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Gas Prices Not Likely To Affect Travel Plans of Most American Travelers |
| 5/13/2008 11:47:48 AM |
| Travel Industry Association - Washington, DC - 5/13/08 -- Six of ten (59%) Americans who are currently planning a trip with their car, truck or SUV this summer will not change their travel plans even with additional increases in the price of gas, according to the closely watched travelhorizons™ survey co-authored by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) and Ypartnership.
One of six (16%) of those expecting a tax rebate as part of the economic stimulus package approved by Congress is planning to spend their rebate on an overnight or day trip for leisure purposes, according to the same nationally representative survey of 2,233 adults conducted during the month of April.
“The data confirm, once again, that vacations are a non-negotiable part of contemporary life, even in challenging economic times,” said Peter Yesawich, Ypartnership’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. |
More - Travel Industry Association
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Dimond Center Hotel earns Expedia honor |
| 5/13/2008 8:48:58 AM |
| Anchorage Daily News - 5/13/08 -- Dimond Center Hotel was recently named to Expedia Insiders' Select List, an annual honor that recognizes the nation's best hotels as judged by the experiences of customers. Based on more than 300,000 reviews written by Expedia travelers, the hotel was identified as "consistently delivering excellent service, a great overall experience and notable value." This is the second consecutive year the hotel has been so honored.
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Anchorage Daily News
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Ambassadors International to let go Majestic America Line |
| 5/13/2008 8:43:59 AM |
| Travel Weekly's Cruise E-Letter - 5/13/08 -- Despite narrowing its first-quarter net loss to $12.1 million from $14.3 million year-over-year, Ambassadors International said it was time to let go of its U.S. coastal and river cruising business, Majestic America Line. Joe Ueberroth, chairman and CEO of Ambassadors, said during the company's first-quarter conference call, "do we invest all our capital and resources on the promise of Majestic America Line, or do we invest in our businesses that are currently succeeding and appear to have more long-term growth potential?" Ueberroth said that Ambassadors was not taking Majestic bookings for the 2009 season and was hoping to sell the line soon, citing "significant interest from numerous parties in some and/or all the assets of Majestic America Line." |
Travel Weekly's Cruise E-Letter
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Disabled cruise ship limps into Auke Bay |
| 5/12/2008 8:45:35 AM |
| Anchorage Daily News - May 12th, 2008 - Juneau -- A cruise ship with 89 passengers lost power to both generators Saturday night but arrived safely at Juneau's Auke Bay on Sunday afternoon, escorted by a Coast Guard cutter.
The Spirit of Columbia was two miles from Warm Springs Bay and 80 miles south of Juneau when both generators and one of two main propulsion engines stopped working at 8 p.m. Saturday, the Coast Guard reported.
The ship made it to Juneau on its own power, accompanied by the Coast Guard cutter Liberty. |
More - Anchorage Daily News
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Tougher security checks to enter US |
| 5/8/2008 9:06:41 AM |
| By Jon Clements And Chris Hughes 5/05/2008 --
Tourists visiting the US face even tougher security checks - now airport officials can search through mobile phones and laptops.
Guards can download any details contained in the items and keep them indefinitely, following a new court ruling.
The latest legislation could mean lengthier queues as security copy photos, emails and phone records. Visitors already face hour-long waits while armed officers take fingerprints and photos.
Travel agents' group Abta stormed: "It's another ratcheting up of Fortress America. It's certainly not a good thing for passengers - it is rather Big Brother." |
More - Mirror.co.uk (via Tiny URL)
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25th Annual National Tourism Week | May 10-18, 2008 |
| 5/7/2008 11:16:30 AM |
| Travel Industry Association -- "Discover Great American Traditions"
Join hundreds of cities, states and businesses nationwide in the annual salute to travel and tourism in America, presented by TIA.
National Tourism Week is a collective effort to promote the power of travel through customized events in communities nationwide. The goal is to enhance the country's economy, security and perception, and recognize the cultural and social benefits created by travel and tourism.
Future National Tourism Week Dates:
May 9-17, 2009 (26th Annual)
May 8-16, 2010 (27th Annual)
If you have questions about National Tourism Week, please contact Greg Staley, TIA Manager, Communications, at 202-408-2128. |
More - Travel Industry Association
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DHS Announces New Aviation Security and Traveler Screening Enhancements |
| 5/7/2008 11:12:52 AM |
| April 28, 2008 (Baltimore, Md.) – The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today improvements aimed at strengthening aviation security while decreasing the hassle factor for travelers. Among the key improvements, DHS is providing airlines more flexibility to allow passengers to check in remotely who have been unable to do so because they have a name similar to someone on a watch list.
The department also unveiled the Checkpoint Evolution prototype, which begins full operation at Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI) today.
Each airline will now be able to create a system to verify and securely store a passenger’s date of birth to clear up watch list misidentifications. By voluntarily providing this limited biographical data to an airline and verifying that information once at the ticket counter, travelers that were previously inconvenienced on every trip will now be able to check-in online or at remote kiosks. |
More - Dept. of Homeland Security
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Storm clouds ahead for changing travel patterns |
| 5/7/2008 11:07:54 AM |
| TravelMole -- Report by David Wilkening -- Where are US summer travelers going and how are they getting there?
With less money to spend, almost two thirds are planning to stay in the US, while almost half plan vacation time to visit family and friends, according to a joint survey by AOL Travel and Zogby International.
The survey said more than half of Americans have some sort of cost-savings plan. |
More - TravelMole
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Charter fishermen in Southeast face worrisome season |
| 5/7/2008 11:02:39 AM |
| The Associated Press -- JUNEAU -- Charter fishermen in Juneau are putting their boats in the water for the summer season but they say there's a lot to worry about this year.
They point to the high price of diesel fuel and the downturn in the economy, plus higher airfares. All those factors could mean fewer clients with less money to spend.
Charter fishermen also are keeping a close eye on new or proposed regulations on king salmon and halibut that may further limit the available catch.
The charter fleet did receive some good news. Last week, the state Board of Fisheries revised regulations it made earlier this year on king salmon sport fishing. Charter captains are back to six lines per boat instead of four.
That "saved everybody's bacon," according to Rick Bierman, Whales' Eye Lodge operator on Shelter Island and a spokesman for Juneau charter captains.
"The fuel prices are so high that by taking two people off the boats it was really hurting us," Bierman said. |
More - Anchorage Daily News
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State gets on board early with ferry schedules |
| 5/7/2008 10:33:39 AM |
| The Associated Press -- JUNEAU -- The Alaska Marine Highway System has released draft schedules for next fall, winter and spring.
That's ahead of past practice and in contrast to the tardy release of the summer schedule earlier this year.
The new winter schedule calls for 407.7 weeks of service, up from 391 weeks the year before, when service fell short of the 405 ship-weeks proposed. |
More - Anchorage Daily News
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