Event News | "Great Hotels Meeting Forums: New format proves a success"

By: Ozgur Tore  
Source: http://ftnnews.com
Category: Event News

Great Hotels Meeting Forums, the intensive trade shows bringing together meetings and incentives buyers and suppliers from around the world, is pleased to announce a brand new – and successful – format.

Operated by Worldwide Events, the first Great Hotels European Meeting Forums took place between 27 and 31 March 2012 at Boscolo Prague, welcoming two hosted buyer groups over two-day periods. The best of Prague was showcased during dinners and activities, including a gala dinner at the Lobkowice Palace in the Prague Castle. The event was sponsored by Boscolo Prague, AIM Group International, Prague Convention Bureau, Czech Airlines, Ambassador Group and Lobkowicz Events Management.

Previous Meeting Forums targeted one or two countries in a single destination, such as the France and Italy Meeting Forums, which took place in Greece in September 2011. For 2012, Great Hotels Meeting Forums are targeted to buyers from the whole of Europe, resulting in a much higher calibre of buyers. In addition, this format results in more relevant appointments due to buyers being able to choose which properties they want to meet with.

Carla Tarrida, Director of Account Management at Great Hotels of the World explains: “Changing the nature of the Forum from a single-country-focused event to a European-focused event has given us the opportunity to cherry-pick the best buyers in the MICE industry, increasing the value of each meeting for our hoteliers. There has also been an increased number of RFPs for each hotel, reflecting the added value in the change of format for hotels.”

Over the four-day period, an impressive 1,300 meetings took place between 26 exhibitors and 76 buyers from a variety of European countries. Spanish and Portuguese hotels were the largest groups among the 26 exhibitors. The largest groups of buyers came from the United Kingdom, France and Germany. Among those buyers present were representatives from American Express, Samsung, McKinsey & Company and Nike. Each supplier held 50 meetings in total.

Suppliers were asked to complete a questionnaire, giving their opinion on the quality of buyers present at the Forums. The average rate suppliers gave for the quality of buyers present was 5/6. From this data, the European Forums can be seen as extremely useful and successful.

Katerina Skouloudaki, Sales Executive at The Royal Olympic Hotel, says: ''The Great Hotels European Meeting Forum was organised excellently. The team were extremely professional, friendly and efficient.'' Claudia Ribeiro, Group Coordinator at Altis Hotels, says: ''This was my very first Forum and I am pleased to say that I have already gained great feedback from the hosted buyers present.''

Buyers were also highly satisfied with the event: ''The whole event was perfectly organised and the quality of exhibitors was very high. This is an ideal event to meet the suppliers you really want to meet,'' comments Eva Lehrke, owner of Text & Event. Terry Raynsford, Corporate Events Manager at BULL, continues: ''Great Hotels European Forum was a very good, highly interesting and productive event. I would definitely recommend it to any event manager with little time on their hands.''

Following the success of the European Forums in Prague, the next Great Hotels European Forum will take place on 25-29 September 2012 at Grand Hotel Principe di Piemonte in Viareggio, Italy. This Forum will follow the new format, scheduled over a four-day period. The Forum will be attended by luxury MICE hotels from Europe and the most influential meetings, events and incentives planners from around the continent.

 

Source: http://ftnnews.com/mice/16637-great-hotels-meeting-forums-new-format-proves-a-success.html

Travel News | "Travel alert as more rain forecast"

By: Press Release
Source: http://www.google.com
Category: Travel News

Motorists have been warned to watch out as further heavy rain is expected across England and Wales with the wet weather set to continue for the next week.The Environment Agency said five flood warnings remained in place in south-west England where some areas saw up to 50mm of rain (2in) on Wednesday. More than 40 flood alerts were also in place across the rest of the country.

Paul Mott, forecaster at MeteoGroup, the weather division of the Press Association, warned of localised flooding. He said: "It's going to be another rainy day, although London and the South East are slightly better off. There'll be one or two showers in the morning but it will be better by the afternoon."

He continued: "Otherwise elsewhere across the country it will be mostly unsettled with heavy rain and showers at times. There is already quite a lot of surface water on the roads, particularly in the Midlands, Yorkshire and north-east England so there will be lots of spray."

Temperatures are likely to reach a high of 15C in the south east and 14C across the rest of England and Wales, but could drop down to zero in parts of Scotland, he said.Mr Mott said the rain would continue into the evening. He added: "It's going to stay unsettled over the next seven days with frequent showers and persistent rain. Sunday looks to be a washout with up to an inch of rain falling across England and Wales."

The Met Office also warned of "heavy showers" but said they would quickly blow through due to strong, blustery winds.

On Wednesday, strong gusts of wind brought down scaffolding and seriously damaged at least four cars on Southsea seafront in Hampshire. No one was injured when the structure fell at the Royal Beach Hotel.

The Environment Agency has previously warned that the drought gripping swathes of England could increase the risk of flash flooding as rain is less easily absorbed by dry, compacted soils, instead running off and causing localised floods. And while the rain may be welcome for gardeners and farmers in drought-affected areas, the downpours are not enough to alleviate the drought that stems from two unusually dry winters in a row.

Richard Aylard, from Thames Water, one of seven companies which have brought in hosepipe bans in response to the drought, said "a couple of wet weeks" was not enough to reverse record dry conditions seen in the region in the past two years.

Source:  http://www.google.com/hostednews/ukpress/article/ALeqM5iWA9cx5gUBpnwUZRzAKUfI6fT3ww?docId=N0550001335413802920A

Tourism News | "Tourism can stimulate trade and development, agrees UN Conference"

By: Press Release
Category: Tourism News
Source: http://www.traveldailynews.com

Participants at a major United Nations Conference on Trade and Development(UNCTAD XIII) have underscored the role of tourism as a vital service sector, contributing to GDP and employment in developed and developing countries alike (Doha, Qatar, 21-26 April 2012).

The theme of UNCTAD XIII, Development-Centered Globalization: Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and Development, focuses on how the global economy can spread its benefits more inclusively and sustainably, creating jobs and raising living standards for poor people and nations.

Currently ranking among the top three export sectors for nearly half of the world’s least developed countries (LDCs), tourism has emerged as one of the economic sectors best able to address these concerns. With tourism growth rates in developing countries currently outperforming those in developed countries, tourism today is one of the most promising and viable options for global development.

At two separate events UN officials, high-level policy-makers, representatives of the tourism private sector and other stakeholders, gathered on the sidelines of UNCTAD XIII to deliberate on the critical role of tourism in national development strategies.

The Global Services Forum – organized to discuss developments in the services sector, which currently accounts for 50% of the GDP of developing countries – pointed to the many growth and employment opportunities of tourism as a major internationally traded service.

“Tourism has its place in the green growth agenda, as an important economic sector for many developed and developing countries and an extremely promising development perspective for the coming decades, contributing to a sustainable planet, a growing economy and a better life for all,” said UNWTO executive director for Competitiveness, External Relations and Partnerships, Marcio Favilla.

An event organized by the Steering Committee on Tourism for Development(SCTD), Towards Inclusive and Sustainable Growth and Development: What Can the Tourism Sector Contribute, convened countries at different stages of tourism development - including the Secretary of State of the Ministry of Commerce of Cambodia and the Ministers of Tourism of Lesotho and Paraguay - to present the policies and measures needed by developing countries to spur internationally competitive tourism strategies in the framework of the promotion of service exports.

Source: http://www.traveldailynews.com/pages/show_page/49019-Tourism-can-stimulate-trade-and-development,-agrees-UN-Conference-

Patent News | "Family Hotels- Homewood Suites by Hilton"

By: Teresa Plowright
Source: http://travelwithkids.about.com
Category: Patent News

Homewood Suites by Hilton is a chain of "residential-style" extended stay properties, with locations in the US, Canada, and Mexico.* At Homewood Suites, all rooms and suites come with kitchens, and the lobby is meant to feel like a living-room with comfy chairs, fireplace, etc.Homewood Suites properties can be booked for any number of nights, but "extended stay" guests who stay five nights or longer get a price break; the longer the stay, the lower the nightly rate. Homewood Suites are part of the Hilton HHonors points/miles program (for free hotel stays and free flights) which includes Hilton hotels, Hampton Inns, Doubletree, and more. 

Homewood Suites by Hilton as Family Hotels:

 

The Homewood Suites brand has a number of features that particularly suit a family hotel:

• rooms and suites can accommodate families of four or more ( to a maximum of six, in suites)
• all guestrooms have a fullly equipped kitchen (fridge, stove, cooking utensils, etc.)
• rooms have a living space that's separate from the bed area; one and two-bedroom suites have an entire separate living room.
• complimentary breakfast includes waffles, eggs, bacon, juices, coffee and more
• complimentary dinner is offered Monday to Thursday at a Manager's Reception
• complimentary grocery service can be a convenience for families with babies, and can help families save money by eating-in
• book series based on "Lewis the Duck" character is available at Homewood Suites properties.

Another convenience is online room selection, which speeds up the check-in process, and allows families to choose, say, a room close to an elevator, so there's less lugging luggage. Or choose a room with a pool view, to keep tabs on kids old enough to use the pool on their own. 

Source: http://travelwithkids.about.com/od/familyhotels/a/homewood_suites.htm

Travel News | "Gas prices could hurt summer travel"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel News
Source: http://www.volunteertv.com

Businesses in Sevier County say they are bracing for higher gas prices, and hoping that doesn't keep people away this summer.
A survey by the National Travel Association found that rising gas prices will impact business and leisure travel plans for this summer. Vacationers who plan to travel by car this summer, more than half said that an increase in gas prices would affect their summer leisure travel plans. 26% of business travelers said that an increase in gas prices would affect their summer business travel plans.
Christy Woods and her family have plans for a trip to Myrtle Beach this summer. She says gas prices going above $4 a gallon may change those plans and keep her closer to home.
"It's going to be expensive to go to Myrtle Beach," said Woods. "With gas near $4 a gallon now, yeah that's a lot."
Douglas Roberts says he's already at a point where plans will change.
"It hurts, it really hurts," he said while on a trip from Georgia to Gatlinburg on Sunday. "It's too expensive, plus by the time you pay for your room and everything up here, it's just not worth it. Just stay at home."
The number one way people surveyed said they would alter plans was by taking fewer trips this summer. 43.9% said they would spend less money shopping, and 37.4% spend less money at restaurants.
Burl Cook has run hotels in Pigeon Forge for 50 years. He says he's seen how gas prices have hurt travel in past years. He says one of the worst times came just after the price rise after Hurricane Katrina 2005.
"Gas prices went real high, we took a big drop 3 or 4 years ago when gas prices went so high," said Cook. "It dropped business, it hit us hard 3 years ago and dropped a little each year since."
Cooks says he's noticed more people hiring in Piegon Forge, though he says that if people don't travel because of gas this summer, those jobs could go away.
He says he's optimistic that this will be one of the best years in a long time for the Smoky Mountains.
More than half of all travelers, 57%, who plan to travel by car would alter their travel plans if gas prices increased by at least $0.26 - $1.25.

Source: http://www.volunteertv.com/news/headlines/Gas_prices_could_hurt_summer_travel_148451805.html?ref=805

Travel News | "African Travel, Inc. Supports Earth Day Awareness for Endangered Gorillas and Chimpanzees"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel News
Source: http://www.marketwatch.com

On April 22, more than one billion people around the world will participate in the 42nd annual Earth Day to help raise awareness of global environmental concerns. For Earth Day and every day, African Travel, Inc. works to bring more awareness to the plight of Gorillas and Chimpanzees in the wild; as part of their efforts they offer special packages to see these incredible creatures in their natural habitats while simultaneously working to protect them. 

Mountain gorillas are among the most famous of all endangered animals. These majestic animals are lately finding it very hard to survive, and as recently as 2006, they were at the brink of extinction. Fortunately, recent conservation efforts have been quite successful, the primary factor responsible for this positive trend being an effort by organizations in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda to protect the gorillas and their habitat. Another significant contributor towards protection of the Mountain Gorillas is tourism! When travelers visit Africa using a knowledgeable company such as African Travel, they are making a huge contribution to the conservation of Mountain Gorillas. Despite these positive efforts, Mountain Gorillas are still under threat of extinction, and more conservation efforts will be necessary to remove gorillas from the endangered animals list. Now is an excellent time to visit these magnificent animals in their natural habitat. 

Chimpanzee tracking is even more limited in its opportunities than gorilla tracking, and viewing locations are further to reach. Thus it is a great privilege to observe these engaging creatures in their forest home. Chimps are extremely vocal and quite active, which means treks may continue for quite a while as the chimps continue to move as they feed. Mahale Mountains National Park is home to one of Africa's most studied chimpanzee populations. Mahale has sightings virtually every day and the chimps, accustomed to being watched, continue their daily activities in the company of their human observers. 

According to Jim Holden, President of African Travel, Inc., "By joining an African Travel safari to view Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees, Americans traveling to Africa are directly contributing to the conservation of these magnificent animals, as the income derived from Park and Game Lodge fees goes towards maintaining their habitat and educating the local people as to the inherent value to their livelihoods."

Two African Travel, Inc . safaris where you can see these beautiful animals in the wild: 

Source: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/african-travel-inc-supports-earth-day-awareness-for-endangered-gorillas-and-chimpanzees-2012-04-19

Travel And Leisure | "Bin Laden family’s deportation delayed"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel And Leisure
Source: http://tribune.com.pk

The 12-member family, including Bin Laden’s three widows, eight children and one grandchild, had originally been due to leave overnight Tuesday. Two of the wives are Saudi nationals and the third is from Yemen.

Lawyer Muhammad Aamir told AFP they were expected to receive their passports later on Wednesday and may be able to leave for Saudi Arabia later in the day.But a Saudi embassy official said they were still waiting for details from authorities in Pakistan.“We are waiting to receive names of the family members from the interior ministry to proceed further in the matter,” the spokesman told AFP.

Meanwhile, Deputy Interior Minister Imtiaz Safdar Warraich said the authorities would complete the legal formalities for their removal “as early as possible” but could not put a timeframe on the deportation.

“We will follow the (court) decision and fulfill all legal procedures in this regard,” Warraich told AFP.“The required documents are being prepared and it is being done swiftly. It is not just an issue of deportation, but also there is an issue of acceptance.”

Some security officials said the matter could linger on for days due to procedural issues.A senior security official meanwhile said Pakistan was awaiting the green light from the Saudi and Yemeni governments for the deportation to proceed.“No timeframe can be given at the moment,” he told AFP, adding that discussions were ongoing. “There is a kind of understanding but things need to be finalised.”

However, the family’s lawyer denied speculation that the authorities in Saudi Arabia and Yemen may be reluctant to accept them.

“This is not correct,” he said.

“They were scheduled to leave Pakistan for Saudi Arabia late Tuesday but the problem in completing their travel documents delayed the departure.”

Earlier this month, a court sentenced the widows and two of Bin Laden’s older daughters to 45 days’ detention on charges of illegal entry and residency in Pakistan and ordered their deportation as soon as possible. They completed the sentence on Tuesday, counting time already served since they were formally arrested on March 3

.

Aamir said on Tuesday that Bin Laden’s youngest and reportedly favourite wife, Amal Abdulfattah, who is Yemeni, may be sent to Yemen with her five children.

Security officials have said that the whole family was initially expected to be flown to Saudi Arabia.

A number of Saudi diplomats have visited Pakistan in recent weeks to work out the details of the deportation, sources say.

Source: http://tribune.com.pk/story/366880/incomplete-travel-documents-bin-laden-familys-deportation-delayed/

Travel And Leisure | "Luxury Travel reaches new levels of responsibility at ILTM Asia 2012"

By: Ozgur Tore   
Category: Travel And Leisure
Source: http://www.execdigital.com

The increasing demand for a high-end travel product that restores confidence to responsible luxury travellers has prompted a surge of representation at the world’s most important event for luxury travel professionals in Asia.

Taking place in Shanghai, 4 – 7 June ILTM (International Luxury Travel Market) Asia profiles the very best the world of luxury travel can offer for the benefit of luxury travel buyers from across the diverse Asia Pacific region.

Affluent travellers from across the Asia Pacific are seeking new horizons, new experiences and unforgettable memories. Increasingly, from Japan to Australia, China to India, Korea to Thailand, luxury travellers also seek a reassurance that their trips are responsible, caring for local communities and culture as well as wildlife conservation and the environment.  

Alison Gilmore, Exhibition Director of ILTM Asia commented, “Luxury suppliers invited to take part in ILTM Asia are committed to their natural environments, be they marine conservation programmes in Borneo or Cambodia, heritage resorts in the Australian outback, wildlife excursions in South Africa, exploration trips to the North Pole or local community projects in India or Thailand. Luxury travellers look to learn from and contribute to their leisure trips and ILTM Asia is delighted to present a range of the very best of environmentally responsible tourism for the benefit of agents from across the diverse Asia-Pacific region.”

Such high-end suppliers taking part in ILTM Asia 2012 include once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to voyage to the North Pole and the Russian Arctic with Poseidon Arctic Voyages. Working to ensure the continent and its wildlife are protected and not eroded by increased visitor activity, Poseidon also welcoming naturalists and scientists on board to conduct investigative research of this ever-changing Arctic land mass.

Located on a coral reef island off the coast of Borneo, Gayana Eco Resort is designed to indulge all the senses. Its overwater villas enhance the sounds of the sea below and each are positioned to capture the views of Mount Kinabalu on the horizon. Taking part in ILTM Asia 2012 for the first time, Gayana is the only property in the world with an on-site Marine Ecology Research Centre for guests to take part in marine ecology programmes such as re-introducing baby clams into the wild and restoring natural coral reefs.

Anantara Hotels, Resorts and Spas have pioneered luxury travel experiences that also benefit the environment and local communities for many years and ILTM Asia 2012 will profile their '365 days of good deeds' sustainability programme. From rescuing street elephants in Thailand, protecting marine turtles in Phuket, supporting local farmers in Indonesia or even coral rejuvenation in the Maldives, with at least one good deed taking place every day of 2012, the indigenous surroundings and experiences that Anantara's exotic resorts offer are a compelling reason for luxury travellers to want to help preserve them forever.

The compelling beauty of Australia attracts an ecologically sensitive traveller. Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa in New South Wales boasts a carbon neutral certificate and is committed to actively protecting its surrounding habitat and indigenous wildlife species. Activities range from the established - horse riding, guided walks, fly- fishing, golf, regional food & wine tours - to the specialised: botany, bird watching and wildlife tours.

With a range of geographical locations designed to give Asia Pacific luxury travellers an insight into cultures, communities and environmentally sensitive properties across the world, discerning travel agents should visit www.iltm.net/asia to find out more.

 

Source: http://ftnnews.com/mice/16511-luxury-travel-reaches-new-levels-of-responsibility-at-iltm-asia-2012.html

Travel leisure | "Six cheapest summer vacation destinations"

By: Rick Seaney
Category: Travel leisure
Source: http://travel.usatoday.com

Is any destination cheap this year? 

Yes, but not in the conventional sense. Certainly not like some of the deals we saw in the summer of 2009 such as San Francisco to Honolulu for a round-trip total of $284. This year, your goal is to find the best of the not-so-hot deals.

That said, some destinations are cheaper than others and here are six of the less expensive spots:

•Boston

•Denver

•Florida (panhandle and southern beaches)

•Los Angeles area

•Orlando

•Washington, D.C.

What do these destinations have in common?  

A lot of competition - but somewhat less demand from business travelers (think New York and Chicago). Washington, D.C., makes my list because Reagan National is expected to see a lot more competition for leisure travel now that several discount carriers have applied for slots to that city-close airport including JetBlue, Southwest and Virgin America. All hope to begin flying there later this summer - and don't forget about the competition from nearby Baltimore (BWI). As for Orlando, thank Mickey and Harry Potter (Disney World and Universal, respectively) for making this an automatic tourism-draw, one that several airlines compete fiercely over.

Flying to the Los Angeles area 

There are a bunch of Southern California airports that can be cheap to fly to, depending on your departure city. As a huge hub, Los Angeles International (LAX) will have relatively reasonable fares - often the cheapest - but some of the best deals we've seen recently are in-and-out of Long Beach (LGB) which is just south of LAX and a focus city for discounter JetBlue. We recently saw JetBlue flights in July from San Francisco to Long Beach for just $67 each-way. And don't forget the looming presence of Southwest Airlines at Bob Hope Airport in Burbank (BUR). John Wayne Airport in Orange County (SNA), the nearest airport to Disneyland, offers legacy carrier flights plus Frontier, Canada's WestJet and, starting in June, AirTran.

Flying to the Florida panhandle region 

The upper northwestern part of the state has about 200 miles of beaches - a lot of them covered in picture-perfect white sand - surrounded by hotels to fit any budget. Fly into Pensacola (PNS) which is served by the legacy carriers and AirTran or Northwest Florida Beaches International (ECP), a fairly new facility called a 'relocation' of the old Panama City Airport manned by Delta and Southwest.

Anything else I should know? 

I'll say it again: Don't wait until the last minute to buy airfare this year! You should be shopping early - within three months of departure. We do not expect to see last-minute steals. Could some crop up? Anything's possible - but take that gamble only if you're okay with sitting at home in case those last-minute bargains do not materialize.

Source: http://travel.usatoday.com/experts/seaney/story/2012-04-17/Airfare-Expert-Six-cheapest-summer-vacation-destinations/54320258/1

Travel leisure | "China airport tarmac protests prompt service plea"

By: Press Release
Category: Travel leisure
Source: http://www.timescolonist.com


 Chinese regulators have urged better service in the rapidly growing aviation industry following incidents in which angry passengers stormed onto the tarmac at airports, state media said Monday.Last week, 28 passengers travelling on Shenzhen Airlines who were angry about an overnight delay in Shanghai rushed onto the tarmac, disrupting the arrival of an incoming Emirates flight, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Two days later, several Hainan Airlines passengers at the international airport serving the southern city of Guangzhou took to the tarmac in anger over a weather-related delay, it said.
Police had to be called in to bring them back to the Guangzhou terminal, the report added.
Officials have launched probes into the "illegal" incidents, and the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) has urged the industry to improve service to avoid routine delays escalating into such incidents, the Global Times newspaper said.
The CAAC was not immediately available for comment when contacted by AFP.
China’s domestic aviation market has grown exponentially in recent years as rising incomes have put leisure travel in reach for millions.
But flights are frequently delayed as major airports run at almost full capacity, causing exasperation among passengers and leading to sometimes violent brawls.
CAAC chief Li Jiaxiang was quoted by state media in March as saying airlines themselves were responsible for 40 percent of delays by arranging schedules too tightly.

Source: http://www.timescolonist.com/travel/China+airport+tarmac+protests+prompt+service+plea/6465395/story.html

Travel News | "Fewer trips, more spent"

By: Michael McCormick
Category: Travel News
source: http://www.upi.com

The U.S. business traveler is not getting around quite as often as he or she used to, a Global Business Travel Association study indicates.The study said business travelers are traveling less frequently, which has forced them to stay longer on business trips to get more work done.

The group reported Monday that business trips have declined 22.7 percent from 2000 to 2011, but spending on business trips has increased 3.3 percent.In hard numbers, U.S. business travelers spent $242.9 billion on more than 576 million business trips in 2000. By 2011, that became $251 billion spent on 445 million trips.The average amount spent on a trip rose by 33.6 percent, climbing from $422 to $564 during the decade.

"This trend makes sense. We're seeing road warriors taking fewer trips but making the most of them, making more stops and spending more on the road," Michael McCormick, BTA's executive director, said in a statement.

source: http://www.upi.com/Business_News/2012/04/16/Business-travel-Fewer-trips-more-spent/UPI-28451334617173/

Event News | "Indiana Dunes State Park Memories Relived at Historical Society Event"

By: Press Release

Source: http://www.chestertontribune.com

Category: Hotels Event News

 Jim Ton wore his uniform from when he worked at the Indiana Dunes State Park when he joined Mark McKibbon and Brad Baumgardner to reminisce about the park for the Duneland Historical Society on Thursday, March 15 at the Library Service Center.

Ton worked summers from 1968 until 1973 at jobs which included gate attendant, park patrolman and campground manager. McKibbon first worked at IDSP as a seasonal naturalist and lived in the back of the closed grocery store. He was later hired as the youngest-ever assistant property manager and after eight years at Clifty Falls State Park became the property manager of the IDSP from 1985 until 1989. Baumgardner is the current Park Naturalist.

The park was about forty years old when Ton worked there and there have been about forty years since. He spoke of many changes taking place, the biggest being the removal of politics from the parks. Prior to that employees including the superintendent were appointed by the party in power.

During his time as a gate attendant admissions went from $1.00 per car to $1.25. Patrolmen carried flashlights and firearms and had arrest powers, but no radios, phones or bulletproof vests. They had to check the parking lots each night at 11 p.m. and often had to break up beer parties on the beach. An unsolved case concerned three girls whose car was found but no clues as to their disappearance.

The Dunes Park Patrol was replaced in 1972 by conservation officers and Ton became campground manager. He remembers many buildings in the park being torn down with some of the work done by Chesterton High School football players.

Uniforms for park employees were changed in 1969 to avoid confusion with uniforms worn by Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore rangers. Many employees lived in the park and lifeguards lived in the pavilion penthouses.

Baumgardner showed pictures including a park map from 1932, an early photo of a pageant in the dunes which took place before the park became a reality, people such as Governor Jackson for whom Mount Jackson is named, the pavilion and hotel. One picture showed the elegant dining room in the pavilion where guests at the hotel were served meals.

The Dunes Arcade Hotel built in 1931 was designed by John Lloyd Wright, son of Frank Lloyd Wright, and had 88 rooms. Bathrooms were at the ends of the halls and rooms were small. The arcade was on the first floor. It was torn down in 1971.

During McKibbon’s tenure as property manager the Dune Park South Shore Station opened, the park hired its first full-time naturalist, a bird tower was constructed, a new camp store was built and inmates from Westville worked in the park. He said that ended soon after one of the inmates escaped only to be captured in Fort Wayne.

He reported a good relationship with the National Lakeshore.

Gang fights in the park led to an alcohol ban and the park was closed when the parking lots filled up. In earlier years cars were often parked along the road outside the park as far back as U.S. 12.

The speakers and members of the audience recalled the Tremont entrance to the park and the nearby Duneside Inn, Prairie Club Beach House, Wilson Shelter built by the Wilson Meat Company as a retreat for employees, the Jens Jensen Fountain, the large boulder at the entrance from Turkey Run State Park which has been moved twice, work done by the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) during the depression and the Governor’s Cottage.

Ton and Baumgardner are working on locating the footprints of the cottages and other buildings from the past.

Duneland Historical Society will next meet April 19 at 7:30 p.m. at the Library Service Center when the program will be presented by author Harry Mark Petrakis.

source: http://www.chestertontribune.com/Local%20History/320123%20indiana_dunes_state_park_memorie.htm

Hotels Patent News | "The UK’s oldest tour operator is still stuck in the past"

By: David Crow
Source: http://www.cityam.com
Category: Hotels Patent News



DISASTER has been averted. Just a few months ago, many thought that Thomas Cook was not long for this world. It is clear the firm will live to fight another day. The imminent sale of its Indian business, which is expected to net £130m, along with a stabilisation in trading, means its debt repayments no longer seem so onerous.
As far as the good news goes, that’s about it. Thomas Cook holds the title of Britain’s oldest tour operator – and it is hopelessly stuck in the past. It specialises in the kind of travel that is dying out, what the Association of British Travel Agents describes as “bucket and spade in Spain-type holidays”.
Yesterday, management were keen to trumpet a 14 per cent rise in bookings at its specialist and independent division, which sells individual components like flights and hotel rooms rather than package holidays. Anyone who has observed the huge success of Expedia or lastminute.com in recent years will know that this is the way the travel sector has been going for some time.
Nobody seems to have told Thomas Cook. Summer bookings might be up, but sales in this division accounted for just a quarter of revenue last year. The firm is still far too reliant on bland package holidays to Costa Del Somewhere, which generated three quarters of revenue and yet hardly a single penny of underlying profit in 2011.
The digital revolution also seems to have passed it by. According to Ipsos Mori, 68 per cent of Britons now book their holidays on the internet, yet online bookings accounted for just 25 per cent of Thomas Cook’s sales in 2011. That puts it well behind its closest rival Tui Travel, which takes around 40 per cent of its bookings in this way.
Instead of investing in a better website, former chief executive Manny Fontenla Novoa brokered an ill-judged merger with Co-operative Travel last year, landing the firm with 1,200 old-fashioned shops.
Whoever ends up occupying the empty chief executive’s office has an awful lot of work to do.


source: http://www.cityam.com/latest-news/bottom-line/the-uk-s-oldest-tour-operator-still-stuck-the-past

Plainfield Indiana Hotels | Powered by Youtube Video

By: Press release
Category: Plainfield Indiana Hotels

 The Homewood Suites by Hilton® Indianapolis-Airport/Plainfield hotel is the ideal place to stay for business travelers, leisure guests or anyone looking for temporary housing in the Indianapolis Metropolitan area. Conveniently located just four miles from the Indianapolis International Airport, and 15 minutes away from the vibrant downtown, our prime location and abundant amenities will make you feel so comfortable, you may never want to leave!

Source: youtube.com