Looking ahead to a year that is going to be “challenging” for travel, as it is for every sector of the economy, we’re going to be particularly picky about where we go and what we do. And since we’re the site that compiles the “best” lists, we’re going to zero in on a few of the destinations and experiences we’ve covered in the last few months. They’re not meant to be definitive — just a skim from the best of our bests.
So here is our “Must List” for 2009 — everything and everywhere you must see, do, stay, have, eat, and avoid.
Some destinations, like Mexico’s Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya resort, are among the shining stars of our lists. At this luxury spa retreat surrounded by 36 acres of tropical forests, visitors relax and rejuvenate in style with treatments that are given in Thai massage suites, offering views of breathtaking lagoons.
BRITISH holidaymakers are turning more and more to Turkey and Egypt as their preferred places for a sunshine holiday, in the face of falling Sterling against the Euro.
According to a survey from the Foreign Office and the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), the number of people booking a summer holiday in Turkey was up 32 per cent while for Egypt figures were up 38 per cent.
An ABTA spokesman said the immediate cause has been the effect of the credit crunch on disposable incomes in the UK and the falling value of the pound against the Euro.
An increased in investment in tourism infrastructure by the governments of countries such as Egypt had also helped make them more attractive destinations.
The number of people booking holidays to Turkey reached two million, while one million people bought packages to Egypt. It is still well short of the 12 million people who go to Spain every year, but the numbers going to Turkey have been growing steadily.
The ABTA spokesman said the Eurozone was still the most popular destination with traditional hot spots Spain, Greece and France still going strong.
“The travel and tourism industry is usually about six months behind economic trends,” he said. “The next year will be an interesting one.”
More than 1.2 million passengers jetted out to the country from Glasgow, Edinburgh and Aberdeen airports in 2008, their operator BAA Scotland said.
This was twice as many as the Netherlands, which was second, while Ireland was third. 
France and Germany overtook the USA, rising to fourth and fifth.
Norway also entered the top 10 for the first time.
Four of Spain’s airports – Alicante, Malaga, Tenerife and Palma – were among the top 10 destinations flown to by Scottish travellers.
The most popular single destination was Amsterdam, with 530,000 Scots travelling there.
The Dutch capital is a popular tourist city in its own right – but is also a major international hub for onward connections.
Dublin was the second most visited city, with Paris jumping from sixth place last year to third place this year, with its numbers being boosted by new services from Glasgow.
BAA Scotland spokesman Donald Morrison said: “It seems that Spain is as popular now with Scots as it has ever been, and with the top three most popular countries unchanged from last year, you could argue that we are becoming creatures of habit.
“However, with France and Germany knocking the US – traditionally one of our most popular tourist markets – into sixth place, and Norway entering the top ten for the first time, perhaps tastes are beginning to change.”
Newark airport in New York was the most popular long haul destination, followed by Dubai, Orlando Sanford and Toronto.
New services
The Egyptian resort of Sharm El Sheikh entered the top five for the first time, while New York’s JFK airport and the Caribbean resort of Puerto Plata made their first appearance in the top 10.
Airport operator BAA Scotland said it aimed to defy the credit crunch by increasing capacity in 2009, despite the economic slowdown which has seen worldwide airline cuts.
Almost half a million extra seats will be on sale from its three Scottish airports, with new services to Norway, Canada, the Caribbean and other destinations.
Mr Morrison said: “There is no doubt that 2008 was a challenging year for the airline industry in Scotland, and 2009 will be no less difficult.
“With demand falling, and airlines around the world reducing capacity, Scotland is not immune to the current economic decline.
“However, with almost half a million new seats on sale in 2009, we have shown that it is possible to attract new business, offering more choice for Scottish holidaymakers and boosting inbound tourism.”
Holidaymakers have fallen foul of poor insurance-selling tactics by travel agents, according to a poll.
A number of tourists have been wrongly told that they could not book their break unless they took out insurance offered at the time by their travel agent.
This incorrect procedure has affected 5% of those who bought insurance from travel agents over the last 12 months, a YouGov survey published by Sainsbury’s Travel Insurance showed.
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. , congratulates Atlanta quarterback Matt Ryan who was named the NFL’s offensive rookie of the year today.
AirTran Airways signed Ryan last August to become part of the airline’s sports advertising campaign. Ryan is featured in radio spots and high-impact billboards across the Atlanta area.
“We are thrilled for Matt and his accomplishments both on and off the field,” said Tad Hutcheson, AirTran Airways’ vice president of marketing and sales. “When we signed Matt, we knew he was destined for great things as a quarterback. We’re proud to have him as part of the AirTran team.”
Ryan helped to guide his team to a second place finish in the NFC South and a playoff berth. During the season, Ryan completed 265 of 434 passes for 3,440 yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.
AirTran Airways, a subsidiary of AirTran Holdings, Inc. , a Fortune 1000 company, is ranked number one in the 2008 Airline Quality Rating study. The airline offers coast-to-coast flights, North America’s newest all-Boeing fleet, friendly service and Business Class and complimentary XM Satellite Radio on every flight.
