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This week in Opportunities:

World Economic Forum Releases International Study on Travel and Tourism
Survey: Business Travelers Still Willing to Pay for Amenities
Affluent Consumers Not Likely to Change Spending Habits
Executive Movers! See who's going where?
Travel Executive Employment Report

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OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS

World Economic Forum Releases International Study on Travel and Tourism

As more countries improve their transportation infrastructure and environmental protection to become more competitive in international travel and tourism, the United States is now the seventh-most competitive country in the travel and tourism sector, dropping two places from a year ago, according to the Global Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2008 (TTCR). The second annual edition of the report by the World Economic Forum in conjunction with global management consulting firm Booz Allen Hamilton places Switzerland, Austria, Germany, Australia, Spain and Great Britain ahead of the U.S., with Sweden, Canada, and France rounding out the top 10. The rankings, covering 130 countries in total, are based on a measurement of over 60 variables that impact a country’s appeal in developing travel and tourism, including statutory regulations, health and safety, infrastructure, local price levels, and environmental and cultural aspects. The researchers expanded the index from the 2007 report in an effort to capture the importance of environmental sustainability for the sector’s development. Data from international travel and tourism organizations, industry expert views, and information from the Forum’s regularly-conducted “Executive Opinion Survey” supplemented these variables. The TTCR was developed as a tool to be used to identify the competitive strengths of individual countries as well as the barriers that impede the development of the sector. The U.S. ranks first for overall business environment and infrastructure, attributed mainly to its ability to meet high capacity air transport and tourism needs, including IT infrastructure. The country ranks low on price competitiveness, placing 105th out of 130 countries. With a relatively high number of World Heritage national sites and protected wildlife areas, the U.S. ranks 2nd worldwide in natural resources. However, a perception exists that the country is not sufficiently protecting the environment, ranking 100th for environmental sustainability. “The low score on this pillar is not only a result of relatively weak regulatory measures to combat global warming, but is also driven by inefficient energy consumption and the relatively high levels of air pollution in major cities,” said Justin Zubrod, Vice President at Booz Allen. “To attract more tourists in the long term, the U.S. might consider adopting environmental policies that not only preserve natural assets but also change global perceptions about our leadership in environmentalism.” Safety and security, at 119th place, are also of concern for the U.S. Aside from high costs associated with business needs for preventing crime and terrorism, the country also has among the highest rates of road traffic incidents. The openness of U.S. citizens toward foreign visitors is also ranked low, at 114th place. However, prioritization of travel and tourism has gone up from last year, from 47th to 21st place overall, though the industry still contributes only 3.8% to the GDP, compared with 6.3% for top-ranking Switzerland. Recommendations from the 2007 report were well-received by decision-makers in the tourism and tourist travel sectors in several countries, which is partly reflected in the form of practical changes whose effects can be noted in improved rankings. Switzerland, Austria and Germany continue to top the list, particularly on account of their environmental standards and exemplary transport infrastructure. Sweden has achieved a significant leap of nine places up the rankings, partly due to its heightened efforts on environmental issues, which also account for the high index rankings achieved by the other Scandinavian countries. Improvements are noted for Brazil (up 10 places) and for two Mediterranean states, Spain (up 10 places) and Italy (up 5 places). Progress has also been achieved by other popular Southern European holiday destinations, such as Portugal (up 7 places) and Greece (up 5 places). Countries placing a stronger emphasis on sustainability come out particularly well in the rankings. “Implementing strategies is one of the most important success factors in establishing a balance between short-term economic successes and long-term ecological objectives,” says Jürgen Ringbeck, Vice President with Booz Allen. The travel and tourism sector is a key wealth driver for emerging countries like China and South Africa. These nations have used supportive legislation to decisively improve their competitiveness in these areas. China, which this year is staging the Olympic Games, achieved dramatic improvements in the ranking,, due to a combination or regulatory adjustments and infrastructure measures (up to 62nd in the ranking from 71 last year). South Africa also succeeded in moving up the rankings (to 60th spot, up from 62 last year); the country is set to be the first on the African continent to stage the Football World Cup, in 2010. For the full report, visit www.weforum.org/en/initiatives/gcp/TravelandTourismReport/index.htm.

Survey: Business Travelers Still Willing to Pay for Amenities

Despite numerous indications that businesses are curtailing travel expenditures in a tightening economy, many business travelers aren't sacrificing comfort. In fact, a majority of those surveyed this month by Orbitz for Business are willing to pay for added services, benefits and flexibility while traveling, as sixty-five percent say they would pay extra for benefits such as refundable fares, priority/exit row seating and other conveniences. Additionally, when it comes to seating upgrades, 40 percent of business travelers surveyed say their company would cover the cost of a seat upgrade of $50 or less at check-in, the March Orbitz for Business corporate traveler survey found. There appear to be pros and cons to traveling with your boss. When asked whether they would prefer to sit alone on a flight or sit next to their boss, 58 percent of those surveyed say they would rather sit alone. Forty-two percent prefer to take advantage of an opportunity to sit with the boss. The Orbitz for Business survey also looked into flight time restrictions and found that a majority of business travelers can fly whenever they choose, however some are prohibited from flying during normal business hours if at all possible.

• 56% say their employer places no restrictions on when they book flights for business travel.
• 36% say at times they may be required to travel before or after normal business hours, but can otherwise select their own flight times.
• 8% say that their employers mandate traveling before or after business hours unless it is not possible to do so.

Affluent Consumers Not Likely to Change Spending Habits

The declining stock market, eroding value of the dollar, and soaring gas prices have not curtailed spending habits or altered positive economic outlooks of the majority of the country’s wealthy households, according to a survey completed in February by Phoenix Marketing International’s Affluent Marketing Practice. Slightly more than one half – 56 percent – of households with investable assets greater than $250,000 stated that their discretionary spending remained the same over the previous three months. Another 20 percent of those interviewed by Phoenix researchers actually increased their spending during the same period. The slackening economy had even less impact on households with assets in excess of $1 million dollars, according to David Thompson, managing director of Phoenix Affluent marketing. Eighty-six percent of millionaires surveyed expected their spending to remain the same or increase for the March-May 2008 time period. The 20 percent of affluent responders who said they may decrease their discretionary spending in the near term cited dining out, entertainment, clothing and jewelry, and leisure travel as the categories likely to bear the brunt of the decreases. “Affluent consumers are all-important bellwethers in the drive to bring our economy back to life,” remarked Thompson. “Their willingness to keep spending despite all the doom and gloom remains a beacon of hope for marketers in the United States.” For additional results from this latest Phoenix survey on the spending habits of high-net worth households, including latest data on what this segment believes is the most important issue in the upcoming presidential election, visit www.phoenixmi.com/about/news//2008030312.phtml.

OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS!

AIRLINES: Scott Toelle has joined bmi, the UK's second largest airline, as director of key accounts in the US with his office located in Oakland, Maryland. Toelle will be responsible for managing sales efforts and developing a business strategy for nearly 150 accounts that pertain to bmi's new Middle East, Africa and Central Asia routes as a result of its recent acquisition of BMED. Prior to joining bmi, Toelle was vice president and COO of Trans Am Travel located in Alexandria, Virginia. During his 11 year tenure, he helped increase sales from $80 to $145 million and served as a board member of United States Air Consolidator Association (USACA). He helped revolutionize the distribution of consolidator fares online and developed contracts with the airlines and the four GDS systems. He also served on numerous advisory boards for travel trade shows and GDS seminars. For five years, Toelle was also an account executive for United Airlines in the Washington, DC area, where he managed 100 retail and consolidator accounts worth $80 million in revenue. Toelle increased his computer skill set when he worked as a software/hardware support analyst for 3M in St. Paul, MN early in his career. A native of Northern Virginia, Toelle received his bachelor's degree in Public Administration from George Mason University while on a baseball scholarship... SkyWest Airlines, a subsidiary of SkyWest, Inc., is pleased to name David W. Faddis as director of its enhanced SkyWest operations safety and compliance department, effective March 10. Faddis takes on the position as the airline centralizes and expands the scope of its safety department to further align its programs with its safety first culture. In the new role, Faddis will report to Russell "Chip" Childs, SkyWest Airlines president and chief operating officer, and will be responsible for all safety and security programs, auditing and compliance throughout the airline's operation, including flight operations, maintenance, ground operations and passenger safety. He will manage the airline's emergency response, audit and internal evaluation programs, and will oversee development and implementation of procedures and training to ensure the highest possible level of safety and security throughout the company's operation. Faddis began his SkyWest career as a line pilot in 1986. He has held various management positions including flight instructor, designated examiner, EMB and CRJ flight manager, manager -- aircraft operations, and most recently director -- flight training and standards. Faddis has served on several industry committees, and has been involved in aircraft technical and developmental projects. He holds a bachelor's degree in Business Administration from Southern Utah University... Alaska Airlines has named Brad Walker managing director of leisure and group travel marketing. A 25-year veteran of Alaska Airlines, Walker previously served as director of leisure marketing, responsible for Alaska Airlines Vacations' leisure and tour business. In his expanded role, Walker also will manage the airline's relationships with online travel agencies and cruise lines, and lead marketing and sales for group and meeting travel. Walker was appointed by Gov. Christine Gregoire to the Washington State Tourism Alliance. He also serves on the executive committees of the Seattle King County Visitors and Convention Bureau and the Mexico Tourism Board, and on the advisory board of the Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau. Hired as an Alaska Airlines customer service agent in Seattle, Walker later served as a sales representative in Los Angeles before being promoted to manager of national leisure sales. Walker co-founded a wine and travel auction that has raised more than $500,000 for the Boys and Girls Clubs of King County.

CRUISELINSES: Maurice Zarmati has been named president and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines - North America. Zarmati, who is currently vice president of sales for Carnival Cruise Lines, will assume his new role beginning March 31, 2008. An accomplished sales executive, Zarmati has been with Carnival Cruise Lines since 1972, leading one of the largest and most successful sales teams in North America. In his new role as president and CEO of Costa Cruise Lines - North America, Zarmati will report directly to Gianni Onorato, president of Costa Crociere, and will be responsible for all sales and marketing efforts for Costa's North and Central American regions. This includes sales development, marketing, revenue management, finance, human resources and passenger services. In the interim before Zarmati begins his position, Joni L. Rein, vice president of sales development and Ruben Perez, vice president of passenger services, will oversee all main functionalities of the Costa North America office.

HOTELS & RESORTS: John Q. Hammons Hotels & Resorts has appointed real estate development attorney Justin Harris as senior vice president and general counsel. Harris’ responsibilities span overseeing real estate development; managing financing, litigation and franchising; arranging partnerships between public and private entities; handling legal issues; and directing the legal department for the growing company. Most recently Harris served as a partner and managing partner at Lowther Johnson Attorneys at Law, LLC in Springfield. Harris is seasoned in real estate development, the formation and operational needs of business organizations, and litigation in federal and state courts... RockResorts and Vail Resorts Hospitality have announced that Ken Shore has been chosen as the new general manager of the Snake River Lodge & Spa, A RockResort, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. He will start his new position in April. Shore began his hospitality career in 1991, as the general manager of the Doubletree Guest Suites in Tucson, Arizona. After nearly seven years at that position, he transitioned to general manager of the Hilton Hotel in Salt Lake City. In 2000, he accepted the position of general manager for The Yarrow Resort Hotel & Conference Center, where he was responsible for 181 guest rooms and 10,000 square feet of meeting and conference space. Before accepting the position of general manager for the Snake River Lodge & Spa, Shore had been the President of Career Education Corporation since 2001. Shore is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Par, New York.

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