Airlines tracking pet deaths

U.S. airlines will track the number of cargo-area pet deaths and begin reporting the data to the U.S. government.

The hardest part was making Delta believe that the cat wasn't just a piece of luggage. Now airlines will have to be more careful about transporting animals and realize they are responsible for their lives and that animals need air and heat, said Sarah Stano, who settled with the airline after her 6-year-old cat either froze to death or suffocated from oxygen deprival during a cross-country flight two years ago, the Washington Times reported.

The numbers will tell, but I don't believe it's a big problem, said Air Transport Association of America spokeswoman Diana Cronan.

The government estimates 2 million pets fly in cargo areas and passenger cabins each year, but the Transportation Department received only four complaints last year of pet mistreatment by airlines.

Airlines are due to start reporting pet deaths to the department on June 15

Source: Big News Network

Travel agents weather tough times for sector (St. Petersburg Times, Fla.)

First, travel agents saw airlines cut, then eliminate ticket commissions. The rise of the Internet gave consumers the ability to shop the full spectrum of air fares, hotel rooms and other travel buys from their homes.

Business travel tanked after the Sept. 11 attacks, and most companies are watching expenses with a sharp eye.

Kathy Sudeikis has a ringside seat. She works at All About Travel, an agency in Kansas with annual revenues of more than $60-million. Sudeikis also serves as the volunteer chief executive of the American Society of Travel Agents.

In an interview Thursday with the St. Petersburg Times, she talked about the evolving role of travel agents, when consumers should -- and shouldn't -- book trips themselves and what to expect in travel for the rest of the year.

QUESTION: How have travel agents adjusted to the turmoil of the past decade?

ANSWER: The industry's changed dramatically. People who were in it for the perks have disappeared -- in droves. The opportunity to just be an order-taker or... just indulge in the travel perks has pretty much disappeared. You have to be proactive. What's emerged is a focused group of travel professionals who know they provide value and service and expertise and an incredible amount of knowledge.

Q: How big a threat to travel agents are Travelocity, Expedia or Web sites that "scrape" fares off the airlines' sites?

A: The advent of the Internet is the biggest challenge that we face. There are times when it's appropriate to use the Internet and times when it's appropriate to use a working travel agent who's a live body, who can help you through the nuances of what you want.

Q: So, an easy point-to-point flight is something consumers should be able to book themselves on their home computers?

A: If it's your honeymoon, do you have any challenges there? During the trip if something goes wrong, who are you going to call? After trip, (agents can help) in terms of an advocate for followup.

Q: Has that been a difficult message for you to sell to travelers?

A: It's very tough. People who have a travel agent absolutely love their travel agent and tell anybody who asks. But for every 10 that come back to us, the consumer media sends another 50 to the computer screen to try it on their own. A simple roundtrip ticket... is not the problem. It's the more complicated trip. It's the minute you start having questions about how to add a wheelchair because you've got your mom along or how to make connections with your sister who's coming to meet you.

Q: How important has it become for agents to become expert in a specialized travel niche?

A: That has opened a lot of windows. In our office... we asked each (agent) to choose a specialty. We have a Disney specialist, two cruise specialists, an all-inclusive specialist, a South Pacific specialist. We even have a guy (who focuses on) Las Vegas. As a specialist, the goal is to be the best at what you do, be recognized as the best... and find ways to harness that specialty online.

Q: Travel agents remain the dominant seller of cruises. Why is that?

A: It is a more complicated sale. The cruise lines are really still interested in growing the pie for first-time travelers, and first-time travelers still have questions. I'd say the percentage (of customers) that's gone online and gone direct are repeaters who feel they know what they want and focus in on the price exclusively.

Q: How busy a summer travel season do you expect?

A: These are going to the biggest numbers ever, and (travel providers are) going to charge more by August. You need to find the magic window of dates that your family is available. If you don't have a family and want to go, I'd wait until September or October because every cruise ship and every destination is going to be filled with rugrats and teenagers. (Airlines and others) are going to charge more. But in September and October, they're expecting big dips. Right now you can plan a trip to Europe between Sept. 1 and Oct. 31 for like $250 roundtrip to London. Those prices don't usually start until Nov. 1.

Source: Steve Huettel, St. Petersburg Times, Fla.Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News

Holiday Weekend Equals Happy Hotels

From the outside, the Edgewater Inn in Biloxi looks pretty quiet, but don't let the calm look fool you. By the end of this Memorial Day weekend, Karen Potter is expecting the inn's 65 rooms to be filled.

"We're getting people coming in slowly and surely. We have some coming in Friday, Saturday, then we have other reservations for Saturday and Sunday. We're having a good outlook going on here," said Potter.

Down the street, the Holiday Inn Express shares the same good outlook.

That's where Vershenda Jones and 35 of her family members from Jackson, Mississippi, were checking in to have a good time for the weekend.

"Just to have fun basically. Bring the children and let them enjoy themselves," said ones.

Vershenda may not know it, but she, along with the hundreds of other out-of-town visitors, is bringing success to South Mississippi's hotel-motel industry.

"It's a tremendous business weekend. We all look forward to it. We wish it could go on like this for eternity," said Holiday Inn Express Biloxi general manager Rick Rabalais.

Well, according to Harrison County Tourism Director Steve Richer, maybe it can.

"We're no longer a summer destination, we're a year-round destination, so this is just going to be one of those really big weekends with a lot of different folks here," said Richer.

He says a lot of people are coming to the Mississippi Gulf Coast not just for the casinos, but for the beach, entertainment, and other family-oriented events.

And with options like those, he believes this Memorial Day weekend may just be the beginning of something positively big for hotels, and for all of South Mississippi.

Just so you know, AAA estimates 37 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this weekend. That's a 2 percent increase of travelers from last year.

Source: Karla Redditte - http://www.wlox.com

Global Airline Industry Losses May Widen on Oil Cost

Global airline industry losses will widen this year to a record $6 billion as fuel bills surge, forcing carriers to do more to cut costs, the International Air Transport Association said.

Airline fuel bills may rise 31 percent to $83 billion in 2005, based on an average price of $47 a barrel for Brent crude oil, IATA Director-General Giovanni Bisignani told a conference today in Tokyo. Losses would be 25 percent more than last year.

The industry lost more than $36 billion between 2001 and 2004, led by U.S. carriers. UAL Corp.'s United Airlines and Continental Airlines Inc. are asking labor unions to accept wage and benefit cuts to restore profits, while Asian carriers such as Cathay Pacific Airways Ltd. are adding fuel surcharges to fares.

``There's a limit as to how airlines can increase their fuel surcharges,'' said Mark Tan, a strategist at UOB Asset Management Ltd. in Singapore, which owns shares of Singapore Airlines Ltd. and Thai Airways International Pcl among $3.5 billion of Asian equities under management. Airlines have not been able to fully cover their costs with surcharges, Tan said.

The forecast was higher than Geneva-based IATA's April forecast of $5.5 billion for the airline industry, which generates $400 billion in sales and employs 4 million people. The price of jet fuel, which makes up between 15 percent and 40 percent of a carrier's operating costs, surged as much as 70 percent last year.

Fuel and Profit

Brent crude-oil for July delivery was trading at $50.70 a barrel on May 27 on London's International Petroleum Exchange, where it reached a record $57.65 a barrel on April 4. The price of jet fuel has surged 88 percent in the past three years, and the industry's oil expenses have doubled, IATA said.

The price of Brent crude oil may remain at about $50 a barrel this year, ``with potential to the upside greater than the downside,'' said the industry-funded group. The likelihood of oil price falling below $40 per barrel is remote, IATA said.

Airlines were profitable in Asia, Europe and the Middle East, with South American carriers ``near break even'' last year, said IATA's Bisignani.

North American carriers together lost $9 billion last year as labor costs were high and low-fare competition drove down fares, he said. United Airlines, the world's second-largest carrier, has been in bankruptcy court since May 11. Air Canada, the nation's largest airline, reported a smaller first-quarter loss of C$77 million, after emerging from bankruptcy last October.

African airlines lost more than $150 million last year, IATA said. Middle Eastern airlines such as Emirates, based in the United Arab Emirates, made $100 million of net income on higher travel demand, he said.

Asian carriers recorded $2.6 billion in combined profit last year, boosted by strong growth in China and lower labor costs, the group said. Singapore Airlines, Asia's most profitable carrier, posted a fourth-quarter profit of S$297.8 million ($181 million), beating analysts' expectations by about 36 percent.

European carriers posted a $1.4 billion profit as ``consolidation helped capacity management,'' Bisignani said.

Hedging

``The extraordinary price of fuel is destroying our industry,'' Bisignani said. ``Cost efficiency is the new paradigm.''

The fuel bill at Air France-KLM Group, Europe's largest airline, is likely to rise by 1.3 billion euros ($1.6 billion) this year, Chief Executive Jean-Cyril Spinetta said in Tokyo, without giving details.

Austrian Airlines Group expects its oil expenses to rise 40 percent this year, Chief Executive Vagn Soerensen said in an interview.

Airlines could save as much as $2 billion this year by using fuel more efficiently, with every 1 percent improvement in efficiency cutting costs by $800 million a year, IATA said.

The group aims to help carriers cut their oil bills by lobbying governments to give flight clearance for shorter routes, such as between Europe and China, and asking airports to improve their traffic flows, said Guenther Nattschnig, IATA's vice president for safety, operations and infrastructure.

Surcharges Needed

Airlines must use fuel surcharges to protect their earnings, said Winson Fong, who owns airline stocks among the $2.3 billion of Asian equities he helps manage for SG Asset Management in Singapore.

Taiwan's China Airlines said it would use surcharges and hedging, or advance contracts, to mitigate higher fuel cost. The Taipei-based carrier has hedged 58 percent of fuel costs this year and 30 percent for 2006, Chairman Chiang Yao-Chung said today.

``We have applied to raise our surcharge on regional routes to $7.30 from $5 and to $22.30 on long-haul flights from $15,'' he said, without saying when the surcharges would be added.

Austrian Airlines has already maximized the benefit of surcharges and won't be able to increase them further, Soerensen said. Austria's largest carrier, which is expecting a loss this year, is also struggling with hedges and has reduced its forward contracts to 3.5 percent of requirements this year, after 40 percent in 2004, Soerensen said.

``If you buy forwards now, it's prohibitively expensive,'' he said in an interview. ``The dollar is getting stronger, and that adds to the fuel bill,'' since oil is sold in dollars.

Airline Shares

The shares of Asian airlines trade mixed today. The 14 airlines tracked by the Bloomberg Asia-Pacific Airlines index rose 0.2 percent to 130.55, with seven airline stocks rising, five falling and two trading unchanged.

Singapore Airlines, Asia's most profitable carrier, rose almost 1 percent to S$11.60. Shares of Japan Airlines Corp., the region's largest carrier by sales, rose 0.6 percent to 312 yen.

Shares of China Eastern Airlines Corp., the country's third-largest carrier, fell 2.2 percent to HK$1.36 in Hong Kong.

Korean Airlines Corp., the world's second-largest freight carrier, and which doesn't hedge its oil needs, fell 3 percent to 17,800 won in Seoul.

Airlines could have been profitable on average last year because the global business grew 8 percent, Bisignani said. ``Without the incredible fuel bill, we could have returned to a profit,'' he said.


Source: Susanna Ray in Tokyo - bloomberg.net

New rules for phones on Qantas

Qantas will relax its rules on mobile phone usage on domestic flights, it has been reported.

Under the new rules Qantas domestic passengers will be allowed to make mobile phone calls once their flight has landed and as it approaches the airport terminal, according to a report in The Australian.

Business passengers will also be able to use mobile phones and personal digital assistants equipped with "flight mode" during flights, once the seatbelt sign has been turned off.

Flight mode switches off the transmitter in a phone or PDA but allows the device's other functions to be used.

The new policy, which has the approval of the Civil Aviation Safety Authority, will take effect on June 7 and initially apply only to domestic flights.

The airline reportedly plans to expand the change to its international flights and to other airlines in the Qantas group. - Travelpress travel news

Source: http://au.travel.yahoo.com/

Heavy U.S. weekend travel expected

The upcoming U.S. Memorial Day weekend will see busier highways and even busier airports with a surge in traveling to mark the beginning of summer.

The American Automobile Association estimates 37 million motorists will travel 50 miles or more from home, a 2 percent increase from last year. The increase is noteworthy in light of a CNN/USA Today/Gallup Poll released Thursday that found 59 percent of respondents reported suffering financial hardship because of high prices at the gas pumps

Air travel is expected to surge as well, Federal Aviation Administration officials said.

At the Aviation Subcommittee of the Senate Commerce Committee Thursday, FAA officials said the nation's air traffic has rebounded to pre-Sept. 11, 2001, levels.

Projected delay hot spots for the weekend include Philadelphia, New York City-La Guardia; Newark, N.J., Washington-Dulles; Atlanta, Ga., and Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Source: Big News Network

Tourism businesses ‘benefit from budget’

The Federal Government claims 321,000 small businesses involved in tourism will benefit from tax cuts in its budget.

Tourism Minister Fran Bailey told a gathering of industry representatives from the National Tourism Alliance that tourism businesses would benefit from $3 billion of business tax cuts, such as the removal of the three percent tariff on business inputs, ‘blackhole’ tax relief and the 25 percent Entrepreneurs Tax Discount.

“But what these 321,000 small businesses don’t want is increased costs and compliance if Labor holds up the $21.7 billion of tax cuts,” she said.

“These businesses often employ many casual employees on differing rates of pay - what they don’t need is confusion over which tax formulas to apply.”

Source: http://au.travel.yahoo.com/
Ms Bailey said small businesses involved in tourism would also benefit from the budget’s $21.7 billion of personal income tax cuts, as Australians would have more money in their pockets to go out for a restaurant meal, visit a museum or zoo or take a short break.


Ms Bailey also took the opportunity to reaffirm her commitment to working in partnership with the tourism industry through the National Tourism Alliance.

“By working together, we can overcome the challenges thrown at us, attract even more tourists to visit Australia and further strengthen the tourism industry,” she said. – Travelpress travel news

Record-breaking start to holiday

Londoners have sweltered as the temperature hit 31C The UK's hottest day in May for more than 50 years has kicked off the bank holiday weekend, but forecasters are warning of unsettled weather ahead. In London temperatures reached 31C - the hottest May day since 1953. But in Edinburgh, Scots had to shiver in a cold, rainy 10C. The Met Office said rain and hazy conditions would affect the south on Monday, with top temperatures only in the mid-teens. The last time that we had a temperature over 30C in May was in 1953 BBC weather spokeswoman A spokesman for the RAC told BBC news that Friday morning roads were relatively quiet for the start of a bank holiday weekend because the hot weather had prompted many people to take the day off work. He said there were no reports of any major delays expected, though jams were likely around coastal resorts if the weather remained sunny. Overheating But the AA said an estimated 18 million cars would be on the road and it was increasing its patrol numbers by a fifth. "Drivers may get caught out if they do no preparation for their journey, especially if they get stuck in queuing traffic, as this is when cars, like us, are more likely to overheat," spokesman Gavin Hill-Smith said. "Five minutes spent checking things like your car's coolant and oil levels, battery, tyre tread and pressures really can help prevent problems from arising." The record of 31C was recorded at the BBC's London Weather Centre on Friday afternoon. Coastal traffic jams are expected if the hot conditions remain A BBC weather spokeswoman said: "The last time that we had a temperature over 30C in May was in 1953, when it reached 31.7C at Heathrow and Farnham." The bank holiday comes as the number of UK beaches failing European water quality tests has doubled, according to the Good Beach Guide findings just released. Airports operator BAA said officials were expecting a steady weekend, with more than 1.78m passengers due to pass in and out of their seven airports. Top destinations included New York for Heathrow passengers, and Spanish resorts such as Malaga, Palma de Mallorca and Gerona from Gatwick and Stansted. Train disruptions The Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) said more than 2.1m people were expected to travel abroad over the weekend, saying Spanish resorts were the most popular. But other destinations, including Turkey, Egypt and Florida, were also proving attractive. "The summer season gets into full swing this weekend and we are looking forward to a bumper number of bookings," said Abta president Martin Wellings. Train passengers are advised to check the National Rail website before booking tickets, as many services are being disrupted by engineering works. Source: bbc.co.uk

Air Transport Assoc sees higher summer travel

The Air Transport Association said Wednesday that it expects about 4.1% more travelers in the skies this summer than last year. About 200 million passengers are expected to fly between Memorial Day through Labor Day, the industry group said.

Source: MarketWatch.com

DUBAI’S POPULARITY MAKES IT A FIRM FAVOURITE FOR INTERNATIONAL HOTELS

Dubai, which has become a global travel and business destination and attracted 5.4 million tourists last year with its flashy resorts, modern convention centres and sport events, is rapidly becoming home to major international hotel chains. The emirate was recently visited by Maybourne Hotel Group, a newly-created luxury hotel company with headquarters in Mayfair, London. The group owns and manages The Berkeley, Claridge’s and The Connaught, three of the world’s most renowned hotels, all based in central London. The group is currently planning to open between 15 to 20 new hotels outside the UK in the next three years with Dubai as one of the shortlisted destinations. According to Ms. Geraldine McKenna, CEO of Maybourne Hotel Group who was in Dubai last week along with her team, ‘The creation of Maybourne Hotel Group, a world class hotel company, is the start of a new era. Our aim is to add to our existing hotels by identifying and acquiring landmark properties in key gateway cities around the world. Our vision is to build and grow, whilst cherishing the individual personality of our hotels, our customers and our people. ""Dubai is an excellent destination and one of the most attractive places for international hotels. Hence we have already decided to open one of our hotels here and are looking at the right location for the hotel. Although we are looking at Downtown Dubai, we will wait until the new projects open, most of which are located outside the city, before taking a final decision," she added. Source: http://www.dubaiinteract.com/

easyJet founder eyes Dubai for low-cost hotels

easyJet founder Stelios Haji-Ioannou and owner of easyGroup is actively considering plans of opening low budget hotels in Dubai.

"I am told that there are 5-6 star properties in the area. We would look at short stay options for the low-cost traveller," he told Khaleej Times in an exclusive interview.

Earlier, speaking at Entrepreneurs in Dubai conference, he said: "We believe in expanding through franchising. We want to combine the brand, reputation, know-how, methods with local expertise, management capacity and knowledge of economic conditions. Ownership is incidental."

The first of easyHotels will be in Kensington, London, which is scheduled to open in Spring 2005. It promises no-frills, low cost accommodation on the basis of book early, pay less. Customers can book their rooms at this the group's web site with a credit card on the basis of the earlier you book, the less you pay and periods of high demand will cost more than less popular periods. The lowest fare is £5.

"The London prototype is ready and the average cost for customers works out to be £30-35. We will have to see how that translates here," he said in replay to a question.

According to their web site, easyHotel will concentrate on the core competence of providing accommodation and will not provide restaurant and other services.

The customers will be given fully made up rooms, but housekeeping during their stay will be an optional extra. Each room has a shower unit, a lavatory and a wash basin. Each room will contain a double bed and will come in one of three sizes, 'tiny' (60 square feet), 'very small' (70 sq ft), and 'small' (80 sq ft). Due to the special construction and materials used, the rooms are said to be much cheaper to manufacture and maintain and easier to clean.

His presence in Dubai has caused speculation about whether Dubai is acquiring another budget airline. Stelios ruled out any immediate plans for easyJet coming to the UAE.

"Low cost airlines need complete liberalisation of skies to be viable," he said.

Easy cruise in Dubai?

DUBAI — Come winter and Dubai might acquire a cruiseliner for the low budget traveller. Stelios Haji-Ioannou said that his easyCruise would take to Dubai very easily.

"We are looking at winter destinations and Dubai might be one of them," he said in an exclusive interview to Khaleej Times.

Unlike traditional cruising, easyCruise ships stay in port in the afternoon and the evening to encourage people to have fun ashore and sail in the early hours of each morning for the next destination. The flexible one-week itineraries allow the passengers to embark and depart at any port on the route provided they stay on board at least two nights.

Stelios’ success formula is based on use of online booking.

During his presentation, he said: "Passengers can book online only since we are not affiliated to any travel agents. I did get the stick for putting our web site all over the ship."

Source: Shalini Seth - http://www.khaleejtimes.com/index00.asp

Air passengers seek call-free zones

Business travellers may not be quite as desperate to stay in touch while flying as airlines imagine. A survey in the latest National Business Travel Monitor of those based in the US found that only 23 per cent thought mobile phone calls should be allowed on board, while more than two-thirds said that, if mobiles were permitted, callers should be confined to a designated section of the aircraft. Following the recent report from Scandinavian Airlines that passengers were using laptops to make cheap calls via its in-flight internet access system, the survey may give carriers pause for thought. However, the silent majority of passengers may be encouraged to hear that, while the proportion of travellers keen to access the web on aircraft has risen from 27 per cent in last year’s equivalent survey, it is still only 36 per cent.

The survey also found that 42 per cent expected to make more trips in the coming year, while 24 per cent anticipated making fewer. But travellers have been cutting back on longer stays of five nights or more and making fewer international trips. Perhaps deterred by the weak dollar, 11 per cent said they had travelled abroad in the past year compared with 13 per cent last time, and the average number of trips fell from 7.1 to 3.1.

Source: Roger Bray - http://www.ft.com/

Aviation boom to trigger higher online flight ticket bookings

An increasing number of air passengers from India will be booking their tickets online within a year, according to founder and CEO of travel portal MakeMyTrip.com Deep Kalra. Rough industry estimates suggest that only around 10% of air tickets are booked online in the country today

The success of websites such as irctc.com (Indian Railways), spicejet.com, and airdeccan.net is a case in point, he says. On a single day, for example, SpiceJet claimed to have booked 37,600 tickets online. Competition in the Indian skies will trigger further growth of online travel bookings, it is felt.

At a conference to announce a deal with a Hong Kong-based equity fund SoftBank Asia Infrastructure Fund (SAIF) on Wednesday, Mr Kalra presented global statistics to show that online is the future of the travel industry. As of now, over 25% of all travel in the US is booked online. Also, it is estimated that by 2008, over 50% of US travellers will move to the Net. Interestingly, a PhoCus Wright study says that 34% of all air tickets and 20% of all hotels are booked online in the US. The total value of the projected e-travel bookings in the US for 2005 is $50 billion. To top that, one-third of all e-commerce worldwide is related to travel, Mr Kalra said, citing the report. Look outside of the US, and online booking is catching up almost everywhere. E-travel bookings in Europe are expected to be valued at $31 billion in 2005. In Asia, China is a good example. Travel bookings on China’s Ctrip are estimated at $520 million and on eLong at $200 million. There’s more. Expedia.com has overtaken American Express as the largest travel agency in the world, grossing over $10 billion in 2004, according to PhoCus Wright. Among the key factors which will propel e-commerce in India include 45 million internet users, growing at 50% per annum; 55 million mobile phone users growing at 100%; 30 million credit and debit card users growing at 35%, and expenditure on travel and entertainment recording an 11% growth.

The travel and tourism segment in India amounts to 5% of the country’s GDP at $13 billion. And, India is ranked as the second fastest growing travel and tourism economy in the world, expected to grow at 8.8% over the next 10 years. Outbound trips were estimated at 6 million in 2004 and slated to grow by 15%.

Makemytrip.com announced on Wednesday that it has offloaded about 51% of its equity to Hong Kong-based private equity fund SAIF for $10 million.

Source: http://www.financialexpress.com/

Airlines expect 200 million to fly this summer

Despite pickup in traffic, carriers seen struggling financially

U.S. airlines expect to carry an estimated 200 million passengers this summer, a 4 percent increase over last year, the industry's leading trade group said on Wednesday.

The summer travel season begins this weekend, the three-day Memorial Day holiday, and runs through Labor Day, the first weekend in September.

"Low fares continue to prompt high travel volumes and the situation this summer will be no exception," said James May, president of the Air Transport Association.

However, most airlines are expected to continue to struggle financially during the summer months, usually the strongest travel period of the year.

Soaring fuel prices and cheap fares brought on by intense competition have eroded finances for a number of airlines, especially the biggest carriers. May also blames government-imposed security costs, taxes and other fees for the industry's problems.

"Right now, carriers have very little ability to pass on the additional costs in the price of a ticket due to an intensely competitive marketplace," May said.


Source:

Travel slump hits tsunami areas

Travel and tourism spending in countries hit by the December 26 tsunami is experiencing a renewed slump, after an initial recovery two months ago.

The economies of the areas that were hit still remain fragile and are likely to take a lot longer to recover, according to fresh data from credit card firm Visa International.

Spending by cardholders fell in April and May in Phuket, Maldives and Sri Lanka compared to last year -- all destinations that were hit by massive waves that killed an estimated 273,800 people and left thousands missing.

The drop in spending coincided with the earthquake on the Indonesian island of Nias on March 28 and the resurgence in tsunami fears.

Travel industry experts at a recent World Tourism Organization (WTO) conference in Bali also concluded that the recent spending slump corresponded with a drop in media coverage and interest in the affected areas.

Figures released at the conference showed that credit card spending at Phuket in the week ending May 8 was 37 percent lower than the same week in 2004, despite being up by six percent in March.

A similar picture occurred in the Maldives, where a recovery between February and March was followed by a 35 percent year-on-year decline in May.

"We found that $3 billion is likely to be lost from the tourism industry in the region -- but that is turning out to be a conservative estimate," James Murray, Visa's executive vice-president for Southeast Asia, told the conference.

According to a Visa survey conducted in March, travelers are still concerned about health and safety, as well as the state of the infrastructure in the affected areas.

The data suggests that travelers from some countries were also more traumatized than others -- spending by U.S. tourists increased in May while spending by Taiwanese was down significantly.

"Tourists need more information about the impact the tsunami has had on tourist facilities," said former U.S. president and special U.N. envoy Bill Clinton in a video message to the WTO conference.

"Some potential tourists simply do not know that many of the resorts in the region are fully recovered and open for business."

Jero Wacik, the Indonesian Minister of Culture and Tourism added that, "this confusing perception is already having a dramatic effect on the tourist arrivals in all regions in Indonesia."

Tourism experts at the conference likened the impact of the tsunami to other problems that have hit the region, such as the SARS outbreak in 2003 and the Bali bombing of 2002. The travel industry took months to recover from both of those tragedies.

According to data from Visa, the Indonesian island of Bali has shown 18 consecutive months of positive growth in credit card spending since November 2003.

Many in Asia's travel trade also realize the importance of leisure and business travelers to the region's economy.

"The average tourism worker supports five other people in Asia," says Deborah Luhrman, a WTO consultant.

Source: Nick Easen for CNN

Emirates Airlines increases flights to Seychelles

Emirates Airlines increases flights to Seychelles Dubai 24 May, 2005 (WAM)--The Emirates Airlines has announced today that it has increased its flights to Syechelles from four to five journeys per week starting from June 2, 2005, in the light of increasing demands for additional trips to that country.

Nabeel Sultan , the carrier's deputy vice president for commercial operations in West Asia, said the additional trips would provide a twenty five percent upgrading of passenger and cargo capacities.

Source: WAM/CB 20 11 CCCCQQE

SpiceJet takes off, targets new class of air travellers

Low-fare SpiceJet operated its first flight on Tuesday on the Delhi-Ahmedabad-Mumbai route, adding spice to the growing budget travel market amid growing concerns over inadequate aviation infrastructure across the country.

With a debut ticket price of Rs 99 and a fleet of three leased Boeing 737-800 aircraft, SpiceJet has planned an initial investment of 25 million dollars and expects to post a profit within six months.

The airline offers a single class in all its 189-seater planes with complimentary snacks and water. Initial destinations include Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore and Pune.

''India is at the threshold of a dynamic phase of development,'' said SpiceJet's CEO Mark Winders. ''It's only fair that benefits of liberalisation now reach the masses.'' ''The only impediment to air travel growth is infrastructure,'' he added. ''We'll ensure that India gets a move on.''

Said Union Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel, who flagged off the inaugural flight: ''It's true that aviation infrastructure has been neglected in the past. The UPA government is committed to upgrade it, keeping in view the expected 20 per cent compounded growth in air travel over the next few years.''

SpiceJet officials said its most expensive fares are 55 to 60 per cent cheaper than the regular full economy fares of competitors such as Jet Airways, Air Sahara and Indian Airlines.

Source: Deccan Herald

A bit of travel etiquette can help ensure a successful vacation

Vacations can too easily turn from delight to disaster.
A misunderstanding with a travelling companion, a hotel that doesn't fit the bill or a waiter disgruntled over a scanty tip can all sour a trip. A bit of road-tested etiquette, though, can shift the odds into a traveller's favour.
In 30 years as a travel agent in Los Angeles, Nadine Nardi Davidson learned about the good and bad. She heard it all: fighting children, romantic getaways turned relationship killers and generally miserable experiences. She decided to write a book: Travel with Others Without Wishing They'd Stayed Home.

While no single formula may work for everyone, good communication usually gives a vacation a fighting chance, Davidson said.

Married couples have to recognize the needs of a spouse. The adventurous thrill-seeker of a family needs to acknowledge a partner who prefers lounging and shopping - or playing golf. They should make accommodations to suit both tastes, says Davidson.

"I knew one couple where the husband wanted to walk through the Amazon but for the wife that wasn't a vacation," Davidson said. The couple compromised, the husband joining a buddy for a jungle trek before meeting the wife in a four-star hotel in Rio de Janeiro, she said.

"We have to realize there's no right or wrong way to travel," Davidson said.

Another thing to remember: "Just because you've spent money on a trip doesn't mean you're going to have fun."

When travelling with friends or family, a discussion about money is particularly important.

"When people aren't clear about how much money and who is expected to pay for what, it can ruin a lot of trips and a lot of relationships," she said. "Make sure it's very clear what you're going to pay for."

Planning a trip with family? Drop a few clear, written notes to make the finances clear. "It might be something like 'You can sleep in our condo but expect to pay $200 a day for food or beverages,' " she said.

Also, don't make assumptions about someone's budget. A well-paid CEO might not find the benefits of a five-star hotel worth the cost but someone from a lower tax bracket may see the amenities as the perfect once-a-year splurge, Davidson said.

"The main thing is to discuss it in advance," she said. "A good way to know is to ask where someone went last time and where they stayed and how they liked it."

Someone might mention a posh hotel, and others might choose a three-night stay in the family's recreational vehicle. Both can make good vacations; it's just best to understand everyone's tastes before setting out, Davidson said.

Two families travelling together have their own considerations.

Davidson said she knew of two families (the husbands were close college buddies) who rented a mini-van and headed off on an adventure. Then, one family's child accused the other couple's girl of taking a hair barrette. The argument ended when one mother said, "Your child's a liar."

Needless to say, the trip didn't go well. "The parents made a big mistake getting involved in their kids' argument," she said. "The kids forgot quickly, but the parents didn't. It ruined their relationships."
For unmarried couples travelling together, frank discussions early can eliminate later disappointment, Davidson said.
"You always need to know what strings are attached to an invitation," Davidson said. Ask about splitting the cost, or be clear about paying. Don't be afraid to discuss any romantic expectations, which left unaddressed could end with disappointment and anger, she said.
"If you can't be clear about those things, then you probably shouldn't go," Davidson said. "You can buy insurance in case someone breaks a leg and can't go, but not for a broken heart."
While travelling companions represent a daily, even a minute-to-minute, relationship, travellers should understand the need for fundamental courtesy," said Jacqueline Whitmore, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach.

The lack of etiquette often presents itself aboard an airliner. "People roll their eyes when they must turn cell phones off. They're surly to flight attendants, drink too much and get out of hand.
"Pack a more positive attitude when you travel," Whitmore said. "It's very stressful now and by the time you get through security and get on the plane, you're just exhausted."
Avoiding the creation of undue stress makes travel is easier for everyone. Deciding if, or how much, to tip can ease tension. When in doubt, particularly in a foreign country, just ask, Whitmore said.

Here are a few guidelines from Whitmore:
- Tip a restaurant's wait staff between 15 per cent and 18 per cent of the bill before taxes. For valet service, tip $2 or $3 each time an attendant retrieves your car. At the hotel, tip a doorman $1 or $2 per bag for moving the bag from the car to the bell cart. Similarly, tip the bellman $1 or $2 per bag, depending on size and weight.

- Parents travelling with children should also consider the needs of youngsters when making reservations, particularly when staying in an intimate inn or bed and breakfast. Ask if children are welcome or if there's a need for special accommodations when making reservations, said Randy Fought, owner of Bed & Breakfast Inns Online. His company in Madison, Tenn., offers a marketing portal for 5,000 inns.

"First inquire, don't just show up unannounced if you're bringing children," he said.
-Always respect other travellers. Just keep in mind there are other people there wanting to enjoy themselves

Source: The Canadian Press

Going downhill isn't bad for ski resorts anymore

Less than a decade ago, the U.S. ski industry was reeling from downhill business. Resorts were collectively wringing their hands over a future that looked bleak.

But a call to action rejuvenated the industry, something confirmed by the latest statistics released by a national trade association. U.S. ski resorts posted their fourth best season on record during the 2004-05 winter despite a drought that turned the season into a dud for resorts in the Northwest, according to the National Ski Areas Association

NSAA reported during its annual convention last weekend that preliminary data shows resorts posted 56.4 million visits from skiers and snowboarders. NSAA officials were en route back to their Lakewood, Colo.-headquarters yesterday and couldn't be reached for comment. Four out of the last five seasons have been among the ski industry's best-ever, the organization's announcement said. NSAA said its preliminary data showed customer visits were up 2.4 percent in the Rocky Mountain region.Aspen Skiing Co. Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales David Perry said the report makes him particularly pleased with the Skico's performance during 2004-05. The company posted a 4 percent gain in visits at its four mountains. "For a pure, long-haul destination resort that's good," said Perry. Aspen doesn't have a large urban market nearby to draw from. It relies primarily on people who stay at least one night. Perry said Aspen Highlands and Buttermilk logged "strong" gains. Highlands draws attention for its expansion of double-black diamond terrain; Buttermilk has enjoyed the limelight as home of the X Games.Snowmass posted a "decent" gain after five or so years of flat or reduced business. Aspen Mountain's numbers were down slightly but not by a significant amount, according to Perry.He credited the Skico's overall 4 percent gain to three factors: international business buoyed by a weak dollar; strong appeal of the seven-day Classic Pass; and a surge in group business

Perry said residents of the Front Range as well as the Roaring Fork Valley "gobbled up" the Classic Pass this winter. The increase in group business was due to coordinated sales and marketing efforts throughout the business community.

NSAA reported that the Rocky Mountain region had about 19.33 million skier and rider visits, which is a new record for the region.

The Northeast was up 6.3 percent from last season. The Southeast was down 0.7 percent; the Midwest was down 3.3 percent; and the Pacific West plummeted 13.9 percent.

But as the Rockies go, the industry goes because there are so many resorts in Colorado and Utah.

Perry, who used to head Colorado Ski Country USA, a statewide trade association, said resorts concentrated on two main points to reverse its sagging fortunes in the late 1990s. The industry realized it needed to do a better job of retaining customers and getting "echo boomers," the kids of baby boomers, to try the sport.

Urban resorts - or ski areas close to big cities - have also successfully recruited new people to skiing and riding, according to Perry. Aspen's four mountains eventually capitalize on that because many skiers and riders wants to come on an extended trip to somewhere famous.

"Aspen was always that dream destination," said Perry.

Source: Scott Condon - aspentimes.com

Jamaican getaway

When Christopher Columbus landed in Jamaica on May 4, 1494, he wrote in his log that it was "the fairest island that mine eyes have beheld; mountains and the land seem to touch the sky ... all full of valleys and fields and plains."

Today, of course, Jamaica is much more than that. Think beautiful beaches, reggae, coffee, rum, cricket, golf courses, resorts, James Bond, "Cool Runnings," and so on. Jamaica is a wonderful getaway for anyone, no matter what your budget is.

While the bulk of Jamaica's in-bound tourism comes from North America, Japan is also a growing market. The annual number of Japanese visitors stands at around 4,500, and while that is down from the peak of 20,000 in the early 1990s, the Jamaican Tourist Board and its travel partners are making efforts to bring more Japanese to the islands.

David Shields, deputy director of tourism and marketing for the Jamaican Tourist Board, has already made two trips to Japan in the past eight months. The tourist board works through Marketing Garden Ltd in Japan to increase Japanese consumers' awareness of what the Caribbean country has to offer.

Born in Jamaica, Shields has a degree in management studies and a master's in accounting. Prior to joining the Tourist Board, he worked with KFC, Tia Maria, and the Cayman Islands as assistant director for tourism for five years. He took on his current position in January of 2004.

Japan Today editor Chris Betros catches up with Shields during his recent visit to Japan at the offices of Marketing Garden.

Where do most tourists to Jamaica come from?

Each year we get over 2.5 million visitors. Of those, 70% come from the U.S., mainly the northeastern belt. The U.K. represents about 13%, Canada about 10%. We get a lot of Commonwealth visitors for cricket, of course, and with the staging of the cricket World Cup in 2007, we anticipate more.

What about from Japan?

Japan is a small but steady market. Our peak from Japan was about 10 years ago, when we used to get 20,000 visitors a year, but economic factors had an effect. Today we are seeing 4,500 a year and there are sings of growth.

What is the fastest way to get to Jamaica from Japan?

It depends on the carrier. Dallas and Los Angeles are frequent stopover points. So are New York and Toronto with Air Canada.

How are you represented in Japan?

We don't have an office here. Marketing Garden has the energy and expertise to increase product knowledge among Japanese and they give us solid representation here. Japan is the only Asian country where we have such representation.

What is the purpose of your visit?

I am here to have meetings with our representatives, to look at where the business is for this year and make plans for the next couple of years. I meet with key airline and tour operator partners to hear their issues and see how we can grow the business.

I understand you also visited China on this trip?

Yes, I went there first for a travel and tourism market. Jamaica has been awarded approved destination status by the Chinese government.

Consumers have many choices when it comes to holidays. What is the image of Jamaica that you are selling to them?

It is a destination that is rich in opportunities for excitement, cultural expression and also a place where you can lay back and do nothing. Jamaica offers diversity like no other Caribbean destination. For Japan, we are positioning Jamaica as a very upscale, high-end brand that has a lot of premium value with five-star properties like Ritz-Carlton, Half Moon and Sans Souci. One of the best ways of selling this image is to bring travel and media partners to Jamaica and experience it.

What trends do you see among Japanese tourists?

Young Japanese come for reggae, but we also see older and more sophisticated affluent Japanese, the empty nesters.

When you travel abroad, do you find that people you meet have preconceived ideas about Jamaica?

Sure, everywhere. We did a survey recently to determine what resonates when I mention Jamaica and the most common answers were music, sports and Merlene Ottey. We hear coffee, Jimmy Cliff, movies like "Cool Runnings" and James Bond. One agency in Jamaica now has a mandate to work with Hollywood. Also, a U.S. reality show recently featured Jamaica. Movies and TV shows add a great deal of public awareness.

Source: japantoday.com

Business travelers find hotel bills rising

Midweek hotel bargains are becoming harder to find, thanks mostly to a business-travel comeback that's flourished since last year.
Business travel has "really come back faster and stronger than any of us anticipated," says Paul Whetsell, chairman of MeriStar Hospitality, one of the nation's largest hotel real estate investment trusts.

U.S. hotel rates are rising across the board, but they're increasing at a faster clip at hotels that cater to business travelers.

The average daily rate at urban hotels rose to $115.77 in March, up 5% from a year ago, according to Smith Travel Research. Airport hotels averaged $85.05, up 7% from a year earlier.

On a full-year basis, business rates are expected to average 5% higher this year than last, says Bjorn Hanson of consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers. Overall, hotel rates should average 4% more this year than last, he says.

Rate increases have already driven some people out of favorite hotels. Sales executive Bob Ferretti of Oakton, Va., says he's been priced out of a Marriott in Newark, N.J., because it now charges more than his company reimburses.

Business travel plummeted after the Sept. 11 attacks as companies restricted travel, and many travelers stayed closer to home. New York, which Hanson says had the biggest loss of business travelers, started seeing them return in early 2004. The uptick later spread to cities such as Washington, Boston and San Francisco, he says.

Now, says analyst Rod Petrick of investment firm Legg Mason, "the recovery is in full swing." Rooms at full-service hotels at large coastal cities are particularly in demand, says Matthew Hart, president of Hilton Hotels. Downtown rooms at Boston, New York City, Washington and Miami are consistently sold out or close to it.

Despite a year-over-year rate increase of more than 10% in cities such as Washington and Orlando, most hotels in the USA are still charging less on average than they did before Sept. 11. But that's not the case in New York.

New York hotels are expected to set records this year for prices and occupancy rates, PricewaterhouseCoopers says. The firm projects New York's occupancy rates will top 85%, and the average daily rate will top $225.

Rates aren't jumping in every market. Whetsell recently spent three months visiting many of MeriStar's 77 upscale hotels across the USA and found lingering weakness in cities such as Detroit.

"When you go into the Upper Midwest, where they're still very reliant on the auto industry, you're seeing slower growth than you are in the rest of the country," he says.

Business travelers generally pay higher rates than other guests, so hoteliers are adjusting to take full advantage.

•Change the mix. Upscale hotels are doing less to attract price-sensitive leisure guests and lower-rate contract guests, such as airline pilots. That makes more rooms available for business travelers. Through April, for instance, rooms used by business travelers this year at Hilton hotels grew 6% from the year-ago period. Rooms for leisure travelers fell 6%.

•Limit bargains. Hotels are limiting the number of cheaper rooms available for sale on travel Web sites such as Expedia and Priceline. After Sept. 11, hotel managers were preoccupied with merely filling rooms without much regard to rates, says Andrew Jordan, Wyndham's sales vice president. No longer. Wyndham's average daily rate rose to $165.16 in the first quarter, up nearly 6% from a year earlier.

•New hotels. With revenue strengthening, new hotel projects are easier to finance. Developers will begin construction on about 98,000 new hotel rooms, or 22% more than last year, PricewaterhouseCoopers says. That's the highest level since 2000.

•Tougher negotiations. Hotel companies have the upper hand in their annual negotiations with corporate travel managers. LaSalle Hotel Properties, a REIT that owns 22 hotels, last fall won increases on corporate rates of up to 8%. This year, LaSalle CEO Jon Bortz expects steeper increases.

Source: Roger Yu and Barbara De Lollis, USA TODAY

Travellers to US from Visa Waiver Program Nation's face Deadline

Following new rules being implemented by the US department of homeland security, all travelers from countries under the Visa Waiver programme must carry a machine-readable passport.

The rule was enforced in October 2004 but to facilitate travelers, the department's customs and border protection bureau had given officials at ports of entry the discretionary authority to grant one-time exemptions on a case-by-case basis to Visa waiver program travelers without a visa or a machine-readable passport.

However, the department of Homeland security will end this exemption policy and being full enforcement of machine-readable passport requirements on June 26, 2005. All travelers from visa wavier program countries are urged to obtain machine-readable passport (or visa) prior to travel to the U.S. As of June 26,2005, travelers without machine-readable passport (or a valid visa) may be denied entry to the U.S.

The June 26,2005 machine-readable passport requirement applies only to the citizens of U.S. visa wavier program countries. Pakistan is not a visa wavier country and Pakistani travelers may continue to the use non-machine readable passport with valid U.S. visas.

Nationals of visa wavier program countries may travel to the United States for up to 90 days to conduct business or tourism without a visa. The requirements regarding machine-readable passport are not intended to discourage visa wavier program nationals from traveling to the United States. Rather, this is the next step in increasing security at U.S. ports of entry for the safety of U.S. citizens and our foreign guests. The United States welcome international visitors and recognize their contribution to our country and society.

Source: The PakTribune

Air travel compared to Net, with Paris the most vital hub

The city of light is also the city of flight, says a new study listing Paris as the most vital connecting point for international air travel.

Anchorage, Alaska, places a surprising second on the list, followed by London, Singapore and New York.

The connections among 3,883 communities with airports around the world were analyzed by a team of researchers led by Luis Amaral of Northwestern University. The results are being published in Tuesday's issue of Proceedings of the National Academy of Science.

The air transportation network is like the Internet, the study concluded, with networks and hubs funneling traffic around the world.

The findings are important in understanding the flow of travelers and in studying the potential movement of new diseases, Amaral said.

In addition, the analysis could help regulators determine airports where more competition is needed, and study of the network could even shed light on the functions of biological networks within the human body, according to Amaral, an associate professor in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering.

A traveler can get from any of the cities to any other with an average of 4.4 flights, and more than half the communities are connected with four flights or fewer, the researchers found.

The most difficult air route? Getting from Mount Pleasant in the Falkland Islands to Wasu, Papua-New Guinea, requires 15 separate flights.

The researchers found that the busiest locations are not always the most important for the network.

Anchorage, for example, has nonstop flights to 39 other cities, far fewer than the 242 cities connected to London nonstop.

But Anchorage edges London in a vital measure called centrality -- a rating of the shortest paths connecting any two cities that involve a transfer at a particular city.

It's centrality that boosts the importance of cities such as Anchorage and Port Moresby, Papua-New Guinea, which serve as connection hubs between many other airports and international connections, the researchers explained.

Alaska, for example, has many airports, but most connect only to other Alaskan airports. Only a few connect to the "lower 48" states. There are political constraints on flights directly between most of Alaska and Canada, even to cities close to the border.

Thus, getting from most of Alaska to somewhere outside the state often involves going through Anchorage, boosting that city's centrality rating.

Similarly, many Pacific islands are connected by air and Port Moresby is the hub that links lots of them to the outside, placing that community seventh on the worldwide list, behind Los Angeles but ahead of such busy places as Frankfurt, Tokyo and Moscow.

Paris and London benefit from their nation's colonial pasts, with many flights from Africa and Asia going to those cities, where travelers transfer to other planes to go on.

Indeed, they are the top cities in the world for nonstop flights to other places. Paris leads with flights to 250 other cities, followed by London, 242; Frankfurt, 237; Amsterdam, 192 and Moscow, 186.

The two busiest airports in the United States are in Chicago and Atlanta. The study ranked Chicago 13th on the worldwide centrality list and 6th for nonstop flights, with connections to 184 cities. Atlanta ranked 29th for centrality and 8th in connections, with flights to 172 cities.

The study analyzed 531,574 flights operated by 800 airlines worldwide from Nov. 1 to Nov. 7, 2000. While the data are four years old, the researchers say the current worldwide airport network is virtually identical to the one at that time.

The research was funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Source: THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Most Snowfall in 5 Years for Tahoe Ski & Snowboard Resorts

While some other regions of the U.S. were doing the snow dance throughout much of the 2004/05 winter, Lake Tahoe resorts were basking in feet upon feet of the ski and snowboard season's most sought after commodity.

Record-breaking storms blanketed the area and made national headlines over the Christmas and New Year holidays, accumulating 19 feet of snow in just two weeks - the most the Sierra Nevada has seen since 1916. The New Year boom pushed Lake Tahoe to the top of ski destinations in terms of snowfall - no other North American or European ski resort could top the area's snow pack during that time. This was just a glimpse into what would turn out to be one of the area's best winter in years.

While most North Tahoe ski resorts closed in mid to late April, Alpine Meadows and Squaw Valley USA will remain open until May 30 - the last operating resorts in Lake Tahoe. Squaw Valley currently checks in with 491 cumulative inches this season, as of May 9. The number signifies the most snowfall in five years. Last year Squaw totals reported only 350 inches.

According to Rachael Woods, public relations spokesperson for Alpine Meadows, this was the resort's fifth largest season in 30 years and the area's snow pack is well above average.

"Considering there's still ten feet of snow at our base and 15 at mid mountain, you can say we've had an incredible season," Woods said.

Tahoe resorts will be working through summer to prepare for next winter. Alpine Meadows will replace its Sherwood triple chair with a high-speed quad and Northstar-at-Tahoe plans to open Phase I of its new pedestrian village in December.

Source: First Tracks!! Online

Taiwan's hotels get ready to welcome tourists from China

Hotels in Taiwan, reacting to Beijing's decision to allow Chinese tourists to visit, will speed up expansion plans to receive Chinese tourists, a Chinese-language newspaper said on Saturday.

Six large hotels said they would either expand existing facilities or build new hotels at tourist resorts to accommodate Chinese tourists, the Commercial Times reported.

The six hotels include the Ambassador Hotel (°ê»«), Grand Formosa Regent Taipei (´¹µØ), Leofoo Hotel (¤»ºÖ) and the Ritz Taipei Hotel (¨È³£ÄR½o), all of which are luxury hotels in Taipei.

Their expansions will cost NT$20 billion (US$63 million) and create 2,000 hotel rooms.

Beijing last Friday announced plans to allow tourists to visit Taiwan, challenging Taipei's five-decade-long ban on tourism links with China.

"The opening of Taiwan-bound tourism is an issue between Taiwan people and mainland people; it can improve understanding and help boost Taiwan's tourism industry," Zhang Jianzhong (±i°íÄÁ), spokesman for the National Tourism Administration of China, told a news conference in Beijing.

"We will launch it with careful planning and step-by-step. We hope the Taiwanese government can authorize civic groups to hold talks with China's tourism sector. The talks can be held in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong or Macau," Zhang said.

Taipei reacted coldly to Beijing's announcement that it will let its citizens visit Taiwan on package tours.

"If Beijing is serious, it should hold government-to-government talks with us. China's announcement contains no concrete measures, so they are just empty words," government spokesman You Ying-lung (´å¬Õ¶©) said.

In sharp contrast to the government's attitude, the tourism sector is excited about the arrival of Chinese tourists.

"A delegation made up of Taiwanese travel agents will visit China next month and call on China's tourism officials," Taiwan's Broadcasting Corp of China reported.

All Taiwan's newspapers on Saturday had front page stories about China's decision to send tour groups to Taiwan, with some calling it a lifesaver for the struggling tourism industry.

Source: DPA , TAIPEI

Tourists biting again at Big Apple

Disasters elsewhere are bringing visitors flocking to New York this year, boosting an industry still recovering from 9/11

One continent's disaster can be another's bonanza.So it goes in the fickle world of travel, where calamities in one corner of the globe can send folks scurrying elsewhere. That's one way to explain why New York City could cash in on a tourism boom this summer.

Hotel executive Valerie Dillon said foreign travel agents have told her that more Europeans will pack their bags for the United States because Asian beaches and cities, often popular haunts, are less desirable since the tsunami hit in December. Goodbye Phuket, hello Coney Island.

"New York seems very attractive," said Dillon, director of travel industry sales at the Crowne Plaza Times Square, where some nights in July and August are already sold out.

Whatever the reason - whether it be washed out Asian villages, the low dollar or more direct flights to New York from overseas locales - officials in myriad businesses serving the $24-billion tourism industry expect a bountiful summer.

Limo services, lodges, walking tours and Broadway shows anticipate throngs of map-toting tourists to clog sidewalks and stimulate the economy.



Foreign interest

Last year, an estimated 39.6 million visitors arrived in New York, 13 percent from overseas. While small in number, international travelers account for almost half the tourism dollars spent.

This year NYC & Co., the city's convention and marketing bureau, projects the number of sightseers at more than 40 million. "It looks very bright," said NYC & Co. president Cristyne Nicholas, who spotted several Romanians last week in a visitor center - a telling sign, she said, since tourists from that country are rare.

When overseas travelers venture to the United States, New York is the most popular destination, and for Europeans often the first stop. Foreigners generally stay several nights, then take off for sites out west or attractions in Florida, travel agents said. The U.S. Department of Commerce estimates the number of international travelers to the U.S. this summer will climb 6 percent.

Chia-Lin Chang, vice president of Global Independent Travel Services, a city-based wholesaler that books rooms and tours in 25 U.S. cities, said "it is getting hard to get rooms" in Manhattan. And rates are climbing along with demand.

There was no room at the inn for several nights last week at the 770-chamber Crowne Plaza in Times Square, and it is fully booked for 17 days in July and August, Dillon said. Vacationers are coming in large numbers from the United Kingdom and Switzerland, but the hotel has strong reservations in coming months from business travelers, too.



Promising signs

Some say the influx has begun. April was the best month for Showtix, even better than during the opening month for "The Producers," said Patricia Daily, managing director of the group sales operation which buys seats for Broadway and Off-Broadway shows. She said since Jan. 1, gross ticket sales are 20 percent higher than a year ago. "When you have decent things to sell, it makes it easier," she noted.

Showtix buys tickets in bulk after receiving orders. Daily said that with the cheap American currency, more Americans are touring their own country rather than venturing abroad, leading to increased domestic visitation in New York.

Tom Herrschaft, president of Golden Touch Transportation of New York, said he is anticipating the busiest summer in four years. The service shuttles travelers from airports to hotels and gives tours. He said volume slowed after the 2001 terrorist attacks but started gaining momentum in March.

Moreover, travelers report they like what they see. Many have noted that New York seems cleaner and safer, Herrschaft said. "The response from people is fantastic."

Tourism officials believe that International Pow Wow, a tourism convention held here earlier this month that drew thousands of overseas travel agents and journalists, will generate an additional $300 million in travel to New York State in the next three years - 10 percent of the $3 billion expected to flow throughout the country.

Noel DeFosse, general manager of a travel agency in Brussels who attended Pow Wow to learn about new U.S. products, said he typically sends 1,200 people from Belgium to the United States annually, and at least half of them stop in New York.

This year his bookings are 20 percent higher. Many clients come to the United States for at least 15 days, and some for three weeks. "New York is kind of a dream for a lot of people," he said, adding that 95 percent of them like it, 5 percent don't. "It's a crazy city," he noted.

He said the airfare is pricey for Europeans but once in the States the cost of a vacation is reasonable. And he said customers report getting good service. Hotels are clean, most don't overbook and workers take their jobs seriously.

Not everything is rosy. Harlem, Your Way! Tours Unlimited, which prepares customized tours, had a Japanese group cancel a planned trip to New York next month. Still on the books is a day-tripping group from New Jersey, which will attend a gospel concert but spend less overall than the foreigners. March and April were strong, but the current volume of tours is not back to levels reached before 9/11, founder and president Larcelia Kebe said.

Nicholas said that by the end of 2006 the number of international tourists should return to the record levels reached before the terrorist attacks, which scared away millions of foreign visitors.

Tourism could get an immediate boost if New York were to win the nod for the 2012 Olympics, which will be decided on July 6. "All of the Olympics enthusiasts will come to visit the city," Nicholas predicted.

Source: ELIZABETH SANGER - Newsday.com

Dubai Summer Festival Set to Attract More Visitors

The Dubai Summer Surprises (DSS) being held in Dubai from June 22 to Sept. 2, is poised to register 10 percent growth in the number of visitors. "This is because the annual event encourages internal tourism, as it has been designed primarily as a total family experience offering a gamut of activities for everyone across the age barrier," DSS chief Executive Officer Saeed M. Al Nabouda told a press conference at Le Jeddah Meridien yesterday.

Over its eight years of existence, the DSS has shown an "amazing growth rate" reaching up to 1.51 million visitors and AED1.56 billion total spend in 2004. "A chunk of the shoppers came from Saudi Arabia and the rest of the GCC and other Arab countries as the event has become a powerful magnet for families from the region in seeking fun-filled holidays amid familiar surroundings and cultural similarities," he said, adding that the DSS offers Saudi families a combination of Western and Eastern experience in an Arab cultural environment.

Al Nabouda and Capt. Omar Alshamsi, head of the PR and Protocol Department at the Dubai Department of Naturalization & Residency, and Dubai Tourism & Commerce Marketing representation office in Saudi Arabia, earlier held a road show with the participation of a number of travel agents and tour operators. Similar road shows are set in Riyadh today, Dammam tomorrow and Bahrain on Wednesday.

Inviting Saudi families to experience new Dubai in large numbers, Al Nabouda said Dubai was not the same any longer as the visitors would find tremendous changes in the infrastructure and facilities on offer. The Ibn Battuta Mall and the Mall of the Emirates are among the examples. The Mall of the Emirates boasts one of the world's first mountain-themed, all-inclusive indoor ski resort.

Alshamsi gave an overview of the visa procedure that is in vogue for Saudi citizens and other residents. "Visitors applying for visas through the Internet may be allowed to stay up to two months. Those who obtain visas on arrival are given a maximum of 30-day stay," he said, adding that residents belonging to certain professions including labor are not eligible for on-arrival visas.

The eighth DSS, being held under the direction of Dubai Crown Prince and UAE Defense Minister General Sheikh Mohammed ibn Rashid Al-Maktoum, will be an altogether new experience for the Saudi families, as it offers lot of shopping and entertaining options through its 10 theme-specific weeks organized jointly by various government departments, 13 key sponsors and the Dubai Shopping Malls Group at a number of participating shopping malls.

Family tourists can participate in a series of fun and entertainment events spread across 10 weeks of the event.

DSS 2005 starts with the Dubai Municipality-organized "Flower Surprises" on June 22 and ends with the Dubai Development Board-organized "Back-2-School Surprises" on Sept. 2.

The other theme-specific weeks are the "Sweets Surprises," "Arts Surprises," "Color Surprises," "Ice Surprises," "Adventure Surprises," "Cartoon Surprises,'' "Heritage Surprises," "Knowledge Surprises", and the concluding 'Back-2-School Surprises.'

"DSS focuses on grooming children for a better tomorrow by creatively using their summer holidays through the DSS mascot Modhesh and his 'fun City' which is the event's biggest summer venue at its new Dubai World Trade Center site.

The large indoor facility has a number of entertaining zones and play areas with specific themes and entertainment programs for the whole family. The venue, running between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., offers a wide choice of fun for vacationing children, parents and visitors. A number of seminars, workshops, entertainment shows and plays are also organized for the visiting families.

A promotion by the hospitality industry is the "Bundle of Surprises," which includes free airport transfers and venue transfers to DSS activity sites, complimentary breakfast and steep discounts while the grand DSS raffle gives visitors a chance to win one world-class BMW 740Li 2006 and a bumper prize of AED100,000 as part of the DSS promotion.

One out of 5,000 participants in the raffle draw will get the prize against the purchase of coupons of AED200 available from various venues. There are also individual scratch "n" win coupons, raffles and discounts offered by participating malls and outlets all throughout the period of the event. Various shopping malls from the Dubai Shopping Malls Group are offering special DSS events and organize special programs for each of the 10 themed weeks. The fun events in malls and outside will be held in temperature-controlled venues.

The delegates also announced special DSS packages offered by various airlines. "Emirates, the official carrier of the DSS, has come up with special holiday packages for the DSS, offering a range of prices, properties and benefits especially for vacationers from the Kingdom," Jeddah-based Emirates Sales Manager Amer Akhtar said. "Visitors can choose between city and beach hotels, three- to five-star properties including the Fairmont, Grand Hyatt, Ritz-Carlton and Mina A'Salaam," he said.

"With hotel prices starting from $37 per person per night sharing, these packages are valid for the duration of the event," Akhtar said, adding that each visitor will receive an additional 10 kg free baggage allowance on their return journey from the DSS. Emirates is also planning to operate 50 extra flights from the Kingdom — 25 each from Riyadh and Dammam — to Dubai during the more than two-month DSS.

Dubai's Awaqaf and Islamic affairs department, e-government, TV, Civil Aviation, land department, department of economic development and civil defense are among the other agencies supporting the festival.


Source:

Hilton, Marriott investing millions in hotel renovations

Just as one of Wichita's largest hotels is in the final stages of a renovation project, another one across town is about to start.

General managers at both properties say the work is needed to keep the surroundings looking fresh -- particularly to returning guests.
$1.8 million project is scheduled to start Monday.

Both hotels are, among other things, replacing wall coverings and installing sconces to brighten guest room hallways.

"There are so many women travelers, you've got to make sure they are feeling comfortable," says Michael Phipps, general manager at the Hilton. "And a lit hallway is important."

There's new carpeting for hallways and rooms in the Hilton. And beds in all 302 guest rooms will be replaced with the beds specially designed for the hotel chain.

New "Marriott beds" are on order for the Marriott Wichita, along with plans to renovate the Presidential Suite and Concierge Lounge, including new furniture and a plasma TV. And there are plans to renovate the hotel's restaurant.

"If you had hundreds of people going through your house and into your bedrooms each day, you would get a little wear and tear," says Michelle Ruffin-Stein, general manager at the Marriott. "So we like to keep everything fresh."

Mike Casey, vice president for marketing with the says all business owners need to periodically invest money in their facilities, and hoteliers are no different.

"Bravo for them, they are looking at what their competition is doing, they're looking at what their customers want, that's just smart business," he says.

Typically, hotels replace furniture every seven to 10 years and renovate public spaces every 10 to 15 years.

Phipps says deciding what changes to make and when is usually a matter of listening to the public.

"I like steak and kidney pie, but I don't think that just because I like it that it should be the only thing on the menu," he says.

Source: REACH KEN VANDRUFF at 266-6172 or on the Web at kvandruff@bizjournals.com - American City Business Journals Inc