Archives for February 2022

The South Pacific’s Premier Eco-Luxury Resort Offers Curated Daily Dining Options

As a committed environmentally and socially responsible resort, Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, Fiji is always looking for new and innovative methods to further reduce its impact on the environment. In addition to making the most of its idyllic location in the middle of the southern Pacific Ocean to sustainably harvest rare tropical ingredients, the property has recently expanded its efforts to care for the planet by offering daily curated culinary experiences steeped in local culture.

Chefs and restaurateurs around the globe continually look for any advantage to enhance their guests’ ambitious expectations and experiences. Many have fully embraced the farm-to-table concept and its healthy and sustainable benefits.  The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is able to invent delicious and inspired dishes in large to part to its unique climate and native ingredients grown in its onsite tropical garden, nearby farms, or the surrounding ocean.  Executive Chef Raymond Lee and his team source a mix of native herbs, fruits, vegetables and edible flowers for delicious dishes and tropical cocktails from the resort’s on-site organic garden, as well as working with local farmers and fishermen to procure the freshest bounty of the sea. Promising guests a true farm-to-fork experience, The Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort infuses every meal with Fijian traditions and products, often based on hyper-local recipes.

“We are blessed to have such an array of delicious, local, and sustainable ingredients from the land and sea to choose from,” said Chef Lee.

“Our goals for each dining service are to surpass the guests’ expectations and deliver incredible food and beverage experiences each day of their holiday.”

Picked at their peak ripeness, herbs, fruits and vegetables are fresh and flavorful when they reach the guests’ plates, encouraging them to embrace the “slow food” movement where meals are meant to be savored slowly for maximum benefit. Thanks to the diversity of seasonal ingredients, repeat guests can always find something new to discover and delight in nutritious, environmentally-friendly dishes with minimal “food miles” and maximum benefits for the local economy.

Examples abound of Chef Lee’s mastery of this concept including his Paneer Makhni matched with Capsicum, Eggplant, Onion, and Cashew Nuts, or his braised lamb shanks emblazoned with chickpeas and garden greens.

Samples of the daily menus include (complete list of daily menus can be found in the press link below):

• Coconut crusted deep-sea Snapper with fennel and watercress salad, lemon dressing
• Yaqara eye fillet of beef, green beans & green pepper jus
• Pumpkin Ravioli paired with nutted butter, pine nuts, local sage and sultanas
• And, Chermoula Crusted Yellow-Fin Tuna

For more information on Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort, please visit fijiresort.com.  

About Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort

The award-winning Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort is one of the most renowned vacation destinations in the South Pacific.  Located on the island of Vanua Levu and built on 17 acres of land, the luxury resort overlooks the peaceful waters of Savusavu Bay and offers an exclusive escape for couples, families, and discerning travelers looking for experiential travel coupled with authentic luxury and local culture.  Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort offers an unforgettable vacation experience that is derived from the natural beauty of the island, personalized attention, and the warmth of the staff.  The environmentally and socially responsible resort offers guests a wide variety of amenities, including specially designed individual thatched-roof bures, world-class dining, an outstanding lineup of recreational activities, unmatched ecological experiences, and an array of Fijian-inspired spa treatments. 

About Canyon Equity LLC

The Canyon Group of Companies, who own the resort, headquartered in Larkspur, California, was founded in May 2005.  Its mantra is to acquire and develop small ultra-luxury branded resorts in unique destinations with small residential components creating an eclectic yet highly compatible sense of community in each destination.  Since its formation in 2005 Canyon has created an impressive portfolio of resorts, in locations ranging from the turquoise waters of Fiji to the towering peaks of Yellowstone, to the artist colonies of Santa Fe, and in the Canyons of southern Utah.

The Canyon Group’s portfolio comprises such iconic properties as Amangiri (Utah), Amangani (Jackson, Wyoming), Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado (Santa Fe, New Mexico), Jean-Michel Cousteau Resort (Fiji), and Dunton Hot Springs, (Dunton, Colorado).   Some new stunning developments are also underway in such locations as the Papagayo Peninsula, Costa Rica, and a 400-year-old Hacienda in Mexico, all destined to make grand statements in the niche market of ultra-luxury international travel as each one is launched. 

Media Contact:  Hwee Peng Yeo, Don Williams and Grecia Corleto at Glodow Nead Communications, 415.394.6500 or [email protected]

Tourism Seychelles met with Turkish trade partners and consumers in Istanbul, Turkey as the destination featured in the East Mediterranean International Tourism & Travel Exhibition (EMITT) 2022 from February 9 to 12, 2022.

Representing the destination were Ms. Stephanie Lablache, Director for Turkey and Ms. Rolira Young, Marketing Executive from the Destination Marketing section at Tourism Seychelles during the four-day event.

The Seychelles Island stand was wrapped in scenic pictures of the destination showcasing the pristine beaches and clear blue waters, a perfect opportunity for the team to engage visitors and actively entice them to get to know the Seychelles Islands.

While in Istanbul, the team met with several trade partners and some potential influencers eager to collaborate with the destination, to showcase Seychelles as a safe and easily accessible destination.

Speaking after the event, the Market Director for Turkey, Ms. Stephanie Lablache stated that:

There is an increased interest in the destination.

“Turkey is a market with great potential for Seychelles, and Tourism Seychelles’ participation at EMITT was to enhance the visibility on the market.  It was a fruitful event as it has allowed us to make new contacts and expand our network, increase business opportunities, and strengthen our existing contacts. The various partners we met are eager to develop their business in favour of the destination, with few of them wanting to connect with local DMCs and hoteliers from the Seychelles to be more attractive to Turkish visitors,” said Ms. Lablache.

She further stated that with three direct flights weekly from Istanbul, the destination is more accessible for Turks.

EMITT is the first activity on the Turkish market for 2022 and annually attracts around 40,000 industry professionals and tourists looking for new, safe and exciting travel opportunities from destination and travel service companies from across the globe. Seychelles participated alongside some 842 exhibitors, including 103 countries.

MEDIA CONTACT: Tourism Seychelles, [email protected] 

Jamaica Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has paid tribute to the late Hon. Giuseppe “Pino” Maffessanti, noting the outstanding role he has played in the physical development of Jamaica’s tourism product.

For more than five decades through his companies, Maffessanti Builders and Maffessanti Bros, he was a stalwart who played an integral role in the tourism industry, designing and building several architecturally outstanding hotels, villas and apartments.

Mr. Maffessanti who passed on yesterday (February 25), was also a well-known philanthropist, especially to church and educational institutions and through service clubs, giving selflessly to community projects.

In lamenting his passing Minister Bartlett said, “Pino Maffessanti was one of a kind in terms of his love for humanity and his philanthropic responses to so many of the great social calls of St James in particular and the wider Catholic community.”

He noted that Mr. Maffessanti understood what development was about and how to build communities, “build human settlements and to provide for the benefit of all. More importantly, he had a love for humanity and this was demonstrated in his charity; always involved in doing things for the less fortunate as exemplified through his work with the Good Shepherd Foundation, which he chaired for many years, and the Catholic Church. These stand out as clear examples of the nature of the man.”

In 2018, Mr. Maffessanti was honored by the Government of Jamaica, which bestowed on him the Order of Jamaica (OJ).

This was for his sterling contribution to the construction industry, social development, welfare and philanthropy. Prior to receiving that national award, he had received the Order of Distinction, in the rank of Commander.

He was also made a Knight of the Order of St. Gregory the Great, one of the highest honors in the Catholic Church.

Italian by birth, he made Jamaica and specifically Montego Bay his home since migrating here in the early 1950s and succeeded his father in running the construction company he had established. Under “Pino’s” management, Maffessanti Buildings became a household name, especially in Western Jamaica where they earned a reputation for high standards, and quality work.

Among the hotels that bear the signature of Maffessanti Builders are the famous Round Hill, Tryall Club, Couples Sans Souci and Shaw Park.

“He was a pioneer in the physical development of much of Western Jamaica and has left landmark projects across the parishes of St James and Hanover. Pino Maffessanti has made an indelible mark on Jamaica’s tourism landscape and while he was honored by a grateful nation during his lifetime, it is also fitting that on the occasion of his passing, we also pay tribute to him,” said Minister Bartlett, noting that he was “a good family man and we respect him for the exemplary family life he lived.”

Minister Bartlett said Mr. Maffessanti “will be deeply missed by all of us but more so by his devoted wife Daniela and his two children, Mark and Nancy and on behalf of all of us in Jamaica, particularly in St. James, and my own family in particular, I want to offer our sincere condolences to the grieving family.”  

More news about Jamaica

MEDIA CONTACT:

Corporate Communications Division

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Telephone: 920-4924,

Fax: 906-1729

Or

Kingsley Roberts

Senior Director, Corporate Communications

Ministry of Tourism

64 Knutsford Boulevard

Kingston 5

Tel: 920-4926-30, ext.: 5990

Cell: (876) 505-6118

Fax: 920-4944

Travel-Related Quarantine and Authorization Form Will No Longer Be Required

Effective March 1, 2022, international visitors to Jamaica will no longer be required to obtain travel authorization to enter the island. Travelers 12 years of age and older will only need to provide a negative result from a COVID-19 Antigen or PCR test conducted within 72 hours prior to their travel. Additionally, travelers to Jamaica will no longer face travel-related quarantine measures.

“Eliminating travel-related quarantines and the need for travelers to fill out and receive approval of the Travel Authorization form are key steps in relaxing our travel protocols as the global spread of COVID-19 declines,” said the Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Minister of Tourism, Jamaica. “We are confident that these refreshed entry requirements will increase the appeal of Jamaica as a destination of choice and help us continue on our path to recovery for the tourism sector and wider economy as a whole.”

Jamaica has recently shortened the isolation period required for U.S. travelers who test positive for COVID-19 while in Jamaica.

This is in keeping with CDC recommended guidelines and eliminated quarantine restrictions for fully vaccinated business travelers who present a negative PCR test taken within 3 days of travel to Jamaica.

“We are continually reviewing our Jamaica CARES program and travel protocols to align with best practices from internationally recognized organizations and ensure that Jamaica retains its position as one of the world’s leading tourism destinations,” noted Donovan White, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board. “These changes are timed to go into effect as destinations across the globe are enacting similar revisions to their travel requirements.”

The health and safety of every Jamaican and every visitor to the country remains the island’s top priority through its comprehensive Jamaica CARES program. Jamaica CARES is a nationwide response to COVID-19 that includes the island’s comprehensive health and safety protocols which were among the first to receive the World Travel & Tourism Council’s Safe Travels recognition and allowed the island to safely reopen in June of 2020.

For more information about Jamaica, go to visitjamaica.com.

#jamaica

Media Contact:

Terence Gallagher/Victoria Polansky

Lou Hammond Group

[email protected]  / [email protected]

Businesses will certainly face a host of unique challenges within a post-pandemic landscape. Not only may they be required to adapt to unique market conditions and changing buyer preferences, but in-house cost overruns are very real concerns. However, it is also important to note that migrating to an entirely new database management platform is hardly a viable option when we consider the sheer time such a transition would require (not to mention the expenses involved). This is why the team at Oracle has further streamlined its software platforms in order to provide a more seamless procurement experience.

A Well-Known Solution for Modern Businesses

Oracle is certainly no stranger to the business community. It is therefore interesting to note that the roots of this organisation can be traced as far back as 1977. Oracle became even more famous when it began to offer its services across the Internet and its presence continues to grow. In fact, this website is a contemporary example of how third-party software can even further enhance Oracle-related concerns such as license management. This is also why it makes perfect sense that Oracle is constantly striving to improve its service-oriented platform.

Addressingthe New Normal

A growing number of businesses have recognised the benefits associated with Oracle and as a result, they continue to migrate into the Oracle Cloud Marketplace. However, it is also a fact that they must achieve a tenuous balance between in-house efficiency and cost-effective solutions. This brings us back to the initial point of the article.

Oracle has enhanced its existing procurement software in an attempt to mitigate supplier risks, to control costs and to ensure compliant spending. How has this been accomplished? Without delving into overly technical concepts, the firm implemented several changes including:

• The inclusion of a holistic analytics platform.
• The addition of a “Spend Classification” widget.
• More accurate supplier profiles with the help of DataFox Supplier Intelligence.

Simply stated, Oracle aims to provide procurement professionals with even more targeted options than ever before. Please note that these new additions can be found alongside existing software options, so orientation should not present a considerable challenge.

Addressing the Entire Source-to-Settle Cycle

These recent updates are intended to be used in conjunction with other well-known packages such as Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Oracle Supply Chain & Manufacturing (SCM). Not only should businesses be able to leverage even greater cost savings, but they can ensure that in-house operations are not interrupted. This is great news for firms which have been looking to reduce costs without sacrificing quality improvement.

A Sign of the Times

According to a recent survey, a more than 60 per cent of all companies are looking to reduce in-house operational costs over the next 12 months. Oracle is one of many software providers which are seeking to offer even more streamlined solutions.

While the full impact of the pandemic has yet to be seen, there is no doubt that firms which are capable of taking advantage of the latest software solutions should enjoy a welcome competitive edge.