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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.
|  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:
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...
US Airlines: Top 10 Most Complained-About
Since the mid 1980's, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) has held U.S.-based airlines responsible for customer-service issues. The first step is to file a complaint with the DOT's Aviation Consumer Protection and Enforcement division.
Travel+Leisure has created a list of the "Top 10 Most Complained-About U.S. Airlines" based upon the DOT's official report.
No. 1: Delta
1.96 per 100,000 passengers
Delta dropped the ball this past year. One DOT official attributes the airline's most-complained-about status to its merger with Northwest. Regardless, Delta has some work to do: it was the worst offender in nearly all categories, especially flight problems, reservations, and baggage. The airline's response? Complaints are handled, said a spokesperson, "on a case-by-case basis in the order they are received."
No. 2: United Airlines
1.34 complaints per 100,000 passengers
The skies aren't so friendly to passengers when it comes to mishandled luggage or flight cancellations and delays. True, the airline's record is improving-the complaint rate in 2008 was 1.86-but its planned merger with Continental may cause more snafus, at least in the short term.
No. 3: US Airways
1.31 complaints per 100,000 passengers
Here's the good news: in 2008, US Airways came in dead last for service with a rate of 2.01 complaints (and a whopping 3.16 in '07), so clearly the airline has focused on improving its score. But alas, here's the bad news: mistakes made with reservations, ticketing, and boarding remain the airline's Achilles' heel.
No. 4: Northwest Airlines
1.21 complaints per 100,000 passengers
Northwest had a spectacular fall from grace in 2009, dropping a full eight spots to its unfortunate current ranking. What happened? The Delta merger-involving an admittedly complicated integration of ticketing and gates-was the likely culprit.
No. 5: American Airlines
1.07 complaints per 100,000 passengers
Only Southwest carries more passengers, but that airline's low complaint rate shows that size shouldn't matter. Still, American's year-over-year score has improved, perhaps with the support of what an airline spokesperson calls "a proactive customer outreach program should something unique occur with a specific flight."
No. 6: Comair
1.03 complaints per 100,000 passengers
The smallest airline on the list improved one spot, but let's face it: No. 6 is still pretty bad. The large majority of the service complaints were about flight problems. To make matters worse, Comair had the worst on-time performance of any U.S. airline in 2009.
No. 7: Continental Airlines
1.00 complaints per 100,000 passengers
In the past year, Continental improved enough to move up one spot in the ratings. But be warned: when it combines with United to create the world's largest airline, the logistics of integration could cause some problems.
No. 8: AirTran
0.97 complaints per 100,000 passengers
AirTran has maintained its dubious No. 8 ranking two years in a row, although it received fewer service complaints in 2009. Flight cancellations and delays were its major problems, about which a DOT official says, "Often low-cost carriers will not rearrange flights on another airline because they don't have a full-service contract of carriage."
No. 9: Frontier Airlines
0.92 complaints per 100,000 passengers
In 2008, the sister carrier to Midwest Airlines was one of America's least-complained-about airlines, according to the DOT. But Frontier stumbled this past year, moving into the most-complained-about category for the first time in three years.
No. 10: JetBlue Airways
0.85 complaints per 100,000 passengers
The most recent J. D. Powers survey awarded JetBlue the highest rating of overall customer satisfaction for low-cost carriers. True, the DOT's stats don't back that up, but JetBlue is still one of the country's 10 least complained-about airlines. |
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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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Bangkok Cleans Up in the Wake of Civil Unrest
On Sunday, May 23rd, residents of Bangkok worked together to clean the rubble, ash and grime from the streets, unifying to give the city a fresh start after over two months of civil violence and unrest. The conflict began this past March, when members of the United Front of Democracy Against Dictatorship or "Red Shirts" marched into central Bangkok by the thousands, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva. Many of the Red Shirts are supporters of ousted Prime Minister Thaskin Shinawatra and question Abhisit's legitimacy, calling for new elections.
On April 10th, a clash between soldiers and protesters resulted in 25 deaths and over 800 injuries, according to CNN reports. The situation came to a head on Wednesday, May 19th, when soldiers attempted to disperse the Red Shirts, escalating the number of causalities and sparking acts of arson that engulfed 36 buildings in flames. Central World Department Store, the second-biggest retail complex in Southeast Asia, was torched to collapse, covering the surrounding blocks in smoke and soot.
On May 23rd, Thais, young and old, snapped on cleaning gloves, picked up brooms and began the process of rebuilding. While the upcoming months remain uncertain times for Thailand, the atmosphere of "Bangkok Cleaning Day" was one of optimism.
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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:
PAN AM'S CHINA CLIPPER
 On November 22, 2010, San Francisco will celebrate an aviation milestone, the 75th anniversary of the first scheduled air mail service across the Pacific. On that November day in 1935, the China Clipper operated by Pan American Airways lifted off from the waters of San Francisco Bay carrying 58 mailbags containing 110,865 specially stamped letters. It passed under the Oakland Bay Bridge which was still under construction and over the Golden Gate Bridge also under construction, then headed west to Honolulu.
The China Clipper departed the Bay Area at 3:46 PM on November 22nd and arrived in Honolulu at 10:19 AM on November 23rd. It then continued on to Midway Island, Wake Island, Guam and Manila arriving 6 days later and 59 hours and 48 minutes in the air. When the China Clipper left San Francisco, 25,000 people were on hand to witness the historic event and 3,000 watched it land at Pearl Harbor. Passengers paid $1,438.20 for the round-trip to Manila.
The "China Clipper" was the first of three Martin M-130 four-engine flying boats built for Pan American Airways. It was built at a cost of $417,000 by the Glenn L. Martin Company in Baltimore, Maryland. The accommodations consisted of 3 compartments with 8 seats or 6 sleeping berths each and a lounge seating 12. The interior of the large but graceful aircraft was modeled like a hotel, with broad armchairs and full meal service.
Although our modern jet aircraft have allowed us to travel the world at breakneck speeds there is still something to be admired about the comforts and service of the China Clipper. I would much rather sip my martini in a real glass and be served full course meals on china plates with silverware and then retire to my berth for a restful nap.
Terry Koenig
President
Foreign Travel Club of San Francisco
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FOCUS THIS MONTH: The Philippines - WOW!
We are pleased to have Rene R. de los Santos, Director  for Northwestern U.S. and Western Canada for the Philippine Tourism Office, as our June 24th speaker to talk about the new Philippines' "WOW" tourism campaign.
(Photo: John Montgomery)
Here is a quick primer to give you an idea of what their "WOW" Wealth of Wonders Campaign is all about at a glance:
The Republic of the Philippines is an archipelago consisting of some 7,100 islands and islets lying about 800 km off the southeast coast of Asia and stretching 1850 km from north to south. It is bounded by the Philippine Sea to the east, the Celebes Sea to the south, and the South China Sea to the west and north.
The Philippines takes its name from Philip II, who was king of Spain during the Spanish colonization of the islands in the 16th century. Manila is the biggest city and the national capital. It is located on Luzon, the largest island. Only about two-fifths of the islands and islets have names, and only 350 are larger than one square mile.
The Philippines is home to about 77 million people. Filipinos comprise 111 cultural and linguistic groups of Malayo-Polynesian origin, with varying degrees of Chinese, Spanish and American influences. About 90 per cent of Filipinos are Roman Catholic, with smaller numbers of Protestants and Moslems. The national language is Pilipino, although English is the language of commerce and politics.
Because it was ruled by Spain for 333 years and the United States for a further 48 years, the Philippines has many cultural affinities with the West. It is the fourth most populous country in which English is an official language and the only Christian country in Asia. Educationally, it is among the most advanced of Asian countries.
Food
Filipino food reflects the country's varied history. Over the centuries, Chinese traders brought their culinary culture, Spanish colonizers added healthy touches of Castillan cooking, and U.S. colonization contributed convenience and fast food. Eating in the Philippines can therefore be an outstanding experience regardless of the traveler's budget. In recent years, a profusion of restaurants has emerged, many catering to continental European or exotic Asian tastes. There are some good Japanese restaurants, plus a smattering of Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and other establishments.
Nightlife
Metropolitan Manila is considered a pleasure-seekers' paradise, consistently voted Asia's number one destination for entertainment and night life. You can listen to a wide variety of popular bands and singers, take advantage of Happy hour specials, dance up a storm at clubs and street parties, or cap an exhilarating night with a cappuccino at a corner cafe. Hotspots not to be missed are bohemian Malate in Manila, upscale Ayala Rockwell in Makati, and the trendy Libis and Timog Avenue in Quezon City.
Shopping
The Philippines is fast becoming a shopper's haven, yielding great bargains if you know what to look for and where. There are handicrafts stores all over the country, usually near the public market in small to medium sized cities and towns, and in sprawling shopping malls in such large urban areas as Manila, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. Rattan baskets and hand-woven fabrics from Northern Luzon, Panay Island and southern Mindanao; shell craft from Cebu and Zamboanga; wood and bamboo furniture from Cental Luzon; jewelry from Baguio City and Bulacan Province; and cigars from Ilocos region. Most Metro Manila malls carry international designer brands with prices comparable to those in Hong Kong or Singapore.
Transportation
Philippine Airlines, the national flag carrier, operates flights from Manila to cities and towns throughout the country. In Metro Manila, public transportation is provided by taxis, buses, jeepneys (modified jeeps) and Light Rail Transit (LRT). In certain areas such as Binondo (Manila's Chinatown) and the old walled city of Intramuros, horse-drawn carriages are available. International and local car rental companies provide chauffeured or self-driven limousine service. Large groups may hire medium-sized passenger vans or tourist couches. There is only one operating railway line, from Manila to Naga in southern Luzon.
The monetary unit is the peso, divided into 100 centavos. As of March 2006, the appproximate exchange rate was 44 Philippine pesos to the Canadian dollar. (For the latest exchange rates, see the Bank of Canada's official online calculator.) The central bank, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, supervises authorized foreign exchange dealers at airports, hotels, major commercial establishments and all bank branches, and posts official exchange rates for most international currencies. Non-residents may bring any amount of currency into the country, but amounts over US$3,000 (approximately C$4,000) should be declared upon entry if you intend to take that amount with you when you leave the Philippines. Automated teller machines abound and accept both Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
Climate
The Philippines is a tropical country with an average annual temperature of 25°C (77°F). The cool dry season extends from December to February and is followed by the hot dry season from March to May. The rainy season begins in June and continues to November. In mountainous regions temperatures often dip to 15°C. In May, temperatures of 40°C are not unusual. Depending on the region, the mean annual rainfall varies from less than 40 inches to more than 120 inches. Bay Area Philippine Food FestivalFrom June 1-30, 2010, celebrate the 112th anniversary of Philippine independence and explore the flavors and spices of the 7,107 Philippine islands at participating San Francisco Bay Area restaurants. For more information, visit www.philippinetourism.us. |
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WHEN
Thursday, June 24th
11:30 am Bar Opens
WHERE
Marines' Memorial Club
609 Sutter St., 12th Floor
(Corner of Mason St.)
San Francisco, CA
COST $26 Luncheon and Program
RSVP Deadline Monday, June 21st.
MENU Selections
1. ASIAN CHICKEN SALAD - Served with a ginger vinaigrette & fried wontons
2. COBB SALAD - With grilled chicken, bacon, avocado, tomatoes, chopped egg, crumbled blue cheese and a poppy seed dressing
3. PETRALE SOLE - Flour dusted & sauteed, topped with brown butter, capers, lemon juice & parsley, served with French green beans and rice Pilaf
4. LEATHERNECK ANGUS CHEESEBURGER - Served with Club French Fries and Cole Slaw
5. PASTA PRIMAVERA - Sauteed fresh seasonal vegetables served over fettuccini with a light wine, herb and garlic sauce
LUNCH ALSO INCLUDES - Rolls & Butter, Ice Tea, Starbucks Coffee & Tea Service and Dessert.
PLEASE CHOOSE ONE OF THE ABOVE ENTRÉES AND INDICATE YOUR CHOICE WHEN YOU RSVP.
To RSVP Click on either the YES or NO links below. When the email opens on your screen, fill in your name, names of any guests, your choice of entree from the selection above and click SEND.
NO, I WILL NOT ATTEND
You can also call Terry Koenig at (415) 726-3712. |
MAY ROUND-UP: Israel & Palestine with Bill Diebenow of World Leaders Travel
 Our May 27th speaker's topic couldn't have been more timely. Bill Diebenow, President of World Leaders Travel, certainly prepared us for the latest Gaza Blockade news. Fresh from his recent trip to Israel and Palestine, Bill had a great Power-Point presentation that portrayed the essence of the World Leaders Travel Program. Not only did the tour participants learn the history, present status and future of the Arab-Israeli peace process, but they met with current and former heads of state, government ministers, ambassadors, religious leaders, scholars, journalists, military experts, and social activists. 
With former ABC News Veteran Sam Donaldson asking the hard questions and Aaron David Miller, James Hoge and Walter Russel Mead providing context and analysis, it evidently was quite an enlightening trip. We were glad to have Bill speak to us and share his insights on the meetings they held with all the players and help us sort out the very complicated road to peace in the Middle East.
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. |
May 27th Meeting Prize Winners:
(From Left) Prize Winners - Annie Sedeau, Cynthis Smith, Chuck Lee, Nahid Olfati and Speaker - Bill Diebenow. (Photo: Jim Main)
- 50/50 Drawing - $43 Cynthia Smith
- Bottle Zinfandel Select Wine - Annie Sedeau
- Bottle of Champagne - Chuck Lee
- Castles Book - Nahid Milani
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COMING ATTRACTIONS:
Thursday, June 24th
Rene R. de los Santos, Director for Northwestern U.S. and Western Canada, Philippine Tourism Office
Topic: "WOW" Wealth of Wonders Campaign
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
Which do you think is the world's best airport in 2010? Quite a few people believe it's Singapore's Changi, which took the crowning Skytrax World Airport Award in Hamburg on May 20, following a survey that screened everything from shopping (best, Heathrow in London) to washrooms (cleanest, Hong Kong International) and finest staff service (Copenhagen Airport).
Some 9.8 million questionnaires ranking 39 different airports were completed by passengers representing more than 100 nationalities.
Here are the top 10 overall: Singapore's Changi, Incheon International (Seoul, Korea), Hong Kong International (Chep Lap Kok), Munich Airport, Kuala Lumpur International (Malaysia), Zurich Airport, Amsterdam Airport (Schiphol), Beijing Capital International, Auckland International, Bangkok Airport (Suvarnabhumi).
Munich's Airbrau is the world's first airport micro-brewery restaurant serving traditional Bavarian cuisine.
In addition to these stars, here are other sparklers by region: Africa, Cape Town International; India, Hyderabad Rajiv Gandhi; Middle East, Bahrain Airport; South America, Lima Airport; Central America, Panama Airport; Northern Europe, Helsinki-Vantaa Airport; Eastern Europe, Moscow Domodedovo Airport (isn't that fun to say?); Southern Europe, Istanbul Ataturk Airport.
Singapore's Changi Airport has a rooftop pool and Ambassador Transit Hotel rooms within its departure area.
Singapore's high marks don't surprise me at all. Although it's one of my favorite destinations, I once made a short-connection visit there, staying overnight in the terminal at Ambassador Transit Hotel, dining at the Crystal Jade Shanghai Restaurant, and taking a free two-hour bus tour of the city. (To be eligible, you have to have a visa and at least a five-hour stopover. The two trips available are the Colonial Tour and the Cultural Tour.)
The breathtaking approach to old Hong Kong airport at Kai-Tak, 1998.
I am nostalgic in a weird way for the former Hong Kong airport at Kai Tak where, until 1998, your aircraft threaded its sinuous way between sharp skyscrapers, nearly scratching its stomach on their summits, while you waved out the window at gentlemen seated in T-shirts on their apartment balconies. Today's Chep Lap Kok's approach is saner and civilized; there are pay lounges where you can sleep, eat, watch TV, check e-mail; find cushioned benches, take showers.
One might expect perfect performance at Zurich's airport, since it sits in Switzerland, and so it proves. The whole system clicks along as perfectly as an Audemars Piquet Royal Oak Offshore. Once, descending from high ski country at Interlaken, I checked my bag at the railway station, took the train to Zurich Airport, boarded my flight, and did not bother with baggage again until deplaning in San Francisco. That was when flying was fun.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport - tops for architecture.
British writer Douglas Adams, author of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," claims that in no known language does the phrase "as pretty as an airport" appear. He's probably correct. If that phrase did leap to mind, the adjective might be "handsome" and, after Changi, it might apply to Kuala Lumpur's terminal (1998), world's only airport winner of the Green Gable award for environmental responsibility. K.L. is an architectural stunner on several fronts.
Dubai Al Maktoum Airport, perhaps world's largest duty-free shopping arena.
Which are the finest fliers to these distinguished airports in 2010? Rated from one through 10, they are: Asiana Airlines (based in Seoul, South Korea); Singapore Airlines; Qatar Airways (Doha, Qatar); Cathay Pacific; Air New Zealand; Etihad Airways (national airline, United Arab Emirates, based Abu Dhabi); Qantas; Emirates (international airline, United Arab Emirates, based Dubai); Thai Airways, and Malaysia Airlines.
Time to whine: Best anything inevitably invites worst, right? This year, CNN's Business Traveller didn't cringe from making its choices: Baghdad International ("danger...in the middle of a war zone"); Lukia airstrip, for Mt.Everest region, Nepal ("hair-raising plummet onto an uphill airstrip cut into the side of a mountain"); Mineralnya Vody, Russia ("feral cats and daggers on sale in the departure lounge").
 This Fairmont Hotel is right on the airport grounds in Vancouver, Georgia.
Within Europe, Paris' 1978 Charles de Gaulle and London's Heathrow appeared on several airport hate lists.
Another unfavorite is New Delhi's airport in India; my fondest review came from Peter Popham in the U.K. Independent newspaper: "The marble walls and floors of Indira Gandhi International are the color of dead flesh under the fluorescent lights."
Up next month: The best of them, the worst of them in the U.S. of A.
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