News Update: Airline Security Tightens Overseas, Expedia Acquires Wotif Group and Tourists are Bound for Norway

Airline Security Tightens on Overseas Flights to U.S.

USA Today - July 7, 2014

© Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg

The Department of Homeland Security officials announced that security would tighten at airports where flights head directly to the U.S. The Transportation Security Administration said that as part of routine screenings at the overseas airports, officers may ask owners to turn on devices including cellphones. If those devices are dead or cannot turn on, they won't be permitted on the flight. The change is part of an attempt to anticipate the next attack. This comes as violence in Iraq and threats from al-Qaeda have become more of a concern.

MyTake: This is just another precaution taken by our country to avoid future terrorist attacks. Even though the additional security can be irritating, there hasn't been much criticism to it. I think most people are accustomed to these extra safety measures, and most people are happy to oblige in return for a sense of security. Just make sure you have your devices charged fully when you get to the airport.

U.S. Vacation Timeshare Industry has Banner Year in 2013

Hospitality Net - July 7, 2014

A new study found that the U.S. timeshare industry enjoyed significant growth in 2013. The study, conducted by Ernst & Young and commissioned by the American Resort Development Association, found that sales volume increased nearly 11% compared to 2012, average sales price rose 9% and there were 29% more resorts planned for the upcoming year. Occupancy remained steady around 76%. 

MyTake: The numbers don't lie, timeshare growth has made a comeback. The incremental growth has been going on for a while now, due mostly to more people renting out their properties, and travelers eager to have a different housing experience when they're on vacation. Hotels are no longer the first choice when booking accommodations, especially with websites like Airbnb and HomeAway offering great properties for a reasonable rate. Although timeshares may not be the most prevalent properties on those websites, it's clear that the success of the platforms is having a positive effect on the timeshare industry.

Expedia Acquires Australia's Wotif Group

Skift - July 6, 2014

Expedia Inc. agreed to acquire Australia's Wotif Group for $658 million, marking another major merger/acquisition in the online travel market. Wotif owns brands in the Asia-Pacific region like Lastminute.com.au, Travel.com.au, LateStays.com and GoDo.com.au, among others. The purchase allows Expedia to expand it's presence in that region of the world.

MyTake: Online travel companies are trying to bulk up their offerings, especially in international markets, as more and more people are eager to take long trips to exotic locations. Expedia's acquisition will help it expand in the Asia-Pacific region and help it grow it's global hotel business. This move comes after Expedia announced its acquisition of a small European car rental site Auto Escape Group. It will also help Expedia compete against Priceline Group, which just acquired restaurant-reservation site OpenTable in June. I expect we'll see a few more mergers/acquisitions in the online travel market as companies continue to add more platforms and give consumers more choices when it comes to travel.

Tourists Are Bound for Norway, Thanks to Disney

Travel Weekly - July 6, 2014

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Disney's animated film Frozen has experienced overwhelming success since it's release, creating a huge fan base of people eager to travel to the country that inspired the film: Norway. The country has experienced a major surge in visitors. Tour operators have reported anywhere between 20% and 40% increases in sales to Norway for 2014, and total arrivals from New York to Oslo in the first quarter of 2014 were up 57% from the year before. While the movie certainly got people excited about the country, Norway also played it's own role. It partnered with Disney to launch a global campaign to raise awareness about the destination. 

MyTake: It's pretty typical for a destination to take advantage of the popularity of a show or movie in order to attract travelers. Norway was incredibly smart to partner with Disney, a global powerhouse that is known in households all over the world. The success of the movie has not only prompted tour operators and the country of Norway to offer special packages, but Disney's own tour brand created an eight-day Norway itinerary to meet demand. The high level of tourists most likely has to do with the fact that the movie has garnered a very large youth fan base, and children play a big factor in trip planning. If they want to go see where Anna and Elsa live, then their parents will make every attempt to get them there.

Foodie Friday: Grilling Out All Over the World

Grilling is synonymous with Fourth of July. The idea of throwing some meat on the grill and spending an afternoon with friends and family outside in the yard just screams patriotism. I am personally a huge fan of barbecue, love cook outs and definitely look forward to chowing down on some delicious burgers and hot dogs this Fourth of July.

But grilling is not just an American tradition. In fact, many other countries have been cooking up various meats over an open flame for decades. The world is filled with great grilling.

The South Africans love to grill, or as they call it braai. In fact, they have a National Braai Day in September. They love to grill boerewors (a kind of sausage), as well as steaks, chicken and chops. When I visited South Africa, our friend took us to a restaurant that specialized in braai. Since we didn't know much about the meat selection, our friend took care of ordering, and a few minutes later we were served a wooden plank piled high with smoked chicken and steak, as well as liver, heart and kidney.

Braai in South Africa

If you've been to a Latin-style restaurant, you've probably seen "asado" somewhere on the menu. This is the South American word for grill, so when you order carne asada, it's just grilled steak. Asado is huge in South America. It's just a wood fire, burnt down to coals, topped with metal crosses that hold chunks of meat. The meat doesn't need much, just salt before and during grilling. Obviously, you can add a marinade if so desired, but all this meat really needs is a little salsa, and you've got one delicious meal.

Everyone loves a good kabob, and in Southeast Asia, they cook up their own version called Satay. It takes many different forms depending on the region. You can find cow and goat meat boiled and grilled from Western Sumatra, or tenderized water buffalo meat covered in coconut-milky sauce from an area in Java. All meat is strung together by a skewer and grilled over a fire.

A major part of Japanese cuisine is Hibashi, a form of cooking meat, veggies and noodles over a grill. It's the main form of cooking in many restaurants across the country, and people love to watch as grillers mix up scrumptious bowls of food. The video above gives you an idea of this form of grilling.

There are plenty of other styles of grilling going on all over the world, from Chuanr/Char Siu in China to Mangal in the Middle East. While I'll be enjoying some classic American grilling this evening – hamburger, hot dogs and sausages over a charcoal or gas grill – I definitely look forward to trying some of these other specialities sometime in the future.

Throwback Thursday: 4th of July in Boston

Three years ago, I spent an absolutely amazing weekend with my best girlfriends in Boston. We traveled there from all over the country to see our friend Emily and celebrate Independence Day in one of the most patriotic cities in the country.

We walked the freedom trail, one of America's first historic walking tours, which stops at 16 historical sites including Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Old State House, Fanueuil Hall and Bunker Hill Monument. We watched as a man dressed in a colonial uniform read the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House, and then enjoyed part of the parade marching through the streets of downtown. We visited some old ale houses and took in the view from the top of the Pru (Prudential Building). The whole trip culminated with an incredible fireworks show over the Charles River – which I wrote about in yesterday's post – complete with stunning pyrotechnics and memorable music. One of the best Fourth of July holidays I've ever had.

Here are some of my favorite pictures from that trip. If you want to hear more about it, check out my previous blog post about Boston.

The Best Places to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks

Boston Pops Fireworks Show © Kunal Mukherjee

Fourth of July is almost here. People are preparing their grills, filling their coolers, getting ready to celebrate Independence Day. But the holiday would not be complete without one essential thing: Fireworks.

Every city has their own fireworks show to honor the holiday, and each one is unique in its own way. I love watching the fireworks in Chicago from my rooftop, because not only do I get to see the official show from Navy Pier, but also the dozens of other personal fireworks shows people put on around the city. It's like a panoramic display of colorful pyrotechnics just for me.

However, when it comes to my favorite Fourth of July fireworks show ever, that's a close tie between Boston and Frisco, CO. I know what you're thinking, how can those two places even come close when it comes to patriotism? Well, Frisco holds a special place in my heart, since my family used to go up to the mountains every summer for Fourth of July. Most of the time, we would climb the trail behind our condo to this clearing that offered the perfect view of the fireworks over Lake Dillon. But one year, my parents reserved a boat, where we sat in awe as huge bursts of red, white and blue exploded right above our heads, and streams of glittering light looked as if they would fall right on top of us before they vanished. It was magical.

My Boston experience, on the other hand, is also very special, because it brought me together with my closest friends from high school for a weekend of true American pride. I mean, Boston is steeped in revolutionary history and the city takes this holiday very seriously. Perhaps that was why it was such a memorable trip. We watched the fireworks from the Mass. Avenue Bridge, a perfect viewing spot as more than 10,000 fireworks launched from barges in the middle of the Charles River. Music played throughout the show, adding that extra touch that made it truly spectacular. Some of my friends even cried it was that good, and I have to admit, I was moved by the event. Definitely one of the best places, in my opinion, to watch Fourth of July fireworks.

New York City Fireworks © Kathy Kmonicek AP

If you aren't in Chicago, Frisco or Boston, then check out some of these suggestions from Travel Pulse and USA Today and the best Fourth of July fireworks shows in America. You'll find some of the big ones on there: Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia and Boston, as well as some others that are a little surprising like Columbus, Ohio and Portland, Oregon. I guess I'll have to put those on my list.

Trend Tuesday: Travel Agents Turn to Vacation Rentals, Wearable Tech to Transform Travel

Here are a few more noteworthy travel trends on my radar right now:

© VacaGetaways

Travel Agents Tap into Home Rentals

The success of room- and home-listing site Airbnb and vacation rental sites like HomeAway have changed the way consumers travel. More and more people are opting for homes over hotels, opening up a new channel for travel agents. Many vacation rental providers have seen double- and triple-digit growth in travel agent bookings for their properties, and, as a result, have implemented new technologies to help streamline the process and help agents efficiently market, sell and book these homes for their customers.

It's a trend that many in the industry expect to continue, especially as more travelers choose to stay in private homes, apartments or condos for leisure travel.

Read more about the trend on Travel Weekly.

Wearable Tech to Transform Travel

Mobile has already become a huge part of travel in a short period of time, and technology continues to evolve, creating new ways for travelers to record their trips, take pictures, navigate cities and book accommodations and flights. And wearables could be the next big thing that transforms the travel industry, because they make a lot of sense for people who are on the road. Mobile is convenient, because it puts technology at your fingertips, and wearables allow you to take it with you wherever you go. At the Consumer Electronics Show, there were many new wearable products geared toward travelers. Liquid Image embedded an HD camera into ski goggles, and features built-in connectivity, so skiers and riders can live stream their footage. June by Netatmo is a smart bracelet that synchs to an app that helps prevent people from burning at the beach. It notes the local UV index, what type of sunscreen you should wear and when to reapply.

This is only the beginning of this trend, and more travel-related wearables will likely hit the market over the next couple years.

Read more about this trend on Business Insider.

Travel Trend Tuesday: Dual-Branded Hotels on the Rise

InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) announced that it will convert the Melia Atlanta hotel into a Crowne Plaza and a Staybridge Suites. The new dual-branded property will have a total of 462 rooms, and offer amenities from both brands.

This is the latest move in a series of upgrades from hotel groups looking to give consumers more choices when booking accommodations. The new dual-branded properties seem to be the next big thing. In fact, IHG has a new Holiday Inn-Candlewood Suites set to open in Joliet, IL, and a new Hotel Indigo-Holiday Inn Express in Austin, TX.

These "two-packs," an industry term, are properties that contain two different hotel brands from within the same hotel family in one location. So, guests can stay at one or the other, depending on their needs.

So why combine two brands in one? It seems all that would do is create more competition among one company's many labels, pitting one brand against the other to see who would win a head-to-head matchup.

However, hoteliers look at it from a different angle. The way they see it, having two hotels in one attracts different target demographics and could help spur more loyal customers, plus they are much cheaper to build. Guests have the added element of choice, especially when it comes to amenities, since dual-branded hotels can provide more options that they may not have been able to do individually.

Chicago Triplex Property, Aloft © Hotel Chatter

A large number of dual-branded properties are popping up all over the place, but some are taking the next step and putting in three or four different flags. Hilton is working on a three-pack complex in Calgary that it's calling a "hotel village," bringing together a Hilton, Hampton and Homewood Suites. In Chicago, a new property opened last year that combines different brands from different hotel families, one each from Starwood, Marriott and Hyatt.

According to CNN's article, the most important part of this strategy is to make sure that each brand's identity is maintained. Each hotel has its own lobby and front desk so the guest experience at check-in is the same as when they go to an individual property. And more often than not, the hotels don't advertise the fact that they are a dual-branded property, so guests aren't aware until they arrive.

The benefits of multi-branded hotel properties seem to far outweigh the negatives, so it looks as if the trend will continue over the next few years. It will be interesting to see how hotel companies continue to build on this idea once it becomes commonplace. I'm sure everyone in the industry – myself included – will be on the lookout for the next innovative hotel property concept.

News Update: Fourth of July Travel is Up, Travelers Focus on Leisure Most and Southwest Airlines Says Goodbye to its Co-Founder

Fourth of July Travel Rises

USA Today - June 27, 2014

Fourth of July Infographic © AAA

If you're traveling for the Fourth of July holiday, you're not alone. According to auto club AAA, 41 million people will travel – by road, sky and other – this weekend. That is a 1.9% increase from the 40.3 million that traveled over Independence Day in 2013. About 34.8 million people will travel by car, the highest level since the pre-recession holiday in 2007. Air travel between July 2 and July 6 is expected to jump 1% to 3.1 million travelers from 3.07 million last year. 

As far as prices go, rental car costs have remained consistent with last year's, while hotel rates have risen 15% for AAA Two Diamond hotels and 9% higher for AAA Three Diamond hotels. Airfares are a little harder to decipher. AAA says prices are 5% lower on average than a year ago, but other analysts claim they have increased nearly 6% from April to May. Gas will cost more this year, as the national average is about 20 cents more a gallon than it was on July 4, 2013. 

#MyTake: People are ready to travel. The high traffic on Memorial Day kicked off the summer season, and with the kids out of school, even more people are packing their bags and hitting the road. The sting from the long, brutal winter can still be felt, and people are eager to get in their much deserved vacation time. Also, with the fourth falling on a Friday – automatic three-day weekend for most – more people are inclined to extend their trips by either taking Thursday or Monday off to get the most out of the holiday. The long weekend has also made it easier for people to take a trip during the holiday, as opposed to when it falls in the middle of the week, which would force people to take two or more days off for a vacation.

New Cruises Cater to Winos

USA Today - June 30, 2014

A new cruise in the Pacific Northwest offers a new way to tour the wineries of the region. Un-Cruise Adventures, a small-ship line, introduced four wine-themed sailings on the Columbia and Snake Rivers that combine scenic cruises with stops at nine wineries. The cruises will take off from Portland, OR, and visit vineyards throughout Washington and Oregon. Passengers will be accompanied by a local wine expert who will lead presentations and tastings on board. Fares start at $3,695 per person.

#MyTake: It's one thing to offer local wines on board a cruise, but quite another to take passengers to the vineyards where they were created. More tour companies and cruise lines are offering experiential travel opportunities, allowing people to really experience the places they are visiting. This gives guests the chance to not only taste the wine, but see where it came from, the local scenery and the culture. It offers immersion into a region that many people may not know very well.

Americans Interested in Fitness-Related Trip Activities, But Relax Instead

Hospitality Net - June 30, 2014

It seems that Americans aspire to have fitness-focused vacations, but tend to engage in more relaxing, leisurely activities instead. A new survey from Room Key found that nearly one in two individuals expressed that fitness-related activities would dictate their travel plans, such as learning a new sport or fulfilling an extreme goal (i.e. skydiving or bungee jumping). About 57% of Americans said they would choose one hotel over another based on fitness-related amenities. However, when asked how they would actually spend their summer vacation, 74% said they would forgo fitness for more leisurely pursuits, like sightseeing, laying on the beach or by the pool or attending a yoga class or visiting the spa.

#MyTake: Travelers always express certain expectations or ambitions ahead of time, claiming they'll do this, that and the other. But when it comes down to it, vacations are meant to be an escape, a time to relax and kick back after months of hard work and crazy schedules and stress. So, while the idea of going hiking and taking a scuba diving class may be on their minds, they might decide to forgo those activities once they check in and see that a massage or a lazy afternoon by the pool seems more appealing. However, if they do decide to get some fitness in, at least they will have picked a hotel that offers those amenities.

Royal Caribbean Starts Tour Company

Travel Pulse - June 27, 2014

Royal Caribbean created a new company called TourTrek that develops, markets and sells land tours in over 90 countries. Details on the new company are few and far between, but I expect the offerings to be unique to each port stop, and offer travelers a completely new experience.

#MyTake: Cruises have a lot to compete with, from amusement parks to conveniently priced hotel packages, not to mention travelers who are wary of taking a cruise given some of the recent incidents that have taken place. In order to become more appealing to both veteran and first-time cruisers, Royal Caribbean has expanded their offerings to give people more exposure to the places where cruises dock. Usually, cruises are all about being on the boat, but these excursions are becoming more and more popular as people seek out new adventures and experiential opportunities.

Southwest Airlines Bids Farewell to Co-Founder Rollin King

USA Today - June 30, 2014

Rollin King, who, along with Herb Kelleher, launched Southwest Airlines, passed away on Friday at the age of 83. His vision to create a low cost, better-service airline spurred a major shift in the airline industry, and has since created one of the most successful airlines in the country. King and Kelleher came up with the idea back in 1967, according to sources, and the airline launched only in Texas in 1971. The company has taken off – pun intended – developing a reputation for low fares, good service and no fees.

#MyTake: This is a true loss for Southwest, but King has left the company in capable hands, as the airline continues to deliver good numbers, excellent customer service, on-time flights and low fares. King built an innovative airline that has made a lasting impression on the industry and he will be missed.