PodcasterNews.com Travel

Travelography: China, Thailand, UK, US, Iraq, and Airlines

Alan A. Lew — Wed, 07 May 2008 01:37:34 -0400

THIS WEEK'S STORIES:

China's Premier On-Line Travel Booking Site Launches in the U.S.: China's premier and fastest-growi.. http://tinyurl.com/58sppl about 22 hours ago

Tourism Authority of Thailand launches the amazing Experience Video Contest and the Thailand Portfo.. http://tinyurl.com/6rjn7u about 22 hours ago

Green Hotel Rating System Launched in Great Britain: The Green Start project aims to encourage a â.. http://tinyurl.com/5wzdft 06:08 PM May 05, 2008

Iraq signs deals for 40 planes from Boeing: "Today, the process of developing economy has started,".. http://tinyurl.com/6kpmjk 06:08 PM May 05, 2008

Global Traffic Continues to Slow: The slowdown in the demand growth continues the sharp downward tr.. http://tinyurl.com/65warx 06:08 AM May 04, 2008

Airline torches woman's baggage: The airline reportedly issued Blewitt a "baggage irregularity rece.. http://tinyurl.com/5ocuds

THESE AND OTHER TRAVEL AND TOURISM STORIES CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT HTTP:/TWITTER/TRAVELOGRAPHY

LOOK FOR THE NEW TRAVELOGRAPHY PODCAST COMING IN JUNE 2008

Travelography: Euros, Spies, Crime and Tourism

Alan A. Lew — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 04:01:45 -0400

The first story today is about the trend for some large tourist cities on the east coast of the US to accept Euros in addition to dollars because of the many Europeans who are going shopping in the US. Reminds me of my recent trip to Cambodia, where they prefer dollars over the Cambodian Riel.

This is followed by a warning from the US State Dept that Americans (and anyone else) going to China for the Olympics (and in fact any other time) need to be aware that their hotel rooms, movements and conversations may all be bugged/monitored by Chinese authorities. So, when in China, smile -- you are on candid camera!

Also in China is a discussion of an increase in crimes againsts tourists, as Chinese theives seem to becom more emboldened. Still on the crime topic, Thailand's tourist police will be issuing whistles to women in "risky spots" (which seems like just about everywhere, in an effort to reduce crime concers following a year of negative publicity over murders and rapes of tourists (mostly females) in Thailand.

A final tourism and crime story comes from Sicily, Italy where a new tourists guide to the Mafia has been published -- again in an effort to reduce tourists fears of visiting the island, and to help them spot Mafiosi on the streets of the city!

GET MORE TRAVELOGRAPHY TRAVEL AND TOURISM NEWS STORIES ON TWITTER at: http://twitter.com/Travelography

Alan A. Lew

Travelography: Tourism Blues - US Style and Europe Style

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 07:11:41 -0400

I cover two basic themes in today's podcast.

First, the latest news on international tourist arrivals to the US is almost as bad as the value of the US dollar. While international ravel in the rest of the world has grown 28% since 2000, in the US it has declined 11%, which is a lost of about US$100 billion to the US economy. So who do we blame for this situations?

The second topic starts in Greece, where a cruise ship ran aground near Athens last week causing the evacuation of the passengers and staff, though no serious injuries. Staying in Greece, however, I then transition to a discussion of the impact of labor strikes these past few month on travel in Europe.

Greek workers held a 3-hour strike last week and may hold a full-day stoppage on March 19th. British Airways pilots voted to strike in late February, though they did not actually walk out. French taxi drivers brought Paris to a stand still earlier in Febraury. And German and French railway workers held strikes and snail-paced slow downs late last year.

Why does Europe have so many labor actions of the stort that directly impact international and domestict travelers?

All of this weeks stories come from the International Herlad Tribune.

Travelography: Hawaii - Tourism Troubles in Paradis

Alan A. Lew — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 22:16:12 -0500

Three news stories from Hawaii this week, all oif which are related. First, Hawaii's travel arrivals dropped last year (2007) about 1.2% from the previous year (2006), mostly due to the economic crisis in the US mainland. This year is likely to be flat, as well.

Residents across the islands are complaining about the impacts of illegal vacation rentals on their communities. The second story talks about this issue on Kauai, which is trying to keep its rural character in the face of growing tourism pressures. The third story covers the same issue on Oahu, which banned vacation rentals many years ago.

All of today's stories come from eTurboNews.com.

Travelography: Cruise Trends for 2008

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 10:51:58 -0500

I recorded this week's Travelography at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport using a simple microphone on a Macbook Pro It does not have the best sound quality (sorry about that), but at least I got it out.

Only two stories for this week's Travelography, though the first one s quite long.

- Cruise trends for 2008 include grwing popularity for European cruises, while Americans look more to Central America.

- Cruises to Cuba have declined 90% since 2005 - find out why!

Travelography: Kenya, ASEAN, and Cell Phone Users Arrested

Alan A. Lew — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 20:42:16 -0500

Three travel and tourism news stories today (30 Jan 2008):

Kenya's recent political problems and resulting ethnic violence have had a devistating impact on the country's once thriving tourism industry.
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) recently announced plans for a border-free travel region among its 10 countries by the year 2010. That is not very far off. Will they be able to deliver?
Three people on an Alitalia flight were arrested for refusing to turn off their cell phones which were interfering with the plane's navigation system and caused an aborted take off from Milan, Italy. they face up to 3 months in jail.

(It is alreay January 30th here in Singapore!)

Travelography: Hyrdofoils Collide, Tourists Molested, and Selling the USA

Alan A. Lew — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:46:38 -0500

Three stories from Singapore's Straits Times newspaper from last week:

Two hydrofoils full of tourists collided in fog between Hong Kong and Macau, sending many to the hospital.

India starts a campaign to protect foreign female tourists from sexual molesters -- mostly groping, which seems to be a major problem in that country.

The US is still trying to gain back the international tourist arrivals that it received prior to 9/11. To do this, an increasing number of states and cities are running advertisements for the first time in Europe.

These stories came from the local newspaper in Singapore. I found the links above by searching online for similar stories.

Travelography: Airplane Hotel, Philippines Downgrade, + Webcam Traveling

Alan A. Lew — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:59:03 -0500

Stories in today's Travelography podcast include;

- An old, abandoned airplane in Stockholm is to become a budget hotel -- the first of more to come.

- Philippine Airlines is downgraded by the US FAA due to lax flight safety standards. And the US Embassy in the Philippines recommends that other airlines be used instead.

- The proliferation of webcams is providing a glimps of a future of virtual travel.

Travelography: Travel and Tourism in 2008

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 00:00:00 -0500

What will 2008 hold for Travel and Tourism?

New technologies and new planes will be tested in 2008, but will not really affect travelers until 2009. Open air agreements will expand air travel across the Atlantic, which will help to continue the year-on-year record growth in international travel. The high cost of travel to Europe will encourage many people to go elsewhere, benefiting many new destinations and special interest niche tours around the globe. Climate change will also affect where peole go and how the travel and tourism industry develops.

Links to stories in Travelography #104:

Travelography: Prostitutes and Pilgrims

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 21:15:46 -0500

Travelography #103 - Stories:

Well, at least I put a tech story between the Amsterdam's brothels and the Vatican...

Travelography 102 [26Dc07] 2007 Year in Review

Alan A. Lew — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 01:52:20 -0500

In today's podcast I give a summary of the major themes that were covered in the Travelography World Travel News podcast in 2007.

Travelography 101 [15Dc07] Alps Preps Global Warming

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 00:48:41 -0500

Spas and shopping malls are replacing replacing skiing as glaciers and snow melt in the Alps.

Travelography 100 [4Dec07] Theme Parks, Gorillas, Hostess

Alan A. Lew — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 01:16:41 -0500

Today's Stories: - Amusement parks are doing well world wide - Mountain gorillas bring high end tourist money to Uganda - Women compete for airline hostess positions on a new game show in China

Travelography 99 [26Nov07] TDay Travel, Superferry, Japan

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 21:43:34 -0500

Today's stories: - Weather, among other factors, help make for smooth traveling during the Thanksgiving weekend in the US. - Hawaii's Superferry to re-start on December 1st between Honolulu and Maui. - Travel boycott called against Japan as it dramatically increases its whale catch. - Japan starts fingerprinting all foreign visitors to prevent terrorist attacks.

Travelography 98 [19Nov07] T-Day Flights + Fuel Costs

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 23:06:37 -0500

- The US government institutes policies to reduce Thanksgiving air travel -- we'll see if it works! - Airlines and cruise companies adopt new fuel surcharge fees to cover increasing costs. - Are you a potential Forever Tourist?

Travelography 97 [10Nov07] G Wall, Golf, Nukes, Poland

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:26:01 -0500

Stories in today's podcast include: Growing sand storms are eroding away the Great Wall of China; Australia building 750 mile / 1200 km long golf course; US National Park Service offering nuclear reactor tours; Tour of life in a Communist town in Poland; and NaPodPoMo

Travelography 96 [5Nov07] Cruise Rapes + LochNess

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 13:32:06 -0500

- Sexual assaults on North American cruise ships are much higher than in US overall. - The US EPA is sued for not regulating air pollution from ocean ships, including cruise lines. - Tourists are cancel their trips as Iceland resume whaling. - Shy Loch Ness Monster has Scotland's tourism industry worried.

Travelography 95 [27Oct07] Global Waming Stories

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 03:00:00 -0400

- Global warming to alter when and where we travel. - Honolulu's Waikiki will be under water within 100 years. - UN and travel industry executives look for ways to reduce tourism's carbon footprint. - Environmentalists protest the enlargement of London's Heathrow Airport.

Travelography 94 [22Oct07] Nepal Kerala + Cambodia

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 00:00:00 -0400

- Nepal's Maoists politicians try to calm the nerves of the tourism industry as they demand the overthrow of the monarchy. - Kerala's fisherwomen protest against new beach resorts that limit their access to the India's southwest coast. - Cambodia puts a bounty on monkeys who are attacking tourists in Phnom Penh. - NEW: See the links below for a recent Slate Explainer Podcast on How to Ward Off Monkey Attacks

Travelography 93 [13Oct07] China Golden Week HK Disney

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 13 Oct 2007 14:38:17 -0400

Lot of tourism news from China and Asia... - China, Hong Kong, Macau and Malaysia are leading Asia to a record tourism year in 2007 - Huge numbers of tourists during China's National Day holiday causes some to question the value of Golden Weeks - Over 1500 foreign tourists get lost in the mob of domestic tourists at China's Tiananmen Square - Hong Kong Disneyland is under-performing as visitors say it it too small and culturally insensitive

Travelography [5Oct07] Flight Delay Summer + Attractions

Alan A. Lew — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:17:21 -0400

- 30% of US Airline Departures were late this summer, up from 25% last year, and passenger complaints against airlines have nearly doubled. - AvoidDelays.com lists the airports, airlines and flights to avoid month by month - Delta's is offering business class seats and meals, in downtown Manhattan - Larry Craig's restroom at the Minneapolis airport has become the country's newest tourist attraction.

Travelography [24Sep07] China-Flight Attendants-Disabled

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 02:12:49 -0400

Online bookings in China lag far behind much of the rest of the world due to thin travel agent profit margins. Flight attendants have one of the toughest jobs in travel. The Europe Union passes new laws to protect disabled air travelers. -- Listen to Travelography on your Phone +1 (360) 227-5594 -- Try GoToMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, visit www.gotomypc.com/podcast

Travelography #90 [17Sep07] Greece Tibet South Africa

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 16:17:44 -0400

British tourists causing trouble on Greek islands. Tibet struggling to manage large influx of train tourists. South Africa seeks to stem crimes against tourists. -- NEW: Listen to Travelography on your Phone +1 (360) 227-5594 -- Try GoToMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, visit www.gotomypc.com/podcast

Travelography #89 [10Sep07] Upgrades - Carbon - Airport

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 03:17:14 -0400

Airlines in the US are offering more opportunities for upgrading to business and first class. Europe wants all airlines flying to and in the EU to participate in a carbon trading program. Now the US wants to fingerprint people leaving the country, which could seriously slow down the airport check-in process. -- NEW: Listen to Travelography on your Phone +1 (360) 227-5594 -- Try GoToMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, visit www.gotomypc.com/podcast

Travelography #88 [1Sep07] Destination Ups and Downs

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 01 Sep 2007 12:17:38 -0400

Hawaii's June tourist arrivals are slightly down from last year, while the Caribbean has seen a 5 to 10% drop for a variety of reasons. US travel to Europe remains strong, through the high costs for Americans is forcing them to live more on the cheap. -- NEW: Listen to Travelography on you Phone +1 (360) 227-5594 -- Try GoToMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, visit www.gotomypc.com/podcast

Travelography #87 [25Aug07] Top 10 Travel Lists

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 03:07:39 -0400

Three recent Top 10 Lists - Top 10 US Destinations - Top 10 World Foodie Cities - Top 10 Honeymoon Destinations ... and more -- Listen to Travelography on you phone +1 (360) 227-5594 -- Try GoToMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, visit www.gotomypc.com/podcast

Travelography #86 [19Aug07] Space Setback + UNESCO

Alan A. Lew — Mon, 20 Aug 2007 02:16:14 -0400

Rocket accident shows dangers of space tourism. UNESCO considers tourism threats to World Heritage Sites, and hears calls for separate criteria for Asian World Heritage designations. And the Galapagos Islands tries to deal with threats from tourism and immigration. -- Try GotoMyPC free for 30 days! For this special offer, visit www.gotomypc.com/podcast

Travelography #85 [13Aug07] Overbooked + Delayed Flights

Alan A. Lew — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 00:24:55 -0400

Not really news this week, but some tips for how to avoid and deal with being bumped on oversold flights, delayed flights and canceled flights.

Travelography #84 [4Aug07] Space Accident + NW Paypal

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 00:00:00 -0400

Space tourism industry reminded of dangers as three die at a Virgin Galactic rocket development site. Northwest Airlines is first airline to accept Paypal on its website. Lebanon's tourism industry suffers from the country's recent political turmoil. And the top US destination cities have been hurt the most by decline in international travel to the US.

Travelography #83 [28July07] Passport Cards + Cruise Deaths

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 00:00:00 -0400

A passport card will soon to be tested for US citizens traveling in North America. With the flood of new applications, about 1% of new US passports are found to contain errors. Along with a rise in passengers, cruise ship deaths are also increasing. And Alaska struggles to tax gaming revenues on cruise ships.

Travelography #82 [21July07] Travel Agents and Families

Alan A. Lew — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 19:07:40 -0400

Frustrated with the Internet, a growing number of travelers are returning to travel agencies. A poll of American Express travel agents found Family Travel to be one of the hottest growth areas this year. And a Roman Gladiator attacks a American Tourist in Rome.