Sistan and Baluchestan province attends tourism investment conference

Airbnb introduces animal experiences Tuesday, 8th October 2019

Airbnb is unveiling Animal Experiences – a brand new category of Airbnb Experiences that allow people to better understand animals through caring, expert hosts and set a new standard for animal tourism. With 1,000 Experiences co-hosted by over 300 species and their human advocates, guests can now paddleboard with corgis, kayak with conservationists, learn alongside urban beekeepers or skateboard with a world record-winning bulldog! Airbnb Animal Experiences offers a fresh new way to connect with animals near and far, so that even busy urbanites can reconnect with the natural world through hiking with rescue dogs, chilling out with alpacas or cuddling cows. Guests will meet animals in places that allow for gentle observation and bring a sense of connection far beyond animal selfies or performances. For those seeking more adventure, guests can discover arctic foxes or even help rescue puppies lost within the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone. At Airbnb, we envision a world where everyone can belong anywhere. Today, we extend our passion for belonging beyond humankind, committing to protect the welfare of animals across any Experience that features them. Joining more than 40,000 Airbnb Experiences available across 1,000 cities worldwide, Airbnb Animal Experiences are underpinned by a new, industry-leading animal welfare policy, created in collaboration with World Animal Protection. Animals should be appreciated for their intrinsic value and this new animal welfare policy has been designed to ensure their wellbeing at all times. Ranging from afternoon tea with naughty sheep to multi-day safaris, Airbnb Animal Experiences are hosted by caring experts as an antidote to typical tourist attractions that are notorious for ethical concerns. You will never find an Airbnb Experience where you can kiss a dolphin or ride an elephant. Beyond helping people get to better understand animals and meet them in a new way, over 100 Airbnb Animal Experiences are Social Impact Experiences, cementing our commitment to animals in the long-term by directing all proceeds from bookings to nonprofits. Supporting causes such as conservation, animal rescue, and veterinary care, these Experiences help scale impact, foster empathy and include caring for rescued horses, seeing released macaws and spending a day with donkeys. Other notable Airbnb Animal Experiences will come to life both on and offline through an exclusive partnership with The Dodo, the leading brand for mobile animal content in the U.S. and one of the world’s most-engaged media brands on social. Airbnb Animal Policy Highlights We are the first major booking platform to offer a dedicated category of animal experiences underpinned by a progressive new animal welfare policy, created in conjunction with World Animal Protection. New highlights include: Wild animals: there should be no direct contact including, but not limited to, petting, feeding, or riding animals Working animals: maximum one rider and never more than 20% of the animal’s weight, never to be overworked Marine mammals: should never be in captivity for entertainment Broader host business: should not feature elephant rides, big cat interactions, illegal wildlife trade, sporting events such as canned and trophy hunting, animals performing for entertainment Responsible travel: no wild animals as selfie props or any negative training techniques World Animal Protection will continue working with Airbnb on its approach to animal welfare based on the latest evidence and research. ANIMAL EXPERIENCES HIGHLIGHTS: Tea with Naughty Sheep (Loch Lomond, United Kingdom) Meet the Dogs of Chernobyl (Slavutych, Ukraine) Discover Arctic Foxes (Sudavik, Iceland) New Zealand Getaway and Horseplay (Auckland, New Zealand) Gibbon Research Assistant Experience (Phuket, Thailand) Urban Rooftop Beekeeping (Hamilton, Canada) Butterflies and Caterpillars Oh My! (Columbus, Ohio) Meet Life-Saving Animals (Siem Reap, Cambodia) See Released Macaws (Nosara, Costa Rica) Ultimate Cape Town Birding (Cape Town, South Africa) Wild Brooklyn Parrot Safari (Brooklyn, New York) Go on a Safari with a Maasai Guide (Nakuru, Kenya) Hike Runyon Canyon with a Rescue Dog (Los Angeles, CA) A Day in a Gaucho’s Life in the Andes (Mendoza, Argentina)

Two International Hotel Brands Affected by Magecart Credit Card Skimming Attack

 In a blog post from September 18, Security researchers at Trend Micro revealed that they discovered credit card stealing malware (Magecart) hiding in an online hotel reservation system. It found that two hotel websites – from two different hotel chains – had been compromised since August 9. WHAT HAPPENED? Two hotel websites were "injected" with a JavaScript code to load a remote script on their payment page when the payment page was requested from a mobile device. The script acted as a credit card skimmer and stole payment information. To make it seem even more legitimate, the attacker prepared credit card forms in eight languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, German, Portuguese, Russian and Dutch which match the languages supported by the targeted hotel websites. WHO WAS AFFECTED? While TrendMicro isn't revealing the name of the two hotel companies affected, it did say that the hotel websites were developed by Roomleader, a company from Spain that helps hotels build online booking websites. TrendMicro also revealed the size of the hotel companies. One brand has 107 hotels in 14 countries and the other has 73 hotels in 14 countries. EXPERT COMMENTARY HT spoke to two security experts about what this attack could mean for hospitality as a whole. "This latest attack is an indicator that Magecart attacks are far from over," said Deepak Patel, security evangelist at PerimeterX. "The modern web application stack relies on third-party scripts obtained from a variety of providers, not all of whom have strong security practices. Website owners lack visibility into the third-party scripts running on the users’ browsers within the context of their site. Many website owners are also unaware of all the first-party scripts running on their site. “In addition to staying up to date with the latest versions of critical platform components, website owners need to take another step: get visibility and control of all the scripts running on their website, whether first- or third-party or another part of the supply chain," Patel added. Matan Or-El, Co-founder and CEO of Panorays agrees with Patel noting: “This latest attack on Roomleader shows that Magecart isn’t going away anytime soon. To avoid these attacks, organizations obviously need to do a better job securing their own servers. However, even organizations that look after their own servers' security can become exposed through third-parties. Clearly, organizations must make it a priority to assess and manage the risk associated with third-parties in their cyber supply chain.” Similarly, Usman Rahim, Digital Security and Operations Manager for The Media Trust says, “Managing the digital supply chain is difficult because it requires the right tools and expertise. When third party code suppliers deliver code to users through browser and not through a tool that the website publisher/owner uses, the owner has little control of what happens and can't monitor when something's afoot. If a third party provides or supports the web application, iframes will fall victim to attack. The only way to protect users is to know who’s providing what code and what that code does to users.”

You can now perform Umrah on a Saudi tourist visa

The cost of applying for an e-visa or a visa on arrival is 440 saudi riyals (around $117) plus VAT. People visiting Saudi Arabia on a tourism visa can now perform Umrah in the kingdom. In addition to that, women will not need to be accompanied by a male relative other than during the Haj season, according to a report by Saudi Gazette. The report also added that through this visa there won’t be a need for a sponsor. On Friday September 27, Saudi Arabia made history with the announcement that tourist visas will be available to citizens from 49 countries. The development is expected to create one million new jobs for the country by 2030. The tourist visa allows for a stay of up to three months per entry, with visitors able to spend up to 90 days per year in the country. The visa is valid for one year with multiple entries.

Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa launches eco-friendly golf balls

This is the first time a resort is doing so in the emirate Hilton Ras Al Khaimah Resort and Spa has launched 100% biodegradable golf balls at the property. According to officials, the balls are ecological and made from renewable, non-toxic materials. They are also filled with fish food. Once the ball hits the water, the external layer biodegrades in less than 48 hours and releases the fish food. As part of Hilton’s ‘Travel with Purpose’ programme, the launch, which is a resort first in Ras Al Khaimah, is part of an ongoing initiative to preserve the environment.

Nearly 200 hotels at design stage in the GCC

Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the field in the development of new hotels There are close to 200 hotels at the design stage in the GCC, according to statistics revealed by intelligence platform ProTenders. Data up to 1 July, 2019, shows there are 196 hotels at the design stage across the Gulf, insight from construction intelligence business ProTenders revealed. The total value of the GCC hotel market, which includes projects at the planning, design, tender and construction stage, is $501.8bn (AED1.8tn), sister publication Commercial Interior Design revealed. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are leading the field in the development of new hotels, as both countries continue to prioritise tourism as a means of supporting economic diversification. It was revealed in August that five hotel chains are due to be selected by the Qiddiya Investment Company as part of the hospitality offering of Saudi Arabia’s entertainment gigaproject Qiddiya. The announcement came when the company, a subsidiary of the Public Investment Fund, unveiled details of the Six Flags theme park that will be built in 2023. In the UAE, a significant number of hotels are being developed in the run-up to Expo 2020 Dubai, which opens its doors in approximately 13 months.

Al Bustan Centre & Residence hosts employee training programme to promote sustainability

Initiative educated associates on eco-friendly practices, methods to cut down on energy and water usage in hotels l Bustan Centre & Residence organised training programmes for its employees to create awareness and promote sustainable environmental approaches. During the training, green initiatives and knowledge in supply chain sustainability were discussed to identify critical risks to improve long-term profitability. The programme focussed on educating its associates on eco-friendly practices and methods to save energy and water in hotels. The initiative also encouraged staff participation so that they can educate and encourage guests about these sustainable practices. \Speaking about the programme, Moussa El Hayek, chief operating officer of Al Bustan Centre and Residence said: “Through our sustainability training programmes, we aim to create awareness among our team through continuous engagement. We can achieve our mission by being committed environmental stewards as tourists and travellers these days are eco-conscious with their options in choosing hotels, it’s no longer only about comfort but sustainability as well. “Ultimately our goal is to create a sustainable environment supporting the initiatives of Dubai Sustainable Tourism (DST),” he added.

Data mining

A process that employs a combination of machine learning, statistical analysis, modeling techniques, and information technology to discover hidden facts, previously unknown patterns of behavior, and trends. Companies can use this knowledge to make business decisions in their marketing, sales, customer service, production, credit, and finance activities more quickly more accurately, and with higher confidence. As a marketing tool, data mining is often used to study customers and their purchasing behavior in order to look for patterns that describe the behaviors and permit businesses to perform market segmentation in new ways. Through intelligent segmentation and response analysis data mining has helped companies to retain customers and to become more relevant, by designing products and services that meet the needs of customer ‘segments’ and to communicate with them more effectively. Moreover, data mining assists the improvement of customer relationships through profiling, profitability, value, and loyalty analysis.,

Radisson Hotel Group launches multi-brand global platform

The website will comprise all hotels within the group’s portfolio RADISSON Hotel Group has launched its new multi-brand and ‘mobile-first’ global website in several launguages. The new website comprises the group’s portfolio of more than 1,100 hotels across the world. The group will also launch the Radisson Hotels mobile application by the end of July 2019, officials said. Speaking about the platform, Radisson Hotel Group’s executive vice president and global chief commercial officer Eric De Neef said: “The launch of RadissonHotels.com is a key milestone on our journey towards the top. Having one single touchpoint for all our brands will strongly enhance the user experience and drive SEO value. RadissonHotels.com is a core commercial initiative of our five-year operating plan, which is transforming our business.” The platform showcases every property from across Radisson Hotel Group’s seven distinctive brands, including the Radisson Collection, Radisson RED, Park Plaza, Park Inn by Radisson and Country Inn & Suites by Radisson – as well as the art’otel brand managed by the group’s strategic partner, PPHE Hotel Group.

Hilton to open most luxury hotels in company history

Group’s luxury pipeline also includes more than 30 properties, 25 of which will open through 2025 HOSPITALITY group Hilton has announced that it will be launching more luxury properties in 2019 than in “any previous year of its 100- year history”. The group’s president and CEO Chris Nassetta said that seven hotels are expected to open by the end of 2019. This is in addition to four that have already been launched this year. Hilton’s current and projected luxury openings in 2019, which join the existing luxury properties include: Waldorf Astoria Dubai International Financial Centre, Waldorf Astoria Los Cabos Pedregal and Waldorf Astoria Maldives Ithaafushi. The list also includes LXR and Conrad properties across the world. Hilton’s luxury pipeline also includes more than 30 properties, approximately 25 of which are expected to open through 2025, the group announced.

Banyan Investment Group has acquired and will operate the 110-room Courtyard by Marriott Houston Pearland in Texas.

Banyan Investment Group, a hotel investment and management company that acquires and manages select-service hotels in the United States, has acquired and will operate the 110-room Courtyard by Marriott Houston Pearland in Texas. Located in the Pearland Town Center, the five-story hotel is 15 minutes from NRG Stadium (home of the NFL’s Houston Texans) and within 20 minutes of the Texas Medical Center, downtown Houston, and William P. Hobby International Airport. “We continue to seek institutional quality assets, such as the Courtyard by Marriott Houston Pearland, in major markets with numerous demand generators,” said Andy Chopra, founding principal and chief investment officer, Banyan Investment Group. “The hotel benefits from its location within Pearland Town Center, a popular mixed-used development with 937,000 square feet of open space location within the South Houston marketplace that includes 140 specialty stores, 234-unit apartment complex building, and more than 50,000 square feet of office space. The hotel requires minimal capital expenditures, and we are confident the property will achieve its economic objectives with immediate cash flow.”

How to use coofee lefover (part one)

So maybe you thought you were going to drink way more coffee than you actually did. Or maybe you got so wrapped up your work that your carefully brewed cup is now a cold, abandoned mess. Don’t waste your coffee just yet. Why not reuse it? Once you know what to do with extra brewed coffee and grounds, a little too much coffee can become a delicious or useful blessing. What to Do with Leftover Coffee We’re big proponents of measuring coffee so you don’t end up with leftovers in the first place. But we’re even bigger proponents of not wasting good coffee. We did the work for you to find the best ways to use that leftover coffee up instead of pouring it down the drain.