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E L L I O T T' S TRAVEL NOTES
Travel news, opinion and analysis

June 8, 2004

Web Site Warns of Airline Attacks
An Internet statement signed by an al-Qaida cell in Saudi Arabia warned yesterday that the terror network will target Western airlines, military bases and residential compounds and told Muslims to stay away from Westerners. The authenticity of the statement, signed "Al-Qaida on the Arabian Peninsula," could not be confirmed. The warning of attacks in "the near future" appeared on a Web site known for posting messages from militants, including the video in which a terror group with al-Qaida links executed Nicholas Berg, an American kidnapped in Iraq. AP | Posted 6:30 a.m.
-- VOA: Threats follow more terrorist violence
-- CNN: Warning against 'mingling' with Westerners

• Seems that despite warnings like these, air travelers have shrugged off the threat and are continuing to travel. And just as well, since many of these "warnings" have turned out to be little more than meaningless posturing by amateur activists. Send us your comments.

Raising Hotel Tax to Pay for Saints
The idea of raising the hotel-motel tax to pay for the Saints football team incentive package is hotly debated within the hospitality industry. No specific figure has been discussed, but several hotel operators say raising the 13 percent tax would be dangerous for a fragile industry that the city depends on. "The tourism industry is really the pack mule of the local economy, and you can only put so much weight on that pack mule before it wears out," said Gary Froeba, area director of operations for the Wyndham New Orleans Canal Place. "We're struggling as an industry as it is." Even a small increase in the hotel tax could add up to large additional expenses for convention groups. With the convention business more competitive than ever and many cities giving away or subsidizing their convention space, he said, New Orleans can't risk pushing customers away. The Times-Picayune | Posted 6:45 a.m.

New Luxury Travel Trend? Take a Hike
Hiking is the trendy thing among luxury travelers, according to research from Virtuoso, a travel agent magazine. The study showed that 87 percent of luxury travelers of all ages consider nature and outdoor activities to be an important component of their vacations. That's good news for Kaua‘i, home of the famous Kalalau Trail, and with more trails to explore than any other Hawaiian island. "I think all the movies made here have made people aware of the beauty of the interior of Kaua‘i, not just the ocean but the whole the island," said Terri Scarborough, vice president of Aloha Kaua‘i Tours. Aloha Kaua‘i Tours offers four-wheel drive tours, ocean sports, ATVs -- everything for the adventurous traveler. But the simple, low-tech hike has gained in popularity and now, according to Scarborough, is their most popular tour. Kauai World | Posted 7 a.m.

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• And finally ... a promise from this blog to stop covering the maddening, insignificant fare-hikes and fare-rollbacks by the major airlines. Since the beginning of the year, the carriers have tried to raise fares so many times that I've lost count. And since each story on the subject contains the very same information, from the same sources, I've decided to spare you the monotony and not link to any of them. Can't promise I'll ever mention ticket prices again, but I will refrain from following the fare yo-yo with the same fascination as the rest of the travel media. Posted 7:10 a.m. | Send us your comments.

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