TRAVEL NEWS:
FRUGAL SPENDING TRENDS

So summer has ended and you enjoyed some sort of vacation time I hope.
You did go away, maybe not as far as you would have in years past and maybe didn’t spend as much.

I got the chance to speak with Vince Alberta, the Las Vegas Tourist Authority. He says that travel spending has definitely changed.

He says that spending has changed and that that’s where they’re seeing the biggest trend. Spending was down 15% for the leisure visitor in 2009.  He says that it is not that people have stopped going – what really has changed is how they spend their money. Before, travelers might have gone to three really nice restaurants during their stay, now they would be cutting to one if any.

Even though the spending of the consumer is down, if you compare Las Vegas to other destinations in the world there is still a strong demand. Right now they welcome over 36 million and Alberta predicts over 37 million by the end of 2010.

TRAVEL DEAL AVAILABLE OCTOBER 30, 2010
GREECE & DALMATION ISLANDS

Now turning to travel news this week and the hot luxury trend that continues like never before: cruises.

Seabourn Cruise Line is THE luxury cruise line.

It's part of the World's Leading Cruise Lines marketing group, which also includes Holland America Line, Princess Cruises, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises and Carnival among others.  

Known as The Yachts of Seabourn, the company specializes in small ships, small enough to fit in many exotic ports that large cruise ships can't reach. All cabins have the best amenities available at sea: designer soaps, flat-screen TV’s, DVD players and Bose Wave Sound systems.
This is top of the line, luxury at its best. The company's fleet consists of six vessels, two of which are under construction.

The hot ship right now is the VIP Seabourn Odyssey. All have a maximum passenger capacity of 450 guests and 225 suite cabins. The reason this ship is so popular: 90% of the cabins have a balcony.  The ships have 11 decks, which is more than any of Seabourn's previous ships, an 11,500-square-foot indoor/outdoor spa and four alternative dining venues.

Each ship costs US $250 million. 

I have got something to share with you. I have personally been told about some private VIP sales. It’s for cruises that go to Greece and the Dalmation Islands departing October 30th for eight days and seven nights. The trip takes you to Athens, Corfu, Crotia, and Italy, including Venice.

If you're interested in this private sale – it’s first come first serve - write me here at hollywoodtrendreport.com and I'll get you the deal. One trip that has always been a dream for me and I’ve never gone is Greece. If you end up going, write me and tell me all about it. I’d love to see the pictures.

TRAVEL:
NEW FIRST-CLASS FLYING FEATURES

When it comes to first class luxury, airlines are now offering new luxuries to recapture first class fliers.

Delta Airlines and American Airlines, the world's two largest carriers, are counting on lie-flat seats and Tahitian crab soup to win back profitable customers

With the easing of an 18-month global slump in first- and business-class travel, Delta's seats that recline 180 degrees into beds and American's Asian-fusion appetizers are lures for the corporate passengers - whose ranks dwindled when the global recession ravaged budgets for international flying.

Filling the premium seats at the front of airplane cabins is pivotal to U.S. airlines' efforts to return to profit in 2010 after weak demand forced them into discounting to woo vacationers.

TRAVEL NEWS:
CREDIT CARD THEFT

Credit card theft is something you need to be aware of next time you check into a hotel – it’s on the rise.

When you check in they ask for your credit card. Sounds basic but the problem is that puts you at great risk for credit card theft from credit card hackers.

A study released shows that 38% of credit card hackings involve the hotel industry, Retail is 14.2% and Restaurants and Bars 13%.

When you give your credit card to hotels, they hold on to the number and card information in the system. It sits there in the clear giving easy access to coming and going employees.

There is an illegal black market today with local gangs that specialize in buying stolen credit card numbers.

Here's what you can do to protect yourself: Tokenization.

Tokenization encrypts your card number. It swipes your card on the spot and is encrypted so the card only works inside that hotel.

Here are some pointers:

• Keep receipts

• Check your credit card bills online during your trip, don’t wait till the end of the month when you get your statement

• Report billing errors or stolen card immediately

• Ask the hotel if they have tokenization when you check in

• Ask hotels directly - how are you going to keep my information safe?

TRAVEL TREND:
'MILOS' ON THE MEDITERRANEAN

If you are looking for a different cruise, how about this? Milos, the famed modern Greek dining restaurant group, with eateries in Montreal, New York and Athens, now has a Milos Yacht with full service - including Milos dining.

Milos Yacht uses an Aicon 56 flybridge cruiser and is available for private charters of up to six guests. It is ideal for intimate getaways. With a cruising speed of 28 knots, it sails to thousands of destinations across Greece.

You have the choice of opting for lively island ports or secluded coves. Your dream vacation becomes a reality. The interior is classy yet unpretentious which is both comfortable and upscale. This is really the epitome of luxury.

Wow! Now that has my name all over it….hmmm…. me and the Milos baked crab cakes off the coast of Mykonos….ahhh…would I ever love that!

To book:

Write me at hollywoodtrendreport@gmail.com and I will hook you up with great Hollywood Trend Report deals!

SUMMER TRAVEL TREND: CRUISING


Canadians look forward to their summers all year long. Despite the economy, fewer of us are skipping vacations - we're traveling more compared to last year. 49% say they will travel pack their bags this summer.

The most popular trips are: road trips (55%) and beach trips (48%). Travelers between the ages of 35 and 44 are most likely to take a vacation this summer.

We sat down with Eirini Demetlin, of the Travel Network, one of North America's leading full service travel agencies. She said the hottest travel destination this summer is Europe because the Euro is down and the Canadian dollar is up, but she says the biggest travel trend this is cruising.

According to Cruise Market Watch, the total worldwide cruise market is estimated at $26.8 billion, a 7.4% increase from 2009. Value and convenience seem to be what's attracting Canadians when it comes to cruises. Demetlin explains: "The reason why cruise travel is so popular is because 1. It turns out to be a lot cheaper in the long run 2. It's easy. You open up your bag on day one and you close it on day 11 and in the mean time you've been to 10 different ports."

For information on these deals write me at hollywoodtrendreport@gmail.com and I will hook you up with Eirini directly as she has special prices she is giving my listeners and readers.

TRAVEL TREND: VIRGIN AMERICA


Now turning to trends when it comes to airlines. More airlines should be paying attention to in-cabin mood lighting. Poor cabin lighting on a long flight may worsen jet lag. Exposure to bright light at an hour when you are ordinarily asleep can confuse your body's internal clock. Smart cabin lighting may actually help your body adjust to a new time zone and beat back jet lag. Virgin America has an in-cabin lighting system that subtly shifts through 12 shades of violet, including a welcoming, bright blue-purple during the day, a softer violet hue after dusk, and a deep, calming near-black on red-eyes when it's time to sleep. It's so cool. I loved their in-flight safety video. It kept my interest as it, along with the entire airline, has a relaxed air about it. Now Virgin America, has an operating loss of $27 million in revenues of about $110 million in the fourth quarter of '09, ending in December. Virgin execs say the customers like their product so they are flying with them. The load factor in the fourth quarter was 81 percent, compared to the fourth quarter of last year when it was 62 percent.

UPDATE: THE RECESSION


Leisure travel spending is bouncing back in 2010 as consumer sentiment gradually repairs. However, prices are beginning to firm again from recession lows. Per-trip spending is rising, especially on airfare, though lodging perks like free nights and meals are sticking around for now. Recession-era trends like shorter stays are still in place, but travelers are booking further in advance than they were last year. Agents say that consumer confidence is important, and the strength of the stock market has translated into confidence to spend today and commit to travel in 2011. River cruising has grown in popularity, as have travel destinations like Egypt, India and Morocco.

TRAVEL NEWS: MICROBES


89 percent of travelers would react if they noticed their flight seatmate was displaying visible flu-like symptoms. While 55 percent would request to be moved to a different seat, 27 percent would notify a flight attendant, four percent would put on a facemask or scarf and an additional three percent would request that their fellow passenger cover up with a mask or scarf.

Airplanes are considered the top spot to beware of unwanted microbes (48 percent), followed by public transportation (19 percent) and hotels (six percent).

61 percent of travelers confess they have disregarded airline rules on a flight. Unbuckling seatbelts before the light is off tops the list of flyer felonies, with almost half of travelers (49 percent) admitting to unclipping prematurely. Further indiscretions include moving someone else's luggage to make room for their own (23 percent), standing up before the seatbelt light is turned off (16 percent), and six percent even admit to using a forbidden electronic device in-flight, such as a cell phone or pager.

'Quiet Sections' Preferred:
41 percent of travelers said they'd be most likely to pay extra to sit in a 'quiet section' of a plane, while 39 percent would love to be free of kids in a 'child-free section'.

Wi-Fi may be a useful in-flight option, but some travelers would prefer to remain altogether disconnected, with 11 percent saying they'd choose a 'Wi-Fi-free section'.

In-flight Indulgences
72 percent of travelers expect to pay for in-flight extras when flying in 2010, with extra leg-room at the top of the wish list for more than one-third (35 percent) of respondents. 26 percent are most likely to pay for snacks or an in-flight meal, and more travelers plan to dish out for in-flight alcohol (23 percent) than for seat selection (22 percent) or checked bags (20 percent).

If you're looking to book a trip this summer, book through a Virtuso agency so you can get those upgrades and complimentary meals and credits.

For Vision 2000 - call their VIP desk.
Toronto: 416.222.2440
Montreal: 514.748.2522
St. Catharine's: 905.684.0888
Or email them at vip@vision2000.ca

TRAVEL RECOVERY:
ON THE WAY!


The big news this summer is - real travel recovery is coming. Hotel occupancy rates are expected to rebound with the overall U.S. hotel occupancy rates jumping to as much as 59% this year from 55% in 2009. Room prices may then rise next year for the first time since the summer of 2008, but right now you can still find deals.

Luxury hotels, specifically, can raise prices again because they were hit the most last year as they are the ones that cut prices the most, as much as 25 percent.

Companies including Morgans Hotel Group, the Mondrian in Los Angeles and London's St. Martins Lane, are starting to increase prices in some cases, but hotels are throwing in extras like never before. At the hip Mondrian here in LA with the famous Sky Bar on the Sunset Strip, where the lobby features a swing, occupancy rose in January from a year earlier. At the Breakers in Palm Beach, Florida, where high-season rooms start at $500 US, the hotel expects a 20 percent increase in occupancy in this year's off-season from 2009. The higher demand means that the Breakers has been able to raise prices from last year, though they are still below 2008's level.

Meantime, in Europe, total hotel occupancy may climb to 65 percent in 2010 from 61 percent last year, with the average room price in 2010 increasing by 5 percent.

TREND: HAYCATIONS


You may have done 'staycations' (you may have even done one without knowing it had a name), so perhaps you would be interested in a 'haycation.'

These are interactive farm stays where city-dwellers visit in order to gather their own eggs, make cheese and even learn to butcher an animal.

Pros of A Haycation Vacation

• Learn about agriculture, organic gardening, and how a farm is run.
• Show financial support as well as appreciation for local farmers.
• Children learn where food comes from before it's processed and packaged for the grocery store.
• Farm work provides excellent health benefits, especially exercise.
• Rural atmosphere provides a peaceful escape from city stress.
• Guests can see livestock animals up close.
• Some farms have petting pens where small children can pet animals.
• Guests learn about wildlife, natural resources, and the preservation of the Earth

Cons of a Haycation Vacation

• If one does not have the proper clothing, especially for helping out on a livestock farm, then a shopping trip for the proper attire will cause added expense.
• Allergies to animal dander, hay, wildflowers, dust, and/or weeds may be reason enough to find another type of vacation.
• Fear of large animals may keep one off a ranch or livestock farm.
• Very small children have to be watched constantly around animals, tools, and machinery. Guest quarters may not be childproof.

LAS VEGAS: CITY CENTER


Las Vegas now has its own urban core - a 67-acre city-within-a-city that's redefined the skyline and Las Vegas Blvd. As I drove in, my eyes opened wide as I tried to look high enough to see the sprawling development right in the middle of Vegas. Truly a city within a city.

It's called CityCenter™ and it's an 8 1/2 billion dollar development (1.2 billion dollar in debt) and there has never been anything like it.

In Vegas as a whole, overall, visitation is down about 3 per cent but the city expects to gain it all back by the end of this year. 36 million visitors came in 2009 and 37 and a half million are expected this year. Currently home to three luxury hotels, condos, world-class designer shopping and the Cirque Du Soleil Elvis Show - the greatest part about CityCenter™ is that it's one of the world's largest environmentally sustainable urban communities. Nowhere in the world does this exist. ARIA Resort & Casino™ is the focal point. Next door, Vdara Hotel & Spa is smoke-free, non-gaming and houses the spa. A very sleek all-suite boutique hotel with a sophisticated international flair and outstanding structure but financial troubles hit the entire complex, as it opened in the height of the recession December 2009. As far as the spa itself and what I thought of it, you know I love to bring you the latest spa news weekly but I didn't see it. The publicist told me it was nice. I also wasn't able to check out the rooms so it's not something I can tell you about - but - I can tell you the complex has to be seen. The fountains and water features are outstanding and the architecture striking. The Vdara structure is directly connected to Bellagio® and adjacent to the new, ARIA. Bellagio® is not attached but is an MGM property. In Vegas, the mother companies encourage tourists to visit all their establishments keeping it all in the family. I had a chance to take the tram, which connects the various buildings. It was great, felt very Jetsons and I wish the ride was longer, I could have just gone round and round looking up at the massive structures for an hour. CityCenter™ MGM MIRAGE™ earned six distinct Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED®) Gold certifications from the U.S. Green Building Council. Vdara used wood products from responsibly managed forests; high efficiency water use - both inside the building and outdoors; alternative fuel options for limousines; and an improvement of more than 30 percent in energy efficiency over standard building codes. Crystals, the shopping and entertainment district of CityCenter™ will have all its stores rented by the end of the year according to Farid Matraki - Vice President and General Manager of Crystals. He says each month another huge designer store is opening and by the end of the year, he says, the entire complex will be leased. Stores include a 15,000 square foot Gucci store, a 5,000 square-foot mens and ladies Christian Dior, Louis Vuitton has built one of the their biggest stores in North America here and Prada is opening a 17,000 square-foot store soon. Overall, my tour of CityCenter™ impressed me visually, as design elements are so original, there was nothing I could compare it to anywhere in the world. The views are beautiful and the choice of dining abounds (although I didn't try any of it) I did find the lighting in the casino to be dark and cavern-like, a distinct lack of benches for people to sit with bags and just bask in the beauty around them were non-existent other than one stone bench in the ARIA lobby, and without seeing the rooms and spa I can't recommend but it is something you have never seen before so walk through, the grandeur is spectacular. I had a chance to speak to the very personable Alan Feldman, Senior Vice President of Public Affairs for MGM Resorts International. He said very urban CityCenter™ is very much a view of what Vegas will look like in the future, great architecture, walking paths, food and great art. He said it's a nice juxtaposition to what else Vegas has to offer. When asked how he felt about the recession hitting his development, he replied that they are there for the long haul and when things turn around, CityCenter™ be front and center.

TRAVEL TREND: 'PACKAGES' ARE HOTTER THAN EVER


Vacation packages provide the best overall value for travelers. Hotels are not keen on lowering their standalone rates, but will do so as part of a package. Travelers who bundle flight and hotel will save the most.

Now don't think these packages are limited to the typical all-inclusive beach vacation.

Here are the 3 hottest trends for vacation packages:

BabyMoon Packages: These are vacations aimed at expecting couples who may want to have one last vacation alone together. It allows the couple to have a relaxing time while the spouse is pregnant. A lot of the packages include massages and treatments to calm the expecting mother.

Adventure Travel Packages: Another type of emerging trend in travel is the adventure travel package. These are filled with fun and exciting activities and are a perfect alternative to the typical beach vacation. Examples of adventure travel packages include safaris and exotic adventure cruises.

Not the outdoors type? Also available are art, cooking, and wine tasting vacation packages.

Charity Vacation Packages: These allow the traveler to enjoy their escape and give back to society at the same time. In this case, organizations provide consignment packages for charity auctions.

HOT TRAVEL DESTINATION: ABU DHABI


Now turning to some hot spots this summer thanks to the recession. Dubai is a hot destination, thanks to massive drops in prices. The state-backed Dubai World debt announcement triggered a price war in hotel room rates to stimulate demand and a currency, which is losing its value. If you are after a bargain, Dubai is a place to go in summer 2010. Figures from Hotels.com show that online searches for hotels in Dubai rose 570 percent in the days after Dubai World's announcement of its plans to restructure its debt. With the release of Sex And The City 2, interest in the Arab world is expected to jump and Abu Dhabi is positioned as the new and somewhat more restrained Dubai. Canada's The Travel Network, located in Toronto and Montreal is the specialist for finding the deals if you want to book a trip to Dubai or Abu Dhabi as seen in the movie.

http://www.thetravelnetwork.com/

TRAVEL SERVICE: ZERO BAGGAGE


Zerobaggage.com is a new startup that opens for business this November. Tired of paying for your bags now when you're flying? Zero Baggage provides you with clothes and other essentials at your final destination.

You just take a carry on with your essentials and no check-in bags because they get you what you need.

You simply fill in an online virtual suitcase - and the contents will be waiting in your hotel room when you arrive.

Items are previously used - but clean and well maintained but there is also the option of renting new items only. Feel good about doing this by knowing that you are borrowing local items and services that follow an ecological model. You also earn carbon credits for traveling lightly, thus lightening weight, which can be reimbursed for various services such as a spa trip or dinner.

If you become a member of Zero Baggage you are able to buy new items, or store personal effects at frequently visited places.

TRAVEL TREND 2010: VEGAS BEACHCLUBS


Visitors who haven't been to Las Vegas in a few years are in for a surprise: It's gone upscale. The city is now filled with posh hotels, restaurants and designer stores.

I just got back from a full week of working there and I had a chance to check out a few hotels in depth. The one that is the only Forbes 5 Star Diamond resort now is - Steve Wynn's Encore. Just when you thought he had reached great heights with Bellagio and then Wynn, he outdoes himself with Encore.

It truly can't be compared to anything else in Vegas.

Right now, the biggest trend in Vegas are the so called Beach Clubs. No beaches, but lots of pool parties, gorgeous people, DJ's, and sexy bodies parading the deck. Now, the party doesn't end when you leave the nightclub, it goes on right through the day.

Vegas' hottest pool party takes place at Encore Beach Club. The 60,000-square-foot venue features 40-foot palm trees surrounding three tiered pools. A more private Encore Beach Club experience can be had at one of the 26 cabanas outfitted with refrigerators and flat screen televisions.

At the center of the Las Vegas nightclub evolution is Sean Christie who, with his partner, has joined forces with Steve Wynn to operate Encore Beach Club and Surrender Nightclub. Christie started his Las Vegas club career at House of Blues in Mandalay Bay in 2000. He went on to open Light in Bellagio and then Blush in Wynn Las Vegas. Christie says "There's no one like Steve Wynn. He doesn't follow the trends, he sets them, always looking around the corner." He says "Nightclubs have kind of transcended being an amenity. For a lot of people, gambling was the No. 1 reason they came here…a restaurant or nightclub could be that No. 1 reason now."

When I spent the day at Encore Beach Club, it truly was a scene out of a movie, its opulent design, amenities in the cabanas and bungalows, has definitely raised the bar for pool parties.

AIRLINE TREND: E-BOARDING


The Travel Network TRAVEL TRENDS SUMMER 2010 segment is out!

The Travel Network is the agency for the 21st Century - with two locations in Toronto and downtown Montreal, comprised of the most knowledgeable travel advisors across Canada. The Travel Network is a Four Seasons preferred partner, Virtuoso member and part of the Abercrombie & Kent's 100 Club.

The buzzwords this summer are: 'Eco luxe', 'Traincations' and 'e-boarding'. First we start off with a new trend about to take over many airports. You're used to your e-ticket, but now the latest trend is the e-boarding pass. Meaning – a completely paperless travel. The e-boarding pass let's you go right to the gate, no stop at the ticket counter. The electronic-boarding passes are being used in five airports now in the US. The TSA came up with the concept and Continental came up with the software. How does it work? Using a computer or your cell, you check in electronically before a flight by entering the confirmation code from your e-ticket. A boarding pass is sent to you online right away. It has an encrypted bar code on it with your name and your flight details. Then, a TSA officer scans you at security. The TSA says it helps security wise too. Right now the airports where you can do this are:

• Boston
• Newark
• Houston
• Washington DC