Is 2009 the best year to fly?

The recession has had a big impact on certain areas of the tourist industry. Whilst some destinations, such as Turkey, Australia and the UK are set for more British visitors this summer, other popular areas within the Eurozone are also set to be far quieter than they have been used to for some time. As a consequence, the aviation industry is also likely to be affected in a negative way – but where does this leave us consumers?

According to an article by Chris Cuddy at travolution.co.uk, “passenger numbers are already considerably lower than a year ago,” and the International Air Transport Association have officially predicted that airlines will lose $4.7 billion dollars this year, after losing $8.5 last year. Paul Mclean, of International Passenger Protection, stated at moneywise.co.uk that “the travel industry is facing some of the worst losses in aviation history,” and highlighted that 30 airlines have failed financially in the last 12 months.

Cuddy goes on to call for government intervention to help ease the suffering of the airlines, or at the very least for communication between the industry and Labour to become something of a two way conversation again. He states: “The UK should follow the Dutch Government’s lead in deciding to abandon its flights tax,” and warns against the introduction of the e-Borders scheme.

The e-Borders scheme has been tagged Orwellian by critics and involves cross-referencing personal information of almost all individuals travelling in and out of Britain against a list of suspects. The Manx government have already forced a u-turn on the plans for implementing the scheme between the Isle of Man and Britain.

Despite the projected lack of airline customers and the government’s refusal to help the aviation industry, additional factors such as the decrease in fuel price (down over 60 percent since last year) for aircraft may well benefit British tourists and their travel money in 2009. Heightened competition between airlines in order to fill seats is likely to mean that customers will find an abundance of last minute deals in the holiday season.

However, Mclean goes on to point out that: “If you don’t fancy being a victim of a grounded airline, make sure you book a flight or package holiday through a tour operator licensed by the Air Travel Organisers’ Licensing (ATOL) scheme.” Yet airlines themselves are not covered by ATOL and so tickets should be purchased by credit card (and must be over £100) if you want to be covered by Section 75 Protection.

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Where to get your foreign currency - Airport, Highstreet or Web

At the Airport, on the High Street, or Online? Where to get your foreign currency. As you probably know and are tired of hearing, the pound and the euro are at near parity with each other – a fact that is all the more distressing when we remember that one pound was worth about €1.25 just a year ago.

Subsequently, those of us lucky enough to have the savings for a holiday this Easter will no doubt be most inclined to search around for the best deal on their foreign currency. So what are the pros and cons of buying at the airport, on the high street, or online?

At the Airport:
As a general rule, leaving the purchase of your foreign currency until you reach the airport is not considered good practice if you are hoping to find the best deal.

In a recent article at telegraph.co.uk (3rd April), it is highlighted that the reason for the extra charges incurred when purchasing your travel money at the airport is due to a number of factors: such as the cost of rent, the cost of employing staff, and the price of having money in stock.

Logically then, these costs are likely to be much higher within the competitive and 24-hour bustling environment of an airport – and this is reflected in the price. So, whilst airports might be very convenient, if you’re eager to save on you foreign currency it is certainly best to buy before you get there.

On the High Street:
Alternatively, heading into town and purchasing your foreign currency on the high street can be much better for your pocket – leaving you with more to spend once you reach your destination.

The possible benefits of not having to pay as much for property rental, and not having to employ staff around the clock, no doubt contribute to the cheaper costs on the high street.

You might also expect travel money that is available on the high street would be subject to similar forces that affect other products there – and subsequently driving the costs down. However, this isn’t strictly the case – or at least it isn’t advertised as such. Yet, one of the strongest benefits of buying you foreign currency face to face is that you are usually given the opportunity to negotiate a better price if you can prove that there are cheaper deals to be had elsewhere.

Online:
All the costs associated with shop rental, staff employment, and looking after money are instantly reflected in online prices, and so it makes sense that purchasing your travel money via the internet and checking foreign exchange online can get you the best deals.

Those who consider doing so should not be deterred by worries of not receiving your money in time, as some companies allow you to buy your currency online as late as midnight the day before you fly, then you simply pick it up at the airport before you board you plane. Similarly to the high street, more online vendors are allowing negotiations of a better price if you can prove better deals available elsewhere.

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Visiting Poland in 2009

With the recession in full swing, many UK tourists will be thinking very carefully about how cost efficient their holidays are this year. Once travel insurance and transport costs are taken into consideration, holiday makers are increasingly looking for destinations that are sterling-friendly when it comes to the cost of necessities once they get there.


Being outside of the Eurozone, and increasing in popularity as a tourist destination, Poland may be a good bet for summer 2009.

Poland’s capital, Warsaw, is located in the East of the country and is home to almost two million people. Due to its wide range of attractions and abundant sights of historical interest, it is also one of the most popular visitor destinations. This is all the more impressive in regards to the destruction the city received during World War 2. Yet, much of the old town quarter has been reconstructed since, including the marketplace and city walls – and the area is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Warsaw

Poland covers over 300,000 square kilometres and thus is home to many impressive natural and geographical sights. Just off the Northwest coast lies the island of Wolin which includes the town of the same name, as well as The Wolin National Park made up of forest, spectacular geology, and the Wisent Sanctuary.

Wolin Island

The Karkonosze mountain range in the Southwest is also a popular destination that borders the country with the Czech Republic and is famous for its breathtaking scenery and ski resorts.

Karkonosze mountain range

The culture of Poland is reflected in many visual forms. Architecture throughout the country has been influenced by many European styles, including German in Wroclav and Gothic/Renaissance in Krakow.

Krakow architecture

Art and literature has flourished in the country throughout history, with painters such as the Historicist, Jan Matejko (who went on to found the School of Historicist Painting in Krakow) and Realist, Stanislav Witkiewicz. Important literary figures include Czeslaw Milosz and Wislawa Szymborska.


There are many historical sights to be explored in Poland. Czestochawa in the Southern heart of the country is home to the spiritual capital of the country, The Jasna Gora Monastery has been tied to the Virgin Mary, most significantly, since a 17th Century siege in which she is considered to have saved the establishment.

The Jasna Gora Monastery

Attractions are also worth visiting in Gdansk, notably the largest brick gothic church in the world, St. Mary’s and the Golden Gate – which was reconstructed fully after the Second World War.

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Mexico Vacation - Great choice for 2009

Mexico is the most popular tourist destination of the Latin Americas and the eighth most popular place for tourist arrivals in the world. As a consequence of the recession, the country is sure to be at the top of the list for more Brits in 2009 – and is already being included in “tips to save money during the summer” style articles (alongside cheap travel insurance and cheaper plane fares) in the British press (specifically: The Telegraph). So what do The United Mexican States have to offer?

The wonders that are the first thing that come to prospective visitors are Mexico’s historical attractions. Mexico was once home to the Mayan civilization and some architecture, from about 1000 years ago, is still impressively intact. Chichen Itza is a site that has been open to the public for over a century and includes a great number of temples and buildings including the pyramid El Castillo, The Temple of The Warriors and the El Caracol observatory.

Pyramid El Castillo

Additionally, there are more Mayan sites on the Yucatan Peninsula on the Eastern coast, most notably the walled city of Tulum.

Tulum

Far more can be seen within the modern-day cities of Mexico also. Aguascalientes is home to the biggest festival in the country, The San Marcos Fair, and also boasts a wealth of Baroque architecture with the Guadeloupe Church and Government Palace. The capital, Mexico City, is located in the South and boasts the heritage sites, The Historic Centre (including National Palace and the Templo Mayor) and the “Floating Gardens”.

Aside from the many historical and cultural draws, there are a number of resorts popular with tourists in Mexico. Famous spring break destination, Acapulco, is known for its beaches, water sports, nightlife and the picturesque island of Roqueta.

Acapulco

In contrast, the isolated Cabo San Lucas on the Baja California peninsula has pristine beaches and rock formations at its Lands End. In the North Western part of the country is Puerto Penasco, a town popular with tourists from Arizona and home to the Pinacate biosphere reserve.

The largely unspoiled country also has many natural attractions which appeal to tourists. La Bufadora is the second largest blowhole in the world and can shoot water up to 80 feet in the air every minute. The phenomenon is more unique due to it being something of a marine geyser, that is caused by sea water flooding into an underwater cave, and suddenly pushing it upwards, accompanied by a dramatic thunderous noise. For those of a less geological and dramatic nature, the Copper Canyon in the Chihuahua region is home to rolling hills and a national park.

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Best Honeymoon Hotel? Jade Mountain Resort perhaps

Jade Mountain Resort is a stunning luxury hotel in St Lucia that opened to the public since late 2006. This place is simply paradise! Check out the pictures of this ultra cool hotel.











It is one of the most perfect places imaginable as a honeymoon resort, and whilst St Lucia can lay claim to be one of the world’s leading destinations, and a top honeymoon destination anyway, there is little doubt that for years to come Jade Mountain Resort will be the place for your St. Lucia Honeymoon.


This is an exclusive resort with a slight difference in that it is a luxury exclusive resort within a luxury resort. What that means is high above the Caribbean Sea yet still within the famed Anse Chastanet Luxury Resort.

Jade Mountain Resort is a really romantic place to be, and as a setting it is without equal in St Lucia, with 24 spectacular suites, starting with the Star, then the Moon, followed by the Sun, according to the floor space and the position, and therefore the price. The Sun has the best views.
Each suite is known as a sanctuary, and they are indeed spectacular with 5metre ceilings, the outside wall missing to expose possibly the most spectacular view imaginable of the Caribbean from any hotel, if not views in the world. The twin Pitons dominate the view, which takes nothing away from the huge infinity pool which appears to be suspended in space. The sanctuaries also have a large living areas using a selection of renewable hardwoods, and all have their own individual characteristics.

As you might expect the bathrooms are pretty spectacular as well, with a rain shower and a chromatherapy two person whirlpool tub with panoramic views.


Quite amazingly for such a 21st century Luxury Hotel, the Jade Mountain Resort is in fact very low-tech, and this is something added that makes it so very suitable for a St Lucia honeymoon. There are no telephones, , radios or televisions, and no children under the age of sixteen, which makes it undoubtedly a real romantic getaway.

Each Sanctuary has a unique bell pull cord to summon a dedicated room service and housekeeping team. Guests at the Jade Mountain Resort have a good choice of dining options. You can eat in your sanctuary off the extensive suite service menu at any time of the day or night.

Then you can eat at the Jade Mountain Club which is at the very top of Jade Mountain. This is an exclusive area for Jade Mountain Resort guests with Dining and bar areas, and a communal infinity pool. You can have a drink or a meal, as it serves breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea, and dinner, as well as an a la carte menu available all day. Higher up is the Celestial Terrace which is a relaxation area for sunbathing.


Of course Jade Mountain Resort guests can use all the facilities of Anse Chastanet Resort, which means two beaches, pristine coral reefs for snorkelling or scuba diving, watersports, tennis and sunset sailing on the hotel yacht.


You get the best of all worlds at the Jade Mountain Resort, with all the facilities of a luxury resort in Anse Chastanet, whilst maintaining the exclusivity of the perfect romantic hideaway for a top class St Lucia Honeymoon.

For more information, visit Jade Mountain St Lucia website.

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Hotelicopter - The Helicopter Hotel

Hotelicopter – the world’s first flying hotel made from a huge Soviet-made Mil V-12 helicopter.


Designed with the sophisticated, affluent traveler in mind, the Hotelicopter has 18 lavish rooms for people on the hunt for a truly unique inimitable travel experience. Each soundproofed room comes with a queen-sized bed, fine linens, a mini-bar, coffee machine, wireless internet access, flatscreen TVs and a range of amenities you’d look for in a flying five star hotel.



Other lavish features include private entertainment systems, showers, spa treatments, Jacuzzi, yoga classes, arcade gaming, a tea garden, Babysitting & Kids’ Kamp, blackjack/ping-pong table and playground for kids.



The flying hotel will take its first flight this summer. The Hotelicopter will be also be available for rent for special events and occasions. Check out more shots of the Hotelicopter in the image gallery.



As the date of this blog post suggests...this is a April Fool...unfortunately!

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