Just like the U.S. forum/Europe forum, I do think you need to seriously reconsider consolidating MOST (not all) of the remaining forums into ONE forum entitled "Other Topics," especially the "special interest," "other topics," and "grab bag" forums! Thank you!

I agree.

I'd like to see Hawaii separated. Far too many travel agents posing as people who v isited there or WILL be visiting and it is just very disruptive to other states topics.

I miss the forum titled "Smart Travel Tips."

It's the truth about travel agents and Hawaii. Always these so-called brand new first time visitors to this forum just full of questions about specific Hawaiian hotels, restaurants and tours, usually posted in separate threads in order to dominate the board, and conveniently answered by the same people over and over, who just can't wait to describe Hawaiian businesses for you!

Please separate Hawaii, Fodor's!!!!

I agree with Jeannie about missing the "smart travel tips" forum. Lots of good advice there.

About this Hawaii thing, I respectfully disagree that there are travel agents posting "undercover" now. A while back there were two travel agents posting, and neither of them is a presence on this board now. Rightfully, fodorites objected to their blatant advertising!

To me, it looks like most of the posters who are asking questions now have legitimate email addresses, and are just trying to plan their vacation....

The way the forum has been restored, all fodorites have a chance of contributing. If you separate out Hawaii, that forum would have a far greater chance of getting dominated by people in the travel industry, because less travelers would be monitoring the posts, IMHO

Happy (and informed) travels,
k

I don't understand the argument that Hawaii should be separate because travel agents post there. Let's assume that some people use the Hawaii board for commercial purposes. If Hawaii becomes a separate board, travel agents will post on it. If Hawaii stays on the U.S. board, travel agents will still post on it. If people are offended that Hawaii posts are commercial in nature, they should complain to Fodors or ignore the posts. But the on-going travel agent witch hunt should not be a basis for deciding whether Hawaii should be separate, IMHO.

I was a proponent of keeping Hawaii separate, but some people have objected to that idea. They argued (correctly) that there aren't that many Hawaii posts, and there are plenty of "specialty" posts like fall foliage that generate many threads of no interest to people outside the Northeast. So my opinion is to just keep the United States board united and be done with it.

Count on the travel agents like kalena to argue for keeping the Hawaii posts here -- they have a larger target audience when they can post on the U.S. board! Of course they want to keep posting here in order to cast their nets as widely as possible. Only fellow agents and possibly a few unwitting tourists who allow themselves to be packaged and steered would ever post or visit a Hawaii forum.

Travel agents are slick and savvy operators...they know they will get busted for commercial promotion here so they have developed ruses instead, posing as travelers with questions and then anwering their own posts as if they are just helpful travelers. It's deceptive, and designed solely to allow them to continue promoting their favored businesses, the ones that provide them with kickbacks. They are not here to offer opinions as unbaised travelers, they're here to promote and sell.

If you enjoy that kind of travel site, go to Frommer's, it's full of agents and businesses trying to sell you something! But don't turn Fodor's into the same type of stagnant site with thinly disguised commercials.

I'd like to see a separate Hawaii board. It seems likes there's always alot of questions regarding Hawaii so it could merit it's own board.

To the anonymous poster above, and
just for the record, I am a 30-year resident of Hawaii, and my job has absolutely nothing to do with the travel industry. I love to travel and only post from my own experience. When have you seen a commercial endorsement from me? I tend to avoid the "what is the best hotel" kind of posts myself.

I enjoy the sense of community in the europe forum, and I occasionally post there, too. I have benefitted from the advice of other travelers in this forum, and I post when I think I can be of help...and when I have the time.

So take care... I hope you are otherwise having a good day.

SickofPeople, remember how we talked about you getting up and out of that computer chair, getting outside and doing some kayaking or biking? You have not been a good girl and its showing. Get a paper bag, put it over your mouth and breath deeply. That will lessen the immediate symptoms. THEN, turn off that computer and go workout. You'll return refreshed, with frustrations greatly diminished and your mood naturally elevated by circulating endorphins. Please, for everyone's sake?

You mean the way you do when you're surfing and posting here Psycho, er Psychmajor? Do as you say, not as you do, huh? Please, show us all the way by doing exactly what you suggest other do - switch off that computer and get outside. Don't you have a Hypocrites Anonymous meeting to attend or something?