World News

Qatar Airways is continuing its rapid growth across Africa and the Indian Sub-Continent with an increase in flight frequencies to Asmara, Eritrea, and to Dhaka, Bangladesh. From 7th September 2015, flights from Doha to Asmara will be increased from four to five times per week, representing a 25% increase in capacity and enhanced connectivity, in particular for customers from North America and Europe. 

The highly anticipated third edition of Dominica’s Nature Island Challenge (NIC 3.0) premiered in the USA and Canada yesterday on Outside Television. On Tuesday, August 18^th, 2015 the one-hour show will be released digitally at www.youtube.com/nichallenge. In April 2015, six teams of four competed in NIC 3.0, a four-day hiking competition, covering more than 40 miles predominantly along Dominica’s Waitukubuli National Trail, the only long distance hiking trail in the Caribbean. 

It's hard to overestimate the cool factor when it comes to motorcycle events in Daytona Beach.  The beaches beckon, the bikes are works of art, the crowds come from around the world, and the fashion is, well leather-clad cool. October 15-18, The Original American Beach will host more than 100,000 motorcycle enthusiasts and casual observers for the 23rd Annual Biketoberfest® motorcycle rally and festival.  

The Impossible Project have produced an instant film collaboration with Skateistan, an international non-profit organization that uses skateboarding to change kids lives. Since saving the last Polaroid factory back in 2008, Impossible have been creating new instant film for the 200 million classic Polaroid cameras still in circulation. Influenced by Afghan textiles, the special edition B&W instant film features eight white frames decorated with the signature Skateistan details.

The Maldives is famous as a picture-perfect holiday destination, but sadly most visitors remain marooned on the white sandy beaches and crystal clear lagoons of their luxury resort islands – oblivious to the rich and diverse local cultural experiences they could be enjoying. For those seeking an insight into the real Maldives beyond the manicured beaches, an eye-opening trip to see Eid Kulhivaru – a four-day national celebration of the Islamic holiday Eid Ul Adha featuring spectacular street performances, Mashi Maali 'ghosts of mud' parades, feasts, and Bodu Beru drumming and dancing.

For millennia Tokyoites have looked to the stars during the harvest moon celebration. More recently though, it's the stars that look to Tokyo for the latest in fashion inspiration. As the autumn moon waxes above Japan, guests of Palace Hotel Tokyo can experience Tsukimi, a moon-viewing celebration that dates back a thousand years. Between September 1 and October 31, “Moon Over Tokyo” guests will enjoy a bottle of 1-1-1 daiginjyo sake crafted exclusively for the hotel by the famed Hakkaisan brewery.

Barbados, this is a deep island. While so much goes on above ground, there’s a lot happening under the surface as well.  And far underground in the heart of inland Barbados lies Harrison Caves, subterranean caves formed by erosion of the limestone and shell rock left behind as Barbados rose out of the sea. The island of Barbados is unique to all other Caribbean islands by the way it was formed.

For the fifth year now since 2011, the famous Marie-Antoinette restaurant, one of the top Creole restaurants in Seychelles, has scooped another Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor, a feat which can only be achieved by a dedicated team. Located not far from the Victoria capital, the Marie-Antoinette restaurant is renowned for its unique authentic local cuisine and traditional architecture.

The head of one of the world’s most acclaimed airlines will keynote the region’s most valued tourism gathering. The president and chief executive officer of JetBlue Airways, Robin Hayes, will address the Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO)’s State of the Industry Conference (SOTIC), which takes place from 21 -23 October in Curaçao.

Grand Bahama Island visitor arrivals and occupancy levels have increased significantly this year. Statistics show that the occupancy rate for Grand Bahama Island in June has increased by 18.2% compared to the previous year, to 72%. Another sign of increased demand is a 40.1% increase in the year-to-date number of room nights sold in June was 253,941 versus 181,248 from the previous year.

The Saint Lucia Tourist Board and industry partners have hailed the just concluded North American Showcase “another fruitful and productive marketplace encounter”. The 2015 North American Showcase attracted twenty-five international wholesale and tour operator companies, and double that number out of the domestic market.

The Landings St. Lucia has appointed international business executive Kathy Taylor interim General Manager following the departure of Caribbean hospitality veteran Kashmie Ali, who led a turnaround of fortunes at the premier Caribbean resort over the past year. Ali, who helped to bolster the resort's success in the luxury villa resort category, opted to pursue new opportunities following his one year stint which produced strong results and increased revenues.

Visitors to the French Indian Ocean island of Reunion are able to enjoy the spectacle of a third eruption, when the Piton de la Fournaise started to spit fire again last week. The previous eruptions took place in February and May and were widely publicized around the world, leading to a stream of volcanic eruption spotters coming to Reunion Island.

Following the tragic and reportedly illegal killing of Cecil the lion, Born Free Foundation and Born Free USA today called on the US Government and European Union to take urgent steps to end the import of lion trophies and for an international moratorium on lion hunting. The global outcry following Cecil’s death has sent shock waves across the world and has further ignited the political and public debate on the plight of wild lions and the inhumane actions of sport hunters. 

Qatar Airways Cargo have launched an express airfreight service for door-to-door and time-critical shipments. The new QR On-Board Courier service have rolled out across the cargo carrier’s global network, enabling customers to book time-definite airfreight delivery solutions.