Can you travel from Egypt to Japan without flying? This man proves it

Travel

Omar Nok, one of Egypt’s most well-known travellers, has taken a journey few would dare to attempt – travelling from Egypt to Japan without boarding a flight.Amid Japan’s record-breaking tourism boom, Nok travelled more than the earth’s circumference, relying on boats, trains, camels, and even hitchhiking to reach his destination.Notably, Japan’s sharp yen weakening has turned it into a budget-friendly travel hotspot, attracting nearly 27 million visitors between January and September. This surge has also been an economic windfall, with tourists spending a record 5.86 trillion yen ($37.58 billion) so far.AdvertisementALSO READ |
Who are China’s ‘iron butt’ travellers, who are skipping on air travel for road and rail journeys?Who is Omar Nok?Nok, a 30-year-old traveller from Cairo, has become a social media sensation, with over 750,000 Instagram followers while he documents his unique overland journey from Egypt to Japan. Covering a total of 46,239 kilometres (28,732 miles) across a dozen countries without flying, his journey has captivated audiences worldwide.Omar Nok in Medina, Saudi Arabia. Image courtesy: Instagram/omar.nokSpeaking to Reuters, Nok revealed that his fascination with Japan began in childhood, long before he understood the concept of travel. “I always wanted to come to Japan,” he told the newspaper, adding, “But for me, I don’t want to miss anything in between…so that’s the motivation to just go without flying to see as much as I can.”‘I chose Japan because…’In an interview with Arab News Japan, Nok said, “I like overland travel because I want to see as much as possible of the world, and not just certain spots.”“I chose Japan because it was the furthest country away from Egypt I could think of.”He added, “I’ve travelled extensively in Europe and America. I have never travelled anywhere towards the east.”The explorer has been sharing his journey with his social media audience, posting daily short videos that show his location, activities, and scenic views from each country he visits.However, his travels have also sparked curiosity among viewers who wonder how he manages to travel international borders with an Egyptian passport, which ranks 75th on the Passport Index 2024.He told Arab News Japan, “Aside from my Egyptian passport, I also have a German one.”Advertisement“However, I use both depending on the country I am visiting. For example, in Saudi Arabia and the UAE, I used my German passport because it’s on arrival,” he added.The 29-year-old said that he faced challenges such as language and cultural barriers during his journey but added that safety was less of a concern. “In terms of safety, Asian countries are much safer than Latin American, for example. But finding information in Asia is much more challenging,” he told the newspaper.“The media shows certain countries in a negative light, when in fact those countries are just like any other, with normal streets, restaurants, etc.”AdvertisementALSO READ |
Why Japan has introduced stab-proof umbrellas for travel on trainsHow did he travel to Japan without getting on a plane?He arrived by ferry in the southwestern city of Fukuoka last month and then meandered his way to Tokyo on November 7, 274 days after leaving home. By comparison, a direct flight from Cairo to Tokyo takes about 12 hours.The veteran traveller previously logged lengthy trips through Europe and the Americas, but nothing like this. The first day was the hardest, Nok said, when his father dropped him off at Red Sea port of Safaga to board a cargo boat for Saudi Arabia.He was nervous about stepping into the unknown, venturing into central Asian countries where he didn’t speak the language and where few tourists tread. But armed with words of encouragement from his father, he stepped onto the ship, and his nerves melted away.Omar Nok in Kyrgyzstan. Image courtesy: Instagram/omar.nokOn his trek, he hitchhiked to Islam’s holy city of Mecca, sandboarded the dunes of Iran, broke down in the Tajikistan mountains in a purple Dodge Challenger driven by another adventurer, and crossed parts of Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan riding horses and camels.AdvertisementPreviously a financial analyst for Amazon in Germany and Luxembourg, Nok funded his journey through savings and extremely frugal spending. His daily expenses came to about $25, although his entire two-week run through Afghanistan cost just $88, he said.Throughout it all, Nok said he never felt in danger because generous strangers looked out for him wherever he found himself. That message resounded among his online fans as a welcome spark of hope at a time of war and political strife in much of the world.“I’m always just moving around like locals would, and being in situations where locals would step in to help,” Nok said. “I think people wanted to see that positive side to all the countries that they only hear negative things about.”AdvertisementWith inputs from Reuters

Derbyshire home-staging experts set to take the stage at two national business awards

Business News

Elaine Penhaul, founder and director of Lemon and Lime InteriorsExpert home-staging firm Lemon and Lime Interiors has been nominated for two of the UK’s major property and entrepreneurial awards for a second year running.The nationwide team of stagers from the Derbyshire-based firm has been named in the line-up for The Negotiator Awards, the UK’s leading awards programme for estate and letting agents in the residential property industry. For the second year running, the team has been nominated in the Supplier of the Year: Products and Services (Marketing) category. The founder and director of Lemon and Lime, Elaine Penhaul, has also secured herself a second nomination for the Great British Entrepreneur Awards Midlands. Dubbed the ‘Grammys of entrepreneurship’, the awards acknowledge the hard work and inspiring stories of British entrepreneurs and businesses. Elaine hopes to scoop the award for the Creative Entrepreneur of the Year as part of the shortlisting of talent from across the Midlands.Filling a niche in the property industry, the home stagers at Lemon and Lime transform premium properties in preparation for sale, helping homeowners, developers and estate agents to present homes in their best possible condition to sell quickly – and often for a higher price.Lemon and Lime set to take the stage at two national business awardsElaine Penhaul said: “I’m so proud to see the hard work of my incredible team be recognised once again. None of the business’s success would happen without them as we continue to be at the forefront of change for the industry in marketing properties. Home staging is a win-win solution, and our mission remains to continue to innovate our approaches and increase homestaging’s prominence in the UK and beyond. To be nominated for such prestigious awards really highlights this success.”In May 2024, Elaine added a second volume to her portfolio of Amazon bestselling books on property marketing, titled ‘How to Sell Your House: The definitive guide to marketing your biggest capital asset’. The new book follows on from ‘Sell High, Sell Fast: How to sell your home for the best possible price’ published in 2020, both offering house sellers and agents a comprehensive understanding of marketing theory and how it applies to a house sale.Elaine added: “It’s been a joy to write and release my second book this year, a process that has produced so many memorable moments. In addition to the continued growth of the Lemon and Lime Staging Group and many more public speaking engagements, 2024 has been incredibly successful and it really is the cherry on the cake to be shortlisted for two sought-after accolades once again. “We look forward to attending the upcoming award announcement. They recognise the best in our field, and we are honoured to be included in that list.”Both the Great British Entrepreneur and Negotiator Awards are set to be announced later this month with live events taking place at Grosvenor House in London on 18 and 29 November respectively.Continue Reading

Derby sensory clothing brand founded by 12-year-old Max Palfrey shortlisted for Business Boost grant

Business News

Watch more of our videos on ShotsTV.com and on Freeview 262 or Freely 565Visit Shots! nowA sensory clothing brand in Derby is one of a handful of small businesses shortlisted to receive a £25,000 Business Boost grant from small business insurance provider, Simply Business.Returning for its fifth year, the Business Boost programme will award a £25,000 cash grant to one deserving entrepreneur, helping them to launch their next big idea or provide crucial support to help an existing SME thrive.The final shortlist has been revealed today, following over 17,000 applications for the prize designed to give one lucky small business owner a helping hand as they navigate challenges such as rising living costs, increased energy bills and ongoing supply chain uncertainties.This year, Comfa in Derby has made the final six companies shortlisted to win the cash grant. Comfa is a family-run business with a mission to develop innovative sensory products for neurodivergent children and their families, including the Fidget-T – the world’s first t-shirt with built-in pop-its.Max Palfrey, 12, is the founder and inventor behind sensory clothing brand ComfaMax Palfrey, 12, is the founder and inventor behind Comfa. Speaking about the initiative, Max said: “Being shortlisted for the award feels very crazy and very exciting. To go from being in my room and coming up with an idea, to being picked from a football stadium with that amount of people is incredible, and I hope it inspires other autistic people to know they can achieve anything.”His father, Matt Palfrey, director of the sensory clothing brand said: “Seeing us be shortlisted for this award is incredible and a testament to what an amazing idea Max has come up with. It is inspiring seeing him trying to change the world and doing everything he can to help others with the same challenges around clothing as him.”Other shortlisted companies in the running for the financial boost are:● Wild Chai, Hounslow, London – An authentic and healthy tea company founded by sisters Jasmine and Alicia. Specialising in aromatic, ayurvedic chai blends, the tea is sourced from India and blended in London.● NameSwitch Ltd, Hungerford – A name-change service with a mission to simplify and streamline the process of changing legal names, giving customers the ability to notify over 700 different companies simultaneously.● The Vegan Patty Lady, London – The creator of authentic Jamaican vegan patties with a focus on high quality, plant-based ingredients, providing vegans with culturally flavoured foods.● Little Perth, Bournemouth – An Aussie-inspired florist and speciality coffee shop, with a flower delivery service and two stores along the Dorset coast serving sustainable, ethical coffee.● Thornborough Cider, Bedale – A small-batch cidery in Yorkshire producing traditional ciders from locally sourced apples, using natural fermentation techniques and 100% renewable energy.The judges will pick a winner based on criteria including how the business positively impacts society, innovation and practicality of the business’s plan for the prize money. Importantly, judges are also looking for compelling stories that showcase the business’s trials, triumphs, and inspirational moments.The winner will be announced on 13th December following a decision by a panel of expert judges including renowned entrepreneur Timothy Armoo, Harpreet Kaur, winner of BBC’s The Apprentice and last year’s winner, Claire Marchais, owner of eco-friendly, low-waste wholefoods store, Fair-Well.Bea Montoya, UK COO at Simply Business, said: “Supporting our communities’ small businesses has never been more crucial, and we’re honoured to be able to help make a genuine transformational impact for another small business owner this year.“With almost twenty thousand entries, we were deeply moved to hear about the big dreams of small business owners across the country, and it’s clearer than ever that our self-employed community is brimming with passion, drive and resilience.“Having witnessed the positive impact of our Business Boost initiative for the last four years, we are thrilled to be returning with our £25,000 grant this year and wish the best of luck to the six incredible businesses on the shortlist.”Continue Reading

How to Ensure Your Business Has an Ethical Supply Chain

Business News

How to develop a code of conductTo establish an ethical supply chain, businesses must first develop a comprehensive code of conduct which outlines their expectations for suppliers. This code should address issues such as labour practices, environmental sustainability and anti-corruption measures. 

Companies must then implement rigorous vetting processes to assess potential suppliers against these standards before entering into partnerships.

Ongoing monitoring and auditing of suppliers are essential to maintain ethical standards throughout the supply chain. This can involve regular site visits, third-party audits and using technology to track supplier performance. 

Companies should also invest in training to help suppliers improve their practices and meet ethical standards.

What the biggest corporations do

Several major corporations have implemented noteworthy ethical supply chain initiatives.

Microsoft has committed to becoming carbon negative by 2030 and has extended this goal to its supply chain. The company requires its suppliers to disclose their greenhouse gas emissions and set reduction targets.

Salesforce has implemented a supplier code of conduct that covers areas such as human rights, environmental sustainability, and ethical business practices. The company conducts regular assessments of its suppliers to ensure compliance.

Intel has focused on responsible sourcing of minerals in its supply chain. The company has implemented a due diligence programme to ensure that minerals used in its products are not sourced from conflict-affected areas.

Johnson & Johnson has developed a set of standards for suppliers that outlines expectations for ethical business conduct, labour practices and environmental responsibility. Like Salesforce, the company conducts regular audits of its suppliers to verify compliance.

And Nike has made significant efforts to improve labour conditions in its supply chain. The company publishes a list of its contract factories and conducts regular audits to assess working conditions and environmental performance.

The role of technology

Technology plays a crucial role in managing ethical supply chains. Blockchain solutions can provide transparency and traceability throughout the supply chain, while artificial intelligence and machine learning can help identify potential risks and anomalies.

When things go wrong

Of course, when things go wrong, companies must be prepared to address issues. This involves having clear procedures for investigating and remediating problems, as well as mechanisms for suppliers to report concerns without fear of retaliation.

And don’t be afraid to put your hand up when there is a problem. In fact, acting quickly can put you in a better light.  

Communicating with stakeholders is vital, demonstrating your company’s commitment to ethical supply chain practices and building trust with consumers, investors and regulators. 

Make sure you check out the latest edition of Business Chief and also sign up to our global conference series – Sustainability LIVE

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Bulgaria Expects to Attract 13 Million Foreign Tourists in 2024

Travel

With 10.7 million foreign tourists visiting Bulgaria between January and September 2024, the country has achieved a 2.5% growth compared to the pre-pandemic peak year of 2019. Bulgaria is on track to reach its ambitious target of 13 million visitors by year-end and generate 14 billion BGN in tourism revenue.
According to the National Statistical Institute (NSI), 2024 is shaping up to be the most successful year in the history of Bulgarian tourism.
Romanian tourists continue to lead in numbers, but Bulgaria is increasingly attracting visitors from the United Kingdom, Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, Spain, Italy, Turkey, and France.
From January to September 2024, 7.5 million tourists stayed in categorized accommodations, marking a 3.9% increase compared to the same period in 2023 and a 9.4% rise compared to 2019.
Revenues from overnight stays reached 2.1 billion BGN in the first nine months of the year, up 15.4% from 2023.
Forecasts predict that Bulgaria will exceed its goal, welcoming 13.1 million tourists by the end of 2024—surpassing the 12.6 million visitors recorded in 2023 and securing 2024 as its best tourism year yet.

Latest News | 100 Underprivileged Children Given Solar Lanterns by Science City, Kolkata

Science and Health

Kolkata, Nov 15 (PTI) One hundred underprivileged children were given solar lanterns as part of a public awareness drive about the use of green energy at a programme by Science City, a unit of the National Council of Science Museums. The children got hands-on experience and fabrication of solar lanterns at the programme and acquired a new skill, organisers said in a statement on Friday. Also Read | Shillong Teer Results Today, November 15 2024: Winning Numbers, Result Chart for Shillong Morning Teer, Shillong Night Teer, Khanapara Teer, Juwai Teer and Jowai Ladrymbai. Science City, Kolkata Director Anurag Kumar said, “This event has provided us with an opportunity to engage the community in discovering the potential of solar energy, equipping participants with the skills and insights needed to embrace green energy solutions.” The solar lanterns were distributed to the little ones on November 14 on the occasion of the Children’s Day at the programme themed ‘Green Energy, Clean Energy’. Also Read | Kolkata Fatafat Result Today: Kolkata FF Result for November 15, 2024 Declared, Check Winning Numbers and Result Chart of Satta Matka-Type Lottery Game. The 100 underprivileged children, hailing from different parts of West Bengal, were brought by civil society organisations.(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)