April 2021 by MICE & TOURISM around the World

MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine the global monthly online magazine

since 1997

vol. 24, issue 4, April 2021

Jungle of Brunei

In The Footsteps Of Pilgrims JAPAN Asks VIPS to Limit Olympic Delegations Due to Health Crisis IBTM ASIA Pacific 2021 Postponed to 5 – 6 April 2022 DAM TOURISM The Unusual Tourism Attraction REOPENING Tourism ARGENTINA Awaits Arrival of Chinese Tourists to Boost Tourism Vaccinated TOURISTS MAY Be Allowed to Go on Holiday

MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine Volume 24, Issue 4, April 2021 edition – Online since 1997

Contents

8-12 In the Footsteps of Pilgrims 15 Global Meetings Industry Day Africa 16 JAPAN Asks VIPS to limit OLYMPIC Delegations due to Health Crisis 17 Turn a Game-Changing idea into the Next Big Thing in Travel and MICE 18 IBTM ASIA Pacific 2021 Postponed to 5 – 6 April 2022 21-25 DAM TOURISM The Unusual Tourism Attraction 29 Travel Fine for UK Holiday Makers 30 CHINA Growth in Transport Development by 2035 31 HAWAIIAN AIRLINES wristband for all Travellers 35 New SCHENGEN VISA come into effect 37 Reopening TOURISM 39 ARGENTINA Awaits arrival of Chinese tourists to boost tourism 40 Vaccinated TOURISTS MAY be allowed to go on holiday

Message from

Caroline-Artemis Welcome to April and this spring edition of the e-magazine! Late last month the Republic of Greece celebrated its 200 years of freedom and independence as a nation. As part of the nation’s programme of varied activities to commemorate this historic event, 4 pillars of Greece have been established: •The Greek Revolution of 1821 as a pivotal chapter in Greek history and a piece in the puzzle of world history. •Greece today, 200 years after independence •Greeks who left their mark on the world in the last 200 years • 2021 as a window of opportunity for the future of Greece Find out more at:

https://www.greece2021.gr/en/ After a decade of financial crisis imposed by the EU (European Union), the 200 years of independence celebration is a symbol that Greece is back and places its future, however challenging as a ‘Revolution of National Reinvigoration’. Tourism is at the core of the Modern Greek economy and will be one of the first nations to show that tourism is back in terms of health and safety, sustainably and eco-friendly considerations. As we all look forward to getting back to ‘normal’ and taking holidays, Greece, as one of the most well established and desired global tourism destinations and is now ideally placed to promote not only her tourism, but even more so, her rich history and culture to the world.

Welcome to MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine and enjoy this April edition!

Caroline-Artemis Laspas co-founder & editor MICE & TOURISM around the World e-Magazine

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PILGRIMS by Caroline-Artemis Laspas

The H oly V irgin Mar y – Megalochari, Tinos Island, Greece

The idea of going on holiday is high in all our minds after the past year and a half. Many of us will want cities and noise, hustle and bustle, but many of us will also want to reconnect to nature, to connect with their inner selves and to be thankful they made it through lockdown! The idea of going on a pilgrim holiday is not instantly one you would think of, but look a little deeper and it means far more than you would think! A pilgrimage means something different to everyone. Be it to discover and reconnect with nature, a religious rite of passage, or a great way to simply be active and enjoy time with friends, most of us have probably been on some sort of pilgrimage at one time or another without even realising it. It would be true to say that taking a trip like this, is not so much about the destination, but the journey itself, making it very much part of the great experience. Any trip from AtoZ will find many expected and unlikely encounters along the way, making it an even richer and surprising experience. Here we take a look at some of the well-known and least known pilgrim trails on offer around the world. It would not be right to not begin with probably the most famous pilgrim trial of them all and one which is undertaken by many people, who have no religious reason or belief, but see it as a must do experience. Camino - Spain

The Camino - Spain The Camino de Santiago or ‘Way of St James’ is a network of pilgrimage routes from all over Europe ending at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in north-western Spain where the remains of the saint are believed to be buried. The most popular route is the final section from St. Jean-Pied-du-Port near Biarritz in France to Santiago, Spain. With stunning countryside, good pathways, beautiful churches and small villages along the way, you often can stay in historic monasteries and centuries-old hostels along the way it is a trip you will not forget.

Via Podiensis - France The French town of Le Puy-enVelay was the starting point of the oldest recorded pilgrimage from France to Santiago de Compostela, dating back to 950AD by Bishop Godesclac. The traditional start of the pilgrimage is the Notre Dame du Puy-en-Velay. The route offers stunning fairy-tale villages and boasts spectacular views of volcanic landscapes and beautiful countryside. One highlight of this walk is a visit to the chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, or ‘the needle’. A trek of 268 steps takes you to the top of the 280ft volcanic rock upon which it stands. France

Inca Trail - Peru This journey incorporates subtropical jungle, Inca ruins, and breath-taking mountain scenery as you make your way to the destination of Machu Picchu, or The Lost City of Incas.

St Cuthbert's Way – Scotland & England St Cuthbert's Way is a 100kms trail between the Scottish Borders town of Melrose and coastal Lindisfarne, ending at Holy Island off the coast of Northumberland, England. The walk is named after Cuthbert, a 7th-century saint, a native of the Borders who spent his life in the service of the church. The walk ends on Holy Island where St. Cuthbert was buried in 687AD. Peru

United Kingdon

Via Francigena - Italy The saying goes that ‘all roads lead to Rome’ and this is why! The Via Francigena is part of a historic, epic journey taken by pilgrims from Canterbury, England, across the English Channel to France and through Switzerland before reaching Italy on their way to the Eternal City of Rome. The route follows long stretches of the Via Francigena with its many churches and shrines dedicated to St Francis. Charming old towns and beautiful scenery are in abundance along the route. The Via Francigena is, Italy

Pilgrim’s Way - Wales The Pilgrim’s Way runs for 130 miles from Holywell, the ‘Lourdes of Wales’, to Bardsey Island, the legendary Island of 20,000 Saints, off the Llyn Peninsula. Along the route are prehistoric stone circles, ancient churches, thousand year-old stone crosses, sacred springs and waterfalls. Pass through magical woodlands and cross great rivers, discover mountains and coastal paths, ancient roadways and tiny stone churches nestled into the hills, providing rest and shelter along the Way. Wales, UK

Tinos Island - Greece The Greek island of Tinos in the Cyclades sees its traditional white stone villages linked by one of the most remarkable networks of th ancient stone paths in Greece. Tinos is the most important place in Greece for the pilgrimage of St Mary on 15 August.

Many pilgrims make their way up the 800m hill from the harbour to the church on their hands and knees as a sign of devotion. Built in 1823, on top of the town’s hill, St. Mary’s church is also a place of miraculous cures.

Mount Kailash Circuit - Tibet Mount Kailash is sacred to 4 religions, and sees pilgrims from not only Tibet, but Hindus and Buddhists from India to Japan, as well as Western and Chinese travellers. Everyone comes to Kailash to walk the ‘kora’, the sacred circuit around the mountain. Tibet, China

The trail passes the famous Tarboche Flagpole and enters the extraordinary glacial Lha Chu valley, a flat, gravelly bottom receding between vast, sculpted red towers, broken crags and huge scree slopes. Due to its remote location this is a very unique pilgrim experience. The Pilgrims Way - England Perhaps the most well-known of British pilgrimages, The Pilgrims Way is an ancient route that runs almost 200kms between the cities of Winchester and Canterbury. Pilgrims first started making the journey from AD1172, ending at Canterbury Cathedral, home of the tomb of St Thomas Becket. The route has some impressive scenery along the way including charming villages and historic churches.

dailytourslb@gmail.com

Kumano Ancient Trail - Japan The Kumano Kodo or Kumano Ancient Trail is a pilgrimage route to Kumano, part of the mountainous Kii Peninsula which stretches south from the Kansai cities of Osaka, Nara and Kyoto. Japan

The well-maintained trail weaves through deep valleys, mountains and small villages with stays in comfortable family-run inns with excellent food. You must also enjoy the natural hot springs, and visit the shrines along the way. The Abraham Path - The Middle East This is a new project offering a growing nonreligious pilgrim trail that follows the journey of Abraham, a biblical figure known for his hospitality and kindness to strangers and recognised in Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. It began in 2007 after a walk from Urfa to Hebron, considered to be his place of birth and death. It involves many existing trails starting in Turkey and weaves through Egypt, Palestine, Israel, and Jordan. To date it stretches across 2,000km, with more routes planed. By 2020, nearly 80,000 visitors have walked the network of trails inspired by the Abraham Path project.

Jerusalem, Israel

Whichever path or trail you choose, you will come away with stories about the locals and their families, the region, traditions, art, architecture, languages, recipes and their way of life old and new. Special friendships and acquaintances are made which often challenge beliefs, boost local economies and enhance understanding of regions and its peoples for the rest of the world to see.

Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions & Venues

SCOTLAND’S JOURNEY TO CHANGE VisitScotland Business Events has launched its latest campaign, ‘Journey to Change’, which will showcase how business events can drive social and economic transformation. Journey to Change is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development goals and demonstrates the impact that business events can have in helping to tackle some of the world’s biggest challenges, including climate change, eradicating poverty and access to renewable energy sources in remote areas. The Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted many of these issues and within the industry there is now a clear shift in event planner’s key decision-making when selecting a destination. Research undertaken by the VisitScotland Business Events team showed that a destination's reputation for tackling issues like climate change and human rights is increasingly important to organisers, something which the team believes will continue to grow in the future. During the campaign VisitScotland Business Events will work with partners and clients to highlight the innovation, skills and developments taking place within Scotland that have the potential to tackle some of the biggest environmental, economic and societal challenges in the country and other global destinations. Journey to Change also supports VisitScotland’s Policy Driven Model strategy, which aligns the national pursuit of business events with Scotland’s credentials, achievements and ambitions at a city, regional and national level.

GLOBAL MEETINGS INDUSTRY DAY AFRICA On 8th April 2021, Meeting & Events professionals came together to showcase the undeniable value that business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions bring to people, businesses and communities. The Africa Tourism Association (ATA) partnered with the Africa MICE Summit, Meetings Professionals International (MPI) Africa, Meetings Mean Business Coalition and Cadazo Consulting Group to anchor the virtual Global Meetings Industry Day (GMID) celebrations in Africa, featuring a special edition MICE-centric CEO Town Hall.

The theme for this year’s Global Meetings Industry Day events was #MeetSafe. All industry professionals now know that, planning and hosting business meetings, trade shows, incentive travel, exhibitions, conferences and conventions with health and safety top-of-mind is essential to the industry’s recovery. GMID 2021 highlighted the precautions organisations are taking to keep everyone safe and ensure productivity, as well as the incredible value of this industry and its importance for nationwide economic recovery.

GERMAN EXHIBITIONS PRESENT SERVICE PACKAGE FOR RE-START From experience gained in autumn 2020, German exhibitions have defined a service package consisting of 8 components that will make a safe re-start of the German exhibition industry possible for all those involved. Included are: systematic checks on compliance with distance regulations, the obligation to wear masks, as well as temporary restrictions on the number of visitors in accordance with the space used and the securing of contact tracking. The Association of the German Trade Fair Industry says that now politicians need to give the go ahead for events to begin again. The industry has been at a standstill for over a year with serious consequences for the entire economy. More than 35 exhibitions have been cancelled since last March, and the cancellations extend now to the end of May. Even for exhibitions in the 3rd quarter, organisers and exhibiting companies are already making decisions.

NEW BEGINNINGS WITH FALKENSTEINER HOTELS & RESIDENCES While 2020 has changed the world in general and the tourism industry in particular, 2021 is bringing more and more positive changes and things are starting to look up. So now is the perfect time to start planning ahead. On Wednesday, April 14th, at 10.00 am CET Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences are happy to invite MICE professionals from the whole CEE and Benelux regions to join a special 30-minute webinar. The participants will be introduced to the abundance of MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions) opportunities in Falkensteiner properties in Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro and will become the first to learn about the newest addition to the Falkensteiner family – Fortis club, located at the Croatia’s best holiday resort Punta Skala. The MICE segment will be growing rapidly once the borders are reopened therefore now is the perfect timing to use the time we have now to learn as much as possible to be ahead of the game and in control of the trends. Ms. Andjela Lovric, Business Development Manager SEE MICE, will be curating the webinar and sharing all the latest information on the markets, discussing every important detail about Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences and answering all the questions. It is also a great opportunity to learn about everything Punta Skala has to offer, from various sports to exciting wellness options. At the end of the webinar, the participants can look forward to the raffle with the main prize of 2 nights stay on BB basis for 2 person in Falkensteiner Hotel&Spa Iadera. Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences is built on the “Welcome home” motto. For 60+ years this chain of Austrian hotels has been welcoming guests from all over the world and making their holiday dreams come true. To this day the chain consists of 29 4* and 5* hotels and apartments in 7 countries, including Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Croatia, Serbia and Montenegro. Whether it’s a family holiday in the mountains or a romantic weekend by the seaside, Falkensteiner Hotels & Residences is there to bring the finest options. The webinar is organised by Access Luxury Travel Show and is free of charge for all participants.

JAPAN ASKS VIPS TO LIMIT OLYMPIC DELEGATIONS DUE TO HEALTH CRISIS Japan has asked nations sending their VIP’s to this summer’s Olympics and Paralympics to limit the number of their accompanying staff to just 11 people and to limit the size of national Cabinet-level delegations, like sports ministers, to just 5 people. The request is to help allow for Olympic diplomacy while reducing the risk of spreading the coronavirus in Japan, which still sees Tokyo and nearby areas under the pandemic-induced state of emergency as they still struggling to contain the virus. Visiting top-level officials will need to take ‘virus’ testing within 72 hours of departing for Japan and again upon arrival. They will be accompanied by Japanese government officials during their stays. And travel will only be allowed using designated vehicles, with the use of public transport being prohibited.

USTOA LAUNCHES GLOBAL TRAVEL BRACKET SWEEPSTAKES The United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA) has launched the USTOA Bucket List Travel Bracket Sweepstakes for consumers to vote on the most inspiring experiences in places around the globe. A winner will win a vacation for 2, valued up to UK£7,225, to the destination that champions the bracket with a USTOA tour operator member. Open to US residents only.

32nd MYBA CHARTER SHOW

The MYBA Charter Show (MCS) brings together a curated fleet of super yachts and a targeted audience with the aim of promoting and supporting a sustainable yachting industry. The 32nd Show will be held in Barcelona from 26-29 April 2021. This is the place to be if yachting is your business and your passion!

www.bmlinternational.co.uk

MEETINGS 2021 New Zealand HOSTED BUYER APPLICATIONS HAVE OPENED! Hosted buyer applications have opened for MEETINGS 2021, which will be held from 2-3 June in Auckland, New Zealand. MEETINGS is taking place as an in-person event this year, with a 2-day programme and 8 different regional familiarisation trips. Pre-familiarisations will take place from 30 May - 1 June in Auckland, Northland, Rotorua, Wellington, Christchurch and DunedinCentral Otago. After MEETINGS, from 4-6 June hosted buyers can choose to visit either Waikato or Queenstown. Hosted buyer applications for MEETINGS 2021 close on Friday 9 April, and pre-scheduled appointment requests will begin online from 19 April.

POSIDONIA SEA TOURISM FORUM, DIGITAL 2021

Over a year since the global COVID-19 pandemic outbreak of early 2020, at a very important crossroad for the global tourism industry and especially for the cruise industry, which aims at a dynamic restart with Greece on the top of its agenda, the 6th Posidonia Sea Tourism Forum, adjusted to the special needs of the pandemic, will take place on Tuesday 25 May 2021, in a digital environmen t, through a special platform created for the event. The international Conference & Exhibition, dedicated to cruising and sea tourism in the East Mediterranean, will examine the prospect of a promising cruise restart in the forthcoming months and the inevitable changes in cruise operations needed to meet new extraordinary health risk mitigation requirements. What local economies can expect from the cruise restart is one of the key topics. The 2021 Forum’s guest speakers will include major industry players and stakeholders, as well as representatives from the industry’s supply chain. Additionally, representatives from the port community will update delegates on the latest infrastructure developments in Mediterranean ports.

TURN A GAME-CHANGING IDEA INTO THE NEXT BIG THING IN TRAVEL AND MICE WTM London and IBTM World Partner with The Five Percent Roadshow to Create Budding Entrepreneurs of the Future Budding entrepreneurs who want inspiration to turn their idea into the next big thing in travel and MICE sectors are invited to sign up to a marketing workshop later this month, run in association with WTM London and IBTM World. The Five Percent Roadshow promises insight, encouragement, and best-practice examples from those in the know during a six-hour online event that’s jam-packed with seminars, breakout sessions and in-depth discussions as well as networking opportunities. Leading the event is business expert Marcus Murphy, co-founder and CEO of The Five Percent, an international community geared toward inspiring, equipping, and facilitating actionable content for emerging and transitional entrepreneurs. It’s the first in a series of The Five Percent Roadshows and, as this workshop focuses on marketing, Marcus will be joined by The Five Percent’s CMO, Nick Fisher. Oli Billson, Founder and CEO of NextLevelBusiness.com, completes the line-up. Oli has started, grown, and scaled five separate seven-figure businesses of his own as well helping his clients generate millions of dollars online through his education, training and mentorship programmes. There will be four sessions. The first, Defining Your Company Character Diamond, explains how a well-crafted character diamond can help entrepreneurs understand their own personal values and how that can be used to inform the messaging for their company. Session two is entitled: Discovering Your Ideal Customer Profile. Session three covers how to Clarify Your Company Message, while session four, Turning Complete Strangers into Raving Fans of Your Business, looks at how to create a roadmap that will help people discover your brand, build a relationship with you, and become buyers who turn into raving fans. The Five Percent co-founder and CEO Marcus Murphy says: “If you’re going to be starting a business in 2021 and beyond, you need to be a practitioner, not a theologian, and that starts by making sure you’re going to be building the right foundation.”

“Don’t just sit around for the next year where you didn’t do anything about that great idea. WTM London Exhibition Director Simon Press said: “The travel industry was built on entrepreneurship, with brave, creative and passionate people who dared to transform that seed of an idea into reality. Often, many opportunities have been seized upon during times of crisis – so there is no better time to take the plunge. IBTM World Exhibition Director David Thompson adds: “We are excited to partner with The Five Percent Roadshows, as we know anyone attending will have access to the best advice and support from those in the know and will finish the day buzzing with ideas and raring to go.” Simon Press ends: “We – WTM London and IBTM World – look forward to seeing these ideas become reality, with roadshow attendees developing their ideas and proudly exhibiting their products and services at our future shows.” The Five Percent Roadshow takes place on 29 April 2021 from 12.30-18.15. Registration is now open: https://fivepercentroadshow.com/registration

SKÅL INTERNATIONAL KOH SAMUI SUPPORTS THAI GOVERNMENT MOVE TO WELCOME VACCINATED TOURISTS SKÅL International Koh Samui (SKÅL Samui) believes that the proposed plan to vaccinate local Samuians, together with testing and vaccinating incoming travellers, is the best way forward after a desperate year with no international visitors. As an island, Samui has an advantage in that sufficient controls can be effectively put in place to allow the lifting of quarantine regulations, enabling travellers to return under a programme currently being referred to as the Travel Pass. SKAL are committed to regenerating business through Skal’s dynamic tourism recovery campaign, #ReDiscoverSamui which launched in October 2020 and has received approval from Skål clubs around the world. The campaign showcases the absolute best of the paradise island in the Gulf of Thailand. To help equip members with ‘best practice’ business skills, SKÅL Samui has also launched a series of seminars aimed at helping its members through the recovery process. SKÅL Samui is also collaborating closely with Tourist Authority of Thailand (TAT), Tourist Association of Koh Samui (TAKS) and the Thai Hotels Association in rolling out the #ReDiscoverSamui campaign.

GLOBAL WELLNESS SUMMIT CONFIRMED FOR TEL AVIV, ISRAEL: 15-18 NOVEMBER 2021 The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the multitrillion-dollar global wellness economy, today announced that the dates and location of its 2021 conference are confirmed: It will take place in Tel Aviv, Israel, from November 15–18 at the Hilton Tel Aviv, set on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s the first time in its 15-year history that the GWS will be held in the Middle East. Delegates will experience 3 days of expert keynotes and panels on the very different—and very bright—future for wellness as the world emerges from the pandemic. The GWS aims to provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for attendees, immersing them in the vibrant cultures of Tel Aviv and Israel, bursting with history, art, spirituality and innovation. Balmy, beachy Tel Aviv, where world-leading innovation and ancient cultures come together, boasts more start-ups than any place other than Silicon Valley and is taking the lead in health and wellness technologies. The agenda, and an expanded Tech Innovation Pavilion, will expose delegates to the cutting-edge future of wellness. The 2021 GWS will also offer the most pre- and post-Summit trips in its history, including bespoke tours of historic Jerusalem and Petra, the archaeological “Lost City” of Jordan.

IBTM ASIA PACIFIC 2021 POSTPONED TO 5 – 6 APRIL 2022 Following the latest government advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19), and as a result of in-depth discussions with customers and hosted buyers from the region and globally, the dates for our inaugural IBTM Asia Pacific 2021 have moved to 5 – 6 April 2022 (from 6 – 8 June 2021). The event will take place at Marina Bay Sands Singapore. While there are very positive moves towards the gradual return of live events and Singapore is considered a safe destination, IBTM Asia Pacific is a global event which attracts an international audience, and therefore we have a desire and a responsibility to give our attendees the safest and best possible experience.

IBTM Asia Pacific are very much looking forward to bringing together the industry in Singapore next year and will be releasing more information about IBTM Asia Pacific 2022 in due course.

ICCA AND BESTCITIES GLOBAL ALLIANCE LAUNCH INCREDIBLE IMPACTS AWARDS 2021 Incredible Impacts Programme provides a powerful storytelling platform to showcase the positive societal impact of international association meetings. th

ICCA and BestCities Global Alliance open applications for the 5 year of the Incredible Impacts Programme - a global initiative that shines a light on associations delivering lasting societal change through congress. This year’s programme also responds to the industry challenges faced as a result of the pandemic by welcoming applications from associations that have successfully delivered legacy programmes through virtual or hybrid event formats. A group of independent, impartial judges will select 3 association meetings that have delivered a proven impact as winners, each receiving a grand of UK£5,420 to further their important work. The winners will be invited to share their learnings and experiences at the ICCA Congress 24-27 October 2021. To find out more about the programme, submit an application or nominate an association visit www.iccaworld.org/incredibleimpacts. The deadline for the first round of submissions is 1 June 2021.

QATAR TRAVEL MART 16-18 NOVEMBER 2021 As the world begins to emerge victorious from the vast challenges of the past 12 months, the travel and tourism industry is preparing itself for a monumental resurgence. Along with the rapid and expansive rollout of vaccines across the world, the light at the end of the tunnel is re-appearing and it is forecasted that a return to normality can be expected in the second half of 2021.

With Qatar being at the forefront of innovation and with substantial government support of the local tourism sector, as well as the upcoming 2022 FIFA World Cup and various Megaprojects, Qatar Travel Mart 2021 will prove to be the ideal platform for businesses from various sectors in the travel & tourism industry to re-ignite and re-launch their business and brands to the most discerning and upscale market leaders and peers.

The fast-growing inbound and outbound travel market in Qatar along with QTM 2021 being the FIRST and ONLY event in Qatar to promote recovery and best practices of the travel and tourism industry is WHY you should not miss out on this opportunity to be a part of this ground-breaking event scheduled for the 16-18 November 2021 at the world class Doha Exhibition and Convention Center.

DAM TOURISM THE UNUSUAL TOURISM ATTRACTION by Dima Lavinovich

Plastiras dam, Greece

The tourism sector is always full of surprises and least of all, for what becomes a tourism attraction. We travel to France t o see the Eiffel Tower, to Moscow to visit Red Square, to Egypt to see the Pyramids, but you wo uld not have on your list to visit a dam! However, all over the world, these magnificent, often elegant manmade structures are big tourist attractions not only for their skilled engineering feats but also because many are located in stunning areas of natural beauty. The earliest known dam is the Jawa Dam in Jordan, dating to 3,000 BC. Over the thousands of years since then, man has learnt how to control water and today we can see how some spectacular engineering challenges and designs have resulted in harvesting the power of water through the construction of dams to limit flooding, provide a water supply and primarily to produce electricity. The areas around the dams have often been developed into ecotourism spots while the reservoirs themselves can offer water sports and water based activities. Around the dam you can often cycle or hike and then boat, water ski or fish on the lake. All over the world there are thousands of operational dams, which are also now tourist attractions with visitor centres and tours of the dams. The Aigle Dam, France

Here we look at several from around the globe. THE AIGLE DAM - FRANCE Built during the WW2, the Aigle Dam is located on the River Dordogne. It is the most powerful hydroelectric dam in the Dordogne basin. Its arch-gravity dam has particularly original architecture and impressive dimensions: 290m long and 90m tall! HOOVER DAM - UNITED STATES This is probably one of the most famous dams in the world. It was the largest concrete structure in the world at the time it was built in 1935. Today, a tour allows visitors to see historic tunnels and ride an original elevator to the top of the dam; stand on the viewing platform and feel the vibration of the water rushing through pipes underneath; walk through the inspection tunnels at the centre of the dam.

The Hoover Dam, USA

THREE GORGES DAM - CHINA The original plans for the Three Gorges Dam began back in 1932, but it did not begin construction until 1994! Once complete in 2012, the dam became both the world’s largest power station and the world’s largest operating hydroelectric facility in terms of annual energy generation. The dam has been controversial, as it required the moving of over 1million people and flooded many archaeological and cultural sites. It measures 2,308m in length and 185m in height. There are 3 parts open to the public and each has its own perspective to see the dam. Tangziling Ridge can overlook the dam; 185 Platform has the eyelevel view of the dam; while the Commemorating Park can look up to the dam. Combined they provide a multi-functional experience of tourism, education, leisure and entertainment.

The Three Gorges, China

www.miceandtourism aroundtheworld.com

THE INGURI DAM - GEORGIA nd This is the world’s 2 largest arch dam measuring 271.5m high and 728m wide. It is a big tourist attraction with a visitor centre, museum and lookout spots that overlooked Enguri River. The facility's arched dam became part of the cultural heritage of Georgia in 2015. Tourists can also venture deep into the dam via 280m elevator.

SARDAR SAROVAR DAM - INDIA This dam provides water and electricity to Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. It attracts large crowds whenever it overflows. Visitors combine a visit to the dam with other eco-spots including, the Zarwani and Ninai waterfalls, and Vishal Khadi. India

Switzerland

LUZZONE DAM - SWITZERLAND This dam is very popular with adventurists due to its high altitude. At 540ft tall it offers one of the he world’s tallest artificial climbing walls.

www.bmlinternational.co.uk

ASWAN HIGH DAM - EGYPT Threatened by floods, over 20 temples in the area of Lake Nasser were removed and carefully rebuilt elsewhere to allow construction of the Nile River dam system, which controls flooding. VAJONT – ITALY This dam is one of the world’s tallest at 860ft. A beautiful structure, but unused since 1963. As the lake behind the dam was being filled, a huge landslide of Mount Toc caused a man-made tsunami which displaced 50 million cubic feet of water. The resulting wall of water fell over the top of the dam and crashed onto the town below. 1,917 people died and the reservoir behind the dam was never refilled. The Vajont museum was set up in remembrance of the tragedy; Visitors can walk along the first 20m of the crown and see the impressive scenery of Mount Toc and of the valley of Longarone beneath the dam. PLASTIRAS DAM, GREECE The artificial lake resulted from an idea proposed by Nikolaos Plastiras, an early 20th-century military general and politician, who wanted to resolve the age-old irrigation issue troubling the Thessalian plain. Although the idea was first tabled in 1925, the project was not completed until 1959. The resulting lake can hold up to 400 million cubic meters of fresh water. Italy

During World War II, a part of the area now covered by the lake was used as a secret airbase by the Allies. Locals hid the airport’s runway with greenery during the day and lit fires at night to mark it out for approaching Allied pilots. The lake is stunningly beautiful with many coves and inlets making it hard to believe that the lake is artificial.

Greece

THE KARUN-3 DAM - IRAN This arch style dam was built for both flood control and power generating purposes. It is also the largest reservoir among all double arc concrete dams in the world. The Karun River Bridge is one of two large steel truss arches that were necessary to carry a former road across the deep reservoir created by the massive Karun 3 dam. Upon its completion in 2005, the West span became the highest bridge in the Middle East.

INKS DAM - USA The smallest dam in the world, stands at around 29.4m tall and is about 472m long. ALMENDRA DAM - SPAIN One of Spain's tallest structures, the Almendra Dam, also known as Villarino Dam, is located in Salamanca province. It is part of the Duero Drops system which comprises of 5 dams from Spain and 3 other dams in Portugal. USA

Spain

With over 38,000 dams currently in operation across the globe, the most being in China, there are many opportunities to visit and wonder at these incredible structures.

TRAVEL FINE FOR UK HOLIDAY MAKERS British Citizens who try to leave the country before 30 June 2021 for a holiday will be fined UK£5,000 under new travel restrictions. Many had booked breaks from mid-May when planned international travel was expected to be allowed, but the threat of a new 3rd wave has seen this new measure come into operation to limit an increase in infections coming into the country. Travel is only permitted for a few reasons such as work, volunteering, education, medical grounds, and funerals. People attempting to travel for other reasons will be asked to return home and will get a fine that can go up to UK£6,400.

CHINA EASTERN RETURNS TO PRE-COVID LEVELS China Eastern Airlines put all its aircraft into operation at its Shanghai base as domestic demand in China returns to prepandemic levels. It is now back operating 2,400 daily flights and is restoring service to several domestic routes, including BeijingGuangzhou and Beijing-Chengdu. It anticipates traffic to rise in the next several months for the Qingming and May Day holidays. London Heathrow Airport, UK

FROM ADRIA AIRWAYS COMES SOUTHEAST AIRLINES SouthEast Airlines is a new Slovenian airline with a managing team of experienced pilots and instructors, aeronautical engineers and mechanics, specialists in the field of finance and other aviation support services. The fleet is made up of Airbus A320 aircraft and will start operations with a 180-seater Airbus A320, economy class, with another to come into operation later this year.

HERMES AIRPORTS SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT VISION Hermes Airports who runs both Larnaca and Pafos airports in Cyprus, continues its commitment to the European Green Deal and by ensuring its strategies meet climate change challenges. For over a decade Hermes has been dedicated to enhancing its infrastructure while supporting an environmental culture for who whole company. Both Larnaca and Pafos Airports have attained the ACA Level 3+ issued by the Airports Council International, certifying the offsetting measures implemented by the airports’ carbon dioxide emissions. Over the coming decade, Hermes Airports will implement new ‘green’ technologies. Senior Manager Aviation Development and Communication of Hermes Airports, Maria Kouroupi said “For more than a decade, Hermes Airports supports sustainable development as well as the protection of the environment, which is a significant goal for the company. The objective is to eliminate carbon dioxide emissions deriving from the operation of the two terminal buildings in the next few years. Concurrently we are working together with the rest of the airport community, to create synergies for the protection of the environment, based on the international standards of sustainable development in our industry.

CZECH AIRLINES OFFICIALLY BANKRUPT With the company’s debts at UK£58 million, the Prague City Court declared Czech Airlines bankrupt. It is one of the world’s oldest airlines. A final meeting with creditors will be held in June and a decision on the sale of assets. The airlines has 500 employees.

FLAIR AIRLINES INCREASES NETWORK Flair Airlines has 5 new airports joining its network this year. These are: Charlottetown, Ottawa, Thunder Bay, Victoria, and Waterloo. In addition, 3 will be added again: Abbotsford (last served in early 2020), Halifax (2019), and Victoria (2020) for a total of 18 domestic destinations this summer. Flair Airlines also added 24 routes with a total of 82 weekly departures. 19 routes weren’t previously served by the carrier, with those returning mainly involving Abbotsford. In most markets, Flair will be the only lower-fare airline, so injecting more price-based competition. It will connect 7 routes coming from Toronto and Ottawa, 5 from Abbotsford, 4 each from Calgary and Edmonton, and 3 from Halifax and Winnipeg.

SKY EXPRESS AIRLINES CELEBRATE 200 YEARS OF GREECE! In honour of the 200th anniversary of the Hellenic Revolution Sky Express offered a free ticket to all that flew with them on Greece’s most special day, March 25th 2021. th

In addition, on 25 March, 2021 Sky Express welcomed 2 more brand-new Airbus A320neo into the fleet named ‘1821’ and ‘Freedom / Eleftheria’ All at SKY Express, Greece’s fastest growing airline, honour the nation’s glorious history while focusing on tomorrow’s Greece that dares, evolves and grows. With faith in its abilities, it will be flying higher every year!

CHINA GROWTH IN TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT BY 2035 China has launched plans to build its strength in the transport sector over the next 15 years. Convenience, cost-effectiveness, green, intelligent and safety are the key factors in China's modern transport system to be completed by 2035. The plans state that the National 1-2-3 Travel Circle and the Global 1-2-3 Logistics Circle will take initial shape by 2035 to connect major cities and counties across the country. The National 1-2-3 Travel Circle refers to a 1hour commute time in cities, 2-hour travel time within city clusters, and 3-hours to travel between major domestic cities. While the Global 1-2-3 Logistics Circle means a 1-day delivery to destinations within China, 2day delivery to neighbouring countries, and 3day delivery to major global cities. The big 4 city clusters – Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, Yangtze River Delta, Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and ChengduChongqing area – are China's 4 transportation hubs in the plan. Embarking from any of the hubs, a person would be able to reach any of the other 3 hubs in about 3 hours. The comprehensive transportation network will cover rail, roads, waterways, civil aviation airports and logistic hubs. Innovation and technology play key role with the digitisation and networking of transportation infrastructure, improvement of smart transportation development, and coordinated development and safety.

UGANDA AIRLINES SECURES MORNING LANDING SLOT AT LONDON HEATHROW Uganda Airlines has secured an early morning landing slot at London Heathrow Airport allowing for prime time business travellers ideal options. The new slot is for the 5 times a week flight from Entebbe. The slot took effect from 28 March 2021.

LUFTHANSA ADMITS RECORD LOSS Germany’s flag carrier Lufthansa has lost a record UK£5.72 billion in 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic. Europe’s biggest airline expects an operating loss again in 2021, although less than in 2020 due to capacity running at only 40-50% of pre-pandemic levels over the year. Capacity will climb to 90% of 2019 levels only by the mid-2020’s. Lufthansa is currently flying about 20% capacity, with little improvement expected in the coming few months. Lufthansa includes subsidiaries Swiss, Austrian, Brussels Airlines and Eurowings, all operated at just 31% of overall capacity in 2020. Revenues dropped 63% to UK£11.60 billion in 2020, compared to UK£31.1 billion in 2019. The group’s current aircraft fleet of 800 planes will be cut to 650 by 2023.

DALIAN AIRPORT SHOULD BE MAJOR HUB Annual passenger traffic at Dalian International Airport in China exceeded 20 million in 2019. Dalian already a major port city and is well-known as a centre of trade, finance, tourism and information. Therefore it is in the ideal position to make its airport a major international aviation hub. Dalian, located at the southernmost tip of the Liaodong Peninsula, is a major coastal city in Liaoning and an important link to north-eastern Asia and countries and regions participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Japan is Dalian's largest trading partner and Korea is it 3rd-largest. Making Dalian into an international aviation hub while enhancing the service level of the airport will help improve the city's business environment and promote the development of its modern service industries, such as finance, tourism, trade and logistics. Dalian International Airport is one of 4 major airports in Northeast China, attracting 36 airlines both from home and abroad. Dalian is linked to 59 domestic cities and 29 cities in other countries and regions via 146 routes.

HAWAIIAN AIRLINES WRISTBAND FOR ALL TRAVELLERS As part of its pre-clearance measures for travellers, Hawaiian Airlines allows international travellers to upload their negative test results direct to the state of Hawaii's system prior to travel. Travellers will then receive a wristband when verifying documents ahead of boarding. To qualify travellers need to sign up for a ‘Hawaii Safe Travels’ account and input their flight and accommodation details. They must then complete the mandatory health questionnaire before uploading test results.

XIAMEN AIRLINES GOES GREEN Cabin supplies for the Xiamen Airlines flights departing from Xiamen, Fuzhou, Quanzhou and Tianjin towards destinations including Shanghai, Beijing, Guangzhou and Shenzhen will see ‘Bamboo Garden in Clouds’ as the new eco cabin suppliers. The supplies are all made from bamboo pulp helping to save up to 31,290 trees of about 20 years old each year. Back in March 2018, Xiamen Airlines was already using all bamboo paper pulp products on board. The products will begin to be used on domestic flights too bringing a green and healthy travel experience to more passengers.

AIR BALTIC FLIGHTS FROM LATVIA TO INTERNATIONAL DESTINATIONS ALLOWED Latvia’s Air Baltic is to restore flights outside of the European Union, initially to Kiev in Ukraine, followed by flights to Georgian capital Tbilisi, Tel Aviv in Israel, the Russian cities of Moscow and St Petersburg, and the Belarusian capital Minsk. Post-Covid, Air Baltic’s fleet has been cut from 40 to 25 aircraft and operated all on Airbus A220, withdrawing its Boeing 737s and Bombardier Q400s. By the end of 2021 it will have 32 Airbus aircraft and will offer 75 destinations from Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius during summer period.

2020: TEL AVIV TO NORTH AMERICA RECORD YEAR Tel Aviv will offer 12 routes to North America this year, double the number at the start of the decade with over 2.6 million seats on offer. El Al remains by far the largest carrier with almost 1.2 million seats this year across 9 routes. Strong routes are to Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, and Washington.

MRO & AIRCRAFT INTERIORS MIDDLE EAST EXHIBITION NEW DATES The joint organisers of MRO Middle East & Aircraft Interiors Middle East (AIME), Aviation Week Network/Informa and Tarsus Group, have announced the new dates for the region’s premier Interiors, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul exhibition. The event will now take place from 15-16 June 2021 at DWTC in Dubai. By attending MRO Middle East & Aircraft Interiors Middle East, organizations will have the chance to display their latest products and services to airlines, MROs, OEMs, lessors, suppliers and aircraft interior specialists. The upcoming editions of MRO Middle East & AIME will host engaging features including access to hours of free show floor content. The 2021 event will include seminars, workshops and product demonstrations along with a pre-arranged meetings program to facilitate connections and networking between visitors and exhibitors. In addition, the Airline Buyers Programme will allow attendees to meet and network with regional and global airlines.

Africa, Americas, Asia & Europe

NEW SCHENGEN VISA COME INTO EFFECT New Schengen visa application rules have come into force in all countries with embassies that grant this type of visa. The major changes are: Increased Visa Fees - The Schengen visa fee has increased from UK£51 to UK£68 for adults. Children aged 6-12 years old pay UK£34 instead of UK£29.90. For nationals of countries that have a visafacilitation agreement with the European Union (EU) the fee remains the same. Electronic Application Form – A simpler application process. Schengen member states now accept electronic applications, and the application form can be signed and submitted electronically. Schengen visa applications can now be applied for 6 months in ad vance as opposed to 3 months. What is a Schengen Visa? A Schengen visa is a short-stay visa awarded to persons wishing to travel to one or many of the countries that make of the 26 European countries Schengen Area. The Schengen Area currently comprises 26 European states, the 22 EU member states and European Free Trade Association member states Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein.

GREECE WELCOMES TOURISTS WITH RUSSIAN & CHINESE VACCINES Greece will welcome tourists vaccinated with Russian and Chinese Covid19 vaccines that have not been approved by the European Union. The Greek government is planning for a safe opening of the 2021 tourist season from 14th May while taking into account the need for an honest implementation of epidemiological protocols. The country is running a pilot test involving tourists from EU nations, as well as other countries where the process of vaccination is active, for example from Israel. Requirements to enter Greece are that travellers will have had a vaccine or have immunity after coronavirus, or have tested negative in a recent coronavirus test. All tourists may be subject to random coronavirus tests, as was the case last year. However, the difference is that these will be express tests and if tourists test positive they will be quarantined immediately without waiting for 24 hours. The cost of hospitalisation or any other necessary actions that aim to protect tourist health will be met by the Greek state. Requirements for Greek citizens will also apply to all tourists, like the mandatory use of protective masks in public places among them.

Aegina island and the Peloponnese peninsula, Greece

2021 STAYCATION BOOM Devon, United Kingdom

With overseas travel restrictions changing in every country every week, many UK citizens have decided to stay home for the summer vacation. This has resulted in a surge in bookings for ‘staycations’. With places fully booked for the summer already, regions like the Lake District and Cornwall are very popular destinations. The neighbouring country of Devon is also seeing increases in booking in all types of accommodation as well as Somerset and Wales being popular choices. It is not expected that there will be any ‘last minute availability’ this year!

SINGAPORE TRAVEL CORRIDORS FOR VACCINATED PASSENGERS Bilateral travel corridors for vaccinated passengers from nations with low to moderate infection rates may be able to travel to Singapore nd in the 2 half of 2021, as Singapore explores ways to open up its borders and revive air travel. While vaccinations are helping the industry move forward, they need to work in tandem with other measures such as testing, movement restrictions and identifying countries that are ‘safe’ and have successfully controlled the virus. Singapore already has successful air travel bubbles with Australia, New Zealand and China, and this has not led to any increased infection rates. Life is not back to normal in Singapore, with passenger volume at Changi Airport at only 2.6% of pre Covid-19 levels. Singapore st Airlines is 1 airline to officially begin testing the IATA Travel Pass on flights from Singapore to London. China also now has a vaccine passport, while Germany and the United States are following close behind. SINGAPORE JOB SUPPORT EXTENDED The Jobs Support Scheme (JSS) in Singapore is to be extended by either 3 or 6 months for companies that remain heavily affected by the coronavirus pandemic. Tier 1 sectors - aviation, aerospace and tourism - will get a 6-month extension of the JSS. Tier 2 sectors - including retail, arts and culture, food services and built environment - will get a 3-month extension of JSS. Singapore is keen to provide such support in a bid to not lose its highly trained workforce in areas like aviation.

AUSTRALIA COVID-19 STIMULUS PACKAGE FOR TOURISM INDUSTRY

The Australian government has given a UK£664 million, tourism support package aimed at boosting local travel while international routes remain closed due to the pandemic. Included are airline ticket subsidies for travellers, cheap loans to small tour companies and financial aid for the country's 2 largest airlines. The package aims to keep the tourism sector going until foreign tourists return. It is hoped that more tourists will visit hotels and cafes, take tours and explore their own country. That in turn means more jobs and investment for the tourism and aviation sectors as Australia continues to recover from the pandemic. Tourism is a major growth driver for the Australian economy, employing around 5% of the country's workforce. The support package includes UK£111 million for Qantas Airways Ltd and Virgin Australia to help maintain planes and pay wages for international flying staff. Once borders open, the airline sector will require its highly trained staff back, as global routes will continue to increase. Qantas hopes to resume some international flights by the end of October 2021.

CHINA ‘INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL HEALTH CERTIFICATE’ China has launched the ‘International Travel Health Certificate’ for all citizens. It holds comprehensive proof that shows the holder's relevant information such as test results, antibody results, vaccine inoculation and other information. The Health Certificate includes an encrypted QR code that enables authorities in other nations to read and verify personal information. The Health Certificate can also be printed.

REOPENING TOURISM Despite warnings that the pandemic is not yet over, countries who rely on tourism are taking measured risks to re-open their tourism destinations as tourism contributes considerably to their GDP. Countries from Europe are pushing for a gradual reopening of internal borders as a first step, allowing for the free movement of people within the EU. With EU cases rising and lockdowns strengthening, the summer season is again looking unlikely to be a free for all, but could be saved by some internal ‘European domestic tourism’. The worst hit of the continent's nations include Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Portugal and Spain. Travel bubbles have been created for example in the Baltic States, but each nation has then restricted the movement of its own people within national borders, making international travel impossible. The governments are keen on kick-starting tourism to get their economies and their life back on track as they come to the realisation that the world lives with lots of viruses.

CHONGQING, CHINA TO ADD CULTURAL CHARM TO THREE GORGES AREA Shibaozhai island Chongqing, China

In China’s Southwest Chongqing municipality, plans to further incorporate cultural elements into the scenic landscape of the core Three Gorges area on the Yangtze River are underway. The plan includes Chongqing's Wanzhou district, Zhongxian county and Shizhu Tujia autonomous county in the centre of the Three Gorges region. Two key sites are; Huanghua Island, located in the middle of the river, and Shibaozhai, which accommodates a 12-story wooden tower built on the bank of the river. With rich natural resources like rivers, streams, islands, wetlands and grasslands, the area is also home to many other historical sites, ancient towns and cultures, the area will benefit from more attractions such as an ancient salt-transport-themed footpath, historical and cultural corridors, and Three Gorges cultural events to promote tourism in the area.

NICKO CRUISES JOINS CLIA EUROPE River cruise operator, Nicko Cruises of Germany is a new member of Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) Europe. The partnership will increase Nicko Cruises’ brand awareness across Europe and open up more business opportunities through CLIA’s wider community.

For over 25 years, the Stuttgart-based company has operated as a specialist in small ship cruising. Its all-inclusive ships are designed for 50-125 passengers, with English spoken on board and no-fly options available from the UK. Nicko Cruises was one of the first operators in the world to restart operations post-covid with a 10-point health and safety plan to ensure passenger wellbeing, which complies with national and international standards.

ONE IN THREE GLOBAL DESTINATIONS SHUT TO TOURISM A third of tourism destinations worldwide are currently completely closed to international tourists due to the pandemic. Despite attempts to re-open many destinations closed again due to new strains and high case numbers. At the beginning of February 2021, 69 destinations out of 217 worldwide were completely closed to international tourism, including 30 in Asia Pacific, 15 in Europe and 11 in Africa. In May 2020 it was 75% of destinations worldwide that were completely shut. About one-third of worldwide destinations are opening with a risk-based approach requiring negative tests by visitors and the requirement for quarantine if needed.

ARGENTINA AWAITS ARRIVAL OF CHINESE TOURISTS TO BOOST TOURISM As Argentina recovers from the health crisis, it is hoping that the arrival of Chinese tourists will help to boost its tourism sector. Following the recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese travel agency Trip.com Group, it is hoped that this will strengthen tourism between the two countries. Tourism accounts for nearly 10% of the country's GDP and employs over 1 million people, making it a priority economic sector. However, Argentina needs to improve connectivity, as currently most Chinese visitors come via the USA. It is hoped that new routes can begin directly through Asia soon. Patagonia, Argentina

HILTON TO OPEN 9 ADDITIONAL HOTELS IN EGYPT BY 2026 Hilton currently has 14 hotels in Egypt and it plans to open a further 9 by 2026 as well introducing 3 new brands to the country. By 2030 it aims to have a total of 30 properties in the country. Hilton will add about 1,700 rooms and increase of 28%. Tourism is a major pillar of the Egyptian economy and it saw visitor figures drop from 13.1million in 2019 to just 3.5 million in 2020.

INDONESIA TO GET REPLICA OF SHEIKH ZAYED MOSQUE Officials from the UAE have broken ground for a replica of Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia. The replica of the UAE’s largest mosque was a gift to Indonesian President Joko Widodo during the visit of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan to Jakarta in July 2019. It was the first visit by a UAE leader since 1990.

The mosque will be almost the same as the one in Abu Dhabi, but will incorporate some Indonesian ornaments and will maximize the use of local materials. The mosque will feature 4 minarets, with the main dome surrounded by smaller domes. It will be able to accommodate about 10,000 worshippers and will be completed by September 2022.

SRI LANKA TO ATTRACT HIGH SPENDING HOLIDAYMAKERS In a bid to revive its tourism sector, a sector the country relies heavily on, Sri Lanka is to target high-spending tourists from 2021 and onwards. It is not expected that post-covid figures will be achievable until 2024-2025. Sri Lanka’s main markets are UK, China and India. It plans to boost tourism while focusing on promoting domestic tourism, medical tourism, target longterm tourists (specially winter holidaymakers), and high spenders and upper class travellers. Lotus Tower, Sri Lanka

SPAIN BRONZE AGE BURIAL SITE SUGGESTS WOMEN RULERS

At the Bronze Age burial site at La Almoloya in Spain finding indicated that women were among rulers in an urban cultural. The site at its peak covered 35,000sqkm with complex urban centres between 2200 and 1559 BC. Researchers found women buried at places that were used to bury elite warriors or those in a high status. Added to this, the burial site was discovered under a former palace, home to the El Argar, a society that was among the first to use Bronze.

VACCINATED TOURISTS MAY BE ALLOWED TO GO ON HOLIDAY Tourists who have been vaccinated against Covid-19 may be allowed to go on holiday in some areas of Europe this summer, under a proposed ‘vaccine passport’ programme. Spain, Greece and Cyprus are among those pushing forward with such schemes Travellers would also need to show a recent negative COVID-19 test as well as proof of full vaccination as part of entry requirements. rd This is a step in the right direction, but with a 3 wave hitting many parts of Europe, international borders must first be allowed to open th before tourists can leave their home nations. Despite destinations like Greece open for tourism from 14 May, tourists from the UK cannot travel aboard for vacations until July. While a good idea, nations with slow vaccine coverage and distribution issues are hindered by such plans for foreign travel.