Africa and Asia – Ramadan Observances
Muslims throughout Asia will observe Ramadan, Islam’s holiest month, June 28-July 28. Ramadan begins with the first sighting of the crescent moon, so the start and end dates may vary by 1-2 days depending on the findings of local Islamic authorities. Some government and business offices may alter operating hours in predominantly Muslim countries. Ramadan should have the most significant effects on business in Afghanistan, Pakistan, the Maldives, Bangladesh, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Brunei Darussalam. Eid Al-Fitr (Feast of Breaking the Fast) occurs at the end of Ramadan (July 28-29). Celebrations may last 1-7 days. Businesses, government offices, foreign embassies, banks, and schools will close for Eid al-Fitr in many countries. Significant air, road, rail, and maritime travel disruptions can occur before and after the holiday. Expect increased security in crowded areas such as transport centers and places of worship. Although street crime may decrease in many areas during Ramadan, a spike in theft, burglary, and other crimes of opportunity is possible at the end of the month since commercial activity peaks, many people leave their homes to visit family, and people generally carry and spend more money ahead of the Eid al-Fitr holiday. Muslims refrain from eating and drinking from dawn to dusk during Ramadan; large meals are consumed after sunset and before sunrise. Muslims typically stay up late, and the mood is generally festive. Many restaurants close during daylight hours in predominantly Muslim countries, but eateries in major hotels that cater to non-Muslims are usually open for business.
Belgium – Rail Strike
A 24-hour rail strike from 10 pm June 29 until 10 pm June 30 has been called. Thalys and the Eurostar are not affected.
Why do the operating and selling carriers sometimes price codeshare flights differently?
The selling carrier has the right to sell a specific number of seats under its own name on the operating carrier’s plane. For example, United may operate a flight from Dulles to Amsterdam on which both United and Lufthansa sell seats. Due to monopoly laws both airlines must price their seats independently. Prices are set and tweaked constantly based on supply and demand. Because the selling and operating carriers price independently, and have access to different numbers of seats on the plane, each will interpret the demand for the remaining seats differently and price accordingly. Also, the operating carrier knows instantly when a seat is sold, whereas there can be a slight delay in the selling carrier getting the updated inventory numbers. About 50-60% of the time prices will be different between the selling and operating carriers, almost always with the operating carrier being the lower.
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The Channel Tunnel
- The Channel Tunnel (Chunnel) is 31.4 miles long and has the longest undersea portion of any tunnel in the world (23.5 miles)
- The Chunnel is recognized as one of the “Seven Wonders of the Modern World” alongside the Empire State Building, Itaipu Dam in South America, CN Tower in Toronto, Panama Canal, North Sea Protection Works in the Netherlands, and Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco
- Work on the Chunnel took place from both the English and French sides, but the English side tunneled the greater distance
- Each boring machine used on the Channel Tunnel weighs more than the Eiffel Tower
- 85% of car passengers through the Chunnel are British
- More than 1 million dogs and cats have traveled through the Chunnel
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Help Us Feed America
Travel-On LTD. will join with other travel agencies across the United States in the 2nd Annual Travel Leaders Group Day of Giving. As part of the initiative, we will collect non-perishable food items at our Travel Place offices (the leisure travel division of Travel-On), located in Bethesda, Manassas, and Potomac, now through July 10. All collected items will then be counted and donated to The Capital Area Food Bank. Additionally, we encourage you to contribute to Feeding America – the nationally-recognized 501(c)(3) umbrella organization for food banks throughout the United States – by going here; Travel-On is pledging to match up to the first $1,000 in donations to Feeding America.
TRAVEL-ON EMPLOYEES MAKING A DIFFERENCE
Throughout Travel-On, our employees are M.A.D ( Making A Difference) to our clients. Many of you have noticed and have told us just how M.A.D they are.
- Recently, Jamie Witt from International Travel Team received this note from a client.
“Hi, Jamie – Your effort to work with me to find less expensive but good flights convinced me that we had chosen a right travel partner. Counting on you for the future, too.”
TRAVEL WARNINGS
TRAVEL TIPS
VIDEO OF THE WEEK
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Don’t Want to Hear This on the PA
“Hey folks, we’re going to play a little game of geography trivia. If you can recognize where we are, tell your flight attendant and receive an extra pack of peanuts.”