It’s the same kind of big box production the Gold Rock Creek facility in Grand Bahama was built to attract, although it has utterly failed to do so since the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean II and III in 2006. They, too, were Disney productions, suggesting the Bahamian facility could well have had an inside track in winning the third in the Narnia series. That’s only if its tank was fixed and other key investments in the property made.

The sequel of a CS Lewis Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe adaptation, it is now in theaters and has grossed more than $150 million since its May opening.

As reports by Jammal Smith, it’s the same kind of big box production the Gold Rock Creek facility in Grand Bahama was built to attract, although it has utterly failed to do so since the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean II and III in 2006. They, too, were Disney productions, suggesting the Bahamian facility could well have had an inside track in winning the third in the Narnia series. That’s only if its tank was fixed and other key investments in the property made.

The Xploration theme park, built by 20th Century Fox in 1996 for the filming of Titanic, is now open five days a week, attracting U.S. visitors looking to tour the facility where Master and Commander, Pearl Harbor and Tomorrow Never Dies were shot. The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader will be the next name added to that list.

From Gatwick, Zoom will operate non-stop Saturday flights to Fort Lauderdale, with extra services to Florida being added over the Easter period, as well as adding a third weekly service from Gatwick-San Diego and a new Gatwick-Ottawa flight.

Zoom offers economy and premium economy classes on its flights and the carrier operates the same model as short-haul low-cost carriers, which means the lowest fares are available for customers who book early.

The airline has just been ranked 11th out of 42 long-haul airlines in a Which? consumer survey, achieving customer satisfaction ratings above competitors including British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Air Canada and Air Transat.

Zoom chairman Hugh Boyle said: ‘We’re delighted to be extending the range of flights available for 2009 and continuing our low-fare transatlantic revolution.

‘The recent Which? consumer survey confirmed that customers preferred Zoom’s service to that of our main competitors and we will continue to work hard to bring fantastic service at fantastic prices to customers in every market that we serve.’

Report by Valere Tjolle

There’s much discussion about the future impact of soaring fuel prices and less airplane seats on the entire travel industry but an immediate effect is clear when it comes to trains and buses: Business is up.

Amtrak is filling seats and raising fares.

“We believe the largest single reason is that people want to avoid the higher cost of driving their own vehicle,” said Amtrak spokesman Marc Magliari. “People are looking for options.”

Amtrak raised fares 5% recently on selective routes, citing the higher cost of the diesel fuel that powers locomotives and other operating costs.

In the fiscal year that began 1 October, Amtrak ridership nationally has climbed 11%, to more than 21 million passengers through June, and it expects to exceed the record 25.8 million set the previous year.

Crowded trains have caught the attention of the US Congress, where efforts are being made to increase funding for Amtrak.

The Senate Appropriations Committee has approved $1 billion in new capital funds and $500 million for operating expenses — moves likely to be opposed by President Bush.

Nationwide, bus travel between cities has risen 13% since 2006, the first increase

in more than 40 years, according to a study by DePaul University in Chicago.

Greyhound, which eliminated more than 1,000 routes in 2004, is vying for a piece of the same business.

The Dallas-based company launched Bolt Bus this year, offering promotional $1 fares and flashy new vehicles boasting Wi-Fi, plentiful plug-in outlets and flushable toilets.

Upgrades could be a blessing for the bus industry, which is plagued by stereotypes of down-on-their-luck passengers and crotchety drivers.

“The perception is changing,” said Eron Shosteck, spokesman for the American Bus Association. “Today’s modern motor coaches are nothing like the buses people remember taking in college.”

He couldn’t provide 2008 numbers but said the company is experiencing an upswing in ridership after two years of single-digit-percentage declines.

“Our buses are full,” Clark said. “We are prepared and expecting a big summer.”

The price might be right, but bus travel still has its downside, according to travel observers.

Longer trips might require extended layovers at unsavory stops, sometimes late at night. And it can take a while to arrive at destinations. For instance, a trip from Bangor, Maine to Lima, Ohio, takes 34 hours — one-way.

Report by David Wilkening

For those out there taking some precious time out of their lives to read our 1st ever blog, I thought that I’d at least make it humorous. Take a look below for some basic airline humor:

Airlines to charge by the pound: chapter two

What to expect next from the airlines? Try this: *

• No more seating on flights under 500 miles. “Passengers will have a rail to hold on to if turbulence occurs. “The airline figures the absence of seats will save $9 million in fuel costs a month,” says one airline.

If you liked this one….

• In another airplane weight reduction plan, United Airlines plans to limit its beer selections to lite beer only and play only light music. “We want to be known more as the lightweights of the industry to stretch how far planes can go,” one vice president says.

• Continental will start making customers weigh in when they buy tickets, selling seating by the pound. Anyone weighing in over 150 pays an extra $10 for each pound. “You buy food by the pound and trucks have to weigh in on highways, so why not be fair about airline tickets and have passengers pay according to their weight”” one airline spokesman said.

• Jet Blue plans to save gas by keeping its planes on the runway and not taxiing up to terminals. Passengers unwilling to walk over from the terminal to the plane, warming up to take off, will have to pay a $25 shuttle fee for riding out on a golf cart.

* This is all the facetious future projections of writer David Maril in Enterprisenews.com….or it is?

Report by David Wilkening