Other News Highlights
Researcher
says travelers "fed up" with booking trips
on-line
Travelers are "fed up" with booking their trips
online, according to an 18-page report by Forrester Research
released on Tuesday. Lead author Henry Harteveldt reported
that 15% fewer travelers enjoy using the Web to book
travel than in 2007.
He said only 33% of U.S. travelers who book online feel
travel sites do a good job presenting travel choices;
that is down from 39% in 2008. Harteveldt said travelers
feel that they and their business are taken for granted,
and some are inclined to look for offline services, including
brick-and-mortar travel agencies. He said travel
businesses have to "rethink" their approach
to the travel business if they don’t want customers
to abandon the Web as their booking channel. To that
end, he predicted GDSs would evolve into "more useful" global
merchandising systems.
How
Air Travel Can Be Made Less Annoying
The airline industry is suffering through one of its
worst summers ever, with travelers pulling back on spending
and fuel costs rising. Passengers who can still afford
to fly are facing higher baggage fees, fewer flights
and less and less contact with airline staff (though
there appears to be a limit to how low-service an airline
can go).
What’s
a ticket agreement? Airline Jargon 101 and why you
should care
The travel industry has a lot of jargon. Minimum connecting
time, downline space, decision, FLIFO, just for starters.
And some of this stuff may not matter to anyone outside
of the industry. But some of it can make the difference
between a successful trip and travel from hell.
It’s
not just airlines - are online agencies heading towards
monopolies too?
Many travelers have already noticed the effects of consolidation
in the airline business. Less flight choices, service
cuts, and a “what, me worry?” attitude towards
customer service.
The
Struggle to Stay Wired, in a Hotel Room or a Crisis
THE first thing I do when I check into a hotel room on
a business trip is head directly to the desk to make
sure the Internet connection works. If the Ethernet or
Wi-Fi connection does not snap to life, I am ready to
march down to the lobby and threaten to check out if
the hotel can’t fix it.
Business
travel safety
Business travel comprises a major component of the travel
and tourism industry. In a down economy business travel
is even more important than in past years. Unfortunately
business travel is not always easy. Often called "road
warriors" these often weary men and women deal with
long days and nights, exhaustion, poor service and travel
hassles. One of the growing concerns regarding business
travel is the question of the business traveler's safety
and security.
Delta
and United soften frequent flyer rules as program participation
slumps
As the global recession continues to slam airline financials,
both Delta and United airlines have announced an easing
of rules pertaining to their frequent flier programs.
With overall participation down by as much as one-third,
airlines are implementing, or removing restrictions toward
accrual and redemption miles. The airlines are trying
to position themselves as being more closely aligned
with the business traveler so that when the recession
does ease and end, the traveler who has been a frequent
flier with them in the past becomes one again when travel
increases.
How
to Get the Best Mileage...From Frequent Flier Miles
If airline mileage was cash, more of us would be smiling.
Earning and saving miles is easier than ever. Hotel loyalty
programs are plying guests with bonus miles on top of
free nights. Credit card companies are jamming mailboxes
with mileage offers in exchange for minimum spending.
Sites like www.milehighswap.com even enable fliers to
swap miles for merchandise, and vice versa.
Value,
Strategies, and Services Are More Important Now
Than Ever 
Prepare
for TSA Secure Flight Regulation
