China’s travel itinerary grows

Standing atop the Empire State Building and looking out on the expanse of glinting skyscrapers and miniature yellow taxicabs, Lili Ma had no doubt New York was the place to be on her vacation from China.

“Everybody needs to bite the Big Apple,” the 36-year-old said with a smile.

Mass tourism advertising for New York — and for the U.S. as a whole — is still forbidden in Ma’s native China. But everyone knows about this place, she said. Her friends all watch “Sex and the City,” and even her mother has heard of California and New York.

That name recognition, coupled with a growing interest in tourism among Chinese who have seen their incomes rise while travel restrictions have lessened, could bring a fortune to hotels, tour companies and attractions around the U.S.

The number of Chinese who travel outside their homeland each year is expected to nearly triple to 100 million people by 2020, and American cities and businesses are positioning themselves to profit from what they hope will be a tourist boom. They are establishing offices in China, and lobbying the government to ease restrictions on travel to the U.S.

“In the next 10 years, it will probably dwarf any overseas market we may have, with the potential to dwarf all overseas markets combined,” said Bruce Bommarito, vice president of international market development for the Travel Industry Association.

While the number of Chinese visitors has been increasing, they certainly haven’t been overrunning American tourist attractions. Just 320,000 Chinese — 1.5 percent of all overseas visitors — traveled to the U.S in 2006. Of the Chinese who left the mainland, fewer than 1 in 100 headed for the U.S., according to American and Chinese authorities.

But many American entrepreneurs believe that number could soon explode.

Noel Irwin Hentschel, CEO of tour operator AmericanTours International, said China will be her company’s top business focus in the coming decades. Speaking by phone from China, where she now spends half her time, she predicted that by 2009 Chinese tourists will account for one-tenth of the roughly 1 million customers her company ferries around the U.S. each year.

“There’s more than a billion people here,” Hentschel said. “Twenty percent of them are the ones with the money, with the ability to travel, from what we understand. There’s a lot of pent-up demand.”

Rising disposable income — now averaging $4,500 a year in cities like Beijing — has made travel an increasingly attainable luxury, and one that is often viewed as a status symbol.

“China has a booming economy, and the middle class is growing very rapidly,” said Ma while on a five-day, Mandarin-language bus tour of the Northeast. Faced with this new wealth, most people “want to go out of China and open their eyes,” she said.

To mine that interest in luxury, the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company LLC is planning to open six hotels in China in coming years, out of the 19 it plans worldwide. Executives hope the expansion will help establish Ritz-Carlton as a high-status brand among the Chinese, said Vice President of Public Relations Vivian Deuschl. They are attractive customers both for their sheer numbers and for their spending habits, she said.

Chinese with personal wealth estimated at more than $1 million rank travel as their top leisure activity, according to a recent survey by the Shanghai-based Hurun Report.

Gambling is also popular among Chinese visitors, and Las Vegas has been working hard to cash in on their desire to find a seat at the blackjack and baccarat tables. Another favorite is dining in Chinese restaurants and visiting the nearest Chinatown, in part to see how Chinese-Americans live, Hentschel said.

Including money lost at the tables in Las Vegas and elsewhere, Chinese travelers on average spend about $5,800 per visit — more than residents of any other nation except India, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce.

In 2004, Nevada became the first non-nation to win approval from the Chinese government to open a tourism office there and advertise directly to the Chinese public. Los Angeles, San Francisco and Hawaii have since won permission to open offices or hire representatives. New York hopes to soon.

Summer travelers book far in advance but summer travel routine changes

International and domestic trips are up this year according to recent Travelocity data but there are some changes to the usual summer travel routine. With some lesser-known international destinations growing in popularity, many savvy travelers are finding ways to reach exotic locales around the globe and stay on budget, despite most travel costs being up for summer.

Recent summer data show that travel booking windows have grown significantly. In 2002 the average trip was purchased 115 days before departure but this year, thus far, the average trip is being purchased 126 days before departure. International travelers tend to book tickets 17.3 days farther in advance than domestic travelers. Still, cost-conscious consumers have chosen to make some sacrifices this season, shortening their length of stay by 4% over last year in order to save on the final tab.

"The good news," according to Amy Ziff, Travelocity`s editor-at-large, "is that savvy travelers can have their cake and eat it too. They can save by exploring international destinations that are a little farther afield or sometimes less popular."

Industry insiders prove that if the travelers equipped with the right information this summer, there are still opportunities to save. But, without good direction, travelers may quickly become discouraged or get lost in a rabbit hole of research in an attempt to uncover the best prices.

Travelocity has taken the guesswork out of how to travel this summer by looking to industry data to find which destinations are showing price decreases or remaining steady over 2006.

International Travel: Early predictions show that pricing overall is up 3.7 percent from last year on all international destinations. However, following is a list of popular hot spots showing a decrease in airfares from last year:

Travel to the Caribbean is up 22 percent year over year. Travelocity says that in order a traveler to find the best deal should head to: Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Antigua and Barbuda, and Guadeloupe.

Travel to Asia is up 17 percent overall. But, fares are down to some of the best tourist destinations: China, Sri Lanka, and India Travel to Central America is up 14 percent overall and travel to South America is up 7 percent. Save on:

* Central America: Belize, Guatemala, and Costa Rica
* South America: Peru, Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay

Travel to Europe is actually on the decline, with Western Europe down 2 percent and Eastern Europe down 15 percent. For the best deals look up:

* Eastern Europe: Ukraine, Croatia, Lithuania, and Poland
* Western Europe: Denmark, Austria, Iceland, Spain, and Italy

For warmer travel options, head to Mexico this summer, which is showing a decrease in travel and offers several amazing steals: Yucatan, Baja Peninsula, and Central Mexico US Domestic Travel: Early data indicates that domestic travel prices are up 3.8 percent over 2006. Top booked destinations for summer include:

* Las Vegas
* Orlando Area
* New York City Area
* South Florida
* Seattle Area
* Los Angeles Area
* San Francisco Bay Area
* Denver Area
* Honolulu
* Chicago Area

Savings Secrets:
Board a Ship - According to Cruise Lines International Association, just over 12.6 million travelers will take a cruise in 2007.The good news about the summer seas – is on pricing. Many cruises are being offered at prices we haven`t seen since 2003. Although prices have gone down, the number of cruise ships, ports and itineraries have grown. Set sail to exotic locales and cover multiple destinations in one trip:

Northern European cruises (Baltic Cruises, including ports such as St. Petersburg, Estonia, and Lithuania, are increasingly popular)

For more offbeat sailings head to places like Iceland, Greenland, or even the Norwegian fjords, Hawaii is convenient, popular, and well priced with 7-night roundtrip cruises to and from Honolulu Alaska cruises remain ever-popular (particularly cruise tours) Rent a Car Off-Airport - Car rentals can heavily affect the budget unless the provider outlines a rental car plan in advance. Based on Travelocity’s car tax study in December 2006, Ziff says, "travelers can save more than 10 percent on car rental taxes if they go off-airport to a neighborhood location."

Finding a car off airport can save money but may take more time.

Travel tips for golfers

It happens everywhere from the coffee shop to the sushi place. PGA Professional Tim Hurja, whose company sells Southern California golf travel packages, will be talking to a golfer lamenting how he's always wanted to play the Bighorn Golf Club but knows he'll never get the chance.

After all, Bighorn is as private as Fort Knox and about as inaccessible to nonmembers. "I can get you on," Hurja will reply.

Someone from a nearby table or the next spot in line will excuse him- or herself for eavesdropping and ask, "How?" Or, "What are you talking about?"

"A lot of times, it will be a Bighorn member," Hurja laughs. "And they'll want to know how the heck I can get golfers on their courses. You have to be pretty diplomatic."

Diplomatic because insiders are as unaware of the secrets outsiders use to gain access as us outsiders. There are tricks though, more tips than hardware in Tiger Woods' trophy case, that can make the difference.

It's often about how much you know rather than who you know.

"Being a smart traveler gives you a huge edge," said Joe Lipcorm, who frequently takes golf vacations. "Because let's face it, most travelers aren't that smart."

Consider this a course in golf traveler IQ.

"That's the thing," Lipcorm said. "No one thinks they're the dumb traveler. It's like how everyone thinks they're a great driver."

Local experts equal great golf access
Getting on at Bighorn usually requires the work of a local. This is where packagers like Hurja come in. They sell golf and hotel packages to an area, and they know the region's head pros and general managers. Not all packagers are created equal though.

PGA Professionals or former pros are more likely to hold the pull that opens gates.

Don't expect to see the great white whale of courses advertised by even well-connected packagers though. Members of big-dollar private clubs do not want to see tee times to their courses advertised.

This is an ask-and-don't-tell situation. It doesn't work everywhere either. Forget a tee time at Augusta National or Pine Valley. Unless your name is Steve Spurrier.

You'll be surprised by the golf courses where it is possible to get on, though.

A more conventional door opener is staying at a resort with special access. Choose a hotel like the Hyatt Regency at Gainey Ranch, and you can play a Scottsdale course (Gainey Ranch) the general public is not welcome on. Suddenly, jammed tee sheets in that golf Mecca aren't your problem.

There are hotels like this worldwide. Sometimes they're not the best known. Take the Indian Wells Resort Hotel in the Palm Springs valley. This midprice spot gives guests access to the $25 million-clubhouse Indian Wells Country Club.

Researching hotels in your spot of choice is usually all it takes to find resorts with pull on private courses.

Getting hotel room upgrades
The price difference between categories of rooms at hotels can be larger than the jump from a coach-class to first-class plane ticket. Serious money's on the line - at least one green fee's worth.
Yet, it's the easiest area to get a free upgrade.

Often all it takes is being nice. Be kind to the front-desk clerk, who probably isn't making much more than minimum wage. Mention how this is a special occasion, that you've been waiting for this vacation for a long time. Say you're hoping for a "nice" room.

Don't come right out and ask for the junior suite though. Then you'll likely only get quoted the price.

"Most of the time we'll try to give people we like a little better room," a clerk at an Arizona resort said. "If rooms are available, courteous guests are taken care of.

"If you run into a jerk at the front desk - and there are some - a twenty will usually do the trick. Not that that ever hurts."

Yes, an Andrew Jackson. Offended? It's still a bargain over the increased room rate. Heck, it's less than some resort fees.

And your money's going to a hard-working person rather than corporate coffers.

Discount rental car upgrades
To land a gratis upgrade on your rental car, you can keep your wallet in your pocket. It's as simple as booking the lowest class of car available - that economy or compact you don't want to drive.

Don't worry. Chances are you won't see that car.

A Ford Escort is hardly guaranteed to be in your future. Rental companies don't have many of these cars. There are many more midsize cars in the fleet. Once the few compacts and economy cars are off the lot, you'll be given something from the next class up. Free.

Make sure you're firm about this. Some agents will tell you there are no more economy cars but you can have a midsize for only $10 more a day.

Say no: You booked the reservation; you'll take a car at that quoted price. You'll be in a bigger car at the economy price within minutes.

Show up, play golf
One of the most frustrating things on a golf vacation is finding out the course you were dying to play is completely booked.

Don't give up. Show up.

No matter how popular the course and how crammed the tee sheet, there's almost always an opening. Singles get on even at Pebble Beach. Twosomes are a safe bet anywhere else.

"If you're at the course, that staff's going to do everything it can to get you on," said David Trout, head professional at PGA Golf Club in Port St. Lucie, Fla.. "Somebody's always canceling or showing up late."

Skycap spells quick getaway
Nothing slows you down like a long wait at the baggage carousel.

Handing your bags over to the skycaps outside the terminal when you check in virtually eliminates that. A $5 tip will get priority first class/elite mileage holder tags slapped on your bags - even if you're in the last row of coach and have never flown the airline before.

Your bags will come off the plane in the first wave. It's no small pleasure to lift up your golf bag when others in the crowd still await suitcases.

Suddenly that tee time for an hour after landing went from crazy to brilliant.

Sometimes knowing is the whole battle.

How To Travel Green And Luxe

It's a paradox of modern travel: The beauty of the natural world motivates many a globetrotter to get out the door. Yet our increasing use of trains, automobiles and especially planes can wreak havoc on global ecosystems.

But even as airlines and some hotels try to cut back on energy use, their efforts have limited impact against overall growth in the travel sector. Last year more than 2.1 billion passengers flew, an increase of 4% over 2005, according to the International Civil Aviation Authority.

The number of people taking vacations at sea--mostly on cruise ships--is also increasing, by 47% in the last five years according to the Bluewater Network, an environmental organization. And the World Travel and Tourism Council forecasts that global tourism will grow from a $7.1 trillion industry in 2007 to a $13.2 trillion industry in 2017.

"Right now there's such a strong trend toward more people flying that the impact of planes being more efficient hasn't caught up," says Zoë Chafe, an air travel researcher at the Worldwatch Institute, an environmental organization.

All that activity has enormous economic benefits, to be sure. But as more and more pristine destinations are packaged for mass consumption--Antarctica tours, anyone?--transportation and accommodation, however carefully managed, often leave a footprint where there was none.

Consider a trip to Alaska, where bears, salmon, glaciers and fjords are among the main attractions.

A round-trip flight from New York to Anchorage emits 2,632 pounds of carbon dioxide per person, according to TerraPass, a company that offers to offset customers' emissions by funding renewable energy projects. While air travel contributes about 2% of global carbon dioxide emissions blamed for global warming, and in the U.S. air travel uses only 9% of energy consumed by the transportation sector, scientists warn that because the emissions occur high in the atmosphere, they contribute to global warming at two to four times the rate of emissions closer to earth.

Cruise ships, meanwhile, a popular means of exploring the Alaskan coast, dump five to seven gallons of sewage per passenger per day into those lovely waters, according to the Bluewater Network.

Best Airports For Shopping

Not so long ago, luxury retail outposts at airports were limited to selling duty-free fragrances, chocolates and cartons of Camel cigarettes on the cheap. If the busy business traveler needed an extra piece of Longchamp luggage, he or she was out of luck.

But as long layovers--planned or otherwise--have become the norm, passengers have more time to kill shopping.

And luxury retailers have taken notice. In Heathrow's terminal 5, set to open in March 2008, airport management company BAA has inked a deal with high-end department store Harrods to anchor the terminal's retail operations. The store will occupy two floors, stocking high end clothing lines and accessories alongside its signature teddy bears and carryalls.

JFK's terminal 1 boasts Bulgari, Hermes and Salvatore Ferragamo outposts, while travelers through Singapore Airport will find Chloe, Cartier, Prada and Tod’s.

“Airports are a competitive, captive retail market because when travelers are waiting for a flight, they [literally] have nowhere to go,” says Patti Pao, founder of the Pao Principle, a New York-based retail consultancy. Pao predicts that consumers will see luxury brand outposts sprouting up at more and more airports worldwide. However, the focus will be bags, not shoes and apparel--at least not in such Far East airports as Shanghai’s Pudong International or Hong Kong International.

“You’ll see clothing in the West, but not in places like Japan,” predicts Pao. “The clothes in the Asian market are cut smaller for petite figures, so they won’t be sold somewhere that tourists frequent. And shoes are too specific. The focus will remain on accessories.”

A frequent business traveler, Pao says Zurich Airport and Kennedy International are two of her favorite retail spots. At each, she ventures to L’Occitane and the Palm (nasdaq: PALM - news - people ) store for last minute gifts and gadgets.

But Milton Pedraza, CEO of the Luxury Institute, a research firm that evaluates the purchasing power of high-net worth individuals, says that although the potential profit for luxury retail within airports is great, the outlets themselves need to work on improving customer service. “Luxury companies are occupying all the duty-free space that they can,” says Pedraza. “However, they need to commit to service at the highest level or risk brand erosion.” Pedraza finds service at London’s Heathrow constantly stellar, but he’s had a less-than-positive experience at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle.

If retailers can provide attentive service, upscale airport retailing will only continue to grow. “Whether it’s business travel or a vacation--all that waiting time makes you want to entertain your self in some way,” says Pedraza. “But retailers really need to enhance the service experience and cater to what the needs are, customer by customer.”