Archive for November, 2007
The cruise holiday boom continues
Nov 30th
The Passenger Shipping Association (PSA) is predicting an 11% growth in cruise holidays in 2007. This is a higher growth than previously predicted by the PSA.
Overall 1.35 million people will take a holiday by the sea in 2007. The PSA estimated earlier this year that in 2008 there will be 1.55 million people taking a cruise holiday.
The cruise holiday industry has boomed in recent years. Cruise lines are looking for new destinations and catering for very specific needs to attract more and more people on board.
Bill Gibbons, director of the PSA says: “The cruise industry has been growing impressively for years and the predictions for 2007 show that this growth is continuing. There is truly a cruise for everyone.”
Lost baggage plagues twice as many passengers
Nov 30th
The number of lost baggage during flights has almost doubled since last year according to research by the largest UK travel direct insurance company Insure and Go. The company‚s figures show that the one in 10 adult passengers have lost a baggage in the last two years. It also showed that one third do not trust baggage handlers.
There have been several studies and investigation lately to baggage handling, all showing an emerging problem for passengers.
The Association of European Airlines‚ figures show that one million bags from BA flights alone have gotten lost during 2007. There is also a growing problem of theft at British airports by baggage handlers, according to a BBC investigation.
Insure and Go managing director Perry Wilson says: “We began to notice a problem last year. Claims for lost luggage had gone up some 85 per cent year on year. We realised there was a major problem with the airlines and the baggage handlers.
Vancouver 2010 Olympic mascots revealed
Nov 30th
The Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympics Winter Games (VANOC) have revealed the mascots for the Olympic Games.
Quatchi, Miga and Sumi are three creatures greeting and entertaining people coming to the games. The design team have put much thought into the mascots, wanting to make sure they appeal to children all around the world, represent the people, geography and spirit of Canada and the British Columbia.
The VANOC describes the mascots:
Quatchi is big, gentle and shy; Miga is small, mischievous and outgoing; and Sumi is a natural born leader with a passion for protecting the environment. The mascots are mythical creatures from local legends.