"G.T.I. storm the Travel Technology Show..."

Ok, so I think that I should start off by pointing out that we were lost, very lost...

Nothing matched up to our expectations, nothing was where we expected it to be, we had no idea what was going on...

It was at about this time that we realised that we were in fact at the wrong show! Seriously. Poor planning and a lack of signage meant that instead of being at the travel technology show (where we expected to be, especially as I remember checking in for this event) we had actually ended up at the business travel show...

Beating a quick trip from the glitz and glamour this event we entered the travel technology show by an (almost) hidden doorway to realise why this show had been hidden away. Unlike the business travel show, this had what appeared to be, all the glitz and glamour of a “Star Trek” convention, in suits, and with nothing whatsoever to do with “Star Trek!!”

Computer Nerds and Geeks shuffling their feet whilst trying their best not to meet your gaze did not make for the “Amazing blend of technology and travel” that I had been led to expect, and after staring dumbfounded at what was most possibly the most boring lecturer I have ever seen (a category filled with many a lecturer past, yet triumphed, almost worth the visit) we beat a hasty retreat back to the business travel show...

Here things were a bit more comforting. Many vendors so happy to answer questions and provide information packs as well as food and drinks (big GTI “Whoop Whoop” to Lufthansa for their award winning Vinhos Nieport 2004 (winner of best business class fortified/sweet wine) at this point) while only slightly pushing their products (buy me, buy me)....

Along with Lufthansa, the show contained many airlines, and note should be made of Emirates airlines, that once again showed off their flair and beauty with superb smiles and assistance for all, as well as the charming lady from Continental who tried so hard to rip my feet off with her business class “flat bed” seat (we would advise anyone who flies by this method to make sure that they don’t leave their feet on the floor when erecting the bed)...

With many other business travel solutions there, Kings Ferry must take the prize for “Tat” of the show for their “lump of foam” stress toy, which you actually end up feeling more stressed when you use it...

Yet one idea that really caught our eye (and our vote) was Maiden Voyage (www.maiden-voyage.com) and their ideas for the lone female traveller that build around a data base of solo travellers and “female friendly” hotels, well done them...

So, despite our intended visit being a bit hit and miss, it was a good and interesting day...

Barticus.

"P&O Cruises head for an Indian summer..."

Further observations of the developing "BRIC" nations as both destinations and centres for tourism generation can be seen by the latest steps being made by P&O Cruises in India...

Travelmole report that "Historic links between the P&O Cruises brand and India could make it the perfect vehicle for expansion by parent company Carnival Corporation into the country...

The prospect of an Indian cruise venture - potentially similar to the Australia offshoot - was raised by the global cruise giant's chairman and CEO Micky Arison...

Speaking to TravelMole in an exclusive video interview, he pointed out that no decisions had yet been made on establishing a cruise business dedicated to the burgeoning Indian leisure travel sector..."

So, with a worldwide economic crisis deflating the potential spending power of traditional major spenders on tourism and tourism related products, is it possible that P&O Cruises have moved at the right speed into these developing markets?

Read this report in full at http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1140797.php?mpnlog=1&m_id=s~bvs~bm...

Barticus.

"Let me read your palm..."

The travel technology show lands at Earls Court tomorrow, and Global Tourism Issues will be there in force with our full compliment of journalists and researchers attending, in the hope of being able to report to you, our readers, what trends and changes in technology, and therefore the ways in which it may effect the travel industry, are set for the near future...

Watch this space for a report on our findings...

Barticus.

"That was close..."

When news of the biggest event in your town or cities history comes through, you have to move as fast as possible to fully capitalise on the potential tourism earnings available, and to miss out could be disastrous...

This follows news that Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale Airport only just opened in time for sundays big game, the Superbowl...

TravelDailyNews report that "IHG (InterContinental Hotels Group), the world's largest hotel group by number of rooms, announced that the Crowne Plaza Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise has opened within close proximity of a number of Florida attractions, including this year’s “Big Game” in Sun Life Stadium. The property is the third Crowne Plaza to open this year for IHG...

“We are excited to open just before “The Big Game”, giving fans an opportunity to take part in everything that will be taking place in Miami and at the same time, the opportunity to experience Crowne Plaza’s upscale guest experience,” said Jay Patel, President, FLL Hotels, Inc...

Located at 455 State Road 84, the hotel is one half mile from the Ft. Lauderdale Airport, and near several leisure and business destinations, including the Port Everglades Cruise Center, the Downtown Government Center and the 600,000 square foot Broward County Convention Center...

”In addition to giving fans access to “The Big Game,” this hotel offers exceptional meeting and banquet space to cater to guests visiting the property for small- to medium-sized events,” said Gina LaBarre, vice president, Brand Delivery, the Americas, IHG. “The location of the hotel is convenient for business travelers arriving at the airport as well as leisure guests visiting Ft. Lauderdale attractions like the Cruise Port and the beaches...”

Crowne Plaza has a comprehensive meetings program to ensure a seamless planning process and exceptional meeting experience consisting of three key components: a Two Hour Response Guarantee, Crowne Meetings Director and a Daily Meetings Debrief. The hotel has more than 6000 square feet of flexible, upscale meeting space..."

With an event as big as this, many senior managers must have been left sweating on this one, as to miss the promotions and related earnings with such as the Superbowl could have cost IHG dear...

Read more of this story, and other tourism news at http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/35484-Crowne-Plaza-Fort-Lauderdale-opens-in-time-for-%22The-Big-Game%22

Barticus.

"Time for a spot of DIY?"

The latest report from market research consultancy Finaccord makes scary reading for travel agents and tour operators with the news that the Internet is leading to more and more people arranging their own, tailor made, packages on line..

"Traditional travel and leisure companies have been urged to adapt to a consumer desire for “individual leisure” or lose out over the next three years..

The warning came from market research consultancy Finaccord with the release of findings on the future of the hospitality sector.

The research shows that market recovery for travel agents and tour operators will take time and the segment is set to decline by one per cent by 2013.

But the research distinguishes between businesses with a turnover below £100,000 that saw 4% growth over the past five years, and companies with a turnover between £100,000 and £5 million where numbers fell.

The Internet has affected travel agents and tour operators very differently depending on their size.

The impact has been negative for larger travel agents and tour operators as consumers are much more likely to book travel online, cutting out the traditional travel agent.

The story is different for small, specialist travel agencies that have benefited from new opportunities, the research shows many small hotels, guest houses and B&Bs (with a turnover below £1 million) will be “assigned to history” while the number of bigger hotels and guest houses (with a turnover between £1 million and £5 million) will grow by 19% in the next five years.

After a strong growth of 10% over the past five years, the segment covering private individuals letting out holiday homes and camp sites/holiday parks is predicted to increase by six per cent by 2013 and to reach nearly 50,000 enterprises,

Event organisers and venues will be one of the fastest growing SME segments over the next five years in the UK and is forecast to grow by 13% by 2013, according to the research.

Company consultant David Parry said: “With the rise of the ‘do it yourself’ leisure, more and more people prefer to organise a wedding the way they want it instead of using a Registry Offices, to holiday in self-catering homes rather than stay in B&Bs, and to make their own travel bookings rather than use a tour operator."

With the effects of the flow of information on the Internet obvious for all within the tourism industry, it is time for travel agents to revise packages and products to deal with the changing climate of information, before they end up like so many of other agents over the last 12 months, in liquidation...

Follow these developments at http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1140779.php

Barticus.

"The death of a ledgend..."

Ten years later and the trial as to the reasons behind the explosion over Parisienne skies has just been taken to trial..

Dinah Hatch writes for Travelmole that "The Concorde disaster of July 2000 in which 113 were killed will go under the spotlight today when a four month trial opens to examine why the supersonic jet crashed near Paris..

Continental Airlines and five individuals are on trial at the hearing in Cergy-Pontoise after accusations were made that the carrier illegally used titanium, a very hard metal, to carry out temporary repairs on an aircraft.
French prosecutors will tell the trial that a titanium “wear strip” left on the runway by Continental and subsequently hit by a Concorde tyre, slashing it and sending rubber into fuel tanks and causing a fire, is to blame for the crash.
Continental and two of its staff are among six defendant charged with the manslaughter of 100 people. If convicted, Continental Airways faces a maximum fine of 375,000 euros (£328,000), and the five individual defendants face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to 75,000 euros (£66,000).."

This disaster was, apart from a devastating loss of life, what led to the end of Concorde, and is therefore a mystery to this writer why it has taken so long to come to court..

Barticus.

"Not so nasty anymore..."

Good news for beach lovers today (in the Guardian) with a report that the much maligned Venice Beach in Los Angeles has transformed itself from beauty to the beast..

Ruth Fowler says that "Set on the Pacific Coast south of Santa Monica, Venice was built on a system of canals in the 1820s by the young entrepreneur Abbot Kinney. The canals were to drain the marshes inland from the beach so they could be used for residential areas. However, they soon ran into neglect and by the 50s Venice was known as "the slum by the sea". Today the flower-fringed, crystal-clear canals are one of the greatest draws for visitors, and border prime real estate..

By day Venice is a place that calls for leisurely strolls along the canals, followed by hours of sipping drinks in outdoor cafes on Abbot Kinney Boulevard. Whether it's tea at Dola, whose tiny courtyard is full of earnest-looking writers tapping away at laptops, fresh lemonade at Abbot's Habit, a rickety coffee place, or cappuccino at Intelligentsia, an upmarket espresso joint (tea for $25, anyone?) – the vibe is the same: friendly, relaxed and warm. Artists, actors, writers, directors, musicians, surfers, skaters, professionals of all kinds, the very poor and the very rich, as well as celebrities including Dennis Hopper, Robert Downey Jr and Julia Roberts, have all – like me – come to call Venice home, lured here by the chilled atmosphere and the sea breeze, which means temperatures never reach the unendurable heat of inland LA..

The artists themselves have interesting stories to tell. Jules Muck is one of the fixtures of Abbot Kinney, walking along the street with her chihuahua, wild bleached hair and thrift-store clothing covered in paint. She lived in her car and sold work on the boardwalk until she could afford a studio. She's just one of the new generation following in the footsteps of abstract artist Ed Moses and architect Frank Gehry, whose wacky designs somehow typify the colourful nature of Venice's history and culture.."

A true story of positive regeneration of a coastal area to be sure..

Please read more of Ruth's story at http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2010/jan/31/losangeles-california to understand the remarkable transformation.

Barticus.

"Sorry Mr B, but that didnt work..."

Bad news in todays Telegraph for PM Gordon Brown that despite last years push for British "Staycations" with promises of "Barbecue weather" all summer long, a total of 47 hotels stopped trading as Brits headed for self catering options instead..

They write that "According to the accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC), 47 hotels in Britain ceased trading during the final three months of last year – 28 more than in the third quarter of 2009 and 18 more than in the same quarter of 2008..."

The substitution of hotel visits for 'staycations' and camping has taken its toll on hotels, particularly in the provinces," said David Chubb, a partner at PWC. "The advent of upmarket campsites and the squeeze on consumer spending have driven a cyclical and short-term shift to self-catering, camping and caravanning."

A survey carried out by PWC last year revealed a 12 per cent increase in the number of Britons forgoing an overseas holiday or a stay in a British hotel in favour of a break at a campsite or holiday park. This has been supported by research released this week by BDRC Continental, a market research agency specialising in tourism, which found that a quarter of those who intend to take a domestic break this year are likely to opt for self-catering accommodation, while a further 16 per cent are planning to take a camping or caravanning holiday.

Mr Chubb added that the hardest-hit hotels have been those not affiliated with a major brand. He said the number of insolvencies could continue to rise in 2010.

So even though many Government officials keep telling us that we are past the worst of the economic downturn (politic speak for crash) the tourism industry obviously still has a long way to go before there is signs of recovery..

Follow more on this story at http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/7101409/Hotels-go-bust-as-Britons-opt-to-self-cater.html

Barticus.

"Galileo, Galileo, Figaro, Magnifico-o-o-o..."

Phil Davies at Travelmole reports today about how Travelport has clinched a “huge” Thomas Cook deal.

Travelport has won a multi-year deal for Galileo to become the GDS (Global Distribution System) supplier to Thomas Cook in the UK.

The agreement follows a tender process and will see Thomas Cook migrate all of its UK businesses, including Gold Medal Travel, from their current GDS provider to the Galileo.

No price was put on the contract win.

The two organisations said they were also discussing “further opportunities” to extend their relationship beyond the UK.

The two companies aim to ensure a seamless migration of the travel giant’s UK GDS business to Galileo over the coming months.

This includes all scheduled flight bookings made by Thomas Cook’s UK businesses such as Gold Medal Travel and its online brand Netflights.com.

As part of the agreement, Thomas Cook will also implement new Travelport products such as its ePricing low-fare shopping solution.

Thomas Cook group chief executive Manny Fontenla-Novoa said: “The Travelport team invested considerable time understanding our business objectives and has been very responsive in meeting our needs.

“We feel confident that the GDS functionality, technology and support they can offer through this partnership will assist us in achieving our UK growth strategy.”

Travelport president and CEO Gordon Wilson described the deal as a “huge win”.

“We are thrilled that Thomas Cook has selected to migrate all of its UK business to the Galileo platform,” he said.

“Thomas Cook told us that the decision was a reflection of the strength of our GDS offering, our commitment to product innovation and development as well as our ability to provide superior support.”

For more on this and other stories from Phil Davies and all at Travelmole, please go to http://www.travelmole.com/stories/1140685.php?mpnlog=1&m_id=s~bvs~bm

Barticus.

"Oi, fat boy!"

It already looks like 2010 is going to be "Attack the fat" with news that many airlines are considering bringing in extra charges for people who are bigger than average, and with news today, from TravelDailyNews that over 76% of people are in favour of a "Tax" on fatter people to travel we have to ask how far this one is going to go..

They say that "76% of people believe that airlines should charge 'Fat Tax', according to the latest poll on leading travel site Skyscanner. Only 22% of voters disapproved against such a move, with more than 550 people taking part in the poll altogether..

Such a ruling would force those who could not comfortably fit into a standard airline seat to purchase a second, normally at a discounted rate..

The recent furore over the misreported issue of Air France launching a ‘Fat Tax’ has re-inflamed the debate over whether airlines should charge very obese passengers for an extra seat.."

But this is not an altogether new idea. A friend of mine (honestly, it was not me, ed) travelled to Las Vegas about four years ago. Having pre booked many things from shows to rides he (along with another friend) also pre booked tickets for a helicopter tour of the Grand Canyon, only to be told on arrival that he was too big and had to book another seat as well, not that the flight was full and there was no room, but that he had to buy two seats on that flight..

So the question we are left with is that although you may wish to charge extra for the heavier person, surely this can only be done if flights are fully booked and therefore this person actually disadvantages someone else..

Barticus.