|
|
Volume 6, Issue 40, October 8, 2008 |
   |
Soaring fuel prices have threatened the financial stability of airlines around the world, with many airlines falling victim earlier this year. Many thought the situation could not get any worse, but the current financial meltdown may prove more detrimental, according to a new report from The Airports Council International.
The warning comes as a result of recent world airport reports. International traffic has been resilient yet lackluster in August, typically the peak summer month. However, domestic travel was poor throughout the world. Gas prices have yet to affect travel significantly, but the impending financial crisis could see numbers dropping even further.
On a whole, international travel is down 2 percent from August 2007. Travel to Europe, North America, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean has grown slightly, while the industry has seen a decline in travel to the Middle East and the Asia-Pacific region.
On the domestic front, travel has dropped 4 percent. Excluding Latin America and the Caribbean, areas like India, Germany, the U.K. and Spain have seen a decrease in domestic travel by as much as 16 percent. The industry has even seen a recent decline in freight transportation numbers as well. Stay tuned to find out what changes the economic crisis will bring. 
Lufthansa has announced the newest chef to join its award-winning Star Chefs program. Canadian-based Susur Lee will join the airline in November and December and prepare gourmet menus for the airline’s premium passengers. Lee, born in Hong Kong, has worked throughout China, Europe, Morocco and Canada and has plans to open a New York City eatery at the Thompson LES Hotel this year. Lee has also appeared on TV’s “Iron Chef.” Planned menu items include roast goose with cabbage, spiced slow-braised beef cheeks with leek and potato purée, fried polenta with spinach and many other appetizer, entrée and dessert selections.
V Australia, Virgin’s first Australian international airline, has delayed its launch by more than two months, blaming a strike at a U.S. aircraft factory. The new launch date is set for Feb. 28, 2009. The airline is offering ticketed passengers the chance to rebook flights at a later date or receive a full refund. V Australia has also offered to secure alternative bookings on other airlines. Issues will be dealt with on a departure-date basis and other Virgin airlines are not expected to see any effects from the strike.
Thai Airways will launch a new route on Oct. 26 between Los Angeles (LAX) and Osaka, Japan (KIX). The route will be offered once daily five days a week. Low-fare carrier AirTran Airways announced plans to launch non-stop flights to Cancun. Beginning Feb. 25, 2009, flights between Atlanta (ATL) and Cancun (CUN) will be offered daily, and beginning March 7, 2009, weekend flights will be offered between Baltimore (BWI) and Cancun. On the other end of the spectrum, Virgin Atlantic has dropped a variety of flights, including flights between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Heathrow (LHR), routes to Mumbai (BOM), flights between New York (JFK) and Heathrow and a variety of flights between Gatwick (LGW) and the Caribbean.
In other Cancun news, the popular Mexican vacation destination was named the Leading Beach Destination in Central America in the 2008 World Travel Awards. Beating out locations in Panama, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua and Honduras, the popular party destination was selected by travel agencies around the world. This year marks the 15th anniversary of the World Travel Awards, which were celebrated in early September in Orlando, Fla. This is the second time in four years the World Travel Awards have bestowed this honor on the city.
The popular Nintendo videogame system, Wii, is being introduced in a select number of Marriott and Renaissance Hotels. In a first for the hotel industry, Marriott International, Inc. is leading a specially built hotel game system. An assortment of 20 games will be offered at the following properties: New York Marriott Marquis, Renaissance New York Hotel Times Square, Boston Marriott Cambridge, Bethesda Marriott Suites, Annapolis Marriott Waterfront and the JW Marriott Desert Ridge Resort & Spa, Phoenix. Unlimited access to Wii, a hit with all age groups, is offered to guests for the duration of their stay, but a small premium over standard rates applies.
4000 Sandestin Blvd., South
Destin, FL 32550
tel 850 267 9500
www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com
Overlooking the beautiful blue waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa stands on a stunning slice of sugar-white sandy beach known as the Emerald Coast. Located between Pensacola and Panama City, the 600-room Hilton is the only full-service hotel on the 2,400-acre Sandestin Resort.
Staying at the Hilton is like getting two vacations for the price of one. Guests can swim at two outdoor pools or a heated indoor pool. Golfers can spend the day on one of four championship courses, and tennis players can make a reservation at one of 15 courts. Water enthusiasts can fish, kayak, canoe or sail. The property’s Serenity by the Sea Spa, Salon and Fitness Center has a steam sauna, dry sauna and whirlpool. Guests may use the fitness center free of charge.
Originally built to be a condominium, the Hilton’s rooms are large. Each suite includes a microwave, mini refrigerator and coffee maker. Our third-floor balcony looked out at the hotel pool and the beach. The best view is from the deck of Barefoots Beachside Bar & Grill. If you’d rather dine indoors, the hotel’s casual Sandcastle’s Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. Dinner reservations are recommended for Seagar’s Restaurant, featuring a wine room with 800 labels.
Other great dining can be found at the Village of Baytowne Wharf, located close to the hotel on the Choctawhatchee Bay, and accessible by a complimentary tram. The trams also take guests to the newest main street shopping — the Grand Boulevard Sandestin.
The hotel is a magnet for meeting planners, brides-to-be and families. Occupancy rates run high and it’s wise to make your reservations early.
Score: ••••• Barbara Twardowski
Singapore Airlines recently announced increased daily operations on their all-business-class flights from Newark (EWR) and Los Angeles (LAX). In celebration, the airline is offering a promotional value of $5,999, including all charges, taxes and fees. At a savings of almost 32 percent, the offer is good on a select number of seats Oct. 8 through the end of the year. The offer is only valid on departures Monday–Wednesday. The special offer is available online.
As the cold weather begins to roll in, take advantage of a special island offer. Through Oct. 31, Island Destinations is offering five nights for the price of four at the Sandy Lane Barbados. The offer includes airport transfers, a bottle of champagne, breakfast, a candlelit dinner, a catarman cruise, a spa voucher or round of golf and unlimited non-motorized water sports. To make your reservation, call 888 454 4422 or visit the Web site.
Oasis Spa, located in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Pattaya, is offering two treatments for the price of one for a limited time. Through Oct. 31, spa-goers can book a two-hour massage and receive a complimentary Oasis Organic Avocado Hair Spa Treatment, approximately a $69 value. The offer is available at all three locations. Call 011 66 2 262 2122 or go online to book your treatment today.
Can’t get to Germany for Oktoberfest this year? No need to worry! Doral Golf Resort & Spa in Miami has introduced the 2008 Oktoberfest Golf Package. Available Sunday–Thursday until Oct. 30, the package includes accommodations in a garden view room, a round of golf per person per night of stay, breakfast, a beer upon check-in, complimentary club rental and unlimited use of the driving range. Call 800 71 DORAL or book on the Web site using promotional code GKPJ.
South African Airways is offering a “November to Remember.” The flagship carrier is offering one-way fares as low as $244 between New York (JFK) or Washington, D.C. (DCA) and Johannesburg, South Africa (JNB) and Dakar, Senegal (DKR). If you are interested in this offer, act fast! Prices are valid only on certain days from Nov. 4 through Dec. 3. All reservations must be made by Oct. 17 by calling 800 722 9675 or by visiting the Web site.
