There isn't much to laugh about in the travel industry around the COVID-19 pandemic, but Ryanair has published a spoof job advertisement that is drawing a wry smile from many people. According to the listing on its career portal, the exasperated airline is seeking a schoolboy or girl to put together Ireland's Green list on behalf of the country's leaders.

The tongue-in-cheek job listing is typical of the madcap sense of humor for which CEO Michael O'Leary is famous. It appears to be poking fun at the Irish Government and its drawing up of the Green List (the list of countries people in Ireland can travel to without quarantining on return), which has come in for some criticism. The list effective September 21 only includes seven countries deemed safe while the list published on July 21 contained 15 countries, causing Ryanair to issue a press release describing the move as “chaotic mismanagement” of travel and a “nonsensical decision.”

The advert specifies that the airline is looking for a Junior Cert or transition year student on behalf of the Irish Government. The Junior Cert is a state exam Irish students take aged 15, and transition year comes a year later. It represents the year where pupils take a break from the grind of state exam curricula to study alternative subjects, embark on work experience and set up mini companies.

Clearly lacking faith in the methodology used by the government, the ad states that the successful candidate will have sole responsibility for compiling Ireland's Green list on a weekly basis, based on games such as bingo, snap, charades, pin the tail on the donkey, darts, Scrabble and the Irish National Lottery or EuroMillions. "No prior experience is required and preference will be given to applicants who have attention to detail and are very good at analysing data, [as] this is something we are lacking in the team at the moment," it deadpans.

The cheeky advert also states that the winning applicant will also be responsible for ensuring that the bar at Government headquarters is "sufficiently stocked with Guinness (Beamish) nuts and it is kept clean and tidy."

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Do you have a passion for food, travel and adventure? Would you like to see the globe alongside one of the world’s most accomplished chefs? Well this new casting call may be for you, because Gordon Ramsay has announced a brand new travel series, and he’s seeking young explorers to join him for it.

Announced by his production company Studio Ramsay, the casting call says that it is seeking 16 to 21 year olds for a brand new exciting adventure travel show for a major network. In a video posted on Twitter, the celebrity chef said, “The show will involve some extraordinary challenges in some of the most beautiful countries. We’re looking for talented young people with a passion for food, adventure, and have a strong curiosity to experience and discover new cultures.” The application calls for links to social media, and includes questions about achievements, how the applicant grew up, what they are most proud of and what their talents and hobbies are.

Applicants are also asked what food and cultures they are most passionate about, what are their signature dishes to cook and what their fears and phobias are. There’s also a call to post a short video audition.

Further details have not yet been released about the opportunity, but it’s clear that the show will be an exciting one. It’s not the first travel-based show the chef has made, with Gordon, Gino and Fred proving a hit as well as well as the Gordon Ramsay: Uncharted series with National Geographic.

A note on the website states that all future filming will be planned with COVID-19 protocols in place. Applications are open until  October 3.

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A new job offered by a drinks company will see one lucky person traveling across the US for six months and exploring its national parks. To make the gig even sweeter, they will get a $50,000 paycheck, gas money and a supply of beer to enjoy off-duty, and will travel in a state-of-the-art campervan provided by the company, equipped with its own bathroom and shower.

Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold is looking for what it is calling a "chief exploration officer," whose job will be capturing content while touring the country and visiting national parks. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys and respects the great outdoors, has the ability to capture engaging content for social media, and is a strong leader with a clear sense of direction. They must also understand the importance of following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's guidance while traveling and will recreate responsibly. To make the deal even sweeter, they can bring a friend, spouse, partner or even a dog along on the trip if they want.

The ideal candidate must have an affinity for outdoor/nature photography and/or videography, and a deep appreciation for the joy that connecting with nature brings. They must be over 21 and hold a valid US driver's licence, and should be willing and able to hike through national parks and other outdoor areas. During the six-month period, the successful candidate will travel through some of the country’s most iconic landscapes, while exploring the natural beauty of the US and stopping to capture photos of some breathtaking national parks.

To apply for the chief exploration officer position, check out the website here.

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While some people view flying as simply a way of getting from one point to another, others view the flight itself as the principal attraction. Those in the latter category or those who are missing the excitement of travel may be interested in a seven-hour scenic flight that will include low level fly-bys over unique Australian destinations.

Qantas is offering a 'Great Southern Land' scenic flight that takes in Queensland, the Northern Territory and New South Wales, and includes views of the Great Barrier Reef, Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Byron Bay, Sydney Harbour and Bondi Beach. Beginning and ending in Sydney, it takes place on a B787 Dreamliner aircraft that is usually reserved for long-haul international flights, and contains the biggest windows on any passenger aircraft.

Passengers can relax in the sky in Qantas pyjamas as the flight makes its way around the country with a few surprises along the way. Prior to departure, they will enjoy a pre-flight breakfast in the Sydney Domestic Qantas Business Lounge. There will be a surprise celebrity host MC and entertainment on board the flight and the lunch menu will be designed by chef Neil Perry. Guests will be given a commemorative flight certificate, Qantas Business pyjamas, an amenity kit and a gift bag. There will also be an opportunity to participate in a live charity auction of original Qantas 747 memorabilia as well as 787 flight simulator sessions.

A range of health and safety measures have been introduced to ensure a safe environment onboard in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s strongly recommended that all passengers wear a mask onboard, and they are provided in the complimentary Fly Well packs. The flight takes place on Saturday 10 October, and seat prices range from AUD 787/USD 575 (economy) and AUD 1787/USD 1307 (premium economy) to AUD 3787/USD 2770 (business). Further information is available here.

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Etihad has announced that passengers arriving in Abu Dhabi must now start wearing an electronic wristband to ensure that quarantine rules are being strictly followed to prevent further outbreaks. Passengers are already required to be tested for COVID-19 within 96 hours of their flight, no matter their final destination.

When disembarking at the airport, travelers will go through thermal sensors and be tested for COVID-19. They must then quarantine for 14 days and are required to wear the wristband, which officials are handing out at the airport.

Like many other countries, the United Arab Emirates is seeing a second rise in cases after falling numbers the last few months, though the number of deaths remains much lower than in April and May at the height of the outbreak. The UAE recorded its highest new daily case number in the whole pandemic on September 12.

The country has introduced a number of innovative ways to stamp out the coronavirus at its international airports, which were once some of the busiest in the world. Last month, specially trained dogs were dispatched in Dubai’s airport to detect COVID-19 in passengers, and Emirates promised to cover travelers’ expenses if they are diagnosed with the virus.

A handful of other places around the world have implemented or are considering similar geolocation technology. All new arrivals in Singapore since mid-August have been required to wear an electronic monitoring device, and Hawaii was weighing up whether to allow travelers to quarantine in ‘resort bubbles’ while being outfitted with tracking devices.

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Under new guidelines published this week, Hawaii is presenting incoming visitors with a pre-travel testing option as an alternative to the 14-day quarantine rule.

Travelers can soon bypass quarantine if they provide a negative test result taken from an FDA-approved nasal swab COVID-19 test. Visitors must take the test no more than 72 hours before arriving at the islands and must cover the cost of testing themselves. The pre-travel test option was originally scheduled to be introduced in August but a surge in cases led to multiple delays. Now officials say they're on track to getting the program up and running by October 15.

In addition, incoming travelers must also must have their temperatures checked upon arrival and complete the"Safe Travels" application before they board their flight. The forms can be accessed via a new app, which collects health and contact information from visitors to assist with COVID-19 screening throughout the islands. "I am pleased to launch this digital app, which will allow our travelers to provide their required health and travel information before they arrive at the airport,” Govenor David Ige said in a statement. "It will also help us keep in contact with those who are required to be in quarantine. This is an important step in preparing to reopen our economy."

Earlier this month, the island of Kauaʻi became the first to be given the green light for a ' Resort Bubble ' program, which allows quarantined guests to venture outside and around their accommodations but ensuring they don’t leave the property. Visitors’ locations will be tracked on an electronic monitoring bracelet to be sure that they remain within the confines of the resort.

As tourism is expected to gradually resume again, Governor Ige said, "now is the time to work together to ensure that our local businesses can safely re-open to incoming travelers."

This article was first published on June 26 and updated on September 21, 2020.

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For years, backpackers, students, holiday makers and families have enjoyed riding the rails across Europe to discover the cultures and charms of different countries across the continent. Train travel across Europe is still an incredibly popular choice, and, as from today, a handy mobile pass has been rolled out across the continent to offer a more flexible travel experience.

Earlier this summer, Eurail, the company behind the Eurail and Interrail train Passes, successfully launched the Eurail and Interrail mobile Pass in Italy. This is now being rolled out across Europe through the Global Pass. Eurail Global Passes are available to non-European citizens and residents, while European citizens can get an Interrail Pass instead for the same price. The passes work on an extensive network for travel on trains and ferries between 33 countries. Essentially it's an all-in-one mobile pass that travelers can conveniently access via a dedicated Rail Planner App.

Where previously travelers had to manually manage their passes through a paper travel diary, the mobile pass allows ticket inspectors to validate the pass by scanning a barcode. The digital pass also contains security elements to reduce fraud and falsification.

“It is a first that travellers can use just one e-ticket for train travel that is valid in 33 countries, from Norway to Turkey and from Finland to Portugal. More than 35 European railway carriers contributed to make this complex project succeed. Travellers who want to discover Europe by train have an easier and more flexible way of doing so with the mobile Eurail and Interrail Passes.” Carlo Boselli, general manager at Eurail said.

As an introduction offer, all Eurail and Interrail mobile Passes purchased in September and October 2020 can be exchanged or refunded at no additional cost if travellers postpone or cancel their upcoming trip. The new Mobile Pass is available at the Eurail and Interail websites.

This article was first published on August 17 and updated on September 21, 2020.

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A new “infinite” flight pass will allow travelers in Canada to take as many domestic flights as they like for a flat monthly fee.

Air Canada announced a new “Infinite Canada Flight Pass” that will let pass-holders book travel “without blackout or booking restrictions, make changes or cancellations without penalty, and fly as often as desired for up to three months, depending on the duration of pass purchased”.

So how much will it cost to cruise around Canada at your leisure? Prices start at $2000 per month (excluding taxes), passes are available for one, two or three months. The passes allow for an unlimited number of flights, which can be booked up to one hour prior to the flight, with no blackout dates or booking restrictions, and no change or cancellation fees. However, the passes are only on offer for a limited time - they are on sale until September 23 here.

While the pass might get some Canadians travelling more domestically, the country remains all but off-limits to leisure travel. The US-Canada border is currently closed, and restrictions are in place for discretionary travel – including tourism, recreation and entertainment – for travelers from all other countries.

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Rare Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins are making a comeback in the waters of Hong Kong. Scientists say their numbers have increased in recent weeks thanks to a pause in high-speed ferry traffic as the pandemic slows transport in the area.

For years these dolphins, otherwise known as Chinese white dolphins, or pink dolphins, have avoided the Pearl River Delta in Hong Kong in order to stay out of the way of the high-speed ferries that cut through the waters daily. But now researchers say the number of Indo-Pacific humpback dolphins in the area has jumped by 30% in recent months, ever since boat traffic was suspended in February due to the pandemic.

Dr Lindsay Porter, a senior research scientist with the University of St Andrews, told Reuters that these waters, which were once the most congested waterways in Hong Kong, have become more dolphin-friendly amid the pandemic. "I’ve been studying these dolphins since 1993 and I’ve never seen anything like this dramatic change before, and the only thing that changed is 200 ferries stopped traveling before."

Dr Porter has been working with local conservation groups, including WWF Hong Kong, to study the dolphins in the Pearl River Delta. Drones have been dropped in the water to monitor their activity, which includes socializing, splashing about on the water and sex, reports the Guardian.

According to WWF Hong Kong there are about 2500 in the entire delta, but the group said they have observed a "worrisome decrease in the number of young dolphins" in Hong Kong's waters. "I sometimes feel that we’re studying the slow demise of this population, which can be really sad," Dr Porter told Reuters. Chinese pink and white dolphins in Hong Kong are particularly vulnerable to sewage and chemicals that are dumped into the harbour daily, as well as overfishing, boat traffic and coastal development.

WWF Hong Kong has been advocating for the government to designate Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and to declare a development-free Dolphin Conservation Management Area in the western and southern Lantau waters by 2024, so that pink and white dolphins have safe feeding and socializing habitats.

In a statement, the group said: "these threats have had a major and cumulative impact on the population for years. It is necessary to take a proactive approach in order to conserve the remaining population of the species before it’s too late."

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