Frequent Flying Goes To The Dogs
The Age
Friday July 22, 1994
DOGS and cats can now earn free bonus flights under Florida-based Carnival Air Lines' new frequent-flyer program for pets.
``They must go in the cargo hold and they don't get free drinks," says airline spokesman Gabriel Gabor.
Pets must be accompanied - not, of course, in the cargo hold - by their owners, who must also be enrolled in Carnival Air's frequent- flyer program.
But as with many airline special offers, there are restrictions: exotic animals need not apply.
The carrier operates 19 aircraft, with scheduled services between Florida and the north-east of the United States, the Caribbean and Los Angeles.
Card packs more power.
THE international student card (ISIC) will soon be combined with the international Youth Hostels Association (YHA) membership card to create the most powerful budget tourism card in the world. Final details will be worked out soon at an International Youth Hostel Federation conference on the Gold Coast.
East turns Wild West.
ST PETERSBURG could become the Paris of the East, but apprehensive tourists see the city as the Russian Wild West and are staying away.
``We can't even plan new hotels because fears over crime have destroyed the market," says Andrei Nadirov, head of the mayor's tourism committee.
He says that last year, one million travellers from around the world visited Russia's historic home to the Tsars - a 50 per cent drop from a record two million in 1985.
Pass has city limits.
THE British Heritage pass is almost useless in London, writes Steve Waldon. For about $A60, the pass, which you can buy before leaving Australia, makes sightseeing easy in the countryside where many heritage properties belong to the program. No queueing at the castle; just flash the pass and in you go. But in London, it only gets you into Tower Bridge for free, and a couple of other spots, such as the Tower of London, for half price. Many of London's museums, galleries and tourist attractions, such as St Paul's Cathedral, are not part of the scheme.
North American cover.
IF YOU plan to buy a car to travel around the United States and Canada, you will need travel insurance that covers the requirements of all states. AIU North America has a policy tailor-made for international tourists. The cover includes 24-hour lost luggage assistance and other emergencies.
There are offices in LA and San Francisco. The insured must be 25 or over; applicants over 65 have to be assessed.
For inquiries and a brochure, fax the information section of the United States Travel and Tourism Administration in Sydney on (02) 2327219.
A leaf in the wind.
TRAVEL is considered to be one of the leading indicators for the economy. And the Canadian consulate-general in Sydney reports that things are looking up. In January to April, normally off-season for tourism to Canada, Australian tourist numbers to the big red maple leaf were up 21 per cent over the figure in 1993. That's a head count of 22,048 people. Australia is Canada's sixth largest international travel market.
Powerful art space.
THE Tate Gallery in London is to turn a vast, disused power station into a mecca for modern art to rival the most popular art venues in the United States and Europe.
The stark, brick-built example of 1940s utilitarian architecture will take an estimated $A168.99 million to convert. It is expected to open by 2000.
Treasured house.
VAILIMA, the house where Robert Louis Stevenson, the author of `Treasure Island', spent his final years in Samoa, is being restored as a shrine to his memory.
Workers aim to finish rebuilding Stevenson's rambling, two-storey mansion above Western Samoa's capital, Apia, by 3 December, the centenary of his death. The restored building will become a museum which its supporters hope to fill with Stevenson memorabilia, recalling the happy bohemian flavor of his last years.
Southern round trip.
MALAYSIA Airlines has announced a round-the-world ticket with a difference: all flying is in the southern hemisphere. In conjunction with Aerolineas Argentinas, the ticket uses Malaysia's new Kuala Lumpur-South Africa-Buenos Aires service and the Argentine airline's Buenos Aires-Auckland-Sydney link.
Flights can be taken from Sydney either eastbound or westbound.
Stopovers are available in Malaysia and Johannesburg or Capetown.
Cost: around $2700, depending on your travel agent.
© 1994 The Age
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