Las Vegas Celebrates Earth Hour

On Saturday March 28th, Southern Nevada's signature neon glow will be dim for an hour in an effort to raise awareness about climate change.

The exterior of Las Vegas' MGM Mirage's New York New York Casino will go dark at 8:30pm, signifying the start of Earth Hour 2009. For the first time, the roller coaster will go dark and all riders will get neon necklaces. The Brooklyn Bridge will be entirely lit by soy based candles.

The brightest beam in the World at the Luxor and the Coca - Cola bottle on the strip will go out as well for Earth Hour as well.

From 8:30pm - 9:45pm the Acoustic Band Alternative Energy will perform on the Brooklyn Bridge at New York New York.

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=10085867&nav=menu498_8_16

Everyone should travel the world

By Natalie Veissalov

I remember the first time I went somewhere really adventurous, besides the usual trip to my uncle’s house in Memphis, Tenn., or up north to San Francisco. I did not really know anything about traveling the world or what places to go to, until I was twelve years old and my parents booked a trip to my father’s homeland: Turkey. From the minute I arrived, I fell in love with the city.

I must admit though I did experience some culture shock and anxiety. As I began to get used to my unfamiliar surroundings, I began to fall in love with the country, and the notion of traveling itself.

The next day as I toured the famous and historical city of Istanbul, I was in awe of how much one city could have so much to tell and offer.

As I toured mosques and ancient ruins left by the Romans, I even gained a love for world religions and history.

After exploring this one part of Eastern Europe, I moved on to Turkey’s neighboring country: Greece.

I was immediately captivated by its beautiful white homes and glistening blue water. It was like it came out of an oil painting; it just seemed so surreal.

The people there had an inner glow of happiness and serenity that you just do not see back home in the United States.

The people of Greece appreciate life and take time to enjoy life. This is something we need to learn back in the states. We need to focus less on the stressful demands of our hectic lives and focus more on what is really important.

Experiencing this different lifestyle, religion and culture helped open my eyes to another part of the world I did not know existed.

I felt ignorant and immature. I was in a tiny bubble for the first twelve years of my life. When it was time to leave to go back to my usual boring routine at home, I began to feel depressed.

However, on the plane ride back home all I could think of was where I wanted to go next. I was excited to see what other place God wanted me to see next.

The following summer, it was time to plan our next trip. And my parents chose Cancun, Mexico. I had always heard people talk about their beautiful beaches. However, this city had more to offer than its turquoise beaches.

When I arrived, I experienced a drastic change from what I was used to in California: the hot and humid weather. It took some getting used to. However, I got used to it pretty quick when we arrived to our hotel and could see the turquoise color of the water.

The scenery of this country was just unbelievable and breathtaking. It is nothing compared to the rugged and dirty streets of the Tijuana, a stereotype of what some people believe the entire Mexico looks like.

The amount of activities to do there are overwhelming. I was unable to do everything. However, I was able to go snorkeling and see Cancun’s beautiful marine life. It was a pretty amazing experience.

Not only was I able to experience the aquatic life Cancun had to offer, I also learned a lot about its history.

I also traveled to old city in the Yucatan peninsula known as Merida. It is famous for its history, its European architecture, and its production of henequen, which is a plant used to make rope.

I am truly grateful for being able to travel to these places. These are just some places I have been to, and there are so many other places where I want to travel.

However, time and the cost of traveling are two of the reasons that have stopped me from seeing the entire world. I encourage everyone to travel even if it is only to one country.

Although financial obstacles prevent many to travel the world, it is well worth the cost.

Traveling is something everyone should do because it allows the person to learn more about the world, become less ignorant about our world and open minded about other cultures and human beings whom we share this world with.

http://www.ulv.edu/campustimes/columns_archives/spring2009/natalie_veissalov_archives/veissalov032709.htm

Report: Las Vegas tourism tumbles 11.9 percent in January

By Richard N. Velotta

Visitor volume took another header in January with fewer than 3 million tourists visiting Southern Nevada for the third straight month.

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority reported today that 2.8 million people visited in January, an 11.9 percent decline from January 2008.

Worse, average daily room rates plunged 19.9 percent from the previous year, the steepest decline since the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and citywide occupancy fell 13 points to 71.9 percent for the month. For area motels, occupancy fell 16.6 points to dip below half full for the first time in recent memory, calculated at 42.7 percent.

The statistics came on the same day that LVCVA board members voted unanimously to postpone its $890 million Las Vegas Convention Center enhancement project. The LVCVA board also received a report saying that since the fourth quarter of 2008, 340 groups have canceled meetings in Las Vegas, 236,700 room nights have been lost, 111,800 visitors stayed away and the local economy suffered a $131.6 million hit.

Terry Jicinsky, the LVCVA’s senior vice president of marketing, said those figures were based on a survey of Las Vegas properties. He said some organizations blamed the cancellations on the weak economy, but some said it was due to the public perception of conducting meetings in Las Vegas.

Several LVCVA officials left for Washington this afternoon to meet with government leaders about perceptions of Las Vegas.

Convention attendance in January showed continued erosion of the meetings industry, which Las Vegas has dominated for years.

The LVCVA statistical report said in January there were 1,368 meetings, 19.5 percent fewer than in January 2008, and attendance at those shows was 538,415, 20.6 percent off from the previous year.

But the lower average daily room rate and the reduced citywide resort occupancy were even more troubling for industry observers. Weekend occupancy was down 3.2 points to 79.7 percent and midweek occupancy was down 18.1 points to 67.6 percent. Just two years ago, Las Vegas enjoyed occupancy rates in the high 80s and low 90s.

The average daily room rate hit $104.89, creeping toward $100, a level that hasn’t been seen in Las Vegas ADR since December 2005.

Lower room rates translate into lower room tax receipts, a key factor in the LVCVA board’s decision to postpone the Convention Center project until at least the second quarter of 2010.

Brenda Siddall, the LVCVA’s vice president of finance, told board members that the LVCVA is facing a $53 million shortfall in room tax revenue in the next fiscal year as a result of the slumping economy. Although the LVCVA plans to cut operating expenses by 3 percent, it still wouldn’t be enough to offset the additional capital expenses and debt. Rather than risk default, board members reluctantly decided to suspend the project.

The LVCVA already has spent 15.7 percent of the project budget – $140 million – on the program to date. Workers already have completed a Metro substation, the refurbishing of one meeting room established as a prototype for the rest of the project, the paving of a parking lot and the design of the first two phases of renovations. The design of the third phase of renovations is about 90 percent complete, Terry Miller of HNTB Architects, which is coordinating the project, told the board.

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/mar/10/tourism-las-vegas-falls-119-percent-january/

Cubans applaud U.S. bill easing trade, travel

By Rosa Tania Valdes

HAVANA, March 10 (Reuters) - Cubans applauded on Tuesday the passage of a bill by the U.S. Congress that would ease some travel and trade restrictions against the communist island, but said they hope for more changes under President Barack Obama.

The bill, which appropriates $410 billion to fund the U.S. government, includes provisions allowing Cuban-Americans to visit their families in Cuba more frequently and makes it easier to sell agricultural and medical goods to Cuba.

It undoes some Bush administration rules that toughened the 47-year-old U.S. trade embargo against Cuba, a Cold War policy which Havana blames for the perennial economic woes afflicting the island just 90 miles (145 km) from Florida.

"I'm happy they are easing the rules so the Cubans can come. Families should not have to suffer because of political disputes between governments," teacher Hugo Alfonso told Reuters in Havana.

"Cubans have suffered the embargo for many years and (President George W.) Bush tightened the rope. Now is the time to improve relations between the two countries," he said.

In Miami, there were mixed reactions from the Cuban exile community, which is split between those who favor greater contact and opening between Washington and Havana and some anti-communist hard-liners who oppose any easing of U.S. sanctions on Cuba under the rule of Fidel and Raul Castro.

The bill, which Obama still must sign into law, would allow Cuban-Americans to visit the island annually instead of once every three years as the Bush government mandated. They could also stay longer than the current two weeks.

"People-to-people contact is the number one factor of change in a closed society like the one in Cuba. It's also the right of a Cuban to be able to return to his country," Ramon Saul Sanchez, head of the Democracy Movement, said in Miami.

But he urged President Obama to use his authority to completely lift restrictions on travel. "He can do it with the stroke of a pen," he said.

RAISED HOPES

The bill also would permit marketers and sellers of agricultural and medical products, which are exempted from the embargo, to travel more easily to Cuba.

"It will be something good that will improve commerce with the United States," 19-year-old Arnier Negrin said in Havana. "I hope they change other things, but I'm not too optimistic."

But in Miami, anti-Castro Cuban exile TV and radio commentator Ninoska Perez criticized the steps contained in the bill as "rewarding a 50-year-old dictatorship".

http://www.reuters.com/article/bondsNews/idUSN1043162820090311

AirTran Airways launches new service between Baltimore and Cancun

Mar 09, 2009 (AIRLINE INDUSTRY INFORMATION via COMTEX) -- AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings Inc (NYSE: AAI), has announced that it has launched non-stop service between Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport in Baltimore, Maryland, and Cancun Airport International in Cancun, Mexico.

The service, which will operate on Saturdays and Sundays, was launched by AirTran Airways on 7 March, but did not operate on 8 March.

Flight 84 will depart Baltimore at 11:35 on Saturdays and Sundays and arrive in Cancun at 14:00, while return flight 85 will depart Cancun at 14:25 on Saturdays and Sundays and arrive in Baltimore at 19:10.

http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/2212661/

Arenas Blanca Hotel in Varadero, Cuba

The Arenas Blancas hotel is an All Inclusive Resort with an attractive collection of buildings and gardens featuring the purest blue of the Caribbean and white sands of Varadero. This resort is a gift to enjoy your stay in Cuba. 434 rooms, 358 in the hotel (4 of them are suites and other 4 have been specially designed for disable guests) and 76 in the bungalows ( with 2 junior suites and 4 double standard superior). Arenas Blancas Solymar is close to the sea and scattered among green gardens and provides comfortable accommodations, good services and a variety of nautical sports.

Travel Varadero

Families get a break: New resort packages can make this spring a season to remember

By Michael Nassar

Spring break may be a cherished tradition for schoolchildren of all ages, but it’s also synonymous with the annual migration to the sun by hordes of hormonally charged college students going wild at the usual hot spots — Cancun; Panama City Beach, Fla., and South Padre Island, Tex.

Yet there’s an upside to the madness — especially if you have younger kids underfoot for a week: The rest of the country gets pretty quiet. (Even onetime spring-break fave Fort Lauderdale famously gave revelers the boot recently in an effort to change its image.)

So if you’re looking for a spring vacation to satisfy kids large and small, take heart — here are some alternatives that don’t involve wet T-shirts or Jell-O shots. And with the discounts and deals being offered to attract wary travelers, spring break doesn’t have to mean spring broke.

Bargains for living la vida Boca

Boca Raton Resort & Club has long been one of Florida’s favorite resort destinations, but now you can take advantage of a Winter Escape package starting at just $299 per night through April. Guests also can earn $50 in resort credit for every second night of their stay, along with discounted golf, spa treatments and free breakfast for kids 10 and under.

Built in 1926 with Mediterranean-style architecture, the resort features a half-mile private beach, 30 tennis courts and seven pools — including an infinity-edge Atlantic pool and a zero-entry family pool ideal for younger children.

Feel at ease stretching out at Spa Palazzo, secure in the fact that the kids are enjoying an enriching and educational day in Camp Boca. This day camp focuses on fun and safety, offering numerous activities (a booking for the Winter Escape earns a free day session). All parents receive a beeper with a 60-mile radius to ensure constant communication.

Afterward, the family can reunite for movie screenings, frozen hot chocolate tastings or family bingo.
Or, eco-conscious families can tour the Everglades on an airboat, experiencing Florida the way it used to be (www.cypressairboats.com).

Better yet, send the little nippers to bed early and take advantage of the resort’s dance lessons, or an organized evening of drinks and card games. For information, go to www.bocabeachclub.com.

Southern comforts

The weather outside might still be frightful, but in Charleston, S.C., life can be really delightful. One of America’s favorite Southern cities, Charleston has a cure for spring fever with its warm climate and affordable accommodations.

http://www.nydailynews.com/lifestyle/travel/2009/03/08/2009-03-08_families_get_a_break_new_resort_packages.html

QE2's Dubai owners: No plans to sell cruise ship

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — The Dubai developer that bought the QE2 says it remains committed to renovating the British cruise ship.

State-owned Nakheel has been hounded by press and blog speculation that it may shelve plans to turn the storied ocean liner into a luxury hotel because of a lack of funds.

The company has cut staff and postponed several projects, including a tower planned to be the world's tallest and a high-end hotel being built with Donald Trump.

Nakheel said in a statement Sunday it is examining the ship ahead of restoration but has no plans to sell it or operate it again as a cruise liner. The ship is currently moored at Port Rashid in downtown Dubai.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5gukZ2XaCrq2uls8uGf6E2GqYgU0QD96POOUO2

$2.3B Encore Las Vegas offers extravagance at every turn

By Chris Gray

What's new: Encore Las Vegas

Claim to fame: The latest from flamboyant Vegas mogul Steve Wynn, the bronze-colored glass, $2.3 billion Encore tower rises above the Strip next to its sibling, Wynn Las Vegas. Connected by The Esplanade, an upscale mall featuring stores such as Hermès and Rock & Republic, the two resort/casinos are meant to complement each other (the Wynn has a larger footprint, while the Encore tower is one story higher).

Vital statistics: 2,034 rooms. The standard resort suites start at 700 square feet, larger than those at the Wynn. More luxurious Tower suites have a separate check-in desk and concierge service.

CITY GUIDE: Las Vegas lodging, dining, more

The scene: Steve Wynn built his reputation on extravagance, and the Encore, which opened in late December, bursts with pre-recessionary flame-colored glam. Butterflies flit as a motif throughout the casino — inlaid as floor mosaics, embedded into carpet designs, and hanging as glittering red crystal sculptures from the ceiling outside the Encore theater (where comedian Danny Gans is ensconced). Opulent touches range from the sweeping multitiered Venetian red glass chandeliers lighting the casino chambers to the glass peacocks guarding high-roller rooms. While the crowd seemed older and more international than that at the Wynn, the Sunday-night lines for XS — an immense indoor/outdoor nightclub where bottle service starts at $450 — was flush with hot young(ish) things in tight black dresses.

Bedding down: Luxury lovers won't be disappointed by Encore's suite-like rooms, which boast floor-to-ceiling windows, mirrored walls and cushy king beds with 310-thread-count linens. A divider wall holding a swiveling flat-screen TV separates the bedroom from a living room containing an L-shaped sofa and work area. A control panel for drapes, sheers and lights is conveniently placed bedside. Bathrooms are sumptuous, with dual sinks, separate shower and soaking tub and another TV that is set into the wall. Minibar amenities include a $30 "intimacy kit." Ask for a high-level, even-numbered room for Strip views. Amid the elegance, a burn mark on the new desk was jarring, as were the thin walls — conversations (as well as some bodily functions) upstairs and next door were easily heard.

Who will like it: Those seeking a more boutique casino experience. Natural light filters throughout the building, giving Encore an airier atmosphere than other Vegas gaming rooms. The casino floor is partitioned by columns and drapes into more intimate Monaco-style salons, adding to the exclusive feel.

Who won't: Encore's relative quiet may turn off gamblers who flourish on the buzz of an open casino floor. (On the other hand, the casino's smaller size makes it easier to flag down free cocktails.) Vegas lovers who like to be in the thick of things may dislike Encore's north Strip location, although the Fashion Show Mall is right across the street.

Wining & dining: No buffets here. Most of Encore's five restaurants are aimed at high rollers, with $30-$40 entrees the norm. At Switch, diners can watch the walls change colors and décor, while at the Italian restaurant Sinatra, patrons can ogle an Oscar, Emmy and Grammy won by the crooner. More reasonable pan-Asian fare is available at Wazuzu, where a 27-foot Swarovski crystal dragon hangs on the wall.

Indulgences: With 51 treatment rooms and $150 for a 50-minute massage, the 61,000 -square-foot spa provides plenty of escapist options for those who can ignore a plummeting Dow. When the weather heats up, start your weekend wet by renting a $400 poolside private cabana with plasma TV at the "European" (topless) pool.

The deal: The hotel's website offers midweek rates ranging from $159-$252, with a resort credit of $50 for two or more nights. Recent customers who scored $109 midweek deals at Wynn through Hotwire.com were "upgraded" to Encore at no additional charge. (In a reversal from its opening, rooms at Encore currently cost less than Wynn's.)

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/hotels/2009-03-05-encore-las-vegas_N.htm

Australia and NZ positive source for British Columbia

A large number of Australian and New Zealand travellers chose British Columbia, Canada as their destination in 2008 according to Tourism British Columbia.

Destinations in the region include Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria amongst 130 other cities, towns and mountain resorts such as Vancouver Island and the Okanagan and the Rockies.

Australian visitors to British Columbia increased 11.6% last year with 160,667 overnight customs entries and New Zealand visitors increased by 28.2% with 33,615 overnight customs entries.

For those interested in the destination, Tourism British Columbia has a website for Australian and New Zealand travellers and agents.

The website, www.BritishColumbia.travel, features information on where to go, what to see, maps, photos and travel tips essential to all visitors.

Visitors to the website can also discover the diverse array of activities available including snowboarding, hiking, ocean kayaking, whale watching, mountain biking and hot springs.

http://www.etravelblackboard.com/showarticle.asp?id=89304&nav=21

Jonas Brothers Visit Las Vegas Fans As Part Of Movie Promotion

As part of a promotion for their new movie: Jonas Brothers: 3D Concert Experience, the famed brothers are supposed to visit random theaters to meet with fans. That's exactly what they did on March 1 when they showed up at Las Vegas' Town Square.

"They snuck in and sat down with the crowd like they were regular people," an eyewitness told In Touch. "Everyone freaked out when they saw who sat next to them!"

It was Kevin Jonas, 21, Nick Jonas, 16, and Joe Jonas, 19 in the flesh! Of course the fans were extremely excited to see them and the boys took a minute to offer a few words to everyone.

"They went to the front of the theater and thanked everyone for coming," the onlooker said.

Definitely sounds like a perk for Jonas Brothers lovers everywhere.

http://www.timesoftheinternet.com/52439.html

Las Vegas gears up for Extreme Makeover Home Edition

A big rally on Fremont Street Tuesday night to welcome Extreme Makeover Home Edition to Las Vegas.

They'll be re-building a home for a local family, but they haven't announced which family they'll help.

We'll find out in just one week.

Tuesday night it was all about the volunteers and getting them geared up for hours of hard work.

Volunteers that were found in a crowd of hundreds at the rally.

Yet executive producer for the show, Conrad Ricketts, still encouraged even more to head to the tables and sign up.

"Everybody comes into it thinking they're going to change someone else's life but in the process they end up changing their own life," Ricketts says.

Starting next week, the extreme crew comes in, excites a town, builds a house, and does it all in seven days.

The builders, Wright Custom Home, haven't seen the designs yet, but they have hundreds of volunteers.

"At first it was 500 but we've been getting a flood of people from the community," Daniel Bartlett, with Wright Custom Home, says.

Volunteers like 11-year old Emily.

"You know that you're helping people that really need Extreme Makeover," she says.

Even Mayor Goodman himself said he'll help.

"He's going to give me a paint brush and I might take a little bit of broad brush," Mayor Goodman says.

While no one knows who the lucky family will be, they're ready to work and change the life of a stranger.

They will surprise the family at their house next Tuesday March 10th and then the demolition begins on the 12th.

http://www.ktnv.com/Global/story.asp?S=9942771

Las Vegas Homes Keep Getting Cheaper

The median price paid for Las Vegas region homes fell to $159,000 in January - the lowest since spring 2002 - as foreclosures' share of the resale market hit 73%. Lower prices triggered enough home sales to surpass the year-ago transaction level for the fifth consecutive month, a real estate information service reported.

A total of 3,127 new and resale houses and condos closed escrow in the Las Vegas-Paradise metro area (Clark County) in January, down 21.8% from December but up 24.8% from January 2008, according to MDA DataQuick. The San Diego-based firm tracks real estate trends nationally via public property records.

January marked the 10th consecutive month in which sales of existing single-family detached houses rose on a year-over-year basis, while resale condos have seen an annual sales gain for seven straight months. Total home sales, which have suffered from the decline in new-home construction, climbed above the year-ago mark for the fifth consecutive month but were the lowest for a January since 2000.

The 249 new homes sold - detached houses and condos combined - marked a record low for any month in DataQuick's complete Las Vegas statistics, which go back to 1994.

The median price paid for all homes sold in the Las Vegas metro area fell to $159,000 in January, down 9.1% from $175,000 in December and down 37.6% from $254,990 in January 2008. The January 2009 median's 37.6% year-over-year decline is a record for any month in DataQuick's Las Vegas statistics.

http://www.thestreet.com/story/10467178/1/las-vegas-homes-keep-getting-cheaper.html?cm_ven=GOOGLEN

Add-on software apps make iPhone a great travel partner

By Roger Yu

Tech-savvy road warriors are enjoying a new era of handheld computing as more sophisticated smartphone software floods the market.

The iPhone, in particular, has amassed more than 900 applications targeting business or leisure travelers. Many applications are free, and others range from 99 cents to $19.99.

Unlike desktop software, iPhone applications are relatively simple tools that don't require hours to learn. Most rely on the phone's embedded GPS chip to tailor information to a traveler's current location, such as spotting nearby Starbucks, Wi-Fi hot spot, police radar, restaurants and taxi companies. Others transform traditional travel tools — foreign language phrase books, city guidebooks, restaurant tip cheat sheets — and render them digitally.

We recently tried several of the most popular iPhone travel applications. Here's what we found:

FlightTrack
Provides real-time flight status with scheduled departure and landing times, as well as actual takeoff and projected landing.

Travelers can save their flight schedules and check for cancellations and delays when encountering bad weather. They also can search for flights by airline, flight number or date.

Its live flight maps show weather radar, provide information on aircraft type, speed and altitude. Price: $4.99

WorldView Live

Promises the "world in your pocket" by showing video streams from 6,000 webcams worldwide.

Search for a place nearby or browse through popular locations. Images are small and often grainy, especially at night.

It's an ideal toy for tourists wishing to get a sense of the weather at their destinations, or for armchair travelers stuck in their work cubicles. You can stare at downtown Moscow or Newport Beach in California. WorldView isn't necessary for business travelers, but it's a fun time-waster. Price: $2.99

Babelingo

Contains 300 useful phrases and words in 11 languages.

You can find a phrase by using key words and tapping a button to translate. Its unique feature is the large, clear script of translated phrases that can be read easily from a distance. Need help? Just show your iPhone — with the translated phrase — to the store clerk or taxi driver.

Its selection of phrases is limited, however. There was no phrase containing "ambulance," for instance. Only one phrase containing "bank" showed up in our search. Price: $3.99

Rocket Taxi

Find a cab from its database of 17,500 taxi companies.

A local search in Northern Virginia, for instance, found more than 80 taxi companies within 12 miles. It's not always helpful when trying to distinguish the quality of service. Customers can leave their feedback by rating companies on a 5-star scale. But only two of the 80 companies in our search were rated.

It can also roughly calculate the estimated fare. Even if it's just an estimate, it's nice to know the ballpark figure before hopping in and taking off. Price: $1.99

Where

Finds local points of interest using your current location. It pinpoints on a map the nearby Starbucks, Zipcars parking spots, hotels, gas stations (with prices), local concerts — and even friends who are in your network.

It's the only traveler's application among the ones tested that contained flash ads, which could explain its slow download speed.

It also contains information that road warriors may find irrelevant, such as random photos from people nearby, user polls and constellation maps. Free

Zagat To Go '09

Access to Zagat's ratings and reviews for more than 40,000 restaurants, hotels, nightspots and shops in more than 100 countries.

Its advance search feature lets users select places by specific criteria, including food, décor and features such as "Child Friendly" or "Business Dining." Users can make reservations online for some restaurants. Ideal for those familiar with Zagat's 30-point scale. Its reviews also include a short, descriptive paragraph that highlights selected quotes from reviewers' comments. Price: $9.99

TravelTracker:

Stores information about your flight, hotel reservation, car rental and appointments in one place for easy referral. It also provides current flight status, finds Amtrak stations, shows a plane's seating chart and tracks frequent-flier miles. You can type in travel spending as you go, and it tracks and categorizes your expenses.

Travelers using TripIt.com, an online travel organization tool, can download their stored information to TravelTracker. Hyper-organized travelers may enjoy all the functions, but it could involve too much data input for those who travel simply. Price: $19.99

Global Wi-Fi Finder:

As the name implies, it uses GPS to find nearby public Wi-Fi hot spots. The list tells whether the hot spot is free or pay-only service, the distance and contact information for the host sites, which are typically hotels, restaurants or cafes. You can filter your search by distance, ranging from 300 feet to 40 miles. Free

Local Eats:

Reviews of 100 best nearby restaurants, based on your GPS location, by "serious diners" and "hopelessly hooked restaurant habitués," according to its description. Users can also search by "Best of" categories, such as "Best Japanese/sushi" or "Best brunch." You'll have to take their word for it because many entries don't contain customer reviews. Price: 99 cents

Excess Baggage:

A simple application that lists 26 domestic airlines' policies on checked luggage. It shows what extra, overweight and oversize bags cost to check. Use it to decide between packing an extra or overweight bag. Price: $1.99

Simultravel GPS Lite:

Displays an interactive map of hotels near you with their rates on the day of search. Derives prices of over 35,000 hotels from Priceline. But in a recent trial, it priced a local Hilton Garden Inn at $216. A search in Hilton.com for the same hotel turned up $209. A similar comparison for a room at a local Marriott Residence Inn showed $209, while Marriott.com quoted $242. Free

http://www.usatoday.com/travel/news/2009-03-02-iphone-travel-apps_N.htm

DubaiLand in Dubai: The Next Big Theme Park

Dubailand is an entertainment complex under development in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, which is owned by Tatweer (which belongs to Dubai Holding). Construction of Dubailand has been divided into four phases. Work is currently being carried out on phase one of the project which is expected to see completion some time between 2008 and 2010.

The Dubailand project was officially announced on October 23, 2003. Dubailand will be 278 km²/107 mile² and will include 45 "mega projects" and 200 sub projects. To date, there are currently 22 projects under development. It will be twice the size of Walt Disney World, and will be the largest collection of theme parks in the world; however, no theme park in Dubailand will surpass Disney's Animal Kingdom (located at Walt Disney World) as the world's largest theme park. Private reaction towards the project has been positive and Dubai has exceeded the $4.9 billion private investment figure it expected on the entire project by collecting approximately $6 billion from the private sector for the first phase.

The first of four phases comprising the development of Dubailand will be completed in early 2008 since the developers decided to extend the park by 50% subsequently bumping up its completion date. Completion of the final phase is targeted for some time between 2015 and 2018. Dubailand is seen by its designers as a city and therefore like a city they expect it to continue to grow and develop beyond the four phase plan.

Sahara Kingdom theme park, situated in the Attractions & Experience World, will cover 460,000 m2 (4,951,399 sq ft) and will combine high end virtual and physical theme park rides, attractions such as a state of the art gaming zone, IMAX theater, and integrated live and virtual entertainment shows, together with a retail zone, four hotels and residential accommodation. The theme of the development is traditional Arabia folklore and the tales of One Thousand and One Nights. Sahara Kingdom is due for completion in October 2010.

On January 19, 2008, Dreamworks announced plans to build a Dreamworks park in Dubailand.

On March 4, 2008, Tatweer announced a strategic alliance with Six Flags to build a 5,000,000 square feet (460,000 m2) Six Flags Dubailand theme park. The theme park is scheduled to break ground sometime in 2009.

On May 1, 2008, Tatweer announced the launch of Freej Dubailand. Freej Dubailand will boast hotels totalling 2,600 keys, and feature retail, food and beverage outlets, as well as a spectrum of entertainment attractions.

On May 2, 2008, announced the finalization of the design and conceptual master plan for a Marvel Superheroes theme park, the first of its kind. It will include 17 rides and attractions on a 4,500,000 square foot development. It will also comprise nine retail outlets on an area of 30,000 square feet (2,800 m2). Over 40 food and beverage outlets, including carts merchandising light refreshments, will be developed over 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m2). area. Groundbreaking for the project is expected to be conducted in the first quarter of 2009, with the theme park scheduled to open doors on 31 December, 2012.

On May 6, 2008, Tatweer announced a strategic alliance with Merlin Entertainments Group to build a Legoland park in Dubailand. The project will cost Dh912 million, occupy a total of 3,000,000 sq ft (278,709 m2), and will feature more than 40 interactive rides, shows and attractions geared towards families with children ages 2 to 12. The park will open at the end of 2011.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubailand

Jamaica, Belize air services deal on hold

KINGSTON, Jamaica, March 2, 2009 - Implementation of the a bilateral air services agreement signed by Jamaica and Brazil has been put on hold pending, among other things, the divestment of the national carrier, Air Jamaica.

The agreement was inked in December 2007, by Transport and Works Minister, Michael Henry, and then Brazilian Ambassador to Jamaica, Cezar Augusto De Souza Lima, signaling the culmination of negotiations on a draft, which was reached in 2006. It establishes the regulatory framework, which will, among other things, facilitate scheduled commercial passenger and cargo flights between the South American country and Jamaica.

However, while confirming that the agreement remains intact, Communications Consultant with the Ministry of Transport and Works Reginald Allen said that little else has taken place since the signing, which, primarily, paves the way for further discussions involving representatives of Air Jamaica, or any other local carrier, and their Brazilian counterparts in mapping out the attendant logistics.

Air Jamaica's Senior Director for Government and Community Affairs, William Rodgers, said the airline is yet to engage any Brazilian counterpart in dialogue on the matter. This, he points out, is against the background of Air Jamaica's impending divestment, and to see how best the fortunes of the state-run entity, which has been operating at a loss for several years, can be reversed.

"We are going through that divestment process, which, I am sure, once we know where we are going, then discussions could be explored for the for the future expansion of the airline. So the door is open (for talks)," he said.

"Right now, we have been consolidating and dropping unprofitable routes. With the sort of losses that Air Jamaica has been incurring, we have been a bit reluctant to explore new routes. We need to know where we are going as a carrier before such discussions could take place," the airline executive added.

Last year, Prime Minister, Bruce Golding announced a March 31 date for the proposed divestment, which is being led by Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Finance and the Public Service, Senator Don Wehby.

In addition to the divestment, Rodgers, who was a member of the Air Policy Committee which spearheaded the negotiated agreement, pointed out that there still needed to undertake route and economic surveys to assess the viability of the service, in order to effect implementation of the provisions.

"So, even though the agreement is in place, there are on the ground logistics that have to be undertaken to determine the feasibility of having that service in place. Also, (it) would centre around us having the right equipment to fly long distances into these areas, and the sort of frequency that would be necessary to maintain a viable route," he explains, adding that no service will commence until there is further dialogue among stakeholders.

In addition to commercial passenger and cargo services, the agreement seeks to facilitate code sharing among the designated stakeholder airlines, and a chance for the exploration of Jamaica as an alternative gateway for connecting flights between North and South America. It further seeks to encourage the promotion of fair play among all interests, while discouraging discrimination and abuse of dominant positions.


http://www.caribbean360.com/News/Caribbean/Stories/2009/03/02/NEWS0000006985.html

SU cautions students vacationing in Mexico

By Bethany Bump

Syracuse University and other colleges across the United States are warning students planning to travel to Mexico for Spring Break of a swell in drug-related violence and kidnappings.

SU issued a news alert Thursday to students, faculty and staff with an excerpt of the U.S. State Department's travel alert pertaining to Mexico and safe travel tips for students.

"While millions of U.S. citizens safely visit Mexico each year … violence in the country has increased recently. It is imperative that travelers understand the risks of travel to Mexico, how best to avoid dangerous situations, and whom to contact if one becomes a crime victim," the alert read.

Kevin Morrow, university spokesman, said with Spring Break approaching, the university felt it was important to inform the campus community of the State Department's message, especially for those individuals making travel plans now.

"This isn't a message saying stay away from Mexico," Morrow said. "We're saying if you do plan to visit Mexico, these are some troubling situations going on in that country right now and here are some tips to take into consideration."

More than 100,000 U.S. teenagers and young adults travel to resort areas throughout Mexico over Spring Break each year, according to the State Department's Web site.

Acapulco and Cancun, popular Spring Break destinations, have seen increased drug-related violence recently, according to the department. Though, violence has not been targeted at foreign residents or tourists.

Increased fighting among drug cartels has led to massacres and dumping of beheaded bodies in the streets, according to the travel alert. More than 6,000 people were killed in drug violence in Mexico last year, it said. Despite this bloodletting, 23 million tourists visited Mexico in 2008, an increase of 5.9 percent from last year, according to Mexico's Tourism Department.

The greatest increase in violence has occurred near the U.S. border, according to the State Department's travel alert. Bystanders have been injured and killed in violent attacks across the country, the alert added, warning of a more likely risk of violence in public places.

Brian Connolly, a junior finance and accounting major, will be spending Spring Break in Cancun at a resort with three other friends. He said he took into consideration SU's alert, but that he still plans on going because he has already paid for the trip.

"I'll be at the resort where I plan on staying," Connolly said. "I plan to stay with a group of friends there and not go off the resort to avoid the violence. No one's going to be by themselves."

Connolly said he knew Mexico was not safe in terms of drug trafficking, but he didn't realize until just recently the number of kidnappings and drug deals occurring. He said as long as he stays on the resort, he and his friends aren't worried.

"I don't consider the risk large enough to not go," he said.

http://media.www.dailyorange.com/media/storage/paper522/news/2009/03/02/News/Su.Cautions.Students.Vacationing.In.Mexico-3654995.shtml

Dubai's Union Properties theme park put on hold

DUBAI, Feb 26 (Reuters) - Dubai-based Union Properties UPRO.DU said on Thursday its has suspended its $460 million Formula One theme park due to the financial crisis and drying up of liquidity from banks.

"The suspension will delay the opening of the Formula One entertainment concept until 2010," it said in a statement on the project which was scheduled to be completed in 2009.

"The project is founded on a strong business model that withstands recession whilst allowing for the future growth of Dubai," Penny Fischer, marketing director for F1-X said in a statement.

"With construction more than 50 percent complete, the core of international expertise on the ground and operational plans virtually complete, it is hard to believe that a financial partner will not come forward in the coming days or weeks to capitalise on the opportunity," Fisher said.

F1-X is part of Union Properties' MotorCity project.

Dubai's once-booming property sector has been hit hard by the financial crisis, which triggered a drop in property prices that has forced real estate firms to cancel or postpone projects and cut thousands of jobs.

Union Properties made a fourth-quarter loss of 37.6 million dirhams due to lower land sales. (Reporting by Jason Benham; Editing by Greg Mahlich)

http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssFinancialServicesAndRealEstateNews/idUSLQ86125820090226

Yucatan city of Playa del Carmen, Cape Cod share few common virtues

by Paul Gauvin

Playa del Carmen, Mexico – This city of a bit more than 100,000 people and the town of Hyannis have a couple of things in common. They are both situated on spits of land jutting out to sea, boast fine beaches and survive mostly on tourism.
There the similarities fade. Weather here is predictable, a sub-tropical 80s average with cooler nights. Rain is usually a brief cloudburst, and overcast skies are a real rarity.

The majority of service and construction industries do not require the importation of seasonal help. Here in Playa, the working class is home grown, the progeny of successive generations of what once was, say historians, the magnificent Mayan civilization.

Hmmm. What does that say of the Cape’s “snowbirds” who escape the blahs each year by flocking like Canada geese to kinder, gentler climes, as Bush the Father might say?

And, more to the point this time of year, the weather. The Cape Cod Times compared this year’s frigid, gray, slushy, ugly, lousy weather to Gran Marais, Michigan, where snow is five feet high and temps below zero…in effect calling complaining Cape Codders big sissies.

This 80-percent Catholic town on the Yucatan peninsula jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico on one side, and the azure Caribbean on the other, also has one other important – very important – virtue that Cape Cod doesn’t: It has a fantastic public transportation system comprised of very comfortable, cutting-edge buses, clean taxis and a ubiquitous array of vans called “collectivos” that travel hither and yon every five minutes carrying the labor force where it needs to go.

We’ve been traveling here in collectivos, sometimes sitting on a small box or jamming in with the driver in front to get to places like Puerto Aventuras, Tulum, Akumal, Cancun and from one end of Playa del Carmen to the other…which one could just as easily walk if one has a few minutes to spare and/or like many a tourist, ride a bike.

Most workers here, like New Yorkers, don’t own cars, albeit the motor scooter enjoys a healthy market. You see dust-laden construction workers, two per scooter, heading home after a day’s labor.

Seeing this again spurs a recurring thought: I daydream sometimes of a high-speed train running on tracks laid out on the center green belts of our highways, particularly routes 6 and I95 to Providence, through New Bedford and Fall River, two cities with a combined workforce capable of ending the Cape’s need for foreign labor if only quick and inexpensive transportation were available.

The “collectivos” here seat about the same number of passengers as the short-haul Cessnas flying out of the Barnstable Municipal Airport…about nine to a dozen. Travel from Playa del Carmen to Puerto Aventuras, for example, a distance of about 14 miles, is 12 pesos and we’re exchanging for 13 to 14 pesos per dollar at the moment, meaning that 12 pesos is only 83 cents in U.S. currency. From the Cancun airport to Playa, nearly 50 miles, the per-passenger cost is $8 USD. That is compared to about $22 to travel by bus the 50 miles to Boston from Hyannis.

(One episode describes caution in dealing with pesos. One bus ticket seller tried to shortchange me $10 pesos, figuring perhaps I hadn’t been around long enough to figure out the coinage. When confronted about it, however, he quickly paid, with a guilty countenance, the $10 pesos before I made a boisterous issue of it.)

One advantage here is that the currency has no pennies, which the U.S. should also abandon, and people here actually use coin dollars rather than hoard them as do Americans. For the record, paper pesos come in denominations of $20, $50, $100, and $500 while coin values are $1, $2, $5, $10 and $20 pesos.

When it comes to currency under a peso there are only denominations of 20 and 50 centavo coins, meaning the Mexican government coinage makes more sense out of less cents.

http://www.barnstablepatriot.com/home2/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=17341&Itemid=112