Travel News

Airguide Online, July 30, 2004

Avis Rent A Car System has opened twenty-five new car rental facilities as part of its commitment to expand into local markets nationwide. The new locations are in California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia. For more information call 888- 777-AVIS or visit www.avis.com. Jul 29, 2004

Cheapflights.com reached partnership agreements with Brazil Projects, Qantas Vacations, Air France and Sears Travel. These new partners join Cheapflights.com's growing list of affiliated airlines, consolidators, specialty providers and large travel Web sites. Cheapflights.com also added Priceline.com as a multi-booking engine partner. In addition to pulling up an alphabetical listing of deals by destination city, consumers on CheapFlights.com can now select the "book flights online" option on the home page, which allows users to search Hotwire, Travelocity, Priceline or Orbitz without having to reenter desired dates of departure. Jul 27, 2004

Costa Rica's National Emergency Commission (CNE) has issued an alert after one of its most popular tourist attractions, the Arenal volcano, erupted Tuesday, pouring an avalanche of lava down one side of its summit. No fresh eruptions have been reported today (Wednesday). The CNE has closed off access to the volcano in an attempt to lessen its potential danger to visiting tourists. Jul 7, 2004

Travelsavers has upgraded its consumer Web site, found at www.travelsavers.com. The company says it allows consumers to research travel options, but also provides business for Travelsavers agencies. The site is designed to be easier to navigate than before and more interactive. To plan a vacation, users now have fewer steps. It updates offerings by preferred suppliers on a daily basis and highlights one of those suppliers each month. The enhanced site also offers information on four niche markets: family travel, honeymoon, weekend escapes and luxury. Jul 16, 2004

Vietnam killed some 3,000 chickens, after Bird flu resurfaced recently. It's been three months since the Southeast Asian bird flu epidemic was announced defeated by the Vietnamese. Only people who eat infected chicken can be infected by Bird flu. Travel agents should advise clients bound for Vietnam to avoid chicken dishes. Jul 1, 2004