Booking.com’s acquisition of PriceMatch a year ago led to BookingSuite Rate Manager, a revenue management solution for independent hotels that helps them make smarter pricing, channel, and budgeting decisions - soon even in auto-pilot mode.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UwwTm7
Thursday, March 31, 2016
Booking.com’s Rate Manager now available to all hotels worldwide
Booking.com's acquisition of PriceMatch a year ago led to BookingSuite Rate Manager, a revenue management solution for independent hotels that helps them make smarter pricing, channel, and budgeting decisions - soon even in auto-pilot mode.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UwwTm7
Anbang withdraws Starwood bid, clearing way for Marriott buyout
Starwood Hotels & Resorts said Thursday that a consortium led by Anbang Insurance Group withdrew its all-cash $14.1 billion offer for the company, and that Starwood's board continues to support its buyout agreement with Marriott International.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1Uwwdx3
The brewing conflict between hotels and travel managers over dynamic pricing
Skift spoke with TripBAM about why business travelers will likely lose control over their trips in the future, and the simmering conflict between hotels and travel managers.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCiEr
Bots are the new apps: Microsoft reveals how artificial intelligence will book hotels
Microsoft has revealed a future where we will interact with numerous 'bots' to do everything from book hotels and manage our diaries, to order pizza. Here's how a Westin bot books a hotel room via Skype.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UwwdwZ
The connected traveler is taking flight
A new study by Apteligent's found that nearly half of all travelers around the world are connected travelers, meaning they have used a mobile device to plan or book a trip.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCiEn
75% of marketers say social media marketing is paying off
Social media is generating better returns on investments this year than it did last year, according to Salesforce's new "2016 State of Marketing Report." That's despite the fact that social media led directly to relatively few sales over the most recent holiday season.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UwwdwU
Strengthen your direct bookings: Use customer personas
If you think you've got a firm grasp on your guests' needs, maybe think again. Thinking and guess work is not enough. You have to have a concrete understanding of your guests. And customer personas are the way to do that.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCfIL
11 effective ways to boost your hotel’s midweek occupancy and revenue
It can be easy, and very tempting, to think that slashing rates to virtually nothing will sell more hotel rooms and increase room revenue during the week. While it may sell a few rooms, the discounting strategy rarely sells enough to offset the reduced revenue.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RQuFgX
Anbang withdraws Starwood bid, clearing way for Marriott buyout
Starwood Hotels & Resorts said Thursday that a consortium led by Anbang Insurance Group withdrew its all-cash $14.1 billion offer for the company, and that Starwood's board continues to support its buyout agreement with Marriott International.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1Uwwdx3
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1Uwwdx3
The brewing conflict between hotels and travel managers over dynamic pricing
Skift spoke with TripBAM about why business travelers will likely lose control over their trips in the future, and the simmering conflict between hotels and travel managers.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCiEr
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCiEr
Bots are the new apps: Microsoft reveals how artificial intelligence will book hotels
Microsoft has revealed a future where we will interact with numerous 'bots' to do everything from book hotels and manage our diaries, to order pizza. Here's how a Westin bot books a hotel room via Skype.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UwwdwZ
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UwwdwZ
The connected traveler is taking flight
A new study by Apteligent’s found that nearly half of all travelers around the world are connected travelers, meaning they have used a mobile device to plan or book a trip.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCiEn
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCiEn
75% of marketers say social media marketing is paying off
Social media is generating better returns on investments this year than it did last year, according to Salesforce’s new “2016 State of Marketing Report.” That’s despite the fact that social media led directly to relatively few sales over the most recent holiday season.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UwwdwU
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UwwdwU
Strengthen your direct bookings: Use customer personas
If you think you’ve got a firm grasp on your guests’ needs, maybe think again. Thinking and guess work is not enough. You have to have a concrete understanding of your guests. And customer personas are the way to do that.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCfIL
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1SDCfIL
11 effective ways to boost your hotel’s midweek occupancy and revenue
It can be easy, and very tempting, to think that slashing rates to virtually nothing will sell more hotel rooms and increase room revenue during the week. While it may sell a few rooms, the discounting strategy rarely sells enough to offset the reduced revenue.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RQuFgX
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RQuFgX
SeaLife Creates Exclusive New iPhone and Android App: SeaLife Micro Cam
SeaLife Cameras released a free app called "SeaLife Micro Cam" in the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store for their SeaLife Micro HD+ and new Micro 2.0 cameras. The app is found by searching "SeaLife Micro Cam" and is compatible with iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch running on iOS 6.0 or later and Android devices running on 2.3.3 or higher.
The SeaLife Micro Cam App makes image and video transfer easy by wirelessly bridging the Micro 2.0 or HD+ camera to your smart device. The second option is plugging the Micro HD+ or Micro 2.0 camera into a laptop and transferring files with the camera's included USB cable and adapter.
After loading the free app onto an iPhone or iPad, the user simply powers on the camera and Wi-Fi function on the SeaLife Micro HD+ or Micro 2.0, and then selects the camera in the Wi-Fi directory. Next, the app is started by selecting the app icon; after that, files are ready to transfer or remote operation may begin.
The SeaLife Micro Cam app allows the user to shoot images above and underwater down to 200 feet and instantly share them by transferring the images and video to their smart device's camera roll. The app also features a live-streaming view where users can remotely capture and playback images and videos within a distance of 225 feet from the camera (above the water's surface).
Additionally, users can instantly share and upload their pictures and videos with friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Dropbox and email.
The app includes a new feature to personalize the camera's name (SSID/password) identifying the owner's specific camera, a feature worth noting since there may be several users of these cameras on your dive boat or resort.
When searching for the app in the iTunes Store, select the "iPhone Only" option.
Click here to learn more for Apple devices.
Click here to learn more for Android devices.
About SeaLife:
SeaLife underwater cameras, lights and accessories are made and distributed by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ. SeaLife cameras were first introduced in 1993. In 2000, SeaLife made the first digital underwater camera. In 2007 SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm and accessory system. SeaLife Cameras, Lighting and Flex-Connect Accessories are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world.
The post SeaLife Creates Exclusive New iPhone and Android App: SeaLife Micro Cam appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/1MVVJE2
Scuba Diving and Exercise Timing
Most, if not all, scuba-diving manuals urge divers to stay physically fit as part of their readiness for diving. Being a fit diver helps reduce your gas consumption during a dive, helps you fight against a current, lets you dive longer with less physical strain, and reduces your risk of decompression illness (DCI).
With all the advantages of physical exercise, many divers do seek to boost their physical fitness levels through training. However, while it is important that you do exercise, when you exercise in relation to your diving may be equally important. If diving is your priority, you'll want to schedule your fitness routine to accommodate your scuba diving, especially if you're planning an active vacation, where you'll be participating in other physical activities as well, such as hiking, biking or kayaking.
For the purpose of this article, "exercise" is defined as a physical activity that exceeds the exerciser's current capacity, in order to trigger a response in the body that improves physical fitness. This is what is known as progressive overload. While scuba diving may require a diver to undertake some physical strain, such as carrying tanks to a boat, it's typically not intense enough workout, nor a long enough workout to trigger progressive overload.
Performing strenuous exercise right before scuba diving, however, may result in dehydration and muscle fatigue, which can be problematic when you're underwater. As for the increased risk of DCI posed by exercise before scuba diving, the picture is a bit muddled. Some studies have shown a potential increase in risk of DCI, especially if the exercise is quite challenging and includes a lot of muscular activity, as found in strength training, or impacts heavily on the joints, such as running and other cardio. Other studies seem to indicate that exercise right around 24 hours before scuba diving might have some preventative effect on the risk of DCI. However, this effect is largely unproven. In any case, it is wisest to avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours before diving, and this is also what the Divers Alert Network (DAN) recommends.
As for exercise after diving, the statistics are a little more clear-cut. Studies have shown an increase in the presence of microbubbles in test subjects' bloodstreams after intense exercise, which are indicators, though no guarantee, for risk of DCI. We already know that a diver who is physically fatigued during a dive is at an increased risk of DCI; hence the dive-table recommendation for calculating the dive as being longer and more challenging than it actually is. It's only natural to assume that this same calculation, to some extent, also comes into play after diving, and so follows the recommendation to avoid physical strain after a deep dive.
In short, while there haven't been any reported cases of DCI that have, without a doubt, been caused by exercise after diving, the general recommendation is to avoid hard exercise for 24 hours before to 24 hours after scuba diving, especially when doing long, deep, or repetitive dives. For the vacation diver, this is usually possible, and is a perfect excuse for a siesta. For the occasional diver, this is hardly a huge issue, either, as a workout schedule can easily be made to accommodate weekend diving. Dive professionals, however, will want to be careful — physical fitness is important, but tailoring your workout around your diving is important, too.
The post Scuba Diving and Exercise Timing appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/1M34QIj
SeaLife Creates Exclusive New iPhone and Android App: SeaLife Micro Cam
SeaLife Cameras released a free app called “SeaLife Micro Cam” in the iTunes App Store and Google Play Store for their SeaLife Micro HD+ and new Micro 2.0 cameras. The app is found by searching “SeaLife Micro Cam” and is compatible with iPad, iPhone, and iPod Touch running on iOS 6.0 or later and Android devices running on 2.3.3 or higher.
The SeaLife Micro Cam App makes image and video transfer easy by wirelessly bridging the Micro 2.0 or HD+ camera to your smart device. The second option is plugging the Micro HD+ or Micro 2.0 camera into a laptop and transferring files with the camera’s included USB cable and adapter.
After loading the free app onto an iPhone or iPad, the user simply powers on the camera and Wi-Fi function on the SeaLife Micro HD+ or Micro 2.0, and then selects the camera in the Wi-Fi directory. Next, the app is started by selecting the app icon; after that, files are ready to transfer or remote operation may begin.
The SeaLife Micro Cam app allows the user to shoot images above and underwater down to 200 feet and instantly share them by transferring the images and video to their smart device’s camera roll. The app also features a live-streaming view where users can remotely capture and playback images and videos within a distance of 225 feet from the camera (above the water’s surface).
Additionally, users can instantly share and upload their pictures and videos with friends on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Dropbox and email.
The app includes a new feature to personalize the camera’s name (SSID/password) identifying the owner’s specific camera, a feature worth noting since there may be several users of these cameras on your dive boat or resort.
When searching for the app in the iTunes Store, select the “iPhone Only” option.
Click here to learn more for Apple devices.
Click here to learn more for Android devices.
About SeaLife:
SeaLife underwater cameras, lights and accessories are made and distributed by Pioneer Research in Moorestown, NJ. SeaLife cameras were first introduced in 1993. In 2000, SeaLife made the first digital underwater camera. In 2007 SeaLife developed the first non-housed digital underwater camera, and in 2013 SeaLife introduced the powerful Sea Dragon Lighting system and its innovative Flex-Connect tray, grip, arm and accessory system. SeaLife Cameras, Lighting and Flex-Connect Accessories are sold and serviced in 64 countries around the world.
The post SeaLife Creates Exclusive New iPhone and Android App: SeaLife Micro Cam appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/1MVVJE2
Scuba Diving and Exercise Timing
Most, if not all, scuba-diving manuals urge divers to stay physically fit as part of their readiness for diving. Being a fit diver helps reduce your gas consumption during a dive, helps you fight against a current, lets you dive longer with less physical strain, and reduces your risk of decompression illness (DCI).
With all the advantages of physical exercise, many divers do seek to boost their physical fitness levels through training. However, while it is important that you do exercise, when you exercise in relation to your diving may be equally important. If diving is your priority, you’ll want to schedule your fitness routine to accommodate your scuba diving, especially if you’re planning an active vacation, where you’ll be participating in other physical activities as well, such as hiking, biking or kayaking.
For the purpose of this article, “exercise” is defined as a physical activity that exceeds the exerciser’s current capacity, in order to trigger a response in the body that improves physical fitness. This is what is known as progressive overload. While scuba diving may require a diver to undertake some physical strain, such as carrying tanks to a boat, it’s typically not intense enough workout, nor a long enough workout to trigger progressive overload.
Performing strenuous exercise right before scuba diving, however, may result in dehydration and muscle fatigue, which can be problematic when you’re underwater. As for the increased risk of DCI posed by exercise before scuba diving, the picture is a bit muddled. Some studies have shown a potential increase in risk of DCI, especially if the exercise is quite challenging and includes a lot of muscular activity, as found in strength training, or impacts heavily on the joints, such as running and other cardio. Other studies seem to indicate that exercise right around 24 hours before scuba diving might have some preventative effect on the risk of DCI. However, this effect is largely unproven. In any case, it is wisest to avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours before diving, and this is also what the Divers Alert Network (DAN) recommends.
As for exercise after diving, the statistics are a little more clear-cut. Studies have shown an increase in the presence of microbubbles in test subjects’ bloodstreams after intense exercise, which are indicators, though no guarantee, for risk of DCI. We already know that a diver who is physically fatigued during a dive is at an increased risk of DCI; hence the dive-table recommendation for calculating the dive as being longer and more challenging than it actually is. It’s only natural to assume that this same calculation, to some extent, also comes into play after diving, and so follows the recommendation to avoid physical strain after a deep dive.
In short, while there haven’t been any reported cases of DCI that have, without a doubt, been caused by exercise after diving, the general recommendation is to avoid hard exercise for 24 hours before to 24 hours after scuba diving, especially when doing long, deep, or repetitive dives. For the vacation diver, this is usually possible, and is a perfect excuse for a siesta. For the occasional diver, this is hardly a huge issue, either, as a workout schedule can easily be made to accommodate weekend diving. Dive professionals, however, will want to be careful — physical fitness is important, but tailoring your workout around your diving is important, too.
The post Scuba Diving and Exercise Timing appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/1M34QIj
Bookings slow at North American hotels
Though ADR is still projected to increase in most markets during the first and second quarters, "the slowing new-booking pace is creating new pressure on RevPAR performance. The one bright spot for hotels is the pace of group bookings, according to the latest TravelClick data.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcsnt
Marriott unlikely to match Anbang’s bid for Starwood, analysts say
Marriott International, which has been engaged in a bidding war with a group led by China-based Anbang Insurance Group made for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, is unlikely to match the higher buyout the Anbang group made earlier this week, say analysts who cover both Marriott and Starwood.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RLxlJw
European cities report decline in travel interest following Brussels attacks
Major European destinations appear to have suffered double-digit declines in intention to travel in the immediate aftermath of the Brussels terror attacks.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcqMw
Uber’s app will now let you check in to your hotel room en route
From today, if you book a ride through one of Uber's partner apps, you'll start to see personalized content along the way. One of the launch partners is Hilton. If you're staying at a Hilton hotel and set a Ride Reminder for a car to get you to and from the hotel during your stay, you'll be shown details of your reservation while you're on the way.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcqMk
Sydney: Airbnb has no significant impact on city’s hotel performance
As with a recent analysis of Airbnb's impact on the New York hotel sector, STR analysis found that the mainstream accommodation sector has not been greatly affected by Airbnb's presence in the market. It did state however, that Airbnb appears to be benefitting from a lack of available hotels outside the city centre.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RLxltd
Bookings slow at North American hotels
Though ADR is still projected to increase in most markets during the first and second quarters, "the slowing new-booking pace is creating new pressure on RevPAR performance. The one bright spot for hotels is the pace of group bookings, according to the latest TravelClick data.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcsnt
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcsnt
Marriott unlikely to match Anbang’s bid for Starwood, analysts say
Marriott International, which has been engaged in a bidding war with a group led by China-based Anbang Insurance Group made for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, is unlikely to match the higher buyout the Anbang group made earlier this week, say analysts who cover both Marriott and Starwood.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RLxlJw
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RLxlJw
European cities report decline in travel interest following Brussels attacks
Major European destinations appear to have suffered double-digit declines in intention to travel in the immediate aftermath of the Brussels terror attacks.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcqMw
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcqMw
Sydney: Airbnb has no significant impact on city’s hotel performance
As with a recent analysis of Airbnb’s impact on the New York hotel sector, STR analysis found that the mainstream accommodation sector has not been greatly affected by Airbnb’s presence in the market. It did state however, that Airbnb appears to be benefitting from a lack of available hotels outside the city centre.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RLxltd
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1RLxltd
Uber’s app will now let you check in to your hotel room en route
From today, if you book a ride through one of Uber’s partner apps, you’ll start to see personalized content along the way. One of the launch partners is Hilton. If you’re staying at a Hilton hotel and set a Ride Reminder for a car to get you to and from the hotel during your stay, you’ll be shown details of your reservation while you’re on the way.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcqMk
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1UEcqMk
We’re reaching the tipping point in mobile commerce
Think people don't convert when they receive email on a mobile phone? Think again, advises columnist Jason Warnock, and he's got the stats to back up his contention.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MV7735
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MV7735
The path of one survey review: An infographic for hoteliers
There is no single way travelers review their experience at a hotel online. This leads to a complex environment for hoteliers to monitor where people are talking about their hotel and how these opinions impact potential new guests.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MDaOQa
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MDaOQa
Case study: 3 simple strategies to see your direct bookings skyrocket
Booking direct on mobile and social media has proved to be a great way for guests of the Atlantic Highlands Blue Bay Inn to book when it’s convenient for them. The convenience factor encourages shoppers to reserve their room on the spot, rather than to put it off for another time.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MV772S
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MV772S
We’re reaching the tipping point in mobile commerce
Think people don't convert when they receive email on a mobile phone? Think again, advises columnist Jason Warnock, and he's got the stats to back up his contention.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MV7735
The path of one survey review: An infographic for hoteliers
There is no single way travelers review their experience at a hotel online. This leads to a complex environment for hoteliers to monitor where people are talking about their hotel and how these opinions impact potential new guests.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MDaOQa
Case study: 3 simple strategies to see your direct bookings skyrocket
Booking direct on mobile and social media has proved to be a great way for guests of the Atlantic Highlands Blue Bay Inn to book when it's convenient for them. The convenience factor encourages shoppers to reserve their room on the spot, rather than to put it off for another time.
from HOTELMARKETING.COM http://ift.tt/1MV772S
Wednesday, March 30, 2016
“Of Shark and Man” Nominated for Three Awards at Nice International Film Festival
The lovely documentary film "Of Shark and Man" has received nominations for awards in three categories at the Nice International Film Festival in Nice, France, which takes place between the 7th and 14th of May. The nominations are in the following categories:
- Best Cinematography in a Documentary
- Best Editing of a Documentary
- Best Sound Design
Five years in the making, "Of Shark and Man," is the feature debut of UK-based film-maker David Diley, and tells the inspirational, untold story of Shark Reef in Fiji, a place where locals live side by side with sharks in a world where, far from the villain portrayed in western media, sharks have built an economy of their own and brought a once-dead reef back to life.
Of Shark and Man – Official Trailer (2015) from Scarlet View Media on Vimeo.
This incredible story is told through the eyes of the film-maker, an ordinary, 32-year-old from the UK's industrial north who risked everything to fulfill a lifelong dream, one which finds him in the middle of a feeding frenzy with a hundred of the world's biggest bull sharks. "Of Shark and Man" has been described as having, "some of the most brilliant nose-to-nose shark cinematography ever filmed."
David Diley, the film-maker behind "Of Shark and Man" said:
"This is an incredibly exciting acknowledgement of all the hard work that went in to the making of this film, not just from myself, but from all the people who contributed to helping make "Of Shark and Man" what it is. When I started the submissions process to the festival circuit, this is the event I most wanted to accept the film, so to not only be accepted, but to receive nominations in three categories, is a huge honor."
This announcement coincides with the weekly releases of six "making of" films which started on Monday, March 14th with "Origins," and continued on Monday March 21st with the release of "Getting The Look." These films can be viewed at the official movie website, http://ift.tt/21U55am
About the Filmmaker:
David Diley is an award-winning U.K.-based filmmaker and owner of the film's production company, Scarlet View Media. As both a terrestrial and underwater cinematographer, director and editor, Diley has received wide international acclaim for his stylistic story- telling of issues facing people and wildlife with a heavy focus towards marine conservation, in particular sharks. http://ift.tt/1V6nOz0
For more information, please contact David Diley at david@scarletviewmedia.com or with specific queries relating to "Of Shark and Man," via the movie website at info@ofsharkandman.com
The post "Of Shark and Man" Nominated for Three Awards at Nice International Film Festival appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/21U57Pk
“Of Shark and Man” Nominated for Three Awards at Nice International Film Festival
The lovely documentary film “Of Shark and Man” has received nominations for awards in three categories at the Nice International Film Festival in Nice, France, which takes place between the 7th and 14th of May. The nominations are in the following categories:
- Best Cinematography in a Documentary
- Best Editing of a Documentary
- Best Sound Design
Five years in the making, “Of Shark and Man,” is the feature debut of UK-based film-maker David Diley, and tells the inspirational, untold story of Shark Reef in Fiji, a place where locals live side by side with sharks in a world where, far from the villain portrayed in western media, sharks have built an economy of their own and brought a once-dead reef back to life.
Of Shark and Man – Official Trailer (2015) from Scarlet View Media on Vimeo.
This incredible story is told through the eyes of the film-maker, an ordinary, 32-year-old from the UK’s industrial north who risked everything to fulfill a lifelong dream, one which finds him in the middle of a feeding frenzy with a hundred of the world’s biggest bull sharks. “Of Shark and Man” has been described as having, “some of the most brilliant nose-to-nose shark cinematography ever filmed.”
David Diley, the film-maker behind “Of Shark and Man” said:
“This is an incredibly exciting acknowledgement of all the hard work that went in to the making of this film, not just from myself, but from all the people who contributed to helping make “Of Shark and Man” what it is. When I started the submissions process to the festival circuit, this is the event I most wanted to accept the film, so to not only be accepted, but to receive nominations in three categories, is a huge honor.”
This announcement coincides with the weekly releases of six “making of” films which started on Monday, March 14th with “Origins,” and continued on Monday March 21st with the release of “Getting The Look.” These films can be viewed at the official movie website, http://ift.tt/21U55am
About the Filmmaker:
David Diley is an award-winning U.K.-based filmmaker and owner of the film’s production company, Scarlet View Media. As both a terrestrial and underwater cinematographer, director and editor, Diley has received wide international acclaim for his stylistic story- telling of issues facing people and wildlife with a heavy focus towards marine conservation, in particular sharks. http://ift.tt/1V6nOz0
For more information, please contact David Diley at david@scarletviewmedia.com or with specific queries relating to “Of Shark and Man,” via the movie website at info@ofsharkandman.com
The post “Of Shark and Man” Nominated for Three Awards at Nice International Film Festival appeared first on Scuba Diver Life.
from Scuba Diver Life http://ift.tt/21U57Pk
Postcards from the Arctic Circle
I’m hot off the boat from frosty Finland. As sad as I was to leave a perfect winter wonderland, I am pretty stoked to be back on New Zealand soil soaking up the few remaining days of summer while I can. The nights are already smelling crisp like autumn, I am so excited.
That being said, it doesn’t take much for me to miss Finland, especially the wild north of Lapland and my very first visit inside the Arctic Circle. What a magical place, I have never seen so much snow! Alberta, Canada gave me a taste but it was nothing like this.
Cue giddy schoolgirl moments every hour. I just can’t help myself guys. This was a fairytale come to life. Just look at those snow monsters, I mean snow trees. Come on!
Thank you Hecktic Travels for inspiring me to visit!
Wearing my heavy duty Parajumpers parka
To be honest, I am still reeling a bit from the trip – it was that amazing and memorable. For me it was a trip of firsts and challenges, trying new things and immersing myself in a place I’ve been dreaming of visiting for a long time. And don’t quote me on this but I think it might be my last big solo trip for a while. But more on that soon.
For someone with a brain that never stops and is constantly overwhelmed by just about anything, it’s a lot to process.
So I thought I’d start to organize my feelings here by sharing some of my favorite snaps from the trip with you. You might have seen some on my Instagram or Snapchat but here’s a handful more with a story or two alongside.
So grab a cuppa, sit back, imagine some reindeer bells and enjoy as I try to share my journey around Finnish Lapland through my lens.
*Tossing snow with your jacket unzipped is not recommended
It was late at night by the time my plane landed in Rovaniemi, the gateway to Lapland. I grabbed my rental car, headed down the snow covered roads into town checked into the hotel and promptly hit the sauna. All my hotel rooms in Finland had their own private sauna. What heaven!
Not that I know how to sauna like Finnish people. I think I lasted about 20 minutes that first night til my face burned before I was out. Still have plenty of time to learn, right guys?
The next day I spent the morning snowboarding at a local skifield in Rovaniemi before exploring the town and got ready before heading to Luosto, where I would be based for a few days. That wasn’t before I chowed down on an amazing lunch at Roka, a street food style bistro in downtown Rovaniemi.
Arctic Light Hotel in Rovaniemi
I checked into a glass igloo for the night which is probably one of the coolest places I’ve ever stayed and I don’t say that lightly. The snow was piled so high it came up towards the windows and sat on the roof like icing, sparkling under the lights.
I had never seen snow like that before. I also want to take a second to mention that March in Finland is the best winter month to visit, the days are long and it’s not that cold, it hovered just below freezing the whole time I was there, I was expecting it to be much colder. But I ramble.
I fell asleep curled up in my favorite winter onesie hoping the clouds would lift and I would catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The hotel even gives you a cell phone that will text if the aurora is on, but alas, Santa didn’t hear my prayers, which was good because I slept like a log.
My first real foray into Finnish Lapland was heading up to the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine near Luosto. Finland doesn’t really have big mountains rather hills and fells, and the mine is on top of one.
Man does the scenery change as soon as you head up. The trees quickly become so caked in snow they look like people or statues til no green is left. It was my first time seeing trees like that I basically freaked out.
We heard stories about the sustainable mine while sipping hot berry juice before having a go ourselves and digging around for our own piece of amethyst.
While in Luosto I got to try snowmobiling for the first time ever, so scary and so much fun! There is so much snow in Lapland that there are their own snowmobiling roads all over the region. Can you imagine growing up with that?
My parents would have killed me. Zoom zoom!
Luckily I had Heli, a local with me to take turns driving as we joined on a tour with Lapland Safaris out to a frozen lake where we would go ice fishing. And for the record, I caught 4 fish. All by myself. Heli is a local and of course blew me out of the frozen water, but what can you do? So glad I had her with me for part of this trip to keep me company!
Though if I had to pick, one of my absolute favorite things I did on my whole trip to Finland was visiting the Jaakkola Reindeer Farm near Luosto and finally learning about the traditional Saami culture.
We went for a reindeer sled ride (yes that is a thing) through the forest while one of the pups sat in my lap and big fat snowflakes fell all around me. I was in heaven! I felt like I had stepped out in one of those Jan Brett books my mom read to me as a kid.
I wish there was more opportunities to learn about Saami culture in Finland, but I digress. Don’t miss this farm and meeting the amazing family whose passion runs it in the meantime.
Luosto is so cozy and so much to do I almost wish I had spent all my time in Lapland there. I could definitely see myself squirreled away in a cabin somewhere working on a book.
I tried new things like ice climbing for the first time. I honestly didn’t think I would have the strength to do it, and I was so nervous I was shaking but it wasn’t any harder than I imagined and I was able to get myself close to the top!
My last night in Luosto I joined a snowshoeing tour with Lapland Safaris, climbing to the top of a fell on the hunt for the Northern Lights. As luck would have it, they were glowing strong (which is often in Lapland, about every other night) but a solid gray cloud covered the entire sky with just the horizon glowing green. Why me, WHY?
Sigh, I’m done whining now. As you can see, Finland was still pretty awesome.
I was pretty gutted to leave Luosto as I had such an amazing couple of days hidden away there but I was excited to head to the coast and Kemi and see something new.
And boy did I get what I asked for! I joined an afternoon cruise on the old Sampo Icebreaker ship, and it was the coolest ever! I’ve never seen frozen seas before, have you guys?
I’ll never forget the sound of the ice cracking or watching it break up around us as we cut through the frozen high seas. It was also one of those mysterious days with fog so thick the ice and the sky blended together. It was eerily beautiful.
And getting to walk out on the ice and jump in for a swim solidified this as one of the coolest days ever.
And to top it off, I got to sleep in a snow castle that night in Kemi. For real.
That’s right, a hotel castle made entirely of snow, not ice, snow. Just call me Elsa.
Do you want to build a snowman?
And finally my last day went out with a bang dogsledding in Rovaniemi. I got to play with the husky puppies in Luosto but actually go on safari near Rovaniemi. So much fun!
It was all I could do not so sneak one of those frisky puppies away in my giant suitcase. I mean, look at that face??
Are you a winter traveler? Does Lapland look appealing to you? Have you ticked any of these items off your bucket list yet?
Rocking my Juliet Parajumpers jacket when it wasn’t cold
Many thanks to Visit Finland for hosting me in Lapland – like always I am keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me!
The post Postcards from the Arctic Circle appeared first on Young Adventuress.
from Young Adventuress http://ift.tt/1V3WAZV
Postcards from the Arctic Circle
I'm hot off the boat from frosty Finland. As sad as I was to leave a perfect winter wonderland, I am pretty stoked to be back on New Zealand soil soaking up the few remaining days of summer while I can. The nights are already smelling crisp like autumn, I am so excited.
That being said, it doesn't take much for me to miss Finland, especially the wild north of Lapland and my very first visit inside the Arctic Circle. What a magical place, I have never seen so much snow! Alberta, Canada gave me a taste but it was nothing like this.
Cue giddy schoolgirl moments every hour. I just can't help myself guys. This was a fairytale come to life. Just look at those snow monsters, I mean snow trees. Come on!
Thank you Hecktic Travels for inspiring me to visit!
Wearing my heavy duty Parajumpers parka
To be honest, I am still reeling a bit from the trip – it was that amazing and memorable. For me it was a trip of firsts and challenges, trying new things and immersing myself in a place I've been dreaming of visiting for a long time. And don't quote me on this but I think it might be my last big solo trip for a while. But more on that soon.
For someone with a brain that never stops and is constantly overwhelmed by just about anything, it's a lot to process.
So I thought I'd start to organize my feelings here by sharing some of my favorite snaps from the trip with you. You might have seen some on my Instagram or Snapchat but here's a handful more with a story or two alongside.
So grab a cuppa, sit back, imagine some reindeer bells and enjoy as I try to share my journey around Finnish Lapland through my lens.
*Tossing snow with your jacket unzipped is not recommended
It was late at night by the time my plane landed in Rovaniemi, the gateway to Lapland. I grabbed my rental car, headed down the snow covered roads into town checked into the hotel and promptly hit the sauna. All my hotel rooms in Finland had their own private sauna. What heaven!
Not that I know how to sauna like Finnish people. I think I lasted about 20 minutes that first night til my face burned before I was out. Still have plenty of time to learn, right guys?
The next day I spent the morning snowboarding at a local skifield in Rovaniemi before exploring the town and got ready before heading to Luosto, where I would be based for a few days. That wasn't before I chowed down on an amazing lunch at Roka, a street food style bistro in downtown Rovaniemi.
Arctic Light Hotel in Rovaniemi
I checked into a glass igloo for the night which is probably one of the coolest places I've ever stayed and I don't say that lightly. The snow was piled so high it came up towards the windows and sat on the roof like icing, sparkling under the lights.
I had never seen snow like that before. I also want to take a second to mention that March in Finland is the best winter month to visit, the days are long and it's not that cold, it hovered just below freezing the whole time I was there, I was expecting it to be much colder. But I ramble.
I fell asleep curled up in my favorite winter onesie hoping the clouds would lift and I would catch a glimpse of the Northern Lights. The hotel even gives you a cell phone that will text if the aurora is on, but alas, Santa didn't hear my prayers, which was good because I slept like a log.
My first real foray into Finnish Lapland was heading up to the Lampivaara Amethyst Mine near Luosto. Finland doesn't really have big mountains rather hills and fells, and the mine is on top of one.
Man does the scenery change as soon as you head up. The trees quickly become so caked in snow they look like people or statues til no green is left. It was my first time seeing trees like that I basically freaked out.
We heard stories about the sustainable mine while sipping hot berry juice before having a go ourselves and digging around for our own piece of amethyst.
While in Luosto I got to try snowmobiling for the first time ever, so scary and so much fun! There is so much snow in Lapland that there are their own snowmobiling roads all over the region. Can you imagine growing up with that?
My parents would have killed me. Zoom zoom!
Luckily I had Heli, a local with me to take turns driving as we joined on a tour with Lapland Safaris out to a frozen lake where we would go ice fishing. And for the record, I caught 4 fish. All by myself. Heli is a local and of course blew me out of the frozen water, but what can you do? So glad I had her with me for part of this trip to keep me company!
Though if I had to pick, one of my absolute favorite things I did on my whole trip to Finland was visiting the Jaakkola Reindeer Farm near Luosto and finally learning about the traditional Saami culture.
We went for a reindeer sled ride (yes that is a thing) through the forest while one of the pups sat in my lap and big fat snowflakes fell all around me. I was in heaven! I felt like I had stepped out in one of those Jan Brett books my mom read to me as a kid.
I wish there was more opportunities to learn about Saami culture in Finland, but I digress. Don't miss this farm and meeting the amazing family whose passion runs it in the meantime.
Luosto is so cozy and so much to do I almost wish I had spent all my time in Lapland there. I could definitely see myself squirreled away in a cabin somewhere working on a book.
I tried new things like ice climbing for the first time. I honestly didn't think I would have the strength to do it, and I was so nervous I was shaking but it wasn't any harder than I imagined and I was able to get myself close to the top!
My last night in Luosto I joined a snowshoeing tour with Lapland Safaris, climbing to the top of a fell on the hunt for the Northern Lights. As luck would have it, they were glowing strong (which is often in Lapland, about every other night) but a solid gray cloud covered the entire sky with just the horizon glowing green. Why me, WHY?
Sigh, I'm done whining now. As you can see, Finland was still pretty awesome.
I was pretty gutted to leave Luosto as I had such an amazing couple of days hidden away there but I was excited to head to the coast and Kemi and see something new.
And boy did I get what I asked for! I joined an afternoon cruise on the old Sampo Icebreaker ship, and it was the coolest ever! I've never seen frozen seas before, have you guys?
I'll never forget the sound of the ice cracking or watching it break up around us as we cut through the frozen high seas. It was also one of those mysterious days with fog so thick the ice and the sky blended together. It was eerily beautiful.
And getting to walk out on the ice and jump in for a swim solidified this as one of the coolest days ever.
And to top it off, I got to sleep in a snow castle that night in Kemi. For real.
That's right, a hotel castle made entirely of snow, not ice, snow. Just call me Elsa.
Do you want to build a snowman?
And finally my last day went out with a bang dogsledding in Rovaniemi. I got to play with the husky puppies in Luosto but actually go on safari near Rovaniemi. So much fun!
It was all I could do not so sneak one of those frisky puppies away in my giant suitcase. I mean, look at that face??
Are you a winter traveler? Does Lapland look appealing to you? Have you ticked any of these items off your bucket list yet?
Rocking my Juliet Parajumpers jacket when it wasn't cold
Many thanks to Visit Finland for hosting me in Lapland – like always I am keeping it real – all opinions are my own, like you could expect less from me!
The post Postcards from the Arctic Circle appeared first on Young Adventuress.
from Young Adventuress http://ift.tt/1V3WAZV
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