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Homework is vital for a good bus tour

Mark Hewitt Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Part of my role with my company is to train the new drivers in how to drive a motorcoach. A lot of them come in saying it is only a bigger version of the school bus, and it can't be that different. Shortly after that, I introduce the concept of "homework" to them and watch their faces fall. Homework is a vital part of the preparation for driving a trip. Without it, you will have no idea where you are going and what to expect when you get there.

Awakening a future giant: Al Maktoum welcomes first passengers

Matt Falcus Transportation Technology & Automotive

History was made Oct. 29 when the first aircraft carrying passengers landed at Dubai's new Al Maktoum International Airport — projected to one day be the world's largest. The Wizz Air flight — an Airbus A320 arriving from Budapest — arrived in a week when the airport added two new airline carriers to its roster and finally opened its passenger terminal after a series of delays.

Air medical services benefiting from increase in medical tourism

Joy Burgess Medical & Allied Healthcare

Over the past few years, medical tourism has become a global phenomenon. Many countries across the world are welcoming international medical tourists, while more individuals have begun shopping the worldwide healthcare market to find affordable, cutting-edge medical services. Although medical tourism brings in a significant amount of money to countries that welcome medical tourists, this growing trend also benefits companies providing international air medical services.

Ecotourism rules in 2013

Bambi Majumdar Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Travel trends for the first half of 2013 combined with a comprehensive report for 2012 show a marked increase in interest as well as choice for ecotourism. As awareness and concern for the environment grows, it is only natural that man will try to devise ideas that will only protect the planet better. The wanderlust that has been responsible for breaking down barriers and making the world more accessible for all is now being combined to spread the good word — that it is possible to both enjoy and protect nature at the same time.

Government shutdown slams tourism, parks in Washington, D.C.

Suzanne Mason Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

During the 16-day government shutdown, which ended Oct. 16, the travel industry loss an estimated $152 million a day, according to the U.S. Travel Association. One of the hardest hit areas by the economic loss in travel was Washington, D.C., which generates 13 percent of its revenue through tourism. Here’s a breakdown of their losses.

Take your conference to the next level with a mobile app

Liz Murphy Association Management

The sheer scale of the five-day convention for the International Association of Chiefs of Police — from the size of the complex to the 200-plus program sessions offered — could have easily become overwhelming and fragmented. But organizers of the IACP annual conference took a critical, proactive step to ensure attendees were able to get the most out of the event.

Travel companies using microsites to reach customers

Chay Rees Runnels Travel, Hospitality & Event Management

Companies are turning to the use of microsites as they seek to reach specific demographics or highlight certain aspects of their product or offering. Microsites are generally one- to two-page sites that may be branded a little differently than the parent site and act as discrete “sites within a site.”

Expansion of Helsinki Airport begins

Matt Falcus

Consistently ranked as one of the best airports in the world by passengers and other organizations, Helsinki-Vantaa is beginning a phase of developments and upgrades that aim to retain this position and allow growth alongside its partner airlines.

An open letter to tour company suppliers

Shebby Lee

I am a writer. Not surprisingly, I like to have my work read. Mostly I write tour descriptions, ad copy, newsletters or blogs encouraging prospective customers to book tours. But there are other uses for my golden prose, and it always surprises me that more travel professionals don’t take advantage of these opportunities to get to know their current and prospective clients better.

Best to book soon — and consider a multiyear strategy

David Gabri

The marketplace has simply changed. Have you? The increased demand for meetings, conventions and group incentive programs is rapidly changing the landscape in the meetings marketplace, particularly in the luxury-level and upper-tier sectors. Combine this with an upswing in attendance at both corporate and association programs, and planners may be increasingly at risk when it comes to securing the sites, facilities, precise patterns and terms and conditions they desire for their programs.

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