International survey reveals the bizarre items found by cabin crew
EDINBURGH, Scotland, August 20, 2013- A live parrot, a glass eye and a bag of sand are just a few of the bizarre items left behind on planes each year, according to a survey of 700 international cabin crew by leading global travel search site Skyscanner.
Cabin crew have reported an extensive list of items found on flights after passengers have disembarked. It includes a surprising number of forgotten pets, with crew members reporting to have found a falcon, frog, tortoise, as well as a parrot abandoned at the end of a flight.
Dentures, underwear, a glass eye and a prosthetic leg were also in the long list of weird and wonderful items revealed by cabin crew, and which pose the question: 'how did the passenger manage to forget them?' Other items found were just simply random: a single egg (without packaging), a bag of sand and a written marriage proposal.
Whether the latter was intended for a cabin crew member or a passenger is unclear. And let's hope the lost wedding dress found its owner before the big day.
When it comes to the more regular travel essentials, it seems that passengers are no less forgetful. Almost a quarter (24%) of crew have found a lost passport on board, which is even higher than the number of phones (23%) and books (21%) left behind.
Victoria Bailie, Skyscanner spokesperson, said: "Many of us have left something behind when we've travelled, such as a book or magazine.
However, this survey has revealed that some people have left some quite bizarre items on board and items such as the glass eye and prosthetic leg make you wonder how they could have been missed by the owner. I'm sure one or two items have raised a few smiles among the cabin crew."
Here are just some of the most random items that cabin crew have found on a plane:
Live parrot
Glass eye
Prosthetic leg
A bag of sand
A clog
Box of dried fish
One shoe
Wedding dress
Bag of diamonds
Wig
Bag of onions
Toupee
Handcuffs
Double bass
One egg (without packaging)
Frog
Underwear
Written marriage proposal
Skyscanner conducted a survey of 700 cabin crew from 83 countries through Cabincrew.com.
About Skyscanner
Skyscanner is a leading global travel search site providing instant online comparisons for millions of flights plus hotels and car hire.
Founded in 2003 by three IT professionals, Gareth Williams, Barry Smith and Bonamy Grimes, Skyscanner is the no.1 travel search website in Europe and no.3 worldwide, receiving over 50 million visits per month.
Skyscanner's travel search site is available in 40 countries and in 30 languages.
Skyscanner's highly-rated free mobile apps are available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Windows Phone, BlackBerry and Windows 8 devices and have been downloaded over 20 million times.
The company employs over 200 staff and has its global headquarters in Edinburgh, with a second Scottish office in Glasgow. Skyscanner also has offices in Singapore and Beijing.
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
UK Travellers Hit by Hotel Price Rises in Majority of Favourite Destinations
LONDON, March 13, 2012 - Global room rate increases 4% in 2011, says new Hotels.com Hotel Price Index(TM)
(HPI(R))
Cash-strapped UK travellers faced hotel price rises last year in more than two thirds
of their favourite destinations, according to a new global report released today.
The latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI), the most comprehensive survey of room rates in the world, reveals increases in 69 of the 88 city or resort locations analysed across the world.
The fluctuating value of the Pound and a growing demand for hotels, especially from international business executives, helped to push up the global average price by 4%. However, this masked some dramatic swings in the cost of accommodation caused by historic political events including the Arab Spring and natural disasters such as the Japanese earthquake.
David Roche, President of Hotels.com, which scrutinised prices paid in 142,000 properties in over 85 countries, said: "Price volatility in 2011 meant UK travellers found it more expensive to stay in the majority of their favourite destinations abroad.
"A variety of factors, including currency movements and a growth in corporate travel, pushed up prices at a time when many consumers were already struggling to pay their bills at home.
"However, it must be stressed that room rates were still generally lower than they were in 2005 meaning hotels represented outstanding value for the hard-pressed holidaymaker looking to escape austerity Britain."
Last year, prices fell 2% in Asia year-on-year but rose in all other areas: 8% in the Pacific, 5% in North America, 4% in Latin America, 3% in the Caribbean and 2% in Europe and the Middle East.
Demand rises in US cities
UK travellers found that hotel rooms in some of their favourite US destinations were more expensive with an average 3% rise across the States.
There was less discounting amongst hoteliers in 2011 than in 2010 and business travellers drove up room demand and prices, with convention centres such as San Francisco and Las Vegas up 14% and 11% to GBP113 and GBP78 respectively. New York rose 4% to GBP173.
Prices up Down Under
The average hotel price in Australia rose 13% to GBP108 reflecting the country's strong currency and robust economy. Brisbane, which was hit by extensive flooding in January 2011, saw a 26% rise to GBP110 as business travel recovered quickly.
There was also a 12% rise in New Zealand to GBP73, fuelled by high demand around the Rugby World Cup in September-October. Earthquake-hit Christchurch saw a 41% rise to GBP81, the highest increase in the survey.
Prices keep building in BRIC nations
The strength of the booming BRIC economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China was also largely reflected in hotel rates as corporate demand increased along with domestic custom.
Rio de Janeiro was up 13% to GBP156, Moscow rose 9% to GBP164, and Hong Kong climbed 18% to GBP119, boosted by strong business as well as consumer interest from the Chinese mainland.
Natural and political events leave their mark
Asia was the only region to experience a price fall in average rates, down 2%, partly due to devastating natural catastrophes. The Japanese earthquake in March 2011 saw price cuts in Hiroshima by 16% to GBP67 and in Kyoto by 11% to GBP91. Asian destinations offered the lowest rates, with Phnom Penh on just GBP40 a night.
The Arab Spring protests and war in Libya hit prices across the Middle East and North Africa with average rates falling in Egypt by 22%, in Tunisia by 9%, in Lebanon, which borders Syria, by 21% and in Qatar by 27%.
However, the Omani capital of Muscat was the most expensive city featured in the HPI at GBP219 with demand fuelled by luxury-seeking travellers from Europe, especially Germany.
Mixed picture in Europe
London prices rose marginally by 1% to GBP115 but many traditional European city break destinations experienced steeper price rises caused by the Euro's relatively strong performance against the Pound. Amsterdam increased 9% to GBP116 and Venice and Barcelona were up 8% to GBP137 and GBP104 respectively.
The effects of the Greek debt problem triggered a 10% slump to GBP80 in Athens. However, despite similar economic difficulties, Dublin prices rallied 7% to GBP73, helped in part by the May 2011 visits of US President Barack Obama and the Queen which raised the profile of the city.
There were also significant price rises in the Baltic states with Increased demand from travelers searching for low cost destinations. Average room rates climbed in Lithuania by 14% to GBP55, in Estonia by 11% to GBP60 and in Latvia by 8% to GBP57.
The negative perception of the Middle East had a knock-on effect with many travelers switching their holiday plans to safer southern European destinations, such as Ibiza, up 39% to GBP115.
About Hotels.com
As part of Expedia Inc, which operates in all major markets, Hotels.com offers almost 149,000 hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments worldwide. If a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com will match it. Hotels.com benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry negotiating the best rates for its customers, plus there are more than 3 million reviews from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers make an informed choice when booking. Travelers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers.
The latest Hotels.com Hotel Price Index (HPI), the most comprehensive survey of room rates in the world, reveals increases in 69 of the 88 city or resort locations analysed across the world.
The fluctuating value of the Pound and a growing demand for hotels, especially from international business executives, helped to push up the global average price by 4%. However, this masked some dramatic swings in the cost of accommodation caused by historic political events including the Arab Spring and natural disasters such as the Japanese earthquake.
David Roche, President of Hotels.com, which scrutinised prices paid in 142,000 properties in over 85 countries, said: "Price volatility in 2011 meant UK travellers found it more expensive to stay in the majority of their favourite destinations abroad.
"A variety of factors, including currency movements and a growth in corporate travel, pushed up prices at a time when many consumers were already struggling to pay their bills at home.
"However, it must be stressed that room rates were still generally lower than they were in 2005 meaning hotels represented outstanding value for the hard-pressed holidaymaker looking to escape austerity Britain."
Last year, prices fell 2% in Asia year-on-year but rose in all other areas: 8% in the Pacific, 5% in North America, 4% in Latin America, 3% in the Caribbean and 2% in Europe and the Middle East.
Demand rises in US cities
UK travellers found that hotel rooms in some of their favourite US destinations were more expensive with an average 3% rise across the States.
There was less discounting amongst hoteliers in 2011 than in 2010 and business travellers drove up room demand and prices, with convention centres such as San Francisco and Las Vegas up 14% and 11% to GBP113 and GBP78 respectively. New York rose 4% to GBP173.
Prices up Down Under
The average hotel price in Australia rose 13% to GBP108 reflecting the country's strong currency and robust economy. Brisbane, which was hit by extensive flooding in January 2011, saw a 26% rise to GBP110 as business travel recovered quickly.
There was also a 12% rise in New Zealand to GBP73, fuelled by high demand around the Rugby World Cup in September-October. Earthquake-hit Christchurch saw a 41% rise to GBP81, the highest increase in the survey.
Prices keep building in BRIC nations
The strength of the booming BRIC economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China was also largely reflected in hotel rates as corporate demand increased along with domestic custom.
Rio de Janeiro was up 13% to GBP156, Moscow rose 9% to GBP164, and Hong Kong climbed 18% to GBP119, boosted by strong business as well as consumer interest from the Chinese mainland.
Natural and political events leave their mark
Asia was the only region to experience a price fall in average rates, down 2%, partly due to devastating natural catastrophes. The Japanese earthquake in March 2011 saw price cuts in Hiroshima by 16% to GBP67 and in Kyoto by 11% to GBP91. Asian destinations offered the lowest rates, with Phnom Penh on just GBP40 a night.
The Arab Spring protests and war in Libya hit prices across the Middle East and North Africa with average rates falling in Egypt by 22%, in Tunisia by 9%, in Lebanon, which borders Syria, by 21% and in Qatar by 27%.
However, the Omani capital of Muscat was the most expensive city featured in the HPI at GBP219 with demand fuelled by luxury-seeking travellers from Europe, especially Germany.
Mixed picture in Europe
London prices rose marginally by 1% to GBP115 but many traditional European city break destinations experienced steeper price rises caused by the Euro's relatively strong performance against the Pound. Amsterdam increased 9% to GBP116 and Venice and Barcelona were up 8% to GBP137 and GBP104 respectively.
The effects of the Greek debt problem triggered a 10% slump to GBP80 in Athens. However, despite similar economic difficulties, Dublin prices rallied 7% to GBP73, helped in part by the May 2011 visits of US President Barack Obama and the Queen which raised the profile of the city.
There were also significant price rises in the Baltic states with Increased demand from travelers searching for low cost destinations. Average room rates climbed in Lithuania by 14% to GBP55, in Estonia by 11% to GBP60 and in Latvia by 8% to GBP57.
The negative perception of the Middle East had a knock-on effect with many travelers switching their holiday plans to safer southern European destinations, such as Ibiza, up 39% to GBP115.
About Hotels.com
As part of Expedia Inc, which operates in all major markets, Hotels.com offers almost 149,000 hotels, B&Bs and serviced apartments worldwide. If a customer can find the same deal for less on a prepaid hotel, Hotels.com will match it. Hotels.com benefits from one of the largest hotel contracting teams in the industry negotiating the best rates for its customers, plus there are more than 3 million reviews from users who have actually stayed in the hotels to ensure customers make an informed choice when booking. Travelers can book online or by contacting one of the multilingual call centers.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Millions of Brits Suffering From a "Holiday Hangover"
NEWPORT, Wales- 1 in 5 Will Still be Paying for Their Holiday in 2012
As millions of Brits return from their summer holiday a new survey by comparison site Gocompare.com [http://www.gocompare.com ] reveals that not everyone does so feeling 'relaxed and refreshed'.
The poll of 3,000 holidaymakers reveals that only 39% believe that what they paid for their holiday was money well spent, while almost a fifth of travellers admit they will still be paying off their 2011 summer holiday in 2012.
Over 14 per cent said they came home feeling tired or stressed and 13 per cent said that they had spent too much money. Meanwhile, four per cent wished they had never gone on holiday!
Value for money concerns topped the list of holiday spoilers for Brits with 31 per cent saying things cost much more on holiday than they thought they would. 23 per cent said the resort didn't live up to the brochure description.
Over 18 per cent of travellers had suffered delays either getting away or coming home, 14 per cent said a member of their party had taken ill or was injured while away and six per cent of holidaymakers reported being a victim of a crime. Yet, over a quarter of holidaymakers admit they don't always buy travel insurance when going abroad. Seven per cent say they never buy it while four per cent don't buy it because they have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).
Jeremy Cryer, head of travel insurance at Gocompare.com [http://www.gocompare.com/travel-insurance ] commented, "While there is little we can do about the weather spoiling our holiday, we can take steps to be better organised financially and better protected should the worst happen when we are abroad. Budgeting for a holiday should include some contingency planning for extra meals out, trips or gifts."
"If you have overspent it is probably time to look for a better deal on your credit card to ensure the damage is limited and the debt is paid off as quickly as possible. Look for an interest free balance transfer card so that you are not paying sky-high interest rates on your holiday debt.
"There's no excuse for heading abroad without travel insurance these days. There are plenty of good value policies available and it is easier than ever to shop around for a good deal. As this survey shows, holidays don't always go to plan, so being prepared for all eventualities is a sensible part of planning any trip."
- Only two thirds of holiday makers come home feeling relaxed
and refreshed
- 14 per cent feel tired and stressed, 13 per cent spent too much
money
- Four per cent wished they had never gone away
- Travel delays and crime spoil holidays for many
As millions of Brits return from their summer holiday a new survey by comparison site Gocompare.com [http://www.gocompare.com ] reveals that not everyone does so feeling 'relaxed and refreshed'.
The poll of 3,000 holidaymakers reveals that only 39% believe that what they paid for their holiday was money well spent, while almost a fifth of travellers admit they will still be paying off their 2011 summer holiday in 2012.
Over 14 per cent said they came home feeling tired or stressed and 13 per cent said that they had spent too much money. Meanwhile, four per cent wished they had never gone on holiday!
The Holiday Hangover top ten % of holidaymakers
Things costing much more on holiday than expected 31%
Bad weather 25%
Resort not living up to the brochure description 23%
Travel delays getting there or back 18%
Disappointing food 17%
Member of party ill or injured 14%
Behaviour of British holidaymakers abroad 14%
Unfriendly or rude resort staff 12%
Not able to switch off from work 9%
Member of party being the victim of a crime 6%
Value for money concerns topped the list of holiday spoilers for Brits with 31 per cent saying things cost much more on holiday than they thought they would. 23 per cent said the resort didn't live up to the brochure description.
Over 18 per cent of travellers had suffered delays either getting away or coming home, 14 per cent said a member of their party had taken ill or was injured while away and six per cent of holidaymakers reported being a victim of a crime. Yet, over a quarter of holidaymakers admit they don't always buy travel insurance when going abroad. Seven per cent say they never buy it while four per cent don't buy it because they have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card).
Jeremy Cryer, head of travel insurance at Gocompare.com [http://www.gocompare.com/travel-insurance ] commented, "While there is little we can do about the weather spoiling our holiday, we can take steps to be better organised financially and better protected should the worst happen when we are abroad. Budgeting for a holiday should include some contingency planning for extra meals out, trips or gifts."
"If you have overspent it is probably time to look for a better deal on your credit card to ensure the damage is limited and the debt is paid off as quickly as possible. Look for an interest free balance transfer card so that you are not paying sky-high interest rates on your holiday debt.
"There's no excuse for heading abroad without travel insurance these days. There are plenty of good value policies available and it is easier than ever to shop around for a good deal. As this survey shows, holidays don't always go to plan, so being prepared for all eventualities is a sensible part of planning any trip."
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