With its stunning beaches and mountains, Montenegro has been a very popular holiday destination pre-COVID and according to the Balkan country’s new foreign minister, Djordje Radulovic, it will be a ‘corona-safe’ travel destination in time for the 2021 tourist season. Tourism makes up 25% of Montenegro’s GDP and following a slow year, the country’s new government is determined to attract foreign holidaymakers this summer, ensuring that all tourist areas are protected.
“We will not totally eradicate coronavirus, but we will have some small, small hotspots under control, which means that tourists can come from Great Britain, Germany, France, Russia - you name it - will be safe and sound in our country [and] totally free to enjoy their vacation,” Radulovic said.
In January 2021, the country lifted the requirements for a negative COVID-19 test result, which has made Montenegro one of the few countries worldwide to allow unrestricted travel in the current environment.
Tourism has been among the industries hit hardest by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in countries like Greece that rely so heavily on it. Tourism accounts for 20% of the country’s GDP, providing one in five jobs.
However, after the challenges from the past year, Greek officials have announced that they are planning to reopen the country to world travellers from 1st June 2021, with a new “safe travel” plan which will allow visitors to enter its borders with a negative coronavirus test that should be taken within 72 hours before arrival.
Alexis Komninos, a leading hotelier on the island of Santorini, has commented: "Not opening is not an option this year. The chips are down, and it's clearly crunch time.”
"But while I and others in the industry are doing our part, doling out the cold cash to refurbish, rebuild and slash my prices by 40% in flash sales to lure British, German and other customers, the government must do its part in helping subsidise this national reopening.” Let’s hope they can deliver!
Thanks to the isolated nature of its resorts, the Maldives was one of the first countries that opened their borders back for tourists – all you need is a proof of a negative COVID-19 test carried out within 96 hours before departure. As of 22nd February, there are over 140 hotels and resorts serving international travellers. There’s no need for another test upon arrival in Male, however, those who display COVID-19 like symptoms, including a temperature, coughing or sneezing, will be tested.
Considering two-thirds of the country’s GDP depends on tourism, resorts across the Maldives have done a lot to ensure a safe haven for travellers, with some having their own testing regimes in place. Resorts like Soneva Fushi and Soneva Jani, for example, offer free PCR tests to guests upon arrival, asking them to not leave their room until they receive a negative result. They also test all staff members once every five days.
Despite a rise in the COVID-19 cases in the country, Seychelles has announced that it is now welcoming vaccinated travellers from all over the world. Tourists will have to be able to prove that they have received two doses of an approved vaccine and will need to submit an authentic certificate from their national health authority as proof of the COVID-19 jabs. However, they will still need a negative PCR test to enter the country, carried out within 72 hours before arrival.
Unvaccinated travellers are allowed to enter too if they arrive via a private jet or come from a list of 48 permitted countries. These travellers will also need to obtain a negative PCR test result prior to arrival in Seychelles.
International travellers are extremely important to Seychelles’ economy, with travel and tourism accounting for 40% of the nation’s GDP. Officials hope that the updated entry requirements will restart tourism in the Indian Ocean archipelago in 2021, helping its economy to get back on its feet.
US plane manufacturer Boeing has recommended that all of its 777 aircraft carrying the same engine that failed over Denver on Saturday be grounded until inspections are carried out.
128 jets will be suspended from flying if Boeing’s recommendations are heeded. 69 of these planes are currently in service globally, while 59 are in storage.
The recommendation follows after one of its 777 planes, bound for Hawaii, had its right engine catch fire and shower debris across a Denver suburb. Nobody was injured during the incident, and the plane landed safely back in Denver.
Fleets of 777s were grounded in both the US and Japan following the fire, with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issuing an emergency airworthiness directive calling for inspections of the aircraft. Two separate incidents involving engine faults also occurred over the weekend.
The 777 involved in the Saturday incident was powered by Pratt & Whitney PW4000-112 engines. Pratt & Whitney said in a statement that it had dispatched a team to work with FAA investigators.
Boeing’s latest crisis comes shortly after its 737 Max jets were cleared to fly again by global aviation authorities. The 737 MAX was previously grounded in 2019 after flaws in its design caused two fatal crashes that left 346 dead.
Boeing lost more than £20 billion in direct costs after regulators grounded the 737 Max. The subsequent impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and a global reduction in demand for air travel further exacerbated the company’s losses.
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This new crisis is likely to have a significant impact on Boeing stock, which has seen its 4% gains on Friday already erased during Monday morning trading.
We all know how difficult the COVID-19 pandemic has made things throughout the world. Nobody has been unaffected. Almost all industries have been dramatically impacted by the crisis, which has left millions of people out of work. While the beginning of 2021 looks to continue to be rough, with Q1 being another lost quarter for many industries, the rest of the year looks promising for a huge resurgence.
Nearly all industries should see a bounceback in 2021 from a massive 2020 falloff. However, we'll focus on six industries that seem poised for massive rebounds.
The construction industry was absolutely decimated by the pandemic. Many factors affected the drop in the industries stake during 2020. With industries across the board struggling, many planned expansions were halted. Instead, companies diverted funds to help stay afloat rather than grow. Many construction projects were abandoned, either temporarily or permanently.
In addition to the halted projects, few people were looking to start new projects. With so much uncertainty, even organizations that weren't brought to the brink weren't likely to attempt to grow. Client bases were likely to be greatly diminished to non-existent due to potential buyers being out of work.
Another reason for the lull in the construction industry was that with so many businesses closing, the few companies that were looking to expand were likely to move into a previously occupied space. While there might be some construction called for in these cases, the projects were far smaller and finished much quicker than building a new facility from the ground up would have been.
With a likely rebound in industries across the board beginning in spring of 2021, expect a fresh need for the construction industry to get back to work.
Live events nearly came to a standstill in 2020. Outside of protests and political rallies, large gatherings and even small gatherings pretty much ceased to exist. Fortunately, this is one industry that should come back with a vengeance later in the year. People have been isolated from friends and family, they have been working from home, and they haven't been to a party in forever. When getting together is deemed safe, expect big gatherings.
This will have an impact on every aspect of the economy that gets a boom from live events. Venues will clearly win big with pretty much guaranteed full bookings and sold out events once things return to normalcy. Other industries like hospitality and transportation will see a big boom as out of towners come to these events. The big sporting corporations will obviously get a big boost from being able to sell seats at full capacity.
Event planners, large and small, will see their services in full demand. Whether planning small gatherings of a handful of people or festivals that attract thousands, all types of event planners will be needed. Insurance companies that sell event insurance will also see a boost as this type of insurance has largely gone unpurchased over the past year.
Social calendars will likely be packed full from late spring onward. Artists will crowd the road to return to performing live concerts. City halls will be packed with people who have been waiting to tie the knot. Whether family, friends, schools, or any other type of group, expect reunions aplenty. Employers hoping to raise employee morale after a very difficult year will plan all sorts of retreats and outings. There will be no shortage of events in 2021.
People are going to want to travel again. The world is suffering from a near-universal case of cabin fever. The best solution for that is to get out of town. People will likely be traveling in record numbers once it is safe to do so. While many hotels and other accommodations were forced to shut their doors for good during the pandemic, those that make it through should find an abundance of riches on the other side.
With such a high demand for accommodation and a narrowed competition pool, hotels can expect many nights of turning away guests due to no availability. Those able to time things just right could find the perfect moment to enter the hospitality industry and turn a profit immediately.
As mentioned, people will be looking to travel once they can. Expect the skies to be full and freeways to be crowded. Between border closures, lockdowns, high unemployment rates, and countless restrictions to the kinds of things that people look for in a vacation, people have generally been staying put this last year. Nomads are becoming restless and will look to be on the move as soon as possible.
Food and drink service was one of the hardest-hit industries. However, bars and restaurants that managed to make it through the pandemic should be facing a new type of dilemma later in the year. Making sure they don't violate fire codes by being overcapacity.
Some restaurants were able to adjust to the pandemic well enough to keep from being hit too hard with takeout options. However, many restaurants simply aren't suited well enough to make it in the world of takeout. Restaurants relying heavily on their atmosphere for their appeal and fine dining venues had a difficult transition.
Bars in many parts of the country were completely helpless, with a takeout model not really a possibility for them.
While due to financial concerns, not everyone who wants to go traveling will have that option, most people will be able to start going out to a bar or restaurant again. Nearly everyone will be looking to hit the town.
Many theaters had to close down entirely for parts of 2020. Once able to fully reopen, movie theaters are going to have a lot to work with in pulling in big crowds as many big event movies have been sitting on the shelf awaiting a theatrical release rather than going straight to streaming. Movie theaters can expect a huge influx of top-grossing films to fill their seats on a daily basis in 2021.
These are far from all of the industries that were negatively affected by the last year. It has been tough all around. Fortunately, these industries are far from the only ones expected to have a nice recovery later this year. People can expect a general rebound of the economy all around. It may take a little while to get back to the levels the country was at pre-pandemic, but we can certainly expect a strong move in that direction.
Shane Neagle offers Finance Monthly a rundown of the opportunities investors should be exploring in 2021.
2020 has been a wild ride for investors. The coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns spooked many investors, causing a selling spree that peaked on 16 March . Dubbed “Black Monday III,” 16 March saw global markets decline 12-13%. Nervous investors can hardly be blamed for overreacting, however, when you consider that many across the country were stockpiling toilet paper and canned goods in preparation for the pandemic.
Thankfully, it wasn’t long before the market turned bullish again and stocks began skyrocketing back to their normal levels — or higher. Savvy investors who bought stocks, bonds and commodities during the dip yielded massive returns in almost every sector.
Although we can’t replicate the amazing buying opportunity 2020 presented, we can look forward to other investments that will yield similar returns. Hopefully, 2021 will see the global economy head further into recovery and present unique buying opportunities of its own.
In this article, we will discuss five of the best investment opportunities for 2021.
2020 was a unique year in that it brought investment opportunities outside the arena of traditional finance. Online trading became popularised and democratised through easy to use investment apps. For example, the aptly named Robinhood soared in popularity by enabling anyone to trade in the stock market — with a mere smartphone and bank account.
2020 was a unique year in that it brought investment opportunities outside the arena of traditional finance.
The rise of cryptocurrency, an enthusiastic topic among the tech-savvy and millennials, meant that financial opportunities presented themselves to those who might not normally have been interested in investing.
Perhaps indicative of new market-disrupting trends and the waning power of conventional wisdom, many investment gurus were proven wrong about their predictions in 2020. For example, Warren Buffet, the “Oracle of Omaha,” advised investors to dump airline stocks in one of the worst pieces of advice given to investors this year.
There’s no point rehashing 2020, however. Every good investor knows that profit is made only by looking forward. So, without further ado, here are our top 5 investment opportunities for 2021.
Location-based retailers were hit hard by the pandemic, specifically those that hadn’t invested in an eCommerce platform. It’s easy to assume that most people will resume their online shopping habits even after the pandemic, especially when you consider the convenience of doing so. Business owners recognise this, which is why 74% of all organisations are actively involved in digitally transforming their businesses. That includes many brick-and-mortar retailers who are taking their stores online.
However, there are many purchases that must be seen before being bought. The increased use of vanity sizing and misleading eCommerce photos mean that many consumers won’t purchase clothes without trying them on first. Products like perfume and cosmetics are difficult to choose online. Investing in Nordstrom, Macy’s and similar companies can yield sizable returns.
Investing in stocks like Simon Property or other companies that hold retail spaces are another potential win. These investments are a little more stable when you consider that the companies actually own the real estate which the retail stores rent, which in the case of massive shutdowns of retail stores can be converted to another profitable use.
Investing in stocks like Simon Property or other companies that hold retail spaces are another potential win.
Home improvement retailers are also steadily on the incline, so buying early in 2021 is well-advised. As more people find themselves at home, interest in home renovations is at a record high. Stocks like Lowe’s or Home Depot are in this category.
As the US prepares to enter a Biden presidency, it’s a sure bet that clean energy will be a focus of his administration. Investing in clean energy stocks or at least keeping abreast of American government developments in eco-friendly policies is a must for 2021.
The movement towards clean energy is a long-term focus for many governments and organisations around the globe. Due to the longevity behind it — and the sector’s significant impact — clean energy is a great candidate for those who favour passive stock investing.
The electric car mandate that was passed in California, which required that all vehicles sold in 15 years be emission free, is a harbinger of more to come. The United Kingdom recently approved a £40 billion investment in green energy. Consider adding energy stocks that offer above average dividends to help your portfolio balance out long-term stocks that might take longer to recovery.
A lot of investors looked to healthcare companies working on a vaccine during the pandemic for huge gains. However, many people neglected to consider the healthcare companies that were negatively affected by the pandemic and might yield large returns once a vaccine is rolled out.
Nearly half of all Americans had medical care delayed due to the pandemic. Pharma and life science companies that are focused on cures and treatments for diseases were put on the back burner as many investors sought out companies like Moderna and Pfizer.
Many people neglected to consider the healthcare companies that were negatively affected by the pandemic and might yield large returns once a vaccine is rolled out.
Companies that will benefit from an increase in elective surgeries are good investments for 2021. As hospitals have more room for patients other than those infected by COVID-19, there will be a need for different medical supplies and treatments for different ailments. Consider Intuitive Surgical, ARK Genomic Revolution or Danaher for your stock portfolio.
This year, the Fed printed money at levels never seen before, which will lead to global inflation in the coming years. Investors who are interested in finding a way to store their money without losing its value would do well to look into cryptocurrency, which relies on cryptography to encrypt financial transactions.
It’s largely for this reason that cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin are an appealing investment option to so many people. In January of this year, Bitcoin was worth $7,000. As we end the year in December, Bitcoin is now worth a whopping $23,000 — a 228% increase in price.
Bitcoin shows no signs of slowing down in the future. According to Guggenheim’s Scott Minerd, Bitcoin should be worth closer to $400,000 due to its scarcity, the security of blockchain technology and its relative valuation. While you can never really know when it comes to emerging asset classes like cryptocurrencies, the fact that Bitcoin is getting institutional attention certainly says something. To take this a step further, whenever Bitcoin rises, it can act like a magnet — bringing other cryptocurrencies up with it.
Travel companies like airlines and hotels have no doubt been the hardest hit by the coronavirus pandemic. This presented excellent buying opportunities in 2020 which will continue into 2021.
Investing in travel companies must be part of a long-term strategy, however. Many experts predict that it will take a few years before the travel industry fully recovers. This isn’t necessarily because people won’t want to continue travelling after being vaccinated. Many businesses that were hard hit by the pandemic will cut back on corporate travel, which is the leading driver of travel in most countries.
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As we head towards the end of an unpredictable year, it’s hard to think about what may still lay around the corner. However, as every good investor knows, it’s important to be ahead of the curve in order to recognise good deals and investment opportunities when they come. 2021 will see the continued recovery of the global economy and will present many great investment opportunities for those who stay focused and informed.
Wait a minute — before you delve deep into the coverage options at your disposal, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Here’s your checklist for buying personal liability insurance; rather, here are a few things you must ask yourself before purchasing an insurance plan.
Oftentimes, your insurance does not cover liabilities taking place anywhere but locally. While the average insurance provider will not be concerned with travelling, we know the importance of it. Travelling is an addictive yet life-changing interest to possess. Not just that, logically most people travel in some form or fashion, and staying insured during such times seems like the smarter thing to do.
For this, you need to check whether your insurance provider covers liabilities that take place off-premise. In other words, check whether your liability coverage is spanned across more than just local areas. Planning your finances is an arduous task, especially if you like to travel, and liability coverages here are a lot trickier. Try not to acquire insurances that do not cover such damages, even if they come with more benefits. Unless you are someone who likes to be burdened by the weight of the four walls surrounding you, global coverage is quintessential.
Try not to take this in the literal sense of the term. We are in no way asking you to get personal liability coverage just because one fine day you would want to go putt-putt. Think of it this way—you decide to practice throwing a ball in your backyard with your child. You happen to hit someone else on the street, or damage someone’s property (such as a phone) by accident. Not only does that prove that you are a bad thrower, but also makes you responsible for damages incurred.
This is a very real use-case of personal liability insurance. Ensure that your provider has sports-related liabilities covered at your residence, for such cases are pretty ubiquitous, and dare we say, expensive to repair. While you can learn how to throw ball better and more accurately next time, you need to ensure that the liabilities from that front are taken care of. On that note, such personal liability coverages are pretty extensive in the kind of damages they cover. Ensure that you pick a policy that covers multitude of damages, and of course, learn how to throw better.
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Granted that pets are not just a great companion but a must in some cases, but it only takes a moment for things to go wrong. While your pet is the most amiable companion around you, it only takes one bad day for a third party to face the brunt of your pet’s primal instincts.
Here too, personal liability coverages and questioning stances about them is mandatory. Ask your insurance provider whether these damages are covered too. On that note, it is pretty sensible to get liability coverage spanning such scenarios, considering how common pets are at households. Damages caused by pets to a third party is surely not under your direct control, but it does not hurt to cover such specific liability cases, does it?
Ah, the irreparable damage. The kind of damage that you get sued for. Damages carved out of unforeseen circumstances have very little control from your end, as is the case with lawsuits that come out of it. If your coverages don’t suffice the needs of the damaged party, chances are, you might need a good lawyer. Wait — liability insurances might cover that too?
It is important for you to look for coverages that will manage your lawsuit too. In this world plagued with capitalism, lawyers aren’t getting any cheaper. This is where your personal liability coverage should come in handy. Ask your provider whether liability coverages cover legal costs, for it might be useful, irrespective of whether you are found responsible for the said damages.
As with most other policies, getting to know the ins and outs should be of utmost importance to you. Try to put some extensive research into looking for the kind of insurance that is right for you. As with most other things in life, personal liability coverages should be subscribed according to your specific lifestyle. Once you cover the basics of liability insurance, ensure that you cover other specific scenarios. After all, indecision is fatal, but so is uncertainty.
International Airlines Group (IAG) began to issue billions of heavily discounted new stocks on Thursday in an effort to mitigate the cost of its anti-COVID-19 measures.
The airline holding company announced that it will issue 2.97 billion new shares at €0.92, having applied a 36% discount to its Wednesday closing price.
The rights issue coincided with IAG’s confirmation that over 8,200 British Airways employees had been laid off by the end of August. The layoffs come as part of a company restructuring process brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, which aims to reduce overall headcount by as much as 13,000. Most of the 8,236 employees who departed did so via a voluntary redundancy process.
IAG also stated that its capacity will be lower than previously anticipated, but that it remained optimistic about breaking even in the fourth quarter.
“This is as a result of mitigating actions taken to reduce operating expenses further and enhance working capital,” an IAG spokesperson said.
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The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically impacted international travel, with lockdown measures and consumer fears creating an unprecedented lack of consumer demand for air travel. Airlines have been compelled to furlough or lay off thousands of employees in order to mitigate losses, while others have shuttered altogether.
Virgin Atlantic announced last week that it would cut a further 1,150 jobs on top of its 3,500 summer layoffs, and Ryanair drastically cut its annual passenger target on Wednesday amid resurgent COVID-19 infections internationally.
Qantas Airways, the largest airline in Australia by fleet size, has posted an annual loss of $2 billion – the company’s greatest loss in its 100-year history.
CEO Alan Joyce admitted that Qantas’s recovery "will take time and it will be choppy," warning of a "significant underlying loss" to come in the next financial year.
Joyce added that he expects the airline to have resumed around 50% of its international operations by the middle of 2022. “International, we think, will take a bit of time to recover. In financial year 2022, we are only expecting to get 50% of our international operation back and we’re thinking it will take three years before we can get our A380s back in the air,” he said.
“When we do, we’ll start getting back to pre-COVID-19 levels.”
Like other multinational airlines, Qantas has greatly scaled back its global operations, in addition to announcing plans to lay off 6,000 employees in June. 4,000 of these planned layoffs are expected to be finalised by the end of August.
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Australia has been particularly affected by state and national travel border closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which were a partial cause of the collapse of Virgin Australia in April.
In a sign of the continuing impact of the pandemic on the air travel industry, flight booking site Webjet reported losses of $143.5 million on Wednesday, and recently released traffic figures showed that only 317,000 passengers passed through Australia’s busiest airport, Sydney, in June – a decrease of 92% annually.
TUI AG, also known as TUI Group, announced on Thursday that it had swung to a pre-tax loss of over €1.4 billion for the three months to the end of June, representing a 98% fall in group revenue. The company have described the period as a “business standstill”.
TUI said that its operations had partially resumed from mid-May, with 55 hotels (representing 15% of its total portfolio) reopening, but consumer interest remained significantly lower than typical summer volumes. The bulk of its losses resulted from pandemic-related impairment charges and added costs from ineffective hedging contracts.
To cope, the company said that it had entered “crisis mode”, in which it reduced monthly costs to a mere €237 million during the quarter – a reduction of more than 70% overall.
The news comes after TUI’s Wednesday announcement that it would receive an aid package from the German government worth €1.2 billion to help it survive the downturn in international travel.
“The €1.2bn stabilisation package strengthens TUI’s position and would provide sufficient liquidity in this volatile market environment to cover TUI’s seasonal swing through winter 2020/21… and in the case of any further long-term travel restrictions and disruptions related to COVID-19,” the company said in a statement.
Airlines and travel companies have been among the worst affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in travel restrictions being imposed throughout the world.
The figures show that tourists are eager to begin holidays abroad once the pandemic has abated and lockdown measures are eased. In the UK, TUI reported that holiday bookings for summer 2021 were up by 145% By contrast, its bookings for summer 2020 are down by a total of 81%, and with an average selling price 10% lower than the norm.
Completing these notarisation-related tasks can be even more challenging if a corporate finance team has to search for mobile notary services using their own time and resources.
The good news is there’s a solution for the time-consuming nature of properly notarising a document. A mobile notary can ease the process, travel on-site, and verify high-profile documents. That’s super convenient under normal circumstances, but even more critical during times like this when people are working remotely during a pandemic or quarantine.
For those corporate finance teams debating the importance of a mobile notary, here’s an outline of how a mobile notary can serve you and save the day in the face of unexpected time crunches. When you’re ready to find a notary near you, keep these tips in mind to ensure that you partner with a reputable, reliable company that guarantees client satisfaction.
A mobile notary is a notary public who travels from one location to another to notarise signatures. Not only do mobile notaries adhere to typical business hours, but most of them can also work on weekends and after hours. Because a mobile notary can accommodate any working schedule, their on-site services can save a corporate finance team a significant amount of time and money. No longer are the days of lagging notary services.
While most people view recruiting a mobile notary as a difficult task, the truth is the process is quite simple. Multiple agencies can connect corporate executives to notaries.
Typically, mobile notaries work with clients' schedules. Because a mobile notary travels anywhere, you won’t be limited to notaries in your local area. No matter where your locations are based, a mobile notary will come right to your doorstep.
Notary service fees are usually standardised. However, the costs can vary based on your location. A mobile notary can charge additional costs depending on your state of residence.
Because a mobile notary travels anywhere, you won’t be limited to notaries in your local area.
Using a mobile notary can benefit your financial business in several ways, including the following.
When you're working in the finance industry, you know that efficiency is the key to success. Traveling from one location to another can be tedious and time-consuming, especially if you need to travel long distances. Instead of spending your precious time traveling or waiting in traffic, you can hire a mobile notary. Because notarisation is their full-time job, they can quickly travel to your preferred location to notarise your financial documents with ease.
A major incentive of a mobile notary is their flexible schedule. They can notarise your documents at any time of the day, including during regular business hours, after normal business hours, and during weekends.
Many notaries offer flexible scheduling and provide comprehensive notary services with no order restrictions—meaning you have the freedom to choose the kind of services you need and the time you need it. It also ensures that a corporate finance team can access additional assistance during their busy days, and avoid paying for unnecessary services during slower days. Such flexibility makes mobile notary services the best option, as they save you money and keep your business running efficiently. Most importantly, it keeps clients satisfied.
Many mobile notaries travel throughout the country. They will come to any given location: whether you are at home, your place of business, vacation home, office, or any other place you find comfortable. Time restrictions don’t limit these mobile notaries, so these trained professionals can make on-site visits anytime, anywhere, depending on your schedule.
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The cost of mobile notary services varies greatly depending on state laws. Each state has standardised fees that indicate what professionals can charge for their notary services. Mileage and travel expenses determine the overall cost. Regardless of the additional expenses a mobile notary service charges, the bottom line is that mobile notaries are cost-effective considering the energy and time you save.
Mobile notaries are trained professionals who provide accurate and efficient financial services. Besides notarising high-profile documents, these professionals also provide client support and conduct follow-ups. By shaving off time spent worrying about the safety of your documents, you direct this energy towards your day-to-day operations. Without distractions, you’re free to tend to crucial responsibilities and ensure your customers’ needs are addressed.
Thriving in the corporate finance world requires a commitment to the most minute details— which is why your corporate finance team must choose the right mobile notary for your business.
There are several reputable and reliable mobile notary agencies to choose between. Devote the time necessary to locate the most accredited agencies nearest your location. In your search, consider factors such as qualifications, reliability, credibility, costs, and flexibility to get the most out of your mobile notary services.
Though the threat of collapse has been looming over Virgin Atlantic for months, the airline is now looking to finalise a £1.2 billion rescue package from a trio of credit card payment processing companies, according to reports.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its debilitating impact on air travel, Virgin Atlantic has been seeking more than £500 million in debt and equity funding for several months.
The company has already secured the support of both American Express and the Lloyds Bank-owned Cardnet and continues to negotiate with First Data. In return for its backing, First Data has reportedly demanded that it be allowed to hold onto all future bookings revenue as “protection” should Virgin Atlantic collapse.
As part of the deal, Virgin CEO Sir Richard Branson will contribute £200 million in funds from Virgin Group, which was raised through the sale of a £396 million stake in space tourism company Virgin Galactic during May. US hedge fund Davidson Kempner Capital Management will inject a further £200 million against Virgin’s assets, and a further £400 million will be raised through the deferral of fees.
Speaking on the sought-after deal earlier this month, a Virgin spokesperson referred to the arrangement as a “comprehensive, solvent recapitalisation of the airline”.
Virgin Atlantic employs Should the deal be agreed upon, thousands of jobs in the UK and overseas may be saved.
According to Sky, the final outline of the agreement will be announced by Virgin next week.
The US Treasury confirmed on Thursday that it had agreed on terms for federal loans with five major US air carriers, intended to lessen the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on their finances.
The organisations who have signed letters of intent are American Airlines, SkyWest Airlines, Spirit Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines and the privately-owned Frontier Airlines.
Other airlines have also expressed interest in the loans, but have not yet signed letters of intent, according to a Treasury department spokesperson. In a statement, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said that “conversations with other airlines continue, and we look forward to finalizing agreements as soon as possible.”
The $25 billion pool was set aside as part of the Cares Act, the $2.2 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress in March. An additional $25 billion in federal aid has also been issued to major air carriers to pay workers through to September, intended to stave off mass layoffs. Most of this payroll aid comes in the form of grants.
The exact terms of the loans that have been finalised are unknown, though the Treasury has said that recipient organisations will need to provide warrants, equity or senior debt instruments. Last month, American Airlines CEO Doug Parker told shareholders that AA expected to be eligible to borrow up to $4.75 billion from the pool.
Airlines have until 30 September to close on the loan.
However, as long as you’re willing to commit to 14 days in quarantine after, you may be able to escape abroad for a summer holiday. Here are the destinations that will be waiting for us with arms wide open once we can travel again.
Greece
Greece has reopened its borders to visitors from 15th June, although British travellers will not be granted access to the country until 1st July at the earliest. The Greek Government has promised that international visitors will not need to have undertaken a COVID-19 test, nor will they have to be in a 14-day quarantine after arriving in the country. All airports in the country are expected to open on 1st July.
Italy
Every year, Italy is one of the top European destinations for a summer holiday and luckily, it is one of the countries that are open to international visitors already. At present, holidaymakers are not asked to quarantine upon arrival. Cafes, bars and restaurants have been gradually opening and social-distancing measures are still in place.
Portugal
International visitors are now permitted into Portugal. Over the past month, the country has slowly started opening its hotels, restaurants, bars and night clubs. Beaches are expected to open on 6th July and a new app, which informs you how busy your nearest beach is, is in the works. Social distancing is still required, and people are advised to stay 1.5 metres apart.
The Portuguese Government is currently in talks about an “air bridge” arrangement with the UK, which would allow British tourists to skip the mandatory two-week quarantine on their return home. Currently, there is no quarantine for visitors arriving in Portugal, except for the Madeira Islands (until the 1st July).
Spain
Spain has started slowly lifting its lockdown restrictions since early May and has begun welcoming international holidaymakers from 21st June. In a tweet Foreign Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya said: "In July we will gradually open Spain to international tourists, lift the quarantine, ensure the highest standards of health safety. We look forward 2 welcoming you!".
Turkey
Turkey has also opened its borders to tourists from across the globe, including the UK. The country has launched a Safe Tourism Certification Programme to ensure the highest hygiene and health standards are upheld but does not require a 14-day self-isolation for people who enter its border.
Cyprus
Cyprus began allowing travel from a number of European countries, including Germany, Greece, Switzerland, Austria and Denmark, on 9th June. Visitors from Israel, Poland and Romania are asked to present a negative COVID-19 test, while people coming from the US and UK are currently not allowed to enter the country.
Airports, seaports, malls and indoor sections of restaurants, bars and coffee shops have opened in the country. Beaches have also reopened.
Maldives
Those craving a tropical vacation will be thrilled to hear that the Maldives will be open again to holidaymakers from 15th July.
A spokesperson from the tourism board has confirmed that the Indian Ocean destination will be welcoming back travellers of all nationalities without prior testing or a mandatory quarantine period. There are also no new visa requirements or additional fees.
St Barths
From 22nd June, St Barths is also welcoming travellers but has requested they schedule a COVID-19 test 72 hours before arrival. They are required to present a physical or digital copy of it at passport control, and as long as it’s negative, they are then allowed to enter the country and begin their sun-filled adventure worry-free.