Thursday, August 26, 2010
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
HEALTH CARE AND TRAVEL TIPS - TheCypressTimes
HEALTH CARE AND TRAVEL TIPS - TheCypressTimes
This is an excellent article regarding your health while traveling as well as information on pet travel and kids/teens traveling.
This is an excellent article regarding your health while traveling as well as information on pet travel and kids/teens traveling.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
American To Upsell Premium Coach Seats At Checkin Kiosks
Business Travel - Airline News - American To Upsell Premium Coach Seats At Checkin Kiosks - Business Travel News
How far will they go? When will the additional fees add up to more than the cost of the airline ticket itself? It seems that the airlines really like to antagonize their passengers and what better way to do so than keep adding fees upon fees for things that used to be free?
How far will they go? When will the additional fees add up to more than the cost of the airline ticket itself? It seems that the airlines really like to antagonize their passengers and what better way to do so than keep adding fees upon fees for things that used to be free?
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Hurricane Season Travel Tips from AmadeusShare
10 HURRICANE-PROOF TRAVEL TIPS
Safety first, then relaxation
Hurricane season doesn’t have to hamper tropical trips.
Baby, it’s windy outside … and rainy.
Bad beach weather could be the fate of some of your customers visiting “hurricane belt” destinations—areas bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Between June 1 and November 30 each year, these regions are prone to “tropical disturbances,” ranging from brief episodes of heavy rain to tropical storms to full-fledged hurricanes.
That doesn’t mean Florida, the Caribbean and other tropical destinations should be off-limits during what also just so happens to be peak vacation season.
But a few planning tips can help you keep your customers happy and protected as they enjoy a vacation that’s hopefully soaked with sunshine rather than rain.
1. Safety first
Equip your customers with helpful hurricane safety tips—just in case. Make sure they’re aware of evacuation routes, and provide them with the emergency map for the hotel or resort where they are staying. Strongly suggest that your customers leave their detailed itinerary and contact information with friends or family staying behind.
2. Bottled water & batteries
Tell hurricane belt bound travelers to pack a few survival kit essentials in their suitcases, whether they are flying or driving to their destination. The American Red Cross recommends a flashlight, batteries, bottled water or water tablets, nonperishable snacks and a can opener. You might also suggest they keep cash on hand in whatever currency is accepted.
3. Go the refundable route
Purchasing refundable tickets doesn’t have to mean sky-high rates, especially through low-cost carriers. And since airline fees for changing tickets have skyrocketed in recent months, your customers may be better off with a refundable ticket—especially if the weather is going to be a factor.
4. Encourage insurance
You gotta love travel insurance. It’s relatively inexpensive to your customer, yet comes with a big commission for your travel agency—and in certain cases, it will ensure even non-refundable trips are “hurricane proof.” (Check individual policies for coverage information.) Amadeus Insurance is easy to add with one click from Amadeus Selling Platform. “Your customers will thank you in the event of an emergency, weather-related or otherwise,” advises Ronan Fradin, a product manager for Amadeus North America.
5. Avoid the higher ground
Mountainous and hilly regions in the hurricane belt are more likely to turn into danger zones when hurricanes strike, according to Forbes. The Dominican Republic has four mountain areas—and with them, a history of devastating mudslides. Whereas the Bahamas are smack in the middle of the hurricane belt, but with their relatively flat topography, aren’t hit nearly as hard as hillier destinations. Of course it’s impossible to say for certain whether one region will be safer than another during any given hurricane season, but odds will be on your side in flatter terrains.
6. Know your ABCs
The ABC islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao—may be the best-known, low-hurricane-risk Caribbean islands. Stick with smaller destinations and your customers are statistically less likely to be stuck in the eye of a storm. But be pre-warned, if a hurricane does hit, it will be harder to leave a smaller island rather than a larger one.
7. Focus on the fall
No one knows for sure when Mother Nature will strike, but hurricane season tends to hit its peak in late summer. October and November can still host bad weather, but the odds are in your customers’ favor that they’ll be out of the woods by then.
8. Seek the “sunshine guarantee”
SuperClubs offers a “sunshine guarantee” for its all-inclusive properties in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Curacao. Vacationers are given a full credit for each day that isn’t sunny—good for a future stay. Hyatt has a similar policy at several of its Caribbean resorts.
9. Wild, wild west
If your customers are extremely anxious about tropical storms, this probably isn’t the best time of year to book a vacation in the hurricane belt. Hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University forecasted that the East Coast of the US and the Caribbean will get quite a battering during the 2010 hurricane season. Talk up Napa Valley or pretty Portland, Oregon, instead.
10. Don’t forget to have fun!
Leisure travel is supposed to be about letting go and enjoying life. Remind your customers that although bad weather is always a possibility, they should relax and enjoy their vacation. And if it’s too stormy to hit the beach, staying at a resort with a fabulous spa is the perfect silver lining to possible rain clouds!
Safety first, then relaxation
Hurricane season doesn’t have to hamper tropical trips.
Baby, it’s windy outside … and rainy.
Bad beach weather could be the fate of some of your customers visiting “hurricane belt” destinations—areas bordering the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.
Between June 1 and November 30 each year, these regions are prone to “tropical disturbances,” ranging from brief episodes of heavy rain to tropical storms to full-fledged hurricanes.
That doesn’t mean Florida, the Caribbean and other tropical destinations should be off-limits during what also just so happens to be peak vacation season.
But a few planning tips can help you keep your customers happy and protected as they enjoy a vacation that’s hopefully soaked with sunshine rather than rain.
1. Safety first
Equip your customers with helpful hurricane safety tips—just in case. Make sure they’re aware of evacuation routes, and provide them with the emergency map for the hotel or resort where they are staying. Strongly suggest that your customers leave their detailed itinerary and contact information with friends or family staying behind.
2. Bottled water & batteries
Tell hurricane belt bound travelers to pack a few survival kit essentials in their suitcases, whether they are flying or driving to their destination. The American Red Cross recommends a flashlight, batteries, bottled water or water tablets, nonperishable snacks and a can opener. You might also suggest they keep cash on hand in whatever currency is accepted.
3. Go the refundable route
Purchasing refundable tickets doesn’t have to mean sky-high rates, especially through low-cost carriers. And since airline fees for changing tickets have skyrocketed in recent months, your customers may be better off with a refundable ticket—especially if the weather is going to be a factor.
4. Encourage insurance
You gotta love travel insurance. It’s relatively inexpensive to your customer, yet comes with a big commission for your travel agency—and in certain cases, it will ensure even non-refundable trips are “hurricane proof.” (Check individual policies for coverage information.) Amadeus Insurance is easy to add with one click from Amadeus Selling Platform. “Your customers will thank you in the event of an emergency, weather-related or otherwise,” advises Ronan Fradin, a product manager for Amadeus North America.
5. Avoid the higher ground
Mountainous and hilly regions in the hurricane belt are more likely to turn into danger zones when hurricanes strike, according to Forbes. The Dominican Republic has four mountain areas—and with them, a history of devastating mudslides. Whereas the Bahamas are smack in the middle of the hurricane belt, but with their relatively flat topography, aren’t hit nearly as hard as hillier destinations. Of course it’s impossible to say for certain whether one region will be safer than another during any given hurricane season, but odds will be on your side in flatter terrains.
6. Know your ABCs
The ABC islands—Aruba, Bonaire, and Curacao—may be the best-known, low-hurricane-risk Caribbean islands. Stick with smaller destinations and your customers are statistically less likely to be stuck in the eye of a storm. But be pre-warned, if a hurricane does hit, it will be harder to leave a smaller island rather than a larger one.
7. Focus on the fall
No one knows for sure when Mother Nature will strike, but hurricane season tends to hit its peak in late summer. October and November can still host bad weather, but the odds are in your customers’ favor that they’ll be out of the woods by then.
8. Seek the “sunshine guarantee”
SuperClubs offers a “sunshine guarantee” for its all-inclusive properties in the Dominican Republic, Jamaica and Curacao. Vacationers are given a full credit for each day that isn’t sunny—good for a future stay. Hyatt has a similar policy at several of its Caribbean resorts.
9. Wild, wild west
If your customers are extremely anxious about tropical storms, this probably isn’t the best time of year to book a vacation in the hurricane belt. Hurricane forecasters at Colorado State University forecasted that the East Coast of the US and the Caribbean will get quite a battering during the 2010 hurricane season. Talk up Napa Valley or pretty Portland, Oregon, instead.
10. Don’t forget to have fun!
Leisure travel is supposed to be about letting go and enjoying life. Remind your customers that although bad weather is always a possibility, they should relax and enjoy their vacation. And if it’s too stormy to hit the beach, staying at a resort with a fabulous spa is the perfect silver lining to possible rain clouds!
Wednesday, August 04, 2010
TSA Guidelines Update
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it will require full name (as it appears on their government issued ID), date of birth and gender for all passengers traveling on or after November 1, 2010 regardless of when the reservation was booked. Failure to provide this information could result in a reservation being refused by the airline.
Monday, August 02, 2010
Free or Inexpensive City Tours Offered by Locals
This is from an article written by by Christine Sarkis of SmarterTravel.com
Finding a local to show you around is a great way to get to know a new city or rediscover an old favorite. But most travelers don't have friends in every city they visit, which is what makes the greeter programs that have cropped up in recent years so genius. Locals volunteer to show visitors around their neighborhood or city, offering travelers the chance at a resident's-eye-view, often for free! Here are some of the larger greeter programs:
Discovering New Cities With Friendly Locals
Finding a local to show you around is a great way to get to know a new city or rediscover an old favorite. But most travelers don't have friends in every city they visit, which is what makes the greeter programs that have cropped up in recent years so genius. Locals volunteer to show visitors around their neighborhood or city, offering travelers the chance at a resident's-eye-view, often for free! Here are some of the larger greeter programs:
- New York City: Big Apple Greeter has more than 300 volunteers and offers tours in 22 languages. To reserve a tour, fill out a visit request form at least three weeks in advance.
- Chicago: Chicago Greeter is run by the Chicago Office of Tourism. Tours of more than 25 neighborhoods and 40 themes are available in any of 15 languages. To reserve a tour, register at least seven business days in advance.
- Houston: Houston Greeters don't just offer tours, but also the chance to hang out with a Houstonian and get the inside scoop while jogging, watching a sports game, exploring a museum, or another activity. Register online.
- San Francisco: Guests staying at any Joie de Vivre hotel in San Francisco can sign up for a free neighborhood tour with a local. The Golden Gate Greeter program is available to hotel guests who sign up in advance.
- Adelaide, Australia: Adelaide Greeters pairs visitors and local volunteers with similar interests for city orientations. To book, fill out a visitor request form at least three days in advance.
- Buenos Aires, Argentina: Cicerones de Buenos Aires offers tours of both popular and off-the-beaten-path neighborhoods. These two- to three-hour tours are free, but visitors are expected to cover any transportation, meal, or admission costs for the guide. Sign up online to book a visit.
- Paris: Paris Greeter is slightly different from other greeter programs because it costs 10 euros to cover the cost of pairing visitors with volunteers. Two- and three-hour walks are led by locals keen to share their favorite parts of Paris. To request a walk, book online at least two weeks in advance.
- Toronto: TAP, or the Toronto Ambassador Program, offers visitors two- to three-hour tours of some of the city's popular neighborhoods. To book a tour, sign up online.
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