81 percent in survey make cultural stops in travels

81 percent in survey makecultural stops in travels
WASHINGTON -- Eight out of 10 Americans who traveled more than 50 miles away from home in the past year took in historical or cultural activities on their trip, according to a new survey.
Those activities included attending a museum, performance, ethnic or folk festival, or visiting a historical site.
The telephone survey, from the Travel Industry Association of America and Smithsonian Magazine, polled 1,316 adults around the country. Sixty-nine percent of them had traveled more than 50 miles from home in the previous year, and of those who took trips, 81 percent made historical or cultural activities part of their journey.
The survey also showed that travelers who take these types of trips tend to be better educated and more affluent than other travelers. A third of these trips are taken by those with children, the poll found.
Interestingly, most people who took part in historical or cultural activities on their trips made their plans just a month or less before embarking, and they got their information by consulting friends, relatives, colleagues and the Internet.
The top 10 states visited by travelers who said they seek out museums, historical sites and similar places are: California, Texas, New York, Florida, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Illinois, Tennessee, North Carolina and Georgia.
New maps show detailson the way to Denver
Next time you fly to Denver, you can make sure the pilot doesn't make a wrong turn. A new series of flight maps for passengers shows the landscape, highways and other notable features travelers pass over on the way to the Mile High City.
The Spin Maps, printed on heavy paper, also include trivia about flying, weather patterns and the sights along the way. Other maps are available from Denver to Chicago, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Phoenix and San Francisco.
There is also a map outlining the route of the Durango & amp; Silverton railroad in southwest Colorado.
The maps cost $6.95 apiece and can be ordered through major bookstores or by calling (970) 375-2321 or visiting www.spinmaps.com on the Web.
Virgin Atlantic upgradesfirst-class flight luxuries
Frustrated so far in his efforts to take over the Concorde from British Airways, Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Atlantic is courting the Concorde's well-heeled customers with new Upper Class Suite refinements. The airline lays claim to the longest bed in any class at 79.5 inches, in the first-class cabins of Boeing 747s and Airbus aircraft, starting this summer.
Instead of a seat extending into a bed, the cabin's leather armchairs flip over into a separate bed with a mattress to sleep on. That way passengers "don't have to compromise on the comfort of either seat or bed," according to design head Joe Ferry.
Also redesigned is the cabin's herringbone-style arrangement, which gives all passengers access to the aisle, and half of them are both on the aisle and at the window. Every seat has an ottoman that can be used for passengers to eat together, hold meetings or get in-flight beauty therapy treatments.
National parks introduceearth-friendly foods
Visitors to the national parks this summer are promised food that's not only good for you, it's good for the planet, too.
Earth-friendly food, called "sustainable cuisine," has been introduced at many park and resort restaurants operated by Xanterra Parks and Resorts, including organically grown coffee, wild Alaskan salmon instead of the farm-raised variety and beef and pork from animals fed only hormone-free and antibiotic-free feed.
It's not bad for business either -- park visitors are "quite receptive to trying earth-friendly foods," according to Chris Lane, Xanterra's director of environmental affairs. The park concessionaires began last year by banning endangered fish species and those considered harmful to the environment because of harvesting practices. Xanterra operates lodging, restaurant and other concessions in national and state parks, including Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Crater Lake, Death Valley, the Florida Everglades and Mount Rushmore in South Dakota.
Travelers can savea bundle on package deals
NEW YORK -- If you tend to shy away from all-inclusive packages where you pay one price for airfare, hotel and some meals, you might want to take a second look.
Inclusive packages are a good way to get a good deal this fall, according to an article in the August issue of Cond & eacute; Nast Traveler magazine.
The magazine compared several itineraries and found that travelers can save hundreds of dollars by booking package deals rather than booking the components separately. One example: A trip to London for two with air fare, six nights in a hotel, breakfast, and two guidebooks would cost $3,494 if booked separately; purchased through Virgin Vacations, the same package cost $1,998.
The magazine attributes the bargains to a sluggish economy and steadily improving online technology, and notes that five-star hotels are now available in many package deals right along with the bargain and mass-market accommodations.
Controversy in Savannahover tour guidelines
SAVANNAH, Ga. -- Residents and tour operators are squabbling over how tours should be conducted in Savannah's historical district.
In April, voluntary guidelines were drafted in an effort to prevent tour groups from bothering residents of the historical district. Residents had complained of late hours, noise and congestion from tour groups.
But residents still are complaining and tour companies still are creating parking violations, according to a report issued in July by the city's Tourism Advisory Committee.
Some tour operators have chosen not to participate in the voluntary guidelines, saying they were created without the input of tour operators.
Continuing problems could mean stricter action, including the creation of ordinances instead of just voluntary rules, said Jim Gilliamsen, a city parking services coordinator.
The city's parking services department has been monitoring the tours to see if the guidelines are working. Since the voluntary rules were drafted, the city has received a dozen residents' complaints and parking officials have recorded 15 violations from tour companies.
Because the rules are voluntary, none of the tour companies that have been issued violations faces fines or punishment.
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