured: Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles)Photo: Courtesy of Accor

Where is Accor seeing bleisure travelers most prominently right now?The bleisure trend is taking off mostly in the Americas and Europe across a number of key cities, where we saw the length of stay increasing over the weekends to include business days on either side.

The usual suspects of London, Paris, and New York are particularly popular, but other major city centers in Europe and the Americas are busy and showing healthy forward bookings. The reason for this is a need to reconnect in person. Companies that had postponed meetings last year or before have re-booked in some cases twice, and are now able to proceed as travel restrictions have been lifted across Europe, Americas, Middle East, and Latin America. There are very few limits on the size of in-person meetings remaining today.

How is Accor accommodating the bleisure traveler?Accor's expanding into the all-inclusive market with the launch of our multi-branded All-Inclusive Collection. Its an attractive offering that will see the group [Accor] double down on this fast-growing segment by building upon the success of the Rixos brand, a leading global player in the luxury all-inclusive segment. The platform incorporates the key strengths of Accors brands and leverages the groups leading market position in the luxury and premium segments.

Carefully curated entertainment programs will play a central role and will build on Rixos expertise in childrens clubs, fitness, watersports, as well as in programming for outdoor activities and MICE. The guests will be able to look forward to spectacular shows with breathtaking performances delivered by entertainers and multiple sporting activities per resort accompanied by world-class spa and wellness facilities.

This will be complemented by the exceptional quality and wide breadth of restaurant, bar, beach club, and nightlife concepts, creating unforgettable guest experiences.

Accor also recently launched this website dedicated to showcasing the extensive resort portfolio of the group across the globe, enabling customers to choose a resort adapted to family travel, as well as for other themes such as mountains, beaches, spas, or golf.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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What Accor Has to Say on the Rising Bleisure Travel Trend - BizBash

With the world figuring out how to live with COVID-19, the travel industry is in growth mode again. U.S. travel for leisure has reached new all-time highs, but business travel is still down from pre-pandemic levels. The same goes for international travel activity. Vacations still have a long way to fully recover, and new digital tools for booking accommodations are on the rise. Over the course of the next decade, some estimates point to global travel spending increasing at an average of 5% to 6% annually -- double the expected average annual growth of the global economy.

Source: Getty Images

Investing in travel ETFs might make a lot of sense right now. If you think the travel industry will continue to rebound and that the global consumer will travel more over the long term, buying a travel ETF could provide healthy investment returns.

The global travel industry is a large space that spans multiple sectors of the economy. On one end are industrial companies such as airlines, vehicle makers (including RVs or bikes, for example), and energy companies that make moving people possible in the first place. On the other end are destinations such as theme park and cruise line operators, restaurants, and accommodations such as hotels and rental properties. Connecting the two are travel agencies, digital booking services, and other tools that help facilitate travel.

Picking the right stocks in such a massive space can be tricky. But buying a travel ETF (exchange-traded fund) yields instant diversification by way of a large basket of travel industry stocks. Here are six worth a look for 2022:

The U.S. Global Jets ETF is by far the largest fund on our list, with client funds under management of more than $2.5 billion as of this writing. Its also the only ETF focused on the airline industry, an absolutely essential business for the travel space. The U.S. Global Jets ETF was launched in 2015. The annual fee is 0.6%, which works out to $6 per year deducted from the ETFs performance per $1,000 invested.

The majority of the U.S. Global Jets ETFs portfolio is dedicated to U.S. airline operators. One-third of assets are invested in Southwest Airlines (NYSE:LUV), Delta Air Lines (NYSE:DAL), and American Airlines (NYSE:AAL). There are also stocks of international carriers in the mix, as well as a few online travel booking stocks. But by and large, the ETF will perform on the same plane as U.S. airline stocks. This fund is for investors who think air travel volumes will gradually increase over time.

The PowerShares Dynamic Leisure and Entertainment ETF is from large investment company Invesco (NYSE:IVZ). The ETF has been around since 2005 and has amassed more than $900 million in client funds. It charges a 0.55% annual fee.

The ETF is a more well-diversified travel industry offering. Although it is limited to 30 stocks in the leisure and entertainment industry, companies in the portfolio include businesses such as event promoter and venue manager Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE:LYV), hotelier Marriott International (NASDAQ:MAR), and online travel giant Booking Holdings (NASDAQ:BKNG). The PowerShares Dynamic Leisure and Entertainment ETF has underperformed the S&P 500 Index since the fund was started, largely due to the start of the pandemic in 2020.

As its name implies, the ETFMG Travel Tech ETF is the most cutting-edge fund on our list. It has $188 million in funds under management and charges 0.75% per year. This is also a newer ETF. Its inception was at the start of 2020, just before the pandemic began.

Since launching in February 2020, the ETFMG Travel Tech ETF has drastically underperformed the S&P 500. However, a rally could eventually be in order, especially since a little more than half of the fund is invested in online and highly profitable travel software stocks such as Airbnb (NASDAQ:ABNB) and Booking Holdings. There are also ride-hailing businesses such as Uber (NYSE:UBER) in the mix, as well as smaller travel agencies and planning companies.

The next ETF is also a fresh offering, having launched over the summer of 2021. The Defiance Hotel, Airline, and Cruise ETF was built to capture investor interest in a potential rebound in the global travel industry, although the portfolio hasnt met those expectations. The fund manages more than $37 million and charges 0.45% a year.

The Defiance Hotel, Airline, and Cruise ETF is comprised of 56 stocks. The name indicates the portfolios composition. Top holdings include Marriott International, Delta Airlines, and major cruise line Carnival (NYSE:CCL). Although it has lost to the market overall in its short existence, the ETF could be a top pick for investors who want focused exposure to lodging accommodations, air travel, and cruises.

Another recent ETF offering, the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF has only accumulated about $12 million in funds since launching in the autumn of 2021. It charges 0.65% in annual fees.

Although still small at this stage, the ALPS Global Travel Beneficiaries ETF aims to be a well-diversified investment option. Top stocks include airplane manufacturer Boeing (NYSE:BA), entertainment conglomerate Walt Disney (NYSE:DIS), and payments and travel company American Express (NYSE:AXP), as well as many other businesses already mentioned above. Its diversified approach to travel and adjacent industries could serve the ETF well in the years ahead.

This last ETF, by far the smallest with a little more than $6 million in client funds under management, is another niche travel offering. The AdvisorShares Hotel ETF focuses on hotels, accommodations, casinos (gaming), and related travel sub-industries. As an actively managed fund, it has a higher expense ratio of 0.99% per year.

The fund managers focus on profitable businesses that have a dominant position among their competitors. As of this writing, the top three stocks in the portfolio are oil and gas worker housing specialist Target Hospitality (NASDAQ:TH), resort and vacation property manager Bluegreen Vacations Holding (NYSE:BVH), and Marriott. With its focus on profitable companies that havent been hit as hard by the pandemic as other travel companies, the ETF has held up relatively well so far compared to some of its peers on this list. However, since most of its holdings are real estate stocks, it may not have the same growth potential as other travel ETFs.

Although the travel industry has been beaten down over the past few years, this is an area of the global economy that should grow at a steady pace in the next decade. However, as is the case with other discretionary consumer spending, travel stocks can also be highly sensitive to overall economic health. Expect plenty of bumps in the road. Nevertheless, for investors who believe travel will keep expanding for years to come, investing in a travel ETF could be a solid option for a well-diversified portfolio that includes other investment themes.

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6 Travel ETFs to Consider in 2022 | The Motley Fool - The Motley Fool

In my best Captain kirk voice: Space, the final frontier.

But a frontier that theatre generally sticks clear off due to budget and practical constraints.

Its a tall task, but a task that Vinay Patels new reimagining of Anton Chekhovs The Cherry Orchard laughs in the face of, perhaps foolhardily.

Written in 1904, the play was Chekhovs last and one of the big four. Set in the failing light of the old aristocracy of Russia, issues of class, history, modernity, freedom, and space are all touched on in classic Chekhovian prose. Issues not alien (see what I did there?) to the themes of colonisation and spaceships. So far so good.

Lets stay on the good, shall we?

Patel is a dexterous writer, mounting such a difficult uphill battle is commendable indeed. He reimagines the characters of the play and throws them out into the void with this very loose adaptation. He creates a revivifying South Asian take on the normally pasty-pale sci-fi population, flipping the script (quite literally) on the historically white-dominated genre.

The senselessness and inactivity of the Russian characters and the rigid social strata are recreated, at points effectively, aboard the spaceship. The ruling family protects the upper reaches and arboretum (with the eponymous cherry trees in it) from the working class downdeckers. The idea is fascinating and has much potential.

Continuing in this vein, Rosie Elniles slowly revolving Tardis-like set is detailed and beautiful. Along with her elegantly futuristic costumes, she clothes the dilapidated ships aging grandeur brilliantly, with the help of Max Pappenheims clanking galactic sound design.

We do believe we are humanitys last hope, racing through the blackness on an intergenerational journey to a habitable world.

Moments of characters peering out into the orchard through slow-moving portholes frame the action and belie the real size of the stage. This circular set has all the feel of the contemporary Doctor Who not the 70s wheelie-bin-heavy version (thankfully).

The directors and actors have a dominating effect on most pieces, and this is no exception. The Cherry Orchard is a long play. Adding in all the elements of space travel robot-human relationships, possible home planets, endless technical jargon, and cloning on top of the themes already mentioned asks a lot of all involved.

James Macdonalds directing feels rushed as he tries to condense all this into just under three hours of theatre. A lot of moments that require space (haha) and silence are denied them. Some delightful details stand out, but they are whisked into the airlock before they have time to become anything. This undercuts a lot of the acting work in the process.

Speaking of acting, we hit more solar wind on that front. An exploding nebula, Tripti Tripuranenis performance as Varsha is a saving grace. Holding the ship together as her mother and sister wallow in memory and love, she is a tough, confident talent that warms up the frosty script.

Hari Mackinnon as the hilarious robot servant Feroze is unwavering in his rigid movements and comedic timing. Think C3PO (having seen better days) in a black suit. His performance is where the plays written comedy lands as it should.

Anjali Jay as Captain Prema Ramesh is the matriarch and the glue that holds the story together. Although hitting the grief of her lost son well, she never quite gets the timing right in the group scenes. Maanuv Thiara as Abinash Lenka equally feels uncomfortable with the character.

Other character subplots seem to be relegated by the need for brevity and therefore come across as stunted. The love stories are also lost in the mist of attempted over-achievement. This can be laid more squarely at Patel and Macdonalds feet.

Despite a stratospheric concept and some gleaming performances, and even with a burst of unique cultural reworking, the play never quite gets into orbit.

The second act particularly tries to stuff so much in that we start losing the sense of what is happening.

The characters in the Russian version of the play are paralysed by their inequalities, while in this case they are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of themes and plot points required of them.

As a writer, I love any chance to pepper my work with terrible shuttle-based puns, and in this instant the play crash-lands, weighed down by its own ambition.

The ending lacks the needed urgency or poetry to pull of the final coup de grce.

The Cherry Orchard runs until 22 October at The Yard Theatre, Unit 2a, Queens Yard, White Post Lane, E9 5EN.

theyardtheatre.co.uk

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The Cherry Orchard, The Yard Theatre, stage review: 'Space drama that never quite gets into orbit' - Hackney Citizen