The Ebola epidemic has prompted many airlines to halt flights to several African nations. This week in the news, we take a look at how these travel bans are affecting travelers worldwide. You’ll also read about Botlr, a robotic bellhop that can deliver small items to guests at a California hotel and the unveiling of the world’s third largest cruise ship.
Ebola’s Spread Risks African Air Links
The spread of the Ebola virus has prompted several airlines to avoid the worst-affected areas, signaling a threat to Africa’s travel links. Airlines from Gambia, Togo and Nigeria have halted flights to Ebola-hit states, while Korean Air will end operations to Kenya on August 20. But the travel restrictions are provoking sharp criticism from experts at the World Health Organization (WHO). The flight cancellations are an overreaction that could make the situation worse, hindering the efforts to help Ebola-affected regions, the WHO says. (Bloomberg & The Globe and Mail)
France Remains Top Destination for Tourists Worldwide
France retained its crown as the top tourism destination in the world. A new report released by the U.N. World Tourism Organization shows that France drew 84.7 million visitors in 2013, up 2 percent from the previous year. The United States took a distant place, attracting 69.8 million visitors during the same period. Spain, with 60.7 million tourists, regained the third-place spot it had ceded to China in 2010. The only other change in the top 10 rankings this year was the addition of Thailand, which rounded out the list with 26.5 million visitors. (International Business Times)
World’s First Robot Bellhop
A hotel in California’s Silicon Valley is experimenting with robots to appeal to the most tech-savvy of customers. The Aloft Hotel in Cupertino, Calif. has announced that it will be training two robotic “Botlrs” named ALO, made by Savioke, to deliver towels and other necessities to its guests. Their design was inspired by Star Wars’ R2D2. When a guest calls the front desk asking for something, employees load up the basket up top, the room number is programmed and ALO is on its way. Using a combination of sonar wave technology, lasers and cameras, the “botlr” avoids obstacles, as well as humans. It can also communicate with the hotel’s elevators using WiFi. (CBS)
World’s Third Largest Cruise Ship Unveiled
The world’s third largest cruise ship was recently unveiled in Germany less than three months before it is scheduled to dazzle holidaymakers for the first time. Quantum of the Seas, a massive 4,180-passenger vessel that weighs 167,800 registered tonnes, is the first in a new class of ships for Royal Caribbean International. The 18-deck ship boasts a number of exclusive amenities and firsts at sea, including an observation capsule that extends over the water, a skydiving simulator and the largest guest rooms of any Royal Caribbean vessel. After you take a tour inside this luxury cruise ship, you can’t help but marvel at its size.
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