For the week beginning May 24, 2004

"Visitors Travel In Circles Searching For Travel Information." The results of a recent online travel industry report indicate that over 30% of visits to travel-related sites are referred from other travel sites. And, 45% of visits leaving a travel-related site are going to another site within the travel category. MEDIAPOST.COM, May 17, 2004, pp. 1-2. http://www.mediapost.com

"Hotels: Travel Market is A-Changing." This article focuses on the hotel marketing shift from baby boomers to "Generation Xers", people ages 24 to 38. TWCROSSROADS.COM, May 18, 2004, pp. 1-2. http://www.twcrossroads.com

"Consumers' Travel Plans Include Visit To The Net." A survey has found that business travelers are more apt to use online travel research and booking services over leisure travelers but both groups have demonstrated steady growth in travel planning using the Internet. EMARKETER.COM, May 6, 2004, pp. 1-2. http://www.emarketer.com

"Travel Industry Gears Up For Changes: Web Services And Modern IT Systems Play Leading Roles In Drive To Cut Costs." The combination of the deregulation of companies that distribute pricing and inventory information to the travel industry, along with the increased competition from Web sites that also distribute fare and inventory data, will result in lower costs for consumers. INFORMATIONWEEK.COM, May 10, 2004, pp. 1-2. http://www.informationweek.com

"TIA, AAA Predict Strong Summer Season." Despite rising gas prices, a survey sponsored by The Travel Industry Association and AAA, project that Americans will take some 334.5 million person-trips of 50 miles or more from home this summer, up 3.2% from the same time last year. TWCROSSROADS.COM, May 18, 2004, pp. 1-2. http://www.twcrossroads.com

"Room-Selling Strategies: Distribution Report: Selling Rooms Trickier As Online Bookings Increase." "Creating a clear and consistent picture across all distribution channels should be an important part of any hoteliers strategy." HOTEL BUSINESS, May 7-20, 2004, pp. 18, 20. And, "Major Hotel Brands Look To Enhance Websites To Gain Distribution," p. 20.

"Americans Tightening Wallets For Summer Vacations." A survey has revealed that the average American is planning to spend 5.3% less this year on summer vacations. HOTELNEWSRESOURCE.COM, May 20, 2004, p. 1. http://www.hotelnewsresource.com

"Hotels Battle Internet Sites With Web-Only Discounts." Hotels are launching their new lowest-price guarantee to entice travelers to book on their Web sites, rather than using a third-party site. BIZJOURNALS.COM, May 21, 2004, pp. 1-3. http://www.bizjournals.com

For the week beginning May 17, 2004

"Travel Industry Forecast Strengthens For 2004 And Beyond." According to a report by the Travel Industry Association of America, the combination of a strengthening economy along with an increase in consumer confidence is helping make 2004 one of the strongest years in travel in quite some time. HOTELNEWSRESOURCE.COM, May 10, 2004, p. 1. http://www.hotelnewsresource.com

"Consumers Perceive Travel To Be Less Affordable." This article briefly summarizes the Travel Industry Association of America's quarterly Traveler Sentiment Index. HOTELNEWSRESOURCE.COM, May 11, 2004, pp. 1-2. http://www.hotelnewsresource.com

"Lower Lodging, Meal Costs Offset Higher Gas Prices." AAA states that lower lodging and meal costs should offset the record-high gas prices for vacationers. HOTELNEWSRESOURCE.COM, May 13, 2004, p. 1. http://www.hotelnewsresource.com

"E-Mail Marketing: What Even The Best Marketers Are Doing Wrong." THE MARKETING REPORT, May 10, 2004, p. 8.

"No Crystal Ball, But 5 Questions That'll Increase Chances Of Success." Here's a quick test that can increase the chances that your next marketing communication will be a success. THE MARKETING REPORT, May 10, 2004, p. 3.

"A New Portrait Of Hispanic Consumers -- Survey Finds Less Brand Loyalty, A Preference For Bilingual Ads." ADWEEK, May 10, 2004, p. 10.

For the week beginning May 10, 2004

"At Issue: How To Own Your Customers." Technology is forcing hoteliers to reevaluate their marketing strategies. This article provides a roundtable of top hotel execs, discussing their strategies regarding customer development, retention and loyalty. HOTELS, March 2004, pp. 10-12, 14.

"Renting A Hot Rod At Minivan Prices." Car rental companies are adding an increasing number of SUVs, PT Cruisers and even more convertibles to their lots in an effort to differentiate themselves in a cutthroat business environment. THE WALL STREET JOURNAL, May 4, 2004, pp. D1, D5.

"Leisure Trends Shed Light On Group Habits." This article reports on the travel habits, preferences and intentions of Americans. Lots of travel statistics are included. MEETING NEWS, April 19, 2004, p. 4.

"Going, Going, Gay." In an attempt to attract some of the $54 billion spent yearly by traveling gays and lesbians, cities are targeting gay men and women with splashy campaigns and promotions. TRAVEL+LEISURE, April 2004, p. 52.

"Away On Business: Technology And Security." This article focuses on the trends in traveler security technology. Some techniques discussed are: fingerprint technology; electronic storage of photo identification at checkpoints; biometric data stored in passports and other travel documents. FORBES.COM, May 6, 2004, pp. 1-3. http://www.forbes.com

"Vacation Plans: Travelers To Take Short Trips In U.S." A new study reveals that nearly three in five U.S. adults are planning to take a vacation over the next six months. However, most of them said they will travel within the continental U.S. TRAVEL WEEKLY, April 19, 2004, p. 10.

For the week beginning May 3, 2004

"Hotel Web Sites Have Much To Do To Increase User Satisfaction And Customer Loyalty." This article highlights in brief the RUSH Report, a new report tracking user satisfaction and performance of hotel Web sites. HOTELNEWSRESOURCE.COM, April 28 2004, pp. 1-2. http://www.hotelnewsresource.com

"Orbitz's 'Hotel Habits' Survey Reveals Americans' Sneaky Vacation Behavior." This survey reveals that half of Americans who stay in hotels admit they behave differently while on vacation than when they are at home. HOTELNEWSRESOURCE.COM, April 26, 2004, pp.1-2. http://www.hotelnewsresource.com

"Internet Sites Help Level Playing Field For Tourists: You Don't Necessarily Have To Look Like You Don't Know Where You're Going Anymore." This article highlights travel-themed Web sites that offer information on destinations. USA TODAY, April 28, 2004, p. 4E.

"Married Baby Boomers Heart Of Cruise Market, According To TNS Plog Research Analysis." This article is a brief synopsis of a market analysis done for the Cruise Lines International Association. CRUISING.ORG, March 23, 2004, pp. 1-2. http://www.cruising.org

"Zagat Survey Releases 2004 Top International Hotels, Resorts & Spas." This article provides a synopsis of the 2004 Zagat� survey. HOTELNEWSRESOURCE.COM, April 27, 2004, pp. 1-3. http://www.hotelnewsresource.com

"Luxury Costs More These Days: High-End Room Rates Up 4.8% To An Average $151." USA TODAY, April 27, 2004, p. 5B, And "Luxury Pays Off," which highlights March 2004 occupancy rates for all scales of hotels, and average daily rates for March 2004 and percentage of change from March 2003, p. 5B; "Hotels On The Rebound," which provides the same information for hotels in specific states, p. 5B.

For the week beginning April 26, 2004

"Oh, The Places They'll Go." Americans aren't holding back on vacations this year. And that spells profits for the travel industry. BUSINESSWEEK, April 19, 2004, p. 40.

"Global Update: Incentive Sales Revisited: Business Rebound Signals Return In Incentive Sales -- With New Rules Included." HOTELS, April 2004, pp. 10-11.

"When Two -- Or Three -- Or Four -- Names Are Better Than One." This article discusses hotel companies co-branding with like-minded partners to create a strong brand identity. HOTELS, April 2004, p. 20.

"Powerful Lobbies: Open Plans Are Pumping Up The Design Impact Of Lobbies And Putting Everything From Restaurants To Retail In Clear Sight Lines." HOTELS, April 2004, pp. 42-44.

"Out With The Old Breakfast: New Service Standards And More Menu Choices Are The Keys To A Breakfast Makeover." HOTELS, April 2004, pp. 46-48.

"To Find Loyal Customers, Leverage The CL Quotient." By learning to use a particular strategic marketing tool -- the customer loyalty quotient -- companies can clearly identify their most loyal and at-risk customers. Here are some tips for improving customer loyalty. MARKETING NEWS, April 15, 2004, p. 18.