10 best tourism advertising campaigns and videos
Forbes has released what a group of judges have assessed as the 10 Best Travel and Tourism campaigns. These efforts have been lauded for their ability to be memorable and to generate interest in their country, state or region. How many do you remember? I’ve added some of my own favorites.
Will the Consumer Financial Protection Agency help travelers?
The White House is proposing a new Consumer Financial Protection Agency. This agency will oversee consumer lending and take the consumer side of lending away from the banking regulators who have presided over credit card and mortgage abuses. What will this mean to travelers?
Bullish on Pamplona, Spain
Sometimes travelers wander into cities by accident. But I know exactly why I came to Pamplona that first year. I came to run the bulls. This is the world’s biggest party. It starts in a few days.
The power of compliment letters to airline personnel
As I travel across the country, I often find airline employees who go far beyond the normal in order to help confused, misled and frantic passengers. I try to take the time to write a comment to their airline on the airline’s site. Though complaining is the norm. Compliments are remembered far longer than complaints.
Justice department says, “no” to Continental/United antitrust alliance
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has come out in opposition to the planned addition of Continental to the Star Alliance that includes United Airlines. Their objections are focused on the antitrust immunity provisions that would be applied to international routes.
United credit card move undermines consumer protections
United Airlines by trying to foist credit card fees onto their agents is striking a blow against consumer protections offered by credit cards. Any way United slices their business, they are still, in the end, the service provider and should be liable to credit protections for services not rendered.
World’s funniest airport names
Last week The Independent newspaper in London released its lists of the weirdest and scariest airport names. They also came up with a list of IATA airport codes that suggest more than simply a collection of runways. Lists like this surface from time to time. They are always fun for travelers.
Despite new fees, big airlines are contracting while discounters expand
U.S. Department of Transportation just released a list of the 10 U.S. carriers collecting the highest amount in baggage fees. They racked up a total of $566.3 million in the first quarter, more than four times the $122.6 million collected in the year-ago period.
Airfare computers catching up to a-la-carte pricing — is transparency next?
It looks like a-la-carte pricing is here to stay with the airlines. Reservation technology is beginning to catch up with the airlines’ love of fees — fees for baggage, fees for meals, fees for reservations, fees for pets, fees for pillows, fees for blankets, fees for snacks, fees for drinks and more.
Introducing the Consumer Travel Alliance: your voice in Washington
The airlines industry spent $31 million lobbying Congress last year. The hotel industry plunked down $8 million and the cruise industry dropped more than $6 million on lobbying. How much did travelers spend to get their voices heard in Washington? Nothing. That’s about to change.