Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!news.media.mit.edu!americast.com!usa-post Newsgroups: usa-today.travel From: usa-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: usa-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: travel Thu, Mar 5 1992 Date: Thu, 5 Mar 92 05:55:52 EST Message-ID: 03-05 0000 DECISIONLINE: Travel USA TODAY Update March 5, 1992 Source: USA TODAY:Gannett National Information Network CAUTION CAN PREVENT DISEASE: The recent outbreak of cholera among passengers served contaminated food on a South American airliner again has globe-trotters concerned. But Dr. Kenneth Dardick of Connecticut says the risk of getting a severe, debilitating disease while traveling can be less than 1 in 100,000. His rules for food and water: "Cook it. Boil it. Peel it. Or forget it." There are some vaccines as well. (For more, see special Disease package below.) HOTEL INDUSTRY `AROUND CORNER': Two in three of the USA's 27,000 hotels lost money last year, according to Bjorn Hanson of Coopers & Lybrand. But "We're around the corner," says Jill Krutick of Salomon Bros. National hotel occupancy rates are struggling back toward profitable levels. The average room price, $61 a day, is expected to rise slightly this year and show a solid after-inflation increase next year. INDEX COVERS ALL THE BASES: There's more to a great airline than on-time arrivals, according to Brent Bowen of Wichita State University's National Institute for Aviation Research. Bowen and other Wichita State researchers have developed an index that includes safety, financial strength and service. Tops: American. Southwest, Delta and United also were at the top. All are sound financially. SOUTH BEACH IS AFFORDABLE FUN: Just as in the depressed 1930s, the South Beach area of Miami Beach, Fla., is hip in the not-so-roaring '90s. It's possible to have a trendy vacation without spending a fortune there. The best activity: People-watching. Tips: Don't rent a car; everything is in walking distance. Hotel rooms can be had for $60 or so after April 15. Add about $25 before then. APOLLO, GALILEO TO MERGE: Apollo and Galileo, two leading airline reservation systems, are expected to announce their merger Thursday. The linkup of Apollo, owned by an affiliate of United Airlines, and Galileo, formed by a group of major European carriers, would create the world's largest computerized reservation system. KIDS FLY FREE ON SOUTHWEST: Southwest Airlines has announced it will let children fly free this summer. To be eligible, kids must be accompanied by adults buying unrestricted fares. The offer is good for travel May 22 through Sept. 8. FAST TALKER TALKS OF SAFETY: Fliers on Northwest Airlines won't be able to nod off during safety instructions anymore. Starting Monday, the fastest talker in the USA, John Moschitta, will speed through information in a video. Moschitta, clocked by the "Guinness Book of World Records" at 586 words per minute, speaks 374 words in 1 minute, 13 seconds. A different celebrity will do the tape's introduction each six weeks. WATCH OUT FOR THE FRUITCAKE: On Northwest's safety video, in four seconds fast talker John Moschitta says, "When retrieving items from the overhead bins, open them carefully, as some shifting may occur during the flight. You know that fruitcake Aunt Martha's always carrying around? Well, you don't want to have it hit you in the head, do you?" Northwest says it hopes to get fliers to listen to preflight instructions. TWA TO SPURN INCREASE: Trans World Airlines announced Wednesday that the airline would not go along with a move to raise airfares 2%. The increase was initiated by United Airlines and matched by American and Delta, among other carriers. SPECIAL PACKAGE ON TRAVEL: DON'T DRINK THE WATER: A recent outbreak of cholera caused by food served on a South American plan has sparked concern among travelers. One disease to watch for: Giardiasis, a parasite found in fecal-contaminated water worldwide. Symptoms: Diarrhea that develops weeks after exposure and last for weeks. To avoid, follow food and water rules from Dr. Kenneth Dardick: "Cook it. Boil it. Peel it. Or forget it." HEPATITIS SPREAD THROUGH WATER: Hepatitis A is spread by tainted food and water. Its symptoms are nauseau, vomiting and fatigue. Obeying Dardick's food and water rules can help travelers dodge this disease. Also, get a shot of gamma globulin before travel. Malaria, borne by diseased mosquitos, can be avoided with mosquito repellent containing DEET on skin and one with Permethrin on clothes. Take anti-malaria pills. TYPHOID A RISK IN INDIA: Salmonella and shigellosis, bacterial illnesses from contaminated food or water, occur worldwide. Intense diarrhea develops within days. Obeying Dardick's food and water rules can help travelers avoid them. Typhoid, spread like salmonella, is an increased risk for travelers in India and Africa and has symptoms including high fever and muscle aches. There's an oral vaccine. (End of package.) 24-HOUR TELEPHONE INFORMATION: USA TODAY Weather Hot Line. 95 cents a minute. 1-900-555-5555. Travel Editor: Beth Mann. (1-919-855-3491) Making copies of USA TODAY Update (Copyright, 1992) for further distribution violates federal law. This article is copyright 1992 Gannett News Service. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM