LVMH unveils 150 year old La Samaritaine revamp, albeit without tourists Luxury goods group LVMH unveiled on Monday the revamped La Samaritaine, a 150-year-old department store designed to help it grab a greater slice of tourist spending once pandemic travel curbs are eased. After a seven-year makeover, the historic store will reopen to the public on June 23 and rival the likes of Galeries Lafayette, housing a hotel, restaurants and shops. Its reopening, originally scheduled for last year, was delayed by the coronavirus emergency. A view inside the revamped Samaritaine department store ahead of its reopening in Paris, France, June 21, 2021. REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes With contagion rates falling in most of Europe, France began to lift restrictions in mid-May but foreign traveller...
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A Thai temple building a 69-metre-tall (230 ft) Buddha statue that will be visible across Bangkok said construction was nearly complete but its opening may be pushed back to 2022 due to delays caused by the coronavirus pandemic. The Royal Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple on the outskirts of Bangkok dates back to 1610 and is located on a island created by canals flowing from the Chao Phraya river. The giant Buddha statue of Wat Paknam Phasi Charoen temple is seen behind a neglected land in Bangkok, Thailand, June 16, 2021. Picture taken June 16, 2021. REUTERS/Jorge Silva Work on the statue, which is as tall as a 20-storey building, started in 2017 and should be completed this year, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the official opening may be pushed back to 2022, said temple spok...
Read MoreThailand’s planned reopening of the resort island Phuket next month to vaccinated visitors, bypassing quarantine requirements, has met a lukewarm response, with hotel bookings indicating expected occupancy of less than 20% so far. The "Phuket Sandbox" initiative from July 1 will allow free movement on the island for tourists fully vaccinated against COVID-19, with no self-isolation on arrival. They will be given a green light to travel elsewhere in Thailand after 14 days. The Viewpoint of 3 beaches; kata noi beach, kata beach and karon beach of Phuket But there are a few tricky conditions, too, and many industry professionals have complained that uncertainty and constant rule changes are deterring bookings. The plan won't be finalised until later this month. "This will be a sl...
Read More‘Diamond rush’ grips South African village after discovery of unidentified stones
More than 1,000 fortune seekers on Monday flocked to the village of KwaHlathi in South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province in search of what they believed to be diamonds after a discovery of unidentified stones in the area. The people travelled from across South Africa to join villagers who have been digging since Saturday, after a herd man who dug up the first stone on an open field, which some believe to be quartz crystals, put out the word. A man uses a pickaxe to dig as fortune seekers flock to the village after pictures and videos were shared on social media showing people celebrating after finding what they believe to be diamonds, in the village of KwaHlathi outside Ladysmith, in KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, June 14, 2021. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko The discovery was a lif...
Read MoreThe Disneyland Paris theme park opened to visitors on Thursday after being shuttered for nearly eight months during the pandemic, but safety measures were in force to stop the virus spreading. While cast members dressed as favourite Disney characters - among them Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy - were on hand as usual for selfies with visitors, they were keeping their distance. According to the park’s revised rules, “close interactions, including hugs, will be temporarily suspended.” Visitors over the age of six are also required to wear masks. Nevertheless, visitors streaming through the gates at opening time were ecstatic to be there. Émeline N’Zalakanda, a 22-year-old student, visited several times a week before the COVID-19 lockdown and has been missing the experienc...
Read MoreA 1,098 carat diamond believed to be the third largest gem-quality stone ever to be mined, has been discovered in Botswana, according to a joint venture between Anglo American’s De Beers and the government. A 1,098 carat diamond, discovered in Botswana and believed to be the third largest gem-quality stone ever to be mined, is seen in this undated handout picture received June 16, 2021. Debswana Diamond Company/Handout via REUTERS. The stone was presented to President Mokgweetsi Masisi on Wednesday by Debswana Diamond Company’s acting managing director Lynette Armstrong. It is the third largest in the world, behind the 3,106 carat Cullinan stone recovered in South Africa in 1905 and the 1,109 carat Lesedi La Rona unearthed by Lucara Diamonds in Botswana in 2015. “This is the larg...
Read MoreAfter more than a year on furlough, Antonio Ramirez, a waiter in Benalmadena on Spain’s Costa del Sol, is struggling to make ends meet. He hopes a revival in summer tourism will let him get back to work but the outlook remains uncertain. "It's awful to see all the hotels closed and the boardwalk all empty," said Ramirez, 55, who has been supported by the government's ERTE furlough scheme since the COVID-19 pandemic struck in March 2020. Tourists pose for pictures at the rooftop terrace of the Riu Plaza Espana hotel in Madrid, Spain, June 9, 2021. Picture taken June 9, 2021. REUTERS/Susana Vera While foreign tourism to Spain - the world's second most visited country before the pandemic - has begun a tentative rebound after plummeting 80% last year, arrivals remain at a fraction of...
Read MoreQNTC appoints Deveekaa Nijhawan to lead the International PR and Communications Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) has appointed Deveekaa Nijhawan to lead the International PR and Communications team, to assist in marketing the destination in key markets as part of the country’s strategy to become a world-leading tourism destination. Deveekaa’s remit covers key markets including India, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia and United Arab Emirates with a focus on engaging and penetrating travel trade and consumer media. Deveekaa is a senior PR professional with over 10 years’ experience in PR & Communications in the hospitality sector. Deveekaa said: “I am very excited to join QNTC and embrace this new challenge. I am looking forward to developing and implementing a holistic...
Read MoreFood by triple Michelin starred chef Massimo Bottura will be served next to Ferrari engines when the car company relaunches the restaurant in Maranello, Italy where founder Enzo Ferrari once dined with friends and Formula 1 stars. Il Cavallino will open again on Tuesday, across from Ferrari's headquarters at the heart of a region known around the world for fast cars and slow food. General view of Ferrari's restaurant 'Cavallino' run by Michelin-starred chef Massimo Bottura in Maranello, Italy, June 8, 2021. Picture taken June 8, 2021. REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane The restaurant, closed in 2019 by previous owners, is now a cornerstone of Ferrari's new brand enhancement strategy, aimed at offering affluent customers and new clients more than just supercars. A new women's and men...
Read MoreA tender nation of merely 250 years, the Seychelles Islands harbour a wealth of heritage, stemming from the continents of Africa, Europe and Asia. Blending into what is now known as the Seychellois Creole culture, this melting pot captivates onlookers with its diverse history, art, cuisine, dance, and language. First settled in the 17th century, the islands have held much intrigue throughout the years. Today, beyond its crystal-clear waters and pearly white beaches, the pristine islands’ authentic charms are sure to enchant its visitors. With roots sprouting from three continents, the Seychellois creole culture still reflects its origins. View of L'Union Estate. Photo: Torsten Dickmann/STB Immerse yourself in rhythms of the past African influences are still present in the rhyt...
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