March 15, 2010During last week's annual FAA Forecast Conference, some attendees joked that they'd complain about airline service, but the carriers might charge them a fee for the privilege. To which some airline officials said: "That's a good idea." They were, of course, joking. Right? March 8, 2010Anyone dubious about the ability of a reality TV show to pique interest in a destination, take note: The day after the airing of the first episode of ABC's "The Bachelor" shot in St. Lucia, visitor numbers to the island's website, www.saintlucianow.com, jumped from a daily average of 8,688 to 18,371, and page views multiplied from 14,005 to 46,075. March 1, 2010It wasn't a pretty scene at an American Eagle gate at Miami Airport last week. Moments before boarding the one daily flight to George Town, Exuma, seven passengers -- including TC -- were randomly bumped. February 22, 2010Aruba was bustling one day last week with three cruise ships in port, stores jammed with shoppers and the beach at the Marriott filled with sunworshipers. February 16, 2010'Tis the season for de-icing planes, and TC learned of the dangers of being a little too energetic about the process. February 8, 2010During the Oceania Cruises road show stop in Los Angeles last week to talk about the Marina, the line's upcoming ship, Oceania CEO Frank Del Rio said the 220 agents in the room had done such strong sales on the Marina that they could have sold all the inventory in the ship's inaugural season by themselves. February 1, 2010Forget about codeshares or alliances. TC hears Air New Zealand and Southwest are working on a new deal that's bound to create quit a buzz -- at least on YouTube. January 25, 2010Puerto Rico has been working overtime in the tourism tagline department. Where once upon a time the destination's slogan included a reference to "The Island of Puerto Rico," someone slipped another "s" under the radar, as in "The Islands of Puerto Rico." January 19, 2010When a major snowstorm hit the Eastern U.S. just before Christmas, paralyzing air travel from New York Kennedy on Dec. 20, two couples connecting from Europe to Miami for a Crystal cruise leaving the next day realized their flight was canceled. January 11, 2010What does tens of billions of dollars buy in Dubai these days? Your name on the world's tallest building. January 4, 2010Is SeaDream Yacht Club for sale? The line's owner insisted last year that it was not when rumors were circulating that the line's Norwegian parent company was in financial trouble due to problems with its other holdings. December 21, 2009TC hears that the first Jewish-theme conference to be held in Jamaica, on the Jewish Diaspora, is currently being arranged in Kingston. December 14, 2009VisitBritain brought some star power to the U.S. Tour Operators Association's annual conference in Canada, with a performance by guitarist Earl Slick, known for having played with David Bowie, and music producer and songwriter Mark Hudson, who worked with Aerosmith and Ringo Starr. TC happened to be on the plane to Calgary with the rockers, who were sporting punk-rock spiky hairdos and dyed facial hair -- not the usual USTOA look. December 7, 2009After three failed attempts to try to find common ground, Relais & Chateaux and its rival in the "most Michelin stars" race, Traditions & Qualite, have decided to "collaborate." November 30, 2009Larry Pimentel, the recently appointed CEO of Azamara Cruises, will be in New York next week to make some announcements about changes at Azamara. November 23, 2009TC thought it clever that the organizers of PhoCusWright recognized there was an opportunity to sell a sponsorship for even the name-and-title caption that appeared when speakers' live video was projected on large screens in the auditorium. November 16, 2009Last week at the World Travel Market in London, a few hoteliers were in the mood to talk to TC about some as-yet-unannounced hotel deals. November 9, 2009In light of the unabashed fare promotions over the past few months -- and in honor of the New York Yankees' World Series win -- TC's pitching this idea: November 2, 2009Remember when American Safari Cruises last fall postponed its plans to start sailing interisland Hawaii cruises, just one month after putting the cruises on the market? October 26, 2009A very senior tourism official in Puerto Rico was involved in a minor fender bender last week in San Juan. After insurance information was exchanged, the tourism exec turned to the cop and asked for help in getting to an appointment for which she was late. October 19, 2009Talk about a quick return on an investment: TC heard that two $6,000 bridal packages were booked within 15 minutes after the Sandals Weddings by Martha Stewart partnership was announced on Martha Stewart's live show on Sirius radio last week. October 12, 2009Bill Smith, Crystal Cruises' gregarious senior vice president, is also a true lover of the seas. So much so that the Texan has sworn off land. October 5, 2009On TC's recent United flight from Phoenix to Denver, one flight attendant was especially diligent about getting bags stowed and passengers seated. September 28, 2009Mexican President Felipe Calderon's plan to slash the federal budget by eliminating three ministries, including the Tourism Secretariat, is prompting speculation on the future of another tourism entity, the Mexico Tourism Board. September 21, 2009A familiar name has rejoined the Sandals family: Chairman Butch Stewart has repurchased the Lady Sandals luxury yacht. |