Co-op won't sell a KISS

Directors from XL's Freedom Flights left to form a new 'seat-only' company KISS just months before the collapse of XL. Some observers have taken the view that making deals with KISS is a betrayal of the travel industry and the boss of Co-operative travel Mike Greenacre has come out to declare that he will never work with KISS.

Greenacre clearly lays the blame for the millions paid out by the travel industry for the collapse of XL at the feet of the same directors that are now running KISS. Other companies have not taken such a bold stance and have said that Greenacre's reaction reflects personal emotions and that they make use of the services offered by the new company.
As a company, Co-operative are known for their moral stance on all sorts of issues from fair trade retailing to their stance on bank lending. Now it's the turn of the travel arm of the co-op to allow moral judgments take precedence over trading advantage.

Liverpool fans plight

Eufa have temporarily lifted a ban on Athletico Madrid playing their home games at their home stadium much to the relief of travelling Liverpool fans who had already made their travel plans for today's Champions League match before the ban came into effect.
Athletico Madrid incurred the ban after racist behaviour towards players from Marseille and violent behaviour after the match on 1st October. Athletico deny the charge of racism claiming that Eufa observers were mistaken. Liverpool fans have been up in arms since finding out about the ban which should have meant today's match would have to be played at least 200 miles from Madrid, as many of them had already booked their flights and accommodation.
The FA have intervened pointing out to Eufa that this would cause he travelling fans as much if not more inconvenience that the home fans they sought to punish, meanwhile Athletico hope to be able to produce video evidence to support their claim of innocence. Plenty of tour operators are breathing a sigh of relief as many were facing a logistical nightmare arranging extra transport to get their clients to the match.

Panama City Beach condo rentals for fun in the sun

If you want sun, you can do little better than a holiday in Florida and the advantages of Florida don't stop there. Florida offers not only great weather, but a ready-made holiday destination with great beaches, Miami, Walt Disney World, Universal studios and Kennedy Space Center.
The problem is with a destination that is packed with so much to see, getting around all these places can cost a fortune, so how can you get to do Florida on the cheap?

Well avoid expensive package deals and look into Panama City Beach condo rentals offering a high standard of accommodation for a fraction of the cost of a hotel. Rentals have all the advantages of home, the security and privacy along with the ability to really relax and do your own thing. Rentals in larger accommodation also allow you to go on holiday with family and friends in fact the more of you going the more cost-effective it becomes.

A rental home provides the perfect base to get around all the sights in Florida, and also affords you a space of your own to relax in the sun. Coupled with a rented car, you can have complete autonomy in the complete holiday destination. Rental homes often include added facilities such as private pools and a games room along with a fully-stocked kitchen
How about this place for $175 a night with a totally private pool and fantastic views over Miami beach. This apartment is actually in a hotel, and the private owners offer it out at half of the price that the hotel charges. Discounts available for a weeks rental.

How will the economy effect travel?

With the UK on the verge of recession, and the credit crunch impacting around the world, will the travel trade be decimated?
There is little doubt that the average family will be cutting expenditure on package holidays. At the same time, it is likely that the top-end holidays in more exotic locations and cruises will be as well subscribed as ever. The other end of the spectrum will also remain pretty much unaffected and may even get a bit of a boost, this end of the market would include holidays within the UK in general and specifically camping and caravaning holidays.
This is because those with the money to afford top-end holidays will probably retain their appetite for their expensive vacations, and those who take less costly holidays will remain equally unaffected and may well find their numbers swelled by those wishing to go on holiday on a budget.
With the news that globally there will be less and less flights, there is no doubt that the travel industry will have less money to go around over the next few years and there will most likely be more casualties like XL. The likelihood is that it will be the more competitive budget holiday companies at higher risk.

BA take stock....

In a sign of the times, BA have stepped back from their plans to take over Iberia airlines as BA's own share-price has been dropping on the stock exchange. The official view at the moment is that this proposed merger will go ahead at a later date, but with no prospect of steeply rising stock market prices any time soon, one wonders whether it will actually go ahead at all.

With flights set to be cut back across Europe and world-wide, and the global economy in decline, not to mention environmental issues with air travel - the travel industry is in for some turbulence over the next couple of years.

New York getaway

If you are thinking of a trip to New York state, but you are put off by the hotel prices why not consider Hamptons house rental as an alternative?
New York is legendary for many things, the classic Manhattan sights; Liberty, Wall street, Central Park and Times square to name but a few. It is famous for the yellow cabs, bagel vendors on the street-corners, but also the price of accommodation. In contrast to the value offered by much of New York (breakfast for about three dollars if you look around...), the cost of staying in a hotel makes it the sort of place that many people visit for a very short break, meaning that it is difficult to get a proper flavour of the City and State.

There are rental properties available for New York City and around New York state, you can rent a brownstone in Brooklyn or a palatial pad in the Hamptons. Homeaway Rentals have 1800 individual homes available in New York alone. Share your rental with family and friends to get the best possible value for money (you can't fill your hotel room up with guests now can you?).

For a quick comparison, how about this Easthampton manor house at $16,000 a week:
You will be the envy of everyone you know when you invite them to come and stay with you. There is plenty of room as it sleeps 18 (!!) and there are six bathrooms (actually 6 and a half...).
This place has absolutely everything you could ask for, and I guess you could expect quite a lot from a three million dollar mansion.

In contrast for more down to earth living in fashionable Brooklyn, on a tighter budget of just $900 a week:
You will have all the advantages of an extremely well-decorated modern-styled apartment in Stuyvessant Heights. If you are not planning to invite 17 friends and family, then this 5-berth apartment might suit you down to the ground, and will allow you the luxury of pleasing yourself. You won't have to leave a 'do-not-disturb' sign on your bedroom to prevent a maid coming in to clean up at some un-earthly hour - you're on holiday after all.

ABTA bonding under threat

There are more calls for scrapping of the ABTA fund for bailing out stranded passengers such as in the XL failure, and replacing the bond with individual travel insurances. As ever, BA opposed the idea claiming that it meant that it's clients would effectively be subsidising less financially stable companies. This has been countered with the idea that established operators culd charge a lower levy that newer companies.
At the end of the day, the money for repatriating stranded holiday makers has to be met by some mechanism, and it is always going to be some form of 'tax' on the traveller. Individual insurance is as good a way as any in theory, but the idea of a central fund means that there is one body taking responsibility for repatriation rather then twenty different insurance companies. The management of the fund is under question with it currently being in the red, this is a state that cannot continue and there is no doubt that travellers should be the ones to foot the bill in the end.

Flights in Europe will decline

Travel industry experts have warned that the number of flights throughout Europe is likely to drop in the next 3 months by around 5%. Previous calculations had placed the drop at more like 2.5%, this figure has been revised now that more flight schedules have been published.
Globally, the fall-off had been predicted at about 7%, but new figures now indicate an improvement of a percentage point on that figure meaning that overall there will be something like 450,000 fewer flights in the final quarter of 2008 - that should please environmentalists at least...
The warnings to those expecting late deals are clear - book now because the late deals could well not be available. Forward booking for 2009 has meant that much of he capacity has alreaby been allocated, most being in the popular school holiday months.

Self-catering in Tenby

With our purse strings being severely pulled in several different directions lately, the last holiday we had was in a Tenby Self Catering Cottage, well strictly speaking we were closer to Saundersfoot as that was the closest we could get to Tenby.
Now Tenby and the surrounding area has a lot to offer from Folly Farm to Pembertons Chocolate factory, the beaches, Caldey Island, plenty of castles and wonderful walks. Whether you are looking for a relaxing time, or are taking the family, every sort of holiday is catered for from karting and horse-riding to adventure parks and pretty gardens.

Of all the places in the UK that I have visited, Tenby and the Pembroke coast remains an absolute firm favourite not just with me, but with the whole family. And having experienced a few breaks in this area, I can say that without a doubt having a place of your own is definitely very relaxing, and being able to self-cater certainly makes the stay reasonably affordable.
Not that there are not plenty of places to eat out especially in Tenby itself, the Plantagenet remains a firm favourite though we can't afford to eat there on a daily basis (!) the Bay Tree is a nice place for a lunch-time meal, or how about a picnic on Caldey Island?
You will not lack for things to do in this most beautiful and rewarding corner of Wales.

All-inclusive deals

All-inclusive holidays have been around for a while - but do they offer good value for money compared with for example; half-board or bed and breakfast? The quick answer is that some deals are more likely to be cost-effective, but you will need to look carefully at exactly what is included.
At the top-end of the scale resorts like Sandals can save you a lot of money as they often include such pursuits as scuba-diving and water-skiing, the sort of add-on which can otherwise turn your holiday into a very expensive indulgence. Kuoni have a resort in Mauritius which includes free golf, diving and even spa treatments.
At the other end of the scale, the apparent 'all' inclusive is somewhat limited, often only including local alcoholic drinks with imported drinks carrying a premium price. Time limits are common, meaning that you can only take advantage of pre-paid food and drinks during specific times of the day.
In short paying for all-inclusive can work really well if the deal is truly inclusive and you want to stick to an overall budget for the holiday. Before deciding on a deal, it is worthwhile comparing the added cost to typical meal costs in your chosen destination. Compare the quality of the meals on offer with the cost of similar meals available locally that might offer a wider range or better value. For example, Cyprus is one of those destinations where you can pay over £2 for local beer, and £3.50 for imported beer, and consequently all-inclusive is fairly popular here.
In the days of uncertain exchange rates, all-inclusive can also insulate you against currency fluctuations which might otherwise send you looking for ATM's half-way through your holiday.

Homestay holidays on the rise

Bed and Breakfast holidays have been with us for decades if not longer, but the new 'homestay' holidays offer B&B with a difference. In your traditional B&B, you are supposed to eat your breakfast and clear off for the day, a homestay holiday-maker can expect to hang around and chat to their hosts and even take a part in their daily routine, absorbing the local culture is a intrinsic part of the experience.
These holidays are available in all sorts of places including New Zealand, India, Peru, Vietnam and Bolivia to name a few. You cannot always be sure of readily available hot water, and many of the destinations may include outside toilet facilities, but these breaks are proving more and more popular. Prices vary from about £40 a night upwards and offer varying degrees of comfort, all however are guaranteed to be interesting even if they don't offer all mod-cons.
In more remote areas you may be expected to rise with the sun and retire for the night when it becomes dark, and there is no guarantee that your own native language will be readily understood. You are guaranteed however, a unique experience and the chance to build friendships that you would never before have thought possible.

Top-flight travel

Despite the decline in some sectors of the industry, specialist travel services are still proving popular and profitable. New business Jet Republic has just purchased over 100 Learjets at a cost of £750m and offers an interesting range of products to it's clients.

Travellers can buy a stake in one of the jets beginning at a minimum stake of 25 flying hours. This scheme can give clients the advantages of private travel at a reasonable cost, but don't even think about it if you don't have at least £100,000 to spend...
Apparently there is high demand in the top-end of the travel market whatever is happening to the global financial markets.

Big Response Email Marketing

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The best interactive tool to be introduced to Australia since the boomerang… each message sent using this system does not return without having hit it’s precise target with your specific message.

This Email marketing system is geared towards smaller businesses and specifically aimed at the Australian market. Big Response emails offer more than just a way to send your message to your clients, you can do that yourself, what they offer is a service that can tell you what your clients’ response is to your email…

• Did they just open it and discard it?
• Did they open it several times in a day?
• Did they click on links within your email?
• Which products were they clicking on?

All of this data can be collected from your emails that you send via Big response – if you’re not one of the 10,000 small businesses already doing this type of targeted emailing, then you are missing out…
The system works by collecting clicks from emails and recording the actions before re-directing them to the specific pages of your website – If you have a website, the you should think about using a service like Big response.

Older holiday-makers curb spending

Whilst the family holiday remains a necessity for younger holiday-makers, the older generation can remember a time when travel was a luxury and are proving more cautious. The travel industry predicts a decline in spending in this particular demographic. Younger families may still put the yearly vacation abroad in a higher priority position than for example, new furniture and fittings.

This trend will have an impact on the various travel sectors with there being a greater drop-off in holidays that suit the older person, and less of an impact in the traditional family holiday sector. Presumably though, if the current financial crisis continues unabated, eventually this lack of consumer confidence will filter thorough to the younger generations.

Camping in France

I have experienced a few holidays in France and I have stayed in quite a few different types of accommodation on the various trips that I have taken. I have 'enjoyed' some low budget hotels, some higher-end hotels, some delightful and extraordinary Bed and Breakfast places and have enjoyed Camping france holidays too.
I have been a fan of camping since childhood and it still offers a freedom not afforded by more formal accommodation. There are few restrictions on your coming and going, you can dress exactly as you want and the whole atmosphere offers more a more relaxing experience in my opinion.
Camping in France is very well organised and is well-established, there are places where you can take your own tent, caravan or motor-home as well as those places that offer ready-pitched tents for hire or mobile homes which offer facilities to rival a small hotel (often offering two bathrooms in the bigger units!).
Without exception, holidays in the great outdoors offer more relaxation and are particularly ideal for those who want to go home with some great photography of the flora and fauna of France. French camping venues are naturally in quiet rural spots which will also have some fantastic places to eat and drink at a fraction of the prices you would pay in a hotel or in a busy resort. There is no doubt that the French really know a thing or two about how to have a good evening out with good food and wine. A rural setting will give you great value for money when it comes to eating out, and if you want to cook for yourself (another advantage offered by a camping holiday), the local supermarche will be able to provide you with great food and an abundance of wine at reasonable prices. You can even seek yourself out a local 'cave' to experience local wine actually purchased from the vineyard.
Worth noting that often this local wine does not travel well, so unfortunately you will be better off drinking it all while you are still enjoying your holiday to avoid disappointment!!

XL failure consequences

XL air failed a few months ago at the height of the holiday season leaving many of it's clients stranded abroad without a flight home. This has not gone unnoticed by the holidaying public who are now understandably nervous about shopping for their own flights on the internet. Up until this incident, the internet was squeezing the gap between airline and client, and it was the agents who were being squeezed out. What the internet-browsing holiday makers had failed to appreciate is that an agency brings with it safeguards and insurances that a direct customer does not get...
This Summer's collapse has helped to fully illustrate the dangers of holidaying without the safeguards of an ABTA/ ATOL membership, or without adequate holiday insurance offering a rescue package to stranded clients.
A surge in agency holiday take-up is now expected along with a decline in direct client-ordering from airlines via the internet. This is an understandable reaction, but internet shopping with the right safeguards can still get you a good 'safe' deal.

Travel Advertising

It's difficult not to be drawn to Travel Advertising like a moth to a flame... It only takes a picture of clear blue skies, silver sands, the open ocean, or a busy metropolis for us to be scrabbling for our passports and credit cards.

Brits I feel are particularly susceptible to this type of imagery; exotic locations, fascinating foodstuffs, romantic scenery and the promise of unlimited shopping take us right out of our normal environment and persuade us that it is our destiny to be permanent travellers in search of warmer climes, better food and bargain purchases. We only need to open a travel brochure and we are there, on the veranda of a Spanish hideaway, sunning ourselves on a deserted beach or strolling through downtown Manhatten.

In days gone by, the need to save up for a holiday would lessen the immediate impact of travel imagery, but in the age of the credit card and internet purchasing the thought process from advert to purchase can be shortened to minutes rather then months. It is certainly true that the credit card has opened up foreign travel to a far wider client base. Even in these days of belt-tightening and credit-crunching, the family holiday is still an absolute necessity, we are still suckers for travel advertising.

Airlines suffer oil-price volatility

This summer has been a nightmare for airline fuel pricing with prices reaching $150 a barrel. Many operators chose to fix prices with their suppliers and 'hedging' has become the sport of the season for airlines. For example Ryanair hedged at $124 and would have been pleased to see the market price at $130, not quite so pleased to see it then decline to the $100 mark. This combined with the strengthening dollar price has created mayhem for those reponsible for airline cashflows. British Airways has done better with it's hedging having secured a price of $96 per barrel for 80% of it's fuel requirement for the third quarter of 2008. The drop of sterling against the dollar however threatens to negate any gains made through shrewd fuel trading.

Travel resources within the UK

I thought I would provide some links to some of the valuable travel resources that I regularly use when travelling within the UK:

Multimap - finds a map location from a post-code or partial address - also offers aerial views and map overlay for most parts of the UK. A handy route planner is also available on the same site.

AA Roadwatch - offers up to the minute traffic news and reports for all major routes throughout the UK. The AA site also has a section for finding all sorts of accommodation ranging from small B&B's to top hotels wherever you travel within the UK.

The good old BBC also offers a site with all the latest traffic problems and hold-ups in case you need a second opinion, and the BBC is a site that is constantly updated.

London Credit Cards

New London credit cards have just been launched by HSBC and Barclaycard. These cards have been specifically designed to enable quick payments and easy travel within the City of London.
The barclaycards feature 'touchless' payment, incoporating the Oystercard system into two credit cards, one with cashback, one with balance transfer. The HSBC card offers the same facility on a standard credit card.

As well as being a touchless system, the deal offered on the Barclaycard OnePulse with Cashback credit card includes a huge 5%(!) cashback on London Travel and 0.5% on purchases everywhere else. You can use the touchless Oystercard system on many of the buses, tube, and trams within London.

When it comes to credit card comparison, bear in mind the added value of these new cards launched and make sure you take advantage of the facilities offered to enable quick and easy traveling through one of the busiest capital cities in the world today.