Travel News: Airlines, Tourism and Airfares

MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM) announced that lenders representing approximately $4.37 billion of the outstanding commitments under its $5.55 billion senior bank credit facility have entered into an amendment agreement which, subject to certain conditions, will extend the maturity of a portion of the credit facility from October 3, 2011 to February 21, 2014.

Breads of the World, the local franchisee for Panera Bread in central and southwest Ohio, is pleased to announce the fifth annual Rising Above student essay contest, which will run from March 1 – March 31, 2010. To participate, students must submit an essay about why his or her teacher deserves to be honored with the Panera Rising Above Award. The winning essays will be announced during National Teacher Appreciation Week, May 3 – May 8, 2010.

Little Caesar Enterprises, Inc. today announced it will be a proud sponsor of Cell Phones for Soldiers during the months of March and April. Little Caesars will collect used cell phones to help raise money for calling cards so our troops can call home.

There may not have been a gold statue given while rubbing shoulders with Julia Roberts or Robert De Niro, but in the restaurant industry Cafe Rio just received the Oscar equivalent.

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In year-over-year measurements, the industry's occupancy ended the week with a 2.4-percent increase to 55.4 percent. Average daily rate dropped 4.4 percent to finish the week at US$95.81. Revenue per available room for the week fell 2.2 percent to finish at US$53.04.

Airline Brings Travelers Eight New Routes for the Summer

Amadeus has identified the Amateur-Expert Traveller - who is more knowledgeable, more adventurous and more likely to live in an emerging economy than ever before - and whose rise coincides with innovations in the trip experience and the growth of niche travel in the post-recessionary environment.

The European hotel industry posted mixed results in year-over-year results when reported in U.S. dollars, euros and British pounds for January 2010, according to data compiled by STR Global.

Brussels-based hotel management company The Rezidor Hotel Group is developing its third hotel in Istanbul: Radisson Blu Istanbul Asia. The 194-room hotel will open Q4 2011.