Travel News: Airlines, Tourism and Airfares

Our clients often ask us if they should use Facebook ads. Many hotels are skeptical about using the ads and question if they will be effective or not. We recommend that hotels do use Facebook ads, but that they do so with clear goals in mind, and that they follow best practices when it comes to designing, targeting, testing, and tracking their ads.

Distribution in the Long Tail, Innovation in Customer-Facing Sites and Apps

KesselRun Corporate Travel Solutions has deepened its ability to manage and optimize corporate travel programs with the addition of Dee Runyan as a Senior Partner.

ING Clarion Partners announces the branding of The Blue, a recently opened 240-room luxury condo hotel in suburban Miami, as “Hyatt Miami at The Blue” with the engagement of Davidson Hotel Company as the hotel’s new operator. 

In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy ended the week with a 2.5-percent increase to 55.3 percent. Average daily rate dropped 4.7 percent to finish the week at US$96.06. Revenue per available room for the week fell 2.3 percent to finish at US$53.15.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy increased 3.4 percent to 58.4 percent. Average daily rate increased 13.2 percent to finish the week at CAD$140.65. Revenue per available room for the week rose 17.0 percent to CAD$82.16.

The latest eTRAK Full Year 2009 report on hotel bookings by channel yet again confirms that today, the online channel is the only growth channel in hospitality. In the difficult economic environment, when travel supply outweighed travel demand by far, Internet bookings for the top 30 hotel brands increased by a remarkable 6.6% in 2009 vs. 2008 (eTRAK).

airBaltic welcomes to the world’s largest Blonde Festival

Law office of Brodsky & Smith, LLC announces that it is investigating potential claims against the Board of Directors of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:CKR) relating to the proposed acquisition by the private-equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners. Under the terms of the agreement, CKE shareholders will receive $11.05 for each share of CKE stock they own.

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. (NASDAQ: DAVE) today announced revenue of $32.6 million and net income of $774,000, or $0.08 per diluted share, for its fiscal fourth quarter ended January 3, 2010.