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| Vol. 2 | Issue 43 | October 26, 2004 | |
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Business Travel on the Upswing IT'S OFFICIAL: PEOPLE ARE TRAVELING AGAIN. THE AMERICAN EXPRESS CO. HAS JUST RELEASED its Global Business Travel Forecast for 2005, which indicates a continued steady revival of the global business travel industry. Unfortunately, recovering demand is likely to push up prices both of hotel rooms and of flights. On the plus side, increased competition -- particularly among airlines -- is likely to dampen any significant increases in business costs, according to the report. "Economic recovery is fueling business travel demand around the world, with particularly strong demand between Europe and North America, South America and across the Pacific," said Matthew Davis, director of Global Consulting Services for American Express. In the United States, typical business airfares are expected to rise by 1 percent to 3 percent and international business-class fares by 2 percent to 5 percent. Standard corporate rates for hotels are expected to rise by as much as 3 percent. "Now more than ever, companies need to consider the effect of foreign-exchange-rate changes when analyzing their global spend," Davis said. |
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Hilton Plans Evian Spa |
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One-Way OK on Air Canada |
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LimoLiner Celebrates |
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| Mandarin Oriental's in the Pink GUESTS OF MANDARIN ORIENTAL HYDE PARK, LONDON AND MANDARIN ORIENTAL, NEW YORK can now receive an exclusive service from British shirt maker Thomas Pink. Guests staying at Mandarin Oriental, New York can order the finest English tailored shirts at the touch of a button. The concierge will hand-deliver Thomas Pink shirts (his and hers), ties, cufflinks, boxer shorts and socks in either the customary Pink box or freshly pressed. At Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park, Thomas Pink's Personally Pink tailor will visit guests in the privacy of their rooms, offering a choice of more than 100 fabrics -- both classic and exclusive to Thomas Pink. Collars and sleeves are precisely made to measure with different color and cuff options. Monogramming is also available.  |
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A
Close Call I arrived at PHL after fighting the traffic on I-95. I had an hour to spare, so I was fine. After checking in and leaving my bags with the Red Cap, I proceeded to long-term parking (at $8 a day, a great deal). As I approached the parking lot, another car cut me off, sending my briefcase, containing my tickets and business presentation, flying off the passenger seat and onto the floor of my car. At the time, I did not realize that my boarding pass had fallen between the seats. I boarded the bus to the terminal and, as we approached my drop-off spot, I noticed my boarding pass was missing. Frantically searching, I realized it must be back in my car. I had to make a decision: I could either stay on the bus and ride back to long-term parking (with only 30 minutes to departure) or request another boarding pass from the ticket agent. I decided on the second option. Happily, the agent was very kind and helpful. She even located my baggage tag numbers in case there were any issues at LAX. With a little smile, she sent me on my way. I passed easily through security and grabbed a cup of coffee before boarding my flight. Takeoff was smooth. The captain informed us that the flying time would a mere 4.5 hours. We'd be landing very early due to favorable tail winds. Onboard service was swift and friendly. I chatted briefly with a seatmate about an article I was writing on Saudi Arabia after he noticed my research spread on the seat next to me. He was interested because he had traveled there on business. Breakfast was a choice of an omelet or pancakes. I chose the omelet -- very tasty by airplane standards. United serves Starbucks coffee, a welcome in-flight amenity. Complimentary headsets were provided, so I watched a bit of "Spiderman II" as I banged away on my laptop keyboard. After an easy landing, I had to wait a bit for my oversized golf clubs, which arrived in a different baggage claim area. Score: ••••• Francis
X. Gallagher |
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Unlucky
in L.A. I was running late en route to meeting a business associate at the hotel before heading out to dinner. I hadn't been able to reach him by phone to let him know my status, so he was waiting for me when I arrived to check in about 15 minutes after our planned meeting time. Unfortunately, he had been unable to ascertain whether or not I had checked in, so he was less than pleased with the service provided by the front desk. "Good luck with this hotel," he said when I arrived. Upon check-in, I was told the key card system was not working. A front desk clerk offered to accompany me to my room to let me in, but, rather than delay my associate any further, I opted to leave my bags with the concierge and retrieve them -- and the key -- upon my return later that evening. When I finally got to my room, it smelled quite heavily of cigarette smoke. Needless to say, I was surprised, since this was California -- one of the first states to enact strict smoking legislation. Other than that, the room was acceptable -- a nice king-sized bed, a desk area with high-speed Internet and plenty of workspace. It could have used a cleaner and remodeled bathroom, more cable television selection and a better television remote. Score: ••••• Francis
X. Gallagher |
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| 'Tis the Season to Shop in London Make this a memorable holiday for everyone on your gift list, including you. This holiday season, British Airways is offering the perfect excuse to do your shopping abroad. Visit some of London's most prestigious stores for some holiday shopping and round off your day with a traditional English tea. Simply book your shopping getaway by Dec. 31 for travel by March 31. British Airways' "Holiday Shopping" package starts at just $399 from New York (JFK) midweek and includes: Round-trip economy fare to London on British Airways, three nights in a two- to four-star hotel in central London, daily continental breakfast, Harrods shopping vouchers and traditional afternoon tea at Fortnum & Mason. Prices from other destinations and at other times vary. Eight-day advance purchase required. Package is subject to availability and other restrictions apply. For more information, call 877 428 2228 or visit www.britishairways.com |
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| United Airlines
Getaways |
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| Get Ready to Tango! Stay two nights at the Four Season Buenos Aires and enjoy an unforgettable night of entertainment. The hotel's "Tango and Shopping" package includes buffet breakfast for two, a tango show with a bottle of champagne at the hotel's bar, Le Dôme, and a shopping voucher for 10 percent off at Patio Bullrich, a unique shopping destination in Argentina's capital city. The Four Seasons Buenos Aires is an elegant 165-room property located next to the exclusive Recoleta district, close to Obelisk, Colon Theatre, and shops. Rates for this package start at $250 per night, with a minimum of two nights required. The tango show is held Saturday nights only. For more information, visit www.fourseasons.com/buenosaires/vacations |
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| Business/First for Less Gobble up some Thanksgiving savings from Continental Airlines. The airline is offering deals on business/first tickets to Europe -- as low as $575 from Newark (N.J.) Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Lisbon, Portugal (LIS); $650 from Orlando, Fla., (MCO) to Dublin, Ireland (DUB); or from $625 from Cleveland, Ohio, (CLE) to Frankfurt, Germany (FRA) one way based on round-trip purchase. Fares good for departure between Nov. 19 and Nov. 25 and return between Nov. 26 and Nov. 30. Additional restrictions, taxes and fees apply. No advance purchase required. Sale ends soon and seats are limited. For more information, visit www.continental.com/specials/offers |
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| 'Nutcracker' in the Capital This December, the Willard InterContinental Hotel in Washington, D.C., is adding an extra sugarplum to its holiday offerings -- a series of "Nutcracker" suppers in The Willard Room. Designed to honor the Washington Ballet's all-new production of the perennial holiday favorite, the menu reflects an earlier time in the nation's capital and features manly local references. Suppers in the seasonally decorated, turn-of-the-century restaurant will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. to accommodate those attending ballet performances at the Warner Theatre just next door to the hotel. The Willard Nutcracker Suppers are available on Dec. 11, 16, 17, 18, 22 and 23. The cost is $45 per adult, $28 per child, and each child will receive a "Nutcracker" keepsake. For reservations, call 202 637 7440. Ballet tickets should be purchased separately, call 800 432 SEAT. For more information, call 202 628 9100 or 800 827 1747. Or, visit washington.intercontinental.com |
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| ©2004 FXExpress Publications Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction and/or distribution of eFlyer is strictly forbidden without the written authorization of the publisher. |
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