FTF
02-12-2004, 05:42 PM
Posted by FTF on March 5, 2003 at 14:38:59:
Original Story Which Generated This Bulletin Board for Your comments on Travel Security and Relevant Issues
TERROR TRAVEL
What the War Drums Are Saying to Travel Planners
By Kyle McCarthy, editor http://www.familytravelforum.com
Having survived the challenges of travel over President’s Day, when the pounding
of war drums was almost silenced by record-breaking snowstorms across the
US, many families are wondering about their Easter and summer plans. To assist
in this climate of uncertainty caused by war drums, an ailing economy and the
possibility of new terrorist acts, we suggest three things the family travel planner
can do:
1. Regarding war with Iraq, we urge caution and common sense.
2. Regarding the ailing economy, we urge protecting your vacation investment.
3. Regarding the likelihood of new terrorist acts, we urge flexibility in planning.
Global uncertainty has already dimmed the travel industry’s prospect for
recouping some of their devastating post 9/11 losses. Although most travel
professionals believe that travelers have recovered from their fear of inadequate
airport security, they now blame uncertainty and consumers waiting for a “better
deal” for crippling travel bookings.
WHY TRAVEL IS SO CHEAP
This perfect storm has forced travel companies to use super-cheap seats to
Europe, Asia and several Caribbean islands – even during the region’s peak
season – to lure reluctant families. Never before have we seen the top family
resorts offer perks such as restaurant credits, free excursions, room upgrades
and complimentary private childcare to attract wary customers.
Cruise companies have followed suit, with steeply discounted third and fourth
bunk rates and longer itineraries to more foreign ports, for less than the standard
three-day jaunt from Port Canaveral.
Surveys show that sophisticated, affluent and frequent travelers will still travel,
taking advantage of these incredible savings. And the rest of us are unwilling to
give up the pleasures, learning, and family bonding opportunities that travel
brings. It is those undecided consumers whom the industry is hoping to lure with
the newest crop of bargains, some of which remain valid for travel through the
summer – if booked now.
SMART PLANNING IN TOUGH TIMES
What’s a parent to do? Before making any plans, you
should discuss these issues with your fellow travelers (as age-appropriate) and
decide how much “excitement” your family has the appetite for. Once your family
has reached a comfortable consensus, focus on making the best of a difficult
decision. Then, take precautions, protect your investment and maximize the
flexibility of your plans.
TAKE PRECAUTIONS
The first precaution is to stay informed -- avoid the hotspots where civil unrest, a
Middle East war, or terrorist sympathizers are likely to cause trouble. While
industry experts used to feel exotic destinations like China and Botswana were
safe, a nuclear showdown with North Korea or another synagogue bombing in
north Africa may make families afraid of the whole region.
On February 6th (in effect until May 4), the U. S. Department of State issued a
worldwide travel warning to Americans to remain vigilant whatever their
destination, further ratcheting up the anxiety level.
I’m not suggesting we bury our heads in the sand. Despite past accusations that
the State Department uses a politically motivated system of classifying threats to
Americans going abroad, it does make sense for citizens of any country to check
in at their website, http://travel.state.gov, for the latest destination safety news.
The second precaution is to protect your investment. Travel insurance ensures
reimbursement for costs incurred by the cancellation or early termination of your
planned itinerary. We recommend purchasing a comprehensive plan including
trip cancellation, trip interruption and the standard coverage for lost baggage,
medical evacuation, etc. from an independent insurer, perhaps the company that
carries your homeowner or auto insurance policies. (You can click here to learn
about the family insurance programs offered to FTF members by CSA and
Travelex.) Avoid buying policies offered by a self-insured cruise or tour operator: if
they go out of business, there may not be any money to reimburse you!
However, after the beating that insurance companies took in the wake of the 9/11
attacks, most have added very fine print limiting their liability in case of terrorism
or war, which may exclude you from the coverage you need. Before purchasing
your travel package, call an insurance agent directly and ask specific “What if?”
questions to determine the best choice.
As a generaI safety precaution, once on the road, families should carry a
photocopy of their passports, ID and credit cards. In regions where safety, civil
unrest or anti-American sentiment are a concern, travelers should register with
their country's Embassy or consulate at the destination and avoid large public
gatherings. Some “experts” recommend travelers carry their own water supply,
dry or non-perishable foods and First Aid kit in case of emergency.
REMAIN FLEXIBLE
Despite precautions, many parents are concerned about making a vacation
commitment in a knowledge vacuum.
I know it, you know it, even the travel industry understands: "We recognize that
during these very uncertain times, many people are concerned about committing
to travel plans for the next several months, particularly families who traditionally
enjoy their spring break vacation at our resorts and lodging properties," says Ed
Mace, president of RockResorts and Vail Resorts Lodging. "Their biggest
concern, as we have heard from our reservations staff, is losing a deposit on their
vacation if they choose to cancel at the last minute.”
This is why maintaining flexibile options is so important. As an easy first step, all
elements of your vacation should be booked with a credit card, so that you can
cancel the charges in the event the service you paid for is not delivered.
Travel columnist Ed Perkins, formerly with The Consumer Reports Travel Letter,
recommends travelers maintain flexibility by avoiding packages and prepaid tours.
Despite the inconvenience, booking separate airfare, hotel and rental car (the
latter two being easy to cancel, even at the last minute) will protect you from
further costs if you decide to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever. This
doesn’t mean to avoid travel agents. A good travel specialist can quickly manage
several rebookings and provide a comforting support system, for a nominal fee.
Additionally, the travel industry has recently been forthcoming with options to
make your travel planning more flexible. At all RockResorts and Vail Resorts
Lodging properties, for example,
cancellation penalties have been waived for lodging and for advance purchase ski
lift tickets at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly ski
resorts for the remainder of the
season.
Bravo to the several cruise lines, such as Crystal, Radisson Seven Seas,
Oceania and Holland America, who began this positive trend according to Travel
Weekly. The relaxation of cancellation penalties for cruises departing between
mid-March and the end of 2003 ranges from buying a special policy (up to a few
hundred dollars) to ensure that the entire cost of a canceled cruise can be
applied to a future sailing, to a 90% cruise credit if you cancel within 72 hours, to
a waiver of all cancellation penalties.
Among the hotel chains, Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, the Thistle Hotels
group of London and the Shangri-La Hotels throughout Asia have already
suspended cancellation charges for inbound groups in addition to maintaining
their day of arrival cancellation policy for individuals. Other hotels are using
consumer concerns as a clever marketing tactic; Le Meridien Hotels for example,
is offering guests a complimentary cellphone during their stay as well as 30
minutes free long distance phone time to call home.
Among airlines, who are still sorting out which onerous fees (standby tickets,
flight rebooking, excess baggage, pet porterage premiums, airline meals, among
many) to charge, Virgin Atlantic has announced that they are waiving rebooking
fees on flights between the United States and Great Britain, China or Hong Kong.
(At press time, British Airways announced a “short term policy” which would
enable customers holding long haul economy tickets purchased in the UK only
until March 17 to alter their route, destination or class of service, free of charge,
up until May 31 for travel through the end of 2003.)
While we would normally expect other airlines to follow suit, most carriers
continue to ignore customer needs in their haste to cut costs. So, Virgin
Atlantic’s generosity, rather than be emulated, just may cause travelers to hold
off purchasing airline tickets to see what their competitors do.
In which case, they’ll just be fueling the public penchant for last minute travel,
cause of their most severe economic woes.
Original Story Which Generated This Bulletin Board for Your comments on Travel Security and Relevant Issues
TERROR TRAVEL
What the War Drums Are Saying to Travel Planners
By Kyle McCarthy, editor http://www.familytravelforum.com
Having survived the challenges of travel over President’s Day, when the pounding
of war drums was almost silenced by record-breaking snowstorms across the
US, many families are wondering about their Easter and summer plans. To assist
in this climate of uncertainty caused by war drums, an ailing economy and the
possibility of new terrorist acts, we suggest three things the family travel planner
can do:
1. Regarding war with Iraq, we urge caution and common sense.
2. Regarding the ailing economy, we urge protecting your vacation investment.
3. Regarding the likelihood of new terrorist acts, we urge flexibility in planning.
Global uncertainty has already dimmed the travel industry’s prospect for
recouping some of their devastating post 9/11 losses. Although most travel
professionals believe that travelers have recovered from their fear of inadequate
airport security, they now blame uncertainty and consumers waiting for a “better
deal” for crippling travel bookings.
WHY TRAVEL IS SO CHEAP
This perfect storm has forced travel companies to use super-cheap seats to
Europe, Asia and several Caribbean islands – even during the region’s peak
season – to lure reluctant families. Never before have we seen the top family
resorts offer perks such as restaurant credits, free excursions, room upgrades
and complimentary private childcare to attract wary customers.
Cruise companies have followed suit, with steeply discounted third and fourth
bunk rates and longer itineraries to more foreign ports, for less than the standard
three-day jaunt from Port Canaveral.
Surveys show that sophisticated, affluent and frequent travelers will still travel,
taking advantage of these incredible savings. And the rest of us are unwilling to
give up the pleasures, learning, and family bonding opportunities that travel
brings. It is those undecided consumers whom the industry is hoping to lure with
the newest crop of bargains, some of which remain valid for travel through the
summer – if booked now.
SMART PLANNING IN TOUGH TIMES
What’s a parent to do? Before making any plans, you
should discuss these issues with your fellow travelers (as age-appropriate) and
decide how much “excitement” your family has the appetite for. Once your family
has reached a comfortable consensus, focus on making the best of a difficult
decision. Then, take precautions, protect your investment and maximize the
flexibility of your plans.
TAKE PRECAUTIONS
The first precaution is to stay informed -- avoid the hotspots where civil unrest, a
Middle East war, or terrorist sympathizers are likely to cause trouble. While
industry experts used to feel exotic destinations like China and Botswana were
safe, a nuclear showdown with North Korea or another synagogue bombing in
north Africa may make families afraid of the whole region.
On February 6th (in effect until May 4), the U. S. Department of State issued a
worldwide travel warning to Americans to remain vigilant whatever their
destination, further ratcheting up the anxiety level.
I’m not suggesting we bury our heads in the sand. Despite past accusations that
the State Department uses a politically motivated system of classifying threats to
Americans going abroad, it does make sense for citizens of any country to check
in at their website, http://travel.state.gov, for the latest destination safety news.
The second precaution is to protect your investment. Travel insurance ensures
reimbursement for costs incurred by the cancellation or early termination of your
planned itinerary. We recommend purchasing a comprehensive plan including
trip cancellation, trip interruption and the standard coverage for lost baggage,
medical evacuation, etc. from an independent insurer, perhaps the company that
carries your homeowner or auto insurance policies. (You can click here to learn
about the family insurance programs offered to FTF members by CSA and
Travelex.) Avoid buying policies offered by a self-insured cruise or tour operator: if
they go out of business, there may not be any money to reimburse you!
However, after the beating that insurance companies took in the wake of the 9/11
attacks, most have added very fine print limiting their liability in case of terrorism
or war, which may exclude you from the coverage you need. Before purchasing
your travel package, call an insurance agent directly and ask specific “What if?”
questions to determine the best choice.
As a generaI safety precaution, once on the road, families should carry a
photocopy of their passports, ID and credit cards. In regions where safety, civil
unrest or anti-American sentiment are a concern, travelers should register with
their country's Embassy or consulate at the destination and avoid large public
gatherings. Some “experts” recommend travelers carry their own water supply,
dry or non-perishable foods and First Aid kit in case of emergency.
REMAIN FLEXIBLE
Despite precautions, many parents are concerned about making a vacation
commitment in a knowledge vacuum.
I know it, you know it, even the travel industry understands: "We recognize that
during these very uncertain times, many people are concerned about committing
to travel plans for the next several months, particularly families who traditionally
enjoy their spring break vacation at our resorts and lodging properties," says Ed
Mace, president of RockResorts and Vail Resorts Lodging. "Their biggest
concern, as we have heard from our reservations staff, is losing a deposit on their
vacation if they choose to cancel at the last minute.”
This is why maintaining flexibile options is so important. As an easy first step, all
elements of your vacation should be booked with a credit card, so that you can
cancel the charges in the event the service you paid for is not delivered.
Travel columnist Ed Perkins, formerly with The Consumer Reports Travel Letter,
recommends travelers maintain flexibility by avoiding packages and prepaid tours.
Despite the inconvenience, booking separate airfare, hotel and rental car (the
latter two being easy to cancel, even at the last minute) will protect you from
further costs if you decide to cancel your trip for any reason whatsoever. This
doesn’t mean to avoid travel agents. A good travel specialist can quickly manage
several rebookings and provide a comforting support system, for a nominal fee.
Additionally, the travel industry has recently been forthcoming with options to
make your travel planning more flexible. At all RockResorts and Vail Resorts
Lodging properties, for example,
cancellation penalties have been waived for lodging and for advance purchase ski
lift tickets at Vail, Beaver Creek, Breckenridge, Keystone and Heavenly ski
resorts for the remainder of the
season.
Bravo to the several cruise lines, such as Crystal, Radisson Seven Seas,
Oceania and Holland America, who began this positive trend according to Travel
Weekly. The relaxation of cancellation penalties for cruises departing between
mid-March and the end of 2003 ranges from buying a special policy (up to a few
hundred dollars) to ensure that the entire cost of a canceled cruise can be
applied to a future sailing, to a 90% cruise credit if you cancel within 72 hours, to
a waiver of all cancellation penalties.
Among the hotel chains, Intercontinental Hotels & Resorts, the Thistle Hotels
group of London and the Shangri-La Hotels throughout Asia have already
suspended cancellation charges for inbound groups in addition to maintaining
their day of arrival cancellation policy for individuals. Other hotels are using
consumer concerns as a clever marketing tactic; Le Meridien Hotels for example,
is offering guests a complimentary cellphone during their stay as well as 30
minutes free long distance phone time to call home.
Among airlines, who are still sorting out which onerous fees (standby tickets,
flight rebooking, excess baggage, pet porterage premiums, airline meals, among
many) to charge, Virgin Atlantic has announced that they are waiving rebooking
fees on flights between the United States and Great Britain, China or Hong Kong.
(At press time, British Airways announced a “short term policy” which would
enable customers holding long haul economy tickets purchased in the UK only
until March 17 to alter their route, destination or class of service, free of charge,
up until May 31 for travel through the end of 2003.)
While we would normally expect other airlines to follow suit, most carriers
continue to ignore customer needs in their haste to cut costs. So, Virgin
Atlantic’s generosity, rather than be emulated, just may cause travelers to hold
off purchasing airline tickets to see what their competitors do.
In which case, they’ll just be fueling the public penchant for last minute travel,
cause of their most severe economic woes.