ISKALI TRAVEL NEWS

World Travel Market invites senior travel industry leaders to the WTM Global Economic Forum

2008-10-10T07:07:00.000+07:00

Click on the video link below for a taste of the hard-hitting truths that will be discussed at the WTM Global Economic Forum on Thursday, November 13. Forum chair Peter Hobday (right), former BBC broadcaster and economics journalist and panel speaker John Strickland (left), Senior Airline Industry consultant preview the effects of the global economy as the credit crunch puts increasing pressure on the future of the travel industry.
Link to Vodcast

On the day, Peter and John will be joined by other leading industry experts including keynote speaker Norbert Walter, chief economist for Deutsche Bank, Jean-Claude Baumgarten, president and CEO of the World Travel and Tourism Organization, and John Walker, leading tourism economist and chairman of Oxford and Tourism Economics.

Arleigh Galant Vasconcellos Phone: +44 (0)20 8910 7038 Email: arleigh.galantvasconcellos@reedexpo.co.uk
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ASTA releases Travel Agent’s Management Toolkit

2008-10-10T07:06:00.000+07:00

ALEXANDRIA, VA - Today, ASTA announced its newest member benefit — the Travel Agent’s Management Toolkit. Sponsored by Best Western, this interactive toolkit combines the best of the Model Agency I and II programs and is designed to provide ASTA members with the essential tools to assist them in running their businesses in a more efficient and profitable way.

“Whether you’re an agency owner, a manager or run your own home-based business, by the time you’ve finished this course you will find that you not only have explored new information and approaches to running your business but rediscovered old skills and practices,” said Chris Russo, ASTA president and CEO. “To maximize their potential, it is imperative that travel agents have a solid understanding of the relationship between revenue sources and cost structures, service and sales goals, focused marketing and business strategies. Now, thanks to the generosity of Best Western, we are able to offer this course at no cost so there really is nothing to stop ASTA members from reaching their highest potential.”

This course is interactive in that, where appropriate, it links to tools found on ASTA.org — such as the Financial Benchmarking and Salary tools — and encourages agents to input the data requested as they work through the course so that when complete they will have actionable data.

Once completed, travel agents will be able to:

· Chart their agency’s progress against industry benchmarks;

· Develop an income statement, balance sheet and key financial ratios;

· Forecast profitability by using financial forecasting tools;

· Assess their agency’s staffing needs;

· Develop a simple marketing plan; and

· Write a successful business plan.

For more information, go to www.ASTA.org/education

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

Ms. Kristina Rundquist VP, Communications American Society of Travel Agents Phone: (703) 739-8710 E-Mail: pr@asta.org
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Reed Travel Exhibitions launches Americas Meetings Trade Show for 2010

2008-10-10T06:51:00.000+07:00

Reed Travel Exhibitions has announced today that it is to launch a new international trade show for the global meetings and incentive industry – the Americas Incentive Business Travel and Meetings Exhibition (AIBTM) to be held in Baltimore, Maryland from June 29 - July 1, 2010.

This new major event completes the company’s established portfolio of ‘IBTM’ exhibitions specifically serving the global meetings industry marketplace. AIBTM joins EIBTM in Barcelona, GIBTM in Abu Dhabi and CIBTM in Beijing. The portfolio also includes AIME, Melbourne and the ICCA Congress Exhibition held in a different destination each year.

Paul Kennedy MBE, Group Exhibition director of Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentive Events commented, “Following a two-year research and business development plan for AIBTM, it was clear that there was a real need and demand for an Americas event that delivered domestic and international exhibitors and buyers.

AIBTM will be based on the hugely successful EIBTM model and with our considerable expertise and reputation in the meetings sector in providing best business, best education and best networking – is highly targeted, matching exhibitors with quality Hosted Buyers and visitors with the power to do business.”

In choosing Baltimore to host an event that is set to become the Americas leading meetings event, Paul Kennedy added, “It was essential to find a city that had a first-class venue with excellent on-site facilities, a variety of quality hotel stock and a transport infrastructure which included airports that had extensive air routes to cater for the international audience arriving from all over Europe, Asia, Latin America, the Far East and of course North America.

“What impressed us most was the enthusiasm, desire and ability shown by the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association, The Convention Center, DMCs and hotels. We have made a terrific choice in Baltimore, which will host what must be considered the biggest fam trip the city will ever see. AIBTM is well and truly in good hands.”

Speaking at the launch, Tom Noonan, president and CEO of the Baltimore Area Convention and Visitors Association said, “This is a major coup for our city. We are delighted to have been chosen as the host city for AIBTM for at least the next five years and look forward to working with Reed Travel Exhibitions Meetings and Incentive Events team led by Paul Kennedy. They are widely respected and have an international reputation in organizing and running events for the meetings industry.”

AIBTM will witness the first truly large-scale international Hosted Buyer program in the Americas enhanced by a substantial domestic Hosted Buyer and trade visitor population. Baltimore is superbly located to draw upon the world’s largest concentration of meetings planners situated in the North East USA.

Leading industry figures have welcomed the launch:

Christian Mutschlechner, CEO Vienna Convention Bureau stated, “I am delighted that Reed Travel Exhibitions have launched AIBTM. Vienna will be exhibiting, and I am sure we will be joined by all the major destinations around the globe.”

Bruce M. MacMillan, president and CEO of Meeting Professionals International remarked, “Through events like EIBTM in Europe, GIBTM in the Gulf Region and CIBTM in China, Reed Travel Exhibitions has positioned itself as the global meeting and event industry marketplace leader, and we look forward to extending our global partnership with them at AIBTM.”

Martin Sirk, CEO, ICCA commented, “We’re delighted to welcome the launch of AIBTM as a genuinely international meetings industry trade show in the USA and feel certain that the ‘hosted buyer’ business model which RTE uses for EIBTM and the rest of the portfolio will prove to be a big winner with this new event. I am certain there will be enthusiastic support for AIBTM by ICCA members from all regions of the world.”

Dates for AIBTM from 2011 – 2014 are as follows:

June 21 - 23, 2011

June 19 – 21, 2012

June 18 – 20, 2013

June 17 – 19, 2014

Simon Greenbury Tel: +44 (0) 207 096 2960 Mobile +44 (0) 7798 650 220 Email: simon.greenbury@cut-coms.co.uk Imogen Allen Tel: +44 (0) 207 096 2959 Email: imogen.allen@cut-coms.co.uk AIBTM Website: www.aibtm.com Reed Travel Exhibitions website: www.reedtravelexhibitions.com
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TRAVEL GO TO HEAVEN

2008-10-07T20:13:00.000+07:00

Borobudur Temple, Java-INDONESIA

The Great Pyramids of Giza-EGYPT

Tower of Pisa - ITALY

Paris

Ka'ba and Black Stone, Mecca - SAUDI ARABIA

Golden Temple of Amritsar- INDIA

Temple of Heaven (Tiantan), Beijing - CHINA

Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York City - USA

Jewish Historical Museum, Amsterdam - NETHERLANDS

Mt. Fuji - JAPAN

Jokhang Temple, Lhasa - TIBET

Blue Mosque with Park - TURKEY

Uluru/Ayers Rock - AUSTRALIA

Bangkok - THAILAND

Lake Titicaca - BOLIVIA

Barcelona Cathedral (La Seu), Barcelona - SPAIN

Gamla Uppsala - SWEDEN

Tintern Abbey - Wales - UK

Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, Berlin - GERMANY

Mosteiro de Santa Maria, Alcobaca - PORTUGAL

African Travel Association to host 2nd annual US-Africa Seminar

2008-10-07T20:10:00.000+07:00

New York, NY — As part of its effort to build the premier Africa tourism seminar in the United States, the Africa Travel Association (ATA) announced today that it will host the second edition of its newest program, the US-Africa Seminar, in Washington, DC from February 19-20, 2009. This year’s seminar will highlight sport and adventure tourism, Africa’s fastest-growing travel and tourism sectors, as opportunities for growth and investment. The seminar will also highlight the role of the African Diaspora in the development of Africa’s tourism industry.

“With 53 countries on the continent, Africa’s travel and tourism sector opportunities are boundless,” said ATA executive director Edward Bergman. “It is our mission to make these opportunities known to the US travel industry trade community, as well as to tourists looking for unique travel opportunities.”

Co-sponsored by Adventures in Travel Expo (ATE), the seminar will bring leaders in the tourism industry together to explore the continent’s emerging sport and adventure tourism opportunities and Diaspora tourism. The event will be a two-day kickoff to the ATE travel show to be held from February 21-22, 2009 at the Washington Convention Center.

“Our support demonstrates ATE’s commitment to not only developing tourism in Africa, but also to promoting experiential travel with heavy emphasis on outdoor sports and activities,” said Jim Forberg, COO Unicomm LLC. “ATE events were designed to educate the consumer on the opportunity of having a more enriched and engaging vacation through experiences and Africa is a continent known to provide this.”

Seminar participants will have an opportunity to join the ATE African Pavilion and will receive concessions for participating in the event.

The seminar builds on the momentum created at the first US-Africa Seminar, which focused on sport tourism in February 2008, when mega sporting events, such as the African Cup of Nations, FIFA 2010 World Cup, as well as team and individual sports such as basketball, baseball, tennis, athletics, golf, diving, biking, canoeing, trekking and boating, were presented as opportunities for growth and investment.

In addition to sport and adventure tourism, the 2009 seminar will focus on the potential role of the African Diaspora in promoting tourism to and investment in Africa.

“There is growing evidence that African immigrant communities contribute to the development of their home countries through investment, entrepreneurism, public relations and knowledge exchange,” said Ogo Sow, ATA board member and advisor on Africa Diaspora Affairs. The seminar will present a number of case studies on African Diaspora investment in the industry and include a roundtable discussion on the role of the Diaspora media in travel promotion.

Participants in the 2008 seminar included ministers from Angola, Ghana, Togo and South Africa, senior representatives of the diplomatic community, hotel and airline executives, travel industry experts, tourism board heads, tour operators, travel agents and representatives from sports organizations, including the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the African Baseball Network. WNBA Legend Teresa Weatherspoon and WNBA Washington Mystics Mactabene Amachree made special appearances. The South African consulate general hosted a reception on the 2010 World Cup with special guest, Hon. deputy minister, Department of Sport and Recreation of South Africa.
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International Travel Agent Summit attracts agents from 18 countries

2008-10-07T20:08:00.000+07:00

ALEXANDRIA, VA - Nearly 40 travel sellers representing 18 countries attended ASTA's International Travel Agent Summit in Orlando on September 9, 2008. The meeting, which kicked off Global Business Day at THETRADESHOW, was created to bring international travel professionals together to meet and develop global business contacts.

“The International Travel Agent Summit is exactly what our international members have been asking for, and THETRADESHOW was the perfect time to gather everyone together,” said Robert Durant, president of the International Chapter Presidents Counsel. “Our members have asked for more networking, more opportunities and a growing marketplace that they can easily conduct business in across the globe. The Global Business Day was the perfect forum to meet their needs and furnish business opportunities for our international members.”

In addition to giving each participant the opportunity to introduce their company, the Summit featured a presentation highlighting ASTA's unique package of online business tools, including the WebExchange, ASTA's business-to-business online marketplace, access to consumer leads generated from ASTA's consumer Web site, and the International Bulletin Board, ASTA's online forum for member discussion and networking.

To see a summary of the meeting, a copy of the presentation of ASTA's online business tools and the Summit Directory, which lists all travel agents who registered for the International Travel Agent Summit, please go to ASTA's Global Business Day page on ASTA.org .

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.
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South Africa's Glorious Night of Travel Triumph

2008-09-24T00:00:00.000+07:00

It was ‘Win Win Win’ all the way for South Africa on Monday evening’s (12 May) first World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony, held in partnership with the International Convention Centre, Durban.
The country was in sparkling form, winning a range of the coveted top awards for the whole of Africa.
Reigning King of the Zulu nation, His Majesty King Zwelithini Goodwill kaBhekuzulu opened the first World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony,watched by some 400 VIPs and leading figures. This included The Mayor of Durban, Cllr. Obed Mlaba, James Wilson, CEO of Dubai World Africa and Miller Motola, CEO of ICC Durban, who both made some of the presentations to top award winners.
Todd Neuman, Vice President of South African Airways, was presented with Africa’s Leading Airline award; Heinz Grub, Chief Operating Officer and Area Manager, Arabella Starwood Hotels&Resorts, received the Africa Leading Family Resort award on behalf of Arabella Western Cape Hotel&Spa; Cllr. Grant Haskin, Cape Town’s Deputy Mayor, received Africa’s Leading Destination and Wally Gaynor, Managing Director of Club Travel, scooped the Africa’s Leading Travel Agency Award.
Other South African overall continent winners included: Tambo International Airport, Africa’s Leading Airport; International Convention Centre, Durban, Africa’s Leading Conference Centre; Shamwari Game Reserve, Africa’s Leading Safari; Sabi Sabi Private Game Reserve, Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge; Mount Nelson Hotel&Spa, Africa’s Leading Hotel; Sun City Resort scooped Africa’s Leading Resort award; Sun International also picked up the award for Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand.
Country-specific awards for South Africa were presented to: Saxon Boutique Hotel&Spa, South Africa’s Leading Boutique Hotel; The Westin Grand Cape Town Arabella Quays, South Africa’s Leading Business Hotel; Fancourt Hotel&Country Club, South Africa’s Leading Golf Resort; Cape Grace Hotel, South Africa’s Leading Hotel; Sun City Resort, South Africa’s Leading Resort; Thanda Private Game Reserve, South Africa’s Leading Safari Lodge.
Winners of all 75 categories for Africa and African countries are listed on the World Travel Awards website www.worldtravelawards.com
“It was a wonderful evening for African tourism and hopefully an inspiration for all those nominated but who were unlucky enough not to win,” said Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards. “We hope that the winners have set a supreme standard of professionalism in Africa with excellent examples of creativity and business acumen that can stimulate others to also raise their performance and their profile, not only within the African industry but worldwide.”
The winners were chosen by votes from executives working within travel and tourism.
Miller Matola, CEO of ICC Durban commented: “The ICC Durban feels honoured to be hosting such a prestigious awards ceremony and equally honoured that the first leg of the Grand Tour is happening in the sunny city of Durban. Coupled with the excitement of Indaba, there is a contagious spirit that has enveloped most delegates.
“This is undoubtedly the most talked about event within the Indaba calendar and the ICC Durban feels privileged to be associated with the illustrious World Travel Awards.”
Speaking after the ceremony, he added, “This is indeed an eventful day. The ICC Durban has regained the celebrated title of Africa’s Leading Convention Centre. “It is an accolade we will carry proudly when hosting the many major international and local events at this centre.”
Durban Wins WTA for 2009

Durban’s International Conference Centre is to host the World Travel Awards Africa Ceremony in 2009. The deal was signed just hours before the event by Miller Matola, CEO of ICC Durban and Graham Cooke, President and Founder, World Travel Awards.
“The ICC is a state-of-the-art world class conference centre”, said Mr Cooke, “and perfect for such a prestigious ceremony for African travel and tourism. We have been delighted with not only the facilities, but also the wonderful support from the ICC staff.”
The Africa event forms part of a World Travel Awards Grand Tour with regional awards staged throughout the world, ending with a Winners Dinner in London on 9 November and a Grand Final at Turks&Caicos in the Caribbean on 12 December 2008. The next regional event is the World Travel Awards Australasia Ceremony in Sydney on 10 June and the World Travel Awards Asia and Indian Ocean Ceremony on 19 June in Shanghai.

About World Travel Awards

The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 to acknowledge and recognize excellence in the world's travel and tourism industry.
• Now celebrating its 15th Anniversary, the awards are regarded as the very highest achievement that a travel product could ever hope to receive.
• Thousands of votes are cast by travel professionals from 167,000 travel agencies, tour and transport companies and tourism organizations in over 160 countries across the globe.
• Votes are cast globally by fellow industry professionals in 919 categories.
• Attended by senior executives from major travel companies, operators and destinations, WTA events are universally respected as providing established, top-level networking opportunities, regionally and globally.
Log on to www.worldtravelawards.com for regular updated information
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WTM turns the spotlight on technology and online travel

2008-09-23T23:55:00.000+07:00

With the frantic pace of change that is happening in online travel, businesses face an uphill struggle to keep pace with so many new digital developments appearing on the scene. This year World Travel Market has attracted more travel technology exhibitors than ever and is producing the most comprehensive program of conferences and seminars to help businesses get to grips with the latest from the digital world.One of the key areas of rapid change is mobile technology, which World Travel Market has identified as potentially the most important new platform for the future of the travel industry. The mobile has taken on far more significance for business travelers than just personal communications, it is a business tool. For instance, mobiles are being used to develop paperless travel by airlines like Lufthansa and British Airways. With 3 billion mobile users compared to 1.3 billion PC users in the world today, the age of the mobile has arrived. This is largely due to the availability of mobile broadband which speeds up internet access. Google has paved the way by introducing Google Mobile which accelerates internet search speeds and has made the mobile a viable alternative to the PC for Internet browsing and email. The Google Travel Team will be presenting the latest from the Internet giant in their Travel Technology@WTM seminar.

Chairman of World Travel Market, Fiona Jeffery said, “This November, World Travel Market is offering one of the largest technology programs ever seen in the industry, as well as more technology and online travel exhibitors with a wide range of products and services. Having identified the mobile as the new hub for the future, we are staging an industry first with our EyeforTravel@WTM Conference on mobile technology and two additional conferences about future trends and online content and conversion. On top of these, we will be staging the two-day Travel Technology@WTM seminar program from Genesys."

The three major conferences created by EyeforTravel@WTM will address the most pressing issues facing the industry today to provide the best strategy for the future.

Mobile Technology in Travel takes place on Tuesday, November 11 and is the first event of its kind for the travel industry. Leading travel and mobile brands will come together to outline how mobiles can make money with essential insights into the mobile space. Among these will be speakers from Vodafone, Google, British Airways, Lufthansa, Sabre, Amadeus, Mobile Commerce and Mobile Travel Technologies. With over 3 billion mobile users worldwide compared to just PC 1.3 billion users, the mobile has come of age.

The Travel Leadership Forum: Evolution of Online Travel on Wednesday, November 12 will discuss how to boost profits in a time of economic uncertainty; how to ensure business strategy guarantees a prosperous future and what the world's top travel executives are focusing on today. This must-attend think-tank will provide online travel executives with a privileged insight into the top issues in travel and offer a rare opportunity to join the travel elite to debate the future evolution of the industry. Speakers include TripAdvisor, Sabre, lastminute.com, Travelodge and SkyEurope Airlines.

Online Content and Conversion Strategies, held on Thursday, November 13 aims to provide a roadmap to online success from upgrading business websites to the rich web environment that customers crave. The conference will be addressing each and every aspect of web success: from search to stickiness, usability to user-generated content and every web technology to foster loyalty, attract new customers and increase sales. Speakers are from Lonely Planet, P&O Cruises, TUI, Walt Disney Parks&Resorts, EasyJet (panel), Microsoft, Cathay Pacific, SAS and VisitBritain.

Make the Most of the Web is one of the key themes for the Travel Technology@WTM Seminar Program this year in association with Genesys held on Tuesday, November 11 and Thursday, November 13. Generally standing room only, these sessions will include seminars on multilingual global content sponsored by Oban Multilingual; on travel comparison sites sponsored by ASAP Ventures; the very latest from the Google Travel Team and recent developments in search engine marketing to maximize internet presence.

Fiona Jeffery concluded," Technology and Online Travel @ WTM has become the fastest-growing and fastest-selling area. This is why we are putting on an unrivaled program of technology events this year featuring many of the world's best known brands. Receiving some of the very best expert advice available, delegates will find out how to use the most recent technology to achieve that all-important business edge."
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Travel Rewards From Using Your Credit Card

2008-09-23T01:00:00.000+07:00

Responsible use of your credit card allows flexibility and leverage as it helps people manage their money. By using the principle of interest rates in credit, it allows large and expensive purchases like buying furniture and appliances. Payment for these large purchases can be extended over a specific period to make it more flexible for the credit user. The credit card company on the other hand is able to earn income charging interest rates for credit used over a specific period of time.

Credit card companies use as promotional or marketing strategies the giving of rewards to their card customers by giving points for every time they use their credit cards when making transactions. These reward points can be in a form of free gifts, appliances, electronic gadgets, cash rewards or travel miles. The number of points per card transaction may depend on the amount purchased. For travel point rewards for example, a 1 dollar purchase transaction sometimes equals 1 travel reward mile. The number of travel miles will usually depend on the travel destinations, the credit card company's rewards program and the airline companies they have tied up with in their air miles points program.

Travel rewards from using credit cards in making purchases are quantified in air miles. Heavy credit card users are able to benefit from these programs the most as the huge accumulated points that they may make may already equal the points equivalent to one plane ticket. The more purchases a person does on his credit card, the more points his credit card rewards him and the person has the options to convert these to travel air miles.

To determine if the accumulated air miles rewards points a person has is enough to avail of a plane ticket, lets say flying domestic within the US, they can do this by checking with their credit card companies how much air miles they need to accumulate in order to avail of a plane ticket to their desired destination. The number of accumulated air miles points on their card doesn't necessarily equal the actual miles required to make the trip. In order to determine the actual equivalent of miles their accumulated miles rewards points from their credit card purchases, they'll need to check with their credit card hotline numbers or from their credit card's consumer websites to receive more detailed information in determining how much actual miles their accumulated air miles reward points has made, how to claim them and how to work out the travel arrangements with the airline company the credit card company has tied up with regards to the travel rewards promotions.
Article Directory

Budget Travel Tips

2008-09-23T00:58:00.000+07:00

Do you love to take vacations but don't have a lot of money? Then learning how to budget your traveling can get you more vacations every year!

Today with the economy the way it is, budget travel is becoming more and more of a necessity and more merchants are offering great deals to those that can accommodate the restrictions. Aside from travel deals, you can also do some things to keep your costs low and save on the overall trip.

First off, you need to prepare a travel budget. This means deciding what is important to you and where you can cut back a bit. For instance, some travelers are comfortable spending a bit more for a better class of hotel, while others prefer to save money by using budget accommodations and spend the money they saved on sightseeing or a special meal for the family.

Next, figure out a budget for the various aspects of your vacation, such as hotel, airfare, rental cars, sightseeing, gasoline, etc. Once you have a good idea of what each element of the vacation should cost, it is time to start shopping around for the best deals.

Once you have figured out what is most important to you, it is time to start finding out how to get the best deals. Often, admission deals on area attractions are the easiest to come by, since many theme parks, museums and other destinations run specials to attract out of town guests.

To get big discounts on area attractions, the best place to start is the web site of the attraction itself. Be sure to check the web site for any specials, such as two for one deals, free admission for children, special reduced admission days, etc.

Certain orgainzations such as the military, AAA and senior citizens groups offer discounts on lodging, attractions and travel. Most AAA offices sell discount admission tickets to theme parks, museums and other popular attractions within driving distance, and most AAA offices sell discounted admissions to popular attractions like Walt Disney World as well. The key to making your travel budget stretch farther is to ask about, and take advantage of, all discounts that may be available.

If you are driving on your vacation, make sure you get your car serviced and that it is in peak condition. This can really save you some money as things like under inflated tires and worn spark plugs can cause your gas mileage to go down thus costing you more in gas money.

A good map can also be a money saver, since it will keep you from driving around in circles and wasting gas. Finding your way easily to and from the hotel and the surrounding area will make your vacation more pleasant and less costly.

Finding good deals on your vacation travel and destinations can be a bit of work but it will be worth it in the long run with more enjoyable and more frequent vacations.
Article Directory

Herbal Remedies To Prevent Travelers Diarrhea

2008-09-23T00:56:00.000+07:00

Travelers visiting many tropical, sub-tropical and developing countries run an increased risk of suffering a gastrointestinal illness. These are usually caused by bacteria, parasites and viruses. The microscopic bugs at the top of these rather gut wrenching (for all the wrong reasons...) charts are E Coli, the staphylococci, shigella and salmonella species, campylobacter jejuni, cryptosporidiosis, and hepatitis A.

Infected food is the biggest culprit, with water coming in second. Ice cream, cocktails served in re-used coconut shells, raw seafood, ice, and food from street vendors are potential risks that can interrupt your adventure with less salacious memories to pass on to family and friends.

The nausea, stomach cramps and diarrhea from such acute infections usually sorts itself out after a few days (unless of course you have contracted hepatitis A, or something like giardia). Certainly, if you are unlucky enough to be sick after a few days, you should see a doctor.

Fortunately, there are remedies you can take that will strengthen your immune and digestive system and hopefully give your body a better chance at dealing with its new environment. The herbs I describe below would make an excellent travelers mix. The best form to take them in would be as a tincture, which can be made up by going to a local herbal dispensary if you have one in your area, or alternatively, a local herbalist.

Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus)

Astragalus is a good anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-microbial. The polysaccharides in it support the immune system. Astragalus increases the activity of phagocytes, natural killer cells, and the levels of antibodies in the blood.

Picrorrhiza (Picrorrhiza kurroa)

This is an Ayurvedic herb that is best given in low doses, as higher doses can cause diarrhea and flatulence in more sensitive people. Its a bitter herb, so it stimulates the digestive system. It is also anti-malarial, supports the immune system, and protects the liver. Picrorrhiza encourages all aspects of the immune system, such as B and T cell activity, and the activity of phagocytes. This herb is used in Ayurvedic medicine for liver related problems and immune problems.

Goldenseal (Hydrastis Canadensis)

Goldenseal is a gut antibiotic, which for example helps reduce adhesive e coli, and encourages some immune functions of the body. For example, berberine, which is one of its active constituents, has been shown to increase the activity of macrophages, which digest bacteria and viruses. Barberry also contains berberine, so more information on this very valuable constituent is below. Goldenseal, being a bitter herb, it is also good for the digestive system. If you are pregnant or suffer from hypertension, however, you should not take goldenseal.

Barberry (Berberis Vulgaris)

Berberine, one of the active constituents in this herb is an anti protozoic, which helps protect travelers against giardia, leishmania, and treponema pallidum. Other notable effects of berberine are its activity against giardia, dysentery, and candida, as well as the cholera vibrio. The active constituents berberine and palmatine are also anti-bacterial. And berbamine, which like berberine is an alkaloid, is a strong anti-bacterial which seems to work by increasing white blood cells and platelets. The constituent palamtine is a uterine stimulant, however, and as such pregnant women shouldn't take this herb. Barberry is another gut antibiotic, but it is also anti-malarial (though no self-respecting herbalist would recommend anything other than doctor's treatment if you do contract malaria).

Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea or augustifolia)

Echinacea is an immune stimulant. Its main active constituents are the polysaccharides and the alkamides (especially the isobutylamides), which are both immune stimulating, and the polyaceytlenes, which are antibacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. Echinacea supports the activity of phagocytes, which are part of the immune system, and is also considered anti-viral and anti-microbial. One of the ways echinacea appears to work is by inhibiting the action of the enzyme hyaluronidase. This enzyme is used by micro-organisms to break down the connective tissue that prevents them from entering and spreading through the body. For these reasons, it is excellent as part of a travelers remedy mix.

These remedies are not designed as a prophylactic, like a vaccine. They work on the principle of giving your body an increased chance at staying healthy. But nothing replaces common sense. Wash your hands before eating. Don't drink ice or from water bottles where the seal has been broken. Drink cocktails in glasses, not cute but probably old coconut shells. Don't eat anything fresh that you can't peel. Don't eat ice cream or drink unpasteurized milk. Be wary of eating from street vendors. Some people do, and are fine. But they are a risk factor with gastrointestinal upsets. Its a good idea to pack some oral hydration salts as a precaution.

But above all, enjoy your holiday!

Refrences: C Fisher & G Painter, Materia Medica of Western Herbs for the Southern Hemisphere
Class notes from Ses Salmond, certified Natural Therapist and Herbal Medicine teacher .
Article Directory

Travel Planning: Do You Have All That You Need?

2008-09-23T00:53:00.000+07:00

Travel planning can be quite complex. There are many areas in which you will need to insure that you have what you need. It can be business travel or recreational. The point is that you'll need to pull together everything that you need and keep it with you. This can be quite difficult especially in those last minutes before you leave. There is just too much to do and who knows what you'll forget.

To help you with your travel plans, here are some key elements that you should consider.

• Make sure to first plan for your transportation. Gather your information for air line tickets, for transportation to the airport, and then transportation once you arrive at your destination. You'll need easy assess to your flight numbers, your reservation numbers and your credit cards so that these elements can go easily.
• Next, consider your hotel stay. What elements do you need here? You'll need to keep track of your hotel's location, the reservation numbers and your credit card information for them. This will help you to get in quickly.
• You should also plan to keep identification close by at all times.
• Planning to assess your email while away? Need to check your bank information while you are out of town? You should also consider traveling with your user identification and password information for all of the accounts you are likely to tap into.
• Don't forget to take with you a list of important people and their phone numbers. You never know when you'll need to call on your neighbor to check out the house or the phone number to your pediatrician in case a child gets sick.

When you take the time to organize these elements, your traveling planning is easier to keep track of. You can rest easier when you know that everything that you need is carefully organized just in case you need to access it.
Article Directory

TRAVEL WITH FREEDOM AND FLEXIBILITY

2008-09-21T09:54:00.000+07:00

Car rental packages are becoming an increasingly popular option among travellers in Iceland, and for a good reason. They allow far greater individual freedom and flexibility than scheduled group tours can, and as Self-Drive customers are effectively their own tour guides, these tours also offer a more intimate experience. Iceland Visitor’s pre-made itineraries take you through dramatic and varied scenery to places of great historical importance as well as some of Europe’s most stunning natural wonders.
Our Self-Drive tours are an excellent option for individuals, couples, small groups and families who want to travel the country at their own pace and leisure. Due to limited availability of accommodation in the more remote areas of Iceland, we recommend booking with ample advance.
Please also see self-drive tours available in other categories
Honeymoon and Romance: View all
Family Travel: View all
Golf Vacation: View all

Express Iceland
This express package around Iceland takes you to many of the country’s biggest attractions, including Þingvellir National Park, the great Geysir area, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Ásbyrgi Canyon and more. The tour includes accommodation in Reykjavik, Vík, Höfn, Lake Mývatn and Akureyri.

Season:

All year

Price from:

58300

Duration:

6nights/7days

Golden Circle and South Coast
Enjoy a short stopover, visiting the sights of the world-famous Geysir, magnificent waterfalls, National Park Þingvellir, Blue Lagoon, the city of Reykjavík and more. This package includes accommodation in Reykjavík and Selfoss with daily drives to attractions in the southwest.

Season:

All year

Price from:

34800

Duration:

3nights/4days

Iceland Complete
This package is suitable for those who want to explore the greater ring-road, including the beautiful West Fjords. The drive takes you to most of the biggest attractions in Iceland including Þingvellir National Park, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Dettifoss waterfall, the West Fjords and more. This package includes accommodation in Reykjavík and all over Iceland.

Season:

All year

Price from:

113000

Duration:

13nights/14days

Iceland Full Circle

The drive takes you to many of the biggest attractions around Iceland including Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn and surroundings, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Vatnajökull glacier and more.

Season:

All year

Price from:

79600

Duration:

9nights/10days

Iceland Full Circle - Luxury Self Drive
This is a luxury self-drive tour that takes you to many of the biggest attractions around Iceland including Þingvellir National Park, Gullfoss waterfall, Goðafoss waterfall, Lake Mývatn and surroundings, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Vatnajökull glacier and more. This package includes accommodation in Reykjavík, Hvolsvöllur, Skaftafell National Park, Höfn, Lake Mývatn, Akureyri and Búðir.

Season:

All year

Price from:

203134

Duration:

9nights/10days

Iceland Grand Tour
This is the ultimate Grand Tour of Iceland. Visit some of the world’s finest waterfalls, erupting geysers, stunning fjords, magical lagoons and active volcanoes, while experiencing Iceland’s flourishing culture. The package includes accommodation in Reykjavík and all over Iceland.

Season:

All year

Price from:

132800

Duration:

16nights/17days

Northern Comfort in Holiday Cottage
This self-guided, self-catered 4X4 winter package offers a relaxing week in a cozy cottage in the scenic south of Iceland. The tour does not involve a great amount of driving and therefore gives you a chance to explore many of Iceland’s biggest attractions at your own pace. In the darker winter months, the Aurora Borealis are not an uncommon sight outside of Reykjavík; the swirling, colourful displays, ranging from white to green, pink and blue or even in rare cases red, are truly an unforgettable sight to behold.

Season:

1 Okt - 31 Apr

Price from:

69400

Duration:

6nights/7days

Pearls of North Iceland
Explore the stunning and varied north region of Iceland. The drive takes you to the voluminous Deildartunguhver hot spring, the magnificent Jökulsárgljúfur National Park, Lake Mývatn, Dettifoss Waterfall (sometimes referred to as ‘Europe’s Niagara’) and more. This package includes accommodation in Reykjavík, Varmahlíð, Lake Mývatn and Akureyri.

Season:

All year

Price from:

59300

Duration:

6 Nights/7 days

Reykjavík – Next Door to Nature
Reykjavík is a remarkable getaway - its charming old town, legendary nightlife, bustling culture and music scene await you. Stay in a comfortable city centre hotel, allow yourself the luxury offered by the numerous spas and thermal pools, and explore Reykjavík and its stunning hinterland at your own leisure.

Season:

All year

Price from:

39225

Duration:

3nights/4days

South Iceland at Leisure

Enjoy some of the stunning landscapes of south Iceland, including Þingvellir National Park, the great Geysir area, Skaftafell National Park, Seljalandsfoss waterfall, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and more. This package includes accommodation in Reykjavík, Selfoss, Vík and Skaftafell National Park.

This tour is suitable and recommended for families with children. You have the option of staying in cottages, driving distances per day are limited and child-friendly activities can be found all along the way.

Season:

All year

Price from:

57300

Duration:

6nights/7days

Iceland 4x4 Highland Adventure
This highland adventure takes you to some of the less visited but starkly beautiful sights of the dramatic Icelandic interior, one of Europe’s last wildernesses. Visit places such as Landmannalaugar, Þingvellir National Park, the great Geysir area, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon, Ásbyrgi canyon, and more. This package includes accommodation in Reykjavík, Varmahlíð, Lake Mývatn, Möðrudalur valley and Hrauneyjar.

Season:

1 Jul - 1 Sep

Price from:

119900

Duration:

9nights/10days

South Coast 4x4 Safari
This 4X4 tour includes the most beautiful sights of south Iceland, taking you off the beaten track to the exotic highland interior. Experience the vast wilderness, glaciers, waterfalls, colourful mountains, volcanoes and other stunning phenomena that south Iceland has to offer. The sights include Þingvellir National Park, Landmannalaugar, Skaftafell National Park, Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon and more. This package includes accommodation in Reykjavík, Hrauneyjar, Kirkjubæjarklaustur, Skaftafell National Park and Vík.

Season:

1 Jul - 1 Sep

Price from:

85875

Duration:

6nights/7days

Iceland Activity Tour
This adventurous activity tour around Iceland includes not only many of the country’s biggest attractions, but also action-packed excursions under professional supervision in Iceland’s pristine nature. The tour includes accommodation in Reykjavík, Hvolsvöllur, Skaftafell National Park, Egilsstaðir, Lake Mývatn and Akureyri.

Season:

1 Jun - 1 Sep

Price from:

155800

Duration:

10nights/11days

www.icelandvisitor.com

TRAVEL:Vacation Packages

2008-09-21T09:32:00.000+07:00

This package is perfect for a short getaway to visit Santa’s World by the enchanting Lake Mývatn in northern Iceland. The Icelandic Santas, or Yule Lads, are actually 13 brothers who live in a cave in “Dimmuborgir” lava field. They are cheeky, funny fellows and deliver small gifts to good children over the 13 nights before Christmas. Visiting the Yule Lads in their natural winter surroundings and taking in some of the winter activities is truly an unforgettable experience for the whole family.
Season:December
Price from:81375
Duration:3nights/4days

New Year’s Weekend

Enjoy a thrilling long New Year’s weekend in Reykjavik. The city is dotted with public bonfires and, at midnight, amazing firework shows across the Arctic sky. This package includes accommodation in the city center, the Golden Circle tour, the Bonfire tour, a New Year’s Eve celebration dinner party with a panoramic view of the city, a visit to the healing waters at the Blue Lagoon Spa, and a hunt for some of nature’s greatest displays the dancing Northern Lights. Season: New Year’s
Price from:79905
Duration:4nights/5days

New Year’s Weekend in Reykjavik

Enjoy a thrilling New Year’s weekend in Reykjavik. The city is dotted with public bonfires and, at midnight, amazing firework shows across the Arctic sky. This package includes accommodation in the city center, the Golden Circle tour, the Bonfire tour, New Year’s Eve celebration dinner party with a panoramic view of the city, and a perfect ending to the weekend: rejuvenate after the festivities by soaking in the healing waters at the Blue Lagoon Spa.

Season:

New Year’s

Price from:

54915

Duration:

2nights/3days

New Year’s in Luxury: Gourmet Dining & Northern Lights

Indulge yourself with a luxury New Year’s weekend in Reykjavik. Enjoy New Year’s Eve at the best panorama restaurant in the city, overlooking the fireworks at midnight. You will be transported by luxury vehicle: our experienced professional guide will take you to the area’s most beautiful gems and introduce you to the nation’s history, culture and way of life. Enjoy dining at the city’s most exciting and highly praised restaurants, where you will indulge yourself in Icelandic cuisine. Enjoy Reykjavik’s finest on this unforgettable tour.
Season: Dec - Jan
Price from:228585
Duration:4nights/5days

www.icelandvisitor.com

Travel Marketing - Working With Small Budgets

2008-09-21T09:17:00.000+07:00

Travel Marketing - Madison Avenue versus Main Street

The Association of Travel Marketing Executives (ATME) presented "ATME's Marketing Issue Forum - Madison Avenue versus Main Street" at a luncheon on April 20, 2006 at The Yale Club in New York. A panel of respected industry travel marketing professionals provided their individual insight into - What are the best travel market strategies to utilize when working with a small budget?

Moderator Gary Sain, CMO & Partner, YPB&R, read the 8 different ways that people find out information about a travel destination such as #1- recommendations from family and friends, #3 - Travel Guide books, #6 - TV, Radio, Newspapers, #7 - Web Blogs, and lastly #8 - Travel Advertisements, thus pointing out the positioning of Travel Advertising in the decision process. Gary continued with the statistics that 64% of people go on-line to find information about travel, and that 50% book on-line. An interesting set of statistics was that 76% of people read direct mail that is sent to their home, 43% of people find banner advertisements useful in their decision process, and 13% actually click on the banner advertisement.

There seemed to be a mixed message conveyed by the statistics, especially with Travel Advertisements coming in last on the list of 8 ways that people find out about destinations, but that 43% found banner advertisements useful, with 13% actually clicking on them. In addition, there has been a tremendous increase in the number of people who are buying anti-spam and pop-up blocking software, as well as signing up for the ‘do not call' and ‘do not spam' lists. So, Gary turned it over to the panel of experts to find out what works, and what does not work for them.

The 5 panel members discussed their specific marketing projects starting off with what works for them in reaching their customers. Well, it was no surprise that the synopsis for what worked was: from one panelist - heavy direct mail with outstanding results, as well as word-of-mouth; another panelist - a 350,000 opt-in email list that was growing at an exponential daily rate with a 7% conversion on products sold via email; a third panelist - heavy partnership marketing to expand the message, conservation of budgets while opening access to new markets; a fourth panelist - a move of marketing spend to the brick and mortar world and print advertisements; and the final panelist - traditional advertising for niche markets.

So, what did not work, well that may have been the biggest surprise as it ended up that the marketing success of one panelist was what did not work for another panelist. The key to each person's success was knowledge of their audience and targeting their message and the medium they used to maximize a return.

As much as things change, things stay the same; you still need to know your customer and create a message in a format that not only reaches them, but speaks to them. It was a very enlightening discussion as the audience heard firsthand on what worked and what did not work for different business structures; the secret was to be careful and not react and copy what the ‘other guy' is doing, and to make sure that you are listening to what your customer is saying.
luxuryexperience.com

Asia Pacific Business Travellers Vote for Emirates

2008-09-21T09:14:00.000+07:00

DUBAI, U.A.E., 16th September 2007 – Emirates’ leadership in the industry is not lost on its Asia-Pacific travellers, who have voted the airline the “Best Middle East/African Airline” for the fourth time in a row.

The airline received the accolade from Business Traveller Asia-Pacific at its Annual Travel Awards 2007 held in Hong Kong recently. Over 300 leaders from the travel trade industry attended the glittering gala dinner in conjunction with the 25th anniversary of the publication. The awards were presented by Guest of honour Ms Marina Mahathir, ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific) Liaison of The AIDS Society Asia Pacific.

Mike Simon, Emirates’ Divisional Senior Vice President Corporate Communications said: “We are delighted to receive this award, which is a vote of confidence from business travellers and our customers in the Asia-Pacific region. It’s timely, as we have recently unveiled our enhanced inflight products that maximise personal space onboard and provide an incredible choice of inflight entertainment. These innovations not only demonstrate our commitment to provide the best air travel experiences, but also sharpen our competitive edge in long-haul travel.”

In June this year, Emirates introduced an enhanced version of its First Class private suites; lie-flat massage seats in Business Class; and Economy Class seats with extra legroom; across its new Boeing 777 fleet. The airline’s cutting-edge ice [information, communication and entertainment] Digital Widescreen system, features many more firsts in the airline industry – including unique wireless handset controllers in premium classes that allow passengers to select entertainment, seat positions, lighting and massage functions. The personal digital widescreen LCD touch screens are amongst the largest in the skies at 23” in First Class; 17” in Business Class; and 10.6” in Economy.

Emirates offers passenger services to 10 countries in the Asia Pacific region – Greater China, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Australia and New Zealand – with a total of 208 flights every week.

The Business Traveller Asia-Pacific survey was conducted between May and July 2007 with poll forms distributed to magazine subscribers, who travel frequently not just within the region but around the world. Readers voted for the best travel industry service providers in over 40 categories.

Photocaption:
Edwin Lau, Emirates' Vice President Hong Kong receives the Best Middle East/African Airline" at the Business Traveller Asia-Pacific 2007 Annual Travel Awards presentation from Ms Marina Mahathir, ICAAP (International Congress on AIDS in Asia and the Pacific) Liaison of The AIDS Society Asia Pacific.

About Business Traveller Asia-Pacific
Business Traveller Asia-Pacific is the only subscription-based frequent-travel magazine in the region. Independent, authoritative and opinionated, it keeps readers abreast of all that is new in travel.

Contact:
Sheba Koonan, Corporate Communications,
Tel: (+9714) 203.2287, Mob: (+97150) 658.7912;
email: sheba.koonan@emirates.com, visit: www.ekgroup.com/mediacentre
Forimmediaterelease.net

Report: Hispanic Market Growth Continues for Travel Industry

2008-09-21T09:13:00.000+07:00

Latin business traveler, “high-affluent" Hispanics now in marketers' sights
Southwest Airlines leads industry in media buys
According to a special report on the travel industry published this week by Hispanic Market Weekly, the leading authority on U.S. Hispanic marketing and media, marketers continue to aggressively pursue the fast-growing Latino consumer while now developing plans to reach an emerging subgroup — the business and affluent Latino leisure traveler.
The report shows airlines leading the travel industry in spending. Through the first three quarters of 2007, the top 10 airlines invested just over $19 million in Spanish-language advertising, with the majority ($12.5 million) going to Spanish-language network television. The top investor over the same period was Southwest Airlines at $11.8 million, as tracked by Nielson Monitor-Plus.
The data, as well as insiders, seem to agree that Hispanic travel is poised for dramatic growth. “What the industry seems most keyed on is the fact that Latino entrepreneurs and those who can afford to take luxury vacations are now gaining in importance, as the 'visiting friends and relatives' crowd ponders whether or not to travel in the midst of a sluggish U.S. economy," says Adam Jacobson, Associate Editor and the report's author.
The report also points to the fact that many Latinos use online travel sites such as Expedia, Orbitz and Travelocity although they do not have Spanish-language options — a sign that the popular way in which non-Latinos book flights could benefit from a great leap into the U.S. Hispanic market.
The entire Special Report can be found at: tcaton@jtscom.com
Forimmediaterelease.net

Travelport GDS announces new agreement with TravelSky

2008-09-21T09:11:00.000+07:00

Providing travel agents in China with greater access to global airline content

Hong Kong, 24 July 2008 — Travelport GDS, one of the world’s leading global distribution system (GDS) providers, today announced the signing of a new agreement with TravelSky, the only GDS licensed in China to make reservations for Chinese domiciled airlines, to provide its 6,500 travel agents in China with greater global connectivity. Under the terms of the agreement, TravelSky will implement Travelport’s Reservation Sales Solution (RSS) allowing its travel agents to seamlessly access, make reservations and issue e-tickets on a wide range of global airlines in real-time via Travelport’s Galileo GDS.

The first phase of the implementation took place successfully in May enabling more than 200 Galileo-linked airlines to issue interline e-tickets with the leading Chinese airlines for which TravelSky provides reservations systems. This was in line with IATA’s mandate to achieve 100% e-ticketing by June 1, 2008. Phase two of the project is scheduled for completion by the end of this year and will provide enhanced functionality such as interactive seat maps and reservations to TravelSky travel agents.

“We are extremely pleased to have signed this new agreement with TravelSky, further strengthening our relationship with this important player in the Chinese travel industry,” said Brad Holman, President and Managing Director, Asia Pacific, Travelport GDS. “The provision of Travelport technology and innovative solutions are enabling us to assist TravelSky in the delivery of a world class distribution platform. This in turn enables TravelSky to deliver significant service enhancements to both Chinese travel agencies and to international airlines seeking to sell their products in the rapidly growing Chinese outbound market.”

“We look forward to the full implementation of the Travelport RSS which will not only offer enriched content and greater connectivity to our travel agents, but will also allow us to perform interline e-ticketing functions for non-BSP carriers, significantly enhancing overall operational efficiencies for TravelSky travel agents,” said Huang Peng, Chief Marketing Officer of TravelSky.

Travelport’s Galileo RSS is a practical solution for airlines requiring extended connectivity with other carriers, and is particularly useful for setting up and executing interline agreements between carriers using electronic ticketing. With Galileo RSS, such connections can be done rapidly and at a fraction of the cost of the airline having to set up individual links with each carrier it wishes to exchange passengers with. Galileo RSS enables airline customers to access, book and ticket the services of any of the 500 airlines available in real-time through Travelport’s Galileo GDS with whom they do business using just one interface and connection.

About Travelport GDS
Travelport GDS is one of the world’s largest global distribution system (GDS) providers operating both the Galileo and the Worldspan brands, providing real-time travel information and booking capabilities to online and offline travel agencies in over 145 countries. It also operates Business Intelligence which provides marketing and other critical data to the industry, and includes its Shepherd Systems subsidiary; and IT Services&Software, which offers mission critical reservations, related software and services management to the world’s leading airlines. Travelport GDS is a convergence of traditional and online travel distribution services that empower airlines, travel suppliers, travel agencies, Web sites and corporations to provide informed choice to travelers on a global platform. Travelport GDS is a division of Travelport, one of the world’s largest service providers to the travel industry. More information is available at www.travelportgds.com.

About TravelSky
TravelSky Technology Limited (the “Company" or, including its subsidiaries, the “Group") as a member enterprise of China TravelSky Holding Company (the “Holding Company") is the leading provider of information technology solutions for China's air travel and tourism industries. The Company has been devoted to developing leading edge applications and services that address the needs of a wide range of industry participants - ranging from airlines, airports and air travel suppliers to travel agencies, corporate travel consumers, air travel consumers and cargo shippers - to conduct electronic transactions and manage travel-related information.

Michelle Larmer Double Edge PR +61 2 9957 1352 michelle@doubleedge.com.au Fiona Ross Regional Marketing Manager, Travelport GDS +61 2 9391 4034 fiona.ross@travelport.com
Forimmediaterelease.net

ASTA files brief against state of Florida Statute restricting travel

2008-09-21T09:10:00.000+07:00

ALEXANDRIA, VA - On Wednesday, in response to several new amendments to Florida’s Seller of Travel law, ASTA filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief in ABC Charters v. Bronson, a case brought against the state of Florida by 16 travel agencies specializing in travel to Cuba. The law, which went into effect on July 1 but remains blocked under a temporary restraining order, significantly increases registration fees, security bonds and potential fines for firms selling trips directly to any nation that has been designated by the State Department as state sponsor of terrorism, namely, Iran, Syria, Cuba, Sudan and North Korea.

ASTA, like the plaintiffs, believes the new law violates multiple provisions of the Constitution, including freedom to travel, the right of the federal government to conduct foreign relations and regulate commerce free of state interference.

In its brief, ASTA wrote:

No greater interest has motivated ASTA to involve itself in this case than to preserve and defend the liberty we hold dearest – the right to travel. It is impossible to separate the economic loss from lost business opportunities and the loss of choice in individual consumption, which is the end product of production, from the intrusion upon personal liberty interests occasioned by travel restrictions. Perhaps, among all human rights, the most precious in and of itself, is the right to go somewhere else, which is why ASTA refers to travel as the “perfect freedom.” …

The Travel Act imposes severe restrictions, which are designed to restrain Floridians and other persons in the United States from moving freely from Florida to the destinations regulated under the Act. For some individuals the expected heightened cost of travel to the designated countries will make such trips seem less attractive. For others it will serve as an insurmountable financial impediment. Either way, the Travel Act deprives citizens of the right to travel without due process of law under the Fifth Amendment.

Under the new law, US travel agents who sell a trip originating in Florida to a Florida consumer to any of these five countries will need to pay an annual registration fee of between $1,000 and $2,500 and post a performance bond, ranging from $100,000 and $250,000. Additionally, violators will now face a $10,000 fine for not disclosing travel activities to a designated nation and would face a third-degree felony conviction.

ASTA wrote:

The Travel Act - which includes prohibitively expensive registration and bonding requirements, exorbitant fines and a felony conviction for those who fail to comply with the law - attempts to indirectly impose economic sanctions on foreign governments. The effect of the Travel Act is that it will put travel agencies that sell to designated countries out of business and raise agency costs of doing business so that the price clients would have to pay to purchase airline tickets to designated countries would become so excessive that travel to those destinations would sharply diminish. The net impact of the Travel Act is to reduce or eliminate trade and commerce with designated countries. It performs the same function as a direct economic sanction. … [I]t is not a felonious act in the state of Florida to neglect to pay a parking meter. It is also not a felony to operate an automobile without a license or without registering the automobile. Yet, under the Travel Act, it is a felony of the third degree for a travel agency to fail to properly register with the correct certification prior to selling a trip to Cuba, Iran, Syria, North Korea or Sudan.

Agents must submit an annual certification to Florida in which they must fully disclose all travel-related details pertaining to nations on the terrorism list, including all suppliers and proprietary contacts. For years, travel agencies had been generally exempt from Florida's registration requirements provided they were accredited by the Airlines Reporting Corp. for three consecutive years prior. Under the new amendments to Florida's Seller of Travel Law, agents lose that exemption if they sell travel to at least one of the countries on the State Department's list. A single transaction involving travel to Iran, Syria, Cuba, Sudan or North Korea can constitute a violation.
A hearing to determine whether a preliminary injunction should be granted has been scheduled for Sept. 25 in Miami. View the ABC Charters Amicus Brief submitted by ASTA to the Court.

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a retail travel marketplace that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

Ms. Kristina Rundquist VP, Communications American Society of Travel Agents Phone: (703) 739-8710 E-Mail: pr@asta.org
Forimmediaterelease.net

Georgia Department of Tourism implements OpenTravel CRM™

2008-09-21T09:04:00.000+07:00

OpenTravel CRM™ is a web-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform designed specifically for the travel industry. The CVB Edition is designed to handle the requirements of convention and tourism bureaus. In addition to full visitor profile and contact management features, it has automated brochure fulfillment, workflow automation, and integrated intelligent marketing capabilities. Developed by Travel Sciences, Inc., Georgia’s new visitor destination marketing and fulfillment CRM provides a full-circle automation solution designed to enhance brochure fulfillment response and efficiency with integrated tracking and reporting.

Georgia’s new visitor CRM and fulfillment system was unveiled at Georgia’s 2008 Governor’s Tourism Conference which was held on September 10 through 12. The project management, installation and delivery of the system was handled by Enguage, an Atlanta-based, digital-marketing solutions firm which provides destination tourism-based marketing, consulting and advisory services to the GDEcD.

Joseph Mazzarella, president and CEO of Travel Sciences, Inc. said, “OpenTravel CRM™ is a powerful CRM platform for travel-centric enterprises and is being recognized as both an affordable and more capable alternative to more costly and less-effective generic CRM solutions. Our solution is based on the newest web technologies and offers best of class scalability and reliability, and it is designed to easily interface with other systems through XML based web services. Best of all, it is designed for travel, and this makes it a much more feature-rich and relevant solution. In the case of the Georgia Tourism Department, the ability to provide on-demand brochure and information fulfillment capability within a fully integrated visitor profile management system with follow-on and follow-up customer service and marketing outreach, is a distinct competitive advantage.”

OpenTravel CRM is designed to seamlessly handle the complex relationships associated with travel that extend beyond direct travelers to include groups, agencies, consortia, suppliers and other important channel entities that form a sophisticated web of interaction. According to Mazzarella, “We are unaware of any CRM solution that handles the level complexity that is truly needed for the travel space, and where generic CRM solutions have been deployed, it has been very costly and less than satisfactory. OpenTravel CRM is a great choice for convention and visitor bureaus working on limited budgets but that require a sophisticated solution that will meet the demands of destination and visitor related communication, service delivery and marketing.”

About Travel Sciences
Travel Sciences is a Hartford, CT-based leading developer of intelligent, web-based software solutions for the travel industry. It offers travel CRM, reservations, distribution and business automation solutions for cruise lines, tour operators, resorts and hotels, and retail travel business. For more information please visit www.TravelSciences.com . For additional information on travel CRM solutions, please visit www.OpenTravelCRM.com .

About the Georgia Department of Economic Development – Please visit www.georgia.org .

About Enguage Digital
Atlanta, Georgia-based Engauge Digital is part of Enguage, a marketing agency formed to unite the power of digital, traditional and direct marketing. At Engauge, brilliant minds from diverse disciplines come together in a uniquely-structured environment to encourage true collaboration and profitable results. Each entrepreneurial center of excellence at Engauge retains its core specialization and can access expertise throughout the enterprise when a holistic solution is required. Engauge’s proprietary, creative-thinking process develops transformational ideas that change minds, revitalize brands, and improve bottom lines. Engauge’s clients include Airborne, Best Buy for Business, The Coca-Cola Company, The Home Depot, InterContinental Hotels Group, International Delight, Land O’Lakes, Logitech, Perkins Restaurants, Pert Plus, Sony, the State of Georgia, Sure, TiVo, Turner Broadcasting, UPS and WellPoint. Its staff of 300 associates is located in Atlanta, Austin, Columbus, Orlando and Pittsburgh. For more information please visit www.enguage.com .

Joe Mazzarella President & CEO Phone: 860-543-6061 Email: jmazz@travelsciences.com
Forimmediaterelease.net

Exploring the effects of the global economy on the future of the travel industry

2008-09-21T08:58:00.000+07:00

(Forimmediaterelease.net) The future of the global economy is a significant topic for debate and discussion at World Travel Market 2008 (WTM). Thursday, November 13 will play host to the WTM Global Economic Forum providing senior travel and tourism executives with an in-depth look at the state of the global economy moving forward into 2009-2010.

Deutsche Bank Group chief economist Professor Dr. Norbert Walter will give a keynote address, followed by a series of insightful presentations from leading travel industry economics experts including Jean Claude Baumgarten, president and COO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC); Senior Airline Industry consultant John Strickland and chairman of Oxford and Tourism Economics John Walker. The event will be chaired by former economics journalists and BBC broadcaster for Today and Newsnight Peter Hobday.

Examining several themes, the main question the forum will investigate and seek to answer - is the industry at a crossroads? As more and more countries around the world start to catch the recession cold, what does this signify for the travel industry; will it become a period where only the best equipped and prepared survive? The WTM Global Economic Forum panel will aim to answer these important questions.

Drawing on his experiences as the chief economist Deutsche Bank Group over the past 15 years, keynote speaker Professor Dr. Norbert Walter will provide participants with the general picture of the global economy in the near future. Professor Walter commented, “All major economies are facing downside risks to growth and upside risks to inflation, but dynamics differ widely. The US economy is growing well below its potential due to the sub-prime crisis and several European countries are on the brink of a recession due to necessary corrections in their construction and real estate sector. The emerging markets are holding up surprisingly well, but very high inflation necessitating higher interest rates is dampening growth. Rich commodity exporting countries will balance downward tendencies. Their economic weight, however, is too small to avoid a continued downswing in 2009."

Forum chair Peter Hobday will host the conference evoking debate and putting questions to the expert panel to discuss and deliberate providing valuable insight for participants. “As a global economy, we are currently facing a critical moment, looking at the headline news - energy prices are rising, there are fears of a global recession, stock markets continue to suffer - this all feeds on investor pessimism and the credit crunch has encouraged bankers to proceed with caution with investing in anything risky. Anyone in the travel industry - airlines, hotels, resorts, tour operators and the supplier interests that rely on them - is at some kind of tipping point. Now is the time when only the fittest survive… but what is it that you need to face these problems, to make sure you are fit enough not just to survive but maybe even to prosper? Those are the questions we will be debating with leading industry and financial personalities at the WTM Global Economic Forum. The aim is more than just discussion; we will be looking for practical advice and solutions." said Forum chairman, Peter Hobday.

Providing the statistics and hard numbers, Oxford Economics and Tourism Economics chairman John Walker will take audience members through the economic outlook of the industry, examining the forecasted future trends. “As the economies of Europe and America face continued headwinds in the forms of inflation and weak consumer demand, the travel industry faces renewed challenges. However, we believe there are some unique opportunities to increase market share within the current environment by focusing strategically on key markets. I am excited about the opportunity to share some of the latest research on the prospects for travel growth over the coming year. These will hopefully serve as guideposts to WTM attendees as they consider their market strategies for 2009 and 2010," said John Walker.

Looking at the current state of the airline industry, John Strickland will outline the links between the industry and its current challenges, with relation to the effects this infers on the global economy. “There has never been a more pertinent time to look at the airline industry in the wider global economic context. Airlines play a growing and essential role in the functioning of modern day economic activity worldwide. Not only do they facilitate face-to-face business contact, essential for breaking down cultural and communication barriers and building trust, but they bring an enormous tourism boost to many parts of the world, creating many thousands of jobs which would otherwise not exist. Yet against this background, airlines are struggling with rising fuel prices, slowing demand and increasingly vocal criticism of their environmental credentials. There has to be a rationale debate, which recognizes that airlines are not an 'optional extra' in today's world, while working constructively to ensure that they can make an increasing contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions," John Strickland recommended.

Rounding out the panel, representing the collective voice for business leaders in the travel and tourism industry on all matters related to travel and tourism, president and COO of the World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) Jean Claude Baumgarten will challenge the figures and statistics presented providing insight into what they signify for the industry as a collective. Jean Claude Baumgarten remarked, “Despite the deterioration of the economic environment over the past twelve months and the inevitable impact this has had on short-term tourism demand, as reflected in our latest research, the long-term growth prospects for travel and tourism remain good. It is critical for governments to recognize this growth potential and, more importantly, travel and tourism's ability to generate employment and prosperity. It is certainly not the moment for governments to impose unfair taxes on the industry in an effort to alleviate their own financial difficulties."

Taking place in Platinum Suite 4, the forum will run over two hours beginning at 11:00 hrs. Professor Norbert Walter, chief economist at Deutsche Bank Group and head of Deutsche Bank Research, will give a keynote address followed by three detailed presentations from the expert panel - John Walker, chairman of Oxford and Tourism Economics; John Strickland, senior airline consultant and Jean Claude Baumgarten, president and COO, World Travel and Tourism Council. Chaired by Peter Hobday, a question and answer session will follow the presentations.

Early bird rates of £59 are available to book now at www.wtmlondon.com/gef . After September 30, the rate of £79 will apply and on the door admission will be charged at £99. For more information and details about the full WTM Seminar, conference and events program visit www.wtmlondon.com .

Arleigh Galant Vasconcellos
Phone: +44 (0)20 8910 7038
Email: arleigh.galantvasconcellos@reedexpo.co.uk.
www.forimmediaterelease.net

TRAVEL:LET THE REVS BEGIN

2008-09-21T08:54:00.000+07:00

The inaugural Singtel Singapore Grand Prix (Sep 26-28) is all about firsts. Not only is it the first time that Singapore hosts a Grand Prix but it will be the first F1 street race in Asia. Perhaps most exciting of all, it will be the first time ever that a Grand Prix is held at night under a specially designed system featuring nearly 1,500 lighting projectors. Put all these factors together, throw in the razzmatazz of the Formula One circus and it’s shaping up to be a very special event.

And the Grand Prix will not be the only entertainment over the weekend. Petrol heads can also enjoy three other races: the adrenaline-filled Aston Martin Asia Cup, Formula BMW Pacific and the Porsche Carrera Cup Asia. Away from the track, you can visit the F1 Village selling anything and everything related to F1, a range of entertainment events featuring some of Singapore’s biggest names as well as bars, restaurants and numerous Hawker Villages serving up some of the city’s tastiest dishes. So even if the sight of a F1 car leaves you cold there are plenty of excuses to get involved in this weekend-long party.
Who to Watch

If the opportunity to see these speed machines hitting 300km/h down the usually slower paced Raffles Avenue is not enough incentive, this year’s Formula One season is gearing up to be one of the most exciting in recent years. Four different drivers are all vying for the title with just a few points separating Lewis Hamilton and his Mclaren-Mercedes in first and Robert Kubica in his BMW in fourth. In between lie the two Ferraris of Kimi Räikkönen and Felipe Massa.

When it comes to potential winners in Singapore, it’s hard to look outside these three teams whose cars have dominated the racing this season. However, with street circuits it’s often about who can qualify the best as the tight track can make overtaking difficult. For the uninitiated, qualifying is all about who can get round the course in the fastest time. It can be exciting as cars only have one session and a limited time to try and record the quickest lap. This will take place on Sep 27 and shouldn’t be missed as it will have a major bearing on the outcome.

The 5.067 km track is based around the Marina Bay area, which lies to the East of downtown Singapore. With the man-made harbor as a backdrop, the track takes in many of Singapore’s most famous landmarks from the newly completed Singapore Flyer to the established Singapore Cricket Club. The highly technical course will feature 23 turns raising the prospect for plenty of exciting wheel to wheel action.
Where to Watch

There is little fun watching a car flash by in the blink of an eye. So we recommend trying to get tickets for the following corners which are good spots to catch some overtaking maneuvers:

The Turns Grandstand has a view of Turn 1 at the end of the Pit Straight so you get to see the start (often the most action-packed part of the race) and keep an eye on who is stopping for more fuel.

Stamford Grandstand has a view of Turn 7 located at the end of the Raffles Boulevard. See cars dropping from 300km/h down to 80km/h in milli-seconds.

Raffles and Connaught Grandstands has a view of Turn 14 at Esplanade Drive. This tight right hander comes at the end of a long straight, offering the opportunity for drivers to under-brake their rivals.

Singapore Flyer Grandstand for a view of Turn 22 —Singapore Flyer a great spot if you want to enjoy an unrivalled view of the bay and you fancy hopping on the Giant Observation Wheel during the race.

Alternatively, single day walkabout tickets are SGD38 for Friday (Sep 26), SGD58 for Saturday (Sep 27) and SGD108 for Sunday (Sep 28). These allow you to enjoy the action up-close from various location points around the circuit. You can get tickets from www.singaporegp.sg, www.bookf1.com and www.f1singapore.com.
Essentials

Exchange rate
SGD1 = B24

When to Watch
On Sep 26, the first practice session starts at 4pm, followed by the second practice session (8-9:30pm). Then on Sep 27, the final practice session lasts from 5-6pm, before the qualifying begins at 8pm. And finally, the Formula One Singapore Grand Prix revs up on Sep 28, 8pm.

HOW TO GET THERE
Singapore Airlines (02-353-6000, www.singaporeair.com) flies daily from Bangkok to Singapore. Inclusive of taxes and surcharges, a roundtrip ticket sets you back at around B11,000.
AirAsia (02-515-9999, www.airasia.com) offers Bangkok-Singapore flights for roughly B5,500 roundtrip, inclusive of taxes and surcharges.
You can also hop on board THAI Airways (02-356-1111, www.thaiairways.com), which will cost you around B7,500 roundtrip, exclusive of taxes.

WHERE TO STAY
If you have a budget to splurge, book a room at the Ritz-Carlton, Millenia Singapore (7 Raffles Ave., (+65) 6338-0001, www.ritzcarlton.com). Rates start at SGD480 per night for a single and twin room.
Artsy travelers would fall for Gallery Hotel (1 Nanson Rd., Robertson Quay, (+65) 6849-8686, www.galleryhotel.com.sg), the post-modern boutique hotel where a night in a colorful twin room costs around SGD208.
Hangout @ Mt. Emily (10A Upper Wilkie Rd., (+65) 6438-5588, www.hangouthotels.com) appeals to the budget-conscious with more affordable beds. The “no-frills, just fun” hotel has a four-day, three-night package (Sep 26-29) at SGD900 in a double bed/twin room. A bed in a dorm room is even cheaper at SGD300. Guests can buy a three-day pass General Walkabout ticket at the reception desk for an additional SGD168.

GETTING TO THE TRACK
Shuttle Bus
Shuttle bus services are available from Clarke Quay, Kallang and Lavender Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) stations with drop-offs near the vicinity of the Circuit Park.
Taxi
There are only three taxi points you can be dropped off and picked up over the race weekend: Fullerton Road (in front of Fullerton Hotel bus-stop), Nicoll Highway towards Guillemard Road (in front of The Concourse) and North Bridge Road (in front of Funan Centre).
Mass Rapid Transit (MRT)
There are two MRT stations within walking distance to the Circuit Park: City Hall MRT and Raffles Place MRT.
www.bkmagazine.com

TRAVEL:POSH PATTAYA

2008-09-21T08:52:00.000+07:00

One glance at the property and hotel developments in Pattaya and there’s an obvious trend. The notorious pleasure town is going upscale and showering its visitors with ever more luxury: Raimond Land’s Northshore and Northpoint, Dusit’s new 5-star hotel, D2, and the upcoming 5-star “themed” beach resort with 555 rooms, Centara Grand Mirage Beach Resort Pattaya (www.centarahotelsresorts.com). Plus Hilton, Mövenpick, InterContinental and Le Méridien plan to open high end hotels in Pattaya between 2008 and 2010. The craziest project so far is Pacifi c Shore Development’s 5.8 billion baht project at Bang Saray (a fi shing town 20 minutes from Pattaya) which will transform the fishing town into a complex, hotels, water theme park, villas and a kilometer-long shopping mall. So what’s so chic about Pattaya and where can you go to join the party?

Relax
When we think luxury, we think a day at the spa. Here are some places where you can take your clothes off, let your hair down and get touched in all the right places, all within the bounds of decency. Yes, Pattaya has really changed!

Set at the foot of Raimon Land’s elegant Northpoint condo project, Aisawan Resort and Spa (445/3 Moo 5, Soi Wong Amart, Pattaya Naklua Rd., 038-411-940/-8, 038-368-236. www.aisawan.com) has its own “private” stretch of beach and an excellent spa with
a book-like menu of treaments. The spa is set just a short walk away from the sand and, so you can enjoy the view and the services at the same time. We recommend the Aisawan Body Massage (B3,200 for 50 minutes or B3,800 for 80 minutes) to reenergize your body and soul as well as to relieve tension, aches and pains. But if you are looking for something hot and hard, try the Aisawan Hot Marble Stone treatment (B2,800 for 80 minutes). They place hot marble on your vital points to extract toxins from your body and improve your bones’ calcium intake.

You, dear readers, voted the Bangkok branch Best Spa 2007, so you must be eager to try their sister branch. With its Thai décor, Devarana Spa (240/2 Pattaya Beach Rd., 038-371-044. www.devaranaspa.com) offers relaxation in an luxurious environment. A must try is the Power Nap Ritual (B4,900/2 hours), consisting of a scrub, milk bath, and massage. They don’t throw you out when the massage is over but let you enjoy a 30-minute long nap. Now we like that! If you want something more clinical, Rasayana Retreat (179/201 Moo 5, North Pattaya Rd., 038-253-8947. www.rasayanaretreat.com) features cleansing and detox thanks to techniques that go from a gentle massage to full-on colonic. Try the Rasayana signature massage (B500-1,200) or infrared sauna (B1,000) to release those urban toxins.

Play
Don’t look too closely at the water. It’s still as murky and full of plastic bags as ever. And who wants to do the pricey (B500-2,000) and tired classics: banana boat, donuts, and parasailing? Instead head to Koh Larn by taking either a speed boat (B1,500-2,000/day) or the ferry (B20/departs every hour) from Bali Hai Pier in South Pattaya. It takes 45 minutes to get there.

For big spenders, make the trip a little more glamorous with a yacht from Ocean Marina (Ocean Marina Yacht Club 274/1-9 Moo 4, Sukhumvit Rd., km 157, 038-237-310/-23. www.oceanmarinayachtclub.com). Go green and preppy with a sailing yacht (B10,000/ hour, B30,000 for half day) that can carry up to 20 people. It’s the perfect way to travel around Pattaya on a sunset cruise, as you throw back cocktails and go swimming out where the water’s clear. To travel to Koh Larn or Koh Pai, you’ll need to reach into your inner oil sheikh and rent a motorized yacht. Starting from B35,000 for a whole day on a small yacht (up to eight people) or things can get really serious with the Serenity yacht that can accommodate up to 65 people (B45,000 for half day/B80,000 for a day trip).

If you want to be your own captain, Royal Varuna Yacht Club (286 Moo 12, Phatumnak Rd., Bang Lamung, 038-250-116. www.varuna.org) offers membership costing B60,000 per year that grants you access to their facilities.

Another posh option to get out and enjoy nature is to go horse riding. HorseShoe Point (100 Moo 9, Tambon Pong, Bang Lamung, 038-735-050. www.horseshoepoint.com) will take you on ride to enjoy the human-made lake and greenry around the resort (minimum B500/ride, but it does depend on your weight, so, get slimmer before you go).
Eat

Mantra Restaurant & Bar (240, Pattaya-Naklue Rd., 038-429-591. www.mantra-pattaya.com) offers a Buddha Bar-esque atmosphere to sip on cocktails and enjoy some Japanese, Chinese and Mediterranean delicacies. Ask to be seated in the opium den, then complain that there’s no opium.

Don’t be fooled by the décor and props –5 Bar and –5 Supperclub (254 Moo 9, Soi Petchatrakool, Nongprue, 038-489-488. www.amari.com) are not a spinoff from Bed Supperclub. They’re more like a knock-off. The bar provides drinks and tunes in cold white atmosphere and has a little room where you can pound unlimited vodka for B500/20 minutes in subzero temperatures. The Supperclub is just a lounge with fusion food and some creative cocktails. In case you miss the one in Bangkok, Hard Rock Café (429 Moo 9, Pattaya Beach Rd., 038-428-755/-9. www.hardrockhotels.net/pattaya) gives you the same rock, US food and memorabilia you’ll get in every other Hard Rock on the planet.

For a better view, head to the Latitude Lounge (Sheraton Pattaya Resort, 437 Phra Tamnak Rd., 038-259-888). The must have cocktail is the Pacifica (B340) for that perfect sunset moment.

Sleep

Newcomer The Zign Hotel (555/65 Moo 5, Naklua Soi 12, Banglamung, Chonburi, 038-909-800/-20. www.thezignhotel.com) is a spacious boutique hideaway. There are 959 rooms—each is inspired by different art themes from funky Retro art to geometric Cubism. The hotel also comes equipped with eight F&B outlets, Z Fitness and Zphora Spa. Prices range from B6,000 for a night stay in a superior room to B8,000 for a villa.

Just out of Pattaya, you will find the newly opened 5-star resort, Sea Sand Sun Pattaya Resort and Spa (78/4, Moo 8, Sukhumvit Rd., Chonburi, 038-238-656/-8. www.seasandsunpty.com). With only 60 rooms it’s a real boutique resort and it’s all decorated in Balinese style for that extra chill tropical atmosphere. Pick one of the super private Pool Villa Suites (B25,894) or, for a view of the sea (but a smaller pool), an Ocean Villa (B8,121).

Eravana Hideaway Pattaya (130/1 Moo 12, Chaiyapruek Rd., Bang Lamung, Chonburi, 038-233-233. www.eravana.com) offers the supreme leave-me-alone vibe if you feel like isolating yourself from others. Tucked in a deserted part of city, you should splurge on the Hideaway Pool Villa Suite (B35,000) or the slightly more reasonable Hideaway Spa Villa (B12,000). Enjoy your stay in Pattaya.

Essentials

Getting there by bus

Ekkamai Bus Station (Sukhumvit Rd., 02-391-2504. BTS Ekkamai). Buses leave every 30 min starting from 5am to 11pm. Journey time is around 2 hours. B128.

Mo Chit Bus Station (02-936-2852/-66 ext 311, 442. BTS Mo Chit). Buses also depart from the northern bus station every 20 minutes from 4:20am until 10pm. Journey time is around 2.5 hours. B128.

Getting there by car

From Bangkok, take Sukhumvit Road down to the Bang Na intersection (just after Soi 103) then turn left. Head up onto the Bangkok-Chonburi tollway (B55) then just keep following the signs to Pattaya.

Getting around

Songtaew (B20/trip up to around B2,000 for a whole day) good for journeys around the city and to nearby attractions.

While you might not see them trawling the streets, you can usually book taxis through your hotel. If you want to travel in style then Pattaya Limo (08-1863-3074. www.pattayalimo.com) might be an option. Their Toyota mini-vans come complete with snacks, drinks and a DVD player as part of the service. Prices start from B6,000-10,000 depending on how far you want to go.
www.bkmagazine.com

TRAVEL:JUMPING AROUND JAKARTA

2008-09-21T08:30:00.000+07:00

Compared to the neighboring beaches of Bali, Jakarta, Indonesia’s capital is not known as a major tourist destination. You know that’s true when even the customs officials look surprised that you are here for a holiday. It’s also true that, thanks to the deservedly notorious traffic, navigating this sprawling metropolis could put off the hardiest traveler. The solution, take things at a more leisurely place, explore the city by area and discover Jakarta’s intriguing mix of the old and new.Cultural Kota
Also known as Old Town Jakarta, any remnants of Dutch colonization are found in this northern part of town, making it a great place to soak up some of the city’s culture.

The best place to begin this history lesson has to be the the National Museum (Jl. Medan Merdeka Barat 12,21-386-8172. www.museumnasional.org. Open Tue-Thu, Sun 8:30am-2:30pm, Fri 8:30-11:30am, Sat 8:30am-1:30pm) which has been around since 1778 and houses some of the largest Southeast Asian and Hindu Javanese art collections in the world. Across the street, in the center of Freedom Square, is the famous 137-meter, gold-tipped masterpiece of the nationalistic Sukarno era, the National Monument (Jl. Lapangan Merdeka, Monas, Gambir, 21-384-0451. Open daily 8am–5pm) or as the locals call it “Monas.” You can see it close up and get an aerial view over the city by taking the elevator to the top. A bit further up the road you’ll also come across the Freedom Memorial (Jl. M.H. Thamrin Kav) a massive water fountain surrounded by skyscrapers and a popular meeting point for political demonstrations. Culture vultures should also head to Taman Fatahillah Square. The former site of the colonial administration, the square is now home to the Jakarta History Museum (Jalan Taman Fatahillah 1, 21-692-9101. Open Tue-Thu, Sun 9am-3pm, Fri 9am-1:30pm, Sat 9am-1pm) which gives an overview of the city’s development from prehistory until the present day; theShadow Puppet (Wayang) Museum (Jalan Pintu Besar Barat 27, Jakarta Barat, 21-692-9560. Open Tue-Thu, Sun 9am-3pm, Fri 9am-4:30pm, Sat 9am-2:30pm); and, the Museum of Fine Arts and Ceramics (Jl Taman Fatahillah 2, Pinangsia Village, 21-690-7062. Open Tue-Sun 9am-3 pm.)
All that sightseeing is likely to get you hungry. Fortunately, Kota is known for its traditional Indonesian cuisine. Many of the locals believe that the city is currently experiencing a renaissance where old school favorites are being fused with international flavors and spices. Dapur Babar (Jl. Veteran 1, No. 18-19, 21-7060-2256. www.tuguhotels.com. Open daily 11am–11pm) is not only one of the catalysts for this gastronomic revolution; it’s also a quick walk from many major landmarks. The menu offers an extensive fusion of the three cultures present in the city—Chinese, Dutch and, of course, Indonesian. Aside from the delicious range of dishes like green rice and barbequed beef, it’s also worth a visit for the decor as it’s chock -full of old museum pieces and beautiful restored furniture. For dessert, stop in a few doors down at the oldest ice cream parlor in Jakarta. Ragusa (Jl. Veteran 1, No. 10, 21-384-9123. Open daily 10:30am-10:30pm) is an Italian gelato joint that’s been around since 1932. It’s a must-have, and a large cup of glace will only set you back B100.Classy Kemang
The Southern district of Kemang is what Sunset Boulevard is to Los Angeles. Needless to say, it is the place to go if you want to enjoy the sophisticated side of Jakarta. This area is pedestrian friendly—or as pedestrian friendly as you are going to get, and is home to a number of fashion forward boutiques and restaurants.
Along with its food renaissance, Jakarta is also experiencing the rebirth of batik, a traditional fabric that’s been reclaimed by the hottest local designers. Chic boutiques such as Urban Republic (Jl. Kemang Raya, 21-9131-2856. www.urbanrepublicstore.com. Open Mon-Fri 11am-2am, Sat-Sun 11am-4am) and 7’Ocean (Jl. Kemang Raya No.27, 21-7198-372. Open daily 11am-midnight) are currently hip and offer unique handmade dresses, skirts and men’s shirts ranging from B500-1000. Housed in the Kemang Icon by Alila, Edward Hutabarat’s (2/F, Jl Kemang Raya 1, 21-719-7989. www.alilahotels.com/kemangicon) boutique store is another offering batik creations with a modern twist. This shop is for the more discerning, well just plain rich, clientele with dresses starting at B40,000.
Food and shopping go hand in hand and if you tire of Indonesian fare then this part of town serves up something different. You’ll find a surprising selection of Italian restaurants to choose from. Pizza Marzano (Jl. Kemang Raya No.12, 21-719-5351. www.pizzamarzano.com. Open daily 11am-11pm) is an international chain and has some of the best carbonara and white sauce this side of Italy. With a huge selection of wines and the average meal ranging from B200-500, we get the attraction. La Scala Restaurant & Lounge (Jl. Kemang Raya No.2, 21-719-4051-52. Open Mon-Fri 11am-10pm, Sat-Sun 11am-12pm) is a slightly higher-end experience but wine lovers will appreciate the great deals such as buy two bottles and get the third free. Purists can still enjoy an Indonesian feast at Payon (Jl. Kemang Raya No.17, 21-719-4826. Open daily 11am-11pm). This Javanese-style pavilion restaurant has a sizeable manicured garden out back and an open kitchen so you can watch your dishes being prepared.Entertaining Senayan
At the very heart of the city, Senayan is synonymous with entertainment and nightlife. If you hear rumors of a hot club or bar, then chances are you’ll find it here. Despite being in the capital of the most populous Muslim country in the world, young Jakartans like to party. Staying out until the sun rises is typical and most venues don’t get moving until 1am and close around 6 or 7am. There are, however, a number of pre-club spots to go and hang with friends before the hardcore partying begins. For true chilling Minus 2 (No.23-25, Jl Jend., Sudirman-Pintu Satu Senayan, 21-2555-4089. Open daily 10.30am-10.30pm), prides itself on serving the coldest beer in town. When you’re ready to turn things up a notch, the Embassy Club (Taman Ria Senayan, East End Building, Jl Gatot Subroto, 21-570-3704. www.embassytheclub.com) offers three spacious floors each with its own vibe, décor and music.This long term favorite start srocking around 1am when Jakarta’s who’s who start grooving to mostly house and electronic beats. Dragon Fly (Graha BIP Jl., Gatot Subroto Kav. 23, 21-520-6789, www.the-dragonfly.com) offers a more pretentious let’s-not-dance-but-vogue-instead experience.Literally a red hot spot with illuminated crimson walls, an intense DJ spinning more house and a dance floor so jammed that you couldn’t bust a move even if you wanted to.Getting Around
It’s either taxis or buses as there is no Skytrain to bail you out of the gridlocked traffic jams. If you are not familiar with the city, it’s best to stick with Blue Bird Taxi (21-798-1234, www.bluebirdgroup.com. 24 hours.) Meters start at B20 and a one hour trip costs around B100. The company also operates a limousine service, Silver Bird, a comfortable way to get from the airport to your hotel for a set price of B600.

Essentials

CURRENCY EXCHANGE
270 Rupiah = B1

COUNTRY CODE
Dial: +62

GETTING THERE
Air Asia (02-515-9999. www.airasia.com) has a daily direct flight from Bangkok to Jakarta starting around B7,300 roundtrip (includes taxes, VAT and surcharges.)
Malaysian Air (02-263-0520. www.malaysianairlines.com) flies from Bangkok to Jakarta several times a day via Kuala Lumpur. B18,200 buys a roundtrip ticket (includes taxes, VAT and surcharges.)
Thai Airways (02-356-1111. www.thaiair.com) will get you direct to Jakartafor around B14,400 (includes taxes, VAT and surcharges.)

WHERE TO STAY
Alila Jakarta (Jl Pecenongan kav 7-17, 21-231-6007. www.alilahotels.com/jakarta) is well located in the heart of the Kota area. With a minimalist design, the hotel offers sleek décor, trendy restaurants and high tech business facilities for a cosmopolitan experience. Book online through Dec 2008 and get a deluxe room from B3,000 per night.
Hotel Mulia (Jl Asia Afrika, 21-574-7777. www.hotelmulia.com) in central Senayan is one of former President Sukarno’s most elegant and gorgeous creations thanks to its marble floors and mahogany staircases. You pay for the privilege though, with the Mulia Splendor double rooms starting at B9,000 per night.
Kemang Icon by Alila (Jl Kemang Raya 1, 21-719-7989. www.alilahotels.com/kemangicon) leads the class when it comes to sophisticated boutique hotels in Jakarta. With only 12 individually decorated suites, book early as this accommodation was listed in Conde Nast’s Traveler US Hot List. Suites start at B5,000 per night.
www.bkmagazine.com

TAT receives award at India Travel Mart

2008-09-21T08:08:00.000+07:00

(Forimmediaterelease.net) The Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) was awarded “Best Outbound Destination
Awareness Display" at the India Travel Mart (ITM) held in Jaipur from September 5-7, 2008.

India Travel Mart brought together travel professionals to facilitate the trade of inbound, outbound and domestic tourism. The event provided a golden chance to the industry players to advertise their products and destination in the tourism sector.Exhibiting at the event were travel agencies, airlines, health resorts, national and international destinations, cruise lines, hotels and resorts, railways, international and state tourism boards, portals, amusement and theme parks, travel services, adventure-sports-eco tourism companies, time share properties, educational institutes, insurance agencies, car rental associations and many more.

Visitors from Rajasthan and other parts of the country visited Thailand's stall and showed their interest in Thailand for their outbound holidays. The visitors got special rates and attractive packages for Dusshera, Diwali, Christmas and New Year Holidays.Anuj Singhal Information Officer Tourism Authority of Thailand D-2, West End New Delhi-110021 Phone No: 91-11- 41663567/68/69 Fax No: 41663570 Web:www.tourismthailand.org

www.forimmediaterelease.net

Berlin An Organized Travel Destination

2008-09-21T08:06:00.000+07:00

Some people, however, prefer to go off the beaten track to find something completely different. It may surprise you that even though Berlin has an impeccable record when it comes to organization and facilities, there is always something new to do. The key is to know where to look.

Now, if you like to walk then Berlin is the city for you. This does not mean that you have to walk everywhere you go and this will also depend on where you find accommodation. Most hotels will provide you with the option of taking a shuttle to most of the city's hot spots. The transportation system is a class unto its own so you will never struggle to find transport any time of the day or night. If you want to stay within the city itself then you will be able to choose between all the world class hotels.

There is also the option of staying outside Berlin in one of the converted castles which now also function as niche hotels. However, staying in a self-catering holiday apartment or holiday rental could also be up your alley. If you hire a car then you will be able to explore the more outlying areas of Berlin and then continue on foot knowing that you will always have transport back to your holiday accommodation when you want to return 'home'.

If museums are your cup of tea then Berlin has numerous that you will find quite interesting. The best museums include the Allied Museum and the DDR Museum Berlin. This is just a tip of the iceberg in terms of Berlin's culture and history. The best way to experience more of this is on foot where you can appreciate the amazing German architecture up close.

The Berlin State Opera Theatre and the Deutsches Theater will not only offer you a jaw-dropping architectural feat but also treat you to a true German cultural fest if you book yourself some tickets to see a German show. If you look online you should be able to book tickets to one of the many shows in advance so you can plan your holiday more effectively. This will only take up a few hours of one evening in Berlin, but is guaranteed to be one of the highlights of your trip.

While you are on foot you could also consider having a look at the German Parliament. This is surrounded by equally-pretty buildings. The more you walk the more of Berlin you will be able to see. Do not forget to take your camera and as much spare film/memory card that you can. The sooner you book the better you will be able to plan your holiday, so best you start straight away.
Article Directory

A list of Travel Specials

2008-09-21T00:13:00.000+07:00

ENTERTAINMENT

Travel Videos: Watch, listen and be inspired by our quirky collection of travel videos from around the globe, from Raymond Blanc's Provence guide to the best pub in Britain

My Hols: Holiday with the stars - Globetrotting celebrities from Marco Pierre White to Moby share their travel secrets and holiday horrors

BEST OF BRITAIN

Local Knowledge: Advice on where to eat and what to see from local celebrity residents. Cumbria, Norfolk and the Cotswolds are among featured destinations in this Sunday Times special

Bolt Holes: This Sunday Times will also help with finding a country getaway, from village pubs to boutique and country house hotels

British walks: Ramblers, amblers and full-on hikers are all catered for with this guide to the best walking in the British Isles, including pub walks, foodie walks, and classics

London walks: Literary walks, arty walks: even a walk for swimmers - there's a capital amble for every month in this special section

EUROPE

Peregrine's France: Anthony Peregrine is the Sunday Times' foremost France expert - in this special section he shares his favourite French drives, weekends, hotels and secret holiday spots

MOSTLY EUROPE

Instant Weekends: Look no further, this is your next city guide on a plate - where to stay, eat, drink and what to see on your next mini-break

Get a Room: The Sunday Times Travel guide to the best hotels in the world's hottest cities - find romantic hideaways, affordable B&Bs or chic city bolt holes

2008 SPECIALS

Camping, caravanning and motorhoming: Here's a complete guide: from the best campsites in Britain and France to motorhomes for first-timers and the idiot's guide to caravans

Music Festivals 2008: Europe's 20 best festivals, Britain's boutique offerings, the hottest festival gear; plus, classical music, clubbing, and all the bpm's in between

Six-week coastal tour of Britain: The Sunday Times' campervan man, Chris Haslam, on the highs and lows of his summer tour, plus his top beaches, eats and places to stay

Green Spaces Travel Awards: Read up on the latest nominations and vote for your favourite green space, be it a hotel, cafe, park, tour or even a person

USEFUL STUFF

The 100 best travel websites: The internet is a place you can easily get lost in - so dive in armed with our guide to the best travel websites for hotels, flights, adventure, and more...

Budget travel: Home swaps, working holidays, couchsurfing and more free breaks; plus, Europe's best hostels, Paris and New York hotels for under £100, and spa and ski breaks for the shallow-pocketed

USA: Check in here before you cross the Atlantic for the latest on US immigration policies, navigating customs and planning your US trip, whether it's a shopping weekend or a week in the great outdoors...

BUSINESS TRAVEL

Hotels for business travellers: Wi-fi, meeting space, express shirt pressing? We know what matters when it comes to choosing the right hotel for business

Business travel gadgets: Business Travel editor Mark Frary reviews the latest gizmos that will keep you in touch and entertained on the road

High fliers profiled: Hear the travel tips and tales from Marco Pierre-White, Pete Waterman and more CEOs and stars.
www.timesonline.co.uk

Global Travel

2008-09-21T00:03:00.000+07:00

If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go? While it's fun to toss about ideas, could you narrow the choice down to a single destination? We couldn't either. So, we polled our well-traveled staff and came up with a range of eclectic answers to help you decide. Some are metropolitan centers so dense with history and culture you can't walk a block without stumbling upon something worthy of admission. Others remain almost untouched by humanity. No matter where you decide to take your global travel, take our advice and ask for a possible discount.Below are Travel-Wise's top picks for places to see before you die. No matter what your travel style, we guarantee at least one, if not all, will give you itchy feet.

* Africa - We cheated and combined three must-see destinations into the trip of a lifetime. The World Heritage mosques of Tunisia, Kenyan safaris and the mystical allure of Morocco make Africa an intriguing journey for any adventurer.
* Barcelona - An array of architectural styles, ranging from medieval to ultramodern, a summer chockfull of colorful street festivals and some of the best seafood in the Mediterranean give Barcelona an edge over other Mediterranean cities.
* Beijing - While the 2008 Olympics has Beijing sprouting modern amenities, the Forbidden City, the Great Wall and impossible acrobatic feats are wonders of the past that no modern sports center can rival.
* Belize - This tiny country in Central America won our hearts with breathtaking Mayan ruins and the best scuba diving and snorkeling in the world. Even though there are no major cities to draw urbanites, spectacular caves and unparalleled views are enough to make you forget the skyline of Manhattan.
* Galapagos Islands - The inspiration for Darwin's theory of evolution, these remote islands just off Ecuador are home to some of the world's most fascinating creatures - none of which are afraid of humans.
* Egypt - Images of camels crossing the desert with the great pyramids in the distance isn't a cinematic cliché. Here you can touch the Sphinx, tour the Valley of Kings and cruise the river Cleopatra once ruled.
* Greece - Ancient ruins, tiny sun-bleached islands and cliff-side monasteries that defy gravity are only a few of the wonders Greece offers. Tourists love its rich cuisine, hop-able islands and cloudless skies.
* London - The most popular tourist destination in Europe, London has earned the number one spot with an unbeatable combination of culturally significant landmarks, top-drawer attractions, world-class theater and matchless British charm.
* Quebec City - This World Heritage Site is a walled wonder. Cobblestone streets, fabulous cuisine, street entertainers and an irrepressible joie de vivre make Quebec City one of North America's most popular destinations.
* Sydney - Perched on the world's largest natural harbor, Sydney offers art, architecture and unforgettable dining. Clean, easy to navigate and surprisingly friendly, this city retains its warm Olympic charm.

Editor in Chief Travel-Wise

Airline warning for travellers

2008-09-20T23:44:00.000+07:00

Travellers have been warned about being left out of pocket if airlines go bust following XL Airways’ announcement that it’s going into administration.

The airline’s parent company XL Leisure Group has called in the administrators, leaving thousands of people stranded after all flights were grounded.

As with the recent collapse of Zoom Airlines, passengers who’ve booked flights with XL Airways directly and paid by debit card will not receive a refund.

Passengers who paid for flights using a credit card can claim a refund from their card company. However, passengers will need to book new flights with another airline, potentially costing them more.

Only passengers who've booked flights and/or accommodation with XL Leisure or another tour operator or who have a travel insurance policy which covers airlines or tour operators going bust are fully protected. The Association of Independent Tour Operators (AITO) has attacked the UK Government for not bringing airlines under the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) bonding.

This is a fund that protects passengers travelling with accredited tour operators should an operator or airline go bust.

Derek Moore, AITO Chairman, commented: “We have long warned of the likely implications of the Government allowing a two-tier industry to exist, and here we have a prime example of what happens when things go wrong.”

Although many airlines now add an extra cost for booking by credit card, it does mean you’ll get a refund if an airline runs into trouble.Booking flights and accommodation via a fully-bonded tour operator will ensure you’re fully covered if something goes wrong.

Or you can protect yourself via your travel insurance. The Post Office and Marks & Spencer’s annual travel insurance policies and Axa’s independent travellers’ cover will pay out if an airline goes bust.
www.wanderlust.co.uk

Seem like there's a lot to keep you concerned about business travel? Relax

2008-09-20T23:39:00.000+07:00

Business travelers come by paranoia legitimately. The airlines unabashedly rig their fare structures to guarantee we pay the most and often get stuck in the middle seat. Hotels deftly stack their rate cards to ensure we pay the highest rate and often end up with the room nearest the noisy ice machine.

I would never suggest that we business travelers abandon this well-earned paranoia, but I do think there are some things we need not worry about this fall. It simply won't be as bleak as the ill-informed talking heads have lead us to believe.

Don't sweat the prices
All year the "experts" have warned about massive and imminent airfare increases. And at least on the surface, there was plenty to worry about. Airlines were unprepared when oil jumped from last summer's $75-a-barrel price to this spring's highs around $150 a barrel. And with fuel accounting for 40 percent of costs, Delta chief executive Richard Anderson's claim that fares would need to rise 20 percent seemed chilling but rational. And fares have risen—at least a dozen times since January.But looking at the surface leads to superficial analysis. The experts forgot that airlines—and airfares—don't exist in a vacuum. As fares rose, Americans stopped booking vacations they couldn't afford. And business travelers cut flying to match the needs of their own businesses, which were negatively impacted by skyrocketing energy prices.

The result: As I predicted in a June column, airlines had to slash some fares at the last minute to fill seats. So the prices travelers paid actually rose much more slowly and much more modestly than the bloviators expected. In July, for example, Continental Airlines said its RASM (revenue per available seat mile flown) was just 4 percent higher than in July 2007. The Air Transport Association, the airline trade group, pegs the average year-over-year price increase at about 7 percent. Of course, the problem with averages is that no traveler pays the "average" price. I don't doubt that business fares have risen faster than leisure fares—paranoia strikes deep, you know—but year-over-year airline-revenue figures prove that prices aren't rising precipitously.

The slowdown in air travel has affected hotels and resorts too. And as we discussed in a recent column, the lodging gravy train has stalled. Hotels are discounting lustily to keep their existing rooms filled and put heads on beds on the new properties that continue to open.Don't sweat the fees
Airlines have piled on the fees this year and it has led to the virtual "unbundling" of airfares. Many items once included as part of the basic fare are now à la carte options. But many of the new fees are for options that business travelers don't use or don't like anyway. Why worry about fees for checking a second bag when surveys say that about 80 percent of us don't check a second bag? And do you really mourn the loss of "free" food and snacks in coach? Most of us despise that slop anyway. Airports now have a vigorous food and beverage scene, so buy before you fly.

But one new fee might matter: Four large airlines (American, United, US Airways, and Northwest) now charge for checking a first bag. But they exempt elite and full-fare flyers like us. And they're fighting a rearguard action against three major carriers (Continental, Delta, and JetBlue) that refuse to levy a first-bag fee. If those three gain customers by keeping the first checked bag bundled in the basic fare, the other four will give way. Of course, the market is perfect: If Continental, Delta, and JetBlue don't gain market share, that means a first-bag fee doesn't bother us, so they'll add the charge too.

Don't sweat the capacity cuts
This week airlines begin what can only be called the Big Pulldown. Most will slash passenger capacity by about 10 percent compared to their flight schedules last fall. That has led to a frenzied spate of analysis claiming that there'll be a shortage of seats in the skies.

In a word: Baloney. Traffic is falling faster than airlines can trim capacity. In fact, the A.T.A. predicted a 6 percent decline in passengers over the Labor Day weekend, the last busy period of the summer season. Airline executives tell me their advance bookings for fall, especially for overseas travel, aren't living up to expectations. There will be plenty of seats to go around.

Don't sweat laptop seizures
The federal government says—and courts have so far agreed—that Customs agents have the right to seize and examine your laptop when you reenter the country. The laptop rule is based on settled law about the government's right to search baggage at the borders without suspicion of wrongdoing. This has infuriated many business travelers, who are paranoid (there's that word again) that the government will copy, store, and disseminate the data and information taken from confiscated laptops.

We can dispute the fine points of search-and-seizure rules, the rights of the individual versus a snoopy government, and the logic of equating a data-loaded laptop to a bag full of clothing. I'm all for fighting the power. Just make sure you don't have sensitive data on your laptop when you return from overseas. Upload it to an online storage site or a virtual private network, then wipe your hard drive clean.

The fine print ... Despite its continued profitability thanks to efficient operations and savvy fuel-hedging strategies, Southwest Airlines has put the brakes on its growth. In fact, its winter 2009 schedule, released last week and effective in January, shows about 200 fewer flights a day. The reductions are mostly in flight frequencies. Only three routes have been completely dropped from Southwest's route map.
www.msnbc.msn.com

SeaPort Airlines takes a new approach to Northwest travel

2008-09-20T23:31:00.000+07:00

Kent Craford doesn’t look like an airline CEO — or a crazy person. Clean-shaven, 32 years old and dressed in khakis and a polo shirt, the co-founder of SeaPort Airlines sits in his office at Portland International Airport talking about the state of air travel and insists, “This is the perfect time to launch a new airline.”

He makes that claim even though he’s aware of the impact of high fuel prices, the failure of other recent startups (e.g., Skybus) and the ongoing crisis that constitutes the U.S. airline industry. Never mind that the nation’s biggest carriers are in full-blown retreat; according to Craford, the world is ready for a new airline with a two-city route map, three nine-seat planes and a different approach.

Really, he’s not crazy. In fact, he makes a pretty convincing case for a saner approach to air travel.Small planes, fewer hassles
The concept is enticingly simple: to provide regularly scheduled air service between Portland and Seattle that bypasses the crowds in the main terminal, the hassles at security and the wasted time inherent in the current system. Launched on June 30, SeaPort intends to get travelers “downtown to downtown” in 90 minutes, savingthem as much as three hours roundtrip.

The company operates a trio of Pilatus PC-12 aircraft, fuel-efficient turbo-props with pressurized cabins, two pilots and seats for nine passengers.Like corporate jets, they’re regulated under FAA’s general aviation rules, which means they can fly into smaller airports where TSA screening isn’t required. Translation: Instead of getting to the airport the recommended 90 minutes before departure, passengers can show up 15 minutes before takeoff, check in and be on their way.In Portland, SeaPort operates out of the business aviation area of Portland International Airport rather than the main terminal. In Seattle, it skips Sea-Tac altogether, flying in and out of King County International Airport, better known as Boeing Field,where crowds are non-existent, parking is free and downtown is less than six miles away (vs. 14 from Sea-Tac). With no crowds, no screening and a 45-minute flight time, it all adds up to less time and more convenience.For Craford, a former lobbyist who regularly drove I-5 between Portland and Seattle (typically a three-hour trip), the idea of avoiding both the highway and the hurry-up-and-wait nature of commercial air service was a natural: “It just didn’t make sense to me that it was a three-hour trip by car, yet could still be a three-hour trip by plane. If the plane can’t beat the car between Portland and Seattle, what’s the point?”

Paying a premium for quality time
On a typical morning, Seattle-bound passengers pull up to the company’s Portland office, hand over their car keys — valet parking is $18 per day — and take a seat in the waiting area. A few minutes later, the pilots walk in, announce the flight is boarding and lead the group out the door to the waiting plane. It’s generally no more than 10 minutes from walk out to wheels up.Once onboard, it’s obvious there’s no beverage service or lavatory, but you can use personal electronics throughout the flight and the single-seat configuration means that every passenger gets both an aisle and a window seat. “It’s pretty cool,” says Steve Reidy, principal at a Portland engineering company and a first-time SeaPort passenger. “You can see through the cockpit and watch the approach. It’s less ‘closed off’ than the usual flying experience.”The service is clearly targeted toward business travelers. Starting with 16 (one-way) flights per day, the company recently expanded to 20 midweek and hopes to build off-peak and weekend business by promoting tax-free shopping in Portland and Mariners games in Seattle.To that end, the company recently began offering one-way fares of $99 (plus taxes and fees) on select flights, compared to a base fare of $149. By comparison, Horizon Airlines, the main carrier on the Portland-Seattle run, offers fares ranging from $79 with advance purchase to $149 for walk-ups. “We’re usually a little more expensive,” says Craford, “but we’re going for people for whom time is money.”

Kory Kimball, managing director at a Portland consulting company and a frequent SeaPort passenger, puts it another way: “I have two kids at home. I don’t want to waste a single minute at the airport.”

A smart choice for short hops
Obviously, the SeaPort model won’t work in all markets, and the service won’t appeal to everyone. (Baggage, for example, is limited to 35 pounds.) But for short-haul trips, Craford insists the value proposition is sound: “All we’ve done is right-sized the operation with the route.”

Which, it turns out, is why he believes the time is right for a new airline, especially one that can avoid the hassles of an overloaded system rife with delays, add-on fees and security snafus. “Besides,” he adds, “it’s not like the old model is working all that well.”
www.msnbc.msn.com

New terminals not great for business travelers

2008-09-20T23:27:00.000+07:00

Want to scare the living daylights out of a business traveler? Just give him or her an itinerary that includes a city with a newly opened airport terminal. This spring's disastrous opening of the 30-years-in-the-planning Terminal 5 at London's Heathrow Airport wasn't exceptional. It was the way of the airport world. In the last 15 years, travelers have taken it on the metaphoric chin when new aerodromes opened in Hong Kong, Bangkok, Athens, and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Denver International, the last from-the-ground-up airport built in the United States (it opened in 1995), suffered through years of baggage troubles until a costly, high-tech luggage-handling system was abandoned. And 13 years later, the iconic fabric roof may still leak on passengers during a hard rain.

So you can imagine why I suggest you curb your enthusiasm over the news that four U.S. airports will open major new facilities before Election Day. Starting tomorrow, when a much-needed terminal opens in Detroit, business travelers will have to endure the debut of important buildings at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport and Raleigh-Durham International Airport in North Carolina. In Indianapolis, the entire airport is being moved down the runways and into a new terminal.

The rapid-fire openings are an accident of timing, and the remarkably similar design conceits—arched roofs meant to evoke wings and flight, and towering glass walls to let in natural light—reflect the current thinking in airport-terminal architecture. But what may go wrong at each of these airports is likely to be unique. After all, no one predicted the baggage chaos in London, the runway meltdown in Bangkok, or the initial lack of transportation options in Hong Kong and Athens. We'll know how well each facility works only after we use them.North Terminal at Detroit Metro Airport

The grungy, dilapidated terminals in Detroit are being serially replaced. The $1.2 billion McNamara Terminal opened in 2002 and eventually shook off its opening snafus—malfunctioning trams and atrocious housekeeping—to become a relatively efficient and passenger-friendly hub for Northwest Airlines and its SkyTeam Alliance Partners. Tomorrow brings the $430 million North Terminal, designed to house most of the other carriers serving Detroit. It'll be cozy compared with the mile-long concourse and 97 gates of the McNamara building, but the North Terminal won't be small: 824,000 square feet of space and a half-mile walk between the furthest of the 24 jet gates.

Best features:
Restrooms immediately after security checkpoints; a nice fountain; a copious amount of power receptacles at key passenger points; and even strategically located workstations with stools.

Bad news:
As the airline industry shrinks, six of the new gates aren't leased.

Terminal 5 at Kennedy Airport

The slow and painful revival of Kennedy Airport as a world-class international airport gets another boost on October 1 when JetBlue Airways opens Terminal 5. The building was built in record time by New York standards (less than three years) and will give JetBlue nearly three times as much space (635,000 square feet on 72 acres) as it occupies now. The $743 million project encompasses 26 gates, three concourses, and 55,000 square feet of retail space, all of it needed since JetBlue handles about 30 percent of the 47 million passengers flowing through Kennedy each year.

Best features:
Travelers will be able to use touchscreen monitors at the gate to order meals that will be delivered to them by one of the terminal's food and beverage outlets (there will be nearly two dozen). Since Terminal 5 was designed after 9/11, security requirements are an organic part of the layout, not a jury-rigged afterthought.

Bad news:
The iconic terminal that Eero Saarinen designed for T.W.A. won't be part of T5's debut. Saarinen's now-empty masterpiece will eventually be restored, repurposed, and connected to the JetBlue facilities, however.

Terminal 2 at Raleigh-Durham International

The fast growth of the Research Triangle has been mirrored, at least in fits and starts, at the airport. One example: When the first phase of Terminal 2 opens on October 26, it replaces the old Terminal C, which is just 20 years old. But Terminal C became superfluous when American Airlines abandoned its hub there in 1995 and the subsequent tenant, Midway Airlines, went bankrupt and then tanked after 9/11. When the $570 million project is completed in 2011, there will be 32 gates, copious security space, and about four dozen shops and restaurants spread out over 920,000 square feet.Best features:
Phase one will encompass 19 gates, three baggage carousels, and seven security checkpoints, not to mention a number of local vendors among the 26 shops and dining options. That's a fully functioning airport terminal by any standard.

Bad news: Phased development of terminals often means years of picking through a construction site masquerading as a working airport.

The New Indianapolis International Airport

Two days after Raleigh, Indianapolis will try to move all of its passenger operations to a completely new terminal. The $1.1 billion project is situated on a greenfield site nestled between the airport's two main existing runways. It's designed to replace the city's 50-year-old terminal and will offer 1.2 million square feet of space and 40 gates. There'll be a new parking facility, too, and passengers will be able to take a moving walkway direct to their rental cars.

Best features:
A Civic Plaza with a 200-foot-diameter skylight designed to echo the shape of Indianapolis' most-recognized downtown public space and a dedicated parkway that connects to I-70, the region's major thoroughfare.

Bad news:
An overnight, all-or-nothing shift from the existing building to the new terminal, which guarantees that every passenger flying into or out of Indianapolis will be displaced at once.

The fine print ...
The new JetBlue terminal is connected via an enclosed skywalk to J.F.K.'s existing AirTrain, but none of the other three airport projects has a public-transportation component. However, Indianapolis says the median of its new airport roadway can accommodate a light-rail system.
www.msnbc.msn.com

Traveling with your cell phone? Beware

2008-09-20T23:18:00.000+07:00

Start asking people about international cell phone and data bills and you’ll get a lot of scary stories. Most aren’t as shocking as Steve Surjaputra’s tale of a family who was billed $19,370, but what’s surprising is how often people get socked with hundreds or thousands of dollars after what they thought was minimal use.

Las Vegas resident Mamta Odhrani had a typical reaction after her $400 surprise from T-Mobile following 10 days in India and Hong Kong, “I felt like I hardly ever even used my phone.”

Eileen Kugler of D.C. spent a month in South Africa with her husband volunteering at a local school. They spent extra for an international plan through their carrier before leaving and only used the phone to communicate occasionally with their elderly parents. Yet they returned home to a “staggering $440 bill” from AT&T.“When I returned home from a month in Europe we got a bill for about $200 and I thought, OK this isn’t too bad,” says Marti Lindsey of San Diego. “Then the next month’s bill came with an additional $700 in charges.”

“I used a cell phone in Israel to call Thailand and I ended up spending $1,000 in one week,” says Stephanie Lund, a public relations account supervisor in New York.

These bills are not unusual. It is commonly $1 to $3.49 plus taxes for calls from another country to the U.S., even if you just cross the border into Canada, plus you’ll probably pay the price of a soda for every text message. “The worst country is Russia,” says Earl Lum, president of EJL Wireless Research. It is about $5 a minute to call from there back to the U.S. using your cell phone!”Data charges are even worse. Every e-mail, every map lookup, and every Google search can generate charges ambiguously billed as something useless like “0.016 per kb.” Some have found out the hard way that phones locked up in a hotel room safe were still downloading e-mails continuously, to the tune of over $100 a day.After hearing tales like this from dozens of travelers, it’s obvious that a) most travelers have no idea how high international roaming charges really are and b) the U.S. cell phone carriers like it that way. Here are a few alternatives to predatory voice and data roaming charges abroad.

1. An international e-mail or voice plan
Some carriers offer an unlimited international data plan for BlackBerry users that avoids the escalating charges for every message. The prices are all over the map ($20 a month for T-mobile’s before adding fees, $65 a month for AT&T’s) and you usually have to sign up for a one-year agreement. Unless you are frequently out of the country, you’re essentially handing the carrier a donation all the other months in order to avoid being gouged when you travel. Plus this doesn’t cover voice, text messaging, posting photos, or surfing the web. That can cost you another $200 for 100mb at AT&T — an amount of data equal to just 100 photos or 25 songs! AT&T should at least be commended for making this information easy to find at their world packages site. Here’s the ugly voice rates rundown from Verizon on PDF, but with Sprint it takes some serious detective work to find voice or data rates for each country.

With all carriers, an international voice plan just buys you a discount on per-minute rates to and from other countries. Mike McAllen misunderstood that fine point when he added a $5 a month international voice plan to his contract before heading out on vacation. “Imagine my surprise when I had a $1,500 bill when I returned from a week in Mexico.”

2. Cell phone purchase or rental abroad
International business travelers paying their own bills have long relied on unlocked international tri-band or quad-band phones. When they arrive at a new destination, they switch out the SIM card for a local one, load up with a prepaid phone card, and pay local rates thereafter.Vacationers will usually save a fortune just buying a cheap phone on arrival and getting pre-paid minutes. When the minutes run out, buy more — no surprise bill in the mail after getting back home. In Thailand, for example, $100 will get you a basic unlocked phone, the SIM card, and around 80 minutes of talk time (at 60 cents a minute) to the U.S. — with free incoming calls.3. Phone and BlackBerry rentals
A number of companies offer programs that get around the need to deal with your own U.S. or Canadian carrier.You either rent or buy a phone from the likes of Mobal , Travelcell , or Cellhire and pay only for the minutes you use. Incoming calls are free in some cases, with outgoing ones generally the same or lower than what your own carrier charges. These services are usually “carrier neutral”, so they roam on whatever local network is the strongest, resulting in better call quality. These services work best in Europe and parts of Asia where there is competition and a common standard. For Latin America and much of the Caribbean, you will still pay dearly to stay connected no matter what.4. Wi-Fi phones
If you have the new iPhone or another device that can make calls through Wi-Fi, tweak your settings as soon as you get off the plane so that the only time you are using the data function is when you are in a hotspot. That way you surf for free or whatever you are paying for the wireless Internet connection. With a software plug-in like Truphone , you can also make cheap voice calls over the same Wi-Fi network.

5. Extra step solutions
If you’re willing to work a little harder, you can get cheaper calls on your regular cell phone. If you download an application called Jahjah , your calls get routed over a VoIP connection and you pay anywhere from nothing (from some countries, and if both of you have it loaded) to 35 cents a minute tops. Other services work on a callback system. With RebTel , your recipient calls the number showing on their phone and that connects to you with only local charges. These methods add a layer of hassle, but again the costs are a fraction of what the oligopolies charge.

6. Skype and local phone cards
“You always say you are going to use your phone just for a minute and the next thing you know you have racked up several hundred dollars in charges,” says wireless industry consultant Shonika Proctor. “The best thing is to leave the darn thing turned off.” If you are traveling with a laptop, you can use Skype at any wireless hotspot or your own wired or wireless hotel room. Many Internet cafes have the service installed and headsets already plugged in. Either way you’ll pay pennies per minute to make phone calls to anyone from your preloaded account. (Skype to Skype calls are free.)
www.msnbc.msn.com

9 tips for dealing with a noisy traveler

2008-09-20T23:13:00.000+07:00

No one likes a noisy traveler.

You know — the guy at the gate with the cell phone glued to his head, shouting details of his personal life, or the scene-maker on the airplane, or the couple trying to break an endurance record (if you know what I mean) in the hotel room next to you.

After 20 years of flying, I’ve encountered more than my fair share of obnoxious fellow travelers, and while dealing with these types can be frustrating, it can also be fun and rewarding. Come with me as we deal with the wonderful world of loudmouth travel. 1. No kidding. Children are wonderful. We were kids once, and many frequent flyers still act like babies. But after a misconnect, a long day, or just the hassles involved with air travel, the screams of young ones can put you right over the edge. The simple answer is earplugs. And when you know that your child’s behavior is less than stellar on airplanes, buy a jug of earplugs at the local pharmacy and offer them up as a precaution. You will most certainly get a positive response from your seat neighbors.

2. Cell block. There always seems to be that one person in the boarding area who must broadcast his personal affairs to all in the vicinity. This person is called a Christopher Columbus because the whole world seems to revolve around him. Instead of glaring at him or actually listening to his conversation in disgust, either confront the offender or simply get up and walk away.I remember one woman decided to give a man a taste of his own medicine and pretended to shout into her cell phone. “And there is this really annoying man making a very loud cell phone call who is disturbing everyone in the boarding area,” she said.Everyone applauded and the man eventually got the hint. Problem is that most of these people don’t realize how loud they are.

3. The no-tell motel. Love may be wonderful and in bloom, but not at 2 a.m. in the hotel room next to you when you have a 6 a.m. wake-up call. If you hear it for a few minutes it’s cute, after 15 minutes you grow weary, but 45 minutes you start seeing red. I know this is a bit unorthodox, but besides banging on the wall or calling the front desk, try howling like a wolf. A female flying partner told me about this, and believe it or not, it has worked every time.

4. Breath refresher. I have had someone with such bad breath speaking to me that it made me want to rip off my nose. Have those strong mints or chewing gum handy and offer them up. If they refuse, persist and say, “No, you really need it.” Same goes for you, if someone offers a mint several times, take it as a hint.

5. Tell someone. If you are on a plane, in a hotel, or wherever, try to kindly ask the loud offender to keep it down a little bit. Many times that alone will solve the problem, but if it doesn’t, call a flight attendant, hotel security, or someone in charge and plead your case.

6. Vengeance is mine. Okay, I am a nice guy but if I am in a hotel and have tried every avenue but still got a horrible night’s sleep, I am not above seeking a little revenge. Make sure you get their hotel room number and when they are finally sleeping, give them a few random calls. If nothing else, it will make you feel a bit better.

7. Life history. It’s good to meet people when you travel. But let’s be honest. There are just some times you don’t feel like talking, listening, or even pretending to listen. This is especially agonizing if there is a passenger next to you reciting his life history from age three. The most effective way of pre-empting such a scenario is to put on your earphones, even if you aren’t listening to anything. It sends a polite message that you have other priorities.8. Be nosy. When there are extra loud seat neighbors nearby, try listening in and inappropriately commenting on their conversation. Or if you’re within eye shot of them try smiling at them intensely. You will feel a bit silly but after awhile they often grow uncomfortable and eventually stop.

9. Reality check. Be aware of the signs and check occasionally to see if you yourself are being one of those loud neighbors. Look for the glares, watch for people who quickly turn their heads when you talk, or see if you get those hotel phone calls or wolf cries; realize it is easier than you think to be the offender.

The following is a true story. My wife and I had been married for a short time, so we tried to fly on the same crew whenever we could. One trip we had a wonderfully long layover in New York. We took in the sights, ate and drank well, and had what we called a romantic layover date.

When it was time to go to the airport for our return trip, we all got on the bus and one male flight attendant seemed quite upset. “I hate that layover hotel and I never want to stay there again.” Now the layover hotel we stayed at in New York was actually quite good so I asked him why, and he replied, “Because the walls were so thin and some couple were bonking like rabbits all night long.”

Shocked but curious, I asked him what floor he was on and when he replied the 8th, my wife and I turned red as we instantly realized who that couple was.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com

Liberty reserve

2008-08-26T00:17:00.000+07:00

Liberty Reserve menggunakan 3 pengaman berupa: Login PIN, Pasword dan Security PIN. Anda harus catat semuanya dengan baik dan benar lalu simpan. Liberty reserve lebih aman dari e-gold dengan pengamanan 3 lapis tersebut, Juga masih ditambah dengan Welcome Mesage yang bisa anda buat sendiri Serta Virtual Keyboard untuk memasukkan PIN atau Pasword yang tinggal anda klik pada huruf atau angka. Liberty reserve tak ada fee bulanan dan tak ada fee transfer.
Segera daftarkan keanggotaan anda dengan ....CLICK

Cara Untuk Login dan Memakai Liberty Reserve :

Anda tinggal klik account login,
Masukkan Nomor account ( Contoh : U123548)
Masukkan Login PIN dengan klik virtual keyboard,
Step 2 masukkan Pasword dan Periksa Kata welcome message anda. lalu klik kotak kecilnya lalu klik Tombol "Login".
Untuk melakukan transfer di bagian Spend atau transfer
Anda harus memasukkan Security PIN setiap melakukan transaksi Transaksi. Jadi Relatif lebih aman.
Jika anda ingin membeli atau menjual Liberty Reserve maka bisa mengikuti petunjuk pada masing-masing exchanger
Jika anda ingin membeli biasanya anda harus isi form pembelian di exchanger, lalu pilih rekening bank yang mau anda pakai seperti BCA, MAndiri dll. selanjutnya anda harus transfer uang senilai order anda via bank dan nanti pihak exchanger akan mengirimkan sejumlah dollar ke rekening liberty reserve
Jika anda ingin menjual maka biasanya setelah isi form penjualan maka anda harus transfer dari Liberty reserve anda ke Liberty reserve pihak exchanger dan nanti pihak exchanger akan mengirimkan Rupiah ke rekening Bank Anda sesuai dengan besar order.

Silahkan cek info lengkapnya di tempat penukaran Liberty Reserve yang ada. Tempat penukaran Liberty Reserve ke Rupiah al:

SENTRA Egold

http://goldmediator.com

"Lahan energi berbahaya"

2008-08-20T20:59:00.000+07:00

Lindungi diri Anda dari Asap Elektronik yang ada di sekitar kita

Krching's K Chip

,Di jaman sekarang ini dimana kita bisa menemukan peralatan elektronik digunakan hampir disemua aspek kehidupan kita,sangatlah penting untuk mempunyai perlindungan terhadap "Lahan energi yang berbahaya" yg disebabkan oleh segala bentuk peralatan elektronik

Lahan energi yang berbahaya ini berdampak sangat tidak baik terhadap kesehatan kita begitu juga dengan kesehatan keluarga kita

"Lahan energi berbahaya" "Pembunuh Tersembunyi"

Pembunuh tersembunyi ini sekarang sudah mendapatkan perhatian dunia. Hasil penelitian juga sangat mudah didapatkan. Ini merupakan salah satu contoh dari keberadaan dan bahaya yang disebabkan oleh pembunuh tersembunyi ini.

Abstrak ini adalah sebuah presentasi yang dibuat didalam sebuah konferensi internasional dengan judul " Dasar pemikiran,Perundang-undangan dan Implementasi, diketuai oleh Komisi Internasional untuk Keselamatan Elektromagnetik dan selaku tuan rumah adalah Kota Benevento Itali pada bulan February 2006.

Electrohypersensitivity: Pengamatan pada Kulit Manusia yang disebabkan oleh Perusakan Fisik

oleh

Olle Johansson, Professor Asosiasi

Unit Percobaan Dermatologi

Departemen Neuroscience Institusi Karolinska

171 77 Stockholm Swedia

Dengan bertambahnya jumlah penelitian maka semakin memperlihatkan secara jelas bermacam – macam efek biologis pada level sel yang disebabkan oleh lahan elektromagnetik, termasuk frekuensi mesin dan radio begitu pula pada microwaves.

Berbagai macam elektromagnetik dapat ditemukan di kehidupan sehari-hari kita, ditempat kerja, dirumah dan tempat – tempat hiburan.

Belum lama ini, sebuah kategori baru tentang orang yang keadaan fisiknya melemah (elektrohipersensitif; EHS) telah digambarkan pada sebuah literature, yaitu orang – orang yang menderita kulit subyektif dan obyektif – dan berhubungan dengan gejala mucosa, seperti gatal – gatal, perih, nyeri, kepanasan, kemerahan, bintik merah, jerawat, dll., setelah penggunaan layar elektronik dalam waktu yang lama (VDTs), telepon genggam, telepon DECT, dan peralatan elektromagnetik lainnya. Seringkali, gejala timbul dari organ tubuh dalam seperti jantung dan system syaraf utama.

Yang unik dari K Chip adalah ini dimiliki secara eksklusif oleh Krching. Dan K Chip merupakan hasil dari penelitian dan pengembangan selama bertahun – tahun oleh Mr. Gerard Bini.

Mr Gerald Bini merupakan orang yang sangat sensitive terhadap peralatan elektronik dan hal inilah yang memotivasi dia untuk mengembangkan produk – produk yang dapat mengurangi efek negative ion – ion dan perlindungan melawan ion – ion positif yang bersifat merusak selama bertahun – tahun. Dia memanfaatkan kesensitifan dan pengetahuannya terhadap alat – alat teknologi, dia juga telah berhasil memproduksi beberapa produk yang dapat mengurangi energi berbahaya yang ditimbulkan oleh peralatan elektronik. Produk – produknya pun telah disahkan oleh para dokter spesialis dalam bidang pengobatan elektrohipersensitif.

Apakah 'elektro hipersensitif'?

Elektro hipersensitif adalah reaksi atau reaksi alergi atau rasa sakit yang timbul jika menyentuh atau berdekatan dengan berbagai macam peralatan elektronik yang memancarkan lahan energi yang berbahaya.

Mr Gerald Bini menyatakan;

Latar belakang Saya adalah pengembangan produk untuk industri konstruksi. Saya dulu bekerja pada pengembangan system baru untuk memecahkan masalah – masalah konstruksi. Tugas saya adalah mengevaluasi prosedur – prosedur yang ada dan bahan – bahan dan mencocokkan itu semua dengan bahan – bahan baru yang telah beredar di pasaran. Yang mana kemudian kita aplikasikan untuk memecahkan masalah – masalah konstruksi yang ada. Masalah – masalah ini antara lain perdagangan anti air dan struktur pemerintahan. Hubungan antara struktur yang lama dan yang baru dan pemecahan masalah secara terus menerus untuk para klien pada saat timbul masalah. Keanekaragaman dan kedalaman produk – produk baru di pasaran, ini berarti kami harus mencoba berbagai kombinasi yang ada untuk mendapatkan hasil yang terbaik. Dan selama waktu inilah saya menjadi sadar akan perbedaan energi pada setiap bangunan. Saya menemukan bahwa energi – energi tersebut berbeda – beda dan setelah itu Saya berusaha keras untuk mengerti kenapa!

Lebih lanjut lagi saya mengerti bahwa Saya pribadi dan orang – orang disekitar Saya dalam lingkungan tertentu merasa sakit dan kurang energi, selalu merasa lelah dan mood Saya berubah tanpa bisa Saya jelaskan. Saya pergi ke Dokter tetapi secara medical Saya baik – baik saja, tapi Saya merasa keadaan Saya buruk sekali. Kemudian Saya mulai menyadari keadaan Saya semakin parah kalau Saya bekerja dengan computer dan telepon genggam Saya untuk waktu yang cukup lama dalam sehari. Sebagai seseorang yang sangat sensitive, Saya mengenali suatu pola bahwa keadaan Saya secara langsung dipengaruhi oleh banyaknya peralatan elektronik dalam hidup Saya.

Saya mulai mengurangi penggunaan peralatan elektronik dalam hidup Saya dan kesehatan Saya membaik tapi Saya juga sadar kalau Saya tidak akan bisa menjalankan perdagangan masa kini tanpa peralatan elektronik maka Saya menjalankan sebuah misi untuk mendapatkan cara bagaimana menyelaraskan lingkungan Saya dengan efek yang buruk yang ditimbulkan oleh peralatan elektronik jadi Saya bisa mendapatkan keuntungan dari teknologi tanpa harus menderita.

Jadi berawal dari pencarian Mr Gerald Bini untuk menemukan sebuah alat yang bisa menyelaraskan ion – ion positif, yang sekarang lebih kita kenal dengan "Lahan energi berbahaya" karena ion positif kedengarannya baik untuk kesehatan kita padahal justru kebalikannya.

Mr Bini mulai menyelidiki produk – produk perdagangan yang tujuannya menghentikan efek dari telepon genggam dan pancaran radiasi lainnya yang timbul dari computer, microwaves, televisi, lemari es, papan listrik, hair dryer, dan alat – alat elektronik lainnya.

Mr Gerald Bini menyatakan;

"Saya menemukan bahwa peralatan yang diproduksi untuk perdagangan tidak sesuai dengan apa yang diutarakan oleh pabriknya. Percobaan terbesar Saya adalah Saya sangat sensitive dan telah terbiasa dengan lahan magnetic yang memenuhi hidup kita. Peralatan – peralatan ini tidak mempunyai efek terhadap perasaan negative yang Saya rasakan. Kemudian Saya melakukan sebuah misi untuk memahami kekuatan energi natural yang mengendalikan planet dan efek yang terkandung didalam peralatan elektronik yang dibuat oleh manusia dalam lahan ini dan lahan (aura manusia) yang menyangkut setiap manusia.

Saya mulai meneliti dengan teknologi gema. Teknologi ini menciptakan lahan hidup yang sehat, lahan ini adalah lahan ion negative yang dapat Saya sebut "lahan energi sehat" ini terdengar seperti tidak baik untuk kesehatan kita tetapi dalam hal ini kebalikannya. Lahan energi yang sehat (ion negative) menyeimbangi bahaya atau kerusakan yang ditimbulkan oleh lahan energi (lahan ion positif) yang sangat tidak membantu dan bisa menyebabkan dampak yang serius pada kesehatan manusia

Saya memutuskan kalau Saya perlu membuat suatu alat yang natural, jadi Saya mulai meneliti dengan beberapa bahan – bahan yang sudah Saya uji pada industri konstruksi. Saya telah menemukan bahan yang bisa digunakan dan bisa menciptakan semacam gema sebagai dorongan untuk hidup sehat. Hal ini sangat efektif untuk menyeimbangkan bahaya yang ditimbulkan oleh lahan ion positif. Saya sudah mendapat reputasi di dalam lingkungan Saya sebagai orang yang menawarkan sebuah alat yang telah membantu orang – orang yang keadaannya melemah akibat efek dari lahan energi yang berbahaya akibat penggunaan telepon genggam.

Saya tahu kalau penemuan Saya berhasil, Saya tahu ini karena kesensitifan Saya tetapi Saya juga butuh pengakuan dari para ahli. Pada saat ini Saya didekati oleh beberapa Dokter spesialis dalam bidang elektro hipersensitif. Banyak unit – unit perdagangan yang tersedia dan juga telah di uji dan tidak mendapat hasil yang memuaskan dari para pasien. Kemudian Dokter mengambil K Chip Saya dan memperlakukan Saya pada sebuah uji coba yang bisa diandalkan untuk sebuah peralatan yang selaras. Itu adalah uji coba mengenai urat nadi.

Uji coba ini melibatkan urat nadi yang ada pada tubuh dimana ini merupakan ukuran standard dunia sehubungan dengan kesehatan manusia. Dengan mengambil urat nadi dan mencatat hasilnya dimana akan mengidikasikan keadaan natural seseorang. Pada saat handphone ada di genggaman kita, bahaya dari energi akan membuat urat nadi kita meningkat. Ini mengindikasikan bahwa stress akan timbul didalam tubuh kita. Telepon genggam kemudian dicocokkan dengan K Chip dan kemudian tesnya diulang. Ini adalah contoh yang simple yang dapat membuktikan bahwa K Chip dapat mengurangi efek yang disebabkan oleh lahan energi bahaya ( positf ion ) yang dimiliki oleh tubuh.

"Seseorang yang sensitive bisa merasakan perbedaannya. Jika mereka diperintahkan untuk menggenggam telepon genggam tanpa K Chip dan kemudian telepon genggam dengan K Chip maka akan timbul keselarasan dengan telepon yang sudah ditempelkan K Chip."

Chip – chip yang lain didisain untuk berbagai peralatan yang lain disesuaikan dengan frekuensi dan potensi gangguan elektrikal yang ada.

K Chip adalah penawaran Krching yang pertama dalam peralatan energi.

Didisain untuk kegunaan yang berbeda – beda dan dapat dengan mudah dipilih sesuai dengan warna yang disediakan

K Chip Biru untuk Telepon Genggam

K Chip Hijau untuk computer

K Chip Merah untuk DVD, TV dan play station

K Chip Ungu untuk peralatan rumah tangga elektronik lainnya, power point, dll

Online Store.

2008-08-02T01:28:00.000+07:00

Berbisnis Online Store: Menjadi Pengusaha di Dunia Maya

Meskipun tampak mudah, membuka toko sendiri pun sebenarnya banyak rintangannya. Atau lebih tepatnya, banyak hal yang patut untuk dipertimbangkan. Dari pemilihan produk, target pasar, lokasi, karyawan, badan hukum, dan sebagainya.

Salah satu solusi yang jauh lebih praktis dan murah adalah dengan membuka toko di dunia maya. Istilah kerennya, Online Store.

Walau kita masih harus memperhitungkan produk dan penjualan, setidaknya kita tidak perlu mengeluarkan biaya untuk menyewa lokasi dan tidak perlu pusing menggaji karyawan. Bahkan yang paling utama, dengan membuka toko online, maka secara tidak langsung kita telah berekspansi dengan membuka cabang di SELURUH PENJURU DUNIA.

Kok bisa? Ya jelas lah, namanya juga dunia internet, jangankan di Madiun, di ujung Afrika saja orang bisa mengaksesnya.

Potensi pasar online store sendiri sebenarnya masih cukup besar. Di Indonesia, belum banyak yang berani terjun ke bisnis ini (terutama pengusaha-pengusaha offline). Kalau pun ada, masih setengah-setengah (hanya mengandalkan promo offline, proses transaksi tidak sepenuhnya online, dan sebagainya).

Tidak bisa disalahkan bahwa belum banyak mata yang terbuka untuk menyaksikan prospek dari online store di masa mendatang. Mungkin sama halnya dengan para publisher AdSense yang harus mati-matian meyakinkan orang-orang di sekitarnya bahwa bisnis online pun bisa menjamin kehidupan mereka. Pandangan mereka masih tradisional, yang namanya bisnis ya harus ada tokonya. Yang namanya kerja ya harus ada tempat kerjanya/kantornya.

Anyway, untuk beberapa waktu ke depan kita akan lebih intensif membahas masalah online store ini. Dari perbandingan script-script eCommerce (yang Open Source), metamorfosis Wordpress menjadi online store, layanan-layanan online store gratis yang ada, dan sebagainya.

Kunci Mencari UANG di INTERNET

2008-08-02T01:15:00.000+07:00

Kunci utama mencari uang di internet adalah trafik! (note: bukan pagerank).

Situs itu bisa diibaratkan seperti mall atau pasar. Semakin tinggi jumlah pengunjung mall/pasar tersebut, maka akan semakin mudah bagi pedagang untuk memasarkan dagangannya.

Dagangan? Saya kan cuma ngeblog? Ngga berdagang. Blog saya bukan situs E-Commerce dsb..

Nah disinilah Adsense mengambil peran. Kalau anda punya Adsense di blog anda, berarti anda sudah termasuk Pedagang Online.

Kalau ingin ada banyak orang yang meng-klik iklan adsense anda, maka mau tak mau anda harus berusaha sebisa mungkin mencari trafik sebanyak-banyaknya. Dengan begitu akan ada semakin banyak kesempatan iklan adsense anda diklik, yang akhirnya berbuah dollar untuk anda.

Jadi setelah beberapa paragraf panjang di atas, bisa kita simpulkan bahwa semakin tinggi pagerank, maka seharusnya semakin baik posisi di mesin pencari, maka trafik semakin tinggi, maka semakin besar kemungkinan terjadinya klik pada Adsense.

PAGERANK NAIK –> POSISI HASIL MESIN PENCARI NAIK –> TRAFIK NAIK –> KLIK ADSENSE NAIK –> DOLLAR –> DOLLAR –> DOLLAR –> :)) SENYUM LEBAR , Selamat mencoba semoga berhasil

Affiliate program

2008-08-02T00:23:00.000+07:00

Hal sederhana yang bisa kita lakukan untuk mencari sebuah produk yang memiliki Program Affiliasi didalamnya. Kita dapat menggunakan sarana GRATIS yang tersedia di Internet. Mudah dan sangat-sangat sederhana sekali. Saya rasa sudah banyak orang tahu. Namun tidak ada salahnya jika saya coba angkat disini. Semoga tetap ada manfaatnya buat rekan-rekan yang baru terjun ke Internet Marketing. Begini Caranya."masukkan kata,misal car+affiliate" ke search engine google

Gagal?coba Lagi

2008-08-02T00:13:00.001+07:00

"Perasaan tak kenal menyerah"Ini merupakan suatu perasaan yang terbentuk dikarenakan keberhasilan seseorang dari menghadapi suatu permasalahan yang pernah dia hadapi hingga orang tersebut terbangun rasa percaya diri dikarenakannya. Tanpa berlepas diri dari kemudahan yang telah ALLAH subhanahu wa ta'ala berikan pada masing-masing kita disaat kita menghadapi suatu permasalahan, maka" perasaan tak kenal menyerah" ini membentuk kita merasa memiliki peracaya diri ketika menghadapi permasalahan-permasalahan berikutnya. Perasaan ini menimbulkan semangat untuk tidak gampang putus asa.

Hal yang Penting

2008-08-02T00:09:00.000+07:00

Sesungguhnya setiap kita perlu selalu memotifasi diri dengan sesuatu yang memberikan hati kita lebih hidup dan penuh semangat. Akan tetapi motivasi itu terkadang lebih dirasakan manfaatnya disaat kita dapati bahwa motivasi itu keluar dari orang lain. Mungkin dikarenakan penyampaian yang baik dan pemberian pemahaman yang mudah dimengerti dari si pemberi motivasi.

PTC pengalaman internet marketing

2008-08-01T22:14:00.001+07:00

surfing di internet memang mengasyikkan pertama kali terjun ke internet langsung ketemu PTC (PaidToClick) ada beberapa site yg berintegrasi diantaranya ,best-ptp.com yach memang harga sebuah pengalaman tidak dapat diukur dengan materi.