Hyperloop, a new form of mass transit involving capsules whizzing on magnetic fields through depressurized tubes, has achieved significant liftoff in the northern Netherlands, a company developing the technology said Monday. A test vehicle was levitated and zipped through a tube at a testing facility for the high-speed transit system once promoted by Elon Musk. “So today, with the first successful test, we were able to levitate the vehicle, also turn on the guidance system and the propulsion system,” Marinus van der Meijs, the technology and engineering director at hyperloop company Hardt, told The Associated Press late last week before Monday’s formal announcement. The European Hyperloop Center’s 420-meter (460-yard) tube is made up of 34 separate sections mostly 2½ meters (...
Read MoreMonth: September 2024
Prominent Egyptian archaeologist and former antiquities minister Zahi Hawass has launched a petition for the return to Egypt of the pharaonic bust of Queen Nefertiti from the Neues Museum in Berlin. Nefertiti's famous painted limestone bust was uncovered at Tell el-Amarna, around 300 km (185 miles) south of Cairo, in 1912 by a German archaeological mission, which shipped it to Berlin the following year. Amarna was the short-lived capital of Nefertiti's husband, the 18th dynasty Pharaoh Akhenaten, who reigned until about 1335 B.C. FILE PHOTO: The bust of Queen Nefertiti, Berlin, March 1, 2021. REUTERS/Fabrizio Bensch Akhenaten, called the heretic king, was notorious for promoting the worship of the god Aten to the exclusion of Egypt's other gods. His reign also introduced a ra...
Read MoreThe KANHA and The Beach Samui partnership transforms the landscape of wellness tourism by combining luxury hospitality and innovative cannabis therapies on Thailand's famed Koh Samui island In a groundbreaking development for wellness tourism, KANHA and The Beach Samui have announced their partnership further cementing The Beach Samui's status as Asia's first licensed hotel offering cannabis-integrated therapies. This collaboration introduces a new suite of exclusive cannabis-enhanced treatments, designed to elevate the guest experience and set a new standard for luxury wellness tourism on Thailand's iconic Koh Samui. With Thailand's wellness economy nearing $35 billion in 2022 and projected to grow by 9.9% annually, this collaboration between KANHA and The Bea...
Read MoreGreece to tax cruise ship arrivals to protect popular islands from overtourism
Greece plans to impose a 20-euro levy on cruise ship visitors to the islands of Santorini and Mykonos during the peak summer season, in a bid to avert overtourism, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis said on Sunday. Greece relies heavily on tourism, the main driver of the country's economy which is still recovering from a decade-long crisis that wiped out a fourth of its output. But some of its most popular destinations, including Santorini, an idyllic island of quaint villages and pristine beaches with 20,000 permanent residents, risk being ruined by mass tourism. Speaking at a press conference a day after outlining his main economic policies for 2025, Mitsotakis clarified that excessive tourism was only a problem in a few destinations. "Greece does not have a structural o...
Read MoreSummer 2024 sweltered to Earth’s hottest on record, making it even more likely that this year will end up as the warmest humanity has measured, European climate service Copernicus reported Friday. And if this sounds familiar, that’s because the records the globe shattered were set just last year as human-caused climate change, with a temporary boost from an El Nino, keeps dialing up temperatures and extreme weather, scientists said. The northern meteorological summer — June, July and August — averaged 16.8 degrees Celsius (62.24 degrees Fahrenheit), according to Copernicus. That’s 0.03 degrees Celsius (0.05 degrees Fahrenheit) warmer than the old record in 2023. Copernicus records go back to 1940, but American, British and Japanese records, which start in the mid-19th century, show ...
Read MoreThe Royal Livingstone Hotel by Anantara has launched two exclusive new dining experiences that spotlight local flavours while enabling discerning travellers to enjoy the beauty of Zambia. The Gorge Picnic and Zambezi Dining Experience promise a feast for all the senses with world class cuisine and an unparalleled connection to nature. Nestled amidst the breathtaking scenery of the Batoka Gorge, the Gorge Picnic is a truly unique way to experience the natural splendour of the area. Hosted at the limited-access Bobo Camp, guests are flown in by helicopter to a secluded picnic spot overlooking the stunning Zambezi River. Here, an exquisitely prepared gourmet picnic awaits, featuring locally sourced delicacies such as Zambezi River bream with ponzu dressing and beef boerewors in a jus of f...
Read MoreCatering to the affluent elite, global luxury yacht market experiences significant growth
The global luxury yacht market size is estimated to grow by USD 5.22 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.61% during the forecast period. Increase in recreational tourism is driving market growth, with a trend towards use of advanced materials. However, high cost of operations poses a challenge. The luxury yacht market is a thriving industry that caters to the affluent and elite, offering unparalleled experiences on the water. Yacht interiors are designed with opulence in mind, featuring high-end materials, custom furnishings, and state-of-the-art technology. Luxury yacht amenities include hot tubs, swimming pools, gyms, spas, and helipads. Yacht features include advanced navigation systems, stabilizers for smooth sailing, and e...
Read MoreWorld’s first Art Amusement Park, will open this November at the Shed in New York City
The one-of-a-kind experience will showcase vintage carnival rides by Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Salvador Dali, David Hockney and more. Luna Luna: Forgotten Fantasy, the world's first art amusement park, will open for a limited time at The Shed in New York City on November 20th, after a successful debut run in Los Angeles. A colorful, riotous fun house of carnival rides and attractions by the 20th century's most celebrated and innovative artists, Luna Luna features a ferris wheel by Jean-Michel Basquiat, a carousel by Keith Haring, a wave swinger by Kenny Scharf, a wedding chapel by André Heller, immersive pavilions by David Hockney, Salvador Dalí and Roy Lichtenstein alongside additional pieces fro...
Read MoreRome is considering limiting access to the Trevi Fountain, one of its busiest monuments, ahead of an expected bumper year for tourism in the Eternal City, city council officials say. The Italian capital is preparing to host the 2025 Jubilee, a year-long Roman Catholic event expected to attract 32 million tourists and pilgrims. Under the draft plans, visits to the fountain would require a prior reservation, with fixed time slots and a limited number of people allowed to access the steps around it. FILE PHOTO: Crowds of tourists visit the Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy, August 8, 2024. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane "For Romans we are thinking of making it free, while non-residents would be asked to make a symbolic contribution, one or two euros ($1.1-2.2)", Rome's tourism councill...
Read MoreCruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the leading voice of the global cruise industry, has released its annual Global Cruise Industry Environmental Technologies and Practices Report, showing continued progress by the sector in advancing its environmental and sustainability agenda, including investments in ships and technologies for the uptake of transitional and alternative fuels. "Cruise lines are continuing to reduce their emissions at sea and at berth in pursuit of net zero emissions by 2050," said Kelly Craighead, president and CEO of Cruise Lines International Association. "This year's environmental technologies report demonstrates their progress, with the industry investing in engine technologies with conversion capabilities that will allow ships to use more renewab...
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