The SOS Africa Charity staff and trustees are delighted to share the exciting news that an SOS Africa sponsored child has been appointed as Head Boy of Grabouw High for the 2025 academic year! It is the first time that such an honour has been bestowed on an SOS Africa sponsored child and has sent a ripple of excitement throughout the charity’s education programmes across South Africa.

The worthy recipient, Ameleo Benans was a member of the very first group of Grade 1 children sponsored by SOS Africa in the Western Cape, back in January 2014 (Sponsor a child in South Africa). After joining the inaugural programme, Ameleo and other sponsored children from his community flourished thanks to the holistic education and care provided by the charity’s Grabouw Education Centre and the loyal support of sponsors from around the world. 10 years later, 100 more children from different parts of the region have followed in Ameleo’s footsteps and now look up to him and his classmates as role models.

The news was first announced during a school assembly and came as quite a surprise for Ameleo:

“I was very nervous when I heard my name being called out to be Head Boy for next year. I will try my best to fulfil this role and be an example to the rest of my peers and I am very grateful to SOS Africa and the school for always believing in me.”

It was less of a surprise for SOS Africa Grabouw Centre Manager Sharnice Barties who has seen the leadership potential of Ameleo for some time:

“Ameleo has always been a learner with leadership qualities and is liked and respected by everyone at SOS Africa. We were all so excited when we got the news that he is to be Grabouw High School Head Boy in 2025. We are all so proud of him for being the very first SOS Africa sponsored child to be given such an honour!”

It was an emotional time for Ameleo’s parents who were filled with both pride and gratitude when hearing the news:

“We are very grateful to SOS Africa who made it possible for Ameleo to attend school since he was 6 years old. ​​We are very proud of him and are filled with of joy! Thank you very much SOS Africa and Grabouw High School for supporting him throughout.”

On behalf of the charity’s staff, trustees and supporters, we would like to wholeheartedly congratulate Ameleo for this incredible achievement and wish him luck for next year!

ONE of the world’s most famous attractions could charge tourists for the first time.

Paris’ Notre-Dame has been closed since 2019 following a huge fire.

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However it is set to reopen again this December after a five-year restoration.

And French ministers have suggested a new entry fee could be introduced.

Culture Minister Rachida Dati said the “symbolic charge” would go towards conserving the building, and others across France.

She said: “Across Europe, people have to pay to get into the most remarkable religious buildings.”

The suggested charge could be €5 (£4.17) per person, which would bring in €75million (£62million) a year.

She added: “In this way, Notre-Dame de Paris would save all the churches in Paris and France.”

Non-EU citizens would pay more than French visitors – so Brits would be hit with the charge.

However, many others have said that churches and cathedral should remain free of charge to welcome anyone “unconditionally”.

The costs of restoring the landmark are predicted to be around €700million (£583million), ahead of its official opening date of December 8.

When it does reopen, it wont be fully restored.

New stained glass windows are being installed throughout 2026, with the originals being moved to a museum.

It’s not the only European attraction that is looking at introducing tourist fees.

Turkey’s Hagia Sophia will see tourists charged €25 (£22) to enter, previously being free.

The Trevi Fountain in Rome could charge tourists to visit during the 2025 Jubilee next year.

And Barcelona has revealed plans to double the entry fee for the famous Park Guell attraction, but only for tourists.

Most of these attractions remain free for locals.

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Enso Connect, an AI-powered guest experience platform, is excited to announce its strategic partnership with Avantio, a premier provider of property management software for vacation rentals. This collaboration aims to streamline operations, drive revenue and elevate the guest experience in the short-term rental market.

The integration between Enso Connect and Avantio will empower property managers with advanced tools to customize workflows, offer personalized upsells, and enhance communication with guests. By combining Enso Connect’s innovative technology with Avantio’s robust management platform, users will benefit from a seamless experience that simplifies property management tasks and maximizes rental potential.

Key Benefits of the Integration Include:

• Centralized Guest Management: Users can now manage all guest interactions in one place, reducing the complexity of juggling multiple platforms.
• Custom Workflows and AI: Condition-based automation and AI messaging enable teams to deliver fast, error-free service in their guests’ preferred languages
• Data-Driven Monetization: Access to guest data allows property managers to boost occupancy rates and revenue with personalized add-on offers.
• Premium Guest Experience: A branded web app guiding guests throughout their stay. Integrates verification, upsells, guidebooks and smart devices for smooth check-ins, checkouts and stays. For enhanced guest satisfaction and more 5-star reviews.

“We’re excited to partner with Avantio, a leader in vacation rental software solutions,” said Francois Gouelo, Co-founder and CEO of Enso Connect. “This integration allows us to provide innovative digital tools that elevate the guest experience, increase revenue, and set new standards for hospitality across the short-term rental industry in Europe. Our mission is to help hospitality professionals turn every guest interaction into an opportunity for 5-star reviews, repeat business, and additional revenue. Avantio is the perfect partner to help us achieve this goal.”

“Avantio is dedicated to empowering property managers with the tools they need to succeed,” said César Augusto Ramos, Head of Partnerships at Avantio. “Our partnership with Enso Connect aligns perfectly with this mission, enabling our clients to streamline their operations, drive revenue and focus on delivering exceptional experiences for their guests.”

The integration has been thoroughly tested, with shared users reporting significant success. “Enso Connect is one of our favorite tools so far!” says Jordan Boissière-Navarro, CEO and Managing Partner of Keytoko. “We didn’t offer upsells before and didn’t expect much, but within the first week of using Enso, we generated far more revenue than the subscription cost.”

He adds,”With the Boarding Pass, our guests receive all the information they need well in advance of their stay. EnsoAI enables us to respond quickly and politely in our guests’ own languages, which has greatly reduced negative interactions and freed up our team’s time to focus on guest and property care”’

The Enso Connect and Avantio integration is now live, and users can access it through their respective dashboards. Vacation rental managers are encouraged to explore the new features and take advantage of the enhanced capabilities, at a special rate. The offer is available until November 30, 2024.

For more information about the integration, its benefits and a special offer for Avantio users please visit: https://ensoconnect.com/avantio-integration/

About Enso Connect

Enso Connect is an AI-powered guest experience platform for vacation rentals and boutique hotels that helps personalize and monetize interactions all along the guest journey.

From upsells, guidebooks, smart lock-connected contactless check-in, white-labeled guest verification, AI-driven multi-channel messaging, and more, Enso Connect navigates guests through an effortless digital journey.

With “If this then that” capabilities, Enso Connect empowers property managers to create personalized guest experience in a way that best meets their business objectives. It links top tools, simplifying management of scaling hospitality operations and boosting revenue per guest.

Find us on Linkedin, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Youtube, or at EnsoConnect.com

Contact: marketing@ensoconnect.com

About Avantio
Avantio offers a comprehensive Vacation Rental Software solution, seamlessly integrating essential tools like our Property Management System (PMS), Channel Manager, booking-engine websites, and digital marketing tools.

Avantio’s award-winning Channel Manager reaches a wider audience and maximizes your exposure by effortlessly connecting your portfolio to top OTAs like Airbnb, Booking.com, Marriott, and Google with no extra commission fees. Connect to guests globally, locally, and through niche portals. Avantio is here to help and support you to grow your business.

Media Contact:
Natalia Janikowska
Public Relations
media@avantio.com

DISNEYLAND’s multi-million renovations have started – transforming one of the main lands.

The Walt Disney Studios Park is set to double in size under the new plans.

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Currently home to rides such as Crush’s Coaster, the land opened in 2002, ten years after Disneyland Paris opened (then called EuroDisney).

Announced at Disney‘s huge D23 event this year, Walt Disney Studios Park will be renamed Disney Adventure World.

The €2billion (£1.7billion) plans have started at the park, with a new entrance being added.

Replacing the park’s Disney Studio 1 is World Premiere, opening in spring 2025.

Disneyland’s president  Natacha Rafalski told Blooloop: “In spring 2025, that creative vision will reach the park’s entrance when our entrance building reopens as World Premiere, inviting guests into a glamorous film premiere in the heart of Hollywood before arriving in the full splendour of the park.”

And also opening will be the new Frozen land in 2026, along with a word-first Lion King land.

Mr Rafalski added: “Disney Adventure World will be the culmination of an ambitious creative vision, evolving from what we call ‘how it’s done’ soundstages to celebratory theatres and adventures that come to life in immersive areas.”

The new Frozen Land will be the third of its kind in the world, following Hong Kong Disneyland and Tokyo’s Disneyland.

The Kingdom of Arendelle inside the all-new attraction at Disneyland Paris.

Water-based performances will take place on the central lake with a Frozen Ever After boat ride, similar to the one in Disney World.

New Frozen-themed rooms will open at the Disneyland Hotel too.

Fan will also be able to meet Anna and Elsa, as well as visit immersive shopping and dining experiences.

And the Lion King attraction will be a world first.

Images show a log flume ride down Pride Rock as Rafiki the monkey looks on.

Mufasa, Simba, Timon and Pumba will all feature.

A Tangled ride will also open at the new Adventure Way in Disneyland Paris

Last year, Disney announced they would spend a whopping £47billion over the next ten years.

Other new additions to the Disney theme parks and cruises include

• Encanto-themed ride at Animal Kingdom in Disney World
• New villians land at Disneyland California
• Disney’s biggest cruise ship Disney Adventure
• Spider-man ride at Shanghai Disneyland

Use these tips on your next theme park trip

Next time you visit a theme park, you may want to use our top tips to make the most of your adrenaline-inducing day out.

1. Go to the back of the theme park first. Rides at the front will have the longest queues as soon as it opens.
2. Go on water rides in the middle of the day in the summer – this will cool you off when the sun is at its hottest.
3. Download the park’s app to track which rides have the shortest queues.
4. Visit on your birthday, as some parks give out “birthday badges” that can get you freebies.
5. If it rains, contact the park. Depending on how much it rained, you may get a free ticket to return.

Here’s how to do an adult-only trip to Disneyland Paris.

And we went inside the new Disneyland Paris hotel which opened last year after a huge renovation.

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AN AIRPORT in America that has cheap UK flights is set to undergo a huge renovation, aiming to provide passengers with a “world-class” experience when it’s complete.

Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey is set to undergo a major revamp.

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Earlier this week, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey unveiled its vision for the airport.

The airport will be completely reimagined with modern terminals, a redesigned taxiway network anda new roadway network.

It is hoped that the redesigned taxiway will be able to reduce delays and accommodate more aircraft, increasing passenger capacity.

Newark’s Terminal B, which is regarded as one of the worst terminals in the country, will also be completely overhauled under the plans.

Improvements have also been outlined for the AirTrain, which connects the terminals to commuter trains.

Work on the $2 billion (£1.54 billion) AirTrain project is already underway.

Officials from New York and New Jersey have yet to reveal how much the entire expansion will cost and how long it will take to complete.

Port Authority Chairman Kevin O’Toole said: “A modern, efficient, world-class Newark Liberty Airport is more than just a dream.

“We now have an actionable path forward thanks to this comprehensive vision plan.

“As the blueprint shows, we’re ready to take a top-to-bottom look at everything from terminals to roadways to taxiways as we build EWR into a best-in-class global gateway and position it to continue serving as a vital economic engine for New Jersey and the region.”

The authority’s director of aviation redevelopment, Jacquelene McCarthy, told the New York Times: “A primary goal of the vision plan would be to deliver a world-class passenger experience.”

The news comes two years after Terminal A opened at Newark Liberty Airport.

Terminal A reportedly cost $2.7 billion to build and was recently given a five-star rating from Skytrax becoming the second airport terminal in north America to be given the rating.

Direct flights already operate from the UK to Newark Liberty Airport, with airlines like British Airways, Finnair and Iberia flying direct from London Heathrow.

Sun Online Travel have found return fares from £442 with Lufthansa, with return flights with British Airways costing £517.

UK AIRPORT REVAMPS

Meanwhile, several airports in the UK are also undergoing huge revamps to help improve passenger experiences.

One of those places is Bristol Airport where a huge five-year overhaul is set to take place.

The main improvement will be increasing the terminal size, which will increase by 70 per cent.

It follows a record number of people travelling through the airport, welcoming 10million passengers in a 12-month period for the first time ever.

More restaurants and larger lounges will be part of the terminal expansion.

It also means a larger baggage reclaim area as well as immigration area.

Meanwhile, Manchester Airport has been working on a huge £1.3billion transformation.

Now in its final phase, work is focusing on the east side of Terminal 2, including a second pier with additional boarding gates.

Construction work on the pier began back in June 2023, and it is nearly complete.

When the brand-new pier opens, it will double the aircraft capacity at Manchester Airport.

Doncaster Sheffield Airport, which closed in November 2022, could reopen thanks to a new multi-million-pound plan.

And Plymouth Airport hopes to reopen after being closed for more than a decade.

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