USA - OutboundHolidays

Grand Canyon All American Helicopter Tour

BOOK THIS TOUR!
From £173.63 (30% off the recommended retail price)
4star based on 766 reviews

Take off from Las Vegas Airport on an exhilarating helicopter flight to the Grand Canyon. You’ll enjoy a 45-minute helicopter flight each way, land deep in the canyon for a champagne picnic, and fly low over the famous Las Vegas neon Strip on your return. This is a half-day tour, leaving you with time in the day free to explore Las Vegas and Nevada at your leisure.

Choice of several departures throughout the day
Free hotel pickup and drop-off included
Enjoy fantastic aerial views
Likely to Sell Out
Scenic helicopter flight
Lunch included
Excellent value for money
Recorded commentary by audio headphones
Conducted in English

This tour is likely to Sell-out! The Grand Canyon All American Helicopter Tour regularly sells out weeks in advance, so book ahead to avoid disappointment!

You’ll discover the natural beauty of the Grand Canyon as your air-conditioned helicopter flies to the West Rim, passing over Lake Las Vegas, Lake Mead and the Hoover Dam en route. Hoover Dam is a spectacular sight from the air, curved between the rock canyon walls. During the flight, you can listen to a recorded commentary about the Grand Canyon and its surrounds via audio headphones.

You’ll land for an unforgettable champagne picnic, 3,200 feet (960 meters) below the rim. While you share a bottle of champagne under an authentic Native American Ramada shelter, your pilot/guide will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the canyon or your helicopter flight.

Your Grand Canyon helicopter scenic flight ends with a low-level pass over the west side of the famous Las Vegas Strip. On landing, your limousine is waiting to whisk you back to your hotel.

Please note, there is a maximum capacity of 6 people per helicopter plus your pilot.

Schedule

Departure Dates: Daily

Departure Point: Tour departs from most Las Vegas hotels

Departure Time:
Early morning: 7:00am – 8:15am
Late morning: 9:45am – 11:00am
Early afternoon: 12:30pm – 1:45pm
Late afternoon: 3:15pm – 4:00pm (April to October only)

All flight times are approximate and subject to change due to weather conditions and weight restrictions.

For more information GO HERE!

Not cheap, but an incredible experience. Our pilot was great, and the whole trip was an absolute joy. I had expected a more personal approach, but you’re one of many passengers at the office. I guess it’s big business and it’s the most efficient way of doing things. As soon as you get in the chopper, it really doesn’t matter. I did expect a little more time on the ground in the canyon, and the lunch was more of a quick sandwich than what I had expected from a champagne lunch. Having said that, these really are minor issues and I would definitely recommend the experience to anyone.
Reviewed by: Bas R, Netherlands, May 2009

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Take your family on holiday to Maui

Located on the southwest side of Maui, the Fairmont Kea Lani Maui is an all-suite and luxury villa oceanfront resort overlooking the turquoise waters of Polo Beach. The Fairmont Kea Lani is a family resort that offers a host of beach and water sports activities including snorkelling, sailing, kayaking, and windsurfing. Besides water sports, the resort is also popular with golfers and tennis enthusiasts.

Visitors here can play on any of the Wailea Golf Club’s three championship golf courses or enjoy a game of tennis at any of the 14 courts the resorts tennis centre offers. When not trying out the resorts sporting facilities, or when you’re tired from too much activity, grown-ups can get some much deserved personal time and rejuvenation with a massage and spa therapies at the Spa Kea Lani.

The resorts accommodation is either suites or villas, so there is no need to squeeze your entire family into a tiny room. The suites at Fairmont Kea Lani are a minimum of 840 square feet offering separate living room, marble bathroom and a separate tub for soaking.

The private twin-level (duplex) villas are located minutes away from the beach and are between 1,800 – 2,200 square feet, providing ample space for large families. These villas are ideal for larger families as they offer a full service kitchen and a private courtyard with a plunge pool and barbeque for grilling out.

Keiki Lani is the hotel’s activity centre for kids. It’s a state licensed facility for children between the ages of 5 and 13, giving parents a break from watching their kids. Here, children can enjoy painting coconuts, building sand castles, exploring the tide pools, learning how to dance the hula, and even making real flower leis. The activity centre can accommodate up to 19 children, so be sure to call ahead and reserve a place for your children.

If you are planning to explore the island of Maui with the kids, we found that you can save a lot of money by taking a package that includes a free rental car. This way, you can explore the island at your will without having to worry about paying any extra money. However we know that hire cars are not everybody’s thing, and so you can also book on pre-arranged guided tours and excursions here.

For a family holiday, Maui is truly a one of a kind destination. There are many different things to do here for everyone in your family, even if they are indeed hard to please.

Once your family experiences Maui and everything there is on offer, you’ll never look at beach holidays the same way again. Maui has that kind of power – especially when it comes to comparing its warm weather, fantastic surf and pleasing people with other holiday destinations the world over.

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Beach Holidays at Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii

The black sand of Hamoa Beach provides for one of the best beaches on Maui. The water isn’t too rough, there are no rocks in the surf, the crowds are minimal, and the nearby scenery is amazing. For a beach holidays, Hamoa Beach is tough to beat.

Although there are a few hotels located on Hamoa beach, we would like to recommend Hotel Hana Maui and Honua Spa as we found it to be not only the best located of all the hotels, but also the best in service, décor and resort facilities.

Hotel Hana-Maui and Honua Spa is a hidden treasure off the beaten track on the eastern coast of Maui. Set in a lush tropical setting, the resort has an excellent spa, fine dining restaurants and provides the perfect chance to experience the stunning beauty and culture of the island.

The pace is wonderfully slow here as you follow nature’s clock. There are no televisions or radios to remind you of the outside world, just delightfully spacious suites or cottages, an infinity pool to laze in and the sounds of the waves crashing on the rocks below.

The spa is definitely worth a visit with a lava rock whirlpool, steam and plunge pool and of course, some amazing treatments. For cultural activities take hula lessons, ukulele classes or lei making.

Hamoa Beach is located about ten minutes drive from the town of Hana. The drive is easy to make, with lots of great scenery along the way. There isn’t a parking lot, so you’ll need to park on the side of the road and walk down the steps to the beach. Parking isn’t normally a problem because the beach is never crowded.

There is a beach hut on Hamoa Beach that rents body boards, snorkelling equipment, and even gives out towels to guests of the Hotel Hana Maui. There are also beach chairs and umbrellas that are for guests use only.

Hamoa beach is never crowded and is a wide beach with plenty of shade, so there’s no need to park yourself in a beach chair. After all, you’ve escaped your sofa and travelled out all this way, you might as well just spread your towel out on the black sands of Hamoa and make the most of your beach holiday experience in Maui. This way you won’t have any trouble getting out of the sun when you have had your fill of it.

The waters at Hamoa beach aren’t rough and there are no rocks to crash into as you swim. The waves here can sometimes get quite large, but the break well offshore which makes the beach ideal for swimming and also for kids to be playing around in the surf. However as at any beach destination it’s advised that you keep an eye on the kids at all times, especially the younger ones.

Hamoa Beach is an excellent beach holiday spot, offering something for the entire family. There is always something going on here, no matter what time of year you choose to visit. For a beach holiday that never lets up – Check out Hamoa Beach for your next beach holiday.

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Holidays at Cocoa Beach Florida

Reputed as the perfect American beach town, Cocoa Beach is an hour drive east of Orlando on Florida’s amazing Space Coast. The hotels at Cocoa Beach are almost as amazing as the beach itself – offering you endless ways to enjoy your leisure and recreation.

Whether you are going on a family beach holiday, leisure travel, business trip, or just a day at the beach, you’ll find exactly what you’ve looking for in a beach destination at Cocoa Beach and the Space Coast area to make your stay one you’ll never forget.

Cocoa Beach is one of the most affordable beach holiday destinations in Florida, where there is never a lack of things to do or see. Besides the fun in the sun, the Space Coast offers you the chance to go deep sea fishing or parasailing, try your luck aboard a casino cruise ship, or just take a river tour and get up close and personal with the awesome Florida wildlife.

While at Cocoa Beach, you can also visit the Kennedy Space Centre, the Brevard Zoo, or spend some time shopping the busy shopping district. You’ll be within short driving distance to all of the Orlando attractions, and you can even drive back to Cocoa Beach at night to enjoy dinner in one of the many restaurants on the beach.

When night sets in, you can kick back and enjoy the nightlife on the beach that ranges from cool jazz clubs to beach side cafes. Then, you can stay the night in perfect accommodation and wake up to a breathtaking sunrise on Cocoa Beach.

With plenty to offer the entire family, Cocoa Beach provides an excellent beach holiday or getaway, with plenty of beach activities and enough entertainment nearby to keep you coming back for more.

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Business travellers to become more resourceful in 2009

The big picture for 2008 reveals that cost controls may have been a more significant trend than policies focused on cutting back corporate travel.

• Nearly three-fourths — 71 percent — of business travelers say they’ve traveled more or about the same in 2008 as they did a year ago.

• An overwhelming majority — 79 percent — of travelers say they’ve felt pressure to curb their travel expenses during the course of 2008, with an additional 55 percent having to make further cuts in the past three months.

These are among the key findings of the Orbitz for Business/Business Traveller Magazine Quarterly Trend Report, which examines the most prevalent issues affecting the corporate travel industry today. Orbitz for Business, the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE:OWW) , surveyed the corporate travel landscape to identify the most newsworthy trends that shaped this past year, while also collecting insights into what some business travellers expect in 2009.

“In 2008, our survey revealed an emerging trend of business travellers changing their behaviors in light of the recession, traveling differently by becoming more cost conscious,” said Dean Sivley, senior vice president and COO, Orbitz for Business. “We can expect corporate travel managers to exert continued pressure on employees with travel policies focused on cost savings, like booking flights farther in advance, staying in lower class hotels and renting fuel efficient vehicles.”

Looking Back at 2008

Throughout 2008, the Orbitz for Business/Business Traveler Magazine Quarterly Trend Report indicated a large majority of businesses were approaching travel more creatively in order to trim associated costs. Key findings throughout the year pointed to growing numbers of travellers flying in and out of a business destination the same day, staying at a less expensive/lower star-rated hotel or sending fewer employees to trade shows and conferences.

Highlights include:

• In the fourth quarter 2008, as the U.S. economy experienced ongoing challenges, a majority (51 percent) of those surveyed say they have scaled back but are still traveling, while 39 percent say they are keeping up the pace. Only 6 percent of respondents’ companies have implemented a freeze on travel while 4 percent are traveling more.

• When asked if their company had experimented with alternatives to travel in 2008, 50% of respondents said they had tried videoconferencing. However, an overwhelming majority, 85 percent of business travelers surveyed say they don’t feel videoconferencing is or would be as productive as an in-person meeting, with just 1% responding that it is or would be more productive.

• A 2007 Orbitz for Business study found that 24 percent of business travellers said they have had to share a hotel room, either as a practice or on occasion, when traveling on business. One year later, just 14 percent say they now share hotel rooms with co-workers or colleagues.

• Location, location, location — 56 percent of travelers say the most important criteria when selecting a hotel for business travel is location, with 25 percent responding that price is the main driver and 15 percent rating brand as the deciding factor.

In response to airline capacity cuts, many of which have been implemented in the latter half of 2008, the report revealed the following changes in traveler behavior:
• 47 percent now book further in advance whenever possible

• 43 percent are now more price conscious and concerned about having to pay higher airfares

• 17 percent say their companies have taken measures to discourage last-minute bookings

• 11 percent are choosing to drive to their destination more frequently rather than fly

A Look Ahead to 2009

Looking ahead to 2009, a majority of business travellers surveyed, 55 percent, say they are planning to travel as much or more than they did in 2008.

The report also explored the extent to which professionals feel traveling to conduct business in-person makes them successful. When asked how important maintaining travel frequency is to overall productivity and business success, 76% say that it is important, with 16% labeling it as “critical.”

A significant storyline in 2008 was the tightening of corporate travel policies as a means to control or curtail travel expenditures. In fact, some companies have already implemented new policies for 2009 to account for new fee structures being rolled out by suppliers.

For example, some airlines are now charging, or plan to charge more for an aisle or window seat. The Orbitz for Business year-end report found that 34 percent of respondents’ employers will not allow such an upgrade as a business expense. Twenty-four percent say it is allowable, while 42 percent are unsure.

Other notable findings in the survey include:

• 80 percent of respondents said they have had no change to their company’s per diem spending policy in the past six months

• 31 percent of respondents say they will be required to squeeze in more work and more meetings per business trip compared to this past year.

METHODOLOGY

The Orbitz for Business/Business Traveller Magazine Trend Report was conducted online from 8/19/08 through 8/27/08, through a MarketTools survey of 612 Business Traveller Magazine subscribers.

Decrease in Christmas Holiday Travel

AAA projects a slight decline in the number of Americans travelling during the Christmas holiday period. Nearly 63.9 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home during the Christmas holiday travel period, a decrease of 1.4 million travellers (2.1 percent) from last year’s total of 65.3 million. This is the first decline in Christmas holiday travelers since 2002. AAA projected year-to-year decreases in the number of travelers for all five of the major travel holidays this year (Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas).

‘The economic downturn of 2008 eroded the discretionary income many Americans would have spent on travel and, for some, altered their travel plans throughout the year,’ said Gail Weinholzer, director of public affairs, AAA Minnesota/Iowa. ‘However, those traveling this holiday season can take advantage of declining hotel rates and fuel prices.’

More than 52.4 million Americans (82 percent) intend to travel by automobile, a 1.2 percent decrease from the 53 million people who drove last year. Approximately 8.1 million (13 percent) expect to travel by airplane, an 8.5 percent decline from the 8.9 million travellers who flew last year. More than 3.33 million Americans plan to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation, an increase of 0.7 percent from a year ago.

Americans can expect lower hotel rates and higher car rental rates throughout the holiday season. However, travelers should expect different trends in airfares depending upon the week of travel. For Americans traveling during the week of Christmas, rates for AAA Three Diamond hotels are down an average of three percent compared to last year. Travellers renting a vehicle during the week of Christmas will pay two percent more than a year ago for the same period. Air passengers, however, can expect some relief in airfares this Christmas with prices nine percent less than last year.

Those travelling the week of New Year’s will welcome a significant decline in hotel costs with rates for AAA Three Diamond hotels 16 percent less than a year ago. Car rental rates are eight percent higher than last year for the same period. Americans travelling by air will pay an average of three percent more for airfares than a year ago.

The Southeast is expected to produce the largest number of automobile travellers this Christmas holiday period with 14.1 million, followed by the West with 12.9 million. The greatest number of air travellers also will originate in the Southeast with 2.5 million, followed by the West with 2.3 million.

ASTA Offers Tips for Weathering Economic Downturn

A Webinar held yesterday by ASTA to provide travel agents with tips and resources on weathering an economic downturn found, not surprisingly, that travel agents do not anticipate a quick turnaround to the economy.

Of those Webinar participants who responded to an online survey, 56 percent foresee a decrease in revenue in 2009, compared to 28 percent who believe their revenues will increase and another 16 percent who anticipate no change. Further, a large majority (87.5%) either have or plan to take steps to curtail salary-related expenses, be it a reduction in hours, positions and/or salaries all in response to the economic downturn, compared to 12.5 percent of respondents who say they will increase staff salaries and number of positions.

‘It seems clear that the economy isn’t headed for a quick fix. Now more than ever it’s important for travel agents to align themselves with groups such as ASTA so that we can continue to have access to top-level business and marketing tools to help us successfully manage our business in uncertain times,’ said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo. ‘Targeted resources such as yesterday’s Webinar are vital to travel agents’ success when faced with a challenging business environment.’

The Webinar included suggestions which agents can immediately implement along examples from ASTA members who have already taken creative approaches to shoring up their businesses. Among the tips offered were:

-Consider a Work Share program in lieu of a layoff. If your agency is located in a state that has implemented a Work Share program you may be able to avoid lay-offs by reducing the work week and using unemployment insurance funds to pay workers short-time compensation. ASTA members can access a white paper on Work Share programs, as well as a contact list for states that offer Work Share programs on ASTA.org.

-During slow periods, have employees update your customer database, or, if you do not have one, develop one. Market your services to new and old customers.

-Considering buying an agency. Take this opportunity to grow your business though acquisitions. Information on buying and selling an agency can be found in ASTA’s eLibrary.

-Use the tools at your disposal. ASTA’s Travel Agent’s Management Toolkit includes a balance sheet, agent productivity / profitability tool and operating expense tool to help you benchmark your business against other agencies. On Jan. 21, ASTA will hold a Webinar focused on Using the Travel Agent’s Management Toolkit in Today’s Economy. Registration information can be found on ASTA.org in the industry calendar.

A recording of this session will be made available on ASTA’s video/audio library on ASTA.org. ASTA members may access the full set of tips as well as other resources for weathering an economic crisis, on ASTA.org.

The mission of the American Society of Travel Agents (ASTA) is to facilitate the business of selling travel through effective representation, shared knowledge and the enhancement of professionalism. ASTA seeks a selling travel that is profitable and growing and a rewarding field in which to work, invest and do business.

Source: TravelIndustryWire

78 Percent of Americans use the Internet to search…

[travelindustrywire.com] According the second annual Travel Trust Index Report released by boo.com, online travel review and booking sites continue to gain the public’s trust. In fact, online travel resources are strongly preferred over more traditional options such as travel agencies, travel brochures and the news media.

The Travel Trust Index Report examines Americans’ travel booking behaviors and preferences, with a focus on their trust level for the many options available to them. Among the key findings:
• 78 percent use the web to make travel decisions
• 68 percent trust the web for travel related advice
• Only 5 percent say travel agencies are their most trusted source for travel related information

‘It’s no secret that online review and booking sites have led to a revolution within the travel industry,’ said Niamh Ní Mhír, Chief Marketing Officer. ‘However, the results of the Travel Trust Index indicate just how dramatically the industry has evolved in such a short period of time. The consumer has spoken and it is clear that the web represents the dominant influencer when it comes to travel decisions.’

The research also takes a look at what factors consumers consider when determining the accuracy of a review. The top four review characteristics that consumers consider:
1. Amount of detail in the review
2. Number of reviews previously submitted by reviewer
3. Age of the reviewer
4. Nationality of reviewer

‘Consumers are becoming more knowledgeable-and savvy-about online travel reviews,’ continued Ní Mhír. ‘No longer will they simply interpret every review as accurate. Rather, the majority of Americans treat each review individually…and with a critical eye.’

When in it comes to who Americans trust when considering online reviews, it is clear that they trust their own far more than foreigners. An overwhelming majority claim they trust other Americans. The top five ‘trusted’ nationalities:

1. Americans
2. Canadians
3. British
4. Germans
5. Italians

US Travellers affected by downturn, international travellers not

[travelindustrywire.com] GeckoGo announced the results of their recent travel survey of 1162 travellers worldwide and says, global consumers are worried about the economy…but are going ahead with their travel plans

While 43% of survey respondents answered that they felt “terrible” about the current economic environment, only 15% have canceled their trips. Fifty-one percent of travellers plan to fly the same amount this holiday season, with 22% planning to travel more than last year.

Americans seem to be worried by their countries economy more than the rest of world…travel plans are therefore affected to a higher degree in the US.

68% of Americans felt “terrible” about the current economic environment, and 22% have canceled their trips. 40% of Americans plan to fly less this holiday season, and 44% plan to spend less money on their next vacation.

Travel insurance is considered a necessity by many and is the least affected by the economy

In fact, 10% of respondents are more likely to purchase travel insurance due to the economic situation. Only 7% of respondents would cut travel insurance before other expenses such as accommodation, activities, trip length, and food. Sixty-three percent of consumers purchase travel insurance at least sometimes when they travel, and 32% purchase it all the time. 42% consider emergency medical and dental coverage to be the most important reason for purchasing travel insurance.

Travellers will cut back on accommodations first

27% said they would reduce accommodation spending first, with 24% saving by staying in more modest accommodations.

Most are still traveling but are looking for additional cost saving measures

30% will spend more time travel planning as a means of saving money, while 31% plan to travel during off-peak season. Fifty-one percent of Americans say “looking for travel deals” is a key way to save money.

Holidays are for family time

Sixty-six percent of respondents usually visit their relatives over the holiday season, with 70% planning to see their relatives the same amount as last year, and another 13% more than last year.

Spending plans stay the same for majority

Sixty-eight percent of all respondents plan

Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit Metro Airport Breaks Ground

Romulus, MI –(PR.com)– Owner Cooper Hotels completes airport development “hat trick”.

Management of the 126-unit, 38-suite Hampton Inn and Suites Detroit Metro Airport announced today that it has broken ground. Scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2009, the 6-story hotel is located on Smith Road adjacent to the Hilton Garden Inn Detroit Metro Airport. Both properties are owned and operated by Memphis, Tenn.-based Cooper Hotels.

The Hampton Inn & Suites will be the company’s third hotel at the Detroit Metro Airport. Cooper also owns and operates the recently opened Embassy Suites Detroit Metro Airport.

“On behalf of the City of Romulus, we congratulate Cooper Hotels for completing the hotel development ‘hat trick’ at the Detroit Metro Airport,” said Timothy Keyes, economic development director for the City of Romulus. “Cooper is an outstanding company providing a variety of high quality hotel products in the airport area, and the community appreciates their investment.”

Hampton Inn and Suites hotels have been designed to accommodate the lodging needs of both transient customers and guests staying three or more nights, including both business and leisure travelers. Unlike a typical Hampton Inn, the new Hampton Inn and Suites hotel will combine traditional guest rooms with larger suite rooms in a single property.

“Business and leisure travelers visiting the area will enjoy the same high-quality services and amenities that have made the Hampton chain one of the industry’s most popular and fastest growing brands,” said Phil Cordell, Hampton senior vice president, brand management.

The new hotel will include amenities such as the complimentary On The House Hot Breakfast served daily, complimentary high-speed Internet access, complimentary local telephone calls made from the room and the brand’s 100% Hampton satisfaction guarantee which guarantees each guest full satisfaction or their night’s stay is free. Guest rooms will also feature an open, under-the-counter bathroom vanity and curved shower rods for extra shower space. Also, an in-room coffee maker, iron and ironing board are standard in every room.

In addition, suite rooms offer a separate living and sleeping area and in-room kitchen amenities such as wet bar, refrigerator and microwave oven. All Hampton Inn & Suites also offer an on-site convenience shop and coin-laundry facility.

Members of the Hilton HHonors® guest reward program can earn HHonors points in addition to airline miles for every qualifying stay at the Hampton Inn & Suites Detroit Metro Airport. HHonors is the only hotel program that allows any of its members to reap Double Dip® earnings by simultaneously accumulating both airline miles and hotel points with each qualifying stay.

HOTELS IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN