http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php The online magazine for hotel marketers, hoteliers and online travel marketers. en Copyright 2008 2008-05-08T08:05:00+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/orbitz_loss_grows_due_to_weak_us_bookings/ Orbitz posted a larger first-quarter loss, as higher costs and weak bookings in the U.S. tugged down results. Gross bookings were flat at $2.9 billion, but increased 41 percent internationally, helped by a weak U.S. dollar. Results were especially strong in Asia-Pacific markets, such as Australia and Japan. Online Travel, Americas, Orbitz 2008-05-08T08:05:00+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/uptake_launches_travel_opinions_supersite/ UpTake’s goal is to gather travel opinions from other sites together and become the most comprehensive research tool used by travelers. The site features a personalized filter that lets you customize your search according to profiles such as “kid friendly”, “beach”, “romantic” or “adventurous”. Online Travel, Americas 2008-05-08T08:04:00+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/hitwise_us_travel_website_ranks_april_2008/ According to Hitwise's latest travel report, 36.99% of all visits to the online 'Travel' industry went to the top 10 websites for the month of April, 2008. 46.56% went to the top 20 websites and 67.85% went to the top 100 websites. Online Travel, Americas 2008-05-08T08:03:00+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/the_worlds_best_hotels_according_to_expedia/ Expedia unveiled its annual Expedia Insiders' Select list of the world's best hotels. Marking the second annual ranking, the list is comprised of the top hotels from among a selection of nearly 80,000 properties worldwide available on Expedia. Online Travel, Americas, Expedia 2008-05-07T08:05:00+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/travelocity_no_slowdown_in_summer_demand/ Summer airfares have jumped 12 percent on average compared to last year, and are up 15 percent over 2006 figures, according to online travel agency Travelocity. Yet, despite the rising costs, there are no big indicators of shrinking demand for travel, the company said. Online Travel, Americas, Travelocity 2008-05-07T08:04:00+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/europeans_try_to_entice_us_tourists/ The "rich American tourist" of the past is now viewed as a poor cousin. Europeans who count the USA as the No. 1 source of tourists fear they are staying away because of the economy and a weak dollar that is trading at a record low against the euro and a 16-year low against the British pound. Online Travel, Americas 2008-05-07T08:03:00+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/us_summer_travelers_snubbing_europe/ Summer bookings for countries where the euro is used - such as Spain, France and Italy - are 15% lower than last year, while bookings are up 16% for Eastern European countries that don't use the euro, reports Travelocity. Online Travel, Americas 2008-05-06T08:05:01+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/a_special_report_on_the_hispanic_travel_industry/ According to a new report, marketers continue to aggressively pursue the fast-growing Latino consumer while now developing plans to reach an emerging subgroup -- the business and affluent Latino leisure traveler. Online Travel, Americas 2008-05-06T08:04:01+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/where_to_travel_on_the_weak_dollar/ One of the easiest ways to avoid weak-dollar distress is to travel within the States. Many high-end destinations are offering value-added incentives to generate business. Online Travel, Americas 2008-05-05T08:04:00+01:00 http://www.hotelmarketing.com/index.php/article/money_is_tight_for_summer_vacations/ According to a survey from AOL Travel and Zogby International, 57% of Americans feel they have less money to spend this year on summer vacations than they did in 2007 and are looking at ways to save on their travel costs. Online Travel, Americas 2008-05-05T08:03:01+01:00