BOSTON, Dec. 13, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — In response to the current resurgence in COVID-19 cases in Massachusetts and to ensure the continued wellbeing of its relatively small staff along with the continued safety of visitors during the holidays, Boston Children’s Museum has announced the decision to voluntarily close to the public through January 7. The closure is effective beginning Monday, December 14. All advance ticket purchases affected by this temporary closure will be refunded. Since reopening in July, the Museum has been extremely safe for visitors and staff and has had no Museum-based COVID-19 transmission and takes this step as a precautionary measure.

«While disheartening during this time when the Museum normally welcomes thousands of children to enjoy festive exhibits and programs, we are confident that this step is in the best interest of our staff and visitors,» said Carole Charnow, President & CEO.

As when it closed earlier this year, the Museum is not presently closing the building or shutting down Museum operations. Museum business will continue with staff working remotely and some socially distanced in the building. With the short-term closure, staff will be working on virtual programming, grant-based project work, and staying connected with the many community endeavors the Museum is a part of.

The Museum will update any changes to its plans on its website and social media channels. For additional information, please visit BostonChildrensMuseum.org

About Boston Children’s Museum
Boston Children’s Museum engages children and families in joyful discovery experiences that instill an appreciation of our world, develop foundational skills, and spark a lifelong love of learning. More information about Boston Children’s Museum can be found at BostonChildrensMuseum.org. Become a fan of the Museum on Facebook and follow us on Twitter

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Media Contact

Jo-Anne Baxter, Boston Children’s Museum, 617-986-3702, Baxter@BostonChildrensMuseum.org

SOURCE Boston Children’s Museum

LUXEMBOURG, 10 December 2020 /PRNewswire Policy/ — In this interview, Manuel Alejandro Cardenete Flores (ES/Renew Europe) answers four questions on sustainable tourism, describing how the region of Andalusia develops new strategies based on digitalisation and sustainability. The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration of the Regional Government of Andalusia is the rapporteur for the opinion Towards more sustainable tourism for EU cities and regions, adopted during the December 2020 plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the tourism industry severely. As Committee of the Regions rapporteur for tourism and representative of a regional authority, what is your vision for tourism in the post-pandemic world?

The crisis is forcing us to review our tourism model. In Andalusia, we are not going to give up our worldwide tourism leadership, and we are not going to give up on growth, but it is urgent that we opt resolutely for a new model of sustainable tourism. If we want tourism to be a generator of wealth and well-being once again, we have to adapt the model to the new demands of travellers, who are becoming increasingly environmentally aware. We also need to adapt to a new future, which is based on health, safety, greater respect for the cultural and environmental environment, wholesale use of new technologies and the need to avoid unsustainable mass tourism. Innovation is the answer and the way forward is to foster entrepreneurship. To this end, we are improving professional qualifications, providing distinctive products and fostering the use of new technologies throughout the sector. Tourism has shown an enormous capacity to adapt and benefit from technological changes. We must continue along that path.

2. Looking at the lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis, along with the Green Deal targets, can European tourism emerge from the crisis stronger and greener?

Achieving innovative and sustainable tourism means consolidating a specific model, which is based on several key principles. Firstly, a model that is respectful of the environment. Secondly, a model that promotes quality employment. Thirdly, we want a tourism model that is more resilient and resistant to crisis but also a model that all residents can feel part of, that respects local values and that caters for the individual demands of each tourist. And these principles are valid not only for Andalusia, but for all European destinations. In Andalusia we are working hard to build the tourism of the future that we want: a post-pandemic tourism that is green, respectful of the environment and a champion of quality employment.

3. In the CoR opinion on sustainable tourism, you take a very modern approach to the topic, looking at the possibilities of data analytics, tourist flows and IT solutions. Is the green future of tourism a digital future?

There is no doubt about it. The future of tourism is digitisation. In Andalusia, we focus on accelerating the digital and green transition. As many as 95% of travellers worldwide use digital tools to find, choose, compare, buy and – very important – comment on destinations. These tools gather information on the preferences of the traveller and provide us with a set of information about our tourists and our potential clients. The use of information and data (big and small), gives us an advantage when planning our tourism strategies. This is about using business intelligence, which is the tool on which we want to build our future. In Andalusia, we have developed the Andalucía SmartData Project, which is precisely a business intelligence tool promoted by Turismo Andaluz. This tool allows us to integrate a large amount of information from various sources in order to closely monitor tourism activity and obtain advanced indicators that can guide us in our decision-making process, but also help other key stakeholders such private companies define their own strategies. Our smart data project is also a very useful tool for good governance, as it allows us to target recovery actions where there are signs of regeneration. On the other hand, deploying innovation and digitalisation requires skilled human capital. This is an important issue for our Department of Tourism, where we give particular importance to generating and attracting talent, combining expertise in tourism and technology. To this end, we have an interesting programme developed through the Andalusia HUB initiative.

4. You are a representative of one of the busiest tourist regions in Spain. How do you implement sustainability and digitalisation in your region and can you share a few examples?

At the government of Andalusia, we have two main strategies. The first strategy is digitalisation across the whole of the region, its municipalities and SMEs, with the goal of fostering implementation of new technologies in the tourism sector. The second is an innovation strategy, in which we involve municipalities, private companies, professionals and, especially, universities in a participatory approach to define the sustainable tourism model that Andalusia needs. We have reinforced these strategies with other stakeholders to encourage inclusive, accessible tourism, promoting smart tourist destinations and developing a more sustainable, balanced activity across the region in order to improve cohesion and reduce seasonality, as these are key factors in competitiveness. We will also continue to work closely with our universities. A good example is Andalusia’s network of university grants for tourism, which facilitate transfer of innovation and knowledge in the tourism industry.

Copyright European Union, 1995-2020

SOURCE European Union – Committee of the Regions

LUXEMBOURG, 10 December 2020 /PRNewswire Policy/ — In this interview, Manuel Alejandro Cardenete Flores (ES/Renew Europe) answers four questions on sustainable tourism, describing how the region of Andalusia develops new strategies based on digitalisation and sustainability. The Deputy Minister for Tourism, Regeneration, Justice and Local Administration of the Regional Government of Andalusia is the rapporteur for the opinion Towards more sustainable tourism for EU cities and regions, adopted during the December 2020 plenary session of the European Committee of the Regions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected the tourism industry severely. As Committee of the Regions rapporteur for tourism and representative of a regional authority, what is your vision for tourism in the post-pandemic world?

The crisis is forcing us to review our tourism model. In Andalusia, we are not going to give up our worldwide tourism leadership, and we are not going to give up on growth, but it is urgent that we opt resolutely for a new model of sustainable tourism. If we want tourism to be a generator of wealth and well-being once again, we have to adapt the model to the new demands of travellers, who are becoming increasingly environmentally aware. We also need to adapt to a new future, which is based on health, safety, greater respect for the cultural and environmental environment, wholesale use of new technologies and the need to avoid unsustainable mass tourism. Innovation is the answer and the way forward is to foster entrepreneurship. To this end, we are improving professional qualifications, providing distinctive products and fostering the use of new technologies throughout the sector. Tourism has shown an enormous capacity to adapt and benefit from technological changes. We must continue along that path.

2. Looking at the lessons learned from the COVID-19 crisis, along with the Green Deal targets, can European tourism emerge from the crisis stronger and greener?

Achieving innovative and sustainable tourism means consolidating a specific model, which is based on several key principles. Firstly, a model that is respectful of the environment. Secondly, a model that promotes quality employment. Thirdly, we want a tourism model that is more resilient and resistant to crisis but also a model that all residents can feel part of, that respects local values and that caters for the individual demands of each tourist. And these principles are valid not only for Andalusia, but for all European destinations. In Andalusia we are working hard to build the tourism of the future that we want: a post-pandemic tourism that is green, respectful of the environment and a champion of quality employment.

3. In the CoR opinion on sustainable tourism, you take a very modern approach to the topic, looking at the possibilities of data analytics, tourist flows and IT solutions. Is the green future of tourism a digital future?

There is no doubt about it. The future of tourism is digitisation. In Andalusia, we focus on accelerating the digital and green transition. As many as 95% of travellers worldwide use digital tools to find, choose, compare, buy and – very important – comment on destinations. These tools gather information on the preferences of the traveller and provide us with a set of information about our tourists and our potential clients. The use of information and data (big and small), gives us an advantage when planning our tourism strategies. This is about using business intelligence, which is the tool on which we want to build our future. In Andalusia, we have developed the Andalucía SmartData Project, which is precisely a business intelligence tool promoted by Turismo Andaluz. This tool allows us to integrate a large amount of information from various sources in order to closely monitor tourism activity and obtain advanced indicators that can guide us in our decision-making process, but also help other key stakeholders such private companies define their own strategies. Our smart data project is also a very useful tool for good governance, as it allows us to target recovery actions where there are signs of regeneration. On the other hand, deploying innovation and digitalisation requires skilled human capital. This is an important issue for our Department of Tourism, where we give particular importance to generating and attracting talent, combining expertise in tourism and technology. To this end, we have an interesting programme developed through the Andalusia HUB initiative.

4. You are a representative of one of the busiest tourist regions in Spain. How do you implement sustainability and digitalisation in your region and can you share a few examples?

At the government of Andalusia, we have two main strategies. The first strategy is digitalisation across the whole of the region, its municipalities and SMEs, with the goal of fostering implementation of new technologies in the tourism sector. The second is an innovation strategy, in which we involve municipalities, private companies, professionals and, especially, universities in a participatory approach to define the sustainable tourism model that Andalusia needs. We have reinforced these strategies with other stakeholders to encourage inclusive, accessible tourism, promoting smart tourist destinations and developing a more sustainable, balanced activity across the region in order to improve cohesion and reduce seasonality, as these are key factors in competitiveness. We will also continue to work closely with our universities. A good example is Andalusia’s network of university grants for tourism, which facilitate transfer of innovation and knowledge in the tourism industry.

Copyright European Union, 1995-2020

SOURCE European Union – Committee of the Regions

VICTORIA, Texas, Dec. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Honda of Victoria, a dealership serving the entire Victoria area, is currently providing prospective customers in the area with the option to take test drives remotely from their location. Those interested can peruse the entire Honda of Victoria new and pre-owned inventories online through the dealership’s website and simply contact the dealership about any model that they find themselves interested in.

Honda of Victoria has pledged to deliver any vehicle to prequalified customers to ensure that they can take an extended, safe test drive in the vehicle of their choice. The dealership is ensuring that all vehicles are properly sanitized before test drives or delivery.

The offering of remote test drives is part of the precautions Honda of Victoria is taking to protect the health and safety of both its customers and team members. In addition, the dealership website provides customers with the ability to purchase their new car and appraise their trade-in entirely online. Honda of Victoria is working to ensure individuals are comfortable with and educated about their new purchase from the safety of home.

Likewise, the financing process can also be completed online. Finance managers are on hand to provide guidance on any payment or loan inquiries regarding one’s current or new vehicle. The financing department at Honda of Victoria prides itself on flexibility and aims to provide assistance for all credit levels. The goal is to find the ideal monetary solution that works for each individual.

The Honda of Victoria service department can also arrange pick-up and drop-off of vehicles to complete repairs. All vehicles are sanitized before returning to customers after maintenance or repair in the service department.

Those with any further questions or inquiries are encouraged to take a virtual trip to the Honda of Victoria website at http://www.hondaofvictoria.com. The dealership can also be contacted by phone with a call to 361-575-0495. Finally, those who wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines may make the journey to the dealership location itself at 116 Huvar Street, Victoria.

Media Contact

Mike Macleod, Honda of Victoria, 361-575-0495, mmacleod@victoryvehicles.net

SOURCE Honda of Victoria

ORLANDO, Fla., Dec. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Carl Black Orlando, a dealership serving the entirety of central Florida from its home base in Orlando, is currently hosting its December Sales Event Offers. These multi-faceted offers contain special lease rates, sign and drive offers and discounts. Of particular excitement is the fact that many vehicles are on offer for rates that are below employee pricing.

The December Sales Event at Carl Black Orlando brings special lease rates, sign and drive offers and pricing lower than employee levels to new GM models including the:

• 2020 Chevy Trax LT FWD
• 2021 GMC Acadia FWD SLE
• 2021 Buick Encore GX and Preferred FWD
• 2020 Chevy Bolt EV LT
• 2020 GMC Terrain FWD SLE
• 2020 Buick Enclave 1SL FWD

 

For more information on these discounts, lease rates and sign and drive offers, interested individuals can head to the specials page of the Carl Black Orlando website. The offers in the December Sales Event are slated to expire on Jan. 4, 2021.

Those interested in pre-owned rather than new vehicles can also find something to their liking in the current offers at the dealership. Until Dec. 31, those who purchase a pre-owned vehicle at Carl Black Orlando will receive two years of complimentary maintenance. The offer is not applicable with other discounts. Those in search of more details can contact the dealership.

Those intrigued by any of December Sales Event or pre-owned maintenance offers above are encouraged to learn more with a virtual trip to the Carl Black Orlando website at http://www.carlblackoforlando.com. Additional information can likewise be gleaned with a phone call to 888-502-0763. Finally, those who wear a mask and follow proper social distancing guidelines may make the journey to the dealership location itself at 11500 E. Colonial Drive, Orlando.

Media Contact

Omar Rodriguez, Carl Black Orlando, (888) 502-0763, omar@carlblack.com

SOURCE Carl Black Orlando

WACO, Texas, Dec. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — The holiday season has become a little sweeter around Waco as the Richard Karr Motors team unveiled its Buick Employee Pricing for Everyone sale. The dealership is cutting prices on most new Buick SUV models and bringing asking prices down to the employee level. Most 2020 and 2021 Buick SUVs are included as a part of this offer, with the exception of 1SV trims.

Select 2020 and 2021 Buick Encore, Encore GX, Envision and Enclave models are taking part in this year’s sale. Total savings on each model is dependent on model, trim level and package. The Employee Pricing for Everyone offer is available now through Jan. 4.

The compact Buick Encore is small but mighty. This nimble SUV makes room for up to five passengers and 18.8 cubic feet of standard cargo space. The Encore will appeal to Waco drivers looking for a fun-to-drive compact SUV. Those looking for a sportier variation of the Encore will be drawn to the available Buick Encore GX.

The Buick Envision and Enclave will attract the families of Waco with their spacious interiors and ample passenger space. The Buick Envision seats five passengers and boasts 26.9 cubic feet of standard cargo space. The larger Enclave is fitted with three rows of seating to make room for up to seven adult passengers.

Richard Karr Motors offers the latest Buick models and SUVs in its inventory and the Employee Pricing for Everyone is just the start of the available sales and incentives at the dealership.

Anyone can view the lineup of available models and offers at Richard Karr Motors by visiting the dealership’s website, richardkarr.com. Those with specific inquiries are encouraged to contact a member of the dealership staff directly by calling 254-776-1111. Richard Karr Motors is located at 900 W Loop 340, Waco, TX 76712 and is open Monday through Saturday.

Media Contact

Mary Frances Karr-Ellis, Richard Karr Motors, 254-776-1111, maryfrances@richardkarrmotors.com

SOURCE Richard Karr Motors

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich., Dec. 12, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — As the Food & Drug Administration gives the green light to Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport is prepared to serve as a national and international gateway for distribution.

The Ford Airport is the closest airport to Pfizer’s Kalamazoo manufacturing operations with the infrastructure needed to support the transportation process. Ford Airport has a 10,000-foot runway, dedicated cargo facility, appropriate ground support and the capacity needed to stage and transport billions of doses of the vaccine, which must be kept at negative 94 Fahrenheit.

Airport officials have been in talks with four global carriers that have expressed interest in transporting the widely anticipated vaccine, which is seen as the beginning of the end of the global pandemic.

«We’re here, we’re ready to help and we’re eager to get to work,» said Torrance Richardson, president and CEO of the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. «We have invested in the infrastructure needed to accommodate the wide-body aircraft that will be used to transport the vaccine – and we have the team in place to handle the aggressive delivery schedule.

«Ford Airport is honored to be a key part of the distribution chain for Pfizer’s life-saving vaccine. We often say our Airport is the gateway to the world – this gives us the opportunity to underscore that in an exceptionally meaningful way.»

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Ford Airport has taken a number of steps to make its guest experience as safe and comfortable as possible through its Fly Safe. Fly Ford. campaign. It also recently announced it will serve as a COVID-19 drive-up test site for guests and the community.

About the Ford Airport
The Gerald R. Ford International Airport is the second busiest airport in Michigan, serving business and leisure travelers with nonstop and connecting flights on six airlines. The Ford Airport is managed and operated by the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority. For more information, visit www.flyford.org or follow the airport on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @FlyGRFord.

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ford-airport-prepared-to-serve-as-gateway-for-covid-19-vaccine-distribution-301191533.html

SOURCE Gerald R. Ford International Airport

VIEUX FORT, Saint Lucia, Dec. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Saint Lucia’s Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa and sister resort Serenity at Coconut Bay will now include a free Abbott Rapid Antigen COVID-19 «Return Home Test» prior to departure for stays of 5-nights or longer allowing guests to ease their return home quarantine time where permitted. Shorter-stay guests will also have the option of purchasing the test for US$75.00 per person.

Guests returning to states with post-travel testing requirements can arrange for their «Return Home Test» with the Front Desk at Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa or with their butler at Serenity at Coconut Bay when they arrive. Arrangements will be made for their test to be administered at the resort by medical staff before departure and guests will receive doctor certified results in hard copy and electronically within 24-hours. The «Return Home Test» does not replace Saint Lucia’s testing and entry requirements necessary for travel.

«We are committed to making the travel experience easier for our guests and believe offering a ‘Return Home Test’ will remove the worry of an extended quarantine following their vacation time for many,» says Mark Adams, President and CEO of Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa and Serenity at Coconut Bay. «Increasingly travelers now have to deal with quarantine restrictions on their return home in addition to meeting the arrival requirements of their vacation destination. As our guests’ home states now begin to offer the option to «test out» of quarantine when returning from a trip, providing a test before they leave our resorts is the best way we can help streamline their Worry-Free getaway from start to finish.»

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa and Serenity at Coconut Bay have received the Government of Saint Lucia’s Covid-19 Certification and their Paradise Protection Protocols provide a safe and healthy vacation experience. Guests at both resorts enjoy easy social distance on 85 oceanfront acres including a mile-long stretch of beach with views of the Maria Islands Nature Reserve, all just 5 minutes from Hewanorra International Airport. Guests can also explore exotic Saint Lucia on off-property tours in addition to the resort’s exclusive Catamaran Cruise to the Pitons now includes additional Covid-19 Certified tours visiting the popular mud baths, ziplining, horseback riding and diving.

At the award-winning Serenity at Coconut Bay couples save up to 70% for their exceptional and unlimited luxury all-inclusive experience. January 2021 rates start at $758 per couple, per night, and for stays of 7-nights they automatically receive $1000 in exclusive added value amenities including an in-suite couples massage, private pool and beach cabana experiences, and more. All rates include airport transfers from Hewanorra International Airport, all government taxes and gratuities with Worry-Free changes and cancellations.

Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa offers Worry Free Reservations and up to 65% savings with Premium All-Inclusive rates in January 2021 starting at $318 per room, per night based on double occupancy including airport transfers from Hewanorra International Airport, just five minutes away, and all government taxes and gratuities. Kids under three stay for free, ages 3-17 stay for just $59 per night.

For more information call toll-free from North America at 877-252-0304 or visit cbayresort.com and serenityatcoconutbay.com. Follow @coconutbay on Facebook, @_coconutbay on Twitter and @cbay_stlucia on Instagram, @SerenityAtCoconutBay on Facebook and @SerenityAtCbay on Instagram and Twitter.

About Serenity at Coconut Bay
Saint Lucia’s new luxury all-suite Serenity at Coconut Bay is a personalized adults-only, all-inclusive vacation experience located just minutes from Hewanorra International Airport. This private enclave of 36 spacious suites is designed for the utmost in comfort and privacy. Serenity at Coconut Bay is Saint Lucia’s number one traveler rated resort on TripAdvisor named the #1 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Caribbean Luxury Hotel award winner, the #2 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Caribbean Hotel for Romance award winner, and the #3 2020 TripAdvisor Travelers’ Choice Best of the Best Caribbean Hotel award winner. Visit SerenityatCoconutBay.com.

About Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa
Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa offers two worlds in a mile-long oceanfront setting along Saint Lucia’s exotic south coast, minutes from Hewanorra International Airport and the island’s most exciting attractions. The resort’s 250 air-conditioned rooms are shared between Harmony, the adults-only oasis and family-friendly Splash wings. Recent awards for outstanding facilities and customer service include the 2020 British Weddings Award «Best Destination Wedding Venue for the fourth consecutive year,» 2019 TripAdvisor® Certificate of Excellence and the 2019 Islands All-Inclusive Award for «Best Resort Pool.» Visit cbayresort.com.

Media Contact

Mary Brennan/Roberta Garzaroli, The Atrebor Group, +1 (212) 764-0340 Ext: 102, coconutbay@atreborgroup.com

SOURCE Coconut Bay Beach Resort & Spa