World News

Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean achieved a historic milestone in 2018 welcoming more than half a million visitors to the destination’s shores. Spread across key niche markets, the combined cruise, yachting and stay over arrivals for 2018 was 528,077 representing a 12.90% increase over 2017.

A strong performance was recorded in stay over arrivals with an increase of 9.97%, moving from 146,375 to 160,970 visitors with special mention given to the bumper Christmas season in which a growth of 17% was recorded.

Canada recorded the highest growth rate in 2018 with a 19.05% increase (14,586-17,364), followed by the USA at 12.38% (67,252-75,577) and the Caribbean at 6.87% (27,127-28,990). Significant growth was also recorded in non-traditional markets that included Latin America at 13.28% (1,265-1,433) and the category representing all other parts of the world at 18.27% (2,934-3, 470). The USA maintains the top spot in market share for arrivals to the destination at 46.93% followed by the United Kingdom.

The yachting sector recorded double-digit growth of 10.82%, with visitor arrivals moving from 21,911 to 24,281, a direct result of 428 more yacht calls. As it relates to cruise arrivals, the sector grew by 14.49% (299,449-342,826) due to larger cruise ship calls.

Speaking about Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s performance, Grenada Tourism Authority’s (GTA) Chief Executive Officer Patricia Maher said; “We are delighted to surpass the historic 500,000 mark. It is a result of our hard work in lobbying airlines for more flights and the engagement of top cruise brand executives for more ship calls. I would like to thank our stakeholders for their support in ensuring our visitors continue to have wonderful experiences in the destination.”

A delighted Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Clarice Modeste Curwen added; “Achieving 500,000 arrivals has been a landmark goal for the destination of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It is a testament to the growing island’s influence in the marketplace and industry growth. But we will not stop there as we want to grow the pie so that everyone gets a bigger slice. To do that, we must continue to keep our islands pure, share our warmth and hospitality with visitors, as well as deliver high quality professional service.”

Additionally, the GTA launched a destination shopping video, which highlighted the destination’s diverse offerings. All levels of shopping experiences were displayed including art, craft, glass products, clothing, spices and batik. GTA Product Development Manager Kirl Hoschtialek, says, “The shopping video is one of our strategies in improving the destination’s profile as it relates to shopping experiences which were highlighted in visitor surveys as needing improvement.” The video will be shared locally, regionally and internationally especially at the St. George’s Cruise Terminal.

The GTA is optimistic about 2019 and anticipates deeper collaboration with stakeholders to strive for Pure Grenada’s global brand recognition as a premier tourist destination.

Pure Grenada, the Spice of the Caribbean achieved a historic milestone in 2018 welcoming more than half a million visitors to the destination’s shores. Spread across key niche markets, the combined cruise, yachting and stay over arrivals for 2018 was 528,077 representing a 12.90% increase over 2017.

A strong performance was recorded in stay over arrivals with an increase of 9.97%, moving from 146,375 to 160,970 visitors with special mention given to the bumper Christmas season in which a growth of 17% was recorded.

Canada recorded the highest growth rate in 2018 with a 19.05% increase (14,586-17,364), followed by the USA at 12.38% (67,252-75,577) and the Caribbean at 6.87% (27,127-28,990). Significant growth was also recorded in non-traditional markets that included Latin America at 13.28% (1,265-1,433) and the category representing all other parts of the world at 18.27% (2,934-3, 470). The USA maintains the top spot in market share for arrivals to the destination at 46.93% followed by the United Kingdom.

The yachting sector recorded double-digit growth of 10.82%, with visitor arrivals moving from 21,911 to 24,281, a direct result of 428 more yacht calls. As it relates to cruise arrivals, the sector grew by 14.49% (299,449-342,826) due to larger cruise ship calls.

Speaking about Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique’s performance, Grenada Tourism Authority’s (GTA) Chief Executive Officer Patricia Maher said, “ We are delighted to surpass the historic 500,000 mark. It is a result of our hard work in lobbying airlines for more flights and the engagement of top cruise brand executives for more ship calls. I would like to thank our stakeholders for their support in ensuring our visitors continue to have wonderful experiences in the destination.”

Minister for Tourism and Civil Aviation Hon. Clarice Modeste Curwen also expressed her delight with the destination’s performance. She noted, “Achieving 500,000 arrivals has been a landmark goal for the destination of Grenada, Carriacou and Petite Martinique. It is a testament to the growing island’s influence in the marketplace and industry growth.  But we will not stop there as we want to grow the pie so that everyone gets a bigger slice. To do that, we must continue to keep our islands pure, share our warmth and hospitality with visitors, as well as deliver high quality professional service.”

Additionally, the GTA launched a destination shopping video, which highlighted the destination’s diverse offerings. All levels of shopping experiences were displayed including art, craft, glass products, clothing, spices and batik. GTA Product Development Manager Kirl Hoschtialek, says, “The shopping video is one of our strategies in improving the destination’s profile as it relates to shopping experiences which were highlighted in visitor surveys as needing improvement.” The video will be shared locally, regionally and internationally especially at the St. George’s Cruise Terminal.

The GTA is optimistic about 2019 and anticipates deeper collaboration with stakeholders to strive for Pure Grenada’s global brand recognition as a premier tourist destination.

On Sunday, 6th January, Silversea's Silver Whisper set sail on the 'Tale of Tales,' the cruise line's enriched World Cruise 2019. Following extensive refurbishments and after a hugely successful pre-voyage event, the enhanced ship welcomed World Cruisers aboard in San Francisco for the start of the 133-day voyage, including author Pico Iyer—the first of nine creatives who will enrich the World Cruise 2019 for Silversea's guests.

During the ship's dry dock period, which lasted from 1st December until 19th December, Silver Whisper underwent a large-scale renovation—completed in line with the Musification strategy that is inspiring the enhancement of Silversea's fleet. The initial refurbishment plans of Silver Whisper were revised and augmented following the launch of Project Invictus, Silversea Cruise's long-term plan to enrich and enlarge its fleet. With the comfort of guests in mind - namely, world cruising guests on the Tale of Tales - all public areas and guest accommodation were enhanced.

In public spaces, new carpets were laid throughout the hallways, staircases, in the main restaurant, the main bar, and all guest suites. The Main restaurant underwent a complete refurbishment, with new curtains, new chairs and new wallpaper, among other enhancements; the Spa & Gym was upgraded with new equipment and other improvements, and the Beauty Salon was also completely upgraded; the Card & Conference room was entirely renovated; La Terrazza, the Panorama Lounge, the Central Staircase and the Casino were each also enhanced dramatically. The Pool Deck benefited from a new teak design, as well as an overhaul of the Pool Bar & Grill and other enhancements. New sun loungers and new balcony furniture completed the refurbishment of outdoor areas.

The comfort of guest accommodation was also upgraded: in Silver Whisper's top suites, new carpet, reupholstered and new furniture, new wallpaper, and revamped wooden surfaces saw the Musification of accommodations. All suites were invigorated with improvements to the en-suite bathrooms; new mattresses, curtains and furniture; and wood polishing.

The refurbishment of Silver Whisper is not the only enhancement enriching the World Cruise 2019 for Silversea's guests. The Tale of Tales will see nine celebrated creatives join the ship over the course of the voyage; each will illustrate their sailed segment by creating a work of art – either a written text, a photograph or another medium. Guests will receive an exclusive anthology containing all nine artworks to document their experiences. Illustrious novelist, essayist and travel writer, Pico Iyer, has joined the first segment of the voyage, sailing between San Francisco, California, and Papeete, Tahiti. Iyer's work has featured in such publications as Time magazine, Harper's, The New York Times, and The New York Review of Books, among others.

“We are delighted to have bid Silver Whisper 'bon voyage' for Silversea's innovative World Cruise 2019, the Tale of Tales,” says Barbara Muckermann, Silversea's Chief Marketing Officer. “Our guests will become the protagonists of their own stories, when they travel to the world's most remarkable destinations in ultimate comfort. Their experiences will be enriched by the presence of our nine talented Tale Tellers, as well as a number of other bespoke enhancements. We are enabling our guests to travel deeper in every sense of the expression.”

Prior to the commencement of the World Cruise 2019, Silversea hosted a pre-voyage gala dinner for the Tale of Tales' approximately 230 protagonists to get acquainted. The bespoke event, which was held at the Jewish Contemporary Museum in San Francisco and hosted by a number of Silversea representatives, offered guests a multi-sensory introduction to the Tale of Tales, setting the stage for the story to be told: guests entered through a grand entrance, where they were greeted by live harp and trumpet music, an impressive LED wall, and temple-themed lounges. Champagne and cocktails were complemented by canapés and a sumptuous feast, which was curated by Four Seasons, as guests mingled under San Francisco's skyline and sampled a taste of what is to come on this one-of-a-kind voyage.

The Commonwealth Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland, who recently visited Bangladesh for discussion with government and opposition parties, called on the Government and the Election Commission to provide a conducive environment for free, fair, inclusive and participatory elections on 30 December 2018.

The Secretary-General has noted with concern reports, over the last several weeks, of violence, intimidation and harassment against several candidates and political party activists. The Secretary-General emphasised the importance of a political and campaign environment free from intimidation and fear, and called on all political parties and stakeholders to participate peacefully in the electoral process.

The Secretary-General  has deployed a two-member senior staff team, who are already on the ground, to observe the poll and to meet with the Electoral Commission and some of the stakeholders who will participate in the election, including the Commonwealth’s international partners in Dhaka.

Scotland called on the Government and people of Bangladesh to uphold the Commonwealth Charter which recognises the inalienable right of individuals to participate in their national democratic processes, in particular, through free and fair elections in shaping the society in which they live.  Scotland said, “The people of Bangladesh must be allowed to participate, nurture and strengthen their national democratic processes and institutions."

The Secretary-General conveyed her best wishes to the people of Bangladesh as they prepare to participate in their national election.

Distinguished Jamaican born scientist, Sir Professor Godfrey “Geoff” Palmer, OBE, has been appointed Jamaica’s first Honorary Consul in Scotland.

H.E. Seth George Ramocan, CD, High Commissioner, said he was very pleased with the appointment of Sir Geoff who has demonstrated an undying love for Jamaica through his many decades of leadership, advocacy and promotion of the strong historical, social and economic ties between Jamaica and Scotland.

Born in the parish of St Elizabeth in Jamaica in 1940, Godfrey Henry Oliver “Geoff” Palmer, as he is known to friends and colleagues, migrated to Britain in 1955 as a part of the Windrush generation.  He overcame early educational and other challenges, to later graduate with a degree in Botany from Leicester University in 1964.  In 1968, he graduated with a PhD in grain science and technology from Edinburgh University.  While working at the Brewing Research Foundation he invented the Barley Abrasion Process, which revolutionised the brewing industry.  He was the first person in Europe and the fourth in the world to have been honoured with the American Society of Brewing Chemist Award of Distinction.

In 1989, Sir Geoff became the first black professor in Scotland. He was knighted In 2014, for services to human rights, science and charity. He is a founding member of the Jamaica Society Scotland.

During his working life, Sir Geoff travelled and lectured worldwide and was instrumental in the development of the cereal, sorghum as food and brewing material in Africa.  He also helped to secure the first export of British barley to China.

On his retirement in 2005 he was made Emeritus Professor of the Heriot-Watt University and he has accepted Honorary Doctorates from a number of Universities including the University of the West Indies. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine and of the Institute of Brewing.

Professor Palmer, who is also a human rights activist, has researched, written and lectured extensively on the Scottish links with slavery and the Slave Trade, including Scotland’s role in the Abolition of Slavery.

He currently serves as the Honorary President of the Edinburgh and Lothians Regional Equality Council.

The Chinese Community Centre-Birmingham has announced that it will stage the first exhibition about the Chinese Labour Corps in the West Midlands in February 2019, coinciding with Chinese New Year.

In November 2018, Britain commemorated the end of World War I with events across the country. One group that has been consistently overlooked is the Chinese Labour Corps (CLC) – volunteers from mainland China who were sent by the Chinese government to support the British and French armies on the Western Front. While hostilities ceased in November 1918 and troops returned home, the CLC remained behind to clear battlefield debris into 1919 with the final units not leaving until September 1920, almost two years after armistice.

Their contribution was never acknowledged in Britain until a campaign to recognise the CLC began in 2013.  Since then, a number of projects have taken place and the Chinese Community Centre-Birmingham (CCC-B) is bringing together elements from Ming Ai Institute’s ‘British Chinese Armed Forces Heritage’ exhibition which commemorates the CLC in WWI and the Hong Kong British Army Aid Group in WWII together with artefacts from the Chinese in Britain Forum’s ‘Ensuring We Remember’ campaign under the title ‘Chinese Labour Corps: the forgotten men of World War I’.

The full exhibition will be on display at CCC-B from 1^st – 8^th February 2019. After this, selected items will go on display in the Spotlight Zone of the Library of Birmingham from 11 February-1^st March.

Chief Executive Anna Yim says: “CCC-B is excited to be working with other Chinese organisations that have undertaken significant research and produced excellent materials including exhibitions on the Chinese Labour Corps.  We have been able to draw on our good relationship with the Library of Birmingham to secure the exhibition space and facility for a panel discussion on 27^th February to highlight these works in the second city. 

We have brought the exhibition to Birmingham so that Chinese and non-Chinese communities in the West Midlands can learn about the vital contribution of the CLC in the war efforts of Britain and her allies.”

The exhibition and talk are free to attend.

A new adventure story, set in the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia has just launched. It is the first children’s story book penned to promote the exotic holiday destination.

‘The Secret Treasures of Saint Lucia’ is written by successful children’s author Sara Grant and published by the Saint Lucia Tourism Authority (SLTA) in conjunction with Scholastic and Virgin Holidays.

The story for 7-11 year olds sees Jack on the trip of a lifetime staying at Coconut Bay Beach Resort with his parents when he meets Nyla, a volunteer with the Saint Lucia National Trust. When a mysterious treasure map appears, they must work together to discover the true secret of Saint Lucia.

Saint Lucia is one of the Windward Islands of the West Indies' Lesser Antilles. The "Helen of the West Indies" is known for its natural beauty and diverse attractions, including the signature Piton Mountains, a tropical rainforest and one of the world's few drive-in volcanoes.

Patricia Charlery-Leon, UK Director for SLTA said “Saint Lucia is hugely popular with families making up around a third of our visitors from the UK each year. With so much to do, it’s the perfect setting for a quest and we hope that this wonderful story inspires more families to come and have their own adventure.”

The book is available free in any of the 12 Virgin Holidays’ V-Room stores around the UK. It will also be given out at Gatwick Airport, on selected Virgin Atlantic routes.

Underlining its role as the Caribbean's leading environmentally-aware nation, Aruba has announced a total ban on all single-use plastic from next year.

The Dutch Caribbean island's government made a landmark decision in 2017 to ban all single use plastic bags and, encouraged by the impact that move had, has now extended it to include such everyday items as plastic cups and straws and Styrofoam boxes, such as disposable coolers. The ban is effective in 2019, with a one-year transition period to a total ban in 2020.

And in a further ground-breaking move, the island's Ministry of Environment has announced that sunscreens containing oxybenzone will also be prohibited in Aruba. A transition phase starts next year, with a full ban in place by 2020.

Coral reefs around the world, including along Aruba's coastlines, are suffering from

The Commonwealth Observer Group deployed by the Secretary-General to observe Zimbabwe’s Harmonised Elections on 30 July has released its final report. They are the first elections the Commonwealth has observed in Zimbabwe in 16 years.

The Observer Group was led by John Dramani Mahama, former President of Ghana, and included 23 eminent persons. A nine-person staff team from the Commonwealth supported it.

The Report highlights several positive aspects of the election, including: a markedly improved pre-election environment where all parties were generally able to campaign freely; peaceful, well managed and transparent polls on Election Day; and the participation of women as presidential candidates, polling officials, and voters.

However, the Group expressed concern about a number of technical and political shortcomings, which, in its view, unlevelled the playing field. These issues included the acute bias of state media in favour of the governing party; the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission’s limitations in the implementation of its mandate; persistent allegations of intimidation; and the unfair use of incumbency privileges. The Group further singled out the post-election violence, which resulted in fatalities, noting that it marred the final phase of the elections.

Because of these shortcomings, the Group concluded that it was unable to endorse all aspects of the process as credible, inclusive and peaceful.

In providing its recommendations, the Group recalled Zimbabwe’s relationship with the Commonwealth. The Report states:

“Zimbabwe enjoys a special historical relationship with the Commonwealth: it was in Harare in 1991, that Commonwealth Heads of Government agreed the Harare Commonwealth Declaration committing their countries to a set of core values, including democracy, the rule of law and human rights. These values are reflected in Zimbabwe’s 2013 Constitution. It is our hope that our recommendations and conclusions will contribute to their full implementation.”

Zimbabwe withdrew from the Commonwealth in 2003. However election observation in a non-member country became possible when Zimbabwe asked to re-join the Commonwealth. The Group’s Report will be considered by the Secretary-General as one aspect of the membership assessment process.

She fell multiple times but still Simone Biles was a 4-time winner of world all-around title – by a record gap.

The four-time Rio Olympic champion again proved to be the No.1 on the global stage after overcoming her first two falls in more than 60 career Olympic or world champs routines to grab a record-breaking fourth world all-around title in Doha, crowning her the best gymnast less than a year after she returned from a 14-month break.

Competing with a kidney stone that she named the ‘Doha Pearl,’ which was too big to pass in an emergency room visit, Bile was clear of Japan’s Mai Murakami by 1.693 points, the largest women’s world all-around margin of victory under the 12-year-old Code of Points. Why with two falls? Because her difficulty — which accounts for roughly 40 percent of scores — is 2.7 points greater than anybody else, by far her greatest d score edge of her five Olympic/world all-around titles.

After later apologizing on Twitter for giving fans ‘a heart attack,’ she said: “I didn’t know if I was going to pull it off and then I started doubting myself. I was definitely shocked.”

Biles led by .092 going into her last routine, floor exercise, where she is a full point better than the rest of the world.

“I was like, ‘Well, the day seems to be horrible, so let’s see what else can go wrong,'” Biles said. “Then I had to get those bad thoughts out of my head.”

She went out of bounds on her first tumbling pass but still scored a 15, highest of the day by that full point.

That made it the largest overall gap in the women’s all-around at worlds since the perfect-10 judging system was thrown out in 2006. Shawn Johnson held the previous margin-of-victory record of 1.25 points from 2007.

Biles also broke her tie with retired Russian Svetlana Khorkina for the most women’s all-around titles and matched retired Belarusian Vitaly Scherbo for the most career world gold medals with 12.

The Smethwick Engine, the world’s oldest steam engine in working order, built and designed in Birmingham by James Watt, will be powered by steam for the first time in over three years at Thinktank following an extensive restoration project.

Smethwick Engine Weekend will run at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum on Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th November where the historic engine will be steaming three times each day at 11:30am, 1:00pm and 2:30pm.

The Smethwick Engine was the first in the world to use both the expansive force of steam and a vacuum at the same time. A specialist team worked alongside technicians from Birmingham Museums Trust to restore the engine to working order. The restoration project has been supported by IMI plc and Millennium Point.

The work has been completed ahead of a yearlong commemoration of the bicentenary of James Watt’s death in 2019, led by the Lunar Society. Throughout the year there will be a range of public activities and events to commemorate, celebrate and explore the life of one of the most important historical figures associated with Birmingham and the Midlands.

Watt moved to Birmingham in 1775 to enter into partnership with Birmingham industrialist Matthew Boulton and the Smethwick Engine was designed by the firm of Boulton & Watt. It was installed almost 240 years ago on the Birmingham-Wolverhampton canal in 1779 and saved water by pumping it back up a series of canal locks at Smethwick.

It lifted the equivalent of 1,500 buckets of water each minute and refilled the canal at the top of the locks, so that 250 boats packed with materials could pass through the locks every week. Boulton & Watt’s engines marked the start of the Industrial Revolution. For the first time in history, production became independent of water, wind, animal and human power as its source of energy.

Lauren Deere, Museum Manager at Thinktank, Birmingham Science Museum, said: “The Smethwick Engine was a pioneering design which lead to the transformation of Birmingham in the 18^th century. It is always a popular exhibit at Thinktank and we are thrilled that the engine is able to run on steam again as it was originally designed to do.

“This restoration project has brought James Watt’s revolutionary engineering back to life ahead of the bicentenary commemorations in 2019. We look forward to welcoming visitors to see the engine on 3^rd and 4^th November and sharing more about this fascinating man and the impact this engine had on the city.”

Rt Hon Jacqui Smith, Chair of the Lunar Society, said: “It’s great news that Birmingham Museums Trust has been able to restore the iconic Smethwick Engine to full working order in time for next year’s Watt Bicentenary. The Lunar Society is looking forward to working with the Museums Trust and a host of other partners to deliver the 2019 Bicentenary programme. As well as enabling people to become familiar with Watt and his achievements, we will be looking to the future and asking how Watt’s ideas link to present day science, technology and innovation.”

Birmingham has one of the most comprehensive steam engine collections in the world, which is cared for by Birmingham Museums Trust. The Smethwick Engine is displayed in the Power Up gallery at Thinktank which showcases the fascinating industrial heritage of the city.

To find out more about Smethwick Engine weekend on Saturday 3^rd and Sunday 4^th November at Thinktank visit www.birminghammuseums.org.uk/thinktank/whats-on/smethwick-engine-weekend. Access will be included in the ticket entry price. A series of steaming events will also be planned for 2019. More details will be revealed via the website.

Elite Island Resorts Group, a collection of beachfront resorts in the Caribbean, is to team up with W8 GYM, an innovative 'GYM-in-a-Box' created by singer Fleur East and her cousins Nick Meaney and Clive Payne, for an exclusive partnership.

The recently launched W8 GYM is like no other single piece of fitness equipment on the market. Innovative, portable and multi-functional with interchangeable dumbbells, it allows the user to perform over 200 exercises with just one unit.

The W8 GYM has taken over 4 years to develop and the multi-purpose unit can be used as a Step, Kettle Bell, Barbell, Medicine Ball, Dumbbell and much more. The W8 GYM smashes through the three main challenges to fitness:

• Convenience: small and compact, the W8 GYM is portable and can be easily stored
• Time: W8 GYM's flexibility makes it easier to fit exercise into busy lifestyles
• Money: No need for expensive gym memberships or classes, the W8 GYM offers over 200 exercises meaning you can keep your training fresh and interesting

• An In-room video workout with Fleur using the W8 GYM on TV screens filmed exclusively for guests. The video will feature a workout designed specifically for continuing fitness on holiday
• A W8 GYM beach workout class – scheduled daily – designed by Fleur East
• W8 GYM Elite Island Resorts exclusive tracks and playlists in partnership with Spotify

Paula Whitehead, European MD, Elite Island Resorts, said: 'From the launch of our mobile free beaches 11 years ago, we add ideas that encourage guests to maintain or begin wellbeing habits on holiday that benefit them long after their stay with us. Collaborating with Fleur, Nick and Clive on this brilliant fitness innovation ensures that we build on that in a way that allows guests to keep wellbeing easily at the core of their routine both at home and away”

Jamaica’s tourism Minister, Hon. Edmund Bartlett listens keenly as His Excellency Maris Sangiampongsa, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Thailand to Jamaica and Canada makes a point during a recent meeting at the Norman Manley International Airport, in Kingston on October 26, 2018.

During the meeting, they discussed a range of collaborative arrangements including the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre. They also shared possible ways strengthen the relationship with Thailand by collaborating with the Jamaica Centre for Tourism Innovation (JCTI).

The official launch of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre is scheduled for January 2019, during the Caribbean Travel Marketplace, which will be held at the Montego Bay Convention Centre. It will act as a response to climatic events, pandemics, shifting global economies as well as crime and violence which can be devastating to travel and tourism

Their Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are to visit The Gambia on the 31st October bringing a welcome spotlight on the destination following its return to The Commonwealth back in February of this year. Planned as part of a wider regional tour to celebrate the UK's dynamic, forward-looking partnerships with the Commonwealth Nations, it will be the first time their Royal Highnesses will have been to The Gambia. Affectionally regarded as West Africa's smiling coast and a former British colony, The Gambia is widely recognised for its warm and friendly people, superb climate, golden beaches and world class birding, with tourism its principle industry.

The Royal couple will be welcomed at a ceremony in the country's capital, Banjul by The Gambia's President, Adama Barrow, democratically elected in January 2017 following his defeat over former leader Yahya Jammeh. During his stay, Prince Charles will be visiting the Medical Research Council Unit The Gambia which is working to eradicate malaria, as well as the Gambian Armed Forces Training Centre. The Duchess of Cornwall will be visiting a school whose students are aspiring to enter The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition.

The visit coincides with the start of the winter sun holiday season in The Gambia, and the UK's leading holiday provider and specialist to the destination. The Gambia Experience's managing director, Mr Chris Ayling comments: “The Duke and Duchess of Cornwall visiting The Gambia is a fantastic opportunity for the country, as not only will it raise the awareness of its rejoin to the Commonwealth, but also put the country in the spotlight as a superb holiday destination.”

British High Commissioner to The Gambia, Sharon Wardle, described the visit as “a wonderful opportunity to celebrate UK-Gambian friendship as well as those guiding Commonwealth values that unite our respective peoples as part of the wider Commonwealth family.”

Copenhagen has been named the world's top city for travellers in 2019 by world-leading travel authority Lonely Planet. The city receives the accolade in Lonely Planet's Best in Travel 2019, the highly anticipated annual collection of the best travel destinations, trends, journeys and experiences to have in the year ahead.

“Denmark's capital of cool is unstoppable” raves Lonely Planet in its description of its number one city.

Already world-renowned as a centre for Scandinavian design and architecture, the city's booming food scene, amazing sustainable credentials and new shoulder season activities are mentioned as some of Copenhagen's defining qualities. Copenhagen is in the middle of a hotel boom and over the next four years, some 8,500 hotel rooms will be added to the existing 21,000 rooms while the anticipated mid-2019 completion of the Cityringen metro line means even easier cross-town adventures. Unmissable experiences in the city recommended by Lonely Planet's experts include:

• Savouring the region's terroir and ingenuity at one of Copenhagen's lauded New-Nordic restaurants such as Noma and Kadeau or more moderately priced Høst and Mes
• Catching the train to Louisiana Art Museum for its world-class collection of Danish and international modern art, modernist architecture, sculpture garden and dreamy setting.
• Indulging your inner child with an evening at Tivoli Gardens, which now offers a new Winter season throughout the month of February.

Tom Hall, Lonely Planet's Editorial Director, said, “This is a city well versed in the cutting edge. Cobbled streets boast groundbreaking menus and trend-setting design. Centuries-old palaces, churches and warehouses share streets and waterways with bold contemporary architecture, while the city's former Meatpacking District hums with galleries, locavore eateries and on-point indie bars. Copenhagen is the epitome of Scandi cool and deserves to be recognised on the global stage.”  

Dennis Englund, VisitDenmark's Director in the UK & US, said, “This accolade highlights the city's fundamental traits and iconic characteristics and proves that Copenhagen is one of Europe's hottest destinations. The city is renowned for its constant innovation in culture, design, architecture and gastronomy and as the epitome for Danish culture, the same characteristics apply to the rest of Denmark where exciting new hotels, restaurants and attractions are set to open in 2019.”

Speakers gathered at Sir Sahibzada Abdul Qayyum auditorium under the auspices of Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar to track down the path and means to address the water crisis in the country while involving the energetic youth segment of society on 16th October, 2018.

Brigadier (retd.) Muhammad Aslam, Chairman GDAWP said he was very happy that someone has raised water issue. He stressed on the issue of water scarcity and encouraged the youth to promote the cause of building dams in the country. Furthermore, he discussed the climate change and how it is affecting the quality and quantity of water.

Dr. Shahla Nazneen faculty member from Environmental Sciences’ and organizer of the event talked about laws and policies of water in Pakistan. She said major portion of Pakistan drinkable water is at risk and only 1 % of urban waste is treated in Pakistan, while the rest is dumped into surface waters. She enlightened the participants with national drinking water policy and its implications.

Raza Ali Khan from PYPW, appreciated the provincial policy that it has added the youth role of water conservation being the premier policy in the country after Brazilian policy to do so. He presented the seven biggest dream killers for youth which included fear of failure, fear of success, lack of work ethic, excuses, toxic influences, lack of discipline and unwillingness to learn.

Saniya Kiran, a research scholar at the department talked about the thinking patterns of youth on water conservation which she concluded from the recent research, she has conducted on the topic. She talked about water quality changes over time and the activities in which water is wasted; the most. She also enumerated a number of water borne diseases to the participants.

Haris Khan, a youth minister for environment youth assembly talked about the hurdles in the way of youth to practice their efforts to conserve water. “We should be very concerned about drinking water conservation as only 1 % is drinking water”. He talked about the duties of youth towards the environment. He added we should replace the “I” approach with the “WE” approach.

Dr. Asif Khan, a faculty member at the environmental sciences department announced that a new society with the name “Environment Society” within the university campus is going to engage the students at university level and will address the issues of water scarcity. He added that conservation of water is only possible through the coordination and collaboration.

A research scholar, Farhat Ali talked about the implementation of environmental laws at national level. He said from 2005 -2010 disaster risk was the main issue but presently water conservation is the most important issue in the country and need to be addressed from all concerned quarters. Chairman, Department of Environmental Sciences, Prof. Dr. Hizbullah Khan at the end of the seminar appreciated all the speakers and the organizers for arranging a seminar on the most important issue of water scarcity and conservation.