http://www.businesstravelnews.com/rss/business-travel-news(c) 2010, NORTHSTAR Travel Media, LLC. All rights reserved60http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/BTN-Names-Google-s-Tangney-European-Travel-Manager-Of-The-Year/13968btnfeedback@ntmllc.com ()Tue, 07 Sep 2010 09:25:00 GMTPeopleBusiness Travel News on Monday evening named Google's Dublin-based global travel category manager Michael Tangney its 2010 European Travel Manager of the Year.  http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/German-Departure-Tax-To-Put-Bigger-Bite-On-Long-Haul-Flights/13955btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 01 Sep 2010 13:10:00 GMT2010Long-haul travelers will bear more of the brunt of an air departure tax voted through by the German cabinet Wednesday than was originally thought. Last month, a widely leaked draft of the legislation said the levy would be €13 for journeys of up to 2,550 kilometers and €26 on flights above that limit. However, today's final regulation has revised the scheme to €8 for flights within Europe, €25 to medium-haul destinations and €45 to long-haul destinations. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Technology/Articles/Google--DOJ-Requests-More-ITA-Deal-Information/13948btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Chris Davis)Mon, 30 Aug 2010 17:00:00 GMT2010The U.S. Department of Justice has requested more information from Internet search giant Google about its planned $700 million acquisition of Cambridge, Mass.-based flight information software company ITA Software, Google said in a blog post. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/Amex-Again-Tops-J-D--Power-Credit-Card-Customer-Satisfaction-Study/13905btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Fri, 20 Aug 2010 14:45:00 GMTPayment SystemsAmerican Express ranked highest among card issuers in customer satisfaction, as overall satisfaction levels with credit cards rose slightly from 2009 levels, according to the J.D. Power and Associates 2010 U.S. Credit Card Satisfaction Study released Thursday. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Face-To-Face--Carlson-President-And-CEO-Hubert-Joly/13901btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Thu, 19 Aug 2010 22:25:00 GMTPeopleCarlson president and CEO Hubert Joly, alongside Thorsten Kirschke, Carlson Hotels' executive vice president and COO for the Americas, sat down with Business Travel News hotel editor Michael B. Baker in recent weeks to discuss corporate and group travel outlook and plans for the company's hotel brands, particularly Radisson, which is undergoing a major revitalization project within the United States. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/Amex-Providing-Chinese-Currency-Traveler-s-Checks/13898btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Thu, 19 Aug 2010 14:00:00 GMTPayment SystemsAmerican Express this week launched traveler's checks in the Chinese yuan, which it calls the world's first prepaid product in Chinese currency. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Worldwide-Travel/Articles/Las-Vegas-Sees-Its-Long-Hard-Luck-Streak-Beginning-To-Make-A-Turnaround/13892btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (John Buchanan)Wed, 18 Aug 2010 16:35:00 GMTLocationOne year after an unprecedented and protracted meltdown in their meetings business, Las Vegas hoteliers finally sense a recovery in the making. In the meantime, however, the prices and perks precipitated by the crisis continue to be strong hole cards for planners looking to negotiate the best possible deal. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Siemens-Gets-Car-And-Airline-Vendors-To-Do-Its-Bidding/13888btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (David Meyer)Tue, 17 Aug 2010 21:50:00 GMTPeopleSiemens, the multinational conglomerate, made real strides in car rental and airline purchasing in the past year through the use of electronic-bidding tools. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/U-S--Bank-To-Issue-Corporate-Cards-In-Europe/13885btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 17 Aug 2010 16:30:00 GMTPayment SystemsU.S. Bank next year will begin issuing corporate T&E cards in Europe for companies that have operations in the region. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Face-To-Face--ARC-President-And-CEO-David-R-B--Collins/13879btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (David Meyer)Mon, 16 Aug 2010 15:50:00 GMTPeopleFollowing the announcement last month by ARC president and CEO David R.B. Collins that he would retire in one year, he spoke with BTN editor-in-chief David Meyer about his time with the U.S. airline bank settlement and data management organization and the changes he has witnessed along the way. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Former-BTN-Travel-Manager-Of-The-Year-Among-New-NBTA-Board-Members/13872btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (David Meyer)Fri, 13 Aug 2010 11:50:00 GMTPeopleFormer Business Travel News Travel Manager of the Year Donna Kelliher was one of three people elected to the National Business Travel Association's board of directors this week, following particularly strong voter turnout during its International Convention & Exposition in Houston. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Worldwide-Travel/Articles/Delta-Unveils-JFK-Terminal-Development-Plans/13864btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jerry Limone)Wed, 11 Aug 2010 22:40:00 GMTLocationDelta Air Lines on Wednesday unveiled plans for the redevelopment and expansion of Terminal 4 at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Work on the $1.2 billion project, which was approved by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey last week, will begin next month. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/BMO-To-Feed-Card-Data-Into-IBM-Expense-Tool/13862btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Wed, 11 Aug 2010 11:45:00 GMTPayment SystemsBMO Financial Group this week announced an alliance with IBM to supply automatic card data feeds into IBM's Global Expense Reporting System. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/CyberShift-Unveils-Expense-Processing-Outsourcing-Service/13857btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 10 Aug 2010 12:40:00 GMTPayment SystemsExpense management supplier CyberShift on Monday launched a selection of outsourced services to handle administrative tasks associated with the expense reporting process. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/BTN-Names-J-J-s-Chevalier-Travel-Manager-Of-The-Year/13854btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Mon, 09 Aug 2010 21:25:00 GMTPeopleBusiness Travel News on Monday evening named Maria Chevalier, Johnson & Johnson global director of travel and meeting services, as the 2010 Travel Manager of the Year.  http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/NBTA-Names-CWT-s-Jack-O-Neill-Allied-Member-Of-The-Year/13852btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (David Meyer)Mon, 09 Aug 2010 15:50:00 GMTPeopleThe National Business Travel Association on Monday named Jack O'Neill, president of Carlson Wagonlit Travel North America, as its NBTA Allied Member of the Year at its NBTA International Convention & Exposition in Houston. NBTA bestows the award annually to a supplier member whose actions have helped to advance the travel management industry. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Janssen-Takes-Hold-Of-BCD-Americas-Reins/13886btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (David Meyer)Mon, 09 Aug 2010 12:40:00 GMTPeopleBCD Travel has promoted Mike Janssen to the position of president of the Americas, replacing industry veteran Danny Hood in the role. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/Concur-To-Get-Marriott-Folio-Data,-Add-Mobile-Apps/13846btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Mon, 09 Aug 2010 10:10:00 GMTPayment SystemsConcur on Monday announced an agreement with Marriott International in which Concur Travel & Expense users can receive folio data and electronic receipts directly into their expense reports, as well as several upgrades and new agreements related to its mobile expense and travel management platform. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Worldwide-Travel/Articles/Study-Cites-U-S--Cities-Targeting-Travelers-For-Taxes/13843btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Fri, 06 Aug 2010 12:55:00 GMTLocationBusiness travelers face the highest taxes in Chicago, New York and Boston, but Portland, Ore., ranks highest as the city with the most taxes that specifically target travelers, according to research released on Thursday by the National Business Travel Association Foundation and Concur. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Worldwide-Travel/Articles/U-S--Next-Month-To-Collect-Fees-From-Visitors-To-Fund-Tourism-Bureau/13842btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Fri, 06 Aug 2010 11:20:00 GMTLocationU.S. Customs and Border Protection on Sept. 8 plans to begin collecting through the newly established Electronic System for Travel Authorization a $14 fee once every two years from travelers entering the United States from visa-waiver countries. The fees will fund a new federal tourism bureau established this year by the Travel Promotion Act.  http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Op-Ed--Mileage-Multiplier-To-Add-Expense/13832btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Aash Shravah, general manager of corporate sales for KIE/Kintetsu International)Thu, 05 Aug 2010 12:15:00 GMTPeopleIn late May, American Airlines quietly announced a new program called AAdvantage Mileage Multiplier, yet another way the airlines will be able to add a new form of revenue to their bottom line.  http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Company-Transportation/Articles/Avis-Counters-Hertz-With-Dollar-Thrifty-Offer/13814btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Thu, 29 Jul 2010 13:00:00 GMTGround TransportationAvis Budget Group on Wednesday issued a counteroffer to acquire Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, about 17 percent higher than the offer Hertz signed in April.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Company-Transportation/Articles/BostonCoach-Provides-Tool-For-Car-Service-Spending-Analysis/13810btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Wed, 28 Jul 2010 12:30:00 GMTGround TransportationChauffeured car service supplier BostonCoach on Wednesday launched a reporting tool designed to provide travel managers analysis of their car services spending and usage across their organizations. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Newsmaker--Sol-Melia-Taps-Hotel,-Incentive-Industry-Vet-John-Iannini/13802btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Mon, 26 Jul 2010 11:30:00 GMTPeoplePalma de Mallorca, Spain-based Sol Melia has hired John Iannini as senior director of meetings in the Americas as part of a shift from a brand- to a region-focused sales strategy. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Company-Transportation/Articles/Eurostar-Reports-Return-Of-Business-Travelers,-Revenue-Growth/13799btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Fri, 23 Jul 2010 11:40:00 GMTGround TransportationEurostar said Thursday that it is experiencing a resurgence in business travelers after reporting a 6 percent growth in passenger numbers and 18 percent rise in revenues to €483 million for the first six months of 2010. The company attributed the jump in average ticket price to an improvement in the corporate market. "As the economic environment has strengthened, we have seen an uplift in the business market and an overall increase in the number of passengers traveling," said chief executive Nicolas Petrovic. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Business-Meetings/Articles/Cvent-Upgrades-RFP-Tool,-Venue-Listings/13776btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Mon, 19 Jul 2010 12:50:00 GMTMeetingsEvent management technology supplier Cvent on Monday launched an upgraded version of its Cvent Supplier Network that includes simplified versions of its request-for-proposals tool and enhanced venue information listings. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Worldwide-Travel/Articles/JetBlue-Targets-Boston-For-Corporate-Expansion/13772btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Thu, 15 Jul 2010 15:00:00 GMTLocationSix years ago, JetBlue Airways offered only 11 daily flights from two gates at Boston Logan International Airport, a modest presence that turned the heads of few corporate travel buyers. Now, the carrier is offering more service from the city than any of its competitors, growing at a clip of 30 percent this year alone and making the city a focal point of its burgeoning corporate contracting initiatives. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/BCD-Travel-Taps-Janssen-To-Replace-Hood-As-Americas-President/13762btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (David Meyer)Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:55:00 GMTPeopleBCD Travel has promoted Mike Janssen to the position of president of the Americas, replacing industry veteran Danny Hood in the role.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Profiles-In-Travel-Management--McKesson-s-Messaging-Menaces-Noncompliant-Travel/13756btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (David Meyer)Mon, 12 Jul 2010 16:25:00 GMTPeopleHealthcare and information services provider McKesson has reaped rewards in the past year from making creative use of dynamic messaging and other efforts to drive compliance, enhance reporting and wield data during negotiations.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/2010-Business-Travel-Survey--Card-Charge-Volumes-Rebound-From-Last-Year-s-Depths/13751btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:15:00 GMTPayment SystemsCorporate payment charge volumes in 2009 painted a clear picture of travel spending cuts, though issuers expect those volumes to rebound this year. In the meantime, corporate card vendors are enhancing data offerings and global performance capabilities in response to increased demand from travel buyers.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/Bank-Of-America-Partnership-To-Bring-Corporate-Cards-To-Singapore/13746btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Fri, 09 Jul 2010 12:10:00 GMTPayment SystemsBank of America Merrill Lynch is partnering with Singapore-based United Overseas Bank to issue corporate travel and entertainment and purchasing cards across the region beginning this month.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Company-Transportation/Articles/2010-Business-Travel-Survey--Chauffeured-Transportation-Pulls-Out-Of-Dark-Tunnel/13744btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Chris Davis)Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:20:00 GMTGround TransportationThe chauffeured transportation industry in 2009 was a dark place, plagued by plummeting corporate demand, the evisceration of the financial companies that provided a consistent stream of business and the tarring of their product by some as extravagant and unnecessary. Casualties were plenty: Untold numbers of small limo companies died, major suppliers pulled out of entire cities, countless jobs were lost and millions of dollars in revenues evaporated. As time progressed, the U.S. economy approximated a rally, corporations loosened the reins on travel spending, and the beleaguered chauffeured industry began to see some rays of light shine through.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Business-Meetings/Articles/BCD-M-I-Joins-Roster-Of-U-K--Pharma-Meeting-Providers/13737btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:55:00 GMTMeetingsBCD Meetings & Incentives became an affiliate member of the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry on June 18, it announced this week. ABPI enforces the code of practice that governs the staging of meetings by United Kingdom-base pharmaceutical companies. As in the rest of Europe, there are strict rules governing issues such as how much can be spent on meetings involving doctors and other medical professionals, and even how much time at an event can be devoted to leisure activities.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Technology/Amadeus--New-Unbundled-Fare-Booking,-Fulfillment-Options-Lay-Groundwork/13735btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:45:00 GMTTechnologyAn Amadeus executive Wednesday told BTN the company's announcement that it has started piloting booking of ancillary services with one European airline and launched an unbundling fulfillment capability for another "lays the foundations" for building further capabilities. The travel technology giant is piloting a shopping and booking facility with the small French airline Corsairfly that can be used both on the carrier's website and by travel agents through global distribution systems. Meanwhile, Finnair has become the first airline to issue, store, manage and distribute electronic miscellaneous documents—the equivalent of e-tickets for ancillary services—using Amadeus technology.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Technology/Articles/Travelport-Partners-With-Russian-Distribution-Firm/13736btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 07 Jul 2010 10:40:00 GMTTechnologyTravelport announced Wednesday that it has formed a strategic partnership with Sirena-Travel, the largest of Russia's three domestic global distribution systems, allowing Sirena-Travel agency customers to sell international flights on the same terminal for the first time.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Management/Articles/Austin-Travel-Becomes-Protravel-International-s-Latest-Acquisition/13734btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:50:00 GMTTravel ManagementNew York-based Protravel International on Tuesday announced that it acquired Long Island, N.Y.-based travel agency Austin Travel.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/2010-Business-Travel-Survey--Buyers-Drove-Rate-Cuts-In-Worst-Year-Ever-For-Hotels/13733btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 06 Jul 2010 15:30:00 GMTHotelsDirections and projections for the hotel industry varied wildly throughout the last year, but hoteliers and analysts could agree on at least one point: 2009 ranks as the worst year the industry has seen in its history.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/Cabin-Crew-Strike-Hurts-BA-s-June-Operational-Results/13729btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Tue, 06 Jul 2010 12:20:00 GMTEuroBTNBritish Airways confirmed the extent to which it has been hit by industrial action when it released its June traffic figures Monday, showing revenue passenger kilometers fell 11.1 percent.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/Accor-Hotels-Focusing-On-Franchising-Following-Demerger/13726btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Fri, 02 Jul 2010 10:35:00 GMTEuroBTNFrench company Accor traded as a stand-alone hotel group for the first time on Friday after the other half of its business, the employee voucher specialist Edenred, was demerged and listed as a public company. The split follows an overwhelming majority decision by shareholders on June 30 to divide the company in two.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/2010-Business-Travel-Survey--Domestic-Carriers--Discipline-Bodes-Well-For-Recovery/13725btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Fri, 02 Jul 2010 09:45:00 GMTAviationLeaving behind the billions in losses they racked up over the past two years, major domestic carriers are queuing up not just profits in 2010, but the prospect of longer-term profitability and, perhaps, a structural shift toward financial sustainability. In the past decade, domestic airlines have shed 150,000 jobs and posted losses nearing $60 billion, and dozens of them filed for bankruptcy, some the kind you don't return from. What emerged, carriers and analysts said, is a leaner and smarter, albeit smaller, industry ready to manage through the next decade thanks to lessons learned in the last one. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Google-To-Buy-ITA,-Develop-Airfare-Search-Tools/13723btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Thu, 01 Jul 2010 17:35:00 GMTTechnologyGoogle on Thursday announced plans to develop new online airfare search tools through a $700 million acquisition of Cambridge, Mass.-based flight information software company ITA Software.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Pan-Pacific-Taps-Former-Starwood-Exec-To-Head-Sales/13722btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Thu, 01 Jul 2010 15:30:00 GMTHotelsPan Pacific Hotels Group this week appointed a new leader of the company's global sales teams across locations in Europe, Asia, Australia and North America.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/Ryanair-To-Introduce-Seatless-Flying/13720btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Thu, 01 Jul 2010 11:50:00 GMTEuroBTNRyanair is targeting the winter 2011 schedule for introducing the ultimate unbundled airfare option: a flight with no seat. The carrier aims to start safety testing of its standing-room-only "vertical seats," which resemble leaning posts with seat belts attached, in summer next year, it said Thursday.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Company-Transportation/Articles/Negotiations-Lop-30-Percent-Off-Car-Rental-Expenses,-Runzheimer-Finds/13718btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMTGround TransportationCar rental negotiations save corporations about 30 percent off standard car rental rates, according to data published Wednesday by Runzheimer International Travel Management Network.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/BA-Makes-New-Offer-As-Lufthansa-Resolves-Labor-Dispute/13708btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 30 Jun 2010 11:50:00 GMTEuroBTNEuropean business travelers fatigued by a lengthy series of air industry strikes in the past six months have received cheering news from both British Airways and Lufthansa in recent days. Hopes of finding an end to the bitter industrial dispute between British Airways and its cabin crew rose on Tuesday after their union postponed a ballot for a fresh round of walkouts. Meanwhile, leaders of the Vereinigung Cockpit union, which represents Lufthansa pilots, last Friday said they will recommend a compromise deal that has been hammered out on pay and conditions.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Management/Articles/2010-Business-Travel-Survey--TMCs-Raise-Value-Of-Expertise-In-Response-To-Recession/13694btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (David Meyer)Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:55:00 GMTTravel ManagementNo one could have looked at the financial meltdown of 2008 and expected 2009 to be anything but a tough year for travel management companies. Yet, while there were certainly moments when it appeared that any sign of recovery could be years away, it seems remarkable now how well travel management companies adapted to their customers' needs and how quickly the business now appears to be recovering.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Global-Airline-Traffic-Surpasses-Pre-Recession-Level/13684btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Tue, 29 Jun 2010 14:05:00 GMTAviationGlobal airline traffic grew nearly 12 percent in May over the same month in 2009, bringing passenger levels modestly above those last seen before the recession hit in 2008.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/State-Department-To-Hike-Passport,-Visa-Fees/13683btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:55:00 GMTEuroBTNThe U.S. State Department on July 13 will raise the price for visas, passports and other consular services—some by more than $300—to reflect what the department determined is the true cost to provide such services.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Worldwide-Travel/Articles/Port-Authority-Reopens-JFK-Runway/13682btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Tue, 29 Jun 2010 13:50:00 GMTLocationThe Port Authority of New York and New Jersey on Monday reopened the Bay Runway at John F. Kennedy International Airport, which had been shut down since March 1, leaving only three runways in operation at the airport.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Company-Transportation/Articles/Avis-Europe-To-Issue-New-Stock-To-Fund-Asian-Growth/13668btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Tue, 29 Jun 2010 12:40:00 GMTGround TransportationAvis Europe last Friday announced a rights issue aimed at raising up to £151 million on the London Stock Exchange to shore up its balance sheet and drive expansion in China. It expects to complete the move, which issues nine new shares for eight old ones at a discount of 56 percent from current market value, by July 27.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Management/Articles/Amex--Q1-Corporate-Airfares-Up,-Hotel-Rates-Down/13688btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:20:00 GMTTravel ManagementCorporate travel airfare was up year over year during the first quarter of 2010 while hotel rates continued to drop, according to data released Monday by American Express Business Travel.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Senate-Confirms-Pistole-To-Head-TSA/13687btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Mon, 28 Jun 2010 14:15:00 GMTPeopleThe U.S. Senate on Friday confirmed Federal Bureau of Investigation veteran John Pistole to head the Transportation Security Administration, putting him in charge of a $7 billion annual budget, 50,000 employees and the safety of millions of travelers.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Payment-Systems/Articles/Concur-Debuts-Handheld-Breeze-App/13677btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:30:00 GMTPayment SystemsConcur on Monday released versions of its Concur Breeze expense reporting service compatible with Android, BlackBerry and iPhone devices.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Business-Meetings/Articles/Admins-At-Holland-s-Logica-Turn-To-Tech-To-Control-Meetings/13663btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Seth Harris)Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:25:00 GMTMeetingsWhen business consulting, technology systems integration and outsourcing company Logica's team of administrative assistants in the Netherlands were tasked with developing processes for greater control over the company's meetings program last year, they took it upon themselves to implement technology to track spending, garner discounts and preferred relationships with meeting venues and manage their requests-for-proposals process.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/Four-Seasons-Founder-Isadore-Sharp-Steps-Down-As-CEO/13686btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Fri, 25 Jun 2010 14:10:00 GMTPeopleFour Seasons Hotels founder and CEO Isadore Sharp on Friday announced that he is stepping down as the luxury hotel chain's chief executive, and company president Kathleen Taylor will assume the role on Aug. 1.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Secure-Flight-Now-Checking-Watchlists-For-All-Passengers-On-U-S--Carriers/13679btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Fri, 25 Jun 2010 13:45:00 GMTAviationThe Department of Homeland Security this week said it completely has assumed from all U.S. airlines watchlist-matching responsibilities for domestic and international passengers as part of the Secure Flight program. The next step of the passenger prescreening system is for DHS to assume by year-end the watchlist matching for passengers flying international airlines to and from the U.S. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/Hotel-Occupancy,-Revenues-Rise-Worldwide,-With-Mixed-Results-In-Europe/13662btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Fri, 25 Jun 2010 12:20:00 GMTEuroBTNOccupancy and revenues during May increased year over year in most markets worldwide, while rates were significantly up in New York and several Asia/Pacific markets, according to data released on Friday by Smith Travel Research. Hotels in Europe, meanwhile, had mixed results.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Company-Transportation/Articles/Survey-Shows-Most-Travelers-Unaware-Of-Preferred-Vendors/13671btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:05:00 GMTGround TransportationMost corporate travelers are not aware of their companies' preferred vendors and instead rely on word-of-mouth when making booking decisions, according to more than 800 travelers surveyed by chauffeured car supplier BostonCoach.  http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/SkyTeam-Targeting-Asian-Membership-Growth/13661btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:20:00 GMTEuroBTNThe SkyTeam airline alliance this week said it plans to continue growing its portfolio of Asia-based members, building on the recent addition of Vietnam Airlines, a new commitment from China Eastern and SkyTeam stalwarts China Southern and Korean Airlines.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/U-S-,-EU-Officials-Sign-Second-Stage-Of-Open-Skies-Pact/13660btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Thu, 24 Jun 2010 12:15:00 GMTEuroBTNOfficials from the United States and European Union today signed the second-stage Open Skies agreement, affirming and expanding 2007's landmark transatlantic bilateral as per terms the two sides agreed to in March this year.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Business-Meetings/Articles/CWT-Survey-Finds-Meetings-Still-Largely-Decentralized/13676btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Wed, 23 Jun 2010 13:25:00 GMTChartsOnly a third of companies centrally manage meetings and even fewer have a consistent meetings and events policy, according to Carlson Wagonlit Travel research released today that claims a strategically managed meetings program and adoption of generally accepted best practices could shave up to one-quarter of companywide meetings expenses.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/U-S--Hotels-Making-Fewer-Capital-Improvements/13670btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:55:00 GMTHotelsThe U.S. lodging industry this year will spend less on renovations and amenities than it did in 2009, and industry capital expenditure levels are nearly half of where they were in 2008, according to analysis released this week by NYU Tisch Center divisional dean Bjorn Hanson.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/BA-Clears-Obstacle-To-Iberia-Merger/13653btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 23 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMTEuroBTNBritish Airways moved significantly closer to finalizing its merger with Iberia yesterday after the United Kingdom flag carrier announced it has reached agreement with the trustees of its two pension schemes to address its $5.6 billion pensions deficit.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/People/Articles/New-Preferred-President-Ueberroth-Plans-For-Hotel-Portfolio-Growth/13685btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 22 Jun 2010 14:10:00 GMTPeopleLindsey Ueberroth, who earlier this month became president of Preferred Hotel Group, said on Tuesday that in her new role she would focus on expanding into new markets, developing the group’s quality standards and gaining better recognition of Preferred’s individual brands.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/ATA-May-Data-Show-Five-Months-Of-Revenue-Growth/13678btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Tue, 22 Jun 2010 13:40:00 GMTAviationThe Air Transport Association today said major domestic airlines posted their fifth consecutive month of year-over-year revenue increases, with passenger revenue up 21 percent over May 2009. ATA attributed the gains to both an increase in passenger traffic and firmer pricing.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Company-Transportation/Articles/2010-Business-Travel-Survey--Car-Rental-Industry-Approaches-A-Consolidation-Turn/13712btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Chris Davis)Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:45:00 GMTGround TransportationOne way or another, irrevocable change soon will consign the car rental industry of 2009 and the first half of 2010 to the pages of history, and not just because of the easing of the recession and corporate cutbacks that brutalized the sector a year ago. Dollar Thrifty Automotive Group, so wounded by the recession that its stock price dipped below 65 cents a share, soon will become the property of Hertz Corp. or, less likely, Avis Budget Group, for a billion-dollar price tag. http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/Alitalia-To-Join-Delta,-Air-France-KLM-Joint-Venture/13652btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Tue, 22 Jun 2010 12:00:00 GMTEuroBTNItalian flag carrier Alitalia Airlines in the next ten days will announce plans to join the antitrust-immune joint venture that includes Delta Air Lines and Air France-KLM, enabling the carrier to jointly set fare, plan routes and share revenues on the transatlantic with its SkyTeam partners.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Smith-Travel-Raises-Summer-U-S--Hotel-Rate-Forecast/13669btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:50:00 GMTHotelsAverage daily rate for U.S. hotels this summer will rise slightly compared with last, according to an updated summer forecast released by Smith Travel Research on Monday.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/U-S-,-Europe-Ink-Pact-To-Standardize-Air-Traffic-Systems/13651btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:50:00 GMTEuroBTNJourney times and fuel consumption between the United States and Europe could be reduced after the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European Commission signed a memorandum of cooperation last Friday to harmonize air traffic services across the two.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/U-S-,-Swiss-Open-Skies-Deal-Lifts-Fly-America-Restrictions/13650btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Mon, 21 Jun 2010 11:45:00 GMTEuroBTNOfficials from the United States and Switzerland today entered into a new Open Skies agreement that updates and replaces a 1995 bilateral pact, while granting new rights for Switzerland-based carriers to pursue corporate deals with some U.S. civilian government contractors.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Worldwide-Travel/Articles/London-Room-Shortages-Loom-For-2012-Summer-Olympics/13618btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Fri, 18 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTLocationTravel buyers can expect ultra-high hotel rates in London during the 2012 Olympics and should start negotiating with suppliers now to secure availability, according to a white paper published this week by British hotel booking agency Hotelscene.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/Amadeus-Integrates-U-K--Rail-Booking-Tool,-Drops-Development-Work/13612btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEuroBTNAmadeus announced Wednesday that it has successfully integrated U.K. rail booking tool Evolvi deeper into its E-Travel Management corporate booking tool, enabling travel managers for the first time to view combined data for both the air and rail elements of the same trip.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Management/Articles/BCD-Agrees-To-Use-Amadeus-One-Platform/13614btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer )Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTTravel ManagementBCD Travel on Thursday announced a letter of intent to use the Amadeus One platform as the foundation for a new agency desktop it plans to deploy to select agents in the United States next year. BCD is the largest agency to embrace Amadeus One, joining other early adopters Balboa Travel and launch client Travel Leaders.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Spirit-To-Resume-Flights-After-Coming-To-Terms-With-Pilots/13616btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAviationSpirit Airlines said it has signed an agreement with its pilots, effectively ending a strike that halted operations all week with plans to resume operations on Friday.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Carlson,-Rezidor-Sell-Luxury-Regent-Hotel-Brand-To-Taiwanese-Firm/13606btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTHotelsCarlson and the Rezidor Hotel Group this week completed the sale of the luxury Regent hotel brand to Formosa International Hotels Corp.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/Lufthansa-To-Hike-Fares,-Cut-Fuel-Fees-Next-Week/13608btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEuroBTNLufthansa confirmed today that it will raise fares in Germany and an unspecified number of other markets on June 22. The airline also will lower its fuel surcharges on the same date, but a spokesperson said there is no connection between the two sets of adjustments, and indeed the surcharge reductions are much more modest than the fare increases.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/TMCs-Must-Adopt-AA-Direct-Connect-For-New-Ancillary-Service/13610btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Wed, 16 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAviationAmerican Airlines on Tuesday announced a new option for passengers to pay an extra fee in exchange for priority boarding, discounted change fees and more flexible standby options. Though the initiative sounds similar to other fee-for-service options airlines have become infatuated with in recent years, the new AA initiative is different in one key way: It is the first a la carte offering the carrier is selling exclusively through direct channels at the time of booking, making the new "Boarding and Flexibility Package" unavailable to corporate travelers, unless their agencies opt into the controversial American Airlines Direct Connect.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Business-Meetings/Articles/Meeting-Buyers-To-Benefit-From-EU-Change-To-VAT-Rule/13598btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTMeetingsMeeting buyers could benefit from a change to European Union rules on value-added tax treatment of overseas meetings that takes effect Jan. 1, 2011, the VAT specialist Meridian Global Services told EuroBTN on Tuesday. This will be particularly beneficial for corporate customers based outside the EU, such as in the United States, who no longer will be charged, and subsequently have to recover, VAT for meetings inside the EU.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Pan-Pacific-Pursues-U-S--Gateway-Presence/13600btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTHotelsPan Pacific Hotels Group is targeting key U.S. gateway cities for development following its appointment of a new vice president of development for the region.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Technology/Articles/Sabre-Rolling-Out-Enhanced-Agent-Technology-Platform/13602btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTTechnologySabre Travel Network on Tuesday announced a new agency solution aimed at simplifying travel agents' ability to shop and book through graphic displays instead of typing code into traditional global distribution system blue screens.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Travelport-Secures-Long-Term-Access-To-Marriott-Hotel-Inventory/13604btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTHotelsTravelport's five-year agreement to provide full content for Marriott International's 3,400 properties across the Galileo and Worldspan global distribution systems should allow buyers a more comprehensive look at available hotel rates, officials said.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/U-K--Tech-Co--Applying-Virtual-Cards-To-Low-Cost-Carrier-Tix/13591btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEuroBTNConferma, the United Kingdom-based provider of unique virtual credit card numbers for settling hotel invoices, announced today that it is beta-testing a similar solution for booking low-cost carrier seats. CEO Simon Barker said the company is testing the process with several major travel management companies and will fully release it in the next three months, both to TMCs and directly to corporate customers.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Corporate-Travelers-Largely-Spared-By-Spirit-Cancellations/13593btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAviationSpirit Airlines today said it would cancel all of its flights through Wednesday, following a pilot strike that began this weekend. However, data pulled by BCD Travel confirms that corporate travelers generally have steered clear of the carrier and largely are unaffected by the strike.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Business-Meetings/Articles/Meetings-Tech-Vets-Launch-Mobile-Attendee-Mgmt--Co-/13595btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer)Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTMeetingsSince early last year, a group of technologists and industry vets who climbed the SeeUthere and OnVantage branches of the StarCite family tree began working on what they viewed as the next big thing in meetings technology. Like many tech startups before them, they chose a funny-sounding name, OotoWeb, took a readily available technology, attendee management, then worked to make it cheaper and more accessible.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/EasyJet-To-Test-Silver-Bullet-For-Volcanic-Ash-Disruptions/13586btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEuroBTNEasyJet plans to start trials within two months on an airborne volcanic ash detector, the carrier recently announced, and regards the new technology as the "silver bullet" that will avoid a repeat of the widespread cancellations that crippled European airspace in April and May.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Business-Meetings/Articles/CEOs-See-Impact-Of-Oil-Spill-On-Coastal-Meetings/13588btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTMeetingsIt's too early to know how big of an impact the Gulf Coast oil spill will have on business, according to multibrand hotel company chief executives, but it could be considerable if the spill spreads to the East Coast.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/One-on-One-With-K-Hotels-CEO-Michael-Palmer--Connecting-Corporate-Buyers,-Independent-Hotels/13590btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Fri, 11 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTHotelsMichael Palmer, CEO of Los Angeles-based K Hotels, recently spoke with senior associate editor Michael B. Baker about the independent hotel collection's role in corporate travel negotiations, outlook and growth strategy.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/NBTA--Fare-Unbundling-Tops-List-Of-European-Buyer-Concerns/13574btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEuroBTNFare unbundling is the top issue that travel managers would like to discuss with the European Commission, according to a survey of NBTA Europe buyer members released last week. Of the 152 buyers polled across 13 European countries, 62 percent said they want the Commission to look at unbundling and comparative pricing. The next most popular topic was traveler security, at 54 percent, followed by rail infrastructure and collaboration at 48 percent and airline alliances at 42 percent.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Continental,-Citing-Merger,-Postpones-Inflight-Internet/13576btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Chris Davis)Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAviationContinental Airlines has postponed the installation of wireless broadband capabilities on its fleet, according to a report by BTN sister publication Travel Weekly .http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/Delta-Furthers-Premium-Seating-On-Regional-Jets/13578btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Chris Davis)Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAviationDelta Air Lines this fall will offer first class on every domestic flight longer than 750 miles, continuing an effort to bring premium seating to its regional jet service.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Forecast-Shows-Manhattan-Hotel-Rates-To-Rise/13580btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTHotelsManhattan hotel rates will increase slightly this year and by much greater levels in the subsequent years, but it will still take several years for rates to reach 2008 levels, according to the 2010 Manhattan Hotel Market Overview, which HVS Global Hospitality Services and New York University's Tisch Center released this week.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-Management/Articles/ARC--May-Travel-Agency-Sales-Outpace-2009/13582btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Chris Davis)Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTTravel ManagementARC today reported $7.08 billion in total travel agency sales in May, more than 25 percent higher than the total logged in May 2009.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/AMR-Names-CEO-Of-Regional-Subsidiary-It-May-Divest/13584btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Chris Davis)Thu, 10 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAviationTwo-and-a-half years after American Airlines parent AMR Corp. announced it would evaluate selling or otherwise separating from its its American Eagle regional subsidiary, a stance it reaffirmed today, AMR named executive vice president of marketing Daniel Garton president and CEO of American Eagle.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/Air-France-s-14-Day-Reservation-Hold-Unbundles-Ticket-Timing/13568btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEuroBTNAir France's announcement this week that it is charging European economy class passengers an optional fee to hold ticket reservations for up to 14 days reflects a trend by European airlines during the past 18 months toward immediate ticketing of flight reservations and also opens a new frontier in fare unbundling.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Analysts-Revise-Hotel-Forecast-From-RevPAR-Loss-To-Gain/13570btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTHotelsSmith Travel Research this week issued an updated U.S. hotel industry forecast projecting stronger occupancy, rate and revenue performance this year.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/AirPlus--German-Air-Transactions-Soared-In-May/13572btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Wed, 09 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEuroBTNPayment services provider AirPlus International believes the business travel revival in Germany has taken a firm hold after its transaction figures showed spend in May was 19 percent up from the same month in 2009. Spending has increased sharply since January, which was flat against January 2009. February was 4 percent higher than the same month in 2009 and March/April combined because of Easter was 9 percent higher. For the year to date, spend is up 8 percent.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Airline-News/Articles/J-D--Power-Finds-Rise-In-Air-Traveler-Satisfaction/13560btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Jay Boehmer )Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTAviationTraveler satisfaction with U.S. carriers improved for the first time in three years, according to a J.D. Power and Associates survey released today. Ten of the 12 North American carriers ranked in the survey saw their scores improve this year, helping to lift the overall average score by 15 points to a three-year high of 673 on a scale of 1,000.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Tryp-Buy-To-Broaden-Wyndham-s-European,-S--American-Presence/13562btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTHotelsWyndham Hotel Group is acquiring the Tryp hotel brand, a midprice brand with 91 properties across Europe and South America, from Sol Melia Hotels & Resorts, the companies announced this week.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Hotel-News/Articles/Hotel-CEOs-See-Strong-Group-Business-Rebound/13564btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Michael B. Baker)Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTHotelsHotel chief executives speaking today at New York University's International Hospitality Industry Investment Conference said group business is propelling the industry's recovery and that they expect it to become a bigger portion of their overall volume in coming years.http://www.businesstravelnews.com/Business-Travel/Travel-News-UK/Articles/IATA-Slams-Merkel-For-Air-Departure-Tax-Proposal/13566btnfeedback@ntmllc.com (Amon Cohen)Tue, 08 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMTEuroBTNThe International Air Transport Association today savaged plans announced yesterday by German chancellor Angela Merkel to introduce an air departure tax that could raise fares by up to €14. "This is the worst kind of shortsighted policy irresponsibility," said IATA director general and CEO Giovanni Bisignani at the closing speech of the association's annual meeting, staged coincidentally in Berlin. "It's a cash-grab by a cash-strapped government."