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The Norwegian government this month has revealed plans to potentially introduce heavy oil bans and limit the capacity of permitted ships to the archipelago of Svalbard in the Arctic Ocean.

The Spaceship Company has taken a key step on the path to completing the next spaceship in Virgin Galactic’s fleet. The team has attached the structure of SpaceShipTwo’s unique ‘feather system’ to the wing of the new vehicle, in what is the union of two major components of the airframe. This latest milestone is the final step prior to resting the vehicle’s weight on its wheels.

Atlas Ocean Voyages, up until recently branded Mystic Cruises USA, has offered a preview of the suites and staterooms that will be offered aboard World Navigator when she launches in 2021. The ship will comprise 98 deluxe suites and staterooms, all outward facing and most fitted with a private veranda.

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas will raise its flag in London at the site of a former department store which will soon wear the badge of Six Senses London. The hotel, wellness club and spa mark the brand’s entry into the United Kingdom and will open with 110 guest rooms and suites, starting from 33 square-metres and celebrating the building’s origins, while making space for modern living, along with 14 branded residences.

First-time visitors to Rio de Janeiro should probably take an organised tour all day, to see Corcovado Mountain with its Christ The Redeemer statue, and Sugarloaf Mountain, Selarón Steps, Maracana Stadium, and the Sambadrome. Others might head straight to the four-kilometre-long Copacabana Beach, justifiably rated one of the world’s best, with absolutely clean, pale yellow sand and, from daybreak on, a magnet for the fit and healthy, sports people and sun worshippers.

Marshall Lancaster has been appointed as Chief Information Officer for the professional services division supporting Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises Australia and Carnival Australia. In the role, Marshall will oversee the entire information technology portfolio for the four cruise brands.

The maiden Sofitel Hotels & Resorts property has opened in Turkey: Sofitel Istanbul Taksim.

Viking Orion recently returned down under for her second Australian season, sailing from Bali on the 17-day Komodo & The Australian Coast itinerary and arriving in Darwin on 15 December, 2019.

SERNATUR, Chile’s National Tourism Service, is waiving the visa requirement for Australian tourists entering the country, effective immediately, through to 9 May, 2020. During this period, Australian passport holders will not be required to hold a visa when entering Chile.

MSC Cruises has announced that guests sailing aboard MSC Lirica from its homeport of Dubai next year will receive complimentary tickets to Expo 2020 Dubai. With 25 million visits expected to Dubai next year, Expo 2020 is undoubtedly the largest event ever staged in the Arab World. ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ is the main theme of the event and the expression of how innovation and progress are achieved when people and ideas come together in unique ways.

Hyatt Hotels Corporation is expecting to open its maiden property in Finland in 2022. The 224-room Grand Hansa Hotel will become the first The Unbound Collection by Hyatt property in the Nordics.

In a world first, Anantara Golden Triangle Elephant Camp & Resort is giving guests a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to spend the night observing Thailand’s majestic elephants in their natural habitat while staying in unique transparent Jungle Bubbles.