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EU and Airbus cite US for inaction that could cost billions

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The World Trade Organization (WTO) Appellate Body has rejected every single United States argument whereas it has taken all EU legal points on board. In addition, the WTO highest court has also qualified a number of additional US federal and state programmes as illegal subsidies, and even, as prohibited subsidies as in the case of the Foreign Sales Corporation scheme (FSC), a major win for the EU.

Airbus welcomed the report of the WTO Appellate Body, published today, which confirms that the United States failed to withdraw the subsidies granted by federal, state and local authorities to Boeing, and to remove the harm those subsidies caused to Airbus.

The report requests that further compliance steps are necessary from the United States and Boeing. Failure to do so will provide the European Union the possibility to seek countermeasures on imports of US products.

Airbus General Counsel John Harrison stated: “This is a clear victory for the EU and Airbus.   It vindicates our position that Boeing, while pointing fingers at Airbus, has not taken any action to comply with its WTO obligations, contrary to Airbus and the EU. With this damaging report, continuing to deny they receive massive illegal subsidies from the United States government is no longer an option. Stated differently, absent settlement, the US will pay – in perpetuity – billions in annual sanctions driven by every single flying Boeing program, while the EU would face, in the worst case, only minor issues.

He added: “We hope that these findings will prompt the United States and Boeing to move forward constructively in this long-standing dispute and join us in working towards a fair-trade environment. In the absence of a constructive approach, the EU now has a very strong legal case to move forward to countermeasures.”

Airbus thanks the European Commission and the governments of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain for their continuous support throughout the long dispute process. Their longstanding efforts to restore a fair level playing field are now clearly showing results.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions: A paragon of wellness and vitality

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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.

Travel News | eTurboNews

WOW Air shut down: Thousands stranded

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This is the email WOW Air passengers received after the airline shut down and flights were canceled: Dear WOW air guest, thank you for contacting us. We regret to announce that WOW air has ceased operation, and all flights have been cancelled. Further information can be found at WOW Air.

Following the news that WOW Air has ceased operations after failed negotiations to save it, leaving thousands of passengers stranded, Ralph Hollister, Associate Travel & Tourism Analyst at GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, offers his view:

“The closures of smaller sized airlines such as WOW Air come as little surprise. Even major airlines such as Ryanair with significantly higher profit margins are suffering with the issues at the root of these closures – high fuel prices and overcapacity.

“With finances having already been in decline for a number of months, WOW had to reduce its fleet from 24 to 11, along with reducing the number of destinations available to customers.

“Overcapacity is a factor which can be managed unlike fuel costs, but timeliness is critical and WOW acted too late.

“Smaller airlines need to be more sensitive to changes in the market. Being one step ahead in terms of potential future decreases in demand for specific routes will enable airlines to decrease flight frequency proactively.

“This will decrease the amount of empty seats and most importantly, keep them afloat in a highly competitive industry.” 

 

Travel News | eTurboNews

Jetwing Ayurveda Pavilions – a paragon of wellness and vitality

by

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.

SOURCE: jetwinghotels.com

Travel News | eTurboNews

Ontario tourism sector set for Rural Tourism Symposium

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Tourism industry professionals from across Ontario will gather at Lang Pioneer Village in Keene this April for the second annual Rural Tourism Symposium. The one-day conference, with the theme “Redefining Success”, takes place 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 11, at the Peterborough County Agriculture Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village.

More than three million visitors visit Peterborough & the Kawarthas every year, including rural destinations such as Stoney Lake. Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development is hosting tourism industry professionals from across Ontario on April 11, 2019 for the second annual Rural Tourism Symposium in Keene.

Hosted by Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development (PKED) in partnership with Chatham-Kent Tourism, the event is also supported by Grey County Tourism, Simcoe County Tourism, Headwaters Tourism, Kawartha Lakes Tourism, and Kawarthas-Northumberland (Regional Tourism Organization 8).

There’s no question that tourism is an important economic driver in Ontario, particularly for rural communities. According to PKED’s director of tourism and communications Tracie Bertrand, Peterborough & the Kawarthas alone draws around three million visitors every year who contribute approximately $300 million to the local economy.

“Part of our region’s competitive edge is that we offer the best of vibrant city, complemented by rolling hills of farmland and famed Ontario cottage country,” Bertrand says. “There are more than a thousand tourism businesses located in our region, ranging from retail to restaurants and from accommodations to attractions.”

But the April 11 symposium is not just limited to Peterborough & the Kawarthas: it’s been specifically designed to raise the profile of tourism in rural Ontario, and will attract rural tourism stakeholders, destination marketing organizations, and tourism businesses from across the province.

“We’re hoping this event sparks conversation and builds momentum for rural tourism in the province of Ontario,” Bertrand explains. “Industry professionals, both locally and from away, will gain insight from our expert speakers to leverage efforts at the provincial and national level, capitalize on opportunities, and create partnerships for success.”

The symposium begins with a keynote presentation entitled “Leverage Your Reach with Destination Ontario” by Lisa LaVecchia, president and CEO of Destination Ontario.

Legally known as the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, Destination Ontario is an agency of the Government of Ontario that markets the province as a preferred four-season tourist destination in a globally competitive tourism market. Under LaVecchia’s leadership, Destination Ontario has produced innovative and award-winning brand campaigns, including the ‘Epic Is ON’ campaign for the Pan Am/Parapan Am Games and the ‘Where Am I?’ campaign.

The symposium also includes:

A presentation by Beth Potter, president and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, entitled “Stronger Together. Presenting a United Front for Rural Tourism” on how tourism industry professionals can collaborate with the association to achieve success.

An “Agritourism Farm Table Chat” led by the Culinary Tourism Alliance’s director of food tourism innovation Trevor Benson who, along with special guests, will discuss how to build bridges between the agriculture and tourism industries.

A presentation by Jewel Cunningham, director of Ontario Waterways with Parks Canada, called “Partnering for Success”. Cunningham will describe how partnerships can create exceptional visitor experiences and powerful economic impact in even the smallest of communities.

A presentation entitled “Showcasing Rural Ontario to National & International Visitors” by David Robinson of Destination Canada (formerly the Canadian Tourism Commission), a federal crown corporation that helps the Canadian tourism industry reach international markets. Robinson will explain how Canada measures up as a competitive hot spot for international travelers.

Finally, the symposium is also a stop on Canada’s national series of Tourism Town Halls, a partnership between the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, Destination Canada, and local industry partners. The Tourism Town Halls provide an opportunity for small and medium-sized tourism businesses across Canada to better understand efforts being made on national tourism issues.

“This tourism town hall will be especially important given the announcement of last week’s federal budget and the importance it placed on tourism as a high-growth sector,” Bertrand says.

The Tourism Town Hall includes a panel discussion with representatives from Destination Canada, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, and Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism, moderated by Michele Harris, director of economic and community development with the Municipality of Grey Highlands.

Reducing the negative impact on the environment is an important element of tourism, particularly in rural destinations, so sustainability is a focus of this year’s symposium. Rather than having print materials available at the symposium, information will be delivered digitally through a downloadable app. Waste, especially food waste, will be limited throughout the day and attendees will be encouraged to bring reusable water bottles and their own notepads or devices for making notes.

“We are excited to welcome tourism stakeholders from across the province and show them how we are redefining success in tourism in our communities,” Bertrand says. “We are equally excited to have our tourism operators come out and celebrate what makes our industry unique, right here in our own backyard at the Agriculture Heritage Building at Lang Pioneer Village.”

Travel News | eTurboNews

Airbnb co-founder headed to Phillippines for travel summit

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“We are excited to be welcoming Mr. Nathan Blecharczyk to the PATA Annual Summit 2019. It is nearly impossible to talk about the travel and tourism industry without mentioning Airbnb and its impact on the sector,” said PATA CEO Dr. Mario Hardy.

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) is proud to announce that Airbnb co-founder, Chief Strategy Officer, and Chairman of Airbnb China, Nathan Blecharczyk has been confirmed to speak at the PATA Annual Summit 2019 (PAS 2019).  The event, hosted by the Department of Tourism, Philippines, will be taking place from May 9-12 at Radisson Blu Cebu in Cebu, Philippines.

“This is an incredible opportunity for our members and delegates to hear from a true innovator and gain deeper insights into how global travel is changing. As the industry grapples with large scale global and regional challenges, including climate change, overtourism, and social and economic inequality, we must have a greater understanding of the constantly evolving landscape in order for us to create a more responsible and sustainable travel and tourism industry,” Hardy added.

PAS 2019 is a 4-day event that brings together international thought leaders, industry shapers, and senior decision-makers who are professionally engaged with the Asia Pacific region.  The Summit programme embraces a dynamic one-day conference under the theme ‘Progress with a Purpose’, which will highlight the fundamental challenges, issues and opportunities of the travel and tourism industry and how together we can bring about actionable change for the better.

During the conference, Mr Blecharczyk will sit down with BBC World News Presenter, Rico Hizon, for an intimate one-on-one interview to discuss a wide range of topics ranging from innovative and technological advancements to sustainability and corporate social responsibility.

Mr Blecharczyk plays a leading role in driving key strategic initiatives across the global business. Previously he oversaw the creation of Airbnb’s engineering, data science, and performance marketing teams. As a guest, Nathan has stayed in hundreds of homes using Airbnb and he is also a host in San Francisco, where he lives with his family.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Why does Nigeria’s Health Minister say no to Medical Tourism?

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Nigeria Minister of Health Isaac Adewole has challenged physicians in the country to live up to their professional calling and find ways to discourage medical tourism in the country.

The Minister said that unless Nigerian professionals live up to the task of restoring sanity in the health sector, the challenges facing it will continue to linger if the potentials of health professionals are not harnessed.

The number of Nigerians leaving the country to seek medical treatment abroad is increasing, and this is having a $1.3 million impact in the way of lost revenue on the Nigerian economy.

Tens of thousands of Nigerians travel every year to the US, UK, India, Thailand, Turkey, France, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, Saudi Arabia, and China, among other countries, to seek treatment for medical issues ranging from kidney transplants, open heart or cardiac surgeries, neurosurgeries, cosmetic surgeries, orthopedic surgeries, eye surgeries and other health conditions, and even delivering babies.

In his address, the Chairman of the West Africa College of Physicians, Abel Onunnu, described the migration of health professionals in the West African sub-region as worrisome, noting that the government must find a way to bring it to an end.

The minister made this statement at the annual conference of West African college of physicians that was held in Kaduna. The conference was held under the theme of enhancing performance of the health sector, and the event saw medical professionals discuss topical issues affecting the sector.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Living as a digital nomad: some unexpected issues you may face

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Digital nomad’s life is the one that most people want to have. It seems so easy and fun for a person to work while traveling the world creating new experiences and seeing new places. All this without having to press pause on their paycheck! Of course, there are numerous benefits to this type of living. However, there are also stresses and pressures that aren’t talked as much as the highs of this type of work. The benefits depend on where you come from, where you travel to and what type of work you do. This article will highlight some of the unexpected issues that people are living the digital nomad life experience while living the life. They are going to help you make more informed choices and allow to weight and find out if you can handle these issues, before you choose this type of work.

  • You will never have a routine

The unpredictability of freelance work is unsettling and psychologically draining. It can make one more anxious especially if they do not have a reliable and stable source of income. It can be stressful to find cheap prices for anything. If you are a student, you may also want to check out some writing service review where you can get good services for your essays and homework. So keenly go over the edusson.com review and figure out how much it will cost you to have an essay done.

People who work in offices have routines. They know what they will be doing at 5 p.m. a day from today. Most people who start the nomad life are in it because they craved a break from all these routines. They were worried about being slaves to the predictability of life. One of the biggest sacrifices that they need to make is to live a life without any routines whatsoever. In truth, even the smallest forms of routines are great for both mental and emotional health. These routines make you more productive because they create better structure; they eliminate distractions and are helpful to your general rhythms of life.

  • Not being taken seriously

This is an issue that affects the mental health of most who love nomadic traveling. People may frequently tell you that you are not struggling because your life is perfect. They may wonder why you are complaining. There seems that there is no way people are going to take you seriously. They assume that your life is full of constant streams of gorgeous places and that you accomplish all your bucket list experiences in a month. They assume that these enviable circumstances cannot possibly be stressful.

In fact, some people might complain about their life and issue that you will feel guilty when you want to talk about your challenges. As a result of this sense of shame, most remote workers will never write honestly about how they feel. They will share amazing captions with their cool selfies from Thailand and act like life could not be better for them. The last thing anyone wants is to appear spoiled and ungrateful. They stop addressing issues that are serious and real, and may even end up in depression and stress since they ignore the real issues they face daily. Studies have shown that one in every four people can experience mental health problems in their lifetime at least once. A quarter of all the people who experience these problems each year are digital nomads. The unpredictable and isolated lifestyle of traveling full time makes them more likely to suffer from this problem. The stigma surrounding these problems makes it difficult to talk about.

  • It is a lonely life

Human beings are social creatures. They are meant to create long term friendships. However, these relationships require a person to dedicate time and effort into creating lasting bonds. While traveling is great, it does not allow people to create and maintain these relationships. This is probably why these digital nomads do not have families until they settle down for more predictable lives. When you are only staying somewhere for a short period, it is impossible to create deep connections with people or make any sort of warm enthusiastic friendships that happen between gregarious strangers in a great mood. While these are also fun, they are nor, by definition, true friendships. You may have many short term friends and may likely create relationships that might last a lifetime, but nothing deep. None of them will know you better than you know yourself.

  • Unhealthy eating habits

Well, you will definitely want to sample everything. You will want to find out which delicacies are also the best. That is fine. However, because of your unpredictable life, it will be difficult to set time for workouts. You also live in hotels so you may probably not have time to make yourself some healthy homemade meals. Your sleeping patterns will also be all over the place. With these habits, having a healthy life is going to be difficult.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Destinations need new resources to tackle the “invisible burden” of tourism

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A report published today by the Travel Foundation, Cornell University’s Centre for Sustainable Global Enterprise and EplerWood International describes how destinations must uncover and account for tourism’s hidden costs, referred to as the “invisible burden,” to protect and manage vital destination assets worldwide. Failing to do so puts ecosystems, cultural wonders, and community life at increasing risk, and places the tourism industry on a weak foundation that could crack under its own weight.

The range of costs not currently accounted for include those needed to:

  • upgrade infrastructure beyond resident needs, to meet tourism demand;
  • manage and protect public spaces, monuments, the environment and natural habitats;
  • mitigate exposure to climate change risks; and
  • address the needs of locals affected by rising real estate prices, driven by the demand from tourism.

Either residents are left to pay these costs, or they are simply not paid, increasingly leading to environmental crises, spoiled tourism assets, and growing dissatisfaction among local residents. Destination authorities urgently need access to new resources, systems and expertise to ensure that, as tourism grows, the true costs of every new visitor are fully covered.

Amid increasing concern about “overtourism” and calls from within the travel industry for improved destination management, the report, Destinations at Risk: The Invisible Burden of Tourism, was commissioned by the Travel Foundation to better understand the challenges and constraints that national and municipal authorities face. It provides a thorough review of the risks that destinations face and the solutions urgently needed, including:

  • New local accounting systems that capture the full range of costs stemming from the growth of tourism, in place of an incomplete set of economic impact measures.
  • New skills and cross sector collaboration, underpinned by data and technology, to achieve effective spatial planning, manage demand for public utilities and services, and evaluate the availability of vital, local resources.
  • New valuation and financing mechanisms to redress debilitating underinvestment in infrastructure and local asset management and enable the transition to low-carbon destination economies.

Principal report author, Megan Epler Wood, said: “The Earth’s greatest treasures are cracking under the weight of the soaring tourism economy.  New data-driven systems to identify the cost of managing tourism’s most valued assets are required to stem a growing crisis in global tourism management.  With the right leadership, finance and analysis in place, a whole new generation of tourism professionals can move forward and erase the invisible burden while benefiting millions around the globe.”

Salli Felton, CEO of the Travel Foundation, said: “The invisible burden goes a long way to explain why we are now witnessing destinations failing to cope with tourism growth, despite the economic benefits it brings. It’s not enough to call on governments and municipalities to manage tourism better, if they don’t have access to the right skills and resources to do so. Destination managers need support to develop new skills and new ways of working that will enable them to move beyond tourism marketing.”

Dr Mark Milstein, co-author of the report, said: “This is a challenge of investing for the long-term health of a critical global economic sector. Future success will require collaboration among business, government, and civil society so that destinations are managed as the valuable, yet vulnerable, assets that they are.”

The authors conclude that some destinations are more vulnerable to the invisible burden and should be prioritised. For instance:

  1. Where there is a high risk of climate change impacts (which would disproportionately affect a visitor economy) – for instance, island states.
  2. Where the rise of the global middle class is driving tourism growth at unsustainable levels – for instance, in Southern and Southeast Asia.
  3. Where there is a high percentage of economic dependence on tourism – for instance, in the Caribbean.
  4. Where the ability of local government to manage tourism growth is low, in terms of budgets and human capital – a problem that has been found in both advanced and emerging economies.

The analysis draws upon academic literature, case studies, expert interviews and media reports, and provides a wealth of examples of the invisible burden.  Cases are drawn from Thailand, Mexico, and the Maldives, as well as Europe, Africa, and Latin America. The report also gives insights into types of data-driven systems, such as GIS mapping tools and the Smart Cities concept, which can address growth issues and facilitate new forms of investment.

The free report is available at invisibleburden.org.

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Seychelles welcomes another set of hospitality professionals

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The tourism industry of Seychelles, the country’s leading economic pillar, will greatly benefit as it welcomes home 11 hospitality professionals, following the completion of their studies in Ireland.

The sixth cohort of Seychellois student at the Shannon College graduated on March 17, 2019, a ceremony that took place in the presence of Seychelles’ Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, and Ports & Marine Mr. Didier Dogley.

Also present at the graduation ceremony were Mr. Flavien Joubert, the Principal of the Seychelles Tourism Academy (STA), Mr. Claude Narin, the Patron of STA, Mr. Terence Crea of the NHRDC, parents and family members of the students.

Minister Dogley said it is the government’s vision to have the hospitality industry in Seychelles led by Seychellois professionals.

“During the last 10 years the necessary resources and support systems have been put into place to enable this to happen. Today we have reached another important milestone with the sixth cohort graduating with sterling results. All efforts will continue to be made for them to remain in the industry and prosper,” said Mr. Dogley.

The management of the school had only praise for the Seychellois students, who have performed very well and have been exemplary as students.

The twinning program between the Seychelles Tourism Academy and the Shannon College started in 2008. Since its inception, 65 students have graduated, with most of the young professionals still actively working in the industry.

The program, which is a 5 years Degree program, consist of three years training at Higher Diploma level at the STA plus two years degree training at Shannon College. The College forms part of the National University of Ireland.

During the visit to the college, the Seychelles delegation met and discuss a number of issues with the group of students currently following the course at the college. Generally, Seychellois students are very satisfied with the program and the quality of student life offered by the college.

It was also a great opportunity for the delegation to meet with the management of the college. Renewal of the five-year collaborative agreement between the two institutions was discussed, as the current one is ending.

The five-year strategic plan of the Seychelles Tourism Academy was also a topic of conversation between the officials present during the meeting. With the new plan, the academy hopes to chart a clear road map for the further development as an institution of excellence.

Travel News | eTurboNews