What’s the future of the tourism industry in the next five years?

While many in the tourism industry are asking that question most are already seeing and adapting to the inevitable changes.

Those in the know seem to feel that although there will be a decrease in the overall numbers of people traveling it won’t be as awful as you might assume. The trend so far seems to be that vacationers will still travel, but their tourism plans will be closer to home with traveling long distances being curtailed.

What this means is that vacationing families will plan their trips to be closer to home than in the past and they will combine some of their travel with visiting family at holidays or with business.

Other changes in the tourism industry will be that those traveling will stay longer at each destination in order to keep expenses as low as possible. Additionally it seems to follow those lines that there will be more use of recreational vehicles by those owning them instead of hotel or motel stays and possibly more people taking camping type vacations.

With the use of either recreational vehicles or camping; food and lodging costs could be kept more closely within a family’s normal budget.

Some of the ways that the industry will be able to combat the changes will be by offering discounts to travelers to encourage longer stays, group discounts, better meal prices by encouraging family style dining and those types of changes.

Already as a means to cut expenses many hotels and motels are requesting that consumers not have their bedding and towels changed daily, but instead using these items for two or three days in order to keep laundry costs down as well as labor costs for housekeeping staff. It’s less time consuming to pick up a room and make the beds than it is to strip the linens and remake the beds thereby cutting costs.

For those wishing to travel longer distances especially by air there will be more need to plan ahead in order to take advantage of lower costs, but as the tourism industry changes there will be more reward for those that do plan ahead.

Another way a consumer may look at travel and tourism is to look for all inclusive packages for travel, lodging and food similar to how cruise lines package their cruises.

Getting a gift for a traveler must be of a certain size and weight since the person would need as much space as possible to fit in with all of their luggage and peripherals. There are many top electronics that fit this criteria that can be bought for the traveler to make his travel time a lot easier.

Instead of lugging around a regular laptop you can buy a netbook which is much smaller and lighter than a regular laptop but just slightly less powerful and makes a great splurge gift and are very easy to use on a cramped airplane. The prices for netbooks have come down recently and can cost anywhere from $200 up to $1000.

Another great splurge gift is an ebook reader. One of the best on the market is the Amazon Kindle which is great for the traveler who likes to read but does not want to be bogged down with books, magazines and newspapers which are all available on this device. The Kindle currently cost $259 and can be delivered straight to your traveler from Amazon.

For the traveler who likes the outdoors a great gift is a GPS device. These come in several different styles according to what it is used for. For someone hiking or camping a garmin rugged outdoor handheld GPS device would be great since these come preloaded with maps for their locations and are not affected by rain or a fall.

For a traveler visiting a new city a small magellan device would be better suited since they are small and unobtrusive. GPS devices have a very large price point and can range in price from as low as $49.99 toa high of $2000, so make sure to get the one that makes the most sense for your traveler.

Most travelers would welcome a distraction to help pass the time when in transit, which explains why mp3 players are so popular among travelers. They are small, extremely lightweight and most are very simple to use.

This makes a great electronics splurge gift because it fits all of the criteria needed for traveling and also has a high entertainment and use value also. Most mp3 players are now capable of storing thousands of songs and some even play video.

A biofuel airline is a concept that may become reality when hurdles and problems can be resolved. Several airlines have successfully tried biofuel journeys including Virgin Atlantic Air, Japan Airlines and Continental Airlines. With the cost of jet fuel continually fluctuating and a key operating expense, airlines are seeking alternatives to costly energy.

Although the first test flights were successful, there are some stumbling blocks requiring removal to make biofuels a successful alternative. One fuel source evaluated was jatropha, a plant considered toxic. The seeds make an efficient jet fuel.

An eco-friendly plant source must be sustainable. What sustainable plants means is this plant must not interfere with other plants necessary for food, and cannot become the cause of further deforestation.

Jatropha can grow in marginal lands with minimal water. This plant would be a temptation to other food and plant industries in places such as Southeast Asia where farmers could see the ease and value of growing such crops.

They may take the short-sighted approach and forego food crops for cash crops resulting in food shortages for the area. Effective control of the raising of this poisonous plant must be carefully studied and restrictions on growth maintained by governments.

Any biofuel requires cost effectiveness, another obstacle to this fledgling industry. Even Jatropha requires refining and currently the cost to refine one gallon of fuel is higher than current jet fuel prices. Although airlines wish to be more eco friendly, the high fuel costs will negatively affect airline profitability. Until refineries can make fuels that are cost effective, airlines will continue using conventional jet fuel.

Biofuel availability is another impediment for use by airline industries. Fuel needs to be readily available to airlines and biofuels have not established consistent sources to provide the necessary volume required. Airplane modifications will be required so an established biofuel is necessary.

Airlines may be many years away from use of biofuels as investors seek cost effective and sustaining plant sources for fuel sources. Eco-friendly must be eco-sound and biofuel sources can create more eco-damage. As most areas for biofuel plant growth are in Third World countries, a delicate balance will require monitoring. Without monitors, fuel crop overproduction can occur adversely affecting food crops and vital plant life.

There are many places that I want to visit but there are really five that I consider to be my “must visit” spots. This is my travel bucket list.

First, is the Amalfi Coast of Italy. I have read about and seen movies featuring the Amalfi Coast for years and it is tops on my list.

Positano looks to be the most romantic and scenic spot in the world. Movies like, Only You starring Robert Downey Jr and Marissa Tomei and also Under the Tuscan Sun starring Diane Lane, show highlights of the Amalfi Coast.

It is breathtaking! These towns are built into the cliffs along the sea. Positano is known for the great seaside resort of Le Sirenuse. It is a 5 star delight.

Second on my list is Rome, Italy. I love history and the sights and history of Rome have enchanted me for years. I want to stop at the Trevi Fountain and throw in some coins for luck, I want to go shopping along Via Veneto and the Spanish Steps, and I want to wander through the Colleseum. i cannot deny that I truly want to savor the wonderful italian cuisine too! Loving food as I do it is no wonder Italy has my two top travel spots on my bucket list.

Third on my list is Fiji. I love that it is so remote and so tropical. I have read about resorts where they have cabins built right over the ocean. It is truly a private oasis. I am not sure how I would do without television but I am sure I can manage it. It is a way to reconnect with nature.

My fourth travel spot would be Maui in Hawaii. I have been to Honolulu one time but that was many years ago with my parents. Waikiki is very touristy with lots of souvenir shops and restaurants. I would like to get away from it all and relax on a tropical beach in Maui.

Fifth on my travel bucket list would be Paris, France. I want to see the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Disney. I have been to Disneyworld and Disneyland and have always wanted to see Euro Disney before I die. The whole Disney experience is a wonder and to see it through the eyes of children is an experience that is not to be missed.

Any time something happens in the world the first place affected is the travel industry. Travel and entertainment are usually the first things to be cut in times of a financial crisis. People need a roof over their heads and food on the table but going out to dinner and a movie and family vacations are the first to go.

During a financial crisis, like the one the world is in right now, families have to tighten their belts and make their money go further. Many people are unemployed or have had to take paycuts at work and have to stretch their budget so that their essentials are covered.

This leaves little left for the fun things in life. In the past people would plan and look forward to taking one or two vacations each year. Now they have scaled back and if they are still going on vacation they are looking at vacation spots that they can drive to. This eliminates the cost of airfare as well as renting a car.

People start doing more research to try to get the best travel deal they can get. If they are still planning to fly then they are looking at the cheapest options available and sometimes this may mean taking connections or traveling at off peak times.

Tourist areas are hit hard and hotels and resorts are forced to fiercely compete for your travel dollar. They are cutting their rates to try to entice you to stay at their property and stay in business. Unfortunately, when people stop traveling many hospitality companies take a hard hit and end up going bankrupt and closing their doors.

Business travelers have had to change their travel habits too. Many companies are tightening their belts and the first place they look is their travel and expense budget. They begin enforce travel restrictions saying that they have to stay in designated hotels only.

Companies also put restrictions on flying. If the location is within 200 miles many are having to drive it instead of taking a plane and renting a car. For international travel many companies that used to allow business class travel are now cutting back so that the traveler must fly home in coach class or world traveler plus ( an upgraded coach seat).

Hopefully, the economy will turn itself back around quickly so that people are able to travel like they used to. This would ease the crunch on the travel industry too helping companies get back on their feet.

While golf may not come under the traditional category of ‘extreme sports’, there are an increasing number of resorts springing up that cater for the thrill-seeking adrenaline junkie.

One of the best places to start is the land down under, and Australia’s World’s Longest Golf Course certainly takes extreme to new levels. Saying exactly what it does on the tin, this resort boasts the world’s longest course, stretching the 1,365 km from Kalgoorie in Western Australia to Ceduna in the South, meaning you will need to leave plenty of time to complete your round. Known as Nullabor Links, the course sports a single hole in each town along its sprawling route, set against the backdrop of the rugged, typically Australian outback highway.

Head over to South Africa and the formidable Crocodile Golf resort is definitely not one for the faint-hearted. Known for its desert-style design, players are faced with a challenging approach to the 13^th green – a water hazard like no other – housing a fearsome 38 live crocodiles! Try it if you dare.

If man-eating reptiles don’t appeal, then why not opt for the more rewarding $1million par three, Legend Golf and Safari Resort, another of South Africa’s finest. Not only is each hole uniquely designed by a professional golfer, but the extreme 19^th Hole, if made in one, rewards the successful player with a staggering $1million. The bonus hole’s tee is perched, however, on the mammoth Hanglip Mountain, 30m away from the green – challenging to say the least. Reachable only by helicopter, it boasts a vertical drop of 430m.

Dubai’s Sand Golf Country Club, meanwhile, presents golfers with two entirely grass-free courses, known as browns. Made from compacted sand which is frequently brushed to remain true, players will also have to contend with various water hazards and bunkers around the A1 Awir and Creek courses. The resort was also home to the Emirate’s first golf course.

Finally, for the most extreme golfing daredevils, Hawaii’s Volcano Golf & Country Club sits bravely on the rim of the Kilauea volcano, the catch being this – it is still active. One of the oldest golf courses in Hawaii, the resort is situated on the brink of Hawaii Volcano Park, lying in the shadow of the Mauna Loa volcano which, from the sea floor, towers at twice the height of Mount Everest. Rumour has it that the heat emanating from the volcano’s core will make your ball fly that bit further.

Further reading

Travel guide Australia

Picture references:

1 – http://www.metro.co.uk/travel/article.html?The_hole_world_in_your_hands&in_article_id=537393

Hiking Tips

First things first, you need a good quality well fitting hiking boot, it is a must for safety and comfort. Also break in your new boots around the house, not on the trail. Wear 2 pairs of socks. Do not wear cotton socks because they absorb perspiration and will stay damp. Always carry blister protection, when you go hiking.

Always carry food and water. Bring chocolate, dried fruit, nuts, bagels or high energy foods. Eat in small amounts and eat often. Carry more food and water than you think you’ll need, especially in extremes of climate when your body is expending more calories to maintain its body temperature.

Carry more water than you think you’ll need. On a very hot day water can vanish quickly and becoming dehydrated is very dangerous. And don’t forget your sunscreen, which can protect you from skin cancer.

Always tell someone where you are going, the trails you are hiking, when you will return and your emergency plans. In an emergency even if you are headed out for just an hour, an injury, severe weather or a wrong turn could become life threatening.

Biking Tips

Always wear a helmet and any other appropriate safety equipment for the riding conditions.

Ride in control, it not only helps prevent accidents, it also keeps other bikers on the trail safe. When you ride out of control, you lose the ability to adjust to the terrain and environment as you ride through it.

Walk sections of the trail you don’t feel confident enough to ride, better safe than sorry. Just because you can see tire tracks, doesn’t mean you can ride it with your bike.

Always keep your speed at a level that will allow you to adjust to any unforeseen obstacles or changes in trail conditions. Never push the limits on a trail you are not familiar with. You need to get to know the trail you are riding at slower speeds before you can ride it like the trails you’re used to.

I have seen some great health tips and health advice at healthreviewtalk.com, a health site dedicated to discussing diets, healthy food, and many more heal talks.

Comparison of Mongoose Mountain Bike with Rating

Here a list of the most reviewed Mongoose Mtb (dual suspension, 21 speed, black-comb, full suspension, etc…) to help You get multiple source of info to buy the best that fits Your needs.

Mongoose Tyax Comp Men’s Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

Rating 4 of 5

Product Features:

• Formed 6061 heat treated alloy frame
• SR Suntour XCM-MLO 100 mm travel with mechanical lock out
• Shimano Acera rear w/ EZ Fire trigger shifters 24 speed
• Promax V-Brakes
• Jalco AX430 double wall rim w/ Formula hubs

After some research, I found this bike to be the best deal for the money. Good shifts, rim breaks are not as good but yet the stopping power is not any worse then a specialized HardRock with Disk breaks (i.e.), the fork does not have much (if any) damping.

If $300 to $500 is your budget, then go for it. (I got mine for $330)

Mongoose Otero Super Mountain Bike

Rating 4 of 5

Heated treated 6000 Series aluminum frame gives you a lightweight and solid ride. Rock Shox Tora 289 U-Turn front suspension offers 55-130mm of smooth, long travel performance for your all-mountain rides. Air sprung, rear shock soaks up the rough stuff. Shimano/SRAM drive-train and SX5 trigger shifters provide flawless gear changes and performance every time.

Kenda Komodo tires use a non-directional tread design to shed mud without compromising speed. Tektro Auriga Comp hydraulic disc brakes provide low maintenance, all-weather stopping power in all conditions. Includes Montague CLIX front quick release.

The breaks really stand-out as super. The bike looks great. The gears change nicely the suspension does a good job. The gears available are well selected. Keep attention to the breaks, because when I spin the rear wheel, the breaks are providing a friction which make the wheel slow down.

Also, the front de-railer needs to be adjusted because when in the middle gear You could hear a noise when in combination with some of the rear gears.  It is a little wide at the handle bars but it’s a solid bike and takes a good beating.

Truly a great starter bike and worth upgrading as you go along.

Mongoose Maneuver Men’s Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike (26-Inch Wheels)

Rating 3 of 5

The Maneuver is equipped with a lightweight, responsive alloy dual- suspension frame that works to give you a smoother overall ride by absorbing harsh bumps. Riders will also dig the 21-speed Shimano shifters and SRAM drive train, which seamlessly switch gears on straightaways or hills. Other details include front and rear alloy linear pull brakes and levers for powerful and reliable braking and an alloy forged three-piece crank set.

Sure this bike probably can’t compare to the more expensive bikes you get at the local bike store…HOWEVER, if your main use for this bike is commute, or the only surfaces you bike are on paved bike paths, trails with no more than 1-foot drops, then this bike  will do the job to satisfaction. Once You’ll decide to go into the woods or mountains where

You’ll be taking 5-foot drops, I suggest You to get a $1000+ bike.

It is a bit heavy, but hardly noticeable when riding. It maneuvers very easily, and it goes through the gears very smoothly.

This bike feels very solid, and so far You wont have mechanical problems whatsoever (a friend of mine rides about 45 miles a week on the street and bumpy trails with no problems).

I guess the only problems (if you want to call them that) with this bike are the sounds it makes. The suspension makes a creaking sound, doesn’t bother me at all. Also, the breaks make a sound when I use them but I am sure I can fix that.

Use this bike to decide whether or not you really enjoy this sport, in the end you’ll be much happier!

So overall, this is a good bike, and I recommend it to anyone who is interested. I do not think you will be disappointed.

One piece of advice, just make sure the handlebars are on as tight as possible, they got  a little loose on my first ride because I didn’t tighten them down enough.

Mongoose Tech 4 26″ Men’s Full Suspension Mountain Bike

Rating 3 of 5

The Mongoose Tech 4 full-suspension men’s mountain bike brings you a high-performance, 4-Bar Link, 18-in suspension frame matched with Rock Shox Judy J1 fork for easily handling rough terrain. This bike has a front and rear V-brakes for dependable stopping power and a 24-speed SRAM 4.0 shifting system for responsive gear changes. It also comes equipped with a WTB Speed V saddle and 26-in wheels with Kenda Kharisma XC tires.

The gears did need a little tweaking but after that it’s been smooth sailing. The Shimano derailleurs are nice, the dual suspension is  terrific (my first bike with any suspension). With probably a few upgrades to components this could be a hardcore bike. For this price it definately competes with $1000 bikes.

Mongoose Pro Wing Elite Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

Rating 3 of 5

With a stealthy, pitch black paint scheme, 100 millimeters of plush front suspension, and an advanced four bar rear suspension system, the Mongoose Pro Wing Elite is ready to hit the trails right out of the box. Designed as a formidable and versatile trail bike, the Pro Wing Elite is designed to tackle a variety of varied terrain with ease–including single track, technical climbing, and simply cruising around the neighborhood.

The bike’s 3.5-inches of supple, yet efficient rear travel and optimal overall weight will allow it to descend with ease as well as climb like a nimble mountain goat. To ensure that those thrilling descents stop when you want them to, a Tektro mechanical disc brake system comes outfitted on the bike. The advanced braking system allows for easy one or two finger braking, and the system uses standard bicycle brake cables instead of hydraulic fluid, so there’s no need to worry about complicated brake maintenance. Other great features include a durable 24-speed Shimano drivetrain, beefy double wall alloy rims, and trail hungry 26 x 1.95-inch tires.

If you want a bike that will take a beating and not cost you a fortune than this is it. Make sure you get the right size frame though. This bike will handle most anything you throw at it, the tires have great traction, the brakes handle well and don’t lock too easily, and shifting gears is as smooth as butter. I haven’t had a problem with the bike at all other than there were a few scratches in the paint when it got to me(but most people are going to put a few more anyways if you ride hard).

Have taken bike on paved roads, rough tracks, hard packed earth roads, and even through a shallow stream, and it rode smoothly all the time. Road up steep slopes and hills, and gearing was excellent to make such climbs easy. Raced it downhill and clocked speeds of 22mph and felt happy.

Bad things I experienced; Front tire was fitted in wrong rotation direction, and there’s no way to turn in round, because the brake disc must fit into the caliper on the right side.

Seat hurts a bit. Handle bars hurt my palm, and I can’t get the bars to come higher. Have read the manual repeatedly to achieve this to no luck.

credit: .craig

Not every bike fits for women’s anatomy, because the most kind of bikes are designed by men using the male anatomy as the yardstick to create a frame’s geometry for women.

The physical differences between men and women correspond to different bike sizes and features.

Women need a comfortable bike seat more than men: remember the pelvis of women is made to bring children! This means a careful choose of the right bike saddle.

The women’s average seat is that with wider rear sections, and shorter and well-padded noses. The reason is that they have wider and shallower pelvises that tend to tilt forward, putting weight on their pudenda.

A narrow bike seat will cause an extra pressure just where you don’t want it. If it’s too wide, you are much more likely to suffer from chafing and saddle sores.

To improve your comfort on the bike when you ride on dirt roads or trails, it is recommended the assembling of a shock-absorbing seatpost.

Chafing and sores are the most popular women’s bike problem. To avoid these and to improve the comfort it will useful wear specific women’s bike shorts.

Inside the average shorts should have a smooth soft liner that protects your delicate parts from friction. Furthermore, it should be made of synthetic materials.

On the tip is choosing the shock absorbing type, a padded bike shorts designed to absorb shock during your bike trails.

This is not the usual Christmas gift list about “Top 10 of…” or “The best presents for…”

It’s a list of presents ideas and suggestions for a traveller who likes the outdoor adventure activities….don’t forget the solar battery charger too

The best gift for a people who likes travels is sure a trip.

You can learn how to organize a trip for him here.

Here the big list of gift suggestions

Accessories

Carabiners

Carabiners are aluminum ovals with spring-loaded gates, used to clip two pieces of gear together or gear to a rope.

Here You can read a buyer’s guide to learn how to find them

Swiss Army knives

A Swiss Army knife (SAK), is a brand of multi-function pocket knife or multitool. Generally speaking, a Swiss Army knife has a blade as well as various tools, such as screwdrivers and can openers.

You can buy different types of swiss knifes here. For tech lovers it’s also possible to buy the “Swissbit”. A knife with an USB pen integrated.

Flashlights

A flashlight torch is a hand-held portable electric spotlight. Here you can search and compare for Flashlights offers

Handheld water purifier

Water purifier is an useful tool that uses the UV radiation as an effective viricide and bactericide. Disinfection using UV radiation is more commonly used in foreign countries or not verified water sources before drinking. Here more info to buy it

Telescoping walking stick or trekking poles

Trekking poles (also known as hiking poles, hiking sticks or walking poles) are a commonly used to help hiking. Unlike ski poles they are often made in two or three sections and can be extended and retracted as necessary for use.

Here an useful tutorial about how to choose trekkign poles

The Notebook portable flat-folding barbecue

It’s a lightweight and easy to carry accessory. It can be unfolded into an instant barbecue. You can buy it from Gadgetshop.com

The PacSafe TravelSafe 100

It is a very handy tool to safe passport or extra money while touring. The Travel Safe 100 is a compact, lightweight security pouch that allows you to lock up your valuables wherever there is a stationary item to attach it to, in or out of doors. You can read a detailed schedule here

Technology

SPOT Satellite Messenger

It’s a GPS device used for emergency. It sends alerts and broadcast the sender’s GPS coordinates. It can be used also as a tracking tool to let Your contacts know where you are and that you’re OK.

On Findmespot.com you can find more info on how it functions.

A portable UV monitor

It’s a great gadget that lets you know exactly how strong the sun’s rays. It tells you how much sun is getting to your skin and how much is too much. Useful in case of long walks during summer period or location under the sun (Mountains, Deserts, etc…) You can find more info here

A solar backpack

It’s a normal bag equipped with a handy solar panel which stores energy from the sun while you are hiking along. Very useful for long trips. It helps to generated energy that can be used to charge devices like cell phone, cameras, etc…More info here

Universal charger

Solio Hybrid1000 is an universal charger that link a solar panel with a battery. It can power an array of mobile devices, from MP3 players and cell phones to digital cameras and a GPS.

Here where to buy it

Books & co.

Amazon is the best website where search for books and related.

You can do a little search to find

• Personalized books (guides, magazines, travel, outdoors, etc…)
• Guidebooks and maps to places your travelers would like to visit

Photography

Instead of the usual digital cameras, why don’t you choose a webservice where You can create your own hard covered photo books with the pictures of your travels.

The services that do this are:

• My Publisher
• Shutterfly
• Kodak Gallery
• Apple’s iPhoto

Read more

• 2007 Holiday Gift Guide: Guide to Gift Guides
• The Ultimate Emergency Gadget
• Dee’s Geek-Friendly Holiday Gift Guide
• 3 Christmas Gift Ideas
• Gift idea help
• Holiday Gift Ideas Blog