Tourist Tips

If you're planning an overseas trip, there's more than just the weather and weather-appropriate clothing that you have to prepare. You have to get yourself and your mindset ready. Yes, it can be a totally new experience being in a different land where people will have with different customs and ideals. You may find them entertaining or disgusting depending on your own set of customs and ideals, but in any case, you will have to try to get along with them for as long as you're staying in their country.

You'll always want to take care of yourself in a place where you don't know many things and people. So to keep yourself safe, know what you need to know and act accordingly. For starters, you must be aware of the most basic aspects of the country's culture and this you can do by researching about it on the Internet. A basic example would be Indians treating cows as sacred. This means don't ever ask the waiter if they have beef on their menu.

Another important thing you'd like to know about a country you're visiting is its crime situation. As a basic precaution, avoid wearing items that are going to attract the attention of criminals such as flashy clothing or heavy jewelry. And leave the cash in your bank and just carry a safe amount while making use of your credit card for big purchases. Each time a stranger approaches you, assume immediately that the person will be a threat. This means not giving them any information about yourself or your itinerary and politely making your exit the soonest.

Even in a foreign land, it's nice to have fun at bars while you socialize and have some drinks. But do limit your drinking because you'll never know what will happen to you, especially when you're in a country where people speak a language you don't understand. Having a travel companion won't help much either because, chances are, he won't understand that language, either. This can be a recipe for disaster, so to avoid being in it, avoid too much alcohol and go straight to your hotel room after you've had a few rounds.

Lastly, be aware of the laws of the country you're visiting. There's nothing more embarrassing than Figuring in a legal skirmish and you don't even know what you've done. The worst picture would be deportation, and while you've always planned on returning back home, you don't want to waste that opportunity to get away from work and reward yourself. You probably won't get a leave-of-absence anytime within the same year, so you'll always want to take advantage of the time you have.

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The Weddings Market Can Drive New Sales During a Recession For the Travel Industry

Prospecting for new clients in a recession can be a daunting task for travel professionals to say the least. Each day we come to work and reach out to customers and corporate accounts that are cutting expenses and eliminating travel. Yet when you study the last four recessions, it is clear that every travel agency is surrounded by prospects that are recession-proof. As travel professionals, we frequently focus on the fact that our existing clients are no longer spending at the levels they did in 2007 and 2008. As a result, we may fail to see new sources of revenue that are close at hand.

Following funerals and liquor stores, weddings are one of the markets that will generate substantial new sales in 2009. According to the latest update from The Wedding Report, the number of nuptials in the United States will actually increase in 2009 from 2008. In fact, over 2,216,000 weddings will take place this year. If you like spending stimulus packages, you'll be pleased to know that in 2009 over $56 billion dollars will be spent by American couples on their weddings.

The good news for the travel industry is that a large block of this year's engagements took place around Christmas and Valentine's Day. So once the dresses are selected and the location for the ceremony and reception is decided, the bride and groom will turn their attention to the details of their honeymoon. In 2009, the average couple will spend just under $4,000.00 on their honeymoon. In fact over a quarter of a million couples will gladly spend over $7,500 on their honeymoon. Travel agents traditionally focus on the big travel that happens after the wedding. Yet in 2009 couples will spend over $390 million just for hotel rooms on their wedding night.

I once took a brief sabbatical from the travel industry to serve as vice president of sales for a large national wedding photography company. What I learned allowed me to return to the travel industry and book more weddings business in an average week than I used to book in an average year. My advice is to immediately start cultivating relationships with professionals who can refer wedding business to you. These key people can serve as your partners in profit for years to come. A great place to start is with the jeweler who provided the engagement ring. Next, focus on building connections where wedding gowns and bridesmaid dresses are purchased. One of my best investments in time was spending every Saturday during the months of January and February in the busiest bridal stores across the country. I arranged with the owner to pay a commission on any business I booked from their customers and prospects alike. I found that generally the bride, mother, and maid-of-honor remained focused on finding just the right dresses. Frequently, however, the father of the bride was present, but seemed isolated from the shopping. I booked the most business by focusing on these lonely dads. After spending time with the fathers, they would in turn share positive information about my services with the bride and groom. In short, they became walking talking billboards for my company.

During the work week focused on establishing relationships with hotels and special venues where the reception might take place. Next seek out restaurants and country clubs where the engagement parties are traditionally booked. Do not forget to network with pastors, limousine companies and tuxedo rental stores.

Bill Todd is a high energy, humorous, motivational speaker and sales trainer with over a quarter century of front line sales, marketing, customer service and advertising experience. He is the co-author with Stephen Covey of Speaking of Success. Todd is a proud member of the National Speakers Association and was listed in the 2009 edition of Who's Who in Professional Speaking

Prior to launching his speaking and training career, Todd served as vice president of sales and marketing for Marriott International's Corporate Lodging Division. Bill Todd also served as vice president, sales and industry marketing for 5000 + franchisees of Choice International. Todd's advice and insight on marketing, sales and customer service has frequently been featured on United Airlines' In-flight Business Channel and Selling Power Magazine. To contact the author: email- BTodd@BTodd.com or call -301-633-5856. Or visit his website http://www.BTodd.com

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Handicap Accessible Tips & Hints for Catalina Island, California

Catalina Island is 22 miles off the coast of Long Beach, California, the island is 75 square miles and the only city located on the island is Avalon. The only vehicle allowed on the streets of Avalon is golf carts, and that works just fine as most restaurants, shops and attractions are within what are considered walking distance.

As always there are exceptions to every rule and that is good for wheelchair users as there are wheelchair accessible cabs and the Island Hopper tram. Located around town there are several courtesy taxi phones and the tram has regular routes through town.

Arranging your travel to the island you want to take Catalina Channel Express and it runs out of Long Beach and San Pedro. There is handicap parking available at both locations and boarding is also accessible, the newer boats are VERY accessible, and all boats are accessible. As with all travel these days there are luggage requirements so be sure and get acquainted with those when you make your travel reservations. This is where a personal travel website agent becomes valuable, as they will be able to handle these fine details for you. There is also a service to the island from Newport Beach, however, there isn't handicap parking and the ramp to and from the boat is very steep, so this service is basically un-accessible for wheelchairs or challenged walkers.

Where to stay on the island, Pavillion Lodge is just 14 steps from the beach and really close to the boat pier, and located close to the downtown area of Avalon. It has a large courtyard for relaxing and sunning. There are wheelchair accessible rooms on the ground floor with roll in showers. I have stayed here and it is very convenient and works very well.

This is a quaint pedestrian style island and it is basically handicap/accessible friendly which is wonderful as when towns and areas tend to be quaint, it restricts mobility drastically for the physically challenged. If you can get in a golf cart, they are rented by the hour(s) and the day and that will make the island even more accessible for you. Most of the tours are not accessible so that is why a golf cart would work the best if you can use one.

Wrigley Memorial and Botanical Garden is accessible, with assistance, as it is sloping and rocky, so you may want to check this out to see if it would be accessible for you. The Art Deco Theatre has a ramp. The Ballroom has an elevator. Catalina Museum is accessible.

Events that happen on the island are accessible: The Catalina Festival of Art (September) is on Crescent Street along the beach. The Catalina Jazz Trax Festival (Fall) is in the Ballroom. The News Eve Gala is in the Ballroom. So make your reservations with your Travelling with Disabilities Travel Agent, pack your bags for an adventure of fun and relaxation, not to mention the clean air and marvellous weather.

About the Author

Darlene has been an active traveler and most of it was done as a single traveler. She was traveling alone long before it was a popular thing to do for women and to make the story even more interesting she is a Polio survivor and uses a walker and a small scooter to be mobile when she travels. She, needless to say, is a Specialist in Traveling with Disabilities and can personally assist you in all of your mobility traveling needs. She knows the right questions to ask, to get the right answers. Of course she can assist mobile and active customers with the same expertise. as she is a Personal Travel Specialist also.Darlene Siddons Travel

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