For Immediate Release | Official News Wire for the Travel Industry

Where press releases are breaking news

Bahamas Relief Foundation & GEM aim to raise $10 million for Hurricane Dorian relief

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It was announced today that in a joint effort, the Global Empowerment Mission (GEM) will act as an ‘Official Relief Delivery Partner’ for the Bahamas Relief Foundation (BRF) to rebuild damaged houses following Hurricane Dorian.
The partnership between BRF and GEM will focus on the immediate supply of construction materials and equipment, working alongside local Bahamians to empower and train them to repair the damaged homes in Abaco and Grand Bahama.

Rick ‘Ulrich’ Fox, BRF President, Bahamian and three time NBA Champion said “Through this partnership we are thrilled to utilize GEM’s initiatives, resources, and expertise in disaster relief as we continue our mission of creating hope for the people in the Bahamas affected by Hurricane Dorian”.

The BRF has announced the initial fundraising target of USD$10 Million prior to Christmas 2019 to repair 1,000 damaged homes. The foundation is seeking urgent tax deductible donations through its website to make an immediate and lasting impact.

Founder of GEM, Mr. Michael Capponi, highlighted that “After spending the last month focusing on search and rescue and bringing immediate short-term aid to so many of the Islands, we are now focused on launching our phase two in partnership with Rick and the BRF, to re-roof and re-wall many of the fixable homes in the devastated areas.”

Hurricane Dorian was the most powerful tropical cyclone on record to strike the Bahamas, and was described by Prime Minister Minnis as the “greatest national crisis in our country’s history”, with the highest winds of an Atlantic hurricane ever recorded on landfall. The resultant damage to these islands was catastrophic, most structures were destroyed or swept out to sea, and at least 70,000 people were left homeless. To date there have been 56 recorded direct and 7 indirect fatalities, and the estimated damage to property is more than seven billion US dollars.

MEDIA CONTACT: Jenny Mann on +61 481 211 075 Jenny@Bahamasrelieffoundation.org    

Soap bars around the world get a new life from Red Lion Hotels

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Based on US market statistics, the combined hospitality segment produces close to 440 billion pounds of solid waste per year. A great amount of this waste is made up of discarded soap and bottled amenities. However, through Clean the World’s Hospitality Recycling Program, these life-saving hygiene products can skip the landfill and, instead, be sent to one of Clean the World’s five Recycling Operations Centers where the products are sanitized, fully recycled, and given a second-life to help those in need. It’s a win-win for the hospitality industry, helping to reduce waste and transform lives around the world.

In celebration of Earth Day, Clean the World, dedicated to WASH (WAter, Sanitation and Hygiene) and global sustainability, is joining forces with RLH Corporation to collect and recycle gently-used bars of soap and bottled amenities at Hotel RL locations nationwide to help fight the spread of preventable diseases while preserving our planet.

“We are excited to collaborate with Clean the World,” said RLH Corporation SVP of Brand Strategy Amanda Marcello. “At Hotel RL, we are focused on the modern-day traveler, with core hotel elements that allow guests to immerse themselves in local culture while maintaining their connection to the world. We are always searching for opportunities to better our planet, the communities we live in and those around the world. With Clean the World, we will now be able to make a significant improvement in reducing the amount of waste our hotels produce while benefiting communities worldwide by recycling our bath amenities.”

Together, this Earth Day, Clean the World and RLH Corporation are bringing awareness to sustainable practices within the travel and hospitality industry. Eight Hotel RL locations adopting the Hospitality Recycling Program this week will begin recycling all soap and bottled amenities from over 1,600 guestrooms. In just one year, the Hotel RL portfolio of hotels is projected to provide over 6,700 pounds of soap and bottled amenities to Clean the World, resulting in the creation of an estimated 23,000 bars of newly-recycled soap to be distributed to those in need locally and globally.

“We are thrilled to join forces with RLH Corporation this Earth Day to share the importance of implementing new, eco-friendly approaches to daily operations that benefit and help to preserve our planet,” said Shawn Seipler, founder and CEO of Clean the World. “By diverting leftover soap and bottled amenities from landfills, RLH Corporation will not only help Clean the World provide health and hygiene programs to children and families around the world, but also set a great example of CSR and sustainability throughout the hospitality industry, encouraging others to help make a difference.”

Through this joint venture, newly-recycled bars of Clean the World soap will make their way to shelters, food banks and disaster relief initiatives in the United States, in addition to supporting hygiene education internationally through Clean the World Foundation’s WASH Education programming. Our global programming, in places like India, Kenya and Tanzania, has contributed to a 60 percent decrease in the rate of hygiene-related deaths in children under 5, helping to keep children healthy and in school.

Travel News | eTurboNews

How fast things can get lost… and found again at Frankfurt Airport

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New online search function speeds up processes in the Lost & Found Office at Frankfurt Airport

Fiddlesticks! The family has just settled into their seats in the plane and are full of excitement about their holiday. When suddenly the youngest child cries, “my teddy bear is gone!” Now what? It’s a shame that she’ll have to do without her favorite cuddly animal during the trip. But it would at least be great to know that it will be in safe hands in Frankfurt Airport’s lost & found office until they return―it would be a huge relief, in fact.

But how can they find out? Fortunately, it has just become considerably easier for the owners of missing objects to report their losses to the lost & found office online―any time of the day or night. With luck, the lost item will already be in the database. A new system now automatically compares search requests and returned items, identifies matches, and notifies owners as soon as their missing property turns up.

In the search portal on the airport website, it is possible to specify attributes such as the item’s brand, color, size, unique inscriptions etc. and when and where it was lost. A photograph of it can even be uploaded. “The new system greatly facilitates our work,” says Rike Krüger of the lost & found office at Frankfurt Airport. Passengers can easily select search parameters themselves. In the past, it was necessary for airport employees to laboriously copy this information from emails or faxes or call owners to ask for details. Especially on busy days, this can take awhile. “Travelers now enjoy an improved service. They can actively support the search process themselves and no longer have to constantly worry during their trip, hoping against hope that we will have found their property by the time they return,” adds Krüger. “We can now let them know right away as soon as their lost smartphone, backpack, umbrella, saxophone or whatever appears in our system.” The image analysis function will also be improved even further very soon; the software will then be able to automatically identify and correlate more attributes of missing objects. This will make it faster and more convenient both to submit search requests and to identify found items.

Once it’s clear that the lost & found office has a missing object, its owner has various options for recovering their property. They can of course personally retrieve it from the lost & found office right after returning, or else authorize someone else to do it for them. For a small fee and the cost of postage, the staff of the lost & found office will also send items to anywhere in the world.

Good to know

The Lost & Found Office at Frankfurt Airport is a service of Fraport, the airport’s operator. Its 10 employees deal with up to 70 returned items and 50 search requests a day. Currently about 10,000 objects are stored in the lost & found office in Terminal 1 located at the entrance to the Airport city Mall on Level 0. They range from items such as jewelry and electrical appliances, across clothing and accessories, toys and travel bags, all the way to curiosities such chainsaws, wheelchairs and microwave ovens. They are kept for three months and then auctioned off if they haven’t been claimed by that time. The proceeds are kept for three years, just in case owners make themselves known by then. The lost & found office is open to the public every day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Passengers and visitors can find more information on the lost & found office and many other services on Frankfurt Airport’s website, Service Shop, or Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube social media pages.

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

What is the discussion at the UNWTO / ICAO Ministerial Conference on Tourism and Air Transport?

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A Panel discussion is ongoing and a packed program are planned today for delegates in Sai Island, Cabo Verde attending the First UNWTO/ ICAO Ministerial Conference Tourism and Air Transport.

Air Transport and Tourism Policies: Regulatory convergence to maximize and balance their benefits

Air Transport and tourism depend heavily on each other and are essential engines of trade and economic growth for both developed and developing countries.

Despite the synergies, there can be conflicts between aviation and tourism policies due to the difficulties of States in balancing the interests of their airlines and the optimum development of their tourism industries. Separate sectorial policies result in a fundamental disconnect, which constitutes a severe deterrent towards the development of both sectors. How do we enhance policy coherence between the two sectors, harmonize the regulatory frameworks, and prevent separate sectoral policies? How can we strike a balance to maximize the overall benefits of tourism and air transport in the national economy?

What is the current status of Africa’s regulatory framework and what is its impact on tourism and air transport (the Lomé Declaration and the related Action plans both for Air Transport and for Tourism?

How can Africa benefit from and implement the joint UNWTO and ICAO Medellín Statement on Tourism and Air Transport for Development? How can the African Governments promote cooperation and compatible decision-making among transport and tourism authorities and other ministries in charge of related portfolios, including finance, economic planning, energy, environment and trade?

What are the challenges encountered by tourism stakeholders in reflecting tourism business interests in national and regional air transport policies?

Connectivity and Seamless Travel: Best practices to serve tourists and passengers

Aviation and tourism are a customer-focused economic sector.

While there is no single definition of air connectivity, it can be viewed as the ability of a network to move passengers involving the minimum of transit points, which makes the trip as short as possible with optimal passenger satisfaction at the minimum price possible. The realization of seamless travel can improve overall travel experience, which in turn fuels tourism demand.

With the recent launching of the Single Africa Air Transport Market (SAATM), open skies over Africa may soon be a reality, building the necessary regulatory framework to increase international intra-Africa travel.

How do we optimize the flow of passenger traffic through the air transport system? How can we generate sufficient demand for direct air services between African sub-regions, especially between the East-West coasts?

How well do current air service agreements (ASAs) contribute to connectivity and what are the prospects of air transport liberalization? What constitute the bottlenecks and slowdowns of seamless travel in the air transport system? What regulatory schemes can be used or developed to assure essential air services to Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS)?

What are the existing best practices and how could they be extended and adapted to other regions? What are the factors influencing airline choices for different market segments (the intercultural dimension)?

Funding and Financing for Development: Pragmatic measures to build a transparent, stable and predictable investment climate

Infrastructure deficiencies in the aviation and tourism sectors have long been an issue in Africa. While plans are in place to develop and modernize aviation infrastructure, relief is years away at best.

In the meantime, there will be lost opportunities for creating jobs and spurring economic growth. Another issue is the proliferation of taxes on tourism and air transport despite the fact that the industry recovers a vast majority of its own infrastructure costs through payments of user charges, rather than being financed through taxation.

Revenue raised by taxes can often be outweighed by the relinquished economic benefits as a result of dampened demand for air travel.

This Session will focus on

a) the creation of good governance and enabling the environment to build business confidence and encourage investments, and

b) the consolidation of planning and development efforts for aviation and tourism infrastructure in multi-modal and urban planning initiatives. What are the challenges of financing development projects related to the tourism and air transport sectors, particularly in LDCs, LLDCs, and SIDS?

What are the success stories in financing tourism and air transport projects? How do consumers perceive taxes, charges, and others levies and how to ensure transparency of taxes and charges to passengers and tourists?

Why is the limited volume of international public finance and assistance for development currently available for aviation and tourism infrastructure projects?

Travel Facilitation: Advancing visa facilitation in supporting economic growth 

Travel facilitation aims at maximizing the efficiency of border clearance formalities while achieving and maintaining high-quality security and effective law enforcement. Allowing passengers/tourists to cross international borders safely and efficiently contributes significantly to stimulating demand, enhancing the competitiveness of States, creating jobs and fostering international understanding.

In spite of the great strides made in recent decades in facilitating tourist travel in Africa, there is still room for considerable progress. For example, electronic visa processes and delivery could make travel more accessible, convenient, and more efficient without a diminution of national security.

States should also look into increasing cooperation on bilateral, regional and international travel facilitation regimes. How can new technologies be used to make travel more accessible, convenient and efficient? How to define and implement policies which facilitate international travel and tourism while ensuring the security and integrity of traveler identification and border controls?

How well do e-passports, e-visas and other documentation deal with emergent threats to security? How could the African States learn from other effective best practices?

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

 Iranians open homes to travelers stranded by floods

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As dramatic videos of deadly floods leaving behind destroyed vehicles and other damage circulate on Iranian social media networks, ordinary Iranians are doing what they can to help the affected citizens, including travelers whose Nowruz holidays have been unexpectedly disrupted. While criticizing the government for its inadequate response to the deadly flooding that has ravaged the country, ordinary Iranians are engaging in spontaneous relief efforts for the stranded and the displaced.

A 10-minute flash flood in the city of Shiraz, perhaps the most popular tourist destination in the country’s south, killed at least 18 and injured scores more on March 25. Many of the victims are said to have been visitors. Now, locals in the birthplace of classical Iranian literature are inviting panicked holidaymakers to their homes, offering unconditional stay and food. “All services will be offered for free until the harsh weather dies down,” one placard held by a volunteer in Shiraz read. Some even offer free body repairs for cars damaged in the downpours. Several local hotels and restaurants have joined the spontaneous campaign, dubbed “My Guest.”

Similar public initiatives are underway to deliver badly needed assistance to those hardest hit in the northern provinces of Golestan and Mazandaran. The aid is flowing in the form of cash donations as well as basic supplies collected from communities across Iran, including those still recovering from a devastating 2017 earthquake in the country’s west.

The government of President Hassan Rouhani has been under immense pressure for its perceived failure to handle the disaster. The president himself is under fire for staying away from the flood-hit areas. Seven days following the heavy rains, he has now traveled to the northern areas to oversee the relief operations. The government has already promised 7.1 trillion rials ($169 million) in compensation to affected households.

The powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps has also established a strong presence. The force’s commander, Maj. Gen. Mohammad Ali Jafari, was seen visiting inundated neighborhoods in the country’s north half-submerged in floodwaters. While both the government and the IRGC have stepped in, some Iranians are interpreting the promises of more relief as publicity stunts meant to burnish their status and rooted in political rivalry between moderates and hard-liners.

An initial investigation into the deadly disaster in Shiraz has now pointed to negligence as the main cause of the deaths. According to a report by a crisis management team, one of the old watercourses in the city had been blocked by local authorities, probably for urban planning purposes, leading to the destructive overflow.

Meanwhile, the governor of Fars province noted that warnings had been issued two weeks before the disaster. But some social media users argue that all roads leading to the site of the flash floods should have been blocked. “How where you unable to block people but managed to fully cordon off the tomb of Cyprus the Great on his commemoration day?” one person tweeted. Every year, Iranian nationalists organize the Cyrus Day ceremony on Oct. 29 to remember the founder of the Achaemenid Empire. But in recent years the plans have been hindered by a security clampdown by the Islamic Republic, which deems such activities pro-monarchist.

Coverage of the massive flooding included more from Iran’s ancient history. The iconic Persepolis monument, 60 kilometers (37 miles) northeast of Shiraz, reportedly remained unscathed amid the flooding. According to local officials, underground canals built by ancient Persians to avert flooding protected the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The news prompted praise from many Iranians, who drew comparisons between the current government’s handling of such crises with that of their forefathers.

Yet despite the trauma, the floods have not produced only sad news. Pictures went viral of a smiling young couple who had planned their wedding in Golestan province for March 28. They decided to hold the ceremony earlier. Instead of a grand hall, the bride and the groom wed before the other displaced in a temporary accommodation center.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Cyclone Idai: What the African Tourism Board is doing?

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“The situation is terrible,” Jamie LeSueur of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said Tuesday in a press statement. “The scale of devastation is enormous. It seems that 90 percent of the area [in Beira] is completely destroyed.

This is the result of Cyclone Idai, a devastating storm that caused more than 1000 death, severe flooding in Madagascar, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa, and Mozambique early this week.

Catastrophic damage occurred in and around Beira in southern Mozambique. The African Tourism Board today endorsed the Global Giving project of dedicated local organization in the disaster region to assist the local population and visitors with relief.

African Tourism Board teamed up with GlobalGiving, a U.S. based local nonprofit partners supporting their local established relief agencies in Madagascar, Malawi, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Mozambique. GlobalGiving with the support of the newsy established African Tourism Board is responding to survivors’ immediate needs.

The projects below, as part of GlobalGiving’s Cyclone Idai Relief Fund, will provide emergency funding to locally driven relief efforts, providing food, medicine, and other essential supplies to help people impacted by the storm.

Projects responding to Cyclone Idai

Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi
Cyclone Idai in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi
by ActionAid USA
Cyclone Idai just hit Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Malawi, causing widespread destruction, flooding, and displacement. Local ActionAid offices and community partners are coordinating immediate relief, including supplies like food, fuel, hygiene kits, and school books.
CYCLONE IDAI- MOZAMBIQUE
CYCLONE IDAI- MOZAMBIQUE
by Afrilanthropy
The Cyclone Idai began as a tropical depression in the Mozambique channel on 4 March, dropping heavy rain over Mozambique and Malawi before heading back eastward in the direction of Beira, by which time it had become a cyclone. This in known as the worst weather-related disaster to hit the southern hemisphere, and the UN says more than 2 million people have been affected whereas 1 000 people may be at risk of death. The Storm-surge floods of up to six metres have caused widespread devastation.
Cyclone Idai Emergency Response
Cyclone Idai Emergency Response
by IsraAID
IsraAID will deploy an Emergency Response Team to Mozambique following the devastation of Cyclone Idai. IsraAID’s team will distribute relief supplies, deliver Psychological First Aid & psychosocial support, restore access to safe water & assess further needs.
Cyclone Idai damage in Zimbabwe
Cyclone Idai damage in Zimbabwe
by Kidzcan Children’s Cancer Relief
The Damage from Cyclone IDAI in Zimbabwe Summary The violent Cyclone Idai has been and is now dissipating but it has left a trail of destruction and devastation. People all over the Province of Manicaland Zimbabwe have suffered heavy losses, in terms of property, livestock, homesteads including human life and are now struggling to recover and rebuild. This project aims to assist the reconstruction and rehabilitation of a village that has been devastated by the cyclone.
Cyclone and Flood Recovery in Malawi
Cyclone and Flood Recovery in Malawi
by Partners In Health (PIH)
Catastrophic rains and floods caused by Cyclone Idai killed at least 50 and displaced hundreds of thousands of people in Malawi. Partners In Health is working to rebuild homes, deploy mobile clinics, and ensure families are safe, housed, and fed in the rural Neno district–where we have worked in partnership with the government providing high-quality health care since 2007.

Travel News | eTurboNews

Fraport opens training center at Ljubljana Airport

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Firefighting vehicle at the new academy training center in Ljubljana

On March 6, Fraport AG inaugurated a €6 million training center for the Fraport Aviation Academy at Ljubljana Airport (LJU) in Slovenia. This new training facility will allow the Fraport Group to expand its international training activities to meet the growing demand from external and the internal customers – particularly in the areas of firefighting, emergency services, crisis management, ground handling. Established in 2016, the Academy is now well positioned to serve the international training market and expects to receive more than 500 participants at the training center during 2019. The Fraport Aviation Academy Training Center features almost 1,500 square meters of space for classrooms, simulators and other specialized equipment – plus outdoor areas for “live” practical training. This will also increase training offerings for staff of the Fraport Group, which is now active at some 30 airports around the globe.

“More than ever, the aviation industry needs skilled staff to meet air traffic growth and other challenges. Our new Fraport Aviation Academy Training Center takes us to the next level in delivering professional training to external clients as well as our Group employees worldwide,” stated Michael Müller, Fraport AG’s executive board member and executive director labor relations.

eTN Chatroom: Discuss with readers from around the world:

The Group’s Slovenian subsidary has been mandated to develop the Aviation Academy business. “The new training facility represents an investment in growing and strengthening Fraport Slovenija’s core business and Ljubljana Airport,” explained Zmago Skobir, managing director of Fraport Slovenija.

The Fraport Aviation Academy team already boasts over 100 professionals from the Fraport Group and key strategic partners, who together create a comprehensive learning program. The latest partners to be attracted to the Fraport Aviation Academy are Rosenbauer, a renowned manufacturer of firefighting equipment, and the Southern California Safety Institute (SCSI) – the a leading provider of accident investigation and safety training services.

They join the Academy’s partners from the Fraport Group, including the FTC Frankfurt fire training center and Fraport Twin Star in Bulgaria. Slovenian partners include the Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation Board of Slovene Armed Forces (Ministry of Defence), Adria Flight School, Slovenia Control (Slovenia’s air traffic control organization), the University of Maribor’s Faculty of Organizational Sciences, and Slovenia’s Training Centre for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief.

Thomas Uihlein, director of the Fraport Aviation Academy, spoke about the vision for training: “The long-term goal is not only to pass on knowledge and skills, but to link different areas of aviation into an integrated learning concept. Our vision is to make the Fraport Aviation Academy the leading skills center for the global aviation industry.”