Ryanair's Calendar Girls cause Spanish outrage

Ryanair has outraged Spanish housewives who claim the airline's 2012 charity calendar, which features scantily-clad members of its cabin crew, is exploiting female workers.

The Provincial Association of Housewives and Consumers of Valencia (TYRIUS) has issued a formal complaint to the airline and reported it to the Non-Sexist Advertising Observatory of Valencia as it "uses the female body" in the form of advertising.

Even though the calendar will raise money to send 50 British families with children who suffer from a fragile skin condition on holiday to Spain, TYRIUS said had called for it to be taken off sale.

The housewives say that the airline is profiting by using the publicity whipped up by the calendar to sell its low-cost flights.

TRRIUS says the airline, which has published its Cabin Crew charity calendar every year since 2008, is preying on the dignity of women workers and its cabin crew.

Ryanair has already sold 9,000 of the 10,000 2012 calendars, raising €100,000 for the charity, DEBRA. It said men in other professions, including firemen, also posed semi-naked to raise money for good causes.

(Source: Travelmole.com)

Which is the World's Safest Airline?

Every other day we seem to hear reports of commercial airline failures — planes diverted to make emergency landings after in-flight dramas, aircraft grounded due to shonky equipment, near collisions and crew strikes over safety standards — and these are just to name a few from this week.

With all the uncertainty in the sky, which is the safest airline to trust with your travel arrangements?

AirSafe.com is an independent fact-gathering website run by a former airline safety analyst in the USA, and it gives consumers an idea of an airline's relative safety by analysing historical performance. But one can't exactly compile a top-ten list of the world's safest airlines — a number of factors come in to play when ranking a carrier's safety ranking.

What makes an airline safe anyway?

This particular safety register calculates an airline's 'fatal events' since 1970, based on the number of passengers who lose their lives relative to the total number of onboard passengers. This estimate is then weighted against the number of flights a particular airline operates — for example, if a carrier has only operated one flight since the 70s, and all aboard met their maker, that company would have a much higher score than an airline operating a hundred flights a day and has lost a handful of passengers over the last four decades.

So who's the safest down under?

Based on fatality rates alone (not including your in-flight bumps, bruises and busted doors), here is a list of popular carriers that fly in and out of Australasia. Remember — the lower an airline's ranking, the safer its track record:

· China Airlines — 7.16

· Air India — 4.89

· Thai Airways — 1.60

· Singapore Airlines — 1.50

· Cathay Pacific — 1.45

· Air New Zealand — 0.74

· United — 0.31
and, still the safest airline with a total of zero fatalities ...

· Qantas — 0.00

So despite the bad press of late, the kangaroo in the sky is your best bet on arriving alive. But according to the Australian and International Pilots Association's recent government address, carriers across the globe are 'forcing airlines to adopt less safe practices' due to financial pressures.

Are we better off grounded?

In short, no. According to Wikipedia, approximately 744 people were killed globally by commercial airline accidents in 2007. That is roughly equivalent to the number of people who died after being struck by lightning the very same year. So your chances of touching down in one piece are incredibly good, considering the fact that over ten million commercial flights took off last year alone. By comparison, roughly 3,000 people are killed globally every DAY in automobile accidents. So bear down, brave it, but be sure to buckle up.

(Source: travel.ninemsn.com.au)

New York draws more than 50 million visitors in 2011

New York City will welcome 50.2 million visitors by the end of 2011, Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced Tuesday.

Bloomberg noted that five-and-a-half years ago, the city set a goal to reach 50 million visitors by 2015; in 2008, the goal was moved up to 2012. The city has now achieved that goal one year ahead of schedule. The announcement was made in Times Square as video screens flashed the words “50 million.”

NYC & Company, the city’s tourism-marketing organization, forecasts that New York will welcome 10.1 million international visitors by the end of 2011, a 4% increase over 2010.

The top international source market is the U.K., with more than 1 million visitors expected by the end of 2011, a 2% increase over 2010.

Some 40.1 million domestic visitors, a 2% increase over last year, are also expected by year’s end.

New York visitors are expected to spend $32 billion this year.

The city, home to more than 90,000 hotel rooms, is on track to sell 27 million hotel room nights in 2011, 4.5% more than in 2010.
(Source: Travelweekly.com)

Check out these great New York hotel accommodation deals - www.metrostar.com/newyork/

Travellers Spend on Flights, Save on Hotels: Study

Expenditure on first- and business-class air travel rose by 9.1 percent and 5.4 percent respectively in the third quarter of 2011, while spending on luxury hotel accommodation grew by only 2,2 percent, a study has revealed.

According to the American Express Business Insights study, spending on economy hotels grew by 10.5 percent in the same period.

Industry analysts and travelers have attributed this trend to frustration with flying and an improvement on the standards of economy lodging, USA Today reported.

"It really speaks to the fact that [consumers are] so concerned about the airline experience that they're willing to make the trade-off," Applied Predictive Technologies senior vice president of hospitality Maryam Wehe told the paper.

One (business and leisure) traveler admitted that hotels were for sleeping, while it was “miserable for me to spend five or 15 hours on an airplane in Economy”.

"The only time I spend in a hotel is when I'm sleeping," law attorney John Harding said.

"I don't need all the accoutrements."

According to American Express Business Insights senior vice president Ed Jay, the trend in accommodation spending is focusing on luxury or value options, “which also speaks to the barbell effect apparent in travel — and other sectors — wherein consumers selectively choose either high-end or low-cost options, squeezing out the midtier providers with flat or declining spending growth”.

Source = e-Travel Blackboard: G.A

Could London Hotels Suffer a Post-Olympics 'Hangover?'

2012 will be a huge year for London in more ways than one. With the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and a certain international sports event set to descend upon the city, Londontown will see a massive influx of tourists. Hotel rooms are rapidly being snapped up by intelligent travelers, and profit projections for city lodgings remain promisingly high.

But what will become of the city after the torch has been extinguished and tinsel and confetti from the Queen's celebration swept away? According to a recent report by local commuter publication of choice, the London Evening Standard, a dark cloud may descend over the city come 2013.

Per a representative from PricewaterhouseCoopers, "if visitor numbers to the capital do not pick up sharply once the Games have finished," a profit "hangover" may ensue owing to a sharp and sudden decline in visitors.

Unfortunately, this isn't the kind of morning-after buzz that swiftly quaffed pint or traditional fry up will remedy. Rather, it's suggested that businesses "implement plan B in preparation for a prolonged period of low, erratic demand." Bummer. Best to load up on the Vitamin B now, London hoteliers.

(Source: HotelChatter.com)

Need to book a room for the London Olympics? Log on to www.metrostar.com

How to Haggle Like a Pro

Scoring a bargain from shopkeepers who haggle for a living can be difficult. Most have a lifetime of bargaining experience behind them and they know how to read tourist shoppers well. If you're tired of being one-upped on your bargain hunting adventures, follow these simple tips and you'll be haggling like a pro in no time.

Don't haggle on day one Before heading out and using the force, it's important to curb your enthusiasm, Obi-Wan!

And by that I mean try to avoid buying anything on the first day of your holiday.
Instead, spend time familiarising yourself with local prices and comparing the shopping districts around town. Your research and newfound knowledge will pay dividends when you do start to bargain.

Look the Part

So you're ready to bargain? Great! Before you leave the hotel, dress down.
Gold rings and big watches scream 'Wealthy!', especially in poorer countries.
If you want to grab a bargain, dress as though you don't have a black Amex stashed inside your designer wallet.

Build Rapport

When you walk into a store, smile and say a warm "G'day" (NB: Australians are generally offered better prices than Yanks).
You'll get a better bargain if you're on friendly terms with the seller, so make sure you laugh, play nice, and enjoy the haggling process.
If you're feeling tired and cranky, avoid haggling altogether. Go and recharge over a nice meal instead.

Know Your Limits (and keep them to yourself)

Once you decide what you want, determine how much you're prepared to pay for it.
If you've done your research at other stores you should have a rough idea of the item's asking price.
Todd, an Australian businessman who bargains abroad for work, says "It's important to set a limit in your head before bargaining with the shopkeeper, otherwise you could walk out spending much more than you initially anticipated."

Let the Shopkeeper Open the Bargaining

"What's your best price?" isn't the greatest opener known to man.
In fact, as soon as you open a sale, the shopkeeper gains an idea of how badly you want an item.
If the vendor knows that you really, really want something s/he'll sense it, and it will be harder to bargain on its price.
Allow the shopkeeper open the bidding and avoid this amateur mistake.

Go low

It's always difficult to know where to start the bidding.
Personally I believe it depends heavily on which country you're in.
In India and Thailand I find it safe to start bargaining at around one quarter or one fifth the original asking price, whereas in Marrakech — where shopkeepers have an abundance of European tourists who happily pay higher prices — I'm laughed out of stores after offering that sort of rate.
Read each situation and act accordingly, but remember — the lower your starting offer the lower your final price will be.

Hold your Ground During the Haggle

The back-and-forth in haggling is crucial. Shopkeepers will often use a variety of tactics to goad you into buying for a higher price, so remember to stick to your guns and never pay more than the price you've set in your head.
Over time you'll develop your own idiosyncrasies and one-liners to handle even the most relentless of shopkeepers.
For now, these might help you hold your ground:
• "I've seen it cheaper somewhere else."
• "I'm not really sure…"
• "The thing is I just don't need it…"
• "It's not the greatest fit…"

Silence is Golden

Once you've openly stated how much you're willing to pay, try, try, try and keep your mouth closed.
Let the shop keeper come back to you with a counter offer before you jump in hastily with a higher price.

Be Prepared to Walk Away

Being prepared to walk away from an item is at the core of every good haggler's heart.
If you're adamant that you won't leave until you get a particular item, an experienced shopkeeper will pick up on it way before you realise you're no longer wearing your poker face.
This is where being prepared to walk away wields its mighty sword.
"If you know in your heart that you can easily walk away from the item and happily never see it again, then you will always have the power over the sale," says Todd.
"But if the seller knows that you need it, then they'll always have the power over you."
If you do walk away, never go back So you didn't get the price you wanted and you walked away. Good for you!

The next step is to never go back. Ever. In fact, don't even look over your shoulder.
The second you do, the shop keeper will know that you're still wanting that item, which means you'll ultimately pay premium price if you ever set foot in that store again.

It's Not Always About a Discount

While the shopkeeper may not budge on a lower price, they may be willing to throw in another item or two for free. That way they move more stock and you get what you want.
Never be afraid to ask if this is possible.
Live by the haggler's motto: "If you don't ask, you don't get."

Never, Ever…

As a customer, there are some things you should never do while bargaining:
• Never mention your total budget and never flash your cash before agreeing on a final price.
• Don't keep bargaining once the deal is agreed upon. It's just bad manners.
• You'd also do well to avoid haggling in busy shops. Haggling is an intimate exchange, and if the shop is full with other customers you could be perceived as a nuisance.
• To save yourself time and energy, always ensure that you're haggling with the right person. There's no point bargaining with a junior employee only to restart the entire process once they "check with the manager".
• Finally, and for obvious reasons, don't haggle in a shop that displays a "No haggling" sign. Those signs are there for a reason, and they're usually posted by cantankerous shopkeepers who are tired of dealing with penny-pinching tourists.
Happy haggling!

Do you have any tried and true tips for driving a bargain abroad? Tell us about them.

(Source: travel.ninemsn.com.au)

American Airlines Plane Boots Alec Baldwin Over 'Words With Friends'

Did you feel that? If the internet could have earthquakes, we'd have just experienced a minor one as Alec Baldwin went from tweeting like normal, to getting kicked off an American Airlines plane at LAX, to being in custody, to becoming a trending topic, to giving his side of the story via Twitter in just about the span of one hour.

The reason for the tarmac takedown? Apparently, according to Alec, he was playing the popular mobile Scrabble-like app Words With Friends when a flight attendant "reamed" him out. Of course he was probably still playing it beyond the point of being asked to turn off and stow all electronic devices for take-off, hence the flight attendant interference. We predict that the next few days will see news channels rehashing the old argument of whether or not cell signals interfere with airplanes. You know, that old chestnut.

What we've learned tonight:
· If you're playing against Alec Baldwin in Words With Friends, his dedication to it probably means you aren't waiting long for your turn.
· If you're playing against Alec Baldwin in Words With Friends, long delays in his play may indicate that he's arguing with flight crew for the right to make his next move.
· Alec Baldwin doesn't pay attention to the in-flight safety demonstration
· Alec Baldwin flies American Airlines
· Scrabble is missing golden opportunities with their crappy mobile game.

Yo, Alec, ping us! We want to play!

(Source: Jaunted.com)

Airline War Hots Up With Virgin Plans to Steal Market Share

TRAVELLERS will reap the rewards of an airline war with cheaper fares and more regional routes, Virgin Australia boss John Borghetti said.

The airline chief executive who used to work for rival Qantas has revealed ambitious plans to steal market share from his old employer and expan services to regional areas.

"A lot of these routes have not had competition. All you have to do is look at the airfares that are being charged,'' he said.

He also questioned why Qantas had dramatically dropped prices on certain flights after his airline launched business-class services on the same routes.

Mr Borghetti said Qantas reduced business-class fares between Sydney and Perth by nearly 25 per cent after Virgin introduced the same service.

After Virgin announced launch business class fares on the Sydney to Perth route for $1399, Qantas reduced their fares from $2,013 to $1,519.

"Why haven't they done that in the last ten years?''

As well as returning Australian aviation to the kind of competition not seen since the Ansett days, Mr Borghetti also wants to increase his frequent-flyer membership to three million.

Membership of Virgin's Velocity has increased 10 per cent to 2.75 million members in 3 1/2 months.

Pop star Dannii Minogue helped launch a frequent-flyer partnership with Westfield online last week.

Virgin was also given regulatory approval to form an alliance with Singapore Airlines, allowing passengers who book flights with the airline the chance to fly on Singapore Airlines flights, get lounge access and accumulate frequent flyer points.

In addition to previous alliances with Etihad, Delta and Air New Zealand, it will take the number of destinations it flies to to more than 400 worldwide.

Mr Borghetti said the move would open up emerging markets such as China and India and continue the airline's
expansion into regional Australia.

The airline also recently began flying between Brisbane and Port Macquarie and Brisbane and Gladstone and plans to announce new regional routes soon.

"We will now be able to promote regional Australia through those 400 odd destinations around the world, from Dallas to Port Macquarie,'' he said.

As well as reconfiguring the interiors of its domestic planes this year and will launch business class services across the network on January 18.

At the moment, Qantas boasts 41 per cent capacity share in the domestic market or 65 per cent including its low-cost subidiary Jetstar, while Virgin's is about 30 per cent.

But Mr Borghetti said he had no desire for Virgin to be the biggest airline in the country.

"Whatever market share gives the best return is the market share that I want,'' he said.

"What we do have the desire to do is be the airline of choice.''

Read more

Flight Attendants Reveal Their Worst Passengers

IF you've left the door open while peeing, if you listen to music while they try to talk to you or if you've tried to grab a seat in the crew rest area – then flight attendants hate you.

Flight attendants from around the world have broken their silence to reveal the things that passengers do that really gets under their skin.

While Kevin Rudd's alleged angry outburst at a flight attendant and Naomi Campbell's infamous cabin catfight have hit the headlines, it's these everyday annoyances that really get their goat.

YOUR SAY: Tell us about your worst experiences with crazy cabin crew below.

You leave the door wide open when you pee.

“One of the most annoying things passengers do is not closing the lavatory door,” celebrity flight attendant David Holmes from Southwest Airlines said.

You double order your drinks.

“Asking one flight attendant for a drink and before they get back with it, asking another flight attendant for the same drink, is bad news,” Bethany Burke, a flight attendant from Florida, US, said.

You tap flight attendants on the shoulder to get their attention.

“Passengers tap me to get my attention but then don’t give me eye contact when talking to me,” Mr Holmes said.

“Passengers wouldn’t take off their headsets when I asked them if they wanted food or drink,” ex-hostie Susan, who worked for Qantas for over 20 years, said.

“When I ask passengers if they’d like something to drink, three times out of five the response will be ‘Wha?’ And that's a ‘wha’ without the ‘T’,” Heather Poole, flight attendant for a major US carrier, said.

“‘Something to drink?’ I'll ask again, and while I ask this question I find myself wondering why you haven't taken off the iPod or those giant Bose noise cancellation headsets covering your ears when you see me standing at your row.”

You stuff your bag to breaking point and then ask for help to stow it away.

“The worst is when people bring a heavy bag onboard, then tell me that they can't lift it overhead because of a bad back,” Mrs Burke said.

“Lifting your bag into the overhead bin is not, nor has it ever been, part of my job description. Honestly, I don't know what bothers me more, the fact that a passenger will come on-board and expect me to lift their bag, or the fact that they actually get upset when I won't lift the bag,” Mrs Poole said.

You complain about the overhead bin being full and make a fuss about having to put your bag in the rows behind.

“Passengers who get annoyed about the overhead bins near their seats being full, and then say the word “ridiculous”, are so annoying,” Mrs Poole said.

You order a special meal and then change your mind at the last minute.

“I hate it when passengers order a vegetarian, kosher or fruit special meal and then want a regular meal instead," Mrs Burke said.

You’re messy and inconsiderate.

“There’d be so many people who’d just throw things on the floor right in the middle of the cabin, such as newspapers they’ve finished with or rubbish,” Susan said.

“Surprisingly, it’s no different in first class, they’re just as messy as the other passengers.”

You read up about getting free upgrades and pull all the tricks to try and get your way.

“Another annoying thing is the tricks people used to play to get upgraded," Susan said.

"You could see the pattern for a lot of people, but if they win it’s just rewarding them for bad behaviour.”

You expect to be told the moment you change time zones.

“Passengers often want to know exactly when they should change their watch when crossing time zones,” Mrs Burke said.

You try and take over the crew rest area.

“Trying to sit in our crew rest seats, which are sacred to us, is a very bad idea,” Mrs Burke warns.

You enter the galley without permission and loiter.

“Unless you've actually been invited into the galley (it does happen), you do not step onto the floor for any length of time," Mrs Poole said.


You spill water on the toilet floor and leave without cleaning it up.

“People would leave water on the floor after using the toilet, forgetting about all the other passengers who may slip and fall,” Susan said

You have unrealistic expectations of your air travel experience.

“I saw a first-class passenger chuck a hissy fit as we didn’t have the right flavour of yogurt onboard. A bit unrealistic,” Susan said.

Now we want to hear your side: Tell us about your worst experiences with crazy cabin crew below.

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Tipping – The Scourge of Customer Service

OK – I need to get this off my chest and if in doing so I start an argument so be it, but in my view enough is enough. Let me start by saying I have zero problem with tipping for great or exceptional service, nor do I have a problem with tipping someone who goes out of their way to help me solve a problem or resolve an issue.

BUT (yes a BIG BUT) I am done with tipping outrageous amounts for someone who is just “doing their job”, the job they are being paid to do and the job that I expect them to do.

Now someone is going to say immediately that “these people” (yes I am generalising broadly at the moment) are lowly paid; my answer to that is that is not my problem. If employers are not willing or able to pay proper wages; or if employees are not able either individually or via a union to negotiate decent salaries, why do I have to cover the gap? Pay people well and they will work better, their level of service will improve, the customers will be more pleased and a tip – for great service – may well be forthcoming.

One of the derivations that I have for the word TIP is that it comes from an abbreviation that means “to insure promptness”, which means we will pay you a bit more if your serve us quickly, first, better or whatever and by that definition the tip was probably originally paid up front – or perhaps part of it was, with the rest later – to ensure that the service required was delivered. Not now, it is nothing more than an expectation, here is the price and the tips are extra; or in cruise line terms gratuities are not included so they WILL be added to your final bill. I hasten to add NOT on cruise lines that I travel with, and that is one of the reasons.

Let’s look at the word gratuities; this is a word that appears in upmarket restaurants, on five star hotel bills and on cruise ships. The word implies gratefulness, you are grateful for the service you have received and are prepared to reward for it; why, if it is only someone doing the job they are paid to do? I don’t get it; we don’t pay gratuities to our lawyers, doctors or dentists who all provide professional and very important services to us, nor do we pay gratuities to teachers who play a huge role in bringing up and educating our children. And we certainly do not pay gratuities to our military personnel, who perform great service and far, far too often make the ultimate sacrifice for us. We may well express our gratitude to all of these people in very different ways, but the services they perform for us are important, require great skill sets and are services we cannot possibly perform ourselves and we do not pay gratuities for them.

We are however expected to tip/pay gratuities to those who perform (shall we say) more lowly skilled services for us, some of which we could do ourselves but choose not to and others that we would like to do ourselves but simply cannot. Almost inevitably all of these services are in the hospitality, transport, tourism and travel industries. Even then there is a difference, we do not tip the airline pilot (we should he/she gets us back on the ground safely), or the ship’s captain (ditto he does a tricky job very well), or the hotel manager, or the chef – it is just not expected nor is it required. We are however expected to tip the underlings, the workers, the staff all of the ones who are simply not paid enough for the job that they do, and it is often not just expected but it is required; everyone knows that we will cover the gap and that leads to poor and inefficient customer service and poor business practices.

Why is that you ask, simple; if the service staff (I am generalising here again folks not singling out anyone in particular) know that they will get their tip/gratuity, irrespective of the level of service that they provide, then they will do the minimum that they have to do knowing that it will ultimately be enough. Yes – I do know that there are exceptions – there always are – but in general this is the truth. If the expectation is that the reward will be received irrespective, the level of commitment drops in direct proportion. It’s an economic fact!

I have just spent 30 hours in America, and it is that 30 hours that started me thinking along this track; and yes, before you ask, I do blame America and the tipping culture for the expansion of the problem. They did not invent the tip, but they sure polished it, buffed it and shined it up into what it is today. Examples you ask, let’s look at a couple or three that really caught my eye.

Example one: I believe that the expectation level now is a minimum of 20%, this is reinforced by the number of establishments with a 20% service fee already on the bill. Then to top it off there is still space to add a tip (gratuity at the Setai Miami Beach) when you pay the bill or an expectation of added cash in the hand.

Example two: The cab driver who picked us up from the Hilton Barbados, he was just waiting outside, and drove us to St Leonards Gap for 20 Barbadian Dollars, expected a tip, – why I ask? He sat in his cab when we got in, drove us to where we asked to go and sat in his cab when we got out, we had no luggage and there was nothing else he had to do but his job – which was to drive the cab, he did that, ok I guess, but when I did not tip he was not happy; someone tell me why he deserved and had an expectation of a tip. This was just one example of many transportation issues – where there was an expectation of a tip.

Example three: The waiting staff at the breakfast buffet at the Sheraton Miami Beach, a hotel that in our 18 odd hours there was almost (not quite) totally devoid of any degree of customer service. The server bought our coffee and when we asked refilled our coffee; she also cleaned our table before we sat down, that’s it, that’s all; but she had an expectation of a tip, over and above the service charge on the bill, why I ask again? What did he/she do for me that was out of the ordinary, what extra service did he/she provide? The answer none – in fact the waiting staff were much more interested in the Top Gear crew (TV Show with a motoring bent, just in case you are one of the only three people on earth who have not heard of it), including host Jeremy Clarkson and getting noticed by/photographed with them to worry too much about the customers.

Are there more, sure but you get the drift, everywhere there are service staff expecting and receiving tips for doing their job and nothing else, and because they know that the tip will be paid their performance suffered accordingly. Incidentally no-one got a tip from me in any of those examples or the 10/12 others over the last four days. Did I tip anyone you ask; yes indeed I did and I will tell you about them also.

I tipped Miguel the barman at the Sheraton Miami, because he did a tough and busy gig, with a smile, had a joke with us and went out of his way to get me the wine that I wanted. I tipped Gloria at the Waterfront Café in Barbados, because she was quick, friendly and offered a couple of suggestions. I tipped Anthony the cab driver, who brought us in from the airport, because he lifted and shifted our bags, and I will tip the one that takes us to the cruise terminal in an hour or so assuming he does the same thing.

I tipped Everton behind the bar at the Barbados Hilton, because he was friendly, told me a couple of stories and listened to a couple of mine and looked after us well. I also tipped hotel porters who lifted our bags because our bags were heavy, too heavy. So, as I said at the outset I am not opposed to tipping to reward performance, I am totally opposed to tipping people who are just doing their job. So where do we go from here?

My very firm view is that we should return to tips or gratuities being a reward for exceptional service and not simply an accepted thing or with service charges automatically added to any bill. In order to do that we also need to ensure that the workers who are performing the duties are adequately rewarded up front, but still need the tips as cream, that way the level of service will pick up as the level of expectation decreases. Now I admit – it’s radical, it is not a short term process; it would take a long time to get moving and will most likely never happen, but there you go, it’s a way forward.

In the interim my personal protest will continue, I will only tip for exceptional service and will not tip someone who is just doing their job. I will try to avoid, like the plague, establishments that automatically add a service fee, difficult in the US and some spots in Europe particularly I know but I will try. Where I cannot I will most certainly not tip unless the circumstances are extraordinary. More than that I will maintain the campaign that starts today for as long as possible or it takes, whichever comes first. I will at every opportunity expose poor customer service wherever I see it or hear of it.

Perhaps if enough of you join me – we may, just may, by default, achieve what is required to get back to true customer service and to tips and gratuities being a reward for effort and performance that is exceptional or at least above the norm. It’s worth a try, don’t you think!

Written by : Peter Watson

(Source: globaltravlmedia.com.au)

What’s The Worst Thing About Business Travel?

What’s the worst thing about business travel?

Plenty, but rude hotel staffs, intrusive airline security and “steerage-like treatment on crowded planes” are the worst offenders.

So says a study by Vitesse Worldwide, an executive travel firm.

A whopping 86 percent of executives in the study said airport security screenings were the worst thing about travel, while more than two-thirds ranked tiny and dirty commercial planes and impersonal treatment by hotel staffs the worst.

"What comes through loud and clear is that an executive traveler isn't asking for high-priced service as much as high touch," said Shawn Abaspor, chief executive of Vitesse Worldwide.

Hotel rates and airfares have been climbing for several months, with travel demand on the rise and airlines cutting capacity by eliminating routes and retiring older planes. And those prices are likely to keep rising.

Average airfares and hotel rates should jump as much as 5 percent in 2012, according to a survey of more than 300 travel managers by the Global Business Travel Association, a Virginia trade group for travel managers.

By David Wilkening

(Source: Travelmole.com)

Flight Attendants ‘Increasingly Chosen for Sex Appeal’

Some airlines around the world are promoting their services by treating flight attendants as sexual decorations, using the same attitudes that prevailed some 50 years ago, according to Britain’s Guardian newspaper.

The article, headlined “Flight of fancy: the truth about female cabin crew” comes as a female business executive in the UK faces court on charges of allegedly groping “the groin and testicular area” of a male flight steward and demanding sex while drunk on an aircraft. That case is notable mainly because it reverses the usual gender profile of such harassment.

The Guardian article points out that Thai airline Nok Air advertised earlier this year for “beautiful girls with nice personalities” to fill its cabin crew positions. Any “girls” over 25 were deemed too old.

A report in The Times of India last month accused Air India of following a similar recruitment policy. And new airline Thai Smile (operated by Thai Airways and scheduled for launch next year) is recruiting a 100-strong cabin crew of women under 24.

The paper mentioned the case of a flight attendant who had applied to Garuda Indonesia recently. She later told a local newspaper that she and her fellow candidates had been subjected to a “health examination” by a male doctor that involved having their breasts “fondled”. A Garuda official is said to have explained that “hand examination on breast” was essential to detect undeclared breast implants, which “can have health issues when air pressure falls during flights”.

Other cases mentioned by the paper: the Air New Zealand TV advertising campaign of 2009 in which cabin crew wore nothing but body paint; a Southwest Airlines plane bearing murals of bikini-clad supermodel Bar Rafaeli; Virgin Atlantic’s multi-million-dollar ad campaigns featuring the airline’s “red hotties” and Ryanair’s annual “Girls of Ryanair” calendar.

Written by : Peter Needham

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au)

Whisky-Swigging Woman Could Face Jail for In-Flight Sex Grab

A female business executive faces jail for groping “the groin and testicular area” of a male flight steward and demanding sex while drunk on an aircraft.

Britain’s Daily Mail printed a photo of the suspect, a strikingly attractive young woman named in court as Katherine Goldberg, 25, of Ealing Common, London.

She is said to have knocked back about half a litre of whisky before grabbing a Virgin Atlantic steward’s crotch. Yesterday, magistrates ruled that the case was too serious for them to deal with. They have moved it on to the Crown Court.

Goldberg, originally from South Africa, pleaded guilty at a magistrate’s court in the London suburb of Uxbridge to sexual assault and being drunk on an aircraft.

But the matter does not end there. Magistrates told her she could face up to 10 years in prison.

She has been bailed for sentencing at Isleworth Crown Court next month.

Magistrate’s courts in the UK can impose no more than a six-month custodial sentence or a GBP5000 fine (about AUD7500). The courts have the power to commit defendants to the Crown Court for sentencing if the magistrate feels that either the offence is so serious that it warrants greater punishment than the magistrate’s court has power to impose, or, in the case of a violent or sexual offence, that a custodial sentence longer than the court has power to impose is necessary to protect the public from serious harm.

Goldberg was returning from visiting relatives in South Africa when the alleged incident took place on a Virgin Airbus A340-600 in the early hours of the morning on 24 August.

She had allegedly made “strong sexual advances” to the victim beforehand.

The women’s lawyers previously tried to avoid the charge going to court by suggesting the sexual assault charge could be dealt with by a police caution.

Comments in the Daily Mail on the case included one from a reader who wrote: “As a former stewardess, all I can say is: The tables have turned”. Another reader wrote: “For heavens sake, she’s just a drunk. Doesn’t anyone have a sense of humour any more? Fine her a few grand for disrupting the flight and have done with it.”

Written by : Peter Needham

(Source: eglobaltravelmedia.com.au)

Airport Security Agents Find Sex Toy But Miss Handgun

US airport security agents are better at finding sex toys in luggage than firearms, according to two recent cases.

A female passenger has reported that agents at Newark Airport apparently discovered her vibrating sex toy when they searched her checked luggage.

She learned this on arriving at her destination when she opened her bag and found a worker had written the cryptic message “Get your freak on girl” in black ink on the back of an official inspection notice printed by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

The passenger told US media outlet ABC News that she found the note “offensive” and had decided to file a complaint with the TSA.

“I hope they do see the complaint, they’ll look into it and remind their staff that going through people’s personal belongings is a responsibility that should be treated with some modicum of professionalism,” she said.

Vibrators are apparently easier to spot than handguns. A number of those have slipped through the system. TSA screeners missed a loaded gun inside a checked bag at Los Angeles International Airport this week.

Newspaper USA Today reported that a luggage ramp crew was loading an Alaska Airlines flight to Portland, Oregon, when – surprise! – a loaded .38-calibre pistol tumbled out of a duffel bag.

It turns out that the TSA screens for firearms in carry-on bags but is not responsible for screening for firearms in checked luggage – an apparent loophole.

Meanwhile, complaints about pilfering of valuable items in transit, like laptops and jewellery, are on the rise. Some 67,000 passengers have filed loss claims against the TSA since 2003. Some of the missing items may be handguns.

Written by : Peter Needham

(Source: egloblatravelmedia.com.au)

Virgin to Build First Hotel in Chicago

Virgin Hotels plans to open its first hotel in Chicago in fall 2013.

Virgin Hotels, a brand launched by Virgin Group Chairman Richard Branson in 2010 has partnered with John Buck Co. to redevelop the Old Dearborn Bank Building in Chicago’s City Loop and transform it into a 27-story hotel with 350 rooms.

John Buck is an experienced hotel developer having being involved with Chicago’s Palomar Hotel and New York’s Standard Hotel, and has big plans for this structure which was built in 1928.

Virgin Hotels aims to develop urban hotels with150 to 400 rooms each.

Other potential destinations for future Virgin Hotels include Los Angeles, New York, Miami, San Francisco, Washington and London.

Hilton LightStay Program Cuts Hotel Energy Use by 6.6%, Saves $74M

Hilton Worldwide and its portfolio of 10 hotel brands announced the 2010 results of LightStay, its sustainability measurement system.

Since the introduction of LightStay, the company continues to improve sustainability and economic performance and saved more than $74 million in utility costs as a result of the following reductions:

6.6 percent reduction of energy use;
7.8 percent reduction of carbon output;
19 percent reduction of waste output;
and 3.8 percent reduction of water use.

To date, Hilton Worldwide's efforts are equivalent to the removal of more than 50,000 cars from the road, water savings that could fill more than 1,000 swimming pools and energy conservation that could provide power to nearly 20,000 homes a year.

"Sustainability is a priority to Hilton Worldwide and a central part of how the company does business," said Christopher J. Nassetta, president and CEO, Hilton Worldwide. "LightStay has provided us with a platform to measure hotel performance and economic improvement, proving to be invaluable given today's increased operational demands and resource constraints."

Hilton Worldwide is the first major multi-brand hospitality company to make sustainability measurement a brand standard. Also as a brand standard, Hilton Worldwide properties are committed to making continual improvements to their overall sustainability results each year. All of the more than 3,750 properties are required to use LightStay by this December, bringing the company even closer to its long-term goals.

Ability to Share Best Practices

To further support these efforts, new features were recently built into LightStay to allow hotels to track projects, share best practices and communicate with one another through a "social network" dashboard. Thus far, LightStay has more than 1,200 projects in the system, which is expected to double by next year, conserving additional resources.

As a result of these actions, Hilton Worldwide recently earned ISO 14001 certification for Environmental Management Systems, achieving one of the largest ever volume certifications of commercial buildings -- with more than 3,750 properties across 10 brands and 85 countries. As part of the Hilton Worldwide certification process, DEKRA Certification, Inc. performed a series of audits and will continue ongoing assessments to monitor compliance.

Over the next three years, Hilton Worldwide will continue to invest in their owned assets to improve building performance, illustrating the company's commitment to both long-term cost and energy savings. Projects will include the installation of energy-efficient chillers, boilers, motors, building automation systems, water reclamation systems, high-efficient windows and white roofs. The Hilton New York, for example, with be installing an on-site cogeneration system, which will offset 54 percent of its electrical needs and 33 percent of its thermal needs.

By 2014, Hilton Worldwide is committed to reduce energy consumption, CO2 emissions and waste output by 20 percent, as well as reduce water consumption by 10 percent from direct operations within the company's owned hotels and corporate properties.

This article originally appeared on Green Lodging News.

Tourism Australia and Jetstar Launch New Agreement to Boost Visits From Asia

Tourism Australia has signed a $10 million marketing deal with Jetstar aimed at boosting Japanese inbound tourism and further expanding brand Australia's presence in Asia Pacific.

The three year agreement runs to mid 2014 and will see Tourism Australia and Jetstar each contribute at least $1.6 million per year on a range of joint marketing, digital and social media activities.

The partners will work cooperatively to leverage more affordable air travel and Australia's unique attractions to increase arrivals from Japan, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and New Zealand.

The first tranche of $2 million will be directed to rejuvenating the Japanese market, which has slipped from Australia's second to fifth largest source market for international tourists over the past ten years.

Managing Director Andrew McEvoy said the deal was an extension of Tourism Australia's ongoing focus on Asia but also represented a new approach to Japan and working with airlines partners.

"It unlocks real value by leveraging the combined skills, expertise and resources which both our organizations have long demonstrated in Asia. We aim to use our well-established and successful There's nothing like Australia campaign messaging alongside Jetstar.com to drive bookings and inbound travel," Mr McEvoy said.

"Jetstar broke the mould in the Japan market with the launch of their low fare operations to Australia in 2007, which stimulated a new generation of travellers to visit Australia. With Jetstar Japan launching domestic services within the world's third largest economy in 2012, Australia will become more accessible than ever to holidaymakers from some of Japan's key cities.

"Like Tourism Australia, Jetstar has ambitious expansion plans for wider Asia and sees sustained and large growth opportunities, led by the greater China market, and numerable South East and North Asian markets including Japan, which will clearly remain in the top half dozen of Australia's tourism export markets. There's strong alignment and a real natural fit."

Tourism Australia has now secured long-term cooperative marketing relationships with most of the largest international carriers by capacity serving Australia.

"Our global campaign, There's nothing like Australia, is travelling very well in Asia, with growing levels of marketing activity carried out in partnership with airlines to extend our reach and impact to the Asian consumer," Mr McEvoy said.

Jetstar Group CEO Bruce Buchanan said the expansion of Jetstar's low fares network across Asia had the ability to stimulate fresh demand by putting air travel to key Australian leisure destinations within reach for many more people.

"Jetstar is now the largest low cost airline in the Asia Pacific by revenue and we're recognized as a top 100 brand in Japan even before launching our domestic airline there," Mr Buchanan said.

"This partnership will leverage Australia's attractiveness as a destination for international tourists with Jetstar's leading low fares as a means to convert this into actual arrivals. The potential flow-on benefits for Australian tourism will be significant."

Mr McEvoy said markets covered by this agreement are critical to us achieving Australian tourism's year 2020 goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure to A$140 billion.

"This new strategic alliance will be a hugely important platform from which to take our marketing message further into Asia, and on the back of significant increases in aviation capacity," Mr McEvoy said.

Japan is currently Australia's fifth largest source market for international tourists, spending approximately $1.5 billion in 2010. There were 350,200 visitor arrivals from Japan for the twelve months ending August 2011, a drop of 11 per cent.

Tourism Australia believes this market has the potential to grow to between A$2.7 billion and A$3.3 billion in total expenditure by 2020.

(Source: travmedia.com)

Auckland, Wellington score RWC Hotel Growth

Auckland and Wellington hoteliers have welcomed an influx in visitors carried over by the Rugby World Cup.

According to STR Global figures, the event which commenced 9 September this year saw Wellington experience strong ADR growth with a 300 percent growth through the quarter finals which were held on 8 October this year.

Following the event, hotel performance dropped 16 percent compared to the same time last year and ADR retracting back to NZ$158, 0.6 percent less than it was two days before the quarter finals.

The report said that the trend indicated that people were visiting overnight for the matches but left the cities they were held in to continue their journey across New Zealand.

"We are very excited to monitor how hotels will benefit from this global event on both the short and long term,” STR Global managing director Elizabeth Randall said.

This Is Why You Should Pray Justin Bieber Never Stays at Your Hotel

Imagine going on vacation and having your long-awaited, hard-earned days of rest interrupted by this? That's yet another, in a long list of, crowd of screaming girls hoping to get a glimpse of Justin Bieber at the W Santiago. Except...Justin wasn't even inside!

TMZ reports:

We know Justin decided to stay in Buenos Aires an extra day ... so he wasn't even in Chile when the fans stormed the hotel. According to our sources, the mob scene prompted local authorities to contact Bieber's camp and order him to come to the hotel by helicopter ... because they feared they couldn't control the crowd.

The same thing also happened in Buenos Aires at the Faena Hotel when 600 fans stalking Biebs in front caused major congestion in the streets and forced the hotel to call the police, who later brought in barricades and closed off the entire neighborhood. And how could we forget the pandemonium that happened in March at the Hard Day's Night Hotel in Liverpool (of all places!)

Girls (and some boys), please give it up. Justin is totes dating Selena Gomez right now. And she loves him like a love song so you know it's totes for reals. Sorry! Leave us paying hotel guests alone now.

Hot Air: Why Flight Attendants Are No Longer Cute, Apparently

A recent article postulates that the dearth of “hot” flight attendants is a direct result of airline deregulation. Really.

Using the relatively new (and somewhat tenuous) ABC-TV program Pan Am as the basis for this hypothesis, blogger Glen Whitman bemoans the fact that he can no longer expect to see a cute flight attendant when he boards a plane these days. No, because of deregulation that took away the power of the Civil Aeronautics Board in 1978, men were subsequently relegated to looking at not-so-hot women who were now serving passengers coffee, tea and…oh, whatever.

According to Whitman’s theory, the airline travel industry, prior to deregulation, existed by providing airfares that were too high for the “Average Joe.” Due to a standard supply-and-demand model, the airlines were content in offering more flights at these high prices than customers were willing to buy. Not being able to compete on price, the airlines competed on quality instead, offering better service, food and equally importantly – “hot” stewardesses (as they used to be called).

The theory continues with the idea that deregulation made it difficult for male customers to fork over those extra bucks just to look at the cute stewardesses – apparently these chicks just weren’t worth the extra fare. Because of the now democratized air travel industry, this once luxury privilege – traveling on a plane – was open to the most common of citizens. And these citizens were looking for deals and discounts on their airfares.

The mass availability of flight to an even larger consumer group dictated – perhaps surprisingly to some – that the “bells and whistles” that heretofore included “hot” stewardesses were at once discounted.

While this hypothesis is interesting, its veracity is questionable. The same article that outlines Glen Whitman’s theory expounds an equally viable reason as to why there is an apparent dearth of hotness at 30,000 feet.

Megan McArdle, senior editor for The Atlantic, posits a few reasons behind the change in the profiles of flight attendants in recent years. Following deregulation, factors such as feminism, seniority, union demands and anti-discrimination laws gave women more power and subsequently less reason to leave a job that paid the bills. Unlike the stewardesses of previous eras, the new complement of flight attendants (as they were now called) demanded an equitable workplace and one that did not focus upon their physical assets.

With the evolution of laws that supported women in the workplace, there came a comfort level that allowed these same women to for once perhaps enjoy their jobs and stay in their positions – for the long haul. Union rules in many cases provided the stability and fairness that many of these women were looking for in previous years.

Source

The Changing Shape of the ‘Family Holiday’

Work and family commitments are being blamed for only a fifth of Queenslanders taking holidays once a year for less than one week.

Despite this figure, Tourism Research Australia reports the number of Australians taking more day and overnight trips was on the increase.

According to Moreton Island Adventures chief executive Roz Shaw there has been a big increase in time-poor Queenslanders coming for short weekend breaks over the last few years.

“There is no doubt that the traditional family holiday is changing shape, but what still remains is that 91 per cent of people recently surveyed still prefer the beach holiday whether it be for an overnighter, a long weekend, or if they are lucky the week,” Mr Shaw said.

“We have some of the world’s very best beaches at our door step and with this increase in weekend visitations, Moreton Island is certainly experiencing the positive effects of the short term holiday market.

Also supporting the local tourism push, Tourism Australia managing director Andrew McEvoy said the new ‘There’s nothing like Australia campaign’ aims to encourage Australians to take a fresh look at the best local holiday experiences.

Kim Kardashian Wants to Open a Hotel for Gorgeous People

Brace yourselves, the day's hotel news just got a lot more depressing. WSJ is reporting on a statement made by Kim Kardashian about opening her own branded hotel in the United Arab Emirates. In her words: "everything I think will be successful here."

Hmm, a self-obsessed reality TV star with delusions of starting her own hotel? Haven't we heard this one before? Also, Kim you might want to stop copying the Hilton sisters at some point.

Kim is currently touring the country solo, and was apparently so swept away by all the beautiful women there that she took to Twitter to make her feelings known. So, she's got millions of dollars, has already visited a few of the world's glitziest hotels, and has a thing for beautiful women? Judging from what we know of other well-known lady-loving hoteliers, Kim certainly seems to fit all the criteria. All we ask is that she lays off the houndstooth. That's not so much to ask, is it?

Kim sat down to an audience of reporters at Atlantis Dubai and gushed:

"I was telling my sisters, we've got to start up a hotel in Dubai and design all the different rooms and floors.

I like to pay attention to what my fan base is really asking for, whether it's hair and make-up, clothing brands...everything I think will be successful here and I look forward to getting to know the people here."

Unfortunately, she hasn't quite gained the confidence of shareholders who would (if at all) make this happen. The WSJ spoke to one international hotel consultant by the name of Harjinder Singh, who threw Kim's vision into sharp relief by contrasting it with the success of already-established fashion house hotels, like the Armani:

"Armani and Versace are designers who have used their expertise to build designer upscale hotel brands, but with all due respect we are not aware of Kim's expertise in hotel interior designing, hence it is difficult to comment on the success of this venture."

(Source: Hotelchatter.com)

Opening of New High-Tech Gatwick 'Home'

British Airways is officially opening its new high-tech Gatwick home with millions of customers set to benefit from the improved facilities.

The new £73 million extension to Gatwick's North Terminal will be opened by British Airways' chief executive Keith Williams and Stewart Wingate who is Gatwick Airport's chief executive.

The state-of-the-art building, which will be home to all British Airways flights at Gatwick, is designed to give customers more control of their journey, as well as providing an innovative travelling experience using the most advanced technology and a new approach to customer service.

Built on time and on budget by airport operator Gatwick Airport Limited, the British Airways terminal extension allows passengers to do more for themselves, from checking-in and choosing seats to printing their own bag tags.

Every aspect of the travel experience has been carefully considered to make the customer experience quick, smooth, simple and stress-free.

British Airways customer service staff will be on hand to greet customers and offer any help to use the self service kiosks and baggage podiums. For customers who need additional support there are dedicated care desks. There is also a designated customer service area for premium passengers.

Over four and a half million passengers fly on British Airways flights to and from Gatwick every year to 45 domestic, European and long haul destinations.

Silla Maizey, British Airways managing director Gatwick, said: "We have a fantastic new home, which is spacious, bright and airy and which has technology that gives passengers the quickest and easiest journey possible through the airport.

"We know that many of our customers appreciate the opportunity to do more for themselves, like self service check-in, choosing seats and printing their own boarding cards - and for the first time British Airways passengers will be able to print their own bag tags. We're giving them the freedom to be in control, but with the knowledge that our customer service staff will be on hand if they need them."

Stewart Wingate, Gatwick Airport chief executive, said: "Our £1.2 billion investment programme to transform the airport experience for passengers, reducing queues and delivering a smoother check-in experience with more self-service options has been one of our key priorities.

"The new British Airways check-in area, which is part of our £73 million investment to extend the North Terminal arrivals area, is a fantastic example of innovation and is evidence that they, like Gatwick, are putting the emphasis on delivering excellent customer-service for the passenger."

(Source: travmedia.com)

Singapore - A Girls' Playground

Stylish, international getaway - shopping, spas, food and bars

Safe and serene yet bustling with activity, Singapore is the perfect destination for a girly getaway. From fine dining, to trendy bars, rooftop swimming pools and five star spas - Singapore has it covered. When planning your next girl's holiday look no further than Singapore for the perfect destination.

Here are our tips for girly things to do and see whilst in Singapore:

Pampering Palaces

First stop in Singapore - it's time to relax, unwind and rejuvenate in one of the many spectacular spas on offer. Spa therapies range from mini massages to long luxurious body treatments and of course, the famous fish pedicures.

For a natural spa experience head to Aramsa Spa - a favourite with Singapore locals for the water body massage and VIP suites exclusively for couples - www.aramsaspas.com.

For ultimate relaxation, try the luxurious and award winning St Gregory Spa, with specialised and traditional healing therapies on offer ranging from Chinese Tui Na to Javanese massages and Ayurveda treatments www.stgregoryspa.com.

Our pick: Spa Botanica, 2 Bukit Manis Rd, Sentosa. www.spabotanica.com

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of city life, Spa Botanica occupies a lush, tropical compound on the island of Sentosa. For a close-to-nature experience, there are private Balinese-style outdoor pavilions, plus a man-made waterfall (all the better to pummel knotted backs with), mud pool, labyrinth garden and lounge pool to flop down beside, before and after your treatment.

Retail Heaven

Singapore is a shopper's paradise! Hit the streets with the girls and get ready to shop till you drop. For the big budget experience head straight to Orchard Road to find an endless array of designers at your disposal from Louis Vuitton and Prada to Topshop and Sephora.

While on your shopping adventure, don't forget to head off the beaten track too. There is a unique array of shopping hotspots you simply must explore down the backstreets and in the cultural districts. Head to Haji Lane in the Arab Quarter for beautiful fabrics and cute knick knacks, or Chinatown for its chic boutiques.

Classy Cocktails

The cocktail scene in Singapore has developed into one of the best in the world, mixing local and premium ingredients to make your taste buds sing! Grab the girls and start sipping away; there is no shortage of options with elegant bars, rooftop hideaways and sophisticated drinking spots all over the city. The real challenge is choosing what to drink.

For a beachside cocktail experience with a twist, head down to Singapore's premier sun-kissed playground - Tanjong Beach Club. A stunning combination of restaurant, bar and beach getaway often regarded as Singapore's best stretch of sand www.tanjongbeachclub.com.

For the ultimate in cocktail indulgence, head to Klee - an intimate setting for only 30 people, this bar serves only the best in mixed spirits. Housed in what used to be a caretaker's lodge, this venue boasts a baby grand piano to really set the mood and help you unwind after a long day.

Our pick : Ku De Ta

Sky Park, Marina Bay Sands North Tower, 1 Bayfront Ave www.kudeta.com.sg

Situated on the 57th storey of Marina Bay Sands, take in the breathtaking night views of the city whilst you unwind and relax.

With all this to experience and so much more, Singapore truly is the perfect girly getaway.

(Source: Travmedia.com)