Global good news FOR SMARTER TRAVEL CONSERVING THE CORAL

A living ‘coral ark’ is being created to conserve the Great Barrier Reef’s coral biodiversity. The Forever Reef Project at the Cairns Aquarium will safeguard 400 species of hard coral to ensure there are specimens available for reef research and restoration efforts should they be required to restore coral biodiversity on the reef. Dr Dean Miller, managing director of Great Barrier Reef Legacy, and project director commented: “We’ve had four mass coral bleaching events in the last six years on the Great Barrier Reef, and over 50% of corals gone in the past few decades. The most vulnerable corals and coral reefs are in danger, and we don’t have a moment to lose to protect and preserve this precious collection.”

Visitors can go on a 30-minute behind-thescenes tour to learn about the importance of healthy coral in the ecosystem, climate change and experience the growing collection of corals first hand.

Daniel Leipnik, CEO and founder of Cairns Aquarium said: “This collaboration will allow visitors to see just how diverse corals are in shape, size and colour like never before, in a world-first tourism experience, while playing a role in conservation. This unique collection provides visitors an unmatched resource to learn about the corals of the Great Barrier Reef and become more familiar with corals they may experience while visiting the largest living natural icon.” foreverreef.org

Ethical Travel In Ethiopia

The charity Together We Learn (twlethiopia. org), which runs ethical tourism trips in Ethiopia for travellers “looking for adventure and an authentic experience that benefits local communities”, has launched a new 11-day tour that takes in the sights, sounds, tastes of the country, including cooking, local wine and coffee tastings, visiting jazz bars and art galleries, the rift valley lakes and national parks. The first tour departs in November, a second is planned for the end of January 2024 and will cost £2,250 per person.

Wake Up In Berlin

Dutch-Belgian rail company European Sleeper (europeansleeper.eu) has launched a new overnight sleeper service from Brussels to Berlin, which means it will be possible to depart by Eurostar from London in the afternoon, change to the sleeper train within the same station in Brussels Midi and arrive in Berlin early the following morning.