Posts made in April 2021

5 Ways to Save More Money for a Down Payment on Your Home

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There are plenty of reasons to buy your own home. Some of them are practical. In many places, mortgage costs are lower than rent. There are tax breaks associated with having a mortgage. A house can also be an excellent investment. However, many of the reasons are also emotional, and you may find yourself wanting to a buy a home even if it might not be the optimal financial decision.

It can be comforting to know that you are not reliant on the whim of a landlord. If you are a DIY type, you may long to have a place of your own that you can put your stamp on. One of the big barriers to homeownership is money, and having more money for a down payment can get you a better payment plan. Below are several ways to help you save for this down payment.

Make a Budget

This is the first, fundamental step. Making a budget nearly always means that you will find places where there is waste, and you can put this money toward a home instead. Even though you are probably enthusiastic about saving, you should make sure that you don’t cut your budget to the absolute minimum because this is too hard to stick to. A budget that you can live with allows slow and steady savings.

Sell Your Life Insurance Policy

You might actually not realize that you have some valuable items that you could sell, such as your life insurance policy. Both permanent and term coverage can be sold, and it only takes a few seconds to get an estimate of your policy’s value. If you are single and do not have dependents, this might be a particularly attractive option. On the other hand, if there is a family that depends on you and they would need the money from the policy if anything happened to you, you may want to look at selling other items.

Sell Other Items

You can make money selling clothing, furniture, books, cookware and more. Whether you want to put them online, have an old-fashioned yard sale or take them to a consignment or other shop that buys used items, this is a quick way to make some cash on things you weren’t using anyway—and you won’t have to move them to your new home.

Gig Work

Gig work can be a great way to pick up some extra money because unlike a part-time job, it requires little commitment. You can deliver food, give people rides, walk dogs, mow lawns or do any number of other things and put away everything that you make toward your down payment. You might be surprised at how fast this can add up.

Look for High-Interest Savings

You can turn the money that you’re making from all of the above suggestions into even more money if you can get paid interest on it. While many traditional savings accounts offer low interest rates, if you do not need access to your down payment money for a while, you might look into certificates of deposit and other vehicles that may give you higher rates and make you some money without having to do anything at all.

Best Culture & Fashion Lifestyle Publication – USA

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360 MAGAZINE has been selected as Best Culture & Fashion Lifestyle Publication – USA

Awarded by the 2021 Global Business Insight Awards, which celebrates business leadership, innovation in finance and investment and sector success across all seven continents of the world, 360 Magazine is honored to receive this prestigious title. Global Business Insight has ranked 360 Magazine at the “pinnacle of its peers,” recognizing our magazine’s commitment to continued success and innovation.

What are the 2021 Global Business Insight Awards?

“The 2021 Global Business Insight Awards are an exact illustration of the very best this essential and competitive industry as to offer. By concentrating on a wealth of disciplines, our awards will endeavor to identify and celebrate those individuals and businesses within the Business Insight umbrella. From Financial Services and Technology to Construction and Healthcare – all sectors and company sizes are welcome, including individual recognition for outstanding achievements. Using our far-reaching and intense research process, we guarantee the selection of only the elite for our prestigious honors.”

How is the 2021 Winner List Formulated?

“The 2021 Global Business Insight Awards are a celebration of business leadership, innovation and sector success across the globe. Nominated through a legitimately independent process, each of the winners is carefully selected by the corporate community, raising the kudos of these annual awards. Business leaders are recognized across a full spectrum of sectors, from Financial Services and Technology to Construction and Healthcare and then judged in a range of categories.”

“Ensuring that the award evaluation process is neutral and valid, is a key priority and as a consequence votes are gathered year-round via a number of digital channels and then evaluated employing a transparent and dynamic framework. For each of the awards programs we utilize quantitative and qualitative studies which have been conducted by our experienced research teams and by measuring each business against a precise set of appraisal criteria, we have created a unique model which assures the validity of our results. The criteria and sub-criteria offer a robust set of requirements that are then used as the methodology to not only benchmark but also create a depth of understanding amidst the participating businesses, ultimately allowing us to ensure that we capture different dimensions of the same phenomenon.”

Who Judges the Awards?

“The judges of the 2021 Global Business Insight Awards are highly experienced and diverse; the panel are made up of transnational and multi-lingual appointed individuals whose backgrounds span a host of different disciplines such as European languages, journalism, history, media and not least business. Headed up by an experienced academic leader of international schooling, who boasts years of coaching practice and is well-informed in research practices and the verification of facts and facilitation, the panel are able to run efficiently and dependably, ultimately ensuring the weight of these awards.”

TA3 Swimwear

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By: Leila Shams

As we near the end of winter, I’m sure we are all highly anticipating spring and summer. With the beautiful, warm weather rolling in comes the overwhelming need for a perfect beach body. What if we could eat whatever we want, work out less, and still look amazing on the beach? That’s where Leila Shams steps in and says “you can!” With her new swimsuit line, TA3 Swim, everyone can look and feel like a “Baywatch babe” walking down the beach.

Leila Shams is a seasoned fashion designer. She is founder and CEO of TA3 Swimwear–a fashion line that offers a newly innovative type of swimsuit that flatters your shape, regardless of body type. After a lot of hard work and dedication, she has created the world’s most sculpting swimsuits. Her exciting career has involved working for top brands such as DKNY, Express, and Tommy Hilfiger, but launching her newest swimwear line, TA3, has been the highlight of her career.

Leila created TA3 because she wanted to look good in a swimsuit and was inspired by her own insecurities. She wondered why women invest in shape wear for under their clothes, but then when they’re the most exposed on the beach, they wear some of the flimsiest garments ever.

“I see so many ‘inclusive’ swimwear brands showing a suit on a plus-sized woman that just doesn’t fit. If her bust isn’t supported, if there are bulges everywhere, then you’ve just sized up but you haven’t bothered to flatter her body” says Leila. Leila believes we should all be able to eat and still look hot at the pool or beach without having to stress. This is why she named the company TA3, which is “EAT” backwards.

It took Leila almost three years, hundreds of prototypes, and fittings to create a waterproof swimsuit that squeezes your body into a beautiful hourglass shape. TA3 suits are created from compression fabric, which Leila discovered after surgery when she had to wear a compression suit. Her swimsuit is a patent-pending construction that snatches your waist, flattens your tummy and lifts your bust. Leila is a long-time fashion designer whose designs have clothed the biggest celebrities in the world including Kim Kardashian, Kendall Jenner, Kelly Clarkson and Nicki Minaj. Her products are sold in some of the best boutiques and on-line retailers. Even with her rich designer past, Leila feels that the greatest thrill of her career and life is being the reason that women loving the way they look in a swimsuit, and instilling a newfound confidence in her customers.

TA3 suits are sexy, fashionable, and give every woman the shape and curves they have been striving for their entire lives. Leila’s current, one-piece suit collection comes in all-black , and features three trendy styles: zippy, lacey, and high-cut zippy. The suits are so versatile that women can even wear this matte swimsuit as a bodysuit with a skirt or jeans–making TA3 swimsuits the “little black dress” of this years’ Summer wardrobe. This will be your new go-to piece. You no longer need to buy several different bathing suits.

TA3 Swim has customers raving about their new self-esteem boost. Whether it’s a postpartum mother or victim of the “Covid-15” weight gain, TA3 is bringing women back to the beach and pool by making them feel confident. TA3 swimwear is handing women back their power. Women can now confidently strut their stuff without a worry in the world.

Leila’s creativity, relentless drive, and sense of humor make her the perfect female disruptor who is reimagining the concept of a successful apparel industry. Leila claims, “the way we usually fit women’s clothing is so backwards.” Models are tall, hourglass shaped and “perfect”–but this is not what the average, everyday woman looks like. Women’s bodies can vary and differ in so many ways. What sets Leila’s apparel apart from other brands is that her suits are not very stretchy, and she molds her styles on women of all shapes and sizes. Over the past two years, she has taken in her customers’ feedback and tweaked the design to make necessary changes, which has led to the development of her current collection. Leila explains that making clothing used to be expensive and slow, which was annoying because trends would die out before companies were even able to launch a product. Nevertheless, she realized that clothing should be expensive and slow, because although you may like to design and shop, creating stuff that is quick and cheap is merely fun. In fast fashion, workers aren’t paid what they should be paid and companies produce a lot of waste. On top of that, people end up buying a bunch of clothing that they wear once and then quickly throw away.

Swimsuits are not where it ends for Leila Shams. She fully expects to expand and incorporate more categories focused on ultra-flattering fits for your body shape. She is adding more lengths and fits to her best-selling styles, as well as adding bodysuits. She is also expanding her team. Now with Leila’s new swimsuit line, TA3 Swim, women no longer need to worry about their bodies, jump on crazy diet fads, or work out until their limbs fall off trying to achieve an unrealistic, nearly unattainable body. Leila wants to be known as “the fashion designer that stopped shoving women into thin, stretchy, and unflattering clothing.” She is determined to change the way we fit and size clothing. We can now live in and be proud of our own bodies.

Thandie × Thandiwe

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Thandiwe (Thandie) Newton is Reclaiming Her Name

After being miscredited as “Thandie” in her first project—a mistake that has continued for the rest of her career—actress Thandiwe Newton is insisting people use her whole name. All of her future films will be credited with her full name, Thandiwe, which means beloved in Shona.

“That’s my name. It’s always been my name. I’m taking back what’s mine,” Newton said in her May cover story for British Vogue.

Newton also spoke about her experiences with abuse in the film industry, which started when she was sexually abused by director John Duigan at the age of 16 while shooting her very first film, Flirting.

“There’s a moment where the ghost of me changed, you know, and it was then, it was 16. He derailed me from myself utterly. I was traumatized. It was a kind of PTSD for sure. I was so distraught and appalled that a director had abused a young actress, and that it was happening elsewhere, minors getting abused and how fucked up it was. I was basically waiting for someone to come along and say, ‘Well, what shall we do about this?’’’

Although Newton faced a great deal of backlash when she first came forward with her story of abuse, soon the #MeToo movement led to countless more women within Hollywood sharing their own stories of abuse and assault.

To continue reading this Jezebel article, click here.

Fire in Little Africa

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FIRE IN LITTLE AFRICA SET FOR MAY 28 RELEASE VIA MOTOWN RECORDS/BLACK FORUM IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE BOB DYLAN CENTER AND WOODY GUTHRIE CENTER

Album Brings Fresh and Important Perspective to the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre and Celebrates the City’s Vibrant Hip Hop Scene

Fire in Little Africa a groundbreaking album of original material, written and recorded by a collective of Oklahoma hip hop artists to commemorate the 100-anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre will be released on May 28 by Motown Records/Black Forum in partnership with Tulsa’s Bob Dylan Center and Woody Guthrie Center.

The 21-track collection gets to the truth of what happened on May 31 and June 1, 1921 when a white mob descended on the streets of Greenwood then a prosperous Tulsa neighborhood known as Black Wall Street and burned down the business district, destroying roughly 1,500 homes, killing hundreds and leaving thousands of Black Tulsans homeless. For years, this historic, albeit dire, chapter was left out of classrooms and textbooks as the city attempted to erase this part of its past.The artists heard on Fire in Little Africa get to the truth through urgent songs, recalling stories told and stories lived in hope to usher in a new era for Tulsa as they help the community process this generational trauma through music.

Fire in Little Africa is a powerful and timely project that provides a platform and outlet for the incredibly talented and thriving music community of Tulsa, Oklahoma, said Motown Records Chairman & CEO, Ethiopia Habtemariam. Carrying the legacy of the Black Wall Street community, Fire in Little Africa is a body of work filled with purpose and prolific storytelling. I am honored and feel privileged to have Motown Records/Black Forum partner with Dr. View, the Bob Dylan Center and Guthrie Center to release this impactful hip-hop album.

Stevie, Dr. View, Johnson, PhD, Manager, Education & Diversity Outreach at the Woody Guthrie Center | Bob Dylan Center and the album’s executive producer, added, Fire in Little Africa has evolved into a communal hip hop movement and we’re excited that we get to share the flavor, history and legacy of Black Wall Street with the world, in collaboration with the amazing leadership of the Motown/Black Forum family. We’re grateful for Ethiopia’s foresight in providing us an opportunity to share our important stories with the world. There are Black Wall Streets across the diaspora, and we unequivocally know that Fire in Little Africa will inspire many people. In the words of Steph Simon, everything is us.

In this feature, Rolling Stone noted, Fire in Little Africa is poised to teach the world about that long-suppressed history, from locals who grew up in a community that still lives with the aftermath of the massacre. Just as important, the artists involved in the project also hope it serves as a launching-pad moment for Tulsa’s hip-hop scene, which has long flown under the national radar.

The album was recorded in Greenwood over a five-day period in March 2020. Studios were set up at the Greenwood Cultural Center and other locations, including the former home of 1921 massacre mastermind/KKK leader Tate Brady. The house is now owned by former NFL first-round draft pick and Tulsa native Felix Jones. The Tulsa World was on hand to speak with the artists involved in the historic sessions. Read the article HERE and check out the accompanying video HERE.

Fireside with Dr. View is a weekly podcast featuring Dr. View in conversation with thought leaders in activism, academia and culture, centered on the movement behind the Fire in Little Africa music. Listen to Fireside with Dr. View HERE. Hosts Ali Shaw and Doc Free sit down with Fire in Little Africa artists, Tulsa community leaders and national voices for conversations on music and culture in the Fire in Little Africa podcast, which can be found HERE.

Located in the Tulsa Arts District, the Woody Guthrie Center opened in 2013. The Bob Dylan Center is expected to open on the same block within the next year. Both are projects of the George Kaiser Family Foundation, the primary funder for Fire in Little Africa. The album is chronicled in a documentary film, which will be released later this year.

Fire in Little Africa marks the first new material released by Black Forum since the label’s relaunch earlier this year. Black Forum originally debuted in 1970 with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s Why I Oppose the War in Vietnam, which won a GRAMMYAward for Best Spoken Word Album. The label reissued Dr. King’s influential speech earlier this year.

TAFI × Champion 2021 Spring Line

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Tafi and Champion Athleticwear Expand Partnership to Showcase Champion’s 2021 Spring Line

Tafi and Champion bring new Spring Collection to life with NFTs and Avatar Content for Samsung AR Emoji

Tafi, a leading creator of custom 3D content for avatar and emoji systems, and Champion Athleticwear today announced the availability of Champion’s 2021 Spring Collection for Non-Fungible Tokens (“NFTs”) and Samsung Galaxy’s AR Emoji.

Champion Athleticwear, makers of authentic athletic apparel since 1919, in partnership with Tafi brings Champion’s 2021 Spring Collection to life through NFTs and on Samsung’s AR Emoji. Through this partnership, the companies are leading the new wave of digital fashion and personalization.

The launch of Champion’s NFT Spring Collection auction will include iconic and exclusive Champion artwork as well as limited-edition avatars inspired by Champion. The companies are leveraging NFTs as an innovative way to share Champion’s 2021 Spring Collection.

The new digital content available on Samsung’s AR Emoji from Champion’s 2021 Spring Collection includes branded slides, sweatshirts, tees, joggers and more. The collection is available now in the Samsung Galaxy store.

“This is an incredibly exciting, transformative time in the digital world. We are just starting to scratch the surface on the benefits that NFTs unlock for the customer,” said Tyler Lewison, General Manager at Champion. “This NFT drop is an extension of our partnership with Tafi, which started last year in an effort to better reach our customers and make Champion accessible to them in a whole new way.”

“At Tafi, our mission is to democratize access to personalized avatars and digital content,” said Preston Woo, Chief Strategy Officer of Tafi. “With this partnership, we’re not only making Champion’s 2021 Spring Collection available to Samsung AR emoji users, but we’re enabling the customer to digitally own unique pieces of Champion’s iconic collection through NFTs. We are thrilled to deepen our partnership with Champion given their leadership in innovation and quality.”

To check out the Tafi x Champion’s NFT Spring Collection, please go this website.

About Tafi

Founded in 2019, Tafi’s mission is to make personalized avatars and branded digital content available to anyone and everyone who wants to level-up their digital personality. Tafi’s best-in-class avatar solutions are portable across platforms including mobile, gaming, XR, social media, messaging, and video communications. Tafi’s investors include Benchmark Capital, Columbia Capital, and Ponte Partners. Learn more at this website.

About Champion®

Since 1919, Champion Athleticwear has offered a full line of innovative athletic apparel for men and women including activewear, sweats, tees, sports bras, team uniforms, footwear and accessories. Champion uses innovative design and state-of-the-art product testing to ensure uncompromised quality and innovative apparel for its consumers. Champion Athleticwear can be purchased at department stores, sporting goods, specialty retailers, and at their website. For more information, follow Champion on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram. Champion is a brand of Hanesbrands Inc. (NYSE: HBI).

Hemp Oil: Benefits and Side Effects

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Hemp oil is the full spectrum oil that is derived from the hemp seeds of the Cannabis Sativa plant. It is now widely used in wellness and health care products due to its non-intoxicating traits. The hemp oil is extracted by cold pressing the hemp seed, which contains less than 0.03 percent of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Although the seed does not contain the same amount of compound as the plant, it has a rich profile of nutrients, fatty acids, and useful bioactive compounds that are beneficial for health. It is used in making a wide range of products including foods, health products, fabric, rope, natural remedies, and much more. The seeds of hemp are edible and are considered highly nutritious with a high concentration of soluble and insoluble fiber, and omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids for heart health and skin health.

Leaf Nation describes the various benefits of using hemp oil:

1. Good for Mental Health

The brain requires plenty of good fats to operate, and hemp oil fulfills this need with its fatty acid content. The cannabinoids of the hemp oil interact with the two prominent receptors in the brain, namely Adenosine and Serotonin. Adenosine receptors determine how you experience anxiety. On the other hand, serotonin receptors are associated with depression. The adenosine receptors help to curb anxiety; hence, if they are active, your anxiety level will be low. The slowing down of these receptors causes anxiety. The moment there is a drop in their activity, you start to feel anxious. Similarly, the serotonin receptors help combat the problem of depression, the more active they are, the less likely you are to feel sad or depressed. Hemp seed oil keep both the receptors functional, thereby reducing anxiety and depression.

2. Gives Relief from Pain

Hemp oil is very effective in treating pain, especially pain caused by inflammation. The endocannabinoid system of the body is responsible for signaling pain to the brain. Hemp oil combats pain by interacting with the core components of the endocannabinoid receptors of the brain. It creates anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving effects that help with pain management. It has proven to relieve pain caused due to arthritis, neuropathy, and fibromyalgia.

3. Relieves Muscle Tension

Hemp oil that contains cannabinoids is proven to help with the problem of stress and tension in the muscles. It produces an anti-inflammatory effect on the body that relieves tension caused due to exertion, extensive workouts or injury. It also helps promote easy recovery from exercise. For relieving muscle tension, the hemp oil should be used topically, via rubbing on the affected muscles to release tension.

4. Good for Skin Health

Hemp seeds are a good source of polyunsaturated and essential fatty acids. It has the optimal range of Omega-6 to Omega that is considered healthy for the skin. The vitamins and fatty acids of the hemp oil keep the skin healthy and prevent breakouts. The fatty acids in the oil act as a nourishing agent and help reduce the signs of aging, including inflammation and oxidation. The omega-3s and omega-6s present in the hemp oil helps to fight a number of skin conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, lichen planus, etc. When used in skincare products, it contributes to stronger skin that is more resistant to viral, bacterial, and fungal infections.

5. Good for Heart

Hemp seeds are very effective in reducing cardiovascular problems and ensuring a healthy heart. The hemp oil contains a high amount of amino acid arginine, which produces nitric oxide in your body. Nitric oxide is a powerful neurotransmitter that helps blood vessels relax and improve blood circulation. It also improves blood flow in the arteries of the heart. This ensures lowered blood pressure and reduces risk of heart attack. The gamma-linolenic acid found in hemp seeds also reduces inflammation, which decreases the risk of heart disease.

Despite the numerous benefits it offers, hemp oil might have certain side effects on some people. For example:

1. Mildly explosive

A lot of care must be exercised while using hemp oil for cooking because the oil releases toxic peroxides that are very harmful. The peroxide is mildly explosive and can catch fire. It can damage organs, tissues, and even the skin.

2. Production of Tumor Cells

The hemp oil contains polyunsaturated fatty acid that helps in the reproduction of new cells in the body. The rich ploy-unsaturated fatty acid of the hemp oil can increase the risk of prostate cancer in some people, as it triggers cell reproduction.

3. Weakens the Immune System

The hemp oil can reduce the efficacy of the immune system, as it is very rich in poly-unsaturated fatty acids. It has a direct effect on the immune system and leads to bacterial and fungal infections in the body.

4. Causes Hallucination

Although hemp oil is non-intoxicating in nature, it does have psychoactive properties. It contains THC that can cause aural hallucination in some people. Hence, it is not recommended to otherwise sensitive people.

5. Slows Brain Development

The neurons in the brain require Omega-3 fatty acids, of which hemp oil is rich in. Consuming large quantities of hemp oil can lead to acidity and fatty acid imbalance in the brain, which leads to brain development problems.

6. Unsuitable for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Woman

Studies show that hemp oil consumption during pregnancy can lead to smaller babies with lower birth weight and other unwanted outcomes. The active ingredients in marijuana can harm a developing baby and hence it is not advisable during pregnancy, or even while breastfeeding.

Besides the side-effects given above, hemp oil can lead to fatigue, diarrhea, changes in appetite, changes in weight and even interact with certain medications. Therefore, it is highly recommended to consult your doctor before starting to use hemp oil.

Tourism Trends in 2021

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What’s Ahead for Travel and Tourism? 5 Trends to Look For in 2021 and Beyond

By: Stefan Read, SVP Engagement Advisory and Strategy Practice Lead at Jackman

As vaccines continue to roll out and people begin to see a light at the end of the pandemic tunnel, many consumers are starting to think of travel. A recent survey by CivicScience found that as of March 2021, nearly 6 in 10 US adults say they’d be willing to travel in the next five months. This is very promising, but much has changed in the past year and several aspects of consumer behavior have been permanently altered. In order to succeed in the new post-Covid world, travel and hospitality brands must understand the new and emerging trends impacting this industry. Below are the top trends and customer behaviors that we will see in 2021 and beyond as travel begins to ramp up again.

Cleanliness: Unsurprisingly, travelers now say that cleanliness is their top priority when selecting hotels and flights. In November 2020, Booking declared that short-term or holiday rentals have to meet a minimum cleanliness standard by May 2021, or have their properties delisted. Airbnb and VRBO created new cleaning procedures for hosts to follow in the pandemic. Even after the pandemic ends, cleanliness will remain top of mind for travelers as the anxiety around COVID and other illnesses have now become part of our new reality. Travel and hospitality brands can do their part by communicating detailed and specific information with travelers about the cleaning procedures they have in place, and making sure the procedures can be clearly observed by guests. Hotels and property hosts should also adjust their change and refund policies to allow guests to cancel at the last minute in case of a future outbreak. Brands that prioritize the health and well-being of guests over profits will win when it comes to customer loyalty and safety.
Wellness Tourism: Cleanliness goes hand in hand with wellness, and wellness tourism will keep growing over the next couple of years as people continue to seek out travel for the purpose of promoting health and well-being through physical, psychological, or spiritual activities. According to the Global Wellness Institute, wellness tourism will be worth $919 billion by 2022, representing 18 percent of all tourism globally. Brands should start to think about what services or experiences they can create or enhance that will attract these wellness travelers, such as transforming outdoor spaces to become open air yoga studios or hiring meditation or massage experts available for guests to utilize during their stay.
Staying Close to Home: It’s no surprise that during the pandemic traveler preferences shifted toward the familiar. Backpacking through Europe was no longer feasible, so travelers instead opted for domestic destinations and were more thorough in their planning. A recent AirBnB survey revealed that 56 percent of consumers prefer a domestic or local destination and one in five Americans say they want their destination to be within driving distance of home. As a result, road trips will boom – in fact, 59 percent of families say they’re more likely to drive than fly on their next trip. Smaller hotels can compete with the big hotel chains by highlighting the local aspect of their experience and engaging meaningfully with the community they’re in. They might also consider banding together to help people plan fun road trips along specific routes. Travel and hospitality brands can help take some of the anxiety off of travelers by playing a more active role in the planning aspect of the guests’ travel.

Traveling to Connect: The door is open for brands to play a more meaningful role in the travel plans for customers as Airbnb anticipates 2021 being the year of “meaningful travel.” It’s not the act of getting on a plane, standing in long line ups, and visiting crowded tourist attractions that people miss about travel. Rather, it’s the element of social connection – reuniting with old friends, spending time with family, and experiencing something new with loved ones. For a significant percentage of AirBnB survey respondents, their definition of meaningful travel has changed since the pandemic to become even more focused on being with loved ones. These people also say they intend to travel more after the pandemic, with nearly one in two (46%) saying they will travel more for pleasure, such as by going on vacation and to visit family. Brands should consider helping with family reunion planning and continue to be mindful of ways to bring families together while still maintaining a clean and safe environment.
Eco-Tourism: Defined as “responsible travel to natural areas that conserves the environment, sustains the well-being of the local people and involves education,” eco-tourism is on the rise. Consumers are taking on the role of “concerned citizens” demanding responsible travel policies, and we’re seeing a shift in behavior and sentiment toward appreciating the earth and what it has to offer. Moving forward, people will be thinking more mindfully about the way they travel, why they travel, and where they go. Rather than trying to fit as many destinations as possible into one trip, many consumers will opt for longer stays, choosing to get to know the local communities, cultures, cuisines, and landscapes.

The world of travel and tourism has been forever altered by the pandemic and lockdowns. With some valuable insights into how customer behaviors and desires have changed, travel and hospitality brands can find new, creative ways to appeal to travelers. The five trends listed above are a great place to start when looking to understand the ways these industries will continue to change moving into 2021 and beyond.

NCAA Opposes Anti-Trans Sports Bills

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On the Eve of Final Four Tournament, NCAA President Mark Emmert Speaks Out Against Anti-Trans Sports Bills In States, Reinforces NCAA Will Hold Championship In Locations “Free of Discrimination.”

On the eve of this weekend’s NCAA Final Four tournament, NCAA President Mark A. Emmert spoke out against the slate of discriminatory, anti-transgender bills in state legislatures across the country—aimed at banning transgender youth from participating in sports—framing the legislation as “harmful to transgender student-athletes” and “conflicting with NCAA’s core values.” In addition to criticizing the legislation, Emmert went a step further by reinforcing NCAA’s commitment to hosting championship games in locations “free of discrimination.”

In a letter sent to HRC President Alphonso David—released today by HRC—Emmert wrote: “The NCAA Board of Governors policy requires championship host sites to demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination. The board policy also requires that safeguards are in place to ensure the dignity of everyone involved in the event.”

The letter—sent in response to a letter from David—further called out Idaho House Bill 500, a bill that bars transgender women and girls from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity. Emmert expressed that the legislation “conflicts with the NCAA’s core values of inclusivity, respect and the equitable treatment of all individuals.” He further emphasized the NCAA’s commitment to host sites that are “safe, healthy, and free of discrimination.”

In 2016, the NCAA Board of Governors instructed the association to relocate all seven previously awarded championship events from North Carolina after the vote of HB 2, legislation that eliminated existing municipal non-discrimination protections for LGBTQ people and forced transgender students in public schools to use restrooms and other facilities inconsistent with their gender identity. The NCAA has continuously stated a firm position that if participating states do not meet the association’s “expectations of a discrimination-free environment,” they will “not hesitate to take necessary action at any time.”

“These bills seek to deny the very existence of transgender people, further perpetuating stigma that fuels an epidemic of violence against our community,” said HRC’s Alphonso David. “To be clear, this stigma is directly affecting NCAA athletes; as highlighted in a recent article detailing the steps the NCAA had to take to protect the safety of one of its transgender athletes, including hiring body guards. It bears repeating: this is a moment of crisis. HRC stands ready to support the work of the NCAA to ensure that we continue to foster diversity, inclusion and equity.”

“It’s heartbreaking that during a global pandemic, when transgender youth especially need community and support, we are seeing a record number of proposed bills threatening to ban them from playing sports with their friends,” said Athlete Ally’s Anne Lieberman. “These discriminatory bills are in direct violation of the NCAA’s 2016 nondiscrimination policy for championship events, and we hope to see the NCAA join us in supporting the rights of all LGBTQ+ student athletes to be safe, welcome and included in sport.”

Athletes Across the Country Speaking Out Against Anti-Transgender Bills

Athletes and other prominent sports figures across the country are speaking out against the discriminatory measures. Recently, 500 NCAA student athletes called on the Board of Governors to continue upholding its “NCAA Anti-Discrimination Policy and only operate championships and events in states that promote an inclusive atmosphere.” This week, Minnesota Lynx GM and coach Cheryl Reeve wrote: “Transgender exclusion pits woman athletes against one another, reinforces the harmful notion that there is only one right way to be a woman and distracts us from the real threats to women’s sports.”

The anti-transgender legislation is part of a larger coordinated effort to advance a series of anti-LGBTQ measures in statehouses across the country—where 192 discriminatory bills targeting LGBTQ people are under consideration. Of these discriminatory bills, 93 directly target transgender people and about half of those would ban transgender youth from participating in sports consistent with their gender identity.

The full letter from Emmert is below.

– – – – – –

April 1, 2021

Dear Alphonso:

Thank you for writing to me and the NCAA Board of Governors. We appreciate your continued attention to this issue and are pleased we share the same views on the importance of diversity and inclusion.

As you mentioned, the NCAA, including our more than 1,100 member schools, has long advocated for increased opportunities and inclusion in sport. We are incredibly proud of the opportunities that student-athletes have gained thanks to more inclusive collegiate environments. Our member schools and conferences also share our commitment to offering a diverse and inclusive experience for all our student-athletes, which is why we have developed policies to ensure students have fair and equitable opportunities to compete.

The NCAA is concerned with the numerous bills that have been filed across our country related to sport participation. As we have previously stated in situations such as Idaho’s House Bill 500 and its resulting law, this legislation is harmful to transgender student-athletes and conflicts with the NCAA’s core values of inclusivity, respect and the equitable treatment of all individuals. The NCAA Board of Governors policy requires championship host sites to demonstrate how they will provide an environment that is safe, healthy, and free of discrimination. The board policy also requires that safeguards are in place to ensure the dignity of everyone involved in the event.

The NCAA continues to closely monitor and assess state bills and federal guidelines that impact student-athlete participation. In addition to our longstanding work in diversity and inclusion, in October 2020, the NCAA convened a summit about gender identity and student-athlete participation that focused on issues of competitive equity, inclusion, and physical and mental health for all student-athletes. NCAA inclusion and Sport Science Institute staff and others continue to work with leading experts to assess our transgender participation policy and provide resources to the membership about inclusive practices on their campuses.

We also are aware of President Biden’s recent executive order that strengthens the enforcement power of Title IX as it relates to transgender students on campuses. This federal guidance will be another important mechanism that states consider when formulating new legislation. All NCAA schools also must follow state and federal laws, including Title IX.

It is our clear expectation that all NCAA student-athletes will be welcomed, treated with respect, and have nondiscriminatory participation wherever they compete. We are committed to upholding these principles and will continue to assess emerging laws to ensure student-athletes have fair opportunities.

Thank you again for contacting us.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Emmert

NCAA President

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The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organizations working to achieve equality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer people. HRC envisions a world where LGBTQ people are embraced as full members of society at home, at work and in every community.

3 Reasons Colombian Coffee Is Considered The Best

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If you are thinking of giving coffee a try for the first time, or if you want to change the particular beans that you have been using by now, there is one thing that you should definitely keep in mind. Colombian coffee is considered to be the best in the whole world practically and that speaks volumes of its quality. Why is that so, though?

Why does this particular type stand out so much? There’s no doubt that you can find the very best colombian coffee on the market and taste it in order to check its specific taste and quality, but here’s the thing. You probably first want to know why it is considered to be the best in the whole wide world. Well, it’s time to give you an explanation.

You are either trying to find this out just because you want to soothe your own curiosity, or you are actually searching for the right beans to buy. Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure. You want to know the reasons why Colombian coffee is so esteemed, so that you can determine whether those reasons are enough for you to try it out. So, let us take a quick look at some of the most important reasons that you should have in mind.

The Geographical Location Plays A Role

Here is the first thing you should understand. Coffee needs to be grown in the right environment in order for it to be of great quality and to thrive. Sure, you could try growing it anywhere you want and you could perhaps succeed, but the point is that the geographical location plays a huge role in its quality. Well, Colombia definitely has a lot to offer when it comes location.

To put things simply, this country has the ideal weather conditions and the perfect soil, meaning that the beans planted there will most definitely thrive and prosper. The climate is also amazing, as the country gets both enough sunlight and rainfall, and those two things certainly play a part in the quality of the coffee that’s grown. So, the first reason why Colombian coffee is the best is because it grows in the best possible conditions.

This is what you should know about this particular product: https://www.littlecoffeeplace.com/colombian-coffee-guide

Growing & Harvesting Methods Are Also Important

In addition to being grown in the perfect locations and weather conditions, the truth is that these beans also need to be cultivated the right way. In other words, the human factor plays an important part in the quality. One of the reasons why Colombian coffee is considered to be the best is because people are rather committed to using the right growing and harvesting methods.

Simply said, those growers are dedicated to the work they do and they are determined to make the very best products. The best part is, it seems that they are succeeding in doing that. For starters, they make sure that the beans are grown on steep slopes, so as to be surrounded by trees to provide them with the shade they need. Then, there is also the fact that the beans are said to be hand-picked, which is a rather careful method that can make all the difference in the world.

The Type Of Beans Matters

If you have tried out Colombian coffee, then you must have been happy with the taste, because finding a person that doesn’t find this product delicious is extremely difficult. In fact, people seem to be obsessed with these particular beans, as explained on this page, and there are definitely quite a few great reasons for that. The type of the beans is most certainly one of the reasons. What does that mean, though?

In case you aren’t quite sure what I mean when I mention bean types, let me explain. Arabica is one of the types that is considered to be superior when compared to the second type that’s called Robusta. Thanks to the terrain and the general geographical conditions, Colombia actually produces 100% Arabica beans. Given the type of beans, the terrain and the care with which coffee in Colombia is grown, it’s no wonder that it is considered to be the best in the world.