Next Round in the Online Travel Agency (OTA) Fee Wars as Orbitz Drops Hotel Fees
April 22, 2009
Orbitz Aims for Brand Loyalty With New Price Display | www.reuters.com
Latest jab in the OTA "race to the bottom" on consumer fees What will be the reaction, if any, from EXPE and Travelocity? Will consumers even care?
"Rossgate" Continues - Federal Grand Jury Subpeonas Documents From Hilton
April 21, 2009
Hilton Gets Subpoena Over Starwood Spying Claims | www.reuters.com
-Potential huge distraction for both Hilton and Starwood -Hilton development pipeline may be crimped -New opportunities for other brands?
Starwood sues Hilton over Denizen - "Zengate"
April 17, 2009
Starwood Sues Hilton and Two Former Starwood Executives for Corporate Espionage, Theft of Trade Secrets, Unfair Competition | finance.yahoo.com
If successful, Hilton may be forced to massively retrench on their new brand, Denizen. Massive distraction for both companies in already tough times.
April 14, 2009
Allegiant Travel Company Pre-Announces First Quarter 2009 Earnings, Moves First Quarter Earnings Call One Day Earlier to Avoid Conflicts | finance.yahoo.com
ALGT is not a typical airline in any respect. From revenue sources to cost containment, they are a far cry from AMR and even JBLU or LUV.
LAS VEGAS IS NOT OFF TO A GREAT START IN 2009 - IS THERE A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR THE GAMING INDUSTRY
April 14, 2009
VISITATION SLIPS 8 PERCENT IN FEBRUARY DESPITE DEEP DISCOUNTS - (LAS VEGAS) | www.lvrj.com
With statistics showing a rather slow start for 2009, can the Las Vegas gaming industry show some promise for the remainder of the year? Where will the business come from to create added revenue? Will the slight signs of the national economy improving create some incentive for people to head to Las Vegas?
Orbitz Finally Falls In Line and Removes Booking Fees: OWW
April 7, 2009
Orbitz Finally Matches EXPE, PCLN and Travelocity in Removing Air Booking Fees | www.orbitz.com
- Much larger portion of Orbitz's earnings come from booking fees than competitors. (Citi estimates nearly 60% for OWW vs ~10% for EXPE.)
As Global Business Travel Slumps, Hotel Chains Court Their Most Loyal Customers With New Deals
April 6, 2009
Hotels Turn to Loyalty Programs to Drive Revenue | finance.yahoo.com
-Massive frequent stayer bonus programs are rolled out by all the chains as they battle for share among remaining business travelers -Hotels are happy for redemption of loyalty points as well to build occupancy -Its a great time to earn (huge bonus programs in place) as well as burn (finding a free room is easier than ever)
AF-KLM eyes CSA and now purchased 25% interest in Alitalia
March 26, 2009
Air France-KLM eyes CSA, crisis ongoing | www.reuters.com
AF-KLM seems to have taken their eye off of the core AF/KLM airline. There is a point of diminishing returns when it comes to economies of scale and they have reach that point! EU may take a greater interest should their be anymore consolidations. This assumes that Iberia remains a separate entity or does something with BA. Lufthansa done a better job of acquisitions, investments and starting new business and seems to be more strategic in their approach.
AT A TIME MGM NEEDS ALL THE HELP THEY CAN GET, WHAT'S UP WITH THEIR PARTNER
March 26, 2009
ANYONE HEARD FROM KIRK ..... (Kirk Kerkorian-MGM,MGM/Mirage) | www.lvrj.com
Can the CityCernter 9.3 plus billion dollar project on the Las vegas strip get completed without help from Dubai World? What should we read behind the litigation recently against MGM by D.W.? Could they be looking for a bigger stake in this project?
Another Holiday, Another GOOG buys EXPE Rumor...
March 19, 2009
Expedia Shares Rally on Takeover Rumors | www.reuters.com
-EXPE is not a typical GOOG purchase -GOOG would hardly risk millions of dollars in ad revenues to enter the travel space
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