| Content Is King! ICE PORTAL Shares Telling Stats On The Impact Of Rich Media On Travel Suppliers During Travel ...
ICE PORTAL, the industry leader in the production, management, and distribution of rich visual content, announced today that it will be demonstrating the power of rich media content and sharing its findings on the impact of rich media on hospitality bookings at next week's EyeforTravel Travel Distribution Summit (Stand #42). Based on actual booking data and trends from some of its customers, ICE Portal's findings indicate that in today's environment of rate parity, the key differentiator for a brand web site or online distributor is to now have the best and most unique content. On Wednesday, May 21st at 11:00 a.m., ICE Portal President Henry Woodman will lead the free seminar “Visual Content and the Travel Industry". Registrants will learn the critical role that rich media plays in the marketing efforts of a hotel or destination.
Hotels seek workers on eve of summer travel season
The shortage of workers at Ted Blair's three hotels near Yellowstone National Park is so severe that Blair himself might soon be busing tables and stripping beds. Less than a month before the start of the summer travel season, Blair and other hotel owners are scrambling to find low-wage employees because Congress dramatically reduced the number of guest-worker visas during last year's immigration debate. "We will keep running," Blair said. "We have to - even if the management has to make beds." The labor shortage is so severe that some hotels in the Rocky Mountains are hiring staffing firms and turning to foreign students for help. Others are considering getting out of the business altogether. "If you've owned a property for years and years, and suddenly you have to make beds all day, you just can't handle it," said Lynn Birleffi, president of the Wyoming Lodging and Restaurant Association.
Pricey gas crimping Memorial Day travel plans
High fuel prices are prompting many Americans to reconsider their Memorial Day travel plans, AAA says. The automobile club released a survey Thursday projecting that the number of Americans traveling more than 50 miles from home over the long holiday weekend will fall nearly 1 percent from last year. .
Administration looks to ease summer air travel
The Bush administration announced new rules designed to reduce congestion at three New York-area airports and to provide passengers more information about flight delays and travel costs.One new rule requires airlines to release more information about how long aircraft are delayed after leaving the gate. Airlines and travel agents will also now be required to disclose on the Internet and in print ads the fees for checking a second bag. .
Forecast says international travel will increase despite economy
NEW YORK -- The economy is troubled and the dollar is weak. But one forecast suggests that Americans aren't giving up international travel. Travel organization AAA and Global Insight, a forecasting company, predicted 25.1 million Americans will take leisure trips outside the U.S. this summer, up 2.6 percent from last year. The forecast counts Canada and Mexico among international destinations. "Those that choose to make these trips are reallocating their budgets," said Ken McGill, executive managing director of Global Insight, a forecasting company. "Leisure travel has become not only a necessity to many American travelers, it's become almost a divine right." Vacationers will cut shopping and entertainment out of their travel budgets, and will cut household expenses before they nix travel plans, McGill said.
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