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Kuaishou Reached Deal to Become NBA China's Official Short-Video Platform
BEIJING, Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kuaishou and NBA China announced a strategic cooperation in Beijing, announcing that the two parties have reached a multi-year strategic partnership. Kuaishou will become an Official NBA China Short Video Platform and the first Video Content Creation Community of NBA China. Kuaishou Reached Deal to Become NBA China's Official Short-Video Platform "I am excited to have reached a strategic cooperation with the world's top sports IP [Intellectual Property] such as the NBA. Kuaishou is optimistic about the sports content market and will continue to actively explore in the sports content communities." Kuaishou co-founder and chief product officer Cheng Yixiao said. "We're thrilled to announce this ground-breaking partnership with Kuaishou, one of the most popular short video platforms in China today," said NBA China CEO Michael Ma. "Kuaishou shares our values of providing a dynamic and innovative experience to fans in China while promoting a healthy, active lifestyle. We look forward to seeing and promoting the creative content that fans in China produce through this collaboration." The NBA and each team have opened accounts on Kuaishou. Together, Kuaishou and the NBA will carry out in-depth cooperation in content, brand commercialization, and live broadcast e-commerce, focusing on the content of NBA events and the Kuaishou sports ecology. Content creators on the Kuaishou platform will be able to use exclusive NBA-themed materials for videos such as backgrounds, stickers, and sound effects. Kuaishou and NBA will also grant copyrighted content to outstanding creators and encourage users to make secondary creations. At the same time, this cooperation will give greater access to various rights and interests to high-quality content creators. Through the content creator backstage built by Kuaishou and the NBA, creators will be able to commercialize the creation of high-quality content. Kuaishou will provide promotion resources and commercialization opportunities for outstanding works, and jointly empower creators to monetize with platform commercial resources and NBA copyrighted content. In addition, the two parties have plans to explore live e-commerce and other fields and create a new interactive sports content ecology through a series of offline activities and exclusive self-made programs. In the sports community, Kuaishou has quickly become a new benchmark in the industry through continuous investment in recent years. Previously, Kuaishou has reached cooperation with many top global sports IPs such as the United States NFL Professional Football League, the World Snooker Championship, the COPA America, the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, and the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. Up to now, Kuaishou Sports has covered 40+ sports categories, with a total number of creator fans exceeding 400 million and an average daily traffic of up to 1.4 billion. It has become a large content platform and social matrix that integrates various sports and leads the industry. About Kuaishou Kuaishou is a leading content community and social platform with its mission to be the most customer-obsessed company in the world. Kuaishou has relentlessly been focusing on serving its customers and creating value for them through the continual innovation and optimization of its products and services. At Kuaishou, any user can chronicle and share their life experiences through short videos and live streams and showcase their talents. Working closely with content creators and businesses together, Kuaishou provides product and service offerings that address various user needs that arise naturally, including entertainment, online marketing services, e-commerce, online games, online knowledge-sharing, and more. Kuaishou is a listed company in Hong Kong Stock Exchange with ticker 1024.HK. About NBA China The NBA's entity that conducts all of the league's businesses in China was formed in January 2008 after its first office opened in Hong Kong in 1992. The NBA currently has relationships with a network of television and digital media outlets in China, including a 30-plus years partnership with CMG. The league hosts hundreds of touring basketball events for fans, conducts community enrichment programs, and maintains marketing partnerships with a combination of world-class China-based and international corporations. NBA licensed merchandise are available through retail and authorized online stores on e-commerce and social media platforms. In 2004, the NBA became the first American professional sports league to play games in China. Following the NBA China Games 2019, 17 NBA teams have played 28 games in China.
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Sequoia Games Selects Algorand to Power Flex NBA, Reimagining Gaming for Next Generation Sports Fans
IRVINE, Calif., Oct. 20, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Introduced via Kickstarter in May 2021, Sequoia Games has released Flex NBA, an NBA-licensed, turn-based board game fusing pro sports, innovative technology, and a modern take on sports memorabilia and fan engagement. Described by TechCrunch as "Catan meets NFTs meets augmented reality," each Flex NBA set includes a game board and a set of Flexagons--limited-edition physical tiles representing NBA players, illustrated by top sports artists like Andrew Pietersz and Mickey Ardell. 10 Flexagons are included in each Flex NBA Starter Kit, and customers can continue to build their roster by purchasing additional Flexagons in blind boxes. Each Flexagon is a physical asset, represented in the digital realm as an individually-owned, unrepeatable and non-duplicatable code registered on users' Rosters in Flex NBA's bespoke mobile companion app. As customers trade or sell their physical Flexagons in their efforts to acquire their favorite players and add new dynamics to their gameplay strategies, digital ownership will follow the new owner via a digital chain of custody that is trackable in the mobile companion app. The Flexagon conveys a player's capabilities, like signature moves to be used in gameplay, and when viewed through the lens of the Flex mobile companion app, brings the player to life in augmented reality. With the mobile companion app, players can interact with each other, team up, and even reveal secret Flex skills and capabilities--all coalescing to create truly unique gameplay moments. The Flex app is built atop Algorand's open-source and forkless protocol, enabling users to record experiences from their games as unique and immutable moments in a digital ledger. Sequoia Games' mission is to fuse the nostalgia of board games and sports memorabilia with today's tech-savvy fans and modern culture. As the first game product launched, Flex NBA celebrates NBA players as the icons they are, allowing fans to engage with their favorite players in more immersive, multi-dimensional formats, and capitalizing on the still-nascent fervor around simultaneous ownership in both the physical and digital worlds. Sequoia Games is an officially licensed sports gaming company, creating games that seamlessly connect physical and digital experiences. Founder Daniel Choi is a world-ranked CCG gamer and award-winning Fortune 100 regional leader. His advisory team includes Eric Chan, CFO of the Los Angeles Clippers, former NBA veteran and Vice Chairman of the National Basketball Retired Players Association (NBRPA Legends) Jerome Williams, and pro basketball trainer Packie Turner. "Gaming and collectibles have been around for decades. The genre has proven to be extremely lucrative, but I see an opportunity," said Choi. "There is a missing bridge between the old school and the technology that exists today… a bridge that also connects our need to own something physical in a world that is moving too far into the digital. I like to say: you can't drive a digital car to work. We still live in a 3D, real world. At Sequoia Games, we are building those bridges, allowing technology to enhance our lives, increase the valuation of our collectibles, and add more fun. In today's gaming landscape, we either have 1960's board games, or mobile apps and PS5's. There is no reason these worlds need to be separate." The First Mint editions of Flex NBA, which featured limited-release tile artwork and access to special upgrades and badges, have been distributed to Kickstarter supporters, pre-order customers, and fine retailers across the U.S. New orders are being accepted at flexnba.com. Contact: algorand@dittopr.co
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China's Mega Railways: "Your Ticket To The Future"
CHONGQING, China, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A news report from iChongqing: The 6 minutes video brings you to the fancy railway networks in Chongqing, SW. China. Located in Southwest China, Chongqing is one of the world's largest municipalities, with a population of over 20 million in the metropolitan area, which is surely enough to make anyone sit up and take notice. Chongqing's rail network connects millions of daily riders, creating new cities surrounding its stations, which is a typical story on city's development in China. This 3D transportation grid zigzags across Chongqing's mountainous landscape. The masterminds behind these sprawling subway lines have had to deal with mountains, rivers and many challenging terrains. Where large mountains once stood in the way, the people have now pushed through with deep tunnels and high overpasses along the vast landscape. Chongqing has the world's largest monorail equipment manufacturing base. Line 3 is the longest monorail line in the world, with a length of 67.09KM. The most famous mind-boggling monorail route in Chongqing is the world-famous Line 2, and the Liziba Station on Line 2 is an engineering masterpiece, where the monorail passes through a 19-story building. In fact, the building and station were built at the same time. Chongqing's monorails technology no longer requires any outside expertise. It's 95% locally patented. Type AS subway train is also a local feature of Chongqing, which meets the needs of mountain climbing and small turning radius, with a capacity of 2322, some type AS trains have AC/DC dual pantographs, which can match the power supply system of different lines and reach a speed of 140Km/h. In terms of efficiency, Express Train is also the first application in the country, which is able to cross between several specified lines via the interconnection system. Chongqing's rail transit infrastructure is mainly carried out in Chongqing's metropolitan area, The metropolitan area covers an area of 28,700 square kilometers, with a population of 20.27 million and an economic aggregate of 1.8 trillion yuan, constituting the core carrier of Chongqing as a national central city. Chongqing is building an "one-hour commuter circle," which includes suburban railways, intercity railways and national railways, in addition to monorails and subways, totaling more than 6,000 kilometers. Chongqing and China are putting their money where their mouth is and investing billions into the future and its people. Both Chongqing and China recognize the vast advantages of infrastructure investments. (Video link: https://youtu.be/_tEDrpptbug) https://www.ichongqing.info/2021/10/17/chongqings-rail-your-ticket-to-the-future/ Related Links :https://www.ichongqing.info/2021/10/17/chongqings-rail-your-ticket-to-the-future/
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Fosun Sports Group announces new entity to deepen global sports industry footprint
HONG KONG, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 19, 2021, Fosun Sports Group (hereinafter referred to as 'Fosun Sports'), a global pan-sports industry operating group company and subsidiary of Fosun International's happiness segment, announced the formal establishment of Fosun Sports as a holding entity, and the acquisition of core operating assets and management team of Foyo, in games, esports and sports. At the same time, Fosun Sports has received a minority strategic investment from the U.S. finance and technology firm, PEAK6 Investments, which will continue to deepen the global industrial layout around the core business of sports, esports and games in the future. Since Fosun acquired Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club in 2016, Fosun Sports has relied on the group's global resources and built a professional team to operate the club consistently and steadily, which has greatly enhanced Wolves' brand value. In 2018, Wolves won the EFL Championship title and returned to the English Premier League, with 7th placed-finishes in the Premier League for two consecutive seasons and a last-eight finish in the UEFA Europa League. Wolves ranked 19th in the Brand Finance 2020 football club brand value rankings. Meanwhile, Fosun Sports has built a sports-focused platform to offer its community of loyal football and esports fans a unique and innovative range of products (merchandising, sports fashion…) + content (music, mobile gaming, social media) + experience (matches, gaming portal…). Today, Fosun Sports has found its unique path to directly communicate with young audiences and connect with core users. In 2019, Fosun Sports established trendy sports brand WWFC based on the Wolves IP (Intellectual Property) and launched a collaboration series. Through 'Wolves Fashion Night' and 'Wolves Fan Night', Fosun Sports harnessed the combined power of its projects, fully deploying the resources of fashion, trend, and partner brands. Wolves has now been successfully transformed from a traditional soccer brand to a diversified pan-sports lifestyle brand and is known as a practitioner of 'sports + fashion' in the industry. Such IP operation capability also makes Fosun Sports the exclusive authorised partner of CFA (China Football Association) China Team to develop licensed products and create a new 'content + trend + youth' lifestyle brand 'My Home Field'. In addition, Fosun Sport actively entered the esports industry. Since 2018, Wolves has been one of the most active Premier League clubs in esports, with three teams in the UK – FIFA 22, Rocket League and Le Mans/Formula Pro Series sim racing, as well as strong collaborations with other popular esports titles such as Fortnite. From 2019, Fosun Sports has entered the China esports market with the 'Wolves Esports' brand, currently with five divisions including Honor of Kings, QQ Speed, Identity V, Call of Duty Mobile, FIFA Online 4, and has won multiple titles in international and domestic major competitions. Three out of the five squads have won championships in various national or global competitions. The acquisition of Chongqing QGhappy (now renamed as Chongqing Wolves), the Honor of Kings professional league team with six championship titles, in September, was one of the most critical moves by Fosun Sports to connect with young audiences in the esports world, further expanding its esports footprint by entering KPL, the top league of mobile gaming with 100 million daily active users. The addition of a Wolves KPL squad has made the Wolves Esports brand one of the best in Asia. The strategic investor in Fosun Sports, PEAK6, is the owner of North American esports powerhouse Evil Geniuses, a team with a long and decorated history since its foundation in 1999, and the winner of the fifth International DOTA2 Championships (Ti5). Fosun Sports then made a strategic investment into Evil Geniuses in July 2021, building deep cooperation between Wolves and Evil Geniuses, and thus entering the North American esports market. From DOTA2, Honor of Kings, FIFA, Call of Duty Mobile, QQ Speed, Identity V and virtual 24 hours of Le Mans combined with traditional sports, Fosun Sports has advanced in the esports market in China, North America and Europe, achieving 'full coverage' in esports both geographically and in terms of projects. Fosun Sports has reached more than 30 million fans worldwide through its two core businesses of soccer and esports, which brings infinite possibilities for business development to form a global sports ecosystem. Mr. Jeff Shi, Chairman of Fosun Sports, said he was delighted to have PEAK6 join the Fosun Sports family."Our organisations have great synergy, from our mutual desire to challenge conformity, to our openness for collaboration, and of course our shared passion for sports, technology and achieving success through hard work, intelligence and innovation." "We are confident PEAK6 can help bring Fosun Sports and Wolves a wealth of knowledge, wisdom and learning, and support Fosun Sports to become a sports industry group with global influence and much success." Fosun Sports is also one of the key business units of Fosun's happiness segment. After the restructuring, the company will have the opportunity of rapid development with empowerment from Fosun's ecology, and to gain greater synergies through mutual empowerment with other member brands in the Fosun system. About Fosun Sports Fosun Sports Group ("Fosun Sports"), is a subsidiary of Fosun International, an innovation-driven consumer group taking roots in China with a global foothold. Fosun Sports is committed to the operation and development of sports-related industries and owns high-quality IP resources including English Premier League football club Wolves, Wolves Esports, and is also the exclusive licensing partner of the China Football Association's China Team licensed products. At present, Fosun Sports has formed a diversified global sports industry layout with soccer clubs, sports youth training, esports clubs, game distribution, sports IP operation, sports marketing and more. About PEAK6 PEAK6 uses technology to find a better way of doing things. The company's first tech-based solution was developed in 1997 to optimize options trading, and over the past two decades, the same formula has been used across a range of industries, asset classes, and business stages to consistently deliver superior results. Today, PEAK6 seeks transformational opportunities to provide capital and strategic support to entrepreneurs and forward-thinking businesses. PEAK6's core brands include PEAK6 Capital Management, Apex Fintech Solutions, National Flood Services and Evil Geniuses. Related Links :https://www.fosun.com/
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Aker Offshore Wind: Presentation of Q3 2021 Results
OSLO, Norway, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aker Offshore Wind will present third-quarter 2021 results on October 21, 2021. The presentation will be broadcast as a webcast on the following link: https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/hegnarmedia/20211021_7/ Date and time: Thursday, October 21 2021 at CET 09:30 Questions can be submitted throughout the streaming event and the presentation material will be published at 07:00 CEST. CONTACT: For additional information, please contact: Christian Yggeseth, mob: +47 915 10 000, email: christian.yggeseth@akerhorizons.com This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/aker-offshore-wind-as/r/aker-offshore-wind--presentation-of-q3-2021-results,c3435324 The following files are available for download: https://news.cision.com/aker-offshore-wind-as/i/aker-ow-,c2968816 aker-ow-
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LONGi announces "Net-zero Plant" pledge at UN biodiversity conference
KUNMING, China, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LONGi founder and president Li Zhenguo has announced an ambitious pledge to convert the company's Baoshan production base in Yunnan Province into its first "Net-zero Plant" by 2023. The announcement was made at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in Kunming, China and delivery on the pledge will see the beginning of "Net-zero LONGi" and a test field for the company's "Solar for Solar" sustainable development concept. LONGi founder and president Li Zhenguo has announced an ambitious pledge to convert the company’s Baoshan production base in Yunnan Province into its first “Net-zero Plant” by 2023. With the challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss growing, the realization of global sustainable development has reached a crossroads. As the only solar energy company invited to attend the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15), LONGi firmly believes that photovoltaics can change the earth's ecology and contribute to biodiversity protection. "Climate change has an all-round impact on biodiversity, and unreasonable energy development modes represent a key factor leading to climate change and increasing biodiversity issues," said Li, going on to add that LONGi is a staunch supporter of climate action, in the belief that photovoltaics plus energy storage can be a powerful weapon to mitigate climate change. The company has taken the lead in promoting the reduction in cost and increase in efficiency of photovoltaic products, reducing the cost of photovoltaic power generation by more than 90% over the past decade, providing technical support for the achievement of carbon peak and neutrality goals. LONGi launched its "Solar for Solar" concept in December 2018, based on manufacturing photovoltaic products driven by photovoltaic power generation, with the objective of extending the role of PV in ecological restoration. The concept had originated in Yunnan Province, where LONGi was the first PV company to establish a base, going on to play a leading role in the development of the province's new energy industry. In 2020, LONGi successively joined RE100, EV100, EP100 and Scientific Carbon Target (SBTi), becoming the only Chinese solar technology company to join four international initiatives at the same time. The company's Baoshan production base, in effect the first "Net-zero Plant", was also a concrete implementation of the four initiatives, and can be viewed as the starting point for "Net-zero LONGi". Yunnan is the province with the most abundant green energy in China. Installed capacity accounts for 85%, with power generation from green energy reaching 90%, laying a very solid foundation for building a net-zero plant. "We are planning on two years to achieve zero emissions within the operational scope of the LONGi Baoshan base by purchasing green power, energy-saving technological transformation and carbon emission offset measures." Li divided the realization of the "Net- zero Plant" into four steps: Firstly, ensuring that 100% of the Baoshan base utilises green power throughout the year; secondly, completing the production technology transformation of the base's carbon deposition materials to significantly reduce natural gas leakage; thirdly, promoting green production in the base and, finally, purchasing Chinese Certified Emission Reduction (CCER) to offset carbon emissions that cannot be completely eliminated. Li concluded: "LONGi will always be a defender of and contributor to ecological harmony, sparing no effort to achieve net-zero targets, promote global energy transformation and join hands with partners from all walks of life to jointly realize this vision."
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PlayUp live in NJ, enters US's largest sports betting market
Operator gains full regulatory approval for launch into New Jersey SYDNEY, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement granted full operational licensure for PlayUp this week, adding the largest sports betting market in the US to the company's growing list of jurisdictions. PlayUp New Jersey The New Jersey launch comes after PlayUp was granted approval in Colorado, where it has been operational since March. New Jersey quickly became the next priority for the operator who started the arduous process of getting its platform, processes, and procedures approved. PlayUp announced a partnership with the New Jersey Devils at the start of last season in an effort to boost its brand awareness in the state. Dr Laila Mintas, PlayUp US CEO, said "This is a huge milestone for our business. New Jersey doesn't just represent the largest market in terms of revenue for any operator, but it also is an indicator showing the market, both consumers and investors, that we have cleared the most stringent regulatory standards in the world. We have aggressive growth plans for our jurisdictional footprint in 2022 and going into other states with New Jersey approval in our back pocket is a positive sign for other regulators." With its regulatory approval in New Jersey PlayUp can now target customers in a state that has seen huge growth in handle since opening its doors to the sector in 2018. Recently the state announced its August sports wagering handle was $664 million, with nearly $613 million of it coming from online platforms. The August numbers give New Jersey year-to-date handle of $6.13 billion, surpassing what was generated in handle for the entire year in 2020. Mintas said PlayUp is already working on adding an iGaming product offering in New Jersey and hopes to have regulatory approval in the future. The state recently added fixed-odds horse racing and the company is confident that it will be able to parlay its horse racing roots into an appealing product for New Jersey residents. Longtime horseracing industry veteran Dennis Drazin sits on PlayUp's board and is bullish on the future of fixed-odds wagering for the racing sector. Drazin was instrumental in the repeal of PASPA and helped create the legislation in New Jersey that eventually led to the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the law and opening up the sports betting market. Drazin is also a member of the US Sports Betting Hall of Fame. Drazin said, "The future of gaming will be to offer every type of wagering on an app 24/7. Horse racing offers a unique opportunity to offer content on racing around the world. PlayUp intends to enter the fixed-odds wagering market in New Jersey and throughout the U.S. as the market grows." Media Contact:media@playup.com About PlayUp PlayUp is a next generation entertainment and technology group that enriches the lives of people through entertaining, rewarding and responsible online betting. The company develops innovative betting technologies in-house to power brands and deliver world-class user experiences. PlayUp's energies are focused on fulfilling the needs of dedicated and passionate users who seek a deeper connection to the games they play. PlayUp unifies the world's favourite online betting products including Fixed Odds Sports Betting, Fixed-Odds Racing (Horses and Greyhounds), Esports and Daily Fantasy Sports (DFS) where it host Australia's largest and indeed some of the globe's largest prize pools in competitive peer-to-peer online betting. The company holds online betting licenses in multiple jurisdictions and currently operates in Australia, New Zealand, India and in the US.
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Club Wyndham Resorts Deliver Sustainable Stays
GOLD COAST, Australia, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Twenty-three Club Wyndham South Pacific resorts across Australia, New Zealand and Fiji have rolled out a raft of sustainable initiatives while enhancing guest and club member stays. From a digital in-room experience to sustainable bamboo room keys, green practices have been prioritised across the resort portfolio. Barry Robinson, President and Managing Director, International Operations, Wyndham Destinations is leading the charge to place a sustainable lens across every touchpoint of a Club Wyndham South Pacific resort stay. "From Port Douglas in Australia to Wanaka in New Zealand, our resorts are located in some of the most beautiful destinations on Earth. We are proud to help preserve the environments in which we operate for future generations through the implementation of sustainable practices," said Mr Robinson. Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific has accomplished the following green initiatives across its Club Wyndham, Ramada by Wyndham and Wyndham branded resorts, which it manages in the region: Sustainable bamboo cards are replacing plastic hotel room keys Elimination of the majority of plastic and paper collateral with a digital in-room experience 81% reduction on paper consumption at corporate offices with employees encouraged to go paperless Replacement of plastic biros at resorts and corporate offices with sustainable wheat straw pens Removal of plastic packaging on orders of USBs and biros Bulk amenities in 100% recycled containers will soon replace small single-use amenity bottles for soap, shampoo, conditioner etc. in guest rooms and club apartments Usage of bio cutlery and packaging across food and beverage outlets Implementation of energy-efficient lighting across the resort network Replacement of plastic straws with eco-friendly straws across the resort portfolio Holding of litter 'clean up' events annually across the network Composting at multiple resorts and corporate canteen Establishing vegetable and herb gardens at multiple resorts No balloons used at events or celebrations across resort portfolio e-signature technology for a paperless contracting process Monthly monitoring, recording, and optimising of energy and water Furniture recycling program in place with every resort refurbishment Grey water harvesting and irrigation at Club Wyndham Seven Mile Beach, Tasmania Replacement of petrol buggies with e-carts at Ramada by Wyndham Phillip Island Use of free-range eggs at resorts in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji Sustainably sourced suppliers An in-room video will soon educate guests and club members on sustainable travel With many resorts feeling the impacts of lockdowns and border closures, the company has been making the most of any forced downtime by implementing enhanced customer experiences such as a host of free resort activities. Amplifying its sustainable and eco-friendly practices has been another project the business has undertaken during this time. "There has never been a greater interest in sustainable travel among our guests and club members, and we are pleased with how we have continuously evolved our resort and club experiences to meet the demand. We will continue to look for ways to challenge outdated thinking and welcome sustainable innovation across our resort collection," said Mr Robinson. Club Wyndham South Pacific is a vacation ownership brand in the portfolio of Wyndham Destinations, the world's largest vacation ownership and exchange company. Club Wyndham South Pacific owners have access to 52 resorts across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Hawaii, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan and Europe. Club Wyndham South Pacific offers a range of accommodation options from studios to self-contained one, two and three-bedroom apartments with large kitchens and open living spaces, right through to four-bedroom presidential suites. Wyndham Destinations is part of Travel + Leisure Co. (NYSE:TNL), the world's leading membership and leisure travel company. The company's Asia Pacific sustainable efforts align with the targets of Travel + Leisure Co. which recently published its 2020-2021 Social Responsibility Report detailing the company's targeted strategy to make a positive impact on the world in four social responsibility focus areas: inclusion and diversity, environmental sustainability, philanthropy, and ethics and human rights. ABOUT CLUB WYNDHAM Club Wyndham® is the flagship vacation ownership brand in the Wyndham Destinations portfolio, the world's largest vacation ownership and exchange company. From the busy streets of the Sydney to the calming shores of Bali, Club Wyndham South Pacific owners have access to 52 resorts to unlock new cities, new experiences and new destinations. Club Wyndham South Pacific lets travellers spark their sense of adventure with a range of accommodation options from studios to self-contained one, two and three-bedroom apartments with large kitchens and open living spaces, right through to four-bedroom presidential suites. Wander across town, across the country or across the ocean – no matter what's on your travel bucket list, Club Wyndham South Pacific offers the chance to live it. ABOUT WYNDHAM DESTINATIONS ASIA PACIFIC Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific is the largest timeshare development operation outside of North America. The company markets and sells vacation ownership interests and provides consumer financing to vacation owners in Club Wyndham South Pacific. The Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific team also provides support for affiliate Wyndham Destinations International Limited, responsible for the development of Club Wyndham Asia and Innovative Holiday Club by Club Wyndham. With a wealth of hospitality expertise, Wyndham Destinations Asia Pacific is a development partner of choice. Its management subsidiaries oversee a collection of approx. 75 hotels and resorts across the region, some of which are mixed-use developments where Wyndham Destinations holds an owning interest. Extending across Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand, Indonesia, Japan, Hawaii and Europe, the company's managed portfolio includes resorts branded under the globally renowned Wyndham Grand, Wyndham, Wyndham Garden, Ramada by Wyndham and Days Inn by Wyndham brands.
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The most Design-Forward Light Boxes in Singapore MRT Stations Are from Taiwan
TAIPEI, Oct. 19, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Tourism Bureau, MOTC, has designated 2021 as the "Year of Cycling Tourism," creating cycling tours with both international appeals and local Taiwanese features to attract international visitors to get to know Taiwan through a more in-depth and sustainable way. Taiwan Design Research Institute (TDRI) cooperates with Singapore MRT to launch in stations one design of light box per quarter starting this April, introducing a total of three different Taiwan designs throughout the year to introduce to citizens of Singapore the beauty of Taiwan through the eye of design. Taiwan’s 2021 the Year of Cycling Tourism Promotion Light Boxes in Singapore are Designed by Designer Chen Hsin-Yu of bdc Internationally, Taiwanese bicycle brands, "Giant" and "Merida," are the most well-known, and their market shares occupy the top two positions as well. Also, there are cycling paths throughout Taiwan, from the northern, central, southern, and eastern regions, to even outlying islands; the paths weave through mountains, coastal areas, and countryside, and the splendid cycling paths make people think of Taiwan whenever cycling is mentioned. Following the "Year of the Small Town Tourism" in 2019 and "Year of the Mountain Tourism" in 2020, the Tourism Bureau has designated 2021 as the "Year of Cycling Tourism." Focusing on cycling tours, the bureau has selected and planned cycling tours with rich cultural features of Taiwan. In addition to attracting local citizens to go outdoors, the bureau also hopes that foreign visitors in Taiwan can savor Taiwan's local culture and customs in detail through a more in-depth method, while also showing the world Taiwan's determination to achieving sustainability. For the carefully-planned cycling tours to be seen by the world, TDRI cooperates with Singapore MRT, inviting Taiwanese design team, bdc, to launch in stations one design of Taiwan design light box per quarter starting this April, introducing a total of three different designs throughout the year to attract global tourists to visit Taiwan through quality image design of Taiwan. The design themes of these three light boxes are based on the concepts of three types of travel: parent-child tour, group travel with friends, and individual travel; the three different types of travel are paired with three most suitable cycling routes—Taitung Mahengheng Boulevard to Chenggong Route, East Rift Valley Route, and Sun Moon Lake Route. The overall design style features minimal hand-drawings combined with the vibrancy of the orange sunlight scattering on earth, blue clear sky and vast coastline, and magnificent green mountains and the idea of environmental sustainability. The three colors blend together to present the exciting features of the three most unique cycling routes of Taiwan. Currently, the three light boxes have been successively installed in Singapore MRT stations, and the attractive designs have been well-received by the citizens. Not only have they introduced Taiwan's beauty to the world, the light boxes have also demonstrated the high-quality design power of Taiwan.
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Wavemaker × Zhihu: Ten Thousand Makers Walked a Curious Route
SHANGHAI, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 16-17, Maker Faire Shanghai – one of the most popular Maker Movement's global conventions made its second landing on the Bund. As the strategic partners of the Faire, leading media agency Wavemaker and China's largest online Q&A community Zhihu, together with One Planet Nature Foundation, unfurled their own path on the otherwise unassuming Yuanmingyuan Road pedestrian walk. With two highly participatory performance artwork, the Partners invited every curious adult and child to question and answer, reflecting on the now and envisioning the future, creating together a Curious Route, and a one-of-a-kind Answer Wall comprised of bricolages about their takes on the future. The hundred-meter Curious Route on the hundred-year-old pedestrian walk. Photograph: Wavemaker CN. This performance artwork is about questioning and answering. The questions transformed participants' individual curiosity to the future onto the hundred-meter Route in traditional Chinese calligraphy. The answers were woven into distinctive artworks, every one a most resounding response to the future. The questions written on the Route all came from the crowd with a diverse background. Photograph: Wavemaker CN. On and off the Route, thousands of future-makers offered their own thoughts on the topic in recorded interviews and casual chats, fusing their questions into the hundred-meter walk and, on the far end of it, coalescing their hopes and wishes into unique DIY bricolages, collectively showcasing a future full of creativeness. This participatory future-making reawakened the crowd's curiosity toward tomorrow's unknown, at the same time giving it generous space to be expressed and heeded. Such inventive, diverse, and sustainability-conscious imaginations boldly zoomed out the confines of an unsurprising now, refocusing instead on the unseen end of the temporal horizon. The Answer Wall, the final exhibition to inspire thinking about the future, was created from young people and children’s on-site imaginations. Photograph: Wavemaker CN. During the abrupt weekend chillness, flanked by a dazzling array of exhibitors that mostly focused on cutting-edge technology demo or workshop, the refreshing sight of Wavemaker and Zhihu brought a warmer and more undiluted side to tomorrow's storywriting. Every participant their own protagonist, their gathering soon became a welcoming oasis in the very heart of a vast clockwork urban rhythm. The Curious Route is, in effect, just a prelude to Our Questions to the Future—a tribute to those who believe in and look forward to a more diverse, inclusive, and sustainable future. Committed to rediscovering the irrepressible curiosity adults once had as children as well as protecting and encouraging every child's hope for tomorrow, the participatory social innovation project brought an intimate, curious, and insightful adventure to right under the tens of thousands weekend merry seekers, writing a promising foreword to the colossal endeavor of making a better future. In the next chapters of the project, Wavemaker and Zhihu will publish an Our Questions to the Future book by the end of 2021, continue sharing more questions from partners who are on different walks of life. Around the same time, a Q&A forum will be launched on Zhihu.com, where the Partners will continue to invite questions of varying magnitude, engaging the public to stay focused on a future on our living breathing planet.
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The 2021 Global Travel Agents Conference invites the world to visit Hubei
WUHAN, China, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Trip.com Group, a leading online travel service provider, organised the 2021 Global Travel Agents Conference hosted by the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism in Wuhan, China. At the conference, representatives from 15 global travel businesses signed strategic cooperation agreements to expand and facilitate the promotion of Hubei Province. The 2021 Global Travel Agents Conference aims to promote the high-quality development of Hubei as a culture and tourism hub, and focus on building a cooperation platform for domestic and international tourism enterprises through expert exchanges and business negotiations. Hosted by the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism, and organised by Trip.com Group, the theme was "Let the World See Hubei - Let Hubei Go Global". More than 300 representatives from world-renowned travel agents, business leaders, and academics attended the conference. The conference facilitated communication and exchange among industry players and strengthened cooperation in the tourism industry. Representatives from across the travel industry shared their ideas to position Hubei as a high-quality tourism destination, and how to transition the destination into a world-class tourism destination. Trip.com Group released an action plan and launched the "Trip.com Group Research Institute: Yangtze River Centre" to actively position Hubei as a world-class tourism destination. The centre will focus on marketing platform innovation, tourism projects, industry innovation research, and in-depth cooperation with key enterprises to attract domestic and international customers to Hubei province. The centre will boost the quality development of the cultural tourism industry and enhance the position of Hubei attracting domestic and international customers. Trip.com Group will use its platform resources to increase the promotion of Hubei's cultural tourism products and promote the destination through their partner flagship store Star Hub. A platform that transforms partners' roles from suppliers to marketers and operators, with a common goal of providing more travelling opportunities to the app users through content, user engagement and products unique to the business needs. Trip.com platform will play a leading role in positioning the destination through multilingual tourism products, and enhance exposure via livestream promotions to increase coverage to international travellers. Bo Sun, Chief Marketing Officer of Trip.com Group, at the Global Travel Agents Conference in Wuhan, Hebei "Trip.com Group will continue to help expand partners marketing capabilities through Star Hub, multilingual tourism products and enhance destinations reach via livestream promotions. At the same time, through the cooperation of the government and enterprises, Trip.com Group will help accelerate Hubei Province and support rural revitalization by developing local resources, and carry out training for rural cultural tourism practitioners," said Bo Sun, Chief Marketing Officer of Trip.com Group. "Hubei is a leading domestic destination for travellers and we are delighted to collaborate with the Hubei Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism to promote Hubei to the world." Hubei has vigorous tourism development momentum, and deserves the attention of global travellers. After the National Day Golden Week holiday, it was reported that Hubei province received 63.77 million visitors, and achieved a combined tourism income of 35.2 billion RMB, a record high income compared to the same period in 2019. With sturdy domestic travel recovery in mainland china, Wuhan is proving a popular destination among domestic travellers. The latest National Day holiday statistics, released by Trip.com Group, lists Wuhan in the Top 10 most popular destinations. As an important strategic partner, Trip.com Group will build an exchange and cooperation platform to provide assistance to develop cultural tourism in Hubei Province through rural revitalization. Trip.com Group has created a rural tourism model to help rural destinations incubate tourism talents by developing local resources and carrying out training for rural cultural tourism practitioners. Hubei Provincial Department of Tourism will continue to benefit from Trip.com Group, a leading international online travel services provider and their fast-growing global network. About Trip.com Group Trip.com Group is a leading global travel service provider comprising of Trip.com, Ctrip, Skyscanner, and Qunar. Across its platforms, Trip.com Group helps travellers around the world make informed and cost-effective bookings for travel products and services, and enables partners to connect their offerings with users through the aggregation of comprehensive travel-related content and resources, and an advanced transaction platform consisting of apps, websites and 24/7 customer service centers. Founded in 1999 and listed on NASDAQ in 2003 and HKEX in 2021, Trip.com Group has become one of the best-known travel groups in the world, with the mission "to pursue the perfect trip for a better world". Find out more about Trip.com Group here: group.trip.com Follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTubeRelated Links :https://www.trip.com/newsroom/
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St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Plans To Double Its Global Resort Portfolio Over The Next Five Years By Debuting In The World's Most Glamorous Destina
Iconic Luxury Brand to Usher in a New Era of Enchantment in the World's Most Exquisite Leisure Locales in Bermuda, Mexico, Morocco, Aruba, China, the Dominican Republic, Oman and QatarHONG KONG, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Solidifying St. Regis Hotels & Resorts' position as a leader in luxury, the iconic brand expects to expand its existing portfolio of 15 curated resorts with plans to debut eleven new enchanted escapes by 2025 in some of the world's most coveted leisure destinations, including locales most desired by the next generation of luxury travelers within the Caribbean, North America, North Africa, Middle East and Asia Pacific. St. Regis has 49 open hotels and resorts today, with 29 hotels and resorts in its pipeline, representing expected growth of nearly 60 percent over the next five years in both urban and leisure destination. L-R: Skyline Ocean View Room from the newly debuted St. Regis Qingdao; rendering of The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl Qatar and rendering of The St. Regis Marrakech Resort "This is a pivotal moment for St. Regis as we expect to nearly double our existing resort portfolio by 2025. Our resorts offer a leisure experience inspired by the glamorous private retreats of St. Regis' founding family, the Astors, and we cannot wait to bring the brand's spirit of invention and cherished traditions to some of the world's most beguiling destinations," said George Fleck, Vice President and Global Brand Leader for St. Regis Hotels & Resorts. "From Los Cabos to Sanya, and Marrakech to the Riviera Maya, we are thoughtfully expanding the brand while marking a commitment to providing extraordinary resort experiences in the places where we know global luminaries want to travel." These highly anticipated new resorts will introduce the brand's visionary spirit, avant-garde style and bespoke service in some of the most dynamic and compelling markets across the globe. Expanding its footprint in Mexico, St. Regis is expected to debut The St. Regis Kanai Resort in 2022 and The St. Regis Los Cabos Resort in 2023. Located in the captivating Mayan Riviera, The St. Regis Kanai Resort will feature a sophisticated design that boasts breathtaking ocean views from every vantage point, with plans that call for 124 guest rooms and suites, as well as 32 exclusive villas with private pools. The striking St. Regis Los Cabos Resort will be located on 33 pristine acres in Quivira, Los Cabos, featuring 1,200 ft. of panoramic coastal views. The resort is expected to offer 120 rooms and 60 residences, as well as a spa, golf course, beach club and three distinctive dining experiences. In the Middle East, the brand plans to grow its presence in Qatar with the expected early 2022 opening of The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl, which will feature architecture influenced by the distinct Andalusian and Arabesque style and offer stunning views of the Arabian Gulf. With a continued focus on the Caribbean in the coming years, in 2024 St. Regis is expected to debut in Aruba with The St. Regis Aruba Palm Beach Resort, as well as in the Dominican Republic with the highly anticipated opening of The St. Regis Cap Cana Resort. The brand also anticipates celebrating its entry into Oman in 2024 with The St. Regis Al Mouj Resort in Muscat. Additionally, St. Regis is expected to open a property in Africa, with the debut of The St. Regis Marrakech Resort slated for 2025. St. Regis' existing resort portfolio touches all corners of the globe, ranging from Bal Harbour to Bora Bora and Aspen to Abu Dhabi. Most recently, in May 2021, The St. Regis Bermuda Resort opened its doors in the historic town of St. George's. Just steps from the soft white sands of St. Catherine's Beach, the resort boasts 120 elegant guestrooms including 29 exquisite suites and an ultra-luxury residential development offering two- and three-bedroom residences. Each guestroom is designed to bring the outdoors in, with custom furnishings, marble bathrooms and a private balcony with breathtaking ocean views. Guests are able to enjoy unparalleled leisure and wellness facilities, including the historic Five Forts Golf Course, St. Regis Spa and state of the art cuisine. The St. Regis Qingdao debuted in August 2021 and features 233 guest rooms designed to pay homage to the destination and welcomes guests to enjoy one of China's most beautiful coastal cities. Travelers can experience winding cobbled streets and heritage German architecture, or they can relax at one of the beaches nestled against the Yellow Sea. Additionally, The St. Regis Bahia Beach Resort in Puerto Rico recently reopened following a $60 million renovation inclusive of the resort's 139 guestrooms and suites, seaside pool and esplanade, and the spa. Note on Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of United States federal securities laws, including expected hotel openings; brand debuts in certain markets; our growth pipeline and future expansion; and similar statements concerning anticipated future events and expectations that are not historical facts. We caution you that these statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous evolving risks and uncertainties that we may not be able to accurately predict or assess, including those we identify below and other risk factors that we identify in our U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or Annual Report on Form 10-K. Risks that could affect forward-looking statements in this press release include the duration and scope of COVID-19, including the availability and distribution of effective vaccines or treatments; the pandemic's short and longer-term impact on the demand for travel, transient and group business, and levels of consumer confidence; actions governments, businesses and individuals have taken or may take in response to the pandemic, including limiting, banning, or cautioning against travel and/or in-person gatherings or imposing occupancy or other restrictions on lodging or other facilities; the impact of the pandemic and actions taken in response to the pandemic on global and regional economies, travel, and economic activity, including the duration and magnitude of COVID-19's impact on unemployment rates and consumer discretionary spending; the ability of our owners and franchisees to successfully navigate the impacts of the pandemic; the pace of recovery when the pandemic subsides and any dislocations in recovery as a result of resurgences of the pandemic; general economic uncertainty in key global markets and a worsening of global economic conditions or low levels of economic growth; the effects of steps we and our property owners and franchisees have taken and may continue to take to reduce operating costs and/or enhance certain health and cleanliness protocols at our hotels; the impacts of our employee furloughs and reduced work week schedules, our voluntary transition program and our other restructuring activities; competitive conditions in the lodging industry and in the labor market; relationships with customers and property owners; and the availability of capital to finance hotel growth and refurbishment. Any of these factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations we express or imply in this press release. We make these forward-looking statements as of the date of this press release and undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About St. Regis Hotels & Resorts Combining timeless glamour with a vanguard spirit, St. Regis Hotels & Resorts, part of Marriott International, Inc., is committed to delivering exquisite experiences at nearly 50 luxury hotels and resorts in the best addresses around the world. Beginning with the debut of The St. Regis hotel in New York by John Jacob Astor IV at the dawn of the twentieth century, the brand has remained committed to an uncompromising level of bespoke and anticipatory service for all of its guests, delivered flawlessly by the signature St. Regis Butler Service. For more information and new openings, visit stregis.com or follow Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. St. Regis is proud to participate in Marriott Bonvoy, the global travel program from Marriott International. The program offers members an extraordinary portfolio of global brands, exclusive experiences on Marriott Bonvoy Moments and unparalleled benefits including free nights and Elite status recognition. To enroll for free or for more information about the program, visit MarriottBonvoy.marriott.com. About Marriott International Marriott International, Inc. (NASDAQ: MAR) is based in Bethesda, Maryland, USA, and encompasses a portfolio of roughly 7,800 properties under 30 leading brands spanning 138 countries and territories. Marriott operates and franchises hotels and licenses vacation ownership resorts all around the world. The company offers Marriott Bonvoy®, its highly-awarded travel program. For more information, please visit our website at www.marriott.com, and for the latest company news, visit www.marriottnewscenter.com. In addition, connect with us on Facebook and @MarriottIntl on Twitter and Instagram. Related Links :http://www.marriott.com
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Fun and unique adventures in the Philippines that you can experience in a day
MANILA, Philippines, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Philippines is home to lovely beaches and picturesque mountain vistas but the city life is another attraction the travellers can enjoy. The cities of the Philippines offer fun and unique activities that can be toured in a single day, with a cosmopolitan vibe that is complemented perfectly by the warmth of the Filipino hospitality. Fort Santiago As the world prepares to open up, The Philippines Department of Tourism is readying its urban destinations for a fun city tour that highlights interesting destinations to showcase modern Filipino culture that has historical influences. Aside from preparing new travel products through initiatives like food mapping, it is developing "green corridors." These will link destinations through tourism clusters that will offer the best of the regions while maintaining biodiversity and improving environmental quality, protecting and promoting heritage and culture, and supporting the economic activities of the communities. Infrastructure gateways such as road linkages and direct flights to tourist destinations such as Cebu, Davao, Bohol, Puerto Princesa, and the new world-class Clark International Airport have also been readied for the reopening of borders. With more activities and more access to adventures in the different cities in the country, there are definitely more reasons to visit the Philippines. Here are some cities to visit for your next urban explorations. Vibrant Manila The capital city of the Philippines is alive with sights and sounds of urban life at its busiest. It is also a contrast of the old and the new, with a mix of skyscrapers and heritage houses, and cars share the road with colourful jeepneys and horse-drawn calesas. One tourist stop should be the Walled City of Intramuros, built by the Spanish colonizers 500 years ago. Its stone ramparts are still intact, along with the other defences such as its moats and cannons that protected the fort from both natural disasters and invaders. Visit the Casa Manila Museum to get a feel of life during the Spanish era and take a walking tour to the centuries-old churches Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church to appreciate their architecture. Fort Santiago holds historic significance as the prison where the Philippine National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal was held before his execution in Bagumbayan. Other structures to check out nearby are the Manila Central Post Office, a neoclassical building that has been declared as an Important Cultural Property by the National Museum, the Cultural Center of the Philippines which is home to world-class performances by Filipino artists. Immerse yourself in art at the National Museum of the Philippines that houses the country's largest and perhaps most iconic painting, the Spoliarium by Juan Luna, the National Museum of Natural History that showcases Philippine flora and fauna, and the National Museum of Anthropology which houses artifacts from the ancient Filipino cultures. To catch these sights from a different point of view, travelers can also take a boat ride along the rehabilitated Pasig River that takes its passengers through 12 stations with photo opportunities of the different bridges and roads along the way. For more water fun, a cruise on the Manila Bay to catch its beautiful sunset reflecting off the water should be on the itinerary. Souvenir shopping is fun in Manila, with several must-visit sites for handcrafted and unique items. The Greenhills Shopping Center in San Juan is known for its stalls that sell a sundry of South Sea Pearl jewelry. For other native items, one can shop around at the Balikbayan Handicraft Center and Go Lokal Store in Makati City for textiles, food items, and other products made by artisans in the provinces and those looking for Filipino-style home furnishings can browse through the stalls of Tiendesitas in Pasig City. Adventurous Ilocos Up North, Ilocandia is vibrant with local color and culture. Amid the modern developments of the city are agricultural and historical sites and natural attractions that will awaken any traveler's spirit of adventure. The largest dragonfruit farm in Burgos Ilocos Norte is an agri-tourist attraction that showcases how farming is a viable a livelihood source in the province. While the term Bahay na Bato or house made of stone is used in many places of the Philippines to denote the homes of the upper class during the Spanish times. The Bahay na Bato in the Ilocos region has a distinct architectural style, using bricks up to the second levels of the house. One such example is the Juan Luna Shrine in Badoc, the ancestral home of the Spoliarium painter and his brother, Antonio who is known for his exploits during the Philippine- American War. For attractions that bring travellers closer to nature, there's the Kapurpurawan Rock Formation that juts out magnificently against the sky with limestone that was carved through time by wind and waves. This wind is harnessed by the turbines at the Bangui Wind Farm, where a line of windmills pose an impressive sight as well as supply power to the province. The Paoay Sand Dunes are perfect for those looking for an adrenaline rush, with activities such as sandboarding and thrilling 4x4 rides. Another impressive site is the Poro Point Lighthouse in La Union, the original structure, no longer in use, was lit by a kerosene lamp. A modern lighthouse that uses solar energy now stands guard near a cliff that overlooks a beautiful coastline. Cool Baguio City The cool mountain climate of Baguio and the warmth of the local communities make this destination an ideal place for relaxed sightseeing. Among the places to visit to get a feel for the local Cordilleran culture is the Tam-Awan Village, which showcases the art and life of the upland tribes through their dwellings and their traditional crafts and rituals. The Bencab Museum of National Artist Ben Cabrera in Tuba, Benguet combines modern art with traditional tribal pieces in its galleries. While Baguio's Burnham and Wright parks are perfect for a cool stroll, the Mines View Park offers a breathtaking view as it overlooks the mountainous area of Itogon and its abandoned mines. Here, tourists can also have photos taken with locals in their native attire, or shop for silver souvenir items. Benguet Province is also known for its fresh produce, and the Strawberry Farms in La Trinidad offer a pick-and pay experience, and the chance to try strawberry flavoured products such as wine and taho or silken tofu flavoured with strawberry syrup. The Baguio Public Market is a delight for those looking to buy fresh produce and souvenirs to take back home. Among the items on sale are strawberry preserves, highland coffee, handwoven rugs and wood carvings. Beautiful Bohol Bohol beckons with its natural wonders and infinite adventures. The Danao Adventure Park is an eco-tourism escape that is a favorite tourist spot for its sea of clouds that greet each morning and the exciting activities such as rappelling, wall-climbing, bungee-jumping, ziplining, and riding on a sky bike. Take a ride through the Bilar Manmade forest and marvel at the tall mahogany trees that offer shade, sanctuary and serenity. For a sweet side trip, tour the Bohol Bee Farm and try out its homemade organic ice cream with flavors like coconut, nipa fruit and avocado. Try a memorable meal that comes with music and scenic views: book a Loboc River Cruise, where travellers can eat with their hands while being serenaded by local musicians as you enjoy the natural scenery along the jade green waters. Dynamic Cebu Cebu Province is a cultural center with a rich heritage as the first landing point of Ferdinand Magellan's expedition and a focal point of the first circumnavigation of the world. There are new circuits being developed to highlight the Cebuano attractions such as the Kulinarya sa Norte Culinary Tour that runs through the towns of Catmon-Tabogon- Bogo City-San Remegio and the Southern Cebu Jubilee Churches Tour which takes travelers on a historic pilgrimage that begins at the Sto. Niño Basilica where the image of the Child Jesus that was gifted by Magellan to Rajah Humabon's wife Reyna Juana on the occasion of her baptism into the Christian faith. Other churches on the circuit are the centuries-old structures in the towns of Argao, Dalaguete, Boljoon, and Barili. Safe city travels More fun awaits in the Philippines as the Department of Tourism (DOT) highlights these regional tourist sites that are accessible through city travel. The destinations serve to highlight the country's rich culture among the abundance of nature. The Department is likewise strengthening its safety standards and protocols across different channels to ensure a safe visit to the country. The DOT has been awarded a SafeTravels Stamp by the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) in recognition of its adoption of "health and hygiene global standardized protocols" that will ensure safe travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, conducts thorough inspection and assessment, to ensure that only those who are accredited are allowed to open and receive guests. The Philippine government through its Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) is constantly updating its protocols to safeguard Filipinos and foreign nationals who are traveling to the Philippines. To learn more about the Philippines' new and exciting adventures, as well as safety and travel updates, visit www.morefunawaits.com, and https://wisatafilipina.com/ (for Indonesia), https://www.facebook.com/philippinetourismvietnam (for Vietnam), and https://www.facebook.com/PhilippineTourismThailand (for Thailand) or download the Travel Philippines app at the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. For photos: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16cllTYuoosTaMIAH_2ReHY027KVc5NlY?usp=sharing
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The 33rd Li Bai Poetry Festival Ceremony was successfully held in Ma'anshan City
MA'ANSHAN, China, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 13, the 33rd Li Bai Poetry Festival opened at the Jiangtun Bay Square of Riverside Park in Ma'anshan City, which has become a shining city culture card, according to the Publicity Department of Ma'anshan City. The 33rd Li Bai Poetry Festival Li Bai Poetry Festival firstly attached great importance to a principle line of "culture of Yangtze River", and focused on the indissoluble relationship between the poet Li Bai and Ma'anshan City. This festival included a variety of recreational activities such as artistic performances, Yangtze River Culture Forum, national poetry collection, etc., which fully demonstrated the unique status and special charm of Ma'anshan City in the "Yangtze River culture". Image Attachments Links: Link: http://asianetnews.net/view-attachment?attach-id=404278 Caption: The 33rd Li Bai Poetry Festival
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New Look of the Ancient Trail: promotional video of the South China Historical Trail debuted at the Times Square
NEW YORK, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The promotional video introducing the South China Historical Trail made its debut at the Times Square, New York, on October 17, the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty and the Chinese National Poverty Relief Day. Stretching roads, ancient wells, tea fields, guest houses, Cantonese cuisine, sports events and various other elements of the Cantonese culture will be presented in the video released by the Department of Natural Resources of Guangdong Province, showing the then and now of this historical trail and offering a taste of the Cantonese history and culture. This video features ecosystem, mobilization of resources, and targeted poverty alleviation alongside the South China Historical Trail. Through introducing the green elements of culture, sports, tourism and agriculture, it advocates the idea of "Lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets," and reveals to the world the great success of Guangdong in rural poverty alleviation. The South China Historical Trail dates back to the Qin Dynasty (221 BC to 207 BC). It used to be a major route for ancient Chinese people to travel and trade between the Central Plains and the Lingnan region in the south of the Five Ridges, and it is an extension of the maritime silk road to the inland. Guandong has completed the restoration of a backbone network of the South China Historical Trail, covering 18 roads of 1,200km across 18 municipal cities and 31 counties (including county-level cities and districts). Among the 18 roads, the Conghua Trail, the Zhuhai-Zhongshan Trail, the Mount Luofu Trail in Huizhou and the Gaotan Trail are distributed within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. Sports and cultural events held on these ancients routes have attracted an increasing number of youngsters from the local region, bonding the Greater Bay Area together and stimulating its development. Within Guangdong, the South China Historical Trail passes 21 municipal cities, involving a vast area of less-developed countryside. The province connects 98 villages in poverty (as verified at the province level) and 104 featured villages with country roads, and sorted out 250 destinations of culture and humanity interests, forming a museum of nature and history which is always open. By throwing events of sports, cultural retention and creativity, the villages become icons of resource utilization and cultural heritage one after another, and some precious yet disappearing traditions are discovered and protected. The local communities have been able to build a quality tourist route and extend it into multiple featured routes later. Farmers alongside the trail are encouraged to apply for national geography trademarks for their agricultural products, and infrastructure has been improved. Through resources mobilization and targeted poverty alleviation, the South China Historical Trail has driven a strong momentum into the rural revitalization and added a growth pole to Guangdong.
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UPowr, WWF call on the PM to unblock Australia's destiny as Renewable Energy Superpower
SYDNEY, Oct. 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On Oct 31, all eyes will be on Glasgow for COP26, the most significant climate conference since the series' inception. All of us at UPowr ultimately work to drive the electrification of 'dirty energy' systems, and help accelerate the world beyond net zero emissions. That's why we're proud to be a WWF Renewables Nation Business Champion. We've joined WWF-Australia and over other 100 Australian businesses calling on the Australian Government to harness the unique opportunities Australia has to become a world-leading renewable energy export superpower. Together, we're issuing a collective open letter to the Prime Minister, Minister Dan Tehan and Minister Angus Taylor, to demonstrate the demand from the Australian business community to see our federal government act on climate through a concerted effort to unblock Australia's global renewable energy opportunity. COP26 could be a history-defining moment for Australia, and a legacy moment for our Prime Minister - if only he could see the opportunity. We want the Australian Government to step up at COP26 and announce the vision, policies and investment we need to position ourselves as a world-leading renewable energy exporter. The greatest innovation challenge of our time is also Australia's greatest opportunity The first solar cell was invented here, in Australia. Now, it's our opportunity to lead the way. A range of research has strongly suggested that investing in the renewable energy export opportunity could grow Australia's economy by up to $333 Billion per year, creating hundreds of thousands of new local jobs -- especially in regional areas. Australian startups like UPowr are building the software to enable renewable and climate tech industries to flourish. We see the opportunity clearly, and we know how our business, the technology, energy and financial sectors will benefit directly from a strong and supported focus on renewable energy. That's why we support WWF-Australia in calling on our leaders to make Australia the world's leading exporter of renewable energy by 2030. We encourage other Australian businesses to join us. About UPowr: UPowr is an Australian climate tech startup with a mission to help drive electrification and accelerate the global transition to an electrified energy system. We enable businesses to accelerate a world beyond net zero with our built-for-purpose software, making it easy to design, deploy and manage clean energy systems at scale.
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The Tao of Chinese Calligraphy is the Way to the Whole World
Exhibition at Zhejiang Art Museum "From Inception: Wang Dongling 60 Years of Calligraphy"HANGZHOU, China, Oct. 16, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The exhibition "From Inception: Wang Dongling 60 Years of Calligraphy" opens at the Zhejiang Art Museum on October 16, 2021. This exhibition focuses on China Academy of Art's professor, Wang Dongling's 60-year exploration of calligraphy art, from traditional calligraphy to other styles such as Chaos-Writing (Entangled Calligraphy), Big Writing, Silver Gelatin Calligraphy, Calligraphy on Bamboo Stalks, Calligraphy using immersive virtual reality, and so on. The long span of time covered by the exhibits, the diversity of styles, the depth of academic research, and the novelty of media experimentation are unprecedented not only in Wang Dongling's solo exhibition history, but also in Chinese calligraphy exhibition history. For a calligraphy artist with six decades' experience, Wang Dongling always remains open-minded to emerging media technologies. In his view, a conversation with new technologies is a conversation with the future. In October 2015, Tim Cook, CEO of Apple Inc., came to Hangzhou and paid a visit to Wang Dongling to learn Chinese calligraphy from him. The event led to a heated discussion by people from all walks of life, domestically and internationally. Earlier in 2013, Wang Dongling cooperated with the renowned new media artist Jeffrey Shaw on "Big Writing." In 2020, during the global rage of Covid-19, he was invited by American director Peter Sellars to participate in the trans-disciplinary art project titled "This body is so impermanent…" Wang Dongling has been conducting extensive and in-depth calligraphy experiments since the 1990s. He never regards calligraphy as a kind of legacy, but promotes the open, experimental potential of calligraphy so that calligraphy, as an ancient art form, can become a member of the contemporary art world. In Exhibition Hall No. 4 of Zhejiang Art Museum , named "Fantasy Land of Calligraphy," is a world of colored glaze illuminated by both lights and colors: from abstract ink paintings to silver gelatin calligraphy, to the use of materials like stainless steel mirror and clear acrylic, and to the numerous representations through new media such as iPad calligraphy and motion capture digital art. In Exhibition Hall No. 5, named "Scholar's Snow Cave," the small-sized works in Regular Script and big-sized works in Cursive Script encompass calligraphy genres such as album leaves, scrolls, tablet inscriptions, screens, etc. Created with deliberate, meticulous laws and discipline as well as a grandiose, peculiar beauty, these works express the artist's profound immersion and training in the calligraphy tradition and gesture toward bold possibilities for innovation. The hanging scrolls in four scripts in Exhibition Hall No.6 showcase the six decades' creative journey of Wang Dongling. The newly created "Big Writing" installation in commemoration of the 2,500th anniversary of Confucius' passing represents the contours of the journey of Confucius. The shift from Cursive Script of profound traditional depth to Entangled Calligraphy is also a response to the artist's personal life journey. Wang Dongling discussed teaching foreign students and the enlightenment that resulted from it: "In 1981, I taught calligraphy to foreign students. Foreign students inspired me to look at calligraphy in new ways and to consider how people outside of our circle view art. My usual calligraphy practice had become too constrained and monotonous for me. I believe that new ideas should be developed to strengthen and broaden the artistic expression of calligraphy. After a conversation with a bearded Colombian student in 1983, I began "secretly" practicing modern calligraphy. "Powerful and Unconstrained (Tian Ma Xing Kong)" was my first modern calligraphy piece. I had a starting point to broaden my calligraphy skills from then on." In the 1990s, he personally taught at the University of Minnesota and numerous other higher institutions and actively participated in overseas academic activities on contemporary art. He said, "I've taught calligraphy at several universities in the United States, Germany, and Japan. I've taught foreign students pen and ink skills in Chinese calligraphy, but I don't want them to become "Chinese calligraphers" who can imitate classical works of famous writers such as Yan Zhenqing well. Instead, I want them to be able to wield this most basic and traditional artistic language of China once they've mastered and internalized it, so that their creativity can flourish and enrich their own artistic creation". When discussing his experience teaching calligraphy in the United States, he stressed that "some Westerners write calligraphy not to write Chinese characters, but to draw abstract images, and they learn calligraphy not to be a Chinese calligrapher, but to learn art techniques and inspiration from calligraphy to create other art. I began to realize that calligraphy is not only a dialogue with tradition, but also with the global civilization. It is not only about a dialogue with contemporary art but also with digital technology. " Since the new century, he personally initiated the project titled "Big Characters Travel the World," a plan to construct writing scenes of Chinese calligraphy at the most important art institutions around the globe, promoting academic communication between calligraphy and international art circle. In his view, Chinese calligraphers must proactively and confidently enter onto the scenes of international art for mutual illumination and inspiration in cross-cultural exchange. It is only by "manifesting the common through differences" that calligraphy can return to its true origin in cultural dialogues and make due contributions to the culture of humanity as a whole. As a result, calligraphy must transcend "the controversy between east and west." His works are represented in the collections of the National Art Museum of China, the Palace Museum (Taipei), Peking University, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Library and Archives Canada, The Art Institute of Chicago, the Vancouver Art Gallery, as well as in universities such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Berkeley. President of the China Academy of Art, Gao Shiming said, "How do we revitalize the unique intellectual genealogy of Chinese calligraphy in the spirit of cosmopolitan sharing? How can we make calligraphy an always sustainable and open cause? With his indefatigable efforts and constant experiments during the last six decades, Wang Dongling provides us with a meaningful example. For sixty years, he has been tirelessly exploring within the great tradition of Chinese calligraphy and constantly searching for inspirations across the grand horizon of world art. Through the dialectics of "Writing•Non-writing" he returns to the vital fountainhead of calligraphy and opens up its creative space. For calligraphy, he has a grand vision: to revitalize the great tradition of calligraphy for contemporary audiences, to spread the Tao of calligraphy in Chinese civilization to the whole world. For himself, he has a firm position: to remain indifferent to praises and condemnations, favors and shames, to live as he wishes, to do justice to this life."
