health and wellness Archives | For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

Jamaica’s Tourism Minister Bartlett pumps J$200 million into Linkages Networks

April 18, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett has committed J$200 million to the Linkages Networks to help build out more products to enhance the visitor experience and ensure more inclusive growth in the sector.

Speaking at the launch of the new Top Events Jamaica Initiative yesterday at Devon House, Minister Bartlett said, “This year, we will be spending 200 Million dollars on the Networks to create the level of inclusiveness that connects the ordinary Jamaican to the tourism product and the product to the ordinary Jamaican.

This will be a huge game changer and we are going to change the narrative and also change the feeling of the public that tourism is only for the bigger suppliers and doesn’t include the smaller players.”

The Tourism Linkages Network’s (TLN’s) main focus has been to bring local tourism suppliers in contact with other sectors such as agriculture and manufacturing. In doing so, the Linkages Network creates more economic opportunities for our local tourism suppliers who can then earn more.

Minister of Tourism, Hon Edmund Bartlett (1st R) paused for a photo at the track and field display at the launch of the new Top Events Jamaica Initiative yesterday at Devon House

Driving this inclusive growth are five networks geared towards building out authentic Jamaican experiences for the visitors and increasing the earning potential of small suppliers and they are – Gastronomy, Sports and Entertainment, Shopping, Knowledge and Health and Wellness.

The new Top Events Jamaica initiative, being spearheaded by the TLN, is designed to increase visitor participation in events and activities island-wide through strategic partnerships and leveraging the power of technology, social media, and advertising.

In highlighting the importance of this new platform, Minister Bartlett, said, “Top Events will place all our best entertainment products and offerings under one roof. In doing so we are allowing visitors and locals alike to chance to find these offerings with the click of a button. Top events will be a critical element that brings together our authentic Jamaican entertainment products under one roof through the use of technology.

This type of interface is critical in the age of technology especially given that entertainment forms a large part of why people travel and as such there is value in building out more products of this nature to drive arrivals and growth in the sector.”

The Top Events initiative will include a microsite and an easy to use mobile app to increase visitor awareness and participation in the over 900 events held in Jamaica each month. To qualify for listing on Top Events, event organizers must meet the predetermined criteria outlined by the TLN that guarantees continuity in the content delivery and effective data capture.

The TLN’s Sports and Entertainment Network (SEN) will be the driving force behind Top Events Jamaica and the body ultimately responsible for the final selection of “Top Events” to be added to the event calendar.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jamaica Ministry of Tourism, Corporate Communications, 64 Knutsford Boulevard, Kingston 5, Tel: 920-4926-30, Fax: 920-4944

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Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions: A paragon of wellness and vitality

March 28, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

The ancient art and science of Ayurveda was developed thousands of years ago in the Indian Subcontinent and is believed to be one of the world’s oldest and most effective healing systems. Ayurveda is rooted in the belief that health and wellness depend on a harmonious balance of body, mind and soul and today this age-old practice has gained popularity across the world for the impact that it has on overall wellbeing. Whether you’re looking to cure or ease a long-standing ailment or nagging discomfort, Ayurveda uses a mix of therapies featuring natural minerals, metals and herbal blends to get to the root cause of your health issues, helping you to find relief, new-found energy and vitality from within. Whether you’re balancing the demands of a fast-paced life, a challenging career or multiple responsibilities, you can now opt to embark on a journey of wellness at Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions, where you can experience a diverse range of healing solutions first-hand, in a peaceful and soothing setting.

Revitalizing treatments for many ailments: Over the centuries, Ayurvedic medicine has adopted therapies and solutions for an endless range of conditions. It has been used to help a variety of illnesses and ailments ranging from digestive problems, to hair loss, to gastric issues, mental stress, weight related issues, skin problems and insomnia and even arthritis. The powerful release of toxins from the body that Ayurveda facilitates helps to restore the body’s internal balance and provides relief, a boost in immunity and energy and promotes overall health and well-being.

Tailor-made treatments and therapies: Ayurveda does not follow a “one size fits all” approach, and at Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions, each treatment is carefully curated to heal, rejuvenate and restore an individual based on their unique requirements. Some of the most popular treatments provided at the hotel include the Panchakarma programme, which is 10-30 days long and is carefully personalized to one’s specific health needs. The primary focus of the programme is to purify and detox the body using five different therapy options. For a shorter, intense programme Purva Karma provides a variety of treatments that use a wide range of natural oils and herbal pastes to ease stress and anxiety and revitalize the skin and body.

The hotel also offers natural wellness and full-board programmes for guests who seek deeper and more intense healing therapies over longer periods of time. Whether you’re pressed for time and just have a few days to spend, or you have an entire month that you can dedicate to a holistic getaway, each treatment can be designed around your specific needs.

Additional benefits that promote holistic well-being: In addition to its broad portfolio of traditional Ayurvedic treatments and therapies, Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions also offers guests the opportunity to take part in a variety of complementary activities. Ease your mind with yoga and meditation between treatments or participate in a music therapy or aquatic exercise session to give your senses a gentle boost.

A hotel that’s fully geared for wellness: Located a short drive away from the airport, Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions is a tranquil hideaway that tunes out the hubbub of city life. Stepping in through the doors of this getaway, you will be transported to a truly picturesque and tranquil setting that is rich in nature and filled with soothing spaces. Inspired by the warmth and rustic charm of a Sri Lankan village and drawing further inspiration from nature and the ancient heritage of Ayurveda itself, the hotel has been designed to serve as the ultimate getaway that offers peace, serenity, a calm base and the ultimate location to embark on your holistic holiday.

Home to the island’s top doctors and therapists: Each and every treatment at the hotel is carried out by the finest team of Ayurveda experts comprising twelve professional therapists, under the purview of four experienced doctors, each of whom hold a Bachelor of Ayurveda Medicine and Surgery (B.A.M.S.) degree. Prior to each therapy or treatment process, one of the resident doctors will conduct a careful assessment of your current health and find any issues and concerns that need to be addressed. Your doctor will carefully look at your vatha, pitha and kapha – the three doshas (life forces) that are believed to be a part of every human being. Factoring in these findings with the duration of your stay, customized therapies and sessions will be mapped out to detoxify your entire body and mind and improve your health and wellness.

Mastering the art of an age-old healing tradition: Commenting on Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions and the unique wellness experience that it offers, Dr. Dinesh Edirisinghe – Head of Ayurveda, Jetwing stated: “Ayurveda, which means ‘life-knowledge’ in Sanskrit, is a collection of ancient healing practices that is believed to have been passed down from deities to sages, and then to humans. These therapies are an integral part of Sri Lanka’s cultural and medicinal heritage, and for most, it is still the first choice of treatment for many ailments and illnesses. At Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions, we employ these age-old healing traditions which have been perfected for centuries, to fight disease and promote wellness and good health. Our team of trained specialists are experts at identifying and treating underlying health conditions and restoring the optimal balance of mind, body and spirit.”

Family owned and in the tourism industry for the past 46 years, Jetwing Hotels has surpassed expectation at every aspect. Building on their foundation of being passionate, as well as the experience of true, traditional Sri Lankan hospitality, constantly pioneering discoveries captures the essence of the brand. Such a strong statement and direction have enabled Jetwing Hotels to imagine, create and manage marvels and masterpieces, where distinctive design and elegant comfort complement each other and the environment. In line with the Jetwing Hotels Sustainable Strategy, across all properties sustainable and responsible practices are given precedence with resource efficiency, community upliftment and education, and awareness being some of our key focus areas.

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Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions – a paragon of wellness and vitality

March 28, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

SOURCE: jetwinghotels.com

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ILTM Latin America 2019: Record number of agents from new destinations

March 19, 2019 by Forimmediaterelease

ILTM Latin America 2019, regional event for the luxury travel industry, will welcome this year more of the most productive agents from Brazil and Latin America than even before, including many new faces.

A total of 370 buyers will attend the invitation only event in São Paulo in May, with 26% of these set to be new faces. They will attend from 14 countries – newly represented at the event are the Dominican Republic, Ecuador and Guatemala – and 40 cities to meet with some of the best travel experiences from across the world. Agents from 22 cities in Brazil alone will be represented including Cuiaba and Uberlandia, also for the first time.

Simon Mayle, ILTM Latin America Event Director comments:

“We travel the continent far and wide, meeting and qualifying the most productive luxury agents in Latin America in order to bring an audience that can’t be found elsewhere and make the introductions that wouldn’t be made otherwise. We bring the world to Latin America, so that they can discover more of it.”

The 2019 edition of ILTM Latin America is defined by its theme of ‘Back to Life’ to highlight the value of Health and Wellness for both the luxury travel business and the consumer as well as our responsibility in taking care of and celebrating nature.

The event also welcomes over 90 new exhibitors in a total of almost 370 luxury travel brands from all four corners of the world who will attend to network and build business with the region’s wealthiest. They include AccorHotels Luxury brands, Aman Resorts, Baha Mar, Bürgenstock Hotels & Resort in Switzerland, Belmond, Dorchester Hotels, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, Leading Hotels of the World, Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, Marriott Luxury Brands, Preferred Hotels, Portugal’s Quinta das Lágrimas, Rosewood Hotel Group, Small Luxury Hotels of the World, The Vines Resort & Spa in Mendoza and Vakkaru Maldives as well as destinations including Portugal, Georgia and Israel.

Media Contact: Orla Kelly, Junior Account Executive, London, UK, D: +44 (0) 20 8334 4005, orla@spotlightcoms.com

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Global Tourism Resilience Centre Board of Governors announces 2019 projects

March 8, 2019 by forimmediaterelease.net -

Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett joins Board Members and associates of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) after their second meeting, which was held in Berlin, Germany on March 08, 2019. The team discussed their major projects for 2019

Board Members and associates of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) had their second meeting, in Berlin, Germany today to discuss their major projects, which will be completed this year.

Speaking at the board meeting, Tourism Minister and Chairman of the Center, Hon. Edmund Bartlett said, “I am very happy to announce that we are ahead of schedule for many of the plans that we have for the establishment and operations of this very important global institution. Our partners have been very active in securing important potential investors, as well as in the development of our key initiatives.
Tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett greets Chairman pro-tem of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, Dr Taleb Rifai

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The major 2019 projects include the appointment of the Professorial Chair in Resilience and Innovation at University of the West Indies (UWI); the development of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Tool-Kit; and the development of the Global Tourism Resilience Measurement Framework for Global Tourism Resilience Readiness. They also intend to develop an appropriate Global Indices for Tourism Resilience Readiness, as well as the official GTRCMC Academic Journal.

The Center, with the assistance from East Park Drive and partners, has also engaged several potential investors to fund other projects. Some of these include the Tourism Seismic Readiness Study of International Airports across the Caribbean; Tourism Climate Resilience Awareness Campaign for Small and Medium Size in Small Island Developing States (SIDS); and the Tourism Health and Wellness Audit among SIDS.

The Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center (GTRCMC) was launched on January 30, 2019 at the Montego Bay Convention Center and is housed at the UWI.

The focus of the Center includes: Risk Assessment, Mapping and Planning; Cyberspace Policy and Counter-Terrorism; Resilience-Related Research Collaborations; Development of Innovation Systems; Coordinating resilience policies with the government, Resource Mobilization, Capacity Building and Cross-Border Intelligence-sharing.

It will also provide research fellowship opportunities for individuals seeking to either expand their knowledge or, gain experience in tourism resilience and crisis management, through postdoctoral research, and internships for undergraduate and graduate students in fields of study related to tourism resilience and crisis management.

The first Board meeting was held on November 4, 2018 at the Chesterfield Mayfair Hotel in London, UK. The Board discussed among other things: the thematic focus of the Centre; the location of the Center and, possible satellites in the Americas, Asia, Africa, Europe, the Mediterranean, the Middle East as well as Oceania.

Minister Bartlett was accompanied by Dr. Lloyd Waller, Senior Advisor/Consultant and Gis’elle Jones, Research and Risk Management in the Tourism Enhancement Fund, who acted as secretary for the Board of Governors Meeting on the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Center. eTN Corporation President Juergen Steinmetz also attended the board meeting.

The team is expected to return to the island on March 09, 2019.

Yoga Is Solidarity! Dissolving Blockades Through Yoga

December 8, 2018 by Newswire

AltruVistas and ¡Yoga Va! Latino invite you to stand against the blockade in peace

The United States embargo against Cuba is more than 50 years old. Though the overwhelming majority of the United Nations supports lifting the embargo, only the US Congress has the power to do so. US relations with Cuba improved greatly under Barack Obama’s leadership. As travel restrictions lifted, the tourism industry blossomed in Cuba, giving the island nation a much-needed economic boost. But under President Trump, relations have deteriorated, and Obama-era trade and travel policies have been reversed.

This February, AltruVistas and ¡Yoga Va! Latino invite yoga practitioners from all around the world to join their delegation and stand in solidarity against the US embargo in Cuba. Travel to Cuba remains 100% legal and safe, yet the recent moves made by Trump, the barrage of conservative media against Cuba as a place to visit, and the preexisting blockade all inform the delegation. Stand in tree pose with a group of Cuban and international yogis against the inhumane embargo that affects Cubans’ access to transportation, food, medicine, technology—every aspect of their lives.

Jorge Avila, ¡Yoga Va Latino! teacher trainer, says, “Yoga means to unify, to balance, and that was what many Cubans started to look for during the economic crises of the ’90s. People looked for spirituality and wellness in a moment in which there was a material lack of everything.” Yoga teacher and ecology educator Junior Amaya adds, “Fifteen years ago yoga was not accessible to many people in Cuba, but now it’s gaining in popularity, due to its capacity to unite people’s minds and bodies, as well as to bring people together. The more people that come to Cuba to share with the Cuban yoga community, the more cultures we can weave together through the same practice, in spite of governmental policies, the distance between countries, or social differences. Yoga is above all that. Though there are many yoga academies and schools all over the world, when they can get together and practice, this unique goal of solidarity is achieved.”

The February Cuba journey will also be an in-depth wellness event. Each day will be structured using one of the five elements as our guide: Earth, Water, Fire, Air, and Ether. Cuban and international teachers, including Eduardo Pimentel, President of the Cuban Yoga Association, and teachers who have trained under Jorge Avila, will lead practice sessions. The entire trip will be bilingual English/Spanish. Each day will include yoga in different iconic places in Havana: Sun salutes on the Malecon, a flash yoga event in an old Havana square, a massive yoga gathering of Cubans and internationals at the port. There will be conferences on issues of yoga and diversity, climate and ecology, the arts, and Ayurveda, along with a full cultural program in the afternoons for US visitors.

This journey is happening 20 years after the original international yoga solidarity event in Cuba, 1999’s “Lifting the Embargo on our Hearts,” and will be a celebration of the exponential growth of the Cuban yoga community since that time. Like that original event, this journey is about dissolving inner boundaries and blocks, and about dissolving outer blocks as we bring cultures together. Co-Founder of ¡Yoga Va! Latino Mary Paffard, who has been involved with yoga exchange in Cuba for over two decades, says, “This event is like the event of 1999—extremely unusual, and very special! The Cuban yogis are creating and bringing together a phenomenal international yoga conference and cultural journey. Our ¡Yoga Va! friends and colleagues know that it will be extremely enjoyable, inspiring, and talked about for years to come.”

Baxter Bell, MD, co-author of Yoga for Healthy Aging, adds, “Having worked with this vibrant and unique yoga community on four separate visits, I know you will have an incredibly rewarding experience!” Join AltruVistas and ¡Yoga Va! Latino for what is sure to be a powerful and healing expression of solidarity through yoga practice.

Find out more about AltruVistas’ other upcoming tours to Cuba:

https://altruvistas.com/cuba/upcoming-journeys/

Find out more about AltruVistas’ journeys worldwide:

https://altruvistas.com/cuba/upcoming-journeys/

For more on ¡Yoga Va! Latino’s international yoga community, events, and teacher trainings:

http://yogavalatino.org

AltruVistas promotes transformational philanthropy in the sustainable travel industry and inspires you to engage your passion, explore the issues you care about, and share with communities around the world. AltruVistas offers sustainable, ethical, comprehensive, educational, and philanthropic travel-planning services so that you can have the adventure of a lifetime: A culturally insightful, engaging, comfortable, and worry-free journey that synergistically benefits the local economy, your hosts, and important causes.

¡Yoga Va! Latino supports vibrant yoga communities in Cuba, and fosters friendships between yoga communities throughout the Americas and within the Latino world. By building and sustaining communication networks; translating and creating educational materials and resources; and evolving education, teacher training and yoga tourism; ¡Yoga Va! Latino strengthens the Cuban yoga community and offers opportunities for all to learn from the Cuban experience.

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