The travel industry is consumed trying to figure out Google’s master travel plan after their recent acquisition of ITA Software. However, if you go back a couple months and look at another less publicized acquisition by Google of the social travel guide www.Ruba.com the plan begins to take shape. Ruba is a user-generated travel guide […]
Much is being written about Google’s recent purchase of ITA Software. ITA created the travel booking engine many corporations and online travel websites use. The thing that makes ITA different is that it uses direct connections to suppliers rather than going through the GDS systems like Sabre and Apollo. The GDS systems are extremely expensive […]
“Look at your enemy’s strength to find their weakness”
Carl von Clausewitz, Prussian General
Clearly the Internet has provided some really heavyweight competition for independent travel agencies; however in many ways it also leveled the playing field by creating new cost-effective ways to promote. Social media sites like Facebook, Twitter and user-generated resort review sites provide […]
All indicators are pointing up for 2010. The stock market is now at the same levels it was 2 years ago. Real Estate has regained its footing and is now on the rise in many markets. Travel is also coming out of the abyss as well. This year is and will be a down year […]
Club Med Starts Guest Rewards Program
Club Med announced today that is is starting a guest rewards program called Great Members.
Club Med guests can earn upgrades, discounts, late check-out and future rewards based upon how many nights and/or how much the guests have previously spent.Club Med Great Members has three reward levels:
1) Turkoise - Anyone who […]
Avis has now initiated No-Show Fees in Europe. Look for this trend to spread quickly to the U.S. The car companies have traditionally counted on sweet deals from the car manufacturers to stock their fleets. Obviously they can no longer count on Detroit for anything and must now make operations profitable through new fees and […]
I just found this awesome travel deal to Australia. This is from Qantas Vacations.
Quantas is the Airline of Australia. Check this out:
5 DAY TOUR - RED CENTER WAY FROM $899
Experience the real Australian Outback
Discover the natural and cultural marvels of Australia’s Red Center
Includes 4 nights hotel, exceptional touring with local guide & Hotel/Airport Transfers
Visit the […]
My favorite hotel in Waikiki is the Outrigger Reef on the Beach. Outrigger has refurbished “The Reef” quite a few times in the last 10 years or so. However, this time was a major renovation with over $110 million in improvements. Immediately upon arriving repeat guests will notice the new tropical wood entry. The pool […]
The economic crisis has really hit the luxury travel segment hard. The resulting empty rooms, cabins and seats are now on sale. SeaDream Yacht Club is one example. I just received an e-mail from them offering 9 night sailings, March 20 and April 3, 2009 for $2,999 per person. This is a really great deal. […]
2009 will go down as the year of the travel deal. I just priced out some Mediterranean cruises and found some phenomenal cruise deals. Once, Europe cruises were only for the wealthy traveler. Now with prices as low as $799 for a one week Mediterranean cruise, if you have a steady job then you can […]
