There has been an influx of entries for the 2024 Hull and East Yorkshire Business Awards. Event organiser Simon Jones has expressed his delight at the number of entrants as judges began the tough task of whittling down the contenders in anticipation of next month’s prestigious celebration event. This year is the first since the…
British tourists travelling to Spain may find their choices more limited when it comes to booking holiday apartments in the future.The government in Madrid is planning to introduce new measures effective as of January 2025, forcing landlords to officially register their rental properties.The move is designed to appease growing public anger over rising rental and property prices.Many Spaniards blame the proliferation of holiday apartments for driving up rents and squeezing them out of the property market.Under the new proposals, landlords will have to obtain a registration number from the Land Registry before they can market their properties on online booking sites such as Booking.com and Airbnb.The online portals will also have to display the registration numbers on their booking pages.”The Land Registry will be able to certify that the property complies with local and state regulations, as well as that the residents‘ association has approved that there can be tourist flats in the block,” said Isabel Rodríguez – the Minister for Housing and the Urban Agenda.She added the new legislation would help combat fraud and stop the illegal or fraudulent use of property for seasonal tourist accommodation.If the flat fails to meet requirements, then the registrar will not issue a relevant code.Any registration number issued must be renewed every 12 months by the Land Registry.Spain has seen a steady growth in the number of tourist flats being advertised on various portals.According to the latest data from the National Statistics Institute (INE), in February there were 351,389 flats in Spain, a year-on-year increase of 9.2 percent.By province, Malaga is the most prominent, with more than 41,000 tourist properties, followed by Alicante, with more than 38,000 units, and the Balearic Islands and Las Palmas, with 25,000.Barcelona has taken the unusual step of phasing out completely apartment rentals to tourists by 2028.“We are confronting what we believe is Barcelona’s largest problem,” Jaume Collboni – the city’s mayor – said at a local government event in June.This means that from 2029, barring any setbacks, “tourist flats as we conceive of them today will disappear from the city of Barcelona”.
In recent weeks, there has been an increasing wave of negative commentary from Bahamians on social media platforms like The Nassau Guardian‘s Facebook page, and other outlets, surrounding the announcement of new tourism projects.It seems some critics are quick to express skepticism, dismissing these developments as unneeded or as having little benefit to Bahamians.However, such complaints are, frankly, delusional.What many of these naysayers fail to recognize is that tourism is the lifeblood of The Bahamas’ economy.It is, in fact, the pillar that holds up our way of life, ensuring employment, economic stability, and the revenue that finances critical services.Tourism has long been the largest industry in The Bahamas and the primary driver of economic growth.It generates tens of thousands of jobs, not only within hotels and resorts but in related industries such as transportation, agriculture, and entertainment.Taxi drivers, musicians, farmers, craftsmen, and even local food suppliers all benefit from the influx of tourists who visit our shores.It is a ripple effect that touches nearly every aspect of Bahamian life. To dismiss new tourism projects as unnecessary or unwelcome is trafficking in fantasy.How quickly some seem to forget the despair that gripped when the COVID-19 pandemic essentially shut our borders.Tourism brings in foreign currency that helps stabilize our economy, allows us to pay for imports, and enables us to service foreign debt.The revenue generated from tourism helps finance public services like healthcare and education, while also funding infrastructure development, such as the construction of roads, airports, and ports.The facilities we enjoy today are, in large part, a result of tourism’s contribution to the national budget.Take, for instance, the recent announcement of the Yntegra Group’s $200 million ultra-luxury Rosewood Exuma resort on East Sampson Cay.Some have complained about the environmental and social impacts of such developments, but the truth is that this project is poised to bring immense socioeconomic benefits to Exuma and the broader Bahamian economy.The resort is expected to generate 500 jobs for Bahamians, especially those living in Exuma, and will offer training opportunities through an apprenticeship program to ensure Bahamians are equipped to manage and operate the resort.Beyond direct employment, projects like these stimulate economic growth by requiring local products and services.Nearby businesses in sectors such as transportation and hospitality will benefit from increased demand for their goods and services.Additionally, the development will include a 150-unit housing facility for employees, alleviating pressure on the local housing market while boosting the local economy.The benefits are multifaceted and long term.Similarly, the $350 million development at the old Melia Nassau Beach site, spearheaded by Baha Mar, is expected to employ 400 Bahamians during construction and 500 more once completed.Dismissing these projects as unnecessary or unwanted ignores the reality of our economy, and failing to nurture this industry would be disastrous for our people.The idea that The Bahamas does not need more tourism projects is not only misguided, but it is dangerous.Without these developments, where would the jobs come from?How would we pay for the food, clothes, cars and fuel that are not manufactured here?Are these critics prepared to live a life of subsistence farming and fishing?Yes, there must be a balance between development and environmental stewardship.But that is what we have regulatory agencies for.If we do not continue to expand and enhance our tourism offerings, we risk losing our competitive edge in a global market.People also complain that tourism is all about foreigners.That is not the case, but even if it were, The Bahamas is known worldwide for its beauty and hospitality.Yes, foreign investors make up the lion’s share of large tourism development, but that is because the countries they come from are far larger than ours and have vastly more capital than exists here.We know people say uninformed and silly things online regularly.But Bahamians who do not understand how their own economy functions are creating a narrative that is embarrassing.At the core of it, tourism is about Bahamians and how we benefit by having more people inject money into our economy.We should stop talking down tourism; it has been great for The Bahamas.
Sheridan, Wyoming — Former President Donald Trump has entered the luxury watch market, promoting timepieces under the brand “Trump Watch.” The promotional material, featuring Trump behind a desk, draws attention to the exclusive nature of these watches, one of which carries a six-figure price tag. The watches are marketed with claims of “Swiss-made power and precision.”
An investigation by CNN has traced the manufacturing and distribution roots of the Trump-branded watches to TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC. The company’s registered address is a nondescript office space in a small shopping center in Sheridan, Wyoming. The center includes various businesses like H&R Block and Wendy’s, with the office space holding no visible signs of the watchmaking activity claimed by the Trump brand.
TheBestWatchesOnEarth LLC shares its address with multiple companies, some of which sell Trump-themed products. One such company, Kingdom Honey LLC, registered as “TheBestHoneyOnEarth,” offers “Male Enhancement Honey” with products previously flagged by the FDA. These connections have raised questions about the legitimacy and transparency of the ventures.
CNN has been unsuccessful in drawing a direct link between the honey company and Trump. Vladimir Dmitriev, a spokesman for the honey seller, described the company as “highly reputable”, but declined to provide further details or comment on any potential ties to Trump, citing directives not to engage with media before Election Day. Similarly, attempts to obtain more information from Trump’s campaign and TheBestWatchesOnEarth met with non-responses.
Many of these businesses, including TheBestWatchesOnEarth, list Andrew Pierce as their organizer and registered agent. CNN was informed that Pierce often operates from Puerto Rico, and his company confirmed its role as registered agents for various entities, including Trump-related businesses. However, they claim no involvement in the operational aspects of these companies.
Despite the lack of clarity surrounding its operations, TheBestWatchesOnEarth promotes the watches as limited edition, with prices ranging from $499 to $100,000. The high-priced model is termed “Tourbillon” and is limited to 147 pieces. Nonetheless, criticism within the luxury watch community has surfaced, with reviewers questioning the value and quality of the watches.
While former President Trump has a history of licensing his name for business ventures, many have questioned the timing and transparency of these current endeavors, particularly as he gears up for another presidential run. Previous licensing efforts have linked him to products like Trump Vodka and Trump Steaks, many of which dissolved prior to his 2017 inauguration.
This latest venture, along with other recent deals, illustrates a significant commercial effort during a political comeback, showcasing a unique intertwining of business and political campaigning. Financial disclosures from Trump’s campaign reveal that these ventures have yielded significant financial returns.
The luxury watch market remains skeptical of the Trump-branded watches, emphasizing the need for consumers to be cautious of such high-priced items without substantial verification of their origins and quality.
The Bedford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved the appropriation of a total of $400,000 for a new phase of the New London Business and Technology Center, an expansion project that will require the championship-level disc golf course at the site to be redesigned.The approval means the county will be able to receive a total of $2.25 million in grant funds from the Virginia Business Park Readiness Program and the Virginia Tobacco Revitalization Commission.To receive grants from the two state programs for the New London business park on U.S. 460 in Forest, Bedford County was required to approve the matching funds. The county’s Economic Development Authority previously agreed to put up $350,000 in matching funds for the expansion at New London.The Phase 2 plans involve clearing two sites and continuing the Meade Road gravel extension, the road on which the business park is located, along with making stormwater, sewer and underground utility upgrades.
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At Tuesday night’s meeting, the board of supervisors voted 6-1 to approve the $400,000 for the Phase 2 project at New London, with Supervisor Bob Davis voting against it.Davis said the costs associated with coming up with the matching funds to qualify for these state grants — what he described as “huge financial strings” attached to the appropriations — are getting “way out of hand.”As for the expansion of the New London business park, Davis said that, as an employer in Bedford County, when he talks to people in the county about this type of project, “they always tell me, ‘We came to Bedford because we like it the way it is.’”Immediately prior to the board meeting on Tuesday, the board of supervisors held a joint meeting with the members of the EDA from each district in the county, along with county and EDA staff members.At the joint meeting, participants generally were supportive of expanding the New London business park and ensuring Bedford County remains a top destination for disc golf players across the country.Along with New London Tech, the Bedford County Parks & Recreation Department operates four other public disc golf courses: Independence Park, Falling Creek Park, Moneta Park and Montvale Park.Nicole Johnson, director of tourism for Bedford County, said her office does not have figures yet showing the economic impact of the Professional Disc Golf World Championships that was held in August at two courses in the county: the New London Tech Disc Golf Course and a disc course set up at the Ivy Hill Golf Club.
Isaac Robinson, the defending world champion, putts during the 2024 Professional Disc Golf World Championships at the New London Tech Disc Golf Course on Aug. 21.
Paige Dingler, The News & Advance file
Using data from UDisc, a popular app many disc golf players use, Johnson said more than 2,000 players have come from more than 100 miles away to play at the New London Tech course since October 2023. Players from every state in the country, except for Nebraska, have played at the New London Tech course, she said.At Tuesday’s joint meeting, one official asked why Lynchburg was mentioned more often than Bedford County when players, fans and TV stations talked about the disc golf world championships.Johnson noted Lynchburg, unlike Bedford County, paid a $30,000 hosting fee that came with “a lot of marketing rights.”For future disc golf tournaments, Johnson said the county plans to address how Bedford County can be marketed in a better way.As for the changes that will be needed at the New London Tech Disc Course to accommodate the expansion of the business park, officials said the county is in negotiations with Paul McBeth, the six-time disc golf world champion who designed the course.McBeth is asking the county for some money as an incentive to help redesign the course, which is scheduled to host the end-of-season Disc Golf Pro Tour Championship in October 2025.Between seven and nine holes of the disc golf course will likely need to be moved or redesigned to accommodate the expansion of the business park.For the disc golf course, its designers were advised to place the holes on utility easements prior to it opening in 2021, but several holes were designed outside those easements, according to county officials.When asked by EDA members Tuesday about who was at fault for not keeping the holes on utility easements, Pam Armstrong, director of the Bedford County Office of Economic Development, responded, “Mr. McBeth and Parks & Rec.”EDA Chairman Wyatt Walton said he thinks the county can attract jobs to the New London business park and ensure the disc golf course remains a popular destination.“This [business] park was envisioned and developed to attract businesses and jobs, and I think we can still do that,” Walton said. “But none of us knew the success and the extreme popularity that this golf course would develop. It’s incumbent upon us to figure out a way to accomplish both goals.”Walton added he believes it’s important to keep McBeth’s name affiliated with the New London Tech Disc Golf Course.Armstrong told reporters after the joint meeting that her office is working hard to make sure the New London business park can expand and that disc golf can remain at the site.“We don’t feel like it’s an either, or it’s our way or the highway,” Armstrong said. “When I market this park [to companies], people love the fact that it’s got the trails on it. They love the fact that it’s got disc golf.”
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The number of tourists arriving in Cyprus reached 509,463 in September 2024, up from 487,350 in September 2023.This marks an increase of 4.5 per cent year-on-year, according to the Cyprus Statistical Service (Cystat).
For the period from January to September 2024, total tourist arrivals amounted to 3,268,090, compared to 3,136,145 in the same period last year, reflecting an increase of 4.2 per cent.
The United Kingdom remained the primary source of tourism for Cyprus, contributing 35.5 per cent (180,961) of total arrivals in September 2024.
Other significant sources included Israel at 10.7 per cent (54,557), Poland at 8.3 per cent (42,295), Germany at 4.8 per cent (24,594), and Sweden at 4.2 per cent (21,609).
In terms of travel purposes, 85.1 per cent of tourists visited Cyprus for holidays in September, while 9.6 per cent visited friends and relatives, and 5.2 per cent travelled for business.
This shows a slight shift from September 2023, when 84.1 per cent visited for holidays, 10.3 per cent for visiting friends or relatives, and 5.5 per cent for business.
Meanwhile, the number of Cypriot residents returning from trips abroad reached 156,153 in September of this year, an increase of 11.4 per cent compared to 140,187 in the same month in 2023.
Moreover, the primary destinations for returning residents were Greece, which accounted for 35.0 per cent (54,624), followed by the United Kingdom at 7.8 per cent (12,165), Italy at 6.3 per cent (9,860), and Russia at 5.6 per cent (8,719).
Finally, the majority of Cypriot residents travelled primarily for holidays, comprising 73.0 per cent of the total, while 23.4 per cent travelled for business, 1.8 per cent for studies, and 1.8 per cent for other reasons.
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Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowThe British Business Bank’s fourth Nations and Regions Tracker, published today, finds usage of external finance has increased to almost half (48%) of smaller business in the East Midlands – up 13 percentage points on the previous year.The report however also found that 55% of smaller businesses in the area view current trading conditions as presenting more threats than opportunities.Use of external finance rebounds in 2023External finance usage among smaller businesses saw notable growth across the UK with 11 of the 12 Nations and Regions recording an uptick. East and West Midlands, North East, South East, Northern Ireland and Wales all saw double digit growth. Victoria MearsBusinesses in the East Midlands increasingly drew on credit cards as a form of external finance – with 20% of smaller firms utilising this type of lending in 2023, up 9 percentage points on the previous year, one of the highest increases seen.Nationally, credit cards were also the most used and fastest growing finance type with nearly one in five (17%) smaller businesses using them, highlighting the challenges for businesses seeking external finance. Cautious optimism among smaller businesses but challenges remainSmaller businesses showed renewed interest in external finance in 2023, with a growing number using it to seek investments that had previously been delayed.Of those surveyed 36% said that they would be willing to use finance to help them grow and 34% of the businesses anticipated needing to use finance in the next 12 months, suggesting a continuing growth for the market in the region.Although inflationary pressures had slowly begun to ease in 2023, the majority (55%) still viewed current trading conditions as presenting more threats than opportunities and over three quarters (76%) were still feeling the impact of rising costs. Announced equity deals declined, but stabilisation seen in 2024The UK equity market experienced a decline in the number of announced deals across all Nations and Regions in 2023, reflecting ongoing economic challenges. The East Midlands was found to be one of the more resilient regions and saw only a 9% decrease in the number of announced equity deals to a total of 58 deals – from 63 the year before.The number of announced equity deals outside of London fell by 22% year-on-year to 1,098, while total investment dropped by 48% to £3.27 billion.Nationally, early signs from the first half of 2024 indicate a stabilisation, with a positive outlook for the year ahead. In Q1 2024, equity funding for UK smaller businesses increased by 7% compared to the same period in 2023, pointing towards renewed investor confidence.British Business Bank driving impact across the UK The British Business Bank has continued to deliver significant support to smaller businesses across the UK through its debt and equity finance programmes, with a focus on benefitting firms outside of London. In February 2024, the British Business Bank launched the Midlands Engine Investment Fund II, a £400m fund aimed at unlocking additional funding to help smaller businesses in the Midlands prosper and thrive. In the West Midlands, the fund has so far provided over £1 million to smaller businesses across the region.The Bank’s geographically-focused funds provided £236 million in equity funding to over 200 companies located outside the capital in 2023, with a particular emphasis on supporting spinouts in regional markets, highlighting its commitment to fostering innovation and growth in the Nations and regions.Victoria Mears, UK Network Director for the Midlands, British Business Bank said: “Interest in external finance appears to be growing amongst smaller businesses in the East Midlands, indicating confidence in their plans for growth. “It is important for businesses to access the right kind of external funding for them. The British Business Bank is here to help our region’s founders do just that – and realise their ambitions for growth as they look towards the future.”Continue Reading
By Alexandra Noad – Lethbridge Herald Local Journalism Initiative Reporter on October 17, 2024. The Blood Tribe Department of Health held an official book launch recently for Kottakinooniksi Awaahkapiyaawa: Bringing Our Spirits home.This book tells the inspiring true story of the Blood Tribe Addictions Framework, which is a community-driven plan designed by the Blood Tribe…
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Demi Moore moved around a lot in her childhood, and her life wasn’t wholly rosy. As she’s described it, Moore frequently relocated around the U.S., struggling with her mother and her stepfathers, and often finding herself malnourished. When she was 16, Moore dropped out of high school and took a job as a receptionist at 20th Century Fox. She signed a modest modeling contract and was making ends meet. Her next door neighbor was, it turned out, Nastassja Kinski, and the German actor encouraged Moore to take acting classes. She continued to model while working her way into films, making her debut in the 1981 movie “Choices.” The following year, Moore appeared in the 3-D monster movie “Parasite.”
These were the first two steps in a career that experienced a massive upward trajectory. By 1984, Moore was already playing lead characters in major studio productions. She became an adjunct of the Brat Pack, appearing in films like “St. Elmo’s Fire,” “Wisdom,” and “About Last Night.” In 1987, she famously married fellow superstar Bruce Willis, and the pair were often considered one of Hollywood’s best power couples.
Something Moore never got to do early in her career, however, was appear in Don Coscarelli’s well-liked cult fantasy film “The Beastmaster.” The film, thanks to immensely heavy rotation on cable TV, has become deeply beloved by a generation of fans, all of them fond of Coscarelli’s wild ideas, as well as the lead performance by the hunky Marc Singer and the lovely Tanya Roberts as the Beastmaster’s love interest, Kiri. An oft-repeated joke: there was a time when HBO stood for “Hey, ‘Beastmaster’s’ On.”
As it so happens, Kiri was initially offered to Moore. As Coscarelli related in his memoir “True Indie: Life and Death in Filmmaking by Phantasm and Bubba Ho-tep director Don Coscarelli,” he had every intention of casting Moore … only for her to lose the part when the film’s executive producer declared her voice was too low.
The Beastmaster
MGM/UA
It should be noted that Don Coscarelly, likely for legal reasons, was not allowed to refer to the above-mentioned executive producer by name. Throughout his memoir, he only ever refers to this person as “Commercial Director” or merely “CD.” We at /Film are under no similar litigious restrictions, so we’re free to tell you that it was Sylvio Tabet, the producer of films like “Dead Ringers” and “The Cotton Club.”
Coscarelli recalled the casting process for “The Beastmaster,” as well as the time crunch he encountered. Shooting was scheduled to begin soon and he hadn’t yet found his female lead. Luckily, he wrote, “one of our assistants suggested we meet an 18-year-old aspiring actress he knew who was married to a rocker friend of his.” Moore didn’t have much experience at the time, but Coscarelli loved her. “She was terrific,” he wrote, “I was hooked and wanted her for the role.” More than anything, Coscarelli was impressed by Moore’s famously “smoky” voice.
There was one final step, however. He needed approval from Tabet. Then everything went south. Coscarelli continued:
“We quickly scheduled a callback so we could get the Commercial Director’s approval. Demi came back and gave another reading for him, which was even better than the first. I looked over to [co-writer] Paul [Pepperman] and he shot me an approving nod. Bingo! Then, after some rumination and worry bead clacking, the CD weighed in and made his decision known that we would not cast this young woman. He told us that he had consulted with experts, and was told her voice was too deep and low to be picked up by the microphones and recorded. Paul and I just sat there dumbfounded.”
Tabet’s claim that low voices like Moore’s cannot be picked up by microphones is, of course, total hogwash. He was either mistaken or making up a weird lie to reject Moore and get another actor involved.
‘No Klaus Kinski and no Demi Moore’
MGM/UA
Moore’s rejection wasn’t the only casting frustration Coscarelli had with “The Beastmaster.” It seems that he had also written the role of the film’s villain, Maax, specifically for the infamously gonzo German ultra-thespian Klaus Kinski. The actor, by weird coincidence, was the father of Moore’s old neighbor Nastassja. However, the role of Maax ended up going to Rip Torn after Kinski asked for too much money.
Coscarelli was also frustrated that Tanya Roberts was cast in the role of Kiri. At the time, Roberts was best known for her role on “Charlie’s Angels,” a notoriously shallow, sexed-up spy show that he hated. Coscarelli recalls traveling to the casting offices to meet with Roberts and being less than impressed. As he put it:
“When we arrived we learned that her name was Tanya Roberts. What? The Tanya Roberts from the cheesy television series ‘Charlie’s Angels?’ You had to be kidding. None of the Angels were considered great actresses, and Tanya’s reviews when she debuted as the newest Charlie’s Angel were not the best.”
But the executive producer fell in love with Roberts, so Coscarelli was stuck. Luckily, he recalled Roberts being incredibly kind. Still, he was miffed. “No Klaus Kinski and no Demi Moore. As for me, I had no choice but to deal with it,” Coscarelli wrote. Moore did “Parasite” instead, and Coscarelli moved on to “Phantasm II” a few years later. Most recently, Moore appeared in the amazing horror freakout “The Substance,” although Coscarelli hasn’t directed a film since 2012’s “John Dies at the End.”