The big news in travel in the past week was the announcement of initiatives to improve travel and tourism in the US. The industry accounted for 7.5 million jobs in 2010 and 2.7% of GDP.  Among the measures announced were the easing of restrictions for regular travelers who pass a background check, resulting in lower waiting times at airports, an increase in the number of countries from which visitors can enter without a visa and quicker processing for visitors from countries like China and Brazil. There will also be an interagency task force to develop a National Travel and Tourism Strategy. See the video below for more info:

Response from the industry has been largely positive, as a snapshot from Travel Market Report reveals. In particular, many felt that the industry was at last being respected as a major force in the US economy.

Sustainable Travel Finalists

The World Travel and Tourism Council (WTTC) has announced the finalists in the 2012 Tourism for Tomorrow Awards, which recognize sustainable travel initiatives industry wide.  There are four categories: destination stewardship, global tourism business, conservation and community benefit. The finalists are

Destination Stewardship

• Destination Røros, Norway

• Misool Eco Resort, Indonesia

• Tanabe City, Japan

Global Tourism Business

• Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts, Singapore

• REI Adventures, USA
• Wilderness, South Africa

Conservation

• Cheli & Peacock, Kenya

• Inkaterra Peru, Peru

• NamibRand Safaris: Wolwedans Collection, Namibia

Community Benefit

• Saunders Hotel Group, USA

• Soria Moria Boutique Hotel, Cambodia

• The Thailand Community Tourism Based Institute, Thailand

The next stage of the 3-stage judging process includes on-site visits to the finalists. The winners will be recognized at WTTC’s global summit in Tokyo, Japan, to be held from 16-19 April.

No More Hidden Travel Fees

In other news, new protections for air passengers are about to come into force. These mean that when you book and pay for a ticket, that’s the price you should pay. Airlines will have to include fees and taxes in the price they are advertising (only the mandatory ones), and to disclose the costs of the optional extras. Once a flight is purchased, the price stays the same. (Full story on NewsNet5.)

Want discount airport parking ? Find out about our airport parking coupon here.

Off Airport Parking Research

First up, the results of some new research into airport parking, published on the UK’s Travel Daily UK blog. UK firm Looking4Parking has published research showing that 66% of those using airport parking firms save an hour on their journey. And a third of the 1,000 people polled also thought that a meet and greet service saved up to 2 hours.  Convenience and cost were among the factors that led people to book with off airport parking firms. Find out more about the airport parking research here.

Looking Ahead to Terminal 4 – JFK Airport

In the New York Times last week, there was a sneak peek at changes happening at JFK’s new terminal 4, due for completion next year. According to the article by Christine Haughney, the structure is beginning to take place. The new terminal will automate baggage screening and speed up security. When completed passenger transfers between domestic and international flights are also expected to work more smoothly. Read more on the JFK expansion here.

Airline Administration Fees

It’s not just here in the US that we have a problem with ever increasing air travel fees. Saturday’s post on the Travel Rants blog saw Darren Cronian talking about administration fees on EasyJet, one of the UK’s low cost airlines. The cause of contention is a new GBP9 (approximately $13.50 at today’s exchange rates) applied to all debit card payments. This fee is more than 9 times the maximum fee charged by banks for debit card transactions. With new European legislation coming in to improve transparency for travelers, Cronian asks:

why is it that every time the government or European Union announces a new legislation, the airlines find somewhere around it, which ultimately costs the consumer money?

Why, indeed?

Radiation Tests for TSA Employees

We’ve been wondering about the effects of airport scanners for quite a while and the Transport Security Administration (TSA) has generally played down health concerns. However, according to an article in the LA Times, the TSA is planning to test its employees and check their radiation exposure. No tests yet for the scanners themselves or the passengers though.

Save on Airport Parking

Finally, to end today’s roundup, a piece of company news – our latest airport parking discount coupon. If you’re thinking of making airport parking reservations at (MDW) Chicago Midway Airport, (IND) Indianapolis Airport, (ALB) Albany Airport, (ORD) Chicago O’Hare Airport, (JFK) John F. Kennedy Airport or any of our more than 150 airport parking locations nationwide, you won’t want to miss this offer. Just book 2 days or more by January 31, 2012 using the promo code Happy12 and SAVE 10%*.  This offer is valid for travel for the entire year.

From time to time I do a travel news roundup. This week, it’s an airport edition, including some news on airport parking. First up is the news that US Airways has opposed the planned expansion of Philadelphia International Airport, which will include a runway running alongside the Delaware. According to the airline the expansion will not address the key issues of delay reduction and traffic congestion, nor will it attract the international nonstop air service desired by many of those in the business and hospitality industry.

The airlines (other opponents of the scheme include Southwest Airlines, Delta and UPS) and the city differ widely in their estimates of the value and the cost of the scheme. The city says it will cost $6.4bn and bring up to 100,000 jobs; the airlines put the tab at closer to $10.5bn and say the jobs figures have no base in reality. Another key issue is the timing of the construction of the new runway. The city wants to push ahead with it, while the airlines would like to tie their financial commitment to benchmarks including economic improvement or resolving airspace issues.

The two sides remain at loggerheads. Read the full story here and check out our Philadelphia airport parking rates.

New JetBlue Routes and Watertown Expansion

In other news, JetBlue has started a nonstop daily service to San Juan, Puerto Rico from Bradley International Airport, MA. An additional service to West Palm Beach will also start this week. Meanwhile, the expansion of Watertown International Airport’s terminal is nearly complete, with a new passenger waiting area, upgraded baggage claim and plans to install an on-site car rental franchise.

SmartPark Gets iPhone App

Finally, if you’re planning to park at our SmartPark JFK airport parking location, your job is even easier with the facility’s airport parking reservation iPhone app. You can even get parking rewards with the app, so download it today.

History of MSP Airport

Officially, the airport isn’t part of a city, but provides access to several, including Minneapolis, St. Paul, Bloomington, Eagan, Mendota Heights and Richfield. Dating back to the early 20th century, the airport stands on the site of a former Speedway racetrack and was originally called Speedway Field.

Terminals

The airport has two terminals, one named after Charles Lindbergh, a Minnesotan, and the second, the Humphrey Terminal, after vice-president Hubert Humphrey. The Charles Lindbergh Terminal, constructed in 1962, handles international flights and many major airlines. It was also one of the settings for disaster movie Airport. Low cost airlines and charters are based at the other terminal. There are plans in hand to expand the airport by doubling the size of the Humphrey Terminal, adding a new concourse to the airport and installing a regional jet terminal. This is part of the MSP 2020 vision.

MSP Airport offers a full range of passenger, technology and business services, including Wi-Fi access (for a fee) and power seating in the food court. It also provides a pet boarding service so you can drop your pet off before heading to the terminal.

MSP Airport Parking

There are plenty of MSP off airport parking facilities available, including Park n Fly, Park n Go, and Team Parking. (Don’t forget to check the Park Ride Fly USA home page for our latest airport parking discount coupon.)

Things to Do Near MSP Airport

If you’ve got some time to kill between connecting flights, then some nearby sights include:

• Fort Snelling, one of the frontier forts that protected the northwestern territories from the British. Originally known as Fort St Anthony, this fort was built from 1820-1824. The State Park surrounding the fort has more impressive buildings and is also a great place to enjoy nature.
• St Anthony Falls, a stunning waterfall best viewed from the equally impressive Stone Arch Bridge. The restored bridge was originally built in 1883 and forms part of a historic site.
• Visit St Paul’s to enjoy a paddleboat cruise, science and art museums, the theaters and the Victorian homes on Summit Avenue.

(Image: jhritz)

• V.I.P. Park & Ride (JAX)
• AmeriCar (SYR)
• Amelias Hospitality Inn and Suites (SLC)
• Chicago Marriott O’Hare (ORD)
• San Diego’s Park Shuttle & Fly (SAN)
• Payless Parking (MHT)
• Select Airport Valet Parking (BOS)
• Park Plus Airport Parking (EWR)

Our Midway Airport Parking Facility also had some great reviews this year from Elite Yelp members. Here’s one description of the excellent service they got with our airport parking facilities.

I love this service and recommend it to everyone.  If you book online it’s only $10 (ish) a day and the shuttle service to and from is quick to pick up and drop off.  I’ve never had to wait more than 5 minutes for them to grab me from the airport on my return and they always pick you up from your car before you’ve even unloaded all of the bags. – Shannon S.

In March, we made it possible for you to make airport parking reservations right from our Facebook page, with a new welcome tab specifically designed for the purpose. We’ve been getting more active on Facebook this year. Some of the updates you liked and shared most included our post on NaNoWriMo,  our guest post on San Francisco, our profile of Justin Mussler and our Black Friday deals post. Facebook has made many changes this year, including preventing automatic imports of posts via its Notes application. However, you can still follow our blog via the Networked Blogs application.

Soon after, in April, we launched our mobile site, so that the increasing numbers of people using mobile devices to make travel arrangements could book their airport parking from their smart phones and have similar functionality to the web interface.

Our most recent online development was the launch of our Google+ profile and Google+business page. Those are still being developed, but expect more from us there in 2012!

On the horizon for 2012, look out for a refresh of our brand and a streamlined website for a faster, easier consumer experience in booking airport parking reservations. We’re also continually evaluating programs as we look to bring more value to our customers, so expect to hear more from us on that next year.

Save on Near Airport Parking

Some research shows that the savings you can make are significant. But you have to start now if you want to make those holiday savings. The entire world loves a coupon and if you’re parking near the airport it’s a good idea to check out the latest coupons available from your off airport parking provider. Sometimes you can save as much as 10% on the cost of parking and there are other bonuses too. Look out for providers who have tie-ins with other companies that allow you to maximize your savings. (One of ours is with the AARP, for example). You might find that you get other perks if you’re a member of the partner organization.

Perks and Security

There’s nothing worse than coming back to your car and finding that it won’t start or that it’s stone cold after you’ve been away for a break. Some near airport parking providers will make sure that your car is warmed up and ready so that when you get in you can drive away comfortably. In addition, let’s not forget that your car is in a secure facility while you are enjoying your family vacation and you won’t have to worry about it while you’re away. Can you guarantee that with an on-airport parking facility?

Double Dipping

And then there’s the best bit – double dipping! You can book your near airport parking deal with a credit card and if you sign up for the off airport parking provider’s reward scheme you can earn points with them at the same time as you earn points from your card provider. If there are tie-ins with accommodation and car hire as well you can potentially earn multiple times on the same trip. It may not exactly be money in your pocket but it certainly is less money going out. So think about it: if you’re traveling over the holiday season consider near airport parking as one way you can cut your travel costs.

(Image: add1sun)

Could the roads look like this on Thanksgiving Day?

Happy Thanksgiving Week! Have you already started your Thanksgiving holiday? It’s the busiest time of the year for travel, with many people taking vacation well before the day itself and making a full week of it, traveling to visit family and friends. If you’re one of the early birds, perhaps you traveled this past weekend (a report in the Chicago Tribune lists last Friday as the busiest flying day this season) and already relaxing somewhere while you read this.

Others, if the Baltimore Sun report is anything to go by, will be starting their Thanksgiving vacation tomorrow in what the paper’s Michael Dresser calls the holiday’s ‘inexorable transition from a holiday to a holi-week.’ (Sounds good to me! )

Some, though, prefer to wait till the last minute, and travel on the day itself. As we’ve pointed out before, traveling on the holiday date can be a great way to save money on your trip, though I wouldn’t take that for granted this year.

The AAA says Thanksgiving Day will be the day that most people take to the road. The organization is predicting a 4% rise in traveler numbers for the season, with 38.2 million people driving, 3.4 million flying and just under a million traveling by buses and trains. Return travel this coming weekend is also expected to be congested (though you always have the option of flying and booking off airport parking).

It seems that rising travel costs aren’t stopping people from traveling for one of our most cherished national holidays, but the advice from TripAdvisor’s Jamie Counter is that if you’re also thinking of making a Christmas trip then the best deals are probably already gone.  Flying off-peak and from smaller airports might provide some hope. (Image: Osvaldo Gago)

GBTA Predicts Slowdown in Business Travel Spending

Travel industry professionals have been energized by an upswing in business travel this year as travel buyers unlocked their wallets, but according to the latest figures from the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA), it’s likely that business travel spending will shrink next year.  The GBTA expects final-year business travel figures to show a 6.9% growth over 2010, with a value of $250.2 billion. Growth for 2012 is expected to be a more moderate 4.3% growth, with a predicted spend of $260.9 billion.

Michael W McCormick, GBTA’s executive director and COO says that this won’t be a dramatic slowdown. He comments that:

“Companies are still investing in travel because they have become smarter and more conscious about the level of business travel that is critical to driving growth,” McCormick added. “They recognize where they cut back too much during the recession and won’t make the same mistakes twice, because they know there is great value in personal relationships and business travel is a critical component in sealing those bonds.”

What growth there will be will come from the increase in the prices of some travel good and services. Spending on group travel is also predicted to slow, registering half the growth of 2011 at 3.5% for 2012.

BTN Annual Airline Survey

In other business travel news, the Annual Airline Survey from Business Travel News is now out. The survey polled 406 high spending travel buyers to assess criteria such as  the value, price flexibility, complaint resolution and customer service of the five largest domestic airlines. Delta was a first-time winner this year, with top ratings in 5 of the 10 assessed categories. The United/Continental group was in second, with US Airways in third, American Airlines in fourth and Southwest Airlines/AirTran Airways in last place.

Scores were generally lower than last year and 36% of corporate travel buyers said service had declined. However, 46% said there was no change. Buyers were generally unhappy with add-on fees and wanted to see better discounts and lower published fares. Buyers felt that flexibility in structuring pricing was one reason that contributed to Delta’s deserved win. Get the full story here.

Park Ride Fly USA – Airport Parking Offer

Finally, some news of our own. Watch this space next Monday for details of how you can get a free $25 Restaurant.com voucher by booking 4 days or more of off airport parking via Park Ride Fly USA. We’ll also update you via Twitter and Facebook.

Terminals and Airlines

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) has three passenger terminals, each of which has three concourses. Forty airlines operate out of the airport, serving a wide range of US and international destinations.

Amenities

The airport has a full range of amenities including retail outlets, food and beverage concessions, Wi-Fi (not free), accessibility services and more. With more than 45 stores and 36 restaurants, there’s something for almost everyone. As well as other ground transportation, the AirTrain connects the airport to Amtrak and New Jersey Transit services and there’s a free monorail between the terminals. While you might want to avoid the airport cabs because of the steep prices, transport to and from EWR works beautifully.

Newark Airport Parking

EWR offers a wide range of airport parking options. In addition to the regular Newark airport parking facilities, options include the following off airport parking lots: Newark Airport Long Term Parking, FastTrack Economy Airport Parking, Sky/Park Airport Parking, EZway Parking, Vista Valet Airport Parking, Park Plus Airport Parking, Airpark Airport Parking, AviStar McClellan Airport Parking and AviStar Haynes Airport Parking.

Beyond The Airport

If you happen to have a layover in Newark, then there are a few enjoyable things to do. It won’t take long to get into the city proper and you can enjoy activities such as visiting the Newark museum or chilling out at Branch Brook Park. If you’ve got a longer layover or plan to overnight, then check out some New York attractions too.

What New Jersey attractions would you recommend?

(Photo: Hunter-Desportes)

• Guaranteed airport parking reservations
• Short-term or long-term
• Self-park, Covered
• Secure and well-lit fenced lot
• 24-hour surveillance
• Best available discounted rate
• We’ll handle all your luggage
• No walking – through rain or shine, hot or cold
• Complimentary, comfortable shuttles
• Continuous departures from our lot and terminal
• Quick and convenient
• Curb-to-curb service
• Earn Rewards towards free days
• Accessible parking

Now, isn’t that better than circling the airport for 45 minutes, as some have had to do?