Travel Business News - North America

AirGuide Business, June 23, 2008

Jun 23, 2008

The political debate over energy policy gained sharper partisan focus this week as President George W. Bush lined up with Republican presidential candidate John McCain in calling for more oil and gas exploration off the U.S. coasts and in oil-shale regions of the West. Democrats, meanwhile, are going after market speculators and trying to impose new taxes on oil companies to finance alternative-energy projects. On Wednesday, Sens. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., and Susan Collins, R-Maine, introduced legislation that some say is the most extreme proposal yet: the bill seeks to rein in commodities trading by prohibiting pension funds, index funds and other large investors from commodities markets altogether. This proposal and several others will be debated next week on Capitol Hill. Jun 20, 2008

A Stanford Transportation Group report found that the number of business-class and first-class travelers has stalled, despite a general increase in domestic traffic. Premium trips declined to less than 10% of overall domestic travel last year, from 20% in 2000. The report found that the number of premium trips remained at 41 million, about the same as in 2005. Jun 17, 2008

Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE) is making another attempt to overturn a US Supreme Court ruling which allows customs officials the authority to inspect travellersi computers (and other electronic devices), examine and copy any data, and even seize the unit. ACTE which believes the random searches violate the Fourth Amendment - has filed a second amicus brief with the US Circuit Court of Appeals to get a rehearing. It filed its first in June 2007 - after two of its members had laptops seized, one of which was confiscated for a year but it believes Congress has taken an interest in the issue and hopes its second attempt will receive a better reception. Gurley has been called upon to testify on behalf of the business travel industry before a Senate Subcommittee regarding eLaptop Searches and Other Violations of Privacy Faced by Americans Returning from Overseas Traveli scheduled for June 25. Jun 17, 2008

Carnival Cruise Lines

Amid Carnival Corp.'s second quarter earnings call on Thursday, chairman and CEO, Micky Arison, stated that the company would rely even more heavily on travel agents and cut down its direct business practices for Carnival Cruise Lines. Jun 18, 2008

Las Vegas

Las Vegas Vacation.com member agencies will receive a $1,000 first-year booking incentive when they sign on for EZguider, a new and fully integrated, leisure-focused selling system and booking platform. Steve Tracas, president and CEO, announced the news to 1,400 attendees at today[sup.1]s opening session of Vacation.com[sup.1]s 10th Annual Conference kicks off in Las Vagas at Caesars Palace. Over 1,400 are in attendance. Jun 16, 2008

Norwegian Cruise Line

Norwegian Cruise Line is serious about its stated goal of progressively dismantling the structure, regimentation and constraints of the traditional cruise experience, NCL[sup.1]s newly revealed vision of nightlife at sea is a winner. From Riviera chic to Vegas flair, passengers on NCL's F3, Freestyle Cruising ships set to debut in 2010, will get five innovative onboard clubs and unique nightlife. Colin Veitch, NCL's president and CEO, launched the new F3 seagoing hotspots at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas during Vacation.com[sup.1]s 10th Annual Conference. The five venues include the industry's first true Ice Bar; the POSH Beach Club, for adults only; Halo, the Uber Bar, a private bar and lounge; the Bliss Ultra Lounge, NCL[sup.1]s all-day entertainment complex with a bowling alley; and SPICE H2O, an adults-only aft pool facility. Jun 18, 2008

Pleasant Holidays, JetBlue Airways

Pleasant Holidays has added JetBlue Airways to its product line. Pleasant Holidays customers can now take nonstop flights to vacation destinations such as Las Vegas, Mexico, Bahamas and the Caribbean. JetBlue Airways signature service includes free and unlimited snacks and drinks, the most leg room in coach of any domestic airline in the U.S., and DIRECTV, XM Satellite Radio and first-run movies at every seat. Sample three-night air and hotel vacations featuring JetBlue Airways service begin at $230 (Burbank to Las Vegas), $451 (Orlando to Cancun), $598 (Orlando to San Juan), $712 (New York City to Nassau) and $732 (New York City to Aruba). Prices shown are per person and valid for select travel through October 27, and booked by June 30. Visit www.pleasantagent.com Jun 19, 2008

Pleasant Holidays, Virgin America

Pleasant Holidays has added Virgin America flight options to its vacation package product line. Pleasant Holidays customers can now book Virgin America's nonstop flights from San Francisco to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and San Diego; as well as New York City to Las Vegas, Los Angeles or San Francisco. Virgin America features include mood-lit cabins, custom leather seats, power outlets, video-touch screen at every seat featuring 25 on-demand movies, live TV, a food-ordering system and a seat-to-seat chat option. Jun 16, 2008