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Shiva is the Hindu God who plays the role of a purifier and a destroyer of evil. Shiva is one of the most worshiped deities of Hindus and hence the Amarnath Yatra is one of the most awaited pilgrimages for his devotees. The temple of Amarnath is believed to be the site where the Lord had uttered the secrets of immorality to his wife Goddess Parvati. Amarnath Yatra in India is therefore one that is considered of consisting supernatural powers and can free the soul of the cycle of life and death. The devotees set on this tour to pay obeisance to their deity and see the Ice Lingam inside the holy cave of Amarnath.

Situated on an elevation of 14,500 ft. this is a very challenging trek recommended only to the physically fit pilgrims. The snow-capped mountains of the region produce awe inspiring vistas and the entire panorama echoes of the constant chanting of the name of Lord Shiva, the ambiance is quiet inspiring.Significance of Amarnath YatraIt is believed that the holy shrine has existed for more than 5000 years and thus has a very significant place in Hindu mythology. As the legend goes it was due here that after Goddess Parvati's constant insistence that Lord Shiva had revealed the secret of creation and immorality to her. In search of an isolated place to reveal the secret, Lord Shiva had chosen the high altitude of the mountain to utter the sacred secret. The devotees who would visit the holy shrine are supposed to leave their worldly possessions behind in order to attain the ultimate enlightenment. This pilgrimage tour in India is thus considered one of the best ways to get connected to the supreme power and to attain spiritual peace.

The Amarnath caves are located on the tapering heights and the tour to Amarnath temple in India is a challenging five day long trek. Through long hours of trekking the pilgrims passes by various scenic sceneries including holy sites such as Chandanwari, mountain of Sheshnag, Mahaguanas pass, beauteous pastures of Panchtarni and more. Those physically challenged or the elderly people can also pay a visit to the holy shrine of their deity via a helicopter ride. These are new modes of transport available for the convenience of the tourists. The chopper rides are available for Amarnath Yatra every day except for bad weather conditions. These helicopters are functional between Srinagar and Amarnath and Baltal and Amarnath making the yatra a comfortable sojourn to the sacred shrine.

Kerala tours are to explore the celestial beauty of backwaters, indulge in the exotic flavours of spices, a colorful performing art scene, rejuvenate with the holistic measures of Ayurveda and to discover angelic beauty of hill stations.

Tours to Kerala offer a platter full of enchanting experiences and thus a visitor must first make a pick from the horde of travel options according to one's preference and personal interest. One of the finest ways of planning a Kerala tour is by selecting the most culturally thriving and geographically blessed regions of the state. To be able to enjoy all these features of the region one must add Alleppey, Kovalam, Munnar and Kottayam to the itinerary.

The crystal clear backwaters shimmers, cool breeze coming from the coconut palms, silvery waves of sea swirling the ambiance at Alleppey is quaint and comforting. Popularly known as the "Venice of the East", Alleppey is one of the most popular backwater destinations and flags most of the houseboat cruises in Kerala. The main attraction of the town is the Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race held every year in the month of August to celebrate the festival of Onam. Various long and sleek boats participate along with hundreds of rowers in this water carnival.

A beach town located on the shores of Arabian Sea, Kovalam in Kerala is ideal for a laid-back vacation by the sea. Kovalam has three crescent shaped beaches and the shallow waters here are ideal for swimming. The largest of the beaches is known as the Light House Beach as it has a 35 meter high light house towering the Kurumkal hillock. Your Kerala tour package must include a visit to the region to enjoy the scenic views of the beach and to enjoy a rejuvenating Ayurvedic massage on the beach.

All Kerala tours are incomplete without a visit to its quaint hill stations. Located in the Idduki district of Kerala, Munnar is a pristine hill station nestled in the south Western Ghats. A popular tourist hub, Munnar is ideally located on the confluence of the Muthirappuzha, Nallathanni and Kundaly rivers. Thus surrounded by verdant foliage the view at Munnar is covered with emerald hues which adds tranquilizing effect to Kerala tours. The highlights of the region are its sprawling tea plantations, verdant vistas and winding lanes.

The town of Kottayam lies between the pristine Vembanad Lake and the hilly ranges of the state. The land of lakes, letters and latex, Kottayam is also a center of education and literature. While on Kerala tour a visit to Kottayam will bring you closer to the culture and lifestyle of the state for it is here that one can explore its beauteous temples, gorgeous vistas and can meet with some of its frank and cultured individuals. While in the vicinity don't miss a visit to Kumarakom and its famous bird sanctuary, backwaters and houseboat ride. Other places of interest include Vaikom Temple, Vembanad Lake, Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, St. Mary's Church, Ettumanoor, Aruvikkuzhi waterfalls and more.

River Rafting is surely the most thrilling adventure sport in India. You just cannot call your journey to India complete until you do not get the experience of Rishikesh River rafting in the writhing waters of Ganges. The river arouses the exciting activity spirit among the travelers and forces them to accept the challenges to prevail its wild rapids with their rafting acumen.

If nature's you call you can not go wrong by responding to the lure of the Ganges. The adventure of white water rafting calls for triumph over the bellicose river as it gushes past the wonderful mountains. It is chiefly practiced in the in the upper reaches in the wild and white water, hitting the rapids such as - Cross Fire, The Wall, Black Money and Three Blind Mice.

If you are good rafter try your luck with some of the most exciting rapids that poses a serious challenge - Golf Course, Return to Sender, Roller-Coaster and Club House.For the long rafting trips you need the earlier experience. If you want you can attend the rafting classes held by the rafting professionals. These rafting lectures will help you understand the inwardness of Rafting. Than, it as well quench your queries and difficulties that you might face while taking the river rafting expedition.

As well as rafting you have the alternative of pitching you own tent or putting up at the organized campsites on the sandy banks of the Ganga River. In the twilight enjoy the campfire sharing the rafting experiences with your friends and family.

Rishikesh is not just about rafting, here you get the possibility to visit the old Ashrams where you get to learn more about Meditation and Yoga from the Yoga Gurus.

Separately from that take the small trekking journey to the nearby Garhwal Village. This 2 hour journey to the Garhwali villages will make aware o f the way of life of the Garhwalis. Trekking the Himalayan Hills and watching its rich and diverse natural landscape will spellbind you with its wonderful aura. You can effortlessly spot the spotted deers, leopards and monkeys. You can also indulge into several beach sports such as Cliff Jumping, Body Surfing and Beach Volleyball at our beach camps here.

September to November and March to April are measured as the most excellent to plan out the white water rafting trip to Rishikesh. There are lots of tour operators conducting rafting tour to Rishikesh varying in length from one day runs to extended camping rafting expeditions, but you need to get the advance booking done. You need not to carry the river rafting equipments, you can here them from here.

Bhutan Tours-Trekking in Bhutan

Trekking in Bhutan is a unique experience unlike many of the more crowded treks offered in Asia. The variety of Treks range from a simple three day trek from the district of Thimphu to Paro (and vice versa) to the legendary Snowman's Trek that takes veteran trekkers through some of the most exquisite spots in the country.

The Snowman Trek is also labeled the World's toughest trek as it goes over 12 mountain passes, all of them over 4,500m.Almost all the treks offer a combination of natural discovery and an insight into the country's delicate and unique daily life. Many of the trails take walkers past remote and ancient monasteries, through deep forests, and close to villages. The trail pass grasslands and pastures for livestock, and meadows of wildflowers, butterflies and grazing animals. Trekkers often get to spot blue sheep, takin and a variety of birdlife including wild peasants. Bhutan's Treks are also famous for the majestic views of the Himalayan peaks that provide a sense of awe and wonder and a point of contemplation for trekkers along the way.

One of them is the Jhomolhari Trek where trekkers got to the base camp for Mt. Jhomolhari, Bhutan's most deeply venerated peak on the border of Bhutan and the Tibet region of China. Trekkers often come back with a sense of the majesty of high altitudes, where life ticks to a different time. The Bumthang Trek is a cultural trek that takes you through villages and heritage sites in the valley.

Trekking is an ideal way to get a sense of the country -the purity of natural beauty and purity of ancient civilization of Bhutan.Bhutan has been identified as ten of the bio diversity hot spots of the world.The best idea to be close with the bio diversity that confines of 770 species of birds, 50 species of rhododendron and variety of medical plants and orchids, variety of wildlife like snow leopard, takin, blue sheep, tiger, water buffalo, etc., is trekking.To feel the Cool Himalayas nothing is ultimately better than trekking.

Discover the wonders and attractions hidden in the desert of India while sitting on the back of a camel. Tourists coming to this wonderful country just remain intact by the charm and excitement of camel safaris. Rajasthan the most colorful desert in the world is the ideal place to enjoy a camel ride. Inhospitable yet beautiful, this is the character of the desert.

Offering the pure adventure, camel safari is an exciting way to scan the villages, destinations Wildlife and sand dunes.Rajasthan offers a magnificent tour of Camel Safari, which includes Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Bikaner. These cities of the royal state of incredible sights tourists delight. Visit these cities to camp under the star of the night sky, which looks like a gem, enjoy music and folk dances, taste delicious cuisine and learn the simple lifestyle of people. Explore the attractions during the day and overnight camps.

Depending on your interest, you can opt for a short trek or a longer safari. In any case, the safari will transport you to another time, another world. During the afternoon the temperature of the desert in May rise above 30 degrees and evening in May falls to zero degrees. It is advisable to carry both clothing wool and cotton to be on the safe side. Other things needed for the safari are cotton caps, umbrellas, scarves, drinking water, flashlight, sunscreen, lip balm, moisturizer, etc.

Elephant Safari - Elephant Safari adds royal touch to our trip. This is the easiest way to explore the royal lands of Rajasthan. The slow and steady pace of the elephant allows travelers to explore Rajasthan recreation. The best places to explore by elephant safari in the Rajasthan Wildlife.

Horse Safaris - It is a popular safari tourists in Rajasthan. They are generally made on the hills, countryside, magnificent forts, fascinating temples, scenic spots, etc. To feel Rajasthan on horseback gives the feeling of belonging to a different age in a country.

Jeep Safari - Jeep Safari Open is way more conducive to see Rajasthan. A jeep safari in Rajasthan takes us through the beautiful country side, forts and palaces, the desert and wildlife in the parks too. Jeep safari in the Thar desert is the best way to discover the picturesque land, tranquil golden Rajasthan. Jeep Safari is available from cities like Jodhpur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer and are connected to the rest of the state with good roadsSo if you are planning to visit Rajasthan, so do not forget to include in your safari trip, like a very nice mix of fun, excitement and novelty to make their stay more memorable.

Preparing to travel

The world has changed a lot in the past century. Thanks to the invention of airplanes and high-speed trains, today's world is wide open to travel. In a day's time, we can travel to the other side of the world without using our entire life's savings. We also have a number of options open to us to help us plan our travels, and choosing wisely can help save time and money.


1. Travel Agents. Many people have the misconception that using a travel agent entails paying a fee. Nonsense. In actuality, most travel agents receive commissions from the vendors (airlines, hotels, tour agencies); they are the ones paying the fee, not you. A travel agent has access to deals that often are not available anywhere else. He or she can help take the headache out of planning, allowing you to sit back and relax while the logistics are plotted out. Another bonus is that travel agents often include travel insurance in their packages, to ensure that you are getting what you paid for.


2. Internet. With the widespread use of the world wide web, travel prices have gone down considerably. Using travel sites like Orbitz, Expedia, and Travelocity, buyers can find lower rates than ever before for airfares, hotels, and package deals. The downside? Truly finding the best travel deals often requires a lot of time and patience as you compare rates with other sites and with direct booking. Another downfall is that you can't always find availability at these lower rates, but it is nice to plan right at home.


3. Guidebooks. Tried and true, travel guidebooks are a traveler's best friend. Seasoned travel writers research and compile guidebooks based on their own experiences, and who better to give advice than someone who's been there, done that? Depending on your preferred level of luxury, you are sure to find a guidebook to meet your needs. Best of all, travel guidebooks are often available at your local library-for free!


4. Booking Direct. Sometimes travel companies will offer special deals to customers who book directly. This is especially true with tour and cruise companies who advertise travel deals to repeat customers. You can often find rates as low as half-price (or lower) if you book at the last minute. If you have the flexibility and the determination, this may be the way to go.


In any case, travel opens up our eyes to worlds our forefathers never could have dreamed of visiting. Whether you travel around the globe or just a city away, a little careful planning and an open mind can allow for an experience of a lifetime. Happy travels!

How to Pick a Travel Agency


"How To Pick A Travel Agency"


www.SouthBeachUncovered.com


The trip of a lifetime can take a lifetime to plan unless you know how to pick a travel agency.
A common misconception is that travel agencies add to the cost of your trip. In truth, finding and using a good travel agency to plan your trip usually saves you time, money, and frustration. So how do you pick a travel agency?


Ask around!


The best way to find a good travel agency is through word of mouth. Ask your family and friends who they've used and then ask them about their trip. How did they travel? Where did they stay? Was their trip enjoyable? Getting a few referrals from friends helps you to know in ahead of time what to expect from a particular travel agent and helps you weed out the good from the not-so-good as well.


Are you a member?

Many clubs and organizations offer travel services for their members and many corporations have established relationships with travel agencies that their employees can use. "Members only" travel plans frequently offer the best values.

Compare

Shop a couple of experienced firms. Travel agencies come and go like any other businesses. The ones that stay in business add experience and know-how to each trip they plan. Make your first inquiry with a travel agency a listening experience; judge how well the agent listens to you and how comfortable they make you feel.


A good travel agent will ask you to outline your trip. They'll ask where you're going and why, how you'd prefer to travel, how long you plan to stay, and what your travel budget is. Be open and honest with your answers. A good agent will readily put together a sample itinerary that describes availabilities in transportation, accommodations, and estimated costs.


If you feel like you're getting the "hard sell" or the travel agency tells you there's only package available, keep shopping. You can always go back if you find that they're right!


In addition to finding the best rates in lodgings and transportation, an experienced travel agent can also give you some helpful tips about your destination and here's the bonus- generally it costs nothing to use a travel agency! Because they can buy in volume, travel agencies get discounts on prices for both tickets and lodgings!


For travel made easy, use the services of a travel agency to make your outing a time to remember well!

Five Affordable World Travel Destinations


Locations


That Offer More But Cost Less


So


you want to travel the world but you have a tight budget?


Are you tired of reading about everyone else's exotic adventures and


ready to have some of your own? Have


you always wanted to take an international vacation but thought you couldn't


afford it? There are numerous


travel destinations across the world that are both exciting and affordable.


Five of them are described here to give you ideas and get you started


planning your own getaway.




There


are two ways to approach affordable vacations to distant destinations.


Either you will save money getting there or the savings will occur once


you arrive at your selected spot. If


you want the trip there to be affordable, many travel consolidators recommend


choosing well-known destinations that are served by numerous airlines and


receive millions of travelers each year. The


competition for customers usually drives costs down for everything from lodging


to tour packages. Airfares between


major hubs tend to be more affordable and there are often plenty of discounts


and last minute travel deals.




London


In


Europe, London is a top pick for affordable vacation destinations, for these


exact reasons. Not only do you have


more flights to choose from, they are cheaper than if you flew to a more remote


location. On average, staying in


London may be a bit more expensive than other European destinations, but the


seemingly endless choices in hotels, restaurants, transportation, tours, and


other travel essentials gives travels opportunities to mold their vacation to


fit their budgets. And you can use


London as your home base to set out on day trips to other more exotic locations


or buy a Eurorail pass and see those more remote countries without the expense


of flying there.










Playa


del Carmen, Mexico




This


theory also works well for traveling in the Caribbean.


Belize is an appealing destination, with wonderful Caribbean beaches and


a lush tropic setting, but since it has only recently emerged as a popular


travel destination, it is more expensive than Cancun, Jamaica or other


well-traveled locations along the Mayan Riviera.


With fewer flights, getting there is more expensive, and there are few


moderate lodging options. Development


of larger luxury resorts have begun to boom, but the only real alternative for


those on a budget is staying in local facilities that may be hard to locate from


home and may be more rustic than most travelers are willing to try.










Although


there are many options for affordable vacations in the Caribbean, an excellent


pick is Playa del Carmen, Mexico. Accessible


via flights to Cancun, which are often some of the cheapest in the region, Playa


is just a half hour away. It is


filled with a multitude of lodging choices, from expansive luxury resorts on the


ocean to quaint but clean hotels downtown.


From Playa, travelers can branch out and visit Tulum and other locations


on the Mayan Riviera or take the ferry across to the island of Cozumel where


snorkeling is prime and the attractions are many.










For


Asian destinations, travelers often do better to focus on saving money once they


get to their destination. Depending


on your country of origin, getting to just about any spot in Asia is going to be


a sizable chunk of your travel budget. The


difference will come from the cost of lodging, food, entertainment and other


travel expenditures once you arrive. By


choosing destinations where you get the most for your money, you can save a


great deal on your international vacation.


A drink or dinner in Tokyo will cost you many times more than what it


would in Saigon. The key here is to


go where your dollars buy you more and where the local cost of living is low.










Tioman


Island






An


affordable yet exotic choice for Asia is Malaysia and specifically Tioman


Island, knows as the mythical 'Bali Hai' from the film 'South Pacific.'


Tioman Island is located at the southern end of the east coast of


Malaysia on the South China Sea. Its sandy beaches, bordered by lush jungles and


stunning mountains make it a relaxing yet intriguing destination, ideal for sun


lovers, snorkelers and divers. The


island also has many villages for exploring and shopping.


English is widely spoken and the


rates are amazingly affordable, with a two night lodging package for a suite at


a lovely oceanside resort averaging around 100 U.S. dollars.


Typically visitors reach the island via the speed ferry from the


mainland. Although the trip can


take over two hours, it is enjoyable and provides opportunities for dolphin


watching along the way.














Buenos


Aires






South


America also has many destinations that are affordable because of the savings


once you arrive. Locales like Rio


de Janeiro in Brazil, the areas top destination, are coming down in price but


are still more expensive than cities such as Buenos Aires in Argentina, where


the rates are lower and the U.S. dollar goes further.














A


huge metropolis that is more European than South American, the city has much to


offer including cultural events, thriving nightlife, shopping, local sports, and


a host of tours and excursions. La


Boca, with its street performers, shops, and unique architecture is a big


tourist draw. The large number of


choices for lodging, restaurants, and activities provides opportunities for


budget travel and savings. Airfare to the city is relatively reasonable for an


international destination, with discount fares from the U.S. averaging around


$500 round trip. Buenos Aires might


not be one of the most exotic or inspiring destinations in South America, but it


is a city that everyone should see at least once, and with some of the most


affordable rates and fares around, it makes the list as a top South American


destination.














Las


Vegas






The


list would not be complete without a North American destination, and the champ


of all affordable locales is Las Vegas. It


too is a city that should be seen at least once, and many world travelers return


again and again for the gaming, art, shows and people watching that just can't


be found anywhere else. Close


enough to other top U.S. attractions like the Grand Canyon, Vegas provides other


options for those who have had their fill of casinos.














The


city has long been known for its cheap vacation packages with hotels and resorts


that offer discount rates for rooms, meals and entertainment in hopes of


attracting people to their gaming tables. Airfare


rates into Vegas are some of the most reasonable in the United States, no matter


the origination destination. And


with more than 100,000 hotel rooms to choose from, there is sure to be a lodging


choice that fits your budget.














The


world provides hundreds of affordable travel destinations. With all the options available, there is no excuse to put off that


life-long desire to travel to exotic places at the far ends of the earth. Destinations can be researched on the Internet or your


travel


consolidator can make


recommendations and help with locating cheap


international airfare and


lodging rates that fit your budget. So


what are you waiting for? Get out


there and explore the world.

Travel accessories

No matter what anyone says you can't travel without some kind of accessory. Whether it be suitcases, suit bags, brief cases or money pouches you will always carry some kind of travel accessory with you.






The travel accessories say a lot about the life and personality of the person carrying them. Depending on the style and color of their travel accessories, and indeed what particular accessories they are carrying, you can gain insight into what country they are from, whether they are happy, outgoing and energetic or rather old fashioned, whether they are well off financially or have little money to spare and a myriad of other details.


The buying team at Mori Luggage and Gifts recently returned from the Travel Goods Show in Washington, D.C. - the largest exhibition of travel accessories and leather goods in the world. For three days, buyers walked the aisles seeking the hot new trends in luggage, briefcases and travel accessories.






President of Mori Luggage and Gifts, John Mori, said the Travel Goods Show was an excellent opportunity to network with other businesses who also manufacture travel accessories.


"The Travel Goods Show allows us to meet with all of the leading manufacturers in our industry," he said.


"With the improving economy and travel increasing, we were pleased to discover lots of new, innovative travel products for 2004. Our customers expect us to always have the newest items that make travelling easier."






Mr Mori said manufacturers of travel accessories such as luggage, briefcases and leather goods were responding to consumer demand for bright colors - especially when it comes to women's business cases. While black will always be popular, fashion-conscious businesswomen can now pick a different color briefcase for each season. The Lodis Audrey Capri Brief has been tipped as a hot seller for spring and summer. Available in salmon and periwinkle, this beautiful brief is constructed of fine-grade Italian leather and features a streamlined exterior, organizer pockets for cell phone and business cards, and a removable shoulder strap.






The Zuca MobileLockerTM is a super-durable, lightweight rolling case. It was designed by a mom who couldn't stand to see her 4th grade daughter lugging 50 pounds of books each day and developing back pain so early in life. The main compartment holds books and important gear and can be used for school, picnics, or airline travel. The top is so strong you can use it as a seat and the magneto LED wheels actually light up as it rolls. It's an excellent travel accessory that is suitable for a wide range of uses.






One of the most interesting developments in luggage and travel accessories is the 22" Transformable Upright from Briggs & Riley. Either use it as a one-piece rolling carry-on or transform it into two separate bags: a deluxe duffle with optional backpack straps and a wheeled carry-on upright. Once the duffle is zipped off, a face panel zips onto the wheeled upright creating a new carry-on. Each bag can hold 2-3 days worth of clothes.






So just what's new in the travel accessories industry? Ever wondered if the airline pillow covers and blankets are as clean as you'd expect? After all, its one of the most commonly provided travel accessories you'll come across! According to a new company called pb travel, recent studies have suggested that many are not changed or cleaned often enough. That's why they have introduced the pb blanket and pb disposable pillow covers. The pb blanket is a warm polar fleece blanket that is machine washable and dries in just 10 minutes.






If you've ever flown overseas, you've probably heard of deep vein thrombosis and other circulatory problems that can occur during long flights. Compression Socks by Elastic Therapy use a graduated compression system to improve blood flow and relieve leg swelling and discomfort. They are definitely a must-have on your travel accessories list. They are also great for walking or anytime you plan to spend a lot of time on your feet.






Brushing your teeth while travelling or at work just got easier with the Travelon Toothbrush. Actually, it's a toothbrush and toothpaste all in one making it another one of those fantastic and ingenious travel accessories. Simply twist the handle and refreshing mint toothpaste comes up through the high quality






Ever seen a sophisticated man who carries his stack of dollar bills in a rubber band? We found a way for him to do this in style with the Grand Band from Budd Leather. Each Grand Band features a durable, colorful band with two replacement bands and a stainless steel plate that can be engraved. This is a useful and essential travel accessory for the stylish and professional traveller.

Online Travel Bargain



Are holiday bargains for true or have catches hidden?


REMEMBER YOUR LAST CONVERSATION WITH THAT family relative who couldn't talk enough of how much they saved on their last holiday package deal? Or that colleague bragging about his $59 round- trip flight to Las Vegas and his stay in a 5-star hotel at $89 a night? Have you found yourself staring wistfully (and suspiciously) at a $399 package deal for two for Hawaii?


Just because your email seems flooded at times with seemingly impossibly priced travel offers, and you find Internet search engines are flooded with 1000's of sites selling internet travel besides big hotel brands and branded distribution sites don't discount them all.

Who can you count on?
Just four or five years ago, when you looked for travel discounts you could choose between a travel agent, the airline offices and the hotels themselves, and maybe, if you were lucky, some travel guru down the street. Today, there's a massive range of things you can do online, and a lot of them can save significant amounts of money.
The reality is:

. Nine out of 10 online travelers now have some history of shopping for travel online, and nearly 15% of all Americans purchased travel online last year - that's five times the penetration rate of 1998. (PhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey). Nearly one-third of online travel buyers say the Internet was responsible for their travel purchases last year.


. In 1998, six million consumers bought travel online in the U.S. Jump ahead to 2002 when 30 million Americans purchased travel online in the last year. Half of them only buy their travel online. (PhoCusWright Consumer Travel Trends Survey)


. Online travel bookings exceeded $23 billion in 2001, and are expected to reach $63 billion by 2005.


. Internet bookings in the first three quarters of 2002 accounted for over 23% of rooms sold in New York, and over 15% in Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco. Anecdotally, for some properties, hotel managers are reporting Internet bookings ranging from 30% to 50% of all room nights in 2002. (Smith Travel Research and TravelClick)


What does this mean?


This means that online distribution channel is extremely successful in reaching buyers and buyers are finding it more confirmable to shop online. They are seeing a broader range of travel options and variety of products and packages. And its more likely that consumer wants to control that transaction through access to more competitive pricing. Pricing is becoming key factor to determine the sale.


Key factors: Why travelers prefer to book online


. Competitive Price


. Ability to compare product and Prices


. Ability to plan last minute


. Availability of Range of options


Online travel shoppers are not very loyal on where they shop-65 percent of online travelers do not view themselves as brand-loyal. As much as they love to shop online and spend their time researching what suits their needs, they are not loyal to the companies from which they buy.


The above scenario indicated that the travel suppliers have no choice but to participate in this online distribution channel. The suppliers are realizing that the traditional channels like GDS (Global Distribution System)/travel agent and call center/reservation office is somewhat inefficient and expensive, especially when the economy is weak. Ignoring online distribution channel and concentrating only on traditional distribution channels will result in lower occupancy, and higher distribution and operational costs for travel suppliers. As online channels become more popular among suppliers their participation is increasing.


How Pricing and Distribution Become Key


9/11 caused a dramatic shift in how consumers booked their travel. The instability caused a large drop in demand for airlines, hotels and car rentals leading to ever-lower prices. This low demand factor forced travel suppliers to introduce unprecedented discounts. Travel suppliers struggled to sell seats, rooms, car rentals to a significantly shrunk leisure and business travel market. Every air seat, room and auto not booked cost their companies money. Better to sell dirt cheap than not to sell at all. But how to get the word out?


Smart, proactive suppliers adopted the Wal-Mart business model-sell low and distribute inexpensively and efficiently. But how?


The Internet allowed them to reach consumers, sell inventory outstrip their less progressive competition. Those suppliers who had no clear Internet strategy or understanding of how the Web and online distribution works suffered.

Discount hotel sites attract millions of buyers with their special rates leading to stratospheric sales through these channels. They thrive on hoteliers selling their distressed inventory at a fraction of their normal rates. Occupancy is the lowest its been in years, hoteliers continue to work with leading online retailers to move inventory at lower price.


The $6.3 billion in online hotel sales (2002) with are split roughly evenly between discount agency sites and hotel Web sites. PhoCusWright projects that around 75% of discount agency hotel site sales are via the merchant model, where the agency typically takes a 20-30% "margin" on the hotel net rate (instead of the usual 10% commission). This approach has helped profits at Expedia and Hotels.com, who have roughly 60% of online discount agency hotel sales. Travelocity and Orbitz are instituting the same successful approach. Other notable players thriving in this arena are Hotwire.com, http://www.hotels-and-discounts.com , Lodging.com and Travelweb.com.


What is the Future?


Online travel growth will continue to grow in 2003-2005, but it will slow down year by year compared to the record gains see so far. However millions of travelers haven't yet made their first purchase so the market is not near saturation. Technological improvements will soon make it possible to more easily dynamically package vacation deals including air, hotel and car leading to even lower prices but higher average sales. So growth is projected to come from customers buying more, higher-ticketed products online.


The growth of the online distribution channel will prove beneficial to the end user when the suppler finds it easier and more cost-effective to distribute their inventory there than over the traditional distribution channels. As technology becomes mature in the online distribution sector, it will become more effective and user friendly for the Buyers and thus will attract more Suppliers. Due to its low cost of distribution and emerging ability to package and cross sell inventory, prices will be attractive for years to come, until this channel eventually becomes a commodity.

Travel Insurance Bargains for Brits


If you're traveling in the UK, or a UK citizen traveling elsewhere, you have many options including full year travel insurance. While the occasional traveler such as a vacationer may not find full year travel insurance preferable to the one-trip options, business travelers or other frequent travelers may opt for full year travel insurance as the best time saving and money saving choice.


UK travel insurance options, in addition to full year UK travel insurance coverage, are numerous: one-trip or multiple-trip plans, extended stay, business travel plans, several designed especially for family travel, and even one that's focused on the needs of backpacking travelers.


With just about every plan lost luggage coverage can be included or deleted a la carte, since travelers may find that this protection is included in their homeowners' policy. Full year UK travel insurance, as well as one or multiple trip options, also includes medical coverage while participating in most sports, although you sometimes must choose this option for the coverage.

Instant quotes are available online. On one informative UK site your instant quote is given individually for your choice of single trip, annual (also known as multiple trip) or backpacker.


Let's take a look at the full year UK travel insurance quote.


For this quote you are asked to register and then choose destinations. The destination choices for this full year UK travel insurance plan are for travel specific to the UK, travel within all of Europe, travel worldwide with the exception of the United States and the Caribbean, word travel that includes the U.S. and the Caribbean, or travel in Australia and/or New Zealand. We indicated that we are a couple - 45 and 43 years of age - with no children under 19 accompanying us, that we are traveling throughout all of Europe starting September 1st of 2005, and that we are going to participate in winter sports.


The quotes, converted from British pounds to U.S. dollars, ranged between $92 and $255, depending on the extent of coverage. At the low end of the full year UK travel insurance coverage we found lower ceilings on medical coverage. These quotes also excluded lost baggage coverage and some sports coverage. An accident during a round of golf, for example, was not included in this quote.


The highest premium full year UK travel insurance product, offered an amazingly high ceiling on medical coverage - over $17 million -included compensation for any loss of limbs, dental coverage, mountain search and rescue and repatriation for medical emergency.


Clearly, if you seek full year UK travel insurance, you'll find many options and something that will fit your wallet.