Media Travel

A stag weekend in Barcelona

admin — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 04:48:36 +0000

Barcelona,the second city from Spain,after Madrid is a very beautiful city.Guell Palace and Saint Family Church are two from these main attractions, builded by the same architect,Antoni Gaudi.
Saint Familly Church,a huge build,isn’t ready yet and the people have been working from this since 1882.People hope process of construction will be ready in 2020.Also,Guell Palace has an interesting iron portal and a complicated model.Definettly is worthing if you are near by to stop and organise one Stag Weekends in Barcelona that you will not forget.
Milla House was build by the same architect:Antoni Gaudi.Rather,spanish people named it La Pedrera.
Other attraction is Les Rambles,a lot of boulevard where everthing is possible.For example there exist restaurant’s, coffe house, florists, etc or you can go marketing on La Boqueria, Placa Reial. Arts visit is the Joan Miro museum with pictures and sculptures of this artist.There exist also pictures of Pablo Picasso,an very important painter.It deserve to be visited.It can be seen whole city from two hills.The one is Montjuic hill,and the other,Tibidabo, is close by seaport. If you are the more like the party type you can visit Stag Parties in order to benefit from others experiences.
An very health activity is the Barcelona Bike Tour.A group of people need to take a tour of Barcelona city with bike in 3 hours.This course will bring you to these faimous places mentioned above.We could say sport is the best activity for someone who need relax and healthy.
Another activity day represent water sports on a banana boat.So interesting but at the same time funny and helpful.
At night,in such a beautiful town,you can find a lot of locals where you will have dinner and unlimited drinks.So,most people do this:they classify some couple or groups and organize after a competition with food and drinks and the best group wins.
If all these activities aren’t enough,try then an formula 1 driving or parachute jumping,surely you will find a new dynamic way to have fun in Barcelona.Majority of people know Barcelona city from his representative soccer player:Ronaldinho. A perfect online resource can be found here Stag Nights in Barcelona.
For an excellent holiday,we suggest to stay somewhere through Les Rambles,where isn’t too noisy.

Goway Travel & GE Money Set Sail With Finance Program

admin — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 13:15:20 +0000

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 26 /PRNewswire/ — Goway Travel, a leading travel agency specializing in expeditions to Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Asia and Africa and GE Money, today announced a multi-year agreement to offer the GE Money travel finance program on Goway packaged tours, vacations and other travel-related expenses.
The private-label credit card program, managed by GE Money’s Sales Finance unit, provides a menu of offers and promotions, including deferred interest for six months with monthly minimum payments as well as extended payment financing on one-time trips or ongoing travel.
“The GE Money travel card is a great option for people to make travel plans, track expenses and manage payments,” said Peter Lacy, vice president of finance for Goway Travel. “Our travelers look for trips and holidays that provide once-in-a-lifetime experiences, and now we offer a financing program that fits their needs and budgets.
“For more than 38 years, Goway travel has offered a wide range of travel experiences, including independent and fully escorted tours, adventure travel, air/land packages and romance and luxury themed excursions. The GE Money travel Finance Program can be used on any of Goway’s itineraries and departures.”
“GE is excited to build a strategic relationship with Goway travel to provide this flexible service offering,” said Dave Luster, vice president and leader, travel for GE Money — Sales Finance. “Now travelers and adventurers have a financing option that helps to make the most of their travel dollars.”
About Goway Travel
Since 1970, Goway has been providing unforgettable travel experiences to Asia, Africa, and Australia. Today, they offer a wide choice of travel ideas to more than 40 countries.
About GE Money
With more than $200 billion in assets, GE Money (), a unit of General Electric Company, is a leading provider of retail banking and credit services to consumers and retailers in more than 50 countries around the world. With more than 130 million global customers, GE Money, based in London, UK, offers a range of financial products, including private label credit cards, personal loans, bank cards, mortgages, debt consolidation and home equity loans and credit insurance. GE Money’s Sales Finance unit, based in Kettering, Ohio, provides private label credit card programs and financial services for consumers through dealers; national, regional and independent retailers; associations; contractors; manufacturers; healthcare practices; and service providers in more than 20 industries including: automotive, consumer electronics and appliances, elective health care, floor covering, home design and improvement, home furnishings, jewelry, music, powersports, outdoor power equipment, sporting goods and travel.GE
is a diversified global infrastructure, finance and media company that is built to meet essential world needs. From energy, water, transportation and health to access to money and information, GE serves customers in more than 100 countries and employs more than 300,000 people worldwide. GE is Imagination at Work.
Goway Travel

Marriott Rewards(R) Members Share ‘Insider’ Travel Tips in New Digital Lobby

admin — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 13:14:57 +0000

BETHESDA, Md., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ — No one knows the ins and outs of travel better than the globe trotting frequent travelers who belong to Marriott Rewards. Now those members can exchange candid travel advice through a new online travel community - Marriott Rewards Insiders - and share their personal tips on everything from the best beach resorts to where to find the best sushi, to favorite wireless hot-spots for business travelers.
Marriott Rewards Insiders is a lightly moderated online community, and is built specifically for members to share their travel stories, ask questions from other members and give advice and recommendations. Powered by leading social media marketing agency LiveWorld, the site is open to the program’s 3.5 million Elite members and will open to all members later in the year.
“Our members told us they wanted a place where they could talk to each other without interference from sponsors trying to sell them something,” said Ed French, senior vice president, Marriott Rewards. “We designed an innovative digital lobby to give them a place to share their stories and get authentic, honest information from other frequent travelers just like them.”
How does it work? Members can either use the site to just read information or set up their profile and post questions, comments or responses. They can also sign-up for alerts, which are sent when a post is created in a forum the member wants to follow. They can be emailed or posted in the member’s profile. Marriott Rewards Insiders offers “expressive profiles” that allow members to personalize their online identification by uploading pictures or avatars, providing travel preferences and personal interests and identifying their home town.
Marriott Rewards points can be earned at over 2,800 Marriott International hotels around the world, including Marriott Hotels & Resorts, JW Marriott Hotels & Resorts, Renaissance Hotels & Resorts, Courtyard by Marriott, Residence Inn by Marriott, Fairfield Inn by Marriott, TownePlace Suites by Marriott, SpringHill Suites by Marriott, Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club and Grand Residences by Marriott Vacation Club.
Members may redeem points for hotel stays, frequent flyer miles, cruises, car rentals, brand-name merchandise and more. Marriott Rewards has been named “Best Hotel Rewards Program” by the readers of Business Traveler, Global Traveler, travel Savvy, Executive travel and BusinessWeek magazines.
To make a reservation, members can call 1-800-228-9290 or visit Marriott.com. For information about Marriott Rewards, guests can call 1-800-450-4442 or log onto MarriottRewards.com.
About LiveWorld
LiveWorld is the go-to social media marketing agency for everything Fortune 1000 companies need to leverage the power of social network to build their brands and their business. LiveWorld thinks differently about how companies can use social networks for customer dialogue and relationships and is the only company that offers the combination of a full technology platform, community management and marketing strategy, all in one place. This combination - unique in the industry - is the reason why more blue chip companies turn to LiveWorld than any other firm for their ongoing, integrated social media marketing strategy and implementation. With 24 years of experience, an extensive applications hosting platform, and a track record of delivering over 1 million hours of moderation services, LiveWorld offers its clients a team of experienced community managers and moderators who oversee activity and user content online. LiveWorld deploys its services in more than 70 country-language combinations, and is the trusted partner of leading brands worldwide, including: A&E, The Campbell Soup Company, eBay, HBO, HSBC, Kraft Foods, LeapFrog, Marriott, Neutrogena, MINI Cooper USA, TJX, QVC and many others. LiveWorld is headquartered in San Jose, California with additional offices in New York City and London. For further information visit
MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL, Inc. is a leading lodging company with more than 3,000 lodging properties in the United States and 66 other countries and territories. Marriott International operates and franchises hotels under the Marriott, JW Marriott, The Ritz-Carlton, Renaissance, Residence Inn, Courtyard, TownePlace Suites, Fairfield Inn, SpringHill Suites and Bulgari brand names; develops and operates vacation ownership resorts under the Marriott Vacation Club, Horizons by Marriott Vacation Club, The Ritz-Carlton Club and Grand Residences by Marriott brands; operates Marriott Executive Apartments; provides furnished corporate housing through its Marriott ExecuStay division; and operates conference centers. The company is headquartered in Bethesda, Md., and had approximately 151,000 employees at 2007 year-end. It is ranked as the lodging industry’s most admired company and one of the best companies to work for by FORTUNE(R), and has been recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with the 2007 Sustained Excellence Award and Partner of the Year since 2004. In fiscal year 2007, Marriott International reported sales from continuing operations of $13 billion. For more information or reservations, please visit our web site at .
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Marriott International, Inc.

AAA Forecasts Small Decrease in Labor Day Holiday Travel

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:15:43 +0000

WASHINGTON, Aug. 22 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — AAA projects a slight decrease in the number of Americans traveling during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Nearly 34.38 million Americans will travel 50 miles or more from home this Labor Day holiday weekend, down 0.9 percent, or almost 320,000 Americans, from the 34.7 million who traveled last year. This year marks the first decline in Labor Day holiday travel since 2006.
“More travelers concerned about the economy, gasoline prices and rising airfares are opting to travel by train, bus, motorcycle and cruise ship to their holiday weekend destinations,” said AAA President and CEO Robert L. Darbelnet. “This trend points to a desire on the part of the American public to seek alternatives to flying and driving to enjoy the traditional end of summer vacation.”
Approximately 28.64 million Americans (more than 83% of all holiday travelers) expect to travel by automobile, a 1.1 percent decrease from the 28.97 million people who drove to their holiday destinations last year.
The national average for self-serve regular gasoline is $3.69 per gallon. Americans traveling by automobile will encounter gasoline prices about 40 cents less than the Fourth of July travel holiday, but still 91 cents more than this time last year.
Almost 3.96 million Americans (11.5 percent of holiday travelers) intend to travel by airplane, a 4.5 percent decrease from the 4.14 million people who flew last year.
A projected 1.8 million Americans (5 percent of holiday travelers) plan to travel by train, bus or other mode of transportation. That represents an increase of 12.5 percent (or 200,000 travelers) more than the 1.6 million who traveled by a mode other than automobile or airplane last year.
AAA’s Leisure travel Index (LTI), which is based on available rates this holiday, reveals that Labor Day holiday travelers can expect increases in other travel costs when compared to last year. Those traveling by airplane will find air fares over the holiday weekend 15 percent higher last year. AAA advises travelers that many airlines now charge fees for checked baggage and other services that were previously complimentary, so travelers should check with the airline or their travel counselor about any additional fees for their trip. Hotel rates for AAA Three Diamond hotels are unchanged from last year’s Labor Day holiday travel period.
AAA’s LTI shows an average increase in car rental prices of two percent. However, car rental rates vary from location to location, with some cities in AAA’s index showing significant increases, while others show significant decreases compared to a year ago. AAA’s index for car rentals is based on the average lowest intermediate size car daily rate in 20 U.S. airport locations. The rates do not include sales tax, insurance or other miscellaneous charges.
The greatest number of Labor Day holiday weekend automobile travelers will originate in the West with 7.2 million, followed by the Southeast with 6.6 million; Midwest, 5.5 million; Northeast, 4.8 million; and Great Lakes, 4.5 million.
The West is expected to produce the largest number of air travelers with 1.5 million, followed by the Southeast with 1.3 million; Northeast, 500,000; Great Lakes, 400,000; and Midwest, 300,000.
The AAA Fuel Gauge Report Web site () lists average daily prices for the nation, all 50 states and more than 250 localities for all grades of gasoline.
Research for Labor Day weekend holiday travel projections are derived from the travel Industry Association’s (TIA) Holiday travel Forecast Model. The model was developed based on consumer travel intentions and TIA’s quarterly travel forecast data. The travel intentions data are collected through an online survey of over 2,000 adults nationwide, supplemented by an additional 6,500 Americans surveyed from the top 10 states of travel origin in the United States. Historical travel volume and other economic data such as GDP, disposable income, employment and travel costs (including fuel prices) are also incorporated into the model. Analysis of the data and the forecasts are produced by the travel Industry Association, which conducts special research for AAA.
As North America’s largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at .
AAA news releases can be downloaded from .

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Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click
appropriate link.
Mike Pina

Troy Green

AAA

FLO Corp. and Washington Redskins Begin Enrolling Fans Thursday, Aug. 21 for Fast Lane Access to FedExField

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:15:42 +0000

CHANTILLY, Va., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — FLO Corp. (BULLETIN BOARD: FLRP) , which markets the FLO Registered Traveler (RT) card that gives members fast access through security at leading airports and FedExField, said it will begin enrolling Washington Redskins fans tomorrow at the Redskins Official Store at Tysons Corner Center in McLean, VA.
FLO Redskins cards, which cost $100 per year, will give fans preferred access to Redskins games through dedicated FedExField gates starting this season as well as speedy access through special security lanes at Reagan National, Dulles and 17 other major U.S. airports. Cardholders are entitled to additional travel benefits as well as a 10% discount for Redskins merchandise.
Enrollment at the Redskins store will run for three days through Saturday, August 23.
Fans can enroll at the Redskins official store on Thursday, August 21st (11am - 7pm); Friday, August 22nd (11am - 7pm); Saturday, August 23rd (11am - 7pm). The Redskins official store is located at Tysons Corner Center 1 (right next door to Nordstrom), 1961 Chain Bridge Road, McLean, VA.
To qualify for special RT security access at airports, fans must bring with them two forms of government-issued identification. Examples of suitable pairings of identification documents include a passport and a driver’s license, or a driver’s license and a birth certificate. More information about required identification is available
FLO cards, including the new Redskins branded card, are interoperable with all RT verification stations that the U.S. Transportation Security Administration has approved at 19 U.S. airports. In addition, FLO offers a robust assortment of benefits that add value, choice and convenience far beyond the airport security lane. These benefits can be selected from more than 75 options. They include such offerings as a personal concierge, worldwide airline lounge access, discounts on top brand gift cards, worldwide travel assistance, travel insurance and mortgage concierge services. Details about FLO’s benefit programs can be found at
In addition, Redskins-branded FLO cardholders receive a 10% discount on all purchases at Washington Redskins Official Team Stores. It is possible to pre-register today at and have the chance to win Redskins tickets, autographed merchandise and access to exclusive “FLO- only” Redskins events. A portion of every card sold will benefit the Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation.
FLO Executive Vice President Luke Thomas said, “We are excited to launch enrollment services for the FLO Redskins card at the Redskins store at Tysons Corner Center, a convenient site for many Redskins fans.”
About FLO Corp.
FLO Corp. offers a new lifestyle solution, a card that provides faster and simpler processing at airport security checkpoints through the Registered Traveler program administered by the U.S. Transportation Security Administration and other venues, such as the Washington Redskins football stadium, FedExField. The FLO card offers qualified individuals expedited security screening in designated lanes at major airports. In addition, cardholders receive benefits such as discounts on merchandise and services as well as promotional offers. For more information about the FLO program visit .
About The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation
The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundation, the nonprofit philanthropic arm of the team combines the influence and popularity of the Washington Redskins with the resources and assets of Washington area corporations. Founded by Redskins owner, Daniel M. Snyder, the Charitable Foundation is guided by its Leadership Council that consists of CEOs who help shape and define the philanthropic efforts of the Redskins to achieve a measurable impact on youth development in the areas of education, community outreach, and health and wellness. Visit and click on Community for more information.
NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This release contains information about our management’s view of our future expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from historical results or those indicated by these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors. For example, our business will depend on our ability to establish and maintain strategic relationships with travel services, technology, and other companies. If we are unable to establish and maintain such relationships or if current relationships were to weaken, our actual results may differ materially from those indicated by the statements made in this release and our business could suffer. In addition, we expect to incur substantial transaction and restructuring charges as we integrate the rtGO(sm) solution with our solution, and there may be additional unanticipated costs. The integration of any acquisition involves numerous risks, including, among others, difficulties in assimilating operations and products, diversion of management’s time and attention from other business concerns, potential exposure to unknown or contingent liabilities and possible loss of significant customers or impairment of relationships. We may not achieve the expected benefits of the transaction in the near term, or at all. Our failure to successfully, timely integrate the Unisys rtGO(sm) solution with our business could harm our business and future prospects. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those indicated by the statements in this release include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties associated with our financial condition and our efforts to meet the TSA’s requirements to offer Registered Traveler services to sponsoring entities as well as those included in our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 15, 2008, and other documents we periodically file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
NOTE REGARDING TRADEMARKS
“FLO” is a trademark of FLO Corporation. The names of actual companies mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
CONTACT FLO:
Richard Stern, 212-888-0044;
or
Kevin Mitchell, 610-341-1850;

CONTACT REDSKINS:
Karl Swanson, 703-726-7135;
FLO Corporation

Americans Pumped Up About Fall Travel

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:15:40 +0000

NEWTON, Mass., Aug. 20 /PRNewswire/ — TripAdvisor(R), the world’s largest travel community, today announced the results of its annual fall travel survey of more than 1,900 travelers worldwide. Eighty-two percent of U.S. respondents plan to travel for leisure this autumn, up from 70 percent who said they took pleasure trips last fall. Twenty-six percent of U.S. respondents said they will travel more this autumn than last, while 49 percent intend to travel the same amount as one year ago. Fifty-eight percent of travelers said they plan to fly this autumn for their leisure travel, while 48 percent plan to drive.
Autumn Incentives
Twenty-nine percent of U.S. respondents, and 25 percent of respondents worldwide, plan to take more car trips this fall than they would have if gas was still at its summer high prices. The top reason for Americans to travel this autumn is that the timing is most convenient, according to 22 percent, while 17 percent pointed to fewer tourists and crowds. Twenty-four percent of U.S. respondents said they expect to take a “staycation” this fall.
Twenty-seven percent of all survey respondents surveyed said economic concerns would be the greatest deterrent for traveling during the fall, however, 39 percent said nothing would deter them from taking an autumn trip.
Laborious Travel
Thirty-one percent of respondents from the U.S. said they will travel for Labor Day weekend, nearly equal to 30 percent who said they traveled last Labor Day weekend. Sixty-seven percent of U.S. respondents plan to drive for Labor Day weekend, while 26 percent intend to fly.
New England Dreamin’, but Goin’ South
While New England is the favorite fall destination according to 24 percent of worldwide travelers, more travelers plan to visit the southern U.S. (14 percent) than New England (10 percent) this autumn.
Travelers Leafing and Grape-ful
Twenty-one percent of U.S. travelers plan to take a trip to view the colorful foliage this fall, while 17 percent of worldwide respondents intend to do the same. Twenty-six percent of U.S. respondents, and 22 percent of worldwide travelers, said they will visit a winery in autumn. Fifty-eight percent of U.S. respondents plan to go to a festival this fall and 14 percent intend to visit an arts and crafts festival, and 12 percent a beer festival/Oktoberfest.
Still Keen on the Beach Scene
Despite cooler temperatures, 33 percent of worldwide travelers said they’ll visit a beach this autumn. Thirty-five percent of those surveyed plan to travel to a city destination, and 25 percent will travel to a historical site. Twenty-nine percent of travelers intend to take a romantic getaway this fall, 23 percent a weekend break, and 21 percent a family adventure.
“Fall is shaping up to be a strong season for TripAdvisor travelers and even a modest drop at the gas pump, fuels their enthusiasm,” said Michele Perry, vice president of global communications for TripAdvisor.
About TripAdvisor Media Network
TripAdvisor(R) Media Network, operated by TripAdvisor, LLC, attracts nearly 32 million monthly visitors* across 12 popular travel brands, TripAdvisor(R), , , , , , , , , , and . TripAdvisor-branded sites make up the largest travel community in the world, with 24 million monthly visitors*, six million registered members and 15 million reviews and opinions. Featuring real advice from real travelers, TripAdvisor-branded sites cover 300,000 hotels and attractions and operate in the U.S. (), the U.K. (), Ireland (), France (), Germany (), Italy (), and Spain (). TripAdvisor(R) Media Network provides travel suppliers with graphical advertising opportunities and a cost-per-click marketing platform. Collectively, the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network have won hundreds of awards and accolades from press and industry worldwide. TripAdvisor and the sites comprising the TripAdvisor Media Network are operating companies of Expedia, Inc. .
TripAdvisor is a registered trademark of TripAdvisor LLC in the U.S. and/or other countries.
(C) 2008 TripAdvisor LLC. All rights reserved.
*Source: comScore Media Metrix, May 2008
TripAdvisor

LodgeNet Appoints Marty Abbott, Former CTO of eBay, to Board of Directors

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:15:38 +0000

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — LodgeNet Interactive Corporation today announced the addition of Marty Abbott to its Board of Directors.
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Mr. Abbott brings a distinguished track record of working with some of the world’s leading technology organizations. He was senior vice president of technology and CTO for eBay and its subsidiary companies during eBay’s formative high growth years of 1999 though 2005. After his tenure at eBay, Mr. Abbott served as chief operating officer of Quigo Technologies, a developer of online marketing technologies which was purchased by AOL in 2007, and he is currently a partner at AKF Consulting, an advisory group to technology companies. He has also held operational and engineering positions at Motorola and Gateway.
“Marty Abbott is an accomplished technologist with broad expertise in the world of business,” said Scott C. Petersen, Chairman, President & CEO of LodgeNet. “We are extremely pleased to welcome Marty to our Board. He will be a great resource for our company as we look to build upon our technological leadership position in media and connectivity solutions.”
Mr. Abbott also serves on the board of OnForce, the world’s largest marketplace for IT and consumer electronics service professionals. He has an M.S. in Computer Engineering from the University of Florida, a B.S. in Computer Science from the United States Military Academy at West Point and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Program (Program for Management Development).
About LodgeNet
LodgeNet Interactive Corporation is the leading provider of media and connectivity solutions designed to meet the unique needs of hospitality, healthcare and other guest-based businesses. LodgeNet Interactive serves more than 1.9 million hotel rooms representing 9,900 hotel properties worldwide in addition to healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The company’s services include: Interactive Television Solutions, Broadband Internet Solutions, Content Solutions, Professional Solutions and Advertising Media Solutions. LodgeNet Interactive Corporation owns and operates businesses under the industry leading brands: LodgeNet, LodgeNetRX, and The hotel Networks. LodgeNet Interactive is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET. For more information, please visit .
LodgeNet is a registered trademark of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation.

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation

Biggest Meeting Industry Trend Is Increasing Use of Technology

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:15:37 +0000

MCLEAN, Va., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International’s (HSMAI) Affordable Meetings(R) National and Event Technology Expo(TM) pre-show survey revealed that planners are noticing an increase in the amount of technology used for meetings, big and small.
Respondents to the survey are planning to attend the Affordable Meetings(R) National Conference & Exposition and Event Technology Expo(TM), Sept. 10-11, 2008, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C.
The majority of meeting and event planners (57.5 percent) said they are incorporating technology into their meetings with the use of online registration, followed by video conferencing (20.4 percent), social networks (17.7 percent) and blogs (14.2 percent). Others mentioned the increasing use of electronic surveys, cyber cafes, and podcasts.
Planners also said that more education about technology and the options available would make their jobs easier. As one respondent said, “My job would be easier if I had a better understanding of meeting technology and how I can incorporate social networking into live events.”
“To help planners find the resources they need in the technology space, we are launching the first annual Event Technology Expo in conjunction with Affordable Meetings,” said Robert A. Gilbert, CHME, CHA, president and CEO of HSMAI. “Both will provide an opportunity for planners to connect with vendors and update their knowledge in both planning and technology-areas through 42 educational seminars and workshops.”
Planners said that meeting technology resources (44.2 percent) is one of the top five vendors they will be seeking at Affordable Meetings National, an increase of nearly 10 percent compared to the Affordable Meetings(R) Mid-America pre-show survey in April. Others are in need of hotel and resort locations (84.1 percent), venues (57.5 percent), promotional items (54.9 percent) and transportation (43.4 percent).
The economy also continues to be a factor in meeting planning. Increasing travel costs, such as hotel rates, air fares and gas prices have cut into budgets for other meeting items such as food and beverage, technology and materials. Many planners cited the rising hotel rates and fees for amenities such as high-speed Internet and fitness centers as major factors in how they’re planning future events. Beyond that, they are also looking for better communication from hotel staffs.
Additionally, planners are moving towards “greener” options for meetings. Planners noted a shift to recycle, reduce waste by reducing the use of water bottles and cans, and decrease on-site meeting materials, relying on electronic information and meetings technology.
More than 2,000 attendees, representing meeting and event planners from a variety of organizations, with a majority representing corporate, association and independent sectors and the balance from government, non-profit, education, religious and medical/health care organizations, trade show management and the military, are expected to visit HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National and Event Technology Expo 2008 show. Attendance at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National and Event Technology Expo is free-of-charge for qualified meeting and event planners.
HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings remains a top conference for meeting planners looking for cost-saving advice as they go about their day-to-day responsibilities.
Exhibitors and hotel sales professionals attending Affordable Meetings National can also find additional educational opportunities by registering for HSMAI’s hotel Sales Strategy Conference on Sept. 9 at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Visit for more information.
Booth space is still available at Affordable Meetings National and can be obtained by contacting Stephanie Leon-Santiago, exhibit sales coordinator, GLM, (914) 421-3213 e-mail: .

Click here to view the exhibitor prospectus or go to
Attendee information for HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings(R) National is available by calling 914-421-3200 Ext. 7777. For additional information and a complete program schedule, visit or go to .
Event Technology Expo(TM) at HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings(R) National is an exposition and conference addressing all aspects of technology as it relates to tradeshows, meetings, and special events. For information regarding exhibiting, contact Rob Weissman, Co-Producer, 212-679-9212, . Call 914.421.3200 Ext 7777, for information on attending Event Technology Expo. Visit for more information.
About HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings(R) National
HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings National will once again offer attendees the opportunity to meet and do business with more than 450 exhibiting companies during a unique exposition that will showcase venues, products and services to help produce various types of meetings and events. Year-after-year, the highly-acclaimed trade exposition is a main attraction for attendees looking to meet and network with knowledgeable suppliers who are determined to help produce valuable meetings and assist with purchasing decisions. Exhibitors represent hotels and resorts, university conference centers, unique meeting sites, convention and visitor bureaus, transportation companies, trade publications, software and audio/visual businesses, and other meeting and convention suppliers. HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings is owned and presented by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International Americas region and managed by GLM, a dmg world media business. Visit or email for more information.
About HSMAI
HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. With a strong focus on education, HSMAI has become the industry champion in identifying and communicating trends in the hospitality industry, and bringing together customers and members at annual events, including HSMAI’s Affordable Meetings(R). Founded in 1927, HSMAI is an individual membership organization comprising more than 7,000 members worldwide, with 40 chapters in the Americas Region. For more information on HSMAI, contact the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International, 1760 Old Meadow Road, Suite 500, McLean, Va. 22102; (703) 506-3280; fax (703) 506-3266, or visit the website at .
Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International

Orbitz.com Becomes First Major Online Travel Company to Offer Dedicated Vacation Rental Inventory

admin — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 18:15:34 +0000

CHICAGO, Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Orbitz.com (), a pioneer in online travel, today announced it is the first major online travel company to offer a dedicated vacation rental site (). Through a partnership with Zonder, a leading vacation rental provider, Orbitz is giving its customers access to the largest portfolio of vacation homes that can be booked instantly online through a major online travel company.
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Created to give customers a user-friendly, one-stop experience for finding the best lodging options, Orbitz’ vacation rental () properties include unique offerings of private homes, condo rentals (), cabin rentals () and villas for a variety of budgets and vacation experiences. With Zonder’s platform, Orbitz travelers view real-time availability and receive immediate booking confirmations.
“Orbitz continues to demonstrate leadership and innovation as the first major online travel company to give our customers dedicated access to this growing segment of the travel industry,” said Steve Barnhart, Chief Executive Officer and President of Orbitz Worldwide. “In today’s challenging economy, travelers can benefit from the price savings and the extra space and amenities that come with alternative lodging options. With the addition of vacation rental inventory, Orbitz customers have another option when planning a vacation () that suits their needs and budget.”
Orbitz vacation rentals give customers the tools to easily find and book vacation rentals online. Travelers can easily browse top destinations or a search for a specific destination and find a vacation rental that meets their needs by refining their search with a number of options, including:
— Price
— Number of travelers
— Distance to destination
— Amenities (hot tub, pool, pet friendly, internet access, etc.)
— Property Type (house, condo, cabin, etc.)
— Location Type (ocean view, beach front, ski-in/ski-out, etc.)
— Household Comforts (BBQ, blender, dishwasher, microwave, etc.)
— Outdoor Recreation (surfing, skiing, fishing etc.)
— Services (in-unit laundry, grocery store, etc.)

Orbitz vacation rentals () offer benefits for travelers looking for options not traditionally available at hotels (), such as full kitchens to save on food costs from dining out, private laundry units, a private pool or hot tub, additional space for groups and families and the privacy of their own home or unit.
Weekly rates for a vacation rental () on Orbitz.com range from $107/night for a 2-person condo in Lake Tahoe, CA to $138/night for a 6-person private home in Orlando, FL. Examples of vacation rentals and pricing available on Orbitz include:
— 3 Bedroom, 3 Bath Ski-in/Ski-Out Vacation Home in Vail, CO, 7 Nights
(mid Sept), from $260 a night
— 2 Bedroom, 2 Bath Beach Vacation Rental in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, 7
Nights (mid Sept), from $102 a night
— 3 Bedroom, 2 Bath Vacation Condo in Orlando, FL 7 Nights (mid Sept),
from $118 a night

Orbitz has partnered with Salt Lake City-based Zonder to bring this portfolio of vacation rentals to its customers. Zonder provides rich, accurate content about each property, a photo slideshow, a detailed description of the property and amenities, and a proprietary search technology that gives customers a faster, easier way to find and book the perfect vacation rental property. Zonder is a trusted intermediary between the property manager and the renter, facilitating all rental payments directly, so travelers no longer have to take the personal risk of sending their payment and personal information directly to an unknown party.
“This deal is a very big milestone for the vacation rental industry which has seen tremendous growth in popularity,” said Bob Barnes, CEO of Zonder. “We are happy Orbitz has selected Zonder as their partner to bring vacation rentals to travelers everywhere.”
To book a vacation rental on Orbitz.com, visit .
About Orbitz
Orbitz () is a leading online travel () company that enables travelers to search for and purchase a broad array of travel products, including airline tickets, hotel rooms, rental cars, cruises () and vacation packages. Since launching its website to the general public in June 2001, Orbitz has become one of the largest online travel sites in the world based on gross travel bookings. On Orbitz, consumers can search more than 80,000 suppliers worldwide including airlines (), hotels (), vacation rentals () and car rental () companies. Orbitz is a brand that is owned and operated by Orbitz Worldwide .
About Zonder
Based in Salt Lake City, Utah, Zonder () was the first vacation home rental distributor to offer accurate, real-time availability and online bookings. In addition to marketing the largest portfolio of vacation homes that can be booked instantly online, Zonder bookings are backed up by the Zonder Guarantee. Only Zonder gives consumers and partners the necessary tools to efficiently search through tens of thousands of vacation home rentals and narrow their results using a variety of filtering criteria. In addition, Zonder offers partners a powerful, flexible technology platform that makes it simple to add vacation rentals to their product offerings. Founded by search industry veterans, it is the technology behind Zonder that enables its powerful search, filtering and real-time booking capabilities.

Orbitz.com

Conde Nast Traveler Announces Winners of the 2008 World Savers Awards

admin — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 13:14:58 +0000

NEW YORK, Aug. 18 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — Conde Nast Traveler today announced the winners of the magazine’s 2008 World Savers Awards, honoring travel companies from around the world for their leadership in social responsibility in five key areas: poverty alleviation, cultural and/or environmental preservation, education, wildlife conservation and health.
“The Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Awards recognize companies that are stepping up to the challenge of improving our world,” said Editor-in-Chief Klara Glowczewska. “This year’s finalists are setting standards in social responsibility in ways that we hope will become models for the entire travel industry.”
The 2008 World Savers Award Winners are:
Campi Ya Kanzi (Kenya), for Poverty Alleviation. The solar-powered safari camp is staffed primarily by local tribesmen.
Cristalino Jungle Lodge (Brazil), for Preservation. This is one of the most biodiverse lodges in the Brazilian Amazon, where owner Vitoria Da Riva Carvalho has almost single-handedly saved more than 25,000 acres of threatened rainforest.
Journeys Within (Cambodia), for Health Initiatives. The tour operator’s non-profit arm has added more than 180 water wells to the landscape around Siem Reap, helping nearly 4,000 Cambodians to escape water-related disease. They also offer scholarships for university students, hold free English classes, and provide micro-loans for small businesses in Cambodia.
Montage Laguna Beach (Laguna Beach, California), for Education. The hotel’s employee-driven outreach effort supports marine and language education as well as local arts programs in the local school district.
Phinda Private Game Reserve (South Africa), for Wildlife Programs. Phinda has implemented an animal restocking program that added more than 2,000 animals to the land. Eighteen years ago, nearly all of the animals on this 57,000 acre reserve had been killed by farmers, ivory hunters, and a misguided government fly-eradication program.
Vail Resorts (Vail, Colorado), for Preservation. The company offsets all of its electricity usage by supporting the development of wind farms.
The 2008 World Savers Awards are featured in the September issue, which hits newsstands on Tuesday, August 19. World Savers Award finalists will be recognized at an award ceremony on September 23rd at the 2nd Annual Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Congress in New York City.
World Savers Awards Methodology: To determine the award finalists and winners, Conde Nast Traveler editors reviewed 142 applications and narrowed them to 38 finalists. An independent panel of 17 judges, comprised of leaders from the travel industry and non-governmental organizations, rated how applicants exercised social responsibility in 5 key areas: poverty alleviation, cultural and/or environmental preservation, education, wildlife conservation and health. There were 7 categories of travel company: airlines, cruiselines, hotel chains, individual city hotels, large resorts, small resorts, and tour operators.
Below is a complete list of winners, runners up, honorable mentions and additional finalists. The list is also available online at cntraveler.com/makeadifference.
The 2008 Conde Nast Traveler World Savers Awards:

POVERTY ALLEVIATION
Winner: Campi Ya Kanzi
Runner Up: Accor

Honorable Mentions: Cathay Pacific, Disney Cruise Line, Journeys Within, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Twelve Apostles Hotel and Spa
PRESERVATION
Co-Winners: Vail Resorts and Cristalino Jungle Lodge

Honorable Mentions: Disney Cruise Line, Evason Phuket & Six Senses Spa, Journeys Within, Montage Laguna Beach, Virgin Atlantic Airways
EDUCATION
Winner: Montage Laguna Beach
Runner Up: Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts

Honorable Mentions: Abercrombie & Kent, Disney Cruise Line, Lufthansa, Nkwichi Lodge, Phinda Private Game Reserve
WILDLIFE
Winner: Phinda Private Game Reserve
Runner Up: Disney Cruise Line

Honorable Mentions: Banyan Tree, Campi Ya Kanzi, Cathay Pacific, Metropolitan Touring, Montage Laguna Beach
HEALTH
Winner: Journeys Within
Runner Up: Air France

Honorable Mentions: Jai Mahal Palace, Holland America, Nukubati Island Great Sea Reef, Phinda Private Game Reserve, Six Senses
ADDITIONAL FINALISTS:
Anantara Resort Golden Triangle, British Airways, Fairmont, Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts, Fregate Island Private, Grand Hyatt Dubai, Micato Safaris, MSC Cruise Line, Nature Air, Norwegian Cruise Line, Puntacana Resort & Club, Regent Seven Seas, Rios Tropicales, Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort & Spa, Thomson Safaris, and Willard InterContinental, Washington DC
2008 World Savers Awards Judges:
Ralf Buckley, Director, Int’l Centre For Ecotourism Research, Griffith University, Australia
Mark Conroy, President, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Louis D’Amore, President, International Institute for Peace Through Tourism
Laurie David, Natural Resources Defense Council Trustee; Environmental Activist; Producer, An Inconvenient Truth
Marcia Gay Harden, Environmentalist; Oscar-Winning Actress
Martha Honey, Director, Center on Ecotourism and Sustainable Development
Mark Hoplamazian, CEO, Global Hyatt Corp.
Neel Inamdar, Senior Adviser, Ecotourism, Conservation International
Sven Lindblad, President and CEO, Lindblad Expeditions
Ron Mader, Director, Planeta.Com
James McCarthy, Professor of Biological Oceanography, Harvard University
Brian Mullis, President, Sustainable travel International
Denis Pinto, Managing Director, Micato Safaris
Sam Raphael, Owner, Jungle Bay, Dominica
Jean-Cyril Spinetta, CEO, Air France
Shannon Stowell, President, Adventure travel Trade Association
Timothy Wirth, President, UN Foundation

About Conde Nast Traveler

Travel publications often accept free travel and accommodations. Conde Nast Traveler does not, and its correspondents, as far as possible, travel anonymously. They experience travel the way consumers do, both the good and the bad, and report on it fairly and honestly. Conde Nast Traveler has a circulation of over 800,000 and is published by Conde Nast Publications, Inc. Conde Nast Traveler’s website is cntraveler.com.
Conde Nast Traveler