Focus Page 309
BTN spotlight: Brett Callaghan, TotallyBarbados
Brett Callaghan is the brains behind TotallyBarbados.com – the number one website for everything related to the beautiful Caribbean island. BTN caught up with the former professional jockey turned web entrepreneur to find out how a site that started small has grown big by tapping into local knowledge.
Jetsetter Brings Daily Deals to Gilt-Edged Upscale Travel
New York based Jetsetter (http://www.jetsetter.com) is a new flash-sale website that sells hand-picked upscale travel experiences at flash-sale prices which you won’t otherwise get directly from the travel company responsible for the experience.
Can Restaurants Save New York City or Las Vegas Economies?
The Old Guard is in trouble when it comes to making a living on the New York City restaurant scene. Tavern on the Green declared bankruptcy in September, not even two weeks after Café des Artistes closed its doors. The owners said after 92 years in the restaurant business, the company could no longer pay employees’ health and pension benefits. Indeed, reports say they were $250,000 behind in health insurance and $116,000 in pension payments
BTN spotlight: Louis Sailer, CEO Fullerton Hotels
Louis Sailer is the new CEO of Singapore-based Fullerton Hotels. BTN met up with the veteran of five-star hospitality to find out his thoughts on the industry as well as his grand plans for expanding the Fullerton portfolio worldwide.
MASSIVEGOOD Health Funding
On Sept 23, during the UN General Assembly, major players in the travel and tourism sector came together with UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and World Bank President Robert Zoellick, to announce MASSIVEGOOD - an innovative travel-related fundraising initiative that will help finance health care for the world’s poor.
Ski Pass Insurance - Creative fees on the slopes
Ed Silver here—guest blogging again—This morning I received an email from Vail Resorts, owners of some of the best ski resorts in the world, including Vail, Breckenridge, Beaver Creek, Keystone, and Heavenly. It included an offer to insure my ski season pass. I’ve seen plenty of insurance offerings in the past, but this latest one just amazes me.
Change your thinking about social media
I have always disliked those inspirational viral e-mails that are circulated by friends. They always struck me as much too manipulative. I particularly despised the inclusion of superstitious taunts daring the receiver to forward the message, for example, “Forward this message to 10 friends within 24 hours” in order to a) receive unfathomable riches or b) avoid unimaginable despair…
Oklahoma Launches ECO – Pilot Programs for Sustainable Travel
Oklahoma has launched seven pilot programs as part of ECO (Encouraging Conservation in Oklahoma) - a sustainable travel initiative.
Seat Review - British Airways World Traveller Plus (Premium Economy)
A family emergency sent me to Berlin. The trip back (which was filled with stress and eventually relief) was on British Airways Premium Economy – branded World Traveller Plus. Due to the circumstances of the trip I was not in a good mood. This almost certainly impacted my attitude toward the flight and the product and therefore this review.
How the travel industry Will save the world
When approached to become one of the initial contributors to Tnooz I was understandably flattered and naturally began thinking about my first post. What is my agenda for the site, what do I say, what is my voice, my goal, my cause, what will I write about? Those of you who know me well are already aware of what drives my personal ambition as well as my writing: travel, technology and the environment.
Corporate travel management and travel practices in China
The report with the same title published earlier this year by PhoCusWright and Amadeus IT Group is based on extensive research with over one hundred corporate executives responsible for travel procurement decisions in their companies and paints a picture of a corporate travel market with a significantly different behavior pattern from the rest of the world when it comes to planning, purchasing and accounting for travel services. The reasons for these differences are mainly cultural and will not be changed overnight.
Helena, Montana Finds Airport Security Efficiency
Philip Bowman, chief executive of Smiths Group in London, has begun publicly complaining about the long security lines at European airports he frequents.