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This week in Opportunities:

2006 Cruise Trends: Caribbean Still Top Destination
Europe Expecting Record Number of American Travelers
Opportunities Watch!
Executive Movers! See who's going where?
Travel Executive Employment Report

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OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS

2006 Cruise Trends: Caribbean Still Top Destination

Cruise Holidays has announced the results of the 2006 Cruise Holidays Travel Trends Survey and for the second year in a row, the Caribbean ranks as the top cruise destination. In addition, new industry trends reveal a growing interest in longer cruises and more exotic itineraries. This survey was conducted from March 20 - April 4, 2006, in the United States and Canada, with 86% of the Cruise Holidays network participating. The survey also found that cruising is increasingly appealing to a younger and wider audience. Mature travelers (those 55 and over) represent half or less of Cruise Holidays customers according to 63% of respondents, while families now make up between 31-70% of customers for over 40% of respondents. Two distinct questions were asked regarding the top cruise destinations Cruise Holidays stores are booking in 2006. One question asks for the singular most popular destination being booked so far in 2006. The second question asked Cruise Holidays stores to name a total of the five most popular destinations their customers are booking this year. What is most interesting about the second question is that cruising in the Mediterranean is one of the five most popular destinations now being booked by over 84% of Cruise Holidays stores -- up from a mere 54.5% last year. As with last year, the Caribbean and Alaska continue to be ranked one and two, respectively, on both questions. Other findings include: Itinerary and cruise line -- as opposed to price -- remain the two most important deciding factors when customers book a cruise; Favorite European port: Rome (followed by Venice); Favorite Caribbean island or port: St. Thomas; Emerging destination: South America; The booking window for 92% of the respondents is four (4) months or longer, it is six (6) months or longer for 54%.

Europe Expecting Record Number of American Travelers

According to the European Travel Commission (ETC), Europe could receive more American travelers this year than the record 13.12 million set in 2000. In an upward trajectory since 2003, US arrivals in Europe climbed past 12 million, to 12.6 million in 2005 -- four percentage points from 2000, surpassing the European Travel Commission's projected 12.4 million. Europe's popularity has stood steadfast in recent years despite the downturn in global travel following 2001, fluctuating exchange rates and competition from emerging destinations. "Europe hopping" is the latest trend -- visiting multiple countries in one trip, thanks in part to Europe's 50 low-cost airlines. American cruise passenger totals grew by 9% last year to 9.76 million, (out of 11.18 million worldwide) as Americans grasped its cost-effectiveness and comfort. Northern Europe and the Mediterranean were among the top destinations. Major cruise lines and ports are ratcheting up projects to meet demand. Retiring Baby Boomers herald a coming wave of mature travelers. With more leisure time, they are catching on to the European pastime of renting a countryside villa for a month of "la dolce vita." While Provence, Tuscany and Greece remain popular, lesser-known regions also make popular home bases for day trips. For more information, visit www.visiteurope.com.

OPPORTUNITIES WATCH!

1,100-unit Pinnacle Condominium Resort in Las Vegas

Interstate Hotels & Resorts, the nation's largest independent hotel management company, has announced that it has been selected to manage the 1,100-unit Pinnacle Condominium Resort in Las Vegas. The twin-tower, 36-story structure, currently in pre-sale, is expected to break ground in the fall of 2006 and open in the second quarter of 2009. The resort may offer its condominium owners the opportunity to place their units in a rental arrangement. The $850 million condo resort project is being developed by The Falcon Group, which also owns the land. Situated on 12 acres off Las Vegas' West Strip, Pinnacle will be an architecturally unique "vertical neighborhood," consisting of two curvilinear, 36-story condominium resort towers connected by three "Sky Bridge" suites, ultra-luxurious two-story, glass-clad residences, each with their own rooftop gardens and panoramic views. In addition to the 1,100 residences, the luxury development will feature a three-acre amenity pool deck on the sixth floor that includes a pool with island; poolside snack bar; private cabanas; lounge with full bar, dining, banquet and meeting space; one-quarter-mile jogging track; movie theater; fully equipped health and fitness center; and full- service spa. The hotel will offer multiple food and beverage outlets, as well as a gourmet market and coffee bar and ground-floor retail and executive office space.

OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS!

HOTELS & RESORTS: Boutique Hotels & Resorts International has announced the appointment of Stacy Dreyfus to Global Sales Director. Dreyfus' strong Boutique sales background was developed from assignments that include launching the New York Global Sales Office for Ian Schrager Hotels and senior leadership with HK Hotels, Hotel Gansevoort and Le Parker Meridien Hotels in New York. Over the past ten years Stacy has led the sales efforts with the most recognized Boutique hotel companies noted worldwide for leading services, quality, and style...Hersha Hospitality Management (HHM) has announced today that Carol Mellon and Marie Pennington-Buonanno have joined HHM as regional directors of sales. Mellon will be responsible for sales activity in the New Jersey and Philadelphia markets, while Pennington-Buonanno will oversee sales efforts in the Connecticut and Massachusetts markets. Collectively, they will manage sales activity at eighteen important and highly productive properties within HHM's portfolio.Prior to joining HHM, Mellon served as vice president of sales and marketing at Growth Properties, a Philadelphia, Pa.-based full-service hotel management company, focusing on sales management and acquisition of new third- party management contracts. Mellon previously served as northeast regional director of sales for Innkeepers Hospitality, a national hotel management company based in Palm Beach, Florida. While there, she oversaw sales in the Northeast Corridor and served as director of strategic partnerships across the portfolio's Marriott and Hilton hotels. Mellon is an active member of the Philadelphia Chapter of Hospitality Sales and Marketing Association International (HSMAI). She also has a BA in Political Science from Temple University. Prior to joining HHM, Pennington-Buonanno served as assistant director of sales for the Interstate Hotels and Resorts owned Marriott Hotel in Trumbell, Connecticut. In this role, she directed the RFP process, business transient sales and national accounts and contracts. Pennington-Buonanno previously served in various sales and marketing roles at Innkeepers Hospitality, including national director of sales, where she launched the "National Sales Initiative" for their entire portfolio, overseeing 78 properties nationwide across all leading hotel brands. Pennington-Buonanno is an active member of the Society of Government and Travel Professionals (SGTP) and the Connecticut Business Travel Association (CBTA)...Ian Schrager Company (ISC) has announced the appointment of Mitchell C. Hochberg as President and Chief Operating Officer. In this new position, Hochberg will oversee the day-to-day operations of the company and report directly to Ian Schrager. Michael Overington, president of the development division and long-time partner of Ian Schrager, has been appointed Vice Chairman. Prior to joining Ian Schrager Company as President and COO, Hochberg founded and served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Spectrum Communities, a leader in the home building industry and the preeminent luxury lifestyle residential builder in the Northeast. Hochberg comes to Ian Schrager Company with a broad background in the real estate industry. After graduating magna cum laude from New York University's College of Business and Public Administration with a BS Degree in accounting and finance, Hochberg went on to receive his law degree from Columbia University School of Law as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar. Upon receiving his law degree, Hochberg worked as a real estate attorney at a boutique law firm specializing in complex commercial, residential and hotel development transactions.

TRAVEL TECHNOLOGY: Worldspan has announced the promotion of Brian Staunton to the newly created position of regional manager - UK & Ireland. He previously served as Worldspan country manager for Ireland, based in Dublin. Now based at Worldspan's London offices, Staunton continues to oversee customers and staff in Ireland while leading a multi-disciplinary team of Worldspan professionals throughout the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland in their ongoing service to Worldspan partner travel agencies. Staunton reports to David Taylor, Worldspan director - UK & Ireland and Distributor Markets. Prior to joining Worldspan, Staunton spent seven years as a director with a leading Irish management consulting practice. Earlier in his career, he was sales and marketing manager Ireland for Regus Plc, and also held marketing and operations management positions for hotel companies Hyatt, Forte and Movenpick. A native of Dublin, Staunton is a graduate of The University of Dublin, Trinity College, where he earned an MBA. He also holds a diploma from Ireland's Shannon College of Hotel Management.

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