Travel News: Airlines, Tourism and Airfares

Consolidated traffic increases 13.5%

Windstar Cruises, which operates a three-ship fleet of luxury yachts that explore hidden harbors and secluded coves of the world's most treasured destinations, announces the promotion of Donna Kurtz to Director of Charter/Incentive Sales and Operations.

System passenger traffic for March decreased 8.2% as capacity declined 4.1%. As a result, the Company's load factor decreased 3.2 points to 72.9%. International passenger traffic accounted for approximately 70% of total passenger traffic. March 2010 traffic was affected by flight cancellations due to the shutdown of the Santiago International Airport as a result of the earthquake that affected Chile on February 27, 2010.

Flight to Sao Paulo would strengthen Detroit's position as a leading international gateway, complement existing Delta service to five Brazilian destinations

Hotels follow the airline industry into the ‘fee’ era… and that’s not bad for revenue managers, says REVPAR GURU

After 15 years of providing award-winning, private aviation solutions, Flexjet today unveils the most comprehensive portfolio of products in the industry.

Group travel options for persons with special needs are becoming more popular and more varied. Whether you use a wheelchair, need oxygen, have a hearing impairment or rely on a service animal, there is a group trip for you. Andrew Garnett, founder and CEO of Special Needs Group/Special Needs at Sea, offers a few tips for finding and enjoying the right trip.

Offering insight into developing a career and being a leader in the hospitality industry, Frank Wolfe, CAE, CEO of Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP®), and Emily Wolfe, a freelance paralegal, spoke last week at the University of Houston Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management Leadership Series.

The U.S. hotel industry reported decreases in all three key performance measurements during the week of 28 March-3 April 2010, according to data from STR.

Challenging economic times require running a tight ship. Now is the time to really take a hard look at your brand and the tenets that led to its development.