Hotels-zone.info

 by Robert Hanania

After watching the persuasive television commercial with a former science fiction television star proclaiming just how cheap travel can really be, you might find yourself on the Internet testing the virtual waters. Unfortunately, while originally you might have intended to visit the website that your sci-fi actor was talking about, you soon find yourself getting side tracked into checking out some other site and deals, and before long you would be amazed that travel deals on the ‘Net’ are indeed not only cheap but usually feature some exotic destination that is amazingly desirable!

Even as you celebrate your delving into the world of online travel reservations, there is a little voice in the back of your mind warning you that deals which sound too good to be true usually leave something to be desired, yet instead of pulling back and steering your search to the more well known sites, you continue to dig deeper and deeper and land on a good many sites advocating steals and deals - even though the names of the businesses are unknown to you.

A closer look at Internet travel scams reveals that it is now the eager web surfer that will be at the highest risk of falling for one of the many ruthless campaigns currently being marketed online. A scam site with an impossibly long link (URL) may feature a well known name and logo. Travel deals closely mirror that of the original site with the company’s genuine name and web address. Being somewhat web savvy, you figure that this is the site of an affiliate and even as you are getting ready to go back to the original site, you notice that here the deals are even better than they are at the original merchant site. Dig down a little deeper and you will find the affiliate agent’s assertion that in desperation to make a deal, she or he will comp you part of their commission or offer you the deal at an employee discount. Stay away from these practices. They are not only unethical within the industry but hardly ever genuine. Furthermore, if the deal is made from a third party, you may have no recourse if problems arise and the affiliate will be long gone!

Conversely, a travel agency with a name you never heard of may be offering deals that are steals. Having numerous confidence inspiring banners on their sites, such as the ones from the Better Business Bureau and others, you may believe that you are safe. Unfortunately, blindly believing this is a mistake since anyone can cut and paste an image from another website, to be inserted on a fake website. Unless you can verify with the BBB that the company is actually a member, there is no reason to assume the logo on their website is genuine. Similarly, reviews, press releases, and testimonials do not have to be genuine. Caution should always be exercised, and the more amazing the deal, the more caution there should be.

The BBB advises this for people looking to resell there timeshare, but seems to apply for many types of businesses (in my view). The Better Business Bureau recommends the following:

* Do not agree to anything over the telephone until you have had a chance to check out the company.

* Ask the person to send you written materials.

* Ask for references, including address and phone number and contact them.

* Ask where the company is located and in what states it does business.

* Ask if the company’s salespeople are licensed to sell real estate where your timeshare is located. If so, verify this with the state licensing board.

* Find out if the company charges a commission. Do they handle the entire closing and provide escrow services? Do they charge an up-front listing or advertising fee? What does it cover and is it refundable?

* Be wary of companies charging an advance “appraisal” fee for services. Consider opting for a company that offers to sell for a fee only after the timeshare is sold.

* Contact the Better Business Bureau (www.bbb.org), state Attorney General’s office, and local consumer protection agencies in the state where the company is located to find out if complaints have been lodged against the company.

At this point in time the travel industry is the one with the most complaints currently found on the ‘Net.’ A closer look at Internet travel scams reveals that the numbers of fraudulent agents are former members of travel agencies who are going it alone, and are downright scam artists who are currently operating Phony websites and have maligned the good name of the trade in general.

Related post

Timeshare Salesman - The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
...

Cruise Ship Jobs - Scam or Plan?
...

by Jonathan Williams

Chile is located along South America’s west coast. It is bordered by Bolivia, Peru, Andes, and Argentina. Chile has beautiful pristine beaches that warrant the attention they get from tourists and locals alike, but other than majestic beaches, here are some of the places that you have to visit while in Chile.

1.) Cathedral of San Marcos

If you are going to stay in Chile, then Arica is a must-see place. Here, you will see the Cathedral of San Marcos. The designer of this cathedral is the same person who designed the Eiffel Tower, as such, this has become a tourist destination.

2.) Baquedano Street

It you want old-style streets, then drop by Baquedano Street. Walk along its cobblestone streets and marvel at its old-western style atmosphere. You can also find a lot of tourists here buying their souvenirs as well as enjoying other activities.

3.) Zofri

This is a duty-free zone in Iquique and is a favorite shopping area of locals and visitors alike. This place is a must-go-to because you can find cheap electronics here as well as cheaper memory cards. There are other items that you can buy as well.

4.) La Serena

This is an appealing Chilean town that has lots to offer visitors. Here, you can visit a museum where you can see an authentic Rapa Nui Moai head. You can also visit the observatory that is always open for the public to visit.

5.) Vaparaiso

This is a city in Chile that is popular because of its Bohemian culture, the colorfully-painted houses and the majestic views of its beaches and seaside. There are so many places you can visit here like the Plaza Echaurren-Serrano Street, La Matriz Church, and Ex Carcel. You can also visit La Sebastiana, home (at least one of his three houses) of the famous poet, Pablo Neruda.

6.) Chuquicamata

This was once a beautiful town, but now, it is a dying town. There is a mine here that is a must-see for any visitors, and it is advisable to go on a guided tour so as not to miss its history. You can still see here some equipments as well as vehicles that were used in the mine.

7.) Vina Del Mar

Home to wonderful coastline, this is a favorite destination for the sun worshippers and the beach lovers, but beware though because its waters are not that friendly for swimming. It is best to just walk along the shoreline and enjoy the view it offers, or you can just walk along Vina Del Mar’s downtown to enjoy the delicious native cuisine of Chile or buy your souvenirs. The best month to visit this place is in February where a lot of festivals are held.

8.) Parque Metropolitano

This big park is located in Santiago de Chile. From here, you can see a wonderful view of the city of Santiago, and you can also see the Andes. You can go up to its summit by riding a cablecar or driving your car, or you can even go on a hike to reach the top where you will get to enjoy the botanical garden and a zoo.

9.) Santiago Centro

This is a great place to immerse yourself with Chilean everyday life. You can stroll along its paseos. Word of caution though, beware of pickpockets.

10.) Rancagua

Here, you can go to the Las Termas de Cauquenes where you can enjoy a nice hot bath from its natural hot spring waters. When done with your relaxing thermal bath, then go on to Reserva Nacional Rio Los Cipreses, Rancaua’s national park that offers a great camping experience. You can also visit Sewell, a mining town that is now non-operational.

Related post

Summer Skiing Holiday in Chile - Ski Portillo
...

Chile Vacations in Patagonia - Torres del Paine in Luxury
...