New passport rules to take effect Jan. 8
New passport rules to take effect Jan. 8 — The date when passports will be required for U.S. citizens flying or cruising to Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico has been extended by one week, to Jan. 8, 2007. The change was made to accommodate holiday travelers. (AP)
Web, phone meetings replace some business trips — More business travelers are cutting meeting costs by using telephone, video and Web conferences instead of flying. But staying home for long-distance meetings doesn’t necessarily mean giving up frequent-flier miles. InterCall, the world’s largest conferencing provider, this month began a permanent program that awards American or United miles to its customers. (USA Today)
Tourism officials reintroduce Orlando — Fewer American families outside Florida think of Orlando as a “must-see” spot to take the kids these days, and fewer aspire to visit. To combat slowing visitor growth, local tourism officials are launching their biggest marketing effort to date: a $25 million push that will put Orlando on national television for the first time. (AP)
Prices at the pump keep tumbling — Gasoline prices continue to tumble briskly, dropping Monday to a U.S. average of less than $2.50 a gallon for the first time since March. (AP)
Agents along for the ride — As airlines seeking to cut costs have outsourced some of their call-center work, Denver-based Frontier Airlines thinks its in-house reservations agents are a competitive advantage. (The Denver Post)
Phoenix is planning to woo AirTran — Phoenix-area airport officials will travel to Orlando next week to meet with AirTran Airways about starting service out of either Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport or Williams Gateway Airport in Mesa. (The Arizona Republic)
Companies envision hotels of the future — What will the hotel of the future look like? Think robotics, customized rooms and downloadable amenities. That’s according to a project called the Hotel of Tomorrow. (AP)
Fawlty Towers relaunched without mad manager — The hotel that inspired the cult British television comedy series Fawlty Towers is relaunching after a makeover — but guests will be spared rants by the rudest hotelier of all time. (Reuters)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.