TUI Launches Education Program to ‘Shape’ the Future of Greek Tourism

Travel

.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_link_svg_icon svg{height:18px;width:auto}.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_icon{width:36px !important;height:36px !important}.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_icon:before{font-size:18px !important;top:9px !important;left:9px !important}.essb_links.essb_size_m li a .essb_network_name{font-size:13px !important;font-weight:400 !important;line-height:12px !important}Photo source: Wise GreeceThe TUI Care Foundation, an independent charity promoting tourism as a positive force for change, is partnering with the non-profit Wise Greece to launch a free, innovative educational program for entrepreneurs and businesses.
Named “TUI FutureShapers Greece”, the program offers training, guidance, and business networking to 1,000 aspiring entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses in tourism, hospitality, and the food sector. Participants will receive expert advice from trainers and mentors to support sustainable growth and tackle key challenges in their expansion.
“With the TUI FutureShapers Greece Program, we are harnessing the industry’s transformative power to drive business innovation and sustainable development for the benefit of Greece and its people,” said TUI Care Foundation Chairman Thomas Ellerbeck during the program’s presentation in Athens.
Chairman of the TUI Care Foundation Thomas Ellerbeck, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Wise Greece Founder Melina Tapratzi, Greek National Tourism Organization President Angela Gerekou. Photo source: Wise Greece
Based on the foundation’s figures, in Greece, despite the potential for entrepreneurial innovation in the food and tourism sectors, approximately 30 percent of young people are unemployed.
TUI Futureshapers Greece aims to “infuse” the tourism with innovation, sustainability and creativity to provide growth opportunities to people in Greece.
To support this vision, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) has placed the program under its auspices, aiming to promote sustainable development in tourism, hospitality, and gastronomy, while fostering collaboration between institutions and local authorities.
“The GNTO will remain a dedicated supporter of this initiative, as it marks an important step toward creating a more sustainable and resilient future for tourism, fully aligned with our vision of tourism as a force for change and progress,” said GNTO President Angela Gerekou during her speech at the event.
Dual focus on tourism knowledge and business support
Photo source: TUI Care Foundation
At the event Melina Tapratzi, Founder of Wise Greece, presented the program, emphasizing that it is divided into two sections: one focused on providing practical tourism knowledge and the other on helping businesses enhance their practices.
Initially, the online Idea program will provide training in tourism-related sectors such as gastronomy, arts and crafts, and natural cosmetology. During their training, participants will develop their business ideas with the support of specialists in these fields.
The program will conclude with a two-day bootcamp in Athens, where the top ideas will compete for cash awards. The two winning proposals will receive prizes of 6,000 and 3,000 euros to help implement their business plans.
In its second year, the initiative will travel to six destinations across Greece through the Empower section, providing training to at least 60 small and medium-sized businesses.
Professionals in the Peloponnese, Zakynthos, Rhodes, Corfu, Epirus, and the Cyclades will enhance their skills through live training sessions focused on sales, marketing, and digital tools. The primary goal is to improve their products and services while supporting the growth of local producers and communities.
“This initiative will support key sectors in Greece, along with entrepreneurs who are either starting a business or have already established one and want to innovate sustainably,” noted Melina Taprantzi.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni speaking at the program’s presentation. Photo source: Tourism Ministry
The Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), Harokopio University, as well as a wide range of municipalities, regional governments, and local authorities from across Greece support the initiative.
Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, speaking at the program’s presentation, emphasized its alignment with the ministry’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism in Greece.
“With this initiative, the TUI Care Foundation is investing in the future of Greek tourism, recognizing the significant potential of young entrepreneurs and small businesses in the sector,” she said.
More details about the program are available here.

TUI Launches Education Program to ‘Shape’ the Future of Greek Tourism

Travel

.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_link_svg_icon svg{height:18px;width:auto}.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_icon{width:36px !important;height:36px !important}.essb_links.essb_size_m .essb_icon:before{font-size:18px !important;top:9px !important;left:9px !important}.essb_links.essb_size_m li a .essb_network_name{font-size:13px !important;font-weight:400 !important;line-height:12px !important}Photo source: Wise GreeceThe TUI Care Foundation, an independent charity promoting tourism as a positive force for change, is partnering with the non-profit Wise Greece to launch a free, innovative educational program for entrepreneurs and businesses.
Named “TUI FutureShapers Greece”, the program offers training, guidance, and business networking to 1,000 aspiring entrepreneurs and small to medium-sized businesses in tourism, hospitality, and the food sector. Participants will receive expert advice from trainers and mentors to support sustainable growth and tackle key challenges in their expansion.
“With the TUI FutureShapers Greece Program, we are harnessing the industry’s transformative power to drive business innovation and sustainable development for the benefit of Greece and its people,” said TUI Care Foundation Chairman Thomas Ellerbeck during the program’s presentation in Athens.
Chairman of the TUI Care Foundation Thomas Ellerbeck, Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, Wise Greece Founder Melina Tapratzi, Greek National Tourism Organization President Angela Gerekou. Photo source: Wise Greece
Based on the foundation’s figures, in Greece, despite the potential for entrepreneurial innovation in the food and tourism sectors, approximately 30 percent of young people are unemployed.
TUI Futureshapers Greece aims to “infuse” the tourism with innovation, sustainability and creativity to provide growth opportunities to people in Greece.
To support this vision, the Greek National Tourism Organization (GNTO) has placed the program under its auspices, aiming to promote sustainable development in tourism, hospitality, and gastronomy, while fostering collaboration between institutions and local authorities.
“The GNTO will remain a dedicated supporter of this initiative, as it marks an important step toward creating a more sustainable and resilient future for tourism, fully aligned with our vision of tourism as a force for change and progress,” said GNTO President Angela Gerekou during her speech at the event.
Dual focus on tourism knowledge and business support
Photo source: TUI Care Foundation
At the event Melina Tapratzi, Founder of Wise Greece, presented the program, emphasizing that it is divided into two sections: one focused on providing practical tourism knowledge and the other on helping businesses enhance their practices.
Initially, the online Idea program will provide training in tourism-related sectors such as gastronomy, arts and crafts, and natural cosmetology. During their training, participants will develop their business ideas with the support of specialists in these fields.
The program will conclude with a two-day bootcamp in Athens, where the top ideas will compete for cash awards. The two winning proposals will receive prizes of 6,000 and 3,000 euros to help implement their business plans.
In its second year, the initiative will travel to six destinations across Greece through the Empower section, providing training to at least 60 small and medium-sized businesses.
Professionals in the Peloponnese, Zakynthos, Rhodes, Corfu, Epirus, and the Cyclades will enhance their skills through live training sessions focused on sales, marketing, and digital tools. The primary goal is to improve their products and services while supporting the growth of local producers and communities.
“This initiative will support key sectors in Greece, along with entrepreneurs who are either starting a business or have already established one and want to innovate sustainably,” noted Melina Taprantzi.
Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni speaking at the program’s presentation. Photo source: Tourism Ministry
The Athens University of Economics and Business (AUEB), Harokopio University, as well as a wide range of municipalities, regional governments, and local authorities from across Greece support the initiative.
Greek Tourism Minister Olga Kefalogianni, speaking at the program’s presentation, emphasized its alignment with the ministry’s efforts to promote sustainable tourism in Greece.
“With this initiative, the TUI Care Foundation is investing in the future of Greek tourism, recognizing the significant potential of young entrepreneurs and small businesses in the sector,” she said.
More details about the program are available here.

New Shows & Movies To Watch This Weekend: ‘Don’t Move’ on Netflix + More

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

This week, the streamers have loads of goodies in store, from some haunting thrill rides in both feature and TV formats, returning favorite series, and more.

Not sure which new releases to check out? Let us here at Decider help you figure out what to watch this weekend and where to stream it.

New Movies & Shows To Stream This Weekend: Don’t Move, Somebody Somewhere, Before + More

Kelsey Asbille and Finn Wittrock star in the new Netflix thriller Don’t Move, which arrives to the platform this week. On Max, catch the premiere episode of the final season of the excellent Somebody Somewhere. And on Apple TV+, Crystal goes dramatic – Billy Crystal that is; the comedy legend stars in the new psychological thriller series Before, which premieres Friday.

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Somebody Somewhere returns this weekend with a brand new season that reunites Sam (Bridget Everett), Joel (Jeff Hiller) and Fred Rococo (Murray Hill) for more friendship, laughter, and hopefully more “Lying C***” throw pillows. The Peabody Award-winning dramedy about a woman finding her place – and her voice – in her Kansas hometown premieres Sunday.

New on Netflix October 25: Don’t Move

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Kelsey Asbille stars in the new Netflix thriller Don’t Move as a young mother grieving the tragic loss of her child. When she heads into the woods to find some solace, instead she finds terror when a stranger doses her with a paralytic drug, which means she has to find an escape route before she’s completely unable to move. (Props to the marketing team that came up with the tag line “You can hide but you can’t run.”)

WHERE TO WATCH DON’T MOVE

New on Apple TV+ October 25: Before

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Billy Crystal takes a startling turn into the world of dramatic thrillers with his role in Apple TV+’s Before. In the new series, which co-stars Judith Light and Rosie Perez, Crystal stars as a widowed child psychiatrist who meets a young boy who seems to have a haunting connection to his own past. The ten-episode series premieres with two episodes this week.

Full List of New Movies and Shows on Streaming This Weekend:

The options above only scratch the surface, so you know that this weekend’s full lineup will have amazing options for what to watch this weekend! For the full breakdown of the best movies and shows to stream now, or if you’re still undecided on what to stream this weekend, then check out the complete list below:

New on Netflix – Full List

Released Thursday, October 24

Territory (AU) *NETFLIX SERIES

Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black *NETFLIX SERIES

Released Friday, October 25

Don’t Move *NETFLIX FILM

Hellbound: Season 2 (KR) *NETFLIX SERIES

Hijack ’93 (NG) *NETFLIX FILM

Simone Biles Rising: Part 2 *NETFLIX SPORTS SERIES

The Last Night at Tremore Beach (ES) *NETFLIX SERIES

The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (NO) *NETFLIX DOCUMENTARY

New on Prime Video – Full List

Released Thursday, October 24

Canary Black (2024) *Prime Video Original Movie

Like a Dragon: Yakuza (2024) *Prime Video Original Series

The Pasta Queen (2024) *Prime Video Original Series

Thursday Night Football (2024) *Prime Video Live Sports

Released Friday, October 25

Goosebumps 2: Haunted Halloween (2018) (Freevee)

New on Hulu – Full List

Released Thursday, October 24

Parking Wars: Complete Seasons 1 and 2

The Speedway Murders (2023)

Released Friday, October 25

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band: Film Premiere *Hulu Original

The Beast Within (2024)

New on Max – Full List

Released Friday, October 25

Trap (2024) 

Released Saturday, October 26

First-Time Buyer’s Club, Season 2 (OWN)

Impractical Jokers, Season 11 (truTV) 

Released Sunday, October 27

Chris Brown: A History of Violence (ID)

Somebody Somewhere, Season 3 (HBO Original) 

New on Disney+ – Full List

Released Friday, October 25

Ayla & The Mirrors: New Episodes *Disney+ Original 

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (Premiere) *New to Disney+ 

New on Apple TV+ – Full List

Released Friday, October 25

Before (Season Premiere)

New on Starz – Full List

Released Thursday, October 24

Captain America: The Winter Soldier

Released Friday, October 25

Fat Joe Talks

Sweetpea

Three Women

New on Paramount+ with Showtime – Full List

Released Thursday, October 24

Star Trek: Lower Decks final season premiere

Released Friday, October 25

Transformers: EarthSpark season 3 premiere

Released Sunday, October 27

Lioness (Season 2 premiere)

New on Peacock – Full List

Released Thursday, October 24

Teacup, Season 1 – 2 Episodes, 30 min (Peacock Original)*

Released Friday, October 25

The Hero Of Color City

What Else Is Streaming New This October?

What you see above is just a portion of the new movies and shows you can watch this month if you’ve got more than one streaming service subscription. We update our guides to the new releases on the most popular streaming platforms every month, so you can stay on top of the freshest titles to watch. Here are full lists, schedules, and reviews for everything streaming:

Liz Kocan is a pop culture writer living in Massachusetts. Her biggest claim to fame is the time she won on the game show Chain Reaction.

TIS2024 Advocates Technological Innovation as a Driver for More Sustainable Tourism

Travel

TIS2024 – Tourism Innovation Summit 2024, kicked off its fifth edition in Seville, Spain, on Wednesday. The tourism innovation summit par excellence has opened its doors to more than 7,000 congress attendees who, from October 23 to 25, will be able to learn about the latest innovations and technological solutions defining tourism worldwide. Also, all those trends and strategies will make this industry take a giant step forward in terms of sustainability, accessibility, competitiveness or adaptation to the new and changing demands of travelers, who are looking for an ever-greater personalization in their tourism experiences.
During the opening ceremony, the Councilor for Tourism and Andalusia Abroad, Arturo Bernal, has opted to place innovation in tourism and the advances offered by technology “at the service of the best possible coexistence between resident communities and tourists”. For his part, the First Deputy Mayor of Seville and Delegate of Finance, Administration and Digital Transformation, Juan Francisco Bueno, stressed that the celebration of TIS “promotes the development of new trends and technologies, putting Seville at the forefront of this opportunity to improve the visitor experience. The president and CEO of the WTTC, Julia Simpson, has focused on the economic data derived from the tourism industry, ensuring that “15% of the economic activity comes from tourism, generating three million jobs”. At the same time, she called for cooperation between businesses, institutional representatives of cities and the local community: “Some destinations are very popular, hence the answer lies in responsible growth that takes into account the real benefits of the locals”.
The opening of TIS2024 has also had the participation of the Minister Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Spain, He Yong, who has emphasized the tourism relationship between the two countries through cooperation, stating that “we are willing to develop joint projects”. He also described Andalusia as “the most representative community of Spanish culture”, being a focus of tourist attraction for the Chinese community and said that “by the end of this year is expected to visit 700,000 Chinese visitors” to the region. This year, China has been named Guest Country of TIS2024, with a delegation of more than 30 entrepreneurs from the sector.
Traveler experience and the future of the travel industry
In a rapidly evolving travel landscape, strategic partnerships are key to driving innovation and fostering sustainability and business resilience in the sector. In this regard, during his speech at TIS2024, Trip.com’s CEO and Vice President of International Markets, Boon Sian Chai, said: “We strongly believe in working very closely with government tourism departments to bring our travel products to international customers”.
Regarding the new tourist profile, Boon Sian Chain emphasized technological advances, stating that “technology allows for customer self-service, as the younger generations prefer to do things themselves, so our tools must be advanced enough to allow this. In addition, we are witnessing a change in the mentality of tourists, “with the great trend that is happening now in Nuevo León with the arrival of digital nomads,” said Jorge A. Vasaro, Competitiveness and Innovation Director, Nuevo León Ministry of Tourism.
For her part, Emily Weiss, Senior Managing Director and Global Industry Lead Travel at Accenture, alluded to the new trends in the traveler experience, noting that “tourists are looking for simplification in their travel journeys, seeking experiences,” which generates a new casuistry with travel agencies. “We see how they are partnering with non-travel companies. There is a change in the ecosystem due to the interaction of these travel companies with banks or with life sciences industries, that is where the future of the development of the tourism sector lies,” he added.

7 of the best Turkey holiday destinations – and when to travel to each one

Travel

Your support helps us to tell the storyThis election is still a dead heat, according to most polls. In a fight with such wafer-thin margins, we need reporters on the ground talking to the people Trump and Harris are courting. Your support allows us to keep sending journalists to the story.The Independent is trusted by 27 million Americans from across the entire political spectrum every month. Unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock you out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. But quality journalism must still be paid for.Help us keep bring these critical stories to light. Your support makes all the difference.CloseRead moreA country steeped in history, Turkey combines lively cities, popular coastal towns, ancient historical sites and some of the most varied natural phenomena on Earth into one diverse nation. From cosmopolitan Istanbul and the capital of Ankara to beloved beach resorts such as Bodrum, Alanya and Marmaris, the country’s main towns and cities attract millions of tourists a year to sample everything from culture to coastlines. With an array of idyllic beaches, high-octane cities and incredible natural sites like the Pamukkale Lake and the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia, Turkey has bagged a place among the world’s most popular tourist destinations – it welcomed over 44 million visitors in 2022 the fourth highest number of any country in the world. If you’re planning a trip to this varied and storied country, read on; below, we’ve rounded up a list of some of its premier destinations. Istanbul is the world’s only transcontinental city

Book Recs for Autumn: ‘Tis the Season To be Cozy

Arts & Culture, Books

With fall fully in swing, and the temperatures dropping, now is a perfect time to cuddle up in your twin xl bed with a good book and some Dana hot chocolate. But there are so many books to choose from, how does one pick? Well, look no further. Here are the top three books to read during the fall. 

If you want something mind twisting and thrilling, but not too scary, then The Silent Patient is definitely the book for you. “The Silent Patient” by Alex Michaelide follows the story of a famous artist who suddenly breaks and kills her husband. When she is found, she refuses to talk and has refused to talk for years. Theo Faber, a criminal psychotherapist is determined to get her to tell the whole story. The book follows the two, their meetings together, their own lives, and the twisting path to find the truth in what happened that night. If you want to read a book in one sitting, this is the one. The anticipation and changing perspectives will keep you hooked till the very end.  

Not looking for something scary? Want an early start to the Hallmark Christmas movie channel? Well, luckily, the latest BookTok craze has been around a book called “The Pumpkin Spice Café” by Laurie Gilmore that seems to be the perfect cross between a Hallmark romance and a Gilmore Girls vibe. The story follows a woman named Jeanie who leaves her desk job when her aunt gifts her the Pumpkin Spice Café in Dream Harbor. Then she meets Logan, the grumpy local farmer who wants nothing to do with a newcomer. But everyone must cross paths when living in a small town. While I haven’t personally read it, it sounds like a fun and easy read for a well-deserved break from all that studying on a fall weekend.  

If you are more into the classics, but don’t want to read “Frankenstein” again, “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Brontë is a perfect fall read. This moody, Victorian-era story is a great fall read. The book follows the story of an orphaned girl growing up in a cruel relative’s home. It follows the loneliness of her childhood all the way to her success as a governess in the home of Mr. Rochester. A beautiful romance blooms between the two, but it is not without its fair share of drama and hidden secrets that turn monstrous. While it sounds like a high school reading assignment, trust me when I say this book is a work of art.  

There are plenty of other good reads out there for the fall, especially any of the classic Stephen King novels or the entire Harry Potter series, but these three books cover the romance, the thriller, and the classical aspects that one might want. Happy reading! 

MAMI 2024: Here’s why The Room Next Door, A Fly on The Wall stood out at film festival

Arts & Culture, Film & TV

At the MAMI Film Festival, two distinct movies stood out for the sheer storytelling of celebrating life and relationships. The Room Next Door, A Fly on The WallThe Mumbai Film Festival (MAMI) 2024 ended with a big bang. Among the several movies screened, two poignant films stood out for their profound explorations of mortality: Pedro Almodovar’s The Room Next Door, starring Julianne Moore and Tilda Swinton, and Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar’s documentary A Fly on The Wall. 

Both films, while distinct, share a common heartbeat: a celebration of life in the face of inevitable loss and offer intimate perspectives on mortality.

The Room Next Door, which premiered at the Venice Film Festival, marks Almodovar’s return to themes of love and loss. The film follows two estranged friends, who reunite in a shared apartment in Madrid as one faces a terminal illness. Almodovar’s signature style—vibrant colours and intricate character dynamics—imbues the film with poignant beauty.  

In contrast, A Fly on The Wall provides a raw look at Chika’s final moments through the lens of friendship. Premiered at the Busan International Film Festival, the documentary chronicles Chika Kapadia’s final few days following his choice of physician-assisted suicide in Switzerland.  Told with unflinching honesty, A Fly on The Wall is not just a tribute to Chika’s life but also a meditation on the complex feelings of grief, autonomy, and the celebration of life’s fleeting nature. 

Together, these films resonate with a shared theme of navigating mortality through the lens of friendship. As they grace the screens of the Mumbai Film Festival, they beckon viewers to engage with the essential conversations surrounding death and the enduring power of connection. 

In witnessing these narratives, audiences were left with a renewed appreciation for the relationships that shape lives and the courage it takes to embrace life’s most profound transitions.

Also read: Do Patti movie review: Kriti Sanon delivers her career-best performance, Kajol shines despite limited screentime

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