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This week in Opportunities:

Study: Interest in Global 'Voluntourism' Continues to Grow
PhoCusWright Competitive Analysis of Online Travel Agencies
Survey Reveals Summer Travel Trends
Executive Movers! See who's going where?
Travel Executive Employment Report

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OPPORTUNITIES NEWS & TRENDS

Study: Interest in Global 'Voluntourism' Continues to Grow

The number of Americans interested in volunteer vacations continues to climb, according to a new University of California San Diego Extension survey, but there are dramatic differences between the generations. Two-thirds of high school students and about half of the college students surveyed say they have participated in discussions in the past year related to traveling to other regions to provide volunteer service, whereas less than half of the adult population, and only one-quarter of retirees, say they have done so.

Overall, the survey found that over two-thirds (69 percent) of Americans have participated in donating money or time to a global cause, up from the 48 percent in a spring 2008 poll conducted by UC San Diego Extension. "More and more people in all stages of life are thinking of becoming global 'voluntourists,'" says Bob Benson, director of the Center for Global Volunteer Service at UC San Diego Extension. "People are looking to volunteer their time in meaningful ways that make contributions to people in regions other than their own, and younger people are especially eager to make voluntourism part of their lifestyle." The 2009 poll was conducted by Caravan Opinion Research Corporation during March 2009 by telephone interviews with a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults, and supplemented by an in-depth online survey of more than 300 adults conducted in May 2009 by UC San Diego Extension. The margin of error was plus or minus three percentage points.

The top five types of volunteer assignments the survey respondents want are:

1. Education or artistic and cultural development: 23 percent
2. Provide spiritual or emotional assistance: 19 percent
3. Improve health and nutrition: 18 percent
4. Construct roads, homes and technology infrastructure: 14 percent
5. Environmental clean-up or agriculture assistance: 12 percent

Approximately two out of three Americans (63 percent) would prefer their volunteer vacation outside of the United States, with Africa topping the list of desired places to help. The top four desired global travel destinations for volunteering are:

1. Africa: 14 percent
2. (tie) Australia: 11 percent
3. (tie) Europe: 11 percent
4. South America: 8 percent

More information is available at www.extension.ucsd.edu/cgvs.

PhoCusWright Competitive Analysis of Online Travel Agencies

The booking fee promotional war among online travel agencies (OTAs) stole headlines earlier this spring and PhoCusWright, the travel industry research authority, had to wonder who would be left standing by year's end. After all, booking fees have been an important source of income for the Big 3 OTAs—Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz—and now that they have dropped airline ticket fees and cut hotel fees, what could possibly replace that revenue stream? Especially now as travel demand is collapsing. Does the Model Work Without Fees? Exploring the Financial Impact of the Fee Cuts on Online Travel Agencies analyzes the financial performance and the viability of each of the major OTAs. This report is the first in the newly launched PhoCusWright Research Subscription: Financial Edition and is available as a free download. Author Jake Fuller, senior research analyst, finance and analytics, finds results that are not particularly encouraging, especially for sites with heavy debt and a strong reliance on air. However, there are also signs that OTA volume has improved materially since launching the promotions: OTAs appear to have gained market share from supplier-direct Web sites now that there is pricing parity across the channel. Factoring share gains and higher volume into this analysis could possibly overcome some of the fee losses, and lead to a cheerier post-fee outlook for the OTAs. That is, if certain conditions exist. For example:

1. Sacrificing the fee will hurt margin, but closing the pricing gap with supplier Web sites could be material—60% of shoppers cite price as the top criteria in selecting a site, and OTAs are currently losing over a third of their shoppers to lower-priced supplier sites and call centers (source: PhoCusWright's Consumer Travel Report Part One: Behavioral Trends).
2. OTAs would have to increase ticket volume substantially to fully offset lost fees, and air bookings' share of OTA sales would have to increase from 32% in 2008 to 46-61%.
3. OTAs would have to stay at pricing parity with suppliers. PhoCusWright's May 2009 survey of fully loaded retail ticket prices across 20 top city pairs shows OTAs at pricing parity with airline direct Web sites—a good sign they could gain share…but how long will it last?

By applying rigorous formulas to key financial metrics and variables in the OTA sector, PhoCusWright's analysis and projections set the stage for 2010 as OTAs continue to battle it out for headlines, traffic, and, most importantly, market share. Coinciding with the launch of PhoCusWright's Financial Edition, the full report, Does the Model Work Without Fees? Exploring the Financial Impact of the Fee Cuts on Online Travel Agencies, is available for free download.

Survey Reveals Summer Travel Trends

With summer officially here, many Americans will plan to pack up, fill up and head out of town in pursuit of some relaxing time away from home. How are travelers vacationing this summer, and what's on their minds as they prepare for their trips? A recent hotels.com survey of U.S. adults revealed the following:

• Their home away from home - Among those polled who are planning a summer vacation, nearly two-thirds (63 percent) will be staying at a hotel or other kind of rental property, like a condo or resort. Despite tough economic times, only 33 percent plan to stay with friends and family.
• Extras are king - Fifty-two percent of those polled note they're looking for added perks and benefits more often than they did 12 months ago. Breakfast is a favorite complimentary offering with 87 percent surveyed taking advantage of this added perk when they travel.
• The cost of getting away - Sixty percent of those polled think it will be more expensive to travel this summer than last, while 18 percent feel it will be less expensive. Twenty-two percent feel costs will be about the same.

Are travelers headed for a more expensive travel season compared to last year? Not so, according to Carl Sparks, general manager of hotels.com. "Properties continue to offer incredible rates and other incentives to add substantial value to the stay; this is the season of the great deal. In addition, with gas prices lower now compared to this time last year, travelers can incur a lower overall cost of getting to and from their destination."

OPPORTUNITIES EXECUTIVE MOVERS!

AIRLINES: American Airlines has announced the appointments of Kenji Hashimoto to the position of Vice President-Strategic Alliances and Don Casey to the position of Vice President-Revenue Management. Hashimoto joined American in 1998 and has held a series of managerial positions of increasing responsibility within the Finance and Planning organization. Most recently, he served as Managing Director-Airline Profitability and Financial Analysis, where his responsibilities included the financial aspects of the JBA. Among his previous assignments, Hashimoto served as American's Managing Director-Investor Relations and Managing Director-Finance for American's Europe/Pacific Division. Hashimoto earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University and a Bachelor's Degree in Physics from Harvey Mudd College. The appointment of Don Casey is to replace long-time Vice President-Revenue Management Scott Nason, who recently retired after 29 years with the company. Casey will be responsible for American's fare pricing and yield management activities. Casey earned a Master's Degree in Business Administration from the University of British Columbia, as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics from the University of Alberta. Casey joined American in 2000 as Managing Director-Capacity Planning. He most recently served as American's Managing Director-International Planning. Prior to joining American, he was Senior Vice President-Planning at Canadian Airlines, responsible for Revenue Management, Capacity Planning, Alliances and Fleet Planning... US Airways has announced it has filled two open positions among its leadership team. The company named Keith A. Bush to the position of vice president, financial planning and analysis, and promoted Todd L. Christy to vice president, business technology. Both officer appointments were approved last week by the Company’s Board of Directors. Bush will report to Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Derek Kerr. Christy will report to Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer Brad Jensen. In his new role, Bush will be responsible for developing and managing the airline’s capital and operating budgets as well as overseeing long-range planning, airline profitability, and fleet analysis. Bush comes to US Airways from Northwest Airlines, with more than 14 years in financial planning and analysis, and treasury experience. Most recently, he served as Northwest’s assistant treasurer, with responsibility for financing activities, balance sheet management, insurance and risk management and investment banking relationships. Bush earned his Master of Business Administration, with a concentration in finance and strategic management, from Case Western Reserve in Cleveland and his Bachelor of Science in marketing from Butler University in Indianapolis. Christy previously held the position of managing director, technology delivery. In his new position as vice president, business technology, Christy will continue to oversee systems that support the airline’s employees and will also manage information technology support for the finance/accounting, human resources, revenue management, data warehouse, baggage, cargo and online marketing teams. His business technology team includes approximately 150 employees who will be responsible for the development and delivery of technology applications for these seven critical business functions. Christy began his career with US Airways in 2001 as the director, infrastructure and security with America West Airlines. He brought more than 18 years of information technology experience to the company, including 11 years with Honeywell International. In 2005, Christy was promoted to managing director, infrastructure and security, where he played a significant role in modernizing the infrastructure for US Airways’ data centers, airports and network. He has played a lead role in the implementation of the company’s new human resource management system and next-generation customer Web site. Christy earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in business and economics from Iowa State University.

HOTELS & RESORTS: The Dow Hotel Company, LLC, (DHC) a hotel ownership, investment and management company, has announced the promotion of Randall King to vice president of marketing & revenue development. In his new role, King will develop and implement standards through all electronic, branded and independent reservation and on-line channels to optimize revenue management and marketing opportunities. In addition, he will provide property level support and oversight. Prior to joining DHC's corporate office in 2007, King was the general manager and regional director of operations at the Hilton San Francisco Financial District. He also oversaw the sales efforts of Indian Lakes Resort and three golf courses as the general manager at The Nordic Hills Resort in Illinois. In addition, he was the district director of sales and marketing for 13 full-service, multi-branded properties with American General Hospitality. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in business from Western Michigan University... Hilton Hotels Corporation has announced the appointment of Matthew W. Schuyler as Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer. Schuyler will report to Hilton's President and Chief Executive Officer Christopher J. Nassetta and will be responsible for leading Hilton's human resources organization. Schuyler joins Hilton from Capital One Financial Corporation, a global diversified financial services provider and Fortune 500 company, where he served as Chief Human Resources Officer. Beginning in August, he will be based out of Hilton's global headquarters in McLean, VA. Schuyler has more than 20 years of experience in corporate human resource management. Most recently, at Capital One Financial Corporation, he was responsible for guiding the company's award-winning human resources strategy and execution as well as overseeing Capital One's corporate real estate portfolio and corporate sustainability efforts. Prior to Capital One, Schuyler was with Cisco Systems, Inc., where he was a Vice President of Human Resources. He has also served as a partner in the Global Human Resources group at PricewaterhouseCoopers. Schuyler holds an MBA from the University of Michigan, and he earned his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Penn State University. He serves as the Chairman for the Board of Directors of Greater D.C. Cares. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the Washington Humane Society and is a member of The Pennsylvania State University Smeal Business School Board of Visitors. Interstate Hotels & Resorts has announced that Michele Reing has joined the company as senior vice president and corporate controller. She will be responsible for corporate and joint venture accounting, financial reporting including SEC and Sarbanes Oxley compliance, corporate budgeting, forecasting and corporate audits, as well as act as the key liaison with the board of directors audit committee. She will report to Bruce Riggins, chief financial officer. Prior to joining Interstate, Reing was chief financial officer and vice president of finance for CapStar Hotel Company, a hotel investment company. Previously, she was vice president and corporate controller for Analex Corporation. She held senior management positions with NVR, Inc., and MeriStar Hospitality Corporation. She began her career with the public accounting firm Deloitte & Touche, LLP. Reing is a board member of Calvary Women's Services, a non-profit organization that provides housing and support services for homeless women. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of Maryland.

TRAVEL AGENCIES: Orbitz Worldwide Inc. has announced the appointment of Frank Petito as President, Orbitz for Business. Previously Petito was senior vice president of corporate development for Orbitz Worldwide. Petito replaces Dean Sivley, who left the company recently to pursue other professional opportunities. Petito will be supported by the existing Orbitz for Business senior leadership team, which includes Jan Lofgren, Vice President of Account Development and Deployment, and Michael Mooradian, Vice President of Worldwide Sales. Petito joined Orbitz in 2002 and has led the company's corporate development function and played a key role in strategic planning since then. He played major roles in the two initial public offerings that the company has completed and in the acquisition of Orbitz by Cendant in 2004. Before joining Orbitz, Petito was a vice president in the mergers and acquisitions group of Hambrecht & Quist. Petito holds an MBA from Stanford University's Graduate School of Business and a BA from Princeton University.

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