September 2009 Archives
Spending declines and discounting will likely
continue, but the travel industry may finally be poised for a rebound.
According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis Travel and Tourism
Satellite Accounts report released Wednesday, real spending on overall
travel and tourism dropped only 1.4 percent in the second quarter of
2009. This is a substantial deceleration from the 8.9 percent decline
previously experienced between Jan and April 2009.
Real spending on accommodations (down 1.7 percent) and transportation (down 7.8 percent) categories accounted for most of the second quarter decline; however, that dip was significantly reduced in both categories when compared to Q1 2009 results, which were down 21.8 percent and 22.1 percent respectively. Air transportation was the only category of real spending to experience a gain at 0.8 percent, following a 21. 8 percent Q1 decline, marking the first increase the department saw in four consecutive quarters.
Travel and tourism prices also continued to dip at a reduced rate (3.5 percent), following a previous quarter decline of 10.6 percent. Pricing drops in accommodations slowed to a 6.8 percent decline after a loss of 15.1 percent in the first quarter.
The only area where sharp declines continued was in air transportation pricing. Despite the category's noted uptick in real spending, rates dipped 28.9 percent, as airlines sought to gain passengers. This topped the first quarter decrease of 27.1 percent.
Real spending on accommodations (down 1.7 percent) and transportation (down 7.8 percent) categories accounted for most of the second quarter decline; however, that dip was significantly reduced in both categories when compared to Q1 2009 results, which were down 21.8 percent and 22.1 percent respectively. Air transportation was the only category of real spending to experience a gain at 0.8 percent, following a 21. 8 percent Q1 decline, marking the first increase the department saw in four consecutive quarters.
Travel and tourism prices also continued to dip at a reduced rate (3.5 percent), following a previous quarter decline of 10.6 percent. Pricing drops in accommodations slowed to a 6.8 percent decline after a loss of 15.1 percent in the first quarter.
The only area where sharp declines continued was in air transportation pricing. Despite the category's noted uptick in real spending, rates dipped 28.9 percent, as airlines sought to gain passengers. This topped the first quarter decrease of 27.1 percent.
Source: managesmarter.com
udget airline Ryanair airline is usually better known for trying to stop customers from doing things, like sitting down or going to the toilet, but if you're addicted to the little white stick, there's good news. It's actually gone the other way on the decades old restriction by letting you smoke on its flights - as long as they're e-ciggies.
Off the back of a largescale customer survey, Ryanair is selling packets of smokeless cigarettes, which dispense nicotine without any toxic fumes, for €6 (£5.40) a pop in a bid to calm down moody smokers desperate to light up and stop them from taking out their tension on flight attendants.
According to a Ryanair spokesman, "these cigarettes are smokeless, they cause no discomfort to other passengers and can ensure a more enjoyable and stress-free flight for all passengers".
Of course, not making everyone scrum for seats and threatening to charge for emptying your bladder would also achieve the same thing, but if Ryanair's scheme takes off, you can expect a lot more happy travellers, and plenty of tutting mothers too.
Source: mirror.co.uk
With effect from December 2009, passengers travelling in Economy Class on all intercontinental flights operated by KLM Royal Dutch Airlines can choose seats offering greater comfort. The new Economy Comfort zone offers up to ten centimetres ( 3inches) more legroom and back supports that can recline twice as far. What's more, Economy Comfort passengers can also disembark quicker after landing because their seating zone is located at the front of Economy Class.
Most of the big airlines added a surcharges on their airfares for Thanksgiving and New Year's holidays flights.
Only Southwest Airlines and Continental said they have not added any surcharges for those days.
American, US Airways, Delta and United added $10 on Nov. 29, the Sunday after Thanksgiving and as well as Jan. 2 and 3.
The fares however are still 15-20% lower than in 2008.
That second bag may cost you as airlines tack on stiff charges. Solution? Pack light or carry on more.
Planning to check two bags on your next flight to London, Rome or Paris? Pay up. In a little-publicized trend, airlines are cracking down on transatlantic luggage, dinging coach fliers $50 or more each way for a second checked bag -- about twice the going rate of domestic flights.
By Thanksgiving, four of the five airlines that fly nonstop between LAX and London, for instance, will be charging the new fee. Only Air New Zealand, as of last week, was still honoring the treasured two-bag tradition on that route, with "no plans that I know of" to change, said spokeswoman Sarah Miller-Reeves.
As for the rest, well, talk about Scrooges. The new fees arrive just in time for the heavily traveled holidays, when passengers board jets bearing gifts for loved ones. Or not, once they calculate the costs.
"It's just another slap in the face of consumers," said Michael Clewer, vice president of the Continental Travel Shop, a Santa Monica travel agency that caters to British expats. Because few clients seem to know about the changes, he predicted "a lot of surprises" for holiday fliers.
Insult or not, the fees address a crisis in the airline business, which is bleeding red ink.
Credits: Jane Engle (staff writer LATimes) >> read more
5 Star Service Education for Korean Restaurants
Starting 24th of September, Asiana Airlines will be hosting a 5 Star Service Consulting Program to 600 people in the Korean restaurant business of Tokyo, Bejing, and Los Angeles.
The service consulting program has been selected as part of the 'Korean Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' to promote and develop the Korean cuisine into a global level. Air Asiana´s service consulting program was selected to enhance the image of Korean Cuisine and restaurants located around the world.
Being one of the five '5 Star Airline' companies of the world and ATW's '2009 Airline of the Year,' Air Asiana highly anticipate that with its knowledge in service and the excellence of the Korean Cuisine, the Korean Cuisine culture will spread internationally.
Starting 24th of September, Asiana Airlines will be hosting a 5 Star Service Consulting Program to 600 people in the Korean restaurant business of Tokyo, Bejing, and Los Angeles.
The service consulting program has been selected as part of the 'Korean Ministry for Food, Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries' to promote and develop the Korean cuisine into a global level. Air Asiana´s service consulting program was selected to enhance the image of Korean Cuisine and restaurants located around the world.
Being one of the five '5 Star Airline' companies of the world and ATW's '2009 Airline of the Year,' Air Asiana highly anticipate that with its knowledge in service and the excellence of the Korean Cuisine, the Korean Cuisine culture will spread internationally.
Japan Airlines was born shouldering the earnest desire of Japanese in the postwar period to once again take to the skies.
The airline was semi-private until 1987, when it became fully privatized. But for Japan Airlines, being a flag carrier appeared to have meant that it relied on the government to foot the bill, and the airline's chronic deficits brought on by high costs were preserved.
In addressing the issue of Japan Airlines' financial reconstruction, Minister of Transport and Tourism Seiji Maehara scrapped a panel of experts set up by the former government administration and set up a new team of specialists to consider how to revitalize the airline's business. The team will lead Japan Airline's business plans, and is set to outline the framework in about a month.
As a flag carrier under politics of the past, Japan Airlines was saddled with such burdens as being made to fly on unprofitable routes due to the construction of regional airports.
Will the new government open the way to revival and independence for Japan Airlines?
During tough times in the travel and tourism business a new low-cost airline is
launching in Cairo.
The Sharjah-based Air Arabia and the Egyptian hospitality company Travco Group International recently announced a partnership to form Air Arabia Egypt for budget flights in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
"The low-cost model, which will be used in operating Air Arabia Egypt, is uniquely attractive in these challenging economic times. When travel budgets are low and travel is a must, travelers prefer value-for-money options," said Sara Salib, the director of marketing and public relations for Travco.
The Sharjah-based Air Arabia and the Egyptian hospitality company Travco Group International recently announced a partnership to form Air Arabia Egypt for budget flights in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA).
"The low-cost model, which will be used in operating Air Arabia Egypt, is uniquely attractive in these challenging economic times. When travel budgets are low and travel is a must, travelers prefer value-for-money options," said Sara Salib, the director of marketing and public relations for Travco.
Beginning October 1, 2009, Air France will be holding an auction for its two inaugural flights: one from Paris to New York and one from New York to Paris, in order to offer you a unique experience.
Take part in humanitarian actions for children in need:
Funds generated from this auction will be donated to humanitarian projects selected by the Air France Foundation in different countries around the world.
In Paris or New York, exclusive options:
Auction winners will enjoy a shopping and cultural journey to discover or rediscover Paris or New York with unique experiences and exclusive benefits.
The dates :
Join us on October 1st for the auction launch !