Tips For Moving Abroad

Each and every year, a large number of people move around the world to several countries. Often, they're taken abroad through their employers or for new jobs, and some are merely adventure-seekers searching for a different view. Either way, moving abroad is not any simple task. There are many small details to be taken care of beforehand, as well as packing for a long trip and getting rid of your beloved items at home. Moving abroad does not have to be a total task, though, if you keep these few suggestions in mind.

Consolidate. If you're just moving abroad for a short term contract and plan to be back to your old life at your home soon, this probably won't apply. For anybody going on a more long term move, the very first thing you have to do is consolidate your whole life. For many, this is very tough. It requires giving or selling most of your personal property, sometimes including your house or car, furniture along with other bulky day-to-day things.

Plan your packing. Remember that most airlines now limit passengers (even those on long haul flights across the world) to one bag that is 50 lbs (20 kg) or less. That's not much. You must figure out what stuff you can fit into that 1 bag and how much you are ready to pay for excess baggage. Remember the fact that, oftentimes, it's cheaper to ship your belongings than pay airlines for excess baggage fees. Compare and contrast postal rates with airline baggage rates for the cheapest price and plan accordingly.

Sort out your bank. You have to tell your banking and credit institutions of your impending move, and the sooner the better. Be sure to sign up for paperless statements if offered and confirm that the bank has lifted any international restrictions on using credit and ATM cards abroad. Also, double check the fees and exchange rates for using your cards internationally.

Cancel the utilities/give notice. If you have a lease, you will need to speak to your landlord as far in advance as possible to settle a termination of your lease. If you have a 1-year or more lease, you could possibly be fined for this procedure, particularly if you give less than 30 days notice. You will also need to call the gas, electric, telephone, cable and water companies, where applicable, to terminate services there. It is a good idea to speak to them as soon as you have given your landlord notice and let them know the date that you will have vacated the premises so that they can bill you appropriately.

Plan for the 1st few days abroad. The first week abroad is going to be the most difficult. That is the time during which you'll be getting a new home, getting your phone and daily utilities set up and learning your way around. Purchase a guidebook and/or map in advance and study as much as you can about the culture in which you are about to be residing. Search for online resources about which neighborhoods are good to live in and which parts of the city to avoid.

Get your documents together. Moving internationally needs a lot of paperwork. First and foremost, you need to make sure that you have a passport with blank pages which is valid for at least one year. If your passport is near to its expiration date, contact the passport office for a renewal right away. Based on which country you are traveling to, you might be required to get a visa. Be sure to check online for visa requirements at least 2 months prior to your trip. You should also carry copies of your bank statements, marriage certificate, birth certificate, international driving license and other pertinent documents.

Travelport Launches New Developer Network Programme

Travelport has launched the Travelport Developer Network, a programme which has been designed for third party developers, and provides members with full access to key software resources, dedicated help and support and an entry in the new Travelport Developer Directory.

As part of the new programme, Travelport's developer tools will continue to be built on open standards technology, so developers can program in the environment of their choice and build applications that easily integrate with existing Travelport databases and technologies.

Membership includes access to the Travelport Universal API providing access to extensive content and functionality through a single API connection.

In 2012, members will also gain access to the Travelport Universal Desktop Software Development Kit (SDK) which creates a wealth of new opportunities for developers. The extensive configurability can be further enhanced to meet agency needs with custom activities incorporated into workflows, shopping and booking from blended GDS and non-GDS content, and custom pop-up widgets with anytime access.

By working more closely with talented developers and enhancing our already strong relationships, we will be very well placed to offer the best possible applications to our travel agency customers worldwide, said Gillian Gibson, Chief Marketing Officer, Travelport. ?The focus on creating leading solutions is core to developers business and for many this leaves little time for other essential activities, such as lead generation, marketing and advertising. Because the Travelport Developer Network addresses this challenge, providing our developers with a single access point to our extensive content and agency network, along with providing technical support, it is indeed a win-win-win for developers, Travelport and our joint customers.?

Over twenty independent software developers, including Dolphin Dynamics, Rearden Commerce and flextrip, have already signed up to the new network ahead of its official launch at the PhoCusWright conference in Miami (15-17 November).

Thai Airways Launches Copenhagen - Phuket Flights

Thai Airways International has launched thrice weekly direct flights between Copenhagen and Phuket, utilizing the Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

Flight TG953 is a 10-hour 35-minute flight, departing Copenhagen on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 20:45 and arriving in Phuket at 13:20 the following day, utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

On the return, passengers can take any of THAI's daily flights from Phuket to Bangkok and connect on flights to Copenhagen via Suvarnabhumi Airport.

According to the Winter Traffic Program, which started 30 October 2011, THAI operates daily flights between Bangkok to Copenhagen, with flight TG950 departing Bangkok 00:50 and arriving in Copenhagen on the same day at 06:35. On the return flight TG951 departing Copenhagen 14:00 and arriving in Bangkok 06:30 the next day.

THAI has also just started three additional flights per week on the route Bangkok to Copenhagen, with flight TG952 departing Bangkok on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 13:00 and arriving in Copenhagen on the same day at 18:45 hours, utilizing Boeing 747-400 aircraft.

Tiger Airways Launches ex-Singapore Promotion

Tiger Airways has launched a new promotion offering reduced fares to cities across the Asia Pacific region.

The promotion includes flights to all of Tiger Airways? destinations including Phuket (from Sin$48 one-way), Ho Chi Minh (from Sin$68 one-way), Thiruvananthapuram (from Sin$128 one-way) and Guangzhou (from Sin$138 one-way), inclusive of taxes and charges.

The travel period is from 17 November 2011 to 31 July 2012, varying for each specific route.

Many Singaporeans love travelling. However, due to work commitments or budget constraints, they don't take holidays as frequently as they would like to, said Stewart Adams, Managing Director of Tiger Airways Singapore. ?We all work very hard and deserve regular short breaks to rejuvenate ourselves. Tiger Airways? great-value fares and list of exciting leisure destinations provide two additional reasons for Singaporeans to take more short vacations overseas, even if it's just for a weekend.

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Hawaii Vacation Accommodation and Lodging

Incorporated as the 50th state in the United States of America on 21st August 1959, Hawaii is an archipelago of Hawaiian Islands lying in the central Pacific Ocean and is also known as the Aloha state. Hawaii is the southernmost part of the USA, lying 2500 miles from the mainland. They were known as the Sandwich Islands (named by the British explorer, Captain James Cook) and became U.S. territory in 1900. The Hawaii includes eight major islands – Kahoolawe, Lanai, Hawaii, Maui, Nihau, Oahu, Kauai and Molokai in addition to many islets. These islands were united under a ruler King Kamehameha the Great. With its capital at Honolulu, Hawaiian and English languages are widely spoken. The biggest industry in the Hawaii is tourism, contributing to more than 75% of its economy. The main attraction of the Hawaiian islands are its coral beaches, cloud shrouded volcanic peaks, lush green vegetation contributing to its apt name “paradise of the Pacific” with palm trees in abundant sunshine dotting the beauty line. A vacation to Hawaii can be truly memorable and highly cost saving if planned well in advance and with proper care. Hotels in Hawaii can be expensive and one could spend a fortune on them. There are other options that can provide a family or a group with better accommodation and good facilities if properly researched. Vacation accommodation in Hawaii can be arranged by looking for Hawaii discount vacation rentals, vacation rental homes in Hawaii or condos for vacation rental in Hawaii. Each and every one of the Hawaiian Islands are unique in their own way. Oahu, home of the Waikiki beach, Diamond Head, Pearl Harbor and the capital city Honolulu has big wave surfing. It is the most inhabited and most modern of the Hawaiian Islands and has great nightlife to offer. Kauai, the garden isle on the other hand is the oldest tropical island with scenic surroundings and marvelous nature. It houses the Mount Wai'ale'ale, the wettest spot on earth, Bali Hai and Hanalei. Maui also known as the valley isle has glamorous golf courses, is known for whale watching and the huge and famous Haleakala Crater. Hawaii, the big island boasts of big game fishing, lava fields, black sand beaches, tropical rain forests, volcanoes and waterfalls. The major attractions in the Hawaiian Islands are The Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail The Haleakala National Park and the Haleakala Wilderness The Hawaii Volcanoes National Park The Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary The James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge The Kalaupapa National Historical Park The Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge The Kona Historical Society The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve The Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge The Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge The Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site The USS Arizona Memorial, Pearl Harbor The Akaka Falls etc. For those whoa re just planning the vacation, vacation rentals in Hawaii are usually comprised of stand-alone houses, apartments or condominiums equipped with full amenities and functional kitchens. In Hawaii, most condo rentals and other kind of vacation rentals are located right on the beaches and many also boast of private swimming pools, Jacuzzis and tennis courts. A normal staying period at a vacation rental is a minimum of one week. Vacation rentals work out to be cheaper if the number in the group is higher especially with the use of kitchen for meals. Vacation rentals facilitate staying in Hawaii, the way the rich and the famous do. Vacation rentals enable the tourists to stay in luxurious beach home rentals or condo rentals for a fraction of the cost of a staying in a hotel. Book early and enjoy the Hawaiian Islands in style.

IATA Reports September 2011 Airline Traffic

IATA member traffic results for September 2011 show diverging trends for cargo and passenger traffic.

Passenger traffic was 5.6% higher than the same month last year and stronger than the 4.6% year-on-year growth recorded in August. Air freight on the other hand posted a 2.7% contraction for September compared to September 2010. This is a further deterioration from the 2.4% decline recorded in August.

Tony Tyler, IATA?s Director General and CEO, said, ?September?s strength in passenger demand was a pleasant surprise. Freight demand contracted for a fifth consecutive month and this trend is in line with falling business and consumer confidence. We are still expecting a general weakening in passenger traffic as we head towards the year-end.?

International Passenger Markets

International air travel volumes rebounded to levels reached in July, following a dip in August. The sharp decline in business confidence in most economies, and the weakness in US and European consumer confidence, suggest reluctance for both business and leisure travel. Continuing strong air travel markets may reflect the robust conditions in emerging markets and travel booked earlier in the year when there was more economic optimism.

Passenger load factors stood at 79.5% in September, slightly below the 80.1% recorded for the same month last year. Highest load factors were recorded in North America (82.6%) and Europe (82.4%). The load factor for Asia Pacific airlines slipped to 76% as the region absorbs the largest number of new aircraft deliveries.

Latin America carriers reported the largest increase in demand at 10.6% (up from a 6.4% increase in August), supported by robust economic conditions.

European carriers saw a 9.2% increase, slightly behind the 9.5% increase in capacity. This comes despite the continuing Eurozone crisis. The weak Euro is enhancing Europe?s attractiveness to tourists and creating export opportunities for business.

Traffic carried by Middle East carriers rose by 9.1%, ahead of a capacity increase of 8.5%--a step change from the 15% capacity increases seen in recent years.

 Asia Pacific carriers saw a 4.3% increase in demand, well below the 6.3% increase in capacity. Despite strong domestic growth in India and China, growth rates for international markets slowed.

North American carriers recorded a 1.2% increase in demand, the weakest among the regions. It lagged behind a 2.9% increase in capacity.

African carriers experienced a 5% increase in demand, closely matching the 5.2% increase in capacity.

Domestic Passenger Markets

 Domestic markets rose strongly in September at 3.8% (up from 2.2% in August). This was also significantly stronger than the 2.8% increase in domestic capacity.

India led the way with 18.4% growth, although slightly below the 20.1% increase in capacity. This was followed by China at 9.7% (more robust than the 8.1% increase in capacity) and Brazil where a 7.5% increase in demand was well below the 14.6% increase in capacity.

The recovery in Japan?s domestic market following March?s earthquake and tsunami stalled in September with traffic 14.5% below previous year levels. This is a step back from the 12.3% decline recorded in August.

Carriers in the US domestic market cut capacity by 0.7% but recorded an increase in demand of 1.6%.

Air Freight (Domestic + International)

 Freight volumes have fallen significantly during the third quarter. By September, freight volumes were 5% below those carried at the end of the first quarter. This represents a deterioration in trade and economic conditions. Inventory to expected sales ratios have risen and shipments by air are being cut.

Asia Pacific carriers are the largest players in air cargo and have been the hardest hit with a 6.3% decline in demand compared to September 2010. This is despite robust economic growth in many countries in the region. The disruptions to supply chains as a result of the Japanese tsunami and earthquake continue to dampen air freight in the region.

European carriers also recorded a contraction in demand of 2.4% while North American carriers reported that September freight traffic was flat compared to the previous year.

Bottom Line

Despite stronger than expected growth in passenger markets during September, the industry is bracing for more difficult times ahead. IATA?s recent Airline Business Confidence survey reported a significant decline in profitability expectations over the next 12 months. More worrying is the expectation that unit costs will increase with little optimism for yields. The majority expected no change in passenger yields while 90% of respondents were split equally among those expecting cargo yields to remain the same or decline. IATA is expecting profitability to decline from $6.9 billion in 2011 to $4.9 billion in 2012 for a margin of just 0.8%.

Airlines play a key role in connecting global business. At this time of economic uncertainty in many parts of the world, US plans to raise an additional $36 billion in aviation taxes over the next decade could not be more misguided. Last month the UK recognized the harm that its GBP2.5 billion Air Passenger Duty was doing in Northern Ireland and announced a major cut. It?s time to apply that lesson at a more global level. Increasing the cost of doing business by making air transport more expensive destroys competitiveness. Governments should protect the 33 million jobs and $3.5 trillion in economic activity supported by aviation with a sound policy framework?not by suffocating the industry with taxes,? said Tyler.

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Europe Travelling Plan

Human beings are always curious to acquire new information by reading books, newspapers and magazines, watching television, browsing through Internet, traveling to various parts of the world and socializing with other people. But, making extensive travels to different locations has its own attraction and is a popular mean of acquiring new information as well as relaxation. Spending some memorable moments with your near and dear ones at picturesque locations far away from your busy life is a burning desire for every human being.

But, before embarking upon your journey, you must have some important travel information and guidelines about the place of your visit so that you and your companions can enjoy the travel to the fullest.

Europe is the hub of world economy. But, it is equally famous for its tourist centers. Located in the Central Europe, Germany occupies a special place in the world travel map. It has a perfect mix of rich cultural heritage and modern architectures. It has left its past political, social and financial turbulences far behind to induce a new lease of life. Berlin, the capital of Germany, has everything you look for in a particular tourist spot. It has nicely transformed itself from an ancient city to a modern city full of clubs, bars, restaurants and art galleries. The best time to visit Germany is between May and September.

The rich diversity of Greece makes it one of the most popular places to visit in Europe. Greece is famous for its ancient Greek civilization and mythology. Greek Gods and Goddess like Zeus, Nike and Athena are very popular worldwide. Athens, the capital of Greece is the birthplace of Olympic Games. It is a favorite holiday destination for young travelers due to its diverse culture, clean and beautiful beaches and resorts.

Like Greece, Italy is well-known for its cities full of hustle and bustle like Rome, Milan and Florence and its world famous cuisines containing lots of chicken, vegetables, seafood and of course, pasta. The friendly and colorful nature of Italian people makes outside tourists feel like at home.

Tourists have now started thinking beyond European countries. Of late, continents like Asia and Africa are drawing the attention of people. Many multi national companies have their operations in countries like India, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan and China. As their economy is growing, they are now more aggressively marketing their unique cultures, historical monuments and structures, food, dance and scenic locations.