Delta eyes cutback in China service
Delta joined a growing list of airlines that are scaling back service in the U.S.-China market, advising the Transportation Department that it plans to reduce service on its new Atlanta-Shanghai route to five weekly flights on Nov. 7, returning to daily service next May. The carrier said the seasonal reduction was required because "the market conditions for air transportation in general and for U.S.-China services in particular have radically deteriorated" since it applied for the route last year. The carrier launched the service March 30 with 777 aircraft.
Australian group drops Vegas project
Australia-based Crown canceled plans for a $5 billion, 5,000-room casino hotel in Las Vegas and relinquished its option on a 27-acre site at the north end of the Strip, previously home to the Wet 'n Wild water park. The casino project was being developed by LVTI, a joint-venture company in which Crown, controlled by Australian billionaire James Packer, held a 37.5% stake.
Baltimore becomes Carnival home port
Carnival will base the 88,500-ton Carnival Pride in Baltimore beginning Sept. 13, 2009, for year-round, seven-day cruises to ports in Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.
Silversea vessel gets princely debut
Silversea Cruises named its newly acquired expedition ship, the Prince Albert II, in Monte Carlo. Prince Albert II of Monaco attended the ceremony to christen his namesake before its first cruise, a June 12 departure from London to the Arctic Circle.
Clipper renames 2 Cape Cod ships
The Cape Cod Light and Cape May Light will be renamed Clipper Discoverer and Clipper Voyager, respectively. The former American Classic Voyages ships were recently acquired by Denmark-based Clipper Group, after being laid up for seven years. Miami-based International Shipping Partners, Clipper Group's management partner, said both vessels should be ready for charter service next summer.
Aloft arrives at last at Montreal airport
Aloft, Starwood's new lifestyle brand, opened its first hotel, the 136-room Aloft Montreal Airport. Aloft hotels feature guestrooms with high ceilings, walk-in showers and the latest in connectivity.
Wyndham acquires two more brands
Wyndham Worldwide acquired the Microtel Inns & Suites and Hawthorn Suites hotel brands from Global Hyatt. Microtel is a chain of 292 all-new-construction economy hotels, with 38 more under construction. The 91-hotel Hawthorn Suites chain marks Wyndham's entry into the extended-stay market. The two brands have a total of more than 29,000 rooms.
New York will beat its 50 million goal
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who set a goal of bringing 50 million visitors a year to the city by 2015, said in a recorded message at the Travel Industry Association's International Pow Wow in Las Vegas that New York is projected to host 47.7 million this year and to hit 50 million mark in 2012, three years early.
Friends & Colleagues
Bjorn Hanson, one of the country's top hotel industry analysts, is leaving his job as leader of PricewaterhouseCooper's Hospitality and Leisure Practice after nearly 20 years with the company to teach full time at New York University's hospitality school. Hanson said he would be leaving PWC at the end of June. • • • Travel Ad Network announced that COO Brian Silver has been promoted to president, a newly created position. Company officials said he would likely continue in the COO role. Silver served as COO for Did-It Search Marketing and as vice president of operations for IAC Advertising. • • • Resort operator Intrawest has hired real estate industry veteran Brian Collins as president. He was most recently the principal and founder of Colgate Development. • • • Wyndham Hotel Group has hired Tom Monahan to be executive vice president of international development. Monahan joins Wyndham after 12 years with Starwood Hotels and Resorts, most recently as senior vice president of acquisitions and development in the Asia/Pacific region. • • • OpenSkies announced two senior management appointments. Tracy Sandford, vice president of marketing. She had a role in the JetBlue launch, where she was director of advertising and promotions. Chris Vukelich, vice president of distribution and e-commerce. He has held senior positions with British Airways, Hilton International and Travelport.