Globe trekker
Australia
Immediate boarding for... The unknown
After the incredible success of its “flight to nowhere” (150 seats sold in 10 minutes!), the Australian airline Qantas is now launching “mystery flights”. Passengers embark on a day of adventure, including meals and activities, with a low-altitude flight to see the scenery up close. And for the rest, well it remains a mystery! Only the airport of departure gives a few clues to help you pack: “Wide open spaces and country hospitality” for Brisbane, “Tropics and salt water” for Sydney, “Wide open spaces and local farmers’ markets” for Melbourne. An initiative that appeals to both tourism operators and Australians, whose travel is currently limited to domestic trips only.
Egypt
The end of camel rides in Giza
It took a year of lobbying by PETA and 100,000 supporters for the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism to finally agree to ban animal rides around the pyramids of Giza and other archaeologically famous areas. An investigation by the association revealed the systematic mistreatment of camels and horses and the extreme conditions in which they transported visitors to the foot of the world’s oldest wonder. Animals will now be replaced by electric vehicles. The NGO is urging other sites, such as the Greek island of Santorini, which uses mules and donkeys for tourism, to do the same.
Chile
Pioneer of “neuro-rights”
Chile is in the process of becoming the first country in the world to legislate on neurotechnologies and to enshrine brain rights or “neuro-rights” in its constitution. While neurotechnologies hold great promise for curing certain diseases (Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s), they also make it possible to record our mental data. In the near future, they might even be able to change it. The Chilean bill, already adopted unanimously by the Senate, intends to regulate research and practices to protect citizens from possible manipulation but also from a two-tier evolution, with some humans augmented and others not. The country hopes to bring about the emergence of a universal declaration in the spirit of the human rights declaration.
Argentina
A newspaper that can't catch fire
Newspapers should spread information, not flames: that’s the innovative idea of the Argentine daily Noticias de la Comarca. They have joined forces with the Argentine Firemen’s Foundation to create the first fireproof newspaper and thus raise public awareness of the forest fires that have been particularly devastating in recent years. The special “fireproof” edition, which has been widely publicised on social networks around the world, has the headline “The Cordillera in Flames” on the front page. This innovative campaign has reached over 14 million people and has increased donations to the Argentinian Firemen’s Foundation sixfold.
Nepal
2.2 tonnes of waste collected
During the pandemic, Sherpas took advantage of the absence of tourists to clean several Himalayan mountains. The initiative was launched in 2019 by the Bally Peak Outlook Foundation and overseen by environmental activist and mountaineer Dawa Steven Sherpa. The second expedition took place during the health crisis, with the “8 x 8,000 metres” operation. This was aimed at cleaning up the camps of eight 8,000-metre Himalayan mountains, restoring the landscape in which local communities live. The 47-day expedition collected 2.2 tonnes of waste that had been accumulating for decades.
By Clémentine Gallès Chief Economist and Strategist Societe Generale Private Banking, Yvan Mamalet Economist and...
By Clémentine Gallès Chief Economist and Strategist Societe Generale Private Banking, Yvan Mamalet Economist and...
By Clémentine Gallès Chief Economist and Strategist Societe Generale Private Banking, Yvan Mamalet Economist and...
By Clémentine Gallès Chief Economist and Strategist Societe Generale Private Banking, Yvan Mamalet Economist and...
By Clémentine Gallès Chief Economist and Strategist Societe Generale Private Banking, Yvan Mamalet Economist and...