With innovative thinking, leadership and continued public-private sector collaboration, the U.S. Virgin Islands (USVI) has a good opportunity to further develop its cruise tourism sector, reports Commissioner of Tourism Beverly Nicholson-Doty.

However, Commissioner Nicholson-Doty - who held bilateral talks with a number of cruise line executives during last week's Seatrade Cruise Global cruise industry convention - warned that the landscape of the tourism industry continues to be challenging as lines reposition itineraries to the Western Caribbean and passengers demand a greater diversity of experiences.

She noted that during a meeting with the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association's (FCCA) top brass, the Ports of the U.S. Virgin Islands was commended for the progress made to implement harbor transportation in the Charlotte Amalie Harbor, which they described as "the single most important thing we can do for cruise tourism on St. Thomas."

The Commissioner reported that the U.S. Virgin Islands was preparing to respond to the trend of purpose-driven travel and voluntourism by rolling out a number of projects that will be available for both cruise ship passengers and stayover visitors.

The Territory will also continue to prioritize providing authentic Virgin Islands experiences for visitors, such as food tours, historical site visits, educational rum distillery tours and the ability to purchase locally made art and products.

A new free exhibition revealing the hidden story of how civil engineers transform lives and help safeguard our future is on show at the award-winning Institution of Civil Engineers Infrastructure Learning Hub in London this Easter.

Unveiled to celebrate the ICE's 200th anniversary, 'Invisible Superheroes' uses cutting edge technology to highlight the unsung heroes behind some of the world's most amazing engineering projects.

Designed to appeal especially to young people, the exhibition features real-life engineers as cartoon superheroes on their mission to save the planet from dangers such as climate change, flooding and the spread of disease.

Films, animations, interviews, quizzes and games help bring the untold stories behind incredible feats of civil engineering to life.

There's also the chance to experience a virtual reality dive into world of engineering and visitors can put their own skills to the test by building a bridge or tunnel boring machine.

Earlier this year the Infrastructure Learning Hub (ILH) was recognised as a 'Hidden Gem' visitor attraction by VisitEngland in recognition of the quality visitor experience on offer.

Open to the public at the ICE's One Great George Street headquarters in central London, the ILH is the UK's first learning centre to focus on engineering achievements and its role in tackling global challenges.

“We're proud to bring civil engineering to life at the ILH, not only providing a rich educational experience but a fun and memorable one for visitors of all ages,” said Nathan Baker, Director of Engineering Knowledge at the ICE.

The year-long exhibition is part of ICE's bicentenary celebrations - ICE 200 - with events planned around the UK to showcase and explain civil engineering to the public.

Almost 17,000 people across the UK have followed in the gravity-free footsteps of Major Tim Peake thanks to the ground-breaking Space Descent VR experience. Samsung provided its technology and created a fully immersive VR lounge that transports visitors into space before the VR experience has even begun. The VR technology allows users to take the magnificent 400km descent from the International Space Station (ISS) to Earth, aboard the legendary Soyuz TMA-19M module.

To date, two-thirds of the 549 intrepid souls to have travelled beyond the Earth’s atmosphere are American, but Samsung and the Science Museum Group continue their task to make space travel in the UK accessible to all through Tim Peake’s spacecraft national tour.

Tim Peake’s iconic Soyuz capsule is on a two-year UK tour that is presented by Samsung & the Science Museum Group, which has to date attracted almost 200,000 visitors to see the spacecraft alone, experiencing space travel for themselves.

Having previously landed in Bradford, Shildon and York, the tour continues from Saturday 10th March at Manchester’s Museum of Science and Industry. As part of this ‘first of its kind’ tour, Samsung is also working closely with the Science Museum Group on a national schools outreach programme, aimed at engaging young people in STEM subjects. Over the coming six weeks, surrounding Manchester schools will be visited by the Space Descent with Tim Peake VR experience tour bus, designed to look like the ISS. Students will undergo a space training programme and have the opportunity to experience Space Descent VR, inspiring a new generation of burgeoning space explorers.

Sam Grant, Chief Marketing Officer at Samsung Electronics UK and Ireland, says, “It’s incredible that we’ve brought the Soyuz capsule to its fourth UK city now. There’s clearly an appetite for using technology in ways that transform how we learn, given that so many people are engaging with our Space Descent VR experience. This truly is an unforgettable experience for museum visitors, one that we hope sparks curiosity beyond the day-to-day.”

Astrophysicist and TV presenter Danielle George MBE supports the Manchester leg of the campaign. “I’m thrilled to be part of such an exciting exhibition. It’s crucial that children have access to these kinds of resources – it expands their education and interest in STEM subjects, and is key to defining the career choices that children go on to make. Samsung and the Science Museum Group will no doubt continue to inspire young people as they take the Soyuz spacecraft around the nation.”

The Soyuz TMA-19M spacecraft will be on-site at Manchester’s Museum of Space and Industry until 13 May 2018.

The wait is almost over! Group travel expert Red7 has come one step closer to crowning Britain’s Best Bridesmaid and the competition is fiercer than ever, with nearly 500 nominations received in total.

Brides from across the country nominated the top team players from their #wedsquad and the judges carefully examined every entry. Now, Red7 reveals its seven regional winners in the race for the title.

Not only will the ultimate winning bridesmaid receive the prestigious title of Britain’s Best Bridesmaid (and major bragging rights!), she will also be whisked away on her very own ‘BridesmaidMoon’, a fantastic Red7 cruise to Bruges and Amsterdam.

Introducing Jamie Leigh Branston, the winner for the Midlands. Jamie, from Leicester, earned her place in the final seven by stepping in to save little sister Rachel’s wedding day from disaster.

“Honestly, the day would never have happened without her,” says Rachel, whose wedding day had not one, not two, but three disasters. Jamie, a mum of five who knows how to run a tight ship, was there for her sister every time fate threatened to ruin the special day.

First, the bridal party were left confused when no photographer arrived. Realising that it had been overlooked, Jamie kept her cool and quickly paid for a professional to arrive at the last minute.

Next, Rachel faced every bride’s worst nightmare when her dress tore right before the ceremony. “I was in full scale meltdown mode!” she confesses. It took some time to calm Rachel down, but Jamie was the perfect bridesmaid for the job. After the (understandable) bridezilla moment had passed, Jamie came up with a way of repairing the dress.

With the bridal gown in tact and the photographer booked, Rachel and her bridesmaids set off to the late wedding at speed, hoping that the drama was over for the day. Unluckily, they were so late that the venue tried to refuse to marry the couple.

Rachel thought that her dreams of a happy wedding day were forever dashed, but her big sister was not about to let that happen. Jamie used her gift of the gab to talk the venue into allowing the wedding to go ahead, performing her third miracle of the day. “Not only is she a fantastic sister but she was my absolute outright lifesaver,” says Rachel.

Red7 founder Ian Lucas commented: “Congratulations to our magnificent seven! 

“We are confident that we have selected a dream team that represents the best of British bridesmaids. 

“Jamie’s bridesmaid story stood out for her quick thinking and ability to make the impossible happen – she reminded us of ourselves!”

Dayna Landsborough, from Plymstock, in Devon, has won The Cinnamon Trust’s Young Volunteer of the Year Award for 2018.

Dayna, aged 21, was given the award – supported by Fish4Dogs and in association with the Young Kennel Club – on the penultimate day of Crufts (Saturday 10 March) at the NEC, Birmingham.

The Plymouth University sociology undergraduate has been walking 12-year-old, black Labrador, Jet, for four years now having volunteered her services to the Cinnamon Trust at the age of 17.

Her love of dogs prompted her to apply but over the years she struck-up a deep and meaningful relationship with Jet’s owner Meg Gray and late husband Charlie.

For the first two years, she walked Jet three-times a week and not even the pressures of starting university, and studying for exams could deter her commitment. Dayna and Meg, who is now 87 and battling cancer, have become such good friends that Meg considers her “family”.

Dayna helped Meg when she lost Charlie in 2016, visiting her regularly and taking her small gifts to cheer her up.

Meg was unable to attend Dayna’s presentation but said: “Dayna spreads sunshine wherever she goes.  She is a real treasure to me and Jet and we are so lucky to have her in our lives.

“I have cancer now but I have had a good innings and do not intend to have chemo, I have had curly hair all my life and I do not intend to lose it! Knowing that Dayna is there for Jet means a great deal to me.”

Dayna was presented with ceremonial plate, silver brooch pin and a goody bag, plus a hamper of pet food and treats provided by Fish4Dogs.

Cinnamon Trust founder, Averil Jarvis MBE, said that all the shortlisted candidates demonstrated a heart-warming commitment to looking after the companion animals of those in need but that the bond between Dayna and Meg shone through.

“Despite the age difference, they are genuine friends and say such lovely things about each other. It is clear to see that there is a very real affection that has grown through Dayna’s desire to give something back and help in Jet’s care.”

Following the presentation, Dayna paid tribute to her friend Meg: “I never imagined that, when I started walking a dog in the community, I would not only gain a furry companion but a genuine friend in Meg. She is a woman who has done it all, and that is no exaggeration. A former WREN and mother – a strong woman who is a force to be reckoned with.