Over a year ago we broke the news that Allegiant Airlines would be flying to Hawaii in the near future. Today, Allegiant CEO Maurice Gallagher confirmed those intentions. The carrier has acquired the six Boeing 757’s of which we spoke, and plans to begin Hawaii service later this year. Delivery of the first two planes will occur within 60 […]
Here’s an update since my last post about Airline Broadband Service to Hawaii. Last week, Alaska Air pulled the plug on Row 44 Wi-Fi service, a Ku-band satellite-based system. The carrier opted instead for Aircell’s Gogo, a terrestrial-based service which has already been installed in over 700 aircraft. Out the window with that choice went the likelihood of finding […]
Two new issues are adding fuel to the fire surrounding rampant travel review fraud, and may help bring the matter to a head, sooner than later. 1. Yelp Class Action lawsuit. Yelp became the subject of a class action lawsuit this week in a filing that asserts that the company used extortion by demanding monthly payments (in the form […]
Consumer beware. Hospitality marketing firms are promoting their ability to concoct systematic fake reviews to improve a hotel’s rating and lambaste the competitors. Consumers, however, are poised to be hurt the worst. Can you spot these fake reviews? I assert, definitely not. The wide-spread belief that real reviews can be sorted from the bogus is rapidly changing through more […]
Several websites have been discussing whether clearing your browser’s cookies might help you find better travel bargains. Is there any truth to it? What kind of cookie am I talking about? This cookie, unlike the one I’m eating here at a the Eveleigh Farmers Market in Sydney, is a small piece of code that is sent by the website […]
When TripAdvisor’s list of the dirtiest hotels in America came out last week, the Laie Inn on Oahu’s North Shore was missing. A wrecking ball saved it from the list and innocent guests will no longer have to endure its nightmare. Laie Inn closed in October and is being demolished this week. This is good news for the 45 […]
Recently TripAdvisor contacted me to verify that I authored an unfavorable, three star review five years ago. They gave me two weeks to respond or else my review would be removed from their site. That’s right, before I questioned Trip Advisor’s authenticity I was a frequent contributor. So why, 5 years later, has TripAdvisor questioned my review? The email […]
Can Oyster Reviews keep its pearl intact in spite of the reduction in staff? After only four months of operation, media reports have announced that between one-third to three-quarters of their employees were given the pink slip this week. The news that this professional hotel review site is in dire straits is bad news for travelers looking for reviews […]
While there aren’t any great deals at the moment between Southern California and Hawaii, there’s a glimmer of light for next year that might help keep a downward pressure on prices. I’m talking about renewed competition and Delta’s recent announcement of daily 757 service between San Diego and Honolulu starting June 3. This route has previously been served only […]
Hawaii Hotel Occupancy Improving First, on a bright side, we’re finally seeing a little glimmer of hope in Hawaii tourism. Occupancy rose in September, albeit slightly, for the first time in 18 months. Hospitality Advisors LLC reported September statewide occupancy of 64.6% vs. 63% a year earlier as the state saw a a 7.2% increase in monthly visitors to […]
