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This week in Opportunities:

WTO 2004 Tourism Results Are Best in 20 Years
New Survey Shows Business Travel Recovering
Strong Advance Bookings Reported to Europe
Marriott Reports Record Earnings, More Growth Ahead
Caesars Entertainment Reports Record Earnings for 2004
Cendant Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter Growth
Marriott Launches Major Diversity Outreach Initiative
Opportunities Watch!
Opportunities Networking!
Executive Movers! See who's going where?
Travel Executive Employment Report

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OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS!

WTO 2004 Tourism Results Are Best in 20 Years

Here's more evidence that the travel industry is surging worldwide. International inbound tourism experienced a strong rebound in 2004, with Asia and the Pacific leading the way, according to WTO World Tourism Barometer. International tourist arrivals reached an all-time record 760 million, which was a 10 percent increase over 2003. Growth was common to all regions, but was predominantly strong in Asia and the Pacific, with 29 percent growth, and in the Middle East, with 21 percent growth. Double-digit growth was also registered in the Americas, a 10 percent increase, while Africa grew only 7 percent and Europe, at a 4 percent increase, performed below the world average, but still substantially improved their results of previous years. After three years of depressed figures, 2004 was the year that finally brought tourism in North, South and Central America back to the growth side. Though still lagging behind the 2000 record volume of 128 million arrivals, international tourist arrivals increased by an exceptional 10 percent in 2004 to a total of 124 million, as all sub-regions performed positively. For more information, visit www.world-tourism.org.

New Survey Shows Business Travel Recovering

Business and convention travel is finally showing signs of recovery, although greater emphasis on travel policies and the increasing use of technology has caused the business travel landscape to shift, according to a new report from the Travel Industry Association of America (TIA), the National Business Travel Association (NBTA) and the Institute of Business Travel Management. The 2004 Business and Convention Travelers Report shows that between 1998 and 2003, business and convention travel volume declined more than 14 percent. However, business travel volume grew more than 4 percent in 2004 and strong growth is expected over the next few years. Improvements in technology have also altered the business travel landscape, creating greater acceptance of online business communication technologies as an alternative to travel. Nearly 40 percent of all business air travelers were substituting technology, increasingly web-conferencing, for some travel in 2004, although this is down from 47 percent reporting the same in 2002. Nearly three-quarters (71 percent) of all business air travelers in 2004 felt that the use of teleconferencing, webcasting or videoconferencing was somewhat or much more efficient than travel, up from 65 percent in 2002. However, only 37 percent of business air travelers feel that using such technology is more effective than a face-to-face meeting as a way of meeting business goals. Despite these challenges, business travel remains big business in the U.S. More than 38 million business travelers generated 210.5 million person-trips in 2003. And although business travel comprises 18 percent of total travel volume, these travelers generate 31 percent, or $153 billion, of all domestic travel spending. For more information, visit www.tia.org.

Strong Advance Bookings Reported to Europe

The health of the tour business often is tied to how bookings are to top destinations, including Europe. If that's the case, things look good for 2004. According to a recent informal survey of United States Tour Operators (USTOA) members, advance bookings of tours and vacation packages to euro-currency countries, are strong despite the weak U.S. dollar. Sixty-five percent said bookings were stronger, while 25 percent said bookings were the same. Nearly 95 percent of USTOA respondents said that bookings to other areas of the world are up over last year. A slight majority (56 percent) said that this increase was not due to the strong euro, while 44 percent attributed the increase to the weak dollar. Areas cited as strong include China, India, Central and South America, Australia, and U.S.; and to a lesser extent Mexico, Eastern Europe, South Africa, and Canada. The poll was based on a sampling of 20 companies, representing more than 40 of the top brands in travel to Europe and Euro countries. For more information, visit www.ustoa.com.

Marriott Reports Record Earnings, More Growth Ahead

Marriott International, Inc. reported record diluted earnings per share from continuing operations in 2004, up 27 percent from 2003. Income from continuing operations, net of taxes, for the year was $594 million, a 25 percent increase over 2003 levels. Marriott revenues totaled $10 billion in 2004, a 12 percent increase from 2003. Base management and franchise fees increased 15 percent to $731 million reflecting growth in units and RevPAR. Lodging operating income increased 20 percent from 2003 levels to $575 million, largely as a result of robust leisure and business demand, strong RevPAR, and unit expansion. And if numbers don't show just how good a year 2004 was for the company, listen to Chairman and CEO J.W. "Bill" Marriott: "Although 2004 was a spectacular year for the company, we are even more optimistic and enthusiastic about the future," he sais. "We currently have more than 55,000 rooms in our development pipeline and expect to add 25,000 to 30,000 hotel rooms and timeshare units to our system in 2005. With increasing room rate momentum, outstanding service quality, continuing product enhancements, global expansion and strong interest in our timeshare business, 2005 should be another record earnings year."

Caesars Entertainment Reports Record Earnings for 2004

The gaming business just keeps outdoing itself. Last week Caesars Entertainment, Inc. reported record earnings for the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2004. For the fourth quarter of 2004, Caesars Entertainment reported net income of $20 million, compared to a net loss of $84 million for the fourth quarter of 2003. Previously, the company's highest reported fourth quarter net income was $17 million in 1999. Adjusted net income for the fourth quarter of 2004 was $27 million. "The strong performance of our Las Vegas resorts and better than expected results in Atlantic City drove record earnings in the fourth quarter," said Caesars Entertainment President and Chief Executive Officer Wallace Barr. "Las Vegas is one of the hottest tourist destination resorts in the nation right now -- and the entire industry is benefiting."

Cendant Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter Growth

Not to be outdone by Marriott or any other lodging and travel company, Cendant Corp. reported that revenue in the last quarter of 2004 rose 24 percent from the previous year, driven by strong performances in its real-estate and travel units. The company earned $357 million, or 33 cents a share, on revenue of $4.9 billion in the fourth quarter. In the previous year, it earned $288 million, or 27 cents a share, on revenue of $4.34 million. Cendant franchises hotels under such brands as Days Inn, Howard Johnson, Ramada, Super 8 and Wingate brands and real-estate brokerages under the Coldwell Banker and Century 21 brands. It also owns the Avis and Budget rental-car businesses, as well as Cendant Travel Distribution Services (TDS), which includes Galileo and Orbitz. It's also actively on the hunt for a number of top executive posts in its TDS unit.

Marriott Launches Major Diversity Outreach Initiative

If you want to work for a company that is at the forefront of diversity initiatives, Marriott International may just be the ticket. Last week Marriott announced expanded goals for its Diversity Outreach Initiative, including: $1 billion pledged to minority- and women-owned suppliers over the next five years; relationships with four newly signed minority- and women-owned and managed financial services firms; and a plan to have minority owners and franchisees to double in five years. "Our diversity outreach has created opportunities for us to benefit from the talent and expertise from organizations who share our vision and commitment to excellence," said J.W. Marriott, Jr., chairman and CEO of Marriott International. "With more than $210 million in expenditures in 2004 -- a 40 percent increase over 2003 -- we are on track to achieve $1 billion with diverse suppliers over the next five years and have established our continued lodging industry leadership." Marriott also announced that it has signed agreements with minority- and women-owned financial institutions, which will provide Marriott with services for projects ranging from financing hotels to managing money market funds, and are assisting the company with other capital market transactions. As part of its broad-based diversity initiatives, Marriott also plans to build on the company's outstanding track record of attracting top tier minority owners and franchisees. "Marriott provides many attractive opportunities for minority and women-owned entrepreneurs and businesses, and we're going to enhance that appeal over the coming months," said Mr. Marriott. As a "hall of fame" member of Fortune magazine's "100 Best Companies to Work For" list for eight consecutive years, Marriott has always been committed to employing a talented and diverse workforce. In particular, the company has doubled the number of women and minorities in its top 400 leadership positions over the last six years. Marriott's current and future success in workforce diversity is supported though programs such as its Leadership Education Series, which teaches managers how to lead and build their careers in today's increasingly more diverse and complex marketplace. For more information, visit www.marriott.com.

OPPORTUNITIES WATCH!

Australia Company Buys up U.S. Tour Operators

In mergers there may be opportunity.Australia-based Transonic Travel Limited, a provider of services to the airline and travel industry, has acquired ATS Tours and Islands in the Sun, both based in Los Angeles and specializing in wholesale packages to Australia, New Zealand, Tahiti and other Pacific Islands; ATS Pacific, which is an inbound tour operator based in Australia, New Zealand and Fiji; and a 50 percent shareholding in Coral Sun, Fiji's largest tourism transport and service provider. This is Transonic's second acquisition since listing on the Australian Stock Exchange in May 2004. In July 2004, Transonic acquired Newmans South Pacific Vacations, a major wholesale tour operator from North America to Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific Islands. For more information, visit www.transonictravel.com.au.

RCG Sets Pact to Buy OneTravel for $25 Million

Here's another merger that may result in some executive shifts: RCG Companies Incorporated, a leisure travel company, has entered into an agreement to acquire 100 percent of the outstanding stock of OneTravel, Inc. (www.onetravel.com). RCG operates SunTrips (www.suntrips.com), one of the largest leisure-travel tour operations in the United States, and 1-800-CHEAPSEATS (www.1800cheapseats.com), a full service online and offline travel company. OneTravel is a privately held provider of online and offline discount travel products and services, offering its customers the ability to search for and book a full range of travel products. The company also has proprietary dynamic packaging search engine technology that allows its customers to customize their own vacations by combining air, hotel and land options. OneTravel operates a direct-to-consumer business through a variety of web sites. In addition to OneTravel.com, the company operates 11thHour.com, CheapSeats.com and DiscountHotels.com. OneTravel also provides technology solutions and support services that enable other businesses to operate in the online travel arena. The terms of the acquisition provide for a total purchase price of $25.5 million. For more information, visit www.rcgcompanies.com.

Asian Hotelier Shangri-La Sets Europe Growth

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts and London-based Sellar Property Group signed a 30-year lease agreement for the Shangri-La Hotel at London Bridge Tower. The partnership marks the first European hotel for Shangri-La, which opens late 2009, and is the first new-build five-star hotel in the Central London area in over a decade. The London Bridge Tower is situated on the South Bank of the Thames River diagonally opposite the Tower of London. It is projected to be the tallest building in Europe at 310 metres (1,016 ft.) high and a landmark synonymous with London itself. The deluxe, 195-room Shangri-La, accessed by a dedicated entrance at street level, will occupy floors 34 to 52 (18 floors total) of the "Shard of Glass," as London Bridge Tower has become known.

Hilton Opens Two New Hotels in Florida

Hilton Hotels Corporation announced the opening of the first phase of the new Hilton Daytona Beach Ocean Walk Village. The property, which will have 742 rooms when the second phase opens in early summer, is undergoing a $20 million refurbishment process in order to become a Hilton, and will bring new vitality to the Ocean Walk Village vacation and entertainment district. Elsewhere in Florida, Hilton opened the new Hilton St. Augustine Historic Bayfront, a 72-room property in "America's Oldest City." The hotel was designed by local architect Gerald Dixon and is composed of 19 buildings.

New Hotel Chain Targets Action Sports Enthusiasts

A new hotel chain catering to the whims of action sport fans everywhere is being launched called eXtreme Hotels. The eXtreme Hotels concept was born from the personal search of entrepreneur Bill Lee for world-class surfing spots, instruction and nightlife. A frequent business traveler, Lee was used to the signature service of international world-class properties known for excellent staffing, amenities and convenient locations in key metropolitan markets. The flagship property for the boutique chain is eXtreme Cabarete. Located on the North Coast of the Dominican Republic, the 20-room hotel is directly on Kite Beach, recognized as one of the best places on the planet for the fastest growing water sport of kiteboarding. For more information, please visit www.westcoastholdings.com

Outrigger Seeks GM for Hawaii Condo Property

Here's a job of the week: Hawaii-based Outrigger Hotels & Resorts is looking for a general manager for its Condominium Resort Division at the Kanaloa at Kona Condominium. The position requires five to 10 years of condominium/hotel experience (condominium experience preferred) with at least three years in a position equivalent to general manager. Essential qualifications include strong communication skills, successful record of supervising managers and proven skills in employee relations, revenue maximization and guest satisfaction. Outrigger offers a competitive compensation and benefits package. For more information on Outrigger Hotels & Resorts, visit www.outrigger.com Qualified candidates must send resume and salary requirements to: Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, Human Resources Department, 2375 Kuhio Avenue, Honolulu, Hawaii 96815, or fax to 808-921-6975, or email employment@outrigger.com.

OPPORTUNITIES NETWORKING!

Meet Meeting Pros at HSMAI World Quest

The unique aspects and nuances of international meeting planning will drive the agenda at the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International's (HSMAI) second annual World Quest when it returns this summer for a three-city tour. Connecting meeting professionals to the international business partners with whom they conduct business, World Quest presents a unique format designed for intensive education and learning. Attendees will find a wealth of information, including new business strategies, best practices and provocative presentations of hot topics important to the arena of international meetings, followed by interactive roundtable topic discussions with planners and international business partners. The World Quest events will be held: July 22, 2005--Washington, D.C. at the JW Marriott Pennsylvania Avenue; July 25, 2005--New York at the Millennium Broadway Hotel; July 29, 2005--Chicago at the Millennium Knickerbocker Hotel. Agenda topics will include: International Protocol; Freight Forwarding and VAT Reimbursement; International Law; and the Latest Trends in Planning International Meetings. For more details, visit www.amg-inc.com/worldquest.htm. HSMAI is an organization of sales and marketing professionals representing all segments of the hospitality industry. For more information on HSMAI, call 703-610-9024; fax 703-610-9005 or visit www.hsmai.org. For more information on HSMAI World Quest, contact Derek Jenks at 703-610-0223; fax 703-610-9005, or visit www.amg-inc.com/worldquest.htm.

Network with Dive Travel Pros at DEMA

DEMA Show 2005 will take place in Las Vegas Oct. 4-7. Beginning spring 2005 exhibitors and attendees will be able to register for the show as well as book hotel rooms in Las Vegas via the website. The site can also be used to view the schedule of DEMA sponsored sessions and exhibitor sponsored seminars; purchase tickets to the DEMA Awards Party; obtain information on Power Up Your Morning sessions, the DEMA Retailer Resource Center, and dive training and certification organization presentations and events; and learn about free media opportunities for exhibitors. As the largest trade event in the world for companies doing business in the scuba diving, ocean sports and adventure/dive travel industries, DEMA Show 2005 will take place at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas. More than 600 exhibitors from around the world and thousands of dive and travel industry professionals are expected to gather at this year's Show which will offer the most extensive educational program in the industry. DEMA Show 2005 is a trade event open only to industry professionals and is produced by the Diving Equipment & Marketing Association (DEMA), and managed on its behalf by National Trade Productions, Inc. For more information on DEMA call 858-616-6408 or visit www.dema.org or www.demashow.com.

OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS!

CRUISE LINES: Norwegian Cruise Line is making a number of high-level additions and realignments in its fleet operations department. The changes come six months after the appointment of Bill Hamlin as executive vice president of fleet operations. Industry veteran Manfred Ursprunger will join the company as senior vice president-hotel operations, reporting to Hamlin. Ursprunger has been an industry consultant since serving as president and CEO of Renaissance Cruises. Prior to that, he was senior vice president-total guest satisfaction at Celebrity Cruises. Reporting to Ursprunger, Arturo Guerrero will gain new responsibility in the hotel department as vice president-newbuild delivery. He will coordinate between the newbuild teams, fleet personnel and shoreside hotel operations to ensure the smooth startup of new vessels entering service. NCL will get the industry's largest capacity increase this year with the addition of Pride of America and Norwegian Jewel. Meanwhile, Colin Murphy, vice president-land and air services, will assume a newly created position in the hotel department, vice president-onboard and land revenue. He will oversee all onboard revenue areas, except casino, while continuing to develop shore excursions and pre- and post-programs. Suzanne Cockburn is getting responsibility for air services and the new title of vice president- passenger services. Joe Assante, vice president-cruise operations for the New York Economic Development Corp., will join NCL in the new role of vice president-port operations, reporting to Hamlin. NCL veteran Kaare Bakke will serve in a transition role, working with Assante and Hamlin. Trevor Young has been named as vice president-hotel newbuild and refurbishment. Young was previously senior director of hotel operations for Star Cruises. He will join Miami's fleet operations team after this year's ship deliveries and report to Hamlin on hotel refurbishment projects and to Nils Nordh, executive vice president- marine operations and newbuild for Star Cruises, on NCL's newbuild effortsÖCrystal Cruises has created a new shipboard position of guest relations manager to assist Chinese guests on upcoming Asia cruises. Wendy Lin will travel on the Crystal Harmony March 2 to April 27 to serve as hostess for Chinese-speaking guests, attending to everything from translation services to shipboard and shoreside enrichment and involvement.

DESTINATIONS: Julie Linahan has been named the new incentive travel industry sales manager for the Newport Beach Conference & Visitors Bureau in California. In her new position, Linahan will be responsible for developing and bringing group and individual tour and incentive business to Newport Beach. She will be directly responsibly for marketing Newport Beach as the Southern California desirable destination for international and domestic tour operators, travel agents and meeting planners. Linahan comes to Newport Beach from the ROSS Products Division of Abbott Laboratories in Orange County, Calif. She also spent four years as the national sales and marketing manager for the Big Sky Resort in Big Sky, Montana. In addition, she served as sales manager for The Coeur d'Alene Resort in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

HOTELS & RESORTS: International Cruise & Excursions Inc. (ICE), a Phoenix-based provider of cruise programs and Internet marketing technology for the leisure industry, today announced the appointment of two senior executives to the new corporate management team led by ICE Chairman John Rowley. Glenn Nadell has been named chief operating officer and a member of ICE's board of directors, and John Reinhardt has been named executive vice president of business development-AmericasÖTom O'Donnell has been named senior vice president and general manager of Harrah's Cherokee Casino & Hotel, effective March 7. O'Donnell will succeed Patrick Dennehy, who was previously named senior vice president and general manager of Horseshoe Bossier City Hotel & Casino and Harrah's Louisiana Downs. Both appointments are subject to the receipt of required regulatory approvals. O'Donnell has 23 years experience in the gaming industry, including stints as general manager of Showboat Atlantic City and Harrah's JolietÖThe Jefferson Street Inn in Wassau, Wis., has named Joseph Osswald as general manager and Kathleen Penn has been named the sales manager. Osswald brings more 24 years of knowledge in the hospitality industry to the hotel. He has served in all aspects of the industry including, food service, sales, hotel operations, and general management positions at a variety of operations ranging from a small country style inn, to most recently the Westwood Hotel and Conference CenterÖ Oberoi Hotels and Resorts named Carol Goodman as director of sales and marketing for the Americas. Goodman joins Oberoi in the New York sales office from Seattle, where she spent two years creating exclusive product for the Virtuoso travel network. Goodman previously held management posts at Seabourn Cruise Line and several other cruise lines, as well as her own consulting business.

TOUR OPERATORS: Apple Vacations named Kris Potter as vice president-marketing for Apple Vacations East. Potter joins Apple Vacations with more than 10 years of marketing experience, most recently as vice president and general manager of US Airways Vacations. As the vice president of marketing at Apple Vacations, she will lead, mentor and provide vision to Apple Vacations' advertising, graphics, marketing and e-commerce teams. Potter will be responsible for spearheading the successful execution of strategic marketing plans, including print, broadcast and online media, trade events, incentives, promotions and travel agency marketing programs. One of her first priorities includes maintaining the positive momentum resulting from Apple Vacations new online booking tools. The includes the further development of Apples' user friendly and intuitive online booking engines, ensuring content on the sites are robust and meaningful and e-commerce marketing initiatives stimulate traffic and increase conversionsÖCollette Vacations promoted Gregg Chalk to director of Internet Development. In this role he will oversee all of Collette's online efforts, including the marketing and development of all Collette branded web sites, partnership growth and online travel agent sales. Chalk is also responsible for developing and executing the company's online strategic development plan. Formerly the Internet Development manager, Chalk has been with Collette since 2000 and is based at the company's corporate headquarters in Pawtucket, R.I. Chalk has over 10 years experience in the marketing industry. Prior to joining Collette he worked in managerial positions in both product and marketing for Reebok International and Staples Corporation.

TRAVEL AGENTS: Carlson Leisure Group (CLG) has appointed Bill Baltes as chief information officer (CIO). Baltes will assume the role previously held by Dave Zitur, who was promoted by Carlson President and COO Curtis Nelson to serve in the newly created role of program executive for Enterprise Resource Planning. Baltes will manage all of CLG's technology solutions across the organization, and will oversee a team of nearly 50 Information Technology colleagues in Minneapolis, Boise, St. Louis and Holland. He will manage vendor relationships and maintain the technology budget, while fostering cross-company partnerships with other subsidiaries of Carlson Companies. Baltes began his career at Carlson Companies 12 years ago. He comes to CLG from Carlson Marketing Group (CMG), where most recently he was responsible for the delivery of all technology solutions and managing various IT projects, as the senior director of information technology. Carlson Leisure Group also announced that Scott Grinde and Paul Early are both being named to CLG's executive team to chart the company's course for future growth. Effective immediately, Grinde will serve as the senior director of finance for CLG, while Early will serve as senior director, strategy and business planning. The promotions came after Dave Zitur, CLG's former CIO and vice president of finance, was tapped to serve in a new role as program leader of the Enterprise Resource Planning Project for Carlson Companies. Grinde and Early are assuming the finance and strategic planning-related portions of Zitur's position. An announcement about a new CIO for CLG is expected to be made shortly. Grinde and Early will report directly to Michael Batt, president and CEO of Carlson Leisure Group. Grinde has been with Carlson Companies for nearly 15 years, most recently serving as CLG's senior director of planning and performance reporting. Early, who has a background in investment banking and corporate finance, joined CLG's mergers and acquisitions team in 2003.

TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY: Farelogix Inc., a leading provider of independent faring and multi-source distribution technology to the global travel industry named Jim Davidson as president and CEO. Davidson assumes this role from interim CEO, Bert Amato, who will remain on the Farelogix board of directors. Davidson brings a diverse range of experience to his role as president and CEO. Most recently, he was CEO of NTE, a technology company focused on building Internet-enabled transportation pricing, transaction, and visibility applications for the supply chain industry. NTE customers included Target, Hallmark, Sara Lee Bakery Group and Perry Ellis International. Prior to NTE, Davidson was president and CEO of Amadeus Global Travel, North America, an international developer of reservations and technology solutions for the travel industry. At Amadeus, he led the introduction of the Amadeus web-based reservation system into the North American market. He also served as vice president of sales and marketing for System One Company, and vice president of marketing for Reed Travel Group/Official Airline Guides.

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