US Worst in Travel Headaches

by Erik Olsen on

It’s such a bummer that America’s image in the world has suffered lately. I’m constantly meeting people who tell me that while they once had nothing but admiration for America, their esteem has declined significantly since, well, you know. Recently, I’ve heard an earful from people who came here merely for tourism, who were brought nearly to tears describing the hassles they had to go through just to visit and see the country. One of my friends came with his family, and their top priority was to see Disneyland. They made the visit, but said the whole experience was soured by how hard it was to get through security. Turns out these problems were not isolated to them.

According to a new study of international travelers by a tourism business lobby, the United States visa and immigration entry system was rated the “world’s worst.” Interviews with 2,011 non-US. residents who had traveled outside their home continents over the last 18 months. So what are people all huffy about? Well, the rating was based on the ease of obtaining travel documents and the “respectfulness” of immigration officials. Rather sad and certainly interesting. But in regards to the later issue, I do have to wonder whether many of these folks just happened to come through New York, in which case immigration officials have pretty much always been that way.

Space Tourism Details Start to Fill In

by Iva Skoch on

Not to steal too much thunder from Erik (who’s been blogging about this for some time), but it looks like the details of space tourism are getting clearer.

Virgin Galactic has already collected $200,000 from its first 100 customers, called “founders,” for their 150-minute flights on SpaceShipOne. More spots are still open for the next elite group of 400, called “pioneers” ($150,000 down payment). Booking is now also occurring for a third group, called “voyagers” ($20,000 down payment). They hope to put up 500 adventurous folks in the first year of operation: 2009.

Competitor Space Adventures is already off and running, haven taken the first three space tourists to the Space Station … for a $20 million “base price” apiece.

Finally, Benson Space Company will take you up on their Dream Chaser — once they complete it — for between $200,000 and $300,000, hopefully sometime in 2009. Get your $25,000 deposit ready.

SkyMaul – Damn!

by Erik Olsen on

Have you ever had one of those experiences where you think you have come up with a great idea and not soon after you see the EXACT idea someplace else? That is what just happened to me. On my flight back from Chicago last Sunday, I was thumbing through the Sky Mall catalog that had been stuffed into the front seat pocket and I thought to myself: Self, why don’t you do a parody of the Sky Mall catalog. You could come up with hilarious fake gift and gadget ideas that would make people laugh so hard milk would come out of their noses (and perhaps other orifi). It would be great, it would make millions!

Well, after having this revelation, I jotted some ideas down, like the combination coffee maker/shower head so that you could dispense a steaming espresso as you’re getting ready for work. I came up with a whole list of these ideas and was readying my pitch, confident that a small publisher would take it on. Then, just a moment ago, I came across this site dedicated to a new book called (sigh. sniffle) Sky Maul, a book parody of, yes, Sky Mall products. I am soooo bummed. Well, good for them. The book is even more outrageous than I was imagining with featured products like the “cow charger” and the “llama-cycle”. I guess it just goes to show there are no new ideas. Now I gotta come up with something else to make my millions.

Private Jet Market Hits Europe

by Iva Skoch on

Although the U.S. accounts for 3/4ths of the world’s business jet fleet, a start-up aims to make inroads in Europe, according to the Financial Times. Hopefully coming in 2009, JetBird will be based in Switzerland, and offer Europe’s first low-cost, on-demand private jet service. The youthful founder, Domhnal Slattery has a pedigree, having gotten his start in the industry under Tony Ryan (Ryanair).

JetBird hopes to compete with business-class prices, and come in at half the price of the industry’s biggest operator, NetJets (owned by Warren Buffett).

They claim the market is there: Europe is home to a larger population than the U.S., and there are 2.8 million individuals with assets exceeding $1 million dollars (compared to the U.S.’s 2.9m).

The best part, if you can afford it? They’ll wait for you, if you’re stuck in traffic getting to the airport.

Magnifique Martinique

by Adrienne Wilson on

After lounging around and doing as I please during the long weekend and after reading this article in the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Martinique, I can’t keep from wanting to purchase my ticket to zoom off and away. I’ve long been interested in the French caribbean island, Martinique and for no good reason other than my affection for islands. The story which looks to have originally appeared in the NY Times at some point in the past takes island deprived readers down the 50-mile stretch that has somewhat been forgotten by American travelers. They note that 84 percent of the annual visitors are from Europe, but even with decreased American interest Delta will start weekly direct flights in December. So it sounds as though American interest is back on the rise. I’m down to go.

From their detailed travel tale you’ll learn Martinique is more than a French speaking island paradise. It offers Gallic Creole food, snorkeling, hiking and tons of history if you dig combining time on the beach with a visit to attractions like “La Savane des Esclaves.” Oh, and in case you’ve forgotten Martinique is also the birthplace of Napoleon’s love, Empress Josephine. One week should be enough for the average visitor though I think I could use three right around my own annual celebration of my birth in May if not sooner.