David Francis asked:


The guided tour industry became mainstream in the late 1960′s and 70′s with the advent of cheap air travel, spurred on the adoption of the Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet. New Zealand, as a destination isolated by sea from all of its main markets, was particularly affected by this change.

The historical traveler was much more focused on “seeing” rather than “doing or learning”. This in part reflects the relative newness and exotic nature of the world, and relative lack of media coverage of its regions. Positioned in the mainstream, group tourism had a strong emphasis on cost, and the best way to see an exotic location at a reasonable price was to participate in a large guided group travelling on a very pre-determined route utilizing large accommodations and activity providers.

This situation has obviously evolved with the explosion of media throughout our lives. Now, it is possible very quickly to obtain information on almost any place, subject or person you may care to investigate. The modern traveler has moved well beyond a passive “show and tell” mentality, and is now looking for a New Zealand travel experience that explores and interacts with a higher level of cultural and ecological aspects of their destination. This is in stark contrast to the demands of bygone travel experiences, which were often passive and non-involving.

There are two elements critical to the provision of an active and interactive travel experience: group size and local knowledge.

In New Zealand, apart from a few defined city areas, the tourism infrastructure does not allow for large groups. This is particularly apparent in the provision of accommodation, which is very limited, but is also reflected in many of the nature experiences and adventure activities available. Group size determines where you can visit, and what you can do when you are there. Larger travel groups benefit from economies of scale in terms of their over-all pricing, but the quality of their experience cannot be compared to that enjoyed by a smaller tour group. Local knowledge is also critical in the provision of a truly interactive experience.

Local guides add a level of subtlety and understanding to travel not available through guidebooks or self learning. A guided tour can therefore offer a unique insight into many aspects of the travel destination that would not be available to the casual traveler.

In summary, the modern traveler to New Zealand presents new and unique demands to the travel industry. Their desire for quality, depth of knowledge, and participation in their travel experience can be met by a guided travel format that utilizes a combination of quality, knowledgeable guides, and a small tour size that preserves the values of uniqueness and subtlety when travelling.

Placesonline asked:


We often check out a world travel guide when we need to collect information about a place which we are planning to visit. The travel guides provide us complete details about a place like the cultural heritage sites to visit, best places to shop, accommodation options, the places to taste the best and traditional food, best time to visit, the specialties of that place etc.

Apart from the above mentioned tourist information in the travel portals, you can also find detailed information about the hostels and apartments on rent, available for a long stay at a place. You can also collect information about the car rental services available at that place and how you can arrange a car for yourself to make your trip more enjoyable and comfortable. You can also check out information on how to reach that place and the various modes of transportation available at that place.

However, the travel portals and guides do not provide ‘travel and holidays’ related information alone. They have many other tools, which prove to be useful for a traveler. Few of these are mentioned below:

The Newsletters: Most of the travel portals publish E-newsletters which contain information about the best tour packages to the different places, the best hotel deals, cheap car hire, low cost flights and cruises, the up coming events and festivals in that place etc.

The interested travelers can sign up for the newsletters for free and receive them in their email on a regular basis with the latest updates.

Travel Journals: Travel guides also publish travel journals which contain tourist information and travel experiences of travelers. These journals contain information from first hand experiences. Therefore, they provide you tips to make your visit to a place enjoyable. Some of the journals also contain photographs, contributed by the tourists.

Weather Information: Travel portals offer real time weather forecast and information for different locations. They provide information about the weather conditions along with the minimum and maximum temperatures. It proves to be very useful for travelers.

Maps: All travel guides provide maps of places. These maps prove to be useful tools for travelers as they contain directions, detailed road maps of accessible area etc.

A travel guide without the above mentioned tools and features are not much useful for a traveler. However, even if a travel guide contains these tools, they need to be regularly updated, so that they are able to guide people accurately during their travel.

‘Places Online’ is one of the best travel guides available on the internet. For more information you can visit www.placesonline.com.

Shane Lee asked:


This article is about the Lhasa travel and you can find some useful information in it if you are planning your Lhasa travel now.

The Lhasa railway station is located in the south west of Lhasa. It is 20 kilometers far away from the Potala Palace and its altitude is 3600 meters. Now the road from the Lhasa railway station to the downtown of Lhasa is much better than it used to be.

There is a 100 thousand square meters’ square in the north of the Lhasa railway station.  The Lhasa railway station is built near a mountain and its decoration is in a traditional Tibetan style(mainly with 3 colors: white,red and yellow). It occupies 23.6 thousand square meters and is 22.9 meters high.

Entering the Lhasa railway station, you will find youself in an ancient Tibetan palace. The hall is mainly decorated in red. 8 pillars are a very special feature of this hall. They are in a traditional Tibetan style and is fireproof because of some specail chemical disposal. In the south east of the hall, there are three VIP waiting rooms and one soft seat waiting room. The booking office is in the west of the hall. You can buy the tickets for the train, plane and bus there. There are 10 service windows in the booking office. A big LED screen is used to show all kinds of travel information to the tourists.(You can find more information about Lhasa travel and China vacations at Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM)

In the second floor of the Lhasa railway station, you can find a small shopping center(fast food restaurant, cafes, small shops, etc). The regular waiting rooms is In the south of the second floor. It occupies 1760 square meters.(800 square meters for the soft seat waiting room and 700 square meters for the VIP waiting room)

There is also a small clinic in the Lhasa railway station. It is responsible for providing basic medical cares to the travellers.(altitude sickness,etc)

The Lhasa railway station has 6 platforms. 2 of them are backup platforms. 10 trains can enter the station synchronously. The total capacity of Lhasa railway station is 2700 travellers a day.

Copyright belongs to Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM .  You can find more information about lhasa travel, tibet travel, china vacations from our web site.

NOTE: Permission is granted by the copyright owner to disseminate this article in whole or in part provided credit is given to the author (with a link to the article’s source URL Travel2ChinaInfo Dot COM ) and this NOTE is not removed.

Federico Messina asked:


For an Italy travel guide, the best way to start is by figuring out how long you are going and what sort of budget you are working with. These are both necessary for you to start on your Italy travel guide. If you are traveling for business purposes for instance, then you are probably not going to have a lot of time to fit in touring.

If you are going for Italy travel for yourself however, then there are lots of things you are going to want to do. Start off with setting up a hotel or other means of lodging for yourself. You are going to need a place to stay while you are in Italy after all, and so this should be the first step taken for your Italy travel guide. Make sure that you find an apartment, villa or other type of Italy travel accommodations that are going to come with the features and amenities that you need.

Then for your Italy travel guide you are going to want to start planning out different activities. One thing that most people fit into their Italy travel guide is checking out the local restaurants. If you love Italian food, then you are never going to taste it any better than the authentic food that you get in Italy. Also for your Italy travel guide, you are going to want to check out Venice.

This is one location in Italy that you are not going to want to leave out of your Italy travel guide. It is very unique, and cars are almost nonexistent here. The city is built on 117 small islands and is linked to the mainland service town of Mestre by a road and rail causeway.

The Leaning Tower of Pisa will also be great to fit into your Italy travel guide. This tower is about 56 meters high and is inclined in relation to the vertical by 4 meters. This is one of the most popular attractions in Italy and therefore one that you are definitely going to want to check out. When anyone speaks of Italy they speak of the Leaning Tower of Pisa so you are not going to want to miss out on.

There are lots of other great things that you could fit into your Italy travel guide again and regardless of what you choose to do the most important thing is that you get to do things that interest you and which you are going to enjoy.

Ryan Anderson asked:


Your travel agent can be an integral part of planning your vacation, especially when used wisely. A travel agent is an invaluable resource when you have decided to plan a trip. They can help prevent travel complications while at the same time getting you the best value. However, it is important to remember that each travel agent is different. So, to ensure that your travel agent is a good match for your needs, here are some common questions to ask.

Question 1 – What is your specialty?

It is important to know what your travel agent’s specialty is. He or she may specialize in certain destinations or products, such as cruises or adventure tours. You will also want to ask what types of travel your agent specializes in. For example, you would not want to book a trip for a large group with an agent who is not experienced in such services.

Question 2 – What are your fees?

Obviously, you know that you will be compensating your travel agent for his or her time, planning expertise, work, and advice, but knowing the fees upfront is always a good idea. Some travel agents work on commission, some charge a flat rate, and some charge per service. It is also best to be upfront about your travel budget and be clear that your total budget includes travel agent fees.

Question 3 – What are your hours of operation?

You will need to know when your travel agency or agent operates. Be sure to get the toll-free number in case of an emergency as well as an alternate number for after-hours necessities. If your travel agent has email or a website, you will also want to note that information as well.

Question 4 – What happens if something goes wrong?

Sometimes, it is impossible to avoid inconveniences while traveling. Such inconveniences may include a delayed or cancelled flight because of poor weather. Discuss with your travel agent what happens in such circumstances and how he or she responds to these problems. Always be clear on your travel agent’s policies.

Question 5 – Are tickets refundable?

If you’re working with a travel agent, it is likely that you are planning this trip well in advance. In addition to last minute inconveniences that may occur, such as poor weather cancelling a flight, things in your life may change as well. Find out if your trip is refundable, partially refundable, or if a cancellation fee applies. It is also a good idea to check if reservations can be exchanged.

Question 6 – Do you have special relationships with travel suppliers?

Many times, your travel agent will be able to get you a great deal, which may not be available to the general public. Cruise lines, tour companies, and hotels often offer perks such as upgrades, free parking, and other deals to travel agents who have worked with them before. If your agent has this type of influence, take advantage of it!

Question 7 – Have you traveled to my destination?

There is nothing like first-hand knowledge. If your travel agent has traveled to your destination, he or she will be able to speak from experience. A well-traveled agent will be able to make informed recommendations and provide sound advice as opposed to one who has not visited the areas you are considering.

Question 8 – Can I get a better deal if I travel on a different day?

This question is integral to establishing a better deal if your travel dates are somewhat flexible. Remember, even when working with a travel agent, peak travel times and seasons still apply. Let your travel agent know that while your original itinerary is ideal, if there is a better deal to be had, you may consider traveling at a later date.

Question 9 – Where can I learn more about my destination?

In many cases, travel agents will provide customers with information, such as brochures, about your destination. If the brochures are not sufficient enough for you, ask your travel agent where you could do a little more research. He or she should be able to easily point you in the right direction.

Question 10 – Will I need a passport or visa?

If you are not sure if you will need a passport or special visa to travel to your destination, ask your travel agent. If you do need a passport or visa, he or she will also be able to instruct you on how to obtain one.

Question 11 – What questions do you have for me?

Always ask your travel agent if he or she has any questions for you. Travel agents should always ask you a few questions about what you are looking for in a vacation. This is necessary so that they will be able to come up with the best itinerary for your interests and budget.

The best travel agent for the job is one who is willing to work with you, has extensive knowledge, and is receptive to your priorities as a traveler. However, you will need to ask the questions outlined above to get started. Remember, your agent should be more than willing to answer any of these questions, or any others that you may have.

rogers asked:


People love to travel from place to place for different reasons like work, vacation, study and leisure. But nowadays, traveling around the world is very risky. There are lots of global phenomenons happening around the globe. So, it is advisable that prior from traveling, you must first look at the travel information guide. You don’t need to search for government travel advisories to do this. All you have to do is search for world travel information guide from the Internet.

World travel information is very important not just for your own safety but also to avoid disappointment once you are there. This also contains information where you can find information to cheap flights, hotel accommodations and travel tips. In addition, with the variety of online resources you can surely find lots of choice that will suit your choice of travel.

With the present of Internet, travel guide online is made possible. This online travel guide makes it easier to look for places and have background prior to vacation planning. World Wide Web access makes it possible to see if the place we want to go is really enjoyable place to stay with. In addition, there is no hustle in getting all the information you need.

Likewise, world travel guide online gives you a quick look around the globe. If you want to travel from different part of the world, all you have to do is to look for the references given by various online resources. Getting information around the world is made easy through this online guide. You will not just have up-to-date information, you can also choose different package tour.

Promos are very common in many online travel guides. There are considerably cheap flights that you can avail. Just take a look for the travel tips regarding what time is perfect for traveling to avail cheap flights. If you really want to get less expense from traveling, be sure to schedule flights according to their tips. Usually, the best time to avail cheap flight is during early in the morning, mid of the afternoon and late in the evening.

Aside from different flight promos, there are also varieties of travel agencies that offer hotels and accommodations depending on your destination. You can choose from luxurious hotels to the least that you prefer. Through online travel guide, you can really afford to choose what fits for your budget. Most of the agencies offering are usually in bundle or in package. Common options are three days and three nights-accommodations. It is a lot cheaper to have longer days to stay to maximize the value of your money.

Ended, choosing the right place for your vacation is not that hard, it’s a hassle free. Don’t waste your time by going to different travel agencies just to get some information of the place where you want to spend your vacation. Simply seat in front of the computer and start browsing the internet. You can have lot of information with less time, less effort. Not just you can save time from searching; you can also save money for your dream vacation.

Tiffanyjordan asked:


When you are looking to plan a vacation, there are going to be several things that you want to look at so that you know your vacation is going to be as smooth as possible. One of the most important aspects is going to be deciding on how to plan your trip. Choosing an online travel agency is something that you have probably considered, and when you are planning a vacation it can be a time saver, a money saver, and a lifesaver.

Choosing an online travel agency saves time. When you are planning a vacation and attempting to do all of the planning on your own, you are constantly going from site to site scoping out the deals, and figuring out how to fit those deals into your planning. When you use an online travel agency, your time is at least cut in half. You have many tools right at your fingertips, and you should have access to the best deals under the sun.

In most cases, you do not have to worry about waiting around to find the right deals either, or looking through all of the various sites to make sure that you are getting the best savings. By booking your flight arrangements, your hotel packages and your entire travel itinerary with an online travel agency, you can avoid unnecessary stress and save valuable time and energy that would have been otherwise wasted hunting around for similar deals an online travel agency offers.

You might not be aware of it, but booking all of the parts of your vacation on your own, no matter where you are going, is going to cost some extra money. If you book it on your own, there are booking fees and taxes that you will have to pay on all of the parts of your trip. You can save on these expenses by working with an online travel agency. Also, you will not have to worry about hunting for the best deals. It is going to be almost impossible for you to find the best deals for everything when you are booking a trip on your own.

This is just one example why an online travel agency might be the best option when planning a vacation. You should rest assured knowing that you have found the best deals, as the travel agency will search for them and will keep you informed. This means that you never have to worry about wondering if you have made the right choice. Worrying causes stress and you do not want to be stressed out on your vacation.

Going through an online travel agency can really be a lifesaver. When you are planning a trip, even one to a country you have been to many times, it is often hard to figure out all of the right rules, traditions, and regulations that might govern your travel. There are news alerts to worry about, and it is always important to know where you should go and maybe where you might want to potentially avoid.

An online travel agency can help you find a place to stay which meets your financial needs and expectations. Also, an online travel agency will assist you in planning an itinerary so that you can see everything you wish, and stay as safe as possible. When you are going through an online travel agency they will make you aware of aspects such as these. You will have access to travel safety alerts, and the newest information about where and when it is safe for you to travel. Booking a vacation on your own is not going to give you all of this information. If you research it yourself you may not be too sure if you are receiving the proper information. You can always go back and double check, but the travel agency does this every day, it is their job to keep you out of harm’s way. Therefore, booking through an online travel agency can really be a lifesaver in the end.

Please remember your own sanity. Booking a vacation yourself is going to be a lot of work and can become very stressful. With an online travel agency, everything is taken care of for you and it can save you a great deal of time and money.

When you are booking a vacation, you have several choices. You can book on your own and take your chances, or you can use an online travel agency and save time, money, and perhaps your sanity as well as your safety. Online travel agencies are easy to find, easy to use, and great for any type of travel, whether your trip is for business or pleasure. When your trip ends up being the travel experience of a lifetime, you will be glad you booked it using an online travel agency.

Pham Ha asked:


Vietnam’s First Luxury Tour Company Awarded for Excellent Product and Service Awards 2008.

The Vietnam’s first luxury tour company Luxury Travel will be presented with a Excellent Product and Service Awards 2008 from the Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprise Association on Sunday 3 Jan 2009 in Hanoi.

According to Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Mr. Hoang Trung Hai, the criterias for this prestigious award certificate the quality of the products and services of the player in the market.

This is the annual award of the Vietnam Small and Medium Enterprise Association with the purpose of honoring the most outstanding faces in thousands of companies in Vietnam.

This year, the organization committee will award 100 enterprises national wide in all sectors, the economy components, including the enterprises with 100% foreign capital operating effectively in Viet Nam. Luxury Travel will be awarded for the most Excellent Product and Service Awards in Vietnam in 2008 in the tourism industry.

The “Excellent Product and Service Awards 2008” award ceremony will be organized solemnly at Hanoi Opera House on 03 Jan 2009 and live broadcast on the Viet Nam National Televisions VTV1 and VTC1.

The organization committee expects the presence of many high ranking officials of States, Party and Government at the event live on TV, among others, Mr. Nguyen Minh Triet – President of Socialist Republic of Vietnam, Mr. Le Kha Phieu former General Secretary of the Communist Central Committee of Vietnam, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Doan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, Mr. Nguyen Ðuc Kien, Vice President of the National Assembly.

“We are very proud of this Excellent Product and Service Award 2008 as it is acknowledgement of our continued efforts to create the niche tourism products for high-end tourists and deliver the right experiences with best available services. We are a small company but we still believe small is beautiful” Mr. Pham Ha, Founder and CEO of Luxury Travel Vietnam said:

“We recently returned from our wonderful 15 day journey to Vietnam and Cambodia arranged by Luxury Travel at www.luxurytravelvietnam.com ” attested Pamela Solvang, a journalist from Shark Tivi, Texas, USA. “We can’t thank Luxury Travel enough for providing such an excellent travel experience for us from start to finish. The three of us on this trip have all traveled extensively, all around the world. We have used the best luxury travel companies in the US and elsewhere and can says that Luxury Travel Vietnam have moved to top notches of all.”

www.luxurytravelvietnam.com

Mike Cole asked:


Just as you have many different options when selecting where to travel and what to do when you get there, you also have a variety of choices when selecting the travel agency that will help you to design your perfect vacation. When you are looking for the perfect travel agency to help you with all of your travel needs, it is first important that you understand the basic types of travel agencies from which to choose and significant differences in terms of the services they provide to a vacationer.

Before looking at different niches of travel agencies, one large distinction exists. Do you want to work with an online-based travel agency, or a locally-based travel agency? Depending on how either type of travel agency is run, you can have a vastly different experience. With an online-based travel agency, you can often receive service 24/7 and book your travel at any time that is most convenient to you. You will be able to retrieve information from many online-based travel agencies “on demand,” or exactly when you request it.

With a locally-based travel agency, you can often form relationships with particular travel agents who will also be your main point of contact for any future travel that you plan. In addition, the agents in your locally-based agency will be able to maintain information specific to your desires to help them to provide suggestions for future vacations. These are only a few of the distinctions between online and local travel agencies.

One recent innovation great for the customer is the emergence of travel agencies who provide both of the above – the personal service of a local, walk-in office with the 24/7 and technological convenience of online access to all your itineraries, account information and options for self-service booking when you want it. Look for a national brand with a history of providing reliable service and customer satisfaction; these companies are most likely to provide you with the best of both worlds in travel agency services.

Once you have determined whether you will use an online or a local travel agency, there are additional options from which to choose. The first option to consider is the level of service an agency will provide. Travel agencies can run the gamut from full service to self service. Especially with online travel agencies, information may simply be provided to aid in your travel decisions while leaving much of the leg work to you. If you prefer a travel planning experience that allows you to seek out all of your own information and make all of your decisions and reservations independently, a self service travel agency will be your best bet.

Full service travel agencies, whether online-based or locally-based, offer the exact opposite scenario. They pair an agent with you to provide all of the information you need, when you need it, and to be on hand to help you with all of the travel decisions that you make. In addition, they will handle all of your bookings and payments and logistics, sparing you the need to do so on your own. In between self service and full service agencies are other options that offer a combination of do-it-yourself plans and planning that involves the step-by-step guidance of a travel professional.

The second option is the type of travel an agency may designate as their specialty. Some travel agencies work only with domestic travel planning. They can assist you with any need you may have related to travel within the United States and its possessions. Other travel agencies work specifically to aid travelers in planning overseas travel. A further narrowing of this niche can occur when a travel agency focuses only on one particular area of the world for the travel services they provide, such as Europe or the Caribbean. You can also choose travel agencies that focus only on one particular type of travel, such as cruises or multi-segmented trips. It can be very important for you to decide whether you would like to partner with a niche travel agency, or a travel agency that is more broad-based.

The third option is the type of traveler an agency may specialize in assisting. Some travel agencies only work with a specific demographic of travel. For instance, you may choose a travel agency that caters to single travelers. This type of agency may work to put together travel packages and tours specifically geared towards singles instead of couples or families. Other travel agencies may work with just that – couples or families. Whether they focus on providing romantic destination options for two, or kid-friendly destinations for the whole family, this can be a popular niche for travel agencies. Finally, a travel agency may choose to focus exclusively on business travelers instead of leisure travelers. They may have options available to offer that are particularly suited to travelers who need different amenities and more flexibility in scheduling.

In conclusion there are many services a travel agency provides to make your life easier when planning a vacation or business travel. Most importantly, the agent offers years of expertise and knowledge of other travelers’ experiences from which you can benefit.

Ryan Anderson asked:


You might think you are going to need some help with your vacation planning, and if you are taking an international trip, you might not realize how important a travel agency can be. When you are traveling internationally, a travel agency is going to be a major help to you. You’ll be able to plan the perfect trip by using a travel agency, there are certain things that a travel agency can do for you that you just can’t do on your own.

Finding Package Deals

When you are traveling on an international vacation, a package deal can be even more important for you to find because you might be able to save money on things like airfare, hotels, and car rentals. When you travel internationally, you are going to need everything that a package deal has to offer. You are going to need to have some form of transportation, and a car rental or some kind of shuttle pass may be your only option. Therefore, for an international vacation, package deals are probably the best thing for you to do, and the best place to find package deals is by going to a travel agency that you can trust.

Dealing with Language Barriers

As you travel internationally, you will most likely be traveling to places where your native language is not that country’s native language. This means that items are going to be called by different names, and you might not be able to just open up a phone book and find a place to rent a car. Travel agencies deal with different languages all the time, and they can do all of the pre-booking for you. They can also gather information about things like your hotel, your car rental, and the attractions you will be going to see. You won’t have to worry about tracking down the translations because your travel agency will have taken care of this already.

Dealing with Cultural Barriers

Traveling internationally might take you into cultures that are extremely foreign to you. If you are booking these trips on your own, you may not know what appropriate attire is to wear in certain situations, or how you are supposed to act in a different country. Your travel agency can help you with all of these things, and will prepare you for being in a different culture. The most important thing is that you feel comfortable on your vacation, and your travel agency can help you with this as well. They should tell you everything you need to know in order to have a relaxing vacation.

Having Support if There Are Problems

There’s a good chance you won’t run into any problems while you are traveling internationally, but the thing is that you really never know when problems will come up. If you have a travel agency that has booked your trip, and a ticket gets canceled, or a flight gets missed, your travel agent can help you fix those problems even from back home. Therefore, it is always a good idea to go with a travel agency when you are booking international trips. You never know when you are going to have to get into a different hotel, find a different flight, or completely change the country you are traveling to, and your travel agent can help you with this.

Having Refunds Available

When things do go wrong, and there are problems with the booking, your travel agent is going to be responsible for that. If you’ve booked on your own, and you make a mistake, you are out of luck. There is really nothing that you can do about it. However, if something goes wrong and your travel agent has booked it for you, you’ll get new travel plans and any refunds that you are entitled to. This means that you have a type of insurance that you can take along with you when you travel. You know that you have the support of the travel agency behind you, and you also do not have to worry about refunds if something does go wrong.

Lower Costs and Less Hassle

When you travel internationally, there is always a lot of cost and a lot of hassle associated with your trip. Vacations are expensive, especially international vacations, and making sure that you plan your vacation right can really cause headaches. Therefore, booking an international trip with a travel agency is something that you can do to make sure that you have less cost and less hassle. While you are spending less money, and not stressing about the hassle, you will be able to enjoy the trip even more, and your international vacation will be a greater success for you. By using a travel agency you will be spending money wisely, in all the right places. No unnecessary payments or headaches.