OTAs Prevail Against Anaheim: Court Calls Prior Ruling "Logical Fallacy"
February 3, 2010
Expedia, Priceline and Orbitz Rejoice at Hotel Tax Rollback | industry.bnet.com
The major Online Travel Agencies today notched a huge win in Anaheim, California where a judge threw out a $21,326,881.30 ruling against Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz and their related subsidiaries with a strongly worded rebuke to the Anaheim City Hearing Officer's earlier findings
The downward trend on air ticket sales continues for the agency channel
January 22, 2010
Air Ticket Sales for 2009 were down 17.29% | www.arccorp.com
Year over year air ticket sales through the travel agency channel (both online and offline) declined 17.29% in 2009. Total sales were $65.8b, with $29.9b from domestic fares and $25.6b from international fares (with the balance being taxes and fees). There are 15,928 agencies in the US and 188 airlines. The number of agencies declined 10% from 17,673 in 2008. This is due to continued consolidation and to some extent, the closure of the low end agencies that cannot survive in today's economy. The number of airlines grew from 173. Who knew? The number of transactions (aka tickets) only declined 5.48%. International sales as a percentage of total declined just slightly to 39%. The average price of an international ticket declined 16% to $700.47 and a domestic ticket declined 12% to an average of $298.93, which signals an increase in sales through the top 4 online sites.
All three key metrics in hospitality are down for 2009 - No surprises there
January 22, 2010
US hotel industry ends '09 with double-digit RevPAR drop | www.hotelnewsnow.com
The three top metrics in the hospitality industry are revenue per available room (RevPAR), occupancy and average daily room rate (ADR).Revenue per available room fell 16.7 percent to US$53.71 during 2009, according to year-end reports from Smith Travel Research.The industry’s occupancy fell 8.7 percent to 55.1 percent for the year and average daily rate dropped 8.8 percent to US$97.51. None of the top 25 markets showed any growth in these top 3 metrics.
Priceline's New TV Ad Brings Revenue Management 101 to the People
January 20, 2010
Priceline.com Focuses On Hotel Savings In New Advertising Campaign | finance.yahoo.com
Today, Priceline.com launched a new TV ad campaign featuring a new Shatner side-kick known as "Big Deal." Not only is the Big Deal big, but he also appears to have a deep understanding of hotel revenue management.
November 12, 2009
Expedia and Choice Hotels International Sign New Long-Term Agreement | www.prnewswire.com
After a particularly ugly public battle, Expedia Inc and Choice Hotels International have hammered out a new deal
Texas Cities vs. PCLN, EXPE, OWW et al: A Draw at Best
November 3, 2009
Texas Cities Win $20M Verdict in Tax Case | dallas.bizjournals.com
Late last week, a jury in San Antonio delivered a verdict on a class-action suit against the major OTAs that was brought by around 170 cities in Texas. The verdict against Expedia, Orbitz.com, Travelocity and Priceline.com is for $20M plus court imposed penalties and interest.
Choice Hotels International and Expedia: We've Seen This Movie Before
October 19, 2009
Growing Tension Between Hoteliers, OTAs | www.hotelsmag.com
Choice Hotels International and Expedia are in a tiff resulting in Choice brands not displaying on Expedia and Hotels.com
Is Your Business Marketing through Social Media Yet?
September 1, 2009
More marketers use social networking to reach customers | bit.ly
We all have websites and we've all tried Search Engine Optimization to drive business to our website. But is that working anymore and how do you bring attention to your company and drive consumer awareness? The key to the new revolution in marketing is to say "Hello" to potential clients through enthusiastic social media marketing.Bring a voice to your product; meet and greet consumers and sell in a more personal way."It's about culture change and adapting to this ongoing way of communicating"
why forprofit EDU's are growing
August 4, 2009
why forprofits are growing | www.forprofitedu.com
All student interests and motivations are not at all the same, you need to understand their motivations to understand the market. You need to not think about yourself here as you are NOT the typical student growing to these schools.
Hotels RevPar decline - It is more than just the economy coming out of recession
July 20, 2009
Reservations Mount Over Hotel Stocks | www.businessweek.com
While the economy plays a significant role in hotel RevPar results, their is much more to it than just that. "Events and Meetings Management" (EMM)-still no signs of life. Corporate travel budgets are typically built in the fall for following calendar year-so no growth until next year at the absolute earliest...MAYBE! If you have a decline in air service you are going to have a decline in RevPar...it is that simple...and the hotels should have seen it when airlines first announced those cuts.
Apple brings textbooks to iPad -- Finally
January 20, 2012
PayPal loses a key player in mobile device payments to Yahoo
January 10, 2012
More details and insights about the planned Sears Holdings store closings
January 4, 2012
Three things you should know about Sears store closings
December 29, 2011
Thoughts on GM Volt's recent "rapid thermal expansion" incident
December 6, 2011