Cambodia Protects Khmer Rouge Tourist Sites

The Cambodian Cabinet voted to preserve 14 tourist sites that are connected to the Khmer Rouge regime. Khmer Rouge, led by Pol Pot, was a totalitarian organization that ruled Cambodia from 1975-1979. The 14 sites that are being protected from illegal encroachment by locals will provide travelers with an opportunity to learn about the 1.5 million Cambodians who were murdered and tortured during that period. The targets of the regime were often city-dwellers who were educated or considered to be part of the intellectual elite.
Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum, Cambodia © Gennaro Salamone

Although beautiful Angkor Wat (see photos) is rightfully the most popular tourist destination for travelers headed to Cambodia, sites connected to the Khmer Rouge genocide are also important to visit. While The Killing Fields and Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum are already developed for tourism, newly developed stops in towns such as Anlong Veng (final resting place of Pol Pot) are welcomed additions.

 

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United Passes Fees To Agents

United Airlines has decided to pass on credit-card fees to travel agents when customers book their trips with said agents. The airline threated a $75 per ticket penalty to agents who charge the fee to United’s account. Increasing the cost of operations for agents has caused a ground swell of opposition. Agents claim that customers will eventually bear the burden of the shift if other airlines follow United’s lead. Earlier in the year, United Airlines made headlines by deciding to charge larger passengers for two seats instead of one.
United Airlines © Matt Hisnta

It’s not a surprise that airlines are beginning to shift fees to travel agents. The industry is struggling with the downturn in the economy. In this case, agents are most likely correct in predicting that fees would eventually be passed on to consumers. It has become a pattern in the airline industry to use fees to keep airline tickets low in search engines, but keep the same profits coming in.

Is the shift in fees from airlines to agents and travelers a smart policy?

 

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Bus Travel Takes Off

Bus travel in the United States has increased (8.1% in 2007 and 9.8% in 2008) over the past couple of years. A nation that prides itself on traveling by automobile is starting to see ultra cheap bus tickets that are too attractive to pass up. In many cases, travelers are finding that it’s even more convenient than air travel. That’s especially true in the Northeast corridor with the popular route from New York to Boston that is served by Chinatown buses.
Chinatown Bus © Naomi A.

Americans love their cars, but concerns over gas prices and the environment are likely to keep them open to alternatives. If buses prices continue to drop, inter-city bus travel will persevere in the coming years. That scenario is likely with the success of budget companies such as MegaBus and BoltBus. Throw in President Obama’s recent proposal for a high-speed rail, and the nation may be moving in a new direction.

Have you traveled by bus in the U.S.? Which route? How was it?

 

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National Parks Get $750 Million

National Parks in the United States received $750 million from the economic stimulus in order to address much needed repairs and construction. The package will help to pay for over 750 projects across the country. A few of the repairs include work at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Ellis Island in New York, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, and multiple stop across the Appalachian Trail. A full list of the projects by state can be found at the Department of the Interior website.
Castle Geyser, Yellowstone National Park © Dominiqs

The National Park Service projects will address much needed maintenance across the nation. Though $750 million is a sizable amount with the current economic crisis, the preservation efforts will create 30,000 to 40,000 new jobs. If the United States wants to be serious about conservation, their parks must be kept in satisfactory condition. It’s no coincidence that the announcement of the funds landed on Earth Day. It’s meant to send a signal that the Obama Administration is committed to being green. Expect more projects that are funded by the federal government in the coming years.

 

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United To Charge Large Fliers Double

United Airlines has decided to charge overweight passengers for two seats under certain conditions. The additonal fare would be required if the customers “are unable to fit into a single seat in the ticketed cabin; are unable to properly buckle the seatbelt using a single seatbelt extender; and/or are unable to put the seat’s armrests down when seated.” United isn’t the first airline to introduce this policy as Southwest Airlines, Alaska Air Group, and Continental have similar policies. Several of the airlines, including United, are willing to forgo the charge if there are empty seats on the flight.
United Airlines © Steven Damron

Airlines have been on the defensive recently including RyanAir who is thinking about charging for toilet use and Spirit Airlines which was in a battle with their employees over a new apron policy. With consumer frustrations with airline policies, United is likely to take a few hits for their new guidelines. In their defense, United claims that this will policy will “help ensure that everyone’s travel experiences [is] comfortable and pleasant.”

Is United justified in charging certain passengers double the fare based on their size?

 

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Travel Alerts Hurt Mexico

Mexico has been hit hard by the recent U.S. State Department travel alerts that were widely covered by the media. Fear of violence in connection with the war on drug traffickers is at the center of the problem. Spring-breakers who often travel to the country have avoided Mexico, in part, because of that issue. Cancun, Puerto Vallarta, and Rosarito Beach are among the popular spots that have seen a significant drop in travelers from last year. Fewer tourists means trouble for an economy that depends on travelers for much of its economic growth.
Mexican Beach © Mdnys

With Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano recently saying that American tourists are not targets of the violence and should be safe in the tourist areas of Mexico, it’s a wonder why the media coverage was so extreme. There are certainly areas of Mexico that require caution for visitors, but few travelers venture into those places. It’s a matter of being informed before traveling. It’s a good idea to read the U.S. State Department’s document targeted at keeping spring-breakers safe. Consider reading a few blogs that cover travel in Mexico too, including Travelojos, for another view on the situation there.

Would a safety alert change your travel plans? if given the opportunity, would you visit Mexico this week.

Read about the U.S. Senate’s bill that would lift the travel ban to Cuba or the beautiful islands of Belize.

 

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More Women Traveling Solo

Over the past two years, women have surpassed men in the statistics measuring the total number of travelers. A nearly even breakdown in 2007 has changed to a 60 to 40 percent advantage in favor of female tourists. A significant portion of that 60 percent has chosen to travel solo. Even married women are increasingly traveling alone or with girlfriends.
Berlin, Germany © SuperBez

The increase in women travelers is a fascinating trend. Even more so when coupled with the prospect of scores of female tourists wandering solo across the globe. In fact, an article in The Boston Globe was recently encouraging women to go at it alone claiming that locals would be eager to reach out to them. That being said, the main concern for women traveling solo continues to be safety. It’s important that solo travelers, especially women, take all necessary precautions to ensure a safe trip. The U.S. Department of State has a comprehensive list to help tourists.

Have you traveled solo? Would you consider it? Any tips?

Read about free rides home for women on Saturday nights.

 

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End To Cuba Travel Restrictions?

Recently, the Obama Administration made it easier for Cuban Americans to travel to their ancestral homeland. The measure allows for annual visits to see their relatives on the island. No limits have been placed on the length of the trip. Qualified travelers are only restricted by a $179 per diem. Lifting the requirements for Cuba Americans has all Americans wondering whether or not all restrictions will be ended in the coming years.
Cuba © Zedzap

Last year, 50,000 Americans traveled to Cuba after being approved for educational, religious, or family-based trips. Countless others traveled to Cuba through Mexico or Canada. With a change in the political climate, it’s likely that open travel will be broached within the next few years. Much of the current opposition stems from a selection of Cuba-American politicians from South Florida who feel that allowing American tourist dollars into Cuba strengthens the Castro regime. Others argue that the influx of travelers will help to bring democracy and capitalism to the island. Either way, it’s time for all parties to meet and come to a resolution over the issue. The Cuban Missile Crisis was 47 years ago. Communism fell almost two decades ago.

Should the U.S. government end travel restrictions to Cuba? Is it better to wait until the Castro regime is out of power?

Read about the first Western tourists to visit Iraq.

 

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First Western Tourists Visit Iraq

Iraq has spent the last 6 years in the mist of a bloody war. With the surge slowing down violence, the door has opened for very limited ‘adventure’ travel in the country. The first Western tour group, since the fall of Saddam Hussein, has recently returned from a visit to Iraq. The three-week trip was organized by a British adventure tourism outfit that brought along 5 Britons, 2 Americans, and a Canadian for the trip. Needless to say, travel insurance was not available for the eight travelers.
Iraq (Kurdish North) © James Dale 10

It is difficult to conceive the lure of visiting a war-torn nation as a “tourist.” It would be a compelling destination for travel journalists or photographers looking to document the events, but seems an unusual choice for others. Of course, the tour group who visited Iraq had individuals with an inclination toward dangerous travel. Most of them also visited Afghanistan recently.

Would you visit Iraq or another war-torn country? Should tourists be allowed to visit the most dangerous countries in the world?

Read about a possible end to Cuba travel restrictions or about two nonprofit websites that help people from around the world.

 

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Virgin Launches Space Tourism

Over the past few years, Virgin Galactic has been working on the world’s first spaceline. Led by billionaire maverick Richard Branson and tech developer Burt Rutan, Virgin has announced that tickets will be sold for $200,000 per passenger. The first planned space tourism from Virgin is expected to be launched in 2012. According to the company, most individuals (who can pay the hefty price tag) will have the ability to take the flight without exhaustive or time consuming pre-flight training. It’s expected that only three days of pre-flight preparation will be required.
Richard Branson, Virgin Galactic © Sygyzy

It’s not surprising that this development comes from Richard Branson. An innovator and adventurer, Branson is always living on the edge. Though it will be a select group who can afford the trip, it’s fascinating to see the innovation that was necessary to complete this project. It will also be interesting to see how this development is addressed by groups who support green initiatives.

If cost wasn’t an issue, would you be interested in going on their first trip into space?

Feeling adventurous? Read about scuba diving in an affordable paradise.

 

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