MAd Town 2009 – Find The Info About hotel and travel

by billyqiu

We have all seen or personally experienced the devastating floods of recent weeks across the UK. Looking at the flooded streets and submerged cars, it is difficult to imagine what effected families are going through as they face another week without their homes, cars or even running water. For most people, however, insurance policies will cover at least the material losses, if not the emotional distress. But how far do you consider your insurance cover if you are driving abroad? Faced with a similar flooding situation while on your summer vacation might get you a celebrity shot on ‘Holidays from Hell’, but if you were to look out from your villa balcony to see your car bobbing in the storm waters, you may feel far happier just knowing you’d carefully organised your car insurance, in advance.

While many of us take pains to choose the right insurance for our homes and vehicles in the UK, there is far more confusion as to what happens when we travel abroad. Packing your car and driving into the sunset for, say, a road trip around Europe, may sound like an adventure of a lifetime. And there’s no reason it shouldn’t be – just ensure you check your insurance cover ahead of your trip. Like many drivers, you may assume, for example, that a UK car insurance policy will provide the same level of cover if you take your car abroad. In most cases, however, existing policies will only cover for basic road traffic accidents (RTAs) or at best, third party cover for overseas trips. This means you would not be covered for theft, fire or damage. Nor would you be covered for legal matters following a car accident.

You may also have heard of a ‘Green Card’ for driving abroad? This is an internationally recognised document, that proves you have the minimum insurance cover required by law in the country visited. The key word, however, is ‘minimum’ – the card does not provide insurance in itself and although it will provide useful evidence of your basic cover, you will still need to get further insurance cover if you want comprehensive protection.

Getting the same insurance cover you enjoy in the UK when travelling abroad is a simple enough process, however. You could just ask your existing insurer to extend the scope of your cover before you travel, if it is not already included in your policy. An additional premium may be charged for this extension and will depend on where you’re travelling and for how long. Alternatively, this may be a good opportunity to check out the car insurance market generally – it’s always worth ensuring you’re getting the best deal especially if you’re planning to frequently travel with your car. Also ask your chosen insurer about Green Cards – although you no longer need a Green Card in EU countries, it still provides useful evidence of basic insurance, and if you’re travelling outside of the EU you will certainly need one. Your insurer should be able to help you obtain one.

Some insurers may offer what is known as ‘Green Card cover’ – as Green Cards in themselves are free (and do not provide insurance cover in themselves), this really means that you are paying for extending your UK insurance cover overseas. Whichever kind of cover you choose, though, and whether you take a Green Card or not, be sure to take your insurance documents with you, just so that you are prepared if you need to make a claim. And don’t leave any such documents in your car – if you were to face a UK-style flood situation while abroad, your careful organisation and paperwork would be meeting a soggy end.

You may also want to consider your breakdown cover. You can purchase car breakdown policies with your holiday insurance or separately. Your motor insurer might also provide this cover. Such insurance might cover the cost of hiring a car while yours is being repaired, road-side assistance and emergency repairs, the cost of returning your car to the UK or sending out spare parts, and even emergency accommodation if you can’t use your vehicle. Prices will vary depending on what level of cover you want or need, but whatever policy you choose it will be a great reassurance, especially if you are driving long distances.

The following general tips may also help you plan your driving trip of a lifetime:

* Get your vehicle serviced before you set off on your holidays and ensure you research and comply with any vehicle requirements in the countries you are visiting.

* Do not forget your motor insurance certificate, Green Card (if issued), and details of any breakdown and travel insurance, together with any emergency helpline numbers. Also take your registration document, driving licence and, of course, passport. For some countries, you may need to take an International Driving Permit – check your destination/s in advance.

* Get a fire extinguisher, first-aid kit, tool kit, spare bulbs and warning triangle for your vehicle. Many of these items are a legal requirement in some EU countries.

* Take a spare set of keys and keep them somewhere safe!

* Familiarise yourself with road signs and the road rules of the country you are visiting before you go.

* Do not forget your registration document, driving licence and passport. Also check your destination/s to see whether you need to take an International Driving Permit with you.

All this planning may not sit very comfortably with the ideal of speeding into the great unknown with just your car and the road ahead. But if you really want a road trip of a lifetime, a little advance preparation will ensure that you can have just that.

Tags: Abroad, Covered, Driving

by Vancouver Island University

International travel can be a great experience; it allows you to witness many new cultures and lifestyles. International travel has many benefits which make it better than your traditional domestic vacation. Depending on your destination, traveling abroad can also save you money because of the current exchange rate. These rates change and may not be available in the future. A good exchange rate or activity that you would like to see may not be available if you put off planning the vacation. Another benefit of planning an international trip today is the current technology, which makes booking a trip easy. Technology can help eliminate the hassle of finding the best prices and locations based on your budget.

Traveling, whether for a long weekend away to a nearby country, or clear across the globe, is invigorating, refreshing and expands so much in one’s life that it is something that more people should do. Traveling abroad can greatly change your life for the better because there are many cultures and lifestyles to experience. These cultures can provide you with an entirely new perspective on life. Once you begin experiencing the beauty of the world, you may even begin planning yearly international vacations.

Currency rates fluctuate regularly and, as stated before, this may be a good reason to plan an international vacation today. Money is necessary if you are planning to travel and see the sights the country has to offer. If your currency can be exchanged at a reasonable rate, this can greatly improve your vacation experience. This is an important reason for traveling internationally now since you can get the most out of your trip. If you put the trip off the exchange rate may change for the worse and you can lose money after arriving at your destination.

Practical reasons

However, let us get down to the more practical reasons for traveling internationally. Frankly, it is understandable why most people would be hesitant to travel now. The economy appears to be in bad shape and many people are trying to save money. However, in some instances, this can be beneficial for travel, the airlines may lower their prices in order to get your business and this can save you money. Airline prices also fluctuate between airlines and by looking around you may find a special promotional vacation package that may not be available in the future.

Vacations are meant to be fun and enjoyable and this is another reason for traveling abroad today. There are many locations to visit from the beaches of the Caribbean to the beautiful and exquisite city of Paris, France. Experiencing something new is always the best way to live and an international vacation provides just that. This can spice up your life by allowing you to find things that you would not normally consider trying.

In fact, these days traveling is so much easier, more efficient and less time consuming than it used to be. We can travel across the globe faster and it requires much less energy than was required years ago. It is also possible watch TV, movies or listening to music while traveling. On some airlines, you can even follow the path of your airplane via satellite!

Technology and travel

Due to the technology available, planning a vacation can be stress-free as well. By using the internet to purchase your international flight tickets, you can plan your trip, get travel advice, and shop around for great deals. Technology has come a long way especially for finding the best travel packages. You can book your hotel, car, flight, and even your entertainment all on one website. If you are unsure of your destination, you can browse through the millions of videos and pictures of different locations to find which location best suits you. Planning an international trip can be an enjoyable experience when compared to the hassle involved years ago.

It is highly recommended to travel abroad at least once in your life and there are many benefits to planning your trip now. Saving money is the main reason for planning your trip today. When traveling abroad, you may have to exchange your money for the local currency. Currency exchange rates change frequently and this can have a large impact on your vacation. Since you do not know what the rates are going to be in the future, it is best to plan your trip while a good rate is available. You should also consider planning a trip because of the cultural value. Experiencing new cultures and lifestyles can help provide much value to your life. It may even change your life completely because you may find something new that you like. If you are planning an international trip, you should consider these suggestions because they can help you get the most out of your trip.

Tags: Benefits, International, Travel

by billyqiu

In these recessionary times, almost every industry is seeing significant losses.

Not so with medical tourism.

Hospitals specializing in medical tourism report seeing a 30 percent increase in business from international patients last year. Discounting other nationalities, The Deloitte Center for Health Solutions estimated the number of Americans that traveled abroad for healthcare in 2007 at 750,000.  As money gets tighter, more people are opting to travel long distances to save on their healthcare bills. Current research indicates that more than one million Americans are traveling overseas to receive medical treatment.

While traveling abroad for medical care is not a new concept, it is only in the past few years that the medical tourism industry has exploded.  International hospitals in foreign countries began focusing their marketing efforts on global clientele and medical tourism companies like MedTrava were created to help fill the gap between the patient’s need for information, support, and assistance and the hospital’s ability to devote its valuable resources to this area.

With the current state of the U.S. healthcare system, it’s no wonder that many uninsured Americans are eschewing medical care in their home country in favor of medical tourism. More than 47 million Americans are uninsured and nearly 120 million Americans are underinsured. The statistics for certain states are appalling. Only 76.1 percent of Texans and 79.9 percent of New Mexicans were insured as of 2007.  Worse still, only 81 percent of Mississippians and 81.5 percent of Texans could get medical care when they needed it.  

President Obama recognizes the problems inherent in the U.S. system of healthcare, saying “Fixing what’s wrong with our health care system is no longer a luxury we hope to achieve — it’s a necessity we cannot postpone any longer.”

But with no clear idea of how the administration will pay for the estimated 0 billion price tag for its proposed reform, and with Republicans remaining vehemently opposed to nationalized healthcare, it could be a long while until Obama can make good on his promise of “It’s time to deliver.”

In the meantime, more and more Americans will continue to feel the pinch of healthcare bills.  A recent Harvard University study reveals that medical bills play a factor in more than 62 percent of all bankruptcies.

And it’s not only the uninsured that are affected by hefty medical bills; 78 percent of those citing medical bills as a reason for filing bankruptcy were actually insured.

Part of this reason is the ever-increasing share of the medical bill insured consumers are expected to pay. According to a survey by the National Opinion Research Center and Watson Wyatt Worldwide, the annual out-of-pocket medical expenses for an insured worker increased 34 percent between 2004 and 2007.

The researchers recognized this problem and stated in their report, “in the United States, if you are sick and earn a modest income, then you are probably underinsured — even if you have employer-based health coverage.”

Health Insurance premiums have risen 73 percent since 2000, according to the National Coalition on Health Care (NCHC).  Employers and insurance companies are forced to more closely scrutinize their health plans to contain the high costs. Employers are now covering fewer employees, reducing the number of covered procedures and increasing co-pays and co-premiums. In fact, the NCHC states that employee contributions have increased 145 percent since 2000.

Many insured individuals in this situation find that they can save more money by traveling abroad for their treatment than they can by paying these hefty co-pays. Some have been pleasantly surprised to find that their insurance company will reimburse them for part of their medical travel.

While many medical travelers take advantage of cost savings for dental treatments, facelifts and liposuction, a growing number are opting for open heart surgery and orthopedic procedures like hip or knee replacements overseas. Medical tourism can also allow a patient to take advantage of procedures difficult to receive in the U.S.  Surgeries such as Birmingham hip resurfacing and cervical disc replacement were only recently approved by the FDA, so overseas surgeons can have years more experience than U.S. surgeons on these techniques. Procedures like stem cell treatment are also available in some foreign countries.

However, the bulk of the treatments medical tourists are seeking include orthopedics, cardiology, and dental.  Patients are able to save up to 80 percent in these fields and receive superior treatment over what they would probably have been able to afford in the U.S. Quality of care at  hospitals is comparable in quality to those in the United States. The Joint Commission International, an arm of the organization that accredits American hospitals has accredited nearly 200 hospitals overseas. Many doctors and surgeons are English-speaking and have trained at Western medical schools and teaching hospitals.

Medical travel companies can help expedite and facilitate a patient’s treatment. Once a patient contacts a medical tourism facilitator like MedTrava, it can connect them to carefully selected, pre-qualified providers and fast-track the sending of the patient’s medical records and set up a conference call with an overseas surgeon in days.  Surgery can be scheduled in as quickly as two weeks, and the medical travel facilitator can assist the patient with every aspect of their medical travels, from visa and passport assistance to arranging for a patient care manager, driver, cell phone, and hotel in the destination country.

While traveling abroad for surgery is not usually a person’s first choice, the quality of medical treatment available abroad is at an all time high—in some cases, superior to what is available in the United States. And in these days of a recession with no end in sight, being able to save 80 percent on anything without sacrificing any quality is a much-needed reprieve.

Tags: Despite, industry, Medical, Overseas, Recession, Surgery, Surges, tourism, Travel