An Australian publication, The Age, recently reported on the growing need for tourists traveling to Egypt to be guaranteed a safe, hassle-free trip.
Egypt is famous for its touts; infamous merchants who make a living offering rides around monuments, such as the Pyramids in Cairo, for a low, hourly fee. Touts usually rise as early as 5 a.m., in order to beat their competition, and tour around visitors on horses, donkeys, or camels. Some are fortunate enough to have a “licence-to-hassle”, and most started working as a child, bypassing any formal education.
With recent crises in the Middle East, tourism has become a top priority for the Egyptian Government. And, because of its deep-rooted ancient history, tourism is Egypt’s second biggest earner, after the Suez Canal. Though there was little problem between authorities and touts in the past, the government is recognizing the increasing irritation from tourists. There was even a touts’ protest march to protest a potential ban from the Pyramids.
However, unfortunately for the tourists and authorities, the touts seem to play an integral role in the tourism industry. For example, if a tourist is driving towards the Pyramids in a taxi was persuaded by approaching men to divert down a side road, and take a camel or horse up the plateau, the taxi drive would get a commission, and the guy who persuaded them would get a commission, not to mention the tout himself. And in order to stay off the radar, the touts sometimes have to pay off the tourist police as well, so most are benefiting.
If the touts were ever to be banned, there would not only be outrage, but a large unemployment increase. Almost all touts are uneducated, and with today’s heavy reliance on computers, they are unfit to do anything else.
August 10, 2007 No Comments
In a surprising upswing, South Africa has seen an increase in tourism over the last few years, despite other African nation’s conflict.
The Voice, a Francistown publication, noted that Botswana was now one of the leading tourist providers for South Africa. In 2006, more than 760,000 Botswana tourists traveled to South Africa, making Botswana South Africa’s fourth largest source market globally. Because Botswana shares a border with South Africa, and has similarities in language, it is an important market and should be targeted accordingly. And, to secure the future for Botswana tourists, the South African Tourism Office has invited a number of Botswana journalists to sample all some of the things they offer tourists.
Similarly, Travel Blackboard, an Australian newsletter, said that around 35,000 Australians traveled to South Africa in 2007 so far. This 6.7% increase, also makes Australia one of the largest tourist providers along with Botswana. Because both Australia and South Africa are in the southern Hemisphere, it is easy for Australians to take their families on when both countries’ schools will have vacation, and when the weather is similar.
With these increases, almost 900,000 tourists have visited South Africa in the first five months of 2007.
August 10, 2007 No Comments
Coasts and islands in the Caribbean Sea are an excellent travel destination for beautiful white-sand beaches, warm turquoise waters, great snorkeling and diving spots, and their fascinating, often untouched exotic environment. With the U.S. dollar recently hitting its lowest point in 15 years against an index of other major currencies, they are also extremely strategic places to visit currency-wise. The majority of the countries in the Caribbean have their currencies tied to the US dollar. In other words, values of these currencies are matched to the value of the U.S. dollar: as the reference value of the U.S. dollar rises or falls, so do the currencies pegged to it. Hence, exchanging greenbacks for the currencies tied to the U.S. dollar doesn’t become more expensive or less advantageous, even as the value of the U.S. dollar falls.
Therefore, while a trip to Europe might be rather expensive these days, a vacation in the Caribbean is, in terms of currency exchange rates at least, just as affordable as it was last summer. Aruba’s guilder, the Barbados dollar, the Caymanian dollar, the Antillean guilder (used in the Netherlands Antilles and Saint Martin), the East Caribbean dollar (used in Grenada and Saint Lucia), or the Haitian gourde are all pegged to the U.S. dollar. In addition, some countries such as the British and the United States Virgin Islands, or Puerto Rico use the U.S. dollar as their currency, or have a currency which value is equivalent to the U.S. dollar (the Bahamanian dollar).
Similarly, some continental countries with Caribbean coastlines and islands that are attractive vacation spots have currencies fixed to the USD. The value of the Belize dollar, the Honduran lempira, as well as the Suriname dollar and the Venezuelan bolivar correspond to the value of the United States’ currency. That way, you don’t have to worry that the current exchange rates will turn against you when planning a beachfront getaway in Belize or a diving trip to Honduras.
While currencies of many countries in the Caribbean are fixed to the U.S. dollar and hence guarantee exchange rates immune from the dollar’s falling value, there are some exceptions. Local currencies of the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Colombia, Guatemala, Nicaragua, or Mexico are not pegged to the U.S. dollar, but still remain affordable. Martinique and French Guiana are, however, French territories, and hence use the currency of the European Union. With the Euro soaring to a new historic high against the U.S. dollar just a few weeks ago, these destination might not be the best choice if your are trying to prevent losing money on unfavorable exchange rates.
August 10, 2007 No Comments
Enjoy a 5-night stay at the Aqua Continental in Honolulu! The Travel Services offer a travel package that includes a roundtrip air travel, together with a 5-night accommodation at the Aqua Continental for just $429 per person. With this deal, you are saving up to 300 dollars! The rates are calculated per person and are based on a double occupancy and San Francisco departures. Alternative departure cities are available. Air taxes and fees and government taxes are not included in the price. The offer applies to travel dates from September 11 trough December 12. To select this, or other Hawaii special offer from the Travel Services, visit http://vacations.travelzoo.com/hawaii-vacations/317638.
August 9, 2007 No Comments
Liberty Travel is here with a great late summer special that offers a stay at Bermuda’s premier luxury resort, beginning at $499 per three nights, per person. The Fairmont Southampton resort features the island’s most extensive recreational facilities that include two golf courses, private tennis and beach clubs, diving, snorkeling, water sports, and the Willow Stream Spa, along with six restaurants, including the Newport Room, a AAA Five–Diamond award winner and the Waterlot Inn, a AAA Four-Diamond award winner. The resort is also features a year-round Explorer’s Kids Camp and 7-and-Up Night Club, and is suitable for families. The package includes a round-trip midweek air fare to Bermuda, transportation to and from the hotel, accommodation for a number of nights selected, air fuel surcharges, and hotel tax and service charges. Applicable fare taxes, fees and charges are not included. Rates are based on double occupancy and on New York departures. For departure dates and other departure cities, visit http://www.libertytravel.com/Vacation/SpecialsDetail.asp?aCity=&aCityParent=&aCityDescription=&spcode=11378
August 9, 2007 No Comments
Check out this vacation special from the CheapCaribbean.com that offers a 4-night stay in a 4-star Rio Mar Beach Resort & Spa, a Wyndham Grand Resort with a roundtrip air travel for just $409 per person! The beachfront resort is located just a few minutes from the rainforest and on the top of the great package prize, it also grants the CheapCaribbean.com guests V.I.P. status that guarantees a 25% discount for a number of resort activities, which include golf, tennis, spa, tours, and more. The offer is valid for travel dates from September 9 through December 22; bookings have to be made by August 16. Note that the promo code (RIO100) must be used while booking in order for the discount to apply. Also, note that U.S. passports are not required to gain entry to Puerto Rico.
For more information, the list of departure cities, and terms and conditions that apply, visit http://vacations.travelzoo.com/caribbean-vacations/317040
August 9, 2007 1 Comment
Summer is coming to its final third and snow is in sight. If you’re like me and are anxious to hit the slopes this winter or just get your boots wet, then you might want to start thinking about new winter gear. Before you start to consider the possible options of what you might buy, first consider where you might want to buy it. This questioning may lead you to grab your dogsled and travel to where the dollars are plenitful.
Puffy jackets, Princess Leia earmuffs, and hand warmers are just some of the necessities needed to make this upcoming winter bearable. Depending on the type of winter person you tend to be, clothing and gear will vary on the price since the value of the dollar and its relationship to the Euro is sluggish. The dollar recently has dipped for numerous reasons, giving Europeans or anyone using Euros to take advantage of this opportunity. As of right now the EURO/USD exchange rate is 1.3785 allowing many to fly abroad and pounce on these American sales as the dollar hovers at the value it has fallen too.
Coming to America is a great move to purchase winter gear. Buying this equipment in the summer or even the fall will end up saving you a bunch of cash. If you’re willing to jump on the slippery slopes with a snowboard, you might as well buy it from the best. Top selling snowboards from Burton distinguished as the Burton Cruzer ($299), the Burton Clash Board ($349), and the Burton Custom X Snowboard ($559) will all force you inside your pocket, but if you’re using your converted currency then your inclination may be to buy these high end snowboards. If you’re more of a skier and are looking for a pair that will really take off, try Skis.com to purchase a pair of Salomon Equipe Skis for $399 or the Salomon Scrambler Skis for $199 for a cheaper price.
Hop on the sale trail since most equipment is cheap now and will only get more expensive as the winter nears. Before making an appearance in the states, check some online American stores and have an idea what you’re willing to buy and the cost converted into Euros. Some good websites may include the Sierratradingpost.com, backcountry.com, and your more popular websites like REI.com. These websites will be a good starting point for buying cheaper winter gear like winter hats, gloves, jackets, thick socks, waterproof boots, and as well a number of undershirts. You want to be the first on the mountain, right? So make sure to purchase you gear abroad, take advantage of the “currency sale”. Ski the famous Alps that stretch through seven different European countries and have a reputation for being extremely difficult to maneuver.
Whatever your reason is for getting excited for winter, I’m sure the states have a way of making it cheaper, especially with the dollar creeping down.
August 6, 2007 No Comments
Get ready for a romance! Take a late-summer/early-fall vacation and experience the comfort and beauty of a Colorado mountain resort at the Grand Timber Lodge. The resort currently offers 25% savings on the regular rates, bringing the price down to $125 per night for all days from Sunday through Thursday. Additionally, a 20% discount is also available for weekends. Nestled in a stunning mountainous backdrop in Colorado, the place is perfect for a romantic getaway. However, with a wide array of activity possibilities that include hiking, biking, golf, and rafting, easy access to all the shopping and dining in historic downtown Breckenridge, as well as several exciting Breckenridge festivals and events scheduled for August and September, the spot is equally suitable for a family vacation or a pleasant escape with a group of friends. The offer is valid between August 10 and October 4. Note that taxes and fees are not included in the price, and that restrictions may apply. For more information, visit http://vacations.travelzoo.com/north-american-vacations/314979.
August 3, 2007 No Comments
Knock, knock. Who’s there? Orange. Orange who? Orange you glad that cruising the Atlantic is affordable and within proximity of your home and work? In evaluating New York ports vs. Florida ports, in this article you will better understand the differences between the Big Apple and the Sunshine State, and their diverse itineraries.
The Empire State is a haven for tourists, so it would only make sense that it is a great place to depart from as well. As far as the cruising industry goes, New York is a port that delivers various destinations. Some of these destinations may include anywhere from Canada/New England and the Caribbean to Spain and Portugal. New York’s central location on the Atlantic gives the city’s cruise lines more of an eclectic feel by traveling to Europe and more of the northern hemisphere. Although most cruise destinations can be sought out from this port, the major difference behind New York is your ability to choose from a variety of assorted spots, not just the most popular ones. When it comes to the ships, the boats that depart from “the city that never sleeps” are an array of popular cruise lines including Norwegian Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Cruise Line, Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland American Line, and limited Royal Caribbean Cruises. If your experience has taught you to pick a specific cruise line, then rummage through the options and find out where the wind blows.
You’re not cutting an onion, so there is no reason to cry over prices. In fact, prices from New York are actually something to smile about. According to SideStep.com, a vacation search engine, several destinations can be financially affordable. Examples of these vacations without a plane ticket, would run about $599 for a 7-day trip to Canada/New England, an average 7-night cruise to Bermuda is $799, an 11-night Southern Caribbean cruise will cost around $1200, and a 15-night transatlantic trip to Europe will also cost approximately $1200. If you’re monetary options are limited and you’re not only searching for a tropical paradise, New York would be a better place to depart from. Not to mention, if you’re from the area, then you will save money you would’ve spent on a plane ticket.
Florida, is a port that dedicates most of its traveling to the southern exotic destinations. Florida’s ports including Miami, Tampa Bay, and Ft. Lauderdale are among the most frequently used in the Peninsula State. A majority of the cruise lines that depart from New York also depart from Florida, but there are a few that more often than not take off from Florida calling it more of a home. These would include: Celebrity Cruises, Costa Cruises, Disney Cruise Line, and even Royal Caribbean. The vacation destinations that are the more recognizable and desired stops on the map typically come from this area and we would know them as the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Florida ports do travel to the eastern coast of the U.S, but finding a feasible date for this type of vessel may seem a bit more complicated.
If you’re from the northeast, vacationing from one of the three Floridian destinations might add some extra cash to an originally manageable price. Similar to those prices from the New York port, SideStep.com has an assortment of low cruise prices. Some examples of these trips to paradise include a tropical 4-day trip to the Caribbean starting at $189, a 7-night sail to the Exotic Eastern Caribbean, and even a 2-night sail to the Bahamas for $309. Adding in discount airline tickets to Florida cruising at approximately $160 to $200 roundtrip, is something new to consider.
Depending on whether your preferences lead you to travel from the north or south is contingent on your final destination choice. Either way, when traveling in the lap of luxury, make sure your preferences meet your financial expectations. Orange you glad I brought it up?
August 3, 2007 No Comments
Wait for the crowds to disappear and take advantage of a delightful late summer/early fall vacation at one of the best beaches in Punta Cana, in the Dominican Republic. The Vacation TravelMart has announced an amazing deal that offers a Grand Oasis Punta Cana Hotel accommodation at only $56 per person, per night. Alternatively, a 5-night package that includes accommodation and air travel is available for $433.93 per person. The beach near the hotel is protected by a coral reef, and is an ideal spot for snorkeling, swimming and diving. Fishing with the Nautical Fishing Club, horseback riding, playing golf at the adjacent golf courses, or a casino visit is also available. This offer is valid from September 5 through October 31. Sample prices are based on a double occupancy and on Miami flight departures. For other departure destinations, additional information, and terms and conditions that apply, visit http://vacmart.com/ct/SelectR.cfm?HID=3027.
August 2, 2007 No Comments
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