New York’s hottest tickets

From ‘Hamlet’ to ‘Hair,’ Broadway hits worth the trip

The Age of Aquarius may already have dawned, but the buzz around "Hair" — a revival of the original 1968 American Tribal Love-Rock Musical — is going strong after its 2009 Tony Award win for Best Revival of a Musical.

New York without Broadway? It would be like Venice without canals. So it’s heartening to see that nearly a year into the Great Recession, the lights of the Great White Way continue to burn bright. And if it takes Hollywood bold-facers and revved-up revivals to amp up the wattage, so what? Variety has always been key to Broadway’s success, and if deftly navigated, this fall’s offerings have everything it takes to add a jolt of electricity to a Gotham jaunt. world Tour and Travel
Yes, despite Manhattan’s bumpy economic topography, Broadway blazes. “I can’t say the economy didn’t affect us at all, but Broadway’s just not one of those things that’s totally economy-dependent,” says Charlotte St. Martin, Executive Director of The Broadway League. “We had a record-breaking season and we believe that we have every opportunity to do that again this year.” Chomu tour and travel
In Broadway’s 2008-09 season, 43 shows opened, the highest number of shows since the 1982-1983 season when 50 productions opened. And shows grossed approximately $943.3 million, up a bit from the previous season’s $937.5 million. Read More........

Australian Jetstar wants to cash in on India and China travel routes

Buchanan said, “Asia will be the largest market over the next 15 years, it will surpass Europe and North America. It’s the fastest growing travel market. I think China and India are very exciting markets.” world Tour and Travel
He also added that as more annual household incomes in China and India passed 10,000 dollars, holiday travel would increase dramatically in those countries.
“There’s a massive opportunity to get a lot more capacity in those regions, and we know there’s a latent demand, because whenever we’ve gone into those markets and deployed Jetstar capacity, we’ve seen a strong uptake,” Buchanan said. Chomu tour and travel
Jetstar is owned by Qantas Airways Ltd.

Tips for women traveling alone

Women tour and traveling chomu in alone
Now more than ever, women are traveling by themselves for business or pleasure. And although their reasons for traveling are similar to their male counterparts, women traveling alone have very different concerns. From safety issues to cultural variations, women travelers encounter a variety of difficulties that can be avoided if the necessary precautions are taken.

“ASTA travel agents understand that both men and women need to be educated travelers, but women, especially, need to plan every step of their trip - from packing a suitcase to choosing a hotel room - to ensure a safe return,” said ASTA President and Chair Chris Russo. world Tour and Travel

To learn how you can travel safer, ASTA has provided the following tips:

Know before you go
- Learn as much about the destination as possible, especially when traveling to a foreign country. An area's religious or cultural beliefs can directly impact you, compelling you to adapt your dress and demeanor to comply with local customs. Chomu tour and travel

Welcome to hotel safety
- Get to know the staff, who will be familiar with guests and are able to more effectively monitor who enters and exits the building.
- Ask for a room on a higher floor near the elevator but away from emergency exits, stairwells, and any renovation work.
- Never accept a room if the clerk loudly calls out your name and room number.

Getting around
- While at the front desk, grab a card or matchbook from the front desk with the hotel's name, address and phone number on it, and keep this card on you at all times. This is especially helpful in foreign countries where you taxi driver might not speak English or in case there are several hotels with similar names in the area.
- Explore transportation options available at your destination ahead of time, especially if you will be arriving late in the evening. Travel agents can help determine the safest choice and make the necessary arrangements.
- If renting a car, carefully examine maps, or rent a GPS to help you navigate unfamiliar roads.

Packing smart
- Pack light so you won't be weighed down and look weighed down, both of which could make you an ideal target for pickpockets.
- Avoid expensive looking baggage and clothing, lock all suitcases and only use covered luggage tags with your office address written on it rather than your home.
- Carry only one credit card, and don't keep all your money in one place.

Know your surroundings
- Study a map of the area you will be visiting. If available, consider downloading area maps to your phone.
- Learn as much as possible about getting around the streets to avoid looking like a lost tourist.
- Ask the concierge about where - and, more importantly, where not - to go.

There may be safety in numbers, but there is also safety in knowledge. With some advance planning and the advice of a professional travel agent, your vacation or business trip can be safe, hassle-free and memorable. Contact a trusted ASTA travel agent today at TravelSense.org and get professional assistance and advice for your next trip.

Obama 'not cutting' Afghan troops

US President Barack Obama has said his review of Afghan strategy will not look at pulling out or cutting troop levels.
Mr Obama told key members of Congress that he would decide on a course of action with a sense of urgency - but that not everyone would be pleased. World tour and travel
But a source said he did not pledge to increase troop numbers as his top general in Afghanistan wants.
The meeting came on the eve of the eighth anniversary of the start of the US-led Afghan military operation.
It was launched to oust the Taliban from Afghanistan following the 11 September attacks on the US.
'Rigorous and deliberate'
About 30 senior congressional figures - Democrats and Republicans - had been invited to the meeting with the US leader.
ANALYSISMark MardellMark Mardell, BBC News, Washington
There appears to be a frustration that the review of strategy has some times been portrayed in black and white terms of a massive increase or reduction of troop numbers.
As one administration official put it - it's not about doubling down or leaving. Tour and Travel
But it's going on too long for some Republicans, and members of the president's own party are dubious about committing more resources and military personnel to a conflict where there is no end in sight.
The word Vietnam is heard more and more on Capitol Hill.
Divisions are emerging between some Democrats concerned by the prospect of deploying more US forces to Afghanistan and some Republicans urging the Obama administration to follow the advice of top generals and increase troop levels.
President Obama told the group that his assessment would be "rigorous and deliberate" and that he would continue to work with Congress in the best interests of US and international security.
According to one White House source, he told the meeting that he would not shrink the number of troops in Afghanistan or opt for a strategy of merely targeting al-Qaeda leaders.
But he would not be drawn on sending additional troops - which his top commander in Afghanistan, General Stanley McCrystal, requested last week.
Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi said that there had been some agreement but also some "diversity of opinion" during the talks.
Former Republican presidential candidate Senator John McCain urged Mr Obama to take heed of the advice given by generals on the ground.
A US official, quoted by Reuters news agency, said of the meeting: "He... made it clear that his decision won't make everybody in the room or the nation happy, but underscored his commitment to work on a collaborative basis."
Afghan strategy
The BBC's Mark Mardell, in Washington, says there appears to be a frustration that the review of strategy has some times been portrayed in black and white terms of a massive increase or reduction of troop numbers.
US President Barack Obama
Dr Anthony Cordesman, an adviser to General McCrystal, told the BBC the decision was much more complex than was being portrayed.
"It is a very big decision and it involves a great deal more than simply troop levels.
"There's a decision as to what strategy to pursue, how committed to stay in Afghanistan, how to deal with Nato and Isaf [International Assistance Security Force] allies, how to reshape the aid programme - and how to deal with the future of the Afghan government.
"So this is much more than simply a military strategy decision."
'Serious'
By the end of 2009 there will be a total of 68,000 US troops in Afghanistan, based on current deployment plans.
President Obama has said the strategy in Afghanistan must be agreed before a decision can be made on troop numbers.
Gen McChrystal had described the situation in Afghanistan as "serious" and is believed to have requested up to 40,000 additional troops.
He is believed to want the focus of the strategy to fall on protecting the Afghan people and carrying the fight to the Taliban.
Future US strategy will be discussed in a series of Obama administration meetings this week.
On Wednesday President Obama is holding his third of five meetings with his National Security Council, as well as field commanders and regional ambassadors.