Posts made in November, 2010
How a Travel Agent can Save you Money on your Next Trip
These days, many families have their put their vacation plans toward the bottom of their list of priorities. During tougher times, a vacation can seem to simply cost too much money. However, if you are thinking about going on a vacation, you might want to look into working with a travel agent to save money on vacation expenses. Working with a travel agent to plan your vacation means you might be able to afford the trip you thought you would have to put off until next year. For this reason alone it is definitely worth exploring the possibility. So how can working with a travel agent save you money?
Your travel agent will help you get the most out of your budget
Whether your travel budget is 0 or ,000, working with a travel agent is probably the best way to make the most of your money. Especially if you’re traveling on a tight budget, the skills, knowledge, and experience of a travel agent can be invaluable.
Just make sure when you’re discussing travel plans with your agent, you are absolutely clear about how much money you have to spend. If you want to travel as cheaply as possible, make sure your travel agent understands this so that they have a good idea of the types of travel and accommodation they should be finding for you.
Your travel agent can quickly access a number of providers
Travel agents typically have access to a large network of travel, accommodation, and activity providers. With computer systems that provide access to travel agents all over the world, they can quickly locate details of discount travel providers in many countries. This is one of the main reasons why working with a travel agent is a good idea when you’re on a strict budget. They have access to a large number of different resources, software, and industry contacts, all of which they can use when hunting down the best bargains.
Your travel agent knows the cheapest times to travel
Some days are less expensive to travel on than other days. Red-eye flights and stand-by flights can be less expensive, but direct flights can cost more than taking a circuitous route that involves several different connections. Your travel agent should be very knowledgeable on the process of all this and knows that flights booked on Friday, Sunday, and Monday are generally more expensive. You stand a better chance of saving money on flights if you’re flexible about your travel dates.
In addition, your travel agent can quickly tell you if your vacation plans fall within a peak season during which flights to your destination are significantly more expensive. This means that you can modify your travel plans if you wish. Changing plans may include a cheaper destination or traveling during the offseason to save money on your flight.
Advanced booking is another factor that your travel agent can use to help you get cheaper flights. You should be booking at least six months ahead to get the most affordable tickets. Your agent should tell you that the holiday season is always a relatively expensive time to travel, no matter how far in advance you book.
Your travel agent has access to bulk discounts and consolidated tickets
If you’re willing to travel as part of an organized tour, your travel agent can help you access travel and accommodation. There are also specials for activities that are significantly cheaper than what you would spend if you did the same activities alone. This is because as part of a tour you can take advantage of bulk discounts. You can even organize your own tour through your travel agent, and the organizer might get to travel for free!
Consolidated tickets provide you with the chance to save on your air travel costs. A consolidated ticket is simply a ticket which was purchased by the agent as part of a large group of tickets sold by the same airline. The agent gets a bulk discount on the tickets and can pass that discount on to their clients.
Your travel agent has industry contacts and experience
This translates into money being put back into your pocket. Your travel agent may be in regular contact with many industry professionals, and might be able to get you a great deal on a tour being planned by another agent. If you’re flexible with travel times, your agent may advise you to adjust your trip dates to travel during a cheaper part of the week, potentially saving you hundreds of dollars in travel costs. An experienced agent should have expert knowledge of your travel destination and can provide advice on budget accommodation and activities. The agent may often be able to provide discount coupons, free passes, and other incentives.
Best of all, none of these advantages come at a price! You can take full advantage of the wealth of knowledge and experience that your travel agent provides, and can potentially save a great deal of money in the process.
Ryan Anderson is a blogger and freelance writer who focuses on the travel industry and vacation tips, often discussing a particular aspect of the travel industry such as working with travel agents.
Article from articlesbase.com
Travel Hotel: for Worthy Vacations
If you are tired of overflowing inbox, unwanted calls and work pressure then it is the time to take a break. A break from your dull, mundane or routine schedule. Travel hotels play an important role in enjoying the vacations to some exotic place such as in the lap of nature. Believe it or not, location of travel hotel will be a perfect stress reliever with other things. So, while going for holidays, get the best hotel booked for you.
While selecting a travel hotel, mind it that every hotel is not geared for holiday travelers. As a matter of fact, some are simply meant for business travelers and others focus on leisure features. The destination place geared for travelers must be joyful. As a matter of fact, these travel hotels are designed to a certain theme to give their hotel guests a welcoming feeling. The travel hotels can be classified as mainstream, boutique and luxury.
The holidays are unique and unmatched experience which are filled with wonderful memories. The selection of the hotel plays an essential role. Therefore, it can be said that travel hotels can also be categorized on the basis of distinguishing features or service provided. Resort hotels for instance, offer luxurious surroundings with a variety of recreational facilities such as swimming pools, golf courses, tennis courts, game rooms, and health spas. One can also look out for the planned social activities and entertainment in these hotels. Travel hotels are typically located in vacation destinations or near natural settings such as mountains, seashores, theme parks or other attractions. Moreover, some of the best travel hotels and motels provide additional convention and conference facilities to encourage customers to combine business with pleasure.
Casino hotels for instance, combine both lodging and legalized gaming on the same premises. Along with the typical services provided by most full-service hotels, these hotels also contain casinos where customer can wager at table games, play slot machines and make other bets.
Read more about Cheap Hotels and Holiday Packages
Article from articlesbase.com
How Travel Insurance Policies Diverge
When making plans to tour locally or internationally, should one have travel insurance? What benefits can be gained by applying for travel insurance before traveling to any location? This article will provide information on the varied alternatives of insurance plans and where these can be acquired. This site teaches you about <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=’http://www.covermore.com.au/1/best-travel-insurance.aspx’>comprehensive travel insurance</a>. The two ways to secure travel insurance are by going through the process personally and by getting hold of an insurance agent to handle the work for them. A number of travel agencies or suppliers offer travel insurance options when a person purchases travel packages from them. Insurance brokers also provide travel insurance coverage. Quite a number of travel insurance selections can be acquired and this article will enlighten the passionate explorer on the various selections to decide on. The comprehensive travel medical insurance policy was designed for people who are not covered medically even when they are not traveling. Health care coverage in their respective home countries is usually available for the people who can afford to purchase such an insurance policy. Acquiring a comprehensive medical travel insurance policy is designed for long term travelers who oftentimes may have already left their jobs losing their home insurance coverage in the process. A comprehensive medical travel insurance policy is also a wise investment for people who are working outside their country of permanent residence or citizenship. People who embark on trips can decide between insurance policies such as emergency medical or comprehensive travel medical insurance. Go to this site for further information on <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=’http://www.covermore.com.au/1/best-travel-insurance.aspx’>travel insurance best </a>. Emergency travel medical insurance is a policy wherein travelers can avail of health insurance while traveling. This plan is meant to provide assistance abroad but travelers resort to their older policies once the trip is over. These travel insurance plans are designed to coexist with a regular health policy so make sure that all provisions obtained are dissimilar in nature. Medevac or medical travel insurance is one other policy which travelers can avail of when they embark on a trip. Medevac travel insurance covers the expenses for the medical ambulance and corresponding medical personnel like doctors and nurses for when such an occasion arises. These travel insurance options are on the more pricey side of things while its utility only comes around once in a blue moon. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance aims to satisfy needs when the occasion of a cancelled trip arises. This form of travel insurance can be inclusive of payments that can get someone home if the situation calls for it. Some of the reasons that can cause a significant cancellation of travel plans can include emergency situations like illnesses and injuries and even more serious concerns such as war. Supplier default travel insurance covers the amount of money a passenger loses in relation to the bankruptcy of any airline, cruise liner, tour operator, or any other travel service provider. The impact of 9/11 as it happened in New York City caused brokers to exclude these services to those acquiring travel insurance policies. Regardless of what company is applying, most insurance brokers no longer offer this form of service to their clients. Rental car travel insurance gives coverage to damages and injuries that play out in an accidental collision. Compared with standard car insurance plans, the latter almost always have separate charges for liability coverage. The reason behind the exclusion is the possibility that the liability claims become higher than the actual value of the vehicle. A person can avail of travel insurance fairly easily with the different variety of policies that one can pick from. It is advisable for a person to first check out all the possible options he or she may be entitled to before purchasing any kind of insurance policy. Planning a trip also calls for the consideration of a relevant insurance policy.
My professional background is a mixture of ministry in the church and academic work in psychology and education. I am a retired minister in the Uniting Church in Australia, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne where I have an honorary appointment as Principal Fellow in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, and as a Fellow of St. Hilda’s College.
Article from articlesbase.com
How Travel Insurance Policies Diverge
When making plans to tour locally or internationally, should one have travel insurance? What benefits can be gained by applying for travel insurance before traveling to any location? This article will provide information on the varied alternatives of insurance plans and where these can be acquired. This site teaches you about <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=’http://www.covermore.com.au/1/best-travel-insurance.aspx’>comprehensive travel insurance</a>. The two ways to secure travel insurance are by going through the process personally and by getting hold of an insurance agent to handle the work for them. A number of travel agencies or suppliers offer travel insurance options when a person purchases travel packages from them. Insurance brokers also provide travel insurance coverage. Quite a number of travel insurance selections can be acquired and this article will enlighten the passionate explorer on the various selections to decide on. The comprehensive travel medical insurance policy was designed for people who are not covered medically even when they are not traveling. Health care coverage in their respective home countries is usually available for the people who can afford to purchase such an insurance policy. Acquiring a comprehensive medical travel insurance policy is designed for long term travelers who oftentimes may have already left their jobs losing their home insurance coverage in the process. A comprehensive medical travel insurance policy is also a wise investment for people who are working outside their country of permanent residence or citizenship. People who embark on trips can decide between insurance policies such as emergency medical or comprehensive travel medical insurance. Go to this site for further information on <a rel=”nofollow” onclick=”javascript:_gaq.push(['_trackPageview', '/outgoing/article_exit_link']);” href=’http://www.covermore.com.au/1/best-travel-insurance.aspx’>travel insurance best </a>. Emergency travel medical insurance is a policy wherein travelers can avail of health insurance while traveling. This plan is meant to provide assistance abroad but travelers resort to their older policies once the trip is over. These travel insurance plans are designed to coexist with a regular health policy so make sure that all provisions obtained are dissimilar in nature. Medevac or medical travel insurance is one other policy which travelers can avail of when they embark on a trip. Medevac travel insurance covers the expenses for the medical ambulance and corresponding medical personnel like doctors and nurses for when such an occasion arises. These travel insurance options are on the more pricey side of things while its utility only comes around once in a blue moon. Trip cancellation and interruption insurance aims to satisfy needs when the occasion of a cancelled trip arises. This form of travel insurance can be inclusive of payments that can get someone home if the situation calls for it. Some of the reasons that can cause a significant cancellation of travel plans can include emergency situations like illnesses and injuries and even more serious concerns such as war. Supplier default travel insurance covers the amount of money a passenger loses in relation to the bankruptcy of any airline, cruise liner, tour operator, or any other travel service provider. The impact of 9/11 as it happened in New York City caused brokers to exclude these services to those acquiring travel insurance policies. Regardless of what company is applying, most insurance brokers no longer offer this form of service to their clients. Rental car travel insurance gives coverage to damages and injuries that play out in an accidental collision. Compared with standard car insurance plans, the latter almost always have separate charges for liability coverage. The reason behind the exclusion is the possibility that the liability claims become higher than the actual value of the vehicle. A person can avail of travel insurance fairly easily with the different variety of policies that one can pick from. It is advisable for a person to first check out all the possible options he or she may be entitled to before purchasing any kind of insurance policy. Planning a trip also calls for the consideration of a relevant insurance policy.
My professional background is a mixture of ministry in the church and academic work in psychology and education. I am a retired minister in the Uniting Church in Australia, and Professor Emeritus at the University of Melbourne where I have an honorary appointment as Principal Fellow in the Melbourne Graduate School of Education, and as a Fellow of St. Hilda’s College.
Article from articlesbase.com
STARWOOD HOTELS & RESORTS WINS THE WORLD TRAVEL AWARD FOR AFRICA?S LEADING HOTEL BRAND
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has received the World Travel Award for ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand’ at a prestigious ceremony that took place in Durban, South Africa, on 11 May 2009. The most important night for Africa’s travel and tourism industry, the World Travel Awards celebrate the achievements of some of the region’s finest travel brands with more than 500 African organizations nominated.
“It is an honor for us to receive such a prestigious prize and it is a great reward for our hotels in Africa. Our associates take pride in making each guest stay memorable and this recognition highlights the superior customer experience found in our world-class hotels operating here” commented Hassan Ahdab, Vice President, Regional Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Africa and the Indian Ocean, “Starwood will continue to deliver outstanding guest experiences to travelers whilst continuing to strengthen our presence in this thriving market”.
In addition to Starwood Hotels & Resorts taking home the award for the Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand, three individual Starwood hotels were also recognized at the ceremony. Le Royal Mansour Méridien Casablanca was voted Morocco’s Leading Hotel, Le Méridien Douala received the accolade of Cameroon’s Leading Hotel and the prestigious title of Africa’s Leading Hotel went to the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa.
The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 with the aim of encouraging the travel and tourism industry to embrace the pursuit of excellence. The annual ceremony gains international recognition by focusing on one of the most important aspects of travel and tourism – the quality customer experience. Votes are cast by thousands of industry professionals from 170,000 travel and tourism organizations in 160 countries.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 960 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has received the World Travel Award for ‘Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand’ at a prestigious ceremony that took place in Durban, South Africa, on 11 May 2009. The most important night for Africa’s travel and tourism industry, the World Travel Awards celebrate the achievements of some of the region’s finest travel brands with more than 500 African organizations nominated.
“It is an honor for us to receive such a prestigious prize and it is a great reward for our hotels in Africa. Our associates take pride in making each guest stay memorable and this recognition highlights the superior customer experience found in our world-class hotels operating here” commented Hassan Ahdab, Vice President, Regional Director, Starwood Hotels & Resorts Africa and the Indian Ocean, “Starwood will continue to deliver outstanding guest experiences to travelers whilst continuing to strengthen our presence in this thriving market”.
In addition to Starwood Hotels & Resorts taking home the award for the Africa’s Leading Hotel Brand, three individual Starwood hotels were also recognized at the ceremony. Le Royal Mansour Méridien Casablanca was voted Morocco’s Leading Hotel, Le Méridien Douala received the accolade of Cameroon’s Leading Hotel and the prestigious title of Africa’s Leading Hotel went to the Arabella Western Cape Hotel & Spa.
The World Travel Awards were launched in 1993 with the aim of encouraging the travel and tourism industry to embrace the pursuit of excellence. The annual ceremony gains international recognition by focusing on one of the most important aspects of travel and tourism – the quality customer experience. Votes are cast by thousands of industry professionals from 170,000 travel and tourism organizations in 160 countries.
About Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide Inc.
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and leisure companies in the world with more than 960 properties in approximately 97 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties. Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels, resorts and residences with the following internationally renowned brands: St. Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®, Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four Points® by Sheraton, and the recently launched AloftSM, and ElementSM. Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership, Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com
Article from articlesbase.com