Travel agencies see rebound after downturn
Travel agencies see rebound after deep downturn — Travel agencies, once oases for people seized with wanderlust, became wastelands in recent years. Their wellsprings of commissions dried up as travelers flocked to a new hotspot: the Internet. But as customer service is shipped to the lowest bidders worldwide and travel companies roll out increasingly complex pricing, business is coming back to brick-and-mortar agencies. (Charleston Post and Courier)
US Airways dropping peanuts — US Airways is pulling peanuts from its flights by the end of June, but this is no penny-pinching move so prevalent in the industry today. The Arizona-based airline, the nation’s fifth-largest, is bowing to concerns of travelers with severe peanut allergies. It will serve pretzels, crackers and other in-flight snacks, instead. (The Arizona Republic)
Is Qatar the next Dubai? — The eye-popping extravagance of Dubai has made it one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the world — a fact that hasn’t been lost on its ambitious Gulf neighbor, Qatar. (The New York Times)
Tours return to New Orleans — After postponing or rerouting their trips elsewhere after Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans last August, tour operators are now returning to the Big Easy. (The New York Times)
An American ship cruises Hawaii — NCL America’s newest ship, the Pride of Hawaii, launches today with a seven-day cruise of the Hawaiian Islands. It is the largest U.S.-flagged cruise ship in history, and it cost more than half a billion dollars to build. Here is a ship that will fulfill all your champagne wishes and caviar dreams — Hawaiian style. (Anita Dunham-Potter on Tripso)
Data breach: Hotels.com customers — Thousands of Hotels.com customers may be at risk for credit card fraud after a laptop computer containing their personal information was stolen from an auditor, a company spokesman said Saturday. (AP)
Despite recent reports, stream water still poses a risk — To filter or not to filter? The result of a recent study has some wilderness experts questioning whether water purification practices are always necessary in the backcountry. (The Los Angeles Times)
Making it a journey fit for man and beast — Those intent on traveling with their pets, whether for a move or a vacation overseas or even domestically, will encounter many obstacles, including figuring out how to get Fido to his destination and through many bureaucratic hoops. (The Los Angeles Times)
Airline mixes up boys headed in different directions — A 14-year-old boy flying to South Bend, Ind., was surprised when he learned he had missed his flight because he had been sleeping at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. Lucas Rios was even more surprised when he learned another boy who was supposed to be flying to Taipei, Taiwan, was in his seat aboard the flight to South Bend. (AP)
New carrier shaking up travel in Hawaii — The airfare war is already underway but the dog fight officially begins Friday when “go!” airlines launches service, becoming the third interisland jet carrier in Hawaii. (AP)
IATA sees $3 billion in airline losses in 2006 — Global airlines are set to lose $3 billion in 2006, barely recovering from $3.2 billion of losses in 2005 as they contend with rising fuel bills, industry lobby group IATA said on Monday. (Reuters)
U.S. hotels’ profits expected to rise — U.S. hotels, on a rebound from their post-Sept. 11, 2001 slump, can expect to see profits increase to all-time highs over the next two years, but the momentum will eventually lose steam, according to Smith Travel Research projections released Monday. (Reuters)
Decision to build Southwest terminal at BWI looks sound — A year after its opening, the decision to build a new, $264 million terminal for Southwest Airlines at Baltimore-Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport appears to be paying off. (AP)
United cost-cutting needed beyond Ch. 11 — United Airlines’ parent, UAL, four months out of bankruptcy, must hone its focus on additional cost cuts or risk losing its advantage over airlines currently restructuring under court protection, industry experts say. (Reuters)
Carrie Charney, Christopher Elliott, John Frenaye, Charles Leocha, Marge Purnell, Valerie Schneider, Mary Staley, Stephanus Surjaputra, Richard Wong.