Travel

UK's 'test to release' Covid scheme for travellers gets off to chaotic start

Most private providers are unable to offer the service, which should have cut quarantine from to 10 days to five Coronavirus – latest updatesSee all our coronavirus coverageThe UK government’s long-awaited test to release scheme, designed to allow travellers to cut quarantine, was embroiled in chaos on its first day of operation after the last-minute publication of 11 private providers, most of whom appeared unable to offer the service on Tuesday morning.Airports, many of which have had testing ...
Tags: Travel, UK, UK News, Air transport, Transport, Grant Shapps, Department For Transport, Coronavirus

Teacher furlough schedule set, vaccines arrive, electors meet, Larry Ellison makes Lanai official residence, more news from all the Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii electors, courtesy Democratic Party of HawaiiHawaii electors cast votes for Joe Biden. As the last state to cast its electoral votes, Hawaii put the finishing touch on electing Joe Biden with its four votes. KITV4.=====Senate president Ron Kouchi doubts furlough will begin Jan. 1. Court challenges will likely mean that planned furloughs of thousands of state workers will not happen beginning Jan. 1, state Senate President Ron Kouchi said Monday. Star-Advertiser.State Senate presid...
Tags: Travel, Senate, Joe Biden, Hawaii, Larry Ellison, Silicon Valley, Pfizer, DOE, Ellison, Lanai, Big Island, Hawaii Island, Kauai, Maui, Department Of Health, State

Google is reportedly about to get hit this week with a second major antitrust lawsuit - this time from states accusing the company of designing its search engine to hurt rivals

CEO Sundar Pichai speaks during the presentation of new Google hardware in San Francisco. REUTERS/Beck Diefenbach A bipartisan group of state attorneys general is planning to file an antitrust lawsuit against Google this week, Politico reported on Tuesday evening. The suit is expected to accuse Google of designing its search engine to favor its own specialized search products over the specialized search tools of competitors, according to Politico. This latest legal challenge follows a rece...
Tags: Google, Amazon, Facebook, Politics, News, Enterprise, Instagram, Colorado, California, Politico, US, San Francisco, Trends, Markets, Washington Dc, Arizona

A retro but abandoned Tokyo ramen restaurant

Despite Tokyo being a city of ramen lovers, there’s also a seemingly never ending number of ramen shops, so whether the owner of the little eatery below lost the battle of increased competition, or simply lost the battle against time, I don’t know. The wonderfully dated nature of the fittings, however, do seem to suggest it was the latter, and such an ending sadly wouldn’t be the only one I’ve photographed this year. Yet whatever the reason, the place still looks absolutely incredible despite be...
Tags: Travel, Photography, Food And Drink, Tokyo, Haikyo

Christmas Gifting - Mexican Hot Chocolate

Nothing says happiness like a big cup of this wonderful Mexican Hot Chocolate (or frozen chocolate!). Spiced with a touch of cinnamon and chilli, this is a delectable version of a traditional hot chocolate. Learn how to make a Mexican Hot Chocolate mix - it takes less than 5 minutes to make and is a wonderful gift! This is a pushy recipe Dear Reader!
Tags: Travel

OPEC+ Treads a Narrow Path as Demand Outlook Weakens Again - Bloomberg

The light at the end of the tunnel isn’t getting any closer for OPEC and allied oil-producing countries, as forecasts of the world’s need for their supplies next year are cut again.The world’s three major oil agencies — the International Energy Agency, the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries — all reduced the outlook for global oil demand in 2021 in their latest monthly reports. With two of them also increasing their forecasts for non-OPEC...
Tags: Travel, Opec, Bloomberg, Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, Rupert Neil Bumfrey

Seen on a Walk

A variety of things and places seen on a walk. I walked a distance of five miles by the time I got home. A corner fruit and vegetable store. There are so many good ones in Paris. A nice pastry and chocolate shop. Pastries anyone? Decorated for Christmas. Chocolate in the window of another shop. Note everyone is wearing masks. There is supposed to be confinement but the streets and shops were teeming with people as shops are open although you have a limited time t...
Tags: Travel, Photos, Paris, Chocolate, Shops, Walk, Courtyard

Oil rises, as investors focus on vaccine rollout, brush off recovery concerns | Reuters

Oil rises, as investors focus on vaccine rollout, brush off recovery concerns | Reuters Oil prices rose on Tuesday as investors focused on the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines, looking past tightening lockdowns in Europe and forecasts for a slower-than-expected recovery in fuel demand.Brent crude settled at $50.76 a barrel, rising 47 cents, or 0.9%. U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude settled at $47.62 a barrel, gaining 1.3%, or 63 cents.The United States began vaccinating people on Monday as t...
Tags: Travel, Europe, New York, Canada, Britain, United States, Reuters, Reuters Oil, U S West Texas Intermediate WTI, Rupert Neil Bumfrey, John Kilduff, COVID

Viking’s New Health & Safety Protocols

Viking’s New Health & Safety Protocols Viking’s new health & safety protocols have just been updated as of December 8, 2020. These new protocols will be implemented across all of their ocean and river cruise ships. To watch Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen’s video on the subject, CLICK HERE . Here’s this from Viking: “For more than 23 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our new protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. Developed in coordination wit...
Tags: Travel, Featured, Blog, Viking Cruises, Viking, Travel News, Viking Ocean, Torstein Hagen, Roaming Boomers Travel Services, Viking Health Safety Program

Networking Technology Executive Linda Kahangi Appointed as Chief Information and Operations Officer at Nomadix

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - ​​Nomadix® Inc​., a technology leader in hospitality and multi-tenant industries, today announced Linda Kahangi has been appointed as Chief Information and Operations Officer. She joins the global management team to provide strategic guidance over operations, technology infrastructure, information security, network operations center (NOC) and customer service management. As Nomadix continues to expand its market leadership, Kahangi's guidance will ensure the business...
Tags: Travel, Los Angeles, NOC, Nomadix, Linda Kahangi, Calif Nomadix ® Inc, Kahangi

Springer-Miller Introduces Automated One-Step Night Audit in its SMS|Host Property Management System

Springer-Miller Systems has introduced its new Night Audit Scheduling & Automation tool in the upcoming version of SMS|Host. With this tool, hotels & resorts will now have the ability to automate most, if not all, of their night audit processes. Properties can complete an initial configuration designating the processes, calculations and exports to run, along with the frequency in which they need to run. Once initial configurations are complete, Night Audit staff can initiate the process i...
Tags: Travel, Springer Miller Systems, Springer Miller, Host Property Management System

Thayer Ventures Acquisition Corporation Announces Closing of $172.5 Million Initial Public Offering

Thayer Ventures Acquisition Corporation (the "Company" or "TVAC"), a special purpose acquisition company, today announced the closing of its initial public offering of 17,250,000 units, including 2,250,000 units issued to the underwriters upon full exercise of their over-allotment option, at a price of $10.00 per unit. The units began trading on The Nasdaq Capital Market ("Nasdaq") on December 11, 2020 under the ticker symbol "TVACU".
Tags: Travel, Thayer Ventures Acquisition Corporation, TVAC, Nasdaq Capital Market Nasdaq

Some Denver Area Hotels Dim The Lights And Wait For The Creditors To Come Knocking

Months of empty rooms and discounted rates are catching up with hotel owners in Denver and across the country. Unless Congress steps in with more financial assistance or travel spending finds a way to surge, a big shakeout looms next year, industry insiders warn.
Tags: Travel, Congress, Denver

Holidays in Hawaii 2020

Hawaii is gearing up for the 2020 holiday season. Of course this season will be much more low-key due to COVID-19. Even so, the Hawaiian Islands will be a beautiful place to celebrate Christmas and the arrival of the new year. All of our holiday guides are ready for reference and use. You can access them via the following links. Christmas in Hawaii Waikiki/Honolulu Christmas 2020 Maui Christmas 2020 If you can’t make it to the Hawaiian Islands for Christmas, you can still get a flavor for thi...
Tags: Travel, Hawaii, Kauai, Aloha, Hawaiian Islands, Oahu Events, Maui Events, Big Island Events, Kauai Events, Hawaii Waikiki Honolulu

Why we shouldn't be fooled if the Gulf sees its strongest ever growth in 2021 - Arabianbusiness

Why we shouldn't be fooled if the Gulf sees its strongest ever growth in 2021 - Arabianbusiness Gulf economies are set to experience potentially the strongest ever growth in 2021, according to Elliot Hentov, head of strategy and policy at State Street Global Advisors.However, he warned that the headline figures for next year will be “misleading” after what he described as “by far the worst global traction and global growth since basically we’ve had a global economy”.Despite the gradual roll-out ...
Tags: Travel, Gulf, Rupert Neil Bumfrey, Elliot Hentov, Hentov, Arabianbusiness Gulf

Vaccine Adds to ‘Excellent Recipe’ for Recovery in Middle East - Bloomberg

Vaccine Adds to ‘Excellent Recipe’ for Recovery in Middle East - Bloomberg Stock markets in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia are poised to lead the region’s recovery from the impact of the pandemic and low oil prices as countries in the Middle East prepare for their vaccination roll-outs, analysts say.The UAE and Bahrain have already registered China-backed Sinopharm Group Co Ltd.’s vaccine for use, and Egypt received its first shipment. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait authorized the...
Tags: Travel, Saudi Arabia, China, Egypt, Middle East, United Arab Emirates, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Uae, Pfizer Inc, Rupert Neil Bumfrey, Middle East Bloomberg, Middle East Bloomberg Stock, Sinopharm Group Co Ltd

Investors Bet Big on Latest Pharma Tech Start-Up ClinTex | By Alan Young

In 2014, Brendan Mannion was in Vienna, Austria, for the DIA Forum, watching as his business partner delivered a presentation on the application of data analytics within clinical trials. The annual forum attracts healthcare professionals from around the world, setting the stage for high-level discussions of current issues and the future of patient care. That year, it also set the stage for a new idea - one that would change the course of Mannion's career and, potentially, the lives of man...
Tags: Travel, Paypal, Vienna, Venmo, Vienna Austria, Mannion, Alan Young, Brendan Mannion, CTi Clinical Trials Intelligence CTi, DIA Forum

The First Time I Met Yann's Uncle

Hanging above the old buffet in the dining room, was an oval frame with a black and white photo of a lovely young woman. When I asked who she was French Husband's Uncle told me it was his mother.  "You mean Yann's grandmother?" I asked with embarrassment as I had never seen a photo of his grandmother before. And with that French Husband's Uncle told me the story of his mother... his gentle, sweet, loving mother he was one of seven children, his mother was an artist. On the top of French Husban...
Tags: Travel, John, Husband, Uncle, Yann, French la Vie, Huband

IEA Sees Crude Glut Enduring to End-2021 Amid Demand Strains - Bloomberg

IEA Sees Crude Glut Enduring to End-2021 Amid Demand Strains - Bloomberg The crude-oil glut left behind by the pandemic will clear by the end of next year, as markets face a gradual recovery marked by renewed strains on demand, the International Energy Agency said.“Demand is clearly going to be lower for longer than expected” when the virus emerged in the spring, the agency said in a report, trimming forecasts for world fuel consumption following a new wave of lockdowns. “The market remains f...
Tags: Travel, Europe, London, Opec, IEA, International Energy Agency, Rupert Neil Bumfrey

European, Middle Eastern & African Stocks - Bloomberg #UAE #Kuwait #Israel #SaudiArabia #Qatar close

European, Middle Eastern & African Stocks - Bloomberg #UAE #Kuwait #Israel #SaudiArabia #Qatar close [Author: [email protected] (Rupert Neil Bumfrey)]
Tags: Travel, Qatar, Rupert Neil Bumfrey, Bloomberg UAE Kuwait Israel

"In the two weeks since commercial flights began between Tel Aviv and the Emirati cities of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, Israelis have caused a remarkable tourism boomlet in the Gulf nation."

"Suddenly, Hebrew can be heard throughout the markets, malls and beaches of a destination that was strictly off-limits until the two countries achieved a diplomatic breakthrough in August and established normal relations. More than 50,000 Israelis have brushed aside covid-19 concerns, a terrorism warning and decades of tension to make the three-hour flight across the Arab Peninsula.... The first Israelis to arrive described a congenial culture clash unlike anything they have experienced in the r...
Tags: Travel, Law, Israel, Tel Aviv, Wealth, Egypt, Judaism, Dubai, Jordan, Burj Khalifa, Gulf, Trump, JCC, Dubai Mall, Festivities, Ann Althouse

Most markets retreat as COVID-19 deaths rise, restrictions widen | Reuters

Most markets retreat as COVID-19 deaths rise, restrictions widen | Reuters Most Gulf markets ended lower on Tuesday, in line with Asian shares, as increasing COVID-19 deaths and widening lockdowns overshadowed optimism over progress on vaccine development and rollout.The number of U.S. coronavirus deaths crossed 300,000 on Monday as the country started its first inoculations, while tighter restrictions were imposed on London and more European countries were set to follow suit.Most Asian market...
Tags: Travel, Japan, London, Saudi Arabia, Asia Pacific, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Reuters, MSCI, Nov, Riyad Bank, Emaar Properties, Commercial Bank, Qatar National Bank, Rupert Neil Bumfrey, First Abu Dhabi Bank

#UAE News: #AbuDhabi Turns to Poultry, Fish Farms for Food Security - Bloomberg

UAE News: Abu Dhabi Turns to Poultry, Fish Farms for Food Security - Bloomberg The oil-rich desert emirate of Abu Dhabi is investing 524 million dirhams ($143 million) to boost local production of produce, fish, cattle and poultry in its push to improve food security.Much of the money will go toward using new technologies to improve large-scale production of food in climate-controlled conditions, the Abu Dhabi Government Media Office said Tuesday in a tweet.Abu Dhabi -- like the rest of the Un...
Tags: Travel, United Arab Emirates, Abu Dhabi, Uae, Rupert Neil Bumfrey, Abu Dhabi Turns, Abu Dhabi Government Media Office, Emirates National Poultry Farms, Mirak Agricultural Aqua Fisheries Alfafa Co, Al Nahdha Farm Abu Dhabi Investment Office, Abu Dhabi Agricultural Food Safety Authority

Marriott International Launched Your Smile Travels A Thousand Miles Campaign To Send Messages Of Warmth And Positivity

Marriott International Asia Pacific today launched "Your Smile Travels A Thousand Miles" campaign, to celebrate the company's associates and guests' resilience throughout the year and promote the smiles behind the masks to highlight positivity and solidarity. The campaign also unveiled an artwork created by Singaporean artist collective Ripple Root, "Smiles that Travelled a Thousand Miles", inspired by the 3,000 smiling faces and heart-warming stories of Marriott International associates ...
Tags: Travel, Marriott International, Marriott International Asia Pacific

Q : What Are The Different Hotel Types?

If your goal is to work in the hospitality industry, it's important to know the various places where you could work and employ your skills. Hotels make up one of the main choices, yet not all hotels are the same by any means.
Tags: Travel

Business Travelers Want to See Major Changes From Airlines

As the decimated air travel industry looks to rebuild operations in 2021, one thing is certain: airlines will be competing to win back the all-too-valuable business traveler.
Tags: Travel

The top 8 travel trends that hotels need to act on to capture demand in 2021 | By Dori Stein

The travel and hospitality industry has shown its mettle during 2020 - rising to the challenges that Covid-19 has thrown at it and doing everything it can to survive. It's not been without its casualties. Now, with the prospect of a vaccine, hotels have to be on the front foot to win whatever demand is out there and secure heads in beds. When the vaccine becomes widely available, we expect the leisure market to return more quickly than business travel which will lag considerably.
Tags: Travel, Dori Stein

What the Future of Air Travel Looks Like

After a year like 2020, it's a safe bet to say that air travel will never be the same again. In an industry that was impacted at every level, countless changes have already occurred in order for airlines to adapt and survive.
Tags: Travel

Redefining Lockdown: How Design Hotels Members Made The Most Of 2020

To say 2020 has been a tough year is an understatement. And while the last 12 months have brought with them a set of unforeseen challenges, the accompanying stillness has also allowed for new depths of reflection. This has been no more apparent than in our portfolio of member properties, many of which have used this unanticipated intermission to reset, refocus, and channel efforts into initiatives and concepts that fully align with intentions for 2021 and beyond. From a renaissance of com...
Tags: Travel

How City Hotels Are Getting Creative Ahead Of Holiday Season

Delivering unique and memorable guest experiences and offers is helping put hotels in Australia's gateway cities on travellers radars as international border closures force them to adjust their plans, but state travel restrictions lift.
Tags: Travel, Australia