Travel feedback of the week - September 4-10, 2010

Readers' thoughts on the latest travel issues and stories, from travel in Namibia to prices in South Africa.

Travel feedback of the week - September 4-10, 2010

Readers' thoughts on the latest travel issues and stories, from travel in Namibia to prices in South Africa.

Layering technique makes family vacation photos pop

At a time when many summer vacation photos are snapped with cell phones and posted on Facebook, the notion of printing and framing pictures seems downright quaint.

Chairman of Empire Resorts Board resigns, new head named

MONTICELLO – Empire Resorts Board Chairman G. Michael Brown has resigned effective immediately due to health reasons and the board has elected Emanuel Pearlman as the non-executive chairman, and CEO Joseph D’Amato as a member of the board.

Air Passenger Duty: unfair, unclear and economically damaging

Air Passenger Duty is discriminatory, illogical, and already contributing to a decline in tourism to the Caribbean, says Hugh Riley.

Hilton Hotels & Resorts Voted Top Hotel Brand In Asia

Hilton Hotels & Resorts, one of the most recognized names in the global hospitality industry, today announced that it has been named as the top hotel brand in Asia for 2010 by global research company Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), in conjunction with one of the region's leading media, marketing and advertising publications, Media. This is the second consecutive year Hilton clinched the title since ...

Hilton Hotels & Resorts Voted Top Hotel Brand In Asia

Hilton Hotels & Resorts, one of the most recognized names in the global hospitality industry, today announced that it has been named as the top hotel brand in Asia for 2010 by global research company Taylor Nelson Sofres (TNS), in conjunction with one of the region's leading media, marketing and advertising publications, Media. This is the second consecutive year Hilton clinched the title since ...

Hotels Lure Investors as Lodging Surpasses Offices | Bloomberg

Hotel purchases are increasing faster than deals for office buildings, shopping centers or any other type of U.S. commercial property as rising occupancies and room rates boost the lodging industry. Sales of hotels jumped 136 percent in the first half of 2010 from a year earlier, the biggest gain among five commercial real estate categories tracked by New York-based Real Capital Analytics Inc ...

Hotels stung by new rates for government workers

The Doubletree Hotel & Executive Meeting Center Bethesda is among the hotels that will be hurt by lower rates for federal workers, says Selim Soliman, its general manager.

Yet another travel search engine refines its offering

Adioso, a travel search engine for “spontaneous and adventurous travellers”, is gearing up to roll-out the latest version of its offering.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Unveils Eco-Friendly Beverage Menu

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC today announced the introduction of a new eco-friendly beverage menu available beginning this month at North American and Caribbean properties across the brand’s portfolio. Properties also will be able to customize the menu to include local and regional selections and offer promotions that allow customers to contribute to the environment.

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts Unveils Eco-Friendly Beverage Menu

Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, LLC today announced the introduction of a new eco-friendly beverage menu available beginning this month at North American and Caribbean properties across the brand’s portfolio. Properties also will be able to customize the menu to include local and regional selections and offer promotions that allow customers to contribute to the environment.

W Hotels Worldwide Moves from Backstage to Center Stage at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in New York

W Hotels Worldwide, the hotel category buster and industry innovator, today announces another industry first with the launch of Fashion Next, an integrated approach to fostering and supporting fashion designers all year long. Launching at Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Fashion Next brings W from backstage, where it has hosted a VIP Lounge during the New York shows for the past 13 seasons, to center ...

Embassy Suites Hotels Brings the “Fan” Back to Facebook

Throughout the month of September, Embassy Suites Hotels is bringing “fans” back to Facebook. But don’t expect to find everyday run-of-the-mill fans on the Embassy Facebook page. These fans do more than click a button to show their love – or “like.” These fans are entering the Embassy Suites Über Fan Contest.* The all-suites hotel brand wants to reward one grand prize winner with the tools to ...

Travel advice: web-based agents; australian wildlife; taxis in Rome

Gill Charlton advises on the perils of web-based travel agents and options for wildlife tours in Australia.

Village Notes | What's happening in our community

Yes, it is September in Tahoe. The beaches, stores and town are open for locals. This is our vacation time. Get out and enjoy everything that visitors do when in our village — OK maybe not the horn honking, swim suits in the markets or arguing with the beach attendant, but do enjoy why we live here.

SmartWool's Ride: Employees make ambitious trek across Western roadways

For some SmartWool employees it will be one of the greatest athletic achievements of their lives. For the “Little Guy” embroidered on their socks, the 360-mile bike ride to Utah is just another leg in a 16-year journey as the icon for the Steamboat Springs merino wool apparel company.

Student absences cost School District $300,000

School officials are hoping this year parents will understand that having a little vacation planned outside of scheduled holidays can not only hamper a student’s learning progress, but also hurt the School District’s bank account.

Travel companies get energy workers moving

Specialized travel consultants plan trips for Houston employees working at remote locations in Africa and elsewhere.

Children enjoy beach with Schwab Marines, sailors

The 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, III Marine Expeditionary Force, hosted their 2nd Annual Beach Bash for children from the Nagomi Nursing Home for Children at Oura Wan beach on Camp Schwab Aug. 28.

Overnight cruises on Mississippi River put on hold

Seattle company Cruise West suspends new bookings while it restructures.

At a glance | Broward swimming preview

CLASS 3A DEERFIELD BEACH -- Coach: Heidi Hester. Last year: Third in district. Top swimmers: Joey

Ohio man accused of lewd behavior on beach

An Ohio man visiting the area was arrested Thursday for simulating a sex act at a beach to four teenage girls, the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office said.

Vacation photos pop with layered prints

The notion of printing and framing pictures seems downright quaint these days.

Pilots for Air Zimbabwe take a strike break

Air Zimbabwe pilots have been involved in a pay strike, demanding to be paid a full wage.

Burglars are back to school in Davie

A student told police she parked her car in the parking garage at Nova Southeastern University, 3301 College Ave., about 9:50 a.m. Aug. 30 and returned to discover the passenger side rear window smashed at 12:30 p.m. Nothing was stolen from the car. Window damage was estimated at $1,000.

Tampa Boat Show reaches out to entry-level, non-boating public

By Terry Tomalin, Times Outdoors Editor Thursday, September 9, 2010 TAMPA — The boat business, like many other industries, has suffered as a result of the Great Recession. Some established boat builders failed to weather the storm and shut their doors. Others have scaled back production and now only offer their top-selling lines. But if there is a phoenix that will rise from the ashes of this ...

Deaths in Florida Challenge Beach-Driving Tradition

Many are questioning the practice of driving on the beaches near Daytona Beach after two children were killed this year.

Hundreds of Phuket hotels operate with no licences

PHUKET : Hundreds of hotels in Phuket are operating without licences, claiming the cost of getting one is far too high.

Vail Resorts' TV stations welcome new general manager

Vail Resorts announced recently that Kirk Keller has been named general manager of TV8 and TV17, stations carried on local cable systems. Keller will oversee all television operations for the two stations and will work with Vail and Beaver Creek resorts and the Vail Valley community to provide locals and guests with resort programming. Keller will report to Chris Jarnot, vice president and chief ...

Travel alert issued in response to planned burning of Quran

The State Department has now issued a travel alert to warn US citizens of the potential for anti-American demonstrations in many countries in response to the planned burning of the Quran.

Travel update on planned Koran burning: Americans urged to be cautious abroad [Updated]

Plans by a Florida pastor to burn copies of the Muslim holy book, the Koran, on Saturday prompted the U.S. State Department on Thursday to issue a worldwide travel alert warning Americans that they may encounter violent anti-U.S. protesters abroad. [Updated Sept. 9 at 4:30 p.m.: The Florida pastor has called off his plan to burn [...]

Consolidated Resorts moves forward after bankruptcy

The big Consolidated Resorts Inc. timeshare bankruptcy case is winding down in Las Vegas, with businessman Arthur Spector purchasing some of his company's resort assets out of bankruptcy for $13.851 million.

Need a vacation? Many Americans don't go

Need of a vacation? You are not alone but more than half of Americans do not take all their vacation days, even though they think they need a holiday more this year than last.

Riverhead Resorts gets more time to pay

The Riverhead Town Board voted Wednesday to give Riverhead Resorts another 30 days to come up with the $3.87 million it owes towards the $108 million purchase of 750 acres in Calverton. Mitch Pally, an attorney from the Weber Law Group in Melville who represents the resort developers, said financing had come together but had been [...]

Myrtle Beach and Palmetto Vacation Rentals, A Great Partnership For A Fall Golf Vacation

Palmetto Vacation Rentals, Myrtle Beachs best full service Vacation Rental and Property Management company, is making autumn an excellent value for visitors with golf packages and weekend getaways with free nights in Myrtle Beach. Palmetto Vacation Rentals is providing golfers and families more a chance to stretch their dollar even further while vacationing in Myrtle Beach.With the economy...

Myrtle Beach and Palmetto Vacation Rentals, A Great Partnership For A Fall Golf Vacation

Palmetto Vacation Rentals, Myrtle Beachs best full service Vacation Rental and Property Management company, is making autumn an excellent value for visitors with golf packages and weekend getaways with free nights in Myrtle Beach. Palmetto Vacation Rentals is providing golfers and families more a chance to stretch their dollar even further while vacationing in Myrtle Beach.With the economy...

Dear Summer, Please Go And Die [Jamboroo]

# jamboroo Drew Magary's Thursday Afternoon NFL Dick Joke Jamboroo runs every Thursday during the NFL season. Find more of his stuff at his Twitter feed. More »

Bodine cruises to second straight truck victory

Need a vacation? Many Americans don't take them

Feeling stressed and in need of a vacation? You are not alone but more than half of Americans do not take all their vacation days, even though they think they need a holiday more this year than last.

Nadal cruises into QFs; Verdasco rallies to shock Ferrer

Risdon cruises to victory in Edmonton

Anderson cruises to four-stroke win at Montreal Open

Travel Bound Reports U.S. as #1 Destination for Independent Travelers

Travel Bound, a New York-based corporation, reports that bookings of U.S. hotel rooms for independent travelers through June have increased 70% over the same period last year, making the U.S.

Obamas take a beach lunch on second vacation day

EDGARTOWN — President Barack Obama and his family are delivering so far on the low-key summer vacation promised by White House aides.

Hunter Haas cruises to 6-shot win at Price Cutter

SIBL travel teams captured 45 wins, 3 titles this summer

SWANSEA — Five travel teams representing the Swansea Independent Baseball League won more than 40 games and captured three tournament championships this summer in local and regional competitions.

Forsman cruises to Regions Charity title

Marriott Hotels of Orange County Present Ronald McDonald House Charity High Tea and Fashion Show

Five Marriott Hotels in Orange County are the Presenting Sponsor for a day of charity; Including a High Tea & Fashion Show, a cocktail hour, silent auction and more, all to raise money for The Orange County Ronald McDonald House.

Empire Resorts board head G. Michael Brown resigns

Empire Resorts Inc., owner of the Monticello Casino & Raceway, said Thursday that G. Michael Brown has resigned as board chairman due to health reasons.