WORLD TRAVEL’S INDUSTRY UPDATE
May 23, 2003
Featured Articles In This Issue
IMPORTANT Second Reminder
- Airlines Reporting
Corporation Implements New Airline Ticket Void Policy
IMPORTANT Second Reminder -
Travel Advisor - 48 Hour
Non-refundable Notification
US Airways and Lufthansa Form Alliance
US Airways Resumes Service From Pittsburgh to Both London
Gatwick and Frankfurt
National Government Raises Terror Alert to High
SARS Update
Department of State Announcements
World Travel Ranked 18 by Business Travel News
1. Airlines Reporting Corporation Implements New Airline Ticket
Void Policy -
The Airline Reporting Corporation will be implementing the
Business Process Improvement plan, which will limit the timeframe
in which transactions may be modified or voided. Effective for
tickets issued on or after June 2, airline customers will have 24
hours after purchasing a ticket to decide if in fact she/he wants
the ticket. The ticket may be voided up to 24 hours after the
reservation has been made, however, after that time the ticket may
no longer be voided. Please make certain all travelers within your
organization are aware of this new policy. Please note World
Travel will be implementing this new policy effective May 27 in
preparation for the June 2 date to acclimate everyone to this new
policy.
2. Travel Advisor - 48 Hour Non-refundable Notification
World Travel recently implemented travel advisor, a program
that notifies all clients, via email, 48 hours before your
departure date when flying on a non-refundable ticket. This
notification will be a reminder of your scheduled flight allowing
you to make any flight changes necessary prior to your departure
time. Remember non-refundable tickets can only be changed before
the scheduled departure date and is subject to certain
restrictions and fees. After the scheduled departure date these
tickets have no value.
3. US Airways and Lufthansa Form Alliance
US Airways has signed a memorandum of understanding with
Lufthansa Airlines, covering the establishment of a long-term
strategic alliance. US Airways customers will see new destinations
and additional customer service benefits/enhancements as US
Airways moves towards membership in the Star Alliance.
4. US Airways Resumes Service From Pittsburgh to Both London
Gatwick and Frankfurt
Beginning June 1, 2003 US Airways will resume service between
Pittsburgh and both London Gatwick airport and Frankfurt Germany.
This service had been suspended due to the airlines commitment to
provide aircraft to the Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF) for the
movement of troops to and from the Middle East. US Airways will
operate one daily nonstop roundtrip flight on each route.
5. National Government Raises Terror Alert to High
As terrorist threats continue to hang over many nations, the US
is to maintain its high alert through the Memorial Day holiday and
probably beyond. The threat level was raised to orange after
recent attacks in Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Israel, as well as
intelligence that indicates there could be an attack in the United
States.
SARS Update
The World Health Organization (WHO) lifted the travel
advisories for Hong Kong and the Chinese province of Guagdong.
According to WHO, SARS seems to be under control in these areas
with no recent reports of cases being exported from these areas to
other countries. Meanwhile WHO has extended its SARS related
travel warning to all of Taiwan, as the outbreak continues to grow
there. There are currently 418 confirmed cases in Taiwan and a
backlog of more than 474 SARS related cases in which people show
symptoms, but have not been confirmed to have the disease.
7. Department of State Announcements
The Department of State has issued warnings and/or public
announcements regarding travel for American citizens to Kenya,
Saudi Arabia, East Africa and Malaysia. For more information visit
http://travel.state.gov
8. World Travel Ranked 18 by Business Travel News
The numbers are in and Business Travel News just announced
World Travel, Inc. took the number 18 spot in the nation for 2002.
We’re very proud of this accomplishment moving up from the 26th
spot the year before. World Travel just celebrated their 20th
anniversary in April of this year. Achieving the recognition of
the 18th largest agency in the nation in 20 years of business is
attributed to the man at the helm of World Travel, Mr. James Wells
and the dedication and the customer first philosophy he has taught
us. We would also like to thank our clients for being a part of
this accomplishment.
The World Travel Industry Update is
sent EXCLUSIVELY to our valued clients.
800-341-2014 - Douglassville / 800-874-6700 -
Malvern / 800-291-2424 - Leola
May 23, 2003
World Travel, Inc. would like to share the
following
US Airways Vacation Specials
With US Airways Vacations new FREE, FREE, FREE
promotion,
you can enjoy great special inclusions with your
Caribbean vacation FREE, FREE, FREE!
Book special air/hotel vacations by June 20 for
travel May 19-Nov. 12, 2003 at select properties in Antigua,
Aruba, Barbados, Bermuda, The Islands of The Bahamas (Grand Bahama
Island and Nassau), Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico
(Cancun and Cozumel), Puerto Rico, St. Lucia, Turks & Caicos, U.S.
Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John and St. Thomas), and more!
You’ll receive:
· One FREE Night at participating properties
· One FREE Select Tour in most destinations
· One FREE Hotel Gift or Inclusion at most hotels
· FREE Samsonite 3-Piece Luggage Set ($339 value)
Samsonite luggage available when your deposit and full payment
are made by June 20, 2003 using your MasterCard card.
********************************************
ESCAPE TO BARBADOS AND SAVE $400 AND MORE!
With the Best of Barbados program, you’ll receive a $400
companion air credit, your first night free and various island
discounts! Plus, guests staying at hotels with a European plan
will enjoy free breakfast daily for two adults, and guests staying
at hotels with an All-Inclusive plan will receive a free room
upgrade (when available). This great special is valid with stays
of seven nights or longer with a European plan hotel or with stays
of five nights or longer with an All-Inclusive plan. You must book
by July 31, 2003 for travel April 26-July 12 and Aug. 16-Dec. 15,
2003.
European Plan Properties:
· ASTA Beach Resort
· Blue Horizon
· Bougainvillea Beach Resort
· Coconut Court Beach Hotel (All-Inclusive also available.)
· Fairmont Royal Pavilion
· The Savannah Hotel
All-Inclusive Plan Properties:
· Almond Beach Club & Spa
· Almond Beach Village
· Crystal Cove Hotel
· Sam Lord's Castle Resort
· Turtle Beach Hotel
*********************************************************
SAVE $400 TO BERMUDA
Discover charming Bermuda and save $400! You’ll receive a $400
companion air travel credit with air-and-hotel-inclusive vacations
of five nights or longer at participating hotels in Bermuda booked
by June 15, 2003 for travel by Dec. 15, 2003.
Participating hotels include:
· Ariel Sands
· Elbow Beach Bermuda
· Fairmont Hamilton Princess
· Fairmont Southampton
· Grotto Bay Beach Resort
· Harmony Club
· Sonesta Beach Resort, Bermuda
· The Stonington Beach Hotel
*************************************************************
SAVE $100 TO IRELAND, SANDALS AND BEACHES OR
GRAND BAHAMA ISLAND!
Book your air/hotel vacation of five nights or longer to
Ireland, Grand Bahama Island or any Sandals and Beaches Ultra
All-Inclusive Resort in Antigua, Jamaica, Nassau, St. Lucia or
Turks & Caicos by May 31, 2003, and receive $100 off per
reservation! This special is valid for travel through Aug. 31,
2003! To receive the savings, be sure to ask your travel
consultant to book electronically!
***********************************************************
UNIVERSAL 2-DAY/2-PARK TICKET WITH 5 FREE DAYS
INCLUDED!
Escape to Universal Orlando® and enjoy the new Stay and Play
2-Day/2-Park ticket with five FREE days included! The Stay and
Play ticket entitles one guest to admission to Universal Studios®,
Universal's Islands of Adventure® and paid venues at Universal
CityWalk® for seven consecutive calendar days beginning the first
day of use. Ticket does not include admission to special,
separately ticketed events. This great offer is valid for
vacations booked by Dec. 12, 2003 for travel through Dec. 29,
2003.
************************************************************
ENJOY ALL-INCLUSIVE AT HOLIDAY INN GRAND CAYMAN
Located right across the street from the famous Seven-Mile
Beach, Holiday Inn Grand Cayman is now offering an All-Inclusive
plan! Enjoy all your meals and beverages included with the price
of your stay! (Excludes premium brand liquors, bottles of wine or
bottles of champagne.)
**************************************************
RECEIVE 5,000 BONUS DIVIDEND MILES
When you book your air/hotel vacation to Palace Resorts in
Mexico by May 31, 2003, you’ll receive 5,000 bonus US Airways
Dividend Miles! Travel is valid through Aug. 31, 2003.
Palace Resorts include:
· BEACH PALACE
· CANCUN PALACE
· SUN PALACE
· AVENTURA SPA PALACE
· MOON PALACE
· XPU-HA PALACE
In addition, earn 2,000 bonus Dividend Miles with vacations to
Grand Bahama Island booked by May 31, 2003 for travel by June 30,
2003.
You must be a US Airways Dividend Miles Member prior to booking
to receive the bonus miles. Only one bonus miles offer will be
awarded per package. The first valid Dividend Miles Member on the
reservation will be awarded the bonus miles.
The World Travel Industry Update is sent EXCLUSIVELY to our
valued
clients. 800-341-2014 - Douglassville / 800-874-6700 - Malvern /
800-291-2424 - Leola
mail:
vacations@worldtravelinc.com