|
|
Volume 6, Issue 45, November 12, 2008 |
   |
Last week Americans elected Barack Obama as the 44th President of the United States. After months of campaigning, most people are familiar with Obama’s plans for taxes, healthcare, education and more, but what does the future president have planned for the travel and tourism industry?
Obama plans to maintain the limits on foreign ownership of U.S. airline stocks, accelerate upgrades to the air traffic control system and improve working conditions, according to industry groups and unions. U.S. carriers may face higher labor costs, while unions may get leverage for wages, rules and strikes. U.S. carriers may also find protecting their New York flights is an easier task as it is expected Obama will overturn the Bush administration’s decision to auction off spots at New York area airports. The president-elect is also expected to strengthen airline regulations.
On Dec. 16, leaders from the travel and tourism sector will meet and prepare recommendations and ideas for Barack Obama. Discussions will include brainstorming ideas on ways the new administration can use travel and tourism to stimulate the economy. Following the meeting on Capitol Hill, all outcomes will be presented to Obama and his transition team.
Some believe the “Obama Factor” alone is enough to encourage more travelers to visit the United States. Tony Daly, managing director of Ranch Rider (a company selling ranch holidays to North America), believes Obama’s broad appeal will bring a feel-good atmosphere to the U.S. and create a greater enthusiasm for travel to America. 
Following the announcement of the Delta Air Lines and Northwest Airlines merger, the airlines have released a number of updates. Changes designed to align both airlines’ policies and fees include elimination of SkyMiles and WorldPerks award ticket fuel surcharges, a reduction in charges for reservation sales direct ticketing, elimination of curbside check-in fees, an alignment of checked bag fees (Delta will now implement fees for checked luggage) and the addition of Coach Choice Seats on Delta flights, a service adopted from Northwest.
In other Delta news, the carrier has announced it will introduce the first and only flights between Hartsfield Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) and Monrovia’s Roberts International Airport (ROB) in Liberia, Africa. The service will begin in June 2009. Delta has also started daily nonstop flights between ATL and Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM).
Fairmont Hotels and Resorts will be opening 11 new properties worldwide between the close of 2008 and through 2009. Adding a total of 3,700 rooms to its lineup, properties are scheduled to open in the following locations: Beijing (opening winter 2008/09); Battery Wharf, Boston (winter 2008/09); Mount Kenya Safari Club (early 2009); Makkah Clock Royal Tower, Saudi Arabia (early 2009); Abu Dhabi Creek (spring 2009); The Savoy, London (spring 2009); Yangcheng Lanke, Kunshan, China (spring 2009); Nile City, Cairo (summer 2009); Zimbali, South Africa (summer 2009); Pittsburgh (fall 2009); and Vancouver (fall 2009).
Another popular hotel brand, Asian-based Banyan Tree Hotels and Resorts, has opened its first North American property, Banyan Tree Mayakoba on Mexico’s Riviera Maya. The property will feature a full-service spa.
The Transportation Security Administration has approved a new program that will allow airports to sell advertisements on the bottoms of security bins. The program’s goal is to upgrade airport equipment at no cost to the TSA. Payment will be made in the form of new bins, carts for screeners and tables for passenger belongings. The approval follows a yearlong experiment in 14 airports, during which the test airports reported more efficient security procedures. Zappos.com, Sony and Sylvania have already bought ads. Individual airports must seek approval from local TSA representatives and prove the new bins and carts will improve the flow of security. New York area airports are considering the program.
American Airlines introduced in-flight broadband services, powered by Aircell’s Gogo Inflight Internet, in August. Following in American’s footsteps, Delta has announced it will begin offering the Aircell service in 2009 and Air Canada will offer the service in spring 2009. The service is available for a fee. Alaska Airlines is offering broadband service to passengers through another service provider. Multiple private jet companies have ordered the services.
More and more airlines are also looking into offering cell phone services onboard. Malaysia Airlines will equip its entire fleet in 2009. Emirates has outfitted certain aircraft and plans to impose “quiet times” onboard. Royal Jordanian and Kingfisher will have aircraft equipped by 2009. TAM will offer the service, but no specific dates have been given, while SAS Scandinavian Airlines and BMI are still in the testing phases of the program. Qantas and Turkish Airlines will only offer SMS, text and email services. Despite equipping their aircraft, Qatar Airways will not offer the service, a decision made in light of negative passenger reaction.
Korean Air and Emirates are both updating their services to Asia. Beginning Dec. 11, Korean Air will offer daily service between Washington D.C. (IAD) and Seoul (ICN). This is an upgrade from four weekly flights. The airline also offers daily service between eastern U.S. gateways and Sydney (SYD), via a short stop at Incheon. Emirates will greatly expand its service in India this winter by adding 31 flights per week. The airline will be the largest international carrier to operate within India. Hubs will include Mumbai (BOM), New Delhi (DEL), Bangalore (BLR), Chennai (MAA), Hyderabad (HYD) and Kochi (COK).
500 Shades Creek Parkway
Homewood, AL 35209
tel 205 879 0400
www.marriott.com
A week before Hurricane Gustav hit Louisiana, I made a reservation at the Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Homewood, which is located about five hours north of where I live. I’ve lived on the Gulf Coast my entire life. In the past 10 years, I evacuated four times for impending storms. The last time was for Hurricane Katrina. Every storm is different and every evacuation poses a new set of problems.
The hotel was wonderful. Maybe, it was because the General Manager Hani Shindi knew what it was like to be an evacuee — he lived in Louisiana during Katrina. The hotel was spotless and the service outstanding. The friendly staff checked in one guest after another, filling almost all of the 140 rooms. Dozens of the occupants were hurricane evacuees.
A large area with 17 tables, located next to the hotel lobby, filled with people during the breakfast buffet. After the breakfast crowd departed, I set up my laptop and wrote articles while enjoying a view of the rolling hillside. Evacuees gathered in a conversation area adjacent to the lobby to watch the news and anxiously wait for Gustav to strike. The hotel’s business center, with two complimentary computers and a printer, stayed busy all day and night.
My first-floor room had two queen beds, a mini-refrigerator, a coffeemaker, a safe, a television and two telephones. The desk was large with complimentary Internet service. Knowing our visit might be lengthy, I was pleased that the hotel had a laundry for guests. The hotel has an onsite workout room and offers complimentary membership to a nearby YMCA which has an indoor pool, a weight room and a spinning class.
The Courtyard is approximately 10 minutes from downtown. The hotel is across the street from the Colonial Brookwood Village, where I browsed the bookstore, shopped at Macy’s and had lunch at Five Guys Burgers. Additional shopping, dining and a movie theater are less than 10 minutes away at The Summit, an outdoor, upscale retail center.
If you find yourself in Birmingham for business, pleasure or even an evacuation, I highly recommend the Courtyard by Marriott Birmingham Homewood.
Score: ••••• Barbara Twardowski
Experience three days of food and wine at the InterContinental Hong Kong. From Nov. 21–23, the hotel is offering food-and-wine packages to excite the palate. Choose to attend for one day or take advantage of the entire weekend package, including two dinners, one luncheon, one brunch and a weekend full of wine tasting and seminars. To make reservations, call 852 2723 3712 or visit the Web site. If you are interested in accommodations at the hotel, ask about the Wine & Dine & Relax package featuring harborview rooms and suites.
Shop till you drop this holiday season. The Westin New York at Times Square is offering a Holiday Shopping package valid Nov. 20–25 and Dec. 14–25. The package includes accommodations, breakfast, a $50 gift card and an 11-percent-off coupon for Macy’s Herald Square. Rates start at $425 per room, per night. Visit the Web site and get into the holiday spirit!
Now is the time to act quickly! SWISS is offering special business-class fares on tickets purchased by Nov. 15. Sample fares (including all fees) are Boston (BOS) to Zurich for $3,021, New York to Geneva for $2,950 and Los Angeles (LAX) to Basel for $3,174. Travel must be completed between Nov. 24 and Dec. 1 with a minimum two-day stay required. The special fares are available for travel to more than 20 worldwide destinations including Moscow, Paris, Budapest, Tel Aviv and more. Book online.
OpenSkies is making premium-class travel to Europe affordable. Available through Nov. 21, the airline is offering low rates on its New York–Paris and New York–Amsterdam routes. BIZ fares start at $1050 one way for New York–Amsterdam and at $1100 one way for the Paris route, while PREM+ fares start as low as $550 one way to Amsterdam and $600 one way to Paris. To take advantage of these rates, book online or call 866 581 3596.
Through Nov. 21, visit Australia for less than $500. Qantas Vacations has extended its special $380 Australia package for all new bookings. The package offers promotional A380 rates ($347.50 each way) on flights between Los Angeles (LAX) or San Francisco (SFO) to Sydney (SYD) and Brisbane (BNE). The package includes a three-night hotel stay with airport transfers and sightseeing throughout Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. Qantas Vacations is also offering more than 50 Australian sightseeing opportunities, priced at $380 or less, including snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef, wine tasting and more. Visit the Web site or call 800 641 8772.
