Holiday Travel Packages (HTP)

Best 9 Locations in the World for the next New Year’s Eve.

2012-01-13T10:49:00.000+02:00

It doesn’t matter whereabouts in the world you live, you can always celebrate New Year’s Eve. Depending on your location, you might get the chance to celebrate before everybody else. These are some of the top spots for New Year’s Eve celebrations.

1. New York City, New York, USA

Times Square is definitely the place to be in New York City on New Year’s Eve and has been ever since 1907 when the celebrations originated here at One Times Square. Celebrants flock into the region from 42nd and 47th streets Seventh Avenue and Broadway. They start arriving in the early afternoon and don’t leave until the New Year’s Eve ball has dropped after the countdown. The ball itself is filled with close to 1000 crystal triangles that are lit up and it drops down onto the anxious crowd from a height of 70 feet.

2. London, England

The New Year is traditionally rung in by Big Ben as its bells ring at the stroke of midnight. Once the bells start ringing the city of London is lit up with a traditional colorful fireworks display that shoots up into the sky behind the famous London Eye. You’ll get the best view of the show from the Victoria Embankment as well as on the Westminster and Waterloo bridges, which will be pedestrian-only areas after 6 p.m.

3. Sydney, Australia

Because Sydney is located west of the world’s International Date Line it’s one of the first nations to celebrate the New Year. In fact, when it’s midnight in Sydney it’s still 8 a.m. in New York. The huge celebrations in Sydney usually attract a million or more people to them. You’ll be able to witness a sensational fireworks display at the harbor, with fireworks being set off from some of the city’s skyscrapers as well as the Sydney Harbor Bridge.

4. Ecuador

In Ecuador, residents celebrate the New Year by creating effigies that are known as anos viejos, which means old years. The stuffed, straw dummies have masks made out of papier mache and are usually stuffed with firecrackers. They actually represent events and people from the past year. Often times they’re made to resemble some of the nation’s more unpopular political leaders. The effigies are burned at midnight while the New Year is welcomed.

5. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Millions of people get together every New Year’s Eve at Rio de Janeiro’s Copacabana Beach to witness one of the world’s best pyrotechnic displays. The fireworks are launched from a series of barges, with each one of them having over 1,000 fireworks onboard. The celebration is named Reveillon and the colorful fireworks explode in the dark sky high above the famous beach. There are also stages set up in the stand where live entertainers perform throughout the night.

6. Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

The Strip is closed down to traffic on New Year’s Eve as the city celebrates with a huge street party. When midnight falls there’s a fascinating fireworks display. Over on Fremont Street you’ll be able to watch live entertainment while the fireworks ring in the New Year.

7. Paris, France

In Paris, most people head over to the Eiffel Tower on New Year’s Eve. Fireworks explode in the sky at midnight and the city is more vibrant than usual, especially on the Champs-Élyseés. If you’d like to try something a little different you can try the Sacre Coeur Cathedral in the Montmartre district. You’ll get an unbelievable view of the city from here.

8. Edinburgh, Scotland

In Scotland, there’s a four-day celebration known as Hogmanay. One of the best places to celebrate is in Edinburgh where there’s a torchlight procession and huge street party with dancing and music. Of course, there’s also a fireworks display at midnight above Edinburgh Castle.

9. Seattle, Washington, USA

Seattle’s Space Needle attracts thousands of revelers every New Year’s Eve as the elevators on the tower rise from the base to the top while the midnight countdown takes place. Once the elevators hit the peak the fireworks explode all over the place making the tower look like a huge sparkler.

9 of the World’s Most Popular Floating Destinations

2011-12-19T15:14:00.000+02:00

Venice, Italy

Venice is filled with water fountains, canals, bridges, gondolas, museums, filigreed churches, palazzos, public squares, and some wonderful architecture. It’s probably the most famous and popular of all the floating cities and for good reason. However, the city is being threatened by the rising tide levels so you may want to visit it sooner rather than later.

Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Brunei’s largest city features a neighborhood that’s basically held together by about 20 miles of wooden foot bridges. These bridges connect to a total of 42 smaller villages which contain thousands of stilt structures such as homes, hospitals, firehouses, mosques, gas stations, police stations, schools, and shops. All of the buildings come with modern conveniences including air conditioning, internet access, and indoor plumbing. People in this region have been living just above the water for about 1,300 years now.

Hong Kong, China

If you head to Hong Kong’s Aberdeen Harbour, you’ll find thousands of boats known as junks. Back in the 1960s it was estimated that about 100,000 people lived on these boats, but these days only about 6,000 remain. Many of the boats are still used, but just for fishing instead of living on. They provide an awesome colourful sight and there are numerous restaurant boats in the harbour where you can enjoy some excellent fresh seafood.

Amsterdam, Holland

Back in the late 1500s Amsterdam was pretty crowded and there wasn’t much room to house the population and expand local businesses. They solved the problem by draining the area’s swamps to create a series of canals that went around in circles. It was an amazing and complex engineering feat that changed the face of the city forever. Houses, and other structures were erected in the dry areas and Amsterdam is one of the most beautiful locations in the world today. It’s estimated that there are just over 60 miles of canals flowing through the Dutch city.

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangkok is known for its floating markets which travel on the water on small, flat-bottomed boats. Each boat tries to attract customers and it’s quite a sight to see. Some of the boats sell fresh produce and/or clothes while others are actually floating restaurants. You’ll also find some homes in the area that are built on stilts over the river. Bangkok used to have many more canals, but a lot of them were paved over during the past 100 years because of health reasons.

St. Petersburg, Russia

The roots of St. Petersburg can be traced back to 1703 when a czar came upon the Neva River and declared it was so beautiful that a city should be built there. Today the city features numerous canals and some beautiful architecture and huge stone palaces.

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Fort Lauderdale is home to about 300 miles of canals which reach from the Atlantic Ocean all the way to the Everglades. They can be explored by sightseeing cruises and water taxis. You can also check them out on your own by kayak or canoe or try out one of the many gondolas.

Gold Coast City, Australia

Gold Coast is filled with artificial islands and canals that were created from Queensland swamps. The area is about eight times bigger than Venice. The newest canals opened up in 2007 with more still being dug out today. The Gold Coast is popular kayaking, dinner cruises, and high-speed jet boats. The area is also famous for its beaches and surfing.

Suzhou, China

This city’s canals flow past pagoda-roofed homes and weeping willows. The town itself dates back about 2,500 years and is very rich historically. There are two major canal streets that run through the city center. Pingjiang Road is 800 years old and Shantang Road is 1,200 years old. Suzhou is known for silk production, classical gardens, and a leaning tower erected in 961 called the Yunyan Pagoda.

Tips for Travelling with Children

2011-12-05T09:49:00.001+02:00

When your kids are all set to travel on an exciting holiday, you could hamper their happiness if your plan isn’t right or has a missing element. Here’s a list of tips which could help you to give your children a great travel experience.

Pack Less

Well, you have a lot more to handle besides your luggage! Your kids are your first priority to carry (incase of infants) so carry lesser or lighter bags. While you pack, stuff in only those things which you would really use on the trip. And pack your child’s stuff into another bag so that it gets easier to search things during an emergency. Your child’s luggage would certainly include many set of clothes, medication, food, toys, shoes and all his favourite things. You can’t afford to miss out on what your child needs, thus make a packing list before you fly.

Before you leave

Make sure you don’t leave any of your work pending. Pay off all your bills, consult the doctor about your children’s diet and medication, clear your doubts with your travel agency, register with an international calling company and last but not the least make time to say goodbye to your loved ones before you leave home.

Accommodation

Once you reach, it would be tough to find a hotel room if you haven’t done a prior book, especially if the place is a holiday spot. So plan your hotel well in advance with your travel agent. Check for it as per your budget and something in the heart of the city so that you can explore around easily. Remember to carry mosquito nets for baby beds as most hotels don’t provide you with the same.

Keep in touch

Activity listBefore you go, prepare a list of possible activities depending on the climate and length of time you have in the new place. Accordingly, take your kids to interesting places such as zoos, museums, entertainment zones etc. Don’t miss out the excitement and fun at amusement parks and gaming centers. Don’t bore them by shopping all day long or just sitting in your room. And yes, do carry their story books and board games to enjoy the same at night hours.

Food and Water

When eating in countries, always eat at busy places where the turnover of food will be fast. Else a healthy option could be, let your kids have packed food or take them to eat-outs which are immensely hygienic. Don’t take a chance when it comes to drinking water. Let your kids have bottled or boiled water only.

Once you have arrived with your kids, your family and friends would be concerned about you. Get in touch and give them an assurance that you are safe and so is your child. You should obviously have a international calling service that could help you to make free calls.

10 Best Attractions in Egypt

2011-11-22T15:42:00.001+02:00

Temples of Abu Simbel

The rock temples, which were built in about 1300 BC, have been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

They were constructed under the order of Pharaoh Ramesses II and his lady Queen Nefertari. They were originally built to intimidate their enemies and as monuments to honor their own lives.

Great Sphinx of Giza

The Sphinx in Egypt is the world’s biggest monolith statue at a height of 66 feet and length of 241 feet. Nobody really knows why the Sphinx was built or who built it, but many historians believe that Pharaoh Khafra was behind it way back in the year 2500 BC.

The Valley of the Kings

It’s believed that a minimum of 63 Pharaohs were buried at this famous site in a series of multi-roomed, private tombs. The tombs, which date all the way back about 1700 BC, were completed with murals and hieroglyphics that told stories of the kings. However the tombs were so elaborate that the first 62 of them were emptied out by grave robbers.

The most famous tomb was King Tut’s, which was buried below King Ramses VI. Somehow it went undiscovered until 1922. The tomb was filled with a fortune of gold and jewelry and was untouched until it was found. You can view the remains of King Tut’s tomb at the Egyptian Museum.

The Great Pyramid

The Great Pyramid is the biggest of the three pyramids that are located at the Giza Necropolis. This pyramid, which was built around 2560 BC, is the last of the original Seven Wonders of the World. It’s believed that it was erected as a tomb for Pharaoh Khufu of Egypt.

The Suez Canal

This famous waterway is also referred to as known as the Highway to India. The canal was opened way back in 1869 and helped open up the doors for trade between Asia and Europe. This is because goods could be shipped by going through the Suez Canal instead of traveling all the way around the continent of Africa.

The Karnak Temple

The famous Karnak Temple is considered as the world’s largest temple. This is because each of the successive Pharaohs added on their own rooms to it. The temple was featured in the James Bond movie The Spy Who Loved Me. It’s located just a hop, skip and jump away from the Temple of Luxor.

The Egyptian Museum, Cairo

This museum was constructed back in 1902. It’s two-storeys high and consists of a total of 42-rooms that are home to about 120,000 historic artifacts. These include the mummies of 27 different Egyptian pharaohs along with their coffins, gold thrones, art and jewelry. It also includes the huge King Tut collection.

The Nile River

The majority of Egyptians live alongside the famous Nile River. The nation boasts a population of about 85 million people and most have them have lived closed to the Nile throughout history.

This means that taking a cruise down the river is one of the best ways to explore the country and its people.

The Mortuary Temple of Queen Hatshepsut

This temple was built to honor the sun god Amun. This is where Queen Hatshepsut was laid to rest after her death and it’s located on the west bank of the River Nile close to the Valley of the Kings.

The Temple of Luxor

This temple was constructed back in 1400 BC to honor the Theban Triad, which is a group of Egyptian gods. The gods were held in high regard in Egypt’s Thebes region. The oldest sections of the ancient temple were erected under Queen Hatshepsut’s supervision.

22 Wonderful Places to Visit in Your Lifetime!

2011-10-19T13:13:00.001+02:00

Have you ever dreamt of visiting beautiful places in the world? Most often, you will hear these words from your friends, family members or any others. Every one of us desire to visit wonderful places in our lifetime. It is the dream of every human being.
Here are the 22 beautiful places in the world, which you can plan to visit in your lifetime.

Grand Canyon:

One of the beautiful places of the world, Grand Canyon is the steep-sided gorge carved by the Colorado River in Arizona State of United States. The powerful sources that cause an impact on the Grand Canyon is erosion, first is by water and second is by wind.

Nearly 5 million people visit the 1 mile deep Grand Canyon every year. Planning a vacation to the Grand Canyon national park provides a great relief for you and your family.

The best time to visit Grand Canyon is during the summer, fall and mild spring, but most locals agree that winter is the great time to visit. There are various camp grounds both on the top and floor of the Grand Canyon. Camping at the floor of the Grand Canyon needs a permit from the country office.

Great Barrier Reef:

This is the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem. It is one of the top beautiful places to visit in Australia. You can see it from the outer space and it is the world’s largest single structure, which is made of living organisms.

The reef supports 10,000 species which consists of 1500 types of fishes and 200 kinds of birds. This beauty inspires many of the travelers to visit the place.

The South Island:

The South Island of New Zealand is characterized by grand open landscapes. The island is well known for spectacular fiords, large beach forests, golden sand beaches and broad plains. Everybody can enjoy the travel to south island.

The south island has ten national parks. These parks incorporate world heritage sites, lakes, glaciers, fiords, native forest, coastline, and world class hiking tracks. The fabulous scenery across the south land attracts many people to plan vacation to this beautiful place.

Cape Town:

Cape Town is situated at the tip of the African Continent. The only way to understand and enjoy Cape Town is by experiencing the unique range of multicultural lifestyles and scenic national surroundings for you.

During the summer season, Cape Town is filled with holiday makers enjoying the hot weather, sunny beaches and beautiful scenery. So, if you want to spend your time during holiday season, it is best to make reservations as soon as possible. Before reaching the place, have a rough idea about the places around Cape Town, which you want to visit.

Golden Temple:

This temple has a glorious setting and it exists in the middle of the large blue sacred pool. Don’t miss the peaceful and interesting ritual that goes inside the two-story golden temple. When you take a tour to India, you should visit the golden temple.

Las Vegas:

Las Vegas is the largest city in the state of Nevada. This is commonly referred to as entertainment capital of the world. The city has great casino hotels and creates a fantasy like atmosphere. Las Vegas is a great travel destination for honeymooners and travel addicts.

A trip to Vegas is usually a trip to “the strip”, about 20 long blocks of neon lights, public drinking and casinos.

Sydney:

One of the beautiful places in the world, Sydney is the economic powerhouse of Australia. The place is full of sun-drenched natural attractions, delicious and daring restaurants, dizzy skyscrapers, friendly folk and wonderful shopping, so most of the travel addicts want to visit the place. You can take a trip to Sydney at any time of the year.

New York:

New York is the USA’s largest metro area. The city is a great center for fashion, culture, finance, research, media, food, art, and trade. The city consists of 5 boroughs and each is differentiated by its own culture.

New York is cinematic. Every year this is a backdrop for about 200 movies.

Taj Mahal:

According to most of the travelers, Taj Mahal, most beautiful building, in India is one of the great wonders of the world. This is a hybrid of many artistic styles. Once you visit Taj Mahal, you can enjoy various places near it.

The river side behind Taj Mahal provides a wonderful environment. You can enjoy greatly along with your family.

Uluru:

Uluru or Ayers Rock in Australia is one of the world’s great natural wonders. Planning to visit this place is a great way to explore and experience the cultural and physical significance of this Australian icon.

The rock is at its visual best at sunrise and sunset. Most of the travelers like to climb the rock by using an ancient aboriginal trail.

Chichen Itza:

Chichen Itza is a Mayan word. Chichen Itza is one of the largest archeological cities of Mexico and one of the seven wonders. It is the most visited tourist destination. Travelers like to visit Chichen Itza as a day trip. If you want to enjoy all the activities nearby Chichen Itza, it takes 2-3 days stay.

Before entering into the Chichen Itza, you will come across an informative museum, clean rest rooms, a dining room, few vender stands and gift shops. You can visit the site at any time of the year.

Machu Picchu:

It is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. This is mystical place and a great spot to divinity. It is the Peru’s most popular place, so most of you like to see the place. People of Machu Picchu feel that they are the creators of god. This place offers you strange forces of nature that permit the individual to attain a contrary cosmic state.

The place is located at 2300 meters above the sea level. So, you can enjoy the vicinity of the place. One day is enough to visit the spots around Machu Picchu.

While planning to visit Machu Picchu, you need to understand a little about the geography of this area, because the location is remote and inaccessible.

Niagara Falls:

Niagara Falls can be accessed from both the American and Canadian side, but the best view facing the falls is completely from the Canadian side. When you take a trip to Niagara Falls, don’t forget to take a ride on the famous maid-of-the-mist boats. You won’t get the entire experience of Niagara Falls until you ride one of these boats.

It is the foundation for many interesting places to see and things to do. If you love beautiful landscapes, romantic getaways, family adventures and vibrant nightlife then Niagara Falls is the best place to visit.

Petra:

Petra, one of the seven wonders, is fabled rose red city and is a well known earliest Nabataean city in the south Jordan. If you have decided to travel to Jordan, then Petra is at the top of your priority list. The solid red sand stone buildings in Petra are unlike anything that you have ever seen before.

One full day is enough to see everything around Petra. This town offers you a wide variety of hotels to fit your budget.

The Pyramids:

Pyramids and wonderful temples are the great things to enjoy in Egypt. Travel to Egypt offers you the nature and desert treks, fishing, golfing, scuba diving and birding groups. You can choose the places like Sinai coasts or red sea to relax.

Winter is the best season to go for a vacation to Egypt. March-May and September-November is the best time to enjoy the warm days of Egypt.

Venice:

Venice is one of the Italy’s beautiful places. You will be surprised by hearing how the city is built up. The city is built on 317 small islands and has 150 canals which are connected through 409 bridges. During the spring time, Venice is completely filled with tourists. At that time it is very difficult to find the accommodations.

Maldives:

Maldives is a great place for tranquil tropical islands, palm trees, white beaches and brilliant turquoise lagoons. Maldives is a group of 1190 coral islands. This place is a great destination for scuba divers.

Visiting Maldives between December and April can makes you to spend some extra hours of sunshine. Also this is the main season for tourism.

Great Wall of China:

The Great Wall of China is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is the travel icon of China and is one of the most popular travel vacation destinations in the world. It took hundreds of years for its construction. When you have decided to travel to China, don’t forget to see the wall.

Victoria Falls:

Victoria Falls was also one of the Seven Wonders of the World and is the most beautiful waterfalls in Africa. This is a cheap travel destination and is full of fun. Those who want to try for adventures will find plenty of activities like elephant safaris, bridge swinging, water rafting and so on.

There are two sides of the falls, one is Zambia and the other is Zimbabwe side. Both sides are awesome and are a year round destination.

Hong Kong:

One of the beautiful places in the world, Hong Kong, an oriental pearl, is simply amazing. It will be very hard for you to find a more exciting city other than Hong Kong. The best thing about being in Hong Kong is getting confused and fired by the confluences and contradictions of a Chinese city with multi Asian and western elements.

The best period to take a vacation to Hong Kong is in the months of October, November and most of December.

Hawaii:

Going for Hawaii vacation will make you feel very happy by the beauty and hospitality. They want to do the things that they would not do at home. The beautiful Hawaii islands offer you to see world famous beaches closely; offer you peace and calmness somewhere off the beaten path.

During winter season, Hawaii is fully packed with tourists. When you visit Hawaii, don’t forget to enjoy the activities like: Seeing Molten lava flow at Kilauea volcano, hiking through Waipio Valley, visiting the largest Hawaiian religious temple Puukohola Heiau and playing in the snow atop Mauna Kea.

Paris:

It is the most beautiful place and also the capital of France. Springtime is the best time to visit Paris. Paris is the city of life, love and light. You will find romance and magic when you visit Eiffel tower to Mona Lisa and from the bustling Champs Elysees to the winding streets of Montmartre.

10 of the World’s Best Sailing Spots

2011-10-12T09:44:00.000+02:00

With the earth consisting of so much water it’s just natural there are so many beautiful locations located in seas and oceans. These are some of the most scenic sailing spots on the planet.
Hamilton Island, Australia

Hamilton Island is situated in the famous Great Barrier Reef, which is the country’s most popular sailing spot. It’s warm all year round because of the area’s tropical climate. The average temperature for the year is just over 80 degrees Fahrenheit.

The Bahamas

The Bahamian islands are one of the world’s most popular and best destinations for sailing. They’re ideal for expert sailors as well as beginners. Exumas and the Abacos are two of the most popular yachting locations due to the crystal clear waters and rich history.

The Greek Islands

There are approximately 6,000 Greek islands, with many of them being deserted and uninhabited. They’re among the most beautiful in the world and you could spend a lifetime there exploring all of their beauty.

The French Riviera, France

This popular area is known as one of the world’s playgrounds for the rich and famous. However, you don’t have to be either rich or famous to enjoy these waters. Thousands of sailors from all over the world head to the French Riviera every year.

You can anchor your boat between the historic and picturesque cities of Monaco and Nice in the Bay of Villefranche, and soak in the breathtaking scenery.

The British Virgin Islands

The British Virgin Islands are generally considered to be the Caribbean’s sailing capital. There are more than 60 islands that are just begging to be explored and they’re all equally as impressive. Of course, the Caribbean also has a long, rich history when it comes to sailing.

Thailand

Some of the most gorgeous islands on the planet are located in Thailand. They’re quite exotic and are filled with pristine beaches, sparkling blue and green waters and some spectacular scenery. They’re ideal to explore just about any time of the year due to the fine weather.

Stockholm Archipelago, Sweden

There are about 24,000 islets and islands in this group that joins Sweden’s historic capital city of Stockholm with the Baltic Sea. It’s a superb spot to explore and practice your sailing skills while taking in the excellent scenery that surrounds you.

Mahe, Seychelles Islands

This wonderful little island sits in the north-eastern region of the Seychelles Islands group. The main port is located here and it’s the perfect spot to begin a sailing adventure.

The chain of islands is perfect sail from one to another. One of the highlights is sailing to Aldabra, where you’ll find the largest raised coral atoll on the globe. It’s also listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.

Bay of Islands Maritime Park, New Zealand

This exceptional maritime park is made up of 144 islands, untouched coastline, natural harbours, and secluded bays. They offer some fantastic scenery and are a pleasure to explore at any time of the year.

The Aegean Coast, Turkey

The Aegean Coast just off of Turkey offers spotless waters, exceptional views and a great climate. It’s easy to see why it’s one of the most popular sailing destinations out there. You can just relax and enjoy the sun and sea while taking in all of the sights.

Group travel problems: Avoid them with these easy tips

2011-10-03T16:55:00.000+02:00

Organizing a vacation puts you on display. If it happens that you should be the person organizing the trip the things will fall in your responsibility and you will have to handle details, and most of all, people.

Whether you travel with family, friends or an organized group, the travel stress can eventually turn into conflict. The key to keeping a happy group is to establish good communication methods, identify the conflicts on time and find a creative compromise.

Here are the logical steps you should follow:

Talk with all the members of the group about what is their opinion regarding the trip and try to approach different situations that may generate conflicts. Develop together certain rules based on the matters under discussion. Stuff like being on time at the rendezvous point, avoiding gossiping and agreeing on an itinerary are just a few matters that should come into discussion.

Discuss the basic strategy of keeping communication channels open before the conflicts appear. Each group member must know that he or she can express their opinion without the rest of the group becoming judgmental.

When conflicts arise try finding the solution in the middle. Each of us tends to prioritize our own opinions. However when on the road, especially if in a foreign country, the compromise is the right way to go.

Keep a tight schedule and make sure you know where each member of the group goes. It may seem too much but it really isn’t. Many panicky and upsetting moments can be avoided by a well thought-out program.

No matter if the group is made of kids or adults, when conflicts appear it is better to separate the group, solve the issue and then reunite. Doing so the sides will have the time to cool off and analyze the situation more clearly.

The good solution is to always hear out all opinions. The larger the group the more are the issues related to food, tourist objects that need to be seen, means of transportation used, places reserved for accommodation, etc.

When traveling abroad the group leader is usually the person knowing all the details. If you consider it an easy task, you better think again. Mapping the trip and making hotel and flight reservations is just the beginning. Passports and visas are next and after them a lot of other details have to be covered – simplest being the food, and the most complex: the embassy contact.

Holiday Tips for Traveling Alone

2011-09-26T12:40:00.000+02:00

Whether by choice or not you may be traveling by yourself. It can be hard not to see it as a negative. You should look at it as a self-indulgence where you’re able to do exactly what you want to do and when you want to do it.

You don’t have to sit down with someone else and plan out a holiday where you’re constantly having to compromise on every decision. There’s always something that gets left out of the mix.

It’s a very ambitious task because every detail and plan is totally up to you. You might want to think about keeping a planner or notebook to keep track of all of your flight info, destinations, names of hotels, and reservations. You have the added risk of forgetting something and slipping up but traveling isn’t about sitting at home. It’s about getting some much needed adventure and change from the hum-drum routine.

It doesn’t matter where you’re going. There’s always something to do. If you’re traveling to a city, go to its website and see what the place has to offer. The Web is the best tool for traveling because it can get you up to speed on all the exciting destinations and the coolest nightspots.

If you’re going on a cruise, then make sure you’re taking all inclusive holidays. Read the fine print because there are often many hidden fees with cruises like meals, entertainment, and tipping.

There are negatives to traveling alone. You’re more of a target or mark. No one else is there watching your back but don’t let it stop you. Just make sure you’re being careful and remember that if you’re ever in a situation where you don’t feel right about something, then don’t do it. Trust your instincts.

Traveling alone can almost be a religious experience. You’re given total freedom of the experience and you’re more likely to do things you wouldn’t normally do. Solo travelers are more adventurous because they’re not tempered by what the other person wants or does not want. Don’t look at traveling solo as a negative. Consider it a freeing experience where you can taste life like you never have before.

For all your needs when booking your next Holiday Visit HTP (Holiday Travel Packages), The best in online travel in one location, making it easier for you to find, compare, plan and book the perfect holiday for your exact travel requirements,

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Is Traveling to Asia a Bargain in Disguise?

2011-09-09T12:16:00.000+02:00

In case you are going to travel on a budget and your destination is Asia, you really should consider this trip carefully. For many people Asia looks like an expensive continent and lots of touristic companies are really trying to turn this trip into a bargain.

Traveling on the budget means you will have a limited budget. So you will have to research the place you are going to choose even before taking the trip. Asia is the largest continent, so divide it into three areas- the Indian Subcontinent, the Asia Pacific and the South East Asia. You will be surprised by the differences you will see there. Many people avoid Japan in their trips, because it is very expensive and you cannot make it without blowing at least $100 per day.

Laos on the other hand also isn’t the cheapest place in Asia, but you can limit yourself to $50 per day there. The Southeast Asia is the right area for you, in case you don’t want to spend much, but you want to have some fun. The most popular region of Asia is perfect for traveling on a budget, not to mention that even the airlines are cheaper than in other parts of Asia.Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia and of course the popular Thailand are good destinations, where you can find good food, affordable prices and lots of attractions. Hotels are very cheap there and you can even find places, where the price for a single room is only $15.

The Indian Subcontinent is also very friendly for budget travelers. India and Nepal are two of the most popular countries with extremely affordable prices. Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Pakistan are interesting to visit, but right now the prices in these countries are so low that can make you wonder about the quality of the service. The Indian Subcontinent is famous, for there you can find all kind of prices for all kind of travelers; so consider this destination as a good one for a budget traveling.

The Asia Pacific is also a popular destination, but only for those with unlimited budgets. Places like China and Japan are extremely expensive and independent travelers are not very common.

Countdown to the world’s largest commercial aviation event; 17th World Routes

2011-09-05T11:56:00.001+02:00

The countdown to the 17th World Routes has begun. In exactly one month, the largest and most exciting event for the commercial aviation industry will take place in Berlin.

World Routes, now in its 17th year, is where decision makers from the world’s airlines, airports and tourist boards gather annually to plan air services and discuss strategies for the global aviation industry.

More than 2,500 delegates from all over the world will gather in Berlin from 2 to 4 October, representing 300 airlines and 750 airports as well as numerous destinations and tour operators. In total, around 15,000 meetings will take place at the event. Among this year’s participants are all leading airlines including Lufthansa, British Airways, Air France/KLM, Emirates and Singapore Airlines as well as airports from around the globe.

World Routes 2011 is hosted by Berlin Airports which will allow delegates to experience the future Berlin Brandenburg Airport. The German capital’s new gateway will open in June 2012 and is to become Europe’s most modern airport.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany commented on World Routes in her welcome address to delegates: “It is moreover an excellent international forum in which individual airports can advertise themselves as the destinations of the future. I am therefore delighted that Berlin is this year playing host to the World Routes conference. Berlin is a city that exerts a special fascination on visitors from near and far. The new Berlin Brandenburg Airport will open for business next year and will be a great boost for the capital and a showpiece for all of Germany.”

David Stroud, Executive Vice President Routes for UBM Aviation said: “The aviation industry is at the crossroads, and the 15,000 meetings which will take place at World Routes this year will help shape our sector for years to come. We are expecting more delegates than ever before, including over 50 high-profile aviation leaders and CEOs.”

Prof Dr Rainer Schwarz, Chief Executive Officer of Berlin Airports said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the international aviation community to Berlin in four weeks’ time for World Routes. For us, the meeting is a unique opportunity to present Berlin to the world and also to show aviation experts from all around the world the new airport for the capital region: Berlin Brandenburg Airport Willy Brandt.”

2011 will add a brand new element to World Routes. The World Route Development Strategy Summit will provide the latest insights from over 50 high-profile aviation leaders and CEOs, including Hussain Dabbas, President and CEO, Royal Jordanian Airline, Alex Cruz, CEO of Vueling, and James Bennett, CEO of Abu Dhabi Airports Company. The conference will focus on the most significant challenges currently facing the air transport industry and showcase the latest innovations in key growth markets.

Vicky Karantzavelou - Travel Daily News

Why are Holidays so important?

2011-08-23T11:26:00.005+02:00

How long is it since you took a holiday? A lot of us are holidaying much less since the economic downturn took hold, but we need our holiday time now more than ever before. Recent headlines have announced that 18 million Britons will be forgoing their summer holidays this year because they simply cannot afford it.
Few people seem to be aware of how important holidays actually are for our long-term health and wellbeing. In fact, given the benefits that holidays actually provide, they should be considered more of a necessity than a luxury.

We all need to step off the treadmill of our day-to-day routines, chores and demanding jobs once in a while. Working in a stressful environment without taking regular breaks can be damaging to our health and also our employer’s businesses.

Without proper downtime our bodies don’t have the time they need to repair and recuperate. When we are overworked our immune systems become suppressed leaving us susceptible to illness. We’re also less efficient at work and more likely to make mistakes. So any sensible employers out there should be encouraging us to jet off on our jollies more regularly to prevent burnout, encourage productivity…..and their profits!

Interestingly, there are also around 18 million Brits currently admitting to being stressed and even very stressed! Stress is linked to a number of physical ailments and diseases, including cancer and heart disease. When stress kicks in our bodies turn to fight or flight mode and produce stress fighting hormones. This fight or flight high-stress mode isn’t meant to be a long-term state of being, but it is one that a lot of us are increasingly finding ourselves in.

So, how exactly does a holiday help us:

We’re normally more active on holiday. We walk, explore, swim and chase round after our children. There’s not a lot of need to explain why this is better for us than sitting in front of a computer all day or slouching on the sofa but exercise also releases endorphins, happy hormones, which make us feel better and fights those stress hormones.

We normally holiday in areas with fresh air, sunlight and some element of nature. All of this has a positive effect on us. Spending time outside in the sun or just in natural light increases our serotonin levels which make us feel happier and more relaxed. Fresh air and exercise also helps us to sleep better.

We need to take a break from Social Media every now and again. The influx of Smartphone’s and applications allow us access to Twitter, Facebook at the touch of a button. While this makes for great communication, it’s also easy to become more and more addicted to them. It does us good to be reminded that the world won’t fall apart if we don’t tweet or update our status for a week or two!

Holidays give us time to reconnect with our spouses/partners and families. It provides us with quality bonding time that we don’t often have at home and gives us the opportunity to create memories to share in years to come.

We also need downtime to become inspired, more creative and dream up our best ideas. How often have you been desperately trying to think of a solution for something and given up only to find that an idea pops up as soon as you’ve stopped thinking about it? It’s very difficult for us to be creative and produce great work without thinking time.

Taking holidays and exploring different places also gives us a chance to build new relationships. Those relationships add to our support networks and may even bring us new opportunities.

Time to rest and unwind also allows us to nurture positive thoughts and feelings. If we allow ourselves the time we need to relax then we are valuing our bodies, our health and ourselves.

So what are you still reading for, go get those holidays booked!

Visit: http://www.holidaytravelpackages.com/ (HTP) for Great Holiday Deals now!

Guest post by: Kate a keen writer and blogger, working with the likes of No.1 Traveller and Electric Dialogue.

Saving money while on Holiday: A list of Holiday Tips

2011-08-15T12:03:00.004+02:00

In between meetings and staff shortages, you’ve finally got some time off work and you’re ready to plan your holiday. But as you’re browsing through holiday brochures, wondering whether you should take a camel ride through Egypt or mountain climb Kilimanjaro with a trusty Sherpa, you realize that even if you were well-versed in Swahili you barely have money to buy the plane ticket let alone afford the supplies to make the summit. With rising cost of gas, even when you get time off there’s usually little money left to spend on the trip. But with a little ingenuity having a memorable holiday on the cheap can be a breeze.

Calculate Your Transportation

Don’t jump to the conclusion you’re saving money by flying or driving. Sit down and figure it out. Take all expenses into account. For airlines, make sure to include baggage fees and taxes. If you’re considering driving, find a site that calculates gas mileage and factor in time, meals and hotels. Go outside the box and look at railways and buses for other alternatives.

Consider a Holiday Package

If you haven’t picked a destination yet, think about booking a deal for hotel and airfare. Many travel sites offer holiday packages's that save up to 50% (www.holidaytravelpackages.com). If you’re looking for even more potential savings, consider spending your holiday at an all-inclusive resort or taking a cruise. Although the outright cost may be more expensive, the savings on meals and alcohol might defray the cost.

Pack Light

If you’re traveling by plane, airline baggage fees can add up at R700 per person on a roundtrip flight. For a family or someone who takes multiple trips, those fees can add up fast. Learn to pack light and use only a carry-on

Find Free Attractions

Amazing as it may seem, some of the best attractions in the world can be free! The Louvre, MoMA, Sophia Reine, and hundreds of other world renowned museums have days or hours where they cost nothing to explore. Check out museum websites for when they offer free admission.

Eat From the Streets

No, I’m not suggesting you take up dumpster diving on while on Holiday. Save money without sacrificing a great trip by eating lunch out instead of dinners. Lunches are significantly cheaper and only slightly smaller, plus you can eat at some of the best restaurants in town without a reservation! Instead of spending a ton of dinner, enjoy some street food and really take in the local culture

Pick Up a Newspaper

First thing you should do when reaching your destination is buying a local newspaper. Check the events section for free concerts, galleries and more to find interesting events not highlighted in any guidebook.

Having a cheap holiday doesn’t mean staying home. While you may lack the funds to climb K5 Mountains and have a Sherpa of your very own, employing a few tricks can make sure you don’t drain your savings account. But no matter where you’re going, make having a great time your number one priority.

Tips for making travel easier

2011-08-04T11:11:00.007+02:00

No matter if you are travelling for business or pleasure, the whole process of travelling can be difficult and expensive. However, if you follow a few basic guidelines, your trip can be smooth and easy.

Book a Package

Sure, you can search the Internet looking for the absolute lowest prices on airfare, hotel and meals, but isn’t it easier to just look for a package that includes it all? Many times a package deal is truly a deal, and it is less stressful to deal with just one agency for everything. There is a variety of websites dedicated to providing cheap flights for travellers, and there are many cheap cruises that include meals, entertainment, and other amenities in the price of the cruise.

Flying to Your Destination

So you’ve found cheap airfare and you think you’ve lucked out. Unfortunately, most airlines have adopted policies pertaining to how much baggage you bring with you on the plane. Carry-on bags now must meet certain measurements, and there is now a fee for luggage beyond the carry-on bag. Airlines can charge $25 to $50 per bag. so pack light, and if you think it’s okay to skip lunch because you’ll eat on the plane, think again. Many airlines have discontinued the free food service, including peanuts. Check with the airlines to find out their policies on bags, food, and other things.

What to Pack

Knowing that the airline will charge you extra to bring more clothing than you need, you should check the weather at your destination so you can pack suitable clothing. Most hotels and resorts have laundry facilities if you need to do wash. You should also pack any medications you may need to take in your carry-on bag. The medication needs to be in a secure container with the prescription information attached to it. Don’t pack your medication in your check baggage, just in case your luggage is delayed or lost.

Going Abroad

This used to mean going overseas, but now it refers to any international travel. Once upon a time, U.S. citizens could gain entry to Canada or the Caribbean with simply their driver’s license or birth certificate. Now, with heightened security at the borders, it is necessary to have a passport when travelling to any other country. If you already have a passport, make sure it has at least three months until expiration. It’s also important to check to see if you need other paperwork to enter your destination country, like a tourist card or a visitor’s visa. Travelling doesn’t have to be stressful, and following these guidelines will stop the stress before you’re even ready to pack.

Article by: Natasha, a travel writer covering Australian destinations, budget travel and tips on how to find cheap airfares and cheap flights.

Tourism firms facing fatal “triple whammy”, industry group claims

2011-07-26T12:34:00.000+02:00

The carbon tax, high Australian dollar and declining domestic tourism numbers will be a fatal combination for tourism operators, the Australian Tourism Export Council claims.

ATEC managing director Felicia Mariani says the carbon tax could be the last straw for the tourism industry, which is feeling the effects of the high dollar and dwindling tourist numbers.

Mariani says the impact of a price on carbon will deliver a “triple whammy” to these businesses, forcing them to question their ongoing viability.

According to Mariani, increased energy costs will have an impact across the board, affecting businesses with little capacity to engage more energy-efficient systems.

“There are thousands of tourism operators across Australia with profit margins so low that any increase in operating costs will push them over the edge,” Mariani says.

“While ATEC is working to support these businesses to embrace energy efficiency, many just don’t have the financial capacity to make the big changes.”
Mariani accused the Federal Government of leaving the industry “high and dry”, claiming there is little or no direct support for businesses to transition to a low carbon economy.

Dylan Byrne, head of sustainability at accounting firm BDO, says tour operators will be among the hardest hit, particularly those using diesel fuel or aviation fuel.

“If you are a tourism business with a helicopter or aircraft, your fuel excise costs are going to increase by more than 150%,” Byrne says.
The current tax on aviation fuel is 3.556 cents per litre but this will increase to 10.16 cents per litre by 2014-15. This equates to a 157% increase in fuel tax.
Meanwhile, most tourism operators that use diesel in their business are currently able to claim a refund of around 38 cents per litre via a fuel tax credit system.
But over the next three years, many of these operators will see a decrease in their fuel tax rebate to around 31% cents per litre, representing an 18% reduction in their fuel tax credit.

Mariani says while heavy road transport operators have been given a two-year hiatus from this reduction, along with the agriculture and forestry industry, tourism has been forgotten.
However, the Government has dismissed ATEC’s claims. According to a spokesperson for Federal Climate Change Minister Greg Combet, the impact of the tax on the tourism industry will be manageable.
“While the industry is suffering from the high Australian dollar, the Tourism Export Council’s alarmist claims about the carbon price are misleading,” the spokesperson said.

By Michelle Hammond

Top ten travel tips to become desi travel enthusiast

2011-07-20T13:01:00.007+02:00

There are two ways to travel – like an invited guest, you can ring the doorbell, enter through the front door and have your host guide you to the prized room of the house while they serve you in their finest china, make small talk and control your experience of the place – or, you can enter through the back door, through the kitchen, see what’s cooking on the stove, set the table, make tea and find your own comfort zone to enjoy the experience at will. The former is a tourist, the latter an explorer and mastering the art of travelling entails being the latter. So, to all desi travel enthusiasts, before you venture into the unknown, here are the top ten tips to get you into that ‘exploration’ frame of mind.

Disclaimer: If you are one of those insufferable ‘aunty’ types who are only interested in the most soulless part of the city where all the amusement parks and designer outlets are, then please there is no need to travel; all the beauty, culture and bizarreness of a foreign country will be wasted on you, stick to Dubai at best.

1. Don’t stay with friends/relatives: There is a world of a difference between travelling to meet friends or family and travelling to explore, so be clear on which is a priority. Because, if you travel and stay at the place of some friends or relatives, you will end up spending the majority of the time cooped up inside their house, making frivolous conversation with people from their extended circles, interspersed with trips to places that fit their notion of ‘worth seeing’. Of course if this was the intent then may God save your soul. However, if not, then stay at a cheap hotel or hostel instead and just visit your friends at will.

2. Expand your horizons: In a foreign country do not be guided by the single minded pursuit to find the tastiest desi food, watching desi flicks at Cineplex’s or connecting exclusively with desis. Broaden your horizons, expand your circle and step out of your ghettos. Interacting with ‘the other’ is the only way to dispel the many stereotypes and biases you may have against them and vice versa.

3. Travel with peas from the same pod: Never travel with people who are not likeminded, regardless how ‘fun’ they may seem or how much you will save by staying at their chachi’s house. Travelling together requires a different dynamic. So there is a rule; either travel with someone you have lived with before and have a shared sense of adventure and comparable level of energy, or just do it solo.

4. Be a maverick: Remove the myths, fears and biases you have against travelling solo, and this applies especially to all you ladies. Provided you do the homework, are not retarded enough to stray into deserted places or the dodgy parts of town; you will be fine. You are far more likely to tailor your trip to your taste, meet interesting people and have unusual experiences if you are alone than if you are too busy lending an ear to someone’s whining about how hungry they are, how their spouse/mother/boss ignores them or how they hope their goldfish or baby is fine at home. Trust me, if you do not have someone fantastic to share it with, life is short, do it solo.

5. Do your homework: travel guides will tell you everything from the most ancient temples to check out, the sushi place you cannot miss, to the secret bizarres for bargain shopping and designer rip-offs.

6. Leave your worries behind: The only baggage you carry is your luggage. Fundamental to a truly reinvigorating experience is to create distance from your own life, circles and routine and devote oneself to exploring a foreign place. Again, if while sitting inside some Buddhist temple, at a quaint café or while trekking up the Machu Picchu, you are going to be obsessing about your life and relationships at home, stay home.

7. Take the road not taken: Get off the beaten track. Cannot be stressed enough. Do not get bogged down in seeing the leaning tower of Pisa, the Eifel tower or the London eye. Enjoying such overly hyped tourist sites means you have to brave hoards of (surprise, surprise) tourists, never-ending queues and exorbitantly priced tickets so you can experience a claustrophobic moment of disappointment. It is far better to view them from a distance and explore the non-touristy parts of the city instead, since that is where the real life resides.

8. Think on your feet: National Geographic’s tagline, “let’s get lost” has deep wisdom in it. As a qualifier this should be taken in spirit, not literally, implying ditch ‘the plan’ is spontaneous and willing to ‘wing it’. Let the place break you a little.

9. Take your time: Absorption implies truly ‘taking in a place’. This might mean you need to pull up a chair, observe the scene around you, write your thoughts, meditate, and if you find that perfect spot, stick around till sunset. For this to happen, you must let go of the ‘touch and go’ paranoia and explore a place leisurely.

10. Talk to the people: Talk to your fellow passengers on the train, the immigrant workers selling the trinkets, fellow tourists, waiters, the shopkeepers. Nothing enriches your experience like when you unexpectedly bond with someone who is not of your generation, gender, class, nationality or religion yet somehow a kindred spirit.

By: Farheen Hussain

A Holiday to “The Lake city of Uttarakhand” in India

2011-07-15T15:20:00.003+02:00

An Eye feasting mountain, countless lakes and beautiful greenery, such geographical features rule the mind of a nature freak whenever he or she plans a holiday. In today's life where everything is polluted and contaminated, it is recommended to spend a holiday on hilly area for health benefits. Fresh air, Fresh flowing water and eye pleasing greenery will cut you off from rest of the world and provide peace of mind.

Nainital is small town of the Himalayas. Nainital is located in a valley surrounded by mountains. It is known as “The Jewel of the Himalayas” and blessed with remarkable natural resources. Due to presence of numerous lakes in the town, it is also known as "The Lake city of Uttarakhand".

Nainital maintains a cool Temperature throughout the year. Never reaching a temperature that is too cold or hot. During summer millions of domestic tourists come to spend their holidays and take relief from hot the summer. In winter, you can enjoy snowfall during the month December to February. Tourism agencies in India provide excellent transportation to Nainital, and other faculties motivate tourists to spend their India holidays in Nainital.

Nainital is situated at the height of 1938 meters above shore level and surrounded by Naini Lake. There is an old saying that this pear shaped lake has been created by the eyes of the Goddess Naina. The main tourist places of Nainital are Haldwani, Kaladhungi, Ramnagar, Bhowali, Ramgarh, Mukteshwar, Bhimtal, Sattal and Naukuchiatal. Apart from these natural places, there are few modern buildings such as Stylish shops, hotels and residential buildings. The Old Secretariat building, The New Club, The Boat House, Nainital Club, the Flats and Naina Temple also develop interest among tourists to visit. Prominent tourist fascinating places are Lake Naina, Naina Devi temple and Astronomical Observatory.

Nainital is the best place to spend India holidays during summer season. To help manage your India tours properly and to get you see the best of Nainital, you will need to go through a Tour Operator. Holiday Travel Packages (HTP) can help you book your perfect India Holiday, with our selection of Professional India Tour Operators.www.holidaytravelpackages.com, the best in online travel in one location, making it easier for you to find, compare, plan and book the perfect holiday for your exact travel requirements!

Tips for Traveling in Africa

2011-07-04T12:14:00.004+02:00

You’ve been dreaming about traveling to Africa for years, and now you finally have your tickets in hand. So how can you prepare yourself to make the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience? Here are some tips to help you enjoy your adventure to the fullest.

Research Where You’ll be Visiting

Africa is a culturally and geographically diverse continent, so what you’ll experience in one region of Africa will seem a world away from others. Whether you’re planning to explore the ancient pyramids and temples of Egypt, hoping to witness the wildebeest migrations through Kenya, or want to hike to the peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, each of these countries offers unique experiences.

Research the area’s current climate, and also try to find out some of the cultural dos and don’ts. For example, in many African countries it’s considered unclean to eat with your left hand. If you’re bringing a laptop or cell phone, find out if you’ll need a converter to plug it in. Familiarize yourself with the local currency – not only what it looks like, but have a rough idea of what each bill or coin equates to in US dollars.

This can prevent you from being ripped off, or from spending more than you thought you were. Purchase a travel guide with some basic phrases that you can point to if you’re hungry or need directions. You should also research the country’s current political climate, and have a plan in place for emergencies. If you’ll be traveling through a potentially turbulent area, make sure you have the number for the closest US consulate with you.

Be Prepared to Change Your Mind Set

In Africa, the whole experience of life will be completely different from what you’re used to, which could have you a bit on edge. For example, the locals’ perception of time is very relaxed. As a result, you’re likely to feel very frustrated when you find out your bus won’t be leaving until all the seats have been sold – which may be hours past the designated departure time.

This simply doesn’t happen in the States! In addition, you may feel annoyed that many of the smallest things you take for granted at home are unreliable or completely non-existent. The telephone, TV or internet may not work, or something you’d consider a staple item may be out of stock for days at the local market. What’s more, you’re afraid to watch your food being prepared or use the toilet because “appropriate” sanitation guidelines are not in place!

Remember that people were living in Africa for thousands of years before America even existed, so you’ll need to change your mind set about how things should or shouldn’t be done. You might even be surprised to find yourself experiencing twinges of culture shock when you return to America.

Many people who have been to Africa come back somehow changed. It’s difficult to pin down – maybe it’s the vast experience of nature, or the way families remain so close-knit despite living on next to nothing. When you return to America, life may feel shallow in some ways. Reflect on the things you enjoy most about life in the US, and be prepared to bring a love for Africa back home with you.

Pack Light

Based on the weather forecast, pack as few sets of clothing as possible. It’s much more important to have extra space in your suitcase to bring home souvenirs! There are a few things you should definitely bring, though. In addition to your tickets, passport, visas, money and credit cards, be sure to pack a camera with plenty of memory and batteries, binoculars, a small alarm clock, a small stash of malaria and pain tablets, insect repellent, sunscreen, and very comfortable walking shoes.

Vaccinations

This is the least fun thing to think about when planning your trip to Africa, but it’s important. First, make sure you’re up-to-date on all your routine vaccinations, including a recent Tetanus shot (which will also protect you from diphtheria). Many diseases that occur rarely in the USA are still common throughout Africa.

Second, inform your doctor that you’ll be travelling to Africa and ask for a list of required and recommended vaccinations for the countries you’ll be visiting. For example, if the Democratic Republic of Congo is on your itinerary, proof that you’ve been vaccinated for Yellow Fever is required at the border.

Once your vaccinations are done and the bags packed, simply enjoy every minute of your trip. Even if it doesn’t go exactly as planned, it will be an experience you will treasure for a lifetime.

By Heather Johnson writes for the premier online honeymoon planning resource.

Tour Operators Praise Tanzania for Halting Serengeti Highway

2011-06-30T09:16:00.006+02:00

Most tour operators, who operate safaris in Tanzania, as well as environmentalists and scientists, applauded the decision by the Tanzanian government to halt plans to build a road through the Serengeti. Some, however, dissented from that view

The Tanzanian government cancelled construction of a commercial road that would have cut through the northern portion of the Serengeti National Park, interfering with the migration route of 1.5 million wildebeest and a half million other antelope and zebra. The road would force a fundamental change in the animals’ behavior that could cause a dramatic alteration of the entire ecosystem of the Serengeti plains. The Serengeti National Park is a 5,000-square-mile reserve that protects the last great game migration in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The government had previously rejected that view. But in a recent letter to UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Tanzania’s Minister for Natural Resources and Tourism Ezekiel Maige said the government had decided to drop plans for highway construction within the Serengeti. "The State Party confirms that the proposed road will not dissect the Serengeti National Park," Miage said in the letter, "and therefore will not affect the migration and conservation values of the Property."

A recent study determined that the proposed highway would cut the wildebeest population down by a third, a reduction of half a million. Andrew Dobson, one of the authors of the study, told Mongabay.com, an environmental science and conservation news site, the decision to halt construction of the highway "will ensure the long-term persistence of the Serengeti ecosystem and its world-famous wildebeest migration, while also providing infrastructure to the people who live to the east of the Serengeti. It allows Tanzania to show great leadership to other African nations by illustrating that the way to economic success in the 21st century is to balance natural resource conservation with economic development."

According to Mongabay.com, a leaked government environmental impact confirmed much of Dobson's study. According to that study, the road would limit the Serengeti migration and the reduction of the migrating animals would reduce the food supply for predators, such as lions, hyenas, cheetahs, leopards and crocodiles, leading to a reduction in their numbers as well.

The government study predicted that the proposed 30-mile highway would carry 800 vehicles a day by 2015 and the number would rise to 3,000 by 2035, or more than a million vehicles a year. Opposition to the construction was voiced by the U.S. and German governments and the United Nations. The World Bank offered to support an alternative route around the park.

Pamela Lassers, director of media relations for Abercrombie & Kent, said the proposed road through the northern Serengeti would have "severed a critical corridor for the annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra. Recognizing the need to balance conservation with economic development, the World Travel & Tourism Council and local tour operators, including Abercrombie & Kent, worked closely with tourism and conservation authorities to find alternative routes to achieve similar goals -- without impacting the national park."

Mahen Sanghrajka, CEO of Big Five, who founded Big Five Tours & Expeditions operating safaris in Kenya in 1973, applauded the government’s change of heart. "We congratulate the government of Tanzania for this important step in the right direction by halting plans for the highway to pass through the park. At the same time, we must continue to look for solutions that protect the Serengeti and its majestic wildlife in perpetuity, while also meeting the economic development needs of the Tanzania people."

But another African tour operator, Roar Africa, reported that it is not celebrating. The statement by the government that the construction has been blocked is "not the answer we've been seeking. … Those who believe that we've stopped the Serengeti highway and achieved a great victory need to step back and think again.

Unfortunately, some in the media have claimed a great victory for conservation, believing that plans for a road across the Serengeti have been stopped. And some conservation organizations have diplomatically praised President Kikwete for his wisdom, adding more confusion. But we do not share this view, knowing that those who have pushed for a commercial route through the Serengeti can claim their victory as well."

According to Roar Africa, those pushing for the highway could still get their highway across the Serengeti in spite of the current victory. According to Roar Afria, "The current Tanzanian government has been refused funds for the Serengeti highway by every major donor, government and lending institution in the world. Those who want a true commercial highway clearly cannot achieve it now. But they can make inroads and later connect the dots."

The government’s letter to the World Heritage Committee said that the road through the Serengeti will not be paved, but will "remain a gravel road." According to Roar Africa, "the truth, however, is more complicated. No gravel road exists across this 53-kilometer stretch. Much of this area is designated as a Wilderness Zone, with no public access." Was this a backdoor attempt to get a gravel road past the resistance of UNESCO?

According to Roar Africa, the 10-year Serengeti management plan developed in 2005 by scientists, park officials and conservation organizations says that the area in the northwestern part of the park is particularly sensitive and the area of the proposed highway cuts through areas designated as "low use" and "wilderness" zones.

The NGO Serengeti Watch said, "A battle has been won, but the struggle to save the Serengeti goes on. Roads will still be constructed up to the edges of the park. The pressures on the Serengeti, including a commercial corridor to Uganda, still exist. The highway across the Serengeti has been proposed three times now, and can be raised again. But yes, let's congratulate ourselves on the work we've done." For more information, visit www.wttc.org, www.savetheserengeti.org, www.bigfive.com, www.abercrombiekent.com or www.roarafrica.com.

Into the Heart of the Ice

2011-06-23T14:38:00.000+02:00

Do not fall into a moulin. Of all the things that can go wrong on a glacier, falling into a moulin is among the worst. And so it becomes a mantra on the ice: Do not fall into a moulin. Moulins form when water finds a crack in the glacier. Flowing into the ice, the water creates a smooth vertical tube that can be as deep as the glacier itself - hundreds of feet or more.

Stumble into a moulin, and even a person who survives the fall could become a human cork, wedged into a constriction. Water streaming in from above would cause death by drowning before it did loss of consciousness from hypothermia.

But glaciers are inescapably and uniquely beautiful, blue ice mixed with white snow forming rolling hills, sheer cliffs and long shallow ramps, surfaces reflecting light and casting shadows, the frozen mass creating its own cold winds. A glacier is a landscape beyond normal experience, and moulins go inside the glacier, into the beauty and the mystery.

I want to explore a moulin—not to fall into one, but to climb down, look around, and come back out.

I've enlisted the help of Richard Bottomley, a guide for Matanuska Ice Climbing Adventures in Alaska. I meet him north of Anchorage at Matanuska Glacier, the largest road-accessible glacier in the United States, 100 square miles of permanent snow and ice. Mr. Bottomley exudes the confidence that comes from years of alpine training, climbing and guiding. And he understands why I need to see the inside of the glacier. Others might question my desire, but he just smiles.

He outfits me with a harness, two ice axes and stiff climbing boots. I strap crampons to the boots. Inch-long steel spikes extend from my soles and forward from my toes. The gear will, in theory, allow me to navigate across glacial ice and climb the moulin walls.

I spend my first hour on the glacier learning to lift my feet in an exaggerated fashion and bring them down evenly so as to engage all of the spikes. If I shuffle my feet even slightly, I will trip. To move downhill, I use a cowboy stance, legs bowed and toes pointed straight down, spikes stabbed into ice. Uphill I use the duck walk, insole spikes embedded.

I've enlisted the help of Richard Bottomley, a guide for Matanuska Ice Climbing Adventures in Alaska. I meet him north of Anchorage at Matanuska Glacier, the largest road-accessible glacier in the United States, 100 square miles of permanent snow and ice. Mr. Bottomley exudes the confidence that comes from years of alpine training, climbing and guiding. And he understands why I need to see the inside of the glacier. Others might question my desire, but he just smiles.

He outfits me with a harness, two ice axes and stiff climbing boots. I strap crampons to the boots. Inch-long steel spikes extend from my soles and forward from my toes. The gear will, in theory, allow me to navigate across glacial ice and climb the moulin walls.

I spend my first hour on the glacier learning to lift my feet in an exaggerated fashion and bring them down evenly so as to engage all of the spikes. If I shuffle my feet even slightly, I will trip. To move downhill, I use a cowboy stance, legs bowed and toes pointed straight down, spikes stabbed into ice. Uphill I use the duck walk, insole spikes embedded.

We slowly cover a half mile. The ice on which we walk started life as snow higher in the mountains. Crushed under the weight of more snow, it became blue ice that gradually flowed downhill, a sluggish river that took 500 years to reach the toe of the glacier.

During those years the ice hit obstructions on the underlying rock that sent it skyward, forming steep hills that resemble frozen rapids. Larger obstructions built the ice into 15-story plateaus separated by crevasses 20 feet wide. The seracs lean and tumble as they age. They stop me in my tracks, leaving me speechless.

We hear water crashing and make our way toward it. It is a moulin, the first I have ever seen. It is a frozen, round elevator shaft into the glacier. The bottom disappears in darkness. The falling water echoes so loudly we have to yell. This is what I came for, but I am afraid.

To the right, I see a dark spot—another moulin, this one dry. To Mr. Bottomley, dry moulins are the most dangerous. Without the sound of water, they can be undetectable until you stand at the rim of one. An unwary walker could stumble into the moulin, unaware of its existence until the fall begins.

We walk another half mile. I practice climbing across a low vertical face. Three feet up, I kick my toes into a wall of ice and stand upright, all of my weight supported by the spikes. Plant the ax, baby step left foot, baby step right foot, plant the second ax, repeat. My confidence builds. Then clumsy kicks put my toe spikes in at an angle. I stumble and hang from my axes.

I kick with better form, closer to horizontal. I progress across the frozen bluff.
Mr. Bottomley, 40 feet above, drills holes with a steel screw and threads through a climbing rope. A moment later he ties a figure-eight knot through a ring in my harness. "I think that's right," he jokes. "Does that seem right to you?"

I take baby steps upwards. I learn the step and stem wide stance, the staggered tool and monkey hang. I learn to make myself into a triangle, one ax the apex, each foot a corner. "Pay attention to what you're doing," Mr. Bottomley coaches. "Don't get overconfident."

The key is to aim the ax at dimples in the ice. Protrusions break off, but dimples hold. My ax sinks in with a sound that speaks to the solidity of glaciers. But a piece of ice breaks from the face, thumping against a wall and splashing into a stream 30 feet below.

I go up and down, learning to move rhythmically, a hop-step-kick with a simultaneous swing of the ax, then another. I look down to place my feet. Nothing to it.

We de-rig and duck walk upslope, taking the easy way to the top of a serac. To the sides of the glacier are forested hills and mountains, the Chugach Range and the Talkeetnas, dark green patches of spruce mingling with gray rock. It is clear that we stand mid-channel on a river of ice. Within a few years the serac will fall forward, moving slowly with the current.

Mr. Bottomley drills more holes and threads his rope. I back over the edge of the serac into empty space. The downward climb is all about the rope. I can spring outward from the wall, knowing that I will swing back, feet first, crampons into ice. Fifty feet down, I look around. I am inside a crevasse, the sky above showing through the opening.

To climb out, I use my hop-step-kick, but with this difference: I do not look down.
If we don't climb into a moulin soon, we will run out of time. I tell Mr. Bottomley that I feel ready. I follow him through a shoulder-high ice canyon, up a hill, along a ridge.

Water cascades into one side of the moulin. I tie in and ease over the edge. There is not enough space to lean back. The tube forces me to move bent over, knees close to chest.

The moulin ends surprisingly quickly, no more than 40 feet down. There isn't room to stand, so I crouch with one foot on each side of a crack that runs away from the tube. Light and water come from above. Mr. Bottomley yells something but his words echo, incoherent.

Seven hours ago, this would have been nothing short of terrifying. Now, with some practice, it remains terrifying. But not so much as to detract from the thrill of being inside the glacier.

I shimmy forward and pass under the waterfall, into the glacier's plumbing. I am wet and should be cold, but adrenaline warms my blood. I go high, where the tunnel is wider, with my feet stabbed into one wall and my back against the other.

I stop, wedged in, alone in the darkness. If Mr. Bottomley is yelling now, his echoes are inaudible. I hear nothing but my own labored breathing and—much louder—water.

Without my tools I would be stranded, with nothing to do but wait in the darkness and cold. My left calf cramps. I am inside a moving mass of ice. I am inside a tunnel that was not here a year ago and will not be here a year from now. I take off a glove and run my fingers across its contours. The moulin is smooth and cold, and after a moment a thin layer of water covers my palm.

Behind me, the entrance glows, sending light ricocheting from the special blue of glacier walls. I am a different person than I was this morning. I know the glacier from a new perspective. I have seen the inside view. I will never think of a glacier only in terms of its surface.

All that is left to do is to shimmy out, back toward the light, then up the tube, and into open air.

—Mr. Streever is the author of "Cold: Adventures in the World's Frozen Places," and a biologist for BP in Alaska.

Tour Operators on Travel Trends and Challenges

2011-06-17T09:20:00.003+02:00

We touched base with several different tour operators, both specialist and global, to get their thoughts on the industry, its future and how agents can capitalize on the latest trends and overcome new challenges.

Families on the Go

According to Steve Gorga of Travel Impressions, all-inclusive properties are popular with the family travel market. “In terms of experiences, we’re finding that swimming with dolphins is one of our most popular activities, and it’s offered in a number of different destinations,” he says. Within the family market, Gorga adds that his team has seen increased interest in jungle river tubing in Jamaica, visits to El Yunque Rainforest and tours of historical Old San Juan in Puerto Rico, which the company sells in two-for-one packages.

Paul Wiseman of Trafalgar Tours says that families are keen on activities that they can all enjoy together and that have an element of learning attached—“whether it is learning how to make pizza in Rome, riding through the Black Hills in a historical steam engine or seeing the colorful and abundant wildlife in the Costa Rican rainforests.”

Dan Austin, director of Austin-Lehman Adventures, notes that National Parks in the U.S. are getting increased business. “Yellowstone National Park is our No.1 selling trip, and is all but sold out for the year,” he says. “I am guessing at least some of this is driven by the ‘stay closer to home’ mentality that seems to be abundant…Interest in overall adventure travel is clearly up, [and] family travel is leading by leaps and bounds on all fronts.” Frank Marini, Collette Vacations’ VP of sales, agrees, citing more interest in Spain and Portugal and, domestically, in the company’s National Parks tours.

Niche Markets

Obviously, if a tour operator focuses on a particular region, they will notice micro-trends in their clientele’s choices. For example, Ian Swain, founder of Swain Tours, which specializes in travel to Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific islands, says that his company is seeing “tremendous interest” in those destinations, especially in the new Luxury Lodges of Australia. Beyond that, he adds, Africa is booking well, as are Cambodia and Vietnam.

Jim Holden, President of African Travel, says that visitors are attracted to Southern and East Africa primarily for wildlife and to Egypt for its history. Brian Stack, CEO of CIE Tours (which focuses on Irish and British tourism), says that the company’s business to Ireland rose 14 percent last year and, so far this year, is up 20 percent.

Global Scale

Global businesses are painting a similar picture. Steve Born, VP of marketing for the Globus family of brands, says that Europe is up across all brands over same time last year, with Britain and Ireland, Italy, France and Switzerland leading the way. “We’re also seeing a more recent improvement in our Greece and Turkey business,” he notes. “Outside of Europe, South America is hot, particularly over the past few months, and North American business has been great, likely as a value alternative to a longer-haul destination.”

Jack Richards of Pleasant Holidays says that his company’s business to Tahiti, Bora Bora and the Caribbean is on the rise. “These are the top honeymoon destinations, and this business is significantly up in 2011.”

He adds, “We launched USA destinations in October 2010, including Las Vegas, Orlando, San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Diego and Phoenix/Scottsdale, and bookings have exceeded expectations for all destinations.” The U.S. is now the fastest-growing destination in the company’s portfolio.

Overcoming Challenges

Globus’ Born feels that price sensitivity and “deal conditioning” among travelers is one of the industry’s biggest challenges. “The expectation set by the OTAs is that travelers should only book if there’s a deep discount,” he says. “It’s resulted in a lot of confusion in the marketplace: As suppliers scramble to present a deal, travelers are less likely to understand what’s a true deal and what is just a headline with hidden cost. Not only is it putting pressure on suppliers to compete with lower margins, it’s making it harder for travelers to understand what they’re really paying for.”

Likewise, African Travel’s Holden says that the industry’s biggest challenge is the Internet and the lure of cheap travel. “Low prices are being dumped onto the Internet, especially by the airlines, but the traveler has no way of knowing what he/she gets for this low price,” he says. “In the case of Africa, it can mean the difference between a so-so trip and a mind-blowing trip. To overcome this challenge, we have had to spend more time in the sales process to explain to the traveler exactly what she/he gets for the price. And we have learned there is no substitute for knowledge when it comes to selling Africa.”

Stack agrees. “People like discounts,” he says, but notes that there is a sharp difference between “cheap” and “value.”

In a great sign for the market’s overall growth, several operators have difficulty just keeping up with demand, and getting enough people in the office to handle all the clients.

Kylemore Abbey, Connemara, Ireland; the country is prominent among European nations seeing a surge in tourism.

Recent Events

The past year has seen numerous events that made traveling a challenge—from the ash cloud that shut down airports all over Europe to the civil unrest in Egypt, Northern Africa and the Middle East to earthquakes and tsunamis in Japan and Hawaii.

“It doesn’t take a student of history to see that natural disasters and political unrest occur quite regularly, but that hasn’t squelched people’s desire to travel,” says Eric Welter, senior vice president of Collette Vacations, adding that these events underscore the benefit of using a travel agent to book their vacation. “When things like this happen, there is little recourse, and whom do you call for answers when you have booked your trip online?”

Dan Austin recalls that he had guests leave Morocco the day of the last bombing in the café. “They had an amazing time, but were shaken by the event,” he says, adding that a destination facing “challenges” like these may also face a drop in interest from travelers. “It doesn’t mean it comes off the list… It gets moved further down and/or is replaced until there is more stability.”

Globus’ Steve Born agrees. “We took a real hit to our 2011 business to some of these regions,” he acknowledges. “Travelers are simply putting off their travel until they feel more confident. But in the longer-term, these cases can actually strengthen us. Travelers are smart and resilient—the demand for these amazing places is still there, and when they return, they’ll do it in a way that leaves less to chance.”

On the other hand, Travel Impressions’ Gorga says that his company has not seen “a great deal of change” that it can attribute to the recent events, although he does acknowledge that it encourages travel agents to offer clients insurance. “Although numbers are up slightly for that product, it’s not significant,” he adds. “We do have a company-wide emergency team that is called into action to assist travelers when there is any type of natural disaster or other event that has an impact on travel plans, and we provide updates and information for travel agents on our website.”

After the ash cloud and civil unrest, there has been a renewed interest in travel insurance. “For less than 10 percent of the investment of the vacation, travelers can add complete peace of mind to their booking,” Born says. “Following the volcanic ash incident, we have seen a rise in interest in travel protection overall, whether it’s through us or a third party that the agent uses. This season so far, approximately 60 percent of our travelers have included our Travel Protection.” Scott Wiseman of Abercrombie & Kent USA, on the other hand, noted that insurance was of limited value during the ash cloud as most policies treated it as a weather delay, though policies that cover trip interruption or travel delay did provide coverage up to the their limits.

And in a more unusual side effect from the overseas drama, Pleasant Holidays’ Richards has noticed an increase in domestic “staycations” (including the Hawaiian Islands). “Airline-imposed fuel surcharges to Europe have increased over the last few months, resulting in higher airfares to European destinations,” he says.

Growing and Changing

As information technology continues to advance, Globus’ Born believes that travelers will seek out ways that take the guesswork and hassle out of the planning. “We’re seeing that the fun of planning a vacation has been replaced by an overload of information—vacation choices, supplier deals, destination info, ratings and reviews—and don’t forget social media,” he says. “They need help cutting through all the noise and getting to the actual vacation. They’ll also seek out real humans and real companies rather than online-only solutions.”

A&K’s Scott Wiseman agrees, terming social media a important channel of communication with prospective travelers. “For example, parents asking about the appropriate age to take a child on safari can get answers directly from past travelers,” he says. “In a crisis situation like Egypt, we were able to share regular updates about the situation on the ground and reassure family members about the steps we were taking to insure the safety of our guests.”

Pleasant Holidays will continue to expand into new destinations, Richards says, including more cruises to Hawaii and the Caribbean. The brand will also launch on VAX VacationAccess for home-based travel agents—“which is a very fast-growing segment.”

Paul Wiseman says that Trafalgar is currently undergoing a “top-to-bottom review” of every aspect of their product. They also have new “lifestyle itineraries” focused on culinary experiences as well as photography, and have entered into a partnership with Gutsy Women Travel. The brand will operate its small-group guided vacation programs exclusively for women.

Author: Jena Tesse Fox

Ash cloud from Chile volcano wreaks airline havoc

2011-06-15T11:59:00.000+02:00

A cloud of ash from a Chilean volcano caused chaos for air travellers in South America again on Monday and grounded flights as far away as New Zealand and Australia, stranding thousands of passengers.

Two airports serving Argentina's capital and the main international airport in Uruguay were closed late on Sunday over safety fears sparked by the ash cloud, which has stretched some 10,000 kilometers (6,000 miles).

All flights have been cancelled ... according to the weather forecast, the ash will continue affecting flights for the rest of the day

A volcano in Chile's Puyehue-Cordon Caulle chain erupted 10 days ago, belching ash eastward and forcing the cancellation of hundreds of local and international flights.

The chaos hit airlines including Chile's LAN and Brazil's TAM and Gol, which halted services to and from Buenos Aires.

Despite the disruption, airports reported little turmoil, as most affected passengers found out about the flight cancellations before heading to the airport.

In Argentina's southern Patagonia region, the volcanic ash closed roads and schools, blanketed a ski resort and turned an Andean lake a deep charcoal gray colour.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, in Argentina as part of a regional tour, had to travel about 185 miles (300 km) by bus to get to Buenos Aires after his flight was diverted to another airport, President Cristina Fernandez said.

At the other side of the Pacific, the fine ash particles, which pose a danger to aircraft bodies and engines, also forced airlines in New Zealand and Australia to cancel about 200 flights, affecting an estimated 60,000 travellers.

But the cloud drifted higher later on Monday, easing the threat to commercial aircraft and some airline activity resumed.

Australia's Qantas Airways Ltd resumed flights in and out of the southern city of Melbourne late on Monday but flights to and from New Zealand and the Australian island state of Tasmania remained grounded Tuesday, it said.

Air New Zealand kept in the air by rerouting flights and flying at lower altitudes to avoid the ash.

"We will not fly through ash and are constantly taking guidance from the CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) ... to ensure we can continue to carry passengers only where safe routes and altitudes are available," said Air NZ chief pilot David Morgan.

Virgin Australia said it also resumed all flights but continued to modify flight paths to avoid the ash clouds.

Air travel in northern Europe and Britain was disrupted last month after Iceland's most active volcano at Grimsvotn sent a thick plume of ash and smoke up 15.5 miles (25 km).

Last April, the eruption of another Icelandic volcano, “Eyjafjallajokull”, led to 100,000 cancelled flights, affecting 10 million people at a cost of $1.7 billion.

That was worse than the Chile disruption because it spread ash throughout the air column, from ground level to the upper atmosphere.

(Additional reporting by Gyles Beckford in Wellington, Mike Smith in Sydney, Guido Nejamkis in Buenos Aires and Giovanna Fleitas in Montevideo; Writing by Eduardo Garcia; Editing by Doina Chiacu)

PRICE CUTS FUEL RETURN OF THE PACKAGE HOLIDAY

2011-06-13T11:38:00.000+02:00

FAMILIES are going on a bargain package holiday spree as continental countries slash prices, according to research.

Tour operators are hailing the “resurgence of the traditional package holiday” after figures revealed fewer bookings for “staycations” this year.

After tough times for operators – and despite a poor euro exchange rate – the research shows families are taking advantage as beleaguered EU countries try to bolster trade.

Short-haul flight bookings are up 12 per cent, medium-haul up four per cent and long-haul up two per cent.

Approximately 20,000 more package holidays have been sold for the first week of the season, compared with the same period last year, said tourism analysts GfK Ascent.

Managing director Sarah Smalley said: “People are ready to go abroad but are opting for the security of a package.”

According to the Co-operative Travel Group, bookings to France are up by 31 per cent on last year followed by Italy, up 15 per cent, and Spain, up 11 per cent. Managing director Mike Greenacre said: “We are seeing a return to the popular package holiday. The past two years saw a sizeable fall in holiday sales but summer 2011 will see holidaymakers return to the beaches of Europe in droves.”

The resurgence is put down to the long winter, growing economic confidence and prices.

The number travelling abroad in the first three months of 2011 jumped by four per cent to 13.5 million, according to the Office for National Statistics.

Website TripAdvisor has found the number planning at least one UK holiday has fallen to 38 per cent from 45 per cent.

Sean Tipton, spokesman for the Association of British Travel Agents, said: “In 2009 and 2010, most holidaymakers were wary of recession, the drop in sterling and uncertain about the future. That has changed. People are now beginning to realise they’ve missed out.”

By Mark Reynolds
express.co.uk

Tour Operator Terms

2011-05-11T12:48:00.003+02:00

Tour operators try to make their brochures and website's as attractive, informative and understandable as possible; however, in reading this information you will undoubtedly encounter some terminology that is new and unfamiliar. To assist you, here’s a glossary covering some of the terminology you will most frequently find in brochures, fliers, and on websites.

Accommodations:

Single Room: A room with one bed for one person.
Twin Room: A room with two beds for two people.
Double Room: A room for two persons with a double bed.
Triple Room: A room for three persons, usually consisting of twin beds (or double beds, plus a rollaway bed.
Ocean Front: A room directly facing the ocean. Usually it is on the first floor with a door that exists onto the beach.
Ocean View: A room from which it is possible to view the ocean, whether the room is on the first floor, the 12th floor, or on a hillside.
Service Charges/Taxes: Service charges are a fixed percentage automatically added to room and meal charges. The city, state or federal government sets taxes.

Air Transportation:

Add-on Fare: The cost of air travel from a domestic city to another domestic city from which the tour/holiday package originates and vice versa.
Baggage Allowance: The weight or volume of baggage that may be carried by a passenger without additional charge.
Connecting-flight: A segment of an ongoing trip which requires a change of aircraft but necessarily a change of airline.
Direct Flight: A flight on which passengers do not have to change planes, but may involve one more stops en rooted.
Non-stop Flight: Service between two points with no scheduled stop en rooted.

Car Rental:

Drop-off Charge: Fee charged by a car rental company to defray the cost of returning the vehicle to its original location.
Value Added Tax (VAT): Tax imposed by governmental authority.

Charter Travel:

Thanks to improved Federal regulations and a new generation of operators, air charters have become the preferred way to reach many of the world’s most popular holiday destinations for reasons of value and convenience. Here’s how they work: The tour operator rents an airplane and sells the seats, often in combination with a hotel package and perhaps other ground components. The result is a substantial savings.

Conditions:

Force Majeure: An event or effect that cannot be reasonably anticipated or controlled (such as storms or war). Consular Information Sheets: Governments issue Consular Information Sheets for every country of the world. They include such information as location of the U.S. embassy or consulate in the subject country, unusual immigration practices, health conditions, minor political disturbances, unusual currency and entry regulations, crime and security information, and drug penalties. If an unstable condition exists in a country that is not severe enough to warrant a Travel Warning, a description of the condition(s) may be included under an optional section entitled Safety/Security.

Documents:

Passport: An official government document certifying identity and citizenship and granting Permission to travel abroad (overseas).
Visa: An official authorization appended to a passport permitting travel to and within a Particular country.

Escorted Tours:

The most traditional tour product is also the most misunderstood.

The options are so varied that it’s easiest to identify the few elements they share: Group travel, usually by motor coach but sometimes by ship, or train; a set itinerary, with lodging, activities, and most meals included and a tour director to coordinate, guide, and manage the trip. Travelling on an escorted tour provides a measure of security and peace of mind. And today, more tour operators build in free time on group tours, giving travellers the best of both worlds.

Independent Travel:

There’s no group on these trips, no guide and no fixed itinerary, unless the client wants one. The sole difference between this and fully independent travel is that by booking through a tour operator from its available inventory, your clients get the advantage of group buying power, without the group.

Package Travel:

Like group tours, packages tend to have fixed itineraries, with ground transportation and hotels booked in advance. But like independent travel, there’s no organized group; clients

are on their own, free to do as they please at each destination, but they still have the convenience and reliability that come with booking through a tour operator.

Public Announcements:

Public announcements (PAs) are a means to disseminate information about terrorist threats and other relatively short-term and/or trans-national conditions posing significant risks to the security of American travellers. The PAs are made when there is a specific threat that cannot be countered. In the past, Public Announcements have been issued to deal with short-term coups, violence by terrorists and anniversary dates of specific terrorist events.

Tours:

A group of people travelling together who follow a pre-planned itinerary. Most tours include accommodations, a number of meals, sightseeing, land transportation, and/or other transportation, plus the services of a professional tour manager or escort who accompanies the group.

B-Travel warnings are issued when the State Department decides, based on all relevant information, to recommend that Americans avoid travel to a certain country. Countries where avoidance of travel is recommended will have Travel Warnings as well as Consular Information Sheets. You may also want to review specific country Background Notes.

Holiday Packages:

Holiday packages are designed for those travelling independently. They include a combination of two or more travel services (e.g. hotel accommodations, car rental, air transportation) that are offered at a package price. Many holiday packages offer a choice of components and options, thereby enabling you to customize the package to your tastes, interests and/or budget.

Vouchers:

Documents issued by tour operators to be exchanged for accommodations, sightseeing and other services.

Holiday Travel Packages (HTP)

For the best in online travel in one location, making it easier for you to find, compare, plan and book the perfect holiday for your exact travel requirements!

We have partnered with top tour operators within each destination, where a team of local travel experts are available to answer any questions you may have about a specific destination and organize your holiday. Visit HTP today: www.holidaytravelpackages.com

What exactly constitutes "Eco-Travel" or "Eco-Tourism"?

2011-05-11T12:35:00.001+02:00

While tour operators and travel agents around the world may tout their trips as "eco-tours," environmentally conscious travelers take a variety of considerations into account when determining whether or not any given excursion qualifies as such. The International Ecotourism Society (TIES) defines eco-tourism as "travel to natural destinations that minimizes impact, builds environmental awareness, helps fund conservation, and respects and sustains local cultures while supporting human rights and democracy."

According to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), eco-tourism is defined as travel focused on "the observation and appreciation of nature as well as the traditional cultures prevailing in natural areas." UNEP emphasizes that eco-tours must contain educational features, be organized for small groups by locally-owned businesses, minimize negative impacts "upon the natural and socio-cultural environment," and support the protection of natural areas by generating income for the host communities to use in conserving and sustaining their natural and cultural resources.

Recent studies indicate that as much as seven percent of all tourism worldwide operates under some sort of "eco" label. One recent survey concluded that eight million U.S. travelers have taken at least one "eco-tourist" holiday, while another concluded that three-quarters of all Americans have taken a trip involving nature and the outdoors. In the Asia-Pacific region, ecotourism accounts for 20 percent of all travel. Meanwhile, in Africa, where most visitors travel to nature reserves and game parks, the figures are even higher. The Kenya Wildlife Service, for instance, estimates that 80 percent of visitors come to see wildlife.

But the debate over what types of travel constitute eco-tourism has meant that a wide range of dining, lodging and transportation vendors advertise themselves as "green" regardless of whether their operations meet the criteria defined by TIES and other groups. As Jim Motavalli writes in E/The Environmental Magazine, "A beachfront hotel tower built of imported materials with absentee owners and no local employees is not an eco-resort, even if it does offer its guests the option of not washing their towels."

And travelers should keep in mind that "adventure" travel or "nature-based" tourism trips are not necessarily environmentally friendly. In fact, tour operators offering access to remote scenic and wild locations need to take extra care so that their trips do not endanger the very flora, fauna and geological features they are offering to showcase. Sad stories of so-called "ecotourism" run amok-where over-visitation has led to trampled landscapes and damaged wildlife habitat-abound from the Galapagos Islands and Mexico’s Chiapas region to the coastal caves of Thailand, the reefs of Hawaii and beyond.

The moral of the story then, is buyer beware. Consumers should do their homework and ask travel vendors a lot of questions about how they operate in order to discern whether they are harming or helping local environments and cultures.

Earth Talk® is written and edited by Roddy Scheer and Doug Moss and is a registered trademark of E – The Environmental Magazine (www.emagazine.com).

Green Travel - Save money on your next holiday!

2011-04-20T12:33:00.002+02:00

Many people hear the terms "green travel" or "ecotourism" and think of travel that will come at a price and picture someone sleeping in a luxury eco-lodge in the jungles of Borneo or canoeing down the Amazon. But this type of eco-adventure is just one end of the green travel spectrum. You don't need to go on an expensive holiday to be a green traveller. All that's required is a will to preserve and protect the environment of the place you're visiting and following a couple of easy tips - and it's easier than you might think. Want to learn how? Read on…

While making green and environmentally friendly travel choices, it can seem like a trendy consideration out of your holiday price range. Trip costs can actually decrease with a few tips and techniques that can save you money while helping your cause. Some of the small choices on your holiday itinerary and in your suitcase can make a big difference in reducing your carbon footprint, making more sustainable travel attainable for any traveller.

From the Plans to Packing for your trip

Less is more when packing your bags. Packing unnecessary goods can create more weight that, when combined with the excess weight of your fellow travelers baggage can load down a plane and result in increased fuel usage and release of additional pollutants. A mere carry on will not only help you take a small load off the plane, it can be an easier and faster way to beat the crowds while saving money on baggage fees.

Check out your library, Uncovering restaurants, hotels, activities and other gems do not mean you have to rush to the nearest bookstore for the latest travel book. Instead, save money by checking your local library for the same or similar reading.

Skip the travel sized shampoos and lotions and opt for refillable bottles instead. Reusable travel-sized containers can be filled with the products you already have and the money saved easily pays for the small bottles and containers you’ll purchase and use over and over.

Getting from place to place

Rentals cars and taxis can quickly add up, making a giant dent in your budget and taking money away from the fun activities on your trip. Instead, choose public transportation to save money and really get to know the culture, people and area you are visiting. If you do have to rent a car to explore during your travels, choose a small, economy model. Some rental companies are even offering hybrids, which can reduce the amount of gas you purchase while on your trip.

Though a hybrid rental car may be more expensive up front, depending on the driving you endure, it can save money on top of the extra you shell out. Check your vehicle before leaving, whether you are renting a car or piling the family into your personal vehicle for a road trip. Packing light, checking the pressure of the tires and making sure the car has been serviced recently, can make it more efficient and save you costs on fuel.

While Travelling

Buying local can be a great way to save money while experiencing the area on a deeper level. Whether looking for a bite to eat or seeking the perfect gift to take back to family and friends, choosing local artists, vendors, produce and other goods can save you serious money. Buying local goods means they haven’t endured the shipping process that can be so taxing on our planet, and often results in higher prices. Products like ivory from elephants and other goods made from products of endangered animals should definitely be avoided when enjoying a planet friendly vacation.

Use a refillable water bottle. Buying bottled water can be expensive and produce unnecessary waste. Instead of purchasing bottled water, bring a bottle from home and fill it up in your hotel room or purchase litre sized bottles and refill your bottle over time. Litre sized bottles produce less waste and can be much more affordable than their smaller counterparts.

An Extra Tip

Small changes made in the home can add up to big saving results that can make the next holiday arrive sooner rather than later. Simply replacing regular light bulbs in your home with an energy-saving bulb can save money that can be used toward that next trip, while helping the environment, one small step at a time. Remember don’t just travel, travel green!

Traveling affordably with tour operators

2011-04-13T14:06:00.004+02:00

These days, traveling is considered as a luxury for most people. However, traveling does not necessarily mean spending exorbitant amounts of money on expensive airfare and hotel accommodations. There are many budget-friendly options that you can take that would still allow you to get to your dream destination. So if you think you can't afford to travel, think again. Before you know it, you'll be off to the destination you've always planned on going, while still keeping within your budget.

But even though the economy is suffering, many travel agencies and tour operators have survived and insisted that travelers should continue travelling despite the state of the economy. Many budget airlines and hotels have released affordable packages for those who would like to visit their dream destinations. Here are some helpful guidelines for you when you are planning to travel on a budget.

Choosing a tour operator

There are many ways to find the affordable holidays and the best place to start is to deal directly with local tour operators actually in the country you wish to travel. Going back packing and trekking in the tallest mountains and the most beautiful country sides, to relaxing on pristine white beaches. The one website I do recommend for finding tour operators that will be able to find and book cost effective holidays is HTP www.holidaytravelpackages.com. You will find a great selection of tour operators across the globe that offer a wide range of holiday types and holiday packages. Find, compare, plan and book your dream holiday. Discover HTP!

Find affordable transportation

Budget airlines are everywhere these days and they are getting more and more patrons because they give everyone a chance to travel at very affordable prices. You need to compare prices from different airlines. As you do this, you will be able to discover the one airline that offers the most affordable tickets and then book directly.

Book affordable accommodation

The Internet gives you a long list of hotels from the most expensive down to the most affordable. In your hunt for affordable accommodation, keep in mind a few things before actually booking. Is the place cozy enough to stay? Is it secure? How clean is the accommodation? These are basic questions that need to be answered to guaranty a hassle free stay. While using the internet, browse the Trip Advisor reviews on hotels that you are keeping in mind for your holiday, for this will give you thorough details of the good and bad hotels. As you read reviews, go for the positive comments and look for people who have the most experience.

Eat affordably

Eating healthily while travelling on a budget is a challenge for anyone, either you are alone or in a group, feasting on good foods is always a must. You may want to consider packing light snacks or meals before travelling to give you energy while you’re on the road. Not only will you be able to save money but you will also be assured that the food you eat is something that will be healthy for you and give you the energy that you need. Also, browse pocket guide magazines for travelers to check inexpensive restaurants in your location that serve nutritious food at affordable prices.

Choosing a Tour Operator for Your Holiday

2011-03-23T12:18:00.006+02:00

While many online Tour operators claim that they offer you the best deals and service for travel services, you’ll have to discern a variety of factors before choosing which operator to book your holiday with – especially when you want to travel to a special destination.

These points mentioned below should also be weighed against what sort of holiday you and your travel group or family want to have. As you consider different holiday options, the following points will help you to create a shortlist that will help you make an informed decision on which travel company to work with.

Ascertain if the tour operator is specialized.

Does the Tour operator offer you the type of trip that you’d like to go on? If you are into large bus tours that simply take you from one five-star hotel to another, then you’ll have plenty of tour companies to choose from. However, if you are looking for something different, intimate, cultural, or perhaps active, find a Tour operator that deals with these sorts of holidays.

Look at how many destinations the tour operator specializes in.

If you decide to work with a large Tour operator, they might offer holiday packages in several different countries. These types of companies could be labeled as the “master of none”. While they might offer decent prices on holiday packages throughout the world, that doesn’t mean that the holiday is going to be tailored to your needs. In a world where nearly 80% of travelers book holidays on the Internet, it is best to find a Tour operator who is specialized for the area in which you want to travel.

See where the tour operator is located.

A Tour operator that is located in the country that you would like to travel is worth more than gold. Someone who books tours from an office in London, for example, is not going to be able to offer you the minute details of the country that a specialized Tour operator will be able to do. If the company does book holidays from outside the country they operate, then they should have a representative office in the country in which you plan to travel. If you need help while on your journey, then don’t expect the Tour operator in London to do a whole lot.

Find out if the tour operator offers personalized or customized itineraries.

A Tour operator should offer a variety of itineraries to meet different travelers’ needs. For those who are more the active type, an itinerary that includes hiking, for example, should be an option. Other travel groups or families might decide that they would prefer a comfort trip with some cultural highlights. Tour operators that can offer a variety of holidays that are crafted towards your own style of travel should be taken highly into regard.

Make sure the Tour operator is responsive to your e-mails.

Does the Tour operator that you have contacted respond to your request for information within a day or so? You can judge how much a Tour operator cares about their client relations with not only their initial response, but also their follow-up responses in helping you put together your perfect itinerary. A Tour operator who calls you at your convenience and checks in to see how your plans are coming along is a responsive and responsible one who will also keep in communication with you up until the day you depart.

Check that the Tour operator is giving you all the information needed.

A Tour operator who specializes in China as a destination, for example, should be an expert in their respective field. If you found them by searching the Internet, which travel website did you find their reference? Finding a Tour operator who is located in the upper search engine results means that the agency has done a lot of work in order to promote themselves on other travel websites who are willing to vouch for their credibility. It has nothing to do with paying their way to the top. These are organic listings and to get there isn’t an easy accomplishment for any Tour operator who is not legitimate and of some reliable quality.

Additionally, a Tour operator may or may not be able to book flights for you. But, they should be able to recommend flight options that will save you money. They might also be able to arrange in-country airport pick-up that will save you the stress upon arrival. The more information the tour operator can outline about the country you’ll be traveling in, through information packets or online articles, news, and reading material, the better prepared you will be in the end.

See if the Tour operator meets the varied price needs of their clients.

A Tour operator that offers a variety of itineraries means that they know the

country well enough to offer different levels of services to their clients. Unbelievably high prices mean that the tour operator is targeting a certain elite market, or it means that the Tour operator is not working out its itineraries to save their clients the most they possibly can for any particular itinerary.

It makes sense that the more days you wish to travel, the varied activities you’d like to do, and the type of accommodations and transport you prefer will all be taken into consideration for the final quoted price. If a Tour operator is willing to help you work out the price structure to make it more affordable to you, then you know that the Tour operator puts their client relations first and wants your business more than anyone else.

As a side note: Some people searching for great travel bargains and budget trips want to acquire as much information about the country and itineraries as possible. In some instances, a travel specialist might ask someone who wishes to arrange an itinerary for a ‘trust deposit’ (that will be applied to the future sale) for the services they wish to have rendered. A Tour operator has to ensure that before he or she gives out too much of the company’s valuable information that the travelers are actually going to utilize the Company’s full services.

This deposit guarantees a traveler and a Tour operator will remain faithful in their collaboration. A Tour operator cannot offer its services free and a ‘trust deposit’ ensures that the Tour operator’s valuable time will be properly remunerated.

Overall, a good Tour operator will be able to answer your questions and give you the individual attention to detail you deserve.

A quality Tour operator should:

· Be responsive

· Understand your needs

· Arrange the best prices possible

· Provide testimonials to their service

· Provide you thorough information about the country

· Offer a variety of services

· Offer a variety of activities

· Answer your questions even after the sale

· Ensure that every detail of your in-country itinerary is arranged

· Request feedback to better their operation

These top-ten Tour operator rules are the basis of forming a trusting relationship between the travelers and the Tour operator. For those who are searching and want to make sure that their travel money will result in the quality of the experience they deserve, they should hunt for a Tour operator that meets all the above mentioned criteria. Once the itinerary is fully arranged and booked, it’s time to prepare for the holiday of a lifetime.

Look no further than HTP (www.holidaytravelpackages.com)

The best in online travel in one location, making it easier for you to find, compare, plan and book the perfect holiday for your exact travel requirements!

Beach Holidays in Africa

2011-03-16T14:11:00.012+02:00

Close your eyes and think of your best ever summer holiday. What do you see?

We’d bet you there’s a beach in there somewhere. Maybe a bucket and spade, or a freshly waxed surfboard, perhaps a couple of sun beds and a bottle of nicely chilled rosé. If so a beach holiday is a just what you need, and is also a great way to unwind from your stressful everyday life. When thinking of where to go on a beach holiday, it may be a good idea to think outside the box a little and try going to a place that is not on the everyday tourist’s radar. Africa beach holidays are actually becoming more and more popular, and they have everything and more to offer than your usual Caribbean or South Pacific beach holiday.

Among some of the beautiful destinations in Africa, some of them have the most amazing and pristine white beaches with many a thing to do, such as Tanzania’s off shore sister Zanzibar, and one of the world’s largest sting of islands the Seychelles, plus others like Mozambique with its Exquisite scuba diving locations, and Mauritius with its world class island resorts and sightseeing locations.

Zanzibar also known by many as the spice island, is just off the coast of Tanzania one of Africa’s biggest safaris destinations, Zanzibar is home to some of Africa’s amazing beach locations, and as well as the infamous Stone town a reminder of Zanzibar’s exotic past, home to many beach resorts and one of the most alluring stretches of pristine white sand, Zanzibar makes a great place to spend your time on an exotic beach holiday, just don’t forget the sun screen and the sandals for the coral reefs. www.zanzibar.holidaytravelpackages.com

The Seychelles, is a string of over 115 islands that lie of the coast of East-Africa, Seychelles is home to some of the most picturesque beaches in the world and some the world’s most high quality beach resorts. Beaches in the Seychelles are un-crowded and pristine. Some like famous Anse Source d'Argent on La Digue are framed by impressive granite rocks. Anse Cocos on the eastern coast of La Digue is only accessible by foot. Anse La Reunion lies along its shore on The La Digue Island. http://seychelles.holidaytravelpackages.com/

When walking along the famous Anse Source d'Argent, continue across the small river untill you reach Anse Pierrot. Anse a la Mouche is situated on the South Western coast of Mahe. Located on the South Western coast, the beach of Anse Boileau is narrow band of shallow waters. Anse Forbans is located on the South Eastern coast of Mahe the main island of the Seychelles and home to the international airport.

Mauritius is a small, multicultural island in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and southeast of the Seychelles. And is home to beaches that offer many things to do, that will help you unwind and experience one the unforgettable beach holidays ever, Mauritius is a paradise for deep sea fishing. Species include the blue or black marlin, all types of sharks, yellow tuna, the Bonitos, the ‘emperor’, the ‘pélerin’, the ‘bécune’ or the barracuda.

Those seeking well-being during their holidays should be sure to visit the spas, new oases of peace where time stands still. Mauritius offers several world-class items. If the seemingly endless miles of beaches, the natural hospitality of the Mauritian people and the huge range of different types of food are not enough, why not set off on a very special journey! Pay a visit to some of the spas, where you can put yourself into the capable hands of experts and allow yourself to be carried away by your senses. These spas are now regarded as a must, on the tourist itinerary. http://mauritius.holidaytravelpackages.com/

And last but not the least Mozambique, Mozambique is fast becoming one of southern Africa's premier beach destinations. And for a very good reason too. Its spectacular 2500km coastline plays host to beaches of indescribable beauty, white silky sands, tropical warm waters and an array of fishing communities and as well home to some of the worlds Exquisite scuba diving locations. Parts of it are still off the beaten track, and it does offer the opportunity to lounge on secluded beaches with no people or buildings in sight. So come here before the rest of the world does and experience a beach holiday like unlike any other. http://mozambique.holidaytravelpackages.com/

The best in online travel in one location, making it easier for you to find, compare, plan and book the perfect holiday for your exact travel requirements! - www.holidaytravelpackages.com

What is a Package Holiday?

2011-03-09T11:31:00.000+02:00

A package holiday or package tour consists of transportation and accommodation, which is advertised and sold together by a tour operator. Other services may be provided like a rental car, activities or excursions during the holiday. Transport can be via charter airline to a foreign country.

So, for example, here you will buy the holiday as a whole rather than paying for all of these elements separately. These kinds of holidays can work out cheaper than arranging all of the separate elements of your holiday individually and are a quick and convenient way of organising your break.

The actual elements of a holiday package will vary depending on the type of holiday you choose, the type of tour operator or travel agent you book through and how much you want to pay for the holiday. Common inclusions in a holiday package include:

Travel to and from your destination: by plane, bus, train or ship.

Transfers from arrival points to your hotel as necessary: coaches or taxis from an airport to your hotel.

Hotel or self catering apartment costs and facilities: your accommodation costs will be paid for in advance as part of your package holiday charges.

Food and drink: you may be offered anything from bed and breakfast to half board through to an all inclusive break where all food and drink is included in the price.

Excursions/entertainment: some package holidays will offer evening entertainment and excursions during the day as part of your deal. Not all excursions/entertainment will necessarily be free however. Holidays to places where there is a significant attraction may also have passes built into the cost.

Rental cars: some package holidays will also organise a rental car for you to use whilst you are on holiday.

There are various types of holiday packages to choose from. You could, for example, go on a traditional holiday where you are flown to a hotel and stay in that destination for the duration of your holiday. As an alternative you could look at going on a package holiday where you travel around or you could go on a package cruise. Either way they all equal up to being classed as a package holiday.

By: Jonathan Dunstan (HTP) www.holidaytravelpackages.com

The Role of a Tour Operator When putting together a Package Holiday

2011-03-02T12:26:00.002+02:00

The role of tour operators, unlike travel agencies who sell a range of holidays and other travel products, tour operators actually assemble the component parts of a holiday.

The tour operator’s role

A tour operator is more of a service provider, providing the most convenient option for tourists to visit, stay, as well as leave from the destination. They work in coordination with several key players of the tourism business such as airlines, hotels, restaurants and tour guides.

Responsibilities of the tour operator

A tour operator is completely responsible for the services rendered to the customers during the holiday. He ensures that all the services mentioned in the package holiday are made available to customers. He is also responsible for conveying any delay or cancellation of flight, as well as making alternative arrangements for stay and departure.

Developing the package holiday

Developing holiday packages includes organizing different services in a manner that is affordable for the customer as well as profitable for the tour operator. For instance, Airline Operators may not always be able to sell all the tickets, where some seats are sold to the Tour Operators in bulk, thus ensuring sale of tickets indirectly. When bulk orders are placed, tour operators are able to negotiate lower prices. This is true in case of every service related to tourism industry.

Advertising the package holiday

Developing an effective ad campaign is an important step in developing holiday packages. This is because a well marketed product is likely to get a good response from potential clients. A great example is HTP - Holiday Travel Packages, (www.holidaytravelpackages.com).

The preparation that is needed

The main preparation needed for creating a package holiday is to have the best knowledge of the destination for which the package is being developed. A Tour Operator must be completely aware of different types of services available including alternatives if needed. Apart from this, he must also make himself aware of government policies and regulations with reference to tourists and travel to foreign countries.

The best in online travel in one location, making it easier for you to find, compare, plan and book the perfect holiday for your exact travel requirements!

(www.holidaytravelpackages.com)

Advertising is Key for a Tour Operators product

2011-03-02T12:21:00.000+02:00

Developing an effective ad campaign is important for tour operators. This is because a well marketed product is obviously likely to get a good response from potential clients. Advertising on the Internet is becoming ever more popular during this modern technological era.

One great example is HTP – Holiday Travel Packages (www.holidaytravelpackages.com), Tour Operators are able to advertise themselves and their Package Holidays through HTP in the form of a page dedicated to the Tour Operator and the packages they offer, listed in the destination of the tour operator and (Type of holiday) their packages, if HTP does not have your destination listed they will add it to their list.

All that HTP requires in return is small percentage of commission of each holiday successfully booked via the HTP website, there are also advantages for the traveller as well, in the form of the cash back reward program that HTP offers, this is one more way that HTP has to attract travellers to a Tour Operators product, find out more here: www.holidaytravelpackages.com/rewards.cfm

If you are a tour operator and want the best advertising for you products take a look at the benefits that HTP offers your business: www.holidaytravelpackages.com/HTP_tour_operator_info.cfm

This is a successfully proven way for tour operators to promote and advertise your product and to get travellers to know what you have to offer them.

The best in online travel in one location, making it easier for you to find, compare, plan and book the perfect holiday for your exact travel requirements!

- www.holidaytravelpackages.com

The Best Way to Book a Holiday Package with Tour Operators

2011-02-07T10:13:00.010+02:00

The best way would be by opting for a holiday package and seeking the service of a tour operator. They can help arrange the holiday. Since everything is planned and decided pre-advance, you are saved the hassle of arranging things. Besides, it also saves a substantial amount of money. Plan Your Holidays With Tour Operators!

HTP will save you time and help you choose from a wide variety of packages. You can also review the packages and enquire directly with the associated tour operator.

(HTP) Holiday Travel Packages focuses primarily on specialist tour operators who can offer you a unique holiday experience.

The greatest advantage of opting for tour operators is they allow you to choose from various tour packages, You can choose from religious, adventure, culture, tour packages. Apart from this, you could also choose from activity packages such as golfing, cruises, adventure, skiing and diving. A tour operator combines tour and travel components to create an excellent holiday package, They can book flights or train tickets on your behalf at good prices.

It is also advisable to plan out your holidays well in advance to avoid last minute confusions and expenditure. Doing a little research will help you get holiday packages at a reasonable rate.

Also, the more tour operators you compare, the more informed you'll be when booking, and the greater the chance that you found the best travel deal out there. Luckily (HTP) Holiday Travel Packages extends your patience by allowing you too quickly and easily compare offers from multiple, competitive tour operators at once, in your destination of choice via the use of HTP Mega Enquiry -

Saving you time and Money:

No more wasting valuable hours surfing dozens of different sites to find what you are looking for.
No more having to type out the same enquiry request on lots of different websites over and over again.
No more having to make dozens of phone calls to different hotels, lodges or guest houses to check availability.
No more over spending, compare packages that are like for like, from leading suppliers and choose the most affordable price for you.

Also you can have the advantage of HTP Cash Back Booking Rewards:
It really is that simple, if you have booked via http://www.holidaytravelpackages.com/, tell us now and receive your cash back.
There is nothing quite like it! You pick where you want to travel, get competitive quotes and then get cash back. HTP helps you get there for less!
With cash back booking rewards, you'll save more and enjoy the convenience of having access to our worldwide HTP tour operator network - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!
(HTP) Holiday Travel Packages - The best in online travel in one location, making it easier for you to find, compare, plan and book the perfect holiday for your exact travel requirements!
http://www.holidaytravelpackages.com/

Tour operators move quickly to get clients out of Egypt

2011-02-07T09:33:00.002+02:00

As the crisis in Egypt continues, the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) reported its member companies have successfully evacuated scores of guests from Egypt, getting them home safely and providing alternate travel arrangements.

"At the outset of demonstrations last week, U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) member companies responded immediately, going to extraordinary lengths to handle the crisis," said Terry Dale, the association's president. "Member companies coordinated arrangements for their clients to get them out of harm’s way, overcoming numerous challenges. Obstacles included dealing with curfews, restricted telecommunications, and across-the-board airline cancellations."

Member companies worked in cooperation with their local Egyptian offices, representatives and support staff, along with security experts and crisis management personnel to coordinate evacuations.

"Quick and timely actions to ensure passenger safety included securing complimentary housing, moving guests to other hotels after protests started, chartering flights, providing daily and hourly briefings when possible, and positioning staff at hotels where guests were staying, to care for their needs and organize flights," the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) said.

Examples cited by the U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) included:

• Successfully rerouting clients to other countries when U.S. flights were cancelled or unavailable, thereby arranging for a seamless trip home.
• Providing hotels, transfers, guides and meals, and personally caring for rerouted customers who had to overnight.
• Moving guests on Nile cruises and those in the centre of Cairo to hotels near Cairo airport to facilitate their departure as flights became available, staying by their side up to departure.
• Keeping in close contact with clients’ loved ones so that they would be aware that their family and friends were safe and en route home.
• Deploying tour managers’ and ground operators’ personal cell phones and using emergency lines to text new flight plans and contact loved ones.
• Arranging for charter flights, in some cases at the member company’s expense, and State Department flights when necessary.

In addition to political incidents, Dale cited natural disasters such as last year’s Icelandic volcano eruption, floods in Peru, and earthquakes in Chile, as other examples of unforeseen crises the likes of which travel professionals must be prepared for.

"In times of crisis, travellers who book with a U.S. Tour Operators Association (USTOA) member company have the benefit of experienced travel experts whose infrastructure on the ground helps to ensure their safety and well-being, compared to travelling on their own." said Dale.

Egypt protests curb travel to Cairo

2011-01-31T10:02:00.003+02:00

The United States, UK, Australia, The Netherlands and Sweden have advised against all non-essential travel to Cairo and in other cities of Egypt since thousands of protestors demanding the end of about 30 years of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak's rule put the country in the throes of political unrest.

Though sites off Cairo including Pyramids of Giza and the Great Sphinx remain safe, travel operators continue to monitor the situation.

According to media reports, protests and violence have spread to popular tourist spots including the Suez and Alexandria. Avoiding Alexandria, many cruises have diverted ships. One of Britain’s leading tour operators, Thomas Cook, has canceled excursions to Cairo, the company said in a statement.

However, according to Thomas Cook, there are still some unaffected, popular tourist areas by the Red Sea where visitors can holiday.

"Our experienced teams on the ground assure us that no tourist areas at the Red Sea have been affected in any way by the recent demonstrations. They are fully operational and holidaymakers are continuing to enjoy the popular resorts of Sharm el Sheikh and Hurghada," the company said.
Among airlines shutting off services to Cairo is Delta Air Lines that canceled its Friday night flight from New York to Cairo, the Associated Press reported.

Source: IBTimes Staff Reporter Date: January 31, 2011 10:11 AM EST

Tour package costs slashed as holidays remain unsold

2010-08-24T14:15:00.000+02:00

Tour operators have slashed prices on holiday packages, sometimes up to as much as 75 per cent, as over 1.5 million vacation deals have been unsold in 2010. Thomson and First Choice owner Tui, the largest travel group in the UK, announced that it has a whopping 650,000 holidays and flights which have been left unsold, leading the firm to significantly reduce the cost of travel packages to destinations around the world.

Thomas Cook, the second largest travel company in the UK, has also had severe problems unloading its travel packages, and has announced that it currently has 166,000 unsold deals. As an example of the cut in prices, a week-long holiday in the Mediterranean can now be purchased for as little as £131 per person. Industry experts believe the Icelandic ash cloud, the British Airways strikes, and low consumer confidence are some of the main factors contributing to the sales decline of travel packages.

According to Bob Atkinson of internet comparison site Travelsupermarket, the industry has slashed prices in order to be able to unload some of their existing travel packages. He went on to add that it is not difficult for vacationers to get a self-catered holiday for as much as 40 per cent less than the initial asking price found in a travel company brochure.

by Sally Davies

Beyond airlines – winners and losers with volcanic ash

2010-04-20T13:17:00.008+02:00

At this point, even armchair travelers are familiar with Europe’s volcanic ash saga and the fact that the cloud has basically grounded all flights in the European airspace. News stories on the situation also talk about how much money — perhaps $200 million dollars a day — airlines are losing.

Airlines aren’t the only part of the travel industry, and even in the airline community, there are some winners and losers. Here’s an admittedly unofficial scorecard.

Winners:

The European train system Most trains are running at full capacity. And, no doubt converting some additional passengers who will decide they prefer the train to flying next time.

Other ground transportation Car rental companies, bus companies, even taxi companies are picking up some of the slack. There are stories of taxi drivers offering to take passengers hundreds of miles. Charging of course, hundreds of euros.

Ferries Especially those which have been losing business to the Chunnel train and low cost carriers. Admittedly, for some of these companies it’s a mixed blessing, as their phone lines and reservation desks are inundated.

International airlines that can avoid Europe. Personally, I have booked more travelers on Emirates Airlines in a weekend than I have in a year. Because their Dubai hub is a workable way to get to Africa and destinations in India. Flying via Asia is an option for some destinations as well.

Losers:

Airport retail businesses, especially those beyond security In general, stranded passengers with money to spend, are not staying at the airport. Those who remain are buying very little.

Airport hotels Most stranded passengers at this point have either gone home, or have found accommodation with friends or a hotel in town.

Airport shuttles The good news these days is that people aren’t showing up at the airports anymore and being surprised by cancellations. That means shuttle drivers have no business.

Tour operators For many tour operators this is a no-win situation. Charge the full cancellation penalty to stranded passengers and lose goodwill. Or, waive it and lose a boatload or busload of money.

It’s not just tour operators in Europe. Many other companies, African safari operators for example, cater to Europeans. Presumably some passengers can find ground transportation; for others, that’s impossible. A number of operators in Europe have both Americans and Europeans on their tours, which means some of their clients will be able to make it and hence they still have the expense of running the under filled tour.

At this point we haven’t heard much about how most companies will react. For that matter, the jury’s still out as to how some insurance policies will deal with the situation.

Cruise lines Fortunately the serious European cruise season hasn’t started yet. Holland America, Disney Cruise Lines, Princess, and Royal Caribbean are among the lines with European sailings, several from Southampton. Plus, spring is a popular river cruise season. If this cloud hangs over the tourism industry bookings will drop dramatically.

Those who both win and lose:

Hotels Overall, my sense is that overall, the volcano is costing the hotel industry a lot of money as business trips are canceled. (In fact, some clients have already told me their European meetings, later this week, are being pre-emptively canceled because of the uncertainty.)

On the other hand, some hotels, in London, for example, no doubt are dealing with an upturn in business with stranded passengers. In San Francisco, British Airways is reportedly paying for hotel rooms for many travelers.

On the other hand, other hotels are dealing with major cancellations. A hotel manager I met this weekend from Southern California lost a number of rooms from a wedding where many guests were arriving from overseas.

Travel agents In general, this is a nightmare for those of us in the industry. I don’t think many good agents took the past weekend off at all. One of the most frustrating aspects as well — all the refunding and rebooking is at best revenue neutral and at worst a loss of commission dollars. (Yes, many travel agents either with their own contracts or via consolidators do make money on international tickets.)

It’s difficult to charge clients a fee, even for agents that normally charge a cancellation fee, because nobody asked for this and many travelers are already incurring added expenses due to the canceled flights.

Plus, of course, we’re not done yet. Many clients who I have rebooked still don’t know if their flights later in the week will operate, and most European carriers do not update their status until late at night in the U.S.

On the other hand, if we travel agents can bail clients out and get them to their destination either via an alternate route or as soon as the airport opens, those clients, in theory, are much less likely to go for future internet bookings.

Finally, there is one silver lining for airlines. As much as we all love to complain about lousy airline service on international flights, many people now agree, it’s better than NO service.

by Janice Hough on April 19, 2010

Tour operators fight back against online competition

2010-03-10T11:27:00.001+02:00

London – Major travel groups are responding to fierce competition from online travel agents, such as Expedia and Travelocity, in the fight for the lucrative online travel retail industry, according to the new report just published by Euromonitor International, Global E-travel habits.

Multinational travel agents, such as TUI and Thomas Cook, will pose a significant challenge to online travel agents, particularly given their established brand names within the travel industry.

Helen Roberts, Strategic Analyst from Euromonitor International explains, “Major operators believe they are in a strong position to challenge online companies because of their brand strength and high level of vertical integration. The fact that they own their products means they are in control of the quality of their offerings”.

The global e-travel market has developed significantly over the last 10 years, causing severe problems for traditional high-street travel agents. Online sales accounted for a 19.5% share of the global retail travel sector in 2006, the majority of which were made via online travel agents. In the UK, online bookings increased from 7% in 2002, to 35% of all bookings in 2006, according to Euromonitor International. Traditional tour operators are realising the potential in this channel and now view the Internet as the only way forward.

Improved online features

Traditional tour operators are improving their online facilities and investing in their websites in order to compete with online travel agents. Thomson, for example, recently enhanced its main website with a raft of new features and content, in an attempt to retain customers and encourage them to book through the site. It also introduced additional editorial content to help consumers, as well as to enable the site to be picked up by Google in natural searches.

In the UK, traditional tour operators have made significant progress with their websites, and now rank among the major on-line travel sites in terms of visitors. For example, in the week to 13 January 2007, Hitwise, monitors of internet usage, reported that MyTravel had overtaken the online travel agency, lastminute.com, for the first time, with a 5.2% share of visits to travel agency websites.

Innovation is the key to survival for online travel companies

Online travel agents are employing more innovative strategies in order to survive, as they also face competition from other rivals, including Internet giants Yahoo! and eBay, as well as information providers and general retailers, in the online travel retail industry. A number of these strategies have been identified in Euromonitor International’s report Global E-travel habits, including:

partnerships with environmental groups offering travellers the opportunity to contribute financially to carbon emission reductions
adding dynamic packaging functionality to their offering
improving customer service and transparency with the introduction of “Live Person” technology

Online players are also stepping up their marketing campaigns, with more innovative tactics being used to reach consumers, such as ‘top-deal’ email bulletins.

Helen Roberts comments, “These moves not only serve to make companies such as Travelzoo a household name, but also help travel suppliers improve their reach and visibility”.

Meta sites the future for e-travel retail

Meta-search sites, such as kayak.com and SideStep.com, which trawl the Internet on behalf of the consumer, look set to grow in strength as e-travel providers, according to Global E-travel habits. With consumers becoming increasingly strapped for time and ever-more aware that online travel agencies like Expedia and Travelocity are not the only option when it comes to booking travel, meta-search sites look likely to gain significant market share.

Other types of on-line operator will also continue to pose challenges to both online travel agents and direct travel suppliers.

Roberts said, “It is possible that Google will enter the travel arena in the future, joining the likes of Yahoo!, Lycos and eBay, which will also continue to improve their travel functionality”.

Source: www.traveldailynews.com