© twicepix


So who starts a business during a recession? Especially when unemployment is through the roof? You have to ask yourself, "Is now the time to start a business?"

Entrepreneurs are chronic optimists. It's almost like they can't help it. And the truth is that there are a lot of opportunities out there at the moment.

Franchises, (cleaning franchise, fast food, other service industries) have a lot of potential in the current economic environment because they generally provide suppoert to new business people. The question is, do you want to have a new business in place whe the economy picks up, or do you want to start then. Any entrepreneur with business sense will tell you that they want to already have their business in place when the economy starts to grow.

It's something to consider.

In lieu of the recent 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile, The US State Department advised all Americans to avoid travel to Chile — whether for business and tourist purposes.

American citizens who are currently in Chile were asked to contact family and friends in the United States, whether by telephone, Internet or cell-phone text messaging.

Those without access to a telephone or the Internet were encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Read the rest of the travel advisory here.

Travel Booking Online, Travelocity The Flyaway Weblog

Travelocity has gone all out in their bid to improve Customer service and satisfaction. They are focusing on customer needs to convert customers and enhance relationship loyalty to move them to do more online booking with Travelocity. A Customer Bill of Rights has been created as a promise "to customers that we're on your side---a promise that when you book with Travelocity, 'you'll never roam alone' before, during, or after [...] Read More


Online HOTEL Booking The Flyaway Weblog

I will be off to LA in a few weeks and I intend to extend my stay to visit some friends and relatives. And as I was browsing the net for a great hotel deal, I stumbled upon a great site! Now, now, this may not be new to some of you but hey, it was new to me. And maybe, some of you aren't even aware of this great [...] Read More


Book a JetBlue Flight on Online Travel Agencies The Flyaway Weblog

photo JetBlue customers are no longer limited to booking their tickets through the company's website. The budget carrier recently announced that they have begun selling tickets through online travel agencies such as orbitz, Travelocity, Priceline and Expedia. Air and customized packages can be booked through Orbitz. Travelocity are offering JetBlue flight-bookings, vacation packages will soon be offered. Published fares and seat inventory are to be offered in Priceline.com. Expedia was also tapped [...] Read More


JetBlue To Sell Tickets on Online Travel Agencies The Aviation Weblog

JetBlue, one of America's newest airlines, finally will begin selling tickets on Travelocity, orbitz, and Priceline.com. The low cost carrier, which touts leathers seats and in-seat entertainment, previously sold its tickets only on its own website, but rising fuel costs caused JetBlue to rethink their business strategy. Tickets are now available for purchase on all three websites. Orbitz said JetBlue fares will be available for air-only retail bookings and customized [...] Read More


Travel Video Site Travelistic Launches The Digital TV Weblog

when I was a kid, I recall how much fun it was to watch home movies of Aunt Mildred's vacation looking for lawn elves collections When 65 employees can create $1.65 Billion worth of value that Google wants to buy, is it any wonder that everyone asks 'how can I do that?' Wait a minute, how about mixing summer vacations, travel, video, social-networking, tagging, and user profiles!!! Talk about being Web 2.0 [...] Read More

Here's a list that no hotel wants to be in: 2010 Dirtiest Hotels (USA).

The said list is based on TripAdvisor's traveler reviews.

From The NY Times:

The "dirtiest hotels" lists, which TripAdvisor has heavily promoted for several years, always generate robust publicity. This year's lists singled out the 10 "dirtiest" hotels in each of six regions - the United States, Asia, Canada, France, Italy and Britain.

Here goes the 2010 Dirtiest Hotels in the United States:

• 1. Heritage Marina Hotel, San Francisco, California


• 2. Days Inn Eureka/Six Flags, Eureka, Missouri


• 3. Tropicana Resort Hotel, Virginia Beach, Virginia


• 4. Super 8 Virginia Beach/At the Ocean, Virginia Beach, Virginia


• 5. Quality Inn, Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania


• 6. New York Inn, New York City, New York


• 7. Parisian Hotel & Suites, Miami Beach, Florida


• 8. Capistrano Seaside Inn, Capistrano Beach, California


• 9. Desert Lodge, Palm Springs, California


• 10. Continental Oceanfront Hotel South Beach, Miami Beach, Florida

Have you been in any of these hotels?

© Jingles the Pirate


George Hobica at Frommer's pointed out recently that there are ways to get your baggage to your travel destination without giving it to your airline. And if the airline is going to charge you a fee, you should shop around...

Now that the airlines have raised their fees for checked bags yet again, it's time to take another look at the alternative: shipping your bags, or better yet (if you're staying in one place once you arrive) just the contents of your bag ahead of your arrival using economical ground shipping services.

Hobica says that both FedEx and UPS provide better security and tracking. They may cost a little more to use - but not much more...