BEDnBOATS set to launch in Monaco

BEDnBOATS is an Airbnb-style website to launch in Monaco next month.
BEDnBOATS is an Airbnb-style website to launch in Monaco next month.

BEDnBOATS.com platform is set for a high-profile launch in Monaco during the annual yacht show next month, where, under the high patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert, 121 superyachts from 16 countries valued at $3 billion (€2.65 billion) will be on display at the high-profile event from September 28 to October 1.

The new BEDnBOATS.com community provides an affordable alternative to hotel and apartment rental for travellers interested in renting a stationary boat for exciting holidays, romantic escapes and family breaks away. The innovative new platform and its seamless interface make it easy for boat owners to list their boats for free.

Prospective renters can effortlessly find and rent static boats in a location of their choice, from yachts moored in beautiful harbours to unique boat-style accommodations in picturesque locations worldwide.

“We consider the BEDnBOATS.com brand to be an Airbnb-type booking engine for static charter. Renting a boat is no longer limited to those wanting to sail. Now everybody can stay on a boat and enjoy the experience of a boat owner for a fraction of the price,” said Amber Bishop, Founder and CEO, BEDnBOATS.com.

The business model is a response to vast opportunities presented by the sharing economy. We connect those who want a unique and special experience with the people who already have this through easy-to-use technology. The sharing economy is reshaping the future of business.’’

There is no cost to boat or yacht owners to register their vessel and set their preferred rates. It is an ideal way to help offset the high expenses involved in boat ownership by enjoying a new source of income through the trusted platform. All travellers have to do is decide on their desired destination, travel dates and the number of guests. Users are already enjoying relaxing and exclusive stays in Monaco, Cannes, St. Tropez, Antibes, Barcelona, Ibiza and islands across Italy, and the organisers plan to expand its USA and Caribbean operation in year 2017.

 

Airline passenger fee to complain

Photo: Matthew Hurst
Photo: Matthew Hurst

Airline passengers could be charged £25 (€29) for making a complaint against an airline under new UK aviation rules, replacing a system whereby the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) used to mediate between passenger and airline when the former was not satisfied with dispute resolution.

Due to a scaling back of services, the CAA will now only get involved with those airlines not registered with an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme, according to the UK’s Daily Mail.

Nineteen airlines have so far registered for the scheme. However, one of the services, the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), will impose a £25

(€29) charge on the customer if their case is unsuccessful.

British Airways, easyJet Thomson and Thomas Cook are all signed up to the CEDR service.

An easyJet spokesperson told MailOnline: “easyJet, like other airlines, uses a CAA approved Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) company, who are also the designated company by the Department of Transport to handle air travel complaints, to offer dispute resolution services as an alternative to a court process. easyJet’s current ADR was chosen based on its competence and suitability to provide alternative dispute resolution procedures for us. This is a service easyJet pays a higher fee for than other ADR’s charge.”

A customer can lodge a case with the ADR if they feel their complaint to the airline has not been resolved correctly. Previously, the CAA would mediate between customer and airline in disputes concerning flight delays, cancellations, missing or damaged luggage, and compensation.

The aviation authority has, however, pointed out that their rulings are not legally binding, and should the airlines refuse to pay, the customer often has to pursue their case through the courts.

The new CAA-approved ADR bodies provide passengers with a legally binding decision on their complaint.

The Sunday Times reports there are three other ADR scheme set up. The Retail Ombudsman will be used by Flybe, Ryanair and Air Canada and does not charge customers to use the service. Eurowings and Lufthansa have signed up to Germany company Söp, and this will also not levy a fee on the claimant.

Monaco to skip 2017 Eurovision

1971 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Severine with “Un banc, un arbre, une rue”. Image: YouTube
1971 Eurovision Song Contest winner, Severine with “Un banc, un arbre, une rue”. Image: YouTube

TMC, the Monegasque national broadcaster, has confirmed to ESCToday that Monaco will not participate at the forthcoming 2017 Eurovision Song Contest in Ukraine.

Monaco will not return to the competition next year, joining Andorra, which has also opted to abstain from the contest for one more year.

Monaco debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1959 and won the contest once, in 1971 with Severine’s “Un banc, un arbre, une rue”. Even though the tiny Principality won the competition it didn’t host the event the following year.

Monaco competed in every single edition of the contest from 1959-1979, but withdrew from the competition in 1980 and didn’t return to the contest until 2004, when the semi-final system was introduced. The country competed in the event in 2005 and 2006, the last time it was on the Eurovision stage when Severine Ferrer brought us the sights and sounds from the Pacific with La coco dance. Monaco failed to qualify to the grand final on all three occasions and withdrew from the contest in 2007 and has not returned since.

Rowing for the Rocher

Photo: Tobi 87
Photo: Tobi 87

At the end of a long journey on Sunday afternoon, nine rowers made it to Monaco from the Italian capital of Rome having covered a total of 476 kilometres at sea and five days of travel. Each participant rowed for three hours in a traditional rowing boat with a 90-minute break to rest and sleep, all in the cause of Rocher du Cœur, a Monaco charity that helps children who are in hospital for a long time take a brief trip outside.

The purpose of the Barj Challenge 2 was to collect funds for the benefit of the association, which was founded by two carabinieri of the Prince in 2013.

Bernard Boucher, President, said he was “more than happy” everyone arrived. Especially at the beginning, it was not obviously the case, he added. The boat that followed suffered some damage … and the start was delayed by 24 hours.

“The first day was very difficult,” said Eric Farineau, one of the rowers. “There was a lot of wind and head-on waves. But Mother Nature was with us. The wind dropped.”

Passion Sea golf and gala fundraiser

Helga Piaget, CEO of Monaco's Passion Sea. Photo Facebook Passion Sea
Helga Piaget, CEO of Monaco’s Passion Sea. Photo Facebook Passion Sea

Passion Sea Canada, whose patron is Prince Albert, has announced a first ever international educational programme for children that will focus on protecting and preserving local, regional and global water sources.

To kick-off the international awareness and educational initiative, Passion Sea Canada will host an 18-hole golf tournament at Eagle’s Nest Golf Club and a gala event at Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada on September 10 in Toronto.

Every day two million tons of agricultural, industrial, and human waste is discharged into the world’s water (UNWWAP 2003), equivalent to the weight of the entire human population. The UN estimates that the amount of wastewater produced is six times more water than exists in all the rivers of the world.

Passion Sea is a non-profit international association, powered by Helga Piaget of Monaco, the association’s CEO, and patronised by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation (FPA2), to promote sustainability and the preservation of natural water sources through education and creativity aimed at children; helping them to understand, appreciate and love the value of water.

Further information concerning Eagle’s Nest Golf Club tournament and Gala at passionseacanada.com