News
LONDON’S BARBICAN TO HOST JAMES BOND EXHIBITION
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the first James Bond film, 1962’s “Dr. No.” The white bikini worn by Ursula Andress in the film will join more than 400 James Bond archive items for the first time in a new and highly anticipated Barbican exhibition commemorating the anniversary of the film franchise that extends from 1962’s “Dr. No” to this year’s “Skyfall.” The items comprise the “Designing 007- Fifty Years of Bond Style” exhibition opening at London’s Barbican Centre next month. This will be a multi-sensory experience where screen icons, costumes, production design, automobiles, gadgets, special effects, graphic design, exotic locations, weapons, stunts and props combine to immerse the audience in the creation and development of Bond style over its auspicious 50-year history. (Travelpulse.com, June 28)
CRUISE NEWS
The Marina Bay Cruise Centre in Singapore welcomed its first ship, Royal Caribbean’s Voyager of the Seas, May 26, signaling an upswing in cruise visitors. A downward trend, caused by casino resort popularity appears to be easing and Singapore’s cruise industry is preparing for increased demand, adding new check-in and immigration counters to accommodate close to 7000 passengers. (TravelMole.com, May 24)
Vietnam expects to host a record number of cruise passengers this year, welcoming about 30 percent more visitors over last year. More cruise lines are planning stops in Vietnam as tourists’ taste for exotic itineraries fuels demand. (Eturbonews.com, May 29)
SOLAR STORM WARNING
Our sun is emitting massively powerful solar flares, into the atmosphere, spewing enormous amounts of solar gas into space, racing towards earth. The first wave of this stuff has already hit and could disrupt energy and communications networks and airline flight schedules here on earth. Authorities warn that the effects of a solar storm might leave millions of people without phone service, electricity or running water. (NPR.org, March 8)
AROUND THE WORLD
President Mohamed Nasheed of the Maldives, widely credited with bringing democracy to the islands, resigned this week after weeks of opposition protests erupted into a police mutiny and amounted to a coup. Nasheed handed power over to the Vice President Mohamad Waheed Hassan Manik, explaining that continuing in office would result in his having to use force against the people. Nasheed resigned on the idea that he does not wish to rule with power and harm citizens. (Reuters.com, Feb. 7)
With the 2012 summer Olympics approaching, many Londoners are looking to make a profit out of their property by renting out their homes and rooms to strangers. Eleven million sports fans, media, and corporate clients will be heading into the capital within the next few months and many see it is a way to make some quick cash. Some are even going so far as to move out completely during the games to avoid the masses and make money off of their unattended housing space. (Reuters.com, Feb. 7)
SPIRIT OBJECTS TO NEW FARE DISCLOSURE RULES
Spirit is very unhappy with new DOT rules requiring that all ads and websites selling tickets include taxes and fees. The carrier believes that airlines are unfairly required to give information which no other consumer purchase must convey. Industry observers on the other hand, see that changes in how fees are applied over the past four years has confused consumers and that complete disclosure prior to purchase gives travelers a truer picture of how much an airline ticket actually costs. (TravelMole.com, Jan. 31)
CRUISE NEWS
In the wake of the Costa Concordia disaster off the Italian coast, Cruise Lines International Association, CLIA, a Florida based group with 26 members, is launching a cruise industry operational safety review. CLIA will conduct an internal review of member safety practices and procedures and seek independent expert consultation. The association aims to assess what happened, identify what and where to improve, share recommendations with its members and the International Maritime Organization and adopt changes to fortify operational safety. (TravelWeekly.com, Jan. 29)
EAST COAST BEACHES ARE OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Towns along the east coast and inland have been dealing with the lingering effects of Hurricane Irene as flooding, storm debris and road closures dimmed Labor Day holiday weekend tourism prospects for some. Despite the damage, most of North Carolina’s 300 miles of coast will be open for business as the Labor Day weekend approaches, officials said. Officials in neighboring Virginia also had a positive outlook about the upcoming holiday weekend. “We have had some minor beach erosion … but the beaches actually opened yesterday and the water quality is back to where it was,” Virginia Beach Fire Department spokesman Tim Riley said. “All the hotels are open, and we’re planning for a big Labor Day.” New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said beaches in his state were “in good shape” apart from some minor erosion, and officials in Long Island, New York, expected all the beaches there to reopen in coming days. (News.Yahoo.com, Aug 30)
PER DIEM RATES TO INCREASE OCT. 1
Federal travelers will have more money for hotel bookings in many cities, under per diem rates set for fiscal 2012, which begins October 1. The increases, although small in some areas, suggest a slight turnaround from last year, when the General Services Administration dropped the lodging rate for 310 of the 378 nonstandard areas ’Äî the higher-cost areas where federal employees travel most frequently. The 2011 per diem rates were calculated partly using rates hotels offered in the heart of the recession, when the travel industry had cratered. Some travel industry representatives said those depressed rates were too low and didn’t take into account the hotel industry’s recovery. (FederalTimes.com, Aug 28)
HURRICANE IRENE HEADS TOWARD EAST COAST
The first hurricane of this season is strengthening as it passes over the Turks, Caicos and Bahamas Islands. Irene tore through Puerto Rico, cutting power to more than 1 million people and causing enough property damage for President Obama to declare an emergency. Irene is expected to make landfall over Florida, on the U.S. mainland by this weekend, packing winds of more than 100 mph. JetBlue has already announced, it plans to waive change and cancelation fees for those holding tickets for Aug. 23 travel to and from Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic. (Travelmole.com, Aug.23)
QUAKE SHAKES DC
A powerful 5.8 earthquake shook the east coast just before 2pm Aug. 23. Centered about 85 miles southwest of DC, the rare quake was felt as far north as Canada and south to Georgia. Authorities evacuated government buildings, monuments and museums and schools in DC, the Pentagon and commercial buildings throughout the DC metropolitan region. Amtrak trains were slowed while tracks were inspected and DC airports experienced delays. Two nuclear reactors at the North Anna Power Station located near the epicenter of the quake were shut down as a precaution. A few minor injuries but no deaths have been reported. Please check with your local news for the status of closed public sites. (NPR.org, Aug. 23)
