The other side of Rick Steves, Salon - He may seem like Mister Rogers. But in a revealing interview, the travel guru shares his daring views on Iran and terrorism, spoiled Americans and the best places to smoke pot in Europe.

Flying car by Terrafugia takes its first flight, TGDaily - Terrafugia Inc, a company which spun off from MIT, has confirmed that its flying car, deemed a “roadable aircraft” and named Transition, has successfully completed a 37 second test flight. Here’s some videos of the demonstration flight.

Small hotels not pleased with Spring Break push, The Desert Sun - While merchants and large hotels are looking forward to the possible influx of people into Palm Springs, the small hoteliers say they are already full and don’t need any extra help filling their rooms. They have loyal clientele and the possibility of the rowdy days of spring break isn’t worth it.

Austerity Hits the Florida Beaches, Wall Street Journal - A drop in tourist-related revenue hits especially hard in a state that relies on tourism for a significant portion of its sales-tax revenue. Of the state’s 18.8 million residents, nearly one million work in jobs linked to tourism. Article says that the two big hotels in Amelia Island have lost a combined $6.2 million from business travel and conventions.

Bankrupt Greenbrier May Be Sold to Marriott, Washington Post - Joseph and Rose Kennedy honeymooned there. Twenty-six presidents have visited, as have Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. But now, after a shameful Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing, the resort owners hope to sell the 720-room property to Bethesda-based Marriott International for up to $130 million.

Hotels are viewed as prime front for efforts to organize, Philadelphia Business Journal - When President Obama comes to Philadelphia, he stays at the Sheraton Philadelphia City Center, a union hotel. Other non-union hotels in Philadelphia are expected to be the target of union activists if the Obama-backed Employee Free Choice Act is voted into law. It’s possible that major convention hotels, including the non-union Loews Philadelphia Hotel and the Philadelphia Marriott Downtown Hotel, would be at the center of efforts to organize workers.

Posted on March 20th, 2009 by PLing
Filed under: Travel News