Tag: Top

Top safety tips for vehicle travel during pandemic

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In a year full of unknowns and uncertainties, what’s normally the busiest travel season of the year will certainly slow down. People will decide what makes most sense for them when it comes to family gatherings and trips. For those who choose to travel this holiday season, their family’s health and safety is a top priority, more so than ever.

Celebrating the holidays virtually to avoid large gatherings would be the safest option, but those who are planning to see family members should plan to quarantine ahead of time to decrease the risk of exposure. That said, many see traveling by car as a way to have more control over potential exposure to COVID-19. In fact, a recent survey conducted on behalf of Toyota shows more than half of Americans see their vehicle as a “safe haven” from the coronavirus.

Despite the pandemic, the survey also found:

  • 42% of U.S. adults are likely to go on vacation or travel by year-end
  • 56% said they were less likely to venture outside their home state
  • 72% said they would take a vehicle versus flying

“Safety is one of our top priorities, but it reaches well beyond making our Toyota vehicles among the safest on the road,” says Mike Goss, general manager, social innovation. “Our mission extends to making the roads safer for everyone who travels by car. Starting with the safety of infants and children, to teens behind the wheel, and graduating up to safe driving for seniors — it is an all-encompassing safety commitment.”

Buckle Up for Life is a national safety program from Toyota and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center that educates parents and caregivers about the proper use of car seats, booster seats and seat belts.

Regarding infants, a startling 75% of child safety seats are not used correctly. Beyond installing the seat in the car, do you know which way your child should face? The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends children remain in rear-facing seats until age 2, or until they exceed the height and weight limit for the seat. And don’t forget to remove your child’s winter coat before you buckle them into their car seat. Puffy coats and excess clothing can prevent straps from tightening enough to properly restrain your child if an accident occurs.

Buckle Up for Life, a national child passenger safety program created by Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and Toyota, teaches parents how to help keep their children safe. Here are the top safety tips provided by Buckle Up for Life and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for traveling during the pandemic:

1. Conduct vehicle safety checks. Before departing, have a service shop check your vehicle’s tire pressure, battery, fuel filter, radiator coolant and brake fluid. Also top off your windshield-washer fluid.

2. Plan your route. When considering your destination, the CDC suggests asking yourself the following questions:

  • Is COVID-19 spreading in the community or the area you are visiting? If so, you may have a higher chance of becoming infected or infecting others.
  • Will you be able to maintain a distance of 6 feet between yourself and others during travel and at your destination?
  • Does the destination require visitors to quarantine themselves
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STB investigating gathering alleged to flout Covid-19 rules at RWS hotel, Singapore News & Top Stories

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SINGAPORE (THE NEW PAPER) – Another investigation has been launched over a possible breach of safety measures at a hotel at Resorts World Sentosa (RWS).

Videos of a group of at least six women and a man were uploaded on social media on Sunday (Nov 15), when they allegedly held a party to celebrate the 33rd week of pregnancy of one of the women.

Some of the women had uploaded several videos on Instagram, showing themselves play-fighting with pillows and clothes on beds.

Social gatherings of more than five people are prohibited due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Responding to queries from The New Paper on Monday, Mr Chew Tiong Heng, executive director of infrastructure planning and management at the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), said it was aware of the alleged incident and was investigating.

“STB takes a serious view of any breach in safe management measures,” he said.

“Hotels are required to comply with all safe management measures, including ensuring that gatherings do not exceed five people if they are not from the same household.”

An RWS spokesman said it takes a serious view of non-compliance and requires all guests to be registered with the hotel front desk.

Safe management measures are highlighted to guests during check-in, and signs are displayed at common areas as a reminder.

He said: “We strongly urge all guests to strictly observe and adhere to all safe management measures for the health, safety and well-being of the Singapore community.”

This is the second such gathering at RWS that has allegedly breached safe management rules in as many months.

Last month, it was reported that a group of at least 10 people, mostly women, were seen drinking and dining together in a hotel suite there. Investigations over the incident are being done.

A reader tipped off TNP on the latest alleged incident and claimed it involved six women and two men who held significant influence over youth here.

One of the women involved has about 57,000 followers on Instagram.

The posts have all been removed from their Instagram accounts.

Individuals who breach safety measures may be fined up to $10,000, or jailed for up to six months, or both.

The maximum sentence is doubled for repeat offenders.

Asked what possible action may be taken if such breaches repeatedly occur at the same location, Mr Chew said hotels that are found to be non-compliant may face closure of its premises.

Businesses that do not comply may also be ineligible for government grants, loans, tax rebates and other forms of assistance.

Rules for staycations at hotels

Staycations are allowed at hotels approved by the Singapore Tourism Board and Ministry of Trade and Industry.

The hotels must comply with existing safe management measures, such as the wearing of masks and practice of safe distancing in public and common areas.

Gatherings, even those in private rooms and adjoining rooms, must be limited to five persons or fewer.

The exception is if the gathering consists only of people who have already

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Top destinations private jet flyers are heading for winter

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  • Wealthy leisure travelers are returning to the skies in private jets this winter to escape for the holidays. 
  • Business Insider polled some of the country’s leading private jet firms to see where they’re heading. 
  • The mountain and beach regions of the US continue to be popular but flyers are also leaving US shores for more exotic locals.

Winter is fast approaching, and so is the holiday travel season. 

While budget travelers shop around for the cheapest commercial airline tickets for a Thanksgiving or Christmas getaway, the wealthy are calling their aircraft brokers to book their private jet flights. Pent up demand for safe travel has brought the private aviation industry an abundance of new business and Business Insider polled leading private aviation firms to see just where their clients are going.

After a summer of unusual flying patterns, private jet firms are reporting a return to the traditional destinations for the winter. Mountain destinations are still popular for ski lovers while the beach provides a warm escape from the winter cold as temperatures and flyers head south. 

International destinations are less prominent on the list as travel restrictions still impact Americans but Latin American and Caribbean destinations remain a popular escape. Countries in those regions have relaxed their entry requirements for US citizens arriving by air as they rely on tourism dollars

“Last year, we saw our clients traveling to London, Paris, Venice and other international destinations, but this year they’re sticking to familiar locales,” Flexjet Chief Operating Officer Megan Wolf told Business Insider in a statement.

Here are the top destinations to where the wealthy are flying this winter. 

Colorado 

Aspen Colorado

Aspen, Colorado.

Shutterstock.com


Colorado is proving to be an all-year-round destination for the wealthy in 2020 as the mountainous state is among the most popular destinations for four jet companies. Jet Linx, Flexjet, FXAIR, and Silver Air Private Jets are all reporting an increase in flights to the state that also saw a busier than expected summer season for wealthy tourism.  

Aspen and Eagle are the most popular points of entry to Colorado, offering direct access to the ski slopes and an idyllic setting for social distancing in the mountains. Winter travel to these destinations can also prove difficult due to the mountain terrain, especially at night or on longer flights to the East Coast where a fuel stop might be required, so flyers should be flexible.  

Florida 

Palm Beach, Florida,

Palm Beach, Florida.

Walter Bibikow / Getty Images


Florida is also once again topping the lists as a top destination for the wealthy, according to FXAIR, Flexjet, and Jet Linx. Palm Beach and Naples are the favorites in the Sunshine State and were similarly popular during the summer as Florida reopened before most.

The New York-Palm Beach route is among the most popular in the US thanks to a mix of private jet and commercial traffic. And even the president of the United States spends winter weekends in Palm Beach.

Mexico

Cancun, Mexico

Cancun, Mexico.

Shutterstock.com


The wealthy are also heading south of

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Cabins for YOU voted Top 50 Vacation Rental Property Managers in the World

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Family Company Lands in Top 50 Vacation Rental Property Managers in the World

GATLINBURG, Tenn. (PRWEB) November 15, 2020

Rentals United released their annual ranking of the world’s Top 50 Vacation Rental Property Managers on October 29, 2020 — and Cabins for YOU, a family company, is proud to be listed among them! The ranking is based on company size, growth speed, and use of technology to manage short-term rentals, as well as pave new paths in the vacation rental industry.

Family-owned and -operated since 2001, Cabins for YOU started with a handful of cabins, a passion for service, and…a basement. Now, we currently manage 445 vacation rentals in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, and the surrounding areas in Tennessee. We have multiple offices and facilities to provide full-service management, from marketing and web development to housekeeping and maintenance.

It’s our pleasure to help property owners get the most out of their vacation rental properties and create memorable experiences for our guests in the Great Smoky Mountains. Ranking in Rental United’s Top 50 Vacation Rental Property Managers in the World is a huge achievement for any company, let alone a homegrown family business. We’re ecstatic!

For the original version on PRWeb visit: https://www.prweb.com/releases/cabins_for_you_voted_top_50_vacation_rental_property_managers_in_the_world/prweb17546723.htm

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Relief, recreation and discovery in Ubin, ST Editorial News & Top Stories

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New species of fauna are not something usually associated with urbanised Singapore. Yet the first comprehensive Ubin biodiversity survey on Pulau Ubin has discovered a spider species new to science, documented six animals not seen here before, and 13 others that are firsts for Ubin. The survey’s preliminary findings, released in September, are heartening for several reasons.

First, they are a vivid reminder of Mother Nature’s resilience. Pulau Ubin, despite its associations with rustic charms, has seen much human interference, primarily from granite mining. Its current abundance is a sign that nature can recover – and fairly rapidly. Second, Ubin’s success as a wildlife sanctuary is testament to how a civil society and government partnership can work for the benefit of all, as the example of preserving Chek Jawa in the early 2000s also showed. Third, the island is a capsule that offers ongoing lessons for Singapore as it strives to become a biophilic city under the National Parks Board’s 10-year vision, which entails not just a more intensive greening of this concrete jungle but also recognition on the part of citizens of the value of our natural environment.

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The Top 21 Destinations For 2021

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Looking for a bucket list travel destination next year? The experts have weighed in on the top 21 places to visit in 2021.

Ovation Travel Group’s agents compiled an exclusive list of the top leisure destinations based on advance sales and client aspirations. (Seems like 2020 was a lost year for travel.) It’s a lot different than last year’s list. The pandemic has made Ovation’s customers more ambitious than ever. Of the top 21 destinations for 2021, only seven are in the U.S.

“During the past eight months, the travel habits of our clients have certainly changed,” says Tina Rose, managing director of Ovation. “Intrepid travelers have been grounded. But the love of travel is still deeply rooted in their DNA.”

It looks as if 2021 is already shaping up to be a busy year for travel. With a lot of pent-up demand from 2020 and with the hope that a vaccine may be widely available, people are making plans. Big plans.

Here are top 21 destinations for 2021:

1. Maldives

Why? It’s easy to see why this is one of the top 21 destinations for 2021. Every island looks like a postcard, with perfectly groomed palm trees and crystal-clear waters washing up to the white sandy beaches. “With gorgeous weather year-round, this destination forces you to disconnect from the world and reconnect with tranquility,” says Aanchal Gandhi, vice president of leisure and independent advisors at Ovation Travel Group.

Who should go? The romantic couple looking to disconnect and lavish in luxury. Also, the scuba enthusiast who wants to explore the exotic marine life of the Indian Ocean.

Don’t miss: The floating breakfasts in your infinity pool villa overlooking the ocean offered by many hotels or the candlelight dinners on the beach such as at the Waldorf Ithaafushi. See this destination before it sinks into the ocean.

2. Serengeti, Tanzania

Why? The Serengeti ecosystem is a 12,000-square mile region of northern Tanzania, including the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti hosts the second largest terrestrial mammal migration in the world, which makes it one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa, and as one of the ten natural travel wonders of the world. “The savannah stretches out in grasslands, open plains, and rivers,” says Joyce Novick, a luxury travel consultant at Ovation Travel Group. “It’s the perfect place to host the diverse animals — lions, buffalo, wildebeest, gazelle and elephants that come each year in search of food.”

Who should go? Animal lovers of all ages.

Don’t miss: The wildlife. This is the perfect way to immerse yourself in the animal kingdom and to reflect on your place in the environment.

3. Antarctica

Why? One of the top destinations for 2021 is

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Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation Market Size Outlook 2025: Top Companies, Trends, Growth Factors Details by Regions, Types and Applications

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The MarketWatch News Department was not involved in the creation of this content.

Nov 12, 2020 (Market Insight Reports) —
Selbyville, Delaware A recent report added by Market Study Report, LLC, on ‘ Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation Market’ provides a detailed analysis on the industry size, revenue forecasts and geographical landscape pertaining to this business space. Additionally, the report highlights primary obstacles and latest growth trends accepted by key players that form a part of the competitive spectrum of this business.

The global Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation market size is expected to gain market growth in the forecast period of 2020 to 2025, with a CAGR of 4.1% in the forecast period of 2020 to 2025 and will expected to reach USD 543730 million by 2025, from USD 462570 million in 2020

The latest report on the Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation market imparts a deep understanding of this industry vertical with key emphasis on the market dynamics and projected returns over the forecast period. The study also enumerates the growth rate registered during the forecast duration, in relation to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry.

Request a sample Report of Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation Market at: https://www.marketstudyreport.com/request-a-sample/2895781?utm_source=Marketwatch.com&utm_medium=AG

The research taps critical data regarding the market forecasts with respect to parameters like revenue share, industry size, and sales volume. Additionally, the study details the various industry segments and the driving forces that will propel the profitability graph of this business sphere.

Other takeaways from the Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation market report:

  • According to the report, the competitive landscape of the Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation market is defined by companies like
    • The major players covered in Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation are:
    • Marriott International
    • Hilton Worldwide
    • AccorHotels

.

  • An overview of the product portfolio of the industry giants, as well as the product specifications and application scope are presented in the report.
  • Details pertaining to the pricing models, profit returns, and market share of the listed companies are cited in the document.
  • Explicating the product terrain, the Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation market is comprised of
    • Hotel
    • Motel
    • Casino Hotel
    • Other

.

  • Specifics entailing the market share, sales accrued, and revenue share of each product segment during the study period are highlighted in the report.
  • The research thoroughly evaluates the Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation market from the application perspective which has been fragmented into
    • Tourist Accommodation
    • Official Business

.

  • Sales netted by each application type, in line with renumeration and market share to be registered by the application segments are indexed in the report.
  • Other myriad aspects of the industry such as market tendencies and concentration rate are given as well.
  • Further, the report incorporates information on the various marketing channels established by the major players.

The Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation market with respect to the regional terrain:

  • The geographical landscape of the Hotel And Other Travel Accommodation market, as per the report, has been dissected into APAC, Europe, North America,
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Five Top Gun Moves For New Vacation Homeowners To Make The Most Of Their Investment

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Clark Twiddy is the President of Twiddy & Company, a hospitality and asset management firm along North Carolina’s Outer Banks.

With busy residential real estate activity across the country over the past few months, there’s a chance that the blurring pace of transactions has obscured the recognition of a knowledge gap for many new homeowners and investors. Now that you have an asset, how do you operate it in such a way to optimize revenues and minimize costs?

This operational challenge particularly applies to homeowners and investors of second or investment homes. With the coming IPO of Airbnb, this asset class is going to have renewed visibility and public reporting. As we learn from this IPO, we’ll also learn much about the industry as a whole. The sharpest investors, as always, will seek to make the expert moves early that lead to superior results and also avoid the common traps that frustratingly lead to common outcomes.  

Considering the work of Stephen M. R. Covey in his book The Speed of Trust, let’s build on his thinking around trust with an eye toward residential real estate operation. Imagine this formula as a road map to results:

AQ + Strategy + Execution * Trust = Superior Results

AQ is the quality of any asset (which includes location), strategy is the vision of the market, execution is the delivery of that strategy on a day-to-day basis and trust is the multiplier for the people relationships around the home. In this equation, trust is a multiplier, but as Covey points out in his book, in the absence of trust the multiplier can become a painful divider as well. 

Building on this equation, here are five top gun moves that new homeowners and investors can make to keep an enduring competitive advantage in the market:

1. Don’t Underestimate Risk

It’s easy for newcomers and rookies to underestimate risk. Think about any young person doing something for the first time — say, driving — and it’s easy to see how the first attempt at a new skill often means we underestimate what could go wrong. In a home, risks can be profound as a home fire or as small and common — think home Freakonomics — as a slip-and-fall. Professionals recognize risk early and plan ahead for risk when it materializes. Sharp professionals proactively transfer the risk early in the form of insurance or smart operational constructs.

2. Understand Variables Are Related

For anything complicated, we tend to isolate components for simplicity — imagine building blocks in a larger construction. However, in the operation of a vacation rental home, few things are isolated. It’s much more of a spider web, meaning everything is related. Using our earlier equation, the level of investment in quality is related to the service demand while the levels of trust for those service providers are related to the speed to market of the operator. Rather than isolate any variables, sharp professionals relate everything. 

3. Avoid Polarization In Customer

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Kyle Lewis, Devin Williams voted season’s top rookies in MLB

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Much like one of his lofty leaps at the wall, Kyle Lewis soared above the field.

The center fielder for the Seattle Mariners won the AL Rookie of the Year award Monday, and Milwaukee Brewers reliever Devin Williams took home the NL honor.

Lewis, 25, received all 30 first-place votes in balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. He is the 12th unanimous winner of the AL award, joining a list that includes Carlton Fisk, Derek Jeter, Mike Trout and Aaron Judge.

“It’s just a great first step for me, and being in that category, it’s just really special,” Lewis said.

Williams made his own history, becoming the first pitcher to win Rookie of the Year without recording a save or making a start during his award-winning season — reflecting the increased importance of the bullpen in today’s game. He is the first Rookie of the Year for Milwaukee since Ryan Braun in 2007.

“I don’t really think that saves are the end-all, be-all,” Williams said on a conference call during a vacation in Jamaica. “If I come up in the seventh inning and I go through one through five, I think that that can be pretty valuable as well.”

Lewis was one of baseball’s breakout stars during the pandemic-shortened season, batting .262 with 11 homers and 28 RBIs in 58 games. He led big-league rookies with 37 runs, 90 total bases and a .364 on-base percentage.

Lewis also made a couple of memorable plays in center, robbing the A’s Ramon Laureano of a grand slam Sept. 14. Lewis is the first player to win the award for Seattle since Ichiro Suzuki in 2001.

San Diego second baseman Jake Cronenworth and Philadelphia infielder Alec Bohm tied for second in NL balloting by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. Chicago center fielder Luis Robert finished second in the AL race, followed by Houston right-hander Cristian Javier.

Lewis and Robert had similar seasons, with fast starts followed by slow finishes. Lewis batted .147 in September, and Robert hit .136 with 32 strikeouts in 23 games in the final month.

Lewis was selected by Seattle with the 11th overall pick in the 2016 amateur draft out of Mercer University. He broke into the majors last year, appearing in 18 September games with the Mariners.

The Georgia native is the beginning of what could be a formidable young outfield in Seattle. Jarred Kelenic, who was acquired in a trade with the Mets, and Julio Rodriguez are ranked among baseball’s top prospects.

“I think we’ve got a great chance to build a really strong core of guys, and those are two guys that are super talented. Top of the scale when you’re talking about talent,” Lewis said. “I think we really do have a great chance to turn into one of those rebuilding teams that ends up having a great group of guys move up together and progress together.”

Williams, a St. Louis native, was selected by Milwaukee in the second round of the

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Suite Life: Hotel Classic by Venue in Joo Chiat offers a comfy stay, Travel News & Top Stories

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When I arrive at Hotel Classic by Venue, a staff member proffers a cold towel on a plate.

I have travelled only 20 minutes from my home in the east and it has not been a tiring journey by any means, but the gesture reminds me of soothing resort lobbies and tropical welcome drinks from a long-forgotten time.

The hotel is among a trio of boutique properties under the Venue brand, all located in Joo Chiat. They are run by home-grown company Worldwide Hotels, which runs 38 properties in Singapore.

Mr Kenneth Seah, sector manager for the Venue brand hotels, says Joo Chiat’s reputation as a foodie haunt has enticed Singaporeans looking to explore new enclaves.

So it’s cheap, but is it comfortable?

Hotel Classic by Venue lives up to its name, offering the quintessential hotel experience at a fraction of the price.

My Superior Room is understated and elegant – with walls, floors and a marbled headboard in neutral shades of light brown and grey. On the wall, sleek black panels control everything from the temperature to a “do not disturb” button for housekeeping.

The bathroom is shiny and sizeable, with thoughtful touches such as hand towels (the only budget hotel I reviewed to offer this) and an ample-sized ledge for toiletries. It is lovely to luxuriate under a powerful rain shower and step out to plush bath towels.

Overlooking an alley, my room is generally quiet, though I do hear muffled chatter and other guests returning to their rooms at night. Blinds keep the room so dark and cosy, I sleep in till almost noon.


The Superior bedroom. PHOTO: WORLDWIDE HOTELS

Hey, isn’t that the point of a staycation?

What else is there to do?

Peranakan culture abounds in Joo Chiat.

Stop by home museum The Intan at Joo Chiat Terrace, lovingly curated by Mr Alvin Yapp who has been collecting the antiques of his heritage since he was a teenager.

The shophouse is a treasure trove of furniture, beaded slippers, and a rainbow of tiffin carriers and spittoons line its staircase. Visits are by appointment only.

Learn how Peranakan kebayas and beaded shoes are made at the heritage gallery of the Rumah Kim Choo shophouse in East Coast Road and stop for a photo at Koon Seng Road, where candy-coloured Peranakan shophouses line up gaily in the sun.

You’ve saved on a stay, now indulge in a good meal.


Stay at Hotel Classic by Venue to explore foodie haunts in Joo Chiat, including Vietnamese food at Lap Vietnamese Restaurant. PHOTO: WORLDWIDE HOTELS

Vietnamese restaurants abound. Follow the queues and you will wind up at Long Phung Vietnamese Restaurant in Joo Chiat Road, five minutes away on foot. It is the most well-known Vietnamese outlet in the area and if you are looking for a hearty bowl of pho, it will not disappoint.

But I take a gamble on Lap Vietnamese Restaurant next door, where staff and patrons converse in Vietnamese and every table seems to have ordered

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