Shared by comprised of scientists from the United States explored how immunity develops against Plasmodium falciparum the parasite that causes the most severe forms of malaria They found that broadly reactive antibodies from various individuals consistently bound to the same site on a key virulence protein of the malaria parasite Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted to humans by mosquitoes and is especially prevalent in tropical parts of Africa and South Asia. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2023 there were approximately 250 million malaria cases globally can be much more challenging than treating a virus This parasite has a complex life cycle where it can infect a person in one form and then evolve to a different form “The immune response against one form of the parasite does nothing against another form As the parasite goes through its lifecycle it shapeshifts and becomes a completely different target for the immune system,” she said Another challenge is that the malaria parasite has evolved for tens of thousands of years alongside humans and non-human apes and is now highly adapted to escaping our immune responses “People infected with malaria parasites can make a very strong immune response but the parasite has ways to deal with that and escape,” she said An effective malaria vaccine is challenging due to the enormous variation in the parasite’s virulence genes that play an important role in the disease process This study shows that the parasite has a weakness because a specific site on its polymorphic erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) protein must bind to a protein receptor of the human host called endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) Antibodies that target this binding site neutralize the parasite’s virulence making it an ideal focus for vaccine development “This epitope represents an Achilles’ heel of the parasite as it cannot be altered without the parasite losing its ability to bind to the human receptor EPCR,” Bunnik said Samples from Ugandan individuals showed that two human monoclonal antibodies could bind and inhibit many different variants of PfEMP1 Serum samples from Tanzanian adults and children showed that antibodies targeting the EPCR binding site of PfEMP1 are common for individuals continuously exposed to the malaria parasite and develop early in life in children between two and nine years old A three-dimensional human microvasculature model created by the team in Spain demonstrated that these particular antibodies successfully inhibited the binding of malaria parasite-infected erythrocytes to the human endothelial cells that line blood vessel walls The various teams are now furthering their malaria research based on findings from this study Bunnik’s lab will continue the search for monoclonal antibodies against PfEMP1 and is specifically looking for antibodies that recognize additional EPCR-binding subclasses She is also interested in answering the question of how such antibodies develop “If we activate the human endothelium that’s present in these microvessels does it have an effect on parasite binding and do our antibodies still inhibit it And if we add antibodies that inhibit parasite binding to these other receptors do we get a synergistic effect?” Bunnik said The lead author for the study is Bunnik’s former mentee Raphael Reyes, PhD, who graduated last year from the Integrated Biomedical Sciences program with the UT Health San Antonio Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences He is currently working on his post-doctoral fellowship at the Ragon Institute of Mass General The team in Spain who created the microvasculature model for this study are continuing research to further understand how these antibodies inhibit the malaria parasite’s binding to the endothelium The findings of this study provide a pathway for a malaria vaccine that mimics the naturally acquired immunity seen in populations that are continually exposed to the parasite Bunnik said the team is working on the framework for potential vaccines with experts in computational protein design “Now that we know what the epitope looks like we can try to scaffold that in different ways onto other proteins assisted by computational predictions and present it to the immune system in a way that is highly immunogenic,” she said Read more about Raphael Reyes’ work while he was a student at UT Health San Antonio: https://news.uthscsa.edu/phd-grad-credits-early-lab-experiences-for-his-success-in-science/ Learn about the myriad contributions being made every day by our faculty students and residents in the areas of research UT Health San Antonio's magazines chronicle the extraordinary efforts made by so many in service to our community View the magazine Web Privacy | Links from websites affiliated with UT Health's website (uthscsa.edu) to other websites do not constitute or imply university endorsement of those sites or products and services associated with those sites The content on this website is intended to be used for informational purposes only Health information on this site is not meant to be used to diagnose or treat conditions Consult a health care provider if you are in need of treatment Quicklinks has recently hosted nine travel agents from Australia on an educational famil to Egypt – the company’s first agent famil to the region in eight years Bunnik Tours has long held a deep commitment to Egypt’s tourism sector with the three founding Bunniks collectively travelling to the region more than 50 times The eight-day famil was designed to showcase that passion and expertise firsthand while reinforcing Egypt’s enduring appeal as a bucket-list destination for Australian travellers Agents experienced a condensed version of the Highlights of Egypt tour beginning in Cairo with a visit to the remarkable Great Pyramids of Giza A standout moment was dining at the 9 Pyramids Lounge surrounded by panoramic views of the pyramids – a special experience included on all Bunnik Tours’ Egypt itineraries Another highlight was a guided visit to Egypt’s newest and most impressive cultural attraction the Grand Egyptian Museum – now the largest archaeological museum in the world the group crossed the desert to the UNESCO World Heritage-listed temples of Abu Simbel before returning to Aswan to board the Movenpick MS Lily for a three-night cruise along the Nile A festive onboard galabaya party was a fun cultural highlight The famil continued with a visit to the Valley of the Kings where agents descended into the famous Tomb of Tutankhamun and a special night-time experience at Luxor Temple – one of Egypt’s most atmospheric sites Bunnik Tours’ Business Development Manager Sally-Anne Matthews said it was a privilege to share the magic of Egypt with a group of agents who were engaged “Egypt is an incredible destination,” Matthews said “There were so many ‘pinch me’ moments from standing before the Great Pyramids of Giza to sailing down the Nile The early morning hot air balloon ride over the West Bank was a definite highlight for all of us – it was truly unforgettable.” Matthews said one of the most emotional moments came during the group’s visit to Abu Simbel another signature inclusion on all Egypt tours walked us down to the temples with our eyes closed making sure we didn’t look until we were right in front of them,” Matthews added There was this collective silence when we arrived We were all so moved and grateful to share something so powerful together It’s the kind of travel moment that stays with you for life.” showcasing the seamless connectivity and premium service available to Australian travellers “The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” Matthews said “This famil has not only strengthened our relationships with key trade partners – it’s reignited their passion for Egypt and shown them the Bunnik difference.” Discovery confirms crucial role of Lower German Limes in Roman conquest of Britannia Rijksmuseum van Oudheden—In the autumn of 2023 404 silver and gold coins dating back to the start of the Common Era were found in the Dutch municipality of Bunnik The find contains a unique combination of Roman and British coins buried in the northern border region of the Roman Empire (the Lower German Limes) this frontier ran right through what is now the Netherlands A Roman-British coin hoard of this kind has never been discovered in mainland Europe before The most recent of the Roman coins were struck in the years 46-47 It was during this period that Roman troops crossed the North Sea to conquer the land they called ‘Britannia’ Forty-four of the gold coins come from what we now call Britain and bear the inscription of the British king Cunobelin The coins were probably brought to Bunnik after the initial conquests by Roman soldiers returning from Britannia: the Roman coins were their pay while the British coins were the spoils of war The coins have been acquired by the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden (the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities) and now form part of its permanent exhibition The Netherlands in Roman Times The discovery of these coins highlights the importance of the Lower German Limes for the Roman invasions of Britannia Not only was this frontier the site for preparations for the first crossing in the year 43 CE but it also transpires that Roman troops returned to the mainland via the limes bringing all kinds of possessions back with them This collection of coins is the largest such find from the Roman period ever made in the Province of Utrecht it is the first in mainland Europe to contain a mix of Roman and British coins Only in Britain has a similar hoard been discovered The Utrecht find was discovered in the region of the Roman frontier but outside the major known Roman sites such as the fort Traiectum (Utrecht) and Ulpia Noviomagus (Nijmegen) They were probably buried in or shortly after 47 CE They may have been hidden with the idea of digging them up at a later date perhaps to thank the gods for a safe return from battle Gold coins from Britain are called staters They were struck between about 5 and 43 CE during and shortly after the reign of the British king Cunobelin Cunobelin’s name appears in Latin on the coins: CVNO[BELINVS] The Roman coins bear portraits of Roman rulers and emperors around the end of the first Roman conquests in Britain A total of 72 gold Roman coins known as aurei (singular: aureus) were found Two of the gold coins were struck using the same stamp and appear to be unused: they show no signs of wear The owner apparently received them from a stock of newly minted coins These denarii (singular: denarius) were struck between 200 BCE and 47 BC such as coins from the time of Julius Caesar and one coin featuring Juba the king of Numidia in northwest Africa (present-day Algeria) The coins were discovered by detectorists Gert-Jan Messelaar and Reinier Koelink After the find was formally reported to Landscape Heritage Utrecht’s Archaeology Hotline archaeologist Anton Cruysheer examined the coins They were then entered into the Portable Antiquities of the Netherlands (PAN) database and professionally cleaned by Restaura To gain a fuller understanding of the area around the find site and why the coins were buried there the National Cultural Heritage Agency conducted an excavation 381 of what turned out to be a hoard of 404 coins has since been acquired by the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden/National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden With this the coins became part of the Netherlands’ National Archaeology Collection and available for research They can now be viewed in the museum’s permanent exhibition The Netherlands in Roman Times The purchase was co-funded by lottery company VriendenLoterij Part of the complete Roman coin find from Bunnik Photo and collection © National Museum of Antiquities Aureus with Emperor Claudius – obverse | Struck during the reign of Emperor Claudius from 44 AD.Photo and collection © National Museum of Antiquities Coin of King Juba the First – obverse | Ruler of Numidia (North Africa Stater of King Cunobelinus – obverse | Gold before and after cleaning | Roman aureus (gold) minted during the time of Emperor Claudius Photo and collection © Restoration studio Restaura Field research RCE | Tessa de Groot (middle) and the finders of the Bunnik coin hoard Reinier Koelink (left) and Gert-Jan Messelaar (right) during the RCE excavation near the find location Photo and collection © Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands Article Source: Rijksmuseum van Oudheden news release Subscribe to Popular Archaeology Premium Still the industry's best value at only $9.00 annually Subscribe to Popular Archaeology Premium Still the industry’s best value at only $9.00 annually Archaeologists hail discovery of very rare hoard featuring 44 gold coins bearing name of Celtic king Cunobelinus A hoard of British coins bearing the inscription of King Cunobelin and found in a Dutch field have been identified as very likely to be the spoils of war of a Roman soldier from the conquest of Britain. The 44 gold coins, known as staters, were discovered alongside 360 Roman coins, by two amateur archaeologists with metal detectors in a field in Bunnik, near Utrecht. The coins are believed to have been given as military pay. Read moreThe staters bear the name of the British Celtic king also known as Cunobelinus immortalised by Shakespeare as Cymbeline in the play of that name who reigned between AD5 and AD40 in the south-east of Britain Analysis of what is the first mixed composition collection found on mainland Europe suggests the coins were deliberately buried in a shallow pit and stored in a cloth or leather pouch which were found less than 30cm below the surface of the soil are said to amount to what would have been 11 years in wages for an ordinary Roman soldier Four of the British staters are regarded as posthumous issues probably struck by Cunobelinus’s successors as ruler of the Catuvellauni tribe The wide chronological range of the coins suggests they were not selected based on quality gold content or weight but removed from circulation in a single event consistent with being spoils from the early Roman conquest of Britain under the general Aulus Plautius (AD43-47) The coins may have been distributed to the army as a donativum a monetary gift often given to soldiers in the Roman army as a reward after a successful campaign according to the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities in Leiden They date from approximately 200BC to AD47 The staters are decorated with the name of the Celtic king Cunobelinus Photograph: RMOThe identical marks of those coins suggest they were minted as part of a single batch Among the silver pieces are Roman coins from the time of Julius Caesar and one features Juba the king of Numidia in north-west Africa – present-day Algeria The find was made by Gert-Jan Messelaar and Reinier Koelink in October 2023. They discovered 381 coins and a second excavation by the Cultural Heritage Agency of the Netherlands uncovered a further 23 “We opened a bottle of champagne,” recalled Messelaar of the original discovery Free daily newsletterOur morning email breaks down the key stories of the day telling you what’s happening and why it matters The area where the coins were discovered was a site from which the Romans had prepared for first crossing to Britain It now appears it was also an area to which the conquering troops returned when back on the mainland The pit in which the coins were probably buried would have been dug in a soggy area and close to a water-bearing channel that would have been unsuitable for habitation and agriculture from the Utrecht Landscape and Heritage Foundation said: “This is the first time that physical evidence of the return of the troops has been found Apparently they came back with all sorts of things Britain consisted of several separate kingdoms before Claudius ordered Aulus Plautius to invade with a force of four legions reinforced by a further 20,000 auxiliary soldiers Caratacus and Togodumnus had been leading attacks on the Atrebates tribe who had political and trading links with the Romans extending the area of influence of the anti-Roman Catuvellauni further westwards from their homelands north of the River Thames The company is now ready for further growth and development We wish Patrick all the best for the future.” AutoBinck Group is currently in the final stages of appointing a new CEO for XXImo Michel Cornelissen (CFO AutoBinck Group) will take on this role on an interim basis Photo: Patrick Bunnik (credits: Xximo.com) WIKIFLEET is a free collaborative encyclopaedia providing knowledge about car fleet management all over the world Wikifleet The Global Fleet MARKETPLACE is the ONE guide to find fleet & mobility providers worldwide Marketplace directories and magazines in our knowledge center Knowledge Center Want to capture the attention of the International Fleet and Mobility leaders Contact us and become our partner! Contact us has launched its ‘Hot Deals’ sale offering savings of up to $2,000 per person on hundreds of departures for the 2025 season Bunnik Tours’ sale offers exceptional value across a range of travel styles to satisfy travellers seeking cultural immersion While Japan continues to surge in popularity there’s never been a better time to get off the traditional tourist trail and explore the country’s lesser-known hidden gems with Bunnik Tours’ 19-day Best of Southern Japan and 16-day Japan Discovery small group tours Bunnik Tours’ Morocco In-Style tour is on sale from $9,910 per person twin share this tour includes an overnight stay in a luxurious desert camp in the heart of the Sahara Bunnik Tours is set to add more deals throughout the 2025 season with all prices excluding airfares “With an array of destinations and travel styles on offer we’re giving travellers the opportunity to experience an unforgettable small group tour at great prices,” Bunnik Tours’ joint-CEO “And with new deals being added regularly there’s never been a better time to start planning your adventure “Whether your clients are dreaming of exploring the ancient wonders of Egypt experiencing the vibrant cultures of South America or indulging in a luxurious escape to Morocco this sale offers unbeatable value for every type of traveller.” Celebrating 30 years of delivering exceptional travel experiences in 2025 the family-owned company is dedicated to designing tours that capture the essence of each destination through authentic and immersive experiences all within small groups of no more than 20 travellers “We take pride in offering tours that strike the perfect balance between organised sightseeing and free time visiting renowned attractions while also exploring off the beaten path,” Bunnik added combined with a commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has made Bunnik Tours a trusted name in the travel industry and we look forward to helping our customers – both old and new – create unforgettable travel moments in 2025 and beyond.” agents should act quickly to secure discounts for their clients on the most sought-after destinations All sale prices remain fully commissionable to Bunnik Tours’ trade partners It is the book everyone’s talking about Joe Aston’s The Chairman’s Lounge shines a light on the inner workings of Qantas and Alan Joyce’s legacy Bunnik tours co-CEO Dennis Bunnik shares his views on the book as well as what went wrong during Joyce’s legacy But for someone who was reasonably involved with the lobbying effort to help save the travel industry during the Covid years it was hard to relive some of those moments I definitely recommend you take the time and read it yourself Real change only comes from shining a light on things that people don’t want you to see And there is plenty that the Qantas executives and the politicians don’t want you to see Many words have been written about Albo’s upgrades the Chairman’s Lounge and their perceived influence on the Labor Government’s decision to knock back Qatar’s request for additional flights Politicians from both sides have been gorging at the Qantas trough for years and there’s little doubt if the Coalition had been in power the decision would have been the same and destruction of Qantas’ brand value over the past 5 years will create the necessary change that will ultimately help us all Just like Covid showed that our structure of Federation is seriously flawed the unbridled political influence of Qantas through the bestowing of Chairman’s Lounge membership and handing out upgrades like lollies at a kid’s birthday party is wrong and needs to stop The biggest takeaway from Aston’s book for me is the danger of power and its absolute ability to corrupt it was not just the Qantas brand but also that of Joyce Reading the chapters it becomes clear that as Joyce’s power increased there is nobody that he the travel industry and eventually all Australian taxpayers Most of these were shafted many times over It was offered to him and he grabbed it with both hands He became his own hero and as he consolidated his power and his ego grew lost all perspective of the bigger picture Of course they could do whatever they wanted the system was designed and played in such a way to reward this type of behaviour Bonus systems encouraged management to focus on short-term results to maximum their own payouts The board remuneration system; including overly generous travel benefits that no board member would dare lose through speaking up ensured the board stayed quiet.But it goes deeper than that The collapse of Ansett back in 2001 gave Qantas total domination of the domestic market and through careful political grooming it has ensured it still retains this domination 23 years later According to Aston over 80 per cent of Commonwealth spending on domestic flights is with Qantas Despite the need to book the ‘lowest practical fare’ is the perfect illustration of how power corrupts and why we need the checks and balances in place No one organisation or person should be able to wield so much power that they become totally consumed by their own greed – be that greed for money or greed for even more power and control This is true not just for Qantas but for all aspects of our industry I have no issue with Qantas management on focussing on Qantas first It’s the job of every manager or business owner outside of our own roles we have a collective responsibility to think of the bigger picture and help our sector and society advance it was only when the industry came together that we achieved the best results from our lobbying I have always been a strong advocate for collaboration for the greater good the concentration of power with one person the corner has been turned at Qantas and Aston’s book instigates the lasting changes required Bunnik Tours has unveiled a refreshed brand identity with the new positioning The new brand identity recognises Bunnik Tours’ dedication to inspire travellers not just by the destinations they are going to Other elements include a new logo lock-up with the tagline ‘Family-run since forever’ as well as injecting the family’s approachable fun-loving personality into every touchpoint Bunnik Tours’ Joint-CEO Dennis Bunnik said the brand refresh celebrates the company’s unique approach to touring and remains true to their family-run values while connecting with a new generation of travellers “Our refreshed brand emerged from an extensive consultation process with the talented team at Town Square The result is an exciting and important step as we kick off our 30th anniversary year.” “This isn’t just a business to us – it’s our name and we’ve always believed it’s the people you travel with who make a journey truly unforgettable positioning and visual identity are representative of our purpose which is to foster deeper connections between travellers and the people distinctive branding assets also ensure that destination photography is uniquely recognisable as Bunnik Tours Small group touring specialist Bunnik Tours has unveiled its United Kingdom said: “In 2025 we celebrate 30 years of making Australian’s travel dreams come true absolutely delighted to present our 2025 Europe brochure which contains our biggest touring program to Europe ever more departures and more wonderful travel memories will be created than ever.” The company continues to expand its Europe offerings with this brochure The 32-page brochure provides captivating images taken by Bunnik Tour staff and tour guests to provide an accurate representation of each journey offers Guests can experience a perfect balance of organised sightseeing Guests delight in the small group size of no more than 20 people in spacious coaches as they uncover each destination across the regions of Europe New to the program is the 12-day Discover Iceland small group tour Annelieke Huijgens travelled through Iceland in 2023 and experienced first-hand some of their signature special experiences and the fantastic highlights Iceland has to offer with the landscape changing around every corner and a must-visit destination,” she said Bunnik Tours also recently unveiled two new In-Style tours to expand its luxury range to Europe The itinerary departs with an even smaller group of 16 passengers and incorporates deluxe experiences and stays in luxurious 4- to 5-star accommodations https://www.travelweekly.com.au/article/bunnik-tours-expands-their-luxury-range-to-include-europe/ Brochures are available in both print and digital formats Independent creative agency Town Square has launched a new brand platform and identity for touring company Bunnik Tours ‘It’s who you go with,’ ahead of the company’s 30th anniversary including surveying 500 past Bunnik Tours customers to help shape the new brand platform and identity running across print “This isn’t just a business to us This brand refresh celebrates our unique approach to touring and ensures we remain true to our family-run values while connecting with a new generation of travellers and the result captures everything we stand for as a brand and what we value as a family,” Dennis and Sacha Bunnik The refreshed brand platform also includes a new logo lock-up with the tagline ‘Family-run since forever,’ highlighting Bunnik Tours’ heritage The new identity introduces the ‘Bunnik hug’ a visual device derived from the brand’s logo “Bunnik Tours isn’t just another travel brand – it’s a family with a genuine passion for creating meaningful travel experiences We were inspired by their hands-on approach and their commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences for travellers The new brand identity is about more than destinations it’s about the connections and stories that make travel memorable,” Danielle Moeller Bunnik Tours specialises in small group tours to a range of destinations in Europe A unique collection of 404 silver and gold coins dating back to 46 A.D made in October 2023 by two individuals using metal detectors has been described as one of the most significant finds of Roman and British coins in Europe The Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden, Landschap Erfgoed Utrecht, and the Rijksdienst voor Cultureel Erfgoed jointly revealed the discovery Monday morning The museum in Leiden called the find a "unique combination of Roman and British coins," noting that such a Roman-British coin hoard has never been found on the European mainland before The discovery was made in an area that was once part of the northern border region of the Roman Empire Roman soldiers were known to travel to Britannia 44 feature the name of British King Cunobelinus This indicates that soldiers returning from Britannia likely brought these coins back with them to the European mainland Experts believe that these coins may have been plundered by Roman soldiers during their campaigns The two individuals who found the coins initially discovered a few of them and then reported their find to the Meldpunt Archeologie of Landschap Erfgoed Utrecht which were subsequently cleaned by a restoration workshop To learn more about the location of the discovery This effort ultimately revealed the full extent of the hoard The coins have now been acquired by the Rijksmuseum van Oudheden in Leiden where they are included in the ongoing exhibition Family-run Adelaide-based Bunnik Tours has shared its birthday cake with Sydney as it celebrated 30 years of operation at a party at the Queen Victoria Building Tea Rooms last night plus mum Marion the founder of the company The panel shared a few inside secrets and insights into the family company with MC Mark Tucker in front of attendant media The idea sprang from the family’s mid 1970s idea to sell the family home convert a van into sleeping accommodation and tour Europe Dennis also got a foot stuck in a bidet in France while Sacha’s most embarrassing travel yarn had him applying for an e-visa for Saudi Arabia with an expired passport – he made it through – eventually probably lugging his mother’s excess luggage Small group specialist Bunnik Tours has unveiled its latest two brochures for destinations Asia and Egypt & the Middle East 2025 Following the successful launch of Bunnik’s 2025 Europe South & Central America and Africa editions the new brochure promises travellers even more adventures It features an abundance of inspiring images captured by Bunnik Tours’ own staff and past travellers to provide genuine insight into each tour that immerses readers in the showcased destinations “Egypt & the Middle East has always been a favourite destination among our clients and we love connecting them with ancient history diverse landscapes and sacred sites,” Bunnik Tours joint-CEO “Asia continues to captivate the hearts of Australian travellers the continent really is a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences.” Expertly crafted with the traveller in mind Bunnik Tours offers the perfect balance of organised sightseeing special local experiences and time for independent exploration Guests delight in the intimate group size of no more than 20 travellers enjoying large spacious coaches as they uncover the heart of each destination across both regions “We’ve been taking tour groups to Egypt since 2004 and during this time we’ve looked after more than 1,000 small group tours,” Bunnik added “Our experience and knowledge of Egypt has allowed us to create a series of unique itineraries that showcase the very best this fascinating country has to offer.” The range includes both short and long itineraries to Egypt and Jordan as well as an independent travel package to Oman Highlights of Egypt & Jordan is a comprehensive 19-day tour set to take travellers through must-see locations On the longer 24-day Egypt & Jordan Discovery along with some extra hidden gems including Aqaba and Alexandria All tours immerse travellers in the authentic cultures of these beautiful destinations through Bunnik Tours’ unique special experiences Bunnik Tours’ extensive Asia range caters to the huge interest in Japan and South Korea The most popular Asia tour is the 16-day Japan Discovery which delves into the country’s unique blend of culture and tradition Travellers can experience a sumo-wrestling demonstration and marvel at amazing scenic and historic sites along the journey The hidden island gem of Sri Lanka is uncovered with Bunnik Tours’ best-selling Sri Lankan Discovery tour This 17-day itinerary includes jeep rides through national parks and a selection of diverse special experiences A culture where warmth and genuine hospitality is ingrained in their DNA that sure to make travellers feel welcome in the spectacular country Bunnik Tours also offer In-Style tours to both Asia and Egypt & the Middle East Boasting an even smaller group size of maximum 16 passengers and Egypt & Jordan In-Style tours incorporate exclusive deluxe experiences and stay in luxurious 4-5-star accommodations Brochures are available in both print and digital formats along with Europe Bunnik Tours recently hosted its first trade famil since COVID-19 offering 10 Helloworld agents an exclusive opportunity to explore the unique flavours rich history and vibrant culture of Sri Lanka Led by Bunnik Tours’ National Sales Manager the six-day trip gave agents a firsthand experience of Sri Lanka showcasing what makes Bunnik’s small group tours a standout choice for Australians seeking authentic connections with their destination Offering a mix of experiences available on the classic Sri Lankan Discovery and deluxe Sri Lanka In-Style tours the famil kicked off with a cocktail reception at the picturesque jungle-fringed Negombo Lagoon The group then embarked on an elephant safari at Minneriya National Park and explored the famous Lion Rock of Sigiriya – a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its breathtaking views and historical significance “By immersing in local communities and participating in culturally rich experiences the agents could appreciate how our small group tours offer special experiences that go beyond the traditional tourist trail,” Bunnik Tours’ National sales manager Zoe Francis said “We’re excited to share these experiences with our trade partners and look forward to seeing how they inspire their clients to explore Sri Lanka with us.” The agents were also treated to a luxurious stay at the Water Garden Sigiriya a five-star property nestled in the heart of Sri Lanka’s cultural triangle which is part of the Sri Lanka In-Style tour Another highlight was a traditional culinary experience in a remote village where locals demonstrated the art of Sri Lankan cooking True to Bunnik’s small group touring philosophy the agents were then welcomed into a local family’s home for a memorable and authentic Sri Lankan lunch In addition to exploring Sri Lanka’s natural beauty and cultural heritage the group participated in a heartwarming visit to a local school where they donated essential supplies to children in need reinforcing Bunnik’s commitment to sustainable and socially responsible travel “It was fantastic to be back on the ground exploring all that Sri Lanka has to offer alongside our valued travel partners,” Ms Francis said “This famil was an incredible opportunity for Helloworld agents to experience Bunnik’s immersive approach to travel across both our classic and deluxe tour styles and reinforced the importance of nurturing these connections in person.” The famil concluded with a visit to Bunnik Tours’ Sri Lanka office where agents received training on Bunnik’s worldwide destinations and the benefits of small group tours preparing them for success in this high-demand sector Editors' Note: Many Fast News images are stylised illustrations generated by Dall-E New brand unveiled,Family-run tours endure,Travel companions an Australian family-owned touring company is set to launch a new brand platform and identity in the lead-up to its 30th anniversary The brand refresh has been developed by independent creative agency Town Square Bunnik Tours offers travel experiences to a wide array of destinations The new brand identity aims to reflect the company's established brand equity and customer loyalty that has been cultivated over the past three decades Central to the brand refresh is the new positioning statement which underscores the significance of travel companions in enhancing the travel experience a new logo lock-up featuring the tagline 'Family-run since forever' has been introduced to highlight the company's heritage The refreshed identity incorporates distinctive branding assets and a visual device referred to as the 'Bunnik hug' This new identity will be rolled out across various channels and we’ve always believed it’s the people you travel with who make a journey truly unforgettable and the result captures everything we stand for as a brand and what we value as a family." The development of the new brand platform was informed by research conducted by Town Square which included a survey of 500 past Bunnik Tours customers This research played a pivotal role in shaping the new brand identity commented on the collaboration: "Bunnik Tours isn’t just another travel brand - it’s a family with a genuine passion for creating meaningful travel experiences it’s about the connections and stories that make travel memorable." The new brand identity is poised to resonate with both existing customers and a new generation of travellers as Bunnik Tours continues to emphasise its family-run values and commitment to creating memorable travel experiences Want your daily shot of #AI powered, human curated news? Become a member of Mi3 Australia and ensure you get our Fast News daily newsletter straight to your inbox here Got news you want to share with Mi3 Fast News? Email your media announcements with either Word or PDF attachments plus images to fastnews@ai.mi-3.com.au Learn how to elevate the customer experience with insights from 8,000+ global consumers in Klaviyo's latest report. Register now Already a member? Login here An NS passenger train crashed into an excavator between Utrecht and Bunnik on Monday morning It is unclear whether anyone was in the excavator No trains are running between Utrecht and Driebergen There were about 25 passengers on board the train heading toward Arnhem They were evacuated from the train and NS called in buses to take them further The incident has halted train traffic between Utrecht Central Station and Driebergen-Zeist NS expects the disruption to last at least until 3:00 a.m the Dutch rail service said on its website The collision happened at a railway crossing and left the train badly damaged, NS said according to NU.nl The railway and associated infrastructure also sustained some damage The cause of the accident is not yet known ProRail is at the scene investigating the extent of the damage It is not yet clear how long repairs and the removal of the damaged train will take Bunnik Tours is reporting a surge in popularity for "once-in-a-lifetime experiences" like visiting the Five Stans (Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan), Greece and Africa over more traditional destinations while older Australians are keen to fully engage with their holiday destination "There's a real trend to connecting as opposed to just ticking off things from a list," said joint-CEO Dennis Bunnik people may have been happy to tick off the pyramids and the Eiffel Tower et cetera They want to connect with the place and that's where we're seeing this move towards small group travel and more cultural immersion type of travel." The November 2024 report revealed bookings to the Maldives had jumped 257 per cent in popularity while there was also a rise in popularity in Colombia who has himself travelled to more than 96 countries and counting tour operators were also often avoiding "tiger temples and elephant rides" while he would no longer take tourists to orphanages - he believed they were more exploitative than tourist attractions Boosting local tourism within a destination whilst letting their guests experience culture was another trend he noted as "tourism could be a force for good while also it could be very destructing" "Small groups are lower impact; we don't include all meals so the clients have got the freedom to visit the smaller shops and that tourism dollar goes further," he told The Senior there's there's a series of community-type experiences that are designed to bring the cultures together .. the best example [for us] is in Sri Lanka." He says there's been a rise in popularity for tours in the "5 Stans" (Turkmenistan Picture suppliedThe Bunniks became friendly with the leaders of a particular rural village in the country and is the only tour group to have visited the hidden gem for the past 18 years From the generosity of tour-goerss and frequent visits to the village they have seen the school grow from one-room to many and now offers more than early education and opening opportunities for local villagers Other popular destinations with the family-operated Bunniks have been to Japan to see the Cherry Blossoms (up 300 per cent compared to pre-Covid) and to Mexico for Day of the Dead celebrations Rather than booking one large international trip older clientele were also preferring to book back-to-back small tours The South Australian-based tour operator has also seen a 32 per cent increase in travellers booking back-to-back tours and an 18-20 per cent increase in solo travellers compared to pre-Covid Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE ShareWords byDesiree SavageAt the helm of Australia's premier publication for people aged over 55, covering hard hitting issues, travel, lifestyle and entertainment. Got a hot tip? Email me - edit@TheSenior.com.au Celebrities are flocking to it in big numbers. ReviewTucked away in Byron Bay, this stylish stay offers more than just good looksYou'll experience a sense of calm from the moment you arrive. A new cruise ship has scored pole position at the famous Monaco Grand PrixThe glamorous vessel will be used as a floating hotel. Ditch airport dramas in the UK by travelling by train - here's a guideTurn up the bliss factor by swapping flights with rail journeys. In southern Spain time slows down - and the tapas keeps comingSlow travel is on the rise; here's where to experience it Do you know the number one reason clients want to travel on a Bunnik Tour Their worldwide tours never exceed 20 guests and are even smaller on their In-Style and Africa tours Bunnik Tours is the specialist in small group touring their mission is twofold: to offer personalised travel experiences and to contribute positively to the economic and social well-being of the places they visit Bunnik Tours’ travellers spend less time waiting for fellow tourers They also receive more personal attention and additional time to spend with the tour guides who can share their wealth of local knowledge and with spacious coaches for just 20 guests clients can spread out and enjoy the view with plenty of spare seats their tours capture the essence of each destination thoughtfully designed to provide a balance of organised sightseeing and free time for independent exploration Logistical constraints mean larger groups are often required to stay in sizable hotels and dine at popular tourist restaurants capable of accommodating their substantial numbers simultaneously “With Bunnik Tours’ small group sizes travellers have a chance to venture off the beaten track stay at smaller hotels and dine at intimate restaurants,” joint-CEO driven by a passion for travel and a commitment to her customers the team has remained loyal to their travel agency partners which are a crucial part of their business “We have several initiatives and processes in place to make booking a Bunnik Tour as easy and as rewarding as possible,” Bunnik said let’s break down why booking with Bunnik Tours is a win-win for you and your clients “This includes answering all agent calls without delay because we know how frustrating it is to be kept on hold,” Bunnik continued All calls are answered by fully trained staff who know their stuff and can handle requests from start to finish meaning bookings and queries are handled as quickly and efficiently as possible Bunnik Tours includes international flights on a range of their small group tours and pays full commission on airfares These flights are booked by their team of Travel Specialists to save agent’s time so they can get back to helping their customers married segments and waitlists are OUR problem Bunnik Tours have a range of travel styles to suit your clients’ needs This includes their ‘Short Tours’ which they have dramatically increased their tours in Europe for 2024 Still making the most of their small group touring philosophy with a maximum of 20 guests and spacious coaches Bunnik Tours ‘Short Tour’ travelling style gives travellers more flexibility by being able to book their own flights or combine multiple tours together at once and will take your guests to the heart of destinations like Austria and Slovenia which is a new short tour option introduced this year This enchanting small group tour begins in the historically rich city of Vienna Lake Bled and Ljubljana over the course of 11 days is designed for those looking for a destination off the beaten track “This magnificent country isn’t overrun with tourism which means clients will get a very authentic eastern Europe/Balkan experience,” Bunnik said the country’s capital and largest city Bitola and Kratovo over the course of 10 days “We are excited about broadening our selection of European short tours and can’t wait to introduce guests to North Macedonia through this fascinating new itinerary,” Bunnik concluded Bunnik Tours remains a wholly Australian owned family business and proudly independent The family name stands behind every tour they sell To help you out at any time Bunnik Tours has a dedicated agent portal. HERE you can access training and marketing material to better support your clients More info can also be found by joining their private Facebook group (HERE) and subscribing to Bunnik Tours dedicated trade newsletter Shared by UT Health San Antonio researchers compared results in less-severe and severe COVID-19 cases one and five months after symptom onset Infection-fighting B cells retain better memory of the coronavirus spike protein in University Hospital patients who recover from less-severe cases of COVID-19 than in those recovering from severe COVID-19 Findings by scientists from The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio were published Dec Evelien Bunnik, PhD, corresponding author of the paper said the results hint of subtle differences in the quality of immune response based on COVID-19 severity Bunnik is an assistant professor of microbiology immunology and molecular genetics at the health science center The study focused on memory B cells that react against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein Blood samples were analyzed one month after symptom onset and five months post-onset a significant proportion of spike-specific B cells were active samples from eight individuals who recovered from less-severe disease showed increased expression of markers associated with durable B cell memory as compared to individuals who recovered from severe disease spike-specific B cells nearly disappeared from the blood samples five months post-symptom onset a more dysfunctional B cell response is seen in severe disease cases professor and chief of infectious diseases at UT Health San Antonio who leads COVID-19 care at clinical partner University Health Study participants were enrolled in the Adaptive COVID-19 Treatment Trial (ACTT)-1 or ACTT-2 clinical trials Samples were from University Health patients co-enrolled in the UT Health San Antonio COVID-19 Repository “The increased percentage of B cells associated with long-lived immunity in non-severe COVID-19 patients may have consequences for long-term immunity against SARS-CoV-2 re-infection or severity of the resulting disease,” the authors wrote This work was supported by a COVID-19 pilot award from the UT Health San Antonio Joe R and Teresa Lozano Long School of Medicine (10009547 to Dr Reyes was supported by Translational Science Training award TL1 TR002647 Data were generated in the Flow Cytometry Shared Resource Facility which is supported by UT Health San Antonio NIH-NCI P30 CA054174-20 (Mays Cancer Center home to UT Health San Antonio MD Anderson) and UL1 TR001120 (Clinical and Translational Science Award grant) SARS-CoV-2 spike-specific memory B cells express higher levels of T-bet and FcRL5 after non-severe COVID-19 as compared to severe disease https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0261656 MILAN – Wendelien van Bunnik is the 2019 World AeroPress Champion, a SCA certified trainer, the Dutch barista champion in 2019 and the founder of The Happy Coffee Network working in this sector and loving it since 2009 Her professional perspective is one of sharing because it was the brewing method that I could control better and reproduce the recipe I have always had that feeling from the first moment I learned about the AeroPress method With the others pour over I felt that the flow range was a lot more inconsistent and with those methods of percolation the human factor is a lot bigger than with AeroPress which is so much more forgiving in terms of flavors for baristas you have a major chance of making a good cup of coffee it’s really difficult to make a bad cup of coffee with AeroPress.” “I don’t think that it could exist something like perfection If I had to choose I would always prefer to use a very lighter roasted coffee I would stick to easy recipes like 60 grams of coffee It’s just very easy to reproduce and to remember.” “AeroPress has been pretty stable in popularity When I started working as a barista I got in 2011 my first Aeropress and I knew that was a concept that many coffee people took in their travels for brewing in their hotel rooms and camping It was very constant in its popularity and also the championships of Aeropress are growing up: it started from literally three guys competing to over 60 countries having their national championship The overall feeling of Aeropress has never changed: it has always been this fun kind of corky method that baristas love Wendelien van Bunnik: “I think that AeroPress a hybrid method between full immersion like French Press and percolation like the V60 is an ultimate compromise: you have the structure and cleanness that you could have with a paper filter but you also have the option to increase the body and the sweetness It’s easier to get more mouth feel in the coffee from the AeroPress than the one you could obtain with other pour-overs.” the clear material reminds me of the first generation and that’s very smart You can also see exactly where you’re making mistakes It gives you more feedback to make a good cup of coffee It’s very fun to see your coffee brewing if you’re a coffee nerd there are no differences between other Aeropress It’s kind of sad that is not very affordable like the first Aeropress it’s becoming more expensive and it’s losing its first democratic nature.” “I would say that if the pour-over coffee – if you try it and you don’t like it because it was too light you miss a stronger body and more intense flavors – then you can give AreoPress a go You have a clean flavor because you don’t have fines but you can just extract that for longer and you can make it as strong as you like with the flipping and the plunging it’s important: it’s ok to know what we’re doing seriously the goal it’s to brew a good cup of coffee and having some fun in the process.” a mermaid customed AeroPress from an artist of Australia I have a second generation Aeropress and I’m looking for getting a first generation one – Wendelien van Bunnik tells – I’m a collector: I have even a pink one I have the chance to be a judge and it brings me so much joy to see communities in all the countries that are evolving around Aeropress I’m not so great at losing: it’s important to let other people be able to have the same opportunity About the other championships: I would never compete in latte art because I don’t have the patience for it I met Carmen and Manuela last year and we chat for a couple of minutes: she was very inspiring but I realized that I don’t have the patience for training like that I do like competing as baristas and probably I will compete again because I love the part of the performance I like competition for the things that you learn from the experience.” “I think that we all are looking for some balance between the two and I think that it shouldn’t be harder for women to get it It’s something that every family has to find I’m very lucky that my husband is very engaged and excited about my journey even if he was not in the coffee sector too My daughter (we have a 6 year old daughter) knows that I’m doing what I love and it’s important that she has that as a model She definitely helps me to plug down the AeroPress.” “The happy coffee network is my passion project If I can introduce people to each other they can feel better about themselves Through the years I could create a big network myself during the events and great shows but I’m a very extrovert person There are a lot of people out there that would like to be a part of the community but they’re just shy I want to connect with them to make them feel less alone and more confident and make them push themselves as coffee professionals I decided to build my coffee network to make people happy about themselves in an industry that can be very overwhelming and it could be difficult to find your place in it In the Happycoffeenetwork it’s ok to ask any questions Practically it means that I created the website and also an app to use on a mobile phone I’ve been launching it with a paid membership where can sign (10 euros a month): we have kind of 160 members from 23 different countries and it’s still growing The next year I’m going to share more value with people that are not necessarily members yet the Zoom (brewing rooms) where we have a cup of coffee together and we can talk about anything There’s a group called “Celebrate your victories” and you can post about the moment when you have something you feel great about and you can get so much support Giving people knowledge helps to increase their self-esteem It is mostly what I do as a coffee trainer: the ultimate goal is to get people the opportunity to learn from others and then to share their knowledge as well I know that people and members that are joining every day are united in this mission We have many new ideas to improve like the courses and a podcast: that’s very fun for me as well We have many kinds of members: from coffee-lovers to trainers It’s very interesting for everyone in the coffee industry.” U gebruikt helaas een verouderde internetbrowser. Voor een optimale ervaring met deze website is het aan te raden om over te stappen naar een modernere verie of installeer Google Chrome Frame Europa Nostra was extremely saddened to hear about the closure, in 2018, of Museum Oud-Amelisweerd, recipient of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards. On 21 September 2016, we had written a letter to the city of Utrecht to share our concerns about the urgent situation but unfortunately no real solution could be found at that time We are now delighted that a durable plan has been presented. We want to congratulate one of our other recipients of the European Heritage Awards / Europa Nostra Awards, Huis Doorn with this wonderful initiative to once again open the museum to the public and share its important heritage We are grateful that this promising initiative which was developed with the support of the other castles of the Utrecht Province will bring new energy to the many dedicated volunteers and to this valuable heritage site Such constructive cooperation between different parties is a strong example for the European heritage field RTV Utrecht (in Dutch) Joint-CEO of Bunnik Tours and industry legend crashing a few tours to celebrate the resumption of its summer season Since putting international tours on hold nearly two years ago Bunnik Tours is over the moon to be back in Europe “Being back in Europe and travelling with our groups has been like reuniting with an old friend I haven’t seen for years,” Bunnik said “The connection is still there and within minutes it feels like you’ve never been apart.” Bunnik will be spending at least four days on a variety of tours giving clients confidence and peace of mind they are in safe and experienced hands He began his European jaunt on 8 May where he joined the Turkey in Depth small group tour the first Bunnik Europe tour since early 2020 “The most gratifying aspect for me is seeing our local teams in action and seeing that after a two-year tourism drought they haven’t lost any of the magic,” Bunnik explained “Just like our excited Aussie travellers they are so happy to be back on the road and showing off their beloved countries.” The Bunnik Tours social media accounts have been regularly updated with images and videos of what the groups have been up to on tour Bunnik has also recorded a short video answering the question on everyone’s lips – should I travel in 2022 or wait and travel next year in 2023 In the video he explains why he thinks 2022 is the best time to travel through Europe “Travel is truly back and there’s no better time to go than now!” There is still availability for a number of Europe small group tours departing in 2022 through its membership with the Council of Australian Tour Operators is accredited as providing COVID safe travel practices through the World Travel & Tourism Council Travel Weekly takes a stroll in the snow with Bunnik Tours joint CEO Sacha Bunnik who we discovered loves nothing more than beating his brother Dennis Misleading advertising and increased competition from overseas unregulated tour/travel companies The great bunch of people I get to spend time with on a daily basis along with an industry that is forever changing the fact that I get to the opportunity to travel five months of the year (I’m very lucky) Trying to meet everybody’s expectations to the best of our ability Playing for the Adelaide Crows (unfortunately I’m a bit old and unfit) Qantas – friendly Australian service.  After being away from home Clocking up and visiting 100 countries and all seven continents I am from a Dutch family and Amsterdam is my hometown so I’m sure there’s something in there I could draw from Overeating my fair share during office celebrations Watching football (the Crows and Adelaide United) and annoying my kids Libya and having someone wave a gun at me in the airport That’s why I love our small-group interactions More time to spend with my beautiful wife and three daughters Don’t become obsessed with competition – walk your own path (given to me by Paul Cook about 20 years ago) One of the greatest pleasures at Bunnik Tours is giving back to the people and places to which we travel People need to take care of this beautiful Earth before it’s too late A very short attention span and becoming very easily bored which isn’t a great combination for long meetings I joke around a lot – life is too short to be taken too seriously Buy the block next to our house and have a massive veggie garden as it ruins the sports section in summer; and make AFL a year-round sport as it would be awesome to be able to entertain a stadium full of cheering fans as last week it was a walking trip in France Recently I went on a boys’ trip to Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-Day It was a very interesting and moving place Karen (KJ) Phillips has been appointed as Bunnik Tours’ first Queensland-based BDM since Covid as the small group touring specialist sets their sights on big growth Phillips is making a comeback to the travel industry after her most recent role as an account manager outside of the sector Bringing her extensive experience and decades of knowledge to the table KJ has widespread experience in previous roles including tour director in the Middle East product manager and even IT/channel management With a specialising in the Middle East as well as Turkey and Greece Bunnik Tours said Phillips is a perfect fit for the role given the group’s industry expertise in the region “(I’m) excited to connect with passionate people and build strong relationships with partners and clients,” Phillips said Bunnik Tours national sales manager Zoe Francis said she is thrilled to welcome Phillips to the Bunnik Tours family “Her experience and depth of knowledge across our seven small group tour regions is going to be a great asset to our partners,” she said Phillips’ appointment will help Bunnik Tours’ expand their relationships across the Queensland agency network and assist in a period of exceptional growth “Growing our team will play an important role in expanding Bunnik Tours and establishing ourselves as the go to small group touring specialists for our agent partners,” Francis said SA’s Bunnik Tours crafts small group journeys across the globe for travellers seeking something beyond the ordinary within the vibrant red brick walls of a classic corner-block building Bunnik Tours might seem like a well-kept secret they’re an institution of trust and expertise Bunnik has been crafting small group journeys across the globe for travellers seeking something beyond the ordinary and specialised group tours that go above and beyond and spare no detail when it comes to providing a front-row seat to some of the most spectacular destinations Bunnik promises every customer an unforgettable experience when exploring the world’s wonders But besides their knowledge and experience with a passport in hand, what sets them apart is their commitment to going above and beyond for their clients, especially when it comes to navigating the enigmatic landscapes of places like the Middle East and Egypt—Joint CEO Dennis Bunnik has visited Egypt at least 25 times while we had a group touring Egypt and Jordan the Arab Spring protests arose while I was on my way to Cairo which wreaked havoc in the region,’ says Dennis Bunnik but I continued on to Cairo to ensure all our clients were on flights back home or to Jordan (where they continued touring) within 48 hours.’ This dedication to customer experience and safety is an embodiment of ‘The Bunnik Way’ that everyone in the business lives and breathes not only enriches the travel experience of the Bunnik Tour groups but can be an incredible force for good to the communities and countries they visit ‘A great example of this is some local experiences we have incorporated into our Sri Lankan tour working with a small farming village and school that was woefully under-resourced and without electricity’ ‘With the help of chefs from nearby hotels we educated villagers on how to cook local dishes to Western standards and worked with local families to enable our groups to have lunch in the village The end result is a wonderful village lunch (supplied by us) with a local family and our groups get to explore the village first-hand and learn about the farming practices.’ wanted to provide a better way for travellers to experience the world Their hard work and dedication have paid off and Bunnik has been recognised with numerous accolades including the prestigious award for Australia’s Best Retail Travel Agency at the National Travel Awards in 2000 they also won the AFTA National Tourism Industry Award for Best Tour Operator—International demonstrating their consistent excellence in the industry As Bunnik Tours gears up for another season of exploration across the globe, their commitment to authenticity and community enrichment stands out more than ever With the highly anticipated launch of the 2025 Europe program upcoming, Bunnik Tours is set to deliver even more excitement and adventure For those dreaming of a transformative journey and a one-of-a-kind experience Bunnik Tours stands ready to turn those aspirations into a reality or reach out to their friendly Travel Specialist today on 1800 286 645 What: Bunnik Tours.Where: 45 Flinders Street, Adelaide, SA 5000.For further info, click here or follow @bunniktours A luxurious new Qantas Business Lounge is set to open at Adelaide Airport in.. 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This small business owner is reinventing the wheel Bunnik Tours has announced the release of a brand new short tour to Austria and Slovenia The tour begins in Vienna before making its way through Salzburg guests will get to enjoy some of Bunnik Tours signature special experiences including a Mozart Dinner Concert in a Baroque Hall a traditional butter making demonstration at a family dairy farm Bunnik Tours ‘short tour’ travelling style gives travellers more flexibility by being able to book their own flights or combine multiple tours together at once “We are excited about expanding our short tour offering in Europe and can’t wait for guests to get a taste of the incredible Austria & Slovenia on this brand new tour” View the Austria & Slovenia small group tour here View Bunnik Tours range of European small group tours here Six travel industry businesses recently made the decision to drop their ATAS accreditation with some major tour operators and wholesalers opting for CATO’s new accreditation scheme Among them was Bunnik Tours’ joint CEO Dennis Bunnik who spoke to Travel Weekly this morning about the decision Bunnik is the chair of CATO but was speaking to Travel Weekly in his capacity as the joint-CEO of Bunnik Tours When asked what drew Bunnik Tours to CATO’s accreditation scheme he said it relates to the origin of CATO “The background on it is when the industry was deregulated CATO was a networking association,” Bunnik said CATO has been on a journey to transform into a fully-fledged proper industry association representing the land supply sector We didn’t have our own accreditation system so our secretariat and our accreditation system was outsourced to the Travel Agents Association “But it was always the intention that eventually CATO would have its own accreditation system which is specifically designed for the land supply sector.” 50 per cent of CATO members are not ATAS accredited “So that’s another important reason why CATO needed to develop its own accreditation to improve business I believe that there’ll be a large number of tour operators and wholesalers who will probably continue to have both And that’s an individual decision for each business to make.” The crux of Bunnik’s decision came down to the operational structure and legal responsibilities of tour operators and wholesalers which varies quite a bit to those of travel agencies “Especially when it comes to the terms and conditions and the right insurances and stuff in place That is what the CATO accreditation is focused on.” “it’s just a much better fit.” “We’re still happy to support AFTA.” Bunnik Tours had the desire to support AFTA through allied membership in the same way that car rental services but this wasn’t accepted and it was forced to end the 28 year relationship. Travel Weekly asked Bunnik why this relationship was forced to end “AFTA’s position was that we couldn’t be an associate or an allied member and that we had to be ATAS accredited as we’re So that was the reason that I was given,” Bunnik said is it possible for a business to be ATAS accredited and CATO accredited There’s no issue and a number of other tour operators and wholesalers are maintaining both accreditations,” Bunnik said “Bunnik Tours has made a decision where we’re IATA accredited IATA provides the highest level of financial oversight within the industry and the CATO accreditation system ensures we’ve got all the business terms and conditions insurances and all of those other compliance things in place Between the two of them they cover everything “With IATA and CATO providing full fit-for-purpose accreditation coverage we made the decision to drop ATAS accreditation we remain fully supportive of industry associations and the support AFTA provides their core travel agents members “We hope that in time we will be able to support this through allied membership.” In response to inquiry from Travel Weekly regarding the companies that pulled out of ATAS the CEO of AFTA Dean Long provided this statement: “The value of AFTA membership and ATAS accreditation continues to drive strong renewals including the number of Tour Operators which has actually increased,” Long said “Our membership reflects the diversity of Travel with strong representation from wholesalers consolidators and cruise lines as well as travel management companies and travel agents “AFTA has and will always be committed to representing all our members from travel agents and businesses to tour operators based on the fundamental belief that working together is our greatest strength This is how we have secured major wins including the $270million in Federal funding for our members and the recent expansion of the Federal Government’s Skills Priority List.” For more on the new CATO accreditation scheme and why Sun Islands Tours made the swap, click here The domestic trips just keep coming for Bunnik Tours with the operator launching an itinerary exploring Canberra and the Sapphire Coast travellers will uncover the natural beauty bustling towns and vast wildlife this stunning region has on offer Guests will spend the first few days taking in all the must-see sights of Canberra behind-the-scenes look at Parliament House complete with a delicious meal prepared by the in-house chefs Paying tribute to the brave fallen soldiers at the Australian War Memorial the tour group will have the honour of attending a Last Post Ceremony in the Commemorative Courtyard hop-off bus will visit key attractions such as the National Museum of Australia the Museum of Australian Democracy at Old Parliament House and the National Rose Gardens with this small-group tour offering a departure in October 2021 that coincides with the annual Floriade flower festival As the streets of Canberra come alive in a kaleidoscope of colourful blooms they will encounter over 1,000,000 blossoming flowers in Commonwealth Park the tour enters the beautiful Eurobodalla region in the south of NSW they’ll discover why Bodalla is famous for their ice cream and milkshakes before relaxing with a glass of wine and sampling the cheese at Tilba Valley Winery & Ale House the spectacular Sapphire Coast comes into view the tour will stop at a number of main towns including Merimbula meet the locals and witness a myriad of natural wonders along the way The journey takes the group up to breathtaking lookouts the rugged coastlines of Ben Boyd National Park and out to sea The group will learn the techniques behind oyster farming marvel at the Snowy Hydro engineering feat and witness the fascinating Camel Rock and Horse Head Rock that actually look just like their name suggests the group will experience a private tour of the wonderfully restored 1850s Lanyon Homestead they will gain an appreciation for life back in the day before wandering the lovingly cultivated gardens Bunnik Tours will be using full-size coaches taking a maximum of just 20 travellers accommodation and many meals included in the price The new trip adds to Bunnik Tours’ list of domestic firsts this year, having recently released itineraries for Western Australia and Victoria 13 May 2019 – The Executive Board of Royal BAM Group nv and representatives of the municipality of Bunnik have planted a Japanese honey tree (Styphnolobium japonicum) on the occasion of BAM's 150th anniversary The European construction company BAM is planting 150,000 trees in this anniversary year Judith van Putten (manager of the green and play areas at the municipality of Bunnik) BAM CEO Rob van Wingerden and CFO Frans den Houter have given the three-meter-high honey tree its definitive place at Bunnik rail station The honey tree can reach a height of fifteen metres with a fifteen meter wide egg-shaped crown which provides shade on the small field on the north side of the station The location was chosen by the municipality of Bunnik Utrecht Science Park foundation sciences and local residents to upgrade the station area More information about the history of BAM and the various anniversary activities can be found at https://www.bam150years.com/en BAM has entered into a partnership with Trees for All for planting the trees Trees for All is planting around 100,000 trees on reforestation projects in Bolivia and Uganda 50,000 trees are being planted in the various European countries where BAM is active Trees for All will plant 10,000 trees on behalf of BAM in the Waalse Bos (‘Walloon Forest’) in Houten A large part of this forest is affected by the ash branch disease Trees for All collaborates with Staatbosbeheer (the public owner and manager of the Dutch green heritage) on the sustainable restoration of this forest by planting local tree species such as alder These trees are not susceptible to the ash branch disease Trees for All and Staatsbosbeheer restore a total of eight hectares of sick forest in this area and transform it into a healthy and varied forest that is attractive to both plants With an annual turnover of approximately €7 billion more than 20,000 employees and ten operating companies BAM is one of the major European construction companies The history of the company goes back to May 1869 when Adam van der Wal opened a carpentry shop in Groot-Ammers a farming village in the Alblasserwaard (east of Rotterdam) His son Jan van der Wal started to work as a contractor outside the region in Vlaardingen and The Hague The third generation Van der Wal – Joop van der Wal born in 1902 – joined his father in 1926 after studying civil engineering in Delft In 1927 the family business was converted into a limited liability company 'N.V Bataafsche Aanneming Maatschappij van Bouw- en Betonwerken v/h J van der Wal and Zoon' (soon shortened to ‘BAM') The company has been listed in Amsterdam since 1959 the company name was changed to BAM Verenigde Bedrijven N.V The name Bataafsche Aanneming Maatschappij remained in use for the non-residential construction activities until 1992 BAM’s history is characterised by the acquisition of many smaller and larger construction firms After taking over the building division of the Bredero group in 1988 Further information: Niels van Dongen, niels.van.dongen@bam.com, or Arno Pronk, arno.pronk@bam.com, +31 (0)30 659 86 23 BAM with its JV partners Ferrovial and SK ecoplant (known as Riverlinx) have completed the Silvertown Tunnel a landmark infrastructure project connecting Silvertown in Newham with the Greenwich Peninsula BAM has started work to transform accessibility at Hither Green station in London - making travel easier quicker and more inclusive for thousands of people every day TenneT has awarded BAM Infra Nederland the civil works contract for the 380 kV high-voltage connection between Moerdijk and Tilburg covering the eastern section of the new connection between Rilland and Tilburg More >