The Greening of the Travel Industry

By Melanie Reffes

With some of the finest reefs on earth, crystal-clear water and endless shorelines of sugary sand, the Caribbean is attracting the particular attention of environmentalists, who wish to ensure the sustainability of the region’s tourism product. As more and more travelers opt for stays in eco-astute properties, the goal is to make “green” the norm, not the expensive alternative.

Organizations such as Green Globe International and the new kid on the block, Green Hotel Certification are working with properties throughout the region to bring them up to current green standards, which means more than a recycling bin and a ceiling fan. From lodges in the woods to uber-luxe suites on the beach, following are some of the top green properties in the Caribbean.

Aruba
Fronting 14 palm-studded acres along Eagle Beach, the European-designed Bucuti Beach Resort and Tara Beach Suites has made the environment a priority. With Green Globe certification for the sixth consecutive year, rooms and suites are equipped with energy saving lamps, insulation systems that retain cool air and ozone machines that leave a fragrant scent without the use of chemical sprays. Locally made Aruba Aloe toiletries are standard room amenities.

Owners Ewald and Susan Biemans are the driving forces behind the eco-efforts, employing an on-property Green Team that encourages guest participation in resort-sponsored beach cleanups and projects that monitor the giant leatherback turtle that lays its eggs on the beach from March to October.

“American travelers are choosing a property based on the eco-safeguards in place,” Ewald Biemans says. “Climate change and high fuel prices at home are creating a very eco-astute generation of tourists.”


Bahamas
On South Andros Island, steps away from the crystal waters of South Bight, Tiamo was the first full-service resort in the Caribbean to use only solar field powering for its electrical needs. Wastewater is recycled, low-flush toilets create fertilizer, and all non- reusable paper is burned with the ashes also used as fertilizer. White reflective roofs and an open-design make air conditioning unnecessary.

Surrounded by 125 acres of natural forest, stays in the 11 beachside bungalows include biologist-guided nature tours, such as snorkeling through the blue holes and coral reefs; hiking through the ecosystems and a behind-the-Scenes look at the solar water heaters and water wells. Staffers also teach classes in iguana and turtle protection.


Barbados
Opened this year, the 267-room Casuarina Beach Resort on the white sands of Maxwell beach is the fifth property in the Almond chain of all-inclusives. With resort-wide Green Globe certification (Barbados and St. Lucia), Almond has long demonstrated a consistent eco-sensitivity. The newest property near Bridgetown is already a leader in the preservation of endangered sea turtles, which nest on Casuarina Beach.   

Set on nine acres of tropical forest, the resort operates solely within its own ecosystem and composts almost all of its waste, allowing it to maintain the landscape without chemically enhanced topsoil. Solar power heats the water, and the lighting system operates on photo cells. “It is simply good business to pay close attention to our surroundings, says Ralph Taylor, the chairman.

Department heads are given extensive training to ensure corporate environmental objectives are met.


Cayman Islands
In Grand Cayman, the 365-room Ritz-Carlton, set on 144 acres from the Caribbean to the North Sound, sets the gold standard for both luxury and an unrivalled commitment to the environment. The Ambassadors of the Environment program, created by preservationist Jean-Michel Cousteau, son of the famed ocean explorer Jacques Cousteau, has opened its programs to islanders as well as guests of the property.

Situated in the on-site Ambassadors Heritage House and modeled on a traditional Cayman cottage, the resorts offers participants a chance to learn about the environment through interactive exhibits and hands-on adventures. Activities include a weekly reef survey using underwater writing slates to record marine life and a turtle tag program that tracks the movements of the endangered creature by monitoring nesting sites. On-property green initiatives include window shades made from bamboo that keep heat out while allowing light to come in and furniture made from woven wicker with hemp cushions. Moreover, artwork throughout the property is created from damaged pieces of a traditional Caymanian house.

Grenada
With its own desalinization plant and a strong ‘reduce, reuse, renew’ mindset, AAA Four-Diamond Spice Island Beach Resort is a lot more than just a pretty face. Blending environmental ethos with practicality, the elegant 64-room all-inclusive that fronts the spectacular Grand Anse beach was the first property in Grenada to be Green Globe certified and continues its commitment to the environment without compromising the luxury vacation experience.

Green initiatives include solar rooftop heaters, compact fluorescent bulbs, grinding of used bath soap to make laundry detergent, composting of the vegetable gardens, and clean-ups of the reefs and the surrounding Mourne Rouge area. “We are proud of our environmental efforts and how they make a difference in our operation,” says Sir Royston Hopkin, owner and chairman of the Caribbean Alliance for Sustainable Tourism (CAST), a position he has held for five years. “I consider our resort a true trendsetter in the growing ‘green’ marketplace.”
As of Dec. 15, the resort became entirely smoke-free.

Jamaica
In Ocho Rios, the British Colonial-inspired and Green Globe certified Sandals Royal Plantation takes environmentalism seriously. The 74-room oceanfront property has incorporated sustainable practices into daily life both at the resort and in the surrounding communities. Paper is recycled, shredded and donated to Wassi Arts – a local pottery company that uses it for packing art objects; printer ink cartridges are given to Caribbean Ink which turns the old ones into new ones; and plastic bottles and aluminum cans are sent to the Jamaica Unified Recycling Company.
On-site environmental managers oversee programs that reduce energy and water consumption, improve wastewater disposal, and protect marine life including the coral reefs, turtles and dolphins.

Every Sandals and Beaches Resort in Jamaica, Antigua, Turks & Caicos and St. Lucia is Green Globe certified.

St Lucia
Eco-savvy from top to bottom, Discovery at Marigot Bay on the picturesque west coast achieved an environmental milestone with the launch of the Caribbean’s first solar powered ferry. Designed and built by a naval architect, the Sunshine Express is a clean, quiet and energy-efficient craft and the latest in a long list of environmentally friendly initiatives adopted by the resort.

“We have always tried to do our best to protect this bay described by James Michener as the most beautiful in the Caribbean,” says owner Judith Verity, who initiated the building of the ferry. Other eco-sustainable measures include a high-tech sewage system that filters grey water so nothing goes into the bay, a beach regeneration program and the recycling of used cooking oil, which is converted to fuel by local farmers and used to power farm machinery.
Advise clients to pack a DEET-based repellent for evening strolls and midnight martinis; the resort does not use toxic pesticides to control insects.

St Vincent and the Grenadine
Ringed by five beaches and traversed by a tapestry of nature trails, Palm Island in the Grenadines is an eco-chic hideaway appealing to tourists who want more from a vacation than a suntan. Without TVs or telephones, the 135-acre retreat relies on Mother Nature to keep guests entertained.

Owned by Elite Island resorts, which also has the Windjammer Landing Beach Resort in St. Lucia, Galley Bay Resort and St. James’s Club in Antigua, attention to the environment is paramount, with all four properties certified green by the California-based Green Hotel Certification. “Elite Island Resorts demonstrated great commitment by choosing a certification program that sends auditors to each property for detailed inspections and then monitors the properties continually,” says Guido Bauer, CEO of Green Hotel Certification. Organic waste is given to local farmers, only biodegradable products are used, products from endangered species are banned and a carbon offset program is in place at all resorts. Also, the workforce is more than 95 percent local.

U.S. Virgin Islands
The granddad dy of Caribbean sustainability dates back to 1976, when “eco-astute” was just a buzzword and Stanley Selengut opened Maho Bay Camps on 14 acres bordering Virgin Islands National Park in St. John. Selengut set the property on platforms within the forest so the plants and animals could continue to exist undisturbed. He also made sure the nearby beach and coral reef remained undamaged.

With rates from $80 per night, Maho Bay is one of the region's best values. It offers 114 screened-in tent cabins connected by a network of stairs and boardwalks along a hillside overlooking the bay. Not for everyone, there is no air-conditioning and sugar-eating Banana Quit birds and iguanas may camp outside your room. The camp also runs St. John’s only recycling program and operates the Trash to Treasures Art Center, where guests take classes in everything from jewelry design using used bottles to papermaking from shredded office paper.

Maho has a new, more upscale eco-sister on St. John called the Concordia Eco-Tents, with rates starting at $105 per night.

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Hot Springs and River Pools With Baja Wild Outfitters

By Janice Mucalov

Sea kayaking is a popular sport at Cabo Pulmo. // © Janice Mucalov

Sometimes the weather just doesn’t cooperate when you’re on vacation, and plans have to be reconfigured. A good tour company is one that can react quickly and turn a cancelled excursion from a disappointment into a terrific day — despite the change in plans. On a recent visit to Cabo San Lucas, Baja Wild Outfitters did precisely that for us.

We were booked to go kayaking and snorkeling at Cabo Pulmo Marine Park, a national marine sanctuary on the unspoiled eastern cape of the Baja Peninsula. One of only three living coral reefs in North America, Cabo Pulmo has been described by Jacques Cousteau as “the aquarium of the world.”

Marcos and Fernando, our guides, picked us up at our hotel early in the morning for a scenic, two-hour drive.

When we reached the town of Cabo Pulmo — population 111 — we piled out of the minivan at the general store to fill up on warm empanadas (meat pies) made fresh that morning. Then, we carried on to the wild, secluded five-mile bay of Cabo Pulmo.

Wild it was, in more ways than one. In summer, waters are calm and ideal for scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking. But between December and March, heavy winds can restrict water activities for days at a time. And so it was with us. No one would be heading out into the water that day.

“How about going to the hot springs instead?” suggested Marcos.

While not on Baja Wild’s standard list of adventures, the hot springs are sometimes offered as an alternative.

Declared a biosphere reserve in 1994, the protected, granite mountain range is home to clear running streams, canyons, swimming holes, remote farms and ranches, green forests, hot springs and plenty of wildlife. It’s an area that few visitors to Cabo San Lucas explore, but one that offers adventure seekers and outdoor enthusiasts a rich, fulfilling experience — very different from a day at the beach!

Parking on a rancher’s land, we trudged a short distance through the bush until we reached a beautiful oasis of palm trees and lush bamboo groves. Here, a spring-fed river running through an arroyo is punctuated by large smooth granite boulders, which form a series of pools. Small sand beaches curl around the rocks and nudge up against the river’s edge. Some pools are deliciously warm, fed by underground hot mineral springs.

Stripping down to our swimsuits, we settled into a large hot pool. Marcos passed around soft drinks and snacks, and we happily lounged in our own private garden of Eden — a pretty good substitute for kayaking, we all agreed.

When we were ready, we drove to the small town of Santiago. Earlier in the day, Marcos reserved us a late lunch in the courtyard of a Mexican restaurant. We feasted on fresh fish and hot cheese quesadillas, washed down with cold Coronas and lime, and toasted our guides on making our day a great and spontaneous adventure.

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Switzerland Lands More Locations on UNESCO List

On July 7, the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO added the Albula and Bernina line of the Rhaetian Railway to its world heritage list. This makes the Rhaetian Railway, serving the Canton of Graubunden in the south east part of Switzerland, only the third railway worldwide to be considered "universally outstanding" by UNESCO. On the Bernina line (built in 1903) the railway crosses 52 bridges and 13 tunnels. The Albula line (built in 1910) runs over 144 bridges and through 42 tunnels. The Rhaetian Railway (RhB) is the highest-altitude trans-Alpine line in Europe, and a line with one of the steepest gradients in the world without the use of rack and pinion technology.

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Forever Young in Copenhagen

< p>Last month Monacle Magazine named Copenhagen the world's "Best City to Live In." At almost any time of day you'll find visitors crowding Copenhagen's waterfront to gaze at the statue of the Little Mermaid, who looks longingly from her otherworldly perch for her human lover. The statue embodies the city's most essential trait, namely it provides you with ability to keep one foot in childhood as you negotiate the steps of adult urban life. A child-like wonder can be found all over this city, where the omnipresent spirit of Hans Christian Andersen seems to turn up at every corner -- a spirit that recognizes children have as much to teach adults as adults do to learn from them.

It's no wonder then that in 1964 Walt Disney said of Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens: "Now this is what an amusement place should be!" Though Tivoli Gardens opened in 1843 just outside the city gate, today it's as fully integrated into the heart of the Copenhagen as Times Square is in Manhattan. And it's just as integrated into the lives of the city's people, who use it as one of the top meeting places in town.

The fact that people of all ages, with and without their children, enjoy Tivoli Gardens so much is due in part to its 19th century atmosphere – it is part amusement park and part beer garden. But it's also due to the way Tivoli has continually added modern elements along the way. Andersen joined the crowd at Tivoli's opening night, an experience that inspired his "Emperor and the Nightingale" tale. Like Tivoli, Andersen's best tales speak as eloquently to adults as they do to children. People of all ages still take refuge in Tivoli Gardens, where a full schedule of music, ballet and opera are integrated seamlessly into a landscape out of a childhood dream.

In Tivoli, rides, duck ponds, shooting galleries, band stands, gardens and glowing lanterns mingle comfortably alongside gourmet markets, 38 restaurants and taverns. Tivoli's Concert Hall attracts a steady stream of international artists. Its Friday night Rock series, "Fredagsrock" has featured such luminaries as the Smashing Pumpkins, Sting, the Beach Boys and the Pet Shop Boys. This September the New York City Ballet will perform for six nights.

From the Pirate Ship and the Chinese Pagoda to the New York City Ballet and the gourmet restaurants, Tivoli gives Copenhagen a place where you can engage in grown-up pursuits within a context that recalls the way the wider world looked to us as children. From the outside, the palatial Nimb building with its fountain and its onion domes conjures up our first wonder of Islam as a fantastical culture of magic carpets, magic lamps and jolly pashas. Inside the building, there's a gourmet wonderland with The Paul, a Michelin-starred restaurant, and the Restaurant NIMB where the kitchen is the restaurant itself and where diners sit next to working chefs who prepare their meals in front of them.

Likewise, the Chinese Pantomime Theater, with its mechanical peacock curtain, recalls childhood images of China. Last summer, Denmark's Queen Margrethe created scenery for the Pantomime Theatre's production of Andersen's The Tinder Box and many in attendance that night didn't realize that the woman bowing to their applause at the end of the show was a monarch from the oldest of royal European lines, one that stretches back more then a 1,000 years. How like a kingdom out of Andersen, in which the Queen performs incognito before her subjects and bows to their applause.

Many of Tivoli's rides are familiar bumper cars and merry-go-rounds, but the Rutsjebanen, one of the park's four roller coasters, is a historic gem. Built in 1914, the Rutsjebanen is a historic wooden roller coaster. The Rutsjebanen earned 7.5 out of 10 from Coaster Grotto which rates roller coasters all around the world. Each of the Rutsjebanen's cars has an operator working the brakes.

Andersen is well represented at Tivoli with the Hans Christian Andersen Castle, the Hans Christian Andersen Shop and The Flying Trunk ride, which depicts 32 scenes from his tales. Just across the street from Tivoli you can pay homage at Andersen's statue. Andersen (1805-1875) moved to Copenhagen in 1819 when he was 14 and the city's old town looks much as it did in his day. The houses he lived in are all still there, as are many of his favorite cafes.

The Royal Theatre, where Andersen played in chorus roles and which he wrote plays for, is still Denmark's top venue for theater, opera and ballet. The Wonderful World of Hans Christian Andersen Museum, presenting his life and works, is located right in City Hall Square.

Tivoli Gardens stays open from mid-April to mid-September and reopens with a Christmas market during the holidays. In their Best City rating, the editors of Monacle Magazine cite Copenhagen's biking paths, its human scale and its superb airport (which recently received a fabulous new terminal), but I've got to believe that Tivoli Gardens plays a major role in making Copenhagen's citizens so happy to live there. Tell your clients to arrive at Tivoli in the early evening as the lamps gradually grow their mystical glow as the darkness comes in.

 

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Acupuncture Added To Crystal's Wellness Options

Enriching its portfolio of wellness opportunities, Crystal Cruises is introducing onboard acupuncture, along with a menu of Chinese herbs revered for restoring and enhancing health, beauty and longevity. A menu of optional acupuncture treatments, launching this month on Crystal Serenity, focuses on weight loss, pain management, stress reduction, detoxification, smoking cessation, facial rejuvenation and even sea sickness.

"For many, a vacation offers the freedom to try something new," says Thomas Mazloum, senior vice president, hotel operations. "Whether one is just curious or one wants to pursue new treatments, acupuncture complements Crystal's myriad of onboard wellness activities, which have transformed guests into devotees of disciplines like yoga or reflexology or Spinning®."

Acupuncture is a technique of inserting and manipulating fine needles into specific points on the body to ease pain and for other therapeutic purposes. According to the World Health Organization and other reputable entities, acupuncture helps relieve aches and pains; stimulate weight loss; alleviate stress; detoxify the body; smoking cessation; seasickness; and anti-aging.

The Crystal acupuncture program includes:

  • · Onboard acupuncturist - Nancy Kerastas, Crystal Serenity's licensed acupuncture physician, has been practicing the art since 2002;
  • · Menus of Chinese herbs - Includes remedies that reactivate the body's fat-burning process; stabilize blood sugar metabolism; and relieve swollen or immobile joints; and
  • · Shipboard seminars - Three to five classes will be held per cruise, discussing acupuncture, Chinese herbal medicine and Feng Shui practices and benefits.

Guests receive pre-session consultations to discuss their conditions and medical histories. Cost is $150 for a 60-minute session and can be booked through Crystal's Feng Shui-designed spa.

Crystal also offers complimentary yoga, Pilates and newly introduced "Tour de Spin" cycling classes, and an exclusive Walk on Water® program utilizing weighted vests to increase resistance. The line continues its partnership with the esteemed Cleveland Clinic to feature onboard lectures and seminars with leading medical experts.

In December 2008, and in 2009 both Crystal Symphony and Crystal Serenity host Mind, Body & Spirit theme cruises, focusing on general wellness through classes and discussions with guest instructors in Tai Chi, yoga, Pilates and general fitness.

 

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Preview Of Queen Victoria

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Enjoy a video preview of QUEEN VICTORIA
By Cunard Line



  CUNARD
How can something so new have so much history?
For the first time in history, three Cunard liners are sailing the world's seas. QUEEN VICTORIATM, joining her sisters QUEEN MARY 2® and QUEEN ELIZABETH 2®, continues a 167-year heritage of style and sophistication. Her exceptional features are destined to fulfill the high expectations reserved for the world’s most anticipated ocean liner. Click the button to the right to enjoy a special video presentation of QUEEN VICTORIA’s exquisite spaces, her upcoming maiden European season, and her 2009 World Cruise. Find out more!
photos

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Double Christening of the MS Amadante and MS Amacello

 

The charming, medieval town of Regensburg, Germany formed a festive backdrop for a unique double christening ceremony on Monday, July 7.  AMAWATERWAYS’ two newest vessels, the MS Amacello and MS Amadante were christened before a crowd of specially-invited guests, travel executives and media.  Guests were greeted by AMAWATERWAYS President, Rudi Schreiner and Vice President of Sales, Kristin Karst.  The Lord Mayor of Regensburg gave a welcoming address, and as a special treat, the world-famous boys’ choir, the Regensburger Domspatzen performed, delighting invited guests and assembled townspeople.  Located along the picturesque Danube River, Regensburg is a year-round highlight of several AMAWATERWAYS itineraries. 

Recognized as an innovative industry leader, AMAWATERWAYS offers river cruise vacations on Europe’s legendary rivers.  In addition to the MS Amacello and MS Amadante, the line’s fleet of luxurious, state-of-the art vessels includes the MS Amalegro (2007) and MS Amadagio (2006).  The MS Amadolce and MS Amalyra will make their debut in 2009, and two additional ships will join the fleet in 2010. 

AMAWATERWAYS vessels feature an unparalleled array of amenities and services, including: the most spacious cabins on the rivers, with over eighty percent featuring French Balconies; plush bedding with down duvets; flat-screen TVs;  in-room “Infotainment system,” with complimentary Internet access; marble-appointed bathrooms, spa-quality bath amenities, terry robes and slippers.  Each vessel offers complimentary Wi-Fi as well as a complimentary specialty coffee and tea station.  Gourmet meals in the restaurant are accompanied by complimentary local wines.  The ships also feature a fitness center, beauty salon, whirlpool, walking track on the Sun Deck and a fleet of bicycles for passenger use. Each vessel is staffed by a highly-trained professional crew, with an ongoing emphasis on personal service. An elite AMAWATERWAYS cruise director accompanies passengers.  And expert local guides conduct complimentary city tours at each location.

 

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Swimming with Whale Sharks

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By Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau


Swimming with the Whale Shark, the largest fish in the world is a dream that can only become a reality in few places throughout the world, such as Australia and Belize. Closely and conveniently situated near the U.S., Cancun located in the Mexican Caribbean, is particularly privileged due to the fact that the majority of the whale shark species prefer these waters. The best time to be a part of this fantastic adventure is during the months of July and August.

The Whale Shark's impressive size and ample mouth extends to almost 5 feet when opened. These characteristics are just a few of the reasons why this creature is so unique. Known as a migrant species, those who study the migration of whale sharks are still uncertain where they travel from or where they're heading next. All we know is that whale sharks enjoy traveling through warm waters and tropical seas around the globe.

The presence of this creature in the northern areas of Isla Contoy and Cabo Catoche is thanks to the nutrient filled water, which generates a large quantity of available food. This is a phenomenon adventurers from all over the world come to Mexico to take advantage of, being that the opportunity to observe the dynamics of this species is limited to these summer months.

Those choosing to experience the wonder of swimming with whale sharks are accompanied by experts who provide all the necessary information to better understand the behavior of these creatures. Once familiarized with the animal, the tourists can jump off the boat accompanied by a guide and snorkel to see the Whale Shark up close. Measuring up to 59 feet and weighing 15 tons, this is the biggest fish in the world!

The experience is truly amazing and there is no need to fear since this shark feeds exclusively on tiny organisms known as plankton, therefore they are completely harmless towards humans.

The tour to observe the Whale Shark can be taken in Punta Sam, just north of Cancun, and lasts approximately five hours, allowing plenty of time to interact with this amazing species that reminds us of the many wonders our world has to offer.

 

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CLIA Committed To The Environment

Fort Lauderdale July 14, 2008 —

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the world’s largest cruise industry group, today reaffirmed the industry’s continued commitment to the environment and advanced wastewater treatment management, in response to public statements concerning member cruise line operations in the Baltic Sea. 

In a recent public statement, Mats Abrahamsson, Program Director of the World Wildlife Fund Baltic Ecoregion Program said, “It should be the responsibility of anyone operating a ship in the Baltic Sea to take care of their own wastes in a responsible manner.”

In response, Terry Dale, President and CEO of CLIA, said:

“A recent study conducted by the VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland reported that cruise ships contribute only a tiny fraction of the nutrients released into the sea – less than 1 percent.

“CLIA member companies adopted stringent wastewater treatment practices nearly a decade ago, and have operated in accordance with these practices since that time. Additionally, where available and reasonable, ships discharge wastewaters to shore facilities in Baltic Sea cruise ports.  Moreover, many cruise lines have already invested hundreds of millions of dollars in advanced onboard systems that treat wastewater to the highest standards available.

“As an industry deeply committed to the protection of the environment, we look forward to continuing to work with the WWF as well as the ports, the maritime industry, land-based facilities and local government to protect the Baltic for generations to come.”

Dale noted that since 2007, CLIA has worked closely with the WWF to share information and find solutions to the environmental challenges in the Baltic region.  He also called for a collaborative effort to control all sources of nutrients contributing to issues in the Baltic Sea, whether from land or sea.

“A truly effective effort would include farm operations, industrial facilities and municipal wastewater treatment plants, in addition to ports and the maritime industry,” Dale said. 

All members of the Cruise Lines International Association operating in the Baltic Sea – and all over the world – meet or exceed the discharge standards for sewage set by the International Maritime Organization, Dale noted.

The VTT study is available online at http://www.vtt.fi/inf/pdf/tiedotteet/2007/T2370.pdf.

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