What happened to the President’s plan to change the clocks?
The September 24 deadline came -- and went -- without a change in the time. According to various media reports, President Hugo Chavez postponed his plan to turn the clocks back by half an hour. The change would have allowed school children to wake up for school in daylight rather than before sunrise.
The problem? The plan was announced only eight days before the intended change – causing confusion across the country. The government now plans to implement the change in 2008, thereby allowing the country to complete all necessary bureaucratic process.
Once the change is implemented, Venezuela will be in its own time zone at – 4:30 GMT.
For more information, see the article in Reuters here.
September 27, 2007
September 25, 2007
The world’s most expensive dinners
Where is the most expensive city in the world to eat? The answer: London, England.
So how much will it cost for a three course meal in this British city? An average of £39.09 per person, according to a recent article on news.com.au . According to a survey conducted for the Zagat Restaurant Guide, London now outranks Paris (at £35.37) and Tokyo (at £35.10).
In comparison, a similar meal would cost only £19.30 (that’s roughly $ 39.00 US dollars) in New York City.
For more information, check out the news.com.au story.
So how much will it cost for a three course meal in this British city? An average of £39.09 per person, according to a recent article on news.com.au . According to a survey conducted for the Zagat Restaurant Guide, London now outranks Paris (at £35.37) and Tokyo (at £35.10).
In comparison, a similar meal would cost only £19.30 (that’s roughly $ 39.00 US dollars) in New York City.
For more information, check out the news.com.au story.
September 17, 2007
How safe is your airline?
Do you have concerns about the safety and security of your airline? Recent updates to Australian government travel advice now include a section on Airline Safety. Aside from general advice such as travel tips and carry-on restrictions, you can also find out more information about operating bans and restrictions.
The Air Transport Portal of the European Commission publishes a list of airlines banned within the European Union which also includes airlines operating under restrictions or specific conditions. This advice focuses on individual airlines and imposes penalties based on violations of regulatory practice.
In contrast, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) focuses on a country’s (not the specific airline’s) ability to follow international standards and best practices for maintenance and operation. Further research can be done at the International Civil Aviation Organization website.
The Air Transport Portal of the European Commission publishes a list of airlines banned within the European Union which also includes airlines operating under restrictions or specific conditions. This advice focuses on individual airlines and imposes penalties based on violations of regulatory practice.
In contrast, the United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) focuses on a country’s (not the specific airline’s) ability to follow international standards and best practices for maintenance and operation. Further research can be done at the International Civil Aviation Organization website.
September 14, 2007
Luxury or waste? You decide.
Are the travel trends of the wealthy luxurious or wasteful? You be the judge.
A recent article on Forbes entitled “Ten Travel Trends You Can’t Ignore” outlines some of the most recent, and most luxurious, travel trends. Whether you want to stay in a hotel-owned private villa, travel by private jet or have a personal consultant plan your entire trip, many companies are now gearing up to cater to luxury travel.
But how do these trends fit with growing concerns for responsible travel? They don’t, according to a commentary on GoBudgetTravel.com. “Ten Travel Trends You Can’t Ignore” - and why you should ignore them uses humour to point out some how some of these trends are harmful to the environment and local economies.
Fortunatley, one travel trend everyone can afford to indulge in does meet universal approval: Green travel.
A recent article on Forbes entitled “Ten Travel Trends You Can’t Ignore” outlines some of the most recent, and most luxurious, travel trends. Whether you want to stay in a hotel-owned private villa, travel by private jet or have a personal consultant plan your entire trip, many companies are now gearing up to cater to luxury travel.
But how do these trends fit with growing concerns for responsible travel? They don’t, according to a commentary on GoBudgetTravel.com. “Ten Travel Trends You Can’t Ignore” - and why you should ignore them uses humour to point out some how some of these trends are harmful to the environment and local economies.
Fortunatley, one travel trend everyone can afford to indulge in does meet universal approval: Green travel.
September 12, 2007
How safe is your cruise?
Are you safer at sea or at home? You might be surprised by recent news.
The cruise industry has been plagued by a number of issues this past year ranging from virus outbreaks to ships running aground. An article on NEWS.com.au warns of another startling trend: cruise ship passengers are 50 percent more likely to be the victim of a sexual assault on board than on land. According to expert Ross Klein from the University of Newfoundland, about 80 percent of assaults were carried out by cruise line staff.
But are cruise ships really that dangerous? As noted in the article, part of the problem is that people assume they are safe and are therefore less vigilant. Klein notes that people should at least take the same precautions on board a cruise as they would in a major city, if not more. For example, parents should not let their children run around unsupervised.
The Australian Government’s advice for Shipping and Ports now includes a section on cruise ships to provide safety advice for travellers.
The cruise industry has been plagued by a number of issues this past year ranging from virus outbreaks to ships running aground. An article on NEWS.com.au warns of another startling trend: cruise ship passengers are 50 percent more likely to be the victim of a sexual assault on board than on land. According to expert Ross Klein from the University of Newfoundland, about 80 percent of assaults were carried out by cruise line staff.
But are cruise ships really that dangerous? As noted in the article, part of the problem is that people assume they are safe and are therefore less vigilant. Klein notes that people should at least take the same precautions on board a cruise as they would in a major city, if not more. For example, parents should not let their children run around unsupervised.
The Australian Government’s advice for Shipping and Ports now includes a section on cruise ships to provide safety advice for travellers.
September 9, 2007
Keep an eye out for the start of Ramadan
Why is there confusion about the date when Ramadan starts? Ramadan, the holiest month of the year, is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Since this calendar is based on the cycles on the moon, the actual start date has been a subject of debate. Some countries start the fast according to astrological predictions, other hold to the tradition of seeing the moon “with the naked eye”.
This year, Ramadan is estimated to start on September 13, though some countries may start fasting as early as the 12th or as late as the 14th.
If you’re travelling to an Islamic country during this month, you should respect local customs and refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or gossiping during daylight hours. Be patient: things move at a slower pace and people are hungry and tired.
While some travellers avoid Ramadan due to inconvenience, others take the opportunity to learn about the religion and culture. If you’re invited to an evening feast, accept the invitation. In addition, the end of Ramadan is marked with a holiday and feast. In some countries, these celebrations can last for a few days.
This year, Ramadan is estimated to start on September 13, though some countries may start fasting as early as the 12th or as late as the 14th.
If you’re travelling to an Islamic country during this month, you should respect local customs and refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or gossiping during daylight hours. Be patient: things move at a slower pace and people are hungry and tired.
While some travellers avoid Ramadan due to inconvenience, others take the opportunity to learn about the religion and culture. If you’re invited to an evening feast, accept the invitation. In addition, the end of Ramadan is marked with a holiday and feast. In some countries, these celebrations can last for a few days.
September 4, 2007
Is someone celebrating today?
Think today is a holiday somewhere in the world? The answer might surprise you.
With religious, national, regional and one-off public holidays it seems like everyday must be a holiday somewhere in the world. Despite the fact there are over 200 countries and territories – each with their own list of public holidays – there are actually ten days of the year where no one is observing a public holiday.
In 2007 these dates include: January 18 and 24, February 13, March 13, August 18 and 22, September 5 and 20, November 27 and December 14.
In contrast, there is not a single day where every country in the world celebrates a holiday. Some dates do come close: New Year’s Day and May Day/Labour Day are widely (but not universally) observed. Other major holidays include the end of Ramadan and Christmas Day.
Because holidays occur according to different rule calculations, these days will different from year to year. Check out the Q++ Studio website and our events calendar to find out what's happening around the world.
With religious, national, regional and one-off public holidays it seems like everyday must be a holiday somewhere in the world. Despite the fact there are over 200 countries and territories – each with their own list of public holidays – there are actually ten days of the year where no one is observing a public holiday.
In 2007 these dates include: January 18 and 24, February 13, March 13, August 18 and 22, September 5 and 20, November 27 and December 14.
In contrast, there is not a single day where every country in the world celebrates a holiday. Some dates do come close: New Year’s Day and May Day/Labour Day are widely (but not universally) observed. Other major holidays include the end of Ramadan and Christmas Day.
Because holidays occur according to different rule calculations, these days will different from year to year. Check out the Q++ Studio website and our events calendar to find out what's happening around the world.
September 1, 2007
It’s the weekend… a day later
If you’re doing business in or traveling to Kuwait, you’ll want to know about this change of plans.
According to various sources, Kuwait recently announced that it will be changing the days of its weekend. Government offices and much of the private sector will switch their Thursday-Friday days off to Friday-Saturday.
The changes come into effect on September 1, 2007.
According to various sources, Kuwait recently announced that it will be changing the days of its weekend. Government offices and much of the private sector will switch their Thursday-Friday days off to Friday-Saturday.
The changes come into effect on September 1, 2007.
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