NEWS

Around the world in seven stories…

AVIATION

PHOTO BY JOHN TAGGART FROM CLAYDON BANBURY, OXFORDSHIRE - VH-ZND 11042018LHR, CC BY-SA 2.0

SUCCESS IS PLANE TO SEE

AUSTRALIAN FLAG CARRIER airline Qantas has set a historical record by ferrying passengers nonstop between South America and Australia. Departing Buenos Aires just after midday local time, the Boeing 787 Dreamliner touched down in Darwin, 9,300 miles and 17 hours of flight time later.

In achieving this monumental feat, the airline set two internal records: longest distance covered, and longest time spent in the air for a commercial flight. Captain Alex Passerini, who commanded the flight said, “Qantas has always stepped up to a challenge, especially when it comes to long-haul travel, and this flight is an excellent example of the capabilities and attention to detail of our flight planning team.”

COVID-19 KIWI NATION UNPEELS TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

JACINDA ARDERN, PRIME Minister of New Zealand, has announced that the country will fully reopen all its international borders from 11:59 p.m. on July 31st. New Zealand will welcome back all cruise ships to local ports on the same day.

This relaxing of restrictions at all borders, comes two months earlier than the government’s previously announced time frame and will arrive with new rules regarding visas for incoming visitors.

Ardern said in a speech given in Auckland that reopening the borders in the wake of the continued road to COVID-19 recovery would help to relieve urgent skills shortages, open all forms of tourism, and help to put immigration settings on a more secure footing going forward.

LEISURE TOURISM PORTUGUESE PINTEREST PILGRIMAGE

TRENDY SOCIAL MEDIA giant Pinterest has revealed the most popular destination for holidaying this summer is Porto, Portugal. Using data from their site based on search volume and post activity, they have compiled a top 10 list of the most anticipated vacation destinations. Corfu, Greece and Lake Como, Italy came in at second and third respectively. Social media-savvy travellers are repeatedly drawing inspiration for their getaways from vibrant imaging sites such as Pinterest.

Offering something for every variety of traveller, Porto boasts a warm summer climate, and caters to all relaxed or active needs. Whether it’s sampling the country’s delicious wines or walking through the rugged coastlines and sprawling city.

HOTELS NO RESERVATIONS WITH NEW FILMIC GETAWAY

FILM FANS WILL now have the chance to stay in the iconic windmill of the Moulin Rouge, straight out of the 2001 movie by Baz Luhrmann. Currently also a Broadway smash, Moulin Rouge has a vast cult following and the iconic film location is opening its doors to overnight visitors through a collaboration with Airbnb. Fans will be able to explore the inner secrets of the flamboyant setting, in a transformed secret suite within the windmill, which boasts a frilly pink bedroom with a canopy bed, adorned with flowers and silk wrapping. There’s also a candlelit rooftop garden space with an area to entertain and admire the view of the stunning Parisian skyline.

PHOTO BY JUANEDC FROM ZARAGOZA, ESPAÑA - MOULIN ROUGEUPLOADED BY JUANEDC, CC BY 2.0

HOTELS PAW-SOME ACCOMMODATION

THE UAE’S PET population is thriving alongside the rise of animal-friendly facilities across the nation. The five-star doggy day-care pet hotel ‘My Second Home’ has been created to provide a superior dog care experience for the UAE’s pets and owners.

All four-legged boarding guests can enjoy the luxury of limousine transfers to and from the resort and have their suites customised with their favourite toys and comforters. Owners can then keep in touch with their pups via webcam. With several different packages, from standard to deluxe, royal and even presidential suites, the larger rooms can accommodate up to three dogs from the same family. My Second Home endeavours to provide fivestar recreation, boarding, training and pampering for dogs, with plans in the pipeline to introduce cat facilities.

TECHNOLOGY METAVERSE APPROACHES TAKE OFF

VUELING AIRLINE HAS become the first airline to sell flights within the metaverse. The company, owned by IAG, is opening the new sales channel and will be operational by the end of the year. Everything purchased within the metaverse will be transferable and ready to use in the real world, e.g. the equivalent to a physical flight pass.

Vueling’s objective is to take advantage of technology and virtual environments, in order to offer an increasingly rich, simple and more personalised experience to all customers when planning trips.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS VIETNAM’S DIZZYING NEW ATTRACTION

THE WORLD’S LONGEST glass-bottomed bridge has opened in Vietnam, ready for adrenaline junkies and daredevils to experience its jaw-dropping views. Vietnam’s latest tourist destination is attracting swathes of travellers with a head for heights.

The Bach Long pedestrian bridge which translates as ‘white dragon’ in Vietnamese, is a glass-bottomed overpass structure, stunningly suspended 150 metres clear of the picturesque tropical rainforest below.

An impressive 630 metres in length, the glass tempered floor of the bridge can support up to 450 people at a time. Now the world’s longest bridge of its kind, it surpasses a 526 metre structure in Guangdong, China.