Austrian National Tourist Office (ANTO) in collaboration with the national carrier, Austrian Airlines kicked-off a three city road show for the travel trade in Mumbai yesterday. The road show in Delhi is being held today and the one in Chennai will be held tomorrow. “These road shows are mainly aimed to educate travel agents and tour operators on how to sell the several unexplored places of tourist interest in Austria,” said Christine Mukharji, Director, ANTO.

According to her, the primary aim of the road shows is to offer a platform for the Austrian and India Indian travel trade to interact and explore business opportunities. A host of B2B conferences, training workshops and sales missions will also be held in these cities. Besides these cities, ANTO has plans to host sales missions in Pune, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Kolkota as well. “At present, travel to Austria is limited to leisure tourism. But, we are now looking to promote Austria as a year-round tourist destination in India, with special focus on the honeymoon, leisure and MICE segments,” informed Mukharji.

There has been a consistent increase in the number of Indian visitors to Austria, Mukharji maintained, pointing out that the number increased to 53,000 in 2006 compared to 22,000 in 2000. “Over the last five years, the number of Indian visitors has increased substantially. Earlier, most Indians visited Austria during the summer vacations in April-May, but now they are visiting Austria during the winters too, particularly the honeymooners and the group travellers,” Mukharji added. Earlier this year, ANTO had launched the Austria Tourism Specialist Programme for travel agents in India, which witnessed the participation of 90 travel agents. It is planning to conduct online Austrian Tourism Specialist Programmes for travel agents in mid-2008.

Governor Sonny Perdue introduced the 2008 State Travel Guide, featuring a cover shot of the St. Simons Island lighthouse, during a special ceremony Jan. 29 during Tourism Day at the state Capitol, which celebrates the tourism industry’s contributions to Georgia.  “Our state travel guide is an essential part of our tourism marketing efforts,” said Governor Sonny Perdue. “We are thrilled to highlight one of Georgia’s most prized historic assets on the cover of the 2008 state Travel Guide.

We hope visitors will pick up the travel guide and see all there is to do in Georgia.”“The Travel Guide serves as our main fulfillment piece, and encourages travelers and Georgians to explore our state,” said Charlie Gatlin, Deputy Commissioner for Tourism and Marketing, GDEcD.  850,000 copies of the state travel guide will be printed in 2008. This represents an increase of 100,000 copies over 2007.  The travel guide also is distributed at Georgia’s 11 Visitor Information Centers located on major arteries throughout the state, at the 42 regional Welcome Centers, and at consumer and industry trade shows in the U.S.  An abbreviated version of the guide is produced in five foreign languages: UK English, German, Spanish, Korean and Chinese.

Foreign-language versions of the guide also are being developed in Japanese and Portuguese. The international guides are distributed through the state’s foreign offices, group tour operators and at international trade shows. The domestic version of the guide includes 216 pages, and is divided into sections, each representing one of nine tourism marketing regions in the state. Each section includes a map and introductory feature as well as comprehensive listings of the region’s attractions, visitor resources and lodging.

The guide also includes feature articles that promote various aspects of the visitor experience: Southern Goodness: Key foods in Georgia’s culture; The Show Must Go On: Georgia renovates and saves its theaters; Fun on the Water: Activities on and near the water abound across the state; One of a Kind: the products of craftsmen are abundant in Georgia and Fruits of Labor: Georgia’s luscious produce offers great eating and entertainment.

Many people are going on holiday without taking out adequate travel insurance, according to a study by Nationwide. One in three (35%) of those questioned do not always take out travel insurance when they go on holiday, so would not be fully covered in the event of any cancellation, medical emergency or theft of personal belongings.

When asked what precautions are taken for keeping valuables, such as currency and passports, safe while on holiday, many admitted to not always using a safety deposit box, instead preferring to store them: On their person (36%) In a suitcase (12%) In a drawer (9%) On the bedside table (2%) Over half (54%) of those questioned holiday more than once a year, yet only 30% of holidaymakers opt for annual travel insurance, preferring to take out single trip policies each time they go away. Nationwide’s insurance director, Robin Bailey, said: “It is astounding that people are prepared to take such a gamble when travelling abroad. You never know what’s around the corner and for that reason it is vital that you have adequate travel insurance in place.

Let’s start on the sunny side of the street. Traveling is a boundless pleasure, a wonderful privilege, a blessing, a boon – and don’t let anything that you’re about to read convince you otherwise. Because you have to keep loving the open road, searching for the thrill of the new and the joy of adventure, otherwise you’ve let them get to you.

They being the sharks, the cheats and the rip-off merchants who want to make wonga from your wanderlust by the most devious means possible; the innumerable slimy, scummy little spivs whose holiday scams and fiddles, stunts and diddles could dishearten the most dedicated traveler, making them timidly give up and stay home. But are you going to let these ratbags spoil your holiday? Hell, no. You’re going to be prepared, informed and able to spot their scams a mile off. Here are some of the most common swindles out there today, at home and abroad – don’t let them get you down.

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The Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia had a global traveling experience Saturday without even leaving the area. On Saturday, the Georgia Mountains Center was decked out in a travel theme setting for World Thinking Day, which gives Girl Scouts the opportunity to learn about international cultures. Mary Hurst, membership marketing director, said Thinking Day “makes the world seem a lot smaller” to the girls. Out of the 25 counties under the jurisdiction of the Girl Scouts of Northeast Georgia, 17 were picked to represent a country of their choosing. Girl Scout participants were allowed to change booths during the event in order to learn more about each country and not just the one they had picked to study.

Countries were divided into three categories — European, North and South American, and African and Asian — and each was represented at a booth with information about its culture. For example, the China booth had displays of traditional Chinese decorations, samples of Jasmine tea, a game of Chinese hopscotch and a display of Chinese customs. Surrounding the booths were areas called “in-flight entertainment.” The entertainment was provided by presenters including Chaudron Gille, director of the Center for Teaching, Learning and Leadership at Gainesville State College, and University of Georgia professors Arvin Scott and Sarah W. Workman.

The presenters donated their time to provide slide shows and artifacts from many countries, including Fiji and Thailand. Scott, who teaches African, Caribbean and Brazilian hand drumming, performed throughout the day. He also invited 40 Girl Scouts to play an instrument on stage with him. The girls played with drums, shakers and bells while Scott led them with a steady beat and a song.

World Travel Awards (WTA) has announced that Eurostar, the high-speed passenger train service that links the UK and mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel, has signed a major sponsorship deal for WTA’s 15th Anniversary Grand Tour. The commitment includes sponsorship of the 2008 Asia Awards as well as the North America Awards, with the view to develop a long-term business relationship. Having operated to and from Waterloo station, London, for 13 years, Eurostar launched services from its new central London station, the magnificently restored St Pancras International, on 14 November 2007, and now offers even faster and greener rail travel as well as shorter travel times between the UK, France and Belgium.

The organization has been at the leading edge of innovation in the travel industry and prides itself on being the world’s first train operator to offer carbon neutral journeys, at no extra cost to travellers. “Eurostar is a pioneering enterprise,” commented WTA’s Executive Vice President Manon Han. “Partnering with a big name like Eurostar allows us the use of qualitative synergies of two thriving brands that both prioritize excellence in the travel industry.

This sponsorship pact is a milestone and gives us the possibility to further strengthen our position as one of the most reputable awards schemes in the tourism trade.” Michael Davies, Eurostar’s Head of International Sales, said: “As time becomes more precious, it is essential when people travel – whether it be for business or for leisure – that the whole experience is as seamless and as enjoyable as possible.

We need to encourage organizations involved in the travel industry to set the bar as high as possible, to deliver excellent customer service, attractive and competitive pricing and of course, quality. The World Travel Awards are at the heart of this impetus and we are delighted to have become a key sponsor. The partnership with the World Travel Awards will be a central part of our strategy of becoming a globally recognized brand.”

Whether travels to London, China, Australia, or beyond are on the 2008 travel schedule, Verizon Wireless customers can now add a touch of style to their world travel with their favorite globe-trotting wireless companion: the BlackBerry(R) 8830 World Edition Smartphone in red. This sophisticated smartphone offers Verizon Wireless customers a powerful global wireless experience in a stylish red finish.

Perfect for the fashionable world-traveling professional, the BlackBerry 8830 World Edition in red and Verizon Wireless’ Global BlackBerry service allow customers to access e-mail and place and receive domestic and international calls in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, North America, and parts of Africa. The BlackBerry 8830 World Edition in red features a large high-resolution color display and intuitive trackball navigation to help Verizon Wireless customers easily view e-mails, attachments, videos, and Web sites, and a back-lit QWERTY keyboard that makes it easy to send e-mail responses or instant messages with Mobile IM.

Tourist arrivals in Kenya will probably slump more than 90 percent in the first quarter due to postelection violence, the Kenya Tourism Board said. The number of visitors to the East African nation is likely to decline to 27,000 in the three months through March, compared with a previous forecast of 314,995, the tourism board said Wednesday. Kenya, East Africa’s biggest economy, had 2 million visitors in 2007, mostly from Europe and the U.S. The tourism industry is crucial to the economy, generating 11 percent of the country’s foreign exchange and employing many in rural areas. In Kenya, more than 1,000 people have died and 300,000 have been forced to flee their homes in violence following the Dec. 27 election. President Mwai Kibaki was re-elected, but, Raila Odinga, the opposition leader, and some observers say the vote was rigged.

Washington tourist Lois Proctor returned in late January from a vacation in Kenya. The Kenmore resident debated whether to go, given the violence, but was confident in the tour leader who had arranged the 15-day safari to Kenya’s game-rich parks and reserves.” We visited six different places, all far from the ‘hot spots.’ Of the six beautiful lodges where we stayed, we were the only guests in three of them, and had only a few fellow travelers at the other three,” Proctor said via e-mail.” It was so sad to have these lovely places practically empty, putting owners at financial risk and those who worked there either making partial wages or laid off … ” Proctor said she was glad she went and encouraged others to visit Kenya, provided they’re confident in their travel company.

NYC & Company, New York City’s official marketing and tourism organization, today officially opened its office in Canada-the City’s second-largest international market. To celebrate the opening, the organization will hold trade meetings and events with key tourism partners in Toronto and Montreal. The opening comes in the midst of a continued favorable exchange rate for Canadian visitors and as New York City continues to offer savings citywide with NYC Open: Book 2008, NYC Sunday Stays and Third Night promotions as well as a new Air Canada New York Weekender Pass.” Canada is already our second-largest international market and shows signs of continued growth through 2008,” said NYC & Company CEO George Fertitta.

“There’s no better time to visit New York City-the favorable exchange rate combined with our promotions such as NYC Open: Book 2008, Third Night and NYC Sunday Stays as well as Air Canada’s New York Weekender Air Pass provide visitors with even greater value during their trip. It’s now easier than ever for Canadians to visit and enjoy our world-class shopping dining, entertainment and cultural attractions.” NYC Open: Book 2008 provides more than 250 special offers at hotels, restaurants, shops, cultural and entertainment venues and other service providers citywide.

Third Night offers visitors a complimentary reservation for a third night at 10 participating hotels following the purchase of two consecutive hotel nights. Both NYC Open: Book 2008 and Third Night are available through February 29, 2008. NYC Sunday Stays, an ongoing promotion, offers discounts and other promotions for guests who spend a Sunday night at one of more than 40 participating hotels. In conjunction with the opening, Air Canada has launched the New York Weekender Pass. This Flight Pass promotion, available for purchase today through May 31, 2008, offers travelers four or eight one-way flight credits for travel on Saturdays and Mondays between Montreal, Ottawa or Toronto and New York City’s LaGuardia or Newark Airports over a 12-month period.

For complete details or to purchase a Flight Pass.” Air Canada is very pleased to partner with NYC & Company. New York is one of the most exciting destinations in the world and Air Canada is the leading carrier flying between Canada and the City, with 604 flights a week to the New York region. People have more reason than ever to travel here, and our New York Weekender Pass is going to make it more convenient and affordable than ever for Canadians from Toronto, Ottawa and Montreal to visit,” said Charles McKee, Vice President, Marketing, Air Canada.