Lagos State Nigeria Imposes 5% Tax on Hotels

23. June 2009 TRAVEL GUY

 

Lagos Imposes 5% Tax on Hotels & Hospitality Sector

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) on Monday signed into law a bill to impose a five percent consumption tax on all goods and services consumed in hotels, restaurants and events centres within the state with an assertion that the new law exempts all those who comply from paying the Sales tax.
According to Governor Fashola who spoke at the Conference Room of the Lagos House, Ikeja, the new law also exempts the operators of traditional and customary eating places popularly called bukas.
He added that the enactment of the law is a response to the complaints of double taxation which recurred during the administration of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu as well as during the Governorship election campaigns in Lagos and the inception of the present administration.
Governor Fashola explained that the new law also seeks to promote and develop some of the good practices that usually take place in some of distant jurisdictions and which people here are ready to always use in comparing the country.
Said he: “We have always decried the relative level of development and compared ourselves with the progress made in other jurisdiction without asking ourselves what prices those jurisdictions have had to pay for the level of their development.
“This law seeks to promote, develop and do some of those things that are done in those other jurisdiction by which standards we are measured. No event place that I got to overseas that do not demand this tax.”All patrons of such places have to pay. All those who access hospitality outfits across the world do pay”.
Governor Fashola added that during his recent trip to South Africa, he took note of how much he was levied and that it was very substantial.
The Governor, who described the Lagos business environment as one of the most attractive when a comparative analysis of Europe and West Africa is done, added that the highest income tax in Lagos is 25 percent but the same tax is as high as 43 percent in some other jurisdictions.
He added that the new tax is a guarantee of good life that allow the Government to perform its role well adding that the beauty of the new law is that people will only pay when they make use of the service.
Said he: “For those in the hospitality sector, it is an opportunity to share in the commonwealth and enable us to ensure a further sustenance of security that will secure the events and help in increasing capacity to deliver on infrastructure like roads and water supply because the event centres cannot be viable if infrastructure is absent”.

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Cancelled Flight A Nightmare

14. June 2009 TRAVEL GUY

Cancellation of Flight for Unjustified Reasons Is Immoral

In my humble opinion, the services of airline industry have been deteriorating these days. Taking a flight now is such a burden, the waiting, delayed and the inconvienence of cancelled flights, has taken the joy out of travel. Travel was once an enjoyable thing to do. Airlines take untimely decisions and cause passengers a lot of inconvenience.

I just graduated from university  in San Francisco and wanted to give a surprise visit to my family in Michigan during the Christmas holidays, two years ago. To  get cheapest airline tickets, I booked for a flight from San Francisco to Michigan three months ahead of the planned travel. Just two days before the scheduled departure, the flight was cancelled for some unjustified reasons.

They asked me to take a flight from L.A. to Michigan, as an alternative, without even realizing what they were asking me to do. L.A is 400 miles away from San Francisco and it was next to impossible to catch the suggested flight.
I asked them for a refund which took a long time, three months later. I was really unhappy that I had to buy another Air Fare which was very expensive, because it was a last minute ticket, and the only flight I could find to Michigan.

All I want to ask is, there must be some Legal responsibility that the airlines should abide by, and checks made on Air Line operator to see why flights are cancelled on such short notice and no suitable alternative given to customers.

There must have been other passengers who would have cancelled their journeys altogether. Such a conduct is highly immoral and requires passengers to be adequately compensated for any financial loss borne by them due to undue cancellation of flights.

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Never Sit Near The Toilet On The Air Plane

2. May 2009 TRAVEL GUY

 Flight Seat Near The Toilet- A Deadly Experience! My Worst Flight Ever

I travel frequently by air but in the last 7 years I have never had the misfortune of sitting near a toilet. It was a trip from San Antonio to Atlanta and I was damn tired because of the hectic weekend. All I wanted was a comfortable seat and nothing else. I always make sure to book a seat aboard flights of my favourite airline, and check in early to ensure I get a  good seat, but somehow this time there were no seats available. So, I had to travel by another airline.

My seat was so close to the air plane toilet, that if I stretched out my left arm I could have opened to the door lock. During the entire flight I did not have even a wink of sleep due to the constant noise of flushing. I think because it was very cold inside the plane, that made almost all the passengers rush to the toilet continously. Just imagine how awful the whole experience was ! A couple of them, tired of waiting for their turn, used my arm rest to rest their butts.

The toilet, that was perfumed with the air freshner at the beginning of the flight, was later was filled with the stench of shit and urine. It became difficult for me to breathe. At times, I just felt like puking. I just wondered if it was right to make someone sit so close to the toilet and stll pay the same airfare. In fact, even if someone asked me to sit in the same seat for free next time, I would refuse. This was my worst ever flight experience!

Now days the airlines make the seats so close to the toilet, theymight as well rename the seat as the Toilet Seat, and they still expect you to sit in these seats, pay the same price as everyone else and eat your food while the whole place smells like shit.

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Ryanair Planning to Charge to Use the Toilet?

15. April 2009 TRAVEL GUY

 

Ryanair Planning To Charge Customers for Using Toilets - Now that is Cheap!

Recently Michael O’Leary the chief Executive of Ryanair the Irish low cost airline based in Dublin with the main hub located at London Stansted airport, announced they may charge its customers £1 for using the toilets on their aircrafts. Isn’t that cheap? With oil price getting back to normal, rather than reducing air fares and providing more services, airlines such as Ryanair have now resorted to the crudest way of unbundling.

I just wonder how anybody could think that they could charge customers to use the toilets on the aeroplane, oopps Michael O’Leary thought so, I’m sure he’s thinking millions of passengers every year flying on Ryanair, by charging £1 each time they use the toilet, they could make millions, from customers just using the toilet. What a Genius?

Imagine going to a restaurant paying for your meal and deciding to use the toilet and not being able to use the toilet until you to put money in the slot to unlock the toilet door, or Checking into a Hostel or Hotel Accommodation and being told that the charge to use the toilet is not included in the room price.

Imagine the plight of the customers who travel by air, who are paying a hefty sum for an airline tickets, when they will also have to shell out more money for different services, even for using a toilet. Let us even accept it for a moment. What will be the charges of using a lavatory then? It starts at £1 were will it end? And if somebody has an upset stomach, will such a customer get bulk discount or special return customer tokens for the toilet?

When in the air, customers have no choice, other than to use toilets provided by the airline. Can nature’s call be made into a tool to make profit? All this is making airline customers go crazy. With the airlines withdrawing one service after the other, there is a lot of outcry. I think it is time that the passengers assert their importance. The authorities need to question the costs and revenues of such companies.

I know the airlines are exempt from all sorts of legal restrictions on charging their customers for everything, the most annoying part of this, is they can legally do it

There are plenty of incidences of flight delays, rude staff, over charging and the situation is getting worse. It is high time that the customers stand up united against such weird announcements. Wonder what shall be the next. Charging customers for farting, puking or even a charge for the oxygen used during the flight? Don’t laugh it could be coming soon.

Will the madness, of these extortionate charges, to travel by air, ever end?

Airline News | 0 Kommentare »

Travel Break from Everything

21. March 2009 TRAVEL GUY

Reviving Myself by Taking a Break from Everything and Everyone

Sometimes you need to revive your intellectual frame of mind. Sometimes you wish to be left alone. Sometime you love to travel alone. Though, most of my friends don’t agree with the idea, it has always been an incredible experience for me to measure the miles of road alone. Exploring new places make me more creative, as I start improving in the pictures I paint, poems I write and music I listen to.

Going out with friends on long holidays suited my teenage years. Today, I am equally passionate about holidaying, but in a different way altogether. Interestingly, I have learnt an array of new things and as a result I have started entertaining my life in a better way. Recently, I got a chance to visit a hill station alone and took my brand new digital camera with me. While I was capturing the scenic beauty of the place, a professional photographer moved to me and shared some great tips for improving my photography skills. Some of the images I clicked have become famous amongst my friends on a social networking website.I become more open to chat with unknown fellow travellers and companions at hostels accommodation I stay in. It is a great opportunity to become more social in nature, when you are all alone at a new place. You have more choices for food and drinks and the best part is that you are saved from sharing the menu card with your friends, who can experiment a new dish on you.

For me, the idea of travelling alone is more of the spiritual bent. Spirituality brings a different aspect for me, apart from indulging in meditation and listening to spiritual music. Imagine you, holding a glass of your favourite late night brandy and watching the stars twinkling above the ocean, shining at its fullest glory. A big wow and you are re-introduced to yourself.

If you ever get an opportunity to visit a place alone, missing it is like tearing-off a special chapter of your life. Believe me! It is no less than a hunt for treasured moments of lifetime.

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Hostels in Edinburgh and worldwide see boom in Bookings

4. March 2009 TRAVEL GUY

Hostels in Edinburgh City Centre see Increase in Bookings Due to more people booking budget accommodation instead of high end hotels

Edinburgh City hostel bookings soar for 2009

By MICHAEL BLACKLEY

Youth hostels in the Capital say they are seeing an early-year boom in bookings as visitors attempt to cut back on the cost of a city break.
Smart City Hostels has seen the number of forward bookings for the year ahead surge by nearly a third on this time last year.

The Blackfriars Street backpackers hostel said it was seeing a new breed of guest who would have previously stayed in bud
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get hotel chains like Travelodge or Premier Inn.

The Edinburgh Central hostel at the top of Leith Walk also said it had achieved half of the sales that it managed in the whole of 2008, as the Scottish Youth Hostel Association (SYHA) said that tourists and domestic travellers were becoming increasingly “value-conscious”.

Ruth Kerr, manager at Smart City Hostels, said: “A lot more people are now looking to budget on their accommodation and splurge on the place they are visiting. They are taking the view they are in Scotland to do some sightseeing and don’t spend much time in their accommodation.”

She said that the renewed focus on price had allowed the hostel industry to get new customers and help overcome previous conceptions, claiming that the only difference between their five-star hostel and a hotel such as easyHotel is the bunk beds that are in most rooms.

The Smart City Hostel figures come just days after new figures from accountants PKF showed that hotel occupancy in Edinburgh dropped by 3.4 per cent in 2008.

Premier Inn said this week that its like-for-like sales had been declining since the turn of the year. Budget hotels had previously benefited from the downturn - but today’s figures suggest now hostels are taking trade from them.

At Edinburgh Central, a member of the Scottish Youth Hostel Association, occupancy rates are said to have been good at what is normally a quiet time of year, with advanced bookings also “doing well” and half of last year’s sales achieved after only two months.

Louise Nowell, head of sales and marketing at the SYHA, said: “Hostels offer a good value way of visiting the Capital. Hostels have always offered good value but now people are becoming more value-conscious than they have been previously.”

A VisitScotland spokeswoman said: “Although there is some indication that bookings overall may be slightly down on last year in some sectors, those businesses that are doing well are those that are providing quality service and value for money to their customers and responding to what their customers want.”

Smart choice trims £10 per night off cost
DURING previous holidays, Australian Adele Leahy, 28, has always stayed in hotels.

When she came to Edinburgh for the first time three weeks ago, she thought she’d save some money by booking into a hostel.

At the Smart City Hostel, she pays under £20 a night - at least £10 less than the cheapest hotel room - to stay in a four-bed room.

She admits to some initial trepidation, but says she is happy with her decision now.

She said: “I didn’t want to stay in some low-budget hostel that I wouldn’t find comfortable at all, but I’ve found it really comfortable and it has everything I need.”

* Source: Edinburgh Evening News

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CHEAP AND COOL PLACES TO VISIT

21. February 2009 TRAVEL GUY

 

Places in the world you should check out for bargains

My passion in life is travelling to new places and meeting people. I have been to countless cities and numerous countries and made many friends along the way.

I just came back from nearly 2 months in southern and West Africa, I spent some time in Cape Town and Johannesburg in South Africa, Accra in Ghana, Lome in Togo and Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria. It was my must do for the end of 2008 and I thoroughly  enjoyed it, I came back in Mid January.

I have been to many places in Africa from Cairo and Sharma shake Egypt to Marrakech in Morocco, One of my favourite places in Africa is Tunisia, its great value, only 2 and a half hours form Gatwick, you can travel to Tunisia for less than going to Amsterdam in Netherlands.

Other Places to Check out are:

Havana in Cuba, which is still un-spoilt, one of the best ways to save money in Havana is to book accommodation in a family  run guest house, some of these guesthouse the family still lives in the guesthouse, such as MARTHA GUEST HOUSE, you get authentic Cuban home cooked meal and a family atmosphere.
Bangkok in Thailand, very cheap, you can spend a whole month for only a few hundred pounds.

Reykjavik in Iceland at the moment pretty cheap to get to and accommodation is very cheap, the affect of credit crunch has made Reykjavik a cheap place to visit.
Krakow in Poland another bargain destination, cheap to get to and accommodations is even cheaper.
Prague in Czech Republic, Prague is equally another good place to visit for a couple of days or a long weekend.

Other must visit cities are New York in USA, Rome in Italy, Paris in France, Hong Kong and Macau in China, Amsterdam in Holland, Berlin and Hamburg in Germany are equally lively places to be especially weekends and summer period, Barcelona and Madrid in Spain not forgetting Ibiza, it does get crazy in Ibiza during Summer time but its still a good place blow off steam.

Dubai in UAE, is another one of my favourite places, but Dubai is getting a bit expensive but definitely worth a visit, the cheapest way to enjoy Dubai is a stop over for few days if your en-route to South East Asia or Far East, some Air Lines like Emirates have offers for a few days stop over for free accommodation.

Buenos Aires in Argentina another cool place to check out, it has a European feel but with an exotic twist.

Rio De Janeiro in Brazil, best during carnival an absolute bargain.

These are just some of the cool places I’ve been to myself and I can recomend.

Another key to enjoying yourself is to remember your away from home, and not expect the same fish and chips and buses running on time.

For anyone not from London, London now is a lot cheaper than it has been, with pounds exchange rate low compared to EURO and DOLLAR its a great time yo visit London also.

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No place for overweight flight attendants

6. January 2009 TRAVEL GUY

Air India fires 10 overweight flight attendants

AN Indian airline has dismissed ten female flight attendants who were grounded for being overweight.

The sackings came after the Air India cabin crew were warned about meeting minimum physical fitness standards and given sufficient time to lose weight, the Press Trust of India news agency reported.

The flight attendants were also offered alternative ground assignments which they allegedly refused.

the Air India cabin crew were warned about meeting minimum physical fitness standards and given sufficient time to lose weight, according to the Press Trust of India

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British Airways And Qantas The Australian Airline To Merge

3. December 2008 TRAVEL GUY

 

British Airways has begun merger talks with the Australian carrier, Qantas.

British Airways said last night it was exploring a potential merger with Qantas, four years after selling its 25 per cent stake in the Flying Kangaroo.

The announcement of the talks came as the Rudd Government launched its aviation green paper yesterday, ahead of a white paper due out next year.

The green paper launched by Transport Minister Anthony Albanese included a change to the Qantas Sale Act that would retain the 49 per cent limit on foreign investors but consider removing restrictions on individual investors and airlines.

BA said in a statement last night: “In response to recent media speculation, British Airways Plc confirms that it is exploring a potential merger with Qantas Airways Limited via a dual-listed company structure.

“The discussions between British Airways and Iberia are continuing. There is no guarantee that any transaction will be forthcoming and a further announcement will be made in due course, if appropriate.”

British Airways and Spanish airline Iberia announced in July they were holding merger talks to create the world’s third-largest airline in terms of income.

The aviation sector is seeking consolidation as airlines fight for survival, having been crippled by record high oil prices and as the world faces a deep recession.

BA was also a cornerstone investor in the 1995 float of Qantas, but sold the stake in September 2004.

In 1998, Qantas co-founded the Oneworld alliance with American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines, and Cathay Pacific. The alliance commenced operation in February 1999, with Iberia and Finnair joining later that year.

Oneworld markets itself at the premium travel market, offering passengers a larger network than the airlines could on their own. The airlines also work together to provide operational synergies to keep costs down.

AFP

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Hostels247.com Joins Forces with 13 Coins Hotels Bangkok Thailand

21. November 2008 TRAVEL GUY

Hostels247.com Partners with 13 Coins Hotels Bangkok Thailand

Hostels247.com has partnered with 13 Coins Hotels, one of the biggest hotel operators and fastest growing hotel chains, in Thailand, to offer their Bangkok and Nonthaburi Thailand Hotels to Hostels247.com worldwide customers. 13 Coins Hotels currently has more than 10 locations in Thailand, 13 Coins Resort Minburi, 13 Coins Tiwanon, 13 Coins Tower Hotel Ratchada, 13 Coins Resort Bang Na, 13 Coins Resort Yotin Pattana, 13 Coins Antique Villa, 13 Coins Bang Yai, 13 Coins Ngam Wong Wan, 13 Coins Airport Grand Resort, giving travelers a wide range of premier hotels accommodations to select from when they are visiting Bangkok, Nonthaburi and Thailand, for Business or pleasure.

Hostels247.com has been adding numerous partnerships with hotels groups, holiday resorts and budget hostel accommodation around the world to Hostels247.com’s growing list of accommodations, ever since the company was founded at end of summer 2007.

“We are excited to have formed this relationship with 13 Coins Hotels since their premier hotels accommodation are a perfect match for our budget seeking customers. Hostels247.com aims to provide premier budget accommodations for all travellers,” said the company founder when asked about this new partnership.

“We welcome a partnership with Hostels247.com, and am most confident that your presence in Bangkok, and Nonthaburi, Thailand will grow”. Said Mr. Janak Pandey Senior Executive 13 Coins Hotels.

This important partnership allows Hostels247.com to expand their customer’s budget travel options in one of the most desirable cities in the world Bangkok and Nonthaburi, Thailand are a must visit,” said the founder of Hostels247.com when asked about these travel destination.

Bangkok and Nonthaburi, Thailand are without a doubt some of the most sort after cities of the world and a premier travel destination for all travelers, all year round, and Thailand offers value for money and undoubtedly one of the safest places to visit.

Hostels247.com offers a comprehensive list of all the most popular travel destinations in the world.

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About Hostels 24/7Hostels247.com is a travel social networking site and a leading provider of Budget Hotels accommodation, Hostels and Youth Hostels for worldwide destinations. Hostels247.com offers their customers secure online booking and reservations with free booking service and travel tips and guides for all of their travel destinations. Hostels247.Com’s goal is to be the number one leader in travel social networking sites for backpackers, students and independent travellers around the world. Hostels247.com also specialises in arranging group accommodation for large groups and have a dedicated team, of group booking specialists.For more information about the company or to make a booking.

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