Mes: octubre 2020

First blockchain-based EVGI Standard tackles energy and climate challenges by enabling a decentralized, electrified mobility future

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — The Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative (MOBI)’s member-led Electric Vehicle Grid Integration (EVGI) Working Group created and launched the automotive industry’s first global standard incorporating blockchain technology into a decentralized vehicle charging system.

The EVGI Working Group released its first technical design specification, which covers the system designs and data schemas required for three core use case areas: Vehicle to Grid Integration (V2G), Tokenized Carbon Credits (TCC), and Peer to Peer (P2P) applications.  While MOBI’s EVGI Standard does not prescribe any particular application or underlying distributed ledger technology (DLT), it ensures that pertinent data attributes and functionalities of each use case are available for organizations to utilize in creating their own applications.

«Implementing the EVGI Standard will provide a variety of benefits for players on all sides of the electric vehicle and charging ecosystem,» said Tram Vo, MOBI’s COO and Founder. «Electric vehicles, chargers, and electricity producers can have a secure identity, communicate with a standard messaging format, and automatically record transactions such as charging, generation, and exchange on a distributed ledger.»

Created by a group of global automotive leaders, startups, and large technology companies, the EVGI Standard is a foundational step toward solving some of the most pressing climate and mobility challenges. MOBI’s EVGI Working Group is chaired by Honda and General Motors (GM), with support from Accenture, CPChain, IBM, the IOTA Foundation, Pacific Gas & Electric Company (PG&E), Politecnico di Torino, and R3.

«Today’s energy markets are undergoing a massive transition from centralized power generation in big power plants, towards more distributed and volatile power generation. Decentralization and the concept of direct P2P interaction is set to become a key factor in leveraging this new market and building meaningful tools for energy-conscious end customers. The goal is to enable scalable, user-centric energy communities. The EVGI Standard represents one of the first essential building blocks for founding such an ecosystem,» said Christian Köbel, Senior Project Engineer at Honda R&D Europe.

MOBI’s EVGI Standard enables a set of core network data services that will provide significant value to EV owners, charging infrastructure and grid operators by enabling secure, decentralized communication and immutable recordkeeping between data generating peers.  This supports data transparency, trust, coordination, and automation among mobility service providers, consumers, utilities, and government stakeholders.

«Bringing together organizations from all sectors of the mobility industry to align on what the future of electric vehicles and their interaction with the grid looks like is no small feat. The work done by MOBI and the EVGI working group is a promising step, laying a strong foundation for the intersecting industries to align around and build on to accelerate the future of sustainable mobility and energy,» said Mathew Yarger, Head of Mobility and Automotive at the IOTA Foundation.

In addition to the working group, formal verification experts thoroughly reviewed the EVGI Standard, assuring developers that their implementations adhere to the best practices in cyber security. MOBI hopes that applications enabled by this Standard will ultimately help lower carbon emissions, improve road safety, reduce traffic congestion, and support a host of other socially and environmentally beneficial outcomes.

About MOBI

MOBI is a nonprofit alliance of many of the world’s largest automakers, along with many startups, NGOs, transit agencies, insurers, toll road providers, smart city leaders, and technology companies working to accelerate adoption and promote standards in blockchain, distributed ledgers, and related technologies.

MOBI is creating simple blockchain-based standards to identify cars, people, and businesses in order to securely exchange and monetize data, and pay for mobility services, with the goal of making transportation more efficient, affordable, greener, safer, and less congested.  MOBI itself is technology and ledger agnostic.  For additional information about joining MOBI, please reach out to Griffin Haskins (griffin@dlt.mobi) or visit www.dlt.mobi.

Media Contact:
Kelly Clark, MOBI Communications Manager
Email: Kelly@dlt.mobi | Twitter: @dlt.mobi

BANGKOK, Thailand, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas wakes to news that its portfolio of luxury properties around the world has been recognized with a total of 22 accolades in the 2020 Condé Nast Traveler US and UK Readers’ Choice Awards. The magazines represent the most prestigious and highly respected ranking of hotels, as voted for by their discerning readers who classified a selection of Anantara’s luxury portfolio among the best in the world.

At the top of these great results, four resorts have been named in the overall Best Resorts in the World, with Anantara Chiang Mai Resort in Thailand achieving #4, Naladhu Private Island Maldives #5, Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara in the UAE #29 and Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar in Oman #50, cementing an excellent overall result and placing these properties among the most inspirational, trusted and loved hotels in the world.

This year, as part of the travel industry’s most prestigious annual awards, more than 715,000 Condé Nast Traveler readers submitted an incredible number of responses rating their travel experiences across the globe. «The results of this year’s survey, conducted at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, are a testament to the lasting power of meaningful travel experience,» said Jesse Ashlock, U.S. Editor of Condé Nast Traveler. «The winners represent the best of the best for our audience and offer plenty of trip-planning inspiration for all the adventures we can’t wait to have next.»

Dillip Rajakarier, CEO Minor Hotels, the parent company of Anantara Hotels & Resorts, also commented, «We are honored to see the number of Anantara properties included in the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards grow alongside our expanding portfolio of iconic properties around the world. To see the team’s efforts recognized by the readers of Condé Nast Traveler inspires us to push the industry to new heights.»

Anantara properties in the brand’s home country of Thailand enjoyed stunning results from North to South. Anantara Chiang Mai Resort was named #1 in the Top 20 Resorts in Thailand category, followed closely by #3 Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort, #5 Anantara Hua Hin Resort, #14 Anantara Layan Phuket Resort, #16 Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort, #19 Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas. Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel was awarded #6 Top Hotel in Bangkok.

In the wider Asia category, Anantara Angkor Resort in Cambodia was awarded #10 in Top 20 Resorts in Asia, with Sri Lankan property Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort in #12. In the Indonesia category, Anantara was also recognized scooping #8 for Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort and #13 Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort.

All three Anantara properties in the Maldives were recognized in the Top 30 Indian Ocean Resorts category; #7 Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort, #16 Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas and #26 Anantara Veli Resort Maldives.

In the Middle East, Anantara properties continue to be voted as some of the leading resorts in the region, with Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara named #1 Resort in the Middle East for the third consecutive year. Anantara properties counted for six of the Top 10 Middle East Resorts, with #2 Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar, #5 Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, #7 Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, #9 Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort and #10 Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resort.

In Portugal and Zambia, Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort was ranked #21 Top Resort in Europe whilst The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara came in at #24 Top Resort in Africa.

The accolades also included Anantara sister properties in the Maldives, with Naladhu Private Island Maldives being voted #2 and Niyama Private Islands Maldives #18, both in the Top Resorts in The Indian Ocean.

Full rankings are as follows:

BEST RESORTS IN THE WORLD
#4 Anantara Chiang Mai Resort, Thailand
#5 Naladhu Private Island Maldives
#29 Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, United Arab Emirates
#50 Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Oman

TOP 20 RESORTS IN THAILAND
#1 Anantara Chiang Mai Resort                        
#3 Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort    
#5 Anantara Hua Hin Resort    
#14 Anantara Layan Phuket Resort
#16 Anantara Riverside Bangkok Resort                
#19 Anantara Mai Khao Phuket Villas                    

TOP 10 HOTELS IN BANGKOK
#6 Anantara Siam Bangkok Hotel

TOP 20 RESORTS IN ASIA
#10 Anantara Angkor Resort, Cambodia                                                                
#12 Anantara Peace Haven Tangalle Resort, Sri Lanka

TOP 20 RESORTS IN INDONESIA
#8 Anantara Uluwatu Bali Resort
#13 Anantara Seminyak Bali Resort

TOP 30 RESORTS IN INDIAN OCEAN
#2 Naladhu Private Island
#7 Anantara Dhigu Maldives Resort
#16 Anantara Kihavah Maldives Villas
#18 Niyama Private Islands
#26 Anantara Veli Maldives Resort

TOP 10 RESORTS IN MIDDLE EAST
#1 Qasr Al Sarab Desert Resort by Anantara, United Arab Emirates
#2 Anantara Al Jabal Al Akhdar Resort, Oman
#5 Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, Qatar
#7 Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara, Oman
#9 Anantara The Palm Dubai Resort, United Arab Emirates
#10 Anantara Sir Bani Yas Island Resorts, United Arab Emirates

TOP 30 HOTELS IN AFRICA
#24 The Royal Livingstone Victoria Falls Zambia Hotel by Anantara

TOP 30 RESORTS IN EUROPE
#21 Anantara Vilamoura Algarve Resort, Portugal

-ends-

Editor’s Notes:

Anantara is a luxury hospitality brand for modern travelers, connecting them to genuine places, people and stories through personal experiences, and providing heartfelt hospitality in the world’s most exciting destinations. The collection of distinct, thoughtfully designed luxury hotels and resorts provides a window through which to journey into invigorating new territory, curating personal travel experiences.

From cosmopolitan cities to desert sands to lush islands, Anantara connects travelers to the indigenous, grounds them in authentic luxury, and hosts them with passionate expertise. The portfolio currently boasts over 40 stunning hotels and resorts located in Thailand, the Maldives, Indonesia, Vietnam, China, Cambodia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Mauritius, Mozambique, Zambia, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Tunisia, Portugal and Spain, with a pipeline of future properties across Asia, the Middle East, Africa and Europe.

For more information on Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas, please visit http://www.anantara.com.

Follow us on Facebook: @anantara; Twitter and Instagram: @anantara_hotels

For media inquiries, please contact:

Jessica Bradford         
2BPR Inc.                
Email: jessica@2bprinc.com             
Tel: (626) 379-2381

 

SOURCE Anantara Hotels, Resorts & Spas

SEATTLE, Oct. 6, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Seabourn, the ultra-luxury resort at sea, announced today that it will cancel upcoming 2020 and 2021 voyages for three cruise ships in its fleet into Spring 2021.  

The announcement applies to Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Ovation, and Seabourn Encore. Specific details are as follows:

• Seabourn Odyssey: with its operations pause effective through January 15, 2021.
• Seabourn Ovation: with its operations pause effective through April 18, 2021.
• Seabourn Encore: with its operations pause effective through May 28, 2021.

The decision to cancel additional voyages is a proactive action to deal with the circumstances continuing to evolve from the global response to the COVID-19 situation.

«Our highest priorities are compliance, environmental protection and the health, safety and well-being of our guests, crew and the people in destinations we visit,» said Josh Leibowitz, president of Seabourn. «We know our past guests and travelers are eager to travel when the time is right and that time is on the horizon, so I would encourage anyone to look at their calendar and start planning a trip today to let the excitement build.»

Guests with impacted cruises will automatically be cancelled and all guests will receive Bonus Future Cruise Credits. They can also request a full refund of monies paid to Seabourn. Specific details are as follows:

• Paid in Full: those guests paid in full will receive 125% Future Cruise Credit of the base cruise fare paid to Seabourn. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.  
• Under Deposit: those guests with bookings under deposit will receive a Future Cruise Credit valued at 125% of the deposit amount paid. Guests can also request a full refund of the monies paid to Seabourn.   

The Future Cruise Credit is valid for 12 months from the date of issue and may be used to book sailings departing through Dec. 31, 2022. The amount of non-cruise fare purchases may be transferred to a new booking. Alternatively, guests may request a refund of the monies paid to Seabourn, which will be reimbursed to the original form of payment.  

Guests and their travel advisors will be sent specific details applicable to their booking. Seabourn asks guests and travel advisors to use the online resources available on its website first rather than calling the Reservation Call Center for information about the cancellations due to the possibility of high call volumes and the potential of long on-hold wait times.

For reservations or more information about Seabourn, please contact Seabourn at 1-800-929-9391 or visit www.seabourn.com.

About Seabourn:

Ultra-luxury Seabourn currently operates a fleet of five modern ships and is a proud member of World’s Leading Cruise Lines. The exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, AIDA, P&O Cruises UK, and P&O Cruises Australia. Seabourn is a brand of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL and NYSE: CUK). Seabourn is the official cruise partner of UNESCO World Heritage under a multi-year agreement to help promote sustainable tourism at World Heritage sites around the world.

Find Seabourn on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest.

Notes to Editors:

Seabourn is consistently ranked among the world’s top travel choices by professional critics and the discerning readers of prestigious travel publications such as Departures, Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler.  Its stylish, distinctive cruising vacations are renowned for:

• Intimate ships with a private club atmosphere
• Intuitive, personalized service provided by staff passionate about exceeding guests expectations
• Curated voyages to all seven continents delivering award-winning experiences
• All ocean-front suites, luxuriously appointed
• Complimentary premium spirits and fine wines available on board at all times
• Welcome Champagne and complimentary in-suite bar stocked with your preferences
• Tipping is neither required, nor expected
• Finest resort at sea that is masterfully designed 
• World-class dining, further enhanced through a culinary partnership with Chef Thomas Keller
• All dining venues are complimentary, dine where, when and with whom you wish
• Seabourn Conversations, connecting with visionary experts
• Ventures by Seabourn™, optional shore excursions, enhance and extend your experience in select destinations*^
• Select purposeful and sustainable travel experiences as the Official Cruise Partner of UNESCO*
• Spa & Wellness with Dr. Andrew Weil, featuring an exclusive mindful living program*
• An evening entertainment experience in collaboration with Sir Tim Rice†
• Committed to environmental stewardship and sustainability

*Optional programs, for additional charge

^Available on Seabourn Odyssey, Seabourn Sojourn, Seabourn Quest, Seabourn Encore, Seabourn Ovation

†Not available on board Seabourn Venture

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seabourn-announces-voyage-cancellations-for-three-ships-301146860.html

SOURCE Seabourn