travel, hotel and booking Information

Hotel Booking Saddam Hussein does not shiver with dread at the thought of oil drills burrowing into the pristine Arctic National Wildlife Reserve. Some Republican senators apparently hope Americans are simple-minded enough to believe that tapping this off-limits source of Alaska oil would bolster the administration's threatened war on Iraq. But it's not true.

The report, produced by the National Research Council, was immediately hailed by opponents of drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which lies east of established oil fields and is the only part of America's only stretch of Arctic coastline that for now is off limits to drilling. Advocates of drilling called it biased. Administration officials said improved techniques would lessen the environmental impact of future drilling.

Travel Agency If drillers found the oil that's probably puddled beneath this delicate ecosystem, it would take oil companies eight to 10 years to get it to refineries. Even then, these relatively modest deposits would have a negligible impact on U.S. imports from the Middle East, experts say. The petroleum industry is likely to find far more oil in other parts of the world than they would get from the Arctic, and far sooner.

The research study also demonstrates that travel agents are increasing their reliance on GDS systems for hotel information. Nearly 90% of travel agents say that they use their GDS and GDS shopping displays as much or more today than two years ago. Travel agents also report increased use of hotel property Web sites compared to two years ago. Travel agents are less likely now to use printed hotel directories, direct mail, fax, and the phone to gather information about hotels.

Cheap Hotel If the United States really wanted to make the world's oil suppliers nervous, it would require cars and light trucks to get better gas mileage. The current standard, an average of 27.5 miles per gallon, was adopted in 1986, but the actual fuel efficiency for all vehicles has declined to 24.6 miles per gallon since then.

Our senators voted overwhelmingly "against" oil drilling in Alaska's Arctic National Wildlife Refuge ("Senate rejects Bush's plans for Arctic oil drilling, " 13, April 19). It's pretty clear that this Senate vote was all based on appearances, no substance. politics that adversely affects each person.

Flight Booking When the Senate took up Bush's energy plan this year, it defeated efforts to approve tougher mileage rules on the claim that auto makers would have to stop producing big sport utility vehicles, putting mothers and children at risk in puny lightweight vehicles--again, the Americans-are-simpletons strategy.

For the time being, we're offering a discount on early bookings for next summer, so let us know if you need any help deciding where to go. It's snowing in France!! ( 2007) SNOW, SNOW, SNOW!! ( 2007) Back to News Blog

Travel Agent This week, Bush's passion to drill in the Arctic rides piggyback on his energy bill toward a critical crossroads.

The vast region of the North Atlantic and the Arctic conjures up images of sparse and inhospitable snow covered lands, however when summer arrives this region springs forth in a colourful display of life. While both Antarctica and the Arctic are home to a rich variety of marine species, only an Arctic cruise will reveal the eclectic mix of cultures, a plethora of blooming wild flowers and an abundance of fascinating land animals. Every cruise to the Arctic yields a unique experience drawn from a variety of unforgettable encounters with the wildlife and peoples that call this region home.

Hotel Chicago The 17 Senate members of the conference committee appointed to work out differences in the Senate and House versions of the bill are expected to vote today on whether to include a go-ahead to drill in Alaska's delicate reserve in the final measure. The Senate rejected Arctic drilling. The House voted for it, and last week House conference committee members upheld that position.

Online Booking There are nine Democrats and eight Republicans on the Senate conference committee. Usually members uphold positions already adopted by the full house.

Travel Health Insurance There's a chance that won't happen in the Senate committee. Sen. John Breaux (D-La.), an early drilling advocate, is the pivotal vote. We encourage him to uphold the decision of the Senate majority to protect Alaska's unique habitat for elk, polar bears, musk ox and snow geese.

Hotel Reservation The bill, which dodges responsible conservation measures such as gas mileage restrictions while handing dubious subsidies to the oil industry, is bad enough as it is. The nation would be better off without any energy bill if the Senate committee allows Bush's backers to slide through, on a war-fever gambit, potentially disastrous drilling in the wildlife refuge.

London Hotel Booking Los Angeles Times - 10/1/2002

Topic: Arctic Refuge

[ Comment, Edit or Article Submission ]