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News: UK train punctuality to be measured to the minute

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From April, train operators in the UK will publish a new measure of punctuality as part of a plan to reduce delays.

Trains will now be measured to the minute at stops.


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This is against the current measure which deems a train to be “on time” if it reaches its final destination within five minutes of the timetable, or ten minutes for a long-distance service.

Paul Plummer, chief executive of the Rail Delivery Group, which represents the rail industry, said: “Every second matters to us and our customers which is why rail companies have together developed and are now using these to-the-minute measures for train punctuality at every station part of our plan to improve the railway today.”

The measures are the most transparent of all major railways in Europe, Plummer claimed.

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Train operators and Network Rail are already using the data to pinpoint issues that cause delays and improve punctuality.

According to the rail regulator, the Office of Rail & Road, total delay hours have increased 22 per cent since 2008-9, compared with a ten per cent increase in the number of trains running.

Janet Cooke, chief executive of London Travelwatch, said: “This is a welcome change which will help focus the industry on passenger needs and foster a culture of ‘start on time, stay on time, arrive on time’.”

The rail regulator will continue to publish on time measures on its data portal and it will form part of the framework for measuring punctuality in reports that it produces, from April onwards.

Source: Breaking Travel News

News: TreadRight celebrates World Water Day with Ecuador project

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The TreadRight Foundation is celebrating World Water Day today with its partner, WE, an international charity committed to delivering a sustainable development model that empowers people to transform themselves, their families, their communities and the world.

TreadRight – a joint initiative between the Travel Corporation brands including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Contiki and Uniworld – and WE have come together to partner with the community of Kanambu, Ecuador, to deliver access to clean water to drink and use for cooking; develop healthy sanitation facilities for washing and going to the bathroom; and build infrastructure like irrigation or catchment systems to facilitate food production.

The community is located in the Amazon region of Ecuador and while there is a nearby river, this water source is highly contaminated, and piping to a nearby spring contains untreated water and lacks the water pressure to deliver water to the entire community.

With TreadRight’s support, WE has been constructing a water treatment centre for the community of Kanambu that will include establishing a water catchment system, constructing a water treatment plant, laying piping and establishing water access points at the school.

The development will also be responsible for laying the piping for the distribution system that will allow for household access points to be established and community mobilisation and training, ensuring there is a committee established to maintain the project.

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“The Kanambu project continues TreadRight’s commitment to helping deliver water interventions in many of the destinations we visit.

“We are so proud to have now partnered with WE in working to deliver clean water to this community in the Amazon,” said Brett Tollman, founder, The TreadRight Foundation and chief executive, the Travel Corporation.

“Having partnered with WE for years now on a number of sustainability projects and immersive volunteer trips, we appreciate their recognition of the unique needs of each community and their thorough commitment to each project.

“We look forward to delivering the same positive success in Ecuador that we’ve seen WE deliver around the world.”

Source: Breaking Travel News

News: TreadRight celebrates World Water Day with Ecuador project

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The TreadRight Foundation is celebrating World Water Day today with its partner, WE, an international charity committed to delivering a sustainable development model that empowers people to transform themselves, their families, their communities and the world.

TreadRight – a joint initiative between the Travel Corporation brands including Trafalgar, Insight Vacations, Contiki and Uniworld – and WE have come together to partner with the community of Kanambu, Ecuador, to deliver access to clean water to drink and use for cooking; develop healthy sanitation facilities for washing and going to the bathroom; and build infrastructure like irrigation or catchment systems to facilitate food production.

The community is located in the Amazon region of Ecuador and while there is a nearby river, this water source is highly contaminated, and piping to a nearby spring contains untreated water and lacks the water pressure to deliver water to the entire community.

With TreadRight’s support, WE has been constructing a water treatment centre for the community of Kanambu that will include establishing a water catchment system, constructing a water treatment plant, laying piping and establishing water access points at the school.

The development will also be responsible for laying the piping for the distribution system that will allow for household access points to be established and community mobilisation and training, ensuring there is a committee established to maintain the project.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The Kanambu project continues TreadRight’s commitment to helping deliver water interventions in many of the destinations we visit.

“We are so proud to have now partnered with WE in working to deliver clean water to this community in the Amazon,” said Brett Tollman, founder, The TreadRight Foundation and chief executive, the Travel Corporation.

“Having partnered with WE for years now on a number of sustainability projects and immersive volunteer trips, we appreciate their recognition of the unique needs of each community and their thorough commitment to each project.

“We look forward to delivering the same positive success in Ecuador that we’ve seen WE deliver around the world.”

Source: Breaking Travel News

Tourism Linkages Speed Networking event yields over $630 million in contracts for local entrepreneurs

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Jamaica Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett yesterday revealed that his Ministry’s Tourism Linkages Speed Networking event has resulted in local Small and Medium Tourism Enterprises (SMTEs) negotiating contracts valued at over $630 million, over the past three years.

Speaking at this year’s staging of the Speed Networking event in Montego Bay, the Minister said, “I am pleased to share that Speed Networking 2016 resulted in contracts valued at some $181 million; while the 2017 event saw suppliers benefitting from over $200 million in contracts; and in 2018, the value of these contracts grew to over $250 million. That is over $630 million in contacts for local SMTEs from just three one-day linkages events.”

He also noted that among the top beneficiaries of the event, were Boss Furniture and Tortuga Rum Cakes.

Boss Furniture won a contract valued at $30 million to provide bedding and furnishings to Montego Bay’s new S Hotel while another $10 million in contracts with that property is in the pipeline.

In addition, Boss Furniture CEO Omar Azan is also in negotiation with the Sandals and Hendrickson Groups to supply their properties with locally made bedding and furniture. Tortuga Rum Cakes also negotiated a $500,000 contract with Half Moon Hotel, from their participation in the event.

“This event is a tremendous help to local manufacturers, farmers and service providers. In creating these linkages, it helps us to grow our business, provide jobs for our people, provide revenue for the government, and in the end grow our economies. Two years ago, I attended the event and got a big order from a hotelier and it can be like that for any supplier,” said Mr Azan.

The Minister noted that the event is a key initiative designed to offer support to SMTEs and helps to strengthen the linkages between tourism and other sectors of the economy, and in so doing, increases the economic impact of the sector.

“The strategy must be to increase the capacity to supply the demands that tourism consumption patterns require and find creative ways of building entrepreneurship among our local stakeholders to fill these requirements. In this way, we will retain more of the revenue generated by tourism in the local economy and stop leakages,” he said.

The Tourism Linkages Speed Networking event took place on March 20 at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. It is a core initiative of the Tourism Linkages Network in close collaboration with the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association (JHTA), Jamaica Manufacturers’ Exporters’ Association (JMEA), Jamaica Promotions Corporation (JAMPRO), Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Jamaica Business Development Corporation (JBDC).

The event format features fifteen minute pre-scheduled meeting appointments between Managing Directors, General Managers or CEOs of local supplier companies of products and services with Owners or Managers of properties, restaurants, attractions and other tourism entities throughout the course of one day.

Additional representatives from core areas within the hotel’s operation such as Purchasing, Food and Beverage and Maintenance who are in a position to make purchasing decisions also attend.

For this year’s staging organizers targeted suppliers from areas such as: Digital marketing, Content capture services, Maintenance providers and Entertainment. Other suppliers included areas such as furniture, fresh produce, craft, chemicals and cleaning products, cosmetics and spa products, training, electrical services and construction.

“Last year we had 56 supplier companies and 33 tourism entities in attendance. This year we have 110 supplier companies and 57 tourism entities, proof that this event is gaining traction because participants are seeing results,” said the Minister.

MEDIA CONTACT: Alyssa Taffe, Public Relations Officer, Ministry of Tourism, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: (876) 920-4926-30, Mobile: (876) 441-5055, Fax: (876) 906 1729

Focus: Touring Miami’s Best College Campuses

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Touring Miami’s Best College Campuses

Surfing the internet for the best of the colleges for a better future could be the initial step in the process of finding a campus that suits your needs. Touring those campuses is the next pivotal step that actually helps you decide your future. Miami boasts of several universities par excellence that are not only renowned for their academics and sports merit but also for their beautiful college campuses. Taking a Miami charter bus rental to explore college campuses is a good idea as it is stress-free and reliable. Here are some of the best college campuses in Miami.

1. University of Miami
With multiple schools, the University of Miami is spread across 400 acres of beautiful landscape in south Miami. The prestigious university is divided into three different campuses in Miami-Dade County. The massive Coral Gables campus houses the undergraduate schools and colleges and can be toured on any day of the week. One has to sign up for an interactive session and tour on their website which is led by a student to explore the campus. Located a few miles away from downtown, the campus offers a diverse environment and views of the mesmerizing beach waves. The university is open to self-guided tours and group tours but it requires scheduling and registering beforehand.

2. Miami Dade College
Located within a few minutes north to the University of Miami is the charming Miami Dade College. Although the university sits right in the city center, it has its own charm to add to the campus. Built on an ex-naval air base, the university is divided into eight different campuses. Students and parents can register and schedule a date to visit the campuses that are spread across the Miami Beach from North Miami to Coconut Grove in the South. The schools have a contemporary architecture complete with sprawling acres of lawn and palm trees.

3. Nova Southeastern University
Known for producing the best medical professionals, Nova Southeastern University excels in providing a captivating campus. Located in the suburban area of Fort Lauderdale, the Nova campus is impressive with lakes and beach surrounding it. Anyone who wishes to get a campus tour can schedule an appointment with the admissions council and then get a free tour by one of the student ambassadors. The buildings and courtyards are remarkable complete with a swimming pool, libraries, and healthcare centers.

4. Florida International University
Located in the suburbs of Miami-Dade County, the gorgeous campus of the Florida International University is sure to impress you. The Moorish buildings and palm trees transport one to a different environment, allowing students to focus on their academics. Owing to its location, the campus is peaceful, with lakes and fountains to provide a healthy study environment. The diversity of the student body is incredible and one can experience it in either of the two campuses by scheduling a tour.

5. Barry University
Conveniently located in Miami Shores, Barry University is one among the highest ranking universities in Florida. Though the campus is small, this private Catholic university is known for its beautiful campus. Well manicured lawns, state of the art classrooms and a multicultural student body make this university top notch. Schedule your visit to tour this friendly campus led by one of the students.

Miami as a city is vibrant and full of life. Many universities are lined along the coast surrounded by the vast oceans that provide breathtaking views from the campus. So go ahead and embark on this road trip before picking a college that’ll shape your future.

Source: Breaking Travel News