Travel Log - Trends Archives

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Business Travelers Feel Pain of Increased Liesure Travel

As summer nears, the travel industry is showing signs of reaching the heaviest travel period since 9/11. Both business and first class cabins on flights are filling to capacity making it difficult for business travelers to get tickets. Hotel prices are also rising and the Air Transport Association predicts 65 million passengers will travel on planes this summer, up 12 percent from last summer's 58 million. Additionally, the National Business Travel Association expects business travel to match the level of 2000 - one of the heaviest travel periods in recent history.

This increase in travel activity bodes well for the hotel industry as increased demand allows for increased room rates. Low cost airline carriers are also benefitting as their expansion is fueled by this increase in travel demand.

Steve Hall | June 6, 2004 | Trends | Permanent link | Comments (1)

Airplanes Get Smaller, Passengers Cringe

As airlines battle to stay afloat while still providing service to smaller cities, downsized aircraft have been employed where flying a larger aircraft does not make economical sense. Using smaller plans such as the Embraer saves airlines money, gets passengers to their destinations quicker but does it in a less than comfortable manner. Referred to as "Barbie jets," these planes have small seats, less inflight service and overall cramped quarters.

It's a trade off. If you want to get there, you can. But you won't be able to do it comfortably.

Steve Hall | February 17, 2004 | Trends | Permanent link | Comments (0)

The Eating Is Good in San Francisco

The New York Times reviews five great restaurants in San Francisco where you can find good food that comes in portions made for an actual human being rather than a heard of wild, voracious dogs. In reality, it's yet another dining trend. The food comes on smaller plates but you can get as many plates as you want. Still, it's an admirable attempt at fighting the fattening of America.

Steve Hall | December 17, 2003 | Trends | Permanent link | Comments (1)

Chic Hotel Style Catching On

The inside of most hotels, as you know, look like an old English castle full of luxurious amenities. While modern, Art Deco style hotels have been around for a while and still are in boutique style hotels, the style is becoming more prevelant and preferred by consumers who are looking for a more modern experience. This NY Times article takes a look at the Pary Hyatt in Milan and the Gault in Montreal as two examples of this shift.

Steve Hall | December 9, 2003 | Trends | Permanent link | Comments (0)

Beware of Identity Theft

If you travel a lot you surely have accumulated a pile of recipts that you may use later for either your personal finance management or to submit to your employer for reimbursement. Make sure you don't forget that pile of receipts in your hotel room. Or on the plane or in the taxi. Identity theft, the act of stealing one's financial identity by using account numbers found on receipts and elswhere, is on the rise. The FTC reports 10 million Americans suffer some sort of identity theft each year totaling to $33 billion. So when you travel, be sure to keep that information private. Reuters reports.

Steve Hall | December 1, 2003 | Advice, Trends | Permanent link | Comments (0)

Heavy Travel Weekend Hints of Travel Recovery

It may be too early to start talking about a "recovery" in the travel sector, but the American Automobile Association has estimated that 36 million Americans have traveled this weekend, and industry observers are suggesting it may signal the beginning of a turnaround in the beleaguered travel industry, as noted in this Christian Science Monitor report. The Chicago Tribune reports that remarkably clear skies across the whole country on Wednesday minimized flight delays on one of the busiest travel days of the year. Meanwhile, the Associate Press is reporting (in the Miami Herald) that the six largest U.S. airlines are all anticipating growth in 2004 and that Americans will be traveling more next year in general (in the Cleveland Plain Dealer).

Rick Bruner | November 30, 2003 | News, Trends | Permanent link | Comments (0)

The New Face of Cruises: Younger, Cheaper, More Active

What would you guess is the average age of cruise vacation takers? Sixty? Well, 15 years ago you would have been right. Today it's 52, and 47% are under age 40. Forbes has a good article describing the changes the cruise industry has undergone to appeal to a younger demographic, including lower-priced packages and more active events like rock-climbing, rollerblading and cooking classes instead of shuffleboard, bingo and dance lessons. The article reviews some of the better cruise trips available on the market today and features a slide show of photos.

Rick Bruner | November 19, 2003 | Travel Ideas, Trends | Permanent link | Comments (0)