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This week in Opportunities:

Leisure Travel Hits Six Year High
European Travel's Back on Track
Boost Seen for Inbound Travel to U.S.
Marriott Ranked 12th Overall for Diversity
Starwood Adds Another Hotel in China
Opportunities Watch!
Opportunities Networking!
Executive Movers! See who's going where?
Travel Executive Employment Report

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OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS

Leisure Travel Hits Six Year High

The percentage of adult Americans who have taken at least one overnight trip of more than 75 miles from home has risen to the highest level observed since 1999 according to the Yesawich, Pepperdine, Brown & Russell/Yankelovich Partners 2005 National Leisure Travel Monitor. According the survey, preferences and intentions of Americans, fully 58 percent of American adults took such a trip during the past 12 months (up from 49 percent last year), of which one third took at least one trip primarily for business and 93 percent took at least one trip primarily for pleasure. The results of the survey suggest that demand for both domestic and international travel services will continue to grow in the year ahead, notwithstanding any concerns about safety and security or the rising cost of gasoline. Among other things, the survey revealed: 68 percent of adults took at least one leisure trip with a spouse or another adult, while 37 percent took at least one trip with children (a significant increase from the percentage observed last year), and fully 26 percent took at least one vacation alone; weekend vacations (four nights or less including a Saturday) reign as the most popular and now represent 56 percent of all vacations taken by Americans, although there has been an increase in the incidence of vacations lasting more than five nights; 30 percent of adults are planning to take fewer vacations in the year ahead (roughly equivalent to the percentage observed last year), and "not able to get away from my job/work" is the most frequently-cited reason why.

European Travel's Back on Track

Companies specializing in Europe travel may be seeing significant growth ahead. Boom times are back for tourism in Europe, with more than 12.32 million Americans visiting in 2004, up 12 percent from 2003 and not far from the record set in 2000, according to the European Travel Commission. That year topped out at 13.2 million, capping an eight-year spate of steadily mounting increases that paused in 2001, when global travel took a downturn. If further proof were needed that Americans are flocking back to Europe, of the total 27,000,000 Americans traveling abroad in 2004, 45 percent visited Europe. Although the dollar lacks some muscle compared to historic high exchange rates, 2005 is nonetheless a strong contender for another record year, if advance bookings are any indication. Trans-Atlantic fares are currently low, and packages, tours and cruises are filling up briskly as budget-conscious travelers pay as much of their travel costs as possible in US dollars prior to departure.

Boost Seen for Inbound Travel to U.S.

Inbound tourism business to the U.S. is booming, according to the latest statistics. After three years of stagnation, international tourism worldwide experienced spectacular growth in 2004, according to the World Tourism Organization. Arrivals to the U.S. also grew each month throughout 2004, boosted by a favorable exchange rate to foreign currencies. Although the 2004 year-end tally has not yet been released, arrivals to the U.S. through November suggest they are on track to top the forecast that predicts an increase of nearly 9 percent over 2003. On the other hand, while this growth is promising, arrivals to the U.S are still well below the 2000 figures.

Marriott Ranked 12th Overall for Diversity

For the second consecutive year, DiversityInc magazine today named Marriott International, Inc. (one of the "Top 50 Companies for Diversity," the only lodging company on the list. Marriott placed 12th overall, up from 25th last year. A total of 203 companies competed in the survey. According to DiversityInc, the Top 50 Companies for Diversity survey is the only national ranking of its kind and is the most in-depth empirical analysis of corporate diversity management and planning. This year's ranking is based on more than 300 detailed questions analyzing human capital, CEO commitment, corporate communications and supplier diversity. In the human-capital area, which was one of the areas that Marriott International scored particularly well, important factors included: top 10 percent highest paid employees, CEO commitment, diversity training, management compensation linked to diversity, and measurement of recruitment, retention, promotion and salaries. The lodging leader ranked ninth out of the Top 10 Companies in the Recruitment & Retention category; seventh in the Top 10 Companies for Asian Americans; and seventh in the Top 10 Companies for Executive Women.

Starwood Adds Another Hotel in China

China continues to be one of the hottest markets in the hospitality industry. Last week Starwood Hotels & Resorts announced an agreement to manage the Sheraton Shanghai Hotel & Residences, Pudong in China. Scheduled to open in mid-2008, the hotel and residences will be part of a multi-purpose complex that houses the hotel in one tower and serviced residences, offices and retail space in the other two towers. Sheraton Hotels & Resorts is well-entrenched and established in China and was the first international five star hotel brand to open in China with the Great Wall Sheraton Hotel in Beijing which debuted 20 years ago. Since then, Sheraton has spread across 15 cities throughout China. With this addition, Starwood will have five upscale hotels in Shanghai, including the Sheraton Shanghai Hotel & Residences (opening 2008); W Shanghai-Pudong (opening 2008); The Westin Shanghai; St. Regis Hotel, Shanghai; and the Sheraton Grand Tai Ping Yang Hotel, Shanghai. Starwood expanded its portfolio in China significantly over the last year with the opening of Four Points by Sheraton Shenzhen, and the signing of Sheraton hotels in Shenzhen, Xiamen, Changsha, Ningbo and Haikou. In the first quarter of 2005, the hotel giant also signed two new hotels: Sheraton Chongqing Hotel and The Westin Nanjing. The company has a total of 19 operating hotels and 13 hotels under development in China.

OPPORTUNITIES WATCH!

Cassani Said to Plan Europe Hotel Chain

Barbara Cassani, former boss of budget airline Go and a key member of the team bidding to stage the 2012 Olympic Games in London, reportedly is planning to launch a chain of hotels in leading European cities. Cassani, 43, who earned a £9.5 million fortune from the sale of Go to Easyjet, is in the early stages of developing the hotel concept. She reportedly has held talks with a range of companies including Bourne Leisure, the privately owned group that includes Butlins and Haven Holidays, about backing the venture financially. Before Go, the American-born Cassani held top posts at British Airways.

New Low-Cost Mexican Airline Unveiled

The airline industry may be challenging, but that doesn't seem to dissuade some from starting new airlines. Grupo Mexicana de Aviacion announced new airline concept that it claims will revolutionize air travel in Mexico. The new airline, named Click Mexicana, headed by Isaac Volin Bolok, will be part of Grupo Mexicana and will have the infrastructure support offered by Mexicana de Aviacion. The name Click, is the result of a study carried out by Landor, a renowned worldwide firm specializing in branding and brand positioning. Click Mexicana will operate 10 Fokker airplanes, with a configuration of 100 seats, with 35 inches of space between rows, placing it as one of the most comfortable in the industry. These modern airplanes will integrate to the fleet gradually between July and December this year. The new airline will offer flights to some cities served by Mexicana de Aviacion, with the same frequency and service quality. At first, it will operate nine national destinations in round trips from Mexico City to Saltillo, Nuevo Laredo, San Luis Potosi, Oaxaca, Zihuatanejo, Huatulco, Tuxtla Gutierrez, Villahermosa and Merida. Click Mexicana is the first low cost airline in Mexico. Initially, it will operate nine routes with 10 Fokker airplanes, completely renovated equipment and the most advanced technology.

Four Seasons Continues Global Expansion

The boom in the luxury hotel sector shows no signs of slowing down. Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has officially opened the Four Seasons Resort Langkawi, set amid the legendary Malaysian islands that bear the same name. The new 91-room resort includes an spa, 20 beach villas and an array of dining experiences. Four Seasons currently has 65 hotels in 28 countries, including five resorts in Asia and more than 20 properties under development.

Farelogix Moves From Toronto to Miami Area

Farelogix Inc., a leading provider of independent faring and multi-source distribution technology to the global travel industry, has relocated its corporate headquarters to Miami-Dade County from Toronto, Canada. Farelogix's relocation will create 25 new jobs and generate a new capital investment of $250,000 for Miami-Dade. "Moving our corporate headquarters to Miami provides us with the U.S. presence needed to quickly respond to the significant opportunities in the travel technology market," said Jim Davidson, president and CEO of Farelogix. "We can also boost our recruiting efforts, since the south Florida area boasts a pool of top technology talent familiar with this industry." Farelogix, which previously had a satellite office in Miami, will continue to maintain its operations in Toronto to serve its Canadian customers.

OPPORTUNITIES NETWORKING!

Connect at TravelCom 2005

This April, Travel Commerce Conference and Expo will be bigger and better than ever before, with more exhibitors, an exciting new venue, and a comprehensive executive level conference program that has been created for the industry, by the industry! Opportunities subscribers also can save 20% on TravelCom 2005! - Simply use the following discount code when registering at TravelComExpo.com: GTC2L. TravelCom runs April 27-29, 2005 at the Marriott Marquis in New York, NY.

Meet Europe Travel Distribution Execs in London!

You can network with top European travel pros at The Travel Distribution Summit, taking place June 7-8 in London, the industry's annual meeting place for executives who control the pricing, marketing and sales of the world's hotels, flights and holidays. With the endorsement of a broad range of industry associations, including HEDNA, CASMA, ETOA, UK Inbound, The Tourism Society and TTI and the backing of distribution innovators such as Google, Yahoo! and Amadeus, the Summit is the meeting place for European travel suppliers and distributors. It is your chance to hear the latest thinking, strategies and success stories from the biggest names in travel marketing, sales, pricing and technology. Every year, discussions at this event help shape the future of European travel distribution, and this year will be no exception. For more information, call 800-814-3459 or visit www.eyefortravel.com.

OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS!

AIRLINES: Southwest Airlines named Daryl Krause as its new vice president of Inflight. In his new position, Krause will oversee more than 7,700 employees, including all flight attendants and inflight training personnel, and will focus on all aspects of the customer inflight experienceÖPromod Gupta will take over as Air India's new regional director for U.S.A. and Canada. Gupta joined Air India in 1973 in the Delhi (North India) sales office.

CRUISES: Radisson Seven Seas Cruises named Ian Rogers as vice president finance, effective April 18. Rogers, a 19-year hospitality finance professional, joins the cruise line from his current position as senior director of finance for Carlson Hospitality Worldwide, where he is responsible for all managed and equity assets, directing the accounting, reporting and analysis operations, including acquisitions, takeovers, owner and partner relationships, and feasibility studiesÖSilversea Cruises appointed Rossano Giunti to the new position of director of hotel operations. Reporting to chief operations officer Erling Frydenberg, he will oversee hotel and food and beverage operations.

ASSOCIATIONS: Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI) has created a new position in its headquarters under the title director of development and awards competition in which partnerships and fundraising will be combined with overseeing the HSMAI Adrian Awards Competition. To handle these responsibilities, HSMAI has named veteran association marketing executive Melanie Penoyar to the newly-created post. Penoyar will take on several primary tasks for HSMAI and the HSMAI Foundation such as partnership marketing, affinity programs, media management, silent auction fundraising, special projects and management of all aspects of HSMAI's Adrian Awards Dinner and Competition.

HOTELS & RESORTS: Crestline Hotels & Resorts, Inc. appointed Carol Simon as general manager for the new Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center in Staunton, Va. The Stonewall Jackson Hotel & Conference Center is a historic property located in Staunton, in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. Named for General Stonewall Jackson, the hotel originally opened in 1924ÖInterContinental Hotels Group named Kieron Ritchard as vice president, strategy-Greater China. Ritchard is the newest addition to the InterContinental Hotels Group's Greater China leadership team and reports directly to Edmond Ip, chief operating officer, North Asia. He will be responsible for developing and executing the growth strategy for Greater China, a key development focus for InterContinental Hotels GroupÖGaylord Hotels has promoted 20-year hospitality industry veteran Javier Callejas to general manager of the Radisson Hotel at Opryland. Callejas joins the hotel from Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center in Kissimmee, Fla., where he was most recently director of special promotions and projects. He joined Gaylord Palms as director of reservations, leisure and business travel salesÖThomas Hoeborn has been appointed general manager of the Hilton Hua Hin Resort and Spa, Thailand, effective April 1, 2005. Hoeborn has extensive commercial experience in Asia, having worked in Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Colombo and most recently, Tokyo. During his career at Hilton, Thomas has been intimately involved in concept and product development and was instrumental in creating the "Hilton Wine Experience"ÖThe 311-room Courtyard by Marriott Kauai at Waipouli Beach has named Andrew Cooley as director of sales and marketing. In his new role at the oceanfront hotel, Cooley is responsible for leisure and group sales in Hawaii, North America and the Far East. He also directs all marketing, advertising and public relations initiativesÖThom Geshay has joined Tarsadia Hotels as senior vice president of real estate. In this position Geshay is responsible for all new business activity and opportunities including acquisition, disposition and development for existing hotels, land, ground leases and any other real estate related investment vehiclesÖThe Arizona Biltmore Resort & Spa has named Robert Filipelli as director of sales and marketing. With 22 years of experience with luxury hotels and resorts, Filipelli comes to the Arizona Biltmore from the Wyndham El Conquistador Resort & Golden Door Spa and Las Casitas Village & Golden Door Spa in Puerto Rico ÖIan Wilson has been named general manager of The Fairmont Royal York hotel in Toronto, Ontario. Wilson brings over 22 years of knowledge and expertise in the hospitality industry to his new position at The Fairmont Royal YorkÖMelrose Hotels announced that J. Thomas Baker has been named vice president of marketing for Melrose Hotels, which includes The Melrose Hotel, Dallas, The Melrose Hotel, Washington, D.C., The Melrose Hotel, New York and the Westin Great Southern in Columbus, Ohio. Baker takes this position after four years as general manager at the Westin Great Southern Hotel and two years as corporate director of marketing for Melrose Hotels. He will be based at the Melrose's flagship property in Dallas.

DESTINATIONS: The Palm Beach County Convention & Visitors Bureau has appointed Kevin James as national convention sales manager to spearhead the national sales initiatives at the new $85 million Convention Center. James has relocated to Palm Beach County from Atlanta. He previously served as the sales manager with the Georgia World Congress Center, national sales manager at the Atlanta Convention and Visitors Bureau and group sales manager with the Hyatt Regency Atlanta.

TRAVEL AGENTS: Joystar, Inc., a fast growing travel agent network, added Tom Hormann to its management team. Hormann brings more than 25 years of travel industry sales and technology experience to Joystar. His experience ranges from managing an international tourism program for the State of California to business development and technology roles with Sabre Holdings, a leading Global Distribution System. For the last nine years, Hormann held both sales and management positions at Sabre where he developed strategies and managed key relationships for the travel agency consortia industry.

RAIL: Rail Europe Group has appointed Maire Caverley as director of sales, reporting to vice president of sales, Jean Heger. A 30 -year veteran of the travel industry and originally from Ireland, Caverley's experience includes positions with Aer Lingus and most recently with Avis/Cendant Car Rental Group. She is a member and past president of the 41∞-74∞ Club of New York and member of New York SKAL. Caverley's responsibilities include managing Rail Europe Group's 12 Business Development Managers located across the U.S., Canada and Mexico, as well as overseeing an inside sales staff at the Rosemount (Illinois) offices of DER. Caverley is based in Rail Europe Group's White Plains headquarters.

TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY: Opodo, the European online booking site, has appointed a new commercial director, Stephan Uhrenbacher, who will be responsible for Opodo's sales and marketing strategy in Germany, the U.K., France, Italy and the Nordic markets. Uhrenbacher was previously chief operating officer for DocMorris, an online pharmacyÖITA Software hired Derek Lewitton, who was United's director of distribution strategy, as vice president of sales. Lewitton will be based in Chicago. With ITA Software and G2SwitchWorks reading alternative GDS offerings, Lewitton, at United, played a high-profile role in recent months in urging United's top travel agencies and corporate customers to experiment with these new distribution companies.

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