China warned its citizens against travel to the Philippines on Friday, and Chinese tour groups halted visits to the South East Asian neighbor. There is fear of violence against Chinese tourists amid protests and rising tensions over a maritime territorial dispute.
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Tibet Travel Coop, a Tibetan-run organization promoted to sustainable and responsible tourism, now offers homestays in Kham and Amdo for university students and adventure travelers. The homestays also feature volunteer opportunities designed to benefit local communities and foster cultural understanding.
Lhasa, Tibet (PRWEB) May 11, 2012
Tibet Travel Coop, a Tibetan-run organization promoted to sustainable and responsible tourism, now offers homestays in Kham and Amdo for university students and adventure travelers. The homestays also feature volunteer opportunities designed to benefit local communities and foster cultural understanding.
Because the Chinese government does not permit foreigners to stay with families in the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR), Tibet Travel Coop arranges homestays in the Tibetan regions of Amdo and Kham, which are located outside the TAR in the Chinese provinces of Sichuan, Yunnan, Gansu and Qinghai. These lesser-known areas don’t require permits, so foreigners have more freedom to travel, explore and discover the local culture.
Homestay trips support local families and offer a unique cultural immersion experience for travelers. The focus of Tibet Travel Coop’s tourism is on community and service, not pre-packaged tours. Guides and homestay families are local Tibetans recruited and trained by the Coop to host western travelers. Part of Tibet Travel Coop’s mission is to enable rural Tibetans to gain skills and knowledge that will help them earn money and sustain their livelihoods.
Travelers stay with Tibetan families in their homes, and participate in daily activities such as working in the fields, herding yaks, preparing meals, helping children with their homework, and assisting in family chores. Tibet Travel Coop can also arrange volunteer projects related to health, education, environment and community-led initiatives. In the past, professional groups have offered medical care, dental work, and health education. Students and scholars can also take this opportunity to practice or learn local dialects.
Tibet Travel Coop works with universities, travel companies, and private groups to offer customized itineraries based on their interests and needs. Most travelers prefer to stay for 1-2 weeks in one community composed of several small villages. In addition to the volunteer work these areas also offer hiking, horse trekking, monastery visits, and visits to nomad camps.
Homestay trips can be arranged year-round. The most popular months to travel are April to November, but a growing number of people are also taking winter trips. The winter experience is very different from summer, as there are fewer tourists and more cultural festivals, including Losar (Tibetan New Year) and Monlam, the Great Prayer Festival.
Tibet Travel Coop is a collection of local Tibetan travel agencies and guides working together to promote authentic travel experiences while contributing to the sustainability of host communities and their culture.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/5/prweb9494657.htm
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Celtics and 76ers advance, Nuggets stay alive
2012-05-11T054250Z_3_BRE84A04D_RTROPTC_0_US-NBA-PLAYOFFS.XML ()
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NBAs “Birdman Andersens home raided by Denver-area
police
Advertisements placed by big online retailers started appearing on eBays view item pages yesterday – to a mixed reaction from sellers.
The ads are prominently placed on item information pages, which seller have to pay an insertion fee for in order to promote their goods on eBay.
Initially, these were used by eBay for house advertisements for its own products and services, but as of yesterday they now include ads from Virgin for its broadband service, and, in the case of the baby goods pages, an ad offering a discount off Cow amp; Gate products.
eBay has recruited a digital ad sales house to handle selling the ads to major companies, and a spokesperson for the company said there was no intention to compete with sellers, but instead to bring additional value to the View Item page. She added that eBay had taken time and care in selecting the brands and ensuring a seamless, non-disruptive customer experience.
Article Added: 02/05/2012 10:59:00
Icelandic travel agency Nordic Visitor eliminates the guesswork for visitors to Iceland with its new online travel guide, packed with details about top attractions by region and practical local advice about what to pack, how to drive on Icelandic roads and other tips for a carefree vacation.
Reykjavik, Iceland (PRWEB) April 28, 2012
Mention the word Iceland and most people think of quirky pop stars, snowy landscapes or volcanoes with difficult names. But isnt there more that a savvy traveler should know about this increasingly popular tourist destination?
Icelandic travel agency Nordic Visitor certainly thinks so, which is why they recently launched their own Iceland Travel Guide on their website, not just to help customers prepare for upcoming vacations but also to show would-be visitors the incredible possibilities that Iceland has to offer.
Travelers can now find detailed descriptions about each of the countrys unique regions as well as interesting attractions as selected by the companys own local travel experts. The travel guide also calms anxieties of first-time guests with practical information about Iceland like how to get there and-perhaps most importantly-what to expect with the weather and how to dress accordingly.
As for those interested in a road trip on the famous Ring Road, there are also plenty of handy tips about driving in Iceland along with information about rental cars and other extras included in a Nordic Visitor self-drive package, such as detailed road maps, free GPS, unlimited mileage, emergency assistance and more. Customers also receive a Highlights of Iceland booklet, a convenient hard copy version of the online travel guide.
Iceland has emerged as a travel hotspot in recent years, thanks in large part to its weakened currency, the Krna (ISK), and from earning top marks from major travel publications, including Lonely Planet, Fodors and National Geographic Traveler. The country is often cited as an ideal destination for travelers who want a good value and an off-the-beaten path experience.
Nordic Visitor offers a wide range of vacation packages in Iceland, with varying routes, durations and services. Accommodation is always included, and any itinerary can be tailored to customers wishes, such as extra nights or activities. Packages in Iceland can also be combined with tours in Scandinavia, Greenland, Svalbard or the Faroe Islands.
For more information about vacation packages in Iceland or other Nordic destinations, please visit www.nordicvisitor.com.
About Nordic Visitor: With offices in Iceland and Sweden, Nordic Visitor is a fully-licensed travel agency and DMC that delivers unforgettable travel experiences in the Nordic countries. Staffed exclusively by local travel experts, Nordic Visitor specializes in tailor-made itineraries that cater to customers needs and interests. Vacation packages include self-drive holidays, city breaks, luxury getaways, honeymoons, adventure tours, fjord cruises, railway journeys and much more.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prwebnordic-visitor/iceland-travel-guide/prweb9436050.htm
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Huge crowd expected at Seaus memorial in San Diego
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May 11, 2012 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ –
HotelPlanner.com, the number one online group travel company, CEO, Tim Hentschel will be speaking on a group travel panel addressing hotel owners from around the world gathering in Las Vegas for an annual convention. Tim Hentschel will be speaking about the growing importance of the online group travel market for hotel owners and management. Some exciting trends in the group travel industry that he will be addressing are:
Online group leads are up through HotelPlanner.com 120% YOY.
Top 5 domestic US group travel markets are shifting order of importance as corporate group travel rebounds. Top 5 group destinations are Las Vegas, Orlando, New York, Chicago, and Anaheim.
Corporate group travel is up 30%, YOY while leisure group travel demand holds steady.
Group hotel rates climb by on average 6% nationwide and over 18% in key markets from a rebound in corporate group travel.
Customizing group contracting terms by group market segments; leisure vs. corporate.
HotelPlanner.com is the leading provider of online services to a global group hotel sales market. Currently, HotelPlanner’s system processes over 30,000 group hotel booking requests per month completely online with assistance from regional planners all around the world with over 10 years of hospitality experience.
CONTACT: Emily Pierce, 1-888-300-3647, ext. 210, emily.pierce@hotelplanner.com
SOURCE HotelPlanner.com
Copyright (C) 2012 PR Newswire. All rights reserved
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In celebration of National Nurses Week, Aureus Medical, a national medical staffing leader, shares its list of the top qualities of a successful travel nurse. National Nurses Week is recognized annually, May 6-12.
Omaha, NE (PRWEB) May 10, 2012
In recognition of National Nurses Week, Aureus Medical Group (web: aureusmedical.com), a nationwide leader in healthcare staffing, highlights what it takes for RNs to have successful healthcare careers in travel nursing. National Nurses Week is celebrated annually, May 6-12.
Whether a nurse is looking to make a shift in her established career in healthcare of if she has only been working as an RN for a few years, travel nursing is a career option that blends her chosen field with the opportunity to work assignments in locations across the country. Nurses cite the ability to broaden their skills, experience a variety of cultures, and meet new people as key benefits to travel nursing.
Those who are the most successful in their travel nursing careers share common traits:
Flexibility:
A travel nurse should be flexible in the sense of being open to working in different locations and during various shifts. While nurses are able to choose their location, they may not always land their first choice of shifts at the hospital or clinic. Nurses may also be asked to rotate shifts during the assignment. The role of a travel nurse is to help a facility thats understaffed fill the gaps and the more flexible she can be, the better.
Able to adapt quickly:
The very best travel nurses are those who can hit the ground running and begin contributing immediately. Its possible that when starting a new assignment, the hospital or clinic may lack the time to provide a full orientation on the first day, instead relying on a travel nurses skills, qualifications, and her ability to jump right in. A career in travel nursing may be ideal for those who are fast learners and who can adapt quickly to new surroundings and to new people.
Positive attitude:
Everyone gets a little down now and then, but the more a travel nurse is able to maintain a positive attitude, the happier she and her patients will be while on assignment. Each assignment brings new challenges, successes and experiences. Embrace them and strive to approach others in a caring manner.
Good clinical skills:
Because a travel nurse will wear many different hats while working on location, having solid and diverse clinical skills is very important. Travel nurses also pick up many new skills with every assignment they take. Looking forward to expanding the resume will make for a more well-rounded nurse.
Travel nurses are valuable assets to the hospitals and clinics to which they are assigned, enabling facilities to provide continuity of care. Those with strong skills, positive mindsets, and who are able to adapt and fit right in can best position themselves for success in the travel nursing field.
ABOUT AUREUS MEDICAL GROUP:
Aureus Medical Group is a national leader in healthcare staffing specializing in the successful placement of Nursing, Advanced Practice, Cardiopulmonary, Diagnostic Imaging, Medical Laboratory, Neurodiagnostics, Radiation Oncology, and Rehabilitation Therapy professionals, as well as Physicians, in hospitals and medical facilities nationwide. With more than 25 years of experience, Aureus Medical offers a full range of staffing options, including national contract (travel), local contract, and direct hire. Aureus Medical is the largest division of Omaha-based Camp;A Industries, a leading provider of human capital management solutions for more than 40 years.
For the original version on PRWeb visit: www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2012/5/prweb9496501.htm
A new dating site promises to link high-rolling globetrotters with pretty women who want to travel the world for free.
Miss Travel pairs attractive women with generous jetsetters who hate to go on trips alone and are willing to foot the bill for a companion.
Critics say the site is no more than a front for prostitution — a charge the sites founder vehemently denies. Gawker calls it the #1 prosti-travel website, and while reactions on Twitter were mixed, user @Kgigr asked, I really want to know how miss travel isnt selling yourself for an all-paid trip?
As he pulled his black sports car out of the Berto Center parking lot Friday afternoon, a weary Joakim Noah said he felt lost after the Bulls unexpected first-round exit.
Whenever he finds himself, Noah plans a busy summer.
I have to strengthen my ankles, said Noah, who missed the final three games with a sprained left ankle. Ive had too many ankle injuries throughout the years. Its frustrating because I worked hard to keep my body right. The ankle injury was unfortunate. Going full speed like that and landing on somebodys foot, that couldve happened to anybody. But its frustrating.
Noah has missed seven regular-season and three postseason games with sprained ankles over his five seasons. He confirmed he likely wouldve missed Game 7 had there been one Saturday.
Im always going to be optimistic, and I always want to play, Noah said. But I couldnt even finish my warm-up. And thats only warm-up. You have to go contest guys like (Andre) Iguodala at the rim. You have to be able to make plays.
Its not a question of just being able to go out there. You have to be productive. Otherwise, it hurts the team.
Noah said he still plans to play for France in the London Olympics.
Im gunning for it, Noah said. Im hoping Ill be healthy and able to play.
Give him a hand: Luol Deng, who tore a ligament in his left wrist Jan. 21, is proud he played through the pain.
Honestly, my whole career, its the toughest thing Ive done, Deng said Thursday in Philadelphia. Im glad I did it. I really hope in the long run its going to make me a better player. I learned a lot to be able to do that. We had the best record and we were going into the playoffs with the best team. I wanted to be part of it.
Coach Tom Thibodeau lauded Deng, who will play for Britain in the London Olympics and decide on surgery when that commitment ends.
Hes given us everything that he has, so I have a lot of respect for that, Thibodeau said. Even though his scoring dipped a little bit, he improved from last year. His all-around game was terrific.
Layups: Teammates defended Omer Asik, who missed two critical free throws and fouled Iguodala to set up the winning free throws in Game 6. Asik was so distraught, he declined to comment Thursday night and Friday. Without O, were not in that game, Carlos Boozer said. … Brian Scalabrine, a popular former Celtic, said Comcast SportsNet New England hired him to do pregame and postgame studio analysis for the Celtics-76ers series. … Part of the team meeting Friday consisted of how to split playoff shares. The Bulls received roughly $1.4 million for posting the leagues and Eastern Conferences best record and making the first round.
kcjohnson@tribune.com
Twitter @kcjhoop