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In Down Economy, Cities Reach Out to Gay Tourists

(NewsUSA) - As a stagnant economy has many Americans rethinking travel plans, cities are marketing to new travel demographics -- including gay and lesbian tourists.

Unlike other travel brackets, gay travel has remained steady despite the economic recession. Gay and lesbian couples travel more often and spend more money while on vacation than straight couples. According to a 2006 study conduced by the U.S. Travel Association, gay men spend about $800 per trip. Straight men spend $540.

Cities are heeding the trend. In 2003, Philadelphia launched its $300,000 a year "Get Your History Straight and Your Nightlife Gay" marketing campaign. Now, the city ranks as America's 13th largest gay and lesbian travel destination. Southwest Airlines is currently working with the city to attract even more gay and lesbian visitors.

In addition to Philadelphia, Miami, with its historic art deco hotels, beaches and happening nightlife, continues to draw gay and lesbian vacationers. But as the gay tourism market becomes more competitive, the city is working to draw new visitors. In April 2009, the city held a Gay Pride Festival to celebrate gender rights and sexual equality. Twenty thousand visitors showed up to enjoy a parade and the Miami Gay Men's Chorus and to wave rainbow-colored flags.

"In the past few years, other cities like Key West have cut into Miami's gay tourism," says Frederic S. Richardson, CEO of MOD Hospitality (www.eastcoastventures.com), which owns the Astor and Clinton hotels -- two of the top-ranked hotels in South Beach. "It's time that Miami reasserts itself as one of the gay cultural centers of the world."

Chicago, which hosted the 2006 Gay Games -- a quadrennial athletic and cultural event -- continues to pursue gay and lesbian tourists. The Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau writes a quarterly newsletter directed toward gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender travelers, and plans to host an International Gay and Lesbian Travel Association board meeting.

"Chicago, frankly, is just now catching up to other cities who have been aggressively wooing the pink dollar," said Mark Theis, executive vice president of the Chicago Convention and Tourism Bureau, in an interview with the the Chicago Tribune. "We want people to know how gay-friendly we are and the wealth of attractive assets we have."

Tropical Storm Andres Officially Identified & Named By U.S. Weather Service on June 21, 2009

 

A Tropical Storm formed in the eastern Pacific, 200 miles south of Zihuatanejo, Mexico and 330 miles southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico, and was identified and given the name Tropical Storm Andres by the U.S. National Hurricane Center at 8 p.m. PDT [11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time]  on Sunday, June 21, 2009. The storm was named after reaching maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour.

 

Travel Insured plans purchased at or after 11 p.m. EDT [8 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time] on June 21,  2009 will not provide coverage for adverse weather claims resulting from Tropical Storm Andres or its resulting weather pattern. Plan holders may contact our Customer Care Department [ info@travelinsured.com ] with questions about this announcement.

 

According to the U.S. National Hurricane Service, reporting at 5 a.m. PDT [8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time] on Tuesday, June 23, 2009, Andres intensified in strength to 70 m.p.h. winds and is expected to become a hurricane [minimum 74 m.p.h. sustained winds] later on the date of June 23. As of the 5 a.m. June 23 report, Tropical Storm Andres was centered 110 miles south-southeast of Manzanillo, Mexico, moving northwest at 9 m.p.h., and was expected to reach the southwestern coast of Mexico within 24 hours.

  

Additional resources for storm related questions:

 

U.S. National Weather Service: www.noaa.gov
The Weather Channel: www.weather.com

American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov

Luxury Travel - Focus on Overseas Sightseeing

Travel agents are getting some help in travel promotion these days from President Obama. Those seeking encouragement for clients hesitant about overseas travel this year need look no further than the White House. The First Family scheduled time during President Obama’s recent foreign diplomatic schedule to enjoy personal, family sightseeing. President and Mrs. Obama visited Prague and Istanbul in April, with Michelle Obama touring Prague’s Jewish Quarter and Castle district, and the President visiting the Hagia Sophia Museum and the Blue Mosque in Istanbul. On a recent visit to the Middle East, the President took time with his staff to tour the Pyramids, the Sphinx and other Cairo area attractions.

This month, after celebrating the 65^th anniversary of D-Day during his June 6^th speech and tour of the Normandy beaches, President Obama spent the weekend with his family in Paris. After the President returned home, Michelle Obama stayed for another week with her daughters to visit both Paris and London, where the Obamas celebrated daughter Sasha’s 8^th Birthday by visiting Parliament, Big Ben and the Tower of London, where King Henry the VIII’s 500^th anniversary of coronation is commemorated this year. You can advise clients that the Obamas, like other working families, are comfortable combining personal family travel with the father’s business trip. The First Family even extended the family vacation trip after the President returned home to work, and kept their touring schedule private in Paris and London, allowing them to drop into restaurants without advance public fanfare.

Obama travel photos are readily available online, and might be useful to share with your clients. Remind clients that, although the First Family need not add travel insurance to their international trips, most U.S. health care plans and Medicare, as noted on the U.S. State Department web site (http://travel.state.gov ), do not provide coverage when Americans travel outside the U.S. Encourage your clients to follow the First Family’s travel example, but remind them to add a comprehensive Worldwide Trip Protector or WTP Gold plan, the latter designed for protecting luxury trips, when they do!

National Weather Service 2009 Hurricane Forecast + 2008 Storm Activity Serve as Reminders to Add Travel Insurance

The start of the 2009 Atlantic Hurricane Season begins today, a week after the NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration) Weather Service Climate Prediction Center issued its forecast for the Atlantic Season. The forecasters predict between 9 and 14 named storms, of which 4 to 7 may become hurricanes, including one major storm of Category 3 (111 m.p.h.) or larger. The outlook is 50% probable for a “near normal” season that averages 11 named storms including six hurricanes of which two are majors. There is, according to NOAA, a 25% probability for “above-normal” 2009 storm activity, and a 25% probability for “below-normal” activity.

 

Travel Insured International reminds travelers that seasonal National Weather Service hurricane forecasts combined with actual seasonal results since 2005, the year of Hurricane Katrina, show how unpredictable hurricane seasons can be. While the NWS Prediction Center has forecast the number of storms with remarkable accuracy, especially in the last two years following the record storm activity of 2005 and the quieter 2006, there are surprising results each year.

 

Last year, for example, six (6) consecutive named storms (Hurricane Dolly, Tropical Storm Edouard, Tropical Storm Fay, Hurricane Gustav, Hurricane Hanna and Hurricane Ike) struck the U.S. for the first time ever. There were also major category 3 Atlantic hurricanes in each of five consecutive 2008 months for the first time, including Bertha in July, Gustav in August, Ike in September, Omar in October and Paloma in November.

 

The storm data is a reminder that adding travel insurance provides peace of mind in protecting against hurricane-related trip cancellation and delays when traveling during the hurricane season from June 1 until November 1. Remember, however, that you must plan early, preferably with your initial trip deposit, to get protection from an unforeseen hurricane disruption. Once a storm has been named by the National Weather Service you cannot obtain coverage against any storm-related disruption from that storm!

 

Hurricane-Related Travel Insured Coverage

 

Trip Cancellation: Travel Insured International’s Worldwide Trip Protector plans can provide coverage for Trip Cancellation if weather causes complete cessation of your common carrier for 24 or more consecutive hours. This coverage can also protect you if a hurricane or natural disaster renders your destination accommodations uninhabitable. And it can protect you if your primary residence within 10 days of your scheduled departure is made uninhabitable by a flood or other natural disaster.

 

Trip Interruption – Mandatory Evacuation: If local authorities order a mandatory evacuation at your destination due to a hurricane or other natural disaster during your trip and at the end of the evacuation you have 50% or less of your trip remaining, this coverage can protect you.

 

Cancel for Any Reason: When you are concerned about the potential of traveling when a storm might be building but has not yet reached your destination, your best option is to purchase a Cancel for Any Reason upgrade within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. This option will allow you to cancel up to two or more days prior to your scheduled destination for up to 75% reimbursement of your non-refundable prepaid vacation costs. But remember the insurance and option must be purchased before the storm is named for coverage to apply!

 

Trip Delay: A weather-caused delay of your common carrier for six or more hours can provide Trip Delay coverage of up to $500, $750, or $1,500 depending upon the  terms of the Worldwide Trip Protector plan you purchase.

 

Missed Port of Call: Worldwide Trip Protector and Gold plans offer a “Missed Port of Call” benefit that addresses cruise or tour disruptions due to unforeseen events such as hurricanes. Insured passengers who prepay for a non-refundable shore activity in a port of call, or a scheduled stop on a tour, but miss the activity due to a change of itinerary, can be reimbursed up to $750 unless the missed activity is rescheduled during the course of the trip.

 

Missed Connection: This coverage can protect you if, as a result of a weather-related disruption of your common carrier for three or more hours, you miss your cruise or tour departure. Benefits can be paid up to the limits specified on your selected Worldwide Trip Protector plan.

Travel Insured Reminds Travelers to Remember Travel Insurance For a Drive Vacation Featuring Prepaid Hotel & Resort Packages

As summer vacation season approaches, Travel Insured International reminds travelers that choosing to drive rather than fly to your resort vacation does not eliminate potential risks that could disrupt your trip and lose your prepaid vacation package dollars. The 2009 economy is not one in which to lose your hard-earned family vacation dollars!

 

Most resort hotels, as well as vacation rental properties, require prepayment for vacation packages that may include accommodations, theme park tickets, activities and even some meals. Package terms and conditions may include forfeiture of fees or vacation payments, including loss of prepaid activities or tickets, if you are forced to cancel after specified deadlines prior to your scheduled arrival. An accident or illness occurring during your trip may incur added emergency medical expenses or force an early departure with loss of non-refundable vacation days.

 

Worldwide Trip Protector for Vacations

 

Whether your family drive vacation is to a theme park resort, a dude ranch, a chartered fishing trip, an ocean cruise or an oceanfront vacation home rental with friends or relatives, a plan from the Worldwide Trip Protector family of plans provides comprehensive coverage that should not be left behind because you are not flying an airline.

 

• Purchase the Worldwide Trip Protector or WTP Lite Expanded plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit to obtain coverage for a Pre-Existing Medical Condition for both traveling and non-traveling family members of both you and your traveling companion.*
• Purchase the WTP or WTP Lite Expanded plan within 14 days of your initial trip deposit to obtain protection against the bankruptcy or default of your resort hotel or rental property that occurs more than 14 days following the effective date of your plan.*
• Save money if you do not want either Pre-Existing Medical Condition coverage or Default & Bankruptcy coverage by purchasing lower-cost WTP Lite. It excludes both, but still includes Trip Cancellation & Interruption, Emergency Health and other great coverage.
• Enjoy “Kids are Free” coverage with a choice of plans. One child under 18 is free per paying, related adult on the same WTP Lite or WTP Lite Expanded plan. All children under 18 are free with a paying, related adult on the same comprehensive Worldwide Trip Protector plan. Enjoy School Day Extension coverage with the WTP Lite Expanded or WTP plan in case your child’s school year calendar is extended due to weather or school illness.
• Remember that summer is hurricane season! A WTP plan has you covered in case a hurricane, fire, flood or other natural disaster which is unforeseen at the time you purchased your plan, renders either your destination accommodations or your primary home uninhabitable. You may also be covered if an evacuation is ordered disrupting most of your trip.
• Receive emergency travel assistance if you are lost, need emergency accommodations, assistance replacing lost medications, or an emergency cash advance.

(*Not included in WTP Lite plan.)

 

Save on Rental Car CDW

 

Your drive vacation can include savings on rental car collision damage waiver (CDW) when you are renting a vehicle for your trip. The plan cost is $7 per day for optional CDW on your Worldwide Trip Protector, about one-third of the cost of similar coverage available at the car rental counter. One option available on your WTP plan is Cancel for Work Reasons, which when purchased within 14 days of your trip deposit includes Job Loss Protection. You can be covered for Trip Cancellation when you worked one year or more at the place where your job is lost. Another option is Cancel for Any Reason, which must also be purchased within 14 days of your initial trip deposit. It allows for up to a 75% refund of your prepaid vacation when you cancel more than two days prior to the scheduled start of your trip.

 

Vacation bargains are everywhere in the summer of 2009. If you choose to take advantage of one with a drive vacation remember not to overlook a trip protection plan such as WTP, WTP Lite or WTP Lite Expanded. You might be the hero that saves your family’s trip.

On Call Swine Flu Update

In response to the growing concern regarding the Swine Flu outbreak and the extensive amount of information that has surfaced, from the local and national news to travel blogs and Twitter, On Call International is happy to serve as your resource for the critical information you should know about Swine Flu prevention and preparedness, as well as symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Download On Call_Swine Flu Update_ 5.01.09

Updated Coverage Alert - Swine Flu Outbreak

Travel Insured continues to closely monitor the outbreak of Swine Flu and the potential impact to our customers.  Many travel suppliers, such as airlines, cruise lines and tour operators, are already working with customers to reroute, reschedule or cancel travel arrangements with no penalties or fees.  Travelers concerned about upcoming travel to affected areas are encouraged to contact their travel suppliers.  

At this time we are covering Swine Flu as any other Sickness.  However, cancellation or interruption due to the concern of contracting the Swine Flu is not covered.  Cancellation or Interruption due to Sickness requires documentation by the attending physician.

Coverage does not include concern of traveling to a specific region, and generally there is no coverage due to government regulations or advisories to specific regions.  However, Travel Insured does provide Cancel for Any Reason coverage to travelers purchasing the Cancel for Any Reason option with their Travel Insured plan and cancelling their trip two or more days prior to their scheduled trip departure date.

We have prepared answers to many of the questions we have been receiving from our customers along with some general information on the swine flu. We will continue to monitor the situation and update our position as developments occur.  If you have a question that is not addressed below, please call us at 1-800-243-3174 or via live chat at www.travelinsured.com.

  

Frequently Asked Questions

 

• Can I still purchase insurance for this outbreak of swine flu?
  Yes. If you or other covered individuals contract swine flu before or while traveling, coverage will be provided for Sickness as specified in the terms and conditions of your policy.
   
• Am I covered for swine flu?

 

Cancel for Any Reason

If your policy includes our optional Cancel for Any Reason coverage; you may cancel your trip at any time up to two days prior to departure and receive up to 75% of your total trip cost.

 

Trip Cancellation – Interruption

We are treating Swine Flu as any other sickness supporting Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption as per the terms and conditions of your policy.  Claims will require supporting statement from your attending physician.

 

Emergency Accident & Sickness Medical Expense
Swine flu would be considered an emergency medical condition if you contract it while traveling. 

Emergency Medical Transportation
If you contract swine flu, contact our Assistance company.  If evacuation is required as determined by our consulting physician and the local attending physician, we will take you to the appropriate medical facility. All transportation must be authorized and arranged by the Assistance Company.
Travel Delay
If you are quarantined because of swine flu, many of our policies will pay a daily per person benefit up to the coverage limit for unexpected meals, accommodations and transportation that result from your delay.  Please review your specific policy for the terms and limits that apply. 

 

• What if I am Quarantined?

 

Quarantine coverage is included under Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption and Trip Delay benefits, in the event a physician quarantines the traveler/insured for any illness which prevents traveling.  Quarantine means that the person is restricted to their home or a medical facility; not restricted from one country or destination.

 

• How can I find out if my travel supplier will allow me to change the dates of my trip?
  Many travel suppliers, such as airlines, cruise lines and tour operators, are already working with customers to reroute, reschedule or cancel travel arrangements with no penalties or fees.  We recommend travelers concerned about upcoming travel to affected areas, to contact their travel suppliers.
   
• Can I change the travel dates on my policy if my supplier is allowing me to rebook?
  Yes. We are happy to adjust the travel dates on your policy provided that you have not filed a claim and you have not departed on your trip and your new travel dates are within eighteen months of your original application date.   If your supplier will charge you a change fee, we will not be able to cover that unless you file a claim on your existing policy. Should you choose to file a claim, you will need to purchase a new policy for the new trip.
   
• Can I cancel if I am concerned about traveling?
  No.  Our policies provide coverage for Trip Cancellation due to specific listed reasons that are unforeseen prior to purchase.  Coverage is not provided for concern of traveling other than coverage provided under our Cancel for Any Reason option.
   
• Does my policy cover medical care if I become ill while traveling in Mexico?
  Yes.  Swine Flu will be treated as any other Sickness under the terms and conditions of your policy.
   

What should I do if I become sick while traveling?
Seek medical care immediately.   Contact our Assistance Service provider for help in locating a doctor or nearest medical facility.  Contact information and phone numbers are included in your Description of Coverage and on your Confirmation of Benefits.  Be sure to take your policy documents with you when you travel and have these important phone numbers readily available.

Travel Insured Supports Tourism Cares 2009; Joins in Cleanup of Gettysburg Battlefield Hospital

E. Hartford, CT, April 24, 2008 – Travel Insured International has stepped up support of Tourism Cares, the industry non-profit volunteer organization founded jointly by foundations of both the National Tour Organization and the U.S. Tour Operators Association. Travel Insured was represented by Cynthia Perry, CTC, Vice President of Sales and Industry Relations, who is a “Tourism Caretaker” for Tourism Cares, and Marc Flood, Senior Vice President of Sales, at the 2009 Tourism Cares volunteer project. The event took place on April 16 - 18 at Spangler Farm, a historic site adjoining the Civil War Battlefield in Gettysburg, PA.

The Gettysburg cleanup project was the second major Tourism Cares event supported by Travel Insured in the last six months. Travel Insured joined with its underwriter Arch Insurance Group as co-sponsors of the fund-raising “Golf Tournament to Benefit Tourism Cares” on Dec. 4, 2008 at the annual U.S. Tour Operators Association Convention at the J.W. Marriott Resort & Spa in Palm Springs, CA.

April 2009 Gettysburg Event

During the Gettysburg event, Perry and Flood joined 300 fellow industry volunteers to help begin the cleanup toward the restoration of Spangler Farm. The site, which has been in deteriorating condition for decades, includes a surviving barn used as an emergency field hospital for thousands of wounded soldiers during the Battle of Gettysburg from July 1 to 3, 1863.  The field hospital was the site of the death of Confederate General Lewis Armistead, who led the decisive Pickett’s Charge on the final day of the battle.  Tourism Cares, which raised $10,000 to support the Gettysburg operation, supervised the volunteers’ cleanup of debris and underbrush from Spangler Farm as the first phase of a planned restoration toward the farm’s ultimate re-opening to visitors. Bruce Beckham, CTP, the Executive Director of Tourism Cares, based in Canton, MA, declared the 2009 Gettysburg volunteer project an unqualified success.

In addition to participating in annual tourism restoration projects, Tourism Cares fulfills its mission by raising industry funds to provide scholarships to tourism and hospitality students, to provide grants to worldwide tourism non-profit organizations and to help support capital improvements in the tourism industry. Since 2003, Tourism Cares has supported and participated in restoration projects in Ellis Island in New York City, New Orleans, the Mississippi Gulf Coast, George Washington’s home in Mount Vernon, VA and, Virginia City, NV. The organization hopes to begin sponsoring international tourism restoration projects in 2010.

“Tourism Cares is a wonderful opportunity for all of us at Travel Insured to join with our industry partners in giving back to our customers by helping preserve our tourism resources for the benefit of future generations,” said Cynthia Perry. “We are delighted to be able to contribute both financially and with our personal time to support this most worthy industry endeavor."

Travel Insured International Statement Regarding Coverage of Swine Flu Illness

At this time we are covering Swine Flu as any other Sickness. However, cancellation or interruption due to the fear of contracting the Swine Flu are not covered. Cancellation or Interruption due to Sickness requires documentation by the attending physician.

Travel Insured does provide Cancel for Any Reason coverage to travelers purchasing the Cancel for Any Reason option with their Travel Insured plan and cancelling their trip two or more days prior to their scheduled trip departure date.

Travel Insured plans provide Emergency Sickness Medical Expense and Emergency Medical Evacuation benefits for all necessary medical events, including those resulting from an insured traveler’s contraction of swine flu.

If a Travel Insured policy holder is subjected to an imposed quarantine as the result of swine flu, Travel Insured Trip Delay benefits will apply as normally specified in each plan’s Description of Coverage.

Worldwide Emergency Travel Assistance, included with every Travel Insured plan, will continue to be provided in all travel emergencies, whether or not related to a swine flu illness.