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The Travel Career Connexxions Opportunities Newsletter
12/06/06 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 http://www.TravelExecutive.com This week in Opportunities:
J.D. Power and Associates Ranks Independent Travel Web Sites To ensure that you always receive this newsletter and other communications from Travel Career Connexxions, please add our address to your Address Book (newsletter@travelexecutive.com). This will keep most email filters from misinterpreting and discarding these emails. Did you know? As of 12/06/06 there are 180 executive-level travel jobs published in the Travel Career Connexxions employment report. Positions include Project Senior Account Director (12/04), Director of National Accounts (12/01), SVP - Sales & Business Development (11/27), Director of Sales and Marketing Leadership Development (11/28), Director of Treasury & Corporate Finance (12/04), Corporate Director Food & Beverage (12/01) and more. It only takes one person to fill the job of a lifetime - and that someone could be you! http://www.TravelExecutive.com OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS J.D. Power and Associates Ranks Independent Travel Web Sites Hotwire.com ranks highest among independent travel Web sites in satisfying customers who book their reservations online, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2006 Independent Travel Web Site Satisfaction StudySM released las Friday. Following Hotwire.com in the ranking are Expedia.com and Travelocity.com (in a tie) and Priceline.com. Measuring the satisfaction of travelers who book airline, hotel or rental car reservations through one of eight major independent travel Web sites, the study is based on six factors: competitiveness of price; ease of booking; usefulness of the information on the Web site; availability of booking options/travel packages; appearance/design of Web site; and ease of navigation. Hotwire.com receives the highest ratings for the two most influential contributors to customer satisfaction—competitiveness of price and ease of booking—as well as appearance/design and ease of navigation. While the study finds that 50 percent of travelers now book online—up from 46 percent in 2005—twice as many book their reservations directly through airline, rental car or hotel branded Web sites (33%), such as Hilton.com or JetBlue.com, as compared with an independent travel Web site (17%). Travelers who book airline, hotel and rental car reservations through a branded Web site tend to be more satisfied with their experience than those who use an independent Web site. One of the key advantages of independent sites is the convenience of booking travel packages that combine airfare, hotel and car rental for one discounted price. Many independent sites also allow visitors to book activities at certain destinations, which can be highly attractive to consumers. The 2006 study is based on responses from 6,800 consumers who booked their travel reservation through an independent Web site. Travelers were surveyed between March and October 2006. Holiday Security Checkpoint Wait Times Improve The Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Air Transport Association (ATA) and Airports Council International - North America (ACI-NA) unveiled post-Thanksgiving security wait time data and a sampling of airline load factors today. From Wednesday, Nov. 22 through Monday, Nov. 27, wait times at security checkpoints in the nation's airports were less than or equal to wait times during the same period in 2005. The following table shows the average peak wait time (in minutes) at the nation's 40 busiest airports and the total number of passengers screened at all airports nationwide for each day of the five-day thanksgiving travel period.
Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2006 - 11.78 avg. wait - 2,083,000 passengers Airlines worked to inform their passengers of air travel rules at the time of booking as well as at the airport. Some of these efforts included: 3-1-1 guidance in confirmation e-mails, links and information on airline Web sites, extensive signage at ticket counters and training of airline personnel. Travel and Tourism Study Highlights Leisure Travel Insights Nearly half of all gay men (48%) and lesbians (47%) surveyed in the U.S. say that a destination's gay-friendliness is important to them when making leisure travel choices. In fact, over one- quarter of gay men (27%) and lesbians (28%) say gay-friendliness is "extremely" or "very important" as a consideration in travel planning, according to a new national survey conducted by the Travel Industry Association (TIA) in partnership with Harris Interactive(R) and Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. and released today at a news conference held in Washington, D.C.'s National Press Club. In addition, majorities of gay men (53%) and lesbians (69%) report that a place generally identified as safe and free from intimidation and threats - especially places "where they can hold their partner's hand in public" - is one of the top three ways they consider a destination as gay-friendly. Four out of 10 gay men (40%) and lesbians (40%) also recognize a gay- friendly environment if the city or community "is known to be culturally welcoming and to support diversity and GLBT civil rights." Positive word of mouth is a key consideration for both gays and lesbians, and gay men (33%) and lesbians (18%) also cite "gay nightlife, gay clubs and bars" as one of their top three considerations for gay friendliness. These are a few of the key highlights from the national survey commissioned by the Travel Industry Association in September. The online study was conducted in conjunction with Harris Interactive, a global leader in market research, along with the leading gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) strategic marketing and communications agency, Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. This study is considered first-of-its-kind because it closely examines the activities and preferences of GLBT travelers in contrast with heterosexual travelers. The national online survey was conducted among 2,020 self-identified U.S. GLBT adult travelers (ages 21 and older) who have taken at least one leisure trip within the past 12 months and among 1,010 U.S. adults who self-identified as heterosexual and who also have taken at least one leisure trip in the past year. Both the GLBT and Heterosexual adults were randomly invited from among the overall Harris Interactive multimillion member online panel of respondents to participate in the survey. The GLBT respondents also were invited to state, from among given choices which U.S. and Canadian destinations, in their opinion, are gay-friendly. The top-21 gay-friendly U.S. destinations named by the panelists (in order) include: San Francisco, CA (76%), Key West, FL (57%), New York, NY (51%), Fire Island, NY (48%), Provincetown, MA (46%), Los Angeles, CA (38%), Miami/South Beach, FL (37%), Las Vegas, NV (35%), New Orleans, LA (34%), Palm Springs/Palm Desert, CA (33%), Boston, MA (29%), Chicago, IL (29%), Fort Lauderdale/Wilton Manors, FL (29%), San Diego, CA (29%), Seattle/Bellevue, WA (27%), Washington, DC (23%), Honolulu, HI (22%), Palm Beach/West Palm/Boca Raton, FL (20%), Portland, OR (18%), Philadelphia, PA (17%), and Providence, RI (6%) and Rehoboth Beach, DE (17%) tied for twenty-first. The top-10 gay-friendly Canadian destinations named by the U.S. respondents in the survey include: Montreal, QC (44%), Toronto, ON (39%), Vancouver, BC (38%), Quebec City, QB (20%), Victoria, BC (16%), Niagara Falls, ON (15%), Ottawa, ON (12%), Calgary, AB (9%), Halifax, NS (6%) and Prince Edward Island (6%). The new study also disclosed that gay men, whether traveling alone or in groups, tend to spend more on trips than lesbians and heterosexuals, as well as for air fare and car rentals. On their most recent trip, traveling alone, gay men on average reported that they spent nearly a third more on their total trip expenses ($800 on average) than did heterosexuals traveling alone ($540 on average). When gay men reported their last trip traveling as a group, the average spending of their entire party was $3,070, which was more than reported by heterosexual groups ($2,870) or lesbians traveling together ($2,740). For more information on the survey, interested parties should contact Valerie Hutchinson, TIA, at 202-218-3630. OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS! AIRLINES: JetBird AG, the first Pan-European, low cost executive jet provider, has announced that it had appointed Patrick Raftery to the position of Operations Director. Raftery has significant experience in the aviation sector having worked as an international manager for British Airways for 13 years throughout Europe, Africa & North America. Most recently, he spent 3 years as Operations Manager for NetJets Europe, the largest operator of private jets in Europe where he managed daily operations including scheduling, crewing, regulation, airport and FBO relationships... United Airlines has announced that it has named Dave Myrick as its vice president of sales-Americas, effective Dec. 1, 2006. Myrick, who has 25 years experience in the airline industry and most recently served as United's managing director of sales-U.S. West Region, will lead the North and South America sales organization and continue to execute United's sales transformation strategy. Myrick will be based at United's world headquarters in Elk Grove Village, Ill., and will report to Jeff Foland, United's senior vice president of Worldwide Sales. HOTELS & RESORTS: Hersha Hospitality Management has announced Z. Steve Kovats as general manager of the Sheraton at Woodbridge Place and as regional director of operations responsible for providing opening and above- property support for other full service properties under development. At the Sheraton at Woodbridge Place, Kovats will help design and implement a significant renovation of the 307-room hotel, including planned enhancements to its lobby and other common spaces, food and beverage outlets, and the existing 20,000 square feet of meeting and banquet space. Kovats has a distinguished 25-year career in full service operations, including 15 years with Winegardner & Hammons, Inc. and 6 years with White Lodging Services Corporation. His tenure includes 10 years of experience as general manager of three different Marriott hotels, including two four-star hotels, and as a regional director of operations at White Lodging of 11 full service hotels, including hotels franchised by Marriott, Westin, Hilton, and Sheraton. Kovats also has a deep food and beverage background, having started his career as executive chef of an upscale restaurant that produced $3 million in annual revenues, and progressing to serve as the opening general manager of the Marriott Norfolk Downtown, which included the first Shulas 347 concept restaurant, and responsibility for the Parkway Grille Street Side Concept in the Detroit Marriott Pontiac. Kovats was also opening general manager of the Columbus Marriott Downtown, which Marriott announced as Hotel Opening of the Year in 1998... Marriott International, Inc. has announced the appointment of Erica Qualls as general manager of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, one of the largest hotels in Marriott's portfolio with 1,675 rooms and 800 associates. As general manager, Qualls is responsible for managing the sales and profit performance of the Atlanta Marriott Marquis, which boasts more than 120,000 square feet of meeting and convention space, and overseeing its $120 million renovation. Qualls started her career with Marriott in 1993 and has held key positions in various disciplines, including her prior appointments as hotel manager and director of human resources at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis. She is an active member of her community, working with several local organizations, including Children's Miracle Network, Hands on Atlanta, the United Way and the United Negro College Fund... Choice Hotels International, Inc. has announced the hiring of Robert Goldsack, AIA, to the newly-created position of project director, design & construction, for its Cambria Suites brand. In this role, he is responsible for providing assistance to the prototype development team and construction management support for all projects related to Cambria Suites hotels. In this position, Goldsack will be responsible for conducting on-site visits to Cambria Suites franchisees throughout the hotel construction process. Goldsack joined Choice in November 2006, having worked closely with the company for five years as a consultant, supporting the Cambria Suites brand in the areas of food service, kitchen and laundry design. In addition, he provided consulting assistance with construction management and document reviews for new construction projects for a number of Choice's brands, including Comfort Inn, Comfort Suites, Quality, Sleep Inn and MainStay Suites. He also provided technical support and design for Sleep Inn and MainStay Suites food service programs. Goldsack's work experience includes his eight-year tenure with Marriott International in project management, supporting Marriott's owned and franchised hotels. In that capacity, he worked on Marriott's select service and extended stay brands. In addition, for three years, Goldsack focused on Courtyard by Marriott projects in North America, in which capacity he served on the brand's product development committee. He holds a bachelor of architecture degree from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (New Jersey School of Architecture)... Officials of Crescent Hotels & Resorts has announced it has significantly expanded its acquisition capabilities with the addition of Richard Bosworth and Michael Metcalf as vice presidents of business development. In their new roles, Bosworth and Metcalf will be responsible for sourcing and negotiating management and investment opportunities, as well as on-going client relations. A 25-year hospitality acquisition, finance and development expert, Bosworth most recently was president of NTH Advisory Group, an investment and advisory company specializing in the hotel, restaurant and casino industries. He has held a variety of positions within the real estate finance industry, including chief operating officer of Bond Companies, a mixed-use real estate development firm focusing on residential, commercial and retail projects nationwide, and vice president of hotel operations and investments at Owen Financial, a $3 billion financial services company. Additionally, he has more than 18 years experience in hotel and restaurant operations management with such companies as Marriott International, Servico Hotels & Resorts and Tara Hotels. Metcalf adds 25 years of experience in hotel operations, sales, asset management and consulting services for both owners and lenders. He has held a number of hotel operations positions, including general manager for the PGA National Resort & Spa in Palm Beach, as well as for the Delta Orlando Resort, both in Florida. Most recently, he was vice president, operations, for Providence Hospitality Partners, where he was directly responsible for the operations of four hotels and sales support to an additional seven... Global Hyatt Corp. has named Mark S. Hoplamazian as its new president and CEO. After a nationwide search company chairman Thomas Pritzker announced that Hoplamazian would assume the posts after nearly five months as interim president of the hotel company. Previously Hoplamazian was president of Chicago-based Pritzker Organization LLC, the principal financial and investment adviser to various Pritzker family-owned companies, including Global Hyatt. Earlier in his career, he worked in international mergers and acquisitions at The First Boston Corp... Millennium & Copthorne (M&C) Hotels plc has announced the appointment of Michael Sengol as its Chief Operating Officer. Sengol was seconded to his new role from his August 2006 appointment as the M&C Hotels plc's Executive Vice President for Asia Pacific. As M&C Hotels' new Chief Operating Officer, he is tasked with the overall accountability of driving business profitability, standards, operations, and the development of M&C brands particularly in Europe and Asia. An internationally seasoned hotel operator, Sengol's career in the hospitality industry spans more than 30 successful years in Asia Pacific. His dedication to the highest standards in hotel management and operations, and his proven expertise have taken him to key assignments with the world's most renowned hotel companies, managing hotels and serviced suite properties in countries such as the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Australia, Taipei, Guam, Hong Kong, and China. Prior to joining the M&C in August 2005, Sengol was Director for Operations for one of the world's largest hotel companies, driving business results for a cluster of 14 properties. In this capacity, he was recognized in 2004 for his outstanding contribution and was conferred numerous citations including Outstanding Marketing Innovation Award; Best Hotel Leadership of the Year Award; Most Outstanding Achievement in Implementing Core Values; People Development Award - Asia Pacific; and Most Profitable Hotel Award. TRAVEL AGENCIES: Expedia, Inc. has announced that Henrik Kjellberg has been appointed president of Expedia Asia Pacific, succeeding Barney Harford, who has held the role since 2004. The carefully planned transition provides for Harford's continued involvement with Expedia Asia Pacific activities as a director of eLong, Inc., in which Expedia holds a controlling 52 percent interest. Kjellberg will relocate to Hong Kong to establish the Expedia regional headquarters. Kjellberg joined Expedia in June 2001 and led the launch of Expedia in Holland and Italy and the European roll out of WWTE, Expedia's private label business. In October 2002, he assumed responsibility for the Expedia Europe lodging team and led the development of the merchant car and destination services businesses in Europe. In January 2006, Kjellberg was promoted to senior vice president of international lodging and destination services within Expedia Partner Services Group. Prior to joining Expedia, Kjellberg worked for Procter & Gamble and Spray, a Scandinavian Internet portal. Kjellberg holds a master of science in economics from the Stockholm School of Economics. Kjellberg has been a member of the eLong board of directors since October 2005...
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