World Briefs
The European tourism sector is one of the hardest-hit sectors among others in the world. The COVID -19 pandemic has been responsible for the restriction of movement among several countries in Europe vastly affecting the tourism industry. The tourism sector is responsible for the employment of millions of workers while the coronavirus travel restriction is responsible for the loss of jobs in millions. According to the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), tourism contributes about 9.1% of Europe’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The GDP is worth US$ 2,018.2 in Europe's economy. WTTC’s Travel and Tourism Impact Report 2020 released in 2019, suggests that the European tourism sector is responsible for 37.1 million jobs which accounts for 9.7% of the region’s total employment. Since the lockdown in Europe, tourist destinations have closed down due to COVID-19 lockdown measures and country travel restrictions to battle the pandemic spread. Lower infection and spread [...]
For a long time, Hawaii has been a summer holiday destination for Americans especially those residing in California. However, this year a lot of peoples’ plans have been sidetracked by the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Since borders to different States have been closed, local governments and states have considered easing such restrictions with the dwindling number of new infection cases at the beginning of July. However, after the mass protests for #Black Lives Matter (BLM), a new surge of infections are currently being witnessed two weeks after July commenced. Therefore, States like Hawaii have to reconsider their initial decisions to ease travel restrictions into the state for individuals seeking a summer vacation. It is important to note that summer holidays begin in June and end in August. The situation leaves vacationers who schedule their holidays for the same period with barely a month to travel to Hawaii to enjoy [...]
According to the Worldwide Wildlife Foundation, the United Kingdom (UK) is one of the regions in the world where nature is diminishing. This has led to the dwindling of wildlife in the UK with several species of wildlife nearing extinction. The Bison is a species that is nearing extinction in the UK. Its closest relative, the Steppe bison which inhabited the UK West Blean woods near Canterbury, England for thousands of years is currently extinct. The bison last roamed the same woodlands 6,000 years before and now Kent Wildlife and Wildwood Trusts are on the verge of bringing the bison back to the woods. Human activities on earth are responsible for the depletion of natural resources and nature. Efforts should, therefore, be made to restore nature and resources that are important for the survival of wildlife and mankind. Tree planting is one way of conserving the environment and habitats. However, [...]
The coronavirus pandemic has treated the world to new norms that have never before occurred. The total shutdown of essential services and normal life during the total lockdown directives and a massive meltdown of economies leading to job losses and restructuring of revenue streams are scenarios that have not been witnessed in the recent past. Borders were shut down and airline companies parked their airplanes in airports. However, the pandemic infection rate is receding and most countries are considering a phased return to normalcy including the United States. Flights are reopening their services but Americans have had to adapt to new ways of air travel. Protection Guidelines Some of the major guidelines that have helped bring down coronavirus new infection cases are social distancing and wearing a protective mask. The airline industry is maintaining the same as a precaution against the spread of the virus. For some airlines, passengers are [...]
Anybody out there ready to hear some good news, for once? 2020 seems to be all about the bad news. I see it all the time on Facebook, TV, and even in my inbox. It seems the only thing anybody wants to talk about these days is COVID-19 and why we should all be terrified by what it brings. However, there is some good news out there! In the middle of this storm, people are reaching out to make this season a bit more survivable—particularly for first responders. I had the opportunity to talk with J.J. Bukowski, one of the founders of AZ Face Shields. This organization creates face shields to donate to first responders. In just a few short months, this organization has given away thousands of shields! J.J. told me how the idea for the organization was born and what the group has done to put a dent [...]
Traveling during this period can be difficult for most people, but if you follow the safety measures, you are good to go. As of now, medical experts have said that the virus spreads through the eyes, nose, and mouth. If contaminated hands touch the face, you will definitely contract coronavirus. Before you head out, you should check your state health department’s website for insights about the virus. In some countries, traveling has been restricted or controlled, especially in those countries that have recorded the highest number of cases. Below are tips to curb COVID-19 when traveling or going to the gym. Maintain Hand Hygiene Frequently Hands are best cleaned by washing with soap and water for about 20 seconds according to the WHO. You can also use an 70% alcohol hand-based sanitizer. Cleaning your hands is considered important to avoid the spread of virus through the face or contaminating other [...]
When a crisis hits, it’s instinctive for people to come together in solidarity and help one another. The social support is instrumental in negating any negative impact the events can have on one’s mental health. The coronavirus outbreak is unlike anything in modern history with governments requesting that people isolate and distance themselves from others – something humans tend NOT to do when a crisis happens.
Two businesses in the Northeast Arkansas region are showing others what it means by "great acts of kindness" during the coronavirus pandemic. The Brickhouse Grill restaurant in Jonesboro has become a downtown community market and convenience store to help people who are affected by the problems the coronavirus has caused. The restaurant took to its Facebook page to say the restaurant was going to open a Brickhouse Bodega, a community market/convenience store, designed to help area residents and those practicing social distancing avoid the larger crowds. According to their Facebook post, the Bodega will be located inside the main restaurant and abide by all store market/convenience store guidelines currently implemented in bigger cities to protect the Northeast Arkansas residents. The Bodega’s profits will be given to an emergency fund helping the service industry workers of Downtown Jonesboro who are needing it most. These folks will also get a 50 percent [...]
With the world on edge due to the coronavirus pandemic, it appears that social distancing and mandatory shut-ins have affected the Venice canal waters. The waters are crystal-clear, which has led to the sights of swans, fish and dolphins. Italy has been locked down since March 8, which means the tourist hotspots of the streets and canal are empty. The water is typically full of debris and cloudy matter thanks to the infamous gondolas that tourists tend to partake in. However, with all this on hiatus, marine life is enjoying the waters allowing residents to sit back and enjoy from the comforts of their home. If one looks for the lights at the end of the rainbow or the silver lining in a worldwide crisis, this would be it! Italians took to Twitter to share and celebrate the news, with some locals saying nature is taking back its space amid [...]
Airlines are using the most potent disinfectants to eliminate the coronavirus (COVID-19) from its planes. Korean Air Lines Co., Qantas Airways Ltd and Singapore Airlines Ltd.’s Scott unit were some of the airlines that helped in the evacuation of people in Wuhan, the Chinese city that’s the center of the epidemic, and from the cruise ship off the coast of Japan.
Many prospective travelers enduring the wintertime blues look forward to Spring Break to get away from the cold and snow. However, most people stay home because of the mistaken impression that spring break vacation costs too much to get away. Thankfully, this is a misconception. If you need to get away from the day-to-day busyness of your lifestyle and hit the beach, explore a new state or country, or you just want to stay near home for your next vacation, you can do it. And, you can do it without spending a lot of money with some left for that summer vacation you had been planning. Book The Spring Vacation Now The right time to book for Spring Break is far an advance for it. All spring dates are not the same. Since springtime is the most common time to fly, airline prices are increasing. In fact, they’ll rise significantly [...]
Although the rate of coronavirus infections has slowed, the effects the global epidemic has had on the tourism industry is rapidly increasing. The impacts of the coronavirus is already being seen and felt throughout Asia, which had a GDP of $884 billion in 2017. In China, inbound tourism netted $127.3 billion in 2019. However, with the rise in coronavirus diagnoses, travel agents, hoteliers and others in the travel industry are bracing for a months-long economic disruption due to the coronavirus outbreak. And, these long-term effects could spill over into 2021. Embark Beyond Managing Partner and Founder Jack Ezon said the number of canceled trips to China and all through Asia has increased every day. Some people are hesitant to go anywhere, afraid of what could happen. Many of them are waiting until next year to go. He said 75 percent of people canceled their February and March trips to Southeast [...]
