All posts in Travel news

Email lands in my inbox from AA Vacations who inform me of their website relaunch, with new user-friendly features that allow travelers to see and compare pricing results as early as the first results page. The enhancements provide customers with convenient and flexible options when customizing vacation plans.

In addition to the re-launch, AA Vacations is giving away one trip a day for two in the “Click It To Paradise” sweepstakes on the new look website, starting July 10 through August 31, 2007.

Travel Weekly report that the Government are finally looking to tighten controls on dynamically packaged sales that do not offer consumer protection. Travel companies will have to spell out when holidays lack ATOL or equivalent cover – explaining consumer’s money will not be protected in the event of a company collapse and that the firm won’t be liable for accidents.

Finally..

I’ll be interviewing Todd Carpenter, of the Travel Trust Association next week, so if you have any questions you’d like me to ask Todd, please contact me. That’s it – tomorrow Vanessa Latimer of Argentinas Travel will be guest blogger for the day.

Interestingly, UK low cost airline, EasyJet has joined up with Hotelopia to offer holidays to European destinations. Initially, I thought oh no, not more confusion for consumers, but it appears, that Easyjetholidays.com is bonded by the Travel Trust Association and offers travel consumers more flexibility.

I’ve not had a good search through the site, but from first glance, it looks a little pricey with a 7 night break in Venice for £691 per person, but then there’s the added bonus of holiday protection that you’ll receive, something you wouldn’t get if you booked a flight with EasyJet and then booked your own hotel.

It’s not often I say this about holiday booking sites, but this is a nicely designed site, with useful travel content. Click on the ‘Destinations’ tab and you’ll find a map where you can find the routes, click on a route, and it’ll take you to a page providing you with a print out destination guide and a list of hotels.

I read an article on MSN Travel today – I’m actually quite surprised at the tone of the article, and the negative comments towards travel agents. I’d like to think that I give a positive view of all types of holidays on Travel Rants, and don’t sway one particular way [tell me if you don’t think this is true!]

Avoid the travel agent altogether and get online to research, compare and book at a time to suit you. There are also several excellent hotel and holiday review sites which can provide ideas and recommendations and reveal facts and tips about destination that you won’t find in a brochure. You can then contact hotels direct and negotiate on price.

Yes, it’s true that the internet is a great tool for reading hotel reviews, it allows us to be inspired through travel videos and guides, and yes, I have organised DIY holidays, booked package holidays, and both have worked out cheaper than the other due to the time of the year I am travelling, where I am travelling to and many other factors.

I felt that the travel article was very one-sided, and didn’t go into what issues a consumer could come up against if they DIY’ed rather than booking a bonded dynamic or package holiday. It’s important that the consumer doesn’t just think of the cost, it’s important that the dangers of booking a DIY holiday are highlighted and the importance of adequate travel insurance.

By 2012, we [well rich people] could be taking trips into Space, 100km above planet earth for our holiday. Tickets are expected to cost £135,000 and the space jet is likely to be 30% larger than a commercial airline, with 15 windows but will carry only four passengers at one time.

The Astrium space jet has been designed by European aerospace company EADS, and was unveiled in Paris today. Apparently, the space jet will take off at normal airports, and will use normal jet engines to take off and climb to 12km. From there, a rocket engine will kick the vehicle straight up, taking it beyond 60km in just 80 seconds [wow!]

I’ve worked out that for the next four years, I’ll have to save £33,750 a year to have any chance to fly on the space jet, and be the first travel blogger into space. I’m starting bids now for sponsorship on my clothes, which I will wear in space.