Wednesday, March 28, 2012

4 Titanic Exhibits Sail Into Philadelphia For Ship's 100th Anniversary

As the world prepares to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Titanic's sinking on April 15, Philadelphia museums and attractions are doing their part to honor the storied ship all year long. Visitors can explore the overall story with a tour of Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition, returning to The Franklin Institute this fall by popular demand, or they can delve into the Philadelphia story specifically thanks to special displays on view at The Rosenbach Museum & Library and the Independence Seaport Museum. Visitors can even view some of the Titanic survivors' graves at  Laurel Hill Cemetery. Here's a look at how Philadelphia is marking this historic occasion:
  • Titanic: The Rise of Rosenbach, on view at The Rosenbach Museum & Library, tells a personal story of loss and professional success spurred by the Titanic's epic failure. The exhibition follows the story of book dealer Dr. A.S.W. Rosenbach as he hears about the sinking of the Titanic and realizes that his friend and protege, young Philadelphia bibliophile Harry Elkins Widener, has gone down with the ship. Visitors learn the details of the tragic event and how Dr. Rosenbach's personal loss led to professional success as he undertook a project to honor his fallen friend through the creation of Harvard's Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library. Items in the exhibit include a telegram alerting a friend to Widener's death, a Joseph Conrad manuscript that went down with the ship and thoughts from poet Marianne Moore about the tragedy. Through June 24, 2012.  2008-2010 Delancey Place, (215) 732-1600, rosenbach.org
  • Titanic Philadelphians spotlights the personal lives of the city residents directly impacted by the ship disaster. The intimate exhibit, on display at the Independence Seaport Museum, is told through the accounts of 40-plus Philadelphians who sailed on the Titanic during her maiden voyage. Visitors see one of the rare existing copies of the Titanic first-class passenger list, unwittingly carried in her coat pocket onto Lifeboat 4 by local survivor Marian Longstreth Thayer. Every Saturday through Memorial Day, museum-goers can take a Titanic-themed tour of the Olympia, outfitted with triple expansion steam engines similar to the engines on the Titanic, one of the finest remaining examples of the technology of the day. April 13-December 31, 2012. Penn's Landing, 211 S. Columbus Boulevard at Walnut Street, (215) 413-8655, phillyseaport.org 
  • Making its second appearance at The Franklin Institute, Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition unveils a startling collection of 212 artifacts—china, candlesticks, tie pins, silver dollars and more—recovered from the wreck site that tell stories of drama and tragedy, humanity and heroism. The display documents the ship's construction and launch, life onboard the doomed vessel, the tale of the sinking and dramatic rescue of some 700 people, the discovery of the buried ship 73 years after it was lost and the conservation efforts made over the past 15 years. November 10, 2012-April 7, 2013. 222 N. 20th Street, (215) 448-1200, fi.edu
  • As much a historic repository and cultural site as a lush, tree-filled garden graveyard, Laurel Hill Cemetery's 78 acres have welcomed the famous and infamous of Philadelphia to eternal rest since 1836. Notable for its towering sculptures and graves adorned with Tiffany-designed stained-glass windows, Laurel Hill is also the final resting place for six victims of the Titanic disaster, including book seller Harry Elkins Widener and attorney and horse breeder William Crothers Dulles. A map of notable graves is available at the main office, and it also guides visitors to see monuments to famed Civil War generals, industrialists and others. 3822 Ridge Avenue, (215) 228-8200, thelaurelhillcemetery.org
The Greater Philadelphia Tourism Marketing Corporation (GPTMC) makes Philadelphia and The Countryside® a premier destination through marketing and image building that increases business and promotes the region's vitality.

For more information about travel to Philadelphia, visit visitphilly.com or uwishunu.com, where you can build itineraries; search event calendars; see photos and videos; view interactive maps; sign up for newsletters; listen to HearPhilly, an online radio station about what to see and do in the region; book hotel reservations and more. Or, call the Independence Visitor Center, located in Historic Philadelphia, at (800) 537-7676.

Hersha Hospitality Management (HHM) and The Procaccianti Group (TPG) Resolve Lawsuit

Hersha Hospitality Management (HHM) and The Procaccianti Group (TPG) are pleased to announce that the parties have resolved the lawsuit pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, Hersha Hospitality Management v. The Procaccianti Group, et al.

HHM had sued TPG and four of its former employees (two of whom had previously worked for TPG) accusing them of wrongdoing in connection with the departure of the employees from HHM to TPG.
However, after open discussions with TPG and the former employees, HHM is satisfied that TPG has neither received (from the individuals) nor used any information proprietary to HHM.

HHM is also satisfied that TPG was not involved in procuring any confidential information from HHM, that the individuals did not give such information to TPG, and that TPG was not involved in any wrongdoing as alleged in the suit.

Accordingly, HHM has voluntarily dismissed the claims against TPG.

Sikorsky Innovations Signs on as First Rotorcraft Member of the Lindbergh Foundation Aviation Green® Alliance

Sikorsky Innovations has announced its support of the Aviation Green® Alliance by becoming its first rotorcraft member and one of its first founding sponsors. Sikorsky Innovations is Sikorsky Aircraft's technology development organization, charged with tackling the toughest problems in vertical flight. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

The Lindbergh Foundation launched the Aviation Green Alliance to support and encourage those who are committed to proactively addressing aviation and environmental challenges. Sikorsky joins a prestigious list of current founding sponsors including Bombardier, Cessna, FedEx, Hawker Beechcraft, Fantasy of Flight, and Jeppesen, as the first rotorcraft member of the Alliance.

Sikorsky Innovations is an agile, networked group of Sikorsky employees and industry teammates dedicated to demonstrating innovative technology solutions to the toughest problems in vertical flight. Sikorsky Innovations is pursuing a broad range of advanced technologies, including the X2 Technology™ demonstrator, aware and adaptive aircraft systems, and optionally piloted aircraft.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.  

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

AirTran Airways "Hooray for Spring" Sale!

Today, AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV), announced a fare sale offering Customers air fares starting as low as $69* one-way to select destinations (see Fare Rules below). These low fares are available for purchase today through March 29, 2012, 11:59 p.m. PDT, for travel beginning April 3 through June 27, 2012, with a required 10-day advance purchase.

Travelers may purchase these sale fares at www.airtran.com , from their local travel agent, or via AirTran Airways' reservations system at 1-800-AIR-TRAN. For reservations in Spanish, call 1-877-581-9842.
Examples of these one-way, low fares* include (see Fare Rules below):
  • $69 one-way between Akron-Canton and New York LaGuardia
  • $69 one-way between Atlanta and Sarasota
  • $95 one-way between Chicago Midway and Pittsburgh
  • $106 one-way between Baltimore/Washington and Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood
AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co., has been ranked the top airline in the Airline Quality Rating study twice in the past four years. AirTran offers Gogo Inflight Internet Connectivity and coast-to-coast service on North America's newest all-Boeing fleet. The airline's low-cost, high-quality product also includes assigned seating, and Business Class.

Fare Rules    
One-way fares can be purchased today through March 29, 2012, 11:59 pm PDT, with a 10-day advance purchase required.  Travel must take place between April 3, and June 27, 2012. Travel to/from Florida not available for travel April 3 through April 16, 2012. Travel valid only on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Displayed prices are inclusive of all government taxes and fees. All fares are non-refundable and a $75 fee per person applies to any change made after purchase, plus any applicable increase in airfare. Travel to/from San Juan, Puerto Rico and international destinations are excluded from this offer.  Seats are limited. Fares may vary by destinations, flight, and day of week and won't be available on some flights that operate during very busy travel times and holiday periods. A first bag may be checked for a fee of $20 each way and a second bag may be checked for a fee of $25 each way. Reservations may be made via AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for a fee of $15. Reservations may also be changed via AirTran Airways Telephone Reservations Center for a $15 fee plus any applicable change fees and fare differences. Fares may be combined with other combinable fares. When combining fares, all rules and restrictions apply. Fares are nonrefundable but may be applied toward the purchase of future travel on AirTran Airways after applicable change fees and fare differences.  Fares are not available through the Group Desk.  Any change in the itinerary may result in an increase in fare. Fares are valid on published, scheduled service only. Travel to and from Knoxville, TN not available after May 31, 2012. Travel to and from Bloomington/Normal, IL, Charleston, WV, Washington, D.C. (Dulles), and Miami, FL not available after June 2, 2012.

* Government-imposed taxes and fees are now included in the advertised fare. To comply with new government regulations, all airlines must include government-imposed taxes and fees in advertised air fares.
www.airtran.com

Thursday, March 15, 2012

Aviation Week Names Pogue Award Winner

Aviation Week, in partnership with the International Aviation Club of Washington, announced today that John Byerly, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the U.S., is the 2012 recipient of the L. Welch Pogue Award. This prestigious annual award, named in honor of one of the founding fathers of international civil aviation, recognizes lifetime achievement in aviation. Byerly will be recognized at an awards gala dinner on April 25 in Washington, D.C.
 
"John Byerly has been the driving force behind many of the important aviation, aerospace and defense decisions made by the U.S. over the past three decades," said Greg Hamilton, president, Aviation Week. "With an illustrious career and inscrutable focus on providing market opportunities, John has left an incredible legacy. We are pleased to be able to honor him with the Pogue Award for his lifetime of achievement."

John Byerly served from 2001 to 2010 as the Deputy Assistant Secretary of State responsible for market-opening aviation agreements with over 70 countries, personally leading U.S. delegations that secured Open Skies with Germany, France, and Japan as well as the historic Open Skies Plus accord with the European Union. Byerly helped implement the U.S. response to the September 11 terrorist attacks, was instrumental in securing U.S. ratification of the 1999 Montreal Convention on airline accident liability, and participated actively in the economic, legal, and environmental work of the International Civil Aviation Organization. In a government career spanning 31 years, Byerly served as Legal Adviser to the U.S. Mission in divided Berlin, as Principal Deputy General Counsel at the Central Intelligence Agency, as General Counsel to the Sinai peacekeeping force, and as the primary legal adviser in U.S. efforts to end conflicts in Angola, Namibia, Mozambique, Ethiopia/Eritrea, and Rwanda.

"John Byerly led the U.S. through some of its most tremendous international aviation milestones and represented his true aptitude of negotiation with determination and diplomacy," said Natalie Hartman, president of the International Aviation Club of Washington and a U.S. executive for Deutsche Lufthansa Aviation Group. "On behalf of the Board of Governors of the International Aviation Club, we applaud his extraordinary service and leadership to our industry and proudly recognize him with the Pogue Award."
Pogue was an author, lecturer, aviation statesman and attorney for several major airlines and industry groups. He also chaired the fledgling U.S. Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) in 1942-1946, representing the U.S. at the historic 1944 Chicago International Civil Aviation Conference, where 55 nations determined the framework of rules and treaties that have governed international civil aviation since the end of World War II.

The Pogue Award, first presented in 1994 to Pogue, is bestowed each year to an individual who is considered a visionary and a preeminent leader of contemporary aviation. Other Pogue winners include Giovanni Bisignani, CEO of IATA; Henri Wassenbergh, aviation scholar; Adm. Donald Engen, former director, National Air & Space Museum; Alfred Kahn, former CAB chairman; John Robson, former CAB chairman; Norman Mineta, Secretary of Transportation; Robert Francis II, former vice chairman, National Transportation Safety Board; John Kern, former VP Regulatory Compliance and Chief Safety Officer, Northwest Airlines; Delford Smith, founder and chairman, Evergreen International Aviation; Jurgen Weber, chairman & CEO, Deutsche Lufthansa AG; Robert Crandall, former chairman & CEO, American Airlines; Herb Kellerher, former chairman & CEO, Southwest Airlines; Jeffrey Shane, Under Secretary of Transportation Policy, U.S. Department of Transportation; Brian O'Keeffe, father of the Future Air Navigation System; and Helen Muir, director, Cranfield Institute for Safety, Risk and Reliability.
For more information on the Pogue Award gala on April 25 in Washington, D.C., visit http://www.iacwashington.org/Events.aspx?eventId=461873.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Virgin Atlantic Sale from Vancouver to London in 2012

Virgin Atlantic, the award-winning international airline, is today offering hot new sale fares from Vancouver to London, with Economy rates from $424* CAD and Premium Economy rates from $674* CAD bookable now through March 20.

Virgin Atlantic announced its newest route from Vancouver to London last year and will begin flying on May 24. Passengers can expect a great experience in whichever class they choose to fly, with recent upgrades in the food service onboard and hours of free entertainment.

In Economy passengers are treated to comfortable seats and a new meal service that features a welcome cocktail, a three-course meal and all drinks as part of the ticket price.

Virgin Atlantic Premium Economy features a separate cabin, wider seats and more legroom than many business class offerings. Passengers are treated to dedicated airport check-in and priority boarding. Meals are served on china dinnerware with stainless steel cutlery, with a choice of delicious wines and an after dinner liqueur if so desired.

Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class suite features seats that are some of the biggest in the business, which convert to a fully flat bed with the touch of a button. Upper Class passengers get a complimentary limo to the airport and home again, and can expect a newly refined meal service that launched earlier this month. A British tradition has even found its way onboard – afternoon tea!

Please visit http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/us/en/ideas-lowestfares/lowest-fares/vancouver-offers.html for further information on these sale fares.
* Rates are each way based on round trip. Taxes, fees, restrictions apply.

Monday, March 12, 2012

Capital One Issues Bold "Double Miles Challenge"

Capital One Financial Corporation (NYSE: COF) recently announced a bold new offer, launching the Venture "Double Miles Challenge" (www.capitaloneventure.com) which gives consumers who open a Capital One Venture Card the opportunity to earn double miles, up to 100,000, for every dollar they spent on a major travel rewards credit card in 2011. The limited time offer expires when Capital One reaches the one billion mile mark or May 1st, whichever comes first. The Double Miles Challenge follows last year's wildly successful Match My Miles campaign, which gave consumers the chance to match up to 100,000 miles they had in an airline credit card rewards program. The company gave out more than a billion miles to new Venture customers during this challenge.

The Venture Double Miles Challenge has received rave reviews from media and travel industry experts. Ivan Daniel of DailyMarkets.com said, "This 100,000 miles giveaway is the biggest credit card signing bonus so far this year, so it is definitely a deal you don't want to miss." Tim Winship of FrequentFlier.com adds, "If you charged a lot last year, and you're in the market for a wallet-worthy Visa travel-rewards card, this offer is a winner. A 100,000-mile bonus is worth $1,000 toward travel expenses, with no blackout dates or capacity controls." 
 
To receive the bonus double miles, consumers must be approved for a Venture card, then register for the challenge and provide a 2011 year-end summary for their current travel rewards credit card. New cardholders are eligible for the bonus miles when they spend $1,000 on their Venture Card within 90 days of approval. This promotion is available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

The Venture card has been lauded as a top travel rewards card by publications like MONEY® Magazine, BusinessInsider, NerdWallet and Cardratings.com. Features of the card include:
  • Earn double miles on every purchase, every day
  • The flexibility to fly free on any airline, anytime, with no blackout dates or restrictions
  • The ability to redeem miles for any travel purchase -- airline, hotel, rental car and more – before, during or after travel
  • No foreign transaction fees - others charge up to 3% or more when the cardholders use their card to make purchases outside the United States
  • No limitations on how many miles can be accumulated and no miles expirations
  • Easy redemption as cardholders can simply make their travel purchase (by whatever means they prefer) using their Venture card, then call Capital One or go online to reimburse the charge with their miles. The cost of the transaction is refunded on the next statement
  • Exclusive award-winning customer service
  • Access to exclusive benefits, including preferred access to popular entertainment, sporting and dining events and special offers from leading hotels and retailers
To learn more about the Venture "Double Miles Challenge" promotion, visit www.capitaloneventure.com or Capital One's Facebook page, www.facebook.com/capitalone.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Travel Statement from the Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau


The Cancun Convention and Visitors Bureau strongly disagrees with the statement issued today by the Texas Department of Public Safety advising against spring break travel to Mexico. The Department's advisory generalizes safety in the entire country and provides contradicting information to the latest Federal Travel Warning, which states there is no advisory in effect for Cancun. As it stands, the Texas DPS alert may cause unnecessary fear to the more than 20,000 tourists that are scheduled to visit Cancun this Spring Break season.  

Cancun prides itself for being a safe place to travel, and the #1 international tourist destination for Americans in 2011 as stated by Orbitz. According to a recent statement by the Hon. Roberto Borge, Governor of the State of Quintana Roo, Cancun and the entire state remain one of the safest zones in all of Mexico, and no North American traveler has been affected in the entire Yucatan Peninsula by issues plaguing other parts of the country.

In fact, Cancun is located more than 1,300 miles away from affected areas mentioned in the Federal Travel Warning and at a similar distance to those regions than that between Miami and New York City.
The safety of our visitors is the biggest priority for the Cancun CVB and State authorities. In anticipation of heavy travel periods like Spring Break, precautionary measures are expanded and security is increased along Cancun's public beaches. The following are preventative actions the destination takes to provide spring breakers added safety and security during their stay:

  • Increased number of security rounds along the beaches
  • Increased number of lifeguards stationed on public beaches
  • Local authorities and Cancun International Airport distribute extensive information, including safety tips, as well as rules and regulations for appropriate behavior on Cancun's public beaches and entertainment areas
  • Emergency units patrol the hotel zone and public beaches on a nightly basis to provide rapid emergency care and first aid should emergency situations arise
  • In conjunction with the Aquatic Rescue of the Mexican Red Cross and the Mexican Association of Lifeguards, an aid and security watch station will be located directly on the public beaches

Cancun also encourages all visitors to abide by all local, state and federal laws when visiting Mexico, and any other foreign country, to ensure a safe and memorable vacation.
Cancun also continues enforcing safety measures such as the toll-free 911 emergency service hotline that operates 24 hours a day with bilingual operators, as well as the C4 Center, a special unit that coordinates police efforts in order to provide immediate response during emergency situations using a system of strategically-located cameras.

Choice Hotels Offers Free Night After Just Two Separate Stays

When consumers stay two separate times at any Choice Hotels property this spring, they'll earn a free night at more than 1,500 hotels.*

Travelers who book their stays at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE with arrival between March 8 and May 8, 2012 will earn enough Choice Privileges rewards points to redeem for a free night at more than 1,500 Choice Hotels locations. The Stay Two Separate Times, Earn One Night Free promotion is available for consumers traveling to participating Choice Hotels brand properties throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Mexico, Central America, Australia, and the Caribbean. U.S. and Canada residents must register at ChoiceHotels.com before arrival of their stay to be able to earn unlimited free nights during the promotion.

Consumers who are not yet members of Choice Privileges can simply text "JOINCP" to "70000" to start earning rewards**, visit ChoiceHotels.com to join or enroll in the program at a hotel when checking-in for their stay. Elite Diamond and Elite Platinum members can book their stays through any channel and still be eligible to earn a free night during this promotion.

Choice Privileges is the rewards program from Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH) where membership is free and offers points good towards free nights, airline miles, gift certificates and more while staying at more than 6,000 Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn, Clarion, Cambria Suites, MainStay Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Econo Lodge and Rodeway Inn brand hotels as well as Ascend Collection member hotels. For more information, visit ChoicePrivileges.com.

* Free night is based on an 8,000 point Choice Privileges reward night level. Member must register at ChoiceHotels.com before arrival and book their stays at ChoiceHotels.com or 800.4CHOICE at qualifying rates. Choice Privileges member number must be provided upon check-in. After a second qualifying stay with arrival between 3/8/12 and 5/8/12, you will be awarded enough bonus points to reach the 8,000 point reward night level. For Comfort Inn®, Comfort Suites®, Quality®, Sleep Inn®, Clarion®, Cambria Suites® or Ascend Collection® hotels, a stay is defined as any number of consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs. For Econo Lodge®, Rodeway Inn®, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel®, or MainStay Suites® hotels, a stay is defined as two (2) or more consecutive nights at one hotel regardless of check-ins or check-outs. Allow 72 hours from check-out for points to post.  A free night at most Choice Privileges locations requires more than 8,000 points. You must maintain an address in the U.S. (including U.S. territories) and Canada to be eligible for this promotion. For Choice Privileges program details, eligible rates, eligible countries and point redemption rules, visit choiceprivileges . com.

** Standard text messaging and data rates apply. By texting you are agreeing to receive future Choice Hotels news and offers, unless you text STOP to 70000. Text keyword JOINCP to the short code 70000 and you will receive a return text message from Choice Hotels International containing a website address. You must enroll in Choice Privileges by completing the online enrollment form located on the website provided in the return text, including a valid email address.

How Can French E-travel Get a 100% Growth Rate Per Year?

Geoffroy de Becdelievre, CEO of Planetveo.com, has issued the following statement:
The Thomas Cook group (European leader) lost 95% of its trading value at the end of 2011 and Nouvelles Frontieres (the French subsidiary of the TUI group) was saved from bankruptcy at the last moment. Who will be next? Are these events foreshadowing the elimination of traditional tour operators in France?

On the other hand, some companies have exceptional triple-digit growth every year. Why is that, and what are their strategies?
Two underlying trends are slowly restructuring the market. The first trend has to do with bespoke travel: sales of individual "a la carte or bespoke" trips have gone up by 10 to 15% per year, while group tours are now stagnating. The second trend is the boom of the e-tourism market, with an average yearly growth between 15 and 20%.

Confronted with these market developments, stakeholders in this industry must immediately adapt their business models to respond to both these customer expectations, and to avoid the slow, inevitable death of their business.

How can "bespoke" and Internet go together since one is associated with a traditional process and the other with an industrial, technological process?

Some stakeholders have successfully combined these processes to "semi-industrialize a traditional profession" by rethinking their business model. Four elements allowed them to take major market shares from their competitors:

Disintermediation - a sine qua non condition
Customers are attracted by bespoke travel, which encourages operators to offer travel deals as "a la carte" modules. However, offline stakeholders in the tourism market are mainly distributed between producers - tour operators who control the product - and agencies - the retailers or distributors - who have access to the customer. Confronted with offline operators, certain online stakeholders who have both these roles have fared well and overtaken traditional stakeholders.

The customer's new role, the author of his/her trip
The rich, diversified content available on the Internet encourages the customer to become the co-designer of his/her trip. However, because of this wealth of information, qualified expertise and quality advice (proposed by online stakeholders) are necessary for this trip to be successful.

"On-off-on" for truly customized advice - essential in France!
Internet allows operators to establish themselves while recruiting targeted customers on the web. However, once this connection has been created, the bespoke travel designer must get in touch with the prospect - by appointment, telephone or email - in order to provide the customer with high-quality and truly customized advice. This is an essential condition for high-quality bespoke travel. The last step of the purchase - the confirmation and payment - takes place online, as for other e-commerce products. This rapid method has now become quite common.

Direct contact with experts per country
The Internet allows customers to contact experts of the country directly, regardless of the customer's country of residence. Contrary to physical agencies where there are 2 or 3 salespeople who can only offer a general appreciation of the trips they are selling, online agencies can offer specialized advisors for specific areas and make sure that these experts are available for all their customers. E-operators are thus able to offer strong, readily available expertise of the desired destination.
Planetveo, Designing bespoke travel packages

Orbitz for Business Launches Program for Small Businesses

Orbitz for Business, the corporate travel brand of Orbitz Worldwide (NYSE: OWW), today launched Orbitz for Business Express to offer savings, convenience and professional travel services to small businesses with travel needs, including those currently without a managed travel program.

Recognizing the need for growing companies to have a managed travel solution that is both flexible and affordable, Orbitz for Business Express empowers those businesses with a dedicated booking website, special rates and discounts, 24/7 assistance from Orbitz travel experts, detailed reports on company travel expenditures and full mobile access to travel searches, bookings and flight updates – with no minimum transaction requirements.

There are over 30 million business travelers in the United States, 70 percent of whom book their travel through an unmanaged process*. Orbitz for Business Express is designed to bring managed travel solutions to companies with smaller travel budgets or unmanaged programs, offering a simple and quickly implemented program that enables growing companies to focus on expanding their business instead of planning travel. Benefits include an easy-to-use booking tool based on the familiar Orbitz.com user interface, as well as lower transaction fees, specially promoted business hotel rates and air discounts, access to a dedicated corporate call center for 24/7 support, and corporate discounts negotiated exclusively by the Orbitz team. Orbitz for Business Express further enables companies to get the most out of their travel dollars by providing vital insight reports that track costs across multiple travel categories, and traveler safety is enhanced by tracking tools that monitor itineraries every step of the way. 

Britain's Home Lovers are Welcomed to London by Millennium & Copthorne Hotels

From Friday 16th March, London's Earls Court will open its doors to the annual Ideal Home Show for two weeks, showcasing the very best of home, garden, cuisine, fashion and gadgets.

The Ideal Home Show has been running for over 100 years, bringing inspirational design ideas to generations of home owners. The event is back in 2012, showcasing over 600 exhibitors and a unique shopping experience for every aspect of the 'ideal' home. Situated in the heart of West London, Earls Court Exhibition Centre is located close to the Millennium & Copthorne Kensington hotels [http://www.millenniumhotels.co.uk/destinations/abt_kensington.html ].

This year's impressive exhibitor list includes Harvey's, Ikea, and Raft Furniture, and the show's sponsors include Virgin Media, Siemens, Dulux and B&Q. With these big brands taking up residence at the show, there is sure to be an extensive and impressive range of products available. Show highlights include 'Ideal Interiors', which showcases stunning 'Ideal Home Magazine' room sets, and Alison Cork will be demonstrating some inspirational room designs of her own. The 'Home Improvements' zone, in association with B&Q, offers expert advice and motivation for those want to make changes to their home and the 'how to' theatre explains exactly how to create dream abodes.

The 'Ideal Food and Housewares' zone offers the latest kitchen gadgets, as well as the ever popular Celebrity Chef Theatre, where top culinary names will give demonstrations and tips on how to create delicious, home cooked dishes. Budding cake designers can also enter the cake design competition, which is in celebration of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee, to win a whole host of treats.

The 'Ideal Gardens' zone showcases ideas of how to give your outdoor space a makeover, while the 'Ideal Shopping' and 'Ideal Gadget' zones offer unique shopping experiences and explore gadgets of the future. Finally, the 'Ideal Woman' zone offers daily fashion shows, pampering treats and beauty tasters - the perfect way to take some time out from a busy day exploring the show.

Whether you are looking for inspiration, motivation, advice or just a great day out, the Ideal Home Show is not to be missed. Millennium & Copthorne Hotels [http://www.millenniumhotels.co.uk ] operate six hotels in London, all centrally located in the upmarket districts of Kensington, Chelsea, Knightsbridge and Mayfair. They are all ideal places for visitors to the show to stay.

Source: Millennium & Copthorne Hotels

StarCite, Part of Active Network, and Worldhotels Announce New Partnership

 StarCite®, part of Active Network (NYSE: ACTV), and a leading global supplier marketplace that connects meeting planners with hotels, destinations and venue suppliers, today announced a partnership with Worldhotels, one of the leading groups for independent hotels worldwide. This new partnership will allow Worldhotels' properties to increase brand awareness through strategic positioning and enhanced content within the StarCite Supplier Marketplace. Additionally, hotels part of the group can drive sales opportunities by reaching a broad audience of qualified leads and responding to RFPs quickly and efficiently.

Active Network currently serves more than 50 percent of Business Travel News' Top 100 Corporations and more than 1,000 associations. In addition, Active Network's event technology solutions power events organized by 10 of the top 15 financial organizations and technology corporations and 9 of the 15 largest pharmaceutical companies in the world, according to 2011 Fortune 500 data. In turn, Worldhotels' portfolio now stretches to almost 500 properties in 250 destinations and 65 countries across the globe with plans to add 80 new affiliate properties in 2012. 

First Lady Susan Corbett Tours Bucks County Arts and Heritage Sites Highlighting Pennsylvania Tourism

First Lady Susan Corbett today toured the James A. Michener Museum of Art, the Mercer Museum and Washington Crossing Historic Park to highlight the cultural and historical treasures of Bucks County.

Mrs. Corbett's first stop was at the James A. Michener Art Museum in Doylestown.  The museum is dedicated to preserving, interpreting and exhibiting the art and cultural heritage of the Bucks County region.
The Mercer Museum, also in Doylestown, highlights American life in the 18th and 19th centuries.  The Mercer's collection documents the lives of early Americans through the tools and objects used in every day living.

Mrs. Corbett's final stop was the Washington Crossing Historic Park, one of 25 historic sites and museums on the Pennsylvania Trails of History administered by the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.
As an ambassador for tourism, Mrs. Corbett travels throughout the state to promote Pennsylvania attractions as destinations for travelers at home and abroad. Learn more about Pennsylvania tourism at www.visitpa.com.
Learn more about the sites visited by Mrs. Corbett today online: