#because tourism as an industry is more than the act of visiting another country

[kadkadduwa]

the ancestors accounted for many evils but the evil of tourism in all of its shapes and sizes is so uniquely colonial...

[seigyokus]

9.2 - Flower of Entrapment

Idolish Seven - Part 3, Chapter 9.2 For more Part 3 translations, click here!

Translation below the cut!

Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: You're going to quit, Hanamaki-san? But your CDs sell so well and you've got so many collaborations going on.... Hanamaki Sumire: ....... ...... Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Oh, my agency's calling me. Sorry, do you mind if I-- Hanamaki Sumire: I want to keep going! I really do... But not at my current agency-- I just can't do it anymore. I feel like I've become nothing more than a robot, working from dawn to dusk.... Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: ....... Hanamaki Sumire: And they told me if I went to another agency, they'd make it so I would never be able to sing ever again.... I just don't know what to do.... Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That's awful.... Which agency is this? Hanamaki Sumire: Tsukumo Productions.... Tsunashi-san, I'm begging you.... Could you come with me when I go talk to them? Please.... Hanamaki Sumire: They're all going to yell at me... And I'm so scared.... Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Of course. If it's just that, then gladly. Rokuya Nagi: Oh.... Please wipe those tears away, my girl. There is nothing to be distressed about, o' beautiful one. Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Nagi-kun!? Where in the world did you come from! Hanamaki Sumire: Nagi-kun!? Of IDOLiSH7!? Rokuya Nagi: I finished my pilgrimage so I decided to take a break at this cafe, and happened to stumble upon your conversation. Rokuya Nagi: Back in my home country, the mere existence of a company that fails to uphold the rights of working women is unforgivable. Your rights ought to be protected. Hanamaki Sumire: Um.... I, uh.... Rokuya Nagi: Allow me to act as your agent. I will go and negotiate matters with your production agency right this instant. Hanamaki Sumire: Wait.... What!? Rokuya Nagi: Shall we? (2) Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Wait! Wait, Nagi-kun!?

Rokuya Nagi: Oh, I can't seem to catch a taxi. If I were a pegasus, I could've taken your weary self upon my back and flown to our destination. Hanamaki Sumire: So, you're going to negotiate for me, Nagi-kun? Not.... Tsunashi-san......? Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Wait up, Nagi-kun! I agree with what you're saying, but you can't jump into something like this looking to pick a fight! Rokuya Nagi: Her agency is putting her, a woman all by herself, through so much strife. All because she simply wished to have a say in her work. Any gentleman in his right mind would fight for her sake. Hanamaki Sumire: Um.... I.... If someone's going to fight for me I'd rather it be Tsunashi-san and not you, Nagi-kun.... Otherwise I'll be quite troubled-- Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I never said I wasn't going to fight! If you're really a gentleman, then maybe calm down a bit first? You're getting pretty worked up about this. Rokuya Nagi: How rude! I am nothing but calm and composed right now. What you call prudence is nothing more than a coward's excuse. People may call you 'beast,' but perhaps you ought to call yourself 'chicken' instead. Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Hey, that's not very nice! But I'm not gonna argue with you right now. The culture here is different compared to where you're from, Nagi-kun. Just because you're right doesn't mean you can keep insisting on something and force people into-- Rokuya Nagi: Japan is a civilized nation, is it not? Don't tell me you’d rather side with the barbarians who force women into cruel, grueling labor? Hanamaki Sumire: Nagi-kun, please stop! I just want to talk it out with my agency. Quietly and peacefully. That's why I want Tsunashi-san to come with me.... Rokuya Nagi: Fear not, o' beautiful one.... I will conduct myself with the utmost elegance and refinement. I would never do anything to tarnish your future. Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Ah, right.... You did a really superb job at that press conference! If anything, you're way better at negotiating stuff than I am, Nagi-kun. Rokuya Nagi: I see you finally remember. Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: What a relief! Well, with that said, Hanamaki-san-- Hanamaki Sumire: No! This won't do! It has to be Tsunashi-san! Rokuya Nagi・Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: ....... Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: ...Why me? Rokuya Nagi: ...And for what reason? Hanamaki Sumire: I.... Because.... Because he's my type.... Rokuya Nagi: Oh, I am wounded by your words! Terribly, terribly wounded! Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Aw, thanks.... I'm kinda embarrassed now-- Wait, no, no! Nagi-kun’s more geared for this type of stuff. I have this habit of saying weird stuff when I get pissed off. Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Nagi-kun, please take care of her. See you later-- Hanamaki Sumire: Wait! Um, I.... I'm going to call my manager right now! Can you talk to them in my place? Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Right now!? That's really proactive of you, but that was a little out of nowhere! Hanamaki Sumire: Nagi-kun, thank you! You can go now! Go over there...! Rokuya Nagi: Oh. My. God. I've never been rejected in my entire life. I feel so, so depressed.... Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: I think you're way cooler than me, Nagi-kun! You're beautiful, you've got a great body, and the color of your eyes is especially-- Rokuya Nagi: Shut up! I don't want your pity! No thank you! I am not an ounce happier hearing praise from a man! Hanamaki Sumire: They picked up! Here, Tsunashi-san...! Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: O-oh, okay. ...Uh, hello? Nice to meet you, I'm TRIGGER's Tsunashi Ryuunosuke.... Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Yes. Hanamaki-san wanted to speak with her agency about quitting-- Ah, no-- Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Huh!? Wait, no.... Wait! What? No, that's not what I meant... Wait? Huh? Uh.... Hello!? Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: Hold on-- ....... Rokuya Nagi: Oh? ...What's the matter? Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: ......They said they're fine with voiding your contract, Hanamaki-san. And that Yaotome Productions should take responsibility-- Hanamaki Sumire: Yay! Thank you! You saved me, Tsunashi-san! I really owe you one! Please take care of me from here on out! Rokuya Nagi: To think that he'd succeed in negotiating such delicate matters in one phone call and in a matter of seconds.... Rokuya Nagi: After all these years, I have finally lost faith in my own charms.... Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: ......Was it really because of my charms? Is it okay if I think that? Wait, but that's not-- Hanamaki Sumire: I'm begging you, Tsunashi-san! Please help me! I don't have anywhere to go! Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: ....... Rokuya Nagi: This is utter defeat. Please make her happy, Tsunashi-shi.... Rokuya Nagi: Adieu. Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: W-wait, Nagi-kun! Don't you think something's a little off...? Rokuya Nagi: Oh! Excellent question. A beautiful woman chose to depend upon you, and not me. The world must be amiss, is it not? Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: That's not what I was talking about.... Blonde Young Man: Nagi-san! Rokuya Nagi: ....... Blonde Young Man: I've been looking for you. Blonde Young Man: You informed me that we would be meeting in Akihabara, but you shook me off on purpose, didn't you? Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: An acquaintance? Rokuya Nagi: ......Yes. Of the troublesome variety. Tsunashi Ryuunosuke: ......? Blonde Young Man: Nagi-san. Please take me to your dormitory. Just as you promised. 

Yaotome Sousuke: Hanamaki Sumire wants to switch over to our agency!? Anesagi Kaoru: Yes. Yaotome Sousuke: As if we could sign a contract with a ticking time bomb like her! If we put her out there, we'll incur the wrath of everyone in the industry. If we don't, then we'll get backlash from the fans. Yaotome Sousuke: However, I am quite thankful that Tsukumo's lost their top seller. That damn Tsukumo gotten awfully full of himself, even though he's an old geezer now. All of this is a direct result of that. Yaotome Sousuke: Where is she right now? Anesagi Kaoru: I sent her home. Nothing good will come out of keeping her here if we're not going to have her sign with us. Yaotome Sousuke: You let her go? Just like that? She must've done something strange to Ryuunosuke. Have somebody monitor her activity! Anesagi Kaoru: President! We're in trouble! Yaotome Sousuke: What is it? Anesagi Kaoru: She just announced that she's switching over from Tsukumo Pro. to Yaotome Pro. on her blog! And that the deal is almost settled! Yaotome Sousuke: Goddamn it! Is Ryuunosuke's name there? Anesagi Kaoru: It is. "I’d like to thank Tsunashi Ryuunosuke-san from the bottom of my heart for helping me out..." Yaotome Sousuke: She must've intended on dragging Yaotome Productions and Ryuunosuke into this issue then!

To be continued....

TL Notes/comments:

THANKS @kuriiii FOR PROOFREADING!!! I AM FINALLY ON BREAK AKA I HAVE TIME TO DO STUFF WOOHOO! ! !

The title literally translates to 'trap flower' or 'flower of trap' but I wanted it to sound snazzier so here we are LOL

(1) 聖���巡礼 (seichi junrei, lit. pilgrimage or visiting holy grounds) refers to the act of going to the irl equivalent of locations of landmarks, views, or even objects that you saw in a game/anime aka Anime Tourism. Examples of this would be people visiting Karatsu (the irl equivalent of Hasetsu from Yuri on Ice), Iwami (irl equivalent of Iwatobi from Free!), Shinsengumi-related-franchise fans paying respects at Hijikata Toshizo's grave, i7 fans visiting the University of Southern California (WHICH IS FEATURED IN THE NANAIRO REALIZE MV)(sadly a little far from where I currently am) Anyways here's a cool article on pilgrimages! (2) I couldn't find a nice english equivalent for lit. “please give me your hand” that wouldn't have marriage-y implications so cue me frantically googling what people say when they offer their hands to u before like ballroom dancing or smth etcetc yeaH. So it’s more implied here than anything but hopefully that came across!!!!!

As usual, if you see any mistakes/mistranslations/etc, please message me!

Thank you for reading!!

[roversbook]

How Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism Can Benefit the Environment

How Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism Can Benefit the Environment

The rise of the tourism industry in the last few decades has led to a new phenomenon: sustainable tourism. Sustainable tourism, also known as ecotourism, is a way to travel responsibly. It helps conserve natural resources and promote sustainable development. With a better understanding of how this industry works, you can feel good about traveling while still preserving the environment.

It’s not just about taking pretty pictures and making memories with friends or family. Sustainable tourism is more than that – it’s about creating an experience that doesn’t harm the environment or local communities. It’s about exploring a destination without damaging it but rather learning from it and respecting it for what it is.

Benefits of Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism for Society

Sustainable tourism is all about preserving the environment, biodiversity and cultural heritage of a place.

Ecotourism on the other hand is concerned about having a positive impact on nature and local communities. Ecotourism is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the global tourism industry. It’s worth billions of dollars and is widely considered to generate significant economic development and growth in communities around the world.

By choosing to do sustainable tourism we are able to support the local economy, preserve culture and help maintain biodiversity of a given region.

The main benefits of ecotourism are that it has been shown to provide economic opportunities for rural communities, protect natural resources, reduce carbon emissions and put less pressure on eco-tourist destinations.

Ecotourism is a form of tourism that reduces the environmental impacts and mitigates the negative effects on natural environments by promoting sustainable practices. The benefits are wide-ranging, from improving socio-economic conditions in rural communities to providing educational and recreational opportunities for visitors who may not have access to them otherwise.

Sustainable tourism helps to alleviate poverty, protect natural environments, and provide additional sources of income for communities near destinations. Sustainable tourism can also promote economic growth in areas with limited or uncertain sources of income as well as provide skills development opportunities for local populations.

Ecotourism: Protecting Local Communities, Biodiversity, and Heritage Sites

One of the main reasons to go on a vacation is to reconnect with nature and explore the beauty of untouched land. However, this can be difficult in today’s world of mass tourism, pollution and climate change.

Ecotourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in the tourism industry. It brings a lot of benefits to local communities and helps them to preserve the environment.

Ecotourism has been embraced by many countries as a way to help protect their natural resources, which in turn leads to economic growth and job opportunities for locals. However, there are still many challenges that need to be addressed for ecotourism and sustainable practices to grow together smoothly.

Ecotourism is a growing sector of the travel industry that offers travelers an experience with the environment while supporting local communities. It is also a sustainable alternative to mass tourism that can be socially, environmentally, and economically beneficial. It encourages both visitors and locals to value and conserve nature.

If you want to help preserve natural spaces for future generations, consider joining an eco-tourism organization today.

Ecotourism is a sustainable form of tourism that allows people to explore untouched environments while still protecting the local communities who live there. The aim is to encourage travellers to respect the environment, cut down on their own footprint and support local economies.

The problem with ecotourism is that it can easily be destroyed by people who are not educated in the proper etiquette. There are many ways to keep ecotourism from destroying heritage sites. One way is to educate tourists on how to keep these places clean and protected. Another way is to charge more for these excursions so that only those who care will take them.

Educating the tourist on how they should behave while visiting a heritage site could help protect it from being destroyed by ecotourism. The tourist should be told how they should act and what they can expect when visiting such a site. This would help reduce any potential garbage or trash left behind, which might have otherwise been seen as a cultural artifact if left there by the tourist.

Another solution for protecting heritage sites from damage is by developing more long-term and sustainable strategies.

Sustainable Travel Advice for Destinations on the Rise

With more and more people choosing to travel year round, here are some sustainable travel tips to help you see the world while making sure you are doing your part to preserve it.

1. Opt for Local Foods

Eating local foods is one of the best ways to experience a destination and also have a minimal impact on the environment.

2. Support Local Businesses

Local businesses not only provide a new experience, but they are also more likely to be environmentally friendly than big chain stores.

3. Stay in AirBnBs or Rentals Near Public Transport Centers

AirBnBs and rentals near public transport centers allow you to explore your destination without having any carbon footprint from flying or driving there.

4. Renting a Car? Carpool with Others! While you may rack up the miles, a few hours carpooling with others could save you as much as $150 on your rental fee

Conclusion: Get Involved in Sustainable Tourism Today!

We should all make an effort to make sustainable tourism a success because it helps the environment, the economy, and the society.

Tourism has been a controversial topic for decades now. In recent years, it has become even more important as the world is becoming more and more connected with each other. More people travel and stay away from their homes for a while – which can be either good or bad for both locals and foreigners. Sometimes it is good because they get to know different people and cultures but sometimes it’s not so great because they encounter poverty, exploitation, etc.

Sustainable tourism is set up in such a way that it benefits both locals and tourists. It includes 4 main elements: ecotourism – taking care of animals or plants; economic development – bringing jobs to locals; education – teaching people about animals or plants, providing information on conservation efforts; and sustainable food and lodging service – operating an establishment in a way that minimizes its negative impact on the environment.

Whether you are a traveler or an environmentalist, sustainable tourism is something that you can be passionate about. It will help the local communities and make your travel experience more memorable.

The future of sustainable tourism is bright. With more people traveling to these destinations, the demand for sustainable tourism is growing as well.

The post How Sustainable Tourism and Ecotourism Can Benefit the Environment appeared first on Rover's Book.

http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png https://roversbook.com/how-sustainable-tourism-and-ecotourism-can-benefit-the-environment/

[orbemnews]

The Price They Pay for Your Perfect Vacation Photo It took nearly three months, but Jody Pinder eventually succeeded. Endangered green sea turtles, usually shy, skittish and satisfied with a diet of sea grass and algae, were accepting handouts of squid that he and other local tour operators were providing at Bottom Harbor in the Bahamas. “If you don’t feed them, they won’t come close enough for you to see them and photograph them,” Mr. Pinder said. Before the pandemic, Mr. Pinder and others had been selling this assured adventure to a booming population of tourists. Day after day, boats would flock to Bottom Harbor and tourists would hop into its shallow turquoise waters holding squid morsels in their hands or on wooden skewers. The turtles would then grab the snacks as the visitors snapped Instagram-worthy images. Those who don’t take care sometimes find themselves getting bitten by the aquatic animals, who may mistake human toes and fingers for another snack. The practice is known as provisioning, and it’s an easy meal for the shelled creatures. But conservation biologists have expressed concern in a number of recent published scientific studies about what this food source means for the physical well-being and natural behavior of not just these turtles, but other marine creatures, from tiny reef fish to giant sharks. “This situation exemplifies one of the biggest challenges in conservation science,” said Owen O’Shea, executive director of the Center for Ocean Research and Education in the Bahamas. “We’re often addressing issues that have already started and we’re playing catch up.” Many experts argue that in marine environments, such feeding practices are poorly regulated, presenting risks for wildlife that are already in decline. When humans ease the energy-intensive process of seeking food for wild animals by frequently offering them grub, it can facilitate habituation. That can make animals less guarded around humans, and lead to other damaging behaviors. Although some conservationists have successfully lobbied to end provisioning at certain sites, to feed or not to feed continues to be a dilemma at others. Free meals with a covert price tag It’s no surprise that the wildlife tourism industry has time and again turned to provisioning wildlife. “From a commercial point of view, what wildlife tourism requires is the ability to sell an experience where you can reliably sight or interact with the wild animals,” said Mark Orams, a professor of marine recreation and tourism at the Auckland University of Technology. “Provisioning allows that to occur.” Local communities and economies in many countries are surely benefiting from wildlife tourism that uses provisioning. But most conservation biologists would describe the feedings as dangerous to the health and safety of wild animals. In marine environments, such provisioning herds species — that would otherwise roam large swathes of the ocean alone — close together. “Suddenly a very independent and solitary animal is in close contact with everybody else, which means it’s easier for them to get infected with parasites or viruses,” said Valeria Senigaglia, a marine biologist at Australia’s Murdoch University. It also encourages wild animals to eat regularly rather than intermittently, and sometimes discourages tracking and hunting of prey. Habituation, aggression and loss of fear toward humans typically follows, which could endanger the animals. Janet Mann, a marine biologist at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., who has witnessed this behavior among dolphins, doesn’t support such provisioning. “Humans have a strong urge to feed wild animals in their environment,” Dr. Mann said. “Sometimes we think we’re doing them a favor, but not necessarily.” National or local laws that ban feeding wild animals can serve as deterrents. In the United States, for example, feeding marine mammals constitutes harassment under the 1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act. But ongoing illegal feeding of dolphins by local and recreational boaters and tourists in Florida’s Sarasota Bay, for instance, indicates challenges with enforcement. In the Philippines, a country that typically attracts over eight million tourists a year, recent national legislation bans the feeding of whale sharks, the world’s largest species of fish. But the law sometimes clashes with local wildlife welfare rules that only broadly prohibit harassment, without specifically mentioning provisioning. Scars and selfies Villagers in Tan-awan, on Cebu Island in the Philippines, manage the world’s largest whale shark tourism destination. Hand-feeding this globally endangered species with shrimp is central to the operation. Although whale sharks had been spotted in the region, they didn’t historically gather near the village’s coast until 2011. Local fishermen may have used shrimp to lure these underwater giants away from baits used on their fishing lines, which could have inspired tour operators to use similar tactics beginning around that year to attract the gentle filter feeders for visitors’ enjoyment. Since then, the industry has boomed. The local government has created an interaction site 160 feet offshore. There, in a cordoned area the size of almost 12 football fields, fishermen feed the whale sharks and tourists swim or dive to take selfies with the fish. But there are rules: no motorized boats, and only designated fishermen can feed the animals every morning within the buoy-marked boundary. There are also limits on how many people can interact with a single whale shark and how close they can get to it. Touching or riding these animals is prohibited, and a visitor’s time in the interaction area is limited to 30 minutes, while a sea warden keeps guard. Between 2012 and 2018, this provisioning site lured over 400 whale sharks and tourist numbers spiked to over 500,000 from 98,000, generating millions of dollars in yearly revenue. But there’s a price that many whale sharks pay. Researchers at the Philippines’ Large Marine Vertebrate Research Institute found scars on 144 of 152 whale sharks they photographed from 2012 through 2015 near Tan-awan, possibly from contact with ropes, small boats or propellers. At the interaction site, they found some whale sharks spending six times longer in the warm surface waters and performing deeper dives toward the end of the feeding session, possibly to cool down — a behavior that could affect their long-term fitness. Also, despite the many rules, the researchers observed poor compliance from many tourists who moved too close to the whale sharks. Some even touched the animals. The research team has proposed several solutions, including limiting daily tourist numbers and raising ticket prices. Restricting the feeding to a select set of whale sharks could also help. But they also warn that modifying an activity that brings income to a once extremely poor community is complicated. Regulated feeding that’s unlikely to stop At Monkey Mia in Western Australia’s Shark Bay, the state’s Parks and Wildlife Services staff use another regulatory approach to limit the provisioning of Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphins. Tourists are only allowed to feed two to five identified females — of the area’s thousands — that the bay’s managers track. These dolphins and their calves (who aren’t provisioned) typically visit a 300-foot section of beach, beyond which tourists line up for up to three feeding sessions each morning. Park rangers select some visitors to step knee-deep into the water and hand-feed the adults with the fish they provide. The rangers also limit these handouts to just 10 percent of a dolphin’s daily intake in order to dissuade food dependency. Otherwise touching or swimming with these animals is prohibited. Provisioning looked very different in Monkey Mia in the 1960s, when fishermen tossed unwanted catch or bait along shorelines. Into the 1980s, authorities did not regulate feeding by tourists near the shore or from boats. People touched the dolphins, fed them multiple times during the day and there were no limits on how much fish they were given. “In some ways it was fun for people because where else could you go and frolic around the water with dolphins and get them to play with you,” said Dr. Mann, who has been studying the Monkey Mia dolphins for about 40 years. Although feeding regulations were put in place in 1989, the 1994 deaths of three calves resulted in new rules in 1995 that are still in effect today. Since then, adult dolphins have cut their daily time at the provisioning site by over an hour. The early survival of their calves also substantially improved after 1995, possibly because nursing near shore waters was challenging for mothers. “When a baby dolphin feeds, it needs to go underneath the mother,” Dr. Senigaglia said. “With no space in shallow waters, the dolphin can’t nurse.” Even with these rules in place, compared with the calves of non-provisioned mothers, these baby dolphins received less maternal care and foraged more. Also, the survival benefits recorded among these calves waned at the juvenile stage. But that is unlikely to halt the feeding at Monkey Mia, Dr. Mann said. The site attracts nearly 100,000 tourists every year and millions of dollars in ticket sales. It also provisions only a handful of animals, while offering an avenue to get people interested in dolphin biology and conservation. Unlike the Australian dolphin site, many more locations have unregulated feeding. At some of them, government agencies and conservation organizations have worked together to halt provisioning. At Laganas Bay off Greece’s Zakynthos Island a few years ago, local tour boat operators tossed tomatoes, oranges and other fruits and vegetables into the sparkling blue waters to entice loggerhead turtles. Tourists waited for the turtles to come to the surface, and then took photos and touched them. In the harbor, some fishermen also provisioned these primarily carnivorous turtles, collecting tips from onlookers whom they encouraged to touch the turtle’s head and flippers. “This is totally inappropriate,” said Panagiota Theodorou, a conservation coordinator at Archelon, the sea turtle protection society in Greece. “Then animals start being aggressive to humans.” She came across social media posts of several swimmers who got bitten by the region’s turtles. Ms. Theodorou and her colleagues worked with the local coast guard to raise awareness about the issue among tour operators and tourists. They wrote letters and issued news releases to explain the downsides of such provisioning. The coast guard also issued strict warnings to tour companies to discontinue the feeding or risk fines. The provisioning seemed to have ceased in 2018. Thinking beyond the short-term Back in the Bahamas, Dr. O’Shea and Fee Smulders, a marine ecology graduate student at the University of Wageningen in the Netherlands, observed the provisioned green turtles were also aggressive toward each other when competing for food. By mounting cameras on five fed turtles and studying hours of video footage, they noted that the otherwise solitary animals were resting in groups in shallow waters. “If you have high densities of turtles, then one day a shark could show up,” Ms. Smulders said. “That could be dangerous for tourists.” But in the absence of regulation, the provisioning will likely persist. Mr. Pinder, for instance, has no plans to halt sea turtle feeding at Bottom Harbor. If turtle populations were to decline in the future, he says he would reconsider. For now, though, deviations in natural turtle behavior recorded by scientists don’t seem compelling to him. But Dr. Orams at Auckland University of Technology said there should be priorities in addition to making money. “The evidence is so clear that when we deliberately provision marine animals as a tourist attraction, the long-term implications are never good.” Source link Orbem News #pay #perfect #photo #price #vacation

[johnboothus]

Whats Fueling the Billion-Dollar Bourbon Boom?

Describing the surge in popularity of bourbon over the past two decades as a “boom” implies there may also be a “bust” somewhere on the horizon. At this point in time, that seems highly unlikely.

Last year, Kentucky distillers filled more than 1.7 million barrels of bourbon — nearly four times greater than 1999’s total. Production in the Bluegrass State accounts for 95 percent of the world’s bourbon supply and is the highest it’s been since 1972, according to data from the Kentucky Distillers Association (KDA).

While notable troughs have followed previous peaks (see 1999 and 1972), this time the landscape has changed.

During the 1970s, distillers sat on millions of barrels of inventory just as consumer preferences turned to lighter, un-aged spirits like tequila and vodka. In contrast, bourbon’s recent growth has come during a time of unprecedented competition — whether from other whiskey subcategories (such as rye) or other distilled spirits (gin). Far from slowing down, last year’s mammoth production coincided with record bourbon sales, which have only continued in 2020. Data from global insight firms predicts sales will carry on growing for at least the next five years.

Who’s fueling this demand and how has bourbon built such a strong consumer base during the last 20 years? VinePair reached out to leading bourbon producers, trade associations, and trend forecasters to find out.

Tracking the Bourbon Boom

Before we explore how bourbon arrived at its current era of success, let’s take stock of exactly where the subcategory stands in terms of sales.

Nielsen data shows that off-premise dollar sales grew 12.9 percent in 2019, reaching a total $1.78 billion. Bourbon was the third fastest-growing spirit last year (fourth if you also count prepared cocktails), behind only tequila and rye whiskey. Meanwhile, only vodka and blended whiskey recorded greater off-premise dollar sales totals than bourbon in 2019.

According to global data firm IWSR, bourbon represents 8.7 percent of the total spirits volume in the U.S. Looking back over the past five years, IWSR reports a compound annual growth rate of 7.9 percent for volume sales and 11.4 percent for dollar sales. IWSR predicts continued growth over the next five years, at a rate of at least 5 percent for both volume and value.

Tracking Bourbon’s Rise

Eric Gregory, president of the KDA, says the combination of four key factors have fueled “unparalleled growth” in the bourbon industry in recent decades.

First came the introduction of small-batch and single-barrel expressions in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, which kicked off a premiumization trend and helped boost bourbon’s reputation as a high-quality spirit. “We can look at the rise of those and chart the progress of bourbon,” Gregory says.

The emergence of a global export market followed shortly after in the mid-‘90s. “Once we signed the NAFTA agreement and the EU agreement, and finally got on a level playing field with Scotch whisky and other global whiskeys, we started sending more overseas,” Gregory says.

Christine LoCasio, chief of public policy for the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) and an international trade expert, agrees on the role these agreements have played. “We have data that shows exports to countries with whom we have free trade agreements grow at a more rapid pace than those where we don’t,” she says.

Not only do these agreements boost exports, they also ensure trading partners respect the concept of “distinctive product recognition,” LoCasio says. This has protected bourbon’s international reputation, as any bottle sold in foreign markets where the U.S. has a trade agreement must comply with America’s legal definition of the spirit.

Third came the rise in cocktail culture at the turn of the century, and the rediscovery of classic bourbon cocktails like the Old Fashioned. Gregory calls it the “’Mad Men’ effect.” “Bartenders learned that not only are small-batch or single-barrel bourbons great on their own, they also make fantastic cocktails as well,” he says.

Finally, there’s bourbon tourism to consider. Inspired by the success of California wine country, the KDA founded the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1999. While it launched with less than 10 distilleries, all located within an hour’s drive of each other, bourbon tourists can now visit 38 distilleries across the state as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. A record 1.4 million tourists made visits in 2018.

“People, especially younger drinkers, crave authenticity,” Gregory says. The ability to visit a distillery and put your finger in a mash tub, taste whiskey from the barrel, and see the spirit being bottled provides that experience. “We’ve grown a whole legion of bourbon ambassadors [because of] our Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery visits,” he says.

Susan Wahl, vice president of American whiskies at Heaven Hill Brands, agrees that tourism has driven interest and says bourbon satisfies consumers’ craving for authenticity. Wahl also agrees on the importance of small-batch and single-barrel releases in the early 2000s. But more recently, she says, distillers have been innovating in different ways, using new techniques such as barrel-finishing.

“It allows us to drive deeper into the nuances in the whiskey and pull certain flavors out in a way that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to,” she explains. Importantly, during a period of continued strong demand, barrel finishing has “shortened the innovation timeline,” she says.

While not technically bourbon, Wahl says another important innovation in recent years that’s aided bourbon sales is flavored whiskey. This assertion rings true with analysis from global data insight firms.

“Bourbon, especially higher-end brands, began taking off around 2010, … roughly the same time flavored bourbon brands like Wild Turkey American Honey and Jim Beam Red Stag were making names for themselves in the market,” says Adam Rogers, IWSR’s North American research director. Rogers says flavored bourbon brands have acted as a “bridge product” for consumers to enter the bourbon subcategory. Those newfound bourbon drinkers remain to this day, many trading up to purchase higher-end products, like small-batch and single-barrel releases.

Who’s Driving Bourbon Growth?

Just as bourbon has grown via various product innovations, the demographic of drinkers has also evolved in recent years. Somewhat unsurprisingly, bourbon still skews significantly toward male drinkers over female, but more women are exploring the subcategory through higher-end cocktails, Rogers says.

What does come as more of a surprise is the average age of bourbon drinkers. IWSR data shows the 25-to-54-year-old range holds the largest percentage of bourbon consumers. If bourbon once had a reputation as an “old man’s” drink, that is certainly no longer true.

Age is just one aspect of a fairly dramatic shift in key bourbon demographics. According to data from consumer insights firm MRI-Simmons, while white males make up 78 percent of bourbon drinkers in the U.S., consumption among non-white drinkers has increased across the board. Since 2013, the number of Black or African-Americans who drink bourbon is up 22 percent, while the number of Asians who drink bourbon is up 36 percent.

Bourbon has also increasingly found a home among wealthier drinkers. Consumption by adults with a household income between $150,000 and $250,000 has jumped 46 percent since 2013, according to MRI-Simmons. At the $250,000 to $500,000 range, it’s increased 78 percent.

Bourbon Sales During the Global Pandemic

It’s no secret that liquor sales have thrived during the coronavirus pandemic, and bourbon is no different. Thirty-three weeks into 2020, and off premise sales of bourbon have already reached $1.34 billion, according to Nielsen data. That’s a 29.7 percent rise compared with the same period last year.

The main beneficiaries of this trend have been larger distillers like Heaven Hill. While the company has seen “huge” sales growth across its portfolio, its core brands like Elijah Craig Small Batch, Evan Williams, and Larceny have seen the most notable increases in recent years and during the pandemic, says Heaven Hill’s Wahl.

During the last three to five years, Elijah Craig experienced consistent growth of between 30 and 40 percent. Sales have been growing “more intensely” through the pandemic, Wahl says. Meanwhile, Evan Williams Black Label, one of four expressions that make up the Evan Williams brand, is now a 2.2 million-case brand, following years of continued growth.

“Even brands that were flat before are seeing growth in this environment,” Wahl says.

Kris Comstock, senior marketing director at Buffalo Trace, notes that volume sales of the company’s overall portfolio have doubled in the past five years. During the pandemic, sales have continued to grow “in line with pre-Covid-19 rates,” he says. Buffalo Trace is in the midst of a $1.2 billion distillery expansion to continue increasing production.

Current or Future Threats to Bourbon?

One issue that has impacted the bourbon industry more significantly than the pandemic is the 25 percent tariffs imposed on American whiskey by the EU in 2018. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise impact on bourbon alone, DISCUS’s LoCasio says, “Between June 2018 and June 2020, American whiskey exports declined from $757 million to $462 million.”

This amounts to a 39 percent decline in just two years, the long-term implications of which, LoCasio says, could be significant,  not least because those tariffs are set to increase to 50 percent in spring 2021 unless an agreement can be reached between the U.S. and EU.

But the EU tariffs are not the only factor at play. In 2019, the U.S. enforced its own tariffs on EU imports, including Scotch whisky. So while the export market is currently less attractive for bourbon producers, they do find themselves at an advantage on home soil. Heaven Hill’s Wahl confirms that the company’s sales have been affected by the EU tariffs, but not to the same extent as other bourbon producers who place a greater focus on the export market.

“We’ve definitely been impacted somewhat, but we have been able to make up those sales on the domestic side of the business,” she says.

From a domestic standpoint, bourbon producers appear well placed to continue thriving. While rye whiskey outpaced bourbon in terms of growth last year, that subcategory remains 10 times smaller than bourbon when it comes to dollar sales. What’s more, many of the leading rye whiskey brands are owned by the same companies that dominate bourbon production.

“Bourbon consumers are experimental and are willing to try any type of U.S. whiskey, whether it’s rye, single-malt, or a higher-end blended version,” says IWSR’s Rogers. “Shares teeter modestly between each U.S. whiskey sub-segment but bourbon is not showing any signs of slowing down or losing any of its lion’s share.”

The article What’s Fueling the Billion-Dollar Bourbon Boom? appeared first on VinePair.

Via https://vinepair.com/articles/bourbon-market-billions-exports-sales-2020/

source https://vinology1.weebly.com/blog/whats-fueling-the-billion-dollar-bourbon-boom

[wineanddinosaur]

What’s Fueling the Billion-Dollar Bourbon Boom?

Describing the surge in popularity of bourbon over the past two decades as a “boom” implies there may also be a “bust” somewhere on the horizon. At this point in time, that seems highly unlikely.

Last year, Kentucky distillers filled more than 1.7 million barrels of bourbon — nearly four times greater than 1999’s total. Production in the Bluegrass State accounts for 95 percent of the world’s bourbon supply and is the highest it’s been since 1972, according to data from the Kentucky Distillers Association (KDA).

While notable troughs have followed previous peaks (see 1999 and 1972), this time the landscape has changed.

During the 1970s, distillers sat on millions of barrels of inventory just as consumer preferences turned to lighter, un-aged spirits like tequila and vodka. In contrast, bourbon’s recent growth has come during a time of unprecedented competition — whether from other whiskey subcategories (such as rye) or other distilled spirits (gin). Far from slowing down, last year’s mammoth production coincided with record bourbon sales, which have only continued in 2020. Data from global insight firms predicts sales will carry on growing for at least the next five years.

Who’s fueling this demand and how has bourbon built such a strong consumer base during the last 20 years? VinePair reached out to leading bourbon producers, trade associations, and trend forecasters to find out.

Tracking the Bourbon Boom

Before we explore how bourbon arrived at its current era of success, let’s take stock of exactly where the subcategory stands in terms of sales.

Nielsen data shows that off-premise dollar sales grew 12.9 percent in 2019, reaching a total $1.78 billion. Bourbon was the third fastest-growing spirit last year (fourth if you also count prepared cocktails), behind only tequila and rye whiskey. Meanwhile, only vodka and blended whiskey recorded greater off-premise dollar sales totals than bourbon in 2019.

According to global data firm IWSR, bourbon represents 8.7 percent of the total spirits volume in the U.S. Looking back over the past five years, IWSR reports a compound annual growth rate of 7.9 percent for volume sales and 11.4 percent for dollar sales. IWSR predicts continued growth over the next five years, at a rate of at least 5 percent for both volume and value.

Tracking Bourbon’s Rise

Eric Gregory, president of the KDA, says the combination of four key factors have fueled “unparalleled growth” in the bourbon industry in recent decades.

First came the introduction of small-batch and single-barrel expressions in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, which kicked off a premiumization trend and helped boost bourbon’s reputation as a high-quality spirit. “We can look at the rise of those and chart the progress of bourbon,” Gregory says.

The emergence of a global export market followed shortly after in the mid-‘90s. “Once we signed the NAFTA agreement and the EU agreement, and finally got on a level playing field with Scotch whisky and other global whiskeys, we started sending more overseas,” Gregory says.

Christine LoCasio, chief of public policy for the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) and an international trade expert, agrees on the role these agreements have played. “We have data that shows exports to countries with whom we have free trade agreements grow at a more rapid pace than those where we don’t,” she says.

Not only do these agreements boost exports, they also ensure trading partners respect the concept of “distinctive product recognition,” LoCasio says. This has protected bourbon’s international reputation, as any bottle sold in foreign markets where the U.S. has a trade agreement must comply with America’s legal definition of the spirit.

Third came the rise in cocktail culture at the turn of the century, and the rediscovery of classic bourbon cocktails like the Old Fashioned. Gregory calls it the “’Mad Men’ effect.” “Bartenders learned that not only are small-batch or single-barrel bourbons great on their own, they also make fantastic cocktails as well,” he says.

Finally, there’s bourbon tourism to consider. Inspired by the success of California wine country, the KDA founded the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1999. While it launched with less than 10 distilleries, all located within an hour’s drive of each other, bourbon tourists can now visit 38 distilleries across the state as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. A record 1.4 million tourists made visits in 2018.

“People, especially younger drinkers, crave authenticity,” Gregory says. The ability to visit a distillery and put your finger in a mash tub, taste whiskey from the barrel, and see the spirit being bottled provides that experience. “We’ve grown a whole legion of bourbon ambassadors [because of] our Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery visits,” he says.

Susan Wahl, vice president of American whiskies at Heaven Hill Brands, agrees that tourism has driven interest and says bourbon satisfies consumers’ craving for authenticity. Wahl also agrees on the importance of small-batch and single-barrel releases in the early 2000s. But more recently, she says, distillers have been innovating in different ways, using new techniques such as barrel-finishing.

“It allows us to drive deeper into the nuances in the whiskey and pull certain flavors out in a way that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to,” she explains. Importantly, during a period of continued strong demand, barrel finishing has “shortened the innovation timeline,” she says.

While not technically bourbon, Wahl says another important innovation in recent years that’s aided bourbon sales is flavored whiskey. This assertion rings true with analysis from global data insight firms.

“Bourbon, especially higher-end brands, began taking off around 2010, … roughly the same time flavored bourbon brands like Wild Turkey American Honey and Jim Beam Red Stag were making names for themselves in the market,” says Adam Rogers, IWSR’s North American research director. Rogers says flavored bourbon brands have acted as a “bridge product” for consumers to enter the bourbon subcategory. Those newfound bourbon drinkers remain to this day, many trading up to purchase higher-end products, like small-batch and single-barrel releases.

Who’s Driving Bourbon Growth?

Just as bourbon has grown via various product innovations, the demographic of drinkers has also evolved in recent years. Somewhat unsurprisingly, bourbon still skews significantly toward male drinkers over female, but more women are exploring the subcategory through higher-end cocktails, Rogers says.

What does come as more of a surprise is the average age of bourbon drinkers. IWSR data shows the 25-to-54-year-old range holds the largest percentage of bourbon consumers. If bourbon once had a reputation as an “old man’s” drink, that is certainly no longer true.

Age is just one aspect of a fairly dramatic shift in key bourbon demographics. According to data from consumer insights firm MRI-Simmons, while white males make up 78 percent of bourbon drinkers in the U.S., consumption among non-white drinkers has increased across the board. Since 2013, the number of Black or African-Americans who drink bourbon is up 22 percent, while the number of Asians who drink bourbon is up 36 percent.

Bourbon has also increasingly found a home among wealthier drinkers. Consumption by adults with a household income between $150,000 and $250,000 has jumped 46 percent since 2013, according to MRI-Simmons. At the $250,000 to $500,000 range, it’s increased 78 percent.

Bourbon Sales During the Global Pandemic

It’s no secret that liquor sales have thrived during the coronavirus pandemic, and bourbon is no different. Thirty-three weeks into 2020, and off premise sales of bourbon have already reached $1.34 billion, according to Nielsen data. That’s a 29.7 percent rise compared with the same period last year.

The main beneficiaries of this trend have been larger distillers like Heaven Hill. While the company has seen “huge” sales growth across its portfolio, its core brands like Elijah Craig Small Batch, Evan Williams, and Larceny have seen the most notable increases in recent years and during the pandemic, says Heaven Hill’s Wahl.

During the last three to five years, Elijah Craig experienced consistent growth of between 30 and 40 percent. Sales have been growing “more intensely” through the pandemic, Wahl says. Meanwhile, Evan Williams Black Label, one of four expressions that make up the Evan Williams brand, is now a 2.2 million-case brand, following years of continued growth.

“Even brands that were flat before are seeing growth in this environment,” Wahl says.

Kris Comstock, senior marketing director at Buffalo Trace, notes that volume sales of the company’s overall portfolio have doubled in the past five years. During the pandemic, sales have continued to grow “in line with pre-Covid-19 rates,” he says. Buffalo Trace is in the midst of a $1.2 billion distillery expansion to continue increasing production.

Current or Future Threats to Bourbon?

One issue that has impacted the bourbon industry more significantly than the pandemic is the 25 percent tariffs imposed on American whiskey by the EU in 2018. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise impact on bourbon alone, DISCUS’s LoCasio says, “Between June 2018 and June 2020, American whiskey exports declined from $757 million to $462 million.”

This amounts to a 39 percent decline in just two years, the long-term implications of which, LoCasio says, could be significant,  not least because those tariffs are set to increase to 50 percent in spring 2021 unless an agreement can be reached between the U.S. and EU.

But the EU tariffs are not the only factor at play. In 2019, the U.S. enforced its own tariffs on EU imports, including Scotch whisky. So while the export market is currently less attractive for bourbon producers, they do find themselves at an advantage on home soil. Heaven Hill’s Wahl confirms that the company’s sales have been affected by the EU tariffs, but not to the same extent as other bourbon producers who place a greater focus on the export market.

“We’ve definitely been impacted somewhat, but we have been able to make up those sales on the domestic side of the business,” she says.

From a domestic standpoint, bourbon producers appear well placed to continue thriving. While rye whiskey outpaced bourbon in terms of growth last year, that subcategory remains 10 times smaller than bourbon when it comes to dollar sales. What’s more, many of the leading rye whiskey brands are owned by the same companies that dominate bourbon production.

“Bourbon consumers are experimental and are willing to try any type of U.S. whiskey, whether it’s rye, single-malt, or a higher-end blended version,” says IWSR’s Rogers. “Shares teeter modestly between each U.S. whiskey sub-segment but bourbon is not showing any signs of slowing down or losing any of its lion’s share.”

The article What’s Fueling the Billion-Dollar Bourbon Boom? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/bourbon-market-billions-exports-sales-2020/

[isaiahrippinus]

What’s Fueling the Billion-Dollar Bourbon Boom?

Describing the surge in popularity of bourbon over the past two decades as a “boom” implies there may also be a “bust” somewhere on the horizon. At this point in time, that seems highly unlikely.

Last year, Kentucky distillers filled more than 1.7 million barrels of bourbon — nearly four times greater than 1999’s total. Production in the Bluegrass State accounts for 95 percent of the world’s bourbon supply and is the highest it’s been since 1972, according to data from the Kentucky Distillers Association (KDA).

While notable troughs have followed previous peaks (see 1999 and 1972), this time the landscape has changed.

During the 1970s, distillers sat on millions of barrels of inventory just as consumer preferences turned to lighter, un-aged spirits like tequila and vodka. In contrast, bourbon’s recent growth has come during a time of unprecedented competition — whether from other whiskey subcategories (such as rye) or other distilled spirits (gin). Far from slowing down, last year’s mammoth production coincided with record bourbon sales, which have only continued in 2020. Data from global insight firms predicts sales will carry on growing for at least the next five years.

Who’s fueling this demand and how has bourbon built such a strong consumer base during the last 20 years? VinePair reached out to leading bourbon producers, trade associations, and trend forecasters to find out.

Tracking the Bourbon Boom

Before we explore how bourbon arrived at its current era of success, let’s take stock of exactly where the subcategory stands in terms of sales.

Nielsen data shows that off-premise dollar sales grew 12.9 percent in 2019, reaching a total $1.78 billion. Bourbon was the third fastest-growing spirit last year (fourth if you also count prepared cocktails), behind only tequila and rye whiskey. Meanwhile, only vodka and blended whiskey recorded greater off-premise dollar sales totals than bourbon in 2019.

According to global data firm IWSR, bourbon represents 8.7 percent of the total spirits volume in the U.S. Looking back over the past five years, IWSR reports a compound annual growth rate of 7.9 percent for volume sales and 11.4 percent for dollar sales. IWSR predicts continued growth over the next five years, at a rate of at least 5 percent for both volume and value.

Tracking Bourbon’s Rise

Eric Gregory, president of the KDA, says the combination of four key factors have fueled “unparalleled growth” in the bourbon industry in recent decades.

First came the introduction of small-batch and single-barrel expressions in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, which kicked off a premiumization trend and helped boost bourbon’s reputation as a high-quality spirit. “We can look at the rise of those and chart the progress of bourbon,” Gregory says.

The emergence of a global export market followed shortly after in the mid-‘90s. “Once we signed the NAFTA agreement and the EU agreement, and finally got on a level playing field with Scotch whisky and other global whiskeys, we started sending more overseas,” Gregory says.

Christine LoCasio, chief of public policy for the Distilled Spirits Council (DISCUS) and an international trade expert, agrees on the role these agreements have played. “We have data that shows exports to countries with whom we have free trade agreements grow at a more rapid pace than those where we don’t,” she says.

Not only do these agreements boost exports, they also ensure trading partners respect the concept of “distinctive product recognition,” LoCasio says. This has protected bourbon’s international reputation, as any bottle sold in foreign markets where the U.S. has a trade agreement must comply with America’s legal definition of the spirit.

Third came the rise in cocktail culture at the turn of the century, and the rediscovery of classic bourbon cocktails like the Old Fashioned. Gregory calls it the “’Mad Men’ effect.” “Bartenders learned that not only are small-batch or single-barrel bourbons great on their own, they also make fantastic cocktails as well,” he says.

Finally, there’s bourbon tourism to consider. Inspired by the success of California wine country, the KDA founded the Kentucky Bourbon Trail in 1999. While it launched with less than 10 distilleries, all located within an hour’s drive of each other, bourbon tourists can now visit 38 distilleries across the state as part of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and the Kentucky Bourbon Trail Craft Tour. A record 1.4 million tourists made visits in 2018.

“People, especially younger drinkers, crave authenticity,” Gregory says. The ability to visit a distillery and put your finger in a mash tub, taste whiskey from the barrel, and see the spirit being bottled provides that experience. “We’ve grown a whole legion of bourbon ambassadors [because of] our Kentucky Bourbon Trail distillery visits,” he says.

Susan Wahl, vice president of American whiskies at Heaven Hill Brands, agrees that tourism has driven interest and says bourbon satisfies consumers’ craving for authenticity. Wahl also agrees on the importance of small-batch and single-barrel releases in the early 2000s. But more recently, she says, distillers have been innovating in different ways, using new techniques such as barrel-finishing.

“It allows us to drive deeper into the nuances in the whiskey and pull certain flavors out in a way that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to,” she explains. Importantly, during a period of continued strong demand, barrel finishing has “shortened the innovation timeline,” she says.

While not technically bourbon, Wahl says another important innovation in recent years that’s aided bourbon sales is flavored whiskey. This assertion rings true with analysis from global data insight firms.

“Bourbon, especially higher-end brands, began taking off around 2010, … roughly the same time flavored bourbon brands like Wild Turkey American Honey and Jim Beam Red Stag were making names for themselves in the market,” says Adam Rogers, IWSR’s North American research director. Rogers says flavored bourbon brands have acted as a “bridge product” for consumers to enter the bourbon subcategory. Those newfound bourbon drinkers remain to this day, many trading up to purchase higher-end products, like small-batch and single-barrel releases.

Who’s Driving Bourbon Growth?

Just as bourbon has grown via various product innovations, the demographic of drinkers has also evolved in recent years. Somewhat unsurprisingly, bourbon still skews significantly toward male drinkers over female, but more women are exploring the subcategory through higher-end cocktails, Rogers says.

What does come as more of a surprise is the average age of bourbon drinkers. IWSR data shows the 25-to-54-year-old range holds the largest percentage of bourbon consumers. If bourbon once had a reputation as an “old man’s” drink, that is certainly no longer true.

Age is just one aspect of a fairly dramatic shift in key bourbon demographics. According to data from consumer insights firm MRI-Simmons, while white males make up 78 percent of bourbon drinkers in the U.S., consumption among non-white drinkers has increased across the board. Since 2013, the number of Black or African-Americans who drink bourbon is up 22 percent, while the number of Asians who drink bourbon is up 36 percent.

Bourbon has also increasingly found a home among wealthier drinkers. Consumption by adults with a household income between $150,000 and $250,000 has jumped 46 percent since 2013, according to MRI-Simmons. At the $250,000 to $500,000 range, it’s increased 78 percent.

Bourbon Sales During the Global Pandemic

It’s no secret that liquor sales have thrived during the coronavirus pandemic, and bourbon is no different. Thirty-three weeks into 2020, and off premise sales of bourbon have already reached $1.34 billion, according to Nielsen data. That’s a 29.7 percent rise compared with the same period last year.

The main beneficiaries of this trend have been larger distillers like Heaven Hill. While the company has seen “huge” sales growth across its portfolio, its core brands like Elijah Craig Small Batch, Evan Williams, and Larceny have seen the most notable increases in recent years and during the pandemic, says Heaven Hill’s Wahl.

During the last three to five years, Elijah Craig experienced consistent growth of between 30 and 40 percent. Sales have been growing “more intensely” through the pandemic, Wahl says. Meanwhile, Evan Williams Black Label, one of four expressions that make up the Evan Williams brand, is now a 2.2 million-case brand, following years of continued growth.

“Even brands that were flat before are seeing growth in this environment,” Wahl says.

Kris Comstock, senior marketing director at Buffalo Trace, notes that volume sales of the company’s overall portfolio have doubled in the past five years. During the pandemic, sales have continued to grow “in line with pre-Covid-19 rates,” he says. Buffalo Trace is in the midst of a $1.2 billion distillery expansion to continue increasing production.

Current or Future Threats to Bourbon?

One issue that has impacted the bourbon industry more significantly than the pandemic is the 25 percent tariffs imposed on American whiskey by the EU in 2018. While it’s difficult to pinpoint the precise impact on bourbon alone, DISCUS’s LoCasio says, “Between June 2018 and June 2020, American whiskey exports declined from $757 million to $462 million.”

This amounts to a 39 percent decline in just two years, the long-term implications of which, LoCasio says, could be significant,  not least because those tariffs are set to increase to 50 percent in spring 2021 unless an agreement can be reached between the U.S. and EU.

But the EU tariffs are not the only factor at play. In 2019, the U.S. enforced its own tariffs on EU imports, including Scotch whisky. So while the export market is currently less attractive for bourbon producers, they do find themselves at an advantage on home soil. Heaven Hill’s Wahl confirms that the company’s sales have been affected by the EU tariffs, but not to the same extent as other bourbon producers who place a greater focus on the export market.

“We’ve definitely been impacted somewhat, but we have been able to make up those sales on the domestic side of the business,” she says.

From a domestic standpoint, bourbon producers appear well placed to continue thriving. While rye whiskey outpaced bourbon in terms of growth last year, that subcategory remains 10 times smaller than bourbon when it comes to dollar sales. What’s more, many of the leading rye whiskey brands are owned by the same companies that dominate bourbon production.

“Bourbon consumers are experimental and are willing to try any type of U.S. whiskey, whether it’s rye, single-malt, or a higher-end blended version,” says IWSR’s Rogers. “Shares teeter modestly between each U.S. whiskey sub-segment but bourbon is not showing any signs of slowing down or losing any of its lion’s share.”

The article What’s Fueling the Billion-Dollar Bourbon Boom? appeared first on VinePair.

source https://vinepair.com/articles/bourbon-market-billions-exports-sales-2020/ source https://vinology1.tumblr.com/post/628067302711197696

[thechasefiles]

The Chase Files Daily Newscap 28/5/2020

Good Morning #realdreamchasers! Here is your daily news cap Thursday 28th May, 2020. There is a lot to read and digest so take your time. Remember you can read full articles via Barbados Government Information Service (BGIS), Barbados Today (BT), or by purchasing a Daily Nation Newspaper (DN).

PLOT TWIST – A massive effort to improve the living conditions of struggling single mother Katura Luke has taken a shocking twist. Barbados TODAY understands that the owner of the lot at Diamond Valley, St Philip where Luke lives has given no permission for cleaning or renovations to take place on his property and has enlisted the services of an attorney to resolve the matter. As social media sensation Jordan English commenced The Luke Family Home Renovation, Mervin Jones, whose uncle owns the property revealed that rent had not been paid for the last six years and the unsightly home was in fact up for sale. “Unimpressed” with the ongoing “hype” surrounding the endeavor, Jones is instead urging Barbadians to get the full story before “jumping on bandwagons”. “You can’t just go on someone else’s land and carry out renovations just because a man goes on social media saying that we have to be sympathetic. Sympathy doesn’t pay to repair a house,” Jones told Barbados TODAY. “There is more to this story than meets the eye and I can speak because I am directly involved with it and I spoke to the landowner’s attorney and told her to get her hands on this because I don’t think any renovations are going to take place at this time,” he declared. But on Wednesday afternoon, English started honoring a promise to improve the family’s deplorable condition. Photos and videos from his social media page captured a team of youngsters cleaning a massive amount of garbage from the house with help from Jose Y Jose Liquid and Solid Waste Management. The matter was thrust into the public domain on Monday, when the 23-year-old launched an appeal to assist Luke who is living in squalor as she raises four children and battles a myriad of serious health issues. On Tuesday, management of Crane Resorts facilitated a seven-day stay for Luke and her children who have been promised a newly renovated home in seven days. The young man has since launched a website and is accepting donations to aid the initiative. Up to press time, efforts to reach English and Jose Y Jose’s Managing Director, Anderson Cherry were unsuccessful. In the meantime, Jones, who is perplexed by the developments explained that a well-kept and fully furnished house with a new television, fridge and stove was offered to Luke approximately ten years ago after the death of his aunt, who previously occupied the property. The Rural Development Commission (RDC) had been paying rent on Luke’s behalf, but stopped sometime in 2014. The caretaker added that in 2013, the house had been repaired and another estimate for improvements to the tune of $7,600 had been done. However, with no rent being paid, repairs were simply not feasible. “Three offers were made to her, including one from the current Member of Parliament for the area [Indar Weir], who is being ridiculed now to go to a house in Church Village, St. Phillip and she refused,” claimed Jones, a former school teacher, well known umpire and cricket match referee. “Now you will try to stop my uncle from getting rid of that property, which is now filled with bottles and all kinds of rubbish?” he asked. “It is laudable what the gentleman is trying to do. But when he went to the house and saw the for sale sign he should have asked some questions, because everybody in Diamond Valley knows me,” he added. When contacted, Minister in the Ministry of Housing and Lands Charles Griffith admitted that the family “is known” to the RDC. He said that an officer from the commission visited the property on Tuesday to carry out an assessment. Meanwhile, Minister of People Empowerment and Elder Affairs Cynthia Forde said she received “background information” on the unfolding situation and is preparing to meet with the relevant social agencies to develop a plan to assist Katura and her family. (BT)

‘GOV’T, CAN DO BETTER’: HOWARD ON ECONOMY JOB – From getting a passing mark in the first year, the Mia Mottley has slumped to near failing grade over its handling of the economy in its second year in office, according to emeritus economics professor Michael Howard. But he gave Government “high marks” for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Professor Howard told Barbados TODAYwhile the administration had done a satisfactory job in their first year, they had dropped the ball this time around. He made the comments just days after the Barbados Labour Party (BLP) celebrated their second year in office on May 24. Professor Howard said: “If I had to evaluate the BLP in terms of the two separate years I think the performance was different. In my opinion, if I had to grade them I would give them a B+ for the first year and a D for the second year. “In the first year they did well and they had a right to boast of having restored confidence in the Barbadian dollar, they went to the IMF [International Monetary Fund] which I felt was necessary, and it helped to raise the level of foreign reserves and I complimented Ms Mottley in the way she went about it. The way in which she brought stability to the economy was the hallmark of the first year. “In the first year even though the level of taxation rose I think that Barbados was rescued from the previous years under the DLP.” He also pointed to the debt restructuring which he deemed as necessary and which helped to reduce the level of debt. But in evaluating the Government’s second year, the Professor Emeritus in Economics at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill said Government’s performance left a lot to be desired. He told Barbados TODAY: “In the second year I think things went downhill. The economy remained in recession, there were more draconian taxation; the water tax continued, heavy taxes on tourism; there was a decline in sanitation, poor water management. “Somehow they lost track of the course and perhaps one of the main problems was the failure to restore economic growth. The taxation was very heavy and a lot of people especially the poor suffered a loss in welfare during that second year. “Despite the income tax reform people were burdened by the increase in direct taxation. But I wouldn’t give them a failure because the fact that they achieved the six per cent IMF surplus meant that something was achieved.” But on the Mottley administration’s handling of the COVID-19 crisis, Professor Howard said while he did not agree with everything that had been done he was impressed by Government’s handling of the challenges it faced. He told Barbados TODAY: “I would give them some high marks, although they have been some blemishes. But I would give them some high marks for the way they approached especially the health aspect of this crisis because this was a new area and even though there were one or two slipups at first I think that they did a good job in restoring confidence in people.” (BT)

GRIM OUTLOOK ON JOB FRONT – Two of the island’s corporate representative organisations are warning the country to brace for more job losses in the private sector if business activity does not pick up quickly. Chairman of the Barbados Private Sector Association (BPSA) Edward Clarke has cautioned that the country can expect companies to take some drastic measures to remain in business, including layoffs, if economic activity does not improve in the next few weeks. He warned that with revenue having dried up in some cases and being “very poor” in others, businesses will do what they have to do to survive. Clarke said while some people have gone back to work in a number of businesses which were allowed to reopen, things could take a turn for the worse if revenue remains dormant or non-existent resulting in more job losses. “What is being assessed now is what will happen if business does not pick up in the next couple weeks, next few weeks. Revenue is going to drive the decision-making. Unless businesses have revenue to support the organisational structure and staffing structure they will have to make decisions,” Clarke told Barbados TODAY this afternoon. “Once they follow the due process, you would expect people would have to make decisions for the survival of their businesses,” he added. The private sector spokesman said he hopes things would change for the better sooner than later and that Government would expand the opening hours of business and allow more retailers to resume operations where practicable. Clarke is also calling for the reopening of some restaurants in the near future while acknowledging that all this hinges on the health protocol and the continuing “good outcome” of the COVID management. “But things are slow and we are having to manage the situation day by day and hopefully things will improve…but right now it is not a good situation for businesses in Barbados at this time…very weak performance overall. Many businesses have to make some serious decisions in the next few weeks, if things don’t change,” he reiterated. And President of the Barbados Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) Trisha Tannis is also expecting more people to go home in the coming weeks and months. But while she anticipates additional layoffs, she is urging business leaders and owners to ensure they follow due process as provided for in the Employment Rights Act. “I would take the opportunity to encourage the members of the private sector, where they are contemplating or in the process of laying off, to remember to ensure they follow due process where the labour representative is concerned and the Labour Office as well,” the BCCI president told Barbados TODAY. The business sector leader disclosed that the Chamber has been getting complaints that some employers were “progressing with certain actions without due process. And I would just like to take the opportunity to remind the private sector to follow the appropriate protocol.” Tannis also warned that she expected the current bleak business conditions to continue until year-end especially if tourism remains in the doldrums. She noted that a series of major festivals which would have boosted tourism have been cancelled for this year including the United Nations’ Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Conference slated for October. “Obviously the spinnoff and trickle down benefits to the economy are going to be missed. So it remains to be seen how long…how deep, this is going to be. But we may be in for a bit of a long haul. It may not be before 2021 before we begin to see some recovery,” the Chamber head declared. “I do think there is going to be a bit of a contraction for a while. As you know, the employment levels are very high and traffic flows are still very sedate,” Tannis stated. “It is good to be able to reopen…that helps. But traffic will still be significantly down versus the prior years. I think it will be a slow and gradual climb, hopefully back to some level of buoyancy, but that timeline is likely to be protracted,” she said. Meanwhile, Government and other members of the Social Partnership are consulting on a plan proposed by Prime Minister Mia Mottley that is designed to give the political directorate more elbow room to help the economy rebound from the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic. The Prime Minister has proposed what was initially termed a “forced savings plan” now known as a National Meeting Turn that offers “National Pandemic Solidarity Bonds” as part payment for salaries. The bonds are to be redeemed at the end of four years at high interest rates but can be cashed in at financial institutions before the maturity date. (BT)

DOUBLE TAX BLOW HURTING PENSION SAVINGS – Barbadians who are paying taxes on their income and are then required to pay taxes again on the money they have put aside to support them during retirement should be entitled to some relief from the double burden. The case has been made by Roger Cave, Investment Director of Fortress Fund Manager as he addressed members of the media Tuesday at the company’s virtual media briefing. Asked what Government could do to make the investing environment more appealing, he said the matter of taxation on pensions was a longstanding sore point. Noting that since Government removed registered retirement savings plans from the list of investments Barbadian could claim against the tax liabilities, they are now facing two tax hits; one at the source in the form of PAYE and another at the pension payment stage for sums over a minimum amount. “The one area from a policy point of view that we do need to relook is the taxation on pensions and it is a point that we raise repeatedly. We have a situation where contributions to pension schemes are no longer deductible but they are still taxed on retirement. “This COVID-19 situation has demonstrated even more so the importance of saving for long-term needs and that has increased rather than decreased. And further, to have a situation where there is a tax penalty, we need to reverse this where there is an incentive to put away those savings,” Cave urged. “We have a strong regulatory scheme with pensions with a number of local providers, so the environment is there but the policy needs to be revisited.” On the matter of Barbados’ blacklisting by the European Union over claims the country was not been meeting the standard for Anti-money Laundering and the Countering Financing of Terrorism, Cave said the development was “most unfortunate”. The Fortress top executive added: “We think there has been a number of initiatives and ongoing things to strengthen our AML processes and procedures. As a player in the financial system, we are very aware of them and think that that was a very unfortunate case. I know that representation has been made to have [blacklisting] revisited and we hope that we will be off that list sooner rather than later. “It is never helpful, especially in the environment that we are in,” Cave added. (BT)

BRANDING KEY TO SELLING BAJAN AND CARIBBEAN PRODUCTS, SAYS CADDLE – Minister in the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment, Marsha Caddle, believes that more must be done to utilise the Barbados and Caribbean brand when it comes to promoting and selling local and regional commodities across the world. She made this point during a live YouTube discussion on the topic, The Future of the Caribbean: Sustainable Supply Chains, Trade, and Agriculture, hosted by the Grow Local Caribbean Team. The other participants were Jamaica’s Minister of State in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Floyd Green; Jamaica’s Opposition Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade and Director of Lydford Logistics, Lisa Hanna; and Oneyka Akumah, Founder and CEO of Farmcrowdy from Nigeria. It was hosted by Ethnie Miller Simpson, Managing Director of Grow Local Caribbean, an entity which provides resources for Caribbean businesses. Caddle noted that within the local agricultural sector, government was focused on identifying those things that were unique to Barbados. She suggested that branding was key to standing out, especially within a niche market and where there are economies of scale. “Branding for us is extremely important. We keep talking about niche markets and the issue even with a niche market is that we still have economies of scale. Even if we have a couple of producers who are able to create a niche high value product, because of our size it is very unlikely that we will still be able to produce enough of that product to make a dent in the market, even within the region. “One of the things we have focused on doing is identifying what are uniquely Bajan things. Black belly sheep is one of those things. It is sought after all over the world; there are chefs in different restaurants who say if we have that lamb we don’t want anything else. The same for avocado and the same for aloe vera, so we are really focused on that…,” she explained. The Investment Minister also lamented that too often Caribbean products are being packaged and resold to the region and she stressed that the islands needed to do a much better job in this regard. “We can globalise even the production but we need to really brand who we are and what we are selling. This issue came up even recently with the ‘clash’ between (musicians) Bounty and Beenie. Why is it that people are selling back to us our Caribbean product? We hear all these jingles in advertising and you have a soca rhythm in the back [or] you have a reggae rhythm, because our brand is happiness, the Caribbean brand is happiness and we are not doing anything with that. So I think as part of our overall conversation, that is a huge part of what we need to do,” she emphasised. Adding to the conversation was Lisa Hanna, who pointed out that a huge part the problem with agriculture was that the youth did not see the sector as attractive. She also complained about value added products, which are grown in Jamaica, being imported and sold on the island. “I say we need to make farming ‘sexy’ because it is where the next frontier is coming from… I should not be sitting in Jamaica and buying a packaged can of coconut water. I shouldn’t be sitting in Jamaica and buying cured mangoes from Indonesia. That to me is just criminal because what we keep doing is exporting our primary products,” she argued, adding that locals must also be able to afford locally grown products. Hanna also called for more investment into the industry and the identification of what are the global competitive advantages, especially since she did not believe there would be enough prosperity generated by feeding one’s population alone. (BGIS)

COACH OWNERS MULL FERRYING COMMUTERS – With no tourists to drive their businesses, some coach owners have now said they may very well accept Government’s offer for them to join the public transport system. But for it to be a feasible option, the contract would have to make “financial sense”, said one owner. With public service vehicles and Transport Board buses only allowed to carry 60 per cent capacity for effective social distancing, Prime Minister Mia Mottley recently announced that private coaches might have to help move commuters. With Ross University temporarily closed, Mottley said the medical school’s coaches could be used, among others. Scott Davis, owner of Williams Tours Barbados, acknowledged the offer was not ideal, but he said that with few options available, coaches might have to take advantage of the offer. He told Barbados TODAY: “There is not necessarily a great excitement to integrate because of the class of vehicle. “We have to try and create the most luxury vehicle and so to convert to that style… but I believe there are many who are going to be in the situation where that will be an ultimate game-changer for them. “Take, for example, all the Ross transportation, they don’t have any Ross students to carry around anymore and I don’t know if Government is still having to honour that contract, so I believe there will be people who will definitely fill that void who are doing that type of transportation already.” With the COVID-19 pandemic having practically wiped out the tourist industry for the near future, Davis said he may have to consider accepting the Government’s offer. He said: “As the news spread about the future it’s not looking so bright so I might be willing to come on board. I’ve gone from income to zero income and so it is definitely something I would need to consider. “I believe we all will be thinking about it for sure, so we might seem reluctant now but a couple more days without a dollar a lot of us might be coming around.” Davis recalled that several months ago, Minister of Transport  Dr William Duguid spoke to them regarding a similar initiative. He said at the time several concerns had been raised, including the basis on how routes would be assigned. General manager of Sun Tours Barbados Eva Marshall declined to comment, but another owner who asked to remain anonymous told Barbados TODAY the offer would have to be financially beneficial for him to consider. He said while he did not want to appear selfish, the bottom line was critical. He said: “This is something which is new and probably something we would have never contemplated before COVID-19. We are accustomed to setting our own rates so for us to operate in this fashion is a bit strange. “I’m not against having a discussion but at the end of the day it has to make financial sense for me as a business owner. It makes no sense having my vehicles working and having to service them if the money isn’t decent. “I think Government would have to offer us some form of concession maybe on diesel or something as well, because the majority of private coaches operate with air condition.” He said the loss of the tourist industry would be very hard on private coaches, as in some instances tourists accounted for 85 per cent of business. (BT)

GRADUATES OFFER BETTER CHANCE AT INNOVATION – Professor Sir Hilary Beckles, President of the Universities Caribbean and Vice Chancellor of the University of the West Indies (UWI) is predicting that there will be an increase in persons seeking higher education in the post COVID-19 period. Speaking during today’s One Caribbean Virtual Forum titled: Assessing the impacts of COVID-19 Designing the Future of the Caribbean University Sector, the historian explained that there is a historical tendency for the demand for higher education to increase during an economic recession. However, Sir Hilary stressed that while there is the expected increase in persons seeking to further develop their knowledge in skills and academic areas, it is important for governments in the region to see the importance of continuing to invest in education even though there is an unfavourable economic climate. He said members of the labour force often work towards retooling and reorganizing their skill sets, while several parents make sacrifices for their children to acquire a higher education at a moment of recession. Sir Hilary said during a recession people are focused on surviving the competition which narrows considerably against persons who are not in the higher education sector. “On the contrary, when economies are booming and there is significant growth and development people do believe that they could survive and they could do well without higher education. But, I think we will witness that as soon as the shock has been overcome we will actually see a very significant increase in our higher education within the recessionary period, the history shows that. “But at the same time, I think we should recognize that people do attend university for different reasons, and many reasons. It is not simply a matter of their employability, though I should say that the private sector has recognized that this is the age in which their businesses have to innovate and your chances of having an innovative economy, or an innovative industry or company or enterprise is increased with the employment of graduates,” he said. Sir Hilary noted that society is looking at graduates to be the innovative drivers of the future and they are sought after even in a climate where there might be an existing unemployment growth. On that note, the Vice Chancellor said the university must demonstrate to students that the content and the pedagogy of their programmes are in alignment with significant areas of development relevant to private sector growth or public sector commitment to greater service and care for communities. He added that one of the lessons of COVID-19 is that countries that have highly developed universities that have been engaged in handling the pandemic are the countries that seem to be able to better deal with the COVID-19 containment. However, he said countries that have not invested in higher education and are lacking good public healthcare systems because they have not invested in medical facilities; are having great difficulty in getting on top of COVID. “So the lesson then that we have found, certainly in the Caribbean, is that higher education, research, now more than ever, is critical in managing not only the COVID situation but post-COVID strategies will require a greater embracing of the higher education sectors. “This is a lesson that we are saying to all of our governments in the region, if you want to come out of this recession, if you need to manage post-COVID issues, this is a time when you must invest even greater resources in the higher education sector, teaching and research, and critical issues such as community empowerment and innovation,” he said. (BT)

SIR HILARY WARNS OF LOW ENROLMENT – The Caribbean has the lowest enrolment per capita in higher education throughout this hemisphere, and the COVID-19 pandemic threatens to push the region further down the scale. This is according to Vice-Chancellor of The University of the West Indies, Professor Sir Hilary Beckles. He was speaking yesterday during a “One Caribbean” virtual forum on UWITV entitled, Assessing The Impacts Of COVID-19: Designing The Future Of The Caribbean University Sector. “If we take the age cohort 18 to 30, the Caribbean has the lowest enrolment in higher education in the hemisphere. We are less than 25 per cent in the hemisphere where the average is close to 45 per cent,” he said. “We already have an enrolment crisis. We already are suffering the consequences of low enrolment in higher education and professorial training . . . so we are likely to be experiencing a further reduction in higher education when we are already in the hemisphere at the bottom of that enrolment chart,” he said. (DN)

SCORES OF STRANDED BAJANS RETURN VIA CRUISE SHIP – Scores of once stranded Barbadians are now back home thanks to Government’s decision to allow some cruise ships to use the Bridgetown Port for repatriation. Chairman of the Barbados Port Inc Senator Lisa Cummins told Barbados TODAY that in exchange for allowing those ships to dock on the island, the chartered planes coming to take the crew home were also bringing Barbadians home. Harmony of the Seas, the world’s longest cruise ship and the second largest, became the latest vessel to dock at the Port when it arrived today carrying over 4000 crew members. “What is an important part and is not necessarily known is that we would have heard about some Barbadians, including Barbadian crew members and Barbadians who were stranded abroad being able to come home. “These ships are the reason that these Barbadians are able to come home because the cruise lines are flying the planes in. They are going to be flying them in empty and say they are Barbadians in the UK or wherever, these Barbadians have an opportunity to work with our overseas embassies and they are able to get home and then they go into quarantine here in Barbados because they are staying on the island,” Cummins said. “Because these ships are repatriating through Barbados, the planes that are taking them home are also bringing our Barbadians home.” The chairman disclosed that Barbados had been facilitating crew repatriation since March 23. Cummins said more than 25 ships had already benefited from the initiative. Speaking in relation to Harmony of the Seas, Cummins said some of the crew had been on the water for close to two months. She said those crew members would be transported to the Grantley Adams International Airport where chartered flights were waiting to take them home. “But why is the second largest cruise ship in the world in Barbados at this point? Because the cruise lines have had a number of challenges with various ports around the world not allowing the ships to disembark and to allow for the chartered planes to come in even though there are protocols in place, or you have crew members that are all healthy,” Cummins said. “In the case of this particular vessel these are crew members who have been at sea, in some instances, over 60 days and quarantine periods as we know are 14 days. “These people have been stranded at sea for close to two months and so they just want to get home. So what Royal Caribbean has done is they have consolidated their crew members across multiple ships, placed them on single ships and sailed them to different ports, “Barbados is not the only one but we are the one in this area. There are chartered flights that are flying in and the crew members are going directly from the seaport to the airport to board those chartered flights and fly out to their home countries to their families,” she added. Cummins emphasized that those crew members would not be quarantined in Barbados as they were not staying here. She said they would all be moved over the “next couple of days”. “There is no local stay here in Barbados at all and they are all not moving at the same time. They are moving over the course of a couple of days at a time, so for this particular vessel and the other vessels that are berthed here, there are maybe like 25 chartered planes that are being flown in and out of Barbados to take them to the various locations,” Cummins reiterated. She said planes would be leaving the GAIA destined for the Phillipines, Indonesia, Ukraine, South America, Canada and Europe. The chairman maintained that everything had been done under the watchful eye of the Ministry of Health. Cummins said last weekend over 700 crew members were flown out. (BT)

SARGASSUM HARVESTER TO START WORK ON BEACH CLEAN UP – A new harvester to reap sargassum seaweed, which clogs beaches nationwide each year is set to get to work, Minister of Maritime Affairs Kirk Humphrey has announced. He said he expected the new equipment to significantly boost efforts to clean up the country. Addressing the launch at the Barbados Coast Guard base HMBS Pelican, the Minister recalled that the sargassum seaweed was among the challenges Government faced two years ago and a plan had to be put in place. As a result, Government spent almost $300,000 to acquire the seaweed harvester, a tractor and conveyor, Humphrey said, suggesting it would help transform Barbados. He said: “I think it is important for us to recognize that there are a few things we have to do right now. If COVID-19 hasn’t taught us anything then nothing will. We cannot continue with business as usual. So the first thing Barbados has to do is clean. And, the seaweed harvester is part of our cleaning up programme and we are going to deploy the seaweed harvester mostly along the early west coast and the south coast. “Ón the east coast we are going to continue to use mostly manual labour. We have about 75 people who are trained in how to handle the seaweed and we are about to deploy another 50, if not 75, to be able to start cleaning the seaweed [there].” Humphrey said the ministry has been very conscious about removing the seaweed in a responsible way so as not to take all the sand, adding it was “more about respecting one ecosystem, not trying to advance one at the detriment of another”. He said: “ I think we have been able to do that fairly well. We moved a significant amount of tonnage of seaweed over the last year. Certainly, with this [the seaweed harvester] we will be able to move even more seaweed. So, we are going to keep Barbados clean. Humphrey also stressed the need for much more innovation in the use of the seaweed. While noting there had already been a lot of scientific work and studies on sargassum, he added Barbadians have shown how innovative they can be through the making of fertilizers, soaps and the ministry’s own work on making energy. Humphrey said: “Fishermen, for example when they were dealing with the seaweed they made adjustments to their fishing vessels. So, instead of throwing the net on top of the water; they put the net so that it floats just below the seaweed so that they could still catch the fish below the seaweed. They have also been able to do things to protect the propellers on the boats so it does not destroy their vessels. “All of these things without anybody showing them…just innovating and responding, in a way, to issues and problems. So, I believe we are going to be able to be transformative. I think this part of our programme is going to be transformative.” (BT)

CDEMA TWEAKS DISASTER MANAGEMENT PLANS – Days away from the start of a likely above-average Atlantic hurricane season, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced the regional disaster management agency to revise its preparedness protocols. Acting Executive Director of the Caribbean Disaster and Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), Elizabeth Riley said: “We have modified the regional plans based on COVID-19 public health protocols from both the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) and from national health authorities in our member states. “Since we could not do face-to-face training this year, we are drawing upon people trained in previous years to conduct refresher courses in June. “We realise that as a result of the protocols we are committed to following from our health sector partners, there may be a lag time in terms of getting a physcial presence on the ground, so we are looking at remote support to our states and we have discussed that with national disaster coordinators.” Riley said one of the areas that needs special attention this year is shelter management. She said: “In treating to physical distancing requirements we have to explore options for additional spaces, as well as the necessary physical resources and human and financial resources at shelters, for example supplying personal protective equipment, respecting physical distance guidelines, and having adequate water supplies as well as other solutions to ensure hygiene practices are adhered to.” Experts have also focused on changes to the way shelters are to be used in the time of COVID-19. Professor Lloyd Waller, Executive Director of the Global Tourism Resilience and Crisis Management Centre, said: “Shelters can be relatively cluttered in a normal situation, but with coronavirus now and social distancing we have been identifying additional centres and plans to minimise the number of people allocated to centres. “There is usually a medical person at the shelters in case of emergency, but in this instance, some have said they have identified a medical doctor, others are training medical people already in the shelters on this, and in some cases, they are setting up stations for people who may have been evacuated and are showing signs of the illness so they can be isolated from other people. “Since February the regional disaster management agencies have been amending and reviewing their guidelines with respect to coronavirus.” Dr Laura Lee Boodram, director of Vector Control Surveillance with the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), said that apart from COVID-19,  the region should ensure it does not face any of the other health issues that might emerge in the aftermath of storms, such as water and foodborne illnesses. She said: “Our recommendations are that we may have to source alternative additional shelters, not only because of physical distancing, but people in the shelter will have to wear protective gear and masks, and once we have that in place, we won’t be able to accommodate the same number of persons as in the past, so we would have to assign people to places where there is enough space for that. “Apart from COVID-19, there are other potential diseases that can break out in shelters, like food and water-borne diseases and these have to be constantly monitored, and medications kept on hand for those with preexisting health conditions. Yes, extra resources will be required but once we are aware of these, advance planning will go a long way to mitigate these scenarios if they occur.” (BT)  

LOCKDOWN COULD AFFECT PLAYERS PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY – West Indies tour to England will be tough during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic but it is good to get the game back in the middle, says former Barbados all-rounder Franklyn Stephenson. Whether the three-match Test series scheduled for July 8-28 at the Ageas Bowl in Hampshire will take place is an ongoing debate as there are concerns about the safety of players travelling to England. That country has one of the highest death rates because of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Stephenson during a telephone interview with Barbados TODAY, said once the authorities in England put the relevant safety precautions in place to protect the players, then he was all for cricket being played when that time comes. “Anything to get the game back on the field of play is of help and taking a lead from other countries around the world is a step in that direction,” Stephenson said. He added that with the amount of testing players were going to be subjected to and their privacy invaded, this was the time for the players to remain positive in what is being referred to as the new norm. “Anything for cricket. It is going to be tough. The authorities are putting so much in place; they are sacrificing so much; it is all for the sport and I am all for it. I am sure they will be safe; I am sure that they are going to take all precautions to make sure that they put strategies in place. It will be great to see cricket being played. I think that is some of the fastest progress we can make actually to inspire the people to get their sport back. “We need to look at the other countries to see how they implement breakout strategies safely and that is going to help, anything to help the game go forward will help. Unless there are breakouts and I do not see that happening because the players are going to be tested so often, their privacy is going to be invaded big time, but these are different times. But they just have to stay positive,” Stephenson said. Playing without spectators is also going to be a challenge but Stevenson insisted that going forward this will be the new norm. He said: “These are new times and I am sure they are practising for all those scenarios. They have to be less audible with their banter, they have to be careful about that because they would not have any crowds to drown out what they say to each other. But they are not dead men out there, things are going to be said and it is going to be a big loss not having the spectators. It is almost like a trial basis and I am sure we will see some new norms coming out of that without spectators.” Head of the Franklyn Stephenson Academy located at Bennetts, St. Thomas, the man considered by many the best regional first-class cricketer never to play Test cricket, offered words of encouragement to players during this time especially the young ones who are eager to get back out and play the sport they love. While Stephenson advised the players to be proactive and positive as they navigate through these unprecedented times, he also urged local authorities to observe closely the impact this lockdown could have on the mental health of players. Therefore, Stephenson, an outstanding cricket on the England and South African circuits, advocated for the current restrictions put in place by the Government to be relaxed further to allow young people the opportunity to train with their clubs. “The youngsters are going to be wondering why they are on lockdown, they can’t leave the house, they can’t play the sport, it is going to be messing with their lives for sure. I think we have to act as soon as possible to give them that outlet. I mean they say ‘no’ to playing the sport, but why not allow the youngsters to get supervision under their normal clubs. I am sure the clubs would be instrumental in keeping the youngsters (training). They cannot do it every day, but you have small groups in the evening, and I am sure the clubs would put in that sacrifice. “This will help their bodies and mind develop. We do not know what damage it is doing to them to have to sit at home all day with all that energy and all that focus on the disciplines they are normally good at. So I think the authorities have got to look at that and get together with the sporting bodies and get the youngsters out on those big wide-open playing fields to do some running around and help to develop their bodies and minds,” Stephenson said. (BT)

NEW ZEALAND BOARD CUTTING JOBS - New Zealand Cricket (NZC) will cut up to 15 per cent of staff and look to shave NZ$6 million (BDS$7.45 million) in operating costs as part of proposals to cope with “challenging” conditions brought on by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, chief executive David White said. He told New Zealand media he had informed NZC’s 80 staff on Wednesday about the planned cuts, which would allow the board to maintain funding levels at provincial and district levels, and avoid shrinking the domestic schedule. “We have our priorities for the year, which we’re not compromising and we’re investing in those,” he told Stuff Media. “The cuts are coming from NZC, NZ$6 million, of which NZ$1.5 million is staff.”Players and staff for the national men’s Black Caps and women’s White Ferns teams would not be affected by the cost-cutting measures. Players’ annual retainers would remain as forecast for the coming season, White said. (DN)

SEARCH ON FOR GUNMAN WHO SHOT OFFICER – ‘District C’ Police were tonight hunting an unidentified gunman who shot and wounded a police officer while he was on duty in central St John. The officer, a male, who has not been named, was shot in the area of Henley Plantation around 11.45 am when police challenged a man who opened fire on them. The officer received a gunshot wound in his left forearm and he was taken to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, said Sergeant Michael Blackman. It was not thought that the injury was life-threatening but police released no further details on the officer’s condition. Police have launched an appeal to the public for information that can help them track down the assailant. Anyone with information has been asked to contact the District ‘C’ Police Station at 416-8200, Police Emergency at 211, Crime Stoppers at 1-800 (TIPS) 8477 or any police station. (BT)

GUILTY PLEA OFFERED ON GUN CHARGES – A young man has pleaded guilty to firearm and ammunition charges in the High Court. Jamar Julien Ricardo Proverbs, a first time offender, from Crawford Road, Ellerton, St George offered the plea today after originally being arrested on August 25, 2017. Lawmen were on mobile patrol that afternoon travelling along Kendal Hill, Christ Church when the noticed a motorcycle with two men on board. Proverbs was the pillion rider. When officers got the driver to stop the motorcycle, Proverbs, who was wearing a backpack, jumped off and fled. He was seen throwing the backpack into a bushy area before police caught him. Senior Crown Counsel Olivia Davis said when the bag was retrieved a small revolver, five rounds of ammunition and four empty shells were found. “Sir don’t charge me for the gun, give me a break,” he told police on his arrest. He was taken to the Oistins Police Station and told of his rights to an attorney. ”I don’t want any so go ahead and talk to me,” he told the police. He was then cautioned and asked about the firearm. He told police that while they had held him with the gun he was holding the bag for another man so he could be comfortable on the motorcycle. Proverbs also admitted that he had seen the gun the night before when he was at a “birthday bash”. He said he subsequently held it and fired two shots. “When I fired the gun it was so loud it ring my ears,” said the then 21-year-old coconut vendor who added that he gave the weapon back to his friend. The prosecutor said police investigations showed that the gun, a .32 long caliber revolver, belonged to another man and was last registered in 2005. The four shells, found in Proverbs’ possession, were fired from the weapon. The trial of the now convicted man, who was represented by attorney-at-law Krystal Fenty will continue on Tuesday, June 2 via Zoom before Justice Randall Worrell who is presiding over the No. 2 Supreme Court. The time he has spent on remand at Dodds will be detailed to the court at that time. A presentencing report has been ordered in the meantime in preparation for sentencing. (BT)

LAWYER MAKES CASE FOR CONVICT’S RELEASE – Attorney-at-law Sian Lange today urged a High Court judge to impose a sentence of time served on her client who apologised for having in his possession, a loaded gun he had “found”. The defence attorney made the submission today in her remarks on behalf of convicted man David Wayne Harper, a Bibby’s Lane, St Michael resident. Last week he pleaded guilty, via Zoom from his location at Her Majesty’s Prison Dodds, to having the illegal firearm and seven rounds of ammunition in his possession on May 26, 2017. On that day police doing traffic checks along Jack-in-the-box Gully stopped the vehicle in which he was travelling. His actions during that time caused lawmen to become suspicious and a search was conducted with his consent. A silver and black 9mm semi automatic pistol along with several paint brushes were found in his haversack. “The gun is mine I find it,” he said when asked to account for it. A further check discovered that the gun was equipped with a magazine containing seven rounds of ammunition. He told police on his arrest that he was walking through a track near Ellerton Pasture in St George when he found the loaded weapon and decided to keep it. Addressing Justice Randall Worrell  via Zoom again today the first time offender said: “ I apologise for the offence.” His lawyer then acknowledged that he had committed a serious offence and under the circumstances a custodial sentence was merited as the gun was loaded and was capable of taking a life. But, in her client’s case, she said, the gun was not used although the No. 2 Supreme Court could find it “passing strange” that he had simply found the firearm while passing through a track. While Harper had made a “bad choice”, she said, there was “no sophistication” on his part to having the weapon as he had found it, took it home, stashed it, then removed it when it began to rain, and put it in his bag. She pointed to his clean record and the fact that he had never been involved in any criminal activity before that charge. All of those factors she said should go in Harper’s favour and the court should consider a starting sentence of six years in prison. A third discount she said should then be credited for his guilty plea bringing the sentence down to four years. According to her, Harper’s previously good record should get him a further discount and the fact that the mitigating factors of his case “overwhelmed” the aggravating factors, another year should be shaved off the sentence. “That should bring it very close to the time that he has spent on remand, being time served,” Lange added. The convicted man, who is in his late 40s, has been at Dodds for 1,094 days. Crown Counsel Oliver Thomas will respond to the sentencing submissions on June 9. (BT)

BUNNY WAILER’S WIFE MISSING – The search is continuing for Jean Watt, the 70-year-old wife of musical icon, Neville “Bunny Wailer” Livingstone, who has been reported missing since last Saturday. Relatives said the dreadlocked Watt, who is also known as “Sister Jean”, was last seen in Washington Gardens, St Andrew. In a message posted on Facebook on Wednesday, relatives said they were “starting the day with a prayer for the Livingston family that Sister Jean is found”. “Meditating positively that she is being cared for by ones who don’t know who she is, but will by the outpouring of support and interest for the Hon Bunny Wailer that it will all come together. “Hail Jah Rastafari, someone I love is missing and my thoughts are racing into fear and panic. I surrender all of my fearful thoughts to you. I call upon your perfect wisdom to guide everything to ensure the complete safety and protection of my loved one. Please take my fearful thoughts from me and heal them for me. “I am willing to trust that your love ensures our safety and well-being, and there is nothing to fear. In the presence of your light, there is no darkness. No one can be harmed, threatened or in danger when they are surrounded by the light and protection of your love. “Please take my fears and replace them with your certainty of a peaceful outcome. I place my loved one in your capable hands and trust, with all my heart, that they are safe and secure. Thank you, in advance, for their safe and immediate return. Thy will be done. Amen.” Livingston is a singer/songwriter and former member of the Wailers that included the late Bob Marley and Peter Tosh. (BT)

MORE THAN 100 000 DIE FROM COVID-19 IN USA – The novel coronavirus has killed more than 100 000 people in the United States, according to a Reuters tally on Wednesday, even as the slowdown in deaths encouraged businesses to reopen and Americans to emerge from more than two months of lockdowns. About 1 400 Americans have died on average each day in May, down from a peak of 2 000 in April, according to the tally of state and county data on COVID-19 deaths. In about three months, more Americans have died from COVID-19 than during the Korean War, Vietnam War and the U.S. conflict in Iraq from 2003 to 2011 combined. The new respiratory disease has also killed more people than the AIDS epidemic did from 1981 through 1989, and it is far deadlier than the seasonal flu has been in decades. The last time the flu killed as many people in the United States was in the 1957 to 1958 season, when 116 000 died. Total U.S. coronavirus cases are over 1.7 million with some southern states seeing new cases rising in the past week, according to a Reuters analysis of data from The COVID Tracking Project, a volunteer-run effort to track the outbreak. Globally, coronavirus cases have topped 5.6 million with over 350 000 deaths since the outbreak began in China late last year and then arrived in Europe and the United States. South America is now bearing the brunt of the outbreak, with Brazil having the second-highest number of cases in the world. Of the top 20 most severely affected countries, the United States ranks eighth based on deaths per capita, according to a Reuters tally. The United States has three fatalities per 10 000 people. Belgium is first with eight deaths per 10 000, followed by Spain, the United Kingdom and Italy, according to the Reuters analysis. (BT)

PAT SYMMONDS, VETERAN OF EDUCATION AND PUBLIC LIFE, DIES – Renowned educator, former senator and privy councillor Dame Olga Patricia “Pat” Symmonds GCM, DBE died today at age 94. The iconic principal of The St Michael School began her 40-year teaching career there in 1945, becoming deputy principal in 1963 and ultimately principal from 1976 until her retirement in 1985. She was also one of the first part-time tutors and lecturers at the College of Arts and Sciences in 1963 that later became the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies.  Dame Patricia, a stalwart of the Barbados Labour Party, served as a senator for 13 years from 1994. She also sat on several public commissions and was a member of the  Privy Council from 1997 to 2000.  For her long and distinguished service to education, Dame Patricia received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977.  In 1985, the Barbados Government awarded the country’s second-highest honour, the Gold Crown of Merit (GCM). In 2000, Symmonds was knighted as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in recognition of her life in public service and contribution to education. She is survived by her brother, the retired diplomat Algernon “Algie” Symmonds. (BT)

PM REMEMBERS RENOWNED EDUCATOR PAT SYMMONDS – A lady of great poise and impeccable manners, who mastered the English Language, and made indelible accomplishments in education, community service and politics, is how Dame Patricia Symmonds has been remembered by Prime Minister Mia Mottley. She said the renowned educator, former senator and privy councillor, who died today at age 94, lived an extraordinary life and left Barbados much better than she found it. Mottley said the Barbados Labour Party (BLP), of which she was a long-standing member, was saddened by her passing. She said that the educator was the best and probably is the last, of a unique classical group that represented the best of Barbados, exuding and instilling the importance of character and civil conduct while encouraging achievement and personally assisting and influencing hundreds as a result of a modern view of personal and national development. The Prime Minister said: “Her life was one of dedication, exemplified by long service to every institution in which she was involved. She had a historic and much loved tour de force of a career at the St Michael School, where she taught for all of her teaching career. That career began in 1945 and ended in 1985, with Dame Patricia as Principal from 1976-1985. “Her tenure remains one of the most storied in education in Barbados, and was illustrative of another central aspect of her life that she always, on merit, rose to the top and broke new ground. Her pioneering work at The St Michael School forged an education developmental nexus that was very much ahead of its time. “It included strengthening religious principles to encourage discipline, personal responsibility, humility and leadership; expansion of the school orchestra and the enlargement of the school curriculum to include sports and other extracurricular activities.” Mottley indicated that what can never be captured adequately is how Dame Patricia put a new sheen on The St Michael School as an enviable institution, nor the confidence and pride she instilled in hundreds of students’ circumstances and potential that meant the difference between failure and success. No wonder she was universally revered by those who had the good fortune to be tutored and guided by Dame Patricia, Mottley said. Dame Patricia was also a part-time lecturer at the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill and gave free tutorials, but her work in promoting and developing English as a subject of study and language, also occupies a special lofty place. She was a founding member and president of the Barbados Association of Teachers of English for 22 years from 1967, leading work that evaluated external examinations and English curricula and, in a watershed achievement, secured the separation and independent grading of English Literature from English Language. Mottley said: “It goes without saying that Dame Patricia, who was also a member of the International Federation for the Teaching of English, conducted numerous training sessions in writing and speaking English across the board. Many also in conversations with her would also get a gentle reminder of the correct construction of a sentence or correct pronunciation. Simply, there was no greater proponent in Barbados of the English Language. “Dame Patricia also had a range of interest that included Chair of the Royal Commonwealth Society, President of the Friends of St John Ambulance Brigade, of which she was also a member, the National Trust, Barbados Family Planning Association, among others. “An avid cricket fan, she was also a life member of the Barbados Cricket Association. And, of course, the Barbados Labour Party will always be deeply grateful for the gift that was Dame Patricia. “Her devotion to our party is legendary, demonstrated not only in tireless work in numerous areas but in attending almost every possible meeting, branch or national, even in later years when she had to be assisted.” The Prime Minister recalled Dame Patricia would invite budding politicians to her Strathclyde home and treated them to a taste of her delectable cooking, in the most unobtrusive way dispensing advice so that at the end of it all, they only remembered a delightful occasion. Dame Patricia served in the Senate for 13 years, becoming the first female Deputy President and was a member of the Privy Council. She was General Secretary of the BLP between 1986 and 1994 and was a President of the Women’s League. She was also a Deputy Chair of the Commission on Social Justice, Deputy Chair of the National Commission on the Status of Women. Dame Patricia received numerous awards for her powerful contributions to education, civil life and politics, crowned with her appointment as Dame Commander of the British Empire by the Queen, in 2000. (BT)

PM PAYS TRIBUTE TO RESPECTED BUSINESSMAN – It is most regrettable that for the second time today I feel duty-bound to issue a statement on the passing of another builder of Barbados — this time Ralph “Bruggadung” Johnson. He was a very successful post-Independence industrialist of Barbados and would have led the way in exporting locally-made products into the Eastern Caribbean and beyond, as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Harris Group of Companies. Certainly, thanks to his creativity, leadership and hard work, Harris Paints is today a household name, not just in Barbados, but across the Eastern Caribbean. But for all his successes as a manufacturer, you cannot chronicle his life’s journey without pausing to consider his considerable achievements in, and contribution to, sports in this country. For more than two decades, starting in 1986, he sat as a member of the board of the National Olympic Committee and was a principal architect in the founding of the local lottery, from which sports was always a major beneficiary. Bruggadung has also been president of the Barbados Yachting Association, the Barbados Squash Rackets Association, the Caribbean Area Squash Rackets Association and the Caribbean Yachting Association. In his younger days, he played basketball, football, water polo and squash and was also known as an avid motor racing competitor, with his colleagues in the Barbados Rally Club describing him as a spectacular driver. His business success and love for sports no doubt contributed to the name Harris Paints being associated with several teams in a variety of sports as the sponsor. It was this long and distinguished contribution to sports and business that led to him being awarded the Gold Crown of Merit in 1997. Above all those though, Bruggadung was Bajan — and you could not miss it in the way he interacted with others. He was Bajan by name and by nature and anyone who knew him knew that what you saw was what you got with him. I extend deepest sympathy to the Johnson and Straker families — his wife Isabelle; children Jason, Jade, James, Tracy and Amanda; brother Paul Johnson and sisters Lady Straker, Rosemarie Smith and Diane Primo. May his soul rest in peace. (Prime Minister’s Office) (BT)

The world is facing the rapid spread of the Covid-19 Coronavirus Pandemic. As we continue to do our part in Barbados please remember to stay home but on the days you have to go out wear your masks, practice social distancing (stand 6-10 feet away from each other), practice good daily hygiene, eat healthy, exercise and keep your mind active. There are 218 days left in the year Shalom!  Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram for your daily news. #thechasefiles #dailynewscaps #bajannewscaps #newsinanutshell #coronavirusinbarbados #nationalresponse #dailynews #thechasefilesblog

[ayurvedainitiative-blog]

In the recent times, due to the unprecedented pandemic of COVID-19, there was a shift in attention towards Ayurveda and any possible Ayurvedic interventions to be utilised to prevent the disease and to help with symptoms of the disease. In light of the rapidly spreading infection, people bought, collected and commenced using well known home remedies for cold and flu like illnesses; some of these s .. Immune boosting and prevention of viral infectionsThere are many Ayurvedic herbs and compound medicines which have the potential to boost immunity in order to prevent and aid in recovery from viral illnesses. Simple herbs are available to be used as home remedies as well as over the counter medicines or those more complex treatments to be prescribed by an Ayurveda physician and used under their supervision. Considerable amount of time-tested clinical experiential or heuristic evidence from the practice of Ayurveda Physicians based on the authoritative teachings is the strongest evidence of such use of Ayurvedic medicines. This is the simple reason why many Ayurveda doctors claimed that they can help to fight the war against COVID-19. The active contribution from the Provincial Ayurveda Commissioners, Community Medical Officers of Ayurveda, the Ayurveda Doctors at Central Dispensaries of Ayurveda in the provinces and their staff were seen on social media. They contributed as such because of the strong evidence- based knowledge they have gained from their university course and their clinical practice. Moreover, there is a considerable amount of preclinical, in-vitro, in- silico, case studies, and some double-blind clinical studies to support the use of such medicines with scientific evidence that have been published in international peer reviewed journals. Therefore, there are many strong contenders of Ayurvedic Medicines that must be subjected to clinical studies in Sri Lanka to validate and improvement in use of such medicines to tackle viral attacks not only in present day but also in future if new diseases appear. China, India and many other countries have commenced such clinical trials. Unfortunately, we are yet to see that happen in Sri Lanka despite a multitude of strong requests and commitments shown from the Ayurveda community. I too produced a Concept paper that was sent to the higher officials for consideration and offered volunteer service to develop projects based on that concept plans. But sadly, I have not even received an acknowledgement of receiving the concept proposal except for the Commissioner of Ayurveda. It is disappointing to see that even with such strong willingness and commitment to work shown by those in the healthcare sector, Ayurvedic or otherwise, to work towards a better health care system as a whole. Suggestions for improvements and advances fall on deaf ears and those enthusiastic individuals are lost in the system without hope. According to a recent report published by Kenneth Research, the global immune health supplements market will reach $ 28 billion by 2027. The ongoing COVID-19 crisis has brought focus back to improving daily immune health like never before. During this time, there’s been significant increase in demand for several immune-strengthening supplements, ranging from vitamins to botanicals. Sri Lanka has a potential of digging into this market of immune health if we develop evidence-based, value-added products following good GMP. Cultivation is another area which needs to be developed. Even if we cannot produce medicines according to the international GMP and quality standards due lack of such manufacturing facilities, selling raw material could bring in millions of dollars to the country. Immune boosting herbs is just one example but there are many other medicines and raw materials that we could export given that they are grown commercially, and product development is done correctly. If we tap into the gold mine of knowledge that Ayurveda offers, we can expect a significant contribution for the post COVID-19 economic revival, as well as having developed the basic infrastructure that can better the Sri Lankan health system.Ayurvedic health tourism and wellness tourismThe Global Wellness Institute defines wellness tourism as journeys ‘made by tourists who seek to improve or maintain their well-being during or as a result of their trip’. An estimated 17 million travellers identify themselves as being ‘health and wellbeing’ focused, with 40% of them travelling regularly – Global Wellness Tourism Economy Report (GWTER) As far as we know the first Ayurveda Health Centre was established in a tourist hotel in 1982. Since then the Ayurvedic services provided in hospitality sector has increased to a level where at least 30% of hotels have an Ayurveda Health Centre where an Ayurveda doctor is available. There are over 5000 hotel rooms providing Ayurveda health services as well as many exclusive Ayurveda hotels. The stay of such tourists are long stays with an average of fourteen days to thirty days. Having been involved in this industry as a Consultant and as an Entrepreneur of manufacturing Ayurvedic Medicines and training of doctors and the therapists, it was evident that there are more than a few opportunities to attract such tourists. Researchers from RMIT University in Australia found that a one-week retreat that includes educational, therapeutic and leisure activities along with an organic, mostly plant-based diet resulted in substantial improvements in all aspects from weight, blood pressure and psychological health. The benefits, which they measured through a series of questionnaires and medical screenings, including urine samples and blood pressure readings from 37 participants, were still evident six weeks later. “Retreat experiences provide a unique opportunity for people to escape from unhealthy routines and engage in healthy practices and activities that lead to immediate and sustained health benefits,” the report said. Ayurveda offers beyond the benefits that of a normal retreat. An Ayurveda client receives total body, mind, and spiritual treatments to enhance their positive health. Many Health tourists visit both India and Sri Lanka to receive incredibly special and unique course of treatments known as Pancakarma. These treatments are known to cleanse, detoxify and rejuvenate the body, mind, and consciousness. Therefore, it is known as bio-purification which acts at micro-circulation and cellular levels. Thus, helps to remove the toxins, promote the circulation of nutrients and their metabolism, produce biochemicals, neurohumors and immune substances which therefore means an enhancement in the immunity, rejuvenation, and vitalisation of the body. Over the last years these facilities offered Health promotion or wellness. Now, Sri Lanka should be considering health tourism, that is to offer treatments for selected number of diseases that has promising Ayurveda treatments. Dubai Healthcare City is an example of such a place established with many hospitals operating in one city and that attracts many patients not only from the surrounding Arabic countries but also patients from European countries. If we were to establish such Ayurvedic hospitals, treatments given to patients must be of high quality and standards equipped with modern medical equipment and facilities. This could be a potential area that Sri Lanka should investigate as a contributor to the revival of economy of the country. In an authentic textbook of Ayurveda (Caraka Samhita) which has its original history of 5000 years and later edited by a well-known physician Caraka who lived 3500 years ago includes a chapter on Epidemics. This chapter is named as Janapadodvamsa, which means destruction of states or the countries due to fast spreading diseases, thus, Epidemics or Pandemics. The causes, methods of spread of contagious diseases, prevention and treatment are taught in detail in the authentic Ayurvedic texts. Caraka Samhita reveals the guidelines for the treatment of prevention of such epidemics described in three sections: Pancakarma, rasayana and sadvrtta. Here, we see the importance of receiving pancakarma treatments once a year to boost immunity. Rasayana is another speciality medicine in Ayurveda where treatment modalities including pancakarama is used and rasayana medicines are administered to correct aging, prevent premature aging and to prevent old age-related diseases. Herbs and medicines that have anti-aging, antioxidant and immune boosting mechanism are used in treatments. One such example that can be used by any one regularly is known as Triphala Rasayana. Sadvrtta are the health and hygiene practices including diet, lifestyle, behavioural, emotional wellbeing, and spirituality. In conclusion there are many areas of Ayurveda to be implemented and a select few are discussed above as examples which could contribute not only to the economic revival of the country but also to improve the national healthcare system from households to specialised hospitals and promote spread of knowledge of disease and its prevention than the disease itself. In order for this to be executed successfully, such Ayurvedic projects must be well planned, managed appropriately and approached with the enthusiasm of those 5,000 years ago yet with modern technology.

[parniarazi]

So...2020 has been interesting so far, right? Although I’ve been wanting to transition from sharing content on this blog to creating my own podcast/vlog in 2020, that’s something that I want to be put more time into thoughtfully creating since it’s new territory to me. Having this moment in time to breathe, spend some time at home, and really feel back into myself and my creative side has led me to wanting to still post on this platform. Just some patterns I’ve noticed lately, feelings the current state of the world has brought up, and lessons the universe has sent my way - maybe you’ll relate, take away something valuable, or at least have a little food for thought.

This year started off in a whirlwind with the tr*mp adminstration coming at my home country of Iran- for most people this is an old headline or moment in the news that is long past- but for Iranian Americans that’s a moment we haven’t forgotten. Being scared for the livelihood of our home country and family members who live there is something I wouldn’t wish on anyone, and seeing the following protests and both social/economic unrest just hurt my heart. The U.S. creates so much instability and pain in other countries and people here just forget about it and move on the next day, politics as usual. They don’t see the lives and people behind the headlines who are actually impacting by inflation and instability in their country - people who are just trying to feed their kids and live a normal life like the rest of us. These issues run deep, but this has weighed on my consciousness and stayed with me since then.

In February, I was reminded of the people who love me and are there for me on a daily basis. I had a lovely 4th year celebrating Valentines with my man, and my parents also showered me with love despite our distance now. I’m glad I’ve struck a good balance with my family - being close and seeing each other often but still having the necessary distance to grow up and make my own decisons wirhout their overbearing influence. I also got to visit my favorite city, spending some time in Austin again and see my favorite cousin/long distance bestie when she came to visit! School and work are overwhelming at times, but I’m more adjusted and handling my anxiety better. This semester seems near-impossible to handle with 2 internships, 2 graduate courses in a new field for me, and 1 job that I don’t particularly like. But it’s life and I gotta push through it!

Miraculously, things start to align after a pretty shitty mercury retrograde season in which I wrecked my car and dealt with a lot of financial stress. Time seems to be moving faster and I’m just trying to get through my days. I’m noticing this pattern of reconnecting with people from my past - from my old to best friend and neighbor from Kansas, to old internet friends and coworkers, there seems to a pattern of rekindling old connections and friendships. It’s really beautiful and I think a natural part of growing up, because it allows us to see what things change or don’t change over time, the poeple we’re still able to connect with, and who’s really meant to be in our life for the long run. It’s an odd feeling to connect with people from the past, but it makes me feel warm and nostalgic (and old, haha). I’m embracing it with a fully open heart, and I know the universe is sending people, old and new, into my life for a reason and it’s all part of my path.

Then this whole crazy cornavrius and public health pandemic start to get serious. Pavel and I are worried as it starts to rapidly spread and becomes the only topic the news is covering. Houston is a particularly dangerous spot, and we soon have to cancel some concerts we’ve had tickets to for months and our festival trip for our 4th year at Buku. I have asthma and Pavel has CF, so we are both at-risk for serious health complications if we come in contact with this virus since due to our pre-existing conditions.

At first, it’s just dealing with a lot of cancelled plans and upcoming trips - which end up being a blessing in disguise for those financial worries I mentioned. However, it becomes increasingly apparent that this public health pandemic is not affecting everyone equally. There are people who are losing their jobs because of the economic impact of this global issue, my dad even expresses concern over his job and company as the oil and chemical industry takes a hard hit. This breaks my heart because he’s been through a lay-off and recession before and it was hard on our family. He doesn’t deserve this stress or to have to go through that again. There are people much worse off though, people who work hourly and can’t make a living due to more and more businesses closing and events post-poning or cancelling.

The world is actually a mess - schools are cancelling, grocery stores are empty, and people are struggling to take care of their kids and find adequate healthcare if they are sick. Everything is political and how these situations are handled directly affects everyone, but of course those at the bottom take the hardest hits as always. I’m struggling to make sense of everything, as many others are too. To me, the weaknesses of our democracy are glaringly clear at a time like this, and being old enough to truly understand it from an economic standpoint too makes it even worse. Individualism is at its peak, as people hoard resources and allow panic and ignorance to take over. Lives are being entirely uprooted and changed, people are feeling serious and immediate effects of this scary time. Little to no support is offered to those most vulnerable - those with disabilities who can’t take care of themselves, elderly people, poor people without access to computers/internet or the money to bulk-buy food and necessities.

Yet people in this country are still afraid and think it’s too radical to elect a ‘socialist’ leader? The way other countries have taken care of people, provided food and resources, while middle-class Americans hoard toilet paper...I wish people had the capacity to understand what this reaction/situation is revealing about us. It says a lot about the disconnect between the American mentality and the actual reality of collective conciousness with the world/humanity.

There is a lot to be said and unpacked about this situation - politically, economically, and socially. But above all I can’t stop thinking about what the universe is telling us right now. Despite the luxuries we have and what life in this ‘first world’ country looks like - we are still human and susceptible to the same things that harm people on the other side of the world. We are not exceptional or special - we are just like anyone else, we are human, and anything that is a threat to humanity is a threat to us. Having modern luxuries doesn’t make us better than the rest of the world, it’s our humanity that connects us there is a larger ecosystem that governs us above any government that we need to respect. Disrespecting the earth, other countries, and other people will always come back to us.

With businesses being closed and global tourism coming to a halt, it’s fascinating to see the earth healing - from Italy’s waterways clearing up to America’s cities having clearer air than ever - capitalism truly proves to be the real epidemic to the earth. When the earth suffers and when we act like none of the pain and bad energy in the world will affect us, the universe reminds us we’re just human and we don’t have control over everything. In fact, we have less control over our lives than we even think if an invisible pathogen can uproot our entire everyday life. Lastly, we’re reminded of the importance of technology as something we’re seriously leaning into at a time like this. To keep us connected, keep us productive, and keep us informed, our technology is proving to more valuable than ever and it’s something that will grow as the peope socially distance but virtually come together.

The universe really needed to check us - for me this is such an important and necessary time for people to slow down, reflect, and think about what really matters. Our collective humanity. We have more in common than we do differences, and it’s literally impossible for one person or country to be better than another because we are all human and have the same fundamental needs of food, shelter, and healthcare. Any country that doesn’t provide those basic needs for their people can hardly be considered ‘first world.’ When billionaires retreat to their well-stocked and isolated homes, while the rest of us struggle to pay our bills and put food on the table - what does that say about us? Are we willing to accept and live in a world like this? Does any person really deserve healthcare more than another simply because of their economic status? To me, these things are what’s truly terrifying, not the virus itself but the scary truths it reveals about our society.

Personally, like I said I feel like I’m feeling these things on a deeper level now that I’ve moved out and am more aware of what it means to earn a living and the costs of life. I’m in an extremely privileged position, but I’m using that really consider how this affects different people and what it can teach me for the rest of my life.

1. Saving money is everything. You can work your entire life away and your company will lay you off no matter what you’ve done for them, and if you’re old and in need your government will say ‘sorry buddy good luck!’ Individualism kills, but that’s why getting your money right and having emergency savings is more important than anything else! This has taught me to prioritize having some seriously hefty savings before I book another trip or buy something I don’t actually need. My parents often tell me to not “spend like an American,” buying things I don’t need or simply want but don’t actually have the money for. I used to roll my eyes at this, but actually understanding the economic hardships they’ve lived through and the experiences that shape their views helps me realize the truth behind it. The American middle class is the biggest trap ever and can make you feel secure when you’re actually not unless you seriously save money and have it in multiple places. Capitalism perpeutes an endless cycle of desire and making you feel like you always need more, but when it all goes to shit, what will you have and be left with?

2. We need to slow down and tap into our collective conciousness more than ever. Maybe actually think about what other people are going through rather than centering yourself all the time. Other people exist and matter as much as you do, and your actions affect things and have a chain reaction. Not just right now, but always. Anything that affects another human being or harms someone else affects you, too because we’re all connected more than we realize. Energetically and literally! Humanity is an ecosystem, and when one part is hurting or damaged, it will eventually affect everything. The world is more connected than ever and we have to realize this, no matter how much media/politics tries to pit groups against each other and create divisions, we are all literally the same. And everyone deserves to live, no matter who they are and what resources they do or don’t have. We are all more interconnected and we need each other. People cannot continue acting selfishly and greedily the way they have been - our lives depend on the actions of other people and we need each other. We should really start acting like it.

3. The world literally cannot go on if we keep consuming and producing things the way we are. After this event, more poeple will work and go to school remotely, which is great because it results in less traffic, less pollution, and it’s better for many people with mental health issues or disabilities! But there are still serious considerations we have to make about what it means that the earth is finally getting a chance to breathe since we’re large businesses are shutting down. When it comes to travel, tourism, and economics, climate change is literally at the center of all of those issues. This is a manifestation of the earth having enough of our shit to be honest, and I wish more conversations were happening about that right now. The earth is a part of us and we are a part of it, and when it’s hurting that will catch up to us and hurt us back.

I suppose that’s all I have for now, but like I said there is so much to unpack but many useful conversations to be had around this current issue as we’re starting to see it’s effects on our world. I know that personally I’m at a huge privilege to be safe, healthy, have shelter and food, and be with someone I love right now. I hope by sharing this, I’ll spark some thoughts or simply have them to refer back to in the future when this is all behind us. The situation may pass eventually, but we shouldn’t forget what it’s desperately calling on us to shift our attention to. I’m honestly loving this extra down time, that we unfortunately don’t get enough, to simply be human and enjoy the company of our loved ones, sleeping in, having more time for our hobbies, or even doing nothing, as it’s necessary for humans to do sometimes! I hope this results in a shift in our collective conciousness that is desperately needed, but for me it’s affirming a lot of important things I already knew but needed to bring to the forefront of my mind. It’s easy to get overwhelmed right now and there’s a lot of change to adjust to, but the lessons the universe is sending us are invaluable right now and it’s imperative for people to think for themselves and think really critically about what’s happening, both for others and ourselves.

[bangkokjacknews]

What you should know before visiting Thailand

What you should know before visiting #Thailand, #Expat's guide to tourist etiquette

Tourists don't always have the best reputation in foreign countries. As anti-tourist sentiment intensifies across Europe, and as travellers are blamed for ruining iconic sites and destinations, tourism is increasingly seen as a double-edged sword: great for the economy, but a lot for locals to put up with. Schoolteacher Matthew Smith, 36, is an Aussie expat in Thailand, who moved there in 2007 after marrying his Thai wife. And over the past decade he's gained some startling insights into what tourists got wrong in his adopted home, and what Thai people really think of the 51 thousand New Zealanders who visit each year. "To be honest, local Thais cannot usually distinguish between 'western' tourists," Mr Smith told news.com.au. "All western tourists are referred to as 'farangs'. I usually can't (tell the difference) either until I strike up conversations with them." But he said he has seen western tourists, and Kiwis among them, doing "little things that can upset locals". Many of them were on visits to Ayutthaya, a UNESCO World Heritage site north of Bangkok. "A few times in Ayutthaya, while visiting the historical city ruins district with my wife, we saw tourists fail to comply with the rules of etiquette," he said.

Pattaya city: Tourists have a reputation for wild, booze-fuelled nights out in places like Pattaya red light district. Photo / Jonas Gratzer, Getty Images "We saw tourists climbing on ancient walls, not wearing proper attire even after being told by ticket sellers or whatnot, being in spots to take photos that were not permitted. "Several times my wife or I were put in a situation where we had to remind them, in a very friendly manner of course, but once we asked nicely they would generally stop the action. These small actions don't really create large-scale negative impressions, though." Overly revealing clothes worn by tourists, especially near religious sites, has been a problem in other countries popular with Aussies, including Bali and Cambodia.

Travelling Butts: US couple Joseph and Travis Dasilva were arrested for their nude instagram posts. Photo/instagram Last year US couple Joseph and Travis Dasilva, who had about 14,000 followers on their Instagram account called "Travelling Butts", were charged with public indecency after posing for a bare-bottomed photo at Thailand's sacred Wat Arun temple. Mr Smith also found tourists in Thailand could be a bit naive about local customs surrounding public behaviour. "In Thailand, locals usually don't do things that would make another 'lose face' in public, including yelling at another person if a mistake has been made," he explained.

Respect: A poster in Bangkok asks tourists to avoid using Buddha as decoration. Photo / Getty Images "At times, I have witnessed tourists, not sure where from, lose their temper at a Thai or another visitor, and start yelling and carrying on. In Thailand, this sort of reaction does more harm than good. "If something upsets you while visiting here, remaining calm and talking through the problem is a much better solution. If you make a Thai lose face, then it's very difficult to get their respect back." While Australian and Kiwi tourists are often associated with wild, booze-fuelled nights out in places like Pattaya and Koh Phangan, Mr Smith reckons we're generally well-respected in Thailand. "Tourists tend to be laid-back and just want to enjoy the sites that are on offer," he said. "And this is generally the case for most Western tourists that come here. But there are some things he said New Zealanders needed to remember — and one of them was that we're not above the law here. "I hate seeing tourists falling into trouble with local authorities, especially when it is something they expect to get away with here, but wouldn't get away with back home," he said.

Farang moped riders: Driving without a license seems like quite a trivial thing but you wouldn't do it at home. Photo / Getty Images "For example, driving without a license seems like quite a trivial thing, but I have seen many tourists get into trouble due to driving without a recognised license. If you are caught without a recognised license at home, you will get into trouble, same in Thailand. So why do it here?" He also urged tourists to avoid getting aggressive on nights out. "Fighting is rarely seen, especially between a tourist and a local, but when it does happen, it never turns out great for the tourist," he said. "I have never seen a physical conflict end well, whether it is due to an injury, or police interception. Never ruin a fantastic night out with a silly act of aggression … remember there is no place like Thailand's night-life, so enjoy it." He also said tourists should stay away from drugs, not least because the Thai government had a particularly no-sympathy, hard line attitude towards drug users, dealers and carriers. https://bangkokjack.com/2018/11/05/thai-tourism-industry/ And as a final word of warning, Mr Smith said tourists should stay well clear of jet ski renters. "I would love to be able to stamp this sentence in every tourists passport as they enter the Kingdom," he said. "Jet ski renters are a scam. Places like Pattaya and Phuket are constantly seeing jet ski 'companies' rip off tourists. It doesn't seem to matter if police are brought in or not." In jet ski scams, tourists rent a jet ski and take it out for a ride, and when they return it, the renter will claim it has been damaged, charging massive amounts of money — sometimes more than $1000 — even if the tourist did nothing wrong. "Thais know of this scam and stay well away," Mr Smith said. "I highly suggest tourists reading this do the same."

We saw tourists climbing on ancient walls, not wearing proper attire or taking insensitive photos. Photo / Getty Images Mr Smith's comments came as new research by expat health insurance company Aetna International found expats were feeling the heat from tourists' bad behaviour in their adopted countries and worried they were being tarred with the same brush. In a survey of expats, in Thailand, a whopping third of respondents said they felt locals viewed them as "insensitive". About 28 per cent thought Thai locals saw them as "destructive" and 30 per cent said they thought they were seen as "rude". But for Mr Smith, life in Bangkok has been "fantastic". "From the moment I arrived here, I was thrust into Thai culture, so I learned many of the 'uniquenesses' pretty quickly," said the teacher, who works at one of the region's most prestigious international schools. "The culture and lifestyle that is offered here is second-to-none. The people are generally very friendly, its relatively safe, the food is unbelievably delightful and the standard-of-living when compared to the rest of the world cannot be beaten. "Of course, there are some negative things that I have learned to live with, and even some things that I still struggle to cope with, like insanely terrible traffic conditions, but the positives far outweigh the negatives." - NZHerald.co.nz https://bangkokjack.com/2019/06/19/epidemic-tourist-death-in-thailand/   – You can follow BangkokJack on Twitter, Instagram, & Reddit. Or join the free mailing list (top right) Please help us continue to bring the REAL NEWS - PayPal Read the full article

[bigyack-com]

Broadway, Seeking to Stay Open, Suggests Stars Keep Their Distance

The scene is a staple of Broadway: After a show ends, its most ardent fans gather at the stage door, hoping for an autograph, an Instagrammable photo, or even a conversation with their favorite star.But this week, facing a widening coronavirus outbreak that threatens public health in New York and around the world, the theater industry’s leaders said they wanted to put a stop to the practice.“We are highly recommending that all stage door activities be eliminated for the time being,” the Broadway League, a trade organization representing producers and theater owners, said on Tuesday.The step is the latest in a series of actions the theater business has taken to keep its plays and musicals running while also protecting public health.Broadway, an iconic New York industry that drew 14.8 million patrons and grossed $1.8 billion last season, is vulnerable to economic damage from the outbreak for multiple reasons: Its audience skews older, and older people seem especially vulnerable to this virus; its audience is heavily made up of tourists, and travel is drying up; and its events involve large numbers of people packed into tight spaces — a situation risky enough that it is being banned in some countries.Broadway’s leaders say they are determined to keep their theaters open if at all possible, and anticipate that they would collectively close only if ordered to do so by a government agency. (That is not unthinkable: Some performance venues have been closed in Austria, Germany and Italy, among other places.)There are currently 30 shows running on Broadway, and so far overall attendance has held steady — there were 253,453 patrons last week, up slightly from the previous week. And many ticket buyers are clearly still eager to see theater.“I guess I’m not willing to stop my life unless I’m forced to,” said Wendy Hanna-Rose, as she stood on Tuesday under the awning of the TKTS discount-ticket booth in Times Square, deciding which show to see that night. She and her husband, Craig Rose, already had tickets to “Hamilton” the following night for their family of five and they were hoping to squeeze in another show.They said they considered the threat of the virus before making their spring break trek from State College, Penn., but decided that if Broadway kept its doors open, they would be in the audience on Wednesday evening. “So we’re here, just trying not to touch our faces,” Hanna-Rose said.But many industry officials say that advance sales are starting to droop, suggesting that attendance and gross revenues will most likely take a hit in the coming weeks. Among the early indicators of potential problems: Disney’s three shows, “The Lion King,” “Aladdin” and “Frozen,” all dipped. And a number of student groups have canceled trips to Broadway shows, either because their schools have closed or their districts have advised against the events.“The industry is going to be fine — there’s going to be a bit of an inflection for a period of time, but theater has survived worse,” said Kevin McCollum, a veteran producer with two musicals now in previews, “Mrs. Doubtfire” and “Six.” “We’re seeing more tickets being bought locally than internationally, but the Broadway theatergoer is a resilient person who wants to remain curious about the world, and that’s what we do best.”Broadway theaters are taking multiple steps to reduce the risk of infection: cleaning seats and surfaces more frequently, installing more hand-sanitizer dispensers, providing new cups for drink refills and eliminating backstage tours.Stage dooring is a popular activity for theater fans, who often gather there seeking autographs, selfies and conversation with their favorite stars.Even before the Broadway League issued its recommendation, many touring productions around the country had already banned stage dooring. “In an effort to keep the entire work space as safe as possible, NETworks has developed new safety standards for housing and travel that go far beyond anything we’ve ever seen or done in the past,” said Orin Wolf, president of the touring production company NETworks. “We have also issued a new policy temporarily suspending backstage tours and post show audience engagement at the stage door.”On Broadway, the musical “Hadestown” announced last weekend that for the next 30 days its cast would not appear at the stage door. And multiple other shows had taken intermediate steps, eliminating all handshakes and hugs and asking performers not to touch the Playbills they were signing and only to use their own pens.Individual actors are always free to decide what to do as they leave theaters each night, but the new guidance from the Broadway League is likely to eliminate most interactions with fans.“This is a common sense precaution until we feel that we are past this period of concern and everyone can be safe,” said Charlotte St. Martin, the president of the Broadway League.Mary McColl, the executive director of the Actors’ Equity Association, the labor union representing actors and stage managers, said she had urged the Broadway League to take such a step.“Stage dooring is never required of actors, but most of them love to do it,” McColl said. “But right now being in that crowd of people is not necessarily the safest place to be, and we hope the Broadway League will take the onus off the actor on this.”(Actors’ Equity on Tuesday also took its own step to slow the spread of the disease: It emailed an alert to its 51,000 members, urging them not to show up for auditions if they are sick. “We know this is a difficult thing to ask for many of you, but hope you will take this practice to heart as an act of solidarity,” the union said.)With tourism in New York expected to drop significantly because of the outbreak, producers are taking steps to lure more locals to the theater. The producer Scott Rudin said Tuesday that he would offer all unsold seats to the five shows he is backing — “The Book of Mormon,” “The Lehman Trilogy,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “West Side Story” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” — for $50 at all performances from Thursday through March 29.Ticket holders who cancel their plans because of concerns about the virus must contact whoever sold them the tickets to seek refunds or exchanges. Disney announced a flexible policy on its shows’ websites, declaring that “exchange fees are waived and refunds are available for guests holding tickets to performances through April 19, 2020.” St. Martin said her impression was that most ticket sellers were trying to be flexible with purchasers, but on social media some purchasers suggested they were having trouble getting refunds.Of course, some tourists are sticking with their plans. Melissa Picha and her daughter Jennifer Taylor — both visiting from Texas — saw “To Kill a Mockingbird” on Sunday and, when interviewed on Tuesday, they had two more Broadway shows to go. Their four-day trip to New York was meant to celebrate Taylor’s 45th birthday, and they said they had no intention of letting the coronavirus ruin their fun.“To me it’s just life as usual,” Taylor said. “You take your precautions, and you wash your hands, and you just keep on living.”Julia Jacobs contributed reporting. Read the full article

[southeastasianists]

The Royal Palace in Phnom Penh has just opened its doors for the day and Chinese tourists are already arriving by the busload, sporting bumbags and armed with expensive camera equipment as they queue for the first tour of the morning.

In Cambodia, these groups, like the many that will follow it, are indicative of the changing face of an evolving industry. Tourism is a key driver of Cambodia’s economy, contributing approximately one quarter of GDP last year, according to a report from the World Travel and Tourism Council.

Once a destination popular with adventurous Western visitors, when Cambodia’s government looks ahead nowadays its focus is increasingly placed on one nation: China.

Whereas many Europeans are tightening their belts when it comes to spending, China has millions of people who, for the first time, have the money and desire to get out and see the world. Last year, China overtook Vietnam to become the number one source of visitors to the Kingdom. And given its close relations with Beijing, Cambodia is in a prime position to cash in.

According to Cambodia’s Ministry of Tourism, the country welcomed close to 830,000 Chinese visitors in 2016 alone, up almost 20% from the previous year and almost halfway to the government’s goal of attracting two million Chinese tourists annually by 2020. Figures from the China Outbound Tourism Research Institute (Cotri), an independent research organisation based in Hamburg, estimate that about 270,000 Chinese tourists visited Cambodia in the first quarter of 2017, putting it on track to top a million this year.

Men Phearom, director of planning at the Ministry of Tourism, said that the government had implemented a policy of promoting mainly Chinese visitors as part of a wider economic strategy with Beijing.

“Through the strong relationship of both countries, it brings together the Chinese investors and Chinese tourists in Cambodia.” he said. “So we have to catch this opportunity to attract more tourists and tourism investment.”

All signs point to a significant increase in tourist traffic coming into the country, but all visitors are not equal when it comes to the money and time they spend, and adapting to a Chinese-driven market could mean major changes to an industry that has been largely built around the demands of visitors from the West.

“As a hotelier I will of course be happy to see the overall numbers [of tourists] go up,” said Pok Ratha Ming, senior sales manager at the Phnom Penh Hotel, a popular spot for Chinese visitors.

He does have reservations, though.

“Chinese and European tourists are different,” explained Ming. “The Chinese come to Cambodia for four days. They stay in Angkor Wat for three days and Phnom Penh for maybe one. The Europeans spend longer and spend more.”

Wolfgang Georg Arlt, the director of Cotri, said that despite the huge figures involved, a surge in Chinese tourists needs to be managed carefully.

“The Chinese are the biggest source of the growth of global tourism figures, but this does have negative effects,” said Arlt, citing the island of Palau in the western Pacific ocean as an example.

Known as a diver’s paradise, the island was until recently a hotspot for American, Australian and European diving enthusiasts. Then the “whole atmosphere changed”, said Arlt, when Chinese tourists started to arrive en masse, thanks to cheap deals on chartered flight package tours.

“The divers put… money into the local economy,” said Arlt. “Chinese tourists pay money to Chinese tour operators.” If the tourist dollars are, as often happens, also funnelled into Chinese-owned hotels and souvenir shops, this often minimises the benefits to the local economy while simultaneously making the destination less attractive to visitors from other countries, who no longer feel catered for.

“So all of this is not really benefitting the local Palau people. They get this big group of tourists who are actually endangering the traditional customer base,” said Arlt. “I used to be asked how to get more Chinese tourists. Now I’m asked: ‘How do we get better Chinese tourists?’”

In Phnom Penh, as in Palau, local traders say that money from Chinese tourists tends to bypass them.

“We get very little money from Chinese customers,” said Pheap, a motorbike-taxi driver based outside the capital’s gleaming Royal Palace. “It makes us sad, because we see big buses of Chinese tourists come who have a lot of money and we don’t see any of it.”

Nearby, another driver, named Sothear, took a break from teasing his friends by stealing their flip-flops to lament the drop off in visitors from the West.

“Most people we see coming to the palace are Chinese and Vietnamese. Five years ago it was all Europeans and Australians,” he said. “Now we have about 40% less Europeans than before. I don’t care what nationality, we will take anyone, but we don’t really get money from the Chinese tourists. They come mostly on a bus.”

While economic benefits often fail to trickle down to tuk tuks and motorbike drivers, opportunities are opening up elsewhere. A taxi driver based outside NagaWorld casino in Phnom Penh, who gave his name only as ‘Mr Black’. “Many people worry that China is taking over our country, but we are happy because it is more customers,” he said. “Most of our customers are Chinese or Western, but we make most money from Chinese… Chinese customers tip more than Europeans.”

However, ‘Mr Black’ did have one gripe: having to pay a large portion of his income to the Chinese-owned taxi firm he works for.

While the pivot to China is currently a mixed blessing for the tourism sector, what it will mean for the industry’s future remains uncertain and potentially fraught by over-dependence on one source of tourists.

China has been known to use tourism as a soft power tactic in the past, with Beijing stopping tour groups from visiting Taiwan and South Korea during periods of political tension, slashing both countries’ tourism figures by about 40% in the process. The Philippines, on the other hand, has already seen a rise in Chinese visitors since President Rodrigo Duterte made moves to warm relations with Beijing upon taking office last year.

“China uses outflows of tourism as a tool to either curry favour or punish foes. What we’re seeing in Cambodia at the moment is the former, with China now the country’s main source of tourists,” said Miguel Chanco, regional analyst for the Economist Intelligence Unit. “Outbound travel from China is strongly influenced by political factors, as Beijing can throw up informal bureaucratic obstacles that impede visits by its citizens to nations that are out of favour.”

With Cambodia very much in China’s good graces now and for the foreseeable future, it would appear wise to use this momentum to invest in other areas of the tourism industry.

The UN named 2017 the international year of sustainable tourism, with the impact of tourism around the world becoming a growing concern for travellers and destinations. China is not a market normally associated with sustainability but, according to Arlt, eco-tourism could prove to be a huge draw for Chinese visitors.

“If you go to China, you can do everything except breathe,” he said. “If you live in Shanghai, kids will probably never see a goat or sheep except on their plate. They will almost certainly never have seen the Milky Way… But in Cambodia, after culture, nature is the draw for Chinese tourists.”

In addition to its efforts to entice Chinese visitors, the Cambodian government has also taken steps to promote eco-tourism and undertake projects that feed into domestic development. Plans laid out this year by tourism minister Thong Khon include infrastructure development, managing social order and the widening and construction of new roads. In July, he also announced the creation of an inter-ministerial working group with the Ministry of Environment to promote eco-tourism, including the development of eco-tourism ‘zones’ in areas such as Prek Toal bird sanctuary and Kulen mountain, both of which are easily accessible from the tourist hub of Siem Reap.

With eco-tourism and responsible travel also chiming well with visitors from Europe, the US and Australia, such moves could even be a useful bridge between East and West.

Carl Sladen, director of sales and marketing at Phnom Penh’s Raffles Hotel, a brand that has traditionally catered to Western visitors to Asia, said that the property has experienced an uptick in visitors from China who are keen to experience the hotel’s prestige and history.

“It’s a fine balancing act of managing the expectations of Chinese tourists and managing the effect on other guests,” he said, explaining that the hotel goes to great lengths to accommodate Chinese clientele. Both Cambodian branches of Raffles already have Chinese-speaking frontline staff, and the hotel also provides staff that lack these skills with ‘frequently asked questions’ cards in Chinese, which are given to inquiring Chinese guests. Knowing that language requirements will be accommodated is a must for the Chinese travel companies booking the trips, he says.

From the government’s point of view, the challenges that come with the surge in Chinese tour groups are well worth the benefits.

“We do understand that the influx of Chinese investors can cause issues for small businesses,” explained the Ministry of Tourism’s Phearom. “But at the same time, this is providing jobs and raising revenue through taxation. It gives a lot of benefits to the whole sector that outweigh the drawbacks.”

With the country’s gross national income per capita still at a relatively low $1,070 per year, according to the World Bank, it seems highly unlikely that, regardless of the potential pitfalls, the government will hesitate in picking such low-hanging fruit any time soon.

[mannatgroupofacademy]

Nurses Profession _Past Present Future

Nurses Profession _Past Present Future

Nurses Profession in (Past, Present & Future) In Ancient India the medical care was provided only by doctors and physicians. Though Sushruta , the father of medicine had mentioned about nursing while describing few essential qualities of nurse , there has been no mention about female nurses in India till the Mughal period. Nursing in India started and developed only after invasion by the British. The first nursing training school was sanctioned by the British government during 1854 in madras in the lying-in hospitals. The recommendations of Bhor committee (1943-46) acted as the foundation for development of nursing services in India. In post-independence period, various committees were formed to study the position/situation of nursing profession in the country. Nurses Profession Various changes were brought from time to time in education and service system as well as in the rules and regulations. In the past, nursing profession was considered to be an occupation for Hindu windows and/or deserted women as a self supporting measure. Women from the Christian community undertaking the nursing profession were more in number then the women from the other communities, since, as profession, nursing did not have proper statues in the eyes of society. Nursing is a profession, like a doctor, but training for a nurse is different in how long a person must train and what kind of training they need. In some places, nurses may train for three to five years or more before they get a license as a nurse. A nurse is a person who is trained to give care to people who are sick or injured. Nurses work with doctors and other health care workers to make patients well and to keep them fit and healthy. Nurses also help with end-of-life needs and assist other family members with grieving. Nurses work in many places. Nurses work in hospitals, in doctor's offices, and in the community, and they even visit people at home if they cannot get out. Sometimes people decide to become nurses rather than doctors, because the nurses will be able to help patients directly, by talking to them, doing things they need, carefully watching that nothing goes wrong, and then seeing them as they get better. Like doctors, nurses can choose what work they do. Some nurses train and work to help during surgery. Some nurses train to help people understand health problems like nutrition (what to eat), and disease (what can make people sick). Nurses can do many different jobs to help people. Nurses are in demand because there are not enough nurses to handle hospital needs. Because of this shortage nurses will sometimes travel to another location to work for a few months in what is called travel nursing. After establishment of the INC (Indian Nurses Council), the most of the sates in India established their State Nursing Councils (SNC). The SNCs were responsible for maintaining the standard and uniformity in nursing. Nursing profession, being entirely job-oriented, there is great demand for qualified nurses all over India. Since many corporate hospitals are being established and many more avenues like medical tourism, home nursing, industrial nursing etc. are available to better qualified and efficient nursing personal. Number of men entering this female dominated profession has been increasing in the last few years. It is clear indication of increased demand of nurses. Standard of education and code of ethics is regulated by INC and SNC. Nurse Profession is the best profession. The colleges and universities do play an important role in maintaining quality and standard of education. However, in reality, nursing and midwifery profession is not honored as an autonomous body in spite of the fact that they are fully developed, quantitatively and qualitative. The service rendered by them to align patient do not receive proper recognition from other health professionals in the medical field and even by society at large. They are not accepted as leaders or administrators in their own field without assigning any justifiable reason for such lack of recognition for the nursing profession. there are three stages of Nurse Profession_present Past Future In the year to come, many changes are expected in national health policy  regarding funding, education, specialization, creation of permanent nursing cadre, better salary structure etc. with respect to women empowerment the nurse are already empowered and they only need freedom to use their powers. There is great need for the society to recognize the rights and responsibilities’ of nurse and midwives and therefore they should insist for having only qualified nurses whenever they get admitted for medical treatment. It is necessary that management of government and public sector hospitals should think on the line of administrators of cooperatives hospital and improve working and image of health services including efficient patient care rendered in the public hospital and improve working and image of health services in public sector is to maintain the INC prescribed nurse patient ratio at least to some extant in certain departments to give better service. If that is adopted by government hospitals, it would help the government-managed hospital to gain public confidence. Adoptions of NABH accreditation shall certain improve the quality of nursing care, which will be more patient-oriented even in public sector and government hospitals. Proper and controlled use of information technology is playing wonderful role in raising their performance standard. www.mannatacademy.com SCO 112-113 4th Floor Sector 34 A Chandigarh Read the full article

[krsilverberg22-blog]

Final Blog :(

It has almost been a week since we returned from Spain and I wish we were all still there. I have started my internship and unpacking. Although I’m enjoying my internship and love snuggling with my dog I would still rather be in Spain drinking Cava and enjoying the beautiful country.

It is still hard for me to believe that freshman year is over. I have made so many great friends and had experiences that I will never forget, Spain being a big one. Going into the trip to Spain I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. I had been to Europe once before but that was with my parents so it was a bit different. I haven’t been on a class trip since middle school and although going to Washington DC was a great experience it was nice how we were given more freedom on this trip.

I have always been interested in studying abroad and as I mentioned in my first blog Spain and Argentina are the two top countries for me. It was great to go to Spain for not only a vacation but also to learn more about the businesses there. We were definitely more immersed in the Spanish life than an average tourist as we were able to live with a host family and have a tour who acted more like a good. Friend showing us around. I would love to go into international business one day and seeing how other companies oversees operate is a great experience for me to have. Going to Siemens especially showed me that the world is constantly advancing. As our professor at the UPF said, our world is constantly getting smaller as technology advances. A way we were able to see the advancement of technology is through Sagrada Familia. They are building far faster than before but are able to continue construction because the increase of tourism and how that has funded continued construction. Before advancements in travel, the Sagrada Familia was never expected to be finished but now with the huge inflow of money from tourist visits, they will be able to finish by 2026.

Visiting Spain has made me more excited than ever to go into international business and be able to connect with people around the world. It is incredible that technology has allowed us to not only communicate with people all over but go to their country in under a day.

I think my favorite day in Spain was when we visited the Cava vineyard. I have always been interested in the wine industry and seeing the process. I really appreciated the beauty and tradition of the Codorniu winery and how they were able to run such a successful business. The underground caves were overwhelming and I had daintily not expected a maze of tunnels. It was such and beautiful location and what seemed to be a very down to earth company. After the visit we were able to go to Sitges which was an amazing afternoon. We had great food and an amazing time on the beach. Overall it was such a fun day where I got to enjoy incredible views and get to my classmates.

I am so grateful to have gone on this trip to Spain as I was able to have incredible experiences but also become so close with people I may not have otherwise. Don and Ruby were incredible trip leaders and gave us so much freedom to enjoy all that Barcelona had to offer. Marie and Mustafa were such fun people to get to know travel with. My classmates made the trip amazing with their constant energy and excitement. It was also greta that everyone was more than willing to branch out and get to know one another in order to make us a tight-knit group. We shared so many laughs, headaches and eye opening adventures together and I can’t wait to see everyone again next fall or. Sooner if possible!

[bisaria]

Do Not Miss These Places Of Smart City, Chandigarh, Foodie Travelers Must Go There »

Panchkula of Haryana and Mohali of Punjab have also been added With this city.

Read in Hindi

If We talk about the discussion of the smart city then the country's first planned city after independence is Chandigarh. This city is showing a new way to the country even in the energy sector. This will be the first city in the country which is expected to be dependent on renewable energy by the end of this year. Today, We walk on the journey of Chandigarh with Vandana Walia Bali...It was the dream of Jawaharlal Nehru, The first Prime Minister of independent India That such a modern city should be built in the country that reflects the creative potential of the new Republic. The foundation of this dream was laid in 1948 in the form of Chandigarh. For this, 24 villages came in the sanctioned land, Chandigarh was one of them. Chandigarh city was Settled down in the form of the Durg (fort) of goddess Chandi, the symbol of power. Today its name is essentially included in the list of every stroller.

Chandigarh Is So Special

Panchkula of Haryana and Mohali of Punjab have also been added With this city, That is why it is also called 'Tricity'. It is the only centrally administered state which is also the capital of two states the Punjab and Haryana. The architecture of Le Corbusier, The responsibility of building this city was entrusted to the famous French architect Le Corbusier, He prepared the structure of this city considering the functioning of the human body, cause of this the reflexion of a healthy and complete city emerged. Ledger Valley, named as the city's lungs, which is a chain of many parks. He called the network of roads as a communication system and industrial area as Bisra. This city is spread in around 44 square miles and the beauty of this city attracts everyone. The settlement of every sector of this city is the same, in spite of this, they have their own specialty and identity. Segments like barfi are divided into rectangular sections where the green belt is. sectors are divided into rectangular class like Barfi, there is a green belt. After Le Corbusier's death, his cousin Pierre Jeanneret and Maxwell Fry extended Work forward. Architect's Paradise Chandigarh's heritage buildings have most interest of Architects It is said by Chandigarh Tourism Director Jitendra Yadav. Punjab and Haryana High Court, Open Hand, Gandhi Bhawan of Punjab University, Capital Complex, Assembly and Secretariat are included in these buildings. They are given the status of Heritage by UNESCO. In the case of the Capital Complex, it was designed by Le Corbusier. It is also called the glory of the city. Built on 100 acres, this building combines Punjab Haryana High Court, Assembly, and Secretariat Building together. In 2016, they were declared as World Heritage by UNESCO and then opened for the common people too. All the buildings are designed in geometric shapes. The 'Open Hand Monument' is the part of this same complex. It was designed by Le Corbusier as a symbol of Chandigarh in 1948, but he could not make it in his lifetime. It was made in 1985 in his memory. Another heritage is Gandhi Bhavan. It was designed by Le Corbusier's cousin Pierre Jeanneret. Built in the campus of the University of Punjab, this building is known for its finest architecture.

There is a beautiful garden in almost every sector of Chandigarh, but the most popular is Rose Garden which is full of roses of every color. Rose Garden, established in the name of former President Zakir Hussain, is located in Sector 16. Here are about 900 varieties of roses which attract people. The number of plants is about 50,000. In the middle of February, annually a Rose Festival is organized here, which is visited by tourists from the country and abroad. This garden was inaugurated in 1967. It is the ground of celebrities, Fashion and acting or the field of sports, this city has gifted best of the best celebrities to the world in these all areas. Vanya Mishra has been Femina Miss India World in 2012. Similarly, there are big names in the acting field like Kiran Kher, Gul Panag, Gurleen Chopra, Yami Gautam, who come from this city. Abhinav Bindra, who gave the first gold to the country in the Olympics in the shooting, also belongs to Chandigarh. In the same way, Cricketers like Yuvraj Singh, Kapil Dev, and Dinesh Mongia is also given by Chandigarh. The golf range here is very special, which is divided into two parts. Several international tournaments were also played here. Athletes Milkha Singh, Jeev Milkha Singh, Balbir Singh Sr. are also the glory of this city.

Do Not Forget To Watch These Special Places

The symbol of openness 'Open to Give, Open to Receive', it is hidden behind the symbol of Open Hand. It reflects the nature of the city. Which is open to all and always keep the feelings of giving. 26 meters in height and 50 ton heavier, the open hand rotates in every direction in the air. An unsurpassed network of roads, This city is prime in beauty along with modernity too. The quest for quality life is fulfilled here. Another feature of this beautiful city is that there are seven types of roads have been made for transportation that had been named as 7 VS by Corbusier. While these roads increase the city's beauty, the residential areas are also keep away from traffic noise and pollution. Among them, V-1 is the Road that connects Chandigarh with Ambala, Shimla, and Kharar. V-2 are the roads in which the main commercial and administrative institutions of Chandigarh have been built. V-3 roads are for speeding vehicles passing through sectors. V-4 roads are built between markets and sectors. V-5 roads are in between sectors and V-6 roads are for go to homes and V-7 are footpaths or cycle-riksha lane. Tempting Sukhna Lake, Man-made Sukhna Lake is the life of the city dwellers. People arrive here in the morning and evening to enjoy the scenic views of nature or walk and jogging. Apart from this, the boating, camel riding, sketching, enjoying food in the cafeteria, and photographing with Chandigarh's symbol is also the main attraction for those who come here. This lake was constructed also by architect Le Corbusier for water management for Chandigarh and protection from flood. For this, in 1958, by making a dame on the Sukhna lake this lake was made in three square kilometers, and later changed the way of this lake. It is about 8 to 16 feet deep and extends to three kilometers. It has a golf course towards its southern end and a Garden of Silence (Buddha Peace Park) on the other end.

Unique sample of art around Lead The 'Rock Garden', Built by Neek Chand, the Rock Garden is famous not only in Chandigarh but also around the world. Spread over 40 acres, in this huge garden, unsurpassed artifacts have been made from waste materials. In 1958, Neck Chand started to make it secretly for the better use of his spare time. Then the officials did not know about it even for 18 years. When this information was found in 1975, this work was declared illegal but looking at the amazing creativity and on public demand Neck Chand not only got permission to run its work but also 'Subdivision Engineer Rock Garden's title', salary, and got the 50 workers for help in work too. Today, there is noisy pleasant waterfalls in its one part, and in the remaining part, there are artifacts in different segments made of junk, collected from houses. Although Nechchand is no longer there, But his creativity can be seen everywhere. International doll museum In the Doll Museum built in sector 23, more than 300 doles from the country and abroad identify the culture of different countries of the world.

Special For Eating And Drinking Enthusiasts

Flames of many mythological legends can also be seen here. Delicious food of Punjabi fragrances If you try to find a roadside Punjabi dhaba in City Beautiful, they will not found because they have been modernized here. But the fragrance of Punjabi mines is definitely found in the restaurants of almost every sector. Chandigarh is like Paradise for those who eat butter chicken. Sector 28D's pal dhaba is a famous destination for those who prefer non-veg and like this if You will reach to "Tehal Singh Chicken Corner" in Market of Sector 22b and eat Rumali Roti with butter chicken then this will be a different fun. Veg food is also enjoyable in non-veg restaurants in Chandigarh. You will get Shahi Paneer, Dal Makhani, and Chana masala of pure Punjabi flavor such tasty that You will not forget ever.