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:

Job Outlook for Major U.S. Airlines
Las Vegas Could Be Your Job Ticket
Hotel Chains Score Well on NAACP's Report
New Opportunities!
Opportunities Networking!
Opportunities Resource!
Executive Movers! See who's going where?
Travel Executive Employment Report

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OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS

Job Outlook for Major U.S. Airlines

If you're looking for a top job in the airline industry, you might want to examine the latest quarterly reports. Delta just recorded a net loss of $1.96 billion and a loss per share of $15.79 for quarter ended June 30. The airline said the loss includes two non-cash charges for the quarter related to the company's deferred income tax assets and defined benefit pension plan for pilots. Excluding those non-cash charges, the une 2004 quarter net loss was $312 million. Other major carriers aren't faring much better. Northwest's 2004 second quarter included a $104 million charge to write-down previously parked 747-200 passenger aircraft and related inventory. Excluding these unusual items, Northwest reported a second quarter 2004 net loss of $78 million. On the other hand, Continental Airlines reported a second quarter net loss of just $17 million, which included a special charge of $19 million after taxes ($30 million before taxes) due to the retirement of leased MD-80 aircraft. Excluding the aircraft retirement charge, Continental achieved a net profit of $2 million for the quarter. Finally, AMR Corporation, parent of American Airlines, Inc., actually reported earnings of $6 million for the second quarter, compared with last year's second quarter loss of $75 million. On the low-cost carrier front, JetBlue Airways reported net income for the quarter was $21.5 million, compared with second quarter 2003 net income of $38 million. America West Holdings Corporation, parent company of America West Airlines, reported second quarter 2004 net income of $5.7 million, compared to a net profit of $79.7 million for the same period last year. So what's the upshot? Low-cost carriers continue to report profits, although net income is lower than the same quarter last year. Many major or legacy carriers, on the other hand, are still facing major challenges. Only those airlines that have addressed cost issues seem to be seeing marginal profits. On the other hand, there could be some top opportunities ahead soon if things don't turn around. Look for some heavy management turnover at airlines if they are still losing money big time later this year.

Las Vegas Casino Resorts Could Be Your Job Ticket

While U.S. airlines once again are reporting losses or lower profits, Las Vegas casino resorts are experiencing booming business--and that may lead to even more job opportunities. MGM Mirage, which has agreed to acquire Mandalay Resorts, reported net revenues of $1.07 billion, up almost $100 million, or 10 percent, over 2003. Harrah's Entertainment, which has agreed to buy Caesars Entertainment, reported record second-quarter revenues of $1.13 billion, up 4.5 percent from revenues of $1.08 billion in the 2003 second quarter. Caesars Entertainment Inc., the company that Harrah's is buying, reported second quarter net income of $148 million, compared to net income of $41 million for the same period in 2003. Meanwhile, Riviera Holdings Corporation reported net revenues for the quarter were $52.8 million, up $4.5 million or 9.2 percent from the second quarter of 2003. Hard Rock Hotel, Inc. which owns and operates the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, reported second quarter net revenues increased $6.2 million, or 18 percent, to a company record of $41.2 million compared to $35 million in the year-earlier three-month period.

More Hotel Chains Score Well on NAACP's Diversity Report

More hotels got top grades on the diversity front, as both employers and suppliers. Wyndham International, received the second highest grade on the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Lodging industry Report Card, receiving a 2.93 (or B-). The highest grade earned was 3.0 (or B), received by Marriott. Wyndham, InterContinental, Hyatt and Adam's Mark all got B- grades; Choice and Starwood got C+ grades; and Best Western received a D. In addition, Wyndham, one of 13 large hotel chains evaluated in the lodging category, earned grades that ranked higher or equal to the report card leader in such areas as employing African Americans (B or 3.4), using African-American advertising and marketing companies (B or 3.5) and charitable giving to African-American organizations (A or 4.0). Wyndham CEO Fred Kleisner was recently named chairman of the NAACP's 2004 Corporate Campaign. In this role, he provides leadership in the corporate community and helps support NAACP programs in education, economic development, youth leadership development and health initiatives. Wyndham first scored a D- on the NAACP's report card in 1999, ranking 11th out of the 11 hotel companies evaluated. Since 1999, Wyndham has seen steady improvement in its grade, earning a C- (sixth highest out of 11) in 2001, B- (fourth highest out of 11) in 2002 and B- (second highest out of 11) in 2003. Under Kleisner's leadership, Wyndham has refocused on becoming the diversity leader in the hotel industry. Separately, InterContinental, ranked third on the NAACP lodging industry report card, claimed to have made the biggest gain since last year of any hotel company evaluated.

OPPORTUNITIES WATCH!

Best Western Has CEO Opening After Higgins Departs

There's a top job opening at one of the world's largest hotel groups. Best Western International is reportedly search for a new president and CEO after Tom Higgins announced he will not renew his contract with the company. Higgins said his Best Western team has achieved many goals and reached new heights. "Although our successes have been very rewarding for me, I have decided to move on to new challenges," Higgins said. "This was a difficult decision, but I have every confidence that it is the right one for me and my family." Higgins said Aug. 13 will be his last day. David Kong, executive vice president of international operations, will serve as acting president and CEO until Higgins' replacement is named.

Business Travel Coalition Offers Job Placement for Top Members

The Business Travel Coalition (BTC), a network of top corporate travel professionals, has created five new membership programs aimed at offering marketplace intelligence, benchmarking and peer networking opportunities. The new membership categories include Bronze (free), Silver ($49), Gold ($99), Platinum ($149) and Titanium ($5,000). The first 500 travel industry participants who join the BTC as Platinum Members will be designated as "Founding Members" and receive a one-time BTC Executive Placement Search, valued at $5,000. Best of all for future job seekers: Should a Founding Member ever lose his or her job, BTC Chairman Kevin Mitchell vows to personally handle that individual's job search, leveraging the BTC's network of some 25,000 travel industry participants. For more information, call Radnor, Pa.-based BTC at 610-341-1850.

Starwood Keeps Growing with Hoboken W, Portugal Property

Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide announced plans for a new W Hotel along the Hudson River in New Jersey. Scheduled to open in September 2006, the 225-room W Hoboken Hotel and Residences is the fourth W residence property of its kind to be announced in the U.S., following the W Scottsdale, W Fort Lauderdale and W Dallas, and the 26th hotel to join the brand's growing portfolio. Separately, Starwood finalized a long-term agreement for Portugal's exclusive Hotel Convento do Espinheiro to join The Luxury Collection in mid-2005. The 59-room hotel in Evora is part of a 15th century convent that is currently undergoing complete renovation and conversion for use as a hotel.

Ritz-Carlton Adds More Luxury Hotels in China

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company is another luxury lodging outfit that remains on the growth plan. Last week it announced plans for a fifth China property in Guangzhou, the capital city of Guangdong Province in China. The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou will have 353 guestrooms and 120 luxury private residences at a prime location in the emerging Zhujian New Town area of the city's Tianhe District. Construction on the project is expected to begin before the end of 2004, with an anticipated opening date of early 2007. Two Ritz-Carlton properties are currently under construction in Beijing and are scheduled to open in late 2006. The new projects will join The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai and The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong in the China portfolio of the award-winning hotel company. The Ritz-Carlton, Guangzhou will be located at a site surrounded by several luxury residential and commercial developments, including an opera house and national museum in front of the hotel.

Noble House Rebrands Hilton Daytona Beach as The Shores

Smaller luxury hotel companies are expanding like their bigger competitors. Noble House Hotels & Resorts Just announced a major renovation and re-branding of the current Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, located at 2637 South Atlantic Avenue. The resort is currently in the midst of $7 million refurbishment that includes complete renovation of all guestrooms, a new SpaTerre spa, a fine dining Baleen Restaurant and renovated public spaces and major enhancements to the hotel's meeting space. Since it acquired the property in 1996, Noble House has invested over $10 million into the hotel, inclusive of the current renovations, in anticipation of the property's future repositioning as an independent property. On Jan. 1, 2005, the resort will officially become The Shores Resort & Spa, part of the Noble House Collection. For more information on Noble House, visit www.noblehousehotels.com.

Kerzner Set to Develop Morocco Destination Resort Casino

Kerzner International Limited, a leading international developer and operator of destination resorts, casinos and luxury hotel properties, said it has entered into an agreement with the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco to develop a destination resort casino. The proposed site is located near El Jadida, which lies approximately 50 miles southwest of Casablanca. It includes three miles of beachfront along Morocco's Atlantic coast. The cost of the project is estimated at $230 million and is expected to consist of a 600-room hotel, an 18-hole golf course, convention space, restaurants and a casino. Kerzner is already growing its mega-resort in Atlantis-Paradise Island, as well as its One&Only brand of boutique luxury properties.

Niche Cruise Specialist MSC Cruises Adds a Seventh Ship

Large companies like Carnival Corp., Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., and Norwegian Cruise Line aren't the only cruise lines on the growth path. Last week MSC Cruises said it is adding a seventh ship to its fleet. MSC Sinfonia was purchased by MSC Cruises at auction in Barcelona for 220 million euros. The ship, which had been operating as the European Stars since its launch in 2002, will be adapted to the quality, standards and style of MSC Cruises prior to setting sail on seven-night Mediterranean cruises in March 2005. The 58,700-ton MSC Sinfonia has 783 staterooms, accommodating 1,566 passengers double occupancy. It was constructed in Chantiers de l'Atlantique in France in 2002. MSC Cruises has grown from a fleet of three ships in 2002 to four in 2003, and seven in 2004. MSC Sinfonia joins MSC Opera, which was inaugurated June 26 in Genoa; MSC Armonia, purchased in April 2004; MSC Lirica, launched in April 2003; as well as MSC Melody, MSC Monterey, and MSC Rhapsody. The line has ordered at Chantiers de l'Atlantique to increase the fleet to nine by 2007, with the possibility for a tenth ship. The company is also in talks with Fincantieri shipyard to construct two additional ships. MSC Cruises offers 40 different itineraries in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Northern Europe, the Atlantic Ocean, South America and South Africa. For more information, visit www.msccruises.com.

Job of the Week: Walt Disney Parks Seeks VP-Agency Sales

Walt Disney Parks & Resorts is looking to hire a vice president of travel agency sales and national accounts based at Walt Disney World in Florida. The former executive has moved to a new post for Walt Disney Co. based in London. This role leads Disney's domestic travel agency sales efforts for Disneyland, Walt Disney World and Disney Cruise Line. Randy Garfield, executive vice president-sales and travel operations, and president of The Walt Disney Travel Company, says it doesn't matter whether or not you've worked in the travel industry since he'll consider any qualified applicant who has a successful track record in a high energy, competitive environment. The post reports to Ed Fouche, senior vice president of travel industry sales and marketing, and it offers a competitive salary package with a company car, stock options and other benefits. Contact Ed Fouche at 407/566-6232 or e-mail Ed.Fouche@Disney.com.

OPPORTUNITIES NETWORKING!

Network with Caribbean Tourism at CTC-27 in Aruba

Want to find out more about opportunities in the Caribbean? Find a way to get to the biggest Caribbean travel conference of them all, CTC-27, which will have resort owners, tourism officials, tour operators and travel agents in attendance. The 27th Annual Caribbean Tourism Conference (CTC-27) will take place in Aruba, Oct. 17-20. You can network with key Caribbean decision-makers and participate in special niche market workshops, site inspections and pre- and post-tours. The Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) and Aruba Tourism Authority (ATA) have unveiled a comprehensive program, which includes Incentive Travel & The Caribbean: A Winning Combination and Selling Vacations to Travelers with Special Needs. Returning to the conference program is motivational speaker Keith Powell, who will talk about "Transforming Power of Achievement" and how it can propel professionals to a new level. Themed "Caribbean Tourism: Driving Business in a Global Economy," the focus of CTC-27 will be to keep the Caribbean profitable in the competitive global marketplace. A registration package includes accommodations for up to four nights (Oct. 17-20), roundtrip airport/hotel transfers in Aruba, business sessions, programmed meals and social events, a conference kit and applicable hotel taxes and service charges, all starting at $295 per person double, and $425 per person single. Conference registration forms can be obtained by calling CTO's New York office at 212-635-9530 or by visiting www.onecaribbean.org.

OPPORTUNITIES RESOURCE!

Hotel News Resource Site Features Daily News Updates

Want to get the top news and trends for the hotel industry on a daily basis? Visit Hotel News Resource at www.hotelnewsresource.com. The Web site, in partnership with Cornell's Center for Hospitality Research, posts major hotel news, including new properties, top executive appointments and the latest surveys. It also features authored articles on hotel management, marketing and other trends in hospitality. There's even a job board that has a limited number of new opportunities. Finally, Hotel News Resource features links to other hotel, restaurant and travel Web sites. For more information, visit www.hotelnewsresource.com.

OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS!

AIRLINES: American Airlines has named Mark Burdette as vice president of employee relations. Burdette fills the position previously held by Jeff Brundage, who was promoted to senior vice president of human resources in March. In his new role, Burdette will lead the airline's effort to involve employees in the decisions that will help the company return to profitability. He also will oversee the traditional employee relations functions that include collective bargaining. Burdette joined American in November 1991 as managing director of employee relations for American Eagle after serving 24 years with Trans World Airlines. He became managing director of employee relations for American Airlines in 1995 and has had responsibility for nearly every aspect of American's employee relations...Allegiant Air, a Las Vegas-based low-cost airline, said Mark Peterson, vice president-marketing and sales, will leave the company in August. Peterson joined the airline in early 2002 when it began its expansion providing low-fare non-stop flights and vacation packages to Las Vegas from medium-sized communities in the West and Mid-West. Peterson is leaving to join CommPartners, LLC, a start-up telecommunications company specializing in voice-over-IP (VoIP) telephony services. CommPartners, based in Las Vegas, is privately owned by investors that include Maurice Gallagher, Allegiant's president and CEO, and Mitchell Allee, Allegiant's founder and chairman. Allegiant and CommPartners are not otherwise affiliated. Gallagher said that Allegiant's marketing and sales activities will continue under the direction of Ponder Harrison, managing director for the airline.

CRUISE LINES: Carnival Corporation & plc named Richard Glasier, president and CEO of Alton, Ill.-based Argosy Gaming Company, to both of its boards. Glasier will serve in a non-executive capacity on Carnival Corporation & plc's identical 15-member boards. As Argosy Gaming Company's president and CEO, Glasier is responsible for overseeing all aspects of this $1 billion company, which owns and operates casinos and entertainment centers in Chicago, St. Louis, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Baton Rouge, La., and Sioux City, Iowa. Prior to joining Argosy Gaming Company, Glasier spent 17 years at Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd., holding various senior-level financial posts, including executive vice president and chief financial officer. He also held financial positions at Ramada Inn, Inc., and NCR Corporation, where he worked for seven and nine years, respectively...Lori Baer has been appointed executive director of the Port of Palm Beach, succeeding Richard Wainio, who will continue as a special advisor for several months to work on selected projects. Baer, a 25-year veteran of the port industry, assumes her new position on Aug. 7. Baer joined the Port of Palm Beach as deputy port director in March 2003, following a stint as director of communications for the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA), the same trade association at which she began her port industry career in 1982. She left AAPA to serve in executive staff positions for a dozen years at the Port of Miami, the last as director of public affairs...Windstar Cruises named Claudia Sayles as director of charter and incentive sales. She will also handle international sales and act as a liaison with Windstar's international sales team. Sayles brings 20 years of travel industry experience, including 14 at Holland America Line and Windstar. She most recently served as district sales manager for the two lines, covering a territory that included Oregon and Idaho for the 13 years and the Southern California coast for the last eight months.

HOTELS: Prime Hospitality Corp. said that effective immediately Bryan Hayes has been promoted to senior vice president of operations-East Division. In his new position, Hayes will continue to oversee all operations and sales efforts for the 86 owned and managed AmeriSuites and Wellesley Inns & Suites in the Eastern United States. He also supervises regional vice presidents of operations, regional vice presidents of sales and revenue managers for the division. Hayes has over 20 years of experience in hospitality management and operations, nine years of which he has spent at Prime...Remington Hotel Corporation, the major service provider to the hospitality industry, announced that Karim Sachedina has joined the company as executive vice president of operations. Sachedina is responsible for day-to-day operating activities in Remington's portfolio and reports directly to Mark Sharkey, chief operating officer. Prior to joining Remington, Sachedina was most recently chief financial officer of Boykin Management Company. Before joining Boykin in 1993, he had previously held several hotel management and accounting positions within the industry. Remington also said that Julie Reigle has joined the company as senior vice president of sales and marketing. Reigle will lead Remington's hotel sales and marketing efforts through the development and implementation of key revenue generation strategies for all of the company's owned and managed hotels and resorts. She reports directly to Sachedina. Prior to joining Remington, Reigle had been employed at Interstate Hotels and Resorts since 1980. She was most recently vice president-sales for Interstate's Western Regional Office where she was responsible for direct sales, revenue management, marketing and public relations operations for up to 24 hotels ranging in size from 128 to 1,354 rooms.

The Peninsula Hotels has named Jan Svoboda as hotel manager of The Peninsula Hong Kong, Hans Hordijk as resident manager of The Peninsula Bangkok, Paul Tchen as vice president-operations planning and support, Dianna Balabon as vice president-sales and marketing (America & Europe), Arthur Kiong as vice president-sales and marketing (Asia), Sian Griffiths as director of communications, and Patricia Rosentreter as regional director of communications. Svoboda was transferred and promoted to The Peninsula Hong Kong as hotel manager effective July 23. An Austrian national, he joined The Peninsula Hotels in 2000 as resident manager for The Peninsula Bangkok, and held this position until his transfer to Hong Kong. Hordijk succeeded Svoboda as resident manager position at The Peninsula Bangkok effective July 12, 2004. Hordijk joined the company in 1996 and has worked with The Peninsula Hotels in Beijing, Hong Kong, Bangkok and Manila, first in food and beverage management and then moving into his present role in Manila as resident manager. Tchen has been appointed vice president-operations and support, reporting directly to the chief operating officer. His responsibilities include developing operating guidelines and providing support to the new Peninsula hotels in Tokyo and Shanghai, and developing and maintaining The Peninsula's position as a market leader internationally by the introduction of enhanced products and services group-wide, including a new range of branded merchandise and shops throughout Japan and Asia. Tchen joined The Peninsula Hotels in 1992 as purchasing manager at The Peninsula Beverly Hills, and in 1993 relocated to Hong Kong as Peninsula extension operations coordinator, responsible for the commissioning of The Peninsula Hong Kong's new tower extension and renovation project. Over the next few years he was promoted successively to regional operations development manager. Balabon has been appointed vice president-sales and marketing (America & Europe) for The Peninsula Hotels. In her new position, she will also oversee the group's sales and marketing functions across America and Europe and still maintain her position as director of marketing for The Peninsula New York. Balabon joined The Peninsula Hotels in 1998 as director of marketing for The Peninsula New York, and was then appointed as regional director of sales (America/Europe) in June 2003. Prior to this, she was the director of sales for North America with Leading Hotels of the World, Ltd, where she managed and directed the company's regional offices in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. Her previous experience includes associate director of sales for The Sterling Hotel Group, and sales manager of Le Meridien Hotel Boston. Kiong has been appointed as vice president-sales and marketing (Asia). In this new capacity, he will take on increased responsibilities overseeing the sales and marketing activities across Asia in addition to his existing position as director of marketing for The Peninsula Hong Kong. Kiong has a wealth of marketing experience both in Asia and the United States. Before joining The Peninsula Hong Kong in 2002, he was area director-marketing responsible for six Ritz-Carlton hotels in New York, Washington and Boston. Prior to that, he was director of sales and marketing at The Ritz-Carlton, Millennia Singapore. As director of communications, Griffiths has taken over the overall communications function for The Peninsula Hotels developing and aligning strategies for the group. She started her career in the tourism and travel industry with French State Railways and Cunard Line before relocating to Hong Kong and joining The Peninsula, where she has held a number of appointments in the sales, marketing and public relations areas. Rosentreter joined The Peninsula Hotels as regional director of communications in January 2004, overseeing the communications functions of The Peninsula's three U.S. properties in New York, Chicago and Beverly Hills. She previously worked at Weber Shandwick Worldwide in New York, managing accounts including Singapore Airlines and Canada Tourism.

Teda Travel Group Inc. has appointed Tim Gao, as chief executive officer of the Teda Hotels Management Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Teda Travel Group. Gao brings more than 15 years of operating experience in hotel management to the group. Prior to joining Teda, he was chief executive officer and general manager of the Orient Hotel Management Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Bank of China (Holdings) Limited, the largest banking institution in China. Under his leadership, Orient Hotel Management Company has become one of China's top hotel management companies, overseeing 19 hotels and commercial properties throughout China. Gao also serves as vice president of the China Hotel Association, He began his career in the hotel business in 1989, working his way up from training manager at Shangri-la and Sheraton to director of human resources at Holiday Inn and Meritus, then to deputy general manager and acting general manager at Gloria Hotel Suzhou. Gao also served as group director of human resources and vice president of project development at Gloria International, and finally as CEO of the Orient Hotel Management Company. Teda Travel is a property management company providing services to hotels and resorts throughout China.

TRAVEL AGENTS: Mark Schiffner was officially named as general manager for SeaMaster Cruises, the first home-based franchise offering from Carlson Travel Franchise Group. Schiffner most recently served as director of franchise development for Cruise Holidays, Carlson Travel Franchise Group's cruise-specialty retail travel agency franchise offering. Schiffner was one of a handful of Cruise Holidays personnel retained by Carlson after its acquisition in 2001. Prior to the acquisition, Schiffner served as its director of sales development. Cruise Holidays also announced that Marni Walker will serve as its new director of franchise development, replacing Schiffner. Walker previously spent three years as franchise development manager for Great Clips, Inc., outside the travel industry. Prior to Great Clips, Walker served as channel development manager for Microsoft Business Solutions.

TOUR OPERATORS: Rick Long has been named staff vice president national accounts for Pleasant Holidays. Long will be responsible for developing and implementing Pleasant Holidays' cooperative sales activities with its national travel agency partners, including AAA Travel, American Express Travel, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Signature Travel Network, Virtuoso, TravelSavers and WESTA. He began his travel career in 1970 with Pan American Airlines, where he gained extensive experience in airline operations in the Seattle and Southeast Asia markets. From 1975 to 1987, Long was with Pleasant Holidays, serving as regional sales manager for the Pacific Northwest and later senior vice president of marketing at the company's headquarters in Westlake Village, Calif. He went to Classic Custom Vacations in 1987, first as vice president of sales and marketing and later as vice president of sales development in charge of major travel accounts and travel consortia. In 1994, he re-joined Pleasant Holidays to coordinate the company's sales efforts in the Pacific Northwest, which included Washington, Northern Idaho, Montana, Alaska, Wyoming, North Dakota, and Western Canada.

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