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Summit Travel Group and the world's leading cruise lines are teaming up for a one of a kind cruise showcase where guests will have an opportunity to find out what's new in the world of cruising --everything from exciting new itineraries to incredible new ships to hot new trends in travel.
Guests cruise representatives will also be present and available to answer questions and offer special event-only savings.
| Location: |
The Stanford Park Hotel in Menlo Park |
| Date: |
Saturday, Oct 15th |
| Time: |
12:30-4:00pm |
Even if you can't appear in person on the day of the event, be sure to call Summit Travel Group between October 17 and October 21 to take advantage of the year's best savings on fabulous cruise vacations with Princess, Cunard Line, Crystal Crusies, Holland America, NCL America, Radisson Seven Seas, Silverseas and Windstar Cruises.
For more info or to RSVP for this event call
(650) 328-2030.
Includes roundtrip airfare
from San Francisco
plus Economy Car
Enjoy 5 unforgettable nights at the dazzling Ritz-Carlton
Kapalua and receive one FREE night, guaranteed room upgrade,
daily breakfast for two, rental car fresh flower lei greeting
and more! Valid for travel through 12/10/05.
› View Full Details
To book this Maui Vacation:
- Christine Anthony
- 415-242-0277
- canthony@ethanallen.net
- Subject: Maui - IND
- Please include dates you would prefer
- Please include contact information
- Please include Promotion Code 112RIWEB
- Some restrictions apply
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Runzheimer International, a management consulting firm, predicts that high fuel costs will hit corporate travel in more ways than one. Runzheimer International predicts that overall business travel costs will increase 12 percent in 2006, from car rental costs to airfares, because of increasing fuel costs. Jet fuel price increases are forcing some airlines to hike their fares, fuel increases for trucks delivering food makes meals more sensitive to price increases, too. Car rental prices have been and are expected to continue increasing because of fuel costs and increasing fleet costs, meaning car rentals will be a less advantageous travel alternative. (Source: Runzheimer press release).
The International Air Transport Association reported that airlines are struggling to deal with a ballooning fuel bill that is expected to reach US$97 billion—more than double the US$44 billion in 2003. Year-on-year comparisons for August showed slower growth than for the previous seven months for international passenger and cargo traffic at 6.1% and 2.8% respectively. These trends are taking a toll, with airlines announced service cuts due to high fuel prices. American Airlines announced that it was canceling 15 round-trip flights in markets it serves from its two largest hubs, Chicago’s O’Hare and Dallas/Fort Worth. The airline is suspending the flights October 5 through October 29, when it will evaluate jet fuel prices and decide whether or not to restore flights. Continental Airlines also said that it expects to suspend flights in selected locations on account of unprecedented jet fuel prices. Northwest Airlines has suspended its daily Minneapolis to London flight from October 30 to March 9 and has said that it would reduce its Detroit to Paris flight from daily to five per week from January 16 to March 9, according to Houston Chronicle. (Source: IATA press release, American Airlines statement, Houston Chronicle, Wall Street Journal).
Delta Air Lines CEO Gerald Grinstein announced the airline’s ‘transformation’ plans to “save Delta in the near term, so that it can compete and win in the long term.” In a memo to the airlines’ 52,000 employees about the airline’s Chapter 11 restructuring, Grinstein said the airline’s goal is to be profitable in just over two years. It plans to cut 7,000 to 9,000 jobs by 2007, cut management pay by up to 25 percent and reduce the salaries of most frontline workers by 7 to 10 percent. It plans to reduce domestic capacity 15 to 20 percent, reducing its fleet by more than 80 aircraft by the end of 2006, eliminating four aircraft types to bring its fleet down to seven types of aircraft. It is also evaluating reductions to its Delta Connection/Comair regional fleet. It plans to increase international capacity by 25 percent in 2006. Delta recently announced new service between New York and Copenhagen starting in May 2006.
American Airlines now has an alternative to going standby for travelers hoping to take a different flight on the same day as their originally scheduled flight. The new program, Confirmed Flight Change, lets passengers confirm a seat on an alternate flight on the same day, within three hours of the scheduled departure time of the alternate flight. Seats will be confirmed for $25 if space is available. (Source: American Airlines press release).
MAXjet Airways, Inc. will start all business class passenger service on November 1, with six flights each week between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport and London’s Stansted Airport, with everyday fares starting at just $779 each way. It plans to add additional routes from other U.S. cities. Eos is starting daily premium service between JFK and Stansted on October 18th with an introductory roundtrip fare of $5,000, unrestricted fare is $6,500. (Source: MAXjet, Eos press releases).
Starwood Hotels & Resorts has announced its’ new ‘aloft’ brand in its select-service category. These hotels will offer urban-inspired, loft-like guest rooms, enhanced technology services, landscaped outdoor space and a lounge scene. Five are in development in Lexington, Mass.; Tucson, Ariz.; San Francisco Airport; Philadelphia Airport; and Cherry Creek, Colo. Starwood anticipates the first hotels to break ground in early 2006 and open in early 2007, with 500 properties worldwide expected by 2012. (Source: Starwood press release).
To cope with a 40 percent increase in fuel costs of the past year, Amtrak is phasing in fare increases. The first, effective
October 4th, will be 5 to 7 percent, which for the most part means tickets will go up $3 or $4 on most trains, including 7 percent increases for the Acela Express and long-distance coach and 5 percent on regional and long-distance sleeper trains. The second change is in pricing for commuter tickets. Amtrak will reduce discounts on commuter tickets in two steps, with the first half of the change going into effect October 16 and the second half in February, 2006. Meanwhile, Amtrak has completed the final phase of restoring its Acela service. There are now eight weekday roundtrips between Boston, New York and Washington, D.C., and 14 daily roundtrips between New York and Washington. Sunday service has also been increased. Amtrak suspended Acela service from April through July to redesign brake discs. (Source: Amtrak press release).
Virgin Atlantic Upper Class is a completely different way to travel. It’s less like an airplane, and more like hotel. A hotel where every room is a suite and every passenger is a VIP. The legendary Virgin Atlantic service begins with a relaxing ride in a complimentary limo to the airport, and continues in the clubhouse where you can opt to catch up on work, or unwind with a drink and a bite to eat. Once onboard, mix, mingle and network at the onboard bar with a signature Virgin cocktail. After a pre-dinner drink, choose from the three-course Freedom Menu with gourmet selections and an award-winning wine list. For those who need to work, a private power source is conveniently located at each suite, along with an ottoman for guests. When sleep beckons, slip into your Sleep Suit while your flight attendant converts your suite into a fully flat bed, complete with comfy duvet and a proper pillow. Of course, nothing can compare to a relaxing massage at 37,000 feet from the in-flight masseuse, complete with aromatherapy oils and lotions. If relaxation by film is your pleasure, immerse yourself in the personal 10.4” wide-screen TV with up to 43audio/video channels of television and unedited first-run movies. Upon arrival, de-plane for a Revivals Lounge stop where you can freshen up with a shower or enjoy a hot breakfast before your limo ride to your London destination.
Upper Class Suite is available now on all JFK, EWR, SFO, MCO and LAS flights to London and select flights from LAX, BOS, IAD, MIA.
Summit Travel Group is committed to providing you with useful information on the latest developments in the travel industry. The preceding information has been compiled from a variety of sources and is updated monthly.
www.summittravelgroup.com
www.ethanallen.net
www.meridianworldtravel.com
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