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    SeaBubbles Launches France’s First Commercial Service of zero-emission ‘Flying’ Hydrofoil Boat

    SeaBubbles, a leading innovator in sustainable marine transportation, announces the launch of France’s first commercial service of its groundbreaking ‘flying’ hydrofoil boat, the Bubble.Following the successful certification of the Bubble, SeaBubbles is thrilled to introduce this one-of-a-kind mode of transportation as part of a pilot line offering regular passenger service in collaboration with the Grand Annecy conurbation.
    The Grand Annecy, renowned for its picturesque landscapes and commitment to environmental conservation, has taken a significant step towards sustainable mobility by introducing an electric shuttle service on France’s prime lake site. The project aims to combine the region’s natural attractiveness with a responsible transport mix that includes the pioneering SeaBubble hydrofoil boats.
    With eight rotations per day for a period of two months, the initiative is projected to save an impressive 100 tons of CO2 emissions on the lake compared to traditional thermal boats. By incorporating electric shuttles, sourced from a consortium of local players, including the 4-seater SeaBubble flying bubble, passengers traveling on the line will have the opportunity to explore the wonders of the lake while enjoying a unique, silent, comfortable, and environmentally-friendly travel experience.
    The SeaBubble employs an electric propulsion system and hydrofoil wings to lift the vessel out of the water, significantly reducing drag and enhancing speed. Passengers can anticipate an exhilarating journey as they glide smoothly across the water, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscapes.
    “This initiative marks the start of a major new stage since the SeaBubbles teams joined our territory. We are committed to experimenting with next-generation solutions. This pilot project for carbon-free waterborne mobility is a source of inspiration for inventing tomorrow’s mobility solutions.” explains Frédérique Lardet, President of Grand Annecy.ADVERTISEMENT“With this new eco-friendly, zero-carbon shuttle service, we intend to offer users of the line and residents of the conurbation not only a different relationship with the privileged natural setting of Lake Annecy, but also future options for easing traffic congestion on the shores of the lake”, declares Virginie Seurat, CEO of SeaBubbles.
    By introducing the Bubble as part of a comprehensive transport system, SeaBubbles takes significant strides towards creating a cleaner and more efficient future for tourism and mobility.

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    Five museums you must visit during a cultural trip to Quito

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    Five museums you must visit during a cultural trip to Quito

    Quito is recognised for being one of the oldest cities with the most heritage in Latin America. Its rich history and cultural diversity have been preserved through the creation of a large number of museums ranging from pre-Columbian history to the present day.
    These museums offer a very rewarding experience. They provide a closer look at the culture and history of Ecuador, and also help to understand the importance and beauty of art, in an array of cultural richness and diversity.Detailed below are five of the must-see museums on a visit to Quito.
    1.    National Museum of Ecuador
    One of the most important museums in the country, it is strategically located between the north and the historic centre of Quito.
    It has a collection of more than 50,000 works ranging from pre-Columbian times to the present day. It has a room dedicated to contemporary Ecuadorian art and another for temporary exhibitions showing the contribution of local and international artists.ADVERTISEMENTThe building that houses it, the House of Ecuadorian Culture, is a neoclassical style architectural jewel, built in the 19th century.
    2.    City Museum
    It is a cultural space that presents a detailed example of the history, architecture, art and customs of the Ecuadorian capital.
    The museum’s permanent collection on the sociohistorical processes of Quito and its area of influence includes archaeological objects from pre-Hispanic cultures, colonial and republican paintings, old photographs and everyday objects that illustrate the life of the people of Quito from aboriginal times to the 21st century.
    The site has two terraces and a viewpoint freely open to the public from which they can enjoy a beautiful panoramic view of the historic centre.
    3.    Alberto Mena Caamaño Art and History Museum
    Also known as the “Wax Museum”, it is located in a historic 16th century building. It is a cultural institution dedicated to the preservation of the historical memory and heritage of Ecuador.
    It has a permanent collection that includes 307 oil paintings, 70 hyper-realistic wax sculptures, furniture, historical documents and archaeological items donated mostly by the philanthropist and aristocrat Alberto Mena Caamaño.
    Its most important museographic presentation is ‘From Quito to Ecuador’ which shows the events that occurred in the territory of the Royal Court of Quito that led to the formation of the Republic of Ecuador.

    4.    Casa del Alabado Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
    This is one of the most outstanding museums in Latin America for its pre-Hispanic collection. It is located in an old colonial house in the historic centre of Quito and contains more than 5,000 works of pre-Columbian art.
    It is a must-see both for history and archaeology lovers and for those interested in Ecuadorian culture.

    5.    Fray Pedro Gocial Museum
    Within the architectural complex of the Máximo de San Francisco Convent in Quito, which is one of the most important heritage buildings in the capital and the largest Catholic religious complex in Latin America, stands the Fray Pedro Gocial museum.
    It boasts one of the largest and most complete collections of works of art created at the Quito School (more than 250 examples). Those who visit this museum will be captivated by its beauty and history.

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    Mindful travel with LUX* South Ari Atoll

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    IATA Revises Hong Kong Aviation Recovery to Year End 2024

    The International Air Transport Association (IATA) welcomed the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government’s efforts to ease the city’s labor crunch in the aviation sector.This comes as IATA upgraded passenger traffic projections for Hong Kong that now see a recovery to pre-crisis levels by the end of 2024. This revision brings Hong Kong’s recovery in line with expectations for a faster recovery in the Asia-Pacific region.
    “The situation is looking bright for Hong Kong. China’s earlier than expected reopening is providing a much-needed boost to the passenger recovery. By the end of 2024, we expect to see Hong Kong’s traffic return to pre-crisis levels. And it is encouraging to see the Hong Kong government preparing for this with measures to ensure that the workers needed to support the recovery are available,” said Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
    The Hong Kong government introduced a labor importation scheme to ramp-up the airport workforce by 6,300 workers from the Mainland of China. While demand for air travel has been strong, airlines in Hong Kong have been struggling with supply chain issues and a labor shortage.
    “The last three years have been devastating for the aviation sector. As we look ahead to the recovery and prepare for future growth, it is important that the entire Hong Kong aviation community, including airlines, airport, regulator, and government, work together to address the challenges and are well prepared to tap on future opportunities. I look forward to being in Hong Kong in August to meet with various partners and engage in fruitful discussions,” said Walsh.
    IATA and the Airport Authority Hong Kong (AAHK) are partnering to organize the Hong Kong Aviation Day from 2-3 August 2023.ADVERTISEMENT

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    Spas of America Reaches an Impressive Milestone

    Spas of America, the leading spa and wellness travel website, announced its 900th spa listing, Spa Viata, situated within the scenic Texas Hill Country’s Hotel Viata Austin.Nestled amidst the picturesque beauty of the Texas Hill Country, Spa Viata provides a tranquil haven, offering a serene escape from the bustling atmosphere of one of America’s most sought-after and rapidly growing cities. Step into Spa Viata and surrender to a world of serenity and tranquility. Drawing inspiration from Italian spa traditions, the highly skilled therapists are poised to pamper guests with bespoke treatments to rejuvenate both the body and soul. Whether indulging in a soothing massage, a refreshing facial, or a luxurious body treatment, each experience is meticulously crafted to revitalize and renew visitors.
    Complementing the spa’s serene ambiance is Hotel Viata Austin, a boutique retreat that exudes comfort and charm. Its well-appointed rooms and suites provide a cozy sanctuary for weary travelers, offering a peaceful environment to unwind and recharge. With attentive staff and breathtaking views of the Hill Country, Hotel Viata Austin ensures that every moment spent within its premises is infused with warmth and relaxation.
    Spas of America President and Founder Craig Oliver says, “Austin is such an exciting and dynamic city, and we are pleased to feature Spa Viata as a premier spa and wellness destination for our audience. Their presence on our website benefits our existing spa partners and customers, providing another fabulous option for those seeking exceptional health and wellness travel experiences.”
    David Putniki, General Manager of Hotel Viata, adds, “We take immense pride in the exceptional experience our team at Spa Viata has created. Our spa perfectly complements the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. We are excited to partner with Spas of America and showcase our special Austin spa and wellness experience to a broader audience across North America.”
    Hotel Viata is owned and operated by Pacific Hospitality, which also owns Aarna Spa, Pasea Hotel & Spa in Huntington Beach, and Spa Terra, Meritage Resort at Napa Valley. Both Aarna Spa and Spa Terra have been honored as recipients of Spas of America’s Top 100 Spas of 2022 accolade.ADVERTISEMENTFor more information about Spa Viata, please visit the Spas of America website at www.spasofamerica.com.

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    Auckland Airport Unveils Spectacular Football-Themed Welcome for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

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    Auckland Airport Unveils Spectacular Football-Themed Welcome for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023

    Ahead of the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™, Auckland Airport has unveiled its new-look International Arrivals area with a grandstand and mock football field to welcome players and fans, ahead of the tournament.Auckland Airport Chief Customer Officer Scott Tasker said they wanted to give players and fans a warm Kiwi welcome to the host city and create a moment that resembles walking out of a player’s tunnel and onto the pitch.
    “Welcoming sports heroes to Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland is something we’ve been really looking forward to, so we’re showing our support for this global women’s sporting tournament by creating an arrivals experience like no other. We can’t wait to see the teams start to arrive from next week and the community enjoying the space.”
    Kitted out with a 22 by 17 metre football field, people can get into the spirit of the event and welcome their favourite teams into the country.
    In addition, a giant ‘Game On!’ welcome sign will be painted on the grass at the Eastern end of the runway. Spanning 80 by 40 metres, it will greet an estimated 80 per cent of passengers as they fly in to land.
    “Auckland Airport is the main gateway to New Zealand, and we have a unique opportunity to make a special first impression – Kiwi style,” commented Mr Tasker.ADVERTISEMENTDuring July and August, Auckland Airport expects around 1.7 million people to fly domestically and 2.1 million to fly internationally – roughly 90% of airline seat capacity compared to July and August 2019.
    “We’re seeing more travellers during the end of July and into August than on some of our busiest days during the school holidays. This will largely be due to the sporting events at this time of year, being the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ and the All Blacks playing in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup,” said Mr Tasker.
    The ‘Game On!’ welcome message follows the success of the ‘Kia Ora’ runway sign in May 2022, which greeted travellers post-Covid when travel opened back up.
    While waiting for their favourite team or player, or to welcome friends and loved ones in the international arrivals hall, people will be encouraged to “fly their flag”. Using a dedicated tablet, airport visitors can select their favourite team flag as backdrop on an animated screen for their personalised photo.
    FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ official mascot Tazuni™ will also be at the terminal at select times.
    Auckland Airport thanks Tātaki Auckland Unlimited – Host City for the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™ – for their support in creating these experiences. It is another example of the partnership between the two organisations.
    For more information on the tournament, head to: https://www.aucklandnz.com/fifa-womens-world-cup

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    Seychelles Tourism Academy lecturing staff successfully complete industry cross-exposure journey

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    Seychelles Tourism Academy lecturing staff successfully complete industry cross-exposure journey

    The Seychelles Tourism Academy’s lecturing staff participated in a week-long industry cross-exposure project from Monday, June 26th, to Friday, June 30th, 2023. They were placed in a selection of establishments around Mahé, Praslin, and other islands.The project also saw the participation of the academy’s Deputy Director, Ms Brigitte Joubert, alongside the academy’s librarian.
    The initiative aims to guarantee that the Seychelles Tourism Academy lecturers remain connected with all new developments in the tourism sector so that they may better transfer those experiences and expertise to their students in their delivery.
    Speaking about the programme, Mr Terence Max, Director of the Academy, stated that it is part of the academy’s strategic aim to keep educators up-to-date on the newest industry trends.
    He further emphasised that this exposure would enable participants to maintain and develop their working relationships with their industry counterparts.
    “This project is a significant step forward for us. We are really pleased with the overall reaction to this project; not only have our business partners replied positively to our request, but our lecturers have also provided us with excellent comments about their experience. I believe this will be a success for all of us,” said Mr Max.ADVERTISEMENTFollowing this one-week exposure, each team member will have one day per week (except Thursdays) to continue their professional development while also engaging in project work within the industry.
    The project participants will return to the academy on Monday, July 3rd, 2023, and Advanced Certificate classes are scheduled to resume on the same day.
    The Seychelles is an award winning destination triumphing at last years World Travel Awards winning the awards for World’s Most Romantic Destination, Indian Ocean’s Leading Cruise Destination and Indian Oceans Leading Honeymoon Destination.

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    Japan Airlines Celebrates 10 Years at Helsinki Airport with Festivities and Cultural Exchange

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    The Hospitality Show Wraps Up Successful Inaugural Year, Drawing Thousands of Attendees and Vendors

    The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex this week debuted The Hospitality Show (The Show) at The Venetian Resort Las Vegas June 27-29, completing a highly successful inaugural year for the event, which drew more than 3,500 attendees and 300 vendors.
    The Show is a brand-new operations and technology event, created in partnership by The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) and Questex, uniquely designed for the entire hospitality ecosystem to help hotels operate more efficiently and profitably.
    “We set very high standards for what we wanted to achieve with the first year of The Show, and the industry responded in a resoundingly strong way,” said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. “With an all-star lineup of speakers, who’s who list of attendees, and unparalleled networking opportunities, The Show proved itself as one of hospitality’s most important events. We are excited to continue growing and improving it year after year.”
    The Show reached an important milestone prior to its opening, when it sold every available vendor space on the expo floor, a rare achievement for a first-year event of this size and scope.
    “The sold-out status of The Show’s vendor space in its inaugural year is a remarkable accomplishment that motivates us to continuously innovate and reimagine what’s possible,” said Questex Hospitality, Travel & Wellness Group President Alexi Khajavi. “Next year and into the future, The Hospitality Show will be an unforgettable event, delivering unmatched opportunities for growth, learning, and networking.”ADVERTISEMENTThe Show attendees enjoyed two days of main-stage sessions led by iconic leaders, solutions-driven programming and case studies of profitable operations, as well as 13+ hours of networking opportunities. Learn more about The Show’s networking opportunities here. A full list of speakers is here and the event schedule is here.
    Attendees benefited from content across three sets of stages, including a Main Stage that opened the event each morning with views and insights from leading minds from the hotel industry and beyond. The Show speakers included Athletic Greens COO & President Kat Cole, Retired U.S. Navy Admiral William H. McRaven, Wyndham Hotels & Resorts President & CEO Geoff Ballotti, Marriott International President & CEO Anthony Capuano, BWH Hotels President & CEO Larry Cuculic, Hyatt Hotels Corporation President & CEO Mark Hoplamazian, and Sonesta International Hotels Corporation President & CEO John Murray.
    Content was also delivered from two Solutions Stages, diving deep into the biggest industry issues across ownership, operations, emerging trends, and technology.
    A Spotlight Stage featured technology-driven demos and case studies from key vendors, including ADP, Belden, Nomadix, Sage, Shiji and more.
    Next year, The Hospitality Show 2024 will be held at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center in San Antonio from Monday, Oct. 28, 2024, through Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. Those interested in the 2024 event can complete this form to receive more information.

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    Bulgaria Hosts Largest-Ever Digital Nomad Event with 700+ Attendees from 40+ Countries

    Bansko, a rural town nestled in the Pirin mountains, witnessed an extraordinary event last week (June 25 – July 2). Over 700 digital nomads from around the globe converged here for a memorable week-long conference and festival.The most represented countries at Bansko Nomad Fest 2023 were:
    United States 22.3%Germany 11.2%Bulgaria 9.6%United Kingdom 8.8%Israel 8.0%Canada 4.8%Estonia 3.6%Japan 2.8% Spain 2.8%Netherlands 2.4%Italy 2.0%Belgium 2.0%Serbia 2.0%Australia 1.6%Cyprus 1.6%But there were also representatives of countries such as India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mexico, Colombia, Paraguay, China, New Zealand, Poland, Ukraine, France, Portugal, Switzerland, Albania, Greece, Croatia, and more.
    Since its inception in 2016, Bansko has become a popular digital nomad hub, thanks to the efforts of Matthias Zeitler, originally from Germany, who established a thriving coworking space and community. Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns, Bansko Nomad Fest commenced in 2020, with approximately 100 participants. The event’s remarkable success led to its continuous growth each year.

    This year, Bansko Nomad Fest achieved new heights, attracting 700+ attendees, 60 speakers, and a dedicated team of 120 volunteers, committed to delivering an exceptional experience.The event encompassed a diverse range of activities, including knowledge sharing sessions, valuable networking opportunities, and immersive experiences showcasing the region’s rich culinary delights, wines, and thrilling mountain adventures. Evening festivities added to the vibrant atmosphere, with parties that created lasting memories.ADVERTISEMENTIn addition to the scheduled talks on two event stages during mornings, participants took part in over 100 spontaneous unconference sessions, proposed by the attendees themselves on the first day.
    The official talks covered a wide array of topics, such as AI, productivity, work-life balance, passive income, self-publishing, real estate investing, coworking, coliving, and emerging travel trends. The complete lineup of speakers can be found on the event’s website: https://www.banskonomadfest.com/.

    The unconference sessions offered interactive discussions on diverse subjects, including book writing, building local nomad communities, app development without coding, affiliate marketing, and more. Some of the unconference session had an interactive form like a Thai boxing class or a meditation workshop.
    Outdoor enthusiasts delighted in activities like hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, rafting, ATV trips, yoga, volleyball, and a football tournament. Cultural experiences were also abundant, with participants savoring traditional Bulgarian cuisine during delightful dinners, participating in wine-tasting tours, and exploring local attractions such as the Bear Sanctuary and Rila Monastery.
    The evenings were filled with exuberant parties and enjoyable activities, including bonfires, pool parties, improv shows, speed dating, scavenger hunts, and karaoke sessions.
    Moreover, Bansko Nomad Fest organized a startup pitching session in collaboration with the Founder Institute, providing startups with a platform to present their ideas to investors and business angels from Sofia. The lead investor on the Bulgarian version of Shark Tank, Pavel Ezekiev, was among the esteemed guests.
    ​​Bansko Nomad Fest also takes pride in its commitment to giving back to the local community by supporting two local charities, Bansko Street Dogs and the Sunflower Foundation, which aids disadvantaged individuals in the area.
    The participants of Bansko Nomad Fest represent a diverse range of backgrounds, encompassing remote workers, freelancers, startup founders, online business owners, content creators, and coaches specializing in various fields, such as life and business coaching, personal training, yoga, book coaching, meditation guidance, human design coaching, and many more.
    For more information and updates, please visit the Bansko Nomad Fest website: https://www.banskonomadfest.com/ or contact: [email protected]

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