A Tough Year For Transat Holidays - Travel News

It was a tough 2011 for Transat AT Inc. Compared to a profit of $52.4 million in 2010, the Canadian tour operator based out of Montreal posted a fourth quarter loss of $4.5 million and a loss on the year of $12.2 million. Despite increased revenues of almost $30 million, the company missed their expectations partially due to restructuring and higher fuel costs combined with difficult economic conditions. Although they do still face a challenging 2012, the future looks bright and both travel agents and the traveling public shouldn't panic just yet.
Keep in mind, the travel industry is a roller coaster of ups and downs, of trends and fads, it is often a very unpredictable market that makes it hard to forecast upcoming expectations. The best thing an airline or tour operator can do is try to predict where this ever-changing market is heading, adjust your course, and hope that at the end of the day, when the dust settles, you are profitable and looked upon favorably as a leader in the industry. This is what Transat AT Inc. is doing.
As part of their restructuring, they are looking at ways of enhancing their hotel product and upgrading their fleet. This includes the retrofitting of 5 of their Airbus A330s with new seats, configurations, lighting and entertainment in the next year with several more over the next two years. Transat is also currently in talks with their hotel partners negotiating to reduce costs and offer exclusive products. The improvements to their fleet is, of course... mostly for aesthetic purposes to provide the consumer with a positive experience. The improvements to their already impressive product line-up is what should be the proverbial kicker.
In the winter, Transat Holidays has for over 20 years been an industry leader in the leisure travel market to Mexico, the Caribbean, and South America by offering many exclusive hotels to the hottest destinations. During the European travel season (spring/summer), not only do they offer over 30 destinations and the most flight options of any Canadian charter, the product add-ons for tours, hotels, and excursions available through Transat Holidays make them the smart choice for the full holiday experience. By improving on an already "year-round" quality product as it is now, Transat can only have success and profitability in the coming future.
The fact is this. Restructuring, upgrading and improving your business costs money. At times it hurts the bottom dollar but in the case of Air Transat Holidays, it is an investment that is not only worth it, but necessary in such a competitive market and will pay off dividends in the next couple of years.

Stress Management for the Holiday Traveler

In a few days I'll be flying from California to Michigan. Altogether, door to door, it will be twelve hours worth of travel. The TV news in the past about the long lines and rude people has prepared me. It's not going to ruin my holiday. This year I know what to expect and how to handle it.
Flight
I fly at least eight times per year for my job and I admit the first few times were nerve wracking. I remember my first flight in the 80's and I was almost panicking. Now I prefer a window seat and meditate on how amazing the world is from 3000 feet. It's hard to deny your spirituality when viewing something so beautiful.
Meditation
I have a ritual that I use to cope and it may help you as well. The previous meditation is part of it. I sit quietly and feel the plane leaving ground. I concentrate on the sensations. I experience the butterflies in my stomach instead of fighting it. I wait for the familiar feeling of getting pushed back in my seat from the pressure of the plane increasing speed. I watch the ground getting farther and farther away. It's exhilarating!
Prayer
I find renewed interest in God during take-off. I pray. It's just a part of human nature. I thank him for allowing us to have something so beautiful to live in and when you think about it, we won't be any closer in this life than at that point.
Breathing
I keep it relaxed and controlled while the plane is in it's ascent. I actually count to myself one...two...three inhale. One...two...three exhale. It induces the relaxation response and puts an end to that fight or flight syndrome that I previously experienced during take off.
Hustle and Bustle
The hustle and bustle of travel during the Holidays are a reality. There will be crying children, stressed parents, weary businessmen and lonely students. There will be overworked security personnel, airline agents and rental car employees.
Kill Them With Kindness
I'm convinced at this moment that I will respond with kindness to those who are losing their patience. I will offer help when I can and be tolerant when I can not. Counting down the hours to my destination will pass the time. At 3pm when someone has just reamed me, I know that in three hours I'll be home and it won't matter.
Organization
I'll keep my drivers license in the little "goes around my neck" American Tourister organizer for fast identification. I'll pack my laptop so that it's easy to unpack for security. I'll allow enough extra time for check in so that I won't be in such a hurry and worse - miss my plane. I'll wear slip on shoes that I can take off easily.
I hope a few of these ideas will be helpful to you as well. If you are traveling, remember why we chose to go home during these last few days before the holiday.
At this point, I would tolerate almost anything to be home. We can handle this. Small price to pay to have family near.

Cathy has seen both coasts of the United States and frequently flies for her job. She enjoys writing and has maintained a journal for most of her adult life. She now writes for various blogs.

The Wacky And Crazy Action Heroes Survivor's Guide For Each Uptight Holiday Traveler

So, why did I write a 'wacky and odd-ball' action hero survival article for today's frequently nervous holiday traveler on ways to take care of taking a trip to all parts of the planet and still feel safe in this often spine-chilling planet of ours?
Would you like to uncover the best ways to end up being the 'greatest' travel survivor in any scary disaster or eye-bulging emergency? Because disasters and emergencies do happen every day - simply see the TV news or review your everyday newspaper.
Being ready for a deadly earthquake or surviving a disaster like a terrible tsunami, or perhaps a high-rise inferno or plane crash should be taken seriously, but very few backpackers take it seriously. In our adventure of discovery in our treks of life we crave to know, have we got exactly what it takes to meet head-on and make it through the distressing hardship of a natural or human made calamity that strikes with no forewarning?
So, if the majority of holiday-makers don't take survival too seriously and can not address the important concern above, why don't I create a slightly weird short article about an action hero who baffles his way through some 'extreme holiday experiences' in their trip of discovery to becoming the 'ultimate' travel survivor.
And who knows, you simply could discover some useful information in this survival article for today's holiday action heroes on how to prepare for AND live through some super-scary natural or human made catastrophe!
Listen...
How we survive the physical and psychological injury after a catastrophe or emergency situation is critically very important. Being able to laugh out loud again is frequently one of the first necessary steps in the recovery process.
That is why, today more than ever, laughter is so vital to our recuperation after a disastrous catastrophe or frightening emergency incident. It's about uplifting humour, and its triumph and impact of well-being upon us, typically activating a more positive mindset and outlook, enhancing our belief and wish for better days ahead as a tourist survivor.
Keep in mind, laughter is a terrific distraction from the unpredictability and apprehensions surrounding you... as a well traveled survivor use it frequently.
Right, let's move on.
Let your holiday journey of discovery begin as we see exactly how it is done the action hero way in ending up being the 'best' travel survivor.
So, exactly what attributes comprise our Action Heroes? They are inspiring, brave, daring, physically imposing and use their distinct strengths to develop into super action capabilities. They are keen to be seen and live privately amongst mere mortals. Commonly hailed as the champ of all humankind and a cultural idol - they constantly have a simple and fast to use action plan with them that has them prepared to survive any 'make you go weak at the knees' natural or human made catastrophe.
They're the bona fide thing.
Continued existence for today's holiday action heroes will see them thrust into the most perilous and demanding of diabolical upheavals or emergencies, putting on a costume that not just looks outstanding, but makes them stick out in a horde of thrilled-to-bits holiday makers. Each action hero has a secret HQ and identity, and tells the world of the extreme 'vacation' experience that led to their dazzling action hero abilities.
They're the buzz word in all the holiday brochures and leisure pull-outs of national newspapers.
When the newsflash broke that a mega-colossal earthquake was going to rattle the planet to its core, the uncertain holiday makers asked today's action hero, "Tell us directly, how long do we have?" Our brave and plucky 'beyond compare' action hero said, "Ten... " They said, "Ten what?" He answered, "9, 8, 7... "
Despite what extreme 'holiday' adventure today's action heroes find themselves in, they need to consistently snatch unsuspecting travelers from the brink of 'this is going to raise your adrenaline levels big time', mega-scary catastrophe without any concern for their own safety.
They just do it, since as living superstars, it just comes instinctive to them.
So, exactly how do you become the 'supreme' travel survivor, today's action hero, in your superhuman journey of discovery in your treks of life? Easy, just study this unusual and ahead of its time survival guide short article again and again, and you'll find yourself thinking and living like one of today's extraordinary action hero's... trust me, I'm a politician.

Ron Kelly is a former Emergency Response Professional experienced in catastrophe and crisis circumstances. He is founder of the 'Shortcut' Action Plan Blueprints that tell you how to simply survive terrifying natural disasters. He also writes about today's 'wacky and crazy' survival action heroes