Tuesday, May 29, 2012

New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention Center Offers Ideal Location Near SoHo of the South

The New Orleans Arts District is quickly becoming known as the SoHo of the South due to the unique cultural travel experience that is solely worth the trip to New Orleans. Experience the SoHo of the South, located within walking distance of New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention Center, during your next visit to The Big Easy.

With more than 25 galleries, a 10,000-square foot Contemporary Arts Center, and a slew of restaurants and boutiques, the New Orleans Warehouse and Arts District (NOWA) has quickly risen as the SoHo of the South. Guests of the New Orleans business district hotel will thoroughly enjoy gallery hopping on Julia Street, the original Emeril's restaurant featuring Cajun cuisine, and dancing at Mulate's among many other masterpieces waiting to be discovered in this admired neighborhood.

Plus, guests can take advantage of one of the hotel's New Orleans packages when they book a standard room by June 18, 2012, and stay between May 27 and September 28, 2012, to experience tremendous savings with room rates starting at $89 per night. Guests who reserve a premium room during these same dates will receive a 20 percent discount on hotel food and drinks during their stay.

Blackout dates apply. Subject to availability. Additional terms and conditions can be found on Marriott.com.


Discover this beautiful contemporary hotel located in downtown New Orleans in the Warehouse/Arts District, steps from the French Quarter, Harrah's Casino, Historic St. Charles Street Cars, Cruise Port and a multitude of the finest dining and entertainment options. Housed in a renovated 19th century cotton mill, this hotel near New Orleans' convention center is surrounded by restaurants and shops. Indulge in contemporary Creole cuisine at Wolfe's in the Warehouse or unwind in Wolfe's lounge with your favorite cocktail or local brew. With more than 25,000 square feet of flexible function space, the reception hall in New Orleans is ideal for both intimate gatherings and large corporate events. Plan your next stay at this premier downtown hotel with impeccable service and welcoming Southern hospitality!

For more information or to make a reservation, call 800-305-6342 or visit www.NewOrleansMarriottConventionCenter.com.

SOURCE New Orleans Downtown Marriott at the Convention Center

Heading to the Just For Her Expo? Treat Yourself to a Stay at the Overland Park Marriott

Plan your stay at the luxurious Overland Park Marriott when you attend this year's Just For Her Expo. The Expo is Kansas City's premier annual women's event. It's a one-of-a-kind experience that offers women the opportunity to spend time shopping, pampering and having fun.

The Expo will take place in the Overland Park Convention Center, just one mile away from Marriott's newly renovated Kansas City lodging location, the Overland Park Marriott. Book your room today to reserve a space at this convenient location, so you can get a jump on everything the Just For Her Expo has to offer, including:
  • The Health and Wellness Expo, featuring guest speaker J.R. Martinez
  • The Pamper Her Lounge
  • Cuts for a Cause, a charity hair salon
The fun doesn't have to stop once the expo is over; book your room and take advantage of one of Marriott's Kansas City hotel specials, the "Stay for Breakfast" package. Starting at $129, the package is available during weekend stays and includes breakfast in the hotel for two adults and children under 12.

Prepare to be inspired by the striking, contemporary design that embodies the Overland Park Marriott. Positioned in the heart of the Metcalf Corridor, this luxury Overland Park hotel has recently completed a $20 million transformation. The totally reinvented hotel in Overland Park, KS, now boasts a sophisticated and stylish retreat that is sure to delight both business and leisure guests looking for a Kansas City meeting space or party venue. The modern Overland Park, Kansas, hotel offers spacious new guest rooms highlighted by connectivity panels, flat-screen TVs and granite bathrooms, fresh pre-function space, an elegantly appointed ballroom and an array of dynamic event options. The stunning Kansas City, Kansas, hotel also features scrumptious restaurants, a posh lounge and sushi bar, as well as Marriott's newest $3.5 million M.I. Greatroom lobby concept to welcome in wearied travelers with grandeur and grace. Experience the transformation for yourself, and marvel in the exceptional restoration and renewal of the Marriott Hotel in Overland Park, Kansas.
For more information or to make a reservation, call 913-451-8000 or visit www.OverlandParkMarriott.com.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Delta Releases 2011 Corporate Responsibility Report

Delta Air Lines (NYSE: DAL) today released its 2011 Corporate Responsibility Report, which details the airline's financial, safety, community and environmental performance.

The report documents Delta's progress since its 2010 report that was published last June. 

Significant accomplishments in the 2011 report include:
  • Participating in natural disaster relief efforts, including raising more than $1 million worth of combined aid for Japan after its earthquake.
  • Rewarding the efforts of Delta employees by distributing more than $324 million in Profit Sharing and Shared Rewards for 2011.
  • Joining the Business Environmental Leadership Council for the prestigious Center for Climate and Energy Solutions as the sole airline among 35 large companies discussing ways to find affordable and responsible energy.
  • Continuing a tradition of support for a wide variety of charitable organizations, including the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross and The Nature Conservancy.
  • Promoting efforts to reduce greenhouse gases through retiring older and less fuel-efficient aircraft from the fleet and by improving greenhouse gas emissions reporting.
  • Earning recognition as top airline in the Business Travel News annual survey and Travel Weekly's readers' choice as airline of the year.
The full report, as well as the 2010 and 2009 report, is available at http://news.delta.com/index.php?s=18&cat=49

Southwest Airlines' New Austin To Reagan National Airport Service Now For Sale

Southwest's service between Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) and Reagan National Airport (DCA) is now for sale at www.southwest.com.  Southwest will make its inaugural flight to DCA from Austin on July 8, 2012. To celebrate the new route, the carrier also announced a fare sale of $149 one-way between the two markets when purchased by May 28, 2012, at 11:59 PT.  These low fares are available for travel on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays when travel takes place between July 8, 2012, and October 10, 2012. Fares can only be purchased at www.southwest.com or www.swabiz.com.  To take advantage of this special fare, visit www.southwest.com.

In February, Congress passed legislation creating "slot exemptions" at DCA authorizing four new flights to points beyond the airport's normal 1,250 mile perimeter. Less than two weeks ago, the Department of Transportation (DOT) awarded Southwest one of these slot pairs to provide the first and only nonstop service on the DCA-AUS route.

Currently, AirTran Airways, a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines, operates 12 daily DCA flights that will be transitioned to Southwest as the integration of the two carriers continues throughout the next couple of years. Southwest already has a large footprint in the greater Washington D.C. metropolitan area with its service at Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI) and Dulles International Airport (IAD), but this will be Southwest's first service to Reagan National Airport, which is uniquely situated in close proximity to the Nation's Capital and downtown DC business district
 
Southwest Airlines continues to differentiate itself from other low-fare carriers — offering a reliable product with exemplary Customer Service. Southwest Airlines is the nation's largest carrier in terms of originating domestic passengers boarded and has acquired AirTran Airways, now a wholly owned subsidiary of Southwest Airlines Co. Southwest serves 73 cities in 38 states and remains one of the most honored airlines in the world known for its commitment to the triple bottom line of Performance, People, and Planet. To read more about how Southwest is doing its part to be a good citizen, visit southwest.com/cares to read the Southwest Airlines One Report™. Based in Dallas, Southwest currently operates more than 3,300 flights a day and has more than 39,000 Employees.

Monday, May 21, 2012

Mokulele Airlines returns to Kapalua and West Maui, flights start July 1

Mokulele Airlines, one of Hawai'i's favorite commuter airlines, is expanding its services by returning to the Kapalua Airport, located on West Maui.  Flights will begin on July 1st with 4 flights a day, and fares as low as $59.97 based on availability.

"As we expand our fleet, we will continue connecting the dots in Hawai'i," says CEO Ron Hansen "The new flights will provide customers with additional options when traveling to and from Maui at affordable prices."
"The added lift from Honolulu to Kapalua will be valuable as we head into the busy summer season," said Michael Jokovich, General Manager of Hyatt Regency Maui Resort and Spa. "It will provide our guests with a convenient alternative to flying into Kahului and additional access for visitors to enjoy all that Kaanapali has to offer."

Flights are currently available online at www.mokuleleairlines.com, thru the reservations department, and thru your favorite travel agent.

Depart
Arrive
Flight
Honolulu to Kapalua
10:25A
11:07A
1780

2:20P
3:02P
1782
Kapalua to Honolulu
11:28A
12:10P
1781

3:23P
4:05P
1783

Mokulele Airlines has recently been adding new cities to its growing network, most recently by providing the only daily non-stop flights between Kahului and Lanai City starting at $45.00.

Vantage Hospitality's Hotel Brands Launch Value on the Road Website and Promotion

Vantage Hospitality Group and its economy through upscale hotel brands, Americas Best Value Inn®, Canadas Best Value Inn®, Value Inn Worldwide®, Lexington Hotels®, and Lexington Inns®, today launched ValueOnTheRoad.com, a one-stop website that includes money-saving tips, ideas and specials for your summer travel plans.

Value on the Road focuses on the four top travel activities – dining, shopping, sightseeing and entertainment – while also providing helpful pointers on water safety, car care, sun safety, and staying healthy on the road. Additionally, the website links to travel games and activities for car rides, and Vantage's unique instant rewards loyalty programs.

To help introduce the ValueOnTheRoad.com website, Vantage will be giving away prizes to over 100 lucky winners. Visitors will be invited to share a travel tip or advice on the website or on the Value on the Road Facebook® page. Anyone who shares a tip or advice will automatically be eligible to win a monthly prize from Paragon Motor Club; Slime® tire care products; 1-800-FLOWERS.COM®; Chili's Grill & Bar®, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina®, Maggiano's Little Italy®, or Romano's Macaroni Grill®; or Americas Best Value Inn, Canadas Best Value Inn and Lexington Hotels and Lexington Inns.

All tip and advice submissions will be posted on the Value on the Road Facebook® page, where visitors will be able to vote for their favorite submission. The participant whose submission receives the most votes will win the grand prize package – two annual advantage roadside assistance memberships from Paragon Motor Club; choice of $100 of Slime® tire care products; a $50 1-800-FLOWERS.COM® Savings Pass; a $100 gift card good at any Chili's Grill & Bar®, On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina®, Maggiano's Little Italy®, or Romano's Macaroni Grill®; and two $75 gift certificates to any Americas Best Value Inn or Canadas Best Value Inn and two $100 gift certificates to any Lexington Hotel or Lexington Inn.

A family of more than 1,000 inns, hotels, and suites located throughout North America, Vantage's hotel brands offer guests hometown comfort, quality, and service at an exceptional value. 

Visit www.AmericasBestValueInn.com, www.CanadasBestValueInn.com, and www.LexingtonHotels.com for reservations and locations.

2012 U.S. and Women's Chess Champions Crowned in Saint Louis

The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis (CCSCSL) crowned Grandmaster Hikaru Nakamura, 24, of Saint Louis, the 2012 U.S. Chess Champion and International Master Irina Krush, 28, of Brooklyn, N.Y., the 2012 Women's Chess Champion.

The prestigious tournaments are part of the "Triple Crown" of chess championships held in the United States this year. The third event is the 2012 Junior Championship, a tournament for players under the age of 21, which takes place at the CCSCSL July 10-15.

"To win this prestigious event in my hometown of Saint Louis is really something special," Nakamura said. "I'm looking forward to the summer and the other major chess events 2012 has in store for me."
Nakamura is currently ranked No. 5 in the world and No. 1 in the U.S. by rating. He beat out 11 of the top-ranked chess players in the United States to win the title and grand prize of $40,000. Grandmaster Gata Kamsky, the second-place winner who receives $30,000, is currently ranked No. 2 in the nation. The U.S. tournament's total winnings for first through last place totaled more than $160,000 – this is the largest per capita purse this tournament has ever offered.

Krush beat out nine of the top-ranked female chess players in the United States to win the Women's title and grand prize of $18,000. Second-place Women's Championship winner International Master Anna Zatonskih, took home a $12,000 prize. The women's tournament's total winnings for first through last place totaled more than $64,000. Krush defeated Zatonskih in a rapid playoff to win the title. With seconds left on her clock, Krush took advantage of a blunder by her opponent to secure the victory.

"I'm ecstatic," Krush said. "Especially when you get a little lucky at the end, you feel your happiness amplified."

The CCSCSL has been home to the championships for the last four years, helping contribute to Saint Louis' reputation as the hub of U.S. Chess. The city is also home to the Guinness World Record for the largest chess piece in the world, which is located directly across the street from the Chess Club in front of the World Chess Hall of Fame. The piece was unveiled on May 7 before the tournament began and stands 14 feet and seven inches tall, beating the previous record by one foot, six inches.

"We're proud to be the leader of the vibrant chess culture in Saint Louis," said CCSCSL Executive Director Tony Rich. "It's a privilege to host the best players in the country and provide fans with a front-row seat to watch these world-class games."


About The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis
The Chess Club and Scholastic Center of Saint Louis is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization that is committed to making chess an important part of our community. In addition to providing a forum for the community to play tournaments and casual games, the club also offers chess improvement classes, beginner lessons and special lectures.

Recognizing the cognitive and behavioral benefits of chess, the Chess Club and Scholastic Center is committed to supporting those chess programs that already exist in area schools while encouraging the development of new in-school and after-school programs. Please visit www.USChessChamps.com.

Summer Fancy Food Sweepstakes Serves Exclusive DC Eats, Luxe Travel

Washington, DC is a world-class dining destination. From celebrity chefs to homegrown restaurants, the exciting cuisine scene has foodies flocking to the nation's capital.

And June 17-19, 2012, the menu gets even more enticing as Washington, DC welcomes the 58th Annual Summer Fancy Food Show. The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade convenes 2,400 exhibitors from 80 countries and regions showcasing over 180,000 new foods and beverages at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center.

The tempting trade show is traditionally closed to the public; however, the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade and Destination DC, the official convention and tourism corporation for Washington, DC, have cooked up a delectable sweepstakes, "DC Eats. You Win!" contest. One winner and a guest will be whisked away for a three-day, two-night getaway that includes VIP passes to the members-only show, a luxury hotel stay in downtown DC, roundtrip airfare and foodie fun. Log on to DCeats.org. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. [EDT] Friday, June 1, 2012.

The Prize Package includes:
  • Two (2) VIP Passes to NASFT 2012 Summer Fancy Food Show
The 58th Annual Summer Fancy Food Show is the largest specialty food and beverage show in North America. Winner will receive VIP access to the show floor, plus special seminars, tours and tastings.
  • One (1) Gift basket from NASFT
Take home the tastes of Fancy Food! A basket filled with samples from a selection of exhibitors lets you savor the show's "fancy foods" once you've returned home.
  • Two (2) American Airlines vouchers for travel to Washington, DC (valid June 17-19, 2012)
Arrive in style on American Airlines. With dozens of flights to DC a day, American makes it easy to travel to the nation's capital.
  • Two (2) night stay at the Mayflower Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel (valid June 17-19, 2012)
President Truman once called the Mayflower Renaissance Hotel Washington, DC's "second best address." Just blocks from the White House, the Mayflower Renaissance offers all the luxury and elegance of a historic hotel combined with an abundance of modern conveniences and amenities.
  • Two (2) Food Walking Tour Vouchers
Experience DC restaurants like a local. Metro Food Tours offers participants the chance to sample and sip their way through DC's unique neighborhoods.
  • One (1) $100 Dining Gift Certificate
Recently ranked a Top 10 U.S. dining city, there are plenty of restaurants to pick from in Washington, DC. Whether you want a family-style dining experience or a romantic rendezvous, DC's restaurant scene has what you're looking for. Total prize package value: $3,560

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Buzz about London 2012 Olympics building gradually

UK consumers are talking more and more with their friends and relatives about the London 2012 Olympics and Paralympic games, but the rise in buzz about the games is very gradual. To date, football remains a much bigger talking point, particularly among men and many traditional sport fans. Buzz is also much weaker outside of London and the South-East.

These are the findings of the latest consumer research on word of mouth by the Keller Fay Group. They are based on new, just released information from Keller Fay's TalkTrack Britain® study, an ongoing research programme which tracks word of mouth in the UK on a continuous basis. It is the only such research that looks at both offline as well as online conversation and was launched in the UK in July 2011.

During April 2012, 20% of UK consumers said they had discussed the Games over the previous 24 hours, which is up slightly on the March figure (18%) and considerably above the levels recorded in the latter half of 2011 (8-10%). As the Games approach, buzz will of course increase, but at this stage we are some way off from the Games capturing the attention of the entire nation.

The 20% buzz figure compares with 25-30% who typically discuss Premier League football in a 24-hour period. More broadly, issues such as holidays, shopping, food/diet and money/economic issues are generally more widely discussed:

Selected Issues Discussed in past 24 hours: April 2012
Holidays or travel plans
44%
Energy or petrol costs
37%
Nutrition, dieting, healthy eating, etc.
34%
Concern about your own financial situation
27%
Politics/elections/government
26%
The overall state of the economy
26%
(English) Premier League football
25%
The 2012 London Olympics/Paralympics
20%
Crime and lawlessness
15%


Encouragingly for London 2012, those discussing the games are not necessarily hardcore sports fans, with women almost as likely to discuss the Games as men. But the downside is that many of the traditional sporting audience – football and rugby fans in particular – are currently more focussed on their own teams and leagues. So perhaps attention will shift to the Olympics once the football and rugby seasons finally close.
The other challenge facing LOCOG is how to engage those living far away from London and other Olympic venues. People living in London itself are around three times more likely to discuss the Games than those in Scotland or NE England.

In summarising the research results, Steve Thomson, Managing Director of Keller Fay UK, said "It's clear that excitement about London 2012 is building, but at the moment traditional sports – football especially – are hard to dislodge from getting the main attention around the nation's kitchen and pub tables. In England, this week has started with the focus on Roy Hodgson, and it seems that until the summer itself the Olympics aren't yet top of the agenda."

Keller Fay reserves the right to make minor adjustments to data following final quality control checks.

The Breakers Resort Still Thriving After More Than 80 Years In Myrtle Beach

It all began in 1929 when a private summer beach house was converted into a boarding house and The Breakers was born.  Add more than 80 years of economic ups and downs, a few hundred more rooms, a 418-foot lazy river, and numerous other amenities and The Breakers Resort in Myrtle Beach is stronger than ever.

In order to celebrate their popularity and longevity, The Breakers Resort, a member hotel of www.MyrtleBeachHotels.com, has unveiled a great package deal for the remainder of the spring, under the heading of "Spring Free Nights."  Guests who book for four nights will pay the price of three nights' accommodations and those who book for seven nights will only pay for five.

"The 'Spring Free Nights' package is one we've been hearing a great deal of buzz about," said Patrick Norton, Brittain Resort Management's vice president of marketing.  "We're delighted to showcase The Breakers Resort in this way."

For more information about The Breakers Resort, visit www.Breakers.com or call 1-800-952-4507 for reservations.

JetBlue Airways Takes Flight to its 71st Destination: Dallas/Fort Worth

JetBlue Airways (Nasdaq: JBLU) today celebrates inaugural service to its 71st destination and the third destination served in the Lone Star State: Dallas/Fort Worth. 


Boston's largest carrier now offers three daily flights between Logan International Airport (BOS) and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). JetBlue now serves 44 nonstop destinations out of Boston to points all over the carrier's growing network.

To celebrate the new service, flights are on sale today through May 3 at www.jetblue.com/new for as low as $119 for travel May 8 through June 5.

The airline's convenient service between Boston and Dallas/Fort Worth offers optimal schedules for business and leisure travel. Customers flying into Boston can also connect easily to points across JetBlue's network in the Northeast including Buffalo, NY, New York City (JFK and Newark), Washington D.C. (Reagan National and Dulles), as well as connections to partners, including Cape Cod and the islands via Cape Air and Aer Lingus to Dublin.

JetBlue's schedule between Boston and Dallas/Fort Worth:
Boston to Dallas/Fort Worth:
Dallas/Fort Worth to Boston:
Depart – Arrive
Depart – Arrive
7:58 a.m. - 10:59 a.m.
6:50 a.m. – 11:47 a.m.
1:55 p.m. - 4:50 p.m.
11:40 a.m. – 4:37 p.m.
6:50 p.m. - 9:49 p.m.
5:50 p.m. – 10:47 p.m.
- Flights operate 3x daily -
- All times local -

JetBlue has added an average of five new destinations per year in Boston since service first launched in 2004, and now serves more cities than any other airline in Logan's entire history as an airport. In the past year alone, the airline has added nonstop service from Boston to Newark, N.J., Portland, Ore., Santiago, D.R., and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands with plans to serve its 45th nonstop destination Nantucket beginning May 17, 2012.

JetBlue currently serves other big sky cities in Texas, including Austin and Houston-Hobby, and has been the proud official airline sponsor of University of Texas Athletics since 2009. JetBlue's flights from Boston to Dallas/Fort Worth will be operated with the airline's comfortable Embraer E190 fleet with its award-winning service featuring convenient, assigned two-by-two seating (every seat is a window or aisle); a first-checked bag free (b); complimentary and unlimited name brand snacks and drinks; comfy leather seats; and first-run movies. The airline has plans to introduce mixed service with its Airbus A320 fleet as it moves into summer, offering the most legroom in coach of any domestic carrier based on average seat pitch.

Monday, April 23, 2012

Travelzoo Surpasses 6 Million Subscribers in Europe

Travelzoo Inc. (NASDAQ: TZOO), a global Internet media company, it has surpassed 6 million subscribers in Europe. Travelzoo's European subscriber base now accounts for 24 percent of all subscribers to the Travelzoo brand. An additional 13 percent of subscribers to the Travelzoo brand are in Asia Pacific, where Travelzoo is independently owned and operated by Travelzoo (Asia) Ltd. and Travelzoo Japan K.K. under a license agreement with Travelzoo Inc. The remaining subscribers are in North America.

"We are thrilled to reach this new milestone in Europe," said Chris Loughlin, chief executive officer of Travelzoo.  "The Travelzoo brand resonates among subscribers in many countries worldwide, because it stands for quality, simplicity and trust.  We will continue to focus on these three brand attributes as we continue to scale." 

Travelzoo publishes travel, entertainment and local deals in 11 countries worldwide.  More than 250 Deal Experts research, evaluate and test deals each week, only publishing the very best to Travelzoo subscribers. 

Priceline App Data Suggests That Rental Car Customers May Be The Most Last-Minute Bookers Of Them All

Priceline.com (Nasdaq: PCLN) released its second set of findings on Android, iPhone and iPad users who are booking rental cars and hotel rooms through priceline.com's Hotel Negotiator app for Android and Hotel & Rental Car Negotiator app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. 
Here are the key findings from priceline.com's latest batch of mobile data:
  • Rental cars are a spur-of-the-moment decision for many mobile-equipped travelers.  41% of rental car bookings made through priceline.com apps were same-day.  Of those bookings, 48% were made within 2 hours of pickup.
  • The top 5 vehicle choices of mobile-equipped rental car customers are: #1 Economy, #2 Intermediate, #3 Full-Size, #4 Compact, and #5 Standard. 
  • Hotel star level preferences are expanding as mobile devices become more mainstream.  After priceline.com introduced its first Hotel Negotiator app for the iPhone in 2009, customers with mobile devices chose 3-star or higher hotels 82% of the time.  Today, 63% of iPhone users choose luxury hotels.  Android users choose 3-star and above 54% of the time.  iPad users are still the pickiest, choosing 3-star and above hotels 69% of the time. For smartphones, priceline.com said that the shift toward lower price-point hotels has accelerated during the Christmas season while, for the iPad, the shift has continued with each new release of the popular tablet.
"Priceline.com's early mobile phone usage data suggests that the almost exclusive preference for 3- and 4-star hotels was being driven by more affluent early adopters of iPhones," said John Caine, priceline.com's Chief Product Officer, who heads up the company's mobile development teams.  "Today, we're seeing more mobile devices in the hands of mainstream Americans, whose hotel booking preferences more closely parallel desktop-equipped hotel bookers.  This is another indication that the mobile marketplace for travel services is broadening as the popularity of mobile devices grows."

To see priceline.com's first set of findings on mobile booking trends for hotels, visit http://ir.priceline.com/releasedetail.cfm?ReleaseID=585670.

Priceline's Hotel & Rental Car Negotiator app, lets travelers use iPhone, iPad and iPod touch to quickly find and book last-minute hotel rooms using priceline.com's Name Your Own Price® hotel service and save up to 50% over published hotel rates.  Users also can book Tonight Only Deals, which are specially negotiated rates where the hotel is disclosed after the booking is confirmed.  The Hotel & Rental Car Negotiator app contains an option for browsing priceline.com's broad assortment of published-price hotels for a particular city or town.  Rental car customers can use the app's Name Your Own Price® service for booking rental cars at savings of up to 40% over published rates.  The Hotel & Rental Car Negotiator app can be downloaded for free from the iTunes store http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/priceline-hotel-car-negotiator/id336381998?mt=8&uo=4

Android users can download the Hotel Negotiator app, including the Tonight Only Deals service, for free from the Android market https://market.android.com/details?id=com.priceline.android.negotiator.

Booking.com, another service in the Priceline Group, recently released Booking.com Tonight, the first global last-minute hotel booking app for iPhone and iPod touch that offers same-night hotel rooms around the world at savings of up to 50% over published rates.  The app is available for free download at http://itunes.apple.com/app/booking.com-tonight-last-minute/id516563800?mt=8.
And the Priceline Group's Asian hotel service, Agoda.com, has its own hotel booking app:  http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/agoda.com-smarter-hotel-booking/id440676901?mt=8
 
iPad and iTunes are trademarks of Apple, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries.

LodgeNet Reports Accelerating Adoption of Its New Four Screen Services Strategy During the First Quarter

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (NASDAQ: LNET), the leading provider of interactive media and connectivity services to hospitality and healthcare businesses and the consumers they serve, today reported continued and accelerating adoption of its new 'four screen' services strategy and its interactive platforms during the first quarter of 2012. 


Interactive TV Platform Increases Momentum
Rooms contracted for Envision, LodgeNet's latest generation, high-definition iTV platform, numbered 71,000 at March 31, 2012 – a 75% increase over year-end 2011. This includes the 7,100 rooms at The Venetian – the largest casino/resort complex in Las Vegas and the company's largest Envision installation – as well as more than 13,000 rooms at over 30 properties in the Omni Hotels & Resorts portfolio. Other Envision installations announced since the beginning of this year include the flagship Sheraton Stamford (CT) hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE hotels in downtown Los Angeles, and the nearly 2,000 room Hilton New York. The cloud-connected Envision platform connects guests to essential hotel services and information about local attractions as well as delivering the best in-room entertainment options. Hotels focused on delivering consistent brand messages and engaging their guests can customize Envision to support the identity and services unique to their brands and individual properties.

Advanced App Adoption Exceeds Expectations
Further enhancing the value of Envision are LodgeNet's Advanced Apps, which include eCompendium (information about hotel services and facilities), eDining (on-site food and beverage ordering through the TV), and eGuest Requests (towel replacement, maintenance requests, etc.). "Hotel subscriptions to the Advanced Apps are exceeding our initial expectations," said Scott C. Petersen, LodgeNet Chairman and CEO.  "Of the Envision sites installed at quarter's end, more than 40% of the rooms are subscribing to an Advanced App, and those Apps are generating approximately $4.00 of revenue per room per month for us. We are particularly pleased with the high rate of Advanced App adoption because this is a 'software as a service' offering that generates a steady stream of recurring revenues."

Interactive Mobile Platform Extends Hotel Connection Through Personal Technologies
In January LodgeNet launched the LodgeNet Mobile App, expanding the company's relationship with the core traveler beyond the guest room television. In the first three months of this year, the company's mobile enabled base has expanded to serve over 570,000 guest rooms across more than 2,400 North American hotels.

Travelers who download the app to their iPhone®, Android™  smartphone or iPad® can customize their experience in everything from the in-room movies they watch, to the restaurants they dine in, to the hotel services and local entertainment options they choose. In addition to providing full control over the in-room iTV experience, the app incorporates additional features that meet travelers' diverse needs throughout the course of their trip (including the just-launched mCheckout feature). In just three months, the LodgeNet Mobile App has become a traveler favorite by providing them with a fun, fast and easy-to-use way to connect to the things they value most when they're away from home. For hoteliers, the app provides a powerful and flexible vehicle to connect with their guests through a device that is "always on" and central to their travel experience.

"These first-quarter iTV and mobile achievements validate our 'four-screen' strategy, which focuses on helping hoteliers enhance their economics and guest relationships through not only the in-room television but the laptops, smartphones and tablet devices that are traveling with guests wherever they go," said Petersen. "In addition, the potential for engaging with guests before, during and after the stay – through the technologies they're using every day – is clearly resonating with the consumer.  At the heart of our four-screen services is our PowerPortal™, which allows single step, simultaneous publishing of promotional and informational media to all four screens. This powerful new cloud-based tool increases guest satisfaction while requiring only minor resources to deploy. We look forward to reporting further successes as we continue helping our customers maximize the opportunities of a multi-device world."

Tuesday, April 10, 2012

Southwest Airlines Offers Bonus Rapid Rewards® Points on Select AirTran International Flights

Southwest Airlines (NYSE: LUV) announced today that Members of the airline's frequent flyer program, Rapid Rewards, can earn bonus points when booking select international flights on AirTran Airways, the airline's wholly owned subsidiary.

Southwest launched a promotion today that will reward Rapid Rewards Members 5,000 bonus points for each qualifying roundtrip flight or 2,500 bonus points for each qualifying one-way flight.  Rapid Rewards Members must be a member of the AirTran A+ Rewards Program and register for the promotion at http://www.southwest.com/rrairtran5000points between April 9 and Aug. 31, 2012. Qualifying flights will need to be booked between April 9 and Aug. 31, 2012, for travel between June 1 and Aug. 31, 2012 (qualifying routes and service start dates listed below.) 

The Rapid Rewards Bonus Points will be deposited into Members' accounts six to eight weeks after the promotion has ended on Aug. 31, 2012.  Members also will receive the standard A+ Rewards flight credit earned through AirTran A+ Rewards program.  Customers wanting to enroll in Rapid Rewards may click here, and Customers wanting to enroll in A+ Rewards may click here.
Qualifying AirTran Routes:
Aruba
(AUA)
Nonstop to/from
Bermuda
(BDA)
Nonstop to/from
Cancun
(CUN)
Nonstop to/from
Atlanta (ATL)
Baltimore/Washington(BWI)
Orlando (MCO)

Atlanta (ATL)
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)


Atlanta (ATL)
Austin (AUS)
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
Denver (DEN)
Milwaukee (MKE)
San Antonio (SAT)
Los Cabos
(SJD)
Nonstop to/from

Mexico City**
(MEX)
Nonstop to/from

Montego Bay
(MBJ)
Nonstop to/from

Orange County (SNA)



Orange County (SNA)
San Antonio (SAT)

Atlanta (ATL)
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
Orlando (MCO)

Nassau
(NAS)
Nonstop to/from

Punta Cana
(PUJ)
Nonstop to/from

San Juan
(SJU)
Nonstop to/from

Atlanta (ATL)
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)


Atlanta (ATL)
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)

Atlanta (ATL)
Baltimore/Washington (BWI)
Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood (FLL)
Orlando (MCO)
Tampa Bay (TPA)
**Pending foreign government approval

AirTran Service Start Dates:
Route
Start Date
Denver to Cancun
April 16, 2012
Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood to San Juan
May 24, 2012
San Antonio to Cancun
May 24, 2012
San Antonio to Mexico City**
May 24, 2012
Austin to Cancun
May 25, 2012
Orange County to Mexico City**
June 3, 2012
Orange County to Cabo San Lucas
June 3, 2012
**Pending foreign government approval

British Airways Launches New Algiers Flights From London Gatwick

Flights to Algiers will move from Heathrow to Gatwick with seven flights a week. Algeria's capital city, Algiers mixes past with present with 17th-century mosques and Ottoman-style palaces in the hilltop Kasbah city with a Mediterranean harbour. British Airways offer hotels in the city, including the beach front Sheraton Club des Pins Resort and Towers and the Hilton Alger, which is set among pines over looking the bay.


Algiers is one of five routes to North Africa offered by British Airways, the others being Cairo in Egypt, Tripoli, Marrakech and Tunis.


The year-round service will operate on Boeing 737 jets, and roundtrip flights to London [http://www.britishairways.com/travel/flights-to-london/public/en_gb ] are available to book on http://www.ba.com.The fares are all inclusive, offering passengers free online check-in and seat selection up to 24 hours before departure, a 23 kg checked-in luggage allowance, plus two pieces of hand baggage, and no debit card fees.


In addition to the new service to Algiers, British Airways customers can also enjoy the luxury of flying in First Class on the airline's new long haul service to Moscow. The start of the summer season also sees addition of long haul flights from Heathrow to New York JFK, Johannesburg, Miami, Hong Kong and Riyadh
.

British Airways' partner Iberia will also move its eight daily services from Heathrow to Madrid into Terminal 5 from Terminal 3, for the first time. This terminal move will allow customers better access to more destinations, and a smoother transfer experience at Heathrow between British Airways and Iberia flights.


Other changes at Heathrow have resulted in additional short haul flights to popular destinations such as Barcelona, Brussels, Bologna, Rome, Hamburg, Paris Orly, Prague, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.

Three new leisure routes, to Mahon in Menorca, Angers in the Loire Valley and Quimper in Brittany, will also start from London City Airport, resulting in a total of 21 destinations in the UK, Europe and USA being served from the docklands airport.

Thunder Valley Casino Resort Gives Away Over $11 Million in March

Thunder Valley Casino Resort gave away $11,029,679 in jackpots over $1,200 during the month of March. April looks to be just as promising as Thunder Valley introduces its $320,000 Gold Medal Giveaway along with several exciting spring promotions.

"March was a phenomenal month for our guests," said C.J. Graham, General Manager of Thunder Valley Casino Resort. "The giving will continue as Thunder Valley gears up for summer by putting the finishing touches on our highly anticipated Summer Concert Series – including live performances by Creedence Clearwater, Steve Miller Band, Earth Wind & Fire and much more."

$320,000 Gold Medal Giveaway
Win a trip to London for the 2012 Olympics during Thunder Valley's $320,000 Gold Medal Giveaway.
Every Friday and Saturday night in April, seven lucky winners will grab up to $5,000 cash or the guaranteed top prize, a $25,000 Olympic package for two to London – including travel arrangements, hotel accommodations and passes to select Olympic events.

Don't forget to tune in to KCRA 3 this summer where you can watch locally produced coverage of the Summer Olympics in London – courtesy of Thunder Valley Casino Resort. 

A partial list of winners from last month is detailed below:
Geraldine G.
Rocklin, CA
$30,000.00
Christopher C.
Discovery Bay, CA
$26,497.00
Aloun V.
Sacramento, CA
$25,000.00
Marcus N.
Fayetteville, NC
$23,445.00
Narendra M.
Sacramento, CA
$17,404.00
Herminio H.
Rocklin, CA
$16,000.00
Amy L.
Berkeley, CA
$15,000.00
Altin S.
Sacramento, CA
$15,000.00
Joseph P.
Howell, MI
$11,587.00
Anthony K.
Tracy, CA
$10,125.00
 
Thunder Valley Casino Resort joined the elite ranks of AAA Four Diamond award-winning resort destinations in 2011. Located 30 miles east of Sacramento, Thunder Valley Casino Resort offers 250,000 square feet of gaming space – including over 2,800 slot and video machines, 125 table games and a live poker room with space for 210 players. 
 
Thunder Valley has 14 restaurants and bars, including High Steaks Steakhouse, Red Lantern and a 500-seat Feast Around The World Buffet as well as Mingle Bar, Falls Bar, Thunder Bar and High Steaks Bar. Thunder Valley Casino Resort is also home to a luxury, 17-story hotel with 297 rooms, including 40 suites and an expansive outdoor pool complete with private cabanas and Coconut, a poolside bar.  
 
The Spa at Thunder Valley features a wide variety of treatments including the exclusive 24-carat gold leaf facial. Also on property is a 3,700-space parking structure that leads guests directly into the casino and hotel.   For more information on upcoming promotions, entertainment and ticket sales, or to make a reservation at Thunder Valley's AAA Four Diamond resort, visit http://thundervalleyresort.com .
 
The United Auburn Indian Community opened Thunder Valley in June 2003.
SOURCE Thunder Valley Casino Resort

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.