(NewsUSA) - As summer kicks Americans' travel plans into gear, doctors start seeing more patients -- travel exposes tourists to all sorts of communicable bacteria and viruses. But with a little preparation, vacationers can enjoy sun and sand without catching coughs and sniffles.

Many people believe that planes' closed environments help germs spread, but in actuality, a normal airplane cabin circulates air more often than the average office building. And patients shouldn't worry about germs on blankets or pillows, either. Such items are carefully cleaned between flights, making contamination unlikely.

But airplanes do help germs spread in other ways. While the air in the cabin isn't stale, it is dry. On long flights, this desert-like air dries out passengers' mucus membranes, making them more susceptible to infection. Travelers can reduce their risk by staying hydrated, preferably with bottled water.

Passengers can also take steps to kill any germs that do land in their nose, mouth or eyes. An alcohol-free germ-protection spray, such as MyClyns, can be sprayed into the eyes, mouth, nose or minor cuts and abrasions, where it kills germs before they cause infection. Long used by first responders and health care professionals, MyClyns germ protection spray steps in where sanitizers may fail.

"The skin is an amazing organ and does a wonderful job protecting us," says Dr. Donald Locasto, Medical Director of the Cincinnati Fire Department and professor of emergency medicine at the University of Cincinnati. "But germs are given a fast track to enter when we touch our eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound. You can't spray hand sanitizer into your eyes -- its active ingredient is essentially alcohol."

That said, hand sanitizer is a must-have for air travelers. Passengers should wash their hands frequently, but on a plane, there's no guarantee that the water is not contaminated. For this reason, travelers should wash their hands with soap and water, then follow-up with hand sanitizer.

Air travelers can also reduce their risk by requesting a new seat when they're placed by obviously sick passengers, limiting caffeine and alcohol, and making sure that they are healthy and well-rested before flights.

As Dr. Locasto asserts, with precautions, "the only malady this year's savvy travelers will be afflicted by is a longing for a bit more time off."

For more information, visit www.mygermspray.com.

Alexandria, Va., Feb. 24, 2010 - More than 85 travel agency executives braved one of the biggest snowstorms of modern history, dubbed "Snowmageddon" by President Barack Obama, to attend the 2010 ASTA Premium Business Summit and Corporate Advisory Council (CAC) Meeting. The event was hosted by Marriott at the JW Marriot San Antonio Hill Country Resort and Spa (San Antonio, Texas).

"This exclusive event for Premium Member company owners and executives created a unique opportunity for travel agencies to meet face-to-face and work together to get to the heart of issues that will dramatically impact the travel industry in the coming years," said Chris Russo, ASTA president and chair. "We polled Premium Members upon their return and the overwhelming response was that it was 18 of the best hours they have spent, jam-packed with informative sessions and key industry information."

Topics such as ‘The Corporate & Leisure Travel Experience of the Future,' ‘The Airline Industry of Today and Tomorrow,' ‘Managing Airline Unbundling & Direct Connect' and ‘Travel Agents as Information Brokers: The Super PNR - Is it Real?' were among the issues debated and discussed during the Summit.

Expert panelists and speakers representing all facets of the industry gave their perspectives and insights into where the industry is headed. The group included leaders such as: Ellen Bettridge, ASTA Executive Committee member/CAC chairman, vice president/Retail Travel Network, American Express; Marc Casto, president and COO, Casto; Tom Cates, CCO, Amadeus North America; Kaye Ceille, senior vice president, AVIS Budget Group; Monisa Cline, vice president, North American Sales, Continental Airlines; Vicki Freed, senior vice president, Royal Caribbean International; Mike Foster, owner, Uniglobe Instant Travel Inc.; Scott Hintz, co-founder, TripIt; Chris Kroeger, president, GetThere; Kevin Mitchell, chairman and founder, Business Travel Coalition; Tim Smith, president, San Diego Travel Group and chairman of the board, Signature Travel Network; and Rose Stratford, senior vice president, BCD Travel.

Other travel agency supplier speakers included Jeff Coggin, assistant vice president, Enterprise Holdings; Cynthia Kropp, executive vice president, ABC Corporate Services; Peter Pincus, global account executive, Marriott International; and Cindy Perry, vice president, Travel Insured International.

A listing of those Premium Members in attendance, as well as a full roster of Premium Members, can be found on ASTA.org.

Prior to Premium Summit, the ASTA's CAC met to discuss a range of issues facing the retail travel industry, including upcoming changes to airline distribution models, pending federal and state legislation, and ASTA's political action committee, ASTAPAC. The CAC is comprised of the heads of the largest travel agency organizations and individually owned travel agencies. The CAC, whose members' annual sales exceed $50 million, has made multiple major contributions to ASTA work on behalf of the industry. 

For additional information contact Cheryl Ahearn, senior vice president of market development, at 703.739.6870 or cahearn@asta.org.

(NewsUSA) - It's never been harder to pack for a flight. Airlines' three-ounce rule, which forbids any liquid or gel in a bottle over three ounces in size, means repackaging personal products or buying sample-sized items for your carry-on bag. At the same time, most airlines now charge for checked bags and enforce rigid restrictions on height and weight.

Some clever Americans, however, have started beating the system; by shipping their luggage to their destination. In fact, Pak Mail, a packing and shipping company with locations throughout the U.S. and around the world, reports an increase in the number of suitcases, golf clubs, and scuba gear that customers ship to hotels and resorts.

Shipping luggage reduces the hassle travelers face at airports. Those who ship their luggage do not have to stand in long check-in lines or baggage claims. And they're less likely to learn that suitcases have been lost or damaged en route.

For this reason, many business travelers now opt to ship presentations and displays ahead of time, so they know that their equipment will arrive on time and in one piece. Parents, too, have discovered that shipping their luggage makes traveling with young children less stressful, since they do not have to make kids stand in lines or carry a child and a suitcase at the same time.

"Our customers enjoy the benefits of shipping their belongings on ahead. We eliminate the fear of lost luggage and the stress of dragging cumbersome bags through airports and security lines," says Adriene Thompson, marketing director of Pak Mail. "We've shipped everything from boogie boards to trade show booths to baby cribs, all arriving at their destination damage-free and on time."

Travelers should, however, keep some items with them at all times. Never check money-related items, like credit cards or checkbooks, jewelry, laptops and other electronic devices, medications or important personal items like glasses, passports, keys, favorite toys or important documents.

For more information and locations, visit www.pakmail.com.

A Tropical Storm formed at 8 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time [11 p.m. EDT] on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009 in the eastern Pacific Ocean, 345 miles south-southeast of Acapulco, Mexico,  and was given the name Tropical Storm Rick by the U.S. National Weather Service Hurricane Center. The storm was named after reaching maximum sustained winds of near 50 miles per hour as it moved to the west-northwest toward Mexico’s southern Baja peninsula. 

The storm strengthened into Hurricane Rick, a major hurricane that fluctuated in size between a category 5, with winds of 180 miles per hour, to a category 3, with winds of 125 miles per hour, as it crossed the southeast Pacific toward Mexico’s Baja peninsula. Travel Insured International plans purchased on or after Oct. 15, 2009 will not provide coverage for adverse weather claims due to Hurricane Rick or its resulting weather pattern. Plan holders may contact our Customer Care Department [ info@travelinsured.com ] with questions about this announcement.

Additional resources for storm related questions:

U.S. National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov
The Weather Channel: www.weather.com
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov

A Tropical Storm formed at 11 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time  on Monday, September 7, 2009 in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, 245 miles southwest of the Cape Verde Islands, and was identified and given the name Tropical Storm Fred by the U.S. National Weather Service Hurricane Center. The storm was named after reaching maximum sustained winds of almost 40 miles per hour, and was moving west by northwest across the Atlantic.

The storm strengthened into Hurricane Fred, a major category 3 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of almost 120 miles per hour, as it crossed the mid-Atlantic in a northwest direction on September 9. Travel Insured International plans purchased on or after September 7, 2009 will not provide coverage for adverse weather claims due to Hurricane Fred or its resulting weather pattern. Plan holders may contact our Customer Care Department [ info@travelinsured.com ] with questions about this announcement.

Additional resources for storm related questions:

U.S. National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov
The Weather Channel: www.weather.com
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov

A Tropical Storm formed at 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time  on Saturday, August 15, 2009 in the eastern Atlantic Ocean, 820 miles southwest of Cape Verde Islands, and was identified and given the name Tropical Storm Bill by the U.S. National Weather Service Hurricane Center. The storm was named after reaching maximum sustained winds of 40 miles per hour, and was moving west by northwest across the Atlantic.

The storm strengthened into Hurricane Bill, with sustained winds of 75 m.p.h., on Monday morning, Aug. 17, as it crossed the mid-Atlantic in a west-northwest direction. Travel Insured International plans purchased on or after August 15, 2009 will not provide coverage for adverse weather claims due to Hurricane Bill or its resulting weather pattern. Plan holders may contact our Customer Care Department [ info@travelinsured.com ] with questions about this announcement.

Additional resources for storm related questions:

U.S. National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov

The Weather Channel: www.weather.com

American Red Cross: www.redcross.org

Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov

A Tropical Storm formed in the eastern Pacific, 1,200 miles southwest of the tip of Baja, Mexico, and was identified and given the name Tropical Storm Felicia by the U.S. National Hurricane Center at 8 a.m. PDT [11 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time]  on TUESDAY, AUGUST 4, 2009. The storm was named after reaching maximum sustained winds of 45 miles per hour, and was moving west by northwest.

Travel Insured International plans purchased at or after 11 a.m. EDT [8 a.m. Pacific Daylight Time] on August 4, 2009 will not provide coverage for adverse weather claims resulting from Tropical Storm Felicia 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 2 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time [8 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time] on Monday, August 10, 2009, Tropical Storm Felicia is 500 miles east of Hawaii  and is heading toward Hawaii with maximum sustained winds of 50 m.p.h. It is expected to pass over the state of Hawaii during Tuesday, August 11.

Additional resources for storm related questions:

U.S. National Hurricane Center: www.nhc.noaa.gov
The Weather Channel: www.weather.com
American Red Cross: www.redcross.org
Federal Emergency Management Agency: www.fema.gov

Reposted from Saturday, May 30, 2009

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 atwww.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. 

The National Weather Service’s Climate Prediction Center has issued its forecast for the 2009 hurricane season, which runs from June 1 until Nov. 30. The prediction is for a 50% chance of a “near normal” season of moderate storm activity in the Atlantic. NWS forecasters look for between 9 and 14 named storms, of which between 4 and 7 storms may become hurricanes. There is an expectation that one of the hurricanes could be a Category 3 or greater, meaning a storm with minimum 111 m.p.h. sustained winds.

Hurricane seasons have been marked by surprises in recent years, and travel agents should always recommend that their clients add travel insurance in preparation for the unexpected. Last year was the first year ever for two hurricane statistics. There were six consecutive named storms, including four hurricanes, that struck the mainland U.S. during the season. There was also a category 3 hurricane in the Atlantic during each of five consecutive months, including Bertha in July, Gustav in August, Ike in September, Omar in October and Paloma in November. Agents should also remind their clients that in 2005, after 15 named storms and 9 hurricanes were predicted for the season, there were subsequently 28 named storms and 15 hurricanes, including the majors Katrina, which struck New Orleans, and Wilma, which struck Cancun. 

Travel Insured’s Worldwide Trip Protector line of plans include Trip Cancellation, Trip Interruption, Trip Delay, Missed  Port of Call and Missed Connection, which can be triggered by a hurricane or other disruptive weather activity. Not all plans include all coverage and clients should consult the terms and conditions of each plan for the specific coverage and plan costs that work for them. Clients concerned about traveling when a storm is potentially heading toward their destination might consider a Cancel for Any Reason upgrade as their best option. By buying the Cancel for Any Reason upgrade within 14 days of their initial trip deposit, clients may cancel up to two or more days prior to their scheduled departure date for up to a 75% reimbursement of their non-refundable prepaid vacation costs. Remember that the Cancel for Any Reason option must be purchased before the storm is named for coverage to apply!

(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."

Visit Travel Insured's LGBT specfic web page here!