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      Cornwall Airport Newquay becomes first licensed Spaceport in the UK

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      A Spaceport transformation requires two things: the right facilities and legislation. Cornwall Airport Newquay now meets every need. As a commercially regulated aerodrome CAN already had many of the relevant facilities and infrastructure in place: a 2,744 x 45 metre long runway with surveillance systems and a secure perimeter to facilitate safe horizontal satellite launches, navigation aids, fuel storage and runway lighting. There were minimal infrastructure changes needed to make the site fully operational for space activity.
      And with Spaceport’s sustainability values at the heart of their activities, CAN’s location made it the perfect contender for “the world’s responsible launch” site, offering uncongested airspace and low residential density. Its direct access to the Atlantic Ocean and segregated airspace, as well as the close proximity to world-leading satellite communications provider Goonhilly Earth Station (25 miles south) made this the ultimate launchpad for the UK’s newest space ventures.
      Ian Jones, CEO of Goonhilly Earth Station, believes Cornwall is the perfect place to propel the UK Space scene towards global renown: “we’re on a peninsula, surrounded by the ocean with the ability to get into, and communicate, with space. It’s like living on our own little spaceship here. It’s also the sort of environment that makes our services exportable to the rest of the world. Like we exported mining over 200 years ago, we’re now exporting highly effective communications and that is the way forward.”CAN’s transformation from a regional passenger airport to the UK’s first licensed Space and Air port was no easy feat. There were some key operational measures and procedures needed to get the project off the ground (and into space!) – the most challenging and integral being legislation and the CAA licensing.
      The team were involved in multiple aspects of the UK Civil Aviation Authority’s licensing process. Operationally, they prepared Echo Apron for the upcoming launch activities, provided the specialist Ground servicing equipment, handled the inbound Cosmic Girl (a modified Boeing 747) carrying the equipment for launch preparations, as well as handling and offloading the Launcher One rocket upon its arrival from the United States.
      Thanks to their teams’ aerodrome support, marshalling, guidance, security and air traffic control provision, both the Echo Apron and the Space Systems Integration Facility are ready for launch. With safety underpinning all launch preparations, Cornwall Airport Newquay has received the UK CAA’s approval. – On 16th November 2022 they reached a new frontier, becoming the UK’s very first airport to hold a Spaceport licence.ADVERTISEMENTSpeaking about the transformation, Managing Director of Cornwall Airport Newquay, Sam O’Dwyer says: “We are incredibly proud to be involved in this innovative project to enable space launch from Cornwall Airport Newquay with Spaceport Cornwall and Virgin Orbit. The team effort that has gone into developing a fully licensed Spaceport facility which will deliver safe and secure space operations for the UK’s first ever space launch has been simply inspiring and I’d like to say a massive well done to my team.”Delivering twice as much.
      CAN says the aerodrome will continue to provide quality commercial airport services, after their teams worked hard across the business to develop safe Spaceport facilities alongside a busy summer schedule. The fantastic display of teamwork ensured business targets were met – with a wide range of flight destinations on offer this summer. With 7 new destinations and 3 further airline partnerships on the way – Bringing their offering up to a huge 21 destinations, with 10 airlines in total for 2023. – CAN’s significant network expansion is a solid foundation on which they hope to build successes far exceeding their pre-pandemic status.
      A symbiotic relationship borne to benefit life on Earth:
      Underlining the importance of deep collaboration, communication and trust when it comes to delivering such an ambitious project. CAN worked with a number of key stakeholders within the Spaceport Cornwall consortium, whilst keeping much of their activity in-house –
      a distinctive feature of the organisation’s operational processes across the board. CAN is proud to be so self-sufficient and says this unique framework reduces their need to subcontract, thus increasing work efficiency and speed.
      A training plan was developed for all Air Traffic Controllers (ATC) to ensure new terminologies (for types of fuel, new roles, responsibilities and regulations) were clearly understood. The Rescue & Fire Fighting Service (RFFS) also supported Spaceport activities throughout, managing staffing levels and fire appliances in preparation for the arrival of Virgin Orbit’s Cosmic Girl and Californian colleagues. Various in-house teams also revised the Spaceport Cornwall Safety Case for CAA licensing requirements and developed the Launch Day Airspace Plan. – Alongside updating the Hazardous Operations Procedures & Checklists, Spaceport Manual, Aerodrome Manual and Emergency Response.Melissa Thorpe, Head of Spaceport Cornwall added, ‘Working with our partners at Cornwall Airport Newquay is key to the success of this mission. The collaborative spirit between our teams and the sharing of expertise will result in history being made, and we couldn’t be more proud!’
      Looking to the future – what happens once we’ve claimed our place in space?
      Access to Space for all, commercial small satellite launch activities, and sub-orbital spaceflight operations define the UK’s National Space Strategy. Working in tandem with Spaceport Cornwall and Virgin Orbit, it’s hoped that Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly (CIoS) Space Enterprise Zone will lead the way, exploiting “physical, digital and intellectual assets and using satellite data to overcome local and global challenges such as the impact of climate change.” According to CIoS LEP, the region will have “contributed to an additional £1 billion of economic value for CIoS through increased productivity, jobs, and turnover” by 2030.
      Spaceport Cornwall has the power to propel socio-economic benefits into infinity and beyond…
      Valued at £16.5 billion, the innovative space sector already supports 47,000 jobs and it’s not going to stop there. From inspiring young people, tackling the digital skills gap and enhancing academic research, to monitoring climate change, attracting further investment and supporting the county beyond seasonal tourism, the projected socio-economic impacts are bountiful. Here’s to a new and exciting chapter in Cornwall Airport Newquay’s 88 years of operations! And most importantly, here’s to Cornwall, home of the nation’s first Spaceport.

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      MSC Cruises Launches Industry-First Simultaneous World Cruises

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      UK Civil Aviation Authority Proposes Simplified Guidance for Airspace Changes More

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      QUARK EXPEDITIONS OFFERS 45% SAVINGS

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      Quark Expeditions, the global leader in polar adventures, has kicked off the new year by launching a robust Escape Sale with polar voyages reduced by up to 45%—plus a variety of guest benefits.“We’re very excited about our recently-launched Escape Sale as it enables a cross-section of travelers to take advantage of deep savings that match their travel tastes,” said Thomas Lennartz, Vice-president of Sales for Quark Expeditions. “The special offers—and perks—in our Escape Sale appeal to solo travelers, couples and groups.”Lennartz emphasized that the itineraries featured in the Escape Sale include some of the more popular voyages within Quark Expeditions’ portfolio. “For instance, guests can enjoy incredible savings on some of the more active trips in the Arctic such as our Greenland Adventure: Explore by Land, Sea and Air itinerary, as well as shorter voyages such as Antarctic Express: Fly the Drake,” said Lennartz. “In addition, we’re also waiving the single supplement on multiple voyages 2023 voyages.”
      “We know from past promotions that a large number of travelers will appreciate the free transfer package offered on select Arctic 2023 voyages. This includes charter flights, hotel and ground transportation (between airport and hotel), as well as hotel accommodation,” said Lennartz. “Polar travelers place high value on these extras. Factor in the additional 10% savings when guests pay in full, and our Escape Sale is even more appealing to travelers who’ve long wanted to explore the Arctic or Antarctic with the best expedition team in the Polar Regions.”
      Highlights of the Escape Sale (January 4 to April 3, 2023):
      Savings up to 45%No single supplement on multiple voyagesFree transportation between airport and hotel, as well as overnight hotel accommodation on select Arctic 2023 voyagesAn additional 10% savings when guests pay in full at time of booking.Departures featured in Quark Expeditions’ Escape Sale include:
      Three Arctic Islands: Spitsbergen, Greenland and Iceland (Southbound). Departure: August 26, 2023ADVERTISEMENTSpitsbergen Explorer: Wildlife Capital of the Arctic. Departure: June 4 and 22, 2023
      Canada and Greenland. Departure: September 11, 2023
      Northwest Passage: In the Footsteps of Franklin. Departure: July 30, 2023For full list of eligible departures, visit Quark Expeditions’ Escape Sale

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      New project to study impact of tourism on biodiversity in Spain

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      Huawei and International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) have selected Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park in Barcelona Province for a new Tech4Nature project to study how tourism impacts the park’s ecosystem, notably the Bonelli’s eagle.The park has seen a clear increase in visitors since the pandemic, reflecting a growing trend of leisure and tourism in periurban natural and protected spaces. As a result, park managers have observed changes in the behavioral patterns of the Bonelli’s eagle, which nests in the park and is listed as vulnerable in the Spanish Red Book of Birds.
      Scheduled for launch in February 2023, the project will see Huawei and partners developing and deploying a tech-based solution comprising cameras, GPS receivers, and a cloud platform that will serve as the computing and storage infrastructure. Forming an alert-detection system, the solution will observe and monitor the mobility of the eagle and determine the factors that disturb its reproductive success – human disturbance to breeding areas has already been identified as a major threat to the eagle.
      The data collected will be sent to the cloud platform for analysis by AI, which will help guide conservation decisions, support park managers in responding quickly and effectively to potential environmental risks, and educate the public on conservation.
      “The project will help us to have more information to manage and regulate public use,” said Ángel Miño, director of the Natural Park under Barcelona Provincial Council. “It will also bring biodiversity conservation closer to the general public, as videos and other dissemination materials are planned. In collaboration with Huawei and IUCN, the project allows us to make a qualitative leap by incorporating new technologies to the monitoring and conservation of species.”
      To boost research and biodiversity protection outcomes, Miño emphasized that expanding public-private partnerships to include universities and the business world is a key facet of the park’s management strategy and essential for success, a viewpoint shared by other project’s partners. ADVERTISEMENT“Collaboration between public institutions and the private sector is increasingly necessary to determine success in the face of complex environmental challenges,” said Antonio Troya, Director of the IUCN Centre for Mediterranean Cooperation. “We have the opportunity to take advantage of technological innovations and incorporate them into conservation measures for our ecosystems. This project exemplifies how cooperation and mainstreaming are the way forward to halt biodiversity loss.”
      Running under the IUCN-Huawei Tech4Nature partnership in line with the IUCN Green List and Huawei’s TECH4ALL initiative, the park managers – Barcelona Provincial Council – will launch the project in the park in early 2023. The technical solution will be developed by Huawei in collaboration with the University of Girona during 2023 and 2024.
      The Tech4Nature partnership, which aims to develop technology-based conservation solutions for 300 protected areas over three years and measure project efficacy against the IUCN Green List, combines IUCN’s nature conservation experience and Huawei’s expertise in developing cutting-edge digital technologies.
      “This project is the first of its kind that we are launching in Spain, after dozens of successful experiences of developing solutions to protect different species and natural spaces in countries around the world using advanced technologies such as cloud, AI, and connectivity,” said Eric Li, CEO of Huawei Spain. “The role of the technology industry in meeting this challenge is key, but only through collaboration with strategic and committed partners can the objectives be achieved in a real way.”
      As well as ensuring that Sant Llorenç del Munt i l’Obac Natural Park can balance biodiversity protection with enjoyment for all, it is hoped that this model can be perfected and replicated in other protected areas of Spain.

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      Explore the Flavors of the Maldives and Sri Lanka with New Cookbook from Chef Lal Fonseka

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      Explore the Flavors of the Maldives and Sri Lanka with New Cookbook from Chef Lal Fonseka

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      Chef Lal Fonseka, the Director of Food and Beverage at OBLU NATURE Helengeli, together with local chefs recently published a handy ‘Maldivian & Sri Lankan Cookbook’ celebrating the common flavours of the two beautiful Indian Ocean nations.Launched in October 2022, the Maldivian & Sri Lankan Cookbook is a work of love dedicated by Chef Lal Fonseka to the Maldives, where he has been living for the past 17 years. It was while working and interacting with the talented local chefs and home cooks, that Chef Lal Fonseka developed a keen interest in the local cuisine.
      Ever passionate about introducing travellers to the delights of Maldivian dishes, he recently took some time off to put together the ‘Maldivian & Sri Lankan Cookbook’ with inputs from local chefs and the Maldivian community. The convenient 42-page paperback book, written in English, showcases 15 recipes including favourites such as Mashuni and Masroshi.
      “This is my first book, through which I want to do my bit to take Maldivian and Sri Lankan cuisines to all parts of the world. Readers can expect to try popular recipes and learn about the subtle differences between the two cuisines through this book. For example, Maldivian cuisine mostly uses Maldivian chilli which is spicier than Sri Lankan green chilli and has a distinct taste and aroma.” says Chef Lal Fonseka.
      Chef Lal Fonseka is the Director of Food and Beverage at OBLU NATURE Helengeli, a four-star resort in North Male Atoll. He has built a keen eye for identifying food trends over 25 years of culinary experience in prestigious hospitality brands such as Jetwing, Soneva, Six Senses, and Lily Beach.While he hails from the emerald isle of Sri Lanka, Chef Lal has lived and worked in the Maldives, Thailand, England, Switzerland, Australia, and Papua New Guinea. His appreciation of different food cultures is evident in the creative fine dining menus and multi-cuisine concepts that he designs for guests at OBLU NATURE Helengeli.
      The ‘Maldivian & Sri Lankan Cookbook’ is priced at USD 15 and available for sale at selected ESSENCE boutique outlets including at OBLU NATURE Helengeli.ADVERTISEMENT

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      Horizon Air Names Jason Berry Senior Vice President of Operations

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      New project to study impact of tourism on biodiversity in Spain More

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      Chicago Announces First-Ever Poet Laureate Program to Celebrate City’s Literary Arts

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      Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, in partnership with the Chicago Public Library (CPL), the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE), and the Poetry Foundation, are proud to announce the creation of the Chicago Poet Laureate program.The program comes from the advocacy of the city’s creative and civic communities. It aims to increase awareness of Chicago’s historic contributions to the literary arts while celebrating and honoring the efforts of Chicago’s working artists.
      “Chicago has always been a city full of talented and renowned storytellers and artists,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “The creation of the Chicago Poet Laureate program will foster a new bond between the City and the creative community that supports artists while enriching the culture of our city. I look forward to selecting a Poet Laureate who will serve and strengthen our city’s literary and creative communities.”
      The Chicago Poet Laureate will serve a two-year term and be awarded a grant of $50,000 for the commissioning of new poems and to create a public program series, including programs for youth and students. The Poet Laureate will serve as an ambassador for the city’s literary and creative communities.
      Chicagoans are invited to submit their nominations for Poet Laureate through January 18, 2023. The nominee can be a poet in either written or spoken traditions. To nominate a poet, complete the nomination form available at this link.
      “We are honored to be launching the first-ever Chicago Poet Laureate program to recognize and celebrate the civic importance of literature, poetry, and spoken word,” shared DCASE Commissioner Erin Harkey. “This program aims to support the creation of poetry and other literary forms, inspiring generations of critical thinkers, writers, and storytellers to come.”ADVERTISEMENTAfter January 18th, all nominees will be reviewed according to the eligibility criteria. Those who are eligible will be invited to apply. To view eligibility criteria, visit Chicago.gov/PoetLaureate.
      The Chicago Poet Laureate will be formally appointed in Spring 2023. In April, which is National Poetry Month, the Laureate will present work as part of the Chicago Public Library’s annual Poetry Fest.
      “Everyday the Chicago Public Library aims to connect and inspire our city,” said CPL Commissioner Chris Brown. “Working with the Poet Laureate, we look forward to bringing engaging new works and programs into our neighborhood libraries. This exciting new Poet Laureate program is both an acknowledgment of our city’s talented creators and an opportunity to amplify the importance of their contributions.”
      “The Poetry Foundation is thrilled to support efforts to establish a Chicago Poet Laureate program to recognize the role of poets in Chicago, where poetry has a rich and meaningful legacy. It’s exciting to imagine all the ways a poet can help illuminate the beauty and challenges we face, while also helping craft a promising future through poetry,” said Michelle Boone, President of the Poetry Foundation.
      Chicago Public Library
      Since 1873, Chicago Public Library (CPL) has encouraged lifelong learning by welcoming all people and offering equal access to information, entertainment, and knowledge through innovative services, programs, and technology. Through its 81 locations, the Library provides free access to a rich collection of materials, both physical and digital, and presents the highest quality author discussions, exhibits, and programs for children, teens, and adults. For more information, please call 312-747-4300 or visit chipublib.org. To follow CPL on social media, visit us on Twitter (@chipublib), Facebook (Chicago Public Library), or Instagram (@chicagopubliclibrary).

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      Oman Air partners with HSBC to streamline international payments process

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      Oman Air partners with HSBC to streamline international payments process

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      Oman Air has partnered with HSBC Oman on a unique and innovative international payments process, which will dramatically increase efficiency and security.Via a centralised treasury hub in Oman, HSBC’s Global Disbursement solution, developed as a bespoke service for Oman Air, will deliver simultaneous multiple currency payments and an improved track and trace function for every transaction.
      The new service enables Oman Air to process foreign currency payments through a single bank account, using HSBC’s extensive global network and transparent FX rates. This reduces dependency on other third party banks, reducing the costs of processing these payment types and the hours worked in doing so. This strengthens the relationship with HSBC as Oman Air’s bank of choice for international payments.
      “Oman Air continues to invest in innovative financial solutions as a crucial component of our success as a truly global airline,” said Oman Air Chief Executive Officer Eng. Abdulaziz Al Raisi.
      “HSBC’s Global Disbursement solution provides us with simplicity, expediency, and security. We are confident that this partnership will enable us to achieve a more streamlined international payments procedure and ultimately, enhance our guest experience,” Eng. Abdulaziz continued.
      “At HSBC Oman, we are committed to innovating in our technology to make banking easier, more accessible, and more secure for our clients. Our Global Disbursement solution is designed to simplify the cross border payment process by reducing costs, minimizing risk and improving transparency. Our Global Payments Solutions Team has a proven record of providing clients across the MENAT Region with a comprehensive suite of market leading, innovative solutions and products to help them do business every day,” said Melika Betley, CEO of HSBC Oman.ADVERTISEMENTThe Global Disbursement solution will introduce significant reduction in the overall working hours spent on payment creation and reconciliation, as it enables Oman Air to process multiple currency payments at the same time, provides detailed status reports and to track and trace every payment transaction.

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      Experience unforgettable moments with Manchester United through Marriott Bonvoy

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      Chicago Announces First-Ever Poet Laureate Program to Celebrate City’s Literary Arts More

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      Qatar Airways and British Airways Partner with IndusInd Bank to Launch Co-Branded Credit Card

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      In a first-of-its-kind initiative, Qatar Airways Privilege Club, British Airways Executive Club and IndusInd Bank, announced their partnership, to introduce the unique multi-branded credit card, with two leading international airlines powered by Visa.The multi-branded credit card is slated to be launched and made available to consumers in the first quarter of the financial year 2023 – 2024. Through this proposition, members will soon be able to collect Avios, the rewards currency for British Airways Executive Club and Qatar Airways Privilege Club, by signing up and choosing their preferred loyalty programme.
      This credit card will be available in the Infinite variant of Visa, and will offer best-in-class rewards and benefits to elevate the travel experience of customers. Stacked with multiple attractive benefits suiting the requirements of frequent travellers, at the time of application, this credit card will give customers the flexibility to choose their preferred airline loyalty programme and select their preferred travel destination to collect maximum Avios and enjoy a host of other benefits.
      Qatar Airways Chief Commercial Officer, Thierry Antinori, said: “Today Qatar Airways Privilege Club takes another step forward in providing our members with the best offerings in the industry, introducing a first-of-its-kind Visa multi-branded credit card, in India with IndusInd Bank.
      “When adopting Avios as our rewards currency, we promised members that new and exciting opportunities would come, this collaboration with oneworld® partner British Airways is another manifestation of this. We look forward to seeing our members in India availing the extensive benefits of this new partnership, which is designed to enhance their future travels.”Oliver Currell, Head of Financial Partnerships, IAG Loyalty, said: “We are delighted to launch the new British Airways and Qatar Airways credit card with IndusInd Bank; a unique multibrand credit card. The Avios currency will give Indian consumers great value rewards and opportunities to do more when it comes to global travel and experiences.”
      Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Soumitra Sen, Head – Consumer Banking & Marketing, IndusInd Bank, said, “IndusInd Bank has always been a pioneer in bringing forth some of the most innovative propositions through its array of banking solutions and suite of credit cards. We are now delighted to collaborate with Qatar Airways and British Airways, to launch this multi-branded credit card, that aims to transform the way India travels. A credit card thoughtfully designed to meet the expectations of discerning travellers with a value proposition curated around travel and bespoke offerings. With this credit card, our aim is to shift the power of choice completely into the hands of the customers.”ADVERTISEMENTSujai Raina, Head – Business Development, India, Visa said, “With air travel rebounding fast post-pandemic, consumers will seek new destinations to travel to and unwind. At Visa, a key priority for us, thus, is to ensure that together with our partners, we provide a suite of benefits that are aligned to the needs of today’s traveller. We are delighted to partner with Induslnd Bank, British Airways and Qatar Airways to power this unique multi-branded credit card and deliver a seamless and secure travel and payment experience.”

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      easyJet Cabin Crew Stars in New Fitness Routine Inspired by Their Daily Routine

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      Cathay Pacific to Double Flights to 13 Mainland Chinese Cities by end of March More

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      TUI Care Foundation tracks sea turtles’ journey across the Mediterranean with GPS satellite device

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      Sea turtles cover extraordinary distances as they journey between their nesting and feeding grounds and migrate to warmer waters for the winter. Together with Turkish NGO Dekamer, the TUI Care Foundation is tracking the journey of two sea turtles across the Mediterranean Sea with a GPS transmitter in order to receive vital information about their feeding sites and migration routes, which helps to safeguard their habitats.
      Both turtles were rescued from injury and rehabilitated by TUI Care Foundation’s partner Dekamer in Turkey. Tuba is a Loggerhead sea turtle and was released back into the sea in 2019 and Talay, a Green sea turtle, in 2021.
      As part of the TUI Turtle Aid programme the turtles are tracked via GPS satellite transmitter as they journey between their nesting and feeding grounds and migrate to warmer waters for the winter. So far, Tuba has swum an incredible distance of 18,000 km and is now relaxing in the South Adriatic, having visited Greece, Malta, Italy, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Albania, Montenegro and Croatia over the last three years! Talay has swum considerably less – over 500 km over the last 18 months and is spending the winter holiday season in the southern Aegean.The progress of the turtles as they meander through the Mediterranean Sea on their maritime journey can be seen on the website of TUI Care Foundation here.
      The sea turtle tracking is part of TUI Care Foundation’s TUI Turtle Aid programme, which protects endangered and vulnerable sea turtles, especially around nesting beaches. By working with local NGOs and beachfront tourism businesses, it also creates turtle friendly beaches and engages tourists by teaching them about turtles and how to protect them. Since its establishment the TUI Turtle Aid programme has contributed to the protection of over 2 million sea turtles.

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      Flydubai Resumes Operations to Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

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      Four Seasons Hotel Jakarta offers art-inspired staycation package for families More