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Nassau Paradise Island encourages support of its neighbor to the north

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While spared the impact of Hurricane Dorian, Nassau Paradise Island’s resort and tourism partners are working together to support their island neighbors to the north.

“Our hearts go out to Abacos and Grand Bahama and our tourism community has rallied together to try to make a difference,” said Fred Lounsberry, chief executive officer of the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. “While we’re so grateful the storm passed us without impact and we continue to welcome guests, we are equally grateful for the efforts of our partners to support our neighbors and for everyone who loves this wonderful nation.


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“Some may not realize that The Bahamas, like the United States, is made up of many diverse and distinctive destinations spread over more than 5,000 square miles,” said Lounsberry. “However, we stand together as one to support each other.”

The Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board and its member resorts are encouraging donations to help with the relief and recovery in Abaco and Grand Bahama.  Those wishing to donate to Hurricane Dorian relief can visit NassauParadiseIsland.com and find information on charitable funds that include: Atlantis Paradise Island’s Relief Fund, The Bahamas Red Cross, The National Association of The Bahamas, The Caribbean Tourism Organization and Royal Caribbean International.

Additional charitable efforts include the Sandals Resorts Foundation’s pledge to match donations to its fund dollar-for-dollar and The Baha Mar Foundation’s donation of much-needed food, shelter and medicine. These, and other efforts amongst tourism partners will continue as Grand Bahama and Abacos rebuild.

“We want all those who continue to visit Nassau Paradise Island to know that their business and generosity means so much to the entire 700 islands, cays and islets that make up The Bahamas,” said Lounsberry.

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A listing of all member hotels for the Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board and Paradise Island Tourism Development Association can be found at NassauParadiseIsland.com.

About Nassau Paradise Island:

Nassau Paradise Island, Bahamas is known for having some of the most beautiful white sand beaches in the world, turquoise blue water, the Caribbean’s best entertainment and a spectrum of resorts from ultra-exclusive to family-friendly. This convenient destination is serviced by several non-stop flights from most major U.S. cities. Less than an hour from South Florida and less than three hours from New York City, Nassau Paradise Island is so close, yet feels like it’s a world away.  Additional information about where to stay and incredible value-added packages may be found at NassauParadiseIsland.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Terence Gallagher/Carlyn Topkin   

Lou Hammond Group    

212-891-0211/212-891-0214   

terryg@louhammond.com / carlynt@louhammond.com

Emirates renews its commitment to Seychelles at the Arabian Trade Fair in Dubai

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The partnership between Emirates and destination Seychelles continues to grow, as both parties signed a renewed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), outlining joint activities to promote the island destination.

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed at the Arabian Travel Market in Dubai on Monday, April 29, 2019, by both Orhan Abbas, Emirates’ Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations for Africa and Mrs. Sherin Francis, Seychelles Tourism Board (STB) Chief Executive, in the presence of Didier Dogley, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Seychelles.

“We have enjoyed a long and fruitful partnership with Seychelles and have taken an active role in boosting the tourism industry of the island nation. Our commitment to the destination and the partnership forged with the government authorities have seen great success”, said Orhan Abbas, Senior Vice President – Commercial Operations (Africa).

“The renewal of our agreement provides us with utmost confidence that the growth of tourism within Seychelles can be further developed, and we remain assured that we will continue to see these numbers grow,” he added.

Speaking of the continuous collaboration between Seychelles and its partner Emirates, Minister Didier Dogley mentioned the importance of this close relationship to the Seychelles. “The signing of this MOU with Emirates underpins the long-standing strong relationship, developed over a decade, between the Government of Seychelles and the leadership of this global airline. We value the services Emirates has provided and continues to provide to the Seychelles and its tourism industry. We look forward to further deepening this relationship to leverage mutual benefits,” said Didier Dogley, Minister of Tourism, Civil Aviation, Ports and Marine of the Seychelles.

On her part Mrs. Francis mentioned Emirates remains a prime partner for the Seychelles, and admires the company’s initiative of actively collaborating with the Island’s Tourism Board to increase the promotion of the destination through joint activities.

“The continuous support of all our partners, enables us to increase our reach to all our regular and potential clients. Our long-lasting collaboration with Emirates has made Seychelles accessible throughout the world via their extensive network, and its impact has been significant to us as a destination,” said Mrs. STB Chief Executive. 

In 2018, 361,844 tourists visited Seychelles; with the destination’s main markets being Germany, France, UK, UAE, Italy, India, Switzerland, South Africa, Russian Federation and Austria.

The Agreement will see marketing activities such as; the attendance of tourism trade shows and fairs, trade familiarisation trips, product presentations/workshops, alongside others, be undertaken jointly by Emirates and the STB.

Emirates has a fleet of 271 aircrafts and connects the Seychelles to 158 destinations, in 86 countries and territories across six continents.

In June 2015, Emirates increased its capacity for the Indian Ocean Island of Seychelles, as it switched from the Airbus 330-200 used on one of the two daily services, to a larger Boeing 777-300ER. The introduction of the Emirates Boeing 777-300ER, which operates as flight EK 705 from Dubai and as EK 706 on the return flight, has increased the overall capacity on the route by 1722 seats per week and made the route an all-Boeing 777 operation.

MEDIA CONTACT: STB News Bureau, Tel: +248 4 671 354 / +248 4 671 313, stbnews@seychelles.travel  www.seychelles.travel

African Tourism Board Safety and Travel Security Expert Statement on TOPP

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African Tourism Board Safety and Security expert Dr. Peter Tarlow reminded all ATB members, security incidents around the world once again underline the need for African nations to promote and provide the best tourism security possible.

African Tourism Board President Alain St. Ange mentioned that after recent security challenges in Kenya, it remains the duty of Africa to stand with Kenya’s Minister Najib Balala, the CS for Tourism and with the Government of Kenya after the recent kidnapping of Doctors and Bomb Threats.

“Tourism is a success story in Kenya and they need, more than ever, their fellow friends and neighbors to spread this successes story,” the ATB president added.

Dr. Tarlow explained: “The best way for the African tourism industry to aid countries not only Sudan and Kenya as they face new tourism security challenge is by helping each nation in Africa to create a well funded and organized tourism security unit.

Each tourism security unit of TOPPs (tourism-oriented policing and protection services) will be experts not only in security but also safety and seek to protect a nation’s visitors along with its reputation and economies.

These units, be they composed of public or private security agents or private-private partnership, will help to assure tourists from around the world that travel to Africa is safe and secure.

They will be major players in promoting African tourism and when security mishaps occur they will aid their local tourism industry in a demonstration to the world that these are the exceptions and not the norm.

It is important to remember where that security is an essential element in tourism.  It is our moral duty and good business to work with both local governments and international organizations to assure travelers that Africa will receive them with open arms and a loving heart.

“Today, the African Tourism Board confirms that they stand with Africa ans specially now with Minister Balala the Kenyan Government and People of Kenya and will work with them as and when called upon”, concluded St.Ange.

Reference:
www.africantourismboard.com

www.safertourism.com 

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State of the Air: Hawaii boasts some of the best air quality in the nation

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The American Lung Association’s 2019 “State of the Air” report found that Hawaii has some of the cleanest air in the U.S. and Honolulu and Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina are two of the cleanest areas in the country. Honolulu County had a new record low for an annual average of particle pollution, and less than half the highest ever level recorded in 2009-2011.

Each year the “State of the Air” provides a report card on the two most widespread outdoor air pollutants, ozone pollution, also known as smog, and particle pollution, also called soot. The report analyzes particle pollution in two ways: through average annual particle pollution levels and short-term spikes in particle pollution. Both ozone and particle pollution are dangerous to public health and can increase the risk of premature death and other serious health effects such as lung cancer, asthma attacks, cardiovascular damage, and developmental and reproductive harm.

“People in Hawaii are breathing some of the cleanest air in the nation, but increasing climate change is threatening our air quality,” said Kahala Howser, Executive Director for the American Lung Association in Hawaii. “While we are very happy with this report, Hawaiians must remain vigilant when we have vog episodes. Additionally, more than four in 10 Americans are living with unhealthy air, and we’re heading in the wrong direction when it comes to protecting public health and people’s lives.”

Honolulu had no unhealthy air days for ozone pollution. Nationally, this year’s report showed that ozone levels increased in most cities nationwide, in large part due to the record-breaking global heat experienced in the three years tracked in the report.

While the report examined data from 2015-2017, this 20th annual report online provides information on air pollution trends back to the first report. Learn more about Hawaii’s rankings, as well as air quality across and the nation, in the 2019 “State of the Air” report at Lung.org/sota. For media interested in speaking with an expert about lung health, healthy air, and threats to air quality, contact Holly Harvey at Holly.Harvey@Lung.org or 206-512-3292.

2019 Cleanest Cities

Cleanest cities in the U.S (on all three categories of cleanest cities described below)

• Bangor, ME
• Burlington-South Burlington, VT
• Honolulu, HI
• Lincoln-Beatrice, NE
• Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL
• Wilmington, NC

Cleanest for Ozone Pollution (zero unhealthy air days – all counties)

• Anchorage, AK
• Bellingham, WA
• Casper, WY
• Fairbanks, AK
• Idaho Falls-Rexburg-Blackfoot, ID
• Honolulu, HI

Cleanest for Short-term Particle Pollution (zero unhealthy air days – all counties)

• Honolulu, HI

Cleanest Cities for Year-Round Particle Pollution (twenty-five cities with the lowest annual levels)

1. Cheyenne, WY (tie)
1. Honolulu, HI (tie)
1. Kahului-Wailuku-Lahaina, HI (tie)
4. Casper, WY (tie)
4. St. George, UT (tie)
6. Elmira-Corning, NY
7. Duluth, MN-WI (tie)
7. Pueblo-Canon City, CO (tie)
9. Bismarck, ND (tie)
10. Bellingham, WA (tie)
10. Syracuse-Auburn, NY (tie)

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Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority, U.S. and British Authorities warn in response to terror attacks

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The Sri Lanka Tourism Development Authority in a statement released urges hotels in Sri Lanka to take maximum measures to strengthen security as Hotels have been one of the main targets. Please assist us in spreading the word and let us not forget to help tourists who are currently in Sri Lanka.”

The Sri Lanka travel industry is bracing for the impact of the horrific attack Easter Sunday in the nation’s capital Colombo and in Negombo, where the airport is located.

Sri Lanka received 2.1 million tourists in 2017 and had set a target to double that number this year. Free visas to visitors from 30 countries including the U.S.,UK, EU and Thailand are part of this strategy.

Currently, Sri Lanka is quiet. It’s a curfew and all roads are closed.

The U.S. embassy raised the level of travel advisory for Sri Lanka to level 2: The embassy warned terrorist groups to continue plotting possible attacks in Sri Lanka. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning, targeting tourist locations, transportation hubs, markets/shopping malls, local government facilities, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, parks, major sporting and cultural events, educational institutions, airports, and other public areas.

The White House issued a statement, that the United States condemns in the strongest terms the outrageous terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka that have claimed so many precious lives on this Easter Sunday. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families of the more than 200 killed and hundreds of others wounded. We stand with the Sri Lankan government and people as they bring to justice the perpetrators of these despicable and senseless acts.

In the meantime, Sri Lanka arrested 13 alleged suspects. Another attack on the airport was prevented. 215 people including foreign tourists were killed, more than 500 injured in a series of planned and coordinated attacks on Easter Sunday.

The UK Foreign Department is telling British Citizens:

On 21 April 2019 bombs were used to attack three churches and three hotels in Sri Lanka, in central Colombo; in the northern suburb of Colombo Kochchikade, and in Negombo roughly twenty miles north of Colombo; and in the east of the country in Batticaloa. There have been significant casualties. If you are in Sri Lanka and you are safe, we advise that you contact family and friends to let them know that you are safe.

If you are in Sri Lanka and have been directly affected by the attacks, please call the British High Commission in Colombo: +94 11 5390639, and select the emergency option from where you will be connected to one of our consular staff. If you’re in the UK and worried about British friends or family in Sri Lanka caught up in the incidents, please call the FCO switchboard number: 020 7008 1500 and follow the same steps.

Security has been stepped up across the island and there are reports of ongoing security operations. if you are in Sri Lanka, please follow the advice of local security authorities, hotel security staff or your tour company. The airport is operating, but with increased security checks. Some airlines are advising their passengers to arrive early for check-in, in light of increased security screening.

The Sri Lankan authorities have declared a nationwide curfew. You should limit movements until this has been lifted, following the instructions of the local authorities and your hotel/tour operator.

The Sri Lankan authorities have confirmed that, if you need to catch a flight from Colombo airport, you are able to travel to the airport provided you have both passport and ticket valid for travel that day. They have also confirmed that arrangements have been put in place for arriving passengers.

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