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E L L I O T T' S TRAVEL NOTES
Travel news, opinion and analysis

January 29, 2004

Better Beds, Bigger Profits?
For hotel companies trying to fluff up profits, it has become all about the bed. This week, it's Hampton Inn's turn. The mid-priced hotel chain based in Memphis, Tenn., is announcing an $80 million makeover that promotes the purchase of higher quality mattresses, pillows, comforters, and sheets. Hampton Inn, owned by Hilton Hotels Corp., wants to lavish budget-conscious travelers with a taste of what they'd find at more expensive hotels. Its vision borrows heavily from the success that Westin Hotels and Resorts, Ritz-Carlton Hotel Co. and other higher-end brands have had in recent years marketing the luxuriousness of their bedding. AP | Posted 6 a.m.
<-- IB: Hampton designed its own alarm clocks

• Hotel amenities are great as long as they're actually needed. Not every perk is welcome. Send us your comments.

'03 Worst For International Tourism
Battered by a series of problems, international tourism arrivals fell 1.2 percent in 2003, the biggest annual drop ever. However, the outlook for this year is much brighter, according to the World Tourism Organization (WTO). "In 2003, international tourism lived through another exceptionally difficult year in which three negative factors came together: the Iraq conflict, SARS and a persistently weak economy," explained WTO Secretary-General Mr. Francesco Frangialli. The Iraq conflict and the high level of uncertainty leading up to it depressed worldwide travel in the first quarter of the year. Travel Daily News | Posted 6:15 a.m.
-- Reuters: France remained top destination
-- Nation: World tourism poised for upswing in '04

Time Running Out for US Airways
If current talks between US Airways and pilot union chiefs lead to a contract proposal, time is running short for the airline to put major changes in place. While by no means assured, proposed changes to the pilots' collective bargaining agreement would first have to be ratified by unionized pilots. And that process would take 30 to 60 days, said the Air Line Pilots Association. "US Airways probably would be in serious trouble by late spring" without changing how it operates, Ray Neidl, an airline analyst for Blaylock & Partners. Tribune Review | Posted 6:20 a.m.
-- Post: Pilots pressed to fly more
-- Reuters: US Airways asset sale draws bidders

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• And finally ... sadly, more US Airways news dominates today's rumor mill. The investment bulletin boards are buzzing with players who are selling the company's publicly-traded shares short in anticipation of a Chapter 7 filing. That's Wall Street-speak for liquidation. Posted 6:30 a.m.| Send us your comments.

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