SUSTAINABLE TRAVELLER

Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Global partners with The Ocean Race

Red Sea Global (RSG), the developers of e Red Sea project and Amaala in Saudi Arabia, have become the Regenerative Project Partner for the next two editions of the round-the-world 32,000 e Ocean Race. “ rough this partnership, we hope to support the e orts of e Ocean Race to raise awareness of the challenges facing our oceans globally today, and protect the outstanding beauty of the marine ecosystems in areas such as the Red Sea. At the same time, we want to nurture the next generation of sailors and build a sailing legacy for years to come,” said John Pagano, group CEO of RSG. e 14th edition of e Ocean Race will start from Alicante in Spain on January 15, 2023, and nish in Genova, Italy, in the summer of 2023. It will visit nine destinations around the world including Alicante, Cabo Verde, Cape Town, Itajaí, Newport, Aarhus, Kiel, e Hague, and Genova.

One of the toughest legs in the race that the two eets of mixed crews on foiling IMOCA and one-design VO65 boats will have to navigate is the 12,750 nautical mile, one-month marathon from Cape Town in South Africa to Itajaí in Brazil. Total nautical miles covered during The Ocean Race ROLLS-ROYCE AND EASYJET TEST HYDROGEN USE ON JET ENGINE

Rolls-Royce and Easyjet recently conducted the world’s first run of a modern aero engine powered by hydrogen. The ground test took place using a converted Rolls-Royce AE 2100-A jet engine. It used green hydrogen supplied by the European Marine Energy Centre. While this is a major step forward for commercial aviation, there are limitations. As Airbus previously noted, “Hydrogen may provide more energy by mass than kerosene fuel, but it delivers less energy by volume. At normal atmospheric pressure and ambient temperature, you would need approximately 3,000 litres of gaseous hydrogen to achieve the same amount of energy as one litre of kerosene fuel.”

QUOTE OF THE MONTH We need to uphold a fair and equitable global order on biodiversity protection, rmly defend true multilateralism, rmly support the UN-centred international system…and form a strong synergy to protect the Earth”

Chinese President Xi Jinping, during the opening ceremony of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Convention on Biological Diversity

ASCOTT REFRESHES SOMERSET BRAND WITH DEEPER FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILITY

THE ASCOTT LIMITED (ASCOTT) has refreshed its hospitality brand, Somerset, with a more dedicated focus on sustainability. Besides incorporating nature-centred design features at its properties around the world, such as a green wall built on the external side of Somerset Al Fateh Bahrain, it is also undertaking initiatives including creating an organic garden for guests to enjoy farm-to-table vegetables at Somerset City Centre Atyrau, while the gym equipment at its di erent properties is either energy-saving or power-generating. Its Somerset Sustainability Passport Programme also rewards guests with discounts and perks when they make sustainable choices. The second largest brand within Ascott’s worldwide portfolio, Somerset is present across 70 properties, including seven in the Middle East, Africa, Türkiye and Central Asia. Ascott is also one of the first hospitality groups to be conferred with the Recognised Standard status by the Global Sustainable Tourism Council.

DUSIT PARTNERS WITH ORGANIC RICE FARMS

DUSIT HOTELS AND RESORTS has become the rst hotel chain in ailand to o er 100 per cent organic rice across its entire portfolio of properties nationwide. Embracing a farm-to-table concept, Dusit has selected four farming communities to work with, including collectives in Surin and Sisaket provinces. Driven by Dusit International’s food business unit, Dusit Foods, and the company’s Sustainability Committee, the initiative sees Dusit work directly with farm collectives and provide support in everything from quality control to training, packaging and distribution, helping to support sustainable development.

Kazakhstan’s Air Astana recycles used aircra parts

AIR ASTANA IS UPCYCLING used aircraft parts and decommissioned spares from B767 and A320 aircraft into furniture and interior decorations. The pieces, which originated as nose cones, luggage compartment lids and seat frames, have been transformed into items such as tables and chairs. There are also backpacks sewn from cabin upholstery fabrics which are suitable for both indoor and outdoor use with the ability to withstand a variety of temperature and climatic conditions.

ECO-FRIENDLY VILLAS IN VIETNAM

THE HUE ECOLODGE in Vietnam’s former capital, Hue, o ers just 15 thatched villas set within lush, private tropical gardens which are overflowing with seasonal fruits. Guests have the option of sampling organically grown vegetables at the hotel’s onsite restaurant or taking a tour of the local area to experience the authentic charms first hand.