Enjoy the Algarve and Vale De Lobo with Villa Parade

The Algarve is situated in the south of Portugal’s mainland and has been one of the very popular tourism destinations because of its fantastic climate and picturesque locations.

Villa Parade proffers excellent opportunities to stay in a selection of fabulous locations with awesome facilities. Vale de Lobo, a villa in Algarve is a holiday resort which bestows a lot of comfy features like golf courses, wonderful beaches and ample of places to dine out.

Vale de Lobo gets certainly the favourite among the tourists when they visit Praca, a development which consists of over 15 restaurants, bars and cafes which is located right on the beach.

The villas in Algarve makes the holiday even more beautiful and comfortable.

Source: villa parade

UNWTO launches new energy efficiency project in Indonesia

UNWTO and the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism (MoCT) have launched a new energy efficiency project in Indonesia. The project, “Sustainable Tourism through Energy Efficiency with Adaptation and Mitigation Measures in Pangandaran”(STREAM), aims to serve as a model of innovative climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in tourism destinations in Indonesia and South-East Asia.

The project will implement climate change mitigation and adaptation measures in Pangandaran – a popular tourism destination in Java, Indonesia – adopting an energy efficiency approach, while strengthening local structures for the long-term success of the destination. Measures include seminars and workshops to increase the knowledge and capacity of local tourism stakeholders; applying energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies in hotels and public buildings; low-carbon tourism planning tools; and adaptation measures such as the rehabilitation of mangroves and coral reefs which naturally capture and store carbon emissions.

As such, the project will significantly increase the climate change resilience of Pangandaran and the competitiveness of its tourism sector, thereby serving as a model for other destinations in Indonesia and South-East Asia.

“This project is a clear example that the tourism sector is taking its responsibility to contribute to the reduction of global greenhouse gases emission and climate change adaptation seriously”, said UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai.

The Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism, Jero Wacik, stressed the importance of local initiatives as a step towards national policy on climate change mitigation, adaptation and tourism development. “We are happy to cooperate with UNWTO in this project as its activities represent strategic development steps for Indonesia and its tourism sector, in line with our four-pronged strategy – pro-growth, pro-job, pro-poor, and pro-environment”, he said.

The “Sustainable Tourism through Energy Efficiency with Adaptation and Mitigation Measures in Pangandaran” project is part of the International Climate Initiative of the German Ministry of Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety.

The official presentation was held in Jakarta, Indonesia, at an event attended by the UNWTO Secretary-General, the Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism, representatives from other Ministries, representatives from the West Java province and the Ciamis district, and tourism associations. The event coincided with the presence in Jakarta of the UNWTO Secretary-General to participate in the World Economic Forum on East Asia 2011.

Source – UNWTO

Tension Over Japanese Nuclear Plant Explosion

Japanese media has reported that an explosion took place at the earthquake-hit Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear plant which has caused serious injuries to several people. According to the reports smoke was billowing from the reactor. Radioactivity levels is also said to have risen outside the reactor.

According to an official with Japan’s nuclear safety commission, a reactor meltdown remains a possibility at the power plant. People are being evacuated from the area.

Officials said that more than a thousand may have been killed in the 8.9-magnitude earthquake and the subsequent tsunami waves that caused massive destruction on Japan’s northeastern coast. This has been labeled as the fifth most powerful earthquake to strike the world in the past century and Japan’s most severe ever.

Rescue and clean-up works are now being carried out. According to reports, about 600 people have been confirmed killed so far and 200 bodies reportedly found in the devastated northeastern coastal city of Sendai.

The quake set off tsunami warnings for countries across the Pacific and the west coast of the United States and Latin America. However the waves dissipated after crossing the ocean across the ocean and damage to U.S. and Canadian coastal areas was comparatively minor.

Egypt army trying to restore order

Innumerable people have crowded at the square today, in spite of the army’s efforts to clear the area, which was the central point of the uprising leading to Mubarak’s departure. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair described the events as a ‘pivot’ that ‘could move the whole of the Middle East towards democracy’. He indicated that the events were a huge opportunity for change. Despite this, the FCO continues to advise travellers and English-Egyptian nationals against all but essential travel to Cairo, Alexandria, Luxor and Suez.

Update of floods in Queensland and Victoria

Most of the state’s tourism destinations including the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, Bundaberg, Gladstone, Agnes Water, 1770, Whitsundays, Mackay, Townsville, Cairns and Tropical North Queensland, Southern Downs and Granite Belt and Toowoomba can now be reached. Tourism operations are now ready to welcome visitors, including beaches, island resorts, accommodation providers, tour operators and attractions. All Queensland airports are open and operating normally. The Bruce Highway, the main road link from Brisbane to Cairns, is open. Parts of Central Queensland, Queensland’s Outback, Western Downs and the Lockyer Valley continue to be affected with restricted access. VICTORIA Flood: Certain areas of northwest Victoria are flooded. Flood affected tourism regions and towns include: The Murray – Kerang and Swan Hill This flooding is localised and the vast majority of Melbourne and Victoria’s regions are unaffected.

Joburg’s new convention association

Johannesburg is continuing to build its reputation as the business capital of Africa, following the announcement that the African Bureau of Conventions has been formed a new association, which will be launched at the international convention, “Competitive Advantage Through Future Trends”. Myles Hopkins, Chairman of the Board of the Foresight Network said: “We are very pleased and excited to announce that Johannesburg will be hosting the thought leaders in future trends at a conference to be held in late 2011 or early 2012. “This is a Foresight Network initiative and as the Chairman of the Board of the Foresight Network which consists of 2 800 futurists from all over the world, I can guarantee that we will be able to present a conference that will make a significant and lasting impression on all attendees. “It is imperative that any organisation, whether large or small, whether from the public sector or private sector, gets to grips with the opportunities and threats that the future will present. This conference is therefore an absolute must for any leader that wants to ensure that their organisation enjoys a fruitful and sustainable future. We are honoured to have Shaping Tomorrow, TechCast, and Africa Bureau of Conventions as supporters of this ground-breaking event.” The African Bureau of Conventions said that this high profile event has already attracted enormous interest both nationally and internationally. The event will become an annual convention, attracting international key note speakers, that is a first not only for South Africa, but also for Africa.

Dubai aims for travel trade

For meeting the needs of the travel trade, Dubai Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM) has introduced a programme of focus groups to research frontline staff feedback about Dubai. These sessions have been designed to enable the DTCM to listen to the trade and their first hand experience of selling the destination. The sessions are conjured of a very small number of travel agents and tour operator reservations staff where everyone is encouraged to speak about the destination. Topics discussed during the forums include perceptions on culture, local laws, suitability for different market segments and affordability. This is an open platform to address any queries and difficulties that they might experience when selling Dubai. The DTCM’s aim is to gain a clearer understanding of frontline staff’s experiences and to ensure that they have all the necessary knowledge to promote the destination, and overcome any misconceptions about Dubai. Through this DTCM was able to address some common misconceptions and give reassurances to the agents who took part. While it is well known for its luxury accommodation, beaches and shopping malls, some agents were unaware of Dubai’s rich cultural experiences available primarily in the old town, including Bastakiya, Jumeirah Mosque and the wider area around Dubai Creek. Popular conversation topics also included local customs and etiquette and the need to show respect and modesty in this Islamic country; but at the same time there was an opportunity to openly discuss misconceptions surrounding the consumption of alcohol, dress code and perceived restrictions imposed on non-married couples. The DTCM is collating the most common areas of discussion, concern or misunderstanding and will be incorporating more information in training presentations and revising familiarisation trip itineraries accordingly. They will also be partnering with the Foreign & Commonwealth Office early in 2011 to produce collateral for agents and customers alike.

US airlines now back on track after blizzards

The US Eastern Seaboard is getting back on its feet after severe blizzards forced the cancellation of thousands of flights and left many homes without power. Flights have now resumed into and out of New York, Boston and Philadelphia. But many passengers were expected to be stranded until the end of the week after some 7,000 flights were cancelled over the post-Christmas travel period. With many flights already expected to be nearly full between the peak Christmas and New Year travel period, airlines are struggling to accommodate all the stranded passengers in the New York area. American Airlines spokesman Ed Martelle said: “Any airline scheduler will tell you it’s like playing with a jigsaw puzzle where all the pieces keep changing shape.” Three airports serving New York – JFK, La Guardia and Newark Liberty International Airport – and also Boston’s Logan and Philadelphia International reopened on Monday evening. They had been closed since early morning, forcing thousands of passengers to camp out on floors in terminals. Analysts say the storm and its aftermath could cost the airlines up to $100m. Tens of thousands of homes were left without power in Massachusetts, New York City and Westchester County, Long Island and New Jersey. Five deaths were reported in road accidents in the storm, four in the Carolinas and one in Maine, according to the New York Times. National rail operator Amtrak – which earlier shut its New York-Boston route – announced a limited resumption of services. The US National Weather Service says the monster snow storm is the result of a low pressure system which originated off North Carolina. Six US states – Massachusetts, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina and Virginia – earlier all declared emergencies. The New York area received up to 51cm (20in) of snow over the last two days. A subway train in New York City was trapped for seven hours before passengers were rescued. The southern states of Georgia and South Carolina had their first white Christmas in more than a century.

easyJet prepares for overseas tour operator launch to avoid VAT

easyJet could launch its new low-cost tour operation outside the UK in a bid to save millions in VAT. easyJet Holidays – a joint venture between easyJet and Lowcost Travel – is expected to be registered in Switzerland in a bid to sidestep VAT under the Tour Operator’s Margin Scheme. Should the model prove successful it could pave the way for other tour operators to register overseas. According to sources close to the deal say easyJet should save about £ten million in VAT over three years. An easyJet spokesman said: “EasyJet as a matter of principle looks to structure its business efficiently and in accordance with any legislation.” “The exact structure is still being finalised and we will look to engage with Revenue & Customs to ensure they are aware from the outset how easyJet Holidays will operate.”

New UAE visas ready to hit Canadian travellers

Canadian visitors to the United Arab Emirates face paying up to $1,000 for a visa following a diplomatic spat between the two countries. The controversial move follows a decision by the Canadian government to refuse extra landing rights at the country’s airports to two major UAE airlines. Emirates and Etihad airlines were both denied an increase in access earlier this year. The decision exposed divisions in Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s cabinet. Transport minister John Baird led the charge around the cabinet table to deny extra landing rights, while by defence minister Peter MacKay was concerned the decision would negatively effect Canadian relations with one of its closest Arab allies. Camp Mirage military base, outside Dubai, was the key staging ground for the Canadian Forces mission in Afghanistan. However, the UAE has issued an eviction notice. The cost of moving the Forces’ supply mission from Camp Mirage has been pegged at $300 million by Canadian officials. Tourism Tax Under the new regulations, a 30-day, non-renewable visa will cost $250, a three-month visa $500, and a six-month multiple entry visa will cost travellers $1,000. The fees – which were announced in the autumn – come into effect on January 1st The UAE, particularly its city state of Dubai, is major travel hub linking Europe, Asia and Africa. Despite the costs the Canadian government is refusing to back down. Melissa Lantsman, spokeswoman for foreign affairs minister Lawrence Cannon, said: “Canada is a sovereign nation, and we make our decisions based on what is in the best interests of Canadians,” said Melissa Lantsman. It is thought the decision to deny greater access to the UAE airlines was based on the assumption that Canadian airlines would suffer. This is of particular concern at Toronto’s Pearson International Airport.