Monday, August 31, 2009

“Labor Day travel taking a big dip - ksl.com” plus 4 more

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“Labor Day travel taking a big dip - ksl.com” plus 4 more

Labor Day travel taking a big dip - ksl.com

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 09:27 AM PDT

Press release

SALT LAKE CITY, August 31, 2009 - The combination of bad timing coupled with a soft economy is putting a major damper on Labor Day travel plans, according to a new report from AAA Utah.

The new AAA report predicts just over 2.6 million people in the Mountain States will travel 50 miles or more over the holiday weekend. That's a 6 percent decrease in overall travel from 2008. Mountain States include Utah, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico.

"One of the biggest reasons for this decline appears to be poor timing," explained AAA Utah spokesperson Rolayne Fairclough. "Last year we experienced the most Labor Day travelers this decade largely because many children were not yet back in school and families took the opportunity to take a final summer vacation. This year, Labor Day week falls one week later, and schools are already back in session."

While overall travel numbers are down significantly, the situation is not as grim as it initially appears. Last year's high numbers make this year's decline appear more dramatic. In fact, AAA expects this upcoming Labor Day weekend will be the third busiest of this decade.

AAA expects over 2 million people in the Mountain States will travel by motor vehicle over the weekend, representing an 3.7 percent decrease from last year. About 100,000 are predicted to travel by air, a decrease of 13.1 percent from last year. Nearly 400,000 state residents are expected to travel by other modes of transportation such as boats or trains. That number is down by 13.4 percent compared to last year.

Nationally, AAA expects 39.1 million people to travel 50 miles or more over the four-day weekend, a 13.3 percent decrease from last year.

"Despite the dampened enthusiasm for travel, we are seeing a resilience in the travel industry during these troubled times, due in part to lower travel prices and somewhat improved consumer confidence," said Fairclough.

Airfares that are 17 percent lower on average over the Labor Day weekend are likely to entice air travelers. AAA Three Diamond and Two Diamond lodgings are expected to be 12 percent lower, with Mountain States travelers spending an average of $195 per night. Car rental rates are up about 7 percent. An average family of four in the Mountain States is projected to spend $867 dollars over the four-day weekend and will log an average of 759 miles roundtrip for the weekend.

As part of AAA's ongoing commitment to provide safety and protection to motorists, AAA's Tipsy Tow Program offers a free tow for drinking drivers in Utah from 6:00 p.m. on Sept. 7 until 6:00 a.m. on Sept. 8 in Northern California, Nevada and Utah. Members and non-members alike can call (800) 222-4357 (AAA-HELP) for a free tow of up to five miles.

"Just tell the AAA operator, I need a Tipsy Tow,' and a truck will be on its way," said Fairclough. "Service is restricted to a one-way ride for the vehicle and driver to the driver's home."

If motorists do become stranded, AAA can be reached by calling 1-800-AAA-HELP (1-800-222-4357). Apple iPhone users can request emergency road service using AAA's new AAA Roadside app available for free from the iTunes App Store via an iPhone, or at www.itunes.com/appstore/. Please visit www.aaa.com/roadside for further details.

AAA's projections are based on research conducted by IHS Global Insight. The Boston-based economic research and consulting firm teamed with AAA earlier this year as part of an agreement to jointly analyze travel trends during the major holidays. AAA has been reporting on holiday travel trends for more than two decades.

AAA Travel is the nation's largest travel organization. AAA Travel offers trips, cruises, tours and vacation packages throughout the world. Call (888) 937-5523 for more information or visit us at your local AAA Travel office or online at www.aaa.com/travel.

AAA Utah offers a wide array of automotive, travel, insurance, DMV, financial services and consumer discounts to nearly 175,000 members. AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers since it was founded more than 100 years ago.

(Courtesy of AAA)



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More Travel Features - KATC 3

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 08:30 AM PDT

Governor's trips to churches raise state's travel tab - News-Star

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 09:49 AM PDT

BATON ROUGE Gov. Bobby Jindal's use of a state helicopter to visit churches across Louisiana has run up a taxpayer tab of several thousand dollars, according to a newspaper report.

The Advocate in Baton Rouge reports that over five months this year, Jindal took more than three-dozen helicopter trips. Of those, 14 were to attend church services. The Advocate report said the helicopter the governor uses the most costs $1,200 an hour to operate. That's about $45,000 for church visits alone.

The newspaper reviewed Jindal's travel by gathering helicopter records through a public information request and verifying the purpose of the trips with Jindal's office. The helicopter records provided by state police covered March 2 to July 20.

In May, June and July, there was rarely a Sunday when the governor didn't board a taxpayer-funded helicopter to attend church services in far-flung parts of the state. He traveled by helicopter to churches less frequently in March and April.

The governor has made trips to worship services in Springhill, Dry Creek, Monroe, Hornbeck, Many, Logansport, Angie, Elizabeth, Harrisonburg, Columbia, Winnsboro, Coushatta, Robeline and Anacoco.

At least two aides usually accompanied him along with his security detail and state police pilots. The public pays their salaries as well as for the helicopter's fuel and upkeep.

Last week, Jindal said he visits a church when he receives an invitation. He acknowledged his office sometimes reaches out to a church's leadership, but only when a member of the congregation asks him to visit.

"I'm completely just humbled and honored that I'm asked to come and worship with Louisianians across the state," he said. "It's important for the governor to get out of Baton Rouge."

Even though he travels on Sundays, Jindal said he schedules meetings with local officials when he flies to church services.

On July 5, for example, his office reported that the governor met with citizens, attended a meeting with local officials and went to church in Monroe. Jindal was back in Monroe four days later to meet with community leaders as part of his "Louisiana Working Tour."

State Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, a frequent critic of the Jindal administration, questions the necessity of Sunday meetings with officials.

"I'm glad he goes to church, but I don't think we ought to be paying his way there," Adley said.

State Sen. Joe McPherson, D-Woodworth, said taxpayers must decide whether the trips are worth their expense.

"He's reaching out to people who have never had the opportunity to see a governor in person since the electronic age came on," McPherson said.



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Eid outbound travel to show 5% growth - Business24-7

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 07:47 AM PDT

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Wyndham Rewards Loyalty Program Highlights 'Free Labor Day' Travel ... - MSN Money

Posted: 31 Aug 2009 07:54 AM PDT

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Aug. 31 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Seeking a get-out-of-town-free card for Labor Day weekend? Whether staying close to home or jetsetting to another continent, Wyndham Rewards(R), the world's largest hotel loyalty program, offers a number of free escapes for the holiday weekend to its seven million active members.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090831/NY68070LOGO )

According to a recent study commissioned by Wyndham Rewards, 20 percent of Americans polled said they would not be able to take their next vacation without utilizing rewards points.* In response, the Wyndham Rewards program is calling all points-addicts to cash in on their loyalty rewards as an opportunity to enjoy a dollar-free Labor Day getaway.

"Travelers have countless hotel deals to choose from this Labor Day," states Flo Lugli, Wyndham Hotel Group executive vice president of marketing. "Even so, many people still can't afford to travel unless it is free."

Wyndham Rewards redemption options include:

Two-night Staycation:

  • Two night accommodations at a local Super 8(R), Days Inn(R) or Knights Inn(R) hotel
  • $25 dining gift certificate to thousands of restaurant locations in the US
    • Starting at 14,000 loyalty points

Two-night Road Trip:

  • Two night accommodations at a Howard Johnson(R), Microtel Inns & Suites(R) or Travelodge(R) hotel
  • $50 dining gift card to more than 8,000 restaurant choices
  • $25 gas card
  • Admission ticket to amusement parks nationwide
    • Starting at 41,000 loyalty points

Two-night Cross-country Jaunt:

  • Two night accommodations at a Hawthorn Suites(R), Baymont(R) or Wingate(R) by Wyndham hotel
  • One round-trip ticket for a domestic flight
  • Weekend car rental
  • $100 shopping gift card to a variety of department and retail stores
  • $50 dining gift card to more than 8,000 restaurant choices
    • Starting at 122,000 loyalty points

Two-night International Odyssey:

  • Two nights accommodations at a Wyndham Hotels and Resorts(R) or Ramada(R) hotel
  • Round trip ticket for an international flight
  • $100 SkyMall certificate
  • $100 dining gift card to more than 8,000 restaurant choices
    • Starting at 165,000 loyalty points

With more than 50 earning partners and thousands of point-redemption options around the world, the Wyndham Rewards program boasts endless earn-and-burn reward options and no blackout dates over Labor Day weekend.

There is still time to "Save Summer"

To broaden the scope of free travel options, Wyndham Rewards has launched "Save Summer," a sweepstakes inviting members to win up to 750 free hotel nights and the possibility of walking away with one million Wyndham Rewards loyalty points.

Consumers may download a widget to their Facebook, MySpace and other social networking profiles that enables them to register for the "Save Summer" promotion and share it with online friends. Every time a friend enters the promotion the originating consumer automatically gets another chance to win. Membership in the Wyndham Rewards program is not required to enter, and no purchase is necessary.The promotion is available now through Sept. 10, 2009.

Details of "Save Summer" are available at www.wyndhamrewards.com/save. Breakfast and high speed Internet access are free at most Wyndham Hotel Group brands year round.

The Wyndham Rewards( )loyalty program is the largest in the lodging industry based on the number of participating hotels. Points can be redeemed at www.wyndhamrewards.com for hotel night stays at participating Wyndham Hotel Group properties in North America, Europe, China, Latin America and the Caribbean.

Points can also be redeemed for other rewards including airline tickets, resort vacations, name-brand merchandise, rental cars, rail points or services at many popular restaurants and stores.

The program allows members to accumulate points by staying in participating hotels and purchasing everyday products and services. An online system allows members to check their point balance and redeem for rewards.

Wyndham Hotel Group, part of the Wyndham Worldwide family of companies WYN, encompasses more than 7,000 hotels and 590,000 rooms in 66 countries under the hotel brands: Wyndham Hotels and Resorts((R)), Ramada((R)), Days Inn((R)), Super 8((R)), Wingate((R)) by Wyndham, Baymont Inn & Suites((R)), Microtel Inns & Suites((R)), Hawthorn Suites((R)), Howard Johnson((R)), Travelodge((R)) and Knights Inn((R)).

All hotels are independently owned and operated excluding certain Wyndham and international Ramada hotels which are managed by our affiliate or through a joint venture partner. Wyndham Hotel Group is based in Parsippany, N.J. Additional information is available at www.wyndhamworldwide.com.

*Rabin Research conducted the survey of 1,040 Americans on June 16, 2009. The full-service marketing research company is headquartered in downtown Chicago, and has conducted about 5,000 studies for hundreds of major companies worldwide.

SOURCE Wyndham Hotel Group

Copyright 2009 PR Newswire

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