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US Visa: USCIS Expands Premium Processing for F-1 Students – All You Need to Know

2023-03-07T16:06:00.001-06:00

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that premium processing for certain F-1 students seeking Optional Practical Training (OPT) and STEM OPT extensions will be expanded.

This change is expected to simplify the immigration process for international students.

What is F-1 Student Visa?

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution, or to participate in a language training programme.

Premium Processing for Certain F-1 Students

Beginning on March 6, USCIS has started accepting requests for premium processing for certain F-1 students who already have a pending Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization. The expansion of premium processing will occur in phases. F-1 students requesting premium processing should not file before the specified dates.

The following categories of F-1 students are eligible for premium processing:

(c)(3)(A) – Pre-Completion OPT;
(c)(3)(B) – Post-Completion OPT; and
(c)(3)(C) – 24-Month Extension of OPT for STEM students.

Beginning April 3, USCIS will accept Form I-907 requests for F-1 students in the above categories when filed together with Form I-765.

USCIS will reject premium processing requests for a pending Form I-765 if received before March 6. It will also reject any premium processing request for an initial or concurrently filed Form I-765 that is received before April 3.

Online Filing for Form I-907

For F-1 students in the eligible categories, USCIS now accepts online submissions of Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service.

An applicant must first create a USCIS online account in order to submit forms, pay fees, and track the status of any pending USCIS immigration request throughout the adjudication process.

Applicants who previously filed a paper Form I-765 and wish to file Form I-907 online to request premium processing should refer to the USCIS Account Access Notice they received for the Online Access Code and instructions on how to link their paper-filed cases to their online account; otherwise, they will be unable to file Form I-907 online and must file a paper Form I-907 with the Chicago lockbox.

Efforts to Increase Efficiency and Reduce Burdens

The expansion of premium processing is part of USCIS’s efforts to improve efficiency and reduce the overall burden on the immigration system.

The expansion is being implemented in stages by USCIS. With the addition of Form I-907, the total number of forms available for online filing now stands at 16. By mail, USCIS continues to accept the most recent paper versions of all forms.

USCIS Director’s Statement

“The availability of premium processing for certain F-1 students, in addition to the ease of online filing, will streamline the immigration experience for a great many international students,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou.

“The ongoing expansion of online filing is a priority for USCIS as we continue to create operational efficiencies and increase access to the immigration system for stakeholders, applicants, petitioners, requestors, and those we serve.”

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The post US Visa: USCIS Expands Premium Processing for F-1 Students – All You Need to Know appeared first on travelobiz.

* This article was originally published here

Aleph and Fauchon team up for Middle East and Africa hotel development

2023-03-07T08:33:00.001-06:00

With a focus on cosmopolitan cities and luxury leisure destinations, the Fauchon L’Hôtel portfolio will comprise boutique hotels, retreats, beach clubs and residences in exceptional locations with superior culinary concepts and indulgent private services.

Fauchon history

Founded in 1886 by Auguste Fauchon, Fauchon is a luxury contemporary gastronomy brand with a French DNA, comprising a collection of over 100 retail boutiques, gourmet cafes and restaurants in 50 countries.

In 2018, Fauchon opened its first luxury boutique hotel, Fauchon L’Hôtel Paris, followed by Fauchon L’Hôtel Kyoto in 2021 as the Parisian brand’s first international hotspot. Today, Fauchon Hospitality has five boutique hotels in the pipeline, including Fauchon L’Hotel Riyadh in Saudi Arabia, with a target to reach a collection of 20 hotels by 2030.

Glam concept

The brand’s promise and concept is centred around the acronym GLAM: ‘Gourmet’, featuring Fauchon’s bespoke reinvented in-room mini bar, the Gourmet Bar; ‘Location’ for a lively and luxurious lifestyle; ‘Arty & Artisans’ for creative hotel services and experiences with a Fauchon touch, and ‘Mesdames’, the brand’s female touch typified by the Fauchon Beauty Spa, French beauty brands as amenities, in-room lighting and signature walk-in wardrobes.

Each hotel or resort will also feature signature Fauchon food and beverage concepts such as the Grand Café Fauchon and retail.

Rare opportunity

Bani Haddad, founder and MD of Aleph Hospitality, said: “We are well aware that an opportunity of this grandeur doesn’t happen very often. We are excited and humbled to be partnering with Fauchon Hospitality.

“We look forward to delivering the brand’s legendary glamorous Parisian ‘art the vivre’ experience to hotel guests in the Middle East and Africa. We believe the region has tremendous potential for the aspirational and sophisticated brand experience offered by Fauchon L’Hôtel.”

Flawless delivery

Jacques-Olivier Chauvin, CEO of Fauchon Hospitality, noted: “We are delighted to have partnered with Aleph for development in the Middle East and Africa, which brings world-class hotel management professionalism and credibility to our owners and investors. This region is important to Fauchon Hospitality because a large part of our customer base is located in this area and familiar with our existing Fauchon retail outlets.

“With Aleph, we can be confident our signature Fauchon style and service will be flawlessly delivered to customers across the region as we grow our hospitality business. I am excited about the potential of this partnership which unites a powerful, globally recognised brand together with an operating company noted for its excellence and dynamic management style.”

Aleph target

Aleph Hospitality, which has targeted 50 hotels in the Middle East and Africa by 2026, manages hotels directly for owners, either with a franchise for branded properties or as a white label operator for independently-branded hotels.

Developments in its pipeline across Africa include Four Points by Sheraton Monrovia, a 111-key site opening in Q2 2023 in Liberia and the 200-room Century Park Hotel and Residences Kigali, arriving in the Rwandan capital in 2025.

The post Aleph and Fauchon team up for Middle East and Africa hotel development appeared first on THP News.

* This article was originally published here

5 Major Packing Recommendations for Costa Rica

2023-03-07T08:27:00.001-06:00

Deciding what to pack for a weekend trip is hard enough, so what do you pack for a three-month study abroad trip? Obviously, you need to bring the really important things like your passport, drivers license/state ID, insurance cards, credit or debit cards, but like, what else do you REALLY need? After living in Costa Rica for almost three months, I think I can answer that question pretty well. The five categories of things that I, and a couple of my friends, think are necessary or at the very least highly recommended.

1. Layers!

First on the list is probably the most important category: layers. Layers are so important for Costa Rica as the country is home to many micro-climates. This means that one section of the country could have vastly different weather patterns than the other. Costa Rica is home to beautiful beaches, but also cloud forests so it’s very important to pack for everything. So, what I mean by layers is that you should have a sweatshirt, a rain jacket, jeans/long pants, as well as your more summer-y clothes that you would expect of a tropical country like Costa Rica.

2. Creature Comforts!

The second most important category for me is creature comforts. What do you mean by that Hanna? I mean the little things that bring you joy. For me this was nail polish, face masks, specific snacks like Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups and brown sugar cinnamon Pop Tarts, and a teddy bear to sleep with. Did I need all of those things? No, not really, but did I want them to make Costa Rica feel more like home? Yes, yes, I did.

3. CVS Aisle!

What I refer to as the CVS aisle are things like Advil, Tylenol, anti-nausea medicine, and allergy medicine. In this category are also shampoo and conditioner if you’re very specific about what you want to use in your hair. Razors, lotions, bug sprays, and sunscreens are also good things to bring along with you from the States, just because they are expensive and hard to find. Some final CVS aisle items to bring are menstrual products as they are very expensive and there are minimal choices on the products that are available.

4. Weekend Bag!

The fourth category really isn’t a category but a thing instead and that thing is a weekend bag. This is a bag whose sole purpose it to travel around the country. Day and weekend trips are inevitable, whether you go with friends or as a program field trip, so that’s why it’s useful to have a bag ready to go.

5. Nice Clothing!

The final category I recommend bringing with you on a study abroad trip is at least one “nice” outfit. Be this a dress, dress pants and a button down, or something along those lines. Think business casual or something that you’d wear to a fancy restaurant.

I hope this run down of items and categories is helpful in deciding what to pack, as it is a very difficult task to do.

Ciao, Hanna

* This article was originally published here

Google to Debut Hotel Ad Tool to Streamline Campaigns … On YouTube and Search

2023-03-07T08:21:00.001-06:00

Skift Take: Paying Google to increase direct bookings seems like a contradiction in terms unless it is for brand advertising on YouTube that truly brings guests direct to the hotel website for the next trip.
— Dennis Schaal

Read the Complete Story On Skift

* This article was originally published here

airBaltic: flights from Vilnius to Batumi, Georgia from €234

2023-03-07T08:09:00.001-06:00

Flights from Vilnius to GEORGIA (Batumi) from €234 round-trip by airBaltic. Find cheap flights from Vilnius to Batumi and book your ticket at the best price! Tickets to Georgia will cost from €234 both ways.

Georgia, a former Soviet republic, is a confluence between the East and the West. The country is known for its stunningly beautiful lush nature and extremely hospitable people. But these are not the only reasons it is attracting more and more visitors every year. Home to high mountains, medieval towns, Black Sea beaches and also, surprisingly, space-age architecture Georgia is a great place for your next vacation! Check out article about 7 Best Places to Visit in Georgia

Travel Dates:

May – June 2023

Route:

Vilnius – Batumi – Vilnius

Some examples:

6 – 10 May €252
9 – 17 May €234
13 – 17 May €257
16 – 24 May €234
20 – 24 May €234
10 – 18 Jun €280

Where to buy?

Visit SKYSCANNER

Baggage policy:

1 cabin bag (55x40x23 cm) + 1 personal item (30x40x10 cm) are included!

For full conditions or in case of booking please visit WizzAir directly. To become WDC member or to read full conditions of the membership please check here.

Keep following TravelFree.info blog and LIKE our Facebook page, Twitter page.

!! IMPORTANT !! We have created a Facebook group to get only the hottest travel deals and error fares. Join now! After that, you are welcome to discuss topics about travelling!

Do not miss the next TRAVEL DEAL! SIGN UP HERE and get exclusive travel offers to your email box.

Accommodation:

Agoda is transforming travel for millions of customers across the globe. Part of Booking Holdings, Agoda is one of the world’s largest online travel accommodation platforms with a network of over 2,000,000 vacation rentals and hotels worldwide.

Cancelled or delayed flight?

If your flight is cancelled or delayed by 3+ hours, you may get a refund of up to €600. Check it out at SkyCop.

Tours and excursions:

Do not have time to think about accommodation and tours, but have you heard about Tourradar? Multi-day tours to every part of the world, for example, Safaris, Treks, Coach trips, Cruises, White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking, Sailing, Kayaking, Overland Trips and many more.

Have a look at Trip Advisor as well when planning your holiday to find out what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to all the local attractions.

Car rental:

You can find the best car rental prices at AutoEurope.com.

For over 60 years, Auto Europe has been a leader in worldwide car rental services and helped over 10 million travellers find the best options when travelling abroad. Through long-term relationships with top suppliers, for example, Hertz, Avis, Enterprise, Europcar, National, Budget, Dollar, Buchbinder and Peugeot AutoEurope offer travellers the best rates at 20,000 pickup locations in over 180 countries worldwide.

Insurance:

Worldwide travel medical insurance for Nomads. Only from $37 / 4 weeks worldwide, affordable travel medical insurance for anyone, especially for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

Save money with a Free Debit card:

Free Debit card by Revolut, N26, Monese or Transferwise, etc. with no fees? Sounds too good to be true, but believe it or not, this exists already for years. This should help protect your pocket. All these cards are great choices for international travellers, get your FREE card: https://travelfree.info/best-free-debit-cards-for-travellers/

CURVE. Manage all of your bank accounts from one smart card using an app. Make your first transaction, after that you can enjoy £5 absolutely free with the Curve discount when you sign up to Curve. Do not miss a great opportunity!

Delivery

Wolt – is an online food ordering and delivery service that takes orders via a mobile app. It was founded in 2014 in Helsinki. Wolt allows any restaurant to sign up as a merchant, mediating the order from the customer, taking care of the delivery and automatic payment by credit card. Get a 15 EUR free coupon for the sign-up.

Learn new skills

Skillshare is an online learning community with thousands of classes for creative and curious people, on topics, for example, Design, Business, Photography, Tech, and More. It’s an online, subscription-based e-learning community platform. Get SkillShare Free Premium Membership for 2 months.

The post airBaltic: flights from Vilnius to Batumi, Georgia from €234 appeared first on TravelFree.

* This article was originally published here

Birdlife South Africa to compile list of birds in isiZulu

2023-03-07T08:06:00.001-06:00

The bird conservation group, Birdlife South Africa, is working towards compiling a list of bird names in isiZulu.

The post Birdlife South Africa to compile list of birds in isiZulu appeared first on Getaway Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

These Airports Offer Winning Customer Service

2023-03-07T07:57:00.001-06:00

Great airports not only make it easy to get from here to there, but they also make sure passengers enjoy the time they spend inside the terminals.

Which airports do it best?

That can be hard to measure. But the Air Service Quality Awards, handed out by Airports Council International (ACI) since 2006, do a good job of recognizing excellence in airport customer experience and in a variety of other categories.

To pick the winners, ACI and Amadeus, a travel technology company, interview travelers while they are in airports. The surveys include questions about wayfinding, check-in, shopping and dining offerings, as well as cleanliness, staffing, and other performance indicators.

The Winners

For 2022, 144 awards are being awarded to 75 airports around the world. Categories include Best Airports by size and region, as well as Airport with the Most Dedicated Staff, Easiest Airport Journey, Most Enjoyable Airport, and Cleanest Airport.

You can see the full list of winning airports here, but we’ve picked out some highlights.

Cleanest Airports

In North America, the cleanest airport awards go to Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM) in Alberta, Canada; Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, MN; and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) in South Carolina.

Most Enjoyable Airports

ACI says this award recognizes the top surveyed airports for their offerings (restaurants, shops, entertainment) and for their efforts to make the waiting time enjoyable and comfortable.

Fort MacMurray International Airport (YMM) and Gerald Ford International Airport (GRR) – winners in the cleanest airports category – picked up awards in this category as well, along with Willian Hobby Aiport (HOU) in Houston.

Best Airports

The Best Airport awards go to airports with the top 20% overall satisfaction score by size and region.

Here are the winners in North America:

Over 40 million passengers per year: Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO);

25 to 40 million passengers: Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) and Minneapolis/St Paul International Airport (MSP);

15 to 25 million passengers: San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC);

5 to 15 million passengers: Indianapolis International Airport (IND), Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), and Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (MKE);

2 to 5 million passengers:

Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP):

Under 2 million passengers: Fort McMurray International Airport (YMM).

The post These Airports Offer Winning Customer Service appeared first on Stuck at the Airport.

* This article was originally published here

Campsited launches company-perk program for work in nature

2023-03-07T07:54:00.001-06:00

Founded in 2014 in Dublin, Campsited says it vets properties for Wi-Fi availability and suitable working and living amenities.

* This article was originally published here

The Spa at Four Seasons Toronto Unveils All-New Wellness & Bio Bar

2023-03-07T07:36:00.001-06:00

TORONTO — The Spa at Four Seasons Toronto has introduced its newest addition to its bespoke treatments and services, the Wellness & Bio Bar. Short for biohacking, the Wellness & Bio Bar is focused on improving guests’ health, well-being and quality of life through strategic therapies.

Now available to the public, and after six months of extensive training, the team has curated a menu catering to specific goals centred around four pillars: mental, physical, spiritual and sexual wellness. The Wellness & Bio Bar is offering an array of results-driven services, including LPG Endermologie treatments, touch therapy for those living with cancer or who have a history of living with cancer, pre- and post-natal treatments, jet-lag recovery, celluma light therapy and hypnosis sessions. Created on the basis of balancing time and energy, guests can choose the amount of involvement they have as they work towards achieving their health and wellness goals while the expert spa team creates strategic rituals from the varied services.

“At the Spa at Four Seasons Toronto, I want to ensure guests know living well is a lifestyle, not a trend,” says Carlos Calvo Rodriguez, senior spa director at Four Seasons Hotel Toronto. “With the introduction of the Wellness & Bio Bar, we’re providing our guests with scientifically proven evidence-based treatments tailor-made to each guest’s wants, needs and desires. We’re excited to provide them with some of the only biohacking services in Toronto that will notably improve their health as they make incremental changes to their bodies and overall lifestyles.”

The post The Spa at Four Seasons Toronto Unveils All-New Wellness & Bio Bar appeared first on Hotelier Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

How to Visit the Painted Ladies, San Francisco

2023-03-07T07:12:00.001-06:00

One of the most iconic vistas of San Francisco is undoubtedly that of the Painted Ladies, a row of seven pastel hued Queen Anne Victorian houses in the Alamo Square Park neighborhood in the Fillmore section of San Francisco. Here’s how to visit the Painted Ladies of San Francisco, as well as what to know …

The post How to Visit the Painted Ladies, San Francisco appeared first on solosophie.

* This article was originally published here

Direct flights from Geneva to NEW YORK from €373 (summer)

2023-03-07T07:06:00.003-06:00

Direct flights from Geneva to NEW YORK from €373 round-trip by SWISS / Delta! Find the cheapest flights to New York, the USA from Switzerland and book your ticket at the best price! Tickets will cost from €373 both ways!

Planning a trip to NYC, and wondering what are the best places to visit in New York City? New York City is the most populous city in the United States. It is probably one of the most popular, if not the most popular place to visit in all of the United States. Since so many wonderful films have been shot in New York City, this bustling city is a dream destination for so many people around the world. Because it’s always fun to visit the location of your favourite movie! Spend a few days there and explore its iconic sights such as the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Empire State Building, Times Square, Brooklyn Bridge, Rockefeller Centre, One World Trade Centre, 5th Avenue and many more. Are you visiting NYC anytime soon? Check out our article for some travel inspiration!

The United States of America is one of the largest countries in the world. It is located in North America and consists of 50 states. The sheer size and diversity of the U.S. make it a great travel destination. There is everything for everyone in the U.S. Some of the world’s most beautiful natural wonders, great beaches, islands, vibrant cities and renowned national parks and trails. As the United States of America is very rich in sights and landmarks, it’s not too easy to choose only a few. To make this task easier, in this article we will focus on the East Coast only. Here is a list of some of the best places to visit on the East Coast of the USA.

Route:

Geneva – New York – Geneva

Travel dates:

June – July 2023

Some examples:

2 – 12 Jun €373
5 – 14 Jun €373
8 – 18 Jun €397
13 – 22 Jun €373
15 – 26 Jun €373
28 Jun – 9 Jul €382
29 Jun – 12 Jul €398

Where to book?

Visit SKYSCANNER

Baggage policy:

SWISS: Hand baggage (55 x 40 x 23 cm) is included!
Delta: Hand baggage (56 cm x 35 cm x 23 cm) is included!

Keep following TravelFree.info blog and LIKE our Facebook page, Twitter page.

!! IMPORTANT !! We have created a Facebook group to get only the hottest travel deals and error fares. Join now! After that, you are welcome to discuss topics about travelling!

Do not miss the next TRAVEL DEAL! SIGN UP HERE and get exclusive travel offers to your email box.

Accommodation:

Cancelled or delayed flight?

If your flight is cancelled or delayed by 3+ hours, you may get a refund of up to €600. Check it out at SkyCop.

Tours and excursions:

Have a look at Trip Advisor as well when planning your holiday to find out what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to all the local attractions.

Car rental:

You can find the best car rental prices at AutoEurope.com.

Insurance:

Worldwide travel medical insurance for Nomads. Only from $37 / 4 weeks worldwide, affordable travel medical insurance for anyone, especially for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

Save money with a Free Debit card:

Delivery

Learn new skills

The post Direct flights from Geneva to NEW YORK from €373 (summer) appeared first on TravelFree.

* This article was originally published here

Campsited launches company-perk program for work in nature

2023-03-07T07:06:00.001-06:00

Founded in 2014 in Dublin, Campsited says it vets properties for Wi-Fi availability and suitable working and living amenities.

* This article was originally published here

Qatar looks to boost technology and tourism sectors after buzz of World Cup

2023-03-07T06:57:00.001-06:00

Eight stadiums, 64 enthralling matches, 1.4 million fans, 12 years of preparation and a $220 billion grand sporting event.

The 2022 FIFA World Cup put the spotlight on Qatar as it worked to diversify its economy by focusing on the tourism and sports technology sectors.

More than two months after the curtain came down on the football tournament, two questions remain: how is Qatar using the attention it gained? And what does the future look like for its developing sectors?

Just after the World Cup, for about 15 days, they felt the country was empty.

But then the cruise ships came and soon the other tourists trickled in, said Boutayna Iraqi, a tour guide with 365 Adventures in Doha.

Before the World Cup, Qatar’s tourism report for the first half of 2022 showed nearly a million people visited the country from abroad.

The overall attendance at World Cup matches was 3.4 million, a news agency reported.

Even after the World Cup buzz settled down, the country registered a “healthy growth” of visitors, with 3,559,063 people arriving on flights in January 2023, air transport statistics released by Qatar’s Civil Aviation Authority showed.

It marked a 64.4 per cent increase from the same period in 2022.

Apart from regular tourists, they have had many groups of tour operators in the past two months, many of whom came on a recce to explore Qatar as a travel destination, Ms Iraqi said.

There has been an increase in demand for stadium tours. The prices for most activities are much lower now so more people are interested.

Qatar now aims to attract six million visitors a year by 2030 and increase the contribution of the tourism sector to its gross domestic product from 7 per cent to 12 per cent.

Doha was recently recognised as the Arab Tourism Capital 2023 by the Arab Tourism Organisation.

The Qatar government is “particularly focused” on attracting tourists from outside the Middle East, said Nada Farouk, founder and chief executive at Turismo, an innovation-driven tourism platform.

This includes initiatives like easing visa restrictions and investing in marketing campaigns to promote Qatar as a premium destination, she said.

The government is also working to develop new attractions and experiences that will appeal to a diverse range of visitors.

While Mr Massouh hopes it will become “much easier” for tourists to enter the country, Ms Iraqi is keen to see more structuring in the tourism sector.

The World Cup gave a huge boost of confidence to the local hospitality industry, said Martin Kendall, the general manager of City Centre Rotana, which is among the leading hotels in Doha.

All the economic predictions, including the tourism ambitions, point to a growth trajectory … they will see more emphasis than ever on service delivery right across the value chain.

He is also optimistic that the “new segment” of customers who visited the region for the first time during the World Cup, returned home telling tales of discovery, great service and an exciting destination.

Future investments

Qatar’s $450 billion sovereign wealth fund said last month it was looking to rebalance its portfolio and was considering investments in football, finance and technology.

In the run-up to the World Cup, sports technology got a big push from the state, with organisations including Qatar SportsTech and Qatar Development Bank providing support and funding to develop cutting-edge technology in the field.

The post Qatar looks to boost technology and tourism sectors after buzz of World Cup appeared first on Travel And Tour World.

* This article was originally published here

News: ITB Berlin - International travel industry focuses on strong participation and personal dialogue

2023-03-07T06:51:00.001-06:00

First event for B2B visitors only – Around 5,500 exhibitors from 161 countries – High demand from Middle Eastern exhibitors, the cruise industry and travel technology sector – Georgia, the official host country, presents a wide-ranging programme – Four stages, 400 leading speakers and 200 panels at the ITB Berlin Convention

* This article was originally published here

Traveling to Japan pregnant (tips and information)

2023-03-07T06:48:00.001-06:00

Are you considering traveling to Japan pregnant? In this guide we will round up everything you need to know about visiting Japan when pregnant, from where to stay, best time to visit and tips such as what you can and can’t eat in Japan when pregnant so you can have a safe and enjoyable babymoon …

The post Traveling to Japan pregnant (tips and information) appeared first on Wandermust Family.

* This article was originally published here

Travelsoft aquires Travel Compositor to expand software-as-a-service

2023-03-07T06:33:00.001-06:00

Travelsoft says that with this acquisition it will now transact bookings worth €5 billion annually through more than 300 tour operators connected to 600 suppliers in about 40 countries.

* This article was originally published here

Where to Go? Great Destinations for First-Time Solo Travelers

2023-03-07T06:21:00.003-06:00

* This article was originally published here

Uber Triples Reservation Window to Sync With Airline Bookings

2023-03-07T06:21:00.001-06:00

Skift Take: The ride-hailing company said it wants to "redesign" the entire airport experience, and has business travelers in its sights with a new 90-day reservation feature and business-class ride category.
— Matthew Parsons

Read the Complete Story On Skift

* This article was originally published here

New High Seas Treaty aims to protect 30% of oceans by 2030, following historic agreement

2023-03-07T06:12:00.001-06:00

The High Seas Treaty aims to establish protected areas covering 30% of the seas by 2030, to safeguard and rehabilitate marine nature.

The post New High Seas Treaty aims to protect 30% of oceans by 2030, following historic agreement appeared first on Getaway Magazine.

* This article was originally published here

GREAT DEAL! Cheap flights from Athens to THAILAND from €333 (early booking)

2023-03-07T06:06:00.001-06:00

Cheap flights from Athens to Thailand from €333 both ways by Scoot. Find cheap flights to Krabi / Phuket / Chiang Mai / Bangkok from Greece and book your ticket at the best price! Tickets from Greece to Thailand cost from €333 both ways.

Thailand has lots to offer every type of traveller. If you are travelling on a budget, your money will go a long way here. But if you are coming for a relaxing luxury holiday, you won’t be disappointed, too. Thailand is a large country, and there are plenty of amazing places to visit in Thailand. There are hundreds, perhaps even thousands of awesome places in the whole of Thailand but unfortunately, we can’t tell you about every one of them. It would be such a long list! So, here are seven of the best places we think you should visit in Thailand.

Southern Thailand, just like the rest of Thailand, offers high-quality infrastructure, it is developed, kid-friendly and fun. There is something for everyone in Thailand. That’s why it attracts all sorts of travellers, from backpackers to families.

Sounds nice? So, check out our article to find out what are the best things to do in Southern Thailand!

Travel dates:

November 2023 – February 2024

Routes & examples:

Athens – Krabi – Athens

4 – 24 Nov €354
11 – 24 Nov €354
18 Nov – 1 Dec €354
18 Nov – 8 Dec €393
25 Nov – 8 Dec €393
13 – 29 Jan €348
20 Jan – 5 Feb €333

NB! There is a long stopover in Singapore. You will have time to explore the city!

Athens – Chiang Mai – Athens

4 – 24 Nov €362
11 – 24 Nov €362
13 – 29 Jan €362
20 Jan – 2 Feb €349
20 Jan – 9 Feb €349

NB! There is a long stopover in Singapore. You will have time to explore the city!

Athens – Phuket – Athens

4 – 24 Nov €364
11 – 24 Nov €364
11 Nov – 1 Dec €364
18 Nov – 8 Dec €402
20 Jan – 9 Feb €354

Athens – Bangkok – Athens

11 – 27 Nov €371
18 Nov – 8 Dec €403
25 Nov – 11 Dec €400
13 – 29 Jan €400
20 Jan – 5 Feb €365
20 Jan – 9 Feb €362

Where to book:

Visit SKYSCANNER

Baggage policy:

You are only allowed one piece of the cabin bag which must not exceed dimensions of 54cm x 38cm x 23cm (total linear dimensions cannot exceed 115cm). This cabin bag must fit the overhead compartment in the aircraft cabin.

The other smaller cabin baggage must not exceed the dimensions of 40cm X 30cm X 10cm and must be able to fit under the seat in front of you.

FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA:

Keep following TravelFree.info blog and LIKE our Facebook page, Twitter page, Telegram

!! IMPORTANT !! We have created a Facebook group to get only the hottest travel deals and error fares. Join now! After that, you are welcome to discuss topics about travelling!

Do not miss the next TRAVEL DEAL! SIGN UP HERE and get exclusive travel offers to your email box.

Accommodation:

Cancelled or delayed flight?

If your flight is cancelled or delayed by 3+ hours, you may get a refund of up to €600. Check it out at SkyCop.

Tours and excursions:

Have a look at Trip Advisor as well when planning your holiday to find out what’s hot and what’s not when it comes to all the local attractions.

Car rental:

You can find the best car rental prices at AutoEurope.com.

Insurance:

Worldwide travel medical insurance for Nomads. Only from $37 / 4 weeks worldwide, affordable travel medical insurance for anyone, especially for long-term travellers and digital nomads.

Save money with a Free Debit card:

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* This article was originally published here

Amadeus, Microsoft on the "next-gen" travel experience

2023-03-07T05:57:00.001-06:00

A new report from Amadeus and Microsoft explores how a focus on purpose and context will allow the travel industry to maximize value.

* This article was originally published here

News: JetBlue Card Portfolio Gets a New Look and Even Better Benefits

2023-03-07T05:51:00.001-06:00

Last week, JetBlue introduced newly designed cards and great new benefits for Cardmembers, including: JetBlue Plus Card Holders Get Points Payback Points Payback allows cardholders to redeem points for a statement credit and pay yourself back for purchases of $25 or more when made with the JetBlue Plus Card (maximum $1,000 per year).

* This article was originally published here

Euan McGlashan: ‘There’s not a lot of glamour in luxury hotels’

2023-03-07T05:39:00.001-06:00

When you think of a CEO, what’s the first thing that you picture in your mind? A collage of Rolexes, yachts and tailored suits probably. I was therefore pleasantly surprised when I made Euan McGlashan’s acquaintance over Teams, who wore a simple polo shirt.

A self-professed fan of David Attenborough, one of the things he strives to do in his own work at Valor is leave a legacy for future generations, or at the very least, do his very best to not screw up the environment any further. This mission has grown in importance for McGlashan over the last five to 10 years, as he has pointed out nobody was even talking about sustainability half as seriously 20 years ago as they are now. But this is not where it started for him.

As a bit of background, he grew up in Penicuik (Pennycook), which he describes as a “pretty rough little town” just outside Edinburgh, where he told me there weren’t a lot of career prospects – much less in independent luxury, in which he would go on to carve himself a niche, as you will go on to see.

“I first got a job as an apprentice at a luxury hotel on the borders of Scotland where I literally started in the kitchen, washing and peeling vegetables,” he says.

At that point in his life, he had enrolled himself at a technical college, which he attended two days a week when he wasn’t working at the hotel. At the age of 18, he got accepted into university based on all the work experience he had completed.

“I got into Napier University, where I stayed for four years before embarking on my career, which largely took off after I emigrated to South Africa,” he continues.

He continued to work in luxury hotels, more specifically within F&B, during his time in South Africa from the age of 23. In 1995, he was made group director of F&B. McGlashan was tasked with opening the luxury waterfront hotel of Cape Town, Cape Grace Hotel, when he was around 26 or 27 years old.

“In 2000, we won ‘best hotel in the world’ with Conde Nast Traveler, which was huge. And I was still only 32,” he says. “And then I was headhunted to the US where I had a long career until I started Valor Hospitality in 2012.”

Taking into consideration his background in luxury hotels, you might be fooled into thinking that ‘luxury’ and glamour applies to all facets of the business, but as McGlashan stresses “to anybody who would listen”, it’s a job that demands 365 days a year, around the clock.

“It’s one of the few businesses that never sleeps; you’re dealing in human emotion and serving guests,” he says. “There’s not a lot of glamour in that, but there is a high level of diversity relative to no two days being the same, and it’s actually probably getting more diverse and exciting as every day goes by.”

These days, his role keeps him preoccupied with strategy above everything else. As he recounted, he has to come up with the ways in which Valor will grow and how, as well as how long such endeavours will take – will it be three or five years? Most importantly, he is concerned with leaving a legacy and providing a very strong operating business.

McGlashan is based in five different countries, so he conceded that a lot of his time is spent on planes, travelling the world. “That obviously sounds glamorous”, he said, doing his best to underplay it, because “it’s really not as glamorous as it sounds”. Just think of the jet lag.

Valor operates more than 90 properties in 59 cities spread over five countries. With such a vast estate to maintain, the company employs approximately 7,000 Hotelitarians – McGlashan’s preferred term for all who are involved in the daily running of the company.

The name, it seems to me, comes from a place of total camaraderie and respect, as McGlashan professed himself to be “obsessed with culture and employee engagement”, and so views himself as just one of the team.

However, to keep the business ticking along, he has to dedicate a vast chunk of his time to working with individual partners and leaders, as well as working on Valor’s ESG standards. As such, one thing he wishes he could do more of is spend more time in the hotels with his team.

“As we get bigger, that just becomes increasingly difficult, but I do try to get around as many of them as I can. I am a very hands-on CEO, which I think is important for the culture of the company,” he says.

McGlashan, as many industry leaders, believes that hospitality is arguably in one of its biggest staffing crises. Despite doing everything in Valor’s power to hold on to Hotelitarians, such as launching ‘future leaders’ programs and growing its talent from within, he has noticed that younger generations that are currently graduating from universities do not think about hospitality as a career prospect in the same ways that his age group did.

“Arguably, now is the most exciting time to be in hospitality,” he also says, “but if you think about how business has changed through the advent of technology, that has also made sales and marketing more exciting than it’s ever been. PR is more exciting.”

He was not shy to plainly say that everybody works to earn money, it’s not out of charity or the goodness of their own hearts that companies have employees (or Hotelitarians) to start with. “I see so many businesses or other hotels treat their staff really insincerely,” he noted, “and by doing that you take a colossal risk that they’ll do the same thing to the guests or to you.”

With so much to do and so much to juggle at the same time, McGlashan says that the qualities that have best served him in his role as CEO have been emotional intelligence, as well as the ability to be both a mentor to your team and a friend. Besides that, being able to keep yourself motivated when there are no other people to delegate to you and inform you of your priorities for the day is another skill.

He says, “When you get up in the morning, it is you that has to give yourself your own shine and go out and do it again and again, because your teams are looking for you to lead and inspire them.”

* This article was originally published here

10 Solo Travel Safety Apps: Technology for Peace of Mind

2023-03-07T02:06:00.001-06:00

* This article was originally published here

Suspected cannibal caught at airport with ‘suspicious meat’

2023-03-06T23:12:00.001-06:00

Murder suspect arrested at Lisbon Airport.

A man has been accused of cannibalism after he was caught passing through an airport carrying a suitcase filled with pieces of “suspicious meat”.

Brazilian Begoleã Mendes Fernandes, 26, was arrested at Lisbon Airport after officers detained him shortly after exiting a flight coming from Amsterdam for falsifying documents.

However, as authorities searched his belongings and discovered his real identity, he was accused of a much more serious crime.

The Portuguese police look to extradite him to the Netherlands, where he is accused of murdering 21-year-old Alan Lopes just a day before fleeing.

Lopes was found dead in his North Amsterdam house, where he lived with his family. His sister, Kamila Lopes, told a local news outlet that Fernandes was homeless and sometimes stayed at their home. She also said her brother would give Fernandes money and attempted to help him get back on his feet.

A spokesman for the Dutch police said they were only holding the Brazilian as a “suspect of murder or manslaughter” with possible cannibalism charges to come later.

“After contact with the authorities of the Netherlands, the country where he resided, it was confirmed that he was wanted on suspicion of committing a crime of murder that occurred on February 26, in Amsterdam, which led the judicial authorities of that country to issue, already yesterday afternoon, a European Arrest Warrant for extradition purposes,” authorities said.

Fernandes also allegedly had a bandage and clothing with “traces of blood” in his belongings when arrested at the airport.

He had his initial appearance at the Administrative Court of Lisbon last week. He will remain in custody and is expected to be extradited to the Netherlands within 5 days.

* This article was originally published here