Argophilia

Αργοφιλία: For the love of the journey.

World

Fabulous Trekking Ops – the Ladajh Himalayas

Phil Butler

For the adventurous of the world, trekking the Indian Himalayas is certainly a dream come true. Himalayan Frontiers Cultural and Adventure Tours announces their offerings for 2011, for the stout hearted who have what it takes to visit the legendary land of Kashmir and Ladakh. From high desert plateau to river valley village, this trekking series is a cultural adventure as much as a physical one. Experience life as it has been for a dozen or more centuries.

Happy Birthday to Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park

Phil Butler

Singapore’s Jurong Bird Park celebrates its 40th Anniversary this year with special prices and gifts for guests. The largest bird park in the world, Jurong is home to thousands of rare birds, and some of the world’s most fascinating exhibitions. Visitors this year are in for a rare treat indeed.

Ticket Prices Skyrocket – Google Shrugs

Phil Butler

The online travel war between OTA’s, airlines, and other interested parties has grown into an industry damaging PR nightmare. American Airlines, Google, Expedia, all the major players may not realize how frustrating their power moves are for the little people. These companies are jeopardizing their own future, and that of developers all over the world.

Portugal’s Travel Agents Sinking Fast

Phil Butler

Portugal’s travel sector is in grave trouble, perhaps far more serious than previous reports have suggested. The industry that represents 11 percent of the country’s GDP has lost fully one third of its travel agents to insolvency. The economic times and pressure from online travel agents have made the situation there untenable. But a double sided government effort has not helped either.

Vietnam’s Tet Holiday Bonanza Causes Chaos

Phil Butler

Travel agents and tour companies inside Vietnam are overwhelmed with clients who want to take advantage of the new Tet holiday. The government’s late announcement took the industry by surprise as government employees learned of additional time off for the New Year. A bookings bonanza there is turning into a booking nightmare.

Google’s Probability of Online Travel Success

Phil Butler

American Airlines and ITA penned a deal the other day which AA claims had nothing to do with Google’s acquisition of ITA technology. But the suggestion still remains as to what exactly Google is doing to fend off its opponents in the so called “Online Travel War.” Is Google silently orchestrating the downfall of Expedia and the others of FairSearch? Well, probably not anything so diabolical, but winning the ITA acquisition with underlying business relationships? This is not only possible, but probable.

Frontier Airlines Expands to Omaha

Mihaela Lica Butler

Frontier Airlines announced the beginning of Omaha expansion this weekend with the return of seasonal non-stop service to Orlando and St. Petersburg/Clearwater.

Online Travel Aerial Warfare Update: American Sues Sabre

Phil Butler

The online airfare wars escalate as American files suit against Sabre in an attempt to force American’s “direct connect” initiative. With battle lines clearly drawn, can American Airlines win the real or PR war where going back to a closed system is concerned? Not likely, but the story is never the less interesting. Who will take American’s side is the burning question of the day?

Amadeus Enters the American Airlines Ticket Wars

Phil Butler

American Airlines started an online ticket war late last year they may not be able to finish. Now Amadeus is firing warning shots across the cockpits of airlines poised to go it via “direct connect” rather than relying on OTA’s to sell seats. In a bold but quiet move, one of the world’s biggest travel players takes sides with Expedia and Orbitz.

Hyatt Spas Begin 2011 with Exciting Spa Packages

Mihaela Lica Butler

Blue Marble Spa, named one of the “Top 10 Green Spas and Resorts” in the world by Organic Spa, will be offering two special treatments through the month of January to help guests renew their mind, body and spirit.

Getting There and Carried Away Airlines

Phil Butler

The recent war between online travel agents and major airlines heats up still more. But for the travel consumer, how will all this soap opera posturing effect prices and value? The answer is fairly simple, prices will go up, and services will go down. The trend to cut everything from jet fuel to aspirin is in place, and only a paradigm shift can alter that. Comparison pricing is the only consumer weapon for value. Expedia, Google, American Airlines, the customer, what is best for business only the customer can say.