May 2010 - Sightseers' Delight

Experts: Leisure travel on the rise this summer (Summer 2010 Outlook Part I)

May 31, 2010 Todd DeFeo

SMYRNA, Ga. – The summer travel season is officially here, and it looks as though a majority of Americans will be taking a leisure trip of some sort. “We continue to see an uptick in leisure travel as consumer confidence in the economy and job security strengthens,” Adam Weissenberg, vice chairman and leader of the tourism, hospitality and leisure sector for Deloitte LLP, said in a news release. Surveys from Deloitte and American Express indicate

UPDATE: Space shuttles prepare for new lives as tourist attractions

May 29, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – As the Space Shuttle program winds to an end, a new tourist attraction looms. At least 20 museums nationwide are clamoring for one of the space shuttles that are set to be retired. A decision on their final destination could be announced this summer. “Showcasing an authentic space shuttle will not only bring visitors by the millions, it will inspire countless people to learn, explore and dream of adventure,” U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer,

Memorial Day weekend offers opportunities to explore

May 29, 2010 The Travel Trolley

The Travel Trolley ATLANTA – Memorial Day may be fast approaching, but nobody told the travelers – at least in the Southeast. Nationally, AAA estimates 5.4 percent more Americans will be traveling this Memorial Day. In the Georgia and the Southeast, the number of people traveling is expected to increase by 0.2 percent.So, in the spirit of providing travelers with an excuse to hit the road, here are five Memorial Day travel ideas: Take a

Memorial Day weekend offers opportunities to explore

May 28, 2010 The Travel Trolley

The Travel Trolley ATLANTA – Memorial Day may be fast approaching, but nobody told the travelers – at least in the Southeast. Nationally, AAA estimates 5.4 percent more Americans will be traveling this Memorial Day. In the Georgia, the number of people traveling is expected to decrease by 0.2 percent, while travel in the Southeast is expected to increase by 0.2 percent. So, in the spirit of providing travelers with an excuse to hit the

Space shuttles prepare for new lives as tourist attractions

May 26, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – As the Space Shuttle program winds to an end, a new tourist attraction looms. Museums nationwide are clamoring for one of the space shuttles that will soon be decommissioned. According to published reports, 20 museums nationwide – including the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York and the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio – are lobbying for a shuttle. “Ohio’s proud flight heritage, our proximity to

Hiroshima recollections (Part II)

May 25, 2010 Todd DeFeo

Once known more for its role in ending World War II, Hiroshima has now become a major tourist attraction, and each year thousands of visitors from Japan and around the world travel to this western Japanese city.

Survey: Some reward programs difficult to cash in

May 23, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – Airline reward programs sound great in theory. But, the reality is, booking flights with points isn’t as convenient as airlines make it sound. That’s the upshot of a new study from Wisconsin-based IdeaWorks, which publishes the “ezRez Guide to Loyalty Marketing by IdeaWorks.” The publication is touted as the first dedicated to frequent flier programs. In fact, during February and March 2010, the company conducted 6,160 booking queries on 22 frequent flier program

Georgia Aquarium introduces rare albino alligators

May 22, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – A pair of rare albino American alligators have joined the Georgia Aquarium’s Southern Company River Scout gallery. There are less than 50 albino American alligators living in the United States, according to aquarium officials, and they typically only survive only 24 hours in the wild. The aquarium’s two alligators – one male and one female – are four and six feet long. “By continuing to exhibit American alligators, the Aquarium has the opportunity

AAA: Memorial Day travel in Southeast could see slight increase

May 22, 2010 The Travel Trolley

ATLANTA – Memorial Day may be fast approaching, but nobody told the travelers – at least in the Southeast. Nationally, AAA estimates 5.4 percent more Americans will be traveling this Memorial Day. In Georgia, the number of travelers is expected to decrease by 0.2 percent, while throughout the Southeast, the number of people traveling is expected to increase by 0.2 percent. “The last two years have left consumers with a pent-up demand to travel, so

Chambliss: ‘Intelligence community needs strong and focused leadership’

May 22, 2010 Todd DeFeo

The Director of National Intelligence resigned this week, and one Georgia senator says the intelligence community “needs strong and focused leadership” and that intelligence failures under Dennis Blair “cannot be tolerated.” “Adm. Blair brought a wealth of intelligence background to the difficult position of the DNI. However, we have seen recent failures of the intelligence community leading up to the Christmas Day incident and the terrorist attempt in New York City,” Sen. Saxby Chambliss, R-Ga.,