Top 100 US destinations/attractions for 2013

The American Bus Association is pleased to announce that Gettysburg PA is its 2013 “Number One U.S. Event for Motor Coaches.”

July 2013 will mark the 150 anniversary of the decisive Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. 

Beginning with the Battle of Gettysburg and continuing later in November when President Abraham Lincoln delivered the Emancipation Proclamation the events of 1863 are considered some of the most important in U.S. history. 

An estimated fifteen thousand motor coaches bring visitors to Gettysburg each year. Officials estimate that, because of the events in the summer of 2013, they expect a 30 percent increase in tourism-related business. 

The battlefield, the site of Lincoln’s Emancipation Proclamation, the historic Evergreen Cemetery, and the home of President and Mrs. Eisenhower, where they lived after his return from Europe until his death, are some of the main attractions.

The Travel Prof & some river city local historians are crafting a summer Civil War trip with a stop in Gettysburg. Contact me & I’ll add you to our “interested” in more information list. 

US workers to lose unused vacation days

U.S. employees have an average of eight unused vacation days this fall, according to American Express Travel’s American Express Spending and Saving Tracker. At the end of the year, 38 percent of workers will lose these unused vacation days while 74 percent are planning to use them over the fall months. 

Of those planning to use their vacation time this fall, 31 percent said they choose to travel during fall because it is the most affordable time of year, and 23 percent will travel to off-season destinations like the Caribbean and Hawaii, as they offer some great deals during this time, the study said.

Be kind to your travel agent and get out of town! 

Another iconic Las Vegas strip hotel is disappearing!

Caesars Entertainment said it plans re-name the company's Las Vegas Strip resort, currently known as Imperial Palace, as The Quad Resort & Casino. 

Although guests will begin to see the brand transformation on property as early as November, the official conversion will be completed by Dec. 21, 2012 with renovation plans scheduled for finish by late 2013.

Interior and exterior renovations to the property are already under way. The renovations are scheduled to be completed in phases and will bring improvements to the exterior facade, porte cochere, front desk, bell desk, hotel lobby, casino floor, retail promenade and dining levels.

The IP has long been one of the lower priced strip hotels and it’s my hope that this rebranding doesn’t inflate the room rates.  

Carnival Cruise Lines Philanthropic Gesture

A peek into one of Carnival's no view category 4 stateroom

Carnival Cruise Lines donated $10,000 to the United Way of Brevard during grand opening festivities of the new Terminal 6 at Port Canaveral. Carnival also provided a seven-day Caribbean cruise for two from Port Canaveral aboard the Carnival Dream to one attendee of the event, which kicked off the United Way of Brevard’s fall campaign.

Carnival’s Chief Marketing Officer Jim Berra served as the keynote speaker for the event, which featured a “Wizard of Oz” theme with characters from the film interacting with guests and the new terminal decorated to resemble Emerald City.

Berra’s comments highlighted the relationship between the cruise line and the Canaveral Port Authority that dates back more than 20 years. With three ships based year-round and two additional ships visiting the Space Coast as a port of call, Carnival is Port Canaveral’s number-one cruise line, accounting for nearly 800,000 passengers annually.

For more information on Carnival Cruise Lines, visit or contact your professional cruise consultant.

It's the U.S. Constitution's Birthday!

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Constitution! How many birthday candles will be on its birthday cake?

If you haven't been there the U.S. Constitution Center in Philadelphia PA is well worth the visit!

Labor Day brings strong jobs forecast from travel industry

Americans that traveled over the Labor Day weekend supported one of the key industries in the economic recovery, says a new report. Travelers spent $813 billion in 2011, supporting 7.5 million jobs, or around 7 percent of all private-sector workers. When those workers spend their earned money, it boosts the economy even more, supporting 14.4 million jobs, or roughly 1 in 8. Those figures are from a new study by the U.S. Travel Association, a group that lobbies on behalf of the travel industry.

Be kind to your local travel professional & let them send you out of town1