DOMESTIC
New national tourism strategy aims to be boom for industry
The Obama administration’s unveiling of the first-ever National Travel and Tourism Strategy has been met with praise from sectors of the travel and tourism industry. The initiative seeks to enhance coordination between the industry and the federal government regarding policies through a new national travel and tourism office. The strategy also aims to launch various steps that would boost international tourism in order to reach a goal of drawing 100 million foreign visitors to the U.S. each year by 2021.
McCarran menu of int’l flights expanding
The world is coming to Las Vegas, with the help of some major international airlines that will be initiating service in the next couple of months.
INTERNATIONAL
Opening of new Berlin airport delayed indefinitely
Lufthansa and Airberlin are scrambling to rearrange their newly expanded flight schedules after Tuesday’s announcement that the opening of the city’s unified airport, Berlin Brandenburg International, has been postponed indefinitely.
AIRLINE
American Airlines outlines comeback strategy
American Airlines says it plans to increase usage of domestic code-shares and boost international travel to 44% of passenger totals by 2017. AMR Corp., American’s parent, filed for bankruptcy protection last year. American said in a memo to employees that it would also use more regional jets to better fit demand in smaller markets as part of its efforts to boost annual revenue by $1 billion within the next five years.
Airlines scale back programs for unlimited flying
“Lifetime” memberships for unlimited flying have proved too costly for airlines. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the average lifespan for an American is 78.5 years. However, some airlines offer flexible flying packages for a limited amount of time, such as months or years.
Spirit new bag charge prompts calls for greater fee transparency
The Consumer Travel Alliance is aiming an appeal for wider airline fee transparency at the Department of Transportation in the wake of a new baggage fee from Spirit Airlines. The group criticized Spirit’s $100 charge for carry-on bags checked at gates, calling it a “wake-up call” for the department.
CRUISE
Costa bolsters safety procedures
Costa Cruises has implemented measures aimed at enhancing passenger safety — a result of the loss of 32 lives following the capsizing of Costa Concordia. At a press conference and interview with Travel Weekly aboard the 3,800-passenger Costa Fascinosa on Monday, Costa President Gianni Onorato said, “We will never forget the victims and those who suffered in his tragedy” when the Concordia ran aground.
OTA
Priceline continues rapid growth
Strong international hotel sales pushed Priceline.com’s profits up 74%, with the online travel agency reporting first-quarter income of $182 million. Priceline said international bookings increased 54%, driven by strong results from European sites Booking.com and Agoda.com, as well as strength from domestic car rentals.
ETC.
TravelWeekly.com debuts hotel and cruise searches
TravelWeekly.com has launched two new search features on TravelWeekly.com: Hotel Search and Cruise Search. The search options integrate information from the Hotel and Travel Index and Official Cruise Guide databases, respectively, and are accessible from any page on TravelWeekly.com via the “Cruises” and “Hotels” tabs on the right-hand section of the main navigation bar.
Microsegmentation allows targeted offerings for consumers
Technology has created new methods for businesses to classify potential clients’ behaviors based on factors as seemingly trivial as their Web browsers and then fashion offerings that would be most appealing, this feature says. This opens up new opportunities for businesses to match their products with consumers’ preferences and offer a consistent level of service at every interaction.
Plans progress on nation’s first in-airport liquor store
McCarran Airport is poised to welcome what is reportedly the first in-airport liquor store located outside of a duty-free area. The 1,350-square-foot Liquor Library will occupy space at the south end of the Terminal 1 baggage claim area. Its principals said they will invest more than a half-million dollars in the project, with plans to be open by early fall.