In the following chapter, titled Gaming Entertainment, the author delves into the highly lucrative casino gaming industry. The text begins by informing the reader of the increasing global prominence of the the casino industry and the unique way it combines gambling with a traditional hospitality experience. The text then goes to delineate the particular relationship between a casino and the other department of a resort operation. Here the author reaffirms the centrality of the gambling to these enterprises, and how guest service is oriented towards facilitating the aforementioned gambling. In addition, the chapter explains the way in which these operations, in contrast to most hospitality operations, provide their guest with a wide variety of complementary goods and services.These things are referred to as comps, and casinos typically use them to reward and incentivize gambling by the guest. This unusual yet highly successful business model is one of the primary distinctions between casinos and their traditional hospitality counterparts. Later, the text turns its focus to the strict legal parameters regarding the gaming operations. As a result of a fairly illicit history, gaming operations must adhere to onerous state regulatory regimes. Despite these restraints, modern gaming operators have come to rely and appreciate these mandates. They came to provide a secure and sustainable framework from which the industry could flourish. The chapter concludes by noting the increasing trend towards non-gaming revenue, and this exemplified by the increasing prominence of live entertainment in many casino resort establishments.

Key Terms

1.Baccarat- Jim won the game of baccarat because he had the hand closest to a total of nine.

2.Blackjack- Twenty-one is to blackjack what the number nine is to baccarat.

3.Casino resort- At a casino resort, a guest can retire to their room after a night of gambling.

4.Comp- Margaret was given a comp of an extra free night after she spent a thousand dollars  in the casino last night.

3.Craps-Without dice we can’t play craps.

4.Gambling- Something is only gambling if the potential outcome is unknown.

5.Handle- A 10,000 dollar bet on a game of blackjack is a decent handle by any casino’s standards.

6.Hold percentage- A casino would like a hold percentage as close to hundred as possible.

7.Poker- Bluffing is fundamental to any good poker strategy.

8.Roulette- Any game of roulette involves a numbered wheel and a ball.

9. Win- A casino would love a win that is identical to the handle of a game.

For the tenth chapter of the text , titled “Recreations, Attractions, and Clubs”, the authors delves into the nature and operational attributes of recreational spaces. the text begins by explaining that recreation is the spare time that most use to rest and restore their minds and bodies. Individuals can preform these activities alone or in a group, and these activities can be active or passive. These activities can include amusement parks, playgrounds, and sporting arenas along with more cultural pursuits such as visiting a museum. The text goes on to mention that many of the recreational options on offer involve some sort of governmental support. Afterwards, the chapter then turns its focus to national parks. National parks are recreational outlets that are formed for the purpose of conserving certain exceptional natural spaces for public use. They tend to put a focus on appropriately managing and maintaining the local ecology along with recognizing the significance of key historical sites. The chapter then turns to discuss the increased pressure put on municipalities to provide basic recreational amenities to their communities; these include things like swimming pools, golf courses, playgrounds, and picnic areas. In addition, the chapter spends sometime elaborating on commercial enterprises or in other words, the recreational outlets operated with the intention of making a profit. Most forms of live entertainment, theme parks, social clubs all fall under this ever expanding multi-billion dollar umbrella. In this portion of the text, the reader is given detailed insight on the nature of clubs. The book tells the reader that clubs tend to be built around certain commonalities among their members, and this unifying thread can be of a purely recreational, professional, or fraternal nature. The chapter concludes by further discussing the noncommercial recreation provided by governmental and nonprofit organizations such as volunteer services and recreational programs directed at those with disabilities.

Key Terms

1.City clubs- Soho House in in New York City is an excellent example of a city club.

2.Club management- Club management are the ones responsible for the overall well-being of the club.

3.Commercial recreation- Theme parks are a primary purveyor of commercial recreation.

4.Country clubs- Exclusivity is a hallmark of any country club.

5.Government-sponsored recreation- If you have ever been to a national park, you have participated in government-sponsored recreation.

6.Heritage tourism- Italy oozes with heritage tourism attractions.

7.Leisure- Anytime not devoted to work and school is leisure time.

8.National Park- Yellowstone is a well known national park.

9.National Parks Service- The National Parks Service is an organization invested in environmental preservation.

10.National Register of Historic Places- Due to it’s obvious historical importance, the White House would certainly be on the National Register of Historic Places.

11.Noncommercial recreation- The YMCA is one of the best known providers of noncommercial recreation.

12.Recreation- If you like to do something for fun, it’s probably some form of recreation.

13.Recreation for special populations- Recreation for special populations always designed to take into account the disabilities of those involved.

14.Recreation management- Effective recreation management is necessary for any municipality that wants to provide recreational spaces for the community.

15.Theme parks- Disney tends to set the standard for theme park experiences.

16.Transient occupancy tax (TOT)- Hotels contribute to the public purse when they pay their transient occupancy taxes.

17.Voluntary organizations- No one is obligated to participate in a voluntary organization.

In this weeks New York Times article, ‘Star Wars fever extends to an Ancient Irish Island’, talks about the ‘Star Wars’ production and their reputation expansion throughout an Ancient Irish Island called PortMagee. A man and a group of people appeared in this island, and villagers from there recognized the man as Mark Hamill, forever famous for playing Luke Skywalker in the original “Star Wars” film trilogy. He and a battalion of Hollywood directors, cameramen and crew launched a space invasion, of sorts, on Portmagee last summer and the summer of 2014 — filling bed-and-breakfasts to the brim, turning sheep pastures into helipads and hiring fishing boats to ferry props to Skellig Michael. The production has not released information, but there’s a chance that this Ancient location will be revealed in the new Star Wars movie, “Star Wars: The Force Awakens,” on the 18th of December.

I find this very amusing. Star Wars is one of my favorite compilation of movies and it’s interesting to know that the production team invests in traveling to these rare locations for scenes. This will bring international awareness of the Ancient Island of Portmagee which can likely attract tourist from all over the world.

Comedian Jim Gaffigan on How to Travel with Five Kids
By Kelly Dinardo

I read an article this morning in the New Times Travel Section that I think many parents can relate to. The author narrates the anecdotes of comedian Jim Gaffigan from the TV series “The Jim Gaffigan Show”, and his wife when traveling with their five kids. According to Mr. Gaffigan, he loves doing standups, and he is preparing to perform on December 12 at the Madison Square Garden, but he hates to be away for any length of time from his kids. He tells a story from a few years ago, when he and his wife decided to take a bus tour for a whole month with their five children, while two of them where only 3 and 4 years old. He jokes about how they didn’t get much sleep during this trip and how this made not difference to them, because that is how it normally is at their home.
He explained that the kids mostly entertained themselves the same way they do at home, playing with their ipads and that most of the travel had to be done at night. During the day they had to stop about every two and a half hours due to their young children that couldn’t sit still for too long. Throughout the article he explains how much more of a burden can be to have to transfer from hotels with small kids and made a hilarious comparison that cracked me out where he compared transferring from hotels with 3 and 4 years old to transferring serial killers from a prison; were you have to be constantly aware.
Furthermore, he lists some of the travel destinations that they have been with their five kids, like Israel and all across Europe. And some others, they would like to visit like Norway this coming January and in the near future Thailand and Vietnam. But explains that they are still trying to figure it out because the flights are seven and half hours. In the article he explicates how instrumental it was for him to grow visiting different places as a child and provides some tips for parents traveling with their kids.
I personally enjoyed reading this article because it inspired and reminded me that as a parent of three, I am not the only one facing challenges when traveling with my kids and that it is a season that we have to enjoy while it last.

Chapter  Summary

Chapter 13 gives an overview of the special events industry. We learn about the various classifications of special events and where future career opportunities can be found. It outlines the skills and abilities required for event management. It identifies the main professional organizations and associations engaged with the special events industry. Finally, it talks about the trends in the special events industry.

Key Words and Concepts

1. Charity Balls. My example: The Soccer Charity Ball provides new quality soccer balls to kids in poverty-stricken communities around the world.
2. Conventions. My example: The NBAA 2015 Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition is present representation from over 26,000 aviation contacts. They are in Las Vegas this week, from all around the world.
3. Coordination. My example: The secret of his success was essential unity of direction and coordination of aims in all branches of his enterprises.
4. Corporate Events. My example: Annually, Sony hosts a corporate event as part of the reward for staff program, to show gratitude to their employees for their dedication and hard work throughout the year.
5. Corporate Seminars. My example: Corporate seminars are intended to improve employees wellness, retention and productivity.
6. Event Planner. My example: As an event planner I must listen to my clients to assess their special event needs, and execute the requirements completely and to their complete satisfaction.
7. Event Planning. My example: Event planning covers everything from weddings, birthdays, parties, corporate events, celebrity events and special events.
8. Fairs and festivals. My example: Every year kids can enjoy games, entertainment, food and rides at the New York City Fairs and Festivals for Kids.
9. International Festival & Events Association (IFEA). My example: IFEA is a not-for-profit association that was founded in 1956, and puts on a yearly international convention and expo for its members.
10. International Special Events Society (ISES). My example: An ISES membership grants access to a global network of 7000 event professionals, monthly educational and networking events and a platform for professional promotion of yourself and your company.
11. Meeting Professionals International (MPI). My example: The Meeting Professionals International (MPI) is considered the largest and most vibrant global meeting and event industry association, and was founded in 1972.
12. Social Functions. My example: He has often attended social functions at which the Clintons were present.
13. Special Events Industry. My example: The special event industry is forecast to grow because clients want ever more spectacular events.
14. Trade Shows. My example: Exhibiting at a trade show is an excellent way to find customers to help your business grow.
15. Weddings and Holiday Parties. My example: Of all social gatherings, weddings are the most widely recognized social event.
16. Workshops. My example: The Library offers workshops for faculty, students, and other members of the City Tech community.

Striving to Make Travel Truly Pet-Friendly

By Charu Suri

The article that I read last week in the New York Times Travel Section was very interesting and informative, especially for those with pets.  In it the author explains what made a college graduate student create a global resource for travelers with pets as she discloses details of an interview with Melissa Halliburton; president and founder of BringFido.com, and author of the book called “Ruff Guide to the United States”.

BringFido.com  is a dog travel directory that provides impartial reviews, detailed pet policy information, and online reservations at more than 25,000 pet friendly hotels through a partnership with Travelocity. Information is also available on thousands of bed & breakfasts, vacation rentals, and campgrounds that welcome pets in 150 countries worldwide. The site  offers up to date information on global hotels and beyond.

The idea of creating this directory came from the challenges that Ms. Halliburton had to face while trying to travel with her dogs, and the love that she was born with for animals. In one of Ms. Halliburton experiences she relates how she had to be towed to her best friend’s wedding after she got a flat tire and couldn’t find a pet friendly hotel that she could stay close to her destination.  She makes mention of how many hotel advertise that they are pet friendly when in reality they are not, and how difficult it is for traveler to bring their pets along with them. According to her company they estimate that over 30 percent of pet owners in the US travel regularly with their pets.

She stated that in the hospitality industry many areas needs improvement for travelers with pets; but that the one that needed it the most is the train system.  But that Amtrak is currently testing a pet friendly carriages in four markets and that hopefully this option will expand nationwide.  Finally, she provide some hints to make more comfortable the trip for the pets and the travelers.

In my opinion the advancements made in this area are very comforting for those that have pets and don’t like to travel without them and I am very glad a came across this information as I have friends and relatives that can benefit from it. As per Ms. Halliburton she sees a fast approaching golden age for pet friendly travel.

Chapter  Summary

In this chapter we learn about the development of the meetings, conventions, and expositions industry. It talks about how people have gathered to attend them since ancient times, mainly for social, sporting, political, or religious purposes. It lists the major players in the convention industry and the various venues for meetings, conventions, and expositions.  Additionally, it describes the different aspects of being a meeting planner and explains what are associations and what is their purpose.  It also describes what SMERF and MICE stand for. Finally, it lists the primary sources of revenue and expenses involved in holding a meeting, a convention, and an exposition.

Key Words and Concepts

1. Associations. My example: The American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) is the sole national association representing all segments of the 1.9 million-employee in the U.S. lodging industry.
2. Convention. My example: The New York Times Travel Show 2016 will take place at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center on 34th Street from 01/08/206 – 01/10/2016.
3. Convention and Visitors Bureaus (CVBs). My example: Convention and Visitors Bureaus are each designed to offer location information that is key to planning your next event or trip. Sometimes they also offer special packages that include venues, activities and transportation for your event.
4. Convention Center. My example: The New York Convention Center also known as the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center is located in downtown New York and on the west side of Manhattan bordering the Hudson River.
5. Exposition. My example: Everybody was going to the famous Paris Exposition.
6. Familiarization (FAM) Trip. My example: The new resort in Aruba is going to team up with an airline to offer discount familiarization trips to the resort.
7. Incentive Market. My example: The Dunkin Donuts VIP card is probably the best incentive market tool use every year to promote new coffee flavors for Dunkin Donuts.
8. Meeting. My example: Every Monday my director holds a staff meeting to discuss the workflow for the week.
9. Meeting Planner. My example: As a meeting planner person, I need to specialize in the planning and organization of conventions and other business meetings.
10. Meeting, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE). My example: MICE tourism is known for its extensive planning and demanding clientele.
11. Social, Military, Educational, Religious, and Fraternal Groups (SMERF). My example: SMERF meetings continue to be a group revenue backbone for the numerous destinations that have been courting them for decades.

This article “Way to Celebrate Thanksgiving, Old and New” by John L. Dorman published in the travel section of the New York Times talked about how Thanksgiving are celebrate differently in four different states like: New York, Chicago, Atlanta and Los Angeles where families celebrate with old traditions ways and more modern ways on Thanksgiving Day. The first states that the writer mentions in this article was the City of New York. Where New Yorkers loved to celebrate Thanksgiving Day the old fashion way with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade that had been celebrated for 89^th years with lineup of balloons and the performers of marching bands. He also mentions that New Yorkers are celebrating Thanksgiving Day with less traditional ways like biking excursion. Another states that the writer mentions is Chicago, where they also celebrate Thanksgivings like New Yorkers with the McDonald’s Thanksgiving Parade where characters balloons and matching bands are performing at the parade. After the parade, people usually love to go out to eat to the Miss Ricky’s Restaurant that provide a meal like Thanksgivings with turkey, mashed potatoes, sausage stuffing and green beans. After the big dinner at the restaurant people love to go to see the Christmas tree at the Millennium Park. The third states that the writer mentions states of Atlanta. Where people celebrate Thanksgiving Day with marathon, shopping and dinner. The last states that the writer mentions is Los Angeles, where people celebrate with marathon race, and the visits to different places like the auto show, the zoo and the botanical gardens. Even thought, Thanksgiving Day is celebrated differently in others states at the end of the day is a family celebrations where you spend quality time with the families that you love and at the end of the day that what really matter.

This chapter talked about the special events and the process that are involved in the development of special events in the hospitality industry. There are five steps in the event planning process, these steps are research, design, planning, coordination and evaluation. Another topic that was discuss in this chapter are the different kinds of position that are involved in planning an event. Some of these position are event planners, event management, and human resource management. Also the writer talked about the classifications of special events that are corporate, association, charity balls/fundraising, social functions, fairs/festivals, concerts/sporting, and the mega events. In addition the writer discuss the challenges, the skills and abilities that are required to complete the task of special events. To finalize the chapter, the writer talked about the job market and the trends of special events.

Key Words and Concepts:

Charity balls – Example – The charity ball dinner was able to raised one million dollars for children with cancer.

Conventions – Example – The directors of CUNY need to attend every year to local or international conventions.

Coordination– Example: For an event to be successful, it require a lots of coordination in decision making while the event is in process.

Corporate events – Example: Workshop and training meeting are examples of corporate events.

Event planner – Example – I need to contract an event planner, when I decide to get marry with my fiancé in church.

Event planning – Example: The event planning is a career path that is growing in the hospitality industry and it is responsible in planning any social events from the beginning of the events to end.

Fairs and festivals – Example: My family love to attend and participate in fair and festivals.

International Festival & Events Association (IFEA) – Example – Is an organizations that provide ideas on how to sponsor a special events and be able to network with other business around the world.

International Special Events Society (ISES) – Example: Is an organization that promote international special events in society.

Meetings Professionals International (MPI) – Example: Are international meeting that empower education development in professionals careers for business to growth.

Social functions – Example: Wedding and engagements parties are examples of social functions.

Special events industry – Example: The event planner need to employs different organization to meet a broad range of services for an event to be successful.

Trade Shows – Example: The agriculture industry love to perform trade shows to promote or introduce their products to society.

Weddings and holiday parties – Example: Wedding and holiday parties are the most popular social events that are perform between families and friends.

Workshops – Example: CUNY love to offer educational workshop to their employees.

This article “Economic Fallout of Paris Attacks Hits Hotels Hard” by Doreen Carvajal published in the travel section of the New York Times talked about how terrorist attacks always has a negative impact to the economics of a country after terrorisms occurred. It is so sad, how terrorists decided to end the life of 129 innocents people in Paris, just for patriotist hatred of a country. Like the one that we passed on September 11 with the Twins Towers in city of New York. Where innocents people also died due to terrorisms, affecting the social economist of a country and the families that was left behind. Also the writer specified that Paris is one of the world’s favorite travel destinations for tourists to visits due to be considered the city of love, where romances flout around the city. On the negative side, the writer stated that there was more than 200 planned events cancellations around the city. Some of these cancelations are related with business, government conferences, festival and international tourists. With the continuations of false threat around the city, the hotels occupancy and restaurants rate has decreased by a 40%, the department store sales has decreased by a 50% and the cancellations of wealthy clients has cancelled luxury hotels reservations due to security issues. But, the hotels industry haven’t lost their hope and they are waiting with anxious that the economic boom again because Paris is considered to be an international symbol of love and celebration of life. I also believe that the economic in Paris will flourish again but it will take time like us in the United States. However, the emotional impact that was left to families with the dead of their lovers in the terrorists attack, it’s a scar that will never cured or forget from generation to generation.