The popular tourist island of Boracay in the Philippines is, unfortunately, off limits to tourists. Closed in April, the island’s economy suffers greatly, as Boracay houses more than five hundred tourist-oriented businesses. According to the Philippine government, the businesses closed will receive some sort of financial aid. The time off will be used to clean up the beaches and repair the roads.

The reason for the closing of the island lies in its environmental issues, as well as problems with the sewage. The President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte, was outraged and compared the island to a cesspool. The President didn’t act on a whim, but rather approved the recommendation of three separate government agencies that urged him to shut down the island, due to the extensive damage.

The origin of the sewage problem lies in the inadequate waste disposal by a number of hotels, inns and resorts. The establishments failed in their requirement to build their own sewage and water treatment facilities. They have, allegedly, used the canals meant only for diverting rainwater as a waste disposal measurement. This, in turn, caused an increased pollution of the seaside, affecting not only tourism, but wildlife as well. Coral reefs, desperately need this shutdown to recover. It is unclear how much, if any, environmental damage has been done by the tourists themselves.

President Duterte commented that the sea smells of feces, and that the tourists would probably take that smell with them, thus endangering their health. He further announced that the duration of island’s time of not operating as a tourist resort would last at least six months. This comes as no surprise, as, back in February, the President already threatened to shut the island down, if the businesses didn’t start cleaning up.

The assistant secretary for tourism, Frederick Alegre, said that this was a temporary situation, and that Boracay will be brought back to its “glory days”. He added that this is just the first of many Philippine destinations that are going to be looked at closely in terms of environmental protection, as the message they are trying to send is ‘More Fun in the Philippines’.

While over two million tourists visited the island in 2017, this year, there has been a plethora of cancelled bookings, both by the resorts and the airline companies. Philippine Airlines promised refunds and rebookings to the affected tourists.

This isn’t the only island that faces a shutdown, as a number of tourist hotspots experience similar issues. Koh Phi Phi Leh in Thailand will have to close its Maya Beach for four months. The beach was made famous by Leonardo DiCaprio in the movie The Beach. The reason for the shutdown is the environmental damage caused by the tourists.

So, you are on your way to a new location and looking to pick some items with you. It is understandable that gadgets have come to change the world like no one ever thought. However, what you need isn’t just a device that does something random. You need a gadget that helps you get things done faster, and preferably in fun ways.

In this article, we will explore some gadgets that you can take with you when traveling. These gadgets are designed to (and they will) make your travel easier. Below, some of these gadgets will be listed and explained in very simple terms. Let’s do this.

Digital Camera

You probably were thinking a smartphone would make the number one on the list. Sorry to disappoint you, the one important item you should really pick with you is a digital camera.

No matter how small, it is better capturing images with a camera than your phone’s camera. There are several reasons that could defend this. But, one thing is that your smartphone has become so much part of your life that taking it with you on a trip to capture images neither brings fun or makes the travel easier for you.

You can leave your smartphone back in the hotel room, and go see some animals picking only your camera. What do you think?

Handmade Vintage Backpack

You probably have been sold to the tales that your backpack should be a dull and bulky mass. No, this isn’t necessarily true. You can take a different route with a handmade vintage backpack from a waxed canvas. This is a very reliable companion with adjustable back straps that will leave you inspired throughout the travel. This is made possible by its vintage design. You can pack as much as you want and it would still feel comfortable to carry

The Universe’s Smallest Steam Iron

The smallest steam iron in the world can come handy, most especially for business travelers who may have had their clothes wrinkled and needed some useful straightening. This compact iron features a 420-watt motor together with three heating levels. It comes in a small size similar to that of a computer mouse and is a gadget we recommend.

Luggage Scooter

Luggage scooters are fun and stylish travel accessories that can help you move around a place or a city very quickly and quite efficiently. Many luggage scooters come with Bluetooth functionality and double as kickboard scooters. This is a multifunctional device that makes your travel just so much fun and less work.

Tablet

Tablets have so many uses that they can be your best friend during any trip. You can use them to watch movies; you can read books on tablets; you can prepare spreadsheets and word documents right from a tablet; you can browse the internet and have conversations with your friends; and a lot more.

Solar Charger

For those who would be involved in lots of outdoor activities and sightseeing, a solar charger should be the first gadget on your mind. A solar charger that is as mobile and as powerful as it could be shouldn’t be far from your priority list when traveling.

These chargers hold a lot of advantages as you can use them to charge your devices and stay connected to the rest of the world every hour of each day. This implies that you have a standby medium to power your camera, smartphone, PC, tablet, and other gadgets irrespective of the state of electricity wherever you are.

General Data Protection Regulation, abbreviated as GDPR, is a data protection legislation that has become mainstream on May 25, 2018, in both the UK and the EU. The new law is promulgated as an evolution in the protection of user data.  GDPR makes more demand for an organization’s accountability regarding the use of user data. It adds an extra layer to already established human rights.

When the General Data Protection Regulation came into full force, consumers and customers were given the explicit right to give their consent before their data can be captured and processed. Further, the GDPR has made it clear that this right can be taken back at any time as deemed necessary by the user.

Data protection laws have been in place for quite some time. Since the past 20 years, data protection laws have mostly remained unchanged. Many have opined that the gaming industry would be impacted by the GDPR, and we are set to look at the impacts the GDPR will really have on the gambling industry.

Governance and Responsibility

With the new legislation, there is bound to be a significant emphasis on the compliance and the demonstration of protecting user right. This implies that gambling establishments will have to demonstrate they have safe and secure systems in place to handle customers’ records.

Also, the legislation expects that organizations would set up internal control policies for an ongoing regular check on the security of the data in their possession.

Security Breach

In any case of a data breach, the GDPR has been designed in such a way that data handlers would instantly be alerted using a notification regime system. Therefore, data handlers would have to report user data breaches to the appropriate authority or platforms within 72 hours of such incident.

In this way, gambling operators would have to ensure they identify and react to every act of security breach. In fact, they would make their internet security very tight so they can comply with the objectives of the General Data Protection Regulation.

Data Portability

The current data protection laws require that consumers have the all-important right to obtain copies of their data and or also request for those data to be transferred to another organization without hindrance.

How can gambling companies cope?

The fact of the matter is, gambling organizations are hard hit by this new legislation. As a data-driven industry, with loads of information on their customers, it wouldn’t be long for individuals to starting questioning what their data is being used for, and then the streams of ‘remove data’ requests start inundating them.

So in the face of this imminent challenges, how should gaming companies respond to this onslaught?

Well, the first is to embrace a policy of openness and transparency – let users know explicitly why you need the information, how you’re going to process them, and how long you’re going to keep them. Secondly, conduct a thorough audit of your internal data handling process to ensure it satisfies the GDPR guidelines. Finally, hiring a compliance officer to oversee the regular and consistent adherence to the regulation will ensure the organization is on the right side of the new rules.

Have you decided you want to save some money this year and are looking for a cheap holiday destination? We are here to land you a helping hand. We have compiled a list of the best cheap travel destinations around the globe for those who plan on having a budget holiday in 2018.

Albufeira, Portugal

Albufeira is an ideal spot for those looking for a cheap sun-soaked vacation. It’s located in the southern Portugal’s Algarve region and is endowed with marvelous beaches, affordable hotels and nice weather. Lively and energetic, The Strip and especially Avenida Francisco Sá Carneiro is an area that mostly attracts young people. Meanwhile, the Old Town in the city center charms tourists with traditional Portuguese streets and plazas.

Foodies and party lovers should know that there are over 100 bars, restaurants and clubs in Albufeira with quite decent prices. Moreover, tourist have easy access to nearby places like Portimao, Sao Vicente Cape in Sagres, Loulé market, Vilamoura marina, and cities such as Vila Real and Lagos.

Bangkok, Thailand

One of the most affordable places to travel to this year is Thailand, a country which has many points in its favor. First of all, it’s the wide flight selection at very low fares, both to the capital city of Bangkok and to other cities. And if you plan ahead, you can find the best deals. Secondly, the hotels offer the best value for money in the world (an average of £103 for a five-star hotel, just to make an idea).

Bangkok appeals to very diverse types of tourists as it has something for everyone: dynamic city life, rich historical and cultural attractions, plethora of shopping venues, an energetic nightlife, and all of it at an affordable price.

Istanbul, Turkey

In Europe, Turkey is one of the most visited countries, and that’s because it offers excellent value for money in all aspects of tourism. Hotel prices in the country have dropped a little following the terrorist attacks in 2016, but tourism has started to recover now.

It’s also cheap to get there, as airfares are great value. For example, a return from London in April cost just £100.

Pamporovo, Bulgaria

Now let’s talk about a good place for winter and winter sports lovers. The best-value holiday in this respect will take you to Pamporovo in Bulgaria. With a ski area that boasts 36km of slopes and 13 lifts, the ski resort is one of the best-known in Southeastern Europe and is perfect for both novices and advanced skiers. Though it’s more crowded in winter, the family-friendly resort is popular in summer, too.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

As for cheap places to visit in the United States, one of the most affordable is Santa Fe in New Mexico. It’s a place surrounded by natural beauty and appeals to nature lovers and adventure seekers. Tourists will surely not get bored here, as they have a huge selection of restaurants, art galleries, shops and fairs to keep them entertained. Winter rates at a luxury hotel like La Posada de Santa Fe start at $99 per night, which is a real bargain.

If you’re an avid traveller and have a list of countries you need to visit in your lifetime, make sure to include Australia on that list, as this place is every traveller’s dream. Not to mention that lately it has become even more popular. Why is that?

Well, the appeal of Australia lies in the fact that, despite being one of the most highly urbanized countries in the world, the continent is known for its abundance of wide and wild open spaces, very diverse landscapes, a plethora of natural wonders, and fabulous beaches and deserts.

It’s a country with a unique character that mixes the comfort and modernism of cosmopolitan metropolises like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Perth, with a unique wildlife.

For nature lovers, the rare natural wonders of Australia are the main attractions that make the country so appealing.  One of the most popular and most visited tourist attraction in the country is the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches for almost 3000 kilometers and is located near the northern coast of Queensland. With a diverse and colorful ecosystem – 400 types of coral and 1,500 species of tropical fish – it’s a true treat for the eye and offers a great experience to divers.

The sacred site of Uluru (also known as Ayers Rock) is equally popular among travellers. It’s basically a 348 meters high (1,142 feet) sandstone monolith, with a circumference of 9.4 kilometers (5.8 miles) that offers a spectacular view at sunrise and sunset due to the different hues that envelop it.

Other unique places that make Australia worth visiting are the rocky white sand dunes and cliffs of Shark Bay, the MacKenzie Falls, Fraser Island, the Blue Mountains, King’s Canyon and many other beautiful places included in the more than 500 National Parks found in the land down under.

What’s more, beach lovers have no less than 11,000 beaches to choose from. It would take one around 27 years to visit them all, one beach a day, imagining someone embarked on such an adventure.

The vibrant lifestyle, the relaxed atmosphere, along with a thriving art scene and cultural diversity, make Australia a place anyone would like to live in. The people are friendly, laid-back, open minded, and last but not least, very active and full of life. Besides, they don’t just enjoy incredible weather and landscapes – they also eat delicious food and drink quality wines, adding to the already great Australian experience and making a visit there a recipe for unforgettable travel memories.

Considering all this, we can safely say that Australia is a complete holiday destination, as it’s not just a travel heaven for adventure seekers, but also a paradise for art enthusiasts, food lovers and those travelling on a budget.