Around The (Travel) Websites: What Consumers Are Reading(?) …

(Editor’s Note: A collection of items from various sources. Julie Wernick, HSMAInsider.)

In the August “World Tourism Barometer” from the World Tourism Association, global international tourist arrivals grew by 7 percent in the first six months of 2010…Despite the 7 percent growth in the first half of the year, total international tourist arrivals worldwide are still 2 percent below record totals reached in 2008.

TripAdvisor is now featuring special hotel offers by Business Listing subscribers in their weekly emails to more than four million TripAdvisor members who have requested updates on a specific destination and are, therefore, highly targeted potential purchasers.

Smarter Travel Media, a TripAdvisor Media Group company, launched SniqueAway, where a members-only site offer is endorsed by the people. All hotels featured on SniqueAway have earned a minimum four-star rating classification and four out of five review ratings on TripAdvisor. Corresponding hotel reviews are shown alongside limited-time, members-only offers providing a quick view into how other travelers view the hotel making it easy to book a room before they sell out.

TripAdvisor recently suggested “Strip down to your smile on these beaches members recommend”. Haulover Beach Park in Miami was one of the nude beaches featured.

TripAdvisor featured the followed member updates on Fort Lauderdale Hotels in their TripWatch newsletters recently:
Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel: “Fantastic Trip”;
Atlantic Hotel: “Exactly what I needed”;
Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort: “The best hotel to stay in Fort Lauderdale”; “bathtubs are amazing”; Premiere Hotel: “Another enjoyable stay”; Pillars at New River Sound: “Definitely gotta go back”; Westin Fort Lauderdale: “Nice one night getaway”;
Harbor Beach Marriot: “fantastic once again”; Westin Beach Resort: “Nice beach resort”; Ramada Airport-Cruiseport: “Service was very good and I would stay at this hotel again”;
Sun Tower Hotel: “Value oceanfront king”; Bahia Mar Beach Resort: “short but enjoyable stay”.

If you book your New York hotel room through Expedia or Orbitz, you may face higher prices. State lawmakers recently passed legislation requiring the booking industry to collect sales tax on lodging. Other states will be watching closely. NY travel agents are fighting these proposed taxes.