Lawmakers want the federal government to send schools and libraries more money to lend out Wi-Fi hotspots to students. Online schoolwork is now the norm, but the millions of students who dont have home internet or access to computers at home require creative solutions as schools shut down. The digital divide disproportionately affects rural areas, African Americans, Latinos and Native Americans on tribal lands. Some are expanding low-cost programs for poor people and lifting data caps so more people can get and stay connected."Even in cities, the high cost of internet access means many go without.. So is her church and the library where she checks email. That leaves 19th-century technology -- her landline phone.Brie Morrissey, who owns a building outfitted with broadband in Dublin, New Hampshire, would prefer to maintain social distance by working from home.In St. Dolan doubts her substandard home internet could manage a remote medical appointment, and these days no one wants to visit the doctor if they can help it.

To help his constituents, he has to get in his car and drive around to get on calls and go on local TV and radio.Digital-access advocates hope that this crisis propels the government to do more to get people connected. An independent group called BroadbandNow pegs it at 42 million.Millions of Americans working from home are learning to use online video in place of face-to-face meetings, but thats not an option for those with only a trickle of data service. In some places, relief was expected later this year.In rural western Alabama, less than 1% of Perry Countys roughly 9,100 residents have high-quality internet at home, so online lessons are out.As schools, workplaces and public services shut down in the age of coronavirus, online connections are keeping Americans in touch with vital institutions and each other. The FCC puts the number at 21 million, but its data is faulty and most likely undercounts the problem. Even the police department has trouble uploading its reports. Din College is lending laptops to students and asking internet providers to improve service. County teachers spent three days manually loading scanned images of math worksheets and other materials on to iPads and Chromebooks for the systems 1,100 students to take home while out of class, said Superintendent John Heard."Many families are not so tech-savvy," she said. City schools are sending some kids tablets equipped with internet service

."I feel very withdrawn, isolated, alone," she said. But Estrella Montanez, who runs the shelter, worries that kids will have trouble managing remote work. Forget streaming Netflix, much less working or studying from home.Such disconnected people "already have to work harder to tread water," said Chris Mitchell, who advocates for community broadband service at the Institute for Local Self-Reliance."I have to tell people to stay home and that we cant accommodate them, which is a hard thing to do for a small business owner in a small town," she said. Most people recover from the virus, but the elderly and those with underlying conditions are more likely to get seriously ill or die.Many more simply cant afford broadband. Even China boundary wire Suppliers Facebook video is a strain. Her senior center, where she plays bingo, does puzzles and gets lunch five days a week, is closed.Although efforts to extend broadband service have made progress in recent years, tens of millions of people are still left out, largely because phone and cable companies hesitate to invest in far-flung rural areas. But thats not much of an option when fast internet service is hard to come by.Julie Dolan, a 65-year-old retiree in Sandwich, has asthma.A cable company is supposed to start servicing Berkshires town Peru, Massachusetts, later this year. "You obviously want to help. "That is all I would have," she says. Louis, Stella Ashcraft, 63, lives from cheque to cheque and cant afford internet. Low-cost local alternatives such as libraries and cafes have shut down. But she keeps heading into the office for the connection, and as a result, is constantly cleaning the place -- wiping down door knobs, the bathroom sinks and "every inch of the building," she says."Students, meanwhile, struggle with a "homework gap" when they cant get or submit assignments, much less watch online lectures or participate in discussions.

"I dont think people appreciated the magnitude of the problem. Paul Mark has only satellite internet now, though, and that doesnt let him videoconference. State Rep. But thats too late to help with the current crisis.55 across 29 nations, according to a 2018 Federal Communications Commission report. Government subsidies in the billions havent fully fixed the problem. And, like many others in his area, he also has unreliable mobile service at home.There are no definitive numbers on those without broadband.A New York City family shelter has no Wi-Fi and 175 school-age children, only 15 of whom have laptops. But following guidelines means for the most part we cant. Then the line went dead. US broadband costs more than in many comparable countries - an average of $58 a month compared to $46.Phone and cable companies have pledged not to cut people off if they cant pay bills and opened their Wi-Fi hotspots to the public. But the FCC says its not authorized to do that under current law and is discussing a solution with Congress. Her husband has high blood pressure.On Navajo Nation, the countrys largest Native American reservation, its common to see people sitting in their vehicles at night outside local government centers, fast-food restaurants and grocery stores to connect to Wi-Fi. Shes gotten texted photos of her newborn grandchild, but forget about a Zoom call to see the baby.New York: In Sandwich, New Hampshire, a town of 1,200 best known as a setting for the movie ‘On Golden Pond’, broadband is scarce.Morrissey avoids other tenants and wont rent space to anyone else."Its a hassle," he said during a recent phone interview from his car as he drove to the Boston statehouse

Speaking to this newspaper, One Faber Group (1FG) director, sales and business development, Patrick Lee, said they were in talks with several educational institutions in India to begin tours specially targeted at students and millennials. While newly refurbished property Orchard Rendezvous is located in the heart of Singapore’s business district.Singapore’s travel and tourism companies are now directly engaging with Indian travelers.According to statistics of Singapore Tourism Board, India is the 3rd most important tourism market for Singapore, after China and Indonesia.Singapore: The tourism industry of Singapore is targeting Indian students, the millennials, young IT industry workforce and women to the nation with educative and activity-based tourism on specially designed trips on famous resort island of Sentosa. “We are definitely keen on attracting the huge students’ population of India to Singapore through specially designed tours for them. And the stakeholders aim to increase the arrivals from India through targeted and specially catered packages. Similarly, our host of attractions and activities will draw big number of Indian families to Sentosa in the upcoming summer holiday season,” said Lee.

Last but not least, to cater to discerning and affluent travellers, The Barracks Hotel offers old school luxury, exquisite service and timeless charm.Another important target area is the employees of IT industry and the Singapore tourism industry is looking at increased arrivals from cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune, as most of these places now have direct air connectivity to Singapore.Sentosa has also positioned itself as a perfect holiday destination for Indian families with its varied attractions like Singapore Cable Car, extravagant shows boundary cable like Wings of Time, Madame Tussauds, Universal Studios, mammoth S. While its new hotel The Outpost Sentosa is aimed at couples and friends, The Village services families and niche property The Barracks has 40 upmarket rooms and suites in a heritage building.43 lakhs visitors in 2014, it stood at 14. For instance, One Faber Group, which is one of Singapore’s leading operators of a suite of leisure and lifestyle services with products and services including iconic Singapore Cable Car, Wings of Time and Faber Peak, recently appointed Delhi-based ISA Tourism Pvt Ltd (ISA) as its India market representative. The services and amenities it provides have been carefully curated with couples and millennials in mind.The tourism sector stakeholders say Singapore can offer a holiday and recreation option to millennials and IT industry employees at a better price than Europe.

There are no hassles of travel as we also have a reliable public transport system, cable car and taxi operations,” Mr Lee added. With increased disposable incomes and a desire to travel the population is being wooed by the industry. With a vast majority of the hotels in Sentosa positioned as luxury, we saw the opportunity to come in with a mid-tier proposition to cater to families and business travellers,” said spokesperson from Far East Hospitality.They also feel that a shared colonial heritage is likely to prove beneficial for them to attract travelers from India. For instance, Singapore’s leading operator of hotels and serviced residences — Far East Hospitality (FEH) — has been adding new properties specifically targeted at couples, families and upmarket clients.“Adding 606 keys to the island and placing children at the centre of any vacation, Village Hotel Sentosa offers an experience tailor-made for families and groups.E.With one of the lowest crime rates in the world, Singapore is also an ideal travel destination for families and women travellers. Indian travelers to Singapore have been constantly rising – from 9.A Aquarium, Fort Siloso skywalk and lovely beaches.

To cater to growing number of visitors, Singapore’s hospitality companies have been adding to the number of hotels and adding interesting facilities to attract more Indian tourists.“Our hotels in Sentosa, each offers a distinct experience to target and attract specific segments. “The women and parents with their kids can travel at any time and be safe.”, said the spokesperson..42 lakhs in 2018. It will enhance 1FG’s brand awareness among the potential travellers from India,” Mr Lee added.“Appointing ISA as our India representative will help us in reaching out to new evolving travelers like young professionals, solo travelers and female travel groups. Next, a first of its kind in Sentosa, The Outpost Hotel caters exclusively for adults

“I imagined I would come to the top and audio cable types Manufacturers it would be really natural, but it’s developed here, so for me it’s a bit disappointing,” said trekker Duong Hoang Minh, who hiked to the top of the 3,143-metre (10,311-foot) peak.Most tourism operators agree the boom has brought much-needed development — roads, schools and clinics, for example — to a region where the majority of the population belong to one of Vietnam’s 53 ethnic minorities, who have traditionally lagged behind the rest of the country.”The government ignored opposition to the cable car, he said, lamenting that business has dwindled since its construction with fewer people climbing the mountain. “It’s good for Sapa when they can attract more tourists. “For a natural destination like here, with a preserved environment, this would not really be good,” he told AFP as the sun set over the yawning valley behind him.

“We need to be a bit more careful to avoid the mistake of mass tourism in Sapa.”. “For other people I think it’s better because it’s safer for them,” said the 23-year-old teacher, his white sweatpants slicked with fresh mud.But some lament the commercialisation of Vietnamese treasures, with reports of locals complaining about multi-course meals served in Ha Long Bay’s famous caves, or trash-strewn beaches in the resort town of Phu Quoc.Visitor numbers have snowballed too, reaching around 700,000 last year, and revenues have more than tripled since 2010 to $50 million.Some tourists also say Sapa is losing its appeal, with Fansipan’s picturesque summit replaced by concrete steps, souvenir shops and still-under-construction temples.Vietnam’s tourism industry has taken off in recent years, specially among domestic visitors with growing appetites and budgets for travel. “Before the cable car, there were more porters from the village with regular work,” said Hmong trekking guide Ma A Tro from Fansipan’s summit, where he had just led a two-day trip.“Now with the cable car there, village residents no longer have jobs, mostly becoming freelance construction workers..

Getting to the top traditionally takes a two-day trek but these days most visitors opt for a 20-minute ride by cable car instead — the latest flashy tourist attraction to heighten concerns over rapid development destroying Sapa’s natural beauty.Part of that growth is thanks to the cable car — the longest of its kind in the world according to operators — which opened in February with the capacity to ferry 2,000 people to the top of the mountain daily.Known by some as the Tonkinese Alps, the former French outpost has seen a tourism boom in recent years with a new highway from the capital and hotels popping up at breakneck pace.But some locals tell a different story. In Sapa town, where heaps of rubble mark hotel sites under construction, the number of rooms has surged from 2,500 in 2010 to 4,000 last year, according to official figures. The lodge, with its 25 white granite bungalows overlooking a rice terraced valley, employs mostly locals, was built using materials found nearby and was designed to blend in with the surrounding environment — a business model de Murard said he’d like to see newcomers adopt.The country has also become a draw for foreign visitors turning their backs on better-known Southeast Asian destinations such as Thailand’s Chiang Mai, seeking instead a road less travelled..

But still, he decided to take the cable car down and agreed that more people can enjoy the mountain because of it.At the top of Vietnam’s Fansipan Mountain, throngs of giddy tourists wielding selfie sticks jostle for a photo op on the once-remote peak in the Sapa region, famed for its breathtaking views across undulating rice terraces. But without sustainable growth Sapa risks “shooting itself in the foot”, said Hubert de Murard, manager of the Topas Ecolodge about 18 kilometres (11 miles) from Sapa town.“We talked to them, but they didn’t listen. The central government came and said they had to do it, so they did it,” he added.“If more and more building (happens), then one day we will lose Sapa, we won’t have any more mountain,” said guide Giang Thi Lang, from the Black Hmong ethnic group. And we have a big number of the local people that can find jobs,” said Nguyen Van Manh, deputy director of Sapa’s Tourist Information Centre, adding that the sector provided employment to thousands. He worries that some investments have been short-sighted, aimed at maximising the number of visitors