Archive for July, 2010

A misperception of the effects of the Gulf oil spill continue to take a toll on visitation to Florida panhandle beaches, Bloomberg reported. However, the presence of relief workers are giving hotels a boost for now, according to STR. Pensacola hotels reported a 15.5 percent jump in occupancy in June and revenue rose 7 percent, according... »

Investors clearly like the proposed merger of Party Gaming and Bwin, with the former’s stock jumping more than 20 percent and the latter’s 17. The long speculated merger is now official. The two Internet companies will unite in a merger of equals to create an Internet gaming behemoth. Under the agreement, Bwin shareholders will own 51.6... »

When it comes to family vacations the most popular destination is beach and lake destinations, according to the Y-Partnership survey Portrait of American Travelers. - STAYCATIONS. Family travelers are more likely to have taken a vacation that is less than 50 miles away from their homes. - LAST MINUTE TRIPS. 31 percent took trips approximately 6... »

Rep. Barney Frank’s bill to legalize Internet poker passed a House Finance Committee vote Wednesday. Several amendments made to the bill include provisions that block those behind on child support payments from the sites, and the exemption of state and tribal from having to be licensed by the federal government. Sites that have been disregarding US... »

Pennsylvania collected more taxes from its nine gaming facilities than any other state, including Nevada with 260 gaming venues, the Allentown Morning Call reported. Even Nevada was surprised. “Really? That’s incredible,” Nevada gaming board researcher Mike Lawton said when told his state had been dethroned. “You guys must be charging a whole lot of money... »

A return to business travel is giving the industry a boost this summer and leading hotels to raise rates, New York Times reported. “The sweetheart deals of 2009 are gone. Hotels are now more aggressive in revenue management, and are closing out lower price points as quickly as they can,” Henry Harteveldt, a travel analyst... »

The BP oil spill is likely to affect travel to the Gulf Coast for three years and cost the region $22.7 billion, Oxford Economics projects after analysis of 25 recent natural and manmade disasters. “One of the most cost-effective ways to mitigate these damages is to immediately fund strategic marketing to counter misperceptions and encourage... »

In a perhaps not surprising move, Steve Jacobs has been removed as CEO of Sands China. Jacobs had been publicly corrected by Las Vegas Sands CEO Sheldon Adelson some weeks ago in comments about Asian expansion during the opening of Marina Bay Sands in April. Jacobs will be temporarily replaced by LVS COO Mike Leven until... »

As was to be expected, Gov. Chris Christie’s proposals to remake Atlantic City and downsize racing in order to save it are not going to happen without a fight. Or make that a number of fights. ... »

Accor North America has opened 34 Motel 6 and Studio 6 franchise locations in the first half of 2010 as part of its plan to aggressively grow the franchise network for its economy brands. ... »