Category: Sidebar

A recent AP/AOL Travel poll says that 79 percent of people surveyed, say the easing of restrictions on taking liquids and gels onto airplanes makes no difference in how they feel about the safety of air travel.

44 percent indicated that they believe security in not consistent at various airports, and 41 percent of Americans feel that it is consistent. While most Americans (64 percent) say the rules regarding liquids and gels are easy to understand, a significant minority, 32 percent, believes the rules on what can be carried aboard airplanes are confusing.

On a positive note for the travel industry, 43 percent of Americans feel that air travel today is very safe, which is somewhat higher than other polls taken since the 9/11 attacks, including one this summer that reported Americans’ satisfaction levels with air safety in the 30s.

We’ve bought you stories about space travellers, well, judging by recent events, not everyone, even if you have the twenty million dollars to buy your ticket gets accepted. Russian Federal Space Agency officials recently announced that Japanese entrepreneur Daisuke Enomoto, who was set to become the world's fourth space tourist, has been ruled unfit to travel into space. Mr Enomoto was due to board the Soyuz spacecraft set to be launched on Sept. 14 – seems like he failed his medial. But no worries, there are other wealthy people ready to step in at the last moment

British low-cost airline easyJet says that thirty percent of all flights in Spain are low cost and believe this figure is sure to rise. They have named Madrid as a base for domestic flights and a hub for southern Europe, putting pressure on Spain’s national carrier Iberia. EasyJet say they are already the second biggest international carrier to Spain behind Iberia, with 7.5 million passengers last year, and from mid-February 2007 they will operate domestic flights from Madrid's Barajas Airport. What does this mean for us? A wider choice of flights within Spain and hopefully lower prices all round as Iberia has to compete.

Space Adventures, the company that sent the first space tourists into orbit is offering future clients the chance to do a space walk. The optional excursion will cost $15m (£8m) on top of the $20m cost for the flight. So what do you get for this? Private space explorers will get a 1.5 hour accompanied extra-vehicular-activity (EVA) outside the International Space Station (ISS). The EVA would lengthen a stay on the ISS from 10 days to between 16 and 18 and would require additional training. Eric Anderson, president of and CEO of Space Adventures said, “those with enough money would get to “hang out” outside the space station with a trained cosmonaut as a guide”.

Cheapflights has been nominated for a prize at this year's prestigious British Travel Awards (BTA).

Along with Expedia, Lonely Planet, Trip Advisor and Yahoo! Travel, Cheapflights has been nominated in the Best Travel Information Online category.

Sponsored by travel industry big hitters such as Avis, Thomas Cook and Reed Travel Exhibitions, the awards reward the best in various categories that also include Favourite Airline, Best Low-Cost Airline, Favourite Cruise Line and Dream Destination.

The BTA organisers recognise that “holiday makers' purchasing patterns have changed drastically in recent years”, meaning that internet-based companies and no-frills airlines have come to the fore to “alter the landscape of the travel industry”.

Have international holidaymakers been put off by the recent global terror alerts? Apparently not. According to lastminute.com, late deals to the US were selling above average particularly trips to New York and business was brisk to the Mediterranean. Possible reasons cited by Lastminute’s travel director included passengers possibly feeling safer amid the tighter security measures at airports.

A minister in Nigeria in charge if the capital, Abuja, has banned “okada” motorbikes citing high accidents rates and being used as getaway vehicles in armed robberies across the city. At the last minute, an extra 150 buses were made available on Abuja's streets, but the public transport system is struggling to cope with the extra demand and fares have almost doubled. Prince Ngige, 26, who says he is the secretary of a branch of the okada drivers' union accuses the government of being insensitive and says, “In the next three or four days, the rate of crime will increase because you know that an idle mind is the devil's workshop.”

North Africa & Sahara Travel Day on Tuesday 21st November 2006 At the Exmouth Centre, 26 Exmouth Market, London EC1

Coffee will be served from 9.00am First film screening, 9-10.30 am Morning session: 10.30-12.30am Lunch hour 12.30-1.30pm: make your own arrangements amongst the cafes, bars and restaurants on Exmouth Market, though for those bringing their own sandwiches there will be a second film screening Second session: 1.30pm-3.30pm Tea, 3.30-4 pm Afternoon session: 4-6pm Drinks will be served from 6.30pm to launch re-publication of Red Moon & High Summer.

Speakers, writers, photographers and film-makers will be on hand to discuss various aspects of travel and life in North Africa.

Julian Richards will be showing his recent film, With the Nomads and at 6.30 pm there will be the launch party of Red Moon & High Summer with bookshop table, textiles and jewellery (of which at least 10% of price will be donated) to benefit Sophie Sarin’s venture to equip and support a nurse on a pirogue on the Niger river.

TICKETS for the event – which include an invitation to the evening launch party – are £15 per person, please make cheques payable to “North Africa & Sahara Travel” and post to North Africa & Sahara Travel Day, Third Floor, 61 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QL

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Take a look at The Globetrotters Currency Converter – get the exchange rates for 164 currencies The Globetrotters Currency Cheat Sheet – create and print a currency converter table for your next trip.

Need help? Want a travelling buddy or advice about a place or country – want to share something with us – why not visit our Mutual Aid section of the Website: Mutual Aid