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Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao

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Seasonal fun with inverted Christmas tree and festive decorations, attractive accommodation and shopping offers, dining, entertainment and leisure

Warm things up at Sands Resorts Macao this winter with a wide range of celebrations, entertainment, accommodation and shopping offers plus dining for visitors to enjoy from Nov. 14, 2019 – Jan. 10, 2020. With a stunning inverted Christmas tree, and attractive shopping and room offers, Sands Resorts Macao is the perfect destination for a magical Winter Wonderland getaway.

Winter Wonderland in Venice and Paris

At The Venetian® Macao, visitors will be enchanted by dazzling Winter Wonderland decorations throughout the lagoon area from Nov. 15, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020, including a magnificent 48-foot Christmas tree and Christmas train featuring Santa and his grotto ready to welcome visitors.

Sands Resorts Macao will also welcome back its signature 3D light and sound spectacular, projecting festive themed images including a tribute to the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the Macao Special Administrative Region onto The Venetian Macao’s 43,000-square-feet façade. The state-of-the-art animated show will run every 30 minutes nightly from Nov. 14, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020, 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.

Guests can also send Christmas greetings from the ‘Venice Post’ corner by the lagoon and take photos with Santa at The Venetian Macao from Nov. 15 – Dec. 25 (Santa not available Mondays).

Meanwhile at The Parisian Macao, visitors can enjoy a snowy wonderland and interactive decorations with a light show and dazzling colour scheme. There will be magnificent lighting all around The Parisian Forecourt, with all-new outdoor decorations throughout the gardens and Eiffel Tower offering perfect photo opportunities. The centrepiece will be an amazing inverted 50-foot Christmas tree at the rotunda lobby.

The Eiffel Tower’s Grand Illumination Show Christmas Edition will run over the festive season from Nov. 14, 2019 – Jan. 2, 2020, 6:15 p.m.-midnight. Another highlight of the winter celebration will be a dazzling 3D light and sound spectacular – La Magie De Noël – which will delight audiences by projecting beautiful festive images on the sky ceiling of the Place Vendôme at Shoppes at Parisian between Nov. 14, 2019 ­– Jan. 2, 2020, every hour from 12-9 p.m.

New Year’s Eve Countdowns

Guests and visitors can celebrate New Year’s Eve at Sands Resorts Macao with the biggest free countdown celebrations along the Cotai Strip. Taking place at The Venetian Macao’s lagoon area and The Parisian Macao’s Le Jardin, the evening will include live music, festive food and drink, giveaways and more. There will also be a spectacular countdown concert at Cotai Arena on New Year’s Eve.

Winter Shopping Rewards – Earn More by Spending More

The largest luxury duty free shopping experience in Macao with over 850 fashion and lifestyle outlets, Sands Shoppes Macao’s exclusive Winter Shopping Rewards offers shoppers an unbeatable deal. Spend at two different stores and redeem up to a maximum of MOP 10,000 worth of shopping vouchers to use at all participating outlets at Sands Shoppes.

A Delicious World of International Dining

Celebrate Macao’s UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy status with superb dining at over 150 international dining options at Sands Resorts Macao this winter. The festive season offers the perfect opportunity to explore a Black Pearl-awarded and Michelin-starred array of great restaurants, including special festive menus at Portofino, Chiado and Brasserie, as well as celebration buffets at Le Buffet, Grand Orbit and Bambu.

Enjoy a Taste of the Suite Life

Guests can maximise their stay at one of Sands Resorts Macao’s seven world-class hotels by relaxing in the luxury of an indulgent suite. Families will love the Famille Rooms at The Parisian Macao and Family Suite at Sheraton Grand Macao Hotel, couples will adore the beautiful Champagne Suites at The Parisian Macao while The Venetian Macao’s Premio Suites are perfect for everyone! 

The Ambassador Suite at Four Seasons Hotel Macao features hardwood floors, plush carpets and eye-catching art. Enjoy panoramic views from floor-to-ceiling windows, customisable beds with your choice of mattress toppers and bathroom amenities by Bulgari.

Stay Longer and Save

Enjoy year-end savings on a luxurious stay at The Parisian Macao and The Venetian Macao. Stay two nights and save 25% off our best available rates, with rooms starting at HKD/MOP 899 a night. Stay three nights or more and enjoy even larger savings, with rooms starting at only HKD/MOP 798 a night. Book today and stay between now and January 5, 2020.

Stay Two Nights and Receive 25% Discount

Booking period:     Now until Jan. 5, 2020

Stay Period:          Now until Jan. 5, 2020

Length of stay:      Two nights maximum

Rate:                     From HKD/MOP 899* at The Parisian Macao /   HKD/MOP 1,124* at The Venetian Macao

Stay More, Save More

Booking period:     Now until Jan. 5, 2020

Stay Period:          Now until Jan. 5, 2020

Length of stay:      Three nights minimum

Rate:                     From HKD/MOP 798* at The Parisian Macao / HKD/MOP 998* at The Venetian Macao

Room Reservation Hotline

International call:                  +853 2882 8878

China toll free:                      4001 208 873

Hong Kong toll free:            800 906 309

India toll free:                        000 800 050 8006

To discover an exciting world of enjoyment at Sands Resorts Macao, as well as further promotions and offers, please go to https://SandsResortsMacao.com/WhatsOn 

About Sands Resorts Macao – Sands China’s Integrated Resort City

Sands China Ltd. is the leading developer, owner and operator of integrated resorts in Macao. Sands Resorts Macao, in the glittering heart of Taipa’s Cotai Strip, is an integrated resort city and international hub providing an industry-leading array of experiences for business and leisure travellers. Pulsating with life, both day and night, Sands Resorts Macao features an expansive offering of affordable luxury available nowhere else in Macao. This includes around 12,500 hotel rooms and suites, top international entertainment, duty free shopping with approximately 850 retailers and a huge range of name brands, meeting and exhibition space for Asia’s leading conferences and exhibitions, transportation offerings and well over 150 dining options, with Michelin-starred restaurants, bars and lounges. Sands Resorts Macao is a must-visit destination providing every guest with an unforgettable experience and unparalleled excitement.

Comprised of The Venetian® Macao; The Parisian Macao; The Plaza™ Macao (featuring Four Seasons Hotel Macao); and Sands® Cotai Central (incorporating the world’s largest Conrad, Sheraton and Holiday Inn hotels as well as The St. Regis Macao), Sands Resorts Macao is Asia’s ultimate destination for both work and play. The Londoner® Macao, the British-themed reimagining of Sands Cotai Central, will open progressively over 2020 and 2021.

For more information about Sands Resorts Macao, please visit https://en.sandsresortsmacao.com.

Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao
Enjoy a Magical Winter Wonderland at Sands Resorts Macao

Media contacts:

Glodow Nead Communications

[email protected]

415-394-6500

* Subject to 10% service charge and 5% government tax. Terms and Conditions apply.

How Emirates is supporting and preserving biodiversity

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Taking its environmental responsibilities seriously and championing wildlife conservation across different corners of the planet, the Emirates Group is playing its part to support and preserve biodiversity.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in Australia both illustrate the Group’s long-standing focus on protecting fragile ecosystems and support for sustainable tourism in very different parts of the world.  Both conservation reserves protect valuable ecosystems and at the same time provide unique and sustainable experiences for visitors from around the world.

The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve

The Emirates Group funds the operations of the 225 square kilometre Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve (DDCR), an inland desert habitat that has been protected by government mandate since 2003. This is the largest piece of land that Dubai has dedicated to a single project and aims to preserve Dubai’s unique desert environment for future generations. The DDCR plays an important role in ecological research, actively collaborating with both local and international universities. The findings and results of the research studies help to enhance knowledge of the desert ecosystem, gather scientific data around rare and endangered desert species, monitor its balance and preserve its natural environment.

The reserve is also a focal point for conservation programmes aimed at restoring populations of some of the UAE’s wildlife, such as the Arabian gazelle, sand gazelle and Arabian oryx. Since their reintroduction into the DDCR, the antelope species have thrived, and their populations have significantly increased, triggering the process of looking into relocating some oryx and gazelle species to other protected areas within the region. Over 250 endangered Macqueen’s bustard (houbara) were also released this year with 25 of them fitted with tracking devices to monitor their movement and breeding progress.

In 2018, the DDCR was visited by more than 285,000 tourists, through Arabian Adventures, various Emirates partner tour operators, and the Al Maha Desert Resort. The DDCR offers low-impact desert experiences in addition to desert clean-up activities in coordination with Arabian Adventures. During 2018 the DDCR was accepted as a candidate for the IUCN Green List for Protected and Conserved Areas, a global standard for the world’s most effectively managed Protected Areas.

Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley

Emirates has been supporting the protection of Australia’s extraordinary wildlife and plant life for over 10 years, through the conservation-based Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley in New South Wales. The property was the first luxury resort in the world to receive an internationally-recognised carbon neutral certification from New Zealand based CarboNZero, undergoing a comprehensive greenhouse gas emissions assessment. Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley also conducts regular research to identify opportunities and challenges for endangered species conservation. Efforts have also been underway to help restore vital vegetation and tree planting activities, which have helped to re-establish habitats for vital bird populations, essential for their long term survival.

Emirates and Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley jointly funded the development of the WomSAT app and website in collaboration the University of Western Sydney to help researchers identify opportunities for wombat conservation. Wombats are threatened by sarcoptic mange, an unpleasant and often fatal skin disease that afflicts Australia’s largest burrow builder. The tool is used to record wombat sightings and track population health to help treat wombats afflicted by sarcoptic mange. Emirates One&Only Wolgan Valley is also spearheading a number of other conservation projects, such as the Wolgan River Restoration Project, an ongoing weed management programme, and supporting research projects with Western Sydney University.

United for Wildlife and The Buenos Aires Declaration

Since 2015, Emirates has continued its strong support for actions to stem the illegal trade in wildlife and wildlife products, which is having devastating consequences for endangered animals and the environment in many parts of the world. In 2018, the Emirates Group also signed the Buenos Aires Declaration on Travel and Tourism and Illegal Wildlife Trade, an effort led by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) to reach a billion travellers with messages to fight the illegal wildlife trade and work with communities to develop sustainable tourism that provides livelihoods and protects wildlife. The WTTC and World Wildlife Fund are developing guidelines to eliminate illegal wildlife trafficking from the travel and tourism supply chains.

The Emirates Group has also adopted a zero-tolerance policy to wildlife trafficking and has set up training for its employees to identify and look out for warning signs of smuggled wildlife products during cargo transportation and screening. Emirates will not carry banned species, hunting trophies or any products associated with illegal wildlife activities.

Using its brand power to raise awareness around the illegal trafficking of endangered wildlife, Emirates emblazoned four of its A380s with special wildlife decals. Since then the aircraft have flown millions of kilometres across 48 cities in 29 countries on close to 6,000 flights taking this important message around the world and spurring conversation around wildlife preservation.

dnata Wildlife Conservation and Nature

dnata recently signed an MOU with the University of Pretoria in South Africa to support their research and rehabilitation projects. Under dnata4good, the partnership aims to safeguard wildlife and the environment by strengthening and enhancing research, veterinary training and awareness, increasing involvement through volunteer opportunities and ensuring needed measures are taken to care for injured animals and rehabilitate them to go back into the wild. The initiative will be partially driven by employee participation to protect fragile biodiversity in South Africa and to maintain balanced ecosystems.

Give a Ghaf

Emirates Group employees living in Meydan Heights (UAE) will be taking part in a Ghaf Tree planting event on 27 April in partnership with Goumbook. The event aims to raise awareness about the importance of conserving the living desert, with a specific focus on the Ghaf tree. The Ghaf is a drought tolerant, evergreen tree which can withstand harsh desert environments, and can be used for greening purposes whilst saving water.

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Ninja Museum to open in Odawara Castle Park

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A new attraction complex “Odawara Castle NINJA Museum” in Odawara Castle Park will be open on April 20th, 2019. This complex will utilize a refurbished exhibition area of the former museum “Rekishi-Kenbunkan Museum,” offering visitors a hands-on experience to play the role of feudal-era secret agent “Fuma ninja.” Fuma ninja is said to have served the five successive lords of the Odawara Hojo clan known as “Hojo Godai” during the warring states period in the 15th to 16th centuries.

Odawara Castle NINJA Museum Overview

Through an experience-based exhibition utilizing visual displays and digital technologies, this new facility can be enjoyed by a variety of visitors from children to foreign tourists.

In the entrance, you will learn about the history of Odawara Castle and will grasp the mind-set of Fuma ninja through wall illustrations and tool displays.

In the first zone called Warring States Theater, while learning the history and achievement of the Hojo Godai through a 3-minute movie, you will be handed a mission to save Odawara Castle from the warlord Toyotomi using ninjutsu (ninja skills).

In the second zone Ninjutsu Experience, you will enjoy a number of attractions including how to quickly walk across lotus leaves on an artificial pond, then sneak into a “karakuri yashiki” (ninja trick house) with secret doors, stairs, swords, walking as quietly as possible through the corridors. In the “hiding tactic” attraction, you will enjoy the method to hide yourself so that enemies are unaware of your presence with “konoha-gakure (hiding behind tree leaves),” “kusaba-gakure (hiding behind grass),” and “uzura-gakure (quail hide).”

In the final zone Fighting, you will fight enemy ninjas appearing on a screen and prove your skills from what you have learned in the previous zones by using on-screen shuriken (throwing stars).

Odawara Castle NINJA Museum

・Open Date: April 20th, 2019
・Business Hour: 9:00 a.m to 5:00 p.m (Admission until 4:30 p.m). Closed on December 31st, January 1st.
・Address: 3-71, Odawara Castle Park, Odawara-City, Kanagawa, Japan
・Access: 10-minute walk from Odawara Station East Exit

Odawara City is in southwest Kanagawa Prefecture, a short train trip from Tokyo. It is best known for the beautiful Odawara Castle, where the Hojo family, rulers of the Kanto region during the Sengoku Period (the warring states period) resided. Odawara is a compact seaside city with a rich history, many cultural sites, and delicious foods to experience. Odawara is also a transportation hub for the area, where major railways such as the JR Tokaido Shinkansen Line, the Odakyu Line, and Hakone Tozan Line all meet. It is also the gateway to the Hakone hot springs resort area, and the Fuji-Hakone National Park.

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Tourism for Tomorrow Awards: WTTC makes the 2019 announcement

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The World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) is delighted to announce the 2019 leaders in sustainable tourism at the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards ceremony. The Awards, now in their 15th year, took place at a special ceremony during the WTTC Global Summit in Seville, Spain, to celebrate inspirational, world-changing tourism initiatives from around the globe.

The 2019 WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Award Winners are highly commended and recognized for business practices of the highest standards that balance the needs of ‘people, planet and profits’ within the Travel & Tourism sector. Our 2019 Winners promote inclusive growth and illustrate a strong commitment to supporting change and transformation in business practices and consumer behavior towards a more environmentally conscious sector.

The Winners of the 2019 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards are:

  • Climate Action Award – Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort, Aruba
  • Investing in People Award – Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, India
  • Destination Stewardship Award – St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • Social Impact Award – Awamaki, Peru
  • Changemakers Award – SEE Turtles, USA

The Awards are judged by a panel of independent experts, led by Prof. Graham Miller, Executive Dean, Professor of Sustainability in Business, University of Surrey.  The panel included academics, business leaders, NGO and governmental representatives who narrowed down the list of 183 applications to just fifteen finalists. The three-stage judging process included a thorough review of all applications, followed by on-site evaluations of the Finalists and their initiative.

The Winner of each category was determined by the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards 2019 Winners’ Selection Committee, chaired by Fiona Jeffery OBE, Founder & Chairman, Just a Drop, and composed of Wolfgang M. Neumann, Non-Executive Director and Strategic Advisory, Global Hospitality, Travel & Tourism Sector; John Spengler, Akira Yamaguchi Professor of Environmental Health and Human Habitation, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health; and Louise Twining-Ward, Senior Private Sector Specialist, Global Tourism Team, World Bank.

WTTC represents the global private sector of Travel & Tourism. Its Global Summit is the most important event in the sector worldwide each year.

Gloria Guevara, President & CEO, WTTC, commented: ‘The finalists in this year’s Tourism for Tomorrow Awards showcase the many ways in which our industry is dedicated to sustainable growth. In 2018, the Travel & Tourism sector contributed 10.4% of global GDP and supported 319 million jobs across the world. It is therefore essential that we continue to grow in the most sustainable and responsible way possible. The new award categories for this year are aligned with WTTC strategic priorities and illustrate that all members of this industry play a key role in driving the sector forward to a more responsible future. I congratulate them all on their fantastic accomplishments and leadership.’

 Fiona Jeffery, OBE, Chair, WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, said: ‘The aim of the WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards is to showcase some of the most exceptional examples of sustainable tourism practices in the world, and inspire and encourage our industry to make a positive impact for both current and future generations. Over 15 years, we have seen the industry make great strides towards achieving these goals and we can see positive change happening. Our recent survey results show that 67% of travellers would consider a travel company’s sustainability agenda when booking a trip, whilst 48% of travellers would now pay more money to travel sustainably. Whilst there is still more to be done, we must harness the momentum for change to protect the product that sustains our very own industry.’

Jeff Rutledge, President and CEO, AIG Travel, Headline Sponsor of the Awards, stated: ‘From socially-inclusive employment initiatives to establishing one of the first rewilding projects in the Philippines, this year’s WTTC Tourism for Tomorrow Awards finalists have proved to be an incredibly diverse group of changemakers from around the world. They have demonstrated that, regardless of the size or purpose of business, all members of the Travel & Tourism industry can afford to make sustainability a priority, and become part of our collective journey towards a greener future.’

For more information on the Tourism for Tomorrow Awards and all the Winners, please visithttp://wttc.org/t4tawards

Full list of Winners and Finalists:

Climate Action Award, for organisations undertaking significant and measurable work to reduce the scale and impact of climate change:

  • WINNER: Bucati & Tara Beaach Resort
  • FINALIST: The Brando, Tetiaroa Private Island, French Polynesia
  • FINALIST: Tourism Holdings Limited, New Zealand

Investing in People Award, for organisations demonstrating leadership in becoming an exciting, attractive, and equitable employer in the sector:

  • WINNER: Lemon Tree Hotels Limited, India
  • FINALIST: Reserva do Ibitipoca, Brazil
  • FINALIST: Shanga by Elewana Collection, Tanzania 

Destination Stewardship Award, for organisations helping a place to thrive and bring forward its unique identity for the benefit of its residents and tourists: 

  • WINNER: St. Kitts Sustainable Destination Council, St. Kitts and Nevis
  • FINALIST: Grupo Rio da Prata, Jardim and Bonito, Brazil
  • FINALIST: Masungi Georeserve, Philippines

Social Impact Award, for organisations working to improve the people and places where they operate:

  • WINNER: Awamaki, Peru
  • FINALIST: Intrepid Group, Australia
  • FINALIST: Nikoi Island, Indonesia

Changemakers Award, this year focused on organisations fighting the illegal wildlife trade through sustainable tourism: 

  • WINNER: SEE Turtles, USA
  • FINALIST: Kelompok Peduli Lingkungan Belitung (KPLB), Indonesia
  • FINALIST: The Cardamom Tented Camp, Cambodia

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Maldives Tourism: Changes needed say local travel industry leaders

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The Corporate Maldives blog recently published an interesting analysis on how tourism leaders in the Indian Ocean Island Republic think.

The information sheds some light on what tourism professionals think, do and what issued they have in running the largest industry in the country during politically difficult times.

Tourism is the largest industry in the Maldives making the biggest contribution to the GDP of the country. In order to further understand the views of those who are not from the country on Maldives, our team conducted a research through social media. Our research showed that many people thought of Maldives as an intense and expensive destination that only the rich can afford. Due to this, we had a sit-down with Mr. Ibrahim Inad, former Director of Sales at Velaa Private Island Island to discuss ways to change the mindset of such people and to market Maldives in the most effective ways possible. Below listed are the 5 key components he believes are required to be changed in order to properly promote our destination.

1. Finding a new concept in destination marketing

Maldives resorts are mainly made to fit into the concept of one Resort in one Island. Every resort markets itself as a seclusive getaway to get away from the hustle and bustle of the busy world. Mr. Inad believes that it is more than about time that this concept changes and we get introduced to newer concepts. He acknowledged the CROSSROADS project as it is a multi-island resort development project. He requested other companies to find inspiration from the CROSSROADS project and bring about a change in the concept of Maldivian resort tourism.

CROSSROADS project which spans 9 islands and boasts 1,300 rooms and a retail space of over 11,000 sq m

2. Recognize demand level to know how to supply

With each passing year, more and more resorts are being opened, hence increasing the competition within the industry. However, how many of us actually took the time to think about whether or not we actually needed all these new resorts or not? According to Mr. Inad, with regards to the amount of tourists that visit Maldives on a yearly basis, we do not exactly need to open newer resorts every year without being able to have proper occupancy rates in the existing ones. He added that we should first let the demand grow to a point where we are unable to host anymore tourists, and that’s when newer resorts should join the market.

Angsana Velavaru

3. Know your competitors

When looking to promote the tourism industry of Maldives, we also need to consider that we have competitors who offer similar services in similar environments. Mr. Inad explained that it is wisest to keep an eye on our competitors to learn about their moves in order to come up with better strategies in marketing Maldives.

Sugar Beach, Sun Resort in Mauritius

4. Promote celebrations for special occasions

Mr. Inad shared that while working in Velaa, he found that many chose to visit Maldives for occasions such as their birthdays, Christmas, Easter, New Year and more. It is not a secret that so many resorts host exciting and marvelous celebrations for the previously mentioned occasions. This could be used as a point in our marketing strategy and in creating a position for ourselves in the market. Once we are able to develop ourselves as such a destination, we will be able to make ourselves a name in this cut-throat competition the industry puts forward.

Christmas tree at Kuredu Island Maldives Resort

5. Make use of digital marketing

While conducting the social media research, one thing we were able to gather was how people of our competing countries, used any opportunity to promote the cheap services available at their countries. They made sure to prove to convince people that their country was worth visiting. According to Mr. Inad, this sort of digital marketing is one aspect we really need to work on. If we, as individuals, promoted all sorts of tourism in the Maldives, it would reach a greater audience and hence, aid in bringing in more tourists to the country.

A phone displaying social media apps which can be used in digital marketing

So many more things need to change in order for our country to keep developing. We need to do proper marketing and show the world that we have the luxury to offer for all classes rather than just the high-end population of the world. We should make them feel like they do not need to have a luxury branded things in order to access the beauty Maldives has to offer. Once the correct message has been delivered, even more tourists will keep visiting the country and we shall keep improving more and more. Maybe one day will be able to become a destination able to compete with the biggest markets in the world.

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