Travel Business News

AirGuide Business, Feb 25, 2008

Feb 25, 2008

Asia's boom in air travel will moderate this year on a possible recession in the United States, but the region's growing wealth and business opportunities may help it weather the storm. The rapid growth of air travel in Asia over the last few years was fueled by emerging wealth in the region and the entry of low-cost carriers such as Malaysia's AirAsia, Tiger Airways and Jetstar, but regional economies are now faced with the threat of slowing Western demand for Asian exports. Feb 22, 2008

Airport hotel popularity takes off. Demand at airport hotels increased 1.9% between October 2006 and October 2007, an indication that a growing number of travelers are choosing to fly into a location, conduct business at a local hotel and fly out. Hotels are doing more to court such travelers as well, offering amenities and areas for travelers who may not be spending the night. Feb 19, 2008

Global travel boom passing U.S. by. While travel around the world is getting increasingly popular, the U.S. is losing out on the boom for a variety of reasons, including greed and fear, writes Eric Lucas in this Los Angeles Times opinion piece. Lucas says the U.S. starts off by treating most visitors as if they're criminals, and it doesn't get much better from there. Feb 19, 2008

Airlines influence funding for tourism promotion plan. Lobbyists for the Discover America Partnership -- an initiative led by the Travel Industry Association -- have spent nearly two years trying to win support for a plan for the government to fund an advertising campaign that would promote the U.S. to foreign tourists. The Air Transport Association supported the group's requests before Congress for improved visa and customs processes, but opposed using an airline departure fee to fund the plan. ATA President James May successfully convinced lawmakers that travelers should not pay for the plan, and the legislation ultimately was opposed by legislators and the Bush administration as well. Feb 18, 2008

Avis Budget

Avis Budget Group Promotes Kaye Ceille. Kaye Ceille has been named senior vice president of worldwide travel partnership sales for Avis Budget Group. Ceille, who now leads the company's efforts to drive growth in domestic travel-related distribution, will assume new responsibility for expanding Avis Budget Group's portfolio of international travel and partnerships clients. Under Kaye's leadership Avis Budget Group has effectively implemented a dual-brand strategy expanding the company's offerings to domestic on-line travel agencies, hotel, airline and association partners," said Bob Salerno, president and chief operating officer of Avis Budget Group. Ceille will continue to extend the groups domestic reach while increasing its share globally. Feb 20, 2008

Costa

Costa's capacity will increase by 12 percent in 2009 with the addition of Costa Luminosa (April 2009) and Costa Pacifica (May 2009), whose inaugural routes will be in the Baltic and Western Mediterranean respectively. Costa's 2009 schedule is also highlighted by voyages to Dubai, the Suez Canal and Egypt aboard Costa Victoria and Costa Classica. Costa Victoria's Dubai debut represents a 50 percent increase in capacity for Costa in the region. The ship and Costa Classica will offer seven-night sailings departing from Dubai ever Saturday and Sunday from November 2008 through April 2009. Also in 2009, Costa Europa will sail the Indian Ocean for the first time, operating 14-night sailings from December 2008 through February 2009, departing from Port Louis, Mauritius with calls in Seychelles, Kenya and Madagascar. Feb 20, 2008

Crystal Cruises

Crystal Offers New Agent Promotions Tool and Debuts VIP Access. Crystal Cruises is debuting two new products geared for travel agents. The first is the line's "E-mail Builder," a program that allows agents to send savings opportunities, destination specials and other promotions to individual clients. Agents can use the promotional e-mail templates to customize the content to suit a particular client's interests, schedule or budget. "It the ideal way to quickly target communications to agents' databases," said Nitsa Lewis, Crystal's vice president of marketing. The program is now available on Crystal's agent website. Meanwhile, agents can promote Crystal's new VIP Access program, which was designed due to increased demand for more extraordinary experiences, the luxury line said. VIP Access will debut at this year's British Open golf tournament at the Royal Birkhead Golf Club in Liverpool. Guests will be given exclusive access to the tournament, which will be held July 17 to July 22, and coincide with Crystal Symphony's 12-day sailing roundtrip from London on July 13. Crystal will also offer golf excursions during the sailing at such courses as Gleneagles King's Course, The K Club and The Royal Belfast Golf Club. Feb 20, 2008

MSC Poesia

Screen Icon Loren To Godmother MSC Poesia. MSC Poesia's April 5 inaugural in Dover, England, will be presided over by film legend Sophia Loren, who, like the cruise line's heritage, is Italian. In addition, Grammy-nominated singer KT Tunstall will provide live music entertainment. The 1,275-stateroom MSC Poesia will subsequently sail a 13-night pre-inaugural voyage from Dover to Venice, where the ship will be positioned for the summer 2008. Feb 20, 2008