Author: News Team

When Vince Hunter switched on his iPhone, the last thing he expected to see was his house being broken into. The Dallas resident was vacationing with family and friends in Connecticut, planning on enjoying the weekend and catching up with good company. Instead, he was forced to sit through a real time broadcast of his own home being burgled, damaged, and violated. The reason for Hunter’s surprising broadcast is a unique security system. By pairing a new iPhone application – iCam – with his home security system, Vince was able to record the thieves in action as they broke into…

The European Consumer Centre reports that the air travel industry is the most complaint-ready. The centre is one of Europe’s most visible and respected consumer groups, providing data for regulatory bodies and commerce commissions within the EU. More than any other sector, it was air travel that attracted complaints in record numbers throughout the last twelve months. Leading the complaint surge is Europe’s collection of low-cost airlines. With add-on fees for items such as hand luggage and massive cancellation charges, some of Europe’s ‘cheapest’ airlines ranked the worst with consumers in categories including customer service and cost transparency. Deceptive fares…

British travel firm On Holiday Group (OHG) plans to bypass Google’s expensive advertising plans through a new social media promotion scheme. The company will offer commissions to Facebook and Twitter users in exchange for action-driven purchases – whenever a user’s contact purchases a flight, hotel room, or holiday package through a coded link, they’ll be given a £25 commission. It’s one of the travel industry’s first consumer-driven affiliate schemes, and it has the potential to forever change the way similar companies operate. The vast majority of travel agencies offer their services using Google’s proprietary Adwords advertising network – a two-part…

There certainly hasn’t been a shortage of news coverage for the Obamas’ first major vacation. As the family relaxes in Martha’s Vineyard – a high-profile resort and recreational area in Massachusetts – some of the state’s biggest tourism-based companies are hoping that the visit is a public one. Struck down by the economic crisis and reeling from slow recovery, the state’s tourism industry is hurting. It’s a problem that is surprisingly common throughout the United States. While the country is fairly well known for its vacation-domestically manifesto, tourism earnings appear to be down throughout the entire country. While there are…

Relations between the People’s Republic of China and Taiwan have typically been tense. The large communist country – the world’s largest by population – has generally grouped Taiwan inside of its own borders, claiming that the country’s territory belongs to China and its government is operating within the country illegally. Taiwan, on the other hand, has kept its independence from the PRC. Surprisingly, a new policy supporting individual travel to the island nation has emerged, granting residents of mainland China the opportunity to travel to Taiwan alone. While the Chinese national government is not supportive of Taiwan’s efforts to remain…

According to a survey by retail group Fly Buys, almost half of all New Zealand residents plan to travel overseas in the next six months. The survey was carried out with participation from travel industry groups within the country, including New Zealand’s Tourism Industry Association and a variety of independent travel operators. The data is far from surprising, given the country’s relative isolation and relatively high rate of emigration. Nearby Australia topped the list of proposed destinations for New Zealand families, with almost half of those polled showing an interest in visiting the country. Travellers have also voiced plans to…

American car rental firm Enterprise Rent-A-Car will soon have some new additions to its primary fleet. The large car rental company has ordered five-hundred Nissan Leaf electric vehicles, aiming to improve its carbon footprint and contribute to a green commerce record. The company is one of the largest rental firms in the United States, and the first of its kind to offer electric rental cars. Environmental groups have praised the company’s decision, claiming that it is likely to reduce the firm’s carbon emissions and encourage other rental car operators to update their fleet. The change isn’t permanent yet – merely…

Few travel destinations match Bali in variety. The Indonesian island plays home to backpackers and multi-millionaires, with a vast array of different accommodation and leisure options. A shining light in Asia’s tropical travel selection, the acclaimed ‘Island of the Gods’ offers more than meets the eye, with an extensive selection of cultural attractions rounding out its immense water sports offerings. There’s no shortage of information on Bali’s lower end – the ultra-cheap bungalows situated on its southern shores and tourism centres. What we’re more interested in is the island’s luxury side – the beachfront villas and private residences. The island’s…

Online hotel comparison websites were once considered the pinnacle of value, but a new method for sourcing low-cost hotel deals appears to have emerged. Nowadays, before tech-savvy travellers turn to Agoda or Priceline, they search on Twitter for their preferred cities and hotel chains. It’s the latest development in social media marketing, and it could become a revolutionary change for hoteliers. Twitter has changed a number of business models since its introduction in 2007. The micro-message service has millions of users and a dedicated business community, with chief executives and experts in finance posting their thoughts and findings daily. While…

California’s largest city is a slight enigma, housing an iconic film industry yet lacking a independent  identity, particularly in its central suburbs. While Los Angeles remains one of the nation’s top tourist draws, its lack of cult attractions is one of several factors holding it back from becoming a must-see international city. That is, of course, a lack of cult attractions within the city itself. Walk through Los Angeles’ suburban areas and you’ll constantly be confronted with reminders of its history – large ‘gold rush’ styled villas and equally expansive boulevards. The city comprises part of the nation’s largest economy…