Travel

In the midst of the holiday season, a rare white Christmas turned into a logistical challenge for many travelers across the Southern United States as airlines grappled with the need to cancel hundreds of flights due to unexpected snowfall. The situation unfolded against the backdrop of an unusual weather forecast, predicting snow in regions that don’t typically experience such wintry conditions.

The National Weather Service issued alerts for the Washington, D.C. region, anticipating a significant snowstorm with projections ranging from 6 to 10 inches beginning on Sunday. This wintry weather extended its reach to New York and Boston, where overnight temperatures were expected to drop into the 20s, accompanied by brisk wind gusts of up to 30 mph.

Airlines, such as Continental Airlines, were quick to respond to the impending weather challenges, preemptively canceling 250 flights departing from Newark Liberty International Airport near New York City. In a joint release, Continental and United Airlines acknowledged the likelihood of weather-related delays and cancellations, particularly at United’s hub at Washington Dulles International Airport and other northeastern airports. Both carriers demonstrated flexibility by waiving fees for one-time changes in affected areas, encouraging passengers to utilize online channels for making necessary adjustments.

While the South rarely experiences a white Christmas, the Carolinas saw a picturesque holiday landscape with snowfall in Asheville, N.C., extending to Raleigh and eventually reaching the coast. Winter storm warnings were issued, projecting up to six inches of snow in central North Carolina, more in the mountainous regions, and a lesser amount on the coast. South Carolina, too, braced for a transition from rain to snow after nightfall. This marked a historic event, being the first Christmas snowfall for the Carolinas since 1989 and a notable occurrence for Columbia, the first significant Christmas snow since weather records began in 1887.

Asheville faced particularly challenging conditions with heavy snowfall at a rate of about an inch per hour. Mountain roads became impassable for all but four-wheel drive vehicles, and the National Weather Service warned of the potential for up to 10 inches of snow by Sunday morning, surpassing the previous Christmas Day record set in 1969.

North Carolina’s Lieutenant Governor, Walter Dalton, declared a state of emergency as the state’s Highway Patrol reported numerous calls, primarily accidents, due to snow and icy conditions. In the South Carolina Upstate, a mix of rain and light snow in the late afternoon did not immediately pose road problems, according to Highway Patrol Lance Cpl. Bill Rhyne.

In Nashville, where travelers were anticipating smooth Christmas journeys, some were met with unexpected challenges. Flights, including those through Atlanta, were canceled, leaving passengers like Heather Bansmer and Shawn Breeding to spend much of Christmas Day in separate airports.

The impact of the rare white Christmas extended further up the Eastern Seaboard, with Delaware preparing for a substantial foot of snow. Winter storm warnings were issued in various parts of the state, with forecasts indicating accumulations of eight to twelve inches. Eastern Pennsylvania, including Philadelphia and its suburbs, braced for similar conditions, with predictions of 8 to 12 inches of snow, accompanied by strong winds of 20 to 30 mph and gusts exceeding 40 mph. Authorities strongly advised against unnecessary travel, emphasizing safety precautions.

Emergency management officials in Washington, D.C., urged residents to prepare for the approaching snowfall. The D.C. transportation department initiated pre-treatment of roads, and the Metro system placed crews on standby to handle potential snow removal from rail station entrances and platforms.

As the snowstorm traveled south from the Midwest, motorists faced challenges on Christmas Eve. Winter weather advisories were in effect from western Tennessee to the Carolinas and from West Virginia to Alabama. Delta Air Lines, a major carrier, announced plans to cancel 500 weather-related flights nationwide, with a significant impact on the Atlanta hub. Passengers were notified in advance, resulting in relatively empty terminals as many chose not to risk travel.

Despite some skepticism and chuckles from passengers in Atlanta, where snowfall began Saturday afternoon, airlines like Delta and AirTran extended flexibility by waiving ticket-change fees for affected flights. The unpredictable weather also impacted cities like Pensacola, Florida, where Jena Passut faced uncertainties about her return trip amid the snow.

The unexpected white Christmas, with its logistical challenges and travel disruptions, unfolded against the backdrop of an overall increase in holiday travel. The Air Transport Association anticipated 44.3 million people on U.S. flights between December 16 and January 5, reflecting a 3 percent increase from the previous year. However, this remained below pre-recession travel volumes. The AAA predicted a 3 percent rise in overall holiday travel, with more than 92 million people planning trips of more than 50 miles by January 2, with the majority opting for driving.

The U.S. State Department is telling people to be careful when they go to Mexico. In the latest warning, the department says that although many students, business folks, and tourists cross the border safely every day, there’s more violence in the country now.

The alert says the same things as the one from six months ago. It mentions that drug cartels are fighting each other and the Mexican security forces to control routes for smuggling drugs along the U.S.-Mexico border. The warning points out that most of these fights happen in northern Mexico, including places like Tijuana and Ciudad Juarez.

In the new alert, Tijuana is not listed as one of the cities where crimes like robberies, homicides, and carjackings have gone up. But it still includes northern Baja California, which is where Tijuana is.

The warning used to say, “Although the greatest increase of violence has occurred on the Mexican side of the U.S. border,” but they took that part out. Now, it just tells U.S. citizens to be careful in Mexico. It continues to talk about cities like Ciudad Juarez, Tijuana, and Nogales, where there have been shootouts during the day in shopping centers and other public places. It also warns that criminals target and bother U.S. citizens in their cars in places like Nuevo Laredo, Matamoros, and Tijuana.

Leaders from Baja California, like the Governor and Secretary of Tourism, are asking the U.S. State Department to change their warning about Tijuana. They say that the alerts don’t match what life is really like in Baja California and that it hurts the money they make from tourists. Tijuana’s Mayor also plans to ask for changes to the warning.

The State Department updates this travel alert two times a year. These alerts tell people about short-term safety conditions in a country. Different from this, travel warnings talk about long-term conditions. Mexico is one of five countries the State Department has issued travel alerts for, along with India, Niger, Malaysia, and the Philippines.

In early 2010, U.S. leisure and business travelers were keen on value and affordability when planning their trips, resulting in London, Rome, and Paris securing the top positions on HotelsCombined.com’s list of international destinations. Adding variety to the mix were Bangkok, Sydney, Dubai, and Cancun.

On the domestic front, the preferred destinations for U.S. travelers were New York City, Las Vegas, Miami Beach, Orlando, New Orleans, and Miami, showcasing a diverse range of choices.

HotelsCombined.com General Manager, Michael Doubinski, noted that both vacationers and business travelers were capitalizing on competitive deals amid the current tourism climate. He emphasized that consumers were actively seeking economical options for accommodations and flights to maximize their spending power. Doubinski highlighted the prevailing weak economy and hotel rates, cautioning that as the industry rebounds, finding budget-friendly deals might become more challenging.

The decline in room rates, recorded at 8.8 percent by data firm Smith Travel Research, was a boon for travelers, offering attractive deals before the onset of the northern summer months.

London emerged as the clear favorite for American travelers in 2010, boasting an average room rate of $166. It outpaced Rome at $148 and Paris at $197. Long-haul destinations like Hong Kong and Sydney secured the fourth and fifth spots with competitive rates of $100 and $171, respectively. Bangkok, at sixth place, enticed international travelers with a nightly rate as low as $77. Barcelona claimed the seventh spot with average rates of $154, while Playa del Carmen ranked eighth as the most expensive in the top ten at $240. Cancun, in ninth place, offered average rates of $192, and Dubai, in the tenth position, incurred the second-highest nightly prices at $227 for U.S. visitors.

On the domestic front, New York City maintained its allure as the top choice for U.S. visitors, despite its $180 average rate being the country’s second-highest. Las Vegas, the second-favorite city, boasted a more affordable rate of $110 per night. Miami Beach claimed the third spot with the highest average U.S. room bill of $203, while Orlando, in fourth place, offered the most attractive hotel rates in the top 10, averaging $90 per night.

New Orleans, Miami, San Francisco, Chicago, Honolulu, and Los Angeles rounded out the list with varying price points, showcasing the diversity of choices available to travelers. The top cities listed by HotelsCombined.com aligned with Skyscanner’s ‘Most Searched for Destinations for 2010 from U.S. Airports,’ indicating a consistent preference among travelers for destinations like London, New York City, Las Vegas, Paris, Los Angeles, Orlando, Rome, and Miami.

In line with these trends, a Travelzoo survey forecasted that 74 percent of respondents would only consider vacationing in 2010 if they found a good deal. Despite the focus on competitive deals, TripAdvisor’s annual survey revealed that Americans anticipated increased travel in 2010, with 41 percent planning to spend more on leisure travel compared to 2009.

In a historic downturn for the aviation industry, global airline passenger traffic experienced a staggering 3.1 percent decline in 2009, marking the largest drop in the history of aviation, as reported by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) on Friday.

International Traffic Plummets by 3.9%, Domestic Travel by 1.8% Despite Regional Variances

Preliminary figures for the year revealed a sharp decline in international traffic by approximately 3.9 percent and domestic travel by 1.8%, despite pockets of notable growth in certain regions. The ICAO’s findings underline the severe impact of the global financial crisis on the aviation sector.

Middle East Bucks the Trend with Remarkable 10% Growth; Africa Hit Hardest at -9.6%

Notably, the Middle East emerged as a beacon of growth with an impressive 10 percent surge in air travel. However, all other regions experienced negative growth, with Africa suffering the most significant blow at a staggering -9.6 percent overall, according to the ICAO’s comprehensive analysis.

Largest Drop in Passenger Traffic in Industry History Linked to Global GDP Decline

The 3.1 percent drop in passenger traffic in 2009 compared to the previous year stands as a record within the industry. The ICAO attributed this unprecedented decline to a one percent drop in the world gross domestic product (GDP) for the same period, indicating a direct correlation between economic performance and air travel trends.

“The double-digit domestic passenger traffic growth in the emerging markets of Asia and Latin America, and the relative strong performance of low-cost carriers in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific helped curtail the decline in total traffic,” the organization emphasized in a statement.

Moderate Recovery Projected with 3.3% Growth in 2010, Optimism for 5.5% Growth in 2011

Despite the bleak scenario in 2009, the ICAO expressed optimism for a moderate recovery in the airline industry, projecting a 3.3 percent growth in 2010, aligning with the improving economic conditions globally. Looking ahead to 2011, the organization forecasted a momentum build-up, aiming for a return to the traditional 5.5 percent yearly growth rate in airline passenger traffic, signaling a potential return to pre-crisis levels.

In the complex landscape of travel planning, a new report from Forrester Research suggests that the worst part of a trip may not be the journey itself but rather the booking process on the web. The study, set to be released by Forrester Research, reveals a growing dissatisfaction among consumers with the complexity of planning and booking travel online.

Henry H. Harteveldt, a Forrester travel analyst, underscores this frustration, noting that while other websites, such as retail, banking, and media, have become more user-friendly, the travel sector is lagging behind in improving the planning and booking experience.

Consumers find themselves grappling with additional fees, deciphering fine print, and navigating industry jargon, adding to the already challenging task of educating themselves about destinations, flights, and hotels. According to Mr. Harteveldt, travel companies often expect consumers to act as travel agents, raising questions about the user-friendliness of their websites.

Interestingly, the report suggests a growing inclination among consumers to explore offline travel agencies as an alternative. Mr. Harteveldt notes that more people are considering the use of good offline travel agents, signifying a shift in sentiment towards the online booking process.

Further underscoring travel-related frustrations, J. D. Power & Associates released an annual airline survey indicating a decline in customer satisfaction for the third consecutive year. Despite recent fare cuts, customer satisfaction with costs and fees has diminished, with fees for checked bags and phone booking erasing potential savings on ticket prices.

While airfares have experienced a notable drop from their peak, the impact on passenger satisfaction remains questionable. Dale Haines, senior director for the travel practice at J. D. Power, emphasizes that the reduction in fares may not resonate with passengers if accompanied by increased dissatisfaction with costs and fees.

On the hotel front, the latest J. D. Power hotel survey rates the industry more favorably, scoring 756 out of 1,000. This suggests a more consistent performance in comparison to the airline industry, which faces challenges in meeting customer expectations.

The American Customer Satisfaction Index also provides insights into the overall dissatisfaction within the travel industry, with airlines scoring 64 out of 100 and hotels receiving a slightly better score of 75.

Amidst these challenges, the U.S. Travel Association recognizes the financial impact of what they term the “frustration factor.” A survey conducted in May 2008 revealed that more than a quarter of travelers had avoided at least one trip due to frustrations with the air travel system.

Geoff Freeman, senior vice president for public affairs at the U.S. Travel Association, emphasizes the root cause of the problem as outdated air traffic infrastructure and urges Congress to finance projects to update air traffic control technology. These initiatives aim to reduce delays, but their development may take years.

As the travel industry contends with a potential prolonged passenger decline, addressing consumer frustrations becomes imperative. Analysts argue that companies are under increasing pressure to tackle these concerns, emphasizing the need to enhance the overall travel experience.

Henry H. Harteveldt raises a crucial question for the industry: “Do you really want to run a business where you’re annoying one out of three of your customers?” The concern is that this frustration could escalate, underscoring the urgency for the industry to reevaluate and improve its current practices.

In an evolving market, the industry’s main trade group, the U.S. Travel Association, has recognized the financial impact of what could be called the “frustration factor.” Its survey in May 2008 found that more than a quarter of travelers had avoided at least one trip in the previous year because of the air travel system.

“Before the recession hit, you couldn’t turn on the nightly news without more discussion about flight delays and other air travel hassles people were having,” said Geoff Freeman, senior vice president for public affairs at the association.

The trade group says the root of the problem is an outdated air traffic infrastructure, and has been pushing Congress to finance projects to update air traffic control technology to reduce delays. Some of these initiatives, which could take years to develop, are included in Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bills under consideration.

In the meantime, despite some improvements in airline performance because of a decline in the number of people traveling, Mr. Freeman acknowledged that frustrations remain — especially among the customers the industry counts on for its survival.

“Those who travel the most frequently are those who are most frustrated with the inefficiencies in the process,” he said. “As a society, we need to be thinking, what is the cost when someone says it’s not worth it to travel?”