Google finance chief quits in order to travel the world

This march, Google’s chief finance officer, Patrick Pichette, announced his early retirement on Google +. In an unprecedented move, he has chosen to spend his time traveling the world instead. The idea apparently came to him on a hiking trip on Mount Kilimanjaro. In a world where idleness and leisure are equally disregarded in the favour of productivity and wealth accumulation, Pichette’s decision can serve as an example to all of us. Perhaps climbing the ranks of a multi-billion dollar institution sounds like paradise to you, but don’t forget to consider paradise itself.

Read an excerpt of the article written by CONOR DOUGHERTY:

SAN FRANCISCO — Patrick Pichette, Google’s chief financial officer, is retiring to spend more time with his family. Seriously. On Tuesday Mr. Pichette announced the news of his retirement on Google’s social network, Google Plus. Then, in what Google’s chief executive, Larry Page, described as ‘‘a most unconventional leaving notice,’’ he tried to convince the cynics that he was, indeed, retiring to spend time with his family. ‘‘We give a lot to our jobs,’’ he wrote, adding: ‘‘And while I am not looking for sympathy, I want to share my thought process because so many people struggle to strike the right balance between work and personal life.’’  ...read more

At hotels, a trend for day-only vacations

In a super-fast, super-busy world with little time for rest, forget relaxation, the latest in holidaying is the “daycation”. More and more hotels are offering day rates for 6-8 hours in a room and access to the hotels’ pools, spas, saunas, etc. While useful for business travelers, sex workers and backpackers, the tactic mostly benefits hotels themselves. Standard overnight rates and check in times leave unoccupied rooms languishing, while the daycation concept allows unoccupied rooms to be used to the fullest extent. A true innovation in a trembling economy.

Read an excerpt of the article written by ELAINE GLUSAC:

f the ‘‘staycation’’ was the travel industry’s response to the Great Recession, the ‘‘daycation’’ is perhaps another sign of recovery from it. Rather than hotel overnight stays, daycation deals sell travelers access to a hotel — sometimes to a room, other times to amenities such as pools or spas — on a short-term, usually daylong, basis. The website and app HotelsByDay, introduced in February, lists hotel rooms in Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York and Fort Lauderdale, Fla., that are available for six to eight hours at less than standard overnight rates. ...read more