Archive for the 'Travel Insider' Category

Vacation In Arizona

Safe To Vacation In Arizona

grand canyonIt works like this: Homepage of MSN.com today: Arizona says it's legal to bring guns into bars, which, by the very manner it's presented, is inflammatory, made to get us stirred up with outrageous indignation about guns and implanting an image in the readers brain of visiting Arizona and getting "called out" by a drunken cowboy at a bar.

080626robots_westworldThe guy with a Colt Peacemaker at his side, who then proceeds to gun you down out on main street because you looked askance at his girl – the one with no teeth. Just like that movie, Westworld, anyone but me remember the gunfighter droid that ran amok (Yul Brenner) in that movie? Heck, I can't possibly be the first one to come up with this comparison, am I?

It's so ridiculous and it would be funny if people didn't actually pay attention to what guys like Arthur Frommer said. Anyone who has visited our wonderful state can tell you that it's perfectly safe to vacation here. Read my lips: virtually no bar owners in Arizona want guns in their bars. It has nothing to do with the second amendment, it's strictly economics folks: if you bring a firearm into an Arizona bar, guess what? You can't drink alcohol. Now what bar owner is his right mind wants a customer that can't drink? If you don't believe me check out what EJ Montini says about it in his Arizona Republic article; Restaurant Gun Law Changes Nothing

This is the article that you are taken to if you click on the link on MSN.com's homepage: Guns To Be Allowed In Arizona Bars and after giving it a read you should feel the need (like I did) to tell: the rest of the story, Loose talk that Paul Harvey would have nipped in the bud, first time he heard a guy like Arthur Frommer telling people not to come here cause it aint safe. That's nothing short of an irresponsible statement by a man who still has a voice in the travel industry. Paul Harvey LOVED Arizona and would have come to our rescue during these outrageous times. He is about the only one who had the creds to do it and not sound self-serving about it. But alas, dear Paul has gone to that great announcers booth in the sky. We miss him here in Arizona!

This all started with the idiot that appeared in the crowd with an assault weapon across his shoulder when the new president came to Phoenix. I wonder what special interest group put him up to it? But before I get in hot water with the gun crowd let me just say first that I am a former member and supporter of the NRA, (Charlton Heston) was one of my favorite movie stars. I am an advocate of the second amendment to the United States Constitution & US Bill of Rights, that which outlines the rights of the individual to keep and bear arms without infringement by the federal government. My opinion doesn't mean squat but it should come as no surprise to anyone that the American Bar Association has noted "there is more disagreement and less understanding about this right than of any other current issue regarding the Constitution."

Grand Canyon, AZBoy! You can say that again. Just look at what I am saying about guns and ME, just a nobody with an opinion. Am I an advocate of guns, an enemy of those against gun control of any kind or just someone who wants the state of Arizona to regain their rightful place in the USA as the Grand Canyon State and the epicenter of tourism in the Southwest? You decide.

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Media And NRA In Feeding Frenzy Over Guns In Arizona Bars

Quentin TarantinoYep, the media and the NRA are lapping up the publicity and generating buzz among the unwashed about which Hollywood action producer is going to come here and start filming, Westworld II, The Sequel. All at the expense of lost tourism & convention dollars to my home state, Arizona. Sad, how a few ugly and misplaced opinions can impact the lives of the ones who can afford it least; the housekeepers, the spa attendants, the golf pro's, the wedding and meeting planners, the limo and taxi drivers, the bellmen, the travel agents, waiters, busboys, chefs, entertainers, bus drivers and the myriad of folks that depend on you coming to Arizona.

Go On A Vacation – Where?

Arizona, of course! it's just about as good as it gets for people needing a vacation. As a former travel professional, hotelier and golf packager I have brought thousands here from all over the world, in a career that spanned over 25 years in hospitality. I brought them to Scottsdale over the years to: play golf, have corporate meetings and retreats, bask in the mild-winter sunshine, hike it's unique landscape or enjoy the good life at one of Arizona's world-class resorts, hotels and spas. NEVER ONCE do I remember the safety of a visitor from out of state being in question that was attributable to our gun laws. (more…)

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How To Prepare For An Extended Trip Abroad

Eiffel Tower Paris, FranceHere is a link to a great travel resource ; a complete and comprehensive checklist that will help you plan and stay organized for an extended trip or vacation to anywhere, not just abroad. It was provided by our friends at eHow.com

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Mexico Vacations On Hold?

Marriott Resort Puerto Vallarta MexicoMexico is taking a big hit in tourism dollars lost to what some are referring to as the "perfect storm", a reference to what has been happening over the last year or so that has severely offset the revenues of Mexican hotels, resorts, travel businesses and Mexican auto insurance brokers. What used to be a favorite destination of many U.S. travelers has been reduced to a trickle, (there were only 447 searches for "Mexico vacations" on Google last month and that is a terrible number). 

Swine flu scares, border violence, a weak economy and now the new Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative requiring a passport to travel to Mexico from the US. are all converging in that "perfect storm" and are taking their toll. Only about 30% of Americans have a passport and the tank top crowd that has kept Mexico hopping are not prone to getting a passport.

So guess what, fellow travelers? Now is the perfect time to travel there, the deals are unbelievable. Get a passport and go! 

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Major Hotel Chains Going Green(er)

Westin Kierland Resort Scottsdale, AZAfter all these years of cheap energy and waste, big brand hotels are now jumping even higher to get on the green band wagon making it possible for anyone to afford saving our planet. No more linen changes daily, forget about leaving your room with the thermostat set at freezing while you are at Wally World all day. Go ahead, leave all the lights on when you go out, those energy efficient bulbs use a lot less electricity. Take that 30 minute shower, etc.

As a former hotelier I feel qualified to offer my opinion. My advice to hotels to go even more green? Simple, stop building them! Don't we have enough brands and types? Do we need more "boutique" hotels, "loft" hotels, "limited service" hotels, "extended stay" hotels, "resort" hotels, "full-service" hotels, "transient" hotels, "conference" hotels, "casino" hotels, ad nauseum. Everyone claims to be an expert in their "niche" market, but just how many niches does it take to change a traveler? Answer: When hotels start paying you to stay there!

But seriously, here in a nutshell here is what the big boys are doing to capture a bigger slice of "green" travelers:

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