Latest news with #InstituteofTourismandHospitality
Metro
21 hours ago
- Metro
Anti-tourism protesters have an important message — and it's not for tourists
Protesters in holiday hotspots across southern Europe have swarmed the streets to condemn overtourism in an unprecedented show of unity. Thousands attended marches in the Spanish cities of Barcelona and Palma de Mallorca, while events also took place in the Portuguese capital, Lisbon, as well as Venice and Genoa, in northwest Italy. The Southern Europe Against Touristification coalition, comprised of activists from across the continent, wants to highlight the impact of mass tourism and how it is driving residents from their hometowns. But demonstrators and tourism experts agree that holidaymakers aren't the problem. The real enemy, they say, are the people profiting from it. As one organiser in the Basque city of San Sebastián says, 'people who go on vacation to one place or another are not our enemies…our enemies are those who speculate on housing, who exploit workers and those who are profiting handsomely from the touristification of our cities.' Protesters in dozens of locations have echoed this message. And Zoe Adjey, senior lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, tells Metro that a coordinated response has been a long time coming. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. 'This is very unusual, the tourism and hospitality industry is not the most unified. But it's good, because as they are saying, the protests have never been about tourists,' she says. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video 'They're about businesses, and what they are doing with the money they get from tourists. Where is that profit going? It's clearly not going back into the local areas.' As policy analysts have long argued, Zoe says Europe's growing tourism problem is a housing and affordability crisis framed through a false lens. 'We've now got a situation where workers can't afford to live within any sort of rational distance to their job,' she says. 'The person behind the bar needs somewhere to live – if short-term rentals are everywhere, pricing people out, well then there's not going to be a bar. It's a vicious circle.' Zoe, who is from Portrush in Antrim, Northern Ireland, says she knows of people who will travel almost two hours for casual bar shifts when the town hosts the 2025 Open next month. 'They're going to be spending what they earn to get there and back. Something has got to change,' she says. Asked what can be done to fix the problem, Zoe says governments need to get serious about high-quality subsidised housing. 'You need to be able to offer staff somewhere to live, and somewhere that's decent,' she says. 'I'd like to see a policy in every bar and cafe that involves employing people who live within a five-mile radius. But if you tried to do that right now, you'd find hardly anyone living there. 'Ultimately, it needs to be about employing local, not just buying local.' Graffiti saying 'tourists go home' has become an increasingly common sight across the Mediterranean. Tensions around tourism exploded last summer, when tens of thousands took to the streets of Spanish hotspots and 'occupied' beaches on the popular holiday island of Mallorca. International travel spending in Europe is expected to rise by 11% to £617 billion this year, with Spain and France among the countries set to receive record numbers of tourists. Barcelona, which depends on tourism for 15% of its GDP, announced last year it would shut all short-term lets by 2028. Jaime Rodriguez de Santiago, head of vacation rental platform Airbnb for Iberia, said earlier this week that restrictions scapegoated short-lets, which he said can help redistribute visitor flows to less crowded parts of a city. Earlier today, tourist protesters surrounded the Generator Hotel in Barcelona and targeted holidaymakers with water pistols. More Trending Locals in the Catalan capital also used flares after congregating with placards claiming tourism was pricing them out of housing and robbing them of their futures. Staff at the hotel were forced to intervene and were seen shouting at the protesters to move away. Elsewhere in Barcelona, police stepped in to stop protesters reaching the city's famous Sagrada Familia and avoid clashes between demonstrators and tourists visiting the Gaudi masterpiece. Shouts of 'tourists go home' and 'one more tourist, one less local' could be heard as activists marched through the streets. MORE: All 9 countries on the UK Foreign Office 'no go' travel list MORE: I walked Spain's lesser-known camino — it surprised me in the best way MORE: Man arrested after Scottish gangsters shot dead in Spanish bar
Business Mayor
06-05-2025
- Health
- Business Mayor
This is what happens when someone dies on a cruise ship
Going on holiday is something everyone looks forward to, and few places are better equipped for having a good time than cruise ships. But as with everything in life, they must also be prepared for the worst. On Saturday, a passenger died on a cruise ship in British waters. The victim, 60, was on the MSC Virtuosa when it left Southampton on Saturday evening for a two-night cruise to Bruges, Belgium. An army medic administered CPR, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, passenger Lynda Hardiman-Pearce said. A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Deaths like these are rare, but they're not unheard of. So what actually happens when someone dies at sea? Here's everything you need to know. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. When someone dies on a cruise ship, what happens next depends on many different factors, including where the vessel is and cruise liner policy. Cruise ships are required to have at least one medical professional on board, as well as an examination and intensive care room. The onboard doctor will pronounce a death after all medical efforts have been exhausted and the body has been examined. They will inform the people travelling with the passenger, or contact the passenger's next of kin if they were alone. Zoe Adjey, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, tells Metro that cruise ships have procedures for all passenger health situations, including end-of-life. 'Staff members receive training to handle these sensitive situations compassionately, including providing emotional support for family members,' she explains. 'They're there to help the family or friends with whatever they need.' The death is then recorded in the ship's log and the flag state, meaning the country the ship is registered in. Dr Asimah, a registered GP working with travel insurance provider Staysure says: 'From a medical and procedural perspective, accurate records and death certificates are essential for local authorities, enabling the next steps.' If the death occurred in international waters, is being treated as suspicious, or a crime has been committed, local authorities have jurisdiction. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), each country has jurisdiction within 12 nautical miles of its shores. You won't see it advertised, but most major liners are required to have a morgue. They are typically found on the lowest deck, and usually have space for three to six bodies. Additionally, some cruise ships will have a chapel or religious area where the last rites can be performed, according to the person's faith. The body will need to be stored until the ship docks at the next suitable port. Generally, cruise lines will ensure that a death onboard is handled as discreetly as possible. However, if you hear a crew member say the words 'Operation Bright Star,' it means there has been a medical emergency. If the phrase is 'Operation Rising Star,' it's code for a passenger death. Read More Chile Ends All Covid Border Measures Unfortunately, cruise lines do not cover the cost of a passenger's death. Therefore, it's vital to have travel insurance that covers all eventualities. Dr Asimah explains why a cruise travel insurance policy is important. The expert says: 'It can cover the complex and often costly process of repatriation, including coordination with local officials, consulates, and specialist airline providers to return the deceased to the UK with care and dignity.' According to the International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health, 623 reported deaths were reported at sea between 2000 and 2019. According to that research, 89% were passenger deaths, while 11% were crew deaths. The leading causes of passenger deaths were falls overboard or onto lower decks, cardiac incidents, and suicides. For crew deaths, these were suicide, murder and falls. Carnival Cruise Lines reported the most passenger deaths at 29%. This was followed by Royal Caribbean Cruises at 12%, and Norwegian Cruise Line at 10%. As for crew, the highest number of deaths was also on Carnival Cruise Line, at 19%, tying with Royal Caribbean Cruises. MORE: Thousands of train passengers stranded in Spain days after massive blackouts MORE: Map shows VE Day 2025 parade route through central London MORE: The common cruise ship passenger mistake that drives crew mad Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. READ SOURCE
Metro
06-05-2025
- Health
- Metro
This is what happens when someone dies on a cruise ship
Going on holiday is something everyone looks forward to, and few places are better equipped for having a good time than cruise ships. But as with everything in life, they must also be prepared for the worst. On Saturday, a passenger died on a cruise ship in British waters. The victim, 60, was on the MSC Virtuosa when it left Southampton on Saturday evening for a two-night cruise to Bruges, Belgium. An army medic administered CPR, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene, passenger Lynda Hardiman-Pearce said. A 57-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Deaths like these are rare, but they're not unheard of. So what actually happens when someone dies at sea? Here's everything you need to know. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. When someone dies on a cruise ship, what happens next depends on many different factors, including where the vessel is and cruise liner policy. Cruise ships are required to have at least one medical professional on board, as well as an examination and intensive care room. The onboard doctor will pronounce a death after all medical efforts have been exhausted and the body has been examined. They will inform the people travelling with the passenger, or contact the passenger's next of kin if they were alone. Zoe Adjey, Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Tourism and Hospitality at the University of East London, tells Metro that cruise ships have procedures for all passenger health situations, including end-of-life. 'Staff members receive training to handle these sensitive situations compassionately, including providing emotional support for family members,' she explains. 'They're there to help the family or friends with whatever they need.' The death is then recorded in the ship's log and the flag state, meaning the country the ship is registered in. Dr Asimah, a registered GP working with travel insurance provider Staysure says: 'From a medical and procedural perspective, accurate records and death certificates are essential for local authorities, enabling the next steps.' If the death occurred in international waters, is being treated as suspicious, or a crime has been committed, local authorities have jurisdiction. According to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), each country has jurisdiction within 12 nautical miles of its shores. You won't see it advertised, but most major liners are required to have a morgue. They are typically found on the lowest deck, and usually have space for three to six bodies. Additionally, some cruise ships will have a chapel or religious area where the last rites can be performed, according to the person's faith. The body will need to be stored until the ship docks at the next suitable port. Generally, cruise lines will ensure that a death onboard is handled as discreetly as possible. However, if you hear a crew member say the words 'Operation Bright Star,' it means there has been a medical emergency. If the phrase is 'Operation Rising Star,' it's code for a passenger death. Unfortunately, cruise lines do not cover the cost of a passenger's death. Therefore, it's vital to have travel insurance that covers all eventualities. Dr Asimah explains why a cruise travel insurance policy is important. The expert says: 'It can cover the complex and often costly process of repatriation, including coordination with local officials, consulates, and specialist airline providers to return the deceased to the UK with care and dignity.' According to the International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health, 623 reported deaths were reported at sea between 2000 and 2019. More Trending According to that research, 89% were passenger deaths, while 11% were crew deaths. The leading causes of passenger deaths were falls overboard or onto lower decks, cardiac incidents, and suicides. For crew deaths, these were suicide, murder and falls. Carnival Cruise Lines reported the most passenger deaths at 29%. This was followed by Royal Caribbean Cruises at 12%, and Norwegian Cruise Line at 10%. As for crew, the highest number of deaths was also on Carnival Cruise Line, at 19%, tying with Royal Caribbean Cruises. MORE: Thousands of train passengers stranded in Spain days after massive blackouts MORE: Map shows VE Day 2025 parade route through central London MORE: The common cruise ship passenger mistake that drives crew mad
