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Travel’s Good Deed Feed
Since the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, we have been shining a light on positive stories from the industry alongside our coverage of the big issues and breaking news.
As part of Travel Weekly’s Roadmap to Recovery focus the industry begins to rebuild, we will continue to update this Good Deed Feed to offer support and encouragement and showcase individuals and brands who go the extra mile.
If you have any submissions for Travel’s Good Deed Feed, please email them to Eleanor.Kirk@travelweekly.co.uk.
Singapore Airlines to donate Miles of Good to essential workers
Singapore Airlines has launched a corporate social responsibility campaign called Miles of Good, which aims to donate 100 million KrisFlyer miles to frontline and essential workers serving the public during the Covid-19 pandemic.
KrisFlyer members can nominate deserving individuals from their own countries with a minimum donation of 1,000 miles. Eligible nominees include healthcare workers, public transport workers, supermarket employees, cleaners, and food delivery, courier and postal services personnel. Members can also donate their miles without making any nomination.
Nominations must be submitted by August 10.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises completes challenge to raise money for the NHS
The Regent Seven Seas Cruises team has completed their challenge to walk, run and cycle around the UK, covering 11,072.26 miles – the length of the coastline of mainland Britain – in just 12 weeks.
Inspired by the dedication and sacrifices made by those on the front line fighting coronavirus, Regent team members participated in the Regent Miles for NHS from their homes and local parks across the UK.
The team has raised over £3,000 to support the NHS. Funds will be shared between the Murray Parish Trust and NHS Charities Together.
Anyone wishing to support Regent Miles for NHS can do so here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/RegentMilesforNHS
Together for Healthcare Heroes initiative launches In Ibiza
A charity initiative set up in Ibiza called Together for Healthcare Heroes is on a mission to give back to those healthcare workers across Europe that have selflessly helped us all during the Covid 19 crisis.
Local entrepreneurs, homeowners, residents and businesses are collectively aiming to provide 10,000 holidays across Europe for healthcare workers in 2021.
Property owners have already donated their homes, hotels are gifting rooms and flights are being paid for directly through fundraising activity and sponsorship.
To find out more click here.
CV Villas thanks key workers with ‘Giving Heroes a Holiday’ campaign
Luxury villa specialist CV Villas has announced the 15 winners of its ‘Giving Heroes a Holiday’ campaign, which was launched in May to thank key workers for their efforts during the coronavirus pandemic.
The public was invited to nominate worthy individuals – from frontline NHS workers to supermarket and delivery workers, from pharmacists to community volunteers – with a short explanation of why they deserved to be rewarded with one of 15 exclusive villa holidays, including with flights, to Corfu in 2021.
CV Villas received 5,000 nominations and the four judges (Francis Torrilla, managing director at Kuoni Specialist Businesses, Tristan Symondson, CV Villas managing director, Sally Winfield Accord Marketing chief, and Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief at Travel Weekly Group) had to whittle down the worthy submissions to 15 of the most outstanding individuals who went above and beyond to support the public during the COVID-19 crisis.
Winners included a couple in their 60s who left retirement to take on key worker roles as a nurse and as a supermarket worker; a teacher supporting key worker children in school and providing daily YouTube lessons for his home-schooled students; an entire family of frontline NHS workers; and a freshly-qualified ICU nurse who went straight into working on a COVID ward and who found time between shifts to fundraise for the NHS and NSPCC.
In addition to the main prize winners, everyone who was nominated will receive a £300 voucher for use against any 2021 CV Villas holiday booking, applicable to any villa in any destination.
Cunard donates food to charity
Cunard has made a series of food donations to charity over the past four weeks from Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.
Both ships are currently moored in UK waters with no guests on board, and have donated 25 pallets (approximately 23 tons) of supplies to UK food rescue charity UKHarvest.
UKHarvest collects excess food from commercial outlets and delivers it to charities. The donations provide much-needed assistance to vulnerable people across the UK.
Food donations from both ships include frozen and chilled fruit and vegetables, staple pantry food, cereal and chocolate.
North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s receives £350,000 in donations
North Yorkshire Moors Railway (NYMR), one the UK’s most popular heritage attractions, has received over £350,000 in donations to help secure its future.
The railway’s Crisis Appeal launched in March in response to the impact of Coronavirus. The NYMR operates seasonally and was due to open on 4 April, but being unable to operate has meant that the registered charity had to reach out to the general public for financial support.
Fundraising efforts have included silent auctions, a virtual shop launch, Friday night quizzes and generous donations.
Donations can be made here: nymr.co.uk/crisis-fund.
Travelodge to open a further 11 hotels this week to support key workers
Travelodge is re-opening a further 11 of its hotels across the UK to support key workers.
The hotel chain has been operating 51 of its properties during lockdown to provide accommodation for key workers and support local authorities.
Travelodge has taken its key learnings whilst operating during lockdown and is launching TravelodgeProtect+, a programme of cleaning and social distancing measures in line with government guidance, designed to keep its customers and employees safe.
The Soco Hotel, Barbados is giving away a free stay to one lucky travel agent
The Soco Hotel, Barbados are giving one lucky travel agent a free five-night stay on an all-inclusive basis for two people.
To enter the prize draw all you have to do is make two bookings between now and September, and email your booking references to suzy@silvalining.org. Bookings can be made via dnata, Webbeds and W2M, and only bookings that include travel before December 31 will be eligible.
The Soco Hotel is a 24 -bedroom, boutique, adults-only property on the south coast of Barbados.
The prize draw will take place on September 15. For any queries please contact suzy@silvalining.org.
Nevis announces virtual mango festival
The annual Nevis Mango Festival 2020 in Nevis has been rescheduled to 2021 due to COVID-19, but the event will still go ahead virtually in 2020.
The 3-day Nevis Mango Festival was originally scheduled to take place on the 4th of July weekend. Chefs from across the region, along with a visiting celebrity chef, take part in a culinary challenge to create a dish inspired by and containing mangos. The only rule is that the mangos that are used must be one of the 40+ varieties that grow on the island.
The virtual Nevis Mango Festival will take place on Friday July 3 with a virtual mango tasting on all media platforms including local television. The Mango Festival Cook-Off, held at Cleveland Gardens, will start at 10am on Saturday July 4 and will be live-streamed both on local television and on the Nevis Tourism Authority social media platforms. A virtual Master Class with Iron Chef Judy Joo will take place on Sunday July 5.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises launches ‘Regent Miles for NHS’ challenge
The Regent Seven Seas Cruises team has pledged to make an 11,972.26 mile journey – the length of the British mainland coastline – to raise money for the NHS.
Team members will be walking, cycling and running around the UK to clock up the distance in 12 weeks.
The team is hoping to raise £2,000 for the NHS. Funds will be shared between the Murray Parish Trust and NHS Charities Together.
Donations can be made here: uk.virginmoneygiving.com/Team/RegentMilesforNHS
Agents invited to participate in ’30 Days of Crystal’
To celebrate 30 years of luxury cruising, Crystal is inviting UK agents to join them in a month-long trip down memory lane.
As part of ’30 Days of Crystal’ agents are invited to share their favourite memory of Crystal by emailing a photo and a short sentence to sales@cruiseportfolio.co.uk.
Agents can choose to write about their favourite memory on board Crystal, or the reasons they love Crystal.
The cruise line will then choose one entry to feature each day on an email newsletter and across social media in the 30-day run-up to the 30th anniversary on July 24.
Crystal’s UK marketing director Elaine Gillard said: “We know that UK agents love Crystal and we want to share their memories to not only let others know what makes Crystal so special, but to also remind all of us just how fabulous cruising is.”
Metropolitan Touring chairman raises $11 million for local communities
Roque Sevilla, chairman of Metropolitan Touring, has raised USD $11 million for the most vulnerable communities in the Galapagos, the Amazon, Cuenca, Esmeraldas, Quito and the Central Highlands.
The money raised will be used to provide food, coronavirus testing, respiratory triage centres and PPE to communities in need.
The money was raised with sponsored virtual fun runs and online performances by some of Ecuador’s most popular musicians.
Sevilla said: “We are eternally grateful to all those who have donated so far, and thanks to many volunteers and generous donations, have managed to stabilise the situation in the Galapagos Islands and provide a lifeline to many vulnerable communities. There are however, so many more that need our help and I believe we need to get the word out to our industry friends internationally, and those who know and love Ecuador. We know that every country has its own coronavirus issues to contend with, but we invite anyone who is able to join the fund to do so – it is about saving everyone’s life, health and future.”
Holiday Lounge keeps in touch with clients during lockdown
Holiday Lounge is an independent agency chain with four retail travel branches in Leicestershire.
During lockdown, the team decided to put a video together with a short message to all of their clients:
El Palace Barcelona and Ronnie Wood launch coronavirus charity campaign
El Palace Barcelona and legendary Rolling Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood have teamed up to launch a charity campaign.
El Palace Barcelona will be selling five two-night vouchers to stay in the El Palace Suite by Ronnie Wood to help raise funds to support the development of vaccines and medication to fight COVID-19, and help counter the economic effects on local families.
All proceeds of the five ‘You Stay, You Care, You Rock’ packages, available to purchase through Hotel Treats, will be donated to two charities: yomecorono.com, a research and development project finding solutions to combat the pandemic Barcelona, and Banc dels Aliments de Barcelona, a charity that provides food to those in need.
Heathrow helps with local fight against COVID-19
Heathrow has donated a further 5,000 FFP3 face masks to NHS personnel at Hillingdon Hospital this week, taking the total donated to 16,000 since the outbreak of COVID-19.
Heathrow has also stepped up efforts to help local schools during the pandemic.
A total of 70 laptops have been delivered to local primary schools around the airport over the last two months, from funds that have been donated by the Heathrow Executive team and raised through the recycling of airport IT equipment.
The donated laptops mean pupils who previously didn’t have access to a device will no longer be missing out on their education due to the impacts of COVID-19.
Heathrow has also developed online educational resources for teachers and parents to support home schooling for those who may not be returning to class, and donated separation barriers to Colnbrook Primary School to help divide their playground to ensure social distancing can be maintained.
Wellbeing Escapes launches wellness webinar platform
Wellbeing Escapes has developed a wellness webinar platform to provide clients and travel agents with support from the comfort of their own homes. Webinars include:
• Guided mediations classes
• Yoga relaxation classes
• Qi Gong sessions (similar to Tai Chi)
• Breathwork experiences
• Ayurvedic Medicine webinars
• Corrective exercise sessions
Many of the webinars are hosted by therapists from Wellbeing Escapes’ top selling retreats, including Kamalaya Wellness Sanctuary in Thailand and Euphoria Retreat in Greece.
Wellbeing At Home live sessions are held every Saturday morning at 11am on Zoom. Register to attend here.
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines donates over £33,000 of food to those in need in Scotland
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines has donated more than £33,000 of food to causes in Scotland with the help of food distribution charity FareShare.
Donations included cereals, biscuits, dried fruits, nuts and seeds, jams and sauces, chocolates, cured meats, baking ingredients, rice and more.
Thomas Rennesland, hotel operations director at Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, said: “We are used to feeding in excess of 4,000 guests and crew across our fleet every day, and while we have not taken on any additional fresh produce since we paused our operations in March – other than that required to feed our crew – our stores and freezers were fully stocked and ready for cruising as normal.
“As our ships have been in the Rosyth area since March it seemed only fitting to donate these additional food items to those who need it most in Scotland.
“The crew on board have worked extremely hard, in addition to their usual duties, to prepare all of the food items so that they are ready for collection by FareShare and I would like to thank all involved for their efforts for this very worthy cause.
“Thank you also to the Sailors’ Society Port Chaplain for Leith and Forth, who made the donation possible.”
Cayman Islands Department of Tourism supports local artists
The Cayman Islands Department of Tourism (CIDOT) has shown its support for local artists during the coronavirus lockdown by creating a new distribution channel for their art.
The ‘Cayman Art’ webpage aims to back local artists, raising their profile and showcasing their art to a global audience.
Regional manager for CIDOT Europe, Adrian White, said: “The UK team of the CIDOT has been looking to come up with innovative ways to support local Caymanian businesses during the lockdown, especially those affected by the lack of tourism. The ‘Cayman Art’ page is a great way to showcase the talent, vibrancy and diversity of artists that we have in Cayman and provides an alternative distribution channel to having visitors see their work on island.”
MSC Cruises donates thousands of masks to NHS
MSC Cruises has donated thousands of surgical and respiratory masks to medical professionals across Europe, with the latest delivery to NHS workers in Brighton.
The cruise line’s managing director for the UK and Ireland, Antonio Paradiso, dropped off 5,000 surgical masks to Brighton & Sussex University Hospitals Trust on Thursday in the latest donation.
MSC has also delivered the masks to medics in Portugal, Brazil and Switzerland and has sent perishable goods to those in need in China, France and Italy.
Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy continues to help those affected by Coronavirus
Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) is working in Peru, Brazil, south east Asia, India, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Zambiato assist those affected by the coronavirus crisis.
AKP has increased its funding to projects by over 60% compared to this time last year, not including Project CURE medical supply shipments. AKP has already delivered three shipping containers in 2020, two to Uganda and one to Cambodia, and recently packed a fourth to go to Tanzania.
AKP has also delivered food in bulk for isolated villages since the start of the year. These deliveries are helping to sustain communities during the current pandemic.
G Adventures launches ‘Inca Trail Step Challenge’ for agents in partnership with Craghoppers
G Adventures is launching an ‘Inca Trail Step Challenge’ as part of a wider campaign to help educate agents on Peru’s diverse experiences.
The interactive Inca Trail Steps Challenge will run in partnership with Craghoppers, to help enhance agents’ understanding and knowledge on all aspects of the iconic trek.
Running from Monday 15th June to Thursday 18th June 2020, the Inca Trail Steps challenge will see travel agents from across the UK and Ireland try to accumulate the 55,000 steps it takes to hike the Inca Trail.
Agents will be supported by the G Adventures trade sales team, who will deliver Inca Trail facts, photos, videos and stories throughout the week. Agents can take on the challenge either as a team or solo.
Every agent who completes the full 55,000 steps over the four day challenge will be entered into a competition to win a pair of Salado Desert Hi Boots from Craghoppers’ new footwear range, worth £120.
Agents wanting to participate can register via the G Adventures Agents of Change Facebook Group.
NHS Sister on Doncaster’s Intensive Care Unit wins a holiday with VIVID Travel
Sarah Authbert, a Sister on the Intensive Care Unit at Doncaster’s Royal Infirmary Hospital, has won a holiday for two to Canada worth over £10,000 with VIVID Travel.
The competition was launched in April as a joint initiative between VIVID Travel and Silversurfers, the UK’s largest online community for the over 50s. Entrants were asked to nominate an NHS employee to win the holiday.
Sarah has been in nursing for 25 years and has been working at Doncaster’s Royal Infirmary for the past 19 years. She said she’s “shocked but thrilled” to have won the competition.
Sarah was nominated, unbeknown to her, by her mother Sue. She will be travelling with her husband Stuart on the 10-day Canada itinerary in June 2021.
Tui agent volunteers as an NHS responder
Take a break with Nova Scotia crossword puzzle
Can you name the UNESCO World Heritage Sites and National Parks in Nova Scotia?
Are you familiar with the top golf courses, festivals and events, famous people and favourite foods of Novia Scotia?
Test your knowledge with this crossword puzzle.
Inghams and Santa’s Lapland introduce ‘bingo’ challenges for agents
Sister brands Inghams and Santa’s Lapland have launched a month of fun bingo challenges for travel agents.
The tour operators have set agents a variety of tasks on a bingo sheet of four rows and four columns to complete during June, with the chance to win Love To Shop vouchers.
The challenges range from making a future booking , creating a social media post for Santa’s Lapland and signing up to Inghams’ training academy to asking agents to send a photo of something new they have achieved during the lockdown or sending in a selfie of themselves doing something they enjoy.
Simply Owners to provide NHS workers with free holidays
Simply Owners has launched an NHS ‘rainbow scheme’ to provide free or heavily discounted holidays to NHS and social care workers.
Hundreds of properties have provided over 10,000 individual free or discounted stays.
Tim Parkes, owner of Simply Owners, said: “I just kept seeing front line workers struggling and felt useless. I thought NHS staff will need a break when this is all over and maybe the owners of holiday rental properties on our site might be willing to offer them that break. I am truly humbled with some of the stories our owners have sent in response to this initiative, stating why they love the NHS so much.”
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines staff travel a quarter of the distance around the world in challenge for NHS Charities Together
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines staff have walked, run or cycled more than 6,800 miles in May to raise £1,000 for NHS Charities Together.
On May 1 team members who were
Southampton Airport has joined forces with Guernsey Airport and Channel Island’s based airline Aurigny to ensure a special charter flight carrying medical samples to be tested at Southampton General Hospital was brought safety to the mainland.
Southampton General Hospital is one of the key medical facilities for the Channel Islands, if tests and treatment are required which cannot be performed on the islands.
Managing Director of Southampton Airport, Neil Garwood, said: “We are extremely proud to have been providing lifeline flights to the Channel Islands throughout this difficult period. It has never been more important to enable medical flights than during this pandemic response.
“We received an urgent call on Saturday asking us to facilitate this on Sunday morning and our team pulled out all the stops working with Aurigny and Guernsey Airport to make sure this precious medical cargo reached Southampton General Hospital in time.”
Belize Tourism Board launches competition to win a trip to Belize
The Belize Tourism Board has launched a virtual postcard competition called ‘Dear Belize’.
One lucky winner will win a trip for two to discover to the Central American country when normal travel resumes.
Entrants need to create a short video about why they want to visit Belize, starting it with ‘Dear Belize’. Entries must be submitted online by May 29.
The Belize Tourism Board is encouraging travel lovers to get creative with their entries and transport themselves to Belize from the comfort of their own homes.
Entries can be submitted at dearbelize.com.
Jamaica launches free online training for tourism workers
Jamaica has launched a free online training programme for tourism workers affected by COVID-19.
Approximately 75% of Jamaica’s tourist sector has become unemployed, and whilst most will be reemployed in a few months the country is fortifying the industry for a strong economic future.
Over 6,500 users have registered since the programme launched, and classes began on April 27.
Courses can be accessed here.
Advantage Travel Partnership offers £1,000 holiday for agents’ clients in ‘bucket list’ campaign
Advantage Travel Partnership is offering a £1,000 holiday prize as part of its #BucketListReboot marketing campaign to encourage more agents to engage with clients during the UK lockdown.
The travel agency consortium has put together a video, banners and wording for members to send to customers to persuade them to enter the bucket list competition.
Holidaymakers need to make a 10 to 15 second video by June 20 saying what their dream holiday is and why, and post it on social media, such as Facebook or Instagram, using #BucketListReboot and tagging their Advantage agent.
The winning video will be chosen by a panel of judges, with the winner receiving a £1,000 voucher from Advantage Holidays to spend by the end of 2021 on a holiday booked through their Advantage agent.
Furloughed travel industry staff urged to volunteer via platform
A platform aiming to connect people on furlough with volunteer opportunities is targeting staff in the travel industry.
Furlonteer.com has received more than 1,000 sign-ups in the first 48 hours and more than 50 charities have been matched with ‘furlonteers’ over the past week.
Furlonteer matches the skills and expertise of furloughed people with charities that need help and encourages people to spend their time making a positive difference while maintaining a sense of purpose, routine and focus during their extended period away from work.
‘Furlonteers’ are matched with volunteer roles for charities based on their skills, experience and amount of time they have available, which can range from a few hours a month to several hours a day, the majority based from their homes.
G Adventures allocates Mount Kilimanjaro challenge funds to Covid-19 relief
Money raised by a group of travel industry professionals by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro is to be re-allocated to Covid-19 emergency relief funds.
The ‘G Trek For Good’ group, led by G Adventures UK and EMEA managing director Brian Young, had planned to donate the money raised to support a new community project via the operator’s social enterprise arm, Planeterra, as well as people affected by the collapse of Thomas Cook via Abta Lifeline.
But the Planeterra element, totalling £12,897, is now being redirected to support the communities that G Adventures already works with, who are most in need due to the Coronavirus pandemic.
The money will pay for essentials such as food and medicine, which communities are struggling to access now that tourism to their destinations has stopped.
Eurostar volunteers share language skills with schools
Eurostar has developed a scheme to provide support for language students during school closures.
French speaking employees are involved in the initiative, stepping away from their day jobs in train driving, customer service, marketing, operations and finance.
Volunteers are hosting a range of online sessions for pupils between year groups 8-13, increasing their confidence in French conversation and maintaining their skills while they study from home away from their teachers.
Celebrity Cruises launches Cheesy Grin campaign in aid of Reuben’s Retreat
Celebrity Cruises is encouraging agents to share pictures of them smiling in aid of charity Reuben’s Retreat.
The brand said it was challenging agents to “trigger a wave” of happiness by posting their photos with the tag #CheesyGrin on social media and donating £5 to the charity.
You can donate by texting GRIN to 70970 or agents can use their Celebrity Rewards points to donate. Those who complete the challenge are then being asked to nominate three friends to do the same.
Celebrity Cruises said it had been “inspired by Reuben’s infectious happiness”.
Garstrang Travel are there for their customers
Cap Maison in Saint Lucia to give away free holidays to frontline NHS staff
Boutique villa resort Cap Maison in St Lucia is giving away free holidays to eight frontline NHS workers.
The selected winners will bag a five-night all-inclusive stay at Cap Maison with a guest, to be taken once the pandemic is over and travel restrictions have been lifted.
Ross Stevenson, general manager at Cap Maison, said: “While we appreciate it is currently not possible to travel, we want to show our thanks to the NHS for everything they are doing to keep our families in the UK and guests well by giving a select few a well-deserved holiday once the pandemic is over. These are the people who are on the frontline every day, fighting this pandemic and saving lives.”
To nominate an NHS worker visit capmaison.com/nhs. The closing date for entries is 31st August 2020 and winners will be announced on 4th September 2020.
Mammoth Lakes Tourism serves over 1,000 households with Community Food Bank
Mammoth Lakes Tourism has opened a drive-through food bank in partnership with US Foods.
An estimated 1,800 people used the food bank on the first day it was open, and over the last six weeks the food bank has helped serve 1200 – 1400 people every day.
“The local community has always played an integral part in making Mammoth Lakes Tourism who we are. With the closure to tourism and high unemployment hitting the town we knew we had to do something quickly to support those in need, or risk seeing our workers and community suffer. The MLT Food Bank has enabled us to care for local families, and give back to those who have been hardest hit. With the support of local businesses and generous donations from around the world, we’ve been able to feed more than 1,000 households”. ” said John Urdi, Mammoth Lakes Tourism executive director.
Parkdean Resorts provides free accommodation to NHS workers
Parkdean Resorts is providing free accommodation to frontline NHS workers during the coronavirus crisis.
Caravans and lodges at selected parks have been made available to NHS key workers in need of a convenient place to stay at the end of their shifts, or for those living with any vulnerable or at-risk family members.
Participating parks include Torquay, Whitley Bay in Northumberland, Vauxhall in Great Yarmouth, and Southview in Skegness.
The four parks have housed more than fifty key workers so far.
OYO Hotels & Homes hosts key workers in properties across the UK
Over 50,000 nights at OYO Hotels & Homes have been booked for government-approved purposes since the UK lockdown began.
OYO has now made further rooms available and extended its long-stay accommodation rates for essential workers.
Several OYO properties across the UK are now fully-booked with long stay guests.
Those returning to work in England this month who need long-stay, fixed accommodation rates should email UK.heretohelp@oyorooms.com.
Last minute bookings can also be made online at oyorooms.com.
Sandals Resorts extends travel agent programmes and benefits to 2021
Sandals Resorts International has extended travel agent programmes including Chairman’s Royal Club membership and Sandals Specialist benefits to 2021 to help support the trade.
Individual agents who currently hold Chairman Royal Club membership or Sandals Specialist statuses will automatically carry the accolade through to 2021 without having to requalify.
The Sell & Go rewards programme, where agents earn their own free nights to redeem against stays at Sandals and Beaches Resorts, has also been extended.
Agents with any unused nights from 2018 can use them up until 31st December 2020, whilst those earned in 2019 can be used until 31st December 2021. Any nights earned in 2020 will also be valid until 31st December 2022.
Party Hard Travel raise £2,000 for the NHS
Party Hard Travel has raised over £2,000 for NHS Charities Together with a live streamed event on their Facebook page and YouTube channel.
The event was hosted by Faris Rai, with DJ sets from Btay, Ellie Sax, Danny T, SKT, Sammy Porter, James Hype and Charlie Hedges.
The live stream also included a raffle with a holiday, VIP party experiences, festival tickets and other prizes given away during the evening, which ran from 5pm to 11pm on VE day.
Party Hard Travel sold tickets for the raffle at £2 each and raised a total of £2243 for the charity.
Learn an Aboriginal language and much more with Tourism Western Australia
Visit the new Virtual WA hub on westernaustralia.com to access live streamed events, interactive tours, virtual reality footage and classes from some of Western Australia’s tourism experts.
You could learn to speak an Aboriginal language with Clinton from Ngurrangga Tours. Ngarluma is an endangered language with only 30 fluent speakers left in the world.
Listen to the ‘Bush Yarns’ podcast with Scotty Connell, owner of Kimberley Spirit Tours. Hear from local legends and special guests about life changing experiences, bush tucker and animal encounters.
You could also join Western Australia for a Live Sky Astronomy session with Rick Tonello, Head Astronomer at the Gravity Discovery Centre and Observatory, or virtually attend a live bush walk in Broome with cultural tour guide Johani Mamid from Mabu Buru Tours.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts supports communities and frontline workers
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts’ initiatives include providing accommodation for healthcare workers, offering complimentary rooms to elderly people displaced from their nursing homes, donations to government bodies fighting the pandemic and rewarding essential workers around the world with upgrades on hotel stays until the end of 2021.
For example, Ramada Plaza by Wyndham Kahramanmaras in Turkey is offering healthcare workers at nearby hospitals complimentary accommodation, as well as three complimentary meals a day, while Ramada by Wyndham Lisbon in Portugal is hosting elderly people displaced from their nursing homes.
The owner of Ramada by Wyndham Bishkek Centre has made donations to support underprivileged families, medical workers, law enforcement employees, orphanages and nursing homes, while the general manager of Wyndham Garden Kuta Beach Bali has built 37 portable water basins that are accessible in places such as walkways and temples.
Ramada Suites by Wyndham Remarkables Park, Queenstown in New Zealand is offering rooms to displaced mothers-to-be after the local maternity ward was shut down – and they’ve even welcomed a baby into the world at the hotel.
Rent a Virtual Finn with Visit Finland
Discover the Finns’ natural way of life and daily routines with Visit Finland’s ‘Rent a Virtual Finn’ social media campaign.
The campaign will feature a live stream series showcasing how to eat with a Finn, relax with a Finn or get active with a Finn. You can also apply for an exclusive one-to-one session with a Virtual Happiness Guide.
Finland was chosen by the United Nations as the world’s happiest nation for the third year running in March.
Book time with a Virtual Happiness Guide here: rentafinn.com
Watch the live streams on Visit Finland’s Facebook page at 3pm on May 15, May 22, May 29, June 1, and June 12.
Khiri Reach helps communities across southeast Asia
Khiri Reach, the charitable arm of Khiri Travel, has been helping communities in Asia impacted by the current Covid-19 crisis.
In Sri Lanka, Khiri Reach donated grocery packages to 250 families in Grandpass Colombo, and in Myanmar Khiri staff and local volunteer groups set up two social enterprises: KuMel Volunteer connection and Honeybee Arts & Crafts.
Khiri Travel Vietnam staff also donated funds to a CanCham project to purchase about 148kg of rice to help families in the suburbs around Saigon where many people are now unemployed.
Khiri Travel in Thailand is supporting the Covid Relief BKK Project set up by SOS Thailand (Scholars of Sustenance). Khiri is providing two vans for donating deliveries to communities, homeless shelters and health care centres.
Qatar Airways to give away 100,000 tickets to frontline healthcare workers
Qatar Airways has revealed plans to give away 100,000 free tickets to frontline healthcare professionals to say thank you for their work during the current pandemic.
The giveaway will open on May 12 and close on May 18. Healthcare professionals can register for this exclusive offer at qatarairways.com/ThankYouHeroes by submitting a form to receive a unique promotion code, offered on a first come, first served basis.
The 100,000 healthcare professionals that receive the promotion code can book up to two complimentary Economy Class return tickets on Qatar Airways operated flights – one for themselves and one for a companion – to anywhere on the airline’s global network. Tickets must be booked before 26 November, with travel valid until 10 December 2020.
AmaWaterways to reveals complimentary river cruise certificates for frontline workers
AmaWaterways has revealed a special offer for frontline workers from around the world to enjoy a complimentary river cruise.
As a gesture of appreciation, all medical professionals, key workers and employees of essential services are eligible to receive a complimentary Future Cruise Certificate*, which can be used with one paying guest in the same stateroom.
The certificate may be redeemed for any AmaWaterways Europe or Asia sailing until 31 December 2021 for reservations made within 90 days of the sailing date.
To apply for a Future Cruise Certificate call 0800 320 2336 or visit AmaWaterways.co.uk/Hero.
Courmayeur Mont Blanc to host live yoga class on Saturday 16th May
With lockdown restrictions in Italy being relaxed slightly, Courmayeur Mont Blanc has decided to launch a live yoga class on Saturday 16th May at 10am GMT.
The yoga class will be live-streamed on the Courmayeur Mont Blanc Instagram page, and will be hosted by expert yoga instructor Betta Frera, live from her garden.
Participants will be able to enjoy the stunning Mont Blanc mountains in the backdrop.
Emerald Waterways launches quiz ahead of Eurovision: Shine a Light
Ahead of the Eurovision: Shine a Light show, Emerald Waterways has put together a European quiz for Britons.
Entrants will be shown 15 different European flags and must match them to the correct countries and regions.
So far over 1,200 people have taken the quiz, and just 10% have managed to get full marks.
Think you can do better? Give it a go here.
Celestyal Cruises donates food and medical supplies to local Greek communities
Greek cruise company Celestyal Cruises has provided 5.5 tons of non-perishable food, as well as first aid kits and personal hygiene products to an estimated 7,500 residents in need in Piraeus.
The cruise line has also joined forces with the Ministry of Health, supporting the National Health System with a contribution of health supplies, including 12,000 surgical masks and 1,100 litres of liquid disinfectant.
Celestyal Cruises has also offered 50 three-day cruises for two people to first responders as a gesture of thanks for their hard work during the current crisis. The three-night cruises include stateroom accommodation, standard beverages, entertainment and gratuities, as well as two excursions to Ancient Ephesus, Kusadasi and the Palace of Knossos, Crete.
In addition, Celestyal Cruises will soon launch globally a special discount policy for frontline healthcare workers.
The Brighter Group staff volunteer in their local communities
Account manager Ellen Johnson has joined the Royal Marsden Hospital COVID-Response volunteers’ team to help support the NHS by helping with anything from admin to auditing deliveries and equipment to helping organise hospital donations. Ellen previously worked at the Royal Marsden during her time at university and really loved her time at the hospital.
Ellen is also volunteering locally at the Havering Foodbank in Essex where she is a member of a regular group of volunteers who help organise and sort donations from supermarkets and members of the public.
Vice president Jane Richards has been using her time to volunteer with Age Concern in Windsor and has been delivering meals on wheels to the elderly. She has also become a ‘Telephone Befriender’, which means she calls clients to check on their wellbeing and how they are coping in the current situation.
‘We are incredibly proud of our team and how they have not only coped with the situation of being furloughed but also used their time to support the communities around them. We miss them very much and cannot wait to be all together again’ said Debbie Flynn, managing partner, The Brighter Group.
Emirates Airline Foundation uses Skywards Miles to positively impact the lives of more than 90,000 people
Thanks to customer donations, the Emirates Airline Foundation used 132 million Skywards Miles to positively impact the lives and livelihoods of more than 90,000 people, mainly children, living in some of the most impoverished communities in the world.
In the same period the foundation also donated more than AED 6.5 million to 22 projects in 12 countries.
The foundation routinely supports 32 projects and non-government organisations in 18 countries worldwide through customer donations, corporate sponsorships and Emirates funds.
Support ranges from absorbing all annual running expenses and building infrastructure to running feeding and medical programmes, paying salaries and covering other ad hoc expenses.
The Foundation also appeals to Emirates’ customers to donate Skywards Miles on its website.
Customers who wish to donate their Skywards Miles can also do so on emirates.com/skywards.
The competition is open until May 31 2020, and the prize will be drawn and announced in the first week of June.
Entries can be submitted here.
Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa joins Buy One, Give One campaign to thank healthcare workers
To help jumpstart leisure travel, Paragon 700 Boutique Hotel & Spa in Puglia, Italy has joined other members of the hospitality industry to participate in Buy One, Give One, a program designed to generate immediate revenue for hotels while simultaneously providing a “thank you” to healthcare workers.
Available to buy on the hotel’s website and BuyOneGiveOneStay.com from now until 30th June 2020, the initiative sees one night contributed as a gifted stay to a healthcare worker for every two nights guests book to stay in the future.
The gifted stays will go to healthcare workers who can redeem the nights at a later date.
CV Villas offers essential workers 15 free holidays to Corfu
As a way of saying thank you to frontline key workers, CV Villas are donating 15 villa holidays to Corfu (including flights) in 2021.
NHS workers, supermarket employees, delivery drivers, pharmacists and community volunteers are eligible to enter the draw.
The winners will have a choice of travel dates during April and May 2021, and will be selected by a panel. They will be notified by 5 June 2020.
All nominees not selected will receive a £300 voucher for use against their 2021 CV Villas holiday, applicable to any villa in any destination.
You can submit a nomination here.
Asilia Africa offers 75% discount to healthcare and emergency service workers
Asilia Africa is offering discounts of up to 75% on a safari of a lifetime for healthcare and emergency service workers, from anywhere in the world, when travel resumes.
The East Africa operator has 19 camps across Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar in some of the continent’s most spectacular wild places.
In recognition of their service, healthcare workers can travel with a plus one (and children) to an Asilia property at the discounted rates until 31 May 2021.
Eligible job titles include doctors, nurses, carers and receptionists, as well as anyone working in the emergency services.
Commercial Director Gordie Owles says “We know that this gesture is not much compared to the sacrifice that so many have made during this pandemic. But we hope that by opening our doors and taking people out to the wilderness to recharge and reboot it goes some way to saying thank you for their heroic work.”
Hotels launch ‘Nights On Us’ initiative
The Nights On Us initiative aims to unite the UK hotel industry and offer a collaborative thank you to NHS workers most affected by coronavirus.
Working with a collection of UK-based luxury and boutique hotels, the initiative offers a hard-earned break for ICU workers in the form of a complimentary two night stay once the pandemic is over.
Email info@nightsonus.org for more information on how to book.
Travel writers unite for ‘We love cruise’ video
Travel Weekly contributors Jane Archer and Jeannine Williamson are among 12 British travel writers who have joined forces to produce a five-minute video to highlight why they love cruises.
The journalists, all working from home in lockdown, decided to act after “unbalanced and inaccurate coverage” of the industry over the handling of coronavirus cases during the pandemic.
All cruise lines have been forced to halt operations after countries around the world imposed restrictions on travel.
The writers work for leading consumer and trade publications including Travel Weekly.
Longevity Wellness Worldwide launches wellness soundtrack for working from home
Longevity Wellness Worldwide has introduced a new work from home playlist to help workers de-stress and relax.
The new playlist includes a range of music from relaxing summer songs that recreate the Portuguese holiday experience; to spa relaxation music; and Portuguese artists, including Bernardo Sassetti, Salvaor Sobral and Luisa Sobral.
Search for ‘Wellness Worldwide work from home wellness playlist’ on Spotfiy to listen for yourself.
MarBella Collection launches mindful colouring
MarBella Collection is now offering mindfulness colouring-in of images of their two hotels, MarBella Corfu and MarBella Nido, also in Corfu.
The luxury hotel group has employed a graphic designer to create colouring images of both the hotels and the picturesque surroundings of Corfu and Parga.
The images can be downloaded here.
Proud of your work? Post it to Instagram or Twitter with hashtag #mindfulwithmarbella.
Saga wishes Colonel Tom Moore a Happy 100th Birthday
Last nights tribute to Honorary Colonel Tom Moore. #spiritofdiscovery @SagaTradeTeam @SagaUK pic.twitter.com/Sp0hYxDs5J
— Iain Powell (@IainEPowell) May 1, 2020
If Only host daily yoga classes for staff and agent partners
Luxury tour operator If Only are offering complimentary virtual yoga and mindfulness sessions to their team and agent partners. The classes are hosted every lunchtime on Facebook, and have proved extremely popular as a way to turn off and refocus.
Susan Greenhorn, If Only product and commercial manager for Arabia and Indian Ocean, said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the yoga and meditation sessions which management have organised for us. I love having the chance to just get away from my laptop for 30 minutes each day and de-stress from all that’s going on at the moment, with the pressures of work and the outside world. Taking time out to learn yoga and mindfulness has definitely helped keep me calm through some stressful situations, and it’s something I think I’ll keep up once normality resumes.”
Head over to the If Only Facebook page at 12:30pm to join in with a live virtual yoga session.
Quinta Do Lago boutique hotel offers free rooms to healthcare workers
To show their appreciation for those frontline healthcare workers fighting coronavirus, Quinta do Lago will offer 100 free rooms at their boutique property, The Magnolia Hotel, for two people.
To apply, healthcare workers need to complete an online form which can be found here.
The offer is valid for two people for a one-night stay on a date of their choosing until the end of 2020, once travel resumes.
Stuba asks agents to nominate ‘real superheroes’ to win one of 20 hotel stays
Bedbank Stuba has teamed up with Travel Weekly to offer agents the chance to nominate a frontline heath worker to win one of 20 hotel stays.
Chief operating officer for the accommodation wholesaler, Matt Stuart, said: “We know that not all superheroes wear capes, and never has this been truer than in recent weeks, with our frontline health care workers putting their lives on the line for the wider public. Covid-19 has devastated our industry along with many others, and many people’s lives.
“At Stuba, we want to offer our sincere gratitude and offer the real superheroes of our time, a FREE hotel stay up to a value of £300 either in the UK or overseas, to be taken by December 31, 2021.”
To submit a nomination, email the details to realheroes@Stuba.com before 31 May 2020. Include their name, job title, place of work along with your name, agency and phone number.
Click here for full details.
Avani Hotels launches series of lockdown playlists
The Avani Hotels team have curated a selection of playlists to brighten up the ongoing lockdown.
All playlists are available on Spotify, including the ‘Work From Home’ playlist, a mix of pop and house hits by Dua Lipa, Demi Lovato, Jax Jones, Becky Hill, Khalid, David Guetta, DNCE, The Chainsmokers and Maroon 5.
To celebrate Avani Hotels’ entry into South Korea in late 2019, the team at Avani Central Busan Hotel have put together the ‘Korean Greatest Hits’ playlist, a mix of tunes from K-Drama and K-Pop.
Curated by SEEN Rooftop Restaurant & Bar’s music director Scotty B, the ‘Ladies’ Night Special’ playlist is inspired by the venue’s popular Mamacita Ladies’ Night.
Costa Rica Tourism Board releases kids activity book
The Costa Rica Tourism Board has just launched a learn-and-play activity book for children, featuring an array of colouring activities, puzzles and games.
The activities will help children to learn about Costa Rica’s wildlife, including sloths, frogs and sea turtles.
The 12-page book can be downloaded for free here.
Holland America Line and Seabourn BDM Katie Noviss welcomes baby girl to the team
Introducing the newest member of the Holland America Line and Seabourn UK Sales Team, Brodie Orla Noviss born 23.04.20 ?? @HALcruises @SeabournCruise #newbaby pic.twitter.com/QqLCnnSUUJ
— Katie Noviss (@KatieHALSBN) April 27, 2020
Virtually visit the Maldives with Coco Collection
Escape to the Maldives with Coco Collection on their Instagram, Facebook page and website.
Coco Collection will release a weekly livestream on Instagram from their turtle rescue centre, run in partnership with The Olive Ridley Project, a charity which carries out vital work to rehabilitate turtles.
Viewers can go behind the scenes at the centre, situated on Coco Palm Dhuni Kolhu in the Maldives, every Tuesday at 11am.
On May 2, on both Instagram and Facebook, there will be a new video posted about ’Nemo’, one of the resident clownfish. The species is renowned for not straying far from their home, and the video will aim to help children understand the current ’stay at home’ message.
Coco Collection has also created 10 different Zoom backgrounds based on Coco’s best resort spots, which can be downloaded here.
Galley Bay Resort provides staff with fresh food
Galley Bay Resort is providing its 219 team members with regular fresh produce from Galley Bay’s gardens in food care packages delivered to their homes.
Staff members are also receiving a $100 gift voucher for the island’s grocery store Epicurean Fine Foods & Pharmacy with every delivery.
Galley Bay Resort & Spa’s gardens are the main source of ingredients for all guest menus, and the small gardener team are on site picking, packing and delivering food safely to their colleagues staying well at home until the resort re-opens.
Ionian and Aegean Island Holidays supports the NHS
Ionian and Aegean Island Holidays has partnered with Universal Dry Cleaners & Laundry to supply high-quality, reusable scrubs to the NHS.
So far Universal Dry Cleaners & Laundry has raised £5,000, which is being matched by Ionian and Aegean Island Holidays. The companies are aiming to raise £15,000 to make 1,500 sets of scrubs.
The money will go towards sourcing suitable materials and obtaining sowing machines. The reusable scrubs will be made by voltuneers.
The NHS has already received 600 sets of scrubs from the initative.
The companies will also provide free laundry services so that the scrubs can be reused safely.
Donations can be made here.
A&K philanthropic arm sets up coronavirus emergency relief fund
Abercrombie & Kent’s charity arm has set up an emergency relief fund to help vulnerable people around the world amid the coronavirus pandemic.
It aims to ensure Abercrombie & Kent Philanthropy (AKP) continues to support the 125,000 people who currently rely on its charitable programmes at a time when countries are in lockdown.
Among the initiatives is ensuring school lunches are still delivered to the 3,500 children who currently receive meals from AKP but are now sick or isolated.
The charitable arm of the luxury tour operator is working with partners in Zambia, Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania to support communities.
Read more here.
Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest supplies food for hospital staff
Párisi Udvar Hotel Budapest, part of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, is supporting doctors, nurses and other hospital staff by delivering 50 meals for lunch every day.
The hotel’s restaurant, Párisi Passage Café & Brasserie, cooks nutritious dishes and delivers them directly to the local hospital.
General manager Andrea Schwindt-Kiss said: “The appearance and rapid spread of COVID-19 has a serious impact on all of our lives. Hospital staff perform beyond all of their strength on a day-to-day basis, and their health and well-being are vital. With this gesture, we would like to help them and well as thank them for their work”.
10 or More launches new campaign offering luxury weekend breaks to NHS workers
Debbie Robinson, founder of 10 or More, has launched a new campaign #HotelsThanksTheNHS. With over 100 hotels already onboard, the campaign offers free hotel breaks around the UK to frontline NHS workers.
Participating hotels include the newly opened The Standard, London offering two nights stay for two people with breakfast and dinner; The Landmark, London will offer a stay for two in a Superior Double room with breakfast; and Nobu is offering stays across in its existing and soon to open London Hotels, plus a couples massage and cocktails.
Outside of London, Iconic Luxury Hotels offers stays across its portfolio of hotels including Cliveden, Chewton Glen and The Lygon Arms.
Leonardo Hotels and Jury’s Hotels have combined to offer weekend breaks at 48 hotels across the country, and Design Hotels is offering NHS workers a weekend stay in a chosen hotel anywhere in the world (except New York).
For more information and a full list of participating hotels please visit: 10ormore.com/hotelsthankthenhs
Travel industry professionals share what they love about Barbados
£4000 raised for Reuben’s Retreat in the Two Point Six Challenge
Tui hotels distribute food aid for coronavirus workers
More than 25 tonnes of food have been distributed by Tui Group hotels and resorts to welfare organisations in holiday destinations around the world.
RIU has donated 22 tonnes of fresh food to social and medical institutions in Spain, one of the European countries worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic.
Additionally, 40,000 gloves, 25,000 masks and 5,000 litres of disinfectant and cleaning agents were provided to combat the spread of the virus.
Grupotels in Majorca donated the use of delivery vans and provided food donations to various charity organisations on the island.
Employees of Tui Blue Schladming in Austria supplied their local senior citizens’ centre with food.
Read more here.
Hotelbeds reveals ‘Hotels for Heroes’ discounts
Frontline workers in the fight against coronavirus will be offered 25% discounts in a ‘Holidays for Heroes’ campaign started by Hotelbeds.
Bookings can made via selected Hotelbeds channels, the bedbank’s retail brand Bedsonline and a white label B2B2C platform set up to sell direct to those eligible.
The booking period will run from mid-May until October 31 for arrivals until the end of the year and all rates will be fully refundable.
Hotelbeds will also donate €5 to the International Red Cross for every reservation with funds raised to assist vulnerable people.
Workers such as health professionals, security forces, farmers, supermarket and pharmacy workers, delivery workers, cleaning staff, journalists will be among those eligible.
Holland America Line crew on board Nieuw Statendam create music video
British Airways ups its NHS cargo efforts
British Airways is adding eight additional flights per week from China carrying cargo including PPE equipment and ventilators for the NHS.
The national flag carrier is to operate 21 flights per week from China as of May 14, each carrying up to 770 tonnes.
Cargo is being shipped in a joint effort between British Airways, its sister company IAG Cargo, the UK Government and the British Embassy in Beijing.
Fourteen of the weekly flights will depart from Shanghai, and seven from Beijing with some cargo carried in the aircraft cabin. Medical equipment will be delivered to NHS hospitals all over the UK.
Finn Partners launches collection of Zoom backgrounds
— Jai Dillon (@jaidillon) April 22, 2020
Meliá Hotels International to give away 10,000 2-night hotel stays to healthcare workers
Meliá Hotels International is planning to give away 10,000 two-night hotel stays for two people, valued at 34,000 MeliáRewards points.
The stays can be booked in any of the hotels operated by the company all over the world, as soon as travel restrictions are lifted.
Healthcare workers have until April 28 to request their stays by filling in a form on melia.com. Successful applicants will have to show proof that they are healthcare workers when they check into the hotel.
Saint Lucia’s Barnard family donates £100,000 to Sunswept Resorts staff
The Barnard family of Saint Lucia has donated £100,000 to match the donations already raised by past guests to support SunSwept Resorts’ team members during the coronavirus crisis.
The donation by the entire family, will complement the efforts already being undertaken by SunSwept Resorts to support its team members and the future of tourism on the island.
The donation will be evenly distributed across all 575 team members of SunSwept Resorts’ BodyHoliday and Rendezvous resorts who have been furloughed until the resorts reopen.
Rosewood Hotel Group launches ‘Rosewood Raise’ to support staff
‘Rosewood Raise’ is a relief initiative in support of the Rosewood Hotel Group staff who have been impacted by coronavirus, as well as the communities in which the group operates.
The relief initiative includes donating hotel room stays, meals and supplies for essential workers.
The fund has already raised almost $2 million from Rosewood Hotel Group’s corporate executives.
At Rosewood London, Michael Bonsor has launched the Hospitality4Heroes Social Challenge with the aim of raising £10,000 to support the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal.
Head chef of Holborn Dining Room, Calum Franklin, and his team have been cooking meals for NHS staff at Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Sales reps unite for trade support video
More than 70 on-the-road sales reps, stuck at home while the UK self-isolates, have made a video to show their support for the trade during the coronavirus crisis.
The video features each representative catching a lemon while relaxing or bored at home, then cuts to a shot of them in their ‘uniform’, happily showcasing their brand.
Suppliers ranging from cruise lines and touring and adventure operators to insurance brokers and online training companies are featured.
Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels offers NHS workers 50% discount
Beachcomber Resorts & Hotels has introduced a 50% offer for all NHS and private health care workers to say thank you for working throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
Front line medical staff and their immediate family can receive a 50% discount on accommodation and meal plans at select luxury Beachcomber hotels across Mauritius.
Hotels included in the offer are Paradis Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa (excluding villas), Dinarobin Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa (excluding villas), Trou aux Biches Beachcomber Golf Resort & Spa, Shandrani Beachcomber Resort & Spa,
Constantinou Bros Hotels, Paphos supports local community
The Constantinou family, owners of Constantinou Bros Hotels in Paphos, have donated €30,000 to the Cyprus Ministry of Health for the purchase of PPE and food for doctors and nursing staff at Paphos General Hospital.
Executive president Andreas Constantinou said: “It is our way of saying a big thank you to all the doctors and nursing staff, who are fighting Covid-19 and our contribution to help towards the pandemic.”
DHM Hotels offers rooms to vulnerable individuals and key workers
Discovery Hotel Management has launched an initiative to support the victims and healthcare professionals fighting coronavirus.
Properties across Portugal will re-open to house vulnerable elderly individuals who have been displaced as care homes have been closed, and key workers including firefighters, first responders and healthcare workers.
DHM properties will also donate essential supplies and food to those in need.
The Lanesborough treats NHS staff at St George’s Hospital to afternoon tea
The Lanesborough will mark St George’s Day by delivering NHS staff at St George’s Hospital the hotel’s limited-edition Peggy Porschen afternoon tea.
A selection of finger sandwiches, scones and Peggy Porschen’s signature pink cakes will be delivered on St George’s Day itself to the NHS teams across all wards at the hospital to thank them for all their service.
All food will be prepared in The Lanesborough kitchens before being individually packaged in takeaway boxes to be delivered to the hospital.
The Lanesborough’s managing director Marco Novella said: “In these unprecedented times where every gesture, no matter how big or small, helps to contribute to the wellbeing of our brave hospital workers, all the team at The Lanesborough join the heartfelt applause of all the country to the NHS and to everyone who is fighting against this invisible enemy, now and in the future.”
Simpson Travel offers 10 NHS workers free holiday
By way of a thank you, we will be offering a holiday to ten of our NHS staff and care workers in 2021. If you would like to nominate anyone who has been on the frontline in the Coronavirus pandemic, simply send us their details – thankyou@simpsontravel.com. #treatournhs #nhs pic.twitter.com/AIxjsNd3Ld
— Simpson Travel (@simpsontravel)
By way of a thank you, we will be offering a holiday to ten of our NHS staff and care workers in 2021. If you would like to nominate anyone who has been on the frontline in the Coronavirus pandemic, simply send us their details - thankyou@simpsontravel.com. #treatournhs #nhs pic.twitter.com/AIxjsNd3Ld
— Simpson Travel (@simpsontravel) April 20, 2020
Tourism Thailand launches ‘Stay Home Thai Style’ campaign
Tourism Thailand is bringing a taste of Thailand to you, with a selection of recipes, exercises and activities you can try at home.
Improve your posture, try a full body workout or make a classic pad thai – there’s plenty of options to choose from here.
Tourism Thailand also encourages you to record a video trying one of the activities and post it onto the Fan Club Thailand Facebook page.
TransIndus launches competition for NHS worker to win a luxury holiday
TransIndus is asking for the public to nominate an NHS worker to win an inclusive luxury holiday to India for two people worth £5000.
The prize is inclusive of airfare, ground arrangements, full board luxury accommodation, transfers and transport, sightseeing, English speaking guides and monument fees.
Anyone can submit a nomination by completing this form.
Etihad Airways catering arm to provide meals for those impacted by coronavirus
Etihad Airport Services Catering (EAS Catering) has been commissioned by various government entities, businesses and community centres to prepare and provide meals to those impacted by coronavirus.
Since the start of the pandemic, EAS Catering has cooked and delivered over 15,000 meals a day to people self-isolating or under quarantine, frontline medical staff, humanitarian drives and for various businesses.
A lovely act of kindness from Rosewood London
Thank you @RosewoodLondon for cooking up a wonderful selection of tasty treats for staff at GOSH. They look absolutely scrumptious!! #rosewoodlondon #thepieroom #holborndiningroom pic.twitter.com/v9UDpKJAmt
— GOSH Charity Partnerships (@GOSHCCPartners) April 16, 2020
Holland America Line launches HAL@Home series
Holland America Line’s new video series, HAL@Home, features entertainment from onboard performers, cooking demonstrations and destination highlights.
The first in the series features Culinary Council member chef Ethan Stowell, demonstrating how to make one of his favourite pasta dishes. You can watch the video here:
Another video features a musical performance celebrating Lincoln Center Stage, part of the Music Walk® live music experience on Holland America Line ships. The venue features world-class musicians performing anything from classical to contemporary music. You can watch it here:
174 Scenic Eclipse passengers successfully repatriated
Following airport and port closures as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Scenic Eclipse was unable to dock in Ushuaia on 18 March after it’s Antarctica in Depth voyage.
Instead, the ship was required to change course and sail to Montevideo in Uruguay to safely disembark all 174 passengers.
After spending an extra 10 days onboard the ship, all passengers, including 17 UK nationals, arrived safely home last week on dedicated charter flights.
Passengers on board said: “The Captain was absolutely fantastic in every respect. He always kept us informed and maintained high morale with all the passengers. While all this was going on we continued to enjoy the excellent food, drink and service that Scenic is famous for. It says a lot that the crew remained very upbeat, even though their own circumstances were uncertain. The goodwill and efficiency shown by Scenic makes me very proud to know that an Australian company is right at the top level. Thank you once again.”
Football Escapes auctions Premier League football shirts to raise money for NHS
Football Escapes is auctioning off shirts previously worn by Premier League stars to raise money for NHS HEROES.
The shirts have all been worn by former players at pivotal moments in footballing history; the latest shirt up for auction is the Chelsea shirt worn by Joe Cole during the FA Cup Final vs. Portsmouth, his last game for the team.
Previous lots have included a shirt worn by Bobby Zamora for Queens Park Rangers, during the 2014 Playoff Final, which raised an incredible £6,000.
Upcoming auction lots include:
• A Chelsea shirt worn by Joe Cole during the FA Cup Final vs. Portsmouth, his last game for the team
• An England shirt previously worn by Declan Rice
Click here to make a bid.
Mahlatini offers healthcare worker holiday for two to South Africa
Mahlatini and The Last Word Intimate Hotels and Safari Camps want to thank healthcare workers on the front line of the coronavirus crisis by offering them a trip for two to South Africa worth over £10,000.
Anyone can nominate a healthcare worker that they think deserves to win the trip, which will can be taken once travel restrictions are lifted.
Mahlatini will shortlist three healthcare workers from all nominations received and then we will invite the public to vote for and choose the winner.
The trip will include:
• Return international flights to the value of £500 per person
• Two nights at The Last Word, Constantia, Cape Town on a B&B basis inclusive of drinks
• Two nights at The Last Word, Franschhoek on a B&B basis inclusive of drinks
• Three nights all-inclusive at The Last Word Kitara, Greater Kruger National Park on a full board basis
• Internal flight from Cape Town to Hoedspruit Airport
• All road transfers to and from airports and between properties (courtesy of The • Last Word & Sable Tours)
• Safari game drives at The Last Word Kitara
• Conservation fees at Kruger National Park
Nominations can be submitted here.
Wyndham Hotels & Resorts offers complimentary Gold membership upgrade to key workers
The hotel chain’s #EverydayHeroes initiative offers all essential workers on the front line of the current coronavirus crisis complimentary Gold membership upgrades as part of loyalty programme Wyndham Rewards®.
Eligible workers include lorry drivers, delivery drivers, warehouse workers, construction workers, sanitation workers, grocery associates and healthcare workers. The offer is available to both new and existing Wyndham Rewards members.
Wyndham Rewards Gold membership benefits include members-only discounts, a dedicated member services line, preferred rooms, accelerated points earning and late checkout.
Hotels across Dubai light up with glowing hearts
As part of a global initiative, Dubai’s hotels turned off their room lights and illuminated windows to create glowing hearts. The aim was to inspire hope through simple but powerful visual communication.
A total of 20 hotels across Dubai took part, including Atlantis the Palm, Address Dubai Mall, Address Boulevard, Rove Downtown and Voco Dubai.
Avani Hotels shares tips on staying fit in lockdown
Avani Hotels has teamed up with four fitness influencers to produce a series of AvaniFit-inspired home workout routines.
Among the Instagram influencers contributing to the project is Steph Elswood, who produced her workout video during a recent stay at Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Zambia.
Visit Instagram.com/Avani_Hotels or follow the #AvaniFit hashtag on Instagram to try one of the workout routines, or to get tips and daily at-home fitness inspiration.
Oualie Beach Resort gives free accommodation to NHS workers
Oualie Beach Resort on the island of Nevis is offering 20 front-line NHS workers a week-long free stay for two.
John Yearwood, host and managing director of the resort, said: “Many of our Resort’s clients are from the UK and we are saddened by the daily devastating news of loss of life and loss of livelihoods. The courage of the front-line staff of the NHS in risking their own health to save lives is truly inspiring and deserves recognition.”
Reservations can be made via Resort Marketing International.
Sandals ‘virtual choir’ sings Bob Marley’s Three Little Birds
Samujana supports Koh Samui community
Thai villa estate Samujana is aiming to provide 750 meals a week to those in need, and has been delivering homemade face masks to the island’s public hospital.
The Samujana team have partnered with the village chief to bring 150 meals and 200 bottles of water to disadvantaged people living in the villages of Plai Laem and Bophut, where many have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus crisis.
By next week, the team plans to increase the number of meals to 250, which will be served to locals at least three times a week.
They have also delivered 150 homemade face masks and 300 food boxes and bottles of water to nearby Koh Samui Hospital.
A video message from the team at Elite Island Resorts
CzechTourism and Budvar deliver isolation care packages to affected travellers
CzechTourism and Budvar are offering 500 care packages for UK travellers forced to cancel trips to the Czech Republic amid the current coronavirus crisis, as part of their ‘Cheers From Czech’ campaign.
Would-be tourists should upload evidence of their cancelled flights. The first 500 to respond will have a care package, offering ‘a taste of the Czech Republic’, delivered directly to their door.
Pata UK & Ireland launches #stayhometravellater campaign
Share your work from home photos alongside a destination you intend to travel to after this is all over.
Post your photos in the comments on Pata’s Facebook post or reply to this
While we staycation in our homes, we continue to dream, be inspired and create our #travellater lists of destinations we're dreaming of exploring. We're joining the @PATA_HQ movement of #stayhometravellater pic.twitter.com/zmJpkZprBr
— PATA UK & Ireland (@pacificasiauk) April 9, 2020
Thank you Britain
British Airways has written a poem to the British public, and staff including cabin crew, pilots and ground handlers have performed it in a video, which you can watch here.
#memorysharing
Safari specialists Seolo Africa is offering a free three-night safari at the end of lockdown to the winning entry in its #memorysharing competition, which is asking customers to post pictures on social media of their memories staying at the properties.
Stansted pays tribute to NHS
Stansted has created a 10×7 metre thank you message on its airfield in tribute to the frontline staff working for the NHS.
Uniworld gives past guests complimentary newspapers and magazines
Uniworld Boutique River Cruise Collection is helping past guests pass the time at home with complimentary access to digital newsstand PressReader, which is available to guests onboard all Uniworld
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