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Pams And Jims Have Been Coming To Niagara Falls For Years

Last week's episode of "The Office" featured two timeless romances: the marriage of Jim Halpert and Pam Beesly (played by John Krasinski and Jenna Fischer), and the long infatuation between tourists and Niagara Falls. Pam mentioned in an earlier episode that she and Jim picked the border city because of its distance from Scranton -- which didn't deter their coworker from attending as she'd hoped—but the city's history as a tourist destination dates back to the 18th century.

Visits to the geological wonder picked up after the Civil War when railroad officials capitalized on it as a destination. Back in the day, couples didn't come to (spoiler!) get married on the Maid of the Mist boat ride; they enjoyed it on their honeymoon. While still several days' journey from many East Coast cities, the falls allowed newlyweds -- from the upper classes first, but later middle and working-class spouses too—to get away and enjoy each other's company, sort of like a latter day Hawaii. Its attractions changed with the times: After World War I, motels sprung up so couples could take their cars on vacation with them.

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Timeshare Pitches About To Get Hardcore As Industry Hurts

We’ve always been tempted to sit through a timeshare presentation to score some freebies, but we usually realize that having a good time and a relaxing evening is better than a stressful 90-minute hard sell. However, if you want some free stuff, or are really interested in vacation ownership, now is a good time. Timeshare sales are down big time, and some experts are thinking that things will drop 30 percent from 2008 numbers.

Marriott’s timeshare group, for instance, is cutting prices and slowing down their plans to expand. They are even thinking about selling some of their prime land—might be worth taking a look if you’re looking to build your own vacation home. Wyndham is doing the same thing, despite being the largest seller of timeshares in the country; they are cutting 40 percent of their sales. The salespeople trying to get rid of these properties might be getting desperate, so beware their hardcore pitches.

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Haiti Welcomes Bill Clinton, But Is It Ready To Welcome Hordes Of Tourists?

Last time we tried to visit Haiti, we were turned around on account of safety concerns surrounding a presidential election in the country, and it probably doesn't help that a friend's entire family fled the country years ago. These are the type of negative views on Haiti that former president Bill Clinton seeks to reverse in his position as a special envoy to Haiti. He made another visit to the struggling country and specifically addressed the need for tourism. So, are you ready to head to Port-au-Prince for a weekend away? But what we really should be asking is if Haiti is ready for you.

In his goodwill trip to encourage tourism, Clinton didn't exactly take the most tourist-friendly route:

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Tags: Dubai Travel / Landmarks / Travel News / Tourism / Skyscrapers / → All Tags

The Impossibly High Burj Dubai Will Have 124th-Floor Observation Deck

To tell you the truth, we're torn on the issue of tourism in Dubai. Is it a theme park of a city that caters to tourists versus travelers, or is it worth the visit for the unique experiences? Who knows when we'll find out since the place is so firmly out of budget anyways.

Just in case you also like to entertain the thought that a trip to Dubai is in your future, you'll either be delighted or scared shitless to learn that the famous Burj Dubai skyscraper is due to have its observation deck on the 124th floor. Of course the 160+ story building needs to be completed first, and that won't be happening until early December. In the meantime, the building is readying to open the world's first Armani Hotel in the first 37 stories. But let's hear a little more about that vertigo-inducing observation deck, shall we?

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Frommer's Arizona Boycott Can't Keep This State Down

Despite Arthur Frommer’s feelings about the Grand Canyon State, people seem to be ready to head out to Phoenix this fall. It is possible that his opinion might not have made it through to everyone yet, or it’s possible that nobody cares what Frommer thinks. Even though things are slow due to the economy, the Valley of the Sun appears to keep drawing the crowds into town.

According to the 2009 Travel Leaders Fall Travel Trends Survey—catchy name—the Phoenix and Scottsdale area sits just outside the top ten at number 11 among destinations booked throughout the rest of the year. People must want to avoid the cool crisp days of autumn at any cost. About 75 percent of those asked said that trips were down compared to last year overall, and about 60 percent said they had a good feeling about the strength of the fall travel season. Let's just hope the travel season isn't too strong, we're getting used to all the great deals.

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American Airlines And NYC Cozy Up To Lure Visitors Into Town

Tourism is down all over the globe, but New York City isn’t just going to sit back and take it. They’re fighting to gain back some of the visitors they’ve lost, and to turn around numbers that are down five percent compared to last year. Therefore, teaming up with American Airlines is a good way to start.

NYC and Company has partnered with the airline to offer special deals for its new target markets. Visitors from Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles, among others, all had the chance at special round trip fares through last Friday. Nothing was a crazy deal, but at least they were trying their best by offering fares between about $140 and $220.

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DiscoverAmerica Wants Your Dollars to Stay in the States

Sick and tired of Americans traveling abroad for culture, food and activity when the good old homeland has it too, the United States has they launched a new website in hopes of keeping all those summer vacation dollars in the nifty fifty: DiscoverAmerica.com. Previously, they’ve used the “discover” theme to attract visitors from overseas, but this new site is focused on those keeping it local this year, for better or for worse.

All the juicy details of America’s finest offerings can be found through integration with the National Park Service, and Google Maps will help you plan a city-to-city road trip. Once you’ve found your dream vacation or experience here at home, the site will be happy to help you spend your hard earned cash through links to all the usual travel booking sites.

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Tags: Travel Deals / It's Summer Somewhere / Tourism / → All Tags

Seychelles For Everyone Now, Not Just Royalty

Last time we checked in with the Seychelles, Prince William was jetting off there to meet with girlfriend Kate Middleton (now the presumed princess-elect) beyond the reach of the British paparazzi. But just royalty won't pay the bills, so now they're gunning for your dollar, whether or not you're hounded by photographers.

The Indian Ocean islands will launch their "Affordable Seychelles" campaign this week to promote trips for the rest of us. Rather than face an estimated 25 percent drop in revenues this year, the national tourism office is forging ahead with promotions on affordable hotels and package trips. So seriously are the Seychelles taking this initiative that they brought out Vice President Joseph Belmont just to introduce the new director of tourism marketing.

Of course, one might argue that the affordable Seychelles never went anywhere, with websites like Seychelles Secrets promising to reveal the islands' real deals. But we won't fault the country's being proactive until the inevitable moment when we find the properties on offer not so affordable.

Related Stories:
· Seychelles launches ‘Affordable Seychelles’ campaign [Agence de Press Africaine]
· Prince William Sneaks To Seychelles [Jaunted]
· Tourism Board Travel: Sri Lanka Is Safe, Minus The Tourism [Jaunted]

[Photo: Guillaume Paumier]

Tags: Mardi Gras Travel / Tourism / → All Tags

Five People You Meet At Mardi Gras

[UPDATE: Gunfire broke out along the parade route today towards the end of the last parade. Two suspects are in custody. Crazy.]

Mardi Gras festivities are in high gear today and we wish we were there. If you happen to be local, check out our taxonomy (with apologies to Mitch Albom) between parties -- not that you need us to tell you where they are. See if you can spot them all in the photograph above:

The Woo Girl! As brilliantly explained last fall by the CBS comedy "How I Met Your Mother," these customary bead recipients often travel in packs making high-pitched noises. On a different day they might make an eloquent defense of why this environmentally unfriendly practice should continue, but not today. Oh, not today.

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Tags: Tourism / South Pacific Islands / Tahiti / Air Tahiti Nui / Bora Bora Travel / Travel News / → All Tags

There's Trouble In Tahitian Paradise

President Obama is certainly concerned about the economic situation here at home, but his worries are mostly focused on houses, money, and stocks—not on filling hotels full of tourists. However, that is the worry of French Polynesia's President Oscar Temaru. He’s calling the current tourism situation in the island nation “catastrophic.”

President Temaru has told lawmakers that hotel occupancy has been dismal, with some days seeing only a 20 percent occupancy rate. Temaru is close to naming a new tourism minister, who is going to have a lot of work ahead of him as well as a lot of sleepless nights. Hey, at least you can get a good spot by the pool, right?

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Mardi Gras Forecast: Cloudy With A Chance of Deals

There are less than three weeks to go before Mardi Gras '09, but does anyone still feel like partying? Judging by hotel deals for the week of Feb. 24, not as many as last year.

Besides a lack of star power out for this year's parade -- really, Jim Belushi? -- a continuing dispute about French Quarter cleanup may dampen the numbers who turn out for this year's festivities.

Mayor Ray Nagin's agreement with the New Orleans City Council about continuing to seek private help to clean out the city's most touristed areas has fallen apart again over a dispute in funding. Since one of the first cuts Nagin made was to private garbage pickup, restaurants and bars which failed to hire their own pick-up are piling up the trash on city sidewalks.

Despite that big stink, New Orleans business are still optimistic that this year's celebration will draw, if not more attendees than last year, at least the same crowd. The official season, which kicked off Jan. 6, is expected to bring in some $840 million in revenue -- and 200,000 of those plastic beads. We say hang in there for a last-minute discounting frenzy; airlines with empty seats will start getting jittery around the beginning of next week. For those who can't make it, there's always the Crappy Mardi Gras Gifts Facebook application, developed by a jaded city resident.

Related Stories:
· Hotel Rooms in NOLA Are Still Under 200 For Mardi Gras [HC]
· French Quarter Denizens Decry Proliferation of Trash Under New City Hall Mandate [New Orleans Times-Picayune
· Earlier: Near Miss For French Quarter Cleanliness [Jaunted]
· Businesses Predict Busy Mardi Gras Despite Economy [WDSU]
· Facebook application makes light of annoying Mardi Gras situations [C'est La Nola]

Tags: Seasonal Migration / Celeb Travel / Tourism / Joey Fatone / → All Tags

Public Toilets Return To Times Square

Poor Joey Fatone. While his former bandmate in *NSYNC is moving into a fancy apartment in New York City with Jessica Biel, he's stuck doing a promotion for Charmin, and giving the nation a glimpse of what he looks like on... ahem... the throne.

Don't be mistaken, it's pretty great that Charmin stocks these too-nice-for-New-York restrooms in Times Square during the holidays. But if they really wanted to move the city, why not keep 'em open all year around? Then Fatone wouldn't have to strike this pose ever again.

Related Stories:
· Fatone In Space [Jaunted]
· Fantasy Tower Update: Maloof Hearts Fatone [HC]
· Celeb Travel coverage [Jaunted]

[Photo: JustJared]