British Airways will launch a direct flight from London Heathrow to Las Vegas starting October 2009.

The BA daily flight will offer full service of 3 classes; including the flat beds.

I just read that Mr. Richard Thams, BA Head of UK Sales said; “Despite the difficult global economic conditions, Las Vegas represents new business and growth opportunities for BA”

I love the way they think; “bad economic” we all hear and read that casino businesses are doing better than ever (probably more leisure / free time).  So now they are bribing higher class clients to fly into Vegas - until now only Low Cost Airlines used this method, its time BA learn a trick or two in the trade.

Enjoy Vegas

I wonder how come the insurance providers have seen a rise of 300% in sales since the Swine Flu.

Do people who travel to infected zones really believe that the insurance policy will help them survive it…

Get real, travel to Mexico only if really needed, why not postponed the trip by a couple of weeks until you see whats happening?!

Who said the old China is over?

I recently read in the Travel Daily News that the Chinese government has decided to intervene in the travel regulations and habits of the Chinese People.  Who will suffer? the people of course.

Some operators have found the old system where you bring a group for shopping and enjoy lower prices, moreover, from vast experience I can say - when you have a group going shopping the shops will be subsidizing your tours / hotels / buses etc which means tour operators can under cut market prices of tours and become attractive price wise.

Whats this different from Ryanair or EasyJet or any other  low cost airline which is subsidized by the local city of arrival just to bring over as many tourists as possible?

Is it any different from the free nights you get if you come for a 1 hour speech about the hotel time share scheme?

Would you go on a tour if you know that its subsadized by a shop and you will be taken there as part of your tour?

Whats the major difference between buying online and buying through a travel agent?

When you go online you buy what you see on the spot; i.e. instant purchase, you insert your credit card and you guarantee the price you see.

The process with the travel agent is more like a stock option - you buy an option to purchase, usually 24 hours before you need to purchase (issue ticket) actually, its best valid until same day 23:59 (its a system issue, dont ask why…)

ClickAir, the Spanish Low Cost Airline, has come up with a new feature; come online; freeze your price, and you have it for 24-72 hours.  They believe this will allow users to better plan their holidays and will increase sales on ClickAir.

Moreover, I see the synergy between such a tool and social networks when you wish to plan your vacation with more friends, this is “must be” widget on facebook and others.

Alex Cruz CEO of ClickAir whom I met in person a few times is an amazing person, and he is always ahead of others - good on you mate.

I recently flew Royal Jordanian, yes yes, I flew coach for all of you who really wanted to know…

But at the airport I found a simple and relatively cheap way to up grade myself to business class; $300 upgrade for an 8 hours flight is a low price.

So i found myself sitting in an amazing Royal Jordanian business / first class sleeping bed all the way from Amman to Colombo (Sri Lanka) - and it was worth every penny.

Moreover, since in Muslim countries the ladies (married and single as far as I know) can not serve men, the air stewardess where Asians, which gave me a feeling as though I am flying in Singapore Airlines or Thai.

If anyone wants to upgrade to business, come buy the tickets from my office and i will tell you the secret :)

Flying cheap and in class is always fun… travel right means having a good travel agent who knows the small tricks.

Continental Airlines have just received a tentative approval from the US DOT (Department of Transportation) to join the Star Alliance Group.

IMHO (in my humble opinion) Conti is the strongest airline player in the Sky Team group of airlines;  guys, lets be honest; I hardly saw you flying Aero Flot, do you still trust Alitalia to fly? :) lets be honest from 1 to 10 dont we all suffer on an Air France flight…. 

How can one compare the quality of service of the skyteam to the great group of StarAlliance; Thai, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, SAS, Austrian, United, Air Canada, Swiss, All Nippon…

As i was saying, Continental Airlines will soon leave the group and join the strongest airline group the Star Alliance.

For some of us its good news, but for those who fly a lot and keep 2 major millage accounts, thus, one in each group: Star Alliance - Lufthansa and SkyTeam Conti, what would you do now? where will your miles go? will they allow merger of accounts? what about status match?

If to say something good about SkyTeam is that they have a much nicer website - more appealing, business minded, action orientated.

I will keep you all posted with the situation, and if you need any advise please do not hesitate to contact me in regards.

Aren’t you fed up with this stupid behavior that you are asked to take off your shoes for security?

Security is for everyone? not really;

I have just visited Jordan; I was wearing Nike sport shoes and was not asked to take them off, though, my wife who was wearing high heals was asked.  I stood aside and looked at the other passengers; its very funny - i wanted to film, but was not allowed;

Everyone who had sport shoes was allowed to keep them on, all others had to take theirs off, even people from India who wore flip flops…

“Assumption”: Nike, Addidas, New Balance are anti terrorist shoes… and there is a chance a gun will be hidden in flip flops; where exactly?

Idea; come without shoes.

I returned a week ago from an AMAZING short vacation with my wife to the Maldives.

There are so many issues to write about; the holiday, the Maldives, the airports, the flights, tips on Royal Jordanian Airlines and so so so many more.  But I find myself in the past week trying to catch up with lost time at work, therefore, please hang in there, i will be back VERY soon with many tips and cool stuff.

RG

I can easily get you a status match on ELAL (Silver, Gold or even Platinum) on ELAL if you have a such status on one of the following airlines:

British Airways, Delta, Continental, Lufthansa, Turkish Airlines (yes yes even them…)

Moreover, as a bonus you will receive 800 points to your ELAL account which is valued as $800.

This deal is valid for 2 weeks only.

I need a your details and i will be happy to do it for you.

Send me an email to reem@patratravel.com

Spice it up says Spirit; Spirit Air decided to go wild, they believe in the young crowd and the male dominated travelers.

Advertisers, bring out the big guns - we need to think out of the box to bring us new users or we drop dead;

Spirit Air came up with some nice, out of the box, sexy slogans:

Many Islands Low Fares = MILF - which is better known on the Internet as: Mothers I’d Like to Fuck

GET Low Airfare to International Destinations - look carefully again: Get LAID.

Red Light Specials - no words are needed here right?!

The Airline with Double D’s; Spirit says its Deep Discounts, the flight attendants believe they were hired for their double B’s: “big boobs” to promote sales and make travelers happier.

 And have you watched their:  “Spirit Air How Low Can You Get” VDO ad ?

Whats so wrong with promotional ads with sexual connotations?

www.Fly.comhas just cost TravelZoo $1.7M - and i was sure we are in difficult time or whats it called; Recession…

Its funny, as i read my favorit writers Phil Daviswho quoted TravelZoo Senior VP “The name is a perfect match for TravelZoo’s renowned approach; simple, fun and world class”

Can one teach me how Simple and World Class go hand in hand…

 Anyhow; I am selling a few domains if someone has some “change” to spare

Most of my friends in the travel business have decided strategically to approach the mass markets; isn’t that the old fart of the Venture Capitals (”Go get the mass users…”)

Myself, I realized that I will not be one of those lucky ones making the millions from the online travel, so i focus on niche markets which are profitable from day one; keep it simple, keep it focused, it might be small; but it is profitable.

Take an example from Honeymoon; its a simple window shopping site with one main purpose; channel users who are searching for honeymoon to call a professional who will make a sale.

I just opened a new niche, focusing on Philippine market for labor.  I had to learn how they think, learn who operates the market, learn about their buying habits, and social life.

Since I have the back end - Patra Travel, with agents who are experts, moreover, the financial means; its important to look for niche markets who will grow the off line main stream business.

Airlines have realized that travel agents are their best point of sale; reliable, knowledgeable, most of all; loyal.

In the current situation when economy has an enormous impact on air travel, I noticed that airlines are courting after travel agents; those same airlines who betrayed the agents point of sale and diminished their commission completely are now crawling door to door trying to promote their products.

I walked into my office this morning, finding a funny looking man and woman; dressed up in an old European fashion outfits, singing and dancing as if they are in the Moulin Rouge.

I felt sorry for them; they probably didn’t sign up for this job when they started working for the airline - but I guess in rough times its better become a pompom girl serving chocolates than open the newspaper and look for a new job.

Will American Airlines come as cheer leaders?   “Ouch”;  What will Lufthansa wear?

I hope tomorrow morning I’ll come in and the Lido girls will be acting as Air France staff…

Knowing the Air France staff; I hope they will NOTcome topless…

You’ll never guess that ear plugs are back in fashion;

More and more travelers are buying ear plugs for long haul flights; large groups and children are a pain when you have a full working day is a head of you having flown a red eye or an 11 hours flight across the Atlantic.

I found it useful - cheap, simple, light to pack :).  MensWay ship them worldwide.

Remember; its a small tip, a small “gadget” which can enable you a 10 hours sleep while your next seat traveler has an infant who is teething, though; it might not help you if the infant next to you is full of poo…

GRAB A BLANKET !!!

Airlines have been cutting on extras; and blankets are accessories which seems easy to be eliminated…

That been said; airlines are pumping more cold into the aircraft; in order to reduce passengers mobility - safety moreover, easier life for the crew.

Flights are getting chilly, grab grab grab… or freeze your ass!

I have been saying it for many years, now the so called “Travel Leaders” are saying it too: Travel Agent have a great advantage over the online service.

Advantage Travel Centres Colin O’neill says; “customers are looking for safety, security and reassurance which they can when booking with an Advantage Travel Agent”.

Hey dude, you forgot the main point !!!  Professional Agent.

Travel Agent is a profession, and you need to find a professional to deal with, its not the security; customers have SSL for that… what they lack is knowledge and someone who sees the wider picture not the buck making of the online system.  Yes, yes, trust me on that most online systems display biased results which base their results on income; like in all online marketing results; e.g. Google search results.

I personally know a few amazing agents (some even work with me), though, I know some stupid ones too.

When you are stuck in the middle of nowhere you need to know the basics; Emergency numbers !

I dont like to post long tables - but guys, cut and paste the countries you visit most, and send this list to your friends, its vital info, specially when you dont speak the language, or worse; where there is no tele-systems…

Read the rest of this entry »

Majority of the people would think that travel for business is fun; after all 60 million business people a year get to visit places on the expense of their company - guys, trust me; that much is so not true; it hurts, it’s not fun travel.

You have to take into account issues such as; the stress level, the work time schedule, the pre meeting preparations and the energy consumption of each meeting, what about the travel conditions such as jet lag, driving to distant locations, and poor hotel conditions…

When the day is over you don’t have much strength or passion for quality “travel” time; furthermore, on your own… the most you want is a hot meal & a long hot shower.

In the face of the world financial situation crime rate will increase. Travelers are easy targets, and unfortunately, business women are easier prey. For this reason and to all my wonderful, talented, powerful business women clients I made a short list with tips;

1) In general don’t tell people you are travelling on your own.

2) Arrive your new destination in day light; try to avoid late night hour arrival.

3) Driving a rented car;

a. Make sure you have a GPS - it’s worth every penny, avoid asking strangers for directions.

b. When driving your car - lock yourself inside.

c. Someone hits your car (by mistake or not!) - WAIT, take a minute, don’t open your car door and go out; take a minute to look around watch the location, try to pull into a gas station or any other public place like a hotel parking, drive through fast food etc.

4) Hotel rooms;

a. Ask for a mid floor room; not high to be left in the elevator on your own.

b. The room should not be too far from the elevator; avoid long dark scary corridors.

c. Make sure your room is locked.

5) Keep your belongings as close to you as possible; carryon computer bags are temptation to local bandits, specially at breakfasts when you are still half asleep and at dinners when you are on your own at a local restaurant and tired from a long day - it only takes a second… these guys are pros.

6) Taxi:

a. If he looks creepy don’t go in, wait for the next one, even if it rains L

b. Try to book your taxi in advance, women taxis are very common, don’t be shay to ask meeting companions to walk you out and wait for the taxi.

7) Dress code; I am aware that fashion is a matter of trend, and I am probably out of it L but getting dressed non provocatively is always a positive approach.

8) Keep in touch with home & office on regular basis.

9) 911 is known as the emergency number, from GSM phones its 112 - log it in your speed dial - it should work in most countries even without a SIM card.

Using common sense is perhaps the single best tip for staying safe and having a good time while you’re traveling alone.

Saying “Thank You” is the extra mile which makes the difference;

I’ve been working in the travel industry for almost 2 decades now; it’s a bloody hard work. Clients don’t really know what you go through to ensure their trip is perfect and satisfaction is guaranteed; thus, you hardly hear the words;” Thank You” from your clients.

From time to time I join cruise ship tourist groups who arrive Israel for a one day tour with Patra Travel.

Last month I helped an elderly man, weak in heart to walk the entire Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem. He came all the way from the US to see the holy sites; I was not about the let him go back without actually visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

It was a tough physical challenge, so along the walk I nicknamed him “Tiger”.

Yesterday I’ve received this by snail mail and wanted to share

Mr. Bernard, it’s me who needs to thank you; what an honor to meet a gentleman as you.

They live on tourism (real pure tourism and sex tourism), so why do they think that closing the airport with riots will they improve their conditions?

The little people don’t think of the “after shock effect”, its been almost 24 hours that the 2 Bangkok airports are closed. This means all flights into Thailand are diverted to other destinations. Bangkok being not only a tourism destination it’s the South East Asia largest hub - and now it’s shut down!

The aftershock effect;

Airlines which now diverted the aircraft elsewhere will not be in able to shift back in a flash. After all, Thailand is a profitable destination but there is a point where airlines’ CEO cut the costs and shift traffic and utilizes aircrafts elsewhere.
A few important tips:

1) If you are in Bangkok now - crawl back to where you came from; the PatPong

a. And make sure your hotel booking is secured for the next few days

2) If you’re on one of the “Koh” (Islands) - go get a banana shake and a body massage.

a. Make sure your hummock has not been taken by some businessman who was left behind…

3) If you need to travel via BKK Airport - find an alternative.

a. BEFORE you start your travel,

b. Don’t trust the connecting flights from BKK to the further destination will operate,

c. Beware of OVERBOOKING - airlines might not be able to carry you on board as there are thousands of people waiting in line before you :)

Air Asia X has confirmed first flight on the route London (UK) to Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) will be in March 2009.

The advertised price is 99 GBP round trip… the airline will operate 5 times a week, carrying 286 passengers a direction.

I wonder what do; CEO Tony Fernandes & Owner Sir Richard Branson think they will be doing better than Oasis Airlines who closed their sole route London HongKong a couple of months ago.

Are there so many more Brits going to Malaysia - I thought HongKong will be a larger and by far more important hub of service.

Touch Down” for Royal Caribbean; they launched the largest cruise ship in the world; Oasis Of The Seas. The ship will actually board the first passenger in Dec 2009, though the vessel is in the water already.

It’s not really the best time to try and fill up 6296 passengers.

Can Royal Caribbean be optimistic having built a 1 billion Pounds floating city?

I hope projections are to be met; 1.5 million passengers are expected to take a cruise in 2009.

So; is it only the size?

Nops, for the first time they are trying to reduce the fake and improve the reality alike style;

Real life park; where the growing trees are planted in the ground in real soil. (Will they have a Vet. And an Agronomist onboard to make sure no animals, bug or insects who travel the world for free?)

It’s the closest to a real city with a feeling of walking in Paris, London or New York, the arcade and the shopping area looks like a pedestrian area; with the feel and look of a real live and kicking city.

At first it looks fun, even cool; so many low cost airlines on the runway. Having taken the picture I wondered about 2 issues:

The Reasoning; does departure punctuality = no penalties;
The Consequences: is it safe to be all “standing” there together so close?
Facts, data, and knowledge is more than welcomed to be shared here.

Originally: World Travel Market - It’s the annual largest travel show in London. Having been there last week I should advise them to change the name to:

Walk - the milleage you walk there is unreal, I advised my partner to the trip to dump her high hills and move to Nike - she only took my advice on the second day…

Talk - the amount of Bla Bla you hear is enormous - everyone wants to sell you something.

Money - Everyone wants to make money, close a deal, bring tourists. The Travel business is a perishable market; a room at the hotel cannot be stored to be sold tomorrow, nor can a seat on a flight etc. It’s very much like the Fish Industry = if you don’t sell you smell…

Therefore, you find yourself walking & talking all day long about how to make money in the travel business.

More than ever, I enjoyed South America booth and Iran. South America was very happy, colorful and in motion; which attracted many visitors to their stands - look at the photos bellow.

Being an Israeli the visit to Iran booth was special, I was invited by the Azadi International Tourism Organization to have tea with Mr. Mahmood Karimi and discuss world travel issues.

Did he gave me his card so i will not forget his face?

I flew out of Stansted Airport a couple of days ago; quite an experience; I assume its due to the crowd - the Low Cost Airlines Travelers. 
At the current situation everyone wants to cut costs, I just wonder at what price. In my humble opinion as long as passengers’ safety is not on the line all means are acceptable.

If you look at the photos you would be able to see that all the airlines; EasyJet, Air Berlin, Ryanair, Thomson; all connect to the Air Sleeve Terminal for passengers to be able to board and off board safely. However, you will see the; “take a walk on the tarmac” style of German-Wings Airlines who are saving money by not paying for such services to Stansted Airport.

Why use the old style AirStair when the airport is equipped with top of the range Jetways, afterall, Stansted Airport is a well equipped, designed and functions like a Low Cost Airline hub.

Its not me who says it; you could all watch Ryanair CEO; Michael O’Leary saying it out loud;
Ryanair at a press conference talking about flying UK to USA - over the Atlantic for funny prices. Thus, if you fly transatlantic for 10 Euro you would probably have to pay for the BJ whereas, in his business class its gonna be for free…

Thats an airline i want to fly with tonight

A new UK based airline has opened by a private group of investors.

“Air Sylhet customers will always be treated with respect, due care and consideration and be offered a pleasant flight experience”

Having said, that there is great concern in the security community regarding the whole concept of a Muslim Only Airline; Air Sylhet.

Is it a pure tourism concept or a new terrorism highway between the British Muslim community and the Arab World?

How will they check who is a Muslim? I hope its a joke and we can all enjoy the airline service.

BTW: Sylhet, also known as Shilhat in the ancient times, was an expanded commercial center in Bangladesh

According to the latest USA Visa Weaver Program the following passport holders will be granted electronic US entry permit, thus, will avoid the long queue and interviews to receive a US entry visa.The online application must be done at least 72 hours prior to entry into the United States of America. https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov

Then, who is so lucky to avoid the hassle of getting a visa? Andorra; Australia; Austria; Belgium; Brunei; Denmark; Finland; France; Germany; Iceland; Ireland; Italy; ; Japan; Liechtenstein; Luxembourg; Monaco; Netherlands; New Zealand; Norway; Portugal; Sun Marino; Singapore; Slovenia; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; United Kingdom.

I actually read a cool post by Tony Wheeler (founder of Lonely Planet) comparing embassies attitude between encouraging and discouraging tourists through their visa departments.

Those are the moments I wish I had more than one nationality.

I have a few friends and clients who are going to be very disappointed from the hottest travel news; No more Porn on in flight WIFI.

Sorry guys: Lior, David, Alton, Amit, Ori and especially you Samantha, but you will not be able to view porn on flight anymore.

I wonder why not, after all, airlines have introduced the WIFI on flights to generate new revenues. I don’t see the reason why airlines don’t enjoy rev-share with porn sites to increase their revenues even more.

If you fly Low Cost Airlines, such as Ryanair, you will be allowed to gamble on their up in the air casino. So, what’s so wrong with some virtual sex? Does it harm anyone, on the contrary, I would assume it makes people stick to their seats rather than walk around the air craft - only line could be to the loo…

Does it mean Jet Blue will only be Jet from now on? They were my preffered airline thanks to their free porn access using the in flight WIFI

Come’on guys who is gonna unblock them?

lets open a statup, I bet you; we will make a fortune from Porn on flight.

ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh i am fed up of this stupid situation.

Too many travel companies collapse, when will it stop? where will it take us? It has such a hugh effect on it all, its crazy.

We have heard and read a great deal about Iceland in the past month; the world’s financial situation has crashed the country to pieces, actually shreded it.

It has been publically announced today, that Sterling DK has shut its operation and all flights are cancelled.

What a shame, we have lost today an amazing low cost airline; Sterling, which served Europe greatly by connecting West and East with Scandinavia for reasonable prices.

I hope they will find an investor to lift them back up in the sky.