The only weekly newsletter detailing essential trends, news and top executive moves in travel. Opportunities is a free newsletter that provides you with the vision to "see" travel industry opportunities in the making. Whether you are in sales, business development, guiding your company's growth or managing your career, reading opportunities will give you the advantage to succeed. Opportunities is another innovative tool brought to you by Travel Career Connexxions. For more information, visit our main Travel Job resource page.

This week in Opportunities:

Leisure Travel Back On Track
National Travel Monitor Predicts More Growth
Hotel Survey - More Profits in 2004
U.S. Lodging Summit Forecasts Positive Business Market
Experts Predict Multi-Billion Dollar Travel Boost
Networking Opportunities
New Opportunities!
Executive Movers! See who's going where?
Travel Executive Employment Report

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OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS!

Boost Seen for Leisure Travel This Summer

By all accounts, the travel industry is back on track, especially in the leisure segment. The latest Travel Industry Association of America (TIA) forecast maintains real recovery in the travel and tourism industry is clearly underway, with a 3.2 percent increase in leisure travel for the 2004 summer season. TIA's Summer 2004 Forecast predicts Americans will take more than 334 million person-trips during June, July and August 2004. A person-trip is one person traveling 50 plus miles one-way away from home. Travelers plan on spending an average of $1,101 on their longest pleasure trip this summer, up 4.4 percent from summer 2003, According to TIA, the 10 destinations travelers would most like to visit this summer are, in order, Florida (38 percent), California (29 percent), Hawaii (16 percent), new York (15 percent), Colorado (12 percent), Texas (11 percent), Nevada (9 percent), Washington, D.C. (5 percent), Virginia (5 percent) and Alaska (5 percent). For more information, visit www.tia.org.

National Travel Monitor Predicts Growth in Travel

Want more evidence that the travel industry has emerged from its doldrums? The latest numbers from the Yesawich, Pepperdine Brown & Russell/Yankelovich Partners 2004 National Travel Monitor reveal that demand for both leisure and business travel services is likely to grow in the months ahead as the economy continues to improve and Americans finalize their vacation plans for the summer season. Highlights of the firm's annual National Leisure Travel Monitor include: 33 percent of leisure travelers expect to take more trips this year compared to last, while 38 percent expect to take the same, and 29 percent expect to take fewer vacations. YPB&R/Yankelovich's annual National Business Travel Monitor shows that 43 percent of business travelers plan to take more trips in the year ahead, whereas 34 percent plan to take the same and 23 percent plan to take fewer trips compared to 2003. The National Leisure Travel Monitor is an annual survey of the travel habits, preferences and intentions of 1,350 active leisure travelers. The National Business Travel Monitor is an annual survey of the travel habits, preferences and intentions of 1,200 active business travelers. For more information, call 407-838-1799 or visit www.ypbr.com.

Hotel Survey Finds Sees More Profitable 2004

Among travel industry segments, the hotel sector continues to show some of the strongest signs of recovery. While U.S. hotels suffered a third consecutive year of declining profits in 2003, according to the 2004 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry survey conducted by PKF Consulting and the Hospitality Research Group (HRG), the U.S. lodging industry performance is expected to rebound significantly during 2004. Based on the HRG/TWR Spring 2004 Hotel Outlook forecast, hotel revenues should increase 7.6 percent in 2004, which should result in a 14.3 percent increase in profits for the year. The good news, however, is that barring a catastrophic event, the majority of U.S. hotels should benefit from increased revenues in 2004. For a copy of the 2004 edition of Trends in the Hotel Industry, call 404-842-1150, ext. 237, or visit www.pkfonline.com.

U.S. Lodging Summit Forecasts Positive Business Market

Echoing the PKF Consulting survey, participants of the first American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA) U.S. Lodging Industry Summit, held early this month, collectively expressed encouraging predictions for the rebounding U.S. travel and hotel industries. According to Summit participants, hotel occupancy will increase from 59.2 percent in 2003 to 60.8 percent in 2004. The average daily rate of a hotel room will also rise from $83.12 in 2003 to $85.11 in 2004. In addition, total demand will hit a record level that will force increased occupancy. In part, this will be due to the new buying power of Generation X (adults ages 24-38), which is rapidly approaching Baby Boomers (adults ages 39-58) in travel spending. There will also be plenty of new opportunities in the hotel segment, with a 3.4 percent increase in new construction and re-flagging by leading hotel companies affecting a total of 165,13 properties, representing 56.5 percent of the lodging industry. Leisure and unmanaged business revenue (excluding corporate) is estimated to earn $45.9 billion in 2004 and reach $52.5 billion by 2006. And travelers taking at least one or more business trips are expected to increase to 33 percent in 2004 from 32 percent in 2003.

Experts Predict Multi-Billion Dollar Travel Boost

Participants at yet another travel industry conference, held during National Tourism Week, are predicting a strong surge in consumer travel and travel planning, including a healthy 6 percent growth in travel this year over last. Experts speaking at a travel and tourism industry symposium held last week at Universal Orlando forecast 2004 total travel spending at $585 billion, up $33 billion from 2003, and spoke of the strongest growth in years in everything from hotel bookings to consumer spending on travel packages. Tom Williams, chairman of Universal Parks & Resorts, said his company was seeing strong worldwide demand for its theme park and resort offerings, with attendance at the company's domestic parks up 15 percent over last year. Other travel experts from a variety of national travel organizations, including AAA, Expedia.com, Loews Hotels, Song, Universal Orlando, and the Orlando Orange County Convention and Visitors Bureau said that bookings and travel planning indicators were increasing at significant levels, signaling a very strong year for the industry. Mark Brown, AAA Travel executive vice president, said his organization's travel agency sales were up 21 percent for the first quarter of 2004 and that more than 90 percent of AAA travel agencies expect summer bookings to increase by nearly 20 percent. And Expedia.com cited strong growth in hotel bookings this year, with bookings in major cities at their highest level in years.

OPPORTUNITIES RESOURCE!

Discover the Tour Business at NTA's Web Site

Want to find out more about the domestic tour operator business? The U.S. Tour Operators Association's membership includes more than 60 of the major tour companies in the U.S., but the National Tour Association (NTA) features a much broader cross section of nearly 4,000 companies that package both group and individual travel, including suppliers and destinations. NTA's goal is to promote partnering and networking among members, lobby government on issues of concern to tour operators, and provide members with information on the market. NTA's web site at www.ntaonline.com, contains information about the association, member benefits, research, government relations, educational programs and global initiatives. Even more importantly, it lists major scheduled networking events, such as the 2004 NTA Annual Convention, Nov. 12-16, which is being held in Toronto this year. For more information, visit www.ntaonline.com.

OPPORTUNITIES WATCH!

More Jobs Ahead With Atlantic City Growth

When most people think of a growing gaming destination, they think of Las Vegas. But other gaming destinations are on the growth path once again as well. Last year Atlantic City saw the opening of a major new resort, The Borgata, which brought Vegas-style chic to the boardwalk. Now other casino properties in the city are trying to match and surpass that. Nearly every major casino property in the city has either renovated, or announced plans to expand or refurbish their facilities, meaning there may be more opportunity than luck at the famed New Jersey seaside resort. The latest to announce an expansion is Caesars Atlantic City, which unveiled plans for The Pier at Caesars, a $145 million luxury retail, dining and entertainment complex scheduled to open on the Atlantic City Boardwalk next summer. It will feature a world-class roster of elite retailers, including first-in-the-region appearances by Gucci, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Armani A/X, Bebe and Burberry. Located at the center of Atlantic City's historic Boardwalk, The Pier at Caesars aims to transform the location into one of the most recognizable international shopping and entertainment landmarks in America. The Pier's four floors also will include nine world-class restaurants, such as Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr's Buddakan and El Vez, as well as Phillips Seafood of Baltimore. The Pier will be connected to Caesars Atlantic City by a skybridge. Once completed, The Pier will significantly expand Caesars Entertainment's center-Boardwalk casino resort complex, uniting four unique casinos, three hotels, and a retail-dining-entertainment center under one roof. So expect more jobs soon in one of the nation's oldest and most famous resort destinations.

Independence Air Ramps Up Domestic Service

We've spoken often in these newsletters about the major growth and success of such low-cost carriers as JetBlue, Frontier, AirTran and Independence Air. Well, Independence Air finally announced its destinations last week from its Washington Dulles hub-and it just might be the quickest schedule ramp-up in airline history. On June 16, Independence will begin serving Chicago O'Hare, Newark, Boston, Raleigh/Durham, and Atlanta. On June 23, it will begin flights to White Plains, N.Y., Portland, Me., and Norfolk, Va. On July 1, it will begin flights to Syracuse, Nashville and Jacksonville. On July 17, it will start service to Lansing, Mich., Burlington, Vt., Rochester, N.Y., Greenville/Spartanburg, S.C., Charleston, W.V., Manchester, N.H., and Albany, N.Y. On Aug. 1, Independence will start service to Greensboro, N.C., Cleveland and New York JFK, On Aug, 15, it will begin flights to Dayton, Ohio, Indianapolis, and Hartford, Conn. On Aug. 23, it will start service to Providence, R.I., Detroit, and Louisville, Ky. On Sept. 1, it will start service to Stewart/Newburgh, N.Y.

USA3000 Airlines on the Flight Growth Path

Believe it or not, there are other small, low-cost carriers that are also on the growth path. USA3000 Airlines, a low-fare, full-service airline, just announced it will serve Newark, N.J.; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Baltimore with non-stop service to Fort Myers, Fla. Earlier the same week USA3000 announced it would begin new service from to Bermuda beginning Sept. 3. The airline currently flies scheduled service from Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Columbus, Cincinnati and Pittsburgh to Cancun, Mexico; scheduled service to Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic from Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore, Cleveland and Cincinnati; charter flights from Chicago O'Hare to many destinations in Mexico and several destinations in the Caribbean. Domestically USA3000 flies to Fort Lauderdale from Cleveland, Detroit, Newark, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh; to Fort Myers from Chicago O'Hare, Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee and Pittsburgh; and to St. Petersburg from Chicago O'Hare, Cleveland, Detroit, Newark, Milwaukee, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. So if you're looking for jobs in the airline industry, some of the smaller, low-fare carriers may be just the ticket.

Calif. Native American Gaming Adds More Jobs

Here's yet another growth opportunity: Native American gaming in California. Job growth created by California Indian casinos and their tribal governments grew by nearly 17 percent for the year ending April 2004, according to the California Indian Nations Gaming Association (CINGA). Preliminary statistics supplied by the California Employment Development Department also revealed tribes employed 44,300 workers in April 2004, up 0.2 percent from the previous month and 16.6 percent over April 2003. CNIGA Chairman Anthony Miranda said tribal governments are committed to the continued creation of jobs and economic development in California.

OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS!

AIRLINES: America West Airlines has promoted Travis Christ to vice president-marketing, Kara Gin to vice president-financial planning and analysis, and Paul Lambert to vice president-corporate real estate. Christ and Gin replace Ken Feldman and J.R. Wilson, respectively, who have announced plans to leave the airline. America West also named Ron Cole as vice president-customers and inflight services, and Joette Schmidt as vice president-sales. Christ joined America West in 1997 as manager-route planning and scheduling. He currently serves as president-America West Vacations and has also held the positions of senior director-national sales and director-capacity planning. Cole has been with America West since 1996 when he joined the airline as vice president of sales. Gin has served in a variety of capacities since joining America West in 1996 as a senior analyst in the airline's financial planning and analysis department. Lambert joined America West in 2001 as senior director-legal affairs and currently serves as senior director and associate general counsel. Schmidt joined America West in 1996 and has served in a variety of positions, including senior director-passenger sales, and vice president-customersÖUS Airways promoted three senior officers as part of the consolidation of the company's finance department. David Davis, previously chief financial officer, is now executive vice president and chief financial officer. Anita Beier, previously vice president and controller, is now senior vice president and controller. Eiliff Serck-Hanssen, previously vice president-finance and treasurer, is now senior vice president-finance and treasurer. Beier and Serck-Hanssen report to Davis, who in turn reports to CEO George Lakefield. Davis joined US Airways in April 2002 as vice president of financial planning and analysis and was responsible for operating and capital budgeting, divisional cost control, financial analysis, and transactions support. Beier is responsible for the management of all accounting functions for US Airways Group, Inc., and its subsidiaries, including financial reporting, revenue accounting, accounts payable and payroll. Serck-Hanssen is responsible for US Airways' capital markets and aircraft financing, insurance programs, risk and cash management, pensions, investments programs, treasury, tax and fuelÖQatar Airways, based in Doha, has hired its first North American representative, John Hogan, to oversee operations in North America. Qatar currently flies to 48 destinations in Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and the Indian subcontinent and the Far East, but it intends to expand its route network to 60 destinations by the end of 2005. Hogan previously worked for Malaysian Airlines, and has held posts with US Airways, Piedmont, Club Med, All Nippon and Kingdom VacationsÖDelta Air Lines has made a series of changes in its executive ranks. Vicki Escarra, formerly executive vice president and chief marketing officer, is now executive vice president and chief customer service officer. Mike Palumbo, who joined Delta this month, is the airline's new executive vice president and chief financial officer. Joe Kolshak, previously senior vice president of flight operations, is now senior vice president and chief of operations. Lee Macenczak, previously senior vice president of sales and distribution, is now senior vice president and chief human resources officer. Paul Matsen, formerly senior vice president of international and alliances, is now senior vice president and chief marketing officer. Greg Riggs, formerly senior vice president and general counsel, is now senior vice president-general counsel and chief corporate affairs officer, and Jim Whitehurst, formerly senior vice president of finance, is now senior vice president and chief network and planning officer.

CRUISES: Radisson Seven Seas Cruises promoted Darius Mehta to the new position of director land programs. The new post was created to allow Mehta to oversee both the shore and hotel programs' groups from inside the cruise line's operations department. As director land programs, Mehta, formerly manager-shore programs, will have broader supervisory roles, directing personnel in Radisson Seven Seas' shore programs as well as hotel & land package departments. A 15-year cruise industry veteran, Mehta joined Radisson Seven Seas in 2000.

HOTELS: Rosewood Hotels & Resorts has appointed top management positions for Acqualina, the new Rosewood resort on Sunny Isles, Miami Beach. David Kurland has been named managing director and will oversee all aspects of the Rosewood resort. Deborah Yager Fleming has been named director of sales and marketing, directing sales and marketing activities and public relations. Kurland and Yager Fleming will supervise all facets of the 51-story property, up to and beyond the December 2004 opening. Kurland previously served as president and managing partner of The Water Club in San Juan, Puerto Rico. He also served as president and managing director of The El San Juan Hotel and Casino for six years as well as managing director of the then five-star Grand Bay Hotel in Coconut Grove for five years. Yager Fleming previously served as vice president-sales and marketing at Island Outpost, where she managed marketing campaigns, developed synergistic partnerships and Internet programs for 12 boutique hotels, including The Tides in Miami. Acqualina is Rosewood's first venture into the Florida market. The resort will feature 97 guestrooms in addition to 189 luxury condominiumsÖWestCoast Hospitality Corporation named William Heaney as vice president of sales representing Red Lion Hotels and WestCoast Hotels in the U.S. and Canada. Heaney will be responsible for developing direct sales strategies for WestCoast Hotels and Red Lion Hotels and will also coordinate the deployment of the national sales team and provide support and training to hotel sales people in the field. He joins WestCoast Hospitality from Boykin Hospitality where he was senior vice president of sales and marketing. Prior to joining Boykin Heaney was vice president of sales for Meristar Hotels and Resorts (now Interstate Hotels and Resorts)ÖJohn Unwin has been named senior vice president for hotel operations at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Unwin previously served as chief operating officer for Ian Schrager Hotels. His 25-year career includes positions with Fairmont, Marriott and Westin propertiesÖDavid Merritt has been named Lane Hospitality's new senior vice president of development. The Northbrook, Ill.-based hospitality company owns and manages hotels, resorts and time-share properties. Merritt, a 20-year veteran of the hospitality industry, will oversee all aspects of property, site selection and due diligence for the company's investment opportunities and portfolio purchases. Since 1985 he has held senior level development-related positions with Interstate Hotels Corporation, FFC Hospitality, Westmont Hospitality and Red Roof InnsÖLoews Beverly Hills Hotel has appointed Tony Phillips as director of rooms. Phillips most recently served as director of rooms at La Posada de Santa Fe Resort and Spa in Santa Fe, N.M. He was on the opening team for Portofino Bay Hotel, Hard Rock Hotel and Royal Pacific Resort--all Loews Hotels located in Orlando, Fla. He also held a senior-level management position at Loews Denver Hotel in Denver.

TRAVEL AGENTS: GIANTS, the New York-based travel agency marketing cooperative, has added Linda Getter as its new director of marketing. Getter will develop and manage the creative, scheduling, and execution of all GIANTS' marketing materials and collateral, including the popular Hotel Connections Directory, Select Traveler catalog series, supplier promotions, and direct mail pieces for its U.S. agency members. Getter's travel industry experience includes 15 years in a variety of marketing and communications posts with several tour operators, including Lindblad Expeditions, IST Cultural Tours and Micato Safaris.

TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY: Cendant Travel Distribution Services (TDS) hired Daryl Raiford, formerly vice president-finance and administration for the Hewlett-Packard Company in the Americas, as its new chief financial officer and executive vice president-finance and administration. Raiford will report to Samuel Katz, chairman and chief executive officer of Cendant TDS, and oversee the company's finance, technology, global product marketing, corporate communications and legal departments. Reporting to Raiford in his new position will be the finance team group vice presidents, Scott Thompson, Christie Kozielski, Michael Dodds, Byron Jones and Philip Searle; as well as Mickey Lutz, chief information officer; John Kiker, vice president, corporate communications and public affairs; John Kim, senior vice president and legal general counsel; and Jonathan Siddons, senior vice president, global product managementÖCendant TDS' Travelport Corporate Solutions looked beyond the travel industry to select the executive director of Northwestern University's Center for Technology Commercialization, David Falter, to be its next CEO, starting at the end of May. Falter will report to Cendant Travel Distribution Services chairman and CEO Samuel Katz. Falter was formerly a partner with consultancy Acorn Growth Partners, CEO of both Freedrive Inc. and New Logic Inc. and a national accounts manager for Sun Microsystems. He will move to Seattle from Chicago to take the positionÖCitysearch.com, named Taek Kwon as executive vice president of product and technology. Kwon will be responsible for the direction and management of the content, product and technology teams. Kwon previously served as vice president of engineering and operations at Hotwire, an InterActiveCorp company in San Francisco. Citysearch is a leading local search service, providing up-to-date information on businesses, from restaurants and retail, to travel and professional servicesÖ.Lanyon, Inc., a leading content distribution technology provider to the hotel industry, tapped Rik Danielson as executive vice president of marketing. Danielson previously was with Sheraton Hotels in numerous locations globally in senior management roles in sales, marketing and hotel management. Most recently, he provided business process and development guidance to a number of Internet-centric companies.

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