Visa facilitation can create five million jobs in G20 economies

According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) and the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), visa facilitation is central to stimulating economic growth and job creation through tourism. Preliminary findings show that 656 million tourists visited G20 countries in 2011, with 110 million of them needing a visa. Millions more were deterred from travelling due to the cost, waiting time, and difficulty of obtaining a visa.

Great strides have been made in the past decades to facilitate tourist travel, but there are still important areas of opportunity. There are many possibilities for maximizing use of information and communication technologies in improving visa procedures. Improving the delivery of information and instituting eVisa programs are more examples of measures that can be taken to create jobs and encourage tourist travel.

The UNWTO estimates that over 5 million jobs in the G20 economies could be created by facilitating visas for these tourists. An additional $206 billion in tourism receipts could be generated by 2015. Clearly, this presents a great opportunity that many are looking to capitalize on. One such person is UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai, who had this to say: “Small steps towards visa facilitation can result in big economic benefits. By facilitating visas, the G20 countries stand to gain five million jobs at a time of rampant unemployment across the world. These are in addition to the hundreds of millions of direct and indirect jobs already being supported every day by the sector.”

This latest report has brought to light the extent of this opportunity that has presented itself. It is simply too big of an opportunity to be ignored any longer. It will be interesting to see if the Governments of G20 countries will look into enhancing visa facilitation in support of job creation. Let’s hope so.

February 7th is National Fettuccini Alfredo Day!

Today, on this glorious 7^th day of February, we commemorate the invention of the world famous Fettuccine Alfredo dish. I am willing to bet that most of you did not even know that we had a national Fettuccine Alfredo Day. But lo and behold, February 7^th of every year is deemed the day to celebrate this wonderful dish.

Italian restaurateur Alfredo di Lelio created Fettuccini Alfredo in 1914 to help his wife regain her appetite after the birth of their first son. Its popularity in the USA stems from Hollywood stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks returning to the States after dining at Di Lelio’s restaurant on their honeymoon. Upon their return, they spread the word like wildfire about this new incredible dish. Before we knew it, Fettuccini Alfredo became one of the most popular dishes in America and remains so to this day.

Celebrate the legacy of Alfredo di Lelio and his creation by heading to your favorite Italian restaurant tonight and enjoying this dish. Or even better, if you are feeling more adventurous, prepare your own version at home and enjoy with friends and family. With all your newly acquired knowledge about the dish, you will assuredly liven up the party with all these fun facts!

 

Here is a quick and easy recipe from Giada De Laurentiis:

 

 

Ingredients

• 18 ounces fresh fettuccine
• 2 1/2 cups heavy cream
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 12 tablespoons unsalted butter

• 2 cups grated Parmesan
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon zest
• Pinch freshly grated nutmeg
• Salt and freshly ground white pepper

Directions

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 4 minutes. Drain.Stir 2 cups of the cream and the lemon juice in a heavy large skillet to blend. Add the butter and cook over medium heat just until the butter melts, stirring occasionally, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

 

Add the pasta and toss. Add the remaining 1/2 cup of cream, and Parmesan to the cream sauce in the skillet. Add the lemon zest, nutmeg, salt, and white pepper. Toss the pasta mixture over low heat until the sauce thickens slightly, about 1 minute.

American Airlines to fly large Embraer Regional Jets

Those of you who fly regional routes on American Airlines will soon be able to fly on bigger regional jets. American Airlines has reached a deal with Republic Airways to establish a fleet or larger regional jets.

The fleet will include 53 Embraer E175 jets to replace the old CRJ’s. The new aircraft will feature a two-class configuration, with 12 seats in first class and 64 seats in coach. It will also include American’s premium-economy Main Cabin Extra seats with extra legroom.  

This is very good news for American Airline customers. These jets are much more comfortable and spacious than the cramped spaces in the tiny CRJ’s. The new jets are also much more fuel efficient, which is of vital importance for airlines trying to cut costs.

I am looking forward to the day when all other airlines follow suit and upgrade to the bigger jets for short haul regional routes. Be on the lookout for the new jets to be phased into operation beginning mid-2013.

Super Bowl XLVII is upon us!

After Sunday’s conference championship games, we now have our two teams set for Super Bowl XLVII. The San Francisco 49ers will battle the Baltimore Ravens in this year’s Super Bowl in New Orleans. Now that the two teams playing have been determined, their legions of fans can now begin to make travel arrangements to participate in the festivities.

If you are one of the thousands looking to make the trip to the Big Easy, you better get on making your arrangements ASAP. With the limited number of vacancies, hotel rooms will be hard to come across, and they will come at a hefty premium.

Hotel rates in New Orleans have gone up by an average of 304% during Super Bowl weekend. Although hotel availability is limited, there are some exciting options for the diehard fan. Take the Bud Light Hotel, for example. Bud Light will transform a 200-room downtown New Orleans hotel into the ultimate fan experience, and will be home to some of the hottest parties and events during Super Bowl weekend. An adjacent parking lot is even being converted to a 34,000 square foot concert tent.

This is just one example of the many unique experiences that can be had in New Orleans during Super Bowl weekend. With the big game less than 2 weeks away, time is running out to make travel arrangements.

With such limited availabilities, POTHOS can help ease your mind and let you focus on the festivities and not all the travel hassles. For travel arrangements for your Super Bowl getaway, please contact travel@pothos.us.

British businessman killed in Honduras during robbery

Earlier this week, a 33 year old British businessman was shot dead while on vacation in Honduras. The man was taking pictures in Trejo, a small town outside of San Pedro Sula, when a group of men surrounded him and robbed him of his camera. The man was then shot dead as he ran away from his attackers.

This tragedy is just one instance of the ongoing violence that is prevalent in not only Honduras, but much of Central America. Honduras is no stranger to this type of violence. The Central American nation currently has the world’s highest murder rate with 87 killings per 100,000 people, according to the United Nations.

I hate to admit it but this is hardly surprising to me.  Two years ago, when in El Salvador, we were told that we should not travel alone as there are gangs that will identify you as a tourist, surround you (quietly) and rob you at knife point. If you don’t give your items, they will literally stab you in the stomach and leave you for dead.

This is very unfortunate as Central America is home to some of the most stunning landscapes, amazing cultures, and abundant wildlife. It is a shame that such a beautiful region can be plagued by such a rampant gang culture. This is not to scare you into never visiting Central America. This is simply a warning to proceed with great caution and to be aware of the dangers while travelling through Central America.

American Eagle pilot arrested after failing blood-alcohol test

An American Eagle pilot was arrested last week at the Minneapolis airport after failing a blood-alcohol test. The pilot was conducting pre-flight checks around 6:30 AM when airport police boarded the New York City bound aircraft. The officers boarded after a witness tipped them off, saying they smelled alcohol on the pilots breath.

The pilot was taken into custody after failing the breathalyzer test. The pilot has been suspended pending an investigation. The flight was delayed 2 ½ hours while a replacement pilot was arranged. This all occurred before any passengers had boarded the NYC bound flight.

The pilot was taken to a local hospital to have a blood sample taken for testing. The legal BAC limit in Minnesota is .04 for pilots. Although this is a much stricter limit than someone travelling on the road, I was left scratching my head. Call me crazy, but shouldn’t there be absolutely no trace of alcohol in a pilot’s system?

Las Vegas Air to launch in 2013

With all of the airline consolidation going on, I have been counting down the days until new entrants appear, offering new service angles. It seems like I won’t have to wait much longer. Las Vegas Air appears to be on track to launch sometime in 2013.

The airline is promising all of the Vegas thrills, including planes equipped with full reclining luxury beds in first class and a shower/changing room. Club Class will include a Circle bar, 3D surround sound, and translucent bulk heads. Every flight will also include an online and private network gaming experience.

LV Air looks to bring some much needed competition to the established carriers with its creative and innovative ideas. LV Air has been contacted by many celebrities who wish to be associated with its youthful, high tech, and luxurious brand image. Expect to see LV Air hitting the market with an intense social media campaign sometime in early 2013.