Happy New Year!
It’s 2011. All this week adventureswithben.com will feature a 4-part series about Travel in 2011. But we must first bid 2010 a fond farewell. Here’s a look back on the winners and losers in the travel and tourism industry last year.
Vuvuzela – Loser
Despite my best attempts in making my case, Why I Support the Vuvuzela, this magical, plastic horn never got the due credit it deserved. It’s doubtful we’ll ever see them again.
South Africa Tourism – Winner
Though the Vuvuzela was a sore point, South Africa managed to convince the world that they are a major player on the world stage. One-of-a-kind experiences, great publicity and a successful World Cup will make this destination highly sought-after in the years to come.
Tourism Thailand – Winner
Hot of the trail of a successful social media media travel competition, Ultimate Thailand Explores (of which I was a part), Thailand was hit with yet another hurtful round of bad press when riots erupted in Bangkok this past Spring. Not to be defeated, Tourism Thailand launched a second social media contest about medical tourism. For it’s tenacious spirit, and aggressive marketing, Thailand wins.
TSA – LOSER
Unable to recover from endless bad press, court cases and passenger complaints over the new body scanners, the Transportation Security Administration gets an upper-case “loser”. Sure they need to keep the flying public safe, but in doing so they’ve lost the trust of the American people. It will take years to restore.
Steven Slater (Jet Blue Flight Attendant) – Draw
Unlike the fable I told my parents about exiting an aircraft through a catering truck, Steven Slater, the Jet Blue Flight Attendant actually pulled off a newsworthy stunt. No doubt he put the ground crew at risk by opening the hatch, but he did what many of us can only dream of doing when we are pushed to the limits at work. A magnificent departure from your job. The cons and pros of this incident cancel each other out – it’s a draw.
Sea World Orlando - Loser
The death of Killer Whale Trainer Dawn Brancheau has left a permanent black cloud hanging over the park. Without their trainers swimming in the water with the whales has left it’s anchor attract flat and it’s attendance too. Recent layoffs, changes in ownership and the elimination of free beer has overshadowed it’s newest thrill, Manta. Hopefully 2011 will bring something to look forward to, but they haven’t announced anything yet. Good luck.
Legacy Airlines – Loser
Collecting $4.3 Billion in checked baggage and change ticket fees in 2010 alone earns Delta, United, American and the rest of the major airlines suck. There’s nothing special about flying anymore, flight attendants are surly (see above) and fees have become excessive. It’s time I start my own airline.
Gulf Coast Tourism – Loser
Through no fault of their own, it was a rough year for the Gulf States. As a result of the BP Oil Spill tourism declined significantly. Despite creative, constant marketing, merchant discounts and desperate pleas for help, it wasn’t a banner year. Here’s hoping public confidence will sway in their favor in 2011.
Universal Orlando - WINNER
Even though I’ve never read or watched anything Harry Potter, his new Wizarding World at the Universal Orlando Resort is a clear win (in upper-case letters) for Orlando and Universal. Despite hellatiously long lines, jam-packed stores and a surprise evacuation here and there, the crowds and critics love it. The big questions for 2011 – can Universal Orlando sustain it’s success and will it spend it’s mega profits wisely in investing in other much-needed areas of their resort?
*****
So that sums up 2010 in travel. What are your thoughts? Do you agree? Disagree? Who was left out? Who will win and lose in 2011? Share by commenting.
I’ll see you out there…!
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Im gutted that Vuvuzela didnt catch on! Great round up
Kirsty recently posted something special..Partying with a Thai Rock Band
Maybe we can revive the vuvu in a year or two?
Ha! I laughed so much with your Winners and Losers… I can’t believe how famous Steven Slater became after his little stunt… Here in NY he literally became a Celebutante… ha! I know a pilot that worked with him and his only comment was “he’s always been a drama queen and a queen bitch!”
With the combination of TSA and US airlines… The airline industry takes home the biggest LOSER of the year!
Norbert recently posted something special..Caving at Angeles Cave in Puerto Rico
That’s funny about Steven Slater, but not surprising.
Interesting round-up.
robin recently posted something special..Mezquita
Thanks Robin.
5 stars. Keep rockin’ it in 2011. See you out there…somewhere in this great big, glorious world of ours.
jeff noel recently posted something special..Baby Boomers Start Retiring
Thanks Jeff. Same to you.
oh, man- I love SeaWorld and the research and conservation that they do… Hopefully 2011 will bring upon some changes for the better.
Jade recently posted something special..The 5 Obstacles of Pet Plane Travel
I’m an annual passholder to SeaWorld and enjoy the park, but they just had a rough year in PR Spin that they couldn’t control.
Haha! It clearly sucks to be a vuvuzela!! But it sucks even more to be a passenger on many airlines. What happened to the days we were customers??
I think 2011 travel will see a return to simpler destinations & experiences! I’ll have to remind myself to come back here this time next year to see if I was right!
Happy 2011 travels!!
Red Nomad OZ – Adventures in Australia recently posted something special..Australias Scenic Public Toilets 10 Evans Head- New South Wales
Mark your calendar for 2012′s winners and losers! There isn’t a single airline makes flying special. That’s what’s so frustrating.
in my book Steven Slater is the biggest winner, i will never forget him. great post and happy new year
I was originally going to make him a winner, but held back because it was a bit dangerous.
fun post! great way to approach the year end wrap-up. sorry to hear about the vuvuzela- i’m a sucker for musical instruments
Lorna – the roamantics recently posted something special..Thank You and Happy New Year!
And that was the crux of the problem, people didn’t see the vuvuzela as an instrument – just a noise maker.
The losers made me laugh I had forgotten about so many of them!
ayngelina recently posted something special..2010- The year bacon got a little crazy
I really was rooting for the Vuvuzela. It was so misunderstood. It’s the only one I wished could have become a winner.
Great post Ben. I never knew Sea World had free beer. I may have just gone. Certainly won’t be now!
Caz Makepeace recently posted something special..The Swedes are Lovely
Caz, “had” was the key word. Sigh…
The vuvuzelas were out in full force at the Rose Parade. They are even more annoying in person than on TV during the World Cup!
Michael Figueiredo recently posted something special..Rose Parade Recap
And I missed it! How’d the vuvuzela make it all the way out there? Here in the states, the Vuvuzela doesn’t make as much sense – or is as appropriate – as in South Africa.
Great recap. Definitely agree w/ most of your picks. Maybe you can give the TSA rank: an “EXTRA” Loser.
Harrison recently posted something special..Exploring the Island of Bermuda
If the airports go with privatizing security this year, TSA will definitely get an EXTRA Loser! Thanks for the comment.
I really like the way you did this. Agree with most everything on here. Like you, I liked the vuvuzelas. And quite honestly, I think I would vote almost every airline a loser.
Jeremy B recently posted something special..Top 10 budget travel stories of 2010
And may I add, every domestic airline. I’ve flown some nice International Carriers.
‘Flying with Ben airlines’, now there’s an idea which appeals. And instead of the boring safety instructions you could blow on your vuvu..what ever. Where is the application form to become a flight attendant? I promise, I won’t open any hatches. As usual, I have missed the point of your post, but I just had to say this.
inka recently posted something special..Playing at Hürrem in Istanbul
And I love you for it! Know of any billionaire investors? First Officer inka?
I would fly “Adventures With Ben” airlines anytime! I can only imagine how much fun that would be. And maybe make up for the disappointment of no more free beer at Seaworld
Lisa recently posted something special..Photo of the Day – Spices of Nice
Lisa – The biggest mistake Sea World made was taking away the free beer. Rumor has it that even to this day, people go into the pavilion, walk up to the same taps and are surprised to see that they are now being charged for what used to be gratis.
If I have a billion dollars, I’d start my own airline for sure. Aviation is my backup career.
Great post, I’m sorry to see the vuvuzela listed as a loser; I used mine for New Year’s eve!
Glen Abbott recently posted something special..Cheesy Rider–the adventures of Hamburger Harry
Glen – you have a vuvuzela! We should have a concert. I love mine, but I think it’s depressed that no one loves it.