Business of Leisure & Components of Leisure Travel and Motivation

Leisure is the time available to the individual when work, sleep and other needs have been met. Leisure as a construct involves a number of dimensions.

· Absorption and concentration of ongoing experience
· Lessening of focus on self
· Feelings of freedom and lack of restraint
· Enriched perception of objects and events
· Increased intensity of emotions
· Increased sensitivity to feelings
· Decreased sensitivity to passage of time

The Components of Leisure Motivation

Beard and Ragheb identified four motivational needs derived from Maslow's hierarchy of needs. These needs form the components of leisure motivation. They are -

· Intellectual component
· Social component
· Competence mastery
· Stimulus avoidance

Intellectual component is the extent to which individuals are motivated by mental activities such as learning, exploring, discovering, thought, imaging. This can be a primary high need (a visit to Madurai to study temple architecture) or a low need triggered by a specific event or environment.

Social component is the need for friendship, self-esteem and interpersonal relationship. The holidays are not only status- or ego- enhancing experiences. There is also a sense of belonging with the place visited. People tend to identify with a place visited. This is higher for people who are more satisfied with their holidays and for those with three or more visits. The relationship not only involves social identification but also a relationship with the geographical place.

Competence mastery component is in order to achieve, challenge, master and compete. This is often physical (i.e. sports) but also includes fine arts and other intellectual pursuits. Competence mastery is coupled with other components of leisure motivation. A course in wind surfing (competence mastery) can also mean meeting like -minded individuals (social need).

Stimulus avoidance is drive to escape and get away from over-simulating life experiences. The most obvious component of leisure motivation, a chance to rest and unwind.

The components of leisure motivation vary within holidays and between holidays. On a holiday, a tourist may rest for few days (stimulus avoidance); thereafter explore the place (intellectual component). The holidaymaker may assign different purposes to holidays. One holiday might be family centred (social need), the other for playing golf (competence mastery) etc.

The Top 10 Cruise Travel Myths and Stereotypes Explained

If you have never actually been on a cruise before, more than likely you have heard a variety of different stories about cruising. Unfortunately, many of the things you may have heard are actually myths and have no truth at all. Before you go on your first cruise, it is important that you know what myth is, and what fact is. The following are ten of the most common cruise travel myths that you will encounter.

Myth #1 - Waiting Until the Last Minute Gets the Best Price

Many people have heard the myth that waiting to book a cruise at the last minute will result in the very best price. This is actually quite far from the truth, since it is actually those who book first who will get the best deals on their cruise.

Myth #2 - Center Cabins are the Best

While in some cases the center cabins are the best ones, this is not always true. There are some ships that have engines in the middle of the ship, which can be a bit noisy and may cause vibrations, which can be bothersome.

Myth #3 - All Ships Meet the Same Safety Requirements

Not every ship meets the same safety requirements, though many people think they do. Every ship is different, and if you are concerned about safety procedures and requirements, you should speak to your travel agent or a representative of the cruise line.

Myth #4 - Cruising is for Inactive Retirees

Another myth that many people have heard and believe is that going on a cruise is only for retirees who are very inactive. This is a very wrong misconception, since many people who go on cruises are quite young, and there are a variety of great activities to participate on when you are on a cruise.

Myth #5 - Travel Agents Can Help You Upgrade

There are those who think that it is the travel agent who can give you an upgrade on your cruise package, but this is actually not true. As a general rule it is the cruise line themselves who offer the upgrade, and many times you will have this option offered to you when you are making your initial purchase.

Myth #6 - Cruises Are All-Inclusive

Some people have been led to believe that when you pay for a cruise, it is all inclusive and you will have nothing else to pay for. Sadly, this is not true. While your cabins and most of your food will be included in the price you pay, snacks, drinks, and other items will not be included and you will have to pay for them as you want them.

Myth #7 - Cruises Only Go to Beach Destinations

There are many who have the idea that cruises only go to beach destinations, and while many cruises do go to beach destinations, they are not the only destinations to choose from. There are many other great destinations to choose from including Alaska, Greece, and Italy, which are not focused around beaches.

Myth #8 - Cruises are Dangerous

Too many people still have visions of the Titanic in their head when they are thinking about cruises, and there are many who actually think that cruises are very dangerous. Cruises are actually quite safe now days and you can enjoy yourself on board a cruise ship without constantly worrying about going under.

Myth #9 - Assigned Seating at Dinner

Some people find themselves concerned about the dinner seating, since they believe that it is always assigned. Assigned seating makes some people feel uncomfortable, but while a few cruises still have assigned seating, most cruises have now gone to open seating, which allows you to sit where you want.

Myth #10 - Seasickness is Inevitable

There are some who may not be going on a cruise because they truly believe that they will definitely get seasick. Although seasickness can occur, most people do not have a problem with it due to the stability of the newer cruise ships.

Make sure that you are not fooled by the various myths that go around about cruise ships. Keep these myths in mind so you really know what to expect when you go on a cruise. Be sure that you get the facts straight so you can be well informed and enjoy your cruise.

Barrie Hotels For Business and Leisure

In order to find good Barrie hotels, one needs a little bit of background about Barrie itself. Barrie is a city in Southern Ontario located on Kempenfelt Bay which leads out to Lake Simcoe. The city offers all the advantages of a bustling urban populace located in a picturesque getaway setting.

The scenic and beautiful Bay lends itself to all kinds of tourist and leisure activities, not to mention events and festivals on the famed Barrie waterfront. Fall is a great time for outdoor recreation and hiking and biking along the shore. Winter brings exciting activities like ice fishing, nordic skiing, snowboarding and snow tubing.

Also, the city is sandwiched between Toronto and Muskoka, so there's always plenty of commuters and getaway vacationers. All these visitors will likely be looking for cozy and romantic hotels with views of the Bay along Lakeshore Drive. Depending on the season, resort accommodations are also popular at one of the many hotels in resorts like Horseshoe Resort.

Another big reason for the large number of visitors in Barrie is that the 6-lane Highway 400 runs through right through the city. Those staying in Barrie overnight while passing through will want a hotel close to the highway exits. This means hotels near to the Essa Road exit or those in Downtown on Fairview Road which runs alongside the Highway.

The highway also leads straight to Pearson Int'l Airport, about an hour's drive from Barrie. Pearson is the main airport serving Toronto, so there's always heavy airport passenger traffic between Barrie and the airport. For these Pearson airport travelers and for travelers from Barrie's own airport, Barrie hotels offer many conveniences such as rooms for layovers that one usually finds only at airport hotels.

The Barrie waterfront is also an event hotspot. The Kempenfelt arts & crafts festival brings in hundreds of thousands of people every year. The Barrie Waterfront Festival offers live bands, clowns, food and a festive carnival atmosphere. The Waterfront is undergoing a major facelift, but even now there are plenty of hotels which put festive-goers in the thick of all the action.

Barrie also gets many business travelers and groups in town for doing business with a bottling plant or one of the many other large businesses. These visitors will find plenty of quality Downtown hotels offering executive suites and fully equipped business centers. Many also have meeting rooms and ballrooms for conferences and weddings, and offer catering for these events.

At almost every hotel in Barrie, visitors will find all the usual conveniences. This includes swimming pools, free parking space, room service and high speed internet. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are quite common, and so are fitness centers and ATM machines.

In summary, Barrie hotels are available for many different kinds of travelers and in many different locations all over the city. Which one is more suitable basically depends on the purpose of the visit and the budget, not to mention the season. Whatever the choice, one thing that is sure is that the stay is likely to be enjoyable.

Business Travel And A Few Things To Consider

Travelling on business is something which many people have to do on a day to day basis. This can vary from a simple car journey to trains trips a few miles away up to internal flights as well as flying to a completely different country. However there are a few things that you can do in order to make your trip that bit easier and perhaps more enjoyable.

Business can be a very stressful thing so the last thing that you need is a trip which does not go to plan and adds more stress onto your shoulders. So the first thing you should do especially with the longer trips is to ensure that you pre-book in advance and if you have any connections to make then ensure you give yourself enough time to make them.

It can be extremely annoying if your first part of the journey is late and it has a knock on effect leaving you stranded in another part of the world. By making your connections too tight you can destroy your entire trip and of course miss out on the business deals themselves.

If you are booking flights online then you should print confirmation of your booking and do not just leave it to the online system to inform the company by itself. Technology may indeed be great but it does have the habit of breaking down and if you have not printed off your confirmation you may end up having no proof that you are meant to be on that flight.

If you have an item such as a laptop then keep it with you on your journey. Do not put it in luggage which has to go in the hold of an aircraft as the baggage handlers are not very well known for their careful handling skills. You may get a nasty surprise at the other end which could turn out very costly. However you should also check an airline for its guidelines on what is allowed to be carried on as hand luggage. They may have restrictions on certain electrical equipment so ensure you know and understand these before travelling.

If you are having to stay in a hotel then it is a good idea to take your own Ethernet cable with you. While most hotels supply you with the ability to plug in your laptop you may discover that the cables have either gone missing or indeed have been broken by a previous guest and has not been replaced. By simply carrying your own cable you know you can still carry on with work whilst in your room.

It can be beneficial for you to keep a large wallet or purse just for receipts. As you are probably going to claim money back on expenses you can easily keep them all together in the one place making it easier for you to calculate what is owed to you at the end of the trip. It does of course not cost very much in buying a new wallet just for this purpose.

So these are intended as just a few simple ideas to keep in mind when you are travelling on business. They are meant more for trips that are a bit further away from base if your trip means you are returning home that same day then less planning may be involved.

Top Travel Tips for a Leisure Trip Abroad

Traveling abroad next vacation? Well, have you ever thought how to manage things for your first trip to a foreign land? Do you know the required things to carry to prevent any kind of awkward situation? If it's a leisure trip, it implies spending time with the family in the beautiful and picturesque locations, shopping, entertaining and feeling the nature on the beaches or the mountains.

There are few things to remember before you start the trip abroad and when you start packing your things.

Arrange the travel documents

The first priority on the list is to keep passport and other travel documents ready. If you are under medication, carry the doctor's prescription, a doctor's letter certifying your ailment and a list of medicines. You would need a few traveler's checks in case you run out of money abroad. This will aid in meeting the unexpected expenses.

Arrange the personal stuff

It is impossible to travel abroad if you don't have enough personal accessories. You don't need many outfits, but make sure to keep casual clothes more than formal ones. After all, it's a leisure trip, keep light and soft fabrics that are comfortable to wear. Carry the accessories according to your preference but keep it to minimum. Since you are going to shop there, keep the luggage as light as possible by carrying the required outfits, shoes, handbag and cosmetics. Make sure you don't carry real jewelry like gold and diamonds in excess. Rely on artificial or imitation jewelry, if it's really necessary.

Arrange the cash

If you are traveling to have fun and entertainment for quite some time abroad, you need to carry enough cash for the trip. You need cash which has to be converted to the currency of the disembarkation point to meet immediate expenses. However, it is best to travel with credit cards too. They are easy to handle and make your travel quite convenient. Make sure to keep the credit cards in different places. Keep one in your front pocket while another in some corner of the suitcase or handbag. God forbid, in case you lose one card, you have other cards to ease your travel schedule.

Know the place in advance

Traveling to a foreign destination! Gain full information about the place, the people and their lifestyle, the culture and the food. Travelers visiting local or remote places should have a pre-travel idea about the region to avoid any kind of problem. The best thing is to search the internet for different places of sightseeing, the way people live and most importantly, understand the map of the place or city you are visiting. You can move around in a much relaxed manner and take the advantage of knowing different things.

When you are traveling, make your travel easy, comfortable and safe by following these tips. You will feel the freshness, energy and fervor once you land at the destined airport.

Affordable Travel and Vacation Packages for the State of Hawaii

After a long year or months of work that leaves an individual tired and tormented, a vacation is the most agreeable opportunity to lay down all burdens. Hawaii is an ideal destination to cater for all vacation needs. There are amazing deals on vacation packages that offer selection from the most popular Hawaii Hotels. These packages usually offer the best comprised exposure of Hawaii's finest spots to vacate.

One can enjoy the luxury paradise in exotic style and detailed satisfaction. Hawaii is beautifully carved as an archipelago in the large body of the Pacific Ocean. The location is astounding and provides uttermost satisfaction to all travelers. There are about eight islands that coexist on this archipelago of exquisite formation. The larger islands are Lanai, Kauai, Nihau, Oahu, Molokai, Maui, Hawaii and Kahoolawe. Kahoolawe is also known as Big Island. Moreover, it is surrounded by various islets and atolls.

In the United States, Hawaii is one of the best holiday spots with its selective options for various leisure activities, affordable packages for vacation, breathtaking sceneries, variation of luxury hotels and daunting beaches. These are many travel agencies that offer great deals for vacations to Hawaii, which is usually inclusive of breakfast, airfare and accommodation. With all-inclusive packages, tourist will avail snacks, meals, vacation activities, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, surfing, snorkeling, scuba diving and many other adventurous activities.

Vacationing in Hawaii is a memorable experience:

The island offers various opportunities to explore and at the same time, you can learn about the Hawaiian culture. It is a fact that the existence of boredom is nowhere to be found on the island of Hawaii. There is always an event to intrigue visitors; something is available for all different categories of interest. Of all the islands on Hawaii, Kauai is the most popular tourist location, occasionally identified as the "Garden Island." The reason for this description is due to the high density of the vegetation that is elongated across the land formation. Kauai is well-known for its confined contents such as, the Poipu Beach and Waimea Canyon, which attracts a massive audience on a yearly basis.

The largest islands in Hawaii:

The "Big Island" is well-known for its host of two secular islands which are Hawaii and Kahoolawe. This prominent subdivision consists of beaches with crystal clear water and vigorous volcano assortment.

A touch of paradise:

The Oahu Island is another vacation spot that is favored greatly by individuals who visit Hawaii. This authentic piece of landmass features glamorous travel destinations such as, the Pearl Harbor, Honolulu and Waikiki Beach which is popular worldwide.

Best Hawaiian Resorts:

The island of Maui is a prominent destination. It is owned and operated by the most reputable resorts in Hawaii. Occasionally called the "Valley Island", this stunning and exquisite island is famous for hosting Haleakala, which is the largest volcano recognized worldwide. The location is one of the most convenient one. Moreover, categorized Hawaii Hotels offer agreeable vacation packages for travelers interested in exploring the luxury.

Enjoy a Great Vacation While Saving a Bundle on Travel and Stay Expenses

Most of the people think that the words 'holiday' and 'cheap' don't seem to go together. However, this is not really the case. Traveling or vacationing does not have to burn a hole in your pocket. With some smart thinking and pre-trip planning, you can enjoy a wonderful, yet low-cost vacation.

Here are some budget travel tips with which you can get the most of your trip without making it too heavy on your wallet.

• Pre-plan and research well: Prior planning of the trip is a must if you are looking to save the maximum. You should research well to find the cheapest destinations and the best prices.


• Travel off-season: The off-season is a great time to get unbelievable deals. By traveling during this time, you might have to miss the perfect weather, but you will also be spared the maddening crowds of tourists.


• Pack right: You should pack right, taking the weather at your destination into consideration. Try to be prepared for any contingency so that you are not caught off-guard and have to spend on costly 'on the road' purchases.


• Make smart selection of accommodation: You should choose a leisure hotel for staying during the weekdays and a business hotel for the weekends. This will fetch you handsome discounts. You can also consider staying in hotels that are not in the city center but on the outskirts. Hostels and shared cabins are also good options for budget accommodation.


• Avoid taking a flight: Don't fly, if you can drive down or take the train. If you do need to take a flight, shop online for an attractive deal. You can get especially great prices if you book your ticket months in advance or book at the last minute.


• Limit your fine dining: It would be a good idea to bring along energy bars and dried fruits to munch on when out sight-seeing. If complimentary breakfast is offered by your hotel, you must avail it and you can even pick up breads, cheeses and fruits from the local market. When you do eat out, try to visit the hole-in-the wall restaurants or food carts.


• Save on local transport costs: You can save big by avoiding the cabs or rented cars and using the local public transport. You may pick up full day transit passes.


• Take package deals offered by local travel agents: Taking up all-inclusive package deals from your local travel agent can make your tour affordable. So, go online and log on to a local business directory to get the details of the reliable travel agencies in your area.