NEALTOWEY

Archive for October, 2011

Travel can be a huge expense for any small business that does business in different places. If you are a consultant or if you are a self employed professional then traveling will be a huge part of your business. Although it can be mean a lot more business it can be very bad for your cash flow and making sure that you save wherever you can in really important – especially in this day and age. Another important thing to remember is to charge your clients for your travel expenses as its part of your service.

Finding simple ways to Read the rest of this entry »

2009 year is a year of both opportunities and challenges to China’s hotel industry. The financial crisis will further expand, it is a big challenge to China’s hotel industry, while the industry “shuffling period” has also brought development opportunities to countless China hotels. The development of the economy hotels and tourism hotels in 2009 will emerge a different situation.

Economy hotels: they are good hotels if they can remain in the financial crisis.

As the financial crisis continues to expand, the guests have reduced and the rates of hotel occupancy are lower, the economy hotels have also started to feel “cold”. Recently, seven days chain hotel, Rujia, Jinjiang star and other hotels have also launched a variety of disguised price cuts promotional strategies, and it is said to be the sharpest discount over the years.

However, the vice president of China Tourism Research Institute Dai Bin said that, at present the economy hotels account for 10% to 20% in the total hotels proportion, which is far below the United States and European countries, an average of 60% to 70%. For the long run, the business volume of economy affect smaller than star hotels in China, due to the price advantages, and instead China economy hotels will face a new round of development opportunities. The economy hotels should seek a breakthrough in innovative service and open market segments.

China Market Research Group expects that the revenues of China’s economy hotels will increase by 12% to 15%.

In 2009, the competition between economy hotels is still the competition of brand, service, operate capacity and cost control. The hotels remained are good hotels in economy hotels.

Tourism hotels: the outlook is still broad

From the view of the entire economy, tourism has a bright future, and it is predicted that in 2010 China will replace Spain to the second place, surpass France and move up to the first place in 2020. The United Nations World Tourism Organization predicts that by 2015 China will become the No.1 tourist receiving country, and the fourth largest tourist source country in the world. The domestic travelers will reach 2.8 billion people, outbound tourism will reach
100 million people, and the total tourism market will reach 30 million people. The tourism industry associated with 109 industries and 39 sectors of our national economy, the development of related industries will promote tourism industry in different degrees. The tourism industry is an important part of stimulating domestic demands.

What’s the most important is that the development of China tourism is bound to drive the development of China’s hotels.

China property hotels.

More than 500 property hotels in China will establish a “Asia-Pacific co-management association”, to resist the impact caused by global economic recession.

The property hotels are a special kind of hotel operation model, that is make the hotel room as a unit, the developer will divide the separate rooms into a individual property and then sell to the investors, investors then entrust a hotel management company to rent all the rooms to people, in this way the investors can obtain annual profit. In recent years, this kind of hotels have developed rapidly in China, at present, the total of this hotels in China reach more than 700 hotels.

Hospitality studies online is not just for people who want to work in the hotel industry. In fact, there are many other courses and degrees to choose from that are geared towards other exciting industries such as travel and tourism. If you’ve ever been the person that people go to for advice on travel, hotels, where to go and what to see, then perhaps a career in tourism is exactly what you’ve been looking for.

What exactly do travel agents do?

Agents help to plan trips for people for all sorts of Read the rest of this entry »

There several types of position available to those with travel consulting experience; one category that many people consider is business travel jobs. In some ways, these are very similar to commercial travel agent jobs. For instance, typical positions require worldwide booking experience, with familiarity in systems like Sabre and Galileo, as well as domestic experience, which especially includes familiarity with rail networks. However, there are several key differences, and those considering a career in the field should be aware of these before applying for a position.

Client Demographic

While commercial travel agents make bookings for every kind of customer imaginable, those in business travel jobs typically are dealing with certain demographics: adults, often travelling alone or in small groups. Few business bookings involve entire families; a business travel consultant will almost never book for a very young person or a very elderly person travelling alone. The ability to make arrangements for disabled individuals is, however, very important.

Hours

Not all business travel jobs require round-the-clock availability, but some do. While a commercial travel agent’s job is often finished once the customer is underway, with on-holiday issues resolved by another department, consultants are more likely to be tasked with handling the entire trip from booking to successful return into the office. If difficulties are encountered en-route, such as cancellations or delays, or plans are changed at the last-minute, the consultant must often be on hand to resolve these issues as speedily as possible. This requires not only a willingness to receive phone calls and potentially work in the middle of the night or on weekends, but the ability to make the most effective booking on the spot.

Learning the Accounts

Travel agencies often have repeat clients, for whom remembering previous preferences is a valuable relationship-building tactic; in business travel jobs, this skill is taken up a level. Those in business travel jobs are expected to not have to refer to their notes every time they make a travel arrangement. They should know that one individual is vegetarian and prefers a private taxi from airports to the hotel, or that another prefers train travel where possible, and so on. This knowledge enables them to work as quickly as possible. This is an essential part of the process of establishing trust: the individuals in the company must be able to place a high level of trust in their consultants’ efficiency.

Budgeting

A client often comes to a travel agent with a budget, which varies in flexibility, so the skill of keeping booking arrangements within a certain range of expenses is one required by all travel agents. However, some business travel jobs add a new dimension: budgeting over time. There are several ways that budgeting is handled in the field, such as the agent being given a budget per trip, but many are given a monthly or annual budget for the company, department or individual. Managing this is a crucial skill, so that the budget is not exceeded without good reason.

If you love traveling, you will soon reach a point where you get tired of the usual travel destinations and tourist traps. Yes, some things need to be seen, but unique destinations will soon top your list of things to see.

Unique Travel Destinations

So, what is a unique travel destination? Well, many people interpret the phrase differently. It can be a place where there is next to no infrastructure to accommodate travelers or Read the rest of this entry »

For people who love to travel, starting a travel agency specializing in cruises can be very exciting. Earning a living by talking about your cruise experiences and helping direct less experienced cruisers to the right vacation can be very rewarding. Many people are also attracted to the travel discounts you can receive by becoming a member of the International Airline Travel Agency Network (IATAN). Membership is available after earning $5,000 in commissions during the previous 12 month period.

It takes a little while to build your business. Great customer service and knowledge of the business are key ingredients to Read the rest of this entry »

Mazatlan is one of the top tourist spots in Mexico and the city is virtually dotted with hotels. Booking a room and staying in a hotel in this city is convenient, but it can get difficult especially during summertime. Many families are now choosing to stay at timeshares. Clients will find that there are a lot of advantages that they can get with El Cid sales practices. Here are some of the benefits that they will get with this kind of arrangement.

One of the El Cid sales practices that have been gaining the attention of many people is the perpetual ownership when they stay at these timeshares. This means that the right to the ownership to the property has no expiration date, but it is the client’s prerogative to terminate the contract or sell his share to the property whenever he pleases.

Another good thing about this arrangement is that clients have a guaranteed vacation. They do not need to worry that their booking at a hotel will be canceled when and if their flights are canceled, also. They can also go to the property and stay there without worrying about how a fully-booked hotel can ruin a perfectly planned vacation.

With this kind of arrangement, clients will be pleased to know that they have a home away from home, whether it is in Mazatlan, Acapulco, or in any other areas in Mexico.It is like a second home and, in a timeshare, there will be enough room for the whole family. They can say goodbye to trundle beds or booking a second room in case they bring an extra family member on their vacation.

The clients will also stay in first class resorts all over Mazatlan. Clients who will stay in these properties will love that they are near beaches such as Playa Los Pinos, Punta Camaron, Playa Norte, and Playa Los Cerritos.

Another great thing about El Cid sales practices is that the arrangement allows clients to save thousands of dollars over hotels and cruises. They do not have to spend so much money on expensive hotel rooms, as well as cruises that usually lack their much needed privacy and spontaneity.

A lots of people, particularly those who live in the northern latitudes of the US, tend to think of a beach vacation as always taking place when there is a snap to the air and snow on the ground. It is a natural response after all and the thoughts of running in on the beach with sand in your toes and the warm sun on your shoulders appeals to many. It’s a fact that there are a lot of beach vacation destinations available during those truly cold winter months up in the northern states. It is interesting to note that beach vacations, typically between Thanksgiving through Memorial Day, at Florida, Texas and Mississippi beaches are the most expensive due to the “snowbird” traffic influx seen there. The prices of everything from vacation towels to swim suits at these beach resort locations are much higher during this time of the year than during the off season.

The thing to remember is that the beaches are there all year long, so catching a time when the mad rush to get warm and recapture the summer can be had even in December. Think of the Holidays like Christmas in December and a nice warm beach with lights as a fun get away. Of note is that prices for everything are generally lower if you try to time your vacations during months that might not be the most traveled during the winter season.

Hotel stays will be cheaper, eating out will be less expensive, and show tickets will be less too. There’s a reason for all this and it is really simple. Most people think of summertime to go to these places and those people will pay much more than even the snowbirds coming down for some warmth. This huge surge in tourism can be boost to the local economy and they understand that it is temporary, so they jack the prices up to even out the rest of the year.

But hold the horses! Won’t it be cold even there during the middle of winter? Yes and no. It will be cooler to the locals because they are acclimated to their local weather, but to someone fro Michigan, 60 degree weather in middle of winter is like a sauna.

The best route to take during the winter months to your winter get away is a train if they have routes to get you there. If not then consider the train coupled with the bus. There are no real restrictions on baggage like airplanes and the ride is much more pleasant.

Budget & Midrange accommodation in Aberdares

The following accommodation must be booked through park headquarters

Public campsites basic sites with minimal facilities-some have hot water.

Tusk camp near Ruhuruini gate, these four cottages provide beds for eight to 10 people,a kitchen area (no pots utensils etc),toilets, hot water, a dining,/lounge area and great views.

Sapper Hut a simple Banda, with an open fire two beds and a hot-water boiler, overlooking a waterfall on the upper Magura River. You will need to bring everything from drinking ware to bedding.

Kiagondoro fishing lodge

Sitting in an excellent spot on the high moor by the Gura River, these two large cottages offer bathrooms, gas-powered kitchens, dining rooms and fireplaces.

Luxury Accommodation in Aberdare Park

Prices below include transfers (self drive isn’t permitted) form Outspan Hotel in Nyeri (for Treetops) and Aberdare Country Club near Mweiga (for Ark).Children under seven are prohibited at both lodges.

Treetops (mid-Jul-Dec full board s/tw with shared bathroom, it was at this very floodlit waterhole in 1952 that a sleeping princess became queen Elizabeth after the death of George In 1957 after the Mau Mau guerillas turned the original into ashes a much larger rendition was built on the opposite side of the waterhole.

Today, with faded, peeling, bark siding and cast iron spiral staircases, treetops’ exterior resembles a weathered shipwreck. The narrow lined hallways, miniature rooms, bench-seated dining halls and shared bathrooms are just as ship-like, but thankfully they don’t scream nautical disaster.

Despite its quirks Treetops reeks of charm, and there is still one lone tree meandering its way, through the floors, ceilings, and walls near the reception. Besides a great rooftop, wildlife viewing area and photographic hides, there’s an onsite naturalist who give talks and happily answers question.

ARK what this modern upscale version of the treetops lacks in history and charm, it makes up for in comfort and wildlife viewing. Sitting higher in the Aberdares Arks floodlit waterholes surrounded by grasses and mountain forests, which attracts a wider array of animals than Treetops.

Nightly visitors typically include elephants, rhinos, buffalos and spotted hyenas. Spotting a leopard is less likely, but still a real possibility. Like Treetops, they dubiously spread salt to attract wildlife, but here its confined to a smaller area, meaning there is less trampling of vegetation along the water line (crucial for timid species to approach).

Getting there and away

Access roads from the B5 hwy to the Wanderi’s, Ark, Treetops and Ruhuruini gates are in descent shape, while the road from Nyeri to Kiandongoro is just horrendous.

Regular Nyeri-Mweiga pass KWS headquarters and the main park gate. Since trekking the Salient is inadvisable, most trekkers use the Wanderi’s gate.

Nyeri’s Outspan hotel charges for wildlife drives into the lower Salient, while the Aberdare Country Club charges per vehicle; both rates exclude park entry fees.

If you are lover of nature and forest sorroundings, we suggest you try either the Ark or the Treetops, favourably reffered to as the Africa Kenya tree house.

Enjoy!

When you think of taking a trip to another country, there is no doubt you immediately consider airline ticket prices. But, that was not always the most popular mode of travel. Before there were 747 jetliners to ferry people across oceans, the way to travel was by cruise ship. But when it came to the masses, they were not necessarily the luxury vessels we are used to seeing today.

Everyone has seen the blockbuster movie, Titanic. It tells a story about a couple that fell in love on the fateful ship before her sinking. While it may just be a story of fiction, it also gave you a little glimpse into what it was really like to be aboard this method of transportation years ago. As you saw in the movie, not everyone was treated equally aboard the cruise ship. There were the very elite customers who were served everything on a silver platter, but on the lower decks were those who were just hoping to get from one place to another and were forced to scrape by in an area where they were packed as tightly as a can of sardines. If you wanted to enjoy your trip, you had to be filthy rich.

Back in those days, there were not quite as many cruise liners as there are today. Those that were in existence were names that everyone knew. Some of the names you may recognize are the Lusitania and the Queen Mary.

For a while, the popularity of luxury cruise travel waned, but it had resurgence in the 1970′s. It was all thanks to a television show, The Love Boat. The staff on the television sitcom showed how great of a time passengers were having. They showed passengers relaxing, playing a number of fun games, meeting new friends over great meals, and getting to see new places. People started booking holiday cruises again hoping to cash in on some of the excitement. And for the most part the cruise lines delivered. They offered people a chance to stand on the deck and watch as they headed to new worlds, unexplored to them. In one trip they would allow those on board to see a lot of places they had never been before, and give them a great setting to talk about it at the end of the day. Some cruises didn’t even have an end destination, they merely were ‘cruises to nowhere’, a chance to experience cruise ship life for a few days. The trend never really died and has been popular ever since.

What is involved in a cruise has changed from the early years. While you can still take a transatlantic cruise, that is not the most popular choice. There are now a number of 3, 4, 7, and 10 days cruises to a variety of destinations. The accommodations are no longer just lush or poor, but instead a number of different cabin choices at a wide array of prices. Because of the variety, anyone today can enjoy a cruise, no matter what his or her budget.