FEBRUARY 2011 eNewsletter
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Executive Board 
President:
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.
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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77 YEARS
- OUR STORY-
Founded in 1934, the Foreign Travel Club (FTC) of San Francisco, the oldest of its kind in California. 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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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.
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COMING UP:
FEBRUARY 24
Alcatraz
Registration begins
at 11:30 am.
Guests are welcome.
For details and to RSVP, contact:
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FTC CLUB ANNUAL
MEMBERSHIP DUES
Couples - $50
Individuals - $40
For details, please contact Terry Koenig at ftcosf@gmail.comor call (415) 726-3712.
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
Unrest hits Egypt during high tourist season
Pyramids closed to tourists.
(New York -- 1/31/2011) The violence in Egypt is already hurting the country's tourism industry, and in turn, its economy. It's also raising fears that other Middle Eastern countries will suffer as well.
Many U.S. travelers have
canceled trips to Egypt. Some tour operators are avoiding the country, and Delta Air Lines and EgyptAir suspended flights from the U.S. to Cairo. Stock markets in the Middle East fell sharply during the weekend.
Travelers faced the same question as Rob Solow, who is booked on an Egyptian getaway in February with his wife. "Is it going to be an issue where we are going to have to watch our backs the whole time?"
The Yorktown Heights, N.Y., couple aren't sure if they'll make the trip. But Solow said he won't be going to the Middle East in the future: "I just think it's a troubled part of the world that's not necessary to visit."
Egypt's high season
The timing of the violence and political uncertainty couldn't be worse - winter is the high season for visitors. Large tour operators such as Gate 1 Travel and cruise companies including Norwegian Cruise Line have canceled Egyptian stops. Tours elsewhere in the Middle East haven't been canceled, but travel agents are getting a steady stream of inquiries about the status of planned trips.
Source: MSNBC/AP
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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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Channel island named first 'dark sky' community
(London AFP - January 31, 2011) - The Channel Island of Sark has been designated the first dark sky community in the world in recognition of the lack of light pollution that allows clear views of the stars at night, officials said Monday.
The tiny island, located west of France's Cotentin Peninsula and about 80 miles (130 kilometres) off the south coast of England, hopes the designation from the US-based International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) will help boost tourism from star gazers.
"Sark becoming the world's first dark sky island is a tremendous feather in our environmental cap, which can only enhance our appeal," said Paul Williams, chairman of the Sarkgovernment's agricultural committee.
The island, which is three miles long and 1.5 miles wide, has no cars and no public street lighting, but local residents and businesses have also made an effort to reduce the amount of light spilled upwards.
As a result, the Milky Way is clearly visible stretching from horizon to horizon and streaking meteors can be picked out among bright stars.
For the full story, visit the Source: Yahoo!News. |
WANT TO SELL ...
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:
San Francisco -- Walk the Talk! Wednesday, February 2nd, the world's most famous groundhog prognosticator, Punxsutawney Phil, emerged from his home on Gobbler's Knob and failed to see his shadow signaling an early spring. If the weather here last week was any indication, it appears that Phil was right on the money, and in fact, spring has already arrived in the Bay Area.
At our January meeting, someone asked Georgia Hesse, "If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?" and Georgia replied, "Right here in San Francisco." So with the early spring weather and the best city in the world under foot, I challenge you to be a tourist in your own backyard and set out on one of the many walking tours available. You can set your own itinerary and explore the neighborhoods on your own or participate in a group tour, which is quite a bit of fun especially if you have a knowledgeable and entertaining guide. There are several companies and individuals that offer walking tours, and I have scoured the Internet to bring you some of the best.
My favorite is Shirley Fong Torres' Wok Wiz Chinatown Walking Tours. On Shirley's tour you will visit dim sum teahouses, small cafes and experience Chinatown by wandering through back alleys, peeking into herbal shops and Chinese temples in this historic neighborhood. February 3rd marked the begining of the Chinese Year of the Rabbit. Now is a good time to take a walk in Chinatown which is hopping with excitement during its two week celebration building up to the Chinese New Year Parade on Saturday, February 19th.
Another favorite, The Barbary Coast Trail, offers three different ways to walk the trail. You can download an audio tour to your I Pod and explore on your own. If that is too technical for you then you can purchase one of the Barbary Coast's guides at your local bookstore and guide yourself. But for the best experience you will want to take a guided tour by Trail creator Daniel Bacon that is available by appointment. The Barbary Coast Trail is a San Francisco walking tour that connects the City's most important historic sites, drawing you into a world of gold seekers and railroad barons, writers and visionaries, shanghiers and silver kings.
The organization with the widest selection of walking tours is San Francisco City Guides. City Guides, founded in 1978, is a non-profit organization with more than 200 trained volunteers who lead FREE history and architectural walking tours in San Francisco. They are sponsored by the San Francisco Public Library and are a San Francisco Parks Trust Park. City Guides volunteers research, develop, organize, and lead free walking tours that focus on the architecture, history, legends, and lore of San Francisco. Walks last from 1-1/2 to 2 hours. For a small donation per participant, group tours are also available.
OK, now hit the road!
Terry Koenig
President
Foreign Travel Club of San Francisco |
FOCUS THIS MONTH: Escape to Alcatraz
Frank Heaney, the youngest guard on Alcatraz is our February speaker.
In August 1934, the first inmates arrived on Alcatraz, including mobster Al Capone. Frank Heaney the youngest correctional officer to work on "the Rock" arrived there in 1948. Frank grew up in Berkeley and served in World War II and the Korean War. Between the wars (1948-1951) Frank worked as the youngest correctional officer in the history of Alcatraz. During Frank's time on "the Rock" he knew many of the notorious inmates including George "Machine Gun Kelly", Alvin "Creepy" Carpis, Robert "The Birdman"Stroud and Floyd Hamilton the driver for Bonnie and Clyde.
Frank is the author of Inside The Walls Of Alcatraz, appears quite frequently on TV and is a very popular speaker. Although now retired, he still travels to Alcatraz once a month to speak and sign books. All Foreign Travel Club members who attend the luncheon will receive a signed copy of Frank's book. |
 EVENT DETAILS:
WHEN:
Thursday, February 24, 2011
WHERE:
Marines' Memorial Club
609 Sutter Street, 12th Floor
(Corner of Mason Street)
San Francisco, CA
SCHEDULE:
11:30 AM - Registration & Bar Opens 12:00 Noon - Lunch & Program
COST: $26.00 - Luncheon and Program
MENU SELECTION:
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 INCLUDES - Rolls & Butter, Ice Tea, Starbucks Coffee & Tea and Dessert.
To RSVP:
Select one of the entrees from above and click on either the YES or NO link below. When the message appears on your screen, fill in your name (and the names of any guests), choice of entree(s) from the selections above, then click send.
YES, I WILL ATTEND ( ftcosf.yes@google.com), or
RSVP Deadline: RSVP by Monday, February 21st.
QUESTIONS? Call Terry Koenig at (415) 726-3712.
Guard's Watch Tower on Alcatraz.
LUCKY YOU!
Every meeting features a 50-50 raffle and one or more lucky draws that you must be present to win.
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JANUARY ROUND-UP: Exploring the World with Brendan Vacations
Our first speaker of 2011 was Bonnie Newman, Director of National Accounts - West, for Brendan Vacations. Many thanks to Bonnie for coming up from Los Angeles just to speak to the Foreign Travel Club. H er presentation on Brendan Vacations was excellent and we were all impressed with the diversity of the tour products offered. Brendan covers most of the world offering independent, custom, large and small group tours. You can purchase as little as one sightseeing tour or a fully escorted tour including air, hotel, sightseeing and meals. 
Brendan's founder, Jim Murphy believes that the best way to travel is not just to take a trip but also to experience all the sights and sounds of a country. This philosophy has been implemented at Brendan and they have maintained a standard of providing travel experiences that show "We Care" for over 40 years.
(From Left) Chuck Lee, Bob Aulgur, Ray Conrady (Celebrating his birthday), Georgia Hesse, Patricia Lee, Monica Conrady. (Photo by Jim Main.)
(From Left) Terry Koenig, Christian Spirandelli, Claudette Main, Speaker - Bonnie Newman, and Prize Winners - Logan Happel, Bob Aulgur, Maura Murphy. (Photo by Jim Main)
JANUARY PRIZE-WINNERS:
- 50/50 Drawing of $25.00 - Bob Aulgur
- Tilea Cabernet Wine - Maura Murphy
- Borsao Granache Wine - Bob Aulgur
- 100 Wonders of the World Book - Logan Happel
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A Sense of Travel...with Georgia Hesse
"Light upon light," says the Koran. I sat mesmerized on the terrace of my room at the Sahara Palace in the Tunisian oasis of Nefta and watched the desert night creep up. One level of light vanished and then another until darkness swallowed the earth: the date palms, the giant pomegranate and banana trees; the round-domed shrines, even the rolling seas of sand.
In the dark distance, the dogs of evening began to bark. "Desert Song" played on the wind. Where, in this stage set, was Dennis Morgan?
Café in the village of Sidi Bou Said overlooking the Bay of Tunis in Tunisia.
Tunisia pokes like a curved sword between the bodies of its large North African neighbors, Libya and Algeria. Slightly smaller than our state of Washington, she has three faces: French in the north, around the capital, Tunis, and that ancient and smart suburb Carthage; Roman in the center with ruins of the Empire unsurpassed in Europe; Arabian-African in the south where the country comes to an unmarked end in the Sahara. Until the other day, the American world had forgotten about Tunisia. Who worries about a little land that's quiet? Then President Zine el Abidine Ben Ali, in power since 1987, ran away to escape the Jasmine Revolution. (Fancy a revolt named for a flower.)
Tunisia, when I knew her well in the 1970s, was led by President Habib Bourguiba, born in 1903 in the fishing village (now an almost-glitzy resort) of Monastir on the Mediterranean. I liked Bourguiba, a well-educated fighter for Tunisian independence from France, a gradualist, a socialist whose moderation frustrated the Arab League, and a crusader for peace.
Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba born in 1903.
In those years, Bourguiba cast a wider shadow on the European scene than could have been predicted for the head of such a small state. Thus when I was invited to an afternoon reception at President Bourguiba's palace in the ancient capital of Carthage(founded by Queen Dido in 814 B.C.), I gleefully tossed my new beret into the swimming pool in honor of history.
El Djem in Tunisia is the second largest coliseum remaining from the Roman world.
The occasion was a meeting of the board of directors of the Society of American Travel Writers held in Monastir and throughout the land in 1972. I suppose about 23 of us from across the U.S. attended, including blonde Marj Abrams, my friend from Chicago, who instantly attracted a retinue of young, rapt, male hangers-on (in the most literal sense). Draped about with dark, curly-headed devotées, she grinned at me: "God! I wish I could tell them I'm Jewish!"
The presidential palace, a large, contemporary, glass-and-stone artwork, sits on an arid hillside above the old Carthaginian city that fought Rome in three Punic Wars. Right here, in 146 B.C., Roman general Scipio Africanus commanded that the land be ploughed over and sown with salt to make it barren forever. Wow. My knees weakened as we walked into the palace.
We met the staff and were lined up, all well-dressed and eager. Marj was missing! Where was she? How could she?
At last, here she came: smiling, round, and pretty in low-cut blouse and clinging skirt; more zaftig than ever. Handsome Bourguiba had trouble looking at less than her blue eyes.
"Why, Marj," chirped our Manhattan friend Dale Remington. "You look like an unmade Bedouin!"
And that is all I recall of the historic reception at the palace of Bourguiba. |
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