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JINAN, Shandong, China, June 27 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Mr. Li Kunwu, Chairman and CEO of China VoIP & Digital Telecom Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: CVDT) is coming to New York to meet investors. This is the third trip for Mr. Li since the Company was quoted on the OTCBB in September, 2006.
The purpose of Mr. Li’s trip is to communicate with investors about recent developments in the Company’s products, marketing, operations and acquisitions. In addition, Mr. Li will discuss the Company’s short-term and long-term growth strategies. Other executives accompanying Mr. Li on this U.S. trip are Mr. Guo Xuchen, Marketing Director of Beijing PowerUnique Technologies (a newly acquired company by CVDT). CVDT management will be in New York on July 8 and July 9. We welcome investors and potential investors to meet with the management.
About China VoIP & Digital Telecom Inc.
China VoIP & Digital Telecom Inc. offers Voice over the Internet Protocol telecommunications service in People’s Republic of China through its wholly owned subsidiary Jinan Yinquan Technology Co., Ltd. Through Jinan Yinquan, China VoIP is well positioned to take full advantage of the tremendous economic growth currently being experienced in China. The Company is currently marketing its NP Soft Switch system in China and is currently in the testing stage of other Information Technology products.
More information can be found at .

Safe Harbor Statement

Certain statements made in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‘believe,’ ‘expect,’ ‘may,’ ‘will,’ ’should,’ ‘project,’ ‘plan,’ ’seek,’ ‘intend,’ or ‘anticipate’ or the negative thereof or comparable terminology. Such statements typically involve risks and uncertainties and may include financial projections or information regarding our future plans, objectives or performance. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including the risks associated with the effect of changing economic conditions in The People’s Republic of China, variations in cash flow, reliance on collaborative retail partners and on new product development, variations in new product development, risks associated with rapid technological change, and the potential of introduced or undetected flaws and defects in products, and other risk factors detailed in reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.
For more information, please contact:

Yinquan Investor Contacts:
Michelle Wong
Tel: 86-531-8702-7114
Email:

Great Wall Research LLC
John Armstrong
Tel: 1-203-536-1928
Email:
China VoIP & Digital Telecom Inc.

LANSING, Mich., June 26 /PRNewswire/ — This summer you can register to win a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the top of the Mackinac Bridge. One lucky person and his or her guest will win a certificate that allows them special access to one of the Mackinac Bridge towers, offering a unique experience and spectacular view from 552 feet above the Straits of Mackinac. The trip is being offered by travel Michigan’s St. Ignace Welcome Center and the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce.
“We are always looking at creative ways to give back to our community and to encourage people to visit northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula,” said Mike Lilliquist, manager, St. Ignace Welcome Center. “All people have to do is visit our area this summer or fall, and register to win an experience of a lifetime.”
Visitors are encouraged to cross the bridge and register to win the tower tour at the St. Ignace Welcome Center located off I-75 on the east side of the highway, just beyond the bridge toll booths, or the St. Ignace Chamber of Commerce, 560 N. State Street.
The last day to register is October 31, 2008. The drawing will be held November 1, 2008, with the tower tour to be taken during the 2009 season from May-October, and is subject to the rules of regulations stipulated by the Mackinac Bridge Authority.
Travel Michigan, a division of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, is the State of Michigan’s official agency for the promotion of tourism. travel Michigan markets the state’s tourism industry and provides valuable visitor information services. For more information on traveling in the State of Michigan, visit the official travel web site at michigan.org
Contact: Kirsten Borgstrom, (517) 335-1871
Jenny Schilp, (248) 225-6744
Travel Michigan

WASHINGTON, June 26 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Business travel Coalition (BTC) today expressed to the U.S. House of Representatives, Committee on Small Business, that with oil in a sustained $130 range, the consensus estimate among analysts is that the airline industry will have to shrink 20% to 22%. Recent cuts in capacity, for implementation this fall, add up to just 12 to 13%, so it is likely that decisions to further cut services will need to be taken by Labor Day. This, together with the financial condition of the airlines, and airport-specific characteristics, has led BTC to identify 150 airports that are at risk of losing commercial air services.
Robert Crandall, former chairman of American Airlines stated in today’s Christian Science Monitor: “Unless something is done to move toward some kind of fix, we’re going to see every one of our major airlines in bankruptcy.”"If that isn’t enough of a crisis to alert everybody, then I don’t know what it will take.”
“Virtually all airlines will be out of cash by early in 2009, if oil stays in its current range. The conundrum airlines face is that in each of the past 4 years, as a group, they have been able to raise fares and fees only $2.7 billion, on an annualized basis, on average-and that was when the economy was better,” stated BTC chairman Kevin Mitchell. “In 2008, the top 10 airlines will pay $19 billion more in fuel bills versus last year, after $6 billion in oil hedges are taken into account. So, there is a $16 billion gap. The consumer, hampered by gas-pump prices, higher food costs, and the prospect of painfully higher winter heating bills, simply is not able to accept price increases anywhere near the level airlines require to make up that $13 billion shortfall.”
Even the high-growth leader Southwest Airlines, with the best oil hedging program and balance sheet in the industry, told a Merrill Lynch conference last week that at $135/barrel it would have to cut routes hundreds at a time. If, as Goldman Sachs and others predict, oil reaches $150/barrel by July 4, then the industry would need to shrink further. At $200/barrel, the industry would need a 40% reduction. A major concern is that there is no assurance that the industry can successfully downsize without collapse, given the bunching-up of several airlines whose equity would be wiped out in the same relative timeframe, assuming $130/barrel oil.
According the Coalition, there are steps Congress can take to help turn this potentially dire situation around. The three most important steps BTC hopes Congress and others will focus on in the near term are (1) policies that would crack down on excessive speculation and possible market manipulation in oil futures, (2) moves to strengthen the U.S. dollar against foreign currencies, and (3) USG pressure on OPEC to increase oil supplies.
In addition to these general policies, BTC respectfully asked Congress to consider immediately suspending federal taxes and fees on U.S. airlines until March 2009, so long as oil prices remain above $100/barrel, and conditioned upon individual airlines opting-in to a series of reforms.
BTC’s proposal is that individual airlines be given the opportunity of opting into a tax-suspension program if they commit to the following reforms:
1. Passenger Protections. Participating airlines would agree to be bound
by passenger protections based upon recently-enacted EU
consumer-protection laws in air transport that are very clearly
written, serve as a global best-practice and have generated data that
quantify their effectiveness. Such agreement would be codified in
airlines’ contracts of carriage.

2. Maintenance Standards. Participating airlines would agree to provide
the U.S. DOT, in legally-binding agreements, a commitment, timetable,
reporting mechanism and auditing process for establishing a single
standard for aircraft maintenance and security wherever aircraft
maintenance is accomplished in the U.S. or around the world, whether
insourced, or outsourced.

3. Full Airfare Content. Participating airlines would commit to providing
the U.S. DOT, in legally binding agreements, a commitment, timetable,
reporting mechanism and auditing process for implementing a program
providing full airfare content in the distribution channel-of-choice
for travel agencies and corporate travel departments.

“U.S. taxpayers should not be asked to yet again bail out the airline industry, broken on so many levels, without true reforms being agreed to. Yes, the national air transportation grid is as critical a national infrastructure as is the electrical grid, but additional taxpayer monies should not even be considered without a return on their investment,” said Mitchell.
BTC is urging travelers to read up on this crisis (see links below) and to write to their elected representatives in Congress to express their concerns at
To download “Oil Prices and the Looming U.S. Aviation Industry Catastrophe…,” go to
To download “Beyond the Airlines’ $2 Can of Coke…,” go to
To download “At-Risk Communities For Losing Freedom of Movement,” go to
About BTC
Founded in 1994, the mission of Business travel Coalition is to bring transparency to industry and government policies and practices so that customers can influence issues of strategic importance to their organizations.
Business travel Coalition

FORT WORTH, Texas, June 24 /PRNewswire/ — The new Omni Fort Worth Hotel, opening in January, 2009, is introducing a revolutionary gratuity system that will empower meeting organizers to compensate food and beverage teams based on the level of service provided versus the standard practice of a built-in percent gratuity. If a meeting organizer feels that expected food and beverage standards were not met following an event, he or she has the flexibility to adjust the gratuity to the desired level between 15 and 22 percent. If they believe the hotel exceeded expectations, he or she may feel free to increase the gratuity to a greater amount.
“Gratuities are earned, not automatic, and we believe that this new approach will promote consistently strong service from our food and beverage associates,” said Ed Netzhammer, regional vice president of operations and general manager of the Omni Fort Worth Hotel. “We surveyed meeting planners and found that the industry standard flat-rate banquet gratuity wasn’t working for them. In response, we’ve created a program to ensure that their expectations are met.”
This innovative gratuity structure is another important example of the Omni Fort Worth Hotel’s, food & beverage leadership in the industry. In a May 2008 press release, the hotel announced details of a catering partnership with the Fort Worth Convention Center. Beginning Jan. 1, 2009, the Omni Fort Worth hotel will be the exclusive caterer to the city’s convention facilities — making the Fort Worth property one of very few hotels in the U.S. to handle this service for a major city’s convention facility. The new gratuity approach will be utilized at both the hotel and the convention center.
Additionally, Omni Hotels recently expanded on its Sensational Meetings program via a partnership with The Culinary Institute of America. Together, the organizations researched and evaluated flavors, textures and nutritional fundamentals to further elevate the food and beverage offerings that are part of Omni’s customizable Sensational Meetings program.
The Omni Fort Worth hotel will also boast fine culinary choices including the renowned Bob’s Steak & Chop House; Wine Thief, for wine enthusiasts and novices alike; the Whisky & Rye sports lounge; and Cast Iron for a casual dining experience. The hotel is committed to providing the highest level of service, in keeping with its commitment to exceed guest and meeting attendee expectations.
About The Omni Fort Worth hotel & Residences
The gorgeous Omni Fort Worth hotel will house nearly 68,000 square feet of meeting and function space. Included among its 29 meeting rooms is the Texas Ballroom, which will encompass 18,788 square feet alone. The hotel will feature built-in pre-function areas, plus 6,500 square feet of useable outdoor space and access to the Fort Worth Convention Center meeting space, which includes access to the stunning Fort Worth Water Gardens. Other meeting features include high-speed Internet access, state-of-the-art audio/visual services and convenient office space for meeting planners.
In addition to the meeting facilities, the hotel will have 607 guest rooms and suites featuring a touch of Texas with comfy natural linens, as well as plush bedding with saddle-blanket throws and stitched pillows. Many different dining options will be available at the hotel as well. Whether guests are looking for a light breakfast, to kick back over cocktails, enjoy an elegant dinner or stay in for a cozy guest room meal, there is something to please every palate.
About Omni Hotels
Omni Hotels creates compelling, memorable guest experiences by tempting the senses in innovative ways, surrounding them with a balanced blend of scents, sounds, sights, textures and tastes. Omni Hotels offers luxury accommodations at 45 hotels and resorts in leading business gateways and leisure destinations across North America. From exceptional golf and spa retreats to dynamic business settings, each location features four-diamond services, including award-winning signature restaurants, Wi-Fi connectivity and unique fitness options. Omni’s mission for total customer service is further supported by its “Power of One” program that empowers associates to make on-the-spot decisions to meet or exceed guest expectations. Guests can locate hotels and book accommodations by visiting or by calling 1-800-THE-OMNI.
Customers contact:
1-800-THE-OMNI

The Omni Fort Worth hotel & Residences

LONDON, June 25 /PRNewswire/ —

- travel Sector Food and Beverage Specialist SSP Creates Food Court With
Prestigious Meinl Brand

When Vienna International Airport’s new Sky Link Terminal opens in June
2009, a Meinl food court will be among the facilities passengers
can enjoy. Operated by SSP and branded ‘Meinl to go’, the food court will
incorporate a café serving the wide range of coffees for which the Austrian
capital is renowned.

‘Vienna airport was looking for something typically Austrian for its new
terminal, and we were delighted to be able to offer one of Vienna’s most
prestigious names as part of our brand portfolio,’ said Johann Weinzettl,
CEO, SSP Central & Eastern Europe, Middle East and India. ‘Our airport
experience and our ability to adapt brands for this market means that we’re
able to take the Meinl brand to a totally new audience. A combination of
international know-how and local culinary expertise certainly helped us to
win this business in the face of strong competition.’

‘We did not initially have any ambitions to operate in Vienna Airport,’
said Udo Kaubek, Managing Director of Meinl. ‘However, when SSP explained
their operational capabilities, and demonstrated to me their proven track
record in taking leading brands such as Marks and Spencer Simply Food and
Caviar House & Prunier into travel environments, I was certain that they were
the best partner to help me grow my business in this exciting sector. We have
great plans for our business at Vienna airport and I am looking forward to
working with SSP to deliver them.’

The new Skylink will also feature a Panopolis bakery. This premium bakery
brand is already operating successfully in Zurich Airport and will soon to be
seen in Hong Kong International Airport. Developed by SSP to offer freshly
baked, authentic breads from around the world as well as locally sourced
products such as charcuterie and fresh cheeses, Panopolis provides a warm and
welcoming environment for customers who want to eat in the seating area or
‘on the go’.

‘We developed Panopolis to meet the needs of customers who want a premium
product in a comfortable, travel-friendly environment,’ said Panopolis Brand
Director Chris Burton. ‘As well as a food range that is both high quality and
varied, Panopolis offers a number of touches to help make travelling less
stressful such as plentiful charging points for laptops and phones, and
adequate space for hand luggage. We believe a great food and beverage offer
can play a key role in a customer’s overall airport experience.’

Commenting on the contract award, Christian Domany, member of the
Management Board of Flughafen Wien AG said: ‘The concepts we have chosen for
our new terminal will underscore the uniqueness of Vienna International
Airport and strengthen our position among international airports as a top
player.’

Editor’s notes:

About SSP

SSP, the Food travel Experts, is the leading dedicated operator of food
and beverage brands in travel locations worldwide, with operations in more
than 125 airports. Its unparalleled portfolio of international, national,
local, specialty and new breakthrough food and beverage brands includes its
own national and international brands. Among these are Caffè Ritazza, Burger
King, M&S Simply Food, Bonne Journée, Caviar House & Prunier, Pizza Hut,
Upper Crust and Le Train Bleu. SSP has operations in airports, train
stations, retail parks and conference centers. The addition of Vienna airport
brings the number of countries where SSP operates to 30 in total.

SSP

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., June 24 /PRNewswire/ — Linear Air, a provider of point-to-point air taxi service, announced today the launch of its Eclipse E500 flight service in the greater New York City area. The expansion of its fleet in the New York region reaffirms the company’s commitment to offering business and leisure travelers unprecedented access and affordability to private jet travel.
Linear Air’s Eclipse E500 is part of a new class of very light jets (VLJ) poised to redefine air travel. Using less fuel than other light jets, the eco-friendly and efficient, twin engine Eclipse E500 offers jet aircraft performance at an unprecedented lower overall cost. That savings is directly passed on to the Linear Air customer.
“Linear Air’s goals are to provide customers with a high-quality travel experience that is hassle-free, time efficient and cost effective,” said William Herp, president and CEO of Linear Air. “With convenient and personalized service, Linear Air is pleased to offer business and leisure travelers in the greater New York City area a bold new option for air travel.”
In addition to cost-savings, other considerations that make air travel with Linear Air appealing include:
– Linear Air serves 10 times more airports than the traditional commercial airlines serve. By utilizing regional airports, Linear Air can accommodate clients’ air travel needs from locations that are closer to their homes and offices. This saves travelers the time, headache, and expense of commercial airports.
– The flexibility of Linear Air’s air taxi service allows business travelers to land in destinations not served by commercial airlines, creating opportunities to reach remote or multiple destinations in single day trips. Air travel is easily complemented by accessible ground transportation options.
– Business travelers benefit from the ability to turn travel time into productive work time by flying in well-appointed comfortable cabins conducive to conducting meetings.
– Leisure travelers are able to more easily make weekend trips from New York to Nantucket by avoiding the long security lines and other hassles associated with commercial air travel.
Linear Air’s aircraft is based at the White Plains/Westchester County Airport in New York, but will be servicing major and regional airports throughout the tri-state region as well as the Northeast and mid-Atlantic.
About Linear Air
Linear Air provides point-to-point air taxi service with unprecedented access and affordability. Based in Concord, Mass., the Linear Air fleet includes four three-passenger Eclipse E500 business jets and five, eight-passenger Cessna Grand Caravan turboprops. Linear Air offers business and leisure travelers access to more than 750 cities in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and eastern Canada from its bases in Boston and New York. Linear Air is a FAA-certified part 135 charter operator that maintains a Gold safety rating from ARG/US, the leading independent safety auditor in the aviation industry. For more information, please visit or call 1-877-2-LINEAR.
Contact: Alanna Flood
The Castle Group
Phone: 617-337-9531

Linear Air

FOSTER CITY, Calif., and NEW YORK, June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Rearden Commerce, Inc., and American Express today announced American Express Anywhere(SM), an innovative new mobile service that enables corporate customers to manage travel details and business through their BlackBerry(TM) smartphones.
With a single click of the American Express icon on their BlackBerry home screen, users can access their personalized travel itinerary, receive real-time travel alerts, scan destination weather information and even click-to-call their travel provider for further assistance. Future phases of American Express Anywhere will let users view their airport parking and car service reservations, share itinerary details with others, find restaurants nearby and place reservations, and much more.
“American Express is committed to simplifying life for our corporate cardmembers while they’re in the office and on the road,” said Gunther Bright, senior vice president, Global Client Group at American Express. “Anywhere is a perfect example of how we can deliver a suite of rich services by leveraging Rearden Commerce’s innovative technology platform.”
American Express is the only card company able to offer this benefit to Fortune 500 companies in the United States, as well as to its largest global commercial card clients.
American Express Anywhere will also be offered to American Express Business travel clients in other market segments as a mobile companion to its Intelligent Online Marketplace (AXIOM). AXIOM is a Web-based commerce network, powered by Rearden Commerce, for travel and related services. Business services inventory from more than 137,000 suppliers is brought together in a single online destination where employees can find, purchase and manage traditional travel reservations (flights, hotel stays and car rentals), as well as ancillary services.
“We’re proud to partner with American Express, the global commercial card and business travel leader, to extend the power of Rearden Commerce to its corporate customers,” said Patrick Grady, founder and CEO of Rearden Commerce. “Our technology platform offers tremendous benefits to both employees and corporations. We couldn’t be more pleased to be enabling American Express to provide its corporate customers with such a rewarding new benefit and American Express itself with a true industry differentiator.”
“American Express Anywhere gives our employees the information they need to stay productive and be efficient while on the road,” said Christopher Staal, vice president of Real Estate and Facilities — Americas for Thomson Reuters. “With AXIOM, American Express and Rearden Commerce have delivered a groundbreaking business solution, whose value is further magnified with the release of this mobile companion.”
Thomson Reuters is an American Express corporate services client and has been using AXIOM since 2007. They were among the first companies to pilot American Express Anywhere with employees.
“The AXIOM solution already extends far beyond simply booking airline tickets and hotel rooms to include airport parking, dining, event tickets, shipping, car service and conferencing. And now, we’re giving travelers their very own mobile assistant that puts valuable real-time information at their fingertips,” said Andrew McGraw, senior vice president and general manager, Worldwide Sales, American Express Business Travel. “American Express Anywhere will amplify the convenience and time savings for these travelers by giving them access to the AXIOM solution, anytime or anyplace.”
Rearden Commerce, Inc.
Rearden Commerce makes life simpler by delivering a web-based Personal Assistant that intuitively manages the everyday details of business and personal life. Just like a seasoned executive assistant, the Rearden Personal Assistant(TM) handles an impressive array of tasks and services, and delights users by considering their unique needs and personal preferences. The Rearden Personal Assistant is built on the Rearden Commerce(TM) Platform, which supports an ecosystem of more than 137,000 trusted merchants and third-party applications providers. Today, more than one million contracted users at organizations ranging from the Fortune 500 to small/medium enterprises, including ConAgra Foods, Glaxo Smith Kline and JDSU, rely on the recommendations and assistance of the Rearden Personal Assistant to save time and be more efficient, while saving their companies money. Rearden Commerce is headquartered in Foster City, CA. For more information, visit .
American Express
Through its Global Commercial Card group, American Express provides the Corporate Card, Corporate Purchasing Solutions, and other expense management services to mid-sized companies and large corporations worldwide. In the U.S., it is the leading issuer of commercial cards, serving more than 60% of the Fortune 500, as well as tens of thousands of mid-sized companies. American Express issues local-currency commercial cards in 40 countries, and International Dollar Corporate Cards in an additional 100 countries. For more information, please go to .
American Express Business travel (), a division of the American Express Company, is dedicated to helping its clients realize the greatest possible value from their investment in travel through increased cost savings, outstanding customer service and greater spend control. For small businesses, medium-sized enterprises and multinational corporations, American Express Business travel provides a combination of industry-leading booking technology, travel management consulting expertise, strategic sourcing and supplier negotiation support, and customer service available online and offline, around the world.
American Express Company () is a leading global payments, network and travel company founded in 1850.
All trademarks are property of their respective owners.
Rearden Commerce, Inc.; American Express

TOKYO, June 23 /PRNewswire/ — JAL Hotels Co., Ltd., which operates Nikko Hotels International, a group of luxury hotels, and hotel JAL City, a mid-priced business hotel chain in Japan, announced at its annual shareholders meeting and board of directors meeting today the appointment of Katsumi Chiyo as president and CEO. He will succeed Mamoru Tsutsumi.
Chiyo’s previous position was as president and CEO, JALways Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL), JAL Hotels’ parent company. He has been with JAL for 38 years, since graduating from Waseda University with a degree in Political Science and Economics. He has held numerous executive positions both inside Japan and in the United States over the years, including serving on the board of directors of JAL.
“Over the past two years, JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. made significant progress towards its goals in further internationalization, especially noteworthy in the Middle East, where no other Japanese hospitality company has ventured,” said Katsumi Chiyo. “This is thanks in great part to the positive leadership of Mamoru Tsutsumi. I am confident in the ability of our staff to continue moving to the next level of growth in the global marketplace.”
Tsutsumi became president and CEO of JAL Hotels Co., Ltd. in June 2006. During his tenure, the company expanded in China, and opened its first Middle East hotel while signing contracts for two others.
About Nikko Hotels International
Nikko Hotels International is an international luxury hotel group operated by JAL Hotels Co., Ltd., headquartered in Tokyo. In addition to Nikko Hotels, JAL Hotels also operates hotel JAL City, a chain of 13 mid-priced hotels for business travelers in Japan. The company currently has 59 hotels with 18,829 rooms worldwide, in Europe, the Middle East, the Americas and throughout Japan and the Asia/Pacific region.
Future openings include two hotels in China: 388-room hotel Nikko Shanghai in Summer 2009 and 500-room hotel Nikko Wuxi in Autumn 2009, as well as two Nikko Hotels International properties in the Middle East: 478-room hotel JAL Tower Dubai in 2009, and 300-room hotel JAL Bahrain Resort & Spa, also in 2009.
JAL Hotels Co., Ltd.

RADNOR, Pa., June 23 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The skyrocketing price of aviation fuel will have devastating implications far beyond new surcharges for checked bags and in-flight beverage services according to a new study prepared by the Business travel Coalition (BTC). Not only are U.S. airlines and their passengers facing their darkest future, but fast-approaching airline liquidations will cripple the U.S. economy that depends on affordable, frequent intercity air transportation.
Massive job losses, supply chain disruption, declining business activity, shrinking tax revenues, weakened American competitiveness, devastated communities, and reduced tourism are just some of the predictable results from airline liquidations that could happen as early as the second half of 2008 as a direct result of unsustainable fuel prices.
The paper, “Beyond the Airlines’ $2 Can of Coke: Catastrophic Impact on the U.S. Economy from Oil-price Trauma in the Airline Industry,” expands on the analysis released on June 13, 2008 by AirlineForecasts, LLC and BTC and points to the real news about the airlines’ fuel problems: how multiple liquidations at legacy U.S. airlines — now a serious possibility — would have a wide-ranging impact on many facets of the U.S. economy. The report will be presented and discussed during a U.S. House Small Business Committee hearing scheduled by Chairwoman, Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY) for Thursday, June 26.
“The airline industry stimulates so much economic activity — much more than many people currently understand,” said BTC Chairman Kevin Mitchell. “Airline networks are an integral part of the transport grid that supports the U.S. economy, and without immediate action to bring down fuel costs, we face the economic equivalent of a major blackout later this year or early next. Unlike in a blackout, however, the cabin lights may never come back on for many U.S. airlines.”
“The runaway price of oil is seriously hurting working families at every level, and as the airline fuel crisis intensifies, the risk of major job losses in all travel and tourism sectors and in other airline-dependent industries increases as well,” stated Jean McDonnell Covelli, BTC member and President of The travel Team, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Rich Products Corporation. “As a matter of highest priority, elected officials must focus on devising an energy policy that will keep Americans productively traveling and working.”
According to the paper, “Airlines move people, but also high-value, time-sensitive or perishable cargo. Failure of one large airline would disrupt the travel of 200,000 to 300,000 passengers per day and thousands of tons of goods. The almost-full planes of remaining airlines would not be able to absorb much of these volumes. Failure of multiple airlines would paralyze the country and our American way of life, leaving us less productive, more isolated, less happy and more vulnerable.”
The paper points to nine specific impacts of a collapse of the industry:
– Direct Employment. Between 30,000 and 75,000 would lose work immediately with just one airline failure, with payroll losses of $2.3 billion to $6.7 billion.
– Indirect Community Impact. Losses would ripple throughout communities given that each airline job creates large numbers of indirect local jobs, and other economic activity.
– Reduced Purchases from Suppliers. Airline purchases would cease at any failed carrier impacting companies that rely on airlines to keep their businesses afloat as well as public entities such as airports.
– Impact on Tourism. The world’s largest industry would be devastated in the U.S., with locally severe effects in places like South Florida, Hawaii, Las Vegas or Colorado, depending on which airline(s) fail.
– Effects on Logistics and Supply-Chain Management. Restaurants, pharmaceutical companies, manufacturers relying on just-in-time parts, florists, grocers and the fashion industry would be among those injured.
– Decline in Business Activity. Business travel — really the flow of human capital, which precedes or facilitates other flows — would be severely disrupted, with acute disruption in airline hubs and major cities.
– Declining Tax Revenues. Loss of income taxes paid by employees, coupled with the loss of excise, use and other airline-paid taxes would be bad news for governments already struggling with declining revenues.
– Increasing Government Outlays. Impacted individuals would immediately place demands on governments in the form of unemployment compensation, retraining and the demand for other resources.
– Weakened US Competitiveness. America competes with other countries for tourists, and with reduced air lift to the U.S., travelers would be less likely to visit the U.S. and more likely to use non-U.S. carriers.
The full BTC study can be downloaded at

About BTC

Founded in 1994, the mission of Business travel Coalition is to bring transparency to industry and government policies and practices so that customers can influence issues of strategic importance to them.
Business travel Coalition

PHOENIX, June 20 /PRNewswire/ — Best Western International and the Disney Channel Original Movie, “Camp Rock,” featuring Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato, are banding together with a rockin’ summer promotion that celebrates everything associated with summer — day camps, cool music, memorable vacations and school being out.
(Logo: )
From June 20 through August 17, members of the free Best Western Rewards(SM) program who stay any six nights at a Best Western hotel will receive a collectible $50 (U.S.) Best Western “Camp Rock” travel Card (Canadian members will receive a $50 CDN Best Western “Camp Rock” travel Card). AAA/CAA Preferred members will receive the limited-edition travel card after staying any five nights. The “Camp Rock” travel Card can be used to pay for accommodations and related incidentals, such as room service, at nearly 4,000 Best Western hotels globally.
Additionally, Best Western and Disney Channel’s “Camp Rock” are offering one lucky fan the chance to win a four-day trip for four to anywhere in the U.S., a guitar autographed by Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato and an amp. Entries can be submitted at from June 16, 2008 - June 29, 2008.
“As families vacation together this summer, Best Western wants them to enjoy their time together — and save money while doing so,” said Dorothy Dowling, Best Western’s senior vice president of marketing and sales. “We are continuously looking for innovative and fun ways to thank our loyal guests,” Dowling continued, “and we’re confident that travelers will be excited by this creative opportunity to save.”
To be eligible for the summer promotion, guests must reside in the United States, Canada or the Caribbean Islands and be a member of Best Western Rewards(SM), Speed Rewards(SM), Ride Rewards(TM) or AAA/CAA Preferred programs. Individuals who are not already members may join the program of their choice prior to their first stay. Membership is free. For more information on the promotion, visit or call 1-800-WESTERN and mention offer code SUMMER08.
Best Western Rewards(SM) program — along with its AAA/CAA Preferred, Speed Rewards(SM) and Ride Rewards(TM) elite levels — represents one of the industry’s few truly international travel clubs. Members across the globe can earn points toward an extensive offering of product and service awards — including Global Free Room Nights with no blackout dates; dining, shopping and entertainment gift certificates; as well as airline miles — at Best Western hotels throughout North, Central and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa.
ABOUT BEST WESTERN INTERNATIONAL
Best Western International is THE WORLD’S LARGEST HOTEL CHAIN(R), providing marketing, reservations and operational support to over 4,000* independently owned and operated member hotels in 80* countries and territories worldwide. An industry pioneer since 1946, Best Western has grown into an iconic brand that hosts 400,000* worldwide guests each night. Best Western’s diverse property portfolio, its greatest strength, stems from a business model designed to give owners maximum flexibility to address market-specific needs. Equally committed to the business and leisure traveler, Best Western recently embarked on a five-year mission to lead the hotel industry in customer care. Since 2004, Best Western has served as the Official Hotel of NASCAR(R). For more information or to make a reservation, please visit .
*Numbers are approximate and can fluctuate.

ABOUT DISNEY CHANNEL’S “CAMP ROCK”
Starring Platinum-certified recording artists Jonas Brothers (Joe, Kevin and Nick) and singer/songwriter/actress Demi Lovato, “Camp Rock” is a song and dance-filled Disney Channel Original Movie for kids and families. It will premiere on Disney Channel, the ABC Television Network (as part of the Wonderful World of Disney franchise), ABC Family, Radio Disney and Disney.com in Disney XD beginning FRIDAY, JUNE 20 through Monday, June 23. “Camp Rock” is the story of a talented yet unsure teen who yearns to share her songs with the world, and a tempestuous young superstar who’s lost his passion for music and is sent packing by his band mates. Together, at a camp for aspiring young music artists, they learn to believe in themselves and to value the freedom to be who they really want to be. It also stars Alyson Stoner (”Cheaper by the Dozen”), Meaghan Jette Martin, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (of Disney Channel’s “Hannah Montana”); Jasmine Richards (”Naturally Sadie”), Maria Canals-Barrera (of Disney Channel’s “Wizard of Waverly Place”), Daniel Fathers, Roshon Fegan, Jordan Francis and screenwriter/actress Julie Brown.
Media Contacts
Heather Wright
Best Western International
(602) 957-5752

Jennifer Nichols
Allison & Partners (Best Western International)
(415) 277-4912

Patti McTeague
Disney
(818) 955-6743

Best Western International