In Travel News for September 19th, 2022 we talk about Hurricane Fiona in the Caribbean, Oktoberfest in Germany, and Holland America Line.
Holland America Line Tests Biofuel
In a Cruise industry first, Holland America Line has recently completed a multi week test of Biofuel. The results of the test show that using 100% biofuel reduces lifetime CO2 emissions by 78%. Biofuels burn cleaner than marine gas oil, resulting in fewer pollutants. Biofuel is also fully biodegradable making accidental spills less harmful. Holland America Line’s parent company, Carnival Corporation is exploring a number of technologies across all of its brands to reduce the environmental impact including liquid natural gas, and battery electric systems. The advantage Biofuel has over these other solutions is that it’s “drop-in” ready, meaning there is no special equipment of retrofits required.
Oktoberfest Returns to Munich, Germany
It’s official, Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany is underway. The event kicked off with the Mayor tapping the first keg over the weekend. This is the first time the beloved event has been held since the beginning of the pandemic in 2020. This is the 187th Oktoberfest, the first of which took place in 1810 to commemorate the marriage of the Prince of Bavaria. The festival will run through October 3rd and is expected to draw more than 6 million people.
Hurricane Fiona Hits the Caribbean
Over the weekend Hurricane Fiona struck the Caribbean, starting with Puerto Rico on Sunday where the storm knocked out power, caused flooding and mud slides through the island. The U.S. Virgin Island have suspended operation of the two airports in St. Thomas and St. Croix until the storm passes. Today Fiona is hitting the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Turks and Caicos. Tomorrow it’s expected that the storm will touch the southern end of the Bahamas. The Atlantic hurricane season starts on June 1st and runs through November 30th. So far the season has been rather quiet, with 3 hurricanes and 6 named storms. 2021 had 21 named storms with 7 hurricanes, and 2020 saw 30 named storms with 13 hurricanes.