Your safety could depend on an aisle seat
Sunday, June 29, 2008
A study of more than 100 airline accidents and reports of 2000 survivors has show that the safest place for you to sit on an airplane is in an aisle seat - and one that’s close to an emergency exit.
The seats rating the best chances for survival are those in the exit row and in the rows immediately in front of and behind the exit row. This was the finding of the study that was carried out for the Civil Aviation Authority by Greenwich University.
In the event of a fire, passengers seated in rows two to five had a chance of escape that was rated as ‘better than even,’ but ”the difference between surviving and perishing is greatly reduced”.
Seats rated as the most dangerous are those that are six or more rows from an emergency exit, where ”the chances of perishing far outweigh those of surviving”.
These findings are prompting concern about a new trend in airlines to charge passengers more for exit row seats, and for providing the opportunity for some passengers to choose seats online.
The director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, Robert Gifford, commented: “Your chance of survival should not be based on your ability to pay for an emergency exit seat or to reserve your seat online.”
All aircraft must undergo an evacuation test to demonstrate that all passengers would be able to escape within 90 seconds, even with half of the exits blocked.
http://www.asap.co.uk/news/your-safety-could-depend-on-an-aisle-seat-5633080.html
The seats rating the best chances for survival are those in the exit row and in the rows immediately in front of and behind the exit row. This was the finding of the study that was carried out for the Civil Aviation Authority by Greenwich University.
In the event of a fire, passengers seated in rows two to five had a chance of escape that was rated as ‘better than even,’ but ”the difference between surviving and perishing is greatly reduced”.
Seats rated as the most dangerous are those that are six or more rows from an emergency exit, where ”the chances of perishing far outweigh those of surviving”.
These findings are prompting concern about a new trend in airlines to charge passengers more for exit row seats, and for providing the opportunity for some passengers to choose seats online.
The director of the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety, Robert Gifford, commented: “Your chance of survival should not be based on your ability to pay for an emergency exit seat or to reserve your seat online.”
All aircraft must undergo an evacuation test to demonstrate that all passengers would be able to escape within 90 seconds, even with half of the exits blocked.
http://www.asap.co.uk/news/your-safety-could-depend-on-an-aisle-seat-5633080.html
Eco homes: Sharing more than just time…
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Fancy a Cornish retreat where you can relax for the odd week or two? Lesley Gillilan finds one where you can enjoy the eco life
Peter and Donna Ockenden love Cornwall. But although they wanted to spend more time there, they couldn't stretch to buying a property. "The cost of our mortgage and our school fees meant we were not in a position to buy a second home," says Peter, a Hampshire-based quantity surveyor. "And even if we were, we would have struggled to keep it going." But they found a way of owning a Cornish bolthole: not freehold, but timeshare.
It is not your usual timeshare, but part of a community of newbuild houses, set in a wooded corner of the Trelowarrren estate on the Lizard Peninsula. In 1,000 acres, a mile from the nearest road, the location could not be better for their young children.
Beautifully furnished and open plan, the oak and granite house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a balcony with views over the estate. At current prices, a 30-year lease on a low-season week in a similar house, costs about £7,000. And if you still think timeshare is a dirty word, this is "eco timeshare".
The Trelowarren timeshare scheme was dreamt up by Sir Ferrers Vyvyan in 2002 as a pragmatic way of providing a viable future for his ancestral home (his family has been here since 1427). He started with two upgraded period cottages, and a terrace of four houses in a converted estate office. As timeshares go, the deal was pretty standard, but aside from offering a buy-back guarantee (at cost, after five years) Ferrers had a green agenda from the start. The houses were highly insulated, furnished with natural materials and decorated with organic paints. He set up his own company to build the new houses, which would be carbon neutral. The houses use rainwater harvesting and recycled newspaper insulation.
A "district" boiler, which pumps hot water to all the properties, is fed by coppice produced on the land. Last year, the World Travel awards deemed Trelowarren one of the world's leading green resorts (the only one in the UK). But although this does help attracts holiday rentals, it is the timeshare, rather than the eco, that seems to sell the place.
"We bought because it gave us the opportunity to spend time in a place that we couldn't possibly hope to own," says Peter. "But, unlike a rented holiday-home, there is a sense of ownership."
The Ockendens originally bought a September week in Fogou, a thatched estate cottage, four years ago. When the first batch of new houses were completed in 2006, they upgraded to a fortnight in Chyreen. Now they own three weeks, making them typical among Trelowarren buyers, who don't seem to be able to stop at just the one.
Jenifer Young started with one spring week in one of the smallest of the original estate office conversions, bought when the first wave of timeshares were launched back in 2003. She now owns six weeks (three in April, two in June, and one in July), spread across three different properties.
"I found a week's stay just wasn't long enough," says Jenifer. "And since I'd already made a bit of a profit, the prospect of a second price rise prompted me to buy more weeks."
Buyers have seen increases, especially in the first couple of years, but there is an "ouch" factor in the annual service charges, which are £400 per week on average, more on the larger properties. Timeshare owners can holiday-let, and the going rate at Trelowarren is about £2,500 a week in high season.
Jenifer Young's July week was bought purely as a rental investment to cover the majority of her costs. But she does not see it as an investment in the conventional sense.
"The payback comes from spending time at Trelowarren," she says. "And the charges reflect the quality of the accommodation and the setting."
There is an ozone pool in a walled garden, a restaurant in the old stable-yard; Lizard beaches and the Helford river are just a few miles away. And with timeshare, you always know the neighbours.
"Most of our owners say they like to feel part of a community," says Ferrers. "And I've noticed a growing unease about the whole business of buying homes that are left empty for most of the year. In that respect, timeshare could be seen as a green choice."
Trelowarren timeshare prices currently range from £4,500 to £35,000 per week. The latter is for a 30-year lease in high season. Resales include the remaining 25 years on a late April week at £7,300. And six new eco-houses are to be built in the winter.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2008/06/28/ptimeshare12.xml
Peter and Donna Ockenden love Cornwall. But although they wanted to spend more time there, they couldn't stretch to buying a property. "The cost of our mortgage and our school fees meant we were not in a position to buy a second home," says Peter, a Hampshire-based quantity surveyor. "And even if we were, we would have struggled to keep it going." But they found a way of owning a Cornish bolthole: not freehold, but timeshare.
It is not your usual timeshare, but part of a community of newbuild houses, set in a wooded corner of the Trelowarrren estate on the Lizard Peninsula. In 1,000 acres, a mile from the nearest road, the location could not be better for their young children.
Beautifully furnished and open plan, the oak and granite house has three bedrooms, two bathrooms and a balcony with views over the estate. At current prices, a 30-year lease on a low-season week in a similar house, costs about £7,000. And if you still think timeshare is a dirty word, this is "eco timeshare".
The Trelowarren timeshare scheme was dreamt up by Sir Ferrers Vyvyan in 2002 as a pragmatic way of providing a viable future for his ancestral home (his family has been here since 1427). He started with two upgraded period cottages, and a terrace of four houses in a converted estate office. As timeshares go, the deal was pretty standard, but aside from offering a buy-back guarantee (at cost, after five years) Ferrers had a green agenda from the start. The houses were highly insulated, furnished with natural materials and decorated with organic paints. He set up his own company to build the new houses, which would be carbon neutral. The houses use rainwater harvesting and recycled newspaper insulation.
A "district" boiler, which pumps hot water to all the properties, is fed by coppice produced on the land. Last year, the World Travel awards deemed Trelowarren one of the world's leading green resorts (the only one in the UK). But although this does help attracts holiday rentals, it is the timeshare, rather than the eco, that seems to sell the place.
"We bought because it gave us the opportunity to spend time in a place that we couldn't possibly hope to own," says Peter. "But, unlike a rented holiday-home, there is a sense of ownership."
The Ockendens originally bought a September week in Fogou, a thatched estate cottage, four years ago. When the first batch of new houses were completed in 2006, they upgraded to a fortnight in Chyreen. Now they own three weeks, making them typical among Trelowarren buyers, who don't seem to be able to stop at just the one.
Jenifer Young started with one spring week in one of the smallest of the original estate office conversions, bought when the first wave of timeshares were launched back in 2003. She now owns six weeks (three in April, two in June, and one in July), spread across three different properties.
"I found a week's stay just wasn't long enough," says Jenifer. "And since I'd already made a bit of a profit, the prospect of a second price rise prompted me to buy more weeks."
Buyers have seen increases, especially in the first couple of years, but there is an "ouch" factor in the annual service charges, which are £400 per week on average, more on the larger properties. Timeshare owners can holiday-let, and the going rate at Trelowarren is about £2,500 a week in high season.
Jenifer Young's July week was bought purely as a rental investment to cover the majority of her costs. But she does not see it as an investment in the conventional sense.
"The payback comes from spending time at Trelowarren," she says. "And the charges reflect the quality of the accommodation and the setting."
There is an ozone pool in a walled garden, a restaurant in the old stable-yard; Lizard beaches and the Helford river are just a few miles away. And with timeshare, you always know the neighbours.
"Most of our owners say they like to feel part of a community," says Ferrers. "And I've noticed a growing unease about the whole business of buying homes that are left empty for most of the year. In that respect, timeshare could be seen as a green choice."
Trelowarren timeshare prices currently range from £4,500 to £35,000 per week. The latter is for a 30-year lease in high season. Resales include the remaining 25 years on a late April week at £7,300. And six new eco-houses are to be built in the winter.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/property/main.jhtml?xml=/property/2008/06/28/ptimeshare12.xml
Clearer Timeshare Rules Soon Throughout the EU
Thursday, June 26, 2008
The timeshare holiday rights of some 1.5 million European families will soon be better protected. A draft EU directive, unanimously approved by the EU internal market committee on Monday, updates rules that are 14 years old so as to address consumer concerns and revitalize a business that is performing below potential.
Timeshare deals, which allow buyers to occupy holiday accommodation for specific periods in alternation with others, have won millions of takers worldwide since the 1970s. They are often sold as a cost-effective alternative to renting, hotels or a second residence. According to data from the Organization for Timeshare in Europe (OTE), in 2001 there were 1.452 million holiday centers in 25 European countries, 1.4 million families using this kind of accommodation and 200,000 Europeans employed in this sector, with sales totaling €2.3 billion per year.
Since 1994, an EU directive has helped to harmonize timeshare rules across the EU, but litigation between operators and holidaymakers is still frequent, notably about conditions and quality of service. Furthermore, new holiday products and services, similar to timeshare but not covered by the directive, have emerged. These include new types of holiday clubs giving holidaymakers reductions in the cost of their stays if they take out a subscription. Some of these new contracts clearly circumvent consumer protection rules.
More deals covered by consumer protection rules
The revised draft directive, which supplements the general rules introduced by the recent directive on unfair commercial practices, will cover both timeshare packages and new products that so far have escaped any legislation. Consumers will be better protected by rules that clearly state their rights, and will find it easier to go to court. Honest operators will no longer have to face unfair competition from fraudsters.
The text strengthens a series of existing harmonized provisions (right of withdrawal, choice of contract language, prohibition on deposits during the reflection period, pre-contractual information). Some consumer rights will be widened, e.g. MEPs would like to extend the withdrawal period to 21 days (compared with 10 days now and 14 proposed in the Commission draft).
MEPs did not back a proposal by rapporteur Toine Manders (ALDE, NL), who would have preferred a regulation (directly applicable throughout the EU), rather than a directive (which must be transposed into Member States' national laws), so as to achieve more thorough harmonization.
By contrast, they advocated a higher standard of consumer protection for long-term holiday deals (e.g. clubs), to be paid for in stages, than for traditional time-share contracts. But, not wishing to push this distinction too far, they rejected amendments that would have introduced more restrictive provisions (obligation to register agencies, national registers of service providers, mandatory civil liability insurance), leaving it to Member States to decide whether to supplement their laws in this area.
Clearer rules for holiday firms
The proposal aims to enhance consumer confidence and legal clarity, which are essential to the growth of this promising sector, via simplified EU-wide rules. Most timeshare holidaymakers are from Germany or the UK , where most of the agencies are located, whereas most of the holiday centers are located in Spain , Italy , France and Portugal .
http://www.timesharesdaily.com/index.php/20080623142/Latest/Time-Share-Holidays-Clearer-Rules-Soon-Throughout-the-EU.html
Timeshare deals, which allow buyers to occupy holiday accommodation for specific periods in alternation with others, have won millions of takers worldwide since the 1970s. They are often sold as a cost-effective alternative to renting, hotels or a second residence. According to data from the Organization for Timeshare in Europe (OTE), in 2001 there were 1.452 million holiday centers in 25 European countries, 1.4 million families using this kind of accommodation and 200,000 Europeans employed in this sector, with sales totaling €2.3 billion per year.
Since 1994, an EU directive has helped to harmonize timeshare rules across the EU, but litigation between operators and holidaymakers is still frequent, notably about conditions and quality of service. Furthermore, new holiday products and services, similar to timeshare but not covered by the directive, have emerged. These include new types of holiday clubs giving holidaymakers reductions in the cost of their stays if they take out a subscription. Some of these new contracts clearly circumvent consumer protection rules.
More deals covered by consumer protection rules
The revised draft directive, which supplements the general rules introduced by the recent directive on unfair commercial practices, will cover both timeshare packages and new products that so far have escaped any legislation. Consumers will be better protected by rules that clearly state their rights, and will find it easier to go to court. Honest operators will no longer have to face unfair competition from fraudsters.
The text strengthens a series of existing harmonized provisions (right of withdrawal, choice of contract language, prohibition on deposits during the reflection period, pre-contractual information). Some consumer rights will be widened, e.g. MEPs would like to extend the withdrawal period to 21 days (compared with 10 days now and 14 proposed in the Commission draft).
MEPs did not back a proposal by rapporteur Toine Manders (ALDE, NL), who would have preferred a regulation (directly applicable throughout the EU), rather than a directive (which must be transposed into Member States' national laws), so as to achieve more thorough harmonization.
By contrast, they advocated a higher standard of consumer protection for long-term holiday deals (e.g. clubs), to be paid for in stages, than for traditional time-share contracts. But, not wishing to push this distinction too far, they rejected amendments that would have introduced more restrictive provisions (obligation to register agencies, national registers of service providers, mandatory civil liability insurance), leaving it to Member States to decide whether to supplement their laws in this area.
Clearer rules for holiday firms
The proposal aims to enhance consumer confidence and legal clarity, which are essential to the growth of this promising sector, via simplified EU-wide rules. Most timeshare holidaymakers are from Germany or the UK , where most of the agencies are located, whereas most of the holiday centers are located in Spain , Italy , France and Portugal .
http://www.timesharesdaily.com/index.php/20080623142/Latest/Time-Share-Holidays-Clearer-Rules-Soon-Throughout-the-EU.html
BBB Offers Caution On Timeshare Purchase Offers-US
Thursday, June 26, 2008
BBB Offers Caution On Timeshare Purchase Offers
A company named Timeshare Acquisitions has sent a postcard mailer to a large number of timeshare owners in our area, triggering calls to the BBB. The BBB Reliability Report of the Better Business Bureau serving Los Angeles/Colton, CA, which is where the company is primarily based, states:
This company advertises an offer for time share owners to relieve themselves from future ownership responsibilities. According to the company, this is accomplished by paying the company to assume financial responsibility for the timeshare, and then respondents re-coup the money by using the amount as a deduction on their federal taxes the coming year. Although transaction fees range, the company usually requires respondents to pay approximately five years worth of maintenance fees.
This company is not in the business of buying timeshares. Their actual business is persuading timeshare owners to pay them to take responsibility for the property. There are no cash offers made to anyone at seminars. The company's "offer," consists of a proposal to pay them to take the property off your hands.
Consumers should be aware that the company does not handle the entire closing and escrow services. This is done by Timeshare Closing Services, Inc. out of Orlando. FL.
If you are considering selling your timeshare, other options are available. Some companies will sell for a fee, but collect only after the timeshare is sold. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? You may try selling your timeshare yourself, by placing an ad in a newspaper or magazine, or contacting a real estate agent familiar with the area. If all the timeshares have been sold in your development, consider asking the seller to establish an on-site resale office. As an alternative, you may consider an exchange program. For a fee, these programs allow you to arrange trades with other resort units in different locations.
The BBB offers this general advice on timeshare sales:
Reselling Your Timeshare
Unscrupulous companies typically contact you by phone, mail or the Internet asking you to call a phone number about your timeshare. The salesperson may claim that the market is "hot" for resales, when in fact the market varies considerably depending on location and the prime season for that particular unit. For an advance fee of about $300 to $700, some salespeople promise to sell your timeshare for a price equal to or greater than your purchase price. They may claim to have a list of sales agents and potential buyers. While the seller may possess these lists, it is unlikely the parties are interested buyers. To further entice you, they may promise a money-back guarantee or a government bond if they can not sell your timeshare within a certain amount of time.
In the end some owners have found that their timeshare did not sell, their fee was not returned and they were given a bond worth as little as $60 to $70. If you are considering reselling your timeshare and are approached by a company offering to help, the Better Business Bureau recommends the following:
Do not agree to anything over the telephone until you have had a chance to check out the company.
Ask the person to send you written materials.
Ask for references, including address and phone number and contact them.
Ask where the company is located and in what states it does business.
Ask if the company's salespeople are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located. If so, verify this with the state licensing board.
Find out if the company charges a commission. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? Do they charge an up-front listing or advertising fee? What does it cover and is it refundable?
Be wary of companies charging an advance "appraisal" fee for services. Consider opting for a company that offers to sell for a fee only after the timeshare is sold.
Contact the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/), state Attorney General's office, and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the company is located to find out if complaints have been lodged against the company.
Keep in mind that there are other resale options. You may try selling your timeshare yourself, by placing an ad in a newspaper or magazine, or contacting a real estate agent familiar with the area. If all the timeshares have been sold in your development, consider asking the seller to establish an on-site resale office. As an alternative, you may consider an exchange program. For a fee, these programs allow you to arrange trades with other resort units in different locations
http://www.timesharesdaily.com/index.php/20080623141/Latest/Caution-On-Timeshare-Purchase-Offers.html
A company named Timeshare Acquisitions has sent a postcard mailer to a large number of timeshare owners in our area, triggering calls to the BBB. The BBB Reliability Report of the Better Business Bureau serving Los Angeles/Colton, CA, which is where the company is primarily based, states:
This company advertises an offer for time share owners to relieve themselves from future ownership responsibilities. According to the company, this is accomplished by paying the company to assume financial responsibility for the timeshare, and then respondents re-coup the money by using the amount as a deduction on their federal taxes the coming year. Although transaction fees range, the company usually requires respondents to pay approximately five years worth of maintenance fees.
This company is not in the business of buying timeshares. Their actual business is persuading timeshare owners to pay them to take responsibility for the property. There are no cash offers made to anyone at seminars. The company's "offer," consists of a proposal to pay them to take the property off your hands.
Consumers should be aware that the company does not handle the entire closing and escrow services. This is done by Timeshare Closing Services, Inc. out of Orlando. FL.
If you are considering selling your timeshare, other options are available. Some companies will sell for a fee, but collect only after the timeshare is sold. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? You may try selling your timeshare yourself, by placing an ad in a newspaper or magazine, or contacting a real estate agent familiar with the area. If all the timeshares have been sold in your development, consider asking the seller to establish an on-site resale office. As an alternative, you may consider an exchange program. For a fee, these programs allow you to arrange trades with other resort units in different locations.
The BBB offers this general advice on timeshare sales:
Reselling Your Timeshare
Unscrupulous companies typically contact you by phone, mail or the Internet asking you to call a phone number about your timeshare. The salesperson may claim that the market is "hot" for resales, when in fact the market varies considerably depending on location and the prime season for that particular unit. For an advance fee of about $300 to $700, some salespeople promise to sell your timeshare for a price equal to or greater than your purchase price. They may claim to have a list of sales agents and potential buyers. While the seller may possess these lists, it is unlikely the parties are interested buyers. To further entice you, they may promise a money-back guarantee or a government bond if they can not sell your timeshare within a certain amount of time.
In the end some owners have found that their timeshare did not sell, their fee was not returned and they were given a bond worth as little as $60 to $70. If you are considering reselling your timeshare and are approached by a company offering to help, the Better Business Bureau recommends the following:
Do not agree to anything over the telephone until you have had a chance to check out the company.
Ask the person to send you written materials.
Ask for references, including address and phone number and contact them.
Ask where the company is located and in what states it does business.
Ask if the company's salespeople are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located. If so, verify this with the state licensing board.
Find out if the company charges a commission. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? Do they charge an up-front listing or advertising fee? What does it cover and is it refundable?
Be wary of companies charging an advance "appraisal" fee for services. Consider opting for a company that offers to sell for a fee only after the timeshare is sold.
Contact the Better Business Bureau (http://www.bbb.org/), state Attorney General's office, and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the company is located to find out if complaints have been lodged against the company.
Keep in mind that there are other resale options. You may try selling your timeshare yourself, by placing an ad in a newspaper or magazine, or contacting a real estate agent familiar with the area. If all the timeshares have been sold in your development, consider asking the seller to establish an on-site resale office. As an alternative, you may consider an exchange program. For a fee, these programs allow you to arrange trades with other resort units in different locations
http://www.timesharesdaily.com/index.php/20080623141/Latest/Caution-On-Timeshare-Purchase-Offers.html
Bargain breaks at British timeshares
Thursday, June 26, 2008
SEVERAL leading timeshare developments are hoping to cash in on strong demand for stay at home holidays in the UK this summer - and are offering high standard accommodation at highly competitive rates.
In Cornwall, Club La Costa's Trenython manor just outside the picturesque town of Fowey offers double rooms from £69 per night (a 77 per cent reduction on the usual rate) on stays before June 30. Deals may also be available after that date.
Reservations: 0800 0280 052, quoting OTE offer.
De Vere projects with price cuts include a three-bedroom lodge sleeping eight at Belton Woods, in Lincolnshire, from £730 for three nights, a two-bedroom apartment sleeping four at The Carrick, close to Loch Lomond, from £815 for four nights, and lodges sleeping six at Cameron House from £550 for three nights. Reservations; 0845 4028 402, quoting reference OTE.
In the Lake District, a three-night inspection mini-break at Seasons at Whitbarrow Village costs £99 for two, or just £16.50 per person per night. Reservations: 0845 330 2838, quoting reference OTE June 08.
These offers are available through the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE), which has announced a new system to handle complaints, including a dispute resolution scheme, in tandem with The Association of Timeshare Owners Committees.
http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/travel/travel-reports/2008/06/25/bargain-breaks-at-british-timeshares-97319-21149053/
In Cornwall, Club La Costa's Trenython manor just outside the picturesque town of Fowey offers double rooms from £69 per night (a 77 per cent reduction on the usual rate) on stays before June 30. Deals may also be available after that date.
Reservations: 0800 0280 052, quoting OTE offer.
De Vere projects with price cuts include a three-bedroom lodge sleeping eight at Belton Woods, in Lincolnshire, from £730 for three nights, a two-bedroom apartment sleeping four at The Carrick, close to Loch Lomond, from £815 for four nights, and lodges sleeping six at Cameron House from £550 for three nights. Reservations; 0845 4028 402, quoting reference OTE.
In the Lake District, a three-night inspection mini-break at Seasons at Whitbarrow Village costs £99 for two, or just £16.50 per person per night. Reservations: 0845 330 2838, quoting reference OTE June 08.
These offers are available through the Organisation for Timeshare in Europe (OTE), which has announced a new system to handle complaints, including a dispute resolution scheme, in tandem with The Association of Timeshare Owners Committees.
http://www.birminghammail.net/lifestyle/travel/travel-reports/2008/06/25/bargain-breaks-at-british-timeshares-97319-21149053/
Interval CEO: Firm Set For Growth Despite Economy
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
UPDATE: Interval CEO: Firm Set For Growth Despite Economy
Executives of Interval Leisure Group, which is expected to be spun off from IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI) by August, introduced the timeshare-exchange business to investors Tuesday as one that stands to grow even in the recent economic downturn.
During a conference call - the second to highlight each of the four firms being spun off from IAC - Interval Chief Executive Craig Nash focused on how the company's recurring revenue base has given it the ability to grow throughout a variety of economies.
Interval - along with Ticketmaster, LendingTree and the HSN home-shopping network - are set to be spun off as public companies by August. IAC will retain its ad-supported Internet businesses, such as Ask.com and Match.com.
The restructuring, which IAC Chief Executive Barry Diller hopes will jump- start IAC's slumping share price, was embroiled through the winter in a bitter courtroom fight with IAC's majority voting shareholder Liberty Media Corp. (LXX) . IAC won the legal battle and the two sides agreed to settle their differences last month.
Interval Leisure Group - which includes Interval International and ResortQuest Hawaii - is a business that is growing, with 2007 revenue of $360.5 million, up 43% from 2003. Over that period, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization - or Ebitda - more than doubled. But it didn't fit with the rest of IAC Chief Executive Barry Diller's empire.
During the call Tuesday, IAC Chief Financial Officer Thomas J. McInerney said Interval is starting out with $450 million in debt and $125 million in cash.
Nash said recurring revenue contributed 87% of the company's revenue growth since 2003, and noted that even in the recession that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, bombings, Interval saw growth in business.
He said the company's ability to perform well in any economy is a function of new sales into the market as well as use by existing customers. "The real benefit of having a product that is prepaid in nature is that people continue to use it," he noted.
"It's always good to have consumers who have a lot of money, so we clearly would prefer (a better economy) if we had a choice," Interval Chief Financial Officer John A. Galea said, "But our model works well" in all economic conditions.
He focused on the company's customer demographics and time-tested business model, amid plans to expand internationally and to its specialty lodging offering, as key factors expected to continue driving Interval's growth.
Nash said Interval's business model - which he said provides an "attractive value" for customers with a "desire for flexibility with relatively low-cost membership" - has withstood the test of time, as have its executives. Nash and many other top company executive have been with the company for more than 20 years, with Galea having one of the shortest tenures at eight years.
Nash also likened Interval's business to that of a securities exchange. " Realize that we are not at all capital-intensive, but rather a technology-based marketplace to provide value-added services," said Nash.
Regarding the company's customer demographics, mainly high-income baby boomers, Galea said, "We think that the sweet spot of being in the high-income" demographic "is very good for future prospects." Still, Nash said the company also considers Generation X another potential customer base to join the nearly two million customers Interval had in 2007.
Beyond Interval International, which made up 88% of Interval Leisure's 2007 revenue, there is ResortQuest Hawaii, the second-largest independent vacation rental and property management company in Hawaii. That segment will focus on expanding into specialty lodging and private residence clubs and condo-hotel membership programs, which Interval sees as a growing alternative to buying second homes.
Interval, which depends on having a large supply of properties it can offer customers, said time-share growth is expected to continue, despite downturns in residential housing and construction. Nash said more than 30,000 units have firm commitments for construction in 2009 and beyond, on top of more than 8,000 units that are expected to be built this year.
Meanwhile, the company is expecting to increase its offerings by continuing its expansion into international markets, especially in Asia and Dubai. "Dubai is one of those big-box kind of markets that we believe one day could rival the Orlandos and Las Vegases of the world," Nash said.
IAC shares were recently down 17 cents to $20.07.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200806241302DOWJONESDJONLINE000460_FORTUNE5.htm
Executives of Interval Leisure Group, which is expected to be spun off from IAC/InterActiveCorp (IACI) by August, introduced the timeshare-exchange business to investors Tuesday as one that stands to grow even in the recent economic downturn.
During a conference call - the second to highlight each of the four firms being spun off from IAC - Interval Chief Executive Craig Nash focused on how the company's recurring revenue base has given it the ability to grow throughout a variety of economies.
Interval - along with Ticketmaster, LendingTree and the HSN home-shopping network - are set to be spun off as public companies by August. IAC will retain its ad-supported Internet businesses, such as Ask.com and Match.com.
The restructuring, which IAC Chief Executive Barry Diller hopes will jump- start IAC's slumping share price, was embroiled through the winter in a bitter courtroom fight with IAC's majority voting shareholder Liberty Media Corp. (LXX) . IAC won the legal battle and the two sides agreed to settle their differences last month.
Interval Leisure Group - which includes Interval International and ResortQuest Hawaii - is a business that is growing, with 2007 revenue of $360.5 million, up 43% from 2003. Over that period, earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization - or Ebitda - more than doubled. But it didn't fit with the rest of IAC Chief Executive Barry Diller's empire.
During the call Tuesday, IAC Chief Financial Officer Thomas J. McInerney said Interval is starting out with $450 million in debt and $125 million in cash.
Nash said recurring revenue contributed 87% of the company's revenue growth since 2003, and noted that even in the recession that followed the Sept. 11, 2001, bombings, Interval saw growth in business.
He said the company's ability to perform well in any economy is a function of new sales into the market as well as use by existing customers. "The real benefit of having a product that is prepaid in nature is that people continue to use it," he noted.
"It's always good to have consumers who have a lot of money, so we clearly would prefer (a better economy) if we had a choice," Interval Chief Financial Officer John A. Galea said, "But our model works well" in all economic conditions.
He focused on the company's customer demographics and time-tested business model, amid plans to expand internationally and to its specialty lodging offering, as key factors expected to continue driving Interval's growth.
Nash said Interval's business model - which he said provides an "attractive value" for customers with a "desire for flexibility with relatively low-cost membership" - has withstood the test of time, as have its executives. Nash and many other top company executive have been with the company for more than 20 years, with Galea having one of the shortest tenures at eight years.
Nash also likened Interval's business to that of a securities exchange. " Realize that we are not at all capital-intensive, but rather a technology-based marketplace to provide value-added services," said Nash.
Regarding the company's customer demographics, mainly high-income baby boomers, Galea said, "We think that the sweet spot of being in the high-income" demographic "is very good for future prospects." Still, Nash said the company also considers Generation X another potential customer base to join the nearly two million customers Interval had in 2007.
Beyond Interval International, which made up 88% of Interval Leisure's 2007 revenue, there is ResortQuest Hawaii, the second-largest independent vacation rental and property management company in Hawaii. That segment will focus on expanding into specialty lodging and private residence clubs and condo-hotel membership programs, which Interval sees as a growing alternative to buying second homes.
Interval, which depends on having a large supply of properties it can offer customers, said time-share growth is expected to continue, despite downturns in residential housing and construction. Nash said more than 30,000 units have firm commitments for construction in 2009 and beyond, on top of more than 8,000 units that are expected to be built this year.
Meanwhile, the company is expecting to increase its offerings by continuing its expansion into international markets, especially in Asia and Dubai. "Dubai is one of those big-box kind of markets that we believe one day could rival the Orlandos and Las Vegases of the world," Nash said.
IAC shares were recently down 17 cents to $20.07.
http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/djf500/200806241302DOWJONESDJONLINE000460_FORTUNE5.htm
Residents Resist Drug Clinic
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
A company plans to establish a methadone clinic in Carbon County and neighbors are putting up a fight to keep it out.
A company wants to build the methadone clinic at an old gas station near the Turnpike and Interstate 80.
Citizens opposed to the proposed clinic packed the Kidder Township Municipal Building Monday night.
Carole Walbert is the attorney for residents who are appealing a zoning permit granted to Pinnacle Treatment Centers. She argues that decision should be overturned because Pinnacle Treatment did not exist when the application was filed.
"They had to be a legal entity at the time they made the application, so since they did not exist in Pennsylvania, it's like Casper the Ghost filed the application and it does not exist," said Walbert.
The company from western Pennsylvania wants to build the methadone clinic at an old gas station near the Turnpike and Interstate 80, across the street from the Mountain Laurel Resort. Ed Peterson, general manger of Mountain Laurel, said he does not want to see this happen.
"People are going to say, 'I'm not going to take my children to this resort. I'm not going to buy a timeshare where, across the street, they can get drugs,'" said Peterson.
The private company expects an average of 250 people a day going in and out of the treatment center for heroin addicts. Some residents worry the place will bring crime.
"We feel this is just going to bring the city problems out here where we have little crime. We came here because we like it that way," said Henry Westendarp of Kidder Township.
The Kidder Township zoning board wants more information from both sides before making a decision. Another meeting is set for next month.
http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=8544900&nav=menu158_2
A company wants to build the methadone clinic at an old gas station near the Turnpike and Interstate 80.
Citizens opposed to the proposed clinic packed the Kidder Township Municipal Building Monday night.
Carole Walbert is the attorney for residents who are appealing a zoning permit granted to Pinnacle Treatment Centers. She argues that decision should be overturned because Pinnacle Treatment did not exist when the application was filed.
"They had to be a legal entity at the time they made the application, so since they did not exist in Pennsylvania, it's like Casper the Ghost filed the application and it does not exist," said Walbert.
The company from western Pennsylvania wants to build the methadone clinic at an old gas station near the Turnpike and Interstate 80, across the street from the Mountain Laurel Resort. Ed Peterson, general manger of Mountain Laurel, said he does not want to see this happen.
"People are going to say, 'I'm not going to take my children to this resort. I'm not going to buy a timeshare where, across the street, they can get drugs,'" said Peterson.
The private company expects an average of 250 people a day going in and out of the treatment center for heroin addicts. Some residents worry the place will bring crime.
"We feel this is just going to bring the city problems out here where we have little crime. We came here because we like it that way," said Henry Westendarp of Kidder Township.
The Kidder Township zoning board wants more information from both sides before making a decision. Another meeting is set for next month.
http://www.wnep.com/Global/story.asp?S=8544900&nav=menu158_2
Ryanair - new route Birmingham to Prague
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Ryanair to launch new route from Birmingham to Prague in October
Ryanair Holdings Plc. announced a new route from Birmingham to Prague starting October 26 which will operate five times a week, carrying an additional 70,000 passengers yearly sustaining a further 70 jobs in the area.
The airline said this follows the launch of the airline's new base at Birmingham last week when it announced nine other new routes also due to launch in October.
http://www.hemscott.com/news/static/tfn/item.do?newsId=65115999785974
Ryanair Holdings Plc. announced a new route from Birmingham to Prague starting October 26 which will operate five times a week, carrying an additional 70,000 passengers yearly sustaining a further 70 jobs in the area.
The airline said this follows the launch of the airline's new base at Birmingham last week when it announced nine other new routes also due to launch in October.
http://www.hemscott.com/news/static/tfn/item.do?newsId=65115999785974
Where will Europeans fly to this summer?
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Mondial Assistance reveals the summer destinations of Europeans travelling by plane
Mondial Assistance is unveiling the preferred 2008 summer destinations for Europeans travelling by plane. This ranking is based on an analysis of over 418,000 travel insurance contracts subscribed to, up until May 15th 2008. These contracts were exclusively booked on the websites of European airline companies, clients of Mondial Assistance, for flights scheduled between June 15th and September 15th 2008.
Europeans travelling by plane choose Spain as their favourite destination
For 25.3% of planned flights, Spain is the favourite destination, followed by Italy (14.1%), the U.K. (13.8%), France (9.4%), Ireland (4.6%) and Portugal (4.3%). Although France remains the leading tourist destination in the world, it only appears among the top 3 preferred destinations for the French, the Portuguese, the Swiss and the British.
The French prefer France and Southern Europe: the first three leading destinations from France are: France (21.1%), Spain (11.2%) and Italy (9.5%)
The Germans will sunbathe in Southern Europe. 28.3% prefer Spain, 13.3% choose Italy, and only 9.5% will fly to the U.K.
Convinced Spanish lovers, 31.7% of British vacationers will fly to Spain, 14.1% will remain in the U.K and 10.2% will spend their holidays in France.
The Italians love their country, and 29.2% of them will visit a part of Italy by plane. Although Spain attracts 23.4% of vacationing Italians, 14.9% will spend their holidays in the U.K.
Champions at staying-at-home, more than one third (35.8%) of all Spanish vacationers will remain in Spain, 16.9% will travel to the U.K. and 14% to Italy.
The Irish love Spain (21.1%) and also Poland (19.2%) and the United States (8.9%).
The Dutch will visit Spain (26.8%), Italy (18.8%) and the U.K. (9.1%).
The Polish for the most part will travel to the U.K. (37.5%), Ireland (22.1%) and Italy (14.6%).
As for the Portuguese, they appreciate the U.K. (25.9%), Spain (17.2%) and France (15.3%).
The Swedish head straight to Italy (26.3%), the U.K. (24.7%) and Spain (18.6%)
And finally, the Swiss prefer Spain (33.1%), France (12.4%) and Italy (11.6%).
10 days is the average holiday
Europeans who will travel by plane this summer will leave for an average of ten days. The Polish (13.8 days), the French (13 days), the Dutch (11.9 days), the Germans and the Irish (11 days) leave for a bit longer than the average vacationer. On the contrary, the Swedes (8 days), the British (8.3 days), the Portuguese and the Spanish (9 days), the Italians and the Swiss (10 days) take shorter holidays than the average European vacationer.
“e-Magin, our e-commerce platform, is so successful with the airline companies that today we have a unique point of view on air travel in Europe and throughout the world,” declares Erick Morazin, International Sales Director at Mondial Assistance. “As a result we can follow the most frequent destinations, booking behaviours, holiday durations, and numerous other information about air travel in real time.”
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/26227
Mondial Assistance is unveiling the preferred 2008 summer destinations for Europeans travelling by plane. This ranking is based on an analysis of over 418,000 travel insurance contracts subscribed to, up until May 15th 2008. These contracts were exclusively booked on the websites of European airline companies, clients of Mondial Assistance, for flights scheduled between June 15th and September 15th 2008.
Europeans travelling by plane choose Spain as their favourite destination
For 25.3% of planned flights, Spain is the favourite destination, followed by Italy (14.1%), the U.K. (13.8%), France (9.4%), Ireland (4.6%) and Portugal (4.3%). Although France remains the leading tourist destination in the world, it only appears among the top 3 preferred destinations for the French, the Portuguese, the Swiss and the British.
The French prefer France and Southern Europe: the first three leading destinations from France are: France (21.1%), Spain (11.2%) and Italy (9.5%)
The Germans will sunbathe in Southern Europe. 28.3% prefer Spain, 13.3% choose Italy, and only 9.5% will fly to the U.K.
Convinced Spanish lovers, 31.7% of British vacationers will fly to Spain, 14.1% will remain in the U.K and 10.2% will spend their holidays in France.
The Italians love their country, and 29.2% of them will visit a part of Italy by plane. Although Spain attracts 23.4% of vacationing Italians, 14.9% will spend their holidays in the U.K.
Champions at staying-at-home, more than one third (35.8%) of all Spanish vacationers will remain in Spain, 16.9% will travel to the U.K. and 14% to Italy.
The Irish love Spain (21.1%) and also Poland (19.2%) and the United States (8.9%).
The Dutch will visit Spain (26.8%), Italy (18.8%) and the U.K. (9.1%).
The Polish for the most part will travel to the U.K. (37.5%), Ireland (22.1%) and Italy (14.6%).
As for the Portuguese, they appreciate the U.K. (25.9%), Spain (17.2%) and France (15.3%).
The Swedish head straight to Italy (26.3%), the U.K. (24.7%) and Spain (18.6%)
And finally, the Swiss prefer Spain (33.1%), France (12.4%) and Italy (11.6%).
10 days is the average holiday
Europeans who will travel by plane this summer will leave for an average of ten days. The Polish (13.8 days), the French (13 days), the Dutch (11.9 days), the Germans and the Irish (11 days) leave for a bit longer than the average vacationer. On the contrary, the Swedes (8 days), the British (8.3 days), the Portuguese and the Spanish (9 days), the Italians and the Swiss (10 days) take shorter holidays than the average European vacationer.
“e-Magin, our e-commerce platform, is so successful with the airline companies that today we have a unique point of view on air travel in Europe and throughout the world,” declares Erick Morazin, International Sales Director at Mondial Assistance. “As a result we can follow the most frequent destinations, booking behaviours, holiday durations, and numerous other information about air travel in real time.”
http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/26227
‘Touting out of control in Paphos’
Friday, June 20, 2008
‘Touting out of control in Paphos’ You expect this kind of thing in Tenerife but not in Paphos
AGGRESSIVE TOUTS pushing timeshare and holiday club memberships in Paphos are driving locals and visitors to distraction.
Paphos tourism has taken a few knocks in the past weeks; with the announcement of a fall in visitor numbers, and hotels showing concern over heavy work taking place on the seafront during the summer months.
“Paphos needs to be careful now,” said 62-year-old Moutallos resident James Oswald. “We are losing our grip on the tourist industry and touting is just another nail in the coffin.”
Oswald takes the bus daily from the harbour in Kato Paphos, to Paphos old town.
“I regularly see these touts harassing people,” he told the Cyprus Mail yesterday. “They choose their target, approach them and really bother them.”
Barbara Wallace, a retiree from Kamares village, agrees.
“My brother came to stay with me last summer for three weeks. He was walking in the harbour with his wife when a man came up and tried to convince him to attend a presentation at a local hotel.
“He made all sorts of promises, including a free holiday as a prize for attending. My brother and his wife walked towards the man’s car and became suspicious when they realised it didn’t have number plates.
“When my brother changed his mind, the tout and his friend, who had appeared out of thin air, tried to manhandle him inside. It’s lucky my brother is a large man,” Wallace said.
Year-round good weather, accessibility and a large British population make Paphos a good target for timeshare and shared-vacation ownerships.
These ‘ownership clubs’ emerged after the EU brought timesharing under legislation. Clients are lured by offers of ‘lifetime’ holidays for a reasonable price. A number of these operations are scams where consumers hand over a substantial joining fee, and are told they may book holidays at a beneficial rate. These are usually no cheaper than buying from a travel agent or booking online.
As the EU has not yet brought this practice into line, consumers do not have the mandatory ten-day cooling off period to change their minds.
Nicos Sophocleous, the Assistant Divisional Police Commander said that since March 25 a total of 400 fines for €80 have been issued to individuals for timeshare and holiday club touting in Kato Paphos.
The touts are fully aware their practice is illegal and use a variety of means to escape detection.
A number of well-known groups operate in the harbour area in Kato Paphos on a daily basis. They consist of a look-out, generally a scantily clad female, and one or two youngish men who approach individuals or couples they believe to be tourists, with a big smile, or friendly greeting.
They then usually try and give away a ‘winning’ scratch card, or suggest attendance to a presentation. There is also the prerequisite getaway vehicle – a car or moped – parked out of sight and usually does not have a number plate. Watching them operate is like watching a well-oiled machine. At the first sign of trouble, and on the lookouts signal, they all scatter in various directions.
“We have really had enough of them,” complained the McFarland family, whose visit to Paphos has been marred by their experience.
“It’s bad enough that there are water cuts and the whole seafront is a building site; but these guys are the worst.
“You expect this kind of thing in Tenerife but not in Paphos.
“Every day we walk along here to have lunch at the harbour and every day we are being harassed. It’s not just us.
“I have seen these guys approaching other tourists, and they were complaining too. The government should really crack down on them. As far as I’m aware its illegal, and its bloody annoying too,” he said.
Paphos and Larnaca airports have posters warning tourists about the free scratch cards that always win, free or discount holiday packages, free air tickets, limited time offers and holiday discount cards.
The office of fair-trading in the UK, recently issued a stark warning to Cyprus. Stop the bogus vacation clubs now and avoid damaging the tourist industry.
The best way to stop touts is by reporting them to police on 1429.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=39855&cat_id=1
AGGRESSIVE TOUTS pushing timeshare and holiday club memberships in Paphos are driving locals and visitors to distraction.
Paphos tourism has taken a few knocks in the past weeks; with the announcement of a fall in visitor numbers, and hotels showing concern over heavy work taking place on the seafront during the summer months.
“Paphos needs to be careful now,” said 62-year-old Moutallos resident James Oswald. “We are losing our grip on the tourist industry and touting is just another nail in the coffin.”
Oswald takes the bus daily from the harbour in Kato Paphos, to Paphos old town.
“I regularly see these touts harassing people,” he told the Cyprus Mail yesterday. “They choose their target, approach them and really bother them.”
Barbara Wallace, a retiree from Kamares village, agrees.
“My brother came to stay with me last summer for three weeks. He was walking in the harbour with his wife when a man came up and tried to convince him to attend a presentation at a local hotel.
“He made all sorts of promises, including a free holiday as a prize for attending. My brother and his wife walked towards the man’s car and became suspicious when they realised it didn’t have number plates.
“When my brother changed his mind, the tout and his friend, who had appeared out of thin air, tried to manhandle him inside. It’s lucky my brother is a large man,” Wallace said.
Year-round good weather, accessibility and a large British population make Paphos a good target for timeshare and shared-vacation ownerships.
These ‘ownership clubs’ emerged after the EU brought timesharing under legislation. Clients are lured by offers of ‘lifetime’ holidays for a reasonable price. A number of these operations are scams where consumers hand over a substantial joining fee, and are told they may book holidays at a beneficial rate. These are usually no cheaper than buying from a travel agent or booking online.
As the EU has not yet brought this practice into line, consumers do not have the mandatory ten-day cooling off period to change their minds.
Nicos Sophocleous, the Assistant Divisional Police Commander said that since March 25 a total of 400 fines for €80 have been issued to individuals for timeshare and holiday club touting in Kato Paphos.
The touts are fully aware their practice is illegal and use a variety of means to escape detection.
A number of well-known groups operate in the harbour area in Kato Paphos on a daily basis. They consist of a look-out, generally a scantily clad female, and one or two youngish men who approach individuals or couples they believe to be tourists, with a big smile, or friendly greeting.
They then usually try and give away a ‘winning’ scratch card, or suggest attendance to a presentation. There is also the prerequisite getaway vehicle – a car or moped – parked out of sight and usually does not have a number plate. Watching them operate is like watching a well-oiled machine. At the first sign of trouble, and on the lookouts signal, they all scatter in various directions.
“We have really had enough of them,” complained the McFarland family, whose visit to Paphos has been marred by their experience.
“It’s bad enough that there are water cuts and the whole seafront is a building site; but these guys are the worst.
“You expect this kind of thing in Tenerife but not in Paphos.
“Every day we walk along here to have lunch at the harbour and every day we are being harassed. It’s not just us.
“I have seen these guys approaching other tourists, and they were complaining too. The government should really crack down on them. As far as I’m aware its illegal, and its bloody annoying too,” he said.
Paphos and Larnaca airports have posters warning tourists about the free scratch cards that always win, free or discount holiday packages, free air tickets, limited time offers and holiday discount cards.
The office of fair-trading in the UK, recently issued a stark warning to Cyprus. Stop the bogus vacation clubs now and avoid damaging the tourist industry.
The best way to stop touts is by reporting them to police on 1429.
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/news/main.php?id=39855&cat_id=1
Can't wait for that holiday-It could cost you more
Friday, June 20, 2008
Dreaming about their summer break away has kept many people going through a tough year. But, some will be forking out more than they first bargained for.
AS SOARING food and fuel prices are forcing many families to cut down on luxuries, the thought of a holiday that is already booked and paid for provides a much-needed respite.
But thousands of holidaymakers have had an unpleasant surprise, after being asked to fork out hundreds of pounds extra for a trip in surcharges.
The strong euro and high cost of fuel have led to dozens of travel companies imposing surcharges of up to ten per cent. These charges are usually hidden in the small print, but have rarely been imposed since the 1970s.
Some families have been asked to pay as much as £600 extra for a holiday costing £6000. Many could be forced into debt to pay for a break which was meant to be a chance to get away from their worries.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has defended the charges, saying that small operators have little choice if they are to avoid going under. But consumer groups have hit out at the extra costs, and called for more transparency for travellers booking holidays.
According to ABTA, 26 companies out of their 1500 members have asked for permission to impose the surcharges. These are mainly smaller companies offering holidays to European destinations such as Portugal, Italy and Norway. So far, the larger companies such as Thomas Cook have ruled out charging extra.
The list now includes the Algarve Agency, the Camping and Caravanning Club, China Travel Service, Noble Caledonia, Palmers Travel, Pavilion Tours, ScotTravel, Solmar Villas, Stowaway Travel, and the UK Holiday Group.
Sean Tipton, spokesman for ABTA, said the average family holiday for two adults and two children cost £1500. This could be subject to a surcharge of up to £150.
He said: "Companies do regard surcharging as very much a last resort. If they've agreed a price with the customer, it's obviously very unpopular to go back to them and ask them for more money. But in many cases the ones who are doing that are already making an operating loss.
"The travel industry often gets criticised, but it is a very competitive market and companies can only make a profit of three or four per cent. If exchange rates change drastically, they could lose a lot of money. Fuel costs are also rising, and airlines are passing on the costs.
"ABTA members have to show us why they need to surcharge. As long as we're happy, we verify the process. If they want to surcharge more than ten per cent, they have to give the customer the option of cancelling. They also have to absorb the first two per cent themselves. They've also got to make it clear in their booking conditions. It's obviously not nice, and it's not something a company will do lightly."
He said they still advised customers to book early to get the best deals, since many companies had increased the prices in their brochures.
Andy Eastham, a marketing executive for Discover the World, said they had absorbed a "substantial amount" of the increased cost, but still had to charge some holidaymakers extra. He said only around 100 out of their 12,000 customers this year would be affected. He said: "The surcharges are in respect of fuel increases imposed by the shipping company and currency surcharges due to the devaluation of the pound against the euro."
A sales assistant for the Algarve Agency said: "It's mainly European holidays that are affected. We usually absorb the first two per cent. It's nothing more than ten per cent. It's in the booking conditions."
Katherine Saunders, company secretary of Golf Holidays Abroad, said they had taken out the option of surcharges with ABTA, but decided not to impose them.
She said: "We wanted to protect ourselves from going under, but in the end we decided to absorb all the costs ourselves. Our customers are more important to us, and many of them come back year after year. It's a very difficult time for travel companies and consumers. This is going to put some smaller companies out of business."
In April last year, £1 bought 1.48 euros. This has now slumped to 1.27, a fall of 14 per cent. The rises in the world price of oil have led to a steep increase in costs for airlines.
As well as surcharges, holidaymakers are finding that the strengthening euro has reduced the value of their spending money. Experts estimate that it has added 22 per cent to the cost of hiring a car, buying a meal or a glass of beer.
Lorna Cowan, the editor of Which? Holiday, said it was unfair for travel companies to pass the extra costs on to consumers. She advised people to read the small print carefully when booking a holiday.
She said: "These surcharges can be quite a significant amount, especially on a long haul holiday. A lot of people are already working to a very tight budget, and this is really going to put the pressure on. If it was the other way round, and prices were coming down, companies would not issue a refund. It's not fair to ask for more money from the consumer."
But despite the increasing costs, she said families were unlikely to cut back on foreign travel, and would make savings elsewhere. Their recent survey found only 38 per cent of holidaymakers expected to stay in the UK.
She added: "Holidays are very important to most people, and they will make them a priority. Consumers will try and save money in other ways."
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Can39t-wait-for-that-holiday.4206565.jp
AS SOARING food and fuel prices are forcing many families to cut down on luxuries, the thought of a holiday that is already booked and paid for provides a much-needed respite.
But thousands of holidaymakers have had an unpleasant surprise, after being asked to fork out hundreds of pounds extra for a trip in surcharges.
The strong euro and high cost of fuel have led to dozens of travel companies imposing surcharges of up to ten per cent. These charges are usually hidden in the small print, but have rarely been imposed since the 1970s.
Some families have been asked to pay as much as £600 extra for a holiday costing £6000. Many could be forced into debt to pay for a break which was meant to be a chance to get away from their worries.
The Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) has defended the charges, saying that small operators have little choice if they are to avoid going under. But consumer groups have hit out at the extra costs, and called for more transparency for travellers booking holidays.
According to ABTA, 26 companies out of their 1500 members have asked for permission to impose the surcharges. These are mainly smaller companies offering holidays to European destinations such as Portugal, Italy and Norway. So far, the larger companies such as Thomas Cook have ruled out charging extra.
The list now includes the Algarve Agency, the Camping and Caravanning Club, China Travel Service, Noble Caledonia, Palmers Travel, Pavilion Tours, ScotTravel, Solmar Villas, Stowaway Travel, and the UK Holiday Group.
Sean Tipton, spokesman for ABTA, said the average family holiday for two adults and two children cost £1500. This could be subject to a surcharge of up to £150.
He said: "Companies do regard surcharging as very much a last resort. If they've agreed a price with the customer, it's obviously very unpopular to go back to them and ask them for more money. But in many cases the ones who are doing that are already making an operating loss.
"The travel industry often gets criticised, but it is a very competitive market and companies can only make a profit of three or four per cent. If exchange rates change drastically, they could lose a lot of money. Fuel costs are also rising, and airlines are passing on the costs.
"ABTA members have to show us why they need to surcharge. As long as we're happy, we verify the process. If they want to surcharge more than ten per cent, they have to give the customer the option of cancelling. They also have to absorb the first two per cent themselves. They've also got to make it clear in their booking conditions. It's obviously not nice, and it's not something a company will do lightly."
He said they still advised customers to book early to get the best deals, since many companies had increased the prices in their brochures.
Andy Eastham, a marketing executive for Discover the World, said they had absorbed a "substantial amount" of the increased cost, but still had to charge some holidaymakers extra. He said only around 100 out of their 12,000 customers this year would be affected. He said: "The surcharges are in respect of fuel increases imposed by the shipping company and currency surcharges due to the devaluation of the pound against the euro."
A sales assistant for the Algarve Agency said: "It's mainly European holidays that are affected. We usually absorb the first two per cent. It's nothing more than ten per cent. It's in the booking conditions."
Katherine Saunders, company secretary of Golf Holidays Abroad, said they had taken out the option of surcharges with ABTA, but decided not to impose them.
She said: "We wanted to protect ourselves from going under, but in the end we decided to absorb all the costs ourselves. Our customers are more important to us, and many of them come back year after year. It's a very difficult time for travel companies and consumers. This is going to put some smaller companies out of business."
In April last year, £1 bought 1.48 euros. This has now slumped to 1.27, a fall of 14 per cent. The rises in the world price of oil have led to a steep increase in costs for airlines.
As well as surcharges, holidaymakers are finding that the strengthening euro has reduced the value of their spending money. Experts estimate that it has added 22 per cent to the cost of hiring a car, buying a meal or a glass of beer.
Lorna Cowan, the editor of Which? Holiday, said it was unfair for travel companies to pass the extra costs on to consumers. She advised people to read the small print carefully when booking a holiday.
She said: "These surcharges can be quite a significant amount, especially on a long haul holiday. A lot of people are already working to a very tight budget, and this is really going to put the pressure on. If it was the other way round, and prices were coming down, companies would not issue a refund. It's not fair to ask for more money from the consumer."
But despite the increasing costs, she said families were unlikely to cut back on foreign travel, and would make savings elsewhere. Their recent survey found only 38 per cent of holidaymakers expected to stay in the UK.
She added: "Holidays are very important to most people, and they will make them a priority. Consumers will try and save money in other ways."
http://news.scotsman.com/opinion/Can39t-wait-for-that-holiday.4206565.jp
Lisa Schreier-Timeshare Vacations For Dummies
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Want to get the real scoop on time shares? Here to shed some light on what actually goes on inside the industry is Lisa Schreier, author of Timeshare Vacations For Dummies and Surviving A Timeshare Presentation...Confessions From The Sales Table
What is your background in the timeshare industry?
I started in the industry as a total "green-pea" out of necessity in 1998 as the Owner Referral Manager at a timeshare resort in Orlando. I earned my Florida Real Estate License in 1999 and for the next 6 years, I was a salesperson, a sales manager and the manager of the trial program at a few resorts around town before deciding to dedicate myself to educating people about timeshare.
Are timeshares the right choice for seasoned travelers? Do they lock you down to a single destination year after year?
Timeshares can be a wonderful way to vacation for seasoned as well as novice travelers. Seasoned travelers will enjoy the large range of vacation opportunities around the world, while novice travelers will enjoy the security of having a vacation home that they can return to year after year. With more than 5,800 timeshare resorts worldwide, ranging from quaint cottages to high-rise beachfront condos, there truly is something for everyone with timeshare. However, it is important to know what you want ahead of time so that you don't get stuck with something that is not valuable or useful to you.
What do you think of the new trend of fractional home ownership?
Fractional home ownership is great for some people. For the traditional timeshare owner however, it can be cost prohibitive. Timeshares are generally sold in one-week increments; and while it is true that some owners own several weeks, fractional home ownership is traditionally 4+ weeks a year. If you don't use all of your fractional home ownership, you may be stuck with having to find renters to offset your costs. Vacations should be fun, not work!
What are some tips to insure you don't get scammed by a too-good-to-sound-true timeshare offer?
Well, first of all, let's differentiate between a "too good to be true" vacation offer that includes a timeshare presentation, and a "too good to be true" timeshare." Timeshares are still marketed circa 1975. You get a call, fax, e-mail or direct mail piece, or worse yet, are accosted on the beach or coming out of a restaurant, with offers ranging from discounted hotel stays, free or greatly reduced attraction tickets, dinner show certificates or some other "catch."
Rest assured every single one of those offers is designed with one goal in mind...to get you to a timeshare resort and in front of a salesperson whose mission it is to sell you a timeshare. Are these "too good to be true?" Yes and no. No, in that they are what they are. After the timeshare sales pitch, you will get what you were promised. Thankfully, the days of being promised a "boat" and getting a 4' long inflatable 2-person raft have gone by the wayside. You have to ask yourself, though, if sitting through a sometimes high pressure timeshare pitch is worth whatever you are getting when you factor in that in most cases, you're talking about 4+ hours of your valuable vacation time spent at the resort, listening to a pitch and commuting back and forth.
Now, the timeshares themselves...are they "too good to be true?" Understand that the easiest definition of timeshare is the difference between renting your vacation accommodations and owning them. There are differences of course between fixed weeks, floating weeks and points, seasons, locations, etc. I advise my clients at Timeshare Insights to do their homework ahead of time and to stay away from any salesperson or sales manager who uses one of more of these words, "FREE, PERFECT, ALWAYS and/or NEVER." Free and perfect don't exist and always and never are very long times!
How difficult are timeshares to sell?
It's not so much, "are they difficult to sell?", it's "what can you get for them"? In 2007, the average price of a 2-bedroom timeshare worldwide was approximately $18,000. If you were to sell that same timeshare today, you couldn't expect to get more than half of that.
How well do timeshares fare as real estate investments?
In a word, lousy. Don't think of timeshares as real estate investments, rather as an investment in your future vacations. Timeshares are not "Donald-Trump-type real estate."
What are the top 5 secrets timeshare companies don't want you to know?
The average price of a timeshare. Last year, the average price of a 2-bedroom timeshare was around $18,000, but the resorts don't like to advertise this. I think its imperative for consumers to know the average price in order to make wise choices.
"Red Time" is not always "Red Time." In timeshare, "red time" is the terminology used to designate high demand time. Certain places, such as Orlando, Las Vegas and Hawaii are designated as high demand, year round. While it is true that Orlando may still be busier in January than the Wisconsin Dells are in July, if you own a January week in Orlando, it does not have the same trading power as July week in Orlando.
Almost everything is negotiable. When it comes to money, you have to remember to figure in the cost of the timeshare itself, the annual maintanance fees, real estate taxes, closing costs, upgrade fees, membership fees, exchange or trading fees, special assessments and so on and so on. If you're going to be spending $18,000 at a resort, you better ask what they can throw in. If you don't ask, you don't get. You should also ask if the price itself is negotiable. Back in the days when I was a timeshare salesperson, I was stunned at how few people actually asked for a lower price. It's the same as paying "sticker price" at a car dealership!
You don't have to buy it "today." Here's one of the reasons the timeshare industry has such a negative reputation. The salesperson and then the sales manager try to get you to part with your money by insisting that the price will be much higher tomorrow, so you had better buy it today. While it is true that some very legitimate timeshare resorts offer what is called a "First Visit Incentive," I doubt that any of those resorts would refuse to honor that first visit price if you came in the next day with a credit card. However, with due respect for my old profession, DON'T waste your time or insult the salesperson's intelligence by lying and saying "I'll be back tomorrow with the cash" when you both know that you don't have the cash and have no interest in buying the timeshare. The easiest way out is simply to say "No thanks, I can't afford it" or "No thanks, I'm not interested." Don't lie.
You do not have to sit through a timeshare presentation in order to buy a timeshare and you don't have to buy from the developer. Again, this is where the industry gets a bad name. I can't think of any other product or service where you have to be bribed with offers and then sit and listen to a salesperson before being "allowed" to purchase the product. You are free to visit any timeshare resort in the world and ask to see the property and get some prices without a sales pitch. If they try to get you to a pitch, WALK OUT. On the other hand, you don't have to purchase a timeshare from the developer at all. There are ways to purchase a timeshare at significantly less than that $18,000 average. The trick is to know who to deal with. Again, that's where working with an independent firm such as Timeshare Insights becomes valuable. We don't financially benefit if you purchase a timeshare or not, but we can guide you through the murky waters.
Is it possible to get a timeshare in some off-the-beaten-road places? Southeast Asia? Eastern Europe? South America? If so, what resources would you recommend?
Yes, there are more than 5,800 timeshares worldwide. You are more likely to find them in places that attract lots of travelers, so you probably won't find any in Vietnam right now, but may find some there in 10 years as global tourism there increases. For instance, if the current trend continues, Dubai will have more timeshares there in 10 years than Orlando! There are pros and cons of buying timeshare out of the country. The most obvious con is if the contract is written in a language that you are not fluent in. If you don't understand exactly what you are buying, then don't!
http://www.gadling.com/2008/06/18/talking-travel-confessions-of-a-ex-time-share-hawk/
What is your background in the timeshare industry?
I started in the industry as a total "green-pea" out of necessity in 1998 as the Owner Referral Manager at a timeshare resort in Orlando. I earned my Florida Real Estate License in 1999 and for the next 6 years, I was a salesperson, a sales manager and the manager of the trial program at a few resorts around town before deciding to dedicate myself to educating people about timeshare.
Are timeshares the right choice for seasoned travelers? Do they lock you down to a single destination year after year?
Timeshares can be a wonderful way to vacation for seasoned as well as novice travelers. Seasoned travelers will enjoy the large range of vacation opportunities around the world, while novice travelers will enjoy the security of having a vacation home that they can return to year after year. With more than 5,800 timeshare resorts worldwide, ranging from quaint cottages to high-rise beachfront condos, there truly is something for everyone with timeshare. However, it is important to know what you want ahead of time so that you don't get stuck with something that is not valuable or useful to you.
What do you think of the new trend of fractional home ownership?
Fractional home ownership is great for some people. For the traditional timeshare owner however, it can be cost prohibitive. Timeshares are generally sold in one-week increments; and while it is true that some owners own several weeks, fractional home ownership is traditionally 4+ weeks a year. If you don't use all of your fractional home ownership, you may be stuck with having to find renters to offset your costs. Vacations should be fun, not work!
What are some tips to insure you don't get scammed by a too-good-to-sound-true timeshare offer?
Well, first of all, let's differentiate between a "too good to be true" vacation offer that includes a timeshare presentation, and a "too good to be true" timeshare." Timeshares are still marketed circa 1975. You get a call, fax, e-mail or direct mail piece, or worse yet, are accosted on the beach or coming out of a restaurant, with offers ranging from discounted hotel stays, free or greatly reduced attraction tickets, dinner show certificates or some other "catch."
Rest assured every single one of those offers is designed with one goal in mind...to get you to a timeshare resort and in front of a salesperson whose mission it is to sell you a timeshare. Are these "too good to be true?" Yes and no. No, in that they are what they are. After the timeshare sales pitch, you will get what you were promised. Thankfully, the days of being promised a "boat" and getting a 4' long inflatable 2-person raft have gone by the wayside. You have to ask yourself, though, if sitting through a sometimes high pressure timeshare pitch is worth whatever you are getting when you factor in that in most cases, you're talking about 4+ hours of your valuable vacation time spent at the resort, listening to a pitch and commuting back and forth.
Now, the timeshares themselves...are they "too good to be true?" Understand that the easiest definition of timeshare is the difference between renting your vacation accommodations and owning them. There are differences of course between fixed weeks, floating weeks and points, seasons, locations, etc. I advise my clients at Timeshare Insights to do their homework ahead of time and to stay away from any salesperson or sales manager who uses one of more of these words, "FREE, PERFECT, ALWAYS and/or NEVER." Free and perfect don't exist and always and never are very long times!
How difficult are timeshares to sell?
It's not so much, "are they difficult to sell?", it's "what can you get for them"? In 2007, the average price of a 2-bedroom timeshare worldwide was approximately $18,000. If you were to sell that same timeshare today, you couldn't expect to get more than half of that.
How well do timeshares fare as real estate investments?
In a word, lousy. Don't think of timeshares as real estate investments, rather as an investment in your future vacations. Timeshares are not "Donald-Trump-type real estate."
What are the top 5 secrets timeshare companies don't want you to know?
The average price of a timeshare. Last year, the average price of a 2-bedroom timeshare was around $18,000, but the resorts don't like to advertise this. I think its imperative for consumers to know the average price in order to make wise choices.
"Red Time" is not always "Red Time." In timeshare, "red time" is the terminology used to designate high demand time. Certain places, such as Orlando, Las Vegas and Hawaii are designated as high demand, year round. While it is true that Orlando may still be busier in January than the Wisconsin Dells are in July, if you own a January week in Orlando, it does not have the same trading power as July week in Orlando.
Almost everything is negotiable. When it comes to money, you have to remember to figure in the cost of the timeshare itself, the annual maintanance fees, real estate taxes, closing costs, upgrade fees, membership fees, exchange or trading fees, special assessments and so on and so on. If you're going to be spending $18,000 at a resort, you better ask what they can throw in. If you don't ask, you don't get. You should also ask if the price itself is negotiable. Back in the days when I was a timeshare salesperson, I was stunned at how few people actually asked for a lower price. It's the same as paying "sticker price" at a car dealership!
You don't have to buy it "today." Here's one of the reasons the timeshare industry has such a negative reputation. The salesperson and then the sales manager try to get you to part with your money by insisting that the price will be much higher tomorrow, so you had better buy it today. While it is true that some very legitimate timeshare resorts offer what is called a "First Visit Incentive," I doubt that any of those resorts would refuse to honor that first visit price if you came in the next day with a credit card. However, with due respect for my old profession, DON'T waste your time or insult the salesperson's intelligence by lying and saying "I'll be back tomorrow with the cash" when you both know that you don't have the cash and have no interest in buying the timeshare. The easiest way out is simply to say "No thanks, I can't afford it" or "No thanks, I'm not interested." Don't lie.
You do not have to sit through a timeshare presentation in order to buy a timeshare and you don't have to buy from the developer. Again, this is where the industry gets a bad name. I can't think of any other product or service where you have to be bribed with offers and then sit and listen to a salesperson before being "allowed" to purchase the product. You are free to visit any timeshare resort in the world and ask to see the property and get some prices without a sales pitch. If they try to get you to a pitch, WALK OUT. On the other hand, you don't have to purchase a timeshare from the developer at all. There are ways to purchase a timeshare at significantly less than that $18,000 average. The trick is to know who to deal with. Again, that's where working with an independent firm such as Timeshare Insights becomes valuable. We don't financially benefit if you purchase a timeshare or not, but we can guide you through the murky waters.
Is it possible to get a timeshare in some off-the-beaten-road places? Southeast Asia? Eastern Europe? South America? If so, what resources would you recommend?
Yes, there are more than 5,800 timeshares worldwide. You are more likely to find them in places that attract lots of travelers, so you probably won't find any in Vietnam right now, but may find some there in 10 years as global tourism there increases. For instance, if the current trend continues, Dubai will have more timeshares there in 10 years than Orlando! There are pros and cons of buying timeshare out of the country. The most obvious con is if the contract is written in a language that you are not fluent in. If you don't understand exactly what you are buying, then don't!
http://www.gadling.com/2008/06/18/talking-travel-confessions-of-a-ex-time-share-hawk/
Weather insurance company targets UK trade
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Customers whose holidays are ruined by bad weather can now claim back the cost of their trips through a new online service.
Ex-Google employee David Friedberg, who established WeatherBill last year, has signed a deal with online travel portal Priceline and is looking to work with UK travel companies.
Its 'sunshine guarantee' for Priceline refunds 100% of the airfare, hotel and car rental if it rains more than 0.5 inches per day on half or more of the holiday. This is valid during the summer months in about 100 destinations.
Priceline.com chief marketing officer said customers would not have to pay any extra for their trip."These sunshine guaranteed vacations are available at the same prices we offer for all our packages. Our there's a silver lining if mother nature doesn't co-operate."
Priceline pays WeatherBill a fee for each holiday booked, probability of rain in that area. If a holiday is rained out, WeatherBill willautomatically refund the entire cost of the trip.
Founded in San Francisco, WeatherBill has opened an to strike deals with major travel companies to expand its service in the UK.
WeatherBill Europe managing director Jens Boening said: "Weather risk management has been used by large insurance companies for a while, but we want to take it mass market. We are offering this and similar services to agents and operators of all sizes in the UK.
"The travel industry is very competitive with many people selling the same destinations for similar prices. Offering a weather guarantee can really differentiate you from the competition."
http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2008/06/18/27923/weather-insurance-company-targets-uk-trade.html
Ex-Google employee David Friedberg, who established WeatherBill last year, has signed a deal with online travel portal Priceline and is looking to work with UK travel companies.
Its 'sunshine guarantee' for Priceline refunds 100% of the airfare, hotel and car rental if it rains more than 0.5 inches per day on half or more of the holiday. This is valid during the summer months in about 100 destinations.
Priceline.com chief marketing officer said customers would not have to pay any extra for their trip."These sunshine guaranteed vacations are available at the same prices we offer for all our packages. Our there's a silver lining if mother nature doesn't co-operate."
Priceline pays WeatherBill a fee for each holiday booked, probability of rain in that area. If a holiday is rained out, WeatherBill willautomatically refund the entire cost of the trip.
Founded in San Francisco, WeatherBill has opened an to strike deals with major travel companies to expand its service in the UK.
WeatherBill Europe managing director Jens Boening said: "Weather risk management has been used by large insurance companies for a while, but we want to take it mass market. We are offering this and similar services to agents and operators of all sizes in the UK.
"The travel industry is very competitive with many people selling the same destinations for similar prices. Offering a weather guarantee can really differentiate you from the competition."
http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2008/06/18/27923/weather-insurance-company-targets-uk-trade.html
FCO warns increased threat of terrorism in the UAE
Thursday, June 19, 2008
FCO warns of increased threat of terrorism in the UAE
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has upgradedits advice over the threat of terrorism in the United Arab Emirates from general to high.
A FCO spokesman said the decision to change the warning to its most serious has happened after new evidence came to light indicating the increased potential for problems.
The advice covers the whole of the UAE, including the holiday hotspots of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
It reads: “Attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.
“You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.”
http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2008/06/18/27929/fco-warns-of-increased-threat-of-terrorism-in-the-uae.html
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has upgradedits advice over the threat of terrorism in the United Arab Emirates from general to high.
A FCO spokesman said the decision to change the warning to its most serious has happened after new evidence came to light indicating the increased potential for problems.
The advice covers the whole of the UAE, including the holiday hotspots of Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
It reads: “Attacks could be indiscriminate and could happen at any time, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers such as residential compounds, military, oil, transport and aviation interests.
“You should maintain a high level of security awareness, particularly in public places.”
http://www.travelweekly.co.uk/Articles/2008/06/18/27929/fco-warns-of-increased-threat-of-terrorism-in-the-uae.html
Convert Bank Building into Timeshare Hotel
Monday, June 16, 2008
Wyndham Resort Development Corp., Redmond, Wash., is scheduled to go before the Salt Lake City Planning Commission this week to seek a zoning map amendment that would allow it convert a downtown Salt Lake City bank building into a timeshare hotel.
The firm, which operates 60 resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Fiji, wants to convert the 35,000 square foot Barnes Bank building at 431 S. 300 E. into a 45-unit property containing one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The building was constructed in 1962 and has been used for offices since then; Barnes Bank has entered into an agreement to sell the structure to Wyndham for the urban timeshare project.
While company officials declined to comment, documents on file with the city indicate that planners feel the hotel "would add to the customer base of nearby restaurants, retail and public facilities, such as the library," and would "add to the vibrancy of an urban setting by bringing in visitors."
Wyndham's application indicates the resort would have a 90 percent or more minimum annual occupancy, translating into approximately $3.2 million spent each year at local shops, restaurants and recreation-oriented retailers. The facility would create 20 to 25 full-time jobs, although it would not include a restaurant, lounge, swimming pool or other similar amenities.
Wyndham Resort Development Corp. already has four properties in Utah - Bear Lake, Midway, St. George and Wolf Creek in Eden.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1434051/wyndam_to_seek_rezone_to_convert_bank_building_into_timeshare/
The firm, which operates 60 resorts in the United States, Canada, Mexico and Fiji, wants to convert the 35,000 square foot Barnes Bank building at 431 S. 300 E. into a 45-unit property containing one-, two- and three-bedroom units. The building was constructed in 1962 and has been used for offices since then; Barnes Bank has entered into an agreement to sell the structure to Wyndham for the urban timeshare project.
While company officials declined to comment, documents on file with the city indicate that planners feel the hotel "would add to the customer base of nearby restaurants, retail and public facilities, such as the library," and would "add to the vibrancy of an urban setting by bringing in visitors."
Wyndham's application indicates the resort would have a 90 percent or more minimum annual occupancy, translating into approximately $3.2 million spent each year at local shops, restaurants and recreation-oriented retailers. The facility would create 20 to 25 full-time jobs, although it would not include a restaurant, lounge, swimming pool or other similar amenities.
Wyndham Resort Development Corp. already has four properties in Utah - Bear Lake, Midway, St. George and Wolf Creek in Eden.
http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/1434051/wyndam_to_seek_rezone_to_convert_bank_building_into_timeshare/
$15 to check a bag, but free to charge an iPod
Monday, June 16, 2008
United Airlines has been subject to some pretty bad press recently for being one of several airlines to slap a $15 fee on checked bags, but here's a perk: the commerical carrier announced on Monday that it's starting to install iPod and iPhone connectivity features in its airplanes.
More specifically, owners of Apple's media devices can hook them up to the planes' in-flight entertainment systems; they can navigate through music and video on the seat back televisions while charging the devices in the process. The connectivity technology has been manufactured by Panasonic Avionics.
United is the first U.S. carrier to provide this service, it said in a statement. Late in 2006, iPod manufacturer Apple announced that it had struck a deal with the airline--as well as fellow domestic carriers Continental and Delta, as well as overseas carriers Air France, Emirates, and KLM--to configure in-flight iPod connectivity.
For United, the iPod cables won't be everywhere immediately. For the most part, they'll be installed on planes that make transatlantic flights, and in some cases will be restricted to those with first- and business-class seats. The first "iPod flight," United 936, will take off at 5:40 PM EDT on Monday in Washington, D.C., and fly to Zurich, Switzerland.
So, D.C.-to-Zurich pond hoppers: you can can now watch Snakes on a Plane on a plane (on an iPod, without draining your battery).
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9969405-1.html
More specifically, owners of Apple's media devices can hook them up to the planes' in-flight entertainment systems; they can navigate through music and video on the seat back televisions while charging the devices in the process. The connectivity technology has been manufactured by Panasonic Avionics.
United is the first U.S. carrier to provide this service, it said in a statement. Late in 2006, iPod manufacturer Apple announced that it had struck a deal with the airline--as well as fellow domestic carriers Continental and Delta, as well as overseas carriers Air France, Emirates, and KLM--to configure in-flight iPod connectivity.
For United, the iPod cables won't be everywhere immediately. For the most part, they'll be installed on planes that make transatlantic flights, and in some cases will be restricted to those with first- and business-class seats. The first "iPod flight," United 936, will take off at 5:40 PM EDT on Monday in Washington, D.C., and fly to Zurich, Switzerland.
So, D.C.-to-Zurich pond hoppers: you can can now watch Snakes on a Plane on a plane (on an iPod, without draining your battery).
http://crave.cnet.com/8301-1_105-9969405-1.html
Family holidays hit by high surcharges
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Families are being forced to pay hundreds of pounds in additional charges on top of the cost of their summer holidays this year.
Holidaymakers booked on cruises and package tours face demands of up to £600 in addition to the original cost of the break, an investigation by The Sunday Telegraph has found.
Trips to Europe are among the worst-hit by the surcharges which, in many cases, have been imposed months after customers settled the bill.
The largest surcharge was imposed on families booked on trips to Iceland and Sicily, with Cox & Kings Travel. A family of four now has to pay an extra £600, in addition to the £6,000 cost of the trip.
Travellers with Noble Caledonia on a nine-night cruise to see the midnight sun in Greenland must pay £420 more for four people, on top of the £11,500 already paid.
Passengers on a 14-night cruise to the Norwegian fjords with Swan Hellenic have to pay £450 extra for four people, in addition to £14,560 already paid.
A total of 29 travel companies have now applied to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) to impose surcharges on customers. One company, All Leisure Holidays Group, trades as both Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic, taking the number of affected providers to 30.
The operators claim that they have been caught out by a sudden weakening of the pound against the euro, coupled with rising fuel costs. They say they have no alternative but to turn to the small print in contracts and go back to customers for more money. Even holidays outside the eurozone, including to Iceland and Egypt, have faced currency#8209;related surcharges because travel companies tend to pay one another in euros.
Lorna Cowan, the editor of Which? Holiday, said: "People are already on tight budgets these days but they still push the boat out to go on a well deserved holiday. For them to be presented with a bill for all this extra money could push costs over the edge. If prices go down do we get our money back? Of course not – it's unheard of."
Under Abta rules, tour operators must absorb costs equal to 2 per cent of the holiday price before they impose extra charges. Beyond this, they are free to demand fees equivalent to 10 per cent of the holiday, but not within 30 days of departure.
Larger travel companies, such as Thomson and First Choice, have so far avoided surcharges, but higher fuel costs have now led both to charge a supplement of up to £40 per person on a return flight for bookings made from last month.
A spokesman for Cox & Kings Travel said the company had booked the trips months in advance in euros and was now facing a financial loss.
Roger Allard, the chairman of All Leisure Holidays Group, said: "We are not proud of the surcharges but these are challenging times."
A spokesman for Noble Caledonia said it had absorbed fuel cost increases but could not cope with currency fluctuations as well.
The surcharges on European destinations come as Abta disclosed that more people are travelling to non#8209;euro countries to make the most out of their pounds.
Bookings for trips to America this summer were up by 13 per cent, while holidays to Turkey and north Africa increased by 3 per cent. Holidays to France and Spain were down 3 per cent.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/familyholidays/2130566/Families-on-holidays-hit-by-high-surcharges.html
Holidaymakers booked on cruises and package tours face demands of up to £600 in addition to the original cost of the break, an investigation by The Sunday Telegraph has found.
Trips to Europe are among the worst-hit by the surcharges which, in many cases, have been imposed months after customers settled the bill.
The largest surcharge was imposed on families booked on trips to Iceland and Sicily, with Cox & Kings Travel. A family of four now has to pay an extra £600, in addition to the £6,000 cost of the trip.
Travellers with Noble Caledonia on a nine-night cruise to see the midnight sun in Greenland must pay £420 more for four people, on top of the £11,500 already paid.
Passengers on a 14-night cruise to the Norwegian fjords with Swan Hellenic have to pay £450 extra for four people, in addition to £14,560 already paid.
A total of 29 travel companies have now applied to the Association of British Travel Agents (Abta) to impose surcharges on customers. One company, All Leisure Holidays Group, trades as both Voyages of Discovery and Swan Hellenic, taking the number of affected providers to 30.
The operators claim that they have been caught out by a sudden weakening of the pound against the euro, coupled with rising fuel costs. They say they have no alternative but to turn to the small print in contracts and go back to customers for more money. Even holidays outside the eurozone, including to Iceland and Egypt, have faced currency#8209;related surcharges because travel companies tend to pay one another in euros.
Lorna Cowan, the editor of Which? Holiday, said: "People are already on tight budgets these days but they still push the boat out to go on a well deserved holiday. For them to be presented with a bill for all this extra money could push costs over the edge. If prices go down do we get our money back? Of course not – it's unheard of."
Under Abta rules, tour operators must absorb costs equal to 2 per cent of the holiday price before they impose extra charges. Beyond this, they are free to demand fees equivalent to 10 per cent of the holiday, but not within 30 days of departure.
Larger travel companies, such as Thomson and First Choice, have so far avoided surcharges, but higher fuel costs have now led both to charge a supplement of up to £40 per person on a return flight for bookings made from last month.
A spokesman for Cox & Kings Travel said the company had booked the trips months in advance in euros and was now facing a financial loss.
Roger Allard, the chairman of All Leisure Holidays Group, said: "We are not proud of the surcharges but these are challenging times."
A spokesman for Noble Caledonia said it had absorbed fuel cost increases but could not cope with currency fluctuations as well.
The surcharges on European destinations come as Abta disclosed that more people are travelling to non#8209;euro countries to make the most out of their pounds.
Bookings for trips to America this summer were up by 13 per cent, while holidays to Turkey and north Africa increased by 3 per cent. Holidays to France and Spain were down 3 per cent.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/familyholidays/2130566/Families-on-holidays-hit-by-high-surcharges.html
Bluegreen Corp. to operate French 1/4 timeshare
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Bluegreen Corp., a Florida vacation company, has taken over the operation of Club La Pension, a timeshare resort on Decatur Street in the French Quarter.
Bluegreen, which did not disclose how much it is paying in the deal, will also open a sales office at the resort. The company expects to launch its sales operation in the third quarter of 2008.
The 15 people employed by Club La Pension will be retained.
Club La Pension was previously operated by Club La Pension Inc.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2008/06/bluegreen_corp_to_begin_operat.html
Bluegreen, which did not disclose how much it is paying in the deal, will also open a sales office at the resort. The company expects to launch its sales operation in the third quarter of 2008.
The 15 people employed by Club La Pension will be retained.
Club La Pension was previously operated by Club La Pension Inc.
http://www.nola.com/business/index.ssf/2008/06/bluegreen_corp_to_begin_operat.html
Tenerife Timeshare as an Investment?
Friday, June 13, 2008
Hi Folks
An interesting news article has been brought to my attention about people selling Timeshare as a financial investment.
Read the following Mirror article for more information:
http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2008/06/holidaymakers-lose-out-in-bob.html
An interesting news article has been brought to my attention about people selling Timeshare as a financial investment.
Read the following Mirror article for more information:
http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/investigations/2008/06/holidaymakers-lose-out-in-bob.html
Timeshare Resort - Property Caused Grief
Thursday, June 12, 2008
'Timeshare promise cost me £11,000'
There aren't many tough decisions for holidaymakers in Tenerife's Playa de las Americas. Sangria or cerveza?
Factor 25 or 50 maybe?
But some Brits are being asked to make major decisions about their financial future - no wonder some get burned.
Among them is Lynne, a holidaymaker from Essex, who went to a {banned word/phrase} presentation hoping to off-load some timeshare slots she no longer wanted.
Lynne claims a salesman told her he could take the unwanted weeks in part exchange for a portfolio of {banned word/phrase} weeks - and that she would be able to resell them within a year for a 15 per cent profit.
Two years and not one sniff of a sale later, Lynne got a partial refund but had lost more than £2,500 along with her own weeks valued at £3,500.
The {banned word/phrase} Group was founded by Bob Trotta in the 80s in Tenerife and now spans the globe from Dubai to the Caribbean.
According to his website, Trotta is a "true pioneer and visionary" who brought timeshare to Europe.
The group claims to have sold more than £250 million worth of timeshare - but we have seen numerous complaints from dissatisfied customers who have lost money after investing in them.
Sandy Grey of the Timeshare Consumers Association tells us that most complaints are about "hard sell" tactics by {banned word/phrase} salesmen.
Other buyers say they were not told exactly what they were buying and what it was likely to earn them... if anything.
Timeshare's not exactly the hot product it was 20 years ago and the resale market is awash with unwanted weeks.
Yet some Resort Property investors claim they were sold on promises of big profits within 12 months.
They also claim they weren't warned how the annual maintenance fees on each week would rocket. The annual fees at the Beverly Hills Club have risen 52 per cent in six years to £330, while those at the Palm Beach Club are up 83 per cent to £326.
Inflation in Spain over the same period was 18 per cent. Lynne, who has asked us to withhold her surname, said: "I was originally tempted into this because I was an unhappy owner of several weeks of timeshare. I still have that around my neck along with an annual maintenance bill of over £1,000." All in, Lynne reckons she lost at least £11,500 but says the true cost was on her emotional and physical health.
"At the time, it wrecked my life," she said. "That for me was the real loss. The time and effort and stress were almost unreal."
{banned word/phrase} wouldn't comment on individual cases but a spokesman told us: "We are not in the business of misleading clients and take complaints seriously."
Trotta has a townhouse in Chelsea, west London, but according to his housekeeper, mainly lives at his villa in Tuscany.
We couldn't speak to the man himself, but here's what he says on his website: "Ultimately, our success depends on the satisfaction of our customers.
"Regardless of the product we are selling, we believe in delivering what we promise to our clients." Then do it.
At the time, it wrecked my life.
The effort and stress have been almost unreal
Full story : http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/06/12/investigate-deal-s-a-hol-lot-of-grief-89520-20603943/
There aren't many tough decisions for holidaymakers in Tenerife's Playa de las Americas. Sangria or cerveza?
Factor 25 or 50 maybe?
But some Brits are being asked to make major decisions about their financial future - no wonder some get burned.
Among them is Lynne, a holidaymaker from Essex, who went to a {banned word/phrase} presentation hoping to off-load some timeshare slots she no longer wanted.
Lynne claims a salesman told her he could take the unwanted weeks in part exchange for a portfolio of {banned word/phrase} weeks - and that she would be able to resell them within a year for a 15 per cent profit.
Two years and not one sniff of a sale later, Lynne got a partial refund but had lost more than £2,500 along with her own weeks valued at £3,500.
The {banned word/phrase} Group was founded by Bob Trotta in the 80s in Tenerife and now spans the globe from Dubai to the Caribbean.
According to his website, Trotta is a "true pioneer and visionary" who brought timeshare to Europe.
The group claims to have sold more than £250 million worth of timeshare - but we have seen numerous complaints from dissatisfied customers who have lost money after investing in them.
Sandy Grey of the Timeshare Consumers Association tells us that most complaints are about "hard sell" tactics by {banned word/phrase} salesmen.
Other buyers say they were not told exactly what they were buying and what it was likely to earn them... if anything.
Timeshare's not exactly the hot product it was 20 years ago and the resale market is awash with unwanted weeks.
Yet some Resort Property investors claim they were sold on promises of big profits within 12 months.
They also claim they weren't warned how the annual maintenance fees on each week would rocket. The annual fees at the Beverly Hills Club have risen 52 per cent in six years to £330, while those at the Palm Beach Club are up 83 per cent to £326.
Inflation in Spain over the same period was 18 per cent. Lynne, who has asked us to withhold her surname, said: "I was originally tempted into this because I was an unhappy owner of several weeks of timeshare. I still have that around my neck along with an annual maintenance bill of over £1,000." All in, Lynne reckons she lost at least £11,500 but says the true cost was on her emotional and physical health.
"At the time, it wrecked my life," she said. "That for me was the real loss. The time and effort and stress were almost unreal."
{banned word/phrase} wouldn't comment on individual cases but a spokesman told us: "We are not in the business of misleading clients and take complaints seriously."
Trotta has a townhouse in Chelsea, west London, but according to his housekeeper, mainly lives at his villa in Tuscany.
We couldn't speak to the man himself, but here's what he says on his website: "Ultimately, our success depends on the satisfaction of our customers.
"Regardless of the product we are selling, we believe in delivering what we promise to our clients." Then do it.
At the time, it wrecked my life.
The effort and stress have been almost unreal
Full story : http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/topstories/2008/06/12/investigate-deal-s-a-hol-lot-of-grief-89520-20603943/
Cheap holidays - is this really the end
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
As oil prices soar and the global economy takes a dive, the travel industry is fighting to survive - and that's bad news for travellers, says Sara Macefield.
So far this year, 15 airlines have folded - more are expected to follow
Last week, the dire state of the world's aviation industry was laid bare by its global body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In no uncertain terms, its director-general and chief executive, Giovanni Bisignani, painted a grim picture of the tough conditions facing airlines, describing them as a "perfect storm".
"The situation is desperate," he declared, "and potentially more destructive than our recent battles with all the Horsemen of the Apocalypse combined.
"Just as we started to recover [from 9/11] we face another crisis of potentially even greater dimensions – rocketing oil prices are changing everything."
It seems that after a golden decade of low prices, the era of cheap holidays could be over. The era of cheap airlines is certainly over, at least for now.
The rising cost of fuel is the main culprit. Fuel accounts for between 30 and 50 per cent of airlines' operational costs and since the start of 2007 the price of jet kerosene has more than doubled. Virgin Atlantic's fuel bill has quadrupled since 1995 to more than £1 billion, while British Airways estimates its fuel bill will rise £450 million to £2.5 billion for 2008/09 – a 20 per cent rise on the previous year.
Until now, the travelling public has been largely shielded from these fuel rises by competition between airlines and their efforts to cut costs by grounding aircraft and improving efficiencies. Strong customer demand for flights has also helped to keep fares down – but this effect looks likely to disappear as the economic squeeze starts to tighten.
Not surprisingly, many airlines are now trying to claw back as much money as they dare from passengers through extra charges and fuel supplements. British Airways increased fuel surcharges on Tuesday, up to £60 per return flight. This takes the total cost of supplements on routes of more than nine hours to £109 one way and £218 return.
Virgin Airways has also upped its charges, but is splitting them so that economy passengers pay less than those in its premium classes. On flights of less than nine hours, for example, economy passengers pay fuel surcharges of £111 return, while Upper Class customers pay £171; on flights of more than nine hours, the extra charge is £167 and £215 respectively.
This makes the few pounds that no-frills operators charge for telephone booking or priority boarding look like chicken feed.
But what of these no-frills specialists, notably Ryanair and easyJet, that pride themselves on their refusal to introduce fuel charges?
Alan Bowen, an aviation expert, observes: "There's more than one way to skin a rabbit. These airlines don't have fuel levies, but they are increasing the number of 'auxiliary' charges, and raising them aggressively."
Various new "taxes" are also being mooted – paying to sit by a window, for example. Many believe scheduled airlines will also eventually have to start making similar supplementary charges as standard – £20 for a bag, £10 for a meal, say.
Chris Tarry, an independent aviation analyst, believes the airline industry will not escape this turbulent patch until at least 2010 or 2011 unless airline seats are taken out of the market. "It's scary. It's a case of hang on tight for the bumpy ride – it's going to be really tough," says Tarry.
International Passenger Protection, a UK-based company that provides financial failure insurance to the travel industry and monitors airlines around the world, agrees. As its managing director, Brian McLean, says: "We started in 1990 so have been through both Gulf wars, the SARS crisis and 9/11, which was the biggest – but the situation now has surpassed all the losses that occurred then with airlines."
Many observers say it is even worse than the dark days after September 11, 2001. That bleak period left many airlines on the brink of bankruptcy – a scenario repeating itself now. The only difference is that this time, more companies are crashing over the edge and going out of business as the economic squeeze means there are fewer investors prepared to ride to the rescue with a financial lifeline.
So far this year 15 airlines have ceased flying (see table below) – the highest number in such a short space of time that anyone can remember. The past week has seen the business-class carrier Silverjet ground its planes, hot on the heels of the failure of the only other two business-only airlines flying from the UK, Eos and Maxjet.
But there has been a string of other casualties too, including the Isle of Man airline EuroManx, the no-frills long-haul player Oasis Hong Kong Airlines and the South African company Nationwide Airlines. For them to fail in the run-up to the busy summer season, when airline balance sheets are normally bolstered by advance bookings, underlines the seriousness of the situation.
More look set to follow and McLean says he is watching four to five airlines that "could go" at any time. He is not alone. Virgin's Sir Richard Branson predicts that "one or more major US carriers will go out of business this year", while Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, forecasts that only five European carriers could survive (or make a profit during) prolonged market turbulence (BA, easyJet, Ryanair, Air France and Lufthansa).
On Thursday, Continental, the US airline, announced 6,000 job losses and the grounding of 60 planes.
Customers be warned: pay for any airfares with credit cards to ensure that, if your chosen airline goes into financial freefall, it doesn't take your cash with it.
The low-cost airlines are probably safer than most. Fuel costs may have risen, but other revenue has grown along with the number of passengers boarding their planes. This reflects the belief in aviation circles that if anyone can come through these tough times, easyJet and Ryanair can. In fact, in previous market downturns, budget airlines are the ones to have benefited as travellers traded down from more traditional companies. These carriers' lower operating costs and newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft also help them to keep spending under control.
"The low-fares model has definitely proved to be the most robust and Ryanair and easyJet are riding out the storm better than the high-cost legacy carriers," says Tim Jeans, managing director of the charter and scheduled carrier Monarch Airlines. Indeed, this week Ryanair chalked up record-breaking annual results, with profits topping £380 million, although analysts warn that
higher costs might force it to ground up to 20 aircraft this winter and wipe out any profits during the current financial year.
So what can we expect in the way of airfare increases? Jeans estimates that so far, fares have risen by around six per cent and if oil prices continue on their upward curve, they could jump by 10 or 12 per cent. If this happens, it is the longest routes that will bear the brunt of the increases, bringing to an end the era of low-cost long-haul flying.
As the less profitable winter season approaches, airlines are already battening down the hatches and wielding the axe on parts of their business not pulling in enough money. The set of new routes that usually sprouts each autumn will be strictly pruned as airlines cut their networks to survive. Once this happens, they may find it easier to start raising fares.
It isn't just the airlines that will be forced to raise prices. The package-holiday market is groaning under the weight of increased fuel costs and the "euro effect", which has seen the traditional holiday playgrounds of Spain and Greece become more expensive after a 20 per cent rise in the value of the European currency.
As our consumer editor, Sophie Butler, reported recently, with the pound tumbling against the euro, some tour operators are having to redo their sums and charge customers extra to help plug the gaps. So far, around 26 tour operators, including Bales Worldwide, All Leisure Holidays and Discover the World, have contacted clients to ask for more money after deciding to surcharge. More may follow.
Some companies have escaped the worst effects of rising costs by "hedging" – buying currency and/or fuel in advance – and have been able to keep prices at their original levels. But this means the worst is yet to come next year when these measures run out and the real pain of the strong euro and costly fuel kicks in. Then, tour operators will have no choice but to raise brochure prices.
Some analysts predict customers will face a "poison chalice" of at least £200 million as operators pass on these increased rates.
Mark Brumby, a leisure analyst at Blue Oar Securities, predicts that operators, led by the big two, Thomas Cook and Tui Travel, will have to put prices up "quite sharply" in their 2009 brochures. "There is a real risk of double-digit increases – maybe 10 per cent or 13 per cent," he says.
"Think of it from the consumer's view. In a few weeks, if they land at Malaga Airport and note how expensive everything has become, that will be fresh in their minds when the new brochures hit the doormat and they see increased prices.
"This may not be the end of cheap holidays, but it's going to be difficult."
The cruise crunch
The crisis in the travel industry has also hit the booming cruise market, although cruise companies have so far managed to avoid the sort of damaging headlines garnered by the airlines.
Yet prices are going up, and in an unprecedented (and little-publicised) move, more than 10 cruise lines have introduced surcharges to cover escalating fuel bills. These include Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Ocean Village, Princess Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Crystal Cruises. P & O Cruises is charging passengers an extra £2.50 a day up to a maximum of £35 on cruises of 14 nights or less. On longer voyages, the £2.50 daily charge is capped at £50 per person and on world cruises and grand voyages it is capped at £100 per person.
Royal Caribbean International fuel supplements stand at £4 a day on the first two passengers in each cabin up to a maximum of £56. Additional guests in each cabin are charged £1.50 a day, to a maximum of £21.
The Passenger Shipping Association, the organisation to which most cruise lines belong, says its members have been forced to do this as a result of "global economic conditions". "Oil prices have doubled over the past year and this has had a significant effect on cruise lines, especially when you consider that they are both a means of transport and a floating hotel," says the PSA's assistant director, Andy Harmer.
Airlines that have ceased trading this year
Aloha Airlines Flew to Hawaii from US West Coast.
ATA Indianapolis-based low-cost airline.
Big Sky Airlines Montana-based regional carrier.
Coast Air Regional airline in Norway.
City Star Airlines Aberdeen-based carrier that flew routes in Scotland and to Norway.
Champion Air US charter carrier based in Minnesota.
Eos Business-class carrier Stansted-New York.
Far Eastern Air Transport Taiwan-based carrier.
Mihin Lanka Sri Lankan-based regional carrier.
Nationwide Airlines South African budget airline that flew between Gatwick and Johannesburg.
Oasis Budget carrier Hong Kong-Gatwick.
PanAm New Hampshire-based airline.
Silverjet Business-class airline that flew from Luton to New York and Dubai; may be saved.
Skybus US low-cost airline famous for its $10 fares.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2087358/Cheap-holidays---is-this-really-the-end.html
So far this year, 15 airlines have folded - more are expected to follow
Last week, the dire state of the world's aviation industry was laid bare by its global body, the International Air Transport Association (IATA). In no uncertain terms, its director-general and chief executive, Giovanni Bisignani, painted a grim picture of the tough conditions facing airlines, describing them as a "perfect storm".
"The situation is desperate," he declared, "and potentially more destructive than our recent battles with all the Horsemen of the Apocalypse combined.
"Just as we started to recover [from 9/11] we face another crisis of potentially even greater dimensions – rocketing oil prices are changing everything."
It seems that after a golden decade of low prices, the era of cheap holidays could be over. The era of cheap airlines is certainly over, at least for now.
The rising cost of fuel is the main culprit. Fuel accounts for between 30 and 50 per cent of airlines' operational costs and since the start of 2007 the price of jet kerosene has more than doubled. Virgin Atlantic's fuel bill has quadrupled since 1995 to more than £1 billion, while British Airways estimates its fuel bill will rise £450 million to £2.5 billion for 2008/09 – a 20 per cent rise on the previous year.
Until now, the travelling public has been largely shielded from these fuel rises by competition between airlines and their efforts to cut costs by grounding aircraft and improving efficiencies. Strong customer demand for flights has also helped to keep fares down – but this effect looks likely to disappear as the economic squeeze starts to tighten.
Not surprisingly, many airlines are now trying to claw back as much money as they dare from passengers through extra charges and fuel supplements. British Airways increased fuel surcharges on Tuesday, up to £60 per return flight. This takes the total cost of supplements on routes of more than nine hours to £109 one way and £218 return.
Virgin Airways has also upped its charges, but is splitting them so that economy passengers pay less than those in its premium classes. On flights of less than nine hours, for example, economy passengers pay fuel surcharges of £111 return, while Upper Class customers pay £171; on flights of more than nine hours, the extra charge is £167 and £215 respectively.
This makes the few pounds that no-frills operators charge for telephone booking or priority boarding look like chicken feed.
But what of these no-frills specialists, notably Ryanair and easyJet, that pride themselves on their refusal to introduce fuel charges?
Alan Bowen, an aviation expert, observes: "There's more than one way to skin a rabbit. These airlines don't have fuel levies, but they are increasing the number of 'auxiliary' charges, and raising them aggressively."
Various new "taxes" are also being mooted – paying to sit by a window, for example. Many believe scheduled airlines will also eventually have to start making similar supplementary charges as standard – £20 for a bag, £10 for a meal, say.
Chris Tarry, an independent aviation analyst, believes the airline industry will not escape this turbulent patch until at least 2010 or 2011 unless airline seats are taken out of the market. "It's scary. It's a case of hang on tight for the bumpy ride – it's going to be really tough," says Tarry.
International Passenger Protection, a UK-based company that provides financial failure insurance to the travel industry and monitors airlines around the world, agrees. As its managing director, Brian McLean, says: "We started in 1990 so have been through both Gulf wars, the SARS crisis and 9/11, which was the biggest – but the situation now has surpassed all the losses that occurred then with airlines."
Many observers say it is even worse than the dark days after September 11, 2001. That bleak period left many airlines on the brink of bankruptcy – a scenario repeating itself now. The only difference is that this time, more companies are crashing over the edge and going out of business as the economic squeeze means there are fewer investors prepared to ride to the rescue with a financial lifeline.
So far this year 15 airlines have ceased flying (see table below) – the highest number in such a short space of time that anyone can remember. The past week has seen the business-class carrier Silverjet ground its planes, hot on the heels of the failure of the only other two business-only airlines flying from the UK, Eos and Maxjet.
But there has been a string of other casualties too, including the Isle of Man airline EuroManx, the no-frills long-haul player Oasis Hong Kong Airlines and the South African company Nationwide Airlines. For them to fail in the run-up to the busy summer season, when airline balance sheets are normally bolstered by advance bookings, underlines the seriousness of the situation.
More look set to follow and McLean says he is watching four to five airlines that "could go" at any time. He is not alone. Virgin's Sir Richard Branson predicts that "one or more major US carriers will go out of business this year", while Ryanair's chief executive, Michael O'Leary, forecasts that only five European carriers could survive (or make a profit during) prolonged market turbulence (BA, easyJet, Ryanair, Air France and Lufthansa).
On Thursday, Continental, the US airline, announced 6,000 job losses and the grounding of 60 planes.
Customers be warned: pay for any airfares with credit cards to ensure that, if your chosen airline goes into financial freefall, it doesn't take your cash with it.
The low-cost airlines are probably safer than most. Fuel costs may have risen, but other revenue has grown along with the number of passengers boarding their planes. This reflects the belief in aviation circles that if anyone can come through these tough times, easyJet and Ryanair can. In fact, in previous market downturns, budget airlines are the ones to have benefited as travellers traded down from more traditional companies. These carriers' lower operating costs and newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft also help them to keep spending under control.
"The low-fares model has definitely proved to be the most robust and Ryanair and easyJet are riding out the storm better than the high-cost legacy carriers," says Tim Jeans, managing director of the charter and scheduled carrier Monarch Airlines. Indeed, this week Ryanair chalked up record-breaking annual results, with profits topping £380 million, although analysts warn that
higher costs might force it to ground up to 20 aircraft this winter and wipe out any profits during the current financial year.
So what can we expect in the way of airfare increases? Jeans estimates that so far, fares have risen by around six per cent and if oil prices continue on their upward curve, they could jump by 10 or 12 per cent. If this happens, it is the longest routes that will bear the brunt of the increases, bringing to an end the era of low-cost long-haul flying.
As the less profitable winter season approaches, airlines are already battening down the hatches and wielding the axe on parts of their business not pulling in enough money. The set of new routes that usually sprouts each autumn will be strictly pruned as airlines cut their networks to survive. Once this happens, they may find it easier to start raising fares.
It isn't just the airlines that will be forced to raise prices. The package-holiday market is groaning under the weight of increased fuel costs and the "euro effect", which has seen the traditional holiday playgrounds of Spain and Greece become more expensive after a 20 per cent rise in the value of the European currency.
As our consumer editor, Sophie Butler, reported recently, with the pound tumbling against the euro, some tour operators are having to redo their sums and charge customers extra to help plug the gaps. So far, around 26 tour operators, including Bales Worldwide, All Leisure Holidays and Discover the World, have contacted clients to ask for more money after deciding to surcharge. More may follow.
Some companies have escaped the worst effects of rising costs by "hedging" – buying currency and/or fuel in advance – and have been able to keep prices at their original levels. But this means the worst is yet to come next year when these measures run out and the real pain of the strong euro and costly fuel kicks in. Then, tour operators will have no choice but to raise brochure prices.
Some analysts predict customers will face a "poison chalice" of at least £200 million as operators pass on these increased rates.
Mark Brumby, a leisure analyst at Blue Oar Securities, predicts that operators, led by the big two, Thomas Cook and Tui Travel, will have to put prices up "quite sharply" in their 2009 brochures. "There is a real risk of double-digit increases – maybe 10 per cent or 13 per cent," he says.
"Think of it from the consumer's view. In a few weeks, if they land at Malaga Airport and note how expensive everything has become, that will be fresh in their minds when the new brochures hit the doormat and they see increased prices.
"This may not be the end of cheap holidays, but it's going to be difficult."
The cruise crunch
The crisis in the travel industry has also hit the booming cruise market, although cruise companies have so far managed to avoid the sort of damaging headlines garnered by the airlines.
Yet prices are going up, and in an unprecedented (and little-publicised) move, more than 10 cruise lines have introduced surcharges to cover escalating fuel bills. These include Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, Costa Cruises, Ocean Village, Princess Cruises, Silversea Cruises and Crystal Cruises. P & O Cruises is charging passengers an extra £2.50 a day up to a maximum of £35 on cruises of 14 nights or less. On longer voyages, the £2.50 daily charge is capped at £50 per person and on world cruises and grand voyages it is capped at £100 per person.
Royal Caribbean International fuel supplements stand at £4 a day on the first two passengers in each cabin up to a maximum of £56. Additional guests in each cabin are charged £1.50 a day, to a maximum of £21.
The Passenger Shipping Association, the organisation to which most cruise lines belong, says its members have been forced to do this as a result of "global economic conditions". "Oil prices have doubled over the past year and this has had a significant effect on cruise lines, especially when you consider that they are both a means of transport and a floating hotel," says the PSA's assistant director, Andy Harmer.
Airlines that have ceased trading this year
Aloha Airlines Flew to Hawaii from US West Coast.
ATA Indianapolis-based low-cost airline.
Big Sky Airlines Montana-based regional carrier.
Coast Air Regional airline in Norway.
City Star Airlines Aberdeen-based carrier that flew routes in Scotland and to Norway.
Champion Air US charter carrier based in Minnesota.
Eos Business-class carrier Stansted-New York.
Far Eastern Air Transport Taiwan-based carrier.
Mihin Lanka Sri Lankan-based regional carrier.
Nationwide Airlines South African budget airline that flew between Gatwick and Johannesburg.
Oasis Budget carrier Hong Kong-Gatwick.
PanAm New Hampshire-based airline.
Silverjet Business-class airline that flew from Luton to New York and Dubai; may be saved.
Skybus US low-cost airline famous for its $10 fares.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2087358/Cheap-holidays---is-this-really-the-end.html
Timeshare - Dubai
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Timeshares poised to capture the holiday market
The timeshare industry is expected to reach new heights in the Middle East as increasing numbers of consumers in the region embrace the concept. With demand for timeshares on the rise, a number of major hospitality companies are launching new projects to capture a slice of this booming market.
The concept of timeshares has been around for more than 30 years in Europe and the US, but it is a relatively new industry in the Gulf.
A timeshare is the purchase of an increment of time - typically one week - at a resort, condominium, or luxury home, often with the option to exchange this time period to stay at other resorts worldwide.
These rights are sold to consumers either in perpetuity or for a set period of time, such as 20 or 30 years.
Currently, the Middle East holds less than 5% of the world's timeshare developments, but that figure is expected to grow rapidly.
One catalyst for this growth is the increasing number of standards that are being created to regulate the industry in the region.
New timeshare standards
In March, the Dubai government passed new regulations for vacation ownership, which include time sharing fractional ownership, private residence clubs, and destination clubs.
'Now there is a solid platform that will allow the industry to grow and prosper,' said David Clifton, Managing Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company.
The regulations are aimed at giving timeshare consumers greater protections, and ensuring that developers take more responsibility for their projects.
For example, if a project is not delivered on time, the developer would be responsible for finding an equivalent hotel or resort for the guests to stay in. Previously, the property management company would have been held responsible.
Clifton acknowledges that timeshares used to have a poor reputation in Europe, where they were first launched in the 1960s.
Timeshares were often sold through unscrupulous promotional offers, leaving buyers unable to sell their units for anything near what they paid for them, let alone at a profit.
Since then a number of changes have taken place to enhance the credibility of the industry. 'For one thing, about 15 years ago the major hospitality companies recognized that this is going to become a mainstream hospitality product, which it has. With names like Disney, Four Seasons, and Marriott entering the business, these groups have brought an incredible amount of credibility to the industry,' he argues.
The industry is also benefiting from a desire to attract more end users into the real estate market. 'Dubai's real estate market has been fuelled by speculators, many of whom have come in and bought whole buildings, floors, etc. I think there is a real movement and interest by not only government but also developers to bring end users into the market. And that is exactly what vacation ownership does,' Clifton says.
Dubai drives growth
In terms of growth of the industry, the 'single most dramatic' global location will be the Middle East and Dubai in particular, Clifton says. The emirate's timeshare market could one day even rise to oust Florida from its number one position as the global leader in timeshare sales.
'We believe the timeshare market in Dubai will be number one, two, or three in the world in the not so distant future. We are seeing record numbers of new entrants getting ready to come into the business, and now that the regulatory platform is in place, you will see major announcements taking place over the next six to 12 months, and some have already taken place,' he predicts.
One of the most recent companies to announce a timeshare development in Dubai is Emaar Hospitality Group, a subsidiary of Emaar Properties, which plans to develop and operate a timeshare portfolio that will include serviced residences and custom-designed resorts in the emirate.
'The timeshare market in Dubai is poised for exponential growth with booming inbound tourists driving the demand for spacious accommodation that hotels cannot fully meet,' said Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties.
Emaar plans to expand its timeshare business to other countries in the region, where it is developing communities with hospitality and leisure components.
The locations would include Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, Egypt and Indonesia.
Not to be outdone, Marriott International has signed an agreement with Al-Futtaim Group to launch Marriott Vacation Club, in Dubai Festival City, the first Marriott Vacation Club resort in the Middle East - and the largest outside North America.
J.W. Marriott Jr., Chairman and CEO of Marriott, hailed Dubai's efforts to develop regulations for the industry.
'Our experience from operating timeshare resorts worldwide shows good legislation fosters a healthy and robust business environment that benefits both developers and customers long-term. The government of Dubai is planning to introduce balanced legislation in line with global standards and we applaud and support its efforts,' Marriott said.
Meanwhile, the largest tourism development in the UAE, Dubailand, says it regards the development of timeshares as a key component in its business plan and has launched a special subsidiary - Dubailand Vacations ¬- to develop timeshares for its resorts.
http://www.ameinfo.com/159681.html
The timeshare industry is expected to reach new heights in the Middle East as increasing numbers of consumers in the region embrace the concept. With demand for timeshares on the rise, a number of major hospitality companies are launching new projects to capture a slice of this booming market.
The concept of timeshares has been around for more than 30 years in Europe and the US, but it is a relatively new industry in the Gulf.
A timeshare is the purchase of an increment of time - typically one week - at a resort, condominium, or luxury home, often with the option to exchange this time period to stay at other resorts worldwide.
These rights are sold to consumers either in perpetuity or for a set period of time, such as 20 or 30 years.
Currently, the Middle East holds less than 5% of the world's timeshare developments, but that figure is expected to grow rapidly.
One catalyst for this growth is the increasing number of standards that are being created to regulate the industry in the region.
New timeshare standards
In March, the Dubai government passed new regulations for vacation ownership, which include time sharing fractional ownership, private residence clubs, and destination clubs.
'Now there is a solid platform that will allow the industry to grow and prosper,' said David Clifton, Managing Director for Europe, Middle East & Africa at Interval International, a leading global vacation exchange company.
The regulations are aimed at giving timeshare consumers greater protections, and ensuring that developers take more responsibility for their projects.
For example, if a project is not delivered on time, the developer would be responsible for finding an equivalent hotel or resort for the guests to stay in. Previously, the property management company would have been held responsible.
Clifton acknowledges that timeshares used to have a poor reputation in Europe, where they were first launched in the 1960s.
Timeshares were often sold through unscrupulous promotional offers, leaving buyers unable to sell their units for anything near what they paid for them, let alone at a profit.
Since then a number of changes have taken place to enhance the credibility of the industry. 'For one thing, about 15 years ago the major hospitality companies recognized that this is going to become a mainstream hospitality product, which it has. With names like Disney, Four Seasons, and Marriott entering the business, these groups have brought an incredible amount of credibility to the industry,' he argues.
The industry is also benefiting from a desire to attract more end users into the real estate market. 'Dubai's real estate market has been fuelled by speculators, many of whom have come in and bought whole buildings, floors, etc. I think there is a real movement and interest by not only government but also developers to bring end users into the market. And that is exactly what vacation ownership does,' Clifton says.
Dubai drives growth
In terms of growth of the industry, the 'single most dramatic' global location will be the Middle East and Dubai in particular, Clifton says. The emirate's timeshare market could one day even rise to oust Florida from its number one position as the global leader in timeshare sales.
'We believe the timeshare market in Dubai will be number one, two, or three in the world in the not so distant future. We are seeing record numbers of new entrants getting ready to come into the business, and now that the regulatory platform is in place, you will see major announcements taking place over the next six to 12 months, and some have already taken place,' he predicts.
One of the most recent companies to announce a timeshare development in Dubai is Emaar Hospitality Group, a subsidiary of Emaar Properties, which plans to develop and operate a timeshare portfolio that will include serviced residences and custom-designed resorts in the emirate.
'The timeshare market in Dubai is poised for exponential growth with booming inbound tourists driving the demand for spacious accommodation that hotels cannot fully meet,' said Mohamed Ali Alabbar, chairman of Emaar Properties.
Emaar plans to expand its timeshare business to other countries in the region, where it is developing communities with hospitality and leisure components.
The locations would include Morocco, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, India, Turkey, Egypt and Indonesia.
Not to be outdone, Marriott International has signed an agreement with Al-Futtaim Group to launch Marriott Vacation Club, in Dubai Festival City, the first Marriott Vacation Club resort in the Middle East - and the largest outside North America.
J.W. Marriott Jr., Chairman and CEO of Marriott, hailed Dubai's efforts to develop regulations for the industry.
'Our experience from operating timeshare resorts worldwide shows good legislation fosters a healthy and robust business environment that benefits both developers and customers long-term. The government of Dubai is planning to introduce balanced legislation in line with global standards and we applaud and support its efforts,' Marriott said.
Meanwhile, the largest tourism development in the UAE, Dubailand, says it regards the development of timeshares as a key component in its business plan and has launched a special subsidiary - Dubailand Vacations ¬- to develop timeshares for its resorts.
http://www.ameinfo.com/159681.html
lack of safety features-family friendly holidays
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Survey finds lack of safety features on family-friendly holidays
www.totstotravel.co.uk provides travel safety tips in recognition of Child Safety Week 23 – 29 June 2008
10 June 2008 – A survey conducted by child-friendly travel company www.totstotravel.co.uk found that 45.8% of parents felt they had to be more safety conscious on a holiday with young children than they would be at home. In addition, almost a quarter (24.9%) of the parents said that they had been on family holidays where no basic safety equipment or features were provided.
The 350 parents polled were asked to rank holiday safety features in order of importance. Enclosed swimming pools topped the list, followed by enclosed play spaces, stairgates, lifeguards, electric plug socket covers and baby monitors. Yet, of the holidays that parents had been on with young children, only 45.7% had enclosed swimming pools, 28.7% had stairgates and only 16.1% had electric plug socket covers.
Child safety will be put in the spotlight by the Child Accident and Prevention Trust (CAPT) during Child Safety Week running from 23 to 29 June 2008. While the emphasis of the CAPT campaign is on safety in and around the home, Tots to Travel wants to encourage parents to also be aware of the safety hazards they might face on holiday with young children.
“Most holiday properties are not designed with young children in mind. Parents go to great lengths to make their homes child-proof but the same precautions aren’t usually in place on a holiday,” explains Wendy Shand, founder of Tots to Travel. “This makes it incredibly hard for parents - who are usually in dire need of a real break - to actually relax. We’ve invested in CAPT training to ensure that all of our properties are vetted and kitted out with child safety in mind, but not all holidays companies have done the same.”
With the looming summer holidays, Tots to Travel offers these safety tips to parents travelling with young children:
• Call your holiday company and find out what safety features they have in place. Forewarned is forearmed.
• If the pool is unenclosed, request a room that doesn’t open directly onto it.
• Ask whether you can hire stairgates or a playpen.
• Take your own baby monitors and be sure to get an international travel adaptor.
• Take a roll of masking tape to stick over unused electric plug sockets.
• Ensure your children wear buoyancy aids at all times when in the pool area.
• Take a travel first aid kit with you.
• Opt for babysitting rather than baby listening services.
It was her own two year old son falling into an unenclosed swimming pool on holiday that prompted Shand to start up Tots to Travel. She provides holiday properties that let parents completely relax. All of the properties in the popular www.totstofrance.co.uk and www.totstoitaly.co.uk stables provide the basic child-related necessities, including safety elements, that parents take for granted at home. Stairgates, electric plugs socket covers, fully enclosed swimming pools, bed guards, baby monitors and non-slip bath mats are just some of the safety features the properties offer.
About Tots to Travel
Tots to Travel is the parent company of Tots to France (http://www.totstofrance.co.uk) and Tots to Italy (http://www.totstoitaly.co.uk).
Tots to France was set up by Wendy Shand, mum of two, in April 2006 as a holiday lettings agency with a range of family friendly properties throughout France. The company specialises in providing accommodation to meet the very specific needs of families with babies and young children. All properties are fully equipped with a range of child-related equipment and safety features. The company also provides English-speaking babysitters and home cooked meals.
The concept proved enormously successful, with the company now offering over 50 French properties. Building on this success, the award-winning formula has been replicated in Italy with the launch of Tots to Italy in January 2008. Roll outs for other countries like the UK, Spain, Ireland and the Balearic Islands are currently being planned.
Wendy Shand won the Mother@work Best Mumpreneur Award 2007, the Enterprisenation Home Business of the Year Award 2007 and the BT Essence of the Entrepreneur Award 2007.
Full Story: http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=39510&hilite=
www.totstotravel.co.uk provides travel safety tips in recognition of Child Safety Week 23 – 29 June 2008
10 June 2008 – A survey conducted by child-friendly travel company www.totstotravel.co.uk found that 45.8% of parents felt they had to be more safety conscious on a holiday with young children than they would be at home. In addition, almost a quarter (24.9%) of the parents said that they had been on family holidays where no basic safety equipment or features were provided.
The 350 parents polled were asked to rank holiday safety features in order of importance. Enclosed swimming pools topped the list, followed by enclosed play spaces, stairgates, lifeguards, electric plug socket covers and baby monitors. Yet, of the holidays that parents had been on with young children, only 45.7% had enclosed swimming pools, 28.7% had stairgates and only 16.1% had electric plug socket covers.
Child safety will be put in the spotlight by the Child Accident and Prevention Trust (CAPT) during Child Safety Week running from 23 to 29 June 2008. While the emphasis of the CAPT campaign is on safety in and around the home, Tots to Travel wants to encourage parents to also be aware of the safety hazards they might face on holiday with young children.
“Most holiday properties are not designed with young children in mind. Parents go to great lengths to make their homes child-proof but the same precautions aren’t usually in place on a holiday,” explains Wendy Shand, founder of Tots to Travel. “This makes it incredibly hard for parents - who are usually in dire need of a real break - to actually relax. We’ve invested in CAPT training to ensure that all of our properties are vetted and kitted out with child safety in mind, but not all holidays companies have done the same.”
With the looming summer holidays, Tots to Travel offers these safety tips to parents travelling with young children:
• Call your holiday company and find out what safety features they have in place. Forewarned is forearmed.
• If the pool is unenclosed, request a room that doesn’t open directly onto it.
• Ask whether you can hire stairgates or a playpen.
• Take your own baby monitors and be sure to get an international travel adaptor.
• Take a roll of masking tape to stick over unused electric plug sockets.
• Ensure your children wear buoyancy aids at all times when in the pool area.
• Take a travel first aid kit with you.
• Opt for babysitting rather than baby listening services.
It was her own two year old son falling into an unenclosed swimming pool on holiday that prompted Shand to start up Tots to Travel. She provides holiday properties that let parents completely relax. All of the properties in the popular www.totstofrance.co.uk and www.totstoitaly.co.uk stables provide the basic child-related necessities, including safety elements, that parents take for granted at home. Stairgates, electric plugs socket covers, fully enclosed swimming pools, bed guards, baby monitors and non-slip bath mats are just some of the safety features the properties offer.
About Tots to Travel
Tots to Travel is the parent company of Tots to France (http://www.totstofrance.co.uk) and Tots to Italy (http://www.totstoitaly.co.uk).
Tots to France was set up by Wendy Shand, mum of two, in April 2006 as a holiday lettings agency with a range of family friendly properties throughout France. The company specialises in providing accommodation to meet the very specific needs of families with babies and young children. All properties are fully equipped with a range of child-related equipment and safety features. The company also provides English-speaking babysitters and home cooked meals.
The concept proved enormously successful, with the company now offering over 50 French properties. Building on this success, the award-winning formula has been replicated in Italy with the launch of Tots to Italy in January 2008. Roll outs for other countries like the UK, Spain, Ireland and the Balearic Islands are currently being planned.
Wendy Shand won the Mother@work Best Mumpreneur Award 2007, the Enterprisenation Home Business of the Year Award 2007 and the BT Essence of the Entrepreneur Award 2007.
Full Story: http://www.responsesource.com/releases/rel_display.php?relid=39510&hilite=
Trump bid puts hotel plan back on course
Sunday, June 08, 2008
PITTODRIE HOUSE PROPOSAL MAY BRING JOBS AND TOURISM BOOST
COMMITTED: Owners of Pittodrie House Hotel, near Inverurie, hope to double the size of the buildings and convert outbuildings. Multimillion-pound expansion plans that could provide a tourism and rural employment boost for Aberdeenshire are back on the table.
As US tycoon Donald Trump prepares to fly into Aberdeen next week for a public hearing into his £1billion plans for a golf resort near Balmedie, it has been confirmed that fresh costs are being drawn up for a timeshare and golf resort scheme close to Bennachie, near Inverurie.
A spokesman for Macdonald Pittodrie House Hotel confirmed the global golfing interest that Trump’s project had stimulated had been an impetus to renewing plans for its 2,000-acre estate near Chapel of Garioch.
The project was put on hold and outline planning permission had lapsed on the development, which five years ago was costed at £20million and would now be “considerably more”.
“We do now hope to progress the plans,” said an agent for the country house hotel project. “There is certainly renewed interest focused on the north-east through Mr Trump’s proposals, and tremendous golfing and tourism potential locally. Our plans are firmly back on the table.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said full planning and listed building consent was being sought for a hotel extension that would double the size of the building and conversion of outbuildings to timeshare holiday units. An outline application is already in place for a golf course.
The traditional-style extension would include a swimming pool, gym, hydro-spa, leisure and golf club lounge, sauna and steam rooms on the ground floor.
There would also be a function suite and bar. The first floor would provide a 23-bedroom extension to the 27-bedroom hotel, while nearby steadings would be converted into 11 self-contained, timeshare-holiday units.
Pittodrie House Hotel has been undergoing a £1.2million refurbishment, and was recently awarded four-star status through the AA. The hotel, parts of which date from the 15th century, was commended for its “excellent all-round standards of service and investment”.
Macdonald Hotels and Resorts deputy chief executive Gordon Fraser said last night the group was committed to the development of commercial and tourism facilities.
He said: “We have resubmitted planning proposals and are encouraged by ongoing discussions already held with Aberdeenshire Council officials, and are hopeful the outcome will be favourable.”
BY ALISTAIR BEATON
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/674522?UserKey=0
COMMITTED: Owners of Pittodrie House Hotel, near Inverurie, hope to double the size of the buildings and convert outbuildings. Multimillion-pound expansion plans that could provide a tourism and rural employment boost for Aberdeenshire are back on the table.
As US tycoon Donald Trump prepares to fly into Aberdeen next week for a public hearing into his £1billion plans for a golf resort near Balmedie, it has been confirmed that fresh costs are being drawn up for a timeshare and golf resort scheme close to Bennachie, near Inverurie.
A spokesman for Macdonald Pittodrie House Hotel confirmed the global golfing interest that Trump’s project had stimulated had been an impetus to renewing plans for its 2,000-acre estate near Chapel of Garioch.
The project was put on hold and outline planning permission had lapsed on the development, which five years ago was costed at £20million and would now be “considerably more”.
“We do now hope to progress the plans,” said an agent for the country house hotel project. “There is certainly renewed interest focused on the north-east through Mr Trump’s proposals, and tremendous golfing and tourism potential locally. Our plans are firmly back on the table.”
An Aberdeenshire Council spokesman said full planning and listed building consent was being sought for a hotel extension that would double the size of the building and conversion of outbuildings to timeshare holiday units. An outline application is already in place for a golf course.
The traditional-style extension would include a swimming pool, gym, hydro-spa, leisure and golf club lounge, sauna and steam rooms on the ground floor.
There would also be a function suite and bar. The first floor would provide a 23-bedroom extension to the 27-bedroom hotel, while nearby steadings would be converted into 11 self-contained, timeshare-holiday units.
Pittodrie House Hotel has been undergoing a £1.2million refurbishment, and was recently awarded four-star status through the AA. The hotel, parts of which date from the 15th century, was commended for its “excellent all-round standards of service and investment”.
Macdonald Hotels and Resorts deputy chief executive Gordon Fraser said last night the group was committed to the development of commercial and tourism facilities.
He said: “We have resubmitted planning proposals and are encouraged by ongoing discussions already held with Aberdeenshire Council officials, and are hopeful the outcome will be favourable.”
BY ALISTAIR BEATON
http://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/Article.aspx/674522?UserKey=0
Airline tax row: Q&A
Sunday, June 08, 2008
The United States has threatened Britain with legal action over a planned air tax increase which could see British families paying £400 extra for transatlantic flights.
How does the air tax system work at the moment?
Currently, each economy-class passenger flying to a European destination pays British air passenger duty of £10.
Those flying further afield pay £40.
What is the Government proposing?
It wants to charge tax for each aeroplane rather than each passenger.
The tax will vary depending on the size of the aircraft and how far it is travelling.
The world will be divided into three zones with European flights charged significantly less than transatlantic or long-haul destinations.
Airlines will pass on the tax to passengers.
How much will it cost?
The exact level of the charge per aircraft has not been set but the Government wishes to raise £2.6 billion from the new tax.
Airlines therefore calculate that the long-haul charge will be about £100 per person.
Why is the Government proposing the change?
It claims that it will encourage more environmentally friendly behaviour as airlines will be under pressure to fly full planes.
The airlines say this is nonsense as the high price of fuel and other costs are enough of an incentive to fill planes.
What is the problem with the plan?
Most European airlines fly long-haul via other European cities.
Therefore they will pay far lower rates of tax than those flying direct from London. Passengers on British and American-based airlines will pay far higher amounts.
Some airlines may also choose to stop using London as an international hub, particularly for freight flights.
The US government also points out that the tax does not penalise budget airlines even though these are the flights that most concern environmentalists.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2086840/Airline-tax-row-QandampA.html
How does the air tax system work at the moment?
Currently, each economy-class passenger flying to a European destination pays British air passenger duty of £10.
Those flying further afield pay £40.
What is the Government proposing?
It wants to charge tax for each aeroplane rather than each passenger.
The tax will vary depending on the size of the aircraft and how far it is travelling.
The world will be divided into three zones with European flights charged significantly less than transatlantic or long-haul destinations.
Airlines will pass on the tax to passengers.
How much will it cost?
The exact level of the charge per aircraft has not been set but the Government wishes to raise £2.6 billion from the new tax.
Airlines therefore calculate that the long-haul charge will be about £100 per person.
Why is the Government proposing the change?
It claims that it will encourage more environmentally friendly behaviour as airlines will be under pressure to fly full planes.
The airlines say this is nonsense as the high price of fuel and other costs are enough of an incentive to fill planes.
What is the problem with the plan?
Most European airlines fly long-haul via other European cities.
Therefore they will pay far lower rates of tax than those flying direct from London. Passengers on British and American-based airlines will pay far higher amounts.
Some airlines may also choose to stop using London as an international hub, particularly for freight flights.
The US government also points out that the tax does not penalise budget airlines even though these are the flights that most concern environmentalists.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/travelnews/2086840/Airline-tax-row-QandampA.html
A different kind of holiday?
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Cast off (your clothes)
An American outfit, Source Events (www.sourceevents.com), is to offer luxury gay nudist holidays to British customers for the first time. The Greek islands cruise sounds fun: “Loose yourself in the whitewashed island villages.” Don’t they mean “lose”? Actually, it looks rather good – it’s on the gorgeous tall ship Star Clipper (right), and costs only £1,093pp for a week, including meals. Dinner’s informal: just come as you are.
Full story : http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article4076203.ece
An American outfit, Source Events (www.sourceevents.com), is to offer luxury gay nudist holidays to British customers for the first time. The Greek islands cruise sounds fun: “Loose yourself in the whitewashed island villages.” Don’t they mean “lose”? Actually, it looks rather good – it’s on the gorgeous tall ship Star Clipper (right), and costs only £1,093pp for a week, including meals. Dinner’s informal: just come as you are.
Full story : http://travel.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/travel/news/article4076203.ece
Airlines raise cost- if route is searched often?
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
Q
Do airlines raise prices if they notice a certain route is being searched more frequently online?
A
I suspect many other readers have wondered the same thing you're asking, particularly when a fare you were interested suddenly jumped up after you searched it several times.
But, when I asked Tim Knowling, Kayak's director of business development and a former revenue manager at American, he didn't confirm the suspicion. "That is highly unlikely," says Knowling. "Airline prices are dictated by the market and competition. If an airline can charge a premium [and] increase fares, it will, but with it being such a competitive industry that is rarely the case."
On the other hand, our friends at Airfarewatchdog.com recommend clearing the cookies on your Internet browser if you've been searching a particular route often, saying, "If a fare changes between two separate searches done over time on the same route, some fare search engines may return the results you viewed earlier rather than the new, lower results."
http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/do-airlines-raise-prices-if-they-notice-route-being-heavily-searched-online.html?id=2602700
Do airlines raise prices if they notice a certain route is being searched more frequently online?
A
I suspect many other readers have wondered the same thing you're asking, particularly when a fare you were interested suddenly jumped up after you searched it several times.
But, when I asked Tim Knowling, Kayak's director of business development and a former revenue manager at American, he didn't confirm the suspicion. "That is highly unlikely," says Knowling. "Airline prices are dictated by the market and competition. If an airline can charge a premium [and] increase fares, it will, but with it being such a competitive industry that is rarely the case."
On the other hand, our friends at Airfarewatchdog.com recommend clearing the cookies on your Internet browser if you've been searching a particular route often, saying, "If a fare changes between two separate searches done over time on the same route, some fare search engines may return the results you viewed earlier rather than the new, lower results."
http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/do-airlines-raise-prices-if-they-notice-route-being-heavily-searched-online.html?id=2602700
Reselling a Timeshare
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
My recent report noted that vacation clubs are little more than minor variations on the timeshare theme. And, for either vacation clubs or timeshares, one of the biggest problems many owners face is how to sell an unwanted interval for anything even close to the price they originally paid. The earlier report prompted two almost identical reader
questions:
"How can I sell a timeshare I no longer want to use?"
The short answer: "probably at a loss." Yes, you can sell, but you're not likely to come even close to what you originally paid. Moreover, lots of apparently attractive offers to resell timeshares are borderline to outright scams.
In search of more detailed information on reselling, I visited the website for the Timeshare User's Group (TUG), a valuable resource for any present owner or prospective buyer. The selling recommendations I list are based, in part, on information from the TUG website.
Never pay big up-front resale fees
Almost every offer to sell your timeshare for a big up-front fee is a scam, and the up-front fees are not trivial. Although some may start around $100, many can be thousands of dollars. Whether the promoter says the fee is for "advertising," "appraisal," "marketing," "market analysis," or any other impressive-sounding name, the likely outcome is that once you send in your fee you probably won't hear anything positive—or, in many cases, anything at all. Out of hundreds of messages from members, says TUG, only two reported any success with a fee-up-front reseller.
The promotions may sound enticing. Some "guarantee" to sell your unwanted interval; some claim that they have a list of "qualified buyers," often from Europe or Asia, who are looking for timeshares to buy. Some offer a "money back" guarantee or say your up-front fee is "refundable." Good luck getting it!
The only exception to the "no fee" rule is the minor cost—in the $10 to $30 range—for posting a "sale" notice on one of the many exchange/trade websites. In fact, TUG carries such listings on its own site.
Value your timeshare realistically
Beyond paying an upfront fee, the next biggest mistake timeshare sellers make is putting too high a price tag on the intervals they're trying to sell. Forget what you paid, because you won't get it back—or come even close. Timeshares are like new cars: The minute you leave the developer's office, the value drops sharply.
Instead, base your price on asking prices for similar intervals. That's easy enough to check: My "favorites" list includes some two-dozen timeshare resale websites, and I suspect there are far more that I don't have. You can also check out the asking prices on multimarket sale/trade websites such as eBay or craigslist. Google "timeshare" plus the base location of your timeshare. Call the base resort and ask about recent sales.
As with so much of the travel industry, your best bet is to set your price at or near the low end for comparable intervals. If you see a listing with four or five comparable intervals, and yours is near the top, your chances of getting a "bite" are pretty slim.
Some owners I know have agreed to relinquish their timeshares back to the developer without receiving anything. That was the only way to avoid further cash-draining maintenance and other recurring fees.
Realistically, you may even have to pay to get out of a bad timeshare deal. If you financed your timeshare purchase, you might find yourself "upside down" on the deal: still owing more on the loan than the best price you can get.
Present your timeshare honestly
Provide an honest description of the property and exchange options. Don't claim "beachfront" if the beach is a block away. Don't understate maintenance and other fees. If possible, include photos.
Promote in efficient media
Based on reports from members, TUG lists several resellers that have performed relatively well. Among the most active are RedWeek, MyResortNetwork.com, and TransAction Realty. The TUG website includes links to another 16 sites that have received favorable user reviews.
As mentioned, the big multimarket sell/trade sites such as eBay and craigslist include timeshare resale postings. You could also consider placing small classified ads in your local paper or the paper in your interval's primary location, but in today's marketplace, posting online gives you a lot more bang for the buck.
Don't bother trying to get a realtor to handle a timeshare resale. The commission would be far too small to interest even the hungriest agent.
Don't fall for a "second generation" scam
Sadly, there's no end to avarice among scammers. I've heard several reports of people who fell victim twice: once to an original scammer who took money with a promise to resell but didn't, and again to a second who promised to help them get their money back from the first. Don't pay an up-front fee for someone to sell your timeshare—and especially don't pay another fee to try to get the first one back.
Full Story by Ed Perkins: http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/reselling-timeshare-is-no-picnic.html?id=2603494
questions:
"How can I sell a timeshare I no longer want to use?"
The short answer: "probably at a loss." Yes, you can sell, but you're not likely to come even close to what you originally paid. Moreover, lots of apparently attractive offers to resell timeshares are borderline to outright scams.
In search of more detailed information on reselling, I visited the website for the Timeshare User's Group (TUG), a valuable resource for any present owner or prospective buyer. The selling recommendations I list are based, in part, on information from the TUG website.
Never pay big up-front resale fees
Almost every offer to sell your timeshare for a big up-front fee is a scam, and the up-front fees are not trivial. Although some may start around $100, many can be thousands of dollars. Whether the promoter says the fee is for "advertising," "appraisal," "marketing," "market analysis," or any other impressive-sounding name, the likely outcome is that once you send in your fee you probably won't hear anything positive—or, in many cases, anything at all. Out of hundreds of messages from members, says TUG, only two reported any success with a fee-up-front reseller.
The promotions may sound enticing. Some "guarantee" to sell your unwanted interval; some claim that they have a list of "qualified buyers," often from Europe or Asia, who are looking for timeshares to buy. Some offer a "money back" guarantee or say your up-front fee is "refundable." Good luck getting it!
The only exception to the "no fee" rule is the minor cost—in the $10 to $30 range—for posting a "sale" notice on one of the many exchange/trade websites. In fact, TUG carries such listings on its own site.
Value your timeshare realistically
Beyond paying an upfront fee, the next biggest mistake timeshare sellers make is putting too high a price tag on the intervals they're trying to sell. Forget what you paid, because you won't get it back—or come even close. Timeshares are like new cars: The minute you leave the developer's office, the value drops sharply.
Instead, base your price on asking prices for similar intervals. That's easy enough to check: My "favorites" list includes some two-dozen timeshare resale websites, and I suspect there are far more that I don't have. You can also check out the asking prices on multimarket sale/trade websites such as eBay or craigslist. Google "timeshare" plus the base location of your timeshare. Call the base resort and ask about recent sales.
As with so much of the travel industry, your best bet is to set your price at or near the low end for comparable intervals. If you see a listing with four or five comparable intervals, and yours is near the top, your chances of getting a "bite" are pretty slim.
Some owners I know have agreed to relinquish their timeshares back to the developer without receiving anything. That was the only way to avoid further cash-draining maintenance and other recurring fees.
Realistically, you may even have to pay to get out of a bad timeshare deal. If you financed your timeshare purchase, you might find yourself "upside down" on the deal: still owing more on the loan than the best price you can get.
Present your timeshare honestly
Provide an honest description of the property and exchange options. Don't claim "beachfront" if the beach is a block away. Don't understate maintenance and other fees. If possible, include photos.
Promote in efficient media
Based on reports from members, TUG lists several resellers that have performed relatively well. Among the most active are RedWeek, MyResortNetwork.com, and TransAction Realty. The TUG website includes links to another 16 sites that have received favorable user reviews.
As mentioned, the big multimarket sell/trade sites such as eBay and craigslist include timeshare resale postings. You could also consider placing small classified ads in your local paper or the paper in your interval's primary location, but in today's marketplace, posting online gives you a lot more bang for the buck.
Don't bother trying to get a realtor to handle a timeshare resale. The commission would be far too small to interest even the hungriest agent.
Don't fall for a "second generation" scam
Sadly, there's no end to avarice among scammers. I've heard several reports of people who fell victim twice: once to an original scammer who took money with a promise to resell but didn't, and again to a second who promised to help them get their money back from the first. Don't pay an up-front fee for someone to sell your timeshare—and especially don't pay another fee to try to get the first one back.
Full Story by Ed Perkins: http://www.smartertravel.com/travel-advice/reselling-timeshare-is-no-picnic.html?id=2603494
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