Ticker
The Ticker is a compilation of industry news, trends and market research from a state to international perspective. Article content is listed under each newsletter edition.
December, 2011
Market Research: Americans Choose Travel as the Ultimate Life Goal Survey Reveals Travel-Related New Year's Resolutions Top List for 2012 * U.S. Travel Survey Shows Security Tops Air Travel Frustrations * Amex Report Shows U.S. Consumers Spending More, But Carefully
California News: Santa Monica Pier’s Pacific Park Utilizes Renewable Energy in California * CalTravel & Cal State Fullerton to Partner On New California Travel Tracking Report * Escape to sun of Palm Springs
National News: Florida’s Clearwater Marine Aquarium Breaks Attendance Record * U.S. Government Bans Some Types of Attractions at Ski Resorts on Federal Land * Las Vegas Tourism Industry Forecasts 39 Million Visitors This Year
International News: Shanghai Disneyland Resort Expected to Attract at Least 10.5 Million Visitors Annually * European Tourism Continues to Grow, Despite Economic Trouble * 8 Countries Especially Tricky for Americans to Visit
Lodging: New York City's hotel boom to get bigger * Hotel guests lose sleep over snoring, other noises * U.S. hotels expand their reach into China
Transportation: Vegas pitching airlines, travelers as gate to Asia * Several Cruise Lines Suspend Parasailing Excursions in Caribbean * Gap between first class and coach 'has never been so wide'
Technology: Do social media efforts really make us more loyal customers?
Process Improvement: Moving beyond impressions
October, 2011
Breaking News:Gov. Jerry Brown signs AB 42
Market Research: Travel Convention: Holidaymakers 'sticking to fixed budget' * Program could shorten wait at airport security checkpoints * U.S. business travel, trips to increase through 2012 * The Top 5 Travel Scams
California News: Six Flags Discovery Kingdom Loses Oldest Dolphin in Vallejo, California * Capitol Christmas tree chosen from Calif. forest * California legislature approves shark fin ban * California's Los Angeles Zoo to Increase Admission * New Operator Announced for Queen Mary in Long Beach, California
National News: Newest Legoland Park Offers Features Unique to Florida * Walt Disney World Executives Recall Opening Day 40 Years Ago * New York's newest tourist attraction? Wall Street protests * Noah's Ark replica being built in Kentucky * Engineers finish inspection of Washington Monument
International News: Tourists kidnappings ravage Kenyan tourist area * Foundation says 67 world heritage sites threatened * Theme park 'super sizes' its coaster seats for overweight riders
Lodging: 10 Things Hotels Don't Want You to Know * Cape Cod hotel ties room rate to temperature
Transportation: TSA tests 'pre-screening' of select passengers at 4 airports * Food Network star Guy Fieri launching eateries on Carnival ships * 8 tips for buying holiday airfares * Disney adding second L.A. to Hawaii cruise
Technology: Travel apps that really help * Travel Convention: Google promises it won't sell travel * Travel Convention: Operators warned of competition from non-travel brands * Expedia Reports International Visitors Spending More in the U.S. * Travelocity Reports Thanksgiving Hotel Rates Down, Air Fares Up
Process Improvement:
August, 2011
Market Research: International tourism maintains momentum despite challenges* Business Travel Spending to Remain Steady Despite Slow Economy * Survey Shows Summer Vacations Plans May Change Due to Economy * Strong Tourism of Mega-Sporting Events on Tourism
California News: Monterey Bay Aquarium Introduces $19 Million 'The Open Sea' in California * Natural History Museum Introduces Dinosaur Hall July 16 in Los Angeles, California * Ghost Ship Halloween Attraction to Set Sail from Newport Beach, California * Ride Designers Discuss Universal Studios' 'Transformers: The Ride - 3D' * Six Flags Magic Mountain Unveils 'Green Lantern: First Flight' Coaster in Valencia, California * San Diego Zoo Safari Park Introduces "Shiley's Cheetah Run" in California
National News: One-tank trips in five states * All Available Tickets Distributed for Debut of Plaza at National September 11 Memorial & Museum in New York City * Ocean Algae Impacts Business at Sylvan Beach Amusement Park in New York * $1 Million Dig This Park Debuts in Las Vegas, Nevada
International News: Belfast Museum Exhibit Marks 100th Anniversary of Titanic * Environmental Park Planned in Nagpur, India
Lodging: U.S. Hotel Construction Pipeline Drops 11.4 Percent in June * Joe Montana wins bid to build hotel next to new 49ers stadium * Hotel housekeeping: Do you tip? * 'Boatel' rides wave of popularity near JFK airport
Transportation: Amtrak Predicts Record 30 Million Passengers for 2011 * DOT Wants More Information from Airlines on Fees, Baggage and Other Issues * BTC Says Trusted Traveler Program Needs to Correct Flaws * Delta Set to Eliminate Service to 24 Small U.S. Markets * Families Flock to Disney Dream Cruise Ship
Technology: TripAdvisor Buys Where I've Been Social Media Travel Website * Google Reportedly Set to Launch New Travel Search Engine
Process Improvement: The arrogance of willful ignorance
May, 2011
Market Research: Memorial Day travel * $4 a gallon gasoline * 9 Memorial Day Getaways * Save on Group Travel
California News: California's Outdoor Economy * California's Waterparks * L.A. Zoo may go private * Disneyland
National News: Blue Star Museums program * Season Passes * Virginia Attractions * Florida Eco-Tourism * San Antonio Attractions * Road Trips in the West
International News: Dubailand * Construction of the Hello Kitty Park * Icelandic volcano
Lodging: Gambling inside Las Vegas Hotel Rooms * Hotel Design
Transportation: Best and Worst Airlines * United Airlines and Continental Airlines * Dealing with Jet Lag * Air Travel
Technology: Google's new search system * Facebook Fan Page
Process Improvement: A marketing lesson from the apocalypse
March, 2011
Market Research: Outlook for this year’s travel * NBTA Predicts Increase In Travel Spending
California News: Disney Attraction in Glendale, CA * Happy Hollow Park& Zoo Green * Carthay Circle Theatre
National News: Philadelphia Tourism * Las Vegas, Nevada * Creek Ranch in Florida
International News: International Tourism Recovers * When US government says don’t go
Lodging: Hotels Rates To Start Rising In 2011 * Green Corporate Travel * Meeting Proximity No. 1 Factor In Hotel Choice
Transportation: Room Service In Terminal B * Celebrity Cruises
Technology: Internet overtakes for biz travel * Travel social media to get stronger * Hoteliers welcome social media
Process Improvement: Relentlessly smaller
February, 2011
Market Research: Top Travel Stories of Tomorrow * Lesser-Known Travel Trends for 2011 * Tourist-Drawing Events * Luxury Travel: Urge To Splurge Returns * Shopping a Major Draw for International Vistors * Business Travel Continues
California News: Tourism To LA * Santa Cruz Beach * Disney California Adventure * Richmond, California * Knott's Berry Farm * Legoland California * Disneyland Resort
National News: Arizona's Immigration Law * New Orleans * Big Apple * U.S. Not Profiting * Las Vegas
International News: Hong Kong's Ocean Park * S&S Worldwide Inc * KidZania * Abu Dhabi
December, 2010
Market Research: Emerging Travel Trends * More Americans to Travel in 2011 * Business Travelers Anticipate More Trips in 2011 California News: SeaWorld San Diego * Disneyland Resort * Exploratorium's New Home Under Construction
National News: Universal Orlando Attendance * Atlantic City * New York Bedbugs * International Visitation to the U.S. Up * Florida
International News: Thalys * McDonald's * Canada
Lodging: Trends and Predicts Future of Industry * Holiday Inn
Transportation: Carnival Cruises * Airlines Adding U.S. Seat Capacity * Amtrak * Flier Patience
Technology: Fake TripAdvisor Reviewers * MacBook Air * Travelers Use Smart Phones * Facebook Brand Pages * Facebook Brand Pages
October, 2010
Market Research: Getting Away, Staying Intouch * US-Bound Travelers Patterns * Meeting Planners * Adventure Travel * Tourism Industry Rebound
California News: Knott's Scary Farm * San Francisco Zoo * Duffy the Bear
National News: Virtual Travel Town Hall * Florida Tourism * Vegas Hospitality Industry * Travel Promotion Act
International News: Beijing Hotels * International Travel * Australian Hotel Industry * Mexican Tourism
Lodging: Hotels * Marriott * Dirty floors in Hotels * Eco-Friendly Lodging
Transportation: British Airways * Southwest Airlines * U.S. airlines * Kids in Planes
Technology: Social Networking * Smartphones
September, 2010: Labor Day Edition
Labor Day Weekend Travel: Labor Day Travel Projected to Rise 10 Percent * Sharks in Cape Cod * Fall Travel Gains Popularity
July, 2010
Market Research: Information on Social Media Sites * Summertime Events * Excellent Service * Women Dream of Travel Over Love * Ethical Social Media Marketing * People Watching Online Video
California News: Six Flags Magic Mountain * Knott's Berry Farm * Fairyland * Santa Cruz Boardwalk * Museums in Los Angeles * San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park * Disney California Adventure
National News: Gulf Coast * Wizarding World of Harry Potter * Baltimore
International News: The Philippines * Terra Botanica
Lodging: Hotel Managers Optimistic * Hotel Rivals to Allies * Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide
Transportation: Social Networking Takes to the Air * Full-body Scanners Backlash * Virgin America
Technology: Americans Reading Newspapers on the Web * Using Social Media with No Strategy * TripAdvisor * Using Social Media to Gain Customers * Social Media Use in the Workplace on the Rise * 'Millennials' Leading the Way on Social Media
June, 2010
California News: Disney California Adventure * Palm Springs * BP Sea Otter Habitat * Santa Clara * * Legoland
National News: Foursquare * 2010 hurricane season * Carnival Cruise Lines * Summer Hotel Bookings
International News: Hotel Business Marriott International in China * Resorts World Sentosa
Lodging: Hotel Demand * Hotel Growth * Wooing Vacationers
Transportation: Airline Customer Satisfaction * Pushy Fliers
Technology: Social Networking Popular Among Boomers * Internet * Family's Use of Media * Coupons Drive Sales of Social Media
Market Research: Americans Travel Close to Home * Cutting Back on Summer * Affluents Believe Recovery Is Here * Marketers Bad Grades On Comms * Vacationers Stay Connected To All Things Internet
January, 2010
California News: San Francisco * San Diego Zoo * Carlsbad’s Legoland
National News: Disney's Birthday Promotion * Top 10 attractions for 2010
International News: Burj Dubai Opens * Mexico Toursim
Lodging: Hotel guests seek out free breakfasts * Good Hotel Rates * Hawaii governor proposes using hotel taxes
Market Research: Travel gurus predict trends for 2010 * Vaule Continues To Dominate * Travel in '10: Fees and More Fees
Transportation: Airlines Struggle With Flier Frustrations
Technology: Social Marketing Gets Serious * Twitter to Offer Marketing Tools in 2010
December, 2009
California News: Comcast Keep Theme Parks * Disney’s California Adventure * Busch Entertainment Corporation Renamed *Santa Cruz * The City of Anaheim
National News: Las Vegas $8.5 billion resort * Las Vegas
International News: Religious Travel
Lodging: Hotel Industry * Smith Travel Research
Transportation: Celebrity Cruises
Technology: Season To Be Mobile * Mobile Makets
Market Research: Travel Value * Holiday Travel Myth * Good Cause Companies * Western ski resorts
November, 2009
California News: Halloween Events * Monterey Aquarium * Roundhouse Aquarium
National News: Admired Countries * Disney Retail * National Parks * US Theme Parks * Atlanta Kiosks
Lodging: Starwood Social Media & Travel Value
Transportation: Air Congestion * Amtrak Ridership
Technology: Twitter Users * Getting Retweeted
Market Research: US Census * Travel Web Sites * Swine Flu * Low Profile Conventions
October, 2009
Market Research: Business Travel Cuts * Business Travel Boosts * Green Travel
California News: Waterpark Ventures * Disney D23 Expo * Theme Park Scam * Monterey Aquarium Shark * SeaBee Museum
National News: Travel Promotion Act * Da Vinci's Lost Symbol * Whitewater Parks * New Orleans Tourism
International News: Beijing Chocolate Park * Europe vs. US Travel Fees
Lodging: Hotel Occupancy * Online Hotel Reviews * VIP Kid Hotels
Transportation: Seating
World Wide Web & Technology: Mobile Devices * Social Network Ads * Adapting to Social Media
September, 2009 Special Labor Day Edition
California: Labor Day Travel Outlook
August, 2009
Market Research: Summer Travel Survey * Global Business Survey * UN World Tourism Organization & Travel Plans Study * Business Travelers
California News: Santa Clara Stadium * San Diego Attraction Attendance * Universal Studios * Disney's California Adventure * Cirque Magnifique Santa Cruz
National News: 'Blacklist' Protest * Google Favorites * South Dakota Tourism * Summer Travel Deals
International News: US Tourism in Canada * Fisherman's Wharf * UK Museums Not Expanding
Lodging: Accommodation Preferences * Filling Rooms * Hotels vs. Timeshares * Philly Sleepover
Transportation: AA's Mobile Bag Check-In * In-flight Entertainment * Fewer Fall Flights * Airlines Satisfy Customers
World Wide Web & Technology: 5 Social Media Essentials * Social Media Study * Mobile Tech Study * Twitter to the Rescue
March, 2009
Market Research: Keep America Meeting * Low Consumer Confidence * Travel Industry Restructure * Global Travel Study * Top Marketing Trends Survey * Business Travel Decline * Decreased Japanese Travel * Decreased Honeymoon Spending
California News: Tourist Spending to Drop * Rain Forest Exhibit * Cal Expo Arena * Octopus Floods Aquarium
National News: Declining American Vacation * US Attraction Discounts * Cultural Philly * New Orleans Optimism * Zoo & Aquarium Funding * Theme Park Job Competition * Grumpy UK Hotel Staffs * Worries Down Under * France Rebrands * Tokoyo Fish Market
Lodging: US Occupany Falls * Obama's Travel Prospects * Green Hotel Chain * Extended Stays * Dubai Cuts Rates
Transportation: Airline Traffic Dips * Southwest Wi-Fi * Tulsa Body Scanners * Small Planes
World Wide Web & Technology: Social Network Resorts * Hip Marketing * Study - Spain and Italy * Writing to Airlines * Internet at Meetings