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Executive Board
Terry F. Koenig
President of Koenig & Associates, a marketing and public relations company. Past President of the Skål Club of San Francisco. He has spent 38 years in the Travel Industry with 20 years directing the marketing for passenger ferry operations in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Served as Chairman of the California Travel Industry Association and on the boards of the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau, Catalina Island Chamber of Commerce and the Tiburon Chamber of Commerce.
Vice President:
Robin Morales Business Development - Sales Manager at SoPac/SF Connection -- a tourism and travel represenation company Robin has served as a successful professional in Business Development/ Sales for an airline, a tour wholesaler, a worldwide chauffeur company, a non-profit organization and a travel agency.
Secretary-Treasurer: Christian Spirandelli
Bryan International Travel, President, CEO and Owner since 1995. He merged into FROSCH International Travel in 2007. As usual with the travel industry, he has traveled extensively worldwide and has held advisory positions with several companies.
Chairman:
Lakshman Ratnapala
Chairman of Enelar International, a global management consultancy. Emeritus President & CEO of the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA). A regular writer to business magazines and speaker on travel topics at conferences and workshops.
Co-Chairman:
Logan Happel
Director of Sales and Client Relations, Travel Industry at USI Travel Insurance Services.
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OUR STORY --
75 YEARS
Founded in 1934, the Foreign Travel Club (FTC) of San Francisco, the oldest of its kind in California, celebrates its 75th birthday this year.
The Club was launched by a band of enterprising men who challenged the monopoly of the local travel scene by employees of the Southern Pacific Railway.
The Club is non-sectarian and apolitical. Led over the years by respected executives of the travel industry, the Club membership has comprised individuals who have contributed to the growth of the single most important industry that enhances the quality of life and the vitality of the San Francisco Bay Area.
The FTC's monthly luncheon meetings, featuring speakers on travel topics are occasions where past and present travel industry executives, travel writers and frequent travelers meet to share experiences and promote the business of travel in a spirit of camaraderie.
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The Foreign Travel Club cordially invites travel presentations at our monthly luncheon meetings from Government, State, and City Tourism Offices, Airlines, Cruiselines, Hotels, Tour Operators, Travel Writers, and others.
Please contact:
President, Terry Koenig at
There is no cost to the presenter.
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The Foreign Travel Club cordially invites travel presentations at our monthly luncheon meetings from Government, State, and City Tourism Offices, Airlines, Cruiselines, Hotels, Tour Operators, Travel Writers, and others.
Please contact:
President, Terry Koenig at
There is no cost to the presenter.
|  CLUB EVENTS
Please mark your calendar for luncheon meetings of the Club scheduled for the fourth Thursday of every month, except September (summer outing), November (third Thursday), and December (Holiday Party).
We usually meet at the Marines Memorial Club, 609 Sutter Street, 12th Floor, in San Francisco. The keynote topic, speaker and venue are announced by a special notice, a week prior to the meeting.
COMING UP:
May 27, 2010
World Leaders Travel
Topic: Israel & Palestine
June 24, 2010
Philippine Tourist Office
July 22, 2010
Topic: Small Group Art Tours to Italy and France
August 26, 2010
Topic: Exploring Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan
January 27, 2011
Brendan Vacations
Registration begins at 11:30 am. Guests are welcome at these luncheons. For details and to RSVP, contact:
Terry Koenig
ftcosf@gmail.com or call (415) 726-3712.
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FTC CLUB ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Couples - $50
Individuals - $40
For details, please contact Terry Koenig at ftcosf@gmail.com or call (415) 726-3712. | |
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Membership of the FTC is open to travel industry personnel, travel writers and frequent foreign travelers whose credentials must be endorsed by a current member. Spouses are welcome to join. FTC luncheon meetings serve the dual purpose of social interaction and business opportunity.
Professional presentations on travel trends, destinations and services are followed by Q&A session with Club members.
Although the internet and guidebooks do a great job of preparing the traveler, nothing can replace the experience of someone who has been there, done that and can speak from personal exerience. Research shows 20% of American travelers value others' personal comments over information from books, newspapers and the internet.
The FTC is a forum to meet world travelers, many of whom are travel writers and executives who have worked for tour companies, airlines/cruiselines and hotels. Whereas the internet gives impersonal information, the FTC offers insights to real life experiences.
Being a member of the FTC enhances every trip you take, it ensures you unforgettable travel experiences and opportunities to share them with other members in a spirit of camaraderie.
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SIGN OF THE TIMES...
Fee-weary air travelers get a break -- for now
5 major US airlines won't charge for carryons, but other fees aren't going anywhere
ATLANTA (AP) -- U.S. airlines never met a fee they didn't like. Until now, it seems.
Five major carriers on Sunday agreed not to follow the lead of a small Florida airline that plans to charge for carryon bags. Their commitment comes just in time to keep travelers from running for the exits during the peak summer flying season, but it is doubtful that it marks a change in strategy.
Airlines are going to tack on every fee they feel they can get away with because it bolsters their revenue stream while allowing them to keep base fares lower. They just don't feel like passengers will tolerate losing their sacred free carryons -- at least not right now.
The promise to New York Sen. Charles Schumer from American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, US Airways and JetBlue Airways comes despite the fact that some of those same airlines are expected to report first-quarter losses next week. They were stung by higher fuel prices and the heavy Februarysnowstorms.
Ancillary fees for air travel -- including baggage fees, reservation change fees and other miscellaneous operating revenue -- have been piling up.
For U.S. carriers they totaled $1.95 billion in the third quarter of 2009, roughly 36 percent higher than for the same period a year earlier. For 26 large U.S. airlines, those fees made up 6.9 percent of their total operating revenue in the third quarter of last year, according to the most recent government data available.
But major carriers risk alienating customers if they follow Spirit Airlines' lead and impose a fee on carryon bags. In August, Spirit will begin charging customers up to $45 to place a bag in an overhead bin.
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Cruising?
Join your fellow FTC members & friends on fun cruises at
group rates with
group amenities.
CONTACT:
Claudette Main, CTC, ACC
Phone/Fax:
(650) 345-9455
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destinations, tour packages, cruises, airfares, hotels or other services? The FTC delivers you a sophisticated travel audience.
COSTS: Graphic banner ads cost $15 per issue. For live links to websites, add $15 per URL.
AD DIMENSIONS: Files must be submitted in .JPG file format with a 100 dpi resolution with dimensions as follows:
Rectangle Ad: 180 pixels wide x 240 pixels high.
Vertical Banner Ad : 60 pixels wide x 100 pixels high.
FTC members receive a 10% discount. For ad quotes or to place an ad, contact:
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE:
AIRLINE MERGERS...AND THEN THERE WAS ONE
With the recently announced merger of United Airlines and Continental Airlines the airline industry continues to consolidate. Since the 1980s 32 airlines have been reduced to 6 major airlines either through mergers or bankruptcy. The six still standing are; Delta, United, US Airways, American, Southwest and Alaska.
To refresh your memory, here are the surviving airlines in BOLD with the acquisitions in ITALICS.
DELTA - Northwest (Republic, Hughes Airwest), Western.
UNITED - Continental (Texas International, Frontier, People Express, New York Air), Capital.
US AIRWAYS - US Airways (Purchased by America West but retained US Airways name), Pacific Southwest Airlines (PSA) Piedmont.
AMERICAN - TWA (Ozark), Air Cal.
SOUTHWEST - Muse Air, Morris Air, ATA. ALASKA - Jet America, Horizon Air.
Some airlines didn't merge but went into bankruptcy and their route systems dismembered and acquired by other airlines others just died. They include: Eastern, National, Pan Am, Braniff and Aloha.
 PSA: "The World's Friendliest Airline."
It is a shame to see some of the greatest airlines in the world disappear, but Californians have never forgotten their favorite airline, PSA. PSA was known by its slogan "The World's Friendliest Airline" and for the iconic smile painted on the nose of its airplanes. Opinion L.A. of the Los Angeles Times stated that PSA was "practically California's unofficial in-state airline for almost 40 years." During the 1960s, PSA was also known for the brightly-colored flight attendant uniforms that included miniskirts. In the early 1970s, the fashion changed to hotpants.
Hughes Airwest "flying banana."
PSA's chief competitor was Howard Hughes' Hughes Airwest. Hughes Airwest's planes were rather recognizable because of their banana-yellow fuselage and tail colors. Because of this, their airplanes were often dubbed "flying bananas" and the airline even launched an advertising campaign with the catchphrase "Top Banana in the West".
PSA and Hughes Air West are gone but not forgotten. Here are the links to their websites, maintained by former employees and friends of the airlines: www.catchoursmile.com, www.hughesairwest.com.
I'm sure that by year's end other iconic airlines will bite the dust. Fortunately, we have some strong new entries, i.e. Southwest, Jet Blue and Virgin America, to blaze the new economic frontier.
Terry Koenig
President
Foreign Travel Club of San Francisco |
FOCUS THIS MONTH: Thursday, May 27th
Israel & Palestine with World Leaders Travel
 SPEAKER'S PROFILE:
Bill Diebenow, President of World Leaders Travel, has been with World Leaders (Formerly High Country Passage) since 2007. Before joining High Country Passage he was VP of Sales at INTRAV Tours. He has a BA in East Asian Studies from MiddleburyCollege in Vermont and studied at PekingUniversity in the Haidan District of Beijing.
Bill has just returned from Israel and Palestine and will speak to us about his travels in those areas.
 World Leaders Travel (formerly High Country Passage) specializes in creating extraordinary educational travel events defined by a compelling combination of experts, access, and insight. Under the banner explore the world with the people who shape it, each travel event is built around a prominent leader and a timely theme, with highlights including a comprehensive educational program, exclusive access, private events, customized excursions, and the highest level of luxury and service. Leaders and Experts include: Madeleine Albright, James Baker, Tom Brokaw, George H. W. Bush, Sam Donaldson, Mikhail Gorbachev and Colin Powell. |
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EVENT DETAILS:
WHEN
Thursday, May 27th
11:30 am Bar Opens
WHERE
Marines' Memorial Club
609 Sutter St., 12th Floor
(Corner of Mason St.)
San Francisco, CA
COST $25 Luncheon and Program
RSVP Deadline Friday, May 21st.
To RSVP Click on either the YES or NO links below. When the email message appears on your screen, fill in your name, names of any guests and click Send.
NO, I WILL NOT ATTEND
You can also call Terry Koenig at (415) 726-3712. |
APRIL ROUND-UP: Domo Arigato, Doug Shelton
Our April Speaker, Douglas Shelton may be a new face at Japan Airlines, but he is an old hand when it comes to Japan. Having spent five years on Japan's southernmost main island of Kyushu teaching English, pursuing a graduate degree and tending bar, he wowed the FTC with his knowledge of customs and food and passed on some great tips on getting the most out of your vacation to Japan. 
JAL Boeing 747.
With the assistance of a Power-Point Presentation, we experienced the Tokyo Subway and Bullet Trains, the seasonal beauty of the cities and countryside and the farm fresh ingredients of the local cuisine. Doug did a masterful job of weaving culture, food and beauty into his presentation that was followed by a spirited Q&A with the members. |
April Meeting Prize Winners:
(From Left) Prize Winners: Vernon Dwelly, Maura Murphy, Speaker Douglas Shelton, Nahid Olfati, Kay Lavelle, Jan Warmerdam, Chris Spirandelli, Nader Milani (Photo by Terry Koenig).
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50/50 Drawing - $38 Jan Warmerdam
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Bottle of Hess Select Wine - Nader Milani
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Bottle of Alexander Vally Vineyards Wine - Maura Murphy
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Japan Secrets Book - Nahid Milani
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Japan Airlines Gifts - Chris Spirandelli, Vernon Dwelly, Kay Lavelle, Colette Pratt.
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COMING ATTRACTIONS:
Thursday, May 27th:
Bill Diebenow, Executive VP, World Leaders Travel
Topic: Israel & Palestine
Thursday, June 24th
Philippine Tourist Office
Thursday, July 22nd
Michael P. Stehr
Topic: Small Group Art Tours to Italy and France
Thursday, August 26th
Diane LeBow, President, Bay Area Travel Writers & John Montgomery, Photojournalist
Topic: Exploring Syria, Lebanon, and Jordan
Thursday, January 27th, 2011
Jeannie Bean
Brendan Vacations
LUCKY YOU! Every meeting features a 50-50 raffle and one or more lucky draws that you must be present to win. |
| A SENSE OF TRAVEL...
with Georgia Hesse
The first Relais du Silence where I, exhausted from driving, fell happily into sleep was the Auberge du Cheval Blanc near Charles de Gaulle Airport and about 18 miles from Paris. It offered eight bedrooms then and does still, but was renovated in 2008. Priding itself on its gastronomy and seclusion in a pleasant garden, as well as its proximity to Disneyland Paris, this little inn is especially suited for a stopover on the last night of a driving trip in France, since your rental car can be returned at the airport, not quite 16 miles away.
Years ago when I told a friend of this cozy little find, she said, confused, "But do you have to be silent the entire time?" Not entirely; the "Silence" signifies calm, quiet, freedom from traffic roar.  Silence: Le Mas du Soleil.
Of the several medium-priced hotel groups in France (Accor, Logis, etc.), I tend to find the Silence group particularly attractive for comfort and price. (At this writing, the euro equals about $1.32; a double at the Cheval Blanc will hover around $125 nightly, a good price for its location.)
In my trips to France over the years, I've stayed in many of the Relais du Silence-Silenthotel fraternity and elsewhere in Europe and have always been satisfied. (The 262-member group runs from seven to 50 rooms and ranges from two to four stars in its own ranking; don't confuse it with the more familiar Michelin code.)
Among my early favorites is the 41-room Château d'Isenbourg in the medieval town of Rouffach near Strasbourg and the Wine Route in Alsace. Several days can profitably be enjoyed here, consumed in pottering to pretty villages and dining upon regional specialties perfectly prepared. My mouth waters (or, more accurately, wines) just to think about it.  Manoir de Moëllien in Brittany. Another region, other rooms: Seek out the Manoir de Moëllien in Brittany at the village of Plonevez Porzay near Locronan and the marvelous, art-rich city of Quimper. The 17th-century manor breathes peace and quiet in its main lobby, elegant restaurant, and 18 handsome rooms.
Hôtel du Petit Palais in Cimiez.
I could scarcely believe the 25-room belle époque Hôtel du Petit Palais in Cimiez, a fine residential area of Nice, when I first checked in. It's priced at about half the euros demanded by famous hostelries in town, with comfy quarters overlooking a flower-filled terrace or the old town and the sea.
Not far away, in Salon at the heart of Provence where the 16th-century prophet Nostradamus was born, the 10 rooms masterminded by chef Francis Robin merit a bow from gastronomes around the world. When you can bear to leave at all, it's an easy drive to Aix-en-Provence, Marseille, Avignon, Noves, all those temptations.
 Hôtellerie Beau Rivage on the banks of the Rhône.
In mellow light on the banks of the Rhône, the 28-room Hôtellerie Beau Rivage presents a modern welcome to a former fisherman's house with a distinguished dining tradition.
Between the toothsome areas of Brie and Champagne, in the Ile-de-France just 53 miles from Paris, the lovely town of Provins was home to Pierre Abélard, one of history's most unfortunate lovers, as well as the red rose of Lancaster that battled the white rose of York in the 15th-century War of the Roses. It houses today the 32-room Hostellerie Aux Vieux Remparts in the heart of the old, old village.
Hostellerie Aux Vieux Remparts.
Although it's the countryside of France that bestows a certain cachet on Relais du Silence retreats, they now exist in smaller numbers in Austria, Belgium, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, and Switzerland.
Sh-h-h-h-h. |
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