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TTRA CONFERENCE KEYNOTE PRESENTATION - JOHN HEIMLICH, AIR TRANSPORT ASSOCIATION, "FREEDOM TO TRAVEL" The 39th Annual Conference of the Travel and Tourism Research Association is in full swing in Philadelphia!! Monday's keynote presentation, "Freedom to Travel", was delivered by Mr. John Heimlich, Vice President of the Air Transport Association. Air Transport Association. You may view his presentation online.

The conference program focuses on actionable research results and winning marketing strategies, as well as a first look at key trends you’ll only find here. We have an impressive lineup of general sessions and twenty concurrent sessions as well. (View Conference Program Online)

In the News...

STUDY: SEVERAL U.S. AIRLINES HEADED FOR FAILURE. At current oil prices, several large and small U.S. airlines will default on their obligations to creditors beginning at the end of 2008 and early 2009, according to a study by AirlineForecasts and the Business Travel Coalition. The study shows that oil prices of $130 per barrel will increase annual airline costs by $30 billion, while airlines will be able to generate only $4 billion in fare increases and incremental fees. The implication is that several large and small airlines will end up in bankruptcy, and that some will be forced to liquidate, said AirlineForecasts and the BTC. "U.S. commercial aviation is in full-blown crisis and heading toward a catastrophe," the study said. The report said it was "unlikely" that airlines will have the ability to reduce capacity to levels that will allow all of them to survive. (The Full Story)

DMAI AND TRAVEL CHANNEL TO PARTNER. The Destination Marketing Association announced a new multi-year Alliance Partner agreement with the Travel Channel under which the Travel Channel will be the exclusive sponsor of DMAI's upcoming industry awareness campaign that will be launched this summer. The program will use broadcast, print and online media to increase travelers' awareness of DMOs and local tourist boards. Commercials aired on the Travel Channel and placed on travelchannel.com will encourage travelers to seek destination information from DMOs.

Trends to Watch...

ECONOMY WEAKENS SUMMER TRAVEL PLANS. AS FAMILIES across the country plan their vacations, many are downsizing out of concern over the economy, spooked by talk of a recession, the weak value of the dollar overseas and home foreclosures. Add to that air-travel delays and the rising cost of gas, and some travelers are holding off planning, in hopes of nabbing cheap deals at the last minute. Some resorts and tour operators are responding with discounts and other incentives to try to fill rooms. Close-to-home destinations like suburban water parks and regional resort towns say they're bracing for a spike in business as Americans look for fun things to do that don't require much travel. At online travel agency Travelocity, researchers say they've noticed that Americans are booking shorter trips for the summer, especially for destinations overseas. The overall average length of a trip has fallen more than 5% for an overseas vacation booked on the Web site. (The Full Story)

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