TravelPulse

Ever wanted to know what goes on at a Frog Farm in Singapore? Watch Singapore unexpected at the Jurong Frog Farm (by travelpulse)

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Last week the NTA, formerly known as the National Tour Association, celebrated its 60th anniversary at its convention in Las Vegas. But it also was a first anniversary of sorts since this is the first year the association is truly independent...read more

Americans are still cutting back on some discretionary spending as the still-struggling economy breeds fiduciary caution, according to the Harris Poll. This month, only three in 10 say they are likely to take a vacation lasting longer than a week in the next six months (29 percent), while seven in 10 say they are unlikely to do this (71 percent). This expected travel has dropped from 34 percent who said they were likely to take this type of vacation in May, which should be noted was right before the traditional summer vacation months...read more

Norwegian Cruise Line will return to the Mexican Riviera in winter 2013-14, operating seasonal voyages from Los Angeles after what will be a two-year hiatus. The Norwegian Star will operate nine seven-day Mexican Riviera voyages along with eight 14-day Panama Canal cruises between Los Angeles and Miami beginning on Oct. 13, 2013. The Mexico sailings will operate December 2013 and March and April 2014. Ports of call include Cabo San Lucas, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta...read more

Virgin Atlantic now has a deal to buy bmi from Lufthansa, the German carrier said, which could foil rival British Airways’ bid for bmi. Virgin hopes its counter bid will be more appealing to regulators. BA had said last month that it had reached a deal to buy bmi, thereby acquiring its Heathrow slots. But the deal was not exclusive, and Lufthansa said Monday that it now has a deal with Virgin as well...read more

The Association of Retail Travel Agents (ARTA) is asking Travelport to delay implementing the new fees for its services that are currently scheduled to take effect Jan. 1. ARTA cites concerns that this is an effort to shift distribution costs from suppliers to travel agents, and has scheduled a webinarto discuss the issue on Tuesday, Dec. 20. ARTA said that its concerned Travelport is charging higher fees for essential booking and ticketing facilities...read more

You won’t find Michelin stars sparkling all over Italy’s Puglia region. It’s a place where grandmothers rule kitchens, not chefs. The best art often goes unsigned and so it is in Puglia, where high quality artisanal foods are an authentic extension of the land and an ancient European way of life...read more