We see poker on the TV everyday. The commercials with the catch phrase,”What happens In Vegas stays in Vegas,” have become so popular that people are applying that term to whatever activity they are participating in. Gambling is big, it’s popular, and for some even romantic. Here are some recent statistics from the American Gaming Association that may surprise you. In 2004 consumers spent $28.9 billion at U.S. commercial casino’s, this is a figure that has more than doubled since 1994. In 2004, 54.1 million Americans visited a casino. That is nearly a quarter of the country’s population. One quarter of Americans have been to a gambling Casino in 1 year’s time. Wow!
It’s not just the U.S. though. The International, “Global”, consumers spent almost $98 million in casinos in 2004. That is actually in a casino, not the online portion. This is an estimate from Christensen Capital Advisors, a New York City firm that provides industry analysis to gambling companies.

So is gambling popular. Yes, and more so than I thought.
Travel Safe

I remember the rhyme from when I was little. Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite, sweet dreams. Not as common as they used to be, but occasionally still with us, here are some things travelers can do to avoid bed bugs.

o First thing to do is check on the recommendations for the place you are staying. If there are lots of bad reports about bed bugs you may want to reconsider. Most quality hotels keep up with the issues by exterminating, cleanliness etc…
o When you check into a room, look at the bed side table, in the drawers and along the floor board.
o Pull off the sheets and look at the seams on the mattress. Bed bugs like these recessed areas. They also like the head boards.

What are you looking for you ask? Well with an infestation you will just flat see the bugs. Some other signs that bugs may be there are;
o Little spots of excrement, small and black. Smaller than a poppy seed.
o Light brown, almost see through old skins.

If you find them by all means request another room. When you get to that room, check it out as well. Keep your luggage off the floor to avoid bugs from climbing inside. If you do get them in your clothes just run the clothes through a hot wash with detergent. In some of my other blogs, I have talked about using plastic bags for various things. Well plastic bags would be great to maintain the freshness of your clothes in the event bed bugs may be present in the area. Take precautions to not take bed bugs home with you.

Oh, one more thing. Good night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite, sweet dreams.
Travel Safe

From Asia to Europe and Africa. It’s now on it’s way to the U.S.. Are you prepared for the bird flu? It seems many people are stocking up on food storage and water in preperation for a pandemic. Experts are saying that we will see 20 to 100 cases of the flu in the U.S. this year. Fortunatly for the U.S. substantial testing methods are being implemented to monitor and prevent the spread of the bird flu. This is a huge benefit in our welfare from this potentially deadly flu. Did you also know that well cooked poultry will kill the virus. I have no doubt that we will have to deal with this flu, farmers will loose thousands of chickens, and there will be fear. I am treating this the same way I prepare for my travels. I’ll research the situation, stay abreast of what is happening, make sure I take precautions and be safe. Just like our travels around the globe certain areas require different levels of safety and education. Be prepared.
Travel Safe.

With over 250,000 bags of luggage becoming lost or misplaced on internal flights every month, it’s imperative that you keep your lugggage identified. Putting the standard labels that the airlines provides on the handle works but has two major drawbacks. One is that it’s paper and can easily be torn off. Two is that your personal information is available to anyone who looks at the tag. Make sure if you are using one of these tags to fold it over and close it so that the casual observer cannot see your personal information. Placing contact information inside your luggage is also a good idea but not an easily identifiable option as to who the luggage belongs to. A company called Globalbagtag has come up with an inexpensive product that allows you to monitor your luggage anywhere in the world. It works like this. The tag itself is strong and cannot easily be torn off. Your personal information is not viewable to any individual walking by, thus providing increased personal security for you. It takes a security vetted airline, handling agent, or lost property agent to access the serial number on the tag. The serial number is directly linked to you when you register you globalbagtag online at the globalbagtag.com web site. This registration provides you with a secure login where you will go insert information regarding your travels. This same web site is also where you will go to locate your lost luggage. As long as you update you travel itinerary on the site, your baggage has a better chance of finding you and you it.
So the tag looks good for protecting your personal information from the casual observer. As long as you do your part and update your information, the luggage is with an airline or agent that can read the serial number and you have access to the internet, you can increase the likelyhood of finding your lost or misplaced luggage. Check it out at globalbagtag.com and Travel Safe.