3 for 2 in Paris through end of May

by Tom Johansmeyer on

The Hotel Jules has been refurbished, and its new owners, G.L.A. Hotels wants to give you a good reason to stop by. Through the end of May, you can book two nights at this unique property on Rue La Fayette and get the third night free. Longer stays are rewarded. Each additional night is also 33 percent off. With cheap flights to Paris right now, this deal rounds out the total bargain.

The renovated property has a deliberate mix of styles reaching from the 1950s to the 1970s, thrashing the traditional concept of hotel design and creating a whimsical atmosphere for guests tired of the norm. The property is small, with 101 rooms on six floors. Four categories are available: standard, superior, deluxe and junior suite. So, you’ll have choices without having to sacrifice an intimate feel.

%Gallery-27527%


Fly to Australia for free?

by Mike Barish on

The recession is not just an American problem. The economies of Europe and Asia are struggling as well. And, Australia is feeling the slowdown now, too. What does that mean for us? Potential travel deals in the future. The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting Virgin’s interest in participating in a program that would offer free flights for foreign travelers heading to Australia.

The Mayday Project was proposed by Glenn Millen, the innovation direction of Independent Tourism Holdings. Recipients of the free flights would be required to spend a minimum amount of money in Australian hotels, shops and restaurants. When asked if Virgin would be interested in the program, Virgin Blue’s chief executive, Brett Godfrey, said, “Sure we would be. I don’t see a lot of downside in it for the tourism industry at all. In fact, I see nothing but positives.”

These are the types of win-win ideas that help generate business and allow people who are on strict budgets to still enjoy life. It also is not unprecedented Down Under. After World War II, the Australian government offered Ten Pound Pom fares, which were low-cost fares for British citizens traveling to Australian in order to entice people to migrate permanently. Australia, at the time, was seeking to increase its population and viable workforce.

Difficult times call for innovative ideas, and few airlines have been as innovative as Virgin. Qantas is less eager to get involved in the Mayday Project at this time. Still, this remains something to keep an eye on. You can be sure that we’ll update you as we learn more.

[SMH]

Cruise ship shift from Vancouver to Seattle means cheaper deals for travelers

by Jamie Rhein on

Starting in 2010, Carnival Cruise Lines will shift its 2,124 passenger ship Carnival Spirit from Vancouver to Seattle. Although this is great news for passengers wishing for less expensive cruises to Alaska, it’s bad for Vancouver.

According to this The Vancouver Sun article, the ship typically has meant $18 million dollars for the city in business revenue each year. The switch is not because there’s anything wrong with Vancouver, but because Seattle lines up better with the travel market during this lackluster economy.

The Vancouver cruise was one where people flew one way and took the ship the other. Great, if you have the money. With next year’s shift, Carnival Cruise Lines is expecting that more people who live within driving distance to Seattle will also see a cruise in their future. The round-trip will include: Skagway, Juneau, Ketchikan and Victoria.

Airline biz to lose $2.5bn, but more flights on time

by Tom Johansmeyer on

MSNBC continues to publish the same story, and I continue to reblog it. Fortunately, author Sholnn Freeman managed to sneak in some interesting stuff at the end.

It’s no secret that airline prices are dropping as fast as they possibly can. Broader economic conditions are responsible for this fact. How do we know? The fine folks at MSNBC have developed the unique skill of telling the same story over and over with different words.

So, here’s the reality: you can find domestic one-way fares for under $100. I’ve seen several international fares (one-way) for under $200, usually to Latin America. According to Rick Seaney, Chief Executive of FareCompare.com, “If you are paying over $300 for an airline ticket right now, you are probably paying way too much.” He continues that these prices do not occur outside a recession.

Nonetheless, passengers remain cautious. You know the drill … the savings may be great, but if you can’t afford to take advantage of it, you save nothing. A lot of people are canceling or scaling back vacation plans.

Thanks, MSNBC; we had no idea …

But, there is good news, and this is stuff MSNBC hasn’t reported before.

Airline on-time rates are at their best levels in years. Since there are fewer flights taking off, congestion has declined. So, all that time waiting on the runway last year is time in the sky this year. Of course, efficiency comes at a cost: the International Air Transport Association expects the global airline industry to lose $2.5 billion this year.

U.N. Predicts Substantial Drop in International Tourism for 2009

by Kraig Becker on

The United Nations has released a report indicating that they expect global tourism to decline in 2009 thanks to deteriorating economic conditions according to this story at MSNBC.

Overall, the international tourism market is expected drop as much as two to five percent, with Europe taking the biggest hit of all. But the highly diversified economies there are likely to weather the storm far better than smaller countries that are more dependent on tourism to fuel their own economy.

In 2008, international travel actually rose by two percent, but the second half the year saw a steep decline as the global economic crisis spread. That growth is in sharp contrast to the previous four year when growth averaged more than seven percent.

Still, Talib Rifai, the Secretary General for the U.N.’s World Tourism Organization, says that this is not a crisis for the tourism industry per se, but instead reflects the general economic trends from around the world. He says that the interest in travel is still very strong, but those who would generally be taking an international vacation are electing to save their money or take trips closer to home.

For those still intending to travel abroad however, this means travel deals should be abundent throughout the year, and likely into 2010 as well. A competitive travel market is a boon for travelers, so take advantage of the deals while you can.