Experts cite differences between H5N1 and ordinary flu
Oct 11, 2005 (CIDRAP News) – A recent and extensive review of research on H5N1 avian influenza in humans shows the illness differs from ordinary flu in several ways, besides the most obvious fact that it is far more deadly.The report by a World Health Organization (WHO) committee says avian flu may have a longer incubation period and is more likely to cause diarrhea than typical flu viruses are, among other differences.Published in the Sep 29 New England Journal of Medicine, the review was written by experts from several countries, including Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, the United States, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Myanmar. They reviewed 71 published studies and reports, including details on 41 confirmed human cases from Vietnam, Thailand, Cambodia, and Hong Kong.The H5N1 virus first jumped from birds to humans in Hong Kong in 1997, infecting 18 people and causing 6 deaths. In late 2003 the virus began sweeping through poultry flocks in East Asia, and since then it has struck at least 116 people and killed at least 60, by the WHO’s official count.The new report says the virus may incubate longer than other human flu viruses before causing symptoms. Incubation periods in ordinary flu range from 1 to 4 days, with an average of 2 days, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In H5N1 cases, the incubation time has mostly been from 2 to 4 days but has stretched to 8 days, the WHO report says. In household clusters of cases, the time between cases has generally ranged from 2 to 5 days but sometimes has been as long as 17 days.Initial symptoms are more likely to include diarrhea in avian flu than in ordinary flu, the report says. The problem can appear up to a week before any respiratory symptoms. That feature, combined with the detection of viral RNA in stool samples, suggests that the virus grows in the gastrointestinal tract.Lower respiratory tract symptoms such as shortness of breath appear early in the course of the illness, whereas upper respiratory symptoms such as runny nose are less common, the article says. Also, unlike in ordinary flu cases, the virus may be found in larger amounts in the throat than in the nose.Most cases so far have been linked with exposure to poultry. Specific activities that have been implicated include plucking and preparation of diseased birds; handling fighting cocks; playing with poultry, especially asymptomatic infected ducks; and consumption of duck’s blood or possibly undercooked poultry, the report says.Blood tests of people in contact with H5N1 patients in Vietnam and Thailand have shown no evidence of asymptomatic infections. However, surveillance involving polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests has revealed mild cases, more infections in older adults, and an increase in family clusters of cases in northern Vietnam—”findings suggesting that the local virus strains may be adapting to humans,” the article says. (The WHO first reported these findings in May; see link to more information below.)But it adds that more work is needed to confirm these findings, and so far the disease has rarely spread to healthcare workers, even when appropriate isolation measures were not used.The article says the relatively low number of human cases amid widespread infection in birds suggests that the species barrier to human cases of H5N1 is “substantial.” The authors add that family clusters of cases may be caused by common exposures rather than by person-to-person transmission.The report also discusses the “severe” lung injury found in autopsies of H5N1 victims, whose lungs become choked with debris resulting from the body’s intense response to the infection. The authors say the body’s innate immune response to the virus, involving heavy release of proteins that trigger inflammation, may contribute to the severity of the disease.Most patients hospitalized for H5N1 infection have received antiviral drugs, usually oseltamivir, the report says. This treatment appears to be helpful only when started early in the illness.Recent experiments on mice suggest that the virus has become less susceptible to oseltamivir since 1997, the article notes. To reap a similar benefit, mice infected with a 2004 strain of the virus needed a higher dosage and longer course of oseltamivir than mice infected with a 1997 strain did. Hence, the report suggests that physicians treating severe infections should consider doubling the approved dose.Oseltamivir is one of the two neuraminidase inhibitors used for flu. The other one, zanamivir, has not been studied in H5N1 cases, the report says. The two older antivirals used for flu, amantadine and rimantadine, no longer work against H5N1.Writing committee of the World Health Organization (WHO) Consultation on Human Influenza A/H5. Avian influenza A (H%N1) infection in humans. N Engl J Med 2005 Sep 29;353(13):1374-85 [Full text]See also:May 18, 2005, CIDRAP News story “WHO: Pandemic threat may be growing”
The agency said it was still working on a proposal to broaden its feed ban so that ruminant protein would be banned from all animal feeds, not just ruminant feeds. The BSE case, Canada’s fifth, was discovered on Apr 16. In announcing the closing of its investigation of the case on Jun 16, the CFIA said the case fell within the same “geographic cluster” as the other four. It involved a 6-year-old purebred Holstein dairy cow in southwestern British Columbia. May 1, 2005, CIDRAP News story “USDA seeks Canadian-born cattle in BSE probe” Jun 20, 2006 (CIDRAP News) Canada’s latest case of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), or mad cow disease, probably resulted from contaminated feed, which might have linked the case with the nation’s previous one, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). The fourth BSE case, according to Reuters, involved a Holstein-Hereford dairy cow in Alberta, which is a source of feed for British Columbia livestock. See also: “Investigators also identified a feed ingredient supplier common to this case and Canada’s fourth BSE animal, confirmed on January 22, 2006,” the report continued. “This potential link suggests that all of Canada’s BSE cases fall within the same geographic cluster, which is reflective of feed sourcing, production, and distribution patterns.”
Given its age, the British Columbia cow was born after Canada in 1997 banned putting protein from cows and other ruminants into cattle feed. But the investigation, according to the CFIA, found high compliance with the ban. “Such findingswhich have been observed during other investigations and regular inspections of feed mills, renderers, and retailers across the countryconfirm the presence of limited opportunities for contamination during feed manufacture, transportation, storage, and use,” the CFIA said. The CFIA said it had identified 148 animals linked with the infected cow, including its herd mates and recent offspring. Of those, 22 live animals were located; all tested negative for BSE. One additional cow is pregnant and will be tested once it has calved. The CFIA examined records concerning feed to which the infected animal would have been exposed early in its life, when cattle are most likely to contract BSE. “While a specific source of infection was not found, investigators determined that vehicles and equipment used to ship and receive a variety of ingredients likely contaminated cattle feed with the BSE agent,” the agency said. Of the remaining cows, 77 had died or been slaughtered, 15 were exported to the United States, and 33 were untraceable, according to the news release. The US Department of Agriculture said in April it had found one of the animals exported to the United States and was looking for the 14 others.
Feb 20, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) today reported a spike in the number of pediatric influenza deaths, an increase that mirrors a continuing rise in flu activity across the nation.The CDC said it received six reports of influenza-related flu deaths in children during the week ending Feb 14, though one occurred during the 2006-07 flu season. The remaining five deaths raise the number of pediatric flu deaths this season to nine.Bacterial coinfections were confirmed in six of the nine children; four involved Staphylococcus aureus, two of which were methicillin resistant. All of the children who had coinfections were age 5 or older.In May 2007, the CDC issued an alert after noting a sharp increase in the number of S aureus infections in children who had the flu during the 2006-07 season, though the total number of pediatric flu deaths that year was similar to the previous two years. Twenty children that season died of bacterial coinfections, 16 of which were S aureus.Meanwhile, other states reported more new pediatric flu deaths, which will likely be included in upcoming CDC weekly influenza updates.Colorado’s Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) yesterday announced that four Colorado children have died from influenza-related complications this flu season. The first occurred in mid January, and the last was reported on Feb 18, the CDPHE said in a press release.The CDPHE said the state’s number of pediatric flu deaths has already topped the past four flu seasons, which averaged two fatalities per year.Three of the children were toddlers, and one was an infant. Two of the children had received partial vaccines (one of two recommended doses), and the other two were unvaccinated. At least two of the children had serious underlying medical conditions, the CDPHE said.Ken Gershman, chief of the CDPHE’s communicable disease program, said in the press release that child flu deaths are tragic, because the disease is often preventable. Last year the CDC expanded its flu vaccination recommendation to include all children from ages 5 though 18. It had already recommended flu immunizations for younger children between the ages of 6 and 59 months.”The single best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu is to get the flu vaccine, and it’s not too late,” Gershman said.Over the past few days other states have reported more pediatric flu deaths, including:Massachusetts, where a 12-year-old boy died on Feb 16, according to the Boston Public Health CommissionArizona, where a teenager from Coconino County died last week, according to the Arizona Department of Health ServicesTexas, where a 12-year-old boy from Amarillo died on Feb 18, according to a report today from the Amarillo Globe-NewsNationally, the number of states reporting widespread flu activity rose to 24, 8 more than the previous surveillance week that ended Feb 7, the CDC reported. Most of the hardest-hit states are in the eastern part of the country, except for Texas, Colorado, and Nevada. Thirteen additional states reported regional influenza activity.Nearly all (98.5%) influenza A/H1N1 samples that have been tested showed resistance to oseltamivir (Tamiflu). Of viruses that have been antigenically characterized, all influenza A/H1N1 and influenza A/H3N2 viruses matched the vaccine components.However, only about a third of the influenza B viruses match the Yamagata lineage that is included in this year’s vaccine—the rest were from the Victoria lineage.See also:CDC influenza surveillance report for Feb 8-14Feb 19 CDPHE press releaseFeb 19 Arizona Department of Health Services press releaseFeb 17 Boston Public Health Commission press release
Aug 21, 2009 (CIDRAP News) – The World Health Organization (WHO) yesterday released new guidelines for using antivirals to treat patients with novel H1N1 influenza infections, signaling a shift toward reserving the medications for people with severe infections and those at high risk for complications.The new recommendations for managing pandemic H1N1 infections with antivirals are included in a 91-page document on pharmacologic management of all influenza types. An earlier document on clinical management of novel flu patients, issued in May about a month into the novel flu outbreak, briefly reviewed the role of antivirals, but did not give detailed information about their use in different patient populations.The WHO, in a briefing note today on the new guidance, said the new guidelines were developed by an international expert panel that reviewed all available safety and efficacy studies. They focused on the neuraminidase inhibitors, oseltamivir and zanamivir, because the pandemic H1N1 virus is susceptible to both drugs (and is resistant to the older adamantane drugs). The panel concluded that both drugs can significantly reduce the risk of pneumonia and the need for hospitalization.Healthy patients with uncomplicated infections should not be treated with antivirals, the group wrote. Some countries, such as the United Kingdom, have been prescribing oseltamivir for any patient with a suspected or confirmed novel flu infection.For patients who have severe illness or are in a deteriorating condition, the WHO recommends oseltamivir treatment as soon as possible, preferably within 48 hours, though the drug should still be given even if started later.Pregnant women and those with underlying medical conditions such as asthma, obesity, or diabetes should be treated with oseltamivir or zanamivir as soon as possible after the onset of flulike symptoms, the WHO experts advise.Because about 40% of severe case are occurring in otherwise healthy children and adults, the WHO urges healthcare providers to be alert for sudden deterioration in clinical condition, which would warrant higher doses and longer duration of oseltamivir treatment than normally prescribed. Danger signs include symptoms such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, changes in mental status, and a high fever that persists.The WHO noted that two recent reports in medical journals raised questions about the usefulness and side effects of antivirals in children. The expert panel considered those reports in making its recommendation that children who have severe or deteriorating illness, plus those who have underlying medical conditions, receive antiviral treatment, the agency said. However, the group said healthy children older than 5 years should not be given antivirals unless their illness persists or worsens.See also:Aug 21 WHO briefing note on antiviral treatment recommendations for novel fluAug 20 WHO recommendations for pharmacologic treatment of novel H1N1 and other flu viruses
As part of the Eco Domus eco-accommodation certification project, launched last year by the Istria County Department of Tourism, training for renters and local tourist communities was held in Ograda agrotourism in Katun Lindarski, and 11 certificates, ie tables and promotional materials were awarded. to mark eco-friendly accommodation.For this purpose, criteria for the implementation of certification, visual identity and project logo were developed, and a public call for expressions of interest for inclusion in the project was conducted last year. 13 landlords applied for the public call and were provided with free advisory services on the adaptation of their facility for obtaining the eco-label, and after the evaluation of all received applications, 11 facilities were selected that met the criteria, which are: Villa Baldaši from Baldaši (Vižinada), Villa Milica from Šajini (Barban), Villa Ladonja from Manjadvorci (Barban), Apartment Margerita from Bezjaki (St. Peter in the Forest), House Una from Kranjčići (Svetvinčenat), Villa Dubravka from Pinezići (Tinjan) ), Agrotourism Ograde from Katun Lindarski (Pazin), Villa Marten from Brajkovići (Kanfanar), Apartment Oliveto from Medulin, Villa Dolce Vita from Motovun and Villa Gašparini from Cerion (Višnjan).This is a continuation of the activities started with the Istra Bike & Bed project with the aim of diversifying and raising the quality of private accommodation in the Istrian County in accordance with the principles of sustainable tourism development, the Istria County Tourism Department points out. at least 11 basic criteria in 50 categories.Eco Domus is focused on small tourist accommodation facilities, and its goal is to encourage private renters to diversify and raise the quality of accommodation through compliance with the principles of sustainable development and sustainable tourism. “Sustainable tourism development is very important because it meets the needs of tourists and the domicile population. It seeks to manage resources in such a way that economic, social and environmental needs are met by maintaining cultural integrity, basic ecological processes, biodiversity, and the systems on which life rests.”Conclude from the Administrative Department for Tourism of the Istrian County.
The interactive map “Authentic Istria”, intended for cycling enthusiasts, was created in cooperation with the LAG of Central Istria, ie as part of the INSiGHTS project, and it contains bike and trail trails of the tourist boards of Motovun, Central Istria and Žminj. Sustainable Development Strategy coming soon As for other facilities, two more cycling events are planned. “This year, on the occasion of the folk festival Bartulja, the MTB and the family bicycle race Bartulja will be held on August 25, 2019. It will have two routes; family shorter and lighter and MTB. As every year, there will be a Gastrotura S piruonon in Žminjšćine. It will be held on September 22, 2019, the week before the Day of the Municipality, ie its patron Saint Michael“They conclude from the Žminj Tourist Board. On the map there is also a QR code with which outdoors fans can educate outdoors about the offer on and along the Žminj trails – churches, frescoes, chapels, lookouts, caves, boška, town center, restaurants, bike & bed accommodation, agritourism, wines , cheese, donkey milk, etc. The project “INSiGHTS – Integrated Strategies for Slow, Green and Healthy Tourism” (Integrated, Slow, Green and Healthy Tourism Strategies), is aimed at developing attractive tourist destinations through the development of strategies that will focus on the protection of natural and cultural resources. The total value of the project is 2,3 million euros, and the share of the LAG Central Istria is 160.000 euros. The Administrative Department for Tourism of the Istrian County participates as an associate partner in the project, and the Tourist Board of Central Istria, the Tourist Board of Motovun and the Tourist Board of Žminj are involved in the implementation, which will work together on a sustainable tourism strategy. The strategy will include guidelines for healthy, green and slow tourism as one of the fastest growing trends in tourism, for which central Istria has a very good potential. You can find the interactive map “Authentic Istria” HERE. “At the moment, three bicycle paths have been arranged in the area of the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Žminj; Rumenija 652 (8 km long), Žminjka 5 (653 km long), and trail 23 Žminj – Feštine (651 km long). These almost 24 km of bicycle paths are also intended for pedestrians. They pass by natural beauties such as caves, ponds, lookouts and forests, but also by agritourism that offers accommodation, meals and wine, dairy, Robinson tourism, bike & bed accommodation, bed & breakfast accommodation, apartments, holiday villas, family farms with an offer of sausages and prosciutto, a studio that sells “Žminj rice”; a replica of the Žminj earring found in the middle of the last century in the old Croatian cemetery in Žminj. The trails pass along the oldest Istrian Calvary, the oldest church in the Žminj region; the church of St. Foška, as well as the chapels of which there are more than a hundred in this area. Cyclists will also go through the road; paved street in the picturesque old town, next to the canonical house, the church of St. Anthony the Abbot from the 60th century rich in frescoes, with the oldest depiction of a musical instrument in Istrian painting in general. It will not bypass the walls of the castle, nor the tower of the feudal castle from the 14th century“, Explain the Tourist Board of the Municipality of Žminj. “Along the trails it is possible to taste the rich gastronomic offer of this area; cheese, cottage cheese, sausages, bacon, prosciutto, wine and pasta; that is, macaroni from Žminj. All these bike paths are marked and arranged.” When asked about the next steps for the development of cycling tourism, the Tourist Board of Žminj reports that the Operational Plan of Cyclotourism of Istria from 2019 to 2025 includes Žminj projects such as paved pump track polygon, arrangement of bike rest areas, setting up e-filling station, bike share point, arrangement bicycle-educational trails on the roads of the Austro-Hungarian border, and MTB trail park Žminj – Draga. Source / photo: TZ Žminj; authentic-istria.com; lag-sredisnjaistra.hr
Croatia has chosen a pavilion in the thematic area “mobility” thus defining the theme of the concept of representation of the Republic of Croatia. Mobility is with “sustainability”I”possibility”One of the three sub-themes of the main theme of the World Exhibition:“ Connecting People, Creating the Future ”. Hrvatska će se na izložbi EXPO Dubai 2020., koji će na jednom mjestu okupiti po prvi put sve svjetske zemlje te na kojem se očekuje više od 25 milijuna posjetitelja, predstaviti kao zemlja koja inspirira velike umove – “Inspiring great minds”. Attachment: EXPO 2020: Tender for the selection of bidders for the development of the conceptual concept of the representation of Croatia Dansa je Hrvatska turistička zajednica objavila “Natječaj za odabir ponuditelja za izradu idejnog koncepta programa događanja kojima bi se Republika Hrvatska predstavljala na EXPO 2020 u Dubaiju, njihovu provedbu i organizaciju te prikupljanje sponzorskih sredstava za financiranje događanja”. The competition is open until January 31, 2020 at 12 noon. See more about the competition in the attachment. Ove godine u srpnju je izabrano idejno rješenje hrvatskog paviljona, a za izradu idejnog rješenjea, prema odluci Nacionalnog odbora RH za Svjetsku izložbu EXPO 2020 Dubai, izabrana je Zajednica ponuditelja REAL GRUPA d.o.o. CONCEPTED CONCEPTUAL SOLUTION FOR THE EXPO 2020 DUBAI PROJECT RELATED NEWS: CROATIA SELECTES PAVILION FOR EXPO 2020 WORLD EXHIBITION IN DUBAI
The webinar is free and can be followed without prior registration via the link https://bit.ly/3erRBkh Almir Peštek, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Professor and Consultant, Faculty of Economics in SarajevoMili Bijavica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Director of Fortuna Tours doo Mostar and President of the Professional Group of Hospitality and Tourism at the Foreign Trade Chamber of BiHBerina Bajrović, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Executive Director Europa doo Sarajevo – hotels Europe, Holiday, Art, Astra and Astra GarniAzra Džigal, Bosnia and Herzegovina, President of the KS Tourist BoardMaja Uran Maravić, Slovenia, Professor of Tourism and Consultant, Faculty of Tourism Studies – Turistica PortorožDamir Krešić, Croatia, director of the Zagreb Institute of TourismGoran Rihelj, Croatia, founder of the tourist portal Hrturizam.hrSmiljana Pivčević, Croatia, Head of the Department of Tourism and Economy, Faculty of Economics, Split,Nedo Pinezić, Croatia, Family Tourism Advisor and Founder of the Croatian Association for Family Accommodation at the Croatian Chamber of CommerceRanko Jovović, Montenegro, President of the Board of the Tourism Association at the Chamber of Commerce of MontenegroSlavica Vukčević, Montenegro, Executive Director of Montenegro Adventures The Business Academy of the Faculty of Economics, University of Sarajevo is organizing the Regional Webinar “Tourism – a New Beginning”, which will bring together prominent regional experts and tourism professionals. Get involved and be a part of the regional webinar “Tourism – a new beginning” Moderator: Jasna Kovačević, professor, Faculty of Economics in Sarajevo The crisis should also be seen as a challenge “Tourism – a new beginning” Therefore, the goal of the webinar “Tourism – a new beginning” is to stimulate discussion on future development directions and possible solutions in order to overcome the negative consequences of the crisis as soon as possible through presentations of panelists – prominent regional experts and tourism professionals. According to a survey conducted in Sarajevo, tourism workers believe that the 2020 tourist season can be considered a failure, and 80% expect a reduction in business between 60% and 100%. Given the integration nature of tourism and its connection with other sectors, the negative effects in the tourism industry will have a direct impact on other areas, as well as on overall employment and economic growth. Monday, 27.4.2020 at 11.00. / Access is via a web browser and there is no need to install additional applications. Expected duration is 150 minutes. The tourism industry is facing a crisis that has led to major economic and social consequences in the short term. In less than eight weeks, 83% of the world’s destinations have implemented travel restriction measures. In addition to the need to involve the public sector in preserving economic activities and jobs, it also seems necessary to think differently and change existing business models in order to recover and maintain the long-term success of tourism businesses. According to estimates by the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), the global decline in tourist arrivals will be between 20% and 30%, or between 290 and 440 million arrivals, but can be expected to be even greater. Panelists: The name of the webinar symbolically indicates the need for a new approach and a fresh start to tourism in the region. 
The European Travel Commission (ETC), in collaboration with Euronews, has launched a media campaign following a coronavirus pandemic that reflects the beauty, diversity and soul of Europe. The “We are Europe” campaign aims to inspire people to get ready to travel again, as travel restrictions across Europe are gradually being reduced. This new campaign comes after Euronews, as Europe’s leading international news channel, hosted the first in a series of virtual debates on the travel and tourism sectors earlier this month. Europe is the second smallest continent, but with almost 50 countries and over 740 million people it is home to an unsurpassed diversity of landscapes, cultures, communities and histories that stretch far beyond individual nations. The one-minute video talks about the emotional journeys many have been on during the coronavirus pandemic. The campaign is co-financed by the European Union, and in addition to English, the video has been translated into French, German, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese, ensuring the widest possible reach and engagement. The campaign, which will air on Euronews television and digital platforms over the next four weeks, as well as on ETC and members ’digital platforms, seeks to pique curiosity and spark imagination for future travel involving experiences of nature, culture and history and heritage.
Greetings from the window are human stories that carry emotion, and emotions connect us best, wherever we are – emphasizes Hafner, with whom I certainly agree because each image, ie greeting from the window is a personal story with emotion, and the combination of image and story behind is as we know one of the strongest storytelling tools. No, kako to inače biva jedna snažna ideja ili zamah leptirovih krila je stvorio jednu puno širu priču – potencijalno jedan od najjačih klubova putnika ili ljubitelja putovanja u regiji. “At the time of the pandemic, various groups and initiatives were emerging on social media, in which people from all over the world set out to share their views from windows and balconies. Then I was in contact with my longtime friend from Subotica, Slavka Antic, and we talked about how nice it would be to connect our people from the former Yugoslavia through one such group. As soon as we opened ‘Greetings from My Window’, we started receiving fantastic photos and testimonials from all over the world. We couldn’t believe our people from Alaska or from the deck of a ship in the Atlantic Ocean, where they got stuck, would call us because they couldn’t travel home due to the crisis. An avalanche of support and positive emotions started among the members, which further encouraged us to be joined by over 60,000 members within just 3 months of the group’s founding.Iva Hafner pointed out. Druženje i širenje pozitivnog duha nas je nagnalo da ulijemo grupi novi život, time da napišemo knjigu sa životnim pričama i pogledima, koji će ostaviti trag i za buduće generacije, govori Iva te dodaje: “We listen to the dynamics in the group and the wishes of our members. Thus, the idea naturally developed to launch a crowdfunding campaign with the aim of raising funds for the publication of the book, which will be a valuable testimony to the times in which we live and a positive clue for future generations. In addition to the book, we will organize traveling exhibitions with the possibility of meeting members live, and the plan is to launch a website, through which members could contact and arrange visits” govori Iva. Thus, one view from the window from Korčula attracts thousands of likes from the region and the diaspora with a great desire to visit this destination, when we start traveling again. The group has recorded over 5 million enthusiastic comments so far, which shows a high engagement and an interesting opportunity to create the image of the destination. “Veliki broj procesuiranih slika i održavanje same grupe iziskuje puno vremena, energije, pažnje i ljubavi. Već u samom startu, projektu su se priključili naši dragi prijatelji, koji volontiraju u smjenama da bi odobrili i više stotina slika na dan: Dragana Vilus (Subotica), Iva Bencun (Zadar), Miljan Brašanac (Beč), Damir Subotić (Arnhem), Goran Pleše (Poreč)” govori Iva Hafner, te dodaje kako se grupa nije samo zaustavila na virtualnom druženju. Otkako su mjere popustile, osnivačice bilježe i susrete članova uživo – na jugu Francuske, na Floridi, u Meksiku, u Grčkoj… A few months ago on the eve of the spread of Covid-19, each of us found ourselves in a crisis situation, when we stayed home to protect ourselves and others. Quarantine distanced us from our usual social contacts and patterns, and forced us to have the same view every day. But as every crisis brings out the best in us, so the crisis is an opportunity for some new business ventures or the opening of some new pages of our lives. Can it “Pozdrav s mog prozora” postati jedna od najjačih zajednica / klubova ljubitelja putovanja? Can this group fill an off-season hotel with its members as early as next year and thus start a new revolution in tourism? I would not be surprised, anything is possible, in fact, the people who started this great tourist story are passionate travelers, who have already achieved great things in their private and business life – and they are all driven by the most important human fuel – emotions and passion. . Cover photo: Valida Korić Vilić, Želimira Krpan Kunst – FB View from my window, Illustration: HrTurizam.hr Sljedeći korak je upravo taj trenutak zabilježiti u pravu knjigu “Pozdrav s mog prozora”. Za potrebe pokrivanja troška tiskanja knjige pokrenuta je crowdfunding kampanja na platformi Indiegogo Sljedeći korak – Knjiga ‘Pozdrav s mog prozora’ i izložbe fotografija Tako je stvorena Facebook grupa “Greetings from my window” where all members share their photos from their windows, which today has over 62.000 members. INDIEGOGO CAMPAIGN / PODRŽITE TISKNJE KNJIGE “POZDRAV S MOG PROZORA” Knjiga bi se prema planu tiskala u 1.000 primjeraka, a sadržavala bi 300 najoriginalnijih objava iz grupe. Također, nakon tiskanja knjige, održale bi se i izložbe fotografija po raznim gradovima. Potrebni troškovi u sklopu crowdfunding kampanje se vežu primarno uz izradu knjige, web stranice i organizaciju putujućih izložbi. Ako želite podržati ovu odličnu priču, ovdje možete donirati i pomoći da ova virtualna grupa postane “stvarna” grupa ljubitelja putovanja. After the phase of imagination and planning, we finally have the phase of real travel, and this group spontaneously became a platform for tourist promotion, because it is an authentic individual way of promotion. Godinama se pitam i tražim mjesto u hotelu za čitanje – jedna niša i prostor za ljubitelje čitanja knjiga. Svi znamo za popularne Book clubs which bring together book lovers. Can this group become something similar? As a kind of club of travel lovers who will share their travel experiences, bring together bloggers, photographers, filmmakers, writers? Why not? Although we live in a virtual world, people are by nature eager for real interaction and socializing, not the virtual. Thus, Iva Hafner, a former Booking.com manager for our region and one of the initiators of racing tourism through the Run Croatia project, saw a chance to continue traveling virtually, and to support each other, even though we were not allowed to do so. If you are an avid travel enthusiast, join the Facebook group ” Greetings from my window ” and support the entire project through a crowdfunding campaign. The whole story is like a virtual book or a document of time, and it was the spotted gathering and socializing of the group members that opened a new page of this great story. 